bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The abbreviated larval development of Ozius guttatus H. Milne Edwards, 1834 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Eriphioidea: Oziidae)
Authors: CLARK PAUL F. , NG PETER K. L.
Published: January 2025

Ovigerous Singapore specimens of Ozius guttatus H. Milne Edwards, 1834 (Eriphioidea: Oziidae) were collected and their larvae reared in the laboratory with an expectation that this species would have a similar larval development to O. truncatus H. Milne Edwards, 1834 and O. rugulosus Stimpson, 1858, e.g., four zoeal stages before the moult to megalop. This, however, was not the case, in fact O. guttatus has an abbreviated development with only two zoeal stages before the metamorphosis to megalop. The purpose of this present study is to describe the larval development of O. guttatus and compare its abbreviated zoeal development with the descriptions of Wear (1968) and Kakati & Nayak (1977) for O. truncatus and O. rugulosus, respectively. Many zoeal characters of O. guttatus are expressed early and the significance of these are discussed. In addition, the zoeal development of O. guttatus is compare with two zoeal stages of Pilumnus sluiteri De Man, 1842 (Pilumnoidea: Pilumnidae) as described by Clark & Ng (2004).
Revision of the genus Anomologa Meyrick, 1926, including the description of a new species, and its impact on subfamilies of Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera)
Authors: BIDZILYA OLEKSIY V. , KARSHOLT OLE , METZ MARK , RAJAEI HOSSEIN
Published: January 2025

The genus Anomologa Meyrick, 1926 is revised, and its diagnosis is improved. Euryctista Janse, 1963 syn. nov. is considered a junior synonym of Anomologa. Four species, Anomologa dispulsa Meyrick, 1926, A. demens Meyrick, 1926, A. hobohmi (Janse, 1963) comb. nov. and A. terminata sp. nov. are recognized as valid. All Anomologa species are redescribed based on type specimens as well as additional material. Male and female genitalia of Anomologa demens and A. dispulsa, as well as female genitalia of A. hobohmi are described for the first time. Morphological characters of Anomologa indicate its affinity to Apatetris Staudinger, 1879 (type genus of the subfamily Apatetrinae), Chrysoesthia Hübner, 1825, Metanarsia Staudinger, 1871 and other genera of subfamily Apatetrinae, which convinced us to synonymize the family group name: Apatetrinae Le Marchand, 1947 syn. nov. of Anomologinae Meyrick, 1926. Accordingly, Aristoteliinae Le Marchand, 1947 stat. rev. is available for Anomologinae sensu auctorum as the oldest family group name for this taxon. The updated classification of Anomologinae and Aristoteliinae is provided, and the new synonymy is established: Metopios Lucas, 1945 syn. nov. of Catatinagma Rebel, 1903.
First record of the subgenus Megachelonus Baker, 1926 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae, genus Chelonus Panzer, 1806) for the Afrotropical region (southwestern region of Saudi Arabia), with the description of a new species
Authors: SOLIMAN JAHMED M. , DHAFER HATHAL M. AL , GADALLAH NEVEEN S.
Published: January 2025

The subgenus Megachelonus Baker, 1926 of the cosmopolitan genus Chelonus Panzer, 1806 is recorded for the first time in the Afrotropical region, in a coffee orchard in Jazan (southwestern Saudi Arabia). A new species, Chelonus (Megachelonus) arabicus Soliman & Gadallah, is described and illustrated.
The Role of Advanced Materials in the Optimization of Wind Energy Systems: A Physics Based Approach
Authors: Tolasa Diriba , Furi Adugna
Published: January 2025

The transition towards renewable energy sources is essential for addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, positioning wind energy as a vital component of sustainable power generation. This paper investigates the pivotal role of advanced materials in optimizing the efficiency and reliability of wind energy systems through a physics-based approach. Recent advancements in material science including carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs), glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRPs), and nanomaterial’s such as graphene and carbon nanotubes are evaluated for their potential to significantly enhance mechanical properties, reduce weight, and improve energy conversion efficiencies of wind turbines. A comprehensive review of the literature reveals the historical context of wind turbine materials and emphasizes the transition from traditional construction methods using steel and wood to innovative composite materials. The study introduces a novel methodology for the integration of advanced materials into turbine design, supported by numerical simulations and experimental validations. The impact of these materials on key operational performance metrics, including power output, structural integrity, and aerodynamic efficiency, is quantified. Moreover, the application of smart materials for real time structural health monitoring is explored, highlighting the potential for predictive maintenance that can prolong the lifespan of wind turbines. The findings suggest that although the initial costs of advanced materials may be higher, their superior performance characteristics offer significant long-term economic benefits and sustainability advantages. The discussion concludes with recommendations for future research directions, including the optimization of hybrid material systems, advancements in manufacturing techniques, and comprehensive long-term durability assessments. This study underscores the critical necessity for continued innovation in materials science to enhance the resilience and environmental efficiency of wind energy systems, thereby contributing positively to the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions.
Tensile and corrosion properties of copper and alumina hybrid reinforcement on aluminum matrix composite
Authors: Oke Samuel Ranti , Maledi Nthabiseng , Okanlawon Ibrahim Adeyemi , Bishi Tijesunimi Ruth , Falodun Oluwasegun Eso
Published: January 2025

Aluminum composites are widely used in aviation, space, automotive, and marine applications due to their excellent properties, including high strength and strong resistance to corrosion. This study investigates the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced with alumina (Al₂O₃) and copper (Cu) particulates, aimed at enhancing the material’s structural performance for potential engineering applications. Composite samples were prepared via double stir casting, utilizing varying ratios of Al₂O₃ and Cu. Microstructural analysis revealed uniform dispersion of Al₂O₃ in the aluminum matrix, promoting grain refinement and improved load-bearing capability, while Cu particles contributed to enhanced ductility by forming Al-Cu intermetallic phases. The addition of Al₂O₃ notably improved the composites’ hardness and tensile strength, whereas Cu increased ductility but led to reduced corrosion resistance due to galvanic effects between Al and Cu phases, especially in saline environments. Corrosion testing indicated that Cu-reinforced samples displayed a comparatively higher corrosion rate. These findings underscore the promise of Al₂O₃-reinforced AMCs for applications requiring improved mechanical strength and durability, while Cu reinforcement could be tailored for applications needing enhanced ductility. This research provides insight into designing AMCs with specific property trade-offs and advancing material options for the automotive and marine engineering industries.
Bullying Among Special Education Students
Authors: Aslan Halil , Erdur-Baker Özgür
Published: January 2025

The purpose of the study is to examine traditional and cyberbullying among the students with special education needs attending special education schools. Additionally, traditional and cyber victimization among special education students have been examined in terms of gender and grade levels. A sample of the present study consists of 295 students with special education needs (177 gifted, 118 deaf) attending segregated special education schools. The Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory-II, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and a demographic data sheet were employed to collect data. Results of the study indicated that of the total 295 students with special education needs, 28.1% of the students with special education needs were bullies and 39.3% were victims of traditional bullying. Furthermore, 13.5% of the students with special education needs were identified as cyberbullies, and 23.3% of them were found as cybervictims. When gender and grade level were examined in regard to traditional and cyber victimization, significant gender differences were found in 9 and 10 grade levels. Male students with special education needs obtained higher scores for victimization than female students with special education needs. The results of the study were discussed in the light of literature.
Impact of Presentation-Language and Self-Construal on Irony Interpretation in Spanish–English Bilinguals
Authors: Pfeifer Valeria A. , Mehl Matthias R. , Lai Vicky T.
Published: January 2025

This study investigated the role of self-construal and language background in irony interpretation. Prior research considered either cultural or language background, but not both. Spanish–English bilinguals ( N = 152) from the U.S. and Mexico rated stories containing ironic and literal statements in English and Spanish, then completed the Language History Questionnaire, Self-construal Scale, and Sarcasm-self-report scale (SSS). Results showed that ironic items were rated as less ironic when presented in Spanish compared to English. Further, participants who scored higher in independent self-construal scored higher on SSS subscale “general sarcasm” (frequency of irony use), suggesting that irony is used more frequently by those who see themselves as more separate from others. These findings highlight the complex relationship between language and cultural tendencies measured in self-construal and demonstrate that language and culture need to be considered at the level of the individual participant.
A novel approach to calculating the equibiaxial stress response from biaxial tests with non-homogeneous deformations
Authors: Havasi Kristóf , Kossa Attila
Published: January 2025

Hyperelastic material modeling plays a fundamental role in understanding and describing the mechanical behavior of rubber-like materials and other biological tissues. Various mathematical models are employed to model these materials, enabling the precise description of the stress-strain relationship. This paper aims to present a novel methodology that investigates the ratio of stresses arising during equibiaxial and uniaxial loading and the deformation of the test specimen. The study utilizes the incompressible Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic model, whose parameters allow for the control of the stress ratio between equibiaxial and uniaxial loading cases. Through finite element numerical simulations, we demonstrated that changes in the stress ratio significantly impact the deformation of the biaxial test specimen. The results indicate that the deformed shape of the test specimen can directly infer the stress ratio, facilitating subsequent parameter fitting tasks. The proposed methodology is generally applicable to other test specimen geometries, making it widely useful in the field of hyperelastic material modeling.
Return to Sport After Distal Biceps Tendon Repair: A Systematic Review
Authors: Boufadel Peter , Daher Mohammad , Lopez Ryan , Fares Mohamad Y. , Lawand Jad , Khan Adam Z. , Abboud Joseph A.
Published: January 2025

Background:

Ruptures of the distal biceps tendon (DBT) can affect the range of motion and strength of the elbow, raising concerns for patients seeking to restore normal function and engage in their regular activities, particularly returning to previous levels of sport participation.

Purpose:

To characterize and assess the rate and timing of return to sport (RTS) after DBT repair.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar (pages 1-20) were searched from database inception to December 6, 2023 for clinical studies reporting RTS outcomes after DBT repair. The extracted data consisted of patient characteristics; information on the incision approach, fixation method, and rehabilitation protocol; and outcome data including RTS rates, patient-reported outcome measure scores, and complications.

Results:

A total of 42 studies, including 1093 patients (1100 elbows), met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 44.9 years, and 99.2% of patients were male. The mean follow-up time was 31.5 months. Ruptures were acute in 87.6% of cases, the dominant arm was injured in 64.9%, and the cause of the injury was sport related in 43.5%. The overall RTS rate was 91.5%, with 85.2% of patients returning to preinjury levels or higher, at a mean time of 6.3 months. Patients had excellent functional outcomes, irrespective of the incision approach or fixation method, although trends associated with a higher RTS rate were observed with bone tunnel fixation, ≤2 weeks of postoperative immobilization, early initiation of active range of motion postoperatively, and initiation of strengthening at ≤10 weeks. Single-incision repair had higher rates of nerve-related complications and reruptures compared with double-incision repair, and cortical button fixation had a higher rate of nerve-related complications among the fixation methods.

Conclusion:

There was a high rate of RTS after DBT repair at 6 months postoperatively. A positive trend for RTS was observed with respect to rehabilitation protocols favoring earlier active mobility.
Growth or Decline: Christian Virtues and Artificial Moral Advisors
Authors: Xu Ximian
Published: January 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has permeated every section of human life. Some even suggest that artificial moral advisors (AMAs)—that is, AI-driven artefacts designed to assist human moral growth by providing moral advice—can help humans to lead virtuous lives. With a focus on Thomas Aquinas's theological virtue ethics, this article will argue that AMA projects are cast into question because, theologically speaking, the cultivation of virtues and moral growth are inseparable from hope and patience given through God's grace, which is immeasurable and cannot be reductively mathematised into AI models. Moreover, the tension between AI's efficiency and patient moral life offers further criticism of AMAs. That said, the theology of patience brings forth a conceptual apparatus through which to qualify the virtuous AMA as a tool to bring together human moral advisors as silent hearers and human moral advisees as patient inquirers.
Load-oriented aerodynamic design approach of low-speed axial fans in the preliminary design stage
Authors: Tao Ma , Hanan Lu , Qiushi Li
Published: January 2025

For low-speed axial-flow fans, the arbitrary vortex design method is widely used in high total pressure rise design requirement or small hub-to-tip ratio design applications. In the conventional arbitrary vortex design method, the total pressure rise of the fan blade commonly increases from hub to tip due to greater work potential near the tip. However, the high aerodynamic load in the blade tip region will inevitably result in an intensification of the tip leakage flow which limits the improvement of fan aerodynamic efficiency, especially for fans with a high total pressure rise design requirement. To solve this problem, this paper has developed a load-oriented aerodynamic design approach to take into account the spanwise work distribution of the fan in the preliminary design stage so as to reduce the potential loss caused by overloading of blade airfoil sections in local spanwise fractions and enhance the fan aerodynamic performances. In specific, the spanwise work distribution is firstly parameterized to control the blade load along the spanwise direction. Then, the diffusion factor is correlated to the total pressure loss coefficient to achieve a rapid evaluation of blade aerodynamic performance. In the meanwhile, the spanwise work of the blade airfoil sections can be automatically optimized to achieve an optimal load distribution. Finally, two axial-flow fans are designed based on the conventional arbitrary vortex design method and the load-oriented aerodynamic design approach respectively. The computational results show that the load-oriented designed fan has achieved a lower aerodynamic loss near the blade tip compared with the conventional arbitrary vortex designed fan. At the design point, an approximately 1.5% increment of adiabatic efficiency is also obtained. Moreover, over the entire operating range, the load-oriented designed fan shows higher adiabatic efficiency than the conventional arbitrary vortex designed fan, without sacrificing the total pressure rise. The motivation of this work is to offer useful guidelines for high-performance low-speed axial fan design under the requirements of high total pressure rise and small hub-to-tip ratio applications.
Angiosome Territories of Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)
Authors: Simhadri Deepthi , Kanne Haritha , Mallela Upendra
Published: January 2025

Background

Taylor and Palmer introduced an angiosome (vascular) concept in reconstructive plastic surgery in 1987. The angiosome is considered a segment of a nerve (cranial or peripheral nerve) supplied by a primary source of blood vessels.

Purpose

To observe the arteries supplying the vestibulocochlear nerves (VIII) from the brainstem till their termination. To analyse the neurovascular relationship of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Methods

In total, 45 formalin-fixed cadaveric heads with the base of the skull were studied by dissection and histological methods.

Results

At the level of the pontomedullary junction, it is supplied by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery; within the internal acoustic canal, the cochlear nerve is provided by the cochlear artery, the vestibular nerve is supplied by a vestibular artery, which is the fine branch of the labyrinthine artery.

Conclusion

Their vascular supply influences the functioning of nerves. The labyrinthine artery is a thin, slender end artery, making it more vulnerable to circulatory disturbances.
Forty years of research trends in long-acting injectable antipsychotics: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Mert Alper , Soyleyici Mert Tugce
Published: January 2025

Background

Using long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics is crucial for treating psychiatric illnesses, particularly those within the schizophrenia spectrum. Through bibliometric analysis, our study aimed to provide an understanding of the changes in research trends related to LAIs over the past 40 years.

Methods

We collected the publications from 1983 to 2023 related to research studies on LAIs included in the Web of Science database. Two thousand four hundred and twelve publications were selected based on specific criteria and analyzed using the VOSviewer software and the Biblioshiny app. We obtained and presented data on institutional analysis, country analysis, author and co-authorship analysis, journal analysis, funding agencies, and keyword citation numbers.

Results

From the period 1983-1992 to 2014-2023, the number of total publications showed a significant growth of 4.91. The majority (approximately 90%) of publications were produced in high-income countries. The private sector may play a significant role in research. The most crucial keywords were schizophrenia and risperidone.

Conclusions

The trend in LAI research is currently dynamic and ongoing. There seems to be an increasing connection between studies and LAIs that contain second-generation antipsychotics. The number of studies relating to the private sector is noteworthy.
Fibrosarcomatous Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans With COL1A1-PDGFB Fusion in a 2-Year-Old Child: A Rare Occurrence With Spectrum of Histopathological Findings and Review of Literature
Authors: Das Sumanta , Sarangi Jayati , Ahlawat Sunita , Jain Priti , Tiwari Priya
Published: January 2025

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an intermediate-grade fibroblastic neoplasm commonly seen in young and middle-aged patients and rarely in pediatric patients. Fibrosarcomatous transformation is common in adults but extremely uncommon in children. Here, we present a case of a 2-year-old child who presented with a progressively enlarging subcutaneous mass in the knee. Histopathological examination revealed a spindle cell tumor with a storiform and fascicular pattern. Immunohistochemistry showed variable cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) expression, with positivity in storiform areas and negativity in fascicular regions. Next-generation sequencing confirmed the diagnosis by detecting a collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1)-platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGFB) fusion, with the PDGFB breakpoint in exon 2 (chromosome 22) and COL1A1 in intron 47 (chromosome 17). This case represents only the fifth reported instance of fibrosarcomatous DFSP in a child under 10 years old. While wide local excision remains the standard treatment for DFSP, targeted therapy with imatinib may be considered for unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic cases, though guidelines for pediatric patients are not yet established. This case highlights the importance of molecular testing in confirming the diagnosis of rare pediatric soft tissue tumors and contributes to the limited literature on fibrosarcomatous DFSP in very young children.
Numerical analysis of the far wake flow behind a submarine with full appendages
Authors: Xie Hong-Yu , Lyu Si-Qi , Liu Quan-Zhong
Published: January 2025

Wake flow behind underwater vehicles such as submarines was widely researched with its impacts on propulsion or antisubmarine technology. Extensive research was performed on the near wake for its hydrodynamics of propulsion, but the far wake flow was given less attention owing to its huge challenges and expensive costs. In this study, a long-range wake evolution behind a full-size Suboff submarine with full appendages is numerically investigated by the Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) method, which provides a reference for submarine shape design and wake detection. Evolution of vortex structures near the sail and tail is detailed, including the modes of horseshoe vortex, hairpin vortex and tip vortex. The diffusion of vortex along the wake at specific speed is also focused, by using a slice analysis of vorticity and velocity. When dimensionless velocity profiles in different slices of the wake are stacked up, the overlay shows a pretty coincident contour in velocity deficit behind the submarine. The equations for velocity deficit and wake range are fitted by the orthogonal distance regression principle for further application.
Physical therapists in the U.S. reentering practice: Considerations for regulators and educators about the effects of disuse on performance
Authors: Dower Catherine M , Hambrick David Z
Published: January 2025

Limited empirical evidence exists to describe and classify the effects of professional inactivity on the competence of physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) who may return to practice after extended absences from patient care. This article presents results of the first empirical study concerning the nature of PT and PTA critical work activities (CWAs) and of the impact of disuse on competence in these CWAs for providers. Some areas of practice were judged by subject-matter experts to be more significantly impacted by disuse relative to others. Moreover, some areas of practice were judged to be returned to minimal competence within short amounts of time while other areas were judged to require more time. The results justify regulatory interventions and re- or continuing education for PTs and PTAs seeking to return to clinical practice after significant periods of inactivity.
A Global Conspiracy? The Berlin – Tokyo – Rome Axis on Trial and its Impact on the Historiography of the Second World War
Authors: Hedinger Daniel
Published: January 2025

The Tokyo and Nuremberg tribunals led to the disappearance of the Axis alliance. In this process, a domestication of the past commenced in both Germany and Japan as the memory of the war became regionalised and, above all, nationalised. This has had paradoxical consequences to this day: we have been left with a history of the Second World War in which the world has been left out. This article argues that the starting point for these developments is to be found in the judicial logic of the proceedings, particularly in how the charge of a global conspiracy against peace was applied and finally rejected at Nuremberg and Tokyo. The «judicial model» pre-empted many of the later historiographical debates. As is shown, those tribunals also generated the sources that proved to be of fundamental importance for historiography in the decades that followed. The argument is made that we should not merely see the Axis through the prism of the tribunals. Rather, the «judicial model» should be discarded and the focus shifted to the complex, interacting and transnational relations between Germany, Italy and Japan before 1945. What then becomes apparent is a global Axis moment in the interwar period. This will help us better understand the worldwide entanglements from which the Second World War originated.
Writing the History of the SA at the International Military Tribunal: Legal Strategies and Long-term Historiographical Consequences
Authors: Siemens Daniel
Published: January 2025

This article explores the importance of the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg for modern historiography using the example of the proceedings against the National Socialist Sturmabteilungen (SA). The tribunal’s verdict from 1946 that acquitted the SA from the charge of having been a «criminal organisation» did not only influence the legal handling of stormtroopers’ crimes in the immediate post war years, but also contributed to the image of the post-1934 SA as a relatively unimportant National Socialist mass organisation, prevalent in the historiography of the Third Reich until this very day. This article demonstrates in detail to what extent this view buys into the former defence strategy of the lawyers for the SA. Not least because of the misrepresentation resulting from such partisan perspectives, historians until recently downplayed the structural elements of the SA’s violence, underestimated its importance in scale and relevance and neglected many of the actual crimes committed by the SA in the late 1930s and during the Second World War. It thus demonstrates that historians are well advised to pay more attention than hitherto both to the narratives produced in court and to their legacies.
How norms-shifting interventions foster community-level social and behavior change: new insights from a synthesis of realist evaluations of community-level interventions
Authors: Igras Susan , Diakité Mariam , Kohli Anjalee , Fogliani Carley
Published: January 2025

Social norms, the informal rules that influence behavior, play essential roles in shaping people’s behavior. Community-based norms-shifting interventions (NSIs) identify gender and other social norms linked to unhealthy behaviors and implement activities to promote collective change by encouraging communities to reflect on and question these norms. Though NSIs are gaining international traction in social and behavior change programming for health promotion, how change occurs needs to be clearly understood in African and other contexts. To build understanding and guidance for future NSI design, the applied-research Passages Project and collaborating non-governmental organizations in West and Central Africa conducted realist evaluations of four NSIs focused on adolescent/youth sexual and reproductive health, operating in Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, and Senegal. The evidence base for the realist synthesis came from four quasi-experimental outcome evaluations and 19 rapid implementation studies, which confirmed the four program Theories of Change. The synthesis findings identified eight norms-shifting mechanisms common across NSIs: information provision; dialogical, experiential approaches; role modeling; safe spaces; within-community meetings; planned diffusion; cross-community meetings of change agents; and community-service linkages. NSIs directly, at times indirectly, engaged reference groups that uphold norms, explaining their theoretical roles operationally. These findings led to middle-range theory showing how NSI activities, mechanisms, and reference group engagement should, over time, lead to norms-shifting outcomes. Design implications include developing a fuller understanding of how program components, as norms-change mechanisms, lead to effects; being deliberate about when and how to engage reference groups; and recognizing systems complexity and the subsequent need for NSI implementation elasticity.
Correlation of King-Devick Test and Helmet Impact Exposures Over a Youth Football Season
Authors: Maynard Jennifer R. , Nadwodny Jeffrey P. , Haak Irvin S. , DeMatas Kristina F. , Rosario-Concepcion Raul A. , Seemann LaRae , Pujalte George G.A.
Published: January 2025

Background:

The cumulative effect of repetitive subconcussive head impacts on neurocognitive function during youth contact sports remains largely unknown. There is a paucity of literature evaluating cumulative helmet forces over a season and their correlation with preseason and postseason cognitive performance tasks such as the King-Devick test (KDT).

Hypothesis:

Higher helmet forces recorded throughout a 10-week, 10-game youth football season would correlate with slower performance on postseason KDT.

Study Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

A cohort of 58 youth football players (ages 9-13 years) underwent pre- and postseason KDT. Players wore SpeedFlex helmets (Riddell) fitted with InSite Impact Response System helmet accelerometers (Riddell) which recorded impacts of ≥15 g. Head impacts were tallied over a season and assigned a score of 1, 2, or 3 based on magnitude of g forces. Suspected concussions were correlated with KDT times and recorded instances of head impact. Pre- and postseason KDT scores were compared.

Results:

During the season, 2013 head impacts were recorded. Median (range) total cumulative force score was 24 (5-476); 6 players sustained head impacts concerning for concussion, and 4 were clinically diagnosed with concussions. Overall, postseason KDT times improved compared with preseason, with a median (range) change of −4.8 seconds (−7.6, −1.1). Analysis showed no correlation between changes in KDT time and total cumulative force score over the season.

Conclusion:

KDT times in youth football players did not change significantly based on head impact exposure over a single youth football season; most players’ KDT times improved from preseason to postseason.

Clinical Relevance:

Although our study did not show significant cognitive impact as measured by KDT over a single youth football season, the long-term effects of concussion on the immature brain and how it can impact cognitive development remains largely unknown and should be an area of ongoing study.
Social prescribing for adults with chronic pain in the U.K.: a rapid review
Authors: Pilkington Gerlinde , Johnson Mark I. , Thompson Kate
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Social prescribing links patients to community groups and services to meet health needs; however, it is uncertain what the benefits and impacts of social prescribing are for people with chronic pain. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) undertook a systematic review to investigate the clinical and cost effectiveness of social interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of people with chronic pain; no relevant clinical studies comparing social interventions with standard care for chronic pain were found, though the inclusion criteria for studies was narrow.

Objectives

To undertake a rapid review of all types of research and policy on social prescribing for adults with chronic pain in the U.K. (i) to describe the characteristics of relevant research and (ii) to synthesise data on impact.

Methods

A two-stage rapid review was planned. Stage (i) scoped and categorised knowledge from a comprehensive representation of the literature. In stage (ii), we undertook a descriptive synthesis of quantitative data along with a thematic analysis of qualitative data identified by stage (i).

Results

Of 40 full-text records assessed for inclusion, three met the inclusion criteria from academic databases. An additional five records were found in grey literature. Six records reported quantitative findings suggesting that social prescribing reduced pain severity and discomfort, pain medication and clinical appointments; and improved quality of life and ability to manage health. Five records captured qualitative data from interviews, case studies and anecdotal quotes that suggested positive impact on health and wellbeing; and increased self-efficacy in social prescribers undertaking training on pain.

Conclusions

There is tentative evidence that social prescribing improves health and wellbeing outcomes in adults with chronic pain and that there is a need to upskill social prescribers in contemporary pain science education. Research on the routes to referral, outcomes and impacts is needed.

Perspective

Social prescribing is valued and may be of benefit for people with chronic pain. There is a need to further develop and evaluate social prescribing services for people with chronic pain to enhance holistic patient centered care.
Prioritizing Patients from the Most Deprived Areas on Elective Waiting Lists in the NHS in England: Estimating the Health and Health Inequality Impact
Authors: Gibbs Naomi Kate , Griffin Susan , Gutacker Nils , Villaseñor Adrián , Walker Simon
Published: January 2025

Introduction. Reducing hospital waiting lists for elective procedures is a policy concern in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Following growth in waiting lists after COVID-19, the NHS published an elective recovery plan that includes an aim to prioritize patients from deprived areas. We use a previously developed model to estimate the health and health inequality impact under hypothetical targeted versus universal policies to reduce waiting time. Methods. We use a Markov model to estimate the health impact of waiting, by index of multiple deprivation quintile group, for 8 elective procedures. We estimate patients’ remaining quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) with baseline waiting times and under 2 hypothetical policy scenarios: 1) a universal policy in which all patients receive an equal reduction in wait and 2) a targeted policy in which patients living in the most deprived quintile are prioritized. We estimate individual and population level health under each of the 2 policies and compare it with baseline. We also estimate how health inequality changes from baseline using the slope index of inequality, reflecting the difference in health between the least and most deprived quintile based on QALYs. Results. A universal reduction in waiting time is estimated to improve overall population health but increase health inequality. A targeted reduction would achieve nearly the same overall health gain and would also increase population-level health inequalities but to a lesser extent than the universal policy would. Discussion. If the NHS is successful in prioritizing patients on waiting lists from the most deprived areas, this may result in smaller increases in health inequalities while maintaining a similar level of overall health gain compared with a universal policy.

Highlights

The NHS elective recovery plans include prioritizing patients who live in the most deprived areas of England. Evaluating a hypothetical targeted wait time reduction policy against a universal wait time reduction policy suggests almost the same level of population health gain could be achieved while lessening the negative impact on health inequality. Expected outcomes of government health policies should be quantified to explore the impact on both health maximization and health inequality minimization, as both represent legitimate policy concerns.
Impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in antioxidant-enzyme genes on the concentrations of folate, homocysteine and glutathione in plasma from healthy subjects after folic acid supplementation – a randomized controlled crossover trial
Authors: Mansoor Mohammad Azam , Stea Tonje Holte , Slettan Audun , Perera Erandie , Maddumage Ridmi , Kottahachchi Darshana , Ali Dhikra Saleem , Cabo Rona , Blomhoff Rune
Published: January 2025

Background

One-carbon metabolism links folate and methionine metabolism and this is essential for nucleotide synthesis in the cells. Alterations in one-carbon metabolism are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes and cancer. Our aim was to investigate whether SNPs in antioxidant-enzyme genes impact the concentrations of folate in serum (s-folate), plasma total homocysteine (p-tHcy) and total glutathione in plasma (p-tGSH) in healthy subjects after supplementation with folic acid.

Methods

In a randomized, double blind, crossover study, healthy subjects received 0.8 mg folic acid per day or a placebo for two weeks. Twenty-four male, and sixty-seven female subjects participated in this study. Participants were aged 36.4 ± 14.8 years (mean ± SD). We studied SNPs in six genes by PCR methods. The concentrations of s-folate, p-tHcy and p-tGSH were measured in fasting samples with Cobas and an HPLC-fluorescence method. Student T-tests and ANOVA were used for the statistical calculations.

Main findings

The subjects with SNP (rs4880) in superoxide dismutase (SOD2) gene (CC) allele had higher concentrations of s-folate and lower concentrations of p-tHcy than subjects with (CT + TT) alleles, (p = 0.014 and p = 0.012). Contrary to SOD2 (CC) allele, the subjects with SNP (rs1001179) catalase (CAT) CC allele had lower concentrations of s-folate (p = 0.029), higher concentrations of p-tGSH (0.017) and higher concentrations of p-tHcy before and after folic acid supplementations (p = 0.015, p = 0.017) than the subjects with (CT + TT) allele. Glutathione transferase (theta)1 (GST-T1) genotype was associated with higher concentrations of s-folate than GST-T0 before (p = 0.025) and after folic acid supplementation (p = 0.047). SNP (rs1050450) in glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) had also impact on the concentrations of p-tGSH (p = 0.011) in healthy subjects.

Conclusion

SNPs in SOD2 (rs4880), CAT (rs1001179), and GST1 impact the concentrations of s-folate, and p-tHcy in healthy subjects before and after folic acid supplementation. Our findings suggest that SNPs in antioxidant-genes have a role in health and disease by impacting the concentrations of s-folate, p-tHcy and p-tGSH.
Identification of robust RT-qPCR reference genes for studying changes in gene expression in response to hypoxia in breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Malcolm Jodie R. , Bridge Katherine S. , Holding Andrew N. , Brackenbury William J.
Published: January 2025

Hypoxia is common in breast tumours and is linked to therapy resistance and advanced disease. To understand hypoxia-driven breast cancer progression, RT-qPCR is a widely used technique to quantify transcriptional changes that occur during malignant transformation. Reference genes (RGs) are endogenous RT-qPCR controls used to normalise mRNA levels, allowing accurate assessment of transcriptional changes. However, hypoxia reprograms transcription and post-transcriptional processing of RNA such that favoured RGs including GAPDH or PGK1 are unsuitable for this purpose. To address the need for robust RGs to study hypoxic breast cancer cell lines, we identified 10 RG candidates by analysing public RNA-seq data of MCF-7 and T-47D (Luminal A), and, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 (triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)) cells cultured in normoxia or hypoxia. We used RT-qPCR to determine RG candidate levels in normoxic breast cancer cells, removing TBP and EPAS1 from downstream analysis due to insufficient transcript abundance. Assessing primer efficiency further removed ACTB, CCSER2 and GUSB from consideration. Following culture in normoxia, acute, or chronic hypoxia, we ascertained robust non-variable RGs using RefFinder. Here we present RPLP1 and RPL27 as optimal RGs for our panel of two Luminal A and two TNBC cell lines cultured in normoxia or hypoxia. Our result enables accurate evaluation of gene expression in selected hypoxic breast cancer cell lines and provides an essential resource for assessing the impact of hypoxia on breast cancer progression.
Improving diagnostics and surveillance of malaria among displaced people in Africa
Authors: Abdul-Rahman Toufik , Ajetunmobi Oyinbolaji Akinwande , Bamigbade Gafar Babatunde , Ayesiga Innocent , Shah Muhammad Hamza , Rumide Tolulope Sharon , Adesina Abdurahman Babatunde , Adeshina Ganiyat Adekemi , Oni Oluwabusola Elizabeth , Christian Bet-ini Nsikak , Aborode Abdullahi Tunde , Wireko Andrew Awuah , Thaalibi Hala Ibrahim , Abdalla Iman Mustafa , Banimusa Sewar Basheer , Jonathan Justice Ndubuisi , Onifade Isreal Ayobami , Haque Md Ariful
Published: January 2025

African communities that have been forced to leave their homes experience a considerably greater susceptibility to malaria as a result of densely populated living conditions, restricted availability of healthcare, and environmental influences. Internally displaced individuals frequently live in large settlements with restricted availability to drinking water, essential sanitation, and medical services, intensifying the spread of malaria. As a result, the occurrence of malaria is significantly more common among refugees and internally displaced individuals compared to those who are not displaced. This leads to greater rates of illness and death, especially among young people. Insufficient monitoring worsens the condition, leading to delayed identification and medical intervention, and contributing to a higher incidence of severe malaria and deaths. Furthermore, these communities are faced with economic consequences that contribute to the continuation of poverty and the worsening of socio-economic inequalities. Furthermore, the psychological impact of malaria, which is marked by feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, is particularly severe in vulnerable populations such as displaced children and pregnant women, aggravating the overall burden. Hence, addressing malaria in displaced populations in Africa requires comprehensive and well-coordinated strategies. Advanced diagnostic and surveillance technologies are essential for promptly identifying and treating malaria, providing chances to monitor and control its spread effectively. Collaboration among healthcare, policy, and humanitarian sectors is crucial for implementing comprehensive solutions that incorporate enhanced diagnostics, surveillance, and socio-psychological support. Active involvement of the community, usage of Community Health Workers, and regular collection of surveillance data are crucial in increasing awareness, directing control efforts, and tackling the specific difficulties encountered by displaced groups. Moreover, the implementation of environmental management, the incorporation of health services, and the utilization of adaptable healthcare interventions are essential for reducing the effects of malaria. To mitigate the impact of malaria and improve health outcomes among displaced populations in Africa, it is crucial to focus on these specific areas.
HEMA-free versus HEMA-containing adhesive systems: a systematic review
Authors: Abdelkhalek Esraa , Hamama Hamdi H. , Mahmoud Salah H.
Published: January 2025

Background

Hydrophilic monomer 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-free adhesive systems are gaining increasing popularity nowadays. Although the addition of HEMA to dental adhesives improves dentin wettability and resin diffusion into demineralized collagen fibrils, HEMA’s high hydrophilicity can lead to hydrolytic degradation of the adhesive interface. Thus, HEMA-free adhesive systems have been developed. Unfortunately, the lack of HEMA in the adhesive composition may lead to a separation phase between hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical performance of HEMA-free adhesive systems and compare them with HEMA-containing ones.

Methods

An electronic search of The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE/PubMed) was conducted. Eligibility criteria were reporting empirical data from clinical studies published between 2013 and 2023 about the clinical performance of HEMA-free adhesive systems for direct resin composite restorations. Studies with at least 2-year clinical follow-up done in permanent dentition in any form of cavities were selected. The included studies were assessed for risk of bias using the modified Cochrane Collaboration tool criteria.

Results

The database search returned 147 studies; a total of 7 studies were included in this review; the majority of studies reported no significant difference between the two types of adhesives for the parameter of retention.

Conclusions

HEMA-free adhesive systems exhibited good clinical performance with regard to retention. There was some concern about their influence on marginal adaptation and marginal discoloration due to the conflicted results reported by the included trials. Thus, the results need to be confirmed with long-term evaluations.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42023448952.