bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis,and treatment of bursitis iliopectinea: A systematic review
Authors: Jonczy Malgorzata Lea , Büchler Lorenz , Mahenthiran Yadusha , Helfenstein Fabrice , Appenzeller-Herzog Christian , Isaak Andrej
Published: February 2025

Background:

Bursitis iliopectinea (BI) is a condition that is characterized by swelling of the iliopsoas bursa, leading to compression of inguinal neurovascular structures, causing swelling, pain, paresthesia, or thrombosis of the leg.

Questions:

Due to the rare occurrence of BI, the available literature consists of case reports. Our study aims to systematically review the literature for a comprehensive analysis of the etiology, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes of patients with BI.

Methods:

We systematically analyzed 217 studies with 502 cases of BI and extracted information about the terminology, risk factors, diagnostic and treatment strategies, association with neurovascular compression syndromes, treatment outcomes, and recurrence rates.

Results:

The overall quality of the analyzed studies was moderate to good. The terminology uses for BI was heterogeneous and included ganglion, tumor, mass, and bursitis. In addition to conventional X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI were used to diagnose BI. The most prevalent etiology of BI was osteoarthritis of the hip or wear-related soft-tissue reactions after total hip replacement (THA). Nearly one-third of the patients suffered from compression syndromes, most frequently of the femoral vein (16%). Only rheumatoid arthritis showed an association with the occurrence of compression syndromes. The most common operative treatments were the resection of the bursa (30%), total hip arthroplasty (29%), and aspiration (24%). Use of analgesics (17%), injection of corticoids (11%), and physiotherapy (9%) were used for conservative treatments. The recurrence rate was highest after physiotherapy (OR: 4.1) or aspiration (4.5) and lowest after THA (OR: 0.2).

Conclusions:

Although BI is a condition commonly associated with hip arthritis or local tissue reactions following total hip prosthesis, its impact extends beyond typical hip-related symptoms. Notably, BI related to rheumatoid arthritis shows a high correlation with neurovascular compression symptoms, with femoral vein compression being the most frequently reported. This underscores the necessity of considering BI in patients presenting with nonspecific inguinal pain or neurovascular symptoms of the lower extremity. Additionally, standardizing the nomenclature of BI nomenclature could improve future research.
The satisfaction of clients and caregivers with telehealth speech-language pathology services
Authors: Alyahya Reem S. W.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To investigate the satisfaction of service users with different aspects related to telehealth speech-language pathology (SLP) services, and examine the influence of client's demographics, medical diagnosis, and type of clinical services on the level of satisfaction with telehealth services.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed and validated to measure the satisfaction of clients and caregivers with telehealth services. Phone survey was used to collect data from clients and caregivers of clients who received telehealth SLP services.

Results

302 clients and caregivers completed the survey. Most of the respondents were strongly satisfied with different aspects related to telehealth, including their whole telehealth experience (82.12%), the perceived benefits from telehealth (69.21%), and the perceived quality of healthcare received through telehealth (87.75%). The levels of satisfaction with these aspects were not related to age or gender, but they were significantly influenced by the SLP diagnosis ( p < 0.001). The results also showed high levels of satisfaction across all types of clinical services, including screening, assessment, therapy, and monitoring. There were no significant relationships between the types of clinical services and the levels of satisfaction with telehealth.

Conclusions

Most clients and caregivers were satisfied with SLP services received via telehealth irrespective of the type of clinical service, client's age, or gender. However, satisfaction with SLP telehealth and patient experience varied according to the client's diagnosis. These factors must be considered by policy makers and funding bodies while planning the implementation or expansion of telehealth SLP services.
Indian Organic Food Industry Analysis and its Potential to Reach Global Market
Authors: Bhardwaj Stuti
Published: February 2025

India’s organic food industry is assured of significant growth, driven by the rich agricultural heritage and increasing consumer demand for healthier and sustainable food options. This provides a comprehensive analysis of the Indian organic food sector, focusing on its financial potential to penetrate global markets. The research examines key factors such as sustainability benefits and market dynamics shaping the industry’s trajectory. It offers recommendations for stakeholders aiming to harness India’s full potential to reach the global organic food market. Through strategic investments and initiatives, India can position itself as a leader in organic products, contributing to both economic growth and sustainable agricultural practices. The Indian organic food industry has emerged as a significant player in the global market, fuelled by growing consumer awareness and preferences for healthier and sustainable food options. This article gives a comprehensive analysis of the financial potential of the Indian organic food industry to penetrate and thrive in global markets. The findings of this study provide valuable insights, offering a roadmap for harnessing the financial potential of the Indian organic food industry to achieve sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
Wage Variations Across Sectors and Types of Employment in India
Authors: Mitra Arup
Published: February 2025

Wage determination depends on a number of factors, including policy initiatives and the presence/absence of labor market institutions. Some of these unobserved variables may be captured in terms of the sector and/or the nature of employment itself. This study tries to focus on the sector of choice or employment type as an important determinant of wages/earnings, after including the important controls. However, a serious endogeneity issue is encountered as the sector/type of employment itself is a decision based on several reasons. After estimating the occupational choice function through a multinomial logit model and correcting for endogeneity, findings still confirm that wages vary across sectors and types of employment. Among the other determinants, human capital, caste-specific disadvantages, age effect, and possible gender differentials cannot be ignored. But even after considering the impact of the important controls, the sensitivity of wages/earnings to the sector/type of employment cannot be ignored. This has important policy implications: sector or type of employment with gross disadvantages needs a great deal of state support. With the same human capital endowment, caste background, and other characteristics, workers face disadvantages in certain types of jobs or sectors of employment, which could be related to recruitment practices, employment clauses, possibilities of exploitation by the contractors, low levels of productivity, and the lack of institutional support.
Advanced Analytic and Pitch-Tracking Metrics Associated with UCL Surgery in Major League Baseball Pitchers: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Mastroianni Michael A. , Kunes Jennifer A. , El-Najjar Dany B. , Obana Kyle K. , Desai Sohil S. , Morrissette Cole R. , Alexander Frank J. , Rondon Alexander J. , Trofa David P. , Popkin Charles A. , Levine William N. , Ahmad Christopher S.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury rates have been rising steadily, while the recent development of advanced analytics and pitch-tracking analysis now drives player development and evaluation throughout Major League Baseball (MLB).

Purpose:

To evaluate the association between several advanced analytic and pitch-tracking metrics on UCL surgery rates in MLB pitchers.

Study Design:

Case-control study.

Methods:

Included in this study were MLB pitchers who underwent primary UCL reconstruction or repair from April 2018 to November 2023. Exclusion criteria were pitchers without 2 qualifying seasons of preoperative pitch-tracking data and those who previously underwent UCL surgery. Uninjured matched controls were identified in a 2:1 ratio using season, age, position, handedness, and pitch count as covariates. Advanced analytics (eg, FanGraphs wins above replacement [fWAR], expected fielding-independent pitching [xFIP], physical pitch qualities [Stuff+] strike-zone command [Location+], and overall pitching ability [Pitching+]) and various pitch-tracking metrics used commonly in MLB player evaluation were collected from public web sources sponsored by MLB and used in previous studies. Statistical analysis consisted of unpaired t tests comparing cases and controls and binary logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 117 MLB pitchers who underwent primary UCL reconstruction or repair were compared with 234 matched controls. Cases had significantly superior pitch velocity, fWAR, xFIP, Pitching+, and Location+ compared with controls. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in pitch counts, spin, release points, release extension, approach angles, or overall pitch movement. Binary logistic regression identified velocity, Pitching+, and decreased fastball usage as being associated with UCL surgery ( P < .10 for all).

Conclusion:

In this analysis of several modern advanced analytic and pitch-tracking metrics, MLB pitchers who underwent UCL surgery threw harder with less fastball usage, and had superior overall pitching ability (Pitching+) and strike-zone command (Location+) than matched controls.
A mathematical model of person judgment part 1: Cue emergence
Authors: Leising Daniel , Schilling René L
Published: February 2025

We present the first part of a fully parametrized mathematical model of person judgment, in an attempt to streamline and better organize theory in this research area. This first part focuses on the emergence of substantive information (“cues”) about target persons that perceivers may use in forming judgments. It incorporates time as a continuous variable, and accounts for the effects of targets, situations and their interactions. It also accounts for randomness overall, between-target differences in randomness, and overlap between observation intervals. We discuss how all of this influences the rank-order similarity of targets’ substance levels in any two observation intervals, enabling predictions regarding retest reliability, inter-rater agreement, cross-situational consistency, and predictive validity. We also explain how the model relates to existing theories, and to key concepts from the person judgment literature.
Multichannel networks in China's livestreaming industry: Failing industrial lore and limited intermediary roles amidst platformization
Authors: Ye Zhen
Published: February 2025

In this article, I offer a critical view of the significance of studying multichannel networks as a renewed form of cultural intermediaries, with the conceptual lens of ‘friction’, in the context of platformization of cultural production. I first trace the historical formation of multichannel networks in China that is in tandem with the development of the livestreaming industry. Subsequently, drawing on 15 in-depth interviews with media practitioners and a 3-month participatory observation within a multichannel network institution in Guangzhou, China, I argue for a re-evaluation of multichannel networks’ intermediary positions in the increasingly complex platformization process where cultural production and commerce are deeply integrated. By comparing and analysing both the industrial lore (discourse) of multichannel network practitioners and their industrial practices, the findings demonstrate the messy, unstable, and contingent aspects of multichannel networks’ collaboration with platforms. As platform collaborators, or complementors, multichannel networks are not positioned in equality or sameness, and their collaboration does not necessarily produce communal good. Navigating the complex networks of people, products, and platforms as digital marketplaces, multichannel networks faced a precarious middleman position – their commercial activities were restricted and trapped by the industrial lore adhering closely to the platform logics of visibility and commodification.
Insights into the nuclear-organelle DNA integration in Cicuta virosa (Apiaceae) provided by complete plastid and mitochondrial genomes
Authors: Park Seongjun , Hwang Yong , Kim Heesoo , Choi KyoungSu
Published: February 2025

Background

Gene transfer between the organelles and the nucleus plays a central role in shaping plant genome evolution. The identification and analysis of nuclear DNA of plastid (NUPTs) and mitochondrial (NUMTs) origins are important for exploring the extent of intracellular DNA transfer in genomes.

Results

We report the complete plastid and mitochondrial genomes (plastome and mitogenome) of Cicuta virosa (Apiaceae) as well as a draft nuclear genome using high-fidelity (HiFi) PacBio sequencing technologies. The C. virosa plastome (154,449 bp) is highly conserved, with a quadripartite structure, whereas the mitogenome (406,112 bp) exhibits two chromosomes (352,718 bp and 53,394 bp). The mitochondrial-encoded genes (rpl2, rps14, rps19, and sdh3) were successfully transferred to the nuclear genome. Our findings revealed extensive DNA transfer from organelles to the nucleus, with 6,686 NUPTs and 6,237 NUMTs detected, covering nearly the entire plastome (99.93%) and a substantial portion of the mitogenome (77.04%). These transfers exhibit a range of sequence identities (80–100%), suggesting multiple transfer events over evolutionary timescales. Recent DNA transfer between organelles and the nucleus is more frequent in mitochondria than that in plastids.

Conclusions

This study contributes to the understanding of ongoing genome evolution in C. virosa and underscores the significance of the organelle-nuclear genome interplay in plant species. Our findings provide valuable insights into the evolutionary processes that shape organelle genomes in Apiaceae, with implications for broader plant genome evolution.
Pathomorphological features of the proximal femur in crowe IV hips and their implication on stem selection during total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Gharanizadeh Kaveh , Mohammadyahya Elham , Bahaeddini Mohammad Reza , Amiri Shayan , Gravand Sajad Noori , Pezeshki Sepideh , Aminian Amir , Eslami Arvin , Tayyebi Hamed , Abolghasemian Mansour
Published: February 2025

Background

The best stem type and location for femoral shortening in high-riding developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in not clear. We evaluated the morphology of the proximal femur on EOS™ images, focusing on the anatomical landmarks and measurements relevant to the stem selection in high-riding DDH. Our goal is to identify and define the differences in the anatomy of the proximal femur between patients with Crowe type IV DDH and normal individuals, in order to determine the appropriate neck cut location in these patients to increase the chances of successfully using a wedge femoral stem.

Methods

EOS™ images of 40 hips with Crowe type-IV DDH and 40 normal hips were included. The distances between the tip of the greater trochanter and vastus ridge (GT-VR), vastus ridge and proximal border of lesser trochanter (VR-LT), greater- and lesser trochanters (GT-LT), base width of the LT, and the proportion of these distances to the femoral length were evaluated. Canal Flare Index (CFI) was also measured, at two different levels.

Results

The mean GT-LT index was not different between the two groups (p = 0.46). The GT-VR index was smaller in the case group (p < 0.001), while the VR-LT index was greater (p < 0.001). The LT base width index was larger in the case group (P < 0.001). CFI was smaller at the LT level in dysplastic hips (P < 0.001), but the values were similar with a cut 1.5 cm above the LT (P = 0.67).

Conclusion

In Crowe IV hips, the GT height is shorter and the LT is located far more distally along the femoral metaphysis, resulting in a narrower canal width at the upper border of the lesser trochanter. Also, the CFI at the LT level is smaller, and to fit a wedge stem, the neck cut should be made at a higher level.
Rapid assessment of pre-service midwifery education in conflict settings: findings from a cross-sectional study in Nigeria and Somalia
Authors: Iwu Emilia , Elnakib Shatha , Abdullahi Hawa , Abimiku Rejoice Helma , Maina Charity , Mohamed Asia , Ayodeji Kazeem Olalekan , Odonye George , Sunday Rifkatu , Ahmed Maryan Abdulkadir , Omar Mohamed Ahmed , Dalmar Abdirisak A. , Grant Emilie , Tappis Hannah
Published: February 2025

Background

There is a dearth of evidence on the scale, scope and quality of midwifery education programs in conflict-affected settings. This study sought to assess the extent to which midwifery pre-service education programs meet national and global standards, and to explore how conflict affects pre-service midwifery education in Yobe State Nigeria and the Benadir and Galgaduud regions of Somalia.

Methods

A rapid assessment of midwifery education programs was conducted in the two midwifery education programs in Yobe State, Nigeria and in seven purposively selected programs in Somalia using an adaptation of the Midwifery Education Rapid Assessment Tool. Information was collected through interviews with program leadership, teachers, students, and clinical preceptors during school and clinical practice site visits. Researchers adapted the tool to reflect national and international standards, incorporating supplementary questions to capture considerations specific to conflict-affected contexts. Data were analyzed by program and country using Stata and Excel.

Results

In Nigeria, each school met 17 and 18 standards, respectively, out of 22 across assessment domains (77.3%–81.8%). In contrast, in Somalia, schools met between 6 and 10 standards out of the 18 standards for which data were available (33.3%–55.6%). The biggest gaps in Somalia were in leadership, infrastructure and resources. No schools in either setting had sufficient space or clinical practice sites that met International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) criteria, and only two were led by midwives. In Nigeria, all infrastructure, curriculum and student- and regulatory-related standards examined were met, but gaps were identified in program staffing and preceptor capacity, and support for faculty and clinical practice sites. In both countries, none of the programs met the average number of clinical practice experiences stipulated in the ICM guidelines due to a lack of teaching hospitals. Students in both countries felt safe on campus but did not feel safe traveling to and from the schools and clinical practice sites.

Conclusions

More investment in midwifery education is needed to ensure international standards for quality education are met. Proactive measures are needed to enhance student safety between school and practice settings in conflict-affected settings. By addressing these gaps, we can strive toward improving midwifery education.
Integrative analysis of immunogenic PANoptosis and experimental validation of cinobufagin-induced activation to enhance glioma immunotherapy
Authors: Cai Yonghua , Xiao Heng , Xue Shuaishuai , Li Peng , Zhan Zhengming , Lin Jie , Song Zibin , Liu Jun , Xu Wei , Zhou Qixiong , Qi Songtao , Zhang Xi’an , Luo Ziyi
Published: February 2025

Background

Glioma, particularly glioblastoma (GBM), is a highly aggressive tumor with limited responsiveness to immunotherapy. PANoptosis, a form of programmed cell death merging pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, plays an important role in reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME) and enhancing immunotherapy effectiveness. This study investigates PANoptosis dynamics in glioma and explores the therapeutic potential of its activation, particularly through natural compounds such as cinobufagin.

Methods

We comprehensively analyzed PANoptosis-related genes (PANoRGs) in multiple glioma cohorts, identifying different PANoptosis patterns and constructing the PANoptosis enrichment score (PANoScore) to evaluate its relationship with patient prognosis and immune activity. Cinobufagin, identified as a PANoptosis activator, was evaluated for its ability to induce PANoptosis and enhance anti-tumor immune responses both in vitro and in vivo GBM models.

Results

Our findings indicate that high PANoScore gliomas showed increased immune cell infiltration, particularly effector T cells, and enhanced sensitivity to immunotherapies. Cinobufagin effectively induced PANoptosis, leading to increased immunogenic cell death, facilitated tumor-associated microglia/macrophages (TAMs) polarization towards an M1-like phenotype while augmenting CD4+/CD8 + T cell infiltration and activation. Importantly, cinobufagin combined with anti-PD-1 therapy exhibited significant synergistic effects and prolonged survival in GBM models.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PANoptosis-targeting agents, such as cinobufagin, in combination with immunotherapy, offering a promising approach to convert “cold” tumors into “hot” ones and improving glioma treatment outcomes.
Atypical early neural responses to native and non-native language in infants at high likelihood for developing autism
Authors: Wagner Lauren , Banchik Megan , Tsang Tawny , Okada Nana J. , Altshuler Rebecca , McDonald Nicole , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Jeste Shafali S. , Green Shulamite , Dapretto Mirella
Published: February 2025

Background

Language difficulties are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. Amongst infant siblings of children with an ASD diagnosis – who are at higher likelihood for developing ASD – a high proportion also show difficulties and delays in language acquisition.

Methods

In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine differences in language processing in 9-month-old infants at high (HL) and typical (TL) familial likelihood for ASD. Infants were presented with native (English) and novel (Japanese) speech while sleeping naturally in the scanner. Whole-brain and a priori region-of-interest analyses were conducted to evaluate neural differences in language processing based on likelihood group and language condition.

Results

HL infants showed attenuated responses to speech in general, particularly in left temporal language areas, as well as a lack of neural discrimination between the native and novel languages compared to the TL group. Importantly, we also demonstrate that HL infants show distinctly atypical patterns of lateralization for speech processing, particularly during native speech processing, suggesting a failure to left-lateralize. Limitations: The sample size, particularly for the TL group, is relatively modest because of the challenges inherent to collecting auditory stimulus-evoked data from sleeping participants, as well as retention and follow-up difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The groups were not matched on some demographic variables, but the present findings held even after accounting for these differences.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first fMRI study to directly measure autism-associated atypicalities in native language uptake during infancy. These findings provide a better understanding of the neurodevelopmental underpinnings of language delay in ASD, which is a prerequisite step for developing earlier and more effective interventions for autistic children and HL siblings who experience language impairments.
Acute stimulation of PBMCs drives switch from dopamine-induced anti- to proinflammatory phenotype of monocytes only in women
Authors: Fleige Leonie , Capellino Silvia
Published: February 2025

Several studies report an impact of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) on human immune cells, with effects dependent on the immune cell type addressed and their activation status. Another contributing factor appears to be sex, as sex-specific differences in the dopaminergic pathway are described in the neurological context as well as in autoimmune diseases. However, a deeper understanding of these differences in peripheral immune cells remains limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of dopaminergic stimulation on activation and cytokine secretion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from women and men using flow cytometry, ELISA, and multiplex assays. We found a B cell-driven downregulation in cytokine secretion of monocytes exclusively from women under physiological conditions in vitro. Moreover, B cells from men showed higher dopamine receptor (DR) expression, which was shown to be further increased by sex hormones only in men. In monocytes from women, an acute inflammatory stimulus via CpG combined with dopaminergic stimulation caused a switch to a proinflammatory phenotype, which was less pronounced in men. These novel findings in sex-specific responses to dopaminergic stimulation are crucial for understanding DA’s function in the healthy and activated immune system and provide evidence to treat DA-related pathologies in a sex-specific manner.
Gender and ethnoracial disparities in Veterans’ trauma exposure prevalence across differing life phases
Authors: Rossi Fernanda S. , Nillni Yael I. , Miller Alexandria N. , Fox Annie B. , Eliacin Johanne , Schnurr Paula P. , Duke Christopher C. , Gradus Jaimie L. , Galovski Tara E.
Published: February 2025

Background

Veterans show increased vulnerability to trauma exposure. Yet, there is limited research examining Veterans’ prevalence of experiencing different trauma exposure types by race, gender, and ethnicity and across unique phases of life (i.e., pre-military service, during service, and post-service). This study compares trauma exposure prevalence across women and men Veterans of differing ethnoracial identities (i.e., white, Black, Hispanic) within three life phases (i.e., pre-military service, during military service, post-military service).

Methods

This study examined survey data from 3,544 Veterans (1,781 women; 1,686 men) across six discrete data collection points (between August 2018 to March 2022). Surveys were mailed nationally and oversampled for women (51.6%) and Veterans living in high crime areas (67.6%). Veterans reported on their exposure to various trauma types (e.g., sexual assault, physical assault, community violence, captivity, serious accident, witnessing violent death) at each wave of data collection using items from a modified Life Events Checklist. Veterans also reported on demographic information (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity). Chi-square analyses were conducted to compare prevalence of reported exposure to each trauma type within each life phase across gender and ethnoracial groups.

Results

There were significant differences in trauma exposure prevalence across: (1) men vs. women Veterans; (2) white vs. Black vs. Hispanic Veterans; (3) Black vs. Hispanic vs. white women Veterans; and (4) Black vs. Hispanic, vs. white men Veterans. For example, in this study, Black men Veterans reported higher prevalence of intimate partner physical assault exposure pre-service (14.8%) and post-service (27.1%) than White men Veterans (9.0% and 13.8%; prevalence ratios = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.17, 2.32 and 1.96, 95% CI = 1.53, 2.51). White women Veterans were less likely to witness a violent death pre-service (11.5%) than Black (21.1%; prevalence ratio = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.42, 2.37) or Hispanic (18.1%) women Veterans.

Conclusions

Findings help uncover disparities within Veteran subgroups. They inform mental health treatment and prevention services to better meet the needs of all Veterans across differing life phases.
Medicolegal aspects of medical malpractice claims following aesthetic interventions in Cairo, Egypt
Authors: Rawash Ghada Abdelwahed , Ibrahim Neveen Adel , Farrag Islam Mostafa , Mostafa Somaya Youssef
Published: February 2025

Background

Medical malpractice presents a significant challenge to the healthcare system in Egypt and other countries, inflicting both physical and psychological harm on patients. Furthermore, it imposes a financial burden on both patients and physicians. This study aimed to analyze the medicolegal aspects of malpractice claims associated with aesthetic interventions. The study also aims to establish explicit criteria for identifying and differentiating positive cases from negative ones. This study is a retrospective descriptive observational analysis of medical malpractice claims related to aesthetic interventions. The data was obtained from the records of the Cairo Medicolegal Area between 2016 and 2020, encompassing a total of 98 cases in the study.

Results

The majority of cases were females (89.8%). The age group most significantly affected was between 26 to 35 years old. Plastic surgery accounted for the highest percentage (51%) of alleged cases among medical specialties. Consultants were the most frequently accused physicians (32.7%). Liposuction was the most frequent procedure (31.6%). Most of the malpractices occurred in private hospitals (45.9%). The outcome indicated that permanent infirmity accounted for 10.2%, while mortality constituted 3.1%.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrated that women constitute the predominant demographic in the examined malpractice cases, with plastic surgery being the most common area for alleged claims. The main complaints include disfigurement, dissatisfaction with results, and burn injuries. Aesthetic malpractice is more frequent in private hospitals than in general hospitals, frequently necessitating further treatment due to complications.
CRISPR/Cas genome editing for cotton precision breeding: mechanisms, advances, and prospects
Authors: Sheri Vijay , Mohan Harikrishnan , Jogam Phanikanth , Alok Anshu , Rohela Gulab Khan , Zhang Baohong
Published: February 2025

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most important global crops that supports the textile industry and provides a living for millions of farmers. The constantly increasing demand needs a significant rise in cotton production. Genome editing technology, specifically with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) tools, has opened new possibilities for trait development in cotton. It allows precise and efficient manipulation within the cotton genome when compared with other genetic engineering tools. Current developments in CRISPR/Cas technology, including prime editing, base editing, and multiplexing editing, have expanded the scope of traits in cotton breeding that can be targeted. CRISPR/Cas genome editing has been employed to generate effectively CRISPRized cotton plants with enhanced agronomic traits, including fiber yield and quality, oil improvement, stress resistance, and enhanced nutrition. Here we summarized the various target genes within the cotton genome which have been successfully altered with CRISPR/Cas tools. However, some challenges remain, cotton is tetraploid genome having redundant gene sets and homologs making challenges for genome editing. To ensure specificity and avoiding off-target effects, we need to optimize various parameters such as target site, guide RNA design, and choosing right Cas variants. We outline the future prospects of CRISPR/Cas in cotton breeding, suggesting areas for further research and innovation. A combination of speed breeding and CRISPR/Cas might be useful for fastening trait development in cotton. The potentials to create customized cotton cultivars with enhanced traits to meet the higher demands for the agriculture and textile industry.
Current trends of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA): choosing between robotic-assisted and conventional surgeries and timing of procedures
Authors: Cheung Kelvin S. C. , Chan Kai Chun Augustine , Cheung Amy , Chan Ping Keung , Luk Michelle Hilda , Chiu Kwong Yuen , Fu Henry
Published: February 2025

Background

With robotic advancements in UKA technology, we sought to explore if robotic-assisted UKA could translate to clinical benefits such as reduced hospital stays and lowered emergency readmissions. Also, current utilization trends of UKA and choice of procedure timing (unilateral [uUKA] vs. one-staged bilateral UKA [biUKA]) could be explored.

Methods

This was a retrospective study utilizing the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) for data retrieval. All patients who had undergone primary UKA in all Hospital Authority (HA) hospitals in HK from 2021–2023 were included. Primary outcomes included utilization of UKA compared to TKA and percentage utilization of different UKA systems, namely, conventional, Mako, and Cori/Navio systems, from 2021–2023. Secondary outcomes involved: (1) patient demographics, (2) postoperative average length of stay (ALOS), (3) 30-day and 90-day postoperative Accident and Emergency Department (AED) attendance, (4) surgical times (skin-to-skin) and (5) 90-day mortality and reoperation. Differences in outcomes between uUKA and biUKA and between different robotic systems were examined. Regression analysis was performed to study if utilization of robotic-assisted systems could contribute to reduced hospital stays.

Results

UKA accounted for 15.2% of primary knee arthroplasties throughout 2021–2023. Robotic-assisted UKA (Mako and Navio/Cori) has shown an increasing utilization since 2022 in both unilateral (16.0% to 25.9%) and bilateral operations (17.8% to 29.0%). Mako had shorter ALOS than Navio/Cori (2.9 ± 1.6 vs. 3.6 ± 2.6 days; P = 0.006) and significantly shorter ALOS than conventional UKA (2.9 ± 1.6 vs. 3.6 ± 2.6 days; P = 0.004). Utilization of Mako was predictive of shortened ALOS on multi-linear regression (β = − 0.056; P = 0.049). Interestingly, biUKAs, especially conventional ones, showed a lower attendance rate than uUKAs at 30-day (2.9% VS 6.9%; P = 0.036) and 90-days (7.8% VS 15.7%; P = 0.004). Robotic-assisted surgery was associated with a prolonged surgical time of 16.4 min in uUKA and 29.1 min in biUKA compared to conventional operations.

Conclusion

UKA utilization has dropped since 2021 but the percentage of robotic-assisted UKA has risen. Mako yielded promising results in reducing hospital stays compared to conventional operations. Sub-group analysis (Mako versus Cori/Navio) highlighted the importance of distinguishing between different robotic platforms. For patients with bilateral unicompartmental OA, biUKA was shown to be a safe and effective alternative to unilateral operations.

Trial Registration

Registered (HKU/ HA HKW IRB; Ref No: 24–373).
Central auditory processing in epileptic children
Authors: Beshr Amal E. , Taha Tayseer , El-bialy Rasha , Behairy Reda , Amin Alaa
Published: February 2025

Background

Epilepsy is characterized by the transient occurrence of signs or symptoms due to hypersynchronous or excessive neuronal activity. Seizures caused by epilepsy during brain development can hinder the normal growth and functioning of the brain, which may negatively impact the acquisition of cognitive skills that are crucial for the learning process. The purpose of the study was to evaluate central auditory processing and cognitive functions in different types of epileptic children.

Results

The results of central auditory processing tests for epileptic children indicated notable differences when compared to the control group, specifically in the gap in noise, speech in noise, dichotic digit, and time-compressed speech tests. These differences were statistically significant at a level of P < 0.005. Epileptic children showed prolonged latencies and smaller amplitudes of the p300 wave when compared to the control (P < 0.005).

Conclusion

Children with focal epilepsy had more deficits in central auditory processing abilities and abnormalities in auditory event-related potentials (p300) than generalized epilepsy.
The spectrum of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: a longitudinal prospective study to assess for subclinical giant cell arteritis in new onset polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors: El Miedany Yasser , El Gaafary Maha , Toth Mathias , Bahlas Sami , Hassan Waleed , Mahran Safaa , Abu-Zaid Mohammed Hassan , El Miedany Ali , Elwakil Walaa
Published: February 2025

Background

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) frequently overlap, with each disease potentially presenting as a manifestation of the other. The strong relationship between PMR and GCA raises the question of whether it is a “co-occurrence of different diseases” or a “common spectrum of inflammatory diseases.” The objectives of the current study were to assess the applicability of using ultrasound (US) and clinical data as a monitoring tool to identify PMR patients with subclinical GCA and determine possible predictors of GCA among PMR patients.

Results

One hundred eight PMR patients and 62 GCA patients were included in this study. The study found that 20.4% of the PMR cohort had subclinical GCA, which later progressed to classical GCA, while 31.5% experienced a PMR relapse. The presence of intimal media thickening of the temporal/axillary artery at baseline was a very early predictor of GCA development; the OGUS score was significantly higher in the PMR group who developed GCA than the standard GCA cohort (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The key finding of this study is the incorporation of the concept that vascular inflammation mainly precedes the classical clinical manifestations. Routine screening for subclinical GCA in PMR patients should be considered as part of standard care for PMR patients. Physicians should be attentive to the presence of mural inflammatory changes at the time of diagnosis and monitoring of the ultrasound composite scores in the follow-up course.
Role of CBNAAT in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis: a prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Gupta Rahul , Janmeja Ashok Kumar , Kumar Arjun , Singh Balbir , Shridhar Pramod Kumar
Published: February 2025

Background

Tubercular lymphadenitis (TBLN) is the most common extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) followed by tubercular pleural effusion (TPE). The bacteriological confirmation to diagnose EPTB is more difficult due to its paucibacillary nature often leading to delay or misdiagnosis. The role of the CBNAAT test for the diagnosis of EPTB is highly variable among different populations. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of CBNAAT in the diagnosis of EPTB in a tertiary care center in north India.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the 100 stable patients of EPTB (55 TPE and 45 TBLN) who came to the Respiratory Medicine Department in MMMC&H, Solan, India. The total duration of the study was eighteen months from April 2021 to September 2022. Fine needle aspirate and pleural fluid samples were collected from all suspected TPE and TBLN patients respectively and were subjected to CBNAAT investigation. All other recommended investigations used for diagnosis of TBLN and TPE were also performed including ZN stain, FNAC, biochemical analysis of pleural fluid, Mantoux test, radiological imaging, and other routine investigations. The data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 software.

Results

Out of 100 patients of EPTB, 55 were TPE, and 45 were TBLN patients. The positivity of CBNAAT was higher in TBLN patients (57.8%) as compared to TPE (23.7%) patients. The correlation between CBNAAT and ZN stain was statistically significant in both TBLN (p = 0.008) and TPE (p = 0.001) patients. The correlation of CBNAAT with FNAC, duration of illness, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and Mantoux were all statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study finding showed higher positivity of CBNAAT in the TBLN as compared to that in patients of TPE. The positivity of CBNAAT in the TBLN patients was higher in pus and cheesy FNAC samples, Mantoux-positive patients, and those with high ESR value.
Two Decades of Child Welfare System Contact in the Global North: A Research Note on Trends in 44 Countries
Authors: Wildeman Christopher , Roehrkasse Alexander F. , Gibbons Alexandra , Sernaker Sarah , Becker Liza , Fallesen Peter
Published: February 2025

Child maltreatment and child welfare system contact are both associated with an elevated risk of adverse outcomes in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Yet, data on variation in system contact are available for only a handful of countries, limiting knowledge about the societal correlates of system contact. As reported in this research note, we identified, collected, and harmonized administrative data on child welfare agency investigations, confirmed maltreatment, and placements into out-of-home care for 44 countries in the Global North. We analyzed 15 sociodemographic factors commonly associated with child maltreatment and child welfare system contact. Results support three core conclusions. First, data are much more available on late-stage system contact (e.g., foster care caseloads) than for early-stage system contact (e.g., investigations). Second, whereas early-stage contact tended to be on the rise in most countries, late-stage contact was stable or declining. Cross-national variation in these trends was generally less substantial than cross-national variation in levels of child welfare system contact, indicating relatively stable cross-national differences. Third, cross-national variation in out-of-home care largely reflected, but was not reducible to, regional and sociocultural variation: we find little evidence for universal drivers of foster care caseloads across the Global North.
Λήψη αποφάσεων υπό συνθήκες αβεβαιότητας και διαχείριση κινδύνου στις δενδρώδεις καλλιέργειες
Authors: Πρέντζας Άγγελος
Published: February 2025

Ο αγροτικός τομέας χαρακτηρίζεται από έντονη αβεβαιότητα, η οποία αποδίδεται κυρίως σε εξωγενείς παράγοντες. Οι αγρότες αντιμετωπίζουν σοβαρές προκλήσεις, όπως το μεταβαλλόμενο κόστος των αγροτικών εφοδίων και η αστάθεια των τιμών πώλησης των προϊόντων τους, παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν άμεσα την κερδοφορία και τη βιωσιμότητα των εκμεταλλεύσεών τους. Παράλληλα, η κλιματική αλλαγή με την αύξηση της θερμοκρασίας και της συχνότητας ακραίων καιρικών φαινομένων, επιδεινώνει το πρόβλημα, καθώς επηρεάζει την ανάπτυξη και τις αποδόσεις των καλλιεργειών. Ιδιαίτερη πρόκληση παρουσιάζουν οι πολυετείς δενδρώδεις καλλιέργειες, οι οποίες απαιτούν μακροχρόνιες επενδύσεις και δέσμευση σημαντικών πόρων. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, οι αγρότες καλούνται να λάβουν κρίσιμες αποφάσεις υπό συνθήκες έντονης αβεβαιότητας. Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή στοχεύει στην αντιμετώπιση αυτών των προκλήσεων μέσω της εφαρμογής στοχαστικών μοντέλων, τα οποία επιτρέπουν την ποσοτικοποίηση και τη διαχείριση των κινδύνων που συνδέονται με τις πολυετείς δενδρώδεις καλλιέργειες, βελτιώνοντας τη διαδικασία λήψης αποφάσεων υπό συνθήκες αβεβαιότητας. Η μεθοδολογία της έρευνας περιλαμβάνει τη χρήση ανάλυσης Κόστους-Οφέλους μέσω της προσομοίωσης Μόντε Κάρλο για την εκτίμηση των οικονομικών αποδόσεων, της Στοχαστικής Κυριαρχίας, καθώς και τη μέθοδο Στοχαστικής Αποτελεσματικότητας σε Σχέση με μια Συνάρτηση (SERF), η οποία λαμβάνει υπόψη τις προτιμήσεις κινδύνου των αγροτών. Παράλληλα, διερευνάται η χρήση καιρικών παραγώγων, όπως τα συμβόλαια δικαιωμάτων προαίρεσης, ως στρατηγική διαχείρισης κινδύνου για τη μείωση της οικονομικής αστάθειας στα εισοδήματα των αγροτών, εξαιτίας των ακραίων θερμοκρασιών που επηρεάζουν τις αποδόσεις των δενδρωδών καλλιεργειών. Η ανάλυση πραγματοποιείται στην Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Ημαθίας, η οποία επιλέχθηκε ως αντιπροσωπευτική περιοχή, λόγω των ιδιαίτερων χαρακτηριστικών της. Συνολικά, η διδακτορική διατριβή συνεισφέρει σημαντικά στη βελτίωση της κατανόησης και διαχείρισης των κινδύνων και της αβεβαιότητας στον αγροτικό τομέα. Προτείνει τις καταλληλότερες καλλιέργειες με τον χαμηλότερο κίνδυνο για κάθε δημοτική ενότητα, δίνοντας στους γεωργούς τη δυνατότητα να αυξήσουν τα εισοδήματά τους μέσα από την επιλογή καλλιεργειών που προσφέρουν μεγαλύτερη οικονομική ασφάλεια και σταθερότητα. Επιπλέον, υποστηρίζει τη δυνατότητα των αγροτών να λαμβάνουν αποφάσεις, προσαρμοσμένες στις προσωπικές τους προτιμήσεις για τον κίνδυνο. Τέλος, η αξιοποίηση των καιρικών παραγώγων συμβάλλει στη μείωση της οικονομικής αστάθειας που προκαλείται από τη μεταβλητότητα της θερμοκρασίας στις δενδρώδεις καλλιέργειες.
Process Evaluation of a Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment of Ireland’s Department of Health – A Protocol
Authors: Tierney Marie , Whelan Barbara , Burke Nikita N , Creely Caitriona , Duffy Trudy , Gill Catherine , Horgan Mary , Lavis John N , Maguire Teresa , O'Driscoll Mairead , O'Neill John , Toomey Elaine , Waddell Kerry , Devane Declan
Published: February 2025

Background The Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment (RESSA) was developed by the Global Evidence Commission to evaluate evidence support systems that inform policy decisions. These systems are designed to contextualize existing evidence, guide decision-making, and generate new insights to inform action. As evidence-informed policymaking gains traction globally, it is essential to evaluate these systems’ effectiveness. In Ireland, the Health Research Board, the Department of Health, Evidence Synthesis Ireland, Cochrane Ireland, and the Global Evidence Commission are collaborating to conduct a RESSA within the Department of Health. This process evaluation aims to assess the fidelity, acceptability, and experiences of stakeholders involved in the RESSA, providing insights for refining the methodology. Methods The process evaluation will employ a mixed methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data collection. It will evaluate the conduct of a RESSA within the Department of Health. Fidelity assessment will examine adherence to the RESSA protocol, while acceptability will be evaluated using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability, focusing on key stakeholders' attitudes. An exploration of the experiences of participants, capturing both facilitators and barriers to the RESSA’s success will also be conducted. Data analysis will involve thematic analysis and descriptive statistics, aiming to highlight the RESSA’s methodological strengths and areas for improvement. Conclusions This evaluation is expected to provide critical insights into the strengths and limitations of the RESSA methodology, with implications for evidence-informed policymaking. Findings will offer recommendations to enhance the robustness and applicability of the RESSA in Ireland and beyond. Dissemination will include academic publications and reports, contributing to the broader understanding of effective evidence support systems. This process evaluation aims to inform future RESSAs and strengthen the evidence support framework, ensuring better-informed policy decisions at local, national, and international levels.
The genome sequence of the common marigold, Calendula officinalis L.
Authors: Christenhusz Maarten J. M. , Ruhsam Markus , Leitch Ilia J. , Patron Nicola ,   Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Genome Acquisition Lab,   Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Plant Genome Sizing collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2025

We present a genome assembly from an individual Calendula officinalis (the common marigold; Streptophyta; Magnoliopsida; Asterales; Asteraceae). The genome sequence has a total length of 1,215.20 megabases. Most of the 1n assembly is scaffolded into 16 chromosomal pseudomolecules, suggesting the individual is an allotetraploid (2n = 4x = 32). The mitochondrial assemblies are 225.50 and 127.82 kilobases in length and the plastid genome assembly is150.47 kilobases long. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 58,402 protein-coding genes.