bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Larvicidal effects of some natural products on the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a vector of dengue fever and Zika virus
Authors: Al Yahya Hanan , Shaher Fekri M. , Mahyoub Jazem A.
Published: May 2023

Natural products are considered a good choice in the biological control of mosquitoes because they are an effective way to eliminate larvae and prevent an increase in mosquito numbers, while simultaneously not polluting the environment or damaging health. This investigation was designed to study the potential toxicity of three species of algae, Caulerpa racemosa (Weber‐van Bosse, 1909), Padina boryana (Thivy, 1966), and Turbinaria ornata (Turner J. Agardh, 1848), on the larvae of Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector of dengue and Zika viruses. Among the studied species, Caulerpa racemosa showed the greatest effectiveness in eradicating A. aegypti larvae with an LC50 = 43.5 ppm, followed by Padina boryana with an LC50 = 51.93 ppm. Both species proved to be excellent candidates as a source of larvicidal agents and could be used commercially in mosquito control programs as eco‐friendly biopesticides. The combined activity of different mixtures against mosquito larvae was expressed as the coeffective factor (C.F.). C.F. values showed that the joint activity of insect growth regulator Dudim in combination with Caulerpa racemosa and Padina boryana extracts produced degrees of potentiation effects and degrees of additive effects were obtained with Dudim in combination with Turbinaria ornata extract.
Grading Evaluation and Ranking of CO2 Sequestration Capacity in Place (CSCIP) in China's Major Oil Basins: Theoretical, Effective, Practical and CCUS‐EOR
Authors: LI Yaohua , WANG Yang , SHI Yu , YANG Leilei , CUI Qiliang , BI Caiqin , XU Yinbo , WANG Qianyou , SHAN Yansheng , LIU Weibin , MIAO Miao , WANG Ting
Published: May 2023

Because it is necessary to focus on differences in regional oil reservoirs and determine the priority of the CCUS‐EOR (Carbon capture, utilization, and storage‐enhanced oil recovery) deployment under China's net‐zero CO2 emission target, systematic and regional evaluations of CO2 sequestration capacity in major oil basins are needed considering the geofluid properties—carbon sequestration capacity in place (CSCIP)—where the ‘in place’ indicates actual geological formation conditions underground, e.g., formation temperature and pressure. Therefore, physical properties of geofluids at different depths with different geologic temperatures and pressure conditions are considered for the CO2 sequestration capacity evaluation in place, including shallow (800–2000 m), medium (2000–3500 m), deep (3500–4500 m) and ultra‐deep (4500–8000 m) depth intervals. A modified evaluation model with four grading levels is proposed, combining the P‐V‐T equations of state (EOS) and evaluation equations of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), including theoretical, effective, practical, and CCUS‐EOR CSCIP, which is more consistent with geofluid physical properties underground, to make the grading evaluation and ranking of the CSCIP in China's major oil basins. Then, the grading CSCIP of 29 major oil basins in China was evaluated based on the petroleum resources evaluation results of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China (MNRC) during China's 13th Five‐Year Plan period. According to the grading evaluation results, suggestions for China's CCUS‐EOR prospective regions are given as follows: shallow oil fields of the Songliao Basin in Northeast China, shallow–medium oil fields of the Bohai Bay Basin in East China, medium oil fields of the Zhungeer Basin in West China, and medium oil fields of the Ordos Basin in Central China; all are potential areas for the CCUS‐EOR geological sequestration in China's onshore oil basins. In addition, in China's offshore oil basins, shallow–medium oil fields of the Bohai Sea and shallow oil fields of the Pearl River Mouth Basin have potential for CCUS‐EOR geological sequestration.
Key Problems and Countermeasures in CO2 Flooding and Storage
Authors: CHEN Huanqing
Published: May 2023

Based on literature research in combination with the practice of CO2 flooding and storage in Jilin Oilfield, this study assesses the key problems in CO2 flooding and storage, proposing the corresponding countermeasures from five aspects of CO2 gas source condition, namely geological condition evaluation, scheme design incoordination with other production methods, economic and effectiveness evaluation, together with dynamic monitoring and safety evaluation. The results show that CO2 flooding is the most economic and effective CO2 storage method. In eastern China, inorganic origin CO2 gas reservoirs are widely developed and are especially the most enriched in the Paleozoic carbonate rock strata and the Cenozoic Paleogene–Neogene system, which provide a rich resource base for CO2 flooding and storage. In the future, CO2 generated in the industrial field will become the main gas source of CO2 flooding and storage. The evaluation of geological conditions of oil and gas reservoirs is the basis for the potential evaluation, planning scheme design and implementation of CO2 flooding and storage. CO2 storage should be below the depth of 800 m, the CO2 flooding and storage effects in low‐permeability oil reservoirs being the best. CO2 geological storage mechanisms primarily consist of tectonic geological storage, bound gas storage, dissolution storage, mineralization storage, hydrodynamic storage and coalbed adsorption storage. The practice of CO2 flooding and storage in Jilin Oilfield demonstratesthat the oil increment by CO2 flooding is at least 24% higher than by conventional water flooding. The most critical factor determining the success or failure of CO2 flooding and storage is economic effectiveness, which needs to be explored from two aspects: the method and technology innovation along with the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality policy support. After CO2 is injected into the reservoir, it will react with the reservoir and fluid, the problem of CO2 recovery or overflow will occur, so the dynamic monitoring and safety evaluation of CO2 flooding and storage are very important. This study is of great significance to the expansion of the application scope of CO2 flooding and storage and future scientific planning and deployment.
Temporal trends of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer between 2010 and 2019, in Asian countries by geographical region and sociodemographic index, comparison with global data
Authors: Rezaei Fatemeh , Mazidimoradi Afrooz , Rayatinejad Ali , Allahqoli Leila , Salehiniya Hamid
Published: May 2023

Background

This study aimed to describe the trends in incidence, mortality, and burden of tracheal, bronchial and lung (TBL) cancer in Asia from 2010 through 2019 and compare with global and other continental data.

Methods

We collected TBL cancer data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from 2010 to 2019 in 49 countries and territories in Asia. For all locations, annual case data and age‐standardized rates (ASRs) were used to investigate the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) of TBL from 2010 to 2019. The relative difference (%) between years was used to show comparative variations of ASRs for the indicators studied.

Results

In 2019, more than 55% of TBL cancer cases and deaths occurred in Asian countries. A total of 57% of lung cancer patients lived in Asia and almost 60% of the global burden of lung cancer was imposed on Asian countries. From 2010 to 2019, incidences, deaths, prevalence cases, and DALYs number of TBL cancer increased over 1.34‐, 1.31‐, 1.31‐, and 1.26‐fold, in Asia. During this period, the age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR), the age‐standardized death rate (ASDR), the age‐standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), and the age‐standardized DALYs rate (DALYs ASR) of TBL cancer decreased by 1, 3, 4, and 4%, respectively. While at the same time, the decreasing trend of these rates globally and in America and in Europe happened faster. In 2019, age‐specific incidence, death, prevalence, and DALY cases of TBL cancer were peaking at 65–74, 70–74, 65–69, and 65–69 years, respectively. In 2019, the highest ASIR, ASDR, and DALYs ASR of TBL cancer was observed in East Asia countries and the highest ASPR in high‐income Asia Pacific countries. Central Asia and high‐income Asia Pacific countries experienced a decreasing trend in ASIR and ASDR, and the South Asia countries experienced the highest increasing trend from 2010 to 2019. ASPR only decreased in Central Asia, and DALYs ASR only increased in South Asia. In 2019, among high sociodemographic index (SDI) Asian countries, Brunei Darussalam had the highest ASIR, ASDR, and DALYs ASR and the Republic of Korea had the highest ASPR. Among high‐middle SDIs, Turkey and Georgia; among middle SDIs, China and Armenia; among low‐middle SDIs, Mongolia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had the highest ASIR, ASDR, ASPR, and DALY ASR of TBL cancer. Among low SDI Asian countries, Pakistan had the highest ASIR, ASDR, ASPR, and DALY ASR of TBL cancer.

Conclusion

Most of the global burden of lung cancer occurs in Asian countries, and the decreasing trend of incidence, death, prevalence, and burden of this cancer in these countries is slower than in other regions. Therefore, the implementation of necessary measures in order to reduce the process of this cancer is considered urgent.
Board Connections and Dividend Policy
Authors: Farooq Kambar , Azeem Muhammad , Chui Chin Man , Ruan Jun (Tony)
Published: May 2023

We examine the role of firm board connectedness in shaping a firm's dividend policy. We show that firms with well‐connected boards not only have a higher likelihood of paying dividends in the pooled sample of both dividend payers and non‐payers but also pay more dividends in the sample of dividend payers, compared with those with poorly connected boards. Further analysis reveals that the relation between board connectedness and dividend‐paying behaviour tends to be economically stronger in firms pre‐identified to have more severe agency conflicts, suggesting that well‐connected boards tend to use dividends to mitigate agency problems in these firms. These findings are robust to different measures of board connectedness, different dividend payout measures, alternative estimation methods, and tests that account for endogeneity.
A guided digital intervention to reduce cannabis use: The ICan randomized controlled trial
Authors: Olthof Marleen I. A. , Goudriaan Anna E. , van Laar Margriet W. , Blankers Matthijs
Published: May 2023

Aims

To test the effectiveness of a digital intervention to reduce cannabis use (ICan) with adherence‐focused guidance compared with educational cannabis information.

Design

This was a single‐blind randomized controlled trial. Follow‐up clinical outcome measurements took place 3 and 6 months after randomization.

Setting

The trial was conducted in the Netherlands. The intervention and guidance took place on‐line, with recruitment via Facebook/Instagram advertisement campaigns.

Participants

Inclusion criteria were ≥ 18 years, cannabis use on ≥ 3 days/week, the desire to reduce/quit cannabis and using a smartphone. Participants were allocated to either ICan (n = 188) or control (n = 190) (69% male, mean age = 27.5 years).

Intervention and comparator

ICan is a mobile (web‐)application based on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy and includes three main components: screening, brief intervention (six modules) and referral to treatment. The control condition consisted of non‐interactive educational cannabis information.

Measurements

Primary outcome was the number of cannabis use days in the 7 days prior to the 6‐month follow‐up measurement. Secondary outcome measures at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up were the number of grams of cannabis used and attitudes towards seeking professional help for cannabis use related problems.

Findings

Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that 6 months after randomization the mean number of cannabis use days in the past 7 days was reduced in both conditions (time P < 0.001), with no significant group × time interaction effect [ICan = 4.17 days, control = 4.31 days, Cohen's dbetween = 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.15, 0.26, P = 0.93]. Three months after randomization the mean number of grams used in the past 7 days was reduced in both conditions, with a significantly larger reduction in the ICan condition (P = 0.009, Cohen's dbetween = 0.15). At 6‐month follow‐up the significant group × time interaction effect was no longer present (P = 0.30). In both conditions, attitudes towards seeking professional help remained virtually unchanged over time.

Conclusions

A digital intervention to reduce cannabis use (ICan) was more effective than non‐interactive educational cannabis information in reducing grams of cannabis used over 3 months, but not more effective at reducing cannabis use days at 6‐month follow‐up. Cannabis use reductions were maintained in both conditions between 3 and 6 months’ follow‐up.
The influence of proximity with riparian forests and the distance from urban areas on roadkills of vertebrates in a fragmented Brazilian savanna area
Authors: Martins Thais , Freitas Simone Rodrigues , Semensatto Junior Décio Luis , Hardt Elisa
Published: May 2023

The increasing development of highways severely threatens several vertebrates due to habitat fragmentation, edge effects and roadkills. Understanding how the landscape influences the occurrence of roadkills on highways can provide insights into the preferred routes of fauna dispersion and define the priority stretches to implement mitigation actions. This study evaluated the association between landscape characteristics and fauna roadkills on the BR‐158 highway (State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil), where the adjacent vegetation encompasses phytophysiognomies of the Cerrado, a severely threatened biome. The spatial distribution of recorded road‐killed vertebrates (secondary data) was analysed using the statistical tool 2D Hotspot Identification, which defined the stretches with the highest mortality (hotspots). The surrounding landscape within a 1 km buffer zone around the highway was characterized based on area and distance information considering the land use and cover. Generalized linear models were applied to test the influence of locations on roadkill, considering the landscape characteristics as independent variables and the presence/absence of roadkill as the dependent variable. Our results indicated two hotspot stretches along the BR‐158 highway and a higher probability of roadkill in stretches associated with riparian forests and more distant from urban areas. The identification of landscape characteristics associated with the occurrence of vertebrate roadkills can help guide the planning and monitoring of highways. Furthermore, in dry ecosystems such as the Cerrado, we must provide information to implement priority actions in stretches of riparian forest, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of highways on local biodiversity conservation.
Univariate and multivariate genome‐wide association studies for hematological traits in Murciano‐Granadina goats
Authors: Macri Martina , Luigi‐Sierra Maria Gracia , Guan Dailu , Delgado Juan Vicente , Alvarez Javier Fernández , Amills Marcel , Martínez Amparo Martínez
Published: May 2023

Hematological traits are important indicators of health status, and they are frequently used as criteria for clinical diagnosis. In humans, the genomic architecture of blood traits has been investigated in depth and thousands of associations with genetic variants have been found. In contrast, the association between marker genotypes and the variation of hematological traits has not been investigated in goats yet. Herewith, we have recorded 12 hematological parameters in 882 Murciano‐Granadina goats that were also genotyped with the Goat SNP50 BeadChip (Illumina). Performance of a univariate genome‐wide association study (GWAS) made it possible to detect one genomic region on goat chromosome (CHI) 21 (19.2–19.5 Mb) associated, at the genome‐wide level of significance, with 4 red blood cell traits. The three markers displaying the highest significances were rs268272996 (CHI21: 19225290 bp), rs268273004 (CHI21: 19565629 bp) and rs268239059 (CHI13: 9615190 bp). Consistently, a multivariate GWAS indicated that the rs268273004 marker on chromosome 21 is associated with seven blood cell traits. Interestingly, this marker maps close to the FA Complementation Group I (FANCI) gene (CHI21: 20021947–20077025 bp), which is functionally related to Fanconi anemia, a syndrome characterized by bone marrow failure, aplastic anemia, and congenital disorders. We have also uncovered additional chromosome‐wide significant associations between genetic markers and erythrocyte and leukocyte traits in the univariate GWAS. These findings evidence that the phenotypic variation of hematological traits in goats is regulated, at least to some extent, by polygenic determinants distributed in multiple chromosomes.
Glass ceiling or sticky floor? Evidence from a distributional approach of the gender wage gap among PhD holders in South Korea
Authors: Kim Myounghwan , Park Kihong
Published: May 2023

This study examines the gender wage gap, to explore whether a glass ceiling (large unexplained wage gaps in the upper percentiles) or sticky floor (large unexplained wage gaps in the lower percentiles) exists in the wage distribution of the most educated Koreans. This study focuses on seeking these distributional patterns for a theoretically homogeneous gender group, relying on a smaller dataset of PhD holders. Counterfactual methods combining recentered influence function decomposition with propensity score matching allow us to estimate how the wage gap between statistically similarly matched males and females, varies across the unconditional wage distribution. There is evidence of a strong sticky floor and a limited glass ceiling among Korean PhD holders. Results show that a negative relationship between a high level of education and the gender wage gap cannot be taken for granted, at least in South Korea. Even female PhD holders suffer from gender discrimination, especially when they are at the bottom end of the wage distribution.
Imputation-Based Q-Learning for Optimizing Dynamic Treatment Regimes with Right-Censored Survival Outcome
Authors: Lyu Lingyun , Cheng Yu , Wahed Abdus S.
Published: May 2023

Q-learning has been one of the most commonly used methods for optimizing dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs) in multistage decision-making. Right-censored survival outcome poses a significant challenge to Q-Learning due to its reliance on parametric models for counterfactual estimation which are subject to misspecification and sensitive to missing covariates. In this paper, we propose an imputation-based Q-learning (IQ-learning) where flexible nonparametric or semiparametric models are employed to estimate optimal treatment rules for each stage and then weighted hot-deck multiple imputation (MI) and direct-draw MI are used to predict optimal potential survival times. Missing data are handled using inverse probability weighting and MI, and the nonrandom treatment assignment among the observed is accounted for using a propensity-score approach. We investigate the performance of IQ-learning via extensive simulations and show that it is more robust to model misspecification than existing Q-Learning methods, imputes only plausible potential survival times contrary to parametric models and provides more flexibility in terms of baseline hazard shape. Using IQ-learning, we developed an optimal DTR for leukemia treatment based on a randomized trial with observational follow-up that motivated this study.
Exploration of the characteristics of teachers' multimodal behaviours in problem‐oriented teaching activities with different response levels
Authors: Liu Qingtang , Zheng Xinxin , Liu Yaoyao , Wu Linjing , Zhang Si , Zhang Ni , Wang Qiyun
Published: May 2023

Problem‐oriented teaching (POT) activities are important in classroom instruction. The level of student response can be influenced by different teacher behaviours in POT. However, the characteristics of teachers' multimodal behaviours at different levels of response are unclear. This study applied epistemic network analysis to explore the characteristics of teachers' multimodal behaviours in POT with different response levels. Using 256 POT segments from 12 classroom teaching videos in primary and secondary schools, this study found that authentic questions and iconic gestures occupied a central position in multimodal behaviours. The concomitant use of multimodal behaviours and the flexibility in eye contact could improve the response levels of students. These findings help understand how teachers' multimodal behaviours can promote students' responses.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Various behaviours have been shown to impact learners' response, such as teachers' responses to students and teachers' non‐verbal behaviours.

Epistemic network analysis can be used to analyse the structure of the connections between cognitive, social and interaction data.

What this paper adds

This study analyses the characteristics of teachers' multimodal behaviours during problem‐oriented activities.

It also compares the salient properties of non‐verbal, verbal and multimodal behavioural networks generated by interactive fragments of students' responses of different cognitive levels.

Implications for practice and policy

Teachers should ask more authentic questions in the classroom to promote in‐depth thinking processes in students.

The appropriate coordination of multimodal behaviours by teachers is crucial to promote the cognitive level of students' responses.

Upon making eye contact with students, teachers should also use iconic gestures and be flexible regarding the use of eye contact.
Real‐world evidence of the safety and survival with CD19 CAR‐T cell therapy for relapsed/refractory solid organ transplant‐related PTLD
Authors: McKenna Marshall , Epperla Narendranath , Ghobadi Armin , Liu Jieqi , Lazaryan Aleksandr , Ibrahim Uroosa , Jacobson Caron A. , Naik Seema G. , Nastoupil Loretta , Chowdhury Sayan Mullick , Voorhees Timothy J. , Jacobs Miriam T. , Farooq Umar , Osman Keren , Olszewski Adam J. , Ahmed Sairah , Evens Andrew M.
Published: May 2023

The use of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR‐T) therapy for relapsed/refractory solid organ transplantation (SOT)‐related post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is not well studied. We conducted a multicentre, retrospective analysis of adults with relapsed/refractory SOT‐associated PTLD. Among 22 relapsed/refractory SOT‐PTLD patients, the pathology was monomorphic B cell. Prior SOTs included 14 kidney (64%), three liver (14%), two heart (9%), one intestinal (5%), one lung (5%), and one pancreas after kidney transplant (5%). The median time from SOT to PTLD diagnosis was 107 months. Pre‐CAR‐T bridging therapy was used in 55% of patients, and immunosuppression was stopped completely before CAR‐T infusion in 64%. Eighteen (82%) patients experienced cytokine release syndrome: one (5%) each grade (G) 3 and G4. The immune effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome was observed in 16 (73%) patients: six (27%) G3 and two (9%) G4. The overall response rate was 64% (55% complete response). Three patients (14%) experienced allograft rejection after CAR‐T. The two‐year progression‐free survival and overall survival rates were 35% and 58%, respectively. Additionally, the achievement of CR post‐CAR‐T was strongly associated with survival. Collectively, the safety and efficacy of CD19 CAR‐T therapy in relapsed/refractory SOT‐related PTLD appeared similar to pivotal CAR‐T data, including approximately one‐third of patients achieving sustained remission.
Sustained response off treatment in eltrombopag for children with persistent/chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia: A multicentre observational retrospective study in China
Authors: Wang Zhifa , Wang Lijuan , Liu Yan , Meng Jinxi , Dong Shuyue , Ma Jingyao , Hu Yu , Chen Zhenping , Cheng Xiaoling , Wu Runhui
Published: May 2023

Eltrombopag (ELT) is effective and safe in adult persistent/chronic immune thrombocytopenia (p/cITP); a proportion could achieve a sustained response off treatment (SRoT); however, data on children are lacking. We attempted to analyse SRoT of ELT in children with p/cITP in this study. A multicentre retrospective observational study was performed in November 2022 for children with p/cITP who used ELT alone for >2 months between January 2017 and November 2021. Clinical data of pre‐, during and post‐ELT were collected. SRoT was defined as maintaining a platelet count of ≥30 × 109/L without rescue therapy for at least 6 months off ELT. There were 143 patients enrolled; 69.2% (99/143) achieved an overall response of 43.3% and 25.9% achieved complete response (CR) and response (R). Among the 35 patients analysed from whom ELT was withdrawn, 71.4% (25/35) showed SRoT after discontinuing ELT without additional ITP therapy, with a median follow‐up of 0.94 (range, 0.53–3.8) years, equal to 17.5% (25/143) in all patients treated with ELT. Compared with the patients with relapse (n = 10), the SRoT patients (n = 25) had a higher rate of CR (80% [20/25] vs. 40% [4/10]), shorter interval time from initiation to taper (6.4 months vs. 9.4 months), longer time from taper to withdrawal (1.1 years vs. 0.3 years) and a longer duration of ELT treatment (1.6 years vs. 0.5 years) with p < 0.05. Patients who achieved CR could attain SRoT more easily (p = 0.02). ELT had a response in 69.2% of children with p/cITP and 17.5% of them attained SRoT with good tolerance. The patients who achieved CR and began ELT treatment as early as possible, with a longer treatment duration and slower tapering, had a higher probability of SRoT.
Validation of a prediction model for post‐chemotherapy fibrosis in nonseminoma patients
Authors: Gerdtsson Axel , Torisson Gustav , Thor Anna , Grenabo Bergdahl Anna , Almås Bjarte , Håkansson Ulf , Törnblom Magnus , Negaard Helene F. S. , Glimelius Ingrid , Halvorsen Dag , Karlsdóttir Ása , Haugnes Hege Sagstuen , Larsen Signe Melsen , Holmberg Göran , Wahlqvist Rolf , Tandstad Torgrim , Cohn‐Cedermark Gabriella , Ståhl Olof , Kjellman Anders
Published: May 2023

Objective

To validate Vergouwe's prediction model using the Swedish and Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group (SWENOTECA) RETROP database and to define its clinical utility.

Materials and methods

Vergouwe's prediction model for benign histopathology in post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC‐RPLND) uses the following variables: presence of teratoma in orchiectomy specimen; pre‐chemotherapy level of alpha‐fetoprotein; β‐Human chorionic gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase; and lymph node size pre‐ and post‐chemotherapy. Our validation cohort consisted of patients included in RETROP, a prospective population‐based database of patients in Sweden and Norway with metastatic nonseminoma, who underwent PC‐RPLND in the period 2007–2014. Discrimination and calibration analyses were used to validate Vergouwe's prediction model results. Calibration plots were created and a Hosmer–Lemeshow test was calculated. Clinical utility, expressed as opt‐out net benefit (NBopt‐out), was analysed using decision curve analysis.

Results

Overall, 284 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 130 (46%) had benign histology after PC‐RPLND. Discrimination analysis showed good reproducibility, with an area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.77–0.87) compared to Vergouwe's prediction model (AUC between 0.77 and 0.84). Calibration was acceptable with no recalibration. Using a prediction threshold of 70% for benign histopathology, NBopt‐out was 0.098. Using the model and this threshold, 61 patients would have been spared surgery. However, only 51 of 61 were correctly classified as benign.

Conclusions

The model was externally validated with good reproducibility. In a clinical setting, the model may identify patients with a high chance of benign histopathology, thereby sparing patients of surgery. However, meticulous follow‐up is required.
Respecting entitlements in legislative bargaining: A matter of preference or necessity?
Authors: Gantner Anita , Oexl Regine
Published: May 2023

We investigate whether fairness concerns overrule strategic behaviour in legislative bargaining with entitlements. In a lab experiment, we vary bargaining power by using either majority rule or dictator rule to implement a division. We apply coarse measures in order to assess whether entitlements are respected. Our results show that with experience over one third of proposers make “extreme” offers, assigning at most 10% of the surplus to partners whose consent is not needed under the respective rule. Having observed extreme outcomes in the past increases the likelihood of own extreme proposals. Overall, we find significant limitations in the acknowledgment for others' entitlements, in particular for groups in which individual contributions differ.
Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia
Authors: Yaguchi Hiroaki , Kudo Akihiko , Yabe Ichiro
Published: May 2023

Among the different forms of cerebellar ataxia, autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (ACA) or immune‐mediated cerebellar ataxia (IMCA), which appears to be based on an autoimmune mechanism, has long been considered important from the viewpoint of paraneoplastic syndrome. With the expansion of the concept of immune‐mediated neurological diseases and the identification of many novel autoantibodies, ACA has recently become an important neurological syndrome. Although no definitive diagnostic criteria of ACA exist, Hadjivassilou et al suggested diagnostic criteria for primary ACA in 2020 and Dalmau and Graus showed proposed diagnostic criteria for ACA in 2022. The proposed diagnostic criteria for ACA by Dalmau and Graus emphasize the importance of antibody reliability. In the future, additional studies should be conducted to identify new antibodies associated with ACA and to clarify the importance of each antibody. Moreover, ACA is a disease for which immunological therapeutic intervention is feasible and requires early treatment to maintain cerebellar function. Many cases with ACA have reported the efficacy of immunotherapy. The concept of ACA may have the potential for further expansion and becomes increasingly important in the diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia.
Predictors of pouch failure: A tertiary care inflammatory bowel disease centre experience
Authors: Ricardo Alison P. , Kayal Maia , Plietz Michael C. , Khaitov Sergey , Sylla Patricia , Dubinsky Marla C. , Greenstein Alexander
Published: May 2023

Aim

Rates of pouch failure after total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch−anal anastomosis (IPAA) range from 5% to 18%. There is little consistency across studies regarding the factors associated with failure, and most include patients who underwent IPAA in the pre‐biologic era. Our aim was to analyse a cohort of patients who underwent IPAA in the biologic era at a large‐volume inflammatory bowel disease institution to better determine preoperative, perioperative and postoperative factors associated with pouch failure.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was performed with data from an institutional review board approved prospective database with ulcerative colitis or unclassified inflammatory bowel disease patients who underwent total proctocolectomy with IPAA at Mount Sinai Hospital between 2008 and 2017. Preoperative, perioperative and postoperative data were collected and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with increased risk of pouch failure.

Results

Out of 664 patients included in the study, pouch failure occurred in 41 (6.2%) patients, a median of 23.3 months after final surgical stage. Of these, 17 (41.4%) underwent pouch excision and 24 (58.5%) had diverting ileostomies. The most common indications for pouch failure were Crohn's disease like pouch inflammation (CDLPI) (n = 17, 41.5%), chronic pouchitis (n = 6, 14.6%), chronic cuffitis (n = 5, 12.2%) and anastomotic stricture (n = 4, 9.8%). On multivariate analysis, pre‐colectomy biologic use (hazard ratio [HR] 2.25, 95% CI 1.09–4.67), CDLPI (HR 3.18, 95% CI 1.49–6.76) and pouch revision (HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.26–5.32) were significantly associated with pouch failure.

Conclusions

Pouch failure was significantly associated with CDLPI, preoperative biologic use and pouch revision; however, reassuringly it was not associated with postoperative complications.
Patient and multidisciplinary team perspectives on watch and wait in rectal cancer
Authors: Mohan Helen , Rabie Mohammed , Walsh Ciaran , Harji Deena , Sutton Paul , Geh Ian , Jackson Ian , Helbren Emma , Evans Martyn , Jenkins John T.
Published: May 2023

This article adopts a multidisciplinary approach, including surgery, oncology, radiology and patient perspectives, to discuss the key points of debate surrounding a watch and wait approach. In an era of shared decision‐making, discussion of watch and wait as an option in the context of complete clinical response is appropriate, although it is not the gold standard treatment. Key challenges are the difficulty in assessing for a complete clinical response, prediction of recurrence and access to timely diagnostics for surveillance. Salvage surgery has good results if regrowth is detected early but does have imperfect outcomes, with only a 90% salvage rate. Good communication with patients about the risks and alternatives is essential. Patients undergoing watch and wait should ideally be enrolled in prospective registries or clinical trials.
Assessment of the physical dependence potential of difelikefalin: Randomized placebo‐controlled study in patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Spencer Robert H. , Munera Catherine , Shram Megan J. , Menzaghi Frédérique
Published: May 2023

Difelikefalin is a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist approved for treating moderate‐to‐severe pruritus in adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Difelikefalin is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This study assessed the potential for developing physical dependence on difelikefalin in patients undergoing HD. Eligible patients received open‐label difelikefalin after each dialysis session for 3 weeks before entering a 2‐week double‐blind phase, when they were randomized to either continue difelikefalin or to switch to receiving placebo. Signs of physical withdrawal were assessed using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), several patient‐reported scales, and physiological measures. The primary end point was the between‐group difference in mean maximum COWS total scores during the double‐blind phase; the mean difference (placebo − difelikefalin) was compared against a predefined noninferiority limit (+4). Thirty‐five patients (57.1% male; 91.4% Black or African American; median [range] age 58 [28–77] years) were included, of which 30 were randomized (placebo, n = 14; difelikefalin, n = 16). The least squares mean difference in maximum COWS total scores was 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.56, 1.59). The upper CI limit (1.59) was below +4, indicating that patients who discontinued difelikefalin (placebo group) had similar withdrawal scores to patients who continued difelikefalin. Additional assessments supported the COWS results, showing no meaningful differences between groups in physiological measures or in patient‐reported measures of sleep or physical withdrawal. These results demonstrate that abruptly discontinuing chronic difelikefalin treatment in patients undergoing HD does not produce signs or symptoms of physical withdrawal.
Adnexotropic and granulomatous mycosis fungoides following TNF‐α inhibitor treatment
Authors: Doughty Hayden , Scripture Andrew , Carter Joi B. , Sriharan Aravindhan , Yan Shaofeng , Lansigan Frederick , Momtahen Shabnam
Published: May 2023

Recent publications have documented an increased prevalence of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) in patients undergoing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) inhibitor therapy. Herein, we present an uncommon manifestation of mycosis fungoides (MF) with unique pathological findings after the initiation of adalimumab therapy for the treatment of psoriasis. One year after starting treatment, the patient noticed a slowly growing, eroded plaque on the left cheek, the biopsy of which demonstrated mixed granulomatous and adnexotropic lymphocytic infiltrate with features characteristics of MF. In the following months, the patient developed pink‐ and violet‐colored scaly plaques on the right posterior upper arm and right medial upper arm. Biopsy of these plaques also revealed findings compatible with MF. T‐cell receptor (TCR) clonality studies by PCR revealed identical T‐cell clones in the samples obtained from the cheek, right posterior upper arm, and right medial upper arm. TCR clonality studies of a long‐standing psoriatic plaque on the right thigh failed to reveal similar T‐cell clones. Blurring of histopathologic presentation by TNF‐α inhibitors could greatly complicate the identification of MF subtypes. Providers treating patients with TNF‐α inhibitors must be aware of the risk of cutaneous lymphoma development and the potential deviations from their expected presentations. In patients without an initial biopsy, the possibility of pre‐existing CTCL with psoriasiform presentation should be considered.
Neuropsychiatric phenotypes in children with Noonan syndrome
Authors: Naylor Paige E. , Bruno Jennifer L. , Shrestha Sharon Bade , Friedman Marcelle , Jo Booil , Reiss Allan L. , Green Tamar
Published: May 2023

Aim

We investigated neuropsychiatric outcomes in children with Noonan syndrome and addressed limitations in previous research with a focus on prepubertal children, comparison to typically developing children, comprehensive neuropsychiatric evaluation, and controlling for overall cognitive abilities.

Method

Forty‐five children with Noonan syndrome (mean = 8 years 6 months, SD = 2 years 2 months; 29 females) and 40 typically developing children (mean = 8 years 9 months, SD = 2 years; 22 females) were evaluated with objective, parent‐report, and psychiatric interview measures.

Results

Children with Noonan syndrome demonstrated elevated symptoms across attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (attention, hyperactivity, and inhibition), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (maintaining social relationships, behavioral rigidity, and sensory sensitivity), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (aggression) symptom clusters relative to typically developing children (all p < 0.05). Group differences in nearly all parent‐report measures were significant after accounting for variations in intellectual functioning, suggesting that increased neurodevelopmental symptoms are not simply driven by overall intelligence. Twenty out of 42 children with Noonan syndrome met criteria for ADHD, eight out of 42 for ODD, and 11 out of 43 demonstrated clinically significant symptoms seen in children with ASD.

Interpretation

Children with Noonan syndrome are at increased risk for a range of ADHD, ASD, and ODD associated symptoms. A dimensional approach reveals significant ASD symptoms in Noonan syndrome that do not emerge when using the currently accepted categorical diagnostic approach.

What this paper adds

Neuropsychiatric disorders occur in more than half of children with Noonan syndrome.

Children with Noonan syndrome demonstrate highly variable neurodevelopmental symptom profiles.

Children with Noonan syndrome display variable impairments in attention, hyperactivity, and inhibition.

Specific social concerns include behavioral rigidity, transitions, and difficulties maintaining social relationships.

Children with Noonan syndrome display variably elevated levels of aggression and emotional dysregulation.
School completion or participation? The importance of good inclusive education
Authors: Lebeer Jozef
Published: May 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Pedersen et al. on pages 1387–1394 of this issue. A response to this commentary is available as a Letter to the Editor on the Mac Keith Press website: https://www.mackeith.co.uk/journal/letters-to-the-editor/
Assessment of myocardial function in infants conceived by assisted reproductive technologies using deformation imaging over the first year of age: A cohort study
Authors: Smith Aisling , Franklin Orla , Mocanu Edgar , McCallion Naomi , EL‐Khuffash Afif
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim

There is emerging evidence of cardiovascular remodeling and functional impairment in individuals conceived via Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The aim of this study was to serially assess myocardial function and pulmonary hemodynamic measurements in infants conceived via ART over the first year of age and to compare them to a cohort of spontaneously conceived controls.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study. Echocardiography was performed at Day 2, 6 months and 1 year of age. Biventricular function was assessed by deformation analysis. Pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) and left ventricular (LV) eccentricity index (LVEI) provided surrogate measures of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).

Results

Fifty infants conceived via ART were compared to 50 spontaneously conceived controls. There were no differences in baseline infant demographics between the two groups. At 1 year of age right ventricular (RV) basal and RV mid cavity diameters were higher in the ART group. PAATi was lower and LVEI higher in the ART group at 6 months and 1 year. In the ART group, LV global longitudinal strain, LV systolic strain rate, LV early diastolic strain rate and RV free wall strain were lower on Day 2, 6 months, and 1 year of age in comparison to the control group (all p < .05). Within the ART group, on linear regression, maternal age, the type of ART treatment or egg characteristics did not influence PAAT or deformation measurements.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that greater cardiovascular surveillance of ART conceived infants may be warranted.
Biotic pressures and environmental heterogeneity shape beta‐diversity of seedling communities in tropical montane forests
Authors: Barczyk Maciej K. , Acosta‐Rojas Diana C. , Espinosa Carlos I. , Schleuning Matthias , Neuschulz Eike L.
Published: May 2023

Many theories have been proposed to explain the high diversity of plants in the tropics. However, we lack an understanding of the processes that drive plant diversity and community assembly at different spatial scales. Here, we applied beta‐diversity partitioning to test how biotic and abiotic factors are associated with seedling beta‐diversity in a tropical montane forest in southern Ecuador. We recorded seedling communities on 81 subplots in nine plots located at three elevations along a 2000 m elevational gradient. We measured biotic pressures (i.e. herbivory and fungal pathogen attacks) and environmental conditions (i.e. soil moisture and canopy closure) in all subplots and related them to species turnover and richness differences in seedling communities within and between elevations. We found that species turnover increased with differences in biotic dissimilarity within elevations, while differences in species richness within elevations increased with increasing environmental dissimilarity. Between elevations, species turnover increased with increasing environmental dissimilarity. Our findings show that species turnover and changes in species richness are related differently to abiotic and biotic factors, and that the importance of these factors for shaping seedling diversity is scale‐dependent. Our study contributes to better understand the processes driving seedling beta‐diversity and the assembly of plant communities in highly diverse tropical montane forests.
Quantification of invertebrates on fungal fruit bodies by the use of time‐lapse cameras
Authors: Lunde Lisa F. , Ferkingstad Bendik , Wegger Hermann , Høye Toke T. , Mann Hjalte M. R. , Birkemoe Tone
Published: May 2023

Fungi and invertebrates comprise a major part of biodiversity in dead wood ecosystems and invertebrates depend on fungi to utilise the dead wood resource. Many invertebrates also visit the long‐lived fruit bodies of wood‐decay fungi to feed on spores, the hymenium or other invertebrates. However, as traditional sampling methods are labour‐intensive, we know little of these interactions.

In this study, we use time‐lapse cameras to monitor invertebrates visiting the hymenium of a common wood‐decay fungus, Fomitopsis pinicola, and explain their activity in terms of temporal variation, temperature and presence of Gyrophaena boleti, a highly abundant fungivorous beetle living primarily in fruit bodies of F. pinicola.

The most common invertebrates on F. pinicola fruit bodies were Coleoptera, Araneae, Diptera, Gastropoda and Chilopoda. The invertebrate activity exhibited strong temporal variation with higher abundance during night and, for Coleoptera, earlier in the season. We discuss how this might correlate with the sporulation period of F. pinicola. The presence of G. boleti had a positive impact on the predatory Lordithon lunulatus and Ipidia binotata, and a negative impact on the fungivorous Thymalus limbatus and Peltis ferruginea. Chilopoda and L. lunulatus were ephemeral visitors, while the fungivorous Coleoptera and Araneae stayed the longest.

We estimated the invertebrates' visitation frequency and duration, which would be time‐consuming to obtain with traditional methods. We offer improvements to our method and urge future research on invertebrate–fungus interactions to quantify invertebrate visits to fungal fruit bodies.
Vitality characterization of stressed trees based on non‐destructive and real‐time monitoring of stem water content
Authors: Liu Lei , Song Runze , Han Qiaoling , Zhao Yue , Zhao Yandong
Published: May 2023

The detection of stem water content is necessary as it is an important indicator for measuring woody plant vitality. However, the relationship between stem water content, determined by non‐destructive, real‐time, and long‐term monitoring, and woody plant vitality remains undefined. In this study, the response of woody plant vitality to stem water content under different stress (freeze–thaw, pest, or drought) was analysed by mining the dynamic characteristics of the stem water content in different woody plants at the temporal scales of year, month, and day. Compared with unstressed trees, stressed trees had contrasting diurnal patterns. The stem water content in Populus koreana Rehd. during the freeze period was much lower than that during the thaw period, and opposite diurnal variation trends were observed during the freeze and thaw periods. The stem water content in infected Lagerstroemia indica was lower than that in uninfected L. indica, and the amplitude of the diurnal variation curve was lower in infected than in uninfected L. indica. Under drought stress, the more severe the water shortage, the lower the stem water content in Malus micromalus. When it was below a certain threshold, the diurnal variation trend was opposite to that without water shortage. In conclusion, stem water content dynamics can be used to evaluate the cold, pest, and drought response of trees, which could monitor tree health and guide forest assessment.