bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of a topical skincare regimen containing CE Ferulic serum and resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment: A prospective, randomized, split‐face, controlled trial
Authors: Shi Yu , Shen Chen , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2024

Background

Ablative fractional CO2 laser is widely used to address various skin problems, but the treatment often leads to adverse effects such as erythema, dyspigmentation, and extended recovery periods, negatively impacting patients' quality of life.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a topical skincare regimen containing both CE Ferulic serum and Resveratrol BE night serum following fractional CO2 laser treatment in Chinese population.

Methods

In this randomized, investigator‐blinded, split‐face, controlled trial, individuals aged 18–65 undergoing ablative CO2 laser treatment were randomly assigned to apply CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum (CEF‐RBE) to either side of face and normal saline (NS) to the other, for 14 consecutive days. The primary endpoint was erythema index (EI) on day 14, with key secondary endpoints including scabbing detachment time, percentage changes in EI and melanin index (MI), skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, skin sebum content, oedema, and overall subject satisfaction.

Results

The study included 51 patients, of whom 29 (56.9%) were female, with a mean (SD) age of 29.8 (5.39) years. On day 14, the CEF‐RBE side exhibited significantly lower EI than the NS side (308.9 vs. 325.3, p = 0.034). The median (IQR) time (days) for complete scabbing detachment at the CEF‐RBE side was 6.0 (5.0–8.0) compared to 6.5 (5.0–9.0) at NS side (p = 0.018). Additionally, the CEF‐RBE side showed a 7.4% decrease in MI from baseline to day 14, while the NS side experienced a 0.2% increase (Δ = −7.6%, p = 0.044). Throughout the 14‐day follow‐up, the CEF‐RBE side consistently displayed higher skin hydration than the NS side.

Conclusions

The study highlighted the benefits of incorporating CEF‐RBE following laser treatment in reducing erythema and hyperpigmentation, promoting wound healing, and maintaining skin hydration, although limitations such as contamination and adherence issues should be considered.
Implementing absolute cardiovascular disease risk assessment into pathology collection services
Authors: Pagano Lisa , Sharman James E. , Nash Rose , Sutton Laura , Donovan Shaun , Owens Daniel , Murfett Leigh , Heathcote Sheridan , Wells Gudrun , Zurynski Yvonne , Sarkies Mitchell , Chapman Niamh
Published: June 2024

Background

Pathology services represent an ideal setting to integrate absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation when patients attend for routine cholesterol testing. This study aimed to explore the process of implementing CVD risk estimation into point‐of‐care service delivery by pathology staff to inform future implementation and sustainability.

Methods

A new service for CVD risk estimation via a self‐directed screening station was implemented into 14 pathology service sites across Tasmania, Australia. Before implementation, observations at pathology services (n = 26) and semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 26 pathology staff (88% female, 77% aged 41–60 years) to identify factors that could impact implementation of the service. The process of implementation was then evaluated using participant observations and clinical trial recruitment data. Transcripts and field notes were analysed thematically according to the Medical Research Council Framework and used to develop a programme logic model to understand how the service could be adapted to be successfully integrated into routine workflow at pathology services.

Results

Eight key themes were identified during the pre‐implementation phase as important factors that could impact upon integration of CVD risk estimation into pathology services. Themes related to factors within the organisation, including available resources, logistics and workflow, as well as having sufficient time to complete the intervention. Additional factors related to the individual motivations of staff, collaborative leadership and patient characteristics. Success of implementation varied among sites, requiring the trialling of different strategies to support uptake of the service and patient recruitment.

Conclusions

Implementing CVD risk estimation into point‐of‐care pathology services required an understanding of the core implementation components specific to each context, and for implementation strategies to be targeted to the individual and organisational contexts. The generated programme logic model may be useful in guiding future implementation endeavours within these services and aiding the selection of apt implementation strategies.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04896021, registered 19/05/2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04896021.
(Cost‐)effectiveness of personalised multimodal physiotherapy compared to surgery in patients with cervical radiculopathy: A systematic review
Authors: Klein Heerenbrink Sebastiaan , Coenen Pieter , Coppieters Michel W. , van Dongen Johanna M. , Vleggeert‐Lankamp Carmen L. A. , Rooker Servan , ter Meulen Bastiaan C. , Bosboom Johannes L. W. , Bouma Gerrit J. , Lutke Schipholt Ivo J. , Sleijser‐Koehorst Marije L. S. , de Vries Ralph , Ostelo Raymond W. J. G. , Scholten‐Peeters Gwendolyne G. M.
Published: June 2024

Rationale

Cervical radiculopathy is initially typically managed conservatively. Surgery is indicated when conservative management fails or with severe/progressive neurological signs. Personalised multimodal physiotherapy could be a promising conservative strategy. However, aggregated evidence on the (cost‐)effectiveness of personalised multimodal physiotherapy compared to surgery with/without post‐operative physiotherapy is lacking.

Aim/Objectives

To systematically summarise the literature on the (cost‐)effectiveness of personalised multimodal physiotherapy compared to surgery with or without post‐operative physiotherapy in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched from inception to 1st of March 2023. Primary outcomes were effectiveness regarding costs, arm pain intensity and disability. Neck pain intensity, perceived recovery, quality of life, neurological symptoms, range‐of‐motion, return‐to‐work, medication use, (re)surgeries and adverse events were considered secondary outcomes. Randomised clinical trials comparing personalised multimodal physiotherapy versus surgical approaches with/without post‐operative physiotherapy were included. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data‐extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane RoB 2 and Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards statement. Certainty of the evidence was determined using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations.

Results

From 2109 records, eight papers from two original trials, with 117 participants in total were included. Low certainty evidence showed there were no significant differences on arm pain intensity and disability, except for the subscale ‘heavy work’ related disability (12 months) and disability at 5–8 years. Cost‐effectiveness was not assessed. There was low certainty evidence that physiotherapy improved significantly less on neck pain intensity, sensory loss and perceived recovery compared to surgery with/without physiotherapy. Low certainty evidence showed there were no significant differences on numbness, range of motion, medication use, and quality of life. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Considering the clinical importance of accurate management recommendations and the current low level of certainty, high‐quality cost‐effectiveness studies are needed.
Factors influencing central nervous system medication deprescribing and behavior change in hospitalized older adults
Authors: Pavon Juliessa M. , Zhang Audrey D. , Fish Laura J. , Falkovic Margaret , Colón‐Emeric Cathleen S. , Gallagher David M. , Schmader Kenneth E. , Hastings S. Nicole
Published: June 2024

Background

Central nervous system (CNS) medications are linked to higher morbidity and mortality in older adults. Hospitalization allows for deprescribing opportunities. This qualitative study investigates clinician and patient perspectives on CNS medication deprescribing during hospitalization using a behavioral change framework, aiming to inform interventions and identify recommendations to enhance hospital deprescribing processes.

Methods

This qualitative study focused on hospitalists, primary care providers, pharmacists, and patients aged ≥60 years hospitalized on a general medicine service and prescribed ≥1 CNS medications. Using semi‐structured interviews and focus groups, we aimed to evaluate patient medication knowledge, prior deprescribing experiences, and decision‐making preferences, as well as provider processes and tools for medication evaluation and deprescribing. Rapid qualitative analysis applying the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM‐B) framework revealed themes influencing deprescribing behavior in patients and providers.

Results

A total of 52 participants (20 patients and 32 providers) identified facilitators and barriers across deprescribing steps and generated recommended strategies to address them. Clinicians and patients highlighted the opportunity for CNS medication deprescribing during hospitalizations, facilitated by multidisciplinary teams enhancing clinicians' capability to make medication changes. Both groups also stressed the importance of intensive patient engagement, education, and monitoring during hospitalizations, acknowledging challenges in timing and extent of deprescribing, with some patients preferring decisions deferred to outpatient clinicians. Hospitalist and pharmacist recommendations centered on early pharmacist involvement for medication reconciliation, expanding pharmacy consultation and clinician education on deprescribing, whereas patients recommended enhancing shared decision‐making through patient education on medication adverse effects, tapering plans, and alternatives. Hospitalists and PCPs also emphasized standardized discharge instructions and transitional care calls to improve medication review and feedback during care transitions.

Conclusions

Clinicians and patients highlighted the potential advantages of hospital interventions for CNS medication deprescribing, emphasizing the necessity of addressing communication, education, and coordination challenges between inpatient and outpatient settings.
Assumptions about Human Motivation have Consequences for Practice
Authors: Gagné Marylène , Hewett Rebecca
Published: June 2024

Management practice is informed by fundamental assumptions about human motivation. We review two contrasting perspectives: agency theory – which assumes that humans are self‐interested rational beings whose actions should be constrained to achieve organizational goals (which are opposing) – and self‐determination theory – which assumes that individuals will thrive when they have autonomy to pursue activities and can internalize external goals when their needs are satisfied. We highlight how the assumptions of agency theory continue to dominate the design and implementation of management practices and management education, despite decades of evidence that individuals are not solely driven by economic rationality. We suggest that attempts to refine these assumptions have so far fallen short of adequately representing human motivation and highlight an important aspect of self‐determination theory which is often neglected from these debates: how people come to internalize goals. Placing motivation internalization as more central to management thinking yields practices that more effectively align the interests of employees and organizations.
Comparative assessment of growth performance, heat resistance and carcass traits in four poultry genotypes reared in hot‐humid tropical environment
Authors: Hemanth M. , Venugopal S. , Devaraj C. , Shashank C. G. , Ponnuvel P. , Mandal P. K. , Sejian V.
Published: June 2024

This study investigated the impact of heat stress on growth and carcass traits in four poultry genotypes—Giriraja, Country chicken, Naked Neck and Kadaknath reared in a hot and humid tropical environment. Birds from all genotypes had ad libitum access to feed and water while being challenged with consistently high environmental temperatures in the experimental shed. Daily diurnal meteorological data were recorded inside and outside the shed. The study specifically examined growth variables and carcass characteristics. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed in body weight and average daily gain at various intervals. Notably, feed intake showed significant differences (p < 0.01) across weeks, indicating interactions between genotypes and time intervals. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied significantly (p < 0.01), with the highest FCR recorded in the Kadaknath breed. Livability percentages were similar across groups, except for Giriraja, which had significantly lower livability (p < 0.01). Carcass traits, including dressing, wings, feathers and giblet percentages, showed significant differences among genotypes (p < 0.01). Hepatic mRNA expression of growth‐related genes revealed numerical variations, with Naked Neck displaying the highest (p < 0.05) fold change in IGF‐1 expression compared to other genotypes. The study recognized in the Naked Neck genotype to possess higher resilience in maintaining homoeostasis and uncompromised growth under heat stress, providing valuable insights for sustainable poultry farming in challenging environmental conditions.
Perceptions of probation officer procedural justice, low self‐control, and recidivism after release from prison
Authors: Baker Thomas , van Hall Matthias , Ray James V. , Nieuwbeerta Paul , Dirkzwager Anja J. E.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Legal authorities who engage in procedurally just practices may reduce the likelihood of people offending, while low self‐control is a known risk factor for offending.

Methods

Using data from the Prison Project, this study examines whether self‐control conditions the impact of perceived probation officer procedural justice on recidivism for people on probation in the Netherlands.

Results

Controlling for demographics and criminal history, procedural justice and low self‐control were both significantly associated with recidivism in the theoretically expected directions. However, no interaction was found between self‐control and procedural justice, suggesting the relationship between perceived fairness and recidivism does not significantly differ across levels of self‐control.

Conclusions

The findings support the generality of procedural justice effects on compliance, regardless of individual traits. In practice, procedural justice may improve outcomes even among people at higher risk on probation.
Clinical characteristics and natural history of porto‐sinusoidal vascular disease: A cohort study of 234 patients in China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Xiong Qingfang , Zhong Yandan , Liu Duxian , Liu Hongli , Wang Li , Du Zhixiang , Chen Miaoyang , Zheng Yufeng , Yang Yongfeng
Published: June 2024

Background and Aims

Porto‐sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is an under‐recognized and under‐diagnosed disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features and prognosis of PSVD.

Methods

The patients who underwent liver biopsies were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical and pathological data were reviewed and screened according to the latest diagnostic criteria of PSVD.

Results

A total of 234 patients were diagnosed as PSVD, including 103 patients presented with portal hypertension (PH) and 131 patients without PH. At baseline, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels were higher in the no‐PH group. The liver stiffness increased in the PH group. In histological review, obliterative portal venopathy, sinusoidal dilatation and architectural disturbance were more common in the PH group, while portal tract abnormalities were more widely distributed in the no‐PH group. After a median follow‐up of 43.6 months, the survival rate of patients with baseline liver decompensation was 76.0%, and that of patients at a liver compensated stage in the PH group was 98.7%. First variceal bleeding occurred in 13.8% of patients with gastric‐oesophageal varices. None of the patients in the no‐PH group developed portal hypertension during follow‐up.

Conclusions

PSVD can manifest as PH or mild liver enzyme abnormalities. There are significant differences in pathological features among patients with different clinical manifestations. Recurrent ascites are the main cause of death in PSVD patients. However, patients without PH have a slow disease progression, with recurrent elevated GGT levels being their main clinical feature.
From pollen to putrid: Comparative metagenomics reveals how microbiomes support dietary specialization in vulture bees
Authors: Maccaro Jessica J. , Figueroa Laura L. , McFrederick Quinn S.
Published: June 2024

For most animals, the microbiome is key for nutrition and pathogen defence, and is often shaped by diet. Corbiculate bees, including honey bees, bumble bees, and stingless bees, share a core microbiome that has been shaped, at least in part, by the challenges associated with pollen digestion. However, three species of stingless bees deviate from the general rule of bees obtaining their protein exclusively from pollen (obligate pollinivores) and instead consume carrion as their sole protein source (obligate necrophages) or consume both pollen and carrion (facultative necrophages). These three life histories can provide missing insights into microbiome evolution associated with extreme dietary transitions. Here, we investigate, via shotgun metagenomics, the functionality of the microbiome across three bee diet types: obligate pollinivory, obligate necrophagy, and facultative necrophagy. We find distinct differences in microbiome composition and gene functional profiles between the diet types. Obligate necrophages and pollinivores have more specialized microbes, whereas facultative necrophages have a diversity of environmental microbes associated with several dietary niches. Our study suggests that necrophagous bee microbiomes may have evolved to overcome cellular stress and microbial competition associated with carrion. We hypothesize that the microbiome evolved social phenotypes, such as biofilms, that protect the bees from opportunistic pathogens present on carcasses, allowing them to overcome novel nutritional challenges. Whether specific microbes enabled diet shifts or diet shifts occurred first and microbial evolution followed requires further research to disentangle. Nonetheless, we find that necrophagous microbiomes, vertebrate and invertebrate alike, have functional commonalities regardless of their taxonomy.
Neutral processes and taxonomic scale drive beta species‐genetic diversity correlations in a submesophotic tropical reef fish
Authors: Vilcot Maurine , Faure Nadia , Andrews Kimberly R. , Bowen Brian W. , Leprieur Fabien , Manel Stéphanie
Published: June 2024

If similar evolutionary forces maintain intra‐ and interspecific diversity, patterns of diversity at both levels of biological organization can be expected to covary across space. Although this prediction of a positive species‐genetic diversity correlation (SGDC) has been tested for several taxa in natural landscapes, no study has yet evaluated the influence of the community delineation on these SGDCs. In this study, we focused on tropical fishes of the Indo‐Pacific Ocean, using range‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism data for a deep‐sea fish (Etelis coruscans) and species presence data of 4878 Teleostei species. We investigated whether a diversity continuum occurred, for different community delineations (subfamily, family, order and class) and spatial extents, and which processes explained these diversity patterns. We found no association between genetic diversity and species richness (α‐SGDC), regardless of the community and spatial extent. In contrast, we evidenced a positive relationship between genetic and species dissimilarities (β‐SGDC) when the community was defined at the subfamily or family level of the species of interest, and when the Western Indian Ocean was excluded. This relationship was related to the imprint of dispersal processes across levels of biological organization in Lutjanidae. However, this positive β‐SGDC was lost when considering higher taxonomic communities and at the scale of the entire Indo‐Pacific, suggesting different responses of populations and communities to evolutionary processes at these scales. This study provides evidence that the taxonomic scale at which communities are defined and the spatial extent are pivotal to better understand the processes shaping diversity across levels of biological organization.
Epidemiologic features and therapeutic strategies of kerion: A nationwide multicentre study
Authors: Deng Ruixin , Chen Xiaoqing , Zheng Dongyan , Xiao Yuanyuan , Dong Bilin , Cao Cunwei , Ma Lin , Tong Zhongsheng , Zhu Min , Liu Zehu , Lu Sha , Fu Meng , Jin Yun , Yin Bin , Li Fuqiu , Li Xiaofang , Abliz Palida , Liu Hongfang , Zhang Yu , Yu Nan , Wu Weiwei , Xiong Xincai , Zeng Jingsi , Huang Huaiqiu , Jiang Yanping , Chen Guanzhi , Pan Weihua , Sang Hong , Wang Ying , Guo Yun , Shi Dongmei , Yang Jianxun , Ran Yuping , Hu Jin , Yang Lianjuan , Bai Shuang , Yu Jin , Wang Xiaowen , Li Ruoyu
Published: June 2024

Background

Kerion is a severe type of tinea capitis that is difficult to treat and remains a public health problem.

Objectives

To evaluate the epidemiologic features and efficacy of different treatment schemes from real‐world experience.

Methods

From 2019 to 2021, 316 patients diagnosed with kerion at 32 tertiary Chinese hospitals were enrolled. We analysed the data of each patient, including clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, treatments and outcomes.

Results

Preschool children were predominantly affected and were more likely to have zoophilic infection. The most common pathogen in China was Microsporum canis. Atopic dermatitis (AD), animal contact, endothrix infection and geophilic pathogens were linked with kerion occurrence. In terms of treatment, itraconazole was the most applied antifungal agent and reduced the time to mycological cure. A total of 22.5% of patients received systemic glucocorticoids simultaneously, which reduced the time to complete symptom relief. Furthermore, glucocorticoids combined with itraconazole had better treatment efficacy, with a higher rate and shorter time to achieving mycological cure.

Conclusions

Kerion often affects preschoolers and leads to serious sequelae, with AD, animal contact, and endothrix infection as potential risk factors. Glucocorticoids, especially those combined with itraconazole, had better treatment efficacy.
The Euro Area Government Spending Multiplier in Demand‐ and Supply‐Driven Recessions
Authors: Di Serio Mario , Fragetta Matteo , Gasteiger Emanuel , Melina Giovanni
Published: June 2024

We estimate government spending multipliers in demand‐ and supply‐driven recessions for the Euro Area. Multipliers in a moderately demand‐driven recession are two to three times larger than in a moderately supply‐driven recession, with the difference between multipliers being non‐zero with very high probability. More generally, multipliers are inversely correlated with the deviation of inflation from its trend, implying that the more demand‐driven a recession, the higher the multiplier. Multipliers range from 0.5 in supply‐driven recessions to about 2 in demand‐driven recessions. The econometric approach leverages a factor‐augmented interacted vector‐autoregression model purified of expectations (FAIPVAR‐X). The model captures the time‐varying state of the business‐cycle including strongly and moderately demand‐ and supply‐driven recessions, by taking the whole distribution of inflation deviations from trend into account.
Not a match: Why women are not choosing pain medicine
Authors: Ege Eliana , Koyyalagunta Lakshmi , Javed Saba
Published: June 2024

Background

Despite a long history of disparities in medicine, women have made significant progress toward gender equity in medical schools, training programs, and many fields in recent years. However, pain medicine has remained behind most specialties in female recruitment and representation.

Methods

We reviewed the latest demographic data on practicing physicians, trainees, and applicants with the aim of analyzing gender trends and identifying potential factors contributing to the shortage of women in our specialty.

Results

Based on data from the past 10 years, the percentages of women among pain physicians, fellows, and applicants have remained stagnant, in contrast to the increases seen not only in the general medical workforce but also in other interventional specialties.

Conclusions

Given these trends, it is likely that persistent gender disparities and biases play a role in preventing women from pursuing careers in pain, and unlikely that the current trajectory will change unless we take steps to address these and other relevant factors.
How does a focusing event shape public opinion? Natural experimental evidence from the Orlando mass shooting
Authors: Zhang Youlang , Liu Xinsheng
Published: June 2024

Policy process theories posit that focusing events can trigger significant shifts in public attention and policy preferences, thereby reshaping public agenda setting. Prior studies, however, have not clearly defined the scope of public opinion changes induced by these focusing events, leading to inconsistent empirical findings. This study aims to reconceptualize the multiple layers of public opinion and formulate testable hypotheses to investigate the causal effects of a major focusing event—the 2016 Orlando nightclub mass shooting—on public opinion. Using original and unique survey data collected immediately pre‐ and post‐Orlando shooting, we find that this event significantly heightened public attention to terror‐related issues, particularly armed terror attacks on civilians. This increased attention translated into heightened support for augmented government counterterrorism spending. However, the event did not significantly alter public attention or support for government spending on other terror‐related acts less relevant to the Orlando shooting. Moreover, the event did not change individuals' policy preferences regarding specific policy proposals to address mass shootings. Our study enriches public policy and public opinion research and provides fresh insights into the relationship between focusing events and public agenda setting.
Evaluation of embryo–foetal biometry and its correlation with parturition date in Toy Poodle bitches
Authors: Xavier Gleice Mendes , Bittencourt Rodrigo Freitas , Planzo Fernandes Maíra , Biscarde Carmo Emanuel de Almeida , Carneiro Isabella de Matos Brandão , Costa Eduardo Oliveira , Fuchs Kárita da Mata , Costa Thamys , Loiola Marcus Vinícius Galvão
Published: June 2024

Estimating the parturition date in dogs is challenging due to their reproductive peculiarities that. Ultrasonographic examination serves as a tool for studying embryo/foetal biometry and estimating the time of parturition by measuring foetal and extra‐foetal structures. However, due to reproductive differences among various dog breeds, such estimates may have a non‐significant pattern, representing inaccuracies in the estimated date of birth. This study aimed to monitor pregnant Toy Poodle bitches and establish relationships between ultrasonographically measured foetal and extra‐foetal dimensions and the remaining time until parturition. Eighteen pregnant Toy Poodle bitches were subjected to weekly ultrasonographic evaluations and measurements of the inner chorionic cavity diameter, craniocaudal length (CCL), biparietal diameter (BPD), diameter of the deep portion of diencephalo‐telencephalic vesicle (DPTV), abdominal diameter, thorax diameter (TXD), placental thickness and the renal diameter (REND). These parameters were retrospectively correlated with the date of parturition and linear regressions were established between gestational measurements and days before parturition (DBP). All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM® SPSS®) program at a 5% significance level. The foetal measurements that showed a high correlation (r) and reliability (R2) with DBP were BPD [(DBP = [15.538 × BPD] − 39.756), r = .97 and R2 = .93], TXD [(DBP = [8.933 × TXD] − 32.487), r = .94 and R2 = .89], DPTV [(DBP = [34.580 × DPTV] − 39.403), r = .93 and R2 = .86] and REND [(DBP = [13.735 × REND] − 28.937), r = .91 and R2 = .82]. This statistically validates the application of these specific formulas to estimate the parturition date in Toy Poodle bitches.
Contemporary Concise Review 2023: Environmental and occupational lung diseases
Authors: Yatera Kazuhiro , Nishida Chinatsu
Published: June 2024

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

Air pollutants have various effects on human health in environmental and occupational settings.

Air pollutants can be a risk factor for incidence, exacerbation/aggravation and death due to various lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis or pneumonia (HP), pulmonary fibrosis such as pneumoconiosis and malignant respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Environmental and occupational respiratory diseases are crucial clinical and social issues worldwide, although the burden of respiratory disease due to environmental and occupational causes varies depending on country/region, demographic variables, geographical location, industrial structure and socioeconomic situation.

The correct recognition of environmental and occupational lung diseases and taking appropriate measures are essential to their effective prevention.
Frequency importance functions in simulated bimodal cochlear-implant users with spectral holes
Authors: Yoon Yang-Soo , Whitaker Reagan , White Naomi
Published: June 2024

Frequency importance functions (FIFs) for simulated bimodal hearing were derived using sentence perception scores measured in quiet and noise. Acoustic hearing was simulated using low-pass filtering. Electric hearing was simulated using a six-channel vocoder with three input frequency ranges, resulting in overlap, meet, and gap maps, relative to the acoustic cutoff frequency. Spectral holes present in the speech spectra were created within electric stimulation by setting amplitude(s) of channels to zero. FIFs were significantly different between frequency maps. In quiet, the three FIFs were similar with gradually increasing weights with channels 5 and 6 compared to the first three channels. However, the most and least weighted channels slightly varied depending on the maps. In noise, the patterns of the three FIFs were similar to those in quiet, with steeper increasing weights with channels 5 and 6 compared to the first four channels. Thus, channels 5 and 6 contributed to speech perception the most, while channels 1 and 2 contributed the least, regardless of frequency maps. Results suggest that the contribution of cochlear implant frequency bands for bimodal speech perception depends on the degree of frequency overlap between acoustic and electric stimulation and if noise is absent or present.
Experimental investigation of a Tonpilz transducer operating in the frequency band of 20–80 kHz (L)
Authors: Ji Bocheng , Lan Yu , Qiao Gang , Shao Shuai
Published: June 2024

The drive-stack design principle for the Tonpilz transducer aiming to transmit the acoustic signal in an ultra-wideband has been proposed [(2023). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 154, 3709–3725], in which the design method is obtained and validated through simulation. This letter presents the experimental investigation of a fabricated transducer prototype and gives the measurement results of electroacoustic performance, including the electrical admittance, transmitting voltage response, directivity beam pattern, electroacoustic efficiency, and source level. The results indicate that the transducer can operate in the frequency band from 20 to 80 kHz without deep response notches within the band.
Comments on “What is silence? Therefore, what is sound?” — A discussion of Brownian motion and the threshold of hearing (L)
Authors: Berger Elliott H.
Published: June 2024

This Letter to the editor is a comment on an article in the JASA Forum by William Yost. It pertains to a reference he made to prior work that indicates the possibility that the human threshold of hearing in the most sensitive region may be limited by Brownian motion of the air molecules, also called thermal noise. I present additional data and my own observations that support this contention.
Acinetobacter baumannii
satellite phage Aci01-2-Phanie depends on a helper myophage for its multiplication
Authors: Pourcel Christine , Essoh Christiane , Ouldali Malika , Tavares Paulo
Published: June 2024

We report the discovery of a satellite-helper phage system with a novel type of dependence on a tail donor. The
Acinetobacter baumannii
satellite podovirus Aci01-2-Phanie (short name Phanie) uses a phage phi29-like DNA replication and packaging mode. Its linear 11,885 bp dsDNA genome bears 171 bp inverted terminal repeats (ITR). Phanie is related to phage DU-PP-III from
Pectobacterium
and to members of the
Astrithrvirus
from
Salmonella enterica
. Together, they form a new clade of phages with 27% to 30% identity over the whole genome. Detailed 3D protein structure prediction and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrate that Phanie encodes its capsid structural genes and genes necessary to form a short tail. However, our study reveals that Phanie virions are non-infectious unless they associate with the contractile tail of an unrelated phage, Aci01-1, to produce chimeric myoviruses. Following the coinfection of Phanie with myovirus Aci01-1, hybrid viral particles composed of Phanie capsids and Aci01-1 contractile tails are assembled together with Phanie and Aci01-1 particles.

IMPORTANCE

There are few reported cases of satellite-helper phage interactions but many more may be yet undiscovered. Here we describe a new mode of satellite phage dependence on a helper phage. Phanie, like phage phi29, replicates its linear dsDNA by a protein primed-mechanism and protects it inside podovirus-like particles. However, these particles are defective, requiring the acquisition of the tail from a myovirus helper for production of infectious virions. The formation of chimeras between a phi29-like podovirus and a helper contractile tail reveals an unexpected association between very different bacterial viruses.
Qualitative study of perceptions of factors contributing to success or failure among participants in a US weight loss trial of financial incentives and environmental change strategies
Authors: Glanz Karen , Kather Collin , Chung Annie , Choi Ji Rebekah , Volpp Kevin G , Clapp Justin
Published: June 2024

Background

The use of financial incentives and environmental change strategies to encourage health behaviour change is increasingly prevalent. However, the experiences of participants in incentive interventions are not well characterised. Examination of participant perceptions of financial incentives and environmental strategies can offer insights about how these interventions are facilitating or failing to encourage behaviour change.

Objective

This study aimed to learn how participants in a randomised trial that tested financial incentives and environmental interventions to support weight loss perceived factors contributing to their success or failure in the trial.

Design

Qualitative study with one-time interviews of trial participants with high and low success in losing weight, supplemented by study records of incentive payments and weight loss.

Participants

24 trial participants (12 with substantial weight loss and 12 with no weight loss) stratified equally across the 4 trial arms (incentives, environmental strategies, combined and usual care) were interviewed.

Analytical approach

Transcribed interviews were coded and interpreted using an iterative process. Explanation development was completed using an abductive approach.

Results

Responses of trial participants who were very successful in losing weight differed in several ways from those who were not. Successful participants described more robust prior attempts at dietary and exercise modification, more active engagement with self-limitations, more substantial social support and a greater ability to routinise dietary and exercise changes than did participants who did not lose weight. Successful participants often stated that weight loss was its own reward, even without receiving incentives. Neither group could articulate the details of the incentive intervention or consistently differentiate incentives from study payments.

Conclusions

A number of factors distinguished successful from unsuccessful participants in this intervention. Participants who were successful tended to attribute their success to intrinsic motivation and prior experience. Making incentives more salient may make them more effective for participants with greater extrinsic motivation.

Trial registration number

NCT02878343
Correlation between uncertainty stress and depression among healthcare professionals in China: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Xia Jingjing , Wu Lihong , Yan Bo , Pan Jianjiang , Fang Lizheng , Zhu Wenhua , Chen Liying
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study investigated the correlation between uncertainty stress (US) and depression among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in China.

Design, settings and participants

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted by recruiting HCPs from three provinces in China (central, eastern and western) through purposive sampling between 29 September 2022 and 18 January 2023. US was measured using the Life Stress Questionnaire and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. In total, 2976 questionnaires were deemed valid.

Primary and secondary outcome

This study examined the prevalence of US and depression among HCPs in China; the correlating sociodemographic traits; and the correlation between US and depression.

Results

The prevalence of US and depression among HCPs in China was 26.54% (790 out of 2976) and 71.63% (2132 out of 2976). Binary logistic analysis revealed that individuals with graduate degrees (OR: 1.83; 95% CI 1.07 to 3.11; p<0.05), central China (OR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.24; p<0.01), primary medical institutes (OR: 1.33; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.72; p<0.05), secondary medical institutes (OR: 1.30; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68; p<0.05), an annual income of less than ¥50 000 (OR: 1.85; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.73; p<0.01) and an income range of ¥50 000–¥99 999 (OR: 1.49; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.03; p<0.05) were associated with a higher likelihood of US. The adjusted logistic regression model demonstrated that HCPs with higher US had a greater likelihood of depression (adjusted OR: 5.02; 95% CI 3.88 to 6.50; p<0.01). The increase in the US score was paralleled by an increased depression score (beta (B): 1.32; 95% CI 1.25 to 1.39; p<0.01).

Conclusion

These findings reveal a significant correlation between US and depression among HCPs and suggest that improving the management of US may help reduce the prevalence of depression among HCPs.
Pain and other complications of pelvic mesh: a systematic review of qualitative studies and thematic synthesis of women’s accounts
Authors: Williams Amanda C de C , Lodato Mary , McGrigor Honor
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Synthesis of the experience of women with pain from pelvic or vaginal mesh or its removal, to identify pain-related problems and to formulate psychological aspects of pain.

Design

Systematic review and thematic analysis of qualitative studies of pain from pelvic or vaginal mesh, or mesh removal, in women over 18 years, using individual interviews, focus groups, free text, or written or oral contributions to formal enquiries.

Data sources

Medline, Embase and PsycINFO, from inception to 26 April 2023.

Eligibility criteria

Qualitative studies of pain and other symptoms from pelvic or vaginal mesh or its removal; adults; no language restriction.

Data extraction and synthesis

Line-by-line coding of participant quotations and study author statements by one author to provide codes that were applied to half the studies by another author and differences resolved by discussion. Codes were grouped into subthemes and themes by both authors, then scrutinised and discussed by a focus group of mesh-injured women for omissions, emphasis and coherence. Studies were appraised using an amalgamation of the CASP and COREQ tools.

Results

2292 search results produced 9 eligible studies, with 7–752 participants, a total of around 2000. Four recruited patients, four totally or partially from mesh advocacy groups, and two were national enquiries (UK and Australia). Four major themes were as follows: broken body, broken mind; distrust of doctors and the medical industry; broken life and keeping going—a changed future. Psychological content mainly concerned the loss of trust in medical care, leaving women unsupported in facing an uncertain future. Mesh-injured women strongly endorsed the findings.

Conclusions

Pain and other problems associated with pelvic mesh are profound and far-reaching for women affected. Worse, they feel subject to continued gaslighting, including denial of their mesh-related problems and dismissal of their concerns about continued mesh insertion.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022330527.
Development and validation of reference equations for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived measures of fat-free mass in adults aged 45–85 years: results from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Jenkins Alex R. , Lewthwaite Hayley , Jensen Dennis
Published: June 2024

Reference equations for fat-free mass (FFM) and lean soft tissue mass (LM) measures obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) are important for the interpretation of body composition. This study developed and validated reference equations for FFM and LM using DEXA from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Reference equations were developed using data from a random population-based sample of ostensibly healthy and functionally independent adults aged 45–85 years. Reference equations for absolute (accounting for age, sex, height, and body mass) and height-adjusted aka index (accounting for age, sex, and body mass index) measures of FFM and LM were developed using quantile regression. Reference equations were respectively developed and validated in derivation (80%) and validation cohorts (20%). Reference equations were applied to symptomatic adults with self-reported chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease to assess discriminant validity; and compared with other published equations to assess performance. Bland-Altman analyses and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients were utilised to assess agreement. Reference equations for 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 95th percentiles were developed for DEXA-derived estimates of FFM and LM based on 1881 healthy participants (57% male) aged 55 [IQR: 50–61] years. Reference equations performed comparably in the validation cohort and discriminated reference values between ostensibly healthy adults and people with symptomatic COPD or heart disease. Previously published reference equations tended to over- or under-predict estimates of LM compared with the current reference equations. This study provides a comprehensive and validated set of reference equations for estimating and interpreting FFM and LM from DEXA in Canadian adults aged 45–85 years, although additional validation may be required for those >75 years.
A microfluidic platform for the synthesis of polymer and polymer-protein-based protocells
Authors: O’Callaghan Jessica Ann , Kamat Neha P. , Vargo Kevin B. , Chattaraj Rajarshi , Lee Daeyeon , Hammer Daniel A.
Published: June 2024

In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of polymersomes, protein-blended polymersomes, and polymeric microcapsules using droplet microfluidics. Polymersomes with uniform, single bilayers and controlled diameters are assembled from water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion droplets. This technique relies on adjusting the interfacial energies of the droplet to completely separate the polymer-stabilized inner core from the oil shell. Protein-blended polymersomes are prepared by dissolving protein in the inner and outer phases of polymer-stabilized droplets. Cell-sized polymeric microcapsules are assembled by size reduction in the inner core through osmosis followed by evaporation of the middle phase. All methods are developed and validated using the same glass-capillary microfluidic apparatus. This integrative approach not only demonstrates the versatility of our setup, but also holds significant promise for standardizing and customizing the production of polymer-based artificial cells.

Graphical Abstract
Innovative Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor for Selective Nanomolar Detection of the Anti-COVID-19 Medication Molnupiravir
Authors: Sayed Rania A. , Elmasry Manal S. , Taha Asmaa M. , Hassan Wafaa S. , El Nashar Rasha M.
Published: June 2024

For the first time, a green ecofriendly approach is applied, to develop a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemical for the assay of the oral anti-viral molnupiravir (MLN) in various matrices as confirmed by referring to analytical eco-scale, green analytical procedure index (GAPI), Raynie and Driver, analytical greenness metric (AGREE), and national environmental index (NEMI). AuNPs were chronoamperometry deposited on the glassy carbon electrode surface (GCE) using 0.01 gm ml−1 gold solution (HAuCl4.3H2O) in 0.5 M H2SO4 at a constant potential of −0.4 V for 60 s. Then, the MIP was created by electropolymerizing OPDA on the surface of AuNPs GCE using cyclic voltammetry in the potential range between −0.5 and +1 V for 15 cycles (scan rate: 50 mV.s−1). To optimize the sensor’s performance, factors such as number of electropolymerization cycles, template: monomer ratio, binding and rebinding time, pH of rebinding buffer, extraction solvent, deposition time of Au nanoparticles, order of deposition on the electrode; surface, as well as differential pulse voltammetry parameters including accumulation potential and time, and potential step, were all investigated. The detection limit was set at 0.00098 ng ml−1 (3 × 10−12M) and the linearity range of MLN was between 0.033 ng ml−1 and 164 ng ml−1 (1 × 10−10–5 × 10−7 M). The MIP sensor was employed for MLN determination in its pharmaceutical product (capsules), spiked human plasma, and human urine samples with mean recovery % ± mean relative standard deviation (RSD) (99.82% ± 0.53), (99.88% ± 0.62), and (97.90% ± 0.70), respectively. The investigated sensor provided good reproducibility, repeatability, and durability. Acceptable selectivity regarding MLN when mixed with structurally comparable compounds was proved with mean recovery % ± mean RSD (97.10% ± 0.03). Additionally, when molnupiravir was exposed to oxidative, hydrolytic, and thermal stress conditions, good results in stability-indicating studies served as an indicator of sensor selectivity. The developed electrode is coupled with a portable potentiostat, making it a promising point-of-care diagnostic platform for on-site measurements.