bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of people with post‐COVID‐19 condition: A rapid review
Authors: Saif‐Ur‐Rahman K. M. , Kothari Kavita , Sadlier Corinna , Moriarty Frank , Movsisyan Ani , Whelan Sean , Taneri Petek E. , Blair Matthew , Guyatt Gordon , Devane Declan
Published: March 2023

Objective

Little is known about the treatment of post‐coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) condition (PCC). This article examines the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions for treating people with PCC.

Methods

We searched Medline, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials. gov, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Two independent review authors screened citations, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. Due to heterogeneity in participants, interventions, and outcomes, we synthesized data narratively. We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation).

Participants

People with PCC.

Interventions

Pharmacological interventions include corticosteroids, ivabradine, and inhaled hydrogen.

Outcome Measures

Olfactory function, sinus tachycardia, respiratory function.

Results

We identified 5 completed studies and 41 ongoing studies. Oral corticosteroids and olfactory training had higher olfactory scores after 10 weeks (MD: 5.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41 to 9.79). Patients allocated oral corticosteroid, and nasal irrigation demonstrated improved recovery of olfactory function compared with the control group at 40 days (median 60, interquartile range [IQR]: 40 vs. median 30, IQR: 25, p = 0.024). Patients allocated to topical corticosteroid nasal spray and olfactory training had improved recovery of olfactory function after 2 weeks (median 7, IQR: 5−10 vs. median 5, IQR: 2−8, p = 0.08). Participants allocated to ivabradine had a greater mean reduction in heart rate compared with participants randomized to carvedilol (MD: −4.24, 95% CI: −10.09 to 1.61). Participants allocated to inhaled hydrogen therapy had an improved vital capacity (MD: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.33), forced expiratory volume (MD: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.34), 6‐minute walk test (MD: 55.0, 95% CI: 36.04 to 73.96).

Conclusions

The evidence is of low to very low certainty about the effect of all pharmacological interventions investigated for the treatment of people with PCC. There is currently a significant body of research underway that could expand the evidence to inform treatment decisions on pharmacological interventions for PCC.
Waxberry‐Like MnS/Ni3S4as High‐Efficiency Bi‐Functional Catalyst for Zn‐Air Batteries
Authors: Fan Wenping , Li Guangda
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a waxberry‐like MnS/Ni3S4composite catalyst was designed and synthesized. In this coating structure, MnS is located inside and Ni3S4is wrapped on the surface to form a spherical structure. This structure makes the material show excellent stability in the electrocatalytic process. The diffusion staggered region structure formed at the two‐phase interface greatly enhances the synergistic interaction between MnS and Ni3S4. At the same time, the defects and vacancies formed by the diffusion mechanism at the interface of the two phases increase the active site and improve the interfacial electron transfer kinetics. Therefore, MnS/Ni3S4composites showed good catalytic performance for ORR/OER. At 10 mA cm−2, the overpotential of it is only 320 mV, and the half‐wave potential can reach 0.81 V. The catalyst also exhibited extraordinary cycle stability and small voltage gap when used as cathode of Zn‐air batteries. When the current density is 3 mA cm−2, the cyclic discharge can be stable for 400 h and the voltage difference between the front and back does not increase more than. When the current density increases to 5 mA cm−2, the cyclic charge and discharge can be stable for more than 300 h.
Sparkling Organic Phosphorescence from Fluorinated Tetrathia[7]helicenes: Synthesis and Photophysical, Electrochemical and Computational Studies
Authors: Bossi Alberto , Mussini Patrizia R. , Farinola Gianluca , Penconi Marta , Cauteruccio Silvia , Thompson Mark E. , Licandro Emanuela
Published: March 2023

Structure‐property correlations in the thiahelicene family are often not trivial beacuse most of the functional groups present on the helical scaffold modify the conjugation size of the π‐system. Selecting fluorine‐containing groups to provide strong inductive effects without interacting with low‐lying orbitals of the system could be the way to overcome the issue. Here we report a study on three fluorine‐functionalized tetrathia[7]helicenes, highlighting interesting correlations between the position of the functional groups and the conjugated skeleton properties. Helicenes Heli‐F2 and Heli‐CF‐F2 were prepared by photoinduced isomerization‐electrocyclization (the Mallory photocyclization) of the corresponding fluorinated benzodithienyl‐ethenes Alk‐F2 and Alk‐CF‐F2, which were prepared in high yields through stereo‐conservative Stille reaction. Notably these helicenes were found to display green phosphorescence around 530–550 nm, and the studies suggest an efficient spin‐orbit coupling mechanism in these high‐energy triplet nonplanar conjugated molecules. Both helicenes and their precursors were thoroughly characterized by means of optical and electrochemical measurements, while DFT calculations enable a rationale on their structure‐property correlations to be defined.
A Playground for Heavy Atom Tunnelling: Neutral Substitutional Defect Rearrangement from Diamondoids to Diamonds
Authors: Sedgi Itzhak , Kozuch Sebastian
Published: March 2023

Many diamond properties are defined by substitutional defects (i. e., a carbon atom replaced by another element), which may involve the formation of structural isomers that can interconvert. Herein, we analysed by computational means the structure, thermodynamics, and kinetics of substitutional nitrogen, boron, and oxygen from small diamondoids up to the diamond bulk, focusing on the possibility of heavy atom quantum tunnelling rearrangement between the isomers. The large range of threshold energies and bond lengths lead to a variety of intriguing behaviours, including cage size dependent thermally activated tunnelling of nitrogen, and quantum delocalization of boron. In addition, we predict that applying an external electric field makes it possible to control the rearrangement thermodynamics and kinetics through tunnelling, which lets us hypothesize that these systems can potentially be used as atomic memory devices.
Alternative Construction of the Core of Lindenane Sesquiterpenoid
Authors: Ling Cichang , Huang Zhengsong , Zhou Yuqiao , Fu Shaomin , Liu Bo
Published: March 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Alternative synthetic routes toward the tricyclic core of lindenane sesquiterpenoid are presented herein. The route A features an asymmetric organocatalysis enabling desymmetric silylation of diol to establish the desired tertiary alcohol, while the route B consists of an acetate ring opening of chiral epoxy moiety. The common intermediate (16) in both routes can give rise to the core of lindenane sesquiterpenoid via an intramolecular cyclopropanation.
Say where you sample: Increasing site selection transparency in urban ecology
Authors: Dyson Karen , Dawwas Emad , Poulton Kamakura Renata , Alberti Marina , Fuentes Tracy L.
Published: March 2023

Urban ecological studies have the potential to expand our understanding of socioecological systems beyond that of an individual city or region. Cross‐comparative empirical work and synthesis are imperative to develop a general urban ecological theory. This can be achieved only if studies are replicable and generalizable. Transparency in methods reporting facilitates generalizability and replicability by documenting the decisions scientists make during the various steps of research design; this is particularly true for sampling design and selection because of their impact on both internal and external validity and the potential to unintentionally introduce bias. Three interdependent aspects of sample design are study sample selection (e.g., specific organisms, soils, or water), sample specification (measurement of specific variable of interest), and site selection (locations sampled). Of these, documentation of site selection—the where component of sample design—is underrepresented in the urban ecology literature. Using a stratified random sample of 158 papers from 12 major urban ecology journals, we investigated how researchers selected study sites in urban ecosystems and evaluated whether their site selection methods were transparent. We extracted data from these papers using a 50‐question, theory‐based questionnaire and a multiple‐reviewer approach. Our sample represented almost 45 years of urban ecology research across 40 different countries. We found that more than 80% of the papers we read were not transparent in their site selection methodology. We do not believe site selection methods are replicable for 70% of the papers read. Key weaknesses include incomplete descriptions of populations and sampling frames, urban gradients, sample selection methods, and property access. Low transparency in reporting the where methodology limits urban ecologists' ability to assess the internal and external validity of studies' findings and to replicate published studies; it also limits the generalizability of existing studies. The challenges of low transparency are particularly relevant in urban ecology, a field where standard protocols for site selection and delineation are still being developed. These limitations interfere with the fields' ability to build theory and inform policy. We conclude by offering a set of recommendations to increase transparency, replicability, and generalizability.
The role of prey and predator identity in eliciting inducible defenses of Daphnia
Authors: Gu Lei , De Meester Luc , Yang Zhou
Published: March 2023

Predators can modify population and community dynamics not only through direct predation, but also through nonconsumptive effects. Predator‐induced changes in the traits of prey species are important components of these nonconsumptive effects. While these are well studied in simplified one‐predator one‐prey settings, relatively little is known about how kairomones act on prey across heterogeneous aquatic ecosystems with diverse identities of predator and prey. Kairomones are, to some extent, predator specific, and can be classified as diet dependent or diet independent. This classification depends on whether the identity of the prey plays a role in eliciting a defense response. In an effort to elucidate how prey and predator identity determines the defense responses in water fleas, we used inducible morphology and life history traits of Daphnia mitsukuri as a model to systematically explore to what extent predator and prey identity, and species composition of the prey community determined the expression of inducible defenses, and to what extent predator‐induced responses differed among genotypes. Our results showed that the defense responses of D. mitsukuri mainly relied on diet‐dependent kairomones, which were not influenced by fish species identity but were highly dependent on the phylogenetic distances between D. mitsukuri and the prey ingested by fish. This phylogenetic signal is strong, with D. mitsukuri responding only to the kairomones of fish that feed on cladocerans. We also found that the amplitude of the responses to fish kairomones increased with the amount of cladoceran in the dietary community. We observed significant differences in defensive traits among three D. mitsukuri genotypes, but the differences were minor compared with the effects of kairomones themselves. The results of our systematic analyses point to the role of prey phylogeny in eliciting inducible defenses of D. mitsukuri, thereby enriching our understanding of nonconsumptive effects in aquatic ecosystems.
A keystone avian predator faces elevated energy expenditure in a warming Arctic
Authors: Grunst Melissa L. , Grunst Andrea S. , Grémillet David , Kato Akiko , Bustamante Paco , Albert Céline , Brisson‐Curadeau Émile , Clairbaux Manon , Cruz‐Flores Marta , Gentès Sophie , Grissot Antoine , Perret Samuel , Ste‐Marie Eric , Jakubas Dariusz , Wojczulanis‐Jakubas Katarzyna , Fort Jérôme
Published: March 2023

Climate change is transforming bioenergetic landscapes, challenging behavioral and physiological coping mechanisms. A critical question involves whether animals can adjust behavioral patterns and energy expenditure to stabilize fitness given reconfiguration of resource bases, or whether limits to plasticity ultimately compromise energy balance. In the Arctic, rapidly warming temperatures are transforming food webs, making Arctic organisms strong models for understanding biological implications of climate change‐related environmental variability. We examined plasticity in the daily energy expenditure (DEE) of an Arctic seabird, the little auk (Alle alle) in response to variability in climate change‐sensitive drivers of resource availability, sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice coverage (SIC), and tested the hypothesis that energetic ceilings and exposure to mercury, an important neurotoxin and endocrine disrupter in marine ecosystems, may limit scope for plasticity. To estimate DEE, we used accelerometer data obtained across years from two colonies exposed to distinct environmental conditions (Ukaleqarteq [UK], East Greenland; Hornsund [HS], Svalbard). We proceeded to model future changes in SST to predict energetic impacts. At UK, high flight costs linked to low SIC and high SST drove DEE from below to above 4 × basal metabolic rate (BMR), a proposed energetic threshold for breeding birds. However, DEE remained below 7 × BMR, an alternative threshold, and did not plateau. Birds at HS experienced higher, relatively invariable SST, and operated above 4 × BMR. Mercury exposure was unrelated to DEE, and fitness remained stable. Thus, plasticity in DEE currently buffers fitness, providing resiliency against climate change. Nevertheless, modeling suggests that continued warming of SST may promote accelerating increases in DEE, which may become unsustainable.
Fluorescence Ratiometric Antibiotic Detection with a Single Lanthanide Metal‐Organic Framework
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhang Shuo , Zhao Zhongqiu , Wu Shuangyan
Published: March 2023

Antibiotic residues are currently an increasing threat for human health and the ecosystem, and specific and rapid real‐time sensing of antibiotics is a big challenge. To realize specific sensing by rapid fluorescent sensors, a lanthanide metal‐organic framework (MOF) containing dual emissive centers has been developed with high sensing selectivity and sensitivity. Owing to the self‐calibration ability, the dual‐center Tb‐MOF exhibits higher selectivity towards furazolidone (FZD) and nitrofural (NZF) among the reported MOF sensors. Additionally, the corresponding ratiometric detection mode also realized specific sensing of other tested antibiotics. Besides, the single‐Tb3+‐based dual‐emission MOF in this work is expected to support the development of fluorescent sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity for environmental safety purposes.
Outcomes following a multi‐disciplinary pediatric‐to‐adult transition and transfer clinic at a level four epilepsy center
Authors: Vickery Selina S. , Maturu Sarita , Khandker Nabil , Eisner Mariah , Twanow Jaime‐Dawn E.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Transition and transfer from the pediatric to adult care model is crucial to the continued long‐term health and well‐being of patients impacted by life‐long diseases. This project explores the impact of a novel epilepsy transition collaboration between Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) and Ohio State University (OSU) Wexner Medical Center.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of 56 consecutive patients transferred to an adult health care system. These patients were divided into two groups. A cohort of 23 patients transferred in 2019 prior to clinic implementation were compared to a cohort of 33 consecutive patients transferred in 2019 and early 2020 using the epilepsy transition and transfer clinic model. Data points of interest included demographic information, age at transfer, epilepsy diagnosis, pharmacoresistance of epilepsy, surgical history and compliance with follow‐up.

Results

Patients transferred to OSU through the transition clinic were statistically more likely to be followed at OSU (p = .037) within 6 months (p = .013). Additionally, there was improved patient retention at OSU following transition clinic implementation (p = .037).

Significance

Data demonstrating statistically significant improvement in care has not been reported for an epilepsy transition clinic. This study establishes that our novel approach improves continuity of care in this at‐risk population. Our clinic model also successfully transitioned and transferred medically complex patients, including those with pharmacoresistant and/or genetically mediated epilepsy. Additionally, this work suggests that this clinic structure has potential to foster the growth of associated adult epilepsy subspecialty practices. These findings are encouraging as they offer potential for improved health care in the youth and young adult epilepsy population.
Epilepsia partialis continua and unilateral cortical–subcortical FLAIR‐hyperintense lesion in Rasmussen's encephalitis: Is it diagnostic?
Authors: Jagtap Sujit A. , Deshmukh Yogeshwari , Joshi Aniruddha , Patil Sandeep , Kurwale Nilesh , Nilegaonkar Sujit
Published: March 2023

Objective

Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a focal encephalitis, characterized by epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) with or without seizures and progressive unilateral deficits. Imaging characteristics of RE have been rarely described in detail in relation to EPC. So, the study aimed to explore if any relationship exists between the imaging characteristics and the presence or evolution of EPC in patients with RE.

Methods

This retrospective study included 11 patients with RE fulfilling the European consensus statement on RE followed between 2015 and 2020.

Results

The mean age for onset of seizures was 12 years (range 2.5–24 years). Seven patients had limb EPCs, two had face EPCs, face, and limb EPC in one, and lingual EPC in one patient. The first MRI was done within 1 day to 1 month of the onset of seizures. It was normal in two patients and showed only cortical atrophy, focal or hemispheric in four patients, caudate atrophy in two, and cortical or subcortical hyperintensity (HI) in six patients. Follow‐up MRI, within 3 weeks to 6 months of the onset of EPC (mean 1.6 months) showed paramedian frontal HI with limb EPC in six patients. Insular HI in four patients; two had facial EPCs while lingual EPC and limb EPC with facial EPC was observed in one patient each.

Significance

Fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) HI and focal cortical atrophy on MRI is the most common finding in the early course of RE. T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity in the paramedian frontal or insular cortex may antedate the onset of EPC or may occur simultaneously with EPC.
A registry for Dravet syndrome: The Italian experience
Authors: Balestrini Simona , Doccini Viola , Giometto Sabrina , Lucenteforte Ersilia , De Masi Salvatore , Giarola Elisa , Brambilla Isabella , Pieroni Federica , Perulli Marco , Battaglia Domenica , Specchio Nicola , Ragona Francesca , Granata Tiziana , Pellacani Simona , Ferrari Annarita , Marini Carla , Matricardi Sara , Cesaroni Elisabetta , Giordano Lucio , Accorsi Patrizia , Sciruicchio Vittorio , Tinuper Paolo , Messana Tullio , Russo Angelo , Pruna Dario , Nosadini Margherita , De Giorgis Valentina , Caputo Davide ,   Residras Collaboration Group, Pellegrin Serena , Lo Barco Tommaso , Darra Francesca , Dalla Bernardina Bernardo , Guerrini Renzo
Published: March 2023

Objectives

We describe the Residras registry, dedicated to Dravet syndrome (DS) and to other phenotypes related to SCN1A mutations, as a paradigm of registry for rare and complex epilepsies. Our primary objectives are to present the tools and framework of the integrative platform, the main characteristics emerging from the patient cohort included in the registry, with emphasis on demographic, clinical outcome, and mortality.

Methods

Standardized data of enrolled pediatric and adult patients were collected in 24 Italian expert centers and regularly updated at least on a yearly basis. Patients were prospectively enrolled, at registry starting, but historical retrospective data were also included.

Results

At present, 281 individuals with DS and a confirmed SCN1A mutation are included. Most patients have data available on epilepsy (n = 263) and their overall neurological condition (n = 255), based on at least one follow‐up update. Median age at first clinical assessment was 2 years (IQR 0–9) while at last follow‐up was 11 years (IQR 5–18.5). During the 7‐year activity of the registry, five patients died resulting in a mortality rate of 1.84 per 1000‐person‐years. When analyzing clinical changes over the first 5‐year follow‐up, we observed a significant difference in cognitive function (P < 0.001), an increased prevalence of behavioral disorders including attention deficit (P < 0.001), a significant worsening of language (P = 0.001), and intellectual disability (P < 0.001).

Significance

The Residras registry represents a large collection of standardized national data for the DS population. The registry platform relies on a shareable and interoperable framework, which promotes multicenter high‐quality data collection. In the future, such integrated platform may represent an invaluable asset for easing access to cohorts of patients that may benefit from clinical trials with emerging novel therapies, for drug safety monitoring, and for delineating natural history. Its framework makes it improvable based on growing experience with its use and easily adaptable to other rare and complex epilepsy syndromes.
Interictal aggression in rats with chronic seizures after an early life episode of status epilepticus
Authors: Suchomelova Lucie , Thompson Kerry W. , Baldwin Roger A. , Niquet Jerome , Wasterlain Claude G.
Published: March 2023

Objective

In spite of anecdotal reports describing an association between chronic epilepsy and interictal aggressiveness, and of a few studies suggesting that such an association is common in temporal lobe epilepsy, this concept has not been generally accepted by epileptologists. In the course of studies of the long‐term consequences of limbic status epilepticus (SE) in juvenile rats, we noticed that experimental animals, unlike littermate controls, could not be housed together because of severe fighting. We now report a study of interictal aggression in those rats.

Methods

Long‐term behavioral consequences of lithium/pilocarpine SE were studied 3 months after SE had been induced with lithium and pilocarpine in male Wistar rats at age 28 days. Chronic spontaneous seizures developed in 100% of animals. We tested rats for territorial aggression under the resident‐intruder paradigm. We measured the number of episodes of dominance (mounting and pinning), and agonistic behavior (attacks, boxing, and biting).

Results

Untreated lithium/pilocarpine SE induced a large increase in aggressive behavior, which involved all aspects of aggression in the resident‐intruder paradigm when tested 3 months after SE. The experimental rats were dominant toward the controls, as residents or as intruders, and showed episodes of biting and boxing rarely displayed by controls. They also displayed increased aggressiveness compared with controls when tested against each other.

Significance

This robust model offers an opportunity to better understand the complex relationship between seizures, epilepsy, and aggression, and the role of age, SE vs. recurrent spontaneous seizures, and focal neuronal injury in the long‐term behavioral effects of SE.
Sialocele formation after partial parotidectomy: Dependent on remnant parotid exposure
Authors: Roh Jong‐Lyel
Published: March 2023

Background

This study compared the complete closure versus the exposure of remnant parotid parenchyma in sialocele formation.

Methods

This study included 151 patients with benign parotid lesions who underwent partial parotidectomy plus the complete closure or exposure of remnant parotid parenchyma. Two surgical methods of closed or exposed parenchyma were alternatively allocated to consecutive patients without randomization and blinding processes.

Results

Complete closure and exposure of the remnant parotid parenchyma were performed in 81 and 70 patients. Early postoperative complications occurred with temporary events: transient facial weakness, 24 (16%); hematoma, 9 (6%); wound infection, 1 (0.7%) without statistical difference between the two groups (p > 0.1). Postoperative sialocele was more frequently found in the exposure group (n = 15) than the closure group (n = 4; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The complete closure of remnant parotid parenchyma is preferred over the exposure of injured parenchymal parenchyma to prevent postparotidectomy sialocele.
Challenges and strategies of formulating low‐temperature electrolytes in lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Qin Mingsheng , Zeng Ziqi , Cheng Shijie , Xie Jia
Published: March 2023

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have monopolized energy storage markets in modern society. The reliable operation of LIBs at cold condition (<0°C), nevertheless, is inevitably hampered by the sluggish kinetics and parasite reactions, which falls behind the increasing demands for portable electronics and electric vehicles. The electrolyte controls both Li+ transport and interfacial reaction, dictating the low‐temperature performance substantially. Therefore, the rational formulation of electrolytes is significant for realizing superior low‐temperature performance and broadening application niches of LIBs. Herein, we first discuss the kinetic limitations of low‐temperature LIBs, highlighting the importance of electrolyte structure and interfacial chemistry. Then, the advancements for formulating subzero‐temperature electrolyte are summarized with in‐depth discussions about electrolyte formulation, solvation structure, interfacial chemistry, and low‐temperature behaviors. Moreover, some opportunities for lithium metal batteries and the corresponding low‐temperature electrolyte are covered. Finally, the major challenges and future perspectives are outlined for low‐temperature LIBs.
Sacrospinous fixation: Review of relevant anatomy and surgical technique
Authors: Goh Judith T. W. , Ganyaglo Gabriel Y. K.
Published: March 2023

Apical support is an important component of pelvic floor reconstruction for pelvic organ prolapse. Sacrospinous ligament fixation is a recognized procedure for apical support. Complications from sacrospinous ligament fixation include pain (buttock and leg) and bleeding. There is some debate as to the optimal location for placement of the sacrospinous fixation sutures. This review summarizes the neuroanatomy of the coccygeus sacrospinous ligament as it pertains to the sacrospinous ligament fixation procedure. An appreciation of the neuroanatomy will lead to a better understanding of methods to reduce operative complications and improve suture placement. This paper also describes a technique for the sacrospinous fixation procedure to better assist clinicians in dissecting the connective tissue off the ligament. Removing or clearing the connective tissue off the ligament will allow critical landmarks to be easily palpated and hence a more accurate placement of sutures. This in turn may reduce the risk of perioperative complications.
Fluorescence colposcope with TMTP1‐PEG4‐ICG is comparable to the conventional colposcope in identifying cervical precancerous lesions: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhou Ying , Wang Chen , Li Wei , Lu Wanrong , Liu Xiaohu , Xi Ling , Li Pengcheng , Lu Jinling , Wei Juncheng
Published: March 2023

Objective

To compare the diagnostic efficiency of a fluorescence colposcope with TMTP1‐PEG4‐ICG dye versus a conventional colposcope with acetic acid and Lugol's iodine in identifying cervical precancerous lesions.

Methods

In all, 218 women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results including cytology and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) test were involved in the randomized controlled trial. Patients in the fluorescence colposcope group had TMTP1‐PEG4‐ICG dye applied to the cervix uteri before colposcopy. Patients in the conventional colposcope group were routinely administered acetic acid and Lugol's iodine to stain the cervix uteri. Two to four cervical sites per patient were taken out for biopsy. The diagnostic efficiency of fluorescence colposcopy and conventional colposcopy was calculated on a per‐patient and per‐site basis. χ2 test or Fisher exact test was used.

Results

A total of 194 patients and the corresponding 662 cervical sites were included in the final analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic efficiency between the two groups both on a per‐patient and a per‐site basis, including accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.

Conclusions

The fluorescence colposcope with TMTP1‐PEG4‐ICG dye was comparable to the conventional colposcope in identifying cervical precancerous lesions.
AlexNet‐NDTL: Classification of MRI brain tumor images using modified AlexNet with deep transfer learning and Lipschitz‐based data augmentation
Authors: Kollem Sreedhar , Reddy Katta Ramalinga , Prasad Ch. Rajendra , Chakraborty Avishek , Ajayan J. , Sreejith S. , Bhattacharya Sandip , Joseph L. M. I. Leo , Janapati Ravichander
Published: March 2023

Deep learning is frequently used to classify medical images. Surgeons may know the type of tumor before doing surgery on a patient. Transfer learning was used to alleviate the overfitting issue of deep networks in classification since the training samples, such as a brain MRI dataset, were insufficient. To overcome this issue, We introduce a new deep‐learning methodology for the categorization of MRI brain tumor images. This method combines a unique data augmentation model with modified AlexNet and network‐based deep transfer learning. We used Lipschitz‐based data augmentation on a dataset, and the output of the augmentation model was fed into a modified AlexNet that uses network‐based deep transfer learning to extract features from a dataset. The proposed model is trained and tested using the BraTS 2020 and Figshare datasets. The proposed model's performance is assessed using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, F1‐score, and MCC. The proposed model yields superior results.
The protective effects of social support and family functioning on parenting stress among Hispanic/Latino/a American immigrant parents with traumatic life experiences: A mediation analysis
Authors: Maru Mihoko , Paris Ruth , Simhi Meital
Published: March 2023

Despite high rates of traumatic experiences reported among Hispanic/Latino/a immigrants in the U.S., the effect of post‐traumatic stress on parenting stress among Hispanic/Latino/a immigrant parents with young children has been overlooked. The present study tested the direct and indirect relationships of self‐reported maternal post‐traumatic stress symptoms on parenting stress, and the mediating role of protective factors among Hispanic/Latino/a mothers with young children. Baseline data collected from mothers participating in a community‐based child‐parent dyadic intervention were analyzed. Measures included the post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist, the Protective Factors Survey, and the Parenting Stress Index‐Short Form (PSI). The sample included 80 mothers with a child between ages 0–6 years. About 75% of these mothers were migrants from Central America. A multivariate regression analysis showed that maternal post‐traumatic stress symptoms predicted higher levels of PSI, and two protective factors (social support and family functioning/resilience) fully mediated the relationship between maternal post‐traumatic stress symptoms and PSI. Higher social support and family functioning/resiliency may have protective effects on Hispanic/Latino/a mothers with post‐traumatic stress, leading to lower levels of stress related to parenting. Findings underscore the importance of interventions that enhance access to social support and promote family functioning/resilience for Hispanic/Latino/a immigrant mothers with trauma histories to cope better with parenting stress.
Robust hydrogel sensors for unsupervised learning enabled sign‐to‐verbal translation
Authors: Ma Hude , Qin Haiyang , Xiao Xiao , Liu Na , Wang Shaolei , Li Junye , Shen Sophia , Dai Shuqi , Sun Mengmeng , Li Peiyi , Pan Xiaofang , Huang Mingjun , Lu Baoyang , Chen Jun , Wu Lidong
Published: March 2023

Highly stretchable and robust strain sensors are rapidly emerging as promising candidates for a diverse of wearable electronics. The main challenge for the practical application of wearable electronics is the energy consumption and device aging. Energy consumption mainly depends on the conductivity of the sensor, and it is a key factor in determining device aging. Here, we design a liquid metal (LM)‐embedded hydrogel as a sensing material to overcome the barrier of energy consumption and device aging of wearable electronics. The sensing material simultaneously exhibits high conductivity (up to 22 S m−1), low elastic modulus (23 kPa), and ultrahigh stretchability (1500%) with excellent robustness (consistent performance against 12 000 mechanical cycling). A motion monitoring system is composed of intrinsically soft LM‐embedded hydrogel as sensing material, a microcontroller, signal‐processing circuits, Bluetooth transceiver, and self‐organizing map developed software for the visualization of multi‐dimensional data. This system integrating multiple functions including signal conditioning, processing, and wireless transmission achieves monitor hand gesture as well as sign‐to‐verbal translation. This approach provides an ideal strategy for deaf‐mute communicating with normal people and broadens the application of wearable electronics.

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Requirements for human pluripotent stem cell derived small extracellular vesicles
Authors: Li Qing , Li Bo , Chen Zhengsheng , Xu Wenrong , Yin Hang , Deng Zhifeng , Li Haiyan , Yan Xiaomei , Hao Xiaoke , Li Li , Tao Zhihua , Liu Bicheng , Ye Teng , Luo Lei , Qian Hui , Fu Qing‐Ling , Wang Qian , Zheng Lei , Wang Yang
Published: March 2023

Small extracellular vesicles derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC‐sEVs) have shown great application potential in regenerative medicine. To standardise its research and clinical application, the first set of guidelines on hPSC‐sEVs in China ‘Requirements for human pluripotent stem cell derived small extracellular vesicles’ was released by the Chinese Research Hospital Association on 28 December 2021 and came into effect on 1 January 2022. It was jointly drafted and agreed upon by the experts from the Chinese Society of Extracellular Vesicles. This standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods and regulations, packaging, instructions for use, labelling, storage, transportation, and waste handling for hPSC‐sEVs, which apply to the production and quality control of hPSC‐sEVs. We hope that the publication of these guidelines will make it one step closer to international standardisation of hPSC‐sEVs for research and application.
Social predictors of marijuana use among African American youth
Authors: Hollar Madison K , Brubaker Michael D. , Richardson George , Alvarez Jenna
Published: March 2023

As marijuana use is increasingly decriminalized in the United States, the research suggests that understanding the importance of risk and protective factors within each racial/ethnic group is key to buffering the impact marijuana has on youth. Therefore, the current study examined the potential impacts of psychosocial factors included in the Theory of Planned Behavior—perceived risk, peer disapproval, and parental involvement—on marijuana use in a nationally representative sample of African American youth (n = 1768). Increased perceived risk, peer disapproval, and parental involvement were each associated with lower rates of last year marijuana use. Implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.
Structural forms of hormone auxins in Madeira vines
Authors: Ma Ma‐Hsuan , Batsaikhan Erdembayalag , Wu Chun‐Min , Chung Jeng‐Der , Chien Ching‐Te , Tsai Yu‐Han , Li Wen‐Hsien
Published: March 2023

X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle neutron scattering were used to identify the naturally occurring hormone auxin in Madeira vine. Two kinds of auxins belonging to indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA, C10H9NO2) and 4‐chloroindole‐3‐acetic acid (4‐Cl‐IAA, C10H8ClNO2) have been found. The appearance of well‐defined x‐ray diffraction peaks from the IAA as well as from the 4‐Cl‐IAA structures shows that the IAA and 4‐Cl‐IAA molecules that are produced at the shoot apex crystallize into periodic arrangements, rather than stay in molecular forms, upon transport downward through in stem. Small angle neutron scattering spectra reveal a progressive increase in the length of crystallized IAA and 4‐Cl‐IAA on transported downward from the shoot apex to the stem, reaching 59 nm in length in the area 8–9 cm below the shoot apex. A portion of IAA loses their carboxyl group COOH becoming inactive in stimulating cell growth, which slows down the growth in an aged stem.
Omicron‐induced interferon signaling prevents influenza A H1N1 and H5N1 virus infection
Authors: Bojkova Denisa , Bechtel Marco , Rothenburger Tamara , Kandler Joshua D. , Hayes Lauren , Olmer Ruth , Martin Ulrich , Jonigk Danny , Ciesek Sandra , Wass Mark N. , Michaelis Martin , Cinatl Jindrich
Published: March 2023

Recent findings in permanent cell lines suggested that SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron BA.1 induces a stronger interferon response than Delta. Here, we show that BA.1 and BA.5 but not Delta induce an antiviral state in air‐liquid interface cultures of primary human bronchial epithelial cells and primary human monocytes. Both Omicron subvariants caused the production of biologically active types I (α/β) and III (λ) interferons and protected cells from super‐infection with influenza A viruses. Notably, abortive Omicron infection of monocytes was sufficient to protect monocytes from influenza A virus infection. Interestingly, while influenza‐like illnesses surged during the Delta wave in England, their spread rapidly declined upon the emergence of Omicron. Mechanistically, Omicron‐induced interferon signaling was mediated via double‐stranded RNA recognition by MDA5, as MDA5 knockout prevented it. The JAK/STAT inhibitor baricitinib inhibited the Omicron‐mediated antiviral response, suggesting it is caused by MDA5‐mediated interferon production, which activates interferon receptors that then trigger JAK/STAT signaling. In conclusion, our study (1) demonstrates that only Omicron but not Delta induces a substantial interferon response in physiologically relevant models, (2) shows that Omicron infection protects cells from influenza A virus super‐infection, and (3) indicates that BA.1 and BA.5 induce comparable antiviral states.
Vesicle‐to‐micelle transition in aqueous mixtures of cationic lipids with Pluronic F127
Authors: Feitosa Eloi , Lemos Monique , Adati Renata D.
Published: March 2023

Aqueous solutions of vesicle‐forming lipids mixed with micelle‐forming copolymers may result in stabilized and biocompatible aggregates. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were used here to investigate the effects of the nonionic triblock copolymer Pluronic F127 (F127) on the thermal behavior, structural changes, and hydrodynamic size of cationic vesicles from dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC), dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB), and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) in aqueous dispersion. The DSC thermograms indicate that upon the addition of up to 5.0 mM F127, a vesicle‐to‐micelle transition occurs in three stages. First, there is a predominance of lipid‐F127 mixed vesicles, followed by the co‐existence of mixed vesicles and micelles, and finally, the system is dominated by mixed micelles. DLS results reveal that with the addition of F127 to the lipid dispersions, the size of the assembled structures tends to decrease, also indicating structural changes of vesicles to micelles. These results indicate that the borders between these stages depend on the lipid chain length and counterion type.
Altered bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and amygdala responses to threat in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Feola Brandee , Flook Elizabeth A. , Gardner Hannah , Phan K. Luan , Gwirtsman Harry , Olatunji Bunmi , Blackford Jennifer Urbano
Published: March 2023

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly impacts many veterans. Although PTSD has been linked to alterations in the fear brain network, the disorder likely involves alterations in both the fear and anxiety networks. Fear involves responses to imminent, predictable threat and is driven by the amygdala, whereas anxiety involves responses to potential, unpredictable threat and engages the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The BNST has been implicated in PTSD, but the role of the BNST in combat veterans with PTSD has yet to be examined. Identifying alterations in BNST responses to unpredictable threat could provide important new targets for treatment. The current study examined whether veterans with PTSD have altered BNST or amygdala responses (function and connectivity) to unpredictable and predictable threat. The fMRI task involved viewing predictable threat cues followed by threat images, predictable neutral cues followed by neutral images, and unpredictable threat cues followed by either a threat or neutral image. Participants included 32 combat‐exposed veterans with PTSD and 13 combat‐exposed controls without PTSD. Across all conditions, veterans with PTSD had heightened BNST activation and displayed stronger BNST and amygdala connectivity with multiple fear and anxiety regions (hypothalamus, hippocampus, insula, ventromedial prefrontal cortex) relative to controls. In contrast, combat controls showed a pattern of stronger connectivity during neutral conditions (e.g., BNST‐vmPFC), which may suggest a neural signature of resilience to developing PTSD, ηp2 = .087–.527, ps < .001. These findings have implications for understanding fear and anxiety networks that may contribute to the development and maintenance of PTSD.
Female and low‐ and middle‐income authorship trends in high‐impact ENT journals (2011–2020)
Authors: Jashek‐Ahmed Farizeh , Daudu Davina , Heer Baveena , Ali Hawa , Wiedermann Joshua , Seguya Amina ,   Members of the Global OHNS Initiative (globalohns.org)
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Despite a recent drive to increase diversity, the global academic workforce is skewed in favor of authors from high‐income countries, and women are under‐represented in the published medical literature.

Objectives

To explore the trends in authorship of three high‐impact otolaryngology journals over a ten‐year period (2011–2020).

Methods

Journals selected: JAMA Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, The Laryngoscope and Rhinology. Articles were reviewed from four issues per journal per year, and data was collected on: time of publication; subspeciality; number of authors; sex of first and last authors; country of practice of first author and country where each study was conducted. Trends were examined though univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

2998 articles were included. 93.9% of first authors and 94.2% of studies were from high‐income countries.

Women were first authors in 31.5% (n = 912) and senior authors in 18.4% (n = 524) of articles. Female first authorship significantly increased between 2011 and 2020 however female senior authorship remained the same. There have been no significant changes in the proportion of published articles from low‐and middle‐income countries (LMIC) over time (p = .65). Amongst the LMIC articles, 72% came from Brazil, Turkey or China and there were no published papers from countries with a low‐income economy (gross national income per capita of $1085 or less).

Conclusions

Although female first authorship has increased in the last decade, there has been minimal other demographic change in authorship over this time. High‐impact otolaryngology journals poorly represent academia in low‐and‐middle income countries. There is a need for increased advocacy promoting gender and geographical research equity in academic medicine.

Level of Evidence

III.
Computing Liquid‐Crystal Photonics Platform Enabled Wavefront Sensing
Authors: Liu Shuoqing , Fan Fan , Chen Shizhen , Wen Shuangchun , Luo Hailu
Published: March 2023

Detecting the wavefront of photons in an efficient and accurate way is crucial to retrieve the information of an optical field. Liquid crystal (LC) possesses strong ability to manipulate the phase and polarization of photons with high diffraction efficiency and therefore offers a promising avenue toward this aim. In this paper, LC performing analog optical processing is explored and a computing LC platform is proposed to implement the wavefront sensing via tuned bias retardation. It is demonstrated that precisely introducing a tiny Pancharatnam–Berry phase by LC can achieve flexible separation of two spin components with high resolution. Modulating the retardation by rotation of an analyzer, the computing LC platform is used to reconstruct wavefronts with phase‐contrast patterns. In particular, combining this scheme with microscopy can precisely retrieve a micro‐scale phase distribution. The result suggests that the computing LC platform can perform as a wavefront sensor with high efficiency and may open up new opportunities in the applications of precision metrology, real‐time analog optical processing, and high‐contrast microscopy.
Long‐Term Intake of Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 and the Incidence of Parkinson's Disease in a Sample of U.S. Women and Men
Authors: Flores‐Torres Mario H. , Christine Chadwick W. , Bjornevik Kjetil , Molsberry Samantha A. , Hung Albert Y. , Healy Brian C. , Blacker Deborah , Schwarzschild Michael A. , Ascherio Alberto
Published: March 2023

Background

Folate and vitamins B6 and B12 have been proposed as protective against the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Two prior longitudinal studies were inconclusive.

Objective

The aim was to examine the association of long‐term intake of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 with the incidence of PD.

Methods

The study population comprised 80,965 women (Nurses' Health Study, 1984–2016) and 48,837 men (Health Professionals Follow‐up Study, 1986–2016) followed prospectively for the development of PD. Intake of B vitamins was measured at baseline and every 4 years thereafter using food frequency questionnaires. We estimated the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of PD based on quintiles of cumulative average intake adjusting for potential confounders. Secondary analyses considered different lagged exposure periods as well as baseline and recent intakes.

Results

In separate analyses of cumulative average intake, total folate, B6, and B12 were not associated with the risk of PD. Results from 8‐, 12‐, and 16‐year lag analyses were consistent with these findings. Results for baseline intake of folate and B6 also pointed toward a null association. In contrast, a lower PD risk was observed among individuals with higher baseline total intake of B12 (pooled HR top vs. bottom quintile: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67–0.95; P‐trend = 0.01); results from 20‐year lag analyses were consistent with this finding.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the hypothesis that a higher intake of folate or vitamin B6 would reduce PD risk in this population. Our results provide moderate support for a possible protective effect of vitamin B12 on the development of PD. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.