bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Color stability of bulk‐fill compared to conventional resin‐based composites: A scoping review
Authors: Paolone Gaetano , Mandurino Mauro , Scotti Nicola , Cantatore Giuseppe , Blatz Markus B.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To conduct a scoping review on color stability of bulk‐fill compared to conventional resin‐based composites exposed to colored beverages.

Materials and Methods

In vitro studies, investigating bulk‐fill resin‐based composites color stability submitted to artificial staining by colored beverages were included. Studies investigating color change induced by smoke and whitening treatments as well as papers not written in English language were excluded. A systematic search, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) was performed on four databases (Embase, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science) for articles published until October 01st 2022. The study selection was then performed by two authors who screened the abstracts independently and followed the JBI approach.

Results

Of 717 screened abstracts, 59 were selected for full‐text analysis. Finally, 19 studies were included in this review. They investigated 19 different bulk‐fill composites and different artificial‐staining‐by‐liquids‐protocols including coffee, red wine, tea, coke, and others. Seven papers reported higher color change in the investigated bulk fill materials than in conventional resin‐based composites, while nine studies reported the opposite. SonicFill showed the highest color stability for most of the papers.

Conclusions

The available evidence suggests that bulk‐fill materials show variability in color stability. This behavior can be attributed to the heterogeneity of composition and staining procedures in the selected studies.

Clinical Significance

Clinicians should keep in mind that bulk‐fill materials may change color when exposed to colorant drinks or food.
Determining the neurocognitive profile of children with tuberous sclerosis complex within the Western Cape region of South Africa
Authors: Berghoff N. M. , Wilmshurst J. M. , Page T. A. , Wessels M. , Schlegel B. , Malcolm‐Smith S.
Published: February 2023

Background

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder associated with a wide spectrum of cognitive impairments that can often result in impaired academic, social and adaptive functioning. However, studies investigating TSC have found it difficult to determine whether TSC is associated with a distinct cognitive phenotype and more specifically which aspects of functioning are impaired. Furthermore, children with TSC living in low‐income and middle‐income countries, like South Africa, experience additional burdens due to low socio‐economic status, high mortality rates and poor access to health care and education. Hence, the clinical population of South Africa may vary considerably from those populations from high‐income countries discussed in the literature.

Methods

A comprehensive neuropsychological battery composed of internationally recognised measures examining attention, working memory, language comprehension, learning and memory, areas of executive function and general intellectual functioning was administered to 17 children clinically diagnosed with TSC.

Results

The exploration of descriptive data indicated generalised cognitive difficulties in most cognitive domains, aside from memory. With only two participants performing in the average to above‐average ranges, the rest of the sample showed poor verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, processing speed, disinhibition, and problems with spatial planning, problem solving, frustration tolerance, set shifting and maintaining a set of rules. Furthermore, correlational findings indicated several associations between socio‐demographic and cognitive variables.

Conclusions

Importantly, this is the first study to comprehensively examine multiple domains of neurocognitive functioning in a low‐resource setting sample of children with TSC. Current study findings showed that children with TSC have generalised impairments across several cognitive domains, rather than domain‐specific impairments. Therefore, although examining individual aspects of cognition, such as those found in previous literature, is important, this approach is limiting. With a comprehensive assessment, including understanding the associations between domains, appropriate and directed support can be provided to ensure all aspects of development are addressed and considered.
Microbes, oxytocin and stress: Converging players regulating eating behavior
Authors: Cuesta‐Marti Cristina , Uhlig Friederike , Muguerza Begoña , Hyland Niall , Clarke Gerard , Schellekens Harriët
Published: February 2023

Oxytocin is a peptide‐hormone extensively studied for its multifaceted biological functions and has recently gained attention for its role in eating behavior, through its action as an anorexigenic neuropeptide. Moreover, the gut microbiota is involved in oxytocinergic signaling through the brain‐gut axis, specifically in the regulation of social behavior. The gut microbiota is also implicated in appetite regulation and is postulated to play a role in central regulation of hedonic eating. In this review, we provide an overview on oxytocin and its individual links with the microbiome, the homeostatic and non‐homeostatic regulation of eating behavior as well as social behavior and stress.
Physical characterization of chocolates prepared with various soybean and milk powders
Authors: Taşoyan İzlem Cansu , Yolaçaner Elif Turabi , Öztop Mecit Halil
Published: February 2023

The physical characterization of chocolate products is vital in manufacturing, and the chocolate's processing time and composition directly influence physical properties, such as rheology and melting. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of processing time and the ingredient types on the physical properties of milk chocolates containing soy milk powder and soy protein isolate. Characteristics of skimmed milk chocolate (SMC) and whole milk chocolate (WMC) were compared to soy milk chocolate and soy protein chocolate (SPC). Rheological data of chocolate products were fitted to Casson, Herschel–Bulkley, and Bingham models. The highest viscosity was observed for SPC samples, whereas yield stress was the highest for SMC samples after 2 hr of processing. The increase in milk and soy fats in the formulation softened the texture and decreased the whiteness index significantly (p < .05). PSD results show that SPC had the highest D90 (40.1 μm) and the lowest specific surface area (893 m2/kg) after 6 hr of processing. SPC samples had the narrowest particle size distribution observed by the span values. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that all the samples had the desired Form V, crystal form. The differential scanning calorimetry thermogram was used to determine phase transitions and melting behaviors. At the end of processing, melting enthalpies (ΔHmelt) were significantly lower (p < .05) in milk chocolates.
Comparison of pharmacokinetics of two tylvalosin oral formulations in broiler chickens
Authors: Abu‐Basha Ehab A. , Bani Ismail Zuhair , Idkaidek Nasir M. , Hamzeh Eyad
Published: February 2023

The objective of the study was to compare the relative bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of two commercially available oral formulations of tylvalosin prepared for use in broiler chickens (ProviLosinRand AviLosinR). A total of 36 healthy, broiler chickens were administered a single oral dose (25 mg/kg b.w.) of each formulation in a parallel randomized design. The relative bioavailability of ProviLosinRwas 108% compared to AviLosinR. There were no significant differences between ProviLosinRand AviLosinRtylvalosin formulations in the average means of the area under the plasma concentration–time curve, maximum plasma concentrations and time to maximum plasma concentrations. In conclusion, tylvalosin was rapidly absorbed and relatively slowly eliminated after oral administration of a single dose for both formulations. ProviLosinRand AviLosinRcan be used interchangeably as therapeutic agents in broiler chickens.
Quality of life of children and young adults with and without cardiovascular implantable electronic devices during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Needleman Joseph Solomon , Zhu Chengjia , Kean Adam C.
Published: February 2023

Background

Children with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have a lower quality of life (QoL) compared to the general pediatric population. The combined effect of COVID‐19 and CIEDs on the QoL and physical activity (PA) both within and between each population is unknown.

Methods

Individuals 8–25‐year‐old with and without CIED's were recruited to complete a phone survey. Data collection included demographics, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and the (PAQ). PedsQL and PAQ scores range from 0–100 and 1–5, respectively, with higher scores indicating a higher QoL and PA.

Results

Of the 190 individuals contacted, 148 participated (CIED n = 76, non‐CIED n = 72), for an 81% response rate. Participants with and without CIEDs were similar in age (15.5 vs. 16 years, p = .57), gender (male = 57% vs. 42%, p = .07), and self‐identified race (white = 79% vs. 81%, p = .44). CIED participants had a lower QoL (70.8 vs. 83.3, p < .001). Lower total scores were noted in CIED participants with structural heart disease compared to those without (71.6 vs. 83.6, p = .035) and those with a history of non‐CIED heart or chest surgery compared to those without (71.3 vs. 83.3, p = .035). PAQ scores were similarly lower for CIED participants (2.17 vs. 2.73, p < .001).

Conclusion

The presence of a CIED negatively impacts the QoL and PA of the pediatric population in the setting of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Further research is needed to better understand and address the drivers of decreased QoL and PA in the pediatric CIED population in the setting of the COVID‐19 Pandemic.
Blockade of 5‐HT2 receptors suppresses motor unit firing and estimates of persistent inward currents during voluntary muscle contraction in humans
Authors: Goodlich Benjamin I. , Del Vecchio Alessandro , Horan Sean A. , Kavanagh Justin J.
Published: February 2023

Serotonergic neuromodulation contributes to enhanced voluntary muscle activation. However, it is not known how the likely motoneurone receptor candidate (5‐HT2) influences the firing rate and activation threshold of motor units (MUs) in humans. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 5‐HT2 receptor activity contributes to human MU behaviour during voluntary ramped contractions of differing intensity. High‐density surface EMG (HDsEMG) of the tibialis anterior was assessed during ramped isometric dorsiflexions at 10, 30, 50 and 70% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). MU characteristics were successfully extracted from HDsEMG of 11 young adults (four female) pre‐ and post‐ingestion of 8 mg cyproheptadine or a placebo. Antagonism of 5‐HT2 receptors caused a reduction in MU discharge rate during steady‐state muscle activation that was independent of the level of contraction intensity [P < 0.001; estimated mean difference (∆) = 1.06 pulses/s], in addition to an increase in MU derecruitment threshold (P < 0.013, ∆ = 1.23% MVC), without a change in force during MVC (P = 0.652). A reduction in estimates of persistent inward current amplitude was observed at 10% MVC (P < 0.001, ∆ = 0.99 Hz) and 30% MVC (P = 0.003, ∆ = 0.75 Hz) that aligned with 5‐HT changes in MU firing behaviour attributable to 5‐HT2 antagonism. Overall, these findings indicate that 5‐HT2 receptor activity has a role in regulating the discharge rate in populations of spinal motoneurones when performing voluntary contractions. This study provides evidence of a direct link between MU discharge properties, persistent inward current activity and 5‐HT2 receptor activity in humans.

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Key points

Activation of 5‐HT receptors on the soma and dendrites of motoneurones regulates their excitability.

Previous work using chlorpromazine and cyproheptadine has demonstrated that the 5‐HT2 receptor regulates motoneurone activity in humans with chronic spinal cord injury and non‐injured control subjects.

It is not known how the 5‐HT2 receptor directly influences motor unit (MU) discharge and MU recruitment in larger populations of human motoneurones during voluntary contractions of differing intensity.

Despite the absence of change in force during maximal voluntary dorsiflexions, 5‐HT2 receptor antagonism caused a reduction in MU discharge rate during submaximal steady‐state muscle contraction, in addition to an increase in MU derecruitment threshold, irrespective of the submaximal contraction intensity.

Reductions in estimates of persistent inward currents after 5‐HT2 receptor antagonism support the viewpoint that the 5‐HT2 receptor plays a crucial role in regulating motor activity, whereby a persistent inward current‐based mechanism is involved in regulating the excitability of human motoneurones.
Characterization of neutral species in an NH3-Ar plasma generated by a capacitively coupled plasma source at various radio frequencies
Authors: Johnson S. M. , Zhao J. P. , Schlechte C. , Carroll J. , Iwao T. , Ventzek P. L. G. , Ekerdt J. G.
Published: February 2023

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of SiNx is promising for many device applications, but a lack of growth and material property conformality on three-dimensional device surfaces limits its application. Changing the neutral composition of the nitridation plasma can have an impact on side wall nitridation. In plasma deposition experiments, the role of frequency of the delivered power on neutral species formation is underexplored. We measure the densities of various neutral species generated in a capacitively coupled, 300 mTorr ammonia/argon plasma as a function of driving frequency between 13.56 and 200 MHz using line-of-sight threshold ionization mass spectroscopy. High-density species, which are on the order of 1015 molecules/cm3, such as NH3, H2, H, and N2, as well as lower density species at densities on the order of 1012 molecules/cm3, including N2H2, N2H4, and N2 metastables, were measured and their densities varied with drive frequency.
The effect of modality onset asynchrony and processing time on the recognition of text-supplemented speech
Authors: Smith Kimberly G. , Fogerty Daniel
Published: February 2023

This study examined the effect of modality onset asynchrony and response processing time for the recognition of text-supplemented speech. Speech and text were periodically interrupted by noise or black bars, respectively, to preserve 50% of the sentence and presented in unimodal and multimodal conditions. Sentence recognition and response errors were assessed for responses made simultaneous with the stimulus or after its presentation. Increased processing time allowed for the cognitive repair of initial response errors in working memory. Text-supplemented speech was best recognized with minimal temporal asynchrony. Overall, text supplementation facilitated the recognition of degraded speech when provided sufficient processing time.
A 3D biomimetic optoelectronic scaffold repairs cranial defects
Authors: Wang Huachun , Tian Jingjing , Jiang Yuxi , Liu Shuang , Zheng Jingchuan , Li Ningyu , Wang Guiyan , Dong Fan , Chen Junyu , Xie Yang , Huang Yunxiang , Cai Xue , Wang Xiumei , Xiong Wei , Qi Hui , Yin Lan , Wang Yuguang , Sheng Xing
Published: February 2023

Bone fractures and defects pose serious health-related issues on patients. For clinical therapeutics, synthetic scaffolds have been actively explored to promote critical-sized bone regeneration, and electrical stimulations are recognized as an effective auxiliary to facilitate the process. Here, we develop a three-dimensional (3D) biomimetic scaffold integrated with thin-film silicon (Si)–based microstructures. This Si-based hybrid scaffold not only provides a 3D hierarchical structure for guiding cell growth but also regulates cell behaviors via photo-induced electrical signals. Remotely controlled by infrared illumination, these Si structures electrically modulate membrane potentials and intracellular calcium dynamics of stem cells and potentiate cell proliferation and differentiation. In a rodent model, the Si-integrated scaffold demonstrates improved osteogenesis under optical stimulations. Such a wirelessly powered optoelectronic scaffold eliminates tethered electrical implants and fully degrades in a biological environment. The Si-based 3D scaffold combines topographical and optoelectronic stimuli for effective biological modulations, offering broad potential for biomedicine.
FOXG1 drives transcriptomic networks to specify principal neuron subtypes during the development of the medial pallium
Authors: Ba Ru , Yang Lin , Zhang Baoshen , Jiang Pengfei , Ding Zhipeng , Zhou Xue , Yang Zhengang , Zhao Chunjie
Published: February 2023

The medial pallium (MP) is the major forebrain region underlying learning and memory, spatial navigation, and emotion; however, the mechanisms underlying the specification of its principal neuron subtypes remain largely unexplored. Here, by postmitotic deletion of FOXG1 (a transcription factor linked to autism spectrum disorders andFOXG1syndrome) and single-cell RNA sequencing of E17.5 MP in mice, we found that FOXG1 controls the specification of upper-layer retrosplenial cortical pyramidal neurons [RSC-PyNs (UL)], subiculum PyNs (SubC-PyNs), CA1-PyNs, CA3-PyNs, and dentate gyrus granule cells (DG-GCs) in the MP. We uncovered subtype-specific and subtype-shared FOXG1-regulated transcriptomic networks orchestrating MP neuron specification. We further demonstrated that FOXG1 transcriptionally repressesZbtb20,Prox1, andEpha4to prevent CA3-PyN and DG-GC identities during the specification of RSC-PyNs (UL) and SubC-PyNs; FOXG1 directly activatesNr4a2to promote SubC-PyN identity. We showed that TBR1, controlled by FOXG1 during CA1-PyN specification, was down-regulated. Thus, our study illuminates MP principal neuron subtype specification and related neuropathogenesis.
An inactivated NDV-HXP-S COVID-19 vaccine elicits a higher proportion of neutralizing antibodies in humans than mRNA vaccination
Authors: Carreño Juan Manuel , Raskin Ariel , Singh Gagandeep , Tcheou Johnstone , Kawabata Hisaaki , Gleason Charles , Srivastava Komal , Vigdorovich Vladimir , Dambrauskas Nicholas , Gupta Sneh Lata , González Domínguez Irene , Martinez Jose Luis , Slamanig Stefan , Sather D. Noah , Raghunandan Rama , Wirachwong Ponthip , Muangnoicharoen Sant , Pitisuttithum Punnee , Wrammert Jens , Suthar Mehul S. , Sun Weina , Palese Peter , García-Sastre Adolfo , Simon Viviana , Krammer Florian
Published: February 2023

NDV-HXP-S is a recombinant Newcastle disease virus–based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, which expresses an optimized (HexaPro) spike protein on its surface. The vaccine can be produced in embryonated chicken eggs using the same process as that used for the production of the vast majority of influenza virus vaccines. Here, we performed a secondary analysis of the antibody responses after vaccination with inactivated NDV-HXP-S in a phase 1 clinical study in Thailand. The SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing and spike protein binding activity of NDV-HXP-S postvaccination serum samples was compared to that of samples from mRNA BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccinees. Neutralizing activity of sera from NDV-HXP-S vaccinees was comparable to that of BNT162b2 vaccinees, whereas spike protein binding activity of the NDV-HXP-S vaccinee samples was lower than that of sera obtained from mRNA vaccinees. This led us to calculate ratios between binding and neutralizing antibody titers. Samples from NDV-HXP-S vaccinees had binding to neutralizing activity ratios that were lower than those of BNT162b2 sera, suggesting that NDV-HXP-S vaccination elicits a high proportion of neutralizing antibodies and low non-neutralizing antibody titers. Further analysis showed that, in contrast to mRNA vaccination, which induces strong antibody titers to the receptor binding domain (RBD), the N-terminal domain, and the S2 domain, NDV-HXP-S vaccination induced an RBD-focused antibody response with little reactivity to S2. This finding may explain the high proportion of neutralizing antibodies. In conclusion, vaccination with inactivated NDV-HXP-S induces a high proportion of neutralizing antibodies and absolute neutralizing antibody titers that are comparable to those elicited by mRNA vaccination.
Data-driven longitudinal characterization of neonatal health and morbidity
Authors: De Francesco Davide , Reiss Jonathan D. , Roger Jacquelyn , Tang Alice S. , Chang Alan L. , Becker Martin , Phongpreecha Thanaphong , Espinosa Camilo , Morin Susanna , Berson Eloïse , Thuraiappah Melan , Le Brian L. , Ravindra Neal G. , Payrovnaziri Seyedeh Neelufar , Mataraso Samson , Kim Yeasul , Xue Lei , Rosenstein Melissa G. , Oskotsky Tomiko , Marić Ivana , Gaudilliere Brice , Carvalho Brendan , Bateman Brian T. , Angst Martin S. , Prince Lawrence S. , Blumenfeld Yair J. , Benitz William E. , Fuerch Janene H. , Shaw Gary M. , Sylvester Karl G. , Stevenson David K. , Sirota Marina , Aghaeepour Nima
Published: February 2023

Although prematurity is the single largest cause of death in children under 5 years of age, the current definition of prematurity, based on gestational age, lacks the precision needed for guiding care decisions. Here, we propose a longitudinal risk assessment for adverse neonatal outcomes in newborns based on a deep learning model that uses electronic health records (EHRs) to predict a wide range of outcomes over a period starting shortly before conception and ending months after birth. By linking the EHRs of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford Healthcare Adult Hospital, we developed a cohort of 22,104 mother-newborn dyads delivered between 2014 and 2018. Maternal and newborn EHRs were extracted and used to train a multi-input multitask deep learning model, featuring a long short-term memory neural network, to predict 24 different neonatal outcomes. An additional cohort of 10,250 mother-newborn dyads delivered at the same Stanford Hospitals from 2019 to September 2020 was used to validate the model. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve at delivery exceeded 0.9 for 10 of the 24 neonatal outcomes considered and were between 0.8 and 0.9 for 7 additional outcomes. Moreover, comprehensive association analysis identified multiple known associations between various maternal and neonatal features and specific neonatal outcomes. This study used linked EHRs from more than 30,000 mother-newborn dyads and would serve as a resource for the investigation and prediction of neonatal outcomes. An interactive website is available for independent investigators to leverage this unique dataset:
https://maternal-child-health-associations.shinyapps.io/shiny_app/
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Cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis infection prevention and control interventions in South African clinics: a model-based economic evaluation informed by complexity science methods
Authors: Bozzani Fiammetta Maria , McCreesh Nicky , Diaconu Karin , Govender Indira , White Richard G , Kielmann Karina , Grant Alison D , Vassall Anna
Published: February 2023

Introduction

NosocomialMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) transmission substantially impacts health workers, patients and communities. Guidelines for tuberculosis infection prevention and control (TB IPC) exist but implementation in many settings remains suboptimal. Evidence is needed on cost-effective investments to preventMtbtransmission that are feasible in routine clinic environments.

Methods

A set of TB IPC interventions was codesigned with local stakeholders using system dynamics modelling techniques that addressed both core activities and enabling actions to support implementation. An economic evaluation of these interventions was conducted at two clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, employing agent-based models ofMtbtransmission within the clinics and in their catchment populations. Intervention costs included the costs of the enablers (eg, strengthened supervision, community sensitisation) identified by stakeholders to ensure uptake and adherence.

Results

All intervention scenarios modelled, inclusive of the relevant enablers, cost less than US$200 per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted and were very cost-effective in comparison to South Africa’s opportunity cost-based threshold (US$3200 per DALY averted). Two interventions, building modifications to improve ventilation and maximising use of the existing Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution system to reduce the number of clinic attendees, were found to be cost saving over the 10-year model time horizon. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were sensitive to assumptions on baseline clinic ventilation rates, the prevalence of infectious TB in clinic attendees and future HIV incidence but remained highly cost-effective under all uncertainty analysis scenarios.

Conclusion

TB IPC interventions in clinics, including the enabling actions to ensure their feasibility, afford very good value for money and should be prioritised for implementation within the South African health system.
Qualitative assessment of programmatic constraints in delivery of effective interventions for improving maternal nutrition in Bangladesh
Authors: Rasul Md Golam , Hasan Mahamudul , Hossain Daluwar , Haseen Fariha , Das Subhasish , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Maternal undernutrition is highly prevalent in most of the developing countries. Prevalence of both extremes of maternal malnutrition (undernutrition and overweight/obesity) are common in those countries. For Bangladesh, the scenario is not different. The Government of Bangladesh recognises maternal nutrition as a public health priority and addresses the issue in its policies and programmes. We identified and analysed the existing maternal nutrition programmes and determined the bottlenecks in implementing the programmes in Bangladesh using qualitative approach.

Methods

We followed a qualitative research approach and conducted 25 key informant interviews with the programme managers and policymakers, 10 in-depth interviews with the service providers and six focus group discussions with the pregnant women to identify the constraints of programme implementation. We analysed data using thematic and inductive approaches of qualitative research methods.

Results

We have found that successful implementation of maternal nutrition intervention was being hampered by both the demand and supply side issues. On the demand side, major constraints were financial inability of the families to avail maternal nutrition-related services, ignorance of the family members and cultural barriers of using maternal nutrition-related services. Lack of priority and heavy workload of the service providers, lack of human resources, poor monitoring system, lack of medicine to supply and incoordination have been identified as major supply-side constraints in providing maternal nutrition-related interventions in Bangladesh.

Conclusion

Both supply side and demand side issues are responsible for the existing bottlenecks in implementing maternal nutrition-related programmes in Bangladesh. Findings of this study will help the policymakers to learn about the programmatic constraints regarding maternal nutrition services in Bangladesh.
Predicting total knee replacement at 2 and 5 years in osteoarthritis patients using machine learning
Authors: Mahmoud Khadija , Alagha M Abdulhadi , Nowinka Zuzanna , Jones Gareth
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of physical disability and reduced quality of life, with end-stage disease often treated by total knee replacement (TKR). We set out to develop and externally validate a machine learning model capable of predicting the need for a TKR in 2 and 5 years time using routinely collected health data.

Design

A prospective study using datasets Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) and the Multicentre Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). OAI data were used to train the models while MOST data formed the external test set. The data were preprocessed using feature selection to curate 45 candidate features including demographics, medical history, imaging assessments, history of intervention and outcome.

Setting

The study was conducted using two multicentre USA-based datasets of participants with or at high risk of knee OA.

Participants

The study excluded participants with at least one existing TKR. OAI dataset included participants aged 45–79 years of which 3234 were used for training and 809 for internal testing, while MOST involved participants aged 50–79 and 2248 were used for external testing.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome of this study was prediction of TKR onset at 2 and 5 years. Performance was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) and F1-score and key predictors identified.

Results

For the best performing model (gradient boosting machine), the AUC at 2 years was 0.913 (95% CI 0.876 to 0.951), and at 5 years 0.873 (95% CI 0.839 to 0.907). Radiographic-derived features, questionnaire-based assessments alongside the patient’s educational attainment were key predictors for these models.

Conclusions

Our approach suggests that routinely collected patient data are sufficient to drive a predictive model with a clinically acceptable level of accuracy (AUC>0.7) and is the first such tool to be externally validated. This level of accuracy is higher than previously published models utilising MRI data, which is not routinely collected.
Barriers and facilitators to guideline-recommended care of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the ED: a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework
Authors: Bradshaw Sally , Graco Marnie , Holland Anne
Published: February 2023

Background

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common presentation to the ED. Evidence suggests low adherence to guideline-recommended care, but the reasons underlying this are poorly understood. This study used the theoretical domains framework (TDF) to explore the barriers and facilitators to medical and physiotherapy clinical practices in the management of BPPV in an Australian metropolitan ED.

Methods

From May to December 2021, semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 medical staff and 13 physiotherapists who worked at an ED in Melbourne, Australia. Interviews used the TDF to explore the perceived barriers and facilitators to the delivery of guideline-recommended assessment and treatment techniques for BPPV. Data were analysed thematically to identify relevant domains and generate themes and belief statements.

Results

Fifteen belief statements representing eight domains of the TDF were identified as key factors in the management of BPPV in the ED. The most prominent domains wereknowledgeandskillsdue to their conflicting belief statements between professions concerning education, skill development and self-confidence;memory, attention and decision processesfor the perceived complexity of the presentation including difficulty recalling diagnostic and treatment techniques; andenvironmental context and resourcesfor their shared belief statements concerning time and workload pressures. The availability of vestibular physiotherapy was considered both a barrier and facilitator to the delivery of recommended care by medical staff, but a barrier to independent practice as it unintentionally limited the opportunities for skill development in medical staff.

Conclusion

Several modifiable barriers and facilitators to the management of BPPV in the ED have been identified. Differences were observed between the professional groups, and these findings will guide a future intervention to improve the use of guideline-recommended assessment and treatment techniques for BPPV in ED.
CD103 and CD39 coexpression identifies neoantigen-specific cytotoxic T cells in colorectal cancers with low mutation burden
Authors: van den Bulk Jitske , van der Ploeg Manon , Ijsselsteijn Marieke E , Ruano Dina , van der Breggen Ruud , Duhen Rebekka , Peeters Koen C M J , Fariña-Sarasqueta Arantza , Verdegaal Els M E , van der Burg Sjoerd H , Duhen Thomas , de Miranda Noel F C C
Published: February 2023

Background

Expression of CD103 and CD39 has been found to pinpoint tumor-reactive CD8+T cells in a variety of solid cancers. We aimed to investigate whether these markers specifically identify neoantigen-specific T cells in colorectal cancers (CRCs) with low mutation burden.

Experimental design

Whole-exome and RNA sequencing of 11 mismatch repair-proficient (MMR-proficient) CRCs and corresponding healthy tissues were performed to determine the presence of putative neoantigens. In parallel, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were cultured from the tumor fragments and, in parallel, CD8+T cells were flow-sorted from their respective tumor digests based on single or combined expression of CD103 and CD39. Each subset was expanded and subsequently interrogated for neoantigen-directed reactivity with synthetic peptides. Neoantigen-directed reactivity was determined by flow cytometric analyses of T cell activation markers and ELISA-based detection of IFN-γ and granzyme B release. Additionally, imaging mass cytometry was applied to investigate the localization of CD103+CD39+cytotoxic T cells in tumors.

Results

Neoantigen-directed reactivity was only encountered in bulk TIL populations and CD103+CD39+(double positive, DP) CD8+T cell subsets but never in double-negative or single-positive subsets. Neoantigen-reactivity detected in bulk TIL but not in DP CD8+T cells could be attributed to CD4+T cells. CD8+T cells that were located in direct contact with cancer cells in tumor tissues were enriched for CD103 and CD39 expression.

Conclusion

Coexpression of CD103 and CD39 is characteristic of neoantigen-specific CD8+T cells in MMR-proficient CRCs with low mutation burden. The exploitation of these subsets in the context of adoptive T cell transfer or engineered T cell receptor therapies is a promising avenue to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to an increasing number of CRC patients.
The relationship between sleep, pain,and musculoskeletal injuries in US Army Soldiers
Authors: Ritland Bradley M , Judkins J L , Naylor J A , Kardouni J R , Pasiakos S M , Jayne J M
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep and pain in military personnel and to determine if metrics of sleep and pain intensity differ between the injured and uninjured in this population.

Methods

Active-duty US Army Soldiers (n=308; 26.8±6.5 years, 82% male) from the 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and questionnaires about current musculoskeletal injuries and pain intensity (0=no pain to 10=worst imaginable pain). Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the association between pain and sleep. Differences in sleep and pain between injured and uninjured participants were determined using an analysis of covariance.

Results

Pain intensity was positively correlated with sleep quality (global PSQI score, r=0.337, p<0.001) and daytime sleepiness (ESS score, r=0.163, p=0.005), and negatively associated with sleep duration (r=−0.118, p=0.039). Injured participants accounted for 37.7% (n=116) of the study population. Injured participants reported greater pain intensity (3.7±2.5 vs 1.3±1.9, p<0.001), were older (28.5±7.4 years vs 25.8±5.7 years, p=0.001) and in the service longer (6.3±6.3 years vs 4.6±4.7 years, p=0.013) than uninjured participants. Injured participants had higher global PSQI scores (9.0±4.1 vs 6.4±3.4, p<0.001), including each of the seven PSQI components (all p<0.050), and reported sleeping less per night than uninjured participants (5.7±1.3 hours vs 6.1±1.2 hours, p=0.026).

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that pain intensity is associated with sleep in active-duty US Army Soldiers and that those who report a musculoskeletal injury, regardless of age and time in service, report poorer sleep quality, shorter sleep durations, and greater levels of pain than uninjured Soldiers.
Atrial functional mitral regurgitation: prevalence, characteristics and outcomes from the National Echo Database of Australia
Authors: Moonen Avalon , Ng Martin K C , Playford David , Strange Geoff , Scalia Gregory M , Celermajer David S
Published: February 2023

Aims

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) is characterised by left atrial and consequent mitral annular dilatation causing mitral regurgitation. AFMR is likely to become more common with population ageing, alongside increases in atrial fibrillation and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; conditions causing atrial dilatation. Here, we aim to define the prevalence and characterise the patient and survival characteristics of AFMR in the National Echocardiographic Database of Australia (NEDA).

Methods and results

14 004 adults with moderate or severe FMR were identified from NEDA. AFMR or ventricular FMR (VFMR) was classified by LA size, LV size and LVEF. AFMR was found in 40% (n=5562) and VFMR in 60% (n=8442). Compared with VFMR, the AFMR subgroup were significantly older (mean age 78±11 years), with a higher proportion of females and of AF. Participants were followed up for a median of 65 months (IQR 36–116 months). After adjustment for age, sex, AF, and pulmonary hypertension, the prognosis for VFMR was significantly worse than for AFMR (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.47 to 1.68 for all-cause and 1.73, 95% CI 1.60 to 1.88, p<0.001 for both). After further adjustment for LVEF, mortality rates were similar in VFMR and AFMR patients (HR 0.93, p=NS), though advancing age and pulmonary hypertension remained independently associated with prognosis.

Conclusions

AFMR is a common cause of significant functional MR that predominantly affects elderly female patients with AF. Advancing age and pulmonary hypertension independently associated with survival in FMR. Prognosis was better in AFMR compared with VFMR; however, this difference was accounted for by LV systolic impairment and not by MR severity.
Impact of early age at menopause on disease outcomes in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: a large observational cohort study of Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Park Eun Hye , Kang Eun Ha , Lee Yun Jong , Ha You-Jung
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To assess the differences in clinical outcomes between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with early menopause (EM) (<45 years) and usual menopause (UM) (≥45 years) and to identify the impact of EM on longitudinal changes in RA activity and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Methods

We recruited 2878 postmenopausal women with RA from the Korean Observational Study Network for Arthritis. Patients were examined at baseline and for 5 consecutive years using the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and other PROs. Generalised estimating equation (GEE) analyses were performed among patients with a baseline SDAI of >11 to evaluate the impact of EM on longitudinal changes in RA activity and PROs.

Results

The EM group (n=437) was younger than the UM group (n=2441), but the RA duration was similar between the two groups. The EM group was more educated and more likely to be seronegative at enrolment. Moreover, the EM group demonstrated higher disease activity and worse PROs for global assessment, fatigue, sleep disturbance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (all p<0.05) at baseline. The GEE model revealed that EM significantly influenced the rate of SDAI change (β=1.265, p=0.004) after adjusting for age, RA duration, biologics use and SDAI at baseline. The EM group was also significantly associated with increased HAQ-DI scores and decreased EQ-5D-utility values during the 5-year follow-up period.

Conclusion

Patients with RA and EM demonstrate higher disease activity and poorer HRQoL. Furthermore, EM significantly affects the longitudinal changes in disease activity and PROs in patients with RA.
Plastic multilayered closure versus orthopedic surgeon closure after spinal instrumentation in pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis
Authors: Ezeokoli Ekene U , Tamma Poornima L , Borici Neritan , Inneh Ifeoma , Buchanan Edward P , Smith Brian G
Published: February 2023

Objective

To compare wound complication rates between orthopedic closure (OC) and plastic multilayered closure (PMC) in patients undergoing primary posterior spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS). We hypothesize that multilayered closure will be associated with better postoperative outcomes.

Methods

We collected data on pediatric patients diagnosed with NMS who underwent first time spinal instrumentation between 1 January 2018 and 31 May 2021. Patient demographics, length of surgery, spinal levels fused and operative variables, wound complication rate, treatments, and need for wound washout were reviewed in depth and recorded.

Results

In total, 86 patients were reviewed: 46 with OC and 40 with PMC. There was a significant increase in operating room (OR) time with PMC compared with OC (6.7±1.2 vs 7.3±1.3, p=0.016). There was no difference in complication rate, mean postoperative day of complication or unplanned return to the OR for OC and PMC, respectively. There was a slightly significant increase in the number of patients going home with a drain in the PMC cohort compared with the OC cohort (2.1% vs 15%, p=0.046).

Conclusions

PMC demonstrated longer OR times than OC and did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in wound complications or unplanned returns to the OR. However, other studies have demonstrated statistical and clinical significance with these variables. Surgical programs should review internal patient volumes and outcomes for spinal fusion in NMS patients and consider if PMC after spinal fusions in pediatric patients with NMS or other scoliosis subtypes is an appropriate option in their institution to minimize postoperative wound complications.
Convenient access to β-substituted cysteines and β- and γ-mercapto prolines
Authors: Hansen Jacob C. , Rabuffetti Marco , Bunch Lennart
Published: February 2023

Herein we describe a convenient method for the synthesis of the β-substituted Cys analogs 1a, b and trans-β-mercapto proline 1c, from their corresponding α,β-unsaturated-α-amino esters using p-methoxybenzyl mercaptan as the sulfur source. The intermediate β-thioethers are stable toward chromatographic purification, and after global deprotection the β-mercapto amino acids 1a–c are obtained in good to high yields (64%–99%).
How Suboptimal is Work-From-Home Security in IT/ICS Enterprises?
A Strategic Organizational Theory for Managers
Authors: Pal Ranjan , Sequeira Rohan Xavier , Zhu Yufei , Marotta Angelica , Siegel Michael , Hua Edward Y.
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., especially the first and second COVID waves) had forced firms (organizations) to radically shift a considerable (if not all) proportion of their employees to serve in a work-from-home (WFH) mode. Industry statistics showcase that despite ushering in significant work-flexibility (and other) benefits, the WFH mode has also expanded an organization’s cyber-vulnerability space, and increased the number of cyber-breaches in IT and IT-OT systems (e.g., ICSs). This leads us to an important fundamental question:
is the WFH paradigm detrimental to IT and IoT-driven ICS security in general?
While vulnerability reasoning and empirical statistics might qualitatively support an affirmative answer to this question, a rigorous, practically motivated, and strategic cost-benefit analysis is yet to be conducted to establish
in principle
whether and to what degree WFH-induced cyber-security in an IT/ICS system is sub-optimal when compared to that in the non-WFH work mode. We propose a novel and rigorous strategic method to dynamically quantify the degree of sub-optimal cyber-security in an IT/ICS organization of employees, all of whom work in heterogeneous WFH “siloes”. We first derive as benchmark for a WFH setting - the centrally-planned socially optimal aggregate employee effort in cyber-security best practices at any given time instant. We then derive and compute
(using Breton’s Nash equilibrium computation algorithm for stochastic dynamic games)
for for the same setting - the distributed time-varying strategic Nash equilibrium amount of aggregate employee effort in cyber-security. The time-varying ratios of these centralized and distributed estimates quantify the free riding dynamics, i.e., a proxy concept for security sub-optimality, within an IT/ICS organization for the WFH setting. We finally compare the free-riding ratio between WFH and non-WFH work modes to gauge the (possible) extent of the increase (lower bound) in security sub-optimality when the organization operates in a WFH mode.
We counter-intuitively observe through extensive real-world-trace-driven Monte Carlo simulations that the maximum of the time-dependent median increase in the related security sub-optimality ranges around 25% but decreases fast with time to near 0%
(implying security sub-optimality in the WFH mode equals that in the non-WFH mode)
if the impact of employee security effort is time-accumulative (sustainable) even for short time intervals.
Addressable Quantum Gates
Authors: Arrighi Pablo , Cedzich Christopher , Costes Marin , Rémond Ulysse , Valiron Benoît
Published: February 2023

We extend the circuit model of quantum computation so that the wiring between gates is soft-coded within registers inside the gates. The addresses in these registers can be manipulated and put into superpositions. This aims at capturing indefinite causal orders and making their geometrical layout explicit: we express the quantum switch and the polarizing beam-splitter within the model. In this context, our main contribution is a full characterization of the anonymity constraints. Indeed, the names used as addresses should not matter beyond the wiring they describe; i.e., quantum evolutions should commute with “renamings.” We show that these quantum evolutions can still act non-trivially upon the names. We specify the structure of “nameblind” matrices.
Investigation and Implementation of Parallelism Resources of Numerical Algorithms
Authors: Aleeva Valentina , Aleev Rifkhat
Published: February 2023

This article is devoted to an approach to solving a problem of the efficiency of parallel computing. The theoretical basis of this approach is the concept of a
Q
-determinant. Any numerical algorithm has a
Q
-determinant. The
Q
-determinant of the algorithm has clear structure and is convenient for implementation. The
Q
-determinant consists of
Q
-terms. Their number is equal to the number of output data items. Each
Q
-term describes all possible ways to compute one of the output data items based on the input data.

We also describe a software
Q
-system for studying the parallelism resources of numerical algorithms. This system enables to compute and compare the parallelism resources of numerical algorithms. The application of the
Q
-system is shown on the example of numerical algorithms with different structures of
Q
-determinants. Furthermore, we suggest a method for designing of parallel programs for numerical algorithms. This method is based on a representation of a numerical algorithm in the form of a
Q
-determinant. As a result, we can obtain the program using the parallelism resource of the algorithm completely. Such programs are called
Q
-
effective
.

The results of this research can be applied to increase the implementation efficiency of numerical algorithms, methods, as well as algorithmic problems on parallel computing systems.
Welcome to AI matters 8(3)
Authors: Karpatne Anuj , Yao Ziyu
Published: February 2023

Welcome to the third issue of this year's AI Matters Newsletter. In this issue, we will summarize the achievement of SIGAI in the past year (June 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022). This annual report will highlight some of the many activities we have completed as a SIG, hoping to provide inspiration for members who wish to get more involved.