bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of diagnostic accuracy between linked color imaging and autofluorescence imaging in patients with ulcerative colitis: A prospective observational study
Authors: Sugiyama Yuya , Takahashi Keitaro , Sasaki Takahiro , Ueno Nobuhiro , Watanabe Hiromu , Iribe Kohei , Sekiguchi Shunya , Tachibana Shion , Kobayashi Yu , Ando Katsuyoshi , Kashima Shin , Moriichi Kentaro , Tanabe Hiroki , Yuzawa Sayaka , Fujiya Mikihiro
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim

Image enhancement endoscopy techniques, such as linked color imaging (LCI) and autofluorescence imaging (AFI), have shown promise in diagnosing mucosal inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, no studies have directly compared the diagnostic efficacy of LCI and AFI. This prospective observational study aimed to compare their diagnostic accuracy for histological healing in UC.

Methods

This study included 81 UC patients, resulting in a total of 204 endoscopic images captured using LCI and AFI, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients assessed the correlation between LCI and AFI coloration and Geboes histopathology score (GHS). Six endoscopists, who were blinded to clinicopathological features, evaluated these images, and subsequently, the diagnostic accuracy was evaluated.

Results

Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between LCI index, AFI index (reverse gamma value), and GHS were 0.324 and −0.428, respectively (P < 0.001), indicating a significant correlation between LCI and AFI coloration and histological healing. In LCI and AFI classifications, mean values for diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 76.3 ± 2.2 versus 77.8 ± 2.7, 91.8 ± 4.0 versus 83.2 ± 7.6, 53.4 ± 10.0 versus 70.0 ± 5.3, 74.0 ± 3.5 versus 80.0 ± 1.6, and 82.9 ± 5.2 versus 75.5 ± 7.5, respectively. No significant difference in diagnostic accuracy existed between LCI and AFI classifications. However, LCI displayed higher sensitivity than AFI while AFI showed higher specificity compared with LCI (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

LCI and AFI offer comparable diagnostic accuracy for histological healing. Clinically, it is necessary to recognize diagnostic features characterized by higher sensitivity in LCI and greater specificity in AFI.
Noradrenaline enhances Na‐K ATPase subunit expression by HuR‐induced mRNA stabilization and their transportation to the cell surface through PLC and PKC mediated pathway: Implications with REMS‐loss associated disorders
Authors: Kaur Manjeet , Mehta Rachna , Muthuswami Rohini , Mallick Birendra Nath
Published: April 2024

Rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) maintains brain excitability at least by regulating Na‐K ATPase activity. Although REMS deprivation (REMSD)‐associated elevated noradrenaline (NA) increases Na‐K ATPase protein expression, its mRNA transcription did not increase. We hypothesized and confirmed both in vivo as well as in vitro that elevated mRNA stability explains the apparent puzzle. The mRNA stability was measured in control and REMSD rat brain with or without in vivo treatment with α1‐adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist, prazosin (PRZ). Upon REMSD, Na‐K ATPase α1‐, and α2‐mRNA stability increased significantly, which was prevented by PRZ. To decipher the molecular mechanism of action, we estimated NA‐induced Na‐K ATPase mRNA stability in Neuro‐2a cells under controlled conditions and by transcription blockage using Actinomycin D (Act‐D). NA increased Na‐K ATPase mRNA stability, which was prevented by PRZ and propranolol (PRP, β‐AR antagonist). The knockdown assay confirmed that the increased mRNA stabilization was induced by elevated cytoplasmic abundance of Human antigen R (HuR) and involving (Phospholipase C) PLC‐mediated activation of Protein Kinase C (PKC). Additionally, using cell‐impermeable Enz‐link sulfo NHS‐SS‐Biotin, we observed that NA increased Na‐K ATPase α1‐subunits on the Neuro‐2a cell surface. We conclude that REMSD‐associated elevated NA, acting on α1‐ and β‐AR, increases nucleocytoplasmic translocation of HuR and increases Na‐K ATPase mRNA stability, resulting in increased Na‐K ATPase protein expression. The latter then gets translocated to the neuronal membrane surface involving both PKC and (Protein Kinase A) PKA‐mediated pathways. These findings may be exploited for the amelioration of REMSD‐associated chronic disorders and symptoms.

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Quantitative brain stem assessment in discriminating neurodegenerative disorders from normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Georgiopoulos Charalampos , Papadimitriou Stergios , Nyholm Dag , Kilander Lena , Löwenmark Malin , Fällmar David , Virhammar Johan
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

Differentiating idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) from neurodegenerative disorders such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy—parkinsonian type (MSA‐P), and vascular dementia (VaD) is challenging due to overlapping clinical and neuroimaging findings. This study assesses if quantitative brain stem and cerebellum metrics can aid in this differentiation.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the sagittal midbrain area, midbrain to pons ratio, MR parkinsonism index (MRPI), and cerebellar atrophy in 30 PSP patients, 31 iNPH patients, 27 MSA‐P patients, 32 VaD patients, and 25 healthy controls. Statistical analyses determined group differences, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

There was an overlap in midbrain morphology between PSP and iNPH, as assessed with MRPI, midbrain to pons ratio, and midbrain area. A cutoff value of MRPI > 13 exhibited 84% specificity in distinguishing PSP from iNPH and 100% in discriminating PSP from all other conditions. A cutoff value of midbrain to pons ratio at <0.15 yielded 95% specificity for differentiating PSP from iNPH and 100% from all other conditions. A cutoff value of midbrain area at <87 mm2 exhibited 97% specificity for differentiating PSP from iNPH and 100% from all other conditions. All measures showed low sensitivity. Cerebellar atrophy did not differ significantly among groups.

Conclusion

Our study questions MRPI's diagnostic performance in distinguishing PSP from iNPH. Simpler indices such as midbrain to pons ratio and midbrain area showed similar or better accuracy. However, all these indices displayed low sensitivity despite significant differences among PSP, MSA‐P, and VaD.
Would you trust an AI team member? Team trust in human–AI teams
Authors: Georganta Eleni , Ulfert Anna‐Sophie
Published: April 2024

Given that AI is becoming an increasingly active participant in work teams, this study explores how team trust emerges in human–AI teams compared to human–human teams. Adopting a multi‐level approach, we conducted two experimental studies (NStudy1 = 247 two‐member teams and NStudy2 = 106 three‐member teams, 828 individuals overall) and investigated how team composition (with AI or human team members) impacts interpersonal trust (affective and cognitive) and thus team trust. In two‐member teams, interpersonal trust via perceived trustworthiness and not via perceived similarity was lower in human–AI teams compared to human–human teams. Exploratory findings showed that team identification and cognitive interpersonal trust were also lower in two‐member human–AI teams than in human–human teams. However, in three‐member teams, we found no differences in team trust via interpersonal trust between the two team types. Instead, our findings revealed that perceived trustworthiness and perceived similarity increased interpersonal trust and, in turn, team trust for both team types. With this research, we showed that underlying theories and evidence of team trust in human‐only teams can enhance understanding of human–AI teams, though the results indicated certain differences that call for further investigation.
Sitcom as refuge, sitcom as prison: Nostalgia, anti‐nostalgia, and the embedded multi‐camera sitcom inWandaVisionandKevin Can F**k Himself
Authors: Winckler Reto
Published: April 2024

This article claims that the recent trend in television and web streaming drama series to feature segments shot in the style of a multi‐camera sitcom, a phenomenon which is termed “embedded sitcom,” reflects the current popularity of nostalgia in popular culture. Situating the sitcom in the context of television history and theories of nostalgia, the article argues that embedded sitcom reveals the nostalgic quality of the sitcom genre as well as of the medium of television, and negotiates a larger cultural conflict between the lucrative potency of nostalgia for past media formats and a wariness of nostalgia as politically regressive.
Perivascular space diffusivity and brain microstructural measures are associated with circadian time and sleep quality
Authors: Brendstrup‐Brix Kristoffer , Ulv Larsen Sara Marie , Lee Hong‐Hsi , Knudsen Gitte Moos
Published: April 2024

The glymphatic system is centred around brain cerebrospinal fluid flow and is enhanced during sleep, and the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis proposes that sleep acts on brain microstructure by selective synaptic downscaling. While so far primarily studied in animals, we here examine in humans if brain diffusivity and microstructure is related to time of day, sleep quality and cognitive performance. We use diffusion weighted images from 916 young healthy individuals, aged between 22 and 37 years, collected as part of the Human Connectome Project to assess diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space index, white matter fractional anisotropy, intra‐neurite volume fraction and extra‐neurite mean diffusivity. Next, we examine if these measures are associated with circadian time of acquisition, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (high scores correspond to low sleep quality) and age‐adjusted cognitive function total composite score. Consistent with expectations, we find that diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space index and orbitofrontal grey matter extra‐neurite mean diffusivity are negatively and white matter fractional anisotropy positively correlated with circadian time. Further, we find that grey matter intra‐neurite volume fraction correlates positively with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and that this correlation is driven by sleep duration. Finally, we find positive correlations between grey matter intra‐neurite volume fraction and cognitive function total composite score, as well as negative interaction effects between cognitive function total composite score and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index on grey matter intra‐neurite volume fraction. Our findings propose that perivascular flow is under circadian control and that sleep downregulates the intra‐neurite volume in healthy adults with positive impact on cognitive function.
Unravelling epistemic injustice in medical education: The case of the underperforming learner
Authors: Luong Victoria , Ajjawi Rola , Burm Sarah , Olson Rebecca , MacLeod Anna
Published: April 2024

Context

Epistemic injustice refers to a wrong done to someone in their capacity as a knower. While philosophers have detailed the pervasiveness of this issue within healthcare, it is only beginning to be discussed by medical educators. The purpose of this article is to expand the field's understanding of this concept and to demonstrate how it can be used to reframe complex problems in medical education.

Methods

After outlining the basic features of epistemic injustice, we clarify its intended (and unintended) meaning and detail what is required for a perceived harm to be named an epistemic injustice. Using an example from our own work on introversion in undergraduate medical education, we illustrate what epistemic injustice might look like from the perspectives of both educators and students and show how the concept can reorient our perspective on academic underperformance.

Results

Epistemic injustice results from two things: (1) social power dynamics that give some individuals control over others, and (2) identity prejudice that is associated with discriminatory stereotypes. This can lead to one, or both, forms of epistemic injustice: testimonial and hermeneutical. Our worked example demonstrates how medical educators can be unaware of when and how epistemic injustice is happening, yet the effects on students' well‐being and sense of selves can be profound. Thinking about academic underperformance with epistemic injustice in mind can reveal an emphasis within current educational practices on diagnosing learning deficiencies, to the detriment of holistically representing its socially constructed and structural nature.

Conclusions

This article builds upon recent calls to recognise epistemic injustice in medical education by clarifying its terminology and intended use and providing in‐depth application and analysis to a particular case: underperformance and the introverted medical student. Equipped with a more sophisticated understanding of the term, medical educators may be able to re‐conceptualise long‐standing issues including, but also beyond, underperformance.
Effects of open‐label sesame oil applied to cardiac surgery patients in preventing amiodarone‐induced phlebitis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gülşen Muaz , Arslan Sevban
Published: April 2024

Background

Amiodarone is a prophylactic rhythm‐regulating drug used to prevent arrhythmia; However, especially during infusion, it has the potential to cause a number of complications, especially phlebitis.

Aim

The aim of the study is to determine the effects of sesame oil, which has the potential to prevent phlebitis that may occur during amiodarone infusion administered to patients after cardiac surgery.

Design

This prospective, two‐arm (1:1), block randomized controlled interventional study.

Methods

This study was conducted with 44 patients treated in the coronary intensive care unit of a university hospital, who received parenteral infusion of amiodarone. Sesame oil was applied superficially by applying 10 drops to a 10 cm perimeter of the cannula for 10 min. This application was repeated every 8 h during the 24‐h amiodarone infusion. No intervention was made to the patients in the control group. However, standard nursing care measures and a standard transparent dressing were applied to the patients in both groups during the peripheral catheter application phase. Patients in the intervention and control groups were evaluated in terms of phlebitis at the end of every 24 h using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale. The study was reported according to the CONSORT declaration.

Results

Phlebitis symptoms occurred in 15/22 (68.2%) of the patients in the intervention group on the first day, 3/22 (13.6%) on the second day and 2/22 (9.1%) of the patients on the third day, while in the control group, 20/22 (90.9%) of the patients had phlebitis on the first day and 2/22 (9.1%) on the second day. The incidence of phlebitis was 20/22 (90.9%) in the intervention group and 22/22 (100%) in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in phlebitis symptoms between groups.

Conclusion

The research results showed that the application of sesame oil did not significantly reduce the frequency of phlebitis. However, a trend indicating delayed onset of phlebitis symptoms was observed in the sesame oil group. Nevertheless, larger sample studies are needed. These studies are expected to assist in determining the effects of sesame oil on phlebitis more precisely and provide stronger support for the results.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Training of nurses on non‐pharmacological methods should be supported and opportunities should be given for their application.
Four‐dimensional impedance manometry volume metrics for predicting abnormal bolus retention
Authors: Pitisuttithum Panyavee , Goudie Eric , Araujo Isis K. , Halder Sourav , Carlson Dustin A. , Pandolfino John E. , Kou Wenjun
Published: April 2024

Background

The objective measurement for esophageal bolus volume and bolus clearance could classify abnormal high‐resolution manometry (HRM) beyond the current Chicago classification. We aimed to compare the novel four‐dimensional impedance manometry (4D HRM) volume metrics with timed barium esophagram (TBE).

Methods

Adults with esophageal symptoms undergoing HRM and TBE were included. A custom‐built program for 4D HRM analysis measured esophageal luminal cross‐sectional area (CSA) from impedance and subsequently derived esophageal bolus volume and clearance. 4D HRM volume metrics included pre‐swallow residual volume, maximal volume, retention volume, and clearance ratio defined as 1.0—retention volume divided by the maximal volume. An abnormal TBE was defined as a column height >5 cm at 1 min or 5 min.

Key Results

A total of 95 patients (normal motility: 33%; ineffective esophageal motility: 12%; absent contractility: 10%; esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction: 30%; type I achalasia: 5%; type II achalasia: 12%) were categorized into normal TBE (58%), abnormal TBE at 1 min (17%), and abnormal TBE at 5 min (25%). The AUROC demonstrated that, among all 4D HRM volume metrics, the clearance ratio had the best performance in predicting abnormal TBE at 5 min (AUROC, 95% confidence interval: 0.89, 0.82–0.96), and exhibited a strong negative correlation with TBE at 5 min (r = −0.65; p < 0.001).

Conclusions & Inferences

Novel 4D HRM volume metrics provide objective measurement of esophageal bolus volume and bolus clearance. The clearance ratio has a strong correlation with TBE and could potentially serve as a substitute for TBE to measure esophageal retention.
The epistemology of interpersonal relations
Authors: Benton Matthew A.
Published: April 2024

What is it to know someone? Epistemologists rarely take up this question, though recent developments make such inquiry possible and desirable. This paper advances an account of how such interpersonal knowledge goes beyond mere propositional and qualitative knowledge about someone, giving a central place to second‐personal treatment. It examines what such knowledge requires, and what makes it distinctive within epistemology as well as socially. It assesses its theoretic value for several issues in moral psychology, epistemic injustice, and philosophy of mind. And it offers an account of the complex content in play if interpersonal knowledge is to be understood in terms of its mental states and their functions.
Measurement of in vivo lens shapes using IOLMaster 700 B‐scan images: Comparison with phakometry
Authors: Pradhan Asik , Hughes Rohan P. J. , Pieterse Emily , Atchison David A. , Carkeet Andrew
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study compared in vivo crystalline lens shape measurements using B‐scan images from the IOLMaster 700 with phakometry.

Methods

Twenty‐four young adult participants underwent IOLMaster 700 and phakometry measurements under cycloplegia (1% cyclopentolate). The IOLMaster 700 generated B‐scan images along six meridians in 30° increments, which were analysed using custom MATLAB software to determine lens surface radii of curvature. Phakometry measurements were obtained using Purkinje images reflected from the lens surfaces.

Results

The IOLMaster 700 image analysis method yielded a lower mean anterior lens surface spherical equivalent power (+6.20 D) than phakometry (+7.55 D); however, the two measurements were strongly correlated (R(21) = 0.97, p < 0.0001). The astigmatic power vectors (J0 and J45) for the anterior lens surface were significantly higher for the IOLMaster 700 measurements, with only J0 showing a significant moderate positive correlation (R(21) = 0.57, p = 0.005). For the posterior lens surface, the IOLMaster 700 measurements had a higher mean spherical power (+14.28 D) compared to phakometry (+13.70 D); however, a strong positive correlation (R(21) = 0.90, p < 0.0001) was observed. No significant correlations were noted for posterior lens surface astigmatic vectors (J0 and J45). The IOLMaster 700 estimates for the equivalent lens mean spherical power were slightly lower than those for phakometry, with a mean difference of −0.72 D, and both methods were positively correlated (R(21) = 0.94, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate that IOLMaster 700 B‐scan image analysis technique provides similar estimates of lens surface powers to phakometry. These results highlight the potential of the IOLMaster 700 to provide measurements of lens shape, informing future research and clinical use.
Spontaneous recovery from neuromuscular block after a single dose of a muscle relaxant in pediatric patients: A systematic review using a network meta‐analytic and meta‐regression approach
Authors: Vanlinthout Luc E. , Driessen Jacques J. , Stolker Robert Jan , Lesaffre Emmanuel M. , Berghmans Johan M. , Staals Lonneke M.
Published: April 2024

Background

Age‐related differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) and the short duration of many surgical procedures put pediatric patients at risk of postoperative residual curarization (PORC). To date, the duration of neuromuscular blocking agent effect in children has not been analyzed in a quantitative review. The current meta‐analysis aimed to compare spontaneous recovery following administration of various types and doses of neuromuscular blocking agents and to quantify the effect of prognostic variables associated with the recovery time in pediatric patients.

Method

We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that compared the time to 25% T1 (t25), from 25% to 75% T1 (RI25–75), and to ≥90% train‐of‐four (tTOF90) neuromuscular recovery between common neuromuscular blocking agent treatments administered as a single bolus to healthy pediatric participants. We compared spontaneous t25, RI25‐75, and tTOF90 between (1) neuromuscular blocking agent treatments and (2) age groups receiving a given neuromuscular blocking agent intervention and anesthesia technique. Bayesian random‐effects network and pairwise meta‐analyses along with meta‐regression were used to evaluate the results.

Results

We used data from 71 randomized controlled trials/controlled clinical trials including 4319 participants. Network meta‐analysis allowed for the juxtaposition and ranking of spontaneous t25, RI25‐75, and tTOF90 following common neuromuscular blocking agent interventions. For all neuromuscular blocking agents a log‐linear relationship between dose and duration of action was found. With the neuromuscular blocking agent treatments studied, the average tTOF90 (mean[CrI95]) in children (>2–11 y) was 41.96 [14.35, 69.50] and 17.06 [5.99, 28.30] min shorter than in neonates (<28 d) and infants (28 d–12 M), respectively. We found a negative log‐linear correlation between age and duration of neuromuscular blocking agent effect. The difference in the tTOF90 (mean[CrI95]) between children and other age groups increased by 21.66 [8.82, 34.53] min with the use of aminosteroid neuromuscular blocking agents and by 24.73 [7.92, 41.43] min with the addition of sevoflurane/isoflurane for anesthesia maintenance.

Conclusions

The times to neuromuscular recovery are highly variable. These can decrease significantly with age and are prolonged when volatile anesthetics are administered. This variability, combined with the short duration of many pediatric surgical procedures, makes quantitative neuromuscular monitoring mandatory even after a single dose of neuromuscular blocking agent.
Are “clean” products safe for children? An analysis of contact allergens in “clean” children's products from a popular retailer
Authors: Brumley Caroline , Banks Tyra , Arora Puneet , Ophaug Solveig
Published: April 2024

Background

Considering consumer trends toward the use of “clean” personal care products and increasing recognition of childhood allergic contact dermatitis, we sought to characterize the allergen profile of such children's products.

Methods

Ingredients of baby washes/shampoos, bubble baths, and moisturizers identified using the “Clean Baby” filter on Target®'s online marketplace were analyzed for relevant pediatric contact allergens.

Results

Product compositions declared fragrance in 82% of products, Compositae in 46%, cocamidopropyl betaine in 45%, glucosides in 37%, propylene glycol in 12%, lanolin in 1%, and no allergens in 9%—methylisothiazolinone and formaldehyde were not found.

Conclusion

Children are greatly impacted by atopic dermatitis and skin barrier dysfunction, which underscores a need for greater public awareness of sensitizing and irritating ingredients, particularly regarding pediatric personal care products.
Reliability in Machine Learning
Authors: Grote Thomas , Genin Konstantin , Sullivan Emily
Published: April 2024

Issues of reliability are claiming center‐stage in the epistemology of machine learning. This paper unifies different branches in the literature and points to promising research directions, whilst also providing an accessible introduction to key concepts in statistics and machine learning – as far as they are concerned with reliability.
The interaction between Onthophagus binodis and cattle dung pH: Impacts on reproduction and offspring phenology
Authors: Heddle Thomas , Hemmings Zac , Burns Adrienne , Andrew Nigel R.
Published: April 2024

The environment surrounding invertebrates can influence the physiology of larval offspring. Dung beetles provide several significant ecological functions, including dung breakdown, fly control and nutrient cycling. Cattle diet influences the chemical and physical constituents of dung, of which pH is considered critical. Few studies have assessed this, though a pH of 6.3 is the lowest threshold for dung beetle reproduction. We investigated the effects of an introduced and widespread dung beetle (Onthophagus binodis) on cattle dung pH (7.3, 6.0 and 5.0) and pH on O. binodis reproduction, offspring phenotypic traits and development time. Dung beetle presence increased the Δ pH (more alkaline) within dung pads after 96 h. Dung beetles produced broods in dung with a pH of 5.0, though in fewer numbers compared with the other pH treatments. Larval development was delayed in pH 5.0 with an average of 50 days compared with 44 days in dung with pH 6, 7, and the control (7.3). Smaller broods (ellipsoid volume [mm3]) were produced in dung with a pH of 5.0 compared with pH 6.0 and 7.0, and offspring emerging from broods produced from dung with a pH of 6.0 were larger compared with the other pH treatments. Our results show that dung pH is important for brood production and progeny phenotypic traits of O. binodis, an agricultural ecosystem engineer and that there is no experimental evidence to support the suggestion that dung pH influences the provisioning of broods in this species.
Strategic approaches in oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnostics using liquid biopsy
Authors: Kinane Denis F. , Gabert Joerg , Xynopoulos George , Guzeldemir‐Akcakanat Esra
Published: April 2024

Liquid biopsy is a noninvasive diagnostic technique used for monitoring cancer utilizing specific genetic biomarkers present in bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, or urine. These analyses employ multiple biomolecular sources including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and exosomes (that contain DNA fragments) to detect genetic biomarkers that can predict, disclose, and/or monitor cancers. Levels of these biomarkers can inform on the presence of cancer, its genetic characteristics, and its potential treatment response and also provide predictive genetic predisposition information for specific cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Liquid biopsies can aid cancer management as they offer real‐time dynamic information on the response to say chemotherapy or radiotherapy and recurrence following surgical excision. Unlike traditional tissue biopsies, which are invasive with a degree of morbidity and require specific tumor location sampling, liquid biopsies are noninvasive and can be repeated frequently. For oral squamous cell carcinoma, on which this review focuses, liquid biopsy of blood or saliva can be valuable in predicting susceptibility, providing early detection, and monitoring the disease's progression and response to therapy. This review gives a general narrative overview of the technology, its current medical usage, and advantages and disadvantages compared with current techniques and discusses a range of current potential biomarkers for disclosing OSCC and predicting its risk. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is all too often detected in the late stages. In future, liquid biopsy may provide an effective screening process such that cancers including OSCC will be detected in the early stages rather than later when prognosis is poor and morbidity and debilitation are greater. In this screening process, periodontists and hygienists have a critical role in that they are adept in examining mucosa, they see patients with shared risk factors for periodontitis and OSCC, namely smoking and poor oral hygiene, and they see patients frequently such that OSCC examinations should be a routine part of the recall visit. With this additional screening manpower, oral medicine and oral surgery colleagues will detect OSCC earlier and this coupled with new techniques such as liquid biopsy may greatly decrease global morbidity in OSCC.
Advances in the application of stereo vision in aquaculture with emphasis on fish: A review
Authors: Li Daoliang , Yu Jiaxuan , Du Zhuangzhuang , Xu Wenkai , Wang Guangxu , Zhao Shili , Liu Yasai , Muhammad Akhter
Published: April 2024

The effective implementation of machine vision has played a crucial role in advancing intelligent aquaculture across various domains. Stereo vision, as a branch of machine vision, has become a mainstream technology in aquaculture. Its distinctive capability to conduct comprehensive underwater monitoring from multiple angles, unaffected by object occlusion has propelled it to the forefront of aquaculture applications. This article offers a comprehensive review of the diverse applications of stereo vision in aquaculture spanning from its inception to present. The exploration encompasses its role in crucial areas such as biomass estimation and behavioural analysis, which include fish counting, weight estimation, swimming behaviour, feeding behaviour and abnormal behaviour. Furthermore, the paper delves into the advantages of stereo vision over traditional 2D machine vision approaches, while also acknowledging limitations, and identifying future challenges that must be addressed to fully leverage its potential in aquaculture. The review emphasizes the prospect of advancement in deep learning stereo‐matching algorithms specifically designed for underwater environments to catalyse a breakthrough in stereo vision technology. In summary, this review aims to provide researchers and practitioners with a better understanding of the current development of stereo vision in aquaculture, optimizing stereo vision technology and better serving the aquaculture field.
Nowcasting of advance estimates of personal consumption of Services in the U.S. National Economic Accounts: Individual vs forecasting combination approach
Authors: Chen Baoline , Hood Kyle
Published: April 2024

As part of continuing effort to research statistical methods for producing timely and accurate early estimates of national accounts statistics, this paper evaluates the ability of individual nowcasting and forecast combination techniques to reduce revisions in the first or advance estimates of U.S. quarterly personal consumption of services at the most detailed component level. At such a level, designated indicators for advance estimates are those directly relevant to the detailed components. Using the same indicators that were used in routine compilations, we show in a real time setting that nowcasting methods are able to reduce revisions in the advance estimates in over 90 percent of the detailed components, and the upper bound of the reductions reached over 60 percent. We evaluate the performances of all methods by comparing their root mean squared revisions for each component. Our study suggests that nowcasting techniques are potentially a powerful tool to reduce revisions in the early estimates in the national account statistics at the most detailed level.
Why did peri‐pandemic suicide death rates decrease among non‐Hispanic white people while increasing among most people of color?
Authors: Robison Morgan , Robertson Lee , Joiner T. E.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

While suicides in the United States decreased during the COVID‐19 pandemic, statistically significant decreases have been limited to White people throughout a large portion of 2020.

Methods

This paper outlines possible explanations for racial/ethnic differences in suicidality in the early pandemic phases.

Results

We propose both distal (i.e., tele‐mental health usage, internet and technology access, employment protections, and economic security) and proximal (cultural beliefs, coping strategies, clustering, pulling together, and embracing life) factors that may have helped build and foster community and mental wellness. However, this paper argues these factors did not extend, or did not extend as much, to many communities of color.

Conclusions

We argue that these disparities are due to the myriad effects of discrimination and systemic racism, encapsulated broadly by the minority stress theory, and provide suggestions for relief and research.
Evidence of different sensitivity of muscle and tendon to mechano‐metabolic stimuli
Authors: Lambrianides Yiannis , Epro Gaspar , Arampatzis Adamantios , Karamanidis Kiros
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to examine the temporal dynamics of muscle–tendon adaptation and whether differences between their sensitivity to mechano‐metabolic stimuli would lead to non‐uniform changes within the triceps surae (TS) muscle–tendon unit (MTU). Twelve young adults completed a 12‐week training intervention of unilateral isometric cyclic plantarflexion contractions at 80% of maximal voluntary contraction until failure to induce a high TS activity and hence metabolic stress. Each participant trained one limb at a short (plantarflexed position, 115°: PF) and the other at a long (dorsiflexed position, 85°: DF) MTU length to vary the mechanical load. MTU mechanical, morphological, and material properties were assessed biweekly via simultaneous ultrasonography–dynamometry and magnetic resonance imaging. Our hypothesis that tendon would be more sensitive to the operating magnitude of tendon strain but less to metabolic stress exercise was confirmed as tendon stiffness, Young's modulus, and tendon size were only increased in the DF condition following the intervention. The PF leg demonstrated a continuous increment in maximal AT strain (i.e., higher mechanical demand) over time along with lack of adaptation in its biomechanical properties. The premise that skeletal muscle adapts at a higher rate than tendon and does not require high mechanical load to hypertrophy or increase its force potential during exercise was verified as the adaptive changes in morphological and mechanical properties of the muscle did not differ between DF and PF. Such differences in muscle–tendon sensitivity to mechano‐metabolic stimuli may temporarily increase MTU imbalances that could have implications for the risk of tendon overuse injury.
A life course perspective on sexual minorities: Implications for the study of homophobic prejudice and discrimination
Authors: Miller Lisa R. , Tabor Jaclyn A.
Published: April 2024

The legal treatment of and attitudes toward sexual minorities has changed considerably over recent decades in the United States, highlighting the role of historical context in the unfolding of human lives. Yet, a full application of the life course perspective to the topic of structural inequalities faced by sexual minorities is missing from the scholarly literature. Through synthesizing and analyzing research findings from the past 15 years, we explain how the five tenets of the life course framework apply to sexual minorities, including (1) the interplay of history and human lives, (2) the timing of lives, (3) linked lives, (4) human development and aging as lifelong processes, and (5) human agency. In doing so, we argue that a life course perspective is crucial for understanding the nature and consequences of prejudice and discrimination faced by sexual minorities. We end with discussion of the need for additional research and methodological innovations regarding distinctive aging experiences, cumulative inequality, and intersectionality.
Uncertainty propagation analysis for distributed hydrological forecasting using a neural network
Authors: Soares Jaqueline A. J. P. , Diniz Michael M. , Bacelar Luiz , Lima Glauston R. T. , Soares Allan K. S. , Stephany Stephan , Santos Leonardo B. L.
Published: April 2024

The last few decades have presented a significant increase in hydrological disasters, such as floods. In some countries, most of the environmental, socioeconomic, and biodiversity losses are caused by floods. Thus, flood forecasting is crucial to support an efficient disaster warning system. This work proposes a model for hydrological forecasting based on a neural network with a geographically aligned input named GeoNN. It employs weather radar data to obtain accumulated rainfall in each grid cell of the watershed and make 15‐ and 120‐min predictions of the outlet river level. An uncertainty propagation analysis was performed for GeoNN from a collection of test cases obtained by either using different schemes of the dataset partitioning or introducing different additive‐noise rates to the input data to provide a probability of flood occurrence and also an ensemble prediction. Both this probability and the ensemble were able to detect occurrences of river levels exceeding a given flood threshold.
Complicated penetrating foreign body neck injury
Authors: Jamshaid Shiraz , Rotimi Oloruntobi , Tanna Ravina , Elmiyeh Behrad
Published: April 2024

Penetrating neck injury is associated with significant morbidity due to the several structures (neurological, vascular and aerodigestive) within close proximity to one another. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of an embedded foreign body following penetrating neck trauma and the decision-making required during management.
Opportunities and challenges for financing women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health in the context of climate change
Authors: Anton Blanca , Cuevas Soledad , Hanson Mark , Bhutta Zulfiqar Ahmed , Langlois Etienne V , Iaia Domenico Gerardo , Gasparri Giulia , Borghi Josephine
Published: April 2024

Women, children and adolescents (WCA), especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), will bear the worst consequences of climate change during their lifetimes, despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in WCA can address these inequities in climate risk, as well as generating large health, economic, social and environmental gains. However, women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (WCAH) is currently not mainstreamed in climate policies and financing. There is also a need to consider new and innovative financing arrangements that support WCAH alongside climate goals.

We provide an overview of the threats climate change represents for WCA, including the most vulnerable communities, and where health and climate investments should focus. We draw on evidence to explore the opportunities and challenges for health financing, climate finance and co-financing schemes to enhance equity and protect WCAH while supporting climate goals.

WCA face threats from the rising burden of ill-health and healthcare demand, coupled with constraints to healthcare provision, impacting access to essential WCAH services and rising out-of-pocket payments for healthcare. Climate change also impacts on the economic context and livelihoods of WCA, increasing the risk of displacement and migration. These impacts require additional resources to support WCAH service delivery, to ensure continuity of care and protect households from the costs of care and enhance resilience. We identify a range of financing solutions, including leveraging climate finance for WCAH, adaptive social protection for health and adaptations to purchasing to promote climate action and support WCAH care needs.
‘If you build it, they will come…to the wrong door: evaluating patient and caregiver-initiated ethics consultations via a patient portal’
Authors: Blackler Liz , Scharf Amy E , Matsoukas Konstantina , Colletti Michelle , Voigt Louis P
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) sought to empower patients and caregivers to be more proactive in requesting ethics consultations.

Methods

Functionality was developed on MSK’s electronic patient portal that allowed patients and/or caregivers to request ethics consultations. The Ethics Consultation Service (ECS) responded to all requests, which were documented and analysed.

Results

Of the 74 requests made through the portal, only one fell under the purview of the ECS. The others were primarily requests for assistance with coordinating clinical care, hospital resources or frustrations with the hospital or clinical team.

Discussion

To better empower patients and caregivers to engage Ethics, healthcare organisations and ECSs must first provide them with accessible, understandable and iterative educational resources.

Conclusion

After 19.5 months, the ‘Request Ethics Consultation’ functionality on the patient portal was suspended. Developing resources on the role of Ethics for our patients and caregivers remains a priority.
Challenges and enablers for scaling up interventions targeting non-communicable diseases: a qualitative study applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to 19 research projects worldwide
Authors: Ramani-Chander Anusha , Thrift Amanda G , van Olmen Josefien , Wouters Edwin , Delobelle Peter , Vedanthan Rajesh , Miranda J Jaime , Sherwood Stephen , Teede Helena , Joshi Rohina
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Scaling up interventions targeting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a global health priority, and implementation research can contribute to that effort. In 2019, the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases funded 27 implementation research studies to improve evidence for scaling up interventions targeting prevention and/or control of hypertension and/or diabetes in low-resource settings. We examined these studies to improve the understanding of the implementation factors, including challenges and facilitators, that influence the early implementation phase of scale-up research projects targeting NCDs.

Methods

This qualitative study was undertaken between August 2020 and July 2021. 43 semi-structured interviews were conducted with project investigators, implementers and policymakers, across 19 diverse scale-up projects, being implemented in 20 countries. The transcripts were inductively, open-coded using thematic analysis. Generated themes were mapped systematically to four out of five domain categorisations of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR); the innovation domain fell outside the scope of this study.

Results

Highlighted findings using CFIR are: (i) outer setting: influence of politics, lack of coordination between government departments and differing agendas towards NCDs hindered implementation while reliable and trustworthy government connections proved useful; (ii) inner setting: commitment of resources for implementation was a challenge while research capacity, work culture and trustworthy networks facilitated implementation; (iii) individuals: high-level stakeholder support and leadership was essential; (iv) process: extensive time and efforts required for stakeholder engagement towards local contextualisation was challenging, while collaborating, joint reflection, effective communication and adaptation facilitated. COVID-19 provided both challenges and opportunities and these varied depending on the intervention characteristics and study objectives.

Conclusion

Researchers supporting the scale-up of complex interventions targeting NCDs need to leverage on existing trusting relationships and foster equitable stakeholder partnerships through research. Interpersonal skills and good communication are essential complements to research expertise and must be considered during capacity building.
Lower HAGOS subscale scores associated with a longer duration of groin problems in football players in the subsequent season
Authors: Harøy Joar , Bache-Mathiesen Lena Kristin , Andersen Thor Einar
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Groin injuries represent a considerable problem in football. Although the Adductor Strengthening Programme reduced groin injury risk, players can still experience groin symptoms throughout the season. This study aimed to determine whether preseason Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) and a history of previous injury can identify individuals at risk of having a longer duration of groin problems the subsequent season, using an ‘any physical complaint’ definition of injury.

Methods

Preseason HAGOS score and weekly groin problems were registered with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse questionnaire during one full season in 632 male semiprofessional adult players.

Results

The prognostic model showed a decreased number of weeks with groin problems for each increase in HAGOS score for ‘groin-related quality of life’ (QOL) (IRR=0.99, p=0.003). A 10-point higher ‘QOL’ score predicted 10% fewer weeks of groin problems. Additionally, previous hip/groin injury was associated with a 74% increase in the number of weeks with symptoms (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The HAGOS questionnaire applied preseason can detect players at risk of getting more weeks with groin problems the following season. The ‘QOL’ subscale seems to be the superior subscale for estimating subsequent groin problem duration. While HAGOS appears promising in identifying players at risk, previous groin injury is the most robust indicator, showing a substantial 74% increase in weeks with symptoms.
Defining the role of sport and exercise physicians: the experience of different referrer types in New Zealand
Authors: Aubrey Brendon , Fulcher Mark L , Reid Duncan
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to analyse the reasons health professionals refer to sport and exercise physicians (SEPs) and to define what service gap the specialty fills. This was a qualitative study design using thematic analysis. Online focus group interviews consisting of 4–6 participants in each group were conducted separately with physiotherapists, emergency clinicians, general practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons practising in New Zealand. Thematic analysis of the focus group interviews was then used for the identification of common themes around referral tendencies towards SEPs. Three primary themes were identified relating to referrals towards SEPs: (1) role utilisation of SEPs, (2) collaboration and (3) accessibility. SEPs are viewed as experts in the assessment, investigation and diagnosis of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, including some which might traditionally be viewed as surgical diagnoses. Some confusion or lack of understanding exists regarding the range of conditions that SEPs can treat and manage, with some referrers assuming that SEPs only treat sport-related injuries. SEPs are often used alongside other specialist practitioners in the management of patients with MSK conditions. This requires collaboration with other health professionals who also treat MSK conditions to ensure the best patient outcome. A common feeling towards SEPs is they are easily accessible compared with other potential health providers who may also treat MSK conditions such as orthopaedic surgeons and general practitioners, and that SEPs provide sound management plans and access to investigations such as MRI, in a timely fashion.