bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligence and Treatment Outcome of Mentalization‐Based Treatment in Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Muskens Lieke , Bouwmeester Samantha , Nooijen Miranda , Bachrach Nathan
Published: October 2024

Background

Mentalization‐based treatment (MBT) is an evidence based treatment for patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Although MBT is effective, on average, for individuals with BPD, there are large individual differences in treatment outcomes. Research on predictors of the treatment effect of MBT, such as intelligence, is needed to determine which treatment is most effective for which ‘category’ of BPD patients, providing more knowledge about optimal indications.

Objective

The study aimed to investigate whether intelligence is associated with MBT outcomes in patients with BPD and exploratively studying the difference between two variants of MBT.

Methods and Procedures

A pre‐post intervention design was used to examine the effects of MBT on BPD severity. Personal and social recovery were measured as secondary outcome measures. The association between intelligence and the degree of recovery was examined.

Results

No significant correlation was found between intelligence level and treatment efficacy. In addition, a negative correlation between IQ and personal and social recovery was found, indicating that, as IQ increased, the level of recovery decreased. Secondary subanalyses showed the treatment effect of MBT was large and significant in reducing BPD symptoms (Cohen's d = 1.5) and that there was no significant difference between the 2‐day MBT and 3‐day MBT programmes in terms of a decrease in BPD severity. However, a significant medium positive correlational relationship was found between intelligence and a decrease in BPD severity level for the 3‐day MBT, which was not found for the 2‐day MBT programme. This indicates that in the 3‐day MBT programme, the higher the IQ, the higher the decrease in BPD severity level.

Conclusions and Implications

This study is the first to examine the association between intelligence and the outcome of MBT in BPD patients. It shows that patients with a wide range of intelligence (72–124) can equally benefit from MBT and that effectiveness of MBT was not influenced negatively by lower intelligence. Secondary subanalyses showed that this was particularly evident when the intervention was delivered within the context of a 2‐day MBT programme. Nevertheless, further randomized studies are required to ascertain the relationship between IQ and treatment effectiveness, as well as other predictors of MBT outcomes.
SCIP: A scalable, reproducible and open‐source pipeline for morphological profiling of image cytometry and microscopy data
Authors: Lippeveld Maxim , Peralta Daniel , Filby Andrew , Saeys Yvan
Published: October 2024

Imaging flow cytometry (IFC) provides single‐cell imaging data at a high acquisition rate. It is increasingly used in image‐based profiling experiments consisting of hundreds of thousands of multi‐channel images of cells. Currently available software solutions for processing microscopy data can provide good results in downstream analysis, but are limited in efficiency and scalability, and often ill‐adapted to IFC data. In this work, we propose Scalable Cytometry Image Processing (SCIP), a Python software that efficiently processes images from IFC and standard microscopy datasets. We also propose a file format for efficiently storing IFC data. We showcase our contributions on two large‐scale microscopy and one IFC datasets, all of which are publicly available. Our results show that SCIP can extract the same kind of information as other tools, in a much shorter time and in a more scalable manner.
Somos Tejas: A Narrative Project to Document the College Experiences of First‐Generation Latinx Students
Authors: Moyna María Irene , Zapata Gabriela C.
Published: October 2024

This study reports on a project that collected and documented narrative reflections of first‐generation Latinx students at a large Research 1 public university in the US southwest. The team (2 faculty members and 4 undergraduates) interviewed 23 students (20 undergraduate and 3 graduate) on topics including family, community, sense of belonging in their institution and major experiences as first‐generation students, future goals, and advice and recommendations for others. Their responses were analyzed with a modified version of Garriott's (2020) Critical Cultural Wealth Model, with the help of the software MAXQDA. The first important takeaway is that undergraduate and graduate students had different perceptions, with the latter respondents expressing more critical views. The second finding was that several institutional resources were highly effective in achieving students’ integration, including culturally congruent organizations and traditions. That said, participants also experienced academic dissonance navigating the financial and academic complexities of college life, which led to feelings of isolation, marginalization, and tokenization. The final takeaway is that students turned to support from their families and communities to overcome challenges, which suggests that measures to integrate family and school will benefit these students.
Measuring the benefit of a defensive trait: Vigilance and survival probability
Authors: Ellsworth William H. , Peacor Scott D. , Chandler Richard B. , Conner L. Mike , Garrison Elina P. , Miller Karl V. , Cherry Michael J.
Published: October 2024

Defensive traits are hypothesized to benefit prey by reducing predation risk from a focal predator but come at a cost to the fitness of the prey. Variation in the expression of defensive traits is seen among individuals within the same population, and in the same individual in response to changes in the environment (i.e., phenotypically plastic responses). It is the relative magnitude of the cost and benefit of the defensive trait that underlies the defensive trait expression and its consequences to the community. However, whereas the cost has received much attention in ecological research, the benefit is seldom examined. Even in a defensive trait as extensively studied as vigilance, there are few studies of the purported benefit of the behavior, namely that vigilance enhances survival. We examined whether prey vigilance increased survival and quantified that benefit in a natural system, with white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) experiencing unmanipulated levels of predation risk from Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi). Deer that spent more time vigilant (as measured by head position using camera trap data) had a higher probability of survival. Indeed, an individual deer that was vigilant 75% of the time was more than three times as likely to be killed by panthers over the course of a year than a deer that was vigilant 95% of the time. Our results therefore show that within‐population variation in the expression of a defensive trait has profound consequences for the benefit it confers. Our results provide empirical evidence supporting a long‐held but seldom‐tested hypothesis, that vigilance is a behavior that reduces the probability of predation and quantifies the benefit of this defensive trait. Our work furthers an understanding of the net effects of a trait on prey fitness and predator–prey interactions, within‐population variation in traits, and predation risk effects.
Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a Dysprosium Metallocene Complex Bearing Equatorial DyIII−P Bonds
Authors: Lv Junting , Li Xiao‐Lei , Zhai Quan‐Guo , Zhang Peng , Tang Jinkui
Published: October 2024

Single molecule magnets (SMMs) containing dysprosium‐phosphorus bonding are rare due to great challenges in constructing the bonding between hard lanthanide ions and soft phosphorus donors. Here we successfully isolated a novel mononuclear bis‐Cp* dysprosium compound, Cp*2Dy[η‐CH(PPh2)2]⋅C7H8 (1‐Dy), via the salt metathesis reactions of Cp*2Dy(BPh4) and K[(PPh2)2CH] in THF (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). The magnetic investigations indicate its strong SMM behavior evidenced by the open magnetic hysteresis loops below 6 K and the high effective barrier of 300 cm−1. This could be ascribed to weak dative DyIII−P bonds at equatorial sites in such [Cp2DyX]‐type (X=auxiliary donors) complexes.
Chromium in Visible‐Light Photocatalysis: Unique Reactivity, Mechanisms and Future Directions
Authors: Shen Zhengjia , Tu Jin‐Lin
Published: October 2024

Visible‐light photocatalysis has emerged as a prominent research area in modern organic synthesis and environmental science. As an important transition metal, chromium has garnered widespread attention in the field of visible‐light photocatalysis in recent years, primarily manifested in the following aspects: a) the unique photochemical properties of chromium(III) complexes endow them with longer excited‐state lifetimes and higher reactivities under certain conditions; b) by harnessing visible light to induce single‐electron transfer or hydrogen atom transfer to generate radicals, which subsequently form alkyl‐chromium(III) intermediates with chromium(II) ligands, these intermediates can selectively attack electron‐deficient carbonyl compounds, enabling the construction of target products; c) following metals like cerium, copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium, and bismuth, the ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT) reaction pathways in chromium photocatalysis have also been extensively investigated. This review will provide a comprehensive summary of recent research on chromium‐mediated photocatalytic reactions, offering an in‐depth exploration of their unique reactivity, mechanisms, and future directions.
Experimental and comparative analysis between nitrile rubber foam insulated and vacuum insulated fiber reinforced plastic tank used in a low temperature sensible heat storage system for building space cooling applications
Authors: Rajendiran Manivannan , Vellaichamy Pandiyarajan , Subramanian Viswanath G. , Ramalingam Velraj
Published: October 2024

Thermal energy storage devices are gaining importance and momentum in the building space cooling and renewable energy applications. Retaining the stored energy for long hours through proper insulation is crucial in achieving economic benefits. In the present research, a novel composite material (FRP) is introduced for the development of cool storage tank along with two different methods of insulation (nitrile rubber foam insulation and vacuum insulation) to assess the performance of cool energy retention. The results show that the effect of vacuum insulation is lower compared with nitrile rubber foam insulation. This is due to the low specific heat capacity of the FRP material compared with air that increases the surface temperature of the tank than the ambient air during the day time in the case of vacuum insulation. Hence the study concludes that the additional layer of insulation material with high specific heat capacity than the ambient air to be added on the surface to avoid the overheating of the wall surface. The results are useful in designing the insulation for thermal storage tanks and managing the heat loss.
Effects of fuel distribution on thermal environment and fire hazard
Authors: Khan Aatif Ali , Nan Zhuojun , Zhang Xiaoning , Usmani Asif
Published: October 2024

Fire accidents in buildings are occurring and claiming thousands of lives each year. Due to various architectural designs, fire hazards would be unique to each building layout. This paper discusses how fire hazard varies with the arrangement of the fuel inside buildings. To comprehensively present the effect of fuel distribution on fire behaviour, results from large‐scale experiments, bench‐scale experiments, empirical correlations, and numerical studies are provided. In large‐scale fire tests, two different cases of wood cribs were tested to demonstrate the effects of porosity on heat generation and fire spread behaviour. Due to the limitations of experimental conditions, the variation in heat release rate attributable to differences in fuel porosity and surface area has been also qualitatively investigated using a cone calorimeter test. To bring the gap between experimental observations and real‐word scenarios, a numerical study is also performed. This study further explores the effects of fuel distribution (considering porosity and surface area of fuel throughout the compartment) and ventilation on fire spread beyond the fire compartment. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations show how the distribution of fuel in different ways can lead fire to spread beyond its origin, as observed in many fire accidents. The paper suggests that designers should consider such critical fire scenarios in performance‐based design.
Consumption responses to sweetened beverage taxes by household income in four U.S. cities
Authors: Knox Melissa A. , Jones‐Smith Jessica C.
Published: October 2024

Taxes on sweetened beverages have become an important policy response to growing obesity rates and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. and other nations. Since 2015, eight U.S. cities have implemented these taxes, but so far direct evidence of their impacts on household purchasing behavior is scarce. Of particular interest to many researchers and policy makers is the response of lower‐income consumers to these taxes, both because they have higher sweetened beverage consumption on average and because of concerns that sweetened beverage taxes are regressive. This project investigates the income‐stratified household response to SSB taxes using a data set containing the purchasing behavior of approximately 400 households in the cities of Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, and Philadelphia, all of which have recently introduced beverage taxes. Using doubly‐robust estimation of dynamic and heterogeneous treatment effects relative to a propensity‐matched set of households in three comparison cities, we find that households in taxed cities experience increased prices and reduce their purchases of those beverages, with no evidence of cross‐border shopping. We further find differential tax impacts by income level, with lower‐income households (households with income <200% of the federal poverty line for their size) reducing their purchases of taxed beverages by nearly 50% — more than double the 18% reduction found in higher‐income households (households with income >400% of the federal poverty line for their size). Our finding that lower‐income households decrease their consumption more than twice as much as higher‐income households suggests that these taxes may reduce health disparities and promote population health.
Characterization of a novel heterozygous variant in the histidyl‐tRNA synthetase gene associated with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2W
Authors: Wilhelm Sarah D. P. , Moresco Angelica A. , Rivero Alberto D. , Siu Victoria Mok , Heinemann Ilka U.
Published: October 2024

Heterozygous pathogenic variants in the histidyl‐tRNA synthetase (HARS) gene are associated with Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) type 2W disease, classified as an axonal peripheral neuropathy. To date, at least 60 variants causing CMT symptoms have been identified in seven different aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases, with eight being found in the catalytic domain of HARS. The genetic data clearly show a causative role of aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases in CMT; however, the cellular mechanisms leading to pathology can vary widely and are unknown in the case of most identified variants. Here we describe a novel HARS variant, c.412T>C; p.Y138H, identified through a CMT gene panel in a patient with peripheral neuropathy. To determine the effect of p.Y138H we employed a humanized HARS yeast model and recombinant protein biochemistry, which identified a deficiency in protein dimerization and a growth defect which shows mild but significant improvement with histidine supplementation. This raises the potential for a clinical trial of histidine.
Microcirculatory Dysfunction in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Detected by a Distributed System of Wearable Laser Doppler Flowmetry Analysers
Authors: Zharkikh Elena , Loktionova Yulia , Dunaev Andrey
Published: October 2024

The paper is devoted to the study of perfusion and amplitude‐frequency spectra of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) signals in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in different skin areas of the upper and lower extremities using a distributed system of wearable LDF analysers. LDF measurements were performed in the areas of the fingers, toes, wrists and shins. The mean perfusion values, the amplitudes of blood flow oscillations in endothelial, neurogenic, myogenic, respiratory and cardiac frequency ranges, and the values of nutritive blood flow were analysed. The results revealed a decrease in tissue perfusion and nutritive blood flow in the lower extremities and an increase in these parameters in the upper extremities in patients with DM. A decrease in the amplitudes of endothelial and neurogenic oscillations was observed. The obtained results confirm the possibility of using wearable LDF analysers to detect differences in the blood flow regulation in normal and pathological conditions.
High‐frequency (470 kHz) ultrasonics‐assisted room temperature CO2 stripping and fate of Sono exposed solvent
Authors: Shanmugam Manikandan , Balraj Ambedkar , Babarao Ravichandar
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

The conventional CO2 stripping process in solvent‐based postcombustion CO2 capture (PCCC) process uses heating to strip the CO2 (~120 °C). However, the challenges associated with this method are high energy consumption in degassing the CO2 from solvent, solvent loss and degradation resulting from the high –temperatures, resulting in high energy consumption typical of solvent‐based PCCC. The present study demonstrates the use of bath‐type sonication (470 kHz frequency) to remove CO2 from CO2 loaded 30 wt% Monoethanolamine under controlled temperature conditions. Solvent performance was evaluated following exposure to 2 h conventional heating and 75 h sonication.

RESULTS

In a batch sono‐assisted process, CO2 stripping became possible at 17.5 °C compared to 102.2 °C using the conventional method. Increasing the sonication time led decreased carbon loading and increased stripping efficiency. The stripping rate was high at the initial stages of treatment. Evaluation of sono‐exposed solvents exhibited decreased pH during CO2 loading and decreased absorption capacity of the conventionally heated sample.

CONCLUSION

The sono‐assisted method consumes 3.57‐foldless energy than conventional heating. Its CO2 stripping rate was found to be higher within 5 min of sonication. Notably, the maximum temperature reached for the 1 h intervening mode of sonication at 470 kHz was 49.49 °C. The reduction in absorption capacity per hour of conventional heating was 24.5%, whereas for sonication it was <0.4% and solvent loss was 19.7% lower than conventional. There was no significant change in the color, pH and density of the sample. A 20.4% higher surface tension than that of the virgin sample was observed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Ultrasounds outperform magnetic resonance imaging in quantifying meniscal extrusion in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Tortorella Fabio , Boffa Angelo , Andriolo Luca , Facchini Giancarlo , Di Carlo Maddalena , Miceli Marco , Klos Burt , Zaffagnini Stefano , Filardo Giuseppe
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to quantify meniscal extrusion through ultrasound (US) evaluation in supine and standing positions and to compare the results with those documented through magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients affected by knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Sixty patients (38 men, 22 women, mean age 60.8 ± 9.7 years) with knee OA were enrolled and underwent a 1.5 T MR evaluation and an US examination of the symptomatic OA knee for the evaluation of the medial and lateral meniscus extrusion both in the supine clinostatic position (clino‐US) with the knee fully extended and in the standing weight‐bearing orthostatic position (ortho‐US). For the three imaging evaluations (MR, clino‐US and ortho‐US), both semi‐quantitative and quantitative measurements were performed.

Results

The quantitative analysis documented higher values of medial meniscal extrusion at the ortho‐US evaluation (5.2 ± 2.3 mm) compared to MR (4.2 ± 2.2, p < 0.0005) and clino‐US (4.5 ± 2.3, p < 0.0005) and of the lateral meniscus at the ortho‐US evaluation (4.3 ± 1.8) compared to MR (3.3 ± 1.6, p < 0.0005) and clino‐US (3.8 ± 1.6, p < 0.0005). The semi‐quantitative analysis confirmed the same trend for both menisci. Higher extrusion values were documented in women and more advanced OA, as well as in older patients with higher body mass index, the latter being underestimated the most by the MR approach.

Conclusion

US outperforms MR imaging in quantifying meniscal extrusion in patients with knee OA. Moreover, the highest values of meniscal extrusion have been documented using US in standing position compared to the supine position, underlining the importance of the weight‐bearing assessment of meniscal extrusion in knee OA patients.

Level of Evidence

II.
“Before medically advised” hospital discharge and the risk of subsequent drug overdose: A case‐crossover analysis
Authors: Staples John A. , Hu Xiao , Khan Mayesha , Daly‐Grafstein Daniel , Naik Hiten , Kaasa Benjamin M. , Brubacher Jeffrey R. , Nasmith Trudy , Lyden Jennifer R. , Moe Jessica , Crabtree Alexis , Slaunwhite Amanda
Published: October 2024

Background

Patient‐initiated or “before medically advised” (BMA) hospital discharge is more common among people who use drugs. Transitions of care can be destabilizing and might increase the risk of subsequent illicit drug overdose.

Objectives

This study sought to evaluate whether BMA discharge is associated with an increased risk of subsequent drug overdose (primary objective) and whether physician‐advised discharge is associated with an increased risk of subsequent drug overdose (secondary objective).

Methods

We performed a case‐crossover analysis of population‐based linked administrative health data for individuals experiencing an overdose between 2016 and 2019 in British Columbia, Canada. Using conditional logistic regression, we compared the likelihood of hospital discharge in the 28 days before overdose (the “pre‐overdose interval”) to the likelihood of hospital discharge in two self‐matched 28‐day control intervals ending 26 and 52 weeks before overdose.

Results

Over the 3.5‐year study interval, 235 of 27,584 (0.9%) pre‐overdose intervals and 189 of 55,168 (0.3%) control intervals included a BMA discharge, suggesting that BMA discharge was associated with a twofold increase in the risk of subsequent drug overdose (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.68–2.58; p < 0.001). Physician‐advised hospital discharge was also a risk factor for subsequent overdose, occurring in 1350 of 27,584 (4.9%) pre‐overdose intervals and 1625 of 55,168 (2.9%) control intervals (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.27–1.52; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Both BMA and physician‐advised hospital discharge are independently associated with transient increases in the risk of subsequent illicit drug overdose. Better in‐hospital treatment of substance use disorder and novel means of post‐discharge outreach should be deployed to reduce this risk.
COVID–19パンデミックが薬物過量服用による急性薬物中毒に与えた影響(The impact of COVID–19 pandemic on acute drug intoxication)
Authors: 佐知子 安藤 , 浩之 石田 , 浩三 林 , 大 田口
Published: October 2024

【目的】新型コロナウイルス感染症（COVID–19）の流行前後における薬物過量服薬による急性薬物中毒（drug overdose: OD）の特徴と動向を調査し，感染拡大が札幌圏の救急医療に与えた影響を明らかにすること。【方法】勤医協中央病院にODで救急搬送された患者；2018年2月1日から2020年1月31日（pre–COVID–19 period）361人と2020年2月1日から2022年1月31日（COVID–19 period）394人を，患者背景，1人当たりのODによる救急搬送歴，過量服用薬の種類，とくに一般用医薬品と要指導医薬品（OTC医薬品）の有無，服用錠数，アルコール摂取の有無，自殺企図の有無，自傷行為の有無および転帰を比較した。【結果】COVID–19 periodで有意に増加した因子は，<25歳，女性，平均搬送回数，服用錠数，アセトアミノフェン，カフェインおよび自傷行為であり，転帰に関しては入院が減少，帰宅および転院が増加した。OD搬送患者数，OTC医薬品，性別年齢以外の患者背景，アルコール摂取の有無および自殺企図の有無に関しては変化がなかった。【結論】COVID–19の流行により，若い女性，OD歴がある患者，自傷行為が増加したが，OD患者数は増加を認めず，国内の諸報告とは異なり，OTC医薬品全体としては影響を受けなかった。搬送された患者層の違いによるところが大きいと考える。
Difference in hematocrit and plasma albumin levels as an early biomarker of severity and prognosis in patients with severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome
Authors: Hao Yao , Sun Jing , Wang Xiaoyi , Wu Qiongle , Wang Wenjie , Zhang Aiping , Huifen Kuai B. S. , Yang Jianghua
Published: October 2024

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a widespread infectious disease with high mortality. Hence, identifying valuable biomarkers for detecting the early changes in SFTS is crucial. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the difference in hematocrit (HCT) and serum albumin (ALB) levels (HCT‐ALB) and the prognosis of patients with SFTS virus infection. After excluding the patients who did not meet the SFTS diagnostic criteria, those with SFTS from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College were divided into a fatal and Nonfatal group based on their disease prognosis. A dynamic analysis of the daily laboratory data was conducted for 14 days following SFTS onset. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of HCT‐ALB. Another sample of patients with SFTS admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University was utilized to verify the study conclusions. A total of 158 patients with SFTS were included. Among them, 126 patients were categorized in the Nonfatal group and 32 in the fatal group, leading to a mortality rate of 20.25% (32/158). Univariate analysis of the laboratory test findings and ROC curve analysis showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), HCT‐ALB, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) had a relatively better ability to discriminate the disease condition of the patients with SFTS. Moreover, HCT‐ALB served as a predictor of SFTS prognosis. Additionally, an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.777 and a critical HCT‐ALB value of 4.75 on day 7 were associated with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 73.9%. On day 8 (AUC = 0.882), the critical value of HCT‐ALB was 9.25, while the sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 76.5%. Further verification based on the data of 91 patients with SFTS admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University demonstrated a mortality rate of 51% (24/47) among those with HCT‐ALB values >4.75 on day 7 of the disease course, highlighting the potential of the HCT‐ALB value of >4.75 for predicting SFTS prognosis. High HCT‐ALB values are closely related to the mortality of patients with SFTS. HCT‐ALB is a sensitive and independent predictor of early disease in patients with SFTS.
The Comparative Effects Between Long‐Term and Short‐Term Treatment of Finasteride on Anxiety‐Like and Depression‐Like Behaviors in Early Senescent Male Rats
Authors: Pintana Hiranya , Apaijai Nattayaporn , Chunchai Titikorn , Thonusin Chanisa , Saengmearnuparp Thiraphat , Kongkaew Aphisek , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C.
Published: October 2024

This study aims to compare the efficacy of 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) on anxiety and depression between long‐term and short‐term treatment followed by withdrawal in d‐galactose (Dgal)–induced senescent male rats. Thirty‐two, 8‐week‐old, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control rats and Dgal‐treated rats (150 mg/kg/day; subcutaneously) for 18 weeks. At week 13, Dgal‐treated rats were subdivided into three subgroups: (1) vehicle (DgV), (2) long‐term treatment with 5ARIs, Finasteride 5 mg/kg/day, per oral for 6 weeks (DgF), (3) short‐term treatment with 5ARIs, Finasteride 5 mg/kg/day, per oral for 2 weeks followed by a 4‐week withdrawal period (DgW). Anxiety and depression were assessed using the elevated‐plus maze (EPM) and splash test (ST). Blood was collected for biochemical analysis. After euthanasia, the brains were removed to examine brain inflammation, oxidative stress, neuroactive steroids, brain metabolites, and brain senescent markers. We found that DgV rats exhibited metabolic disturbance with a reduced preference index of the EPM, and grooming duration in ST. Increased brain neurotoxic metabolites, along with increased brain inflammation/oxidative stress, and reduced microglia complexity were observed in the DgV rats. Both therapeutic approaches improved metabolic parameters and preference index in the open arm of EPM in Dgal‐treated rats, while grooming duration and microglia complexity were increased only in DgF rats. Our results indicate that Fin reduces depression‐like and anxiety‐like behaviors by reducing brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and brain senescent. In conclusion, long‐term treatment with 5ARIs is more effective in alleviating depression than short‐term treatment followed by withdrawal in Dgal‐induced early senescent male rats.
Rapid and Accurate Identification of Dyes on Ancient Textiles by SERS With a Negligibly Invasive Approach
Authors: Xi Xiao‐Han , Zhang Yun , Yan Sen , Wang Ping‐Shi , Ma Hao , Ren Meng , Liu Guo‐Kun , Lei Yong , Ren Bin , Wang Xiang
Published: October 2024

Nowadays, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has become a powerful tool for rapidly detecting and analyzing textile cultural relics due to its ability to provide chemical information with single‐molecule sensitivity. However, preserving a high level of detection sensitivity while avoiding sample damage remains a persistent challenge. In this work, we developed a SERS approach with both microextraction and detection functions. The alcohol–water droplet with iodide‐modified Au nanoparticles (AuIMNPs) is directly dropped on the textile, where dyes strongly bound on textiles can be extracted by ethanol (EtOH). As a result, the sample can be well preserved from being damaged. In particular, the volatility of EtOH allows the molecules to be captured in the hot spots through the capillary effect during droplet evaporation, resulting in a dramatic increase in Raman signal intensity. This highly sensitive strategy can be used to measure dyes in plant extracts and mock‐up textiles. Furthermore, the capability of SERS to provide fingerprint information allows us to distinguish different dyes in overdyeing textiles. Eventually, this approach is successfully applied to identify dyes of authentic ancient Chinese textiles. This rapid, universal, and negligibly invasive approach provides a powerful way to study textile cultural relics.
Prospective Evaluation of Abelchia/RCPD Patients: Abnormalities in High‐Resolution Esophageal Manometry
Authors: Anderson Jennifer , Hu Huixin , Bakhsh Zainab , Liu Louis
Published: October 2024

Self‐diagnosis of retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (RCPD) or abelchia has been increasing over the past 5 years with patients seeking treatment for lifelong symptoms of inability to burp, neck gurgling, bloating, and flatulence. There is a distinct paucity of objective data in diagnosis and underlying pathophysiology of this disorder.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate patients with abelchia using standardized investigations to explore possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Patients presenting with clinical scenario consistent with RCPD were recruited into the study after informed consent. All patients underwent standardized investigations: Self reporting questionnaires EAT‐10, VHI‐10, and RSI scores, as well as esophagogastroscopy, barium swallow, and high‐resolution esophageal manometry (HRM), were performed.

Results

RCPD patients demonstrated a minor increase in the mean EAT‐10 (5.2 ± 1.2) and normal RSI/VHI‐10 scores. Barium swallow revealed 53% (CI 38%–64%) were abnormal with reflux with hiatus hernia (37%) and dysmotility (16%) as most common findings.

HRM showed that 67% (CI 54%–78%) were abnormal. Ineffective motility was found in 41%, a further 23% showed a complete absence of peristalsis, whereas 33% were normal.

Conclusions

RCPD is a clinical condition of lifelong inability to belch and associated symptoms. The underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood. This study demonstrates that a significant number of RCPD patients have abnormal esophageal neural network with high proportion of abnormal or absent esophageal peristalsis.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 135:758–762, 2025
Exploring the Coupling Relationship and Driving Factors of Land Use Conflicts and Ecosystem Services Supply–Demand Balances in Different Main Functional Areas, Southwest China
Authors: Li Weijie , Kang Jinwen , Wang Yong
Published: October 2024

Conflicts between different types of land use, driven by rapid urbanization, are altering ecosystem services supply–demand balances (ESDB), and the reduction of ESDB will threaten regional sustainable development and human welfare. However, there are few studies on the interrelationships and their drivers between land use conflicts (LUCs) and ESDB from a coupling perspective, especially in different main functional areas. Therefore, this study focused on Southwest China. Firstly, the coupling coordination degree model was employed to measure the ESDB‐LUCs relationship and analyze its dynamic changes from 1990 to 2020. Then, the RDA method was used to explore the driving factors of the ESDB‐LUCs relationship in different functional areas (i.e., urban development area (UDA), agricultural development area (APA), and ecological protection area (EPA)). The results show that the LUCs index displayed a downward trend in the SW during 1990–2020, with a decreasing distribution pattern from the northeast to the southwest. The ESDB index exhibited a downward and then upward trend, with an increasing distribution mode from the northeast to the southwest. There was a spatial dependence between LUCs and ESDB. The type of coupling coordination between LUCs and ESDB was dominated by moderate coordination, with the index showing a spatial pattern of UDA > APA > EPA. Among these, the proportion of cropland and the proportion of urban land were the main factors influencing the degree of coordination of the UDA (explanation rate > 80%), showing positive and negative effects, respectively. The proportion of forestland and the proportion of cropland were the main factors influencing the APA and EPA (explanation rate > 70%), with negative and positive effects, respectively. Therefore, mitigating the conflict between cropland and urban land, cropland and forest land is essential to achieve ecosystem balance in the SW.
Polarized and Directional Electroluminescence from Organic Light‐Emitting Devices by Using a Bifunctional Meta‐Electrode
Authors: Wang Shi‐Rong , Li Liu , Bi Yan‐Gang , Zhang Xu‐Lin , Yang Yuan‐Mu , Feng Jing , Sun Hong‐Bo
Published: October 2024

Organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs) with polarized and directional emission are highly desired for their promising applications in optical imaging, optical communication, and immersive visual technologies. Existing implementation methods based on free space bulk optical elements suffer from significant power loss, limiting their practical applications. Here, a bifunctional meta‐electrode is proposed by integrating a metasurface consisting of Ag periodic corrugations onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) anode to simultaneously realize the functions of charge carrier injection and photon management in the OLEDs. Highly polarized and directional light emission is demonstrated while maintaining a high device efficiency using the meta‐electrode. The electroluminescence with a polarization extinction ratio of 5 is achieved by judiciously engineering the polarization‐dependent Purcell factor of the resonant cavity constructed by the meta‐electrode. Meanwhile, the directional light emission with a divergence angle of 10° can be obtained by the efficient out‐coupling of surface plasmon‐polariton mode. The light beam can be collimated in one direction by using 1D nanogratings and in two directions by using 2D nanopillars, respectively.
Role of Cyclic Ketene Dithioacetals in Free Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride
Authors: Bajbouj Mohammad , Jalil Ouiem , Degirmenci Isa
Published: October 2024

The role of the sulfur analog of cyclic ketene acetals in the synthesis of polyvinyl chloride is examined in this study. In this context, whether 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dithiolane (S‐CKA5), 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dithione (S‐CKA6), and 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dithiepane (S‐CKA7) monomers are involved in the radical polymerization of vinyl chloride through the ring opening reaction is examined by quantum chemical methods. In light of calculations at the M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d) level, it is concluded that, in general, S‐CKAs undergo little or no ring‐opening and form block copolymers, mainly with the homopolymerization of S‐CKAs and their ring‐retaining step. It is determined that S‐CKA7 is the most prone to ring‐opening reaction and inserting dithioate links to the polymer backbone. However, the radical ring‐opening of S‐CKA7 is strongly reversible, as in other S‐CKAs.
Borel transform and integral identities involving λ‐Bessel and λ‐Tricomi matrix functions
Authors: Zainab Umme , Kumar Manoj , Raza Nusrat
Published: October 2024

This paper focuses on integrals and Borel transforms concerning
‐Bessel and
‐Tricomi functions, employing an umbral perspective as a central approach. Differintegral techniques, presently utilized in calculus, offer a rich reserve of tools that can be utilized across a broad spectrum of problems encompassing the realm of special functions and beyond. Employing integral transforms akin to the Borel type and the related formalism proves to be a potent approach, facilitating a connection between umbral and operational methodologies. By integrating these perspectives, we establish a novel and effective method for deriving integrals of hybrid special functions and achieving the summation of their corresponding generating functions.
Metric learning guided sinogram denoising for cone beam CT enhancement
Authors: Li Haoran , Tsai Yun‐Han , Liu Hengjie , Ruan Dan
Published: October 2024

Background

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a widely available modality, but its clinical utility has been limited by low detail conspicuity and quantitative accuracy. Convenient post‐reconstruction denoising is subject to back projected patterned residual, but joint denoise‐reconstruction is typically computationally expensive and complex.

Purpose

In this study, we develop and evaluate a novel Metric‐learning guided wavelet transform reconstruction (MEGATRON) approach to enhance image domain quality with projection‐domain processing.

Methods

Projection domain based processing has the benefit of being simple, efficient, and compatible with various reconstruction toolkit and vendor platforms. However, they also typically show inferior performance in the final reconstructed image, because the denoising goals in projection and image domains do not necessarily align. Motivated by these observations, this work aims to translate the demand for quality enhancement from the quantitative image domain to the more easily operable projection domain. Specifically, the proposed paradigm consists of a metric learning module and a denoising network module. Via metric learning, enhancement objectives on the wavelet encoded sinogram domain data are defined to reflect post‐reconstruction image discrepancy. The denoising network maps measured cone‐beam projection to its enhanced version, driven by the learnt objective. In doing so, the denoiser operates in the convenient sinogram to sinogram fashion but reflects improvement in reconstructed image as the final goal. Implementation‐wise, metric learning was formalized as optimizing the weighted fitting of wavelet subbands, and a res‐Unet, which is a Unet structure with residual blocks, was used for denoising. To access quantitative reference, cone‐beam projections were simulated using the X‐ray based Cancer Imaging Simulation Toolkit (XCIST). In both learning modules, a data set of 123 human thoraxes, which was from Open‐Source Imaging Consortium (OSIC) Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression challenge, was used. Reconstructed CBCT thoracic images were compared against ground truth FB and performance was assessed in root mean square error (RMSE), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity index (SSIM).

Results

MEGATRON achieved RMSE in HU value, PSNR, and SSIM were 30.97 ± 4.25, 37.45 ± 1.78, and 93.23 ± 1.62, respectively. These values are on par with reported results from sophisticated physics‐driven CBCT enhancement, demonstrating promise and utility of the proposed MEGATRON method.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that incorporating the proposed metric learning into sinogram denoising introduces awareness of reconstruction goal and improves final quantitative performance. The proposed approach is compatible with a wide range of denoiser network structures and reconstruction modules, to suit customized need or further improve performance.
Diosmetin Promotes Early Embryonic Development in Pigs by Alleviating Oxidative Stress
Authors: Ren Jia‐Jun , Yuan Xiu‐Wen , Meng Zi‐Long , Cao Neng‐Hao , Xu Yong‐Nan , Kim Nam‐Hyung , Li Ying‐Hua
Published: October 2024

Diosmetin (DIOS), a natural flavonoid monomer derived from lemons and present in various plants such as spearmint and spider moss, exhibits antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiaging properties. Nonetheless, its impact on early embryonic development in pigs remains unexplored. This study aimed to determine the influence of DIOS supplementation in an in vitro culture (IVC) medium on porcine embryo development and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Findings revealed that embryos cultured in IVC medium with 0.1 μM DIOS demonstrated an increased blastocyst formation rate, higher total cell number, reduced LC3B and CASPASE3 levels, elevated Nrf2 levels, decreased ROS, and enhanced GSH and mitochondrial membrane potential at the 4‐cell embryonic stage. Additionally, the expression of proapoptotic genes (CAS3, CAS8, and BAX) and autophagy‐related genes (BECLIN1, ATG5, LC3B, and P62) was downregulated, whereas the expression of embryonic development‐related genes (CDK1 and CDK2), antioxidant‐related genes (SOD1 and SOD2), and mitochondrial biogenesis‐related genes (NRF2) was upregulated. These findings suggest that DIOS promotes early embryonic development in pigs by mitigating oxidative stress and enhancing mitochondrial function, thereby reducing autophagy and apoptosis levels.
A systematic review on clinical practice guidelines for managing pregnancy following metabolic‐bariatric surgery
Authors: Moradi Raheleh , Kashanian Maryam , Sheidaei Ali , Kermansaravi Mohammad
Published: October 2024

Objective

The ongoing pandemic of obesity is associated with an increase of weight loss surgeries in women of reproductive age. This study was conducted to review clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for managing pregnancy following metabolic‐bariatric surgery.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search of all CPGs that covered the management of pregnancy following metabolic‐bariatric surgery, 2010 through 2022, and that were published in English. Two authors independently scored the quality and usefulness of CPGs using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool (AGREE II).

Results

From a total of 20 CPGs, consistent recommendations included the following: 1) contraception with long‐acting reversible contraceptives before surgery until the optimal time of pregnancy; 2) nutritional care by a dietitian; 3) considering gastrointestinal discomforts during pregnancy as a potential surgical complication; and 4) modified screening for gestational diabetes instead of glucose tolerance tests preventing post‐bariatric hypoglycemia. There was a lack of uniformity concerning surgery‐to‐conception interval and dose of supplements, as well as research gaps regarding the surgical type, mental health, delivery type, breastfeeding, neonatal care, and weight retention.

Conclusions

All recommendations for managing pregnancy after metabolic‐bariatric surgery were deemed clinically useful. Although consistent recommendations should be implemented, inconsistencies should be the focus of research.
Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on the Incidence, Etiology, Demographics, and Treatment of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma
Authors: Lorenz F. Jeffrey , Rothka Andrew J. , Schopper Heather K. , Lighthall Jessyka G.
Published: October 2024

Objective

To compare the incidence, etiology, demographics, and treatment of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma before, during, and after COVID‐19.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Eighty‐three health care organizations across the United States.

Methods

The TriNetX Research Network identified 77,977,880 patients during 2017 to 2022. CMF fractures and soft tissue injuries during March to August of each year, aligning with the 2020 pandemic lockdown, were analyzed.

Results

In 2020, compared to immediately prepandemic in 2019, there were significant reductions of −17.5% in facial fractures and −19.0% in soft tissue injuries (P < .001). Conversely, in 2021, both injury types increased by +16.7% and +16.3%, respectively, compared to 2020 (P < .001). Changes in injury mechanisms in 2020 included significant decreases in athletic injuries (−57.6%), falls (−16.8%), assaults (−15.5%), motor vehicle collisions (−8.7%), and pedestrian accidents (−6.9%) (P < .01), while off‐road vehicle (+48.4%), bicycle (+16.2%), and motorcycle (+8.9%) accidents increased (P < .01). The 10‐ to 14‐ and 5‐ to 9‐year‐old age groups experienced the most substantial reductions in facial fractures (−39.7% and −29.9%, respectively) and soft tissue injuries (−29.2% and −28.3%, respectively) in 2020 compared to 2019 (P < .001). Operative management of fractures and soft tissue injuries dropped by −20.3% and −12.4%, respectively, in 2020 versus 2019, and then rebounded with +15.8% and +14.6% increases in 2021 compared to 2020 (P < .001). In 2022, compared to prepandemic rates of 2019, there were fewer patients with facial fractures (−2.8%), soft tissue injuries (−4.5%), and operative repairs (−6.9% for fractures, −1.2% for soft tissue injuries) (P < .03).

Conclusion

CMF trauma decreased in 2020, with subsequent years showing a rebound to levels slightly below those immediately prior to pandemic onset. Changes in etiology, demographics, and treatment highlight the complex dynamics of traumatic injuries during periods of societal disruption.
Retrospective Exploration of Botulinum Toxin Injection for Pharyngoesophageal Segment Dysfunction Post‐laryngectomy
Authors: Kazemi Ruby J. , Prince Andrew D.P. , Casper Keith A. , Spector Matthew E. , Smith Joshua D. , Prince Mark E.P.
Published: October 2024

Objective

To assess our institution's experience with botulinum toxin A injection management of pharyngoesophageal (PE) segment dysfunction after laryngectomy in tracheoesophageal voice and swallowing restoration.

Study Design

A retrospective review of 43 patients who had Botox as treatment for PE dysfunction.

Setting

Tertiary academic center with fellowship‐trained otolaryngologists.

Methods

Pre‐ and post‐injection outcomes were evaluated using chart review, and the severity of symptoms was recorded based on the subjective assessment by the patient, speech language pathologists, and the treating surgeon.

Results

Forty‐three patients were treated for PE dysfunction with botulinum toxin A injection. Most patients were male (n = 35, 81.4%), underwent primary cricopharnygeal myotomy (n = 36, 83.7%), and 37 (86%) had both dysphagia and speech concerns. Our injection methods included percutaneous injection by videofluoroscopy (n = 19, 44.2%), transnasal esophagoscopy (17, 40.5%), electromyography (n = 3, 7%), ultrasound (n = 1, 2.3%), or in the operating room (n = 3,7%). We found that 37 (86%) patients had subjective improvement in their symptoms, with 16 (38.1%) improving in both swallow and voice. There were no significant complications, or subjective difference in speech and swallowing outcomes by method of injection.

Conclusion

Botulinum toxin A injection appears to be safe and effective for treating difficulty with speech and swallowing due to PE dysfunction after laryngectomy. Institutions should develop standard protocols for treatment and assessment.