bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The framework of Systematic Assessment for Resilience (SAR): development and validation
Authors: Wadi Majed Mohammed , Yusoff Muhamad Saiful Bahri , Taha Mohamed Hassan , Shorbagi Sarra , Nik Lah Nik Ahmad Zuky , Abdul Rahim Ahmad Fuad
Published: April 2023

Background

Burnout and depression among health professions education (HPE) students continue to rise, leading to unwanted effects that ultimately jeopardise optimal medical care and patient health. Promoting the resilience of medical students is one solution to this issue. Several interventions have been implemented to foster resilience, but they focus on aspects other than the primary cause: the assessment system. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework to promote resilience in assessment planning and practice.

Methods

We followed the guidelines suggested by Whetten for constructing a theoretical model for framework development. There were four phases in the model development. In the first phase, different literature review methods were used, and additional students’ perspectives were collected through focus group discussions. Then, using the data, we constructed the theoretical model in the second phase. In the third phase, we validated the newly developed model and its related guidelines. Finally, we performed response process validation of the model with a group of medical teachers.

Results

The developed systematic assessment resilience framework (SAR) promotes four constructs: self-control, management, engagement, and growth, through five phases of assessment: assessment experience, assessment direction, assessment preparation, examiner focus, and student reflection. Each phase contains a number of practical guidelines to promote resilience. We rigorously triangulated each approach with its theoretical foundations and evaluated it on the basis of its content and process. The model showed high levels of content and face validity.

Conclusions

The SAR model offers a novel guideline for fostering resilience through assessment planning and practice. It includes a number of attainable and practical guidelines for enhancing resilience. In addition, it opens a new horizon for HPE students’ future use of this framework in the new normal condition (post COVID 19).
Improving prioritization processes for clinical practice guidelines: new methods and an evaluation from the National Heart Foundation of Australia
Authors: Atkins Brooke , Briffa Tom , Connell Cia , Buttery Amanda K. , Jennings Garry L. R.
Published: April 2023

Background

Releasing timely and relevant clinical guidelines is challenging for organizations globally. Priority-setting is crucial, as guideline development is resource-intensive. Our aim, as a national organization responsible for developing cardiovascular clinical guidelines, was to develop a method for generating and prioritizing topics for future clinical guideline development in areas where guidance was most needed.

Methods

Several novel processes were developed, adopted and evaluated, including (1) initial public consultation for health professionals and the general public to generate topics; (2) thematic and qualitative analysis, according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), to aggregate topics; (3) adapting a criteria-based matrix tool to prioritize topics; (4) achieving consensus through a modified-nominal group technique and voting on priorities; and (5) process evaluation via survey of end-users. The latter comprised the organization’s Expert Committee of 12 members with expertise across cardiology and public health, including two citizen representatives.

Results

Topics (n = 405; reduced to n = 278 when duplicates removed) were identified from public consultation responses (n = 107 respondents). Thematic analysis synthesized 127 topics that were then categorized into 37 themes using ICD-11 codes. Exclusion criteria were applied (n = 32 themes omitted), resulting in five short-listed topics: (1) congenital heart disease, (2) valvular heart disease, (3) hypercholesterolaemia, (4) hypertension and (5) ischaemic heart diseases and diseases of the coronary artery. The Expert Committee applied the prioritization matrix to all five short-listed topics during a consensus meeting and voted to prioritize topics. Unanimous consensus was reached for the topic voted the highest priority: ischaemic heart disease and diseases of the coronary arteries, resulting in the decision to update the organization’s 2016 clinical guidelines for acute coronary syndromes. Evaluation indicated that initial public consultation was highly valued by the Expert Committee, and the matrix tool was easy to use and improved transparency in priority-setting.

Conclusion

Developing a multistage, systematic process, incorporating public consultation and an international classification system led to improved transparency in our clinical guideline priority-setting processes and that topics chosen would have the greatest impact on health outcomes. These methods are potentially applicable to other national and international organizations responsible for developing clinical guidelines.
Lifestyle-related habits and factors before and after cardiovascular diagnosis: a case control study among 2,548 Swedish individuals
Authors: Lönn Amanda , Kallings Lena V. , Andersson Gunnar , Paulsson Sofia , Wallin Peter , Eriksson Jane Salier , Ekblom-Bak Elin
Published: April 2023

Background

Healthy lifestyle habits are recommended in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is limited knowledge concerning the change in lifestyle-related factors from before to after a CVD event. Thus, this study aimed to explore if and how lifestyle habits and other lifestyle-related factors changed between two health assessments in individuals experiencing a CVD event between the assessments, and if changes varied between subgroups of sex, age, educational level, duration from CVD event to second assessment and type of CVD event.

Methods

Among 115,504 Swedish employees with data from two assessments of occupational health screenings between 1992 and 2020, a total of 637 individuals (74% men, mean age 47 ± SD 9 years) were identified having had a CVD event (ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrythmia or stroke) between the assessments.

Cases were matched with controls without an event between assessments from the same database (ratio 1:3, matching with replacement) by sex, age, and time between assessment (n = 1911 controls). Lifestyle habits included smoking, active commuting, exercise, diet, alcohol intake, and were self-rated. Lifestyle-related factors included overall stress, overall health (both self-rated), physical capacity (estimated by submaximal cycling), body mass index and resting blood pressure. Differences in lifestyle habits and lifestyle-related factors between cases and controls, and changes over time, were analysed with parametric and non-parametric tests. Multiple logistic regression, OR (95% CI) was used to analyse differences in change between subgroups.

Results

Cases had, in general, a higher prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle habits as well as negative life-style related factors prior to the event compared to controls. Nevertheless, cases improved their lifestyle habits and lifestyle factors to a higher degree than controls, especially their amount of active commuting (p = 0.025), exercise (p = 0.009) and non-smoking (p < 0.001). However, BMI and overall health deteriorated to a greater extent (p < 0.001) among cases, while physical capacity (p < 0.001) decreased in both groups.

Conclusion

The results indicate that a CVD event may increase motivation to improve lifestyle habits. Nonetheless, the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle habits was still high, emphasizing the need to improve implementation of primary and secondary CVD prevention.
Musculoskeletal practitioners’ perceptions of contextual factors that may influence chronic low back pain outcomes: a modified Delphi study
Authors: Sherriff Bronwyn , Clark Carol , Killingback Clare , Newell Dave
Published: April 2023

Background

Optimal shaping of contextual factors (CFs) during clinical encounters may be associated with analgesic responses in treatments for musculoskeletal pain. These CFs (i.e., the patient-practitioner relationship, patient’s and practitioner’s beliefs/characteristics, treatment characteristics, and environment) have not been widely evaluated by musculoskeletal practitioners. Understanding their views has the potential to improve treatment quality and effectiveness. Drawing on a panel of United Kingdom practitioners’ expertise, this study aimed to investigate their perceptions of CFs during the management of patients presenting with chronic low back pain (LBP).

Methods

A modified two-round online Delphi-consensus survey was conducted to measure the extent of panel agreement regarding the perceived acceptability and influence of five main types of CFs during clinical management of patients with chronic LBP. Qualified musculoskeletal practitioners in the United Kingdom providing regular treatment for patients with chronic LBP were invited to take part.

Results

The successive Delphi rounds included 39 and 23 panellists with an average of 19.9 and 21.3 years of clinical experience respectively. The panel demonstrated a high degree of consensus regarding approaches to enhance the patient-practitioner relationship (18/19 statements); leverage their own characteristics/beliefs (10/11 statements); modify the patient’s beliefs and consider patient’s characteristics (21/25 statements) to influence patient outcomes during chronic LBP rehabilitation. There was a lower degree of consensus regarding the influence and use of approaches related to the treatment characteristics (6/12 statements) and treatment environment (3/7 statements), and these CFs were viewed as the least important. The patient-practitioner relationship was rated as the most important CF, although the panel were not entirely confident in managing a range of patients’ cognitive and emotional needs.

Conclusion

This Delphi study provides initial insights regarding a panel of musculoskeletal practitioners’ attitudes towards CFs during chronic LBP rehabilitation in the United Kingdom. All five CF domains were perceived as capable of influencing patient outcomes, with the patient-practitioner relationship being perceived as the most important CF during routine clinical practice. Musculoskeletal practitioners may require further training to enhance their proficiency and confidence in applying essential psychosocial skills to address the complex needs of patients with chronic LBP.
“You have to live with some risk, it’s part of the profession”. Specialist ambulance nurses’ perceptions of assignments involving ongoing lethal violence
Authors: Stendahl Susanne , Rollgard Linda , Behm Lina , Rantala Andreas
Published: April 2023

Background

As a result of several violent terrorist incidents, authorities in Sweden have shifted from previous approaches of being certain that it is safe for the ambulance service to enter the scene, to a one where “safe enough” is sufficient, potentially making it possible to save more lives. The aim was therefore to describe specialist ambulance nurses' perceptions of the new approach to assignments involving incidents with ongoing lethal violence.

Methods

This interview study employed a descriptive qualitative design with a phenomenographic approach in accordance with Dahlgren and Fallsberg.

Results

Five categories containing conceptual descriptions were developed from the analysis: Collaboration, Unsafe environments, Resources, Unequipped and Risk taking and self-protection.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need to ensure that the ambulance service is a learning organisation, where clinicians with experience of an ongoing lethal violence event can pass on and share their knowledge with colleagues to prepare mentally for such an event. Potentially compromised security in the ambulance service when dispatched to ongoing lethal violence incidents needs to be addressed.
LncRNA RP11-620J15.3 promotes HCC cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting miR-326/GPI to enhance glycolysis
Authors: Liu Chuanjiang , Xu Kequan , Liu Jiayin , He Chao , Liu Pan , Fu Qiang , Zhang Hongwei , Qin Tao
Published: April 2023

Background

Accumulating studies have demonstrated that the Warburg effect plays a central role in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), albeit the role of non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in its association remains unclear.

Methods

The Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital kindly provided 80 pairs of HCC tissues and their matched paracancerous tissues for this study. Bioinformatics analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and oncology functional assays were performed to determine the contribution of RP11-620J15.3 to the development of HCC. The mechanism of co-immunoprecipitation and a luciferase reporter gene was employed to ascertain how RP11-620J15.3 interacts with important molecular targets.

Results

Our results revealed that a lncRNA termed RP11-620J15.3 was overexpressed in HCC and was substantially associated with the tumor size. A high expression of RP11-620J15.3 mRNA was found to be significantly associated with worsening prognosis in HCC patients. We discovered that RP11-620J15.3 stimulated the glycolytic pathway in HCC cells by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and metabolomics analyses. Mechanistically, RP11-620J15.3 acted as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate the GPI expression by sponging miR-326 in HCC. In addition, TBP acted as a transcription factor for RP11-620J15.3, which contributed to the high expression of RP11-620J15.3 in HCC cells.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, lncRNA RP11-620J15.3 is a novel LncRNA that positively regulates tumor progression. Specifically, RP11-620J15.3/miR-326/GPI pathway promotes HCC malignant progression by regulating glycolysis, thereby providing novel targets for HCC treatment and drug development.
[18F]FE-PE2I DAT correlates with Parkinson’s disease duration, stage, and rigidity/bradykinesia scores: a PET radioligand validation study
Authors: Kerstens Vera S. , Fazio Patrik , Sundgren Mathias , Halldin Christer , Svenningsson Per , Varrone Andrea
Published: April 2023

Background

Correlations between dopamine transporter (DAT) availability and Parkinson’s disease (PD) motor symptoms vary depending on the imaging modality, choice of regions of interest and clinical measures. We aimed to validate the PET radioligand [18F]FE-PE2I as a clinical biomarker in PD, hypothesizing negative correlations between DAT availability in specified nigrostriatal regions with symptom duration, disease stage and motor symptom scores.

Methods

We included 41 PD patients (age 45–79 years; H&Y stage < 3) and 37 healthy control subjects in a cross-sectional study with dynamic [18F]FE-PE2I PET. Binding potential (BPND) was estimated in the caudate nucleus, putamen, ventral striatum, sensorimotor striatum, and substantia nigra using the cerebellum as reference region.

Results

We found negative correlations (p < 0.02) between symptom duration and BPND in the putamen and sensorimotor striatum (rs = − .42; rs = − .51), and between H&Y stage and BPND in caudate nucleus, putamen, sensorimotor striatum, and substantia nigra (rs between − .40 and − .54). The first correlations were better described with exponential fitting. MDS-UPDRS-III in ‘OFF’ state correlated negatively (p < 0.04) with BPND in the sensorimotor striatum (rs = − .47), and excluding tremor score also in the putamen (rs = − .45).

Conclusion

Results are in agreement with earlier findings in in vivo and post-mortem studies and validate [18F]FE-PE2I as a functional PD biomarker for PD severity.

Trial registration: EudraCT 2011-0020050, Registered April 26 2011; EudraCT 2017-003327-29, Registered October 08 2017; EudraCT 2017-001585-19, Registered August 2 2017. https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/.
Candidate 3-benzazepine-1-ol type GluN2B receptor radioligands (11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers) have high binding in cerebellum but not to σ1 receptors
Authors: Cai Lisheng , Liow Jeih-San , Morse Cheryl L. , Telu Sanjay , Davies Riley , Manly Lester S. , Zoghbi Sami S. , Chin Frederick T. , Innis Robert B. , Pike Victor W.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

We recently reported11C-NR2B-SMe ([S-methyl-11C](R,S)-7-thiomethoxy-3-(4-(4-methyl-phenyl)butyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepin-1-ol) and its enantiomers as candidate radioligands for imaging the GluN2B subunit within ratN-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. However, these radioligands gave unexpectedly high and displaceable binding in rat cerebellum, possibly due to cross-reactivity with sigma-1 (σ1) receptors. This study investigated11C-labeled enantiomers of a close analogue (7-methoxy-3-(4-(p-tolyl)butyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepin-1-ol; NR2B-Me) of11C-NR2B-SMe as new candidate GluN2B radioligands. PET was used to evaluate these radioligands in rats and to assess potential cross-reactivity to σ1 receptors.

Methods

NR2B-Me was assayed for binding affinity and selectivity to GluN2B in vitro.11C-NR2B-Me and its enantiomers were prepared by Pd-mediated treatment of boronic ester precursors with11C-iodomethane. Brain PET scans were conducted after radioligand intravenous injection into rats. Various ligands for GluN2B receptors or σ1 receptors were administered at set doses in pre-blocking or displacement experiments to assess their impact on imaging data.18F-FTC146 and enantiomers of11C-NR2B-SMe were used for comparison. Radiometabolites from brain and plasma were measured ex vivo and in vitro.

Results

NR2B-Me enantiomers showed high GluN2B affinity and selectivity in vitro.11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers gave high early whole rat brain uptake of radioactivity, including high uptake in cerebellum, followed by slower decline. Radioactivity in brain at 30 min ex vivo was virtually all unchanged radioligand. Only less lipophilic radiometabolites appeared in plasma. When11C-(R)-NR2B-Me was used, three high-affinity GluN2B ligands—NR2B-SMe, Ro25-6981, and CO101,244—showed increasing pre-block of whole brain radioactivity retention with increasing dose. Two σ1 receptor antagonists, FTC146 and BD1407, were ineffective pre-blocking agents. Together, these results strongly resemble those obtained with11C-NR2B-SMe enantiomers, except that11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers showed faster reversibility of binding. When18F-FTC146 was used as a radioligand, FTC146 and BD1407 showed strong pre-blocking effects whereas GluN2B ligands showed only weak blocking effects.

Conclusion

11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers showed specific binding to GluN2B receptors in rat brain in vivo. High unexpected specific binding in cerebellum was not due to σ1 receptors. Additional investigation is needed to identify the source of the high specific binding.

Graphical Abstract
Supplementation with alpha-glycerol monolaurate during late gestation and lactation enhances sow performance, ameliorates milk composition, and improves growth of suckling piglets
Authors: Li Longxian , Wang Huakai , Dong Shuang , Ma Yongxi
Published: April 2023

Background

Physiological changes during lactation cause oxidative stress in sows, reduce immunity, and hamper the growth capacity of piglets. Alpha-glycerol monolaurate (α-GML) has potential for enhancing the antimicrobial activity of sows and the growth of suckling piglets.

Methods

Eighty sows were allocated randomly to four groups: basal diet and basal diets supplemented with 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg α-GML. The experiment started on d 85 of gestation and lasted until piglets were weaned on d 21 of lactation. The number of live-born piglets was standardized to 12 ± 1 per sow on day of parturition. On d 0 and 21 of lactation, body weight of piglets was measured and milk samples were obtained from sows, and serum samples and feces from piglets were obtained on d 21.

Results

Feed intake, backfat loss, and weaning estrus interval did not differ among the four groups of sows. Maternal α-GML supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the body weight of piglets at weaning and the apparent total tract digestibility of crude fat of sows. The immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G levels were greater (P < 0.05) in a quadratic manner in the milk of sows as dietary α-GML increased. Concerning fatty acid profile, C12:0, C15:0, C17:0, C18:2n6c, C18:3n3, C24:0, and C22:6n3 were higher (P < 0.05) in linear and quadratic manners in colostrum of sows-fed α-GML diets compared with the control sows. There was lower (P < 0.05) n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in milk than in the control sows. Maternal α-GML increased the abundance of Firmicutes (P < 0.05) and decreased the abundance of Proteobacteria (P < 0.05) of piglet fecal microbiota.

Conclusions

Dietary supplementation with α-GML improved milk immunoglobulins and altered fatty acids of sows, thereby improving the health of piglets.
Vertically stratified methane, nitrogen and sulphur cycling and coupling mechanisms in mangrove sediment microbiomes
Authors: Qian Lu , Yu Xiaoli , Gu Hang , Liu Fei , Fan Yijun , Wang Cheng , He Qiang , Tian Yun , Peng Yisheng , Shu Longfei , Wang Shanquan , Huang Zhijian , Yan Qingyun , He Jianguo , Liu Guangli , Tu Qichao , He Zhili
Published: April 2023

Background

Mangrove ecosystems are considered as hot spots of biogeochemical cycling, yet the diversity, function and coupling mechanism of microbially driven biogeochemical cycling along the sediment depth of mangrove wetlands remain elusive. Here we investigated the vertical profile of methane (CH4), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) cycling genes/pathways and their potential coupling mechanisms using metagenome sequencing approaches.

Results

Our results showed that the metabolic pathways involved in CH4, N and S cycling were mainly shaped by pH and acid volatile sulphide (AVS) along a sediment depth, and AVS was a critical electron donor impacting mangrove sediment S oxidation and denitrification. Gene families involved in S oxidation and denitrification significantly (P< 0.05) decreased along the sediment depth and could be coupled by S-driven denitrifiers, such asBurkholderiaceaeandSulfurifustisin the surface sediment (0–15 cm). Interestingly, all S-driven denitrifier metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) appeared to be incomplete denitrifiers with nitrate/nitrite/nitric oxide reductases (Nar/Nir/Nor) but without nitrous oxide reductase (Nos), suggesting such sulphide-utilizing groups might be an important contributor to N2O production in the surface mangrove sediment. Gene families involved in methanogenesis and S reduction significantly (P< 0.05) increased along the sediment depth. Based on both network and MAG analyses, sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) might develop syntrophic relationships with anaerobic CH4oxidizers (ANMEs) by direct electron transfer or zero-valent sulphur, which would pull forward the co-existence of methanogens and SRB in the middle and deep layer sediments.

Conclusions

In addition to offering a perspective on the vertical distribution of microbially driven CH4, N and S cycling genes/pathways, this study emphasizes the important role of S-driven denitrifiers on N2O emissions and various possible coupling mechanisms of ANMEs and SRB along the mangrove sediment depth. The exploration of potential coupling mechanisms provides novel insights into future synthetic microbial community construction and analysis. This study also has important implications for predicting ecosystem functions within the context of environmental and global change.
The dissemination of Chinese potash-rich faience: investigation of faience beads from the Wupu cemetery, Xinjiang
Authors: Wen Rui , Hu Xueqing , Cao Shiyuan , Wang Yongqiang
Published: April 2023

The Wupu cemetery, located in the Yizhou District, Hami City, Xinjiang Province, and in the eastern part of the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, is remains from the late Bronze Age. In this study, four faience beads excavated from the Wupu cemetery were examined by stereomicroscopy, synchrotron radiation micro-CT, and electron microprobe analysis. The appearance and compositions of these faience beads are presented and discussed. The results show that these tubular faience beads, glazed by the application glazing method, are all potash-rich faience, consistent with the faience produced locally in China. The faience products from the Central Plains were disseminated to the Hami region of Xinjiang Province during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046 BC–771 BC), reflecting the spread of such faience to the west with the Zhou people mastering the technique of making potash-rich faience.
Engineering growth phenotypes of Aspergillus oryzae for L-malate production
Authors: Zuo Huiyun , Ji Lihao , Pan Jingyu , Chen Xiulai , Gao Cong , Liu Jia , Wei Wanqing , Wu Jing , Song Wei , Liu Liming
Published: April 2023

Improving the growth status ofAspergillus oryzaeis an efficient way to enhance L-malate production. However, the growth mechanism of filamentous fungi is relatively complex, which limitsA. oryzaeas a cell factory to produce L-malate industrially. This study determined the relationship between growth status and L-malate production. The optimal ranges of colony diameter, percentage of vegetative mycelia, and pellet number ofA. oryzaewere determined to be 26–30 mm, 35–40%, and 220–240/mL, respectively. To achieve this optimum range, adaptive evolution was used to obtain the evolved strain Z07 with 132.54 g/L L-malate and a productivity of 1.1 g/L/h. Finally, a combination of transcriptome analysis and morphological characterization was used to identify the relevant pathway genes that affect the growth mechanism ofA. oryzae. The strategies used in this study and the growth mechanism provide a good basis for efficient L-malate production by filamentous fungi.

Graphical Abstract
Method for Activity Sleep Harmonization (MASH): a novel method for harmonizing data from two wearable devices to estimate 24-h sleep–wake cycles
Authors: Dooley Erin E. , Winkles J. F. , Colvin Alicia , Kline Christopher E. , Badon Sylvia E. , Diaz Keith M. , Karvonen-Gutierrez Carrie A. , Kravitz Howard M. , Sternfeld Barbara , Thomas S. Justin , Hall Martica H. , Pettee Gabriel Kelley
Published: April 2023

Background

Daily 24-h sleep–wake cycles have important implications for health, however researcher preferences in choice and location of wearable devices for behavior measurement can make 24-h cycles difficult to estimate. Further, missing data due to device malfunction, improper initialization, and/or the participant forgetting to wear one or both devices can complicate construction of daily behavioral compositions. The Method for Activity Sleep Harmonization (MASH) is a process that harmonizes data from two different devices using data from women who concurrently wore hip (waking) and wrist (sleep) devices for ≥ 4 days.

Methods

MASH was developed using data from 1285 older community-dwelling women (ages: 60–72 years) who concurrently wore a hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer (waking activity) and a wrist-worn Actiwatch 2 device (sleep) for ≥ 4 days (N = 10,123 days) at the same time. MASH is a two-tiered process using (1) scored sleep data (from Actiwatch) or (2) one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D CNN) to create predicted wake intervals, reconcile sleep and activity data disagreement, and create day-level night-day-night pairings. MASH chooses between two different 1D CNN models based on data availability (ActiGraph + Actiwatch or ActiGraph-only). MASH was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Precision-Recall curves and sleep–wake intervals are compared before (pre-harmonization) and after MASH application.

Results

MASH 1D CNNs had excellent performance (ActiGraph + Actiwatch ROC-AUC = 0.991 and ActiGraph-only ROC-AUC = 0.983). After exclusions (partial wear [n = 1285], missing sleep data proceeding activity data [n = 269], and < 60 min sleep [n = 9]), 8560 days were used to show the utility of MASH. Of the 8560 days, 46.0% had ≥ 1-min disagreement between the devices or used the 1D CNN for sleep estimates. The MASH waking intervals were corrected (median minutes [IQR]: − 27.0 [− 115.0, 8.0]) relative to their pre-harmonization estimates. Most correction (− 18.0 [− 93.0, 2.0] minutes) was due to reducing sedentary behavior. The other waking behaviors were reduced a median (IQR) of − 1.0 (− 4.0, 1.0) minutes.

Conclusions

Implementing MASH to harmonize concurrently worn hip and wrist devices can minimizes data loss and correct for disagreement between devices, ultimately improving accuracy of 24-h compositions necessary for time-use epidemiology.
Perineurial Window is Critical for Experimental Reverse End-to-Side Nerve Transfer
Authors: Chu Tak-Ho , Alzahrani Saud , McConnachie Amanda , Lasaleta Nicolas , Kalifa Amira , Pathiyil Rajesh , Midha Rajiv
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND:

The depth of connective tissue window in the side of a recipient nerve in reverse end-to-side transfers (RETS) remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE:

To test whether the depth of connective tissue disruption influences the efficiency of donor axonal regeneration in the context of RETS.

METHODS:

Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24) were assigned to 1 of the 3 groups for obturator nerve to motor femoral nerve RETS: group 1, without epineurium opening; group 2, with epineurium only opening; and group 3, with epineurium and perineurium opening. Triple retrograde labeling was used to assess the number of motor neurons that had regenerated into the recipient motor femoral branch. Thy1-GFP rats (n = 8) were also used to visualize the regeneration pathways in the nerve transfer networks at 2- and 8-week time point using light sheet fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS:

The number of retrogradely labeled motor neurons that had regenerated distally toward the target muscle was significantly higher in group 3 than that in groups 1 and 2. Immunohistochemistry validated the degree of connective tissue disruption among the 3 groups, and optical tissue clearing methods demonstrated donor axons traveling outside the fascicles in groups 1 and 2 but mostly within the fascicles in group 3.

CONCLUSION:

Creating a perineurial window in the side of recipient nerves provides the best chances of robust donor axonal regeneration across the RETS repair site. This finding aids nerve surgeons by confirming that a deep window should be undertaken when doing a RETS procedure.
Disruption of theAspergillus fumigatusRNA interference machinery alters the conidial transcriptome
Authors: Kelani Abdulrahman A. , Bruch Alexander , Rivieccio Flora , Visser Corissa , Krüger Thomas , Weaver Danielle , Pan Xiaoqing , Schäuble Sascha , Panagiotou Gianni , Kniemeyer Olaf , Bromley Michael J. , Bowyer Paul , Barber Amelia E. , Brakhage Axel A. , Blango Matthew G.
Published: April 2023

The RNA interference (RNAi) pathway has evolved numerous functionalities in eukaryotes, with many on display in Kingdom Fungi. RNAi can regulate gene expression, facilitate drug resistance, or even be altogether lost to improve growth potential in some fungal pathogens. In the WHO fungal priority pathogen,Aspergillus fumigatus, the RNAi system is known to be intact and functional. To extend our limited understanding ofA. fumigatusRNAi, we first investigated the genetic variation in RNAi-associated genes in a collection of 217 environmental and 83 clinical genomes, where we found that RNAi components are conserved even in clinical strains. Using endogenously expressed inverted-repeat transgenes complementary to a conditionally essential gene (pabA) or a nonessential gene (pksP), we determined that a subset of the RNAi componentry is active in inverted-repeat transgene silencing in conidia and mycelium. Analysis of mRNA-seq data from RNAi double-knockout strains linked theA. fumigatusdicer-like enzymes (DclA/B) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RrpA/B) to regulation of conidial ribosome biogenesis genes; however, surprisingly few endogenous small RNAs were identified in conidia that could explain this broad change. Although RNAi was not clearly linked to growth or stress response defects in the RNAi knockouts, serial passaging of RNAi knockout strains for six generations resulted in lineages with diminished spore production over time, indicating that loss of RNAi can exert a fitness cost on the fungus. Cumulatively,A. fumigatusRNAi appears to play an active role in defense against double-stranded RNA species alongside a previously unappreciated housekeeping function in regulation of conidial ribosomal biogenesis genes.
The impact of smoking status on clopidogrel responsiveness in patients with coronary artery disease who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Aldallal Ali A. R. , Mohammad Bassim I. , Rgeeb Ahmed N. , Jamil Dina A. , Al-Aubaidy Hayder A.
Published: April 2023

Background: Previous studies have pointed out the disproportionate action of clopidogrel in inhibiting platelet aggregation due to smoking more than ten cigarettes per a day. This study was designed to examine whether smoking enhances clopidogrel responsiveness in patients who are clinically diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 324 IHD participants were enrolled in a case-control study. Platelet function test was performed to all participants two hours before PCI procedure to measure clopidogrel response. Participants were then categorized into a non-responder group (case group n = 111) and responder group (control group n = 213). Each group was subdivided into a smoker group and a non-smoker group. All participants received clopidogrel loading dose equivalent to 600 mg and scheduled for elective PCI. Participants’ age, gender, family history of chronic illnesses was recorded in this study.  

Results: Smoking participants displayed a significant higher level of hemoglobin as compared to the non-smoking participants among the responder and the non-responder study groups (14.6±0.55 vs. 13.12±0.38, P < 0.029; 14.3±0.31 versus 12.96±0.39, P < 0.033) but lower AUC level (17±9 vs. 45±6, P < 0.005; 62±3 vs. 95±7, P < 0.008).

Additionally, smoking intensity enhanced clopidogrel responsiveness by odd’s ratio 0.4213 at 95% C.I. (0.259 - 0.684), P < 0.0002.

Conclusions: Current smokers had a good response to clopidogrel therapy which exerted a beneficial effect when undergoing PCI as compared to non-smokers. The marked difference in AUC between smokers and non-smokers could be related to the variance in hemoglobin level. The smokers’ paradox needs further justification to confirm this concept.
Trust and the quality of formal institutions
Authors: Bentkowska Katarzyna
Published: April 2023

Motivation: Trust plays an important role in the functioning of individuals at every level and research confirms that it is linked to economic development. As the levels of trust differ across the countries it is crucial to explore the reasons for such variation and to identify determinants of trust. Trust is often used in research to operationalise informal institutions, however, it can also reflect the quality of formal institutions. Therefore, it is vital to investigate whether trust is to a large extent a deeply rooted attitude, which does not lend itself to intentional shaping or it can be generated by better institutional performance. It remains unclear how institutional performance influences trust, there are many doubts concerning for example the diversion of this relation. The evidence on the relationships between generalised and institutional trust also persists mixed.Aim: The paper aims to investigate the relationship between generalised and institutional trust with the quality of formal institutions.Results: The research confirms the positive relationship between generalised and institutional trust for the total group of 22 European countries. Similarly, higher levels of both kinds of trust are related to better institutional performance. However, when the countries are analysed separately as capitalist and post-socialist, the results differ. The aforementioned relationships are confirmed for capitalist countries. Post-socialist countries are characterized by a lower level of trust and lower quality of institutions. Nevertheless, for this group, there is no evidence for the relationship between generalised and institutional trust, and only partial evidence for the relationship between institutional trust and institutional performance. The results support the concepts underlining the influence of institutions’ quality on trust but some observations are inclined to concepts suggesting that trust is culturally determined and regardless of institutional performance decades are needed for its development.
The nature of institutions in a process approach
Authors: Borkowski Mateusz
Published: April 2023

Motivation: The importance of institutions, understood as common social norms (process approach), is undeniable. As they affect all processes occurring in the economy, it seems crucial to gain a thorough knowledge of their nature. Understanding how institutions work, how they function and how they change would allow for a better explanation of many socio-economic processes occurring in production, exchange and consumption.Aim: The main purpose of this article is to conceptualize institutions in the process approach and to identify the most important features that characterize them. The paper is theoretical and interdisciplinary in nature.Results: The result of the analysis carried out in this article is the identification of the following characteristics of institutions in the process approach: universality, heterogeneity (originality), endogeneity, variability over time (spontaneous and constituted), dependence on the past (historicity), immateriality and direct non-observability. The study also allowed to identify the following features of the institutional system: internal complexity and internal interdependence, which can take the form of relationships of substitutability, complementarity or mutual exclusion.
Institutions in the development of Sub-Saharan African countries in 2004–2019
Authors: Kowalewska Arleta , Osińska Magdalena , Szczepaniak Małgorzata
Published: April 2023

Motivation: Institutions play a significant role in development processes, contributing to understanding the economic backwardness of Sub-Saharan Africa. There is no consensus in the literature on the specific set of institutions that significantly influence developmental processes. Furthermore, there is no convincing evidence that institutions create the proper environment for long-term growth or result from increased development due to advances in human capital and investments. Therefore, the article examines overcoming the developmental backwardness of those countries following sustainable development.Aim: The article aims to analyze whether institutions contribute to the development processes of Sub-Saharan African countries. The paper identifies the differences in channels of institutions’ impact on the two development measures, GDP per capita and the Human Development Index (HDI). Regarding the high diversity in the level of development of countries in the region and the differences in their institutional systems, thirty-two countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were grouped regarding HDI level.Results: The heterogeneous panel Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) models revealed that in the lower developed countries, financial aid in the form of grants or very low-interest loans from the World Bank and OECD is of particular importance. They show that increased use of CO2 is a proxy for driving forces of African economies (production, investments, etc.). Indicators referring to institutions’ measurement like government effectiveness, political stability, economic freedom, or the number of days for establishing a business play important roles in continuing development.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) - diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Makarewicz Magdalena , Kubicka Magdalena , Wilk Joanna , Dębiec Paweł , Cholewa Krystian , Szymańska Adrianna
Published: April 2023

Background

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis is the most common pathology of the hip joint in preschool children and adolescents consisting of migration of the proximal femoral epiphysis, posteriorly and inferiorly, to the metaphysis (neck of the femur), which occurs through the epiphyseal (growth) cartilage. SCFE occurs with a frequency of 0.33 per 100,000 to 24.58 per 100,000 children aged 8–15 years.

Purpouse

The aim of the article is to characterize the disease which is SCFE, draw attention to its etiology, diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.

Materials and methods

The article was based on scientific publications in the Pubmed database. The database was searched on 12 February 2023 using the phrases 'SCFE', 'Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis'. After reading the titles of found articles, 23 publications were selected. After the pre-analysis of the abstracts, 15 full-text works were selected to prepare the article.

Results

Most SCFE is idiopathic. The relationship between the development of SCFE and endocrine disorders, renal dysfunction and Down syndrome has been noted. The displacement is presumed to be caused by the application of a large axial load to the relatively fragile growth plate. Symptoms of the disease may include atraumatic pain in the hip, thigh or knee, especially if accompanied by a limp or inability to support weight. The first imaging test performed is a radiograph. If radiographs do not show changes consistent with SCFE but clinical suspicion is high, the physician may consider magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for further evaluation. The goal of treating the lesions is to prevent further scaling of the head and to correct the deformity and to avoid osteonecrosis and chondrolysis, so various surgical procedures are used.

Conclusions

SCFE is an insidious disease that should always be ruled out in the diagnosis of hip pain in children. Its early treatment prevents later complications.
Comparing body posture and postural control in children with intellectual disability and dyslexia to typically developing children using technology‑based assessments
Authors: Emir Ahmet , Tarakci Devrim , Atilgan Esra , Tarakci Ela
Published: April 2023

Background/Aims

Children with intellectual disability and dyslexia have poor academic and behavioural skills related to social participation, as well as poor motor skills compared to typically developing children. Most training programmes for these children focus on the academic and behavioural aspects of special education, overlooking musculoskeletal and motor development needs. The aim of this study was to investigate body posture and postural control in children with intellectual disability and dyslexia compared to typically developing children using technology-based assessments.

Methods

A total of 77 children (36 with dyslexia, 21 with intellectual disability and 20 typically developing children) took part in the study. The PostureScreen Mobile app was used to evaluate body posture and the Fizyosoft Balance System was used to assess postural control.

Results

Significant postural differences were observed in children with intellectual disability when compared to typically developing children. Head, shoulder and knee translations in the sagittal plane were significantly higher in children with intellectual disability than typically developing children. Centre of pressure velocities were significantly higher in children with dyslexia. Centre of pressure displacements showed non-significant differences in the children with dyslexia compared to the children with intellectual disability and typically developing children.

Conclusions

The present study found that children with dyslexia had poor postural control and children with intellectual disability had poor quality of posture compared to typically developing children. The authors believe that motor and physical assessments with objective outcome measurements should be conducted for children with dyslexia and intellectual disability to help improve their motor development.
Examining prescribing in children and adolescents
Authors: Robertson Deborah
Published: April 2023

Deborah Robertson provides an overview of recently published articles that may be of interest to non-medical prescribers. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided
Raman silicon nanocavity laser with efficient light emission from the edge of an adjacent waveguide
Authors: Saito Yuki , Asano Takashi , Noda Susumu , Takahashi Yasushi
Published: April 2023

A Raman nanocavity laser can emit light into free space and into a properly designed waveguide adjacent to the cavity by mode coupling. In common device designs, the emission from the edge of this waveguide is relatively weak. However, a Raman silicon nanocavity laser with strong emission from the waveguide edge would be advantageous for certain applications. Here we investigate the increase in the edge emission that can be achieved by adding photonic mirrors to the waveguides adjacent to the nanocavity. We experimentally compare devices with and without photonic mirrors: the edge emission for devices with mirrors is 4.3 times stronger on average. This increase is analyzed using coupled-mode theory. The results indicate that the control of the round-trip phase shift (between the nanocavity and the mirror) and an increase of the quality factors of the nanocavity are important for further enhancement.
Highly sensitive fiber-optic temperature sensor with compact hybrid interferometers enhanced by the harmonic Vernier effect
Authors: Yang Wenlong , Pan Rui , Zhang Liuyang , Yang Yuqiang , Li Linjun , Yu Shuang , Sun Xiaoming , Yu Xiaoyang
Published: April 2023

A compact fiber-optic temperature sensor with hybrid interferometers enhanced by the harmonic Vernier effect was proposed, which realized 36.9 times sensitization of the sensing Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI). The hybrid interferometers configuration of the sensor consists of a FPI and a Michelson interferometer. The proposed sensor is fabricated by splicing the hole-assisted suspended-core fiber (HASCF) to the multi-mode fiber fused with the single-mode fiber, and filling polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into the air hole of HASCF. The high thermal expansion coefficient of PDMS improves the temperature sensitivity of the FPI. The harmonic Vernier effect eliminates the limitation of the free spectral range on the magnification factor by detecting the intersection response of internal envelopes, and realizes the secondary sensitization of the traditional Vernier effect. Combing the characteristics of HASCF, PDMS, and first-order harmonic Vernier effect, the sensor exhibits a high detection sensitivity of −19.22 nm/°C. The proposed sensor provides not only a design scheme for compact fiber-optic sensors, but also a new strategy to enhance the optical Vernier effect.