bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced imaging use and delays among inpatients with psychiatric comorbidity
Authors: Bartsch Emily , Shin Saeha , Sheehan Kathleen , Fralick Michael , Verma Amol , Razak Fahad , Lapointe‐Shaw Lauren
Published: February 2024

Objective

To determine whether presence of a psychiatric comorbidity impacts use of inpatient imaging tests and subsequent wait times.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to General Internal Medicine (GIM) at five academic hospitals in Toronto, Ontario from 2010 to 2019. Exposure was presence of a coded psychiatric comorbidity on admission. Primary outcome was time to test, as calculated from the time of test ordering to time of test completion, for computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion. Multilevel mixed‐effects models were used to identify predictors of time to test, and marginal effects were used to calculate differences in absolute units (h). Secondary outcome was the rate of each type of test included. Subgroup analyses were performed according to type of psychiatric comorbidity: psychotic, mood/anxiety, or substance use disorder.

Results

There were 196,819 GIM admissions from 2010to 2019. In 77,562 admissions, ≥1 advanced imaging test was performed. After adjusting for all covariates, presence of any psychiatric comorbidity was associated with increased time to test for MRI (adjusted difference: 5.3 h, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9–6.8), PICC (adjusted difference: 3.7 h, 95% CI: 1.6–5.8), and ultrasound (adjusted difference: 3.0 h, 95% CI: 2.3–3.8), but not for CT (adjusted difference: 0.1 h, 95% CI: −0.3 to 0.5). Presence of any psychiatric comorbidity was associated with lower rate of ordering for all test types (adjusted difference: −17.2 tests per 100 days hospitalization, interquartile range: −18.0 to −16.3).

Conclusions

There was a lower rate of ordering of advanced imaging among patients with psychiatric comorbidity. Once ordered, time to test completion was longer for MRI, ultrasound, and PICC. Further exploration, such as quantifying rates of cancelled tests and qualitative studies evaluating hospital, provider, and patient barriers to timely advanced imaging, will be helpful in elucidating causes for these disparities.
Diagnostic accuracy of serum protein induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA‐II), serum a‐fetoprotein and their combination for hepatocellular carcinoma among Caucasian cirrhotic patients with diagnostic or non‐diagnostic serum a‐fetoprotein levels
Authors: Syriha Antonia , Pantzios Spyridon , Mandilara Dionysia , Galanis Petros , Stathopoulou Ioanna , Barla Georgia , Elefsiniotis Ioannis
Published: February 2024

Aim

The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of serum biomarkers (AFP/PIVKA‐II) and their combination in HCC diagnosis among Caucasian cirrhotic patients.

Methods

Serum AFP/PIVKA‐II levels were evaluated in 218 cirrhotics (163 males, 118 CTP‐A, 66 ALBI‐I, 111 with varices, 63 with diabetes) with (n = 90) or without (n = 128) HCC. Patients with HCC were categorized to BCLC Stage 0/A (n = 12), B (n = 21), C (n = 48), and D (n = 9).

Results

The two groups were comparable for all baseline parameters except for age, platelets, and diabetes presence. Median levels of AFP (239.1 vs. 4.0 ng/mL) and PIVKA‐II (4082.7 vs. 45.8 mAU/mL) were both significantly higher in HCC group compared to controls (p < 0.001). AUROC and cutoff value for HCC diagnosis were 88%/12.35 ng/mL (AFP) and 84.4%/677.13 mAU/mL (PIVKA‐II), whereas their combination showed better diagnostic accuracy (AUROC = 90.2%). The diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker separately was moderate or good in BCLC‐0/A/B and was excellent only for BCLC‐C patients (AFP: AUROC = 94.3%, cutoff = 12.35 ng/mL and PIVKA‐II: 91.3%, 253.51 mAU/mL) whereas their combination presented quite acceptable results in BCLC‐B (AUROC = 92.4%) and BCLC‐C (AUROC = 95.7%). Excluding HCC patients with high AFP (above 400 ng/mL), the diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker separately and their combination was moderate/good in all groups, except for their combination in BCLC‐C (AUROC = 90.5%).

Conclusions

Each biomarker separately showed acceptable accuracy for detecting HCC in cirrhotic patients and excellent for those in BCLC‐C stage. The combination of the biomarkers presented excellent results in BCLC‐B/C patients. The diagnostic accuracy of PIVKA‐II and the combination of the two biomarkers in patients expressing low/non‐diagnostic AFP levels was good in BCLC‐B and excellent in BCLC‐C patients.
Regulatory role of miRNAs in nasopharyngeal cancer involving PTEN/PI3K/AKT, TGFβ/SMAD, RAS/MAPK, Wnt/β‐catenin and pRB‐E2F signaling pathways: A review
Authors: S. M. N. Mydin Rabiatul Basria , Azlan Adam , Okekpa Simon I. , Gooderham Nigel J.
Published: February 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small and conserved noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. These groups of RNAs are crucial in various cellular processes, especially in mediating disease pathogenesis, particularly cancer. The dysregulation of miRNAs was reported in many cancer types, including nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), which is a malignant tumor of the nasopharynx. In this review, miRNAs involvement in crucial signaling pathways associated with NPC such as PTEN/PI3K/AKT, TGFβ/SMAD, RAS/MAPK, Wnt/β‐catenin and pRB‐E2F was investigated. miRNAs could function as tumor suppressor‐miR or onco‐miR in NPC profoundly influenced cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and metastasis. This comprehensive review of current literature provided a thorough profile of miRNAs and their interplay with the aforementioned signaling pathways in NPC. Understanding these molecular interactions could remarkably impact the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies for NPC.
NHC‐Rhodium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Novel Silsesquioxanes Containing S‐Si and S‐Ge Bonds and Their Application in Hydrosilylation Process
Authors: Hanek Kamil , Grzegorczyk Kacper , Żak Patrycja
Published: February 2024

The efficient and straightforward NHC‐rhodium‐catalyzed thiol‐silane and thiol‐germanane coupling reactions, leading to new classes of functionalized SQ‐based materials, are presented for the first time. The proposed strategies use commercially available reagents and show a broad functional groups tolerance, which opens a possibility of effective synthetic procedures of biologically active compounds.
Updated American Cancer Society lung cancer screening guidelines
Authors: Nierengarten Mary Beth
Published: February 2024

This news section offers Cancer readers timely information on events, public policy analysis, topical issues, and personalities. In this issue, updated American Cancer Society lung cancer screening guidelines focus on expanded criteria based on age, smoking status, and smoking history. In addition, one new study finds that telehealth visits for cancer care grew continuously from 2020 to 2021 without any duplicative care, and another study interviewed both patients with cancer and physicians to better understand their needs and challenges when receiving or returning unanticipated secondary findings on tumor genomic tests.
Characterizing the burden of biliary tract cancers across 28 hospitals in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Choi Woo Jin , Roberts Surain , Verma Amol , Razak Fahad , O’Kane Grainne M. , Gallinger Steven , Hirschfield Gideon , Hansen Bettina , Sapisochin Gonzalo
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims

The incidence of biliary tract cancers (BTC) appears to be increasing worldwide. We analyzed the characteristics of BTC‐related hospitalizations under medical services across 28 hospitals in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

This study uses data collected by GEMINI, a hospital research data network. BTC‐related hospitalizations from 2015 to 2021 under the Department of Medicine or intensive care unit were captured using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, codes for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancers.

Results

A total of 4596 BTC‐related hospitalizations (2720 iCCA, 1269 extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 607 gallbladder cancers) were analyzed. The number of unique patients with BTC‐related hospitalizations increased over time. For iCCA‐related hospitalizations, the total number of hospitalizations increased (from 385 in 2016 to 420 in 2021, p = .005), the hospital length of stay decreased over the study period (mean 10 days [SD, 12] in 2016 to 9 days [SD, 8] in 2021, p = .04), and the number of in‐hospital deaths was stable (from 68 [18%] in 2016 to 55 [13%] in 2021, p = .62). Other outcomes such as 30‐day readmissions, medical imaging tests, intensive care unit–specific hospitalizations, and length of stay were stable over time for all cohorts. The cost of hospitalization for the BTC cohort increased from median $8203 CAD (interquartile range, 5063–15,543) in 2017 to $8507 CAD (interquartile range, 5345–14,755) in 2021.

Conclusions

This real‐world data analysis showed a rising number of patients with BTC‐related hospitalizations and rising number of iCCA‐related hospitalizations across 28 hospitals in Ontario between 2015 and 2021.
SVM‐SFL based malicious UAV detection in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Prasad Siyyadula Venkata Rama Vara , Khilar Pabitra Mohan
Published: February 2024

In the modern era, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based wireless sensor networks (WSN) are rising technologies in wireless communication. Through UAV, the sensed data can be forwarded to the base station. However, the increase in network users leads to several malicious attacks on UAVs. Hence, it affects the performance of a WSN platform while transmitting private information through UAVs. Therefore, the proposed study intends to develop an effective malicious UAV detection approach using a machine‐learning algorithm. Initially, the deployed sensor nodes in WSN are utilized to collect the environmental data. These sensor nodes transmit the collected data to the UAV. During data transmission, the sensor nodes generate a feed packet (authentication parameter) and forward it to the UAV along with the sensed information. The feedback packet is encrypted through a proxy re‐encryption scheme to secure the input data. These encrypted packets with the sensed input data are then transmitted to the base station. Finally, the feedback packet is decrypted and attains the actual input information. From the received data, the classification is performed using a proposed support vector machine with a shuffled frog leap (SVM‐SFL) approach. The proposed approach is implemented with the NS3 Python tool, and the results are analyzed by evaluating several performance matrices. Compared with other existing methods, the proposed study obtained improved results in terms of accuracy (98.61%), precision (98.5%), sensitivity (98.63%), and F‐measure (98.62%).
Study of timing of irrigation after foliar application of putrescine on phytochemical and physiological responses of sage
Authors: Mohammadi‐Cheraghabadi Maryam , Mousavi Amir , Hazrati Saeid , Modarres‐Sanavy Seyed Ali Mohammad , Sefidkon Fatemeh , Mokhtassi‐Bidgoli Ali
Published: February 2024

Salvia officinalis L. (sage) is a valuable medicinal plant with various secondary metabolites. These compounds are usually inducible by different stress conditions, for example, water‐deficit stress. Therefore, cost‐effective and eco‐friendly approaches for alleviating water‐deficit stress in medicinal plant crops are in high demand. Polyamines (PAs), such as putrescine, have a significant effect on improving crop yield under water‐deficit stress conditions. Therefore, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design using two factors and three replications was conducted. Treatments included irrigation regime (IR) and timing of IR after foliar application of putrescine (TIRFP) as follows: irrigation after depletion of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% available soil water (ASWD). TIRFP was performed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. The treatments affected morphological, physiological, molecular, and biochemical attributes. TIRFP of 72 h under IR of 80% ASWD improved the leaf area index, relative water content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and total radical scavenging capacity compared with the controlled treatment. The results of real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis showed the highest level of sabinene synthase (SS) and bornyl diphosphate synthase (BPPS), the highest contents of 1,8‐cineole, β‐thujone, and camphor appeared in plants after 72 h of TIRFP under IR of 80% ASWD. The findings of this study confirm the protective role of putrescine against water stress. In conclusion, putrescine foliar application allows for balanced water retention. It preserves antioxidant capacity resulting in efficient photosynthesis and the restricted risk of oxidative damage under water‐deficit stress. It improves sage plants’ physiological attributes and valuable monoterpenes components of essential oil.
Day‐to‐day sleep variability with Alzheimer's biomarkers in at‐risk elderly
Authors: Baril Andrée‐Ann , Picard Cynthia , Labonté Anne , Sanchez Erlan , Duclos Catherine , Mohammediyan Béry , Ashton Nicholas J. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Breitner John C. S. , Villeneuve Sylvia , Poirier Judes ,   PREVENT‐AD Research Group
Published: February 2024

INTRODUCTION

Measuring day‐to‐day sleep variability might reveal unstable sleep‐wake cycles reflecting neurodegenerative processes. We evaluated the association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) fluid biomarkers with day‐to‐day sleep variability.

METHODS

In the PREVENT‐AD cohort, 203 dementia‐free participants (age: 68.3 ± 5.4; 78 males) with a parental history of sporadic AD were tested with actigraphy and fluid biomarkers. Day‐to‐day variability (standard deviations over a week) was assessed for sleep midpoint, duration, efficiency, and nighttime activity count.

RESULTS

Lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ApoE, higher CSF p‐tau181/amyloid‐β (Aβ)42, and higher plasma p‐tau231/Aβ42 were associated with higher variability of sleep midpoint, sleep duration, and/or activity count. The associations between fluid biomarkers with greater sleep duration variability were especially observed in those that carried the APOE4 allele, mild cognitive impairment converters, or those with gray matter atrophy.

DISCUSSION

Day‐to‐day sleep variability were associated with biomarkers of AD in at‐risk individuals, suggesting that unstable sleep promotes neurodegeneration or, conversely, that AD neuropathology disrupts sleep‐wake cycles.
Estimation and interpretation problems and solutions when using proportion covariates in linear regression models
Authors: Valle Denis , Mintz Jeffrey , Brack Ismael Verrastro
Published: February 2024

Proportion variables, also known as compositional data, are very common in ecology. Unfortunately, few scientists are aware of how compositional data, when used as covariates, can adversely impact statistical analysis. We describe here how proportion covariates result in multicollinearity and parameter identifiability problems. Using simulated data on bird species richness as a function of land use, we show how these problems manifest when fitting a wide range of models in R, both in a frequentist and Bayesian framework. In particular, we show that similar models can often generate substantially different parameter estimates, leading to very different conclusions. Dropping a covariate or the intercept from the model can solve the multicollinearity and parameter identifiability problems. Unfortunately, these solutions do not fix the inherent challenges associated with interpreting parameter estimates. To this end, we propose focusing the interpretation on the difference of slope parameters to avoid the inherent unidentifiability of individual parameters. We also propose conditional plots with two x‐axes and marginal plots as visualization techniques that can help users better interpret their modeling results. We illustrate these problems and proposed solutions using empirical data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The practical and straightforward approaches suggested in this article will help the fitting of linear models and interpretation of its results when some of the covariates are proportions.
Triumphs and trials with the UK abortion law: The power of collaboration in abortion reform
Authors: Lord Jonathan , Regan Lesley
Published: February 2024

The UK is usually viewed as having liberal abortion regulations, providing good access to abortion care within a publicly funded health service. However, the underlying laws are authoritarian, dating from an era when public executions drew large crowds and 67 years before women were able to vote. Abortion is only legal when two doctors certify it meets the permitted grounds, and the penalty for self‐managed abortion is up to life imprisonment for both the woman and any accomplice. These laws had prevented the use of mifepristone and misoprostol at home. Changes to the regulations for misoprostol in 2018 and mifepristone in 2020 permitted home use, but the government announced they were rescinding the approval for mifepristone in 2022. This article discusses how, despite the opposition of government, significant progressive changes to the abortion laws were achieved. Early medical abortion at home is now protected in law, and safe access zones protect patients and staff from harassment and intimidation from protesters. Despite this progress, increasing numbers of women are facing criminal investigation and face long prison sentences if convicted. The need for decriminalization and for abortion care to be regulated like all other health care is the next pressing issue.
Dual‐modality imaging for identifying thrombosis via platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor targeted cyclic RGDfK microbubbles
Authors: Wang Yabin , Zhang Yang , Yang Ning , Zhang Xiaoting , Ma Sai , Xu Mengqi , Xu Yunxue , Gao Shan , Fang Yan , Li Na , Li Sulei , Liang Ping , Zhang Xu , Fan Li , Cao Feng
Published: February 2024

Background

Acute thrombotic events play a major role in various cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, direct thrombus imaging can be proved beneficial for early diagnosis and prompt therapy of thrombosis. Our study investigated targeted dual‐modality cyclic arginine‐glycine‐aspartic micro bubbles (cRGD‐MBs) for direct imaging of thrombi by fluorescence and ultrasound.

Methods

cRGD‐MBs were prepared by mechanical vibration and chemical chelation methods.

Results

Coulter counter analysis demonstrated that the cRGD‐MBs were well dispersed, with diameters ranging from 1 to 3 μm. They emitted bright red fluorescence under an excitation wavelength of 660 nm. In vivo fluorescence and ultrasound imaging revealed that cRGD‐MBs accumulated at the site of thrombus in the carotid artery with significant fluorescence and ultrasonic signal.

Conclusions

This study showed that novel microbubble cRGD‐MBs were successfully synthesized, and that these could potentially be used as contrast agents for immediate diagnosis of acute thrombus in vivo.
A concise review of the correspondence between the traditional functional analysis and alternative assessment formats
Authors: Rahaman Javid A. , Fahmie Tara A. , Melanson Isaac J. , DeBrine Jordan E. , Zangrillo Amanda N.
Published: February 2024

The functional assessment of challenging behavior (e.g., self‐injurious behavior) has evolved over many years of research and practice. This concise review summarizes the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of common procedural adaptations reported to improve functional assessment safety and efficiency. We conclude with suggestions for clinicians and researchers.
Chalcogen atom effect on the intersystem crossing kinetic constant of oxygen‐ and sulfur disubstituted heteroporphyrins
Authors: Sang‐aroon Wichien , Alberto Marta Erminia , Toscano Marirosa , Russo Nino
Published: February 2024

The modulation of the photophysical properties of di‐substituted porphyrin rings upon the oxygen and sulfur‐for‐nitrogen replacement has been investigated at density functional theory (DFT) and its time‐dependent formulation (TDDFT). The considered properties range from structural behaviors and excitation energies to spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) and nonradiative intersystem kinetic constants. Results show that the SOC strongly increase upon chalcogen substitution and, accordingly, the computed nonradiative kinetic constant also indicate an efficient singlet‐triplet intersystem crossing in the sulfur containing macrocycle. The presented results indicate an alternative way to properly modulate the porphyrin's crucial properties for their use in photodynamic therapy, without resorting to the use of heavy atoms.
Study on the adsorption performance of amoxicillin by hydrothermally modified coconut shell activated carbon
Authors: Zhao Shuheng , Wang Shang , Dang Jiatao , Wang Wei , Wang Xiangyu , Wu Menghao , Hu Jianjun
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Utilizing biowaste‐derived carbon (C) materials to remediate antibiotic‐rich wastewater has considerable ecological significance in the broader ecological cycle. In this study, coconut shell activated carbon (AC) was modified using a potassium hydroxide (KOH) hydrothermal method, and the influence of modified coconut shell AC on the adsorption of amoxicillin at different particle sizes and treatment temperatures was investigated. In addition, the adsorption kinetics of amoxicillin on different modified coconut shell AC was studied.

RESULTS

The study found that unmodified coconut shell AC itself had a certain adsorption capacity for amoxicillin, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 22.43 mg g−1. After hydrothermal‐alkali modification, the adsorption capacity of coconut shell AC for amoxicillin was greatly improved, with an adsorption capacity increase of 221%. In addition, the adsorption kinetic fitting results showed that the adsorption process of amoxicillin on coconut shell AC was more consistent with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model.

CONCLUSION

The optimal modification condition for coconut shell AC was to treat coconut shell AC with a particle size of 80–120‐mesh at 160 °C. The findings of this study could offer a green and environmentally sustainable approach for amoxicillin‐contaminated wastewater treatment, and also could provide a certain theoretical basis for the application of biowaste resources in organic wastewater treatment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Interprofessional education in undergraduate dental curricula: A systematic review
Authors: de Mendonça Brígida F. S. , de Carvalho Raquel B. , Pacheco Karina T. S.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Health professionals who effectively communicate and coordinate their work increase patient safety and quality of care. Therefore, an interprofessional education (IPE) program may be a valuable addition to the curriculum of health science courses. This study aims to verify how IPE has been implemented in undergraduate dental program curricula.

Methods

This is a qualitative systematic review performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines with qualitative and qualitative–quantitative studies selected in the period between 2011 and 2021. The guiding question was as follows: how has IPE been implemented in undergraduate dentistry curricula around the world? The quality of the included articles was assessed using the CASP Qualitative Checklist (2018).

Results

After the review, 22 studies were selected and data were extracted following the acronym PICo (Population, phenomenon of Interest, and COntext). The majority of studies in which IPE is included in Dentistry come from North American universities. Regarding the IPE teaching methodology, the use of active methodologies was observed and the interprofessional skills most common were role clarity, teamwork, and communication.

Conclusion

This systematic review indicated that Dentistry is included in interprofessional activities in many studies around the world, and primarily with colleagues in medicine, nursing, and pharmacy programs. IPE teaching takes place through the use of active methodologies and develops important skills for interprofessional work.
A comparison study: The use of digital and conventional impression techniques in dental hygiene education
Authors: Naderi Raha K. , Patel Tulsi J. , Thompson Michelle A.
Published: February 2024

Purpose/objectives

The study aimed to assess the applicability of digital intraoral scanning in dental hygiene education and compare the quality, efficiency, and ease of use to conventional impression techniques.

Methods

Twenty‐eight first‐year dental hygiene students (DH1) at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (UTSD) participated in this 2022 study. Each student participated in two 4‐h lab sessions. Students took traditional alginate impressions and digital intraoral scans using Planmeca Romexis on standardized teeth during the first and second sessions. Both techniques were assessed by faculty for quality and efficiency using a standardized rubric. Participants completed a post‐survey providing insight into their perceptions of both techniques and ease of use.

Results

The study had 100% participation in the lab sessions and survey responses (N = 28). The results showed digital scanning produced a statistically higher quality product than conventional alginate impressions (p = 0.023). The study found no statistical difference in the efficiency between the two methods. The majority of students (82%) agreed that digital intraoral scanning was easy to use (p = 0.001), and 89% agreed they would use digital intraoral scanning in clinical courses to help with patient care (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

In this study, dental hygiene students with limited clinical experience learned new technology and used it to produce quality impressions compared to the conventional technique, indicating the value of introducing digital dentistry early in dental hygiene education.
Evaluating the 3D printability of pearl millet flour with banana pulp blends
Authors: Santhoshkumar Paramasivam , Raja Vijayakumar , Priyadarshini Santhi Rajkumar , Moses Jeyan Arthur
Published: February 2024

Background

Three‐dimensional (3D) food printing is a promising method for developing nutritious snack foods with complex and customized structures. In this study, to develop a pearl millet‐based snack formulation, the printability of pearl millet flour (PMF) was assessed, without and with the addition of banana pulp (BP), a natural taste and flavor enhancer, at five different levels (PMF:BP of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100).

Results

The water activity significantly decreased with increases in the proportion of BP; higher water activity was exhibited at 100:0 (0.99). The BP proportion influences all the color values (redness: 2–11; yellowness: 17–31.87; total color difference: 2–17). All formulations exhibited shear‐thinning behavior (n = 0.02–0.49) and higher hardness (0.2–0.4 N), but not all were printable. A significant decrease in adhesiveness (−0.2 to −0.03 N s) and higher storage modulus (2000–6000 Pa) occurred with an increased proportion of BP. Findings from detailed rheological behavior assessment (static, dynamic and three‐interval thixotropy tests) better correlated with trends observed during 3D extrusion printing. The highest yield stress was attained (80 Pa) in the 100:0 formulation. From the thixotropy test, more deformation (>80%) and recovery (>100%) were attained by three of the formulations (100:0, 80:20, 60:40). Overall, the best constructs were obtained (based on the visual sensory characteristics) for the 60:40 formulation printed at 600 mm min−1 printing speed and 240 rpm extrusion motor speed through a 1.22 mm nozzle.

Conclusion

The findings of this work will provide valuable insights into the development of novel millet‐based 3D printed foods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Patterns of Olfactory Impairment Among Patients with Uncontrolled Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Hong Junsheng , Wang Zhenlin , Wu Dawei
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Self‐reported olfactory dysfunction is an assessment component criterion for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) disease control of the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS). No studies have objectively explored olfactory function across different psychophysical olfactory domains among patients with uncontrolled CRS. We aimed to investigate the patterns of olfactory impairment in patients with uncontrolled CRS with Sniffin' Sticks test.

Methods

A total of 79 patients with CRS were prospectively recruited and assessed for disease control based on the EPOS criteria. Sniffin' Sticks test scores, olfactory cleft computed tomography (CT) scores, olfactory cleft endoscopy scale (OCES), questionnaire of olfactory disorders‐negative statements (QOD‐NS), and sinonasal outcome test‐22 (SNOT‐22) were obtained. Multiple logistic regression was applied to explore risk factors of uncontrolled CRS.

Results

Twenty‐six percent of patients with CRS presented with uncontrolled status. The odor threshold (OT) (p = 0.005), odor identification (OI) (p = 0.041), and thresholds‐discrimination‐identification (TDI) (p = 0.029) scores were significantly lower in patients with uncontrolled CRS when compared with patients with controlled CRS. Furthermore, patients with uncontrolled CRS presented with a significantly increased percentage of anosmia (p = 0.014), olfactory cleft CT score (p = 0.038), OCES (p = 0.016), QOD‐NS(p = 0.008), and SNOT‐22 (p < 0.001) scores than patients with controlled CRS. After adjusting for patient demographics, as for the subdomain of olfaction, only the OT score was an independent risk factor for uncontrolled CRS (odds ratio = 0.604; p = 0.030). The OT scores less than 5.950 were the best predictor of uncontrolled CRS.

Conclusion

Patients with uncontrolled CRS demonstrated distinct patterns of olfactory impairment, and a reduced olfactory threshold was highly associated with uncontrolled CRS.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:2341–2348, 2024
Contribution of gas concentration and transfer velocity to CO2 flux variability in northern lakes
Authors: Rudberg David , Schenk Jonathan , Pajala Gustav , Sawakuchi Henrique , Sieczko Anna , Sundgren Ingrid , Duc Nguyen Thanh , Karlsson Jan , MacIntyre Sally , Melack John , Bastviken David
Published: February 2024

The CO2 flux () from lakes to the atmosphere is a large component of the global carbon cycle and depends on the air–water CO2 concentration gradient (ΔCO2) and the gas transfer velocity (k). Both ΔCO2 and k can vary on multiple timescales and understanding their contributions to is important for explaining variability in fluxes and developing optimal sampling designs. We measured and ΔCO2 and derived k for one full ice‐free period in 18 lakes using floating chambers and estimated the contributions of ΔCO2 and k to variability. Generally, k contributed more than ΔCO2 to short‐term (1–9 d) variability. With increased temporal period, the contribution of k to variability decreased, and in some lakes resulted in ΔCO2 contributing more than k to variability over the full ice‐free period. Increased contribution of ΔCO2 to variability over time occurred across all lakes but was most apparent in large‐volume southern‐boreal lakes and in deeper (> 2 m) parts of lakes, whereas k was linked to variability in shallow waters. Accordingly, knowing the variability of both k and ΔCO2 over time and space is needed for accurate modeling of from these variables. We conclude that priority in assessments should be given to direct measurements of at multiple sites when possible, or otherwise from spatially distributed measurements of ΔCO2 combined with k‐models that incorporate spatial variability of lake thermal structure and meteorology.
What motivates independent directors to join or leave boards? The interplay between director incentives, director decisions, and firm outcomes
Authors: Ewelt‐Knauer Corinna , Gerstel Hannes , Khaled Mohamed A. , Wöhrmann Arnt
Published: February 2024

Reputation, monetary, risk, and workload incentives affect independent directors' decisions to join new or leave existing board of directors' seats, impacting their directorship portfolios. Using a director's perspective and relative incentive proxies, we find that directors strategically relinquish less prestigious board seats to increase their reputation. Similarly, we hypothesize and find that accepting an additional board nomination is incentivized by a director's goal to achieve higher reputation growth. Lastly, by taking on a firm's perspective, we find a positive association between the board's aggregated portfolio reputation and risk propensity with firm performance and earnings management.
Study links childhood bullying to distrust, youth MH problems
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2024

Youths who are bullied in childhood developed more internalizing, externalizing and total mental health problems in late adolescence, and this effect was partially mediated by interpersonal distrust during middle adolescence, said researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles Health and the University of Glasgow in the U.K.
Systematic review of pathologic markers in skin ischemia with and without reperfusion injury in microsurgical reconstruction: Biomarker alterations precede histological structure changes
Authors: Khalaf Ryan , Duarte Bateman Daniela , Reyes Jose , Najafali Daniel , Rampazzo Antonio , Bassiri Gharb Bahar
Published: February 2024

Background

Ischemia and ischemia–reperfusion injury contribute to partial or complete flap necrosis. Traditionally, skin histology has been used to evaluate morphological and structural changes, however histology does not detect early changes. We hypothesize that morphological and structural skin changes in response to ischemia and IRI occur late, and modification of gene and protein expression are the earliest changes in ischemia and IRI.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting skin histology or gene/protein expression changes following ischemia with or without reperfusion injury published between 2002 and 2022 were included. The primary outcomes were descriptive and semi‐quantitative histological structural changes, leukocyte infiltration, edema, vessel density; secondary outcomes were quantitative gene and protein expression intensity (PCR and western blot). Model type, experimental intervention, ischemia method and duration, reperfusion duration, biopsy location and time point were collected.

Results

One hundred and one articles were included. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) showed inflammatory infiltration in early responses (12–24 h), with structural modifications (3–14 days) and neovascularization (5–14 days) as delayed responses. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) identified angiogenesis (CD31, CD34), apoptosis (TUNEL, caspase‐3, Bax/Bcl‐2), and protein localization (NF‐κB). Gene (PCR) and protein expression (western blot) detected inflammation and apoptosis; endoplasmic reticulum stress/oxidative stress and hypoxia; and neovascularization. The most common markers were TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β (inflammation), caspase‐3 (apoptosis), VEGF (neovascularization), and HIF‐1α (hypoxia).

Conclusion

There is no consensus or standard for reporting skin injury during ischemia and IRI. H&E histology is most frequently performed but is primarily descriptive and lacks sensitivity for early skin injury. Immunohistochemistry and gene/protein expression reveal immediate and quantitative cellular responses to skin ischemia and IRI. Future research is needed towards a universally‐accepted skin injury scoring system.
Radial forearm free flap reconstruction in a 3‐month‐old patient with undifferentiated pharyngeal sarcoma
Authors: Lam Theodore , Levi Eric , Shen Jacson , Wilks Daniel , Alexander William
Published: February 2024

There is minimal information regarding free tissue transfers in very young infants, especially those less than a year old. It is often thought that that age remains a limit to free tissue transfers, with younger patients having smaller vessels, making the operation technically challenging. In this case report, we discuss the youngest and smallest recorded case of a free flap reconstruction. A 3‐month‐old patient with a malignant parapharyngeal undifferentiated round cell sarcoma underwent a resection and reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap (RFFF). The defect was 35 by 20 by 15 mm, and required a pharyngeal “patch,” as opposed to a “tube,” reconstruction. The defect was templated, and the RFFF then raised in a standard subfascial fashion, and inset with resorbable sutures. The patient was observed in the ICU postoperatively. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with Stage IV primary undifferentiated sarcoma with regional metastasis and received adjuvant chemotherapy. Fifteen‐month follow up revealed no signs of recurrence, full oral intake, a well‐reconstructed pharynx on nasoendoscopic examination, and minimal donor site morbidity. This report illustrates several unique adaptations of free flap transfer in infants and adds to the emerging body of evidence that age is not a contraindication for head and neck reconstruction.
Efficacy of Oral Appliance for Mild, Moderate, and Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Liao Jianhong , Shi Yunhan , Gao Xiang , Zhang Bowen , Li Yanru , Xu Wen , Han Demin
Published: February 2024

Objective

Oral appliances (OA) are the recommended first‐line option for mild‐to‐moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)‐hypopnea. However, there is a lack of evidence to compare the effectiveness of OA in different severities of OSA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of preferred OA (tongue retention devices [TRD] and mandibular advancement device [MAD]) in different severities of OSA.

Data Sources

PubMed/MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science.

Review Methods

Concentrating on the efficacy of OA, 2 authors searched 3 databases up to November 10, 2022, independently and systematically, following the requirements and steps of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines.

Results

Ultimately, 42 studies with 2265 patients met the criteria for inclusion in OA. Overall, the apnea‐hypopnea index improved by 48% (5.6), 67% (14.92), and 62% (32.1) in mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed a significant difference between MAD and TRD efficacy in mild OSA (58% vs 21%). However, no significant difference was seen between MAD and TRD efficacy in moderate (67% vs 66%) and severe OSA (66% vs 51%). There was no significant difference across groups in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT).

Conclusion

Overall, both TRD and MAD are effective treatments for moderate and severe OSA. MAD is efficacious in mild OSA, while TRD requires further validation. Furthermore, mild‐moderate and severe OSA received similar improvements in sleepiness, ODI, and LSAT. This study complements the evidence for the efficacy of OA.
Chemical profiling and quality evaluation of Liuweizhiji Gegen‐Sangshen oral liquid by UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS and HPLC‐diode array detector fingerprinting
Authors: Wei Shulin , Jiang Yu , Li Mingxing , Zhao Long , Wang Tiangang , Wei Mei , Zhao Qianyun , Zeng Jiuping , Zhao Yueshui , Shen Jing , Du Fukuan , Chen Yu , Deng Shuai , Xiao Zhangang , Li Zhi , Wu Xu
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Liuweizhiji Gegen‐Sangshen (LGS) oral liquid is a Chinese patent medicine that is widely used for the prevention and treatment of alcoholic liver disease in clinical practice. However, the chemical complexity of LGS has not yet been investigated.

Objective

The aim of this study was to rapidly identify chemical constituents of LGS and establish a quality control method based on fingerprint and quantitative analysis.

Methodology

A comprehensive strategy was used by combining qualitative analysis by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) and fingerprint analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD).

Results

A total of 162 chemical components in LGS, including 91 flavonoids, 31 organic acids, and 20 phenolic compounds, were identified or preliminarily characterized in both positive and negative ion modes based on the UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS results. Of these, 37 were confirmed with the reference standards. In fingerprint analysis, 23 peaks were chosen as common peaks and used to evaluate the similarity of different batches of LGS. Subsequently, a rapid quantification method was optimized and validated for the simultaneous determination of multiple chemical markers in LGS. The validated quantitative method was successfully used to analyze different batches of LGS samples.

Conclusion

The proposed comprehensive strategy combining HPLC‐DAD fingerprinting and multi‐component quantification demonstrated satisfactory results with high efficiency, accuracy, and reliability. This can be used as a reference for the overall quality consistency evaluation of Chinese patent medicines.
Exploring grandparents' psychosocial responses to childhood cancer: A qualitative study
Authors: Holmer Pauline , Muehlebach Nadja , Ilic Anica , Priboi Cristina , Roser Katharina , Raguindin Peter Francis , Tinner Eva Maria , Baechtold Rebecca , Ansari Marc , Diezi Manuel , Lemmel Eléna , Schilling Freimut , Farrag Ahmed , Scheinemann Katrin , Michel Gisela
Published: February 2024

Objective

A childhood cancer diagnosis is a traumatic experience for patients and their families. However, little is known about the effect on grandparents. We aimed to investigate the negative psychosocial impact, coping strategies, and positive outcomes of grandparents of childhood cancer patients in Switzerland.

Methods

We collected data using a semi‐structured interview guide and applied qualitative content analysis.

Results

We conducted 20 interviews with 23 grandparents (57% female; mean age = 66.9 years; SD = 6.4; range = 57.0–82.4) of 13 affected children (69% female; mean age = 7.5 years; SD = 6.1; range = 1.0–18.9) between January 2022 and April 2023. The mean time since diagnosis was 1.0 years (SD = 0.5; range = 0.4–1.9). Grandparents were in shock and experienced strong feelings of fear and helplessness. They were particularly afraid of a relapse or late effects. The worst part for most was seeing their grandchild suffer. Many stated that their fear was always present which could lead to tension and sleep problems. To cope with these negative experiences, the grandparents used internal and external strategies, such as accepting the illness or talking to their spouse and friends. Some grandparents also reported positive outcomes, such as getting emotionally closer to family members and appreciating things that had previously been taken for granted.

Conclusions

Grandparents suffer greatly when their grandchild is diagnosed with cancer. Encouragingly, most grandparents also reported coping strategies and positive outcomes despite the challenges. Promoting coping strategies and providing appropriate resources could reduce the psychological burden of grandparents and strengthen the whole family system.
The biocultural heritage and changing role of indigenous yams in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa
Authors: Condé Nagnouma , Burton George , Touré Maimouna , Gori Benedetta , Cheek Martin , Magassouba Sékou , Wilkin Paul , Couch Charlotte , Ryan Philippa
Published: February 2024

Societal impact statement

Global yam production is centred on West Africa, but there are significant knowledge gaps about farm‐level diversity across much of the region, and especially in Guinea. Although yam production is increasing in Guinea, in the longer term, varietal diversity and the sustainability of agri‐systems are at risk. Documentation of local crop diversity is essential as a baseline to understand trajectories of past and future varietal loss. This study utilises interdisciplinary approaches, which are needed to help understand the ways historic crop diversity is created and maintained within indigenous agricultural and food heritage systems, as well as the reasons for its loss over time.

Yams are important staple foods in many tropical and sub‐Saharan countries. The ‘yam belt’ extends from Guinea to western central Africa. However, yam cultivation is comparatively little researched or documented in Guinea, and the country is commonly not included within descriptions of key yam growing areas in Africa.

Our study utilises ethnobotanic methods and plant specimen collections to fill these gaps in West African yam research. Interviews with over 70 farmers from six villages across the Kankan region of Guinea provide information on yam cultivation and diversity, and changes in living memory over the past 40 years. We present the analyses of ethnobotanical data from Haute‐Guinée on yam cuisine, and commercialisation, and on changes to the range of varieties grown over time.

The annual cycle of indigenous yam agri‐systems remains a key part of rural life, food systems and economy. However, interviews revealed dramatic temporal changes over the last 40 years. Although yam production has increased, a narrow range of commercial cultivars is currently displacing the historically‐rooted local diversity.

The expansion of yam cultivation is regarded locally as having relied on a shift to more unsustainable and extensive land use, and with herbicides and chemical fertilisers replacing intensive organic soil management. This has implications for research and development in sub‐Saharan agriculture for yams and other important native West African crops in the future.
Discovery of N‐benzyl‐6‐methylpicolinamide as a potential scaffold for bleaching herbicides
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Xia , Huang Di , Ren Meng‐nan , Li Wen‐qi , Wei Shao‐Peng , Ji Zhi‐Qin
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

In pesticide research, bleaching herbicides have always been a hot topic. Our previous research showed that N‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)‐2‐methoxybenzamide is an innovative lead compound for bleaching herbicides.

RESULTS

A total of 40 derivatives of picolinamides were prepared and evaluated for their herbicidal activity by Petri dish tests and postemergence trials. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) revealed that introducing electron‐withdrawing groups at the 3‐ or 4‐positions of the benzyl significantly enhances herbicidal activity. Furthermore, ZI‐04 induced similar symptoms such as bleaching effect in treated weeds and accumulation of biosynthetic precursors for carotenoids as observed with diflufenican. ZI‐04 also exhibited significant cross‐resistance to diflufenican and had a lower resistance risk than diflufenican.

CONCLUSION

N‐benzyl‐6‐methylpicolinamides were discovered as a novel scaffold for bleaching herbicides. The accumulation of phytoene, phytofluene and ζ‐Carotene in radish cotyledons, and cross‐resistance observed with diflufenican, showed that title compounds can interfere with carotenoid biosynthesis. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Tight interval state estimate for discrete‐time descriptor linear systems
Authors: Lamouchi Rihab , Meslem Nacim , Raïssi Tarek
Published: February 2024

In this work, two state estimation methods are proposed for a class of discrete‐time descriptor linear systems subject to bounded uncertainties. First, we propose set‐valued estimator algorithm using symmetric boxes to compute rigorous bounds of the system states. The observer gains are calculated using norm to attenuate the effects of the uncertainties and to improve the accuracy of the proposed estimator. Second, to obtain tighter state enclosures, zonotopic set computation are developed instead of interval analysis to design a new set‐valued state estimation algorithm. The performances of the proposed state estimation approaches are highlighted on different illustrative examples.