bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CDX2 alleviates hypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells through suppression of reactive oxygen species‐mediated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Li Weiwei , Han Zhonghou , Yin Xiurong , Zhou Rongjuan , Liu Hongfeng
Published: January 2024

Hypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells are considered to be important factors leading to male infertility. It was reported that CDX2 expression was downregulated in hypoxia‐stimulated spermatogenic cells. However, the effects of CDX2 on hypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells are still unknown. This study aimed to explore the roles of CDX2 in hypoxia‐induced injury of spermatogenic cells, as well as its mechanism of action. Spermatogenic cells were cultured under 1% oxygen for 48 h to established hypoxia damage model. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidases (GSH‐Px). Protein levels were detected using western blotting. Hypoxia exposure induced increase in ROS generation, apoptosis rate, and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells. ROS scavenger inhibited hypoxia‐induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway activation. Hypoxia exposure induced CDX2 downregulation. CDX2 overexpression suppressed hypoxia‐induced ROS generation, apoptosis rate, oxidative stress, and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway activation. Moreover, CDX2 knockdown restores the inhibitory effects of si‐β‐catenin or NAC on hypoxia‐induced activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. In conclusion, our study suggests that CDX2 overexpression alleviates hypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress by suppression of ROS‐mediated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in spermatogenic cells.
Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis, hypertension, and aortic dissection
Authors: Elmarasi Mohamed , Elmakaty Ibrahim , Elsayed Basel , Elsayed Abdelrahman , Zein Jana Al , Boudaka Ammar , Eid Ali H.
Published: January 2024

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a critical role in regulating vasotone, and their phenotypic plasticity is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases. Two main VSMC phenotypes have been well described: contractile and synthetic. Contractile VSMCs are typically found in the tunica media of the vessel wall, and are responsible for regulating vascular tone and diameter. Synthetic VSMCs, on the other hand, are typically found in the tunica intima and adventitia, and are involved in vascular repair and remodeling. Switching between contractile and synthetic phenotypes occurs in response to various insults and stimuli, such as injury or inflammation, and this allows VSMCs to adapt to changing environmental cues and regulate vascular tone, growth, and repair. Furthermore, VSMCs can also switch to osteoblast‐like and chondrocyte‐like cell phenotypes, which may contribute to vascular calcification and other pathological processes like the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. This provides discusses the mechanisms that regulate VSMC phenotypic switching and its role in the development of vascular diseases. A better understanding of these processes is essential for the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
The burden of frailty in heart failure: Prevalence, impacts on clinical outcomes and the role of heart failure medications
Authors: Lai Hsi‐Yu , Huang Shih‐Tsung , Anker Stefan D. , von Haehling Stephan , Akishita Masahiro , Arai Hidenori , Chen Liang‐Kung , Hsiao Fei‐Yuan
Published: January 2024

Background

Frailty often coexists with heart failure (HF), which significantly aggravates the clinical outcomes of older adults. However, studies investigating the interplay between frailty and HF in older adults are scarce. We aimed to assess the prevalence of frailty using the cumulative deficit approach and evaluate the impacts of frailty on health utilization, use of HF‐related medications and adverse clinical outcomes (all‐cause mortality, all‐cause readmissions and HF readmissions) among older HF patients.

Methods

A total of 38 843 newly admitted HF patients were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and categorized into three frailty subgroups (fit, mild frailty and severe frailty) based on the multimorbidity frailty index. Cox regression models and Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to estimate the impacts of frailty on clinical outcomes at 1 and 2 years of follow‐up. Generalized estimating equation models were further conducted to evaluate the associations between longitudinal and time‐varying use of HF‐related medications and clinical outcomes among distinct frailty subgroups.

Results

Of 38 843 older HF patients (mean age 80.4 ± 8.5 years, 52.3% females) identified, 68.3% were categorized as frail (47.5% of mild frailty and 20.8% of severe frailty). The median number of readmissions (fit: 1 [inter‐quartile range—IQR 2], mild frailty: 1 [IQR 2] and severe frailty: 2 [IQR 3]) increased with the severity of frailty. Only 27.3% of HF patients died of cardiovascular diseases regardless of their frailty status. Compared with the fit group, the severe frailty group was associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.21), all‐cause readmissions (subdistributional hazard ratio (sHR) 1.21, 95% CI 1.16–1.25) and HF‐related readmissions (sHR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09–1.20) at 2 years of follow‐up. Those who used triple or more HF‐related medications were at lower risk for all‐cause readmissions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.49, 95% CI 0.44–0.54) and HF‐related readmissions (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.37–0.47) at 2 years of follow‐up even in the severe frailty group.

Conclusions

Frailty is highly prevalent and associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality, all‐cause readmissions and HF readmissions among older HF patients. Those who were using triple or more HF‐related medications were at lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes across distinct frailty subgroups. Further studies are needed to optimize the treatment strategies for older HF patients with distinct frailty status.
A comparative assessment of carbonaceous electrodes with diverse interfacial properties for H2O2 electrogeneration
Authors: Petsi Panagiota , Plakas Konstantinos V , Frontistis Zacharias , Karabelas Anastasios J
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

The present study investigates the in situ electrogeneration of H2O2 by the 2e− oxygen reduction reaction in an electrochemical flow cell using three commercially available cathodic electrode materials with different interfacial properties; that is, activated carbon felt (ACF), non‐activated carbon felt (NACF) and gas diffusion electrode (GDE).

RESULTS

Experiments were first performed to optimize the operating parameters and to determine the yield of H2O2 electrosynthesis. The estimated maximum yield of ~40% was achieved with the NACF electrode after 30 min of operation. Furthermore, the performance of the electrodes was investigated in two scenarios, namely (i) under conditions with O2‐saturated electrolyte and (ii) under continuous air supply, to study the differences in O2 distribution within the electrode material as a function of its interfacial properties. The maximum H2O2 concentration for the first scenario was 3.86 mg L−1 after 60 min of operation, which was obtained with the NACF electrode. In contrast, in the second scenario, H2O2 electrogeneration was significantly increased for all three electrodes, with the GDE exhibiting the best performance, at 43.3 mg L−1 after 60 min of operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The properties of the electrode material play a decisive role in H2O2 electrogeneration. The hydrophilicity of the electrode is very important when O2 is dissolved in the electrolyte. Hydrophobicity is preferable when gaseous O2 is applied to the electrode as a three‐phase interface is formed, which favors the transfer/penetration of O2. The pore size of the electrode is of crucial importance, as mesoporous materials facilitate the distribution of gaseous O2 in the electrode body. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
“Pscore”: A Novel Percentile‐Based Metric to Accurately Assess Individual Deviations in Non‐Gaussian Distributions of Quantitative MRI Metrics
Authors: Hafiz Rakibul , Irfanoglu M. Okan , Nayak Amritha , Pierpaoli Carlo
Published: January 2024

Background

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics could be used in personalized medicine to assess individuals against normative distributions. Conventional Zscore analysis is inadequate in the presence of non‐Gaussian distributions. Therefore, if quantitative MRI metrics deviate from normality, an alternative is needed.

Purpose

To confirm non‐Gaussianity of diffusion MRI (dMRI) metrics on a publicly available dataset, and to propose a novel percentile‐based method, “Pscore” to address this issue.

Study Type

Retrospective cohort.

Population

Nine hundred and sixty‐one healthy young adults (age: 22–35 years, females: 53%) from the Human Connectome Project.

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐T, spin‐echo diffusion echo‐planar imaging, T1‐weighted: MPRAGE.

Assessment

The dMRI data were preprocessed using the TORTOISE pipeline. Forty‐eight regions of interest (ROIs) from the JHU atlas were redrawn on a study‐specific diffusion tensor (DT) template and average values were computed from various DT and mean apparent propagator (MAP) metrics. For each ROI, percentile ranks across participants were computed to generate “Pscores”—which normalized the difference between the median and a participant's value with the corresponding difference between the median and the 5th/95th percentile values.

Statistical Tests

ROI‐wise distributions were assessed using log transformations, Zscore, and the “Pscore” methods. The percentages of extreme values above‐95th and below‐5th percentile boundaries (PEV>95(%), PEV<5(%)) were also assessed in the overall white matter. Bootstrapping was performed to test the reliability of Pscores in small samples (N = 100) using 100 iterations.

Results

The dMRI metric distributions were systematically non‐Gaussian, including positively skewed (eg, mean and radial diffusivity) and negatively skewed (eg, fractional and propagator anisotropy) metrics. This resulted in unbalanced tails in Zscore distributions (PEV>95 ≠ 5%, PEV<5 ≠ 5%) whereas “Pscore” distributions were symmetric and balanced (PEV>95 = PEV<5 = 5%); even for small bootstrapped samples (average [SD]).

Data Conclusion

The inherent skewness observed for dMRI metrics may preclude the use of conventional Zscore analysis. The proposed “Pscore” method may help estimating individual deviations more accurately in skewed normative data, even from small datasets.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Strengthening the relationship between intractable plantar keratosis and human papillomavirus
Authors: Alou Luis , Becerro‐de‐Bengoa‐Vallejo Ricardo , Losa‐Iglesias Marta E. , Moreno Juan , Sánchez‐Gómez Rubén , González Natalia , Sevillano David
Published: January 2024

The aim of the study was to determine the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with intractable plantar keratosis (IPK) by comparing the histopathological findings of biopsies. A prospective, observational, and concordance study was carried out. Three different specimens were taken from each IPK. A first punch was sent for histopathological examination, and a second punch and a superficial skin scraping were both sent for HPV  polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and type determination. A total of 51 patients were included. From the histopathological examination, it was determined that 35 (68.6%) samples were diagnosed as warts and 16 (31.3%) as keratosis. However, the presence of HPV was confirmed by PCR in 49 (96.1%) and in 42 (82.4%) samples obtained by punch and superficial scraping, respectively. In the 49 PCR‐positive samples, the most common HPV types were HPV1, HPV2, HPV27, HPV57, and HPV65, accounting for 81.6% of the samples. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that HPV infection and IPK lesions are very closely related. Although we cannot confirm that HPV is the cause of the development of IPK, the high prevalence of HPV observed in these lesions calls for a change to the procedures for managing IPK.
TIM22 and TIM29 inhibit HBV replication by up‐regulating SRSF1 expression
Authors: Guo Lin , Liu Jia‐jun , Long Shao‐yuan , Wang Pei‐yun , Li Shan , Wang Jin‐lan , Wei Xia‐fei , Li Jie , Lei Ling , Huang Ai‐long , Hu Jie‐li
Published: January 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem. After the viruses infect the human body, the host can respond to the virus infection by coordinating various cellular responses, in which mitochondria play an important role. Evidence has shown that mitochondrial proteins are involved in host antiviral responses. In this study, we found that the overexpression of TIM22 and TIM29, the members of the inner membrane translocase TIM22 complex, significantly reduced the level of intracellular HBV DNA and RNA and secreted HBV surface antigens and E antigen. The effects of TIM22 and TIM29 on HBV replication and transcription is attributed to the reduction of core promoter activity mediated by the increased expression of SRSF1 which acts as a suppressor of HBV replication. This study provides new evidence for the critical role of mitochondria in the resistance of HBV infection and new targets for the development of treatment against HBV infection.
The southern Brazilian tropical forest during the penultimate Pleistocene glaciation and its termination
Authors: Aviles Adriana Mercedes Camejo , Ledru Marie‐Pierre , Ricardi‐Branco Fresia , Marquardt Gisele C. , de Campos Bicudo Denise
Published: January 2024

To describe the composition of the penultimate glacial Brazilian Atlantic forest, we analyzed pollen, charcoal and diatoms deposited in the section from 871 to 1400 cm of core CO14 drilled in the Colônia basin in southeastern Brazil. The landscape was characterized by a cool grassland with three conifer genera: Araucaria, Podocarpus and Ephedra. Total arboreal pollen frequency did not change during the transition from glacial to interglacial conditions. Changes in Podocarpus frequency and concentration showed out‐of‐phase responses with austral summer insolation at an orbital scale while, at a millennial scale, both northern and southern hemisphere ice volume controlled the interplay between positions of the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone and South Tropical Front (STF), which in turn defined the latitudinal distribution of rainfall. The disappearance of Podocarpus and the decrease of Araucaria observed between ~167 and 160 ka were related to a dry interval which was not observed elsewhere. During Termination II a progressive decrease in conifer pollen taxa was in phase with a southward shift in the STF and increase in Atlantic sea surface temperatures. Our results show that southern hemisphere conifer distribution is strongly linked to austral summer insolation and winter precipitation and will be threatened by the southward expansion of the summer rainfall boundary.
Accurate recognition of rice plants based on visual and tactile sensing
Authors: Chen Xueshen , Dang Peina , Zhang Enzao , Chen Yanxue , Tang Cunyao , Qi Long
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Crop recognition is the basis of intelligent agricultural machine operations. Visual perception methods have achieved high recognition accuracy. However, the reliability of such methods is difficult to guarantee because of the complex environment of paddy fields. Tactile sensing methods are not affected by background or environmental interference, and have high reliability. However, in an ideal environment, the recognition accuracy is not as high as that of the visual method.

RESULTS

To balance the accuracy and reliability of rice plant recognition, a combined visual–tactile method was proposed in this study. A rice plant recognition device was developed with a poly(vinylidene fluoride) sensor embedded inside the device as a tactile perceptron and a graphic designed as a visual perceptron. The primary role of the tactile perceptron is to initially recognize rice plants and provide a time point for image capture for visual perception. The main role of the visual perceptron is to extract features from the captured images and recognize rice plants again. The results of tactile and visual recognition were eventually fused to achieve accurate recognition of rice plants.

CONCLUSION

The contact speed between the recognition perceptron and rice–weed was selected for the field performance test based on the real situation of paddy field operation. The results showed that the accuracy and reliability of rice plant recognition decreased as the travelling speed of the paddy field operation machine increased. The results of this study provide a basis for intelligent farm machinery operations in rice fields. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Bigger is better: age class‐specific survival rates in long‐lived turtles increase with size
Authors: Otten Joshua G. , Refsnider Jeanine M.
Published: January 2024

Vital rates for small, non‐breeding individuals are important components of population dynamics for many species, but often individuals of these sizes are difficult to locate, capture, and track. As such, biologists frequently lack reliable estimates of juvenile survival because sample sizes and recapture rates for this life stage are low. Long‐lived animals often take many years to reach sexual maturity and spend much of this time in the smaller size classes, making them sensitive to changes in survival rates. We estimated the survival rates of all size classes for the northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) using a mark‐recapture dataset with >3,500 captures from 2019–2021 and 210 nests from 2018–2021. As turtle size increased, annual survival probability increased regardless of sex. Estimated annual survival probability for turtles >18 cm long (i.e., adult females >15 years) was about 0.95, over 4 times higher than turtles that were 3 cm long (i.e., hatchlings <1 year; 0.22 annual survival probability). Although we did not observe a difference in survival probability between sexes of any size class, adult females are nearly twice the size of adult males, leading to an increased annual survival probability for females of 0.95, compared to 0.80 for males. Changes in adult survival had the greatest influence on population estimates over time, with temporary decreases, such as those due to poaching or an environmental disaster, potentially leading to unrecoverable decreases in the overall population size. Our study provides detailed survival rates for all size classes in a long‐lived turtle, which are necessary to assess population stability and can be used to determine the most effective conservation or management practices.
Gypenoside XIII regulates lipid metabolism in HepG2 hepatocytes and ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice
Authors: Cheng Shu‐Chen , Liou Chian‐Jiun , Wu Ya‐Xuan , Yeh Kuo‐Wei , Chen Li‐Chen , Huang Wen‐Chung
Published: January 2024

Gypenoside XIII is isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino. In mice, G. pentaphyllum extract and gypenoside LXXV have been shown to improve non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This study investigated whether gypenoside XIII can regulate lipid accumulation in fatty liver cells or attenuate NASH in mice. We used HepG2 hepatocytes to establish a fatty liver cell model using 0.5 mM oleic acid. Fatty liver cells were treated with different concentrations of gypenoside XIII to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of lipid metabolism. In addition, a methionine/choline‐deficient diet induced NASH in C57BL/6 mice, which were given 10 mg/kg gypenoside XIII by intraperitoneal injection. In fatty liver cells, gypenoside XIII effectively suppressed lipid accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, gypenoside XIII significantly increased SIRT1 and AMPK phosphorylation to decrease acetyl‐CoA carboxylase phosphorylation, reducing fatty acid synthesis activity. Gypenoside XIII also decreased lipogenesis by suppressing sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1c and fatty acid synthase production. Gypenoside XIII also increased lipolysis and fatty acid β‐oxidation by promoting adipose triglyceride lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, respectively. In an animal model of NASH, gypenoside XIII effectively decreased the lipid vacuole size and number and reduced liver fibrosis and inflammation. These findings suggest that gypenoside XIII can regulate lipid metabolism in fatty liver cells and improve liver fibrosis in NASH mice. Therefore, gypenoside XIII has potential as a novel agent for the treatment of NASH.
Large variation in postoperative rehabilitation protocols following operative treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis on >200 studies
Authors: Buck Tristan M. F. , Dahmen Jari , Tak Igor J. R. , Rikken Quinten G. H. , Otten Roald , Stufkens Sjoerd A. S. , Kerkhoffs Gino M. M. J.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

A treatment‐specific rehabilitation protocol and well‐defined return‐to‐play criteria guide clinical decision‐making on return to normal function, activity, sports and performance after surgical treatment for osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT). The optimal rehabilitation protocols in the current literature remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the existing literature on rehabilitation protocols from the early postoperative phase to return to sport onwards after different types of surgical treatment of OLTs.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, CDSR, DARE and Central were searched systematically from inception to February 2023 according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. All clinical studies with a description of postoperative rehabilitation criteria after surgical treatment of OLTs were included. The primary outcome of this study is the extent of reportage for each rehabilitation parameter expressed in percentage. The secondary outcome is the reported median time for each parameter in rehabilitation protocols for all different treatment modalities (type of surgery). The median time, expressed as number of weeks, for each parameter was compared between different types of surgery.

Results

A total of 227 articles were included reporting on 255 different rehabilitation protocols from seven different types of surgery. Weight‐bearing instructions were reported in 84%–100% and the use of a cast or walker was prescribed in 27%–100%. Range of motion exercises were described in 54%–100% whereas physical therapy was advised in 21%–67% of the protocols. Any advice on return to sport was described in 0%–67% protocols. A nonparametric analysis of variance showed significant differences between the different surgical treatment modalities for the following parameters between the treatment groups: time to full weight‐bearing (p < 0.0003) and return to high impact level of sports (p < 0.0003). Subjective or objective criteria for progression during rehabilitation were reported in only 24% of the studies.

Conclusion

An in‐depth exploration of the current literature showed substantial variation in postoperative rehabilitation guidelines with an associated underreporting of the most important rehabilitation parameters in postoperative protocols after surgical treatment of OLTs. Furthermore, nearly all rehabilitation protocols were constructed according to a time‐based approach. Only one out of four reported either objective or subjective criteria.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, systematic review.
Previous cartilage surgery is associated with inferior patient‐reported outcomes after knee arthroplasty
Authors: Birkenes Thomas , Furnes Ove , Lygre Stein Håkon Låstad , Solheim Eirik , Årøen Asbjørn , Knutsen Gunnar , Drogset Jon Olav , Heir Stig , Engebretsen Lars , Løken Sverre , Visnes Håvard
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The hypothesis of the present study assumed that a history of focal cartilage lesions would not affect Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome scores (KOOSs) following knee arthroplasty compared to a matched national cohort of knee arthroplasty patients.

Methods

Fifty‐eight knee arthroplasty patients with previous surgery for focal cartilage lesions (cartilage cohort) were compared to a matched cohort of 116 knee arthroplasty patients from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register (control group). Age, sex, primary or revision arthroplasty, type of arthroplasty (total, unicondylar or patellofemoral), year of arthroplasty surgery and arthroplasty brand were used as matching criteria. Demographic data and KOOS were obtained through questionnaires. Regression models were employed to adjust for confounding factors.

Results

Mean follow‐up post knee arthroplasty surgery was 7.6 years (range 1.2–20.3) in the cartilage cohort and 8.1 (range 1.0–20.9) in the control group. The responding patients were at the time of surgery 54.3 versus 59.0 years in the cartilage and control group, respectively. At follow‐up the control group demonstrated higher adjusted Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome subscores than the previous focal cartilage patients with a mean adjusted difference (95% confidence interval in parentheses): Symptoms 8.4 (0.3, 16.4), Pain 11.8 (2.2, 21.4), Activities of daily living (ADL) 9.3 (−1.2, 18.6), Sport and recreation 8.9 (−1.6, 19.4) and Quality of Life (QoL) 10.6 (0.2, 21.1). The control group also demonstrated higher odds of reaching the patient‐acceptable symptom state threshold for the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome subscores with odds ratio: Symptoms 2.7 (1.2, 6.4), Pain 3.0 (1.3, 7.0), ADL 2.1 (0.9, 4.6) and QoL 2.4 (1.0, 5.5).

Conclusion

Previous cartilage surgery was associated with inferior patient‐reported outcomes after knee arthroplasty. These patients also exhibited significantly lower odds of reaching the patient‐acceptable symptom state threshold for the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome subscores.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Onabotulinum Toxin A (BoNT‐A) for Drooling in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Oad Haresh , Maltezeanu Alix , da Silva Sabrina D. , Daniel Sam J.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Sialorrhea, also known as drooling, hypersalivation, or ptyalism, has a significant impact on the medical and psychosocial well‐being of children. Onabotulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) is the most commonly used botulinum toxin worldwide for the treatment of sialorrhea in children.

Objectives

To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the clinical efficacy and potential adverse effects of BoNT‐A as a treatment for drooling in children.

Methods

Cochrane, Embase, and Medline databases were systematically searched (up to May 2023). Out of 535 identified publications, 20 were found eligible for inclusion. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed to determine the efficacy of BoNT‐A treatment in children in reducing the frequency and severity of drooling.

Results

Out of the 20 studies included, a meta‐analysis was conducted on the complete dataset of eight studies involving 131 patients. BoNT‐A was found to significantly decrease the severity of drooling in patients with sialorrhea (standardized mean difference [SMD], −2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.91 to −1.23; p < 0.0001) when compared with the conditions before injections using random‐effects models. Six studies out of 20 reported dysphagia as an adverse effect after injection. Other side effects included thickness of saliva and pain at the site of injection.

Conclusion

BoNT‐A is a clinically effective therapy that improves drooling severity in children with sialorrhea. Although there were some adverse side effects reported, they were transient and not severe. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the best techniques and to identify the ideal dosages required to achieve the optimal outcomes. Laryngoscope, 134:3012–3017, 2024
Increasing stand age increases N deficiency but alleviates relative P limitations in Castanopsis hystrix plantations in Southern China
Authors: Li Xu , Wu Ting , Wu Guopeng , Aguila Luis Carlos Ramos , Liu Xujun , Liu Yue , Cheng Yan , Jiang Fen , Lie Zhiyang , Liu Juxiu
Published: January 2024

Forest productivity usually declines with the increase in the age of stand, which may be associated with the disturbance in the balance of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrients. However, the effects of stand age on plantation nutrient balance and productivity in plantation is still unclear. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in this study to investigate the influence of the increase in the age of stand (6‐, 10‐, 15‐, 25‐, 30‐, and 34‐year‐old stands) on plant growth and the dynamics of N and P in Castanopsis hystrix plantations of Southern China. The increase in the age of stand reduced plantation productivity and leaf N:P. Moreover, productivity was found to be positively correlated with leaf N:P, reflecting that the decrease in productivity was related to changes in N and P contents in leaves. Reduction in leaf N:P was associated with declining N content and stable P content in leaves. The decrease in leaf N content may be due to the declining –N and microbial biomass N contents in soil, although activities of N‐acetylglucosaminidase, cellobiohydrolase, and polyphenol oxidase decreased with the increase in stand age. The stability of leaf P content may be associated with the increase in soil total P and microbial biomass P, boosting P supply to plants. In contrast, decreased soil phosphatase activity with the increase in the age of stand likely suggests that no additional P was needed through P mineralization. The findings indicate that increasing stand age would improve N consumption but alleviate relative P limitations. Thus, more attention needs to be paid to N fertilizer management (e.g., 10–15‐year stages) to sustain C. hystrix productivity with stand age.
PURPOSEFUL DESIGN OF WORKPLACE SPACES
Authors: Deutser Brad , Bilotta Isabel
Published: January 2024

The authors are respectively, the leader of the company Deutser, and its Head of Learning and Innovation. They write about an organization’s “spaces, both physical and psychological.” They further claim that “space is foundational to any organization’s identity, and the physical space is a readily observable signal to employees of what is valued and how work gets done.” They describe five rules for designing an office space, which in their words are: 1. Space as an Investment, Not a Cost 2. Design for Unity, Not Hierarchy 3. Function Over Form 4. The Purposeful Pause 5. Build Belonging Through Spaces. Within rule 1: “There can be no disconnect with the organization’s evolved identity or culture.” In rule 2, “Too many organizations use design to divide, even if unintentional.” In rule 3, “Collaborative work is a crucial aspect of reconnection.” In rule 4, “The simplicity sends a mental signal to slow everything around us.” In rule 5, “Design is at the heart of how we access the wonders of what the work requires each one of us to bring to life.” They conclude that “by injecting purposeful design, you are communicating an intention – this is a place where all belong.”
THINKING LIKE AN INCLUSIVE LEADER
Authors: Pate Eddie , Stutz Jonathan
Published: January 2024

The authors, longtime corporate executives in diversity‐related fields, discuss the various nuances of inclusivity, and how it relates to leadership. This includes their 7 Insights of Inclusive Leadership (2IL) model, which is explained in the text and in Figure 1. The authors note that as their “work and the field of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ID&E) evolved, we realized we needed a framework to have legitimate, impactful conversations about the key drivers of inclusive leadership.” The article focuses on three of the practices from their book Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders: A Guide to Building a Culture of Belonging: Cultural Competence, The Platinum Rule, and being a Tempered Radical. “Cultural Competence,” they write, “is an experiential understanding and acceptance of the beliefs, values, and ethics of others as well as the demonstrated skills necessary to work with and serve diverse individuals and groups.” Also: “The Platinum Rule is treating people how they want to be treated, not how we want to be treated.” Finally: “For us, being a Tempered Radical means that leaders do not need to do it all or overwhelm themselves by adding tons of ID&E stuff to their already full plates.”
Lonely human and dominant robot: Similarity versus complementary attraction
Authors: Yu Lingzhi , Fan Xiucheng
Published: January 2024

While social robots can provide companionship, people hesitate to connect with them. This research delves into a neglected question: How can we enhance the probability of potential users, especially those grappling with loneliness, connecting with companion robots to fulfill their social needs? Building upon the friendliness–dominance model and attraction theory in social psychology, our six studies reveal that individuals experiencing greater loneliness hold generally less favorable attitudes toward the idea of adopting robotic companionship. However, lonelier individuals show a higher inclination to bond with robots that act submissive rather than dominant ones. This research contributes to the understanding of human–robot interaction by examining how human traits and their perceptions of robot personalities jointly influence the interaction. The results have significant implications for guiding the design of robot product attributes to enhance their appeal to individuals experiencing varying degrees of loneliness.
Unveiling Assessment Gaps in Parkinson's Disease Psychosis: A Scoping Review
Authors: Mangone Graziella , Tosin Michelle H.S. , Goetz Christopher G. , Stebbins Glenn T. , Mestre Tiago A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) is a multidimensional construct that is challenging to measure. Accurate assessment of PDP requires comprehensive and reliable clinical outcome assessment (COA) measures.

Objective

To identify PDP measurement gaps in available COAs currently used in clinical and research settings.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines. We implemented a three‐step search strategy in international databases with keywords related to Parkinson's disease (PD), psychosis, and COA. We analyzed studies using COA to assess PDP, classifying their items according to domains and subdomains.

Results

From 5673 identified studies, we included 628 containing 432 PDP core items from 32 COAs. Among the 32 COAs, 19 were PD‐specific, containing 266 items, constructed as clinician‐reported outcomes (ClinRO) (148 items), patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) (112 items), and observer‐reported outcomes (ObsRO) (six items). Across all PD‐specific COAs, regardless of structure, 89.4% of the items from 27 COAs focused primarily on assessing PDP symptoms' severity, and only 9.7% of items probed the impact of PDP on a person's daily functioning.

Conclusions

Symptom‐based domains are currently prioritized for measuring the severity of PDP, with limited coverage of the functional impact of PDP on patients' lives. Whereas the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society has traditionally developed a “Unified” COA that culls items from prior COAs to form a new one, a new COA will largely need newly developed items if the functional impact of PDP is prioritized. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Multi‐point calorimeter using distributed fiber Bragg gratings for small field dosimetry in radiotherapy
Authors: Lebel‐Cormier Marie‐Anne , Boilard Tommy , Bernier Martin , Beaulieu Luc
Published: January 2024

Background

The interest of using fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) dosimeters in radiotherapy (RT) lies in their (i) microliter detection volume, (ii) customizable spatial resolution, (iii) multi‐point dose measurement, (iv) real‐time data acquisition and (v) insensitivity to Cherenkov light. These characteristics could prove very useful for characterizing dose distributions of small and nonstandard fields with high spatial resolution.

Purpose

We developed a multi‐point FBGs dosimeter customized for small field RT dosimetry with a spatial resolution of 1 mm.

Methods

The 3 cm‐long multi‐point dosimeter is made by embedding a 80 silica fiber containing an array of thirty (30) co‐located 1 mm‐long fs‐written FBGs inside a plastic cylinder with an UV curing optical adhesive. With its higher thermal expansion coefficient, the plastic cylinder increases the sensitivity of the dosimeter by stretching the fiber containing the FBGs when the temperature rises slightly due to radiation energy deposition. Irradiations (2000 MU at 600 MU/min) were performed with a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator.

Results

The dose profile of a 2  2 cm 6 MV beam was measured with a mean relative difference of 1.8% (excluding the penumbra region). The measured output factors for a 6 MV beam are in general agreement with the expected values within the experimental uncertainty (except for the 2  2 cm field). The detector response to different energy of photon and electron beams is within 5% of the mean response ( pm/Gy). The calorimeter's post‐irradiation thermal decay is in agreement with the theory.

Conclusions

An energy‐independent small field calorimeter that allows dose profile and output factor measurements for RT using FBGs was developed, which, to our knowledge, has never been done before. This type of detector could prove really useful for small field dosimetry, but also potentially for MRI‐LINAC since FBGs are insensitive to magnetic fields and for FLASH since FBGs have been used to measure doses up to 100 kGy.
Whole breast ultrafractionation radiotherapy after breast‐conserving surgery in early breast cancer: A single‐center, prospective, observational study from China
Authors: Zhao Rui‐Zhi , Huang Cheng , Tang Tian‐Lan , Shi Gui‐Qing , Chen Si‐Lin , Lin Yu‐Ping , Wang Ying , Jiang Liu‐Qing , Chen Jin‐Hua , Xu Chun‐Sen , Fu Fang‐Meng , Han Zhong‐Hua , Lin Shun‐Guo , Wang Chuan , Yang Yong
Published: January 2024

Objective

This single‐center, prospective, observational study was designed to investigate the toxicities, patient‐reported outcome (PRO), and dosimetric analysis of whole breast ultrafractionation radiotherapy (RT) after breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) in early breast cancer (BC).

Patients and methods

Patients diagnosed with BC stage I, II and treated with BCS were enrolled. A dose of 26 Gray (Gy) in five fractions was prescribed to the whole breast and tumor bed. Clinical endpoints included toxicities, PRO, and dosimetric analysis. PRO was measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer general quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐C30) and the BC‐specific questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐BR23) questionnaires.

Results

Between January 2022 and June 2023, 62 female patients were enrolled. The median age was 45 years. Most patients (83.9%) were diagnosed with pathological stage I disease. The median planning target volume (PTV) was 456.4 mL. The minimum, maximum, and mean doses, and D95 (dose of PTV irradiated volume more than 95%) to PTV were 20.2, 28.8, 27.2, and 26.3 Gy, respectively. The median mean lung dose and percentage lung volume receiving 8 Gy (V8) were 3.6 Gy and 13.4%, respectively. The median mean heart dose, V1.5 (percentage of organ volume irradiated with 1.5 Gy or higher), and V7 (percentage of organ volume irradiated with 7 Gy or higher) were 0.6 Gy, 6.8%, and 0.4%, respectively. Cosmetic effects before RT showed no obvious differences compared to that post RT. No toxicities of grade 3 or higher occurred. Five patients had asymptomatic radiation pneumonia (grade 1), and 12 patients had radiation dermatitis (grade 1). No factor was significantly related to radiation dermatitis or radiation pneumonia. For the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐BR23 questionnaires, all function and symptom scores before RT had no significant differences compared with that after RT, 1−2 months after RT, and 3−4 months after RT. Ultrafractionation RT did not worsen PRO. The 1‐year crude local control was 100%.

Conclusion

Whole breast ultrafractionation RT after BCS in early BC has no severe toxicities and does not affect PRO. These results need to be further validated with a longer follow‐up and a larger sample size.
Waivers for the public service loan forgiveness program: Who could benefit from take‐up?
Authors: Briones Diego A. , Ruby Nathaniel , Turner Sarah
Published: January 2024

For workers employed in the public and nonprofit sectors, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program offers the potential for full forgiveness of federal student loans for those with 10 years of full‐time work experience. A year‐long waiver issued by the Department of Education in 2021 to address administrative problems in program access provided a new path to PSLF relief for many borrowers. We explore the overall impact and distributional implications of potential full participation in loan forgiveness enabled by the PSLF waiver program using the 2018 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Our estimates identify more than $100 billion in loan forgiveness available to as many as 3.45 million borrowers through the PSLF waiver program. Potential beneficiaries of this initiative are disproportionately employed in occupations like teaching and health care. Full take‐up of the PSLF waiver would lead to a narrowing of the racial gap in student debt burden. However, the distributional impact of the PSLF waiver depends critically on the take‐up rate and there is some evidence that those borrowers with relatively high income or advanced degrees have been most likely to access benefits.
Why develop twice? Integration of continuum mechanical material models in Peridynamics
Authors: Willberg Christian , Hesse Jan‐Timo , Pernatii Anna , Gabbert Ulrich
Published: January 2024

To harvest the full potential of the peridynamic approach, the state‐of‐the‐art material models should be usable without redeveloping or reimplementing them from classical continuum mechanics theory. User materials (UMAT) in finite element codes allow the researchers or engineers to apply their own material routines. Simple interfaces are specified to allow the utilization of material behaviors in software. In order to use these already existing and often validated models with Peridynamics, a UMAT interface is presented. It allows the simplified use of already existing material routines in the peridynamic framework Peridigm. The interface is based on the finite element (FE) software Abaqus UMAT definition and allows the integration of Fortran routines directly into Peridigm. In addition, the same material model implementations are applicable in finite element applications as well as peridynamic simulations. In the presentation, the interface is presented and various material models are utilized and compared between Peridynamics and FE methods. The effect of the horizon and nonlocal boundaries are analyzed and discussed.
Local treatment in initially unresected non‐rhabdomyosarcoma soft‐tissue sarcomas of children and adolescents: A retrospective single‐center experience
Authors: Ferrari Andrea , Vennarini Sabina , Fiore Marco , Bergamaschi Luca , Chiaravalli Stefano , Morosi Carlo , Colombo Chiara , Pecori Emilia , Puma Nadia , Luksch Roberto , Terenziani Monica , Spreafico Filippo , Meazza Cristina , Podda Marta , Biassoni Veronica , Schiavello Elisabetta , Massimino Maura , Casanova Michela
Published: January 2024

Background

Pediatric non‐rhabdomyosarcoma soft‐tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive tumors. Patients with locally advanced/initially unresected disease represent a subset of patients with unsatisfactory outcome: limited data are available on the best treatment approach, in particular regarding local therapy.

Methods

This retrospective analysis concerned 71 patients < 21 years old with nonmetastatic, initially unresected adult‐type NRSTS, treated at a referral center for pediatric sarcomas from 1990 to 2021. Patients were treated using a multimodal approach, based on the protocols adopted at the time of their diagnosis.

Results

The series included a selected group of patients with unfavorable clinical characteristics, i.e., most cases had high‐grade and large tumors, arising from axial sites in 61% of cases. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 58 (82%) had delayed surgery (R0 in 45 cases), and 50 (70%) had radiotherapy. Partial response to chemotherapy was observed in 46% of cases. With a median follow‐up of 152 months (range, 18–233), 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 39.9% and 56.5%, respectively. Survival was significantly better for patients who responded to chemotherapy, and those who had a delayed R0 resection. Local relapse at 5 years was 7.7% for patients who did not undergo delayed surgery.

Conclusions

Our series underscores the unsatisfactory outcome of initially unresected NRSTS patients. Improving the outcome of this patient category requires therapeutic strategies able to combine novel effective systemic therapies with a better‐defined local treatment approach to offer patients the best chances to have R0 surgery.
The societal roles and responsibilities of plant scientists in the context of genome‐edited crops
Authors: So Aisha M. , Habets Michelle G. J. L. , Testerink Christa , Macnaghten Phil
Published: January 2024

Societal Impact Statement

The societal debate on the use of genome‐edited crops has been polarised from the start. While policymakers struggle to democratically resolve this dilemma, plant scientists have been criticised for taking up advocative roles and thereby risking further polarisation. This study demonstrates how plant scientists themselves perceive their roles and responsibilities. Indeed, those scientists active in the debate were found to fulfil advocative roles, and there seems to be an underlying, persistent—and very traditional—view on roles and responsibilities of scientists within the community. Critical reflection on this view is required for better democratic dialogue and decision‐making. More interdisciplinary interaction could facilitate this reflection.

In this paper, we examine how plant scientists from Wageningen University and Research (WUR) demarcate their roles and responsibilities in relation to the societal impact of their research, in response to calls for public legitimacy of their research, and within the societal debate on the governance of genome‐edited crops (GE crops) in Europe.

We analysed 16 semi‐structured interviews, 5‐day journals, and (social) media contributions of plant scientists at WUR.

Our study demonstrates that the perceived roles and responsibilities of the interviewees were aligned with the ideal of the scientist as value‐free, as separate from society, and as producing knowledge that leads to unproblematic societal benefits through industry. When confronted with the polarised debate on the governance of genome editing (GE) technology, the reflexivity that our respondents had demonstrated in general, tended to be dispersed. Respondents rarely considered the GE crop debate, or their own position, to be value‐based. Those respondents active in the debate were found to fulfil advocative roles, and they struggled to recognise the validity of viewpoints other than their own.

We hypothesise that this decreased reflexive capacity is a product of the long‐term polarisation of the GM/GE debate, mediated by both their conceptual alignment with the linear model of innovation and their limited interactions outside of their field. In order to better align the perspectives of social and natural scientists on the topic of science‐responsibility, and to constructively contribute to the debate on GE crops, we argue for more interaction between the these two communities.