bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of painful temporomandibular disorders in endodontic patients with tooth pain
Authors: Daline Iryna H. , Slade Gary D. , Fouad Ashraf F. , Nixdorf Donald R. , Tchivileva Inna E.
Published: April 2023

Background

Pain from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) may mimic endodontic pain, but its prevalence in endodontic patients is unknown.

Objectives

This cross‐sectional study investigated the prevalence of painful TMDs in patients presenting for endodontic treatment of a painful tooth. Contribution of TMD pain to the chief complaint and characteristics associated with TMD prevalence were also assessed.

Methods

Patients reporting tooth pain in the 30 days before attending university clinics for nonsurgical root canal treatment or retreatment were enrolled. Before endodontic treatment, they completed questionnaires and a board‐certified orofacial pain specialist/endodontic resident diagnosed TMD using published Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. Log‐binomial regression models estimated prevalence ratios to quantify associations with patient characteristics.

Results

Among 100 patients enrolled, prevalence of painful TMDs was 54%. In 26% of patients, TMD pain was unrelated to endodontic pain; in 20%, TMD contributed to their chief pain complaint; and in 8%, TMD was a sole aetiology for pain. TMD prevalence was associated with greater intensity, frequency and duration of the chief pain complaint; pain in more than one tooth; tenderness to tooth percussion and palpation; a diagnosis of symptomatic apical periodontitis; pain medication use; and psychological distress.

Conclusion

A majority of patients with tooth pain seeking endodontic treatment had painful TMDs; one quarter had TMD as a component or sole cause of their pain. TMD prevalence was associated with more severe symptoms and signs of tooth pain and with psychological factors. The high frequency of TMD comorbidity warrants consideration in management of endodontic patients with history of toothache.
The first‐night effect and the consistency of short sleep in insomnia disorder
Authors: Cox Roy , Rösler Lara , Weber Frederik D. , Blanken Tessa F. , Wassing Rick , Ramautar Jennifer R. , Van Someren Eus J. W.
Published: April 2023

The nature and degree of objective sleep impairments in insomnia disorder remain unclear. This issue is complicated further by potential changes in sleep architecture on the first compared with subsequent nights in the laboratory. Evidence regarding differential first‐night effects in people with insomnia disorder and controls is mixed. Here, we aimed to further characterize insomnia‐ and night‐related differences in sleep architecture. A comprehensive set of 26 sleep variables was derived from two consecutive nights of polysomnography in 61 age‐matched patients with insomnia and 61 good sleeper controls. People with insomnia expressed consistently poorer sleep than controls on several variables during both nights. While poorer sleep during the first night was observed in both groups, there were qualitative differences regarding the specific sleep variables expressing a first‐night effect. Short sleep (total sleep time < 6 hr) was more likely during the first night and in insomnia, although approximately 40% of patients with insomnia presenting with short sleep on night 1 no longer met this criterion on night 2, which is important given the notion of short‐sleeping insomnia as a robust subtype.
Analytical solvability and exact simulation in models with affine stochastic volatility and Lévy jumps
Authors: Zeng Pingping , Xu Ziqing , Jiang Pingping , Kwok Yue Kuen
Published: April 2023

We investigate analytical solvability of models with affine stochastic volatility (SV) and Lévy jumps by deriving a unified formula for the conditional moment generating function of the log‐asset price and providing the condition under which this new formula is explicit. The results lay a foundation for a range of valuation, calibration, and econometric problems. We then combine our theoretical results, the Hilbert transform method, various interpolation techniques, with the dimension reduction technique to propose unified simulation schemes for solvable models with affine SV and Lévy jumps. In contrast to traditional exact simulation methods, our approach is applicable to a broad class of models, maintains good accuracy, and enables efficient pricing of discretely monitored path‐dependent derivatives. We analyze various sources of errors arising from the simulation approach and present error bounds. Finally, extensive numerical results demonstrate that our method is highly accurate, efficient, simple to implement, and widely applicable.
Prevalence of morbidity symptoms among pregnant and postpartum women receiving different nutrient supplements in Ghana and Malawi: A secondary outcome analysis of two randomised controlled trials
Authors: Adu‐Afarwuah Seth , Arnold Charles D. , Lartey Anna , Okronipa Harriet , Maleta Kenneth , Ashorn Per , Ashorn Ulla , Dewey Kathryn G.
Published: April 2023

Little is known about the impact of small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements (SQ‐LNSs) on maternal morbidity. This secondary outcome analysis aimed to compare morbidity symptoms among women in two trials evaluating the efficacy of SQ‐LNSs. From enrolment (≤20‐week gestation) to 6 months postpartum, Ghanaian (n = 1320) and Malawian (n = 1391) women were assigned to consume daily: 60 mg iron and 400 µg folic acid until childbirth and placebo thereafter (iron and folic acid [IFA] group); or multiple micronutrients (MMN); or 20 g/day SQ‐LNSs. Within country, we used repeated measures logistic regression and analysis of variance models to compare group differences in the period prevalence and percentage of days of monitoring when women had fever, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and respiratory symptoms during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (n ~ 1243 in Ghana, 1200 in Malawi) and 0–3 and 3–6 months postpartum (n ~ 1212 in Ghana, 730 in Malawi). Most outcomes did not differ significantly among groups, with the following exceptions: in Ghana, overall, the prevalence of vomiting was lower in the LNS (21.5%) than MMN (25.6%) group, with the IFA group (23.2%) in‐between (p = 0.046); mean ± SD percentage of days with nausea was greater in the LNS (3.5 ± 10.3) and MMN (3.3 ± 10.4) groups than the IFA (2.7 ± 8.3) group (p = 0.002). In Malawi, during 3–6 month postpartum, the prevalence of severe diarrhoea was greater in the LNS (8.1%) than the MMN (2.9%) group, with IFA (4.6%) in‐between, p = 0.041). We conclude that the type of nutrient supplement received during pregnancy and lactation generally does not influence morbidity symptoms in these settings. Clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT00970866; NCT01239693.
Patient‐controlled use of nonphysician providers: Appointment scheduling in mixed‐provider settings
Authors: Taiwo Enayon Sunday , Savin Sergei , Chen (Frank) Yuohua , Chin Kwai‐Sang
Published: April 2023

The aging population and increasing chronic disease load are rapidly changing the face of primary care delivery, with mid‐level (e.g., nurse) practitioners providing growing proportion of patient care. Potential differences in the quality of care offered by physicians and nurse practitioners may affect patient preferences, thus leading to patient choice behavior. This paper focuses on the problem of appointment scheduling for physician–nurse teams in the presence of patient choice and no‐shows. We propose a novel model that accounts for patient choices in a system with two provider types. Despite the increased structural complexity of the model, we derive sufficient conditions under which the problem is efficiently solvable. To counter the computational challenges arising in the general setting, we propose an easy‐to‐implement heuristic, which is proven to be optimal in the absence of patient no‐shows. Our numerical study shows how the ratio of qualities of care delivered by nurses and physicians affect the profitability of the medical practice, enabling the analysis of the trade‐offs involved in hiring a nurse practitioner. This paper introduces a patient‐controlled approach to incorporating nonphysician providers into physician‐led outpatient care delivery systems and compares it to widely used “ice breaker” and “standalone” modes of using nonphysician providers. Our findings reveal that clinical practices that employ mixed (physicians and nonphysicians) provider pools can significantly improve their financial and operational performance by moving away from the “ice breaker” and “standalone” use of nonphysician providers by delaying the selection of an appropriate care provider till the actual day of care delivery.
Youth engagement in ecological restoration
Authors: Lauman Sierra T. , Martyn Trace E. , Begay Marquel A. , Hovanes Katherine A. , Rodden Iris E. , Ossanna Lia Q. R. , Gornish Elise S.
Published: April 2023

There is a growing need to engage youth in ecological restoration in order to address rising environmental issues. Youth involvement in restoration ecology, and more specifically, participation and assistance with field‐based work is beneficial for all involved parties and should, therefore, be more widespread. Here, we describe different opportunities and approaches to engaging youth in restoration including programs and activities in classrooms, citizen science, formal internship programs, and opportunities through social media. We also discuss potential challenges associated with youth engagement in restoration and offer solutions. Youth engagement is critical for the development and continuance of the field of ecological restoration, and strategies to integrate young people into restoration projects should become more common in the field.
The impact of the COVID‐19 surge on phototherapy in Taiwan: Focusing on the patient profile, adherence, and attitude before and after the surge
Authors: Chu Kuan‐Yu , Lan Cheng‐Che E.
Published: April 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused changes in the medical practice. However, it is unclear whether the patients receiving phototherapy for their dermatoses have been affected.

Objectives

This study aimed to identify the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on phototherapy, focusing on the patient profile, adherence, and attitude before and after the surge.

Methods

The study encompassed the time 5 months prior to and after the surge of the COVID‐19 pandemic (from May to July, 2021), resulting in the temporary closure of our phototherapeutic unit.

Results

Nine hundred eighty‐one patients received phototherapy during this period. Vitiligo, psoriasis (Ps), and atopic dermatitis (AD) represented the groups with the highest patient numbers. For vitiligo, Ps and AD, 39.6%, 41.9%, and 28.4% of the patients resumed phototherapy after the pandemic‐related shutdown (PRS). No significant difference was noted in age, gender, and number of weekly sessions between those who resumed or stopped phototherapy after PRS among three groups. Patients who resumed phototherapy after PRS tended to receive more weekly sessions of phototherapy than those who initiated after PRS. Additionally, patients who resumed phototherapy showed no significant difference in the number of weekly sessions before and after PRS.

Conclusions

This study reveals a significant impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on patients undergoing phototherapy. Although the patient number remained similar before and after PRS, a significant portion of patients discontinued phototherapy after PRS. New strategies and continued education are needed to improve patient management in times of pandemic.
Superficial basal cell carcinoma mimicking Bowen's disease: Diagnosis with noninvasive imaging
Authors: Chen Ke‐Jun , Wang Zi‐Yi , Han Yang , Cui Yong
Published: April 2023

Background

Superficial basal cell carcinoma (SBCC) is the rare subtype of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC occurs in exposed areas such as the head and face, SCBB prone to form in trunk. Due to the manifestation of erythema and desquamation, it is prone to misdiagnosed as Bowen's disease in clinica.

Materials and methods

A 68‐year‐old female presented with coin‐sized erythema located on the lower abdomen for 5 years. Histopathological examination was performed, and results informed the diagnosis of SBCC. Lesions were detected by dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and multiphoton microscopy (MPM).

Results

Dermoscopy revealed yellow–red background with more dendritic and linear proliferating vessels and more blue‐gray nonaggregated dots structures. RCM displayed streaming of stratum spinosum, tortuous dilated vessels, highlighted inflammatory cells, and medium refraction round and oval tumor cell masses. MPM showed epidermal cells in polar arrangement, increased cell spacing, disorganized stratum granulosum and elastic fibers are gathered in clusters.

Conclusion

We described a case of SBCC detected by dermoscopy, RCM and MPM. Noninvasive imaging features may provide a potentially tools in recognition and differentiation of SBCC.
Petatah-Petitih in Minangkabau Community in Medan, Indonesia: Its Use and Meanings
Authors: Salliyanti Salliyanti , Susilo Hariadi , Bangun Pribadi
Published: April 2023

This study depicts how petatah-petitih (proverbs) and their meanings are used by the Minangkabau people in Medan, Indonesia. This study utilized a qualitative approach. The method used in data collection is documentation techniques to informants talk about sayings and their meanings in Minangkabau society. The data were in the form of utterances taken from observation and interview. The findings present the meanings of petatah-petitih used by community members on some occasion such as giving advice, thanksgiving, marriage, courtesy, and arranging marriage contracts. The moral values incorporated in the proverbs include tolerance, loyalty, humility, satire, and success. Proverbs used for family advice are the most dominant.
Tilting quivers for BB‐tilted algebras
Authors: Peng Hongwei
Published: April 2023

Let be a hereditary algebra, be a tilted algebra. We will construct tilting ‐modules from tilting ‐modules and use this result to show how tilting quivers of BB‐tilted algebras can be obtained from those of .
Gap phenomena for constant mean curvature surfaces
Authors: Barbosa Ezequiel , Cavalcante Marcos P. , Pereira Edno
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we prove gap results for constant mean curvature (CMC) surfaces. First, we find a natural inequality for CMC surfaces that imply convexity for distance function. We then show that if is a complete, properly embedded CMC surface in the Euclidean space satisfying this inequality, then is either a sphere or a right circular cylinder. Next, we show that if is a free boundary CMC surface in the Euclidean 3‐ball satisfying the same inequality, then either is a totally umbilical disk or an annulus of revolution. These results complete the picture about gap theorems for CMC surfaces in the Euclidean 3‐space. We also prove similar results in the hyperbolic space and in the upper hemisphere, and in higher dimensions.
Active glucose transport varies by small intestinal region and oestrous cycle stage in mice
Authors: Overduin T. Sebastian , Wardill Hannah R. , Young Richard L. , Page Amanda J. , Gatford Kathryn L.
Published: April 2023

Food intake changes across the ovarian cycle in rodents and humans, with a nadir during the pre‐ovulatory phase and a peak during the luteal phase. However, it is unknown whether the rate of intestinal glucose absorption also changes. We therefore mounted small intestinal sections from C57BL/6 female mice (8–9 weeks old) in Ussing chambers and measured active ex vivo glucose transport via the change in short‐circuit current (∆Isc) induced by glucose. Tissue viability was confirmed by a positive ∆Isc response to 100 µM carbachol following each experiment. Active glucose transport, assessed after addition of 5, 10, 25 or 45 mM d‐glucose to the mucosal chamber, was highest at 45 mM glucose in the distal jejunum compared to duodenum and ileum (P < 0.01). Incubation with the sodium–glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) inhibitor phlorizin reduced active glucose transport in a dose‐dependent manner in all regions (P < 0.01). Active glucose uptake induced by addition of 45 mM glucose to the mucosal chamber in the absence or presence of phlorizin was assessed in jejunum at each oestrous cycle stage (n = 9–10 mice per stage). Overall, active glucose uptake was lower at oestrus compared to pro‐oestrus (P = 0.025). This study establishes an ex vivo method to measure region‐specific glucose transport in the mouse small intestine. Our results provide the first direct evidence that SGLT1‐mediated glucose transport in the jejunum changes across the ovarian cycle. The mechanisms underlying these adaptations in nutrient absorption remain to be elucidated.
FSTSMC Compliance Control for Dual-Arm Space Robot With SDBD Capture Satellite Operation
Authors: Zhu An , Ai Haiping , Chen Li
Published: April 2023

A space robot inevitably impacts a satellite in a capture operation. If its fragile joints are not protected, they may be damaged, resulting in failure of the capture operation. Thus, a spring damper buffer device (SDBD) is added between the joint motors and manipulators to absorb the impact energy, and provide a compliance strategy matched with the SDBD for stable control of the hybrid system. The dynamic modes of the dual-arm space robot open-loop system and target satellite system are established by the Lagrange function before capture. From the momentum theorem, velocity constraints, closed-chain geometric constraints, and Newton's third law, the closed-chain dynamic model of the hybrid system after capture is obtained, and the impact effect and impact force are calculated. For stable control of the hybrid system while limiting joint? impact torque within the safe range, an adaptive fractional-order super-twisting sliding mode compliance control strategy matching the SDBD is proposed. It can effectively improve the fast convergence and trajectory tracking performance of the system whose velocity and acceleration cannot be measured. The stability of the hybrid system is demonstrated by the Lyapunov theorem, and the anti-impact performance of the SDBD and the effectiveness of the compliance strategy are demonstrated through numerical simulation.
Impact of Temperature Ratio on Overall Cooling Performance: Low-Order-Model-Based Analysis of Experiment Design
Authors: Naidu Aravin Dass , Povey Thomas
Published: April 2023

This paper describes low-order-model-based analysis of the design of an experiment to be used for parametric studies of adiabatic film and overall cooling effectiveness for fully cooled systems (internal and film) under wide ranges of mainstream-to-coolant temperature ratio variation, in the range 0.50 < T0m/T0c < 2.30. The purpose is to improve understanding of—and validation of—the scaling process from typical rig conditions to engine conditions. We are primarily interested in the variation in overall effectiveness when the controlling non-dimensional groups change in a natural co-dependent way with changes in temperature ratio: that is, the practical situation of interest to engine designers. We distinguish this from the situation in which individual non-dimensional groups are varied in isolation: a situation that we believe is essentially impossible to meaningfully approximate in practice, despite a body of literature purporting to do the same. Design and commissioning data from a new high temperature (600 K) test facility is presented, with detailed uncertainty analysis. We show (using a low-order model) that a typical nozzle guide vane which at engine conditions (TR = 2.00) would have overall cooling effectiveness of 0.450, would be expected to have overall effectiveness of 0.418 at typical rig conditions (TR = 1.20). That is, typical scaling from engine-to-rig result is −7.1% and typical scaling from rig-to-engine is +7.7%. This result is important for first order estimation of overall cooling performance at engine conditions.
Passive synthetic aperture for direction-of-arrival estimation using sparse Bayesian learning
Authors: Ming Chao , Niu Haiqiang , Li Zhenglin , Wang Yu
Published: April 2023

Passive synthetic aperture (PSA) extension for a moving array has the ability to enhance the accuracy of direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation by constructing a larger virtual aperture. The array element overlap in array continuous measurements is required for the traditional extended towed array measurement (ETAM) methods. Otherwise, the phase factor estimation is biased, and the aperture extension fails when multiple sources exist. To solve this problem, passive aperture extension with sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) is proposed. In this method, SBL is used to simultaneously estimate the phase correction factors of different targets, followed by phase compensation applied to the extended aperture manifold vectors for DOA estimation. Simulation and experimental data results demonstrate that this proposed method successfully extends the aperture and provides higher azimuth resolution and accuracy compared to conventional beamforming (CBF) and SBL without extension. Compared with the traditional ETAM methods, the proposed method still performs well even when the array elements are not overlapped during the motion.
Acoustic imaging with spherical microphone array and Kriging
Authors: Padois Thomas , St-Jacques Julien , Rouard Kévin , Quaegebeur Nicolas , Grondin François , Berry Alain , Nélisse Hugues , Sgard Franck , Doutres Olivier
Published: April 2023

Acoustic imaging can be performed using a spherical microphone array (SMA) and conventional beamforming (CBF) or spherical harmonic beamforming (SHB). At low frequencies, the mainlobe width depends on the SMA radius for CBF and on the order of the spherical harmonics expansion for SHB, which is related to the number of microphones. In this letter, Kriging is used to virtually increase the SMA radius and/or the number of microphones. Numerical and experimental investigations show the effectiveness of Kriging to reduce the mainlobe width and thus improve the acoustic images obtained with a SMA and CBF or SHB.
Deconvolution with neural grid compression: A method to accurately and quickly process beamforming results
Authors: Lobato Thiago , Sottek Roland , Vorländer Michael
Published: April 2023

Beamforming results depend on the spatial resolution of the microphone array used, which may lead to sources close to each other being considered as one. Deconvolution methods that consider all directions simultaneously, such as DAMAS, produce better results in these situations. However, they have a high computational cost, often lack sufficient speed to be used in real-time applications, and have limited accuracy at lower frequencies. This paper introduces a hybrid method to perform deconvolution using a neural network that can improve the speed of deconvolution on high-resolution grids by more than 2 orders of magnitude, while also generating sparser maps without sacrificing accuracy compared to the compressed DAMAS method.
Effects of 4 Weeks of Variability Training on Forehand Approach Precision and Velocity in Recreational Tennis Players
Authors: Negro Celia , Baiget Ernest , Colomar Joshua , Fuentes-García Juan Pedro
Published: April 2023

This study aims to analyze the effects of a training program based on practice variability on the speed and accuracy of the tennis forehand approach to the net shot. The study sample consisted of 35 players of both genders, 22 men and 13 women (age 44 ± 10.9 years, height 1.73 ± 0.8 cm, and weight 74.7 ± 8.4 kg). Players were randomly distributed into two groups (control group = 18 and experimental group = 17). Both training groups worked a total volume of 4 weeks, seven sessions, and 15 min per session of forehand approach shot. Control group performed traditional training while experimental group trained with variability using wristband weights. The data obtained showed a large Group × Time interaction in the accuracy of the forehand approach shot, F(1, 16) = 28.034, p < .001, η2 = .637. Only the experimental group increased significantly in the accuracy after the program (51.4%, effect size = 1.3, p < .001), while no changes were achieved regarding hitting speed (1.2%, effect size  = 0.12, p = .62). The control group did not improve in any of the tested variables. These results indicate that variability of training using wrist weights is a valid option to improve forehand approach shot accuracy in recreational-level players. Although stroke speed was not increased, this type of training may be interesting as accuracy and technical control is commonly the main goal of training at this level.
Extreme ultraviolet metalens by vacuum guiding
Authors: Ossiander Marcus , Meretska Maryna Leonidivna , Hampel Hana Kristin , Lim Soon Wei Daniel , Knefz Nico , Jauk Thomas , Capasso Federico , Schultze Martin
Published: April 2023

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation is a key technology for material science, attosecond metrology, and lithography. Here, we experimentally demonstrate metasurfaces as a superior way to focus EUV light. These devices exploit the fact that holes in a silicon membrane have a considerably larger refractive index than the surrounding material and efficiently vacuum-guide light with a wavelength of ~50 nanometers. This allows the transmission phase at the nanoscale to be controlled by the hole diameter. We fabricated an EUV metalens with a 10-millimeter focal length that supports numerical apertures of up to 0.05 and used it to focus ultrashort EUV light bursts generated by high-harmonic generation down to a 0.7-micrometer waist. Our approach introduces the vast light-shaping possibilities provided by dielectric metasurfaces to a spectral regime that lacks materials for transmissive optics.
Genomic Modification of TonB and Emergence of Small-Colony Phenotype in VIM- and NDM-Producing Escherichia coli following Cefiderocol Exposure
In Vitro
Authors: Kocer Kaan , Boudour-Halil Deniz , Chanthalangsy Quan , Sähr Aline , Heeg Klaus , Boutin Sébastien , Nurjadi Dennis
Published: April 2023

Knowledge on resistance mechanisms toward cefiderocol, a novel siderophore-conjugated cephalosporin antibiotic, is still limited. Although the presence of New-Delhi metallo-β-lactamase has been demonstrated to facilitate the resistance development toward cefiderocol via siderophore receptor mutations in
Enterobacter cloacae
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, the impact of metallo-β-lactamases on facilitating such mutations in
Escherichia coli
is not yet elucidated. Our study aimed to study the effect of the presence of various β-lactamases, such as NDM-5, VIM-1, KPC-2, and OXA-48, on the development of cefiderocol resistance in
E. coli
. To this end, we performed liquid mating to transfer these β-lactamases onto a defined K-12
E. coli
background (J53) and exposed these transconjugants to increasing cefiderocol concentrations in a serial passage experiment. Cefiderocol-resistant isolates were genotyped by whole-genome sequencing to investigate the underlying resistance mechanism.
Pharmacokinetics of Voriconazole in Peritoneal Fluid of Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Lin Xiao-bin , Hu Xiao-guang , Tang Zhao-xia , Guo Peng-hao , Liu Xiao-man , Liang Tao , Xia Yan-zhe , Lui Ka Yin , Chen Pan , Tang Ke-jing , Chen Xiao , Cai Chang-jie
Published: April 2023

Data on the distribution of voriconazole (VRC) in the human peritoneal cavity are sparse. This prospective study aimed to describe the pharmacokinetics of intravenous VRC in the peritoneal fluid of critically ill patients.
Soil Microbial Community Involved in Nitrogen Cycling in Rice Fields Treated with Antiozonant under Ambient Ozone
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Dan , Agathokleous Evgenios , Cheng Cheng , Shang Bo , Feng Zhaozhong
Published: April 2023

Ethylenediurea (EDU) is hitherto the most efficient phytoprotectant agent against O
3
stress. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of its mode of action are not clear, and the effects of EDU on the environment are still unknown, limiting its large-scale application in agriculture.
African Swine Fever Virus Envelope Glycoprotein CD2v Interacts with Host CSF2RA to Regulate the JAK2-STAT3 Pathway and Inhibit Apoptosis to Facilitate Virus Replication
Authors: Gao Qi , Yang Yunlong , Luo Yizhuo , Chen Xiongnan , Gong Ting , Wu Dongdong , Feng Yongzhi , Zheng Xiaoyu , Wang Heng , Zhang Guihong , Lu Gang , Gong Lang
Published: April 2023

African swine fever is a hemorrhagic disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), which infects pigs of different breeds and ages, with a fatality rate of up to 100%. It is one of the key diseases affecting the global livestock industry.
Antagonistic Mobile Genetic Elements Can Counteract Each Other’s Effects on Microbial Community Composition
Authors: Castledine Meaghan , Newbury Arthur , Lewis Rai , Hacker Christian , Meaden Sean , Buckling Angus
Published: April 2023

While bacteriophages (“phages”) are often cited as some of the key drivers of microbial diversity, evidence for this is greatly mixed. We demonstrate,
in silico
and experimentally, that the impact of phages, an example of a mobile genetic element (MGE), on community structure can diminish with increasing MGE diversity.
Minimal Surviving Inoculum in Collective Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Geyrhofer Lukas , Ruelens Philip , Farr Andrew D. , Pesce Diego , de Visser J. Arjan G. M. , Brenner Naama
Published: April 2023

Collective resistance occurs when bacteria work together to decrease the concentration of antibiotics in their environment, for example, by actively breaking down or modifying them. This can help bacteria survive by reducing the effective antibiotic concentration below their threshold for growth.
Roles of Two Phytoene Synthases and Orange Protein in Carotenoid Metabolism of the β-Carotene-Accumulating
Dunaliella salina
Authors: Liang Ming-Hua , Xie Shan-Rong , Dai Jv-Liang , Chen Hao-Hong , Jiang Jian-Guo
Published: April 2023

Phytoene synthase (PSY) as the key rate-limiting enzyme in carotenoid metabolism can be regulated by various regulators and factors. We found that DsPSY1 played a dominant role in carotenogenesis in the β-carotene-accumulating
Dunaliella salina
, and two amino acid residues critical in the substrate binding were associated with the functional variance between DsPSY1 and DsPSY2.
Impact of Intestinal Microbiota on Growth Performance of Suckling and Weaned Piglets
Authors: Mahmud Md Rayhan , Jian Ching , Uddin Md Karim , Huhtinen Mirja , Salonen Anne , Peltoniemi Olli , Venhoranta Heli , Oliviero Claudio
Published: April 2023

The relationship between pigs' intestinal microbiota and growth performance is of great importance for improving piglets’ health and reducing antimicrobial use. We found that gut microbiota variation is significantly associated with growth during weaning and the early nursery period.
Transcriptomic Profile of Penicillium digitatum Reveals Novel Aspects of the Mode of Action of the Antifungal Protein AfpB
Authors: Ropero-Pérez Carolina , Bolós Begoña , Giner-Llorca Moisés , Locascio Antonella , Garrigues Sandra , Gandía Mónica , Manzanares Paloma , Marcos Jose F.
Published: April 2023

Fungal infections threaten human health worldwide and have a negative impact on food security, damaging crop production and causing animal diseases. At present, only a few classes of fungicides are available due to the complexity of targeting fungi without affecting plant, animal, or human hosts.
A Novel Sample-to-Answer Visual Nucleic Acid Detection System for Adenovirus Detection
Authors: Sun Kui , Yang Xiaodong , Wang Yanan , Guan Qun , Fu Wenliang , Zhang Chao , Liu Qin , An Wenzheng , Zhao Yongqi , Xing Weiwei , Xu Donggang
Published: April 2023

HAdV infections are readily transmittable and, in some instances, highly contagious. Early and rapid diagnosis is essential for disease control.
Ambient air pollution and clinical dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wilker Elissa H , Osman Marwa , Weisskopf Marc G
Published: April 2023

Objective

To investigate the role of air pollutants in risk of dementia, considering differences by study factors that could influence findings.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Psycinfo, and OVID Medline from database inception through July 2022.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Studies that included adults (≥18 years), a longitudinal follow-up, considered US Environmental Protection Agency criteria air pollutants and proxies of traffic pollution, averaged exposure over a year or more, and reported associations between ambient pollutants and clinical dementia. Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined data extraction form and assessed risk of bias using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Exposures (ROBINS-E) tool. A meta-analysis with Knapp-Hartung standard errors was done when at least three studies for a given pollutant used comparable approaches.

Results

2080 records identified 51 studies for inclusion. Most studies were at high risk of bias, although in many cases bias was towards the null. 14 studies could be meta-analysed for particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM
2.5
). The overall hazard ratio per 2 μg/m
3
PM
2.5
was 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.09). The hazard ratio among seven studies that used active case ascertainment was 1.42 (1.00 to 2.02) and among seven studies that used passive case ascertainment was 1.03 (0.98 to 1.07). The overall hazard ratio per 10 μg/m
3
nitrogen dioxide was 1.02 ((0.98 to 1.06); nine studies) and per 10 μg/m
3
nitrogen oxide was 1.05 ((0.98 to 1.13); five studies). Ozone had no clear association with dementia (hazard ratio per 5 μg/m
3
was 1.00 (0.98 to 1.05); four studies).

Conclusion

PM
2.5
might be a risk factor for dementia, as well as nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, although with more limited data. The meta-analysed hazard ratios are subject to limitations that require interpretation with caution. Outcome ascertainment approaches differ across studies and each exposure assessment approach likely is only a proxy for causally relevant exposure in relation to clinical dementia outcomes. Studies that evaluate critical periods of exposure and pollutants other than PM
2.5
, and studies that actively assess all participants for outcomes are needed. Nonetheless, our results can provide current best estimates for use in burden of disease and regulatory setting efforts.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021277083.
Future number of people with diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Germany until 2040: an analysis based on claims data
Authors: Voeltz Dina , Brinks Ralph , Tönnies Thaddäus , Hoyer Annika
Published: April 2023

Introduction

We aim to project the number of people with diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Germany between 2010 and 2040.

Research design and methods

We first estimate the age-specific and sex-specific incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes in Germany in 2010 using data from 65 million insurees of the German statutory health insurance. Then, we use the illness-death model to project the prevalence of type 1 diabetes until 2040. We alter the incidence and mortality underlying the illness-death model in several scenarios to explore the impact of possible temporal trends on the number of people with type 1 diabetes.

Results

Applying the prevalence from 2010 to the official population projections of Germany’s Federal Statistical Office yields a total number of 252 000 people with type 1 diabetes in Germany in 2040 (+1% compared with 2010). Incorporating different annual trends of the incidence and mortality in the projection model results in a future number of people with type 1 diabetes between 292 000 (+18%) and 327 000 (+32%).

Conclusions

For the first time in Germany, we provide estimates for the incidence, prevalence, and number of people with diagnosed type 1 diabetes for the whole German population between 2010 and 2040. The relative increase of the people with type 1 diabetes ranges from 1% to 32% in 2040 compared with 2010. The projected results are mainly influenced by temporal trends in the incidence. Ignoring these trends, that is, applying a constant prevalence to population projections, probably underestimates future chronic disease numbers.
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 incidence and seroconversion among university students and employees: a longitudinal cohort study in California, June–August 2020
Authors: Hunter Lauren A , Wyman Stacia , Packel Laura J , Facente Shelley N , Li Yi , Harte Anna , Nicolette Guy ,   the IGI SARS-CoV-2 Testing Consortium, Di Germanio Clara , Busch Michael P , Reingold Arthur L , Petersen Maya L
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To identify incident SARS-CoV-2 infections and inform effective mitigation strategies in university settings, we piloted an integrated symptom and exposure monitoring and testing system among a cohort of university students and employees.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

A public university in California from June to August 2020.

Participants

2180 university students and 738 university employees.

Primary outcome measures

At baseline and endline, we tested participants for active SARS-CoV-2 infection via quantitative PCR (qPCR) test and collected blood samples for antibody testing. Participants received notifications to complete additional qPCR tests throughout the study if they reported symptoms or exposures in daily surveys or were selected for surveillance testing. Viral whole genome sequencing was performed on positive qPCR samples, and phylogenetic trees were constructed with these genomes and external genomes.

Results

Over the study period, 57 students (2.6%) and 3 employees (0.4%) were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection via qPCR test. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that a super-spreader event among undergraduates in congregate housing accounted for at least 48% of cases among study participants but did not spread beyond campus. Test positivity was higher among participants who self-reported symptoms (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 12.7; 95% CI 7.4 to 21.8) or had household exposures (IRR 10.3; 95% CI 4.8 to 22.0) that triggered notifications to test. Most (91%) participants with newly identified antibodies at endline had been diagnosed with incident infection via qPCR test during the study.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that integrated monitoring systems can successfully identify and link at-risk students to SARS-CoV-2 testing. As the study took place before the evolution of highly transmissible variants and widespread availability of vaccines and rapid antigen tests, further research is necessary to adapt and evaluate similar systems in the present context.
Efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: protocol for an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Xia Yunqing , Tang Liang , Hu Yu
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been used in antithrombotic therapy in patients with cancer, and their efficacy and safety have been evaluated in several meta-analyses. Although a large body of findings has accumulated to support the benefit of NOACs for the treatment and prevention of cancer-associated thromboembolism, there is no convincing evidence because of inconsistent results across studies and questionable data quality. Its efficacy and safety remain controversial, especially with regard to the risk of bleeding.

Methods and analysis

We will search PubMed, Embase and Web of science, Cochrane Library on 19 April 2022 (searches will be updated until complete) to identify systematic reviews, meta-analyses and pooled analyses of the efficacy and safety of NOACs for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism. The quality of eligible systematic evaluations will be measured by A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews. For each outcome, if a random effects model is not used, we will extract the data and estimate a 95% CI using the random effects model approach. For each random effects estimate, a 95% prediction interval is calculated. Heterogeneity between studies will be quantified using the I2metric. In addition, if an assessment contains at least three articles, we will reanalyse the assessment using Egger’s asymmetry test to detect and visualise possible publication bias in the articles.

Ethics and dissemination

No formal ethical approval is required since we will use publicly available data. We will disseminate the findings of the umbrella review through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022342053.
Birang Daruganora: a protocol for a qualitative study to elicit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community views about cultural needs and experiences for a new Australian health facility
Authors: Carrigan Ann , Austin Elizabeth E , Clay-Williams Robyn , Hibbert Peter D , Maka Katherine , Holden Narelle , Grigg Shai , Loy Graeme , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: April 2023

Introduction

To address challenges regarding the delivery of healthcare, governments and health services are focusing on the implementation of models that are flexible, person-centred, cost-effective and integrate hospital services more closely with primary healthcare and social services. Such models increasingly embed consumer codesign, multidisciplinary teams and leverage digital technologies, such as telehealth, attempting to deliver care more seamlessly and to continually improve services. This paper provides a study protocol to describe a method to explore Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumer and healthcare provider needs and expectations for the design and development of a new healthcare facility in Australia.

Methods and analysis

A qualitative study of consumer members’ and health providers’ needs and expectations. Data collection includes a short consumer-specific and provider-specific, demographic questionnaire and culturally appropriate facilitator-coordinated consultation workshops. Data will be analysed thematically (qualitatively).

Ethics and dissemination

The results will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, reports to stakeholders and community meetings. This study was reviewed and approved by a health service-based Ethics Committee in New South Wales, Australia and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Committee.
Causal associations between major depressive disorder and COVID-19
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Zhao Yi , Cao Hongbao , Zhang Fuquan
Published: April 2023

Background

We aimed to evaluate whether major depressive disorder (MDD) could aggravate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or whether the genetic liability to COVID-19 could trigger MDD.

Aims

We aimed to assess bidirectional causal associations between MDD and COVID-19.

Methods

We performed genetic correlation and Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses to assess potential associations between MDD and three COVID-19 outcomes. Literature-based network analysis was conducted to construct molecular pathways connecting MDD and COVID-19.

Results

We found that MDD has positive genetic correlations with COVID-19 outcomes (rg: 0.10–0.15). Our MR analysis indicated that genetic liability to MDD is associated with increased risks of COVID-19 infection (odds ratio (OR)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00 to 1.10, p=0.039). However, genetic liability to the three COVID-19 outcomes did not confer any causal effects on MDD. Pathway analysis identified a panel of immunity-related genes that may mediate the links between MDD and COVID-19.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that MDD may increase the susceptibility to COVID-19. Our findings emphasise the need to increase social support and improve mental health intervention networks for people with mood disorders during the pandemic.
TRPC6 inhibitor (BI 764198) to reduce risk and severity of ARDS due to COVID-19: a phase II randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ware Lorraine B , Soleymanlou Nima , McAuley Danny Francis , Estrada Vicente , Diaz George A , Lacamera Peter , Kaste Renee , Choi Wansuk , Gupta Abhya , Welte Tobias
Published: April 2023

Background

Despite the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, there remains a need to investigate treatments to reduce the risk or severity of potentially fatal complications of COVID-19, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the transient receptor potential channel C6 (TRPC6) inhibitor, BI 764198, in reducing the risk and/or severity of ARDS in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 and requiring non-invasive, supplemental oxygen support (oxygen by mask or nasal prongs, oxygen by non-invasive ventilation or high-flow nasal oxygen).

Methods

Multicentre, double-blind, randomised phase II trial comparing once-daily oral BI 764198 (n=65) with placebo (n=64) for 28 days (+2-month follow-up). Primary endpoint: proportion of patients alive and free of mechanical ventilation at day 29. Secondary endpoints: proportion of patients alive and discharged without oxygen (day 29); occurrence of either in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation (day 29); time to first response (clinical improvement/recovery); ventilator-free days (day 29); and mortality (days 15, 29, 60 and 90).

Results

No difference was observed for the primary endpoint: BI 764198 (83.1%) versus placebo (87.5%) (estimated risk difference –5.39%; 95% CI –16.08 to 5.30; p=0.323). For secondary endpoints, a longer time to first response (rate ratio 0.67; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.99; p=0.045) and longer hospitalisation (+3.41 days; 95% CI 0.49 to 6.34; p=0.023) for BI 764198 versus placebo was observed; no other significant differences were observed. On-treatment adverse events were similar between trial arms and more fatal events were reported for BI 764198 (n=7) versus placebo (n=2). Treatment was stopped early based on an interim observation of a lack of efficacy and an imbalance of fatal events (Data Monitoring Committee recommendation).

Conclusions

TRPC6 inhibition was not effective in reducing the risk and/or severity of ARDS in patients with COVID-19 requiring non-invasive, supplemental oxygen support.

Trial registration number

NCT04604184.
Epigastric hernias in children and the use of ultrasound in its diagnosis
Authors: König Tatjana T , Oerters Laura S , Spiller Ljuba , Schwind Martin , Born Mark , Oetzmann von Sochaczewski Christina , Heydweiller Andreas C
Published: April 2023

Introduction

There is a paucity of clinical data on pediatric epigastric hernias despite them accounting for up to 6% of all hernia repairs in children. We aimed to provide additional data to supplement those 117 cases of a recent systematic review and to further clarify the role of ultrasound in diagnosing pediatric epigastric hernia.

Methods

We retrospectively included all 60 patients treated for epigastric hernias in children in two tertiary pediatric surgical departments within 12 years. Associations were tested via point-biserial correlation analyses.

Results

Epigastric hernias primarily affected preschool children with a median age of 39 months. The vast majority of patients (88%) presented with swelling that was occasionally (30%) accompanied by pain. Fascial defects could be found during clinical examination in 45% of patients with a median size of 5 mm (95% CI 3 to 10). Smaller defects were less likely to be palpable (r=−0.44, 95% CI −0.08 to −0.7, p=0.021). Likewise, ultrasound was used more frequently with smaller fascial defect sizes (r=−0.51, 95% CI −0.16 to −0.74, p=0.007). Laparoscopic repair was used in 11 patients (19%) and more often (4/11) in combination with another simultaneous procedure than open repair (11/48).

Conclusions

Epigastric hernias are primarily a condition of the preschool child. Ultrasound can be beneficial if the diagnosis cannot be made clinically; otherwise, it is abdicable if it does not change the management of the patient’s epigastric hernia. Laparoscopic repairs might be beneficial for children with multiple defects or simultaneous procedures.