bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Totally extraperitoneal laparoscopy‐assisted microsurgical vasovasostomy for the treatment of obstructive azoospermia caused by pediatric bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy
Authors: Zhao Jingpeng , Chen Huixing , Zhang Chenwang , Zhang Yuxiang , Bai Haowei , Tian Ruhui , Zhi Erlei , Huang Yuhua , Yao Chencheng , Zhao Fujun , Wu Weidong , Li Zheng , Li Peng
Published: June 2024

Background

Pediatric inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is a common cause of obstructive azoospermia (OA). Yet, the surgical treatment for this kind of OA remains difficult with poor fertility outcome.

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of totally extraperitoneal laparoscopy‐assisted microsurgical vasovasostomy (VV) in the treatment of OA caused by pediatric bilateral IHR.

Materials and methods

Totally, 37 patients with OA caused by pediatric bilateral IHR were enrolled in this study from March 2015 to December 2020 in Shanghai General Hospital. The clinical data and fertility outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

All patients enrolled had a history of bilateral IHR at the age of 1–10 years old. The mean age of patients was 27 ± 4.31 (range: 18–35) years. Totally extraperitoneal laparoscopy (TEP) was applied in 31 patients for the exploration and retrieval of pelvic vas deferens end, and 30 of them underwent microsurgical VV successfully. Among the six cases where TEP was not applied, five cases underwent microsurgical anastomosis. Intraoperative exploration revealed that the location of vas deferens injuries included scrotum (2.70%, 1/37), inguinal canal (5.41%, 2/37), pelvic cavity (78.37%, 29/37), and multiple sites (13.51%, 5/37). The mean operation time was 339 ± 96.73 min (range: 130–510 min). There were no surgical complications. Thirty‐three cases were followed up for 5–48 months with four cases lost to follow‐up. The overall patency rate, pregnancy rate, and natural pregnancy rate were 75.86% (22/29), 46.67% (14/30), and 36.84% (7/19, 3 patients without family planning), respectively. And seven couples conceived through the assisted reproductive technique, two of which using fresh sperm in the ejaculate.

Conclusion

TEP laparoscopy‐assisted microscopic VV is an effective treatment for patients with OA caused by pediatric bilateral IHR.
Editorial: Genetics for non‐invasive risk stratification—Finding the needle in the haystack?
Authors: Chen Vincent L.
Published: June 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Bridi et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18099 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18129
Clinical pharmacology considerations and drug–drug interactions with long‐acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine relevant to sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Steulet Adrian , Obura Bonniface , Waitt Catriona , Laker Eva , Nicol Melanie R. , Cresswell Fiona V.
Published: June 2024

Long‐acting injectable (LAI) cabotegravir and rilpivirine for HIV treatment and LAI cabotegravir for pre‐exposure HIV prophylaxis are being rolled out in a multitude of countries worldwide. Due to the prolonged exposure, it can be challenging to undertake ‘traditional’ pharmacokinetic studies and current guidance is derived from their oral equivalents or physiologically based pharmacokinetic studies. This review aims to consider pharmacokinetic characteristics of cabotegravir and rilpivirine and describe anticipated drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with frequent concomitant medications in African settings. Relevant co‐medications were identified from the WHO 2021 List of Essential Medicines. All original human and physiologically based pharmacokinetic studies published in English on PubMed, discussing DDIs with LAI cabotegravir and rilpivirine prior to April 2023, were reviewed. The Liverpool HIV interaction database was also reviewed (https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker). LAI cabotegravir and rilpivirine have half‐lives of 6–12 and 13–28 weeks, respectively. Cabotegravir is primarily metabolized by UDP‐glucuronyltransferase (UGT)‐1A1 and rilpivirine by cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐3A4. LAI cabotegravir and rilpivirine themselves exhibit low risk of perpetrating interactions with co‐medications as they do not induce or inhibit the major drug metabolizing enzymes. However, they are victims of DDIs relating to the induction of their metabolizing enzymes by concomitantly administered medication. Noteworthy contraindicated co‐medications include rifamycins, carbamazepine, phenytoin, flucloxacillin and griseofulvin, which induce CYP3A4 and/or UGT1A1, causing clinically significant reduced concentrations of rilpivirine and/or cabotegravir. In addition to virologic failure, subtherapeutic concentrations resulting from DDIs can lead to emergent drug resistance. Clinicians should be aware of potential DDIs and counsel people receiving LAI cabotegravir/rilpivirine appropriately to minimize risk.
Best to possibly not be: A prudential argument for antinatalism
Authors: Teo Marcus T. L.
Published: June 2024

This article starts by examining the present state of death ethics by attending to the euthanasia debate. Given that voluntary active euthanasia has seen strong support in the academic community, insights on the choiceworthiness of continued existence may be derived. Having derived cases of choiceworthy nonexistence (which I refer to as choiceworthy nonexistence [CNE] cases), I extend these intuitions to lives not worth starting, or choiceworthy nonexistence for potential people (which I refer to as foetal‐CNE, or fCNE cases). Although I depart from Benatarian antinatalism by rejecting Benatar's claim that all existence is necessarily a harm, I posit a weaker argument that all existence is likely a harm since we cannot know until later in life if an existence is a harm. If I am right, then we have prudential reasons not to bear children, since they are more likely to suffer in lives not worth living than not.
The impact of matched and mismatched donor–recipient genotypes for MDR1 polymorphisms (G2677TA, C1236T and C3435T) on the outcomes of patients after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Duan Ziwen , Zhang Xiao , Liu Yanping , Wang Jiawen , Zhu Han , Chen Ruize , Xu Wei , Miao Kourong
Published: June 2024

In this study, we investigated whether matched and mismatched multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) genotypes (G2677TA, C1236T and C3435T) were associated with prognosis in patients after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). One hundred patients after transplantation and their donors were enrolled. Matched MDR1 G2677TA donor–recipient was associated with an increased risk of non‐relapse mortality (NRM) (29.5% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.002), poor overall survival (OS) (51.7% vs. 63.8%, p = 0.024) and disease‐free survival (DFS) (38.6% vs. 67%, p = 0.005). There were no differences in OS, DFS or NRM between MDR1 C1236T‐ and C3435T‐matched and ‐mismatched groups. Subgroup analysis suggested that within the matched MDR1 G2677TA group, male gender, haematopoietic cell transplantation‐specific comorbidity index ≥1, serum creatinine >137.2 μmol/L and post‐transplantation thrombocytopenia were associated with poor survival. Our results demonstrated that patients receiving matched MDR1 G2677TA allo‐HSCT experienced a poorer prognosis compared with the mismatched group. The potential mechanism may involve increased expression of P‐glycoprotein, leading to decreased accumulation of antimicrobial agents and ultimately contributing to the progression of inflammation. This identification of MDR1 G2677TA genotype compatibility holds promise as a valuable molecular tool for selecting donors for allo‐HSCT.
Perspectives on technology: Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) interobserver variability
Authors: Taya Michio , Behr Spencer C. , Westphalen Antonio C.
Published: June 2024

Objectives

To explore the topic of Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) interobserver variability, including a discussion of major sources, mitigation approaches, and future directions.

Methods

A narrative review of PI‐RADS interobserver variability.

Results

PI‐RADS was developed in 2012 to set technical standards for prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), reduce interobserver variability at interpretation, and improve diagnostic accuracy in the MRI‐directed diagnostic pathway for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. While PI‐RADS has been validated in selected research cohorts with prostate cancer imaging experts, subsequent prospective studies in routine clinical practice demonstrate wide variability in diagnostic performance. Radiologist and biopsy operator experience are the most important contributing drivers of high‐quality care among multiple interrelated factors including variability in MRI hardware and technique, image quality, and population and patient‐specific factors such as prostate cancer disease prevalence. Iterative improvements in PI‐RADS have helped flatten the curve for novice readers and reduce variability. Innovations in image quality reporting, administrative and organisational workflows, and artificial intelligence hold promise in improving variability even further.

Conclusion

Continued research into PI‐RADS is needed to facilitate benchmark creation, reader certification, and independent accreditation, which are systems‐level interventions needed to uphold and maintain high‐quality prostate MRI across entire populations.
Medical weight loss in older persons with obesity
Authors: Gavras Alessandro , Batsis John A.
Published: June 2024

The prevalence of individuals with obesity or overweight has steadily increased over the past decades both worldwide, and in the United States. This trend is also evident in the older adult population, which has experienced a continuous rise in the number of individuals with overweight or obesity. This is relevant due to the impact of obesity in older adults' quality of life, physical function, morbidity, and healthcare costs. This review aims to provide practical guidance and currently available approaches for healthcare professionals in managing this population. Both non‐pharmacological methods such as intensive behavioural therapy, nutritional interventions, and physical activity, as well as anti‐obesity medications, are discussed, with a focus on their potential positive and negative effects in older adults. Additionally, bariatric therapy is evaluated, including current procedures available and the associated results and risks in the older population.
Healthcare professionals' competencies and confidence in managing hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Olsen Mikkel Thor , Rasmussen Louise Mathorne , Bach Ermina , Demir Ceren , Klarskov Carina Kirstine , Pedersen‐Bjergaard Ulrik , Hansen Katrine Bagge , Molsted Stig , Lommer Kristensen Peter
Published: June 2024

Aims

In hospitals, 15%–20% of patients have diabetes. Therefore, all healthcare professionals (HCPs) must have a basic knowledge of in‐hospital diabetes management. This survey assessed the knowledge of diabetes among HCPs in Denmark.

Methods

A 27‐item questionnaire was developed and reviewed independently before the survey was distributed. The questionnaire contained seven baseline questions on the HCPs' current workplace, educational level, usual shift routines and years of experience, 18 multiple‐choice questions and 2 cases.

Results

A total of 252 completed questionnaires were returned by 133 (52.8%) physicians, 101 (40.1%) nurses and 18 (7.1%) healthcare assistants. HCPs answered 50% of the questions correctly. Having experience from endocrinological departments increased the correct response score (0%‐100%) by 6.2% points (95% CI 0.3‐12.1) (p = 0.039) and 3.1% points (95% CI 1.5–4.7) for every increase in confidence level on a scale from 1 to 10 (p < 0.001). HCPs scored 8 out of 10 on a confidence level scale on average. In a fictive case, 50% of HCPs administered the correct bolus insulin dose. Hyperglycaemia (>10.0 mmol/L) and hypoglycaemia (<3.9 mmol/L) were correctly identified by around 40% of HCPs. Hypoglycaemia was rated more important than hyperglycaemia by most HCPs.

Conclusion

Significant gaps in identifying hypo‐ and hyperglycaemia and correct administration of bolus insulin have been identified, which could be targeted in future education for HCPs. HCPs answered 50% of questions related to in‐hospital diabetes management correctly. Experience from endocrinological departments and self‐rated confidence levels are associated with HCPs' in‐hospital diabetes competencies.
Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease is associated with worse time in ranges in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Aernouts Chloë , Beldé Sarah P. W. , Lambrechts Julie , Mertens Jonathan , Ledeganck Kristien J. , Francque Sven M. , De Block Christophe E. M.
Published: June 2024

Aim

To investigate the relationship between continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)‐derived glucometrics and metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study collecting data on anthropometrics, glucometrics and MASLD in adults with T1D using a CGM device was conducted. MASLD was assessed by abdominal ultrasound and the presence of at least one cardiometabolic criterion. Backward multivariable logistic regression models were applied to define variables independently associated with MASLD.

Results

A total of 302 consecutive participants were included (median age 49 [34‐61] years, male sex 58%, median diabetes duration 29 [17‐38] years, mean time in range [TIR] 55% ± 16%). MASLD was present in 17% of cases, and 32% had metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS was significantly more prevalent in the MASLD group (65% vs. 25%, P < .0001). TIR (P = .038) and time below range (TBR) (P = .032) were lower and time above range (TAR) was higher (P = .006), whereas HbA1c did not reach significance (P = .068). No differences were found for the glycaemia risk index. TIR (P = .028), TAR (P = .007), TBR (P = .036), waist circumference (P < .001) and systolic blood pressure (P = .029) were independently associated with MASLD, while sex, age, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were not.

Conclusions

TIR, TAR, TBR, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure were independently associated with MASLD.
Multiple aortic root pseudoaneurysms with dissecting aneurysm of the interventricular septum diagnosed by multimodal imaging
Authors: He Jingyi , He Jiahui , Xia Juan , Ma Xiaojing , Xu Zhenyi , Pan Tianhao
Published: June 2024

Aortic root pseudoaneurysm is a devastating complication post aortic valve replacement with a high mortality rate. And dissecting aneurysm into the interventricular septum is a rare variant of aortic root pseudoaneurysm, which is scarcely reported. Multimodal imaging is of great value in its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
A natural intra‐specific hybridization between populations of B. mucronatus with European and East Asian genotypes, in pine forests
Authors: Tomalak Marek , Filipiak Anna
Published: June 2024

Bursaphelenchus mucronatus Mamiya & Enda, 1979 is a wood nematode widely distributed over Palearctic coniferous forests. It has two subspecies, that is, B. mucronatus mucronatus and B. mucronatus kolymensis, which present molecularly different East Asian and European genotypes, respectively. The European subspecies is found mainly in Europe and Siberia, while the East Asian subspecies occupies mostly Eastern regions of Asia. However, local isolates of both subspecies have been occasionally reported from various localities in Europe and Asia. Our field isolation and molecular (DNA ITS‐RFLP) identification of 21 recently collected populations of B. mucronatus revealed only 4 isolates representing clearly East Asian or European genotypes, while the remaining 17 isolates showed intermediate genotypes with electrophoretic band characters of both the above types. Further individual crossbreeding, in vitro, of nematodes representing European, East Asian, and intermediate genotypes provided experimental evidence for the process of intraspecific hybridization between both subspecies, spontaneously taking place in the forest. Such a widening of the B. mucronatus genetic variation may have its effect on a range of reported in the literature direct interactions between this native, nonpathogenic nematode species and the genetically similar, causative agent of the pine wilt disease B. xylophilus which can colonize the same host trees, use the same insect vectors, compete, and crossbreed inter‐specifically.
Clinically relevant doses of tiludronate do not affect bone remodelling in pasture‐exercised horses
Authors: Tippen Samantha P. , Metzger Corinne E. , Sacks Spencer A. , Allen Matthew R. , Mitchell Colin F. , McNulty Margaret A.
Published: June 2024

Background

Bisphosphonates are widely used in equine athletes to reduce lameness associated with skeletal disorders. Widespread off‐label use has led to concern regarding potential negative effects on bone healing, but little evidence exists to support or refute this.

Objectives

To investigate the influence of clinically relevant doses of tiludronate on bone remodelling and bone healing.

Study design

Randomised, controlled in vivo experiments.

Methods

Each horse had a single tuber coxae biopsied (Day 0), then were divided into a treatment (IV tiludronate) or control (IV saline) group. Treatments were administered 30 and 90 days following initial biopsy. Biopsy of the tuber coxae was repeated on Day 60 to evaluate bone healing following a single treatment. Oxytetracycline was administered on Days 137 and 147 to label bone formation. The contralateral tuber coxae was biopsied on Day 150 to evaluate effects of repeated treatment. Bone biopsies were evaluated with micro‐computed tomography and/or dynamic histomorphometry using standard techniques.

Results

Nineteen horses completed the study, with no complications following the biopsies and treatments. No significant differences in the trabecular bone parameters or bone formation rate were observed between treatment groups.

Main limitations

The use of a first‐generation bisphosphonate may mean some effects of these drugs are underrepresented using this model. The results pertain to the tuber coxae and may not reflect injury or the healing response that occurs in long bones in training or racing.

Conclusions

In this model, tiludronate did not affect normal bone remodelling in the horse, despite repeat dosages.
A multi‐focus image fusion network deployed in smart city target detection
Authors: Zhao Haojie , Guo Shuang , Jeon Gwanggil , Yang Xiaomin
Published: June 2024

In the global monitoring of smart cities, the demands of global object detection systems based on cloud and fog computing in intelligent systems can be satisfied by photographs with globally recognized properties. Nevertheless, conventional techniques are constrained by the imaging depth of field and can produce artefacts or indistinct borders, which can be disastrous for accurately detecting the object. In light of this, this paper proposes an artificial intelligence‐based gradient learning network that gathers and enhances domain information at different sizes in order to produce globally focused fusion results. Gradient features, which provide a lot of boundary information, can eliminate the problem of border artefacts and blur in multi‐focus fusion. The multiple‐receptive module (MRM) facilitates effective information sharing and enables the capture of object properties at different scales. In addition, with the assistance of the global enhancement module (GEM), the network can effectively combine the scale features and gradient data from various receptive fields and reinforce the features to provide precise decision maps. Numerous experiments have demonstrated that our approach outperforms the seven most sophisticated algorithms currently in use.
Intergenerationally tied relocation and care circulation: Motivations, struggles, and future arrangements
Authors: Bai Xue , Luk Joanne , He Ranran , Lai Daniel W.L.
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study investigates the processes and experiences of intergenerationally tied relocation in which older parents from mainland China join their already migrated children in Hong Kong to provide domestic and childcare support.

Background

Studies on tied migration have mainly focused on couple‐based moves within a human capital framework. With the increasing trend of grandparenting migrants, studies have expanded to address intergenerationally tied relocation.

Method

We conducted thematic analysis of in‐depth interview data of 34 mainland Chinese respondents, including 15 parent–child pairs and four adult children.

Results

The decision to relocate is influenced by the established history of intergenerational supportive exchange relationships. The initial motivation for tied relocation is to benefit the adult children. Older parents' postrelocation experiences can affect their later decision to leave or remain, with key factors including financial dependence, emotional stress, and difficulty in balancing the duty of care between migrant children and distant family members. In planning for future eldercare, the goal is to meet the needs of both generations. Options include non‐coresidential care, reliance on the parents' hometown sibling network, or living in nearby mainland cities closer to Hong Kong.

Conclusion

The study highlights the complex interplay of family relationships and responsibilities in the phenomenon of intergenerationally tied relocation. The findings unveil the dynamic roles and adaptive strategies families utilize to facilitate the transfer of care and support across generations and geographies.

Implications

Policy and services should be developed to assist aging immigrant families in their adaptation and integration, and formulate strategies for meeting future care needs.
Functional diversity in archaeal Hsp60: a molecular mosaic of Group I and Group II chaperonin
Authors: Bhakta Koustav , Roy Mousam , Samanta Shirsha , Ghosh Abhrajyoti
Published: June 2024

External stress disrupts the balance of protein homeostasis, necessitating the involvement of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in restoring equilibrium and ensuring cellular survival. The thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, lacks the conventional Hsp100, Hsp90, and Hsp70, relying solely on a single ATP‐dependent Group II chaperonin, Hsp60, comprising three distinct subunits (α, β, and γ) to refold unfolded substrates and maintain protein homeostasis. Hsp60 forms three different complexes, namely Hsp60αβγ, Hsp60αβ, and Hsp60β, at temperatures of 60 °C, 75 °C, and 90 °C, respectively. This study delves into the intricacies of Hsp60 complexes in S. acidocaldarius, uncovering their ability to form oligomeric structures in the presence of ATP. The recognition of substrates by Hsp60 involves hydrophobic interactions, and the subsequent refolding process occurs in an ATP‐dependent manner through charge‐driven interactions. Furthermore, the Hsp60β homo‐oligomeric complex can protect the archaeal and eukaryotic membrane from stress‐induced damage. Hsp60 demonstrates nested cooperativity in ATP hydrolysis activity, where MWC‐type cooperativity is nested within KNF‐type cooperativity. Remarkably, during ATP hydrolysis, Hsp60β, and Hsp60αβ complexes exhibit a mosaic behavior, aligning with characteristics observed in both Group I and Group II chaperonins, adding a layer of complexity to their functionality.
Relationship between donepezil and fracture risk in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Matsumoto Shoya , Yakabe Mitsutaka , Hosoi Tatsuya , Fujimori Kenji , Tamaki Junko , Nakatoh Shunichi , Ishii Shigeyuki , Okimoto Nobukazu , Akishita Masahiro , Iki Masayuki , Ogawa Sumito
Published: June 2024

Aim

Patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are at a high risk for falls and fractures. Although cholinesterase inhibitors reportedly are effective in suppressing the progression of cognitive symptoms in DLB patients, their effects on fracture risk remain unclarified. This study aimed to evaluate the association between donepezil use and hip fracture risk in older patients with DLB.

Methods

Using the Japanese insurance claim database, we collected the data of patients aged ≥65 years with DLB from April 2012 to March 2019. After propensity score matching, we compared the fracture rate over 3 years between DLB patients receiving donepezil and those not receiving antidementia drugs.

Results

Altogether, 24 022 239 individuals aged ≥65 years were newly registered from April 2012 to March 2016 and had verifiable information from 6 months before to 3 years after the registration. We identified 6634 pure‐DLB patients and analyzed the data of 1182 propensity score‐matched pairs. The characteristics, including age, sex, fracture history, osteoporosis, and bone mineral density test rate, of the two groups were well balanced by propensity score matching. The incidence rate of hip fracture was significantly lower in DLB patients receiving donepezil than in those not receiving antidementia drugs (0.60 vs. 1.44/100 person‐years, P < 0.001), whereas that of vertebral fractures was the same.

Conclusions

Donepezil administration in Japanese people aged ≥65 years with DLB was significantly associated with a decreased risk of hip fracture. Donepezil may provide new benefits to DLB patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 782–788.
An integrative framework for dark taxa biodiversity assessment at scale: A case study using Megaselia (Diptera, Phoridae)
Authors: Caruso Valerio , Hartop Emily , Chimeno Caroline , Noori Sajad , Srivathsan Amrita , Haas Michael , Lee Leshon , Meier Rudolf , Whitmore Daniel
Published: June 2024

Species extinctions increase at a global scale; therefore, rapid inventorying of our planet's biodiversity is becoming more and more important. As insects represent the highest portion of the fauna and play key ecological roles, it is a pressing need to investigate their biodiversity and accelerate species discovery, especially for understudied insect groups, also known as “dark taxa.” Phoridae (Diptera) are a great example of a “dark taxon,” in particular the genus Megaselia Rondani.

The use of integrative methodologies is the best approach to face up to the task of describing hyperdiverse and dark taxa, as morphology alone can be imprecise and slow, and molecular methods alone are often insufficient and lead to errors.

Here, we used the Large‐Scale Integrative Taxonomy (LIT) approach to sort 9000 Megaselia into 277 putative species based on DNA barcodes. Each cluster passed through an evaluation of the predictors for incongruence indices between clusters and morphology (maximum p‐distance, stability index), and a subset of specimens were morphologically examined.

We provided species estimates with Chao1, and our results suggest a 15% increase in species richness on our dataset. As this estimate was mostly based on samples from southern Germany, the species count will likely increase with expanded geographic sampling. This is a step forward in the study of this taxon, despite the fact that the German insect fauna is one of the best known in Europe and boasts more than one hundred years of study on phorids.
Heat Stress Resulting From Late Sowing Impairs Grain Yield and Quality of Quinoa Genotypes Facing Drought and Salt Stress Under Field Conditions
Authors: Abbas Ghulam , Murtaza Behzad , Amjad Muhammad , Saqib Muhammad , Akram Muhammad , Naeem Muhammad Asif , Shah Ghulam Mustafa , Raza Mohsin , Ali Qasim , Ahmed Khalil
Published: June 2024

Climate change is causing drastic reduction in crop yields around the globe due to increase in soil salinity, drought and heat stress. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is regarded as a very significant food security crop considering the climate change scenario. Two quinoa genotypes (Puno and Titicaca) were cultivated on salt affected soil under drought stress with different sowing dates. Compared with early sowing, late sowing combined with salinity and drought stress caused drastic decline in plant growth and grain yield due to imposition of heat stress. Plant biomass and grain yield decreased by 26% and 39% in Puno, and by 34% and 49% in Titicaca under late sowing accompanied by salt and drought stress. Relative water contents and stomatal conductance of leaves declined in the same trend in both genotypes. Shoot Na+ concentration was the highest whereas K+ concentration was the lowest in both genotypes when drought and salt stress were combined under late sowing. Grain minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, K, P, N and Mn) and dietary contents (protein, lipids, carbohydrates and fibre) were decreased more under the combination of salinity and drought for late sowing as compared to early sowing. When salinity and drought stress were combined under late sowing, the contents of H2O2 and TBARS were 1.9 and 2.2‐fold higher in Puno and 2.4 and 2.6‐fold higher in Titicaca, respectively. The oxidative stress was mitigated by enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and POD) more in Puno than Titicaca. Plant biomass and grain yield were higher in Puno with better grain quality than Titicaca. Hence, this genotype should be cultivated on salt affected soils facing drought and high temperatures.
Integrated pulmonary index during procedural sedation and analgesia: A cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Conway Aaron , Goudarzi Rad Mohammad , Chang Kristina , Parotto Matteo , Mafeld Sebastian
Published: June 2024

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of utilizing the integrated pulmonary index for capnography implementation during sedation administered by nurses.

Design

Cluster‐randomized trial.

Methods

Participants were enrolled from the interventional radiology department at an academic hospital in Canada. Nurses were randomized to either enable or disable the Integrated Pulmonary Index feature of the capnography monitor. Procedures were observed by a research assistant to collect information about alarm performance characteristics. The primary outcome was the number of seconds in an alert condition state without an intervention being applied.

Results

The number of seconds in an alarm state without intervention was higher in the group that enabled the integrated pulmonary index compared to the group that disabled this feature, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Likewise, the difference between groups for the total alarm duration, total number of alarms and the total number of appropriate alarms was not statistically significant. The number of inappropriate alarms was higher in the group that enabled the Integrated Pulmonary Index, but this estimate was highly imprecise. There was no difference in the odds of an adverse event (measured by the Tracking and Reporting Outcomes of Procedural Sedation tool) occurring between groups. Desaturation events were uncommon and brief in both groups but the area under the SpO2 90% desaturation curve scores were lower for the group that enabled the integrated pulmonary index.

Conclusion

Enabling the integrated pulmonary index during nurse‐administered procedural sedation did not reduce nurses' response times to alarms. Therefore, integrating multiple physiological parameters related to respiratory assessment into a single index did not lower the threshold for intervention by nurses.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The time it takes to respond to capnography monitor alarms will not be reduced if the integrated pulmonary Iindex feature of capnography monitors is enabled during nurse‐administered procedural sedation.

Impact

Results do not support the routine enabling of the integrated pulmonary index when nurses use capnography to monitor patients during procedural sedation as a strategy to reduce the time it takes to initiate responses to alarms.

Reporting Method

CONSORT.

Patient or Public Contribution

There was no patient or public contribution.

Trial Registration

This study was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05068700).
Transformative supply chain research: A new frontier for SCM scholars
Authors: Mollenkopf Diane A. , Esper Terry L. , Stolze Hannah J. , Ozanne Lucie K.
Published: June 2024

This special topic forum (STF) on Transformative Supply Chain Research introduces a new direction in logistics and supply chain research to guide scholars in addressing the wicked problems facing 21st century society. Supply chain professionals are increasingly addressing corporate social responsibility, changing expectations from customers, resource scarcity, a changing climate, civic and political unrest, to name but a few issues of our times. But scholars have only begun to address these issues from a transformative lens, in which we consider the role of logistics and supply chain management in creating well‐being outcomes for the benefit of society. This editorial presents a 5‐pronged research agenda to guide researchers, while highlighting the three articles in this STF that serve as exemplars of transformative supply chain research.
Online or in‐class problem based learning: Which one is more effective in enhancing learning outcomes and critical thinking in higher education EFL classroom?
Authors: Orhan Ali
Published: June 2024

Background

Although problem based learning has a great potential to promote learning outcomes as well as cognitive abilities, the number of previous studies investigating this potential on critical thinking, reading comprehension abilities and attitudes in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context is scarce. Also, the number of studies comparing the effectiveness of online and face‐to‐face problem based learning on these variables is scarcer and this limited research has yielded contradictory results.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of online and face‐to‐face problem based learning on critical thinking skills, dispositions, reading comprehension abilities, and attitudes of EFL students.

Method

Pretest‐posttest control group quasi‐experimental design was employed in this study that has two experimental groups and one control group. There were 23 (13 females and 10 males), 23 (14 females and 9 males), and 22 (12 females and 10 males) EFL students in online problem based learning group, face‐to‐face problem based learning group, and control group, respectively. In the first experimental group, problem based learning activities were conducted online while the same activities were conducted face‐to‐face in the classroom in the second experimental group. In the control group, no experimental procedures were followed and the students continued their regular instructor‐led reading activities. Watson‐Glaser Critical Thinking Test, Sosu Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale, Reading Comprehension Test, and Attitudes Towards English Scale were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using paired‐samples t‐test and ANCOVA with pretest scores as the covariate variable.

Results and Conclusions

It was found that problem based learning, either online or face‐to‐face, significantly enhanced EFL learners' reading comprehension abilities and attitudes towards English as well as their critical thinking skills and dispositions. It was also concluded that online problem based learning is more effective to enhance reading comprehension abilities and attitudes than face‐to‐face problem based learning while they are equally effective in promoting critical thinking skills and dispositions in EFL classroom.

Implications

This study has significant implications for educators and researchers. As this study showed that online problem based learning is a promising alternative to face‐to‐face problem based learning, universities, educators, administrators, and researchers can organize their problem based learning activities online to promote learning outcomes and cognitive abilities in language classrooms. Also, future studies employing qualitative or mixed methods can be conducted with sample groups from different educational levels to provide an in‐depth examination of the advantages and disadvantages of online and face‐to‐face problem based learning.
The association between early regulatory problems and adult peer relationship quality is mediated by the brain's allostatic‐interoceptive system
Authors: Zorjan Saša , Wolke Dieter , Baumann Nicole , Sorg Christian , Mulej Bratec Satja
Published: June 2024

Background

Early regulatory problems (RPs), i.e., problems with crying, sleeping, and/or feeding during the first years, increase the risk for avoidant personality traits in adulthood, associated with social withdrawal and anxiety. Even more, RPs are linked with functional alterations in the adult default mode and salience networks, comprising the brain's allostatic‐interoceptive system (AIS) and playing a role in social interactions. We investigated whether RPs assessed in infancy are associated with difficulties in adult peer relationships mediated by functional alterations of the AIS.

Methods

As part of a large case‐controlled prospective study, 42 adults with previous RPs and 70 matched controls (mean age = 28.48, SD = 2.65, 51% male) underwent fMRI during rest. The analysis focused on the intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) of key nodes of the AIS. Peer relationship quality was assessed via a semi‐structured Life Course Interview and the YASR scale. In these same individuals, RPs were assessed at ages 5, 20 and 56 months.

Results

RPs in infancy were associated with lower‐quality peer relationships and enhanced functional connectivity of the AIS nodes in adulthood, with a stronger effect for multiple and persistent RPs compared with transient‐multiple or single‐persistent RPs. Importantly, iFC changes of the dorsal mid insula, a primary interoceptive cortex with frontal and temporal regions, mediated the relationship between early RPs and adult peer relationship quality.

Conclusions

Results indicate long‐lasting social and neural changes associated with early RPs. Our findings further implicate the AIS in both interoceptive and social processes, while indicating the need for early screening of early RPs.
Process optimization for developing ultrasound assisted and microwave dried encapsulated flaxseed oil and its storability
Authors: Keshri Pallavi , Lohani Umesh C. , Shahi Navin C. , Kumar Anil
Published: June 2024

Technological advancement in encapsulating vegetable oil enriched with PUFA has become a new trend to improve stability, preservation, and food application. For microencapsulation of flaxseed oil, spray and freeze drying have been extensively used; however, in this study, ultrasonication along with microwave drying had a significant impact on the encapsulation efficiency (%) and dissolution time (min) of the powder. Analysis of experimental data revealed the optimized condition of microencapsulated flaxseed oil powder at 4.5 g maltodextrin/g of whey protein concentrate, .208 mL oil/g of wall material, and 14 min ultrasonication time. In addition, 6 min of microwave drying at 60 W provided 85.4% encapsulation efficiency, 1.98 meq/kg of oil peroxide value, 4.92 color difference, and 7.08 min dissolution time for the encapsulated powder. Storage studies for 21 days revealed that the peroxide value of raw oil increased by 13 times, whereas microencapsulated powder had only a twofold increase which demonstrated its higher stability when compared with bulk flaxseed oil.

Practical applications

Flaxseed oil is rich in omega‐3 fatty acids, however has poor stability. Encapsulation of flaxseed oil will enhance stability, longer shelf life, and health benefits. Encapsulated oil can be used in dairy and bakery products to increase omega‐3 fatty acids intake and enhance the nutritional values of final products. The current work will recommend the food industries to prepare omega‐3 fatty acids‐rich foods by incorporating encapsulated flaxseed oil.
Effect of flow behavior index of CMC solutions on heat transfer and fluid flow in a cylindrical can
Authors: Dalvi‐Isfahan Mohsen
Published: June 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the flow behavior index (n) on heat transfer and fluid flow in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solutions during the thermal process within a cylindrical container. The study employed a numerical model based on the finite element method to solve the governing equations for mass, momentum, and energy conservation. Four different values of n were considered, ranging from 0.25 to 1, representing varying degrees of non‐Newtonian behavior. The results revealed that this index significantly influenced the apparent viscosity of the fluid, subsequently affecting the fluid flow patterns and heat transfer. Specifically, the n = 0.25 fluid exhibited a notably higher Grashof number (GR) and velocity compared to the n = 1 fluid. The average GR for the n = 0.25 fluid was ~2300 times larger than that of the n = 1 fluid, while the average velocity for the n = 0.25 fluid was ~37 times higher. In addition, the study identified the presence of secondary flow in the CMC solution with n = 0.25, which enhanced fluid mixing and heat transfer. Notably, the slowest heating zone for the n = 1 fluid remained fixed at the mid‐height of the can, whereas for the n = 0.25 fluid, it continuously shifted and contracted, ultimately settling at the 10% height from the bottom of the can. These findings underscore the critical importance of considering the non‐Newtonian characteristics of the fluid and convective flow during heat transfer processes in product applications.

Practical applications

The study investigates the impact of flow behavior indices of the CMC solution on heat transfer and fluid dynamics within cylindrical containers. By examining parameters such as concentration, temperature, and heating duration, the researcher aims to optimize thermal processing for liquid food products containing thickening agents, such as sauces, soups, or dairy items. These findings significantly contribute to ensuring the safety, quality, and nutritional value of diverse liquid food products. Moreover, the study's insights may lead to energy savings and reduced environmental impact by minimizing heating time and temperature during thermal processing. In summary, this research bridges scientific understanding with practical applications, benefiting both consumers and the environment.
Improvement of coconut water shelf‐life through low‐temperature concentration process: Understanding impact of non‐thermal process on shelf‐life
Authors: Pandey Aaditya , Gaikwad Kirtiraj K. , Maiti Abhijit
Published: June 2024

Fruit juice concentration gains popularity due to the reduced shipping costs for concentrated products. However, the main drawback of the widely used thermal concentration process is the degradation of product's quality parameters. Lyophilization, or the freeze‐drying process, is applied to concentrate coconut water to demonstrate that the quality of the coconut water can improve even when a significant fraction of pure water is removed from it. The measurements of antioxidant activities, total phenolic content (TPC), pH, and titratable acidity are investigated to understand process efficiency without compromising the original quality of coconut water. Study applies first order kinetics to assess the coconut water's shelf‐life, using pH and Brix as critical parameters. Results suggest that Brix, TPC, antioxidant activity (AAO), total dissolved solids (TDS), and potassium increase with increase in lyophilization time, where pH remains the same. The shelf‐life of concentrated product increases to double that of raw coconut water.

Practical applications

Coconut water has very large worldwide demand as health drink across all ages and all societies, particularly has great demand in sport/health sectors. The raw coconut is inconvenient to transport long distances because of its bulky volume. Further, coconut grows in a very limited area, it needs to travel long distance to reach customers across globe. So business with packed concentrated coconut water would be profitable for food industries. There is no study that has proven that concentrated coconut water through non‐thermal processes can actually improve its shelf‐life drastically. This study suggests that Brix, TPC, AAO, total dissolved solids, and potassium ions were concentrated with the increase in lyophilization time, where pH remains same due to an undisturbed natural buffering system. Non‐thermal freeze‐drying techniques proved that non‐thermal treatment like polymeric/ceramic membrane treatment would be beneficial for industry to sell packed coconut water without adding preservatives.
Rapid discovery of natural skin‐lightening ingredients based on an integrated screening strategy based on molecular docking and zebrafish model
Authors: Su Yonghui , Xu Shanshan , Hu Xinqi , Wang Ruifen , Dong Mengxuan , Wang Yihan , Wang Songsong , Zhang Yougang , Tian Qingping , Han Liwen
Published: June 2024

Background

Natural herbs have been widely considered a reservoir for skin‐lightening ingredients, but discovery of the effective ingredients from herbs remains a large challenge.

Aim

This research aimed to rapidly identify compounds with skin‐lightening activity in Chinese herbs.

Methods

The structure information of herbal compounds was collected and selected from the open‐source data. High throughput virtual screening (HTVS) and Extra precision (XP) docking modes were used to screen for compounds that could bind to the mushroom tyrosinase involved in melanin synthesis. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were introduced to assess the binding stability of those compounds with the key target protein. The candidate compounds found by this kind of multidimensional molecular screening were finally tested for their ability to inhibit pigmentation and potential toxicity using an in vivo zebrafish animal model.

Results

A Natural Compounds Database was established with 5616 natural compounds. Fourteen compounds with favorable binding capability were screened by the XP docking mode with mushroom tyrosinase and five compounds among them were found to have superior dynamic binding performance through MD simulations. Then the Zebrafish animal experiments revealed that two components, sennoside B (SB) and sennoside C (SC), could significantly inhibit melanogenesis rather than the other three compounds. Meanwhile, there were no obvious side effects observed in SB and SC about the morphology, heart rate, or body length of zebrafish.

Conclusion

A strategy for rapid screening of compounds with whitening activity has been established, and two potent skin‐lightening compounds, SB and SC, have been identified from a vast library of herbal compounds. This study revealed that SB and SC have potential for topical use in skin lightening for the first time. The findings of this study would provide an important theoretical basis for the application of these two compounds in the cosmetic field in the future.