bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerobic exercise to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cai Jingjie , Liu Mingyi , Jing Yan , Yin Zikang , Kong Nianxin , Guo Chenggen
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Aerobic exercise has been confirmed to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in adolescents and young women. However, the effect of the aerobic exercise type and dosage on PD alleviation was unclear. This research aims to assess the effect of aerobic exercise on PD and investigate the dose–response relationships.

Material and Methods

Systematic literature searches of Web of Science, Embass, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycNET, CINAHL, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and other Complimentary Medicine Database. PICOS standards were adopted in this research: participants were nonathlete women with PD; intervention was aerobic exercise of at least one menstruation cycle; comparator was any comparator; outcomes were pain intensity or pain duration; and study type was randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of the research. Random‐effect meta‐analysis was conducted for pain intensity and pain duration, with prespecified subgroup analyses based on aerobic exercise components. The strength of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. This systematic review and meta‐analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024533544).

Results

The study identified 16 eligible studies, with 15 involving adolescents, totaling 918 participants aged 15 to 43, with an average age of 21.26 ± 13.15. The results confirmed that aerobic exercise can alleviate PD's pain intensity (standard mean difference (SMD) = −1.728 (p = 0.00), 95% CI [−2.26 to −1.31]) and pain duration (weighted mean difference (WMD) = −12.53 h, p = 0.01, 95% CI: −21.38 to −3.68). However, the heterogeneity of these two results was high. Subgroup analysis showed that Pilates (SMD = −3.17, 95% CI [−4.26 to −2.07]), low intensity (SMD = −1.64, 95% CI [−2.10 to −1.19]), 31–45 min duration (SMD = −3.05, 95% CI [−5.36 to −0.75]), ≤2 times per week frequency (SMD = −2.24, 95% CI [−3.36 to −1.12]), and a period cycle of 2 menstrual cycles (SMD = −2.21, 95% CI [−3.13 to −1.28]) had the maximum effect size.

Conclusions

Aerobic exercise was able to alleviate pain intensity and pain duration in adolescents and young women with PD. Moderate‐quality evidence indicates that Pilates, low intensity, 46–60 min, ≤two times per week, or two menstrual cycles showed more efficiency in alleviating PD. Due to the limited data, future research should prioritize conducting randomized controlled trials of aerobic exercise interventions in younger age groups to develop personalized treatment strategies for adolescents.
Effect of panretinal photocoagulation on retinal oxygen metabolism and ocular blood flow in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Abu El‐Asrar Ahmed M. , Alsarhani Waleed K. , AlBloushi Abdulrahman F. , Alzubaidi Abdullah , Gikandi Priscilla , Stefánsson Einar
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To investigate the effects of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on retinal oxygen metabolism, calibre of retinal vessels, and blood flow velocity in the optic nerve head (ONH) and choroid in patients with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods

In this retrospective study, 37 patients (37 eyes) were studied. Retinal oximetry and laser speckle flowgraphy measurements were performed at baseline and after PRP.

Results

After PRP, oxygen saturation of retinal arterioles (p = 0.003) and arteriovenous oxygen saturation difference (p = 0.005) significantly increased. On the other hand, the calibre of retinal arterioles significantly decreased (p = 0.016). In the ONH, mean blur rate (MBR)‐vessel (p = 0.002), representing blood flow velocity in the retinal vessels, and MBR‐tissue (p = 0.002), representing ONH blood flow velocity, and choroidal MBR (p = 0.012) significantly decreased. At baseline, there were significant negative correlations between ONH MBR‐overall (r = −0.382, p = 0.026) and ONH MBR‐tissue (r = −0.455, p = 0.007) and arteriovenous oxygen saturation difference. After PRP, choroidal MBR had a significant negative correlation with arteriolar oxygen saturation (r = −0.415, p = 0.016).

Conclusions

The effects of PRP are correlated with increased arteriovenous oxygen saturation difference, reduction in the calibre of retinal arterioles, and reduction of retinal and choroidal blood flow velocities.
Management of Neonatal Hyperglycaemia in Sweden—A Survey Study
Authors: Frithiof Ludvig Henriksson , Domellöf Magnus , Zamir Itay Nilsson
Published: January 2025

Aim

Neonatal hyperglycaemia is associated with a multitude of adverse outcomes, including mortality and impaired neurological development. The aim of this study was to characterise the current management of neonatal hyperglycaemia in Swedish neonatal units.

Methods

A digital survey was sent to 27 Swedish neonatal units providing care to preterm infants born before 32 completed gestational weeks.

Results

Sixty‐eight responses were collected from 21 different units. Thirty‐two percent (22/68) of clinicians reported having a local treatment guideline for neonatal hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia was defined as a glucose concentration above a value in the range of 8.0–10.0 mmol/L by 62.5% of clinicians, while 16.7% and 21.8% used a definition between 10.1 and 12.0 mmol/L and > 12 mmol/L, respectively. Intravenous glucose reduction was initiated at higher glucose concentrations by clinicians working at university hospital units (p = 0.006). Glucose concentration threshold for initiation of insulin treatment varied between 8 and 30 mmol/L. Three clinicians (3/35 (8.5%)) reported having experienced problems with frequent hypoglycaemia during ongoing insulin treatment.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates extensive differences in clinical practice regarding neonatal hyperglycaemia both within and between neonatal units in Sweden. Randomised controlled trials are needed to provide evidence for clinical guidelines and to improve and standardise the care of these infants.
Combination of Metabolomics and Bioinformatics to Reveal the Mechanism of Luteolin in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Authors: Cao Dong‐min , Rao Yin , Liu Tao , Yuan Wei‐qu
Published: January 2025

The incidence of cervical cancer is high among women globally. The potential therapeutic efficacy of luteolin in the treatment of cervical cancer has been identified. Therefore, we aim to elucidate the mechanism of action of luteolin in the treatment of cervical cancer through a comprehensive approach that integrates metabolomics with bioinformatics. The first step involved the identification of differential metabolites through UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐MS, which were then utilized for enrichment analysis of metabolic pathways and to determine the targets associated with these differential metabolites. Subsequently, the differential analysis and WGCNA were employed to identify DEGs and functional module genes respectively. The common targets were obtained by intersecting the results from the aforementioned three analyses, followed by conducting GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on these targets. Subsequently, PPI networks were constructed using these common targets, and key targets were identified utilizing the MCC, EPC, Degree, Closeness Centrality, Betweenness Centrality, and Bottleneck algorithms in the CytoHubba plug‐in. The subsequent steps involved the analysis of key genes for constructing a nomogram, conducting a ROC curve, examining content expression and survival analysis, and ultimately employing molecular docking to investigate the interaction between luteolin and crucial targets. The metabolomics analysis revealed the identification of a total of 45 distinct metabolites in this study, primarily associated with amino acid and nucleotide metabolism. The intersection of 773 differential metabolite targets, 3493 cervical cancer differential genes, and 3245 WGCNA‐associated module genes yielded a set of 32 target genes associated with luteolin therapy for cervical cancer. The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis also revealed that these targets were primarily associated with amino acid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism. The CytoHubba plug‐in was utilized to identify three key genes (DMNT1, EZH2, and GMPS) through the application of multiple algorithms. Additionally, the datasets GSE63514, GSE67522, and GEPIA2 revealed a significant upregulation of all three genes in tumor tissue. ROC analysis demonstrated the good predictive ability of these three hub genes. Finally, the molecular docking results demonstrated the high binding affinity of luteolin towards DMNT1, EZH2, and GMPS. In conclusion, this study has unveiled the potential of luteolin in modulating amino acid and nucleotide metabolism for the treatment of cervical cancer, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for further investigation into the intricate association between luteolin and cervical cancer.
Toe Polydactyly and Supernumerary Nipple: Broadening the Phenotypic Spectrum of STAR Syndrome
Authors: Zgheib Omar , Jacques Léa , Frizon Louise , Windisch Gabriela , Fokstuen Siv
Published: January 2025

STAR syndrome is a very rare X‐linked dominant disorder characterized by the association of toe syndactyly, facial dysmorphism including telecanthus and a broad nasal tip, and anogenital and renal malformations. We hereby report a patient with a novel frameshift mutation in CCNQ, the STAR syndrome causative gene. More importantly, the patient presented hitherto unreported clinical features, namely toe polydactyly in addition to syndactyly, and a supernumerary nipple. This nineteenth reported case further broadens the phenotypic spectrum of STAR syndrome.
Cross‐Sectional Matrix Exponential Spatial Models: A Comprehensive Review and Some New Results
Authors: Yang Ye , Doğan Osman , Taşpınar Suleyman , Jin Fei
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on estimation, inference, and model selection approaches for cross‐sectional matrix exponential spatial models. We first discuss the properties of the matrix exponential specification in modeling cross‐sectional dependence in comparison to the spatial autoregressive specification. We then provide a survey of the existing estimation and inference methods for cross‐sectional matrix exponential spatial models. We carefully discuss summary measures for the marginal effects of regressors, detail the matrix–vector product method for efficient computation of matrix exponential terms, and then explore model selection approaches. Our aim is not only to summarize the main findings from the spatial econometric literature but also to make them more accessible to applied researchers. Additionally, we contribute to the literature by presenting several new results. We propose an M‐estimation approach for models with heteroskedastic error terms and demonstrate that the resulting M‐estimator is consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. Moreover, we provide additional results for model selection exercises. Finally, in a Monte Carlo study, we evaluate the finite sample properties of various estimators from the literature alongside the M‐estimator.
An investigation of applicant impression management profiles over time
Authors: Schmidt Joseph A. , Bourdage Joshua S. , Lukacik Eden‐Raye , Dunlop Patrick D.
Published: January 2025

Research on applicant impression management (IM) has primarily been conducted in the context of interviews and personality assessments. A gap remains in understanding how applicants manage impressions on self‐report skill and biodata assessments, which are sometimes incorporated in the early stages of ‘skill‐based’ hiring processes. Moreover, there is limited research about IM behaviour over time. We present an exploratory study that identifies profiles of responses to self‐report skill inventories over time in a sample of 743 real‐world job applicants. The results identify four different longitudinal response profiles throughout the job search, indicating that individual differences influence how (or if) applicants manage impressions over time. Implications for theory and practice are discussed, including how employers can identify applicant IM by examining response patterns over time.
Effect of Biomechanical Properties of Perioral Soft Tissues on Lip Response to Simulated Protraction of Upper Front Teeth
Authors: Nguyen Khac T. , Farella Mauro , Bennani Vincent , Mei Li
Published: January 2025

Background

Proclination of front teeth in orthodontics and oral rehabilitation may influence lip protrusion and the overall facial profile. We hypothesized that the degree of profile changes is determined by the biomechanical properties of the lips.

Objectives

(1) to investigate the upper lip changes induced by a simulated protraction of upper front teeth; and (2) to assess the relationship between biomechanical properties of the lips and their response to tooth protraction.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐four participants were recruited at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand. Simulated protraction of upper front teeth was achieved by placing a customised stent covering the buccal surface of the maxillary upper incisors and canines, along with the corresponding buccal mucosa and gingiva. Stereophotogrammetry was used to assess lip changes in three dimensions. Biomechanical properties of the lips, including muscle tone, stiffness and elasticity, were measured using a non‐invasive digital palpation device.

Results

During the simulated protraction of upper front teeth, the upper lip advanced approximately 50% of the stent thickness, with a considerable inter‐individual variation in lip displacement. Soft tissue responses were correlated with the biomechanical properties of the lips with significant correlation coefficients ranging from 0.38 to 0.40. Higher lip tone was associated with increased lip displacement, while greater lip elasticity resulted in reduced lip displacement. Multivariate analyses indicated that upper lip displacement was associated with biomechanical properties and ethnicity, but not with age, sex and body mass index.

Conclusions

The response of the lips to protraction of front teeth varies largely between individuals and can be partly explained by variations in the biomechanical properties of perioral muscles.
Place as a Metaphysical Problem in Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas
Authors: Kamel Onsi Aaron
Published: January 2025

Thomas Aquinas’ particular synthesis of Aristotelianism and Neoplatonism, and the intellectual tradition it inaugurated, has at least twice faced critical challenges from developments in physics. Besieged by the sixteenth and seventeenth century novatores and more or less ignored by the nineteenth‐ and twentieth‐century practitioners of mathematical physics, Thomism was nevertheless forced, in both cases, to reckon with the relationship of metaphysics to physics and the related question of the nature of scientific theories. This essay begins with two opposed twentieth‐century Thomist responses to these challenges, that of Pierre Duhem and that of the River Forest Thomist school. Then, after carefully examining the concept of place in Albertus Magnus’ untranslated De Natura Loci and commentary on the Liber de Causis, putting this element of Albert's natural philosophy into conversation with Thomas Aquinas’, and investigating Thomas’ account of the ordering of the sciences, I argue that both approaches, opposites though they are, fail. Neither adequately accounts for a crucial and much‐neglected feature of Albert's and Thomas’ conception of the relationship between the sciences: the dependence of metaphysics upon various deliverances of natural philosophy.
Global Research Hotspots and Trends in Advances of the Ilizarov Technique: A Bibliometric Mapping
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Lu Fei , Wang Wenxia , Zhi Xiaoyan
Published: January 2025

Objective

An updated bibliometric analysis is needed to address the lack of comprehensive understanding of Ilizarov technique's research trends and hotspots, fostering collaboration and technology adoption. CiteSpace was utilized to perform co‐citation analyzes on authors, countries, institutions, journals and cited journals, authors and cited literature, along with keywords. This approach aimed to identify leaders, collaborating institutions, and research hotspots associated with the Ilizarov technique, while also predicting future development trends.

Methods

Data relevant to Ilizarov technologies from 1994 to 2023 were extracted from Science Net's core collection. Excel was utilized to develop an exponential function for forecasting annual publication numbers. CiteSpace V5.5 was used to conduct co‐citation analyzes, which included authors, countries (regions), institutions, journals, citation journals, authors, citations, and keywords. Burst detection algorithms were applied to analyze countries (regions), institutions, and keywords, with keyword clustering achieved using the logarithmic likelihood ratio.

Results

A total of 2030 studies were collected, with annual publications on the Ilizarov technique fitting an exponential model Y = 3E‐37e0.0439x (R2 = 0.7979). Morasiewicz Piotr from the University of Opole in Poland emerged as the most prolific author. The leading countries included the USA and China, and notable institutions included the Egyptian Knowledge Bank and the Ilizarov National Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedic. Research outputs appeared primarily in orthopedics and surgery, with a focus on keywords such as management, the Ilizarov technique, external fixation, distraction osteogenesis, reconstruction, and the Ilizarov method.

Conclusions

Based on current global trends, the number of publications in the Ilizarov field will continue to increase. Future studies will likely place more emphasis on advancing application concepts and device development.
Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis for Anthracnose Resistance in a Population Derived From Andean Varieties Bukoba and Kijivu of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Kachapulula Josephine S. , Kuwabo Kuwabo , Hamabwe Swivia M. , Nkandela Mukuni , Mukuma Chikoti , Soler‐Garzón Alvaro , Miklas Phillip N. , Kamfwa Kelvin
Published: January 2025

Anthracnose (ANT) caused by the fungus (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) is a major disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes for resistance to Races 19, 38, 51, 167, 263, 1050 and 1105 of C. lindemuthianum in a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from Andean genotypes Bukoba and Kijivu. A total of 155 F5:7 RILs and parents were evaluated for resistance to seven ANT races using artificial inoculations. The population was genotyped with 11,292 SNPs, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted. A total of six QTL for resistance to seven races were identified on chromosomes Pv01 (ANT1.1BK), Pv02 (ANT2.1BK), Pv04 (ANT4.1BK), Pv05 (ANT5.1BK), Pv10 (ANT10.1BK) and Pv11 (ANT11.1BK). The R2 values for these QTL ranged from 5.2% (ANT5.1BK) to 70.1% (ANT1.1BK) suggesting that resistance to the seven races was controlled by both major‐ and minor‐effect QTL. Of the six QTL, ANT5.1BK was novel while the remaining overlapped with previously identified loci. ANT1.1BK, which provided resistance to two races (1050 and 1105), overlapped with Co‐1 while ANT4.1BK, which provided resistance to Races 19, 51, 183 and 263 overlapped with loci Co‐3, Co‐15, Co‐16, Co‐y and Co‐z. Clusters of resistance genes with NB‐ARC domain were identified as candidate genes for QTL ANT4.1BK and ANT11.1BK. Pyramiding ANT1.1BK and ANT4.1BK would provide effective resistance to Races 19, 51, 167, 263, 1050 and 1105.
Wittgenstein's method is simple: ‘Describe language‐games!’
Authors: Hardman Doug
Published: January 2025

There are many interpretations of what Wittgenstein's later approach entails and what its motivations are. Yet, despite extensive exegesis significantly deepening our understanding, his later approach—howsoever one interprets it—remains at best marginal and at worst ignored in contemporary philosophy. This is especially puzzling given the general consensus that Wittgenstein is a very influential philosopher. I suggest a change in approach. Rather than focussing on the potential differences to be found in Wittgenstein's work, in this essay I propose that Wittgenstein's later approach entails a core overarching method, which Wittgenstein summarises through a simple instruction: ‘Describe language‐games!’ (PI §486). I first explicate this instruction before contrasting it with the dominant method in philosophy and proposing that a recently promoted philosophical approach—Investigative Ordinary Language Philosophy—offers a practical way by which to put Wittgenstein's method into action.
Investigating the protective effect of Rosa damascena nanogel on collagenase and elastase activity and UVB‐induced dermal damage: A rodent model approach to skin photoaging
Authors: Ranjbar Negar , Osanloo Mahmoud , Nasiri‐Ghiri Mahdi , Zarenezhad Ali , Heiran Roghayeh , Ghanbariasad Ali , Namdar Najmeh , Alipanah Hiva
Published: January 2025

While aging inevitably changes our skin, this complex biological process involves much more than just getting older. As the body's largest organ, the skin constantly safeguards us from harmful environmental pathogens and plays a key role in overall well‐being. This study investigated the development and evaluation of a nanogel containing Rosa damascena essential oil for its potential anti‐aging properties. The nanogel was prepared from a primary nanoemulsion with a particle size of 86 ± 4 nm. Antioxidant activity, measured using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, was found to be 76% ± 3%. Furthermore, the nanogel demonstrated superior anti‐collagenase and anti‐elastase activities (60% ± 2% and 51% ± 0.1%, respectively) compared to the essential oil alone. The antibacterial efficacy of the nanogel was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, revealing potent inhibitory effects. To simulate the aging process, rats were subjected to UVB irradiation on both legs 4 days a week before or after treatment. In vivo studies conducted on mice showed that the nanogel effectively reduced the formation of deep wrinkles in treated groups compared to pretreated ones. These findings suggest that the introduced nanogel, with its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, holds promise as a natural therapeutic approach for wrinkle treatment.
The Lending Implications of Banks Holding Excess Capital
Authors: Pillay Neryvia , Makrelov Konstantin
Published: January 2025

Banks hold capital above microprudential and macroprudential regulatory requirements for a variety of reasons, including as a risk mitigation measure. In this study, we assess how decisions around the size of excess capital as well as monetary and financial stability actions impact sectoral lending in South Africa. Using a unique set of micro data for the South African banking sector for the period 2008 to 2020, provided by South Africa's Prudential Authority, our analysis controls for bank characteristics such as bank size, profitability and liquidity. Our results suggest that banks' decisions around holding additional capital affect their lending. As expected, monetary policy actions have a strong impact on bank lending and so do regulatory changes to bank capital requirements. These impacts tend to be smaller for larger banks, in line with results published in the global literature. Our results highlight the difficulties of thinking about policy in a Tinbergen rule type of world. Fiscal, microprudential, macroprudential and monetary policy actions can affect price and financial stability goals through their impact on credit extension. When policies work at cross purposes, they can easily undermine each other's goals.
Differentiation of genome‐wide DNA methylation between japonica and indica rice
Authors: Yan Tao , Kuang Liuhui , Gao Fei , Chen Jian , Li Lin , Wu Dezhi
Published: January 2025

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) subspecies japonica and indica show distinct morphological and genetic differentiation. However, the differences in the genome‐wide DNA methylation and its effects on gene expression and metabolic levels between japonica and indica rice remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the genome‐wide DNA methylation, transcriptomes and metabolomes of 12 representative japonica and indica rice accessions, to reveal the differentiation between rice subspecies. We detected 83 327 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 14 903 DMR‐associated genes between two subspecies. Indica rice showed significantly lower levels of the CG, CHG, and CHH methylation compared with japonica rice. Subsequently, we identified 5596 differentially expressed genes between the two subspecies, predominantly enriched in pathways related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. By integrating DNA methylation with transcriptomic data, a significant correlation was established between methylation patterns and the expression level of key agronomic genes in rice. Furthermore, multi‐omics analyses reveal that carbohydrate metabolism pathways, especially the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites, are remarkable differentiation between rice subspecies. These results provide a foundation for future studies in rice domestication and genetic improvement.
Effect of an adjustable ceiling to prevent premature rising attempts after general anesthesia in healthy ponies and horses: A pilot study
Authors: Lindqvist Anna , Nyman Görel , Rydén Anneli , Wattle Ove
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to assess and compare the recovery of ponies and horses following general anesthesia in two different settings: a recovery box with an inflexible, adjustable ceiling, and free recovery without restraints. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effect of adjustable ceilings on the prevention of premature attempts to rise during recovery. The secondary aim was to compare the physiological stress indicators during recovery.

Study design

Prospective, randomized, experimental study.

Animals

Six healthy ponies and 10 healthy horses.

Methods

This study used a crossover design with two settings: an inflexible, adjustable ceiling and free recovery. Recovery was scored using a quality scoring system. Heart rate, and lactate, glucose, and cortisol levels were analyzed and compared between the animals and recoveries.

Results

All animals had a higher recovery quality (p = .026) with an adjustable ceiling than with free recovery. No differences were observed in glucose level or heart rate between the two settings. However, horses had higher blood lactate, 2.9 ± 1.2 mmol/L versus 1.6 ± 0.7 mmol/L (p = .025), and serum cortisol, 184 ± 81 nmol/L versus 93 ± 20 nmol/L (p = .031) in restricted recovery than free recovery, respectively.

Conclusion

An inflexible, adjustable ceiling improved the quality of recovery and prevented premature rising attempts; however, it was associated with increased lactate and cortisol levels, indicating an increased level of stress.

Clinical significance

Limiting premature rising attempts with an adjustable ceiling during recovery phase has the potential to improve the quality of recovery in horses. Further research is needed to draw conclusions for clinical use.
Vascular health and exercise in females throughout the lifespan: Exploring puberty, pregnancy and menopause
Authors: Miller Kathleen B. , Moir M. Erin , Fico Brandon G.
Published: January 2025

This narrative review highlights the impact of exercise on vascular health in females over the lifespan with an emphasis on puberty, pregnancy and menopause. These events encompass substantial changes in sex hormone levels, particularly oestrogens and progesterone. They are also accompanied by distinct adaptations of the central, peripheral and cerebral vasculature. Regular exercise is an effective mechanism to reduce vascular risk in females of all ages, especially for those at higher risk for vascular disorders. However, there are large variabilities in the vascular adaptations to exercise in females that may be related to circulating sex hormone levels. In addition, exogenous hormones, such as oral contraceptives taken after puberty or hormonal replacement therapy taken to mitigate symptoms of menopause, may interact with exercise‐induced changes in vascular function. We highlight how more research is needed to understand the optimal exercise interventions to promote vascular health in females across the lifespan, especially during times of hormonal transition.
Assessing the threat of
Yersinia pestis
harboring a multi-resistant IncC plasmid and the efficacy of an antibiotic targeting LpxC
Authors: Lemaitre Nadine , Dewitte Amélie , Rakotomanimana Faniry , Gooden David , Toone Eric , Rajerison Minoarisoa , Zhou Pei , Sebbane Florent
Published: January 2025

Self-transmissible IncC plasmids rapidly spread multidrug resistance in many medically important pathogens worldwide. A large plasmid of this type (pIP1202, ~80 Kb) has been isolated in a clinical isolate of
Yersinia pestis
, the agent of plague. Here, we report that pIP1202 was highly stable in
Y. pestis-
infected mice and fleas and did not reduce
Y. pestis
virulence in these animals. Although pIP1202 inflicted a fitness cost in fleas (but not in mice) when the insects fed on blood containing a mixture of plasmid-free and plasmid-bearing strains, such a co-infection scenario has never been reported in nature, indicating that pIP1202 could persist in
Y. pestis
strains. Despite being resistant to commonly used antibiotic treatments, we show that plague caused by
Y. pestis
harboring the pIP1202 plasmid is effectively cured by LPC-233—a potent inhibitor of the essential LpxC enzyme in the lipid A biosynthetic pathway. Taken as a whole, our data highlight the alarming threat posed by
Y. pestis
harboring multidrug-resistant IncC plasmids that may persist in wild animals as a reservoir for long periods without antibiotic pressure and illuminate the impact of antibiotics with a novel mode of action against such a biothreat.
clustur: an R package for clustering features using sparse distance matrices
Authors: Johnson Gregory , Westcott Sarah L. , Schloss Patrick D.
Published: January 2025

The clustur R package implements the
de novo
clustering algorithms found in the mothur software package for assigning 16S rRNA gene sequences to operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Making these algorithms accessible through the R ecosystem will foster their further development, broader application, and integration within other R packages.
ConciliaMed: an interactive mobile and web tool to reconcile chronic medications of patients undergoing elective surgery
Authors: Ciudad-Gutiérrez Pablo , Suárez-Casillas Paloma , Alfaro-Lara Eva Rocío , Santos-Rubio Maria Dolores , Santos-Ramos Bernardo , Guisado-Gil Ana Belén
Published: January 2025

Objective

The last decade has seen exponential growth in electronic health tools. However, only a limited number of electronic medication reconciliation tools have been developed and implemented in healthcare settings. Here, we present ConciliaMed, a mobile and web-based tool for healthcare professionals to reconcile the chronic medications of patients undergoing elective surgery.

Methods

A research team of pharmacists and internists worked together with a technology company to design and develop ConciliaMed. Evidence-based guidelines were collected for inclusion in the tool. A group of experts conducted a simulation with a preliminary version of ConciliaMed to identify bugs and technical improvements and to assess their satisfaction with the application. The final prototype of the tool was disseminated through clinical meetings and the Google Store.

Results

Four easy-to-use and interactive modules can be used to reconcile chronic medications through the app, while the web platform is designed for consultation and learning. A higher level of satisfaction with the tool was achieved by the test participants (4.67±0.58). The triggering of dose and duplication alerts for users or the integration of ConciliaMed with electronic prescription systems were some of the more requested adaptations by the test participants.

Discussion

The ability to generate an editable reconciliation report or transfer information between users are some of the features of ConciliaMed that encourage its use. The integration of ConciliaMed into the healthcare workflow is expected.

Conclusion

The web platform is freely available online (https://conciliamed.chronic-pharma.com), as is the mobile application through the Google Store, making it easily accessible to healthcare professionals.
Oral tranexamic acid for immediate use in major trauma: implications for mass casualty events
Authors: Warner Matthew , Lowe Jonathon , Barnard Ed Benjamin Graham
Published: January 2025

The early administration of tranexamic acid is recognised as significantly reducing mortality in traumatically injured patients with major haemorrhage, typically given via intravenous or intramuscular routes. In the context of mass casualty events, there may exist multiple traumatically injured casualties that would benefit from tranexamic acid, however, it's administration may be delayed through the need to establish intravenous access. Additionally, if the initial assessment of the traumatically injured casualty is undertaken by an individual who cannot administer intravenous or intramuscular medications, time to administration will be further delayed. This concepts paper seeks to discuss the potential for utilising oral tranexamic acid, in the context of mass casualty events, as an alternative administration route.
Systematic literature review on Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) nomenclature: condition elements and clinical states— A Gout, Hyperuricaemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network (G-CAN) consensus project
Authors: Jauffret Charlotte , Adinolfi Antonella , Sirotti Silvia , Cirillo Daniele , Ingrao Luca , Lucia Alessandro , Cipolletta Edoardo , Filippucci Emilio , Tedeschi Sara , Terkeltaub Robert , Dalbeth Nicola , Pascart Tristan , Filippou Georgios
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The Gout, Hyperuricaemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network (G-CAN) has developed a calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) nomenclature project. This systematic literature review constituted its first step and aimed to provide a state-of-the-art analysis of the medical literature of the last 20 years.

Methods

A systematic literature search was undertaken in thePubMed,CochraneandEmbasedatabases between 2000 and 2022, restricted to studies on humans and in the English language. Eight reviewers independently and manually extracted labels related to CPPD concepts, according to an a priori list generated by the authors: pathogenic conditions and pathogenic crystal labels, elementary imaging condition elements and asymptomatic and symptomatic condition states. For each concept, labels were analysed to determine their frequency.

Results

Among the 2375 articles identified, 886 articles were included, of which 394 (44.5%) were case reports and 169 (19.0%) were scoping reviews. Overall, the most common labels used to designate the pathogenic condition were ‘pseudogout’in 365/783 (46.6%), ‘chondrocalcinosis’in 207/783 (26.4%) and ‘calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease’in 181/783 (23.1%) occurrences. The most common abbreviation was ‘CPPD’ in 312/390 (80.0%), but with different meanings. CPPD clinical phenotypes were often described as ‘pseudo-form’ labels.

Conclusion

Those results demonstrate the heterogeneity of labels used to describe CPPD condition concepts, with wide variation in condition labels in the medical literature. This work provides the rationale and basis to achieve agreement about CPPD technical nomenclature.
Association between HIV risk perception, knowledge of biomedical prevention and sexual behaviour among sub-Saharan African immigrants living in a precarious situation in France
Authors: Coulibaly Karna , Gosselin Anne , Derche Nicolas , Mbiribindi Romain , Desgrées du Loû Annabel
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Sub-Saharan African immigrants are particularly affected by HIV in France, with many acquiring the infection after migration due to precarious circumstances that increase their vulnerability. This study aimed to explore the association between HIV risk perception, knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention methods and sexual behaviours among sub-Saharan African immigrants living in precarious conditions in the greater Paris area.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analysed data from 614 participants in the MAKASI project, conducted in the greater Paris area (2019–2020). Sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions, knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention methods (postexposure prophylaxis, treatment as prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)) and sexual behaviours were described by sex using Pearson’s χ2tests. HIV risk perception, defined as self-reported exposure to HIV comparable to or greater than the general population, was analysed by participant characteristics. A multivariable logistic regression model identified factors associated with HIV risk perception using variables with a significance threshold of 20%.

Results

Most participants (76.5%) were men, with a median age of 34 years (IQR: 29–41) and living in precarious conditions. Forty-one per cent of respondents reported perceiving their HIV exposure risk as comparable to or greater than the general population. Participants aware of PrEP (adjusted OR (aOR) =2.60 (1.17–5.80); p<0.020) and those who had sex with occasional partners without a condom within in the 3 months preceding the survey (aOR=1.89 (1.12–3.18); p<0.017) were more likely to report the same or greater risk of HIV exposure.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal that PrEP knowledge and sex with occasional partners, particularly participants who did not use condoms, are associated with increased HIV risk perception among sub-Saharan African immigrants. Further research should explore the relationship between PrEP uptake and HIV risk perception in this population.

Trial registration number

NCT04468724
On the effects of multi-directional initial anisotropy on the monotonic constant volume response of a silica sand
Authors: Kaviani-Hamedani Farzad , Fakharian Kazem , Shabani Farid , Khoshghalb Arman , Shirkavand Danial , Baghbani Abolfazl
Published: January 2025

The constant volume behavior of sands is substantially influenced by the initial stress anisotropy. This research aims to investigate the stress anisotropy effect by conducting a series of bidirectional direct simple shear tests that can apply initial shear stress on a sample in different directions during the consolidation stage. The experimental program provides insights into the impacts of the initial shear stress and the subsequent principal stress rotation (PSR) on some critical aspects of soil behavior, including the onset of instability, brittleness index, phase transformation, and the critical state line. The findings show that the onset of instability and the brittleness indices are significantly dependent on the initial stress anisotropy. In contrast, the critical state and phase transformation lines are not influenced by the initial anisotropy of the stress state, even in the presence of PSR. Furthermore, the study gives particular attention to the non-coaxiality between the major principal stress and strain rates to illustrate how the non-coaxiality decreases with increasing shear strain. The research also explores the non-coaxiality between the resultant shear stress and shear strain rate and suggests a predictive flow rule accordingly. The results reveal that a substantial level of non-coaxiality may exist between the resultant shear stress and the shear strain rate.
Language-guided Bias Generation Contrastive Strategy for Visual Question Answering
Authors: Zhao Enyuan , Song Ning , Zhang Ze , Nie Jie , Liang Xinyue , Wei Zhiqiang
Published: January 2025

Visual question answering (VQA) is a challenging task that requires models to understand both visual and linguistic inputs and produce accurate answers. However, VQA models often exploit biases in datasets to make predictions rather than reasoning based on the inputs. Prior approaches to debiasing have suggested the implementation of a supplementary model, deliberately designed to exhibit bias, which subsequently informs the training of a resilient target model. Nevertheless, such techniques merely quantify the model’s divergence based on the statistical distribution of labels within the training dataset or in relation to unimodal branches. In this work, we propose a novel method of generating bias from the target model itself, called LEGO, which aims to combat the language guidance bias. Specifically, LEGO framework employs a generative network that assimilates the biases inherent in the target model by integrating adversarial goals with the principles of knowledge distillation. Then, we use a debiased contrastive learning strategy to model the language guidance bias of caption and question. In the process of modelling, in order to obtain robust semantic coreference, the multi-modal representations of two semantic granularity are modelled by mutual information fusion and contrast learning difference modelling. We evaluate our method on various VQA-biased datasets, including VQA-CP2, GQA-OOD, and RSICD, and show that it outperforms similar methods.
Olaparib, temozolomide and concomitant radiotherapy for partially or biopsy-only glioblastoma first-line treatment: results from the OLA-TMZ-RTE-01 phase 1 study
Authors: Stefan Dinu , Lesueur Paul , Lequesne Justine , Feuvret Loic , Bronnimann Charlotte , Castéra Marie , Brachet Pierre-Emmanuel , Hrab Ioana , Ducloie Mathilde , Lacroix Joëlle , Lecornu Marie , Braux Grégoire , Christy François , Sunyach Marie-Pierre , Cohen-Jonathan Moyal Elizabeth , Kao William , Faisant Maxime , Emery Evelyne , Grellard Jean-Michel , Sichel Francois , Laurent Carine , Fontanilles Maxime , Clarisse Bénédicte
Published: January 2025

Background: Radio-chemotherapy remains the mainstay of glioblastoma first-line treatment after extended surgery, but the prognosis is still poor. PARP inhibitors like olaparib may improve glioblastoma outcomes. We implemented a phase 1-2a trial to assess the safety and efficacy of olaparib combined with standard radio-chemotherapy as a first-line treatment in unresected glioblastoma patients. We herein present results of phase 1. Methods: Based on the Stupp regimen, two sequential dose escalations of olaparib were performed to distinguish the radiotherapy period and the maintenance period for assessing the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of olaparib separately for each treatment period. Dose escalations were performed by a TITE-CRM (TIme-To-Event Continual Reassessment Method). Results: A total of 30 pts were enrolled: 20 (66.7%) men, median age 59 years [range 25-70], 12 (42.9%) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0. Among them, 16 and 11 pts were assessable for determining MTD in each period. Hematological dose-limiting toxicities were experienced by 4 and 1 patients in each sequential dose escalation, respectively. MTD was olaparib 100 mg twice daily for 3 days a week in concomitant during both the radio-chemotherapy and maintenance periods of the standard treatment. Median progression-free and overall survival was 6.2 and 19.8 months, respectively. The 2-year survival rate was 36.7% [22.9-58.7]. Conclusions: Intermittent dosing of olaparib at radiosensitizing concentrations in concomitant with the Stupp protocol has an acceptable safety profile with promising outcomes in unresectable glioblastoma patients. Further efficacy determination is ongoing in the phase 2a step.
Small Cell Lung Cancer with Dual Paraneoplastic Syndromes: A Case Report
Authors: Song Jingjing , Fan Linlin
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Paraneoplastic syndromes are common in cancers such as lung, breast, and ovarian cancers. Still, the dual paraneoplastic syndromes of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome (EAS) and raised pancreatic enzymes at the same time are rare. EAS is due to the production of ACTH by tumors other than the pituitary gland, which stimulates the hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex to secrete excessive corticosteroids, most commonly in lung cancer. Elevated pancreatic enzymes are associated with ectopic secretion from lung cancer. Clinically, some patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have atypical early clinical manifestations and may present with paraneoplastic syndrome as the first symptom. Case Report: This article describes a case of a 45-year-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital with “intermittent mild edema of both lower extremities for more than 1 month” and showed persistent low potassium without diuretic drugs and with abnormally high blood amylase and blood lipase in the exclusion of pancreatitis. The persistent low potassium was caused by unusually high cortisol levels in patients with EAS that result from large amounts of cortisol secretion. Pancreatitis was excluded, and he was finally diagnosed with extensive-stage SCLC after bronchoscopic biopsy and histopathological confirmation. The patient presented with dual paraneoplastic syndromes of SCLC combined with EAS, high pancreatic enzymes, dual metastases, high malignancy, loss of surgical opportunities, and poor prognosis. The patient died at the end of the first cycle of chemotherapy due to the combination of IV degree of myelosuppression, metabolic alkalosis, severe infection, respiratory failure, and the rapid deterioration of his condition. Conclusion: Most of the clinical manifestations of lung cancer with paraneoplastic syndrome as the first symptom lack specificity. The paraneoplastic syndrome of lung cancer can appear in all stages of the disease, and if it appears before the diagnosis of lung cancer, it is of some significance in guiding the diagnosis of lung cancer. Meanwhile, when pancreatic lesions are excluded, we should consider malignancy-related hyperpancreatinemia.