bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteopathy Referrals to and from General Practitioners: Secondary Analysis of Practitioner Characteristics from an Australian Practice-Based Research Network
Authors: Vaughan Brett , Fleischmann Michael , Grace Sandra , Engel Roger , Fitzgerald Kylie , Steel Amie , Peng Wenbo , Adams Jon
Published: December 2023

Australian osteopaths engage in multidisciplinary care and referrals with other health professionals, including general practitioners (GPs), for musculoskeletal care. This secondary analysis compared characteristics of Australian osteopaths who refer to, and receive referrals from, GPs with osteopaths who do not refer. The analysis was undertaken to identify pertinent characteristics that could contribute to greater engagement between Australian osteopaths and GPs. Data were from the Australian osteopathy practice-based research network comprising responses from 992 osteopaths (48.1% response rate). Osteopaths completed a practice-based survey exploring their demographic, practice, and clinical management characteristics. Backward logistic regression identified significant characteristics associated with referrals. Osteopaths who reported sending referrals (n = 878, 88.5%) to GPs were more likely than their non-referring colleagues to receive referrals from GPs (aOR = 4.80, 95% CI [2.62–8.82]), send referrals to a podiatrist (aOR = 3.09, 95% CI [1.80–5.28]) and/or treat patients experiencing degenerative spinal complaints (aOR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.01–2.91]). Osteopaths reporting receiving referrals (n = 886, 89.3%) from GPs were more likely than their non-referring colleagues to send referrals to GPs (aOR = 4.62, 95% CI [2.48–8.63]) and use the Medicare EasyClaim system (aOR = 4.66, 95% CI [2.34–9.27]). Most Australian osteopaths who report engaging in referrals with GPs for patient care also refer to other health professionals. Referrals from GPs are likely through the Chronic Disease Management scheme. The clinical conditions resulting in referrals are unknown. Further research could explore the GP–osteopath referral network to strengthen collaborative musculoskeletal care. The outcomes of this study have the potential to inform Australian osteopaths participating in advocacy, public policy and engagement with Australian GPs.
Hemato Keeps You Updated on the Research in Hematology
Authors: Carbone Antonino
Published: December 2023

Hemato (ISSN 2673-6357) is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that publishes original articles and reviews highlighting important advances in the fundamental areas of Hematology [...]
Synthetic Lethality Approaches in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Lagunas-Rangel Francisco Alejandro , Chávez-Valencia Venice
Published: December 2023

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a remarkable cancer that mainly affects children, has seen commendable advances in its treatment. However, the occurrence of relapses after initial treatments poses a major threat and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in pediatric patients. To address this problem, innovative therapeutic approaches for ALL need to be continuously developed and refined. Synthetic lethality, an interaction between genes in which alteration of only one allows survival, but simultaneous alteration of both leads to inviability, is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach against ALL and other cancers. In this regard, the review aims to examine the documented cases of synthetic lethality in ALL reported to date (2023) and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Furthermore, this review explores possible targets that have so far gone unnoticed, justifying their importance in this context.
Cyclic Somatic Embryogenesis in Indonesian Elite Theobroma cacao L. Clones
Authors: Bustami Mirni Ulfa , Werbrouck Stefaan P. O.
Published: December 2023

To date, in vitro somatic embryogenesis is the only option for the mass vegetative propagation of cocoa. The somatic embryogenesis of Indonesian cocoa clones SUL1 and SUL2 was investigated, focusing on primary and cyclic secondary embryogenesis. The study showed that staminode explants were more effective than petal explants in generating primary somatic embryos (SEs), especially when cultured in liquid medium containing 2 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.25 mg/L kinetin, with the staminodes of SUL2 producing a significant number of globular SEs. In contrast, SUL1 showed limited SE production. The study also demonstrated that fragmenting cotyledons and hypocotyls of the SEs of SUL2 and culturing them on an induction medium supplemented with 2,4,5-T and proline resulted in a high yield of secondary SEs. This cyclic embryogenesis process, in which the SEs remained attached to the maternal tissue, facilitated continuous SE production and development. The addition of proline was found to improve the quality of SEs, leading to higher production of well-organized, milky SEs with a better-defined meristematic structure. These results suggest a promising protocol to produce SEs from cocoa, with implications for plant transformation and gene editing applications.
Detecting the Spatial Association between Commercial Sites and Residences in Beijing on the Basis of the Colocation Quotient
Authors: Zhou Lei , Wang Chen
Published: December 2023

Identifying the spatial association between commercial sites and residences is important for urban planning. However, (1) the patterns of spatial association between commercial sites and residences across an urban space and (2) how the spatial association patterns of each commercial format and different levels of residences vary remain unclear. To address these gaps, this study used point-of-interest data of commercial sites and residences in Beijing, China, to calculate colocation quotients, which were used for identifying the spatial association characteristics and patterns of commercial sites and residences in the city. The results show that (1) the global colocation quotient of commercial sites and residences in Beijing is below 1, indicating relatively weak spatial association. The spatial association between each commercial format and residences varies greatly and shows the characteristics of integration of high-frequency consumption and separation of low-frequency consumption. Additionally, the spatial associations between high-grade residences and commercial formats are relatively weak, whereas those between low-grade residences and commercial formats are relatively strong. (2) The local spatial association patterns of various commercial formats and residences exhibit obvious spatial heterogeneity. Overall, the proportions of various commercial formats attracted by residences are considerably higher than those of residences attracted by various commercial formats, revealing spatial asymmetry. Within the Fourth Ring Road, commercial formats are mainly attracted by residences, showing a spatial association pattern of “distribute commercial sites according to the location of residences”. The proportions of residences attracted by commercial formats increase outside the Fourth Ring Road, presenting a spatial association pattern of “commercial formats attracting residences”. The findings offer valuable insights into the development mechanisms of commercial and residential spaces and provide valuable information for urban planning.
Light and Shadows in Newborn Screening for Lysosomal Storage Disorders: Eight Years of Experience in Northeast Italy
Authors: Gragnaniello Vincenza , Cazzorla Chiara , Gueraldi Daniela , Puma Andrea , Loro Christian , Porcù Elena , Stornaiuolo Maria , Miglioranza Paolo , Salviati Leonardo , Burlina Alessandro P. , Burlina Alberto B.
Published: December 2023

In the last two decades, the development of high-throughput diagnostic methods and the availability of effective treatments have increased the interest in newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders. However, long-term follow-up experience is needed to clearly identify risks, benefits and challenges. We report our 8-year experience of screening and follow-up on about 250,000 neonates screened for four lysosomal storage diseases (Pompe disease, mucopolysaccharidosis type I, Fabry disease, Gaucher disease), using the enzyme activity assay by tandem mass spectrometry, and biomarker quantification as a second-tier test. Among the 126 positive newborns (0.051%), 51 infants were confirmed as affected (positive predictive value 40%), with an overall incidence of 1:4874. Of these, three patients with infantile-onset Pompe disease, two with neonatal-onset Gaucher disease and four with mucopolysaccharidosis type I were immediately treated. Furthermore, another four Gaucher disease patients needed treatment in the first years of life. Our study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of newborn screening for lysosomal storage diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment allow the achievement of better patient outcomes. Challenges such as false-positive rates, the diagnosis of variants of uncertain significance or late-onset forms and the lack of treatment for neuronopathic forms, should be addressed.
Generation of Medical Case-Based Multiple-Choice Questions
Authors: Al Shuriaqi Somaiya , Aal Abdulsalam Abdulrahman , Masters Ken
Published: December 2023

This narrative review is a detailed look at how we make multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on medical cases in today’s medical teaching. Moving from old-style MCQs to ones that are more related to real clinical situations is really important. It helps in growing critical thinking and practical use, especially since MCQs are still the primary method for testing knowledge in medicine. We look at the history, design ideas, and both manual and computer-based methods that have helped create MCQs. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) are receiving a lot of focus for their ability to automate the creation of question. We also talk about the challenges of using real patient cases, like the need for exact clinical information, reducing unclear information, and thinking about ethical issues. We also investigate the measures of validity and reliability that are crucial to maintaining the honesty of case-based MCQs. Finally, we look ahead, speculating on where medical education is headed as new technologies are incorporated and the value of case-based evaluations continues to rise.
A Comprehensive Survey of Threats in Platooning—A Cloud-Assisted Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Application
Authors: Sheik Al Tariq , Maple Carsten , Epiphaniou Gregory , Dianati Mehrdad
Published: December 2023

Cloud-Assisted Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) are set to revolutionise road safety, providing substantial societal and economic advantages. However, with the evolution of CCAV technology, security and privacy threats have increased. Although several studies have been published around the threat and risk estimation aspects of CCAV, limited research exists on the security implications and emerging threat landscapes in the CCAV platooning application. We conducted an extensive review and categorisation of real-world security incidents and created an account of 132 threats from scholarly sources and 64 threats from recorded events in practice. Furthermore, we defined thirty-one (31) trust domains and outlined eight (8) unique attack vectors to supplement existing research efforts for the systematic security analysis of such cyberinfrastructures. Using these findings, we create a detailed attack taxonomy to communicate threat-related information in CCAV and platooning applications and highlight emerging challenges and ways to safeguard the broader CCAV systems. This work acts as a roadmap to existing researchers and practitioners advocating for a ‘security and privacy by design’ framework for a dynamically evolving CCAV threat landscape.
Prediction of the Response of Masonry Walls under Blast Loading Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Thango Sipho G. , Drosopoulos Georgios A. , Motsa Siphesihle M. , Stavroulakis Georgios E.
Published: December 2023

A methodology to predict key aspects of the structural response of masonry walls under blast loading using artificial neural networks (ANN) is presented in this paper. The failure patterns of masonry walls due to in and out-of-plane loading are complex due to the potential opening and sliding of the mortar joint interfaces between the masonry stones. To capture this response, advanced computational models can be developed requiring a significant amount of resources and computational effort. The article uses an advanced non-linear finite element model to capture the failure response of masonry walls under blast loads, introducing unilateral contact-friction laws between stones and damage mechanics laws for the stones. Parametric finite simulations are automatically conducted using commercial finite element software linked with MATLAB R2019a and Python. A dataset is then created and used to train an artificial neural network. The trained neural network is able to predict the out-of-plane response of the masonry wall for random properties of the blast load (standoff distance and weight). The results indicate that the accuracy of the proposed framework is satisfactory. A comparison of the computational time needed for a single finite element simulation and for a prediction of the out-of-plane response of the wall by the trained neural network highlights the benefits of the proposed machine learning approach in terms of computational time and resources. Therefore, the proposed approach can be used to substitute time consuming explicit dynamic finite element simulations and used as a reliable tool in the fast prediction of the masonry response under blast actions.
Strong Sex-Dependent Effects of Malnutrition on Life- and Healthspan in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Bak Nikolaj Klausholt , Rohde Palle Duun , Kristensen Torsten Nygaard
Published: December 2023

Insufficient intake of essential nutrients, malnutrition is a major issue for millions of people and has a strong impact on the distribution and abundance of species in nature. In this study, we investigated the effect of malnutrition on several fitness components in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster. Four diets with different nutritional values, including three diluted diets of an optimal nutritional balanced diet, were used as feed sources. The effect of malnutrition on fitness components linked to healthspan, the period of life spent in good health conditions, was evaluated by quantifying the flies’ lifespan, locomotor activity, heat stress tolerance, lipid content, and dry weight. The results showed that malnutrition had severe negative impact, such as reduced lifespan, locomotor activity, heat stress tolerance, fat content, and dry weight. The negative phenotypic effects were highly sex-dependent, with males being more negatively impacted by malnutrition compared to females. These findings highlight important detrimental and sex-specific effects of malnutrition not only on lifespan but also on traits related to healthspan.
Large-Scale BESS for Damping Frequency Oscillations of Power Systems with High Wind Power Penetration
Authors: Assery Shami Ahmad , Zhang Xiao-Ping , Chen Nan
Published: December 2023

With the high penetration of renewable energy into power grids, frequency stability and oscillation have become big concerns due to the reduced system inertia. The application of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is considered one of the options to deal with frequency stability and oscillation. This paper presents a strategy to size, locate, and operate the BESS within the power grid and, therefore, investigate how sizing capacity is related to renewable energy penetration levels. This paper proposes an identification method to determine the best location of the BESS using the Prony method based on system oscillation analysis, which is easy to implement based on measurements while actual physical system models are not required. The proposed methods for BESS size and location are applied using MATLAB/Simulink simulation software (version: R2023a) on the Kundur 2-area 11-bus test system with different renewable energy penetration levels, and the effectiveness of the applied method in enhancing frequency stability is illustrated in the study cases. The case studies showed a significant improvement in steady-state frequency deviation, frequency nadir, and Rate of Change of Frequency (ROCOF) after implementing BESS at the selected bus. The integration of BESS can help to avoid Under-frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) by proper selections of size, location, and operating strategy of the BESS within the power grid.
Aggressive and Metastatic Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors: Therapeutic Management and Off-Label Drug Use
Authors: Iglesias Pedro
Published: December 2023

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are the most common pituitary tumors and the second most common brain tumors. Although the vast majority (>90%) are benign, a small percentage (<2%) are aggressive. These aggressive PitNETs (AgPitNETs) are defined by the presence of radiological invasion, a high rate of cell proliferation, resistance to conventional treatments, and/or a high propensity for recurrence. Lastly, there are the rare pituitary carcinomas, also known as metastatic PitNETs (MetPitNETs), which account for only 0.2% of cases and are defined by the presence of craniospinal or distant metastases. At present, there are no definitive factors that allow us to predict with certainty the aggressive behavior of PitNETs, making the therapeutic management of AgPitNETs a real challenge. Surgery is considered the first-line treatment for AgPitNETs and MetPitNETs. Radiation therapy can be effective in controlling tumor growth and regulating hormone hypersecretion. Currently, there are no approved non-endocrine medical therapies for the management of AgPitNETs/MetPitNETs, mainly due to the lack of randomized controlled clinical trials. As a result, many of the medical therapies used are off-label drugs, and several are under investigation. Temozolomide (TMZ) is now recognized as the primary medical treatment following the failure of standard therapy (medical treatment, surgery, and radiotherapy) in AgPitNETs/MetPitNETs due to its ability to improve overall and progression-free survival rates in responding patients over 5 years. Other therapeutic options include pituitary-targeted therapies (dopamine agonists and somatostatin analogs), hormonal antisecretory drugs, non-hormonal targeted therapies, radionuclide treatments, and immunotherapy. However, the number of patients who have undergone these treatments is limited, and the results obtained to date have been inconsistent. As a result, it is imperative to expand the cohort of patients undergoing treatment to better determine the therapeutic efficacy and safety of these drugs for individuals with AgPitNETs/MetPitNETs.
An Artificial Intelligence System for Optimizing Radioactive Iodine Therapy Dosimetry
Authors: Georgiou Michalis , Nielsen Joshua , Chiriboga Rommel , Kuker Russ
Published: December 2023

Thyroid cancer, specifically differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), is one of the most prevalent endocrine malignancies worldwide. Radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) using I-131 has been a standard-of-care approach for DTC due to its ability to ablate remnant thyroid disease following surgery, thus reducing the risk of recurrence. It is also used for the treatment of iodine-avid metastases. RAIT dosimetry can be employed to determine the optimal treatment dose of I-131 to effectively treat cancer cells while safeguarding against undesirable radiation effects such as bone marrow toxicity or radiation pneumonitis. Conventional dosimetry protocols for RAIT, however, are complex and time-consuming, involving multiple days of imaging and blood sampling. This study explores the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in simplifying and optimizing RAIT. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 83 adult patients with DTC who underwent RAIT dosimetry at our institution between 1996 and 2023. The conventional MIRD-based dosimetry protocol involved imaging and blood sampling at 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-administration of a tracer activity of I-131. An AI system based on a deep-learning neural network was developed to predict the maximum permissible activity (MPA) for RAIT using only the data obtained from the initial 4, 24, and 48 h time points. The AI system predicted the MPA values with high accuracy, showing no significant difference compared to the results obtained from conventional MIRD-based analysis utilizing a paired t-test (p = 0.351, 95% CI). The developed AI system offers the potential to streamline the dosimetry process, reducing the number of imaging and blood sampling sessions while also optimizing resource allocation. Additionally, the AI approach can uncover underlying relationships in data that were previously unknown. Our findings suggest that AI-based dosimetry may be a promising method for patient-specific treatment planning in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, representing a step towards applying precision medicine for thyroid cancer. Further validation and implementation studies are warranted to assess the clinical applicability of the AI system.
Evaluation of Self-Management Behaviors and Its Correlation with the Metabolic Syndrome among the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients of Northern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsaidan Aseel Awad , Thirunavukkarasu Ashokkumar , Alhassan Hassan H. , Bin Ahmed Ibrahim Abdullah , Alnasiri Anas Salem , Alhirsan Wejdan Madallah , Alazmi Nouf Nashmi M. , Alkhlaf Abdalaziz Khaled , Alderbas Jumanah Mohammed , Alkhaldi Motaz Abdulsalam
Published: December 2023

Self-management behavior among diabetes patients is essential to monitor blood sugar levels, make necessary lifestyle changes, and help patients reduce their risk of complications from diabetes. We assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its association with self-management behavior and sociodemographic characteristics among 310 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending different diabetes care centers in northern Saudi Arabia. We evaluated the self-management behaviors of patients with T2DM using a validated Arabic version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale. Regarding MS, we applied the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Plan–3 (ATP–3) guidelines. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of MS. We found that more than one-third (36.5%) of patients had MS according to the NCEP ATP-3 criteria. The prevalence of MS was significantly associated with unsatisfactory self-management behaviors. Regarding sociodemographic predictors for MS, we found a significant association between gender (ref: female: Adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.17–2.95, p = 0.007) and body mass index (ref.: normal range: AOR = 2.98, 95%CI = 1.31–5.07, p = 0.003). Our findings suggest a tailor-made multifaceted intervention to improve the self-management behaviors of T2DM patients, which, in turn, can reduce MS.
The Management of Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Fasulo Ernesto , D’Amico Ferdinando , Osorio Laura , Allocca Mariangela , Fiorino Gionata , Zilli Alessandra , Parigi Tommaso Lorenzo , Danese Silvio , Furfaro Federica
Published: December 2023

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with different phenotypes of presentation, inflammatory, penetrating, or stricturing disease, that significantly impacts patient well-being and quality of life. Despite advances in medical therapy, surgery sometimes represents the only treatment to address complications, such as strictures, fistulas, or abscesses. Minimizing postoperative recurrence (POR) remains a major challenge for both clinicians and patients; consequently, various therapeutic strategies have been developed to prevent or delay POR. The current review outlines an updated overview of POR management. We focused on diagnostic assessment, which included endoscopic examination, biochemical analyses, and cross-sectional imaging techniques, all crucial tools used to accurately diagnose this condition. Additionally, we delved into the associated risk factors contributing to POR development. Furthermore, we examined recent advances in the prophylaxis and treatment of POR in CD.
Failure Rate and Early Complications of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Replacement—A Multicenter Retrospective Study of Two Modern Implant Designs
Authors: Farkash Uri , Sakhnini Mojahed , Dreyfuss Daniel , Tordjman Daniel , Rotem Gilad , Luria Shai
Published: December 2023

Joint replacement arthroplasty for the treatment of thumb osteoarthritis is gaining popularity as recent studies have demonstrated better pinch and grip strength and faster rehabilitation. Our aim was to identify early complications in modern implant designs using a multicenter study. A total of 381 patients who underwent thumb carpometacarpal replacement surgery in six participating hospitals were enrolled. The complications included were fractures, dislocations, infections, tendon and nerve injuries, and complex regional pain syndrome. Major complications were defined as a failure to implant the prosthesis, revision surgery to remove the implant, and any other need for further surgical intervention. The secondary outcomes were any other complications treated non-surgically and the timing of the complications. Eleven procedures failed, and these patients were treated with trapeziectomies. Twelve other patients required repeat surgical interventions. Minor adverse events occurred in 25.4% of the cases, and transient irritation of the superficial radial nerve and De Quervain tendinopathy were the most prevalent complications. Although this cohort depicted the learning curves of multiple surgeons, our study demonstrated low short-term failure rates. An inability to achieve primary stability of the cup in the trapezium was the leading cause of failure. Dislocations and other major complications with modern implants were very few.
Comparing the Pericapsular Nerve Group Block and the Lumbar Plexus Block for Hip Fracture Surgery: A Single-Center Randomized Double-Blinded Study
Authors: Lee Tae Young , Chung Chan Jong , Park Sang Yoong
Published: December 2023

Lumbar plexus blocks (LPBs) are routinely employed for analgesia in hip fracture surgery; however, a novel regional technique, the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block, potentially offers comparable pain reduction while preserving motor function. Patients aged 45–90 years who underwent hip fracture surgery were allocated to receive either a PENG block or an LPB for analgesia. The primary outcome was the incidence of quadriceps motor block (defined as the paresis or paralysis of the knee extension) at 12 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included the performance time, the time to first analgesic requirement, postoperative intravenous (IV) fentanyl consumption, the ability to undergo physiotherapy at 24 and 48 h, complications, sensory and motor block assessments, postoperative numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, and patient outcome questionnaires. There was a significantly lower incidence of quadriceps motor block at 6 h (26.7% vs. 80.0%; p < 0.001) and at 12 h (20.0% vs. 56.7%; p = 0.010). The PENG block provided better preservation of the sensory block as well as better performance time (p < 0.001) and time to first analgesia requirement (p = 0.034), whereas the LPB resulted in lower postoperative IV fentanyl consumption at 24 h (p = 0.013). The PENG block demonstrated superiority over the LPB in preserving quadriceps strength and patient satisfaction without any substantial complications, despite higher opioid consumption within the first 24 h post-surgery.
An Update on the Genetics of IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Xu Lin-Lin , Zhou Xu-Jie , Zhang Hong
Published: December 2023

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN), the most common form of glomerulonephritis, is one of the leading causes of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). It is widely believed that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of IgAN. Previous studies of IgAN have provided important insights to unravel the genetic architecture of IgAN and its potential pathogenic mechanisms. The genome-wide association studies (GWASs) together have identified over 30 risk loci for IgAN, which emphasizes the importance of IgA production and regulation in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Follow-up fine-mapping studies help to elucidate the candidate causal variant and the potential pathogenic molecular pathway and provide new potential therapeutic targets. With the rapid development of next-generation sequencing technologies, linkage studies based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS)/whole-exome sequencing (WES) also identify rare variants associated with IgAN, accounting for some of the missing heritability. The complexity of pathogenesis and phenotypic variability may be better understood by integrating genetics, epigenetics, and environment. We have compiled a review summarizing the latest advancements in genetic studies on IgAN. We similarly summarized relevant studies examining the involvement of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Future directions and challenges in this field are also proposed.
Outcomes Vary by Pre-Operative Physical Activity Levels in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients
Authors: Redfern Roberta E. , Crawford David A. , Lombardi Adolph V. , Tripuraneni Krishna R. , Van Andel David C. , Anderson Mike B. , Cholewa Jason M.
Published: December 2023

Physical activity (PA) is suggested to reduce osteoarthritis pain; however, it may be avoided by patients requiring arthroplasty. Our goal was to investigate objective and patient-reported outcomes as a function of pre-operative PA levels in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A total of 1941 patients enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort study investigating a smartphone-based care management platform for self-directed rehabilitation underwent TKA and were included in the analysis. Activity was categorized based on the cohort’s step count quartiles into low, moderate, and high pre-operative PA. Pre-operative and post-operative pain, EQ5D5L, KOOS JR, and step counts were compared by ANOVA according to activity group. Pre-operative pain scores increased with the decreasing activity level (all, p < 0.05) and were most improved post-operatively in the low PA group. High PA patients demonstrated the smallest improvements in EQ-5D-5L and KOOS JR. Low and moderate PA patients increased physical activity by three months, reaching 176% and 104% of pre-operative steps; high PA patients did not return to full step counts by one year post-operatively. Patients undergoing TKA who present with higher levels of physical activity report lower levels of pain and higher function pre-operatively but appreciate less improvement up to one year post-operatively. These results may be helpful in appropriate counseling of patient expectations before TKA.
Short-Course High-Intensity Statin Treatment during Admission for Myocardial Infarction and LDL-Cholesterol Reduction—Impact on Tailored Lipid-Lowering Therapy at Discharge
Authors: Marcos-Garcés Víctor , Merenciano-González Héctor , Martínez Mas María Luz , Palau Patricia , Climent Alberola Josefa Inés , Perez Nerea , López-Bueno Laura , Esteban Argente María Concepción , Valls Reig María , Muñoz Alcover Raquel , Pradillas Contreras Inmaculada , Arizón Benito Ana , Payá Rubio Alfonso , Ríos-Navarro César , de Dios Elena , Gavara Jose , Chorro Francisco Javier , Sanchis Juan , Bodi Vicente
Published: December 2023

We hypothesized that a short-course high-intensity statin treatment during admission for myocardial infarction (MI) could rapidly reduce LDL-C and thus impact the choice of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) at discharge. Our cohort comprised 133 MI patients (62.71 ± 11.3 years, 82% male) treated with atorvastatin 80 mg o.d. during admission. Basal LDL-C levels before admission were analyzed. We compared lipid profile variables before and during admission, and LLT at discharge was registered. Achieved theoretical LDL-C levels were estimated using LDL-C during admission and basal LDL-C as references and compared to LDL-C on first blood sample 4–6 weeks after discharge. A significant reduction in cholesterol from basal levels was noted during admission, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, and LDL-C (−39.23 ± 34.89 mg/dL, p < 0.001). LDL-C levels were reduced by 30% in days 1–2 and 40–45% in subsequent days (R2 0.766, p < 0.001). Using LDL-C during admission as a reference, most patients (88.7%) would theoretically achieve an LDL-C < 55 mg/dL with discharge LLT. However, if basal LDL-C levels were considered as a reference, only a small proportion of patients (30.1%) would achieve this lipid target, aligned with the proportion of patients with LDL-C < 55 mg/dL 4–6 weeks after discharge (36.8%). We conclude that statin treatment during admission for MI can induce a significant reduction in LDL-C and LLT at discharge is usually prescribed using LDL-C during admission as the reference, which leads to insufficient LDL-C reduction after discharge. Basal LDL-C before admission should be considered as the reference value for tailored LLT prescription.
Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Underrated Target in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment
Authors: Maresca Rossella , Varca Simone , Di Vincenzo Federica , Ainora Maria Elena , Mignini Irene , Papa Alfredo , Scaldaferri Franco , Gasbarrini Antonio , Giustiniani Maria Cristina , Zocco Maria Assunta , Laterza Lucrezia
Published: December 2023

CMV infection is still a matter of concern in IBD patients, especially regarding the disease’s relapse management. Why IBD patients, particularly those affected by ulcerative colitis, are more susceptible to CMV reactivation is not totally explained, although a weakened immune system could be the reason. Various techniques, ranging from serology to histology, can be employed to detect intestinal CMV infection; however, there is currently disagreement in the literature regarding the most effective diagnostic test. Furthermore, CMV involvement in steroid resistance has been broadly discussed, but whether CMV infection is a cause or consequence of the disease severity and, consequently, steroid refractoriness is still debated. Its potential contribution to the lack of response to advanced therapy and small molecules must be more valued and wholly explored. In this review, we look at the actual literature on CMV in IBD patients, and we suggest a pragmatic algorithm for clinical practice management of CMV infection.
Prevalence of Pain and Its Relationship with Age and Sex among Patients in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshami Ali M.
Published: December 2023

Background: Studies investigating the prevalence of patients with pain referred for physical therapy in Saudi Arabia are scarce. This study aimed to estimate the period prevalence of pain that led to referrals for physical therapy and to evaluate the association between pain and patient age and sex. Methods: This retrospective study used data from the electronic health record system of a hospital for adult patients referred for physical therapy. Results: In total, 7426 (26.0%) patients (mean (±SD) age, 51.4 ± 15.0 years) experienced pain, the majority of whom were female (65.8%). The back (30.7%) was the most commonly reported pain region, followed by the neck (13.2%), shoulders (12.1%), and knees (11.8%). The referring physician(s) identified pain in a specific body region in 5894 of the 7426 (79.4%) patients. A moderate correlation was found between sex and pain region (Cramer’s V = 0.151, p < 0.001) and between age group and pain region (Cramer’s V = 0.10, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pain was prevalent among adult patients referred for physical therapy and was moderately associated with sex and age. Further research examining the prevalence of pain and its risk factors in a larger, representative sample of the population is warranted.
Measurement of Magnetic Flux Density Changes in Mode I Interlaminar Fracture in Magnetostrictive Fiber–Embedded Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Miyashita Tomoki , Katabira Kenichi , Kurita Hiroki , Narita Fumio
Published: December 2023

As sensor materials for structural health monitoring (SHM, a nondestructive test for the continuous evaluation of the conditions of individual structural components and entire assemblies), magnetostrictive materials, piezoelectric materials, and optical fibers have attracted significant interest. In this study, the mode I interlaminar fracture load and crack self-detection potential of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP)–embedded magnetostrictive Fe–Co fibers were investigated via double cantilever beam testing. The results indicated that by controlling the amount of Fe–Co fibers introduced into GFRP, the number of Fe–Co fibers could be reduced without compromising the performance of GFRP. Furthermore, the magnetic flux density increased significantly with crack propagation, indicating that the magnetic flux density change could determine crack propagation.
Reconstructing Image Composition: Computation of Leading Lines
Authors: Zhang Jing , Synave Rémi , Delepoulle Samuel , Cozot Rémi
Published: December 2023

The composition of an image is a critical element chosen by the author to construct an image that conveys a narrative and related emotions. Other key elements include framing, lighting, and colors. Assessing classical and simple composition rules in an image, such as the well-known “rule of thirds”, has proven effective in evaluating the aesthetic quality of an image. It is widely acknowledged that composition is emphasized by the presence of leading lines. While these leading lines may not be explicitly visible in the image, they connect key points within the image and can also serve as boundaries between different areas of the image. For instance, the boundary between the sky and the ground can be considered a leading line in the image. Making the image’s composition explicit through a set of leading lines is valuable when analyzing an image or assisting in photography. To the best of our knowledge, no computational method has been proposed to trace image leading lines. We conducted user studies to assess the agreement among image experts when requesting them to draw leading lines on images. According to these studies, which demonstrate that experts concur in identifying leading lines, this paper introduces a fully automatic computational method for recovering the leading lines that underlie the image’s composition. Our method consists of two steps: firstly, based on feature detection, potential weighted leading lines are established; secondly, these weighted leading lines are grouped to generate the leading lines of the image. We evaluate our method through both subjective and objective studies, and we propose an objective metric to compare two sets of leading lines.
Metric Reliability Analysis of Autonomous Marine LiDAR Systems under Extreme Wind Loads
Authors: Liang Bing , Zhao Wenhao , Wang Xin , Wang Xiaobang , Liu Zhijie
Published: December 2023

As the key route detection device, the performance of marine LiDAR in harsh environments is of great importance. In this paper, a metric reliability analysis method for marine LiDAR systems under extreme wind loads is proposed. First, a static measurement accuracy evaluation model for the LiDAR system is proposed, targeting the problem that the LiDAR measurement tail reduces the measurement accuracy. Second, the distribution of extreme wind speeds in the Pacific Northwest is investigated, and a wind load probability model is developed. Finally, the impact of hull fluctuations on LiDAR measurement accuracy is analyzed by performing hull fluctuation simulations based on the wind load probability model, and the relationship curve between the metric reliability and measurement accuracy of marine LiDAR systems under extreme wind loads is addressed using the Monte-Carlo method. Experimental results show that the proposed LiDAR static measurement accuracy evaluation model can improve the measurement accuracy by more than 30%. Meanwhile, the solved curve of the LiDAR metric reliability versus the measurement allowable error indicates that the metric reliability can reach above 0.89 when the allowable error is 60 mm, which is instructive for the reliable measurement of marine LiDAR systems during ship navigation.
Changes in Accessibility of Chinese Coastal Ports to Arctic Ports under Melting Ice
Authors: Zhang Ran , Zuo Yi , Sun Zhuo , Cong Shuang
Published: December 2023

Global warming has accelerated the melting of Arctic sea ice, providing favorable conditions for Arctic shipping. Arctic ports are gaining prominence in shipping networks and international trade. Accessibility is a key indicator of port facilitation, and identifying trends in Arctic port accessibility holds significance for Arctic route planning and port development. To achieve this, this paper develops a modeling framework for assessing the accessibility of Arctic ports. First, we utilize the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) model to predict sea ice conditions and quantify the navigation risk for open water (OW) vessels and Arc4 ice-class (Arc4) vessels during the summer months of 2030–2050. The A-star (A*) algorithm is then used to plan the vessel’s shortest route while avoiding high-risk waters. Finally, changes in the accessibility of Arctic ports are calculated by using an improved gravity model. The framework is applied for the quantitative analysis of the accessibility of Chinese coastal ports to Arctic ports. The results indicate that accessibility to Arctic ports will gradually increase for all Chinese ports in the future, with the port of Shanghai continuing to maintain its prominence under the trend of melting sea ice.
The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 Plays an Essential Role in Abiotic Stress Response and Fungal Virulence to Host Plants
Authors: Wang Kunmei , Wang Siyi , Wang Ting , Xia Qi , Xia Shitou
Published: December 2023

The ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6), as the only member of the Arf family III protein, has been extensively studied for its diverse biological functions in animals. Previously, the Arf6 protein in Magnaporthe oryzae was found to be crucial for endocytosis and polarity establishment during asexual development. However, its role remains unclear in S. sclerotiorum. Here, we identified and characterized SsArf6 in S. sclerotiorum using a reverse genetic approach. Deletion of SsArf6 impaired hyphal growth and development and produced more branches. Interestingly, knockout of SsArf6 resulted in an augmented tolerance of S. sclerotiorum towards oxidative stress, and increased its sensitivity towards osmotic stress, indicative of the different roles of SsArf6 in various stress responses. Simultaneously, SsArf6 deletion led to an elevation in melanin accumulation. Moreover, the appressorium formation was severely impaired, and fungal virulence to host plants was significantly reduced. Overall, our findings demonstrate the essential role of SsArf6 in hyphal development, stress responses, appressorium formation, and fungal virulence to host plants.
Conflict or Harmony: Framing of Wildlife News in a Biodiversity Hotspot
Authors: Gessa Simplicious J. , Tayeebwa William , Muwanika Vincent , Rothman Jessica M.
Published: December 2023

Newspapers are avenues of the media that can influence public perceptions. Newspapers are especially important to engender support for wildlife protection because they reach populations who do not necessarily encounter wildlife frequently. Our research examined how newspaper media depict wildlife-related information in Uganda, a country which hosts high biodiversity. A content analysis was performed in two widely read daily newspapers, namely, the New Vision (n = 258) and Daily Monitor (n = 267), for news articles published in selected years between 2010 and 2019. The findings show a balance between positive and negative articles published in this period. New Vision had 51.5% of its articles on wildlife negatively framed while Daily Monitor had 50% of its articles positively framed. The articles that focused on the positive benefits from wildlife were the longest with 803 ± 525 words. One of the themes that featured prominently was the impact of developments on wildlife such as successful conservation practices, management interventions to save wildlife, and NGO conservation support to wildlife protection and population growth. Overall, newspaper articles addressed efforts that called for wildlife survival, but conflict still featured prominently. Measures to sensitize journalists, such as media engagement, wildlife tours, and integration with scientists, are needed to better implement conservation media. We also suggest that the media focus on the intrinsic benefits of biodiversity conservation, and that scientists be better integrated into wildlife news stories.
The Impact of Changing Work Practices in Journalism in Ireland
Authors: Connolly Emer
Published: December 2023

Journalists are working in an ever-changing environment (where precarity has become commonplace). Reporters are increasingly required to multi-task, as news has become ubiquitous. This includes writing and editing copy, posting content online and on social media, sourcing images, recording and editing audio and recording pieces to camera: the traditional television, radio and print reporter all rolled into one. Yet, additional duties are not matched by increased pay; in some instances resources have been cut, and management cite reduced advertising revenue as the main reason. This research examined the impact of those changes to work practices on journalists, the media industry, and on wider society in Ireland, where multi-tasking has become more prevalent in the past 10 to 15 years and the pressures faced by journalists have intensified in the aftermath of COVID-19. Twelve journalists working in the media in Ireland were interviewed as part of this research. Their perceptions on the main influences on their work practices were explored. The findings of this research argue that due to the relentless drive for profit maximization, the result is that insufficient time and resources are made available to run newsrooms adequately and this is particularly prevalent in the regional press. This means ‘desk’ journalism is prioritized over ‘field’ reporting, while the battle between accuracy and immediacy is placing journalists under immense pressure and this also affects the quality of content produced and disseminated. Also, there is insufficient focus by media organizations on time intensive journalism i.e., investigative journalism—which potentially impacts everyone’s lives—and this influences how ordinary citizens understand the world around them. This research argues that the ability of journalism to hold the powerful to account is diminishing. Journalism, in its current trajectory, does not fulfil its Fourth Estate or ‘watchdog’ function, and critically, this influences people’s understanding of society, as this research outlines.