bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of task-based instruction on learners’ reading comprehension, L2 grit, anxiety, and motivation for L2 reading
Authors: Ismail Sayed M. , Wang Chuanli , Jamalyar Radman
Published: December 2023

Task-based instruction (TBI) is a pedagogical approach that centers on engaging learners in meaningful and communicative tasks to promote language acquisition, active participation, and practical language use. The primary objective of this investigation was to assess the influence of TBI on reading comprehension, motivation for L2 reading, anxiety, and L2 grit. Thus, two pre-existing classes from a large university in China were selected and one of them was assigned as the treatment and the other as the comparison group. An Oxford Quick Placement Test determined that the subjects possessed an intermediate level of proficiency. The experimental group received reading comprehension-based TBI, while the control group received traditional lecture-based strategy training. Each of the dependent variables was tested at two points of time. Based on a conducted t-test, while both groups knew exactly the same as time 1, the comparison group did less on the posttest in terms of reading comprehension skills than its treatment counterpart. The effect size was large. Furthermore, the results of a series of chi-squares showed that TBI had facilitating effects on motivation for L2 reading, language learning anxiety, and L2 grit, all with large effect sizes. That is, on the posttest, the number of motivated learners and grittier learners in the treatment group increased, while the number of high-anxiety learners in the experimental group decreased sharply. However, the participants’ motivation for L2 reading, anxiety, and L2 grit did not significantly change after the treatment. The implications of the study are explained.
Prolonged Hypokalemia and Delayed Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism: Clinical Course and Risk Factors
Authors: Gupta Gaytri , Teo Ada E D , Swee Du Soon , Loh Lih Ming , Chuah Matthew , Loh Wann Jia , Saffari Seyed Ehsan , Koh Xuan Han , Kek Peng Chin , Puar Troy H
Published: December 2023

Context

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common cause of hypertension (HT). However, diagnosis is often delayed, leading to poorer clinical outcomes. Hypokalemia with HT is characteristic of PA, and is an indication for screening.

Objective

We evaluated if patients with PA had prolonged hypokalemia before diagnosis, the subsequent biochemical/clinical control, and factors associated with delayed diagnosis.

Methods

Our study included all PA patients with hypokalemia diagnosed between 2001 and 2022. Delayed diagnosis was defined as duration of hypokalemia of more than 1 year from first occurrence to first evaluation by a PA specialist. Patients were reassessed post adrenalectomy using the Primary Aldosteronism Surgery Outcomes criteria. We performed multivariable analysis to assess for factors associated with delayed diagnosis.

Results

Among 240 patients with PA who presented with hypokalemia, 122 (51%) patients had delayed diagnosis, with prolonged hypokalemia of median duration 4.5 years (range, 2.4-7.5 years). Patients with delayed diagnosis were older, had longer duration of HT, higher pill burden, lower renal function, and more prevalent cardiovascular disease. Factors associated with delayed diagnosis included older age, presence of hyperlipidemia, and less severe hypokalemia (serum potassium >3.0 mmol/L). Compared to patients with early diagnosis, a lower proportion of those with delayed diagnosis underwent adrenal vein sampling (73% vs 58%) (P < .05). Sixty of 118 (50.8%) nondelayed, and 39 of 122 (32.0%) patients with delayed diagnosis, underwent surgery.

Conclusion

Despite manifestation of hypokalemia, many patients with PA fail to be promptly screened. Greater emphasis in HT guidelines, and efforts to improve awareness of PA among primary care physicians, are urgently needed.
HIV-1 p17 matrix protein enhances type I interferon responses through the p17–OLA1–STING axis
Authors: Zhang Lianfei , Li Shuai , Xu Xiaoyu , Ma Chengxin , Zhang Pan , Ji Wangsheng , Liu Xinqi
Published: December 2023

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING; also known as STING1) is an important adaptor protein for detecting cytosolic double-stranded DNA, which can come from HIV infection. Several HIV proteins, such as p6, Vpx and Vif, can influence STING-mediated innate immunity, but the function of p17 is still unknown. In this study, we find that HIV-1 p17, but not HIV-2 p17 or SIV p17, promotes STING signaling induced by cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) treatment. Mechanistically, HIV-1 p17 binds to Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1) and inhibits the regulation of STING by OLA1. Here, OLA1 interacts with STING and inhibits the translocation and phosphorylation of STING upon cGAMP stimulation. Furthermore, compared with HIV-2 and SIV, the ATPase and GTPase activities of OLA1 are only promoted by HIV-1 p17. Our study shows that the p17 of HIV-1, but not HIV-2 or SIV, promotes STING-mediated innate immunity by interfering the interaction between OLA1 and STING, thus providing a new clue for specific immune activation of HIV-1.
A Dual Inertial Measurement Unit System for Classifying Standard Overhead Drill Movements in Elite Women’s Water Polo
Authors: King Marguerite H. , Lewis Amy , Watson Kate , Da Costa Nathalia , Vicenzino Bill
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Water polo upper limb external load monitoring cannot be currently measured accurately due to technological and methodological challenges. This is problematic as large fluctuations in overhead movement volume and intensity may affect performance and alter injury risk. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) and machine learning techniques have been shown to accurately classify overhead movements in other sports. We investigated the model accuracy and class precision, sensitivity and specificity of IMUs and machine learning techniques to classify standard overhead drill movements in elite women’s water polo.

Methods

Ten women’s water polo players performed standard drills of swimming, blocking, low and high intensity throwing under training conditions. Athletes wore two IMUs: one on the upper back and the other on the distal forearm. Each movement was videoed and coded to a standard overhead drill movement. IMU and coded video data were merged to verify the IMU detected activity classification of each movement to that of the video. Data were partitioned into a training and test set and used to form a decision tree algorithm. Model accuracy and class precision, sensitivity and specificity were assessed.

Results

IMU resultant acceleration and angular velocity values displayed drill specific values. 194 activities were identified by the model in the test set with 8 activities being incorrectly classified. Model accuracy was 95.88%. Percentage class precision, sensitivity and specificity were as follows: blocking (96.15, 86.21, 99.39), high intensity throwing (100, 100, 100), low intensity throwing (93.48, 93.48, 97.97) and swimming (94.81, 98.65, 96.67).

Conclusions

IMUs and machine learning techniques can accurately classify standard overhead drill movements in elite women’s water polo.
Investment Potential — Basic of Industrial Enterprise Financial Development in the International Market
Authors: Krylova V. , Errera Larisa
Published: December 2023

Purpose. Studying of necessity investment potential forming for industrial enterprise’s financial development in the Tula region and international market. Tasks: - studying of investment and investment potential meaning; - researching of investment potential influence on industrial enterprise’s financial development; - main factors’ forming of industrial enterprise’s activity development in the Tula region and international financial market. Methods. Investment attractiveness’ changing of Center federal district’s regions and including Tula region studies in the article. It is paid attention for analysis of investment attractiveness’ changing in the years, also a comparison is being made investment attractiveness’ positions of different Russian Federation regions. Besides it is analyzed investment attractiveness’ financial development possibility and ability to international market for financial relationships with another enterprise. Results. It is conducted analysis investment potential’s influence on Tula region industrial enterprises’ financial development. It is identified that Tula region investment attractiveness didn’t change in 2023 year. It is mined that industrial enterprises work effectively. It is emphasized, that Tula region industrial enterprises’ investment attractiveness’ changing can depend on financial resources’ changing, which is provided this enterprise’s financial development. Also it is established Tula region industrial enterprises’ financial development’s limitations and problems in the national and international market. It is identified that investment strategy forms necessary for industrial enterprise’s quit to the international market. Conclusions. Tula region industrial enterprise’s investment potential can develop in case free financial resources. Tula region industrial enterprise can quit to new markets and international market. Industrial enterprise can realize financial development and increase competitiveness position with another enterprise in financial relationships in the international market.
Frontiers: Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Empowering Female Entrepreneurs Through Female Mentors
Authors: Germann Frank , Anderson Stephen J. , Chintagunta Pradeep K. , Vilcassim Naufel
Published: December 2023

Female entrepreneurs perform significantly better when guided by a female—as opposed to a male—mentor.
Reproducibility in Management Science
Authors: Fišar Miloš , Greiner Ben , Huber Christoph , Katok Elena , Ozkes Ali I. ,   and the Management Science Reproducibility Collaboration
Published: December 2023

With the help of more than 700 reviewers, we assess the reproducibility of nearly 500 articles published in the journal Management Science before and after the introduction of a new Data and Code Disclosure policy in 2019. When considering only articles for which data accessibility and hardware and software requirements were not an obstacle for reviewers, the results of more than 95% of articles under the new disclosure policy could be fully or largely computationally reproduced. However, for 29% of articles, at least part of the data set was not accessible to the reviewer. Considering all articles in our sample reduces the share of reproduced articles to 68%. These figures represent a significant increase compared with the period before the introduction of the disclosure policy, where only 12% of articles voluntarily provided replication materials, of which 55% could be (largely) reproduced. Substantial heterogeneity in reproducibility rates across different fields is mainly driven by differences in data set accessibility. Other reasons for unsuccessful reproduction attempts include missing code, unresolvable code errors, weak or missing documentation, and software and hardware requirements and code complexity. Our findings highlight the importance of journal code and data disclosure policies and suggest potential avenues for enhancing their effectiveness.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, behavioral economics and decision analysis–fast track.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.03556 .
Colonoscopy-induced acute appendicitis: A case report
Authors: Song Xiao-Ling , Ma Jin-You , Zhang Zhi-Gao
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Colonoscopy is widely used for examination, diagnosis, and treatment because of its low incidence of associated complications. Post-colonoscopy appendicitis (PCA) is very rare and is easily misdiagnosed as electrocoagulation syndrome or colon perforation. Therefore, clinicians should pay close attention to this complication.

CASE SUMMARY

A 47-year-old female patient underwent a colonoscopy for a systematic physical examination, and the procedure was uneventful with normal endoscopic and histologic findings. However, the bowel preparation was suboptimal (Boston 2-3-2). After the examination, the patient experienced pain in the lower abdomen, which progressively worsened. Computed tomography of the lower abdomen and pelvis revealed appendiceal calcular obstruction and appendicitis. As the patient refused surgery, she was managed with antibiotics and recovered well.

CONCLUSION

In the current literature, the definition of PCA remains unclear. However, abdominal pain after colonoscopy should be differentiated from acute appendicitis.
Oral white lesions: who, what, where, when, how and why?
Authors: Thomson Peter
Published: December 2023

Diagnosis and management of oral white lesions can be challenging in clinical practice owing to their highly variable aetiology and different prognoses ranging from benign, often reactive mucosal lesions through to potentially malignant conditions or frankly invasive oral cancers. In this paper, the author proposes a pragmatic, clinically based approach to assessment, diagnosis and treatment based on a diagnostic decision making tree and six classic information-gathering questions: who, what, where, when, how and why?
Improving the use of Nabers probes for furcation detection during periodontal assessment in dental curricula
Authors: Lu Emily Ming-Chieh , Zaric Svetislav
Published: December 2023

INTRODUCTION

Detection of furcation involvement (FI) is an integral part of full periodontal examination. The aims of this study were to: 1) investigate the extent to which furcation assessment was performed and recorded by undergraduate and postgraduate students on clinic; 2) evaluate the perceptions of teachers about possible problems in relation to furcation assessment among students; and 3) assess the impact of the dental school’s educational interventions on the improvement in furcation assessment among students.

METHODS

Students were interviewed after their periodontal assessment. This occurred in three different settings: undergraduate and postgraduate treatment clinics, and new patient assessment clinics. Teachers were also interviewed about their perceptions of the students’ quality of furcation assessment. Students were re-surveyed following educational interventions to improve their furcation detection.

RESULTS

The baseline questionnaire showed that only 44% of the undergraduate students checked for FI; this compared with 83% of postgraduate students. Of those undergraduate students who assessed FI, only 13% used a Nabers probe and 63% did not record their finding in the patient’s notes. Following educational interventions, 56% of the undergraduates performed furcation assessment, with 78% of these using a Nabers probe.

CONCLUSIONS

Furcation assessment is often missed during the full periodontal examination carried out by undergraduate dental students and Nabers probes are rarely used. However, teaching interventions have the potential to improve the students’ learning experience and therefore also patient care.
Controlled experimental generation of perturbed high-order Ince–Gaussian laser modes
Authors: Meena Hemant Kumar , Pant Bhavesh , Singh Brijesh Kumar
Published: December 2023

We present an experimental approach for generating perturbed high-order Ince–Gaussian laser modes by transforming the low and moderate-intensity lobes of high-order Ince–Gaussian (IG) modes into high-intensity lobes and vice versa. This perturbation reshuffles optical energy among the different lobes and generates new, to the best of our knowledge, modulated Ince–Gaussian (MIG) modes. Computer-generated holograms displayed over spatial light modulators were used to modulate the IGMs. Compared to IG modes, MIG modes are generated precisely in a sense that enhances the IG modes and provides a maximum number of highly intense lobes in a particular mode. That enables the newly generated MIG modes to be utilized more efficiently than IG modes in applications such as particle manipulation and optical trapping of microparticles, which exploit highly intense lobes.
Switchable multiple quasibound states in the continuum based on the phase transition of vanadium dioxide
Authors: Lv Wang-Ze , Wang Chen , Zhang Dong-Qin , Jin Zhong-Wei , Pan Gui-Ming , Fang Bin , Hong Zhi , Shu Fang-Zhou
Published: December 2023

Resonant dielectric nanostructures have achieved significant advancements in the manipulation of light at the nanoscale. Particularly, bound states in the continuum (BICs) based on dielectric metasurfaces have greatly enhanced the intensity of light–matter interaction. However, most BICs in dielectric metasurfaces are fixed in their functionality once they are made. In this study, we present the development of switchable multiple quasi-BICs by combining dielectric nanostructures with vanadium dioxide. The resulting hybrid dielectric metasurface can support three types of BICs with different multipole origins for vanadium dioxide in the insulating phase. By introducing structural asymmetry through width adjustment, one quasi-BIC with a longitudinal toroidal dipole characteristic is excited under x-polarized incidence. Further, tuning the width allows for the generation of two additional quasi-BICs with distinct electromagnetic sources under y-polarized incidence. Additionally, the hybrid dielectric metasurface also supports a high-Q transverse toroidal dipole mode. Moreover, all quasi-BICs and toroidal dipole modes can be turned off when vanadium dioxide transitions into the metallic phase. The switchable multiple quasi-BICs hold promise for applications in optical modulators, tunable harmonic generation, and biosensors.
Effective bandgap narrowing and enhanced optoelectronic performance of Cs2PtBr6 double perovskites by pressure engineering
Authors: Cao XiuHong , Chang ZhenYun , Chang Jing
Published: December 2023

Tuning the structure–property relations of perovskites by pressure engineering holds great promise for discovering materials with favorable properties. The newly synthesized Cs2PtBr6 double perovskite exhibits excellent water resistance and chemical stability. Yet its photoelectric conversion efficiency is limited by its intrinsic wide-bandgap nature. In this work, based on density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate the bandgap narrowing of Cs2PtBr6 via pressure engineering and maintain its structural stability. Strikingly, upon applying pressure up to 12 GPa, the bandgap value decreases to 1.34 eV, which exactly reaches the optimal bandgap required by the Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit. Moreover, optical calculation analysis shows that the optical absorption of Cs2PtBr6 exhibits a significant improvement within the visible range. Therefore, the potential of Cs2PtBr6 as a photovoltaic material by pressure engineering is improved. This work is useful for designing and synthesizing new perovskite materials with enhanced performance.
Identification of triangular single crystals of transition metal dichalcogenides based on the detection algorithm
Authors: Mao Yu , Wang Zixin , Xu Chang , Wang Yan , Dong Ningning , Wang Jun
Published: December 2023

The distinctive properties and facile integration of 2D materials hold the potential to offer promising avenues for the on-chip photonic devices, and the expeditious and nondestructive identification and localization of diverse fundamental building blocks become key prerequisites. Here, we present a methodology grounded in digital image processing and deep learning, which effectively achieves the detection and precise localization of four monolayer-thick triangular single crystals of transition metal dichalcogenides with the mean average precision above 90%, and the approach demonstrates robust recognition capabilities across varied imaging conditions encompassing both white light and monochromatic light. This stands poised to serve as a potent data-driven tool enhancing the characterizing efficiency and holds the potential to expedite research initiatives and applications founded on the utilization of 2D materials.
Broadband, high-power optical frequency combs covering visible to near-infrared spectral range
Authors: Tian Haochen , Zhu Ruichen , Li Runmin , Xing Sida , Schibli Thomas R. , Minoshima Kaoru
Published: December 2023

Optical frequency combs (OFCs) have become essential tools in a wide range of metrological and scientific research fields. However, in the reported literature, OFCs that cover the visible spectral range have a limited bandwidth and pulse energy. These drawbacks limit their potential applications, such as high-signal-to-noise ratio spectroscopic measurements. In this work, we demonstrate a broadband, high-power optical frequency comb covering the visible to near-infrared range (550 nm to 900 nm) with a high average power of approximately 300 mW. This is accomplished by the power scaling of optical pulses from a fully stabilized Er:fiber comb, coherent spectral broadening and finally the utilization of a PPLN’s χ(2) nonlinearity. The broadband, high-power, fully stabilized visible OFCs showcased in this work offer reliable laser sources for high-precision spectroscopic measurements, imaging, and comparisons of optical clocks.
Harnessing the power of complex light propagation in multimode fibers for spatially resolved sensing
Authors: Smith Darcy L. , Nguyen Linh V. , Reja Mohammad I. , Schartner Erik P. , Ebendorff-Heidepriem Heike , Ottaway David J. , Warren-Smith Stephen C.
Published: December 2023

The propagation of coherent light in multimode optical fibers results in a speckled output that is both complex and sensitive to environmental effects. These properties can be a powerful tool for sensing, as small perturbations lead to significant changes in the output of the fiber. However, the mechanism to encode spatially resolved sensing information into the speckle pattern and the ability to extract this information are thus far unclear. In this paper, we demonstrate that spatially dependent mode coupling is crucial to achieving spatially resolved measurements. We leverage machine learning to quantitatively extract the spatially resolved sensing information from three fiber types with dramatically different characteristics and demonstrate that the fiber with the highest degree of spatially dependent mode coupling provides the greatest accuracy.
KI-Kompetenzen in der Praxis: Eine Analyse deutscher KMUs
Authors: Ludwig Thomas , Azabal Natán , Fries Marco , Nießner Julia , Elsholz Uwe , Lützenkirchen Sylke , Thomas Martina , Schröder Lukas
Published: December 2023

Die rasante Digitalisierung unserer Welt hat die Entwicklung digitaler Kompetenzen zu einem zentralen Anliegen in Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft gemacht. Während globale Akteure wie die USA, China, Südkorea und Japan in technologischen Innovationen führend sind, sieht sich die Europäische Union, insbesondere Deutschland, vor Herausforderungen gestellt, um mit dieser Innovationsdynamik Schritt zu halten, vor allem im Bereich der Informationstechnologie. Die Europäische Kommission hat als Reaktion darauf eine Digitalstrategie entwickelt, um die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und digitale Souveränität zu stärken. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht, basierend auf einer retrospektiven Analyse von Beratungsfällen des Zukunftszentrums KI NRW zum Thema Digitalisierung und vor allem Künstliche Intelligenz, die digitale Kompetenzlandschaft in deutschen kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMUs). Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ein erheblicher Bedarf an Grundlagenwissen und Verständnis für digitale Technologien besteht. Auf Basis der Ergebnisse werden Kompetenzlisten vorgestellt, die spezifische, für die digitale Arbeitswelt essentielle Fähigkeiten und Kenntnisse beinhalten. Diese Listen dienen als Grundlage, um mittels Leitfragen konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen zu formulieren, die Unternehmen bei der Bewertung und Entwicklung ihrer digitalen Kompetenzen unterstützen, um den Herausforderungen der Digitalen Transformation zu begegnen.
Optimizing COVID-19 testing strategies on college campuses: Evaluation of the health and economic costs
Authors: Johnson Kaitlyn E. , Pasco Remy , Woody Spencer , Lachmann Michael , Johnson-Leon Maureen , Bhavnani Darlene , Klima Jessica , Paltiel A. David , Fox Spencer J. , Meyers Lauren Ancel
Published: December 2023

Colleges and universities in the US struggled to provide safe in-person education throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Testing coupled with isolation is a nimble intervention strategy that can be tailored to mitigate the changing health and economic risks associated with SARS-CoV-2. We developed a decision-support tool to aid in the design of university-based screening strategies using a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Applying this framework to a large public university reopening in the fall of 2021 with a 60% student vaccination rate, we find that the optimal strategy, in terms of health and economic costs, is twice weekly antigen testing of all students. This strategy provides a 95% guarantee that, throughout the fall semester, case counts would not exceed twice the CDC’s original high transmission threshold of 100 cases per 100k persons over 7 days. As the virus and our medical armament continue to evolve, testing will remain a flexible tool for managing risks and keeping campuses open. We have implemented this model as an online tool to facilitate the design of testing strategies that adjust for COVID-19 conditions as well as campus-specific populations, resources, and priorities.
The Muscleblind-like protein MBL-1 regulates microRNA expression in Caenorhabditis elegans through an evolutionarily conserved autoregulatory mechanism
Authors: Verbeeren Jens , Teixeira Joana , Garcia Susana M. D. A.
Published: December 2023

The Muscleblind-like (MBNL) family is a highly conserved set of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate RNA metabolism during the differentiation of various animal tissues. Functional insufficiency of MBNL affects muscle and central nervous system development, and contributes to the myotonic dystrophies (DM), a set of incurable multisystemic disorders. Studies on the regulation of MBNL genes are essential to provide insight into the gene regulatory networks controlled by MBNL proteins and to understand how dysregulation within these networks causes disease. In this study, we demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of an autoregulatory mechanism that governs the function of MBNL proteins by generating two distinct protein isoform types through alternative splicing. Our aim was to further our understanding of the regulatory principles that underlie this conserved feedback loop in a whole-organismal context, and to address the biological significance of the respective isoforms. Using an alternative splicing reporter, our studies show that, during development of the Caenorhabditis elegans central nervous system, the orthologous mbl-1 gene shifts production from long protein isoforms that localize to the nucleus to short isoforms that also localize to the cytoplasm. Using isoform-specific CRISPR/Cas9-generated strains, we showed that expression of short MBL-1 protein isoforms is required for healthy neuromuscular function and neurodevelopment, while expression of long MBL-1 protein isoforms is dispensable, emphasizing a key role for cytoplasmic functionalities of the MBL-1 protein. Furthermore, RNA-seq and lifespan analyses indicated that short MBL-1 isoforms are crucial regulators of miRNA expression and, in consequence, required for normal lifespan. In conclusion, this study provides support for the disruption of cytoplasmic RNA metabolism as a contributor in myotonic dystrophy and paves the way for further exploration of miRNA regulation through MBNL proteins during development and in disease models.
Adolescents and young adults are the most undiagnosed of HIV and virally unsuppressed in Eastern and Southern Africa: Pooled analyses from five population-based surveys
Authors: Huerga Helena , Ben Farhat Jihane , Maman David , Conan Nolwenn , Van Cutsem Gilles , Omwoyo Willis , Garone Daniela , Ortuno Gutierrez Reinaldo , Apollo Tsitsi , Okomo Gordon , Etard Jean-François
Published: December 2023

Age and gender disparities within the HIV cascade of care are critical to focus interventions efficiently. We assessed gender-age groups at the highest probability of unfavorable outcomes in the HIV cascade in five HIV prevalent settings. We performed pooled data analyses from population-based surveys conducted in Kenya, South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe between 2012 and 2016. Individuals aged 15–59 years were eligible. Participants were tested for HIV and viral load was measured. The HIV cascade outcomes and the probability of being undiagnosed, untreated among those diagnosed, and virally unsuppressed (≥1,000 copies/mL) among those treated were assessed for several age-gender groups. Among 26,743 participants, 5,221 (19.5%) were HIV-positive (69.9% women, median age 36 years). Of them, 72.8% were previously diagnosed and 56.7% virally suppressed (88.5% among those treated). Among individuals 15–24 years, 51.5% were diagnosed vs 83.0% among 45–59 years, p<0.001. Among 15–24 years diagnosed, 60.6% were treated vs 86.5% among 45–59 years, p<0.001. Among 15–24 years treated, 77.9% were virally suppressed vs 92.0% among 45–59 years, p<0.001. Among all HIV-positive, viral suppression was 32.9% in 15–24 years, 47.9% in 25–34 years, 64.9% in 35–44 years, 70.6% in 45–59 years. Men were less diagnosed than women (65.2% vs 76.0%, p <0.001). Treatment among diagnosed and viral suppression among treated was not different by gender. Compared to women 45–59 years, young people had a higher probability of being undiagnosed (men 15–24 years OR: 37.9, women 15–24 years OR: 12.2), untreated (men 15–24 years OR:2.2, women 15–24 years OR: 5.7) and virally unsuppressed (men 15–24 years OR: 1.6, women 15–24 years OR: 6.6). In these five Eastern and Southern Africa settings, adolescents and young adults had the largest gaps in the HIV cascade. They were less diagnosed, treated, and virally suppressed, than older counterparts. Targeted preventive, testing and treating interventions should be scaled-up.
Scabies prevalence and its associated factors among prisoners in southern Ethiopia: An institution-based analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Bogino Efa Ambaw , Woldegeorgis Beshada Zerfu , Wondewosen Lantesil , Dessu Blen Kassahun , Obsa Mohammed Suleiman , Hanfore Lolemo Kelbiso , Galtore Teketel Ermias , Kidane Woldu , Kelbore Abraham Getachew
Published: December 2023

Background

Scabies is an ectoparasitic infestation that can easily spread during close human contact and in overcrowded areas such as prisons and public places where sanitation is a problem. Globally, as many as 300 million people are infested with scabies each year. Within Ethiopia, its burden in institutions like prisons is not well-studied. As a consequence, we sought to estimate the prevalence of scabies and also identify factors associated with it among prison inmates in southern Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based analytical cross-sectional study design was employed. We used, a simple random sampling technique to select 422 prisoners. A pretested-structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary information. EpiData version 4.2.0.0 and Statistical Packages for Social Science version 25 software were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. The model fitness was checked using the Hosmer-Lemeshow and omnibus tests. The association between the independent and outcome variables was presented in the form of a table showing the crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) along with their 95% confidence interval (CI). The level of statistical significance was declared at P.value ≤ 0.05.

Results

A total of 418 prisoners were interviewed, yielding a 99.1% response rate. The age of the participants ranged from 17 to 60 years. As many as 381 (91.1%) participants were male. The prevalence of scabies was found to be 8.9%. A history of sexual contact in the past two months, before imprisonment (AOR: 9.92 (95% CI 3.07, 32.02), P <0.001), a period of stay less than two months duration in the prison (AOR: 4.54 (95% CI 1.51, 13.54), P = 0.007), poor ventilation (AOR: 3.36 (95% CI 1.07, 10.58), P = 0.038), lack of hygiene soap (AOR: 5.53 (95% CI 1.45, 21.17), P = 0.012), and sharing clothes among each other (AOR: 3.81 (95% CI (1.09, 13.29), P = 0.036) were factors independently associated with a scabies infestation.

Conclusion

In this study, we found the prevalence of scabies was high among prison inmates in Wolaita Zone prison. Furthermore, scabies infestations were associated with a previous history of sexual contact, poorly ventilated rooms, lack of hygiene soaps for washing, and sharing clothes amongst the inmates. Prison administrations should be encouraged to improve sanitary and screening and isolation of prisoners during imprisonment.
Real-world evidence on levodopa dose escalation in patients with Parkinson’s disease treated with istradefylline
Authors: Hattori Nobutaka , Kabata Daijiro , Asada Shinji , Kanda Tomoyuki , Nomura Takanobu , Shintani Ayumi , Mori Akihisa
Published: December 2023

Objective

Istradefylline, a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, is indicated in the US and Japan as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/decarboxylase inhibitors in adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experiencing OFF time. This study aimed to observe patterns of dose escalation of levodopa over time in patients initiated on istradefylline.

Methods

Using Japanese electronic health record data, interrupted time series analyses were used to compare levodopa daily dose (LDD, mg/day) gradients in patients before and after initiation of istradefylline. Data were analyzed by period relative to istradefylline initiation (Month 1): pre-istradefylline (Months -72 to 0), early istradefylline (Months 1 to 24), and late istradefylline (Months 25 to 72). Subgroup analyses included LDD before istradefylline initiation (<400, ≥400 to <600, ≥600 mg/day) and treatment with or without monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, or dopamine agonists before istradefylline initiation.

Results

The analysis included 4026 patients; mean (SD) baseline LDD was 419.27 mg (174.19). Patients receiving ≥600 mg/day levodopa or not receiving MAO-B inhibitors or COMT inhibitors demonstrated a significant reduction in LDD increase gradient for pre-istradefylline vs late-phase istradefylline (≥600 mg/day levodopa, -6.259 mg/day each month, p<0.001; no MAO-B inhibitors, -1.819 mg/day each month, p = 0.004; no COMT inhibitors, -1.412 mg/day each month, p = 0.027).

Conclusions

This real-world analysis of Japanese prescription data indicated that slowing of LDD escalation was observed in patients initiated on istradefylline, particularly in those receiving ≥600 mg/day levodopa, suggesting istradefylline may slow progressive LDD increases. These findings suggest that initiating istradefylline before other levodopa-adjunctive therapies may mitigate LDD increases, potentially reducing occurrence or severity of levodopa-induced complications in long-term istradefylline treatment.
Epidemiology of cruciate ligament surgery in Japan: A repeated cross-sectional study from 2014 to 2021
Authors: Uchino Shota , Taguri Masataka
Published: December 2023

Understanding the incidence and trends of cruciate ligament (CL) surgeries in Japan is crucial for providing effective healthcare services. This study aimed to use open data available from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) to analyze changes in CL surgeries over time and the characteristics of the Japanese population by sex and age. We retrospectively identified CL surgeries of the knee joint registered from April 2014 to March 2022 using the NDB open data. Data on sex, age, and practice were extracted to determine the number of cases per 100,000 population. Trends in the annual incidence of CL surgeries were evaluated using Poisson regression analysis. A total of 142,931 CL surgeries were performed from 2014 to 2021, with arthroscopic ligament reconstruction accounting for 98% of cases. The number of surgeries significantly increased from 16,975 in 2014 to 19,735 in 2019 (P<0.001). CL surgeries were most common in the 15–19 and 20–29 years age groups, with variations between males and females. The incidence of CL surgery in Japan has increased, with characteristics varying by sex and age, including middle-aged and older patients. Further investigation of general patterns in CL surgery in Japan would be valuable.
Effect of the LSD1 inhibitor RN-1 on γ-globin and global gene expression during erythroid differentiation in baboons (Papio anubis)
Authors: Ibanez Vinzon , Vaitkus Kestis , Ruiz Maria Armila , Lei Zhengdeng , Maienschein-Cline Mark , Arbieva Zarema , Lavelle Donald
Published: December 2023

Elevated levels of Fetal Hemoglobin interfere with polymerization of sickle hemoglobin thereby reducing anemia, lessening the severity of symptoms, and increasing life span of patients with sickle cell disease. An affordable, small molecule drug that stimulates HbF expression in vivo would be ideally suited to treat the large numbers of SCD patients that exist worldwide. Our previous work showed that administration of the LSD1 (KDM1A) inhibitor RN-1 to normal baboons increased Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) and was tolerated over a prolonged treatment period. HbF elevations were associated with changes in epigenetic modifications that included increased levels of H3K4 di-and tri-methyl lysine at the γ-globin promoter. While dramatic effects of the loss of LSD1 on hematopoietic differentiation have been observed in murine LSD1 gene deletion and silencing models, the effect of pharmacological inhibition of LSD1 in vivo on hematopoietic differentiation is unknown. The goal of these experiments was to investigate the in vivo mechanism of action of the LSD1 inhibitor RN-1 by determining its effect on γ-globin expression in highly purified subpopulations of bone marrow erythroid cells enriched for varying stages of erythroid differentiation isolated directly from baboons treated with RN-1 and also by investigating the effect of RN1 on the global transcriptome in a highly purified population of proerythroblasts. Our results show that RN-1 administered to baboons targets an early event during erythroid differentiation responsible for γ-globin repression and increases the expression of a limited number of genes including genes involved in erythroid differentiation such as GATA2, GFi-1B, and LYN.
Dynamic Computed Tomography Angiography for capturing vessel wall motion: A phantom study for optimal image reconstruction
Authors: Stam Lotte B. , Linden Sabine M. L. , Oostveen Luuk J. , Hansen Hendrik H. G. , Aquarius René , Slump Cornelis H. , de Korte Chris L. , Bartels Ronald H. M. A. , Prokop Mathias , Boogaarts Hieronymus D. , Meijer Frederick J. A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Reliably capturing sub-millimeter vessel wall motion over time, using dynamic Computed Tomography Angiography (4D CTA), might provide insight in biomechanical properties of these vessels. This may improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decision making in vascular pathologies.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the most suitable image reconstruction method for 4D CTA to accurately assess harmonic diameter changes of vessels.

Methods

An elastic tube (inner diameter 6 mm, wall thickness 2 mm) was exposed to sinusoidal pressure waves with a frequency of 70 beats-per-minute. Five flow amplitudes were set, resulting in increasing sinusoidal diameter changes of the elastic tube, measured during three simulated pulsation cycles, using ECG-gated 4D CTA on a 320-detector row CT system. Tomographic images were reconstructed using one of the following three reconstruction methods: hybrid iterative (Hybrid-IR), model-based iterative (MBIR) and deep-learning based (DLR) reconstruction. The three reconstruction methods where based on 180 degrees (half reconstruction mode) and 360 degrees (full reconstruction mode) raw data. The diameter change, captured by 4D CTA, was computed based on image registration. As a reference metric for diameter change measurement, a 9 MHz linear ultrasound transducer was used. The sum of relative absolute differences (SRAD) between the ultrasound and 4D CTA measurements was calculated for each reconstruction method. The standard deviation was computed across the three pulsation cycles.

Results

MBIR and DLR resulted in a decreased SRAD and standard deviation compared to Hybrid-IR. Full reconstruction mode resulted in a decreased SRAD and standard deviations, compared to half reconstruction mode.

Conclusions

4D CTA can capture a diameter change pattern comparable to the pattern captured by US. DLR and MBIR algorithms show more accurate results than Hybrid-IR. Reconstruction with DLR is >3 times faster, compared to reconstruction with MBIR. Full reconstruction mode is more accurate than half reconstruction mode.
A cross-sectional survey on the effectiveness of public health campaigns for changing knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Kenyan informal settlements during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Scholfield Steven , Kavembe Geraldine D. , Duncan Rodney R. , Ragama Bernhards O. , Mecha Jared , Orwa Albert , Otomu Geoffrey , Wanga Erick , Astleford James , Gutto John , Kibwage Isaac , Ogato Julius , Verma Arpana , Brennan Keith , Huck Jonathan , Mitlin Diana , Nirmalan Mahesh
Published: December 2023

We performed two cross-sectional surveys across three informal settlements in Kenya (within Kisii county, Nairobi, and Nakuru county) to study the effectiveness of public health interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 720 participants were surveyed from 120 randomly selected geographical locations (240 participants/settlement/survey), and a coordinated health promotion campaign was delivered between the two surveys by trained staff. Information relating to knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) were collected by trained field workers using a validated questionnaire. The main outcomes showed improvements in: (i) mask-wearing (% of participants ‘Always’ using their mask increased from 71 to 74%, and the percentage using their masks ‘Sometimes’ decreased from 15% to 6%; p<0.001); (ii) practices related to face mask usage (% of subjects covering the mouth and nose increased from 91 to 95%, and those covering only part of their face decreased from around 2.5% to <1%; p<0.001). Significant improvements were also seen in the attitudes and expectations relating to mask wearing, and in the understanding of government directives. Over 50% of subjects in the post-campaign survey reported that social distancing was not possible in their communities and fears associated with COVID-19 testing were resistant to change (unchanged at 10%). Access to COVID-19 testing facilities was limited, leaving a large proportion of people unable to test. As willingness to take a COVID-19 test did not change between surveys (69 vs 70%; p = 0.57), despite increased availability, we recommend that policy level interventions are needed, aimed at mitigating adverse consequences of a positive test. Improvements of KAPs in the more crowded urban environment (Nairobi) were less than at settlements in rural or semi-urban settings (Nakuru and Kisii). We conclude that coordinated public health campaigns are effective in facilitating the change of KAPs amongst people living amidst challenging socio-economic conditions in informal settlements.
Impact of perceived discrimination and coping strategies on well-being and mental health in newly-arrived migrants in Spain
Authors: Gabarrell-Pascuet Aina , Lloret-Pineda Amanda , Franch-Roca Marta , Mellor-Marsa Blanca , Alos-Belenguer Maria del Carmen , He Yuelu , Hafi-Elmokhtari Rachid El , Villalobos Felipe , Bayes-Marin Ivet , Aparicio Pareja Lola , Álvarez Bobo Oscar , Espinal Cabezas Mercedes , Osorio Yolanda , Haro Josep Maria , Cristóbal-Narvaez Paula
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To explore how perceived discrimination impacts the emotional well-being and mental health of newly-arrived migrants in Spain; and to identify the coping strategies and behavioral changes used to deal with perceived discrimination.

Design

102 individual audio-recorded in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through content analysis.

Results

Negative emotions related to perceived discrimination included disgust, sadness, fear, loneliness, humiliation, sense of injustice, rage, feeling undervalued or vulnerable, and mixed emotions. Change in behaviors due to perceived discrimination comprised westernization or cultural assimilation, creating a good image, avoiding going out or leaving alone, hypervigilance, stop participating in politics, self-sufficiency, a positive adaptation, and paradoxically, becoming an oppressor. The identified coping strategies to deal with perceived discrimination were ignoring or not responding, isolation, self-medication, engagement in intellectual activities, leisure and sport, talking or insulting the oppressor, denouncement, physical fight or revenge, seeking comfort, increasing solidarity with others, crying, or using humor. Discrimination-related stress and related mental health problems were conveyed, as challenges related to substance abuse and addictive behaviors, mood, and anxiety.

Conclusions

Findings establish initial evidence of the great impact of perceived discrimination on the health, emotional well-being, and behavior of newly-arrived migrants in Spain, alerting to the need for targeted policies and services to address the effects of discrimination in this population. Further research is needed to explore more closely the causes and effects of perceived discrimination on mental health, to develop more targeted and effective interventions.
Vericiguat protects against cardiac damage in a pig model of ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Zhu Weida , Ben Yue , Shen Yang , Liu Wenbing
Published: December 2023

Background

The purpose of this research was to verify that vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, reduces myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to learn how this reduction happens.

Methods and results

To develop an ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) model, the left anterior descending artery was blocked in minipigs under anesthesia for 90 minutes, followed by 180 minutes of reperfusion. Vericiguat is administered three hours before surgery. Two weeks after receiving therapy, pigs underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the results. The MRI results suggest improvement in the myocardial infarct after vericiguat treatment. Vericiguat treatment for two weeks enhanced vascularity, inhibited pro-inflammatory cells, and decreased collagen deposition in the infarct zone of pigs. Short-term experiments investigating possible explanations have indicated that vericiguat has antiapoptotic effects on cardiomyocytes and increases levels of autophagy.

Conclusions

Vericiguat, an SGC activator, reduces MIRI in pigs by boosting autophagy, preventing apoptosis, and promoting angiogenesis.