bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Community-Based Syndromic Surveillance for Rural Settled and Mobile Populations in Two Health Districts in Chad: A Case Study Toolkit
Authors: Fayiz Abakar Mahamat , Didi Lamireou , Oezelick Ranya , Issa Ramadane , Abdelrazakh Zakaria Fatima , Djaouga Prudence , Issaka Yaya , Kessely Bourkou Hamit , Adoum Abdoulaye Youssouf , Ali Acyl Mahamat , Nadji Justin Langtar , Naïbei Nathan , Greter Helena , Griss Silja , Dürr Salome
Published: September 2024

A proof of principle study on integrated and community-based syndromic surveillance using mobile phones (SySMob), was carried out between 2018 and 2020 in two rural health districts in Chad, Yao and Danamadji. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a new health surveillance system targeting rural mobile and settled communities and their animals in Chad.

More than 30 participants from 6 health centres (3 in each district) composed of Community health workers (CHWs) and Animal community health workers (ACHWs) in addition to health centres and veterinary posts staff were trained on the use of the tools of the new health surveillance system. Biological samples collection and transport chain were established.

Among the 135 suspected cases notified from both sectors, the most reported symptom in humans was fever followed by diarrhoea. In animals, diarrhoea and cough were the most reported symptoms. No human biological sample was collected, however, 26 animal blood samples suspected of anthrax and pasteurellosis were sent to the central laboratory for analysis. The results confirmed 8-positive cases of anthrax and 3 of pasteurellosis.

The preliminary outcomes showed the feasibility and the adherence of local stakeholders to the new system regardless of the negative impact of COVID-19 measures during the last phase of the study. The major achievement was the integrated approach across human and animal health sectors. More research is needed to demonstrate the epidemiological, clinical and economic added value of SySMob in both sectors, which is currently in progress by the use of a cohort study.

Information

© The Authors 2024
Nonlinear dielectric response and conductivity characteristics of epoxy resin in high voltage AC electric field
Authors: Wang Weiwang , Li Ruizhe , Hu Leiyu , Jiang Qihang , Li Shengtao
Published: September 2024

High-voltage dielectric and AC conduction behaviors of epoxy resin (EP) insulation are beneficial for the design and application of solid-state power electronic devices. This study investigates the nonlinear dielectric response and AC conduction characteristics of EP. The dielectric relaxation characteristics, including permittivity and AC conductivity of the EP samples, were investigated using high-voltage dielectric spectroscopy and the ionic polarization model. The results demonstrate a nonlinear increase in the relative permittivity and AC conductivity concerning the AC electric field. The increase in AC conduction under a high-frequency electric field is attributed to the reduction in the threshold field for charge injection caused by elevated temperatures. Considering the dielectric response and carrier hopping, it is evident that the nonlinear dielectric response of EP primarily originates from the ionic process under high electric fields. Ionic polarization, in conjunction with ion-hopping conduction, enhances the dielectric loss at high frequencies and electric fields, thereby facilitating the nonlinear conversion of AC conduction. The equivalent free volume is likely to increase in high-frequency fields. This phenomenon leads to an increase in AC conduction and even dielectric breakdown. This study offers a pivotal theoretical framework for the design and application of high-frequency insulation.
Intergrain scattering in polycrystals
Authors: Cragg George Edwin
Published: September 2024

Transport through grain boundaries in polycrystals is described from first principles using quantum scattering theory, explicitly including Feshbach resonances to account for intermittently trapped electronic surface states. An effective T-matrix is derived then used to calculate the electrical conductivity which exhibits breakdown, a sharp increase at a critical intergrain bias. Under typical conditions where the electron thermal energy,

k

B

T

, is much less than the intergrain barrier height,

φ

b

, the electrical conductivity has the form

σ
∼

T

−
1

/

2

e

−

φ

b

/

k

B

T

. Temperature dependence of the conductivity is also considered for thermal energies much larger than the applied bias, as may be realized in tightly-compressed grains.
Solar ultraviolet radiation: didactic prototype and investigations in northeastern Brazil
Authors: Bezerra Itamar , Schivani Milton , Fontoura Gustavo
Published: September 2024

Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) is a part of our daily exposure, particularly when we are in the sun. Depending on the conditions of UV ray exposure, it can lead to health issues such as premature aging, burns, changes in skin pigmentation, and, notably, skin cancer. These risks are heightened by the increasingly high UV Index levels that can be observed in many parts of the world, along with the increasing global average temperature and heatwaves affecting several countries. Thus, this article presents a proposal of an experimental and investigative nature concerning the use of a didactic prototype for measuring UV levels. The prototype was developed based on the ESP32 Development Board and ML8511 sensor. The teaching proposal was implemented by a collaborating teacher who integrated it into their regular high school physics classes at a public school in the Northeast of Brazil. In summary, this proposal enabled students to analyze which objects and situations offer varying levels of protection against UV radiation within their school and community environments. The students observed that even shaded or indirectly illuminated areas (via reflection from surfaces) showed detectable UV levels, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance to improve protection against solar irradiation.
External oxide layers formed by the oxidation procedure in FeMnSi and FeMnSiCr shape memory alloys and their effects
Authors: Tatar Cengiz , Kök Mediha , Kanca M Sait , Tatar Beyhan
Published: September 2024

Shape memory alloys are exposed to high temperatures to improve their properties and functionality. Through this process, oxidation inevitably occurs due to the presence of oxygen in the environment, which interacts with the alloying elements. Oxidation adversely affects the hardness of alloys, leading to a decline in their overall quality. In this study, the oxidation behavior parameters of FeMnSi and FeMnSi-Cr alloys and the oxide layers formed during this process were investigated in Fe-based alloys with high usage potential. Both non-isothermal and isothermal oxidation processes were applied to alloys and the oxidation parameters were determined. Subsequently, the changes in the crystal structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties of the alloys subjected to isothermal oxidation at 400-500-600-700-800 °C were investigated. It was found that the oxidation behavior of both alloys intensified with rising oxidation temperatures, as evidenced by crystal structure and microstructural analyses, which indicated deeper penetration into the alloys at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, an increase in magnetization values was noted alongside the oxidation process. A comparison of the oxidation characteristics between FeMnSi and FeMnSi-Cr alloys revealed that the oxidation parameters for the chromium doped FeMnSi alloy were comparatively lower.
Peakons and compactons of the (2+1)-dimensional modified dispersive water-wave system
Authors: Wu Hui-Ling , Ma Zheng-Yi , Cheng Li , Fei Jin-Xi
Published: September 2024

For a higher-dimensional nonlinear dynamical system, there exist abundant coherent excitations. The variable-separated method is a powerful approach to deriving these structures, as its solutions allow for arbitrary functions. Previous works have produced numerous results, including solitons, chaos and fractals. As the molecule structure appears, constructing the multi-soliton molecule through this technology is a meaningful work, especially considering the local peakons and compactons that were seldom discussed before. In this paper, after taking the Bäcklund transformation, the variable-separated solution for the (2+1)-dimensional modified dispersive water-wave system is first derived, which is an important physical model in describing the nonlinear and dispersive long gravity waves. As a result, the multi-peakons and multi-compactons are constructed through the derived universal formula with the aid of the variable functions p and q. These solitons include two general clusters of M × N peakons and compactons, from which the multi-soliton molecules and their interactions are presented.
Modeling electrical impedance in brain tissue with diffusion tensor imaging for functional neurosurgery applications
Authors: Kumar Niranjan , Ahamparam Aidan , Lu Charles W , Malaga Karlo A , Patil Parag G
Published: September 2024

Objective. Decades ago, neurosurgeons used electrical impedance measurements in the brain for coarse intraoperative tissue differentiation. Over time, these techniques were largely replaced by more refined imaging and electrophysiological localization. Today, advanced methods of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and finite element method (FEM) modeling may permit non-invasive, high-resolution intracerebral impedance prediction. However, expectations for tissue-impedance relationships and experimentally verified parameters for impedance modeling in human brains are lacking. This study seeks to address this need. Approach. We used FEM to simulate high-resolution single- and dual-electrode impedance measurements along linear electrode trajectories through (1) canonical gray and white matter tissue models, and (2) selected anatomic structures within whole-brain patient DTI-based models. We then compared intraoperative impedance measurements taken at known locations along deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgical trajectories with model predictions to evaluate model accuracy and refine model parameters. Main results. In DTI-FEM models, single- and dual-electrode configurations performed similarly. While only dual-electrode configurations were sensitive to white matter fiber orientation, other influences on impedance, such as white matter density, enabled single-electrode impedance measurements to display significant spatial variation even within purely white matter structures. We compared 308 intraoperative single-electrode impedance measurements in five DBS patients to DTI-FEM predictions at one-to-one corresponding locations. After calibration of model coefficients to these data, predicted impedances reliably estimated intraoperative measurements in all patients (

R
=
0.784
±
0.116

,

n
=
5

). Through this study, we derived an updated value for the slope coefficient of the DTI conductance model published by Tuch et al,

k
=
0.0649

 S

⋅

s

m

m

−
3

 

(original

k
=
0.844
)

, for use specifically in humans at physiological frequencies. Significance. This is the first study to compare impedance estimates from imaging-based models of human brain tissue to experimental measurements at the same locations in vivo. Accurate, non-invasive, imaging-based impedance prediction has numerous applications in functional neurosurgery, including tissue mapping, intraoperative electrode localization, and DBS.
Strategies to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders to the human arm hand system using similarity metrics
Authors: Cavacece Massimo
Published: September 2024

The study of the behavior of the hand-arm system can present quantitative knowledge through the overall A(8) daily vibration exposure with the possibility of establishing significant properties of the state and output of the hand-arm system. The present research proposes the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the asymptotic behavior of the arm system by Popov’s theorem. The hand-arm system consists of subsystems, such as the operator’s fingers, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The back offers a support structure to the arm-hand system. Using Popov’s theorem, the study of stability allows the evaluation of the stability of the individual subsystems in the presence of vibrations.
Implementation of a new classification and stratification system for solitary bone tumour: osseous tumour radiological and interpretation and management system
Authors: Wu Haijun , Liu Lin , Zhuang Jiachun , Zhong Guimian , Wei Shasha , Zeng Liujin , Zi Yunyan , Xu Fangping , Yao Mengyu , Zhang Yu
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To propose a histological-grades-based Osseous Tumor Radiological and Interpretation and Management System (OT-RIMS) that would simplify the radiological evaluation of bone tumours, categorize key radiological features into severity levels, and inform corresponding patient management actions.

Methods

This retrospective study between January 2015 and August 2022 evaluated patients with solitary bone tumours confirmed by pathology and imaging follow-up received 2 or 3 imaging modalities of radiographs, CT, or MRI. Three radiologists independently assessed radiological features, categorized bone lesions based on OT-RIMS criteria, and reached a consensus. Kappa statistics and observed agreement were calculated.

Results

A total of 341 patients (mean age, 26.0 years; 159 women) were included, with 102 malignant, 177 benign, and 62 intermediate or low-grade malignant bone lesions. Sensitivity and specificity of readers 1, 2, and 3, respectively, in the identification of malignant tumours into OT-RIMS 4 were 93.1% (95 of 102) and 93.3% (223 of 239), 96.1% (98 of 102) and 91.6% (219 of 239), 92.2% (94 of 102) and 89.5% (214 of 239). Inter-reader agreement of OT-RIMS category for 3 readers was considered excellent (Kendall’s W = 0.924, P < .001) with a kappa value of reproducibility in categories 1&2, 3, and 4 of 0.764, 0.528, and 0.930, respectively.

Conclusions

The OT-RIMS category demonstrated excellent reproducibility despite the reader’s expertise level in categorizing the risk stratification of bone tumours and informing patient management, with histological grades used as the reference standard.

Advances in knowledge

The OT-RIMS category reliably stratifies bone tumours into 4 categories corresponding to histological grades and standardized patient management.
A role for leucine-rich, glioma inactivated 1 in regulating pain sensitivity
Authors: Farah Adham , Patel Ryan , Poplawski Piotr , Wastie Benjamin J , Tseng Mandy , Barry Allison M , Daifallah Omar , Dubb Akash , Paul Ivan , Cheng Hoi lao , Feroz Faisal , Su Yuhe , Chan Marva , Zeilhofer Hanns Ulrich , Price Theodore J , Bennett David L , Bannister Kirsty , Dawes John M
Published: September 2024

Neuronal hyperexcitability is a key driver of persistent pain states, including neuropathic pain. Leucine-rich, glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) is a secreted protein known to regulate excitability within the nervous system and is the target of autoantibodies from neuropathic pain patients. Therapies that block or reduce antibody levels are effective at relieving pain in these patients, suggesting that LGI1 has an important role in clinical pain.

Here we have investigated the role of LGI1 in regulating neuronal excitability and pain-related sensitivity by studying the consequences of genetic ablation in specific neuron populations using transgenic mouse models.

LGI1 has been well studied at the level of the brain, but its actions in the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system are poorly understood. We show that LGI1 is highly expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord dorsal horn neurons in both mouse and human. Using transgenic mouse models, we genetically ablated LGI1, either specifically in nociceptors (LGI1fl/Nav1.8+) or in both DRG and spinal neurons (LGI1fl/Hoxb8+). On acute pain assays, we found that loss of LGI1 resulted in mild thermal and mechanical pain-related hypersensitivity when compared with littermate controls. In LGI1fl/Hoxb8+ mice, we found loss of Kv1 currents and hyperexcitability of DRG neurons. LGI1fl/Hoxb8+ mice displayed a significant increase in nocifensive behaviours in the second phase of the formalin test (not observed in LGI1fl/Nav1.8+ mice), and extracellular recordings in LGI1fl/Hoxb8+ mice revealed hyperexcitability in spinal dorsal horn neurons, including enhanced wind-up. Using the spared nerve injury model, we found that LGI1 expression was dysregulated in the spinal cord. LGI1fl/Nav1.8+ mice showed no differences in nerve injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity, brush-evoked allodynia or spontaneous pain behaviour compared with controls. However, LGI1fl/Hoxb8+ mice showed a significant exacerbation of mechanical hypersensitivity and allodynia.

Our findings point to effects of LGI1 at the level of both the DRG and the spinal cord, including an important impact of spinal LGI1 on pathological pain. Overall, we find a novel role for LGI1 with relevance to clinical pain.
Lower Mortality Risk Associated With Remdesivir + Dexamethasone Versus Dexamethasone Alone for the Treatment of Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19
Authors: Mozaffari Essy , Chandak Aastha , Gottlieb Robert L , Chima-Melton Chidinma , Berry Mark , Oppelt Thomas , Okulicz Jason F , Amin Alpesh N , Welte Tobias , Sax Paul E , Kalil Andre C
Published: September 2024

Background

Treatment guidelines were developed early in the pandemic when much about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was unknown. Given the evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), real-world data can provide clinicians with updated information. The objective of this analysis was to assess mortality risk in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the Omicron period receiving remdesivir + dexamethasone versus dexamethasone alone.

Methods

A large, multicenter US hospital database was used to identify adult patients hospitalized with a primary discharge diagnosis of COVID-19 flagged as “present-on-admission” and treated with remdesivir + dexamethasone or dexamethasone alone between December 2021 and April 2023. Patients were matched using 1:1 propensity score matching and stratified by baseline oxygen requirements. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess time to 14- and 28-day in-hospital all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 33 037 patients were matched, with most patients ≥65 years old (72%), White (78%), and non-Hispanic (84%). Remdesivir + dexamethasone was associated with lower mortality risk versus dexamethasone alone across all baseline oxygen requirements at 14-days (no supplemental oxygen charges: adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval {CI}]: 0.79 [.72–.87], low flow oxygen: 0.70 [.64–.77], high flow oxygen/non-invasive ventilation: 0.69 [.62–.76], invasive mechanical ventilation/extracorporeal membrane oxygen (IMV/ECMO): 0.78 [.64–.94]), with similar results at 28-days.

Conclusions

Remdesivir + dexamethasone was associated with a significant reduction in 14- and 28-day mortality compared to dexamethasone alone in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 across all levels of baseline respiratory support, including IMV/ECMO. However, the use of remdesivir + dexamethasone still has low clinical practice uptake. In addition, these data suggest a need to update the existing guidelines.
Utility of the morphological scoring of costal cartilage ossification in age estimation of adult Egyptians using multidetector computed tomography
Authors: Elgendy Mai Mohammad , Madkour Somaya Abdel-gawad , Eldine Fatma Mohamed Magdi Badr , Emara Doaa Mokhtar , Attia Mennatt Allah Hassan
Published: September 2024

Age estimation of adults is a challenging procedure in forensic practice. Inspired by the previous work by Chinese scholars, we established population specific age estimation models from the osseous and calcified projections (OCP) of costal cartilages, using three-dimensional volume-rendering technique. A total of 168 clinical CT scans (2 mm slice thickness) were used to develop the sex-specific age prediction models from a sample of Egyptians, comprising 70 females and 98 males, with documented ages between 12 and 85 years. The sample was also used for validating the Chinese model. We reported the differences between the predictive accuracy of the Egyptian (population specific) and Chinese (non population specific) models. The most accurate age estimation model was stepwise linear regression with standard error of estimates (SEE) of 10.9 and 11.8 years in males and females, respectively. For the simple linear regression models, the most accurate formula included OCP of the right second costal cartilage in males and OCP of the left third costal cartilage in females with SEE of 11.2 and 12.2 years, respectively and mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.8 and 9.6 years, respectively. By comparison, the best accuracy rates produced by the Chinese vs. the Egyptian models in males and females within 5 years were 30.61% and 32.86% vs. 35.71% and 32.86%, respectively, whereas within 10 years, the accuracy rates increased up to 57.14% and 58.57% vs. 72.45% and 64.29%, respectively. Although the accuracy rates from the Chinese models were lower than those obtained from the Egyptian models, the MAE and least error values were comparable in both sexes. Notable accurate age estimation rates in the advanced age group ≥40 years were reached being 81.25% to 97.92% in males and 69.77% to 93.02% in females. OCP of the right first costal cartilage was the most accurate in cross-population application for males and females with MAE values of 10.7 and 11.03 years, respectively with balanced accuracy rates of age estimation using the 10-year interval and 40-year cutoff.
Synthesis of the O antigen repeating units of Escherichia coli serotypes O117 and O107
Authors: Falconer Dylan , Melamed Jacob , Kocev Alexander , Bossert Maike , Jakeman David L , Brockhausen Inka
Published: September 2024

Escherichia coli serotype O117 (ECO117) are pathogenic bacteria that produce Shiga toxin. Repeating units of the O antigen of ECO117 have the pentasaccharide structure [4-D-GalNAcβ1-3-L-Rhaα1-4-D-Glcα1-4-D-Galβ1-3-D-GalNAcα1-]n. The related non-pathogenic serotype (ECO107) contains a GlcNAc residue instead of Glc in the repeating unit, and the biosynthetic enzymes involved are almost identical. We assembled these repeating units based on GalNAcα-diphosphate-phenylundecyl (GalNAcα-PP-PhU), an analog of the natural intermediate GalNAc-diphosphate-undecaprenyl. We previously characterized α1,4-Glc-transferase WclY from ECO117 that transfers the Glc residue to Galβ1-3GalNAcα-PP-PhU and showed that Arg194Cys mutants of WclY are active α1,4-GlcNAc-transferases. In this work, the reaction products of WclY were used as acceptor substrates for the final enzymes in pathway, L-Rha-transferase WclX, and GalNAc-transferase WclW, demonstrating a complete synthesis of the ECO117 and O107 repeating units. WclX transfers L-Rha with high specificity for the WclY enzyme product as the acceptor and for TDP-L-Rha as the donor substrate. A number of highly conserved sequence motifs were identified (DDGSxD, DxDD, and YR). Mutational analysis revealed several Asp residues are essential for the catalysis of L-Rha transfer, while mutations of Asp44 and Arg212 substantially reduced the activity of WclX. WclW is a GT2 enzyme specific for UDP-GalNAc but with broad specificity for the acceptor substrate. Using L-Rhaα-p-nitrophenyl as an acceptor for WclW, the reaction product was analyzed by NMR demonstrating that GalNAc was transferred in a β1-3 linkage to L-Rha. The in vitro synthesis of the repeating units allows the production of vaccine candidates and identifies potential targets for inhibition of O antigen biosynthesis.
Global freshwater distribution of Telonemia protists
Authors: Boukheloua Roudaina , Mukherjee Indranil , Park Hongjae , Šimek Karel , Kasalický Vojtěch , Ngochera Maxon , Grossart Hans-Peter , Picazo-Mozo Antonio , Camacho Antonio , Cabello-Yeves Pedro J , Rodriguez-Valera Francisco , Callieri Cristiana , Andrei Adrian-Stefan , Pernthaler Jakob , Posch Thomas , Alfreider Albin , Sommaruga Ruben , Hahn Martin W , Sonntag Bettina , López-García Purificación , Moreira David , Jardillier Ludwig , Lepère Cécile , Biderre-Petit Corinne , Bednarska Anna , Ślusarczyk Mirosław , Tóth Viktor R , Banciu Horia L , Kormas Konstantinos , Orlić Sandi , Šantić Danijela , Muyzer Gerard , Herlemann Daniel P R , Tammert Helen , Bertilsson Stefan , Langenheder Silke , Zechmeister Thomas , Salmaso Nico , Storelli Nicola , Capelli Camilla , Lepori Fabio , Lanta Vojtěch , Vieira Helena Henriques , Kostanjšek Fran , Kabeláčová Kateřina , Chiriac Maria-Cecilia , Haber Markus , Shabarova Tanja , Fernandes Clafy , Rychtecký Pavel , Znachor Petr , Szőke-Nagy Tiberiu , Layoun Paul , Wong Hon Lun , Kavagutti Vinicius Silva , Bulzu Paul-Adrian , Salcher Michaela M , Piwosz Kasia , Ghai Rohit
Published: September 2024

Telonemia are one of the oldest identified marine protists that for most part of their history have been recognized as a distinct incertae sedis lineage. Today, their evolutionary proximity to the SAR supergroup (Stramenopiles, Alveolates, and Rhizaria) is firmly established. However, their ecological distribution and importance as a natural predatory flagellate, especially in freshwater food webs, still remain unclear. To unravel the distribution and diversity of the phylum Telonemia in freshwater habitats, we examined over a thousand freshwater metagenomes from all over the world. In addition, to directly quantify absolute abundances, we analyzed 407 samples from 97 lakes and reservoirs using Catalyzed Reporter Deposition-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (CARD-FISH). We recovered Telonemia 18S rRNA gene sequences from hundreds of metagenomic samples from a wide variety of habitats, indicating a global distribution of this phylum. However, even after this extensive sampling, our phylogenetic analysis did not reveal any new major clades, suggesting current molecular surveys are near to capturing the full diversity within this group. We observed excellent concordance between CARD-FISH analyses and estimates of abundances from metagenomes. Both approaches suggest that Telonemia are largely absent from shallow lakes and prefer to inhabit the colder hypolimnion of lakes and reservoirs in the Northern Hemisphere, where they frequently bloom, reaching 10%–20% of the total heterotrophic flagellate population, making them important predatory flagellates in the freshwater food web.
The Impact of Body Image on Physical Function and Return to Work After Burn: A Burn Model System Study
Authors: Ali Mashal , McMullen Kara , Solis-Beach Kyra , Roaten Kimberly , Ryan Colleen M , Pacleb Maiya I , Carrougher Gretchen J , Yenikomshian Haig A , Kowalske Karen
Published: September 2024

Burn injury can have a lasting impact on quality of life beyond the initial injury. The aim of this study was to examine the recovery process through analyzing the relationship between body image, physical function, and return to work. This study uses data from the Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database and includes 1001 participants injured between 2015 and 2023 who were measured using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 Physical Function, Employment Status, and the Body Image subscale. Associations were explored using multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. Physical function was positively associated with body image and negatively associated with burn size, age, and amputation. Employment was positively correlated with body image and employment at injury, while negatively correlated with age. Other variables, including burn etiology, burn center site, race, and ethnicity, were significant at different time points. By understanding how these factors change and are associated with outcomes across recovery, the healthcare team can make more tailored efforts to improve the psychosocial and physical well-being of burn survivors.
The Price of Foods, Beverages, and Diets in Australia: An Updated Systematic Review
Authors: Dawson Emily , Chung Alexandra , Vargas Carmen , Backholer Kathryn , Lee Amanda , Lewis Meron , Brooks Ruby , Schultz Sally , Bennett Rebecca , Martino Florentine , Zorbas Christina
Published: September 2024

Context

The price and affordability of food are priorities for public health and health equity; however, Australia lacks a consistent method to evaluate healthy versus unhealthy diets, creating a gap in routine food price reporting.

Objective

This review aimed to identify and summarize recent methods used to assess and monitor the price and/or affordability of food and beverages in Australia using a health lens.

Data Sources

Four academic databases (MEDLINE Complete, Global Health, CINAHL Complete, and Business Source Complete) were searched in English from 2016 to 2022. Relevant gray literature was searched through Google Scholar and government websites.

Data Extraction

Five reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and full-text screening was conducted by 1 reviewer, with eligibility confirmed by a second reviewer. The quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute “Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies.”

Data Analysis

Twenty-five eligible studies were identified. Eleven studies used a version of the Healthy Diets Australian Standardized Affordability and Pricing protocol to collect prices for a “healthy” diet modelled on dietary guidelines and an “unhealthy” diet based on a habitual Australian diet. These studies consistently found unhealthy diets to be more expensive than healthy diets. Other identified methods included assessing the price of household diets across healthy baskets (n = 6), store types (n = 5), a planetary health diet (n = 1), packaged foods according to their Health Star Rating (n = 1), a fruit and vegetable basket (n = 1), school canteen foods against a traffic light system (n = 1), and weekly healthy meal plans (n = 1). Healthy diets tended to be less costly than less healthy diets, but both diets were often unaffordable in regional areas, for people on low incomes, and for First Nations peoples.

Conclusion

Consistent country-wide application of methods for monitoring the price and affordability of foods and diets in Australia is needed—including tailored approaches for priority groups.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022333531.
The Complex Path to Digital Constitutionalism in Africa
Authors: Abdulrauf Lukman
Published: September 2024

This chapter aims to understand how constitutional law has been harnessed to deal with the rapid penetration of digital platforms, exercising powers and providing services analogous to those of governments. Constitutional law in this instance is mainly used as a bulwark against governmental powers and not necessarily private entities like digital platforms. The chapter examines the complex path toward digital constitutionalism in Africa, drawing from the experience of a few sub-Saharan African countries. The chapter shows that reframing power and rights towards digital constitutionalism is complex in Africa for several reasons. One reason is that while African nations have somewhat different reactions to the constitutional challenge of the digital society, some of these reactions are not deliberately tailored to promote a constitutional-based agenda. Besides, the distrust for the public power holders has caused the people to treat any form of regulation of digital platforms with much scepticism. The chapter posits that digital constitutionalism is a concept that is here to stay. African countries must, therefore, seek effective means of promoting constitutionalism online with as much effort and vigour as they do offline.
Transmisogyny, Ableism and Compulsory Cisness: Case Studies from Byzantium
Authors: Maude Ilya , Perisanidi Maroula
Published: September 2024

This article uses case studies from Byzantium to demonstrate a new trans framework for gendered historical analysis that recognizes identity as both fluid and painful. Instead of placing the emphasis on whether or not we can call an individual trans, it explores the forces that produced cisness, and the cis and trans lives people carved out amidst them. We find ableism and transmisogyny at the heart of three important pieces of trans history from the middle Byzantine period: a description by Michael Psellos of a child whose femininity is framed in terms of disability, Nikephoros Basilakes’ Confirmation and Refutation of the story of Atalanta, and Psellos’ own expressions of gendered identity in their epistolography. Focusing on the collusion of cisness and able-bodiedness produces a complex image of how some Byzantines could incorporate gender transgression into a cis life, while others negotiated life outside the boundaries of acceptability. More broadly, this framework reveals the entanglements of transness and cisness, which demand that historical analysis does not stop at the borders of inner states.
Unpaired Kidney Exchange: Overcoming Double Coincidence of Wants without Money
Authors: Akbarpour Mohammad , Combe Julien , He YingHua , Hiller Victor , Shimer Robert , Tercieux Olivier
Published: September 2024

For an incompatible patient–donor pair, kidney exchanges often forbid receipt-before-donation (the patient receives a kidney before the donor donates) and donation-before-receipt, causing a double-coincidence-of-wants problem. We study an algorithm, the Unpaired kidney exchange algorithm, which eliminates this problem. In a dynamic matching model, we show that the waiting time of patients under Unpaired is close to optimal and substantially shorter than under widely used algorithms. Using a rich administrative dataset from France, we show that Unpaired achieves a match rate of 63% and an average waiting time of 176 days for transplanted patients. The (infeasible) optimal algorithm is only slightly better (64% and 144 days); widely used algorithms deliver less than 40% match rate and at least 232 days waiting times. We discuss a range of solutions that can address the potential practical incentive challenges of Unpaired. In particular, we extend our analysis to an environment where a deceased donor waitlist can be integrated to improve the performance of algorithms. We show that our theoretical and empirical comparisons continue to hold. Finally, based on these analyses, we propose a practical version of the Unpaired algorithm.
Labor Induction at 41+0 Gestational Weeks or Expectant Management for the Nulliparous Woman: The Finnish Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial
Authors: Place Katariina , Rahkonen Leena , Tekay Aydin , Väyrynen Kirsi , Orden Maija-Riitta , Vääräsmäki Marja , Uotila Jukka , Tihtonen Kati , Rinne Kirsi , Mäkikallio Kaarin , Heinonen Seppo , Kruit Heidi
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2024;103:505–511)

As gestational age advances in term pregnancies, the risks of neonatal and maternal morbidity increase. Labor induction prior to 41 weeks’ gestation has been shown to decrease the rates of stillbirth and other complications without increases in the rates of cesarean delivery (CD) or costs.
Transitional Neonatal Hypoglycemia and Adverse Neurodevelopment in Midchildhood
Authors: Roeper Marcia , Hoermann Henrike , Körner Lisa M. , Sobottka Marvin , Mayatepek Ertan , Kummer Sebastian , Meissner Thomas
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from JAMA Network Open 2024;7:e243683)

The most common metabolic condition requiring treatment in neonates is hypoglycemia, with a reported incidence of 15% among all neonates and 50% among neonates with preexisting risk factors. Transitional hypoglycemia is the most common form, occurring due to the metabolic stress directly after birth in transitioning from intrauterine to extrauterine life.
Successful Postcoital Testing of Ovaprene: An Investigational Non-hormonal Monthly Vaginal Contraceptive
Authors: Mauck Christine , Thurman Andrea , Jensen Jeffrey T. , Schreiber Courtney A. , Baker Jeff , Hou Melody Y. , Chavoustie Steven , Dart Clint , Wu Hongsheng , Zack Nadene , Hatheway Jessica , Friend David
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from Contraception 2024;132:110373)

Many varieties of contraception are effective, and due to a myriad of reasons, many couples prefer nonhormonal contraception. One current investigational nonhormonal contraception is Ovaprene, which is applied monthly and consists of a 55-mm silicone ring with a central permeable barrier that inhibits the passage of sperm while allowing normal fluid passage.
System-Level Recommendations for Improved Wellness for Gynecologic Oncologists: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology Review
Authors: Williams-Brown M. Y. , Summey R. M. , Newtson A. , Burke W. , Turner T. , Sabu P. , Davidson B. A. , Glaser G.
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from Gynecol Oncol 2024;183:85–92)

The rate of gynecologic oncologists (GOs) experiencing burnout has increased in the United States since 2015, reflecting a nationwide trend across health care but intensified by stressors such as facing surgical complications and providing end-of-life care. Some of the most unique aspects of GO practice, including longitudinal relationships, opportunities to offer complex surgical care, and the availability of ever-growing cancer therapeutics can be stressors or sources of secondary trauma.
Effects of antibiotics on immunotherapy in patients with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Hu Tao , Li Li , Cui Jinfeng , Song Xiaoyu , Zhu He , Hou Zhi Wei , Yuan Shuanghu
Published: September 2024

To investigate the effects of antibiotic exposure on the prognosis of patients with advanced metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (m-NSCLC) who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study retrospectively included 199 patients diagnosed with m-NSCLC in Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute from December 2017 to October 2021, all patients received ICIs for the first time. The basic clinical characteristics of patients before the first treatment of ICIs, whether antibiotics were used during treatment, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were collected. The survival among different groups was compared by the Kaplan–Meier method. The median follow-up time of m-NSCLC patients was 33.79 months, mPFS was 11.67 months, and mOS was 21.55 months. Univariate analysis showed that antibiotic use, radiotherapy, and targeted drug resistance influenced PFS and OS (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that antibiotic use, radiotherapy, and targeted resistance remained independent factors of PFS, and targeted resistance was an independent factor of OS (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis found that antibiotic use within 30 days before and after immunotherapy could decrease the PFS and OS (P < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients without radiotherapy had shorter PFS (mPFS, 12.89 vs. 8.13 months; P = 0.0258) and OS (mOS, 26.94 vs. 16.43 months; P = 0.0465). The mPFS (16.17 vs. 9.19 months; P = 0.0151) and mOS (27.27 vs. 18.65 months; P = 0.0437) of patients in the antibiotic group were shorter. Patients in the targeted drug-resistant group had shorter PFS (mPFS, 40.66 vs. 7.77 months, P < 0.001) and OS (mOS, 41.98 vs. 16.89 months, P < 0.001) compared with patients who did not receive targeted treatment. Antibiotics and radiation therapy are associated with the prognosis of m-NSCLC who are newly treated with ICIs. Effectively reducing antibiotic use in 1 month before and after ICIs treatment may help improve the immunotherapy efficacy of patients with m-NSCLC.
Pearls and pitfalls of over-the-counter nasal sprays for seasonal allergy
Authors: Hong Eunhee , Lewis Paige , Sheridan Dan
Published: September 2024

Allergic rhinitis (AR), commonly called hay fever, is primarily caused by the release of histamine after exposure to an allergen. This article reviews over-the-counter nasal spray options for the prevention and treatment of AR, including mechanisms of action, risks and benefits, and patient education.
Variables Associated With Resolution and Persistence of Ovarian Cysts
Authors: Lasher Anne , Harris Lauren E. , Solomon Angelica L. , Harbin Laura M. , Raby Lauren , Dietrich Charles S. , Kryscio Richard J. , van Nagell John R. , Pavlik Edward J.
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2023;142:1293–301)

Ovarian cysts are relatively common and can occur throughout a lifetime. Benign cysts are typically fluid-filled, without septations or solid features, and can form either inside or on the surface of the ovary.
A Retrospective Cohort Study of At-Home Catheter Removal After Urogynecologic Surgery
Authors: Davenport Abigail P. , Li Yi W. , Lefbom Lucie T. , Iglesia Cheryl B. , Dieter Alexis A.
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from Urogynecology (Phila) 2024;30:550–556)

Urogynecologic surgery can result in a variety of complications, but 1 of the most common is postoperative urinary retention (POUR), which requires postoperative catheterization. The current standard of care for patients who fail a voiding trial (VT) after surgery involves discharge with a catheter and return to the office for a repeat VT, which can be inconvenient and significantly increase the burden on patients and facilities.
Regenerative Medicine in Urogynecology: Where We Are and Where We Want to Be
Authors: Henderson Tatyanna , Christman Karen L. , Alperin Marianna
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from Urogynecology (Phila) 2024;30:519–527)

Current guidance on treatment for pelvic floor disorders revolves around anatomical correction and compensation for lost function rather than the underlying cause for the disorder. In contrast, regenerative medicine strategies using stem cells, extracellular vesicles, secretomes, laser therapies, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and bioinductive acellular biomaterial scaffolds offer a different therapeutic approach.
First-Trimester Prediction of Preterm Pre-eclampsia and Prophylaxis by Aspirin: Effect on Spontaneous and Iatrogenic Preterm Birth
Authors: Nicolaides Kypros H. , Syngelaki Argyro , Poon Liona C. , Rolnik Daniel L. , Tan Min Yi , Wright Alan , Wright David
Published: September 2024

(Abstracted from BJOG 2024;131:483–492)

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, and efforts have been made to increase the ability to predict when an individual will develop the condition. Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are based on risk factor scoring, with high-risk women having either 1 major risk factor or 2 moderate risk factors.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: a cross-sectional study of physical symptoms, disability, and psychological health in long term
Authors: Lyckegård Finn Ellen , Parinder Astrid , Nyman Erika , Dahlin Lars. B.
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Knowledge about long-time residual symptoms, disabilities, and psychological health in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is limited.

Objectives:

The aim was to evaluate outcome, focusing on physical symptoms, disability, and psychological health, in individuals with CRPS through a cross-sectional survey study.

Methods:

Individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of CRPS were identified through medical charts and sent validated survey forms (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand—Quick version, Specific Hand Surgery Questionnaire-8 questions, EuroQol 5 Dimensions 3 levels, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Sense of Coherence-29) and complementary questions.

Results:

Responders (response rate: 99/238, 42%; CRPS type 1: 72%; CRPS type 2: 28%; time since diagnosis median: 59 [34–94] months) reported remaining symptoms and disability (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand—Quick version score: 45 [20–70]) and more improvement in type 1 than in type 2. Only 9% of individuals with CRPS reported no residual pain or discomfort. Approximately 60% had problems in daily activities, 49% had sleeping problems, and 90% experienced moderate-extreme pain with 23% still on sick leave. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale survey revealed significantly higher scores than a Swedish reference population. Individuals with a low Sense of Coherence and high pain catastrophizing had worse disability and were less satisfied with their lives and physical and psychological health. A lower level of education and more anxiety were associated with worsened disability over time.

Conclusion:

Individuals with CRPS suffer in the long term from pain, sleeping problems, and limitations in daily activities with occurrence of anxiety and depression, resulting in dissatisfaction with many aspects of their lives. A low Sense of Coherence and high pain catastrophizing are associated with a worse outcome. Biopsychosocial aspects should be addressed in clinical practice.
Performance of the New CKD-EPI Creatinine-and Cystatin C–based Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation Equation in Living Kidney Donor Candidate
Authors: Kakuta Yoichi , Maegawa-Higa Yoko , Matsumura Soichi , Fukae Shota , Tanaka Ryo , Yonishi Hiroaki , Nakazawa Shigeaki , Yamanaka Kazuaki , Isaka Yoshitaka , Nonomura Norio
Published: September 2024

Background.

Accurate preoperative evaluation of renal function in living kidney donor candidates (LKDCs) is crucial to prevent kidney failure after nephrectomy. We examined the performance of various estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations, including the new chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation in LKDCs.

Methods.

We analyzed 752 LKDCs who were assessed for measured GFR by inulin clearance as part of routine pretransplant examination from 2006 to 2020. CKD-EPI2012 from cystatin C (CKD-EPI12cys), CKD-EPI2021 from creatinine (CKD-EPI21cr), CKD-EPI21cr-cys, Japanese modified (JPN) eGFRcr, and JPN eGFRcys were compared in determining the suitability for LKDCs.

Results.

CKD-EPI12cys had the lowest absolute and relative biases, with higher P30 and P10, followed by JPN eGFRcys, CKD-EPI21cr, and CKD-EPI21cr-cys. The root mean square error was least for CKD-EPI12cys, then JPN eGFRcys, CKD-EPI21cr-cys, CKD-EPI21cr, and JPN eGFRcr. CKD-EPI21cr, CKD-EPI12cys, and CKD-EPI21cr-cys estimated GFR higher, whereas JPN eGFRcr estimated GFR lower. At the threshold of 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, CKD-EPI21cr had the highest percentage of misclassification at 37.37%, whereas JPN eGFRcr had the lowest percentage of misclassification at 6.91%. Using the age-adapted approach, JPN eGFRcr had the lowest percentage of misclassification into overestimation at 7.31%. All eGFR had >5.0%, and CKD-EPI21cr had the highest percentage of misclassification at 21.94%. Conversely, CKD-EPI21cr-cys had the lowest percentage of misclassification into underestimation at 3.19%, both at the threshold of 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and the age-adapted approach. JPN eGFRcr had the highest percentage at 33.38% and 40.69%, respectively.

Conclusions.

In evaluating the renal function of Japanese LKDCs, the new CKD-EPI equation had a lower rate of underestimation but a relatively high rate of overestimation. New GFR estimation formulas are needed to be tailored to each ethnic group to enhance the accuracy and reliability of donor selection processes.