bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investor perspective on impact-driven startups – the prioritization of certainty
Authors: Eckerle Christin , Finner Ann-Sophie , Terzidis Orestis
Published: June 2024

Purpose

In this study, the authors dive into the assessment process of startups by impact investors. In particular, the purpose of this study is to investigate the preferences impact investors place on different social and environmental criteria. The authors build on social learning theory to understand the underlying rationale of the investors.

Design/methodology/approach

With this research, the authors simplify the impact category system by conducting a systematic literature review. The authors then validate these criteria with a survey of 69 impact investors in Europe.

Findings

The results highlight the prioritization of quantifying impact and a discrepancy between essential and desirable impact categories. Due to the clear and significant results changing with the target market and startup stage focus, the authors assume a tendency of homophily of impact investors.

Originality/value

With this empirical study, the authors offer strategic implications for investors and startups as the authors decrease the complexity of impact categories while validating their significance in the impact assessment process.
Introduction: Histories of abortion beyond Roe
Authors: Frydman Hannah , Reynolds Melissa
Published: June 2024

This introduction to the forum of articles on ‘Histories of abortion beyond Roe’ addresses the difficulty of telling abortion (hi)stories without reference to the procedure's legal status. A brief survey of the history of reproductive medical interventions and recent scholarship on US abortion history illustrates how the contemporary concept of ‘abortion’ emerged only once abortion could be narrativised in medical and legal terms as an intentional act. Thus, the stories told about abortion had and continue to have the power to shape abortion's meaning, its history and even its legal status, as summaries of the forum's three articles illustrate.
Does educational attainment matter for attitudes toward immigrants in Chile? Assessing the causality and generalizability of higher education's so‐called “liberalizing effect” on economic and cultural threat
Authors: Velásquez Paolo
Published: June 2024

Despite a large literature consistently showing a relationship between higher levels of education and lower levels of ethnic prejudice, some points of contention remain. First, it remains unclear whether education has a causal effect on attitudes, mainly due to a lack of longitudinal studies. Second, due to the majority of studies on prejudice being conducted in Europe and North America, we do not know to what extent the inverse relationship between education and prejudice is generalizable beyond the “global North.” To answer these questions, I study attitudes toward immigrants in Chile in the years 2016–2022, using six waves of the Chilean Longitudinal Social Survey. Chile provides new variations in economic and cultural factors, with its stable albeit highly unequal economy, and increased immigration from culturally similar countries which shed light on possible scope conditions of the so‐called liberalizing effect of education. I analyze whether attaining more education has an effect on reducing levels of perceived economic and cultural threat. The findings show that increases in education are associated with both lower levels of perceived economic and cultural threat, with education having a stronger effect on the latter.
Innovations in nondestructive assessment of baked products: Current trends and future prospects
Authors: Olakanmi Sunday J. , Bharathi Vimala S. K. , Jayas Digvir S. , Paliwal Jitendra
Published: June 2024

Rising consumer awareness, coupled with advances in sensor technology, is propelling the food manufacturing industry to innovate and employ tools that ensure the production of safe, nutritious, and environmentally sustainable products. Amidst a plethora of nondestructive techniques available for evaluating the quality attributes of both raw and processed foods, the challenge lies in determining the most fitting solution for diverse products, given that each method possesses its unique strengths and limitations. This comprehensive review focuses on baked goods, wherein we delve into recently published literature on cutting‐edge nondestructive methods to assess their feasibility for Industry 4.0 implementation. Emphasizing the need for quality control modalities that align with consumer expectations regarding sensory traits such as texture, flavor, appearance, and nutritional content, the review explores an array of advanced methodologies, including hyperspectral imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, terahertz, acoustics, ultrasound, X‐ray systems, and infrared spectroscopy. By elucidating the principles, applications, and impacts of these techniques on the quality of baked goods, the review provides a thorough synthesis of the most current published studies and industry practices. It highlights how these methodologies enable defect detection, nutritional content prediction, texture evaluation, shelf‐life forecasting, and real‐time monitoring of baking processes. Additionally, the review addresses the inherent challenges these nondestructive techniques face, ranging from cost considerations to calibration, standardization, and the industry's overreliance on big data.
Mechanisms underlying the formation of main volatile odor sulfur compounds in foods during thermal processing
Authors: Luo Dongsheng , Tian Binqiang , Li Jingxin , Zhang Wentao , Bi Shuang , Fu Bo , Jing Yanqiu
Published: June 2024

Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) significantly influence food flavor and garner considerable attention in flavor research due to their low sensory thresholds, diverse odor attributes, and high reactivity. Extensive research studies have explored VSC formation through thermal processes such as the Maillard reaction, thermal pyrolysis, oxidation, and enzymatic reactions. However, understanding of the specific reaction mechanisms and processes remains limited. This is due to the dispersed nature of existing studies, the undefined intermediates involved, and the complexity of the matrices and processing conditions. Given these limitations, the authors have shifted their focus from foods to sulfides. The structure, source, and chemical characteristics of common precursors (sulfur‐containing amino acids and derivatives, thiamine, thioglucoside, and lentinic acid) and their corresponding reactive intermediates (hydrogen sulfide, thiol, alkyl sulfide, alkyl sulfenic acid, and thial) are provided, and the degradation mechanisms, reaction rules, and matrix conditions are summarized based on their chemical characteristics. Additionally, the VSC formation processes in several typical foods during processing are elucidated, adhering to these identified rules. This article provides a comprehensive overview of VSCs, from precursors and intermediates to end products, and is crucial for understanding the mechanisms behind VSC formation and managing the flavor qualities of processed foods.
Exploring the potential causal effects of food preferences on irritable bowel syndrome risk: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Tao , Li Xiao Ang , Duan Li Ping
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder in gut–brain interaction. Diet plays an important role in the pathophysiology of IBS. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential causal effects of food‐liking on IBS to provide better diet advice for patients.

Methods

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms associated with food‐liking were selected as instrumental variables, which were obtained from the latest genome‐wide association study (GWAS) conducted on 161 625 participants. The summary data of genetic associations with IBS were obtained from a recent GWAS with 433 201 European controls and 53 400 cases. We used inverse variance weighting as the main analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to detect horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity.

Results

Significant evidence revealed the protective effects of a vegetarian diet‐liking on IBS, including asparagus, avocadoes, globe artichoke, aubergine, and black olives, while onion‐liking showed potential deleterious effects. For meat and fish, preference for sardines and fried fish was marginally associated with IBS risk, but salami and salmon were potential protective factors. In terms of desserts and dairy products, preferences for cake icing, ketchup, and cheesecake were suggestively associated with higher IBS risk, while goat cheese‐liking was marginally correlated with lower IBS risk. Additionally and suggestively, significant causal effects of IBS on increased preferences for globe artichoke and salami were also found in a reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Conclusion

Our study revealed potential causal associations between food preference and IBS from a genetic perspective, which provides a dietary reference for such patients.
Multi‐species for multifunctional grassland: Evaluation of minor and novel forage species for temperate humid grasslands
Authors: Thielecke Dietrun , Isselstein Johannes , Komainda Martin
Published: June 2024

One pillar of sustainable agriculture is grassland resilient and resistant to climate perturbation and capable of attaining multiple services. Novel or exotic and, so far, minor or underutilised plant species may become increasingly important against this background and exploration of such plant species seems of importance to maintain grassland functioning. We chose a set of 21 dicotyledonous plant species from seven botanical families. The set included 10 legumes, of which four were, so far, not used in temperate climate grassland and are named exotic henceforward. The other species are named minor as they are mostly not in widespread use. We evaluated different plant functions including herbage accumulation, herbage quality and functional traits in a pilot study under semi‐controlled conditions under increased temperatures compared to ambient conditions. The factor species had a significant influence (p < .001, F‐test) on all target variables, including the leaf dry matter content, the herbage biomass and the protein contents. All studied species had a high concentration of organic matter in the dry‐matter, had low concentrations of neutral detergent fibre and reached relatively large protein concentrations. In addition, fibre‐bound protein concentration was low resulting in pre‐caecal digestible protein concentrations that meet the nutritional requirements of horses. In contrast, protein concentrations were often too low for intensive livestock feeding. Since no fertiliser N was applied, non‐legumes accumulated on average 29% less herbage than legumes. The exotic legumes accumulated the highest herbage biomass on average while the minor legumes produced on average 22% less. Of the exotic legumes, Bituminaria bituminosa and Hedysarum coronarium were within the upper quartile for herbage accumulation. Plant functional traits of several species were in similar ranges showing potential for mixture design to follow traits rather than species. The study may pave the way for informed breeding of distinct plant species on the basis of relevant traits in order to improve herbage provision in the future under ongoing climate changes.
Prophylactic senolytic treatment in aged mice reduces seizure severity and improves survival from Status Epilepticus
Authors: Khan Tahiyana , Hussain Abbas I. , Casilli Timothy P. , Frayser Logan , Cho Michelle , Williams Gabrielle , McFall David , Forcelli Patrick A.
Published: June 2024

Increased vulnerability to seizures in aging has been well documented both clinically and in various models of aging in epilepsy. Seizures can exacerbate cognitive decline that is already prominent in aging. Senescent cells are thought to contribute to cognitive impairment in aging and clearing senescent cells with senolytic drugs improves cognitive function in animal models. It remains unclear whether senescent cells render the aged brain vulnerable to seizures. Here, we demonstrate that prophylactic senolytic treatment with Dasatinib and Quercetin (D&Q) reduced both seizure severity and mortality in aged C57BL/6J mice. We subjected the D&Q and VEH‐treated aged mice to spatial memory testing before and after an acute seizure insult, Status Epilepticus [SE], which leads to epilepsy development. We found that senolytic therapy improved spatial memory before injury, however, spatial memory was not rescued after SE. Senescence‐related proteins p16 and senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase were reduced in D&Q‐treated aged mice. Our findings indicate that senescent cells increase seizure susceptibility in aging. Thus, prophylactically targeting senescent cells may prevent age‐related seizure vulnerability.
Prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in foster care: A scoping review
Authors: Engesether Bailey , Hoffner Mercedes , Johnson Erika , Klug Marilyn G. , Popova Svetlana , Burd Larry
Published: June 2024

The prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has been reported to be disproportionately high among children in foster care compared with the general population. However, updated prevalence estimates of infants and children with FASD in foster care or the prevalence of placement of children with FASD in foster care make this unclear. This study examines two questions. Firstly, what is the prevalence of FASD among infants and children in foster care? Secondly, what is the likelihood of placement in foster care for infants and children with FASD? This review was designed using PRISMA‐SCR and JBI scoping review guidelines. Three databases were searched for the period June 2012 to June 2023: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Google Scholar for all countries. Overall prevalence estimates were calculated using a complementary log–log link model along with 95% confidence intervals. Firstly, the estimated prevalence of FASD among infants and children in foster care was 18.8%. Secondly, among children diagnosed with FASD 30.5% are placed into foster care, reflecting greatly increased risk of placement of infants and children with FASD in foster care. We conclude that routine screening for FASD is needed to improve the identification of infants and children with FASD. Increased attention is also needed on developing strategies for FASD prevention. Recognition that nearly one of every three children with FASD will enter foster care demonstrates the need for increased funding, enhanced training and greater availability of services for families and children impacted by FASD.
The politics of rejection: Explaining Chinese import refusals
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Perlman Rebecca L. , Zeng Grace
Published: June 2024

Health and safety standards offer a convenient means by which governments can claim to be protecting the population, even while pursuing more parochial goals. In the realm of international trade, such standards have most often been studied as a means of veiled protectionism. Yet precisely because health and safety standards create ambiguity about their intent, nations may seek to use them for goals that extend well beyond protecting domestic industry. We theorize that governments will, at times, enforce regulations in ways intended to exact political retribution. To show this, we collect original data on import refusals by Chinese border inspectors between 2011 and 2019. Though ostensibly intended to keep dangerous products out of the hands of Chinese consumers, we demonstrate that import refusals have systematically been used by the Chinese government as a way to punish states that act against China's interest.
Impacts of cytoplasmic p53 aggregates on the prognosis and the transcriptome in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Nishitsuji Kazuchika , Mito Remi , Ikezaki Midori , Yano Hiromu , Fujiwara Yukio , Matsubara Eri , Nishikawa Taro , Ihara Yoshito , Uchimura Kenji , Iwahashi Naoyuki , Sakagami Takuro , Suzuki Makoto , Komohara Yoshihiro
Published: June 2024

The tumor suppressor TP53 gene, the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers, produces the product tumor protein p53, which plays an essential role in DNA damage. p53 protein mutations may contribute to tumorigenesis by loss of tumor suppressive functions and malignancy of cancer cells via gain‐of‐oncogenic functions. We previously reported that mutant p53 proteins form aggregates and that cytoplasmic p53 aggregates were associated with poor prognosis in human ovarian cancer. However, the prognostic impact of p53 aggregation in other tumors including lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that lung SCC cases with cytoplasmic p53 aggregates had a significantly poor clinical prognosis. Analysis via patient‐derived tumor organoids (PDOs) established from lung SCC patients and possessing cytoplasmic p53 aggregates showed that eliminating cytoplasmic p53 aggregates suppressed cell proliferation. RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis of p53 aggregate‐harboring PDOs indicated multiple candidate pathways involved in p53 aggregate oncogenic functions. With lung SCC‐derived cell lines, we found that cytoplasmic p53 aggregates contributed to cisplatin resistance. This study thus shows that p53 aggregates are a predictor of poor prognosis in lung SCC and suggests that detecting p53 aggregates via p53 conventional immunohistochemical analysis may aid patient selection for platinum‐based therapy.
Resource use and costs of transitioning from paediatric to adult care for patients with chronic endocrine disease
Authors: Choukair Daniela , Mittnacht Janna , Treiber Dorothea , Hoffmann Georg F. , Grasemann Corinna , Huebner Angela , Berner Reinhard , Burgard Peter , Szendroedi Julia , Bettendorf Markus
Published: June 2024

Objective

Structured transition of adolescents and young adults with a chronic endocrine disease from paediatric to adult care is important. Until now, no data on time and resources required for the necessary components of the transition process and the associated costs are available.

Design, Patients and Measurements

In a prospective cohort study of 147 patients with chronic endocrinopathies, for the key elements of a structured transition pathway including (i) assessment of patients' disease‐related knowledge and needs, (ii) required education and counselling sessions, (iii) compiling an epicrisis and a transfer appointment of the patient together with the current paediatric and the future adult endocrinologist resource consumption and costs were determined.

Results

One hundred and forty‐three of 147 enroled patients (97.3%) completed the transition pathway and were transferred to adult care. The mean time from the decision to start the transition process to the final transfer consultation was 399 ± 159 days. Transfer consultations were performed in 143 patients, including 128 patients jointly with the future adult endocrinologist. Most consultations were performed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a paediatric and adult endocrinologist, psychologist, nurse, and a social worker acting also as a case manager with a median of three team members and lasted 87.6 ± 23.7 min. The mean cumulative costs per patient of all key elements were 519 ± 206 Euros. In addition, costs for case management through the transition process were 104.8 ± 28.0 Euros.

Conclusions

Using chronic endocrine diseases as an example, it shows how to calculate the time and cost of a structured transition pathway from paediatric to adult care, which can serve as a starting point for sustainable funding for other chronic rare diseases.
General and dermatological population's use and acceptance of digital health in Germany – a representative survey
Authors: Reinders Patrick , Augustin Matthias , Otten Marina
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives

Adoption and acceptance of digital health services (DHS) in the German population and in persons with skin diseases is unclear. Both factors were analyzed in this survey.

Methods

A standardized survey with items on digital competences and attitudes, use and acceptance of DHS was applied to a representative sample of the German adult population. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results

Out of 2,101 participants, 29.9% reported having had skin diseases in the last 12 months. Among them, adoption and acceptance were at 43.6% and 52.3%, respectively. Both values are significantly higher compared to participants without skin diseases (29.2%; p < 0.01 and 45.5%; p < 0.01). 18.9% of participants with a skin disease used digital diagnostic support, but only 9.7% applied it for a skin disease (p < 0.01). For all participants, with and without skin disease, the DHS most commonly used were passive health monitoring (14.3%) and diagnostic support (11.5%), telemedicine was least used (4.7% video‐consultation, 2.5% store‐and‐forward). Use and acceptance were associated with young age, education, low data privacy concerns, digital confidence, having a skin disease, and high severity of skin disease.

Conclusions

DHS for skin diseases are used rarely but have a high potential.
Smartphone application for artificial intelligence‐based evaluation of stool state during bowel preparation before colonoscopy
Authors: Inaba Atsushi , Shinmura Kensuke , Matsuzaki Hiroki , Takeshita Nobuyoshi , Wakabayashi Masashi , Sunakawa Hironori , Nakajo Keiichiro , Murano Tatsuro , Kadota Tomohiro , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Yano Tomonori
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Colonoscopy (CS) is an important screening method for the early detection and removal of precancerous lesions. The stool state during bowel preparation (BP) should be properly evaluated to perform CS with sufficient quality. This study aimed to develop a smartphone application (app) with an artificial intelligence (AI) model for stool state evaluation during BP and to investigate whether the use of the app could maintain an adequate quality of CS.

Methods

First, stool images were collected in our hospital to develop the AI model and were categorized into grade 1 (solid or muddy stools), grade 2 (cloudy watery stools), and grade 3 (clear watery stools). The AI model for stool state evaluation (grades 1–3) was constructed and internally verified using the cross‐validation method. Second, a prospective study was conducted on the quality of CS using the app in our hospital. The primary end‐point was the proportion of patients who achieved Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) ≥6 among those who successfully used the app.

Results

The AI model showed mean accuracy rates of 90.2%, 65.0%, and 89.3 for grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The prospective study enrolled 106 patients and revealed that 99.0% (95% confidence interval 95.3–99.9%) of patients achieved a BBPS ≥6.

Conclusion

The proportion of patients with BBPS ≥6 during CS using the developed app exceeded the set expected value. This app could contribute to the performance of high‐quality CS in clinical practice.
Taylorella equigenitalis in Icelandic intact males compared with other horse breeds using natural cover
Authors: Grabatin Markus , Fux Robert , Zablotski Yury , Goehring Lutz S. , Witte Tanja S.
Published: June 2024

Background

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is caused by Taylorella equigenitalis. It is a venereal disease that is detected in some breeds more than others and can cause temporary infertility with substantial costs for regular testing, sanitation and retesting. There was a perceived increase in T. equigenitalis‐positive cases in Icelandic intact males where natural cover is common.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic intact males and compare to draught horse and Haflinger intact males. We hypothesised that prevalence of T. equigenitalis is higher in Icelandic compared with draught and Haflinger intact males.

Study design

Cross sectional.

Methods

Swabs from 76 Icelandic, 35 Haflinger, and 51 draught horse intact males were collected on 38 different farms and analysed by qPCR. Animals were further stratified into active breeding and non‐breeding animals and age groups (1.5–7.0 and 8.0–26.0 years). Fisher's exact tests and mixed effect logistic regression with ‘farm’ as random effect were used to estimate differences in odds for T. equigenitalis‐positive test results.

Results

The overall prevalence of T. equigenitalis in included intact males was 16.7% (27/162). The odds for T. equigenitalis‐positive intact males were significantly higher in Icelandic compared with draught and Haflinger intact males (Odds ratio [OR] = 6.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43–28.8, p = 0.02). Odds for T. equigenitalis‐positive intact males were significantly lower in active breeding compared with non‐breeding animals (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.01–0.54, p = 0.009). Age had no significant influence on test results.

Main limitations

Convenience sampling with regional restrictions to Southern Germany and Austria, small sample size.

Conclusions

Significantly higher odds for T. equigenitalis‐positive intact males were found within Icelandic over draught and Haflinger and within non‐breeding animals compared with active breeding animals. Findings suggest that non‐breeding animals could be a reservoir for T. equigenitalis. Testing for CEM should therefore be routinely performed in Icelandic horses prior to breeding and investigations into epidemiology and reservoirs on affected farms should be initiated.
Oral and oropharyngeal NUT carcinoma: a multicentre screening study of poorly differentiated oral cancer
Authors: Liang Zuoyu , Tang Yaling , Li Ci , Xie Gang , Chen Min , Zhou Ping , Li Mengqian , Wang Yan , Yu Xuejiao , Tang Yuan , Wang Jing , Bao Ji , Jiang Lili , Wang Weiya
Published: June 2024

Background and aims

Nuclear protein testis (NUT) carcinoma (NC) is a rare and highly aggressive tumour characterised by chromosomal rearrangement of the nuclear protein testis family member 1 (NUTM1) gene, also known as the NUT gene. NC occurs mainly in the head and neck, mediastinum and lung. In general, primary NC in the oral cavity is extremely rare and reported sporadically.

Methods

A total of 111 formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded specimens of poorly differentiated oral and oropharyngeal tumours were collected from 10 hospitals. NUT protein IHC staining was performed on these samples, and fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation (FISH) and RNA sequencing detection were further carried out for NUT IHC‐positive cases.

Results

The expression of NUT protein in tumour cells was detected in five cases (five of 111, 4.5%). The tumours in these cases were located in the oral floor, lip, base of the tongue, gingiva and hard palate. FISH detection results showed BRD4::NUT rearrangement in three patients and a non‐BRD4::NUT rearrangement pattern in two patients. RNA sequencing results confirmed BRD4::NUT rearrangement in two cases.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first and largest retrospective study of oral NC, and we found that NC is easily misdiagnosed as poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or poorly differentiated carcinoma. The morphology and immunophenotype of four NC cases were similar to SCC, and abrupt keratinisation was observed in three cases. Therefore, it is necessary to detect NUT protein for NC screening in oral malignant tumours with these morphologies, especially for young patients who are more likely to be misdiagnosed with other types of cancer.
Diandric triploid partial mole versus digynic nonmolar triploidy: is morphological assessment sufficient for the diagnostic distinction?
Authors: Nagy Agnes , Niu Na , Sun Tong , Buza Natalia , Hui Pei
Published: June 2024

Aims

Diagnostic separation of diandric triploid gestation, i.e. partial mole from digynic triploid gestation, is clinically relevant, as the former may progress to postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The aim of the study was to investigate if the combination of abnormal histology combined with ploidy analysis‐based triploidy is sufficient to accurately diagnose partial mole.

Methods and Results

A genotype–phenotype correlation study was undertaken to reappraise histological parameters among 20 diandric triploid gestations and 22 digynic triploid gestations of comparable patient age, gestational weeks, and clinical presentations. Two villous populations, irregular villous contours, pseudoinclusions, and syncytiotrophoblast knuckles, were common in both groups. Villous size ≥2.5 mm, cistern formation, trophoblastic hyperplasia, and syncytiotrophoblast lacunae were significantly more common in the partial hydatidiform mole. Cistern formation had the highest positive predictive value (PPV) (93%) and highest specificity (96%) for diandric triploid gestation, although the sensitivity was 70%. Cistern formation combined with villous size ≥2.5 mm or trophoblast hyperplasia or syncytiotrophoblast lacunae had 100% specificity and PPV, but a marginal sensitivity of 60%–65%. A moderate interobserver agreement (Kappa = 0.57, Gwet's AC1 = 0.59) was achieved among four observers who assigned diagnosis of diandric triploid gestation or digynic triploidy solely based on histology.

Conclusions

None of histological parameters are unique to either diandric triploid gestation or digynic triploid gestation. Cistern formation is the most powerful discriminator, with 93% PPV and 70% sensitivity for diandric triploid gestation. While cistern formation combined with either trophoblastic hyperplasia or villous size ≥2.5 mm or syncytiotrophoblast lacunae has 100% PPV and specificity for diandric triploid gestation, the sensitivity is only 60% to 65%. Therefore, in the presence of triploidy, histological assessment is unable to precisely classify 35% to 40% of diandric triploid gestations or partial moles.
Prevalence of anal high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) types in people living with HIV and a history of cancer
Authors: Barquet‐Muñoz Salim A. , López‐Morales Roxana A. , Stier Elizabeth A. , Mejorada‐Pulido Emmanuel , Solís‐Ramírez Diego , Jay Naomi , Moctezuma Paulina , Morales‐Aguirre Mariel , García‐Carrancá Alejandro , Méndez‐Martínez Rocío , Martin‐Onraët Alexandra , Pérez‐Montiel Delia , Mendoza‐Palacios María José , Volkow Patricia
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) types in the anal canal in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) with a history of malignancy.

Setting

Referral tertiary care hospital for adult patients with cancer.

Methods

We reviewed data of patients from the AIDS Cancer Clinic on antiretroviral therapy in chronic control who were consecutively referred for high‐resolution anoscopy (HRA), where they underwent anal evaluation, collection of specimens for anal cytology and anal human papillomavirus (HPV) followed by HRA with directed biopsy if needed.

Results

A total of 155 patients were included; 149 (96.1%) were men, all of them men who have sex with men (MSM); the median age was 39 (IQR 32‐47) years; 105 (67.7%) with Kaposi sarcoma, 40 (25.8%) with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and 10 (6.4%) with other neoplasms; only 7 (4.5%) had active cancer. The prevalence of HR‐HPV infection was 89% (n=138) (95% CI 83–93) with at least one HR‐HPV infection, and 62% (96) had coinfection with at least two types; the median HR‐HPV types of coinfection were 3 (IQR 2–4). The number of patients infected with HPV 16 was 64 (41.3%, 95% CI 33.8–49.3), HPV 18 was 74 (47.7%, 95% CI 39.9–55.7) and with both 35 (22.6%). Some 59 patients (38%) had high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 49 (31.6%) had low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). The prevalence of HR‐HPV and HSIL among patients aged ≤35 and >35 years was the same.

Conclusions

In this cohort of PLWHIV with a history of malignancy we found a high prevalence of HR‐HPV 16 and 18 and anal HSIL, even in persons aged ≤35 years. These data highlight the importance of anal cancer screening in PLWHIV and history of malignancy.
Inflammatory microenvironment of moderate pulpitis enhances the osteo‐/odontogenic potential of dental pulp stem cells by autophagy
Authors: Yu Si , Liu Xue‐Mei , Liu Yao , Tang Lu , Lei Shuang , Geng Chang , Yuan Zhengwei , Chen Xu
Published: June 2024

Aim

This study investigated the effects of the inflammatory microenvironment of moderate pulpitis on biological properties of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and further explored the mechanism involved in osteo‐/odontogenic induction of the inflammatory microenvironment.

Methodology

Healthy DPSCs (hDPSCs) and inflammatory DPSCs (iDPSCs) were isolated from human‐impacted third molars free of caries and clinically diagnosed with moderate pulpitis, respectively. Healthy DPSCs were treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to mimic iDPSCs in vitro. The surface markers expressed on hDPSCs and iDPSCs were detected by flow cytometry. A CCK‐8 assay was performed to determine cell proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. The osteo‐/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs was evaluated by western blot, alkaline phosphatase staining, and Alizarin Red S staining. The functions of the genes of differentially expressed mRNAs of hDPSCs and iDPSCs were analysed using gene set enrichment analysis. Transmission electron microscopy and western blot were used to evaluate the autophagy changes of LPS‐treated DPSCs.

Results

Compared with hDPSCs, iDPSCs showed no significant difference in proliferative capacity but had stronger osteo‐/odontogenic potential. In addition, the mRNAs differentially expressed between iDPSCs and hDPSCs were considerably enriched in autophagosome formation and assembly‐related molecules. In vitro mechanism studies further found that low concentrations of LPS could upregulate DPSC autophagy‐related protein expression and autophagosome formation and promote its odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation, whereas the inhibition of DPSC autophagy led to the weakening of the odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation induced by LPS.

Conclusions

This explorative study showed that DPSCs isolated from teeth with moderate pulpitis possessed higher osteo‐/odontogenic differentiation capacity, and the mechanism involved was related to the inflammatory microenvironment‐mediated autophagy of DPSCs. This helps to better understand the repair potential of inflamed dental pulp and provides the biological basis for pulp preservation and hard tissue formation in minimally invasive endodontics.
The effect of music therapy on non‐stress test results and anxiety levels in high‐risk pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: E. Aksoy Yasemin , D. Yilmaz Sema , Kiliç Süreyya
Published: June 2024

Aim

This study was conducted to determine the effects of music therapy on non‐stress test results and anxiety levels in high‐risk pregnant women.

Methods

This randomized controlled study was conducted in pregnant women who were hospitalized in the High‐Risk Pregnancy Service of Meram Medical Faculty Hospital, Konya, Turkey, between April 1 and July 31, 2021. In the intervention group (n = 58), a 20‐min music therapy with ney sounds was performed, while in the control group (n = 58), routine care practices were applied. Hüseyni maqam of ney was selected, a melodic mode used by Turks for music therapy. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, the Non‐Stress Test Evaluation Form, and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results

After music therapy, the intervention group experienced increased mean acceleration (p = 0.010) and foetal movement rates (p < 0.001) while no such difference was observed in the control group. The state anxiety levels of pregnant women differed significantly between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that music therapy reduced state anxiety levels in pregnant women by a factor of 4.6 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Based on the findings, music therapy was found to enhance acceleration and foetal heart rate in high‐risk pregnant women while reducing state anxiety levels.
Association of Symptoms and Viral Culture Positivity for SARS‐CoV‐2—Tennessee, April–July 2020
Authors: Biddle Jessica E. , Bonenfant Gaston , Grijalva Carlos G. , Zhu Yuwei , Halasa Natasha B. , Chappell James D. , Mellis Alexandra , Reed Carrie , Talbot H. Keipp , Zhou Bin , Rolfes Melissa A.
Published: June 2024

Background

Understanding how symptoms are associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 culture positivity is important for isolation and transmission control guidelines.

Methods

Individuals acutely infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 in Tennessee and their household contacts were recruited into a prospective study. All participants self‐collected nasal swabs daily for 14 days and completed symptom diaries from the day of illness onset through day 14 postenrollment. Nasal specimens were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 using RT‐qPCR. Positive specimens with cycle threshold values < 40 were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for viral culture. First, we modeled the association between symptoms and the risk of culture positivity using an age‐adjusted generalized additive model (GAM) accounting for repeated measurements within participants and a symptom‐day spline. Next, we investigated how timing of symptom resolution was associated with the timing of culture resolution.

Results

In a GAM restricted to follow‐up days after symptoms began, the odds of a specimen being culture positive was significantly increased on days when wheezing, loss of taste or smell, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fever, or any symptom were reported. For all symptoms except sore throat, it was more common for participants to have culture resolution before symptom resolution than for culture to resolve after or on the same day as symptom resolution.

Conclusions

Overall, symptomatic individuals were more likely to be SARS‐CoV‐2 viral culture positive. For most symptoms, culture positivity was more likely to end before symptoms resolved. However, a proportion of individuals remained culture positive after symptom resolved, across all symptoms.
The association of dietary indices for hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance with the risk of metabolic syndrome: a population‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Seifi Najmeh , Bahari Hossein , Foroumandi Elaheh , Hasanpour Elahe , Nikoumanesh Mahya , Ferns Gordon A. , Esmaily Habibollah , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid
Published: June 2024

We aimed to investigate the association between an empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), empirical dietary index for insulin resistance (EDIR), and MetS and its components in an adult Iranian population. In this cross‐sectional study, a total of 6482 participants aged 35–65 years were recruited as part of the MASHAD cohort study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used to define MetS. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between EDIH, EDIR, and MetS and its components.

The mean age and BMI of participants were 48.44±8.20 years, and 27.98±4.73 kg/m2, respectively. Around 59% of the population was female. Of the total population, 35.4% had MetS. According to the full‐adjusted model, there was no significant association between higher quartiles of EDIH and EDIR and odds of MetS (Q4 EDIH; OR (95%CI):0.93 (0.74‐1.18), Q4 EDIR; OR (95%CI):1.14 (0.92‐1.40). Regarding MetS components, EDIR was associated with increased odds of hypertension and diabetes (Q4 EDIR; OR (95%CI):1.22 (1.04‐1.44) and 1.22 (1.01‐1.47), respectively). EDIH was also associated with decreased odds of hypertriglyceridemia (Q4 EDIH; OR (95%CI): 0.72 (0.60‐0.87)). This study showed no significant association between hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance potential of diet and odds of MetS among Iranian adults. However, EDIR was significantly associated with increased odds of hypertension and diabetes as MetS components.
Antihypertensive effect of esaxerenone and correlation between brachial and wrist home monitoring devices in patients with nocturnal hypertension: A post hoc analysis of the EARLY‐NH study
Authors: Kario Kazuomi , Shiosakai Kazuhito , Taguchi Takashi
Published: June 2024

Adequate management of nocturnal hypertension is crucial to reduce the risk of organ damage and cardiovascular events. The EARLY‐NH study was a prospective, open‐label, multicenter study conducted in Japanese patients with nocturnal hypertension who received esaxerenone treatment for 12 weeks. This post hoc analysis aimed to assess (1) the relationship between changes in morning home systolic blood pressure (SBP), bedtime home SBP, and nighttime home SBP based on changes in SBP and achievement rates of target SBP levels; and (2) the correlation between nighttime home SBP measurements using brachial and wrist home BP monitoring (HBPM) devices. This analysis evaluated 82 patients who completed the 12‐week treatment period. Among those who achieved target morning home SBP (<135 mmHg) and target bedtime home SBP (<135 mmHg), the brachial HBPM device showed achievement rates of 63.6% and 56.4%, respectively, for target nighttime home SBP (<120 mmHg). The wrist device showed achievement rates of 66.7% and 63.4%, respectively, for the same targets. Significant correlations were observed between both devices for nighttime home SBP measurements at baseline (r = 0.790), Week 12 (r = 0.641), and change from baseline to Week 12 (r = 0.533) (all, p < .001). In this patient population, approximately 60% of individuals who reached target morning or bedtime home SBP levels <135 mmHg exhibited well‐controlled nighttime home SBP. Although nighttime home SBP measurements obtained using both brachial and wrist HBPM devices displayed a significant correlation, the wrist device needs to be examined in more detail for clinical use.
MCM8 promotes lung cancer progression through upregulating DNAJC10
Authors: Cao Lei , Liu Hongsheng , Han Zhijun , Huang Cheng , Guo Chao , Zhao Luo , Gao Chao , Xu Yuan , Wang Guige , Feng Zhe , Li Shanqing
Published: June 2024

MCM8 is a helicase, which participates in DNA replication and tumorigenesis and is upregulated in many human cancers, including lung cancer (LC); however, the function of MCM8 in LC tumour progression is unclear. In this study, we found that MCM8 was expressed at high levels in LC cells and tissues. Further, MCM8 upregulation was associated with advanced tumour grade and lymph node metastasis, and indicated poor prognosis. Silencing of MCM8 suppressed cell growth and migration in vitro and in vivo, while ectopic MCM8 expression promoted cell cycle progression, as well as cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, DNAJC10 was identified as a downstream target of MCM8, using gene array and CO‐IP assays. DNAJC10 overexpression combatted the inhibitory activity of MCM8 knockdown on LC progression, while silencing DNAJC10 alleviated the oncogenic function of MCM8 overexpression. MCM8 expression was positively correlated with that of DNAJC10 in LC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and DNAJC10 upregulation was also associated with poor overall survival of patients with LC. This study indicated that MCM8/DNAJC10 axis plays an important role in in LC development, and maybe as a new potential therapeutic target or a diagnostic biomarker for treating patients with LC.
Validity and reliability of the Yonsei lifestyle profile‐active, balance, connection, diversity
Authors: Lim Young‐Myoung , Kim Ah‐Ram , Nam Sanghun , Park Ji‐Hyuk
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Lifestyle, defined as a way of living resulting from an individual's deliberate choices, is a crucial factor in improving and maintaining health. Consequently, the measurement and analysis of lifestyle are of significant importance. This study aims to validate the validity and reliability of the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile‐Active, Balance, Connection, Diversity (YLP‐ABCD) in measuring health‐related lifestyles.

Methods

Data were collected from 300 participants aged 55 and older using the YLP‐ABCD. To analyse the validity and reliability of the YLP‐ABCD, analysed using frequency, descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and Rasch model analysis.

Results

The results indicate that the YLP‐ABCD, which consists of 35 items, demonstrates unidimensionality and local independence. The Rasch model confirmed the suitability of the 5‐point Likert scale for the factors, excluding subfactors Balanced and Unbalanced. The item fit criteria (0.5 < MNSQ < 1.5) were met for all items. The distribution of the respondents’ abilities suggests the need for additional items to measure their ability levels. Both the item and respondent separation indices and their reliabilities were satisfactory.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the utility of the YLP‐ABCD as a valuable tool for measuring and understanding the multifaceted diversity of lifestyles. Therefore, by utilising YLP‐ABCD to quantitatively measure health lifestyles, we anticipate contributing to improvements in human health and quality of life.
Improving clinical abbreviation sense disambiguation using attention‐based Bi‐LSTM and hybrid balancing techniques in imbalanced datasets
Authors: Hosseini Manda , Rasekh Amir Hossein , Keshavarzi Amin
Published: June 2024

Rationale

Clinical abbreviations pose a challenge for clinical decision support systems due to their ambiguity. Additionally, clinical datasets often suffer from class imbalance, hindering the classification of such data. This imbalance leads to classifiers with low accuracy and high error rates. Traditional feature‐engineered models struggle with this task, and class imbalance is a known factor that reduces the performance of neural network techniques.

Aims and Objectives

This study proposes an attention‐based bidirectional long short‐term memory (Bi‐LSTM) model to improve clinical abbreviation disambiguation in clinical documents. We aim to address the challenges of limited training data and class imbalance by employing data generation techniques like reverse substitution and data augmentation with synonym substitution.

Method

We utilise a Bi‐LSTM classification model with an attention mechanism to disambiguate each abbreviation. The model's performance is evaluated based on accuracy for each abbreviation. To address the limitations of imbalanced data, we employ data generation techniques to create a more balanced dataset.

Results

The evaluation results demonstrate that our data balancing technique significantly improves the model's accuracy by 2.08%. Furthermore, the proposed attention‐based Bi‐LSTM model achieves an accuracy of 96.09% on the UMN dataset, outperforming state‐of‐the‐art results.

Conclusion

Deep neural network methods, particularly Bi‐LSTM, offer promising alternatives to traditional feature‐engineered models for clinical abbreviation disambiguation. By employing data generation techniques, we can address the challenges posed by limited‐resource and imbalanced clinical datasets. This approach leads to a significant improvement in model accuracy for clinical abbreviation disambiguation tasks.