bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of noninvasive brain stimulation on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Tao , Yan Shaozhen , Lu Jie
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on cognition using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), thus providing the neuroimaging mechanism of cognitive intervention.

Methods

English articles published up to April 30, 2023 were searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. We included randomized controlled trials where resting‐state fMRI was used to observe the effect of NIBS in patients with MCI or AD. RevMan software was used to analyze the continuous variables, and SDM‐PSI software was used to perform an fMRI data analysis.

Results

A total of 17 studies comprising 258 patients in the treatment group and 256 in the control group were included. After NIBS, MCI patients in the treatment group showed hyperactivation in the right precuneus and decreased activity in the left cuneus and right supplementary motor area. In contrast, patients in the control group showed decreased activity in the right middle frontal gyrus and no hyperactivation. The clinical cognitive scores in MCI patients were significantly improved by NIBS, while not in AD. Some evidence regarding the modulation of NIBS in resting‐state brain activity and functional brain networks in patients with AD was found.

Conclusions

NIBS could improve cognitive function in patients with MCI and AD. fMRI evaluations could be added to evaluate the contribution of specific NIBS treatment therapeutic effectiveness.
Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon
Authors: Finn Riley J. R. , Chalifour Lia , Gergel Sarah E. , Hinch Scott G. , Scott David C. , Martin Tara G.
Published: June 2023

Instream barriers remain ubiquitous threats to freshwater species and their habitats. Decisions regarding barrier removal are often aimed at maximizing habitat area and connectivity for freshwater fish; yet can be challenging due to the sheer number of barriers, uncertainty in species presence, abundance, and habitat quality, as well as limited budgets alongside high costs of restoration. Here, we apply systematic conservation planning to prioritize in‐stream barrier removal aimed at restoring habitat connectivity for 14 populations of wild Pacific salmon in the lower Fraser River, Canada's most productive salmon‐bearing river. To understand how priorities change when stream quality is considered, we contrast scenarios that maximize habitat extent with scenarios that include four indicators of habitat quality. Region‐wide, approximately 64% of naturally accessible stream length is currently blocked by barriers. We estimate approximately 75% of this alienated habitat (over 1600 km of stream), could have full access restored with an investment of $200 million CAD, whereas 60% could be restored for half this amount. When stream quality was considered within the optimization, priorities for barriers removal shifted away from urbanized floodplain valleys towards less developed areas. The spatial shift in priorities meant that species like chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) would see less restored habitat. To inform barrier removal strategies using these model scenarios, an iterative and adaptive approach will be required that includes the values and priorities of rights and titleholders. Continuous improvement in data quality, accuracy, and feedback from monitoring as barriers are restored is also crucial.
Developmental trajectories of spoken language comprehension and functional communication in children with cerebral palsy: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Vaillant Emma , Oostrom Kim J. , Beckerman Heleen , Vermeulen R. Jeroen , Buizer Annemieke I. , Geytenbeek Johanna J. M.
Published: June 2023

Aim

To investigate spoken language comprehension (SLC), single‐word comprehension (SWC), functional communication development, and their determinants, in children with cerebral palsy.

Method

This was a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands spanning 2 years 6 months. The main outcomes were SLC and SWC, assessed by the Computer‐Based instrument for Low motor Language Testing (C‐BiLLT) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test‐III‐NL (PPVT‐III‐NL) respectively; and functional communication, measured by a subscale of the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six‐34 (FOCUS‐34). Linear mixed models were used to determine developmental trajectories, which were compared with norm and reference data. Potential determinants, for example intellectual functions, speech production, functional communication level (classified with the Communication Function Classification System, CFCS), and functional mobility, were added to assess their effects.

Results

Children with cerebral palsy (n = 188; mean age 59 months, range 17–110) were monitored for 2 years 6 months. Developmental trajectories for SLC (C‐BiLLT) and SWC (PPVT‐III‐NL) were nonlinear; those for functional communication (FOCUS‐34) were linear. Compared with norm and reference groups, significantly delayed SLC, SWC, and functional communication development were found. Determinants for SLC and SWC were intellectual functions and functional communication level (CFCS); and for functional communication development (FOCUS‐34), speech production and arm–hand functioning.

Interpretation

Children with cerebral palsy showed delayed SLC, SWC, and functional communication development compared with norm and reference groups. Remarkably, functional mobility was not associated with the development of SLC, SWC, or functional communication.

What this paper adds

Children with cerebral palsy have delayed spoken language comprehension (SLC), single‐word comprehension (SWC), and functional communication development, compared to norm and reference data.

Determinants for SLC and SWC development are intellectual functions and functional communication level.

Determinants for functional communication development are speech production and arm–hand functioning.

Functional mobility is not associated with SLC, SWC, or functional communication.
High diabetes‐specific distress among adults with type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia despite widespread use of sensor technology
Authors: Ali Namam , El Hamdaoui Soumia , Nefs Giesje , Walburgh Schmidt Jesper W. J. , Tack Cees J. , de Galan Bastiaan E.
Published: June 2023

Aims

Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia (IAH) has been associated with increased diabetes distress and use of sensor technology can reduce diabetes distress. The aim of this study was to examine diabetes‐specific distress (emotions, cognitions, behaviours) in relation to IAH status and use of glucose sensors in people with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Individuals with type 1 diabetes from an academic diabetes outpatient clinic completed the Clarke questionnaire (to assess hypoglycaemic awareness), Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID‐5), Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey‐II (HFS‐II), Attitudes to Awareness of Hypoglycaemia Survey (A2A), Nijmegen Clinical Screening Instrument Survey (NCSI) and Hyperglycaemia Avoidance Scale (HAS).

Results

Of the 422 participants (51.9% male, diabetes duration 30 [16–40] years, HbA1c 60 ± 11 mmol/mol [7.6 ± 1.0%], 351 [88.2%] used a glucose sensor; 82 [19.4%]) had IAH. Compared to individuals with normal awareness, those with IAH more often had PAID‐5 scores ≥8 (35.4% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.008) and higher scores on all HFS‐II subscores (total [40.2 ± 21.5 vs. 27.9 ± 17.2, p < 0.001]), HFS‐II behaviour (18.5 ± 10.0 vs. 15.1 ± 8.0, p = 0.005), HFS‐II worry (21.8 ± 13.5 vs. 12.7 ± 10.9, p < 0.001), HAS worries (17.5 ± 7.3 vs. 14.3 ± 7.0, p < 0.001) and NCSI hypoglycaemia items. HAS behaviour, A2A and NCSI hyperglycaemia scores did not differ between individuals with or without IAH. Restricting the analyses to individuals using a glucose sensor did not materially change the results.

Conclusions

Diabetes‐specific distress remains a major problem among individuals with type 1 diabetes, particularly those with IAH, despite the widespread use of (intermittently scanned) sensor technology. Further studies are needed to examine strategies to lower diabetes‐specific distress in individuals with IAH.
Orforglipron (LY3502970), a novel, oral non‐peptide glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist: A Phase 1a, blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomized, single‐ and multiple‐ascending‐dose study in healthy participants
Authors: Pratt Edward , Ma Xiaosu , Liu Rong , Robins Deborah , Haupt Axel , Coskun Tamer , Sloop Kyle W. , Benson Charles
Published: June 2023

Aim

To evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of orforglipron (LY3502970), an oral, non‐peptide glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1RA) in healthy participants.

Materials and Methods

This was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase 1 study. Overtly healthy adults aged 18 to 65 years with body mass index of 20 to 40 kg/m2 and glycated haemoglobin concentration of 47.5 mmol/mol (<6.5%) were eligible. In Part A, participants received single‐dose orforglipron, with four cohorts receiving escalating doses (0.3‐6 mg). In Part B, participants received 4 weeks of daily repeated oral orforglipron with doses escalating weekly to four different final target doses (2‐24 mg).

Results

Ninety‐two participants enrolled and received at least one study drug dose (32 in Part A [mean age 43.4 years] and 60 in Part B [mean age 42.5 years]). The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal tract‐related. Pharmacokinetics were approximately dose proportional, and the mean t1/2 was 24.6 to 35.3 hours after a single dose (0.3‐6 mg). On Day 28, the mean t1/2 was 48.1 to 67.5 hours across the dose range (2‐24 mg). Substantial reductions in body weight of up to 5.4 kg were observed after 4 weeks in orforglipron‐treated participants, compared to a reduction of 2.4 kg with placebo (P < 0.05). Orforglipron decreased fasting glucose levels across Days 1 to 28, and gastric emptying was delayed on Day 28.

Conclusions

Orforglipron's long half‐life (25‐68 hours) allows once‐daily oral dosing, without water and food restrictions. Orforglipron had a pharmacodynamic and safety profile similar to that of injectable GLP‐1RAs, which supports continued clinical development.
Compensating patients in trials: Perspectives from an ethical committee versus sponsor
Authors: Peyro‐Saint‐Paul Laure , Gaillard Cathy , Paris Adeline , Gourio Charlotte , Zerger Céleste , Ficheux Maxence , Grandazzi Guillaume , Parienti Jean‐Jacques , Morello Rémy
Published: June 2023

Background

According to European clinical research legislation, no undue influence, including financial incentives, should be used to encourage participation in clinical trials. Financial compensation should be based on the inconvenience experienced by patients and is determined by the sponsor.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the adequacy of patients' financial compensation by obtaining an external ethical opinion compared to the actual compensation provided.

Methods

We randomly selected and reviewed 50 clinical drug trials, including 25 academic and 25 industry‐sponsored studies. An external ethics group consisting of three members from French ethics committees, blinded to the actual compensation and the sponsor, retrospectively reviewed the study characteristics and assessed whether financial compensation was appropriate. Cohen's Kappa test measured agreement between actual compensation and the ethics group's opinion, and the McNemar test measured discrepancies.

Results

There was no agreement between the actual financial compensation and the ethics group's opinion (K = −.07; 95% CI = [−.16–.02]). More discrepancies were found in favour of financial compensation according to the ethics group than provided by sponsors (12 vs. 2, p = .016). The ethics group recommended financial compensation in 12 out of 50 studies (24%), which were studies with a higher number of additional visits (p = .004) and were more frequently sponsored by industry (p = .008). Sponsors only provided financial compensation in 2 out of 50 studies (4%).

Conclusion

Patients are rarely compensated despite the perceived inconvenience. Both sponsors and ethics members struggle to determine the need for financial compensation, indicating a need for more precise recommendations for both parties.
Finding the sweet spot in camera trapping: A global synthesis and meta‐analysis of minimum sampling effort
Authors: Ghazian Nargol , Lortie Christopher J.
Published: June 2023

Camera traps are one of the most common tools in wildlife and conservation biology. Sampling can document and measure animal presence and activity. Captures can be used to estimate population parameters such as presence, abundance, habitat suitability, and resident species richness of specific populations. Effective camera trapping is relevant to conservation for many reasons. For instance, they can be used to inform pre‐ and post‐restoration efforts, monitor the use of artificial structures by species and assess behaviours like predator–prey interactions. This sampling approach can aid in assessing diversity change, habitat change, pre‐ and post‐restoration efforts, artificial structure effects, species presence, and animal behaviour. We reviewed the literature to collect data and estimate incidence effect size measures for both vertebrate abundance and vertebrate richness to examine the relative efficacy of deploying more camera traps for a given period in different ecosystems. Increasing sampling effort through an increased number of cameras significantly increased net positive abundance detection rates in grasslands and mixed ecosystems. Net richness detection rates in mixed, tropical, deciduous, and grassland ecosystems similarly increased with the number of cameras deployed. The total number of days, however, was not a significant predictor of abundance or richness rates detected in any ecosystem. These findings suggest that deploying relatively more cameras for relatively fewer days provides the most effective estimates of vertebrate abundance and richness for a region.
Assessment of tree fern browsing by introduced Sambar Deer in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Bennett Ami
Published: June 2023

Browsing on tree ferns (Cyathea australis and Dicksonia antarctica) was assessed at Mt Toolebewong, Victoria, Australia, where a population of Sambar (Rusa unicolor), a large deer species, is known to occur and compared with tree fern browsing at Tarra‐Bulga National Park, Victoria, where Sambar are uncommon. At Mt Toolebewong, 52% of surveyed tree ferns had been browsed, with most damage occurring on individuals up to 130 cm high and typically involving removal of most or all of a frond to the base of the rachis. In contrast, only 7% of tree ferns had been browsed at Tarra‐Bulga, with none browsed above 85 cm and only the frond tips removed. Browsing of whole fronds on mid‐size tree ferns at Mt Toolebewong is attributed to the population of Sambar, and the lower intensity of browsing on smaller tree ferns at Tarra‐Bulga to native herbivores. Populations of Sambar in wet forests of south‐eastern Australia may, therefore, hinder recruitment of tree ferns into larger size‐classes, at least at sites where tree ferns are favoured browse. The potential ecological consequences and management implications are discussed. Information is lacking on the severity and spatial scale over which deer impact tree fern populations. Tree fern browsing may be locally severe with site‐ and height‐based browse evidence suggesting that this can largely be attributed to introduced Sambar. Browsing by deer has the potential to decrease growth, reduce survival and prevent recruitment of tree ferns into larger class sizes, with potentially detrimental implications for tree fern populations, associated species such as epiphytic flora, and the structure and function of wet forest ecosystems. Collection of appropriate field data will provide a better understanding of tree fern browsing and identify if and where management intervention is required.
Interictal respiratory variability predicts severity of hypoxemia after generalized convulsive seizures
Authors: Sainju Rup K. , Dragon Deidre N. , Winnike Harold B. , Vilella Laura , Li Xiaojin , Lhatoo Samden , Ten Eyck Patrick , Wendt Linder H. , Richerson George B. , Gehlbach Brian K.
Published: June 2023

Objective

Severe respiratory dysfunction induced by generalized convulsive seizures (GCS) is now thought to be a common mechanism for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). In a mouse model of seizure‐induced death, increased interictal respiratory variability was reported in mice that later died of respiratory arrest after GCS. We studied respiratory variability in epilepsy patients as a predictive tool for severity of postictal hypoxemia, a potential biomarker for SUDEP risk. We then explored the relationship between respiratory variability and central CO2 drive, measured by the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR).

Methods

We reviewed clinical, video‐electroencephalography, and respiratory (belts, airflow, pulse oximeter, and HCVR) data of epilepsy patients. Mean, SD, and coefficient of variation (CV) of interbreath interval (IBI) were calculated. Primary outcomes were: (1) nadir of capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) and (2) duration of oxygen desaturation. Poincaré plots of IBI were created. Covariates were evaluated in univariate models, then, based on Akaike information criteria (AIC), multivariate regression models were created.

Results

Of 66 GCS recorded in 131 subjects, 30 had interpretable respiratory data. In the multivariate model with the lowest AIC value, duration of epilepsy was a significant predictor of duration of oxygen desaturation. Duration of tonic phase and CV of IBI during the third postictal minute correlated with SpO2 nadir, whereas CV of IBI during non‐rapid eye movement sleep had a negative correlation. Poincaré plots showed that long‐term variability was significantly greater in subjects with ≥200 s of postictal oxygen desaturation after GCS compared to those with <200 s desaturation. Finally, HCVR slope showed a negative correlation with measures of respiratory variability.

Significance

These results indicate that interictal respiratory variability predicts severity of postictal oxygen desaturation, suggesting its utility as a potential biomarker. They also suggest that interictal respiratory control may be abnormal in some patients with epilepsy.
A Hurst‐based diffusion model using time series characteristics for influence maximization in social networks
Authors: Saxena Bhawna , Saxena Vikas , Anand Nishit , Hassija Vikas , Chamola Vinay , Hussain Amir
Published: June 2023

Online social networks have grown exponentially in the recent years while finding applications in real life like marketing, recommendation systems, and social awareness campaigns. An important research area in this field is Influence Maximization, which pertains to finding methods for maximizing the spread of information (influence) across an OSN. Existing works in IM widely use a pre‐defined edge propagation probability for node activation. Hurst exponent (H), which depicts the self‐similarity in the time series depicting a user's past interaction behaviour, has also been used as activation criteria. In this work, we propose a Time Series Characteristic based Hurst‐based Diffusion Model (TSC‐HDM), which calculates H based on the stationary or non‐stationary characteristic of the time series. TSC‐HDM selects a handful of seed nodes and activates a seed node's inactive successor only if H > 0.5. The proposed model has been tested on four real‐world OSN datasets. The results have been compared against four other IM models – Independent Cascade, Weighted Cascade, Trivalency, and Hurst‐based Influence Maximization. TSC‐HDM is found to have achieved as much as 590% higher expected influence spread as compared to the other models. Moreover, TSC‐HDM has attained 344% better average influence spread than other state‐of‐the‐art models namely LIR, A‐Greedy, LPIMA, Genetic Algorithm with Dynamic Probabilities, NeighborsRemove, DegreeDecrease, IGIM, IRR, and PHG.
Graph attentive matrix factorization for social recommendation
Authors: Zhang Xue , Wu Bin , Ye Yangdong
Published: June 2023

Recommender systems commonly encounter with the problems of data sparsity and cold start. Recently, social recommendation has emerged with the rapid expansion of social platforms, offering an opportunity to alleviate such two obstacles. Nevertheless, there are still two key limitations in existing studies. From the perspective of model design, previous social recommenders only consider the influence of a user's direct friends or uniformly treat the influences from different friends. From the perspective of model learning, most of them apply a sampling‐based optimization strategy, which requires high‐quality positive and negative samples. In light of the aforementioned limitations, we propose a new probabilistic method, named Graph Attentive Matrix Factorization (GAMF). Our method not only explicitly captures high‐order social relationships, but also adopts an attention mechanism to automatically pick up different influences between friends. Moreover, we develop an efficient optimization algorithm to learn model parameters in a non‐sampling manner. Extensive experiments on four large‐scale datasets show the superiority of GAMF over state‐of‐the‐art recommenders, especially under the cold start scenario.
It's just so difficult to get anything done: Teen mental health in the family court setting
Authors: Shear Leslie Ellen
Published: June 2023

Navigating the family court setting to protect teen mental health, meet teens' mental health needs, and promote resilience and coping skills is challenging. We have tools that can help us meet that challenge. That toolkit includes: expanding who is involved in the work to develop a parenting plan or treatment plan; not reducing the case to a one‐dimensional fact pattern; restructuring family court proceedings for ongoing problem‐solving, providing protections for the teen's privacy; using consensual dispute resolution and adjudication on parallel tracks; and educating the decision makers through expert declarations and Brandeis briefs (even at the trial court level).
FKBP25 regulates myoblast viability and migration and is differentially expressed in in vivo models of muscle adaptation
Authors: Cree Tabitha , Gomez Tania Ruz , Timpani Cara A. , Rybalka Emma , Price John T. , Goodman Craig A.
Published: June 2023

FKBP25 (FKBP3 gene) is a dual‐domain PPIase protein that consists of a C‐terminal PPIase domain and an N‐terminal basic tilted helix bundle (BTHB). The PPIase domain of FKBP25 has been shown to bind to microtubules, which has impacts upon microtubule polymerisation and cell cycle progression. Using quantitative proteomics, it was recently found that FKBP25 was expressed in the top 10% of the mouse skeletal muscle proteome. However, to date there have been few studies investigating the role of FKBP25 in non‐transformed systems. As such, this study aimed to investigate potential roles for FKBP25 in myoblast viability, migration and differentiation and in adaptation of mature skeletal muscle. Doxycycline‐inducible FKBP25 knockdown in C2C12 myoblasts revealed an increase in cell accumulation/viability and migration in vitro that was independent of alterations in tubulin dynamics; however, FKBP25 knockdown had no discernible impact on myoblast differentiation into myotubes. Finally, a series of in vivo models of muscle adaptation were assessed, where it was observed that FKBP25 protein expression was increased in hypertrophy and regeneration conditions (chronic mechanical overload and the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy) but decreased in an atrophy model (denervation). Overall, the findings of this study establish FKBP25 as a regulator of myoblast viability and migration, with possible implications for satellite cell proliferation and migration and muscle regeneration, and as a potential regulator of in vivo skeletal muscle adaptation.
A new strategy for predicting fracture of U‐notched specimens made of Al‐6061‐T6 and Al‐5083 using extended finite element method
Authors: Bagheri Pedram , Torabi Ali Reza , Bahrami Bahador
Published: June 2023

This research focuses on the numerical investigation of fracture loads of U‐notched specimens made of Al‐6061‐T6 and Al‐5083 under pure opening mode and mixed mode I/II loading conditions. A new methodology is introduced with the aid of the equivalent material concept (EMC) combined with the extended finite element method (XFEM) and linear cohesive zone model (CZM), and the outcomes are compared with a conventional elastic–plastic damage model. The combination of EMC and XFEM result in the numerical EMC‐XFEM model, which provides a fast and accurate method to assess the notch fracture loads and crack growth path. Considering the experimental results, a trial and error loop is performed to calibrate the ductile damage model, which is much more cumbersome than the proposed EMC‐XFEM model. Moreover, the computational cost of elastic–plastic model is much more than the EMC‐XFEM model, although both approaches provide appropriate predictions for fracture of ductile aluminum notches.
Functional dentition and well‐being among Chilean 80‐year‐olds
Authors: Sáenz‐Ravello Gustavo , Contreras Johanna , Baeza Mauricio , Silva Ana Beatriz , Danke Karen , Gonzalez Sebastián , Jara Gisela , Gamonal Jorge
Published: June 2023

Background

The Decade of Healthy Aging 2021‐2030 calls for a strengthening of the policies for older people in Latin America. An example of successful oral aging is the Japanese “8020” campaign, which achieved 50% of people aged 80 years having ≥20 teeth by 2016.

Objective

To evaluate the association between having a functional dentition (≥20 teeth) and cognitive health, social participation, and quality of life in people aged ≥80 years.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from 299 complete observations (weighted N = 436 981) of individuals aged ≥80 years from Chile's National Health Survey 2016‐2017 were included (3% of the population; total = 5520 clinical observations/weighted N = 14 518 969). Generalised structural equation models (GSEM) evaluated the association between having a functional dentition and cognitive health, measured with the Mini‐mental score, between having a functional dentition and social participation, and between having a functional dentition and quality of life, measured with the EQ‐5D‐3L. Models included the effect of mediators (daily fruit and vegetable consumption; oral health‐related quality of life score) and controlled for the exposure‐induced mediator‐outcome variables: sex, educational level, and location. Data were analysed using the STATA‐17 survey module. Statistical significance was set at P < .05 (95% confidence interval [CI]).

Results

The sample was mostly female, had <8 years of education, and lived in urban areas. The prevalence of a functional dentition was 9.2% (95% CI 3.6,21.3/n = 21). GSEM demonstrated that the association between functional dentition and cognitive health was mediated by daily fruits and vegetables consumption (β = 0.12/95% CI 0.02,0.21/P = .015), with moderate strength of evidence. Additionally, there was strong evidence of an association between functional dentition and social participation frequency (β = 2.76/95% CI 0.60,4.73/P = .009). Finally, the association between functional dentition and quality of life was mediated by cognitive health (β =0.05/95% CI 0.02,0.09/P = .002) and oral health‐related quality of life (β = −0.04/95% CI −0.08 to −0.01/P = .025), with strong and moderate evidence, respectively.

Conclusion

Given the beneficial implications of functional dentition in social participation, nutritional benefits and quality of life and well‐being of individuals aged ≥80 years.
Estimating Groundwater Pumping for Irrigation: A Method Comparison
Authors: Brookfield Andrea E. , Zipper Samuel , Kendall Anthony D. , Ajami Hoori , Deines Jillian M.
Published: June 2023

Effective groundwater management is critical to future environmental, ecological, and social sustainability and requires accurate estimates of groundwater withdrawals. Unfortunately, these estimates are not readily available in most areas due to physical, regulatory, and social challenges. Here, we compare four different approaches for estimating groundwater withdrawals for agricultural irrigation. We apply these methods in a groundwater‐irrigated region in the state of Kansas, USA, where high‐quality groundwater withdrawal data are available for evaluation. The four methods represent a broad spectrum of approaches: (1) the hydrologically‐based Water Table Fluctuation method (WTFM); (2) the demand‐based SALUS crop model; (3) estimates based on satellite‐derived evapotranspiration (ET) data from OpenET; and (4) a landscape hydrology model which integrates hydrologic‐ and demand‐based approaches. The applicability of each approach varies based on data availability, spatial and temporal resolution, and accuracy of predictions. In general, our results indicate that all approaches reasonably estimate groundwater withdrawals in our region, however, the type and amount of data required for accurate estimates and the computational requirements vary among approaches. For example, WTFM requires accurate groundwater levels, specific yield, and recharge data, whereas the SALUS crop model requires adequate information about crop type, land use, and weather. This variability highlights the difficulty in identifying what data, and how much, are necessary for a reasonable groundwater withdrawal estimate, and suggests that data availability should drive the choice of approach. Overall, our findings will help practitioners evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and select the appropriate approach for their application.
Long‐term outcomes of drug‐induced autoimmune‐like hepatitis after pulse steroid therapy
Authors: Ueno Masayuki , Takabatake Hiroyuki , Kayahara Takahisa , Morimoto Youichi , Notohara Kenji , Mizuno Motowo
Published: June 2023

Aim

Pulse steroid therapy occasionally causes drug‐induced autoimmune‐like hepatitis (DI‐ALH), but the long‐term outcome of treated patients is not well known. In this study, we investigated the long‐term outcomes of DI‐ALH due to pulse steroid therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 405 patients treated with pulse high‐dose methylprednisolone in Kurashiki Central Hospital. The frequency and clinicopathological characteristics of acute liver injury that occurred within 3 months after the therapy were analyzed. The diagnosis of DI‐ALH was made according to the revised international autoimmune hepatitis group criteria.

Results

Among the 405 patients treated with methylprednisolone, 61 (15.1%) had acute liver injury after the pulse steroid therapy, and DI‐ALH was diagnosed in five patients (1.2%). Absence of oral prednisolone tapering after the pulse steroid therapy was a significant risk factor for the subsequent development of DI‐ALH (odds ratio 11.9; p = 0.017). One patient was treated with 3 days of intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone. Two patients were treated with glycyrrhizin followed by oral prednisolone due to ineffectiveness of glycyrrhizin. Remission was achieved with glycyrrhizin alone, and spontaneous remission without drug therapy occurred in one patient each. During the median follow‐up period of 34 months, no relapse was evident in all the patients without maintenance therapy.

Conclusions

Pulse steroid therapy can cause DI‐ALH, especially when subsequent prednisolone is not tapered. Prednisolone is effective for DI‐ALH due to pulse steroid therapy, and can be safely withdrawn once remission is achieved.
Detection of salivary gland and sinonasal fusions by a next‐generation sequencing based, ligation‐dependent, multiplex RT‐PCR assay
Authors: Lanic Marie‐Delphine , Guérin René , Wassef Michel , Durdilly Pauline , Rainville Vinciane , Sater Vincent , Jardin Fabrice , Ruminy Philippe , Costes‐Martineau Valérie , Laé Marick
Published: June 2023

Aims

The discovery of tumour type‐specific gene fusion oncogenes in benign and malignant salivary gland and sinonasal (SGSN) tumours has significantly increased our knowledge about their molecular pathology and classification.

Methods and results

We developed a new targeted multiplexed next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based method that utilizes ligation dependent reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (LD‐RT‐PCR) to detect oncogenic fusion transcripts involving 116 genes, leading to 96 gene fusions known to be recurrently rearranged in these tumours. In all, 180 SGSN tumours (formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded samples, 141 specimens and 39 core needle biopsies) from the REFCORpath (French network for rare head and neck cancers) with previously identified fusion genes by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH), RT‐PCR, or molecular immunohistochemistry were selected to test its specificity and sensitivity and validate its diagnostic use. Tested tumours encompassed 14 major tumours types, including secretory carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, salivary gland intraductal carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, pleomorphic adenoma, adamantinoma‐like Ewing Sarcoma, EWSR1::COLCA2 sinonasal sarcoma, DEK::AFF2 sinonasal carcinoma, and biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma. In‐frame fusion transcripts were detected in 97.8% of cases (176/180). Gene fusion assay results correlated with conventional techniques (immunohistochemistry [IHC], FISH, and RT‐PCR) in 176/180 tumours (97.8%).

Conclusion

This targeted multiplexed NGS‐based LD‐RT‐PCR method is a robust, highly sensitive method for the detection of recurrent gene fusions from routine clinical SGSN tumours. It can be easily customized to cover new fusions. These results are promising for implementing an integrated NGS system to rapidly detect genetic aberrations, facilitating accurate, genomics‐based diagnoses, and accelerate time to precision therapies in SGSN tumours.
Quo vadis, internal auditing? A vision for internal auditing in 2030
Authors: Jokipii Annukka , Rautiainen Antti
Published: June 2023

We aim to respond to calls in internal auditing (IA) literature and to the current changes in the IA field by describing the driving forces and vision of the future for IA in the year 2030. [Correction added on 24 August 2023, after first online publication: The definition of IA in the preceding sentence has been corrected in this version.] The goal was to prompt in‐depth discussion informed by the divergent views of experts. As a contribution, we identify three key driving forces: prolific data and its application, globalization and new value chains between organizations. Further, the study reports a vision for the future of IA. By surveying a wide range of stakeholders, including the board, management, internal auditors, teachers and a legislator, we expand on the views in earlier literature regarding IA, IA developments and the application of Delphi argument analysis in voluntary IA context. The findings are of value in researching, planning, educating and developing IA activities to understand where IA is going and where divergences among stakeholders arise.
“It's not a nice thing to do, but…”: A phenomenological study of manual physical restraint within inpatient adolescent mental health care
Authors: Kodua Michael , Eboh Winifred Oluchukwu
Published: June 2023

Aim

To explore nursing staff's experiences of using manual (physical) restraint within inpatient adolescent mental health care.

Design

This was a descriptive phenomenological study.

Methods

Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 12 nursing staff between March 2021 and July 2021. The nursing staff were recruited from four inpatient adolescent mental health hospitals across three National Health Service Trusts in England. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive approach to thematic analysis.

Results

Four themes were generated from the analysis: (1) it needs to be done sometimes; (2) it's not a nice thing to do; (3) it does not really damage the therapeutic relationship; and (4) importance of team support. Despite strongly reporting that it was sometimes necessary to manually restrain young people for substantial safety reasons, participants spoke with dislike about its use, and described consequential aversive experiences of emotional distress, patient aggression, pain and injury, and physical exhaustion. Participants reported relying on each other for emotional and practical support. Three participants reported observing premature restraint use by non‐permanent staff.

Conclusion

The findings detail a paradoxical picture of the nursing staff's experiences where restraint is experienced as psychologically and physically aversive yet deemed as sometimes necessary to prevent significant harm.

Reporting Method

The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist was used to guide reporting.

Impact

This study suggests a need for the targeting of non‐permanent staff for restraint minimization interventions, and highlights how the treatment of non‐permanent staff by permanent staff may contribute to avoidable restraint practices. The findings indicate several ways in which the staff‐young person therapeutic relationship can be preserved in the context of restraint. However, this needs to be treated with caution given that young people's voices were missing from this study.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study focused on nursing staff's experiences.
Antihypertensive medication class and diastolic orthostatic hypertension in older Caribbean adult patients
Authors: Smith Latoya , Gossell‐Williams Maxine , Standard‐Goldson Aileen , Jackson Maria D.
Published: June 2023

In the Caribbean there is limited data on orthostatic hypertension (OHT) in elderly hypertensive patients with atherosclerotic disease who are at risk for cardiovascular events. The authors examined the association of antihypertensive classes of drugs with diastolic OHT in patients 60 year and older with hypertension and hyperlipidemia attending public primary care facilities. These relationships were evaluated in a cross‐sectional study of hypertensive hyperlipidemic older patients (n = 400) to determine orthostatic changes in blood pressure based on seated to standing measurements. OHT was defined as an increase in systolic blood pressure of ≥20 mm Hg and/or increase in diastolic blood pressure of ≥10 mm Hg upon orthostasis at 3 min. Patients were categorized based on their orthostatic blood pressure response: orthostatic normotensive (n = 200) and blood pressure dysregulated (n = 200) of which 168 were diastolic OHT. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations of antihypertensive classes and diastolic OHT. Renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone‐system (RAAS) blockers were the most commonly prescribed (79.3%), followed by diuretics (DIUs) (61.6%), dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (dCCBs) (53.8%), and beta‐blockers (BBs) (19.3%). Most normotensive (76.0%) and diastolic OHT (75.0%) patients were prescribed two or more antihypertensive medications. Pharmaceutical prescription of triple combination RAAS blockers + dCCBs + DIUs (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31–0.99) or RAAS blockers + dCCBs + BBs (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.06–0.92) showed a protective effect of diastolic OHT in analyses adjusted for age, sex, sitting diastolic blood pressure, and comorbidities. Our study suggests prescription of triple combination antihypertensive drugs of RAAS blockers + dCCBs + DIUs or RAAS blockers + dCCBs + BBs may reduce the likelihood of diastolic OHT.
Mechanisms of portal vein tumour thrombus formation and development in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Zhenli , Zhao Mingda , Qi Xingshun , Tang Yufu , Cheng Shuqun
Published: June 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and aggressive human malignancies worldwide. Portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) is considered one of most fearful complications of HCC and is strongly associated with a poor prognosis. Clarification of the mechanisms underlying the formation and development of PVTT is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies for HCC patients. Several studies have been made to uncover that tumour microenvironment, stem cells, abnormal gene expression and non‐coding RNAs deregulation are associated with PVTT in patients with HCC in the last decade. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of PVTT in patients with HCC are still largely unknown. In the present review, we briefly summarized the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and development of PVTT in HCC.
Functional polymorphisms of the TET1 gene increase the risk of neuroblastoma in Chinese children
Authors: Chang Jiaming , Lin Lei , Zhou Chunlei , Zhang Xinxin , Yang Tianyou , Wu Haiyan , Zou Yan , He Jing
Published: June 2023

Common genetic mutations are absent in neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood tumours. As a demethylase of 5‐methylcytosine (m5C) modification, TET1 plays an important role in tumourigenesis and differentiation. However, the association between TET1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to neuroblastoma has not been reported. Three TET1 gene polymorphisms (rs16925541 A > G, rs3998860 G > A and rs12781492 A > C) in 402 Chinese patients with neuroblastoma and 473 cancer‐free controls were assessed using TaqMan. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between TET1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to neuroblastoma. The GTEx database was used to analyse the impact of these polymorphisms on peripheral gene expression. The relationship between gene expression and prognosis was analysed using Kaplan–Meier analysis with the R2 platform. We found that both rs3998860 G > A and rs12781492 A > C were significantly associated with increased neuroblastoma risk. Stratified analysis further showed that rs3998860 G > A and rs12781492 A > C significantly increased neuroblastoma risk in certain subgroups. In the combined risk genotype model, 1–3 risk genotypes significantly increased risk of neuroblastoma compared with the 0 risk genotype. rs3998860 G > A and rs12781492 A > C were significantly associated with increased STOX1 mRNA expression in adrenal and whole blood, and high expression of STOX1 mRNA in adrenal and whole blood was significantly associated with worse prognosis. In summary, TET1 gene polymorphisms are significantly associated with increased neuroblastoma risk; further research is required for the potential mechanism and therapeutic prospects in neuroblastoma.
All Along the Watch Tower: The European Central Bank and Legitimation Strategies in Times of Crisis
Authors: Christensen Signe Elmer , Nedergaard Peter
Published: June 2023

How does the European Central Bank (ECB) legitimise its decisions and monetary policy programmes in the period from 2009 to 2021 in terms of input, throughput and output legitimacy? This article contains an answer to this important question based on a content analysis of speeches made by the presidents of the ECB. Ideally, the institution is founded on its independence and therefore cannot maintain legitimacy through public influence. This article proves that there are clearly most references on output legitimacy in the ECB's legitimation strategy, showing that it highlights its results as an independent institution to compensate for its lack of democratic channels in terms of legitimacy. Generally, in times of crises, there is an increase in frequency of references to legitimacy. During these periods, ECB actors also more frequently refer to throughput legitimacy in speeches, showing that the institution is in fact sensitive to public criticism.
Co‐development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic trait trajectories from childhood to early adulthood
Authors: Shakeshaft Amy , Heron Jon , Blakey Rachel , Riglin Lucy , Davey Smith George , Stergiakouli Evie , Tilling Kate , Thapar Anita
Published: June 2023

Background

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, defined as traits or disorders, commonly co‐occur. Developmental trajectories of ADHD and autistic traits both show heterogeneity in onset and course, but little is known about how symptom trajectories co‐develop into adulthood.

Methods

Using data from a population cohort, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we examined correlations between ADHD and autistic traits across development, using the Social Communication Disorders Checklist and ADHD subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. We modelled joint developmental trajectories of parent‐reported ADHD and autistic traits between 4 and 25 years, then characterised trajectory classes based on sociodemographic, perinatal, psychopathology, cognition and social functioning variables and tested for associations with neurodevelopmental/psychiatric polygenic scores (PGS).

Results

Three classes of trajectories were identified; a typically developing majority with low‐stable ADHD‐autistic traits (87%), a male‐predominant subgroup with child/adolescent‐declining traits (6%) and a subgroup with late‐emerging traits (6%). ADHD‐autistic trait correlations were greatest in young adulthood for the two nontypically developing classes. There were higher rates of emotional and conduct problems, low IQ, childhood seizures and poor social functioning in the declining and late‐emerging classes compared to the low‐stable class. Emotional, conduct and peer problems were more prevalent during childhood in the childhood/adolescent‐declining class compared to other classes, but were more prevalent in young adulthood in the late‐emerging class. Neurodevelopmental/psychiatric PGS also differed: both nontypically developing classes showed elevated ADHD PGS compared to the low‐stable group, and the late‐emerging group additionally showed elevated schizophrenia PGS and decreased executive function PGS, whereas the declining group showed elevated broad depression PGS.

Conclusions

Distinct patterns of ADHD‐autism co‐development are present across development in the general population, each with different characterising factors and genetic signatures as indexed by PGS.