bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strand-swapping in the LolA-like protein GerS promotes the allosteric activation of a bacterial amidase inClostridioides difficile
Authors: Bouchier Jacob M. , Shen Aimee
Published: January 2025

GerS is a key lipoprotein regulator ofClostridioides difficilespore germination that shares structural, but not sequence, similarity to LolA in Gram-negative bacteria. GerS and LolA have vastly different biological roles: LolA functions in the trafficking of lipoproteins across the periplasmic space to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, while GerS allosterically activates the germination-specific amidase CwlD in endospore-forming Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we explore the diversity of LolA-like proteins across bacteria and reveal that GerS homodimer formation is a conserved feature of Peptostreptococcaceae family orthologs. Since dimerization ofC. difficileGerS occurs via strand-swapping, we sought to investigate the functional importance of its strand swap by identifying mutations that alter the GerS dimer:monomer equilibrium. Our analyses reveal that GerSK71Rand GerSN74Lsubstitutions in the strand-swap hinge of GerS stabilize the homodimer, while a GerST72Psubstitution promotes monomer formation. Conversely, substituting the highly conserved proline at the equivalent site in LolA for threonine converts LolA from a monomer to a homodimer. Since our data indicate that destabilizing the GerS dimer impairs both GerS:CwlD bindingin vitroand CwlD function inC. difficile, strand-swapped dimer formation in LolA-like proteins enhances their affinity for their binding partners. These data are consistent with analyses of equivalent LolA mutants inE. coliand thus provide new insight into the evolution and specialization of this intriguing group of proteins across the bacterial domain.
The Inherited Retinal Disease Pathway in the United Kingdom: a Patient Perspective and the Potential of AI
Authors: Wong Wendy , Sumodhee Dayyanah , Morris Tiyi , Tailor Bhavna , Hollyhead Catherine , Woof William A , Archer Stephen , Veal Carl , Lobo Loy , Al-Khuzaei Saoud , Varela Malena Daich , De Guimaraes Thales Antonio Cabral , Gomes Manuel , Shah Mital , Downes Susan M , Madhusudhan Savita , Mahroo Omar A , Webster Andrew R , Michaelides Michel , Pontikos Nikolas
Published: January 2025

Background

Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are the leading cause of blindness in young people in the UK. Despite significant improvements in genomics medicine, diagnosis of these conditions remains challenging, with many patients enduring lengthy diagnostic odysseys and even after genetic testing around 40% of them do not receive a definite genetic diagnosis. This survey aims to explore the experience of individuals affected with IRDs, their relatives, friends and caregivers, and the potential acceptability of an AI technology, such as Eye2Gene.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically using the Qualtrics-encrypted platform between April to August 2024. The mixed-methods survey included Likert-scale and open-ended queries. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and content methods.

Results

The survey was answered by 247 respondents of which 79.8% were patients and the remainder were relatives, friends and caregivers. There was substantial variability in patient diagnostic journeys in terms of waiting times to see a specialist (IQR 1 to 4 years), commute required (IQR 10 to 74 miles) and number of visits to reach a diagnosis (IQR 2 to 4). A substantial proportion of patients had a change in diagnosis had a change in diagnosis (35.8%). The majority of respondents were overwhelmingly in favour of the integration of AI into the IRD pathway to accelerate genetic diagnosis care (>90%).

Conclusion

This survey identifies several key gaps and disparities in the IRD pathway which can be addressed in part by the integration of AI for more equitable care. Survey also revealed a favourable attitude towards incorporating AI into the diagnostic testing of IRDs.

Synopsis

A survey by 247 people directly or indirectly affected by inherited retinal diseases in the UK reports substantial gaps and disparities in the patient diagnostic pathway which could in part be addressed by Artificial Intelligence.
Haplotype-resolved genome assembly of the tetraploid potato cultivar Desiree
Authors: Godec Tim , Beier Sebastian , Rodriguez-Granados Natalia Yaneth , Sasidharan Rashmi , Abdelhakim Lamis , Teige Markus , Usadel Bjorn , Gruden Kristina , Petek Marko
Published: January 2025

Cultivar Desiree is an important model for potato functional genomics studies to assist breeding strategies. Here, we present a haplotype-resolved genome assembly of Desiree, achieved by assembling PacBio HiFi reads and Hi-C scaffolding, resulting in a high-contiguity chromosome-level assembly. We implemented a comprehensive annotation pipeline incorporating gene models and functional annotations from the Solanum tuberosum Phureja DM reference genome alongside RNA-seq reads to provide high-quality gene and transcript annotations. Additionally, we investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation profile using Oxford Nanopore reads, providing insights into potato epigenetics. The assembled genome, annotations, methylation and expression data are visualised in a publicly accessible genome browser, providing a valuable resource for the potato research community.
Revisiting holographic codes with fractallike boundary erasures
Authors: Bhattacharjee Abhik , Naskar Joydeep
Published: January 2025

In this paper we investigate the code properties of holographic fractal geometries initiated in Pastawski []. We study reconstruction wedges in AdS3/CFT2 for black hole backgrounds, which are in qualitative agreement with the vacuum-AdS approximation using generalized entanglement entropy in Bao []. In higher dimensions, we study reconstruction wedges for the infinite, straight strip in AdSd+1/CFTd and clarify the roles of “straight” and “infinite” in their code properties. Lastly, we comment on uberholography from the perspective of complexity transfer and one-shot holography.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Integral X-ray diffuse scattering for studying irradiation-induced dislocation loops in single crystals
Authors: Schwendeman Brandon , Larson Bennett C. , Simmonds Michael J. , Schwarz-Selinger Thomas , Faulhaber Sabine , Baldwin Matthew J. , Tynan George R.
Published: January 2025

Numerical diffuse scattering cross-section calculations are used to establish a rigorous basis for determining the concentration and size distribution of dislocation loops in irradiated single crystals from integral X-ray diffuse scattering (XRDS) measurements. Differential XRDS intensities for prismatic {111} type dislocation loops are numerically calculated as a function of loop radius R and wavevectors q relative to Bragg reflections in tungsten. The results show the well known 1/q
2 Huang scattering form at small q that transitions to a ∼1/q
4 dependence associated with the Stokes–Wilson approximation for q ≳ 1/R. More importantly, they show further that the 1/q
4 falloff is not the asymptotic large-q form of the diffuse scattering for small loops (R < 200 Å) as has often been assumed. Rather, for loop sizes as small as R ≃ 5 Å with strong curvature, the calculations show definitively that the scattering transitions to a robust 1/q
5 falloff at larger q that arises due to the local strains near the dislocation core defining the circumference of the dislocation loops. The presence of this 1/q
5 asymptotic form for both small and large loops is experimentally confirmed using an integral XRDS measurement around the 110 reflection on self-ion-irradiated tungsten combined with numerically calculated integral XRDS cross-sections. Accordingly, the historical two-region theoretical treatment of the cross-sections for integral XRDS is extended to a three-region model that has direct sensitivity to the (first-moment) dislocation line lengths of dislocation loops. These developments enable the use of both numerical and analytically modeled cross-sections to make accurate integral XRDS determinations of dislocation loop sizes and concentrations using modest-intensity laboratory X-ray sources.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a new polymorph of chloridobis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2
N,N′)copper(II) perchlorate
Authors: Plutenko Maksym O. , Vynohradov Oleksandr S. , Haukka Matti , Golenya Irina A. , Gaidai Snizhana V.
Published: January 2025

The title salt (systematic name: 2-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-1-ium chloride), [CuCl(C12H8N2)2](ClO4), is comprised of a mononuclear complex cation [Cu(phen)2Cl]+ (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) and a perchlorate anion, ClO4
−, both with point group symmetry 2. The CuII atom has a slightly distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination environment, defined by a N4Cl coordination set with the Cl atom and two N atoms at the equatorial sites. In the crystal, each phen ring is parallel to neighboring phen rings. The resulting significant π–π stacking interactions lead to zigzag chains extending parallel to [001]. Hirshfeld surface analysis suggests that the most important contributions to the surface contacts are from H...H (32.1%), H...C/C...H (18.2%), H...O/O...H (14.6%), H...Cl/Cl...H (12.7%) and C...C (10.6%) interactions.
Impact of nozzle pressure ratio and convergent-divergent length on the exit Mach number of supersonic jet
Authors: Subramani Nithya , M. Sangeetha , G. Gowtham
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to find the effect of convergent and divergent section length on the exit flow characteristics. Converging-diverging (CD) nozzle design can be difficult because of the necessity for precise geometry and an understanding of compressible fluid flow dynamics. To obtain the ideal supersonic speeds, it is challenging to make sure that the flow chokes at the throat, where the Mach number approaches one and then expands appropriately in the diverging region. The design needs to take into consideration things like the relationship between the area and Mach number, the impact of various pressure ratios and the flow’s isentropic interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

An ideal thrust production is achieved through the effective acceleration of exhaust gases through proper nozzle design. This paper numerically investigates impact of convergent, divergent length and nozzle pressure ratio on the exit Mach Number of CD nozzle supersonic jet. Exit Mach Number 1.6 convergent-divergent nozzle was used. In total, five cases were taken as the length of the both the convergent-divergent sections were modified with 50% of increment and decrement in its base length. At four different NPR, the analysis was carried out in over-expanded, correctly expanded and under-expanded conditions. The NPR used were 2, 3.2, 4 and 5.

Findings

From the results, it is found that the convergent length linearly affects the exit Mach number, while the divergent length variation is not in order. Both the decreased and increased divergent length reduce the supersonic jet exit Mach number. The subsonic region is not majorly affected by the length. There is no rapid change in the flow properties whether the length is reduced or increased. Maximum of 2% to 3% variation is only noticed. On the contrary, a small change in supersonic region or divergent section makes major modification in the flow.

Originality/value

To achieve the desired Mach number, not only the area of the nozzle but also the length affects it. In terms of divergent angle and area ratio, only most of the studies on nozzle have been focused. This study aims to find the impact of convergent length and divergent length on the exit Mach number. This could be used in a wide range of applications, including laser cutting, thermal spraying, gas turbines for power generation, rocket and jet engines, supersonic wind tunnels and turbo chargers in automotive engineering, because of their capacity to accelerate fluids to supersonic speeds.
Social entrepreneurship through ecofeminism: a case of Piplantri, India
Authors: Paliwal Udai Lal , Bhatt Nityesh
Published: January 2025

Learning outcomes

This case highlights the social entrepreneurship exhibited by Dr Shyam Sunder Paliwal, former Sarpanch (head of village council) of Piplantri Gram Panchayat of Rajsamand district of Rajasthan State in India. After completion of the case study, the students will be able to identify the factors that enabled social change, discuss the role of women in the social change at Piplantri and how their participation can be leveraged in similar contexts, evaluate the measures for addressing the ethical dilemma faced and develop strategy for sustaining and augmenting social change.

Case overview/synopsis

Dr Paliwal, former Sarpanch (head of village council) of Piplantri Gram Panchayat of Rajsamand, India was having a deeper look at one of the highest civilian award “Padma Shri”, bestowed upon him by the Government of India. Fully immersed in his 18 years of public service, he started recollecting his journey in the chilly winter of November 2023, which began in the year 2005 as the Sarpanch of Piplantri Gram Panchayat. After toiling hard to improve the basic infrastructure of his Gram Panchayat, his focus quickly shifted to plantation of trees, improving the water level and addressing other social issues such as social entrepreneurship through ecofeminism. He had a larger goal of uplifting the Gram Panchayat community in the barren, parched and encroached land. He vividly remembered the public participation in this drive, especially the women. Through effective utilisation of various government schemes, by 2022, the panchayat could witness more than four and a half lac (0.45 million) trees planted and a large number of functional water repositories enabling socio-economic development of the villagers. Numerous accolades displayed in his office; were the testimony of his work and challenges faced on many fronts. He started reflecting about various factors including ecofeminism that led to the success of his social entrepreneurship activities. He was also concerned about the sustainability of his efforts and scalability of activities while ensuring that developmental activities did not harm the natural environment.

Complexity academic level

This case on social change journey at Piplantri village can be taught in MBA programmes in social entrepreneurship course.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS3: Entrepreneurship.
The role of technology in the future of restaurant labor
Authors: Seyitoğlu Faruk , Atsız Ozan , Acar Ayşegül
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research aims to explore the role of technology in the future of restaurant labor. It focused on the opinions of restaurant employees, including managers, regarding technological trends such as service robots, self-service kiosks, robot chefs and automated cooking systems and how these may affect the future of restaurant labor.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was adopted, and interviews were conducted with restaurant employees in the USA.

Findings

The findings uncovered that the benefits, impacts and shortcomings of technological trends in the restaurant industry differ depending on employees’ perspectives. Also, the findings of the shortcomings of each technological trend support the need for human labor as some aspects of technological trends cannot address the requirements of some tasks.

Originality/value

This research proposed a conceptual framework explaining the role of technological trends in the future of restaurant labor. It is one of the first studies to examine the role of technology in the future of hospitality labor, specifically restaurant labor, after the pandemic.
The British Museum and the Abyssinian Campaign, 1867–8
Authors: CORMACK ZOE
Published: January 2025

In 1867–8, the British Museum sent a staff member on the Abyssinian Campaign. Richard Holmes, an assistant in the Manuscript Department, was embedded in the military invasion and looted important and sacred objects and manuscripts from the fortress of Emperor Tewodros II at Maqdala. This is one of the most significant examples of a museum colluding in colonial violence to gain objects for its collection. The article re‐examines the case of Holmes, drawing on new research in the British Museum's archive and with important primary documents that have not yet received scholarly attention. The analysis focuses on the museum's objectives for the Campaign, the planning process and the actions of Holmes. I argue that while the museum was complicit in the violence perpetrated at Maqdala, its relationship with the military was complex. Multiple competing agendas became increasingly apparent as the actions of Holmes were progressively militarised. The article also examines the wider institutional links to the Abyssinian Campaign, including close political relationships that are important for understanding the trajectory of events and history of the British Museum's collections. More broadly, it sheds new light on the relationship between museums and colonial‐military interventions in nineteenth‐century Africa, demonstrating the tensions that were inherent in these projects.
Association of ventilation volumes, pressures and rates with the mechanical power of ventilation in patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: exploring the impact of rate reduction
Authors: Buiteman‐Kruizinga Laura A. , van Meenen David M. P. , Serpa Neto Ary , Mazzinari Guido , Bos Lieuwe D. J. , van der Heiden Pim L. J. , Paulus Frederique , Schultz Marcus J. ,   for the NEBULAE,   PReVENT,   RELAx,   investigators
Published: January 2025

Introduction

High mechanical power is associated with mortality in patients who are critically ill and require invasive ventilation. It remains uncertain which components of mechanical power – volume, pressure or rate – increase mechanical power the most.

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis of a database containing individual patient data from three randomised clinical trials of ventilation in patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome. The primary endpoint was mechanical power. We used linear regression; double stratification to create subgroups of participants; and mediation analysis to assess the impact of changes in volumes, pressures and rates on mechanical power.

Results

A total of 1732 patients were included and analysed. The median (IQR [range]) mechanical power was 12.3 (9.3–17.1 [3.7–50.1]) J.min‐1. In linear regression, respiratory rate (36%) and peak pressure (51%) explained most of the increase in mechanical power. Increasing quintiles of peak pressure stratified on constant levels of respiratory rate resulted in higher risks of high mechanical power (relative risk 2.2 (95%CI 1.8–2.6), p < 0.01), while decreasing quintiles of respiratory rate stratified on constant levels of peak pressure resulted in lower risks of high mechanical power (relative risk 0.2 (95%CI 0.2–0.3), p < 0.01). Mediation analysis showed that a reduction in respiratory rate, with the increase in tidal volume, partially mediates an effect of reduction in mechanical power (average causal mediation effect ‐0.10, 95%CI ‐0.12 to ‐0.09, p < 0.01), but still with a direct effect of tidal volume on mechanical power (average direct effect 0.15, 95%CI 0.11–0.19, p < 0.01).

Discussion

In this cohort of patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome, pressure and respiratory rate were the most important determinants of mechanical power. The respiratory rate may be the most attractive ventilator setting to adjust when targeting a lower mechanical power.
Cardiac function and coronary plaque development following masculinizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Buhl Laust Frisenberg , Andersen Marianne S. , Frystyk Jan , Diederichsen Axel , Hasific Selma , Hjortebjerg Rikke , Dahl Jordi Sanchez , Noori Manijeh , Hansen Kirstine Nørregaard , Jørgensen Gitte Maria , Palm Camilla Viola , Kristensen Tine Taulbjerg , Glintborg Dorte , Christensen Louise Lehmann
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Myocardial dysfunction and the presence of calcified and non‐calcified coronary plaques are predictors of cardiovascular disease. Masculinizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy may increase cardiovascular risk, highlighting the need for prospective studies to evaluate cardiovascular outcomes during gender‐affirming hormone therapy.

Objectives

To evaluate changes in cardiac morphology, systolic and diastolic function, and development of coronary plaques after masculinizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy.

Methods

Prospective study including 47 transmasculine persons (gender‐affirming hormone therapy‐naïve, TransM_TN, n = 15 and gender‐affirming hormone therapy‐ongoing, TransM_TO, n = 32). Included persons were evaluated at study inclusion and after one year of masculinizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy. At baseline, the median age of TransM_TN was 22 years (interquartile range 19–28 years) and TransM_TO 26 years (interquartile range 24–37 years) with a median gender‐affirming hormone therapy duration of 4 years (interquartile range 2–5 years). Cardiac morphology including left ventricular wall thickness, volume, and mass, as well as left ventricular systolic and diastolic function was evaluated using echocardiography. Coronary artery calcifications and non‐calcified coronary plaque were assessed using coronary computed tomography angiography. Paired and unpaired statistical analyses were performed within and between TransM_TN and TransM_TO groups.

Results

In TransM_TN, diastolic function decreased during follow‐up with decreased septal and lateral left ventricular relaxation (14–11 cm/s, p = 0.04 and 18–15 cm/s, p = 0.02, respectively). No significant changes were observed in cardiac morphology, systolic function, or formation of coronary artery calcifications and non‐calcified coronary plaque in TransM_TN or TransM_TO groups. At baseline, left ventricular end‐diastolic internal diameter was significantly higher in TransM_TO compared to TransM_TN, 4.6 cm (interquartile range 4.3–5.0 cm) versus 4.4 cm (interquartile range 4.2–4.6 cm), p < 0.05. Other baseline cardiac outcomes were comparable between TransM_TN and TransM_TO.

Conclusion

Diastolic function declined after the initiation of masculinizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy and individuals on long‐term masculinizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy had larger left ventricular dimensions compared to individuals before gender‐affirming hormone therapy initiation. Cardiac morphology, systolic function, and coronary plaque formation remained stable during masculinizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy.
Heart Rate Variability Does Not Predict Recurrence of Apnoea of Prematurity After Ceasing Caffeine Therapy: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kaempfen Siree , Hug Mareike , Sanchez Carlos , Delgado‐Eckert Edgar , Schulzke Sven M.
Published: January 2025

Aim

We evaluated whether sample entropy of heart rate time series could serve as a biomarker for guiding caffeine cessation in preterm infants treated for apnoea of prematurity (AOP). We also assessed associations of sample entropy with weeks of gestation, clinical morbidity, AOP frequency and caffeine reinitiation.

Methods

We conducted a prospective single‐centre study at the University Children's Hospital Basel, Switzerland, from July 2019 to June 2020. We included 61 hospitalised preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. Heart rate was derived from the clinical standard monitoring system at caffeine cessation, 3 days later, and at discharge. Sample entropy was calculated from 90‐min recordings using custom‐written analytical software.

Results

We obtained valid data from 44/61 infants (72%) with a mean of 28.4 weeks of gestation (range: 24.0–31.7). Twenty‐eight (64%) were male. Sample entropy at caffeine cessation was positively associated with weeks of gestation (R2 = 0.15, p = 0.01) and negatively with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (R2 = 0.18, p = 0.01). It did not predict AOP frequency or caffeine reinitiation.

Conclusion

Sample entropy at caffeine cessation is associated with maturation at birth and bronchopulmonary dysplasia but does not predict AOP within 3 days of cessation. Further studies should assess longitudinal measurements to predict respiratory control in preterm infants.

Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04303494
Meta‐Analysis of Placebo‐Treated Patients: Dropout Rates From Treatment in MASH Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Souza Matheus , Amaral Marcio J. M. , Lima Luan C. V. , Villela‐Nogueira Cristiane Alves
Published: January 2025

Background

Dropout is common and affects the statistical power and randomization balance of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Aims

To estimate the dropout rate in RCTs of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and to examine factors associated with dropout in placebo‐treated participants.

Methods

PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for phase 2–4 MASH RCTs with placebo arms through November 24, 2024. Dropout was defined as the attrition of patients included in the intention‐to‐treat analysis but did not complete treatment. RCTs were qualitatively reviewed to assess the expected and observed dropouts. Generalised linear mixed model was used to estimate pooled dropout rates.

Results

Sixty RCTs with 3230 placebo‐treated participants with MASH were analysed. Thirty‐three RCTs reported the dropout rate used to estimate the effect size. Of these, 60.6%, 36.4%, and 3.0% had an expected dropout rate that was higher, lower, and similar, respectively, than the observed dropout rate in the placebo arm. Overall, the dropout rate was 11.06% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.07 to 13.42), with a higher rate in phase 3–4 trials than in phase 2 trials. The corresponding rates due to adverse events, loss to follow‐up and patient choice were 2.41% (95% CI 1.67 to 3.48), 1.79% (95% CI 1.06 to 2.99) and 4.06% (95% CI 2.97 to 5.53), respectively. Meta‐regression determined that the dropout rate increased with longer treatment duration.

Conclusion

Placebo dropout in MASH RCTs is significant, mainly due to patient choice. Factors such as trial phase and treatment duration should be considered when calculating sample size in future clinical trials.
Elective Aortic Surgery for Prevention of Aortic Dissection in Turner Syndrome: The Potential Impact of Updated European Society of Cardiology and International Turner Syndrome Consensus Group Guidelines on Referrals to the Heart Team
Authors: Bradley‐Watson James , Glatzel Hannah , Turner Helen E. , Orchard Elizabeth
Published: January 2025

Objective

The risk of aortic dissection is increased in Turner Syndrome (TS). Aortic dilation is thought to contribute to this risk and may be managed with elective aortic surgery. New TS guidance has lowered the aortic size thresholds for consideration of aortic surgery. We investigated the impact of new guidance on potential heart team referrals in a UK cohort of TS individuals.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of 156 individuals with TS was performed. Up to date transthoracic echocardiography or cardiac MRI derived aortic dimensions, anthropometric data and the presence of aortic dissection risk factors were analysed.

Results

Twenty‐one individuals (13%) met updated guideline criteria for consideration of aortic surgery, 15 more than met 2016 TS guideline criteria. Use of aortic size index (ASI) and aortic height index (AHI) together identified additional individuals meeting criteria for surgical consideration compared with the use of ASI or AHI alone. Z‐score identified no additional individuals for surgical consideration, nor did it reclassify any individuals into moderate or severe aortic dilation groups. Twelve of 13 individuals with moderate aortic dilation met criteria for surgical consideration due to the presence of additional risk factors for aortic dissection. There was no positive correlation between height or body surface area and ascending aorta diameter in this cohort.

Conclusions

New TS guidelines are likely to significantly increase the number of individuals with TS who might be considered for elective aortic surgery. Centres caring for individuals with TS should re‐evaluate their TS cohorts for aortic dissection risk considering these new guidelines.
A Heuristic Strategy Assisted Deep Learning Models for Brain Tumor Classification and Abnormality Segmentation
Authors: Kumar Veesam Pavan , Pattanaik Satya Ranjan , Kumar V. V. Sunil
Published: January 2025

Brain tumors are prevalent forms of malignant neoplasms that, depending on their type, location, and grade, can significantly reduce life expectancy due to their invasive nature and potential for rapid progression. Accordingly, brain tumors classification is an essential step that allows doctors to perform appropriate treatment. Many studies have been done in the sector of medical image processing by employing computational methods to effectively segment and classify tumors. However, the larger amount of information collected by healthcare images prohibits the manual segmentation process in a reasonable time frame, reducing error measures in healthcare settings. Therefore, automated and efficient techniques for segmentation are crucial. In addition, various visual information, noisy images, occlusion, uneven image textures, confused objects, and other features may impact the process. Therefore, the implementation of deep learning provides remarkable results in medicinal image processing, particularly in the segmentation and classification process. However, conventional deep learning‐assisted methods struggle with complex structures and dimensional issues. Thus, this paper develops an effective technique for diagnosing brain tumors. The main aspect of the proposed system is to classify the brain tumor types by segmenting the affected regions of the raw images. This novel approach can be applied for various applications like diagnostic centers, decision‐making tools, clinical trials, medical research institutes, disease prognosis, and so on. Initially, the requisite images are collected from standard datasets and further, it is subjected to the segmentation period. In this stage, the Multi‐scale and Dilated TransUNet++ (MDTUNet++) model is employed to segment the abnormalities. Further, the segmented images are given into an Adaptive Dilated Dense Residual Attention Network (ADDRAN) to classify the brain tumor types. Here, to optimize the ADDRAN technique's parameters, an Improved Hermit Crab Optimizer (IHCO) is supported, which increases the accuracy rates of the overall network. Finally, the numerical examination is conducted to guarantee the robustness and usefulness of the designed model by contrasting it with other related techniques. For Dataset 1, the accuracy value attains 93.71 for the proposed work compared to 87.86 for CNN, 90.18 for DenseNet, and 89.56 and 90.96 for RAN and DRAN, respectively. Thus, supremacy has been achieved for the recommended system while detecting the brain tumor types.
An Enhanced Cross‐Attention Based Multimodal Model for Depression Detection
Authors: Kou Yifan , Ge Fangzhen , Chen Debao , Shen Longfeng , Liu Huaiyu
Published: January 2025

Depression, a prevalent mental disorder in modern society, significantly impacts people's daily lives. Recently, there have been advancements in developing automated diagnosis models for detecting depression. However, data scarcity, primarily due to privacy concerns, has posed a challenge. Traditional speech features have limitations in representing knowledge for depression diagnosis, and the complexity of deep learning algorithms necessitates substantial data support. Furthermore, existing multimodal methods based on neural networks overlook the heterogeneity gap between different modalities, potentially resulting in redundant information. To address these issues, we propose a multimodal depression detection model based on the Enhanced Cross‐Attention (ECA) Mechanism. This model effectively explores text‐speech interactions while considering modality heterogeneity. Data scarcity has been mitigated by fine‐tuning pre‐trained models. Additionally, we design a modal fusion module based on ECA, which emphasizes similarity responses and updates the weight of each modal feature based on the similarity information between modal features. Furthermore, for speech feature extraction, we have reduced the computational complexity of the model by integrating a multi‐window self‐attention mechanism with the Fourier transform. The proposed model is evaluated on the public dataset, DAIC‐WOZ, achieving an accuracy of 80.0% and an average F1 value improvement of 4.3% compared with relevant methods.
Effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin and metformin on hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis: Sub‐analysis of a randomized controlled study
Authors: Hirayama Kiichi , Koshizaka Masaya , Ishibashi Ryoichi , Shoji Mayumi , Horikoshi Takuro , Sakurai Kenichi , Yokote Koutaro ,   PRIME‐V Study Group
Published: January 2025

Aims

To compare the effects of ipragliflozin, a sodium‐dependent glucose transporter‐2 inhibitor, and those of metformin on the visceral fat area (VFA), a prospective, multi‐centre, open‐label, blinded‐endpoint, randomized, controlled study was undertaken. The generated data were used to examine the effects of ipragliflozin and metformin on indices of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis.

Materials and Methods

In total, 103 Japanese patients with type‐2 diabetes (T2D), body mass index (BMI) of ≥22 kg/m2 and glycated haemoglobin level of 7%–10% were randomly administered ipragliflozin 50 mg or metformin 1000 mg for 24 weeks. Various parameters, including hepatic steatosis indices, fatty liver index (FLI), hepatic steatosis index (HSI), non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease‐liver fat score (NAFLD‐LFS), liver fibrosis indices, AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index, were compared in the sub‐analyses. The correlations between changes in each index and VFA were evaluated.

Results

At baseline, patients demonstrated moderate hepatic steatosis, with FLI scores of 52.9 ± 26.6 and 57.8 ± 29.0 in the ipragliflozin and metformin groups, respectively. At 24 weeks, compared with metformin, ipragliflozin showed improvements in hepatic steatosis indices: FLI (−9.24 ± 10.7 vs. −3.45 ± 11.8, p = 0.013), HSI (−1.45 ± 2.32 vs. −0.45 ± 1.87, p = 0.021), NAFLD‐LFS (−0.70 ± 1.46 vs. −0.04 ± 0.98, p = 0.011) and liver fibrosis index: APRI (−0.110 ± 0.323 vs. 0.033 ± 0.181, p = 0.010). In the ipragliflozin group, changes in FLI and HSI were correlated with VFA reduction (r = 0.340, p = 0.024; r = 0.367, p = 0.011, respectively).

Conclusions

Compared with metformin, ipragliflozin improved multiple hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis indices, suggesting that ipragliflozin exerts potential hepatoprotective effects in early‐stage liver disease associated with T2D.
The impact of clinical phenotypes of coronary artery disease on outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: A post‐hoc analysis of GLORIA‐AF registry
Authors: Huang Bi , Liu Yang , Lam Ho Man , Ishiguchi Hironori , Chao Tze‐Fan , Huisman Menno V. , Lip Gregory Y. H. ,   the GLORIA‐AF Investigators
Published: January 2025

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexist, but the impact of clinical phenotypes of CAD on outcomes in AF patients in the non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant drugs (NOACs) era is less well understood.

Methods

This was a post‐hoc of the GLORIA‐AF registry, a global, multicenter, prospective AF registry study. Patients were divided into three groups: prior history of myocardial infarction (MI)/unstable angina group (Group 1); stable angina group (Group 2); and a control group without stable angina or history of MI/unstable angina. The primary endpoint was the composite of all‐cause death or stroke, and the safety endpoint was major bleeding.

Results

A total of 24,827 patients were included in this analysis (median age was 71 (IQR, 64–78) years; 55% male) and 5394 (21.7%) had CAD. During a follow‐up of 2 years, the incidence of the primary endpoint was 5.99 (95% CI, 5.33, 6.71) per 100 patient‐years in Group 1, 4.04 (95% CI, 3.55, 4.70) per 100 patient‐years in Group 2, and 2.79 (95% CI, 2.62, 2.96) per 100 patient‐years in the control group (p < .001). Compared the control group, the adjusted hazard ratio of the primary composite endpoint in Groups 1 and 2 were 1.58 (95% CI, 1.37, 1.83, p < .001) and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.04, 1.43, p = .012), respectively. Among anticoagulated patients with AF and CAD, NOACs were associated with a reduced risk of the primary composite endpoint and major bleeding, compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKA).

Conclusions

CAD was prevalent in patients with AF, and clinical phenotypes of CAD influenced outcomes in patients with AF, with a history of MI/unstable angina being associated with a significantly increased risk of CV events, compared to stable angina. NOACs were superior to VKA in terms of the effectiveness and safety outcomes in patients with AF and concomitant CAD.
Elevated Temperature Diminishes Reciprocal Selection in an Experimental Plant‐Pollinator‐Herbivore System
Authors: Rusman Quint , Traine Juan , Schiestl Florian P.
Published: January 2025

The geographic mosaic of coevolution predicts reciprocal selection, the first step in coevolution, to vary with changing biotic and abiotic environmental conditions. Studying how temperature affects reciprocal selection is essential to connect effects of global warming on the microevolutionary patterns of coevolution to the ecological processes underlying them. In this study, we investigated whether temperature influenced reciprocal selection between a plant (Brassica rapa) and its pollinating butterfly herbivore (Pieris rapae). In two temperature environments (ambient and hot), we measured the phenotypes of plants and butterflies, their interactions and fitness, which we used to calculate reciprocal selection. We found a variety of traits involved in reciprocal selection in the ambient environment, but none in the hot environment. We provide experimental evidence that elevated temperature weakens reciprocal selection, which will help better predict the consequences of global warming for coevolution.
The Valemee Visual System Helps Reduce Risk for Chronic Illness by Promoting Physical Fitness, Self‐Efficacy and Independence in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Dujmovic‐Bračak Anthony , Blazek Alisa D. , Post Emily M. , Goodway Jacqueline D. , Swain Carmen B.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Sedentary behaviour among individuals with intellectual disabilities, driven by barriers such as limited access to adapted programs and low self‐efficacy, contributes to chronic health conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Valemee Visual System (VVS), a novel tool offering visual support and structured exercise programming, in improving physical fitness and promoting exercise independence in this population.

Methods

A repeated measures design was employed with an 8‐week intervention involving 22 participants aged 22–44 with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. The program utilised the VVS for total body fitness training.

Results

Participants demonstrated significant improvements in grip strength, sit‐to‐stand performance, bench press capacity, 400‐m walk time, and flexibility. Self‐efficacy increased, and reduced reliance on prompts indicated greater exercise independence and autonomy.

Conclusions

The VVS shows promise in enhancing physical fitness, accessibility, and adherence in adults with intellectual disabilities, supporting long‐term health and reducing chronic disease risk.
Diagnostic Accuracy of a Point‐Of‐Care aMMP‐8 Test for Discriminating Periodontal Health Status in Adults: Validation Trials and Updated Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Yuan , Kung Julie Choi Ka , Shi Junyu , Wu Xinyu , Lam Steve Lut Ting , Deng Ke , Zhang Xiao , Lai Hongchang , Pelekos George , Jin Lijian , Tonetti Maurizio S.
Published: January 2025

Aim

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an active matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (aMMP‐8) point‐of‐care oral rinse test (POC‐ORT) for predicting periodontitis in treatment‐naïve subjects in two independent studies and update a recent meta‐analysis.

Methods

The aMMP‐8 POC‐ORT index test was performed in a representative population in Hong Kong, China, and a consecutive convenience sample in Shanghai, China. The reference standard was the 2017 World Workshop classification of periodontal diseases. Sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve were assessed. The original data were used to update a recent Bayesian meta‐analysis following the current Cochrane guideline for diagnostic trials. The GRADE framework was used to interpret the strength and certainty of the evidence.

Results

Three‐hundred and eighty‐four and 390 subjects were enrolled in the Hong Kong and Shanghai studies, respectively; 74.5% and 67.2% had periodontitis. An aMMP‐8‐positive test predicted periodontitis with an AUROC of 0.661 and 0.669 in the two studies. The updated systematic review and meta‐analysis included eight studies and 2048 subjects. After considering the risk of bias, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision and publication bias, it showed moderate certainty of a sensitivity of 0.59 (95% CrI: 0.42–0.75), a specificity of 0.82 (95% CrI: 0.68–0.93) and a hierarchical summary AUROC of 0.77 (95% CrI: 0.74–0.81).

Conclusion

There is moderate certainty that the aMMP‐8 POC‐ORT test predicts periodontitis with low to moderate sensitivity, moderate to high specificity, and moderate accuracy. Its high false‐negative rate does not allow the replacement of clinical examinations when available. The moderate to high positive predictive value shows the potential utility of a positive test for self‐detection or co‐management of periodontitis in a medical setting and its incorporation in multi‐test diagnostics. Further investigations are highly warranted.
Reducing material use and their greenhouse gas emissions in Greater Oslo
Authors: Rousseau Lola S. A. , Næss Jan Sandstad , Carrer Fabio , Amini Sara , Brattebø Helge , Hertwich Edgar G.
Published: January 2025

Resource efficiency strategies are key to reduce material use and help limit global warming to below 2°C in 2100. Understanding the role of such strategies at the municipal level requires a localized approach. Here we evaluate a ramp‐up of resource efficiency strategies and their associated effects on car use and climate benefits toward 2050 for 19 individual subregions within the Greater Oslo region in Norway. In our scenarios, material stocks increase from 356 megatonnes (Mt) in 2022 to 361–381 Mt in 2050 driven by population growth, with low‐end estimate relying on a sufficiency (SUF) scenario limiting floor area per capita and banning new single‐family houses. The SUF scenario reduces total material consumption until 2050 (50.5 Mt) with 28% relative to a business‐as‐usual (BAU) scenario (70.8 Mt) with continuation of ongoing trends, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from material production by 21% (BAU: 11.8 MtCO2‐eq, SUF: 9.4 MtCO2‐eq). If resource efficiency strategies are combined with material production decarbonization in‐line with a 2°C scenario, a 35% reduction in emissions is achievable (7.7 MtCO2‐eq). Car ownership rates and traveled distance per capita decrease in the SUF scenario compared to 2022 with 11%. Assuming the current relationship between settlement characteristics and transport demand, total driving distance fails to decline due to population growth. Limiting the floor‐area per capita in residential buildings significantly decreases material demand. Resource efficiency strategies including densification need to be complemented with a rapid decarbonization of material supply and stronger incentives to move away from car driving to maximize climate change mitigation. This article met the requirements for a gold‐gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.
The Effect of Local Hyaluronic Acid Injection on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhou Rongying , Yu Mei
Published: January 2025

Background

Aging reduces the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the skin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. HA‐based skincare products are being studied to improve skin quality. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of HA‐based injectable products for reducing wrinkles and enhancing skin elasticity, hydration, and radiation.

Methods

Eligible trial reports were found by searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science systematically until May 2024. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of HA injection on skin aging. The protocol of the study has been registered in PROSPERO with a registration ID of CRD42024540703.

Results

Overall, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 6 studies had enough data for meta‐analysis. The random‐effect meta‐analysis showed improved hydration (SMD = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.14–2.54, and p < 0.05) and radiance (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.22–0.80, and p < 0.05) after HA filler injection. However, there was no significant difference in elasticity (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI = −0.20–0.70, and p = 0.27) and melanin index (SMD = −1.74, 95% CI = −4.89–1.41, p = 0.28) compared to controls.

Conclusions

According to the results of a meta‐analysis, hyaluronic acid injections have been found to improve skin hydration and radiance, thus reversing the effects of skin aging. However, the study did not find any significant changes in the skin's elasticity or melanin index. Further research is required to confirm the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid in treating skin aging.
The Tyranny of the Abstract
Authors: Sayer Derek
Published: January 2025

Submitting an invited text for the Anthropology and Humanism festschrift “Hundreds for Katie,” I experienced cognitive dissonance between the objectives of ethnographic writing championed by Kathleen Stewart and the journal's submission requirements. The insistence that every submission must contain keywords and an abstract signifies deeper issues with academic writing. Specific forms of writing enforce the disciplinary norms of Thomas Kuhn's “normal science.” To “write difference”, we may need to write differently. The paper draws inter alia on works by Kathleen Stewart, Lauren Berlant, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Peter Winch, Walter Benjamin, James Clifford, Georges Bataille, and members of the Mass–Observation group.