bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agaricus cervinoculus sp. nov. (Agaricaceae), a new wild edible mushroom from Mexico
Authors: PALESTINA-VILLA ELVIA NAARA , GARIBAY-ORIJEL ROBERTO , CHEN JIE , PARRA LUIS ALBERTO , ÁGUILA BERNARDO , MEDEL-ORTIZ ROSARIO
Published: April 2024

In Mexico, there are 55 wild species of Agaricus representing approximately 10 % of the world’s diversity of the genus. 22 species of these wild mushrooms are traditionally consumed. The lack of keys for the identification of Mexican species, the difficulties in recognizing distinctive morphological characters and the need for comprehensive studies in some sections of the genus, makes it difficult to distinguish species complexes. The edible species known locally as “ojo de venado” was previously identified as A. sylvaticus in Mexico. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that this ethnotaxon, which is sold in the markets of Xalapa (Veracruz, Mexico), includes at least two species of A. sect. Subrutilescentes. One of them, Agaricus cervinoculus, is described as a new species. A full description, photographs and comparisons to other similar species are provided. This new species constitutes a well-supported monophyletic clade, sister to the “A. subrutilescens” group.
A new combination in Myrcia (Myrtaceae) from Brazil
Authors: MARUYAMA ADRIANO DA SILVA DE CICCO , GAEM PAULO HENRIQUE , MAZINE FIORELLA FERNANDA
Published: April 2024

Myrcia De Candolle (1827: 406) is the second most species-rich genus of Myrtaceae in the Neotropics, with ca. 800 species (POWO 2023). About half of these species occur in Brazil (Santos et al. 2023). During the taxonomic study of Myrtaceae collections in São Paulo, it became evident that nomenclatural and taxonomic adjustments were necessary for one species of Myrcia, which we propose in the present work. Images of materials available online are cited by reference to herbarium acronyms (following Thiers 2023) and were consulted online via CRIA (2023) and JSTOR (2023).
Morphological studies on leaf epidermis in six species of Nekemias Raf. (Vitaceae) from China
Authors: CHU ZHAO-FU , MENG RAN , MENG YING , SONG KUN , DA LIANG-JUN , NIE ZE-LONG
Published: April 2024

Nekemias Raf. (Vitaceae) is a re-defined genus isolated from the traditional Ampelopsis in the grape family of Vitaceae, including eight species mainly distributed in eastern Asia, and one in North America. In this study, the leaf epidermis of 28 samples representing six species of Nekemias and one species from the related genus of Ampelopsis are investigated using light microscopy. The results show that the shapes of leaf epidermal cells are polygonal or irregular. The variations of anticlinal walls are found commonly among species of Nekemia, especially within N. cantoniensis and N. grossedentata, which is probably associated with their habitats. Irregular stomata are found on the abaxial surface. The epidermal hair styles are multicellular, single-row on both sides and common in N. cantoniensis, N. grossedentata, and N. rubifolia, not in N. chaffanjonii and N. hypoglauca. Our results highlight that the variation of leaf epidermis in Nekemias are possibly related to the environment and habitats.
Campylocentrum luzmariae (Vandeae, Orchidaceae), a new species from the Andean cloud forest of Colombia
Authors: PERDOMO OSCAR , SINGER RODRIGO B. , PESSOA EDLLEY M.
Published: April 2024

The Andean forests of Colombia harbor high plant biodiversity, especially orchids. Here, we propose and describe a new species of Campylocentrum from the cloud forests of the eastern Andean slopes of Caquetá, Colombia. The new species resembles C. alvesii, from which it differs by the longer lip with obtuse lateral lobes, and C. asplundii, from which it differs by inflorescences shorter than the leaves, trilobed lip, and strongly recurved spur.
A new fossil species of the reticulated beetle genus Cupes (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Cupedidae) from Eocene Baltic amber
Authors: YAMAMOTO SHÛHEI
Published: April 2024

The single extant species of the reticulated beetle genus Cupes Fabricius is confined to North America. In contrast, a diverse and abundant fossil record of the genus has been documented in Cenozoic deposits in Europe, especially in Eocene Baltic amber. This paper describes another species, Cupes balticus sp. n., as the eighth named species of the genus from Baltic amber. The discovery of an additional Cupes species further evidences the hidden paleodiversity of reticulated beetles in European Eocene forests.
A new hemeroscopid dragonfly (Odonata, Anisoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of the Jiuquan Basin, northwestern China
Authors: QI PENGLIANG , LIU PEIHAN , XIAO CHUANTAO , ZHENG DARAN
Published: April 2024

A new hemeroscopid dragonfly, Parahemeroscopus jiuquanensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Zhonggou Formation of the Jiuquan Basin, northwestern China. Parahemeroscopus gen. nov. has the mixed characters of the hemeroscopid genera Hemeroscopus Pritykina, 1977 and Abrohemeroscopus Ren, Liu & Cheng, 2003, and probably represents a transitional dragonfly from Abrohemeroscopus to Hemeroscopus. The new finding not only adds to the diversity of the Hemeroscopidae Pritykina, 1977, but also provides clues for revealing the early evolution of the hemeroscopid dragonflies.
Erratum: EZHUTHUPALLICKAL BENNY FEMI, AVUNJIKKATTU PARAMBIL RANJITH, DHARMA RAJAN PRIYADARSANAN (2024) Additions to the trigonalyid (Hymenoptera: Trigonalyidae) fauna of India with the description of a new species from south India. Zootaxa, 5419 (2): 265–274.
Authors: FEMI EZHUTHUPALLICKAL BENNY , RANJITH AVUNJIKKATTU PARAMBIL , PRIYADARSANAN DHARMA RAJAN
Published: April 2024

N/A
The state of emergency medicine in Greece: at critical momentum
Authors: Tsiftsis Dimitrios , Ulrich Andrew , Notas George , Patrikakou Anna , Reid Eleanor
Published: April 2024

Greece is a parliamentary republic in southeastern Europe populated by over 10 million permanent residents: 9 million reside on the mainland, with almost 4 million in the greater Athens area. The remaining 1 million populate the over 1200 Greek islands. In addition, more than 160,000 asylum-seekers reached Greece in 2022, and more than 25 million tourists have visited Greece in the last two years. Modern Greek Emergency Medicine (EM) is now in its 4th decade. The Greek government has focused the last few years on enhancing the quality of emergency services provided in public hospitals. Emergency Departments (EDs) are being modernized, undergraduate medical education gradually incorporates EM, and a specialty training program in emergency nursing has been established. However, the late recognition of the critical importance of EM as a specialty in Greece has resulted in the subsequent need to create three alternative pathways to EM, none of which are direct from residency. The first is a 24-month Emergency Medicine fellowship after completing a residency in another specialty and then passing the national exam. The second is for physicians who have worked in a public hospital ED (Gr: Ethniko Systima Ygeias (ESY) ESY for at least three years and successfully passed the national exam. The third, which no longer exists, is a ‘grandfather’ pathway for those physicians who worked in an ESY ED for five years prior to the creation of the fellowship training program. As a result, there is a critical shortage of EM-trained physicians, resulting in most care being provided by physicians without formal training in EM. This is further confounded by the country’s challenging geography, with frequent air transfers from the islands to mainland hospitals. Creating an EM Residency training program is a critical next step to overcoming many of the challenges facing EM provision in Greece today: it would address the shortage of EM-trained providers, decrease the need for costly ground and air transfers, and improve the quality of emergency care throughout Greece.
Impact of severe postoperative complications on the prognosis of older patients with colorectal cancer: a two-center retrospective study
Authors: Matsubara Daiki , Soga Koji , Ikeda Jun , Kumano Tatsuya , Mitsuda Masato , Konishi Tomoki , Komatsu Shuhei , Shimomura Katsumi , Taniguchi Fumihiro , Shioaki Yasuhiro , Otsuji Eigo
Published: April 2024

Background

The occurrence of postoperative complications may affect short-term outcomes and prognosis of patients with various malignancies. However, the prognostic impact of these complications in older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of severe postoperative complications on the oncological outcomes of older (aged ≥ 80 years) and non-older (aged < 80 years) patients with CRC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 760 patients with stage I–III CRC who underwent curative surgery in two institutions between 2013 and 2019. The patients were categorized into older (aged ≥ 80 years, 191 patients) and non-older (aged < 80 years, 569 patients) groups. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

The incidence of severe postoperative complications did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.981). Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was significantly worse in older patients with severe complications than in those without severe complications (p = 0.007); meanwhile, CSS did not differ between the non-older patients with severe complications and those without severe complications. Survival analysis revealed that the occurrence of severe postoperative complications was an independent prognostic factor for CSS in older patients (hazard ratio = 4.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.27–12.6, p = 0.017).

Conclusion

CRC surgery can be safely performed in older and non-older patients. Moreover, the occurrence of severe postoperative complications might more strongly affect the prognosis of older patients than that of non-older patients.
Breastfeeding self-efficacy in terms of sleep quality, perceived social support, depression and certain variables: a cross-sectional study of postpartum women in Turkey
Authors: Konukbay Dilek , Öksüz Emine , Guvenc Gulten
Published: April 2024

Background

Breastfeeding self-efficacy is one of the key factors that affect a healthy and successful breastfeeding process. A mother’s belief regarding her ability to breastfeed is influenced by social and psychological factors. This study aimed to investigate the breastfeeding self-efficacy levels of postpartum women, the factors affecting this, and its relationship with sleep quality, social support and depression.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the pediatric department of a tertiary hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected from 200 postpartum women using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Results

The mean scores of the BSES-SF, PSQI, MSPSS and EPDS were 59.05 ± 8.28, 9.18 ± 3.67, 57.82 ± 18.81, and 8.98 ± 5.89, respectively. A statistically significant negative correlation was found among the BSES-SF, EPDS (r = -0.445, p = 0.001) and PSQI (r = -0.612, p = 0.004), while a positive correlation was found among the BSES-SF, total MSPSS (r = 0.341, p = 0.036), and family support (r = 0.373, p = 0.014) (p < 0.05). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the number of births and breastfeeding self-efficacy (F = 3.68; p = 0.001). The linear regression analysis revealed that sleep quality (β = -0.491, p = 0.001), perceived social support (β = 0.146, p = 0.015), family support (β = 0.153, p = 0.013), and depression (β = -0.228, p = 0.001) emerged as the predictors of breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Conclusions

In this study, the increase in sleep quality and perceived social support positively affected the breastfeeding self-efficacy of postpartum women, while giving birth for the first time and an increase in the risk of depression were negatively affected.
A case report: co-occurrence of probable Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease and diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Li Huan , Li Zhiyong , Mao Ailing , Dong Ping , Wang Wei
Published: April 2024

Background

Bilateral retinal detachment and choroidal detachment in a patient are rare occurrences. The presence of bilateral diabetic retinopathy (DR) in such a case is even rarer and complicates the condition.

Case presentation

In this study, we document a case of unconventional VKH. Manifestations in this patient included intense peripheral retinal detachment and choroidal detachment, along with vitreous opacities akin to cotton wool spots, concurrent with DR. The diagnosis was considered as probable VKH with DR. Treatment according to VKH protocols, including high-dose corticosteroids, yielded positive results.

Conclusions

VKH can co-occurrence with DR. VKH manifestations vary, and early, aggressive, and long-term treatment is essential. The complexity of treatment increases with concurrent DR, necessitating the use of immunosuppressants.
Sustained acute kidney injury as an independent risk factor for neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in a single NICU center
Authors: Yen Chen-Wei , Chiang Ming-Chou , Chu Shih-Ming , Wang Hsiao-Chin , Wu Li-Chun , Yen Po-Cheng , Yu Mei-Ching
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly seen in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and is potentially associated with adverse prognoses in later stages of life. Our study evaluated the impact of sustained AKI (SAKI) on both neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) and early growth restriction (EGR) in neonates.

Methods

This case-control study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of neonates diagnosed with SAKI in the NICU of a tertiary medical center during the period from January 2007 to December 2020. Cases without subsequent follow-up and those resulting in death were excluded. We analyzed demographic, biochemical, and clinical outcome data.

Results

Of the 93 neonates with SAKI, 51 cases (54.8%) were included in this study, while 42 cases (45.2%) were excluded due to a lack of follow-up or death. An age-matched control group comprised 103 neonates, who had never experienced AKI or SAKI, were selected at random. In total, 59 (38.3%) cases were identified as NDI and 43 (27.9%) as EGR. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with SAKI had significantly higher risks of developing NDI (odds ratio, [OR] = 4.013, p = 0.001) and EGR (OR = 4.894, p < 0.001). The AKI interval had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.754 for NDI at 9.5 days and 0.772 for EGR at 12.5 days.

Conclusions

SAKI is an independent risk factor for both NDI and EGR in neonates. Consequently, regular monitoring, neurological development assessments, and appropriate nutritional advice are crucial to these infants who have experienced renal injury.
Family systems approaches in pediatric obesity management: a scoping review
Authors: Wills-Ibarra Natasha , Chemtob Keryn , Hart Heather , Frati Francesca , Pratt Keeley J , Ball Geoff DC , Van Hulst Andraea
Published: April 2024

Family-based obesity management interventions targeting child, adolescent and parental lifestyle behaviour modifications have shown promising results. Further intervening on the family system may lead to greater improvements in obesity management outcomes due to the broader focus on family patterns and dynamics that shape behaviours and health. This review aimed to summarize the scope of pediatric obesity management interventions informed by family systems theory (FST). Medline, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo were searched for articles where FST was used to inform pediatric obesity management interventions published from January 1980 to October 2023. After removal of duplicates, 6053 records were screened to determine eligibility. Data were extracted from 50 articles which met inclusion criteria; these described 27 unique FST-informed interventions. Most interventions targeted adolescents (44%), were delivered in outpatient hospital settings (37%), and were delivered in person (81%) using group session modalities (44%). Professionals most often involved were dieticians and nutritionists (48%). We identified 11 FST-related concepts that guided intervention components, including parenting skills, family communication, and social/family support. Among included studies, 33 reported intervention effects on at least one outcome, including body mass index (BMI) (n = 24), lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, diet, and sedentary behaviours) (n = 18), mental health (n = 12), FST-related outcomes (n = 10), and other outcomes (e.g., adiposity, cardiometabolic health) (n = 18). BMI generally improved following interventions, however studies relied on a variety of comparison groups to evaluate intervention effects. This scoping review synthesises the characteristics and breadth of existing FST-informed pediatric obesity management interventions and provides considerations for future practice and research.
The relationship between family cohesion and bedtime procrastination among Chinese college students: the chain mediating effect of coping styles and mobile phone addiction
Authors: Huang Jiahao , Yang Zhenliang , Wang Qian , Liu Junling , Xie Wenlan , Sun Yuqi
Published: April 2024

Background

Bedtime procrastination refers to an individual’s inability to go to bed at a predetermined time without external obstacles. Previous researchers have found that the bedtime procrastination is harmful to human physical and mental health, but these research on bedtime procrastination have mostly focused on exploring individual factors, while ignoring the external environmental factors. Therefore, this is the first study to investigate bedtime procrastination from the perspective of family environments.

Methods

The study was conducted using a convenient sampling method and online questionnaires. Family Cohesion Scale, Coping Styles Questionnaire, Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale and Bedtime Procrastination Scale were used to measure sleep and psychological condition of 1,048 college students.

Results

Family cohesion negatively predicted bedtime procrastination. Additionally, positive coping style and mobile phone addiction had significant independent mediating effects. Furthermore, positive coping style and mobile phone addiction had chain mediating effects between family cohesion and bedtime procrastination.

Conclusion

This study revealed the effect of coping styles and mobile phone addiction on the relationship between family cohesion and bedtime procrastination among Chinese college students. These findings explained the mechanisms of bedtime procrastination from the perspective of environment, so as to effectively intervene the bedtime procrastination of college students from the perspective of external environment.
Inappropriate study inclusion in meta-analysis of sham-controlled rTMS for treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Kennedy Kevin P.
Published: April 2024

Dr. Vida and colleagues have published an important meta-analysis on a critical topic in psychiatry: the efficacy of double-blind, sham-controlled rTMS in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) [1]. The primary reported finding was a significant effect of rTMS on remission and response (RR 2.25 and 2.78 respectively) compared to sham rTMS. A close evaluation of the studies included in this meta-analysis raises concerns about the accuracy of these findings.
Pathological findings with vacuoles in anti-mitochondrial antibody-positive inflammatory myopathy
Authors: Chen Yuanchong , Zhang Wei , Lv He , Wang Zhaoxia , Hao Hongjun , Yuan Yun , Zheng Yiming
Published: April 2024

Background

A few patients with inflammatory myopathy showed anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) positivity. This study aimed to report the clinical and pathological findings with vacuoles in 3 cases of such patients.

Methods

Three cases with myositis from the Myositis Clinical Database of Peking University First Hospital were identified with AMA positivity. Their clinical records were retrospectively reviewed and the data was extracted. All the 3 cases underwent muscle biopsy.

Results

Three middle-aged patients presented with chronic-onset weakness of proximal limbs, marked elevation of creatine kinase, and AMA-positivity. Two of the 3 cases meet the criteria of primary biliary cholangitis. All the 3 cases presented with cardiac involvement and proteinuria. Two cases developed type 2 respiratory failure. MRI of the thigh muscle showed multiple patches of edema bilaterally in both cases, mostly in the adductor magnus. Pathological findings include degeneration of muscle fibers, diffused MHC-I positivity, and complement deposits on cell membranes. Vacuoles without rims of different sizes were discovered under the membrane of the muscle fibers. A few RBFs were discovered in case 1, while a diffused proliferation of endomysium and perimysium was shown in case 2.

Conclusions

AMA-positive inflammatory myopathy is a disease that could affect multiple systems. Apart from inflammatory changes, the pathological findings of muscle can also present vacuoles.
Effect of different fabrication workflows on the passive fit of screw-retained bar splinting two interforaminal implants: a parallel blinded randomised clinical trial
Authors: Eldin Bassant Sherif Gamal , Talaat Ingy Amin , Nawar Noha Helmy Hassan , Mohamed Ahmed Mostafa Abdelfattah
Published: April 2024

Background

To clinically compare the effect of the conventional and the digital workflows on the passive fit of a screw retained bar splinting two inter-foraminal implants.

Methods

The current study was designed to be a parallel triple blinded randomised clinical trial. Thirty six completely edentulous patients were selected and simply randomized into two groups; conventional group (CG) and digital group (DG). The participants, investigator and outcome assessor were blinded. In the group (CG), the bar was constructed following a conventional workflow in which an open top splinted impression and a lost wax casting technology were used. However, in group (DG), a digital workflow including a digital impression and a digital bar milling technology was adopted. Passive fit of each bar was then evaluated clinically by applying the screw resistance test using the “flag” technique in the passive and non passive situations. The screw resistance test parameter was also calculated. Unpaired t-test was used for intergroup comparison. P-value < 0.05 was the statistical significance level. The study protocol was reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee in the author’s university (Rec IM051811). Registration of the clinical trial was made on clinical trials.gov ID NCT05770011. An informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Results

Non statistically significant difference was denoted between both groups in all situations. In the passive situation, the mean ± standard deviation values were 1789.8° ± 20.7 and1786.1° ± 30.7 for the groups (CG) and (DG) respectively. In the non passive situation, they were 1572.8° ± 54.2 and 1609.2° ± 96.9. Regarding the screw resistance test parameter, they were 217° ± 55.3 and 176° ± 98.8.

Conclusion

Conventional and digital fabrication workflows had clinically comparable effect on the passive fit of screw retained bar attachments supported by two dental implants.
Geographical distribution of emergency obstetric and neonatal care signal functions in Ethiopian health facilities: 2021–2022 Ethiopian service Provision Assessment (SPA)
Authors: Dinagde Dagne Deresa , Wada Habtamu Wana
Published: April 2024

Background

The maternal mortality ratio in Ethiopia is still high, with an estimate of 412 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016. Signal functions for emergency obstetric and neonatal care must be accessible and usable in order to successfully prevent maternal deaths. It is an important strategy to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in countries with limited resources. Hence, an assessment of the availability of fully functioning EmONC services and their coverage per 500,000 people in Ethiopia is crucial.

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of data from the Ethiopian Service Provision Assessment Survey (ESPA), a national-level survey data source. Data collection for the survey took place from August 11, 2021, to February 4, 2022. For this investigation, 905 healthcare facilities in total were evaluated for the availability of emergency obstetric and new-born care (EmONC) services at all hospitals, selected health centers, and private clinics were evaluated. Descriptive data analysis was done by the using statistical package for social science version 26 (SPSS) to run frequency and cross-tabs. Global Positioning System (GPS) (arc map 10.8) Software was used for spatial distribution in order to locate the physical accessibility of EmONC providing health facilities on flat map surfaces. It was projected based on Ethiopia’s geographic coordinate system at Adindan UTM zone 370N.

Results

Of 905 health facilities, only 442 (49%) could provide fully functioning BEmONC, and 250 (27.6%) health facilities have been providing fully functioning CEmONC. The overall coverage of BEmONC ratios in Ethiopia is 1.5–3.77 per 500,000 population and CEmONC (0.83–2.1) per 500,000 populations. Regions such as Amhara, SNNPR and Addis Ababa had found to have high BEmONC ratio. The geographical distribution of the EmONC showed that the central areas of the country, such as southwest Shewa and east Shewa, the Oromia region, the northern areas of the South Nation, nationalities, and peoples regions (SNNPR), including the Gurage zone and the Wolaita-Soddo zone, and the middle areas in the Amhara region (west Gojjam or around Bahir Dar town), and the southern areas, Debra Tabor and Debre Birhane zones, all had greater access to facilities offering complete EmONC services.

Conclusion

Comprehensive emergency obstetrics and neonatal care (CEmONC) in Ethiopia met WHO recommendations, despite basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care (BEmONC) falling below those standards in Ethiopia. There are extremely large disparities in the accessibility of both basic and comprehensive emergency obstetrics and neonatal care in Ethiopia. Thus, Strategic planning is needed to improve infrastructures and inputs for EmONC services, particularly in remote areas of the country. Additionally, private facilities ought to place a priority on the provision of these services.
Association between days for concussion recovery and initial specialty clinic evaluation within 48 hours
Authors: Mathew Abel S. , Caze Todd , Price August M. , Vasquez Desi , Abt John P. , Burkhart Scott O.
Published: April 2024

Background

Researchers have highlighted the importance of early access to concussion care within one week of injury in reducing recovery times. However, a persisting question for concussion researchers is “just how early is important?” The purpose of this study was to examine differences in recovery time as predicted by the number of days elapsed since injury (DSI) to initial evaluation among patients who had access to a specialty concussion clinic within seven days. We hypothesized that DSI group membership, even within seven days, would significantly predict risk of protracted recovery (i.e., beyond 21 days).

Methods

In this archival study, retrospective data were gathered from electronic medical records between September 2020 to March 2022. Records of participants between ages 12–18, those diagnosed with a sports-related concussion based on initial clinic visit diagnosis by a medical provider and those who established care within seven days of injury at a large pediatric specialty concussion clinic were examined. Participants were divided into three DSI groups (patients seen in < 48 h: “acute”, patients seen between 49 h < and < 96 h: “sub-acute”, and patients seen between 97 < and < 168 h: “post-acute”). A general linear model was constructed to examine relationships between relevant concussion factors (e.g., Post Concussion Scale Score, neurodevelopmental history, psychiatric history, concussion history, migraine history, overall VOMS change score, cognitive testing, sex, age, race, and ethnicity) that were either significant in the preliminary analysis or in clinical judgement and recovery time. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were derived from a binary logistic regression model, in which recovery time was normal (≤ 21 recovery days) or protracted (> 21 recovery days).

Results

A total of 856 participants were eligible. Adolescents in the acute group (M = 15.12, SD = 8.04) had shorter recovery times in days compared to those in the sub-acute (M = 17.98, SD = 10.18) and post-acute (M = 21.12, SD = 10.12; F = 26.00, p < .001) groups. Further, participants in the acute (OR = 4.16) and sub-acute (OR = 1.37) groups who accessed specialty concussion clinics within 48 h were 4 times more likely to have a normal recovery and recovered approximately 6 days faster than the post-acute care group.

Conclusions

Earlier concussion care access predicted recovery times and was associated with lower risk for protracted recovery.
First record of Psorophora ferox (Diptera: Culicidae) infested with eggs of Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Cuterebridae), in Ucayali: Peru
Authors: Requena-Zúñiga Edwin , Chapilliquen-Alban Fernando , Leon-Cueto Walter , Bances-Juarez Fredy , Valle-Toledo Jorge , Rojas-Jaimes Jesús
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Dermatobia hominis belongs to the Cuterebridae family, Diptera order; These flies inhabit tropical regions where they are called "fly of death" since the larvae are capable of causing lesions in domestic animals, wild animals including humans, the adult females of D. hominis capture other dipteran to oviposit their eggs on them (phoresis), when hematophagous mosquitoes land on an animal and / or human in order to feed on their blood, the eggs hatch and the larvae immediately penetrate the skin where they will develop to later abandon the host, then in the soil and / or other moist substrate the pupal stage develops, finally new adult flies will emerge from the pupae.

Objective

The primary goal of the present study was to determine as first record, the presence of Psorophora ferox infested with eggs of Dermatobia hominis, Peru.

Methodology

The present study was carried out in an area of the private reserve "El Vencedor", located within the city of Pucallpa, Ucayali Region-Perú. The area is characterized by being humid tropical, with an average temperature of 26ºC and humidity of 92%, while the annual precipitation is approximately 1570 mm3. The capture method was carried out with the help of a hand net type "butterfly" or also called Jama.

Results

A total of 668 mosquitoes of different species were collected, the most abundant being Psorophora albigenu and Psorophora ferox, which represented 88.72% and the least abundant was Culex coronator and Uranotaenia apicalis with 0.15% of the total sample collected.

Conclusions

Within these specimens it was captured a mosquito of the species Ps. ferox with the presence of 8 eggs of D. hominis, of which 3 would have hatched, while in the remaining 5, the larvae would remain inside the eggs.
The long-term cost-effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide versus sitagliptin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in China
Authors: Gu Shuyan , Gu Jinghong , Wang Xiaoyong , Wang Xiaoling , Li Lu , Gu Hai , Xu Biao
Published: April 2024

Background

To estimate the long-term cost-effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide versus sitagliptin as an add-on therapy for type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled on metformin in China, to better inform healthcare decision making.

Methods

The Cardiff diabetes model which is a Monte Carlo micro-simulation model was used to project short-term effects of once-weekly semaglutide versus sitagliptin into long-term outcomes. Short-term data of patient profiles and treatment effects were derived from the 30-week SUSTAIN China trial, in which 868 type 2 diabetes patients with a mean age of 53.1 years inadequately controlled on metformin were randomized to receive once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg, once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg, or sitagliptin 100 mg. Costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated from a healthcare system perspective at a discount rate of 5%. Univariate sensitivity analysis, scenario analysis, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were conducted to test the uncertainty.

Results

Over patients’ lifetime projections, patients in both once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg arms predicted less incidences of most vascular complications, mortality, and hypoglycemia, and lower total costs compared with those in sitagliptin arm. For an individual patient, compared with sitagliptin, once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg conferred a small QALY improvement of 0.08 and a lower cost of $5173, while once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg generated an incremental QALY benefit of 0.12 and a lower cost of $7142, as an add-on to metformin. Therefore, both doses of once-weekly semaglutide were considered dominant versus sitagliptin with more QALY benefits at lower costs.

Conclusion

Once-weekly semaglutide may represent a cost-effective add-on therapy alternative to sitagliptin for type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled on metformin in China.
A novel outlier detection method based on Bayesian change point analysis and Hampel identifier for GNSS coordinate time series
Authors: Pehlivan Hüseyin
Published: April 2024

The identification and removal of outliers in time series are important problems in numerous fields. In this paper, a novel method (BCP-HI) is proposed to enhance the accuracy of outlier detection in GNSS coordinate time series by combining Bayesian change point (BCP) analysis and the Hampel identifier (HI). By using BCP, change points (cps) in the time series are lidentified, and so the time series is divided into subsegments that have properties of a normal distribution. In each of these separated segments, outliers are detected using HI. Each data element identified as an outlier is corrected by a median filter of window size (w) to obtain the corrected signal. The BCP-HI method was tested on both simulated and real GNSS coordinate time series. Outliers from three different synthetic test datasets with different sampling frequencies and outlier amplitudes were detected with approximately 98% accuracy after processing. After this process, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) increased from 0.0084 to 10.8714 dB and Root Mean Square (RMS) decreased from 24 to 23 mm. Similarly, for real GNSS data, approximately 98% accuracy was achieved, with an increase in SNR from 0.0003 to 4.4082 dB and a decrease in RMS from 7.6 to 6.6 mm observed. In addition, the output signals after BCP-HI were examined graphically using Lomb–Scargle periodograms and it was observed that clearer power spectrum distributions emerged. When the input and output signals were examined using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test, they were found to be statistically similar. These results indicate that the BCP-HI algorithm effectively removes outliers, and enhances processing accuracy and reliability, and improves signal quality.
Gender health care inequalities in health crisis: when uncertainty can lead to inequality
Authors: Aguilar-Palacio Isabel , Obón-Azuara Blanca , Castel-Feced Sara , Malo Sara , Teresa Julia , Rabanaque María José
Published: April 2024

Background

In health crisis, inequalities in access to and use of health care services become more evident. The objective of this study is to analyse the existence and evolution of gender inequalities in access to and use of healthcare services in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using data from all individuals with a confirmed COVID-19 infection from March 2020 to March 2022 in Aragón (Spain) (390,099 cases). Health care access and use was analysed by gender for the different pandemic waves. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of sex in health care. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition methods were performed to explain gender gaps observed.

Results

The health care received throughout the COVID-19 pandemic differed between men and women. Women were admitted to hospital and intensive care units less frequently than men and their stays were shorter. Differences observed between men and women narrowed throughout the pandemic, but persisted even after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, morbidity burden or the patient's place of residence. Differences in sociodemographic characteristics and morbidity burden could explain partially the gender inequalities found, mainly in the later phases of the pandemic, but not in the earlier waves.

Conclusions

There were gender inequalities in access to and use of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inequalities were greater in the first waves of the pandemic, but did not disappear. Analysis of health crises must take into account an intersectional gender perspective to ensure equitable health care.
Factors associated with anemia among reproductive age women in Nigeria; evidenced by the Nigeria malaria indicators survey: spatial and multilevel model analysis
Authors: Mankelkl Gosa , Kinfe Beletu
Published: April 2024

Background

Anemia is a global public health problem among women of reproductive age group, especially in developing countries, which affect health, social and economic development that result in low physical activity, increased maternal morbidity and mortality and adverse neonatal outcome especially those with severe anemia. However, there is limited reliable and updated data on the spatial variations of anemia and its associated factors among reproductive-age women in Nigeria.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the recent Nigeria malaria indicators survey datasets. The study comprised a total of 14,476 reproductive-age women. Spatial and multilevel mixed effect analysis on determinants factors of anemia among reproductive age women in Nigeria evidenced by the recent Nigerian malaria indicators survey. Finally, the percentage and odd ratio, its 95% confidence intervals, and the result of spatial analysis were reported.

Result

This study includes a total weighted sample of 14,476 reproductive-age women from the Nigeria malaria indicators survey. The prevalence of anemia was 24.6% in Ethiopia. Being between the age range of 30–34 years [AOR: 0.217, 95% CI (0.171, 0.274)], Attending higher education [AOR: 0.848, 95%CI (0.740, 0.972)] and being male headed household [AOR: 0.540, 95% CI (0.471, 0.620)] were protective for anemia. On the other hand being poorest [AOR: 1.542 95%CI (1.299, 1.830)] and being listening radio less than once a week [AOR: 1.013, 95% CI (0.908, 1.131)] were risk for anemia.

Conclusion

In this study Individual level factors were associated with anemia and also there were spatial variations in anemia across the region among reproductive-age women. Empowering women to have better educational status, improving the wealth index, and promoting education about prevention and control strategies of anemia through media especially in developing regions were the key factors to reduce anemia among reproductive age women in Nigeria.
Phenotype-considered kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty for windswept-deformity-associated osteoarthritis: surgical strategy and clinical outcomes
Authors: Hsu Cheng-En , Tsai Meng-Hsueh , Wu Hsin-Ting , Huang Jen-Ting , Huang Kui-Chou
Published: April 2024

Background

Windswept deformity (WSD) in relation to advanced osteoarthritis (OA) presents a significant surgical challenge in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The primary goal of this study is to investigate the Prevalance of WSD associated osteoarthritis who have undergone total knee arthroplasty. The secondary goal is to explore the causes of WSD and its association with spinal deformity or leg length discrepancy in these patients. Finally, we evaluate the surgical outcomes of phenotype-considered kinematically aligned TKA (KA-TKA) in treating patients with WSD.

Methods

A review was conducted on data from 40 knees of 33 WSD patients who underwent phenotype-considered KA-TKA from August 2016 to December 2020. Patient demographics, associated diseases, preoperative and postoperative knee alignment angles, range of motion (ROM), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and Knee Society Score (KSS) were collected and analyzed. Subgroup analysis for comparing the results between valgus and varus knees were also performed.

Results

Within the studied cohort of WSD patients, a substantial 64% displayed concomitant coronal spinal imbalance and 21% evidenced leg length discrepancy. Postoperative improvements were notable in knee alignments, ROM, OKS, and KSS following the application of the phenotype-considered KA-TKA approach. There were significant differences in the knee alignment angles, including mHKA, LDFA, and MPTA, between the valgus and varus side of knees (P = 0.018). However, no statistically significant difference were observed in the functional scores, comprising ROM, OKS, and KSS, between valgus and varus knees.

Conclusions

A high percentage of patients with WSD exhibited coronal spinal imbalance and leg length discrepancy. Phenotype-considered KA-TKA effectively provided alignment targets for the treatment of both varus and valgus knees in patients with WSD, achieving excellent short-term outcomes and acceptable knee alignment.
Non-linear vibration and bifurcation analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beam under parametric excitation
Authors: Liao Pengtai
Published: April 2024

This paper presents an analysis of the non-linear vibrations of beams, which play a crucial role in various industrial and construction structures. Understanding the transverse vibrations of beams and accurately determining their frequency response is essential for achieving optimal design and structural performance. The novelty of this study lies in conducting a transverse non-linear vibration analysis of a three-dimensional beam while considering the effect of mid-plane elongation. By incorporating this aspect into the analysis, the study aims to provide deeper insights into the dynamic behavior of beams subjected to non-linear effects. A multiple-time scale approach has been adopted to conduct this research. To verify the accuracy of the method as well as the accuracy of the outcomes gained from this method, a contrast has been made with the 4th-order Runge-Kutta technique, which indicates that the results obtained are acceptable. The frequency response of the beam indicates the presence of a phenomenon of splitting into two non-linear branches during the three-dimensional vibrations of the beam, as well as a hardening state in the frequency response as a result of stretching the middle plane of the beam. Furthermore, a parametric study was conducted in which different parameters were examined to determine the starting point of non-linear bifurcation. As a result, the damping coefficient and resonance deviation parameter are two factors that affect the preference for critical bifurcation over safe bifurcation. Furthermore, the stretching of the middle plane results in a higher non-linear term coefficient in the vibration equations of the beam, which increases the oscillation frequency of the beam.
Identification of Pancreatic Cancer Germline Risk Variants With Effects That Are Modified by Smoking
Authors: Zhu Huili , Choi Jaihee , Kui Naishu , Yang Tianzhong , Wei Peng , Li Donghui , Sun Ryan
Published: April 2024

PURPOSE

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a deadly disease most often diagnosed in late stages. Identification of high-risk subjects could both contribute to preventative measures and help diagnose the disease at earlier timepoints. However, known risk factors, assessed independently, are currently insufficient for accurately stratifying patients. We use large-scale data from the UK Biobank (UKB) to identify genetic variant-smoking interaction effects and show their importance in risk assessment.

METHODS

We draw data from 15,086,830 genetic variants and 315,512 individuals in the UKB. There are 765 cases of PC. Crucially, robust resampling corrections are used to overcome well-known challenges in hypothesis testing for interactions. Replication analysis is conducted in two independent cohorts totaling 793 cases and 570 controls. Integration of functional annotation data and construction of polygenic risk scores (PRS) demonstrate the additional insight provided by interaction effects.

RESULTS

We identify the genome-wide significant variant rs77196339 on chromosome 2 (per minor allele odds ratio in never-smokers, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.69 to 3.15]; per minor allele odds ratio in ever-smokers, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.91]; P = 3.54 × 10−8) as well as eight other loci with suggestive evidence of interaction effects ( P < 5 × 10−6). The rs77196339 region association is validated ( P < .05) in the replication sample. PRS incorporating interaction effects show improved discriminatory ability over PRS of main effects alone.

CONCLUSION

This study of genome-wide germline variants identified smoking to modify the effect of rs77196339 on PC risk. Interactions between known risk factors can provide critical information for identifying high-risk subjects, given the relative inadequacy of models considering only main effects, as demonstrated in PRS. Further studies are necessary to advance toward comprehensive risk prediction approaches for PC.
Διακαλλιτεχνικότητα, δραματουργία, επιτελεστικότητα
Authors: Τεκτονίδου Παρασκευή
Published: April 2024

Τα έργα σύγχρονου χορού που έχουν σήμερα τη μεγαλύτερη παρουσία και απήχηση στα φεστιβάλ και τα θέατρα της Ευρώπης, παρουσιάζονται να είναι ανοίκεια, ασυνήθη και αποκλίνοντα σε σχέση με ό,τι αναγνωρίζεται ακόμη ως χορογραφικός κανόνας. Ένας κανόνας που, από τη γέννηση του μοντέρνου χορού, ταυτίζει την χορογραφία με την σύνθεση πρωτότυπης χορευτικής κίνησης και την οργάνωσή της στο χώρο και το χρόνο, εντός ενός οριοθετημένου παραστασιακού πλαισίου. Αντί για μια ανιστορική, φορμαλιστική προσέγγιση κάθε μεμονωμένου τέτοιου, «παράξενου» έργου ως το ατομικό επίτευγμα ενός εμπνευσμένου δημιουργού, αναζητήθηκε ένα αναλυτικό σχήμα ικανό να συνδέει τους κανόνες της δημιουργίας και τη μορφή της τελικής παράστασης, με τον σύγχρονό κοινωνικό κόσμο. Ιστορικά άλλωστε, η απόκλιση ενός καλλιτεχνικού έργου από τον κανόνα συνδέεται με μία πολιτική διάθεση που στέκεται κριτικά απέναντι στην καθεστηκυία τάξη πραγμάτων, επιθυμώντας να την υπονομεύσει. Η αναγνώριση αυτή κατέστησε αναγκαία την αναστοχαστική εξέταση των κυρίαρχων σήμερα διαθέσεων στη χορογραφική πρακτική. Τρεις αναλυτικές έννοιες πλοήγησαν την ενδελεχή αυτή διερώτηση: η διακαλλιτεχνικότητα/διατομεακότητα, η επιτελεστικότητα και τη δραματουργία Και οι τρεις προέκυψαν κατά την πορεία της έρευνας καθώς αναδείχθηκαν ικανές να συνδέουν τη δημιουργία, την παρουσίαση και την πρόσληψη. Στην παρούσα μελέτη αναλύεται κάθε μία ιστορικά σε σχέση με το πως επηρέασε τις πρακτικές της χορογραφίας και την πλαισίωσή τους. Το αναλυτικό σχήμα που προκύπτει από την παράλληλη θεώρησή τους υποστηρίζει την κριτική πλαισίωση κάθε μοναδικού έργου, ανεξάρτητα από το θέμα που πραγματεύεται ή τα μέσα με τα οποία συγκροτείται χορογραφικά. Το σχήμα αυτό, εφαρμόζεται τέλος στην μελέτη δύο παραδειγμάτων, του Sing the Positions του Γιάννη Μανταφούνη και του Bstrd της Κατερίνας Ανδρέου.