bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibody-Positive Autoimmune Encephalitis and Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome: Epidemiology and Outcome of Neuronal Antibody Testing in Sweden
Authors: Kosek Sonja , Persson Barbro , Rodrigues Rui , Malmeström Clas , Punga Anna Rostedt , Burman Joachim
Published: April 2023

Objective. To estimate the 5-year incidence rate of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) in Sweden. Methods. All patients who were tested for a neuronal antibody in Sweden between 2015 and 2019 were included. Patients in Healthcare region Mid Sweden (population 2.1 million) were invited to participate in a case ascertainment substudy. AE and PNS cases were defined using established diagnostic criteria. Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates of AE and PNS in Healthcare region Mid Sweden were estimated. Results. The number of tests for neuronal antibodies in Sweden increased between 2015 and 2019 from 1867 to 2505 (serum) and 863 to 1376 (CSF) per annum. The frequencies of positive results were stable over the entire study period, and the mean value was 6.1% for serum (CI95% 5.5–6.7) and 4.8% for CSF (CI95% 4.0–5.6). In total, 125 patients tested positive for neuronal antibodies in Healthcare region Mid Sweden between 2015 and 2019. Of these, 94 were included, and after case ascertainment, thirty-one cases of definite AE or PNS could be identified. The 5-year incidence rate of AE and PNS was 3.0 per million person-years (95% CI 1.9-4.1). The yearly incidence rates increased in the study period, from 1.5 per million person-years in 2015 (95% CI 0.0-3.2) to 4.3 per million person-years in 2019 (95% CI 1.5-7.1). Conclusions. In this first epidemiological study of AE and PNS in Sweden, the number of cases doubled from 2015 to 2019. This likely reflects increased availability of testing and awareness of these conditions.
New Solutions of Fuzzy‐Fractional Fisher Models via Optimal He–Laplace Algorithm
Authors: Qayyum Mubashir , Tahir Aneeza , Acharya Saraswati
Published: April 2023

Fuzzy differential equations have gained significant attention in recent years due to their ability to model complex systems in the presence of uncertainty or imprecise information. These equations find applications in various fields, such as biomathematics, horological processes, production inventory models, epidemic models, fluid models, and economic investments. The Fisher model is one such example, which studies the dynamics of a population with uncertain growth rates. This study proposes a dual parametric extension of the He–Laplace algorithm for solving time‐fractional fuzzy Fisher models. The proposed methodology uses triangular fuzzy numbers to introduce uncertainty in highly nonlinear fractional differential equations under the generalized Hukuhara differentiability concept. The obtained solutions are validated against existing results in crisp form and are found to be more accurate. The results are analyzed by finding solutions with different values of spatial coordinate ξ, time η, and ς‐cut for both upper and lower bounds, and they are presented graphically. The analysis reveals that the uncertain probability density function gradually decreases at left and right boundaries when the fractional order is increased. The study provides valuable insights into the behavior of population growth under uncertain conditions and demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in solving fuzzy‐fractional models.
Biomaterial-Based bFGF Delivery for Nerve Repair
Authors: Huang Qinying , Liu Bo , Wu Wencan
Published: April 2023

Diseases in the nervous system are common in the human body. People have to suffer a great burden due to huge economic costs and poor prognosis of the diseases. Many treatment modalities are now available that can make recovery better. Managing nutritional factors is also helpful for such diseases. The basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is one of the major nutritional factors, which plays a crucial role in organogenesis and tissue homeostasis. It plays a role in cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, thereby regulating angiogenesis and wound healing and repair of the muscle, bone, and nerve. The study on how to improve the stability of bFGF to increase the treatment effect for different diseases has garnered tremendous attention. Biomaterials are the popular methods to improve the stability of bFGF because they are safe for the living body as they are biocompatible. Biomaterials can be loaded with bFGF and delivered locally to achieve the goal of sustained bFGF release. In the present review, we report different types of biomaterials that are used for bFGF delivery for nerve repair and briefly report how the introduced bFGF can function in the nervous system. We aim to provide summative guidance for future studies about nerve injury using bFGF.
Efficacy of Butylphthalide in Combination with Edaravone in the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke and the Effect on Serum Inflammatory Factors
Authors: Li Yan , Hong Zhen , Li Shaoquan , Xie Songwang , Wang Junyong , Wang Jian , Liu Yongchang
Published: April 2023

Objective. To investigate the efficacy of butylphthalide combined with edaravone in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and the effect on serum inflammatory factors. Methods. One hundred and sixty patients with acute ischemic stroke who attended the neurovascular intervention department of our hospital from May 2020 to June 2022 were enrolled as study subjects for prospective analysis and were equally divided into a control group and an experimental group using the random number table method, with 80 cases in each group. The control group was treated with edaravone injection, while the experimental group was treated with butylphthalide combined with edaravone. The disease was recorded to compare the efficacy, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, homocysteine, serum inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, and the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Results. The total effective rate of treatment in the experimental group was 90.0% (72/80), while that of the control group was 62.5% (50/80), the total effective rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). After treatment, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, homocysteine level, and serum TNF-α, CRP, and IL-6 levels of patients in the experimental group improved compared with those before treatment, and the degree of improvement was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). After 3 months of treatment, a comparison of the incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). Conclusion. The treatment of acute ischemic stroke with butylphthalide combined with edaravone has positive significance in improving blood circulation regulation and serum inflammatory factor levels and is reliable and worthy of clinical promotion.
Supplementary Figures from Inhibition of FGFR Reactivates IFNγ Signaling in Tumor Cells to Enhance the Combined Antitumor Activity of Lenvatinib with Anti-PD-1 Antibodies
Authors: Adachi Yusuke , Kamiyama Hiroshi , Ichikawa Kenji , Fukushima Sayo , Ozawa Yoichi , Yamaguchi Shogo , Goda Satoshi , Kimura Takayuki , Kodama Kotaro , Matsuki Masahiro , Miyano Saori Watanabe , Yokoi Akira , Kato Yu , Funahashi Yasuhiro
Published: April 2023

Supplementary Figure S1-S7
Supplementary Data from T Cells Promote Metastasis by Regulating Extracellular Matrix Remodeling following Chemotherapy
Authors: Haj-Shomaly Jozafina , Vorontsova Avital , Barenholz-Cohen Tamar , Levi-Galibov Oshrat , Devarasetty Mahesh , Timaner Michael , Raviv Ziv , Cooper Tim J. , Soker Shay , Hasson Peleg , Weihs Daphne , Scherz-Shouval Ruth , Shaked Yuval
Published: April 2023

supplemental materials and methods and supplemental figures
Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Patient with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Case Report
Authors: Elkholi Mohamed Hamed , Sewan Amr Abbas , Alrais Zeyad Faoor , Abdel Hadi Ammar Mohamed , Elkhouly Adel , Benaimein Maged Mohsen
Published: April 2023

Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) is uncommon but may complicate intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A unique challenge arises when UEDVT is diagnosed and treated in situations of ICH. Case Report: We report a 43-year-old man developed edema in his hemiplegic arm 7 days after a spontaneous ICH. UEDVT was detected immediately despite pharmacotherapy with point-of-care compression ultrasound (POCUS). In addition to controlling thrombogenic factors, the dosage of enoxaparin was increased, yet it was subtherapeutic. Following this, the thrombosed veins recanalized and the hematoma diminished as well. Conclusion: A POCUS scan helps diagnose UEDVT, and the risk and benefits of treating UEDVT should be considered in patients with ICH.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women: The Impact of Race and Ethnicity: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Mehta Laxmi S. , Velarde Gladys P. , Lewey Jennifer , Sharma Garima , Bond Rachel M. , Navas-Acien Ana , Fretts Amanda M. , Magwood Gayenell S. , Yang Eugene , Blumenthal Roger S. , Brown Rachel-Maria , Mieres Jennifer H. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Women and Underrepresented Populations Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Hypertension; Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young; Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and Stroke Council
Published: April 2023

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet differences exist among certain racial and ethnic groups. Aside from traditional risk factors, behavioral and environmental factors and social determinants of health affect cardiovascular health and risk in women. Language barriers, discrimination, acculturation, and health care access disproportionately affect women of underrepresented races and ethnicities. These factors result in a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease and significant challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. Culturally sensitive, peer-led community and health care professional education is a necessary step in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Equitable access to evidence-based cardiovascular preventive health care should be available for all women regardless of race and ethnicity; however, these guidelines are not equally incorporated into clinical practice. This scientific statement reviews the current evidence on racial and ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk factors and current cardiovascular preventive therapies for women in the United States.
Mutations in Phosphodiesterase 3A (
PDE3A
) Cause Hypertension Without Cardiac Damage
Authors: Ercu Maria , Walter Stephan , Klussmann Enno
Published: April 2023

Hypertension with brachydactyly (HTNB) represents an autosomal dominant form of hypertension. It is a rare syndrome, in which the blood pressure can rise by more than 50 mmHg. If untreated, the patients die of stroke by the age of 50 years. In HTNB, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation is increased, vasodilation compromised, and the kidney not affected. Surprisingly, after decades of hypertension, HTNB is not associated with hypertension-induced cardiac damage. HTNB is caused by gain-of-function mutations in the
PDE3A
(phosphodiesterase 3A) gene. The mutant enzymes are hyperactive. PDE3A (phosphodiesterase 3A) hydrolyzes and thereby terminates cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling in defined cellular compartments. The cardioprotective effect involves local changes of cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling and inhibition of Ca
2+
reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac myocytes. This review introduces HTNB and discusses how insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying HTNB could contribute to a better understanding of blood pressure control and lead to PDE3A-directed strategies for the treatment of essential hypertension and the prevention of hypertension-induced cardiac damage. A focus will be on cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) signaling compartments.
Chronic Remote Ischemic Conditioning on Mild Hypertension in the Absence of Antihypertensive Medication: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Proof-of-Concept Clinical Trial
Authors: Guo Wenting , Zhao Wenbo , Li Dong , Jia Haiying , Ren Changhong , Li Sijie , Zhao Jing , Yu Bingxin , Dong Jian , Guo Rongfen , Zhu Kun , Cao Yu , Wang Yan , Wang Ying , Li Zunshan , Wang Zhen , Wang Dan , Hou Chengbei , Hausenloy Derek J , Chu Xi , Ji Xunming
Published: April 2023

Background:

Exploratory studies have shown that remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has the potential to lower blood pressure (BP). We investigated whether chronic RIC reduces BP for hypertension.

Methods:

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial. Patients with an office BP of 130/80 to 160/100 mm Hg and a 24-hour average BP ≥125/75 mm Hg not on antihypertensive medications were recruited. After a 1-week compliance screening phase, they were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive RIC or sham RIC twice daily for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was the change in 24-hour average systolic BP from baseline to 4 weeks. Safety events were assessed over the study period.

Results:

Ninety-five participants were randomly allocated to the RIC (n=49) and sham RIC (n=46) groups. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the reduction in 24-hour average systolic BP was greater in the RIC group than the sham RIC group (−4.6±9.5 versus −0.9±6.8 mm Hg; baseline-adjusted between-group mean difference: −3.6 mm Hg [95% CI, −6.9 to −0.3 mm Hg]; adjusted
P
=0.035). The per-protocol analysis showed that 24-hour average systolic BP reduced −5.9±8.6 mm Hg in the RIC group and −0.7±6.7 mm Hg in the sham RIC group (baseline-adjusted between-group mean difference: −5.2 mm Hg [95% CI, −8.5 to −1.9 mm Hg]; adjusted
P
=0.002). No major adverse events were reported in both groups.

Conclusions:

RIC is safe in patients with mild hypertension and may lower BP in the absence of antihypertensive medications. However, the effects of RIC on clinical outcomes in these patients require further investigation.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04915313.
Scalable Variational Inference for Low-Rank Spatiotemporal Receptive Fields
Authors: Duncker Lea , Ruda Kiersten M. , Field Greg D. , Pillow Jonathan W.
Published: April 2023

An important problem in systems neuroscience is to characterize how a neuron integrates sensory inputs across space and time. The linear receptive field provides a mathematical characterization of this weighting function and is commonly used to quantify neural response properties and classify cell types. However, estimating receptive fields is difficult in settings with limited data and correlated or high-dimensional stimuli. To overcome these difficulties, we propose a hierarchical model designed to flexibly parameterize low-rank receptive fields. The model includes gaussian process priors over spatial and temporal components of the receptive field, encouraging smoothness in space and time. We also propose a new temporal prior, temporal relevance determination, which imposes a variable degree of smoothness as a function of time lag. We derive a scalable algorithm for variational Bayesian inference for both spatial and temporal receptive field components and hyperparameters. The resulting estimator scales to high-dimensional settings in which full-rank maximum likelihood or a posteriori estimates are intractable. We evaluate our approach on neural data from rat retina and primate cortex and show that it substantially outperforms a variety of existing estimators. Our modeling approach will have useful extensions to a variety of other high-dimensional inference problems with smooth or low-rank structure.
Fast Response of East Asian Precipitation in June 2020 to Local and Remote Aerosol Emission Reductions during COVID-19
Authors: Wang Weiyi , Liu Xiaohong , Wu Chenglai , Lin Guangxing , Wang Yong , Lu Zheng , Zhao Xi , Wei Linyi
Published: April 2023

In this study, the fast response of East Asian summer precipitation to COVID-19–induced aerosol emission reductions is examined using the Community Earth System Model, version 2.2 (CESM2.2). The emission reductions decreased aerosol optical depth and cloud cover over northern China in June 2020. The troposphere became warmer, strengthening the land–sea thermal contrast and anomalous southerly winds. The subtropical westerly jet accelerated and shifted southward, favoring low-level convergence, upward air motions, and subsequent condensational heating over the Yangtze River basin (YRB). The feedback of condensational heating in return strengthened the convergence and ascent. The western North Pacific subtropical high was intensified, which further enhanced the moisture advection and convergence over the YRB. Both the enhanced moisture convergence and ascent increased precipitation over the YRB during June 2020. Furthermore, local and remote emission reductions show different impacts on convection and moisture transport over the YRB. The emission reductions over China caused stronger convective precipitation (1.15 vs 0.63 mm day−1) but weaker larger-scale precipitation (1.17 vs 2.24 mm day−1) than the emission reductions outside China. In addition to the emission reductions, the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in 2020 also play an important role in increasing precipitation over the YRB, contributing about 42.8%. The relative contribution of SST anomalies also increases under the COVID-19–induced emission scenario.
Topographically Generated Submesoscale Shear Instabilities Associated with Brazil Current Meanders
Authors: Luko Caique D. , Lazaneo Cauê Z. , Silveira Ilson C. A. da , Pereira Filipe , Tandon Amit
Published: April 2023

The western boundary current system off southeastern Brazil is composed of the poleward-flowing Brazil Current (BC) in the upper 300 m and the equatorward flowing Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC) underneath it, forming a first-baroclinic mode structure in the mean. Between 22° and 23°S, the BC-IWBC jet develops recurrent cyclonic meanders that grow quasi-stationarily via baroclinic instability, though their triggering mechanisms are not yet well understood. Our study, thus, aims to propose a mechanism that could initiate the formation of these mesoscale eddies by adding the submesoscale component to the hydrodynamic scenario. To address this, we perform a regional 1/50° (∼2 km) resolution numerical simulation using CROCO (Coastal and Regional Ocean Community model). Our results indicate that incoming anticyclones reach the slope upstream of separation regions and generate barotropic instability that can trigger the meanders’ formation. Subsequently, this process generates submesoscale cyclones that contribute, along with baroclinic instability, to the meanders’ growth, resulting in a submesoscale-to-mesoscale inverse cascade. Last, as the mesoscale cyclones grow, they interact with the slope, generating inertially and symmetrically unstable anticyclonic submesoscale vortices and filaments.

Significance Statement

Off southeastern Brazil, the Brazil Current develops recurrent cyclonic meanders. Such meanders enhance the open-ocean primary productivity and are of societal importance as they are located in a region rich in oil and gas where oil-spill accidents have already happened. This study aims to explore the processes responsible for triggering the formation of these mesoscale eddies. We find that incoming anticyclones reach the slope upstream of separation regions and generate barotropic instabilities that eject submesoscale filaments and vortices and can trigger the meanders’ formation. Such results show that topographically generated submesoscale instabilities can play an important role in the dynamics of mesoscale meanders off southeastern Brazil. Moreover, this may indicate that resolving the submesoscale dynamics in operational numerical models may contribute to an increase in the predictability of the regional eddies.
Estimation of AMSU-A Radiance Observation Impacts in an LETKF-Based Atmospheric Global Data Assimilation System: Comparison with EFSO and Observing System Experiments
Authors: Yamazaki Akira , Terasaki Koji , Miyoshi Takemasa , Noguchi Shunsuke
Published: April 2023

This work assesses the contribution of assimilating AMSU-A satellite-based radiance measurements to a global data assimilation system based on an atmospheric general circulation model and the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF). The radiance measurements were from three channels that are sensitive to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The contribution of these measurements, or AMSU-A observation impact, was estimated both through ensemble-based forecast sensitivity to observations (EFSO) and observing system experiments (OSEs). Two streams of data-denial experiments for the AMSU-A observations were performed for about one month during winter in each hemisphere. The OSEs quantified the accumulated observation impact by cycling (repeating) data denials: including AMSU-A observations reduced the total observation impact for all observations of each data assimilation cycle. In contrast, EFSO estimated AMSU-A to increase the total observation impact. The opposing effects were attributed to the accumulated observation impact in the OSEs; the accumulation could stabilize the data assimilation cycles. In both experiments, the accumulated observation impact of AMSU-A was strongest in the upper troposphere, particularly in the austral midlatitudes where westerly jets exist and observations of other types are sparse. EFSO also assessed AMSU-A to have the most beneficial observation impact in similar locations. The AMSU-A observation impact tended to accumulate just downstream of where EFSO estimated the beneficial observation impact signals. The accumulated AMSU-A observation impact was tied to dynamic processes in the upper-tropospheric and general stratospheric circulation. Therefore, EFSO helps estimate the beneficial distributions of AMSU-A accumulated observation impact by considering their dynamical propagation.

Significance Statement

The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) satellite radiance assimilation technique was successfully integrated into the Atmospheric General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator (AFES)–LETKF data assimilation system. We conducted OSEs and used EFSO to assess the AMSU-A observation impact. The two estimation methods identified opposite observation impacts due to the cycling (repeating) OSEs of the AMSU-A observations. We interpreted the causes of the opposite estimations. However, even for the cycling OSEs, EFSO appeared to help estimate distributions of the accumulated observation impact. It is important to consider the dynamical propagation of accumulated observation impact in general circulation.
Use of Evidence-Based Vital Signs in Pediatric Early Warning Score to Predict Clinical Deterioration on Acute Care Units
Authors: Rickey Lisa , Zhang Anqing , Dean Nathan
Published: April 2023

The pediatric early warning score (PEWS) is a tool used to predict clinical deterioration. Referenced vital sign parameters are based on expert opinion but heart rate and respiratory rate percentiles in hospitalized children have been published. This retrospective case-control study of unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) transfers compares evidence-based vital signs (EBVS) effect on PEWS sensitivity and specificity, determines the impact of age categories on PEWS deterioration prediction, and evaluates whether EBVS PEWS is associated with need for invasive ICU supports. EBVS PEWS improved sensitivity (43%-71% vs 30%-63%) for unplanned transfers with slightly decreased specificity (88%-98% vs 93%-99%). Logistic regression analysis and odds ratios (ORs) demonstrated EBVS PEWS was associated with increased risk for ICU-specific supports (OR = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.34, P = .0498). Evidence-based vital signs can improve PEWS sensitivity to identify unplanned ICU transfers and identify patients requiring ICU-specific interventions.
Children’s experiences of development in alternative sports programmes
Authors: Högman Johan , Augustsson Christian
Published: April 2023

Aim:

As more children become increasingly physically inactive, efforts to reverse this negative trend are growing. Research has indicated, however, that we know relatively little about the pedagogical processes built into programmes and interventions. This is especially true in respect of how children view the process of becoming more physically active. This article therefore explores developmental processes as they unfold in the context of alternative sports programmes through children’s voices.

Methods:

Theoretically, children’s development is approached from a bioecological perspective focusing on the interaction between the child and its environment. This article builds on material collected from 5 focus groups conducted with 16 children in total (aged 11–15 years) after participating in an alternative sports programme. The data were analysed abductively using a qualitative content analysis technique.

Findings:

Findings illustrate how children develop physically active behaviours internally, as they acquire certain skills and knowledge, as well as between children and a multisystemic environment. In this study, children experienced that exploring practical activities in authentic situations could contribute to better understanding of the relationship between themselves and physical activities in their local community.

Conclusion:

To enable development in interventions, paying attention to the extent to which exo- and mesosystems influence children’s relationships with the outside world is key. Participation may lead to an improved understanding of the surrounding world and the ability to further develop in an increasingly complex reciprocal process with the environment.
Experimental and numerical investigation of stringer’s 90° plies optimization of composite material stiffened panels
Authors: Zhang Xiulu , Miao Huihui , Song Wenjun , Li Changyou , Lv Guocheng , Fang Caiwen
Published: April 2023

In this paper, the optimal design of I- and T-shaped stringer’s 90° plies is investigated to improve the performance of composite stiffened panel’s strength and curing deformation. A theoretical method is deduced to build the constitutive equations of curing and buckling, which indicates that the stringer’s 90° plies play an important role in the curing deformation of the structure. The finite element method (FEM) is adopted to simulate the curing and instability path of the structure, and the simulation model’s accuracy is verified by strain assurance criterion. In addition, the experimental analysis is performed by a series of I- and T-shaped specimens with different stringer’s 90° plies. The good agreement between the results of theoretical method, FEM, and experiment confirms the reliability and feasibility of the analytical methods proposed in this paper. Furthermore, the optimal stringer’s 90° plies ratio is explored. The curves fitted in this investigation reveal that in the stages of (I) and (II), the percentage of stringer’s 90° plies θ has significant effect on curing deformation, while bearing capacity has little change. The reasonable range of θ is 5%∼20%, in which the bearing capacity and curing deformation reach the optimal solution. Therefore, the structures that are not sensitive to curing deformation are recommend to remove the stringer’s 90° plies, which is benefit to reduce weight, optimize structural design and improve process quality. The results provide a reference to design I-, T-, L- and C- shaped composite panel.
Osteoblastic RAR Inhibition Causes VAD-Like Craniofacial Skeletal Deformity
Authors: Dai Q. , Sun S. , Jin A. , Gong X. , Xu H. , Yang Y. , Huang X. , Wang X. , Liu Y. , Gao J. , Gao X. , Liu J. , Bian Q. , Wu Y. , Jiang L.
Published: April 2023

Retinoid signaling disorders cause craniofacial deformity, among which infants with maternal vitamin A deficiency (VAD) exhibited malformation of the eye, nose, palate, and parietal and jaw bone. Previous research uncovered the pathogenesis of eye defect and cleft palate of VAD in mice, but the studies on craniofacial skeletal deformity met obstacles, and the cell/lineage and underlying mechanism remain unclear. The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) is the key transcription factor in retinoid signaling, but individual knockout cannot simulate pathway inhibition. Here, we conditionally expressed dominant-negative RARα mutation ( dnRARα) in osteoblasts to specifically inhibit the transcription activity of RAR in mice, which mimics the craniofacial deformities caused by VAD in clinical cases: hypomineralization of cranial bones, mandibular deformity, and clavicular hypoplasia. Furthermore, we performed 3-dimensional reconstruction based on micro–computed tomography and confirmed the abnormalities in the shape, size, and ossification of craniofacial bones due to osteoblastic RAR inhibition. Histological analysis indicated that inhibition of RAR in osteoblasts impaired both bone formation and bone resorption, which was confirmed by transcriptome sequencing of the calvaria. Furthermore, mechanism investigation showed that inhibition of RAR in osteoblasts directly decreased osteoblast differentiation in a cell-autonomous manner by impairing osteogenic gene transcription and also inhibited osteoclast differentiation via osteoblast–osteoclast crosstalk by impairing Rankl transcription. In summary, osteoblastic RAR activity is critical to craniofacial skeletal development, and its dysfunction leads to skeletal deformities mimicking VAD craniofacial defects, providing a new insight for VAD pathogenesis.
Systematic Social Observation at Scale: Using Crowdsourcing and Computer Vision to Measure Visible Neighborhood Conditions
Authors: Hwang Jackelyn , Naik Nikhil
Published: April 2023

Analysis of neighborhood environments is important for understanding inequality. Few studies, however, use direct measures of the visible characteristics of neighborhood conditions, despite their theorized importance in shaping individual and community well-being, because collecting data on the physical conditions of places across neighborhoods and cities and over time has required extensive time and labor. The authors introduce systematic social observation at scale (SSO@S), a pipeline for using visual data, crowdsourcing, and computer vision to identify visible characteristics of neighborhoods at a large scale. The authors implement SSO@S on millions of street-level images across three physically distinct cities—Boston, Detroit, and Los Angeles—from 2007 to 2020 to identify trash across space and over time. The authors evaluate the extent to which this approach can be used to assist with systematic coding of street-level imagery through cross-validation and out-of-sample validation, class-activation mapping, and comparisons with other sources of observed neighborhood characteristics. The SSO@S approach produces estimates with high reliability that correlate with some expected demographic characteristics but not others, depending on the city. The authors conclude with an assessment of this approach for measuring visible characteristics of neighborhoods and the implications for methods and research.
A systematic review of the determinants of implementation of a locomotor training program using a powered exoskeleton for individuals with a spinal cord injury
Authors: Charette Caroline , Déry Julien , Blanchette Andreanne K , Faure Céline , Routhier François , Bouyer Laurent J , Lamontagne Marie-Eve
Published: April 2023

Background

Wearable powered exoskeletons represent a promising rehabilitation tool for locomotor training in various populations, including in individuals with a spinal cord injury. The lack of clear evidence on how to implement a locomotor powered exoskeleton training program raises many challenges for patients, clinicians and organizations.

Objective

To report determinants of implementation in clinical practice of an overground powered exoskeleton locomotor training program for persons with a spinal cord injury.

Data sources

Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science.

Study selection

Studies were included if they documented determinants of implementation of an overground powered exoskeleton locomotor training program for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Data extraction

Eligible studies were identified by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted by one reviewer, based on constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and validated by a second reviewer.

Results

Sixty-three articles were included. 49.4% of all determinants identified were related to the intervention characteristics, 29.6% to the individuals’ characteristic and 13.5% to the inner setting. Recurrent barriers identified were the high prevalence of adverse events (e.g., skin issues, falls) and device malfunctions. Adequate training for clinicians, time and resource available, as well as discussion about patients’ expectations were identified as facilitators.

Conclusions

Powered exoskeleton training is a complex intervention. The limited information on the context and the implementation process domains may represent a barrier to a successful transition from knowledge to action.
Estimating the per-protocol effect of lithium on suicidality in a randomized trial of individuals with depression or bipolar disorder
Authors: Szmulewicz Alejandro , Madenci Arin , Ferguson Ryan , Liang Matthew H , Lew Robert , Katz Ira R , Hernán Miguel A
Published: April 2023

Background:

The CSP590 randomized trial was designed to estimate the effect of lithium on suicidality. After a third of the intended number of participants were enrolled, the hazard ratio of suicidality was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.55). Based on this, the trial was stopped for futility. However, only 17% of patients adhered to the specified protocol.

Aims:

The objective was to estimate the per-protocol effect of lithium on suicidality, that is, the effect of adhering to the treatment strategies as specified in the protocol.

Methods:

We stopped individuals’ follow-up if/when they showed evidence of nonadherence. We then conducted the analysis in the restricted sample, adjusting for prognostic factors that predict adherence via inverse probability weighting. The primary outcome was the 12-month risk of suicidality (including death from suicide, suicide attempt, interrupted attempt, hospitalization specifically to prevent suicide).

Results:

The estimated 12-month risk of suicidality was 18.8% for lithium, and 24.3% for placebo. The risk ratio was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.43, 1.37) and the risk difference −5.5 percentage points (95% CI: −17.5, 5.5). Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions:

With one-third of the targeted sample size, lithium effects (compared with placebo) ranging between a 17.5% reduction and a 5.5% increase in the risk of suicidality were highly compatible with the data. Thus, a protective effect of lithium on suicidality among patients with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder cannot be ruled out. Trials should incorporate adequate per-protocol analyses into the decision-making processes for stopping trials for futility.
Retrospective analysis of histologic lesions in captive arachnids
Authors: Gaudette Chris , LaDouceur Elise E. B. , Troan Brigid V. , Whitehurst Nathan , Dombrowski Daniel S. , Lewbart Gregory A. , Linder Keith E. , Passingham Kent , Christian Larry S. , Schreeg Megan E.
Published: April 2023

Invertebrates, including arachnids, are a common taxon in zoological collections. Invertebrate medicine and pathology are emerging subspecialties, but there is limited reference material or published resources describing histologic lesions in arachnids. Histopathology of 26 captive arachnids (20 spiders and 6 scorpions) from institutional collections was reviewed. Most animals were found dead with limited clinical signs. Tissues evaluated included body wall (cuticle and epidermis), skeletal muscle, book lungs, digestive tract (pharynx, esophagus, sucking stomach, midgut tube, midgut diverticula, and stercoral pocket), central and peripheral nervous system, heart, hemolymph vessels and sinuses, Malpighian tubules, coxal glands, and gonads. Inflammation was frequent (24/26, 92%), and seen in multiple organs (18/24, 75%) with the midgut diverticulum most commonly affected (14/24, 58%) followed by the book lungs (13/24 arachnids, 54%), and body wall (8/24 arachnids, 33%). Inflammation comprised hemocyte accumulation, hemocytic coagula, melanization, and nodulation. Infectious agents, including bacteria (11/26, 42%), fungi (10/26, 38%), and parasites (2/26, 8%), were seen within inflammatory aggregates. Coinfection with multiple infectious agents was common (6/24, 25%). No etiologic agent was identified in 7/24 (29%) cases with inflammatory lesions. Lesions suggestive of decreased nutritional status or increased metabolic rate included midgut diverticula atrophy in 11/26 (42%) animals and skeletal muscle atrophy in 6/26 (23%) animals. Atrophic lesions were seen in combination with infection (8/11, 73%), pregnancy (2/11, 18%), male sex (2/11, 18%), or without other lesions (1/11, 9%). Other suspected contributors to death included dysecdysis-associated trauma (2/26, 8%) and uterine intussusception (1/26, 4%). No animals had neoplasia.
Non-Procedural Dispute Resolution: Study of the Restorative Justice Approach Tradition in Indonesian Society
Authors: Hamzani Achmad Irwan , Aryani Fajar Dian , Bawono Bambang Tri , Khasanah Nur , Yunus Nur Rohim
Published: April 2023

The Indonesian Muslim community is familiar with restorative justice. The substance of restorative justice is building joint participation between perpetrators and victims through third parties. The objectives of this study are: to describe restorative justice in the traditions of Indonesian Muslim society and to examine the relevance of restorative justice for the settlement of criminal cases in the future. This research uses a philosophical approach, namely legal construction at an ideal level in the future. The results show that the restorative justice approach has strong roots in Indonesian Muslim society, namely deliberation to reach a consensus. Deliberative institutions are held to find solutions that can satisfy all parties. In the future, restoration justice needs to be applied in Indonesia in resolving criminal cases, especially crimes against life. The restorative justice approach offers a different view from the approach applied in the current criminal system.
Lidocaine aerosol sprayed on oral and/or nasal mucosa for the rescue of acute trigeminal neuralgia exacerbations: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhou Xiangjun , Shen Ying , Zhao Chunmei , Luo Fang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Acute trigeminal neuralgia exacerbation is a common reason for frequent emergency department visits, that often occurs while waiting for surgery, but evidence on effective drugs for acute trigeminal neuralgia is scant. Whether lidocaine aerosol could be a rescue option for the treatment of acute trigeminal neuralgia exacerbations is worth exploring. Positive predictors of the analgesic effects of lidocaine aerosol also warrant further investigation.

Methods

This is a retrospective study with a total of 152 patients. We analyzed the efficacy of lidocaine aerosol for the treatment of acute trigeminal neuralgia exacerbations. A positive response was considered a decrease in the VAS score of at least 50% at 30 min of treatment. Multivariable logistic analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for lidocaine aerosol response.

Results

In the group of 109 responders, the VAS score decreased from 8.3 ± 1.1 cm to 0.8 ± 1.0 cm at 15 min, and 1.7 ± 1.0 cm at 30 min. The effective rate at 15 min and 30 min were 77.6% and 70.4%, respectively. Multivariate logistic analyses showed the treatment may provide better clinical outcomes in V2 trigeminal neuralgia (OR 0.01, 95%Cl 0.001–0.15, p < 0.001), V3 trigeminal neuralgia (OR 0.02, 95%Cl 0.001–0.16, p = 0.001), and V2 + V3 trigeminal neuralgia (OR 0.01, 95%Cl 0.001–0.13, p < 0.001), patients who were taking carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine with a maximum dose (OR 6.15, 95%Cl 2.11–17.93, p = 0.001) were less likely to experience immediate pain relief.

Conclusion

Lidocaine aerosol sprayed on oral and/or nasal mucosa is beneficial for immediate pain relief in patients with acute trigeminal neuralgia exacerbations. It is expected to become a promising treatment option for patients with V2 and/or V3 trigeminal neuralgia.
Effect of body mass index on prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen in men over 50: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zaza Mohamed Mahmoud , Salem Tarek Abdel-Majid , Hassanin Ismail Shawky Fahmy , Soliman Mohamed Hassan Ali
Published: April 2023

Objectives:

To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and prostate volume (PV) in men over 50 years.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Urology Outpatient Clinic at Badr Hospital and 15th May Hospital over a period of 6 months on 300 male patients over 50 years of age. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was used to evaluate the severity of lower tract urinary symptoms. Patients were classified according to their BMI as underweight, normal, overweight, obese, and very obese.

Results:

The patients’ mean age was 69.01 ± 11.95 years, and their mean BMI was 23.65 ± 3.54 kg/m2. An increasing trend was observed between the studied groups in terms of PV and IPSS scores. Very obese patients were associated with a significant ( p < 0.05) higher PV and IPSS, followed by obese, overweighted, normal weight, and underweighted patients. On the other hand, obese patients were associated with significantly ( p = 0.005) lower PSA levels compared with individuals with normal or underweight. A significant positive correlation between BMI and PV and IPSS ( r = 0.316, p < 0.001 and r = 0.36, p < 0.001), respectively. We found a significant negative correlation between BMI and PSA level ( r = −0.33, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Among patients older than 50, a significant correlation between BMI and PV, PAS, and IPSS was found. Obese patients had significantly higher PV and IPSS scores, and lower PAS levels than normal weight patients. Further studies are required to investigate the relationship between obesity and LUTS and the predictors of developing BPH in elderly patients.
Transvaginal surgical treatment of stage III-IV cystocele using a light prolene mesh: Safety of use and 5-year follow-up results
Authors: Banakhevych Roman , Akymova Klavdiia , Pariienko Kateryna , Nechaiev Vsevolod
Published: April 2023

Objective:

The relevance of the article is due to the spread of the problem of genital prolapse in women. In order to solve this, the purpose of the presented work is to present and evaluate the 5-year experience of using light-weight polypropylene mesh, which is used in the transvaginal surgical treatment of stage III-IV cystocele.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Dnipro State Medical University at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the period from 2010 to 2020. A total of 612 patients with an average age of 64.8 ± 8.2 years (range 47–79) were included in it.

Results:

Long-term analysis of operative treatment in 374 patients (76.0%) after 60 months showed a high level of satisfaction with the results of the operation 99.2% (371/374). A significant level of elimination of pathological symptoms in the functioning of the pelvic organs and improvement of the quality of life was established, which were assessed using questionnaires: PFDI-20 (76.4–4.3 ( p < 0.05)), PFIQ-7 (41–8.4 ( p < 0.05)), before the operation and at the final stage of the study. In total, 12 months after the operation, 2.6% (12/467) of the patients were re-operated on due to erosion of the vaginal wall at the site of placement of the MESH-system.

Conclusions:

The proposed technique for restoring the front wall of the vagina in case of an isolated cystocele of the III-IV degree, without signs of incomplete or complete prolapse of the uterus, showed a recurrence-free result in the indicated segment of the vagina.
The Easybeats: From power pop to Oz rock
Authors: Stratton Jon
Published: April 2023

The Easybeats’ 1960s career is viewed as being in two halves. In the first, they played pop songs composed by Stevie Wright and George Young. The group was incredibly successful in Australia spawning the term Easyfever to describe the adulation heaped on them by mainly teenage girls. In the second half, the group go to England and Young starts writing with Harry Vanda. The group had one huge international hit ‘Friday On My Mind’ and then their popularity declines as their audience loses interest in the group’s more complex music and seemingly sophisticated lyrics. In this article I argue that the earlier songs can be read in terms of power pop avant la lettre and that a continuity can be discerned between the earlier songs and certain key later songs as Vanda and Young begin to develop a harder melodic rock sound anchored in power pop aesthetics that will be the template for AC/DC, a group that included Young’s two younger brothers, and which helped define the generic form of Oz rock. I argue for the importance of Snowy Fleet’s Merseybeat experience in the creation of the early sound, analyse the group’s appeal for teenage girls and discuss the later song ‘Good Times’ as a melodic hard rock precursor of the kind of music played by AC/DC.
Recycling effects on the bending, rheological, and structural properties of glass fiber-reinforced isotactic polypropylene composites
Authors: Achukwu EO , Owen MM , Danladi A , Dauda BM , Romli AZ , Shuib Solehuddin B , Ishiaku US , Hazizan Akil Md
Published: April 2023

In the present work, a combination of virgin polypropylene and E-glass fiber was subjected to ten (10) reprocessing cycles via extrusion and compression molding techniques to mimic recycling and its impacts on the bending properties of the composites. The samples were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and melt flow index (MFI). The results revealed a gradual depreciation in flexural properties after each reprocessing cycle. The XRD analysis indicated a substantial reduction of peak intensities, degrees of crystallinities, and average crystallite sizes, explaining the lowered flexural properties in addition to a possible reduction in glass fiber lengths (fiber attrition). Melt-processing behavior shows a progressive increase of MFI from 7 to 19.16 g/10 min, confirming the probable damage in molecular weight and loss of complex viscosity. Chemical and structural analysis showed no alteration in the polypropylene major functional groups. It is concluded that the reductions in molecular weight and composites’ properties occurred due to chain scission from recycling effects; hence, glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites can be recycled only three (3) times unless it is refreshed by the addition of virgin parts to compensate for the lost property.