bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Piperine mitigates oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the testicular damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mice
Authors: Fani Fatemeh , Hosseinimehr Seyed Jalal , Zargari Mehryar , Mirzaei Mansoureh , Karimpour Malekshah Abbasali , Talebpour Amiri Fereshteh
Published: March 2024

Although cyclophosphamide (CP) has been approved as an anticancer drug, its toxic effect on most organs, especially the testis, has been established. Piperine (PIP) is an alkaloid that has antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti‐inflammatory activities. This study was investigated the protective effects of PIP on CP‐induced testicular toxicity in the mice. In this experimental study, 48 adult male BALB/c mice (30−35 g) were divided into six groups (n = 8), receiving normal saline (C), 5 mg/kg of PIP (PIP5), 10 mg/kg of PIP (PIP10), 200 mg/kg of CP, 200 mg/kg of CP + PIP5, and 200 mg/kg of CP + PIP10. On the eighth day of the study, blood and testis samples were prepared for serum testosterone hormone quantification, sperm analysis, histological, and immunohistochemical assays. The results of this study showed that CP induced testicular toxicity with the decrease of sperm count, motility, and viability. Also, CP treatment caused histological structure alterations in the testis, including exfoliation, degeneration, vacuolation of spermatogenic cells, and reducing the thickness of the epithelium and the diameter of the seminiferous tubule. In addition, CP decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Caspase‐3, and NF‐κB. At the same time, PIP treatment reduced testicular histopathological abnormalities, oxidative stress, and apoptosis that were induced by CP. These results showed that PIP improved CP‐induced testicular toxicity in mice, which can be related to its antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti‐inflammatory activities.
Exosomal circ_0000735 contributes to non‐small lung cancer malignant progression
Authors: Liu Sijie , Wu Xun , Wang Yanjie , Chen Yingtai
Published: March 2024

Circular RNA is an important regulator for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Circ_0000735 has been found to be significantly overexpressed in NSCLC tissues. Therefore, its role and mechanism in NSCLC progression need to be further explored. The expression levels of circ_0000735, miR‐345‐5p and A disintegrin and metalloprotease 19 (ADAM19) were determined using quantitative real‐time PCR. EdU staining, wound healing and transwell assays were utilized to detect cell proliferation and metastasis. The protein levels of metastasis markers, exosome markers and ADAM19 were determined using western blot. Animal experiments were performed to confirm the role of circ_0000735 in NSCLC tumorigenesis. The exosomes from cells and serum were identified using transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. We found that circ_0000735 was upregulated in NSCLC, and its knockdown repressed NSCLC cell proliferation and metastasis. In terms of mechanism, circ_0000735 targeted miR‐345‐5p to regulate ADAM19. MiR‐345‐5p inhibitor reversed the suppressive effect of circ_0000735 knockdown on NSCLC progression, and ADAM19 overexpression abolished the inhibition effect of miR‐345‐5p on NSCLC progression. Also, animal experiments showed that silencing of circ_0000735 reduced NSCLC tumorigenesis. In addition, exosomes mediated the intercellular transmission of circ_0000735, and serum exosomal circ_0000735 might be an important indicator for the diagnosis of NSCLC. In conclusion, circ_0000735 facilitated NSCLC progression via miR‐345‐5p/ADAM19 pathway, and serum exosomal circ_0000735 might be a potential biomarker for NSCLC diagnosis.
Clinical guideline highlights for the hospitalist: Diagnosis and treatment of diabetes‐related foot infections
Authors: Pham Charles D. , Lo Jessica , Hua Duong T.
Published: March 2024

GUIDELINE TITLE: IWGDF/IDSA Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes‐related Foot Infections

RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2023

PRIOR VERSION: March 16, 2020

DEVELOPER: IWGDF Editorial Board

FUNDING SOURCE: International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

TARGET POPULATION: Adults with suspected or confirmed diabetes‐related foot infections
Use of a carrageenan‐based gel had no impact on anal HPVs 16 and 18 viral loads in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
Authors: Kassam Pareesa , El‐Zein Mariam , Laurie Cassandra , Tota Joseph E. , Tellier Pierre‐Paul , Coutlée François , de Pokomandy Alexandra , Franco Eduardo L.
Published: March 2024

The Lubricant Investigation in Men to Inhibit Transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection randomized control trial in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) found that carrageenan use neither reduced acquisition of anal HPV infections nor influenced infection clearance. To investigate carrageenan's lack of protective effect, we compared the change in anal HPV16 and HPV18 viral loads following carrageenan use against placebo. We restricted our analysis to participants who completed the first four study visits and had a valid baseline sample (n = 161, 54 HIV‐positive). Samples were tested for HPV detection using the linear array PCR assay. HPV16‐ and/or HPV18‐positive samples were tested for viral load using real‐time PCR. For participants who tested HPV16‐ (n = 29) or HPV18‐positive (n = 10) at least once across visits 1−4, we compared the change in type‐specific viral load between study arms using the Mann−Whitney U test. Although the median net change in HPV16 and HPV18 viral loads across visits 1‐4 was higher in the treatment than placebo arm (HPV16: 0.68 vs. 0.18 copies/cell, p = 0.60; HPV18: 18.32 vs. 10.12 copies/cell, p = 0.52), these differences were not statistically significant. Results were similar by HIV status. Carrageenan use did not impact anal HPV16 or HPV18 viral loads, which may further explain its lack of protective effect in gbMSM.
Cryoprotective effect of epigallocatechin gallate replacing sucrose on Hypophythalmichthys molitrix surimi during frozen storage
Authors: Xiao Naiyong , Tian Zhihang , Zhang Qiang , Xu Huiya , Yin Yantao , Liu Shucheng , Shi Wenzheng
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the cryoprotective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) replacing sucrose on surimi during frozen storage. Substitution or partial substitution of 0.1% EGCG for sucrose (1.5%) was added to surimi, and the surimi samples without and with commercial cryoprotectants (4% sucrose and 4% sorbitol) were used as the control group.

RESULTS

The results obtained suggest that, with the increase in frozen storage time, the structural performance of surimi protein gradually weakened (e.g. the decrease in the surface hydrophobicity, the increase in the total sulfhydryl and solubility, and the protein myosin heavy chain bands became shallow) and surimi gel quality gradually deteriorated (e.g. the decrease in water‐holding capacity, gel strength and all texture profile attributes). However, compared with the other three group surimi samples during the frozen period, the surimi proteins with partial replacement of sucrose by EGCG had a higher total sulfhydryl group content and solubility of proteins, as well as lower surface hydrophobicity of protein, suggesting that the addition of EGCG as a partial substitute for sucrose can enhance the antifreeze ability of surimi. Meanwhile, the surimi gel with the partial replacement of sucrose by EGCG had a higher water retention capacity, gel strength and texture attributes (e.g. hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience), indicating that the addition of EGCG as a partial substitute for sucrose can inhibit the deterioration of surimi gel quality.

CONCLUSION

Overall, EGCG partially replacing sucrose can play an alternative cryoprotectant with a lower sweetness to prevent the quality of surimi from deteriorating. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
From posttraumatic stress symptoms to suicidal ideation among military veterans: Pathways founded on meaning in life and gratitude
Authors: Kumar Shaina A. , Taverna Emily , Borowski Shelby , Smith Brian N. , Vogt Dawne
Published: March 2024

Military veterans experience higher rates of suicidal ideation compared to nonveteran populations. Importantly, suicidal ideation often precedes and predicts fatal and nonfatal suicide attempts, and thus it is critical to better understand factors that increase risk for suicidal ideation to inform suicide prevention efforts in this population. One key predictor of suicidal ideation is exposure to traumatic experiences and their sequelae, particularly posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). However, little work has explored how deficits in well‐being contribute to this association among veterans. We tested two aspects of well‐being—meaning in life and gratitude—as potential mechanisms underlying the pathway from PTSS to suicidal ideation among 7,388 men and women veterans who recently separated from service. A parallel mediation analysis revealed significant paths from more severe PTSS to more frequent suicidal ideation through diminished meaning in life, B = 0.005, SE = 0.001, 95% CI [0.004, 0.007], and gratitude, B = 0.001, SE = 0.001, 95% CI [< 0.001, 0.002]. Gender differences were also observed. Although the results related to meaning in life appeared to replicate across gender, pathways involving gratitude differed among men and women. Overall, our findings suggest that helping veterans build meaning and appreciation in everyday life may be a proactive and holistic approach to suicide prevention.
Cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases in Afro‐Caribbean skin
Authors: Cordel Nadège
Published: March 2024

There is a need for training dermatologists in skin of colour's common and less common dermatoses due to the increasing diversity of the world population. The aim of this review is to highlight on cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases in Afro‐Caribbean people, especially sarcoidosis, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus.
Quantification of Heavy Metals in the Nasal Turbines of Smokers and Nonsmokers
Authors: Öner Fatih , Mazlumoğlu Muhammet Recai , Kurt Osman , Kurt Nezahat , Ücüncü Harun
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Cigarette smoke is known to contain toxic heavy metals. In this study, heavy metal levels in the nasal turbinate tissues of smokers and nonsmokers were measured and compared with Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS).

Methods

Forty patients who come to the Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic due to nasal obstruction and are given an appointment for partial turbinate reduction operation due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy, according to their smoking status, were divided into two groups: those who had smoked one pack/day for at least 10 years and those who had never smoked. The levels of heavy metals (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Se, and Ag) were compared by ICP‐MS in nasal turbinate tissues.

Results

Al (p = 0.002), Cr (p < 0.001), Co (p < 0.001), Ni (p = 0.001), Cu (p < 0.001), As (p < 0.001), Se (p < 0.001), Ag (p < 0.001), Cd (p = 0.001), Ba (p = 0.008), Hg (p < 0.001), and Pb (p < 0.001) values in the smoker group were found to be significantly higher than the values of nonsmokers. Although the Mn level was high in smokers, no significant difference was observed (p = 0.299).

Conclusions

Smoking can cause nasal and sinus problems. In this study, we observed that the smoking group had significantly higher levels of almost all the heavy metals investigated in the nasal turbinate tissues. As smoking damages, the mucociliary system and the mucosa, heavy metals from cigarettes may accumulate further and cause harm to the nasal tissues.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:3562–3567, 2024
Removal of Metal Tracheal Stent: A Difficult Foreign Body
Authors: Marget Matthew J. , Gelbard Alexander
Published: March 2024

Introduction

With its introduction in 1986, the use of metal tracheal stents gained favor due to relative ease of deployment and reduced risk of stent migration and mucus plugging. However, adverse events associated with metal stenting led the FDA to publish a recommendation against its use for benign airway stenosis in 2005. We present a case which illustrates the difficulty in removal of a metal stent from the airway.

Case Report

Our patient is a 47‐year‐old woman with a history of postintubation tracheal stenosis. She underwent multiple interventions with Thoracic Surgery at an outside facility, including stenting with an Ultraflex expandable metal stent. Her course was complicated by recurrent intraluminal granulation tissue, which led to placement of additional metal stents, as well as a tracheostomy due to obstructive proximal granulation tissue. On presentation at our institution, removal of the stents was recommended due to recurrent tracheitis and proximity of stent fragments to the innominate artery on CT imaging. She underwent direct microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, and stent fragments were removed using a hemostat through the trach stoma. Postoperative imaging has confirmed retained stent fragments, and additional procedures have been required for further removal.

Discussion/Conclusion

Removal of metal stents from the trachea is challenging for several reasons. Neoepithelization of respiratory mucosa makes identification of fragments difficult. Furthermore, growth of granulation tissue through the metal lattice framework, as well as the stents' tendency to fracture, complicates extraction. This case illustrates the dangers of metal stenting for benign airway stenosis. Laryngoscope, 134:3977–3980, 2024
Corrosion behavior of Ni–25Cr–10Fe–3Si–xMo alloys beneath KCl–ZnCl2 deposits at 650°C: Role of long‐term aging
Authors: Jia Guodong , Xu Wanjian , Wang Zixie , Li Jun , Xiao Xueshan
Published: March 2024

The corrosion behavior of unaged and thermally aged Ni–25Cr–10Fe–3Si–xMo (x = 0, 3 wt%) alloys was studied beneath KCl–ZnCl2 deposits at 650°C. The results indicated that the addition of Mo promoted the formation of a continuous Si‐rich protective layer and improved the corrosion performance of the unaged Ni–25Cr–10Fe–3Si–xMo alloys. The precipitates formed after long‐term aging greatly affect the corrosion resistance of the thermally aged alloys. The M23C6 along the grain boundaries is beneficial to improve corrosion resistance, however, the dispersed Laves phase and Sigma deteriorate corrosion resistance.
Hot corrosion resistance of oxide‐doped yttria‐stabilized zirconia powder in V2O5 molten salt
Authors: Ankah Nestor K. , Gasem Zuhair M.
Published: March 2024

The hot corrosion resistance of 8 wt.% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) powder, modified with CaO, MgO, Ta2O5, and TiO2 at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 wt.%, was systematically investigated in a molten vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) environment at 900°C and 1100°C for 48 h. The modified 8YSZ samples, coated with V2O5, underwent thermal cycling totaling 12 cycles. Results revealed susceptibility to hot corrosion for all doped 8YSZ powders, attributed to tetragonal ZrO2 destabilization, forming monoclinic ZrO2. Remarkably, 8YSZ/CaO demonstrated exceptional resistance to hot corrosion when exposed to a temperature of 900°C. The corrosion product found in the 8YSZ/Ta2O5 material was determined to be tetragonal Zr0.66Y0.17Ta0.17O2. Although, 8YSZ/TiO2 undergoes deterioration at 900°C, it exhibits improved resistance at 1100°C, resulting in the formation of TiVO4.
Merging Modular Molecular Design with High Throughput Screening of Cell Adhesion on Antimicrobial Supramolecular Biomaterials
Authors: Schmitz Moniek G. J. , Aarts Jasper G. M. , Burroughs Laurence , Sudarsanam Phanikrishna , Kuijpers Tim J. M. , Riool Martijn , de Boer Leonie , Xue Xuan , Bosnacki Dragan , Zaat Sebastian A. J. , de Boer Jan , Alexander Morgan R. , Dankers Patricia Y. W.
Published: March 2024

A polymer microarray based on the supramolecular ureido‐pyrimidinone (UPy) moiety is fabricated to screen antimicrobial materials for their ability to support cell adhesion. UPy‐functionalized additives, either cell‐adhesive, antimicrobial or control peptides, are used, and investigated in different combinations at different concentrations, resulting in a library of 194 spots. These are characterized on composition and morphology to evaluate the microarray fabrication. Normal human dermal fibroblasts are cultured on the microarrays and cell adhesion to the spots is systematically analyzed. Results demonstrate enhanced cell adhesion on spots with combinations including the antimicrobial peptides. This study clearly proves the power of the high throughput approach in combination with supramolecular molecules, to screen additive libraries for desired biological response.
Elimination of the hepatitis B virus: A goal, a challenge
Authors: Pondé Robério Amorim de Almeida , Amorim Guilherme de Sousa Pondé
Published: March 2024

The hepatitis B elimination is a goal proposed by the WHO to be achieved by 2030 through the adoption of synergistic measures for the prevention and chronic HBV infection treatment. Complete cure is characterized by the HBV elimination from the body and is the goal of the chronic hepatitis B treatment, which once achieved, will enable the hepatitis B elimination. This, today, has been a scientific challenge. The difficulty in achieving a complete cure is due to the indefinite maintenance of a covalently closed episomal circular DNA (cccDNA) reservoir and the maintenance and persistence of an insufficient and dysfunctional immune response in chronically infected patients. Among the measures adopted to eliminate hepatitis B, two have the potential to directly interfere with the virus cycle, but with limited effect on HBV control. These are conventional vaccines—blocking transmission and antiviral therapy—inhibiting replication. Vaccines, despite their effectiveness in protecting against horizontal transmission and preventing mother‐to‐child vertical transmission, have no effect on chronic infection or potential to eliminate the virus. Treatment with antivirals suppresses viral replication, but has no curative effect, as it has no action against cccDNA. Therapeutic vaccines comprise an additional approach in the chronic infection treatment, however, they have only a modest effect on the immune system, enhancing it temporarily. This manuscript aims to address (1) the cccDNA persistence in the hepatocyte nucleus and the immune response dysfunction in chronically infected individuals as two primary factors that have hampered the treatment and HBV elimination from the human body; (2) the limitations of antiviral therapy and therapeutic vaccines, as strategies to control hepatitis B; and (3) the possibly promising therapeutic approaches for the complete cure and elimination of hepatitis B.
Uniform attractors for nonautonomous MGT‐Fourier system
Authors: Wang Yang , Wu Jihui
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we consider the dynamical behavior of nonautonomous MGT‐Fourier system

We first establish the global existence and asymptotic behavior by semigroup method and multiplicative method. Next, we get the existence of the uniform attractors by the method of uniform contractive functions, which only need to verify compactness condition with the same type of energy estimates for establishing absorbing set. Finally, we also consider the semilinear case by semigroup method.
A stochastic Susceptible Vaccinees Infected Recovered epidemic model with three types of noises
Authors: Alkhazzan Abdulwasea , Wang Jungang , Nie Yufeng , Khan Hasib , Alzabut Jehad
Published: March 2024

Epidemics pose a serious threat to public health, and effective disease control measures are essential. To address this challenge, we propose a novel stochastic Susceptible Vaccinees Infected Recovered (SVIR) epidemic model that incorporates temporary immunities, media coverage, and three types of noises: white noise, telegraph noise, and L
vy noise. Our model is more realistic than traditional epidemic models, as it accounts for the random fluctuations in disease transmission and the impact of media coverage on public behavior. We use Lyapunov functions and stopping times to prove the existence of a global positive solution to our model. We also derive sufficient conditions for the extinction and persistence of the infection. Furthermore, we develop a numerical scheme to validate our theoretical findings and to analyze the influence of various parameters on the model's dynamics. Our model can be used to guide policymakers in developing and implementing effective disease control measures.
Sex differences in the association between (sexual) abuse and lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Teunissen Theodora A. M. , Lagro‐Janssen Antoinette L. M. , Akkermans Reinier P. , Blanker Marco H. , Knol‐de Vries Grietje E.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To study the possible association between (sexual) abuse and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men and women. To study the differences in this association between men and women, and between the timing of the abuse.

Subjects and Methods

A Dutch observational population‐based cross‐sectional study was used, based on self‐administered questionnaires. Respondents were included if they had answered all questions about abuse and LUTS. Logistic regression was used to analyse the data.

Results

Included were 558 men and 790 women, of whom 29% and 37%, respectively, reported a history of one of more types of abuse. Abuse was significantly associated with LUTS in both men (odds ratio [OR] 1.7; 1.2–2.5) and women (OR 1.4; 1.1–2.1). This association, testing by two‐way interaction, was significantly stronger in men. No association was found between childhood abuse or adulthood abuse and LUTS, in men or women. The association of sexual abuse with LUTS was significant in both men (2.7; 1.4–5.2) and in women (1.5; 1.1–2.2), and this association (testing by two‐way interaction) was significantly much stronger in men.

Conclusion

In men more than in women, a history of any type of abuse is associated with LUTS, regardless of whether the abuse occurred during childhood or adulthood. In both sexes, a history of sexual abuse is also associated with experiencing LUTS, with a much stronger association in men than in women. Patients, in particular male patients, presenting with LUTS should therefore be asked about sexual abuse in the past.
Body‐fitted topology optimization via integer linear programming using surface capturing techniques
Authors: Soares da Costa Azevêdo Anderson , Li Hao , Ishida Naoyuki , Siqueira Lucas Oliveira , Cortez Rômulo Luz , Nelli Silva Emílio Carlos , Nishiwaki Shinji , Picelli Renato
Published: March 2024

Recent advancements in computational tools and additive manufacturing have expanded design possibilities on fluid devices and structures to also include aesthetics. However, traditional discrete density‐based topology optimization methods usually use square and cubic regular meshes, resulting in jagged contour patterns that require mesh refinement and post‐processing to numerical solution steps of complex physics problems. In this article, we propose a new isosurface boundary capture strategy for topology optimization in structural and fluid flow problems. The capture of smoothed boundaries is done via a simple strategy through element splitting and analysis domain remeshing. The smoothing procedure novelty lies on the optimizer regular mesh decomposition into smaller triangular or tetrahedral elements with a pseudo‐density nodal function that produces implicit geometry boundaries. We employ the TOBS‐GT (topology optimization of binary structures with geometry trimming) method to solve optimization problems for mean compliance and fluid flow energy dissipation, subject to a volume fraction constraint. Since, we perform discrete body‐fitted optimization, the material interpolation models are expressed in linear form without penalty factors. Our method produces a lower computational cost topology evolution with high resolution and mitigated sharp details, achieved via smooth edges and surfaces, as demonstrated through benchmark numerical examples in two‐ and three‐dimensional space. In addition, the proposed strategy facilitates the optimization of benchmark fluid flow examples for moderate Reynolds numbers.
Early Results With the New Active Bone‐Conduction Hearing Implant: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lein Alexander , Baumgartner Wolf‐Dieter , Riss Dominik , Gstöttner Wolfgang , Landegger Lukas D. , Liu David T. , Thurner Thomas , Vyskocil Erich , Brkic Faris F.
Published: March 2024

Objective

The bone conduction implant (BCI) 602 is a new transcutaneous BCI with smaller dimensions. However, limited patient numbers restrict the statistical power and generalizability of the current studies. The present systematic review and meta‐analysis summarize early audiological and medical outcomes of adult and pediatric patients implanted with the BCI 602 due to mixed or conductive hearing loss.

Data Source

Following the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines, 108 studies were reviewed, and 6 (5.6%) were included in the meta‐analysis.

Review Method

The data on study and patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, and audiological test results were extracted from each article. Meta‐analysis employed the fixed‐effect and random‐effects models to analyze the mean differences (MDs) between pre‐ and postoperative performances.

Results

In total, 116 patients were evaluated, including 64 (55%) adult and 52 (45%) pediatric patients. No intraoperative adverse events were reported, while postoperative complications were reported in 2 (3.1%) adult and 2 (3.8%) pediatric patients. Studies consistently showed significant improvements in audiological outcomes, quality of life, and sound localization in the aided condition. In the meta‐analysis, we observed a significant difference in the unaided compared to the aided condition in sound field thresholds (n = 112; MD, −27.05 dB; P < 0.01), signal‐to‐noise ratio (n = 96; MD, −6.35 dB; P < 0.01), and word recognition scores (n = 96; MD, 68.89%; P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The implantation of the BCI 602 was associated with minimal surgical complications and excellent audiological outcomes for both the pediatric and the adult cohort. Therefore, our analysis indicates a high level of safety and reliability. Further research should focus on direct comparisons with other BCIs and long‐term functional outcomes.
A 5‐Year Review of a Tracheostomy Quality Improvement Initiative: Reducing Adverse Event Frequency and Severity
Authors: Twose Paul , Cottam Julia , Jones Gemma , Lowes Jennifer , Nunn Jason
Published: March 2024

Objective

The number of tracheostomies performed annually in resource‐rich countries is estimated at 250,000. While an essential procedure, approximately 20% to 30% of patients will experience at least 1 tracheostomy‐related adverse event. Within tracheostomy care and across wider health care environments, quality improvement (QI) programs have been shown to reduce patient harm and improve outcomes. Herein we report on a 5‐year long, tracheostomy QI initiative aimed at improving patient experience and reducing the frequency and severity of adverse events.

Methods

A 5‐year (ongoing) QI initiative led by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board tracheostomy team, within a tertiary, 1000‐bedded hospital in South Wales, United Kingdom. The QI initiative has focused on 3 main themes: (1) Education and training; (2) Clinical oversight and decision making; and (3) improved data collection. Data were collected from existing tracheostomy databases.

Results

Over the past 5 years, we have observed a sustained reduction in both the frequency and severity of adverse events, with less than 1 patient per 100 experiencing a moderate or severe adverse event. This has resulted in improvements in patient experience and a cost reduction of £GBP364,726 per annum.

Discussion

Our 5‐year ongoing tracheostomy QI initiative has resulted in improved outcomes with increased achievement of tracheostomy weaning markers and sustained reductions in both the frequency and severity of adverse events.

Implications for Practice

A continuous focus on QI is associated with improved patient and service outcomes. These improvements can be spread and scaled to benefit more patients and organizations.
Understanding the transition of community land use from shifting cultivation to cash cropping in southern Tanintharyi, Myanmar
Authors: Pyone Khin Htet Htet , Crego Ramiro Daniel , Ngwe Saw San , Win Saw Di , Connette Katherine LaJeunesse , Songer Melissa , Connette Grant M.
Published: March 2024

Many tropical landscapes have experienced the loss of traditional cultivation practices as they have transitioned to other land use systems.

The Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar is a landscape experiencing a rapid land use regime shift from traditional subsistence farming to permanent cash crop agriculture. Despite previous research in this region on the expansion of large‐scale agribusiness, such as oil palm and rubber plantations, little is known about how the small‐scale shifting cultivation system practiced by the local Karen ethnic people in Tanintharyi has changed over recent decades or the underlying reasons for this transition.

Our study explores this transition process and its drivers from a social and land system change perspective in four villages of Bokpyin Township in Tanintharyi. We investigated the drivers of land cover and land use change by collecting information through focus groups and individual interviews with community members who previously practised shifting cultivation. We also quantified the overall change in land cover and land use through remote sensing analysis of Landsat 8 (2020) and declassified KH‐9 satellite imagery (1976).

Prior to a period of civil war in the 1980s, cultivators used a traditional ‘slash‐and‐burn’ agricultural system for subsistence use. The present land use system is dominated by permanent betel nut cultivation, which represents the primary income source for farming households. The reported drivers of the transition to cash crop farming are greater income potential and livelihood security, risk of losing fallow land due to the needs for new cultivation areas for in‐migration and new centralized land use policies and administration after the national ceasefire agreement in 2012. The documented change in land use systems has been paired with a concurrent net loss of forest that, given the conflicted governance within the landscape, seems likely to continue without additional land use planning efforts.

Our study contributes to an increased understanding of changes in shifting cultivation systems that are being documented globally. Furthermore, our example of combining qualitative interviews with analysis of historical satellite imagery to detect and explain land use regime shifts can serve as a model for future work in different landscapes.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Efficient preparation of polydimethylsiloxane‐based phase change composites with sandwich structure
Authors: An Yi , Li Chenglin , Li Ning , Wang Shengli , Li Yajiao , Wang Wenhao , Qiu Siyuan , Wu Daming , Ma Yane , Gao Dali , Sun Jingyao
Published: March 2024

With the rapid development of portable electronic devices, there is an urgent need for the multifunctional composites like excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance, mechanical property, and thermal management capabilities. Here, due to the low thermal conductivity of phase change materials (PCMs), a sandwich structure carbon nanotube/phase change microcapsule/carbon nanotube (CNT/PMC/CNT (CPC)) film was prepared by vacuum‐assisted filtration (VAF) method. CNT, PMC, and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) were used as functional fillers. The addition of CNCs was used to improve the mechanical performance of CPC film. Compared with PMC‐CNC (PC) film, CPC film with sandwich structure prevented leakage phenomenon efficiently. Subsequently, the use of ultrasonic‐assisted forced infiltration (UAFI) successfully infiltrated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix in the filler skeleton to obtain CNT/PMC/CNT/PDMS (CPCP) composites. When filler mass ratio (CNT: CNC and PMC: CNC) reached 10:1, the thermal conductivity of CPCP composites was 2.32 W/(m·K) and total EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SET) of it with 0.38 mm thickness reached 37.46 dB at 12.4 GHz. Besides, these sandwich composites exhibited the good mechanical properties and heat storage capacity. And we systematically observed the impact of different addition amounts of PC homogeneous dispersing solution on phase change ability of CPCP10:1 composites. In summary, CPCP phase change composites with sandwich structure shows potential application prospect in thermal management materials with EMI shielding of electronic devices.

Highlight

The sandwich structure CPCP composites prepared by the combination of VAF and UAFI method, showing superior thermal conductivity and phase change ability.

CPCP has excellent EMI shielding performance, which can meet the need of TMMs with EMI shielding performance.

Compared with same thickness PC film, sandwich CPC film can prevent leakage phenomenon efficiently.
The compensation effect of competence frustration and its behavioral manifestations
Authors: Meng Liang , He Linglan , Chen Mingming , Huang Yueting
Published: March 2024

The frustration of competence, one of the three basic psychological needs proposed by self‐determination theory, has been widely demonstrated to negatively influence one's motivation and well‐being in both work and life. However, research on the recovery mechanism of competence is still in the nascent stage. In this study, a two‐stage behavioral experiment was conducted to examine the restoration of competence and the potential moderating role of resilience. Results showed that individuals who were asked to recall experience of competence frustration performed better on subsequent tasks, manifesting their behavioral efforts of competence restoration. However, resilience does not play a significant moderating role in competence restoration. Through convergent behavioral evidence, findings of this study demonstrate the compensation effect of competence frustration.
Design and validation of algorithms to identify venous thromboembolism in the French National Healthcare Database
Authors: Thurin Nicolas H. , Grelaud Angela , Grolleau Adeline , Bernard Marie‐Agnès , Bignon Emmanuelle , Blin Patrick , Lassalle Régis , Droz‐Perroteau Cécile
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce an algorithm designed to identify Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in the French National Healthcare Database (SNDS) and to estimate its positive predictive value.

Methods

A case‐identifying algorithm was designed using SNDS inpatient and outpatient encounters, including hospital stays with discharge diagnoses, imaging procedures and drugs dispensed, of French patients aged at least 18 years old to whom baricitinib or Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors (TNFi) were dispensed between September 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018. An intra‐database validation study was then conducted, drawing 150 cases identified as VTE by the algorithm and requesting four vascular specialists to assess them. Patient profiles used to conduct the case adjudication were reconstituted from de‐identified pooled and formatted SNDS data (i.e., reconstituted electronic health records—rEHR) with a 6‐month look‐back period prior to the supposed VTE onset and a 12‐month follow‐up period after. The positive predictive value (PPV) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated as the number of expert‐confirmed VTE divided by the number of algorithm‐identified VTE. The PPV and its 95% CI were then recomputed among the same patient set initially drawn, once the VTE‐identifying algorithm was updated based on expert recommendation.

Results

For the 150 patients identified with the first VTE‐identifying algorithm, the adjudication committee confirmed 92 cases, resulting in a PPV of 61% (95% CI = [54–69]). The final VTE‐identifying algorithm including expert suggestions showed a PPV of 92% (95% CI = [86–98]) with a total of 87 algorithm‐identified cases, including 80 retrieved from the 92 confirmed by experts.

Conclusion

The identification of VTE in the SNDS is possible with a good PPV.
Influence of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites: An experimental and analytical approach
Authors: Chaudhary Sunil Kumar , Singh Kalyan Kumar
Published: March 2024

As a consequence of their magnificent performance like mechanical, electrical and chemical properties, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are widely used as a secondary reinforcement in composite field. It has been developed by arc discharging process under atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, MWCNTs doped nano‐composite were developed through hand lay‐up and followed by vacuum bagging techniques. Quasi – isotropic symmetrical laminate of eight layers (0/90)/(±45)/(±45)/(0/90)//(0/90)/(±45)/(±45)/(0/90) were fabricated under room temperature. To fabricate the composite laminates, purified MWCNTs were homogeneously dispersed in glass fiber reinforced epoxy with 0.5%, 1.25%, and 2 wt% loading. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, strain to failure and fracture behavior of unfilled and MWCNTs doped composite laminates were evaluated. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) was employed to evaluate the structural and morphological characteristics of advanced nano‐composites. Reinforcement effect is found to be more pronounced in 1.25% MWCNTs embedded glass fiber reinforced polymer. This reinforcement effect was corroborated by tensile fractography which depicted by hackle region. Results indicated that tensile strength of 1.25 wt% nano‐composite increased by 47.36% with respect to 0.5 wt% MWCNT doped composites.

Highlights

Development of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by arcing process.

Fabrication of MWCNTs doped glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites.

Mechanical characterization of nano‐composites.

Modeling of nano‐composites by Halpin‐Tsai equation.

Fractrography of nano‐composites in details.
Discovery of novel acrylopimaric acid triazole derivatives as promising antifungal agents
Authors: Han Xu , Xu Renle , Gu Shihao , Kong Yue , Lou Yuhang , Gao Yanqing , Shang Shibin , Song Zhanqian , Song Jie , Li Jian
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

To further develop potential natural fungicides, two series of new acrylopimaric acid triazole derivatives were synthesized, and their antifungal activities were tested and evaluated.

RESULTS

In vitro antifungal activity results indicated that compound 5m exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Rhizoctonia solani with an half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 1.528 mg/L. Its antifungal effect was comparable to that of the commercially available fungicide fluconazole, epoxiconazole and propiconazole (EC50 values of 1.441, 0.815 and 1.173 mg/L). Subsequently, in vivo studies were conducted on compound 5m, which revealed its significant protective and curative effects against R. solani. In addition, physiological and biochemical studies showed that compound 5m could disrupt the morphology and ultrastructure of R. solani mycelium, increase cell membrane permeability, inhibit ergosterol synthesis, and enhance the activity of defense enzymes in rice plants. Three‐dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D‐QSAR) studies revealed that the molecular structure significantly influenced the binding of compound 5m to the receptor, thereby enhancing its antifungal activity.

CONCLUSION

Compound 5m exhibits excellent antifungal activity against R. solani, making it a promising candidate fungicide for the prevention and control of R. solani. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Medication adherence framework: A population‐based pharmacokinetic approach and its application in antimalarial treatment assessments
Authors: Ding Junjie , Hoglund Richard M. , Tarning Joel
Published: March 2024

We reported here on the development of a pharmacometric framework to assess patient adherence, by using two population‐based approaches – the percentile and the Bayesian method. Three different dosing strategies were investigated in patients prescribed a total of three doses; (1) non‐observed therapy, (2) directly observed administration of the first dose, and (3) directly observed administration of the first two doses. The percentile approach used population‐based simulations to derive optimal concentration percentile cutoff values from the distribution of simulated drug concentrations at a specific time. This was done for each adherence scenario and compared to full adherence. The Bayesian approach calculated the posterior probability of each adherence scenario at a given drug concentration. The predictive performance (i.e., Youden index, receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve) of both approaches were highly influenced by sample collection time (early was better) and interindividual variability (smaller was better). The complexity of the structural model and the half‐life had a minimal impact on the predictive performance of these methods. The impact of the assay limitation (LOQ) on the predictive performance was relatively small if the fraction of LOQ data was less than 20%. Overall, the percentile method performed similar or better for adherence predictions compared to the Bayesian approach, with the latter showing slightly better results when investigating the adherence to the last dose only. The percentile approach showed acceptable adherence predictions (area under ROC curve > 0.74) when sampling the antimalarial drugs piperaquine at day 7 postdose and lumefantrine at day 3 postdose (i.e., 12 h after the last dose). This could be a highly useful approach when evaluating programmatic implementations of preventive and curative antimalarial treatment programs in endemic areas.
Online state and time‐varying parameter estimation using the implicit equal‐weights particle filter
Authors: Satoh Mineto , van Leeuwen Peter Jan , Nakano Shin'ya
Published: March 2024

A method is proposed for resilient and efficient estimation of the states and time‐varying parameters in nonlinear high‐dimensional systems through a sequential data assimilation process. The importance of estimating time‐varying parameters lies not only in improving prediction accuracy but also in determining when model characteristics change. We propose a particle‐filter‐based method that incorporates nudging techniques inspired by optimization algorithms in machine learning by taking advantage of the flexibility of the proposal density in particle filtering. However, as the model resolution and number of observations increase, filter degeneracy tends to be the obstacle to implementing the particle filter. Therefore, this proposed method is combined with the implicit equal‐weights particle filter (IEWPF), in which all particle weights are equal. The method is validated using the 1000‐dimensional linear model with an additive parameter and the 1000‐dimensional Lorenz‐96 model, where the forcing term is parameterized. The method is shown to be capable of resilient and efficient parameter estimation for parameter changes over time in our application with a linear observation operator. This leads to the conjecture that it applies to realistic geophysical, climate, and other problems.
Implementing sustainability in teaching: The role of sustainability leadership and transformational leadership in the context of higher education institutions
Authors: Eustachio João Henrique Paulino Pires , Leal Filho Walter , Salvia Amanda Lange , Guimarães Yana Medeiros , Brandli Luciana L. , Trevisan Laís Viera , Barbir Jelena , Caldana Adriana Cristina Ferreira
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to explore the mechanism by which sustainability leadership (SL) and transformational leadership (TL) contribute to implementing sustainability‐related aspects and the adoption of the SDGs by the teaching staff and whether these relationships are mediated by the higher education institutions' (HEIs) level of social innovation tendency. The authors relied on a world survey containing questions developed according to the literature to achieve the results, receiving 603 answers from teaching staff in 102 developed and developing countries. To analyse the data, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were deployed to check the instruments and the model's structure of factors, and structural equation modelling with hypotheses testing was adopted to understand the level of significance and the magnitude of the relationship between the constructs. The results indicate that SL has a significantly strong relationship with TL, social innovation tendency, and the adoption of sustainability aspects in teaching; however, it is not possible to support the existence of a significant relationship between TL and the adoption of sustainability aspects in teaching, and between social innovation tendency and the adoption of sustainability aspects in teaching. Theoretical and practical implications are explored.
Mild Synthesis of Planar PdPtAuAgCuIr Nanocrystals with Granular Edges for Improved Ethanol Electrooxidation
Authors: Zhou Ke , Wang Yingying , Tao Xiansen , Ma Yanyun , Zheng Yiqun
Published: March 2024

We report a mild, one‐pot synthesis of PdPtAuAgCuIr multimetallic nanocrystals with controlled shapes and explore their applications as the electrocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium. The success of current synthesis relies on the co‐reduction of six metal precursors in the presence of octadecylammonium chloride and ascorbic acid at an elevated temperature. The resulting products are featured with an in‐plane core‐shell structure, together with the trigonal/hexagonal plate decorated with granular edges. When serving as EOR electrocatalysts, the carbon‐supported PdPtAuAgCuIr nanocrystals exhibit more than five‐fold increase in mass activity as compared to that of commercial Pt/C, as well as improved reaction kinetics and long‐term durability. DFT calculations disclose that the reduced energy barrier renders the Pd‐based multimetallic catalyst in catalytic performance. The present study provides a feasible strategy to create multimetallic nanocrystals with controlled two‐dimensional morphology under ambient conditions, shedding light for rational design over advanced fuel cell catalysts composed of multimetallic alloy.
14‐Electron Redox Chemistry Enabled by Salen‐Based π‐Conjugated Framework Polymer Boosting High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Zhang Xinlu , Kazemi Seyedeh Alieh , Xu Xingtao , Hill Jonathan P. , Wang Jiachen , Li Haibo , Alshehri Saad M. , Ahamad Tansir , Bando Yoshio , Yamauchi Yusuke , Wang Yun , Pan Likun
Published: March 2024

A paucity of redox centers, poor charge transport properties, and low structural stability of organic materials obstruct their use in practical applications. Herein, these issues have been addressed through the use of a redox‐active salen‐based framework polymer (RSFP) containing multiple redox‐active centers in π‐conjugated configuration for applications in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Based on its unique architecture, RSFP exhibits a superior reversible capacity of 671.8 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 after 168 charge‐discharge cycles. Importantly, the lithiation/de‐lithiation performance is enhanced during operation, leading to an unprecedented reversible capacity of 946.2 mAh g−1 after 3500 cycles at 2 A g−1. The structural evolution of RSFP is studied ex situ using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing multiple active C═N, C─O, and C═O sites and aromatic sites such as benzene rings. Remarkably, the emergence of C═O originated from C─O is triggered by an electrochemical process, which is beneficial for improving reversible lithiation/delithiation behavior. Furthermore, the respective strong and weak binding interactions between redox centers and lithium ions, corresponding to theoretical capacities of 670.1 and 938.2 mAh g−1, have been identified by density functional theory calculations manifesting 14‐electron redox reactions. This work sheds new light on routes for the development of redox‐active organic materials for energy storage applications.