bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spondylolysis in Adolescent Athletes: A Descriptive Study of 533 Patients
Authors: Moeller James L.
Published: October 2024

Objective:

The objective of this descriptive study was to evaluate spondylolysis in adolescent athletes, including age at time of injury, sport associated with injury, examination findings, site of injury, studies used for diagnosis, treatments, duration of treatment, and outcomes.

Design:

This was a retrospective chart review of patients who presented with a diagnosis of spondylolysis over a 17-year period.

Setting:

Community primary care sports medicine practice.

Patients:

All patients between 10 and 20 years of age diagnosed with spondylolysis.

Interventions:

There was no set intervention protocol. A variety of interventions and combination of interventions were used and determined by the treating physician on a case-by-case basis.

Main Outcome Measures:

Clearance for return to sport activity.

Results:

Males comprised 317 of the 533 patients. Soccer, gymnastics/cheer, football, and basketball were the most common sports associated with spondylolysis. Bilateral injuries were most common. L5 was the most common level for injury. Bracing and formal physical therapy as treatments were associated with longer duration of care. Most patients were treated successfully with nonoperative treatment. Recurrence of injury was rare.

Conclusions:

Spondylolysis is a common cause of back pain in adolescent athletes. Males are more likely to experience these injuries and are older at presentation compared than females. Spondylosis may be encountered in many sports. Nonoperative treatment leads to successful outcomes in most patients.
Development of Interprofessional Competencies Through the Process of Collaborative Clinical Reasoning
Authors: Hart Stephanie , Lysaght Christine , Wedge Ryan
Published: October 2024

Purpose:

Effective interprofessional (IP) collaboration is essential for managing complex patient cases. Collaborative clinical reasoning (CCR) is an approach where IP teams collectively analyze and address complex clinical cases, facilitating a shared understanding of patient management. While simulation and case-based learning are established methods for fostering IP collaboration, the process by which students develop a shared mental model for patient management after a simulated home visit and how this approach promotes the development of IP competencies is unknown. Understanding this process is critical for advancing IP competences that are fundamental to case management practice. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of the CCR processes used to develop an integrated care plan following a simulated home visit.

Primary Practice Settings:

Home care and community-based practice settings

Methodology and Sample:

A qualitative descriptive approach was employed to explore PT and nursing student teams’ perceptions of the CCR processes used to develop an integrated care plan following a simulated home visit. Written responses to five reflection questions were analyzed using conventional content analysis among n = 87 physical therapy and nursing students.

Results:

There were three overarching themes: clarifying roles; developing a mutual approach; embracing shared values. Students’ perceptions reflected skills needed to develop IP competencies including CCR. More research is needed to explore how student teams resolve disputes and use interdisciplinary knowledge in the process of CCR.

Implications for Case Management Practice:

Findings highlight the importance of IP collaboration in clinical case management, emphasizing the need for case managers to facilitate clear role clarification, mutual approaches, and shared values among IP teams to enhance integrated care planning and improve patient outcomes. These insights can inform training and development programs for case managers on IP teams, promoting the adoption of CCR in practice.
Learning by the Visualization of a Nurse-Led Critical Care Outreach Service Using the Functional Resonance Analysis Method
Authors: op ‘t Hoog Sabine Adriana Johanna Josepha , van Mersbergen-de Bruin Mariëlle , Damen Nikki Laurina Mathilda , Chaboyer Wendy , Weggelaar-Jansen Anne Marie , Eskes Anne M. , Vloet Lilian Christina Maria , Vermeulen Hester
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Quality improvements (QIs) in dynamic and complex health care contexts require resilience and take variability into account in quality improvement. The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) helps us understand resilience and gain insight into (un)desirable variability in the complex system of daily practice. We explored how using FRAM in the Deming cycle of a QI project can help professionals and researchers learn from, reflect upon, and improve complex processes. We used FRAM in a Dutch hospital to study a QI: Critical Care Outreach Service (CCOS).

Methods

The aim was to use FRAM before and after implementation to create a FRAM model and reflect to health care professionals the mismatch between Work As Imagined (WAI) and Work As Done (WAD). The WAI FRAM model was co-created with professionals before the implementation of CCOS. We used descriptions of tasks and processes for ICU nurses and verified them in 30-minute semistructured interviews (N = 2). WAD was created by input of semistructured interviews with key professionals in CCOS (N = 21) and 3 nonparticipant observations of trained CCOS nurses. We validated WAD in 2 dialogue sessions with key professionals (N = 11). Data collection continued until saturation.

Results

Juxtaposing the WAI and WAD models showed that WAD contained additional functions and highlighted unexpectedly complex functions. Reflecting on the application of FRAM with health care professionals revealed opportunities and challenges, especially time investment.

Conclusions

FRAM helps professionals outline processes and tasks (WAI), learn from, and reflect upon their daily practice (WAD). FRAM models help professionals identify variability proactively to improve practices that enhance resilient performance.
Prospective Study of Contamination Spread Produced During Open Surgical vs Conventional Percutaneous vs Novel Percutaneous Tracheostomy During COVID-19 Era in a Pig Model
Authors: Ishii Shun , Amundson Julia R , Agos Andrew S , Tokarczyk Arthur , Torre Reynaldo , Kuchta Kristine , Ujiki Michael B , Greenberg Steven B
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Because of concerns about provider contamination during tracheostomy procedures in a pandemic such as COVID-19, it is essential to objectively evaluate aerosol generation in all tracheostomy approaches, including newly developed tracheostomy procedures. We performed open surgical tracheostomy (OST), conventional percutaneous tracheostomy (CPT), and novel percutaneous tracheostomy (NPT), a modification of CPT designed to reduce contamination spread, in pig models and then compared the degree of contamination with providers using Glo Germ (Glo Germ).

STUDY DESIGN:

Six Yorkshire pigs were used for data collection. Either OST, CPT, or NPT was performed on the pigs by the same team including a surgeon, anesthesiologist, and respiratory therapist. A mixture of Glo Germ and water was administered via an atomizer into the oral cavity to the tracheal bifurcation before each procedure, and additionally dispersed via an aersolizer in the trachea and lungs through the endotracheal tube before and throughout the procedure. Before and immediately after each procedure, prespecified body parts of the providers were photographed and 2 independent examiners blindly evaluated the photographs to determine degree of Glo Germ contamination using a 3-point Likert scale.

RESULTS:

Total contamination among provider team average score (minimum 0, maximum 2), was significantly lower for OST than CPT (0.29 ± 0.59 vs 0.63 ± 0.65; p < 0.01) or NPT (0.29 ± 0.59 vs 0.59 ± 0.66; p < 0.01). No significant difference was seen in overall contamination of any provider between CPT and NPT (0.63 ± 0.65 vs 0.59 ± 0.66; p = 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest that OST causes significantly less aerosol contamination to providers than either CPT or NPT.
Inducing representational change in the hippocampus through real-time neurofeedback
Authors: Peng Kailong , Wammes Jeffrey D. , Nguyen Alex , Iordan Coraline Rinn , Norman Kenneth A. , Turk-Browne Nicholas B.
Published: October 2024

When you perceive or remember something, other related things come to mind, affecting how these competing items are subsequently perceived and remembered. Such behavioural consequences are believed to result from changes in the overlap of neural representations of these items, especially in the hippocampus. According to multiple theories, hippocampal overlap should increase (integration) when there is high coactivation between cortical representations. However, prior studies used indirect proxies for coactivation by manipulating stimulus similarity or task demands. Here, we induce coactivation in visual cortex more directly using closed-loop neurofeedback from real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). While viewing one object, participants were rewarded for activating the representation of another object as strongly as possible. Across multiple real-time fMRI sessions, participants succeeded in using this neurofeedback to increase coactivation. Compared with a baseline of untrained objects, this protocol led to memory integration in behaviour and the brain: the trained objects became harder for participants to discriminate behaviourally in a categorical perception task and harder to discriminate neurally from patterns of fMRI activity in their hippocampus as a result of losing unique features. These findings demonstrate that neurofeedback can be used to alter and combine memories.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation’.
Effects of fMRI neurofeedback of right inferior frontal cortex on inhibitory brain activation in children with ADHD
Authors: Lukito Steve , Lam Sheut-Ling , Criaud Marion , Westwood Samuel , Kowalczyk Olivia S. , Curran Sarah , Barrett Nadia , Abbott Christopher , Liang Holan , Simonoff Emily , Barker Gareth J. , Giampietro Vincent , Rubia Katya
Published: October 2024

We aimed to replicate previous effects of functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (fMRI-NF) in right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC) on IFC activation during a Stop Task in a larger group of boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present double-blind, randomized controlled trial tested the effects of 15 runs of active versus sham fMRI-NF of rIFC on performance and activation associated with successful and failed inhibition versus Go trials during a tracking Stop task in 88 boys with ADHD (44 active; 44 sham), controlling for age and medication status. No significant group-by-time interaction effects were observed for performance or brain activation during the successful stop trials, and post hoc analysis showed very low numbers of active fMRI-NF learners. Nevertheless, during error monitoring, there was a significant group-by-time interaction effect on post-error reaction time slowing and in left IFC activation, which were both increased after active compared to sham fMRI-NF. The findings are in line with our previous observation of left IFC upregulation after fMRI-NF of rIFC relative to active fMRI-NF of parahippocampal gyrus. This highlights the potentially wider regional effects that fMRI-NF of a particular self-control target region has on other self-regulatory regions in ADHD.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation’.
Poxin-deficient poxviruses are sensed by cGAS prior to genome replication
Authors: Lant Sian , Hood Alasdair J. M. , Holley Joe A. , Ellis Ailish , Eke Lucy , Sumner Rebecca P. , Ulaeto David O. , Maluquer de Motes Carlos
Published: October 2024

Poxviruses are dsDNA viruses infecting a wide range of cell types, where they need to contend with multiple host antiviral pathways, including DNA and RNA sensing. Accordingly, poxviruses encode a variety of immune antagonists, most of which are expressed early during infection from within virus cores before uncoating and genome release take place. Amongst these antagonists, the poxvirus immune nuclease (poxin) counteracts the cyclic 2′3′-GMP-AMP (2′3′-cGAMP) synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes DNA sensing pathway by degrading the immunomodulatory cyclic dinucleotide 2′3′-cGAMP, the product of activated cGAS. Here, we use poxviruses engineered to lack poxin to investigate how virus infection triggers the activation of STING and its downstream transcription factor interferon-responsive factor 3 (IRF3). Our results demonstrate that poxin-deficient vaccinia virus (VACV) and ectromelia virus (ECTV) induce IRF3 activation in primary fibroblasts and differentiated macrophages, although to a lower extent in VACV compared to ECTV. In fibroblasts, IRF3 activation was detectable at 10 h post-infection (hpi) and was abolished by the DNA replication inhibitor cytosine arabinoside (AraC), indicating that the sensing was mediated by replicated genomes. In macrophages, IRF3 activation was detectable at 4 hpi, and this was not affected by AraC, suggesting that the sensing in this cell type was induced by genomes released from incoming virions. In agreement with this, macrophages expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against the virus uncoating factor D5 showed reduced IRF3 activation upon infection. Collectively, our data show that the viral genome is sensed by cGAS prior to and during genome replication, but immune activation downstream of it is effectively suppressed by poxin. Our data also support the model where virus uncoating acts as an immune evasion strategy to simultaneously cloak the viral genome and allow the expression of early immune antagonists.
Transcriptional profiling reveals a previously unknown population of Cdkn2a-positive tumor-associated macrophages in aggressive brain cancer
Authors: Melo dos Santos Letícya Simone , Kich Grun Lucas , Nathali Scholl Juliete , Barbé-Tuana Florencia María , Demaria Marco
Published: October 2024

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the Central Nervous System (CNS), play crucial roles in homeostasis, immune responses, and the modulation of neuronal functions. In brain tumors, microglia are difficult to distinguish from infiltrating macrophages and are collectively called Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs). While these cells exhibit plasticity, support tumor growth, and suppress antitumor immune responses, their identity and function remain largely unknown. Cellular senescence, a state of growth arrest associated with the upregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p16INK4A(Cdkn2a), can both suppress and promote tumor progression via the secretion of inflammatory and tissue remodeling factors, collectively known as Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP). By leveraging existing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of murine brain tumors, we identified a population of Cdkn2a-positive TAMs involved in immune regulation and neurogenesis, characterized by high expression of Emb and Cd93, which we named MECC (Microglia-like, and Emb-, CD93- and Cdkn2a-positive) cells. In humans, these cells were more prevalent in recurrent glioblastoma and associated with poorer prognosis. Comparative analysis of brain samples from patients with neurodegeneration and healthy older individuals revealed the specificity of MECCs for brain tumors. These findings suggest that MECCs are a unique and distinct cell population associated with aggressive brain tumors, which could potentially serve as targets for novel treatments.
Clinical Recognition of Frontotemporal Dementia with Right Temporal Predominance; Consensus Recommendations of the International Working Group
Authors: Ulugut Hulya , Younes Kyan , Montembeault Maxime , Bertoux Maxime , Irish Muireann , Kumfor Fiona , Fumagalli Giorgio G. , Samanci Bedia , Illán-Gala Ignacio , Thompson Jennifer C. , Santillo Alexander F , Englund Elisabet , Waldö Maria Landqvist , Riedl Lina , Van den Stock Jan , Vandenbulcke Mathieu , Vandenberghe Rik , Laforce Robert Jr , Ducharme Simon , Pressman Peter S. , Caramelli Paulo , de Souza Leonardo Cruz , Takada Leonel T. , Gurvit Hakan , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Galimberti Daniela , Pasquier Florence , Weintraub Sandra , Miller Bruce L. , Sturm Virginia E. , Whitwell Jennifer L. , Boeve Bradley , Rohrer Jonathan D. , Piguet Olivier , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Josephs Keith A. , Snowden Julie , Rowe James B. , Warren Jason D. , Rankin Katherine P. , Pijnenburg Yolande A.L. ,   International rtvFTD working group
Published: October 2024

Accurate diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with right anterior temporal lobe (RATL) predominance remains challenging due to lack of clinical characterization, and standardized terminology. The recent research of the International Working Group (IWG) identified common symptoms but also unveiled broad terminologies lacking precision and operationalization, with risk of misdiagnoses, inappropriate referrals and poor clinical management. Based on the published evidence (91267 articles screened) and expert opinion (105 FTD specialists across 52 centers), the IWG delineates three primary domains of impairment causing behavioral, memory and language problems: (i) multimodal knowledge of non-verbal information including people, living beings, landmarks, flavors/odors, sounds, bodily sensations, emotions and social cues; (ii) socioemotional behavior encompassing emotion expression, social response and motivation; and (iii) prioritization for focus on specific interests, hedonic valuation and personal preferences. This study establishes a consensus on clinical profile, phenotypic nomenclature, and future directions to enhance diagnostic precision and therapeutic interventions.
Naturalistic sleep tracking in a longitudinal cohort: how long is long enough?
Authors: Goparaju Balaji , de Palma Glen , Bianchi Matt T.
Published: October 2024

Background

Despite broad interest in the health implications of sleep duration, traditional measurements via polysomnography or actigraphy are often limited to one or a few nights per person. Given the potential variability of sleep duration over time, inferential uncertainty remains an important issue for relatively short observation windows.

Methods

We describe potential limitations of shorter duration sleep tracking by sub-sampling from longer-term observation windows, using a combined approach of simulated data from known distributions, in addition to real-world data (30-365 nights) from over 35,000 participants who provided informed consent to participate in the Apple Heart and Movement Study and elected to contribute sleep data to the study.

Results

Simulations demonstrate that the magnitude of deviation from truth, defined using all available observations per individual, as well as the presence and direction of bias, depended on the sub-sample size, the type of simulated distribution (Gaussian versus skewed), and the summary statistics of interest, such as central tendency (mean, median) and dispersion (standard deviation (SD), interquartile range). For example, the SD computed from n=7 observations from a simulated normal distribution (7+1 hours) showed a median 6.7% under-estimation bias (IQR 24% under- to 14.7% over-estimation). Real-world sleep duration data, when under-sampled and compared to longer observations within-participant, showed similar SD bias at 7 nights, and similar convergence rates approaching the true value (based on 90 nights) as longitdunal sample number increases. Shapiro-Wilk tests for normality and log-normality show that 64% of simulated log-normal (skew) distributions fail to reject normality at n=7 samples, while real-world sleep duration data most commonly failed both normality and log-normality tests. Finally, simulated cohorts with sleep durations of 7+1 hours mixed with a subset of 6+1 hours sleepers showed that a random single-night observation of “short sleep” (6 hours) is more likely from random variation of a 7-hour sleeper, than from an actual 6-hour sleeper. Extending the observation to n=7 nights mitigates this mis-classification risk.

Conclusion

The results of simulations and empiric data patterns suggests that longer duration tracking provides important and tangible benefits to reduce bias and uncertainty in sleep health research that historically relies on small observation windows.
Deep sleep homeostatic response to naturalistic sleep loss
Authors: Goparaju Balaji , Ravindran Sharon , Bianchi Matt T.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Investigations of sleep homeostasis often involve tightly controlled experimental sleep deprivation in service of understanding mechanistic physiology. The extent to which the deep sleep response to recent sleep loss occurs in naturalistic settings remains under-studied. We tested the hypothesis that a homeostatic increase in deep sleep occurs on the night following occasional short duration nights that arise in naturalistic settings.

Methods

We analyzed sleep staging data in participants who provided informed consent to participate in the Apple Heart and Movement Study and elected to contribute sleep data. The analysis group included n=44,564 participants with at least 30 nights of sleep staging data from Apple Watch, from November 2022 to May 2023, totaling over 5.3 million nights.

Results

Short nights of sleep that were >=2 hours shorter than each participant’s median sleep duration occurred at least once in 92.9% of the cohort, most often in isolation (<7% of instances were consecutive short nights), and with a median duration of just over 4 hours. We observed that the amount of deep sleep increased on the subsequent night in proportion to the amount of sleep loss on the preceding short night, in a dose response manner for short night definitions ranging from 30 minutes to >=3 hours below the within-participant median sleep duration. Focusing on short nights that were at least 2 hours below the median duration, we found that 58.8% of participants showed any increase in subsequent deep sleep, with a median increase of 12% (absolute increase of 5 minutes). In addition, the variability in deep sleep after short nights markedly increased in a dose response manner. The deep sleep homeostatic response showed little correlation to sleep duration, timing, consistency, or sleep stages, but was inversely correlated with deep sleep latency (Spearman R = -0.28).

Conclusion

The results provide evidence for homeostatic responses in a real-world setting. Although the deep sleep rebound amounts are modest, naturalistic short nights are a milder perturbation compared to experimental deprivation, and reactive behaviors potentially impacting sleep physiology are uncontrolled. The marked increase in variability of deep sleep amount after short nights may reflect unmeasured reactive behaviors such as caffeine or napping, which exert opposing pressures on deep sleep compared to the homeostat. The findings illustrate the utility of longitudinal sleep tracking to assess real-world correlates of sleep phenomenology established in controlled experimental settings.
Rewired gene interactions during development of serially homologous appendages in male and femaleDrosophila
Authors: Ridgway Amber M. , Figueras Jimenez Javier , Nunes Maria D. S. , McGregor Alistair P.
Published: October 2024

Drosophilagenitalia and legs are considered to be serially homologous appendages derived from a ventral appendage ‘ground state’ shaped by different Hox inputs. Despite their shared origin, there has been relatively little comparison between the downstream gene regulatory networks and how they may differently pattern and shape these appendages. In the pre-tarsal region of the developing leg and antennae ofDrosophila, a combination of the transcription factors C15, Lim1 homeobox 1 (Lim1), and Al (Aristaless) are required for the development of the leg tarsal claws and antennal aristae. However, the roles and interactions of these factors in genital development, and their relationship with other leg-patterning genes, remained unexplored. Here, we investigated the expression and function of C15, Lim1, and Al in the development of male and female terminalia (genitalia and analia). We found that C15 plays distinct roles in the different sexes, repressing male clasper bristle formation while promoting bristle development in the female epiproct. Notably, unlike in the antennal and leg discs, C15, Lim1, and Al are not all co-expressed in any anal or genital structures in either sex, indicating that the interactions among these factors have diverged across serially homologous appendages. Nevertheless, we inferred regulatory interactions between C15 and other factors, includingbric a brac 2andDistal-less,reflecting similarities between leg and genital development consistent with their homology. Finally, we identified a male-specific enhancer ofC15, likely regulated by the Hox geneAbdominal-B(Abd-B), which is active in male claspers but not in the female terminalia, legs or antennae. ThisC15enhancer modularity may underpin tissue-specific regulatory logic, presumably programmed by distinct Hox inputs such as Abd-B in the genitalia, and could contribute to the diversification of serially homologous ventral appendages.
In vivofunctional profiling and structural characterisation of the humanGlp1rA316T variant
Authors: Eid Liliane El , Deane-Alder Kieran , Rujan Roxana-Maria , Mariam Zamara , Oqua Affiong I. , Manchanda Yusman , Belousoff Matthew J. , Bernardino de la Serna Jorge , Sloop Kyle W. , Rutter Guy A. , Montoya Alex , Withers Dominic J. , Millership Steven J. , Bouzakri Karim , Jones Ben , Reynolds Christopher A. , Sexton Patrick M. , Wootten Denise , Deganutti Giuseppe , Tomas Alejandra
Published: October 2024

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective therapies for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, yet patient responses are variable. Variation in the humanGlp1rgene might be directly linked to therapeutic responses. A naturally occurring missense variant, A316T, protects against T2D and cardiovascular disease. Here, we have generated and characterised a humanGlp1rA316T mouse model. HumanGlp1rA316T/A316Tmice displayed lower fasting blood glucoseversuswildtype littermates, even under metabolic stress, and exhibited alterations in islet cytoarchitecture and α/β-cell identity under a high-fat, high-sucrose diet. This was however associated with blunted responses to GLP-1RAsin vivo. Further investigations in rodent and human β-cell models demonstrated that humanGlp1rA316T exhibits characteristics of constitutive activation but dampened GLP-1RA responses. Results are further supported by cryo-EM analyses and molecular dynamics simulations of GLP-1R A316T structure, collectively demonstrating that the A316T variant governs basal GLP-1R activity and pharmacological responses to GLP-1R-targeting therapies.

Teaser

TheGlp1rA316T missense variant displays improved glucose tolerance but impaired pharmacological incretin responsesin vivo.
An interkinetic envelope surrounds chromosomes between meiosis I and II in C. elegans oocytes
Authors: Mossadeq Layla El , Bellutti Laura , Borgne Rémi Le , Canman Julie C. , Pintard Lionel , Verbavatz Jean-Marc , Askjaer Peter , Dumont Julien
Published: October 2024

At the end of cell division, the nuclear envelope reassembles around the decondensing chromosomes. Female meiosis culminates in two consecutive cell divisions of the oocyte, meiosis I and II, which are separated by a brief transition phase known as interkinesis. Due to the absence of chromosome decondensation and the suppression of genome replication during interkinesis, it has been widely assumed that the nuclear envelope does not reassemble between meiosis I and II. By analyzing interkinesis inC. elegansoocytes, we instead show that an atypical structure made of two lipid bilayers, which we termed the interkinetic envelope, surrounds the surface of the segregating chromosomes. The interkinetic envelope shares common features with the nuclear envelope but also exhibits specific characteristics that distinguish it, including its lack of continuity with the endoplasmic reticulum, unique protein composition, assembly mechanism, and function in chromosome segregation. These distinct attributes collectively define the interkinetic envelope as a unique and specialized structure that has been previously overlooked.
High-risk human papillomavirus cervical infection prevalence in France, 2020-2023: a nationwide, large-scale, and spatially resolved retrospective study comparing opportunistic and organised screening
Authors: Supplisson Olivier , Tessandier Nicolas , Roussel Mathilde , Haim-Boukobza Stéphanie , Burrel Sonia , Sofonea Mircea T. , Alizon Samuel
Published: October 2024

Background

In France, cervical cancer screening for females aged 30 to 65 primarily targets high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections using DNA tests (‘HR HPV test’).

Aim

The primary goal was to map the prevalence of cervical infections caused by HPV16 and/or 18, or by any of 12 other carcinogenic genotypes (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68). The secondary goal was to compare prevalence estimates obtained from tests conducted after spontaneous medical visits (‘opportunistic screening’) or as part of the national screening programme (‘organised screening’).

Methods

The analytic sample contained 362,963 results of HR HPV tests collected, between 2020 and 2023, in metropolitan France. A full hierarchical Bayesian model was used to compute spatially resolved prevalence maps at the postcode level.

Results

Among samples from organised and opportunistic screening, 2.9% and 3.8% were positive for HPV16 and/or 18, respectively. For other genotypes, these percentages were 6.9% and 9.4%, respectively.

During the last week of the study period, among females aged 30, opportunistic screening was associated with a greater HPV infection prevalence for HPV16 and/or 18 (other genotypes) in 97.2 [72.9,100.0]% (99.9 [99.3,100.0]%) of postcodes. The probability of this percentage being lower among females aged 66 was below 95% for both genotype groups.

After correcting for this effect, a pronounced northwest/southeast gradient in HR HPV infection prevalence was found across France, for both genotype groups, with some hotspots located at the border with Spain and Italy and Switzerland.

Conclusion

Opportunistic screening is associated with systematic inflation in HR HPV infection prevalence.
Persistent financial adversity and cognitive ageing: A lifecourse investigation
Authors: Liu Yiwen , Wels Jacques , James Sarah-Naomi , Keuss Sarah E , Maddock Jane , Parker Thomas D , Stafford Jean , Schott Jonathan M , Richards Marcus , Patalay Praveetha
Published: October 2024

Background: Little is known about the effect of persistent financial adversity across adulthood on cognitive ageing, and whether these impacts vary based on sex, childhood socioeconomic circumstances (SEC) and genetic risk. Methods: Using data from the 1946 Birth cohort study (N=2,759), with extensive data spanning over 70 years, as well as an embedded neuroimaging study (Insight46, N=356-468), we examined the prospective association between financial adversity (low household income, financial hardships; 26-53 years) and cognitive ageing (cognitive performance at 53 years; decline between 53-69 years, modelled using latent growth curve model; neuroimaging measures of brain health between 69-74 years), and the moderating role of sex, childhood SEC and APOE-ɛ4. Covariates included sex at birth, childhood SEC, childhood cognition (8 years), symptoms of depression and anxiety (13-15 years), and educational attainment (26 years). Findings: Increased exposure to low household income as well as financial hardships was associated with lower processing speed (SE: -0.07 [95% CI: -0.13, -0.02], -0.05 [-0.11, -0.00], respectively) and verbal memory at age 53 (-0.16 [-0.21, -0.11], -0.10 [-0.15, -0.05] respectively). Increased exposure to financial adversity was also associated with slower verbal memory decline from 53 to 69 years, due to already lower baseline scores at 53 years. Persistent financial adversity was associated with greater ventricular volume at 69-71 years, and stronger associations between financial adversity and brain atrophy were found for males, those with lower childhood SEC, and APOE-ɛ4 carriers. APOE-ɛ4 carriers in particular were consistently more vulnerable to the effect of persistent financial adversity on brain atrophy. Interpretation: Persistent exposure to financial adversity influences cognitive performance by midlife and later-life brain atrophy, with impacts being larger for males, disadvantaged childhood SEC and individuals with greater genetic risk. These highlight the potential role of poverty reduction efforts in working-age adults for preventing dementia and promoting cognitive health in an ageing population.
Sec14L6 is a PS and PI4P transporter that promotes lipid droplet formation
Authors: Zhou Tiantian , Du Yuanjiao , Hu Xuewen , Ji Wei-Ke
Published: October 2024

Lipid droplets (LDs) are evolutionarily conserved organelles that are crucial for cellular metabolism. LD biogenesis and growth occurs in the ER and requires the supply of phospholipid from the ER, but the molecular basis is largely unclear. Here, we have identified Sec14L6, a unique protein of the Sec14 family, as a PS/PI4P transporter required for LD biogenesis. Sec14L6 knockout (KO) greatly reduces the number of LDs that can be rescued by wild-type rather than lipid transfer-defective Sec14L6 mutants. We found that Sec14L6 directly interacts with ACSL3, and that this interaction facilitates targeting of Sec14L6 to LDs and activates the PS transfer activity of Sec14L6in vitro. We also identified PGRMC1, an ER membrane protein, as an adaptor that recruits Sec14L6 to the ER. Furthermore, depletion of Sec14L6 impairs differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Together, our study suggests that Sec14L6 transports PS and/or PI4P between the ER and LDs to promote LD formation.
First observation of single photons in a CRESST detector and new dark matter exclusion limits
Authors: Angloher G. , Banik S. , Benato G. , Bento A. , Bertolini A. , Breier R. , Bucci C. , Burkhart J. , Canonica L. , D’Addabbo A. , Di Lorenzo S. , Einfalt L. , Erb A. , Feilitzsch F. v. , Fichtinger S. , Fuchs D. , Garai A. , Ghete V. M. , Gorla P. , Guillaumon P. V. , Gupta S. , Hauff D. , Ješkovský M. , Jochum J. , Kaznacheeva M. , Kinast A. , Kluck H. , Kraus H. , Kuckuk S. , Langenkämper A. , Mancuso M. , Marini L. , Mauri B. , Meyer L. , Mokina V. , Olmi M. , Ortmann T. , Pagliarone C. , Pattavina L. , Petricca F. , Potzel W. , Povinec P. , Pröbst F. , Pucci F. , Reindl F. , Rothe J. , Schäffner K. , Schieck J. , Schönert S. , Schwertner C. , Stahlberg M. , Stodolsky L. , Strandhagen C. , Strauss R. , Usherov I. , Wagner F. , Wagner V. , Zema V. ,   CRESST Collaboration
Published: October 2024

The main goal of the CRESST-III experiment is the direct detection of dark matter particles via their scattering off target nuclei in cryogenic detectors. In this work we present the results of a silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) detector with a mass of 0.6 g and an energy threshold of (6.7±0.2)  eV with a baseline energy resolution of (1.0±0.2)  eV. This allowed for a calibration via the detection of single luminescence photons in the eV-range, which could be observed in CRESST for the first time. We present new exclusion limits on the spin-independent and spin-dependent dark matter-nucleon cross section that extend to dark matter particle masses of less than 100  MeV/c2.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Interaction-Induced Crystalline Topology of Excitons
Authors: Davenport Henry , Knolle Johannes , Schindler Frank
Published: October 2024

We apply the topological theory of symmetry indicators to interaction-induced exciton band structures in centrosymmetric semiconductors. Crucially, we distinguish between the topological invariants inherited from the underlying electron and hole bands and those that are intrinsic to the exciton wave function itself. Focusing on the latter, we show that there exists a class of exciton bands for which the maximally localized exciton Wannier states are shifted with respect to the electronic Wannier states by a quantized amount; we call these excitons shift excitons. Our analysis explains how the exciton spectrum can be topologically nontrivial and sustain exciton edge states in open boundary conditions even when the underlying noninteracting bands have a trivial atomic limit. We demonstrate the presence of shift excitons as the lowest energy neutral excitations of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in its trivial phase when supplemented by local two-body interactions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Signatures of Structural Disorder in the Developing
Drosophila
Germband Epithelium
Authors: Cupo Christian , Allan Cole , Ailiani Vikram , Kasza Karen E.
Published: October 2024

Epithelial cells generate functional tissues in developing embryos through collective movements and shape changes. In some morphogenetic events, a tissue dramatically reorganizes its internal structure—often generating high degrees of structural disorder—to accomplish changes in tissue shape. However, the origins of structural disorder in epithelia and what roles it might play in morphogenesis are poorly understood. We study this question in the germband epithelium, which undergoes dramatic changes in internal structure as cell rearrangements drive elongation of the embryo body axis. Using two order parameters that quantify volumetric and shear disorder, we show that structural disorder increases during body axis elongation and is strongly linked with specific developmental processes. Both disorder metrics begin to increase around the onset of axis elongation, but then plateau at values that are maintained throughout the process. Notably, the disorder plateau values for volumetric disorder are similar to those for random cell packings, suggesting this may reflect a limit on tissue behavior. In mutant embryos with disrupted external stresses from the ventral furrow, both disorder metrics reach wild-type maximum disorder values with a delay, correlating with delays in cell rearrangements. In contrast, in mutants with disrupted internal stresses and cell rearrangements, volumetric disorder is reduced compared to wild type, and shear disorder depends on specific external stress patterns. Together, these findings demonstrate that internal and external stresses both contribute to epithelial tissue disorder and suggest that the maximum values of disorder in a developing tissue reflect physical or biological limits on morphogenesis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
An expert system based decision-making framework for benchmarking industry in sustainable manufacturing
Authors: Mandal Madhab Chandra , Mondal Nripen , Ray Amitava
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and enhance sustainable manufacturing practices across various industries, focusing on environmental, economic and social dimensions, to promote a comprehensive understanding and implementation of sustainability, thereby improving overall industry performance and fostering long-term ecological and economic health.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses multi-criteria decision-making-multivariate analysis technique to examine sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs) in the Indian manufacturing sector. It identifies 11 SMP criteria through literature review and expert recommendations. Data are collected through questionnaires, expert committees and interviews. The study focuses on four key industries: automobile, steel, textile and plastic. Techniques like principal component analysis (PCA), technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) are used to rank and assess performance.

Findings

The Indian automobile industry has shown the most effective SMPs compared to steel, textile and plastic sectors. The automobile sector is the benchmark for sustainable measures, emphasizing the importance of green practices for environmental, social and economic performance. Recommendations extend beyond the automobile sector to cement, electronics and construction.

Practical implications

The research emphasizes the importance of SMPs across various industries, focusing on economic, environmental and social considerations. It advocates for a holistic approach that enhances resource efficiency and minimizes ecological footprint.

Originality/value

The study uses ranking methods like PCA-integrated TOPSIS and COPRAS to evaluate performance in different industries, focusing on the benchmarked automobile sector. The research offers valuable insights and advocates for the widespread adoption of sustainable policies beyond the studied sectors.
Ethnic diversity on boards and its interaction with gender diversity: should they have any beneficial effects on HRM?
Authors: Li Ji , Jiang Wanxing , Liu Mengli , Huang Jun , Tao Xiaolong
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study deals with the issue of how ethnic diversity on boards in a given firm may influence its performance in human resource management (HRM). Moreover, the study also tests the interaction between ethnic diversity and gender diversity and examines their joint effect on HRM.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on prior research, we predict that, with increasing demographic diversity in organizations today, ethnic diversity on boards should have a positive effect on HRM. Moreover, gender diversity, as a most visible dimension of demographic diversity, should have both a direct positive effect and an indirect moderating effect on the relationship between ethnic diversity and HRM. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Our data analyses show empirical evidence supporting our predictions. First, our study shows that employer–employee relationship can be influenced by ethnic diversity on boards. Second, the foregoing analyses highlight the importance of considering the interaction between different dimensions of demographic diversity, such as that between ethnic and gender diversity. With a higher level of gender diversity on boards, the positive effect of ethnic diversity on HRM can become more salient.

Originality/value

This research tests the benefits of ethnic diversity on boards for improving firms’ performance in HRM, thus making a contribution by helping to understand the effects of ethnic diversity in a more comprehensive way. We also document the beneficial moderating effects of gender diversity on boards for the first time.
Towards sustainable development: financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment in India
Authors: Showkat Mohsin , Nagina Razia , Nori Usha
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between financial inclusion and economic empowerment of women, recognising that empowering women is not just an issue of equity and fairness but also an essential prerequisite for achieving sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a survey method to gather data from the female population in northern India. The quantitative analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling with Smart PLS 4 software, based on the theoretical framework of economic empowerment theory.

Findings

The results demonstrated a notable association between financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment. The presence of active participation in financial services appears to contribute significantly to variations in women’s earnings, savings and accumulation of assets.

Originality/value

This study contributes to guiding development agencies and policymakers by highlighting the importance of expanding financial services tailored to women and advocating inclusive banking.
Calibration of a dual-robot collaborative system for drilling tasks on spacecraft core cabins
Authors: Lu Xiaoyu , Tian Wei , Lu Xingdao , Li Bo , Liao Wenhe
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to propose a calibration method to enhance the positioning accuracy in dual-robot collaborative operations, aiming to address the challenge of drilling hole spacing errors in spacecraft core cabin brackets that require an accuracy of less than 0.5 mm.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, the cooperative error of dual robots is defined. Subsequently, an integrated model is constructed that encompasses the kinematic model errors of the dual robots, as well as the establishment errors of the base and tool frames. A calibration method for optimizing the cooperative accuracy of dual robots is proposed.

Findings

The application of the proposed method satisfies the collaborative drilling requirements for the spacecraft core cabin. The average cooperative positioning error of the dual robots was reduced from 0.507 to 0.156 mm, with the maximum value and standard deviation decreasing from 1.020 and 0.202 mm to 0.603 and 0.097 mm, respectively. Drilling experiments conducted on a core cabin simulator demonstrated that after calibration, the maximum hole spacing error was reduced from 1.219 to 0.403 mm, with all spacing errors falling below the 0.5 mm threshold, thus meeting the requirements.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the drilling accuracy requirements for spacecraft core cabins by using a calibration method to reduce the cooperative error of dual robots. The algorithm has been validated through experiments using ER 220 robots, confirming its effectiveness in fulfilling the drilling task requirements.
Climate risk perception and corporate ESG performance: evidence from China
Authors: Li Menghan
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study examines the impact of climate risk perception on corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance from a microfirm perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of Chinese listed companies from 2009 to 2021, we constructed corporate climate risk perception indicators based on the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in the annual reports of the companies, and analyzed it using ordinary least squares regression.

Findings

The results show that climate risk perception improves corporate ESG performance by encouraging green innovation. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that the greater the magnitude of climate risk shocks to the firms, the stronger the risk coping ability and the weaker the environmental regulation, the more pronounced the improvement of climate risk perception on corporate ESG performance. Furthermore, economic consequence analysis shows that the enhancement effect of climate risk perception on corporate ESG performance contributes to increasing corporate value.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes the significance of corporate climate risk perception in enhancing ESG performance. It provides a theoretical basis for enterprises to respond to climate risk and sustainable development.