bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oro‐Dental Characteristics in Patients With Adult‐Onset Hypophosphatasia Compared to a Healthy Control Group–A Case‐Control Study
Authors: Jørgensen Freja Fribert , Hermann Xenia , Hepp Nicola , Sonnesen Liselotte
Published: October 2024

Background

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited disease that affects multiple organ systems including bone and teeth. Limited knowledge exists on dental and oral health in patients with adult‐onset HPP (aHPP).

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate oro‐dental characteristics in patients with aHPP compared to healthy controls.

Methods

This case‐control study included 20 patients with aHPP compared to 31 healthy controls. Oro‐dental manifestations were examined by standardised interviews, clinical examinations as well as radiological registrations on panoramic radiograph (OP) and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.

Results

The subjective experience of tooth fractures (p = 0.010), caries in permanent teeth (p = 0.032) and early loss of permanent teeth (p = 0.002) was significantly higher in patients with aHPP compared to the controls. In the aHPP group, the presence of specific teeth (p ≤ 0.045) and attrition of 11 were significantly lower (p = 0.012) compared to the controls. Opacity of a few teeth (p ≤ 0.049), presence of denticles (p = 0.024), the distance between the enamel–cement junction (CEJ) and the marginal bone level at specific sites (p ≤ 0.021) and crown height of 11 (p = 0.017) were significantly higher in patients with aHPP than in healthy controls.

Conclusion

The results indicate that patients with aHPP have a subjective experience of having poorer dental health. Loss of permanent teeth, less attrition, tooth opacities, denticles and larger distance between CEJ and marginal bone level are possible oro‐dental findings in patients with aHPP.
Complex end‐of‐life decision‐making during neonatal retrieval: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cantelmi David , Jardine Luke , Griffin Alison , Cooke Lucy
Published: October 2024

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare patients referred to our retrieval service who were palliated before transfer, versus those transferred who were palliated within 7 days of birth.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of infants referred to our neonatal retrieval service between 1 December 2015 and 31 March 2022 who died during retrieval or within 7 days of referral. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the service database and electronic medical records.

Results

Data on 60 infants were analysed; 25 (42%) infants were not transported and were palliated at the referring hospital, 35 (58%) infants were transported and later palliated at the accepting hospital. The most common primary diagnoses were prematurity (42%) and hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (42%). Infants palliated at the referring hospital were more likely than those transported and later palliated to require resuscitation including chest compressions (52% vs. 23%, P = 0.02), management for hypotension (72% vs. 20%, P < 0.001) and management for pneumothorax (28% vs. 0%, P = 0.001) and less likely to require management for seizures (8% vs. 43%, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Palliation at the referring hospital should be considered as an option when escalating care is predicted to not affect outcome. In this cohort the infants least likely to be transported required significant management during stabilisation. Determining the infants for whom transport is non‐beneficial remains difficult.
Study on cerebral oxygen saturation in children with sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Wu Yunxiao , Xu Zhifei , Ge Wentong , Zhang Xin , Zheng Li , Ning Xiaolin , Ni Xin
Published: October 2024

To explore the association between the severity of sleep‐disordered breathing, different types of respiratory events, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), age and sleep stage on cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) in children. We enrolled children aged 4–14 years who were treated for snoring or mouth breathing at the Sleep Center of Beijing Children's Hospital, from February 2022 to July 2022. All children completed polysomnography, and SpO2, rSO2, and heart rate (HR) were recorded synchronously. A total of 70 children were included, including 16 (22.9%) with primary snoring, 38 (54.3%) with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and 16 (22.9%) with moderate‐to‐severe OSA. There were no significant differences in the mean rSO2 or minimum rSO2 among the primary snoring, mild OSA, and moderate‐to‐severe OSA groups (all p > 0.05). A total of 1119 respiratory events were included in the analysis. Regardless of the type of respiratory event, rSO2 and HR changes occur prior to fluctuations in SpO2. A mixed‐effects model showed that ΔrSO2 was positively correlated with ΔSpO2, duration of respiratory event, mixed and obstructive apnea, central apnea, while negatively correlated with age and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage (all p < 0.05). Larger rSO2 fluctuations were impacted by a greater ΔSpO2, longer duration of respiratory events, younger age, apnea‐related respiratory events and non‐REM sleep stage. Thus, sleep disordered breathing in younger children warrants more attention. More research is needed to determine whether REM sleep has special protective effects on rSO2.
Determination of the protein value of novel poultry meal ingredients for rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Sealey Wendy M. , Gaylord T. Gibson
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to assess the digestible protein value of three novel poultry products (Pea/Lentil‐PM, Hen on Hen‐PM, and soybean meal (SBM)‐PM), then a growth trial with a 2 × 5 design was conducted where SBM‐PM was included at five levels: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30% in both a fish meal (FM)‐based diet and a plant protein (PP)‐based diet. Thirty rainbow trout (initial size = 10.7 ± 0.15 g; Troutlodge Inc, Sumner, WA) per tank were stocked into a 15°C recirculating system. Fish in triplicate tanks were fed twice daily to apparent satiation for 12 weeks. SBM‐PM had no effect on final weight (p = 0.3665; FM 233 vs. PP 237) or growth rate (p = 0.4703; FM 2070% vs. PP 2097%). Significant interactions between dietary protein and SBM‐PM for both intake (p = 0.0080) and FCR (p = 0.0081) indicate increased intake of fish fed the plant protein‐based diet without SBM‐PM. Regression modeling of this effect yields a polynomial model with an R‐square of 0.78; p < 0.0001 explained by the relationships: and , respectively. These values suggest that the SBM‐PM can be included up to 30% in rainbow trout feeds to reduce feed costs without negatively impacting performance.
Investigation of the effect of water and feed sourced boron on the growth performance and blood parameters of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Çelik Mustafa , Dikel Suat , Öz Mustafa
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the effects of water and feed‐derived boron on the growth performance and blood parameters of Nile tilapia fingerlings. Two different experiments were designed for this purpose. The first phase of the study determined the LC50 (96‐h) value of boron for Nile tilapia. Fish were then fed in water containing boron at a ratio of 1:20 of the LC50 value. In the second experiment, feed containing boron at different rates (0.00%, 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.10%) was fed for 40 days. At the end of the feeding period, growth performance, hematology, and blood biochemistry parameters were determined. The study concluded with a calculated LC50 value of 161.053 mg/L boron for Nile tilapia. The initial weight was 12.51 ± 0.79 g; at the end of feeding, the final weights were determined as 26.36 ± 0.15 g for the control and 28.07 ± 0.23, 32.28 ± 0.25 and 24.81 ± 0.48 g for 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.10% of boron feed treatments, respectively. At the end of feeding in water containing boron, the final weight of Nile tilapia was determined as 24.26 ± 0.26 g (LC50/20%). The results showed that feeding Nile tilapia with 0.05% boron‐supplemented feed stimulated growth and positively affected blood parameters, whereas waterborne boron inhibited Nile tilapia growth and negatively affected blood parameters.
Medievalism, Orientalism, and the Botany of the Holy Land
Authors: Legassie Shayne Aaron
Published: October 2024

This article considers the intersection of medievalism and Orientalism in the botanical study of the Holy Land from the Middle Ages itself through the 1930s.
An adversarial diverse deep ensemble approach for surrogate‐based traffic signal optimization
Authors: Tang Zhixian , Wang Ruoheng , Chung Edward , Gu Weihua , Zhu Hong
Published: October 2024

Surrogate‐based traffic signal optimization (TSO) is a computationally efficient alternative to simulation‐based TSO. By replacing the simulation‐based objective function, a surrogate model can quickly identify solutions by searching for extreme points on its response surface. As a popular surrogate model, the ensemble of multiple diverse deep learning models can approximate complicated systems with a strong generalizability. However, existing ensemble methods barely focus on strengthening the prediction of extreme points, which we found can be realized by further diversifying base learners in the ensemble. The study proposes an adversarial diverse ensemble (ADE) method for online TSO with limited computational resources, comprising two stages: In the offline stage, base extractors are diversified with unlabeled data by a designed adversarial diversity training algorithm; in the online stage, base predictors are trained in parallel with limited labeled data, and the ensemble then serves as the surrogate model to search for solutions iteratively for TSO. First, it is demonstrated that the prediction accuracy on extreme points, and associated solution quality, can be constantly improved with base learners’ diversity enhanced by ADE. Case studies of TSO conducted on a four‐intersection arterial further demonstrate the superior solution quality and computational efficiency of the ADE surrogate model in a wide range of traffic scenarios. Moreover, a large‐scale online TSO experiment under dynamic traffic demand proves ADE's effectiveness in practical applications.
Natural language processing‐based deep transfer learning model across diverse tabular datasets for bond strength prediction of composite bars in concrete
Authors: Zhang Pei‐Fu , Zhang Daxu , Zhao Xiao‐Ling , Zhao Xuan , Iqbal Mudassir , Tuerxunmaimaiti Yiliyaer , Zhao Qi
Published: October 2024

As conventional machine learning models often struggle with scarcity and structural variation of training data, this paper proposes a novel regression transfer learning framework called transferable tabular regressor (TransTabRegressor) to address this challenge. The TransTabRegressor integrates natural language processing (NLP) for feature encoding, transformer for enhanced feature representation, and deep learning (DL) for robust modeling, facilitating effective transfer learning across tabular datasets using reducing input parameters. By leveraging the NLP data processor, the framework embeds both parameter names and values, enabling it to recognize and adapt to different expressions of similar parameters. For instance, the bond strength of fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) bars embedded in ultra‐high‐performance concrete (UHPC) is critical for ensuring the integrity of FRP‐UHPC structures. While pullout tests are widely adopted for their simplicity to generate substantial data, beam tests provide a closer approximation to actual stress conditions but are more complex thus resulting in limited data size. As a verification, the framework is applied to predict the bond strength of FRP bars embedded in UHPC using limited beam test data. A pre‐trained model is first established using 479 pieces of pullout test data. Subsequently, two transfer learning models are developed by fine‐tuning on 115 pieces of beam test data, where 66 correspond to concrete splitting failure and 49 correspond to pullout failure. For comparative analysis, XGBoost and neural network models are directly trained on the beam test data. Evaluation results demonstrate that the transfer learning models achieve significantly improved prediction accuracy and generalization capability. This study significantly highlights the effectiveness of the proposed TransTabRegressor in handling data scarcity and variability in input parameters across various engineering applications.
An array of Zymoseptoria tritici effectors suppress plant immune responses
Authors: Thynne Elisha , Ali Haider , Seong Kyungyong , Abukhalaf Mohammad , Guerreiro Marco A. , Flores‐Nunez Victor M. , Hansen Rune , Bergues Ana , Salman Maja J. , Rudd Jason J. , Kanyuka Kostya , Tholey Andreas , Krasileva Ksenia V. , Kettles Graeme J. , Stukenbrock Eva H.
Published: October 2024

Zymoseptoria tritici is the most economically significant fungal pathogen of wheat in Europe. However, despite the importance of this pathogen, the molecular interactions between pathogen and host during infection are not well understood. Herein, we describe the use of two libraries of cloned Z. tritici effectors that were screened to identify effector candidates with putative pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP)‐triggered immunity (PTI)‐suppressing activity. The effectors from each library were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana, and expressing leaves were treated with bacterial or fungal PAMPs to assess the effectors' ability to suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. From these screens, numerous effectors were identified with PTI‐suppressing activity. In addition, some effectors were able to suppress cell death responses induced by other Z. tritici secreted proteins. We used structural prediction tools to predict the putative structures of all of the Z. tritici effectors and used these predictions to examine whether there was enrichment of specific structural signatures among the PTI‐suppressing effectors. From among the libraries, multiple members of the killer protein‐like 4 (KP4) and killer protein‐like 6 (KP6) effector families were identified as PTI suppressors. This observation is intriguing, as these protein families were previously associated with antimicrobial activity rather than virulence or host manipulation. This data provides mechanistic insight into immune suppression by Z. tritici during infection and suggests that, similar to biotrophic pathogens, this fungus relies on a battery of secreted effectors to suppress host immunity during early phases of colonization.
Climate feedback from plant physiological responses to increasing atmospheric CO2 in Earth system models
Authors: Li Yue
Published: October 2024

Plant physiological responses to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration (iCO2), including enhanced photosynthesis and reduced stomatal conductance, impact regional and global climate. Here, I describe recent advances in understanding these effects through Earth system models (ESMs). Idealized simulations of a 1% annual iCO2 show that despite fertilization, CO2 physiological forcing contributes to 10% of warming and at least 30% of future precipitation decline in Amazonia. This reduces aboveground vegetation carbon storage and triggers positive carbon–climate feedback. ESM simulations indicate that reduced transpiration and increased heat stress from iCO2 could amplify meteorological drought and wildfire risks. Understanding these climate feedbacks is essential for improving carbon accounting in natural climate solutions, such as avoiding deforestation and reforestation, as iCO2 complicates assessing their climate benefits.
Carbon emission in MINT economies: The role of poverty, population, energy use and economic factors
Authors: Bekun Festus Victor , Uzuner Gizem , Onifade Stephen Taiwo , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: October 2024

Poor environmental quality is usually observed in developing blocs. Some plausible explanations are due to the high poverty level and their economic characterisation. The present study focuses on exploring the effect of poverty on environmental degradation over annual data from 1990 to 2018 for MINT economies (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkiye). By leveraging panel econometrics procedures that are robust to cross‐sectional and slope homogeneity issues, the results show evidence of an equilibrium relationship among the examined variables namely households final consumption expenditure, CO2 emissions, GDP, electricity consumption and population over the sampled period. Findings from this study establish that poverty is a core to environmental degradation in Türkiye and the plausible explanation is due to the country's demography while on the contrary, Nigeria, Indonesia and Mexico show that poverty is not a core contributor to environmental degradation. Thus, from a policy lens, there is need for concerted efforts by government officials and all stakeholders in the examined countries to reduce environmental degradation by improving per capita income (SDG‐8) in the region productive economic activities to raise income level in the bloc. Additionally, there is a need for energy transition from fossil fuel‐based energy to cleaner energy alternative options. More policy caveats are elucidated in the concluding section.
Comparing the effectiveness of pregabalin and gabapentin in patients with lumbar radiculopathy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kwon Do Yun , Kim Kwang‐Ryeol , Kim Dong Hyuck , Kwak Sang Gyu
Published: October 2024

Background

Gabapentinoids are commonly prescribed to control neuropathic pain of lumbar radiculopathy. Few trials have compared the efficacy of gabapentin (GBP) and pregabalin (PGB). Therefore, the authors conducted a meta‐analysis to compare the difference in effect between GBP and PGB in lumbar radiculopathy patients.

Methods

Articles which were published between January 1, 1960 and May 31, 2023 were investigated via Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE. This meta‐analysis was conducted on patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Gabapentin was used as an intervention, and pregabalin as a comparison. As outcomes, pain rating scales including visual analog scale (VAS) and numeric pain rating scale (NRS), and number of adverse events (dizziness and sedation) were obtained.

Results

PGB showed statistically significant improvement in pain scale (VAS and NRS) in short‐term follow‐up (6 weeks or less) compared to GBP. (Total mean difference of −0.31) However, in the long‐term follow‐up (6 weeks to 12 weeks), there was no difference in pain reduction effect between two groups. The incidence of AEs showed no difference between two groups.

Conclusion

Based on this article, the existing evidence suggests that PGB was more effective in reducing pain of lumbar radiculopathy compared to GBP at the short‐term follow‐up, but there was no difference in the long‐term follow‐up. Physicians should consider this finding in prescribing medications for patients with lumbar radiculopathy.
Powerful Qualities and the Metaphysics of Properties
Authors: Taylor Henry
Published: October 2024

In debates about the metaphysics of properties, many have claimed that properties are powers. According to the powers view, a property's nature disposes objects to behave in certain ways in response to certain stimuli. For example, the property of fragility disposes objects to smash when a force is applied to them. But how should we understand powers? There has recently been a surge of interest in the powerful qualities view of properties. Other views in the field either claim that properties are pure powers, or that they are qualities. The powerful qualities view rejects this dichotomy, saying that properties are both powers and qualities. In this paper, I distinguish some versions of the powerful qualities view, and some of the reasons to hold it. I also outline one of the most exciting elements of the view, which is its relation to the philosophy of mind.
Responsibility Gaps
Authors: Da Silva Michael
Published: October 2024

Responsibility gaps arise when there is a mismatch between the amount of responsibility that can be attributed to any person or collection of persons on leading accounts of moral responsibility and the amount that robust intuitions suggest should be allocated to someone in a case. Claimed responsibility gaps arise in numerous philosophical debates, including those concerning government, corporate, and other forms of group agency and new technologies and those concerning theoretical issues in the philosophy of responsibility. This work is an opinionated introduction to and overview of recent work on responsibility gaps. It outlines and evaluates paradigmatic responsibility gap cases and ways of understanding the phenomenon as well as the existence conditions and moral status of and possible responses to responsibility gaps. It thereby contributes to ongoing work in the philosophy of responsibility and several applied domains.
Sexual dimorphism at different life stages: early life sexual differences in root growth in Silene latifolia
Authors: Pérez‐Llorca M. , Hewett A. , de la Peña Pita A. , Hailer F. , Sánchez Vilas J.
Published: October 2024

Male and female dioecious plants often show sexual dimorphism, differing in morphological, physiological and life‐history traits. Most previous studies have focused on differences between males and females during or after reproduction, paying little attention to the pre‐reproductive stages of the individuals.

Here we assessed the response of male and female individuals of the dioecious plant Silene latifolia to abiotic stress at different life stages, including pre‐reproductive (i.e. seedlings and young plants) and reproductive individuals. We measured growth, resource allocation and discrimination against 13C under nutrient deficiency, water stress, as well as their interaction.

We observed sexual dimorphism in root growth, with female seedlings having longer main roots than male plants. Pre‐reproductive male and female plants also responded differently, in terms of root allocation, to nutrient and water availability. At reproduction, females grew more roots than males when water was not limiting. These differences could help explain the female‐skewed sex ratios found in natural populations of S. latifolia. We found no evidence of sexual dimorphism in aboveground dry mass, although females had longer leaves than males at the seedling stage.

We conclude that sexual dimorphism in S. latifolia may occur not as a consequence of reproduction, but well before it.
Insights into the Differences in Polysaccharide and Alkaloid Biosynthesis in the Medicinal Orchids Dendrobium nobile and D. officinale
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Wen , Shi Yu‐Cen , Huang Wei , Zhang Shi‐Bao
Published: October 2024

Both Dendrobium nobile and D. officinale are widely used medicinal plants in China and their major medicinal components are alkaloids and polysaccharides, respectively. It is still unclear why these two closely related orchids synthesize and accumulate different chemical components. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying polysaccharide and alkaloid biosynthesis in D. nobile and D. officinale through transcriptome and metabolomic analysis at different growth stages. A total of 1267 metabolites were identified in the juvenile and mature stages of the two species. D. nobile accumulated a large number of alkaloids, benzenoids/phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids during the transition from juvenile to mature plants. In contrast, D. officinale accumulated a small number of those metabolites and an absence of flavonoids. The correlation analysis of polysaccharide contents with the differentially expressed genes suggested that the differential expression of GH1, GH3, and GH9 might be related to the difference in polysaccharide contents between the two Dendrobium species. Meanwhile, the difference in the biosynthesis of dendrobine, the main component of alkaloids in D. nobile, was involved in the differential expression of HMGCR, DXR, DXS, ISPH and eight CYP450s. These findings provided new insights into understanding the biosynthetic mechanisms of the main medicinal components in Dendrobium species.
Unpacking core components for policy design: A comparison of synthesis approaches
Authors: Lemire Sebastian , Peck Laura R. , Porowski Allan , Dymnicki Allison
Published: October 2024

Under the banner of evidence‐based policy, evidence reviews—summaries of existing studies on an intervention—have become an established form of policy analysis. Whereas evidence reviews have typically focused on studies of an intervention as delivered, interest is growing in examining the specific elements that comprise the intervention and that contribute to its success—broadly referred to as its core components. Understanding the core components of interventions allows policymakers to identify with greater precision what works, in which contexts, and for which populations. With the aim toward advancing core components analysis for policy design, this Research Note describes and compares four synthesis approaches for identifying core components in the context of evidence reviews: the distillation and matching model, meta‐regression, framework synthesis, and qualitative comparative analysis. The article then reflects on how to advance core components analysis in evidence reviews to better inform policy design and the policymaking process.
Examining the relationship between subjective exercise tolerance and psychophysiological reactivity during physical stress
Authors: Bigliassi Marcelo , Antonio Dayanne S. , Celoch Kamil , Krause Maressa P.
Published: October 2024

It has been hypothesized that one's ability to control impulses aids in sustaining effort despite experiencing painful physical sensations. Physical exercise has been used extensively as an intervention to strengthen the inhibitory control system and protect an individual's cognitive plan of action. It is unclear, however, whether the high levels of exercise tolerance could facilitate inhibitory control under varied stressors. The present study explored the relationship between subjective exercise tolerance and psychophysiological characteristics that indicate reactivity capacity when exposed to the cold pressor test. Thirty‐six participants were divided into two groups based on their subjective exercise tolerance profiles. During the test, participants' psychophysiological reactivity was monitored via heart rate variability. Participants were also required to answer questions about their perceptual and affective states at the beginning and immediately after the stress test. The study revealed insights into dominance perception and emotional states among individuals with varying subjective exercise tolerance levels. High‐tolerant individuals endured physical discomfort longer (~50 s) and exhibited higher perceived dominance at the outset of the test when compared to their low‐tolerant counterparts. Despite differences in task performance, both groups experienced more positive affective states post‐task, potentially as a result of a heightened sense of self‐accomplishment. Notably, both groups showed similar levels of psychophysiological reactivity, suggesting a protective effect of physical tolerance on ensuing biological responses. Overall, this study sheds light on the complex relationship between exercise tolerance, dominance perception, and psychophysiological reactivity during physically demanding tasks, enriching our understanding of how developing physical tolerance may impact inhibitory control under stress.
Long‐term freezing saline water irrigation and cotton cultivation improved soil properties and maintained low salinity in the root zone of coastal saline soil
Authors: Guo Kai , Feng Xiaohui , Liu Xiaojing , Ju Zhaoqiang
Published: October 2024

Freezing saline water irrigation in winter has been shown to be an effective method for improving heavy saline–alkali soil via the use of local high‐salinity water. However, the long‐term effects of freezing saline water irrigation on the soil physicochemical properties in the root zone are still unclear. In this study, the dynamics of soil water, electrical conductivity (ECe) and the sodium adsorption ratio (SARe), and changes in relevant soil physicochemical characteristics were investigated on the basis of 11 consecutive years of freezing saline water irrigation and cotton cultivation (FSICC). Although FSICC significantly increased water consumption (ca. 465.92 mm) compared with that of the CK (ca. 133.38 mm), a significantly lower soil ECe in the root zone was still obtained under FSICC than under CK. An annual decrease in soil ECe and an increase in seed cotton yield were observed during the initial 4 years of the FSICC. Thereafter, the soil ECe and SARe in the 0–20 cm layer were stably maintained below 6.1 dS m−1 and 12.9 (mmol L−1)0.5, respectively, and a stable seed cotton yield of 3.92 t ha−1 was obtained. Compared with those of the CK treatment, the long‐term FSICC increased the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, soil organic matter and water‐stable aggregates in the 0–20 cm layer, which further increased the available water content and total pore volume (>0.2 μm). These results indicated that the long‐term FSICC significantly improved the soil physicochemical properties and maintained lower levels of soil salinity and SARe in the root zone, although it significantly increased water consumption.
Influence of soil organic carbon fractions on the soil priming effect under different vegetation restoration modes
Authors: Hao Ming , Wang Guifang , Zhu Wenli , Dun Xingjian , Zhao Wei , Tian Zhihao , Zhang Zixu , Gao Peng
Published: October 2024

The soil priming effect is a key mechanism influencing carbon (C) cycling processes between the forest soil organic carbon (SOC) pool and the atmosphere. Different vegetation restoration modes have different SOC pool compositions, and it is not clear whether such differences affect the soil priming effect. Therefore, we selected soil from six typical vegetation restoration modes Platycladus orientalis (PO), Pinus sylvestris (PS), Quercus acutissima (QA), shrub (SH) and wasteland (WL) in the soil and rocky mountainous areas of northern China and measured the soil properties, microbial communities, microbial necromass carbon (MNC), SOC fractions and the soil priming effect. The SOC content decreased in the order of PO (21.33 g kg−1), PS (22.00 g kg−1), QA (13.67 g kg−1), SH (13.33 g kg−1) and WL (10.33 g kg−1), and the trends of the mineral‐associated organic carbon (MAOC) and fungal necromass carbon (FNC) content were the same as those of the SOC content. The soil priming effect was greater in both forests and shrublands than in wastelands, with the greatest effect occurring in PO forests, where the soil priming effect reached 159.91 mg CO2‐C kg−1 soil after 30 days of incubation, which was 1.4 times greater than that in WL. The soil priming effect was mainly determined by the difference in MAOC content. In addition, the soil C/N ratio and bacterial community diversity also indirectly affected the soil priming effect by influencing the soil MNC and SOC fractions. Overall, afforestation increased the SOC content, fungal necromass contribution and mineral conservation, increasing the soil priming effect. This theoretical foundation supports the enhancement of SOC sequestration capacity by implementing various modes of vegetation restoration in the future.
The Influence of Strategic Media on Nation Building: The Case of Sudan
Authors: Widdatallah Musab Abdelgadir
Published: October 2024

The study systematically investigated the hypothesis that strategic media initiatives promote and accelerate nation-building processes (NBP) in Sudan. The strategic media variables examined included three essential ones: media language perfection (MLP), qualitative media coverage (QMC), and information building plan (IBP). Using a multilinear regression model (MLRM), the study analyzed the relationships among these predicting variables and their impact on the dependent variable. The evaluation of how the three predictors impact nation-building and state stability required the distribution of a survey containing 21 questions. 200 Sudanese journalists from different parts of the country received the questionnaire. They represent diverse backgrounds across private and public media institutions, including male and female participants. The principal data collection technique adopted by the study was the online survey, supplemented by other secondary sources such as journals, books, and professional internet websites. The use of a five-point Likert scale was feasible to evaluate responses. The analysis indicated that the three predictors collectively explained 94.2% of the variation in NBP (R² = 0.942, p < 0.001). Among these predictors, IBP demonstrated the highest impact (β = 0.624), followed by MLP (β = 0.589) and QMC (β = 0.247). These findings underscore the significant role of professional media in Sudanese nation-building by facilitating practical initiatives and addressing internal conflicts. The study contributes robust empirical evidence and theoretical insights into the efforts of Sudanese journalists, emphasizing the critical role of strategic media in fostering nation-building and enhancing state stability.
Nebulized fentanyl does not improve exercise capacity or dyspnoea in fibrosing interstitial lung disease
Authors: Chen Charlotte , Kolbe John , Paton Julian F. R. , Fisher James P.
Published: October 2024

Exercise intolerance and exertional dyspnoea are hallmarks of fibrosing interstitial lung disease (FILD) and are associated with worse prognosis and quality of life. Activation of pulmonary vagal afferents influences the ventilatory pattern and contributes to the sensation of dyspnoea. We tested the hypothesis that nebulized fentanyl, which might attenuate aberrant pulmonary afferent activity in FILD, reduces ventilation and dyspnoea while extending exercise endurance time (EET). In this randomized, single‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, eight FILD patients (two males, 71 ± 6 years of age) performed incremental cardiopulmonary cycle exercise tests following nebulization of either fentanyl citrate (100 µg) or 0.9% saline. Previous work indicated that this dose was unlikely to produce central effects. Comparisons between treatment conditions at rest were undertaken using Student's paired t‐test, and exercise data were evaluated with two‐way ANOVA with repeated measures. Dyspnoea was assessed using the Borg dyspnoea scale. Resting respiratory variables were not different following treatment with fentanyl and saline; however, resting heart rate was lower following fentanyl (P = 0.002) and remained lower throughout exercise compared with placebo (P = 0.008). Fentanyl did not increase EET (placebo 334 ± 117 s vs. fentanyl 348 ± 126 s, P = 0.250) although overall minute ventilation was reduced slightly (mean difference: −0.97 L/min, P = 0.022). There were no differences in ratings of dyspnoea intensity or unpleasantness between the conditions either at rest or at end‐exercise. Nebulized fentanyl did not improve EET or exercise dyspnoea but did decrease minute ventilation during exercise, although the extent of this reduction appears clinically insignificant. These findings suggest that nebulized fentanyl is unlikely to offer significant benefits for enhancing exercise capacity in FILD.
Familial tumoral calcinosis: a rare autosomal recessive disease
Authors: Moran Heberth , Malvar Monique , Yuksel Simge , Bleich David
Published: October 2024

Familial tumoral calcinosis (FTC) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder where renal tubular phosphate excretion is decreased in the absence of renal failure. The underlying defect is due to inactivating mutations in thefibroblast growth factor 23,α-KlothoorUDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine: polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase-3genes, resulting in hyperphosphatemia. Patients typically present with calcified soft tissue masses resulting from calcium phosphate deposits. Medical management with phosphate binders, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, in addition to limiting phosphorus intake, is the mainstay of treatment. This case serves to highlight the pathophysiology of a rare diagnosis of FTC and the efficacy of the limited therapeutic options available.
Incidental finding of aBRCA2variant following whole genome sequencing to molecularly diagnose bilateral congenital cataracts
Authors: Heppell Cara , Malka Samantha , Moosajee Mariya
Published: October 2024

A male patient in his 20s with a history of bilateral congenital cataracts and nystagmus presented to the genetic eye disease clinic at Moorfields Eye Hospital to enquire about genetic testing for family decision-making and access to preimplantation genetic testing. He had a history of lensectomy with best-corrected visual acuities of logMAR 0.60 and 1.00 in the right and left eye. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted, which included targeted analysis of a panel of 115 lens-related genes and incidental findings, for which patients are unable to opt-out. Genetic testing identified the causative variant c.134T>C (p.Leu45Pro) in theCRYGCgene. A pathogenic variant inBRCA2was also identified as a secondary finding. This was unexpected given the absence of a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer. This case illustrates the importance of genetic counselling and informing patients about the implications of incidental findings that arise from WGS.
Rare presentation of May-Thurner syndrome in childhood with lower abdominal ectopic kidney
Authors: Kumari Madhuri , Prasad Surya Nandan , Meena Anamika , Garg Manik
Published: October 2024

We report a case of a child who presented clinically with features of nephrotic syndrome and May-Thurner syndrome consecutively in the first decade of life. Initially, the nephrotic syndrome was diagnosed and treated. May-Thurner syndrome was suspected clinically in later childhood when there was remission of nephrotic syndrome with persistent left lower leg swelling. The specific imaging modalities are used to document the mechanical compression of the left common iliac vein by the lower abdominal ectopic left kidney before definite management. Our discussion highlights the role of various imaging modalities in the diagnosis of May-Thurner syndrome.
PubMed captures more fine-grained bibliographic data on scientific commentary than Web of Science: a comparative analysis
Authors: Wang Shuang , Zhang Kai , Du Jian
Published: October 2024

Background

Research commentaries have the potential for evidence appraisal in emphasising, correcting, shaping and disseminating scientific knowledge.

Objectives

To identify the appropriate bibliographic source for capturing commentary information, this study compares comment data in PubMed and Web of Science (WoS) to assess their applicability in evidence appraisal.

Methods

Using COVID-19 as a case study, with over 27 k COVID-19 papers in PubMed as a baseline, we designed a comparative analysis for commented-commenting relations in two databases from the same dataset pool, making a fair and reliable comparison. We constructed comment networks for each database for network structural analysis and compared the characteristics of commentary materials and commented papers from various facets.

Results

For network comparison, PubMed surpasses WoS with more closed feedback loops, reaching a deeper six-level network compared with WoS’ four levels, making PubMed well-suited for evidence appraisal through argument mining. PubMed excels in identifying specialised comments, displaying significantly lower author count (mean, 3.59) and page count (mean, 1.86) than WoS (authors, 4.31, 95% CI of difference of two means = [0.66, 0.79], p<0.001; pages, 2.80, 95% CI of difference of two means = [0.87, 1.01], p<0.001), attributed to PubMed’s CICO comment identification algorithm. Commented papers in PubMed also demonstrate higher citations and stronger sentiments, especially significantly elevated disputed rates (PubMed, 24.54%; WoS, 18.8%; baseline, 8.3%; all p<0.0001). Additionally, commented papers in both sources exhibit superior network centrality metrics compared with WoS-only counterparts.

Conclusion

Considering the impact and controversy of commented works, the accuracy of comments and the depth of network interactions, PubMed potentially serves as a valuable resource in evidence appraisal and detection of controversial issues compared with WoS.
Occupational accidents in mining workers: scoping review of studies published in the last 13 years
Authors: Cruz-Ausejo Liliana , Cama-Ttito Nieves Alejandra , Solano Patricia Flores , Copez-Lonzoy Anthony , Vera-Ponce Víctor Juan
Published: October 2024

Objective

Mining activity represents one of the most hazardous occupations related to health, with 8% of fatal injuries concentrated in this sector worldwide. Thus, it is crucial to timely identify the factors involved in such injuries. We aimed to explore the sociodemographic and occupational/organisational factors associated with injuries, causative agents and subsequent disabilities and fatality of workers exposed to occupational injuries in the mining sector.

Design

A secondary scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.

Data sources

Scopus, Embase, Virtual Health Library, SciELO and PubMed databases were searched in February 2022 and updated in October 2023. The protocol was developed in April 2022.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included observational studies published within the last 13 years (2010–2022) which provided information on injuries of the mining workers and reported associated factors as well as health consequences.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers examined the eligibility criteria, screened and coded the extracted information using prevalidated data extraction tools, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses—Extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines.

Results

A total of 123 studies were found, of which nine were selected for inclusion in this review. Participants were between 15 and 80 years old, and the rate of injuries ranged from 4.4% to 10.6% of reported cases. Among the total selected studies, mechanical agents were identified as the leading cause of injuries in six studies. The factors associated with injuries included age, gender (female) and biochemical characteristics. On the other hand, occupational and organisational factors encompassed work shift, outsourcing (contractors) and less than 2 years of experience in the sector.

Conclusion

This review emphasises that both work-related and individual characteristics are significantly related factors of injuries. Moreover, commonly reported health consequences of injuries encompass mortality, average days lost and permanent, partial or total disability.
Metronomic chemotherapy for paediatric extracranial solid tumours: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials
Authors: Peinemann Frank , Hoemberg Marc
Published: October 2024

Background

Metronomic chemotherapy (‘less is more, regularly’) could be an alternative to the maximum tolerated dose (‘the more, the better’) in the chemotherapeutic cancer treatment of high-risk malignant solid extracranial tumours in children or young adults.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of metronomic chemotherapy compared with placebo or stop treatment in paediatric patients with extracranial malignant solid tumours.

Methods

We searched the databases MEDLINE and CENTRAL on 8 September 2023 and included randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Primary outcome was overall survival, and the main outcome measure was the HR.

Results

We identified three RCTs with parallel assignment and intention-to-treat analyses of data from 775 people. The studies primarily reported on participants with rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma. The HR favoured the metronomic chemotherapy group (0.75 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.98)).

Conclusions

The evidence base is compatible with a favourable effect of metronomic chemotherapy on children and young adults with high-risk extracranial malignant solid tumours, especially other than bone tumours, when compared with placebo or stop treatment. Statistical heterogeneity is low while clinical heterogeneity is substantial. Thus, the results must be interpreted with caution and applicability of the results is limited. Future RCTs could provide more data on individual tumour entities and subsequently add information on tumour-specific responses.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023457195.
Efficacy and safety of henagliflozin combined with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in the treatment of Chinese inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on a continuous glucose monitoring system: protocol of a multicentre, open-label, inpatient, randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Wu Yingling , Huang Zhenxing , Qin Yingfen
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The role of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in diabetes treatment is expanding; however, few studies have investigated the efficacy and safety of combining SGLT2is with insulin pump therapy. Notably, there is a scarcity of high-quality, multicentre, clinical trials. Therefore, we aim to conduct a prospective multicentre, randomised, controlled, study to investigate whether treatment of type 2 diabetes patients with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) combined with henagliflozin can reduce the time required for blood glucose control, decrease total insulin requirements, mitigate blood glucose fluctuations and enhance beta-cell function.

Methods and analysis

In this inpatient, open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial, 200 patients with type 2 diabetes who have not received hypoglycaemic drugs will be randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio to either the henagliflozin combined with CSII group or the CSII group. The efficacy and safety of treatment in both groups will be compared. We will use a real-time continuous glucose monitoring system for blood glucose monitoring. The primary aim of this study is to compare the time (% time in range (TIR)) in the range of 3.9~10.0 mmol/L blood glucose between the two treatment groups. The secondary outcome measures will include comparisons of the two treatment groups with respect to the (a) time at TIR >70%; (b) mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions; (c) time below range; (d) total insulin dosage; and (e) time above range.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and is to be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice. The study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT05677334.