bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal growth of children born with gastroschisis or omphalocele
Authors: Tauriainen Asta , Harju Samuli , Raitio Arimatias , Hyvärinen Anna , Tauriainen Tuomas , Helenius Ilkka , Vanamo Kari , Saari Antti , Sankilampi Ulla
Published: October 2023

Normal childhood growth is an indicator of good health, but data addressing the growth of children born with abdominal wall defects (AWDs) are limited. The detailed growth phenotypes of children born with gastroschisis or omphalocele are described and compared to peers without AWDs from birth to adolescence. Data from 183 gastroschisis and 144 omphalocele patients born between 1993 and 2017 were gathered from Finnish nationwide registers and electronic health records. Weight (n = 3033), length/height (n = 2034), weight-for-length (0–24 months, n = 909), and body mass index measures (2–15 years, n = 423) were converted into sex- and age-specific Z-scores. Linear mixed models were used for comparisons. Intrauterine growth failure was common in infants with gastroschisis. Birth weight Z-scores in girls and boys were − 1.2 (0.2) and − 1.3 (0.2) and length Z-scores − 0.7 (0.2) and − 1.0 (0.2), respectively (p < 0.001 for all comparisons to infants without AWDs). During early infancy, growth failure increased in infants with gastroschisis, and thereafter, catch-up growth was prominent and faster in girls than in boys. Gastroschisis children gained weight and reached their peers’ weights permanently at 5 to 10 years. By 15 years or older, 30% of gastroschisis patients were overweight. Infants with omphalocele were born with a normal birth size but grew shorter and weighing less than the reference population until the teen-age years.

Conclusion: Children with gastroschisis and omphalocele have distinct growth patterns from fetal life onwards. These growth trajectories may also provide some opportunities to modulate adult health.

What is Known:• Intrauterine and postnatal growth failure can be seen frequently in gastroschisis and they often show significant catch-up growth later in infancy. It is assumed that part of the children with gastroschisis will become overweight during later childhood.

What is New: • The longitudinal growth of girls and boys with gastroschisis or omphalocele is described separately until the teenage years. The risk of gaining excessive weight in puberty was confirmed in girls with gastroschisis.
Association between biomarkers of iron status and cardiometabolic risk in Spanish children aged 9–10 years. The ELOIN study
Authors: Ortiz-Marrón Honorato , Cabañas Pujadas Gloria , Donoso Navarro Encarnación , Burreros García Mar , Herreros Álvaro María Isabel , Mejía Fernández de Velasco Alma María , Cornejo Gutiérrez Ana , Galán Iñaki
Published: October 2023

The relationship between iron metabolism and cardiometabolic risk factors has been scarcely studied in children, and the results are controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between iron parameters and lipid, glycemic and blood pressure alterations in the pediatric population. This was a cross-sectional study of 1954 children between 9 and 10 years of age in Madrid (Spain), participants in a longitudinal study of childhood obesity. Iron metabolism parameters, i.e., serum iron (Is), ferritin (Fs), transferrin (Tf) and transferrin saturation (STf) and lipid, glycemic and blood pressure profiles were evaluated. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, diet, physical activity, C-reactive protein and body mass index. Compared with the participants in the low Is and STf tertiles, those in the upper tertiles had a lower risk of low HDL-Chol (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.17; 0.67) and OR: 0.44 (95%CI: 0.23; 0.84), respectively, and children in the upper Fs tertile had an OR of 2.07 (95%CI: 1.16; 3.68) for low HDL-Chol. Children in the highest Is and STf tertiles had a lower risk of prediabetes [OR: 0.63 (95%CI: 0.41; 0.97) and OR: 0.53 (95%CI: 0.34; 0.82)] and insulin resistance (IR) (OR: 0.37; 95%CI: 0.22; 0.64), and those in the upper Tf tertile had a higher risk of IR (OR: 1.90; 95%CI: 1.16; 3.12). An increased risk of hypertension was found only in children in the upper Fs tertile (OR: 1.46; 95%CI: 1.01; 2.13).

Conclusions: Biomarkers of iron metabolism are associated with cardiometabolic alterations in the pediatric population, with a variable direction and magnitude depending on the indicators used.

What is Known:• Iron metabolism is related to important cardiometabolic alterations such as metabolic syndrome and its components.• Association between biomarkers of iron status and cardiometabolic risk have been less explored in children.

What is New:• Biomarkers of iron metabolism are associated with cardiometabolic alterations in the pediatric population.• Iron parameters in the pediatric population could be of great help to detect and prevent cardiometabolic abnormalities early.
Comparative effectiveness and functional outcome of C3 & C7 dome-hybrid open-door laminoplasty with traditional unilateral open-door laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Xu Tao , Wang Shanxi , Fang Huang , Zhao Hongqi , Fang Xuan , Wu Hua , Li Feng
Published: October 2023

Objective

The C3 & C7 dome-hybrid open-door laminoplasty was proven to be an effective treatment for multi-levels cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, its superiority over traditional unilateral open-door laminoplasty (UOLP) remains questionable, and no studies have compared the efficacy of this technique with traditional UOLP. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of C3 & C7 dome-hybrid open-door laminoplasty with traditional UOLP in treating multi-levels CSM.

Methods

A retrospective study of multi-levels CSM with laminoplasty was performed, including 35 cases of traditional UOLP and 27 cases of C3 & C7 dome-hybrid open-door laminoplasty. Radiographic evaluation parameters and clinical outcomes were recorded to evaluate the surgical effectiveness.

Results

There was no significant difference in demographic baseline parameters. At the final follow-up, the C2–C7 Cobb angle of the modified group was significantly greater than that of the traditional group (p = 0.026). Meanwhile, the C2–C7 SVA of the modified group was significantly smaller than that of the traditional group (p = 0.009). Clinical outcomes such as VAS, NDI, and SF-12 scores, improved significantly in the modified group compared to the traditional group, while the JOA scores had no significant difference in both groups. There was no significant difference in the overall rate of complications between the two groups.

Conclusion

Both techniques have satisfactory outcomes in treating multi-levels CSM. Comparing with traditional UOLP, C3 & C7 dome-hybrid open-door laminoplasty has a greater superiority in reducing postoperative neck pain and maintaining the cervical sagittal alignment. It is proven to be a feasible management for patients with multi-levels CSM.
Der Brückner-Test (Durchleuchtungstest)
Authors: Brandner Martina , Bizjak Bianca
Published: October 2023

Der Brückner-Test (Durchleuchtungstest) ist eine einfache und effiziente Untersuchungsmethode zur Detektion amblyogener Risikofaktoren. Visusrelevante Medientrübungen und Veränderungen am Augenhintergrund, sowie aus größerer Untersuchungsentfernung auffallende Refraktionsfehler können rasch und sensitiv erkannt werden. Der Brückner-Test kann keinesfalls eine augenärztliche Untersuchung ersetzen, stellt aber eine ausgezeichnete Screeningmethode für Kinderärzte und Allgemeinmediziner dar, um frühzeitig organische Augenerkrankungen und Ambylopien zu entdecken und einer raschen Behandlung zuzuführen.
Out-of-pocket expenditure, need, utilisation, and private health insurance in the Australian healthcare system
Authors: Ludlow Timothy , Fooken Jonas , Rose Christiern , Tang Kam Ki
Published: October 2023

Despite widespread public service provision, public funding, and private health insurance (PHI), 20% of all healthcare expenditure across the OECD is covered by out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE). This creates an equity concern for the increasing number of individuals with chronic conditions and greater need, particularly if higher need coincides with lower income. Theoretically, individuals may mitigate OOPE risk by purchasing PHI, replacing variable OOPE with fixed expenditure on premiums. Furthermore, if PHI premiums are not risk-rated, PHI may redistribute some of the financial burden from less healthy PHI holders that have greater need to healthier PHI holders that have less need. We investigate if the burden of OOPE for individuals with greater need increases less strongly for individuals with PHI in the Australian healthcare system. The Australian healthcare system provides public health insurance with full, partial, or limited coverage, depending on the healthcare service used, and no risk rating of PHI premiums. Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey we find that individuals with PHI spend a greater share of their disposable income on OOPE and that the difference in OOPE share between PHI and non-PHI holders increases with greater need and utilisation, contrary to the prediction that PHI may mitigate OOPE. We also show that OOPE is a greater concern for poorer individuals for whom the difference in OOPE by PHI is the greatest.
Mikhail Bakhtin and Lev Shestov on Dostoevsky: the unfinalized dialogue
Authors: Ogden Marina G.
Published: October 2023

Bakhtin’s view of the history of the novel, through the lens of Dostoevsky’s writing in his famous study on Dostoevsky’s poetics (1963), has had a significant impact on the way we read Dostoevsky today. On the other hand, Shestov’s original explorations of the human soul, which were drawn on his reading of Dostoevsky and made a lasting impression on his contemporaries, are still relatively unknown to the English-speaking reader. Having traced the history of the regenerations of Dostoevsky’s convictions in his earlier works, in his mature writings Shestov proposed that at a time of deep crisis the human mind may acquire a new dimension, which lies beyond the limits of the comprehensible and the explicable. Building on his analysis of Dostoevsky’s life and work, a transformative shift in Shestov’s own worldview, led to significant alterations in his reading of Dostoevsky in the final years of his life.

In this essay, as I draw the two thinkers into a dialogue, I try to look beyond the obvious differences in the two philosophers’ views (though I acknowledge them) and, with respect to both thinkers’ outstanding contributions to twentieth-century European culture, I attempt to discover a number of key developing points in their views derived from their shared love of Dostoevsky’s art. Contrasting Shestov’s interpretation of Dostoevsky to that of Bakhtin’s, I argue that despite their different methods, standpoints, and philosophical views, and despite the seemingly antagonizing nature of their observations, Bakhtin and Shestov arrived at a number of conclusions, which contributed to our present understanding of Dostoevsky’s worldview.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of economic and healthcare resource utilization outcomes for robotic versus manual total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Hoeffel Daniel , Goldstein Laura , Intwala Dhara , Kaindl Lisa , Dineen Aidan , Patel Leena , Mayle Robert
Published: October 2023

The introduction of robotics in orthopedic surgery has led to improved precision and standardization in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Clinical benefits of robotic versus manual TKA have been well established; however, evidence for economic and healthcare resource utilization outcomes (HRU) is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to compare economic and HRU outcomes for robotic and manual TKA. The secondary objective was to explore comparative robotic and manual TKA pain and opioid consumption outcomes. Multi-database literature searches were performed to identify studies comparing robotic and manual TKA from 2016 to 2022 and meta-analyses were conducted. This review included 50 studies with meta-analyses conducted on 35. Compared with manual TKA, robotic TKA was associated with a: 14% reduction in hospital length of stay (P = 0.022); 74% greater likelihood to be discharged to home (P < 0.001); and 17% lower likelihood to experience a 90-day readmission (P = 0.043). Robotic TKA was associated with longer mean operating times (incision to closure definition: 9.27 min longer, P = 0.030; general operating time definition: 18.05 min longer, P = 0.006). No differences were observed for total procedure cost and 90-day emergency room visits. Most studies reported similar outcomes for robotic and manual TKA regarding pain and opioid use. Coupled with the clinical benefits of robotic TKA, the economic impact of using robotics may contribute to hospitals’ quality improvement and financial sustainability. Further research and more randomized controlled trials are needed to effectively quantify the benefits of robotic relative to manual TKA.
Does Democracy Matter for Lifespan Inequalities? Regime Type and Premature Mortality by Sex
Authors: Salazar Ana Ortiz , Rodríguez Javier , Salayeva Rena , Rogers Melissa
Published: October 2023

Reductions in premature mortality are widely attributed to economic, educational, and medical factors. This study contributes to our understanding of the influence of political factors in preventing early death and gender inequalities in health outcomes. We analyze data from life tables of the World Health Organization, 2000–2015, to estimate the annual, sex-specific standard deviation of the age-at-death distribution across 162 countries. We apply dynamic panel model analyses to assess the association between political liberalization and inequalities in premature mortality. Our findings show reduced inequalities in premature mortality in liberal democracies, with men benefiting disproportionately. We theorize that liberal democracy may motivate governments to respond to citizens’ desires for policies that improve health and reduce risks. As democratic liberalization increases, premature mortality falls for men, which may be accounted for in part by reduced male mortality from injuries. Reductions in premature mortality for women appear to stem primarily from improvements in maternal mortality across regime types. Our findings support the idea that democratization may provide public health benefits, especially for male citizens.
Virtual Ethnography of Female Migrants: a WhatsApp Group as a Support Tool During Their Migration Process
Authors: Calvo Adriana , Aurrekoetxea-Casaus Maite , Borrajo Erika
Published: October 2023

This research aimed to describe the use and functionality that migrant women provide to social networks and the role they play in the social integration of migrant women. Using a qualitative methodology design, a virtual ethnography approach, and with the support of ATLAS, this research analyses 863 discursive threads of a WhatsApp group comprised of 123 migrant women belonging to an association related to the social and labour integration of the migrant population. The results indicate that the WhatsApp group is a reliable source of information as well as spaces of solidarity and emotional support among women who experience similar situations during the migration process. The originality of these results is that they provide insight into the uses of social networks by migrant women, on which there is little research, through observations in a WhatsApp group. Organisations working with migrant women should rethink the functionalities of these social networks and the importance of these tools in improving the social and labour integration of migrant women.
Need for cognitive closure and desire for cultural tightness mediate the effect of concern about ecological threats on the need for strong leadership
Authors: Contu Federico , Ellenberg Molly , Kruglanski Arie W. , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Pierro Antonio
Published: October 2023

The present research utilizes an evolutionary framework to investigate the process underlying the recent rise of several populist, “strongmen” leaders. Specifically, we propose that when people experience contingent (i.e., impending) ecological threats, their need for cognitive closure is activated, making them desire strong rules (i.e., a tight society) and to be guided by a strong leader. Further, we hypothesize that desire for cultural tightness, once activated by need for cognitive closure, augments peoples’ need for strong leaders. In two studies, we tested our hypotheses with respect to two of the most salient ecological threats currently affecting Europeans, namely COVID-19 (Study 1) and the war in Ukraine (Study 2). Results supported all our hypotheses, thereby shedding light on psycho-motivational underpinnings (i.e., need for cognitive closure and desire cultural for tightness) of the rise of populist leaders. Results thus corroborate the idea that populist leaders can use ecological threats-related uncertainty to maintain or gain power, and that ecological threats could bring to an alignment with right-wing ideas of people’s political attitudes.
Elaborating the Relations Amongst Workers’ Learning, Innovations and Well-Being
Authors: Billett Stephen , Troth Ashlea , Yan Hongmin
Published: October 2023

Elaborating the relations amongst workers’ learning, innovations and well-being is essential for achieving two important and dual goals in contemporary work life. The first is individuals’ ongoing learning that underpins their employability and can respond to new challenges and emerging occupational and workplace requirements. The second comprises workers’ remaking and transforming workplace practices, processes and outcomes (i.e., workplace innovations) in response to these challenges, and through them sustaining workplaces’ productivity and viability. These dual processes of individuals’ learning and remaking of practice co-occur and warrant understanding and supporting and promoting to exercise them optimally in achieving these dual goals. We aim to illuminate and elaborate these dual learning and innovations from the results of two studies of small to medium size Singaporean enterprises using interviews and observations. Framed by considerations from cultural psychology, work practice and well-being theorising, the dualities of workplace affordances (i.e., opportunities provided by workplaces) and individual engagement (i.e., how workers elect to engage and learn from these opportunities) are used to propose how workers’ worklife learning and workplace innovations can arise reciprocally. In conclusion, sets of curriculum and pedagogic practices that can be exercised in work settings are advanced.
Online Breast Reconstruction Risk Assessment (BRA) Score Tool in Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction in a Case Series with Cutoff Determination
Authors: Cazzato Vito , Bottosso Stefano , Sidoti Giulia Benedetta , Marchi Grace , Renzi Nadia , Ramella Vittorio , Papa Giovanni
Published: October 2023

The Breast Reconstruction Risk Assessment (BRA) score is a tool for the prediction of the risk of complications in breast surgery, elaborated in 2014. This score assesses the risk of surgical complications related to each type of breast reconstruction technique. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using the calculator on patients who underwent prosthetic breast reconstruction with submuscular tissue expander or prepectoral prosthesis. Our retrospective study analyzed 92 patients whose data was entered into the calculator. The predicted and observed 1-year rates of overall surgical complications were compared, separately for both cohorts. Subsequently, the accuracy, the applicability, and the discrimination ability of the BRA score were assessed using statistical analysis. In the two-stage subpectoral reconstruction group, Mann–Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference in BRA-score values between the patients who developed complications compared to the patients who had no complications (p-value < 0.02). Moreover, the score has an excellent discrimination ability (AUC = 0.9), and a cutoff of overall surgical complication rate was found to be between 17 and 18%. For the one-stage prepectoral prosthetic reconstruction group, the BRA score tool was unable to discriminate between patients with complications and patients without complication. Our results suggest that the BRA score can accurately identify patients with risk of complications following two-stage subpectoral breast reconstruction. Moreover, we believe it is possible to identify a risk rate cutoff of overall surgical complications that may potentially help physicians select the safest surgical strategy.
Affordances of Virtual Learning Environments to Support Mathematics Teaching
Authors: Trgalová Jana , Tabach Michal
Published: October 2023

The slow uptake of technology by mathematics teachers is in contrast with the rapid growth in the availability of different digital resources specifically designed to help teaching and learning mathematics. We refer to platforms that were designed to permit for mathematical communication between multiple users. We seek to explore the affordances of such digital platforms to support mathematics teachers who wish to integrate technology as part of their practice, when planning and enacting technology-based mathematical activity. Specifically, we ask: What are the affordances and constraints of the platforms that may support instrumentation and instrumentalization processes leading to the development of teacher’s didactic instrument for planning and enacting a mathematical activity in a digital environment? The four platforms we chose for analysis are STEP, DESMOS, WIMS and Labomep. Our analysis shows on the one hand that the platforms afford support to the teacher while enacting technology-based mathematics activities. On the other hand, we suggest several components of didactic instrumental genesis that mathematics teachers need to develop in order to take benefit from digital platform affordances. These components include the ability to base decision-making on data gathered and visualised in dashboard embedded in learning management systems.
Robust monocular object pose tracking for large pose shift using 2D tracking
Authors: Wang Qiufu , Zhou Jiexin , Li Zhang , Sun Xiaoliang , Yu Qifeng
Published: October 2023

Monocular object pose tracking has been a key technology in autonomous rendezvous of two moving platforms. However, rapid relative motion between platforms causes large interframe pose shifts, which leads to pose tracking failure. Based on the derivation of the region-based pose tracking method and the theory of rigid body kinematics, we put forward that the stability of the color segmentation model and linearization in pose optimization are the key to region-based monocular object pose tracking. A reliable metric named VoI is designed to measure interframe pose shifts, based on which we argue that motion continuity recovery is a promising way to tackle the translation-dominant large pose shift issue. Then, a 2D tracking method is adopted to bridge the interframe motion continuity gap. For texture-rich objects, the motion continuity can be recovered through localized region-based pose transferring, which is performed by solving a PnP (Perspective-n-Point) problem within the tracked 2D bounding boxes of two adjacent frames. Moreover, for texture-less objects, a direct translation approach is introduced to estimate an intermediate pose of the frame. Finally, a region-based pose refinement is exploited to obtain the final tracked pose. Experimental results on synthetic and real image sequences indicate that the proposed method achieves superior performance to state-of-the-art methods in tracking objects with large pose shifts.
Equivalents of the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Broughan Kevin
Published: October 2023

The Riemann hypothesis (RH) may be the most important outstanding problem in mathematics. This third volume on equivalents to RH comprehensively presents recent results of Nicolas, Rogers–Tao–Dobner, Polymath15, and Matiyasevich. Particularly interesting are derivations which show, assuming all zeros on the critical line are simple, that RH is decidable. Also included are classical Pólya–Jensen equivalence and related developments of Ono et al. Extensive appendices highlight key background results, most of which are proved. The book is highly accessible, with definitions repeated, proofs split logically, and graphical visuals. It is ideal for mathematicians wishing to update their knowledge, logicians, and graduate students seeking accessible number theory research problems. The three volumes can be read mostly independently. Volume 1 presents classical and modern arithmetic RH equivalents. Volume 2 covers equivalences with a strong analytic orientation. Volume 3 includes further arithmetic and analytic equivalents plus new material on RH decidability.
Will new brain circuit focused methods (EEG, fMRI etc) lead to more personalized care options?
Authors: Hickie Ian B. , Williams Leanne M.
Published: October 2023

The advent of new non-invasive (largely EEG and MRI-based) methods for recording the activity of critical brain circuits (frontotemporal and subcortical) and networks (Default Mode, Salience, Central Executive), cross-sectionally and longitudinally, as well as concurrently (EEG and fMRI), has led to a focus on whether such techniques could be used to guide individual treatment selection. While this work has commenced with specific relevance to depression and other mood disorders (Goldstein-Piekarski et al., 2022; Hack et al., 2023; Scangos et al., 2023), there is still much to be learnt and a great need to replicate findings across different cohorts and different research centres.
-chain closing lemma for certain partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms
Authors: SHI YI , WANG XIAODONG
Published: October 2023

For every
$r\in \mathbb {N}_{\geq 2}\cup \{\infty \}$
, we prove a
$C^r$
-orbit connecting lemma for dynamically coherent and plaque expansive partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms with one-dimensional orientation preserving center bundle. To be precise, for such a diffeomorphism f, if a point y is chain attainable from x through pseudo-orbits, then for any neighborhood U of x and any neighborhood V of y, there exist true orbits from U to V by arbitrarily
$C^r$
-small perturbations. As a consequence, we prove that for
$C^r$
-generic diffeomorphisms in this class, periodic points are dense in the chain recurrent set, and chain transitivity implies transitivity.
Ironies of accomplishment: negative aspiration, economic resentment and the myth of the middle class on Nairobi’s new urban outskirts
Authors: Lockwood Peter
Published: October 2023

Exploring the ‘hollow’ character of middle-class status in contemporary Kenya, this article shows how upwardly mobile young Kenyans struggle to cope with the expectations for distribution that their displays of achievement create. Focusing on the urbanizing peripheries of Nairobi, it shows how accusations of envy (wivu) made about poorer friends and relatives reflect their anxieties about failing to act as the providers they are expected to be. Anticipation of the disappointment and resentment of their would-be dependants encourages them to withdraw from friendships and kinship relations in their home neighbourhoods, and seek instead an impersonal life in new urban enclaves closer to Nairobi. The avoidance of obligation is justified through discourses of individual effort and achievement, while poorer peers and relations are criticized for looking to rely on others. The article shows how such tensions over obligation and desires for withdrawal illuminate the fragility of Kenya’s emerging middle class and the ‘ironies of accomplishment’ – that their very precarity denies these Kenyans the respect and status they desire in their neighbourhood homes.
COMMEMORATING CANTILUPE: THE ICONOGRAPHY OF ENGLAND’S SECOND ST THOMAS
Authors: Bass Ian L
Published: October 2023

2020 saw the celebration of significant anniversaries connected with several medieval English saints, led most notably by the triple anniversary of the birth (1120), death (1170) and translation (1220) of St Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury (1162–70, canonised 1173). This offered scholars an occasion to review and revisit important aspects of the documentary sources and material culture relating to the saints’ cults in England and across Europe. The celebrations of St Thomas Becket also coincided with the 700th anniversary of the canonisation of St Thomas de Cantilupe, bishop of Hereford (1275–82, canonised 1320). Renewed scholarly interest in Cantilupe’s posthumous cult has particularly offered insights into daily life and devotion in late thirteenth- and early fourteenth-century England and Wales. Likewise, it has recently been demonstrated that, in the wake of the Cantilupe cult at Hereford Cathedral, a period of intense church building occurred throughout the diocese. This paper is the first to assemble and publish a comprehensive catalogue of all known lost and surviving iconographical images of Cantilupe from the Middle Ages. More significantly, keeping the 2020 celebrations of both the Becket and Cantilupe cults in mind, this paper is the first to bring attention to all the examples of medieval iconography that associate England’s two Thomases, demonstrating how Becket was utilised as a model of sanctity par excellence with Cantilupe presented as a ‘second Becket’.
Alcohol use and suicide-related outcomes in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mulligan Lee D. , Varese Filippo , Harris Kamelia , Haddock Gillian
Published: October 2023

Suicide is the leading cause of unnatural death among people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Alcohol use is a prevalent comorbid feature of schizophrenia and a modifiable risk factor for suicide. We conducted a prospectively registered (PROSPERO, CRD42022358214) systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the relationship between alcohol use and suicide-related outcomes in schizophrenia.

We searched Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO for cross-sectional, case–control and longitudinal studies using exhaustive terms from database inception to December 2022 inclusive. Computation of odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were performed using a random-effects model with DerSimonian–Laird estimation. We also evaluated publication bias, study quality, and performed subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Fifty studies, comprising 65 samples, met eligibility criteria. Overall, alcohol use was associated with suicide (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.21–1.58; HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.00–1.74), attempted suicide (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.45–1.98), and suicidal ideation (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.22–2.34). While there was no evidence of publication bias, between-sample heterogeneity was moderate in analyses of attempted suicide (I2 = 39.6%, p = 0.01) and suicidal ideation (I2 = 56.0%, p = 0.01). Summary effects were significant in all subgroups except for longitudinal studies of attempted suicide (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.86–3.00) and studies of suicidal ideation using gender combined samples (OR 1.63, 95% CI 0.99–2.67). Alcohol use is significantly associated with suicide-related outcomes in schizophrenia. Clinicians should routinely inquire about alcohol use in mental health services to focus preventative treatment efforts.
Palliative care providers’ roles in medical assistance in dying decision-making triads with patients and families: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Serota Kristie , Hubert Matthieu , Joolaee Soodabeh , Ho Anita
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Research on medical assistance in dying (MAiD) decision-making indicates that family members and close friends are often involved in making decisions with patients and their care providers. This decision-making model comprising patients, family members, and palliative care providers (PCPs) has been described as a triad. The objective of this study is to understand PCPs’ experiences engaging in MAiD-related decision-making triads with patients and their families in Canada.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were analyzed using interpretive description.

Results

We interviewed 48 specialist PCPs in Vancouver (26) and Toronto (22). Interviews were audio-recorded, professionally transcribed, and coded using a coding framework. PCPs take on 5 notable roles in their work with family members around MAiD. They provide emotional support and counseling, balance confidentiality between patients and families, provide education, coordinate support, and mediate family dynamics.

Significance of results

PCPs take on multiple roles in working with patients and families to make decisions about MAiD. As patients and families may require different forms of support throughout the MAiD pathway, PCPs can benefit from institutional and interprofessional resources to enhance their ability to support patients and families in decision-making and bereavement.
Beyond Social Class – Psychometric Properties of the	Spanish-Language Version of the Personal Relative Deprivation Scale and Its	Associations With Intra- and Interpersonal Outcomes
Authors: Navarro-Carrillo Ginés , Martínez-Sánchez Celia A. , Moya-Garófano Alba , Torres-Marín Jorge
Published: October 2023

Abstract: The Personal Relative Deprivation Scale (PRDS; Callan et al., 2008 , 2011 ) captures feelings of dissatisfaction and resentment deriving from the judgment that one is deprived of personally relevant outcomes compared to what other (similar) individuals have. Despite its good psychometric properties in Western English-speaking samples, recent investigations on the generalization of the PRDS to other cultural contexts have shown inconsistencies in reproducing the unidimensional latent structure and high internal consistency of its scores. Using expert evaluations and empirical data from seven community samples ( NTOTAL = 1,985), this multi-study investigation developed and validated the Spanish-language version of the PRDS (SP-PRDS). Our instrument first demonstrated robust unidimensionality, invariance across gender and age groups, and high internal and temporal consistency. Furthermore, our investigation found that this measure exhibits a coherent network of correlates with intra- and interpersonal psychological outcomes. SP-PRDS scores were connected with reduced subjective and psychological well-being. They were also more strongly related to broader affective manifestations (high envy, anger, and hostility) than to more concrete behaviors (physical/verbal aggression, prosocial behaviors, and online trolling). Notably, these associations were independent of individuals’ social class. The SP-PRDS represents a promising tool for measuring PRD in Spain and, potentially, in other Spanish-speaking populations worldwide.
High-throughput electron tomography identifies centriole over-elongation as an early event in plasma cell disorders
Authors: Köhrer Sebastian , Dittrich Tobias , Schorb Martin , Weinhold Niels , Haberbosch Isabella , Börmel Mandy , Pajor Gabor , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Raab Marc S. , John Lukas , Seckinger Anja , Brobeil Alexander , Dreger Peter , Tornóczky Tamás , Pajor László , Hegenbart Ute , Schönland Stefan O. , Schwab Yannick , Krämer Alwin
Published: October 2023

Plasma cell disorders are clonal outgrowths of pre-malignant or malignant plasma cells, characterized by extensive chromosomal aberrations. Centrosome abnormalities are a major driver of chromosomal instability in cancer but their origin, incidence, and composition in primary tumor cells is poorly understood. Using cutting-edge, semi-automated high-throughput electron tomography, we characterized at nanoscale 1386 centrioles in CD138pos plasma cells from eight healthy donors and 21 patients with plasma cell disorders, and 722 centrioles from different control populations. In plasma cells from healthy individuals, over-elongated centrioles accumulated with age. In plasma cell disorders, centriole over-elongation was notably frequent in early, pre-malignant disease stages, became less pronounced in overt multiple myeloma, and almost entirely disappeared in aggressive plasma cell leukemia. Centrioles in other types of patient-derived B cell neoplasms showed no over-elongation. In contrast to current belief, centriole length appears to be highly variable in long-lived, healthy plasma cells, and over-elongation and structural aberrations are common in this cell type. Our data suggest that structural centrosome aberrations accumulate with age in healthy CD138pos plasma cells and may thus play an important role in early aneuploidization as an oncogenic driver in plasma cell disorders.
Visual analytics of route recommendation for tourist evacuation based on graph neural network
Authors: Zhang Lin , Xu Jifeng , Pan Xiaotian , Ye Jianing , Wang Weijie , Liu Yanan , Wei Qian
Published: October 2023

The overcrowding of scenic spots not only threatens tourists’ safety but also affects the travel experience. Traditional methods for addressing tourist overload have involved limited access and guided evacuation. While limited access has been effective, it often results in a diminished tourist experience. Moreover, the existing guided evacuation rarely considers the impact on tourists’ experience, resulting in a low willingness to cooperate and making it difficult to estimate evacuation effort efficiency. To solve these problems, this paper proposed a tourist evacuation route recommendation algorithm based on a graph neural network considering the similarity of tourism styles (PER-GCN) and designed a visualization system to simulate and analyse evacuation efficiency. First, the interaction matrix of tourists and scenic spots was constructed using graph mining to extract the high-order interaction information. In the output layer, the similarity between scenic spots and tourism styles was calculated to further improve the accuracy of scenic spot recommendations. Second, due to route complexity and the real-time carrying capacity of scenic spots, the researchers optimized the evacuation routes. Finally, taking the West Lake spot as the case study, the effectiveness of PER-GCN was verified. Additionally, a visualization system was designed to monitor tourist flow in real time and analyse tourist portraits according to the clustering results of scenic spot styles. In addition, the evacuation efficiency of scenic spots was analysed by adjusting the parameters of tourists’ willingness to cooperate, evacuation batch, and the weight of route complexity and scenic spot carrying capacity.
Therapeutic vaccination following early antiretroviral therapy elicits highly functional T cell responses against conserved HIV-1 regions
Authors: Kopycinski Jakub , Yang Hongbing , Hancock Gemma , Pace Matthew , Kim Ellen , Frater John , Stöhr Wolfgang , Hanke Tomás , Fidler Sarah , Dorrell Lucy ,   RIVER trial study group
Published: October 2023

‘Kick and kill’ cure strategies aim to induce HIV protein expression in latently infected cells (kick), and thus trigger their elimination by cytolytic T cells (kill). In the Research in Viral Eradication of HIV Reservoirs trial (NCT02336074), people diagnosed with primary HIV infection received immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) and were randomised 24 weeks later to either a latency-reversing agent, vorinostat, together with ChAdV63.HIVconsv and MVA.HIVconsv vaccines, or ART alone. This intervention conferred no reduction in HIV-1 reservoir size over ART alone, despite boosting virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The effects of the intervention were examined at the cellular level in the two trial arms using unbiased computational analysis of polyfunctional scores. This showed that the frequency and polyfunctionality of virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations were significantly increased over 12 weeks post-vaccination, compared to the ART-only arm. HIV-specific IL-2-secreting CD8+ T cells also expanded significantly in the intervention arm and were correlated with antiviral activity against heterologous HIV in vitro. Therapeutic vaccination during ART commenced in primary infection can induce functional T cell responses that are phenotypically similar to those of HIV controllers. Analytical therapy interruption may help determine their ability to control HIV in vivo.
A large-scale empirical investigation of specialization in criminal career
Authors: Heiler Georg , Pham Tuan , Korbel Jan , Wachs Johannes , Thurner Stefan
Published: October 2023

We use a comprehensive longitudinal dataset on criminal acts over 6 years in a European country to study specialization in criminal careers. We present a method to cluster crime categories by their relative co-occurrence within criminal careers, deriving a natural, data-based taxonomy of criminal specialization. Defining specialists as active criminals who stay within one category of offending behavior, we study their socio-demographic attributes, geographic range, and positions in their collaboration networks relative to their generalist counterparts. Compared to generalists, specialists tend to be older, are more likely to be women, operate within a smaller geographic range, and collaborate in smaller, more tightly-knit local networks. We observe that specialists are more intensely embedded in criminal networks, suggesting a potential source of self-reinforcing dynamics in criminal careers.
Changes in leg length and hip offset in navigated imageless vs. conventional total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Laggner Roberta , Oktarina Anastasia , Windhager Reinhard , Bostrom Mathias P. G.
Published: October 2023

While previous studies on navigated total hip replacement (nTHA) focused on acetabular component positioning, we compared the results of nTHA with conventional total hip replacement (cTHA) in respect of changes in leg length and hip offset. In a single-center study results radiographic parameters of patients with unilateral THA were included. Data were retrospectively analyzed from computer navigation data and radiographs. Analysis concentrated on the discrepancy in leg length (LLD) and hip offset (OSD) between the affected and unaffected hip. The effect of the procedure was defined as the difference between postoperative and preoperative LLD and OSD values in each group. 2332 patients were analyzed. Both nTHA and cTHA were effective in restoring LLD and OSD by reducing the preoperative value significantly (p < 0.001). Regarding changes in LLD, no statistical difference between nTHA and cTHA could be found. Changes in OSD nTHA was a slightly more effective than cTHA (− 2.06 ± 6.00 mm vs. − 1.50 ± 5.35 mm; p < 0.05). Both navigated and conventional THA were successful in reconstruction of leg length and hip offset, while postoperative offset discrepancy was significantly lower in the navigated group at the cost of longer operation times. If these results are clinically relevant further investigation is needed.
5 year follow up of a hydroxyapatite coated short stem femoral component for hip arthroplasty: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Karia Monil , Logishetty Kartik , Johal Hardeep , Edwards Thomas C. , Cobb Justin P.
Published: October 2023

Short stem, uncemented femoral implants for hip arthroplasty are bone conserving achieving stability through initial metaphyseal press-fit and biological fixation. This study aimed to evaluate the survivorship, mid-term function and health related quality of life outcomes in patients who have undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a fully hydroxyapatite coated straight short stem femoral component with up to 5 years follow-up. 668 patients were recruited to a multicentre study investigating the performance of the cementless Furlong Evolution® stem for THA. 137 patients withdrew at various time points. The mean follow-up was 49 months. Clinical (Harris Hip Score (HHS), radiographic and patient-reported outcome measures—Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D), were recorded pre-operatively and at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 3 year and 5 year follow ups. At 5-year follow-up, 12 patients underwent revision surgery, representing a cumulative revision rate of 1.8%. Median OHS, HHS and EQ5D scores improved significantly: OHS improved from a pre-operative median of 21 (IQR 14–26) to 47 (IQR 44–48) (p < 0.001). HHS improved from 52 (IQR 40–63) to 98 (IQR 92–100) (p < 0.001) and EQ5D improved from 70 (IQR 50–80) to 85 (IQR 75–95) (p < 0.001). This fully HA-coated straight short femoral stem implant demonstrated acceptable mid-term survivorship and delivered substantial improvements in function and quality of life after THA.
Changes in bone turnover markers and bone modulators during abatacept treatment
Authors: Adami Giovanni , Orsolini Giovanni , Rossini Maurizio , Pedrollo Elisa , Fratucello Anna , Fassio Angelo , Viapiana Ombretta , Milleri Stefano , Fracassi Elena , Bixio Riccardo , Gatti Davide
Published: October 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes bone loss, only partly related to inflammation. The impact of RA treatments on bone metabolism and their ability to mitigate bone loss remains uncertain. The primary goal of our study was to examine the influence of abatacept on serum levels of markers and regulators involved in bone turnover. Secondary objectives included evaluating changes in bone mineral density (BMD), bone health parameters, erosions, and exploring potential correlations among these parameters. We conducted a prospective observational study on patients with active seropositive RA failure to biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs initiating treatment with abatacept. We measured at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months: serum bone turnover markers (CTX, P1nP, B-ALP), bone modulators (Dkk-1, sclerostin, vitamin D, PTH, OPG and RANKL), BMD and radiographic parameters (modified Sharp van der Heijde score [mSvdH], bone health index [BHI] and metacarpal index [MCI]). Disease activity and glucocorticoid intake was monitored. 33 patients were enrolled in the study. We found a significant increase in markers of bone formation (B-ALP and P1nP) from baseline to M6 and M12. PTH increased significantly at M6 but not at M12. All other bone markers and modulators did not change. We found a significant decrease in BHI and MCI from baseline to M12 (median difference − 0.17 95% CI − 0.42 to − 0.10, p 0.001 and − 0.09 95% CI − 0.23 to − 0.07, respectively). BMD at femoral neck transitorily decreased at M6 (mean difference − 0.019 g/cm2 95% CI − 0.036 to − 0.001 p 0.04). BMD at total hip, lumbar spine and mSvdH score did not change significantly. P1nP delta at M12 correlated with delta mSvdH. Treatment with abatacept was associated with a significant increase in bone formation markers. The secondary and transient increase in PTH serum levels may be responsible of the transitory bone loss.
Mammary gland, kidney and rumen urea and uric acid transporters of dairy cows differing in milk urea concentration
Authors: Prahl Marie C. , Müller Carolin B. M. , Wimmers Klaus , Kuhla Björn
Published: October 2023

The milk urea concentration (MUC) serves as indicator of urinary nitrogen emissions, but at comparable crude protein (CP) intake, cows with high (HMU) and low (LMU) MUC excrete equal urea amounts. We hypothesized that urea and uric acid transporters and sizes of the kidney, mammary gland, and rumen account for these phenotypes. Eighteen HMU and 18 LMU Holstein dairy cows fed a low (LP) and normal (NP) CP diet were studied. Milk, plasma and urinary urea concentrations were greater with NP feeding, while plasma and urinary urea concentrations were comparable between phenotypes. Milk and plasma uric acid concentrations were higher with LP feeding but not affected by phenotype. The milk-urine uric acid ratio was greater in HMU cows. The mRNA expressions of the ruminal urea transporter SLC14A1 and AQP10, the mammary gland and rumen AQP3, and the mammary gland uric acid transporter ABCG2 were not affected by group or diet. Renal AQP10, but not AQP3, AQP7, and SLC14A2 expressions, and the kidney weights were lower in HMU cows. These data indicate that renal size and AQP10 limit the urea transfer from blood to urine, and that MUC determines if uric acid is more released with milk or urine.