bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional printed titanium mesh combined with iliac cancellous bone in the reconstruction of mandibular defects secondary to ameloblastoma resection
Authors: Zhao Zhiyang , Shen Shunyao , Li Meng , Shen Guofang , Ding Guanrong , Yu Hongbo
Published: September 2023

Background

The reconstruction of large mandibular defects is a challenge, and free vascularized bone flaps are most commonly used. However, the precision and symmetry of this repair are deficient, and patients have a risk of vascular embolism, flap necrosis, and donor site complications. Therefore, to explore an ideal alternative in mandibular reconstruction with high surgical accuracy and low complications is indispensable.

Methods

Seven patients with recurrent or large-scope ameloblastoma were enrolled in this study. All patients were provided with a fully digital treatment plan, including the design of osteotomy lines, surgical guides, and three-dimensional printed titanium mesh for implantation. With the assistance of surgical guide, ameloblastomas were resected, and custom 3D printed titanium mesh combined with posterior iliac bone harvest was used in mandibular reconstruction. A comparison was made between the discrepant surgical outcomes and the intended surgical plan, as well as the average three-dimensional deviation of the mandible before and after the surgery. At the same time, the resorption rate of the implanted bone was evaluated.

Results

All patients completed the fully digital treatment process successfully without severe complications. Image fusion showed that the postoperative contour of the mandible was basically consistent with surgical planning, except for a slight increase in the inferior border of the affected side. The mean three-dimensional deviation of the mandible between the preoperative and postoperative periods was 0.78 ± 0.41 mm. The mean error between the intraoperative bone volume and the digital planning bone volume was 2.44%±2.10%. Furthermore, the bone resorption rates of the harvested graft 6 months later were 32.15%±6.95%.

Conclusions

The use of digital surgical planning and 3D-printed templates can assist surgeons in performing surgery precisely, and the 3D-printed titanium mesh implant can improve the patient’s facial symmetry. 3D printed titanium mesh combined with posterior iliac cancellous bone graft can be regarded as an ideal alternative in extensive mandibular reconstruction.
Access to palliative care in patients with advanced cancer of the uterine cervix in the low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Ooko Francis , Mothiba Tebogo , Van Bogaert Peter , Wens Johan
Published: September 2023

Background

Women with advanced uterine cervical cancer suffer from a combination of moderate to severe physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distress due to their disease and are in need of palliative care to improve their quality of life. Approximately 85% of the women live in the low- and middle-income countries. Whether these women and their families access palliative care is not known.

Objectives

To understand the geographic accessibility, availability, financial accessibility, and acceptability of palliative care by patients with advanced cervical cancer and their families.

Methods

We conducted a Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines in CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PubMed and Scopus for the core concepts: palliative care, access, advanced uterine cervical cancer. Eligible articles were published in English, contained original data on experiences of patients and/or caregivers including symptoms management, and discussed available resources, communication, satisfaction, and healthcare utilization.

Results

Overall there was limited access to palliative care with the few available facilities located in cities, far from the rural areas where most women lived. Pervasive poverty was common with poor affordability of healthcare, travelling, accommodation, and subsistence expenses. Misconceptions and poor knowledge of the disease, cultural beliefs and attitudes, and other health system insufficiencies also presented challenges for access.

Conclusion

Concerted effort should be made to improve availability of palliative care facilities. Health education to address misconceptions and other cognitive barriers that limit access among cervical cancer patients and their families should be urgently undertaken in the LMICs.
Middle manager responses to hospital co-workers’ unprofessional behaviours within the context of a professional accountability culture change program: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Bagot KL , McInnes E , Mannion R , McMullan RD , Urwin R , Churruca K , Hibbert P , Westbrook JI
Published: September 2023

Background

The critical role that middle managers play in enacting organisational culture change designed to address unprofessional co-worker behaviours has gone largely unexplored. We aimed to explore middle managers’ perspectives on i) whether they speak up when they or their team members experience unprofessional behaviours (UBs); ii) how concerns are handled; iii) the outcomes; and iv) the role of a professional accountability culture change program (known as Ethos) in driving change.

Methods

Qualitative, constructivist approach. Five metropolitan hospitals in Australia which had implemented Ethos. Purposive sampling was used to invite middle-level managers from medicine, nursing, and non-clinical support services. Semi-structured interviews conducted remotely. Inductive, reflexive thematic and descriptive thematic analyses undertaken using NVivo.

Results

Thirty interviews (approximately 60 min; August 2020 to May 2021): Nursing (n = 12), Support Services (n = 10), and Medical (n = 8) staff, working in public (n = 18) and private (n = 12) hospitals. One-third (n = 10) had a formal role in Ethos.

All middle managers (hearers) had experienced the raising of UBs by their team (speakers). Themes representing reasons for ongoing UBs were: staying silent but active; history and hierarchy; and double-edged swords. The Ethos program was valued as a confidential, informal, non-punitive system but required improvements in profile and effectiveness. Participants described four response stages: i) determining if reports were genuine; ii) taking action depending on the speaker’s preference, behaviour factors (type, frequency, impact), if the person was known/unknown; iii) exploring for additional information; and iv) addressing either indirectly (e.g., change rosters) or directly (e.g., become a speaker).

Conclusions

Addressing UBs requires an organisational-level approach beyond supporting staff to speak up, to include those hearing and addressing UBs. We propose a new hearer’s model that details middle managers’ processes after a concern is raised, identifying where action can be taken to minimise avoidant behaviours to improve hospital culture, staff and patient safety.
Assessing the association between food environment and dietary inflammation by community type: a cross-sectional REGARDS study
Authors: Algur Yasemin , Rummo Pasquale E. , McAlexander Tara P. , De Silva S. Shanika A. , Lovasi Gina S. , Judd Suzanne E. , Ryan Victoria , Malla Gargya , Koyama Alain K. , Lee David C. , Thorpe Lorna E. , McClure Leslie A.
Published: September 2023

Background

Communities in the United States (US) exist on a continuum of urbanicity, which may inform how individuals interact with their food environment, and thus modify the relationship between food access and dietary behaviors.

Objective

This cross-sectional study aims to examine the modifying effect of community type in the association between the relative availability of food outlets and dietary inflammation across the US.

Methods

Using baseline data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study (2003–2007), we calculated participants’ dietary inflammation score (DIS). Higher DIS indicates greater pro-inflammatory exposure. We defined our exposures as the relative availability of supermarkets and fast-food restaurants (percentage of food outlet type out of all food stores or restaurants, respectively) using street-network buffers around the population-weighted centroid of each participant’s census tract. We used 1-, 2-, 6-, and 10-mile (~ 2-, 3-, 10-, and 16 km) buffer sizes for higher density urban, lower density urban, suburban/small town, and rural community types, respectively. Using generalized estimating equations, we estimated the association between relative food outlet availability and DIS, controlling for individual and neighborhood socio-demographics and total food outlets. The percentage of supermarkets and fast-food restaurants were modeled together.

Results

Participants (n = 20,322) were distributed across all community types: higher density urban (16.7%), lower density urban (39.8%), suburban/small town (19.3%), and rural (24.2%). Across all community types, mean DIS was − 0.004 (SD = 2.5; min = − 14.2, max = 9.9). DIS was associated with relative availability of fast-food restaurants, but not supermarkets. Association between fast-food restaurants and DIS varied by community type (P for interaction = 0.02). Increases in the relative availability of fast-food restaurants were associated with higher DIS in suburban/small towns and lower density urban areas (p-values < 0.01); no significant associations were present in higher density urban or rural areas.

Conclusions

The relative availability of fast-food restaurants was associated with higher DIS among participants residing in suburban/small town and lower density urban community types, suggesting that these communities might benefit most from interventions and policies that either promote restaurant diversity or expand healthier food options.
Understanding the social and structural context of oral PrEP delivery: an ethnography exploring barriers and facilitators impacting transgender women who engage in street-based sex work in Baltimore, Maryland
Authors: Cooney Erin E. , Footer Katherine H. A. , Glick Jennifer L. , Passaniti Anna , Howes Meridian , Sherman Susan G.
Published: September 2023

Transgender women who sell sex (TWSS) experience high rates of HIV acquisition. Antiretrovirals for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) represent an efficacious HIV prevention strategy. The social and structural factors affecting PrEP delivery amongst TWSS are underexplored in the literature. We conducted ethnographic research to examine how multilevel social and structural factors manifest in TWSS’s lived experiences and affect PrEP delivery and use. Twenty-four transgender women were recruited from the SAPPHIRE cohort and completed interviews focused on barriers and facilitators to PrEP engagement in the context of street-based sex work. Stakeholder interviews (N = 7) were also conducted. Our findings suggest there are unique features of the risk environment that can collectively impede PrEP use among TWSS.
Complete genome analysis of echovirus 30 strains isolated from hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Yunnan province, China
Authors: Zhang Ming , He Daqian , Liu Yuhan , Gong Yue , Dong Wenxun , Chen Ying , Ma Shaohui
Published: September 2023

Background

Echovirus 30 is prone to cause hand-foot-and-mouth disease in infants and children. However, molecular epidemiologic information on the spread of E30 in southwestern China remains limited. In this study, we determined and analyzed the whole genomic sequences of E30 strains isolated from the stools of patients with hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Yunnan Province, China, in 2019.

Methods

E30 isolates were obtained from fecal samples of HFMD patients. The whole genomes were sequenced by segmented PCR and analyzed for phylogeny, mutation and recombination. MEGA and DNAStar were used to align the present isolates with the reference strains. The VP1 sequence of the isolates were analyzed for selection pressure using datamonkey server.

Results

The complete genome sequences of four E30 were obtained from this virus isolation. Significant homologous recombination signals in the P2-3’UTR region were found in all four isolates with other serotypes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the four E30 isolates belonged to lineage H. Comparison of the VP1 sequences of these four isolates with other E30 reference strains using three selection pressure analysis models FUBAR, FEL, and MEME, revealed a positive selection site at 133rd position.

Conclusions

This study extends the whole genome sequence of E30 in GenBank, in which mutations and recombinations have driven the evolution of E30 and further improved and enriched the genetic characteristics of E30, providing fundamental data for the prevention and control of diseases caused by E30. Furthermore, we demonstrated the value of continuous and extensive surveillance of enterovirus serotypes other than the major HFMD-causing viruses.
The pedicle screw accuracy using a robotic system and measured by a novel three-dimensional method
Authors: Oppermann Marcelo , Karapetyan Vahagan , Gupta Shaurya , Ramjist Joel , Oppermann Priscila , Yang Victor X. D.
Published: September 2023

Robotics in medicine is associated with precision, accuracy, and replicability. Several robotic systems are used in spine surgery. They are all considered shared-control systems, providing "steady-hand" manipulation instruments. Although numerous studies have testified to the benefits of robotic instrumentations, they must address their true accuracy. Our study used the Mazor system under several situations and compared the spatial accuracy of the pedicle screw (PS) insertion and its planned trajectory. We used two cadaveric specimens with intact spinal structures from C7 to S1. PS planning was performed using the two registration methods (preopCT/C-arm or CT-to-fluoroscopy registration). After planning, the implant spatial orientation was defined based on six anatomic parameters using axial and sagittal CT images. Two surgical open and percutaneous access were used to insert the PS. After that, another CT acquisition was taken. Accuracy was classified into optimal, inaccurate and unacceptable according to the degree of screw deviation from its planning using the same spatial orientation method. Based on the type of spatial deviation, we also classified the PS trajectory into 16 pattern errors. Seven (19%) out of 37 implanted screws were considered unacceptable (deviation distances > 2.0 mm or angulation > 5°), and 14 (38%) were inaccurate (> 0.5 mm and ≤ 2.0 mm or > 2.5° and ≤ 5°). CT-to-fluoroscopy registration was superior to preopCT/C-arm (average deviation in 0.9 mm vs. 1.7 mm, respectively, p < 0.003), and percutaneous was slightly better than open but did not reach significance (1.3 mm vs. 1.7 mm, respectively). Regarding pattern error, the tendency was to have more axial than sagittal shifts. Using a quantitative method to categorize the screw 3D position, only 10.8% of the screws were considered unacceptable. However, with a more rigorous concept of inaccuracy, almost half were non-optimal. We also identified that, unlike some previous results, the O-arm registration delivers more accurate implants than the preopCT/C-arm method.
Spatial heterogeneity and scenario simulation of carbon budget on provincial scale in China
Authors: Liu Zhenyue , Zhang Jinbing , Zhang Pengyan , Jiang Ling , Yang Dan , Rong Tianqi
Published: September 2023

Background

Conducting an extensive study on the spatial heterogeneity of the overall carbon budget and its influencing factors and the decoupling status of carbon emissions from economic development, by undertaking simulation projections under different carbon emission scenarios is crucial for China to achieve its targets to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. There are large disparities in carbon emissions from energy consumption, the extent of land used for carbon absorption, and the status of decoupling of emissions from economic development, among various regions of China.

Results

Based on night light data and land use data, we investigated carbon budget through model estimation, decoupling analysis, and scenario simulation. The results show that the carbon deficit had a continuous upward trend from 2000 to 2018, and there was a significant positive spatial correlation. The overall status of decoupling first improved and then deteriorated. Altogether, energy consumption intensity, population density of built-up land, and built-up land area influenced the decoupling of carbon emissions from economic development. There are significant scenarios of carbon emissions from energy consumption for the study area during the forecast period, only in the low-carbon scenario will the study area reach the expected carbon emissions peak ahead of schedule in 2027; the peak carbon emissions will be 6479.27 million tons.

Conclusions

China’s provincial-scale carbon emissions show a positive correlation with economic development within the study period. It is necessary to optimize the economic structure, transforming the economic development mode, and formulating policies to control the expansion of built-up land. Efforts must be made to improve technology and promote industrial restructuring, to effectively reduce energy consumption intensity.
Global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cai Yangting , Song Yuke , He Mincong , He Wei , Zhong Xianxin , Wen Hao , Wei Qiushi
Published: September 2023

Background

Though hallux valgus is a common foot deformity, the integrated information on its global prevalence and incidence is relatively lacking. The aim of this research was to assess the global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus, thus providing reliable data reference for clinical practice.

Methods

A systematic review of global hallux valgus research publications concerning its prevalence and incidence was performed based on six electronic databases ((PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Online Journals and CQVIP)) from their inception to November 16, 2022. The search terms included “hallux valgus or bunion and prevalence or incidence or epidemiology.” All languages were included. Data were extracted by country, continent, age group, gender and other information. The risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data by using random‐effects models to synthesize available evidence.

Results

A total of 45 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The overall pooled estimated prevalence was 19% (95% CI, 13% to 25%) (n=186,262,669) for hallux valgus. In subgroup meta‐analyses, the prevalence of hallux valgus was 21.96% (95% CI, 10.95% to 35.46%) in Asia, 3% (95% CI, 0% to 15%) in Africa, 18.35% (95% CI, 11.65% to 26.16%) in Europe, 29.26% (95% CI, 4.8% to 63.26%) in Oceania, and 16.1% (95% CI, 5.9% to 30.05%) in North America, respectively. The pooled prevalence of hallux valgus by gender was 23.74% (95% CI, 16.21% to 32.21%) for females and 11.43% (95% CI, 6.18% to 18%) for males. The prevalence was 11% (95% CI, 2% to 26%) in individuals younger than 20 years old, 12.22% in adults aged 20‐60 years (95% CI, 5.86% to 20.46%) and 22.7% in elderly people aged over 60 years (95% CI, 13.1% to 33.98%).

Conclusion

This research provided the global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus in terms of its spatial, temporal, and population distribution. The global estimated pooled prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus was 19%. A higher prevalence of hallux valgus was found in females, Oceania countries, and among people aged over 60 years. Due to the high heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings should be interpreted with caution.
Dosage compensation of Z sex chromosome genes in avian fibroblast cells
Authors: Deviatiiarov Ruslan , Nagai Hiroki , Ismagulov Galym , Stupina Anastasia , Wada Kazuhiro , Ide Shinji , Toji Noriyuki , Zhang Heng , Sukparangsi Woranop , Intarapat Sittipon , Gusev Oleg , Sheng Guojun
Published: September 2023

In birds, sex is genetically determined; however, the molecular mechanism is not well-understood. The avian Z sex chromosome (chrZ) lacks whole chromosome inactivation, in contrast to the mammalian chrX. To investigate chrZ dosage compensation and its role in sex specification, we use a highly quantitative method and analyze transcriptional activities of male and female fibroblast cells from seven bird species. Our data indicate that three fourths of chrZ genes are strictly compensated across Aves, similar to mammalian chrX. We also present a complete list of non-compensated chrZ genes and identify Ribosomal Protein S6 (RPS6) as a conserved sex-dimorphic gene in birds.
First isolation of Rickettsia amblyommatis from Amblyomma mixtum in Colombia
Authors: Chaparro-Gutiérrez Jenny J. , Acevedo-Gutiérrez Leidy Y. , Mendell Nicole L. , Robayo-Sánchez Laura N. , Rodríguez-Durán Arlex , Cortés-Vecino Jesús A. , Fernández Diana , Ramírez-Hernández Alejandro , Bouyer Donald H.
Published: September 2023

Background

Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria that are the causative agent of rickettsioses and are spread to vertebrate hosts by arthropods. There are no previous reports of isolation of Rickettsia amblyommatis for Colombia.

Methods

A convenience sampling was executed in three departments in Colombia for direct collection of adult ticks on domestic animals or over vegetation. Ticks were screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) amplifying the citrate synthase gene (gltA), and the positive sample was processed for isolation and further molecular characterization by conventional PCR. The absolute and relative frequencies were calculated for several tick species variables. All products from conventional PCR were further purified and sequenced by the Sanger technique. Representative sequences of 18 Rickettsia species were downloaded from GenBank. Consensus phylogenetic trees were constructed for the gltA, ompB, ompA, and htrA genes with 1000 replicates, calculating bootstrap values through the maximum likelihood method and the generalized time reversible substitution model in the MEGA 7.0 software program.

Results

One female Amblyomma mixtum collected on vegetation was amplified by qPCR (gltA), indicating a frequency of 1.6% (1/61) for Rickettsia spp. infection. Sequence analysis of a rickettsial isolate from this tick in BLASTn showed 100% identity with gltA (340 base pairs [bp]), 99.87% for ompB (782 bp), 98.99% for htrA (497 bp), and 100% for ompA (488 bp) to R. amblyommatis. Concatenated phylogenetic analysis confirmed these findings indicating that the isolate is grouped with other sequences of Amblyomma cajennense complex from Panama and Brazil within the R. amblyommatis clade.

Conclusions

This paper describes the isolation and early molecular identification of a R. amblyommatis strain from A. mixtum in Colombia.

Graphical Abstract
Dual inhibition of glycolysis and glutaminolysis for synergistic therapy of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ahmed Shanzay , Mahony Christopher B. , Torres Alyssa , Murillo-Saich Jessica , Kemble Samuel , Cedeno Martha , John Peter , Bhatti Attya , Croft Adam P. , Guma Monica
Published: September 2023

Background

Synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis (RAFLS) exhibit a pathological aberration of glycolysis and glutaminolysis. Henceforth, we aimed to investigate if dual inhibition of these pathways by phytobiological compound c28MS has the potential of synergistic therapy for arthritis by targeting both glucose and glutamine metabolism.

Methods

The presence of HK2 and GLS across various cell types and associated gene expression in human synovial cells and a murine model of arthritis was evaluated by scRNA-seq. The metabolic profiling of RAFLS cells was done using H1-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy under glycolytic and glutaminolytic inhibitory conditions by incubating with 3-bromopyruvate, CB839, or dual inhibitor c28MS. FLS functional analysis was conducted under similar conditions. ELISA was employed for the quantification of IL-6, CCL2, and MMP3. K/BxN sera was administered to mice to induce arthritis for in vivo arthritis experiments.

Results

scRNA-seq analysis revealed that many fibroblasts expressed Hk2 along with Gls with several genes including Ptgs2, Hif1a, Timp1, Cxcl5, and Plod2 only associated with double-positive fibroblasts, suggesting that dual inhibition can be an attractive target for fibroblasts. Metabolomic and functional analysis revealed that c28MS decreased the aggressive behavior of RAFLS by targeting both upregulated glycolysis and glutaminolysis. c28MS administered in vivo significantly decreased the severity of arthritis in the K/BxN model.

Conclusion

Our findings imply that dual inhibition of glycolysis and glutaminolysis could be an effective approach for the treatment of RA. It also suggests that targeting more than one metabolic pathway can be a novel treatment approach in non-cancer diseases.
Intrinsic variables associated with low back pain and lumbar spine injury in fast bowlers in cricket: a systematic review
Authors: Farhart Patrick , Beakley David , Diwan Ashish , Duffield Rob , Rodriguez Elizabeth Pickering , Chamoli Uphar , Watsford Mark
Published: September 2023

Background

Lumbar spine injuries in fast bowlers account for the greatest missed playing time in cricket. A range of extrinsic and intrinsic variables are hypothesised to be associated with low back pain and lumbar spine injury in fast bowlers, and an improved understanding of intrinsic variables is necessary as these may alter load tolerance and injury risk associated with fast bowling. This review critically evaluated studies reporting intrinsic variables associated with low back pain and lumbar spine injury in fast bowlers and identified areas for future investigation.

Methods

OVID Medline, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were last searched on 3 June 2022 to identify studies investigating intrinsic variables associated with low back pain and lumbar spine injury in cricket fast bowlers. Terms relevant to cricket fast bowling, and intrinsic variables associated with lumbar spine injury and low back pain in fast bowlers were searched. 1,503 abstracts were screened, and 118 full‐text articles were appraised to determine whether they met inclusion criteria. Two authors independently screened search results and assessed risk of bias using a modified version of the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.

Results

Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, no included studies demonstrated a low risk of bias, two studies were identified as moderate risk, and twenty-three studies were identified as high risk. Conflicting results were reported amongst studies investigating associations of fast bowling kinematics and kinetics, trunk and lumbar anatomical features, anthropometric traits, age, and neuromuscular characteristics with low back pain and lumbar spine injury.

Conclusion

Inconsistencies in results may be related to differences in study design, injury definitions, participant characteristics, measurement parameters, and statistical analyses. Low back pain and lumbar spine injury occurrence in fast bowlers remain high, and this may be due to an absence of low bias studies that have informed recommendations for their prevention. Future research should employ clearly defined injury outcomes, analyse continuous datasets, utilise models that better represent lumbar kinematics and kinetics during fast bowling, and better quantify previous injury, lumbar anatomical features and lumbar maturation.

Trial registration

Open Science Framework https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ERKZ2.
Impact of Parthenium hysterophorus L. invasion on soil fungal communities in the Yellow River Delta
Authors: Gong Lixin , Xin Xin , Song Wei , Zhang Zaiwang , Zhang Jiabo , Shang Shuai
Published: September 2023

Purpose

As an invasive plant, Parthenium hysterophorus severely impacts the ecological environment of the Yellow River Delta and reduces biodiversity in the invaded areas. The effects of P. hysterophorus invasion on the local environment became increasingly critical, while few information was available for the effects of P. hysterophorus invasion on soil bacteria. The present study aimed to reveal the impacts of hysterophorus on the fungal communities in the Yellow River Delta.

Methods

Sixteen soil samples including four groups (ROOT group, YRR group, YNR group, and GBS group) were collected. High-throughput methods were used to explore the fungal composition of the P. hysterophorus-invaded surrounding environment and native plant-growed environment.

Results

Our results showed that the ACE (351.97) and Chao1 (351.95) values of the rhizosphere soils of P. hysterophorus (YRR group) were the highest among the four groups, whereas the non-rhizosphere soil samples of P. hysterophorus (YNR group) had the highest Shannon (7.188) and Simpson (0.984) values. The total number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) obtained from the four groups was 1965, with 161 common OTUs among different groups. At the phylum level, both Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungi, with Ascomycota having the highest abundance. At the genus level, except for the endophytic fungi of P. hysterophorus roots (ROOT group), Fusarium, Mortierella, Comoclathris, and Cladosporium were the dominant fungi in three groups. The fungal communities within the roots of P. hysterophorus were distant from other groups, indicating that the composition of the fungal communities within the roots had a low degree of similarity to the other three groups. LEfSe analysis showed that Ascomycota at the phylum level and Cladosporium, Curvularia, and Alternaria at the genus level play essential roles in the ROOT group, and Comoclathris plays a vital role in the YNR group.

Conclusions

This study explored the effects of P. hysterophorus invasion on the local soil fungal communities by analyzing the fungal communities in P. hysterophorus roots, rhizosphere soil, non-rhizosphere soil, and rhizosphere soil of native plants. Generally, P. hysterophorus rhizosphere fungi specifically affect the surrounding environment.
Sex hormones and the risk of myocardial infarction in women and men: a prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank
Authors: Harris Katie , Peters Sanne A. E. , Woodward Mark
Published: September 2023

Objectives

There is conflicting evidence around the role of sex hormones with cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the association of sex hormones with the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in pre- and post-menopausal women, and men in the UK Biobank.

Methods

The UK Biobank is a prospective population-based cohort study, that recruited over 500,000 (aged 40–69 years) women and men between 2006 and 2010.

Sex specific cox regression models, estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and women to men ratio of HRs (RHR) with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI), were used to model the association of sex hormones [oestrogen, testosterone, oestrogen: testosterone (O/T) ratio, sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and the free androgen index (FAI)], measured at study baseline, with incident MI for women and men.

Results

Data were from 479,797 participants [264,282 (55.1%) women] without a history of MI at study baseline. Over 12.5 years of follow-up, there were 4,908 MI events in women and 10,517 in men. Neither oestrogen nor testosterone were associated with MI in women and men after multiple adjustment. For men, but not women, a unit higher log-transformed O/T ratio was associated with a lower risk of MI 0.79 (0.65, 0.95) after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors. The corresponding women to men RHR (95% CI) was 1.24 (0.99, 1.56). Higher SHBG (per unit) was also associated with a lower risk of MI in men 0.94 (0.89, 0.99), and not in women 1.02 (0.95, 1.09) after multiple adjustment, the corresponding women to men RHR (95% CI) was 1.09 (1.00, 1.18). Higher FAI was associated with a higher risk of MI in men 1.09 (1.02, 1.15), though not in women 0.97 (0.92, 1.02), the corresponding women to men RHR was 0.89 (0.82, 0.97). Finally, there were differential effects in the association of SHBG and FAI between pre- and post-menopausal women.

Conclusions

A higher O/T ratio was associated with a lower risk of MI, and a higher FAI with a higher risk of MI after adjustment for CVD risk factors in men, but not in women. Thus, hormone ratios, rather than each alone, may play an important role in modulating the effect of MI.
Learning-based robust speaker counting and separation with the aid of spatial coherence
Authors: Hsu Yicheng , Bai Mingsian R.
Published: September 2023

A three-stage approach is proposed for speaker counting and speech separation in noisy and reverberant environments. In the spatial feature extraction, a spatial coherence matrix (SCM) is computed using whitened relative transfer functions (wRTFs) across time frames. The global activity functions of each speaker are estimated from a simplex constructed using the eigenvectors of the SCM, while the local coherence functions are computed from the coherence between the wRTFs of a time-frequency bin and the global activity function-weighted RTF of the target speaker. In speaker counting, we use the eigenvalues of the SCM and the maximum similarity of the interframe global activity distributions between two speakers as the input features to the speaker counting network (SCnet). In speaker separation, a global and local activity-driven network (GLADnet) is used to extract each independent speaker signal, which is particularly useful for highly overlapping speech signals. Experimental results obtained from the real meeting recordings show that the proposed system achieves superior speaker counting and speaker separation performance compared to previous publications without the prior knowledge of the array configurations.
Mapping global evidence on injuries/trauma due to sexual and gender-based violence for research prioritisation and development of guidelines to mitigate their impact: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kuupiel Desmond , Lateef Monsurat A. , Pillay Julian D. , Mchunu Gugu G.
Published: September 2023

Background

The World Health Organization recognises injuries as a growing global public health problem. While there are several causes of injuries and trauma, relevant research is mostly centred on road traffic accidents, burns, and drowning with less focus on violence-related injuries/trauma such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). To identify priority research topics, prioritisation, and development of practice guidelines to mitigate the impact of injuries/trauma resulting from SGBV, this systematic scoping review will aim to map and describe the range of research relating to injuries/trauma due to SGBV in the global context.

Methods

A scoping review guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework will be conducted. Literature relating to injuries/trauma and SGBV will be searched in PubMed, SCOPUS, and PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Trip, guideline repositories, websites, and reference list of included articles. This study will include evidence sources focused on the epidemiological burden, guidelines for out-of-hospital and in-hospital care of victims, barriers or facilitators to reporting and obtaining healthcare, and approaches for mitigating injuries/trauma due to SGBV. The search will be limited to publications within 10 years (2012 to 2023). Two authors will apply the eligibility criteria to identify potentially relevant citations. The data will be extracted in duplicate and methodological quality assessed using varied tools (Mixed Method Quality Appraisal Tool; and Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation instrument). The study will be reported in keeping with the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews.

Discussion

The scoping review will highlight existing literature on injuries/trauma due to SGBV and identify gaps to facilitate research prioritisation, development of guidelines, and resource allocation to alleviate the impact of injuries/trauma resulting from SGBV. This study’s findings will be disseminated via a series of meetings with key stakeholders (local and international) in the field of healthcare, policy, social welfare, GBV interest groups, and others. Also, the final scoping review results will be presented at relevant workshops, meetings, and conferences. Moreover, this study’s findings will be disseminated via journal publications and policy briefs.
Blood flow on ultrasound imaging is a predictor of lump margin status in breast-conserving patients: a retrospective matching study
Authors: Zhao Rong , Zhang Jianyong , Gao Jinnan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study investigated the relationship between breast ultrasound features and lump margin status in breast-conserving patients.

Methods

A single-institution database and medical records system were searched to identify patients who had undergone breast-conserving surgery between 2015 and 2022. Patients were divided into case and control groups based on their postoperative margin status, and different matching methods [case–control matching (CCM) and propensity score matching (PSM)] were used to match the cases and controls at a ratio of 1:1.

Results

Before matching, patients with positive margins were more likely to have a tumor with increased blood flow (OR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.83–4.61, p < 0.001) and microcalcifications (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.44–3.42, p < 0.001). Among the 83 pairs of CCM subjects, patients with positive margins were prone to increased blood flow (p = 0.007) and crab sign (p = 0.040). In addition, there was a significant difference in blood flow (p = 0.030) among PSM subjects. After adjusting for the unbalanced factors, the same results were obtained.

Conclusions

Ultrasound blood flow significantly predicts the status of breast-conserving margins, but further studies are required to verify our findings.
Patient-derived iPSC models of Friedreich ataxia: a new frontier for understanding disease mechanisms and therapeutic application
Authors: Maheshwari Saumya , Vilema-Enríquez Gabriela , Wade-Martins Richard
Published: September 2023

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a rare genetic multisystem disorder caused by a pathological GAA trinucleotide repeat expansion in the FXN gene. The numerous drawbacks of historical cellular and rodent models of FRDA have caused difficulty in performing effective mechanistic and translational studies to investigate the disease. The recent discovery and subsequent development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides an exciting platform to enable enhanced disease modelling for studies of rare genetic diseases. Utilising iPSCs, researchers have created phenotypically relevant and previously inaccessible cellular models of FRDA. These models enable studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying GAA-induced pathology, as well as providing an exciting tool for the screening and testing of novel disease-modifying therapies. This review explores how the use of iPSCs to study FRDA has developed over the past decade, as well as discussing the enormous therapeutic potentials of iPSC-derived models, their current limitations and their future direction within the field of FRDA research.

Graphical abstract
Assessing knowledge and willingness to use genetically modified crops in Uganda
Authors: Mustafa Abubakar Sadik , Ssenku Jamilu E. , Nyachwo Evelyne B. , Ruto Grace Cherotich , Bunani Nelson , Musimami Grace , Maseruka Ronald , Anywar Godwin
Published: September 2023

Background

There has been a lot of debate on genetically modified (GM) crops both globally and locally in Uganda. Whereas some of the debates have been informed by scientific research, many are not. The level of acceptance and attitudes of people towards GM crops is a function of their knowledge. However, there is a paucity of studies on the knowledge and attitudes of Ugandans on GM crops. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of GM crops in Uganda.

Methods

We carried out a mixed methods study in September 2021 in Bushenyi, Jinja and Wakiso districts. We conducted 18 focus group discussions (FGDs), 13 key informant interviews (KIIs) and 698 quantitative interviews. The quantitative interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires. The FGD and KI interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The qualitative data were analyzed using framework analysis and the quantitative data were analyzed using modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge of GM crops in STATA 15.

Results

Out of the 698 respondents interviewed, only 273 (39.1%) had ever heard of GM crops. About 204 (74.7%) of the 273 respondents reported having a moderate–high understanding of GM crops and 62.3% (170) of the respondents further reported that GM crops are harmful to their health and environment, despite some of their intrinsic benefits, such as high productivity, improved income and resilience to pests and diseases. In addition, Out of the 698 respondents interviewed, only 37.7% were wary of the possibility of the emergence of super pests due to the development of resistance to some GM crops.

Conclusions

Most of the community members do not have adequate knowledge about GM crops, hence, there is need for sensitization and legislation on GM crops before their release to the public.
Association between childhood trauma, cognition, and psychosocial function in a large sample of partially or fully remitted patients with bipolar disorder and healthy participants
Authors: Miskowiak Kamilla Woznica , Hansen Katrine Bang , Mariegaard Johanna , Kessing Lars Vedel
Published: September 2023

Background

Childhood trauma (CT) are frequently reported by patients with bipolar disorder (BD), but it is unclear whether and how CT contribute to patients’ cognitive and psychosocial impairments. We aimed to examine the impact of CT on cognition and psychosocial functioning in a large sample of 345 patients with BD and 183 healthy control participants (HC) using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, neurocognitive tests and ratings of mood symptoms and functioning.

Results

Patients showed broad cognitive impairments across memory, attention and executive function and functional disability despite being in partial or full remission and had higher levels of CT than HC. Higher levels of CT correlated with impairments across almost all cognitive domains and lower psychosocial functioning across BD patients and HC. Of these, the associations between CT and poorer working memory and lower psychosocial functioning, respectively, prevailed after adjusting for clinical and demographical variables. Diagnosis of BD and estimated verbal intelligence did not moderate these associations. Analysis of CT sub-categories showed that working memory impairments were related particularly to childhood physical and emotional abuse, while psychosocial difficulties were related to physical and emotional neglect.

Conclusions

CT may have negative implications for working memory and psychosocial functioning across both BD and healthy populations. If the findings are replicated, this would suggest that early interventions that reduce the frequency of CT in vulnerable families may aid children’s cognitive and psychosocial development.
Co-producing principles to guide health research: an illustrative case study from an eating disorder research clinic
Authors: Papastavrou Brooks Cat , Kafle Eshika , Butt Natali , Chawner Dave , Day Anna , Elsby-Pearson Chloë , Elson Emily , Hammond John , Herbert Penny , Jenkins Catherine L. , Johnson Zach , Keith-Roach Sarah Helen , Papasileka Eirini , Reeves Stella , Stewart Natasha , Gilbert Nicola , Startup Helen
Published: September 2023

Background

There is significant value in co-produced health research, however power-imbalances within research teams can pose a barrier to people with lived experience of an illness determining the direction of research in that area. This is especially true in eating disorder research, where the inclusion of co-production approaches lags other research areas. Appealing to principles or values can serve to ground collaborative working. Despite this, there has not been any prior attempt to co-produce principles to guide the work of a research group and serve as a basis for developing future projects.

Methods

The aim of this piece of work was to co-produce a set of principles to guide the conduct of research within our lived experience led research clinic, and to offer an illustrative case for the value of this as a novel co-production methodology. A lived experience panel were recruited to our eating disorder research group. Through an iterative series of workshops with the members of our research clinic (composed of a lived experience panel, clinicians, and researchers) we developed a set of principles which we agreed were important in ensuring both the direction of our research, and the way in which we wanted to work together.

Results

Six key principles were developed using this process. They were that research should aim to be: 1) real world—offering a clear and concrete benefit to people with eating disorders, 2) tailored—suitable for marginalised groups and people with atypical diagnoses, 3) hopeful—ensuring that hope for recovery was centred in treatment, 4) experiential—privileging the ‘voice’ of people with eating disorders, 5) broad—encompassing non-standard therapeutic treatments and 6) democratic—co-produced by people with lived experience of eating disorders.

Conclusions

We reflect on some of the positives as well as limitations of the process, highlighting the importance of adequate funding for longer-term co-production approaches to be taken, and issues around ensuring representation of minority groups. We hope that other health research groups will see the value in co-producing principles to guide research in their own fields, and will adapt, develop, and refine this novel methodology.