bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Figure 4 from The Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Therapeutic Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Koganemaru Shigehiro , Koyama Shohei , Suto Fumitaka , Koga Makito , Inaki Koichiro , Kuwahara Yusuke , Arita Takeo , Hirata Tsuyoshi , Goto Hiroki , Wada Naoya , Kobayashi Maki , Shibutani Tomoko , Okabayashi Tatsuya , Nakamaru Kenji , Kawazoe Akihito , Togashi Yousuke , Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Shitara Kohei
Published: January 2025

Tumor-infiltrating immune cell densities at baseline and in response to T-DXd therapy in responders and nonresponders. A, Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cell densities, as determined using mIHC. B, Tumoral CD8A and CD8B expression, as determined using RNA-seq. C, Percentage of CD8+ cells in CD3+ at baseline, as determined using FCM. D, Densities of eTregs (Fr2) and PD-1+CD8+ T cells and the CD8+ T-cell/eTreg ratio (Fr2). BL, baseline; CPM, copies per million; eTreg, effector Treg; OnT, on treatment.
Figure 3 from The Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Therapeutic Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Koganemaru Shigehiro , Koyama Shohei , Suto Fumitaka , Koga Makito , Inaki Koichiro , Kuwahara Yusuke , Arita Takeo , Hirata Tsuyoshi , Goto Hiroki , Wada Naoya , Kobayashi Maki , Shibutani Tomoko , Okabayashi Tatsuya , Nakamaru Kenji , Kawazoe Akihito , Togashi Yousuke , Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Shitara Kohei
Published: January 2025

Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis based on cell densities of evaluated immune cells at baseline. A, Heatmap depicting unsupervised hierarchical clustering results and characteristics of the three observed groups. B, ERBB2 expression levels in the three groups obtained from clustering. C, Kaplan–Meier OS and PFS curves of groups 1, 2, and 3 grouped by unsupervised hierarchical clustering based on cell densities of the evaluated immune cells. CPM, counts per million; ECOG PS, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status; I/O, immunotherapy.
Figure 1 from The Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Therapeutic Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Koganemaru Shigehiro , Koyama Shohei , Suto Fumitaka , Koga Makito , Inaki Koichiro , Kuwahara Yusuke , Arita Takeo , Hirata Tsuyoshi , Goto Hiroki , Wada Naoya , Kobayashi Maki , Shibutani Tomoko , Okabayashi Tatsuya , Nakamaru Kenji , Kawazoe Akihito , Togashi Yousuke , Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Shitara Kohei
Published: January 2025

Associations between pretreatment HER2 expression levels and therapy response to T-DXd. A, ERBB2 mRNA expression levels, as determined using RNA-seq. B, HER2 H-score, as determined using IHC. CPM, counts per million; CR, complete response; PD, progressive disease; PR, partial response; SD, stable disease.
A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Corequisite English Developmental Education: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Texas Community Colleges
Authors: Cunha Jesse , Miller Trey , Austin Megan , Daugherty Lindsay , Martorell Paco
Published: January 2025

We estimate the cost effectiveness of corequisite English developmental education at community colleges compared to a traditional prerequisite pathway. Our context is the randomized controlled trial conducted by Miller et al. (2022) that estimated the effects of three different approaches to English corequisites implemented in five Texas community colleges. The main drivers of differential costs across pathways and colleges are the number of credit and contact hours in each pathway, class sizes, and the type of faculty used to teach courses (adjunct or full-time). Corequisites are less expensive than prerequisite pathways in two colleges, they are roughly similar in two other colleges, and they are much more expensive in one college. Miller et al. (2022) find that corequisites induced more students to pass the required college-level English course in all colleges but find no impact on persistence in college. From students' point of view, corequisites should be preferred because tuition payments are lower, and they entail a higher likelihood of success.
Effect of Controlled School Autonomy on Student Achievement: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Portfolio Schools
Authors: Canbolat Yusuf
Published: January 2025

Portfolio schools have become increasingly prevalent in urban school districts across the United States. These schools exemplify a model where school autonomy is integrated with district oversight, promoting a controlled form of autonomy. This study examines the impact of portfolio schools in Indianapolis on student achievement. To ensure balanced covariates between treatment and control groups, the study utilizes machine learning-generated inverse probability weighting and analyzes the ten years of data using student-fixed effect and event study approaches. The findings indicate that controlled school autonomy in the form of portfolio schools does not significantly affect student achievement overall. However, there is a negative effect for turnaround schools—a subset of portfolio schools—which serve disproportionately disadvantaged students. Additionally, portfolio charter schools, where disadvantaged students are overrepresented, perform worse than other charter schools. These results suggest that portfolio schools worsen student achievement in high-inequality settings. Potential mechanisms are discussed.
The Development of a Regional, High-Resolution OSSE Framework to Study the Impact of Observations from Uncrewed Aircraft Systems on Numerical Weather Prediction
Authors: Murdzek Shawn S. , Ladwig Terra T.
Published: January 2025

Using uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs) for routine weather observations is becoming increasingly feasible, but two open questions are the impact UAS observations will have on operational NWP and the optimal configuration of a UAS observing network. Deploying hundreds to thousands of UAS across the United States to answer these questions is not feasible, so we propose using an observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) instead. This article describes the development and validation of an OSSE framework for examining the impact of UAS observations on regional, convection-allowing NWP. The OSSE includes two weeklong nature runs (NRs) over CONUS with 1-km grid spacing, simulated conventional observations, a 3-km forecast system similar to the prototype Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS), and verification workflows. Comparisons between the NR and various observations show that the NR generally mirrors reality, though the NR tends to produce too many reflectivity objects that are too large and a larger coverage of intense precipitation rates compared to reality. Comparing real-data and OSSE RRFS runs indicates that, for the majority of the variables examined, forecast errors are not systematically smaller in the OSSE, suggesting that there is no identical twin issue. Data-denial experiments using either real or simulated conventional observations indicate that the OSSE has a similar ordering of the most to least impactful observations, though the impact of aircraft observations tends to be larger in the OSSE. Altogether, these results suggest that the OSSE framework can be used to glean meaningful information about UAS observation impacts on regional NWP.

Significance Statement

There is enthusiasm for using uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs), commonly known as drones, to collect weather observations. It is unknown, however, how using UAS observations in weather forecast models will impact forecast skill and how to best configure a UAS weather-observing network. Answering these questions with actual UAS is expensive, so we propose a different approach called an observing system simulation experiment (OSSE). In an OSSE, a synthetic atmosphere is created and sampled in a manner consistent with various observing systems. This paper describes how we create and validate the OSSE. Results show that the OSSE generally mimics a real-data weather forecast model and can be used to estimate the impact of UAS observations on weather forecast model skill.
Precision Medicine for High-Risk Gene Fusions in Paediatric AML: a focus on KMT2A, NUP98, and GLIS2 Rearrangements
Authors: Egan Grace , Tasian Sarah K
Published: January 2025

Robust genetic characterization of paediatric AML has demonstrated that fusion oncogenes are highly prevalent drivers of AML leukemogenesis in young children. Identification of fusion oncogenes associated with adverse outcomes has facilitated risk stratification of patients, although successful development of precision medicine approaches for most fusion-driven AML subtypes have been historically challenging. This knowledge gap has been in part due to difficulties in targeting structural alterations involving transcription factors and in identification of a therapeutic window for selective inhibition of the oncofusion without deleterious effects upon essential wild-type proteins. Herein, we discuss the current molecular landscape and functional characterisation of three of the most lethal childhood AML fusion-oncogene driven subtypes harbouring KMT2A, NUP98, or CBFA2T3::GLIS2 rearrangements. We further review early-phase clinical trial data of novel targeted inhibitors and immunotherapies that have demonstrated initial success specifically for children with these poor-prognosis genetic subtypes of AML and provide appreciable optimism to improve clinical outcomes in the future.
Salvage Autologous Transplant in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: Long-Term Follow-Up of the Phase 3 GMMG ReLApsE Trial
Authors: Baertsch Marc-Andrea , Schlenzka Jana , Hielscher Thomas , Raab Marc S. , Sauer Sandra , Merz Maximilian , Mai Elias K , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Luntz Steffen , Jauch Anna , Brossart Peter , Goerner Martin , Klein Stefan , Glass Bertram , Reimer Peter , Graeven Ullrich , Fenk Roland , Haenel Mathias , von Metzler Ivana , Lindemann Hans-Walter , Scheid Christof , Blau Igor-Wolfgang W. , Salwender Hans J , Noppeney Richard , Besemer Britta , Weisel Katja C. , Goldschmidt Hartmut
Published: January 2025

The multicenter, phase III GMMG ReLApsE trial (EudraCT-No:2009-013856-61) randomized relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients equally to lenalidomide/dexamethasone (LEN/DEX, 25mg days 1-21/40mg weekly, 4-week cycles) re-induction, salvage high dose chemotherapy (sHDCT, melphalan 200mg/m2), autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and LEN maintenance (10mg/day; transplant arm, n=139) versus continuous LEN/DEX (control arm, n=138). Ninety-four percent of patients had received frontline HDCT/ASCT. We report an updated analysis of survival endpoints with a median follow-up of 99 months. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 20.5 and 19.3 months in the transplant and control arm, respectively (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.76-1.27; p=0.9). Median overall survival (OS) was 67.1 and 62.7 months (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.66-1.20; p=0.44). Landmark analyses from sHDCT and the contemporaneous LEN/DEX cycle 5 were performed due to dropout of 29% of patients before sHDCT/ASCT in the transplant arm but did not reveal significant differences in PFS (23.0 vs. 20.3 months; HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.68-1.22; p=0.52) or OS (76.3 vs. 66.0 months; HR 0.8; 95% CI 0.56-1.13; p=0.2). Time to progression after frontline HDCT/ASCT (TTP1) was a prognostic factor but did not predict benefit from sHDCT/ASCT. The GMMG ReLApsE trial does not support use of sHDCT/ASCT in RRMM after frontline HDCT/ASCT. EudraCT-No: 2009-013856-61
Development of a TSR-based method for understanding structural relationships of cofactors and local environments in photosystem I
Authors: Luo Lujun , Milon Tarikul I. , Tandoh Elijah K. , Galdamez Walter J. , Chistoserdov Andrei Y. , Yu Jianping , Kern Jan , Wang Yingchun , Xu Wu
Published: January 2025

Background

All chemical forms of energy and oxygen on Earth are generated via photosynthesis where light energy is converted into redox energy by two photosystems (PS I and PS II). There is an increasing number of PS I 3D structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The Triangular Spatial Relationship (TSR)-based algorithm converts 3D structures into integers (TSR keys). A comprehensive study was conducted, by taking advantage of the PS I 3D structures and the TSR-based algorithm, to answer three questions: (i) Are electron cofactors including P700, A-1 and A0, which are chemically identical chlorophylls, structurally different? (ii) There are two electron transfer chains (A and B branches) in PS I. Are the cofactors on both branches structurally different? (iii) Are the amino acids in cofactor binding sites structurally different from those not in cofactor binding sites?

Results

The key contributions and important findings include: (i) a novel TSR-based method for representing 3D structures of pigments as well as for quantifying pigment structures was developed; (ii) the results revealed that the redox cofactor, P700, are structurally conserved and different from other redox factors. Similar situations were also observed for both A-1 and A0; (iii) the results demonstrated structural differences between A and B branches for the redox cofactors P700, A-1, A0 and A1 as well as their cofactor binding sites; (iv) the tryptophan residues close to A0 and A1 are structurally conserved; (v) The TSR-based method outperforms the Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) and the Ultrafast Shape Recognition (USR) methods.

Conclusions

The structural analyses of redox cofactors and their binding sites provide a foundation for understanding the unique chemical and physical properties of each redox cofactor in PS I, which are essential for modulating the rate and direction of energy and electron transfers.
Recruiting participants for focus groups in health research: a meta-research study
Authors: Lander Jonas , Wallraf Simon , Pieper Dawid , Klawunn Ronny , Altawil Hala , Dierks Marie-Luise , John Cosima
Published: January 2025

Background

Focus groups (FGs) are an established method in health research to capture a full range of different perspectives on a particular research question. The extent to which they are effective depends, not least, on the composition of the participants. This study aimed to investigate how published FG studies plan and conduct the recruitment of study participants. We looked at what kind of information is reported about recruitment practices and what this reveals about the comprehensiveness of the actual recruitment plans and practices.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of FG studies in PubMed and Web of Science published between 2018 and 2024, and included n = 80 eligible publications in the analysis. We used a text extraction sheet to collect all relevant recruitment information from each study. We then coded the extracted text passages and summarised the findings descriptively.

Results

Nearly half (n = 38/80) of the studies were from the USA and Canada, many addressing issues related to diabetes, cancer, mental health and chronic diseases. For recruitment planning, 20% reported a specific sampling target, while 6% used existing studies or literature for organisational and content planning. A further 10% reported previous recruitment experience of the researchers. The studies varied in terms of number of participants (range = 7–202) and group size (range = 7–20). Recruitment occurred often in healthcare settings, rarely through digital channels and everyday places. FG participants were most commonly recruited by the research team (21%) or by health professionals (16%), with less collaboration with public organisations (10%) and little indication of the number of people involved (13%). A financial incentive for participants was used in 43% of cases, and 19% reported participatory approaches to plan and carry out recruitment. 65 studies (81%) reported a total of 58 limitations related to recruitment.

Conclusions

The reporting of recruitment often seems to be incomplete, and its performance lacking. Hence, guidelines and recruitment recommendations designed to assist researchers are not yet adequately serving their purpose. Researchers may benefit from more practical support, such as early training on key principles and options for effective recruitment strategies provided by institutions in their immediate professional environment, e.g. universities, faculties or scientific associations.
Anemia in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, determinants, and health impacts in Egypt
Authors: Azzam Ahmed , Khaled Heba , Alrefaey Alrefaey K. , Basil Amar , Ibrahim Sarah , Elsayed Mohamed S. , Khattab Muhammad , Nabil Nashwa , Abdalwanees Esraa , Halim Hala Waheed Abdel
Published: January 2025

Background

The WHO considers anemia in pregnancy a severe public health issue when prevalence surpasses 40%. In response, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine anemia among pregnant women in Egypt, focusing on its prevalence, determinants, and associated complications.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search for studies published between January 1, 2010, and August 18, 2024, to identify studies from Egypt reporting on anemia in pregnant women, including its prevalence, associated determinants, and complications. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model to estimate pooled prevalence, odds ratios (OR), and standardized mean differences (SMD). Sensitivity analyses and publication bias were performed. All statistical analyses were conducted using R software.

Results

Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria with a total sample size of 14,548. The overall prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 49% (95% CI: 42–57), with no significant difference between Upper and Lower Egypt (P = 0.66). The sensitivity analysis demonstrated the absence of influential outliers and Egger’s test indicated no evidence of publication bias (P = 0.17). Anemia prevalence was significantly higher in the third trimester (65%) compared to the second trimester (47%) (P = 0.03). Among anemic pregnant women, most cases were mild (47%) and moderate (47%). The determinants of anemia among pregnant women included being over 30 years old (OR: 1.95), residing in rural areas (OR: 1.76), illiteracy (OR: 1.93), birth spacing < 2 years (OR: 2.04), lack of iron supplementation (OR: 2.59), presence of intestinal parasites (OR: 1.38), antenatal visits < 5 (OR: 5.27), multiparity, and low income, all with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Regarding dietary determinants, a low intake of meat, vegetables, fruits, and high tea consumption was consistently associated with a higher risk of anemia. For neonatal complications, infants born to anemic mothers had significantly lower Apgar scores, gestational ages, and birth weights (P < 0.05), with birth weight being the most adversely impacted (SMD = -1.3).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows 49% anemia prevalence in pregnant Egyptian women, indicating severe health concern. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions aimed at addressing the key determinants identified in this study.
Using group model building to frame the commercial determinants of dietary behaviour in adolescence – findings from online system mapping workshops with adolescents, policymakers and public health practitioners in the Southwest of England
Authors: Chavez-Ugalde Yanaina , De Vocht Frank , Jago Russell , White Martin , Toumpakari Zoi
Published: January 2025

Background

In England, 23% of children aged 11 start their teenage years living with obesity. An adolescent living with obesity is five times more likely to live with obesity in adult life. There is limited research and policy incorporating adolescents’ views on how they experience the commercial determinants of dietary behaviour and obesity, which misses an opportunity to improve services and policies that aim to influence the prevalence of childhood obesity. This study reports the findings from online Group Model Building system mapping workshops in which we explored the mechanisms by which commercial drivers influence adolescents’ dietary behaviour.

Methods

We ran a series of 3 online Group Model Building workshops with adolescents and one Group Model Building workshop with policymakers and public health practitioners. Adolescents portrayed their views on how food and beverage industries influence what they choose to buy and eat in a system map, and then proposed a set of policy actions to promote healthier food environments. We shared the system map created by adolescents with policymakers and public health practitioners to reflect on how current policy interventions match adolescents’ views on the most influential factors.

Results

The system map contains 37 elements connected by 70 hypothesised causal links and five feedback loops. These elements were grouped into six themes that portray the complexity of factors that influence adolescents’ food choices in their physical and digital environments, disproportionately encouraging the consumption of unhealthy products. Policymakers and public health practitioners reflected on the power and the deep level of influence food companies exert on adolescents’ behaviour. They recognised that the coexisting influence of food marketing and social media on mental health and body image is not well reflected in current policy and research efforts.

Conclusions

This study highlights the need for public health policymaking processes to provide youth with a space to voice influential elements and consequences, thereby co-creating policies and designing interventions to buffer risk factors and increase well-being in this critical transitional stage.
A mixed-method study on physicians’ perceptions of pay for performance: impact on professionalism, morality and work-life balance
Authors: Kavas Mustafa Volkan , Tut Hasan , Senyurek Gamze , Elhan Atilla Halil
Published: January 2025

Background

Pay-for-performance system (P4P) has been in operation in the Turkish healthcare sector since 2004. While the government defended that it encouraged healthcare professionals’ job motivation, and improved patient satisfaction by increasing efficiency and service quality, healthcare professionals have emphasized the system’s negative effects on working conditions, physicians’ trustworthiness, and cost-quality outcomes. In this study, we investigated physicians’ accounts of current working conditions, their status as a moral agent, and their professional attitudes in the context of P4P’s perceived effects on their professional, social, private, and future lives.

Methods

First, we held 3 focus groups with 19 residents and 1 specialist regarding their lived experiences under P4P and thematically analyzed the transcripts. Second, we developed a questionnaire to assess how generalizable the qualitative findings are for a broader group of physicians. The tool has three parts questioning 1) demographic information, 2) working conditions, and 3) perceived consequences and effects of P4P. 2136 physicians responded to the survey. After refining the data, we conducted the statistical analysis over 1378 responses by using Spearman's correlation coefficient, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for categorical data, and Kruskal–Wallis variance analysis.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed two dimensions: 1) factors leading to estrangement, and 2) manifestations of estrangement. As for the initial, participants thought that P4P affected relationships at work; family and social relationships; working conditions; quality of the specialty training; quality of healthcare services; and it caused healthcare system-related consequences. Concerning the latter, the following themes emerged: Estrangement of the physician; damaging effects on physician’s psychology; physician’s perception of their future life; and physician as a moral agent. According to EFA, a 5-factor structure was appropriate: F1) Estrangement; F2) adverse effects on the physician’s quality of life; F3) favorable consequences; F4) physicians becoming disreputable; F5) unfavorable consequences.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that under P4P, physicians have become more estranged towards their profession, their patients, and themselves. They suffer from deteriorating working conditions, lack of motivation, lack of work-related satisfaction, and hopelessness regarding their future. Furthermore, P4P impairs their ability to realize themselves as moral subjects practicing in alignment with professional values and principles.
Definition and developmental goals for Nordic emergency medicine
Authors: Björnsson Hjalti Már , Palomäki Ari , Skjærbæk Christian Baaner , Klinting Frederik Pors , Meyer Frida , Rasmussen Jørn Einar , Bjørnsen Lars Petter
Published: January 2025

Although Emergency Medicine is now globally an established specialty, the Nordic countries have been relatively slow to implement it into their health care systems. To facilitate the development of EM in the Nordic area, a working group was formed with representation from all national EM societies; DASEM (Danish Society for Emergency Medicine), FiSEM (Finnish Society of Emergency Medicine), ISEM (Icelandic Society for Emergency Medicine), NCEM (Norwegian College of Emergency Medicine), and SWESEM (Swedish Society for Emergency Medicine). This group was tasked with creating a Nordic EM manifesto—to create a definition and developmental goals for Nordic Emergency Medicine. The commentary provides an overview of the current status and challenges facing EM in the Nordic countries.
Characterization of adrenal glands on computed tomography with a 3D V-Net-based model
Authors: Chen Yuanchong , Zhang Yaofeng , Zhang Xiaodong , Wang Xiaoying
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To evaluate the performance of a 3D V-Net-based segmentation model of adrenal lesions in characterizing adrenal glands as normal or abnormal.

Methods

A total of 1086 CT image series with focal adrenal lesions were retrospectively collected, annotated, and used for the training of the adrenal lesion segmentation model. The dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of the test set was used to evaluate the segmentation performance. The other cohort, consisting of 959 patients with pathologically confirmed adrenal lesions (external validation dataset 1), was included for validation of the classification performance of this model. Then, another consecutive cohort of patients with a history of malignancy (N = 479) was used for validation in the screening population (external validation dataset 2). Parameters of sensitivity, accuracy, etc., were used, and the performance of the model was compared to the radiology report in these validation scenes.

Results

The DSC of the test set of the segmentation model was 0.900 (0.810–0.965) (median (interquartile range)). The model showed sensitivities and accuracies of 99.7%, 98.3% and 87.2%, 62.2% in external validation datasets 1 and 2, respectively. It showed no significant difference comparing to radiology reports in external validation datasets 1 and lesion-containing groups of external validation datasets 2 (p = 1.000 and p > 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion

The 3D V-Net-based segmentation model of adrenal lesions can be used for the binary classification of adrenal glands.

Critical relevance statement

A 3D V-Net-based segmentation model of adrenal lesions can be used for the detection of abnormalities of adrenal glands, with a high accuracy in the pre-surgical scene as well as a high sensitivity in the screening scene.

Key Points

Adrenal lesions may be prone to inter-observer variability in routine diagnostic workflow.

The study developed a 3D V-Net-based segmentation model of adrenal lesions with DSC 0.900 in the test set.

The model showed high sensitivity and accuracy of abnormalities detection in different scenes.

Graphical Abstract
Eating disorders in minority ethnic populations in Australia, Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK: a scoping review
Authors: Williams-Ridgway A. , McGowan R. , McNeil S. , Tuomainen H.
Published: January 2025

Background

Historically, eating disorder (ED) research has largely focused on White girls and women, with minority ethnic populations underrepresented. Most research exploring EDs in minority ethnic populations has been conducted in the United States (US). The aim of this scoping review, the first of its kind, was to systematically examine research on disordered eating and EDs among minority ethnic populations in Australia, Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK), four countries with shared sociocultural and healthcare characteristics. An inequity lens was applied to highlight gaps in research, access, and treatment experiences.

Method

Five databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINHAL and Web of Science) were searched up to March 7, 2024. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts and full texts against eligibility criteria resulting in the inclusion of 87 records (76 peer-reviewed articles and 11 theses). Included studies were charted according to their focus, study design, sample characteristics and findings, with a particular focus placed on prevalence, access to treatment and treatment experience.

Results

The majority of identified studies were conducted in the UK (61%, 53 studies). There was a notable lack of studies investigating assessment, diagnosis and intervention. Methodologies varied, though most studies utilised cross-sectional survey designs. Most samples were non-clinical, exclusively or predominantly girls and women, and focused on adolescents and young adults. Asian populations were the most frequently studied minority ethnic group. Understanding of prevalence and treatment experience amongst minority ethnic groups was limited.

Conclusion

There is a need for further research addressing inequities in ED prevalence, service access, and treatment experiences among minority ethnic and Indigenous groups, especially in Australia, Canada and Aotearoa New Zealand. Improved ethnicity data collection and culturally sensitive approaches to assessment, diagnosis and treatment are essential. Recommendations for future research and clinical practice are provided.
Finnish parents’ perceptions of death following the traumatic death of a child
Authors: Hussin Nur Atikah Mohamed , Talvitie Terhi , Laitinen Eetu , Aho Anna Liisa
Published: January 2025

Children are expected to outlive and live longer than their parents. However, the traumatic death of a child challenges parents’ understanding of life and death. If parents are unable to form their own perceptions of death after such a loss, it can hinder their ability to cope and adjust. This study aims to explore parents’ perceptions of death following the traumatic death of a child. To recruit participants, an online advertisement was posted on the websites of Finnish bereavement organizations, their member mailing lists, and closed discussion groups. The study consisted of two phases. In the initial phase, 66 parents responded to open-ended questions via the LimeSurvey platform. Subsequently, 17 parents were interviewed in-depth over the phone. The findings were analyzed using thematic analysis. The perceptions of parents who had experienced the traumatic death of a child included death is universal, awakening or preparing for their own death, reunion in death, death and spiritual growth, and death is unjustified. These findings highlight the importance of providing support to parents following the traumatic death of a child, which can help them reconstruct perceptions of death and better adapt to their loss.
A risk-based model for allocating post-earthquake reconstruction finance in medium-size Iranian Cities
Authors: Kazemiasl Niloofar , Motamed Hooman , Fazlavi Mohsen
Published: January 2025

Introduction and Background

This study explores effective strategies for allocating financial resources in postearthquake urban reconstruction. Given the financial complexities of such projects, it is essential to have a structured plan to identify challenges and address potential gaps. The research underscores the importance of predisaster planning in managing financial resources efficiently.

Methodology

District 2 of Tehran municipality was chosen as the case study due to its significant risk exposure and vulnerability, making it a suitable representation of a medium-sized urban area. The study includes two key components: seismic risk assessment and financial resource allocation. Seismic risk was modeled using computational methods and risk analysis techniques. Strategies for budget allocation were formulated based on insights from interviews, historical case studies, and computational modeling.

Results

Scenarios ranging from optimistic to pessimistic were analyzed to assess their impact on reconstruction timelines. Results show that reconstruction for an urban area like District 2 could be completed in 4.3 years in the optimistic scenario, 9.2 years in the probable scenario, and 11.3 years in the pessimistic scenario.

Conclusion

The study reveals that efficient resource allocation minimizes delays, while insufficient planning significantly prolongs recovery. These findings demonstrate the importance of pre-disaster planning and effective resource allocation in expediting recovery and improving resilience in medium-sized cities.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Choose! A Randomized Cross-Over Study Comparing Fixed and Self-Selected Rest Periods in Interval Running Among Professional Female Soccer Players
Authors: Ben-Ari Asaf , Silverman Yedidya , Obolski Uri , Halperin Israel
Published: January 2025

Background

Studies on rest durations during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) often compare fixed and self-selected (SS) rest allocation approaches. Frequently, the rest duration under SS conditions is unlimited, leading to inconsistent total rest durations compared to fixed rest conditions. To address this limitation, we recently compared fixed and SS rest conditions during cycling HIIT sessions, while keeping the total rest duration equivalent. However, our protocol required athletes to divide a long total rest duration (720 s) across nine intervals, which may have been overly cognitively demanding. The current study aimed to explore the effects of the SS approach with a simplified rest allocation task on performance, physiological, and psychological outcomes.

Methods

Following a familiarization session, 24 professional female soccer players completed two running HIIT sessions on a non-motorized treadmill. Each session consisted of twelve 15 s intervals, divided into three blocks, with the goal of maximizing the distance covered. In both conditions, the between-interval rest duration per block amounted to 270 s. In the fixed condition, the rest was uniformly allocated to 90 s between each interval, whereas in the SS condition, the athletes chose how to allocate the entirety of the 270 s of rest. We compared the following outcomes: distance, heart rate, perception of fatigue, effort, autonomy, enjoyment, boredom, and athletes’ preferences. Outcomes were compared using aggregated measures via paired univariate tests, and across the intervals via mixed-effects models.

Results

We observed comparable results in most outcomes with the exception of higher autonomy (1–15 points) in the SS condition (mean difference = 2.1, 95%CI (0.9, 3.3) points) and a negligibly higher heart rate in the SS condition when comparing the observations across intervals (estimate = 2.5, 95%CI (0.9, 4.2) beats × min−1). Additionally, participants chose to rest for longer durations as the block progressed. Finally, the majority of participants (65%) favored the SS condition.

Conclusion

This study further solidifies that SS and fixed approaches with matched total rest durations result in similar performance, physiological, and psychological responses. This effect persists even when the total rest duration required to be allocated is relatively short. Therefore, coaches and trainees can choose either approach based on their preferences and training goals.
Presence of the Anopheles culicifacies complex species A in southeast Iran
Authors: Madjdzadeh Seyed Massoud , Behi Nahid , Gorouhi Mohammad Amin , Amirkafi Arsalan , Oshaghi Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2025

Background

The Anopheles culicifacies complex is one of the most important malaria vectors in Southeast Asia and Southeastern Iran. Although the sibling species within this complex are morphologically indistinguishable, they differ significantly in their disease transmission potential, blood-feeding behaviour, and other biological traits. Cytogenetic and chromosomal studies have identified five sibling species within this complex: A, B, C, D, and E. Understanding the species composition and distribution of this complex is crucial for malaria control strategies.

Objectives

This study aimed to identify the sibling species of the An. culicifacies complex in Qaleh Ganj County, Kerman Province, Southeastern Iran. Specifically, the study sought to determine the presence of species A, which is known to be a primary vector of malaria in the region.

Methods

We employed allele-specific PCR and sequencing PCR techniques to identify the sibling species. DNA was extracted from mosquito specimens, and the D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene and a segment of the COII gene from the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) were targeted for amplification and sequencing.

Results

Data analysis revealed a positive correlation between An. culicifacies s.l. specimens and altitude, with most specimens collected from mountainous areas. Both allele-specific PCR and sequencing PCR confirmed the presence of species A in the study areas of Kerman Province.

Conclusions

Given that species A is a primary malaria vector, the findings of this study provide valuable insights for guiding malaria control strategies in Southeastern Iran. Further studies are recommended to assess the vector competence and ecological dynamics of other species within the An. culicifacies complex in the region.
Volatile organic compounds of hoary stock are responsible for suppressing downy mildew of grape in an intercropping system
Authors: Deng Weiping , Du Fei , Yang Rongliang , Yao Hanyang , Yang Min , Mei Xinyue , Ye Chen , Li Su , Liu Yixiang , Huang Huichuan , Zhu Shusheng
Published: January 2025

Grape downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) is an air-borne disease and difficult to control. It has been observed that intercropping grapevines (Vitis vinifera) with aromatic plants can effectively suppress the airborne disease and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the aromatic plants are believed to have antimicrobial activities. In this study, a two-year field trial was established by intercropping grapevine and hoary stock (Matthiola incana) to evaluate the control of grape downy mildew. The field results showed that intercropping effectively suppressed grape downy mildew, particularly during the blooming stage of hoary stock. VOCs from hoary stock plants exhibited a dosage-dependent antimicrobial activity against grape downy mildew. To examine the role of VOCs, hoary stock plants were grown in an enclosed chamber, and VOCs were collected at the time points before and post blooming. The collected VOCs were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis and in vitro bioassays. Twenty-four VOCs found from pre-blooming and 36 VOCs from post-blooming hoary stock plants were identified. Seventeen VOCs demonstrated consistent inhibitory activities against P. viticola, including seven terpenoids, five benzenoids, and five aliphatics. Among the 17 VOCs, five were unique to post-blooming hoary stock, while 12 were common to both pre- and post-blooming hoary stock. The antimicrobial VOCs offers a potential eco-friendly alternative to managing downy mildew.
Risk factors of recurrent periprosthetic joint infection of the knee after two-stage reimplantation
Authors: Lee Do Weon , Han Hyuk-Soo , Ro Du Hyun
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most common and detrimental complications of total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKA). Despite extensive efforts, including two-stage reimplantation, to eradicate PJI, it still recurs in a substantial number of patients. However, the risk factors of recurrence after two-stage reimplantation of the knee have not been established. In this study, it is hypothesized that there will be certain risk factors of recurrence after two-stage reimplantation for PJI of the knee.

Materials and methods

From March 2002 to December 2022, 65 knees that underwent two-stage reimplantation for PJIs in a single, tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed, and 44 patient-related, laboratory-related, and surgery-related factors, including body mass index, pathogen type, and the usage of transfusions, were selected as the potential risk factors for recurrence. Survival analysis using the Kaplan–Meier method and subsequent Cox proportional hazard regression were performed.

Results

Out of the 65 knees that underwent two-stage reimplantation, infection recurred in 15 knees (23.1%) in a median 11 (range 4–108) months. The Cox proportional hazards regression showed that infection of revision TKA, mixed pathogen-type infection, and higher serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, mm/h) level increases the risk of recurrence (p-values < 0.001, 0.04, and 0.009; hazard ratios 40.29, 1.53, and 1.03, respectively).

Conclusions

A significant portion of PJI of the knees recurred after two-stage reimplantation. Revision TKA at the time of initial PJI, mixed pathogen-type infection, and higher serum ESR level were three significant risk factors of PJI recurrence. Surgeons should be more cautious in suspecting PJI relapse for these specific occasions.

Level of evidence

III, retrospective cohort study.
Vertebral Column Subluxation in Neurofibromatosis Type 1–Associated Dystrophic Scoliosis: A Report of Two Cases and Narrative Review
Authors: Dastagirzada Yosef , Neifert Sean , Kurland David B. , Kim Nora C. , Panicucci-Roma Tania , Frempong-Boadu Anthony , Lau Darryl
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) dystrophic scoliosis is a challenging disease to manage surgically, with multiplanar curves progressing rapidly and unpredictably. Conservative management with bracing is often unsuccessful, and many patients necessitate instrumented fusion to halt progression of their curves. In rare cases, patients can present with spontaneous vertebral subluxation, significantly complicating the surgical management of this already complex disease process. The objective here was to describe 2 cases of vertebral subluxation in NF1-associated dystrophic scoliosis along with their surgical corrections and clinical courses.

METHODS:

A retrospective review of 2 cases at the authors' institution was performed to describe their preoperative symptom complexes, surgical corrections, and postoperative courses. A narrative review of the literature surrounding NF1-associated dystrophic scoliosis and subluxation is also presented.

RESULTS:

Two cases of vertebral subluxation at T4-5 and C7-T1 are presented. Both patients had significant dystrophic features throughout their spines, and halo-gravity traction was unsuccessful in 1 patient and led to vertebral and subclavian artery injuries in the other. One patient underwent an uncomplicated deformity correction with partial vertebral column resection to facilitate his deformity correction. The other patient, after her vascular injuries, ultimately suffered a spinal cord injury after a fall and underwent emergent instrumentation, decompression, and partial vertebral column resection at the site of subluxation, with improvement in her neurological function afterward.

CONCLUSION:

Dystrophic scoliosis in NF1 remains a difficult disease to treat, and deformity correction in patients with subluxation is particularly complex. These cases here highlight the unpredictability and possible complications of halo-gravity traction, need for good fixation to facilitate subluxation reduction, high chance of hardware complications and proximal or distal failure, and importance of cooperative management of these patients in conjunction with other surgical services.
Predictors of Bilateral Disease in Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Histopathologic Insights and Preoperative Ultrasonography
Authors: Rodriguez Schaap P. M. , Papachristos A. , Serrao-Brown H. , Aniss A. , van Dijkum E. J. M. Nieveen , Gill A. J. , Delbridge L. , Engelsman A. F. , Sidhu S. , Sywak M.
Published: January 2025

Background

With the current shift toward de-escalation of surgical management in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), understanding predictors and the clinical significance of additional tumors in the contralateral lobe is important. This study investigated the histopathologic predictors of bilateral disease in low-risk PTC patients and the utility of preoperative ultrasonography in guiding completion thyroidectomy decisions.

Methods

Patients treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) for low-risk PTCs (< 4 cm) at the Endocrine Surgical Unit of the Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney from 2013 to 2020 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. The primary objective was to evaluate whether specific histopathologic factors can reliably predict the likelihood of bilateral disease in low-risk PTC patients after hemithyroidectomy. The secondary objective was to assess the accuracy of preoperative ultrasonography for patients with bilateral disease.

Results

Of the 737 patients in this study, 194 (26.3%) had bilateral disease. The multivariate analysis showed that larger median tumor size (odds ratio [OR] 1.043 per mm; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.025–1.062; P < 0.001), ipsilateral multifocal disease (MFD) (OR 2.010; 95% CI 1.338–3.020; P < 0.001), and venous invasion (OR 1.693; 95% CI 1.058–2.707) had a significant association with bilateral disease. However, in the prediction of clinically significant contralateral disease (≥ 10 mm), median tumor size (OR 1.104 per mm; 95% CI 1.059–1.152; P < 0.001) and venous invasion (OR 2.815; 95% CI 1.044–7.589; P = 0.041) were significantly correlated, whereas ipsilateral MFD lost its significance. These significant contralateral tumors were identified preoperatively and associated with higher Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) and/or Bethesda cytology classifications in 94% of cases.

Conclusion

In low-risk PTC patients, larger tumor size, venous invasion, and ipsilateral MFD are significantly associated with disease in the contralateral thyroid lobe.
Neuronal subset-specific Pten-deficient mice do not exhibit deficits in sensorimotor gating processes
Authors: Binder Matthew S. , Nolan Suzanne O. , Lugo Joaquin N.
Published: January 2025

Background Deficits in sensorimotor gating have been reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as in ASD murine models. However, this behavior has not been examined in the neuronal subset-specific (NS)-Pten knockout (KO) model of ASD. NS-Pten KO mice exhibit hyperactivity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway which is implicated in the onset of autistic deficits. This study investigates the potential relationship between PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and deficits in sensorimotor gating. Methods To assess sensorimotor gating in NS-Pten KO mice we utilized a three-day paradigm. On day 1 (habituation) the mice were administered 80 repetitions of a 120-dB startle stimulus. On day 2, prepulse inhibition was measured with 90 trials of the startle stimulus that was paired with a smaller (2, 7, or 12 dB) prepulse stimulus. Day 3 was assessed one week later, consisting of randomized startle trials and trials with no stimulus and was used to determine the startle response. Results No significant difference between NS-Pten KO or wildtype (WT) mice was found for habituation (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups when assessing the percentage of prepulse inhibition at 2, 7, and 12 dB (p > 0.05). There was also no difference in startle response between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Our study found that the NS-Pten KO model does not display significant deficits in sensorimotor gating processes. The present findings help to elucidate the relationship between PI3K/AKT/mTOR hyperactivation and sensory reactivity.