bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Person-centred care intervention to promote self-efficacy in patients following a myocardial infarction (P2MIR): a protocol of a qualitative study for cultural adaptation within a Portuguese healthcare context
Authors: Silva Cláudia , Carlsson Lalloo Ewa , Ventura Filipa , Henriques Maria Adriana
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Recovery from myocardial infarction is challenging as the causes of symptoms span multiple aspects of health not just physical conditions. Evidence has shown a gap between the way

care is provided in the clinical setting and the person’s needs and preferences. The implementation of person-centred care (PCC) interventions can promote recovery from myocardial infarction by allowing a greater understanding of the person’s perception and its role on the overall recovering process. This study aims to culturally adapt an evidence-based PCC intervention to enhance self-efficacy in patients after myocardial infarction within a Portuguese healthcare context.

Methods and analysis

The Portuguese person-centred care for myocardial infarction recovery (P2MIR) intervention is set to be developed from an evidence-based intervention, rooted in the ethics of PCC. An intervention of PCC for patients with acute coronary syndrome, which has been successfully implemented and evaluated in the Swedish healthcare context will be validated, culturally adapted and harmonised to the Portuguese healthcare context by using qualitative methods. To evaluate its acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility, a sample of stakeholders, consisting of a sample of healthcare professionals and a sample of people who suffered a myocardial infarction, will be recruited from a hospital, including both inpatient and outpatient departments. The stakeholders will be invited to semistructured focus group discussions, aiming to gather their perceptions about the P2MIR intervention, which will be previously presented to them. Data analysis will be conducted using content analysis following a deductive-inductive approach to further inform the intervention adaptation process to its final intervention in a Portuguese healthcare context.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been reviewed and approved by the Health Ethics’ Committees of the Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal (registry number 20170700050). The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
Digital cognitive–behavioural therapy application compared with zolpidem for the treatment of insomnia: protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled trial
Authors: Shimizu Eiji , Sato Daisuke , Hirano Yoshiyuki , Ebisu Haruna , Kagayama Yuki , Hanaoka Hideki
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Insomnia is a common health problem and cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended as a treatment. As there is a critical shortage of CBT-trained therapists, we developed a digital CBT application (IIIP MED: Sleepy Med) as Software as a Medical Device for insomnia. This paper describes the study protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate effectiveness and safety of our developed digital CBT (dCBT) for 5 weeks compared with zolpidem tartrate for patients with insomnia disorder.

Methods and analysis

This proposed multicentre exploratory RCT will be conducted at the outpatient clinic of Chiba University Hospital, Akita University Hospital and Yoyogi Sleep Disorder Center, Japan. The study population comprises two parallel groups (dCBT and zolpidem) consisting of 15 participants each (n=30 in total) diagnosed with insomnia disorder who remain symptomatic at 4 weeks after sleep hygiene education. We will evaluate the effectiveness at baseline, week 5 (post-intervention) and week 10 (follow-up). The primary outcome will be the change of subjective sleep onset latency at week 5 from baseline. Secondary outcomes include sleep-related outcomes, such as objective sleep onset latency measured by mobile electroencephalography, functional improvement during the daytime and quality of life.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of Chiba University Hospital (K2023001). All participants will be required to provide written informed consent. Results will be published in international journals.

Trial registration number

jRCT2032230353.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure: protocol for a multicentre random double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Wang Yanhu , Li Mengyao , Yang Tao , Xie Yunbo , Wang Fu-Sheng , Hu Jinhua , Shi Ming
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a prevalent and life-threatening liver disease with high short-term mortality. Although recent clinical trials on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for ACLF treatment have shown promising results, multicentre randomised controlled phase II clinical trials remain uncommon. The primary aim of this trial is to assess the safety and efficacy of different MSCs treatment courses for ACLF.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, double-blind, two-stage, randomised and placebo-controlled clinical trial. In the first stage, 150 patients with ACLF will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either a control group (50 cases) or an MSCs treatment group (100 cases). They will receive either a placebo or umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) treatment three times (at weeks 0, 1 and 2). In the second stage, 28 days after the first UC-MSCs infusion, surviving patients in the MSCs treatment group will be further randomly divided into MSCs-short and MSCs-prolonged groups at a 1:1 ratio. They will receive two additional rounds of placebo or UC-MSCs treatment at weeks 4 and 5. The primary endpoints are the transplant-free survival rate and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events. Secondary endpoints include international normalised ratio, total bilirubin, serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen, model for end-stage liver disease score and Child-Turcotte-Pugh score.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval of this study has been obtained from the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (KY-2023-3-19-1). All results of the study will be submitted to international journals and international conferences for publication on completion of the study.

Trial registration number

NCT05985863.
Mapping the processes and information flows of a prehospital emergency care system in Rwanda: a process mapping exercise
Authors:   Rwanda912 RIGHT Group
Published: June 2024

Objective

A vital component of a prehospital emergency care system is getting an injured patient to the right hospital at the right time. Process and information flow mapping are recognised methods to show where efficiencies can be made. We aimed to understand the process and information flows used by the prehospital emergency service in transporting community emergencies in Rwanda in order to identify areas for improvement.

Design

Two facilitated process/information mapping workshops were conducted. Process maps were produced in real time during discussions and shared with participants for their agreement. They were further validated by field observations.

Setting

The study took place in two prehospital care settings serving predominantly rural and predominantly urban patients.

Participants

24 healthcare professionals from various cadres. Field observations were done on 49 emergencies across both sites.

Results

Two maps were produced, and four main process stages were described: (1) call triage by the dispatch/call centre team, (2) scene triage by the ambulance team, (3) patient monitoring by the ambulance team on the way to the health facility and (4) handover process at the health facility. The first key finding was that the rural site had multiple points of entry into the system for emergency patients, whereas the urban system had one point of entry (the national emergency number); processes were otherwise similar between sites. The second was that although large amounts of information were collected to inform decision-making about which health facility to transfer patients to, participants found it challenging to articulate the intellectual process by which they used this to make decisions; guidelines were not used for decision-making.

Discussion

We have identified several areas of the prehospital care processes where there can be efficiencies. To make efficiencies in the decision-making process and produce a standard approach for all patients will require protocolising care pathways.
Occurrence of major infectious diseases and healthcare seeking among young children with disabilities in Sierra Leone using cross-sectional population-based survey data
Authors: Ekman Anna-Theresia , Cherry Esagila , Sengeh Paul , Webber Nance , Jalloh Mohammad Bailor , Orsini Nicola , Alfvén Tobias , Frielingsdorf Lundqvist Helena
Published: June 2024

Background

Children with disabilities are at risk of worse health outcomes compared to children without functional difficulties. Sierra Leone has one of the world’s highest prevalences of functional difficulties among children, but little is known about the co-occurrence of major infectious diseases and healthcare-seeking behaviours among children with disabilities.

Methods

We used household survey cross-sectional data on children 2–4 years old and logistic regression models estimating ORs between functional difficulties and symptoms of infectious diseases including diarrhoea, fever and acute respiratory infection (ARI), adjusted for sex, age and stunting. We also examined whether caregivers sought advice or treatment for the illness from any source and if the child was given any treatment for the illness.

Results

There was an increased risk of fever among children with functional difficulty (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) and children with severe functional difficulty (AOR=1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.7). Children with severe functional difficulty were also at increased risk of diarrhoea (AOR=1.8, 95% CI=1.1 to 3.3). There were no significant differences in seeking advice or treatment for diarrhoea, fever or ARI symptoms between the groups.

Conclusions

In Sierra Leone, children with functional difficulties, especially severe functional difficulties, more often have symptoms of major childhood diseases that are known to increase under-5 mortality.
Quantifying the cost savings and health impacts of improving colonoscopy quality: an economic evaluation
Authors: McCarthy Stephen , Rutter Matthew David , McMeekin Peter , Catlow Jamie , Sharp Linda , Brookes Matthew , Valori Roland , Bhardwaj-Gosling Rashmi , Lee Tom , McNally Richard , McCarthy Andrew , Gray Joanne
Published: June 2024

Objective

To estimate and quantify the cost implications and health impacts of improving the performance of English endoscopy services to the optimum quality as defined by postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC) rates.

Design

A semi-Markov state-transition model was constructed, following the logical treatment pathway of individuals who could potentially undergo a diagnostic colonoscopy. The model consisted of three identical arms, each representing a high, middle or low-performing trust’s endoscopy service, defined by PCCRC rates. A cohort of 40-year-old individuals was simulated in each arm of the model. The model’s time horizon was when the cohort reached 90 years of age and the total costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated for all trusts. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were also conducted.

Results

A 40-year-old individual gains 0.0006 QALYs and savings of £6.75 over the model lifetime by attending a high-performing trust compared with attending a middle-performing trust and gains 0.0012 QALYs and savings of £14.64 compared with attending a low-performing trust. For the population of England aged between 40 and 86, if all low and middle-performing trusts were improved to the level of a high-performing trust, QALY gains of 14 044 and cost savings of £249 311 295 are possible. Higher quality trusts dominated lower quality trusts; any improvement in the PCCRC rate was cost-effective.

Conclusion

Improving the quality of endoscopy services would lead to QALY gains among the population, in addition to cost savings to the healthcare provider. If all middle and low-performing trusts were improved to the level of a high-performing trust, our results estimate that the English National Health Service would save approximately £5 million per year.
The Surprise Question and clinician-predicted prognosis: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gupta Ankit , Burgess Ruth , Drozd Michael , Gierula John , Witte Klaus , Straw Sam
Published: June 2024

Background

The Surprise Question, ‘Would you be surprised if this person died within the next year?’ is a simple tool that can be used by clinicians to identify people within the last year of life. This review aimed to determine the accuracy of this assessment, across different healthcare settings, specialties, follow-up periods and respondents.

Methods

Searches were conducted of Medline, Embase, AMED, PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from inception until 01 January 2024. Studies were included if they reported original data on the ability of the Surprise Question to predict survival. For each study (including subgroups), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were determined.

Results

Our dataset comprised 56 distinct cohorts, including 68 829 patients. In a pooled analysis, the sensitivity of the Surprise Question was 0.69 ((0.64 to 0.74) I2=97.2%), specificity 0.69 ((0.63 to 0.74) I2=99.7%), positive predictive value 0.40 ((0.35 to 0.45) I2=99.4%), negative predictive value 0.89 ((0.87 to 0.91) I2=99.7%) and accuracy 0.71 ((0.68 to 0.75) I2=99.3%). The prompt performed best in populations with high event rates, shorter timeframes and when posed to more experienced respondents.

Conclusions

The Surprise Question demonstrated modest accuracy with considerable heterogeneity across the population to which it was applied and to whom it was posed. Prospective studies should test whether the prompt can facilitate timely access to palliative care services, as originally envisioned.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD32022298236.
General practitioner advance care planning knowledge and attitudes: ACP-GP cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Daenen Frederick , Stevens Julie , Deliens Luc , Pype Peter , Beernaert Kim , De Vleminck Aline , Pardon Koen
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Advance care planning (ACP) supports adults understanding and sharing their values, goals, and preferences regarding future medical care. General practitioners (GPs) are key figures in conducting ACP conversations with patients. GPs’ ACP knowledge and attitudes have been identified as potential barriers. This study evaluates the effects of ACP-GP, a complex ACP intervention, on GPs’ knowledge and attitudes.

Methods

A phase-III cluster-randomised controlled trial. 35 Belgian GPs participated. The intervention included a training for GPs, ACP conversations, a patient workbook, and a documentation template. GPs’ knowledge and attitudes were assessed using an adaptation of the Next Steps questionnaire, at baseline, three, and six months postintervention. Generalised estimating equations were applied to analyse the data.

Results

Analyses showed no intervention effect on GPs’ knowledge (W(2)=4.18, p=.123) and attitudes (all W(2)<3.85, all p>.146) compared with the control group.

Conclusions

The ACP-GP intervention did not improve GPs’ knowledge and attitudes. Failure to detect an effect may stem from a ceiling effect, with GPs scoring high on baseline outcomes across groups. Questionnaires may require fine-tuning to accurately map their suggested role as potential barriers.

Trial registration number

Prospectively registered at ISRCTN (ISRCTN12995230) on 19 June 2020.
Processing Model of LUCC Temporal Characteristics in Urban and Rural Space Based on Remote Sensing Data Validation
Authors: Chen Ningjing
Published: June 2024

The spatial land change of villages and towns can be analyzed through external spatio-temporal characteristics, which can realize the evaluation of historical development and assist the implementation of planning and design norms and the implementation of problem rectification. To explore the specific process and the overall pattern of land use change, it is necessary to analyze and predict all kinds of data in a unified way to grasp the law of development and the direction of future development. This paper takes the spatial development and planning of villages and towns as the research object, selects the remote sensing image data of regional historical development as the driving factor, combines with Gaussian function fitting to calculate the training samples, and constructs the regional spatial environment analysis system. According to the processing model of external characteristics of time series, the spatial distribution and evolution of Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) and its components are analyzed. The multi-dimensional remote sensing data is innovatively fused into the time series processing model. Besides, the curve which can characterize the spatial change law and is not completely symmetrical is obtained through the least square method fitting so that the data with unequal time series intervals can be flexibly processed. Finally, through the experimental analysis, the traditional Asymmetric Gaussian model (A-G) and Savitzky-Golay (S-G) are taken to compare and analyze the effect of various factors on the processing of time series characteristics. Tests show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the comparison method in noise removal of remote sensing data. The data fitting coefficient is 0.02, and the root mean square measurement error is more than 7% higher than the comparison method. It can predict the trend of land use change distribution, play a key role in assisting decision-making for different land use transformations and utilization in villages and towns, and make a scientific evaluation for the impact of social and economic development potential.
Building Guardrails in AI Systems with Threat Modeling
Authors: Dev Jayati , Akhuseyinoglu Nuray Baltaci , Kayas Golam , Rashidi Bahman , Garg Vaibhav
Published: June 2024

Much like cars, AI technologies must undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety and reliability. However, just as a 16-wheel truck’s brakes are different from that of a standard hatchback, AI models too may need distinct analyses based on their risk, size, application domain, and other factors. Prior research has attempted to do this, by identifying areas of concern for AI/ML applications and tools needed to simulate the effect of adversarial actors. However, currently, a variety of frameworks exist which poses challenges due to inconsistent terminology, focus, complexity, and interoperability issues, hindering effective threat discovery. In this article, we present a meta-analysis of 14 AI threat modeling frameworks, providing a streamlined set of questions for AI/ML threat analysis. We then review this library, incorporating feedback from 10 experts to refine the questions. This refined set of questions allow practitioners to seamlessly integrate threat analysis for comprehensive manual evaluation of a wide range of AI/ML applications.
Review—Structural and Optical Interpretations on Phosphor-Based Optical Thermometry
Authors: Tejas Chennappa  , Kamath Sudha D.
Published: June 2024

This comprehensive review article discusses the brief history, development, and applications of phosphor-based optical thermometers, which have become increasingly important in various fields due to their ability to measure temperature remotely and with high precision. The article highlights the importance of choosing the suitable phosphor material for a given application, considering factors such as crystal structure and mode of thermometry. It then delves into the structural importance of phosphors, discussing their luminescent properties. The review focuses particularly on fluorescence-based temperature-dependent techniques, including the fluorescence intensity ratio method, which has garnered significant attention due to its straightforward implementation, affordability, and self-referential nature. The article discusses the mathematical formulations underlying this method, including the Boltzmann distribution and the effective lifetime calculation. The review also explores the concept of dual-mode thermometry, which involves the use of multiple luminescent centers to enhance sensitivity and thermal stability. This approach is particularly useful in applications where single-emitter thermometers are vulnerable to variations in excitation intensity or detector stability. The article highlights the advantages, limitations, and future developments of phosphor-based thermometers, including their ability to measure temperature remotely and with high precision.
Antimalarial and Immunomodulatory Activities of Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) Leave Flafonoids‐Rich Extract Used in Cameroonian Traditional Medecine
Authors: Ngum Ntonifor Helen , Masakebenagha Ndoah Ellen , Mahamat Oumar
Published: June 2024

Background. Phytochemicals are considered the reliable source for the treatment of infection including malaria. Especially, phenols are known as potentially toxic to the growth and development of pathogens, among which flavonoids are the most extensively studied and play more intensive roles in ethnopharmacology. The immunological effect and role of T. diversifolia flavonoids‐rich extract in treatment of malaria have therefore been examined in this study. Methods. In vitro test against Plasmodium falciparum and 4‐day suppressive and Rane’s tests against Plasmodium berghei in mice were used to evaluate the antimalarial activities. TNF‐α and INF‐γ levels, phagocytic tests, and production of oxygen and nitrogen radical were assessed to appreciate the immunomodulatory activity. One‐way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Student′s t tests was used for data analysis. Results. T. diversifolia flavonoids‐rich extract at the concentrations ranging from 0.0004 mg/ml significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited in a concentration‐dependent manner the growth of trophozoite up to 100% inhibition with 0.025 mg/ml at 24 and 48 hrs. Moreover, T. diversifolia flavonoids‐rich extract reduced the level of parasitemia and improved in a dose‐dependent manner the survival time of infected mice significantly (p < 0.05) compared to their control in 4‐day suppressive test as well as in Rane’s test. Additionally, T. diversifolia flavonoids‐rich extract increased the TNF‐α and INF‐γ levels in rats infected by P. berghei. Furthermore, the flavonoid‐rich extract enhanced weight of spleen in the rats, the metabolic and phagocytic activities of the peritoneal cells, and the concentration of nitric oxide and oxygen radicals in methylprednisolone‐immunocompromised rats compared to the control (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The study has revealed that T. diversifolia flavonoids‐rich extract through its antiplasmodial and phagocytic activities is a promising treatment of malaria.
Supplementary Figure 9 from Transcriptome Deconvolution Reveals Absence of Cancer Cell Expression Signature in Immune Checkpoint Blockade Response
Authors: Guo Yu Amanda , Kulshrestha Tanmay , Chang Mei Mei , Kassam Irfahan , Revkov Egor , Rizzetto Simone , Tan Aaron C. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Tan Iain Beehuat , Skanderup Anders J.
Published: June 2024

Supplementary Figure 9
Supplementary Figure 6 from Transcriptome Deconvolution Reveals Absence of Cancer Cell Expression Signature in Immune Checkpoint Blockade Response
Authors: Guo Yu Amanda , Kulshrestha Tanmay , Chang Mei Mei , Kassam Irfahan , Revkov Egor , Rizzetto Simone , Tan Aaron C. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Tan Iain Beehuat , Skanderup Anders J.
Published: June 2024

Differentially enriched immune cell types between responders and non-responders.
Supplementary Figure 5 from Transcriptome Deconvolution Reveals Absence of Cancer Cell Expression Signature in Immune Checkpoint Blockade Response
Authors: Guo Yu Amanda , Kulshrestha Tanmay , Chang Mei Mei , Kassam Irfahan , Revkov Egor , Rizzetto Simone , Tan Aaron C. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Tan Iain Beehuat , Skanderup Anders J.
Published: June 2024

Expression of top differentially expressed genes in immune cell subtypes.
Supplementary Figure 1 from Transcriptome Deconvolution Reveals Absence of Cancer Cell Expression Signature in Immune Checkpoint Blockade Response
Authors: Guo Yu Amanda , Kulshrestha Tanmay , Chang Mei Mei , Kassam Irfahan , Revkov Egor , Rizzetto Simone , Tan Aaron C. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Tan Iain Beehuat , Skanderup Anders J.
Published: June 2024

Schematic of bulk tumor expression deconvolution and permutation test to identify differentially expressed genes between responders and non-responders in both cancer and stroma compartments.
FIGURE 3 from Transcriptome Deconvolution Reveals Absence of Cancer Cell Expression Signature in Immune Checkpoint Blockade Response
Authors: Guo Yu Amanda , Kulshrestha Tanmay , Chang Mei Mei , Kassam Irfahan , Revkov Egor , Rizzetto Simone , Tan Aaron C. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Tan Iain Beehuat , Skanderup Anders J.
Published: June 2024

Validation and characterization of stromal DEGs with scRNA-seq and immune cell deconvolution analysis. A, Dotplot showing the percentage of stromal (nonmalignant) cells expressing each gene for each response category. Color represents the average scaled expression of the gene in stromal cells (PD, progressive disease; SD, stable disease; PR, partial response). B, Cell-type specific expression of the top stromal biomarkers in ICB responders (PR) and nonresponders (PD/SD). C, Heat map of the association between immune cell types and ICB response. Abundance of immune cell types of each tumor is estimated using CIBERSORTx. Heat map is colored by the signed −log10(P-value) of the difference in CIBERSORTx scores between responders (MSI) and nonresponders (MSS). Cell types with no significant difference in abundance between ICB responders and nonresponders (P-value >0.1) were colored gray. D, Consensus correlations between the abundance of immune cell types and expression of the top stromal biomarkers. Mean Pearson correlation coefficients across the seven discovery cohorts were plotted for each cell type-gene pair. Positive correlations were colored red, negative correlations were colored blue, and tiles with Pearson correlation coefficient <0.1 were colored gray.
O colonialismo e as identidades em trânsito em Luanda, Lisboa, Paraíso, de Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida
Authors: Gonçalves Júlia Beralde , Denubila Rodrigo Valverde
Published: June 2024

Considering the large population flow between Portugal and the former Portuguese colonies after the end of Portuguese domain over the African colonies, the existence of complex and conflicting identities, such as that of the returnees, has been accentuated in contemporary times. In view of this finding, the objective is to analyze the influence of Portuguese colonization in Africa in the construction of the identities of Cartola and Aquiles, characters from Luanda, Lisboa, Paraíso, by Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida. In the movement of leaving the colony and going to the metropolis, crises linked to belonging and identity are accentuated as aspects of the Portuguese colonial imaginary are illuminated. For this purpose, authors who establish the relationship between identity, literature and history, such as Eduardo Lourenço and Margarida Calafate Ribeiro, are analyzed. In this way, it is observed that the life condition imposed on the returnees demarcates an epic in reverse, which allows us to conclude that the marks of Portuguese exploration are planted beyond territorial limits and demarcate subjective territories.
Earthworm (Oligochaeta) diversity of Kumaun Himalaya with a new record of Drawida japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) (Monaligastridae) from Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Shikha Bora  , Deepak Chandra Melkani  , Ajay Kumar  , Mansi Arya  , Kulbhushan Kumar  , Netrapal Sharma  , Satpal Singh Bisht
Published: June 2024

The present study was conducted to investigate earthworm diversity in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand, India. Earthworm sampling was made from 1,409–2,224 m from the foothills of the Kumaun Himalaya to higher altitudes monthly from April 2019 to April 2021, covering the major monsoon season in India. Earthworms were collected from twelve different sites using the hand sorting method and preserved in 10% formalin. We recorded 14 earthworm species representing four families: Megascolecidae (Amynthas corticis, Amynthas morrisi, Amynthas alexandri, Metaphire anomala, Metaphire houlleti, Metaphire birmanica, & Perionyx excavatus); Lumbricidae (Aporrectodea caliginosa trapezoides, Aporrectodea rosea rosea, Eisenia fetida, Octolasion tyrtaeum, & Dendrodrilus rubidus); Moniligastridae (Drawida japonica); and Octochaetidae (Eutyphoeus nainianus). Drawida japonica from the family Moniligastridae is being reported for the first time from the Kumaun Himalaya. Moniligastrids are an important, yet often ignored, earthworm group commonly found in cultivated soils of higher altitudes.
First photographic evidence of Mainland Serow Capricornis sumatraensis thar (Bechstein, 1799) in Raimona National Park, Assam, India
Authors: Lahkar Dipankar , Mohammad Firoz Ahmed  , Sinha Bhanu , Talukdar Pranjal , Basumatary Biswajit , Basumatary Tunu , Begum Ramie H. , Medhi Nibir , Kalita Nitul , Harihar Abishek
Published: June 2024

The first photographic evidence of Mainland Serow Capricornis sumatraensis thar in Ripu Reserve Forest (presently Raimona National Park) in the India-Bhutan Transboundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA) has been presented. Two independent events recorded on 29 December 2020 at 0912 h and 1346 h, at an elevation of 96 m, represent one of the lowest altitudinal records of the species.
Harmonizing ecology and society: an integrated analysis of vulture conservation in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India
Authors: S. Manigandan  , H. Byju  , P. Kannan
Published: June 2024

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) in southern India is home to several critically endangered vulture species. This study in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve of NBR presents an integrated analysis of vulture conservation efforts focusing on harmonizing ecosystem preservation and community engagement. We assessed the current status of all four vulture species in the NBR using the road transect method, covering 2,040 km with 24 replications (January–December 2021). We undertook covert surveys in 82 veterinary pharmacies across four districts of Tamil Nadu to determine the availability of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), considering the 100-km vulture safe zone that included vulture nesting and foraging areas. As practical conservation efforts require active local community participation, our assessments include the perception study of local communities in 20 villages (eight tribal and 12 non-tribal) near vulture habitats. We focused on NSAID usage, considering the impact of numerous socio-economic factors on vulture conservation efforts. We surveyed 540 respondents using detailed questionnaires for these evaluations. The study underlined the need for a comprehensive vulture management plan that balances ecological concerns with the well-being and means of subsistence of surrounding communities. This study is helpful for future conservation efforts in other areas with comparable problems at the nexus of ecology and society.
Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris (Lesson, 1831) predation on Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis (J.F. Gmelin, 1788), with notes on existing literature regarding their predation on birds
Authors: Jon Hakim  , Sharma Jack Pravin
Published: June 2024

Several observers have noted that Mugger Crocodiles Crocodylus palustris incorporate birds into their diet, though no authors have reviewed the full range of bird species subject to such predation. In the present study, the first observation of Mugger Crocodile predation on an owl, specifically the Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis, is reported. Additionally, the existing literature regarding Mugger Crocodile predation on birds is summarized.
Circadian-Dependent Intermittent Fasting Influences Ischemic Tolerance and Dendritic Spine Remodeling
Authors: Jeong Soomin , Chokkalla Anil K. , Davis Charles K. , Jeong Hyunmook , Chelluboina Bharath , Arruri Vijay , Kim Bori , Narman Ashlyn , Bathula Saivenkateshkomal , Arumugam Thiruma V. , Bendlin Barbara B. , Vemuganti Raghu
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Preconditioning by intermittent fasting is linked to improved cognition and motor function, and enhanced recovery after stroke. Although the duration of fasting was shown to elicit different levels of neuroprotection after ischemic stroke, the impact of time of fasting with respect to the circadian cycles remains unexplored.

METHODS:

Cohorts of mice were subjected to a daily 16-hour fast, either during the dark phase (active-phase intermittent fasting) or the light phase (inactive-phase intermittent fasting) or were fed ad libitum. Following a 6-week dietary regimen, mice were subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia and underwent behavioral functional assessment. Brain samples were collected for RNA sequencing and histopathologic analyses.

RESULTS:

Active-phase intermittent fasting cohort exhibited better poststroke motor and cognitive recovery as well as reduced infarction, in contrast to inactive-phase intermittent fasting cohort, when compared with ad libitum cohort. In addition, protection of dendritic spine density/morphology and increased expression of postsynaptic density protein-95 were observed in the active-phase intermittent fasting.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings indicate that the time of daily fasting is an important factor in inducing ischemic tolerance by intermittent fasting.
William M. Feinberg Lecture: Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: Current and Future Considerations
Authors: Meschia James F.
Published: June 2024

Asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis is an important therapeutic target for stroke prevention. For decades, the ACAS (Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study) and ACST (Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial) trials provided most of the evidence supporting endarterectomy for patients with asymptomatic high-grade stenosis who were otherwise good candidates for surgery. Since then, transfemoral/transradial carotid stenting and transcarotid artery revascularization have emerged as alternatives to endarterectomy for revascularization. Advances in treatments against atherosclerosis have driven down the rates of stroke in patients managed without revascularization. SPACE-2 (Stent-Protected Angioplasty Versus Carotid Endarterectomy-2), a trial that included endarterectomy, stenting, and medical arms, failed to detect significant differences in stroke rates among treatment groups, but the study was stopped well short of its recruitment goal. CREST-2 (Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial) will be able to clarify whether revascularization by stenting or endarterectomy remains efficacious under conditions of intensive medical management. Transcarotid artery revascularization has a favorable periprocedural risk profile, but randomized trials comparing it to intensive medical management are lacking. Features like intraplaque hemorrhage on MRI and echolucency on B-mode ultrasonography can identify patients at higher risk of stroke with asymptomatic stenosis. High-grade stenosis with poor collaterals can cause hemispheric hypoperfusion, and unstable plaque can cause microemboli, both of which may be treatable risk factors for cognitive impairment. Evidence that there are patients with carotid stenosis who benefit cognitively from revascularization is presently lacking. New risk factors are emerging, like exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics. Strategies to limit exposure will be important without specific medical therapies.
The specimens of green anaconda, Boa murina Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata, Serpentes, Boidae, Eunectes), from the collection of Albertus Seba, and recommendations for tracing historical specimens
Authors: BAUER AARON M. , DENZER WOLFGANG , DUBOIS ALAIN , ENTIAUSPE-NETO OMAR M. , FRÉTEY THIERRY , OHLER ANNEMARIE , PYRON R. ALEXANDER
Published: June 2024

In a recent publication, Dubois et al. (2024) reviewed in detail the type material of Boa murina Linnaeus, 1758, now known as Eunectes murinus, and designated a specimen figured in Seba (1735), that is considered lost, as its lectotype. Here we explore the known details of the relevant dispersal routes for Seba’s Eunectes specimens and discuss the probabilities of their existence in several European museums. Based on this example, we provide recommendations for the identification of specimens used by historical authors like Seba as the basis for illustrations in their works.
Review of bamboo-feeding leafhoppers of the genus Mukaria (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) in China, with description two new species
Authors: ZHAO YONG-TAO , LUO QIANG , YANG LIN , CHEN XIANG-SHENG
Published: June 2024

Two new species, Mukaria creagra Zhao, Luo & Chen sp. nov. and Mukaria striola Zhao, Luo & Chen sp. nov., of the bamboo-feeding leafhopper genus Mukaria Distant, 1908 are described and illustrated form Guizhou and Yunnan, China. Three species moved from Mukaria Distant, 1908 into Mukariella Viraktamath & Webb, 2019. A key for all known Chinese species of Mukaria and Mukariella is given.
Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear
Authors: Marcaccio Stephen , Buerba Rafael , Arner Justin , Bradley James
Published: June 2024

Background:

Massive rotator cuff tears, defined as those that involved 2 or more tendons or where the length of the greatest diameter is greater than 5 cm, present a unique surgical challenge as there can be significant scarring, retraction, and poor tissue quality. Furthermore, healing of these tears is less reliable. This video presents our technique for anatomic, double row repair of a massive reparable rotator cuff tear.

Indications:

Indications for operative intervention include acute traumatic tears, as well as patients with pain and weakness who have failed to respond to conservative management, including physical therapy with confirmed large full thickness rotator cuff tear on advanced imaging. Of note, findings such as glenohumeral osteoarthritis, advanced muscle atrophy (Goutalier III/IV), superior migration of the humeral head >7 mm, and tears larger than 40 mm in length and width are concerning for irreparable tears, and may represent contraindications to surgical repair.

Technique Description:

The patient is placed in the lateral decubitus position. After diagnostic arthroscopy is performed, a subacromial bursectomy is performed. A radiofrequency probe and arthroscopic shaver are used to perform releases in the subacromial space as well as superior to the glenoid. Preparation of the footprint of the humeral head is then performed to create a good healing surface. The rotator cuff is grasped to confirm tension free mobilization. The medial row anchors are then placed. Once placed, the sutures are incorporated into 2 lateral row anchors in sequential fashion. Subacromial decompression is then performed.

Results:

Reduced pain and improved shoulder function are the goals of treatment, with sling immobilization lasting for roughly 6 weeks postoperatively prior to initiating strengthening and range of motion protocols.

Discussion/Conclusion:

Arthroscopic double row repair produces an anatomic and stable reduction of reparable massive rotator cuff tears for patients that have failed conservative management.

Patient Consent Disclosure Statement:

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.
Chronic TNF in the aging microenvironment exacerbates Tet2 loss-of-function myeloid expansion
Authors: Quin Candice , DeJong Erica N. , McNaughton Amy J. M. , Buttigieg Marco M. , Basrai Salman , Abelson Sagi , Larché Maggie J. , Rauh Michael J. , Bowdish Dawn M. E.
Published: June 2024

Somatic mutations in the TET2 gene occur more frequently with age, imparting an intrinsic hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) advantage and contributing to a phenomenon termed clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). Individuals with TET2-mutant CHIP have a higher risk of developing myeloid neoplasms and other aging-related conditions. Despite its role in unhealthy aging, the extrinsic mechanisms driving TET2-mutant CHIP clonal expansion remain unclear. We previously showed an environment containing tumor necrosis factor (TNF) favors TET2-mutant HSC expansion in vitro. We therefore postulated that age-related increases in TNF also provide an advantage to HSCs with TET2 mutations in vivo. To test this hypothesis, we generated mixed bone marrow chimeric mice of old wild-type (WT) and TNF–/– genotypes reconstituted with WT CD45.1+ and Tet2–/– CD45.2+ HSCs. We show that age-associated increases in TNF dramatically increased the expansion of Tet2–/– cells in old WT recipient mice, with strong skewing toward the myeloid lineage. This aberrant myelomonocytic advantage was mitigated in old TNF–/– recipient mice, suggesting that TNF signaling is essential for the expansion Tet2-mutant myeloid clones. Examination of human patients with rheumatoid arthritis with clonal hematopoiesis revealed that hematopoietic cells carrying certain mutations, including in TET2, may be sensitive to reduced TNF bioactivity following blockade with adalimumab. This suggests that targeting TNF may reduce the burden of some forms of CHIP. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence to demonstrate that TNF has a causal role in driving TET2-mutant CHIP in vivo. These findings highlight TNF as a candidate therapeutic target to control TET2-mutant CHIP.
Paediatric sleep diagnostics in the 21st century: the era of “sleep-omics”?
Authors: Vennard Hannah , Buchan Elise , Davies Philip , Gibson Neil , Lowe David , Langley Ross
Published: June 2024

Paediatric sleep diagnostics is performed using complex multichannel tests in specialised centres, limiting access and availability and resulting in delayed diagnosis and management. Such investigations are often challenging due to patient size (prematurity), tolerability, and compliance with “gold standard” equipment. Children with sensory/behavioural issues, at increased risk of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), often find standard diagnostic equipment difficult.

SDB can have implications for a child both in terms of physical health and neurocognitive development. Potential sequelae of untreated SDB includes failure to thrive, cardiopulmonary disease, impaired learning and behavioural issues. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of SDB is important to facilitate early intervention and improve outcomes.

The current gold-standard diagnostic test for SDB is polysomnography (PSG), which is expensive, requiring the interpretation of a highly specialised physiologist. PSG is not feasible in low-income countries or outwith specialist sleep centres. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, efforts were made to improve remote monitoring and diagnostics in paediatric sleep medicine, resulting in a paradigm shift in SDB technology with a focus on automated diagnosis harnessing artificial intelligence (AI). AI enables interrogation of large datasets, setting the scene for an era of “sleep-omics”, characterising the endotypic and phenotypic bedrock of SDB by drawing on genetic, lifestyle and demographic information. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently announced a programme for the development of automated home-testing devices for SDB. Scorer-independent scalable diagnostic approaches for paediatric SDB have potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, accessibility and patient tolerability; reduce health inequalities; and yield downstream economic and environmental benefits.
Ameliorative impacts of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on seedling growth, physiological biomarkers, and gene expression in eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under salt stress
Authors: Badr Abdelfattah , Basuoni Mostafa M. , Ibrahim Mohamed , Salama Yossry E. , Abd-Ellatif Sawsan , Abdel Razek Elsayed S. , Amer Khaled E. , Ibrahim Amira A. , Zayed Ehab M.
Published: June 2024

Plants spontaneously accumulate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a nonprotein amino acid, in response to various stressors. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding the precise molecular mechanisms that plants employ to cope with salt stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of GABA on the salt tolerance of eight distinct varieties of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by examining plant growth rates and physiological and molecular response characteristics. The application of salt stress had a detrimental impact on plant growth markers. Nevertheless, the impact was mitigated by the administration of GABA in comparison to the control treatment. When the cultivars Gemmiza 7, Gemmiza 9, and Gemmiza 12 were exposed to GABA at two distinct salt concentrations, there was a substantial increase in both the leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. Both the control wheat cultivars and the plants exposed to salt treatment and GABA treatment showed alterations in stress-related biomarkers and antioxidants. This finding demonstrated that GABA plays a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of salt treatments on wheat cultivars. Among the eight examined kinds of wheat, CV. Gemmiza 7 and CV. Gemmiza 11 exhibited the most significant alterations in the expression of their TaSOS1 genes. CV. Misr 2, CV. Sakha 94, and CV. Sakha 95 exhibited the highest degree of variability in the expression of the NHX1, DHN3, and GR genes, respectively. The application of GABA to wheat plants enhances their ability to cope with salt stress by reducing the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other stress indicators, regulating stomatal aperture, enhancing photosynthesis, activating antioxidant enzymes, and upregulating genes involved in salt stress tolerance.