bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A clinical case concerning an extraordinary maxillary second molar having two separate palatal roots
Authors: Kottur Aishwarya A. , Mujeeb Abdul , Snigdha Niher Tabassum Siddiqua , Karobari Mohmed Isaqali
Published: May 2024

Key Clinical Message

Main objective of root canal therapy is to locate all the canals, cleaning and shaping, and obturation to obtain fluid tight seal. Failure to locate all canals can lead to the failure of root canal therapy.

Variation of pulp aperture, among teeth with multiple roots, constitutes recurring issue during diagnosing and completing efficient endodontic procedures. Understanding normal anatomy features and associated likely modifications is critical in the effective execution of the dental procedure, since the inability to effectively treat simply one canal may end up into endodontic unsuccessful therapy. The paper covers a procedure whereby the root pattern and canals of the maxillary second molar were modified employing an operative microscope and verified with cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). Cone‐beam computed tomography revealed that the maxillary second molar containing two different palatal roots and canals and two distinct buccal roots and canals. This Research paper presents and investigates the morphological difference observed on the maxillary second molar in order to guarantee the effectiveness of root canal treatment examined utilizing imaging techniques like CBCT.
Ytterbium(II) Complex‐Catalyzed Selective Single and Double Hydrophosphination of 1,3‐Enynes
Authors: Jing Bing , Zhu Cheng , Song Haibin , Li Jianfeng , Cui Chunming
Published: May 2024

1,3‐Enynes with conjugated alkene and alkyne moieties are attractive building blocks in synthetic chemistry. However, neither 4,1‐hydrophosphination nor dihydrophosphination of 1,3‐enynes has been reported. In this paper, the divalent ytterbium and calcium amide complexes supported by silaimine‐functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligands (C5Me4‐Si(L)=NR) were developed, which successfully catalyzed the efficient single and double hydrophosphination of 1,3‐enynes with diarylphosphines. The hydrophosphination reactions selectively produced homoallenyl phosphines and (E)‐propenylene diphosphines, respectively. This work demonstrated the potential of hemilabile silaimine‐Cp ligands in the supporting the efficient and selective rare‐ and alkaline‐earth catalysts.
Silver‐Catalyzed Carbofluorination of Olefins and α‐Fluoroolefins with Carbamoyl Radicals
Authors: Vincent Émilie , Brioche Julien
Published: May 2024

The reactivity of carbamoyl radicals, generated in situ from sodium oxamate salts, has been investigated in the context of radical carbofluorination reactions of olefins and α‐fluoroolefins, respectively. Both transformations are catalyzed by silver salts and required the presence of potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) and SelectfluorTM as a radicophilic fluorine source. The reported methods provide a direct access to β‐fluoroamides and β,β‐difluoroamides.
Comprehensive mapping of histamine H1 receptor mRNA in the mouse brain
Authors: Futagawa Asako , Tsuneoka Yousuke , Lazarus Michael , Oishi Yo
Published: May 2024

Histamine H1 receptor (H1R) in the central nervous system plays an important role in various functions, including learning and memory, aggression, feeding behaviors, and wakefulness, as evidenced by studies utilizing H1R knockout mice and pharmacological interventions. Although previous studies have reported the widespread distribution of H1R in the brains of rats, guinea pigs, monkeys, and humans, the detailed distribution in the mouse brain remains unclear. This study provides a comprehensive description of the distribution of H1R mRNA in the mouse brain using two recently developed techniques: RNAscope and in situ hybridization chain reaction, both of which offer enhanced sensitivity and resolution compared to traditional methodologies such as radioisotope labeling, which were used in previous studies. The H1R mRNA expression was observed throughout the entire brain, including key regions implicated in sleep–wake regulatory functions, such as the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and dorsal raphe. Additionally, strong H1R mRNA signals were identified in the paraventricular hypothalamus and ventromedial hypothalamus, which may explain the potential mechanisms underlying histamine‐mediated feeding regulation. Notably, we identified strong H1R mRNA expression in previously unreported cerebral regions, such as the dorsal endopiriform nucleus, bed nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract, and postsubiculum. These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of the multifaceted roles of H1R in diverse brain functions.
Ion‐Specific Effects on Ion and Polyelectrolyte Solvation
Authors: Kastinen Tuuva , Batys Piotr , Tolmachev Dmitry , Laasonen Kari , Sammalkorpi Maria
Published: May 2024

Ion‐specific effects on aqueous solvation of monovalent counter ions, Na
, K
, Cl
, and Br
, and two model polyelectrolytes (PEs), poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDADMA) were here studied with ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on the OPLS‐aa force‐field which is an empirical fixed point‐charge force‐field. Ion‐specific binding to the PE charge groups was also characterized. Both computational methods predict similar response for the solvation of the PEs but differ notably in description of ion solvation. Notably, AIMD captures the experimentally observed differences in Cl
and Br
anion solvation and binding with the PEs, while the classical MD simulations fail to differentiate the ion species response. Furthermore, the findings show that combining AIMD with the computationally less costly classical MD simulations allows benefiting from both the increased accuracy and statistics reach.
Sex and the Kidney Drug‐Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters: Are Preclinical Drug Disposition Data Translatable to Humans?
Authors: Thakur Aarzoo , Yue Guihua , Ahire Deepak , Mettu Vijaya S. , Al Maghribi Abrar , Ford Kaitlyn , Peixoto Lucia , Leeder J. Steven , Prasad Bhagwat
Published: May 2024

Cross‐species differences in drug transport and metabolism are linked to poor translation of preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicology data to humans, often resulting in the failure of new chemical entities (NCEs) during clinical drug development. Specifically, inaccurate prediction of renal clearance and renal accumulation of NCEs due to differential abundance of enzymes and transporters in kidneys can lead to differences in pharmacokinetics and toxicity between experimental animals and humans. We carried out liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)‐based protein quantification of 78 membrane drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters (DMETs) in the kidney membrane fractions of humans, rats, and mice for characterization of cross‐species and sex‐dependent differences. In general, majority of DMET proteins were higher in rodents than in humans. Significant cross‐species differences were observed in 30 out of 33 membrane DMET proteins quantified in all three species. Although no significant sex‐dependent differences were observed in humans, the abundance of 28 and 46 membrane proteins showed significant sex dependence in rats and mice, respectively. These cross‐species and sex‐dependent quantitative abundance data are valuable for gaining a mechanistic understanding of drug renal disposition and accumulation. Further, these data can also be integrated into systems pharmacology tools, such as physiologically based pharmacokinetic models, to enhance the interpretation of preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicological data.
Does surface priming increase the bond strength of orthodontic brackets? An experimental study
Authors: Al Taweel Sara M. , Zinelis Spiros , Sofyan Arif , Al Jabbari Youssef S.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To evaluate the effects of metal primer II (MP II) on the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets bonded to teeth and bis‐acryl composite provisional material (Bis‐Acryl).

Material and Methods

Twenty extracted human premolars specimens and 20 premolar shaped Bis‐Acryl specimens were obtained and randomly divided into two surface groups. The first group consisted of human premolars (T) bonded to brackets in the conventional way while in the second (T‐MP) MP II was applied on the bracket base before bonding. Similarly, one group of provisional material (PM) was prepared according to conventional treatment and another with the application of MP‐II metal bonder (PM‐MP). In all cases Ortho‐brackets (Victory Series, 3 M) were bonded employing Transbond XT resin cement. Then the brackets were debonded under shear and the results were statistically analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance and Holm Sidak at α = .05. The debonded surfaces of all specimens were examined by light microscopy and the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) was recorded.

Results

The SBS results exhibited significant differences er (p < .001). For both the T and TM the application of MP‐II increased the SBS compared to respective control groups (p < .001). The T‐C group was found inferior compared to PM‐C (p < .001) and the same is true for the comparison between T‐MP and PM‐MP (p < .001). ARI indexes demonstrated that the tooth groups were characterized by a predominantly adhesive failure at the resin‐dentin interface. In contrast, the control group for provisional crowns (PM‐C) showed a predominantly cohesive failure mode, which moved to predominantly adhesive after the application of MP II.

Conclusion

The application of MP II enhances the SBS on both, human enamel and provisional crown materials.
Analysis and design of an efficient soft‐switching inverter with asymmetric auxiliary circuits
Authors: Wang Qiang , He Jianfeng , Wang Youzheng
Published: May 2024

The paper designs an efficient three‐phase soft‐switching inverter with asymmetric auxiliary circuits, which is beneficial for further miniaturization and efficiency optimization. Only two auxiliary switches, one resonant inductor, and three resonant capacitors make up simple asymmetric auxiliary circuits of each phase, contributing to the reduction of power loss and hardware cost. As soon as the simple auxiliary circuits get involved in the operation of the designed inverter, main switches can realize zero‐voltage switching within the entire load range. The reduction of power loss of auxiliary circuits and main switches is conducive to further efficiency optimization. The paper expounds every operating status during one switching period. The relevant experimental waveforms make known that switching devices can realize soft‐switching. The efficiency reaches 99% at rated operation status of the designed inverter, confirming that the designed inverter has superiority over comparison objects in the experiment with regard to the efficiency. Thus, the structural simplification of auxiliary circuits is an effective method for further miniaturization and efficiency optimization.
Enhanced voice over 5G transmission with unequal error protection and generative adversarial networks
Authors: Ragpot Prateema , Fowdur Tulsi Pawan , Soyjaudah Krishnaraj Madhavjee Sunjiv
Published: May 2024

Voice services have progressed significantly since the launch of mobile phones and have evolved from analog technology to digital ones. Since the launch of 5G, voice over 5G (Vo5G) will slowly take over legacy mobile technologies to provide better voice services. Nevertheless, interruptions and noise will continue to affect speech communication over wireless networks, ensuing in a reduced Quality of Service (QoS). Three enhanced transmission schemes for Vo5G are proposed. The first proposal benefits from the difference in weight of the bits of internet Low Bitrate Code (iLBC) coded packets to offer them diverse degrees of protection i.e. Unequal Error Protection (UEP). UEP enhances the reception quality by allowing the more significant bits to be decoded with greater reliability during 5G transmission. The second and third schemes substitute the usual Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) constellation with a Statistical QAM (SQAM) one. The second scheme arranges the significant bits on the SQAM constellation and the remaining bits onto the conventional QAM arrangement. For the third scheme, all the bits are arranged on the SQAM constellation. Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) were incorporated into the third scheme as the third scheme provided better gains over the first and second schemes. GAN was used to synthesize and enhance parts of the speech file that were lost during transmission over the 5G channel resulting in a gain in Segmented Signal to Noise Ratio (SSNR). The addition of GAN boosted the gain obtained by the third scheme by 1.45 dB with 16‐QAM at a code rate of 1/3.
Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of benign oncocytic lesions of the head and neck associated with false positive 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography scan
Authors: Hussain Mahreen , Ghani Hafiz , Ali Yasir , Clement Cecilia , Nawgiri Ranjana
Published: May 2024

Introduction

18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has become the mainstay for staging and post‐therapy surveillance of cancer as malignant neoplasms generally demonstrate higher FDG uptake that benign entities. However, there are certain benign lesions, most notably oncocytic tumors, that can display very high uptake and fine needle aspiration (FNA) is usually done to confirm malignancy. Therefore, it is important to recognize that benign oncocytic lesions of the head and neck may also present as FDG‐avid lesions to avoid a diagnostic pitfall.

Methods

Electronic search of institutional surgical and cytopathology archives was conducted to identify cases of benign oncocytic lesions involving the head and neck region diagnosed by FNA from January 2012 to April 2022. Chart review was used to assess whether lesions were initially discovered via PET scanning.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐five cases of oncocytic lesions were identified; 12 (9%) PET positive lesions were identified in the head and neck region from patients being evaluated for metastasis or for suspicion of malignancy. Cytopathology of all 12 cases demonstrated benign oncocytic lesions; eight (67%) of these cases were consistent with Warthin tumor, one (8.3%) was a benign oncocytic lesion, and one (8.3%) was consistent wit a parathyroid adenoma. Most (58%) of the PET‐positive lesions were in parotid region, two from thyroid gland (17%), one from submandibular gland (8%), one from paratracheal area (8%). The PET scan SUVs ranged from 3.3 to 19.5 g mL−1.

Conclusions

Oncocytic lesions including Warthin tumors can result in false‐positive FDG uptake on PET scans. Clinicians and cytopathologists should be aware of PET‐positive benign oncocytic head and neck lesions.
Radiomics analysis for prediction and classification of submucosal tumors based on gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasonography
Authors: Zhou Hui , Wei Guoliang , Wu Junke
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To identify and classify submucosal tumors by building and validating a radiomics model with gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) images.

Methods

A total of 144 patients diagnosed with submucosal tumors through gastrointestinal EUS were collected between January 2019 and October 2020. There are 1952 radiomic features extracted from each patient's EUS images. The statistical test and the customized least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used for feature selection. Subsequently, an extremely randomized trees algorithm was utilized to construct a robust radiomics classification model specifically tailored for gastrointestinal EUS images. The performance of the model was measured by evaluating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

The radiomics model comprised 30 selected features that showed good discrimination performance in the validation cohorts. During validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated as 0.9203 and the mean value after 10‐fold cross‐validation was 0.9260, indicating excellent stability and calibration. These results confirm the clinical utility of the model.

Conclusions

Utilizing the dataset provided curated from gastrointestinal EUS examinations at our collaborating hospital, we have developed a well‐performing radiomics model. It can be used for personalized and non‐invasive prediction of the type of submucosal tumors, providing physicians with aid for early treatment and management of tumor progression.
Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of waterfowl productivity are synchronous across species, space, and time
Authors: Weegman Mitch D. , Devries James H. , Clark Robert G. , Howerter David W. , Gibson Daniel , Donnelly J. Patrick , Arnold Todd W.
Published: May 2024

Knowledge of interspecific and spatiotemporal variation in demography–environment relationships is key for understanding the population dynamics of sympatric species and developing multispecies conservation strategies. We used hierarchical random‐effects models to examine interspecific and spatial variation in annual productivity in six migratory ducks (i.e., American wigeon [Mareca americana], blue‐winged teal [Spatula discors], gadwall [Mareca strepera], green‐winged teal [Anas crecca], mallard [Anas platyrhynchos] and northern pintail [Anas acuta]) across six distinct ecostrata in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. We tested whether breeding habitat conditions (seasonal pond counts, agricultural intensification, and grassland acreage) or cross‐seasonal effects (indexed by flooded rice acreage in primary wintering areas) better explained variation in the proportion of juveniles captured during late summer banding. The proportion of juveniles (i.e., productivity) was highly variable within species and ecostrata throughout 1961–2019 and generally declined through time in blue‐winged teal, gadwall, mallard, pintail, and wigeon, but there was no support for a trend in green‐winged teal. Productivity in Canadian ecostrata declined with increasing agricultural intensification and increased with increasing pond counts. We also found a strong cross‐seasonal effect, whereby more flooded rice hectares during winter resulted in higher subsequent productivity. Our results suggest highly consistent environmental and anthropogenic effects on waterfowl productivity across species and space. Our study advances our understanding of current year and cross‐seasonal effects on duck productivity across a suite of species and at finer spatial scales, which could help managers better target working‐lands conservation programs on both breeding and wintering areas. We encourage other researchers to evaluate environmental drivers of population dynamics among species in a single modeling framework for a deeper understanding of whether conservation plans should be generalized or customized given limited financial resources.
Historical baleen plates indicate that once abundant Antarctic blue and fin whales demonstrated distinct migratory and foraging strategies
Authors: Smith Malia E. K. , Ososky John J. , Hunt Kathleen E. , Cioffi William R. , Read Andy J. , Friedlaender Ari S. , McCarthy Matt , Fleming Alyson H.
Published: May 2024

Southern hemisphere blue (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) and fin (Balaenoptera physalus) whales are the largest predators in the Southern Ocean, with similarities in morphology and distribution. Yet, understanding of their life history and foraging is limited due to current low abundances and limited ecological data. To address these gaps, historic Antarctic blue (n = 5) and fin (n = 5) whale baleen plates, collected in 1947–1948 and recently rediscovered in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, were analyzed for bulk (δ13C and δ15N) stable isotopes. Regular oscillations in isotopic ratios, interpreted as annual cycles, revealed that baleen plates contain approximately 6 years (14.35 ± 1.20 cm year−1) of life history data in blue whales and 4 years (16.52 ± 1.86 cm year−1) in fin whales. Isotopic results suggest that: (1) while in the Southern Ocean, blue and fin whales likely fed at the same trophic level but demonstrated niche differentiation; (2) fin whales appear to have had more regular annual migrations; and (3) fin whales may have migrated to ecologically distinct sub‐Antarctic waters annually while some blue whales may have resided year‐round in the Southern Ocean. These results reveal differences in ecological niche and life history strategies between Antarctic blue and fin whales during a time period when their populations were more abundant than today, and before major human‐driven climatic changes occurred in the Southern Ocean.
Environmental warming increases the importance of high‐turnover energy channels in stream food webs
Authors: Junker James R. , Cross Wyatt F. , Hood James M. , Benstead Jonathan P. , Huryn Alexander D. , Nelson Daniel , Ólafsson Jón S. , Gíslason Gísli M.
Published: May 2024

Warming temperatures are altering communities and trophic networks across Earth's ecosystems. While the overall influence of warming on food webs is often context‐dependent, increasing temperatures are predicted to change communities in two fundamental ways: (1) by reducing average body size and (2) by increasing individual metabolic rates. These warming‐induced changes have the potential to influence the distribution of food web fluxes, food web stability, and the relative importance of deterministic and stochastic ecological processes shaping community assembly. Here, we quantified patterns and the relative distribution of organic matter fluxes through stream food webs spanning a broad natural temperature gradient (5–27°C). We then related these patterns to species and community trait distributions of mean body size and population biomass turnover (P:B) within and across streams. We predicted that (1) communities in warmer streams would exhibit smaller body size and higher P:B and (2) organic matter fluxes within warmer communities would increasingly skew toward smaller, higher P:B populations. Across the temperature gradient, warmer communities were characterized by smaller body size (~9% per °C) and higher P:B (~7% faster turnover per °C) populations on average. Additionally, organic matter fluxes within warmer streams were increasingly skewed toward higher P:B populations, demonstrating that warming can restructure organic matter fluxes in both an absolute and relative sense. With warming, the relative distribution of organic matter fluxes was decreasingly likely to arise through the random sorting of species, suggesting stronger selection for traits driving high turnover with increasing temperature. Our study suggests that a warming world will favor energy fluxes through “smaller and faster” populations, and that these changes may be more predictable than previously thought.
Monitoring and predicting the presence and abundance of juvenile Atlantic salmon in tributaries according to habitat characteristics using environmental DNA
Authors: Berger Chloé Suzanne , Gagnon Sabrina , Bernatchez Louis , Bergeron Normand
Published: May 2024

Conservation of the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar requires to monitor the spatial distribution and abundance of juveniles at a local scale in tributaries. However, tributaries are rarely accounted for in monitoring programs despite their importance for juvenile life stages. This is mainly because inventories of young salmon populations in tributaries can be technically challenging with traditional methods, as the number of tributaries in a watershed can be important and their access limited compared to the main stem. In this study, we tested the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to quantify the abundance of juvenile Atlantic salmon in tributaries. We successfully detected eDNA of juvenile Atlantic salmon in 19 tributaries of three main rivers of the Gaspé Peninsula (Québec, Canada) using quantitative real‐time PCR analyses. By comparing the eDNA approach with electrofishing surveys conducted in parallel to water sampling, we found that eDNA concentrations positively correlated with juvenile abundance, total biomass, and body surface area. The use of the allometrically scaled mass (ASM) instead of abundance improved the correlation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the levels of eDNA molecules detected for juvenile Atlantic salmon were also correlated with water temperature and canopy cover measured in each tributary. Finally, we tested if eDNA concentrations measured in a tributary could be used as a reliable indicator of juvenile abundance or biomass in that tributary. We found that our models slightly better predicted juvenile biomass than juvenile abundance. The use of ASM did not improve model prediction, suggesting that further refinement would be required in the future. Our method will facilitate the implementation of conservation practices appropriate to the ecology of juvenile Atlantic salmon in tributaries.
Marine sediment infauna‐based environmental assessment using metabarcoding identifies potential impact indicator species
Authors: Hale Rachel , Crampton‐Platt Alex , Bruce Kat , Tang Cuong Q. , Maguire Michael , Marsh Maija K.
Published: May 2024

Developing large‐scale monitoring strategies for marine habitats with appropriate temporal and spatial resolution is challenging logistically and economically. We compare potential DNA metabarcoding infaunal identification methods with traditional morphological assessment of marine intertidal biodiversity across two protected sites of contrasting anthropogenic impact on the south coast of England. We show that all the methodologies are effective at distinguishing the distinct communities present at each site. While morphological methods provide community abundance and biomass information, data derived from 18S metabarcoding of sediment scrapes showed the strongest discriminations between sites with contrasting anthropogenic pressures. This difference is due to the inclusion of more taxa from a wider spectrum of biodiversity in this dataset. However, 18S OTU abundance was a poor predictor of morphological taxa abundance and biomass. Examination of the presence or absence of taxa at the more or less impacted sites allows us to identify potential indicator taxa for future surveys, such as families in the phyla Ascidiacea, Cnidaria, Nematoda, and Platyhelminthes; taxa which are not traditionally incorporated into morphology‐based assessments due to the difficulty and expense of identification. DNA metabarcoding tools provide a more comprehensive snapshot of marine biodiversity compared to morphological surveys, and therefore an opportunity to assess the responses of more organisms to environmental stressors and develop novel metrics for habitat assessment. This could greatly benefit future monitoring programs and the assessment of management impacts in marine habitats.
Pulmonary artery elastance as a predictor of hospital mortality in heart failure cardiogenic shock
Authors: Baldetti Luca , den Uil Corstiaan A. , Fiore Giorgio , Gallone Guglielmo , Romagnolo Davide , Peveri Beatrice , Cianfanelli Lorenzo , Calvo Francesco , Gramegna Mario , Pazzanese Vittorio , Sacchi Stefania , Dias‐Frias André , Ajello Silvia , Scandroglio Anna Mara
Published: May 2024

Aims

The initial bundle of cares strongly affects haemodynamics and outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure cardiogenic shock (ADHF‐CS). We sought to characterize whether 24 h haemodynamic profiling provides superior prognostic information as compared with admission assessment and which haemodynamic parameters best predict in‐hospital death.

Methods and results

All patients with ADHF‐CS and with available admission and 24 h invasive haemodynamic assessment from two academic institutions were considered for this study. The primary endpoint was in‐hospital death. Regression analyses were run to identify relevant predictors of study outcome. We included 127 ADHF‐CS patients [65 (inter‐quartile range 52–72) years, 25.2% female]. Overall, in‐hospital mortality occurred in 26.8%. Non‐survivors were older, with greater CS severity. Among admission variables, age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.11; Padj = 0.005] and CPIRAP (OR = 0.62 for 0.1 increment; 95% CI: 0.39–0.95; Padj = 0.034) were found significantly associated with in‐hospital death. Among 24 h haemodynamic univariate predictors of in‐hospital death, pulmonary elastance (PaE) was the strongest (area under the curve of 0.77; 95% CI: 0.68–0.86). PaE (OR = 5.98; 95% CI: 2.29–17.48; Padj < 0.001), pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi, OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.62–0.92; Padj = 0.013) and age (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02–1.11; Padj = 0.010) were independently associated with in‐hospital death. Best cut‐off for PaE was 0.85 mmHg/mL and for PAPi was 2.95; cohort phenotyping based on these PaE and PAPi thresholds further increased in‐hospital death risk stratification; patients with 24 h high PaE and low PAPi exhibited the highest in‐hospital mortality (56.2%).

Conclusions

Pulmonary artery elastance has been found to be the most powerful 24 h haemodynamic predictor of in‐hospital death in patients with ADHF‐CS. Age, 24 h PaE, and PAPi are independently associated with hospital mortality. PaE captures ventricular (RV) afterload mismatch and PAPi provides a metric of RV adaptation, thus their combination generates four distinct haemodynamic phenotypes, enhancing in‐hospital death risk stratification.
Association of a device‐based remote management heart failure pathway with outcomes: TriageHF Plus real‐world evaluation
Authors: Ahmed Fozia Zahir , Sammut‐Powell Camilla , Martin Glen P. , Callan Paul , Cunnington Colin , Kahn Matthew , Kale Mita , Weldon Toni , Harwood Rachel , Fullwood Catherine , Gerritse Bart , Lanctin David , Soken Nelson , Campbell Niall G. , Taylor Joanne K.
Published: May 2024

Aims

Clinical pathways have been shown to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Although patients with HF often have a cardiac implantable electronic device, few studies have reported the utility of device‐derived risk scores to augment and organize care. TriageHF Plus is a device‐based HF clinical pathway (DHFP) that uses remote monitoring alerts to trigger structured telephone assessment for HF stability and optimization. We aimed to evaluate the impact of TriageHF Plus on hospitalizations and describe the associated workforce burden.

Methods and results

TriageHF Plus was a multi‐site, prospective study that compared outcomes for patients recruited between April 2019 and February 2021. All alert‐triggered assessments were analysed to determine the appropriateness of the alert and the workload burden. A negative‐binomial regression with inverse probability treatment weighting using a time‐matched usual care cohort was applied to estimate the effect of TriageHF Plus on non‐elective hospitalizations. A post hoc pre‐COVID‐19 sensitivity analysis was also performed. The TriageHF Plus cohort (n = 443) had a mean age of 68.8 ± 11.2 years, 77% male (usual care cohort: n = 315, mean age of 66.2 ± 14.5 years, 65% male). In the TriageHF Plus cohort, an acute medical issue was identified following an alert in 79/182 (43%) cases. Fifty assessments indicated acute HF, requiring clinical action in 44 cases. At 30 day follow‐up, 39/66 (59%) of initially symptomatic patients reported improvement, and 20 (19%) initially asymptomatic patients had developed new symptoms. On average, each assessment took 10 min. The TriageHF Plus group had a 58% lower rate of hospitalizations across full follow‐up [incidence relative ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23–0.76, P = 0.004]. Across the pre‐COVID‐19 window, hospitalizations were 31% lower (0.69, 95% CI: 0.46–1.04, P = 0.077).

Conclusions

These data represent the largest real‐world evaluation of a DHFP based on multi‐parametric risk stratification. The TriageHF Plus clinical pathway was associated with an improvement in HF symptoms and reduced all‐cause hospitalizations.
Overexpression of zinc‐finger protein 418 inhibits pathological cardiac remodelling after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Jiang Hongfei , Lai Fei , Wang Xixing , Meng Fanqi , Zhu Weiliang , Huang Shan
Published: May 2024

Aims

Zinc‐finger protein 418 (ZNF418) has been confirmed to be expressed in myocardial tissue. However, the role and mechanism of ZNF418 in pathological myocardial remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI) have not been reported. This study was to elucidate the effect and mechanism of ZNF418 on ventricular remodelling after MI in mice.

Methods and results

MI mice and H9c2 cardiomyocytes were used to conduct in vivo and in vitro experiments, respectively. ZNF418 expression was regulated by adeno‐associated virus 9 and adenovirus vectors. Pathological analysis, echocardiography, and molecular analysis were performed. ZNF418 was down‐regulated in the left ventricular tissues of post‐MI mice. In contrast, ZNF418 overexpression decreased mortality and improved cardiac function in MI mice. The MI mice exhibited a significantly increased cross‐sectional area of myocardial cells and elevated protein expression levels of myocardial hypertrophy markers ANP, BNP, and β‐MHC (all P < 0.05). Moreover, a significantly increased area of myocardial fibrosis and protein expression levels of myocardial fibrosis markers collagen I, collagen III, and CTGF were observed in MI mice (all P < 0.05) in MI mice. All of the above negative effects in MI mice were ameliorated in ZNF418 overexpressed mice (all P < 0.05). Mechanistically, ZNF418 overexpression inhibited the activation of the MAPK signalling pathway, as evidenced by the in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Conclusions

Overexpression of ZNF418 could improve cardiac function and inhibit pathological cardiac remodelling by inhibiting the MAPK signalling pathway in post‐MI mice.
Evolution of riverbed morphology in a main‐stem river due to management of sediment source areas
Authors: Yang Cheng , Yang Zaizhi , Zhong Ronghua , Huang Jiangcheng , Zhang Xinbao , Cheng Yang
Published: May 2024

The evolution of riverbeds is greatly impacted by changes in the water–sediment relationship resulting from the movement of debris flows. However, little is known about the influence of management in chronic sediment source areas on the evolution of main‐stem riverbed morphology. In this study, we used multi‐source remote sensing images covering the past 50 years along with water–sediment and topographic data from a river basin, and sediment transport data from debris flows, to analyze the evolutionary processes of the middle and lower reaches of the Daying River (DYR) at the China‐Myanmar border. Our results showed that (1) management of the sediment source area shifted the riverbed morphology from aggradation to erosion, transforming the river surface from wide and shallow to narrow and deep, and the channel from multi‐threaded to single‐threaded; (2) the active alluvial area, marginal bar area, and average river width exhibited an inverted V‐shaped trend, increasing by at least 23% and then decreasing by more than 59%; and (3) the evolution of riverbed morphology contributed to the stability of downstream riverbeds, improved flood control, and enhanced utilization of the floodplains.
Integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data reveals how slurry ice treatment affects sugar metabolism in sweet corn (Zea mays L. var saccharata) during cold storage
Authors: Zhao Yaqi , Shi Wenlin , Wang Zhiqiang , Yan Zhicheng , Shi Junyan , Zuo Jinhua , Feng Bihong , Wang Qing
Published: May 2024

Sweet corn rapidly loses its sweetness, along with other nutrients, once it is harvested, which reduces its economic value. The present study was conducted to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms by which a rapid cooling slurry ice (SI) treatment followed by storage at 0 ± 0.5°C extends the postharvest quality of sweet corn relative to slower direct cooling at 0 ± 0.5°C. In this study, we found that SI treatment can maintain the appearance quality of sweet corn and inhibit grain shrinkage, respiration, and ethylene release. SI treatment delayed the aging of corn by regulating the expression levels of genes and the levels of metabolites. SI treatment also maintains its carbohydrate content, which is mainly related to starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis, citric acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, and cutin biosynthesis. The results provide a possible target for improving the postharvest quality of sweet corn.
Lonicera japonica Thunb. and its characteristic component chlorogenic acid alleviated experimental colitis by promoting Lactobacillus and fecal short‐chain fatty acids production
Authors: Chen Jiebiao , Xu Wanhua , Liu Yang , Liang Xiao , Chen Yunyi , Liang Jiaojiao , Cao Jinping , Lu Baiyi , Sun Chongde , Wang Yue
Published: May 2024

Ulcerative colitis is intricately linked to intestinal oxidative stress and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LJ) is a traditional edible and medical flower in China, and chlorogenic acid (CGA) is one of its characteristic components. However, it remains unclear whether gut microbiota plays a role in the therapeutic effects of LJ and GCA on colitis. Here, we first observed that oral administration of LJ and CGA for 3 weeks dramatically promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and fecal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production in healthy mice. Subsequently, the alleviating effects of LJ and CGA on colitis were explored with a dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis mice model. The intervention of LJ and CGA notably alleviated inflammation, intestinal barrier impairment, and oxidative stress in colitis and led to a significant elevation in Lactobacillus and fecal SCFAs. Eventually, the key role of gut microbiota and their metabolites on the therapeutic effects was validated by performing fecal microbiota transplantation and sterile fecal suspensions transplantation from LJ and CGA‐treated healthy mice to colitis mice. Our findings demonstrated that consumption of LJ and CGA could benefit the host both in healthy condition and colitis. The beneficial effects were attributed to the improvement of the endogenous antioxidant system and promotion of the probiotic Lactobacillus and SCFAs production. Our study highlighted the great potential of LJ and CGA to be consumed as functional foods and provided novel mechanisms by which they alleviated colitis.
Economists' Strong Advocacy for a Carbon Tax May Be Misguided
Authors: Costello Kenneth W.
Published: May 2024

Many if not most economists, both conservative and liberal, support a carbon tax.1 As economist Alan Blinder recently remarked, “It's only a very slight exaggeration to say that all economists favor a carbon tax to mitigate climate change.” As this author discusses in this article, their position seems to overlook real‐world politics, bureaucratic incentives, and the “pretense of knowledge.”2 Advocates of a carbon tax seem to fall victim to what Nobel Laureate Ronald Coase labeled “blackboard economics”.3
The Latrobe Smoking Support Service: A quantitative study of participants in a regional area
Authors: Porter Joanne E. , Soldatenko Daria , Borgelt Kaye , Sewell Lauren , Prokopiv Valerie , Simic Megan , James Michelle , Reimers Vaughan
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

More than 70% of current smokers in Australia have a definite plan to stop smoking and around half of them try to quit every year. Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS) was commissioned by Gippsland Primary Health Network to establish Latrobe Smoking Support Service (LSSS) to break down barriers to accessing services and increase support for smoking cessation. This research aims to assess the feasibility of an ongoing smoking cessation support service and determine the effect the LSSS has on client smoking behavior.

Methods

Quantitative data were collected for the LSSS situated at LCHS during the period from September 2021 to March 2022. A new client survey, a returning client survey, and a 6‐week follow‐up survey were conducted by Clinic staff. The consent forms were obtained from the clients. A total of 117 clients attended the LSSS at least once, and a further 315 returning client sessions were conducted. The data analysis was undertaken by means of various descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, such as multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

The research findings demonstrate the strong positive effect of the LSSS in helping clients to change their smoking behavior. Results of multiple regression analysis highlight the significant role of behavioral intervention strategies in the LSSS's success. A combination of both nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and counseling was a key contributor to the project's success.

Conclusion

This research proposed and tested the model of a smoking cessation support service that combines a comprehensive mix of services for smokers including free NRT, free counseling, and ongoing support of counselors or/and nurse practitioners.
The association between BMI and continuity of etonogestrel (ENG)‐releasing implant
Authors: Mohr‐Sasson Aya , Dalal Leanne , Bhalwal Asha
Published: May 2024

Objective

The etonogestrel‐releasing implant is a long‐acting reversible contraception that is recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for 3 years and has been proven to be highly effective and convenient. Adverse effects including irregular bleeding patterns, weight gain, and acne are reported to be the main reasons for treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study is to learn the association between body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and the incidence of side effects and adherence to treatment.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study, conducted at a single university‐affiliated medical clinic, including all women who underwent etonogestrel‐releasing implant (Nexplanon®; New Jersey, USA, Organon USA Inc., Merck and Co) insertion between January 2019 and December 2021. Cases where abnormalities were reported during the insertion procedure or missing data were excluded from the study. Information on patients' demographic, medical history, obstetric and gynecological history, and follow‐up was collected from electronic medical files. The primary outcome was defined as the rate of implant removal in the different obesity classes. Data are presented as median and interquartile range. The study was approved by institutional review board.

Results

The study population included 1318 women, of whom 466 (35%) requested early removal of the implant. Women's demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between women who requested early removal and those with full‐length treatment. The median time for early removal was 12 (6–20) months from insertion. Irregular bleeding was the most frequent reason for early removal in both groups and was more than twice as prevalent in the early removal group (239 [51.29%] vs 193 [22%], P = 0.001). The early removal group had fewer obese women (BMI ≥30) compared with women who had full‐length treatment (163 [31.8%] vs 350 [68.2%], P = 0.03), with comparable rates of class 3 obesity women (BMI ≥40) (P = 0.68). Multi‐regression logistic analysis including age, BMI, parity and side effects found that the presence of side effects is the only independent predictor significantly associated with early implant removal (B = 1.74, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Continuation of etonogestrel‐releasing implant contraception treatment was associated with the presence of side effects that were more often reported in non‐obese women. BMI was not found to be a significant factor influencing adherence to treatment.
Building a robust pharmacy research program: Reflections from a large healthcare system not affiliated with a college of pharmacy
Authors: Herges Joseph R. , Wieruszewski Erin D. , Barreto Jason N. , Taraba Jodi L. , Barreto Erin F. , Oyen Lance J. , Nei Andrea M. , Wieruszewski Patrick M. , Thurber Kristina M. , Schramm Garrett E. , Formea Christine M. , Rudis Maria I.
Published: May 2024

Professional standards for academic health care system pharmacy departments and clinical pharmacists advocate for research and scholarly activities. Developing and sustaining a research program in a clinical pharmacy department is challenging. Over the span of a decade, a robust pharmacy research program was developed in an academic medical center not affiliated with a college of pharmacy. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a framework suitable for scaling research in pharmacy departments within an academic medical center. Objectives to accomplish the aim includes describing the structure and evolution of the clinical pharmacy department research program, listing measurable outputs and achievements of the pharmacists and the program and describing the barriers encountered and solutions that were enacted to overcome them. Elements critical to building and sustaining a research program in the pharmacy department included long‐term commitment from within the department, a departmental research infrastructure, support from institutional leadership, research funding from the institution, and a growth mindset in accordance with company initiatives to support evolving research needs. A research curriculum was developed for pharmacy residents and pharmacists, created electronic tools for research proposal scientific reviews and allocation of funds, and established departmental research career development awards that allowed for protected time to pursue research and professional development. Over the first 10 years of the program, publication rates grew more than three‐fold, faculty appointments and promotions increased approximately five‐fold, and pharmacist investigators obtained extramural federal funding. Further offsetting clinical workload relative to dedicated research time remains a challenge. The experience and success at this academic medical center suggest it is feasible to develop a robust, sustainable clinical pharmacy department research program.
Social communication and restricted, repetitive behavior as assessed with a diagnostic tool for autism (ADOS‐2) in women with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Saure Emma , Laasonen Marja , Kylliäinen Anneli , Hämäläinen Sini , Lepistö‐Paisley Tuulia , Raevuori Anu
Published: May 2024

Objective

In anorexia nervosa (AN), the traits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are associated with poor outcomes. However, the subtle nature of these characteristics remains poorly understood. We investigated the in‐depth patterns of ASD traits using Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule‐Second Edition (ADOS‐2) in women with AN.

Methods

Of 28 women with ICD‐10 AN, 16 (age 19–30 years) participated in the ADOS‐2, a video‐recorded, semistructured diagnostic assessment for social communication and interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors and interests related to ASD. None of the participants had previously been diagnosed with ASD. Other measurements included the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence‐IV.

Results

Five individuals (18% of all, 31% of those assessed) scored above the cutoff for autism in ADOS‐2. They had challenges in social communication and interaction, manifesting as sustained difficulties in social relationships and deficits in conversation skills. Few described being frequently misunderstood by others, including in the eating disorder treatment settings. Three individuals showed prominent restricted and repetitive behaviors such as ritual seeking, eating‐related routines, sensory sensitivity related to food texture and selective eating, and intense interest in specific topics. The mean duration of AN in women above the cutoff was twice as long compared with those below (12.3 vs. 6.2 years).

Discussion

The ASD‐related characteristics and behavior appear to contribute to the manifestation and duration of AN in a subgroup of women. Among these women, the traits of ASD appear to be mixed with eating disorder symptoms, which should be taken into account in the treatment.