bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of high larval density on the performance of Anastrepha ludens: Competition or feeding facilitation?
Authors: Aceituno‐Medina Marysol , Hernández Emilio , Garcia‐Fajardo Luz Verónica , Diego‐Garcia Elia
Published: June 2023

A critical issue point in diet management is maximizing density as a strategy for reducing costs. Artificial diets elaborated with large particle sizes have increased volume, possess high porosity and aeration capacity, are more penetrable and facilitate the movement of larvae and increase the bioavailability of nutrients. We report on an experiment aimed at determining if the bulking agent in the diet facilitates feeding and could increase the capacity to support high larval densities with a minimal effect of competition on life‐history traits of Anastrepha ludens. The results indicate that density affected larval and pupal weight, but not pupation at 24 h, adult emergence and flier percentage, which remained unchanged. However, there was an increase in yield and bioconversion. Larvae in high‐density conditions aggregated to increase the effect of regurgitation of amylases and proteases as a strategy to metabolize the food prior to ingestion through enzymes secreted in the saliva, contributing thus to feeding facilitation and the uptake of ingested food, which decreased the negative impact of competition under high‐density conditions. High density leads to an increase in food consumption and a concomitant increase in digestive enzyme activity, contributing to the bioavailability of macronutrients—proteins, carbohydrates and lipids—in the diet. Identifying the properties of bulking agents and other ingredients and their interaction under high‐density conditions is essential to develop novel artificial diets and improve the mass‐rearing strategies for the SIT.
Made to measure: An introduction to quantifying microscopy data in the life sciences
Authors: Culley Siân , Caballero Alicia Cuber , Burden Jemima J , Uhlmann Virginie
Published: June 2023

Images are at the core of most modern biological experiments and are used as a major source of quantitative information. Numerous algorithms are available to process images and make them more amenable to be measured. Yet the nature of the quantitative output that is useful for a given biological experiment is uniquely dependent upon the question being investigated. Here, we discuss the 3 main types of information that can be extracted from microscopy data: intensity, morphology, and object counts or categorical labels. For each, we describe where they come from, how they can be measured, and what may affect the relevance of these measurements in downstream data analysis. Acknowledging that what makes a measurement ‘good’ is ultimately down to the biological question being investigated, this review aims at providing readers with a toolkit to challenge how they quantify their own data and be critical of conclusions drawn from quantitative bioimage analysis experiments.
An aggressive pregnancy epulis with extensive alveolar bone resorption and tooth displacement
Authors: Chappuis Louis , Passemard Léa , Barthelemy Isabelle , Chevenet Carole , Devoize Laurent , Pham Dang Nathalie
Published: June 2023

Pregnancy epulis is a common and benign vascular tumor that reaches 5% of pregnant women; it respects adjacent structures, such as bone, teeth, and sinus mucosa. This paper reports a rare case of extensive pregnancy epulis with alveolar bone lysis, tooth displacement, and sinusal floor lysis. A 23‐year‐old pregnant woman with 23 weeks of amenorrhea was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with a large maxillary mass and spontaneous bleeding, causing difficulty in speaking and swallowing. Due to the rapid development, the stage of pregnancy, and the need for a sure diagnosis of a benign lesion, a surgical excision was performed. After 1 month, the patient recovered from swallowing and speaking. Pregnancy epulis can be locally aggressive and involve alveolar bone. Biopsy allows to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery during pregnancy or birth waiting should be well ponderated in correlation with the size of the tumor and the delay to birth.
On the economics of the longevity risk transfer market
Authors: Börger Matthias , Freimann Arne , Ruß Jochen
Published: June 2023

We present a model of a longevity risk transfer market with different market players (primary insurers, reinsurers, and capital market investors) and investigate how market dynamics and the market players' roles evolve with progressing market saturation. We find that reinsurers' appetite for longevity risk is the key driver in the early stage of market development. Since diversification benefits with other businesses decrease with every transaction, the reinsurance market is intrinsically antimonopolistic. With the increasing saturation of the reinsurance sector as a whole, its competitiveness shrinks leading to rising expected risk‐adjusted returns for capital market investors. We show that in a saturated market, reinsurers should assume the entire longevity risk from primary insurers, diversify it within their business mix, and subsequently pass on only specific (nondiversifiable) components of the longevity risk to the capital markets. Our findings provide valuable suggestions on how to make the best use of the market's limited risk absorption capacity.
“They always want to argue with you”: Navigating raciolinguistic ideologies at airport security
Authors: Sterk Pippa
Published: June 2023

In the aftermath of the Holocaust, Dutch public discourse promotes a self‐image of the Netherlands as ‘innocently’ post‐racial, a place where distinctions are drawn based on cultural differences rather than bodily characteristics. However, this innocence is called into question when groups or individuals, who culturally, legally and linguistically ‘fit’ within the Netherlands, are still racialised to the point of not being recognised as properly Dutch.

This paper uses a feminist approach to autoethnography and critical discourse analysis to explore the author's racialised/racialising experiences of Dutch airport security, and how these experiences are both informed by and themselves re‐inform wider enactments of normative raciolinguistic ideologies. Drawing on theorisations of the links among language, embodiment and (self‐)surveillance by Sara Ahmed and Samy Alim, this paper argues that although markers of citizenship and linguistic ability can be fluidly employed and engaged with, raciolinguistic categorisation is still heavily influenced by bodily appearance.
Nutritional ecology of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Factors affecting chemical composition of gastric content
Authors: Marín‐García Pablo Jesús , Llobat Lola , Aguayo‐Adán Juan Antonio , Franch Jorge , Cambra‐López María , Blas Enrique , Pascual Juan José , Rouco Carlos
Published: June 2023

Nutritional ecology seeks to unravel the extensive web of nutritional links that directs animals in their interactions with their ecological and social environments. European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations its endemic locations are declining and it is considered a keystone species of the Mediterranean ecosystem prompteing the interest in its conservation. The main aim of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of the diet of European rabbits through the relative and absolute chemical composition of the gastric content. To address this objective, gastric content was collected from 80 European rabbits in a Mediterranean area for the analysis of its chemical composition. To this end, gastric content was analyzed for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ash, crude protein (CP), highly digestible nonnitrogenous nutrients (HDNN), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin. The rabbits were divided into two groups: EMPTY and FULL, depending on the level of stomach filling, directly related to food intake. Our results revealed a positive correlation between the rabbits weight with DM in the gastric content, total gastric content with DM in the gastric content, and DM in gastric content with all chemical parameters analysed. The mean relative values obtained were 8.8%, 25.5%, 40.4% and 25.4%, for ash, CP, NDF and HDNN, respectively. Moreover, EMPTY rabbits had both a proportional (+19%, p = 0.002 and –40%; p = 0.004, on NDF and HDNN, respectively) and absolute (−38%, p = 0.014, –52%; p = 0.012, −52%; p = 0.011 and +83%; p = 0.008 for OM, ash, HDNN, and lignin, respectively) different proportion of nutrients in gastric contents than FULL animals. Since there is a connection between this availability and the fitness of this species, understanding the chemical composition of the rabbit's diet can be utilised to delve into its biology. Our study provides information that will help elucidate the factors affecting the chemical composition of the gastric content of European rabbits to assist land use planners and conservationists in identifying sites for conservation in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Trajectories of glycaemic traits exhibit sex‐specific associations with hepatic iron and fat content: Results from the KORA‐MRI study
Authors: Niedermayer Fiona , Su Yaqi , von Krüchten Ricarda , Thorand Barbara , Peters Annette , Rathmann Wolfgang , Roden Michael , Schlett Christopher L. , Bamberg Fabian , Nattenmüller Johanna , Rospleszcz Susanne
Published: June 2023

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a major disease burden in the population. While the bidirectional association between NAFLD and diabetes is established, little is known about the association of hepatic iron content and glycaemia. Moreover, analyses of sex‐specific effects and of dynamic changes in glycaemia are scarce.

Methods

We investigated 7‐year sex‐specific trajectories of glycaemia and related traits (HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA‐IR, 2‐h glucose and cross‐sectional 2‐h insulin) in a sample from a population‐based cohort (N = 365; 41.1% female). Hepatic iron and fat content were assessed by 3T‐Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Two‐step multi‐level models adjusted for glucose‐lowering medication and confounders were applied.

Results

In women and men, markers of glucose metabolism correlated with hepatic iron and fat content. Deterioration of glycaemia was associated with increased hepatic iron content in men (normoglycaemia to prediabetes: beta = 2.21 s−1, 95% CI [0.47, 3.95]). Additionally, deterioration of glycaemia (e.g. prediabetes to diabetes: 1.27 log(%), [0.84, 1.70]) and trajectories of glucose, insulin and HOMA‐IR were significantly associated with hepatic fat content in men. Similarly, deterioration of glycaemia as well as trajectories of glucose, insulin and HOMA‐IR was significantly associated with increased hepatic fat content in women (e.g. trajectory of fasting insulin: 0.63 log(%), [0.36, 0.90]).

Conclusions

Unfavourable 7‐year trajectories of markers of glucose metabolism are associated with increased hepatic fat content, particularly in women, whereas the association with hepatic iron content was less clear. Monitoring changes of glycaemia in the sub‐diabetic range might enable early identification of hepatic iron overload and steatosis.
Professional identity struggle and ideology: A qualitative study of residents' experiences
Authors: Sawatsky Adam P. , Matchett Caroline L. , Hafferty Frederic W. , Cristancho Sayra , Ilgen Jonathan S. , Bynum William E. , Varpio Lara
Published: June 2023

Introduction

To enter a profession is to take on a new identity. Professional identity formation can be difficult, with medical learners struggling to adopt professional norms. The role of ideology in medical socialisation may offer insight into these tensions experienced by medical learners. Ideology is the system of ideas and representations that dominates the minds of individuals or social groups and calls individuals into certain ways of being and acting in the world. In this study, we use the concept of ideology to explore residents' experiences with identity struggle during residency.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative exploration of residents in three specialties at three academic institutions in the United States. Participants engaged in a 1.5‐hour session involving a rich picture drawing and one‐on‐one interview. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed iteratively, with developing themes compared concurrently to newly collected data. We met regularly to develop a theoretical framework to explain findings.

Results

We identified three ways that ideology contributed to residents' identity struggle. First was the intensity of work and perceived expectations of perfectionism. Second were tensions between the developing professional identity and pre‐existing personal identities. Many residents perceived messages regarding the subjugation of personal identities, including the feeling that being more than physicians was impossible. Third were instances where the imagined professional identity clashed with the reality of medical practice. Many residents described how their ideals misaligned with normative professional ideals, constraining their ability to align their practice and ideals.

Conclusion

This study uncovers an ideology that shapes residents' developing professional identity—an ideology that creates struggle as it calls them in impossible, competing or even contradictory ways. As we uncover the hidden ideology of medicine, learners, educators and institutions can play a meaningful role in supporting identity development in medical learners through dismantling and rebuilding its damaging elements.
Modified technique for endobronchial blocker placement in pediatric patients undergoing thoracic surgery
Authors: Mohammad Shazia , Cameron Staci , Jain Ranu , Griffin Evelyn , Matuszczak Maria
Published: June 2023

Background

One lung ventilation (OLV) in small children can be achieved using an Arndt endobronchial blocker (AEBB), but it presents challenges. OLV during thoracic procedures provides better surgical conditions and postoperative outcomes.

Aim

To report a novel technique to improve placement and repositioning of an extraluminal AEBB for OLV.

Material and Methods

We describe how an angled wire is successfully used for extraluminal AEBB placement in pediatric thoracic procedures.

Discussion

Since 2017, we have successfully used this technic in over 50 infants and toddlers and overcome challenges of the classic OLV in this age group.

Conclusions

The described technique allows for fast, safe, and reliable OLV while maintaining the ability to reposition the AEBB.
Translation and validation of the ageism scale for dental students in Iran (ASDS‐Persian)
Authors: Charoosaee Akram , Dehghannejad Mandana , Fakheran Omid , Marchini Leonardo
Published: June 2023

Aims

A longer life and the growing population of older adults are the achievements of the 20th century. The World Health Organization considers ageism an important barrier to age‐appropriate care for older adults. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the ageism scale for dental students in Iran (ASDS‐Persian).

Methods

The 27‐question ASDS was translated from English into Persian (Farsi) and completed by 275 dental students from two universities in Isfahan, Iran. Principal component analysis (PCA), internal consistency reliability, and discriminant validity were estimated. Furthermore, in this study we conducted an analytical cross sectional study among dental students of Isfahan province (two universities) with the aim of proving data regarding their ageism beliefs and attitudes.

Results

PCA revealed an 18‐question, four‐component scale with acceptable validity and reliability. The four components are ‘barriers/concerns on dental treatment in older adults’, ‘opinions about older adults’, ‘practitioner's perspective,’ and ‘older adults’ perspective’.

Conclusion

This preliminary validation of ASDS‐Persian produced a new 18‐question scale with four components with acceptable validity and reliability. This instrument could be further tested in larger samples in Farsi speaking countries.
Technology Use Among Ghanaian Junior High School Mathematics Teachers in the Ahafo – Ano South District
Authors: Ahenkora Samuel , Adubofour Emmanuel Boakye , Osei Emmanuel Gyimah , Ibrahim Aminatu
Published: June 2023

The study sought to investigate technology use among Ghanaian Junior High School mathematics teachers in the Ahafo-Ano South District of Ghana. Descriptive survey (cross-sectional survey) design with mixed quantitative and qualitative data was gathered for the study. The population of the study comprised of all JHS mathematics teachers in Ahafo-Ano South District, Ashanti region. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 60 JHS mathematics teachers from rural, peri-urban and urban schools in the district. The findings revealed that mathematics teachers technology use in teaching Mathematics at the Junior High School level in the district was low (2.048 ± .85388). These technologies were grouped into manipulatives, digital/computer-based and audio-visual technologies. The results established that most of the teachers used manipulates in teaching Mathematics (3.120 ± 1.063). On the contrary, the results also showed that digital/computer-based technologies such as virtual protractors, calculators, geometry pad, stepping stones 2.0 comprehensive mathematics and computer game programs such as Globaloria etc., were never used by mathematics teachers in the district (1.621 ± .840). Similarly, evidence from the study adds that audio-visual technologies including television, pie chart assignment to students based on TV program and other audio-visual devices were never in use by mathematics teachers in the district (1.416 ± .712).
Cold war era acoustics: Foundational research on ocean ambient noise
Authors: Siderius Martin
Published: June 2023

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.
Game over for RSV?
Authors: Strine Madison S. , Wilen Craig B.
Published: June 2023

Passive immunization with nirsevimab protects infants from severe RSV disease without impairing the immune response to natural infection.
Biochemical and Structural Characterization of CRH-1, a Carbapenemase from Chromobacterium haemolyticum Related to KPC β-Lactamases
Authors: Brunetti Florencia , Ghiglione Barbara , Gudeta Dereje D. , Gutkind Gabriel , Guardabassi Luca , Klinke Sebastián , Power Pablo
Published: June 2023

KPC-2 is one of the most relevant serine-carbapenemases among the carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacterales.
We previously isolated from the environmental species
Chromobacterium haemolyticum
a class A CRH-1 β-lactamase displaying 69% amino acid sequence identity with KPC-2. The objective of this study was to analyze the kinetic behavior and crystallographic structure of this β-lactamase.
A Stenotrophomonas maltophilia TetR-Like Transcriptional Regulator Involved in Fatty Acid Metabolism Is Controlled by Quorum Sensing Signals
Authors: Coves Xavier , Bravo Marc , Huedo Pol , Conchillo-Solé Òscar , Gómez Andromeda-Celeste , Esteve-Codina Anna , Dabad Marc , Gut Marta , Daura Xavier , Yero Daniel , Gibert Isidre
Published: June 2023

The quorum sensing system in
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
, in addition to coordinating the bacterial population, controls virulence-associated phenotypes, such as biofilm formation, motility, protease production, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Biofilm formation is frequently associated with the persistence and chronic nature of nosocomial infections.
Genome Sequence of Chinese Porcine Parvovirus Strain BJ2
Authors: Zhao Wenying , Sun Yujie , Guo Linghua , Zhang Yunjing , Huang Baicheng , Tian Kegong
Published: June 2023

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) strain BJ2 was isolated from a pig with symptoms consistent with PPV in Beijing, China. The analysis showed that the PPV genome sequence has the characteristics of a German cluster 27a strain and the virulent Kreese strain, which will facilitate understanding of the prevalence of PPV in China.
Genome Sequences of Rhodoplanes serenus and Two Thermotolerant Strains, Rhodoplanes tepidamans and “Rhodoplanes cryptolactis,” Further Refine the Genus
Authors: Rayyan Amiera A. , Kyndt John A.
Published: June 2023

Rhodoplanes
is a small genus of anoxygenic purple nonsulfur bacteria belonging to the family
Nitrobacteraceae
in the class
Alphaproteobacteria
. We sequenced the genomes of one mesophilic and two thermotolerant strains, and whole-genome-based comparisons confirmed suspected close similarities and synonyms between different species in the genus.
Draft Genome Sequences of 158 Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in the United States
Authors: Brown Phillip , Chen Yi , Ivanova Mirena , Leekitcharoenphon Pimlapas , Parsons Cameron , Niedermeyer Jeffrey , Gould Nicholas , Strules Jennifer , Mesa-Cruz J. Bernardo , Kelly Marcella J. , Hooker Michael J , Chamberlain Michael J. , Olfenbuttel Colleen , DePerno Christopher , Elhanafi Driss , Kathariou Sophia
Published: June 2023

Listeria monocytogenes
is responsible for severe foodborne disease and major economic losses, but its potential reservoirs in natural ecosystems remain poorly understood. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 158
L. monocytogenes
strains isolated from black bears (
Ursus americanus
) in the southeastern United States between 2014 and 2017.
Ectoparasitic Mites: Vectors of Bacterial Symbionts among Insects
Authors: Shaikevich E. V. , Gorbacheva A. A. , Romanov D. A.
Published: June 2023

Inherited endosymbiotic bacteria from the genera Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and Spiroplasma cause the death of male offspring in ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). As a rule, bacteria are transmitted through the cytoplasm of the mother’s egg to offspring, vertically. In addition to vertical transfer, there is increasing evidence of horizontal transfer of symbionts between unrelated insect taxa. Insect parasites such as mites can be potential vectors of endosymbiotic bacteria. The parasitic mite Coccipolipus hippodamiae (McDaniel & Morrill, 1969) (Acarina: Podapolipidae) occurs in natural populations of Coccinellidae. In this work, the ability of C. hippodamiae to become infected with Wolbachia and Spiroplasma from hosts and to spread bacteria among coccinellid beetles was proven for the first time.
Growth modulation therapy in skeletal class II malocclusion
Authors: Backer Shahir , Nirayath Kevin Joseph
Published: June 2023

A male child in his early adolescence was referred to the orthodontist to correct the proclined maxillary anterior teeth. Investigations concluded an excess maxilla, deficient mandible and remaining growth potential. The patient was treated with Twin Block functional appliance in combination with a high-pull headgear and later fixed pre-adjusted edgewise appliance to detail the occlusion. The total treatment duration was 18 months. The positive motivation and compliance exhibited by the patient were important.
Non-efficacy of early intervention strategy for non-obese patients with early-onset gestational diabetes mellitus: solely based on the short-term outcomes
Authors: Nakanishi Sayuri , Aoki Shigeru , Kasai Junko , Shindo Ryosuke , Obata Soichiro , Hasegawa Yoshimi , Mochimaru Aya , Kurasawa Kentaro , Miyagi Etsuko
Published: June 2023

Introduction

To verify the effectiveness of intervention in early pregnancy for women with early-onset gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Research design and methods

This study included women with a singleton pregnancy who were diagnosed with early-onset GDM by 20 weeks of gestation according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) threshold. We retrospectively evaluated the pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with early-onset GDM. In the treatment from early pregnancy group (n=286), patients were diagnosed with early-onset GDM at the Yokohama City University Medical Center (YCU-MC) in 2015–2017 and were treated for GDM from early pregnancy. Concerning the treatment from mid-pregnancy group (n=248), participants were diagnosed with early-onset GDM at five sites, including the YCU-MC in 2018–2019, and were followed up without treatment until the second 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24–28 weeks of gestation. Treatment for GDM was given only if the GDM pattern was still present in the second OGTT.

Results

There were no significant differences in maternal backgrounds, including GDM risk factors and gestational weight gain, between the groups. Among the treatment from mid-pregnancy group, the false-positive early GDM was 124/248 (50%). Regarding pregnancy outcome, the rate of large for gestational age (LGA) was 8.8% in the treatment from early pregnancy group and 10% in the treatment from mid-pregnancy group, with no significant difference, whereas small for gestational age (SGA) was significantly higher in the treatment from early pregnancy group (9.4%) than in the treatment from mid-pregnancy group (4.8%) (p=0.046). There were no significant differences in maternal adverse events and neonatal outcomes between the groups. In a subanalysis limited to body mass index >25 kg/m2, LGA was significantly lower in the treatment from early pregnancy group than in the treatment from mid-pregnancy group.

Conclusions

The strategy for diagnosing GDM by IADPSG thresholds in early pregnancy and providing treatment to all patients from early pregnancy did not improve the pregnancy outcomes, but rather increased the SGA rate.
Dietary patterns in rural and metropolitan Australia: a cross-sectional study exploring dietary patterns, inflammation and association with cardiovascular disease risk factors
Authors: Alston Laura , Nichols Melanie , Allender Steven , Versace Vincent , Brown Leanne J , Schumacher Tracy , Howard George , Shikany James M , Bolton Kristy A , Livingstone Katherine , Zorbas Christina , Judd Suzanne E
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This study sought first to empirically define dietary patterns and to apply the novel Dietary Inflammation Score (DIS) in data from rural and metropolitan populations in Australia, and second to investigate associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Rural and metropolitan Australia.

Participants

Adults over the age of 18 years living in rural or metropolitan Australia who participated in the Australian Health survey.

Primary outcomes

A posteriori dietary patterns for participants separated into rural and metropolitan populations using principal component analysis. Secondary outcomes: association of each dietary pattern and DIS with CVD risk factors was explored using logistic regression.

Results

The sample included 713 rural and 1185 metropolitan participants. The rural sample was significantly older (mean age 52.7 compared with 48.6 years) and had a higher prevalence of CVD risk factors. Two primary dietary patterns were derived from each population (four in total), and dietary patterns were different between the rural and metropolitan areas. None of the identified patterns were associated with CVD risk factors in metropolitan or rural areas, aside diet pattern 2 being strongly associated with from self-reported ischaemic heart disease (OR 13.90 95% CI 2.29 to 84.3) in rural areas. There were no significant differences between the DIS and CVD risk factors across the two populations, except for a higher DIS being associated with overweight/obesity in rural areas.

Conclusion

Exploration of dietary patterns between rural and metropolitan Australia shows differences between the two populations, possibly reflective of distinct cultures, socioeconomic factors, geography, food access and/or food environments in the different areas. Our study provides evidence that action targeting healthier dietary intakes needs to be tailored to rurality in the Australian context.
Randomised, controlled, open-label pragmatic trial evaluating changes in functional exercise capacity after primary carePUlmonaryREhabilitation in patients with long COVID: protocol of the PuRe-COVID trial in Belgium
Authors: Volckaerts Tess , Vissers Dirk , Burtin Chris , Van Meerbeeck Xavier , de Soomer Kevin , Oostveen Ellie , Claes Kim , Roelant Ella , Verhaegen Iris , Thomeer Michiel , Criel Maarten , Quadflieg Kirsten , Cops Dries , Ruttens David , Lapperre Thérèse S
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Long COVID is a prevalent condition with many multisystemic symptoms, such as fatigue, dyspnoea, muscle weakness, anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties, impacting daily life and (social and physical) functioning. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) may improve physical status and symptoms of patients with long COVID, yet the evidence is limited. Therefore, this trial aims to study the effect of primary care PR on exercise capacity, symptoms, physical activity and sleep in patients with long COVID.

Methods and analysis

PuRe-COVID is a prospective, pragmatic, open-label, randomised controlled trial. A sample of 134 adult patients with long COVID will be randomised to a 12 week PR programme in primary care, supervised by a physiotherapist or to a control group, following no PR. A 3 month and 6 month follow-up period is foreseen. The primary endpoint will be the change in exercise capacity measured by 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) at 12 weeks, hypothesising a more significant improvement in the PR group. Other parameters, such as pulmonary function tests (including maximal inspiratory pressure/maximal expiratory pressure), patient-reported outcomes (COPD Assessment Test, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale, Checklist Individual Strength, post-COVID-19 Functional Status, Nijmegen questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire and EuroQol-5D-5L), physical activity measured by an activity tracker, hand grip strength and sleep efficiency, are secondary and exploratory outcomes.

The recruitment started on 19 April 2022, and 52 patients were included as of 14 December 2022.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained in Belgium from the relevant institutional review boards on 21 February 2022 (Antwerp University Hospital, approval number 2022-3067) and on 1 April 2022 (Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg in Genk, approval number Z-2022-01). Findings from this randomised controlled trial will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT05244044.
Comparing the effects of mHealth application based on micro-learning method and face-to-face training on treatment adherence and perception in haemodialysis patients: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Torabi Khah Mohsen , Farsi Zahra , Sajadi Seyedeh Azam
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Comparing the effects of a mobile health (mHealth) application based on the micro-learning method with face-to-face training on treatment adherence and perception among patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Design

A single-blind randomised clinical trial.

Setting

A haemodialysis centre in Isfahan, Iran.

Participants

Seventy patients.

Intervention

Patients were trained individually for 1 month via the mHealth application or face-to-face training.

Outcome measures

Treatment adherence and perception in patients were measured and compared.

Results

The scores of treatment adherence in the mHealth and the face-to-face training groups were not significantly different at the pre-intervention stage (720.43±209.61 vs 702.861±181.47, p=0.693) and immediately after the intervention (1007.14±134.84 vs 947.86±124.46, p=0.060), while 8 weeks later, treatment adherence in the mHealth group was significantly higher than the face-to-face training group (1018.57±129.66 vs 914.29±126.06, p=0.001). The scores of both groups before the intervention did not differ in various dimensions of treatment adherence and perception (p>0.05). Scores of these variables also elevated significantly after the intervention (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The mHealth based on micro-learning and face-to-face training as interventions augmented treatment adherence and perception among the haemodialysis patients, but such improvements were detected much more in the patients trained with mHealth based on the micro-learning method than face-to-face training.

Trial registration number

IRCT20171216037895N5.
Two-step offer and return of multiple types of additional genomic findings to families after ultrarapid trio genomic testing in the acute care setting: a study protocol
Authors: Bouffler Sophie E , Lee Ling , Lynch Fiona , Martyn Melissa , Lynch Elly , Macciocca Ivan , Curnow Lisette , McCorkell Giulia , Lunke Sebastian , Chong Belinda , Marum Justine E , Delatycki Martin , Downie Lilian , Goranitis Ilias , Vears Danya F , Best Stephanie , Clausen Marc , Bombard Yvonne , Stark Zornitza , Gaff Clara L
Published: June 2023

Introduction

As routine genomic testing expands, so too does the opportunity to look for additional health information unrelated to the original reason for testing, termed additional findings (AF). Analysis for many different types of AF may be available, particularly to families undergoing trio genomic testing. The optimal model for service delivery remains to be determined, especially when the original test occurs in the acute care setting.

Methods and analysis

Families enrolled in a national study providing ultrarapid genomic testing to critically ill children will be offered analysis for three types of AF on their stored genomic data: paediatric-onset conditions in the child, adult-onset conditions in each parent and reproductive carrier screening for the parents as a couple. The offer will be made 3–6 months after diagnostic testing. Parents will have access to a modified version of the Genetics Adviser web-based decision support tool before attending a genetic counselling appointment to discuss consent for AF. Parental experiences will be evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods on data collected through surveys, appointment recordings and interviews at multiple time points. Evaluation will focus on parental preferences, uptake, decision support use and understanding of AF. Genetic health professionals’ perspectives on acceptability and feasibility of AF will also be captured through surveys and interviews.

Ethics and dissemination

This project received ethics approval from the Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee as part of the Australian Genomics Health Alliance protocol: HREC/16/MH/251. Findings will be disseminated through peer-review journal articles and at conferences nationally and internationally.
Phenotypic characteristics of asthma and morbidity are associated with distinct longitudinal changes in L-arginine metabolism
Authors: Althoff Meghan Dolan , Peterson Ryan , McGrath Max , Jin Ying , Grasemann Hartmut , Sharma Sunita , Federman Alex , Wisnivesky Juan Pablo , Holguin Fernando
Published: June 2023

Background

The L-arginine metabolome is dysregulated in asthma, though it is not understood how longitudinal changes in L-arginine metabolism differ among asthma phenotypes and relate to disease outcomes.

Objectives

To determine the longitudinal associations between phenotypic characteristics with L-arginine metabolites and their relationships with asthma morbidity.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of 321 patients with asthma followed semiannually for over 18 months with assessments of plasma L-arginine metabolites, asthma control, spirometry, quality of life and exacerbations. Metabolite concentrations and ratios were transformed using the natural logarithm.

Results

There were many differences in L-arginine metabolism among asthma phenotypes in the adjusted models. Increasing body mass index was associated with increased asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and depleted L-citrulline. Latinx was associated with increased metabolism via arginase, with higher L-ornithine, proline and L-ornithine/L-citrulline levels, and was found to have higher L-arginine availability compared with white race. With respect to asthma outcomes, increasing L-citrulline was associated with improved asthma control and increasing L-arginine and L-arginine/ADMA were associated with improved quality of life. Increased variability in L-arginine, L-arginine/ADMA, L-arginine/L-ornithine and L-arginine availability index over 12 months were associated with increased exacerbations, OR 4.70 (95% CI 1.35 to 16.37), OR 8.69 (95% CI 1.98 to 38.08), OR 4.17 (95% CI 1.40 to 12.41) and OR 4.95 (95% CI 1.42 to 17.16), respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that L-arginine metabolism is associated with multiple measures of asthma control and may explain, in part, the relationship between age, race/ethnicity and obesity with asthma outcomes.
Solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a nine-country interview study in Europe
Authors: Kieslich Katharina , Fiske Amelia , Gaille Marie , Galasso Ilaria , Geiger Susi , Hangel Nora , Horn Ruth , Lanzing Marjolein , Libert Sébastien , Lievevrouw Elisa , Lucivero Federica , Marelli Luca , Prainsack Barbara , Schönweitz Franziska , Sharon Tamar , Spahl Wanda , Van Hoyweghen Ine , Zimmermann Bettina M.
Published: June 2023

Calls for solidarity have been an ubiquitous feature in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we know little about how people have thought of and practised solidarity in their everyday lives since the beginning of the pandemic. What role does solidarity play in people’s lives, how does it relate to COVID-19 public health measures and how has it changed in different phases of the pandemic? Situated within the medical humanities at the intersection of philosophy, bioethics, social sciences and policy studies, this article explores how the practice-based understanding of solidarity formulated by Prainsack and Buyx helps shed light on these questions. Drawing on 643 qualitative interviews carried out in two phases (April–May 2020 and October 2020) in nine European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, German-speaking Switzerland and the UK), the data show that interpersonal acts of solidarity are important, but that they are not sustainable without consistent support at the institutional level. As the pandemic progressed, respondents expressed a longing for more institutionalised forms of solidarity. We argue that the medical humanities have much to gain from directing their attention to individual health issues, and to collective experiences of health or illness. The analysis of experiences through a collective lens such as solidarity offers unique insights to understandings of the individual and the collective. We propose three essential advances for research in the medical humanities that can help uncover collective experiences of disease and health crises: (1) an empirical and practice-oriented approach alongside more normative approaches; (2) the confidence to make recommendations for practice and policymaking and (3) the pursuit of cross-national and multidisciplinary research collaborations.
Correlation between gestational age and level of sensory block in spinal
anesthesia
Authors: Kim Hyunjee
Published: June 2023

Background and objectives

To identify a specific correlation between progression of
gestational age and level of sensory block in spinal anesthesia in
patients undergoing cervical cerclage.

Methods

The medical records of patients who underwent cervical cerclage
under spinal anesthesia using hyperbaric bupivacaine between March 2016
and May 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome measure
was the correlation between gestational age and sensory block level of
spinal anesthesia. Secondary outcomes included the correlations between
gestational age and reduction in blood pressure and length of the
postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay. The Pearson correlation test,
partial correlation test, and linear regression were used to identify
relationships and to adjust for confounding variables.

Results

Of the 261 cases reviewed, there was a linear and significant
correlation between gestational age and sensory block level, reduction
in systolic blood pressure during surgery, reduction in systolic blood
pressure during PACU, and length of PACU stay, after adjusting for
confounding factors (partial correlation coefficient=0.71, p<0.001;
0.27, p<0.001; 0.25, p<0.001; 0.21, p=0.001, respectively). A
1-day increase in gestational age corresponded to an increase of 0.04
dermatomes in sensory block level (95% CI 0.035 to 0.045,
p<0.001).

Conclusion

Results demonstrated that as the gestational age progressed, sensory
block level increased, blood pressure was decreased, and length of PACU
stay increased after spinal anesthesia. Sensory block increased by 0.28
dermatomes when the pregnancy progressed 1 week. Further controlled
prospective studies are needed to support this relationship.

Trial registration number

NCT0000538.
Copy-Move Forgery Detection and Localization Using Deep Learning
Authors: Mehrjardi Fatemeh Zare , Latif Ali Mohammad , Zarchi Mohsen Sardari
Published: June 2023

Forgery detection is one of the challenging subjects in computer vision. Forgery is performed using image manipulation with editor tools. Image manipulation tries to change the concept of the image but preserves the integrity of the texture and structure of the image as much as possible. Images are used as evidence in some applications, so if the images are manipulated, they will not be reliable. The copy-move forgery is one of the simplest image manipulation methods. This method removes or inserts information into the image with the least clue by copying a part of the image and pasting it into other places of the same image. Recently, traditional (block-based and keypoint-based) and deep learning methods have been proposed to detect forgery images. Traditional methods include two main steps, feature extraction, and feature matching. Unlike the traditional methods, the deep learning method performs the forgery detection automatically by extracting hierarchical features directly from the data. This paper presents a deep learning method for forgery detection at both image and pixel levels. In this method, we used a pre-trained deep model with a global average pooling (GAP) layer instead of default fully connected layers to detect forgery. The GAP layer creates a good dependency between the feature maps and the classes. In pixel forgery detection, a visualization technique called heatmap activation is used in forgery images. This technique identifies parts of the image that are candidates for forgery. Then, the best candidate is selected and the location of the forgery is determined. The proposed method is performed on the CoMoFod and MICC datasets. The extensive experiments showed the satisfactory performance of the proposed method.
Customized Information Extraction and Processing Pipeline for Commercial Invoices
Authors: Lai Pierce , Mohan Abhishek , Kim Seok , Chu Jung Soo Victor , Lee Samuel , Kafle Prabhakar , Wang Patrick
Published: June 2023

Extracting information from scanned invoices and other commercial documents, a critical component of corporate function, typically requires significant manual processing. Much research has been conducted in the field of automated information extraction and document processing to alleviate the manual resources used for document analysis, but resultant literature and commercially available products have demonstrated limitations in customizability for identifying specific information. In this paper, we propose a customized machine learning-based pipeline for extracting and tabulating relevant key–value pairs from commercial invoice documents. Specifically, the pipeline combines general document understanding, OCR extraction, and key–value matching with custom rules pertaining to a provided invoice dataset. Then, we demonstrate that the pipeline greatly outperforms a commercially available product and can significantly reduce the amount of manual labor required to process invoice documents. Future work will focus on generalizing the pipeline, so as to apply it on more varied datasets.
AN ADAPTIVE ELLIPTICAL CURVE CRYPTOGRAPHY-RIVEST-SHAMIR-ADLEMAN-BASED ENCRYPTION FOR IoT HEALTHCARE SECURITY MODEL WITH BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
Authors: MOHANA M. , DEOTARE VILAS V. , PREETHA N. S. NINU , BRAMMYA G.
Published: June 2023

The healthcare systems follow the path of client-server architecture in a centralized manner for managing the patient’s health information with the secure storage process. Medical data can be preserved in every medical institution that remains safely in silos. It could be able to access without proper authorization and cannot be transferred. At the same time, while handling massive data, the clinics or hospitals are fragile enough to govern the patient’s health information as the system is confined with such security constraints. Rather than other methodologies, blockchain plays a pivotal part in the medical industry for storing medical data in a secure manner. Since the blockchain represents a reliable and scalable decentralized network, it can conquer certain challenges of classical methods. Furthermore, the Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging process of fetching data by wearing some sensors and devices. Through these intelligent elements, the healthcare data can be shared and enriched with the data quality for effective healthcare services. Nevertheless, this connection becomes vulnerable to data privacy and security because the data management relies on open service networks. In order to overcome these effects, a novel IoT-derived blockchain model is proposed for storing and authenticating purposes. Initially, medical data are collected from different benchmark sources and subjected to the data encryption phase. Then, encryption is performed with the help of Adaptive Elliptical Curve Cryptography and Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (A-ECC-RSA), where the key optimization is done by utilizing Enhanced Sand Cat Swarm Optimization (ESCSO). Further, encrypted data are stored in the blockchain and finally authentication access is performed with the help of Adaptive Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (ABiLSTM) using biometric information, where the BiLSTM parameters are optimally selected by developed ESCSO. Thus, the developed model will attain an effective security rate than conventional models that can be established through several experiments on the proposed model.
Superbiderivations of Simple Modular Lie Superalgebras of Witt Type and Special Type
Authors: Bai Wei , Liu Wende
Published: June 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a simple modular Lie superealgebra of Witt type or special type over an algebraically closed field of characteristic [Formula: see text]. In this paper, all the superbiderivations of [Formula: see text] are studied. By means of weight space decompositions with respect to a suitable torus and the standard [Formula: see text]-grading structures of [Formula: see text], we show that the supersymmetric superbiderivations of [Formula: see text] are zero. Generalizing a result on the skewsymmetric biderivation of Lie algebras to the super case, we find that all the superbiderivations of [Formula: see text] are inner. As applications, the linear supercommuting maps and the supercommutative post-Lie superalgebra structures on [Formula: see text] are described.
Conformal Triple Derivations and Triple Homomorphisms of Lie Conformal Algebras
Authors: Asif Sania , Luo Lipeng , Hong Yanyong , Wu Zhixiang
Published: June 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite Lie conformal algebra. We investigate the conformal derivation algebra [Formula: see text], conformal triple derivation algebra [Formula: see text] and generalized conformal triple derivation algebra [Formula: see text], focusing mainly on the connections among these derivation algebras. We also give a complete classification of (generalized) conformal triple derivation algebras on all finite simple Lie conformal algebras. In particular, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a finite simple Lie conformal algebra. But for [Formula: see text], we obtain a conclusion that is closely related to [Formula: see text]. Finally, we introduce the definition of a triple homomorphism of Lie conformal algebras. Triple homomorphisms of all finite simple Lie conformal algebras are also characterized.