bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suicide Ideation among Recent Immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union: An Epidemiological Survey of Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Ponizovsky Alexander M. , Ritsner Michael S.
Published: October 2023

This paper reports results of a national community survey of self‐reported suicide ideation and attempts and their relation to psychological distress, depression, social support, and adjustment difficulties in a sample of recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU) to Israel. Using a door‐to‐door sampling procedure, a sample of 788 Russian‐born Jewish immigrants, ages 18–74 years, was selected to match the age and sex structure of the total immigrant population. An indigenous sample of Jews in Russia (n = 411) was matched with the immigrants for comparison. Parameters of interest were measured with the Demographic Inventory, Talbieh Brief Distress Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The 1‐month prevalence rate of suicide ideation in the immigrant sample (15.1%) was found to be significantly higher than that in Russian controls (6.6%). A total of 5.5% of immigrants but only 0.5% of controls had made a suicide attempt at some time in their lives. Risk factors for suicide ideation included younger age, living without a spouse, low level of social support, being a physician or teacher, a history of immigration from the Baltic countries or Moscow, or duration of stay in Israel from 2 to 3 years. The strongest risk factors were higher level of psychological distress and symptoms such as depression, hostility, and paranoid ideation. These findings can be used as a point of departure for the development of community‐based suicide prevention programs for recent immigrants.
Research and application of biomimetic modified ceramics and ceramic composites: A review
Authors: Li Xuefei , Guo Zhiwei , Huang Qiren , Yuan Chengqing
Published: October 2023

Ceramic materials are widely used in engineering field because of their good physical and chemical properties. The poor mechanical properties of traditional ceramics seriously limit the development of ceramic materials and have attracted extensive attention since its birth. The development of high toughness, light weight, and functional ceramic materials has long been the pursuit of materials scientists. Since ancient times, nature has been the source of all kinds of human technological ideas, engineering principles, and major inventions. The functional structure of biology provides a good research object for the bionic design and preparation of ceramic materials. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the functional structures and mechanisms in nature and biomimetic preparation technology. The purpose of this review is to provide guidance for the functionalized biomimetic design and efficient preparation of ceramic materials. Some typical functional examples in nature are introduced in detail, and several representative biomimetic preparation methods are listed. Finally, the performance and application status of biomimetic ceramics are summarized, and the future development direction of biomimetic ceramic materials is prospected.
Relationship between work‐related psychosocial factors and self‐leadership in advanced nurse practitioners: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Duignan Martin , Drennan Jonathan , Mc Carthy Vera J. C.
Published: October 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between advanced nurse practitioners' self‐leadership and commitment to the workplace, work engagement and influence at work.

Background

The concept of self‐leadership is particularly suited to ANPs, who are required to take responsibility for their work roles. An optimum balance between the ANPs' psychosocial work environment and self‐leadership may positively impact work ability in this group and can be compromised by interactions between and among these variables.

Design

A cross‐sectional correlational study was conducted from July 2020 to August 2020 on 153 ANPs across a national health service.

Methods

The survey was distributed to respondents online. The revised self‐leadership questionnaire was used to measure self‐leadership, and three scales from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire were used to measure commitment to the workplace, work engagement and influence at work. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between self‐leadership and the psychosocial variables.

Results

ANPs with high levels of self‐leadership reported high levels of work engagement and commitment to the workplace. No relationship was found between self‐leadership and influence at work.

Conclusion

Improving self‐leadership among ANPs by involving them in strategic leadership activities at an organizational level could be an effective strategy for optimizing the role and facilitating ANPs to contribute at an organizational level beyond the clinical interface. However, organizational support is required to ensure that ANPs practise to the full potential of their training and capability.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Impact

This study provided new evidence of a relationship between ANPs' self‐leadership and psychosocial factors. This study found that ANPs with high levels of self‐leadership reported high levels of work engagement and commitment to the workplace. Policymakers and organizational leaders can optimize the ANP role and facilitate ANPs to contribute strategically to improve care systems. This study identifies a relationship between ANPs' self‐leadership and specific psychosocial variables.
CircularRNA Hsa_circ_0093335 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via sponging miR‐338‐5p
Authors: Qin Xiangyu , Zhou Lingyu , Shen Yaojie , Gu Yuwei , Tang Jia , Qian Junwei , Cui An , Chen Mingquan
Published: October 2023

Circular RNAs play an important role in the development of various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the role of Hsa_circ_0093335 (circ0093335) in HCC has not yet been explored. To investigate the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of circ0093335 on HCC. Circ0093335 expression was detected in HCC cells and clinical specimens using qRT‐PCR. The association between circ0093335 expression and HCC patients' clinical characteristics was determined using SPSS. The role of circ0093335 in HCC was estimated by overexpression and knockdown experiments in vitro and in vivo. qRT‐PCR, nucleoplasma separation assay, FISH assay, RIP, dual luciferase reporter assay and rescue assay were used to validate the regulatory effect of circ0093335 on miR‐338‐5p. The study findings showed that circ0093335 was upregulated in HCC. High circ0093335 expression was linked with the tumour‐node‐metastasis stage and microvascular tumour invasion. circ0093335 is greatly involved in HCC cell proliferation, aggressive ability and mouse tumour growth, according to many in vitro and in vivo tests. Mechanistically, circ0093335 downregulated miR‐338‐5p expression by sponging, consequently promoting HCC progression. Our research indicated that circ0093335 might be a target for HCC therapy since it promotes tumour progression by acting as a miR‐338‐5p ‘sponge’.
Periodontitis is associated with airflow obstruction in the Malmö Offspring Dental Study
Authors: Røsland Anders , Bertelsen Randi J. , Bunæs Dagmar F. , Drengenes Christine , Engström Gunnar , Klinge Bjørn , Lie Stein‐Atle , Nilsson Peter M. , Jönsson Daniel , Malinovschi Andrei
Published: October 2023

Aim

To investigate the association between periodontitis and lung function in the Malmö Offspring Dental Study.

Materials and Methods

In all 1001 individuals (49.9% female, mean age: 44.6) from Malmö Offspring Dental Study were included. Periodontitis was assessed by a full‐mouth examination protocol including bleeding on probing and classified according to the American Academy of Periodontology/Center for Disease Control definitions. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were expressed as absolute values and %predicted according to Global Lung Function Initiative reference values. FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were analysed in relation to periodontal status using linear regression.

Results

Severe periodontitis was found in 7% of the population. Adjusted regression models showed significant associations between lung function and severe periodontitis with 2.1 unit lower FEV1/FVC ratio (95% CI: −3.91, –0.23) and odds ratio (adjusted) of 2.56 (95% CI: 1.40, 4.75, p = .003) for airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC less than the lower limit of normal) if having severe periodontitis. Lower values of %predicted FEV1 and %predicted FVC, but not FEV1/FVC, were found in individuals with >25% bleeding on probing.

Conclusions

Severe periodontitis was associated with lower FEV1/FVC ratio and airflow obstruction in the present cohort. More large‐scale prospective studies and intervention studies are required for a comprehensive evaluation.
Predicting community traits along an alpine grassland transect using field imaging spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wu Wenjuan , Li Lang , Liu Xiaodi , Zhou Guangsheng , Xu Zhenzhu
Published: October 2023

Assessing plant community traits is important for understanding how terrestrial ecosystems respond and adapt to global climate change. Field hyperspectral remote sensing is effective for quantitatively estimating vegetation properties in most terrestrial ecosystems, although it remains to be tested in areas with dwarf and sparse vegetation, such as the Tibetan Plateau. We measured canopy reflectance in the Tibetan Plateau using a handheld imaging spectrometer and conducted plant community investigations along an alpine grassland transect. We estimated community structural and functional traits, as well as community function based on a field survey and laboratory analysis using 14 spectral vegetation indices (VIs) derived from hyperspectral images. We quantified the contributions of environmental drivers, VIs, and community traits to community function by structural equation modelling (SEM). Univariate linear regression analysis showed that plant community traits are best predicted by the normalized difference vegetation index, enhanced vegetation index, and simple ratio. Structural equation modelling showed that VIs and community traits positively affected community function, whereas environmental drivers and specific leaf area had the opposite effect. Additionally, VIs integrated with environmental drivers were indirectly linked to community function by characterizing the variations in community structural and functional traits. This study demonstrates that community‐level spectral reflectance will help scale plant trait information measured at the leaf level to larger‐scale ecological processes. Field imaging spectroscopy represents a promising tool to predict the responses of alpine grassland communities to climate change.
Book Review: Alzheimer's Disease Research: What has guided research so far and why it is high time for a paradigm shift (Christian Behl. Springer Nature, Switzerland, 2023) 661 pp.
Authors: Turner Anthony J.
Published: October 2023

This is a review of a recently published book entitled ‘Alzheimer's Disease Research: What has guided research so far and why it is high time for a paradigm shift’ by Christian Behl, a leading contributor to the field of Alzheimer disease over the last three decades. It presents a personal viewpoint on the historical developments in dementia research and therapeutics from its early beginnings through to the current day. The conflicting hypotheses, the therapeutic trials, the successes and the failures of the vast research infrastructure devoted to dissecting the aberrant pathways underlying the inexorable progression of this ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease are discussed. It is based, among others, on numerous personal discussions of the author with other leading researchers in the field, and thus gives this (hi)story of Alzheimer research a personal touch and spotlight on controversies that distinguishes it from other books in the field.

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The autobiographical fluency task: Validity and reliability of a tool to assess episodic autobiographical memory and experience‐near personal semantics
Authors: Conti Matilde , Teghil Alice , Boccia Maddalena
Published: October 2023

The assessment of autobiographical memory is challenging in clinical settings. The Autobiographical Fluency Task (AFT) – that is designed to test both Episodic Autobiographical Memory (EAM) and experience‐near Personal Semantics (enPS) – may represent a feasible and rapid method to test access to autobiographical memories. Here we tested the reliability and the construct validity of the AFT. A total number of 51 individuals participated in the present study, with 24 included in Experiment 1 and 27 in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, participants performed both the AFT and the Survey of Autobiographical Memory (SAM). In Experiment 2, participants completed the AFT and the Autobiographical Interview (AI). The AFT showed a moderate‐to‐high reliability. Also, EAM and enPS scores significantly correlated with the episodic subscale of the SAM. Results of Experiment 1 were replicated and expanded in Experiment 2. Again, the AFT showed a high reliability. Both EAM and enPS showed a significant correlation with the number of internal details produced during the AI; enPS also correlated with the number of external details. Overall, the present results show that the AFT may be a feasible instrument to assess autobiographical memory, especially for testing episodic autobiographical memory and experience‐near personal semantics in clinical settings.
Stepfamily variation in parent–child relationship quality in later life
Authors: Lin I‐Fen , Seltzer Judith A.
Published: October 2023

Objective

We use a family systems approach to examine how stepfamily structure is associated with both positive and negative parent–child relationships while considering mothers' and fathers' discrepant reports.

Background

Two in five older couples with children are in stepfamilies. Past research on later‐life stepfamily dynamics has focused mainly on positive aspects of relationships and compared reports of mothers and fathers from different families.

Method

Using the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, we estimated multilevel models with data from married couples in which both spouses reported living children and answered all questions about positive and negative parent–child relationships (N = 2150).

Results

Couples in stepfamilies reported less positive and more negative relationships with their children than did couples in non‐stepfamilies. Mothers reported more positive relationships than fathers, but there was no gender difference in reports of negative relationships. The patterns of perceived parent–child relationships and divergent reports between mothers and fathers also varied by stepfamily structure. Structural complexity was not consistently related to positive or negative relationships.

Conclusion

This study underscores the importance of considering mothers' and fathers' different points of view in the same family and examining both positive and negative parent–child interactions as negative relationships are not merely the reverse of positive relationships.
3D‐printed nanocomposite denture base resin: The effect of incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles on the growth of Candida albicans
Authors: Altarazi Ahmed , Jadaan Layali , McBain Andrew J. , Haider Julfikar , Kushnerev Evgeny , Yates Julian M. , Alhotan Abdulaziz , Silikas Nick , Devlin Hugh
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To develop a biocompatible denture base resin/TiO2 nanocomposite material with antifungal characteristics that is suitable for 3D‐printing denture bases.

Materials and Methods

TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with a 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 weight percent (wt.%) were incorporated into a commercially available 3D‐printed resin material. The resulting nanocomposite material was analyzed using Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and AlamarBlue (AB) assays for biocompatibility testing with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). The composite material was also tested for its antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy (EDX) mapping were conducted to assess the surface coating and the dispersion of the NPs.

Results

LDH and AB assays confirmed the biocompatibility of the material showing cell proliferation at a rate of nearly 100% at day 10, with a cytotoxicity of less than 13% of the cells at day 10. The concentrations of 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 wt.% caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of candida cells attached to the surface of the specimens (p < 0.05), while 0.75 wt.% did not show any significant difference compared to the control (no TiO2 NPs) (p > 0.05). FTIR and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of TiO2 NPs within the nanocomposite material with a homogenous dispersion for 0.10 and 0.25 wt.% groups and an aggregation of the NPs within the material at higher concentrations.

Conclusion

The addition of TiO2 NPs into 3D‐printed denture base resin proved to have an antifungal effect against Candida albicans. The resultant nanocomposite material was a biocompatible material with HGFs and was successfully used for 3D printing.
Influence of age, training, intraoral scanner, and software version on the scan accuracy of inexperienced operators
Authors: Zarauz Cristina , Pradíes Guillermo Jesus , Chebib Najla , Dönmez Mustafa Borga , Karasan Duygu , Sailer Irena
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of operator age on the scan accuracy (trueness and precision) of inexperienced operators when compared with experienced operators, and how training, intraoral scanner (IOS), and software version affect scan accuracy.

Material and Methods

Thirty‐four operators were sorted into groups: G1 (operators <25 years old, no experience), G2 (operators >40 years old, no experience), and G3 (experienced IOS operators). They conducted partial‐arch scans before and after a 4‐session training with two IOSs (Trios 3 and True Definition) and two software versions. These scans were compared with the reference scans obtained from conventional impressions and a laboratory scanner (IScan D103i) to evaluate trueness (mean root mean square values) and precision (standard deviation of root mean square values) with a software program (Geomagic Control X). Kruskal‐Wallis and post‐hoc Dunn's tests were used to evaluate the effect of age on the scan accuracy of inexperienced groups when compared with experienced operators, while the effect of training, IOS, and software version on scan accuracy was evaluated with Wilcoxon or Mann‐Whitney U tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Before training, G1 and G2 scans had similar accuracy (p ≥ 0.065). After training, G1 scans had higher accuracy when IOS data was pooled and had higher precision with TD (p ≤ 0.004). Training increased the scan accuracy (p < 0.001), while newer software increased the trueness of inexperienced operator scans (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Age affected the scan accuracy of inexperienced operators after training, indicating that extended training may be required for older operators. Training increased the scan accuracy, and newer software increased the trueness of inexperienced operator scans.
Using measurement alignment in research on adolescence involving multiple groups: A brief tutorial with R
Authors: Han Hyemin
Published: October 2023

Measurement alignment adjusts factor loadings and intercepts across different groups to achieve measurement invariance, which assumes the equal measurement model is validated across different groups. It should be achieved for validly conducting analysis and comparison in studies involving multiple groups, such as cross‐cultural or cross‐national studies. In this paper, I presented how to conduct measurement alignment with R. In addition to measurement alignment, I explained how to perform the Monte Carlo simulation to test the consistency and validity of alignment results and factor score calculation to facilitate further statistical analysis. A tutorial R code that implements all described procedures is freely shared via GitHub to inform readers who intend to use the alignment technique in their research projects.
Effect of dietary inclusion of mannan oligosaccharides on the efficacy of a novel hydrogen peroxide‐inactivated vaccine against Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia
Authors: Ramos‐Espinoza Fernando Carlos , Cueva‐Quiroz Victor Alexander , Alvarez‐Rubio Norquis Caled , Paganoti de Mello Nicoli , de Moraes Julieta Rodini Engrácia
Published: October 2023

Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) have shown to stimulate immune response in different fish species, but the results may appear contradictory and have not been tested in conjunction with vaccination. We hypothesized that dietary MOS supplementation could enhance efficacy and immune responses after immunization with a novel hydrogen peroxide‐inactivated vaccine. Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fingerlings were distributed into four groups (supplemented or not, vaccinated or not) and were used to determine immune and hematological parameters and somatic indexes. For the bacterial challenge and vaccine efficacy test, fish were assigned to five experimental groups. Twenty‐eight days after the feeding trial and vaccination, the groups were challenged intraperitoneally and monitored for 21 days. The relative percent survival of the groups basal diet‐vaccinated and MOS diet‐vaccinated were 98.1% and 100.0%, respectively. The dietary inclusion of MOS after vaccination for 28 days had no influence on vaccine efficacy, which could be explained because of the high efficacy of the vaccine itself. Therefore, we suggest that the contribution of MOS supplementation to immune responses after vaccination in fish would be greater for vaccines with lower efficacy, or when tested for heterologous challenges or for crossed protection.
Identification and validation of microtubule depolymerizing agent, CYT997, as a potential drug candidate for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ahmad Faiz , Ma Li , Wei Wei , Liu Yi , Hakim Isaac , Daugherty Aaron , Mujahid Sana , Radin Andrew A. , Chua Mei‐Sze , So Samuel
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typically fatal malignancy with limited treatment options and poor survival rates, despite recent FDA approvals of newer treatment options. We aim to address this unmet need by using a proprietary computational drug discovery platform that identifies drug candidates with the potential to advance rapidly and successfully through preclinical studies.

Methods

We generated an in silico model of HCC biology to identify the top 10 small molecules with predicted efficacy. The most promising candidate, CYT997, was tested for its in vitro effects on cell viability and cell death, colony formation, cell cycle changes, and cell migration/invasion in HCC cells. We used an HCC patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model to assess its in vivo efficacy.

Results

CYT997 was significantly more cytotoxic against HCC cells than against primary human hepatocytes, and sensitized HCC cells to sorafenib. It arrested cell cycle at the G2/M phase with associated up‐regulations of p21, p‐MEK1/2, p‐ERK, and down‐regulation of cyclin B1. Cell apoptosis and senescence‐like morphology were also observed. CYT997 inhibited HCC cell migration and invasion, and down‐regulated the expressions of acetylated tubulins, β‐tubulin, glypican‐3 (GPC3), β‐catenin, and c‐Myc. In vivo, CYT997 (20 mg/kg, three times weekly by oral gavage) significantly inhibited PDX growth, while being non‐toxic to mice. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the down‐regulation of GPC3, c‐Myc, and Ki‐67, supporting its anti‐proliferative effect.

Conclusion

CYT997 is a potentially efficacious and non‐toxic drug candidate for HCC therapy. Its ability to down‐regulate GPC3, β‐catenin, and c‐Myc highlights a novel mechanism of action.
The use of photovoice in nursing education: A scoping review
Authors: Randall Paige S. , De Gagne Jennie C. , Yamane Sandra S. , Lee Eunhee
Published: October 2023

Given the variety of uses of photovoice in nursing education, the importance of clarifying and describing this method is apparent. This scoping review aimed to explore the evidence on the use of photovoice in nursing education, describe the state of knowledge in this area, and identify knowledge gaps within the existing literature. A comprehensive search was performed in seven databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Education Full Text. Three gray literature databases (ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database, EThOS, and PapersFirst) were also searched. This scoping review was conducted with reference to the JBI scoping review guidelines and reported using the PRISMA‐ScR statement. A total of 22 studies published between 2001 and 2022 were included in this scoping review. The findings indicate that photovoice is used globally in nursing education to teach in various courses and content areas within online, hybrid, and in‐person environments. Despite the heterogeneity within the definition of photovoice and associated pedagogical strategies, the results of this scoping review suggest that photovoice can serve as an educational tool for nursing students.
Association between screen time and depressive symptoms in a sample of Chinese medical students: Mediator role of empathy
Authors: Tang Zhengyu , Xiang Hongshu , Geng Yiran , Liao Xiting , Zhang Ming , Zhang Tianyang
Published: October 2023

Medical students are at high risk of psychological subhealth under heavy stress with increasing screen time. This study aimed to explore the association between screen time and depressive symptoms and determine empathy as a mediating factor. In this cross‐sectional study, a total of 945 medical students were surveyed, and 924 medical students were ultimately included after standard exclusion criteria. They reported their daily screen time and completed the Chinese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy‐Student Version (JSE‐S) and the Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS). t tests and analysis of variance showed a significant difference in empathy and depressive symptoms by sex, stage, and screen time. The correlation analysis revealed that both affective and cognitive empathy have inverse associations with depressive symptoms. The mediation model confirmed that cognitive empathy played a positive mediating role between screen time and depressive symptoms, reducing the impact of screen time on depressive symptoms. Our study may add empirical evidence to prevent and intervene in depressive symptoms. These findings call for considering controlling screen time and enhancing cognitive empathy as interventions for medical students' depressive symptoms.
Glutamate decarboxylase‐1 is essential for efficient acclimation of Arabidopsis thaliana to nutritional phosphorus deprivation
Authors: Benidickson Kirsten H. , Raytek Lee Marie , Hoover Gordon J. , Flaherty Edward J. , Shelp Barry J. , Snedden Wayne A. , Plaxton William C.
Published: October 2023

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is a Ca2+‐calmodulin‐activated, cytosolic enzyme that produces γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA) as the committed step of the GABA shunt. This pathway bypasses the 2‐oxoglutarate to succinate reactions of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. GABA also accumulates during many plant stresses.

We tested the hypothesis that AtGAD1 (At5G17330) facilitates Arabidopsis acclimation to Pi deprivation. Quantitative RT‐PCR and immunoblotting revealed that AtGAD1 transcript and protein expression is primarily root‐specific, but inducible at lower levels in shoots of Pi‐deprived (−Pi) plants.

Pi deprivation reduced levels of the 2‐oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (2‐OGDH) cofactor thiamine diphosphate (ThDP) in shoots and roots by > 50%. Growth of −Pi atgad1 T‐DNA mutants was significantly attenuated relative to wild‐type plants. This was accompanied by: (i) an > 60% increase in shoot and root GABA levels of −Pi wild‐type, but not atgad1 plants, and (ii) markedly elevated anthocyanin and reduced free and total Pi levels in leaves of −Pi atgad1 plants. Treatment with 10 mM GABA reversed the deleterious development of −Pi atgad1 plants.

Our results indicate that AtGAD1 mediates GABA shunt upregulation during Pi deprivation. This bypass is hypothesized to circumvent ThDP‐limited 2‐OGDH activity to facilitate TCA cycle flux and respiration by −Pi Arabidopsis.
Analysis of oral lichen planus severity on micro‐RNA linked with malignant transformation risks
Authors: Polizzi Alessandro , Santonocito Simona , Distefano Alfio , De Pasquale Rocco , Alibrandi Angela , Alanazi Amer M. , Li Volti Giovanni , Isola Gaetano
Published: October 2023

Objective

The present study evaluated the oral tissue expression of micro‐RNA (miRNAs) linked to the potential malignant evolution of oral lichen planus (OLP). Furthermore, the correlation between OLP severity and miRNAs expression was assessed, and possible predictors of miRNAs in OLP patients were identified.

Methods

The present study enrolled 41 patients with OLP (median age 58 years) and 42 healthy controls (median age 59 years). In each patient, miRNA levels (miR‐7a‐3p,‐7a2‐3p,‐7a‐5p,‐21‐3p,‐21‐5p,‐100‐3p,‐100‐5p,‐125b‐2‐3p,‐125b‐5p,‐200b‐3p,‐200b‐5p) were assessed and analyzed through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical parameters and the eventual presence of OLP symptoms, signs, and disease severity scores in each patient were reported using an anamnestic questionnaire.

Results

In comparison with healthy controls, OLP patients showed significantly higher miR‐7a‐3p,‐7a‐2‐3p,‐21‐3p, miR‐21‐5p and miR‐100‐5p levels (p < 0.05) and significantly lower miR‐125b‐2‐3p,‐125b‐5p,‐200b‐3p, and ‐200b‐5p levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, OLP symptoms and signs and disease severity scores were significantly correlated and were also predictors of all analyzed miRNAs (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In comparison with healthy subjects, OLP patients exhibited unbalanced oral miRNAs expression linked to the risk of potential malignant evolution of OLP. Furthermore, some miRNAs were correlated with OLP extent and were significant predictors of OLP symptoms, signs, and disease severity scores.
Perioperative analgesic efficacy and adverse events of fentanyl in dentistry: A systematic review
Authors: Ardila Carlos M. , Jiménez‐Arbeláez Gustavo A. , Vivares‐Builes Annie Marcela
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and adverse events linked to the utilization of fentanyl for perioperative pain management in dentistry.

Methods

This systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and incorporated various databases.

Results

Eleven RCTs studying 674 patients were analyzed. Perioperative pain was predominantly evaluated in patients undergoing surgery for impacted molars, although some studies also included patients with other conditions such as oral submucous fibrosis, maxillary cancer, bony temporomandibular joint ankylosis, irreversible pulpitis, among others. Combined with dexmedetomidine, fentanyl produced enhanced analgesic effects. It demonstrated comparable efficacy when compared to nefopam and nalbuphine. Both intranasal and intravenous administration routes proved equally effective. In four RCTs, the transdermal fentanyl patch outperformed the control group, except in the clinical trial where it was compared to ropivacaine. The main adverse events associated with the use of fentanyl included nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, delirium, and respiratory depression; however, they were like those reported in the comparison groups.

Conclusions

While fentanyl demonstrated satisfactory perioperative analgesic efficacy, there were other alternatives that displayed better or comparable outcomes. Due to the risks and potential for misuse of fentanyl, these alternatives must be considered although adverse events were also reported.
A retrospective review of elevated lead impedances in impedance‐dependent magnetic resonance‐conditional spinal cord stimulation devices
Authors: Mullins Cormac Francis , Harris Stephany , Pang David
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Advances in Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) device technology in recent years have led to the development of SCS systems that are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐conditional, most of which are dependent on normal lead impedances. The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the rate of elevated lead impedance in these devices to determine the rate of failure of MR‐conditional modes.

Materials and Methods

This was a single‐center, retrospective, chart‐based review conducted during a five‐year period. Patients were included if they had been implanted with an impedance‐dependent MR‐conditional SCS and had a documented impedance check at least 6 months after implantation. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to map the survival of MR‐conditionality over time.

Results

There were 363 cases included between 2015 and 2020, which corresponded to a total of 602 SCS leads. Nevro was the most common manufacturer (67.8%), followed by Boston Scientific (22.3%) and Abbott (9.9%). The average overall follow‐up time was 2.25 years. Overall, 67 (18.5%) of patients had lead impedances over 10,000 Ω at follow‐up with a total of 186 electrode contacts (3.9%). Leads most commonly had either one (40%), two (22%) or three (12%) electrode contacts out of range. Risk of failure of lead impedances increased by 35.4% with each successive year to a peak of 43% of all leads by year 5. Mean overall survival time of normal lead impedances was 4.77 years (CI 4.40–5.13). There was no statistically significant difference in mean overall survival time between Abbott (M = 4.0 years, SD = 1.25), Boston Scientific (M = 4.64 years, SD = 1.75) and Nevro (M = 4.80 years, SD = 3.28), χ2 (2, N = 358) = 1.511, p = 0.47; however, Abbott leads had a greater total number of failed impedance contacts (50/568, 8.8%), in comparison to Nevro (124/3064, 4.0%), χ2 (1, N = 3630) = 23.76, p < 0.00001, at a similar follow‐up time.

Conclusion

This retrospective study identified elevated impedances in 18.5% of MR‐conditional SCS devices at an average of 2.25 years follow‐up resulting in loss of MR‐conditionality and a mean overall lead survival time of 4.77 years for normal lead impedance.
What can preemption do?
Authors: Avnur Yuval , Obiegbu Chigozie
Published: October 2023

Evidential Preemption occurs when a speaker asserts something of the form “Others will tell you Q, but I say P,” where P and Q are incompatible in some salient way. Typically, the aim of this maneuver is to get the audience to accept P despite contrary testimony of others, who might otherwise be trusted on the matter. Phenomena such as echo chambers, conspiracy theories, and other political speech of interest to epistemologists today, all commonly involve evidential preemption, so the question arises: What effect, if any, does evidential preemption have on the audience's epistemic situation? In a widely discussed paper, Begby (Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 2021, 102, 515) argues that evidential preemption can change the audience's epistemic situation in such a way that future testimony that Q, which would otherwise have been persuasive, can be rationally discounted to a significant degree. If so, evidential preemption is not a mere rhetorical flourish, but rather results in a rationally insulated belief that P. Since evidential preemption is a common feature of echo chambers and conspiracy theories, this would be a disturbing result. We bring good news: it is not so, at least not in the way Begby suggests. If evidential preemptions can change one's epistemic situation in a worrying way, it is a mystery how.
Towards a Fregean psycholinguistics
Authors: Sander Thorsten
Published: October 2023

This paper is partly exegetical, partly systematic. I argue that Frege's account of what he called “colouring” contains some important insights on how communication is related to mental states such as mental images or emotions. I also show that the Fregean perspective is supported by current research in psycholinguistics and that a full understanding of some linguistic phenomena that scholars have accounted for in terms of either semantics or pragmatics need involve psycholinguistic elements.
Toward a better understanding of local service provision: Implications for studying the determinants of production choice
Authors: Lamothe Scott , Lamothe Meeyoung
Published: October 2023

Researchers studying local governance, especially alternative service delivery arrangements, have long relied on the ICMA ASD survey to examine the scope and nature of service provision and production at the local level. Building upon Lamothe et al. (Public Administration Review, 2018, 78: 613) findings that raise questions concerning the accuracy of the ASD survey and resulting misconceptions about service provision, this paper refines how provision can be conceptualized and measured to promote a better understanding of local governance. Utilizing a unique survey design that incorporates, but also extends the ASD format, we demonstrate that service provision is multifaceted, and jurisdictions participate in varying degrees of provision activities based on the sector of the producing entity. Our findings highlight the importance of properly accounting for provision activities and call into question the efficacy of the conventional contracting framework as the primary theoretical underpinning of most studies of local service delivery arrangements.
IgG exacerbates genital chlamydial pathology in females by enhancing pathogenic CD8+ T cell responses
Authors: Armitage Charles W. , O'Meara Connor P. , Bryan Emily R. , Kollipara Avinash , Trim Logan K. , Hickey Danica , Carey Alison J. , Huston Wilhelmina M. , Donnelly Gavin , Yazdani Anusch , Blumberg Richard S. , Beagley Kenneth W.
Published: October 2023

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are an important sexually transmitted infection that can lead to inflammation, scarring and hydrosalpinx/infertility. However, infections are commonly clinically asymptomatic and do not receive treatment. The underlying cause of asymptomatic immunopathology remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that IgG produced during male infection enhanced the incidence of immunopathology and infertility in females. Human endocervical cells expressing the neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn) increased translocation of human IgG‐opsonized C. trachomatis. Using total IgG purified from infected male mice, we opsonized C. muridarum and then infected female mice, mimicking sexual transmission. Following infection, IgG‐opsonized Chlamydia was found to transcytose the epithelial barrier in the uterus, where it was phagocytosed by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and trafficked to the draining lymph nodes. APCs then expanded both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations and caused significantly more infertility in female mice infected with non‐opsonized Chlamydia. Enhanced phagocytosis of IgG‐opsonized Chlamydia significantly increased pro‐inflammatory signalling and T cell proliferation. As IgG is transcytosed by FcRn, we utilized FcRn−/− mice and observed that shedding kinetics of Chlamydia were only affected in FcRn−/− mice infected with IgG‐opsonized Chlamydia. Depletion of CD8+ T cells in FcRn−/− mice lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of infertility. Taken together, these data demonstrate that IgG seroconversion during male infection can amplify female immunopathology, dependent on FcRn transcytosis, APC differentiation and enhanced CD8 T cell responses.
Connections between two classes of estimators for single‐index models
Authors: Yang Weichao , Guo Xu , Zhou Niwen , Zou Changliang
Published: October 2023

Single‐index model is a very popular and powerful semiparametric model. As an improvement of the maximum rank correlation estimator, Shen et al. proposed the linearized maximum rank correlation estimator. We show that this estimator has some interesting connections with the distribution‐transformed least‐squares estimator for single‐index models. We also propose a rescaled distribution‐transformed least‐squares estimator, which is mathematically equivalent to the linearized maximum rank correlation estimator when the distribution of the response is absolutely continuous. Despite some nontrivial connections, the two estimation procedures are different in terms of motivations, interpretations, and applications. We discuss some of the differences between the two estimation procedures.
A Comparative Study of Flow Boiling Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop Characteristics in a Pin-Finned Heat Sink at Horizontal/Vertical Upward Flow Orientations
Authors: Hu Bin , Qi Di , Xu Yongsheng , Lin Mei , Wang Qiuwang
Published: October 2023

With the continuous development of power electronic devices toward miniaturization and compactness, it is necessary to develop more efficient flow boiling heat transfer technologies. In this work, the flow boiling heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of Novec649 in a pin finned channel under two kinds of flow orientations (horizontal and vertical upward) are experimentally investigated. Heat flux, inlet flow velocity, and inlet subcooling are considered as the variable parameters. The results show that among all boiling operating conditions, the heat transfer performances between two orientations are basically consistent, while the pressure drop of vertical upward pin finned channel is relatively lower, indicating that the comprehensive flow boiling heat transfer performance of vertical oriented channel is better. Subsequently, a series of flow visualization experiments are performed in vertical upward pin finned channel. With the increase of heat flux, four kinds of flow pattern are discovered in the order of dispersed bubble flow, bubble flow, homogeneous flow, and annular flow. In the region of annular flow, although a vapor flow has already formed in the channel, there is still a large amount of liquid phase surrounding the wall and pin fins. Therefore, no obvious heat transfer deterioration was observed in the pin finned channel. Along the flow direction, the diameter of bubbles will increase first, and then present obvious oscillation. As the heat flux increases, both the average bubble detachment diameter and the frequency increase correspondingly. As the fluid velocity increases, the average bubble detachment diameter presents a downward trend, while the average bubble detachment frequency presents an upward trend.
Adapting an Effective Health-Promoting Intervention—Choose to Move—for Chinese Older Adults in Canada
Authors: Wong Venessa , Franke Thea , McKay Heather , Tong Catherine , Macdonald Heather , Sims-Gould Joanie
Published: October 2023

Evidence is sparse on how community-based health-promoting programs can be culturally adapted for racially minoritized, immigrant older adult populations. Choose to Move (CTM) is an evidence-based health-promoting program that enhances physical activity and mobility and diminished social isolation and loneliness in older adults in British Columbia, Canada. However, racially minoritized older adults were not reached in initial offerings. We purposively sampled CTM delivery staff (n = 8) from three not-for-profit organizations, in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, that serve Chinese older adults. We used semistructured interviews, ethnographic observations, and meeting minutes to understand delivery staff’s perspectives on factors that influence CTM adaptations for Chinese older adults. Deductive framework analysis guided by an adaptation framework, Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Enhanced, found three dominant cultural- and immigration-related factors influenced CTM adaptations for Chinese older adults: (a) prioritizations, (b) familiarity, and (c) literacy. Findings may influence future program development and delivery to meet the needs of racially minoritized older adult populations.
The Manhattan project: Isotope geochemistry and detrital zircon geochronology of schists in New York City, USA
Authors: Jaret Steven J. , Tailby Nicholas D. , Hammond Keiji G. , Rasbury E. Troy , Wooton Kathleen , Ebel Denton S. , Plank Terry , DiPadova E. , Yuan Victoria , Smith Riley , Jaffe Noa , Smith Lisa M. , Spaeth Lynsey
Published: October 2023

The geology of New York City (USA) consists primarily of metasedimentary rocks that were deformed during the series of orogenies between ca. 470 Ma and ca. 300 Ma that culminated in the amalgamation of Pangea. The rocks in New York City play a key role in understanding the tectonic history of these orogenies because they lie at a critical location at the boundary between the Northern and Southern Appalachian Mountains. The primary question addressed here is where these metasedimentary rocks originated prior to the assembly of Pangea. Through detrital zircon and whole-rock Nd isotope analyses, we show that all the metasedimentary rocks of New York City, mapped as the Manhattan Schist and the Hartland Group, are primarily derived from Laurentia as indicated by detrital zircon populations dominated by 1200−900 Ma grains and εNd values between −7 and −13. The results presented here do not necessitate an exclusively Laurentian source for the detrital material found in New York City, but the data strongly suggests protoliths represent sedimentary units that are primarily derived from the Laurentian margin. Another important result from this study is the limited contributions from any rift volcanics and/or Gondwanan material(s). There is some subtle variability across our zircon sample suite, but there is no convincing evidence for major changes in bulk provenance signal that would be consistent with derivation from vastly different continental sources for these rocks. The shared provenance signal observed here is counter to the previous suggestions that a major terrane boundary, often called Cameron’s Line, exists in New York City, separating Laurentian rocks from those of a Gondwanan affinity.
Growth and evolution of Neoarchean−Paleoproterozoic crust in the NW Wyoming Province: Evidence from zircon U-Pb age and Lu-Hf isotopes of the Montana metasedimentary terrane
Authors: Chen Tsai-Wei , Vervoort Jeffrey D. , Baldwin Julia A.
Published: October 2023

The Montana metasedimentary terrane in the northern Wyoming Province provides valuable insight into crustal formation and reworking processes along the cratonic margin and offers a unique opportunity to decipher the complex Neoarchean−Paleoproterozoic terrane assembly in southwestern Laurentia. We report new zircon U-Pb dates and Hf isotopes from seven metaigneous samples in the northwestern Montana metasedimentary terrane. The internal textures of zircon in this study are complex; some lack inherited cores and metamorphic overgrowths, while others exhibit core-rim relationships. Based on the cathodoluminescence (CL) features, we interpret these grains to be magmatic populations. These data demonstrate discrete igneous pulses at 2.7 Ga, 2.4 Ga, and 1.7 Ga, which indicate significant crustal formation intervals in the Montana metasedimentary terrane. Zircons at 2.7 Ga have positive εHf values (+2.4 to +0.9) that indicate a depleted mantle source. Most 2.4 Ga and 1.7 Ga samples have negative εHf values (−1.6 to −15.5), which indicate significant contributions from preexisting crust. Two 1.7 Ga samples, however, have near-chondritic εHf values (+0.4 to +0.3) that indicate larger juvenile contributions. The time-integrated Hf isotope trend suggests that the Paleoproterozoic zircons were produced from a mixture of older crust and juvenile mantle inputs. Additionally, the isotopic age fingerprint of the Montana metasedimentary terrane suggests that it differs from northern-bounding terranes. Viewed more broadly, the 2.7 Ga and 1.7 Ga age peaks that the Montana metasedimentary terrane shares with the global zircon age spectrum suggest that the drivers of these events in the Montana metasedimentary terrane were common throughout the Earth and may be associated with the assembly of supercontinents Kenorland and Nuna.