bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
S2k guideline lipedema
Authors: Faerber Gabriele , Cornely Manuel , Daubert Constance , Erbacher Gabriele , Fink Jodok , Hirsch Tobias , Mendoza Erika , Miller Anya , Rabe Eberhard , Rapprich Stefan , Reich‐Schupke Stefanie , Stücker Markus , Brenner Erich
Published: August 2024

This S2k guideline was developed on the initiative and under the German Society of Phlebology and Lymphology (DGPL) leadership. The guideline aims to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of lipedema. It is intended to bring together the different approaches of the respective professional groups in a consensus‐based manner and thus offer a basic concept for the best possible treatment of patients with lipedema. Sixty recommendations were formulated and agreed on in diagnostics, conservative and surgical treatment options, psychosocial factors and self‐management. The guideline is intended to reflect the current scientific knowledge and be widely used for diagnosis and treatment recommendations for patients with lipedema.

In particular, the guideline comments on diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, and coinciding clinical pictures, their influence on diagnosis and treatment, sensible treatment measures, and self‐management options. The lipedema guideline summarizes the current national and international evidence and the German expert consensus and derives recommendations for the best treatment for patients with lipedema. The recommendations in the guideline are intended as an orientation aid in the sense of action and decision‐making corridors from which deviations are possible in justified cases.
Olfactory facilitation of visual categorization in the 4‐month‐old brain depends on visual demand
Authors: Kiseleva Anna , Rekow Diane , Schaal Benoist , Leleu Arnaud
Published: August 2024

To navigate their environment, infants rely on intersensory facilitation when unisensory perceptual demand is high, a principle known as inverse effectiveness. Given that this principle was mainly documented in the context of audiovisual stimulations, here we aim to determine whether it applies to olfactory‐to‐visual facilitation. We build on previous evidence that the mother's body odor facilitates face categorization in the 4‐month‐old brain, and investigate whether this effect depends on visual demand. Scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded in two groups of 4‐month‐old infants while they watched 6‐Hz streams of visual stimuli with faces displayed every 6th stimulus to tag a face‐selective response at 1 Hz. We used variable natural stimuli in one group (Nat Group), while stimuli were simplified in the other group (Simp Group) to reduce perceptual categorization demand. During visual stimulation, infants were alternatively exposed to their mother's versus a baseline odor. For both groups, we found an occipito‐temporal face‐selective response, but with a larger amplitude for the simplified stimuli, reflecting less demanding visual categorization. Importantly, the mother's body odor enhances the response to natural, but not to simplified, face stimuli, indicating that maternal odor improves face categorization when it is most demanding for the 4‐month‐old brain. Overall, this study demonstrates that the inverse effectiveness of intersensory facilitation applies to the sense of smell during early perceptual development.

Research Highlights

Intersensory facilitation is a function of unisensory perceptual demand in infants (inverse effectiveness).

This inverse relation between multisensory and unisensory perception has been mainly documented using audiovisual stimulations.

Here we show that olfactory‐to‐visual facilitation depends on visual demand in 4‐month‐old infants.

The inverse effectiveness of intersensory facilitation during early perceptual development applies to the sense of smell.
Toward an Authentic Understanding of Catholic School Identity
Authors: Hurst Christopher
Published: August 2024

Researchers have studied Catholic schools for decades, often in an attempt to extrapolate from them lessons that may help public schools accomplish similar levels of academic achievement and other desirable goals, such as social mobility, social efficiency, and democratic equality. But research that attempts to understand Catholic education from a secular perspective inevitably misunderstands the purpose of education that Catholic schools themselves claim to pursue, i.e., beatitude. This unique purpose is the source of Catholic school identity. Here, Christopher Hurst argues that by considering Catholic education as the practice of a distinctly Catholic tradition, researchers can authentically assess how well Catholic schools are achieving their own stated goals, and whether their practices can be applied outside of a particular Catholic context.
Changing Spanish preservice teachers' environmental attitudes with a citizen science program integrated in Environmental Education subject
Authors: Diez Ojeda María , Queiruga‐Dios Marián , Queiruga‐Dios Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2024

This research analyzes the effect of the implementation of citizen science activities in the Environmental Education (EE) subject program of the Degree in Primary Education applying Experiential Learning Theory. Environmental Attitudes Inventory (EAI) was used to measure the change in environmental attitudes (EA) of 173 preservice teachers through a pre‐test–post‐test experimental design without a control group. Participation in the training program significantly improved EA in the 12 dimensions defined in the EAI. Of the dimensions included in the second order factor Preservation, Enjoyment of nature reached the largest effect size and Environmental movement activism is the one that obtains the smallest effect size. With regard to Utilization, all dimensions presented a large effect size. No significant differences were found in EA based on the gender variable. It can be concluded that the incorporation of citizen science activities in the EE program significantly improves EA.
Differential microRNA expression in adolescent anxiety proneness
Authors: van Rensburg Danièlle Jansen , Womersley Jacqueline Samantha , Martin Lindi , Seedat Soraya , Hemmings Sian Megan Joanna
Published: August 2024

Biological mechanisms underlying anxiety proneness (AP), the tendency to react fearfully to stressors due to the belief that experiencing anxiety has harmful consequences, remain unclear. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNAs (small, non‐coding RNAs 19–20 nucleotides long), may be contributory. This study investigated AP‐associated differences in microRNA expression among South African adolescents with variable exposure to childhood trauma (CT). AP was assessed using a composite score reflecting trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity, while CT exposure was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. High‐quality total RNA (n = 88) extracted from whole blood underwent microRNA‐sequencing. Differential microRNA expression analysis was conducted with DESeq2 in R, messenger RNA target prediction analysis was performed using TargetScan and DIANA‐microT, and the DIANA mirPATH tool was used for KEGG pathway analysis. The majority of participants were female (75.86%) with an average age of 15 (±1.19) years. MicroRNA expression analysis identified upregulation of hsa‐miR‐28‐5p and downregulation of hsa‐miR‐502‐3p and hsa‐miR‐500a‐3p in high‐AP individuals, irrespective of CT. Four KEGG pathways, each with ≥10% of their constituent genes predicted to be targets of the differentially expressed microRNAs, were identified and were enriched for genes involved in calcineurin and glutamate signalling. These findings suggest that epigenetically mediated effects on neuronal function contribute to the molecular aetiology of AP.
Assessing interpretability of data‐driven fuzzy models: Application in industrial regression problems
Authors: Júnior Jorge S. S. , Gaspar Carlos , Mendes Jérôme , Premebida Cristiano
Published: August 2024

Machine Learning (ML) has attracted great interest in the modeling of systems using computational learning methods, being utilized in a wide range of advanced fields due to its ability and efficiency to process large amounts of data and to make predictions or decisions with a high degree of accuracy. However, with the increase in the complexity of the models, ML's methods have presented complex structures that are not always transparent to the users. In this sense, it is important to study how to counteract this trend and explore ways to increase the interpretability of these models, precisely where decision‐making plays a central role. This work addresses this challenge by assessing the interpretability and explainability of fuzzy‐based models. The structural and semantic factors that impact the interpretability of fuzzy systems are examined. Various metrics have been studied to address this topic, such as the Co‐firing Based Comprehensibility Index (COFCI), Nauck Index, Similarity Index, and Membership Function Center Index. These metrics were assessed across different datasets on three fuzzy‐based models: (i) a model designed with Fuzzy c‐Means and Least Squares Method, (ii) Adaptive‐Network‐based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and (iii) Generalized Additive Model Zero‐Order Takagi‐Sugeno (GAM‐ZOTS). The study conducted in this work culminates in a new comprehensive interpretability metric that covers different domains associated with interpretability in fuzzy‐based models. When addressing interpretability, one of the challenges lies in balancing high accuracy with interpretability, as these two goals often conflict. In this context, experimental evaluations were performed in many scenarios using 4 datasets varying the model parameters in order to find a compromise between interpretability and accuracy.
Young People Talk About Digital Support for Mental Health: An Online Survey of 15–30‐Year Olds in New Zealand
Authors: Garrett Susan M. , Hilder Jo , Tester Rachel , Dunlop Abby , Gardiner Tracey , Dowell Tony , Brady Soraya Kamau , Gilbert Nicole , Shippam Maggie , Tanirau Shay , Kenny Neo , McBride Caitlin , Wilson Joana , Rukuwai Ellie , Aryan Niusha , Stubbe Maria
Published: August 2024

Background

Mental distress is on the rise for young people, and there are high levels of unmet need for support. Increasingly, young people are engaging with online mechanisms of support to avoid cost and wait times; however, online support does have its limitations. We surveyed young people, 15–30 years of age, in Aotearoa New Zealand to explore their views of digital support for mental health. The aim of this study was to find out from young people what they thought about various types of online support and perceived benefits and drawbacks.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey promoted through social media advertising was used. Participants included anyone aged 15–30 years living in Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey ran for 10 weeks between February and May 2022. It included demographic questions and asked about (i) use of digital support for mental health; (ii) what digital support is best used for; (iii) best ways of publicising mental health supports to young people; and (iv) where they would choose to get information about mental health support. Questions were a mix of forced choice and free text. Participants could opt to take part in a follow‐up interview.

Results

Surveys were completed by 1471 participants; two respondents participated in an interview. A total of 641 participants had used digital support before (44%). The most used forms of digital support were websites (n = 324) and watching videos (n = 260), although these were not necessarily rated as the most helpful. Alternatives that people most wanted to try were podcasts and phone or video consultations with a counsellor or therapist. Drawbacks of digital support included privacy concerns, technical issues, lack of quality and motivation requirements. Benefits included ease of access, anonymity and a non‐threatening starting point.

Conclusions

Digital support has a place in mental health care, but strong sentiment was expressed in favour of real‐life support. It may also be worth investing in more innovative types of digital support such as online performing arts and podcasts.

Patient or Public Contribution

A group of young people were recruited as co‐researchers, had input into survey design, data analysis and interpretation and are co‐authors (list of co‐authors). Survey respondents also included young people with lived experience who are members of the general public.
Extending the process frontier of digital transformation: A flow‐oriented perspective
Authors: Mozaffar Hajar , Candi Marina
Published: August 2024

Strong interest in digital transformation to increase business value calls for new and improved theorising of the digital transformation process. Traditional perspectives fail to address the complex socio‐technological challenges and entanglement of actions at multiple levels that characterise the process. This research adopts a flow‐oriented perspective to extend the process frontier of digital transformation. This entails analysing the lines of action that intertwine to form storylines of digital transformation. Drawing on a multilevel longitudinal qualitative study, the research offers three valuable contributions: First, the paper advances the discourse on digital transformation by introducing the heretofore unrecognised phenomenon of transitional moments. Second, by introducing a novel taxonomy for lines of action, the paper demonstrates the evolving nature of the digital transformation process, surpassing conventional rational‐system model interpretations. These two contributions broaden the process frontier of digital transformation by underscoring the dynamic and continuous nature of digital transformation, emphasising its non‐linear progression, and rejecting the notion of an idealised direct path to a predefined goal. These two additions to the digital transformation discourse lay the foundations for our third contribution, which is a set of proposed research approaches for future investigations into digital transformation, regardless of research focus, phenomena, or domain.
Reproductive ecology of the sand crab (Ovalipes punctatus) population in the Yellow Sea of Korea
Authors: Lee Hyeon Gyu , Jeong Jae Mook , Choi Youn Hee
Published: August 2024

Understanding the reproductive ecology of crustaceans is important for developing appropriate resource management policies. Because the demand for sand crabs (Ovalipes punctatus) as a food resource has recently surged in Korea, their reproductive ecological characteristics should be comprehensively described. In this study, the reproductive ecological characteristics—sex ratio, female gonad maturity, abdominal width (AW), condition factor (K), and gonadosomatic index (GSI)—of individuals of O. punctatus collected from the Yellow Sea in Korea (35°15′00″N, 125°15′00″E) from January to December 2021 were examined. Based on the sex ratio (1:1.61, females:males), we determined that males were more abundant than females. The monthly K for both the males and females reached its maximum in April. The monthly GSI revealed that the males were most numerous in December, whereas the females were most abundant in May. The GSI graph indicates that the main spawning season of O. punctatus is from May to July. The AW and GSI of the females increased as their gonads matured; based on this correlation, the maturity of female individuals can be determined by examining the abdominal flap morphology. The results of histological analysis indicated that females of O. punctatus exhibit synchronous development, by which oocytes develop simultaneously. Furthermore, the size at maturity, at which more than half of the individuals participated in spawning, was 75.6 mm. The findings of this study contribute to the development of policies for the sustainable fisheries of O. punctatus.
Efficacy and safety of tegoprazan‐ and rabeprazole‐based concomitant therapies for Helicobacter pylori infection: Real‐world evidence
Authors: Jung Byung Wook , Park Chan Hyuk , Jung Yoon Suk
Published: August 2024

Background and Aim

Tegoprazan, a novel potassium‐competitive acid blocker, has been approved for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Korea. We compared the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan‐ and rabeprazole‐based concomitant therapies for H. pylori eradication in real‐world clinical practice.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with H. pylori infection treated with tegoprazan‐ or rabeprazole‐based concomitant therapies. The primary endpoint was H. pylori eradication rate. The secondary endpoint was adverse events.

Results

Among the 1474 included patients, 620 and 854 received tegoprazan‐ and rabeprazole‐based concomitant therapies, respectively. Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed no significant difference in the eradication rates between the tegoprazan‐ and rabeprazole‐based concomitant therapy groups (74.7% [95% confidence interval [CI], 71.1–78.0%] vs 72.7% [95% CI, 69.7–75.6%], P = 0.400). Per‐protocol analysis also demonstrated similar eradication rates for the groups (tegoprazan vs rabeprazole: 88.0% [95% CI, 85.0–90.6%] vs 85.9% [95% CI, 83.2–88.3%], P = 0.288). Although the overall adverse event rate did not differ between groups (tegoprazan vs rabeprazole, 39.2% vs 40.6%, P = 0.578), abdominal discomfort was less frequent in the tegoprazan group than in the rabeprazole group (1.3 vs 4.8%, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Tegoprazan‐ and rabeprazole‐based concomitant therapies for H. pylori eradication showed comparable efficacy and overall safety. The effect of tegoprazan on dose increases or other regimens, such as bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy, should be further evaluated, because the efficacy of tegoprazan‐based concomitant therapy may be suboptimal in regions where the clarithromycin resistance rate is high.
Effectiveness of high‐dose esomeprazole or pantoprazole 10‐day sequential therapy empirically prescribed in Helicobacter pylori‐infected naïve patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Pavoni Matteo , Fiorini Giulia , Zullo Angelo , Saracino Ilaria Maria , Gatta Luigi , Manta Raffaele , Imbrogno Andrea , Lazzarotto Tiziana , Borghi Claudio , Vaira Dino
Published: August 2024

Background and Aim

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common bacterial infections affecting humans, causing gastroduodenal and extraintestinal diseases. Treatment of the infection remains challenging for the clinicians, and different factors are involved in the failure of the therapeutic approach. The importance of the intensity of acid secretion inhibition remains an unclear issue. The aim of this study is to assess whether 80 mg/day esomeprazole‐based 10‐day sequential therapy (esomeprazole‐ST) achieved different eradication rates when compared to 80 mg/day pantoprazole‐based analogous regimen (pantoprazole‐ST).

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study where data of consecutive patients referred by their physicians to our unit to perform an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were analyzed.

Results

Overall, 1,327 patients were available for the analysis: 599 and 728 patients received pantoprazole‐ST and esomeprazole‐ST, respectively. Eradication rate was significantly higher in patients receiving esomeprazole‐ST (92.6%, 95% CI: 91–94.5) than pantoprazole‐ST (89.3%, 95% CI: 86.7–91.7; difference: 3.3%; 95% CI: 0.2–6.5; P = 0.037). Even after a multivariate analysis, the esomeprazole‐ST achieved a significantly higher eradiation (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.1–2.17).

Conclusions

This study showed that esomeprazole‐ST achieved significantly higher H. pylori cure rates than pantoprazole‐ST. Prospective and well‐designed trials are demander to confirm this prelaminar finding.
Should the sex of the fetus be considered when administering antenatal corticosteroids to preterm fetuses?
Authors: Şeker Erdal , Kraja Elvis , Çakır Maide Selin , Köstekçi Yasemin Ezgi , Obut Mehmet , Okulu Emel , Erdeve Ömer , Atasay Fatma Begüm , Arsan Saadet , Koç Acar
Published: August 2024

Aim

We aimed to determine whether the effect of antenatal corticosteroids (ANS) differs in male and female fetuses without anomalies born before 32 weeks in terms of mortality and short‐term morbidity.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective study included infants born before 32 weeks' gestation and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020.

Results

The study included 210 infants with a median gestational age of 28.6 weeks (24–31.6), a birth weight of 1065 g (445–2165), and an ANS use rate of 80%. Compared to female fetuses exposed to ANS, male fetuses exposed to ANS had a lower mortality rate (23% and 11%, respectively, p = 0.038), but there were no differences in intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory distress syndrome, and APGAR scores of 1st and 5th but an increased rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (moderate/severe) (p = 0.008). In addition, the mortality rate was similar in exposed and unexposed female fetuses (p = 0.850). Enzyme activities and steroid levels in the placenta might be different in male and female fetuses, which could explain the results of ANS administration.

Conclusions

In our study, we have shown that ANS has no effect on mortality in female fetuses younger than 32 weeks. Future studies may focus on adjusting the administration of ANS based on fetal sex, altering the dose or taking fetal sex into account when performing ANS.
The anatomy of mastication in a toothless mammal: Morphological characteristics of the temporomandibular joint in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
Authors: Hayashi K. , Nicol S. C. , Sugisaki M. , Amemiya T.
Published: August 2024

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a distinguishing feature of mammals, and in most mammals includes an articular disc that buffers the loads placed on it by mastication. The disc is well developed in mammals with significant lateral masticatory jaw movements but is absent in toothless mammals, including extant monotremes, although histological studies of developing monotremes have shown rudimentary discs that fail to mature. Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) grind their food between keratinous pads in the maxillae and lower jaws and are the only edentulate mammals that masticate their food. In this study, we characterize the anatomy of the TMJ of the adult platypus to see if we can reconcile the anatomy, including the absence of the articular disc, with the mandibular movements observed in video recordings. We studied the gross anatomy of the maxillofacial region and the microstructure using microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) and histological examination. Platypuses had well‐developed masticatory muscles but lacked an articular disc between the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa. The surface of the glenoid fossa was slightly concave than that of the condylar head was correspondingly slightly convex. The pre‐ and postglenoid processes were not well developed. Micro‐CT showed dense trabecular bone in the anterior part of the condyle, where the lateral pterygoid muscle attached. Histological analysis showed that the surfaces of the condyle and glenoid fossa consisted of dense, avascular and thickened fibrous connective tissue. In addition, well‐developed synovial folds were present. These anatomical characteristics are consistent with both anterior and lateral movements of the mandible, while the thick layer of connective tissue substitutes for a disc by absorbing the mechanical stresses associated with mastication. The failure of the disc primordium to develop cannot be attributed to a lack of muscle development, but the distribution of stresses in the toothless platypus jaw is likely to be different from those in a masticating eutherian.
Autonomous post‐disaster indoor navigation and survivor detection using low‐cost micro aerial vehicles
Authors: Tavasoli Sina , Poorghasem Sina , Pan Xiao , Yang T. Y. , Bao Y.
Published: August 2024

This paper introduces an innovative autonomous survivor detection pipeline tailored for low‐cost micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) operating in post‐disaster indoor environments. This consists of three main components: (1) a novel pipeline for survivor geotagging, which includes autonomous navigation, mapping, and detection of survivors using thermal images; (2) a navigation strategy to ensure complete thermal scanning coverage for survivor detection using low‐cost commercial grade thermal camera; and (3) robust and accurate survivor detection using YOLOv8x and thermal imaging. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, first, the autonomous navigation algorithm is simulated in Robotic Operating System (ROS) and experimentally validated under different layouts. Second, the YOLOv8x algorithm is pretrained and achieves high accuracy. Finally, a real‐world implementation was conducted with partially covered survivors in a simulated post‐disaster environment. The results demonstrated the proposed pipeline can accurately map the layout of the environment and identify all survivors. This study demonstrates that affordable MAVs with basic thermal cameras can be effectively used to geotag survivors to support rescue missions during post‐disaster events.
Applying up: How ethnographers powered public health changes in the United States during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Schoch‐Spana Monica
Published: August 2024

“Studying up” was Laura Nader's provocation to anthropologists to scrutinize the actions of the powerful few in relation to the ordeals of the powerless many. Engaging this lineage, this article describes CommuniVax, a rapid ethnographic research coalition supporting an equitable COVID‐19 vaccine rollout in the United States. By tapping hyperlocal knowledge as well as that held by public health and governmental authorities at higher reaches, the coalition opened the possibility for a more just pandemic response and stronger democratic institutions. The project also broke with prevailing features in the studying up tradition: It operated as a multidisciplinary collective rather than a lone ethnographer, partnered with elites rather than a priori holding them at arm's length, and emphasized pragmatic solutions over scholastic critiques. These departures embody an “applying up” modality, supporting the idea ethnographers have plural strategies for studying actors who exert strong influence over others’ lives.
Intra‐ and interindividual variability in fasted gastric content volume
Authors: Roelofs Julia J. M. , Camps Guido , Leenders Louise M. , Marciani Luca , Spiller Robin C. , Van Eijnatten Elise J. M. , Alyami Jaber , Deng Ruoxuan , Freitas Daniela , Grimm Michael , Karhunen Leila J. , Krishnasamy Shanthi , Le Feunteun Steven , Lobo Dileep N. , Mackie Alan R. , Mayar Morwarid , Weitschies Werner , Smeets Paul A. M.
Published: August 2024

Background

Gastric fluid plays a key role in food digestion and drug dissolution, therefore, the amount of gastric fluid present in a fasted state may influence subsequent digestion and drug delivery. We aimed to describe intra‐ and interindividual variation in fasted gastric content volume (FGCV) and to determine the association with age, sex, and body size characteristics.

Methods

Data from 24 MRI studies measuring FGCV in healthy, mostly young individuals after an overnight fast were pooled. The analysis included 366 participants who had up to 6 repeated measurements, with a total of 870 measurements. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to calculate intra‐ and interindividual variability and to assess the effects of age, sex, weight, height, weight*height as a proxy for body size, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

FGCV ranged from 0 to 156 mL, with a mean (± SD) value of 33 ± 25 mL. The overall coefficient of variation within the study population was 75.6%, interindividual SD was 15 mL, and the intraindividual SD was 19 mL. Age, weight, height, weight*height, and BMI had no effect on FGCV. Women had lower volumes compared to men (MD: −6 mL), when corrected for the aforementioned factors.

Conclusion

FGCV is highly variable, with higher intraindividual compared to interindividual variability, indicating that FGCV is subject to day‐to‐day and within‐day variation and is not a stable personal characteristic. This highlights the importance of considering FGCV when studying digestion and drug dissolution. Exact implications remain to be studied.
Vessel density, macula thickness and foveal avascular zone measurements in young African adults with moderate myopia: A pilot study
Authors: Munsamy Alvin J. , Monthati Lehlomela , Minenhle Mlambo , Zwelakhe Mngomezulu , Nokubongwa Ndlovu , Mthobisi Radebe
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between macula thickness and vessel density in African myopic and emmetropic eyes through the use of Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

Methods

The study population comprised African adults aged 18–35 years old. The study was conducted at a University eye clinic located in Durban, South Africa. Purposive sampling was utilised to obtain 59 participants of whom 24 were myopes and 35 were emmetropes. Vessel density (VD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and retinal thickness (RT) were obtained using the Heidelberg Spectralis OCT with angiography. Thereafter, a multivariate linear regression was used to investigate associations between the spherical equivalent myopic refractive error and VD, FAZ and RT for the myopic group only.

Results

Myopic participants had a mean spherical equivalent (MSE) and standard deviation (SD) of −4.79 D (1.27) while the emmetropic group had an MSE (SD) of −0.32 D (0.46). Both superficial and deep VD were significantly decreased at the central fovea (radius (r) = 0.4 mm), peri‐foveal (r = 1.10–1.45 mm) and para‐foveal (r = 0.75–1.10 mm) sectors in myopes when compared with emmetropes. Myopes showed a significant reduction in RT in the inner retinal layer across the inferior and temporal zones of the peri‐foveal region as well as the inferior and temporal zones of the para‐foveal region when compared with emmetropes. A significantly smaller FAZ was found at both the superficial and deep vascular plexuses (p < 0.001). In African myopes, significant associations were not found between MSE and VD or FAZ and macula retinal thickness.

Conclusion

Retinal vascular and thickness reduction may occur in young African adults with moderate myopia. A broad‐based study targeting VD and IRT in African myopes is proposed to confirm preclinical myopic macula disruptions in adults of African ethnicity. OCT angiography should be considered when monitoring progressive myopia.
Ilizarov Distraction for Congenital Pseudoarthrosis of the Tibia in Adults
Authors: Li Yaxing , Li Jia , Gan Tingjiang , Geng Qirui , Ma Xikun , Yin Shijiu , Wu Ye , Fang Xiang , Xie Huiqi , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2024

Objective

The clinical evidence on the management for congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) in adults is limited. The aim of this study is to assess the functional and radiological outcomes of Ilizarov distraction for treating CPT in adults.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted. Between 2013 and 2022, an Ilizarov distraction technique was performed on 14 adults (14 limbs) with CPT in our limb deformity center. There were seven females and seven males with a mean age of 33.7 (range, 18 ~ 53) years. The diagnosis of NF‐1 was confirmed in seven (50.0%) patients. Eight patients had a history of previous surgical failure. The pseudoarthrosis occurred in the middle and lower tibia in all limbs (six left and eight right). The CPT was classified by Crawford classification and Paley classification. The surgical procedures, external fixation time (EFT), and all outcomes and complications were recorded. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed to test the normality of the data. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle‐hindfoot score at the preoperative and final follow‐up was compared by using the Wilcoxon's signed‐rank test. The limb‐length discrepancy (LLD) and a self‐made exercise capacity score at the preoperative and final follow‐up were compared by using the student's t‐test. The clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed by the Inan scale.

Results

The mean EFT of Ilizarov fixator was 19.5 months (range, 7.3 ~ 39.1). At a median follow‐up of 26.8 months (IQR, 20.2 ~ 34.3), bone union of the pseudarthrosis and consolidation of the distraction zone were achieved in all patients. The mean LLD was decreased from 11.3 cm (range, 3.4 ~ 17.3) preoperatively to 1.1 cm (range, 0.3 ~ 3.7) (p < 0.05). The mean or median AOFAS ankle‐hindfoot score was improved from 53.5 (IQR, 26.5 ~ 60.5) preoperatively to 63.9 (range, 53 to 73) at final follow‐up (p < 0.05). The mean score for exercise capacity were improved from 4.9 (range, 1 to 8) preoperatively to 9.6 (range, 7 ~ 12) at final follow‐up (p < 0.05). According to the criteria described by Inan et al., the clinical results were classified as good in 10 and fair in 4, while the radiological results were classified as excellent in three, good in 8, and fair in 2. The success rate was 92.9%, as refracture was defined as treatment failure and occurred in one patient.

Conclusion

Ilizarov distraction provided a suitable treatment option for the CPT in adults, as it could achieve a high rate of bone union, a good correction of secondary deformity, a low risk of refracture, and consequently restore a relatively functional limb.
Focal Dome Osteotomy Combined with Ilizarov Technique for Treating Femoral Multiplanar Deformity
Authors: Li Yaxing , Li Jia , Gan Tingjiang , Gong Heng , Ma Xikun , Yin Shijiu , Qin Boquan , Wu Shizhou , Xie Huiqi , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2024

Objective

The management of femoral multiplanar deformity remains a great challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The focal dome osteotomy (FDO) combined with Ilizarov technique is a theoretically ideal method for treating femoral multiplanar deformity, but the clinical evidence is limited. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of this combined strategy for correcting femoral multiplanar deformities.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze 20 patients (29 limbs) with femoral multiplanar deformities treated by FDO combined with Ilizarov external fixation in our limb deformity center between 2017 and 2022. Preoperative and postoperative radiographical parameters were measured, including lateral proximal femoral angle (LPFA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), middle diaphysis angle (MDA), anatomic posterior distal femoral angle (aPDFA), mechanical axis deviation (MAD), and limb length discrepancy (LLD). Clinical assessments included a self‐made questionnaire for exercise capacity score (ECS), visual analog scale (VAS), and the 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) score.

Results

There were eight males and 12 females, with a mean age of 32.8 years (14–61 years). All patients completed follow‐up with a mean follow‐up duration of 41.5 (27–81) months. The mean EFT was 8.9 (1.4–20.2) months. At final follow‐up, significantly improvement was noted regarding mean LLD (from 1.8 to 0.4 cm, p < 0.05), MDA (from 31.8° to 10.4°, p < 0.05), aPDFA (from 97.6° to 91.8°, p < 0.05), MAD (from 22.4 to 5.3 mm, p < 0.05), CORA on the true deformity plane (from 32.4° to 6.8°, p < 0.05). The mean VAS was decreased from 4.03 (2.0–6.0) preoperatively to 1.38 (0–3.0) at final follow‐up (p < 0.05). The mean score of each item of SF‐36 was significantly improved at final follow‐up (p < 0.05). The mean ECS was improved from 8.2 (5–12) preoperatively to 11.4 (8–13) at final follow‐up (p < 0.05). During the follow‐up, one patient underwent pin exchange. One patient underwent internal fixation to replace the Ilizarov fixation 1.4 months after the first surgery. Residual LLD (>0.5 cm) was noted in four patients but without significant symptoms. No serious complications occurred.

Conclusions

The strategy of FDO combined with Ilizarov fixation could provide powerful ability and good flexibility for correcting femoral multiplanar deformities without significant complications.
The Gradual Correction of Rigid Pes Cavus Using Midfoot Osteotomy Combined with Ilizarov Methods
Authors: Li Yaxing , Qin Boquan , Li Jia , Yin Shijiu , Ren Yi , Wu Ye , Fang Xiang , Xie Huiqi , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2024

Objective

Midfoot osteotomy combined with Ilizarov methods of correction is a rarely reported treatment that is particularly well‐suited for severe rigid pes cavus. The study aimed to assess the radiological and clinical results of patients who had been treated for rigid pes cavus using this method.

Methods

The study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological data of 15 pes cavus in 12 patients who were corrected by midfoot osteotomy with Ilizarov external frame in our department from March 2020 to September 2022. Radiologic outcomes were measured using the Meary angle (MA), talus‐first metatarsal angle (TM1A), calcaneal varus angle (CVA) and foot length with weight‐bearing radiographs. Functional assessments were evaluated in terms of pain, function, and quality of life by using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot scale score (AOFAS), and 36‐item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36). Additionally, the postoperative satisfaction of patients was investigated by a questionnaire. The clinical and radiological results were evaluated by a paired t‐test.

Results

All patients received plantigrade feet and pain relief. The mean follow‐up was 33.1 ± 5.0 months (range from 25 to 41 months). The etiology included poliomyelitis (4), idiopathic (3), trauma (2), spina bifida (2) and tethered cord syndrome (1). The duration of gradual correction was 30.4 ± 10.6 days, and the external fixation time was 116.3 ± 33.3 days. The bony union rate was 100%. The VAS, AOFAS, and SF‐36 scores significantly improved (p < 0.05). The MA, TM1A, and CVA were close to or reached the normal range postoperative (p < 0.01). The length of each foot was well preserved, which was increased more than 0.8 cm than preoperative. No major complications were reported except two cases of mildly hindfoot varus deformity. The results of the questionnaire showed that patients' satisfaction was 92% (11/12).

Conclusion

Midfoot osteotomy combined with Ilizarov external frame proved to be a reasonable procedure with satisfying mid‐term results for the gradual correction of rigid pes cavus.
Investigating the causal relationship between major depressive disorder and benign prostatic hyperplasia: a bidirectional Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Zheng Guanghao , Xiao Shuaiyun , Cheng Yu , Huang Jianbiao , Luo Chengwei , Peng Lifen , Zeng Tao
Published: August 2024

Background

Evidence from various cohort studies indicate a potential association between depressive disorder and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), yet findings are inconsistent. This study employs bidirectional two‐sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis to explore the causal relationship between BPH and major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

Genetic variants strongly associated with MDD were extracted as instrumental variables conducted by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). Two sets of genetic variants associated with BPH were extracted from the recent FinnGen and Medical Research Council‐Integrative Epidemiology Unit Consortium of BPH as the discovery and replication stages, respectively. Bidirectional MR analysis employed methods such as inverse variance weighted, MR‐Egger, weighted median, maximum likelihood, and weighted mode. The inverse variance weighted method was primarily used to evaluate the causal relationship.

Results

MR analysis in both the discovery and replication stages showed a significant causal relationship between MDD and the risk of BPH (discovery stages, odds ratio (OR) = 1.1146, 95% CI 1.0058–1.2353, P = 0.03852; replication stage, OR: 1.0042, 95% CI 1.0019–1.0065, P = 0.0004). No causal relationship was found between BPH and MDD risk in the reverse MR analysis.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight a significant association between MDD and an increased risk of BPH development. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking depression and BPH.
Arsenical keratosis in China: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Tao Rong , Wang Ruojun
Published: August 2024

Background

Arsenical keratosis is a precancerous dermatosis which could be induced by long‐term exposure to arsenic poisoning. Arsenic is often added to traditional Chinese medicine in a non‐compliant manner to increase the effectiveness of psoriasis treatment, which is often the main cause of arsenic poisoning in Chinese patients with psoriasis.

Objectives

We performed a systemic review of arsenic keratosis during the past 32 years to better understand the sources, treatment, and prognosis of arsenic keratosis in China.

Methods

We searched Medline/PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang databases for research studies published between 1992 and 2024. A total of 64 papers with 78 individual Chinese of arsenical keratosis were included in this analysis.

Results

Of the patients included in the analysis, 92.21% of arsenic poisoning was due to iatrogenic factors: Chinese traditional medicine. Seventy‐six patients (98.70%) had skin manifestation of hyperkeratotic papules and plaques, 68 patients (88.31%) had hyperpigmentation, 43 cases (55.84%) had hypopigmentation, and only 4 had a clear indication of Mees' lines in nails. A total of 52.63% of patients presented with tumors, including squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, and basal cell carcinoma. For patients with tumors, 20 opted for surgery, 6 for radiotherapy, and 3 for PDT. All patients with only cutaneous tumors are currently well‐controlled. Death occurred in one patient with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Keratinizing papules improved significantly in 70.59% of patients treated with Acitretin Capsules.

Conclusions

In this study, arsenic sources in Chinese patients were mainly from traditional Chinese medicine, and there were no reports of exposure to water sources or occupational sources in the past 32 years. Most of the patients showed keratinizing papules and pigmentation, and more than 1/2 of the patients showed skin tumors, mainly squamous cell carcinoma. The treatments of tumors are mainly surgical treatment, PDT and radiotherapy can also be selected. The improvement in keratinizing rash was greater than 70% with acitretin capsules. Patients with this disease should be regularly followed up for early detection and timely treatment of potential malignant tumors.
CO2‐Rich Xenoliths at Mt. Vulture Volcano (Southern Italy): New Constraints on the Volcano Plumbing System
Authors: Carnevale Gabriele , Caracausi Antonio , Coltorti Massimo , Faccini Barbara , Marras Giulia , Paternoster Michele , Rotolo Silvio G. , Stagno Vincenzo , Zanon Vittorio , Zummo Filippo
Published: August 2024

This study provides new mineral chemistry data together with micro‐thermometric measurements on fluid inclusions hosted in ultramafic xenoliths (lherzolite, wehrlite, and dunite) brought to the surface by the last Mt. Vulture volcano activity (140 ka; southern Italy), and fed by melilitite‐carbonatite magmas. Petrographic evidence and mineralogical compositions of Mt. Vulture xenoliths are consistent with an origin in the upper mantle. Fluid inclusions in rock‐forming minerals of lherzolite and wehrlite xenoliths are CO2‐dominated. The equilibrium temperature calculated by geothermometric estimates ranges from 1039 C (±36°C) to 1142°C (±15°C), and entrapment pressures of fluid inclusions with post‐trapping re‐equilibration correspond to the local crust–mantle boundary (32 km depth), and to a shallow reservoir located at 12–14 km depth. These results contribute to constrain the origin of these xenoliths and the depth of storage of magmas erupted from Mt. Vulture, where carbonatite‐like metasomatism and mantle‐derived CO2 degassing occur.
Acceptability of sexual history questions in a gender‐neutral risk assessment for blood donation
Authors: Mowat Yasmin , Haire Bridget , Masser Barbara , Hoad Veronica , Heywood Anita , Thorpe Rachel , McManus Hamish , Kaldor John , McGregor Skye
Published: August 2024

Background

Currently in Australia, men are deferred from donating blood if they have had sex with another man within the past 3  months. However, a proposed gender‐neutral assessment (GNA) process will ask all donors questions about sex with new or multiple recent partners, with deferral based on responses to a question about anal sex. Understanding the acceptability of such questions among existing and potential blood donors is paramount for successful implementation of GNA.

Study Design and Methods

We used data from a nationally representative survey to estimate the levels of comfort with the proposed GNA questions among the Australian population and subgroups, defined by self‐reported ethnicity and religion. Respondents were aged over 18 and living in Australia. Results were weighted to represent the population.

Results

Most of the 5178 respondents described themselves as comfortable with answering questions about new partners (73.1%) or anal sex (64.0%) to donate blood. However, 2.2% and 4.5% indicated that questions about new sex partners and anal sex, respectively, would stop them from donating, and 4.4% and 7.7% respectively, said they were “completely uncomfortable.” By religion, the least comfortable were Muslim or Eastern Orthodox respondents, and by country of birth, the least comfortable were those born in the Middle East, followed by those born in Southern Europe and Asia.

Discussion

GNA appears to be broadly acceptable in the Australian context, but our findings suggest that key GNA questions are less acceptable in some population subgroups, indicating a need for targeted campaigns that consider cultural sensitivities.
Topology of Edge Contracted Möbius Ladder: Indices and Dimension
Authors: Saleem Hafsa , Husin Mohamad Nazri , Ali Shahbaz , Hameed Muhammad Shazib , Ahmad Zaheer
Published: August 2024

Assigning numbers to graphs serves as a fundamental tool in graph theory and enables various analytical, computational, and visualization techniques for studying and understanding graph structures and properties. Edge Contraction is a process that separates edges from the graph while also joining the two previously linked vertices. In this paper, we study metric dimension and degree-based topological indices of Möbius Ladder and edge contracted Möbius Ladder like first Zagreb index, second Zagreb index, first Zagreb Hyper index, second Zagreb Hyper index, Augmented Zagreb index, Randic index, general Randic index, and Harmonic index.
Multi-epitope Vaccine Design against Grouper Iridovirus (GIV) Using Immuno-bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Ishak Nur Farahin , Azemin Wan-Atirah , Low Chen Fei , Nor Muhammad Nor Azlan , Shamsir Mohd Shahir , Razali Siti Aisyah
Published: August 2024

Grouper Iridovirus (GIV) infection induced cell death in grouper spleen cells and caused serious systemic diseases with more than 90% mortality. Therefore, effective strategies are critically needed to prevent economic losses and maintain the sustainability of grouper aquaculture. Using immuno-bioinformatics, this study aimed to create a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) that would be effective against GIV. The GIV major capsid protein sequences were retrieved from the NCBI proteome database. Out of 284 epitopes, 17 CTL, 12 HTL, and 10 B-cell epitopes were predicted to be antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic. 10 highly antigenic and overlapping epitopes were shortlisted. To generate full-length epitope vaccine candidates, the selected antigenic epitopes were fused with linkers and adjuvants. Four sets of different linker combinations (no linker, GGS, EAAK, GGGS, GPGPG, KK, and AAY) were tested and compared for their antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity using several servers. Molecular dynamics simulations with GROMACS were used on the modelled 3D structures to examine their stability. The results of vaccine candidate sequences screening and MD simulation predicted that the structure with GGS linker is relatively stable with a high antigenic index, non-allergenic, and non-toxic. The designed MEV in the present study could be a potential candidate for further vaccine production process against GIV.