bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential of cell-assembled extracellular matrix for biological sutures: A promising innovation
Authors: Kawecki Fabien
Published: January 2024

Most surgical procedures require using suture materials that are mechanically efficient and accepted by the patient's body. These sutures are essentially composed of synthetic polymers. However, once implanted in patients, they are recognized as foreign bodies and generate chronic inflammation. Thereafter, the patient's immune system will degrade, encapsulate, or even expel the materials. Our innovation, the Cell-Assembled extracellular Matrix (CAM), synthesized from mesenchymal cells, replicates native tissue environments and promotes integration, reducing complications. In a recent study, we introduced CAM-based biological sutures, demonstrating favorable mechanical properties and vascular surgery compatibility. Controlled culture duration tailors CAM for specific applications. Diverse CAM-based suture models were ex vivo tested in animal aorta anastomoses, confirming compatibility. In vivo carotid anastomoses in sheep validated the clinical significance of these innovative sutures. CAM sutures, derived from immunologically favorable allogeneic fibroblast cells, offer high biocompatibility and exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to synthetics by reducing permeability and increasing burst resistance. In vivo testing in sheep underscores clinical applicability, achieving hemostasis and immediate complication prevention. Importantly, CAM-based sutures are compatible with existing vascular surgery techniques, facilitating adoption by surgeons. In conclusion, our findings underscore the effectiveness and clinical significance of these innovative biological sutures.
Research on the security of natural gas supply and demand in China under the dual carbon target
Authors: Zhang Ningning , Wang Jianjun , Xue Menghao , Wang Qing , Wu Yiping , Cao Qingchao , Sun Peiling
Published: January 2024

The security of natural gas supply is not only an important part of China's energy security, it also serves as a basic guarantee for China to achieve its dual carbon target and energy transition. Therefore, it is very important to conduct research on the security of China's natural gas supply and demand in the context of the dual carbon target. This paper develops a system dynamics (SD) model for natural gas demand forecasting and a generalized Weng's model for production forecasting to predict China's natural gas demand and production under different scenarios during 2022–2060, and then analyzes China's natural gas supply and demand situation and potential import and external dependence based on the forecast results. The simulation results show that (1) under the two demand scenarios D1 and D2, China's natural gas demand will peak at 766.02 billion m3 in 2046 and 708.07 billion m3 in 2036 and decline to 521.65 billion m3 and 278.99 billion m3 in 2060 respectively; (2) under the two production scenarios S1 and S2, China's natural gas production will peak at 344.581 billion m3 in 2042 and 366.341 billion m3 in 2043 and decrease to about 250 billion m3 in 2060; (3) before 2035, the security of natural gas supply in China will face a challenging situation, the total volume of potential gas imports will gradually increase to about 350 billion m3, and China's dependence on natural gas imports will exceed 50%; after 2035, the progress of China's energy transition will improve the security of its natural gas supply. This paper proposes four recommendations for expanding gas demand in the near to medium term, promoting conventional and unconventional gas production, diversifying import channels and building emergency reserves to ensure China's gas supply security and enable gas to play a “bridging” role in the energy transition.
Objectivity, honesty, and integrity: How American scientists talked about their virtues, 1945–2000
Authors: Hajek Kim M. , Paul Herman , ten Hagen Sjang
Published: January 2024

What kind of people make good scientists? What personal qualities do scholars say their peers should exhibit? And how do they express these expectations? This article explores these issues by mapping the kinds of virtues discussed by American scientists between 1945 and 2000. Our wide-ranging comparative analysis maps scientific virtue talk across three distinct disciplines – physics, psychology, and history – and across sources that typify those disciplines’ scientific ethos – introductory textbooks, book reviews, and codes of ethics. We find that, when inducting students into a discipline, evaluating peers, or codifying their professional standards, postwar American scientists routinely named virtues like carefulness, objectivity, and honesty. They applied such virtues not only directly to scholars’ characters, minds, and attitudes (thereby equating virtues with personal qualities), but also to their methods, modes of reasoning, and working habits (in the form of what we call virtue-qualifiers). Strikingly, we find that physicists, psychologists, and historians drew upon largely similar repertoires of virtue. For all of them, scientific work required carefulness, thoroughness, and accuracy. Not all virtues, however, were equally important in all disciplines (notably objectivity), nor did each ethos-forming genre place equal emphasis on the directly personal nature of such virtues. All in all, our research establishes an extended framework for understanding the ways virtues remained present in postwar American scientific discourse writ large.
Book review: Ajeet Kumar Pankaj, Dalit Migrants: Assertion, Emancipation, and Social Change
Authors: Kalyani V.
Published: January 2024

Ajeet Kumar Pankaj, Dalit Migrants: Assertion, Emancipation, and Social Change (Cham: Springer, 2023), xxiii + 140 pp.
Impact toughness and fracture behaviour of a lamellar structural Fe–Mn–Al–C cryogenic steel
Authors: Zhang Xiao-feng , Li Jia-xing , Wu Xue-jun , Zhang Ke , Yang Yong
Published: January 2024

In this work, a nickel-free Fe–Mn–Al–C lightweight structural steel for cryogenic application was developed. Based on the quenching-tempering (Q-T) process, the samples were heated to 650, 700, 750 and 800 °C and then quenched and tempered at 200 °C. The microstructure evolution and impact toughness of the tested steel were studied by X-ray diffraction, OM, SEM, TEM and EPMA. The microstructure is mainly composed of δ-ferrite, tempered martensite and retained austenite. The partition of carbon and manganese elements affected the stability of austenite in the steels, resulting in the reduction of the TRIP effect. The lamellar structure was beneficial to the strength and the cryogenic impact toughness of the steel and improved the plastic deformation ability during deformation.
Processing of different Mg-based multiphase alloys via a combined severe plastic deformation
Authors: Torabi H. , Hosseini S.M. , Siahsarani A. , Najafi A. , Masoumi A. , Faraji G.
Published: January 2024

In this study, cyclic extrusion compression angular pressing-forward extrusion was employed to develop binary magnesium-based multiphase alloys, and subsequently analysed the microstructural, mechanical and corrosional properties of the resulting samples. The findings demonstrate that the inclusion of alloying elements in the multiphase alloys significantly enhances their microstructural, mechanical and corrosional properties. Compared to pure Mg samples fabricated using the same method, the multiphase alloys produced by this technique exhibit finer grain structures. Mechanical analysis indicates that these multiphase alloys possess higher yield and ultimate strength compared to pure magnesium. Corrosion testing reveals that all produced alloys outperform pure magnesium in various aspects. Particularly, Mg–1Zn and Mg–1Mn alloys exhibit exceptional corrosion resistance in immersion, mass loss and polarisation tests.
Application of five risk stratification tools for syncope in older adults
Authors: Mu Hong , Liu Jiexin , Huang Cheng , Tang Hefei , Li Sisi , Dong Chang , Yang Tiecheng , Liu Limin , Xu Bin
Published: January 2024

Objective

Treatment of syncope in older adults places a burden on healthcare systems. We used five risk stratification tools to predict short-term adverse outcomes in older patients with syncope.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of patients with syncope (age ≥60 years) in the emergency department of an urban academic hospital. The data were evaluated using the Risk Stratification of Syncope in the Emergency Department (ROSE), San Francisco Syncope Rule (SFSR), FAINT, Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS), and Boston Syncope Criteria (BSC) tools. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value (NPV), and positive and negative likelihood ratios of each tool were calculated and compared for adverse events within 1 month.

Results

In total, 221 patients (average age 75.6 years) were analyzed. Fifty-nine patients (26.7%) had experienced an adverse event within 1 month. For the ROSE, SFSR, FAINT, CSRS and BSC tools, sensitivities were 81.3%, 76.3%, 93.2%, 71.2%, and 94.9%, specificities were 88.3%, 87.7%, 56.8%, 71.6%, and 67.3%, and NPVs were 92.9%, 91.0%, 95.8%, 87.2%, and 97.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

The five assessed tools could be useful for physicians in screening older patients with syncope for the risk of short-term adverse events, according to the patient’s actual situation.
Hub Node Identification in Urban Rail Transit Network Evolution Using a Ridership-Weighted Network
Authors: Tian Tian , Cheng Yanqiu , Liang Yichen , Ma Chen , Chen Kuanmin , Hu Xianbiao
Published: January 2024

With the development of the urban rail transit network (URTN), the network structure and performance have changed, and the node importance has also been redistributed. However, little research has been done on how hub nodes change as the network develops over a lengthy period. Moreover, most hub node identification methods only focus on the analysis of topological networks or single-dimension measurements, resulting in inaccurate identification results. To overcome the above limitations, a novel method of hub node identification is proposed. Based on the ridership-weighted network model, the node centrality and reliability are aggregated to quantify the weighted comprehensive importance of the nodes. Furthermore, network invulnerability measurement is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. This method is applied to the Xi’an Urban Rail Transit Network (XURTN) from 2011 to 2021. With the XURTN’s development, its connectivity, balance, and fault tolerance have improved. After the basic network skeleton was formed, the number and proportion of hub nodes increased steadily. By comparing the spatial characteristics of the identified hub nodes over two successive periods, it can be found that the evolution direction of the hub nodes is correlated with the type of new lines and coincides also with the development direction of the urban area. In addition, the node orders of the proposed method have a greater impact on the network vulnerability, in which the network-weighted efficiency [Formula: see text] decreases faster and more dramatically, that is, 1.17%–45.75% more than that of other methods. Overall, this study provides a basis for the URTN and station planning and management.
Distinct Inhibitory-Control Processes Underlie Children’s Judgments of Fairness
Authors: Sobel David M. , Kamper David G. , Song Joo-Hyun
Published: January 2024

We examined how 5- to 8-year-olds ( N = 51; Mage = 83 months; 27 female, 24 male; 69% White, 12% Black/African American, 8% Asian/Asian American, 6% Hispanic, 6% not reported) and adults ( N = 18; Mage = 20.13 years; 11 female, 7 male) accepted or rejected different distributions of resources between themselves and others. We used a reach-tracking method to track finger movement in 3D space over time. This allowed us to dissociate two inhibitory processes. One involved pausing motor responses to detect conflict between observed information and how participants thought resources should be divided; the other involved resolving the conflict between the response and the alternative. Reasoning about disadvantageous inequities involved more of the first system, and this was stable across development. Reasoning about advantageous inequities involved more of the second system and showed more of a developmental progression. Generally, reach tracking offers an on-line measure of inhibitory control for the study of cognition.
The Phenomenology of Complex PTSD in Adolescence
Authors: Atmaram Sakhardande Kasturi , Elizabeth Shalu , Thomas Tony Lazar , Manohar Harshini , Sharma Eesha
Published: January 2024

Posttraumatic stress disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD and C-PTSD) can present at any age. Compared to younger children and adults, adolescents who are undergoing critical developmental changes in self-concept and socio-emotional abilities have heightened vulnerabilities to the impact of traumatic life events. C-PTSD may be often missed in adolescence, for depressive, anxiety, and even personality disorders and this deprives the adolescent of specific trauma and attachment focused psychotherapeutic interventions that are primary and essential for management. In this article, we present three case summaries to illustrate the phenomenology of C-PTSD in adolescence. The implication is for clinicians to be aware of, and hone their skills in the identification of this disorder in young people.
Measuring Virtual Event Quality (VEQual): Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Kim Sung-Eun , Kim Hyelin (Lina) , Kim Jun-Yeob
Published: January 2024

Traditional in-person events are becoming virtual or hybrid events with the rise of more innovative platforms. The market for virtual events has expanded considerably, with a concomitant rise in the demand for research on the nature and dynamics of virtual events. However, research on virtual event quality (VEQual) remains in its infancy, lagging behind the industry’s rise and resulting in a lack of understanding of the concept and how it is measured. This study aims to develop and validate a psychometrically sound and managerially useful instrument for measuring VEQual. This study allows both researchers and practitioners to investigate and operationalize a focal concept, VEQual, contributing to a better understanding of the measurement of various aspects of virtual events.
Comparison of Machine Learning and Logic Regression Algorithms for Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Gastric Cancer: A two-Center Study
Authors: Lu Tong , Fang Yu , Liu Haonan , Chen Chong , Li Taotao , Lu Miao , Song Daqing
Published: January 2024

Objectives

This two-center study aimed to establish a model for predicting the risk of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients using machine learning (ML) and logistic regression (LR) algorithms, and to evaluate its predictive performance in clinical practice.

Methods

Data of a total of 369 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in the Department of General Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (Xuzhou, China) from March 2016 to November 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed as the training group. In addition, data of 123 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in the Department of General Surgery of Jining First People's Hospital (Jining, China) were collected and analyzed as the verification group. Besides, 7 ML and logistic models were developed, including decision tree, random forest, support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting machine (GBM), naive Bayes, neural network, and LR, in order to evaluate the occurrence of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer. The ML model was established following 10 cross-validation iterations within the training dataset, and subsequently, each model was assessed using the test dataset. The model's performance was evaluated by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of each model.

Results

Compared with the traditional logistic model, among the 7 ML algorithms, except for SVM, the other models exhibited higher accuracy and reliability, and the influences of various risk factors on the model were more intuitive.

Conclusion

For the prediction of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients, the ML algorithm outperformed traditional LR, and the GBM algorithm exhibited the most robust predictive capability.
Computer-aided drug discovery of natural antiviral metabolites as potential SARS-CoV-2 helicase inhibitors
Authors: Elkaeed Eslam B , Eissa Ibrahim H , Saleh Abdulrahman M , Alsfouk Bshra A , Metwaly Ahmed M
Published: January 2024

In our quest to discover effective inhibitors against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 helicase, a diverse set of more than 300 naturally occurring antiviral metabolites was investigated. Employing advanced computational techniques, we initiated the selection process by analyzing and comparing the co-crystallized ligand (VXG) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 helicase protein (PDB ID: 5RMM) to identify compounds with structurally similar features and potential for comparable binding. Through structural similarity and pharmacophore research, 13 compounds that shared important characteristics with VXG were pinpointed. Subsequently, these candidates were subjected to molecular docking to identify seven compounds that demonstrated favorable energy profiles and accurate binding to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 helicase. Among these, mycophenolic acid emerged as the most promising candidate. To ensure the safety and viability of the selected compounds, we conducted ADMET tests, which confirmed the favorable characteristics of mycophenolic acid, and the safety of atropine and plumbagin. Building on these results, we performed additional analyses on mycophenolic acid, including various molecular dynamics simulations. These investigations demonstrated that mycophenolic acid exhibited optimal binding to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 helicase, maintaining flawless dynamics throughout the simulations. Furthermore, the Molecular Mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann Surface Area tests provided strong evidence that mycophenolic acid successfully formed a stable connection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 helicase, with a calculated free energy value of −294 kJ mol−1. These encouraging findings provide a solid foundation for further research, including in vitro and in vivo studies, on the three identified compounds. The potential efficacy of these compounds as treatment options for coronavirus-19 warrants further exploration and may hold significant promise in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.
Risk and benefits of penile length preservation techniques during penile prosthesis implantation: a systematic review by the young academic urologists sexual and reproductive health working group
Authors: Falcone Marco , Preto Mirko , Morgado Afonso Ribeiro , Sokolakis Ioannis , Sarıkaya Selçuk , Capece Marco , Capogrosso Paolo , Manfredi Celeste , Tsampoukas Georgios , Russo Giorgio
Published: January 2024

Background:

Penile shortening, frequently resulting from end-stage Peyronie’s disease (PD), has a negative impact on patients’ sexual activity and overall quality of life, especially when accompanied by Erectile dysfunction (ED). Various surgical techniques have been described to manage concomitant ED and penile shortening through penile prosthesis (PP) implantation.

Objectives:

To evaluate the benefits and risks of different penile length preservation techniques during PP implantation.

Design:

A systematic review of the available literature on the use of penile length preservation maneuvers in conjunction with PP implantation was conducted.

Data sources and methods:

For this systematic review, three databases (Medline, Embase and Cochrane) and clinical trial.gov were queried for relevant publications from 1 January 1990 to 1 September 2022. The review process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines.

Results:

The qualitative analysis included 15 relevant articles involving 1186 adult patients who underwent penile length preservation techniques during PP implantation. Penile lengthening of 1–7 cm was reported. Overall, postoperative complications were described in up to 21.7% of cases. Only five studies reported functional outcomes, showing a significant improvement in postoperative period based on the administered questionnaire (e.g. IIEF – International Index of Erectile Function, EDITS – Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction).

Conclusion:

Penile length preservation procedures appear to offer a viable option for managing acquired penile shortening, particularly in cases of PD. However, they are associated with a significant risk of complications. Proper patient selection, thorough discussion of risks and benefits, and referral to high-volume centers are mandatory to achieve optimal outcomes and minimizing complications.

Trial registration:

PROSPERO database registration CRD42022360758.
Comparison of the Acute Postoperative Complications Between Isolated Talonavicular Versus Talonavicular and Subtalar (Double) Arthrodesis in Flatfoot Deformity
Authors: Bakaes Yianni , Gonzalez Tyler , Hardin James W. , Jackson J. Benjamin
Published: January 2024

Background

Both isolated talonavicular arthrodesis and talonavicular and subtalar (such as double) arthrodesis can be effective treatments for adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) with good success rates, but double arthrodesis has become more commonly performed in recent years. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether isolated talonavicular versus talonavicular and subtalar arthrodesis led to significantly different 30-day postoperative complication rates in patients with AAFD.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review to identify a large cohort of adult patients with the diagnosis of AAFD or posterior tibial tendon deformity (PTTD) who underwent isolated talonavicular or talonavicular and subtalar arthrodesis between 2006 and 2020 from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP). To investigate whether there was a difference in complication rate between the 2 surgical cohorts, we estimated logistic regression models and log-binomial models on each of the outcomes while also adjusting for sex and age.

Results

We found that there was no significant difference in the rate of major complications (P = .567) or readmissions (P = .567) between patients who underwent isolated talonavicular versus talonavicular and subtalar arthrodesis for AAFD. However, there was a significantly higher rate of minor complications in patients who underwent isolated talonavicular arthrodesis when compared with patients who underwent talonavicular and subtalar arthrodesis (P = .009).

Conclusion

This study found that there was no increased risk of 30-day postoperative complications or readmissions with talonavicular and subtalar arthrodesis when compared with isolated talonavicular arthrodesis for AAFD. In addition, there was no increased risk of major complications for talonavicular and subtalar arthrodesis when compared with isolated talonavicular arthrodesis, and isolated talonavicular arthrodesis actually carried a higher risk of minor complications for this surgical cohort. This may provide valuable information for surgeons considering surgical treatment for a particular case of AAFD.

Level of Evidence:

Level III
Deoxycholic Acid for Submental Convexity: A MAUDE Database Analysis
Authors: Gibson Anna Celeste , Kompelli Anvesh , Saadi Carissa , Patel Vijay A. , Saadi Robert A. , Shokri Tom
Published: January 2024

Study Design

The study was a retrospective cross-sectional database analysis.

Objective

Deoxycholic acid (DOC) injections are a novel, in-office procedural alternative to submental liposuction or submentoplasty to address excess submental fat. Post-market safety data regarding this treatment is currently limited. The objective of this study is to analyze adverse events reported in the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.

Methods

The MAUDE database was queried for all reports related to adverse events involving deoxycholic acid using the search terms “KYBELLA” and “deoxycholic acid.” Reports were individually reviewed by 2 reviewers and categorized with special attention to adverse events.

Results

A total of 34 medical device reports were identified from the database query. Thirteen of these reports (21 total events) were included in the analysis after excluding duplicates, unrelated adverse events, or events associated with the off-label use of DOC. Reported adverse events include excessive swelling (n = 5, 24%), marginal mandibular nerve weakness (n = 4, 19%), unsatisfactory aesthetic outcome (n = 4, 19%), numbness (n = 3, 14%), dysphagia (n = 1, 5%), infection (n = 1, 5%), and skin necrosis (n = 3, 14%). Two patients required hospitalization for skin necrosis management; both had underlying systemic diseases.

Conclusions

Adverse events following DOC injections included excessive swelling, dysphagia, numbness, infection, unsatisfactory aesthetic outcome, facial nerve weakness, and skin necrosis requiring hospitalization and/or surgery. Patient counseling regarding these adverse events should be discussed when offering DOC injections for submental convexity.
What Influences Innovation Score for Countries at Different Levels of Development? Examining the Effects of Teaching, Research and Knowledge Transfer
Authors: Mor Surender , Parekh Nadiya , Kopala Martina Rani , Ashta Arvind
Published: January 2024

We examine whether all three roles of universities (education, research and development, and collaboration with industry for knowledge transfer) are essential for a country’s innovation relative to other countries and its peers. The study employs OLS and path analysis to determine the significant indicators affecting the global innovation score of 131 countries, with details for each quartile of countries (by income). The study used expenses on education, government funding of secondary education, tertiary enrolment, graduates in science and technology, number of researchers, expenditures on R&D, university ranking, and university–industry collaborations as the eight explanatory variables, proxies for the three roles. At a global level, the findings reveal that a country’s innovation rank is based on all these three roles but only six of the explanatory variables. An income quartile-wise analysis indicates that innovation scores may not include the three functions. The negative impact of primary and secondary education is significant only for upper-middle-income countries. Knowledge transfer influences innovation scores mainly in very high-income countries. Within low-middle-income countries, primarily tertiary enrolment (education) affects the innovation score. Therefore, the study recommends that policymakers who seek to improve their country’s innovation scores should look at what their peer group countries are doing.
The Role of Initial Trust in the Behavioral Intention to Use Telemedicine Among Filipino Older Adults
Authors: Gallardo Maureen Olive , Dela Torre Jinky , Ebardo Ryan
Published: January 2024

This study investigated the behavioral intention of Filipino older adults toward using telemedicine and the pivotal role of initial trust in influencing this intention. A cross-sectional method was employed, involving a questionnaire administered to 180 participants using convenience sampling. The structural model test results indicate that subjective norm, attitude, and notably, initial trust positively impact the behavioral intention to use telemedicine, whereas perceived behavioral control does not significantly affect intention. This underscores the significance of subjective norm and attitude in shaping behavioral intention, consistent with the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), while the extended construct of initial trust played a crucial role in influencing the attitude and intention of older adults, highlighting its importance in technology adoption. The study aligns with the trend of increased telemedicine adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for trust in sensitive healthcare contexts. Establishing initial trust is vital for successful telemedicine implementation among Filipino older adults, enhancing healthcare accessibility and well-being.
Implementing Reflective Writing at a Newly Established Health Science Academy of Nepal: Exploring a Novel Practice, Overcoming Obstacles and Recommendations
Authors: Bhat Neeti , Dahal Aashma , Gurung Sanyukta , Sapkota Biswash
Published: January 2024

Establishing new institutions for health professions provides the opportunity to implement innovative approaches catering to the current health needs and also allows to address the inadequacies of well-established institutions. Grabbing this opportunity, we initiated the implementation of reflective practices at Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences, a new provincial university in Nepal. Though literature shows that reflection is a helpful tool to reflect on choices, experiences, and failures and obtain knowledge for the students, the adoption of reflective writing in health professions education in Nepal is limited. Therefore, we looked into the practices from other countries to adopt them in our settings and integrated them into our curriculum. But, we came across many impediments during the process—particularly those related to limited resources. We found innovative solutions like using technology and peer mentoring to overcome these challenges and integrated these practices to initiate reflective writing at the institution. The introspective “talking to oneself” has been a valuable strategy for implementing the reflective practices at our institution. Based on our experiences, we highly recommend educators in Nepal or similar settings embrace team-based writing practices that are contextually appropriate. But, we also recognize the benefits of team-based reflective writing that considers the cultural context. We hope this review will inspire educators, particularly those who lack the resources to initiate such practices at their institution. Our firsthand experience is detailed in this perspective article.
Implementation of a retinal stroke-code protocol results in visual recovery in patients receiving reperfusion therapies
Authors: Bustamante Alejandro , Balboa Marta , Ezcurra Garbiñe , Sánchez-Fortún Adrián , Ruiz Judith , Castellví Jordi , Castillo-Acedo Susana , Matas Èric , Bouchikh Rachid , Martínez-Sánchez Marina , Castaño Carlos , Remollo Sebastiá , Werner Mariano , Salgado Maria Carmen , Villodres Samuel , Gea Mireia , Millán Mònica , Pérez de la Ossa Natàlia , Ruiz-Bilbao Susana
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Reperfusion therapies represent promising treatments for patients with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO), but access is limited due to low incidence and lack of protocols. We aimed to describe the benefit of implementing a Retinal Stroke-Code protocol regarding access to reperfusion, visual acuity and aetiological assessment.

Patients and methods:

Prospective cohort study performed at a Comprehensive Stroke Centre. Criteria for activation were sudden monocular, painless vision loss within 6 h from onset. Eligible patients received IAT when immediately available and IVT otherwise. All patients were followed by ophthalmologists to assess best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and visual complications, and by neurologists for aetiological workup. Visual amelioration was defined as improvement of at least one Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter from baseline to 1 week.

Results:

Of 49 patients with CRAO, 15 (30.6%) received reperfusion therapies (12 IVT, 3 IAT). Presentation beyond 6 h was the main contraindication. Patients receiving reperfusion therapies had better rates of visual improvement (33.3% vs 5.9%, p = 0.022). There were no complications related to reperfusion therapies. Rates of neovascular glaucoma were non-significantly lower in patients receiving reperfusion therapies (13.3% vs 20.6%, p = 0.701). Similar rates of atherosclerotic, cardioembolic and undetermined aetiologies were observed, leading to 10 new diagnosed atrial fibrillation and five carotid revascularizations.

Conclusion:

A comprehensive acute management of CRAO is feasible despite low incidence. In our study, reperfusion therapies were safe and associated with higher rates of visual recovery. A similar etiological workup than ischemic stroke led to of high proportion of underlying aetiologies.
Conceptualizing the Paradigm Shift from Prosocial Communism to Violent Communism and Pogroms of Dalits to Adivasi Guerrillas in India: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Kumar Roopak , Tarai Shashikanta
Published: January 2024

In India, the violent communist movement encompasses 70 districts of 10 states with substantial support from the marginalized people with arms in their hands. Why does the transformation process from a communist political party to violent communism take place in India? How does communism in its violent form still survive in India? These questions are addressed by reviewing the literature on the left-wing extremist movement in India from 2005 to 2022. It is found that the violent version of communism has largely succeeded in the domain of suppressing caste-based exploitations of the landless lower castes and gaining support from the indigenous tribes on land and forest-related issues. Therefore, the destination of communism in India is an important eventuality to study its survival strategies, diverse forms and processes.
Culturally sensitive neonatal palliative care: a critical review
Authors: Redman Hayley , Clancy Marie , Thomas Felicity
Published: January 2024

Although there are known disparities in neonatal and perinatal deaths across cultural groups, less is known about how cultural diversity impacts neonatal palliative care. This article critically reviews available literature and sets out key questions that need to be addressed to enhance neonatal palliative care provision for culturally diverse families. We begin by critically reviewing the challenges to recording, categorizing and understanding data which need to be addressed to enable a true reflection of the health disparities in neonatal mortality. We then consider whose voices frame the current neonatal palliative care agenda, and, importantly, whose perspectives are missing; what this means in terms of limiting current understanding and how the inclusion of diverse perspectives can potentially help address current inequities in service provision. Utilizing these insights, we make recommendations towards setting a research agenda, including key areas for future enquiry and methodological and practice-based considerations.
Performance Improvement in Megaprojects Through Project Network Characteristics and Transactive Memory Systems
Authors: Hu Zhibin , Wu Guangdong , Zhang Wei
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the effects of project network characteristics (i.e., network density and centrality) and transactive memory systems on project performance. Based on 361 valid questionnaires from megaproject teams, a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach is used for data analysis. The findings discover that high network density is positively associated with specialization, credibility, and project performance, without a significant link with coordination. Meanwhile, a high degree of network centrality negatively affects three dimensions of transactive memory systems, as well as project performance. Regarding the mediating role of transactive memory systems dimensions, specialization and credibility serve as the dominant mediating effects. Interestingly, the interactive relationships among transactive memory systems dimensions are empirically examined. These findings provide a network perspective to integrate and utilize organizational knowledge, thus improving organizational flexibility and resilience.
A review of pre-hospital extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and its potential application in the North East of England
Authors: Jones Dominic , Daglish Fiona M. , Tanner Benjamin M. , Wilkie Fergus J. M.
Published: January 2024

Patients in the UK who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the pre-hospital environment. Current survival outcomes are low in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a technique which is offered to patients in specialised centres which provides better blood flow and oxygen delivery than conventional chest compressions. Shortening the interval between cardiac arrest and restoration of circulation is associated with improved outcomes in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Delivering extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the pre-hospital environment can shorten this interval, improving outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This article will review recently published studies and summarise studies currently being undertaken in pre-hospital extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It will also discuss the potential application of a pre-hospital extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation programme in the North East of England.
Comparison of capture-based mtDNA sequencing performance between MGI and illumina sequencing platforms in various sample types
Authors: Feng Zehui , Peng Fan , Xie Fanfan , Liu Yang , Zhang Huanqin , Ma Jing , Xing Jinliang , Guo Xu
Published: January 2024

Background

Mitochondrial genome abnormalities can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn affects cellular biology and is closely associated with the development of various diseases. The demand for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing has been increasing, and Illumina and MGI are two commonly used sequencing platforms for capture-based mtDNA sequencing. However, there is currently no systematic comparison of mtDNA sequencing performance between these two platforms. To address this gap, we compared the performance of capture-based mtDNA sequencing between Illumina's NovaSeq 6000 and MGI's DNBSEQ-T7 using tissue, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, plasma, and urine samples.

Results

Our analysis indicated a high degree of consistency between the two platforms in terms of sequencing quality, GC content, and coverage. In terms of data output, DNBSEQ-T7 showed higher rates of clean data and duplication compared to NovaSeq 6000. Conversely, the amount of mtDNA data obtained by per gigabyte sequencing data was significantly lower in DNBSEQ-T7 compared to NovaSeq 6000. In terms of detection mtDNA copy number, both platforms exhibited good consistency in all sample types. When it comes to detection of mtDNA mutations in tissue, FFPE, and PBMC samples, the two platforms also showed good consistency. However, when detecting mtDNA mutations in plasma and urine samples, significant differenceof themutation number detected was observed between the two platforms. For mtDNA sequencing of plasma and urine samples, a wider range of DNA fragment size distribution was found in NovaSeq 6000 when compared to DNBSEQ-T7. Additionally, two platforms exhibited different characteristics of mtDNA fragment end preference.

Conclusions

In summary, the two platforms generally showed good consistency in capture-based mtDNA sequencing. However, it is necessary to consider the data preferences generated by two sequencing platforms when plasma and urine samples were analyzed.
Insights into the genetic variability and evolutionary dynamics of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus in China
Authors: Kamran Ali , Li Ying , Zhang Wanhong , Jiao Yubin , Farooq Tahir , Wang Yong , Liu Dongyang , Jiang Lianqiang , Shen Lili , Wang Fenglong , Yang Jinguang
Published: January 2024

Background

Viral diseases are posing threat to annual production and quality of tobacco in China. Recently, tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) has been reported to infect three major crops including tobacco. Current study was aimed to investigate the population dynamics and molecular diversity of the TSWV. In the current study, to assess and identify the prevalence and evolutionary history of TSWV in tobacco crops in China, full-length genome sequences of TSWV isolates from tobacco, were identified and analyzed.

Methods

After trimming and validation, sequences of new isolates were submitted to GenBank. We identified the full-length genomes of ten TSWV isolates, infecting tobacco plants from various regions of China. Besides these, six isolates were partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to assess the relativeness of newly identified sequences and corresponding sequences from GenBank. Recombination and population dynamics analysis was performed using RDP4, RAT, and statistical estimation. Reassortment analysis was performed using MegaX software.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis of 41 newly identified sequences, depicted that the majority of the Chinese isolates have separate placement in the tree. RDP4 software predicted that RNA M of newly reported isolate YNKM-2 had a recombinant region spanning from 3111 to 3811 bp. The indication of parental sequences (YNKMXD and YNHHKY) from newly identified isolates, revealed the conservation of local TSWV population. Genetic diversity and population dynamics analysis also support the same trend. RNA M was highlighted to be more capable of mutating or evolving as revealed by data obtained from RDP4, RAT, population dynamics, and phylogenetic analyses. Reassortment analysis revealed that it might have happened in L segment of TSWV isolate YNKMXD (reported herein).

Conclusion

Taken together, this is the first detailed study revealing the pattern of TWSV genetic diversity, and population dynamics helping to better understand the ability of this pathogen to drastically reduce the tobacco production in China. Also, this is a valuable addition to the existing worldwide profile of TSWV, especially in China, where a few studies related to TSWV have been reported including only one complete genome of this virus isolated from tobacco plants.
Mid-term outcome of catheter ablation of idiopathic non-outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias
Authors: Cheng Dian , Yu Jinbo , Chen Kanghui , Li Xiaorong , Zhang Fengxiang , Ju Weizhu , Chen Hongwu , Yang Gang , Li Mingfang , Gu Kai , Wang Xuecheng , Xie Xin , Wu Yizhang , Zhou Jian , Zhou Xiaoqian , Kojodjojo Pipin , Yang Bing , Chen Minglong
Published: January 2024

Background

Catheter ablation is recommended in patients with frequent and symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in an otherwise normal heart. Right or left outflow tract (OT) are the most common origins, and catheter ablation is highly effective with low complication rates. However, outcome of catheter ablation of VAs other than the OT (non-OTVAs) is limited. The aim of this single-center study was to assess the safety and mid-term outcome of catheter ablation for non-OTVAs.

Method and Results

From 2013 to 2018, 251 patients who underwent catheter ablation for idiopathic non-OTVAs were enrolled and grouped according to the origins including His-Purkinje system (HPS, n = 108), papillary muscle / moderator band (PM/MB, n = 47), tricuspid annulus (TA, n = 70), and mitral annulus (MA, n = 26), 244 (97.2%) had acute elimination of VAs. The time of VAs recurrence of the single procedure was 1.69 (0.12,9.72) months, with 66% occurring within the first 3 months. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the PM/MB group than in the TA (p = 0.025) and MA groups (p = 0.023). The single procedure success rate in all patients was 70.1%, in which 66.7%, 59.6%, 80%, and 76.9% were achieved in the HPS, PM/MB, TA, and MA groups, respectively (p = 0.284). After multiple procedures, the total success rate was 76.5% at the follow-up of 4.38 ± 2.42 years. The rate was significantly lower in the PM/MB group than in the TA group (p = 0.035). In subgroup analysis, no significant difference was observed in the recurrence rate of single procedure in patients with different VA origins within the PM/MB (log-rank test, p = 0.546).

Conclusion

Despite a certain percentage of recurrences observed in the mid-term follow-up, catheter ablation remained feasible and effective for idiopathic non-OTVAs.
Transfusion practice in Central Norway – a regional cohort study in patients suffering from major haemorrhage
Authors: Carlsen Marte Irene Skille , Brede Jostein Rødseth , Medby Christian , Uleberg Oddvar
Published: January 2024

Background

In patients with major hemorrhage, balanced transfusions and limited crystalloid use is recommended in both civilian and military guidelines. This transfusion strategy is often applied in the non-trauma patient despite lack of supporting data. The aim of this study was to describe the current transfusion practice in patients with major hemorrhage of both traumatic and non-traumatic etiology in Central Norway, and discuss if transfusions are in accordance with appropriate massive transfusion protocols.

Methods

In this retrospective observational cohort study, data from four hospitals in Central Norway was collected from 01.01.2017 to 31.12.2018. All adults (≥18 years) receiving massive transfusion (MT) and alive on admission were included. MT was defined as transfusion of ≥10 units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) within 24 hours, or ≥ 5 units of PRBC during the first 3 hours after admission to hospital. Clinical data was collected from the hospital blood bank registry (ProSang) and electronic patient charts (CareSuite PICIS). Patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment were excluded.

Results

A total of 174 patients were included in the study, of which 85.1% were non-trauma patients. Seventy-six per cent of all patients received plasma:PRBC in a ratio ≥ 1:2 (high ratio) and 59.2% of patients received platelets:PRBC in a ratio ≥ 1:2 (high ratio). 32.2% received a plasma:PRBC-ratio ≥ 1:1, and 23.6% platelet:PRBC-ratio ≥ 1:1. Median fluid infusion of crystalloids in all patients was 5750 mL. Thirty-seven per cent of all patients received tranexamic acid, 53.4% received calcium and fibrinogen concentrate was administered in 9.2%.

Conclusions

Most patients had a non-traumatic etiology. The majority was transfused with high ratios of plasma:PRBC and platelet:PRBC, but not in accordance with the aim of the local protocol (1:1:1). Crystalloids were administered liberally for both trauma and non-trauma patients. There was a lower use of hemostatic adjuvants than recommended in the local transfusion protocol. Awareness to local protocol should be increased.