bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The politics of glyphosate regulation: lessons from Sri Lanka’s short-lived ban
Authors: Dorlach Tim , Gunasekara Sandya
Published: November 2023

Background

Glyphosate is the world’s most used herbicide and a central component of modern industrial agriculture. It has also been linked to a variety of negative health and environmental effects. For instance, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015. This has motivated widespread political demands for stricter glyphosate regulation but so far few governments have followed through.

Methods

We conduct a case study of Sri Lanka, which in 2015 became the first and so far only country in the world to adopt and implement a complete glyphosate ban. But this ban proved to be short-lived, as it was partially reversed in 2018 (and later fully revoked in 2022). To explain the political causes of Sri Lanka’s pioneering glyphosate ban and its subsequent reversal, we employ process tracing methods drawing on publicly available documents. Our analysis is theoretically guided by the multiple streams framework and the concept of self-undermining policy feedback.

Results

Glyphosate regulation rose to the top of the Sri Lankan political agenda in 2014 when a local scientist linked glyphosate exposure to an epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin (CKDu). A glyphosate ban was eventually adopted in June 2015 by the newly elected government of Maithripala Sirisena. The ban was a political commitment made to the Buddhist monk Rathana Thero and his party, which had supported Sirisena during his presidential campaign. The ban’s partial reversal in 2018, implemented through sectoral exceptions, was the result of continued lobbying by export-oriented plantation industries and increased political concerns about potential negative effects on the large and structurally powerful tea sector. The reversal was further aided by the scientific community’s failure to corroborate the hypothesized link between glyphosate and CKDu.

Conclusions

The case of Sri Lanka suggests that strict glyphosate regulation becomes more likely when coupled with locally salient health risks and when decision-making authority is de-delegated from regulatory agencies back to the political executive. Meanwhile, the short-lived nature of the Sri Lankan ban suggests that strict glyphosate regulation faces political sustainability threats, as the apparent lack of cost-effective alternative herbicides motivates persistent business lobbying for regulatory reversal.
SpykProps: an imaging pipeline to quantify architecture in unilateral grass inflorescences
Authors: Barreto Ortiz Joan , Hirsch Candice N. , Ehlke Nancy Jo , Watkins Eric
Published: November 2023

Background

Inflorescence properties such length, spikelet number, and their spatial distribution across the rachis, are fundamental indicators of seed productivity in grasses and have been a target of selection throughout domestication and crop improvement. However, quantifying such complex morphology is laborious, time-consuming, and commonly limited to human-perceived traits. These limitations can be exacerbated by unfavorable trait correlations between inflorescence architecture and seed yield that can be unconsciously selected for. Computer vision offers an alternative to conventional phenotyping, enabling higher throughput and reducing subjectivity. These approaches provide valuable insights into the determinants of seed yield, and thus, aid breeding decisions.

Results

Here, we described SpykProps, an inexpensive Python-based imaging system to quantify morphological properties in unilateral inflorescences, that was developed and tested on images of perennial grass (Lolium perenne L.) spikes. SpykProps is able to rapidly and accurately identify spikes (RMSE < 1), estimate their length (R2 = 0.96), and number of spikelets (R2 = 0.61). It also quantifies color and shape from hundreds of interacting descriptors that are accurate predictors of architectural and agronomic traits such as seed yield potential (R2 = 0.94), rachis weight (R2 = 0.83), and seed shattering (R2 = 0.85).

Conclusions

SpykProps is an open-source platform to characterize inflorescence architecture in a wide range of grasses. This imaging tool generates conventional and latent traits that can be used to better characterize developmental and agronomic traits associated with inflorescence architecture, and has applications in fields that include breeding, physiology, evolution, and development biology.
Minimally invasive resection of heart valve papillary fibroelastoma: two case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Phan Thuan Q. , Pham Chuong T. V. , Bui Vinh D. A. , Ho Thang D. , Le Thao N. , Nguyen Thanh V.T. , Nguyen Dang , Vuong Minh N. , Nguyen Dinh H.
Published: November 2023

Background

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare, accounting for approximately 10% of all cardiac tumors, with 44% of cases located on the aortic valve and only 15% of cases located on the tricuspid valve. However, the optimal management of papillary fibroelastomas remains varied.

Case presentation

We present two successful instances of treating heart valve papillary fibroelastomas through minimally invasive surgery. These cases involved heart valve papillary fibroelastomas located in two common sites: the aortic valve on the left heart, which was accessed via an upper hemi-sternotomy, and the tricuspid valve on the right heart, which was accessed via beating heart total thoracoscopy.

Conclusion

The article consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of a minimally invasive surgical approach in managing heart valve papillary fibroelastomas. This study provides further evidence by presenting two cases of heart valve papillary fibroelastomas - one on the aortic valve and the other on the tricuspid valve - that were successfully treated using this approach, resulting in favorable outcomes.
Label-free multimodal electro-thermo-mechanical (ETM) phenotyping as a novel biomarker to differentiate between normal, benign, and cancerous breast biopsy tissues
Authors: G. K. Anil Vishnu , Gogoi Gayatri , Kachappilly Midhun C. , Rangarajan Annapoorni , Pandya Hardik J.
Published: November 2023

Background

Technologies for quick and label-free diagnosis of malignancies from breast tissues have the potential to be a significant adjunct to routine diagnostics. The biophysical phenotypes of breast tissues, such as its electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties (ETM), have the potential to serve as novel markers to differentiate between normal, benign, and malignant tissue.

Results

We report a system-of-biochips (SoB) integrated into a semi-automated mechatronic system that can characterize breast biopsy tissues using electro-thermo-mechanical sensing. The SoB, fabricated on silicon using microfabrication techniques, can measure the electrical impedance (Z), thermal conductivity (K), mechanical stiffness (k), and viscoelastic stress relaxation (%R) of the samples. The key sensing elements of the biochips include interdigitated electrodes, resistance temperature detectors, microheaters, and a micromachined diaphragm with piezoresistive bridges. Multi-modal ETM measurements performed on formalin-fixed tumour and adjacent normal breast biopsy samples from N = 14 subjects were able to differentiate between invasive ductal carcinoma (malignant), fibroadenoma (benign), and adjacent normal (healthy) tissues with a root mean square error of 0.2419 using a Gaussian process classifier. Carcinoma tissues were observed to have the highest mean impedance (110018.8 ± 20293.8 Ω) and stiffness (0.076 ± 0.009 kNm−1) and the lowest thermal conductivity (0.189 ± 0.019 Wm−1 K−1) amongst the three groups, while the fibroadenoma samples had the highest percentage relaxation in normalized load (47.8 ± 5.12%).

Conclusions

The work presents a novel strategy to characterize the multi-modal biophysical phenotype of breast biopsy tissues to aid in cancer diagnosis from small-sized tumour samples. The methodology envisions to supplement the existing technology gap in the analysis of breast tissue samples in the pathology laboratories to aid the diagnostic workflow.
Simultaneous bilateral mastectomy and RRSO for BRCA2-positive non-invasive breast cancer in Japan: a case report and analysis of initial experience
Authors: Tanaka Aya , Matsumoto Megumi , Takao Mami , Miura Shoko , Hasegawa Yuri , Otsubo Ryota , Hayashi Hiroko , Isomoto Ichiro , Miura Kiyonori , Nagayasu Takeshi
Published: November 2023

Background

In Japan, genetic testing, surveillance, and risk-reducing surgery for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome have been covered by the Japanese national insurance system since April 2020. On the other hand, the current situation is that medical care, including surveillance of undiagnosed (cancer-free) patients, is self-funded even for individuals with HBOC. We report a case in which breast cancer was diagnosed at an early stage during surveillance for cancer-free HBOC at the patient’s own expense, and risk-reducing surgery was performed at the same time as treatment for breast cancer.

Case presentation

The patient was a 63-year-old woman. Her sister had a history of breast cancer in her 30s and was found to be a BRCA2 pathogenic variant carrier by genetic testing. The patient therefore presented to the genetic department of our hospital and underwent genetic testing (out-of-pocket). A pathogenic variant was found at the same site. During annual breast and ovarian surveillance at the patient’s own expense, a physician with sufficient expertise in contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) noticed a change in the contrast enhancement pattern on breast MRI and performed needle biopsy, revealing ductal carcinoma in situ. At the request of the patient, she underwent concurrent contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in addition to breast cancer treatment.

Conclusions

We encountered a case in which cancer treatment and risk-reducing surgery were performed at the same time for a pathogenic variant carrier who was very anxious about developing cancer. Surveillance of cancer-free BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and expansion of insurance coverage for surgery are important future issues.
Fake IDs? Widespread misannotation of DNA transposons as a general transcription factor
Authors: Hassan Nozhat T. , Adelson David L.
Published: November 2023

Accurate annotation of genes and transposable elements (TEs) is vital for understanding genomes, but current annotation pipelines often misannotate TEs as genes. This study reveals how the general transcription factor II-I repeat domain-containing protein 2 (GTF2IRD2) erroneously annotated DNA transposons in non-mammalian species, as it contains a 3′ fused hAT transposase domain. We also demonstrate the generality of this problem by identifying misannotated TEs as genes in other vertebrate genomes. Such misannotations can lead to errors in phylogenetic analyses and wasted time for investigators. The study proposes adding a final TE-check to gene annotation pipelines to mitigate this problem.
Retraction Note: Combined effect of genetic background and gender in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis
Authors: Ruzehaji Nadira , Avouac Jerome , Elhai Muriel , Frechet Maxime , Frantz Camelia , Ruiz Barbara , Distler Joerg H. , Allanore Yannick
Published: November 2023

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-023-03211-7.
Guided immediate implant with and without using a mixture of autogenous and xeno bone grafts in the dental esthetic zone. A randomized clinical trial
Authors: El Ebiary Sherine Osama , Atef Mohammed , Abdelaziz Medhat Sameh , Khashaba Mohammed
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This in vivo study aims to assess the pink esthetic score in the anterior maxilla after computer-guided immediate implant installation and fully digital immediate temporalization with and without grafting the jumping gap with a mixture of 1:1 autogenous and xenograft particulates.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four patients with non-restorable upper anterior teeth in the aesthetic zone have undergone a traumatic extraction for the non-restorable tooth followed by immediate implant placement using a 3D-printed surgical guide according to prosthetically driven implant placement. The patients were divided into two groups. The study group received the dental implant after grafting the jumping gap with 1:1 autogenous and xenograft particulates, while the control group received the dental implant without grafting the jumping gap. Each patient received a digitally fabricated, immediate, nonfunctional temporary prosthesis. The esthetic outcome was compared between the two groups using the pink esthetic score at implant insertion and after 6 months of follow-up. Statistical comparisons were carried out between the studied groups using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

Immediately postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference between the median PES in the two groups (P-value = 0.746). After six months, the study group showed a statistically significantly higher median PES than the control group (P-value = 0.048).

Conclusions

Grafting the jumping distance in the immediate implant protocol helps achieve a better esthetic outcome.

Clinical relevance

The use of immediate guided implant placement along with grafting the jumping gap followed by immediate digital temporalization guarantees a better esthetic outcome while preserving time, cost, and the number of clinical visits.

Trial registration

The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov with registration number NCT04096209. (19/9/2019)
The role of increased post-impact ball speed on plantar pressure during topspin and slice longline forehand groundstrokes in female tennis players
Authors: Lambrich Johanna , Muehlbauer Thomas
Published: November 2023

Objective

Performing groundstrokes is a fundamental skill for tennis players. However, little is known about changes in plantar pressure when post-impact ball speed is increased during topspin and slice groundstrokes. The objective of the present study was to examine how elite (International Tennis Number ≤ 2) female tennis players (N = 15, mean age: 22.7 ± 7.8 years) change their plantar pressure in the dominant (equals the stroke arm) and non-dominant foot when executing topspin and slice longline forehand groundstrokes in order to increase post-impact ball speed (i.e., 80 km/h, 90 km/h, 100 km/h, vmax).

Results

The repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant ball speed × foot dominance interaction. Post-hoc analyses showed larger mean forces during topspin compared to slice groundstrokes for the dominant foot (p ≤ .026, d ≥ 0.34) but lower values for the non-dominant foot (p ≤ .050, d ≥ 0.28). Further, with increasing post-impact ball speed, increases in mean forces in both feet during topspin could be observed but only in the dominant foot during slice groundstrokes. Varying mean forces depending on the stroke type and foot dominance imply that specific physical exercises related to these two factors are necessary to optimise plantar pressure distribution.
Sensitization to avian and fungal proteins in different work environments
Authors: Sánchez-Díez Silvia , Muñoz Xavier , Montalvo Tomás , Ojanguren Iñigo , Romero-Mesones Christian , Senar Juan Carlos , Peracho-Tobeña Victor , Cruz María-Jesús
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is usually caused by the inhalation of avian and fungal proteins. The present study assesses a cohort of Urban Pest Surveillance and Control Service (UPSCS) workers with high exposure to avian and fungal antigens, in order to identify their degree of sensitization and the potential risk of developing HP.

Methods

Workers were divided according to their work activity into Nest pruners (Group 1) and Others (Group 2). All individuals underwent a medical interview, pulmonary function tests and the determination of specific IgG antibodies. Antigenic proteins of pigeon sera were analysed using two-dimensional immunoblotting. Proteins of interest were sequenced by liquid-chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS).

Results

101 workers were recruited (76 men, average age: 42 yrs); (Group 1 = 41, Group 2 = 60). Up to 30% of the study population exhibited increased levels of IgGs to pigeon, small parrot and parrot, and up to 60% showed high levels of Aspergillus and Penicillium IgGs. In Group 1, specific parakeet and Mucor IgGs were higher (p = 0.044 and 0.003 respectively) while DLCO/VA% were lower (p = 0.008) than in Group 2. Two-dimensional immunoblotting showed protein bands of 20–30 KDa recognized by HP patients but not by workers. LC–MS analysis identified Ig Lambda chain and Apolipoprotein A-I as candidate proteins for distinguishing HP patients from exposed workers.

Conclusions

Two pigeon proteins were identified that may play a role in the development of pathological differences between HP patients and exposed workers. DLCO/VA may have a predictive value in the development of HP disease.
Validation of adult asthma case definitions for primary care sentinel surveillance
Authors: Moloney Max , Morra Alison , Morkem Rachael , Queenan John , Gupta Samir , To Teresa , Digby Geneviève , Barber David , Lougheed M. Diane
Published: November 2023

Background

Most asthma diagnoses and patient care take place in primary care settings. Electronic medical records (EMRs) offer an opportunity to utilize technology to improve asthma diagnosis and care. The purpose of this study was to create and validate separate case definitions for suspected and confirmed asthma in primary care EMRs, to enable surveillance, benchmarking, and quality improvement in primary care settings. The objective of this study was to develop a case definition for suspected and confirmed asthma for use in a primary care sentinel surveillance system.

Methods

A single chart abstractor conducted a manual audit of 776 randomly selected patient charts from an academic primary care practice EMR in Kingston, Ontario. Following the single chart abstractor classification, a consensus on chart classification as “not asthma”, “suspected asthma”, or “confirmed asthma” was achieved between the abstractor, a family physician, and a respirologist using Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) criteria. Case definition algorithms based on billing codes, clinical data elements and medications were applied to the site’s Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) data for the same charts and compared to abstractor classifications to determine each algorithm’s measurement properties.

Results

The prevalence of suspected and confirmed asthma were 7.3% (n = 54) and 2.4% (n = 18), respectively. None of the proposed case definitions could differentiate between suspected and confirmed asthma. One algorithm consisting of billing, clinical, and medication elements had the highest Youden’s Index for either suspected or confirmed asthma. The algorithm had a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 96%, positive predictive value of 71%, negative predictive value of 98%, and a Youden’s Index of 0.77 for combined suspected or confirmed asthma cases.

Conclusion

An EMR case definition for suspected or confirmed adult asthma has been validated for use in CPCSSN. Implementation of this case definition will enable the development of a surveillance electronic tool (eTool) for adult asthma that can foster quality improvement.
Menstrual blood-derived endometrial stem cell, a unique and promising alternative in the stem cell-based therapy for chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency
Authors: Zhang Shenghui , Yahaya Badrul Hisham , Pan Ying , Liu Yanli , Lin Juntang
Published: November 2023

Chemotherapy can cause ovarian dysfunction and infertility since the ovary is extremely sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs. Apart from the indispensable role of the ovary in the overall hormonal milieu, ovarian dysfunction also affects many other organ systems and functions including sexuality, bones, the cardiovascular system, and neurocognitive function. Although conventional hormone replacement therapy can partly relieve the adverse symptoms of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), the treatment cannot fundamentally prevent deterioration of POI. Therefore, effective treatments to improve chemotherapy-induced POI are urgently needed, especially for patients desiring fertility preservation. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies have resulted in promising improvements in chemotherapy-induced ovary dysfunction by enhancing the anti-apoptotic capacity of ovarian cells, preventing ovarian follicular atresia, promoting angiogenesis and improving injured ovarian structure and the pregnancy rate. These improvements are mainly attributed to MSC-derived biological factors, functional RNAs, and even mitochondria, which are directly secreted or indirectly translocated with extracellular vesicles (microvesicles and exosomes) to repair ovarian dysfunction. Additionally, as a novel source of MSCs, menstrual blood-derived endometrial stem cells (MenSCs) have exhibited promising therapeutic effects in various diseases due to their comprehensive advantages, such as periodic and non-invasive sample collection, abundant sources, regular donation and autologous transplantation. Therefore, this review summarizes the efficacy of MSCs transplantation in improving chemotherapy-induced POI and analyzes the underlying mechanism, and further discusses the benefit and existing challenges in promoting the clinical application of MenSCs in chemotherapy-induced POI.
Systemically delivered adipose stromal vascular fraction mitigates radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome by immunomodulating the inflammatory response through a CD11b+ cell-dependent mechanism
Authors: Bensemmane Lydia , Milliat Fabien , Treton Xavier , Linard Christine
Published: November 2023

Background

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) treatment promoted the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium, limiting lethality in a mouse model of radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (GIS). The SVF has a heterogeneous cell composition; the effects between SVF and the host intestinal immunity are still unknown. The specific role of the different cells contained in the SVF needs to be clarified. Monocytes–macrophages have a crucial role in repair and monocyte recruitment and activation are orchestrated by the chemokine receptors CX3CR1 and CCR2.

Methods

Mice exposed to abdominal radiation (18 Gy) received a single intravenous injection of SVF (2.5 × 106 cells), obtained by enzymatic digestion of inguinal fat tissue, on the day of irradiation. Intestinal immunity and regeneration were evaluated by flow cytometry, RT-PCR and histological analyses.

Results

Using flow cytometry, we showed that SVF treatment modulated intestinal monocyte differentiation at 7 days post-irradiation by very early increasing the CD11b+Ly6C+CCR2+ population in the intestine ileal mucosa and accelerating the phenotype modification to acquire CX3CR1 in order to finally restore the F4/80+CX3CR1+ macrophage population. In CX3CR1-depleted mice, SVF treatment fails to mature the Ly6C−MCHII+CX3CR1+ population, leading to a macrophage population deficit associated with proinflammatory environment maintenance and defective intestinal repair; this impaired SVF efficiency on survival. Consistent with a CD11b+ being involved in SVF-induced intestinal repair, we showed that SVF-depleted CD11b+ treatment impaired F4/80+CX3CR1+macrophage pool restoration and caused loss of anti-inflammatory properties, abrogating stem cell compartment repair and survival.

Conclusions

These data showed that SVF treatment mitigates the GIS-involving immunomodulatory effect. Cooperation between the monocyte in SVF and the host monocyte defining the therapeutic properties of the SVF is necessary to guarantee the effective action of the SVF on the GIS.
Sex differences in binge alcohol drinking and the behavioral consequences of protracted abstinence in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Rivera-Irizarry Jean K. , Zallar Lia J. , Levine Olivia B. , Skelly Mary Jane , Boyce Jared E. , Barney Thaddeus , Kopyto Ruth , Pleil Kristen E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Binge alcohol drinking is a risk factor linked to numerous disease states including alcohol use disorder (AUD). While men binge drink more alcohol than women, this demographic gap is quickly shrinking, and preclinical studies demonstrate that females consistently consume more alcohol than males. Further, women are at increased risk for the co-expression of AUD with neuropsychiatric diseases such as anxiety and mood disorders. However, little is understood about chronic voluntary alcohol drinking and its long-term effects on behavior. Here, we sought to characterize sex differences in chronic binge drinking and the effects of protracted alcohol abstinence on anxiety- and affective-related behaviors in males and females.

Methods

We assessed binge alcohol drinking patterns in male and female C57BL/6J mice using a modified Drinking in the Dark (DID) paradigm in which mice received home cage access to one bottle of 10% or 20% alcohol (EtOH) or water for 2 h per day on Days 1–3 and to two bottles (EtOH/H2O + H2O) for 24 h on Day 4 for 8 weekly cycles. Mice were then tested for the effects of protracted abstinence on avoidance, affective, and compulsive behaviors.

Results

Female mice consumed more alcohol than males consistently across cycles of DID and at 2, 4, and 24-h timepoints within the day, with a more robust sex difference for 20% than 10% EtOH. Females also consumed more water than males, an effect that emerged at the later time points; this water consumption bias diminished when alcohol was available. Further, while increased alcohol consumption was correlated with decreased water consumption in males, there was no relationship between these two measures in females. Alcohol preference was higher in 10% vs. 20% EtOH for both sexes. During protracted abstinence following chronic binge drinking, mice displayed decreased avoidance behavior (elevated plus maze, open field, novelty suppressed feeding) and increased compulsive behavior (marble burying) that was especially robust in females. There was no effect of alcohol history on stress coping and negative affective behaviors (sucrose preference, forced swim test, tail suspension) in either sex.

Conclusion

Female mice engaged in higher volume binge drinking than their male counterparts. Although females also consumed more water than males, their higher alcohol consumption was not driven by increased total fluid intake. Further, the effects of protracted abstinence following chronic binge drinking was driven by behavioral disinhibition that was more pronounced in females. Given the reciprocal relationship between risk-taking and alcohol use in neuropsychiatric disease states, these results have implications for sex-dependent alcohol drinking patterns and their long-term negative neuropsychiatric/physiological health outcomes in humans.
Do in-person and computer-based brief alcohol interventions reduce tobacco smoking among general hospital patients? Secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Krolo-Wicovsky Filipa , Baumann Sophie , Tiede Anika , Bischof Gallus , John Ulrich , Gaertner Beate , Freyer-Adam Jennis
Published: November 2023

Background

At-risk alcohol use and tobacco smoking often co-occur. We investigated whether brief alcohol interventions (BAIs) among general hospital patients with at-risk alcohol use may also reduce tobacco smoking over 2 years. We also investigated whether such effects vary by delivery mode; i.e. in-person versus computer-based BAI.

Methods

A proactively recruited sample of 961 general hospital patients with at-risk alcohol use aged 18 to 64 years was allocated to three BAI study groups: in-person BAI, computer-based BAI, and assessment only. In-person- and computer-based BAI included motivation-enhancing intervention contacts to reduce alcohol use at baseline and 1 and 3 months later. Follow-ups were conducted after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. A two-part latent growth model, with self-reported smoking status (current smoking: yes/no) and number of cigarettes in smoking participants as outcomes, was estimated.

Results

Smoking participants in computer-based BAI smoked fewer cigarettes per day than those assigned to assessment only at month 6 (meannet change = − 0.02; 95% confidence interval = − 0.08–0.00). After 2 years, neither in-person- nor computer-based BAI significantly changed smoking status or number of cigarettes per day in comparison to assessment only or to each other (ps ≥ 0.23).

Conclusions

While computer-based BAI also resulted in short-term reductions of number of cigarettes in smoking participants, none of the two BAIs were sufficient to evoke spill-over effects on tobacco smoking over 2 years. For long-term smoking cessation effects, multibehavioural interventions simultaneously targeting tobacco smoking along with at-risk alcohol use may be more effective.

Trial registration number: NCT01291693.
Vancomycin resistant enterococcus risk factors for hospital colonization in hematological patients: a matched case-control study
Authors: Meschiari Marianna , Kaleci Shaniko , Monte Martina Del , Dessilani Andrea , Santoro Antonella , Scialpi Francesco , Franceschini Erica , Orlando Gabriella , Cervo Adriana , Monica Morselli , Forghieri Fabio , Venturelli Claudia , Ricchizzi Enrico , Chester Johanna , Sarti Mario , Guaraldi Giovanni , Luppi Mario , Mussini Cristina
Published: November 2023

Background

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) was the fastest growing pathogen in Europe in 2022 (+ 21%) but its clinical relevance is still unclear. We aim to identify risk factors for acquired VRE rectal colonization in hematological patients and evaluate the clinical impact of VRE colonization on subsequent infection, and 30- and 90-day overall mortality rates, compared to a matched control group.

Methods

A retrospective, single center, case–control matched study (ratio 1:1) was conducted in a hematological department from January 2017 to December 2020. Case patients with nosocomial isolation of VRE from rectal swab screening (≥ 48 h) were matched to controls by age, sex, ethnicity, and hematologic disease. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression compared risk factors for colonization.

Results

A total of 83 cases were matched with 83 controls. Risk factors for VRE colonization were febrile neutropenia, bone marrow transplant, central venous catheter, bedsores, reduced mobility, altered bowel habits, cachexia, previous hospitalization and antibiotic treatments before and during hospitalization. VRE bacteraemia and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) occurred more frequently among cases without any impact on 30 and 90-days overall mortality. Vancomycin administration and altered bowel habits were the only independent risk factors for VRE colonization at multivariate analysis (OR: 3.53 and 3.1; respectively).

Conclusions

Antimicrobial stewardship strategies to reduce inappropriate Gram-positive coverage in hematological patients is urgently required, as independent risk factors for VRE nosocomial colonization identified in this study include any use of vancomycin and altered bowel habits. VRE colonization and infection did not influence 30- and 90-day mortality. There was a strong correlation between CDI and VRE, which deserves further investigation to target new therapeutic approaches.
Fabrication and characterization of silicon-on-insulator wafers
Authors: Kim Taeyeong , Lee Jungchul
Published: November 2023

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers offer significant advantages for both Integrated circuits (ICs) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices with their buried oxide layer improving electrical isolation and etch stop function. For past a few decades, various approaches have been investigated to make SOI wafers and they tend to exhibit strength and weakness. In this review, we aim to overview different manufacturing routes for SOI wafers with specific focus on advantages and inherent challenges. Then, we look into how SOI wafers are characterized for quality assessment and control. We also provide insights towards potential future directions of SOI technology to further accelerate ever-growing IC and MEMS industries.
Reactivation of variably sealed joints and permeability enhancement in geothermal reservoir rocks
Authors: Kushnir Alexandra R. L. , Heap Michael J. , Baud Patrick , Reuschlé Thierry , Schmittbuhl Jean
Published: November 2023

Hydraulic stimulation of enhanced deep geothermal reservoirs commonly targets pre-existing joint networks with the goal of increasing reservoir permeability. Here, we study the permeability and strength of joint-free and jointed Buntsandstein sandstones from the EPS-1 exploratory borehole at the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal site (France). The studied jointed samples contain naturally formed fractures that are variably filled with secondary mineralisation. We find that the permeability of these rocks is more sensitive to the presence and orientation of bedding than to the presence of joints at the scale of the samples: permeability is lowest in samples where bedding is oriented perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow. While well-sealed joints can act as barriers to fluid flow, partially filled joints neither inhibit nor promote fluid flow with respect to their joint-free counterparts. These samples were then deformed under triaxial conditions to assess (1) whether deformation reactivates pre-existing joints, and (2) how permeability changes as a result of deformation. We find that the mechanical response of the rocks depends on the extent to which joints are sealed. Well-sealed joints locally increase rock strength and experimentally induced fractures do not exploit pre-existing joint surfaces; partially sealed joints, by contrast, act as planes of weakness that localise strain. Although the permeability of all samples increased during deformation, permeability increase was largest in samples with poorly filled joints. We conclude that hydraulic stimulation operations must carefully consider the extent to which targeted joint networks are filled. Partially sealed joints are ideal targets for stimulation: these features act as planes of weakness within the rock mass and their reactivation can result in significant increases in permeability. By contrast, well-sealed joints may increase rock strength locally and may never reactivate during stimulation, making them poor targets for permeability enhancement.
Motivational climate predicts effort and achievement in a large computer science course: examining differences across sexes, races/ethnicities, and academic majors
Authors: Jones Brett D. , Ellis Margaret , Gu Fei , Fenerci Hande
Published: November 2023

Background

The motivational climate within a course has been shown to be an important predictor of students’ engagement and course ratings. Because little is known about how students’ perceptions of the motivational climate in a computer science (CS) course vary by sex, race/ethnicity, and academic major, we investigated these questions: (1) To what extent do students’ achievement and perceptions of motivational climate, cost, ease, and effort vary by sex, race/ethnicity, or major? and (2) To what extent do the relationships between students’ achievement and perceptions of motivational climate, cost, and effort vary by sex, race/ethnicity, and major? Participants were enrolled in a large CS course at a large public university in the southeastern U.S. A survey was administered to 981 students in the course over three years. Path analyses and one-way MANOVAs and ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences between groups.

Results

Students’ perceptions of empowerment, usefulness, interest, and caring were similar across sexes and races/ethnicities. However, women and Asian students reported lower success expectancies. Students in the same academic major as the course topic (i.e., CS) generally reported higher perceptions of the motivational climate than students who did not major or minor in the course topic. Final grades in the course did not vary by sex or race/ethnicity, except that the White and Asian students obtained higher grades than the Black students. Across sex, race/ethnicity, and major, students’ perceptions of the motivational climate were positively related to effort, which was positively related to achievement.

Conclusions

One implication is that females, Asian students, and non-CS students may need more support, or different types of support, to help them believe that they can succeed in computer science courses. On average, these students were less confident in their abilities to succeed in the course and were more likely to report that they did not have the time needed to do well in the course. A second implication for instructors is that it may be possible to increase students’ effort and achievement by increasing students’ perceptions of the five key constructs in the MUSIC Model of Motivation: eMpowerment, Usefulness, Success, Interest, and Caring.
Compatible solutes determine the heat resistance of conidia
Authors: Seekles Sjoerd J. , van den Brule Tom , Punt Maarten , Dijksterhuis Jan , Arentshorst Mark , Ijadpanahsaravi Maryam , Roseboom Winfried , Meuken Gwendolin , Ongenae Véronique , Zwerus Jordy , Ohm Robin A. , Kramer Gertjan , Wösten Han A. B. , de Winde Johannes H. , Ram Arthur F. J.
Published: November 2023

Background

Asexually developed fungal spores (conidia) are key for the massive proliferation and dispersal of filamentous fungi. Germination of conidia and subsequent formation of a mycelium network give rise to many societal problems related to human and animal fungal diseases, post-harvest food spoilage, loss of harvest caused by plant-pathogenic fungi and moulding of buildings. Conidia are highly stress resistant compared to the vegetative mycelium and therefore even more difficult to tackle.

Results

In this study, complementary approaches are used to show that accumulation of mannitol and trehalose as the main compatible solutes during spore maturation is a key factor for heat resistance of conidia. Compatible solute concentrations increase during conidia maturation, correlating with increased heat resistance of mature conidia. This maturation only occurs when conidia are attached to the conidiophore. Moreover, conidia of a mutant Aspergillus niger strain, constructed by deleting genes involved in mannitol and trehalose synthesis and consequently containing low concentrations of these compatible solutes, exhibit a sixteen orders of magnitude more sensitive heat shock phenotype compared to wild-type conidia. Cultivation at elevated temperature results in adaptation of conidia with increased heat resistance. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed two putative heat shock proteins to be upregulated under these conditions. However, conidia of knock-out strains lacking these putative heat shock proteins did not show a reduced heat resistance.

Conclusions

Heat stress resistance of fungal conidia is mainly determined by the compatible solute composition established during conidia maturation. To prevent heat resistant fungal spore contaminants, food processing protocols should consider environmental conditions stimulating compatible solute accumulation and potentially use compatible solute biosynthesis as a novel food preservation target.
Cerebral traumatic injury and glucose metabolism: a scoping review
Authors: Quintana-Pajaro Loraine , Padilla-Zambrano Huber S. , Ramos-Villegas Yancarlos , Lopez-Cepeda Daniela , Andrade-Lopez Andrea , Hoz Samer , Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael , Joaquim Andrei F. , Florez Perdomo William A. , Janjua Tariq
Published: November 2023

Objective

To review the influence of metabolic dysfunction of glucose after traumatic brain injury on patient mortality.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Medline, and Embase electronic databases, involving publications from 1980 to August 2017 in English and Spanish.

Results

The glucose metabolism in brain involved in brain signal conduction, neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function. Insulin levels traverse the blood–brain barrier by utilizing an insulin receptor protein as a carrier, playing a pivotal role in various cognitive functions while also regulating energy metabolism. TBI causes elevated blood glucose levels. Hyperglycemia is attributed to an acute sympatho-adrenomedullary response, resulting in elevated catecholamines, increased levels of cortisol, and IL-6. Moreover, there is a potential association with hypothalamic involvement. Additionally, hyperglycemia is linked to lactic acidosis at the tissue level, ultimately contributing to higher mortality rates.

Conclusions

The monitoring and control of glucose should be an important part of multimodal monitoring in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury managed in neurocritical care units. A management protocol should ensure normoglycemia and early detection and correction of glucose abnormalities since it improves patients' clinical outcomes.
Diagnostic and prognostic utility of prealbumin as a nutritional biomarker in critically ill children: a prospective cross sectional study
Authors: Megied Mohamed Abdallah Abd El , Ayada Iman Khaled , Dayem Omnia Yahia Abd El , Wareth Ramy Abd El Naser Abd El , Ghonaim Mohamed Salah , Mohamed Aya Osama , Mohamed Shereen AbdelMonem
Published: November 2023

Background

Paediatric intensive care units (PICU) experience a big challenge with malnutrition. It significantly impacts the development and prognosis of critically ill patients (CIP). CIP are those who require high reliance or serious medical and/or surgical interventions. For their importance, valid and reliable nutritional markers are mandatory to be implemented in the daily practice of our PICU. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of CIP in PICU through measuring prealbumin level and use it as predictor of malnutrition and clinical outcome.

Methods

Forty four CIP admitted to the Children's Hospital, Cairo University PICU, throughout six months were the subject of this cross-sectional study. Clinical nutritional status was evaluated using the Z-score, and prealbumin level was measured.

Results

50% of children who were critically sick also had malnutrition, with severe malnutrition accounting for the majority of cases (34.1%). Prealbumin did not significantly correlate with malnutrition, nor the mortality in CIP. However, malnutrition is strongly linked to mortality in critically ill children. To predict malnutrition in CIP, serum prealbumin at cutoff > 163.64 exhibited AUC of 0.556 with sensitivity of 90.91% and a specificity of 31.82%. For prediction of the clinical outcome, serum prealbumin at cutoff ≤ 758.37 had an AUC of 0.535 with a sensitivity of 91.67% and a specificity of 21.87%.

Conclusions

Malnutrition significantly increased the risk of death. Prealbumin was neither a significant predictor for malnutrition nor mortality in CIP.
Implementation of VA care coordination program to improve transitional care for veterans post-non-VA hospital discharge: an incremental cost analysis
Authors: Radcliff Tiffany , Ayele Roman , McCreight Marina , Lui Wenhui , Battaglia Catherine
Published: November 2023

Background

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System Community Hospital Transitions Program (CHTP) was implemented as a nurse-led intervention to reduce barriers that patients experience when transitioning from community hospitals to VA primary care settings. A previous analysis indicated that veterans who enrolled in CHTP received timely follow-up care and communications that improved care coordination, but did not examine cost implications for the VA.

Methods

A budget impact analysis used the VA (payer) perspective. CHTP implementation team members and study records identified key resources required to initially implement and run the CHTP. Statistical analysis of program participants and matched controls at two study sites was used to estimate incremental VA primary care costs per veteran. Using combined program implementation, operations, and healthcare cost estimates to guide key model assumptions, overall CHTP costs were estimated for a 5-year time horizon, including a discount rate of 3%, annual inflation of 2.5%, and a sensitivity analysis that considered two options for staffing the program at VA Medical Center (VAMC) sites.

Results

Implementation at two VAMCs required 3 months, including central program support and site-level onboarding, with costs of $34,094 (range: $25,355–$51,602), which included direct and indirect resource costs of personnel time, materials, space, and equipment. Subsequent annual costs to run the program at each site depended heavily on the staffing mix and caseload of veterans, with a baseline estimate of $193,802 to $264,868. Patients enrolled in CHTP had post-hospitalization VA primary care costs that were higher than matched controls. Over 5 years, CHTP sites staffed to serve 25–30 veterans per full-time equivalent transition team member per month had an estimated budget impact of $625 per veteran served if the transitional team included a medical social worker to support veterans with more social behavioral needs and less complex medical cases or $815 per veteran if nurses served all cases.

Conclusions

Evidence-based care coordination programs that support patients’ return to VA primary care after a community hospital stay are feasible to implement and run. Further, flexibility in staffing this type of program is increasingly relevant as the VA and other healthcare systems consider methods to reduce provider burnout, optimize staffing, reduce costs, and address other staffing challenges while improving patient care.