bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of dietary salt in metabolism and energy balance: Insights beyond cardiovascular disease
Authors: Wu Qi , Burley George , Li Li‐Cheng , Lin Shu , Shi Yan‐Chuan
Published: January 2023

Dietary salt (NaCl) is essential to an organism's survival. However, today's diets are dominated by excessive salt intake, which significantly impacts individual and population health. High salt intake is closely linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially hypertension, through a number of well‐studied mechanisms. Emerging evidence indicates that salt overconsumption may also be associated with metabolic disorders. In this review, we first summarize recent updates on the mechanisms of salt‐induced CVD, the effects of salt reduction and the use of salt substitution as a therapy. Next, we focus on how high salt intake can impact metabolism and energy balance, describing the mechanisms through which this occurs, including leptin resistance, the overproduction of fructose and ghrelin, insulin resistance and altered hormonal factors. A further influence on metabolism worth noting is the reported role of salt in inducing thermogenesis and increasing body temperature, leading to an increase in energy expenditure. While this result could be viewed as a positive metabolic effect because it promotes a negative energy balance to combat obesity, caution must be taken with this frame of thinking given the deleterious consequences of chronic high salt intake on cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, this review highlights the importance of salt as a noncaloric nutrient in regulating whole‐body energy homeostasis. Through this review, we hope to provide a scientific framework for future studies to systematically address the metabolic impacts of dietary salt and salt replacement treatments. In addition, we hope to form a foundation for future clinical trials to explore how these salt‐induced metabolic changes impact obesity development and progression, and to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms that drive these changes, with the aim of developing novel therapeutics for obesity and CVD.
Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and survival in elective cardiac surgery
Authors: Koller Lorenz , Steinacher Eva , Hofer Felix , Hammer Andreas , Kazem Niema , Laufer Guenther , Fleck Tatjana , Steinlechner Barbara , Wojta Johann , Richter Bernhard , Hengstenberg Christian , Sulzgruber Patrick , Niessner Alexander
Published: January 2023

Background

The study investigated the prognostic value of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and calculated a simplified biomarker score comprising suPAR, N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and age.

Methods and Results

Biomarkers were assessed in a cohort of 478 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. After a median follow‐up of 4.2 years, a total of 72 (15.1%) patients died. SuPAR, NT‐proBNP and age were independent prognosticators of mortality in a multivariable Cox regression model after adjustment for EuroScoreII. We then calculated a simplified biomarker score comprising age, suPAR and NT‐proBNP, which had a superior prognostic value compared to EuroScoreII (Harrel's C of 0.76 vs. 0.72; P for difference = 0.02). Besides long‐term mortality, the biomarker score had an excellent performance predicting one‐year mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure.

Conclusion

The biomarker suPAR and NT‐proBNP were strongly and independently associated with mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A simplified biomarker score comprising only three variables (age, suPAR and NT‐proBNP) performed better than the established EuroScoreII with respect to intermediate and long‐term outcome as well as hospitalization due to heart failure. As such, integration of established and upcoming biomarkers in clinical practice may provide improved decision support in cardiac surgery.
Navigating complex trade‐offs in public health interventions
Authors: Russo Federica , Hirsch Paul
Published: January 2023

Public health, just as any policy‐related field, faces the evergreen problem of turning knowledge into action. Among other problems, there is a clash between the inherent complexity of public health problems and the inevitable push, by decision‐makers and the public, to simplify them. The Covid‐19 pandemic has shown the insufficiencies of our current epistemological, methodological and normative apparatus to handle such crises in a timely manner. Despite this, several authors have been arguing for the importance of engaging global crises such as Covid‐19 in ways that do not oversimplify key dimensions of the issues involved. In this paper, we contribute to this emerging scholarship. Building on existing work in the field of environmental problem‐solving, we propose an integrative approach to navigating complex trade‐offs in public health interventions. Briefly put, we propose that decision making should be informed by an analysis of any given problem from four distinct, but interrelated, lenses: (i) values and valuation, (ii) process and governance, (iii) power and inequalities and (iv) scientific evidence, methods and concepts. This normative framework, we argue, can help with spelling out the complexity of public health problems and with spelling out the rationale behind public health decision making to non‐specialists and the general public. We illustrate our approach using the controversy over wearing face masks in the Covid‐19 pandemic.
Fast and accurate identification by MALDI‐TOF of the zoonotic serovar E of Vibrio vulnificus linked to eel culture
Authors: Boonstra Mirjam , Fouz Belén , van Gelderen Betty , Dalsgaard Inger , Madsen Lone , Jansson Eva , Amaro Carmen , Haenen Olga
Published: January 2023

Vibrio vulnificus is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause death by septicaemia in farmed fish (mainly eels) and humans. The zoonotic strains that have been isolated from diseased eels and humans after eel handling belong to clade E (or serovar E (SerE)), a clonal complex within the pathovar (pv.) piscis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry (MS) in the identification of SerE, using the other two main pv. piscis‐serovars (SerA and SerI) from eels as controls. MALDI‐TOF data were compared with known serologic and genetic data of five pv. piscis isolates or strains, and with the non pv. piscis reference strain. Based on multiple spectra analysis, we found serovar‐specific peaks that were of ~3098 Da and ~ 4045 Da for SerE, of ~3085 Da and ~ 4037 Da for SerA, and of ~3085 Da and ~ 4044 Da for SerI. Therefore, our results demonstrate that MALDI‐TOF can be used to identify SerE and could also help in the identification of the other serovars of the species. This means that zoonosis due to V. vulnificus could be prevented by using MALDI‐TOF, as action can be taken immediately after the isolation of a possible zoonotic V. vulnificus strain.
Diet quality, ultra‐processed food consumption, and quality of life in a cross‐sectional cohort of adults and teens with celiac disease
Authors: Cadenhead Jennifer W. , Martínez‐Steele Euridice , Contento Isobel , Kushi Lawrence H. , Lee Anne R. , Nguyen Thanh Thanh T. , Lebwohl Benjamin , Green Peter H. R. , Wolf Randi L.
Published: January 2023

Background

Coeliac disease (CeD), a common autoimmune condition, requires strict adherence to a gluten‐free diet (GFD). Adherence to the GFD has been associated with quality of life (QOL). However, there may be other diet‐related concerns, such as overall diet patterns, including diet quality or ultra‐processed food (UPF) consumption, possibly associated with QOL among people with CeD following a GFD that have not been examined.

Methods

Diet quality was determined based on 24‐h diet recalls of a cross‐sectional prospectively recruited sample of 80 participants (50 adults and 30 teens) with biopsy‐confirmed CeD (‘Study Sample’) using the Healthy Eating Index and Alternate Mediterranean Diet score. The amount of UPF consumed was assessed using Nova, a food processing classification system. QOL was measured using Celiac Disease‐Specific Quality of Life (CDQOL) and Celiac Disease Pediatric‐Specific Quality of Life (CDPQOL). The Study Sample's diet patterns were compared with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) groups (25 adults reporting prior CeD and GFD; 51 adults with new CeD and no GFD; 15,777 adults and 2296 teens without CeD). The relationship of the Study Sample's diet patterns with CDQOL/CDPQOL was assessed using analysis of covariance.

Results

The Study Sample's diet patterns were suboptimal but generally favourable compared with all NHANES groups. Compared to Study Adults with the highest tertile of UPF, those with the lowest tertile had significantly higher CDQOL (mean: 67.6 vs. 78.3, p < 0.001). Compared to Study Teens with the lowest tertile of AMED, those with the highest tertile had significantly higher CDPQOL (mean: 67.0 vs. 79.9, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Maintaining high diet quality and minimising UPF may be important for CeD‐specific QOL among individuals with CeD maintaining a GFD.
Polyarteritis nodosa in a captive common wooly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) associated with intestinal necrosis, peritonitis, and sepsis
Authors: de Carvalho Thaynara Parente , Oliveira Santos Daniel , Oliveira Ayisa Rodrigues , Vieira André Duarte , Quintão Ana Luiza Lessa , da Silva Laice Alves , Santana Clarissa Helena , dos Reis de Souza Lucas , Tinoco Herlandes Penha , Coelho Carlyle Mendes , Pessanha Angela Tinoco , Xavier Rafael Gariglio Clark , de Carvalho Marcelo Pires Nogueira , Silva Rodrigo Otávio Silveira , da Paixão Tatiane Alves , Santos Renato Lima
Published: January 2023

Polyarteritis nodosa is an idiopathic necrotizing vasculitis that affects small to medium‐sized arteries. We describe a case of polyarteritis nodosa in a captive common wooly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) associated with transmural intestinal necrosis and secondary peritonitis. This condition must be considered for differential diagnosis of segmental arteritis in neotropical primates.
Is this child suitable to be seen in primary care? Poor agreement between caregiver/family perception and definitions of a ‘primary care‐type’ patient
Authors: McNeil Scott , McKie Jessica , Parr Mandy , Cheek John , Freed Gary , Meyer Alastair , Craig Simon
Published: January 2023

Aims

To compare and evaluate the number of paediatric patients classified as ‘suitable for primary care’ using the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) method, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) method, and parental judgement.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study enrolling parents/carers presenting with their children to two Victorian EDs in Victoria, Australia over a 1‐week period. Trained research assistants were posted within both EDs and surveyed all eligible parents/carers whether they agreed with the statement ‘I think a GP would be able to look after my child's current illness/injury’. Survey responses were linked to clinical outcomes and length of stay. Each presentation was classified as suitable for primary care using the AIHW method, the ACEM method and parental survey. Agreement between definitions was assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic.

Results

During the study (June 2016), 1069 patients presented to the two EDs; 677 patients were able to be classified under all three definitions (AIHW: 1069, ACEM: 991, survey: 677 patients). Only 80/677 (12%) patients met all three criteria. Agreement was slight between the parent survey and the ACEM method (K = 0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.21), and the parent survey and the AIHW method (K = 0.12, 95% CI 0.05–0.19). There was moderate agreement between the ACEM and AIHW methods (K = 0.45, 95% CI 0.39–0.51).

Conclusions

There is very poor agreement on what defines a ‘primary care‐type’ paediatric patient between the definitions used by government, professional bodies and caregivers.
A transcription factor WRKY36 interacts with AFP2 to break primary seed dormancy by progressively silencing DOG1 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Deng Guoli , Sun Haiqing , Hu Yulan , Yang Yaru , Li Ping , Chen Yilin , Zhu Ying , Zhou Yun , Huang Jinling , Neill Steven J. , Hu Xiangyang
Published: January 2023

The phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) antagonistically control the shift between seed dormancy and its alleviation. DELAY OF GERMINATION1 (DOG1) is a critical regulator that determines the intensity of primary seed dormancy, but its underlying regulatory mechanism is unclear.

In this study, we combined physiological, biochemical, and genetic approaches to reveal that a bHLH transcriptional factor WRKY36 progressively silenced DOG1 expression to break seed dormancy through ABI5‐BINDING PROTEIN 2 (AFP2) as the negative regulator of ABA signal.

AFP2 interacted with WRKY36, which recognizes the W‐BOX in the DOG1 promoter to suppress its expression; Overexpressing WRKY36 broke primary seed dormancy, whereas wrky36 mutants showed strong primary seed dormancy. In addition, AFP2 recruited the transcriptional corepressor TOPLESS‐RELATED PROTEIN2 (TPR2) to reduce histone acetylation at the DOG1 locus, ultimately mediating WRKY36‐dependent inhibition of DOG1 expression to break primary seed dormancy.

Our result proposes that the WRKY36‐AFP2‐TPR2 module progressively silences DOG1 expression epigenetically, thereby fine‐tuning primary seed dormancy.
Surfactant therapy using a bronchofiberscope in respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Wasa Masanori , Hasegawa Hisaya , Kihara Hirotaka , Yamada Yosuke , Mizogami Masae , Kitamura Rei , Ikeda Kenta
Published: January 2023

Background

Avoiding endotracheal intubation and using nasal continuous positive airway pressure as the initial treatment is recommended in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and modes of lesser invasive surfactant administration have recently been reported. We report a pilot study assessing the feasibility of surfactant therapy using a bronchofiberscope (STUB) in RDS.

Methods

Surfactant was administered to 31 preterm infants (gestational age range of 28 weeks 0 days to 36 weeks 6 days) diagnosed with RDS, through the working channel of the bronchofiberscope or endotracheal tubes. Patient characteristics, outcomes, adverse events, and comorbidities were assessed in the two groups.

Results

Twelve infants received STUB. Two of the 12 infants (17%) needed subsequent intubation and additional surfactant administration. Nineteen infants received surfactant through endotracheal tubes. Four of the 19 infants (21%) required additional surfactants. There was no significant difference in the number of infants that needed additional surfactant (p = 1.00). Gestational age, birthweight, length of hospitalization, adverse events, such as desaturations and bradycardias, and comorbidities were similar between the two groups. Days of invasive ventilation were significantly shorter in the STUB group (p = 0.0002).

Conclusion

STUB was feasible in this small cohort and reduced the need for intubation to 17%, leading to fewer days of invasive ventilation, without increasing comorbidities and adverse events. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to administer surfactants using bronchofiberscopes.
What counts as an acceptable reason for not communicating emotional support?
Authors: Ray Colter D. , Manusov Valerie
Published: January 2023

This study investigated assessments of the acceptability of and negative relational implications for the reasons given for someone not providing emotional support. A representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 1598) participated in a survey experiment that included thinking of a person from whom they would expect such support, imagining that they did not receive support from this person, and being shown one of 16 reasons to explain the nonsupport. Participants evaluated that reason for its acceptability and its negative relational ramifications. As predicted, some nonsupport reasons were judged as more acceptable than were others, and they generated fewer negative relational ramifications. Participants who experienced nonsupport by a friend viewed their reasons as more acceptable than those experiencing nonsupport from family members. Despite this, greater negative relational ramifications were reported when friends compared to family members did not communicate support. Women's nonsupport was viewed as less acceptable compared to men's; however, there were no gender differences in the negative relational ramifications of nonsupport. When tested in a mediation model, acceptability mediated the relationship between expectations and negative relational ramifications, but there was also an unexpected direct negative effect between expectations and negative relational ramifications.
Forgiveness, its factors, and unforgivable acts in romantic relationships: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Záhorcová Lucia , Dršťáková Žofia , Masaryková Miriam
Published: January 2023

Using a mixed‐methods approach, this study investigates forgiveness, the factors of forgiveness, and unforgivable acts, and analyzes relational and gender differences in participants' qualitative answers. Open‐ended questions were answered by 649 participants from Slovakia (532 dating, 117 married; 517 women, 132 men). Responses were analyzed qualitatively using the Consensual Qualitative Research‐Modified method, then transformed into quantitative data in order to statistically compare the groups. The results showed that dating individuals tended to see forgiveness as working on the relationship, whereas married individuals viewed forgiveness as an emotional process. Married individuals were more likely to report that shared commitments helped them to forgive. Dating partners tended to look at the situational context. Men were more likely to report that forgiveness was key to the relationship. When forgiving their partner, men focused on internal factors, whereas women needed an apology and acts of love. Infidelity was the most common unforgivable transgression. Therapists may benefit from a more nuanced understanding of forgiveness in dating and married individuals.
Emergent rural–urban relations in Covid‐19 disturbances: Multi‐locality affecting sustainability of rural change
Authors: Pikner Tarmo , Pitkänen Kati , Nugin Raili
Published: January 2023

The recent Covid‐19 pandemic highlighted rural–urban interactions, in particular the fact that cities are dependent on the accessibility of non‐metropolitan and rural spaces and vice versa. This article seeks to understand how these interactions contributed to emergent relational spaces of rurality during the Covid‐19 crisis. The article analyses politicised mobilities between localities and rural–urban linkages that are tied to the sustainability of rural change. The study focuses on two countries: Estonia and Finland, exploring thematic narratives on second‐home practices and related politics during the outbreak of the Covid‐19 crisis. The explored regions were the South Savo region in Finland and the island of Saaremaa and northern coastal villages in Estonia. The analysis indicates ways in which the mobility restrictions and disturbances triggered by the Covid‐19 pandemic attributed certain demands and hopes to rural areas and led the shift in rural–urban interactions. The article contributes to the understanding of co‐existences between im/mobilities and multi‐local living and sustainability in rural change.
Consideraciones sobre el arco dramático de Kilele y Arimbato frente al arco dramático fáctico de las poblaciones que habitan el Chocó
Authors: Acosta Sierra Paola Helena
Published: January 2023

En las obras artísticas que remiten al contexto del conflicto en Colombia, se establece un campo de significados que permiten una interpretación simbólica sobre los hechos acaecidos en la realidad fáctica. En este artículo, utilizando el análisis hermenéutico, se parte de la noción de arco dramático para estudiar los vínculos entre las transformaciones que se producen en el mundo ficcional y las transformaciones de ese afuera que constituyen las realidades humanas, en este caso, las realidades de las comunidades que por mucho tiempo han habitado el territorio chocoano. Las poblaciones del Chocó tienen una larga historia de marginalización y despojo que va más allá de los límites de los acontecimientos recientes y que refleja un continuo de opresión ejercido desde poderes foráneos. En este artículo, se reconoce este hecho y se realiza un contrapunteo entre la naturaleza cerrada de dos obras dramáticas contemporáneas (Kilele y Arimbato) y la naturaleza abierta de la realidad social, lo cual visibiliza de qué forma la dueñitud de la tierra, las políticas públicas y económicas que protegen latifundistas y la explotación de los pueblos originarios y de todos los recursos naturales han creado profundas desigualdades estructurales en contravía de la vida, que no se remontan únicamente al periodo del conflicto armado.
Contar el mar : comunicación de saberes científicos sobre comunidades insulares y costeras desde las artes escénicas
Authors: Sevilla Manuel , Osorio Andrés Fernando , Márquez-Pérez Ana Isabel
Published: January 2023

La Política pública de apropiación social del conocimiento en el marco de la CTeI de Colombia (2021) invita a adelantar iniciativas de creación artística que combinen el reconocimiento a la diversidad cultural de comunidades y territorios, el diálogo de saberes entre los diferentes actores sociales y la visibilización de la cultura como elemento transversal en la investigación científica. Este artículo propone una serie de reflexiones sobre los retos que implica la creación en los términos que resalta esta política, y lo hace a partir del análisis de la obra El otro mar, un montaje de teatro, música y danza que trata el problema del declive de saberes patrimoniales y el incre- mento del riesgo entre comunidades campesinas que habitan dos puntos costeros e insulares de Colombia (Buenaventura y el Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina). El análisis emplea la perspectiva conceptual de la comunicación de las ciencias desde las artes escénicas y se soporta en la metodología de sistemati- zación de las experiencias con enfoque crítico planteada por Oscar Jara. El artículo concluye que la línea propuesta por dicha política para la creación artística es viable, pero implica la toma de decisiones de orden organizacional y estético, que incluyen la integración de equipos interdisciplinares e interculturales, el cuestionamiento de los presupuestos del equipo creativo de los contextos culturales tratados y el uso de recursos escénicos innovadores que potencien elementos de familiaridad de las audiencias potenciales.
Microphone array analysis for simultaneous condition detection, localization, and classification in a pipe
Authors: Yu Yicheng , Worley Rob , Anderson Sean , Horoshenkov Kirill V.
Published: January 2023

An acoustic method for simultaneous condition detection, localization, and classification in air-filled pipes is proposed. The contribution of this work is threefold: (1) a microphone array is used to extend the usable acoustic frequency range to estimate the reflection coefficient from blockages and lateral connections; (2) a robust regularization method of sparse representation based on a wavelet basis function is adapted to reduce the background noise in acoustical data; and (3) the wavelet components are used to localize and classify the condition of the pipe. The microphone array and sparse representation method enhance the acoustical signal reflected from blockages and lateral connections and suppress unwanted higher-order modes. Based on the sparse representation results, higher-level wavelet functions representing the impulse response are used to localize the position of the sensor corresponding to a blockage or lateral connection with higher spatial resolution. It is shown that the wavelet components can be used to train and to test a support vector machine (SVM) classifier for the condition identification more accurately than with a time domain SVM classifier. This work paves the way for the development of simultaneous condition classification and localization methods to be deployed on autonomous robots working in buried pipes.
Acoustic and structural differences between musically portrayed subtypes of fear
Authors: Trevor Caitlyn , Renner Marina , Frühholz Sascha
Published: January 2023

Fear is a frequently studied emotion category in music and emotion research. However, research in music theory suggests that music can convey finer-grained subtypes of fear, such as terror and anxiety. Previous research on musically expressed emotions has neglected to investigate subtypes of fearful emotions. This study seeks to fill this gap in the literature. To that end, 99 participants rated the emotional impression of short excerpts of horror film music predicted to convey terror and anxiety, respectively. Then, the excerpts that most effectively conveyed these target emotions were analyzed descriptively and acoustically to demonstrate the sonic differences between musically conveyed terror and anxiety. The results support the hypothesis that music conveys terror and anxiety with markedly different musical structures and acoustic features. Terrifying music has a brighter, rougher, harsher timbre, is musically denser, and may be faster and louder than anxious music. Anxious music has a greater degree of loudness variability. Both types of fearful music tend towards minor modalities and are rhythmically unpredictable. These findings further support the application of emotional granularity in music and emotion research.
Light pollution is skyrocketing
Authors: Falchi Fabio , Bará Salvador
Published: January 2023

Data from citizen scientists reveal a worrying growth in light pollution over the past decade
UDP-Galactopyranose Mutase Mediates Cell Wall Integrity, Polarity Growth, and Virulence in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Cao Shulin , Jiang Wenqiang , Shu Yan , Li Wei , Zhang Yani , Zhang Aixiang , Chen Huaigu
Published: January 2023

The long-term use of chemical pesticides has had increasingly negative impacts on the ecological environment and human health. Low-toxicity, high-efficiency and environmentally friendly alternative pesticides are of great significance for maintaining the sustainable development of agriculture and human and environmental health.
Vibrio cholerae Porin OmpU Activates Dendritic Cells via TLR2 and the NLRP3 Inflammasome
Authors: Dhar Vinica , Gandhi Shraddha , Sakharwade Sanica C. , Chawla Amanpreet , Mukhopadhaya Arunika
Published: January 2023

OmpU is one of the major porins of
Vibrio cholerae
, a Gram-negative human pathogen. Previously, we showed that OmpU stimulates host monocytes and macrophages and induces the production of proinflammatory mediators via activation of the Toll-like receptor 1/2 (TLR1/2)-MyD88-dependent pathways. In the present study, we show that OmpU activates murine dendritic cells (DCs) via activation of the TLR2-mediated pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and DC maturation.
Mucosal Gene Expression in Response to SARS-CoV-2 Is Associated with Viral Load
Authors: Rajagopala Seesandra V. , Strickland Britton A. , Pakala Suman B. , Kimura Kyle S. , Shilts Meghan H. , Rosas-Salazar Christian , Brown Hunter M. , Freeman Michael H. , Wessinger Bronson C. , Gupta Veerain , Phillips Elizabeth , Mallal Simon A. , Turner Justin H. , Das Suman R.
Published: January 2023

Several prior studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 viral load can predict the likelihood of disease spread and severity. A higher detectable SARS-CoV-2 plasma viral load was associated with worse respiratory disease severity.
Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy: clinical presentation and risk of stroke and transient ischaemic attack
Authors: Niederer Rachael L , Samalia Priya D , Chen Yi-Hsing , Goh Jonathan KS , Cornish Elisa Eleanor , Guest Stephen , McCluskey Peter J , Lim Lyndell L , Sims Joanne L , Lightman Susan , Tomkins-Netzer Oren
Published: January 2023

Background/aims

Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy is a rare but important disease that can be associated with life-threatening complications due to cerebral vasculitis. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of neurological complications and risk factors for stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) associated with acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. Secondary objectives included the clinical presentation, visual outcomes and recurrence rates.

Methods

This was a multicentre retrospective case series including 111 eyes from 60 subjects presenting from January 2009 to June 2020.

Results

Median age at presentation was 29 years (IQR 24.7–35.1) and 36 subjects (60.0%) were male. 20 subjects (33.3%) reported a viral prodrome. Stroke and TIA were observed in seven subjects (11.7%). Older age was the only significant risk factor for stroke/TIA (p=0.042). Vision loss occurred in seven eyes, with four eyes (3.6%) having final visual acuity 6/15–6/60 and three eyes (2.7%) having visual acuity of 6/60 or worse. Recurrence occurred in 10 subjects (16.7%).

Conclusions

The presence of headache cannot reliably predict those at risk of stroke/TIA. Individuals presenting with acute posterior multifocal pigment epitheliopathy should therefore undergo a clinical neurological review and work-up for cerebral vasculitis as deemed appropriate by the treating ophthalmologist and collaborating neurologist.
Endothelial Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (Endo-PAT 2000) use in paediatric patients: a systematic review
Authors: Hayden Jenny , O’Donnell Gill , deLaunois Isabelle , O'Gorman Clodagh
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Endo Peripheral Artery Tonometry (EndoPAT-2000) is a non-invasive technology for measuring endothelial dysfunction (ED). The reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) is resulted and is low when ED is present. We aim to synthesise the literature on paediatric ED that used Endo-PAT analysis.

Design

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted from January 2015 to March 2021. The databases included Cochrane, MEDLINE EBSCO, EMBASE (Ovid), PUBMED and CINAHL EBSCO. Exclusion criteria were: (1) If a study used a different device, for example, (2) If the study had no results. Inclusion criteria were: (1) Published in the English, (2) more than 50% of study subjects were in the paediatric age range, (3) data relevant to paediatric age range children could be extrapolated from all data, where not all study subjects were children.

Results

Following the removal of duplicates, 156 articles were initially identified. Following exclusion, 50 articles were included for review. We have subdivided these papers into different systems for ease of reference and have reported our findings in six tables: patients with type 1/2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, respiratory, psychiatric conditions and miscellaneous diseases. For each, the study design, population, control group (if available), RHI results and conclusions were reported.

Conclusions

A number of papers using Endo-PAT for children with various chronic diseases have evidence of ED. However, in many cases, there has only been a single cohort study using Endo-PAT. Further studies are required to validate these findings and to help characterise the cardiovascular risk profile of children with chronic disease. Further studies are also required that will characterise more completely the cardiovascular risk profile of these children.

Consensus on other vascular risk markers that could be included in future studies is ideal and if accomplished, this would facilitate meta-analyses of studies of relatively rare conditions.
Trends in fertility intentions and contraceptive practices in the context of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: insights from four national and regional population-based cohorts
Authors: Moreau Caroline , Karp Celia , Wood Shannon , Williams Kelsey , Olaolorun Funmilola M , Akilimali Pierre , Guiella Georges , Gichangi Peter , Zimmerman Linnea , Anglewicz Philip
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Studies in several sub-Saharan geographies conducted early in the COVID-19 pandemic suggested little impact on contraceptive behaviours. Initial results may mask widening disparities with rising poverty, and changes to women’s pregnancy desires and contraceptive use amid prolonged health service disruptions. This study examined trends in contraceptive behaviours in four sub-Saharan African settings 1 year into the pandemic.

Design

Nationally and regionally representative longitudinal surveys.

Setting

Burkina Faso, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) and Nigeria (Lagos).

Participants

Women aged 15–49 years with sample size ranging from 1469 in Nigeria to 9477 in Kenya.

Outcome measures

Fertility preferences, contraceptive use and unintended pregnancies measured before COVID-19 (November 2019 to January 2020) and during COVID-19 (November 2020 to January 2021).

Analysis

We described population-level and individual-level changes by socioeconomic characteristics using generalised equation modelling. We used logistic regression models to identify factors related to contraceptive adoption and discontinuation and to experiencing an unintended pregnancy.

Results

At the population level, we found no change in women’s exposure to unintended pregnancy risk, alongside 5–9 percentage point increases in contraceptive prevalence in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Lagos. Reliance on provider-dependent methods dropped by 2 and 4 percentage points in Kenya and Burkina Faso, respectively, although these declines were not statistically significant. Between 1.0% and 2.8% of women across sites experienced an unintended pregnancy during COVID-19, with no significant change over time. Individual-level trajectories showed contraceptive adoption was more common than discontinuation in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Lagos, with little difference by sociodemographic characteristics. Women’s COVID-19-related economic vulnerability was unrelated to unintended pregnancy across sites.

Conclusions

This study highlights the resilience of African women across diverse settings in sustaining contraceptive practices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with reports of rising poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, there is continued need to monitor access to essential sexual and reproductive health services.
Multidimensional evaluation of the pain profile as prognostic factor in individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis receiving total joint replacement: protocol of a 2-year longitudinal prognostic cohort study
Authors: Florencio Lidiane L , Palacios-Ceña María , Fuensalida-Novo Stella , de-la-Llave-Rincón Ana I , Ambite-Quesada Silvia , Ortega-Santiago Ricardo , Arias-Buría José L , Cigarán-Méndez Margarita , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Knee and hip osteoarthritis are two highly prevalent musculoskeletal pain conditions. Unsuccessful rates after hip/knee replacement range from 10% to 20%. Subjects with sensitisation manifestations are vulnerable to worse clinical outcomes. Most studies have analysed outcomes up to 1 year after surgery. The aim of this 2-year longitudinal study will be to evaluate sensory-related, psychological and psychophysical pain sensitisation manifestations and a potential epigenetic biomarker as prognostic clinical outcomes for the development of chronic postoperative pain after knee or hip replacement.

Methods and analysis

A prospective longitudinal study with a 2-year follow-up period will be conducted. The prognostic variables will include pain, function, related-disability, anxiety, depression, quality of life, sensitisation-associated symptoms, kinesiophobia, neuropathic pain and catastrophising, and expectative of the intervention will be assessed before surgery. We will also evaluate the presence of the Val158Met polymorphism as a possible epigenetic marker. Clinical outcomes including pain, related-disability and self-perceived satisfaction, sensitisation-associated symptoms and neuropathic pain will be assessed 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery. These variables will be used to construct three prediction models: (1) pain and function, (2) sensitisation-associated symptomatology and (3) neuropathic pain features classifying those patients in responders and non-responders. Data from knee or hip osteoarthritis will be analysed separately. Statistical analyses will be conducted with logistic regressions.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of both institutions involved (Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón (HUFA) 19–141 and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) 0312201917319). Participants will sign the written informed consent before their inclusion. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific meetings.
Novel mixed-method, inclusive protocol involving global key stakeholders, including carers as experts, to co-develop relevant Caregiver-Reported Outcome Domains (CRODs) in skin disease
Authors: Walsh Carleen , Leavey Gerard , Mc Laughlin Marian , Paller Amy S , Irvine Alan D , Browne Fiona , Mellerio Jemima E , Bewley Anthony
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Ichthyoses comprise a heterogenous group of rare genetic skin disorders that involves the entire skin surface, often with additional syndromic features, and pose many clinical challenges. Without curative intervention, the mainstay of life-long symptom management is supportive in nature and can remain the responsibility of the caregiver. Although impact on the wider family is considered an important outcome of policies and services, there is a lack of caregiver consensus on what outcome domains to measure to fully assess the impact of ichthyosis on the patient and the caregiver. This project aims to identify a set of core outcome domains towards a core outcome set for ichthyosis that can measure all relevant concepts of ichthyosis in clinical practice, service delivery and research.

Methods and analysis

Following the COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials) initiative, this project will employ a mixed-method study design which was developed using public and patient involvement and an international multidisciplinary expert group (clinical experts, patients and their representatives, policymakers, researchers and service providers). Experts by experience, or caregivers, will be recruited through online ichthyosis support groups. Phase one will focus on item generation and involve: (1) a systematic literature review, (2) a multimethods international qualitative study with ichthyosis caregivers and (3) co-development of items for an e-survey. Phase two, item refinement, will employ a novel four-pronged consensus approach: (1) an e-Delphi survey, (2) statistical analysis of e-Delphi survey results, (3) online qualitative feedback and (4) an online consensus discussion. All methodological considerations will be clearly linked with each Core Outcome Set-STAndards for Developing recommendation.

Ethics and dissemination

Research Ethics Committee approval obtained from the School of Psychology, Ulster University (UK)(Ref:REC/20/0004). Results will be presented in published international peer-reviewed journals, at scientific meetings and support groups.

Registration

COMET database (January 2019).
Illness severity characteristics and outcomes of patients remaining on an acute ward following medical emergency team review: a latent profile analysis
Authors: Batterbury Anthony , Douglas Clint , Jones Lee , Coyer Fiona
Published: January 2023

Background

Patients requiring medical emergency team (MET) review have complex clinical needs, and most remain on the ward after review. Current detection instruments cannot identify post-MET patient requirements, meaning patients remain undistinguished, potentially resulting in missed management opportunities. We propose that deteriorating patients will cluster along dimensions of illness severity and that these clusters may be used to strengthen patient risk management practices.

Objective

To identify and define the number of illness severity clusters and report outcomes among ward patients following MET review.

Study design and setting

This retrospective cohort study examined the clinical records of 1500 adult ward patients following MET review at an Australian quaternary hospital. Three-step latent profile analysis methods were used to determine clusters using Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Nursing Activities Score (NAS) as illness severity indicators. Study outcomes were (1) hospital mortality, (2) unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission and (3) subsequent MET review.

Results

Patients were unplanned (73.9%) and medical (57.5%) admissions with at least one comorbidity (51.4%), and complex combinations of acuity (SOFA range 1–17) and dependency (NAS range 22.4%–148.5%). Five clusters are reported. Patients in cluster 1 were equivalent to clinically stable general ward patients. Organ failure and complexity increased with cluster progression—clusters 2 and 3 were equivalent to subspecialty/higher-dependency wards, and clusters 4 and 5 were equivalent to ICUs. Patients in cluster 5 had the greatest odds for death (OR 26.2, 95% CI 23.3 to 31.3), unplanned ICU admission (OR 3.1, 95% CI 3.0 to 3.1) and subsequent MET review (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.4 to 2.6).

Conclusion

The five illness severity clusters may be used to define patients at risk of poorer outcomes who may benefit from enhanced levels of monitoring and targeted care.
Understanding neuroimmune interactions in disorders of gut–brain interaction: from functional to immune-mediated disorders
Authors: Vanuytsel Tim , Bercik Premysl , Boeckxstaens Guy
Published: January 2023

Functional gastrointestinal disorders—recently renamed into disorders of gut–brain interaction—such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia are highly prevalent conditions with bothersome abdominal symptoms in the absence of structural abnormalities. While traditionally considered as motility disorders or even psychosomatic conditions, our understanding of the pathophysiology has evolved significantly over the last two decades. Initial observations of subtle mucosal infiltration with immune cells, especially mast cells and eosinophils, are since recently being backed up by mechanistic evidence demonstrating increased release of nociceptive mediators by immune cells and the intestinal epithelium. These mediators can activate sensitised neurons leading to visceral hypersensitivity with bothersome symptoms. The interaction between immune activation and an impaired barrier function of the gut is most likely a bidirectional one with alterations in the microbiota, psychological stress and food components as upstream players in the pathophysiology. Only few immune-targeting treatments are currently available, but an improved understanding through a multidisciplinary scientific approach will hopefully identify novel, more precise treatment targets with ultimately better outcomes.
Where is knowledge from the global South? An account of epistemic justice for a global bioethics
Authors: Pratt Bridget , de Vries Jantina
Published: January 2023

The silencing of the epistemologies, theories, principles, values, concepts and experiences of the global South constitutes a particularly egregious epistemic injustice in bioethics. Our shared responsibility to rectify that injustice should be at the top of the ethics agenda. That it is not, or only is in part, is deeply problematic and endangers the credibility of the entire field. As a first step towards reorienting the field, this paper offers a comprehensive account of epistemic justice for global health ethics. We first introduce several different conceptions of justice and decolonisation in relation to knowledge, purposefully drawing on work emanating from the global South as well as the global North. We then apply those conceptions to the global health ethics context to generate a tripartite account of the layers of epistemic justice in the field: who is producing ethics knowledge; what theories and concepts are being applied to produce ethics knowledge; and whose voices are sought, recorded and used to generate ethics knowledge. These layers reflect that the field spans conceptual and empirical research. We conclude by proposing that, going forward, three avenues are key to achieve greater epistemic justice at each layer and to help decolonise global health ethics: namely, understanding the problem, dialogue and structural change.
Observational constraints on f(R, T) gravity with $$f(R,T) = R + h(T)$$
Authors: Sardar Gopal , Bose Akash , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: January 2023

The present cosmological model deals with modified f(R, T) gravity theory with $$f(R,T)=R+h(T)$$

f
(
R
,
T
)
=
R
+
h
(
T
)

in the background of homogeneous and isotropic FLRW space-time model. Four choices of h(T) have been studied and examined from two observational data sets. It is found that model III, namely, the linear combination of power law and logarithmic form is more consistent with observed data than the others. However, all four considered models are a worse fit than the LCDM model.
Beyond DGLAP improved saturation model
Authors: Boroun G. R.
Published: January 2023

We present a modification of the DGLAP improved saturation model with respect to the nonlinear correction (NLC). The GLR-MQ improved saturation model is considered by employing the parametrization of proton structure function due to the Laplace transforms method, which preserves its behavior success in the low and high $$Q^{2}$$

Q
2

regions. We show that the geometric scaling holds for the GLR-MQ improved model in a wide kinematic region $$rQ_{s}$$

r

Q
s

. These results are comparable with other models in a wide kinematic region $$rQ_{s}$$

r

Q
s

. The behavior of the dipole cross sections, with respect to the GLR-MQ improved saturation model, are comparable with the Color Glass Condensate (CGC) model. The model describes the dipole cross sections in the inclusive and diffractive processes. We also compare the nonlinear corrections to the impact-parameter dependent saturation (IP-Sat) model with the impact-parameter dependent color glass condensate (b-CGC) dipole model. Finally, we consider the linear and nonlinear corrections to the IP Non-Sat model. These results provide a benchmark for further investigation of QCD at small x in future experiments such as the Large Hadron Collider and Future Circular Collider projects.
Embedding Alexander quandles into groups
Authors: Akita Toshiyuki
Published: January 2023

For any twisted conjugation quandle [Formula: see text], and in particular any Alexander quandle, there exists a group [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is embedded into the conjugation quandle of [Formula: see text]
BLOW-UP PROBLEMS FOR FUJITA-TYPE PARABOLIC SYSTEM INVOLVING TIME-DEPENDENT COEFFICIENTS ON GRAPHS
Authors: WU YITING
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we deal with the blow-up problems for Fujita-type parabolic system involving time-dependent coefficients on graphs. Under appropriate conditions, we prove that the nonnegative solution of the parabolic system blows up in a finite time on finite graphs and locally finite graphs, respectively. The results obtained extend some previous results of [Y. Lin and Y. Wu, Blow-up problems for nonlinear parabolic equations on locally finite graphs, Acta Math. Sci. Ser. B 38(3) (2018) 843–856; Y. Wu, Local existence and blow-up of solutions to Fujita-type equations involving general absorption term on finite graphs, Fractals 30(2) (2022) 2240053].