bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Big Data and Oral Health Disparities: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Tiwari T. , Patel J.S. , Nascimento G.G.
Published: December 2024

Big data has emerged as a pivotal asset in addressing oral health disparities in recent years. Big data encompasses the vast pool of health care–related biomedical information sourced from diverse channels, such as claims data, patient registries, and electronic health records (EHRs). This study is a critical review that synthesizes the evidence, identifies gaps in knowledge, and discusses future implications regarding big data analytics and oral health disparities. Published reports from 2014 to 2023 that studied associations between big data, social determinants of oral health, and oral health disparities, published in English and available in electronic databases, were included. Search engines were MEDLINE via PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. A total of 23 studies were included in the review, and all were retrospective data analytics. Studies have used a variety of big data sources, including EHRs, claims, and national or regional registries. This study used a framework of data quality dimensions with intrinsic (data attributes) and contextual values (information provided by the data, in this case, oral health disparities) to critically appraise the included studies. Big data revealed disparities in oral health outcomes and dental care utilization based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, insurance category, access to care, and other barriers to care. For the intrinsic data dimension, none of the studies addressed or reported data missingness or consistency of the data. The studies clearly provided contextual data dimensions. From a value-added perspective, several studies provided novel and new information related to racial oral health inequities. Several studies used more than one oral health disparities variable or a composite variable. However, the conclusions from several studies were based on association-based analytics, and few studies used artificial intelligence approaches to understand the population’s oral health inequities—gaps were seen in the study designs and causal analytics.
An International Research Agenda for Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies
Authors: Peres K.G. , Kalhan A.C. , Sarawagi S. , Peres M.A. , Feldens C.A. , Chaffee B.W. , Barros A.J.D. , Rugg-Gunn A. , Nascimento G.G.
Published: December 2024

The GLOBICS—Global Consortium of Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies (OHBCS)—is a long-lasting international collaborative research group among existing OHBCS, established in response to the Lancet Series on Oral Health, which pointed out the need to shift the global oral health agenda. This study aimed to identify priority research questions from OHBCS that can be leveraged to improve children’s global oral health. A 2-phase online Delphi process sought consensus over research priorities for OHBCS. Participants were identified by mapping existing OHBCS. Fourteen research questions were grouped into 4 thematic areas. A 9-point Likert-type scale was applied. Consensus was achieved if the question had (1) at least 51% of participants scoring a research question as “high priority,” (2) an interquartile range of <2.5, and (3) a standard deviation of <1.7 or 75% of responses falling between 2 points above and below the mean score. Forty-four of 114 participants completed the Delphi survey. The 8 research priorities identified included questions about the effect of childhood dental visits on oral health throughout life ( n = 2), questions related to sugar consumption and dental caries in childhood and adolescence ( n = 4), infant growth and dental diseases ( n = 1), and whether socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries are mitigated by fluoride exposure ( n = 1). Guided by expert insight, the priorities identified for future OHBCS research should leverage a life course perspective to address knowledge gaps in children’s oral health and oral health equity.
Dynamics of Human Palatal Wound Healing and the Associated Microbiome
Authors: Yuan H. , Chlipala G.E. , Bangash H.I. , Meenakshi R. , Chen D. , Trivedi H.M , DiPietro L.A. , Gajendrareddy P. , Chen L.
Published: December 2024

Wound healing in the oral mucosa is superior to that in the skin, with faster wound closure accompanied by reduced inflammation, less angiogenesis, and minimal scar formation. A well-characterized oral wound model is critical to investigating the mechanisms of oral wound closure and the efficacy of various clinical interventions. Currently, there are a few human oral wound models, although none of them are well characterized. In the present study, we describe and characterize a human hard palate wound healing model. A 3.5-mm circular and two 1 × 5-mm rectangular full-thickness wounds were made in the first and second molar region, 5 mm from the gingival margin, on the hard palate of human subjects. The circular wound was used to monitor wound closure and collect swabs for a microbiome analysis via 16s rRNA sequencing. The rectangular wounds were biopsied and the tissue was used to evaluate the gene expression of wound healing-related mediators by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Saliva was also collected to examine the protein levels of similar molecules by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Circular wounds were nearly closed on day 7 after wounding. Significant changes in the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, antimicrobial peptides, and extracellular matrix-related molecules were identified in day 1 and day 3 wound tissue and compared with unwounded tissue on day 0. Changes in the protein levels of various mediators were limited in the saliva. In addition, alpha diversity, beta diversity, and differential microbiome analysis demonstrated significant changes in bacterial colonization of the wound surface over time compared with unwounded mucosa. In summary, we comprehensively characterize a human hard palate wound-healing model that details the dynamic changes of wound closure, levels of wound healing-related mediators in the wound and saliva, and the oral wound microbiome.
Gradual Acidification at the Oral Biofilm–Implant Material Interface
Authors: Doll-Nikutta K. , Weber S.C. , Mikolai C. , Denis H. , Behrens W. , Szafrański S.P. , Ehlert N. , Stiesch M.
Published: December 2024

The colonization of dental implants by oral biofilms causes inflammatory reactions that can ultimately lead to implant loss. Therefore, safety-integrated implant surfaces are under development that aim to detect bacterial attachment at an early stage and subsequently release antibacterial compounds to prevent their accumulation. Since primary oral colonizers ferment carbohydrates leading to local acidification, pH is considered a promising trigger for these surfaces. As a prerequisite for such systems, the present study aimed at specifically analyzing the pH at the interface between implant material and oral biofilms. For this purpose, in vitro–grown Streptococcus oralis monospecies biofilms and an established multispecies biofilm on titanium discs as well as in situ–grown biofilms from orally exposed titanium-equipped splints were used. Mature biofilm morphology was characterized by live/dead fluorescence staining, revealing improved growth from in vitro to in situ biofilms as well as a general decreasing membrane permeability over time due to the static incubation conditions. For pH analysis, the pH-sensitive dye C-SNARF-4 combined with 3-dimensional imaging by confocal laser-scanning microscopy and digital image analysis were used to detect extracellular pH values in different biofilm layers. All mature biofilms showed a pH gradient, with the lowest values at the material interface. Interestingly, the exact values depicted a time- and nutrient-dependent gradual acidification independently of the biofilm source and for in situ biofilms also independently of the sample donor. After short incubation times, a mild acidification to approximately pH 6.3 could be observed. But when sufficient nutrients were processed for a longer period of time, acidification intensified, leading to approximately pH 5.0. This not only defines the required turning point of pH-triggered implant release systems but also reveals the opportunity for a tailored release at different stages of biofilm formation.
DNA and RNA Methylation in Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases
Authors: Larsson L. , Giraldo-Osorno P.M. , Garaicoa-Pazmino C. , Giannobile W.V. , Asa’ad F.
Published: December 2024

Periodontal and peri-implant diseases are primarily biofilm-induced pathologies in susceptible hosts affecting the periodontium and dental implants. Differences in disease susceptibility, severity, and patterns of progression have been attributed to immune regulatory mechanisms such as epigenetics. DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic mechanism governing gene expression that plays pivotal roles in genomic imprinting, chromosomal stability, apoptosis, and aging. Clinical studies have explored DNA methylation inhibitors for cancer treatment and predictive methylation profiles for disease progression. In periodontal health, DNA methylation has emerged as critical, evidenced by clinical studies unraveling its complex interplay with inflammatory genes and its regulatory role in periodontitis contributing to disease severity. Human studies have shown that methylation enzymes associated with gene reactivation (e.g., ten-eleven translocation-2) are elevated in periodontitis compared with gingivitis. Dysregulation of these genes can lead to the production of inflammatory cytokines and an altered initial response to bacteria via the toll-like receptor signaling pathway in periodontal diseases. In addition, in peri-implant diseases, this dysregulation can result in altered DNA methylation levels and enzymatic activity influenced by the properties of the titanium surface. Beyond traditional perspectives, recent evidence highlights the involvement of RNA methylation (e.g., N6-methyladenosine [m6A], N6,2′-0-dimethyladenosine [m6Am]) in periodontitis and peri-implantitis lesions, playing vital roles in the innate immune response, production of inflammatory cytokines, and activation of dendritic cells. Both DNA and RNA methylation can influence the gene expression, virulence, and bacterial behavior of well-known periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Alterations in bacterial methylation patterns result in changes in the metabolism, drug resistance, and gene expression related to survival in the host, thereby promoting tissue degradation and chronic inflammatory responses. In summary, the present state-of-the-art review navigates the evolving landscape of DNA and RNA methylation in periodontal and peri-implant diseases, integrating recent developments and mechanisms to reshape the understanding of epigenetic dynamics in oral health.
The Specter of the Casualty: Elite Misreading of British Public Perceptions of the Soldier 2001–2014
Authors: Shindler Adam
Published: December 2024

During military operations between 2001 and 2014, British political and military leaders came to believe that the public were casualty-averse and viewed soldiers sympathetically as victims. Recent scholarship has demonstrated that this interpretation of public opinion altered the way that British combat operations were conducted in Afghanistan. This study finds that this elite interpretation was inaccurate. Providing a first analysis of British media representations of soldiers at key moments throughout the whole campaign, it finds that this interpretation misjudged the nature of soldier victimhood. Where political and military elites attributed public disquiet to military casualties, this research finds that the public was more likely to be concerned with contextual factors (notably competent management) and argues that casualty-aversion was a symptom of this concern rather than its cause—a finding which sees the U.K. experience as supporting and extending U.S.-based theory.
Autologous mitochondrial transplant for acute cerebral ischemia: Phase 1 trial results and review
Authors: Walker Melanie , Levitt Michael R , Federico Emma M , Miralles Francisco Javier , Levy Sam HS , Lynne Prijoles Keiko , Winter Ashtyn , Swicord Jennifer K , Sancak Yasemin
Published: December 2024

The results of a Phase 1 trial of autologous mitochondrial transplantation for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke during mechanical thrombectomy are presented. Standardized methods were used to isolate viable autologous mitochondria in the acute clinical setting, allowing for timely transplantation within the ischemic window. No significant adverse events were observed with the endovascular approach during reperfusion therapy. Safety outcomes in study participants were comparable to those of matched controls who did not undergo transplantation. This study represents the first use of mitochondrial transplantation in the human brain, highlighting specific logistical challenges related to the acute clinical setting, such as limited tissue samples and constrained time for isolation and transplantation. We also review the opportunities and challenges associated with further clinical translation of mitochondrial transplantation in the context of acute cerebral ischemia and beyond.
The association between school belonging and wellbeing in looked after adolescents: A pilot study
Authors: Cohman Abigail , Golm Dennis , Sargeant Cora
Published: December 2024

School belonging is an important avenue for exploration due to its associations with positive outcomes across behaviour, academic achievements and mental health. This study aimed to investigate differences between looked after and non-looked after young people, the associations between school belonging and related outcomes across groups, and factors that help young people feel they belong at school. Quantitative analysis of data from an anonymous online survey completed by looked after young people and matched participants revealed that school belonging was related to mental wellbeing outcomes for all participants. While school belonging and mental health scores did not differ between groups, looked after young people reported lower peer support. Based on within group correlations, three relationships were examined using moderation analysis which showed that the relationship between bullying and school belonging was moderated by care status. Based on qualitative data, young people across groups highlighted friends, teachers, school atmosphere and personal characteristics as important for their school belonging. The research was limited by sample size, but results suggest that a focus on mental wellbeing and school belonging remains important; this is discussed in relation to current educational practice and supporting school belonging within education settings.
Research progress on influencing factors and intervention measures of pre-hospital delays in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Shi Liming , Xu Muqun , Su Qingjie
Published: December 2024

Background

Stroke, a leading cause of health impairment globally, sees intravenous thrombolysis as the primary treatment during the acute phase, yet delays persist due to pre-hospital and in-hospital factors. While research has reduced in-hospital delays significantly, pre-hospital delays remain a concern both domestically and internationally.

Objective

This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the research progress on the influencing factors and intervention measures of pre-hospital delays in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

By analyzing the literature, summarize the risk factors leading to treatment delay in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and provide a review of potential improvement methods.

Results

Pre-hospital delay in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is influenced by both objective factors like age, gender, and regional economic status, as well as subjective factors such as stroke awareness. The introduction of “Stroke 120,” a stroke education slogan tailored to Chinese language habits, aims to improve stroke awareness and address delayed treatment and low AIS venous thrombolysis utilization among the Chinese public

Conclusion

In conclusion, collaborative efforts from the government, society, and hospitals are essential to enhance stroke education comprehensively. This will ensure widespread awareness of stroke knowledge, facilitating timely and effective treatment for AIS patients.
Vibration control of a base-excited rotor supported by active magnetic bearings using the linear active disturbance rejection controller
Authors: Zhang Peng , Li Wengheng , Zhou Tianhao , Zhu Changsheng
Published: December 2024

Rotor systems supported on a moving base, such as turbines on a ship, by active magnetic bearings are commonly subjected to additional excitations, namely base excitations. As a result, rotor vibration could be increased dramatically and even endanger the normal operation of the rotating machinery. This paper extends the linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) technique to the field of suppressing the base-excited effect. According to the characteristics of the LADRC, the decentralized control structure is adopted, and the control principle of employing the LADRC is illustrated. To improve the performance of the LADRC, using assisted parameters to facilitate its designation is a common method. Based on the control principle, the method for acquiring the assisted parameters is designed. Afterward, the effect of the controller parameters, including bandwidth parameters and assisted parameters, on the LADRC performance is analyzed systematically in terms of stability, noise rejection, and base excitation rejection. Based on the analyzed results, the steps for the controller tuning are suggested. On the designed test rig of an AMBs-rotor system with base excitations, the vibration suppression tests are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the LADRC technique and validate the conclusions of theoretical analysis.
Elevated IL-10 serum levels are associated with slower serological response following syphilis treatment during pregnancy
Authors: Kiolbasa Martyna , Kotlarz Agnieszka , Kaminiów Konrad , Pastuszczak Maciej
Published: December 2024

Background

Approximately 50% of pregnant individuals treated for syphilis do not achieve a decline in non-treponemal titers by delivery. The serological response in pregnant persons is significantly slower compared to non-pregnant individuals, with unclear pathogenesis and clinical significance. This study aimed to determine the association between the host immune response and serological outcome in pregnant individuals with syphilis.

Methods

Twenty-four females with early syphilis, including 14 pregnant individuals, were included. Pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-1β, IL-10, TGF-β) were measured before treatment and 6 months after penicillin injection.

Results

The median time to serological cure was 5 months for pregnant individuals and 2 months for non-pregnant females. Pregnant individuals had significantly higher serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-β at baseline and at 6 months post-treatment compared to non-pregnant individuals ( p < .05).

Conclusions

A robust regulatory immune response to syphilis may be associated with a slower serological response to therapy during pregnancy.
Identification of IFITM3 as a diagnostic biomarker of systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with disease activity based on multi-omics and experimental verification
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Jimin , Liu Xiaomei , Zhang Xinwei , Shi Guixiu
Published: December 2024

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a clinically heterogeneous autoimmune disease that lacks reliable diagnostic biomarkers. In our study, we aimed to identify a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and disease activity monitoring of SLE.

Methods

Bulk RNA and scRNA-seq datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In this study, differential analysis, cell-cell communication algorithm, functional enrichment analysis, human protein map database analysis, protein-protein interaction analysis and immune cell infiltration analysis were utilized to identify the hub genes between SLE and healthy groups. Furthermore, clinical data from 68 SLE patients and 31 healthy controls were collected for verification. Changes in IFITM3 levels were confirmed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and flow cytometry analyses.

Result

Bioinformatic analyses showed that IFITM3 expression was significantly upregulated in peripheral monocytes from patients with SLE. IFITM3 mRNA levels showed a significant diagnostic value for SLE, with an AUC value of 87.14%. IFITM3 expression was associated with the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index, as well as C3, C4, and IgG levels. The results of Chi-square test showed that those in the IFITM3-positive group had a higher percentage of several clinical manifestations such as thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, low complement, and fever.

Conclusions

These findings indicated an obviously increased expression of IFITM3 in peripheral blood monocytes of patients with SLE and verified IFITM3 as a promising diagnostic marker for SLE and associated with disease activity.
The effectiveness of microfracture augmentation on the wall of femoral condyle in meniscal healing among patients with meniscus tears after sports injury
Authors: Sakti Muhammad , Singjie Leonard Christianto , Horas Notinas , Nelwan Dario Agustino
Published: December 2024

Background

Meniscus injuries are familiar sources of knee pain, with meniscus repair sometimes yielding unsatisfactory results. Microfracture is a standard procedure for treating articular cartilage damage in the knee that promotes the formation of fibrocartilage over damaged cartilage. Microfracture enhanced the healing rate of meniscus repair in animal models.

Objective

Investigate the effectiveness of microfracture augmentation on the wall of femoral condyle in meniscus healing among patients with meniscus repair.

Methods

The current study, conducted in a single center, involved patients with red-white zone meniscal tears due to sports injury who underwent arthroscopic meniscus repair between January 2018 and December 2023. Meniscal repair was performed without microfracture in the control group but with microfracture augmentation in the intervention group.

Results

Functional outcomes, assessed using the Lysholm score, were significantly better in the microfracture group ( p = 0.000). Both groups showed significant reductions in tear size according to its intensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ( p = 0.002 in the control group and p = 0.001 in the microfracture group), with a notably better meniscus healing rate (35.7%) in the microfracture group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

This initial study highlights substantial effectiveness between meniscus repair augmented with microfracture and enhanced healing compared to repair without microfracture. Functional scores were notably higher, and MRI signal intensity decreased to grade 1 in a significant portion of patients in the microfracture group.
The Role of Organizational Behavior to Sustainable Health Care: The Case of Greece
Authors: Sepetis Anastasios , Parlavatzas Ioannis , Zaza Paraskevi N , Platis Charalampos , Fotios Rizos , Nikolaou Ioannis E
Published: December 2024

The role healthcare systems can play in surmounting global challenges like climatic change and resource scarcity is large, considering the major social and environmental impact. The research investigates the role of organizational behavior in influencing the adoption of sustainability initiatives in Greek healthcare organizations in regard to climate change. The research surveys 379 healthcare professionals from the public and private sectors with regard to organizational attitudes toward climate change, the adoption of sustainable practices, and individual environmental perspectives. Results underline that health care administration is still cut off from environmental considerations, with limited employee involvement in such initiatives of sustainability. The major barriers were poor communication, lack of education, and inadequate awareness across institutions. The study also emphasized that healthcare organizations need to align their values with environmental strategy so they can work in unison toward seeking sustainability. These would be stimulating initiatives for more leadership and active staff who become involved in making meaningful contributions toward global sustainability from the healthcare sector.
Evaluating the Implementation and Impact of BRAF Reflex Mutation Testing in Melanoma, Lung, and Colorectal Cancers
Authors: Guerra Ordaz Daniel Josué , Whitelaw Sera , Kaouache Mohammed , Moustaqim-Barrette Amina , Gresham Louise , Ramchatesingh Brandon , Redpath Margaret , Chergui May , Litvinov Ivan V.
Published: December 2024

Background:

Reflex molecular testing, the process of profiling specimens at diagnosis, is emerging in oncology, allowing for prompt therapy initiation, and potentially improving outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of reflex BRAF testing on treatment timelines and outcomes in melanoma, lung and colorectal cancers at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC).

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted at the MUHC. The study included patients with melanoma, lung, and colorectal cancers who underwent BRAF testing from 2017 to 2022. Data on demographics, cancer type, stage, test ordering specialist, testing method, and treatment outcomes were extracted. Statistical analyses included descriptive and multivariate regression analyses.

Results:

518 BRAF molecular tests were performed, with 173 patients meeting the inclusion criteria [median age 72 (IQR 60-80 years), 46.2% female]. Of these, 75.7% had melanoma, 23.7% colorectal cancer and 0.58% lung cancer. Pathologists ordered 71.1% of BRAF tests, primarily relying on immunohistochemistry. By 2022, all BRAF results were available before oncology consultations. Patients with pre-consultation BRAF results were more likely to receive targeted therapy (59.4% vs 36.4%). The availability of BRAF test results was associated with quicker treatment initiation and better alignment of therapy with mutation status.

Conclusion:

This study underscores the success of the pathology team at MUHC in implementing reflex BRAF mutation testing, enhancing clinical care by ensuring the timely availability of test results. Delays in testing may adversely affect clinical decision-making and therapy selection, highlighting the need for standardized reflex testing protocols across Canada to optimize patient outcomes in melanoma, lung, and colorectal cancers.
What explains profit inefficiency in the restaurant industry? Evidence from Sweden
Authors: Boto-García David , Demydyuk Ganna V , Carlbäck Mats
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the drivers of profit inefficiency in the restaurant industry. Assuming that restaurants operate under monopolistic competition, we first present a characterization of the factors that explain restaurants’ departure from the profit frontier, focusing on the role of business experience, number of outlets, service model, restaurant typology, and COVID-19 shock. Based on Stochastic Frontier Analysis, we estimate how these factors explain the differences in profit inefficiency across firms using a panel dataset of 4128 restaurants in Sweden in the period 2017–2021. We find that the average level of profit efficiency is low (46%). Inefficiency increases with years in operation and is significantly higher among limited-service restaurants and single-outlet firms. Interestingly, no significant difference in profit inefficiency is detected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings provide valuable insights for profit efficiency management.
Successive variational nonstationary mode decomposition for bearing multi-fault diagnosis undertime-varying speed conditions
Authors: Cui Lingli , Yan Long , Zhao Dezun
Published: December 2024

Rolling bearings are important components in mechanical machinery, and their failure will directly affect the normal operation of the machine. Therefore, the analysis of mechanical machinery vibration signals is crucial for ensuring the normal operation of the machinery. Successive variational mode decomposition (SVMD) is an important technique for decomposing a bearing stationary signal into its characteristic modes with a priori penalty factor. Therefore, it cannot handle nonstationary bearing signals. To tackle the above problems, a novel method, named successive variational nonstationary mode decomposition (SVNMD), is developed in this article. First, a new decomposition framework is proposed by adopting the constructed resampling operator to modify the optimization function of the SVMD, which eliminates the influence of frequency mixing. Second, in order to automatically determine the optimal penalty factor, an iterative selection scheme is developed, which is free from prior knowledge. Third, an instantaneous frequency estimation theory is proposed to obtain the common trend function of the signal. Finally, a time-frequency representation with high-energy concentration is obtained to accurately identify the fault characteristics of rolling bearings. Both the simulation and experimental verification have confirmed the productiveness of the SVNMD in diagnosing multiple faults of bearings under time-varying speed conditions.
Rail hidden damage detection based on the modal curvature differences method
Authors: Li Weirong , Liu Yan , Yuan Xianpu , Li Qiutong , Zhou Guojian
Published: December 2024

The rail hidden damage includes rail bottom and rail jaw cracks, which cannot be easily detected during the early development stage, and pose a significant danger and risk of rail-breaking accidents. This paper proposed an effective method to detect rail hidden damage by establishing a rail crack extension analysis model based on modal curvature difference theory and verified by the self-developed device. The results showed the distance of the rail bottom crack from the central axis of the rail bottom and the peak value of the modal curvature difference represented an approximate one-dimensional Gaussian correlation. The crack depth and crack length showed an approximately linear correlation with the peak value of the modal curvature difference. Setting cracks at rail bottom and rail jaw, the detection errors were below 5% at a 6 mm crack depth and lower than 3% at a 10 mm crack depth. The results of signal-to-noise ratio during rail bottom crack detection indicated that crack could be effectively detected before rapid expansion when the crack distance from the rail bottom central axis exceeded 35 mm, and crack parameters could be quantitatively determined before rapid expansion at a crack distance exceeding 45 mm.
When function words carry content
Authors: Vieira João , Teixeira Elisângela , Rodrigues Erica , Godwin Hayward J , Drieghe Denis
Published: December 2024

Studies on eye movements during reading have primarily focussed on the processing of content words (CWs), such as verbs and nouns. Those few studies that have analysed eye movements on function words (FWs), such as articles and prepositions, have reported that FWs are typically skipped more often and, when fixated, receive fewer and shorter fixations than CWs. However, those studies were often conducted in languages where FWs contain comparatively little information (e.g., the in English). In Brazilian Portuguese (BP), FWs can carry gender and number marking. In the present study, we analysed data from the RASTROS corpus of natural reading in BP and examined the effects of word length, predictability, frequency and word class on eye movements. Very limited differences between FWs and CWs were observed mostly restricted to the skipping rates of short words, such that FWs were skipped more often than CWs. For fixation times, differences were either nonexistent or restricted to atypical FWs, such as low frequency FWs, warranting further research. As such, our results are more compatible with studies showing limited or no differences in processing speed between FWs and CWs when influences of word length, frequency and predictability are taken into account.
Moral virtues inferences: When limited information affects our attribution of virtues
Authors: Indraccolo Allegra , Brunetti Riccardo , Navarini Claudia , Del Gatto Claudia
Published: December 2024

In everyday life, when we have to formulate judgements, we often end up being influenced by information that is not directly related to the matter at hand. This happens both when we encounter the person in the real-life world, but also in the cyber-world, when, for example, we use social networks. In both cases, indeed, based simply on a few images or short stories, we may start to believe fake news or judge someone by generalising limited information to the overall judgement of that person/situation, as it happens in the halo effect. Even moral assessment can be influenced by limited, non-moral information; however, little is known on how this influence can affect our moral inferences about someone’s virtues. We conduct three experiments, in which we assess how aspects non-directly connected to moral information, such as looks or fortuitous events, can affect our judgement about someone’s morality. The experiments focus on the use of very limited information (e.g., attractiveness and/or short anecdotes), to reproduce the typical information available on a social network (e.g., people post selfies, or brief personal stories about their thoughts and feelings, or brief descriptions of personal events). In all experiments, the participants were asked to judge the moral virtues (honesty, courage, wisdom, and hope) of the person in the picture/narrative. Results show that pictures and narratives significantly affect the judgement of virtues. Moreover, the third experiment reveals a combined effect, by enhancing the influence of non-moral aspects on evaluation of someone’s moral dispositions.
World Stroke Organization (WSO): Global intracerebral hemorrhage factsheet 2025
Authors: Parry-Jones Adrian R , Krishnamurthi Rita , Ziai Wendy C , Shoamanesh Ashkan , Wu Simiao , Martins Sheila O , Anderson Craig S
Published: December 2024

Background:

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is stroke caused by non-traumatic bleeding into the brain.

Aim:

This factsheet provides summary statistics for ICH from the 2021 Global of Burden of Diseases Study.

Methods:

Data were downloaded from the GBD results platform using “intracerebral hemorrhage” as a Level 4 cause of death or injury, extracting key metrics (number, percent, rate) for measures (incidence, disabilty adjusted life years [DALYs], deaths) described in this factsheet.

Results:

Globally, stroke was the third leading cause of death in 2021, and ICH accounted for 28.8% of incident strokes. There were estimated to be 7,252,678 deaths due to stroke in 2021 of which ICH accounted for 3,308,367 (45.6%). When considering the burden of ICH in terms of DALYs, ICH accounts for nearly half of the burden of stroke at 49.5%, compared to 43.8% caused by ischemic stroke. ICH must therefore be considered on an equal footing with ischemic stroke, so that efforts can be made to reduce its burden through public health, research, and healthcare provision. Although the overall age-standardized incidence of ICH has been decreasing since 1990, the rate of reduction has been much slower in regions with lower socio-demographic index (SDI). Most of the burden of ICH lies in areas with lower SDI, with 94.2% of DALYs lost to ICH outside areas of high SDI. Geographically, the majority of DALYs due to ICH occur in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania, with 53.3% of global DALYs lost in these regions alone. The risk factors for ICH are dominated by high systolic blood pressure, which accounts for at least 50% of the burden of ICH, regardless of SDI. Areas with middle or high-middle SDI have a greater proportion of the burden of ICH accounted for by ambient particulate pollution, smoking, and diets high in sodium, whereas household air pollution from solid fuels accounts for much more of the risk of ICH in low SDI regions.

Conclusion:

This World Stroke Organization (WSO) Global ICH Fact Sheet 2025 provides the most updated information on ICH that can be used to support communication with all internal and external stakeholders, inform healthcare policy, and raise public awareness. All statistics have been reviewed and approved for use by the WSO Executive Committee.
Future-proofing tomorrow: achieving a unified vision through population health and multi-hazard early warning systems
Authors: Nunes AR
Published: December 2024

In this piece Nunes addresses the importance of population health approaches and Multi-Hazards Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) in public health, particularly considering climate change and its associated risks and hazards. The article aims to highlight the challenges posed by climate change to public health and how integrating MHEWS with population health approaches can help address these challenges effectively.
Physical performance in the health environment: an undervalued practical and inexpensive tool
Authors: Festa RR , Jofré-Saldía E , Garrido-Osorio V , Jannas-Vela S
Published: December 2024

In this article, Festa et al. highlight that the assessment of physical performance is not currently valued as a simple and practical tool for estimating health status in the general population. Consequently, the purpose of this opinion article is to highlight the importance of testing and classifying physical performance as an indicator of overall health, encouraging health professionals to consider them as an accessible and inexpensive tool for the public health context, in contrast to laboratory assessments.
A case of intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis-associated pleural effusion in a beta-thalassemia intermedia patient and a short literature review
Authors: Barakos Georgios Petros , Papazafiropoulou Athanasia , Mihos Konstantinos , Eminidou Valeria , Andronikou Stefani , Ainalidou Lemonia , Mofori Niki , Gkraikou Themis , Athanasakis Georgios , Papanas Nikolaos , Antonopoulos Stavros
Published: December 2024

Extramedullary hematopoiesis is a phenomenon that occurs in conditions of ineffective bone marrow function. In the context of thalassemias, extramedullary hematopoiesis is more frequently observed in beta-thalassemia intermedia patients, with thoracic paravertebral extramedullary hematopoiesis being relatively common. However, extramedullary hematopoiesis-related pleural effusion is a rare occurrence. Herein, we report a 43-year-old female patient, who presented with worsening dyspnea and a massive pleural effusion. Her medical history includes beta-thalassemia intermedia with known paravertebral extramedullary hematopoiesis sites and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy a month ago. The absence of pleural fluid from recent prior imaging pointed toward the rapid accumulation of fluid. After a thorough diagnostic workup, we attributed the effusion to thoracic paravertebral extramedullary hematopoiesis. The patient was effectively treated with drainage of the effusion after thoracentesis and antibiotics. On follow-up, she had a stable radiographic image without pleural fluid recurrence. Extramedullary hematopoiesis-associated pleural effusion should be in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, in cases of compatible medical history.
A Novel Bootstrap Approach for the Effect of Exchange Rate Shocks on Growth Performance in Nigeria
Authors: Abdulhamid Jabiru , Aliyu Umar Shuaibu , Rabiu Sanusi , Ibrahim Saifullahi Sani , Cavusoglu Behiye
Published: December 2024

While shocks driven by exchange rate volatility and its impact on growth have been investigated in the extant literature, the recent exchange depreciation of major currencies has reignited interest among scholars. This study scrutinizes a novel Bootstrap Autoregressive Distributed Lag (BARDL) model for the effect of exchange rate shocks on the growth of the Nigerian economy. The results reveal several key findings. First, the finding from the bootstrap bound test revealed the presence of a cointegration relation between exchange rate and economic growth, indicating that exchange rate is a key indicator of inducing growth performance in Nigeria in the long-run horizon. Second, the results also show an inverted U-shaped effect of exchange rate on growth performance in the short-run horizon. This finding indicates that the coexistent positive effect of exchange rate shock on growth metamorphosed into a negative effect within a second lag. Third, while exchange rate depreciation retards economic growth in the short-run, the pattern demonstrates a strong potential for currency devaluation on external trade competitiveness of Nigeria. Fourth, the finding from the nonlinear model reveals the existence of strong asymmetries in exchange rate and economic growth nexus which validate the J-curve effect in Nigeria. The shocks driven from trade, particularly the import shocks are exacerbating the instability in the exchange market. Thus, controlling the asymmetric effects of exchange rate and import shocks is key to the sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy.
New strategies for enhancing enrollment of underrepresented minorities in lymphoma clinical trials
Authors: Nze Chijioke , Herrera Alex F.
Published: December 2024

New lymphoma treatments, including chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bispecific antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have significantly improved patient outcomes. Despite these therapeutic advances, only 2% to 3% of adult patients with cancer participate in clinical trials. This participation is even lower among certain groups, including ethnic and racial minorities, individuals with low socioeconomic status, rural residents, older adults, and young adults. Underrepresentation of these groups in clinical trials limits the generalizability of trial results and is detrimental to those populations that do not receive equal access to novel therapies. Although racial and ethnic minorities constitute >40% of the US population, they make up only ∼15% of clinical trial participants. The US Food and Drug Administration now requires sponsors seeking regulatory approval for therapies via registrational clinical trials to submit a plan to ensure diversity among trial participants. This article addresses strategies for enhancing enrollment of underrepresented minorities in lymphoma clinical trials.
Single-cell multiomics reveal divergent effects of DNMT3A- and TET2-mutant clonal hematopoiesis in inflammatory response
Authors: Mohammed Ismail Wazim , Fernandez Jenna A. , Binder Moritz , Lasho Terra L. , Kim Minsuk , Geyer Susan M. , Mazzone Amelia , Finke Christy M. , Mangaonkar Abhishek A. , Lee Jeong-Heon , Wang Liguo , Kim Kwan Hyun , Simon Vernadette A. , Rakhshan Rohakthar Fariborz , Munankarmy Amik , Byeon Seul Kee , Schwager Susan M. , Harrington Jonathan J. , Snyder Melissa R. , Robertson Keith D. , Pandey Akhilesh , Wieben Eric D. , Chia Nicholas , Gaspar-Maia Alexandre , Patnaik Mrinal M.
Published: December 2024

DNMT3A and TET2 are epigenetic regulator genes commonly mutated in age-related clonal hematopoiesis (CH). Despite having opposed epigenetic functions, these mutations are associated with increased all-cause mortality and a low risk for progression to hematologic neoplasms. Although individual impacts on the epigenome have been described using different model systems, the phenotypic complexity in humans remains to be elucidated. Here, we make use of a natural inflammatory response occurring during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to understand the association of these mutations with inflammatory morbidity (acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS]) and mortality. We demonstrate the age-independent, negative impact of DNMT3A mutant (DNMT3Amt) CH on COVID-19–related ARDS and mortality. Using single-cell proteogenomics we show that DNMT3A mutations involve myeloid and lymphoid lineage cells. Using single-cell multiomics sequencing, we identify cell-specific gene expression changes associated with DNMT3A mutations, along with significant epigenomic deregulation affecting enhancer accessibility, resulting in overexpression of interleukin-32 (IL-32), a proinflammatory cytokine that can result in inflammasome activation in monocytes and macrophages. Finally, we show with single-cell resolution that the loss of function of DNMT3A is directly associated with increased chromatin accessibility in mutant cells. Hence, we demonstrate the negative prognostic impact of DNMT3Amt CH on COVID-19–related ARDS and mortality. DNMT3Amt CH in the context of COVID-19, was associated with inflammatory transcriptional priming, resulting in overexpression of IL32. This overexpression was secondary to increased chromatic accessibility, specific to DNMT3Amt CH cells. DNMT3Amt CH can thus serve as a potential biomarker for adverse outcomes in COVID-19.
Macrophages and the microbiome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Sandhu Karanjot K. , Scott Aaron , Tatler Amanda L. , Belchamber Kylie B.R. , Cox Michael J.
Published: December 2024

COPD is a heterogeneous disease of the lungs characterised by restricted airflow. Chronic inflammation and recurrent bacterial infections are known to be important driving factors in exacerbations of this disease. Despite a marked increase in the number of alveolar macrophages present in the lungs of COPD patients, there is evidence of reduced clearance of pathogenic bacteria, leading to recurrent infection, exacerbation and subsequent lung function decline. This is thought to be attributed to a defect in the phagocytic capability of both alveolar and monocyte-derived macrophages in COPD. In addition to this defect, there is apparent selectivity in bacterial uptake by COPD macrophages because certain pathogenic genera, such asHaemophilus,MoraxellaandStreptococcus, are taken up more readily than others. The respiratory microbiome plays a key role in regulating the host immune response both in health and during chronic inflammation. In patients with COPD, there are distinct changes in the composition of the respiratory microbiome, particularly the lower respiratory tract, where dominance of clinically relevant pathogenic species is commonly observed. Whether there are links between these changes in the microbiome and dysfunctional macrophage phagocytosis has not yet been widely studied. This review aims to discuss what is currently known about these phenomena and to explore interactions between macrophages and the respiratory microbiome.