bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative Study on Dentists’ Communication Approaches in Managing Fluoride-Hesitant Caregivers
Authors: Cruz S. , Ko A. , Chi D.L.
Published: November 2023

Objectives:

Guidelines on effective provider-led communication are available but may be underused in dentistry, even if such guidelines could help dentists manage complex clinical scenarios like topical fluoride hesitancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate current chairside communication approaches used by dentists with fluoride-hesitant caregivers.

Methods:

A 27-item semistructured interview script was developed and pretested with 3 dentists, revised, and finalized. One-on-one interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of pediatric dentists and general dentists from April to June 2020. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify dentists’ communication approaches used during clinical interactions with fluoride-hesitant caregivers. Thematic analyses identified themes and subthemes, and exemplary quotes were provided to illustrate each theme.

Results:

Twenty-seven dentists participated (21 pediatric dentists and 6 general dentists). The mean age of participants was 43.0 ± 8.2 y (range, 30–73). Most participants were women (88.9%), white (51.9%), and non-Hispanic (85.2%). Participants had been practicing dentistry for a mean of 13.2 ± 10.5 y (range, 2–40). There were 4 themes: leaving topical fluoride decisions completely up to the caregiver, educating the caregiver about fluoride, insisting that the caregiver accept fluoride, and engaging the caregiver and child.

Conclusion:

Most communications approaches used by interviewed dentists to manage fluoride hesitancy in clinical settings are not evidence based. Future dental education efforts should ensure that trainees are exposed to and can demonstrate competency in appropriate, evidence-based patient–provider communication strategies.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The study highlights the need for dentists to apply evidence-based communication strategies when managing difficult clinical scenarios like fluoride hesitancy, which is important in optimizing dentist–patient trust.
The political economy of healthcare access and Chicagoland health-oriented non-profit organizations
Authors: Guhlincozzi Aída R
Published: November 2023

This paper analyzes how nonprofit organizations targeting Latine communities in the Chicago suburbs played a role in healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic through both political and material actions. Using mixed methods, this research explores the organizational and political infrastructural differences between Chicago and Chicago suburban nonprofit community-based organizations (CBOs) as they responded to the COVID-19 crisis. Data was collected through both interviews with CBO organizers, and spatial analysis of a database of nonprofit organizations in the Chicagoland area. The findings advance the concept of the infrastructure of civic institutions through finding that distance and differences in funding and collaboration amongst CBOs significantly impact the access of CBOs to structural supports to then provide for their communities. This analysis also includes the comparison of two CBOs to illustrate these geographic differences in funding and collaboration. These findings help demonstrate the need for a more collaborative and versatile design of community-based work, which moves away from the traditional nonprofit funding structure.
Association of preserved ratio impaired spirometry with mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Shuyuan , Liao Gengze , Tse Lap Ah
Published: November 2023

Background:

Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is prevalent within the general population. Increased mortality has been reported among subjects with PRISm, but the evidence has never been summarised. This systematic review aims to synthesise evidence on the association between PRISm and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory-related mortality.

Methods:

We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science for population-based cohort studies from inception to April 2023 using the terms related to impaired spirometry and mortality. Titles and abstracts were screened to identify eligible studies that reported mortality estimates for individuals with PRISm. We excluded studies that adopted other definitions of impaired spirometry, had a specific study setting (e.g.HIV patients), had an insufficient follow-up period (<1 year) or reported duplicated data. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to produce pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed with I2.

Results:

Eight studies met the inclusion criteria involving 40 699 individuals with PRISm. All included studies reported increased risk of all-cause mortality among adults with PRISm. Meta-analysis showed that PRISm was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.51–1.93; I2=64%), cardiovascular mortality (pooled HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.44–1.72; I2=35%) and respiratory-related mortality (pooled HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.55–2.49; I2=0%).

Conclusions:

Individuals with PRISm have a significantly increased risk of mortality compared with those with normal spirometry.
Public perception of the performance of Czech forest ecosystem services
Authors: Purwestri Ratna Chrismiari , Palátová Petra , Hájek Miroslav , Dudík Roman , Jarský Vilém , Riedl Marcel
Published: November 2023

In recent years, there has been growing interest in public valuation for forest ecosystem services in policymaking. This paper investigates the public’s perception of the Czech forest ecosystem services, i.e., provisioning, regulating and cultural services, with associated factors (changes in forest cover, production, and respondents’ characteristics). The performance perception of forest ecosystem services was gathered from a nationwide survey in 2020. The Coordination of Information on the Environment Land Cover information in 2000 and 2018 was used for observation of forest cover changes. Coniferous and non-coniferous (broadleaved) roundwood, mushroom, and bilberry production data from the observed years were acquired from the Czech Statistical Office and the Ministry of Agriculture’s annual nationwide surveys. The Bohemia vs. Moravia study areas were also statistically compared. Predictor analysis of the high score of performance perception from individual and cluster forest ecosystems was also performed to answer the research objectives. The group of forest provisioning services received high scores in public evaluation (from 3.9 to 4.2), followed by regulating services (mean range: 3.7–4.1). The highest score was found in forest as a natural habitat for wild animals and plants (mean: 4.6). However, the lowest value was the esthetic value (mean: 2.3). Both are categorized as forest cultural services. The broadleaved and mixed forest areas in 2018 were significantly higher than in 2000, especially in Bohemia. Meanwhile, the total coniferous forested region in 2018 declined substantially compared to 2000 (p = 0.030), especially in Moravian areas. A significantly higher total production of the coniferous and broadleaved roundwood removals in 2018 than in 2000 was reported, in contrast to a marked decrease in collected mushrooms and bilberries. The high score of performance perception of forests as the wood provisioning service was positively and significantly associated with the changes in broadleaved roundwood removals. Older-age and female respondents were the primary predictors of the studied cluster and individual forest ecosystem services. The findings indicate that the social value of the individual forest provisioning services supports the implementation of multi-species and multi-purpose forests; hence, it encourages the implementation of the current Czech forest policy.
Serial KinderMiner (SKiM) discovers and annotates biomedical knowledge using co-occurrence and transformer models
Authors: Millikin Robert J. , Raja Kalpana , Steill John , Lock Cannon , Tu Xuancheng , Ross Ian , Tsoi Lam C. , Kuusisto Finn , Ni Zijian , Livny Miron , Bockelman Brian , Thomson James , Stewart Ron
Published: November 2023

Background

The PubMed archive contains more than 34 million articles; consequently, it is becoming increasingly difficult for a biomedical researcher to keep up-to-date with different knowledge domains. Computationally efficient and interpretable tools are needed to help researchers find and understand associations between biomedical concepts. The goal of literature-based discovery (LBD) is to connect concepts in isolated literature domains that would normally go undiscovered. This usually takes the form of an A–B–C relationship, where A and C terms are linked through a B term intermediate. Here we describe Serial KinderMiner (SKiM), an LBD algorithm for finding statistically significant links between an A term and one or more C terms through some B term intermediate(s). The development of SKiM is motivated by the observation that there are only a few LBD tools that provide a functional web interface, and that the available tools are limited in one or more of the following ways: (1) they identify a relationship but not the type of relationship, (2) they do not allow the user to provide their own lists of B or C terms, hindering flexibility, (3) they do not allow for querying thousands of C terms (which is crucial if, for instance, the user wants to query connections between a disease and the thousands of available drugs), or (4) they are specific for a particular biomedical domain (such as cancer). We provide an open-source tool and web interface that improves on all of these issues.

Results

We demonstrate SKiM’s ability to discover useful A–B–C linkages in three control experiments: classic LBD discoveries, drug repurposing, and finding associations related to cancer. Furthermore, we supplement SKiM with a knowledge graph built with transformer machine-learning models to aid in interpreting the relationships between terms found by SKiM. Finally, we provide a simple and intuitive open-source web interface (https://skim.morgridge.org) with comprehensive lists of drugs, diseases, phenotypes, and symptoms so that anyone can easily perform SKiM searches.

Conclusions

SKiM is a simple algorithm that can perform LBD searches to discover relationships between arbitrary user-defined concepts. SKiM is generalized for any domain, can perform searches with many thousands of C term concepts, and moves beyond the simple identification of an existence of a relationship; many relationships are given relationship type labels from our knowledge graph.
Incremental mortality associated with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease among US Medicare beneficiaries with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Wang Ping , Marras Theodore K. , Hassan Mariam , Chatterjee Anjan
Published: November 2023

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common comorbidity in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTMLD). Both conditions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but data are lacking on the additional burden associated with NTMLD among patients with COPD. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the incremental mortality risk associated with NTMLD among older adults with COPD.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the US Medicare claims database (2010–2017). Patients with preexisting COPD and NTMLD (cases) were matched 1:3 by age and sex with patients with COPD without NTMLD (control patients). Patients were followed up until death or data cutoff (December 31, 2017). Incremental risk of mortality was evaluated by comparing the proportions of death, annualized mortality rate, and mortality hazard rate between cases and control patients using both univariate and multivariate analyses adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and COPD severity.

Results

A total of 4,926 cases were matched with 14,778 control patients. In univariate analyses, a higher proportion of cases (vs. control patients) died (41.5% vs. 26.7%; P < 0.0001), unadjusted annual mortality rates were higher among cases (158.5 vs. 86.0 deaths/1000 person-years; P < 0.0001), and time to death was shorter for cases. This increased mortality risk was also reflected in subsequent multivariate analyses. Patients with COPD and NTMLD were more likely to die (odds ratio [95% CI], 1.39 [1.27–1.51]), had higher mortality rates (rate ratio [95% CI], 1.36 [1.28–1.45]), and had higher hazard of death (hazard ratio [95% CI], 1.37 [1.28–1.46]) than control patients.

Conclusions

The substantial incremental mortality burden associated with NTMLD in patients with COPD highlights the importance of developing interventions targeting this high-risk group and may indicate an unmet need for timely and appropriate management of NTMLD.
Do clinical and communication skills scores on credentialing exams predict potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescribing?
Authors: Tamblyn Robyn , Moraga Teresa , Girard Nadyne , Boulet John , Chan Fiona K. I. , Habib Bettina
Published: November 2023

Background

There is considerable variation among physicians in inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, which is hypothesized to be attributable to diagnostic uncertainty and ineffective communication. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether clinical and communication skills are associated with antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory infections and sinusitis.

Methods

A cohort study of 2,526 international medical graduates and 48,394 U.S. Medicare patients diagnosed by study physicians with an upper respiratory infection or sinusitis between July 2014 and November 2015 was conducted. Clinical and communication skills were measured by scores achieved on the Clinical Skills Assessment examination administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) as a requirement for entry into U.S residency programs. Medicare Part D data were used to determine whether patients were dispensed an antibiotic following an outpatient evaluation and management visit with the study physician. Physician age, sex, specialty and practice region were retrieved from the ECFMG databased and American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile. Multivariate GEE logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between clinical and communication skills and antibiotic prescribing, adjusting for other physician and patient characteristics.

Results

Physicians prescribed an antibiotic in 71.1% of encounters in which a patient was diagnosed with sinusitis, and 50.5% of encounters for upper respiratory infections. Better interpersonal skills scores were associated with a significant reduction in the odds of antibiotic prescribing (OR per score decile 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–0.99), while greater proficiency in clinical skills and English proficiency were not. Female physicians, those practicing internal medicine compared to family medicine, those with citizenship from the US compared to all other countries, and those practicing in southern of the US were also more likely to prescribe potentially unnecessary antibiotics.

Conclusions

Based on this study, physicians with better interpersonal skills are less likely to prescribe antibiotics for acute sinusitis and upper respiratory infections. Future research should examine whether tailored interpersonal skills training to help physicians manage patient expectations for antibiotics could reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.
Mapping trust relationships in organ donation and transplantation: a conceptual model
Authors: Martínez-López María Victoria , McLaughlin Leah , Molina-Pérez Alberto , Pabisiak Krzysztof , Primc Nadia , Randhawa Gurch , Rodríguez-Arias David , Suárez Jorge , Wöhlke Sabine , Delgado Janet
Published: November 2023

The organ donation and transplantation (ODT) system heavily relies on the willingness of individuals to donate their organs. While it is widely believed that public trust plays a crucial role in shaping donation rates, the empirical support for this assumption remains limited. In order to bridge this knowledge gap, this article takes a foundational approach by elucidating the concept of trust within the context of ODT. By examining the stakeholders involved, identifying influential factors, and mapping the intricate trust relationships among trustors, trustees, and objects of trust, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of trust dynamics in ODT. We employ maps and graphs to illustrate the functioning of these trust relationships, enabling a visual representation of the complex interactions within the ODT system. Through this conceptual groundwork, we pave the way for future empirical research to investigate the link between trust and organ donation rates, informed by a clarified understanding of trust in ODT. This study can also provide valuable insights to inform interventions and policies aimed at enhancing organ donation rates.
Prostaglandin and prostaglandin receptors: present and future promising therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Zeng Cheng , Liu Jing , Zheng Xialei , Hu Xinqun , He Yuhu
Published: November 2023

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), Group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH), is a type of pulmonary vascular disease characterized by abnormal contraction and remodeling of the pulmonary arterioles, manifested by pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and increased pulmonary arterial pressure, eventually leading to right heart failure or even death. The mechanisms involved in this process include inflammation, vascular matrix remodeling, endothelial cell apoptosis and proliferation, vasoconstriction, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and hypertrophy. In this study, we review the mechanisms of action of prostaglandins and their receptors in PAH.

Main body

PAH-targeted therapies, such as endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, activators of soluble guanylate cyclase, prostacyclin, and prostacyclin analogs, improve PVR, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and the six-minute walk distance, cardiac output and exercise capacity and are licensed for patients with PAH; however, they have not been shown to reduce mortality. Current treatments for PAH primarily focus on inhibiting excessive pulmonary vasoconstriction, however, vascular remodeling is recalcitrant to currently available therapies. Lung transplantation remains the definitive treatment for patients with PAH. Therefore, it is imperative to identify novel targets for improving pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH. Studies have confirmed that prostaglandins and their receptors play important roles in the occurrence and development of PAH through vasoconstriction, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, inflammation, and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Conclusion

Prostacyclin and related drugs have been used in the clinical treatment of PAH. Other prostaglandins also have the potential to treat PAH. This review provides ideas for the treatment of PAH and the discovery of new drug targets.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase deficiency attenuates airway inflammation in COPD via IRE1α/JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway
Authors: Yu Yue , Yang Ailin , He Xin , Wu Bo , Wu Yanjun , Li Yunxiao , Nie Shan , Xu Bo , Wang Haoyan , Yu Ganggang
Published: November 2023

Background

Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase (sEH) metabolizes anti-inflammatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and critically affects airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Considering the excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress is associated with the earlier onset of COPD. The role of sEH and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of COPD remains unknown.

Method

16 weeks of cigarette-exposed mice were used to detect the relationship between sEH and endoplasmic reticulum stress in COPD. Human epithelial cells were used in vitro to determine the regulation mechanism of sEH in endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by cigarette smoke.

Results

sEH deficiency helps reduce emphysema formation after smoke exposure by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress response. sEH deficiency effectively reverses the upregulation of phosphorylation IRE1α and JNK and the nuclear expression of AP-1, alleviating the secretion of inflammatory factors induced by cigarette smoke extract. Furthermore, the treatment with endoplasmic reticulum stress and IRE1α inhibitor downregulated cigarette smoke extract-induced sEH expression and the secretion of inflammatory factors.

Conclusion

sEH probably alleviates airway inflammatory response and endoplasmic reticulum stress via the IRE1α/JNK/AP-1 pathway, which might attenuate lung injury caused by long-term smoking and provide a new pharmacological target for preventing and treating COPD.
Development, Evaluation, and impLemenTation for guideline adaptation: a quality improvement protocol for the DELTA study in global health practice
Authors: Wang Shu , Zhang Yuan , Wen Zhixuan , Yang Yueming , Zhang Yuxuan , Geng Yixiong , Liu Yali , Zhang Jianguo
Published: November 2023

Background

Guideline adaptation is an emerging field to provide more appropriate recommendations for local clinical practice quality and to promote global health equity. However, its utilization status, adaptation procedures, and related materials remain to be studied.

Methods

This study developed a quality improvement protocol for a study as the Development, Evaluation, and impLemenTation for guideline Adaptation (DELTA) study. Current adapted clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) will be systematically searched. Their characteristics, utilization status, and adaptation procedures will be extracted, compared, and analyzed. Whether these adapted CPGs rigorously followed the instruments and steps of adaptation frameworks will also be appraised. In addition, the advantages and limitations of current adaptation methods and their suitable application situations will be analyzed. In addition, future perspectives as DELTA series and DELTA system, aiming for comprehensively evaluating current needs for guideline adaptation and developing a unified framework and related materials were proposed to improve the acceptability, applicability, and implementation of guideline adaptation in clinical practice. The DELTA series are divided into four phases: phase I in analyzing status, characteristics, and procedures and completeness of adapted CPGs; phase II in analyzing differences, heterogeneity, and implementation between adapted and original CPGs; and phase III in collecting, analyzing, and comparing all available adaptation materials. With these research bases, an international working group will be established in phase IV and will develop unified guideline adaptation materials after Delphi consensus, including adaptation frameworks, appraisal tools and checklists, registries, and databases.

Discussion

Guideline adaptation has been advanced as an efficient way to guide local clinical practice. However, it still faces several major challenges. The proposed DELTA study, series, and system will further contribute to this emerging topic.

Trial registration: This study has been registered by the PROSPERO international database. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=400170.
Upper instrumented vertebrae selection criteria for degenerative lumbar scoliosis based on the hounsfield unit asymmetry of the first coronal reverse vertebrae: an observational study
Authors: Hou Xiangyu , Sun Zhuoran , Li Weishi , Wang Hui , Zhuo Lin , Yuan Lei , Zeng Yan , Ding Linyao , Chen Ze
Published: November 2023

Background

Selection of the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) is crucial for surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS), given the relevance of UIV in postoperative proximal adjacent segment degeneration (pASD). Our previous research found that selection of UIV not lower than (≤) the first coronal reverse vertebra (FCRV), which marks the turning point of Hounsfield unit (HU) asymmetry, could significantly reduce pASD. However, the degree of HU asymmetry can vary among patients, suggesting a demand for more individualized UIV selection criteria, which we aimed to develop using quantitative HU measurement in the current study.

Methods

We included 153 consecutive patients with DLS. Quantitative measurement of HU of both sides of the vertebrae of these patients was performed on three planes of CT reconstruction for average values and determination of FCRV. Pre- and postoperative X-ray plain films were examined for radiological measurements and determination of pASD. Further, 35 patients with lumbar disc herniation and without significant scoliosis were also included as the reference group, and their bilateral HU was measured.

Results

In all 153 patients, those with UIV ≤ FCRV had a significantly lower rate of pASD (9.4% vs. 24.6%, P = 0.011). The difference between HU of the left and right sides of the FCRV (dF) could range from close to 0–59.4. The difference between HU of the left and right sides of the vertebrae in the reference group had an average value of 5.21. In 101 dF ≥ 5 DLS patients, those with UIV ≤ FCRV had a significantly lower rate of pASD (7.6% vs. 28.6%, P = 0.005), while this rate was insignificant in the other 52 dF < 5 patients (13.3% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.708). No other general, radiological, or operative parameter was found to have significant influence on the occurrence of pASD.

Conclusions

Selection of UIV ≤ FCRV can significantly reduce the risk of pASD for patients with DLS with dF ≥ 5.

Trial Registration Not applicable, since this is an observational study.
Sickle cell disease: embedding patient participation into an international conference can transform the role of lived experience
Authors: Pellegrini Mariangela , Chakravorty Subarna , del Mar Manu Pereira Maria , Gulbis Beatrice , Gilmour-Hamilton Catriona , Hayes Sandy , de Montalembert Mariane , Inusa Baba Psalm Duniya , Colombatti Raffaella , Roy Noémi BA
Published: November 2023

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited chronic life-threatening disorder with increasing prevalence in Europe. People living with SCD in Europe mainly belong to vulnerable minorities, have a lower level of health education and suffer from isolation compared to those living with other chronic conditions. As a result, SCD patients are much less likely to partner in the design of research related to their condition and are limited in their ability to influence the research agenda. Aiming to increase the influence of patient voice in the development of SCD-related research, we set out to develop patient centered actions in the frame of International Scientific Conferences in collaboration with the ERN-EuroBloodNet, Oxford Blood Group, Annual Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia Conference (ASCAT), the European Hematology Association and the British Society of Hematology.

Results

Two events were organized: a one-day research prioritization workshop and a series of education sessions based on topics chosen by SCD patients and their families. Methodology and outcomes were analyzed in terms of influence on scientific, medical and patient communities.

Conclusion

The ERN-EuroBloodNet workshops with patients at annual ASCAT conferences have provided an opportunity to enhance patient experience and empowerment in SCD in Europe, producing benefits for patients, caregivers, patient associations and health professionals. Future work should focus on delivering the research questions identified at this workshop and the opportunities to share information for patient education.
Decoding force production of skeletal muscle from the female brain using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Kim Hojeong
Published: November 2023

Objective

Noninvasive neural decoding enables predicting motor output from neural activities without physically damaging the human body. A recent study demonstrated the applicability of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to decode muscle force production from hemodynamic signals measured in the male brain. However, given the sex differences in cerebral blood flow and muscle physiology, whether the fNIRS approach can also be applied to the female brain remains elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether fNIRS can be used to identify the optimal cortical region and hemodynamic predictor to decode muscle force output in females.

Results

Statistical group analysis for eight healthy female adults showed that the cortical region for wrist control was topologically dorsal to that for finger control over the primary sensorimotor cortex. This cortical area was maximally activated while the wrist flexor muscles were contracted to hold a load on the subject’s palm, as was the case for males. However, the dynamics of oxyhemoglobin concentration measured from the most activated cortical area differed between females and males. The signal intensity during 100% maximal voluntary contraction and the signal increase rate at 50% maximal voluntary contraction was lower and faster in females. Eight predictors were used to characterize hemodynamic signals’ amplitude and temporal variation in the female cortex. Unlike the case for males, only the trajectory predictors for the amplitude of oxyhemoglobin concentration change were strongly correlated with the strengths of force produced by the wrist flexor muscles, showing a linear relationship. These results suggest gender-specific hemodynamics must be considered for decoding low-level motor control with fNIRS in females.
Hepatocellular carcinoma vascularization: CT angiography variations identifying arteries feeding the tumour
Authors: Abou Khadrah Rania Sobhy , Abedelmalik Mona Hassan , Alameldeen Mohammed Abed Elhameed , Elbarbary Aly Aly
Published: November 2023

Background

Hepatic arterial anatomy is important in performing many surgical and endovascular procedures. Familiarity with variations in the hepatic arterial anatomy is essential to achieving adequate embolization. In some patients, in addition to anatomic variations of the hepatic arteries, different extrahepatic collateral arteries may provide partial or total vascular supply to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which makes transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) technically challenging. We aim to evaluate the different feeding vessels of HCC using multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) as a pre-procedural step before planning suitable management.

Results

One hundred patients with 150 focal HCC lesions were involved in our study. The anatomy of the blood supply and the morphological characteristics of HCC, including the size, location, and history of previous hepatitis, were quantitatively assessed and statistically analysed. The number of patients who had classic hepatic arterial supply for the HCC lesions in our study was 54 (54%). The number of patients with additional extrahepatic supply is 26, while the number of patients with anatomical vascular variants is 20. Among these 26 patients with extrahepatic (parasitic) blood supply, six patients were supplied by the right inferior phrenic artery, four patients were supplied by the right internal mammary artery, and two patients were supplied by each other type of extrahepatic feeder, which are the left inferior phrenic artery, left internal mammary artery, left gastric artery, cystic artery, right lumbar artery, direct branch from the aorta, omental arteries, right renal artery, and LHA from the LGA. Twelve of the 20 patients with anatomical vascular variants had replaced RHA from the SMA; four patients had replaced LHA from the LGA; two patients had replaced RHA from the GDA; and two patients had replaced CHA from the SMA. Only 50 cases of CT findings were correlated with the data from the interventional procedures of these patients.

Conclusions

Because of the differences in HCC blood supply between typical, parasitic, and anatomical vascular variants, MDCTA has significant clinical significance prior to TACE and any interventional procedure.
Meigs syndrome after treatment for catamenial pneumothorax
Authors: Takayama Mao , So Tetsuya , Yamashita Naoki , Yamaoka Masatoshi , Yoshimatsu Takashi , Oyama Tsuneiro
Published: November 2023

In the field of thoracic surgery, catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is known as a disease peculiar to women, but it is rare among female pneumothoraces and is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Meigs syndrome (MS) is another female-specific disease, defined as a benign ovarian tumor with pleural and ascites effusions, but it is rare and the details of the pathogenesis of MS have not yet been elucidated.

A 40-year-old Japanese woman came in with dyspnea. Chest radiography revealed a collapsed right lung. She underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, which revealed multiple diaphragmatic foramens. She was therefore diagnosed with CP. Later, when she was 50-year-old, returned with chest pain. Computed tomography of the chest and abdomen showed right massive pleural effusion and a large tumor and ascites in the pelvis. This condition was suggestive of MS. The patient underwent bilateral oophorectomy, and the right pleural effusion and ascites resolved promptly after surgery.

In conclusion, both menstrual-associated CP and MS are very rare conditions, and to the best of our knowledge, there are no reported cases of the combination of the two. However, it is possible that some MS patients may have MS without CP, and the present case is considered to be valuable because a small diaphragmatic foramen was identified via thoracoscopy, which has been a minority opinion among the mechanisms of pleural effusion in MS.
The genome sequence of a darkling beetle, Lagria hirta (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Sivell Olga , Levey Brian , Barclay Maxwell V. L. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Lagria hirta (darkling beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Tenebrionidae). The genome sequence is 336.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.12 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,850protein coding genes.
Synthesis of Schiff bases Derivatives of 1,3-oxazepine and Evaluation of Antioxidant Action In vitro
Authors: Singh Sarvesh Kumar , Mishra Neelima , Nayak Govind , Mehta Parulben
Published: November 2023

The objective of this work was to synthesize new 1,3-oxazepine derivatives and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds. The synthesis of Schiff’s base of oxazepine was achieved in four steps involving condensation of aniline and benzaldehyde followed by (2+5) cycloaddition occurs between the imine and anhydride leading to the formation of 1,3-oxazepine-4,7-dione. Later the oxazepine dione undergoes condensation with thiosemicarbazide and finally nucleophilic addition of active carbonyl group to form Schiff’s bases. The synthesized compounds 8a-e were obtained in yield ranging from 69-77%. The antioxidant activity of the compounds was evaluated at various concentrations (100-500µg/mL) using DPPH radical scavenging assay and hydroxy radical scavenging assay. The compounds had IC50 in the range of 34.297 µg to 131.04 µg in the DPPH scavenging assay whereas the IC50 ranged of 49.943 µg to 153.13 µg in the hydroxy radical scavenging assay.
Profissionalidade e os Fatores Didáticos Contribuintes ao Desempenho Docente em Marketing
Authors: Salvador Alexandre Borba , Lima João , Nogami Vitor
Published: November 2023

O objetivo desta pesquisa é aprofundar e organizar o conhecimento acerca dos fatores didáticos contribuintes ao desempenho docente em cursos de pós-graduação lato sensu em Marketing. Pela perspectiva científica, o estudo avança na construção de conhecimento acerca dos fatores contribuintes para o desempenho docente na pós-graduação. Pela perspectiva gerencial, contribui para a formação de melhores profissionais, por meio da reflexão acerca da formação de um docente de forma ampla. Pela perspectiva social, os estudos que visam melhorias na educação podem resultar num melhor aproveitamento dos investimentos em Educação e a formação de melhores cidadãos. Estudo de caso múltiplo tendo o docente-referência como sujeito de pesquisa, com uso de diferentes fontes de evidências envolvendo análise de dados secundários e entrevistas em profundidade. Os resultados do estudo sugerem que o desempenho docente seja fruto da prática docente, influenciada pela formação didática permanente de um docente profissional, centrado na aprendizagem dos alunos e disposto a aprender novas formas de ajudar os alunos a aprenderem constantemente.
Women's experiences with solitary childbirth support in Ohio during COVID‐19: Results from a qualitative study
Authors: Church Anna Claire
Published: November 2023

Context

Women, transgender men, and gender non‐binary individuals who gave birth during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic experienced strict visitor restrictions that significantly disrupted their support networks. This study sought to examine women's perceptions and experiences of solitary support, particularly from male partners, during labor and delivery.

Methods

From April 2020 through August 2021, I conducted in‐depth interviews with women who had given birth in the previous 12 months in the state of Ohio. I used a multi‐modal recruitment strategy and conducted all interviews virtually. I analyzed transcripts to identify themes using inductive and deductive techniques.

Results

I interviewed 12 women who gave birth after the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and all opted to have their male partner as their solitary support person. Most women reported putting pressure on their male partners to “step up” in the absence of other sources of support, such as doulas. Couples engaged in intensive communication and planning prior to the delivery, which contributed to increased feelings of emotional closeness. Participants reported mixed feelings about birthing with a solitary support person including having a sense of increased privacy and an ability to focus while also feeling afraid and isolated.

Conclusions

Women who gave birth in the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic and prior to the widespread availability of vaccines were particularly vulnerable to adverse perinatal outcomes, including stillbirth and postpartum depression. Understanding the impact of solitary support from male partners can help inform future person‐centered and equitable maternity care visitor policies.
Effect of birefringence on the scattering of the classically entangled beam generated by a common-path technique
Authors: Patra Bibek Kumar , Mandal Abhishek , Brundavanam Maruthi M.
Published: November 2023

Spatial-polarization entangled beams can be generated by a coherent superposition of any pair of orthogonal states in polarization and spatial modes. These beams have non-separability between orbital angular momentum and polarization degrees of freedom. In the present work, a common-path technique is proposed to generate a classically entangled beam. The effect of birefringence on the linear entropy of the scattered classically entangled beams is also investigated. The results show that the scattered partially entangled beam is more sensitive to the birefringence than the maximally entangled beam. The results can find applications in secured communication and in optical sensing applications.
From Bloch surface waves to cavity-mode resonances reaching an ultrahigh sensitivity and a figure of merit
Authors: Gryga Michal , Ciprian Dalibor , Hlubina Petr
Published: November 2023

We report on a new sensing concept based on resonances supported by a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPhC) microcavity resonator in the Kretschmann configuration. For a 1DPhC comprising six bilayers of TiO2/SiO2 with a termination layer of TiO2 employed to form a microcavity, we show that when the angle of incidence is changed, the Bloch surface waves (BSWs) can be transformed into cavity-mode resonances exhibiting an ultrahigh sensitivity and a figure of merit. Using wavelength interrogation, we demonstrate that Bloch surface TE wave excitation shows up as a sharp dip in the reflectance spectrum with a sensitivity and a figure of merit (FOM) of 70 nm per refractive index unit (RIU) and 19.5 RIU−1, respectively. When the angle of incidence decreases, cavity-mode resonances for both TE and TM waves are resolved for RI in a range of 1.0001–1.0005. The sensitivity and FOM can reach 52,300 nm/RIU and 402,300 RIU−1 for the TE wave, and 14,000 nm/RIU and 2154 RIU−1 for the TM wave, respectively. In addition, resonances are confirmed experimentally for a humid air with a sensitivity of 0.073 nm per percent of the relative humidity (%RH) for BSW resonance and is enhanced to 1.367 nm/%RH for the TM cavity-mode resonance. This research, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first demonstration of a new BSW-like response that can be utilized in a simple sensing of a wide range of gaseous analytes.
The G protein alpha chaperone and guanine-nucleotide exchange factor RIC-8 regulates cilia morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons
Authors: Campagna Christina M. , McMahon Hayley , Nechipurenko Inna
Published: November 2023

Heterotrimeric G (αβγ) proteins are canonical transducers of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and play critical roles in communication between cells and their environment. Many GPCRs and heterotrimeric G proteins localize to primary cilia and modulate cilia morphology via mechanisms that are not well understood. Here, we show that RIC-8, a cytosolic guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and chaperone for Gα protein subunits, shapes cilia membrane morphology in a subset of Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons. Consistent with its role in ciliogenesis, C. elegans RIC-8 localizes to cilia in different sensory neuron types. Using domain mutagenesis, we demonstrate that while the GEF function alone is not sufficient, both the GEF and Gα-interacting chaperone motifs of RIC-8 are required for its role in cilia morphogenesis. We identify ODR-3 as the RIC-8 Gα client and demonstrate that RIC-8 functions in the same genetic pathway with another component of the non-canonical G protein signaling AGS-3 to shape cilia morphology. Notably, despite defects in AWC cilia morphology, ags-3 null mutants exhibit normal chemotaxis toward benzaldehyde unlike odr-3 mutant animals. Collectively, our findings describe a novel function for the evolutionarily conserved protein RIC-8 and non-canonical RIC-8-AGS-3-ODR-3 signaling in cilia morphogenesis and uncouple Gα ODR-3 functions in ciliogenesis and olfaction.
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies before and after implementation of anti-COVID-19 vaccination among hospital staff in Bangui, Central African Republic
Authors: Manirakiza Alexandre , Malaka Christian , Mossoro-Kpinde Hermione Dahlia , Yambiyo Brice Martial , Mossoro-Kpinde Christian Diamant , Fandema Emmanuel , Niamathe Yakola Christelle , Doyama-Woza Rodrigue , Kangale-Wando Ida Maxime , Kosh Komba Jess Elliot , Nzapali Guiagassomon Sandra Manuella Bénedicte , Namsenei-Dankpea Lydie Joella-Venus de la Grace , Coti-Reckoundji Cathy Sandra Gomelle , Bouhouda Modeste , Gody Jean-Chrisostome , Grésenguet Gérard , Vernet Guy , Vernet Marie Astrid , Nakoune Emmanuel
Published: November 2023

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high to very high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The persistence of this pandemic worldwide has instigated the need for an investigation of the level of prevention through immunization and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs. The objective of our study was to evaluate any changes in anti-COVID-19 serological status before and after the vaccination campaign of health personnel in the Central African Republic. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional serological study on HCWs at the university hospital centers of Bangui. Blood samples were collected and tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG using the ELISA technique on blood samples. A total of 179 and 141 HCWs were included in the first and second surveys, respectively. Of these staff, 31.8% of HCWs were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the first survey, whereas 95.7% were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the second survey. However, the proportion of HCWs positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies was low (9.7% in the first survey and 3.6% in the second survey). These findings showed a sharp increase in seroprevalence over a one-year period. This increase is primarily due to the synergistic effect of the infection and the implementation of vaccines against COVID-19. Further studies to assess the persistence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are needed.
Estimating causes of community death of adults in Myanmar from a nationwide population sample: Application of verbal autopsy
Authors: Bo Khin Sandar , Firth Sonja M. , Phyo Tint Pa Pa , Mar Nyo Nyo , Zaw Ko Ko , Kapaw Naw Hsah , Adair Tim , Lopez Alan D.
Published: November 2023

In Myanmar 84% of deaths occur in the community, of which half are unregistered and none have a reliable cause of death (COD) recorded. Since 2018, Myanmar has introduced improved registration practices and verbal autopsy (VA) to assess whether such methods can produce policy relevant information on community COD. Community health midwives and public health supervisors grade II collected VAs on over 80,000 deaths which occurred between January 2018 and December 2019 in a nationwide sample of 42 townships in Myanmar. Electronic methods were used to collect and consolidate data. The most probable COD was assigned using the SmartVA Analyze 2.0 computer algorithm. Completeness of VA death reporting increased to 71% in 2019. Most adult (12+ years) deaths (82%) were due to non-communicable diseases, primarily stroke, ischemic heart disease and chronic respiratory disease, for both men and women. VA results were consistent with Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study estimates, except for cirrhosis in men, which was more common, and had a younger age distribution of death than the GBD. Large scale implementation of improved death registration practices and COD diagnosis using VA is feasible and provides plausible, timely, disaggregated and policy relevant information on the leading causes of community death. Addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly cirrhosis in young men, is an important public health priority in Myanmar. Improving completeness of VA death reporting in poorly performing townships and in neonates, children and women will further improve the policy utility of the VA data.