bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cytoplasmic tail of the mechanosensitive channel Pkd2 regulates its internalization and clustering in eisosomes
Authors: Malla Mamata , Sinha Debatrayee , Chowdhury Pritha , Bisesi Benjamin Thomas , Chen Qian
Published: June 2023

Polycystins are a family of conserved ion channels, mutations of which lead to one of the most common human genetic disorders, namely, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Schizosacchromyces pombe possesses an essential polycystin homologue, Pkd2, which directs Ca2+ influx on the cell surface in response to membrane tension, but its structure remains unsolved. Here, we analyzed the structure–function relationship of Pkd2 based on its AlphaFold-predicted structure. Pkd2 consists of three domains, the extracellular lipid-binding domain (LBD), nine-helix transmembrane domain (TMD) and C-terminal cytoplasmic domain (CCD). Our genetic and microscopy data revealed that LBD and TMD are essential for targeting Pkd2 to the plasma membrane from the endoplasmic reticulum. In comparison, CCD ensures the polarized distribution of Pkd2 by promoting its internalization and preventing its clustering in the eisosome, a caveolae-like membrane compartment. The domains of Pkd2 and their functions are conserved in other fission yeast species. We conclude that both extracellular and cytoplasmic domains of Pkd2 are crucial for its intracellular trafficking and function. We propose that mechanosensitive channels can be desensitized through either internalization or clustering in low-tension membrane compartments.
Case Report: Right atrial organized thrombus three years after tricuspid annuloplasty
Authors: Abbass Mohannad , Mariani Silvia , Musa Sami , Erba Nicoletta , Masini Franco , Lentini Salvatore
Published: June 2023

Background: Occurrence of right atrial masses, especially in patients with history of cardiac surgery, is rare. Differential diagnosis between malignant and non-malignant aetiologies might be cumbersome, and surgery is often required to prevent complications or disease evolution.

Case: We report the case of a 16-year-old girl from a rural area of Sudan, who underwent surgery for a modified De Vega’s tricuspid annuloplasty, and mitral and aortic valve replacement with mechanical prostheses. The patient was on regular follow-up but demonstrated a poor compliance to anticoagulation therapy with a time in therapeutic range between 52% and 20%. She remained asymptomatic, but a right atrial mass was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography during a follow-up visit 41 months after the first operation. Surgical removal of the mass revealed an organized thrombus arising from the point where the Prolene stitches for the tricuspid annuloplasty were previously passed. The patient recovered from surgery, was discharged home on post-operative day 10 and the first follow-up visit at 30 days after discharge confirmed a good clinical status and a normal transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Conclusions: This case report describes the diagnostic and therapeutic work-out of a thrombus formation on the suture lines of a tricuspid annuloplasty. Moreover, it highlights the importance of a strict and long follow-up after valvular surgery and of the adherence to anticoagulation therapy, especially for patients living in rural areas of developing countries.
What’s all the chatter about?
Authors: Kunze Kyle N. , Jang Seong J. , Fullerton Mark A. , Vigdorchik Jonathan M. , Haddad Fares S.
Published: June 2023

The OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) application that uses state-of-the-art language processing AI. It can perform a vast number of tasks, from writing poetry and explaining complex quantum mechanics, to translating language and writing research articles with a human-like understanding and legitimacy. Since its initial release to the public in November 2022, ChatGPT has garnered considerable attention due to its ability to mimic the patterns of human language, and it has attracted billion-dollar investments from Microsoft and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The scope of ChatGPT and other large language models appears infinite, but there are several important limitations. This editorial provides an introduction to the basic functionality of ChatGPT and other large language models, their current applications and limitations, and the associated implications for clinical practice and research.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(6):587–589.
Prediction of suitable outpatient candidates following revision total knee arthroplasty using machine learning
Authors: Yeramosu Teja , Ahmad Waleed , Satpathy Jibanananda , Farrar Jacob M. , Golladay Gregory J. , Patel Nirav K.
Published: June 2023

Aims

To identify variables independently associated with same-day discharge (SDD) of patients following revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) and to develop machine learning algorithms to predict suitable candidates for outpatient rTKA.

Methods

Data were obtained from the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Programme (ACS-NSQIP) database from the years 2018 to 2020. Patients with elective, unilateral rTKA procedures and a total hospital length of stay between zero and four days were included. Demographic, preoperative, and intraoperative variables were analyzed. A multivariable logistic regression (MLR) model and various machine learning techniques were compared using area under the curve (AUC), calibration, and decision curve analysis. Important and significant variables were identified from the models.

Results

Of the 5,600 patients included in this study, 342 (6.1%) underwent SDD. The random forest (RF) model performed the best overall, with an internally validated AUC of 0.810. The ten crucial factors favoring SDD in the RF model include operating time, anaesthesia type, age, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, race, history of diabetes, rTKA type, sex, and smoking status. Eight of these variables were also found to be significant in the MLR model.

Conclusion

The RF model displayed excellent accuracy and identified clinically important variables for determining candidates for SDD following rTKA. Machine learning techniques such as RF will allow clinicians to accurately risk-stratify their patients preoperatively, in order to optimize resources and improve patient outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(6):399–407.
Reflexiones necesarias sobre seguridad alimentaria en Cuba
Authors: Anaya Cruz Betsy , García Álvarez Anicia
Published: June 2023

Cuba exhibits average indicators of apparent daily food consumption that exceed the daily nutritional recommendations. However, this consumption depends to a large extent on food imports, since policy efforts to reactivate the agricultural sector have not yet resulted in increases in domestic production. This situation has worsened in recent years, marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and the tightening of the U.S. blockade. As a result, there is evidence of a contraction in the availability of food as a result of decreases in domestic production and imports. This, together with other factors, makes access to food more difficult. Moreover, spending on food continues to be the most important part of household spending, limiting the possibilities for other equally important consumption. This article examines in greater depth the problems faced by Cuban families in achieving food security in the current context.
Enhanced 3D visualization of human fallopian tube morphology using a miniature optical coherence tomography catheter
Authors: Luo Hongbo , Li Shuying , Kou Sitai , Lin Yixiao , Hagemann Ian S. , Zhu Quing
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate the use of our miniature optical coherence tomography catheter to acquire three-dimensional human fallopian tube images. Images of the fallopian tube’s tissue morphology, vasculature, and tissue heterogeneity distribution are enhanced by adaptive thresholding, masking, and intensity inverting, making it easier to differentiate malignant tissue from normal tissue. The results show that normal fallopian tubes tend to have rich vasculature accompanied by a patterned tissue scattering background, features that do not appear in malignant cases. This finding suggests that miniature OCT catheters may have great potential for fast optical biopsy of the fallopian tube.
Non-iterative phase tilt interferometry for the tilt shift calculation and phase extraction
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zheng Donghui , Chen Lei , Hu Chenhui , Ma Zhiyao
Published: June 2023

This study proposed a non-iterative phase tilt interferometry (NIPTI) for the tilt shift calculation and phase extraction, which can solve the random tilt-shift problem caused by external vibration. The method approximates the higher order terms of the phase to make it suitable for linear fitting. Then according to an estimated tilt, the accurate tilt shift can be obtained by least squares method without iteration, and the phase distribution can be calculated by it. The simulation results indicated that the root mean square error of the phase calculated by the NIPTI can reach up to 0.0002λ. The experimental results showed that the calculated phase exhibited no significant ripple when using the NIPTI for cavity measurements in a time-domain phase shift Fizeau interferometer. Moreover, the root mean square repeatability of the calculated phase reached up to 0.0006λ. It indicates that the NIPTI provides an efficient and high-precision solution for random tilt-shift interferometry under vibration.
Slow light by dual-periodic self-similar dielectric multilayered films
Authors: Ropač Peter , Mur Urban , Ravnik Miha
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate the emergence of slow-light in dual-periodic dielectric one-dimensional photonic crystals with self-similar features at different length scales. Specifically, using numerical modelling, we explore self-similar photonic crystals which are formed as effective combinations of dual periodic stacks of dielectric layers and show that the emergent photonic band diagram can be widely designed by different structural parameters. The width and the position of bandgaps can be designed to work over a wide range of bands and frequencies. The proposed design also leads to the emergence of flat bands and major slow-light regimes, with possible group refractive index of light as large as 103 and in a range of bands.
Secure key distribution based on the polarization reciprocity of fiber and a coherent reception architecture
Authors: Qiu Taihan , Shao Weidong , Deng Lei , Yang Qi , Liu Deming , Yu Yongqin , Gao Xiaojing , Cheng Mengfan
Published: June 2023

Secure key distribution (SKD) schemes based on the interaction between a broadband chaotic source and the reciprocity of a fiber channel exhibit reliable security and a high key generation rate (KGR). However, under the intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) architecture, these SKD schemes cannot achieve a long distribution distance due to the limitations on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the receiver’s sensitivity. Here, based on the advantage of the high sensitivity of coherent reception, we design a coherent-SKD structure where orthogonal polarization states are locally modulated by a broadband chaotic signal and the single-frequency local oscillator (LO) light is transmitted bidirectionally in the optical fiber. The proposed structure not only utilizes the polarization reciprocity of optical fiber but also largely eliminates the non-reciprocity factor, which can effectively extend the distribution distance. The experiment realized an error-free SKD with a transmission distance of 50 km and a KGR of 1.85 Gbit/s.
Topological spatial differentiation via complex amplitude filtering in Fourier space
Authors: Yan Ding , Qi Tong , Liu Tingting , Chen Yizhe , Gao Wei
Published: June 2023

Various approaches to implementing optical analog differentiation have been studied extensively and applied in edge-based image processing. Here, we report a topological optical differentiation scheme based on complex amplitude filtering, i.e., amplitude and spiral phase modulation in Fourier space. The isotropic and anisotropic multiple-order differentiation operations are demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. Meanwhile, we also achieve multiline edge detection corresponding to the differential order for the amplitude and phase objects. This proof-of-principle work could open up new avenues for engineering a nanophotonic differentiator and realizing a more compact image-processing system.
Single-shot quantitative differential phase contrast imaging combined with programmable polarization multiplexing illumination
Authors: Liu Siying , Zheng Chuanjian , Hao Qun , Li Xin , Zhang Shaohui
Published: June 2023

We propose a single-shot quantitative differential phase contrast method with polarization multiplexing illumination. In the illumination module of our system, a programmable LED array is divided into four quadrants and covered with polarizing films of four different polarization angles. We use a polarization camera with polarizers before the pixels in the imaging module. By matching the polarization angle between the polarizing films over the custom LED array and the polarizers in the camera, two sets of asymmetric illumination acquisition images can be calculated from a single-shot acquisition image. Combined with the phase transfer function, we can calculate the quantitative phase of the sample. We present the design, implementation, and experimental image data demonstrating the ability of our method to obtain quantitative phase images of a phase resolution target, as well as Hela cells.
Reducing the refractive index by replacing an [AlPO4]° unit with [BPO4]° in fused silica: comment
Authors: Ballato J. , Meehan B. , Hawkins T. W. , Dragic P. D.
Published: June 2023

Recent computational models led to the conclusion that replacing AlPO4 with BPO4 when doped into SiO­2 results in a lower refractive index of the subsequent glass [Opt. Mater. Express 13(4), 935 (2023)10.1364/OME.485138]. This finding is conceptually important since there is always value in having a greater diversity of dopant systems by which to tailor the refractive index profile of silica fibers, not to mention their spectroscopic and other properties. This is especially the case for high energy laser fibers, which are quite highly modified from a compositional perspective relative to telecom fibers. However, as this Comment shows, experimental results on the BPO4-SiO2 join, dating back nearly 75 years, clearly refute the theoretical predictions. Also refuted are the computed values and trends along the AlPO4-SiO2 join, a very important material system for laser fibers.
System analysis of a common-path heterodyne polarimeter
Authors: Chiu Ming-Hung , Lin Jun-Wei
Published: June 2023

We proposed a polarimeter combining the common-path heterodyne interferometry (CPHI) with a half-wave plate. When the azimuth of the wave plate is at 22.5 degrees, it has the best resolution for optical rotation (OR) measurement. The purpose of this paper is to analyze all possible sources of error in the system. The retardation closer to the true half wavelength, the higher the resolution will be. A large phase change of the test signal relative to the reference signal can be found by a lock-in amplifier. The system phase error is approximately 0.06∘. The accuracy of optical rotation is 1.0 × 10−3 degrees for the phase retardation is 178.08∘. The concentration resolution can reach 1.6×10−3[gdl] for fructose solutions. The magnitude of the phase error depends on the stability of the optical system and whether the two interfering lights coincide exactly. If the phase error can be reduced to 0.01∘, the resolution of OR can be increased to 1.3×10−4∘.
Waveform and frequency evolution of spatially resolved terahertz radiation along two-color filament in air
Authors: Wang Tie-Jun , long juan , YIN FUKANG , Liu Yao , Wei Yingxia , Liu Chengpu , Leng Yuxin , Li Ruxin , Chin See
Published: May 2023

The evolution of THz waveform and frequency generated from the two-color air filament was experimentally investigated by moving an iris along the filament. With the increase of the filament length, the peak-to-peak amplitude of THz signal existed an oscillating behavior which is attributed to the relative phase between the two-color laser pulses and the coherent interference of all local sources along the effective filament. By taking the differentiation of the measured THz waveforms, the spatially resolved THz waves were obtained. Two longitudinal positions along the filament were found where the local THz pulse undergoes a remarkable phase shift. Theoretical deduction indicates that the phase shift are caused by the dispersion and Gouy phase in the filament. Through longitudinal resolved THz time domain spectroscopy along two-color laser filament, an electron density peak around geometrical focus was observed.
High-power distributed feedback lasers based on InP corrugated sidewalls at λ∼2  μm
Authors: Sun Yongqiang , Xu Yunfei , Zhang Jinchuan , Chen Fengmin , Liu Junqi , Liu Shuman , Lu Quanyong , Zhuo Ning , Wang Lijun , Liu Fengqi , Zhai Shenqiang
Published: May 2023

We report a high-power single-mode InP-based 2 μm distributed feedback (DFB) laser with a second-order buried grating and corrugated sidewalls. A second-order semiconductor grating is used for in-plane feedback and vertical out-coupling. The corrugated sidewalls are used to eliminate higher-order transverse modes. For the DFB laser with a 2 mm long cavity and 15 μm wide ridge, the maximum continuous-wave edge-emitting and surface-emitting single-mode powers at 300 K are up to 81 and 42 mW, respectively. A single-lobed far-field radiation pattern with a low divergence angle of approximately 8.6° is achieved by a device with a ridge width of 15 μm. The single-longitudinal-mode emission wavelength of the fabricated laser can be adjusted from 2003.8 nm at 288 K to 2006.9 nm at 313 K without any mode hopping. Robust single-mode emission with a side-mode suppression ratio of 30 dB is achieved under all injection currents and temperature conditions.
Noise canceled graphene-microcavity fiber laser sensor for ultrasensitive gas detection
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Li Yiwei , Li Yicheng , Zhang Hao , Liu Zihan , Guo Yanhong , Wang Zeping , He Jun , Guo Xuhan , Wang Yiping , Yao Baicheng
Published: May 2023

Optical microcavities offer a promising platform for highly efficient light–matter interactions. Recently, the combination of microresonators and 2D materials in the nanoscale has further enriched the optoelectronics of microcavity geometries, spurring broad advances including lasers, nonlinear converters, modulators, and sensors. Here, we report the concept of compact dual-laser cogeneration in a graphene-microcavity fiber, which offers a way to cancel the optical common mode noises. Driven by a single 980 nm pump, orthogonally polarized laser lines are generated in a pair of degeneracy breaking modes. The two laser lines produce a heterodyne beat note at 118.96 MHz, with frequency noise down to 200  Hz2/Hz at 1 MHz offset, demonstrating a linewidth of 930 Hz in vacuum. This compact device enables on-line and label-free NH3 gas detection with high resolution, realizing a detection limit on a single pmol/L level, and a capability to quantitatively trace gas–graphene interactions. Such a combination of graphene optoelectronics and microcavity photonics demonstrates a novel physical paradigm for microlaser control and offers a new scheme for in situ chemical sensing.
Humans decompose tasks by trading off utility and computational cost
Authors: Correa Carlos G. , Ho Mark K. , Callaway Frederick , Daw Nathaniel D. , Griffiths Thomas L.
Published: June 2023

Human behavior emerges from planning over elaborate decompositions of tasks into goals, subgoals, and low-level actions. How are these decompositions created and used? Here, we propose and evaluate a normative framework for task decomposition based on the simple idea that people decompose tasks to reduce the overall cost of planning while maintaining task performance. Analyzing 11,117 distinct graph-structured planning tasks, we find that our framework justifies several existing heuristics for task decomposition and makes predictions that can be distinguished from two alternative normative accounts. We report a behavioral study of task decomposition (N = 806) that uses 30 randomly sampled graphs, a larger and more diverse set than that of any previous behavioral study on this topic. We find that human responses are more consistent with our framework for task decomposition than alternative normative accounts and are most consistent with a heuristic—betweenness centrality—that is justified by our approach. Taken together, our results suggest the computational cost of planning is a key principle guiding the intelligent structuring of goal-directed behavior.
Population pharmacokinetic model of ivermectin in mass drug administration against lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Alshehri Abdullah , Chhonker Yashpal S. , Bala Veenu , Edi Constant , Bjerum Catherine M. , Koudou Benjamin G. , John Lucy N. , Mitjà Oriol , Marks Michael , King Christopher L. , Murry Daryl J.
Published: June 2023

Background

Ivermectin (IVM) is a broad–spectrum anthelmintic drug used to treat diseases caused by filarial worms, such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF). IVM is part of a triple–drug therapy used by the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) as a preventive strategy to eradicate LF in sub–Saharan Africa. The drug shows high variability in drug exposure in previous pharmacokinetic studies. This study aims to build a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model to identify and quantify the possible sources of the variability of IVM exposure after a single–oral dose in LF–infected subjects and healthy individuals.

Methodology / Principal findings

In this analysis, 724 samples were collected from treatment–naïve Wuchereria bancrofti–infected (n = 32) and uninfected (n = 24) adults living in Côte d’Ivoire who had received one dose of IVM as a part of triple–drug therapy. PopPK analysis was conducted using Phoenix NLME 8.3 software. The Monte Carlo simulation based on the final model was performed to simulate drug exposure among different dosing groups (200 μg/kg, 18 mg, and 36 mg). A two–compartment model with zero–order dose input into the absorption compartment with a lag time function followed by first–order absorption and linear elimination best described the IVM’s pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. The final model identifies that the PK parameters of IVM are not affected by LF infection. Sex was a significant covariate on the peripheral volume of distribution (Vp/F, 53% lower in men than in women). IVM drug exposure shows linear pharmacokinetic behavior among the simulated dosing groups with similar drug exposure based on sex.

Conclusion/Significance

We have developed a PopPk model to describe and identify possible sources of the variability of IVM exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first PopPK study of IVM in patients with LF.

Trial registration

NCT02845713; NCT03664063
Humoral immunogenicity of a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) DNA vaccine in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) delivered using needle-free jet injection
Authors: Jay Alexandra , Kwilas Steven A. , Josleyn Matthew , Ricks Keersten , Hooper Jay W.
Published: May 2023

A SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine targeting the spike protein and delivered by jet injection, nCOV-S(JET), previously shown to protect wild-type and immunosuppressed Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), was evaluated via two needle-free delivery methods in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). The methods included intramuscular delivery of 2 mg per vaccination with the PharmaJet Stratis device and intradermal delivery of 0.4 mg per vaccination with the PharmaJet Tropis device. We hypothesized that the nCOV-S(JET) vaccine would mount detectable neutralizing antibody responses when delivered by needle-free jet injection by either the intradermal or intramuscular route. When delivered intramuscularly, the vaccines elicited neutralizing and variant (Beta, Gamma, and Delta) cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in all six animals after three vaccinations. The neutralizing response to Omicron was lower with only 4 of 6 animals responding. When delivered at a lower dose by the intradermal route, strong neutralizing antibody responses were only detected in two of six animals. This study confirms that a vaccine previously shown to protect in a hamster model can elicit neutralizing and cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in nonhuman primates. We posit that nCOV-S(JET) has the potential for use as booster vaccine in heterologous vaccination strategies against COVID-19.
Meta-evaluation of a whole systems programme, ActEarly: A study protocol
Authors: Mansukoski Liina , Lockyer Bridget , Creaser Amy , Sheringham Jessica , Sheard Laura , Garnett Philip , Yang Tiffany , Cookson Richard , Albert Alexandra , Islam Shahid , Shore Robert , Khan Aiysha , Twite Simon , Dawson Tania , Iqbal Halima , Skarda Ieva , Villadsen Aase , Asaria Miqdad , West Jane , Sheldon Trevor , Wright John , Bryant Maria
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Living in an area with high levels of child poverty predisposes children to poorer mental and physical health. ActEarly is a 5-year research programme that comprises a large number of interventions (>20) with citizen science and co-production embedded. It aims to improve the health and well-being of children and families living in two areas of the UK with high levels of deprivation; Bradford in West Yorkshire, and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This protocol outlines the meta-evaluation (an evaluation of evaluations) of the ActEarly programme from a systems perspective, where individual interventions are viewed as events in the wider policy system across the two geographical areas. It includes investigating the programme’s impact on early life health and well-being outcomes, interdisciplinary prevention research collaboration and capacity building, and local and national decision making.

Methods

The ActEarly meta-evaluation will follow and adapt the five iterative stages of the ‘Evaluation of Programmes in Complex Adaptive Systems’ (ENCOMPASS) framework for evaluation of public health programmes in complex adaptive systems. Theory-based and mixed-methods approaches will be used to investigate the fidelity of the ActEarly research programme, and whether, why and how ActEarly contributes to changes in the policy system, and whether alternative explanations can be ruled out. Ripple effects and systems mapping will be used to explore the relationships between interventions and their outcomes, and the degree to which the ActEarly programme encouraged interdisciplinary and prevention research collaboration as intended. A computer simulation model (“LifeSim”) will also be used to evaluate the scale of the potential long-term benefits of cross-sectoral action to tackle the financial, educational and health disadvantages faced by children in Bradford and Tower Hamlets. Together, these approaches will be used to evaluate ActEarly’s dynamic programme outputs at different system levels and measure the programme’s system changes on early life health and well-being.

Discussion

This meta-evaluation protocol presents our plans for using and adapting the ENCOMPASS framework to evaluate the system-wide impact of the early life health and well-being programme, ActEarly. Due to the collaborative and non-linear nature of the work, we reserve the option to change and query some of our evaluation choices based on the feedback we receive from stakeholders to ensure that our evaluation remains relevant and fit for purpose.
Stock price crash risk and military connected board: Evidence from Thailand
Authors: Treepongkaruna Sirimon , Chatjuthamard Pattanaporn , Leemakdej Arnat
Published: June 2023

Based on the agency and stakeholder theories, effective boards, acting as an internal governance mechanism, reduce agency costs. This paper asks whether military connected boards represent a good governance tool by exploring how military connected boards affect stock price crash risk. Using instrumental variable analysis, we document that firms with military connected boards have lower risk of stock price crashes. Our findings are unlikely to have endogeneity concerns and shed light on the role of military connected boards as an effective internal governance tool. Consistent with the conservatism hypothesis and stakeholder theory, by being transparent about firm-specific bad news, military connected boards could effectively monitor managers to ensure they act on all stakeholders’ interests.
Role of wearable devices in cardiac telerehabilitation: A scoping review
Authors: Jones Alexis K. , Yan Crystal Lihong , Rivera Rodriquez Beatriz P. , Kaur Sukhpreet , Andrade-Bucknor Sharon
Published: May 2023

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based comprehensive program that includes exercise training, health education, physical activity promotion, and extensive counseling for the management of cardiovascular risk factors. Wearable devices monitor certain physiological functions, providing biometric data such as heart rate, movement, sleep, ECG analysis, blood pressure, energy expenditure, and numerous other parameters. Recent evidence supports wearable devices as a likely relevant component in cardiovascular risk assessment and disease prevention. The purpose of this scoping review is to better understand the role of wearable devices in home-based CR (HBCR) and to characterize the evidence regarding the incorporation of wearable devices in HBCR programs and cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods & findings

We created a search strategy for multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL (Ebsco), Cochrane CENTRAL (Wiley), and Scopus (Elsevier). Studies were included if the patients were eligible for CR per Medicare guidelines and >18 years of age and if some type of wearable device was utilized during HBCR. Our search yielded 57 studies meeting all criteria. The studies were classified into 4 groups: patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) without heart failure (HF); patients with HF; patients with heart valve repair or replacement; and patients with exposure to center-based CR. In three groups, there was an upward trend toward improvement in quality of life (QOL) and peak VO2, less sedentary time, and an increase in daily step count in the intervention groups compared to control groups.

Conclusions

HBCR using wearable devices can be a comparable alternative or adjunct to center-based CR for patients with CHD and HF. More studies are needed to draw conclusions about the comparability of HBCR to center-based CR in patients with heart valve repair or replacement.
Survival outcomes among patients with multiple myeloma in the era of novel agents: exploratory assessment using an electronic medical record database in Japan
Authors: Uno Shuji , Midorikawa Shuichi , Inoue Kei , Ichikawa Daisuke , Ito Tomoki , Kuroda Junya , Suzuki Kenshi
Published: May 2023

Despite recent advances in the range of therapies available for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), there are limited data surrounding survival outcomes and baseline characteristics influencing survival in general clinical practice in Japan. The aim of this study was to use electronic medical records (EMRs) to examine overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors in Japanese patients with MM. We extracted EMRs in the Real World Data (RWD) database of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MM and treatment history with bortezomib, thalidomide, and/or lenalidomide. OS and prognostic factors for OS were analyzed using a univariate analysis and decision tree model. Of the 6509 patients in the database with a diagnosis of MM, 1565 were eligible. Patients had a median (range) age of 72 (23–92) years, a median OS of 53.5 months, and a 5-year OS rate of 45.6%. In alignment with previous studies, International Staging System stage and age were prognostic of OS. In addition, platelet and erythrocyte counts, chloride, total protein, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase levels were identified as important prognostic factors for OS and were used to pilot a simple prognostic tool. In conclusion, we found that the survival outcomes extracted from EMRs in the RWD of Japanese patients with MM aligned with a previous retrospective study from Japan. Baseline laboratory parameters prognostic for OS were explored with additional factors to International Staging System and age identified. These might be used to optimize treatment selection, although further investigation using additional data sources is required.
Trends in prevalence and determinants of severe and moderate anaemia among women of reproductive age during the last 15 years in India
Authors: Sappani Marimuthu , Mani Thenmozhi , Asirvatham Edwin Sam , Joy Melvin , Babu Malavika , Jeyaseelan Lakshmanan
Published: June 2023

Background

Anaemia is a serious global public health problem that disproportionally affects children, adolescent girls, and women of reproductive age, especially pregnant women. Women of reproductive age are more vulnerable to anaemia, particularly severe and moderate anaemia leads to adverse outcomes among pregnant women. Despite continuous Government efforts, anaemia burden still poses a serious challenge in India. The objective of this study is to assess the trends in prevalence and determinants of severe and moderate anaemia among women of reproductive age between 15 and 49 years.

Method

We used three rounds of the large-scale National Family Health Survey (NFHS) India, conducted on a representative sample of households using a cross-sectional design across the country in 2005–06, 2015–16 and 2019–2021. We included all the women aged 15 to 49 years in our analysis. We used the same haemoglobin (Hb) cut-off values for all the three rounds of surveys to ensure comparability. Generalized linear regression analyses with log link were done. Survey weights were incorporated in the analysis.

Results

The prevalence of severe or moderate Anaemia (SMA) in non-pregnant women was 14.20%, 12.43% and 13.98%; it was 31.11%, 25.98% and 26.66% for pregnant women in 2006, 2016 and 2021 respectively. The decline in SMA prevalence was 1.54% in non-pregnant women, whereas it was 14.30% in pregnant women in 15 years. Women who were poor, and without any formal education had a higher risk for severe and moderate Anaemia.

Conclusion

Despite the intensive anaemia control program in India, SMA has not declined appreciably in non-pregnant women during the last two decades. Despite the decline, the prevalence of SMA was about 26% in pregnant women which calls for a comprehensive review of the existing anaemia control programmes and there must be targeted programmes for the most vulnerable and high-risk women such as rural, poor and illiterate women of reproductive age to reduce the burden of anaemia among them.
Histological comparison of the lamellar tissue of Iberian origin breed horses created in semi-feral conditions or in an intensive system
Authors: Malacarne Bruno Dondoni , Martins Rodrigo Ribeiro , Paz Cahuê Francisco Rosa , Alves João Victor Almeida , Dias Lucas Antunes , Cavalcante Marina Alcantara , Santos Alison Miranda , Silva André Guimarães Maciel , Leise Britta Sigrid , Carvalho Armando Mattos , Faleiros Rafael Resende
Published: June 2023

Although the external conformation of wild horse hooves has been proposed as an ideal model for domesticated modern horses, histological signs of laminitis have been reported among them. With the hypothesis that the lamellar tissue of horses of Iberian origin raised in semi-feral is healthier than those raised in an intensive management system (stall confinement and high-calorie diet intake), the objective was to compare their lamellar tissues. Lamellar tissue samples were taken from the forelimb hoof of eight domesticated Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horses and from six semi-feral Marajoara (MJ) and Puruca (MP) horses. Primary epidermal lamella (PEL) and secondary epidermal lamella (SEL) were measured (length and width) in several regions, and their shapes were morphologically classified into different types. Breed groups were compared using analysis of variance, followed by Tukey or Dunn tests (P<0.05). Early signs of laminitis such as abnormal keratinization of the abaxial primary dermal lamella, tapered tips of the axial PELs, pointed tips of the SEL, nuclei condensation, and abnormal spatial orientation of the secondary epidermal basal cells (SELBC), were seen only in MM horses. MP horses had a greater interface of epidermis/dermis contact than MJ horses and more rounded nuclei in the round SELBC than MM horses. In agreement with the study hypothesis, semi-feral MJ and MP horses’ lamellae were classified as healthier than MM horses, which showed early signs of endocrinopathic laminitis.
An essential role for an Fe-S cluster protein in the cytochrome c oxidase complex of Toxoplasma parasites
Authors: Leonard Rachel A. , Tian Yuan , Tan Feng , van Dooren Giel G. , Hayward Jenni A.
Published: June 2023

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) of apicomplexan parasites differs considerably from the ETC of the animals that these parasites infect, and is the target of numerous anti-parasitic drugs. The cytochrome c oxidase complex (Complex IV) of the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii ETC is more than twice the mass and contains subunits not found in human Complex IV, including a 13 kDa protein termed TgApiCox13. TgApiCox13 is homologous to a human iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster-containing protein called the mitochondrial inner NEET protein (HsMiNT) which is not a component of Complex IV in humans. Here, we establish that TgApiCox13 is a critical component of Complex IV in T. gondii, required for complex activity and stability. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TgApiCox13, like its human homolog, binds two Fe-S clusters. We show that the Fe-S clusters of TgApiCox13 are critical for ETC function, having an essential role in mediating Complex IV integrity. Our study provides the first functional characterisation of an Fe-S protein in Complex IV.
Pasado y presente de la televisión en España
Authors: Said Hung Elias
Published: May 2023

Reseña del libro 'La Edad Dorada de la televisión generalista en España (1990-2010)', de Julio Montero Díaz, María Antonia Paz y Charo LaCalle (eds.), editado por Tirant Lo Blanch. 2022. 1232 páginas.
Homofobia y expresiones de la homosexualidad en la vejez: análisis de la película mexicana Cuatra lunas
Authors: Jiménez Arrazquito Alejandro
Published: May 2023

Los discursos audiovisuales mexicanos contemporáneos sobre varones homosexuales representan comúnmente a personajes adolescentes y jóvenes y ocultan las experiencias de los hombres adultos mayores. En la realidad social, esta ocultación contribuye a la ausencia del tema en la agenda pública y puede significar aislamiento, un retroceso en el goce de los derechos ya conseguidos por las personas disidentes sexuales y un regreso al armario, con el sufrimiento psicológico y emocional que la represión implica. Este artículo presenta el análisis de la representación del varón adulto mayor homosexual en ‘Cuatro lunas’ (Sergio Tovar Velarde, 2014), una de las escasas cintas mexicanas que aborda a la homosexualidad en dicho periodo de la vida, desde la propuesta de cohortes de expresión de la sexualidad de Sue Westwood (2016) y el papel de la homofobia en este fenómeno. Con esto, se busca contribuir a la escasa literatura académica sobre la vejez LGBT y su abordaje fílmico.
Reflejos y huellas de la arquitectura del movimiento moderno en el noticiario documental español NO-DO
Authors: Rubio Pozuelo Noemí
Published: May 2023

El presente artículo se basa en la relación establecida entre el cine y la arquitectura, que es considerada aquí como conexión fundamental en tanto que se constituye como un paradigma de fecundidad compositiva y estética. Partiendo de esta correspondencia proponemos una aproximación a la representación de la arquitectura desde la perspectiva fílmica, concretamente a la producción arquitectónica española desarrollada durante el franquismo, que pudo estar influenciada por el Movimiento Moderno y a su vez recogida en el Noticiario Documental NO-DO, que fue proyectado de manera obligatoria en las salas de cine españolas durante el período referido. De este modo, planteamos otra perspectiva desde la que observar y considerar la arquitectura. Buscamos comprender la imagen arquitectónica con unos valores estéticos e identitarios que han podido influir en la construcción de la memoria e imaginario colectivo, así como en la apreciación y valoración que la sociedad ha podido elaborar sobre su patrimonio arquitectónico moderno desde la perspectiva fílmica.
Producción y caracterización de los influencers sénior españoles en Instagram
Authors: Martín Martín Francisco Marcos , Ballesteros Aguayo Lucía , Pedrero García Encarnación , Cruz Díaz Rocío
Published: May 2023

El propósito de nuestra investigación es determinar la presencia de instagramers sénior españoles, así como analizar en qué ámbitos ejercen influencia. En este trabajo se ha planteado una metodología cualitativa exploratoria mediante análisis de contenido para estudiar las características de la producción de los 12 perfiles de las personas mayores influenciadores con más de 100.000 seguidores (mega y macro). Los resultados indican que la producción de sus contenidos se caracteriza por una marcada estrategia de marketing digital. Se evidencia rutinas profesionales como la regularidad en la frecuencia de publicación, la calidad y creatividad de los post y la relación que mantienen con los seguidores.
Artemisia vulgaris anthelmintic activities to ova and adult stages of Fasciola gigantica in vitro
Authors: Nurlaelasari Andini , Wulandari A’isyah Retno , Caro Tamara Muñoz , Nugroho Herjuno Ari , Sukaryo Sukaryo , Cahyadi Muhammad , Kurniawan Wahyu , Hamid Penny Humaidah
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim: Fasciolosis due to Fasciola gigantica is endemic to tropical countries and Fasciola hepatica in temperate climates, highly detrimental to livestock and known as foodborne zoonotic diseases. The strategic control of the disease is mainly the use of chemical anthelmintic. This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic properties of Artemisia vulgaris extract on the ova and adult stages of F. gigantica.

Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from the Ampel Abbatoir, Boyolali District, Central Java, Indonesia. The ova from 20-gallbladders of cattle which were naturally infected with F. gigantica and 270 living F. gigantica worms were used in this study. The ovicidal assay was performed by incubating the ova with A. vulgaris in different concentrations, that is, 5%, 2.5%, and 1.25% for 5, 9, 11, 14, and 16 days. The efficacies were evaluated by quantification of ova degeneration during developmental stages in different time points and egg-hatch assay. The flukicidal effects were observed by mortality assay in 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, and 640 min incubations followed by scanning electron microscopy for surface morphology and histology of the fluke’s transversal sections.

Results: The concentration of 5% A. vulgaris showed the strongest ovicidal activities. The percentage of hatching ova on day 16 at concentrations of 5%, 2.5%, and 1.25% were 3.33%, 6.67%, and 16.67%. These ova hatch assay showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) compared to untreated control. The flukicidal effect was significant (p < 0.001) at a concentration of 20%, with a mortality rate reaching 66.67% in the 40 min of incubation time. The surface properties of the adult worms, including the spine, tegument, acetabulum, intestine, and vitelline follicles, were disintegrated.

Conclusion: The results showed that A. vulgaris has the potential ovicidal and flukicidal properties to F. gigantica. The active compounds remained necessary to be elucidated further and its modes of action would be interesting to be predicted by molecular docking modeling.

Keywords: anthelmintic, Artemisia vulgaris, Fasciola gigantica, flukicidal, ovicidal.
Utilization of Hypnosis
Authors: Phipps Warwick Dean
Published: May 2023

The full circle prohibition and repeal, in South Africa, from 1997 to 2007, of the utilization of hypnosis by any person not in the profession of psychology (i.e., psychotherapy) was examined to understand the causes thereof in order to prevent its deleterious re-occurrence globally, and second to examine the utilization of hypnosis in health care practice. It was found that the prohibition was erroneous, including that it was: (a) unenforceable—the occurrence of hypnosis cannot be prevented because communication necessarily invokes, often without awareness thereof, trance hypnosis and/or waking hypnosis; (b) unnecessary—the prohibition of the utilization of hypnosis by other disciplines is not a logical consequence of the prohibition of its psychotherapeutic utilization by other disciplines because its utilization in any discipline is distinct from that in any another; and (c) preventing efficacious use—the demarcation of hypnosis as belonging to psychology, and thus as single-disciplinary, prevents efficacy because this is contingent on knowledge about the mind, body, physical environment, and interaction, which is necessarily of a multidisciplinary nature. Having identified that hypnosis cannot be prevented, only utilized, is content free, and can effect profound learning, it was concluded that

the potential utilization of hypnosis in, and thus refiguration of, the practice of multidisciplinary health care is limited only by every discipline’s awareness, training, and integrated utilization thereof in medicine, surgery, and/or communication for mental and/or physical illness and/or disease. The paper concludes with illustrations of how hypnosis may be utilized in treatment and therapy disciplines respectively.
Nurses’ Knowledge and Self-Efficacy with Autism Disorders in Healthcare Settings of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Innab Adnan , Alhuzimi Talal
Published: May 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess nurses’ knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their self-efficacy to manage patients with ASD in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Four hundred nurses working in Saudi Arabia completed a self-report questionnaire, to measure their knowledge about the four domains of ASD knowledge, treatment of ASD, myths and misconceptions regarding ASD, and their perceptions of their self-efficacy, in general, and with regard to caring with persons with ASD, in particular. The questionnaire included the Knowledge about Childhood Autism Among Health Workers (KCAHW) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Independent sample t-test and ANOVA were used to analyse the data.

Results: The nurses had high KCAHW and GSE scores. In addition, their knowledge of the ASD domains and their self-efficacy were found to be predominantly influenced by their age, level of qualification, work experience, professional level, personal acquaintance with persons with ASD, frequency of encounters with a patient with ASD, and the typical age group of the patients with ASD.

Conclusions: The study’s findings indicated that nurses in the KSA appear to have a good awareness about the different aspects of ASD. In addition, they have a good opinion of their capacity to deal with patients with ASD. Nevertheless, there is certainly a requirement for sustained programmes to build awareness of ASD in Saudi Arabia. Continuing education programmes are needed to offer updated information regarding treatment and management of ASD for healthcare professionals. The knowledge and self-efficacy of nurses, in particular, regarding dealing with patients with ASD could be improved using training interventions such as, simulations. Suggestions for future research and practice, and limitations are provided.