bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectropolarimetric variability in the repeating fast radio burst source FRB 20180301A
Authors: Kumar P , Luo R , Price D C , Shannon R M , Deller A T , Bhandari S , Feng Y , Flynn C , Jiang J C , Uttarkar P A , Wang S Q , Zhang S B
Published: September 2023

As the sample size of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) has grown, an increasing diversity of phenomenology has emerged. Through long-term multi-epoch studies of repeating FRBs, it is possible to assess which phenomena are common to the population and which are unique to individual sources. We present a multi-epoch monitoring campaign of the repeating FRB source 20180301A using the ultra-wideband low (UWL) receiver observations with Murriyang, the Parkes 64-m radio telescope. The observations covered a wide frequency band spanning approximately 0.7–4 GHz, and yielded the detection of 46 bursts. None of the repeat bursts displayed radio emission in the range of 1.8–4 GHz, while the burst emission peaked at 1.1 GHz. We discover evidence for secular trends in the burst dispersion measure, indicating a decline at a rate of $-2.7\pm 0.2\, {\rm pc\, cm^{-3}\, yr^{-1}}$. We also found significant variation in the Faraday rotation measure of the bursts across the follow-up period, including evidence of a sign reversal. While a majority of bursts did not exhibit any polarization, those that did show a decrease in the linear polarization fraction as a function of frequency, consistent with spectral depolarization due to scattering, as observed in other repeating FRB sources. Surprisingly, no significant variation in the polarization position angles was found, which is in contrast with earlier measurements reported for the FRB source. We measure the burst rate and sub-pulse drift rate variation and compare them with the previous results. These novel observations, along with the extreme polarization properties observed in other repeating FRBs, suggest that a sub-sample of FRB progenitors possess highly dynamic magneto-ionic environments.
Compact groups from semi-analytical models of galaxy formation – IV: Effect of group assembly on the evolution of their galaxies
Authors: Zandivarez A , Díaz-Giménez E , Taverna A , Mamon G A
Published: September 2023

Using over 3000 compact groups (CGs) of galaxies extracted from mock catalogues built from semi-analytical models (SAMs) of galaxy formation, we study whether the CG assembly channel affects the z  = 0 properties of galaxies and their evolution. The evolution of CG galaxy properties with time is a clear function of their stellar masses. For instance, high-stellar-mass CG galaxies have lived their last 8 Gyr with little cold gas content while maintaining their reservoir of hot gas, while low-mass CG galaxies still preserve some of their cold gas content at the present but they have completely drained their hot gas reservoir. Beyond that, we find that the evolution of CG galaxies is also a function of the assembly history of the CGs: with more extreme losses of gas content, faster mass gain rates for black holes and more marked suppression of star formation as a function of cosmic time as we go from recent to early CG assembly. Thus, CGs constitute another laboratory for galaxy assembly bias, as the later assembling groups have later star formation. Our results show that classifying CGs according to their assembly channel is a way of distinguishing different paths by which galaxies transform their properties throughout their history.
Organic solvents and Multiple Sclerosis: the doubled risk dilemma
Authors: Seaton A , Baker D , Hedstrom A K , Alfredsson L , Schmierer K
Published: September 2023

Background

Compensation for industrial disease in the UK may be obtained in two ways. A State scheme includes a list of accepted associations between occupations and diseases with evidence of a causative association. Epidemiological evidence of a doubled risk in the occupation concerned is usually required. This takes no account of variation of exposures within occupations, excluding many occupations where risk is less than doubled. In such cases, compensation for a perceived industrial illness may be obtained in Civil Courts, where excessive exposures can be considered.

Aims

To show that in the Civil Courts evidence of excessive exposure may lead to compensation for diseases which are not yet compensable as Industrial Injuries in the UK and to draw attention to the association of multiple sclerosis (MS) with solvent exposure.

Methods

We report the case of an industrial spray painter, who claimed his MS had been caused by high-level exposure to organic solvents, and our examination of the epidemiological evidence submitted.

Results

The painter received compensation by an out-of-court settlement, despite the overall epidemiological risk in relation to solvent exposure having been shown to be less than doubled. The evidence hinged on individual risk in relation to high exposure, genetic susceptibility and demonstration of a plausible mechanism.

Conclusions

High organic solvent exposure may lead to the development of MS. Those giving evidence in Court need to be able to discuss the epidemiological and toxicological issues in relation to exposure in the individual case.
The Political Psychology of Terrorism
Authors: Snider Keren L. G. , Shandler Ryan , Matzkin Sharon , Canetti Daphna
Published: September 2023

How does exposure to terrorist attacks influence political attitudes and behaviors? At their core, terrorist attacks are intended to terrorize civilian targets and precipitate shifts in policy preferences. Yet terrorism affects people in vastly different ways. This chapter explores the factors that account for differences in people’s reactions toward terrorism, with a specific focus on understanding the underlying psychological processes. This chapter reviews the dominant theoretical approaches and the latest empirical research that shed light on the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral consequences stemming from terrorist attacks. It also includes a discussion of the substantive domains of politics that are most affected, ranging from public opinion on foreign affairs, to intergroup relations, to support for curtailing civil liberties. The chapter concludes by looking ahead to an impending age of cyberterrorism, and positions a role for political psychology in understanding this nascent phenomenon.
Information Processing
Authors: Jerit Jennifer , Kam Cindy D.
Published: September 2023

Individuals confront a sea of information in their daily lives. The political psychology of information processing focuses on the ways in which that information is encoded, stored, retrieved, and applied in decision-making. This chapter utilizes a dual-process framework to identify two modes of political information processing: one that is effortful and deliberate, and another that is easy and automatic. The chapter reviews existing research that traces how motivations influence who engages in which mode of information processing, under which conditions. The framework deepens our understanding of a wide range of political phenomena, such as when people update their attitudes in response to new information, when they counterargue against new information, how partisanship influences decision-making, and how to understand the problem of misinformation. The chapter concludes with observations for how the dual-process framework provides guidance for understanding political reasoning in a dynamically evolving information context.
Authoritarianism and Political Conflict
Authors: Feldman Stanley , Weber Christopher
Published: September 2023

In this chapter we review recent research on authoritarianism with the goal of addressing major issues of conceptualization, measurement, and political consequences. We highlight a conceptualization of authoritarianism that identifies the desire for social cohesion and defense of ingroup norms as central to the dynamics of authoritarianism. The consequences of authoritarianism—intolerance of dissent, out-group animosity, and support for anti-democratic leaders and parties—are a result of the experience of threat to social cohesion among those with authoritarian predispositions. Threats may be associated with processes of social change (changing gender norms) or changes to the status of the majority group from immigration. There is also some evidence that those low in authoritarianism may respond to existential threats (terrorism) with support for increased security. The role of threat in the dynamics of authoritarianism helps to provide a basis for understanding the conditions under which authoritarianism becomes a politically potent force.
Group-Based Hierarchies of Power and Status
Authors: Craig Maureen A. , Phillips L. Taylor
Published: September 2023

Group-based identities (e.g., gender, ethnicity, religion) shape people’s life experiences and outcomes, often forming the basis for group-based inequality and social hierarchy. This chapter provides an overview of social scientific (primarily psychological) research investigating people’s experiences of and responses to group-based hierarchy and how individuals’ identities impact these outcomes. We outline when and why people seek to influence group-based hierarchy: seeking to maintain or enhance an existing hierarchy, by protecting or improving the relative position of dominant groups, respectively. Or, people may seek to mitigate or rearrange group-based hierarchy, changing groups’ relative positions to improve the position of marginalized groups and either flattening the distance between groups or maintaining the amount of hierarchy, respectively. We discuss research on how people react if a hierarchy is perceived to be under these different states (e.g., maintained, enhanced, mitigated, rearranged) and end with open questions and opportunities for future work.
Prejudice Reduction and Social Change
Authors: Tropp Linda R. , Dehrone Trisha A.
Published: September 2023

Recent theorizing suggests that intergroup relations may be construed in terms of either efforts to achieve prejudice reduction and intergroup harmony, or to achieve social change to promote intergroup equality. Coverage of these topics are often framed as if these goals are inherently in opposition to each other. Instead, we contend that promoting prejudice reduction at the relational level, and social change toward equality at the societal level, may be regarded as dual goals to be pursued in tandem, rather than necessarily being regarded as goals in conflict. With this lens, we review a number of theoretical perspectives on prejudice reduction and social change, including literature on intergroup contact, common group identities, and social norms. We conclude with suggestions for integrative research that can fill gaps in the existing literature, and we discuss implications of such work for interventions that seek to reduce prejudice and promote greater social equality.
Probabilistic projections of granular energy technology diffusion at subnational level
Authors: Zielonka Nik , Wen Xin , Trutnevyte Evelina
Published: September 2023

Projections of granular energy technology diffusion can support decision-making on climate mitigation policies and infrastructure investments. However, such projections often do not account for uncertainties and have low spatial resolution. S-curve models of technology diffusion are widely used to project future installations, but the results of the different models can vary significantly. We propose a method to create probabilistic projections of granular energy technology diffusion at subnational level based on historical time series data and testing how various projection models perform in terms of accuracy and uncertainty to inform the choice of models. As a case study, we investigate the growth of solar photovoltaics, heat pumps, and battery electric vehicles at municipality level throughout Switzerland in 2000–2021 (testing) and until 2050 (projections). Consistently for all S-curve models and technologies, we find that the medians of the probabilistic projections anticipate the diffusion of the technologies more accurately than the respective deterministic projections. While accuracy and probabilistic density intervals of the models vary across technologies, municipalities, and years, Bertalanffy and two versions of the generalized Richards model estimate the future diffusion with higher accuracy and sharpness than logistic, Gompertz, and Bass models. The results also highlight that all models come with trade-offs and eventually a combination of models with weights is needed. Based on these weighted probabilistic projections, we show that, given the current dynamics of diffusion in solar photovoltaics, heat pumps, and battery electric vehicles in Switzerland, the net-zero emissions target would be missed by 2050 with high certainty.
A glimpse into the fungal metabolomic abyss: Novel network analysis reveals relationships between exogenous compounds and their outputs
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Meena Muralikrishnan , Lane Matthew J , Tannous Joanna , Carrell Alyssa A , Abraham Paul E , Giannone Richard J , Ané Jean-Michel , Keller Nancy P , Labbé Jesse L , Geiger Armin G , Kainer David , Jacobson Daniel A , Rush Tomás A
Published: September 2023

Fungal specialized metabolites are a major source of beneficial compounds that are routinely isolated, characterized, and manufactured as pharmaceuticals, agrochemical agents, and industrial chemicals. The production of these metabolites is encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters that are often silent under standard growth conditions. There are limited resources for characterizing the direct link between abiotic stimuli and metabolite production. Herein, we introduce a network analysis-based, data-driven algorithm comprising two routes to characterize the production of specialized fungal metabolites triggered by different exogenous compounds: the direct route and the auxiliary route. Both routes elucidate the influence of treatments on the production of specialized metabolites from experimental data. The direct route determines known and putative metabolites induced by treatments and provides additional insight over traditional comparison methods. The auxiliary route is specific for discovering unknown analytes, and further identification can be curated through online bioinformatic resources. We validated our algorithm by applying chitooligosaccharides and lipids at two different temperatures to the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. After liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry quantification of significantly produced analytes, we used network centrality measures to rank the treatments’ ability to elucidate these analytes and confirmed their identity through fragmentation patterns or in silico spiking with commercially available standards. Later, we examined the transcriptional regulation of these metabolites through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our data-driven techniques can complement existing metabolomic network analysis by providing an approach to track the influence of any exogenous stimuli on metabolite production. Our experimental-based algorithm can overcome the bottlenecks in elucidating novel fungal compounds used in drug discovery.
Monitoring for Waste: Evidence from Medicare Audits
Authors: Shi Maggie
Published: September 2023

This article examines the trade-offs of monitoring for wasteful public spending. By penalizing unnecessary spending, monitoring improves the quality of public expenditure and incentivizes firms to invest in compliance technology. I study a large Medicare program that monitored for unnecessary health care spending and consider its effect on government savings, provider behavior, and patient health. Every dollar Medicare spent on monitoring generated $24–$29 in government savings. The majority of savings stem from the deterrence of future care, rather than reclaimed payments from prior care. I do not find evidence that the health of the marginal patient is harmed, indicating that monitoring primarily deters low-value care. Monitoring does increase provider administrative costs, but these costs are mostly incurred up-front and include investments in technology to assess the medical necessity of care.
Antiphospholipid antibody carriers and patients with quiescent antiphospholipid syndrome show persistent subclinical complement activation
Authors: Zen Margherita , Tonello Marta , Favaro Maria , Del Ross Teresa , Calligaro Antonia , Giollo Alessandro , Vesentini Filippo , Gennaio Ilenia Anna , Arru Federico , Ruffatti Amelia , Doria Andrea
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Complement activation has been advocated as one mechanism by which aPLs can induce thrombosis. In patients with catastrophic APS or re-thrombosis, enhanced complement activation has been shown, even in the quiescent phase of the disease. We aimed to assess complement activation and to investigate its association with clinical variables in aPL-positive patients with a favourable disease course.

Methods

Subjects with at least two consecutive positive aPL results obtained ≥12 weeks apart were enrolled. They were subjects without a history of thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity (aPL carriers), patients with pregnancy morbidity alone, i.e. obstetric APS patients (OAPS patients), and/or patients with arterial, venous, or small-vessel thrombotic APS (TAPS patients); for enrolment, all patients were required to have been free of symptoms for ≥2 years. Patients affected with systemic autoimmune diseases were excluded. Healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were included as controls. Plasma C5a and C5b-9 levels were assessed by commercially available ELISA assays. The non-parametric Mann–Whitney test and Spearman’s correlation were applied.

Results

Thirty-seven OAPS patients, 38 TAPS patients, 42 aPL carriers and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled. The median C5a and C5b-9 levels were significantly higher in quiescent aPL-positive patients (OAPS, TAPS, aPL carriers) compared with controls: C5a ng/ml 10.61 [interquartile range (IQR) 6.87–15.46] vs 4.06 (2.66–7.35), P < 0.001; C5b-9 ng/ml 283.95 (175.8–439.40) vs 165.90 (124.23–236.8), P < 0.001. Similar C5a and C5b-9 levels were observed in OAPS and TAPS patients and aPL carriers. A positive correlation between the median C5b-9 levels and the number of aPL-positive tests was found (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The persistence of aPL antibodies is associated with a persistent subclinical activation of the complement cascade.
Early Postnatal Expression of Tgfβ-1 and Fgf-2 Correlates With Regenerative Functions of Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cell Infusion After Rabbit GMH-IVH
Authors: Finkel Dina A , Malfa Ana , Liao Yanling , Purohit Deepti , Hu Furong , Sulaymankhil Davud , Abhishek Narra Sai , Hussein Karen , Subbian Selvakumar , Cairo Mitchell S , Vinukonda Govindaiah , La Gamma Edmund F
Published: September 2023

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a severe complication of preterm birth associated with white matter injury (WMI) and reduced neurogenesis. IVH commonly arises from the germinal matrix, a highly cellular, transient structure, where all precursor cells are born, proliferate, and migrate during brain development. IVH leads to reduced progenitor cell proliferation and maturation and contributes to WMI. Interruption of oligodendrocyte lineage (OL) proliferation and maturation after IVH will prevent myelination. We evaluated whether unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) could recover OL lineage, as USSC release multiple relevant growth factors and cytokines. The effects of USSC infusion at 24 hours after IVH were assessed in the periventricular zone by analysis of OL lineage-specific progression (PDGFR+, OLIG2+, NKX2.2+ with Ki67), and this was correlated with growth factors TGFβ1, FGF2 expression. The early OL cell lineage by immunofluorescence and cell density quantitation showed significant reduction after IVH (P < .05 both PDGFR+, OLIG2+ at day 3); with significant recovery after injection of USSCs (P < .05 both PDGFR+, OLIG2+ at day 3). CSF protein and tissue mRNA levels of TGFβ1 were reduced by IVH and recovered after USSC (P < .05 for all changes). FGF2 showed an increased mRNA after USSC on day3 (P < .05). Cell cyclin genes were unaffected except for the cycle inhibitor P27Kip1 which increased after IVH but returned to normal after USSC on day 3. Our findings demonstrated a plausible mechanism through which USSCs can aid in developmental myelination by recovery of OL proliferation and maturation along with correlative changes in growth factors during brain development.
Environmental pro-oxidants induce altered envelope protein profiles in human keratinocytes
Authors: Lin Lo-Wei , Durbin-Johnson Blythe P , Rocke David M , Salemi Michelle , Phinney Brett S , Rice Robert H
Published: September 2023

Cornified envelopes (CEs) of human epidermis ordinarily consist of transglutaminase-mediated cross-linked proteins and are essential for skin barrier function. However, in addition to enzyme-mediated isopeptide bonding, protein cross-linking could also arise from oxidative damage. Our group recently demonstrated abnormal incorporation of cellular proteins into CEs by pro-oxidants in woodsmoke. In this study, we focused on 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ), mesquite liquid smoke (MLS), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), to further understand the mechanisms through which environmental pro-oxidants induce CE formation and alter the CE proteome. CEs induced by the ionophore X537A were used for comparison. Similar to X537A, DMNQ- and MLS-induced CE formation was associated with membrane permeabilization. However, since DMNQ is non-adduct forming, its CEs were similar in protein profile to those from X537A. By contrast, MLS, rich in reactive carbonyls that can form protein adducts, caused a dramatic change in the CE proteome. TCDD-CEs were found to contain many CE precursors, such as small proline-rich proteins and late cornified envelope proteins, encoded by the epidermal differentiation complex. Since expression of these proteins is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and its well-known downstream protein, CYP1A1, was exclusively present in the TCDD group, we suggest that TCDD alters the CE proteome through persistent AhR activation. This study demonstrates the potential of environmental pro-oxidants to alter the epidermal CE proteome and indicates that the cellular redox state has an important role in CE formation.
Role of Infrared Thermography in Planning and Monitoring of Head and Neck Microvascular Flap Reconstruction
Authors: Chava Sravan Kumar , Agrawal Mansi , Vidya Konduru , Janakiraman Rajinikanth , Palaniyandi Kuppan , Ramachandran Oyyaravelu , Tirkey Amit Jiwan
Published: September 2023

Background:

Reconstruction using microvascular free flaps has become the standard of care in head and neck cancer surgery, and their success lies in appropriate planning, adequate revascularization, and early detection of flap compromise so that prompt salvage is possible. This study evaluates the role of infrared thermography in the planning, execution, and postoperative monitoring of microvascular flaps in head and neck reconstructions.

Methods:

This is a single institutional, prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India for 13 months. Twenty patients were included, and their thermographic images were captured in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings using the infrared camera FLIR T400. These images were analyzed along with the Doppler, and clinical monitoring findings in all the settings and the temperature difference were calculated postoperatively.

Results:

Hotspot perforator marking was made using infrared camera, and perforator marking was made using hand-held Doppler preoperatively, which correlated in 93% of cases. Intraoperatively, flap rewarming was successfully demonstrated in 19 of 20 cases. Postoperatively, flap compromise was observed on infrared thermography during the first 24 hours but not on clinical monitoring in three cases. The temperature difference values recorded were 5.4°C, 2.4°C, and 4.9°C. The mean of temperature difference of the healthy flaps was 1.0°C (range 0.1°C–1.8°C).

Conclusion:

Infrared thermography provides simple and reliable imaging, which can be used in perforator marking and flap designing preoperatively and checking the flap perfusion and vascular anastomosis patency intra- and postoperatively.
Amelanotic Melanoma Presents as Nonhealing Wound Near Port Site
Authors: Ivan Owen B. , Mockbee Chelsea , Brodell Robert T. , Nahar Vinayak K.
Published: September 2023

Dermatological medical services were provided via a telehealth platform for a patient with a history of skin cancer and complaints of a new lesion growing over 3 months that bled intermittently.
The efficacy of different nimodipine administration route for treating subarachnoid hemorrhage: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Lei Gang , Rao Zhongxian , Hu Yuping
Published: September 2023

Background:

A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to explore the optimal administration route of nimodipine for treatment subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Methods:

Electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane databases) were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating different administration route of nimodipine (intravenous and enteral) versus placebo for treatment subarachnoid hemorrhage. Outcomes included case fatality at 3 months, poor outcome measured at 3 months (defined as death, vegetative state, or severe disability), incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), delayed ischemic neurological deficit. A random-effect Bayesian NMA was conducted for outcomes of interest, and results were presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% credible intervals. The NMA was performed using R Software with a GeMTC package. A Bayesian NMA was performed and relative ranking of agents was assessed using surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probabilities.

Results:

Nine randomized controlled trials met criteria for inclusion and finally included in this NMA. There was no statistically significant between intravenous and enteral in terms of case fatality, the occurrence of DCI, delayed ischemic neurologic deficit and poor outcomes (P > .05). Both intravenous and enteral could reduce case fatality, the occurrence of DCI, delayed ischemic neurologic deficit and poor outcomes (P < .05). The SUCRA shows that enteral ranked first, intravenous ranked second and placebo ranked the last for case fatality, the occurrence of DCI and poor outcomes. The SUCRA shows that intravenous ranked first, enteral ranked second and placebo ranked the last for delayed ischemic neurologic deficit.

Conclusions:

It is possible that both enteral and intravenous nimodipine have comparable effectiveness in preventing poor outcomes, DCI, and delayed ischemic neurological deficits. However, further investigation may be necessary to determine the exact role of intravenous nimodipine in current clinical practice.
Comparative motor effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Xuan , Li Lei , Liu Ye
Published: September 2023

Background:

Although noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques are an effective alternative treatment option, their relative effects in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain undefined. Here, we aimed to compare motor efficacy of the NIBS techniques in PD.

Methods:

We carried out an electronic search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PEDro and PsycINFO (accessed via Ovid) for articles published until August 2022. The treatment efficacy of motor function was quantified by the Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale part III.

Results:

28 randomized controlled trials with parallel group were included in the analysis, enrolling 1057 patients. In the “on” state, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HFrTMS) conferred better short-term and long-term efficacy compared to transcranial direct current stimulation. Surface under the cumulative ranking curve rank showed that HFrTMS combined with transcranial direct current stimulation and low-frequency TMS ranked first among PD in improving motor function. In the “off” state, there were no significant differences in most of the treatments, but surface under the cumulative ranking curve rank showed that continuous theta burst stimulation and low-frequency TMS had the highest short- and long-term effect in improving motor function.

Conclusion:

HFrTMS is an effective intervention in improving motor function. Besides, its combination with another NIBS technique produces better therapeutic effects in the “on” state.
Resource allocation decisions under pandemic conditions: A cross-sectional survey of Ontario physicians
Authors: Rivera Raiza S. , Anderson Joanna E. , Dewar Brian , Kwok Edmund S.H. , Ramsay Tim , Dowlatshahi Dar , Fahed Robert , Dyason Claire , Shamy Michel
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced physicians to confront difficult choices regarding the allocation of scarce resources, such as ventilators and critical care beds. Developing policies to guide the allocation of such resources has proven challenging. An understanding of physicians’ attitudes and beliefs surrounding resource allocation could help inform policymaking. As a replication and extension of a survey of Ottawa physicians conducted in 2020, we surveyed physicians across Ontario, Canada in April 2021. This survey examined physicians’ sense of preparedness to allocate critical care resources during the pandemic, attitudes concerning resource allocation policy, and approaches to resource allocation decision-making. Of the 253 responses included for analysis, the majority (67%) of respondents indicated feeling “somewhat” or “a little prepared” to make resource allocation decisions, while 20% indicated feeling “not at all prepared.” Most respondents (86%) agreed that a policy to guide resource allocation in the event of scarcity should exist. Physicians overwhelmingly agreed that important factors to consider when making resource allocation decisions included the patient likelihood of survival, frailty index, comorbidities, and cognitive status. Responses from the province-wide survey conducted in 2021 resemble the results of an analogous survey of Ottawa physicians conducted in 2020. Physicians generally felt underprepared to make resource allocation decisions and agreed that official policies should guide such decisions. Identification of factors relevant to resource allocation was remarkably consistent across this sample and that taken in 2020.
Efficacy of “Dihuang pill prescriptions” combined with conventional treatment for diabetic kidney disease: A network meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Lin Minghao , Zhang Hui , Liu Shilin , Li Andong , Nan Zheng
Published: September 2023

Background:

With the increasing incidence of diabetic nephropathy, there is currently no means to completely cure the disease. However, a large number of clinical data proved that traditional Chinese medicine combined with modern medical conventional treatment of diabetic kidney disease has achieved better efficacy than simple Western medicine conventional treatment.

Methods:

Based on the mesh meta-analysis method, the objective evaluation of clinical efficacy of conventional treatment of diabetic kidney disease and comparison provided more evidence-based basis for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease and further select effective intervention measures to delay the process of diabetic kidney disease.

Results:

41 randomized controlled trials were included, involving 4 kinds of “Dihuang pill prescriptions,” with a total sample size of 3562 cases, including 1793 patients in the experimental group and 1769 patients in the control group. Network meta-analysis suggested that the best SUCRA-ranked 2 interventions were Jingui Shenqi pills/decoction + Western medicine routine” and Jisheng Shenqi pills/decoction + Western medicine routine in terms of reducing 24-hour urinary protein. In terms of reducing urinary albumin excretion rate, the top 2 SUCRA-ranked interventions were Zhibai Dihuang pills/decoction + Western medicine routine and Liuwei Dihuang Pills/decoction + Western medicine routine. In terms of reducing serum creatinine, the top 2 SUCRA ranked interventions were Jisheng Shenqi pills/decoction + Western medicine routine, Zhibai Dihuang Pills/decoction + Western medicine routine. In terms of lowering fasting blood glucose, the top 2 SUCRA-ranked interventions were Zhibai Dihuang pills/ decoction + Western medicine routine and Jisheng Shenqi pills/decoction + Western medicine routine. The results showed that the treatment plan of conventional Western medicine combined with Chinese patent medicine could reduce serum creatinine, 24-hour urinary protein, fasting blood glucose urine protein excretion rate and improve the total clinical effective rate.

Conclusion:

The combination of medicine was obviously better than conventional Western medicine alone.
Long-term outcome of flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer for chronic Achilles tendon rupture with large defect: A retrospective series
Authors: Xu Yangbo , Li Cui , Liu Tianyu , Xiang Feifan , Deng Yong , Li Zhong , Wei Daiqing
Published: September 2023

There are multiple surgical options for treatment of chronic Achilles tendon (AT) rupture according to the classifications and length of defect. However, no gold standard method has been confirmed, and there is no clear evidence to support the superiority of 1 procedure over others. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome of flexor hallucis longus tendon (FHL) transfer for chronic AT rupture with large defect. Clinical data of patients treated with FHL transfer due to chronic AT rupture between January 2009 and October 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were presented with AT rupture for more than 4 weeks after injury. The gap between ruptured ends was > 5 cm after debridement in all patients. The harvest of FHL was performed through a single incision in accordance with AT rupture debridement in all cases. Clinical outcomes were assessed with AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale, Achilles tendon total rupture score and AOFAS hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale. Twenty-eight patients were followed successfully for 62.6 ± 22.2 months. According to the complete datasets obtained from 28 patients, none of the tendons re-ruptured. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale and Achilles tendon total rupture score at last follow-up visit was 90.4 ± 5.7 and 89.8 ± 5.3 respectively, which revealed statistically significant improvement from the preoperative score of 61.1 ± 6.7 and 53.8 ± 8.3. The AOFAS hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale at last follow-up visit was 87.5 ± 6.1. The FHL transfer through a single incision for chronic AT rupture with large defect is a safe and simple method with low risk of morbidity and complications.
Effect of COVID-19 on autism spectrum disorders: A bibliometric analysis based on original articles
Authors: Lyu Kaifeng , Li Jiang-shan , Chen Min , Zhang Wei , Hu Meichao
Published: September 2023

Background:

The objective of this bibliometric inquiry was to scrutinize domains that delve into the repercussions of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on individuals afflicted with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), worldwide scholarly findings of interrelated research, and forthcoming trajectories.

Methods:

To conduct a literature analysis, use the web of science core collection database, search for ASD and COVID-19-related literature published Utilize CiteSpace and VosViewer to visually analyze documents and create networks of authors, organizations. The CiteSpace and VosViewer to visually analyze documents and create networks of authors, organizations, countries, and keywords.

Results:

This study collected 771 papers and shows an increasing trend in publications. The United States had the most relevant literature (281), followed by the United Kingdom (115) and Italy (76). The United States had the most relevant literature (281), followed by the United Kingdom (115) and Italy (76). The University of London had the most papers (53, 6.87%), and Happe_Francesca was the most productive researcher (6). J AUTISM DEV DISORD was the main journal for research on the impact of COVID-19 on ASD, with 22 related articles. Keyword co-occurrence analysis has revealed that “parenting stress,” “enhancing adherence,” “acute stress disorder,” “COVID-19 Italian lockdown,” “neurodevelopmental disorder,” and “occupational therapy” have garnered significant attention recently. Notably, the burst keywords suggest that “interventions,” “qualitative research,” “Disabilities Monitoring Network,” “neurodevelopmental disabilities,” “perceived stress,” and “barriers” are potential areas of investigation for future research.

Conclusion:

This bibliometric analysis delineates the fundamental structure for assessing the impact of COVID-19 on ASD by scrutinizing crucial indicators such as Our analysis reveals that COVID-19 impact on autism has garnered the interest of an Future research could explore the stress, anxiety, and strategies for individuals with ASD and their The use of telemedicine can be studied in depth, as a new idea for ASD diagnosis and intervention training, it is worthwhile. The use of telemedicine can be studied in depth, as a new idea for ASD diagnosis and intervention training, it is worth exploring, such as Disabilities Monitoring Network, etc.
Factors influencing age at onset of colorectal polyps and benefit-finding after polypectomy
Authors: Feng Chen-Hong , Zhang Qing , Chen Juan , Mao Li-Qi , Sun Qian , He Ying , Yao Lin-Hua
Published: September 2023

Screening, followed by colonoscopic polypectomy, has been widely performed in China. However, factors influencing age at onset of colorectal polyps and benefit-finding after polypectomy have been insufficiently studied or ignored. A total of 152 patients with colorectal polyps first detected in First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University from July to September 2022 were enrolled in this study. We selected 11 factors associated with the risk of colorectal polyps, including gender, body mass index, occupational stress, education level, income satisfaction, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise frequency, diet, family history and polyp characteristics. Benefit-finding after polypectomy was obtained by follow-up for 142 of these patients. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that being overweight (i.e., body mass index ≥25 kg/m2), higher education level, lower exercise frequency, and refrigerated food preference were associated with early-onset colorectal polyps. Patients with a preference for pickled food and age ≥50 years at first colorectal polyp detection had lower benefit findings after colonoscopic polypectomy. Colorectal polyps may develop earlier in people who are overweight, well-educated, exercise less, and prefer refrigerated food. In addition, patients who prefer pickled food and age at onset ≥50 years have lower benefit-finding requiring more attention in future colonoscopy follow-ups.
Assessment of three different radioiodine doses for ablation therapy of thyroid remnants: Efficiency, complications and patient comfort
Authors: Soyluoglu Selin , Andac Burak , Korkmaz Ulku , Ustun Funda
Published: September 2023

I-131 radioiodine (RAI) ablation removes postoperative residual tissue and facilitates follow-up in low- and intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Although low doses have been reported to be as effective as higher doses for ablation, the doses administered still vary depending on the patient and the practitioner. We aimed to evaluate the ablation efficiency, complications, and length of stay (LOS) of patients with DTC treated with 3 different doses for ablation. Patients with DTC who received RAI therapy were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred thirty patients with low-intermediate-risk, according to American Thyroid Association classification, without known lymph nodes or distant metastases were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups as 30 to 50 mCi, 75 mCi, and 100 mCi. Residue thyroid and salivary glands were evaluated from 9 to 12 months post-RAI I-131 scans. No significant difference was found between groups regarding ablation success (P = .795). In multivariable analyses, pretreatment thyroglobulin (hazard ratio = 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.601–0.952, P = .017) and anti- thyroglobulin antibody (hazard ratio = 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.967–0.998, P = .024) were 2 independent predictors of ablation success. The mean LOS was 2.1 ± 0.3, 2.6 ± 0.6, and 2.9 ± 0.4 days, respectively, (P = .001). LOS rates of ≥ 3 days were 13.2%, 54.3%, and 84.8%, respectively. Mild decreases in hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC), and platelet counts were observed in all groups after 6 weeks without any clinically significant findings. A lower rate of change in WBC counts was observed in the 30 to 50 mCi group compared to others. There was no dose-dependent difference regarding the early complaints questioned. Ablation with 30 to 50 mCi provides benefits such as shorter LOS, better patient comfort, less salivary gland dysfunction, and less WBC suppression, thus reducing costs without decreasing efficacy.
Diagnostic difficulties in polymyalgia rheumatica cases with normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values
Authors: Kara Mete , Alp Gülay , Koç Ali Murat
Published: September 2023

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease which does not have specific diagnostic tests or pathological symptoms and is identified based on clinical characteristics. Among acute phase reactants (APR), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are laboratory findings used in diagnosis and follow-up. In this study, it was aimed to determine the incidence of normal ESH and CRP in patients diagnosed with PMR and identify the distinguishing characteristics of these patients. PMR patients who were clinically diagnosed at a single center were reviewed. After the presence of bursitis was demonstrated with ultrasonography in patients with normal ESR and CRP rates, they were accepted to have PMR. Among all 54 patients (63% female), ESR and CRP values were normal in 8 patients (14%), and serum amyloid A (SAA) was determined to be elevated in all these patients. In the comparisons of the groups with normal and high levels of ESR and CRP, it was found that the group with normal ESR and CRP values had a younger age of diagnosis (P = .027), a longer symptom duration (P < .001), and a lower comorbidity rate (P = .010). PMR patients can have normal ESR and CRP values at the time of their diagnosis. While bursitis can be demonstrated with ultrasonography in patients who are clinically evaluated to have PMR, APRs such as SAA other than ESR and CRP can also be used.
Video capsule endoscopy versus computed tomography enterography in assessing suspected small bowel bleeding: a systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis
Authors: Yaghoobi Mohammad , Tan Julie , Alshammari Yousef Th. A. Th. A. , Scandrett Katie , Mofrad Khashayar , Takwoingi Yemisi
Published: September 2023

Both computed tomography enterography (CTE) and video capsule endoscopy (VCE) are used in identifying small intestinal pathology in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding (SSBB) following normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy. Evidence of the comparative accuracy of these two modalities is crucial for clinical and healthcare decision-making. Comprehensive electronic searches were performed for studies on CTE and/or VCE with reference standard(s). Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were completed by two authors independently. The QUADAS-2 and QUADAS-C tools were used to assess risk of bias, and applicability. Meta-analysis was performed using a bivariate model to obtain summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios. Twenty-five studies involving 1986 patients with SSBB were included. Four of these were head-to-head comparison of CTE and VCE. Overall, VCE provided significantly higher sensitivity of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.61–0.83) versus 0.47 (95% CI: 0.32–0.62) for CTE, while CTE showed significantly higher specificity of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.64–0.99) versus 0.53 (95% CI: .36–0.69) for VCE. The positive likelihood ratio of CTE was 7.36 (95% CI: 0.97–56.01) versus 1.58 (95% CI: 1.15–2.15) for VCE and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.33–0.72) for VCE versus 0.56 (0.40–0.79) for CTE. A secondary analysis of only head-to-head comparative studies gave results that were similar to the main analysis. Certainty of evidence was moderate. Neither VCE nor CTE is a perfect test for identifying etiology of SSBB in small intestine. VCE was more sensitive while CTE was more specific. Clinicians should choose the appropriate modality depending on whether better sensitivity or specificity is required in each clinical scenario.
Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular risk
Authors: Bilgic Selin , Remaley Alan T. , Sniderman Allan D.
Published: September 2023

Purpose of review

The triglyceride-rich apoB lipoprotein particles make up a minority of the apoB particles in plasma. They vary in size, in lipid, and in protein content. Most are small enough to enter the arterial wall and therefore most are atherogenic. But how important a contribution TRL particles make to the total risk created by the apoB lipoproteins remains controversial. A recent Mendelian randomization analysis determined that the cardiovascular risk related to the cholesterol within these apoB particles--the TRL cholesterol--was greater than--and independent of--the risk related to apoB. If correct, these observations have major clinical significance.

Recent findings

Accordingly, we have analyzed these results in detail. In our view, the independent strength of the association between TRL cholesterol and apoB with cardiovascular risk seems inconsistent with the biological connections between apoB and cholesterol as integral and highly correlated constituents of apoB particles. These results are also inconsistent with other lines of evidence such as the results of the fibrate randomized clinical trials. Moreover, we are also concerned with other aspects of the analysis.

We do not regard the issue as settled. However, this enquiry has led us to a fuller understanding of the determinants of the cholesterol content of the TRL apoB particles and the complex processing of cholesterol amongst the plasma lipoproteins.