bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debating: effective and satisfactory learning method in dentistry
Authors: Meschi Marjaneh , Shirahmadi Samane , Amiri Mahrokh , Ebrahimi-Siaghi Nikki
Published: March 2024

Background

Education in the modern world of health needs diverse methods of learning and teaching. The traditional education model has limited capacity for developing abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. Therefore, improving the quality of teaching–learning processes requires implementing educational innovations in the classroom and evaluating them. This study aimed to determine the impact of the debate teaching method on improving the abilities of general dentistry doctoral students.

Methods

The research was a semi-experimental study with pre-tests and post-tests to measure the knowledge and abilities of students. The study included 60 dental students who completed the fall 2022 session of the Community Oral Health (COH) 2 practical course. This course, one of three practical components within the Community Oral Health curriculum, aligns with the educational framework of general dentistry. Challenging topics on which there is no consensus in dentistry were chosen for the debate. The descriptive statistics indicators include an independent t-test and variance analysis test with a significance level of 5%. Were used to analyze the data.

Results

The results of the study showed that the average total knowledge (P < 0.001), 'perception of critical thinking skills (P < 0.001), expression power (P < 0.001), reasoning skills (P = 0.003), interpretation and Information analysis power (P < 0.001), the ability to find and use scientific databases (P < 0.001) and the ability to analyze and evaluate evidence (P < 0.001) increased significantly after intervention in students. 95% of students agreed/strongly agreed that this method enhances their ability to answer people's questions. From an instructor’s point of view, students had 93.1% of the ability to reason and analyze information after intervention and 88.5% of the ability to think critically.

Conclusion

The results of the study showed that the use of debate in the classroom is an effective way to present content. The process of evaluating data-driven arguments promotes higher-level cognitive skills and teaches students about the knowledge base and the use of scientific databases.

Trial registration

Registration date: 21/11/2022, Registration number: IRCT20141128020129N3.
Evaluation of the efficacy of a simulation model used in oral and maxillofacial surgery education
Authors: Taysi Aysegul Erten , Taysi Nuri Mert , Sismanoglu Soner
Published: March 2024

Background

The traditional teaching methods of dental education are gradually being replaced with futuristic education methods based on the usage of educational tools such as mannequin-based simulation models and virtual reality. However, the effectiveness of mannequin-based simulation models as a learning method in the field of oral surgery remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of training on a tooth extraction model (TEM) in view of undergraduate dental students’ experience and perception of their education.

Methods

A quasi-experimental trial was implemented with two consecutive year classes, totaling 136 students at the Dentistry Faculty of Altinbas University, Turkiye. Two cohorts were created from dental students in the classes of 2023 and 2022 graduates. Cohort 1 (n = 71) received 14 h of theoretical education followed by 10 h of preclinical education on TEM. Cohort 2 (n = 65) received only 14 h of theoretical education. An anonymous questionnaire was prepared with four main sections including the preferences of learning style, participants’ perceptions of the preclinical training methods, the students’ competency and free text comments. Students’ opinions were quantified with both 7-point Likert scales and thematic analysis. Anxiety levels were measured with the interval scale of anxiety response (ISAR). Descriptive statistics, inferential statistical and thematic analyses were conducted according to survey responses. Student characteristics were summarized and compared for two cohorts using a t-test. For all statistical analyses, the significance level was set atP ≤ 0.05.

Result

Cohort 1 was more comfortable with sequential motions performed with the forceps (P = 0.033) and felt more ready for their first clinical tooth extraction experience (P = 0.028). Cohort 2 showed a significantly higher preference for textbooks among supplementary materials (P = 0.04); however, they tended to exhibit lower self-confidence and higher anxiety levels, though without any statistical significance (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

It is clear that the students who have yet to start seeing patients benefit from increased practice with training models, which adequately reflect and represent real-life situations encountered in everyday practice.
Ensemble-imbalance-based classification for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis prognostic prediction: identifying short-survival patients at diagnosis
Authors: Papaiz Fabiano , Dourado Mario Emílio Teixeira , de Medeiros Valentim Ricardo Alexsandro , Pinto Rafael , de Morais Antônio Higor Freire , Arrais Joel Perdiz
Published: March 2024

Prognosticating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) presents a formidable challenge due to patients exhibiting different onset sites, progression rates, and survival times. In this study, we have developed and evaluated Machine Learning (ML) algorithms that integrate Ensemble and Imbalance Learning techniques to classify patients into Short and Non-Short survival groups based on data collected during diagnosis. We aimed to identify individuals at high risk of mortality within 24 months of symptom onset through analysis of patient data commonly encountered in daily clinical practice. Our Ensemble-Imbalance approach underwent evaluation employing six ML algorithms as base classifiers. Remarkably, our results outperformed those of individual algorithms, achieving a Balanced Accuracy of 88% and a Sensitivity of 96%. Additionally, we used the Shapley Additive Explanations framework to elucidate the decision-making process of the top-performing model, pinpointing the most important features and their correlations with the target prediction. Furthermore, we presented helpful tools to visualize and compare patient similarities, offering valuable insights. Confirming the obtained results, our approach could aid physicians in devising personalized treatment plans at the time of diagnosis or serve as an inclusion/exclusion criterion in clinical trials.
Engineered extracellular vesicles carrying let-7a-5p for alleviating inflammation in acute lung injury
Authors: Chen Sin-Yu , Chen Yi-Ling , Li Po-Chen , Cheng Tai-Shan , Chu Yeh-Shiu , Shen Yi-Shan , Chen Hsin-Tung , Tsai Wei-Ni , Huang Chien-Ling , Sieber Martin , Yeh Yuan-Chieh , Liu Hsiao-Sheng , Chiang Chi-Ling , Chang Chih-Hung , Lee Andrew S. , Tseng Yen-Han , Lee Ly James , Liao Hsiu-Jung , Yip Hon-Kan , Huang Chi-Ying F.
Published: March 2024

Background

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening respiratory condition characterized by severe inflammation and lung tissue damage, frequently causing rapid respiratory failure and long-term complications. The microRNA let-7a-5p is involved in the progression of lung injury, inflammation, and fibrosis by regulating immune cell activation and cytokine production. This study aims to use an innovative cellular electroporation platform to generate extracellular vesicles (EVs) carring let-7a-5p (EV-let-7a-5p) derived from transfected Wharton’s jelly-mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) as a potential gene therapy for ALI.

Methods

A cellular nanoporation (CNP) method was used to induce the production and release of EV-let-7a-5p from WJ-MSCs transfected with the relevant plasmid DNA. EV-let-7a-5p in the conditioned medium were isolated using a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system. EV characterization followed the minimal consensus guidelines outlined by the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. We conducted a thorough set of therapeutic assessments, including the antifibrotic effects using a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced cell model, the modulation effects on macrophage polarization, and the influence of EV-let-7a-5p in a rat model of hyperoxia-induced ALI.

Results

The CNP platform significantly increased EV secretion from transfected WJ-MSCs, and the encapsulated let-7a-5p in engineered EVs was markedly higher than that in untreated WJ-MSCs. These EV-let-7a-5p did not influence cell proliferation and effectively mitigated the TGF-β-induced fibrotic phenotype by downregulating SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in LL29 cells. Furthermore, EV-let-7a-5p regulated M2-like macrophage activation in an inflammatory microenvironment and significantly induced interleukin (IL)-10 secretion, demonstrating their modulatory effect on inflammation. Administering EVs from untreated WJ-MSCs slightly improved lung function and increased let-7a-5p expression in plasma in the hyperoxia-induced ALI rat model. In comparison, EV-let-7a-5p significantly reduced macrophage infiltration and collagen deposition while increasing IL-10 expression, causing a substantial improvement in lung function.

Conclusion

This study reveals that the use of the CNP platform to stimulate and transfect WJ-MSCs could generate an abundance of let-7a-5p-enriched EVs, which underscores the therapeutic potential in countering inflammatory responses, fibrotic activation, and hyperoxia-induced lung injury. These results provide potential avenues for developing innovative therapeutic approaches for more effective interventions in ALI.
Analysis of affordability differences for rare diseases in China: a comparison across disease types and regions
Authors: Chen Ye , Chen Xinyang , Deng Yi , Ding Jinxi
Published: March 2024

Background

China has implemented policies to make rare diseases more affordable. While previous studies evaluated overall affordability, few have examined affordability differences across regions and disease types. Given the vastness of China and varying medical policies across cities, this study assesses the affordability of rare diseases based on China’s First List of Rare Diseases (CFLRD), National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), and outpatient chronic and special disease policies in each prefecture.

Method

Six rare diseases were selected and the average annual treatment cost of all relevant drugs in NRDL was calculated for each disease. Based on the WHO/HAI standardized approach, the study analyzed 289 cities with outpatient chronic and special disease policies, measured the security levels by the actual reimbursement ratio of Basic Medical Insurance (BMI) and affordability by the ratio of individual expenses after reimbursement to the annual disposable income of urban residents in the province. The security levels and affordability differences across disease types and provinces were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the K-W test.

Result

The affordability of rare diseases varied significantly on the disease types and annual treatment cost. Diseases with an annual treatment cost below 100 000 yuan are affordable to all prefectures even with low reimbursement rates, while those with a higher treatment cost were not affordable in at least 80% of prefectures even though the reimbursement ratio is high. The affordability of the same disease varies significantly across provinces and municipalities. Outpatient chronic and special diseases insurance and critical illness insurance, and the inconsistencies between them, result in regional differences.

Conclusion

Although China has made progress in improving the affordability of rare diseases, significant differences persist between cities and diseases. The study suggests the optimization of the BMI system and explores independent funds and innovative insurance models to enhance the affordability of rare diseases, particularly those with extremely high treatment costs.
Organochlorine pesticides and risk of papillary thyroid cancer in U.S. military personnel: a nested case-control study
Authors: Rusiecki Jennifer A. , McAdam Jordan , Denic-Roberts Hristina , Sjodin Andreas , Davis Mark , Jones Richard , Hoang Thanh D. , Ward Mary H. , Ma Shuangge , Zhang Yawei
Published: March 2024

Background

The effects of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure on the development of human papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are not well understood. A nested case-control study was conducted with data from the U.S. Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR) cohort between 2000 and 2013 to assess associations of individual OCPs serum concentrations with PTC risk.

Methods

This study included 742 histologically confirmed PTC cases (341 females, 401 males) and 742 individually-matched controls with pre-diagnostic serum samples selected from the DoDSR. Associations between categories of lipid-corrected serum concentrations of seven OCPs and PTC risk were evaluated for classical PTC and follicular PTC using conditional logistic regression, adjusted for body mass index category and military branch to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Effect modification by sex, birth cohort, and race was examined.

Results

There was no evidence of associations between most of the OCPs and PTC, overall or stratified by histological subtype. Overall, there was no evidence of an association between hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and PTC, but stratified by histological subtype HCB was associated with significantly increased risk of classical PTC (third tertile above the limit of detection (LOD) vs. <LOD, OR = 1.61, 95% CI, 1.09, 2.38; p for trend = 0.05) and significantly decreased risk of follicular variant PTC (third tertile above the limit of detection (LOD) vs. <LOD, OR = 0.38, 95% CI, 0.16, 0.91; p for trend = 0.04). Further stratified by sex, risk of classical PTC was higher for females (third tertile above LOD vs. <LOD, OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.23, 4.06; p-trend = 0.02) than for males (OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 0.72–2.08; p-trend = 0.56), though the test for interaction by sex was not statistically significant (p-interaction = 0.30). Similarly, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCCH) was associated with a higher risk for classical PTC for women with concentrations ≥LOD versus <LOD (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.89), while the effects were null for men. There were no consistent trends when stratified by race or birth year. 

Conclusions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified HCB and other OCPs we studied here as probable human carcinogens. Our findings of increased risks for classical PTC associated with increased concentrations of HCB and β-HCCH, which were stronger among females, should be replicated in future studies of other populations.
Cre-LoxP and tamoxifen-induced deletion of ovarian quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 2 showed disruption of ovulatory activity in mice
Authors: Chen Shih-Yun , Wang Tse-En , Lee Wei-Yun , Yang Ya-Yi , Lai Hong-Chun , Matsuda Fuko , Kosek Haruhiko , Chen You-Tzung , Li Sheng-Hsiang , Tsai Pei-Shiue
Published: March 2024

Background

Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 2 (QSOX2) is a flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent sulfhydryl oxidase that is known to be involved in protein folding, cell growth regulation, and redox state modification through oxidative activities. Earlier studies demonstrated the tissue and cellular localization of QSOX2 in the male reproductive tract, as well as the highly-regulated mechanism of QSOX2 protein synthesis and expression through the coordinated action of testosterone and epididymal-enriched amino acid, glutamate. However, the presence and the functions of QSOX2 in female reproduction are unknown. In this study, we applied the Cre-loxP gene manipulation system to generate the heterozygous and homozygous Qsox2 knockout mice and examined its effects on ovarian function.

Results

We demonstrated that QSOX2 was detected in the follicle-supporting cells (granulosa and cumulus cells) of ovarian follicles of all stages but was absent in the corpus luteum, suggesting its supportive role in folliculogenesis. In comparison with reproductive organogenesis in wild-type mice, there was no difference in testicular and epididymal structure in male Qsox2 knockout; however, Qsox2 knockout disrupted the regular ovulation process in female mice as a drastic decrease in the formation of the corpus luteum was detected, and no pregnancy was achieved when mating males with homozygous Qsox2 knockout females. RNAseq analyses further revealed that Qsox2 knockout altered critical signaling pathways and genes that are responsible for maintaining ovarian functions.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated for the first time that Qsox2 is critical for ovarian function in mice.
Monocyte state 1 (MS1) cells in critically ill patients with sepsis or non-infectious conditions: association with disease course and host response
Authors: Leite Giuseppe G. F. , de Brabander Justin , Michels Erik H. A. , Butler Joe M. , Cremer Olaf L. , Scicluna Brendon P. , Sweeney Timothy E. , Reyes Miguel , Salomao Reinaldo , Peters-Sengers Hessel , van der Poll Tom
Published: March 2024

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition arising from an aberrant host response to infection. Recent single-cell RNA sequencing investigations identified an immature bone-marrow-derived CD14+ monocyte phenotype with immune suppressive properties termed “monocyte state 1” (MS1) in patients with sepsis. Our objective was to determine the association of MS1 cell profiles with disease presentation, outcomes, and host response characteristics.

Methods

We used the transcriptome deconvolution method (CIBERSORTx) to estimate the percentage of MS1 cells from blood RNA profiles of patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We compared these profiles to ICU patients without infection and to healthy controls. Host response dysregulation was further studied by gene co-expression network and gene set enrichment analyses of blood leukocytes, and measurement of 15 plasma biomarkers indicative of pathways implicated in sepsis pathogenesis.

Results

Sepsis patients (n = 332) were divided into three equally-sized groups based on their MS1 cell levels (low, intermediate, and high). MS1 groups did not differ in demographics or comorbidities. The intermediate and high MS1 groups presented with higher disease severity and more often had shock. MS1 cell abundance did not differ between survivors and non-survivors, or between patients who did or did not acquire a secondary infection. Higher MS1 cell percentages were associated with downregulation of lymphocyte-related and interferon response genes in blood leukocytes, with concurrent upregulation of inflammatory response pathways, including tumor necrosis factor signaling via nuclear factor-κB. Previously described sepsis host response transcriptomic subtypes showed different MS1 cell abundances, and MS1 cell percentages positively correlated with the “quantitative sepsis response signature” and “molecular degree of perturbation” scores. Plasma biomarker levels, indicative of inflammation, endothelial cell activation, and coagulation activation, were largely similar between MS1 groups. In ICU patients without infection (n = 215), MS1 cell percentages and their relation with disease severity, shock, and host response dysregulation were highly similar to those in sepsis patients.

Conclusions

High MS1 cell percentages are associated with increased disease severity and shock in critically ill patients with sepsis or a non-infectious condition. High MS1 cell abundance likely indicates broad immune dysregulation, entailing not only immunosuppression but also anomalies reflecting exaggerated inflammatory responses.

Graphical abstract
Association between tranexamic acid administration and mortality based on the trauma phenotype: a retrospective analysis of a nationwide trauma registry in Japan
Authors: Tachino Jotaro , Seno Shigeto , Matsumoto Hisatake , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Hirayama Atsushi , Nakao Shunichiro , Katayama Yusuke , Ogura Hiroshi , Oda Jun
Published: March 2024

Background

In trauma systems, criteria for individualised and optimised administration of tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic, are yet to be established. This study used nationwide cohort data from Japan to evaluate the association between TXA and in-hospital mortality among all patients with blunt trauma based on clinical phenotypes (trauma phenotypes).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Japan Trauma Data Bank (JTDB) spanning 2019 to 2021.

Results

Of 80,463 patients with trauma registered in the JTDB, 53,703 met the inclusion criteria, and 8046 (15.0%) received TXA treatment. The patients were categorised into eight trauma phenotypes. After adjusting with inverse probability treatment weighting, in-hospital mortality of the following trauma phenotypes significantly reduced with TXA administration: trauma phenotype 1 (odds ratio [OR] 0.68 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57–0.81]), trauma phenotype 2 (OR 0.73 [0.66–0.81]), trauma phenotype 6 (OR 0.52 [0.39–0.70]), and trauma phenotype 8 (OR 0.67 [0.60–0.75]). Conversely, trauma phenotypes 3 (OR 2.62 [1.98–3.47]) and 4 (OR 1.39 [1.11–1.74]) exhibited a significant increase in in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

This is the first study to evaluate the association between TXA administration and survival outcomes based on clinical phenotypes. We found an association between trauma phenotypes and in-hospital mortality, indicating that treatment with TXA could potentially influence this relationship. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of these phenotypes.

Graphical abstract
DANCE: a deep learning library and benchmark platform for single-cell analysis
Authors: Ding Jiayuan , Liu Renming , Wen Hongzhi , Tang Wenzhuo , Li Zhaoheng , Venegas Julian , Su Runze , Molho Dylan , Jin Wei , Wang Yixin , Lu Qiaolin , Li Lingxiao , Zuo Wangyang , Chang Yi , Xie Yuying , Tang Jiliang
Published: March 2024

DANCE is the first standard, generic, and extensible benchmark platform for accessing and evaluating computational methods across the spectrum of benchmark datasets for numerous single-cell analysis tasks. Currently, DANCE supports 3 modules and 8 popular tasks with 32 state-of-art methods on 21 benchmark datasets. People can easily reproduce the results of supported algorithms across major benchmark datasets via minimal efforts, such as using only one command line. In addition, DANCE provides an ecosystem of deep learning architectures and tools for researchers to facilitate their own model development. DANCE is an open-source Python package that welcomes all kinds of contributions.
Determine the factors affecting the time to recovery of children with bacterial meningitis at Jigjiga university referral hospital in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia: using the parametric shared frailty and AFT models
Authors: Adawe Daud Hussein , Mengistie Dagne Tesfaye
Published: March 2024

Background

Neisseria meningitides, Streptococcus pneumonia, and hemophilic influenza type B are frequently linked to bacterial meningitis (BM) in children. It’s an infectious sickness that kills and severely mobilizes children. For a variety of reasons, bacterial meningitis remains a global public health concern; most cases and deaths are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Even though vaccination has made BM more preventable, children worldwide are still severely harmed by this serious illness. Age, sex, and co-morbidity are among the risk variables for BM that have been found. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify the variables influencing the time to recovery for children with bacterial meningitis at Jigjiga University referral hospital in the Somali regional state of Ethiopia.

Method

A retrospective cohort of 535 children with bacterial meningitis who received antibiotic treatment was the subject of this study. Parametric Shared Frailty ty and the AFT model were employed with log likelihood, BIC, and AIC methods of model selection. The frailty models all employed the patients' kebele as a clustering factor.

Results

The number of cases of BM declined in young children during the duration of the 2 year, 11 month study period, but not in the elderly. Streptococcus pneumonia (50%), hemophilic influenza (30.5%), and Neisseria meningitides (15%) were the most frequent causes of BM. The time to recovery of patients from bacteria was significantly influenced by the covariates male patients (ϕ = 0.927; 95% CI (0.866, 0.984); p-value = 0.014), patients without a vaccination history (ϕ = 0.898; 95% CI (0.834, 0.965); P value = 0.0037), and patients who were not breastfeeding (ϕ = 0.616; 95% CI (0.404, 0.039); P-value = 0.024). The recovery times for male, non-breastfed children with bacterial patients are 7.9 and 48.4% shorter, respectively. In contrast to children with comorbidity, the recovery time for children without comorbidity increased by 8.7%.

Conclusion

Age group, sex, vaccination status, co-morbidity, breastfeeding, and medication regimen were the main determinant factors for the time to recovery of patients with bacterial meningitis. Patients with co-morbidities require the doctor at Jigjiga University Referral Hospital to pay close attention to them.
Beneficial effects of cannabidiol from Cannabis
Authors: Lee Sullim , Lee Yunjeong , Kim Yunseo , Kim Hyunji , Rhyu Haerim , Yoon Kyoungmi , Lee Chang-Dae , Lee Sanghyun
Published: March 2024

Cannabis, traditionally used for recreation due to psychoactive compounds in its leaves, flowers, and seeds, has not been thoroughly explored for potential therapeutic benefits. Δ9-trans-Tetrahydrocannabinol, a key cannabinoid in cannabis, causes hallucinogenic effects and delirium symptoms. In contrast, cannabidiol (CBD) does not induce hallucinations and has shown effectiveness in treating symptoms of various rare, incurable diseases. Cannabis exhibits neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-bacterial, analgesic, and antiepileptic properties, recently attracting more attention. This review aims to summarize comprehensively the impact of cannabis on human health, focusing on endocannabinoids and their receptors. It also delves into recent CBD research advancements, highlighting the compound’s potential medical applications. Overall, this paper provides valuable insights into the prospective development of medical cannabis, with a particular emphasis on CBD.
The potential value of ultrasound in predicting local refractory/relapse events in primary thyroid lymphoma patients
Authors: Ji Jiang , Gao Luying , Liu Ruifeng , Shi Xinlong , Ma Liyuan , Pan Aonan , Li Naishi , Liu Chunhao , Li Xiaoyi , Yang Meng , Xia Yu , Jiang Yuxin
Published: March 2024

Background

Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare malignant disorder, and ultrasound plays an important role in PTL diagnosis and follow-up surveillance. Prediction of refractory/relapse events in PTL patients is an essential issue, yet no ultrasonic PTL features have been discovered to be related to refractory/local relapse events.

Methods

From January 2008 to September 2022, newly diagnosed PTL patients in our center who underwent standard first-line treatment and received an ultrasound examination before treatment were enrolled. Data regarding patients’ clinical and sonographic features, as well as their therapeutic responses were collected. Subjects with an ideal prognosis were compared to those with refractory/relapse events.

Results

In total, 37 PTL patients were analyzed, including 26 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 2 with follicular lymphoma and 9 with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. During the median follow-up of 25 months, 30 patients obtained a complete response, 4 were refractory patients, and 3 experienced local relapse. No significant difference was detected in the baseline clinical characteristics between patients with an ideal prognosis and those with refractory/local relapse events. In terms of sonographic features, however, an event-free survival (EFS) curve comparison revealed that patients with bilobar enlargement (defined as an anterior-posterior diameter > 2.5 cm on both sides of thyroid lobes) had a poorer EFS than those without (P < 0.0001), and patients with diffuse type had a poorer EFS than those with mixed/nodular types (P = 0.043). No significant difference was observed in EFS between patients with or without signs of suspicious cervical lymph node metastasis, rich blood signal distribution or symptoms of trachea compression.

Conclusions

PTL patients with an anterior-posterior diameter > 2.5 cm for both thyroid lobes or PTL patients of the diffuse ultrasound type could be prone to refractory/local relapse events.
How is GPS used? Understanding navigation system use and its relation to spatial ability
Authors: Topete Alexis , He Chuanxiuyue , Protzko John , Schooler Jonathan , Hegarty Mary
Published: March 2024

Given how commonly GPS is now used in everyday navigation, it is surprising how little research has been dedicated to investigating variations in its use and how such variations may relate to navigation ability. The present study investigated general GPS dependence, how people report using GPS in various navigational scenarios, and the relationship between these measures and spatial abilities (assessed by self-report measures and the ability to learn the layout of a novel environment). GPS dependence is an individual’s perceived need to use GPS in navigation, and GPS usage is the frequency with which they report using different functions of GPS. The study also assessed whether people modulate reported use of GPS as a function of their familiarity with the location in which they are navigating. In 249 participants over two preregistered studies, reported GPS dependence was negatively correlated with objective navigation performance and self-reported sense of direction, and positively correlated with spatial anxiety. Greater reported use of GPS for turn-by-turn directions was associated with a poorer sense of direction and higher spatial anxiety. People reported using GPS most frequently for time and traffic estimation, regardless of ability. Finally, people reported using GPS less, regardless of ability, when they were more familiar with an environment. Collectively these findings suggest that people moderate their use of GPS, depending on their knowledge, ability, and confidence in their own abilities, and often report using GPS to augment rather than replace spatial environmental knowledge.
Poor short-term outcomes for prognostic high-risk patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia undergoing endovascular therapy
Authors: Takei Tatsuro , Kajiya Takashi , Ohura Norihiko , Tomimura Natsuko , Kamiyama Takuro , Ninomiya Toshiko , Takaoka Junichiro , Atsuchi Nobuhiko
Published: March 2024

Background

The prognosis of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is poor, with an expected life expectancy of 2 or more years, which significantly influences treatment decisions. However, death may occur at the early stages of treatment for wound healing, and aggressive treatment may limit the quality of life of such patients. In patients with CLTI undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT), the Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) clinical stage, male sex, older age, non-ambulatory status, low body mass index, and dialysis have been reported as predictors of mortality risk. However, most studies have not fully investigated the WIFI clinical stage as a prognostic predictor of CLTI. This study aimed to evaluate short-term prognosis and wound healing rates using the prognostic predictors (PPs) indicated above in risk-stratified patients with CLTI who underwent EVT.

Methods

This retrospective single-center observational study included 61 CLTI patients undergoing EVT from April 2020 to October 2022. The patients were divided into a high-risk group (PPs ≥ 4, n = 20) and low-risk group (PPs ≤ 3, n = 41) according to the number of PPs. Survival and wound healing rates within one year were compared between these two groups.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 74.7 ± 1.6 years, and 42 (68.9%) were male. Among these patients, the high-risk group compared with the low-risk group had a significantly worse survival rate within one year (46.4% vs. 84.7%, log-rank p < 0.001). Fifteen patients died within one year. Of these, seven deaths were cardiovascular deaths and six were deaths from infectious diseases. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that WIfI clinical stage 4 (p = 0.043, hazard ratio [HR] = 4.85) and the male sex (p = 0.037, HR = 6.34) influenced the prognosis of this population. The high-risk group tended to have a worse wound healing rate within one year than that had by the low-risk group (55.4% vs. 83.0%, log-rank p = 0.086).

Conclusions

The assessment of short-term prognosis and wound healing rates using PPs may be useful. Discussing the results of short-term clinical outcome assessments with patients should be considered when determining their individualized treatment plans.
Land use and meteorological influences on dengue transmission dynamics in Dhaka city, Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Sudipta , Biswas Abhijit , Shawon Mst. Tanzila Aktar , Akter Samia , Rahman Mohammad Mizanur
Published: March 2024

Background

Dengue fever, a viral illness spread mostly by Aedes mosquitoes, continues to pose a substantial public health issue in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. In Dhaka, climatic and socio-demographic factors like population density affect the spread of dengue. The dengue indexes are greatest in the residential mixed zone. Numerous environmental parameters, such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and the air pollution index, have been linked to mosquito larvae, and dengue prevalence is correlated with urbanization, decreased vegetation, and population expansion.

Methods

By using an extensive dataset that encompasses a range of years, we use spatial and temporal analytic methodologies to investigate the correlation between land use attributes, climatic variables, and the occurrence of dengue fever. To better understand the dynamics of dengue, the built environment and climatic factors are treated as independent variables in this study. ArcPy is a Python package that facilitates here for geographic data analysis and ArcMap 10.7 also used for visualizing spatial data.

Results

The results of our study demonstrate that land use significantly influences the spatial patterns of Dengue incidence in Dhaka city. The dengue hotspot Thana are identified and these are Badda, Jatrabari, kadamtali, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Sobujbagh, Shyampur, Tejgoan, Dhanmondi and Uttara. All of these areas’ population density and residential use as land use is higher than the other Thana of Dhaka city. There exists a significant correlation between climatic characteristics, such as temperature (0.25), rainfall (.803), specific humidity (0.74), relative humidity (0.76), wind speed (0.4) and Dengue incidence patterns. This research emphasizes the structural use and climatic relationship in Dengue epidemics, with climatic conditions playing a significant role as drivers of these variations.

Conclusions

This research demonstrates the complex relationship between land use, meteorological factors, and the spread of Dengue fever in Dhaka city. The results of this study have significant significance for several domains, including urban planning, public health measures, and vector control tactics. A comprehensive understanding of the temporal and geographical patterns of dengue transmission might aid in the development of accurate and effective prevention measures intended to lessen the effects of dengue in cities, such as Dhaka.
Ultrafast laser one-step construction of 3D micro-/nanostructures achieving high-performance zinc metal anodes
Authors: Liu Yanan , Ding Ye , Liu Zeping , Li Xingchen , Tian Sichao , Fan Lishuang , Xie Jichang , Xu Liangliang , Lee Jinwoo , Li Jian , Yang Lijun
Published: March 2024

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries provide a most promising alternative to the existing lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity, intrinsic safety, and low cost. However, commercializing aqueous zinc-ion batteries suffer from dendritic growth and side reactions on the surface of metallic zinc, resulting in poor reversibility. To overcome this critical challenge, here, we report a one-step ultrafast laser processing method for fabricating three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures on zinc anodes to optimize zinc nucleation and deposition processes. It is demonstrated that the three-dimensional micro-/nanostructure with increased specific surface area significantly reduces nucleation overpotential, as well as preferentially absorbs zinc ions to prevent dendritic protuberances and corrosion. As a result, the presence of three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures on the zinc metal delivers stable zinc plating/stripping beyond 2500 h (2 mA cm-2/1 mAh cm-2) in symmetric cells, a high Coulombic efficiency (99.71%) in half cells, and moreover an improved capacity retention (71.8%) is also observed in full cells. Equally intriguingly, the pouch cell with three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures can operate across various bending states without severely compromising performance. This work provides an effective strategy to construct ultrafine and high-precision three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures achieving high-performance zinc metal anodes and is expected to be of immediate benefit to other metal-based electrodes.
Risk of Thyroid Cancer in People With Type 1 Diabetes by Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases and Tumor Histology
Authors: Mäkimattila Sari , Harjutsalo Valma , Feodoroff Maija , Groop Per-Henrik
Published: March 2024

Context

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, but little is known about it in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its potential association with autoimmune diseases.

Objective

This study aims to assess the risk of thyroid cancer in adults with long-term T1D compared to individuals without diabetes and the proposed association of thyroid autoimmune diseases with thyroid cancer.

Methods

The study included 4758 individuals with T1D participating in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study and 12 710 controls. Thyroid cancers were obtained from the Finnish Care Registers for Health Care.

Results

27 (0.57%) individuals with T1D had thyroid cancer compared to 27 (0.21%) in the controls (standardized incidence ratio 2.43; 95% confidence interval 1.59-3.56). The absolute increase in incidence was modest, with a 0.36%-unit rise. This translates to 17 additional cases among 4710 individuals with T1D. Cancer type was papillary in 81.5% of individuals with T1D and 88.9% of the controls; the rest were follicular. In T1D the distribution of hypothyreosis was similar between those with (n = 5, 18.5%) and without (18.1%) cancer, but hyperthyreosis was diagnosed more often with thyroid cancer (n = 3, 11.1%) than without (2.3%, P = .003). None of the thyroid cancers were invasive or had metastatic characteristics.

Conclusion

Although there is an excess risk of thyroid cancer, it is only marginally increased (0.36%-unit) in individuals with T1D compared to control individuals and was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality. An overdiagnosis effect due to regular health care contacts is the most likely explanation for the higher risk.
The Grandchildren of Immigrants in Western Europe: Patterns of Assimilation Among the Emerging Third Generation
Authors: Zhao Linda , Drouhot Lucas G.
Published: March 2024

Migration scholars have long regarded the trajectory of the third generation as a critical test of assimilation; however, scholarship to date has been limited and largely focused on socioeconomic attainment. In this article, we rely on a large dataset of adolescent respondents in England, Germany, and the Netherlands to compare the second and third generations in terms of their social networks and cultural identities. The third generation shows stronger ties to the native fourth-plus generation alongside weaker ties to coethnics. We document comparable, albeit more moderate, dynamics of assimilation over generations in regard to national and ethnic identification, along with substantial variation by country of destination and ethnic origin group. Our results point to a dominant trend of assimilation at the third generation and suggest future challenges to provide a more durable assessment of postwar migration waves two generations after settlement.
Who Is They?
Authors: Ultra Omni Victor , Harris Laura Alexandra
Published: March 2024

At the heart of this project is an intergenerational dialogue, an elliptical tracing of languages and communities in their acts of reclaiming and renaming. In this dialogue the authors ask how does a linguistic archive of Black queer/trans culture, in particular the grammars of they, kiki/Ky-Ky, and fem and stud travel within and shape language and expressive culture? If the Black queer and Black vernacular overlap, how do we look to the creative influences of Black queer and Black trans historical symmetries and exchanges? Reexamining historical continuities and shared socialities of Black gender genealogies, the authors refuse the scholarly impetus to discover “new” nonbinary and transgender frontiers when Black working-class vernacular culture has always structured and enabled radical linguistic expression and gendered possibilities. Writing together, the authors transfigure intergenerational knowledges into a critical theory repositioning the terms of the debate and enabling possibilities for connections where there have only been closures. Talking Black to talk back to this current moment of ever-expanding gender narratives, the authors look toward Black epistemologies conveniently forgotten in current discourses of pluralized gender subjectivities.
Juliana Huxtable's Cow-Woman; or, A Black Trans Femme Route Toward Pleasure
Authors: Wolf Lillian
Published: March 2024

In this article, the author focuses on Juliana Huxtable's (2019) exhibition Interfertility Industrial Complex: Snatch the Calf Back to theorize a Black trans affective posture toward pleasure. Contextualizing Huxtable's artistry within histories of Black feminine reproductive control, the author demonstrates how Huxtable's invented hybrid figure of the cow-woman builds a Black trans femme perspective on reproduction, which exceeds gendered capacity and bio-reproducibility. Then the author moves to analyze Huxtable's intimate account of learning how to perform bovine animal husbandry on a family farm. This account demonstrates a close embodied attunement that seeks to elicit pleasure for both the heifer as well as the farmer. The author analyzes how this relationship articulates a reproductive coalitional politic that crosses species as well as time. Throughout, the author draws on Black feminist theory, as well as trans and queer approaches to interspecies studies, to articulate how Huxtable's artistry offers a strategy for navigating the complex structures and relations that emerge from feelings of pleasure.
Outcomes of Hepatic Artery-Based Therapies and Systemic Multiagent Chemotherapy in Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Sugumar Kavin , Stitzel Henry , Wu Victoria , Bajor David , Chakrabarti Sakti , Conces Madison , Henke Lauren , Lumish Melissa , Mahipal Amit , Mohamed Amr , Winter Jordan M. , Hardacre Jeffrey M. , Ammori John B. , Selfridge Jennifer E. , Ocuin Lee M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Treatment of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (UCRLM) includes locoregional and systemic therapy. A comprehensive analysis capturing long-term outcomes of these treatment options has not been performed.

Objective

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled outcomes of hepatic artery infusion with systemic chemotherapy (HAI-S), transarterial chemoembolization with systemic chemotherapy (TACE-S), transarterial radioembolization with systemic chemotherapy (TARE-S), doublet (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI), and triplet chemotherapy (FOLFOXIRI).

Methods

Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), rate of conversion to resection (CTR), and response rate (RR).

Results

A total of 32, 7, 9, and 14 publications were included in the HAI-S, TACE-S, and TARE-S chemotherapy arms. The 6/12/24/36-month OS estimates for HAI-S, TACE-S, TARE-S, FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and FOLFOXIRI were 97%/80%/54%/35%, 100%/83%/40%/14%, 82%/61%/34%/21%, 96%/83%/53%/36%, and 96%/93%/72%/55%. Similarly, the 6/12/24/36-month PFS estimates were 74%/44%/19%/14%, 66%/20%/9%/3%, 57%/23%/10%/3%, 69%/30%/12%/7%, and 88%/55%/18%/11%. The corresponding CTR and RR rates were 31, 20%, unmeasurable (TARE-S), 35, 53; and 49, 45, 45, 50, 80%, respectively. The majority of chemotherapy studies included first-line therapy and liver-only metastases, whereas most HAI-S studies were pretreated. On subgroup analysis in first-line setting with liver-only metastases, the HAI-S arm had comparable outcomes to FOLFOXIRI and outperformed doublet chemotherapy regimens. Although triplet chemotherapy appeared to outperform other arms, high toxicity and inclusion of potentially resectable patients must be considered while interpreting results.

Conclusions

HAI-S and multiagent chemotherapy are effective therapies for UCRLM. To make definitive conclusions, a randomized trial with comparable patient characteristics and line of therapy will be required. The upcoming EA2222 PUMP trial may help to address this question.
A web tool for exploring the usage of medicines in hospitals in England
Authors: Sanderson Theo
Published: March 2024

Datasets on the amounts of different medicines used over time and location are a valuable resource, with the power to reveal insights into healthcare trends, cost efficiencies, and geographic disparities. In England, primary care prescription data has been openly accessible for analysis for some time through a web tool, providing significant benefits. Since 2020, the National Health Service in England has also released data on secondary care medicine usage, processed from stock control databases, which provides detailed information on medicine usage within hospitals. This is an important dataset, but until now has been available only in a raw form that requires considerable technical skills to be used for even the analysis of basic trends. I have built a web application that enables anyone to easily analyse trends in this data, which is available at hospitalmedicines.genomium.org.