bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Instructed Task Learning is impaired after stroke and associated with impairments in prepotent inhibition and processing speed
Authors: Binyamin-Netser Reut , Shkedy-Rabani Anat , Shmuelof Lior
Published: March 2024

Background

Motor rehabilitation is a central contributor to motor recovery after stroke. This process could be hampered by stroke-associated cognitive impairments, such as the capability to rapidly follow instructions (Rapid instructed task learning, RITL). RITL was never directly studied in old adults and subjects with stroke. The aim of this study was to assess RITL following stroke and its underlying cognitive determinants.

Methods

31 subjects with chronic stroke and 36 age-matched controls completed a computerized cognitive examination that included an anti-saccade task for measuring prepotent inhibition and processing speed and stimulus-response association task (NEXT) for measuring RITL and proactive inhibition.

Results

RITL abilities were impaired after stroke, together with prepotent inhibition and processing speed. A correlation analysis revealed that RITL is associated with prepotent inhibition abilities and with processing speed.

Conclusions

Subjects with stroke show impairments in the ability to follow instructions, that may be related to their impaired prepotent inhibition and processing speed. The causal effect of RITL impairments on the responsivity to rehabilitation and on motor recovery should be examined.
Experimental advances with the QICK (Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit) for superconducting quantum hardware
Authors: Ding Chunyang , Di Federico Martin , Hatridge Michael , Houck Andrew , Leger Sebastien , Martinez Jeronimo , Miao Connie , I David Schuster , Stefanazzi Leandro , Stoughton Chris , Sussman Sara , Treptow Ken , Uemura Sho , Wilcer Neal , Zhang Helin , Zhou Chao , Cancelo Gustavo
Published: March 2024

The Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit (QICK) is a standalone open-source qubit controller that was first introduced in 2022. In this follow-up work, we present recent upgrades to the QICK and the experimental use cases they uniquely enabled for superconducting qubit systems. These include multiplexed signal generation and readout, mixer-free readout, predistorted fast flux pulses, and phase-coherent pulses for parametric operations, including high-fidelity parametric entangling gates. We explain in detail how the QICK was used to enable these experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring cross-cultural disparities in tourists' perceived images: a text mining and sentiment analysis study using LDA and BERT-BILSTM models
Authors: Chen Qiuying , Liu Ronghui , Jiang Qingquan , Xu Shangyue
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Tourists with different cultural backgrounds think and behave differently. Accurately capturing and correctly understanding cultural differences will help tourist destinations in product/service planning, marketing communication and attracting and retaining tourists. This research employs Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory to analyse the variations in destination image perceptions of Chinese-speaking and English-speaking tourists to Xiamen, a prominent tourist attraction in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation utilizes a two-stage approach, incorporating LDA and BERT-BILSTM models. By leveraging text mining, sentiment analysis and t-tests, this research investigates the variations in tourists' perceptions of Xiamen across different cultures.

Findings

The results reveal that cultural disparities significantly impact tourists' perceived image of Xiamen, particularly regarding their preferences for renowned tourist destinations and the factors influencing their travel experience.

Originality/value

This research pioneers applying natural language processing methods and machine learning techniques to affirm the substantial differences in the perceptions of tourist destinations among Chinese-speaking and English-speaking tourists based on Hofstede's cultural theory. The findings furnish theoretical insights for destination marketing organizations to target diverse cultural tourists through precise marketing strategies and illuminate the practical application of Hofstede's cultural theory in tourism and hospitality.
The impact of message framing on perceptions of controversial CSR in hotels
Authors: Belarmino Amanda , Whalen Elizabeth A. , Guzzo Renata Fernandes
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how hospitality companies can best explain controversial corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to consumers who may not agree with the CSR activity. This research explores message framing through emotional and cognitive appeals to influence consumer perceptions of the Gideon Bible in USA hotel rooms. The study uses the theory of deontic justice to measure the impacts of messaging on consumer perceptions of the morality of the Gideon Bible as suicide prevention in hotels and its relation to controversial CSR initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an experimental study design via a self-administered survey to analyze participants’ perceptions of the placement of the Gideon Bible in hotel rooms and participants’ attitudes toward CSR initiatives based on deontic justice and religion using different message framing conditions.

Findings

Results show that religion was a major determinant of attitude towards the Gideon Bible, but the sentiment analysis also revealed that negative perceptions can be mitigated through message framing via emotional and cognitive appeals. Additionally, the cognitive appeal did impact CSR perceptions, as did identifying as Christian. Moral outrage emerged as a significant moderator for the relationships between message framing, attitudes toward the Gideon Bible and CSR.

Originality/value

This study provides an extension of deontic justice research to examine justice traits in accepting controversial CSR.
Phototrophic Fe(II) oxidation by Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE‐1 in organic and Fe(II)‐rich conditions
Authors: Nikeleit Verena , Maisch Markus , Byrne James M. , Harwood Caroline , Kappler Andreas , Bryce Casey
Published: March 2024

Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE‐1 grows photoautotrophically with Fe(II) as an electron donor and photoheterotrophically with a variety of organic substrates. However, it is unclear whether R. palustris TIE‐1 conducts Fe(II) oxidation in conditions where organic substrates and Fe(II) are available simultaneously. In addition, the effect of organic co‐substrates on Fe(II) oxidation rates or the identity of Fe(III) minerals formed is unknown. We incubated R. palustris TIE‐1 with 2 mM Fe(II), amended with 0.6 mM organic co‐substrate, and in the presence/absence of CO2. We found that in the absence of CO2, only the organic co‐substrates acetate, lactate and pyruvate, but not Fe(II), were consumed. When CO2 was present, Fe(II) and all organic substrates were consumed. Acetate, butyrate and pyruvate were consumed before Fe(II) oxidation commenced, whereas lactate and glucose were consumed at the same time as Fe(II) oxidation proceeded. Lactate, pyruvate and glucose increased the Fe(II) oxidation rate significantly (by up to threefold in the case of lactate). 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed that short‐range ordered Fe(III) oxyhydroxides were formed under all conditions. This study demonstrates phototrophic Fe(II) oxidation proceeds even in the presence of organic compounds, and that the simultaneous oxidation of organic substrates can stimulate Fe(II) oxidation.
Diabetic mastopathy: A case report and literature review on a mimic of breast carcinoma in patients with diabetes
Authors: Li Wai Si Crystal , Chan Shun Yan
Published: March 2024

Diabetic mastopathy is a rare benign breast condition that mimics breast carcinoma in patients with diabetes. Clinicians must differentiate it from malignant causes because of differences in prognosis and management. This paper presents a case report of an 87‐year‐old lady with type 2 diabetes and diabetic mastopathy. We also review the literature on the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and management of diabetic mastopathy.
Geographic differences in psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter study in China
Authors: Liu Chuan , Zhang Ji Xiang , Li Jin Ting , Wei Yu Ping , Zhen Jun Hai , Wu Yan Rui , He Hao Dong , Chen Ying , Sun Jia Yi , Tan Cheng , Wang Shuo , Xiong Qiu Tang , Liao Fei , Yang Xiao Cui , An Ping , Liu Zhong Chun , Jiang Chang Qing , Shi Jie , Wu Kai Chun , Dong Wei Guo ,   the Psychology Club of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Group, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Association for Mental Hygiene
Published: March 2024

Objective

We aimed to explore the geographic differences in psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) among adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

A unified questionnaire was developed to collect data on psychological status and QoL of IBD patients from 42 hospitals across 22 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China's mainland from September 2021 to May 2022.

Results

A total of 2478 patients with IBD were surveyed. The proportions of patients with anxiety (28.5% vs 23.1%), depression (32.3% vs 27.8%), and poor QoL (44.8% vs 32.2%) were significantly higher in patients from the northern region compared to the southern region (all P < 0.05). In the western region, the proportions of patients with anxiety (31.9% vs 23.0%), depression (37.7% vs 26.7%), sleep disturbances (64.5% vs 58.5%), and poor QoL (44.9% vs 34.8%) were significantly higher than in the eastern and central regions (all P < 0.01). Patients from inland regions had significantly higher rates of anxiety (27.1% vs 23.3%), depression (32.5% vs 26.0%), sleep disturbance (62.0% vs 57.7%), and poor QoL (43.5% vs 29.9%) compared to those from coastal regions (all P < 0.05). In economically underdeveloped areas, the proportions of patients with depression (33.1% vs 28.5%) and poor QoL (52.0% vs 32.4%) were significantly higher than in economically (relatively) developed areas (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion

There are significant geographic differences in psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and QoL among Chinese patients with IBD, which might provide valuable insights for global IBD research and clinical practice.
Bayesian hierarchical modelling of size spectra
Authors: Wesner Jeff S. , Pomeranz Justin P. F. , Junker James R. , Gjoni Vojsava
Published: March 2024

A fundamental pattern in ecology is that smaller organisms are more abundant than larger organisms. This pattern is known as the individual size distribution (ISD), which is the frequency distribution of all individual body sizes in an ecosystem.

The ISD is described by a power law and a major goal of size spectra analyses is to estimate the exponent of the power law, λ. However, while numerous methods have been developed to do this, they have focused almost exclusively on estimating λ from single samples.

Here, we develop an extension of the truncated Pareto distribution within the probabilistic modelling language Stan. We use it to estimate multiple λs simultaneously in a hierarchical modelling approach.

The most important result is the ability to examine hypotheses related to size spectra, including the assessment of fixed and random effects, within a single Bayesian generalized mixed model. While the example here uses size spectra, the technique can also be generalized to any data that follow a power law distribution.
Effect of long‐term caloric restriction on telomere length in healthy adults: CALERIE™ 2 trial analysis
Authors: Hastings Waylon J. , Ye Qiaofeng , Wolf Sarah E. , Ryan Calen P. , Das Sai Krupa , Huffman Kim M. , Kobor Michael S. , Kraus William E. , MacIsaac Julia L. , Martin Corby K. , Racette Susan B. , Redman Leanne M. , Belsky Daniel W. , Shalev Idan
Published: March 2024

Caloric restriction (CR) modifies lifespan and aging biology in animal models. The Comprehensive Assessment of Long‐Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE™) 2 trial tested translation of these findings to humans. CALERIE™ randomized healthy, nonobese men and premenopausal women (age 21–50y; BMI 22.0–27.9 kg/m2), to 25% CR or ad‐libitum (AL) control (2:1) for 2 years. Prior analyses of CALERIE™ participants' blood chemistries, immunology, and epigenetic data suggest the 2‐year CR intervention slowed biological aging. Here, we extend these analyses to test effects of CR on telomere length (TL) attrition. TL was quantified in blood samples collected at baseline, 12‐, and 24‐months by quantitative PCR (absolute TL; aTL) and a published DNA‐methylation algorithm (DNAmTL). Intent‐to‐treat analysis found no significant differences in TL attrition across the first year, although there were trends toward increased attrition in the CR group for both aTL and DNAmTL measurements. When accounting for adherence heterogeneity with an Effect‐of‐Treatment‐on‐the‐Treated analysis, greater CR dose was associated with increased DNAmTL attrition during the baseline to 12‐month weight‐loss period. By contrast, both CR group status and increased CR were associated with reduced aTL attrition over the month 12 to month 24 weight maintenance period. No differences were observed when considering TL change across the study duration from baseline to 24‐months, leaving it unclear whether CR‐related effects reflect long‐term detriments to telomere fidelity, a hormesis‐like adaptation to decreased energy availability, or measurement error and insufficient statistical power. Unraveling these trends will be a focus of future CALERIE™ analyses and trials.
Adult self‐reported childhood maltreatment types are associated with treatment satisfaction and alcohol relapse in patients with comorbid substance use and mental health disorders
Authors: Luciani Karling R. , Johal Priya K. , Chao Thomas , Thiessen Karina A. , Schütz Christian G.
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives

Individuals with comorbid substance use and mental health disorders (concurrent disorders; CD) report poor treatment outcomes, high prevalence of childhood maltreatment, and mostly negative experiences with treatment. No studies to date have examined childhood maltreatment and treatment outcomes in CD. This study investigated self‐reported childhood maltreatment as it relates to treatment satisfaction and substance use relapse among CD patients.

Methods

The 258 CD inpatients completed a self‐report questionnaire package, comprising the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Inpatient Consumer Survey (ICS). Childhood maltreatment was assessed according to five subtypes and self‐perceived treatment satisfaction was rated across six ICS domains. Psychiatric diagnoses, substance use status and relapse data were retrieved via patient medical charts.

Results

Emotional neglect was associated with lower ratings across all ICS domains and physical neglect was associated with a lower rating for ‘outcome of care’. Childhood sexual abuse was associated with a greater likelihood of alcohol relapse. No other relationships were statistically significant.

Discussion and Conclusions

The presence of childhood neglect (but not abuse) was more associated with overall treatment dissatisfaction, and sexual abuse alone increased the likelihood of alcohol relapse. These findings suggest some early adverse experiences in CD patients may increase negative experiences in treatment while others contribute to the risk of substance use. Broader longitudinal research is needed to examine the trajectory leading to negative outcomes.

Scientific Significance

This is the first study to report differential patterns of association by type of childhood maltreatment on negative outcomes in treatment among CD patients.
Outpatient labor induction—Exploring future potential by assessing eligibility in a historical cohort
Authors: Marsdal Kjersti Engen , Sørbye Ingvil Krarup , Bernitz Stine , Sve Ranveig Elise T. , Ask Kristine , Lukasse Mirjam
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Labor induction rates have increased over the last decades, and in many high‐income countries, more than one in four labors are induced. Outpatient management of labor induction has been suggested in low‐risk pregnancies to improve women's birth experiences while also promoting a more efficient use of healthcare resources. The primary aim of this paper was to assess the proportion of women in a historical cohort that would have been eligible for outpatient labor induction with oral misoprostol. Second, we wanted to report safety outcomes and assess efficacy outcomes for mothers and infants in pregnancies that met the criteria for outpatient care.

Material and methods

Criteria for outpatient labor induction with oral misoprostol were applied to a historical cohort of women with induction of labor at two Norwegian tertiary hospitals in the period January 1, through July 31, 2021. The criteria included low‐risk women with an unscarred uterus expecting a healthy, singleton baby in cephalic position at term. The primary outcome was the proportion of women eligible for outpatient labor induction. Secondary outcomes included reasons for ineligibility and, for eligible women, safety and efficacy outcomes.

Results

Overall, 29.7% of the 1320 women who underwent labor induction in a singleton term pregnancy met the criteria for outpatient labor induction. We identified two serious adverse events that potentially could have occurred outside the hospital if the women had received outpatient care. The mean duration from initiation of labor induction to administration of the last misoprostol was 22.4 h. One in 14 multiparous women gave birth within 3 h after the last misoprostol dose.

Conclusions

In this historical cohort, three in ten women met the criteria for outpatient management of labor induction with oral misoprostol. Serious adverse events were rare. The average time span from the initiation of labor induction to the last misoprostol was nearly 24 h. This suggests a potential for low‐risk women with an induced labor to spend a substantial period of time at home before labor onset. However, larger studies testing or evaluating labor induction with oral misoprostol as an outpatient procedure are needed to draw conclusions.
Transthoracic transdiaphragmatic approach in laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with severe obesity and history of deceased donor liver transplantation
Authors: Umemura Akira , Nitta Hiroyuki , Takeda Daiki , Katagiri Hirokatsu , Kanno Shoji , Sasaki Akira
Published: March 2024

Background

The transthoracic transdiaphragmatic approach (TTA) for hepatic tumors in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is not usually employed because the caudal approach via the abdominal cavity is the gold standard in LLRs. Here, we present a case of LLR via TTA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a patient with severe obesity and a history of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT).

Materials and Surgical Technique

The patient, a 64‐year‐old man with severe obesity and a history of DDLT, was referred to our hospital to undergo LLR for HCC located at the cranial side of segment IV. We decided to perform LLR via TTA because of concerns about the effect of severe adhesion, the difficulty of encircling the hepatoduodenal ligament, and the impact of severe obesity on the completion of LLR. Under general anesthesia with differential lung ventilation, we started to perform transthoracic ultrasonography to determine the diaphragmatic transection line. Then, we transected the diaphragm and revealed the tumor. We marked the parenchymal transection line with a 1‐cm margin and then employed precoagulation of the hepatic parenchyma along the transection line. We performed parenchymal transection and clipped the responsible Glissonean pedicle at the bottom of the tumor. The diaphragm was closed using 3–0 nonabsorbable sutures with suture clips after the resected specimen was extracted.

Discussion

We successfully performed LLR via TTA without hepatic inflow control. However, further studies are warranted to define the indications and recommendations for TTA in LLRs in the near future.
Long‐term results of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia treatment by bendamustine and rituximab: A study on behalf of the French Innovative Leukemia Organization (FILO)
Authors: Laribi Kamel , Poulain Stéphanie , Willems Lise , Merabet Fatiha , Herbaux Charles , Roos‐Weil Damien , Laribi de Materre Inès , Roussel Xavier , Nudel Morgane , Tricot Sabine , Dupuis Jehan , Le Calloch Ronan , Bareau Benoit , Leblond Véronique
Published: March 2024

The bendamustine–rituximab (BR) schedule is an efficient first‐line therapy in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM). A previous analysis of 69 patients who received this treatment confirmed a high response rate and good progression‐free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). With a median follow‐up of 76.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 69.9–80.6), 5‐year outcome is still excellent at 66.63% (95% CI 56.09–79.17) for PFS and 80.01% (95% CI 70.82–90.41) for OS. The rate of secondary cancers is 17.66% (IQR 7.99–27.64) at 66 months. Relapsed patients who received ibrutinib as second‐line clearly benefited from this schedule. This confirms current recommendations suggesting BR long‐term efficacy as first‐line option in WM.
BRCA1‐associated protein 1: Tumor predisposition syndrome and Kury‐Isidor syndrome, from genotype–phenotype correlation to clinical management
Authors: West Elizabeth Casey , Chiappetta Marco , Mattingly Aubrey Anne , Congedo Maria Teresa , Evangelista Jessica , Campanella Annalisa , Sassorossi Carolina , Flamini Sara , Rossi Teresa , Pistoni Mariaelena , Abenavoli Ludovico , Margaritora Stefano , Lococo Filippo , Boccuto Luigi
Published: March 2024

The BAP1 tumor suppressor gene encodes a deubiquitinase enzyme involved in several cellular activities, including DNA repair and apoptosis. Germline pathogenic variants in BAP1 have been associated with heritable conditions including BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome 1 (BAP1‐TPDS1) and a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Kury‐Isidor syndrome (KURIS). Both these conditions are caused by monoallelic, dominant alterations of BAP1 but have never been reported in the same subject or family, suggesting a mutually exclusive genotype–phenotype correlation. This distinction is extremely important considering the early onset and aggressive nature of the types of cancer reported in individuals with TPDS1. Genetic counseling in subjects with germline BAP1 variants is fundamental to predicting the effect of the variant and the expected phenotype, assessing the potential risk of developing cancer for the tested subject and the family members who may carry the same variant and providing the multidisciplinary clinical team with the proper information to establish precise surveillance and management protocols.
The melanocortin‐4 receptor pathway and the emergence of precision medicine in obesity management
Authors: Fansa Sima , Acosta Andres
Published: March 2024

Over the past few decades, there has been a global surge in the prevalence of obesity, rendering it a globally recognized epidemic. Contrary to simply being a medical condition, obesity is an intricate disease with a multifactorial aetiology. Understanding the precise cause of obesity remains a challenge; nevertheless, there seems to be a complex interplay among biological, psychosocial and behavioural factors. Studies on the genetic factors of obesity have revealed several pathways in the brain that play a crucial role in food intake regulation. The best characterized pathway, thus far, is the leptin–melanocortin pathway, from which disruptions are responsible for the majority of monogenic obesity disorders. The effectiveness of conservative lifestyle interventions in addressing monogenic obesity has been limited. Therefore, it is crucial to complement the management strategy with pharmacological and surgical options. Emphasis has been placed on developing drugs aimed at replacing the absent signals, with the goal of restoring the pathway. In both monogenic and polygenic forms of obesity, outcomes differ across various interventions, likely due to the multifaceted nature of the disease. This underscores the need to explore alternative therapeutic strategies that can mitigate this heterogeneity. Precision medicine can be regarded as a powerful tool that can address this concern, as it values the understanding of the underlying abnormality triggering the disease and provides a tailored treatment accordingly. This would assist in optimizing outcomes of the current therapeutic approaches and even aid in the development of novel treatments capable of more effectively managing the global obesity epidemic.
Sentiments and spending intentions: Evidence from Florida
Authors: Sandoval Hector H. , Walsh Anita N.
Published: March 2024

Consumer sentiment is considered an important indicator of changes in household spending. However, the evidence of the causal relationship between sentiment and consumption is mixed and scarce. We address this gap using data from the monthly Florida Consumer Attitude Survey, which captures party affiliation, consumer sentiment, and spending intentions since 1991. We employ political partisanship as an instrument for sentiment and find a significant effect of sentiment on spending intentions. Finally, we provide evidence that spending intentions relate to actual spending and show that spending increased among counties with a larger share of Republican voters following the 2016 presidential election.
The impact of plant genetic variation and water stress on plant–herbivore interactions
Authors: Medina Lilhac S. , Craig Timothy P.
Published: March 2024

Plant genotype, water stress and their interaction are among the factors contributing to the susceptibility of plants to herbivory. The plant's nitrogen concentration, a critical and often limiting nutrient, differs with plant genotype and water stress. Still, few studies have investigated the impact of the interaction between genotype and water stress on herbivory and plant nitrogen.

We established a common garden in Duluth, MN, of tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima, collected from a local Minnesota site to analyse the effects of goldenrod genotype and water stress on leaf nitrogen and the preference and performance of the chrysanthemum lace bug, Corythucha marmorata.

Lace bugs had oviposition, nymph and adult preferences among host plant genotypes, water treatments and among genotype and water treatment combinations. Nymph and adult survival and adult mass varied significantly due to plant genotype, water treatment, the interaction between plant and water treatment and the interaction of treatment with lace bug density. Oviposition preference and offspring performance were significantly positively related.

Leaf nitrogen increased with the increasing severity of the water limitation in the absence of lace bugs. However, in the presence of lace bugs, there was no difference in nitrogen among water treatments.

We hypothesize that lace bugs reduce leaf nitrogen concentration to a lower threshold and then move between plants until nitrogen concentration equalises among all plants.
Cover crops affect pool specific soil organic carbon in cropland – A meta‐analysis
Authors: Fohrafellner Julia , Keiblinger Katharina M. , Zechmeister‐Boltenstern Sophie , Murugan Rajasekaran , Spiegel Heide , Valkama Elena
Published: March 2024

Cover crops (CC) offer numerous benefits to agroecosystems, particularly in the realm of soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual and loss mitigation. However, uncertainties persist regarding the extent to which CCs, in co‐occurrence with environmental factors, influence SOC responses and associated C pools. We therefore performed a weighted meta‐analysis on the effects of CCs on the mineral‐associated organic carbon (MAOC), the particulate organic carbon (POC) and the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) pool compared to no CC cultivation in arable cropland. Our study summarized global research of comparable management, with a focus on climatic zones representative of Europe, such as arid, temperate and boreal climates. In this meta‐analysis, we included 71 independent studies from 61 articles published between 1990 and June 2023 in several scientific and grey literature databases. Sensitivity analysis was conducted and did not identify any significant publication bias. The results revealed that CCs had an overall statistically significant positive effect on SOC pools, increasing MAOC by 4.8% (95% CI: 0.6%–9.4%, n = 16), POC by 23.2% (95% CI: 13.9%–34.4%, n = 39) and MBC by 20.2% (95% CI: 11.7%–30.7%, n = 30) in the top soil, compared to no CC cultivation. Thereby, CCs feed into the stable as well as the more labile C pools. The effect of CCs on MAOC was dependent on soil clay content and initial SOC concentration, whereas POC was influenced by moderators such as CC peak biomass and experiment duration. For MBC, for example, clay content, crop rotation duration and tillage depth were identified as important drivers. Based on our results on the effects of CCs on SOC pools and significant moderators, we identified several research needs. A pressing need for additional experiments exploring the effects of CCs on SOC pools was found, with a particular focus on MAOC and POC. Further, we emphasize the necessity for conducting European studies spanning the north–south gradient. In conclusion, our results show that CC cultivation is a key strategy to promote C accrual in different SOC pools. Additionally, this meta‐analysis provides new insights into the state of knowledge regarding SOC pool changes influenced by CCs, offering quantitative summary results and shedding light on the sources of heterogeneity affecting these findings.
Clinical and neuroimaging phenotypes of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hagbohm Caroline , Ouellette Russell , Flanagan Eoin P. , Jonsson Dagur I. , Piehl Fredrik , Banwell Brenda , Wickström Ronny , Iacobaeus Ellen , Granberg Tobias , Ineichen Benjamin V.
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study was undertaken to provide a comprehensive review of neuroimaging characteristics and corresponding clinical phenotypes of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP‐A), a rare but severe neuroinflammatory disorder, to facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Methods

A PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis)‐conforming systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed on all available data from January 2016 to June 2023. Clinical and neuroimaging phenotypes were extracted for both adult and paediatric forms.

Results

A total of 93 studies with 681 cases (55% males; median age = 46, range = 1–103 years) were included. Of these, 13 studies with a total of 535 cases were eligible for the meta‐analysis. Clinically, GFAP‐A was often preceded by a viral prodromal state (45% of cases) and manifested as meningitis, encephalitis, and/or myelitis. The most common symptoms were headache, fever, and movement disturbances. Coexisting autoantibodies (45%) and neoplasms (18%) were relatively frequent. Corticosteroid treatment resulted in partial/complete remission in a majority of cases (83%). Neuroimaging often revealed T2/fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensities (74%) as well as perivascular (45%) and/or leptomeningeal (30%) enhancement. Spinal cord abnormalities were also frequent (49%), most commonly manifesting as longitudinally extensive myelitis. There were 88 paediatric cases; they had less prominent neuroimaging findings with lower frequencies of both T2/FLAIR hyperintensities (38%) and contrast enhancement (19%).

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta‐analysis provide high‐level evidence for clinical and imaging phenotypes of GFAP‐A, which will benefit the identification and clinical workup of suspected cases. Differential diagnostic cues to distinguish GFAP‐A from common clinical and imaging mimics are provided as well as suitable magnetic resonance imaging protocol recommendations.
UAV Thermal Mapping as a New Tool to Detect Subsurface Moisture and Document Baseline Environmental Conditions
Authors: Laton William R. , Perez Rene A. , Foster John H.
Published: March 2024

The California High‐Speed Rail is currently planning a rail corridor through the San Gabriel Mountains. The alignment will require tunnels up to approximately 600 m deep and crossing through the San Gabriel Mountains in the SR 14 area. This study utilized repeated optical and infrared unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aerial imagery to document the baseline environmental conditions overlying one of the future high‐speed rail tunnels. Images provide vegetation and soil moisture patterns along the surface route of the corridor for future comparison when the tunneling segments are bored. Analysis of reflectance data revealed subsurface water flow in the Bear Creek‐Sand Canyon Creek Study Area. Using UAVs is considered an effective new tool to detect large‐scale and discrete environmental conditions, perhaps undocumented or unobservable, via standard mapping tools. Setting detailed baseline conditions is important to identify changes that may occur because of future tunneling.
Health utilities in adults with hemophilia A: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hirniak Sam , Edginton Andrea N , Iorio Alfonso , Alsabbagh Mhd. Wasem , Hajducek Dagmar M. , Wong William WL
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Haemophilia A negatively affects a patient's quality of life. There is a limited amount of health utility data (a measure of health‐related quality of life) available for patients with haemophilia A. This information is crucial for cost‐effectiveness analysis for haemophilia A treatment.

Objectives

The goal of this project is to elicit the health utilities and factors impacting utility values for haemophilia A patients in Canada.

Methods

This is a population‐based, cross‐sectional, retrospective study of health utilities in patients with haemophilia A using Patient Report Outcomes Burdens and Experiences (PROBE) components from the Canadian Bleeding Disorders Registry (CBDR). A review of the mean utilities for three severity states, defined by clotting factor VIII level, was completed. A multiple linear regression analysis was completed to examine the determinants of health utilities including age, treatment type, chronic pain status, number of limited joints, and bleed rate.

Results

The average utility values (and standard deviations) for patients with haemophilia A in Canada are .79(.17), .76(.20), and .77(.19) for patients with severe, moderate, and mild haemophilia. The regression showed chronic pain status and the number of additional comorbidities as major significant factors (p‐value < .001) in haemophilia A utility. Haemophilia severity was shown to be a major factor with smaller p‐value (p‐value < .05).

Conclusions

Haemophilia A patients have lower utility than the general population. Chronic pain was shown to be a significant, major factor in health‐related quality of life. Our study is essential for valuing health outcomes in haemophilia A‐related cost‐effectiveness analysis.
Use of crushed tranexamic acid tablets in water for paediatric patients with bleeding disorders
Authors: Al‐Huniti Ahmad , Marshall Linda , Rusk Dawn , Pruthi Rajiv K. , Rodriguez Vilmarie , Ferdjallah Asmaa , Kuhn Alexis
Published: March 2024

Background

Ε‐Aminocaproic acid oral solution (EACA OS) is the only commercially available antifibrinolytic for patients who cannot swallow tablets. Insurance denials and high costs remain barriers to its use.

Objectives

To determine the safety and efficacy of crushed tranexamic acid tablets in water (cTXAw) for children with bleeding disorders.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records of children (<10 years) with bleeding disorders who received cTXAw or EACA OS from 1 December 2018, through 31 July 2022, at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota). Bleeding outcomes were defined according to ISTH criteria.

Results

Thirty‐two patients were included (median age, 3 years; male, n = 23). Diagnoses were VWD (n = 17), haemophilia (n = 5), FVII deficiency (n = 3), inherited platelet disorder (n = 4), ITP (n = 2), and combined FV and FVII deficiencies (n = 1). Thirty‐two courses of cTXAw (monotherapy 24/32; mean duration 6 days) and fifteen courses of EACA (monotherapy 12/15; mean duration 5 days) were administered. No surgical procedures (n = 28) were complicated by bleeding. Of the 19 bleeding events, 16 had effective haemostasis, two had no reported outcome, and one had no response. cTXAw and EACA were equally effective in preventing and treating bleeding (p value > .1). No patients had adverse effects. Eight of 19 patients (42%) who were initially prescribed EACA OS did not receive it because of cost or insurance denial.

The estimated average wholesale price of one treatment was $94 for cTXAw and $905 for EACA OS.

Conclusions

CTXAw appears to be an effective, safe, and low‐cost alternative option to EACA OS for young children with bleeding disorders.
Sexually transmitted and blood‐borne infection risk reduction with methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone among people with prescription‐type opioid use disorder: Findings from a Canadian pragmatic randomized trial
Authors: Socias M. Eugenia , Cui Zishan , Le Foll Bernard , Lei Jingxin , Stewart Sherry , Anand Rohan , Jutras‐Aswad Didier
Published: March 2024

Introduction

People who use drugs are disproportionally affected by sexually transmitted and blood‐borne infections (STBBIs). While the benefits of methadone in reducing injecting‐risk behaviours are well documented, less is known on its impacts on sexual‐related risks, as well as its comparative effectiveness to buprenorphine/naloxone, particularly in the context of highly potent opioids. The aim of this study was to estimate the relative effects of buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone on injecting and STBBI risks among people with prescription‐type opioid use disorder (POUD).

Methods

Secondary analysis of a pan‐Canadian pragmatic 24‐week randomized clinical trial comparing methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone models of care among 272 people with POUD (including licit or illicit opioid analgesics, fentanyl). The Risk Behaviour Survey was used to collect injecting and sexual risks at baseline, and weeks 12 and 24.

Results

In total, 210 participants initiated treatment (103 buprenorphine/naloxone and 107 methadone). At baseline, 113/205 (55.1%) participants reported recently injecting drugs, 37/209 (17.7%) unsafe injection practices and 67/162 (41.4%) high‐risk sex. Both methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone were associated with reductions in the prevalence of injection drug use and high‐risk sex at weeks 12 and 24 with no interactions between treatment arm and time.

Conclusion

Methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone were similarly effective in reducing injecting and sexual risk behaviours among people with POUD.

Clinical Trials Registration

clinicaltrials.gov NCT03033732.
Telehealth during COVID‐19 restrictions in patients with cardiovascular disease: impact on medication prescriptions and patient satisfaction
Authors: Gahungu Nestor , Lan Nick S. R. , Gamalath Sameera , Phan Jane , Bhat Vikas , Spencer Rhys , Hitchen Sarah A. , Rankin James M. , Dwivedi Girish , Ihdayhid Abdul Rahman
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims

Telehealth plays an integral part in healthcare delivery. The impact of telehealth and the COVID‐19 pandemic on medication prescribing and patient satisfaction with telehealth in cardiology clinics remains unknown.

Methods

A retrospective study of cardiology clinic patients at an Australian tertiary hospital was conducted; 630 patients seen before the COVID‐19 pandemic (0.6% telehealth) and 678 during the pandemic (91.2% telehealth) were included. Medication changes, new prescriptions and time to obtaining prescriptions after clinic were compared. To evaluate patients' experiences, cardiology clinic patients reviewed during the pandemic were prospectively invited to participate in an electronic survey sent to their mobile phones.

Results

The overall rates of medication changes made in the clinic between the prepandemic and the pandemic periods did not differ significantly (26.9% vs 25.8%). Compared with prepandemic, new cardiac medication prescriptions during clinic were significantly less (9.3% vs 2.5%; P < 0.0001) and recommendations to general practitioners (GP) to initiate cardiac medications were significantly more (2.6% vs 9.1%; P < 0.0001). Time to obtaining new prescriptions was significantly longer in the pandemic cohort (median 0 days (range: 0–32) vs 10.5 days (range: 0–231); P < 0.0001). Two hundred forty‐three (32.7%) patients participated in the survey; 50% reported that telehealth was at least as good as face‐to‐face consultations. Most patients (61.5%) were satisfied with telehealth and most (62.9%) wished to see telehealth continued postpandemic.

Conclusion

Telehealth during the COVID‐19 pandemic was associated with greater reliance on GP to prescribe cardiac medications and delays in obtaining prescriptions among cardiology clinic patients. Although most patients were satisfied with telehealth services, nearly half of the cardiac patients expressed preference towards traditional face‐to‐face consultations.
Inhibition of leukotriene‐B4 signalling‐mediated host response to tuberculosis is a potential mode of adjunctive host‐directed therapy
Authors: Banerjee Ushashi , Borbora Salik Miskat , Guha Madhura , Yadav Vikas , Sanjay V. , Singh Amit , Balaji Kithiganahalli Narayanaswamy , Chandra Nagasuma
Published: March 2024

Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) is faced with several challenges including the long treatment duration, drug toxicity and tissue pathology. Host‐directed therapy provides promising avenues to find compounds for adjunctively assisting antimycobacterials in the TB treatment regimen, by promoting pathogen eradication or limiting tissue destruction. Eicosanoids are a class of lipid molecules that are potent mediators of inflammation and have been implicated in aspects of the host response against TB. Here, we have explored the blood transcriptome of pulmonary TB patients to understand the activity of leukotriene B4, a pro‐inflammatory eicosanoid. Our study shows a significant upregulation in the leukotriene B4 signalling pathway in active TB patients, which is reversed with TB treatment. We have further utilized our in‐house network analysis algorithm, ResponseNet, to identify potential downstream signal effectors of leukotriene B4 in TB patients including STAT1/2 and NADPH oxidase at a systemic as well as local level, followed by experimental validation of the same. Finally, we show the potential of inhibiting leukotriene B4 signalling as a mode of adjunctive host‐directed therapy against TB. This study provides a new mode of TB treatment along with mechanistic insights which can be further explored in pre‐clinical trials.
Indonesian nurses’ awareness and application of reasonable adjustments when caring for people with intellectual disability and/or autism
Authors: Pracilio Amy , Wilson Nathan J. , Tumanggor Roxsana Devi , Cashin Andrew
Published: March 2024

Aim

This study aimed to understand Indonesian nurses’ familiarity with the concept of reasonable adjustments, and the frequency of its application within their practice.

Background

People with intellectual disability and/or autism are exposed to significant barriers when accessing healthcare and have poorer health outcomes than those without developmental disabilities. Reasonable adjustments can improve accessibility and quality of healthcare for people with disabilities and involves adapting practices and environments to promote equitable healthcare.

Introduction

There is a scarcity of literature focused on the application of reasonable adjustments in the Indonesian nursing context. A greater understanding of the application of reasonable adjustments in this context can help inform nursing curricula and policy.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, descriptive survey ‐was undertaken and is reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Evaluations and Non‐randomised Designs. Following descriptive analysis, bivariate analyses were undertaken between key demographic, workplace, and self‐reported capability variables, and familiarity and implementation of reasonable adjustments.

Results

The majority of respondents were not familiar with the concept of reasonable adjustments and self‐reported sometimes applying it within their practice. Higher levels of educational and clinical exposure to intellectual disability and/or autism, and self‐capability variables, were significantly associated with familiarity with reasonable adjustments and their application.

Conclusions

An increase in nursing curricula focused on caring for people with intellectual disability and/or autism, including content focused on applying reasonable adjustments, is indicated.

Implications for nursing policy

Given that, internationally, people with intellectual disability and/or autism have disproportionately negative health outcomes and experiences, findings highlighting gaps in understanding and application of reasonable adjustments of Indonesian nurses have substantial implications for nursing policy and curriculum.
Glutamine metabolism prognostic index predicts tumour microenvironment characteristics and therapeutic efficacy in ovarian cancer
Authors: Gao Lingling , Wei Zheng , Ying Feiquan , Huang Lin , Zhang Jingni , Sun Si , Wang Zehua , Cai Jing , Zhang Yuan
Published: March 2024

Mounting evidence has highlighted the multifunctional characteristics of glutamine metabolism (GM) in cancer initiation, progression and therapeutic regimens. However, the overall role of GM in the tumour microenvironment (TME), clinical stratification and therapeutic efficacy in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) has not been fully elucidated. Here, three distinct GM clusters were identified and exhibited different prognostic values, biological functions and immune infiltration in TME. Subsequently, glutamine metabolism prognostic index (GMPI) was constructed as a new scoring model to quantify the GM subtypes and was verified as an independent predictor of OC. Patients with low‐GMPI exhibited favourable survival outcomes, lower enrichment of several oncogenic pathways, less immunosuppressive cell infiltration and better immunotherapy responses. Single‐cell sequencing analysis revealed a unique evolutionary trajectory of OC cells from high‐GMPI to low‐GMPI, and OC cells with different GMPI might communicate with distinct cell populations through ligand‐receptor interactions. Critically, the therapeutic efficacy of several drug candidates was validated based on patient‐derived organoids (PDOs). The proposed GMPI could serve as a reliable signature for predicting patient prognosis and contribute to optimising therapeutic strategies for OC.