bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stepwise development and expansion of an abdominal normothermic regional perfusion program for donation after circulatory determination of death organ procurement
Authors: Wall Anji , Arunachalam Priya , Martinez Eric , Ruiz Richard , Fernandez Hoylan , Bayer Johanna , Gupta Amar , McKenna Gregory J , Lee Seung‐Hee , Adams Bradley , Butler Douglas , Noesges Scott , Duncan Michael , Rayle Murphy , Monday Kara , Schwartz Gary , Testa Giuliano
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) represents an innovative technology that improves the outcomes for liver and kidney recipients of donation after circulatory determination of death (DCD) organs but protocols for abdominal‐only NRP (A‐NRP) DCD are lacking in the US.

Methods

We describe the implementation and expansion strategies of a transplant‐center‐based A‐NRP DCD program that has grown in volume, geographical reach, and donor acceptance parameters, presented as four eras.

Results

In the implementation era, two donors were attempted, and one liver graft was transplanted. In the local expansion era, 33% of attempted donors resulted in transplantation and 42% of liver grafts from donors who died within the functional warm ischemic time (fWIT) limit were transplanted. In the Regional Expansion era, 25% of attempted donors resulted in transplantation and 50% of liver grafts from donors who died within the fWIT limit were transplanted. In the Donor Acceptance Expansion era, 46% of attempted donors resulted in transplantation and 72% of liver grafts from donors who died within the fWIT limit were transplanted. Eight discarded grafts demonstrated a potential opportunity for utilization.

Conclusion

The stepwise approach to building an A‐NRP program described here can serve as a model for other transplant centers.
Amygdala enlargement in temporal lobe epilepsy: Histopathology and surgical outcomes
Authors: Shakhatreh Lubna , Sinclair Ben , McLean Catriona , Lui Elaine , Morokoff Andrew P. , King James A. , Chen Zhibin , Perucca Piero , O'Brien Terence J. , Kwan Patrick
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Amygdala enlargement is detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in some patients with drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), but its clinical significance remains uncertain We aimed to assess if the presence of amygdala enlargement (1) predicted seizure outcome following anterior temporal lobectomy with amygdalohippocampectomy (ATL‐AH) and (2) was associated with specific histopathological changes.

Methods

This was a case–control study. We included patients with drug‐resistant TLE who underwent ATL‐AH with and without amygdala enlargement detected on pre‐operative MRI. Amygdala volumetry was done using FreeSurfer for patients who had high‐resolution T1‐weighted images. Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare pre‐operative clinical characteristics between the two groups. The amygdala volume on the epileptogenic side was compared to the amygdala volume on the contralateral side among cases and controls. Then, we used a two‐sample, independent t test to compare the means of amygdala volume differences between cases and controls. The chi‐square test was used to assess the correlation of amygdala enlargement with (1) post‐surgical seizure outcomes and (2) histopathological changes.

Results

Nineteen patients with and 19 patients without amygdala enlargement were studied. Their median age at surgery was 38 years for cases and 39 years for controls, and 52.6% were male. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in their pre‐operative clinical characteristics. There were significant differences in the means of volume difference between cases and controls (Diff = 457.2 mm3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 289.6–624.8; p < .001) and in the means of percentage difference (p < .001). However, there was no significant association between amygdala enlargement and surgical outcome (p = .72) or histopathological changes (p = .63).

Significance

The presence of amygdala enlargement on the pre‐operative brain MRI in patients with TLE does not affect the surgical outcome following ATL‐AH, and it does not necessarily suggest abnormal histopathology. These findings suggest that amygdala enlargement might reflect a secondary reactive process to seizures in the epileptogenic temporal lobe.
Geoscience for energy transition
Authors: Sorkhabi Rasoul
Published: March 2024

We are living in the midst of a great technological revolution in history—the energy transition from today's fossil fuel‐dominated civilization to low‐carbon economies and industries. Geoscientists will significantly contribute to energy science, policy and technologies by advancing our knowledge base of the complex interacting processes and substances in Earth's lithosphere, oceans and atmosphere. Mapping the flow of energy in various forms and intensities in Earth systems, exploration of energy resources and minerals and evaluating the environmental impacts of energy technologies from upstream to downstream will be increasingly embedded in geoscience education, research and workforce development. This article outlines major pathways of how geoscience will contribute to various components of the energy transition.
Challenges in ageing persons with haemophilia
Authors: Makris Michael , Lassila Riitta , Kennedy Megan
Published: March 2024

As treatments for individuals with inherited bleeding disorders improve, life expectancy increases and is approaching that of the normal population. Concomitant with this we are now seeing the problems of ageing in the bleeding disorder population. Although the clear‐cut association between low clotting factor levels and risk of bleeding is well recognised, a relationship between high levels, some non‐factor therapies and thrombotic risk also exists. The management of thrombosis in persons with inherited bleeding disorders is complex but manageable with modern treatments and collaboration in decision making between health care professionals and patients. Despite the improvements in treatment and reduction in bleeding, mostly musculoskeletal pain continues to be a major issue with advancing age. The management of pain amongst older people with haemophilia who may have multiple comorbidities should involve a person‐centred, holistic, multi‐disciplinary approach to support and optimise long‐term physical functioning and overall quality of life.
The good, the bad and the ugly of pain in haemophilia: Recent evidence on the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms and knowledge gaps preventing optimal treatment
Authors: Benemei Silvia , Mattia Consalvo , Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Haemophilia is an inherited, X‐linked blood clotting disorder caused by the deficiency of coagulation factors VIII (FVIII, haemophilia A) or IX (FIX, haemophilia B). Spontaneous bleeds are common in severe forms of haemophilia and can also occur in moderate and mild haemophilia. Severe or repeated bleeding at a joint can evolve into chronic haemophilic arthropathy, with functional damage of the joint, disability, and intense chronic articular pain. Nonetheless, acute and chronic pain may emerge due to secondary conditions related to bleedings.

Aim

This narrative review aims to critically discuss the most recent evidence about pain in haemophilia to give healthcare professionals a clear picture of current knowledge hence favouring the optimisation of clinical management of pain.

Methods

Extensive literature search with the terms ‘hemophilia’ AND ‘pain’, focusing on the time window 2021–2023.

Results

Acute and chronic pain is a critical aspect of haemophilia at all ages. It should be considered a multifaceted phenomenon, with a positive role as an early emergency signal of a clinical event (haemarthrosis), and numerous detrimental aspects linked to its burden that heavily affects the health‐related quality of life, with psychological and social consequences.

Conclusion

Despite its prevalence and frequency in people with haemophilia, pain is often underestimated by healthcare professionals, leading to insufficient and inadequate treatment, also due to uncertainty linked to the presence of the coagulation disorder or arthritic flares.
How does bias enter the employment interview? Identifying the riskiest applicant characteristics, interviewer characteristics, and sources of potentially biasing information
Authors: Wingate Timothy G. , Rasheed Sabah , Risavy Stephen D. , Robie Chet
Published: March 2024

The current study examines the riskiest forms and sources of potential bias in the employment interview. A mixed methods survey focused on interviewers' attention to various potentially biasing applicant characteristics, how interviewers learn about such characteristics, the traits of interviewers who are sensitive to such characteristics, and how knowledge of such characteristics affects interviewers' opinions of applicants. Participants were 680 professional interviewers from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. High risks of bias were associated with six applicant characteristics (as targets of bias), three interviewer characteristics (as predisposing toward bias), and three sources of information in the interview process. Interviewers commonly rationalized their judgments in job‐relevant terms. These results have implications for understanding and limiting the risk of common selection biases.
Association between dietary patterns and periodontal disease: The OsteoPerio cohort study
Authors: Yue Yihua , Hovey Kathleen M. , LaMonte Michael J. , Wactawski‐Wende Jean , Andrews Chris A. , Millen Amy E.
Published: March 2024

Aim

To examine the association of dietary patterns with periodontal disease (PD) and its progression over 5 years.

Materials and Methods

Analyses involved 1197 post‐menopausal women from the OsteoPerio cohort. Dietary patterns assessed include Healthy Eating Index‐2015 (HEI), Alternative HEI (AHEI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMed) at baseline (the average of two food frequency questionnaires administered between 1993 and 2001). At baseline and the 5‐year follow‐up, periodontal assessments evaluated alveolar crestal height (ACH), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), percentage of gingival sites bleeding on probing (%BOP) and missing teeth due to PD. Linear and logistic regression were used to examine the associations.

Results

Cross‐sectionally, HEI and aMed were associated with smaller CAL and %BOP; along with DASH, they were associated with a decreased odds of teeth missing due to PD. AHEI and aMed were associated with a decreased odds of severe PD. Prospectively, AHEI was associated with greater ACH progression. This association was attenuated to the null after loss of ACH was imputed for teeth lost due to PD over follow‐up, or after excluding participants with diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension or heart disease at baseline.

Conclusions

Better adherence to healthy dietary patterns was associated with better PD measures cross‐sectionally but greater progression of ACH over 5 years. The latter might be explained by incident tooth loss due to PD and pre‐existing comorbidities.
Hospital nurses perceived challenges and opportunities in the care of people with dementia: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Ye Helen Mei‐Yan , Xiao Lily Dongxia , Ullah Shahid , Chang Rita Hui‐Chen
Published: March 2024

Aim

To synthesise evidence from the literature on hospital nurses' perceived challenges and opportunities in the care of people with dementia.

Background

People with dementia often have longer lengths of hospital stay and poorer health outcomes compared to those without dementia. Nurses play a pivotal role in the care of people with dementia. However, there is a scarcity of systematic reviews that synthesise the challenges and opportunities they perceive.

Methods

A mixed‐methods systematic review was conducted with a database search covering Ageline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Emcare, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Scopus and Web of Science in April 2022. In total, 27 articles that met the selection criteria were critically reviewed and included in this systematic review. Data from the selected articles were extracted and synthesised using a convergent segregated approach.

Results

Three main themes and eight subthemes were identified. Theme 1 described nurse‐related factors consisting of the lack of capability in dementia care, experiencing multiple sources of stress and opportunities for nurses to improve dementia care. Theme 2 revealed people living with dementia‐related factors including complex care needs and the need to engage family carers in care. Theme 3 explained organisation‐related factors comprising the lack of organisational support for nurses and people with dementia and opportunities for quality dementia care.

Conclusion

Hospital nurses experience multidimensional challenges in the care of people with dementia. Opportunities to overcome those challenges include organisational support for nurses to develop dementia care capability, reduce their stress and partner with the family caregivers.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Hospitals will need to build an enabling environment for nurses to develop their capabilities in the care of people with dementia. Further research in empowering nurses and facilitating quality dementia care in acute care hospitals is needed.

Reporting Method

The review followed the PRISMA 2020 checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No.
Escalated complement activation during hospitalization is associated with higher risk of 60‐day mortality in SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected patients
Authors: Barratt‐Due Andreas , Pettersen Kristin , Børresdatter‐Dahl Tuva , Holter Jan Cato , Grønli Renathe H. , Dyrhol‐Riise Anne Ma , Lerum Tøri Vigeland , Holten Aleksander Rygh , Tonby Kristian , Trøseid Marius , Skjønsberg Ole H. , Granerud Beathe Kiland , Heggelund Lars , Kildal Anders Benjamin , Schjalm Camilla , Aaløkken Trond Mogens , Aukrust Pål , Ueland Thor , Mollnes Tom Eirik , Halvorsen Bente ,   NOR‐Solidarity study groupThe Norwegian SARS‐CoV‐2 study group
Published: March 2024

Background

The complement system, an upstream recognition system of innate immunity, is activated upon SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. To gain a deeper understanding of the extent and duration of this activation, we investigated complement activation profiles during the acute phase of COVID‐19, its persistence post‐recovery and dynamic changes in relation to disease severity.

Methods

Serial blood samples were obtained from two cohorts of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients (n = 457). Systemic complement activation products reflecting classical/lectin (C4d), alternative (C3bBbP), common (C3bc) and terminal pathway (TCC and C5a) were measured during hospitalization (admission, days 3–5 and days 7–10), at 3 months and after 1 year. Levels of activation and temporal profiles during hospitalization were related to disease severity defined as respiratory failure (PO2/FiO2 ratio <26.6 kPa) and/or admission to intensive care unit, 60‐day total mortality and pulmonary pathology after 3 months.

Findings

During hospitalization, TCC, C4d, C3bc, C3bBbP and C5a were significantly elevated compared to healthy controls. Severely ill patients had significantly higher levels of TCC and C4d (p < 0.001), compared to patients with moderate COVID‐19. Escalated levels of TCC and C4d during hospitalization were associated with a higher risk of 60‐day mortality (p < 0.001), and C4d levels were additionally associated with chest CT changes at 3 months (p < 0.001). At 3 months and 1 year, we observed consistently elevated levels of most complement activation products compared to controls.

Conclusion

Hospitalized COVID‐19 patients display prominent and long‐lasting systemic complement activation. Optimal targeting of the system may be achieved through enhanced risk stratification and closer monitoring of in‐hospital changes of complement activation products.
Assertiveness in physicians' interpersonal professional encounters: A scoping review
Authors: Gutgeld‐Dror Maayan , Laor Nathaniel , Karnieli‐Miller Orit
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Good relationships between physicians, patients, families and the healthcare team are essential for high‐quality care. Medical encounters are sometimes challenging. They may include conflicts, requiring physicians to be assertive: that is to share and protect their needs, rights and values while preserving those of others. Whereas assertiveness has been studied in patients and nursing staff (those with less power in healthcare), physicians' assertiveness, which must be mindful of these power differences, lacks a comprehensive review. Thus, this scoping review focuses on assertive communication in physicians' encounters.

Methods

A literature search of four online databases: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and WoS, seeking articles on physicians' assertiveness as a communication style published until February 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute approach and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews checklist underpinned the review protocol.

Results

We identified 1513 articles relating to assertiveness, reviewed 153 full‐text articles and selected 22 for full review, 68% from the last decade. The articles focused mainly on assertive communication and relationships with medical staff, with 54% focusing on bottom‐up power relations. In 40% of the articles, no clear definition of assertiveness was included. Definitions included had varied focus: on self, on the other or both. Overall, assertiveness measures varied widely, precluding a methodical comparison.

Conclusions

Despite the growing interest in physicians' assertiveness, a clearer definition and in‐depth exploration of assertiveness are needed alongside development of valid measures of assertiveness appropriate to physicians. Based on the review, we offer a relational definition of assertiveness as the capacity to communicate one's views, concerns, rights and needs while respecting others and preserving therapeutic, collegial and educational professional alliances. This definition may serve to expand research in the field while offering a professional alternative to problematic communication styles—passive and self‐denying or paternalistic and aggressive —that obfuscate and thus undermine physician–patient relationships.
A new Angolan species from the Triaspis hypericoides complex (Malpighiaceae) based on macromorphology and palynology
Authors: de Almeida Rafael Felipe , Antonio‐Domingues Higor , Maiato P. Gonçalves Francisco , Goyder David J.
Published: March 2024

Triaspis hypericoides currently comprises three accepted subspecies endemic to woodland savannas of southern continental Africa. After an unusual population belonging to this complex was collected in southwestern Angola, we re‐evaluated the classification of this group. This study was based on the analysis of type specimens, protologues, field photographs and herbarium sheets of all subspecies within T. hypericoides. We reinstate T. canescens, T. hypericoides and T. nelsonii based on differences in leaf, flower and fruit traits. Additionally, the Angolan population is proposed here as a new species of Triapis endemic to the dry miombo woodlands of Bicuar National Park, Huíla Province, southwestern Angola. Triaspis bicuarensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from T. nelsonii by its alternate (versus opposite) leaves, ovate to widely ovate (versus widely ovate to very widely ovate) leaf laminas, rounded (versus sagittate) leaf base, flat (versus undulate) margins, sparsely white‐tomentose (versus glabrous to glabrescent) abaxial leaf surface, petiole 4–8 mm long (versus 2–3 mm long), compound inflorescences in thyrses (versus corymbs) and bracteoles inserted below apex of peduncles (versus in the middle of peduncles). An identification key to all species belonging to this species complex is presented alongside a complete morphological description for the new species, photographic plates and comments on the distribution, ecology, palynology and taxonomy. These results underline the need for continued revisions of the taxonomy of the neglected African genera of Malpighiaceae.
Clinical trials concocted for the classroom
Authors: Bonnett Laura J. , Dwan Kerry , Dodd Susanna
Published: March 2024

We describe an activity that introduces school‐aged children to clinical trials, that presents the terminology associated with randomized controlled trials, and that reveals how the findings from clinical trials are applicable to everyone everywhere.
Strong signature of uncompensated magnetization in frustrated cobalt manganites using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism study
Authors: Kumari A. , Zainab F. , Mishra A. , Tjiu W. W. , Aabdin Z. , Singh V. R.
Published: March 2024

The present study is focused on the investigation of the distorted tetragonal phase of mixed spinel oxides, due to their technological relevance in the field of electronics, spintronics, magnetism, catalysis, and electrochemical energy storage. Herein, we report on solgel synthesized multivalent cobalt manganites, CoMn2O4 (CMO), and subjected them to a comprehensive analysis to elucidate their physicochemical characteristics at room temperature. Analysis employing powder x-ray diffraction patterns and electron microscopy (including field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy) results confirmed the formation of a pure and exceptionally crystalline, distorted tetragonal phase of mixed CMO. Synchrotron-based x-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) measurements in the total electron yield mode examined local electronic structures affirming the formation of CMO with uncompensated electronic states involving Co2+, Co3+, Mn2+, Mn3+, and Mn4+ cations. Concurrently, XAS and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism analyses revealed antiferromagnetic coupling within Co and Mn sublattices in CMO, indicating the presence of uncompensated electronic states. Vibrating sample magnetometry results demonstrated clear hysteresis behavior, explicitly indicating the coexistence of super-paramagnetic and canted antiferromagnetic characteristics in CMO, as validated through the Langevin function fitting and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism results. The noticeable absence of saturated magnetization confirmed the high degree of spin canting, primarily stemming from the presence of the Yafet–Kittel spin arrangement.
Analysis of temperature-dependent current–voltage characteristics of Schottky diodes by the modified thermionic emission current model
Authors: Turut Abdulmecit
Published: March 2024

We have investigated the behavior of current flow across an inhomogeneous Schottky diode (SD) as a function of temperature by numerical simulation. We have used the modified thermionic emission (TE) current expression with a Gaussian distribution of potential barrier heights. This modified TE model assumes the presence of a series of low-barrier patches at the Schottky contact and semiconductor interface. First, we have discussed the behavior of the patch current compound relative to the TE compound in the inhomogeneous SD at 300, 200, and 100 K, as a function of standard deviation and the number of circular patches N. Then, we have investigated the behavior of temperature- and bias-dependent and bias-independent current vs voltage (I–V–T) characteristics in the 75–300 K range. In bias-dependent I–V–T curves obtained for σ1=4.35×10−5cm2/3V1/3 and σ2=7.35×10−5cm2/3V1/3 at N1=1.81×106 or N2=1.81×108, an intersection behavior has been observed in the I–V curve at 75 K for σ2 at both N values; however, the same behavior has been not observed for σ1 at both N values due to σ1<σ2. That is, the current for σ2 at 75 K has exceeded the current at higher temperatures. This behavior has been ascribed to the effective BH to decrease with decreasing temperature value. In the I–V–T curves independent of bias, such an intersection has not been observed for σ1 while it has been observed for σ2 in the I–V curves at both 75 and 100 K. Thus, it has been concluded that the bias-dependeσnt I–V equations must be used to avoid this intersection behavior while fitting the experimental I–V curve of an SD to the theoretical I–V curve.
On the elongational viscosity of viscoelastic slip flows in hyperbolic confined geometries
Authors: Housiadas Kostas D. , Beris Antony N.
Published: March 2024

We study theoretically the elongational viscosity (or Trouton ratio, in dimensionless form) for steady viscoelastic flows in confined and symmetric hyperbolic tubes considering Navier-type slip along the wall(s). Both the planar and the cylindrical axisymmetric geometrical configurations are addressed. Under the classic lubrication approximation, and for a variety of constitutive models such as Phan-Thien and Tanner, Giesekus, and Finite Extensibility Nonlinear Elastic with the Peterlin approximation models, the same general analytical formula for the Trouton ratio is derived as for the Oldroyd-B model, in terms of the velocity at the midplane/axis of symmetry and the Deborah number only. Assuming that the velocity field is approximated by the Newtonian lubrication profile, based on our previous study in the absence of slip, we show that a constant extensional strain rate can be achieved in the limits of zero or infinite slip. For finite slip, a slight modification of the geometry is required to achieve a constant strain rate. In these cases, the formula for the steady state Trouton ratio reduces to that for transient homogeneous elongation. We also provide analytical formulae for the modification (decrease) for both the extensional strain rate and the Hencky strain achieved in the confined geometries because of introducing wall slip.
A mitotic stopwatch determines cell fate
Authors: Bertolin Agustina P. , Gottifredi Vanesa
Published: March 2024

Surveillance of mitotic timing prevents amplification of damaged cells
In Science Journals
Authors: Walia Ankit , Lavine Marc S. , Osborne Ian S. , Smith H. Jesse , Suleymanov Yury , Stern Peter , Yang Ming , Malo Courtney , Alderton Gemma , Funk Michael A. , Jiang Di , Ash Caroline , Grocholski Brent , Ray L. Bryan , Olingy Claire , Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: March 2024

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Supplemental Material: Early Paleozoic accretionary history of the Pearya terrane: New insights from igneous and detrital zircon signatures of the Kulutingwak Formation, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada
Authors: Koch Megan M. , al. et
Published: March 2024

File S1: Discussion of unit nomenclature in the Kulutingwak Fiord region. File S2: Sample locations, units, and extended descriptions. File S3: Representative CL images of zircon analyzed. File S4: Table of U-Pb isotopic data from the Arizona LaserChron Center. File S5: Table of SIMS U-Pb zircon geochronology. File S6: Table of Lu-Hf zircon geochemistry. File S7: Additional outcrop photographs of samples. File S8: Additional outcrop photographs of samples. 
Supplemental Material: An enhanced chemical maturation of juvenile arc crust recorded by the Urad Houqi intrusive suite in Langshan arc, Central Asia
Authors: Liu Min , et al.
Published: March 2024

Figures S1–S4, Tables S1–S6, and setup for Rayleigh factional crystallization modeling.
Developing a reporting item checklist for studies of HIV drug resistance prevalence or incidence: a mixed methods study
Authors: Garcia Cristian , Holbrook Anne , Djiadeu Pascal , Alvarez Elizabeth , Matos Silva Jéssyca , Mbuagbaw Lawrence
Published: March 2024

Background

Adequate surveillance of HIV drug resistance prevalence is challenged by heterogenous and inadequate data reporting. To address this issue, we recently published reporting guidance documentation for studies of HIV drug resistance prevalence and incidence.

Objectives

In this study, we describe the methods used to develop this reporting guidance.

Design

We used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design involving authors and users of studies of HIV drug resistance prevalence. In the quantitative phase, we conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey (n=51). Survey participants rated various reporting items on whether they are essential to report. Validity ratios were computed to determine the items to discuss in the qualitative phase. In the qualitative phase, two focus group discussions (n=9 in total) discussed this draft item checklist, providing a justification and examples for each item. We conducted a descriptive qualitative analysis of the group discussions to identify emergent themes regarding the qualities of an essential reporting item.

Results

We identified 38 potential reporting items that better characterise the study participants, improve the interpretability of study results and clarify the methods used for HIV resistance testing. These items were synthesised to create the reporting item checklist. Qualitative insights formed the basis of the explanation, elaboration, and rationale components of the guidance document.

Conclusions

We generated a list of reporting items for studies on the incidence or prevalence of HIV drug resistance along with an explanation of why researchers believe these items are important. Mixed methods allowed for the simultaneous generation and integration of the item list and qualitative insights. The integrated findings were then further developed to become the subsequently published reporting guidance.
Suicide and self-harm by burns in Pakistan: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Noorullah Aisha , Pirani Shahina , Bebbington Emily , Khan Murad
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Suicide is a global public health problem. Self-inflicted burns are one of the most severe methods of suicide, with high morbidity and mortality. Low-income and middle-income countries contribute 40% of all suicidal burns. Pakistan lacks comprehensive burns surveillance data, which prevents an understanding of the magnitude of the problem. This scoping review aims to understand the scope of the problem of suicide and self-harm burns in Pakistan and to identify knowledge gaps within the existing literature related to this specific phenomenon.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will follow the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. We will search electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar and Pakmedinet), grey literature and a reference list of relevant articles to identify studies for inclusion. We will look for studies on self-inflicted burns as a method of suicide and self-harm in Pakistan, published from the beginning until December 2023, in the English language. Two independent reviewers will screen all abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion. The data will be collected on a data extraction form developed through an iterative process by the research team and it will be analysed using descriptive statistics.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical exemption for this study has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board Committee of Aga Khan University Karachi, Pakistan. The findings of the study will be disseminated by conducting workshops for stakeholders, including psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, general and public health physicians and policymakers. The findings will be published in national and international peer-reviewed journals.
Efficacy of acupuncture (Jin’s three-needle) on motor symptoms and anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease: protocol for a multicentre, randomised, assessor-blinded clinical trial
Authors: Liu Xin , Fan Jingqi , Leong Ian I , Lu Weijing , Zhang Yifan , Gong Mengjiao , Zhuang Lixing
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) has a significant impact on a substantial number of individuals in China. Notably, 31% of patients with PD also grapple with the additional burden of anxiety. This dual challenge of managing both PD and anxiety underscores the complexity of the condition and the diverse range of symptoms patients may experience. Considering the circumstances, the cost and potential drawbacks associated with traditional antiparkinsonian drugs become increasingly relevant. Acupuncture emerges as a significant non-pharmacological adjunct therapy. Offering a potentially safer and more cost-effective option, acupuncture addresses the pressing need for holistic and complementary treatments that may alleviate both the motor symptoms of PD and the accompanying anxiety.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, randomised controlled and assessor-blind trial. A total of 210 eligible patients with PD will be randomly assigned (1:1) to Jin’s three-needle (JTN) acupuncture group or waitlist (WL) group. Patients in the JTN group will receive acupuncture therapy three times per week for 4 weeks. Patients in the WL group will maintain their original dosage of antiparkinsonian drugs and receive acupuncture therapy after the observation period. The primary outcome measure will be the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale score. The secondary outcome measures will be the scores of the Hoehn-Yahr Rating Scale, Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale, Non-Motor Symptoms Scale, 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire, Parkinson Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, Zarit burden interview and the level of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone. The evaluation will be executed at baseline, the end of the treatment and a follow-up period.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (K[2023]014). All patients have to provide written, informed consent. The study will be disseminated through presentations in peer-reviewed international journals and at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; ChiCTR2300074675.
Evaluating offspring Genomic and Epigenomic alterations after prenatal exposure to Cancer treatment In Pregnancy (GE-CIP): a multicentric observational study
Authors: Struys Ilana , Velázquez Carolina , Devriendt Koenraad , Godderis Lode , Segers Heidi , Thienpont Bernard , van Boxtel Ruben , Van Calsteren Kristel , Voet Thierry , Wolters Vera , Lenaerts Liesbeth , Amant Frederic
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Around 1 in 1000–2000 pregnancies are affected by a cancer diagnosis. Previous studies have shown that chemotherapy during pregnancy has reassuring cognitive and cardiac neonatal outcomes, and hence has been proposed as standard of care. However, although these children perform within normal ranges for their age, subtle differences have been identified. Given that chemotherapeutic compounds can cross the placenta, the possibility that prenatal chemotherapy exposure mutates the offspring’s genome and/or epigenome, with potential deleterious effects later in life, urges to be investigated.

Methods and analyses

This multicentric observational study aims to collect cord blood, meconium and neonatal buccal cells at birth, as well as peripheral blood, buccal cells and urine from infants when 6, 18 and/or 36 months of age. Using bulk and single-cell approaches, we will compare samples from chemotherapy-treated pregnant patients with cancer, pregnant patients with cancer not treated with chemotherapy and healthy pregnant women. Potential chemotherapy-related newborn genomic and/or epigenomic alterations, such as single nucleotide variants, copy number variants and DNA-methylation alterations, will be identified in mononuclear and epithelial cells, isolated from blood, buccal swabs and urine. DNA from maternal peripheral blood and paternal buccal cells will be used to determine de novo somatic mutations in the neonatal blood and epithelial cells. Additionally, the accumulated exposure of the fetus, and biological effective dose of alkylating agents, will be assessed in meconium and cord blood via mass spectrometry approaches.

Ethics and dissemination

The Ethics Committee Research of UZ/KU Leuven (EC Research) and the Medical Ethical Review Committee of University Medical Center Amsterdam have approved the study. Results of this study will be disseminated via presentations at (inter)national conferences, through peer-reviewed, open-access publications, via social media platforms aimed to inform patients and healthcare workers, and through the website of the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (www.cancerinpregnancy.org).
Longitudinal observational cohort study: Speech for Intelligent cognition change tracking and DEtection of Alzheimer’s Disease (SIDE-AD)
Authors: Saunders Stina , Haider Fasih , Ritchie Craig W , Muniz Terrera Graciela , Luz Saturnino
Published: March 2024

Introduction

There is emerging evidence that speech may be a potential indicator and manifestation of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Therefore, the University of Edinburgh and Sony Research have partnered to create the Speech for Intelligent cognition change tracking and DEtection of Alzheimer’s Disease (SIDE-AD) study, which aims to develop digital speech-based biomarkers for use in neurodegenerative disease.

Methods and analysis

SIDE-AD is an observational longitudinal study, collecting samples of spontaneous speech. Participants are recruited from existing cohort studies as well as from the National Health Service (NHS)memory clinics in Scotland. Using an online platform, participants record a voice sample talking about their brain health and rate their mood, anxiety and apathy. The speech biomarkers will be analysed longitudinally, and we will use machine learning and natural language processing technology to automate the assessment of the respondents’ speech patterns.

Ethics and dissemination

The SIDE-AD study has been approved by the NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 23/WM/0153, protocol number AC23046, IRAS Project ID 323311) and received NHS management approvals from Lothian, Fife and Forth Valley NHS boards. Our main ethical considerations pertain to the remote administration of the study, such as taking remote consent. To address this, we implemented a consent process, whereby the first step of the consent is done entirely remotely but a member of the research team contacts the participant over the phone to consent participants to the optional, most sensitive, elements of the study. Results will be presented at conferences, published in peer-reviewed journals and communicated to study participants.
Assessing awareness and utilisation of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among women who inject drugs in Lagos, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Onigbogi Olanrewaju , Eghaghe Osadebamwen N , Onigbogi Modupe , Ojo Omobola Y , Babalola Oluwatoyin Funmilola
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Women who inject drugs (WWID) in Nigeria are more likely to be living with HIV than their male counterparts and could benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Our study therefore sought to determine the awareness and use of PrEP among WWID in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods

The study was descriptive cross-sectional in design and involved 422 participants recruited by using the snowballing technique. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data which were analysed using Epi Info software and presented as frequency tables. χ2test was used to analyse the categorical data and investigate relationships, associations, and independence between categorical variables with the level of significance set at p<0.05.

Results

There were 422 respondents with 60.2% of them between 18 and 30 years of age with the majority (90.1%) identifying as females while 6.9% identified as transgender. Half of the respondents (50.2%) were unemployed, 56.6% were single while 7.8% were aware of PrEP with only 1.9% reporting that they had ever used it. Factors significantly associated with awareness of PrEP were age (p<0.038), period of residence (p<0.001) and the level of education (p<0.001). Increased awareness of PrEP was associated with residence within the local government area for 1 year or more (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.20, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.49) and completion of at least secondary school education (AOR 7.63, 95% CI 2.59 to 22.45).

Conclusions

This study sheds light on the crucial issue of awareness and utilisation of PrEP for HIV prevention among WWID in Lagos, Nigeria. The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions bearing in mind the determinants of PrEP use within this specific demographic group. Addressing these correlates of PrEP use will be pivotal in developing effective strategies to reduce HIV transmission and improve the overall health outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Community credit scores and community socioeconomic deprivation in association with type 2 diabetes across an urban to rural spectrum in Pennsylvania: a case–control study
Authors: Poulsen Melissa N , Hirsch Annemarie G , Dean Lorraine , Pollak Jonathan , DeWalle Joseph , Moon Katherine , Reeder Meghann , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Schwartz Brian S
Published: March 2024

Background

Area-level credit scores (the mean of credit scores for persons in a community) may be a unique indicator of community-level socioeconomic conditions associated with health outcomes. We analysed community credit scores (CCS) in association with new onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) across a geographically heterogeneous region of Pennsylvania and evaluated whether associations were independent of community socioeconomic deprivation (CSD), which is known to be related to T2D risk.

Methods

In a nested case–control study, we used medical records to identify 15 888 T2D cases from diabetes diagnoses, medication orders and laboratory test results and 79 435 diabetes-free controls frequency matched on age, sex and encounter year. CCS was derived from Equifax VantageScore V.1.0 data and categorised as ‘good’, ‘high fair’, ‘low fair’ and ‘poor’. Individuals were geocoded and assigned the CCS of their residential community. Logistic regression models adjusted for confounding variables and stratified by community type (townships (rural/suburban), boroughs (small towns) and city census tracts). Independent associations of CSD were assessed through models stratified by high/low CSD and high/low CCS.

Results

Compared with individuals in communities with ‘high fair’ CCS, those with ‘good’ CCS had lower T2D odds (42%, 24% and 12% lower odds in cities, boroughs and townships, respectively). Stratified models assessing independent effects of CCS and CSD showed mainly consistent associations, indicating each community-level measure was independently associated with T2D.

Conclusion

CCS may capture novel, health-salient aspects of community socioeconomic conditions, though questions remain regarding the mechanisms by which it influences T2D and how these differ from CSD.
Lessons and pitfalls of whole genome sequencing
Authors: Record Christopher J , Reilly Mary M
Published: March 2024

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has recently become the first-line genetic investigation for many suspected genetic neurological disorders. While its diagnostic capabilities are innumerable, as with any test, it has its limitations. Clinicians should be aware of where WGS is extremely reliable (detecting single-nucleotide variants), where its reliability is much improved (detecting copy number variants and small repeat expansions) and where it may miss/misinterpret a variant (large repeat expansions, balanced structural variants or low heteroplasmy mitochondrial DNA variants). Bioinformatic technology and virtual gene panels are constantly evolving, and it is important to know what genes and what types of variant are being tested; the current National Health Service Genomic Medicine Service WGS offers more than early iterations of the 100 000 Genomes Project analysis. Close communication between clinician and laboratory, ideally through a multidisciplinary team meeting, is encouraged where there is diagnostic uncertainty.
Sensitivity prospects for lepton-trijet signals in the $$\nu $$SMEFT at the LHeC
Authors: Zapata Gabriel , Urruzola Tomás , Sampayo Oscar A. , Duarte Lucía
Published: March 2024

The observation of neutrino oscillations and masses motivates the extension of the standard model with right-handed neutrinos, leading to heavy neutrino states possibly in the electroweak scale, which could be impacted by new high-scale weakly coupled physics. A systematic tool for studying these interactions is the neutrino-extended standard model effective field theory $$\nu $$
ν
SMEFT. In this work we study the prospects of the future LHeC electron-proton collider to discover or constrain the $$\nu $$
ν
SMEFT interactions, performing the first dedicated and realistic analysis of the well known lepton-trijet signals, for both the lepton flavor violating $$p ~ e^{-} \rightarrow \mu ^{-} + 3 \textrm{j}$$

p

e
-

→

μ
-

+
3
j

(LFV) and the lepton number violating $$p ~ e^{-} \rightarrow \mu ^{+} + 3 \textrm{j}$$

p

e
-

→

μ
+

+
3
j

(LNV) channels, for HNLs masses in the electroweak scale range: $$100 ~{\textrm{GeV}} \le m_N \le 500 ~{\textrm{GeV}}$$

100

GeV
≤

m
N

≤
500

GeV

. The obtained sensitivity prospects show that the LHeC with $$100 ~{\textrm{fb}}^{-1}$$

100

fb

-
1

luminosity could be able to probe the scenario of a heavy N and constrain the effective couplings to a region of the parameter space as tight as the bounds that are currently considered for the $$\mathcal {O}(10)$$

O
(
10
)

GeV scale masses, with effective couplings of $$\mathcal {O}(10^{-1})$$

O
(

10

-
1

)

for NP scale $$\Lambda =1 \,{\textrm{TeV}}$$

Λ
=
1

TeV

.
Solution for cosmological observables in the Starobinsky model of inflation
Authors: Germán Gabriel , Hidalgo Juan Carlos , Padilla Luis E.
Published: March 2024

This paper focuses on the Starobinsky model of inflation in the Einstein frame. We derive solutions for various cosmological observables, such as the scalar spectral index $$n_s$$

n
s

, the tensor-to-scalar ratio r and their runnings, as well as the number of e-folds of inflation, reheating, and radiation, with minimal assumptions. The impact of reheating on inflation is explored by constraining the equation of state parameter $$\omega _{re}$$

ω

re

at the end of reheating. An equation linking inflation with reheating is established, which is solved for the spectral index $$n_s$$

n
s

. Using consistency relations of the model, we determine the other observables while the number of e-folds during inflation $$N_k$$

N
k

, and the number of e-folds during reheating $$N_{re}$$

N

re

are determined by their respective formulas involving $$n_s$$

n
s

. We find remarkable agreement between the Starobinsky model and current measurements of the power spectrum of primordial curvature perturbations and the present bounds on the spectrum of primordial gravitational waves.
Perturbation theory and canonical coordinates in celestial mechanics
Authors: Pinzari Gabriella
Published: March 2024

KAM theory owes most of its success to its initial motivation: the application to problems of celestial mechanics. The masterly application was offered by Arnold in the 60s who worked out a theorem, that he named the “Fundamental Theorem” (FT), especially designed for the planetary problem. However, FT could be really used at that purpose only when, about 50 years later, a set of coordinates constructively taking the invariance by rotation and close-to-integrability into account was used. Since then, some progress has been done in the symplectic assessment of the problem, and here we review such results.