bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exhaled nitric oxide is associated with inflammatory biomarkers and risk of acute respiratory exacerbations in children with HIV‐associated chronic lung disease
Authors: Flygel Trym Thune , Hameiri‐Bowen Dan , Simms Victoria , Rowland‐Jones Sarah , Ferrand Rashida Abbas , Bandason Tsitsi , Yindom Louis‐Marie , Odland Jon Øyvind , Cavanagh Jorunn Pauline , Flægstad Trond , Sovershaeva Evgeniya
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Chronic lung disease is a recognized complication in children with HIV. Acute respiratory exacerbations (ARE) are common among this group and cause significant morbidity. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a known marker of local airway inflammation. We investigated the association between eNO and ARE, biomarkers of systemic inflammation, and the effect of azithromycin on eNO levels.

Methods

Individuals aged 6–19 years with HIV‐associated chronic lung disease in Harare, Zimbabwe, were enrolled in a placebo‐controlled randomized trial investigating the effect of 48‐week azithromycin treatment on lung function and ARE. eNO levels and biomarkers were measured at inclusion and after treatment in a consecutively enrolled subset of participants. Linear regression and generalized linear models were used to study associations between eNO and ARE, biomarkers, and the effect of azithromycin on eNO levels.

Results

In total, 172 participants were included in this sub‐study, 86 from the placebo group and 86 from the azithromycin group. Participants experiencing at least one ARE during follow‐up had significantly higher eNO levels at baseline than participants who did not (geometric mean ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.24, p = 0.015), adjusted for trial arm, age, sex and history of tuberculosis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3, ‐7, and ‐10 were significantly associated with higher baseline eNO levels. At 48 weeks, azithromycin treatment did not affect eNO levels (geometric mean ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.72–1.03, p = 0.103).

Conclusion

Higher baseline eNO levels were a risk factor for ARE. eNO was associated with proinflammatory biomarkers previously found to contribute to the development of chronic lung disease. The potential use of eNO as a marker of inflammation and risk factor for ARE in HIV‐associated chronic lung disease needs further investigation.
The relationship between obesity and oral‐health status in North African adults: A comparative study
Authors: Khemiss Mehdi , Ben Messaoud Nour Sayda , Hadidane Meriem , Ben Khelifa Mohamed , Ben Saad Helmi
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The strength of the association between obesity and oral health is still indecisive.

Objective

The objectives of the study were to compare some oral‐health data between two groups involving obese (OG) and normal weight (NWG) participants and determine the influencing factors of the periodontal probing depth (PPD).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study including 67 Tunisian adults [OG (n = 33, body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2), NWG (n = 34, BMI: 18.5–25.0 kg/m2)]. The plaque level was recorded using the plaque index (PI). Gingival index (GI) was used to evaluate gingival inflammation. The depths of the sulci/pockets were probed using a periodontal probe. Stimulated saliva was collected for 5 min, and salivary flow rate (SFR) was determined. Salivary baseline pH (SBpH) was measured. A multivariable regression analysis was performed between PPD and some independent variables [i.e. obesity status, age, sex, socioeconomic status, systemic diseases and PI data].

Results

The OG and NWG were age‐ and sex‐matched and included comparable percentages of participants with systemic diseases (27.3 vs. 29.4%, respectively). The OG included a higher percentage of participants having a low socioeconomic status (87.9 vs. 64.7%, respectively). Compared with the NWG, the OG: (i) had comparable values of daily toothbrushing frequency, PI, GI and tooth mobility, (ii) included comparable percentages of irregular brushers, of participants with periodontitis, PI classes [0–1]and [1–2]; and GI classes [0–1], [1–2] and [2, 3]; (iii) had a higher PPD (2.02 ± 0.41 vs. 2.35 ± 0.22 mm, respectively), (iv) had lower SBpH (7.59 ± 0.21 vs. 7.45 ± 0.22, respectively) and SFR (1.98 ± 0.28 vs. 1.60 ± 0.32 mL/mn, respectively) and (v) included a higher percentage of participants having a PI class [2, 3] (67.6 vs. 87.9%, respectively). The multivariable regression analysis revealed that only obesity status, age and PI classes influenced the PPD, altogether explained 29.62% of the PPD variance.

Conclusion

Obesity poses a risk for oral health, and obese adults had altered PPD and lower BSpH and SFR. Dentists should make obese patients aware of the health risks of obesity in an attempt to reduce the potential oral complications associated with this epidemic.
Dental hygiene and direct access to care: Past and present
Authors: Gadbury‐Amyot Cynthia C. , Simmer‐Beck Melanie L. , Lynch Ann , Rowley Lisa J.
Published: October 2023

The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) defines direct access as the ability of a dental hygienist to initiate treatment based on their assessment of patient's needs without the specific authorization of a dentist, treat the patient without the physical presence of a dentist and maintain a provider–patient relationship. In 2000, there were nine direct access states; currently, there are 42 states that have authorized some form of direct access. The ADHA has been instrumental in these legislative initiatives through strong advocacy efforts. While research and data support the benefits of direct preventive/therapeutic care provided by dental hygienists, many barriers remain. This paper chronicles key partnerships that have influenced and advocated for direct access and the recognition of dental hygienists as primary healthcare providers. The National Governors Association released a report in 2014 suggesting that dental hygienists be ‘deployed’ outside of dental offices as one strategy to increase access to oral health care along with reducing restrictive dental practice acts and increasing the scope of practice for dental hygienists. The December 2021 release of the National Institutes of Health report, Oral Health in America, further supports greater access to dental hygiene preventive/therapeutic care. This paper also reflects on opportunities and barriers as they relate to workforce policy, provides examples of effective state policies and illustrates an educational curriculum specifically created to prepare dental hygienists to provide oral health services in settings outside of the dental office. Dental hygiene education must ensure that graduates are future‐ready as essential healthcare providers, prepared to deliver direct access to dental hygiene care.
Stance in article highlights: The promotion of Covid‐19 research
Authors: Zou Hang (Joanna) , Hyland Ken
Published: October 2023

Covid‐19 was the greatest public health crisis of a century, accounting for millions of deaths and initiating an urgent surge of published biomedical research. In this climate of social anxiety, researchers scrambled to publicize their work and achieve a medical breakthrough. The use of journal highlights, a brief bullet pointed list summarising the novel results of a study, is an important tool in this promotional endeavour. In this study we focus on the stance taken by authors in this genre by examining 300 highlights dealing with the virus and comparing them with 300 from articles in the same 16 journals on other issues. Our results show significantly greater use of stance markers in the Covid highlights with hedges, boosters and self‐mention particularly marked. Our study offers both a description of stance in highlights and an understanding of the potential impact of the intense, high‐stakes competition generated by the pandemic in biomedical publishing. We believe this offers a valuable contribution to the literature on stance, academic discourse and rhetorical persuasion.
Prostate‐specific antigen follow‐up and management for patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Authors: Kimura Shingo , Katayama Hiromichi , Ohara Eiichiro , Aoki Hiroshi , Shibuya Rie , Naganuma Hiroshi , Ishidoya Shigeto , Ito Akihiro
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To investigate who needs a careful postoperative monitoring for prostate cancer (PCa) after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). We examined characteristics and oncological outcomes of HoLEP‐related PCa.

Methods

Patients who underwent HoLEP during 2002–2017 in a Japanese tertiary center were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into non‐PCa, PCa with HoLEP specimen (PCa‐Ope), and PCa diagnosed during follow‐up (PCa‐Post). Outcomes of all HoLEP‐related PCa were monitored.

Results

Of the total 758, 60 (7.9%) were diagnosed with PCa from resected specimen of HoLEP and 9 (1.2%) were diagnosed postoperatively. Preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (iPSA), postoperative PSA (pPSA), and PSA density were significantly higher in both PCa groups than those in non‐PCa group. While iPSA significantly correlated to prostate volume (PV), pPSA was not associated with PV. A receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve demonstrated that pPSA 1.2 ng/mL achieved the optimal cut‐off (AUC 0.95) for the incidence of PCa‐Post. In addition to the incidence of PCa and iPSA, lower enucleation efficiency (enucleated volume /PV) was significantly associated with pPSA >1.2 ng/mL. Among PCa‐Ope, 51 were Grade Group (GG) ≤2 and 42 were followed‐up with active surveillance, whereas 8 of 9 PCa‐Post were GG ≥3 and 2 progressed to death.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing HoLEP are associated with some risk of potential PCa. While oncological outcomes were favorable among PCa‐Ope, postoperative PSA should be carefully monitored even if not diagnosed with PCa with HoLEP specimen. Enucleation efficiency should be also considered not to misread pPSA value.
Experiences of new nurses in the United States during the acute phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Byrne Christine D. , Copel Linda Carman , Smeltzer Suzanne C. , Chen Mu‐Hsun
Published: October 2023

Aim

This qualitative descriptive study describes the experiences of new nurses during the acute phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States.

Background

New nurses faced the dual challenge of transitioning to practice while working during a global pandemic. Although multiple studies have described nurses’ experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic, research is warranted to understand new nurses’ experiences during the acute phase of the pandemic.

Methods

Registered nurses (n = 46) with less than two years of work experience, who participated in the COVID‐19 Study and Registry of Healthcare and Support Personnel (CHAMPS), participated in this study. Thematic analysis was used to examine their responses. The COREQ guidelines were used in reporting this study.

Results

Five themes were extracted: feelings of increasing isolation, feelings of intense fear, personal health concerns, shattered and disrupted expectations, and living in a constant dilemma.

Discussion

New nurses described their distress and profound sense of isolation which was compounded by their status as new employees and being shunned by others. There was intense fear for their safety and health. They viewed their limited nursing experience with only COVID‐19 patients as detrimental to their careers and encountered complex dilemmas and were obligated to make problematic choices.

Conclusions

New nurses revealed unrelenting psychological and physical distress during the pandemic. Identification and implementation of strategies to address their distress and alleviate its negative consequences were needed but not provided.

Implications for nursing policy

The development and implementation of policies to address the challenges new nurses encounter are needed. Action strategies to promote professional socialization and job retention are required.
Caring for COVID‐19 patients: Nurses' perceptions of the most critical issues and their impact on their well‐being and performance
Authors: Kedmi‐Shahar Efrat , Morag Ido , Hallevi Hen , Arad Dana
Published: October 2023

Aims

(1) Exploring nurses’ perceptions of issues that impacted the quality of patient care and their own performance on COVID‐19 wards; (2) examining nurses’ perceptions of how these issues impacted their psychological state and level of performance; and (3) presenting recommendations for improving healthcare policies.

Background

Nurses played a critical role in caring for hospitalized COVID‐19 patients and managing the disease.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 50 nurses (32 females), aged 31–58 years, 6–37 years’ tenure, from eight hospitals across Israel. Prior to working in COVID‐19 wards, they worked in internal medicine, emergency rooms, or intensive care units. Based on the COREQ checklist, these interviews were recorded and transcribed, and categorized into themes and subthemes.

Findings

The findings indicate that the unpreparedness of healthcare systems for the pandemic outbreak rendered nurses paying a high price at the personal and professional levels, which in turn may have impacted the levels of care that they provided.

Conclusion

The rich, qualitative data source revealed important interactions between clinical, personal, social, and familial factors in determining distress levels and performance impairment. A nuanced understanding of the link between these stressors is key to developing and implementing policies that could mitigate deficiencies in the management of epidemics and pandemics in the future.

Implications for nursing and health policies

Changes should be made to government directives and healthcare policies, with an emphasis on increasing the nursing workforce, providing emotional support, ensuring availability of equipment and beds, optimizing work practices, developing transparent means of communication within teams, and clearly defining the areas of responsibility of nurses—in times of routine and crises.
A branch‐and‐price‐based heuristic for the vehicle routing problem with two‐dimensional loading constraints and time windows
Authors: Ji Bin , Zhou Saiqi , Zhang Dezhi , Yu Samson S.
Published: October 2023

Addressed in this study is a vehicle routing problem with two‐dimensional loading constraints and time windows (2L‐CVRPTW), aiming to minimize the transportation cost while satisfying the two‐dimensional loading and routing constraints with time windows. To solve this problem, for the first time a mixed‐integer linear programming model is formulated with considering practical last‐in‐first‐out loading constraints, and a branch‐and‐price‐based (BP‐based) heuristic is proposed based on a set partitioning formulation. In the heuristic, a modified labeling algorithm is proposed for the complex pricing problem, which is a relaxation of the elementary shortest path problem with resource constraints and two‐dimensional loading constraints. Therein, an effective Tabu‐maximum open space packing heuristic is proposed to verify the feasibility of the two‐dimensional packing problem of each route generated by the labeling algorithm. In addition, effective accelerating and branching strategies are introduced to improve the solving efficiency of the heuristic. To evaluate the effectiveness and the advantages of the proposed heuristic, extensive computational experiments are performed based on the generated instances. The computational results show that the proposed BP‐based heuristic can effectively solve the 2L‐CVRPTW, in which the optimal solutions can be achieved much faster than CPLEX in small‐scale problems. Relationships between the transportation cost and the characteristics of the instances are analyzed. The stability of the algorithm and the effectiveness of the accelerating strategies are verified and discussed.
Microwave‐assisted reflux synthesis of Tungsten‐doped BiVO4 for improved photocatalytic activity
Authors: Rodrigues Bárbara Scola , Branco Carolyne Martins , Domingos Lucas Rafael de Moura , Gaubeur Ivanise , Wang Zhiyu , Chen Changqiang , Sardela Mauro R. , Souza Juliana dos Santos
Published: October 2023

Given its favorable physical and chemical properties, Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a commonly studied metal oxide semiconductor for photocatalytic applications. However, BiVO4 shows a high recombination rate of photogenerated charges and limited charge transport capacity, which can be addressed by doping it with tungsten. To develop a highly efficient tungsten‐doped BiVO4‐based (W‐BiVO4) photocatalyst, it is necessary to control the dopant content, crystal structure, and morphology. These properties are, in turn, governed by the synthesis conditions. This work describes a pioneering method of microwave‐assisted reflux synthesis of W‐BiVO4, using ethanol as solvent and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent. Thus, it is possible to perform the synthesis procedure in only 30 min at 78°C, obtaining extremely regular monoclinic W‐BiVO4 nanosquares. Furthermore, the experiments showed that the most efficient photocatalyst contains 3% tungsten as the dopant. Moreover, the direct oxidation of rhodamine B by the photogenerated holes plays a crucial role in the degradation mechanism. Finally, we observed that although the addition of PVP promotes control of the morphology, it results in a poorly efficient material. This low efficiency may be related to the formation of a polymeric coating on the surface of the catalyst or to a high amount of oxygen defects. Finally, we show that the unique interaction of microwaves with the species present in the reaction media influences nanoparticle growth.
Exploring feminist political economy and feminist critical discourse analysis as methodologies in critical nursing research
Authors: Lebold Margaret
Published: October 2023

Aims

This paper explores two critical feminist methodologies for nursing research: feminist political economy and feminist critical discourse analysis. The aim was to appreciate varied methodological approaches available for nurses to understand complexities in healthcare environments, above and beyond socially normative ways of knowing.

Design

Discursive paper.

Data Sources

Published articles from nursing databases (CINAHL and ProQuest; no date restrictions) and interdisciplinary databases (Women's Studies International, Sociological Abstracts and Ovid MEDLINE; publication dates between 2017 and 2022).

Methods

A discursive paper exploring and critically synthesizing the literature on feminist political economy and feminist critical discourse analysis to demonstrate how each methodological approach can be used in nursing.

Results

The findings of this discursive paper suggest there is an opportunity to draw on interdisciplinary studies for creative insights into how these methodologies may be helpful for nurses' scholarship and programmes of research. Although few nursing studies explicitly name a feminist political economy or feminist critical discourse analysis approach, several studies apply principles of these methodological approaches.

Conclusion

There is an opportunity for these methodologies to be applied within the same project when there is a fit between the research questions and aims of both methodologies (studies where notions of gender and power are considered central and there are potential insights from exploring social progress, structures and the material, along with the social relations of discourses).

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Feminist political economy and feminist critical discourse analysis offer novel options for methodological analyses.

Impact

Application of these methodologies may benefit critical nursing scholars looking for diverse critical methodological avenues to explore and to broaden nursing's methodological toolbox towards meeting social justice aims.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Genomic prediction and genome‐wide association studies for additive and dominance effects for body composition traits using 50 K and imputed high‐density SNP genotypes in Yunong‐black pigs
Authors: Wu Ziyi , Dou Tengfei , Bai Liyao , Han Jinyi , Yang Feng , Wang Kejun , Han Xuelei , Qiao Ruimin , Li Xiu‐Ling , Li Xin‐Jian
Published: October 2023

Body composition traits are complex traits controlled by minor genes and, in hybrid populations, are impacted by additive and nonadditive effects. We aimed to identify candidate genes and increase the accuracy of genomic prediction of body composition traits in crossbred pigs by including dominance genetic effects. Genomic selection (GS) and genome‐wide association studies were performed on seven body composition traits in 807 Yunong‐black pigs using additive genomic models (AM) and additive‐dominance genomic models (ADM) with an imputed high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and the Illumina Porcine SNP50 BeadChip. The results revealed that the additive heritabilities estimated for AM and ADM using the 50 K SNP data ranged from 0.20 to 0.34 and 0.11 to 0.30, respectively. However, the ranges of additive heritability for AM and ADM in the imputed data ranged from 0.20 to 0.36 and 0.12 to 0.30, respectively. The dominance variance accounted for 23% and 27% of the total variance for the 50 K and imputed data, respectively. The accuracy of genomic prediction improved by 5% on average for 50 K and imputed data when dominance effect were considered. Without the dominance effect, the accuracies for 50 K and imputed data were 0.35 and 0.38, respectively, and 0.41 and 0.43, respectively, upon considering it. A total of 12 significant SNP and 16 genomic regions were identified in the AM, and 14 significant SNP and 21 genomic regions were identified in the ADM for both the 50 K and imputed data. There were five overlapping SNP in the 50 K and imputed data. In the AM, a significant SNP (CNC10041568) was found in both body length and backfat thickness traits, which was in the PLAG1 gene strongly and significantly associated with body length and backfat thickness in pigs. Moreover, a significant SNP (CNC10031356) with a heterozygous dominant genotype was present in the ADM. Furthermore, several functionally related genes were associated with body composition traits, including MOS, RPS20, LYN, TGS1, TMEM68, XKR4, SEMA4D and ARNT2. These findings provide insights into molecular markers and GS breeding for the Yunong‐black pigs.
Are MOOC learning designs culturally inclusive (enough)?
Authors: Rizvi Saman , Rienties Bart , Rogaten Jekaterina , Kizilcec René F.
Published: October 2023

Background

Extensive research on massive open online courses (MOOCs) has focused on analysing learners' behavioural trace data to understand navigation and activity patterns, which are known to vary systematically across geo‐cultural contexts. However, the perception of learners regarding the role of different learning design elements in sustaining their engagement in the course is still unclear.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine learners' perception of learning design elements in MOOCs and explore the ways in which these perceptions differ between geo‐cultural contexts.

Methods

We conducted interviews with 22 learners from seven geo‐cultural regions to gather insights into their learning design preferences.

Results

Our findings indicate that learners from regions such as South Asia exhibit a strong inclination towards video‐based content and a lesser preference for reading textual resources. In contrast, learners from regions such as Anglo‐Saxon demonstrate a high preference for reading texts such as articles and video transcripts.

Conclusion

The observed variations in self‐reported interests in various learning design elements raise intriguing questions about the nature and extent of participation of various geo‐cultural groups. This study underscores the need to develop inclusive MOOC designs and implement learning analytics approaches that adapt to the cultural preferences of learners.
Periodontitis in young individuals: Important factors for disease progression
Authors: Modin Carolina , Rinon Caroline Dolk , Faham Ali , Gustafsson Anders , Yucel‐Lindberg Tülay , Jansson Leif
Published: October 2023

Aim

To investigate the progression of periodontitis in young individuals and identify factors that contribute to progression rate and whether periodontitis stage and grade have an impact on disease progression.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study was based on patients younger than 36 years at two periodontal clinics between 2003 and 2009. At least 10 years later, a clinical and radiographic examination was performed on 215 patients. The marginal bone loss between baseline and follow‐up for the tooth with the most severe bone loss at follow‐up was estimated by radiographic measurements. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of potential risk indicators on periodontitis progression.

Results

Most patients (83%) were classified as periodontitis stage III at baseline. At follow‐up, 70% of these patients remained in stage III. The frequency of patients with grade C decreased from 79% to 17% at follow‐up. The median (Q25%; Q75%) of the longitudinal marginal bone loss was 0.5 mm (0.0; 2.0). High bleeding on probing (BOP) index at baseline, smoking and interruption of periodontal treatment were found to significantly increase longitudinal bone loss.

Conclusions

High levels of BOP at baseline, smoking and interruption of periodontal treatment increased the risk of marginal bone loss. The stage and grade at baseline had no significant impact on disease progression.
Research Review: Child emotion regulation mediates the association between family factors and internalizing symptoms in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Sylvia Chu , Kehoe Christiane , Pozzi Elena , Liontos Daniel , Whittle Sarah
Published: October 2023

Background

Parental influence on children's internalizing symptoms has been well established; however, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. One possible mechanism is child emotion regulation given evidence (a) of its associations with internalizing symptoms and (b) that the development of emotion regulation during childhood and adolescence is influenced by aspects of the family environment. This meta‐analysis aimed to systematically investigate the mediating role of child emotion regulation in the relationship between various family factors and internalizing symptoms in children and adolescents.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, and Web of Science for English articles up until November 2022. We included studies that examined child emotion regulation as a mediator between a family factor and child/adolescent internalizing symptoms. Random‐effects models were used to calculate pooled indirect effects and total effects for nine family factors. Heterogeneity and mediation ratio were also calculated.

Results

Of 49 studies with 24,524 participants in this meta‐analysis, family factors for which emotion regulation mediated the association with child/adolescent internalizing symptoms included: unsupportive emotion socialization, psychological control, secure attachment, aversiveness, family conflict, parent emotion regulation and parent psychopathology, but not supportive emotion socialization and behavioral control.

Conclusions

Various family factors impact children's emotion regulation development, and in turn, contribute to the risk of internalizing symptoms in young people. Findings from this study highlight the need for interventions targeting modifiable parenting behaviors to promote healthy emotion regulation and better mental health in children and adolescents.
Subtyping at‐risk adolescents for predicting response toward insomnia prevention program
Authors: Chen Si‐Jing , Li Shirley Xin , Zhang Jihui , Lam Siu Ping , Chan Joey Wing Yan , Chan Kate Ching‐Ching , Li Albert Martin , Morin Charles M. , Wing Yun Kwok , Chan Ngan Yin
Published: October 2023

Background

Previous study has shown that a brief cognitive‐behavioral prevention insomnia program could reduce 71% risk of developing insomnia among at‐risk adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the differential response to insomnia prevention in subgroups of at‐risk adolescents.

Methods

Adolescents with a family history of insomnia and subthreshold insomnia symptoms were randomly assigned to a 4‐week insomnia prevention program or nonactive control group. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 1 week, and 6‐ and 12‐month after the intervention. Baseline sleep, daytime, and mood profiles were used to determine different subgroups by using latent class analysis (LCA). Analyses were conducted based on the intention‐to‐treat approach.

Results

LCA identified three subgroups: (a) insomnia symptoms only, (b) insomnia symptoms with daytime sleepiness and mild anxiety, and (c) insomnia symptoms with daytime sleepiness, mild anxiety, and depression. The incidence rate of insomnia disorder over the 12‐month follow‐up was significantly reduced for adolescents receiving intervention in subgroup 3 compared with the controls (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13–0.99; p = .049) and marginally for subgroup 2 (HR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02–1.08; p = .059). In addition, adolescents who received intervention in subgroups 2 and 3 had a reduced risk of excessive daytime sleepiness (subgroup 2: adjusted OR [AdjOR] = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.23–0.87; subgroup 3: AdjOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.76) and possible anxiety (subgroup 2: AdjOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27–0.82; subgroup 3: AdjOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.78) compared with the controls over the 12‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions

Adolescents at risk for insomnia can be classified into different subgroups according to their psychological profiles, which were associated with differential responses to the insomnia prevention program. These findings indicate the need for further phenotyping and subgrouping at‐risk adolescents to develop personalized insomnia prevention.
High sensitivity C‐reactive protein and prediabetes progression and regression in middle‐aged and older adults: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Cheng Zi‐Jian , Wang Yan‐Fei , Jiang Xi‐Yuan , Ren Wen‐Yan , Lei Shu‐Feng , Deng Fei‐Yan , Wu Long‐Fei
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effect of systemic inflammation, assessed by high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels, on prediabetes progression and regression in middle‐aged and older adults based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

Methods

Participants with prediabetes from CHARLS were followed up 4 years later with blood samples collected for measuring fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The level of hs‐CRP was assessed at baseline and categorized into tertiles (low, middle, and high groups). Prediabetes at baseline and follow‐up was defined primarily according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs). We also performed stratified analyses according to age, gender, BMI, the presence of hypertension, and the disease history of heart disease and dyslipidemia and sensitivity analyses excluding a subset of participants with incomplete data.

Results

Of the 2,874 prediabetes included at baseline, 834 participants remained as having prediabetes, 146 progressed to diabetes, and 1,894 regressed to normoglycemia based on ADA criteria with a 4 year follow‐up. After multivariate logistics regression analysis, prediabetes with middle (0.67–1.62 mg/L) and high (>1.62 mg/L) hs‐CRP levels had an increased incidence of progressing to diabetes compared with prediabetes with low hs‐CRP levels (<0.67 mg/L; OR = 1.846, 95%CI: 1.129–3.018; and OR = 1.632, 95%CI: 0.985–2.703, respectively), and the incidence of regressing to normoglycemia decreased (OR = 0.793, 95%CI: 0.645–0.975; and OR = 0.769, 95%CI: 0.623–0.978, respectively). Stratified analyses and sensitivity analyses showed consistent results.

Conclusions

Low levels of hs‐CRP are associated with a high incidence of regression from prediabetes to normoglycemia and reduced odds of progression to diabetes.
Kaonashia insperata gen. et sp. nov., a eukaryotrophic flagellate, represents a novel major lineage of heterotrophic stramenopiles
Authors: Weston Elizabeth J. , Eglit Yana , Simpson Alastair G. B.
Published: October 2023

Eukaryotrophic protists are ecologically significant and possess characteristics key to understanding the evolution of eukaryotes; however, they remain poorly studied, due partly to the complexities of maintaining predator–prey cultures. Kaonashia insperata, gen. nov., et sp. nov., is a free‐swimming biflagellated eukaryotroph with a conspicuous ventral groove, a trait observed in distantly related lineages across eukaryote diversity. Di‐eukaryotic (predator–prey) cultures of K. insperata with three marine algae (Isochrysis galbana, Guillardia theta, and Phaeodactylum tricornutum) were established by single‐cell isolation. Growth trials showed that the studied K. insperata clone grew particularly well on G. theta, reaching a peak abundance of 1.0 × 105 ± 4.0 × 104 cells ml−1. Small‐subunit ribosomal DNA phylogenies infer that K. insperata is a stramenopile with moderate support; however, it does not fall within any well‐defined phylogenetic group, including environmental sequence clades (e.g. MASTs), and its specific placement remains unresolved. Electron microscopy shows traits consistent with stramenopile affinity, including mastigonemes on the anterior flagellum and tubular mitochondrial cristae. Kaonashia insperata may represent a novel major lineage within stramenopiles, and be important for understanding the evolutionary history of the group. While heterotrophic stramenopile flagellates are considered to be predominantly bacterivorous, eukaryotrophy may be relatively widespread amongst this assemblage.
Intersectional blackness matters: Why family science should care about the College Board's A.P. African American Studies course controversy
Authors: Banks Ingrid
Published: October 2023

This article examines how the recent controversy about the College Board's A.P. African American Studies course has implications for studies on Black families. In relegating Black feminism and Black queer theory as optional research topics in the course, the College Board failed to recognize the importance of theorizing intersectional blackness in research in Black Studies in general and research on Black families in particular. The College Board failed to recognize how race, gender, sexuality, and other social forces converge to provide a richer picture of Black lives. In utilizing a theoretical lens of intersectional blackness as a foundation, I use both the Florida Board of Education's position regarding the “merits” of the A.P. course and the College Board's decision to fringe certain topics as examples of how both Black families and Black Studies are maligned by framing both as inferior and lacking.
Successful aging after elective surgery II: Study cohort description
Authors: Ward Michelle , Hshieh Tammy T. , Schmitt Eva M. , Arnold Steven E. , Cavallari Michele , Dickerson Bradford C. , Dillon Simon T. , Fong Tamara G. , Jones Richard N. , Libermann Towia A. , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Shafi Mouhsin M. , Touroutoglou Alexandra , Weng Karen , Xu Guoquan , Earp Brandon E. , Kunze Lisa , Lange Jeffrey , Vlassakov Kamen , Marcantonio Edward R. , Inouye Sharon K. , Travison Thomas G. ,   for the SAGES II Study Team
Published: October 2023

Background

The Successful Aging after Elective Surgery (SAGES) II Study was designed to examine the relationship between delirium and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD), by capturing novel fluid biomarkers, neuroimaging markers, and neurophysiological measurements. The goal of this paper is to provide the first complete description of the enrolled cohort, which details the baseline characteristics and data completion. We also describe the study modifications necessitated by the COVID‐19 pandemic, and lay the foundation for future work using this cohort.

Methods

SAGES II is a prospective observational cohort study of community‐dwelling adults age 65 and older undergoing major non‐cardiac surgery. Participants were assessed preoperatively, throughout hospitalization, and at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 18 months following discharge to assess cognitive and physical functioning. Since participants were enrolled throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, procedural modifications were designed to reduce missing data and allow for high data quality.

Results

About 420 participants were enrolled with a mean (standard deviation) age of 73.4 (5.6) years, including 14% minority participants. Eighty‐eight percent of participants had either total knee or hip replacements; the most common surgery was total knee replacement with 210 participants (50%). Despite the challenges posed by the COVID‐19 pandemic, which required the use of novel procedures such as video assessments, there were minimal missing interviews during hospitalization and up to 1‐month follow‐up; nearly 90% of enrolled participants completed interviews through 6‐month follow‐up.

Conclusion

While there are many longitudinal studies of older adults, this study is unique in measuring health outcomes following surgery, along with risk factors for delirium through the application of novel biomarkers—including fluid (plasma and cerebrospinal fluid), imaging, and electrophysiological markers. This paper is the first to describe the characteristics of this unique cohort and the data collected, enabling future work using this novel and important resource.
Neuroanatomical and cognitive biomarkers of alpha‐synuclein propagation in a mouse model of synucleinopathy prior to onset of motor symptoms
Authors: Tullo Stephanie , Miranda Aline S. , del Cid‐Pellitero Esther , Lim Mei Peng , Gallino Daniel , Attaran Anoosha , Patel Raihaan , Novikov Vladislav , Park Megan , Beraldo Flavio H. , Luo Wen , Shlaifer Irina , Durcan Thomas M. , Bussey Timothy J. , Saksida Lisa M. , Fon Edward A. , Prado Vania F. , Prado Marco A. M. , Chakravarty M. Mallar
Published: October 2023

Significant evidence suggests that misfolded alpha‐synuclein (aSyn), a major component of Lewy bodies, propagates in a prion‐like manner contributing to disease progression in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. In fact, timed inoculation of M83 hemizygous mice with recombinant human aSyn preformed fibrils (PFF) has shown symptomatic deficits after substantial spreading of pathogenic alpha‐synuclein, as detected by markers for the phosphorylation of S129 of aSyn. However, whether accumulated toxicity impact human‐relevant cognitive and structural neuroanatomical measures is not fully understood. Here we performed a single unilateral striatal PFF injection in M83 hemizygous mice, and using two assays with translational potential, ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and touchscreen testing, we examined the combined neuroanatomical and behavioral impact of aSyn propagation. In PFF‐injected mice, we observed widespread atrophy in bilateral regions that project to or receive input from the injection site using MRI. We also identified early deficits in reversal learning prior to the emergence of motor symptoms. Our findings highlight a network of regions with related cellular correlates of pathology that follow the progression of aSyn spreading, and that affect brain areas relevant for reversal learning. Our experiments suggest that M83 hemizygous mice injected with human PFF provides a model to understand how misfolded aSyn affects human‐relevant pre‐clinical measures and suggest that these pre‐clinical biomarkers could be used to detect early toxicity of aSyn and provide better translational measures between mice and human disease.

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Emerging roles for ITAM and ITIM receptor signaling in microglial biology and Alzheimer's disease‐related amyloidosis
Authors: Samuels Joshua D. , Lukens John R. , Price Richard J.
Published: October 2023

Microglia are critical responders to amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, the therapeutic targeting of microglia in AD is of high clinical interest. While previous investigation has focused on the innate immune receptors governing microglial functions in response to Aβ plaques, how microglial innate immune responses are regulated is not well understood. Interestingly, many of these microglial innate immune receptors contain unique cytoplasmic motifs, termed immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activating and inhibitory motifs (ITAM/ITIM), that are commonly known to regulate immune activation and inhibition in the periphery. In this review, we summarize the diverse functions employed by microglia in response to Aβ plaques and also discuss the innate immune receptors and intracellular signaling players that guide these functions. Specifically, we focus on the role of ITAM and ITIM signaling cascades in regulating microglia innate immune responses. A better understanding of how microglial innate immune responses are regulated in AD may provide novel therapeutic avenues to tune the microglial innate immune response in AD pathology.

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In vitro and in vivo efficacy of a cosmetic product formulated with new lipid particles for the treatment of aged skin
Authors: Catalano Antonio , Mitri Khalil , Perugini Paola , Condrò Giorgia , Sands Caroline
Published: October 2023

Background

The cumulative oxidative damage causes an acceleration in the skin aging.

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of a new patented matrix of lipid particles (SIREN CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY™) to have superior anti‐aging properties due to its high sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS), testing its efficacy versus free or encapsulated vitamins.

Methods

An in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of lipid particles using menadione as an enhancer of oxidative stress. Subsequently, in vivo studies evaluated skin hydration, skin barrier function, and smoothness and wrinkle depth. For this purpose, gels containing free or encapsulated vitamins were used as controls.

Results

In vitro, the SIREN CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY™ gel shows inhibitory activity against ROS production through menadione induction. In fact, at both tested concentrations, ROS production is lower than in the control samples (placebo, free vitamins, encapsulated vitamins).

In vivo, the net effect of SIREN CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY™ gel versus the others permitted to conclude that lipid particles exert a higher skin moisturizing effect (20.17%) and a stronger effect in reducing transepidermal water loss (−16.29%) after 4 weeks of treatment. As for surface analysis, a gel based on SIREN CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY™ improves the skin texture in a similar way than gel containing encapsulated vitamins (Ra and Rz variations in 4 weeks).

Conclusions

SIREN CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY™ represents an advance and a successful strategy to develop cosmetic products for the treatment of skin conditions associated with an accumulation of ROS. SIREN CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY™ represents a result‐oriented breakthrough in the effective delivery of active ingredients to the skin.
Effect of different surface treatments on the retention force of additively manufactured interim implant‐supported crowns
Authors: Filokyprou Thaleia , Kesterke Matthew J. , Liu Xiaohua , Cho Seok‐Hwan , Revilla‐León Marta
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To compare the effect of different pre‐cementation surface treatments and bonding protocols on the retention force of additively manufactured (AM) implant‐supported interim crowns.

Material and methods

A total of 50 AM interim crowns (Temporary CB resin) were cemented on implant abutments. Five groups (n = 10) were established based on the different surface pre‐treatments performed in the intaglio surface of the specimens: no surface pre‐treatment (Group C or control), air‐abraded with 50‐μm aluminium oxide particles (Group AP), air‐abraded with 50‐μm aluminium oxide particles followed by the application of silane (Group AMP), silane (Group MP), and air‐abraded with 30 μm silica‐coated aluminum oxide particles followed by the application of silane (Group CMP). Each specimen was cemented into an implant abutment using a composite resin cement (Rely X Unicem2). Afterward, the specimens underwent retention testing with a Universal Instron machine. Pull‐off forces (N) and modes of failure were registered. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann‐Whitney U tests with Bonferroni corrections for multiple tests (α = 0.05).

Results

The median retention force values were 233.27 ±79.28 N for Group Control, 398.59 ±68.59 N for Group MP, 303.21 ±116.80 N for Group AMP, 349.31 ±167.73 N for Group CMP, and 219.85 ± 55.88 N for Group AP. The pull‐off forces were significantly greater for Group MP, while the differences between the remaining groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Group AP showed the lowest retention force values among all the groups. Failure modes after the pull‐off testing were predominantly adhesive and substrate failure of the AM interim material.

Conclusions

The surface treatment of the intaglio AM crown tested significantly influenced the retention force values measured. Pre‐treatment with an MDP‐containing silane improved the retentive force values computed, whereas pre‐treatment with 50‐μm Al2O3 air‐particle abrasion alone is not recommended prior to cementation on a titanium‐based implant abutment.
Characterization of Alternaria alternata isolates from different citrus species grown in Tunisian Cap Bon peninsula
Authors: Taycir Grati Affes , Walid Yeddes , Safa Rguez , Wissem Aidi Wannes , Majdi HammAmi , Salma Lasram , Synda Chenenaoui , Saber Khammessi , Bachkouel Sarra , Bouzid Nasraoui , Moufida Saidani Tounsi
Published: October 2023

The prospection of citrus trees affected by Alternaria alternata in Tunisian Cap Bon peninsula for 2 years, 2018 and 2019, showed a variation in the percentage of isolation frequency depending on the region, age of citrus trees and citrus species and varieties. Thirty isolates of A. alternata from citrus species were characterized and studied for their variability. The isolates were subjected to morphological identification using macroscopic and microscopic features and molecular characterization through PCR amplification of their internal transcribed spacer regions. A high morphological and molecular diversity within A. alternata isolates was detected. The molecular sequencing results precisely confirmed that these fungal isolates belong to A. alternata strains. Pathogenicity test showed that A. alternata T1 and T9 isolates were capable of causing disease symptoms only on young leaves of clementine plant (MA3 variety). These findings are useful in the development of sustainable strategies to manage Alternaria in citrus‐growing areas in Tunisia.
Melatonin suppresses tumor proliferation and metastasis by targeting GATA2 in endometrial cancer
Authors: Liao Yangyou , Li Ruiling , Pei Jingyuan , Zhang Juan , Chen Bo , Dong Haojie , Feng Xiaoyu , Zhang Hongshuo , Shang Yuhong , Sui Linlin , Kong Ying
Published: October 2023

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a reproductive system disease that occurs in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. However, its etiology is unclear. Melatonin (MT) has been identified as a therapeutic agent for EC; however, its exact mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we determined that GATA‐binding protein 2 (GATA2) is expressed at low levels in EC and regulated by MT. MT upregulates the expression of GATA2 through MT receptor 1A (MTNR1A), whereas GATA2 can promote the expression of MTNR1A by binding to its promoter region. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that MT inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of EC cells by upregulating GATA2 expression. The protein kinase B (AKT) pathway was also affected. In conclusion, these findings suggest that MT and GATA2 play significant roles in EC development.