bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blindness is decreasing among children born preterm during the last four decades in Denmark
Authors: Al‐Abaiji Hajer A. , Nissen Kamilla , Slidsborg Carina , La Cour Morten , Kessel Line
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Children born preterm are believed to be at increased risk of visual impairment (VI). The increased survival rate of extremely preterm children may have changed the spectrum of diseases occurring postnatally. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and causes of VI in an ex‐preterm Danish population during the last 4 decades.

Methods

The study was based on the National Register of Blind and Visually Impaired Children (NRVIC). Ex‐preterms born at gestational age (GA) <32 weeks and enrolled in NRVIC at any time between 1988 and 2020 were included. The main cause of VI, the severity of VI and systemic comorbidities were analysed for temporal changes.

Results

A total of 335 patients were included. The prevalence of VI decreased from 26/1000 preterm children in the 1980s to 15/1000 in 2000s. Blindness due to preterm birth is almost eliminated affecting 1/1000 today. Sequelae to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was the most common cause of VI (51% of cases) in the 1980s but decreased to 34% in 2010s, whereas non‐ocular causes of VI increased from 1% to 36%, respectively. More than half of the children (64%) had combined comorbidities and 36% had isolated VI.

Conclusion

The improved monitoring in neonatal intensive care units and management of ROP has reduced the prevalence of severe VI due to ROP and almost eliminated blindness over the last decades in Denmark. However, preterm children are still at risk of non‐ocular causes of VI and comorbidities following the premature delivery.
Systematic review: Clinical phenotypes, histopathological features and prognosis of enteropathy due to angiotensin II receptor blockers
Authors: Schiepatti Annalisa , Minerba Paolo , Puricelli Michele , Maimaris Stiliano , Arpa Giovanni , Biagi Federico , Sanders David S.
Published: January 2024

Background

Although enteropathy due to angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) has been known for over 10 years, clinicians' awareness of this condition is still low.

Aims

To systematically review the literature about clinical phenotypes, distribution of mucosal changes throughout the gastrointestinal tract and prognosis of enteropathy due to ARBs.

Methods

According to PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed and Embase for relevant articles up to November 6, 2023. We included full‐text papers, letters, case reports and case series describing enteropathy due to ARBs. Patients were classified into subgroups based on endoscopic and histological findings of different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The protocol was registered with Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TK67C).

Results

We included 94 articles reporting 183 cases (101 female, mean age at diagnosis 69 ± 10 years). The clinical picture at diagnosis was characterised by severe diarrhoea (97%) and weight loss (84%, median −13 kg), leading to hospital admission in 167 (95%) patients. Olmesartan (90%) was most frequently implicated. Villous atrophy (VA) was reported in 164/183 (89%) patients. One hundred and nine had only VA, 12 had pan‐gastrointestinal involvement, 23 had VA and gastric involvement and 19 had VA and colon involvement (predominantly microscopic colitis). Outcomes were reported for 178/183 (97%) patients, who all recovered clinically on ARBs withdrawal. Histological recovery occurred in all 96 patients with VA at baseline who underwent follow‐up duodenal biopsy.

Conclusions

Enteropathy due to ARBs is characterised by severe malabsorption often requiring hospital admission and can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract. Clinician awareness can lead to prompt diagnosis and excellent prognosis.
Comparison of 1‐day versus 3‐day intravenous terlipressin in cirrhosis patients with variceal bleeding: A pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vaishnav Manas , Biswas Sagnik , Shenoy Abhishek , Pathak Piyush , Anand Abhinav , Swaroop Shekhar , Aggrawal Arnav , Arora Umang , Elhence Anshuman , Jagannath Soumya , Gunjan Deepak , Kedia Saurabh , Mishra Ashwani Kumar , Gamanagatti Shivanand , Nayak Baibaswata , Garg Pramod , Shalimar
Published: January 2024

Background

In cirrhosis patients with acute variceal bleeding (AVB), the optimal duration of vasoconstrictor therapy after endoscopic haemostasis is unclear.

Aims

We aimed to compare efficacy of 1‐day versus 3‐day terlipressin therapy in cirrhosis patients with AVB post‐endoscopic intervention. The primary objective was to compare rebleeding at 5 days between the two arms. Secondary objectives included rebleeding and mortality rates at 6 weeks.

Methods

In this open‐label, randomised controlled trial, cirrhosis patients with AVB were randomised to either 1‐day or 3‐day terlipressin therapy.

Results

A total of 150 cirrhosis patients with AVB were recruited to receive either 1 day (n = 75) or 3 days (n = 75) of terlipressin therapy. One patient from 1‐day arm was excluded. Modified intention‐to‐treat analysis included 149 patients. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Rebleeding at 5 days: 3 (4.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4–9.0) versus 4 (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.0–10.0), risk difference (RD) p = 0.726 and 5‐day mortality rates: 1 (1.4%; 95% CI: 0–7.3) versus 1 (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.2–7.0), RD p = 0.960 were similar. Rebleeding at 42 days: 9 (12.2%; 95% CI: 7.0–20.0) versus 10 (13.3%; 95% CI: 7.0–20.0), RD p = 0.842 and mortality at 42 days: 5 (6.8%; 95% CI: 3.0–10.0) versus 4 (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.0–10.0), RD p = 0.704 were also similar. Patients in the 1‐day terlipressin therapy arm experienced significantly fewer adverse effects compared with those receiving 3 days of terlipressin therapy: 28 (37.8%) versus 42 (56%), p = 0.026.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that 1 day of terlipressin therapy is associated with similar 5‐day and 42‐day rebleeding rates, 42‐day mortality and an overall superior safety profile compared with 3‐day of terlipressin therapy. These findings require to be validated in double‐blinded, larger, multiethnic and multicentre studies across the various stages of cirrhosis (CTRI/2019/10/021771).
Consultants as discreet corporate change agents for sustainability: Transforming organizations from the outside‐in
Authors: Gond Jean‐Pascal , Brès Luc , Mosonyi Szilvia
Published: January 2024

Despite their central role in the construction and development of the market for virtues as well as in the design, implementation, and evaluation of corporate sustainability strategies and governmental sustainability policies, sustainability consultants remain at best “hidden” corporate change agents. In this paper, we bring sustainability consultants back to the fore to account for how these actors discreetly regulate and shape contemporary sustainability transformations from the outside‐in. We do so first by unpacking various roles of consultants as engineers, market builders, power vehicles, boundary workers, issue translators, and soft regulators; then we conceptualize how, through these roles, they contribute to empowering, legitimizing but also potentially supplanting and undermining the activities of corporate change agents operating inside corporations. We finally propose some research orientations for studying further the role of sustainability consultants in corporate transformations toward sustainability.
Endemic island plant–herbivore interactions: Kamehameha butterfly (Nymphalidae) and Hawaiian Urticaceae
Authors: Bogner Kari K. , Haines William P. , Kim Jorma , Drake Donald R. , Barton Kasey E.
Published: January 2024

Insect–plant interactions are less well studied than other types of herbivory on islands, precluding a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary ecology of these interactions. Declines in native island plants and insects call for urgent attention to characterize these species' interactions for their conservation and to better understand evolution in these unique, insular ecosystems. In Hawai‘i, the Kamehameha butterfly (Vanessa tameamea) is one of only two native butterflies, and larvae are specialists on native urticaceous plants. Using a no‐choice bioassay, we investigated performance of V. tameamea reared from egg hatching through eclosion on four native urticaceous host plants, Boehmeria grandis, Pipturus albidus, Touchardia latifolia, and Touchardia oahuensis, and one exotic urticaceous species, Cecropia obtusifolia. Performance varied significantly among the plant diets, with V. tameamea performing best on P. albidus and T. oahuensis among the performance metrics of survival, pupal and adult body mass, and development time. Larval responses to the exotic host plant C. obtusifolia varied among populations, with O‘ahu caterpillars successfully completing development on it, but Hawai‘i Island caterpillars rejecting it completely, suggesting a geographic mosaic for this novel species interaction. Characterization of a suite of nutritive and defensive plant traits revealed significant variability among plant species, but patterns did not align well with V. tameamea performance rankings, making it difficult to identify key drivers of host plant quality. Future work examining additional plant traits under natural conditions would provide new insights, contributing critical ecological information to conserve this charismatic island species.
Prevalence and incidence of hand eczema in healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yüksel Yasemin T. , Symanzik Cara , Christensen Maria O. , Olesen Caroline M. , Thyssen Jacob P. , Skudlik Christoph , John Swen M. , Agner Tove , Brans Richard
Published: January 2024

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered a high‐risk group for developing hand eczema (HE), mainly owing to wet work and contact with allergens at work. To meta‐analyse the prevalence and incidence of HE in HCWs, as well as mapping the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and HE severity in HCWs. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses 2020 guidelines. Published literature from 2000 to 2022 was eligible based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 18 studies were included. Pooled life‐time, 1‐year and point prevalence of self‐reported HE in HCWs was 33.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.3–38.6), 27.4% (95% CI: 19.3–36.5) and 13.5% (95% CI: 9.3–18.4), respectively. AD prevalence was 15.4% (95% CI: 11.3–19.9). Overall, the majority of HCWs reported mild HE. One included study assessed HE incidence reporting 34 cases/1000 person years. Most studies scored low‐moderate using the New Ottawa Scale and the pooled point prevalence data showed broad CIs. In conclusion, the high prevalence of HE in HCWs underlines the increased risk and need for preventive measures for this professional group. There is, however, a need of further standardized high‐quality studies.
O‐HEALTH‐EDU: A viewpoint into the current state of Oral Health Professional education in Europe: Part 1: Programme‐level data
Authors: Dixon Jonathan , Field James , Vital Sibylle , van Harten Maria , Roger‐Leroi Valerie , Davies Julia , Manzanares‐Cespedes Maria‐Cristina , Akota Ilze , Murphy Denis , Paganelli Corrado , Gerber Gabor , Quinn Barry , Tubert‐Jeannin Stephanie
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Current legislation leaves Oral Health Professional (OHP) education open to wide interpretation and may result in significant variation in educational practice and resultant professional attributes across Europe. Data regarding the current state of OHP education across Europe is limited. The aim of Part 1 of this series is to provide programme‐level data for Primary Dental Degree Programmes, Dental Hygiene and Postgraduate Education.

Methods

A 91‐item questionnaire was developed following the Delphi method. The questionnaire and the Articulate glossary of OHP education terms were developed concurrently to facilitate a common understanding of language. Piloting was performed in multiple stages and included institutions internal and external to the research group. The questionnaire was uploaded online and converted to a data hub, allowing dental schools to control their own data and update the data provided whenever they wish. All ADEE member schools (n = 144) were invited to provide data. Forty questions relating to school details, Primary Dental Degree Programmes, Dental Hygiene and Postgraduate Education were included in this part of the series.

Results

Seventy‐one institutions from 25 European countries provided data between June 2021 and April 2023, which represents a response rate of 49.3% of ADEE members. Programme‐level data for Primary Dental Degree Programmes, Dental Hygiene and Postgraduate Education is presented including programme length, funding, languages and fees, student numbers and demographics, student admission and selection processes and permission to practice after graduation.

Conclusion

This series of papers, as far as the authors are aware, are the first attempts to build a comprehensive picture of the current state of OHP education in Europe. A comprehensive view of the state of OHP education in Europe is not yet available but the O‐Health‐Edu data hub provides a means for all education providers in Europe to contribute data to reach this goal. It is anticipated that the data hub will be updated and built upon over time to continually establish a clearer picture of the state of OHP education in Europe.
Cultural diversity and regional innovation: Evidence from China
Authors: Guo Mengmeng , Yu Yixiang , Ye Jingjing
Published: January 2024

The cultural diversity brought by migrants has attracted widespread interest in recent years. This paper investigates the relationship between migrant cultural diversity and regional innovation by constructing panel data of provincial migrant cultural diversity and combining them with invention applications data from China's State Intellectual Property Office. The empirical results show that the migrant cultural diversity, measured by migrant's hukou and dialect respectively, has a positive impact on regional innovation. The effect still holds after a series of robustness tests and addressing endogeneity issues. Furthermore, the further analysis implies that the effects of the migrant cultural diversity in workers aged from 30 to 50, engaged in an innovative occupation, working in high market‐competitiveness or inclusive provinces are more pronounced. Our study supplements the current research on the relationship between migrant cultural diversity and regional innovation.
SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is not associated with the emergence of monoclonal gammopathies
Authors: Simonini Cecilia , Natali Patrizia , Pirotti Tommaso , Nasillo Vincenzo , Riva Giovanni , Chester Johanna , Trenti Tommaso , Debbia Daria
Published: January 2024

Background

Upon infection activated plasma cells produce large quantities of antibodies which can lead to the emergence of a monoclonal component (MC), detectable by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). This study aims to investigate any correlation between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and MC development and, if identified, whether it persists during follow‐up.

Methods

SPEPs of 786 patients admitted to hospitals between March 01 2020 and March 31 2022 were evaluated. Positive (SARS‐CoV‐2+) and negative (SARS‐CoV‐2−) patients to nasopharyngeal swab for SARS‐CoV‐2 by RT‐PCR were included. The persistence/new occurrence of MC was investigated for all patients during follow‐up. Patient groups were compared by chi‐square analysis.

Results

MC was identified in 12% of all patients admitted to hospital, of which 28.7% were SARS‐CoV‐2+. The most common immunoglobulin isotype in both groups was IgG‐k. There was no correlation between MC development and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (p = 0.173). Furthermore, the risk of MC persistence in SARS‐CoV‐2‐negative patients was revealed to be higher than in the SARS‐CoV‐2+ at follow‐up (HR = 0.591, p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the detection of MC during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is most likely due to the hyperstimulation of the humoral immune system, as also occurs in other viral infections.
Unlocking cementitious performance: nano‐lubrication via polycarboxylate superplasticizers
Authors: Wang Muhan , Ji Xiang , Manzano Hegoi , Hou Dongshuai , Li Zongjin
Published: January 2024

Polycarboxylate (PCE) superplasticizers are the most important additive in concrete, which can effectively improve the workability of cement slurry. Different from the traditional regarding of PCEs as dispersants, here, we understand the PCEs as nano‐lubricants. By employing the molecular dynamics simulation, a sophisticated model was used to evaluate the interfacial friction between the C–S–H particles. The results reveal that the PCEs can reduce the interfacial friction between the C–S–H particles, and thus increase the fluidity of cement slurry. Further analyses infer the role of PCE segments in lubrication. The carboxylates on PCEs ensure the anchoring and hinder the separation of Ca ions. The side chains are used to lubricate the C–S–H surface, due to the weak adsorption between the side chains and the C–S–H surface. Predictably, this study not only provides a method to directly evaluate the performance of PCEs but also suggests new insights into the colloid dispersion of the low‐water content system.
Research on the relationship between nurses' compliance with standard precautions, servant leadership and emotional exhaustion: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Du Xin , Song Yang , Wang Huan , Chen Wen , Wang Lei , Feng Xue , Zhang Xi , Song Caiping
Published: January 2024

Aim

This study aimed to analyse the effects of servant leadership on nurses' emotional failure and compliance with standard precautions and to explore the moderating effect of individual resilience.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

This descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted from October 9 to November 1, 2022. The convenience sampling method was used to collect questionnaire data from 924 clinical nurses in a third‐class general hospital in Chongqing, China.

Results

The emotional exhaustion and compliance with standard precautions were at the general level. Servant leadership mediated by emotional exhaustion had a significant positive predictive effect on compliance with standard precautions. Personal resilience played a negative moderating role in the relationship between servant leadership and emotional exhaustion. For nurses with low resilience, servant leadership had a greater impact on emotional exhaustion.

Conclusion

The current compliance with standard precautions for clinical nurses is not high due to emotional exhaustion. The level of servant leadership can alleviate nurses' emotional exhaustion and improve compliance with standard precautions. Especially for nurses with low personal resilience, the care and support of department leaders are needed.

Impact

We found that the compliance with standard precautions is not high, and the link between emotional exhaustion, servant leadership and compliance with standard precautions provides a basis for further patient care.

No Patient or Public Contribution

There was no patient or public involvement.

Impact Statement

Nurses are the key population for hospital infection prevention and control, and their level of compliance with standard precautions is of great significance for hospital infection prevention and control. However, in practice, nurses' compliance with standard precautions is generally low. Most of the previous studies on nurses' compliance with standard precautions were conducted from the perspective of individual nurses, based on the staff's ‘knowledge, belief, and action’ to study the current status of compliance with standard precautions and the factors affecting adherence, with less attention paid to the influence of psychological, environmental, and organizational factors. Therefore, the study focuses on the impact of servant leadership and emotional exhaustion on standard precautionary adherence, which is of great significance for good care management at the organizational level. It also explored how the impact of servant leadership on emotional exhaustion varies across levels of resilience, which is important for accurately identifying different types of nursing staff and targeting assistance.
The role of healthcare leaders in implementing equitable clinical academic pathways for nurses: An integrative review
Authors: Aspinall Cathleen , Slark Julia , Parr Jenny , Pene Bobbie‐Jo , Gott Merryn
Published: January 2024

Aim

To identify and synthesize empirical evidence on the role of healthcare leaders in the development of equitable clinical academic pathways for nurses.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Data Sources

Literature was searched using CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest and Google Scholar databases.

Review Methods

A total of 114 eligible articles published between 2010 and2022 were screened, 16 papers were selected.

Results

Results highlighted the need for consistent national, regional, and organizational policy approaches to developing clinical academic careers for nurses. Government health departments and National Health boards must focus on increasing engagement in research and evidence‐based nursing practice for high‐quality patient care. Discriminatory practices and attitudes were identified as barriers. Discrimination due to gender was evident, while the impact of race, ethnicity, and other social categories of identity are under‐researched. Educational leaders must unravel misconceptions about research, highlighting its relevance to patient care and bedside nurses' work. Academic leaders together with executive nurses, research funders and professional nursing bodies must create appropriately remunerated career structures. Transformative approaches are required to develop the clinical academic nurse role and understand its value in clinical practice.

Conclusion

Multiple elements exist within complex systems that healthcare leaders can navigate collaboratively to develop and implement clinical nurse academic roles. This requires vision, acknowledgement of the value of nursing research and the importance of evidence‐based research infrastructures.

Impact

Findings highlight the collaborative role of healthcare leaders as critical to the success of critical academic careers for nurses. This review can inform those still to formalize this innovative role for nurses.

Reporting Method

The review complies with the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. This paper contributes evidence about the healthcare leader's role in developing clinical academic pathways for nurses to the wider global clinical community.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution was included in this review.
Self‐supporting wound care mobile applications for nurses: A scoping review
Authors: Gagnon Julie , Probst Sebastian , Chartrand Julie , Reynolds Emily , Lalonde Michelle
Published: January 2024

Aim

This study provides an overview of the literature to identify and map the types of available evidence on self‐supporting mobile applications used by nurses in wound care regarding their development, evaluation and outcomes for patients, nurses and the healthcare system.

Design

Scoping review.

Review Method

Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology was used.

Data Sources

A search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL (via EBSCO), Web of Science, LiSSa (Littérature Scientifique en Santé), Cochrane Wounds, Érudit and grey literature, between April and October 2022, updated in April 2023, to identify literature published in English and French.

Results

Eleven studies from 14 publications met the inclusion criteria. Mostly descriptive, the included studies presented mobile applications that nurses used, among other things, to assess wounds and support clinical decision‐making. The results described how nurses were iteratively involved in the process of developing and evaluating mobile applications using various methods such as pilot tests. The three outcomes most frequently reported by nurses were as follows: facilitating care, documentation on file and access to evidence‐based data.

Conclusion

The potential of mobile applications in wound care is within reach. Nurses are an indispensable player in the successful development of these tools.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

If properly developed and evaluated, mobile applications for wound care could enhance nursing practices and improve patient care. The development of ethical digital competence must be ensured during initial training and continued throughout the professional journey.

Impact

We identified a dearth of studies investigating applications that work without Internet access. More research is needed on the development of mobile applications in wound care and their possible impact on nursing practice in rural areas and the next generation of nurses.

Reporting Method

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis Extension for Scoping Review guidelines were used.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Nutritional status of the older adults in nursing homes: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chen Qiu , Shen Jun , Gao Ying , Wang Xin Xia , Jia Qian Ying , Li Miao
Published: January 2024

Aim and objectives

To investigate the nutritional status of older adults in nursing homes in Chongqing, China, compare and analyse the differences in the physical condition, cognitive function and social‐related factors of older adults with different nutritional statuses.

Background

Malnurtition in the older people has become a priority concer, and the incidence and factors associated with malnutrition vary somewhat by healthcare setting. In Chongqing ,China, there is lack of research on malnutrition of the older people in nursing homes. Here, we investigated the incidence of malnutrition and analysed the associated factors.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

From January to April 2023, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted in three nursing homes in Chongqing, China. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including the Demographic Information Questionnaire which included age, gender, education level, previous occupation, marital status and other information. The survey also included validated non‐demographic instruments [Short‐Form Mini‐Nutritional Assessment (MNA‐SF), Barthel Index (BI) and Mini‐mental State Examination (MMSE)] to identify related impact factors. The Guidelines for cross‐sectional studies were used in this study (Data S1).

Results

209 older adults aged 60 and over participated in this study, of whom 121 were women and 88 were men. The average (SD) age of the participants was 84.7 (6.3) years. Of the participants, 46.4% were classified as well nourished. About 39.2% were at risk of malnutrition and 14.4% were malnourished. Compared to those who were well nourished, those who were malnourished or at risk of becoming malnourished were more likely to suffer from comorbidities, polypharmacy, a higher risk of falling, ADL dependence and to receive more nutritional interventions. However, there are no significant differences after adjustment for age, education level, previous occupation, marital status, length of stay, and type of health care payment.

Conclusion

Malnutrition is a common problem among older adults innursing homes in Chongqing, China. There are certain differences in physical conditions and nutritional interventions among older adults withdifferent nutritional status.

Public Contribution

This study suggests that the problem of malnutrition is very prominent in nursing homes in Chongqing, China. Cognitive impairment, impaired activities of daily living, fall risk and nutritional intervention need to be prevalent in older adults with (risk of) malnutrition.
Effectiveness of the lay health advisor program on oral function and quality of life in aboriginal older adults: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cheng Bo‐Han , Ho Pei‐Shan , Hsu Chih‐Cheng , Chen Fu‐Li , Chen Ming‐An , Kabasawa Yuji , Huang Hsiao‐Ling
Published: January 2024

Background

Aboriginal older adults residing in remote areas have poor oral function due to inadequate access to healthcare services. Lay health advisor (LHA) strategies can fill capacity shortages of healthcare professionals in rural communities and increase population acceptance of health care or healthy behaviours.

Objective(s)

To evaluate the effectiveness the LHA program on oral function and oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older adults in aboriginal community.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 122) and a control group (CG; n = 118). All participants performed oral exercises, and the EG received additional one‐on‐one 30‐min lessons by an LHA over 4 weeks. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interview and oral examination. The generalized estimating equation model was used to analyse changes in outcomes over time.

Results

The EG exhibited significantly greater improvement in swallowing (β = .63) at the 6‐month follow‐up and in masticatory performance (β = .52) and pronunciation of the syllable/pa/ (β = 2.65) at the 2‐week follow‐up than the CG did. The EG had a significantly lower plaque control record (β = −.14) and plaque index (β = −.30) at the 3‐month follow‐up than the CG did. Moreover, the OHRQoL was significantly increased at 6‐months follow‐up in the EG (p = .010).

Conclusion

The LHA program had positive effects on chewing, swallowing and plaque control in aboriginal older adults. LHA group also experienced positive long‐term effect on OHRQoL after intervention.
Effectiveness of novel oral hygiene instruction avoiding inattentional blindness using an application for unique plaque control record calculation: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mitani Akio , Matsuura Takato , Aino Makoto , Hayashi Jun‐ichiro , Nishida Eisaku , Hori Miki , Kikuchi Takeshi
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study was performed to estimate the effectiveness of novel oral hygiene instruction (OHI) focusing on areas with deep periodontal pockets for reduction of periodontal inflammation.

Background Data Discussing the Present Status of the Field

Because stained areas on the plaque chart do not always correspond to the areas with deep periodontal pockets, conventional OHI based on O'Leary's plaque control record (PCR) often provides guidance inconsistent with the target area.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial involved two groups: (1) OHI based on the PCR limited in deep pocket sites (novel OHI group) and (2) OHI based on O'Leary's PCR (conventional OHI group). The unique PCR (aggressive target for PCR [agPCR]; only counting the plaque‐stained areas with PD at ≥4 mm sites) for the novel OHI was calculate by dedicated expression program. The probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) were obtained at the baseline and 5 to 6 months later.

Results

The approximation curve with PISA before and after instruction indicated that the PISA converged to a lower value after instruction in the novel OHI group. The approximation curve with the improvement rate of the PISA and agPCR showed a positive correlation in the novel OHI group but no correlation in the conventional OHI group.

Conclusion

Control of inflammation was more effective in the novel OHI group. These results suggest that this novel OHI technique using our developed application could be used as a strategy to improve the effectiveness of brushing instruction.
Non‐routine tasks and ICT tools in telework
Authors: Okubo Toshihiro
Published: January 2024

Telework has spread during the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). Using a unique individual‐level survey in Japan, we investigate how telework has changed the way people live and work and what impediments hamper telework use. As a result, we find that telework allows workers to spend more time on leisure and their families. Compared with routine task workers, non‐routine (abstract) task workers are more suited to telework. However, once engaged in telework, non‐routine task workers have fewer opportunities to communicate with coworkers, which is a serious impediment that tends to hamper work performance and compromise mental health.
Reduction rate of anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibody titer levels is an early prognostic indicator for myasthenia gravis
Authors: Hamada Yasuhiro , Deguchi Kazushi , Takaba Keita , Kawakita Rie , Takata Tadayuki , Morishita Asahiro , Kobara Hideki , Masaki Tsutomu
Published: January 2024

Background

A realistic treatment goal for myasthenia gravis (MG) is achieving minimal manifestations or better status with prednisolone at ≤5 mg/day (MM‐or‐better‐5 mg), considering a patient's health‐related quality of life. Prognosis prediction during the early phases of immunotherapies might be critical for determining subsequent treatment strategies; however, the appropriate biomarkers remain unknown.

Aim

This study aimed to clarify whether the reduction rate of anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibody (RR‐AChR Ab) titer levels is a useful biomarker for predicting MM‐or‐better‐5 mg achievement.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated patients with MG and AChR Abs who received immunotherapy for the first time. The RR‐AChR Ab titer levels were calculated in the early (within 30 days), middle (31–60 days), and late (61–100 days) periods after starting immunotherapies. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine an appropriate cutoff value for RR‐AChR Abs to achieve an MM‐or‐better‐5 mg.

Results

Of 53 patients, 24 (45%) achieved MM‐or‐better‐5 mg after 1 year. For the early period, the RR‐AChR Ab cutoff value to predict MM‐or‐better‐5 mg was 1.68%/day with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.75 (sensitivity, 85%; specificity, 70%). However, the middle and late posttreatment AUC values did not predict MM‐or‐better‐5 mg achievement.

Conclusion

The RR‐AChR Ab might be an appropriate prognostic biomarker during the early period of MM‐or‐better‐5 mg achievement. In the era of early fast‐acting treatment strategies, the RR‐AChR Ab trend after starting immunotherapies may guide the subsequent treatment choices.
Lily LlHSFC2 coordinates with HSFAs to balance heat stress response and improve thermotolerance
Authors: Wu Ze , Li Ting , Ding Liping , Wang Chengpeng , Teng Renda , Xu Sujuan , Cao Xing , Teng Nianjun
Published: January 2024

Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) are core regulators of plant heat stress response. Much research has focused on class A and B HSFs, leaving those of class C relatively understudied.

Here, we reported a lily (Lilium longiflorum) heat‐inducible HSFC2 homology involved in thermotolerance. LlHSFC2 was located in the nucleus and cytoplasm and exhibited a repression ability by binding heat stress element. Overexpression of LlHSFC2 in Arabidopsis, tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana), and lily, all increased the thermotolerance. Conversely, silencing of LlHSFC2 in lily reduced its thermotolerance.

LlHSFC2 could interact with itself, or interact with LlHSFA1, LlHSFA2, LlHSFA3A, and LlHSFA3B of lily, AtHSFA1e and AtHSFA2 of Arabidopsis, and NbHSFA2 of tobacco. LlHSFC2 interacted with HSFAs to accelerate their transactivation ability and act as a transcriptional coactivator. Notably, compared with the separate LlHSFA3A overexpression, co‐overexpression of LlHSFC2/LlHSFA3A further enhanced thermotolerance of transgenic plants. In addition, after suffering HS, the homologous interaction of LlHSFC2 was repressed, but its heterologous interaction with the heat‐inducible HSFAs was promoted, enabling it to exert its co‐activation effect for thermotolerance establishment and maintenance.

Taken together, we identified that LlHSFC2 plays an active role in the general balance and maintenance of heat stress response by cooperating with HSFAs, and provided an important candidate for the enhanced thermotolerance breeding of crops and horticulture plants.
The m6A reader YTHDC2 regulates UVB‐induced DNA damage repair and histone modification
Authors: Yang Zizhao , Verghese Michelle , Yang Seungwon , Shah Palak , He Yu‐Ying
Published: January 2024

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation represents a major carcinogen for the development of all skin cancer types. Mechanistically, UVB induces damage to DNA in the form of lesions, including cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Disruption of the functional repair processes, such as nucleotide excision repair (NER), allows persistence of DNA damage and contributes to skin carcinogenesis. Recent work has implicated m6A RNA methylation and its regulatory proteins as having critical roles in facilitating UVB‐induced DNA damage repair. However, the biological functions of the m6A reader YTHDC2 are unknown in this context. Here, we show that YTHDC2 inhibition enhances the repair of UVB‐induced DNA damage. We discovered that YTHDC2 inhibition increased the expression of PTEN while it decreased the expression of the PRC2 component SUZ12 and the levels of the histone modification H3K27me3. However, none of these functions were causally linked to the improvements in DNA repair, suggesting that the mechanism utilized by YTHDC2 may be unconventional. Moreover, inhibition of the m6A writer METTL14 reversed the effect of YTHDC2 inhibition on DNA repair while inhibition of the m6A eraser FTO mimicked the effect of YTHDC2 inhibition, indicating that YTHDC2 may regulate DNA repair through the m6A pathway. Finally, compared to normal human skin, YTHDC2 expression was upregulated in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC), suggesting that it may function as a tumor‐promoting factor in skin cancer. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the m6A reader YTHDC2 plays a role in regulating UVB‐induced DNA damage repair and may serve as a potential biomarker in cSCC.
Trajectory of lung function in diabetic adults: A 16‐year follow‐up study of community‐based prospective cohorts
Authors: Choi Wonsuk , Moon Joon Ho , Choi Hayoung , Lee Hyun , Kim Hee Kyung , Kang Ho‐Cheol , Cho Nam H.
Published: January 2024

Background and Objective

To investigate the difference in lung function according to diabetes status in a community‐based prospective study.

Methods

Individuals aged 40–69 years from two community‐based cohorts were followed prospectively for 16 years. A spirometer was used to evaluate lung function at baseline, and lung function tests were carried out biennially thereafter. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed for the cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses based on diabetes status.

Results

Among the 6483 subjects, 2114 (32.6%) had prediabetes and 671 (10.4%) had diabetes. The prediabetes and diabetes groups had lower baseline % predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (mean, −1.853; 95% confidence interval [CI] –2.715 to −0.990 for prediabetes and mean, −4.088; 95% CI –5.424 to −2.752 for diabetes) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (mean, −2.087; 95% CI –2.837 to −1.337 for prediabetes and mean, −4.622; 95% CI –5.784 to −3.460 for diabetes) compared to the normoglycemia group after adjusting for relevant covariates. The rate of decline in FEV1% predicted (mean, −0.227; 95% CI –0.366 to −0.089) and FVC % predicted (mean, −0.232; 95% CI –0.347 to −0.117) during follow‐up were faster in the diabetes group than in the normoglycemia group. The diabetes group had a lower proportion of normal ventilation (ptrend = 0.048) and higher proportions of restrictive (ptrend = 0.001) and mixed (ptrend = 0.035) ventilatory disorders at the last follow‐up.

Conclusion

Diabetes is associated with a lower baseline lung function and a faster rate of deterioration.
The impact of alcohol hand sanitizer use on skin health between healthcare worker: Cross‐sectional study
Authors: Alhalwani Amani , Husain Amal , Saemaldahar Amjad , Makhdoum Faizah , Alhakami Montaha , Ashi Rana , Wali Razaz , Alsharif Sarah , Khan Muhammad Anwar , Jastaniah Nisreen , Fasfous Ismail
Published: January 2024

Background

2020 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has become a global health crisis, so hand alcohol‐based sanitizers have become essential to preventive measures. Previous studies reported that hand sanitizers could kill bacteria and viruses; however, using them excessively can lead to health problems if misused. In light of sanitizer overuse, the availability of various products and qualities in the market, and the absence of data on skin problems, we conducted a survey study about the impact of commonly used sanitizers on skin health, particularly on hands. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and the correlation between hand sanitizer and skin health during the COVID‐19 pandemic at the National Guard Institute‐ Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted using a self‐administered online questionnaire by sending an invitation link to students and employees of the National Guard Institute‐ Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2021. A chi‐squared test was used to obtain differences concerning awareness of hand sanitizer use/type and hand skin health.

Results

In the total 216 participants, there were considerably more skin conditions reported by women (62.5%) and respondents ages 31–40 (36.6%). For the types of hand sanitizers, 89.8%, 40.9%, 30.2%, 4.7%, and 6% were recorded: gel, spray, wipes, foam, and others, respectively, and the survey applicants were filled by 60.6% of non‐medical workers. According to the survey, 32.9% of participants experienced a hand crack, which was the most common hand side effect. The handwashing frequency was reported between 3 to 7 times per day during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and 9.3% of participants used hand sanitizers more than 10 times daily.

Conclusion

It was found that during the pandemic, skin changes were common among the NGHA population and healthcare workers. Consequently, the adverse health effects of these hand sanitizers on human health may result in multiple infections and toxicity. The present study provides appropriate knowledge on the types and ingredients of hand sanitizers as essential factors for skin health, preventing health risks during this pandemic.
Dendrobium polysaccharide (DOP) ameliorates the LL‐37‐induced rosacea by inhibiting NF‐κB activation in a mouse model
Authors: Zeng Bijun , Yang Zhibo , Jiang Gufen , Zhou Hongxia , Zhang Yujin , Wang Chang , Peng Youhua , Yan Yining , Chen Zi
Published: January 2024

Background

Rosacea, a common chronic inflammatory skin disease worldwide, is currently incurable with complex pathogenesis. Dendrobium polysaccharide (DOP) may exert therapeutic effects on rosacea via acting on the NF‐κB‐related inflammatory and oxidative processes.

Materials and methods

In this study, an LL‐37‐induced rosacea‐like mouse model was established. HE staining was used to assess the skin lesions, erythema severity scores, pathological symptoms, and inflammatory cell numbers of mice in each group. The inflammation level was quantitatively analyzed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). The expression levels of TLR4 and p‐NF‐κB were finally detected.

Results

DOP improved skin pathological symptoms of rosacea mice. DOP also alleviated the inflammation of rosacea mice. Moreover, the TLR4/NF‐κB pathway was observed to be inhibited in the skin of mice after DOP application. These findings evidenced the anti‐inflammatory effects of DOP on the LL‐37‐induced rosacea mouse model. DOP could inhibit NF‐κB activation, suppress neutrophil infiltration, and reduce pro‐inflammatory cytokines production, which may be the reason for DOP protecting against rosacea.

Conclusion

This study may propose an active candidate with great potential for rosacea drug development and lay a solid experimental foundation for promoting DOP application in rosacea therapy.
New diploid populations of the Chrysanthemum zawadskii complex (Asteraceae) in natural habitats of Korea
Authors: MOON Mi Jeong , PARK Sang Hee , HAN Sung Kyung , KIM Jung Sung
Published: January 2024

Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich is widely distributed from northern Europe to East Asia. It has been reported that various ploidy levels ranging from diploid (2n = 2x = 18) to decaploid (2n = 10x = 90) are distributed in Korea. The diploid populations of C. zawadskii, however, have limited habitats, with only four populations from two locations compared to polyploids that are widely distributed in Korea. During recent biodiversity research on the C. zawadskii complex, new habitats of diploid populations of C. zawadskii not reported earlier in Korea were identified. To understand the speciation mechanism accompanying polyploidization of the C. zawadskii complex, it was necessary to investigate the features of these new populations as to whether they identical to or different from previously reported diploid populations. For this purpose, we identified the number and karyotypes of somatic chromosomes in four new diploid populations and compared the morphological features. It was found that the new diploid populations differed slightly in terms of the size and color of the flowers and in the shape of the leaves, with continuous variations. Representative karyotypes of the new populations were included in previously reported diploid karyotypes, but the numbers and locations of satellite chromosomes differed. In addition, we found that one of them is a sympatric population with different ploidy levels, including diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid. From these results, it was confirmed that morphological and cytological variations exist among diploid populations in the C. zawadskii complex.
Lindsaea kohkongensis (Lindsaeaceae), a new species from Cambodia and Malaysia
Authors: YUN Narae , MOON Myung-Ok , Sun Byung-Yun , HWANG In Chun
Published: January 2024

A new species, Lindsaea kohkongensis (Lindsaeaceae), is described from the near Chamnar village of valleys of Koh Kong Province of Cambodia. This species is characterized by continuous marginal frond sorus and trilete spores, classifying it taxonomically within the genus Lindsaea. This species is distinct from other species of Lindsaea, such as L. walkerae, L. ensifolia, and L. heterophylla, in terms of different habitats and morphological characteristics. Lindsaea kohkongensis occurs in subaquatic environment and has pinnate fronds with distinct petiolules and terminal pinnae, and free, 1–2-forked veinlets except within the indusium. Detailed illustrations, photographs, and a distribution map of L. kohkongensis, along with morphological comparisons with the closely related species, are provided.