bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orthoplastic Management of Lower Limb Traumas
Authors: Gatto Arianna , Stucchi Sara , Brambilla Leonardo , Cavalli Erica , Giacomini Giorgio , De Rosa Laura , Leone Giulio , Belingheri Michael , Ribuffo Diego , Zatti Giovanni , Marchesi Andrea
Published: September 2024

Background

Open fractures of the lower limb represent a common challenge for trauma centers. Even where national guidelines are available, these standards are frequently missing. Our study evaluates the influence of polytrauma on the adherence to the timing and management required in an orthoplastic approach.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review was performed on 36 patients affected by a Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC fracture of the lower limb between 2018 and 2022. Data related to patient management were analyzed: time to the first evaluation by a plastic surgeon, time to soft tissue coverage, time to definitive osteosynthesis, days in intensive care unit (ICU), days of hospitalization, and total cost of hospital stay. Patient satisfaction was evaluated through the administration of 2 questionnaires: the Enneking and the Foot Function Index (FFI).

Results

In 23 patients (63.9%), a soft tissue reconstruction was required. Of these, 13 were polytraumas (PT) (56.5%) and 10 were affected by an isolated lower limb fracture (ILLF) (43.5%). The median time to wound excision was 7.0 days (IQR, 0–16.0) in the PT group and 12.5 days (IQR, 1–41.0) in the ILLF group, whereas the mean time to soft tissue coverage was 15.0 days (IQR, 4.0–17.0) in the PT group and 38.0 days (IQR, 25.0–65.0) in the ILLF group. Mean time to definitive fixation was 33.0 days (IQR, 6.5–70.0) in the PT group and 16.5 days (IQR, 3.0–26.0) in the ILLF group. Statistically significant difference was reported on mean time to soft tissue coverage, whereas not relevant differences were reported on mean time to plastic surgeon involvement, first debridement, definitive fixation, days of hospitalization, costs, and Enneking and FFI score.

Conclusion

This is the first study comparing the effectiveness of the orthoplastic approach between isolated lower limb fractures and polytraumas. According to our study, open lower limb fracture management is paradoxically more effective in polytraumas rather than in isolated injuries because a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory in severely injured and compromised patients.
Pediatric Intranasal Lobular Capillary Hemangioma
Authors: Valencia-Sanchez Bastien A. , Shokri Tom , Kalmar Christopher L. , Patel Vijay A.
Published: September 2024

Study Design

Systematic, scoping literature review and case presentation.

Objective

The goal of this study is to review current literature on management trends and outcomes of pediatric intranasal lobular capillary hemangioma (ILCH).

Case Presentation

A 14-year-old male patient presented with a 15-month history of unilateral epistaxis, nasal congestion, and mouth breathing. Further workup revealed a pale nasal mass obstructing the right nasal cavity. The patient was successfully treated using a minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal approach for mass resection and nasal floor free mucosal graft for septal reconstruction.

Methods

Independent queries of the PubMed Central, MEDLINE, and Bookshelf databases were performed; articles from 1990 to 2023 were abstracted. All studies that described pediatric ILCH using the Boolean method and relevant search term combinations, including “Intranasal,” “Lobular capillary hemangioma,” “Pyogenic granuloma,” “Pediatric,” “Outcome,” and “Management,” were collected for subsequent analysis.

Results

A total of 407 relevant unique articles were identified for analysis. Of these, 19 articles were deemed appropriate for inclusion in this literature review. Twenty-two pediatric ILCH cases were identified with a mean age at diagnosis of 10.5 years. The majority of cases occurred in males and presented with recurrent epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Most lesions originated from the anterior nasal septum and were resected using an endoscopic endonasal approach with no recurrence at last follow-up.

Conclusions

Pediatric ILCH, a benign vascular neoplasm, often presents with unilateral nasal obstruction and severe, refractory epistaxis. This comprehensive review aims to highlight the importance of including this lesion in the differential diagnosis for unilateral nasal obstruction and epistaxis in young children.
In-Vivo MRI in Rodents
Authors: Chaker Sara C. , Manzanera Esteve Isaac V. , Yan Ling , Hung Ya-Ching , James Andrew J. , Saad Mariam , Thayer Wesley P.
Published: September 2024

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a potentially powerful novel peripheral nerve diagnosis technique. To determine its validity, in-vivo preclinical studies are necessary. However, when using a rodent model, positioning rats and achieving high-resolution images can be challenging. We present a short report that outlines an optimal protocol for positioning rats for in-vivo MRI acquisition. Female Sprague-Dawley rats with sciatic nerve injury were induced into anesthesia using 4% isoflurane in oxygen and maintained at 1.5%. Rats were placed into a plexiglass cradle in a right lateral recumbent position, and a surface coil was placed over the left leg. Respiration rate and body temperature were monitored throughout the scan. Our protocol was successful as rats were able to undergo MRI scanning safely and efficiently. There were no adverse reactions, and clear images of the left sciatic nerve were obtained. Animal positioning took 30 minutes, and 5 different acquisitions were obtained in 2 hours. The total time from anesthesia induction to recovery was under 3 hours. Given the increasing interest in MRI diagnostic techniques, we hope this report aids other researchers studying peripheral nerve injury imaging in rat models.
What Is the Optimal Method of Fixation for Scaphoid Nonunion Relative to the Location of the Lesion?
Authors: Baik Keun Ho , Lee Sang Ki , An Young Sun
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Scaphoid nonunion is a typical complication of scaphoid fractures, with the nonunion rate varying by the location of the scaphoid. The current widely used method for treating scaphoid nonunion, which is challenging for surgeons, is the headless compression screw (HCS). Various surgical approaches, such as the scaphoid plate, have been proposed to address the problem of screw fixation; however, no consensus exists regarding the optimal treatment method. This study focused on analyzing appropriate treatment methods based on the anatomical location of the scaphoid nonunion.

Methods

Ninety-seven patients with scaphoid nonunion were treated between 2008 and 2023. All patients underwent treatment using 1 HCS or scaphoid volar locking plate with nonvascularized bone graft from the distal radius depending on the scaphoid's location. The scaphoid angle and bone union were confirmed using radiological examinations. The clinical evaluations included range of motion, pain, grip strength, and functional wrist scores.

Results

Fifty-seven patients were included in the final analysis. In the screw group, 26 patients (26/42 [62%]) obtained a bone union, and all 15 patients (15/15 [100%]) in the plate group obtained a union (P = 0.005). In the waist group, 16 patients with screw (16/25 [64%]) and 8 using a plate (8/8 [100%]) showed bony healing. In the proximal group, 3 patients with HCS (3/9 [33%]) and 4 using plate (4/4 [100%]) showed bone union. In the distal group, 7 patients with a screw (7/8 [87%]) and 3 with the plate (3/3 [100%]) showed bone union. Significant differences were found in the waist (P = 0.047) and proximal groups (P = 0.026), but not in the distal group (P = 0.521). All groups showed improved radiological angles associated with the scaphoid and better clinical outcomes postoperatively.

Conclusions

Plate fixation was overall superior to screw fixation for scaphoid nonunion, especially in the waist and proximal poles, providing better union rates and stability. For the distal group, both methods are effective, with the choice depending on the surgeon's expertise and patient factors. The results highlight the importance of the lesion's anatomical location in selecting the appropriate fixation method.
Lymphedema of the Head and Neck—Where Do We Stand and Where We Are Headed
Authors: Taylor Ruby R. , Pandey Sonia K. , Smartz Taylor , Chen Wei F. , Thaller Seth R.
Published: September 2024

Great advancements have been made in the management of lymphedema of the extremities with lymphatic surgery. However, lymphedema of other regions, including head and neck, has remained neglected. Recent discovery of lymphatic system in the brain and the communication between intracranial and paracranial lymphatic systems has drawn attention to the head and neck lymphatics. Lymphedema of the head and neck region can result from inherent abnormality of the lymphatic system (primary) or be caused by accidental or iatrogenic injury to lymphatics (secondary). The head and neck contain a large network of lymphatic tissue. They may be affected by direct tumor infiltration, surgical resection of tumors and surrounding cancer tissue, and/or radiotherapy. Proper screening and counseling of patients before facial aesthetic procedures may avoid managing the distress of lymphedema postprocedure. Progression of head and neck lymphedema (HNL) can lead to chronic inflammatory, fibrosclerotic, and fibrofatty deposition, resulting in permanent deformity and disability. Patients may experience functional impairment, including skin changes, pain, range of motion limitations, contracture, dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspnea, and trismus, all leading to reduced quality of life. Despite these known disabilities, HNL is underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness about this entity and of tools available for measuring internal or external swelling. The authors' article comprehensively reviews the current diagnostic methods and management strategies and what lies ahead.
Anatomic Subunit Cleft Lip Repair: New Repair Concept Based on Nostril Sill and Philtrum-White Roll Junction
Authors: Natarajan Praveen Ganesh , Mahipathy Surya Rao Rao Venkata , Nalabothu Prasad
Published: September 2024

A novel method for unilateral cleft lip repair based on lip anatomic subunits was presented in 2005 by David M. Fisher. It has about 25 landmarks with 2 arbitrary markings for the nostril. It is an important subunit when it comes to nose reconstruction. This article sheds light on the variance in nostril sill disposition among cleft lip patients. A novel marking technique based on differences in sills is presented. Furthermore, the unique anatomical structure of the philtrum-white roll junction is highlighted with a suggested modification to the subunit approximation leading to its reconstitution.
GSDMD KNOCKOUT ALLEVIATES SEPSIS-ASSOCIATED SKELETAL MUSCLE ATROPHY BY INHIBITING IL18/AMPK SIGNALING
Authors: Zhang Yongsheng , Li Tonghan , Liu Yukun , Wang Chuntao , Wang Dongfang , Xu Ligang , Zhao Hong , Bai Xiangjun , Li Zhanfei , Wang Yuchang
Published: September 2024

Background: Sepsis commonly leads to skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by substantial muscle weakness and degeneration, ultimately contributing to an adverse prognosis. Studies have shown that programmed cell death is an important factor in the progression of muscle loss in sepsis. However, the precise role and mechanism of pyroptosis in skeletal muscle atrophy are not yet fully comprehended. Therefore, we aimed to examine the role and mechanism of action of the pyroptosis effector protein GSDMD in recognized cellular and mouse models of sepsis. Methods: The levels of GSDMD and N-GSDMD in skeletal muscle were evaluated 2, 4, and 8 days after cecal ligation and puncture. Sepsis was produced in mice that lacked the Gsdmd gene (Gsdmd knockout) and in mice with the normal Gsdmd gene (wild-type) using a procedure called cecal ligation and puncture. The degree of muscular atrophy in the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles was assessed 72 h after surgery in the septic mouse model. In addition, the architecture of skeletal muscles, protein expression, and markers associated with pathways leading to muscle atrophy were examined in mice from various groups 72 h after surgery. The in vitro investigations entailed the use of siRNA to suppress Gsdmd expression in C2C12 cells, followed by stimulation of these cells with lipopolysaccharide to evaluate the impact of Gsdmd downregulation on muscle atrophy and the related signaling cascades. Results: This study has demonstrated that the GSDMD protein, known as the “executive” protein of pyroptosis, plays a crucial role in the advancement of skeletal muscle atrophy in septic mice. The expression of N-GSDMD in the skeletal muscle of septic mice was markedly higher compared with the control group. The Gsdmd knockout mice exhibited notable enhancements in survival, muscle strength, and body weight compared with the septic mice. Deletion of the Gsdmd gene reduced muscular wasting in the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles caused by sepsis. Studies conducted in living organisms (in vivo) and in laboratory conditions (in vitro) have shown that the absence of the Gsdmd gene decreases indicators of muscle loss associated with sepsis by blocking the IL18/AMPK signaling pathway. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the lack of Gsdmd has a beneficial effect on septic skeletal muscle atrophy by reducing the activation of IL18/AMPK and inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy pathways. Therefore, our research provides vital insights into the role of pyroptosis in sepsis-related skeletal muscle wasting, which could potentially lead to the development of therapeutic and interventional approaches for preventing septic skeletal muscle atrophy.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRPM4 RS8104571 GENOTYPE, CIRCULATING TRPM4 AND SUR1, AND CLINICAL OUTCOME FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Authors: Krocker Joseph D. , Cotton Madeline E. , Ashley Janet R. , Schriner Jacob B. , Osborn Baron K. , Wang Yao-Wei Willa , Cox Charles S. , Wade Charles E.
Published: September 2024

The variant single nucleotide polymorphism rs8104571 has been associated with poor outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is most prevalent in those of African ancestry. This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) resides within a gene coding for the TRPM4 protein, which complexes with SUR1 protein to create a transmembrane ion channel and is believed to contribute to cellular swelling and cell death in neurological tissue. Our study evaluates the relationship between circulating TRPM4 and SUR1, rs8104571 genotype, and clinical outcome in TBI patients. Trauma patients with moderate to severe TBI were included in this retrospective study. rs8104571 genotyping and admission plasma TRPM4 and SUR1 quantification were performed with real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Adequate plasma for TRPM4 and SUR1 ELISA quantification was available for 289 patients, 54 of whom were African American (AA). Plasma TRPM4 concentration was increased in those with a variant rs8104571 allele compared with wild type when controlling for demographics and injury characteristics in the overall cohort (P = 0.04) and within the AA subgroup (P = 0.01). There was no significant association between plasma TRPM4 or SUR1 and clinical outcome (each P > 0.05). Plasma TRPM4 abundance increased with acute kidney injury severity (P = 0.02). The association between increased plasma TRPM4 and variant rs810457 supports an underlying mechanism involving increased neuroinflammation with a subsequent increase in the leakage of TRPM4 from the central nervous system into circulation. Alternative sources of plasma TRPM4 including the kidney cannot be excluded and may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of trauma as well.
Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Outcomes following Vascular Procedure in the Vascular Quality Initiative
Authors: Caron  Elisa , Yadavalli Sai Divya , Manchella Mohit , Jabbour Gabriel , Gomez-Mayorga Jorge L. , Davis Roger B. , Patel Virendra I. , Stone David H. , Conrad Mark F. , Schermerhorn Marc L.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases morbidity and mortality in most vascular procedures. However, a binary classification of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, which is often used in both modeling and clinical trials, may not be optimal for predicting clinical outcomes.

Objective:

Determine the optimal eGFR cutoff for use in risk stratification and prediction models.

Methods:

Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) data for non-emergent, first-time OAR, EVAR, TEVAR, CEA, CAS, PVI, Supra- and infra-inguinal bypass were analyzed from to 2013-2023 and divided into cohorts based on eGFR (≥60, 45-59, 30-44, <30, and preoperative dialysis). χ2 and logistic regression were used to evaluate perioperative outcomes.

Results:

Compared to patients with eGFR ≥60, those with eGFR 45-59 had similar odds of mortality following all procedures, except TEVAR. Driven by this group, the combined cohort showed a slight increase in the odds of mortality for eGFR 45-59 (0.6% vs. 0.7%, aOR 1.16, P=0.002). Those in the 30-44 group demonstrated increased odds of mortality both overall and in the individual procedure groups (0.6% vs. 1.2%, aOR 1.78, P<0.001). The odds of mortality continued to increase with worsening eGFR. The overall rate of new permanent dialysis was low for all eGFR cohorts, with a 0.02% difference between those with eGFR >60 and those in the 45-59 cohort (0.04% vs. 0.06%; a OR 1.65, P<0.001). The odds of permanent dialysis likewise continued to increase with decreasing eGFR.

Conclusions

Rather than a binary eGFR cutoff of ≥60 and <60 to stratify patient risk, better risk stratification may be achieved by using five groups of ≥60, 45-59, 30-44, <30, and preoperative dialysis.
Are trauma centers penalized for improved prehospital resuscitation?: The effect of prehospital transfusion on arrival vitals and predicted mortality
Authors: Clements Thomas W. , Van Gent Jan-Michael , Kaminski Carter , Wandling Michael W. , Moore Laura J. , Cotton Bryan A.
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Prediction models for survival in trauma rely on arrival vital signs to generate survival probabilities. Hospitals are benchmarked on expected and observed outcomes. Prehospital blood (PB) transfusion has been shown to improve mortality, which may affect survival prediction modeling. We hypothesize that the use of PB increases the predicted survival derived from probability models compared with non–blood-based resuscitation.

METHODS

All adult trauma patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center requiring emergency release blood transfusion from January 2017 to December 2021 were reviewed. Patients were grouped into those receiving PB or those who did not (no PB). Prehospital Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and shock index were compared with those at presentation to hospital. Univariate and multivariate regressions were performed to identify factors associated with changes in survival probability at presentation.

RESULTS

In total, 2117 patients were reviewed (PB, 1,011; no PB, 1,106). Patients receiving PB were younger (35 vs. 40 years,p< 0.001), more likely to have blunt mechanism (71% vs. 65%,p= 0.002), and more severely injured (Injury Severity Score, 27 vs. 25;p< 0.001) and had higher rates of prehospital hypotension (44% vs. 19%,p< 0.001) and shock index (1.10 vs. 0.87,p< 0.001). Upon arrival, PB patients had lower rates of ED hypotension (34% vs. 39%,p= 0.01), and significant improvements in arrival TRISS scores (+0.09 vs. −0.02,p< 0.001) and shock index (+0.10 vs. −0.07,p< 0.001) compared with prehospital. On multivariate analysis, PB was associated with a threefold increase in unexpected survivors (odds ratio, 3.28; 95% confidence interval, 2.23–4.60).

CONCLUSION

The use of PB was associated with improved probability of survival and an increase in unexpected survivors. Applying TRISS and shock index at hospital arrival does not account for en route hemostatic resuscitation, causing patients to arrive with improved vitals despite severity of injury. Caution should be used when implementing survival probability calculations using arrival vitals in centers with prehospital transfusion capability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.
Etiologies and Outcomes of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis-Associated Optic Neuropathy: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Salman Abdul-Rahman , Hur Minjun , Warrington Kenneth J. , Garrity James A. , Koster Matthew J. , Chodnicki Kevin D. , Tajfirouz Deena A. , Chen John J.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener granulomatosis, is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of small- to medium-sized blood vessels (vasculitis). We described the 3 causes of GPA-associated optic neuropathy (compressive, inflammatory, or ischemic) and analyzed initial and final visual acuities (VAs) in each group, which could potentially help prognosticate visual outcomes depending on the etiology of optic neuropathy.

Methods:

This was a retrospective chart review of patients who were diagnosed with GPA-associated optic neuropathy and were seen in the Department of Ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Only patients who met the 2022 American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology GPA classification criteria were included.

Results:

A total of 12 patients with GPA-associated optic neuropathy were identified. The etiology of the optic neuropathy was compressive in 6 patients, inflammatory in 4 patients, and ischemic in 3 patients. One patient had compressive optic neuropathy initially, then presented with GPA-related optic neuritis years later. Four patients in the compressive optic neuropathy group had orbital masses requiring orbitotomy for debulking, and the remaining 2 patients had compression from pachymeningitis. Average logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) VA at optic neuropathy onset was 1.50, 1.50, and 0.67 (Snellen equivalent 20/600, 20/600, and 20/100, respectively). At the last follow-up, average logMAR VA was 0.91, 1.73, and 1.10 (Snellen equivalent 20/160, 20/1,000, and 20/250, respectively) for each group.

Conclusion:

Visual outcomes were variable, with compressive and inflammatory optic neuropathies showing improvement in 4 eyes and worsening in 3 eyes in total. Patients with ischemic optic neuropathy from GPA were either stable or worsened over the course of the disease.
The medical life of William Anderson Soga in late nineteenth-century Britain and South Africa
Authors: Chetty Suryakanthie
Published: September 2024

William Anderson Soga is considered the first indigenous Western-educated medical doctor in the region that would become South Africa. As a medical missionary he epitomized the union of medicine and religion to promote ‘civilization’. This paper explores the world inhabited by the Sogas which comprised the ‘traditional’ and the ‘modern’, progress, conflict and conquest. It seeks to contextualize the figure of William Anderson Soga in late nineteenth-century South Africa and uses as a case study Soga’s thesis on the Bomvana as a means of understanding his own position as a figure of mixed heritage during a period when Western ‘civilization’ was unequivocally harnessed to the narrative of progress. Soga’s analysis of the health and indigenous healing practices of the Bomvana spanned the fields of medicine and ethnography, with a focus on the role of the environment, an environment that was rapidly changing owing to modernization. While Soga explicitly advocated Western medical practices, his thesis was nevertheless an attempt to record aspects of indigenous culture as they were being eroded by the pervasive influence of Western knowledge systems. Finally, this paper addresses the intellectual influences that underpinned Soga’s analysis, demonstrating the ambiguous legacy of modernity.
Structure-guided secretome analysis of gall-forming microbes offers insights into effector diversity and evolution
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Soham , Javed Muhammad Asim , Wu Jiaxu , Pérez-López Edel
Published: September 2024

Phytopathogens secrete effector molecules to manipulate host immunity and metabolism. Recent advances in structural genomics have identified fungal effector families whose members adopt similar folds despite sequence divergence, highlighting their importance in virulence and immune evasion. To extend the scope of comparative structure-guided analysis to more evolutionarily distant phytopathogens with similar lifestyles, we used AlphaFold2 to predict the 3D structures of the secretome from selected plasmodiophorid, oomycete, and fungal gall-forming pathogens. Clustering protein folds based on structural homology revealed species-specific expansions and a low abundance of known orphan effector families. We identified novel sequence- unrelated but structurally similar (SUSS) effector clusters, rich in conserved motifs such as ’CCG’ and ’RAYH’. We demonstrate that these motifs likely play a central role in maintaining the overall fold. We also identified a SUSS cluster adopting a nucleoside hydrolase-like fold conserved among various gall-forming microbes. Notably, ankyrin proteins were significantly expanded in gall-forming plasmodiophorids, with most being highly expressed during clubroot disease, suggesting a role in pathogenicity. Altogether, this study advances our understanding of secretome landscapes in gall-forming microbes and provides a valuable resource for broadening structural phylogenomic studies across diverse phytopathogens.
CRISPR-based dissection of miRNA binding sites using isogenic cell lines is hampered by pervasive noise
Authors: Prajapat Mahendra K. , Vidigal Joana A.
Published: September 2024

Non-coding regulatory sequences play essential roles in adjusting gene output to cellular needs and are thus critical to animal development and health. Numerous such sequences have been identified in mammalian genomes ranging from transcription factors binding motifs to recognition sites for RNA-binding proteins and non-coding RNAs. The advent of CRISPR has raised the possibility of assigning functionality to individual endogenous regulatory sites by facilitating the generation of isogenic cell lines that differ by a defined set of genetic modifications. Here we investigate the usefulness of this approach to assign function to individual miRNA binding sites. We find that the process of generating isogenic pairs of mammalian cell lines with CRISPR-mediated mutations introduces extensive molecular and phenotypic variability between biological replicates making any attempt of assigning function to the binding site essentially impossible. Our work highlights an important consideration when employing CRISPR editing to characterize non-coding regulatory sequences in cell lines and calls for the development and adoption of alternative strategies to address this question in the future.
Effect of the spatial curvature on light bending and time delay in a curved Einstein-Straus–de Sitter spacetime
Authors: Guenouche Mourad
Published: September 2024

A method of general applicability has been developed, whereby the null geodesic equations of the Einstein-Straus–de Sitter metric can be integrated simultaneously in terms of the curvature constant k. The purpose is to generalize the computation of light deflection and time delay by a spherical mass distribution. Assuming a flat Universe with most recent measurements of the Hubble constant H0 and the cosmological constant Λ, five time delays between the four bright images of the lensed quasar SDSS J1004+4112 have been forecasted and compared to others in the field, ΔtDC=(3250±64)  days (8.90 yr),

Δ

t

D

A

=

204

9

−

58

+

59

 

 

days

(5.61 yr), ΔtAC=(1269±77)  days (3.47 yr), ΔtBC=1176−77+78  days (3.22 yr), and ΔtAB=(93±70)  days. This set of time delays constrains the galaxy cluster mass to be M=(2.447±0.73)×1013M⊙. In addition, we have reviewed the question of the possible contribution of a positive Λ to reduce the light bending, and concluded that the changes are seemingly too small to be appreciable on cosmological scales. The same conclusion has been reached regarding the time delay. Having addressed the question of the effect of the spatial curvature in both closed and open Universe, we have found that the strong lensing is slightly affected by the expected small curvature density Ωk0 of the current Universe within its error bar |Ωk0|⪅0.001, in such a way that it may safely be neglected. However, it is only if Ωk0 gets quite larger that the effect being noticeable. While it is only theoretically possible for Ωk0 to be higher, it is worthwhile to stress that this should impact the light bending and time delay, causing them to decrease or increase depending upon whether the spatial curvature is positive or negative. Furthermore, one can infer that the observed light deflection and time delay independently, which are found to be significantly deviated from those of the flat Universe, may serve as a useful means to provide constraints on Ωk0, thus making the approach employed in this work more promising than others.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Weak ergodicity breaking in optical sensing
Authors: Ramesh V. G. , Rodriguez S. R. K.
Published: September 2024

The time-integrated intensity transmitted by a laser-driven resonator obeys Lévy's arcsine laws [Ramesh , ]. Here, we demonstrate the implications of these laws for optical sensing. We consider the standard goal of resonant optical sensors, namely to report a perturbation to their resonance frequency. In this context, we quantify the sensing precision attained using a finite-energy budget combined with time or ensemble averaging of the time-integrated intensity. We find that ensemble averaging outperforms time averaging for short observation times, but the advantage disappears as the observation time increases. We explain this behavior in terms of weak ergodicity breaking, which arises when the time for the time-integrated intensity to explore the entire phase space diverges, while the observation time remains finite. Evidence that the former time diverges is presented in first passage and return time distributions. Our results are relevant to all types of sensors, in optics and beyond, where stochastic time-integrated fields or intensities are measured to detect an event. In particular, choosing the right averaging strategy can improve sensing precision by orders of magnitude with zero-energy cost.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Examination of personality types as predictors of safety attitudes/behaviours, in support of enhancing safety in healthcare: a scoping review
Authors: Kil Yeojin , Graham Margaret , Chatzi Anna V.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Provisions for the minimisation of human error are essential through governance structures such as recruitment, human resource allocation and education/training. As predictors of safety attitudes/behaviours, employees’ personality traits (e.g. conscientiousness, sensation-seeking, agreeableness, etc.) have been examined in relation to human error and safety education.

Design/methodology/approach

This review aimed to explore research activity on the safety attitudes of healthcare staff and their relationship with the different types of personalities, compared to other complex and highly regulated industries. A scoping review was conducted on five electronic databases on all industrial/work areas from 2001 to July 2023. A total of 60 studies were included in this review.

Findings

Studies were categorised as driving/traffic and industrial to draw useful comparisons between healthcare. Certain employees’ personality traits were matched to positive and negative relationships with safety attitudes/behaviours. Results are proposed to be used as a baseline when conducting further relevant research in healthcare.

Research limitations/implications

Only two studies were identified in the healthcare sector.

Originality/value

The necessity for additional research in healthcare and for comparisons to other complex and highly regulated industries has been established. Safety will be enhanced through healthcare governance through personality-based recruitment, human resource allocation and education/training.
Revisiting Indonesia halal tourism policy in light of GATS
Authors: Ruhaeni Neni , Yusdiansyah Efik , Aqimuddin Eka An
Published: September 2024

Purpose

As a growth industry in the international tourism segment market, halal tourism domestic policy should align with General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) as an international trade in services regulation. This paper aims to examine Indonesia’s halal tourism policy and its intersection with obligations as a member state of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Particularly in balancing Indonesia’s international obligation and the right to regulate.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses normative legal research by analysing legal materials, primarily GATS and Indonesia’s halal tourism policy. By using this methodology, this paper seeks the normative ideal domestic approach that aligns with Indonesia’s international obligations within GATS.

Findings

Regional regulations primarily govern the halal tourism policy in Indonesia. The critical substance of the regulation is the mandatory halal certification for the implementation of halal tourism. This obligation may be incompatible with Indonesia’s commitment to liberalise the tourism sector under the GATS. The current legal framework gives rise to a lack of consistency in its application despite its adherence to the halal tourism standards established by the MUI. At the same time, the provincial and regent authorities lacked the authority to do so. The authors argue that halal tourism policy shall be promulgated in the national-level policy to settle this issue. This measure is necessary to mitigate conflicts between prevailing norms and Indonesia’s international commitments within GATS. Therefore, Indonesia can uphold both its international obligations and national interests.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novelty contribution by highlighting the absence of prior research examining Indonesia’s adherence to its international commitments under the GATS in formulating domestic legislation on halal tourism. To close this gap, this study suggests that national legislation governing halal tourism should consider international obligations in the tourism sector under the GATS.
A meta‐analysis of factors influencing the inactivation of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in leafy greens
Authors: Owade Joshua Ombaka , Bergholz Teresa M. , Mitchell Jade
Published: September 2024

Recent advancements in modeling suggest that microbial inactivation in leafy greens follows a nonlinear pattern, rather than the simple first‐order kinetics. In this study, we evaluated 17 inactivation models commonly used to describe microbial decline and established the conditions that govern microbial survival on leafy greens. Through a systematic review of 65 articles, we extracted 530 datasets to model the fate of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on leafy greens. Various factor analysis methods were employed to evaluate the impact of identified conditions on survival metrics. A two‐parameter model (jm2) provided the best fit to most of both natural and antimicrobial‐induced persistence datasets, whereas the one‐parameter exponential model provided the best fit to less than 20% of the datasets. The jm2 model (adjusted R2 = .89) also outperformed the exponential model (adjusted R2 = .58) in fitting the pooled microbial survival data. In the context of survival metrics, the model averaging approach generated higher values than the exponential model for >4 log reduction times (LRTs), suggesting that the exponential model may be overpredicting inactivation at later time points. The random forest technique revealed that temperature and inoculum size were common factors determining inactivation in both natural and antimicrobial‐induced die‐offs.. The findings show the limitations of relying on the first‐order survival metric of 1 LRT and considering nonlinear inactivation in produce safety decision‐making.
Minimalist economic management, deferred revenue regime and aid dependency: Explaining contradictory post‐war statebuilding aims
Authors: Rafi Kambaiz
Published: September 2024

The paper analyses a contradiction in the liberal approach to post‐war statebuilding. The form of the state is seen to aim for the establishment of a centralised maximalist administration when the state's de jure economic policy makes its revenue dependant on market‐generated private sector taxes that are either inadequate or its institutions are part of the reconstruction process. This conflation de facto leads to dependency on official development assistance (ODA), mainly administered through exogenous‐to‐state agencies that undermine the nascent state's bureaucratic development. The paper introduces the concept of deferred revenue regime and argues that dependency on ODA is one empirical symptom of the contradiction in the liberal approach to statebuilding. Using a high‐profile recent example in an instrumental case study, Afghanistan, from 2002 to 2021, the paper develops a diachronic sequencing of significant policy decisions to suggest temporal causality between economic management and ODA dependency, relying on primary data and stylised statistics. The findings contribute to post‐war statebuilding, institutionalism and the political economy of aid.
Incarceration and food insecurity: Challenges and opportunities for museum interpretation
Authors: Fuggle Sophie , McAtackney Laura
Published: September 2024

This article focuses on the role of food interpretation in prison museums and penal heritage sites, which has been underexplored in recent critical analyses of penal tourism and heritage. The authors argue that food is a fundamental part of the lived experience of confinement and detention and lends itself to multiple forms of interpretation and programming activities. Following an overview of existing literature on food insecurity and the different research methods available in recounting stories about food and food insecurity, the article is divided into three main sections. These explore the connections between the built heritage of prisons and the wider landscape, personal and political experiences of hunger, and the potential of art and creativity in negotiating food insecurity. The article concludes with reflections on how food narratives can be further used by prison museums to engage with contemporary issues of social justice, sustainability, decoloniality, and abolition.
Association of oral hypofunction with aspiration pneumonia, fractures, and mortality in older Japanese adults
Authors: Sakai Kotomi , Hayashi Kuniyoshi , Hoshino Eri , Nakayama Enri , Iijima Katsuya , Tanaka Tomoki , Momosaki Ryo , Sakata Nobuo
Published: September 2024

Aim

In Japan's public health system, dentists can assess and intervene in oral hypofunction cases. However, the associations between oral hypofunction and health outcomes and costs remain unclear. This study aimed to identify these associations.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study using a Japanese health insurance claims database included 45 916 individuals aged ≥65 years who underwent dental examinations for oral hypofunction. The primary outcomes were incidence rates of aspiration pneumonia, femoral or vertebral fractures and all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were annual medical and dental costs. We used competing risk regression and Cox models to estimate primary outcomes, and gamma regression models for secondary outcomes.

Results

The adjusted hazard ratios were 0.84 (95% CI 0.74–0.96) for the incidence of aspiration pneumonia, 1.11 (1.02–1.21) for the incidence of femoral or vertebral fractures and 1.27 (1.07–1.50) for all‐cause mortality in individuals with oral hypofunction compared with those without. The adjusted relative risk was 1.05 (1.01–1.10) for annual medical costs and 0.94 (0.81–1.09) for annual dental costs in individuals with oral hypofunction compared with those without.

Conclusions

Individuals with oral hypofunction were at increased risk of femoral or vertebral fractures and all‐cause mortality, and they incurred significantly higher annual medical costs, compared with those without this condition. Notably, they showed a lower risk of aspiration pneumonia, suggesting potential benefits of dental intervention. Integrating dental care into medical strategies might be necessary to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for those with oral hypofunction. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–••.
Understanding the Lifestyle Risk Profile of Men and Their Engagement With Preventive Care: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
Authors: Mursa Ruth , McErlean Gemma , Patterson Christopher , Halcomb Elizabeth
Published: September 2024

Aim

To explore men's health status and lifestyle risk profile and understand how they engage with preventive health care.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey within a sequential mixed‐methods project.

Methods

Four hundred thirty‐one adult males, working or volunteering for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) completed the survey between September and November 2022. The survey captured demographic data, health status and lifestyle characteristics, as well as engagement with preventive health care.

Results

Nearly three‐quarters of respondents (n = 314; 72.8%) described themselves as being in good or very good health. Just 18.6% of respondents recorded a ‘healthy’ body mass index (BMI), despite only 29.9% having been told by a doctor that they were overweight/obese. Most (n = 344; 79.8%) respondents identified having a regular general practitioner (GP)/general practice. Nearly all respondents described having had blood pressure measurements (n = 403; 93.5%) and lipid profile (n = 346, 80.3%) in the last 2 years. Having a regular GP/general practice was significantly associated with engaging in all preventive and screening activities, except having a dental check.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate a significant opportunity to support men to reduce lifestyle risk, despite their current engagement with general practice. Strategies need to support men and health professionals to have conversations about risk and risk reduction to promote behaviour change. Nurses are well placed to provide preventive health care to men in general practice. The general practice nurse has a key role in communicating lifestyle risk, supporting patients in modifying their behaviours and reducing the impact of such factors on their health and well‐being.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Communicating the importance of lifestyle risk factors is imperative in supporting men to achieve behavioural change in the reduction in lifestyle risk. Nurses are well‐placed to take a leading role in this area.

Reporting Method

The STROBE checklist guided reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

Survey development was undertaken in collaboration with members of the NSW RFS. Key contacts within the organisation were involved in reviewing the analysis and interpretation of findings.
Factors Influencing the Willingness of Clinical Nurses to Participate in Narrative Nursing: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Pan Yingyan , Qi Qiong , Qiu Hailing , Yang Chao , Su Wanying , Zhang Siqi , Li Lin
Published: September 2024

Aims

Narrative nursing (NN) is a crucial component of modern medical humanistic care. It involves utilising storytelling as a means to guide nurses in devising future interventions for patients, and help patients in reconstructing positive psychological defences. The willingness of clinical nurses to engage in narrative nursing holds significant implications for both effective communication and the overall quality of care. However, there is limited knowledge regarding clinical nurses' willingness to engage in narrative nursing. This study aims to investigate the participation willingness of Chinese nurses, identify its predictors and explore its corresponding reasons.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Clinical nurses were enrolled in Hunan province, Central South, China, and a convenience sampling strategy was used. A structured questionnaire was distributed to clinical nurses by an online survey platform. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, willingness and possible influencing factors (experience, ability, perceptions on narrative nursing) was collected. Binary logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of willingness to participate in narrative nursing.

Results

A total of 2310 nurses were recruited, of which 2092 nurses completed the questionnaire (response rate: 90.6%). One thousand seven hundred and thirty‐four nurses (82.9%) were willing to participate in NN, and 358 (17.1%) were not. Binary logistic regression analysis identified nine predictors of participants' willingness to participate, including working departments, professional title, working position, experience of received mobilisation and training of NN, understanding of related knowledge, NCS level, affirmation of NN and positive attitude towards clinical application (all p values < 0.05). These indicators explained 17.1% of the variances in the dependent variable (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A high proportion of nurses in Hunan province were willing to practice in clinic using NN. Willingness to participate may be increased by a focus on nurses with low professional titles, no administrative position and working in specialised departments, such as emergency departments, infectious departments, critical care units and operating theatres.

Impact

The study identified a high proportion of nurses in Hunan Province who were willing to use NN. However, the figure was slightly lower than expected. Influencing factors were analysed to give insights for managers to develop more effective NN outreach programs.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
MRDPDA: A multi‐Laplacian regularized deepFM model for predicting piRNA‐disease associations
Authors: Liu Yajun , Zhang Fan , Ding Yulian , Fei Rong , Li Junhuai , Wu Fang‐Xiang
Published: September 2024

PIWI‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a typical class of small non‐coding RNAs, which are essential for gene regulation, genome stability and so on. Accumulating studies have revealed that piRNAs have significant potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases. However current computational methods face the challenge in effectively capturing piRNA‐disease associations (PDAs) from limited data. In this study, we propose a novel method, MRDPDA, for predicting PDAs based on limited data from multiple sources. Specifically, MRDPDA integrates a deep factorization machine (deepFM) model with regularizations derived from multiple yet limited datasets, utilizing separate Laplacians instead of a simple average similarity network. Moreover, a unified objective function to combine embedding loss about similarities is proposed to ensure that the embedding is suitable for the prediction task. In addition, a balanced benchmark dataset based on piRPheno is constructed and a deep autoencoder is applied for creating reliable negative set from the unlabeled dataset. Compared with three latest methods, MRDPDA achieves the best performance on the pirpheno dataset in terms of the five‐fold cross validation test and independent test set, and case studies further demonstrate the effectiveness of MRDPDA.