bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of joint protein expression profile in anterior disc displacement of TMJ with or without OA
Authors: Zou Luxiang , Yang Kaiwen , Yu Yeke , Wang Chuyao , Zhao Jieyun , Lu Chuan , He Dongmei
Published: January 2024

Objective

Anterior disc displacement (ADD) is a common clinical issue and may cause osteoarthritis (OA). However, the research of protein changes in synovial fluid as disease development marker and potential treatment clue is still insufficient.

Materials and Methods

We conducted the high‐resolution mass spectrometry (MS) of synovial fluid collected from 60 patients with normal disk position to ADD and ADD with osteoarthritis (OA). The proteins with significant changes among the 3 groups were analyzed by biological information and further validated by in primary rat condyle chondrocytes and OA animal model.

Results

FGL2, THBS4, TNC, FN1, OMD etc. were significantly increased in ADD without OA (p < 0.05), which reflected the active extracellular matrix and collagen metabolism. FGFR1, FBLN2, GRB2 etc. were significantly increased in ADD with OA group (p < 0.05), which revealed an association with apoptosis and ferroptosis. Proteins such as P4HB, CBLN4, FHL1, VIM continuously increase in the whole disease progress (p < 0.05). Both the in vitro and in vivo results are consistent with protein changes detected in MS profile.

Conclusion

This study firstly provides the expression changes of proteins from normal disc condyle relationship toward ADD with OA, which can be selected and studied further as disease progress marker and potential treatment targets.
Ecological novelty at the start of the Cambrian and Ordovician radiations of echinoderms
Authors: Novack‐Gottshall Philip M. , Purcell Jack , Sultan Ali , Ranjha Isa , Deline Bradley , Sumrall Colin D.
Published: January 2024

The Cambrian and Ordovician radiations marked the origins of all major echinoderm clades and established their Phanerozoic ecological blueprint. Recent claims of modest innovation of early echinoderms and other animals suggest constraints on novelty during the origins of phyla. Here, we document the life‐habit richness, body size, tiering, habitat usage, mobility, diet and foraging habits of 366 Cambrian–Ordovician echinoderm genera across a time‐scaled phylogeny to identify the timing and impact of novelty. Most early echinoderms were sedentary, filter‐feeding microbivores, and their body sizes, diets and modes of locomotion were largely unchanged through time, despite major volatility in taxonomic composition. Cambrian echinoderms lived close to the seafloor, with stylophorans first evolving semi‐infaunality. Many Ordovician echinoderms lived farther from the seafloor, with more complex filter‐feeding organs and tiering structure, often using other organisms as substrates. Mobile carnivores and mass‐feeders emerge then, too, across diverse asterozoans and echinozoans. Most of these novelties coincide with the origins of individual clades during the early and late Cambrian (Terreneuvian/Series 2 and Furongian), and 10–20 million years pass before most become ecologically important. Life‐habit evolution within most taxa involved new variations in these traits, with crinoids and asterozoans better able to shift strategies. The Ordovician radiation records more new variability in pre‐existing Cambrian life habits rather than radical re‐invention, with important novelties (like mobile carnivory and mass‐feeding, increased height off the seafloor, and biotic substrates) becoming ecologically more impactful. Taxa with these strategies were those best able to capitalize on the newly heterogeneous Ordovician world.
Genome‐wide characterization of trihelix genes reveals Cqtrihelix23 enhances the salt tolerance in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)
Authors: Sun Wenjun , Chen Ying , Yao Min , Zhan Junyi , Chen Hui , Zhao Gang , Zou Liang , Xiang Dabing , Wu Xiaoyong , Wan Yan , Liu Changying , Wu Qi , Ye Xueling , Fan Yu
Published: January 2024

Soil salinity poses an escalating threat to global environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, and food safety. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), recognized as a halophyte, has emerged as a promising crop due to its high nutritional value and stress resistance. Nevertheless, the current understanding of salt tolerance genes in quinoa remains incomplete. This comprehensive study aimed to identify the quinoa trihelix family and families associated with salt stress, including Na+/H+ antiporter (NHX) and calcineurin B‐like (CBL). Through expression analysis, Cqtrihelix23 was identified as responsive to salt stress. Subsequent transient transformation experiments revealed that Cqtrihelix23 enhanced quinoa's tolerance to salt stress by promoting root development, maintaining the antioxidant system, and reducing the Na+/K+ ratio. Additionally, it was discovered that Cqtrihelix23 upregulated the expression of CqCBL10 and CqNHX4. Further protein interaction experiments confirmed the interaction between Cqtrihelix23, CqCBL10, and CqNHX4. Notably, CqCBL10 and CqNHX4 also contributed to salt stress resistance, and in combination with Cqtrihelix23, they synergistically enhanced salt stress tolerance. In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of Cqtrihelix23, CqCBL10, and CqNHX4 as key contributors within the regulatory network associated with quinoa's salt tolerance. These findings lay a solid groundwork for the development of salt‐tolerant quinoa varieties.
A genome assembly of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) provides insights into genome evolution and 6‐gingerol biosynthesis
Authors: Chen Zijing , Zhang Ling , Lv Yao , Qu Shenyang , Liu Wenjun , Wang Kai , Gao Song , Zhu Feng , Cao Bili , Xu Kun
Published: January 2024

Ginger is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions and is one of the most crucial spices worldwide owing to its special taste and scent. Here, we present a high‐quality genome assembly for ‘Small Laiwu Ginger’, a famous cultivated ginger in northern China. The ginger genome was phased into two haplotypes, haplotype A (1.55Gb), and haplotype B (1.44Gb). Analysis of Ty1/Copia and Ty3/Gypsy LTR retrotransposon families revealed that both have undergone multiple retrotransposon bursts about 0–1 million years ago. In addition to a recent whole‐genome duplication event, there has been a lineage‐specific expansion of genes involved in stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid, and gingerol biosynthesis, thereby enhancing 6‐gingerol biosynthesis. Furthermore, we focused on the biosynthesis of 6‐gingerol, the most important gingerol, and screened key transcription factors ZoMYB106 and ZobHLH148 that regulate 6‐gingerol synthesis by transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis in the ginger rhizome at four growth stages. The results of yeast one‐hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift, and dual‐luciferase reporter gene assays showed that both ZoMYB106 and ZobHLH148 bind to the promoters of the key rate‐limiting enzyme genes ZoCCOMT1 and ZoCCOMT2 in the 6‐gingerol synthesis pathway and promote their transcriptional activities. The reference genome, transcriptome, and metabolome data pave the way for further research on the molecular mechanism underlying the biosynthesis of 6‐gingerol. Furthermore, it provides precious new resources for the study on the biology and molecular breeding of ginger.
Transcriptome analysis with different leaf blades identifies the phloem‐specific phosphate transporter OsPHO1;3 required for phosphate homeostasis in rice
Authors: Yan Meng , Xie Mengyang , Chen Wang , Si Wen‐jing , Lin Hong‐hui , Yang Jian
Published: January 2024

Phosphate (Pi) is essential for plant growth and development. One strategy to improve Pi use efficiency is to enhance Pi remobilization among leaves. Using transcriptome analysis with first (top) and fourth (down) leaf blades from rice (Oryza sativa) in Pi‐sufficient and deficient conditions, we identified 1384 genes differentially expressed among these leaf blades. These genes were involved in physiological processes, metabolism, transport, and photosynthesis. Moreover, we identified the Pi efflux transporter gene, OsPHO1;3, responding to Pi‐supplied conditions among these leaf blades. OsPHO1;3 is highly expressed in companion cells of phloem, but not xylem, in leaf blades and induced by Pi starvation. Mutation of OsPHO1;3 led to Pi accumulation in second to fourth leaves under Pi‐sufficient conditions, but enhanced Pi levels in first leaves under Pi‐deficient conditions. These Pi accumulations in leaves of Ospho1;3 mutants resulted from induction of OsPHT1;2 and OsPHT1;8 in root and reduction of Pi remobilization in leaf blades, revealed by the decreased Pi in phloem of leaves. Importantly, lack of OsPHO1;3 caused growth defects under a range of Pi‐supplied conditions. These results demonstrate that Pi remobilization is essential for Pi homeostasis and plant growth irrespective of Pi‐supplied conditions, and OsPHO1;3 plays an essential role in Pi remobilization for normal plant growth.
Vertebral level specific modulation of paraspinal muscle activity based on vestibular signals during walking
Authors: Li Yiyuan C. , Bruijn Sjoerd M. , Lemaire Koen K. , Brumagne Simon , van Dieën Jaap H.
Published: January 2024

Evoking muscle responses by electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) may help to understand the contribution of the vestibular system to postural control. Although paraspinal muscles play a role in postural stability, the vestibulo‐muscular coupling of these muscles during walking has rarely been studied. This study aimed to investigate how vestibular signals affect paraspinal muscle activity at different vertebral levels during walking with preferred and narrow step width. Sixteen healthy participants were recruited. Participants walked on a treadmill for 8 min at 78 steps/min and 2.8 km/h, at two different step width, either with or without EVS. Bipolar electromyography was recorded bilaterally from the paraspinal muscles at eight vertebral levels from cervical to lumbar. Coherence, gain, and delay of EVS and EMG responses were determined. Significant EVS‐EMG coupling (P < 0.01) was found at ipsilateral and/or contralateral heel strikes. This coupling was mirrored between left and right relative to the midline of the trunk and between the higher and lower vertebral levels, i.e. a peak occurred at ipsilateral heel strike at lower levels, whereas it occurred at contralateral heel strike at higher levels. EVS‐EMG coupling only partially coincided with peak muscle activity. EVS‐EMG coherence slightly, but not significantly, increased when walking with narrow steps. No significant differences were found in gain and phase between the vertebral levels or step width conditions. In summary, vertebral level specific modulation of paraspinal muscle activity based on vestibular signals might allow a fast, synchronized, and spatially co‐ordinated response along the trunk during walking.

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Key points

Mediolateral stabilization of gait requires an estimate of the state of the body, which is affected by vestibular afference.

During gait, the heavy trunk segment is controlled by phasic paraspinal muscle activity and in rodents the medial and lateral vestibulospinal tracts activate these muscles.

To gain insight in vestibulospinal connections in humans and their role in gait, we recorded paraspinal surface EMG of cervical to lumbar paraspinal muscles, and characterized coherence, gain and delay between EMG and electrical vestibular stimulation, during slow walking.

Vestibular stimulation caused phasic, vertebral level specific modulation of paraspinal muscle activity at delays of around 40 ms, which was mirrored between left, lower and right, upper vertebral levels.

Our results indicate that vestibular afference causes fast, synchronized, and spatially co‐ordinated responses of the paraspinal muscles along the trunk, that simultaneously contribute to stabilizing the centre of mass trajectory and to keeping the head upright.
Curvature Sensitive Modification of Pure Pursuit Control
Authors: Garrow Alexander L. , Peters Diane L. , Panchal Tanmay A.
Published: January 2024

Pure pursuit control is a commonly used method in the vehicle path-tracking problem. While widely used, it has some limitations, including the fact that its accuracy is very sensitive to the lookahead distance. A variety of different modifications to pure pursuit have been developed in an attempt to deal with this, and in this paper, an additional modification is proposed that combines speed and understeer gradient sensitivity with a curvature-based gain compensation based on target points on the path. Results are compared to the standard pure pursuit controller, demonstrating the improvements from this modification.
Evaluation of the Positioning Accuracy Along Helical Paths Using a Telescoping Ballbar
Authors: Xing Kanglin , Mayer J. R. R. , Bonev Ilian A. , Champliaud Henri , Liu Zhaoheng
Published: January 2024

The telescoping ballbar is a versatile and easy-to-use error identification instrument for machine tools. The ballbar movement trajectory used while machining is limited to acquiring a large circular arc for positioning accuracy evaluation. However, it cannot be used to calculate the expected machine tool error parameters. Herein, a helical path is explored because it provides a complete helix turn under machining conditions, similar to the general ballbar path during a non-machining test, and enables the calculation of relevant machine tool error parameters. The theoretical model and program for a helical ballbar test are developed and validated experimentally on two different research platforms: a hexapod-based machining cell and a Mitsui Seiki HU40-T five-axis machine tool. Using a Renishaw QC-20W ballbar system with a 50 mm radius, the tests were conducted with helical pitches of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mm, respectively. After compensation, the helical-based ballbar test showed similar radial deviation curve patterns as the standard ballbar test, with differences in circular deviation of less than 2.4 µm and 1.5 µm observed for the hexapod machining cell and machine tool, respectively. The proposed helical ballbar measurement and data processing method is therefore feasible and can produce comparable results to circular ballbar tests.
Sleep Quality in Team USA Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
Authors: Anderson Travis , Galan-Lopez Natalia , Taylor Lee , Post Eric G. , Finnoff Jonathan T. , Adams William M.
Published: January 2024

Adequate sleep is crucial for elite athletes’ recovery, performance readiness, and immune response. Establishing reference ranges for elite athletes enables appropriate contextualization for designing and targeting sleep interventions. Purpose: To establish sleep-quality reference ranges for Olympic and Paralympic cohorts using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and explore differences based on sex and sport types. Methods: Team USA athletes (men = 805, women = 798) completed the PSQI as part of a health-history questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to create reference ranges and linear models, and χ2 test of independence determined differences in PSQI global and component scores between sex, games, season, and participation. Results: Six hundred thirty-two (39.43%) athletes reported poor sleep (PSQIGlobal ≥ 5). Men displayed later bedtimes (P = .006), better global PSQI scores, shorter sleep latency, less sleep disturbance, and less use of sleep medication than women (all P < .001). Winter Games participants had later bedtime (P = .036) and sleep offset time (P = .028) compared with Summer Games athletes. Team-sport athletes woke earlier than individual-sport athletes (P < .001). Individual-sport athletes were more likely to have low (P = .005) and mild (P = .045) risk for reduced sleep duration than team-sport athletes. Conclusion: These data provide PSQI-specific reference ranges to identify groups at greatest risk for poor sleep, who may benefit most from targeted sleep interventions.
Who Coaches the Coaches? Exploring the Biographies of Novice Athletics Coach Education Tutors
Authors: Stephens David , Stodter Anna , Timmis Matthew
Published: January 2024

Despite coach education being a focus of academic inquiry for over 20 years, coach developers (e.g., tutors) have been neglected from the literature until recently. In recognizing and understanding the role of the tutor in delivering quality learning programs for sport coaches, it is also important to consider who tutors are and how biographical factors influence their development toward expertise. This article utilizes Grenier and Kehrhahn’s Model of Expertise Redevelopment as a tool to aid understanding of the transition from sport coaching to tutoring. Narrative interviews were used with seven novice athletics coach education tutors embarking on a “fast-track” tutor development program. Data were subject to narrative thematic analysis and presented as composite vignettes. The vignettes portray six common themes highlighting that becoming a coach education tutor is a lifelong process of episodic experiences. The features of novice tutors’ biographies are a useful starting point in evidencing the development of expertise. These findings could be used to inform tutor recruitment and training. The current study adds to the emerging body of literature by providing one of the first empirical accounts exploring the developmental experiences of novice coach education tutors.
A Quasi-Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare the Effects of Suspension Versus Instability Training on Balance
Authors: Blasco José-María , Tolsada-Velasco Catalina , Borja-de-Fuentes Irene , Costa-Moreno Elena , García-Gomáriz Carmen , Hernández-Guillén David
Published: January 2024

Context: Suspension training devices are becoming increasingly popular. Most studies analyzed the effectiveness according to diverse measures in patients with or without conditions at any age. The characteristics of suspension training are very specific and can increase instability and; therefore, enhance balance. The goal was to determine the effects of suspension training on balance by comparing it with instability training. Design: Two-arm, randomized trial. Methods: 44 young adults, aged 22.4 years old, with no musculoskeletal condition, took part. There were 2 interventions, suspension and instability training, designed with 12 sessions in 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the Y-Balance test. Other balance outcomes were the Emery and jumping sideways tests, and platform measures while standing. Results: Suspension and instability training were effective in enhancing balance in terms of the primary outcome, the Y-Balance test, with no between-group differences. Instability training enhanced the Emery test over suspension training (P = .018), but the latter was more effective in the jumping sideways test (P = .003). Neither of the training improved static balance measures. Conclusions: Training with suspension devices is effective in enhancing dynamic balance, with similar improvements to instability training. Importantly, the magnitude of change and the frequency of responders to intervention in terms of motor coordination and keeping balance in unstable conditions appear to be sensitive to the type of training.
The Effects of Various Cognitive Tasks Including Working Memory, Visuospatial, and Executive Function on Postural Control in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Emami Fatemeh , Negahban Hossein , Sinaei Ehsan , Mostafaee Neda , Shahtahmassebi Behnaz , Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad Hossein , Mehravar Mohammad
Published: January 2024

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture can impair balance performance, particularly during cognitive motor dual-tasks. This study aimed to determine the effects of various modalities of cognitive load (working memory, and visuospatial and executive function) on postural control parameters in individuals with ACL injury. Twenty-seven ACL-injured and 27 healthy participants were evaluated doing different cognitive tasks (silent backward counting, Benton’s judgment of line orientation, and Stroop color-word test) while standing on a rigid surface or a foam. Each task was repeated three times and then averaged. Center of pressure variables used to measure postural performance included sway area and sway velocity in anterior–posterior and medial–lateral directions. Cognitive performance was also assessed by calculating errors and the score of cognitive tasks. A mixed model analysis of variance for center of pressure parameters indicated that patients had more sways than the healthy group. The interaction of group by postural difficulty by cognitive tasks was statistically significant for cognitive errors (p < .01), and patients with ACL injury indicated more cognitive errors compared to healthy controls while standing on the foam. The main effect of cognitive task was statistically significant for all postural parameters, representing reduced postural sways in both groups with all cognitive tasks. However, ACL-injured patients showed more cognitive errors in difficult postural conditions, suggesting that individuals with ACL injury may prioritize postural control over cognitive task accuracy and adopt the posture-first strategy to maintain balance under dual-task conditions.
A far-traveled basalt lava flow in north-central Oregon, USA
Authors: Pivarunas Anthony F. , Sherrod David R. , O’Connor James E. , Cannon Charles M. , Stelten Mark E.
Published: January 2024

Widely separated basalt lava-flow outcrops in north-central Oregon, USA, expose products of a single eruptive episode. A Pliocene lava flow, here informally termed the Tetherow basalt, issued from vents near Redmond, in the Deschutes basin of Oregon, as a plains-forming basalt now exposed in continuous outcrops northward for 60 km. A similar basalt crops out 47 km farther north, near Maupin, within what was then a slightly incised ancestral Deschutes River canyon. The northernmost outcrops of this lava flow lie on Fulton Ridge, in the Dalles basin, near the confluence of the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. Complementary lines of evidence confirm these rocks are all from the same volcanic eruption. Outcrops in the Deschutes and Dalles basins are chemically similar high-titanium basalts, petrographically similar to each other and distinct from other lava flows in the area. Paleomagnetic directions from 11 scattered sites are similar and indistinguishable by various tests for a common mean. Three new 40Ar/39Ar ages indicate the Tetherow basalt eruption occurred between 5.5 Ma and 5.0 Ma, likely at ca. 5.2 Ma. The widely separated outcrops of this lava flow span 160–180 km along the ancestral Deschutes River and downstream Columbia River. The lava flow’s length and erupted volume of 15–20 km3 are extraordinarily large in a non-flood-basalt setting. This lava flow provides a datum with which to describe regional physiographic history, assess incision rates, and infer tectonic history. Spanning different depositional basins, the Tetherow basalt is a useful chronologic and stratigraphic marker bed.
Role of overnight oximetry in assessing the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea in typically developing children: a multicentre study
Authors: Selby Anna , Buchan Elise , Davies Matthew , Hill Catherine M , Kingshott Ruth N , Langley Ross J , McGovern Julia , Presslie Callum , Senior Emily , Shinde Supriya Suresh , Yuen Ho Ming , Samuels Martin , Evans Hazel J
Published: January 2024

Background and objective

Cardiorespiratory polygraphy (CRP) is the predominant technology used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in tertiary centres in the UK. Nocturnal pulse oximetry (NPO) is, however, cheaper and more accessible. This study evaluated the ability of NPO indices to predict OSA in typically developing (TD) children.

Methods

Indices from simultaneous NPO and CRP recordings were compared in TD children (aged 1–16 years) referred to evaluate OSA in three tertiary centres. OSA was defined as an obstructive apnoea–hypopnoea index (OAHI) ≥1 event/hour. Receiver operating characteristic curves assessed the diagnostic accuracy of NPO indices including ODI3 (3% Oxygen Desaturation Index, ODI4 (4% Oxygen Desaturation Index), delta 12 s index and minimum oxygen saturation. Two-by-two tables were generated to determine the sensitivities and specificities of whole number cut-off values for predicting OAHIs ≥1, 5 and 10 events/hour.

Results

Recordings from 322 TD children, 197 male (61.2%), median age 4.9 years (range 1.1–15.6), were reviewed. OAHI was ≥1/hour in 144 (44.7%), ≥5/hour in 61 (18.9%) and ≥10/hour in 28 (8.7%) cases. ODI3 and ODI4 had the best diagnostic accuracy. ODI3 ≥7/hour and ODI4 ≥4/hour predicted OSA in TD children with sensitivities/specificities of 57.6%/85.4% and 46.2%/91.6%, respectively. ODI3 ≥8/hour was the best predictor of OAHI ≥5/hour (sensitivity 82.0%, specificity 84.3%).

Conclusion

Raised ODI3 and ODI4 predict OSA in TD children with high specificity but variable sensitivity. NPO may be an alternative to diagnose moderate-severe OSA if access to CRP is limited. Low sensitivities to detect mild OSA mean that confirmatory CRP is needed if NPO is normal.
Effect of a coaching intervention to enhance physical activity and prevent falls in community-dwelling people aged 60+ years: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Oliveira Juliana S , Sherrington Catherine , Rissel Chris , Howard Kirsten , Tong Allison , Merom Dafna , Wickham James , Bauman Adrian E , Lord Stephen R , Lindley Richard I , Simpson Judy M , Allman-Farinelli Margaret , Kirkham Catherine , Ramsay Elisabeth , O’Rourke Sandra , Tiedemann Anne
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of a coaching intervention compared with control on physical activity and falls rate at 12 months in community-dwelling people aged 60+ years.

Design

Cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Community-dwelling older people.

Participants

72 clusters (605 participants): 37 clusters (290 participants) randomised to the intervention and 35 (315 participants) to control.

Intervention

Intervention group received written information, fall risk assessment and prevention advice by a physiotherapist, activity tracker and telephone-based coaching from a physiotherapist focused on safe physical activity. Control group received written information and telephone-based dietary coaching. Both groups received up to 19 sessions of telephone coaching over 12 months.

Outcomes

The co-primary outcomes were device-measured physical activity expressed in counts per minute at 12 months and falls rate over 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of fallers, device-measured daily steps and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), self-reported hours per week of physical activity, body mass index, eating habits, goal attainment, mobility-related confidence, quality of life, fear of falling, risk-taking behaviour, mood, well-being and disability.

Results

The mean age of participants was 74 (SD 8) years, and 70% (n=425) were women. There was no significant effect of the intervention on device-measured physical activity counts per minute (mean difference 5 counts/min/day, 95% CI −21 to 31), or falls at 12 months (0.71 falls/person/year in intervention group and 0.87 falls/person/year in control group; incidence rate ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.14). The intervention had a positive significant effect on device-measured daily steps and MVPA, and self-reported hours per week of walking, well-being, quality of life, and disability. No significant between-group differences were identified in other secondary outcomes.

Conclusion

A physical activity and fall prevention programme including fall risk assessment and prevention advice, plus telephone-based health coaching, did not lead to significant differences in physical activity counts per minute or falls rate at 12 months. However, this programme improved other physical activity measures (ie, daily steps, MVPA, hours per week of walking), overall well-being, quality of life and disability.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615001190594.
Beneficial and harmful effects of tricyclic antidepressants for adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Kamp Caroline Barkholt , Petersen Johanne Juul , Faltermeier Pascal , Juul Sophie , Siddiqui Faiza , Barbateskovic Marija , Kristensen Andreas Torp , Moncrieff Joanna , Horowitz Mark Abie , Hengartner Michael Pascal , Kirsch Irving , Gluud Christian , Jakobsen Janus Christian
Published: January 2024

Question

Tricyclic antidepressants are used to treat depression worldwide, but the adverse effects have not been systematically assessed. Our objective was to assess the beneficial and harmful effects of all tricyclic antidepressants for adults with major depressive disorder.

Study selection and analysis

We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS and other sources from inception to January 2023 for randomised clinical trials comparing tricyclic antidepressants versus placebo or ‘active placebo’ for adults with major depressive disorder. The primary outcomes were depressive symptoms measured on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17), serious adverse events and quality of life. The minimal important difference was defined as three points on the HDRS-17.

Findings

We included 103 trials randomising 10 590 participants. All results were at high risk of bias, and the certainty of the evidence was very low or low. All trials only assessed outcomes at the end of the treatment period at a maximum of 12 weeks after randomisation. Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis showed evidence of a beneficial effect of tricyclic antidepressants compared with placebo (mean difference −3.77 HDRS-17 points; 95% CI −5.91 to −1.63; 17 trials). Meta-analysis showed evidence of a harmful effect of tricyclic antidepressants compared with placebo on serious adverse events (OR 2.78; 95% CI 2.18 to 3.55; 35 trials), but the required information size was not reached. Only 2 out of 103 trials reported on quality of life and t-tests showed no evidence of a difference.

Conclusions

The long-term effects of tricyclic antidepressants and the effects on quality of life are unknown. Short-term results suggest that tricyclic antidepressants may reduce depressive symptoms while also increasing the risks of serious adverse events, but these results were based on low and very low certainty evidence.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021226161.
Prevalence and prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma in alcohol-associated liver disease: a retrospective study of 136 571 patients with chronic liver diseases
Authors: Chang Binxia , Tian Hui , Huang Ang , Zhai Xingran , Wang Qiaoling , Han Lin , Jin Xueyuan , Gao Li , Liang Qingsheng , Li Baosen , Lu Yinying , Xie Huan , Ji Dong , Zou Zhengsheng
Published: January 2024

Background and aims

To explore the incidence of alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), evaluate possible synergisms between alcohol and well-known risk factors associated with HCC and establish a nomogram to predict alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD)-related HCC risk.

Methods

A database of 136 571 inpatients in the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from 2002 to 2018 with chronic liver disease was established. Data were collected by medical records review. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the independent high-risk factors associated with HCC, and then were incorporated into a novel nomogram. Afterward, the new established model was validated using external cohort by receiver operating characteristic curves analysis. For external cohort, 1646 patients with ALD admitted to our hospital from 2019 to 2021 were included. ALD was diagnosed on the basis of a history of sustained heavy alcohol intake greater than 40 g/day for men and 20 g/day for women for >5 years, clinical evidence of liver disease and supporting laboratory abnormalities.

Results

Over the last 17 years, trends showed obviously increases in ALD. ALD-related HCC experienced a significant increase from 5.8% to 30.7%, whereas hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC declined from 77.6% to 52.0%. In patients with ALD-related HCC (5119), 3816 (74.54%) cases had HBV infection, 493 (9.63%) cases had hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 71 (1.39%) cases were coinfected with both HBV and HCV, and 739 (14.44%) cases had neither HBV nor HCV infection. Drinking years (OR 1.009, 95% CI (1.000 to 1.017)), age (OR 1.060, 95% CI (1.051 to 1.069)), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.314, 95% CI (1.123 to 1.538)), HBV infection (OR 4.905, 95% CI (4.242 to 5.671)), liver cirrhosis (OR 4.922, 95% CI (3.887 to 6.232)) and male sex (OR 17.011, 95%CI (2.296 to 126.013)) were associated with increased risk of HCC in patients with ALD. A nomogram had a concordance index of 0.786 (95% CI 0.773 to 0.799) and had well-fitted calibration curves. These results were successfully validated both in the internal cohort and external cohort.

Conclusion

The prevalence of ALD and ALD-related HCC has been increased dramatically. The nomogram model established here with its high accuracy and easy-to-use features achieved an optimal prediction of HCC development in patients with ALD, which can help clinicians to develop an individualised and precise treatment strategy.
Increasing the use of anxiolysis and analgesia for paediatric procedures in a community emergency department network: a quality improvement initiative
Authors: Nocera Kelley Mariann , Lynders Willliam , Pelletier Emily , Petrucelli Megan , Emerson Beth , Tiyyagura Gunjan K , Goldman Michael Paul
Published: January 2024

Prior reports describe the care children receive in community EDs (CEDs) compared with paediatric EDs (PEDs) as uneven. The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) initiative works to close these gaps using quality improvement (QI) methodology. Project champion from a community hospital network identified the use of safe pharmacological and non-pharmacological anxiolysis and analgesia (A&A) as one such gap and partnered with EMSC to address it. Our primary Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound (SMART) aim was to increase intranasal midazolam (INM) use for common, anxiety-provoking procedures on children <8 years of age from 2% to 25% in a year.

EMSC facilitated a QI team with representation from the CED and regional children’s hospitals. Following the model for improvement, we initiated a process analysis of this CED A&A practice. Review of all paediatric procedural data identified common anxiety-provoking simple procedures as laceration repairs, abscess drainage and foreign body removal. Our SMART aims were benchmarked to two regional PEDs and tracked through statistical process control. A balancing metric was ED length of stay (ED LOS) for patients <8 years of age requiring a laceration repair. Additionally, we surveyed CED frontline staff and report perceptions of changes in A&A knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns. These data prioritised and informed our key driver diagram which guided the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, including guideline development, staff training and cognitive aids.

Anxiety-provoking simple procedures occurred on average 10 times per month in children <8 years of age. Through PDSA cycles, the monthly average INM use increased from 2% to 42%. ED LOS was unchanged, and the perceptions of provider’s A&A knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns improved.

A CED-initiated QI project increased paediatric A&A use in a CED network. An A&A toolkit outlines our approach and may simplify spread from academic children’s hospitals to the community.
Mortality and risk factors associated with misdiagnosis of acute aortic syndrome in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study
Authors: Ohle Robert , Savage David W , Caswell Joseph , McIsaac Sarah , Yadav Krishan , Conlon Michael
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is a life-threatening aortic emergency. It describes three diagnoses: acute aortic dissection, acute intramural haematoma and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. Unfortunately, there are no accurate estimates of the miss rate for AAS, risk factors for missed diagnosis or its effect on outcomes.

Methods

A population-based retrospective cohort study of anonymously linked data for residents of Ontario, Canada, was carried out. Incident cases of AAS were identified between 2003 and 2018 using a validated algorithm based on ICD codes and death. Before multivariate modelling, all categorical variables were analysed for an association with missed AAS diagnosis using χ2tests. These preliminary analyses were unadjusted for clustering or any covariates. Finally, we performed multilevel logistic regression analysis using a generalised linear mixed model approach to model the probability of a missed case occurring.

Results

There were 1299 cases of AAS (age mean (SD) 68.03±14.70, woman 500 (38.5%), rural areas (n=111, 8.55%)) over the study period. Missed cases accounted for 163 (12.5%) of the cohort. Mortality (non-missed AAS 59.7% vs missed AAS 54.6%) and surgical intervention (non-missed AAS 31% vs missed AAS 30.7%) were similar in missed and non-missed cases. However, lower acuity (Canadian triage acuity scale >2 (OR 2.45 95% CI 1.71 to 3.52) (the scale is from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating high acuity) had a higher odds of being a missed case and non-ambulatory presentation (OR 0.47 95% CI 0.33 to 0.67) and presenting to a teaching (OR 0.60 95% CI 0.40 to 0.90)) or cardiac centre (OR 0.41 95% CI 0.27 to 0.62) were associated with a lower odds of being a missed case.

Conclusions

The high rate of misdiagnosis has remained stable for over a decade. Non-teaching and non-cardiac hospitals had a higher incidence of missed cases. Mortality and rates of surgery were not associated with a missed diagnosis of AAS. Educational interventions should be prioritised in non-teaching hospitals and non-cardiac centres.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and risk of major adverse liver outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wester Axel , Shang Ying , Toresson Grip Emilie , Matthews Anthony A , Hagström Hannes
Published: January 2024

Objective

Phase II trials suggest glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1) agonists resolve metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis but do not affect fibrosis regression. We aimed to determine the long-term causal effect of GLP1 agonists on the risk of major adverse liver outcomes (MALO) in patients with any chronic liver disease and type 2 diabetes.

Design

We used observational data from Swedish healthcare registers 2010–2020 to emulate a target trial of GLP1 agonists in eligible patients with chronic liver disease and type 2 diabetes. We used an inverse-probability weighted marginal structural model to compare parametric estimates of 10-year MALO risk (decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation or MALO-related death) in initiators of GLP1 agonists with non-initiators. We randomly sampled 5% of the non-initiators to increase computational efficiency.

Results

GLP1 agonist initiators had a 10-year risk of MALO at 13.3% (42/1026) vs 14.6% in non-initiators (1079/15 633) in intention-to-treat analysis (risk ratio (RR)=0.91, 95% CI=0.50 to 1.32). The corresponding 10-year per-protocol risk estimates were 7.4% (22/1026) and 14.4% (1079/15 633), respectively (RR=0.51, 95% CI=0.14 to 0.88). The per-protocol risk estimates at 6 years were 5.4% (21/1026) vs 9.0% (933/15 633) (RR=0.60, 95% CI=0.29 to 0.90) and at 8 years 7.2% (22/1026) vs 11.7% (1036/15 633) (RR=0.61, 95% CI=0.21 to 1.01).

Conclusion

In patients with chronic liver disease and type 2 diabetes who adhered to therapy over time, GLP1 agonists may result in lower risk of MALO. This suggests that GLP1 agonists are promising agents to reduce risk of chronic liver disease progression in patients with concurrent type 2 diabetes, although this needs to be corroborated in randomised trials.
Direct measurements of the $$^{12}$$C+$$^{12}$$C reactions cross-sections towards astrophysical energies
Authors: Morales-Gallegos L. , Aliotta M. , Gialanella L. , Best A. , Bruno C. G. , Buompane R. , Davinson T. , De Cesare M. , Di Leva A. , D’Onofrio A. , Duarte J. G. , Gasques L. R. , Imbriani G. , Porzio G. , Rapagnani D. , Romoli M. , Terrasi F.
Published: January 2024

Carbon fusion reactions $$^{12}$$

12

C($$^{12}$$

12

C,p)$$^{23}$$

23

Na and $$^{12}$$

12

C($$^{12}$$

12

C,$$\alpha $$
α
)$$^{20}$$

20

Ne play a key role in the evolution of massive stars and in explosive scenarios such as type-Ia supernovae and super-bursts in binary stars. A direct determination of their cross sections is extremely challenging and discrepancies exist between different data sets in the literature. Here we report the results of a direct measurement performed at the CIRCE Tandem Accelerator Laboratory in Caserta (Italy), using $$\varDelta E-E$$

Δ
E
-
E

detectors for unambiguous charge identification. Cross sections were measured in the energy range $$E_{\mathrm{c.m.}} =2.51-4.36$$

E

c
.
m
.

=
2.51
-
4.36

 MeV with energy steps between 10 and 25 keV in the centre of mass. To our knowledge these represent the finest energy steps to date. Results are presented in the form of partial and summed astrophysical $${\tilde{S}}$$

S
~

-factors for individual proton- and $$\alpha $$
α
-particle channels. Branching ratios of individual proton- and $$\alpha $$
α
-particle groups were found to vary significantly with energy. Angular distributions, albeit limited to three angles, were also found to be non-isotropic, which could be a potential explanation for the discrepancies observed among different data sets. Further efforts are ongoing to extend measurements to lower energies.
THE ANTECEDENT FACTOR AND OUTCOME OF MANAGEMENT INNOVATION IN SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES: A CUSTOMER RELATION CONTEXT
Authors: MINAMI YUJI , SATO HIDENORI , ICHIKOHJI TAKEYASU
Published: January 2024

As the major business environment changes, there is a growing need for management innovation to strengthen the organisation. Large enterprises such as GE, which promoted Six Sigma, and Toyota, which installed innovative production systems using the Kanban method, have rooted management innovation in their corporate cultures. However, although there are precedent cases limited to some high-tech ventures, the actual state of management innovation in low-tech small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated the SMEs in Japan’s relatively low-tech industrial areas using structural equation modelling. This study found that collaboration with customers is an important antecedent factor for management innovation. Moreover, management innovation mediates the relationship between the collaboration with customers and technological innovation activities and between the former and firm performance. The explanatory power of management innovation on firm performance is weak. This paper provides deep insights into the role of management innovation in SMEs.
Mutual fund investments and the factors determining it
Authors: Mythili A. G. , Udhayakumar J.
Published: January 2024

Ever since the incorporation of Unit Trust of India in 1964, the mutual fund industry has developed quickly and gained a lot of recognition. In all of the world’s capital markets, mutual funds have developed as a significant avenue of investment. Mutual funds have played, and therefore will continue to play, a critical part in India’s capital market development. A few of the grounds for mutual funds’ rapid popularity is that they combine low risk with income security, making them perfect for median and smaller investors who would otherwise be unable to participate in the stock market. The investors are finding it as a proper field to invest and earn, amidst the risk involved in it. Thereby, the determinants for an investor that influences him to make investment will vary between them and further, investing in mutual funds over other financial products may appeal to investors for a variety of reasons. This research may look into the elements that influence investors’ decisions to invest in mutual funds.
Impact of reservoir quality on the carbon storage potential of the Bunter Sandstone Formation, Southern North Sea
Authors: Hollinsworth A. D. , de Jonge-Anderson I. , Underhill J. R. , Jamieson R. J.
Published: January 2024

The Lower Triassic Bunter Sandstone Formation is a major prospective reservoir for carbon capture, utilization and storage in the UK Southern North Sea, and is likely to play a pivotal role in the UK reaching mid-century Net Zero targets. A knowledge gap in reservoir quality exists between previous detailed, but highly focused front-end engineering and development projects, and large-scale regional analysis. This study integrates a regional approach with locally derived reservoir characterization, offering a holistic analysis of the prospectivity of the Bunter Sandstone Formation for subsurface CO
2
storage. Petrophysical analysis of ninety-six wells across the UK Southern North Sea is coupled with seismic interpretation to understand spatial variations of reservoir thickness, facies and quality that underpin theoretical CO
2
storage capacity models. Electrofacies classification is employed to identify and correlate baffles and barriers to permeability over areas currently licensed for geological carbon storage. Our findings point to variable, but broadly favourable reservoir conditions, though identification and correlation of laterally extensive intraformational mudstones and halite-cemented horizons will likely present challenges to CO
2
injection. Within carbon storage license blocks CS001, CS006 and CS007, the Bunter Sandstone Formation has the potential to store 5700 MCO
2
t, the equivalent of seventy-nine years of the UK's 2022 business and industrial CO
2
emissions. A further 434 MCO
2
t is offered by Triassic closures within license CS005, with many neighbouring moderate (100–1000 MCO
2
t) and small (<100 MCO
2
t) closures forming part of newly awarded carbon storage licenses that will likely form part of the UK SNS CCUS portfolio in the future.

Supplementary material:
well-correlation panels and tabulated velocity and storage capacity modelling parameters are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7027450
Bug Analysis in Jupyter Notebook Projects: An Empirical Study
Authors: De Santana Taijara Loiola , Neto Paulo Anselmo Da Mota Silveira , De Almeida Eduardo Santana , Ahmed Iftekhar
Published: January 2024

Computational notebooks, such as Jupyter, have been widely adopted by data scientists to write code for analyzing and visualizing data. Despite their growing adoption and popularity, few studies have been found to understand Jupyter development challenges from the practitioners’ point of view. This article presents a systematic study of bugs and challenges that Jupyter practitioners face through a large-scale empirical investigation. We mined 14,740 commits from 105 GitHub open source projects with Jupyter Notebook code. Next, we analyzed 30,416 StackOverflow posts, which gave us insights into bugs that practitioners face when developing Jupyter Notebook projects. Next, we conducted 19 interviews with data scientists to uncover more details about Jupyter bugs and to gain insight into Jupyter developers’ challenges. Finally, to validate the study results and proposed taxonomy, we conducted a survey with 91 data scientists. We highlight bug categories, their root causes, and the challenges that Jupyter practitioners face.