bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of interleukin 6 levels on acute lung injury risk and disease severity in critically ill sepsis patients
Authors: Liu Ya , Chen Li
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulation of the host response to infection that can lead to acute lung injury (ALI) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and its complications.

AIM

To investigate the relationship among plasma IL-6 levels, risk of ALI, and disease severity in critically ill patients with sepsis.

METHODS

This prospective and observational study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between January 2021 and December 2022. A total of 83 septic patients were enrolled. Plasma IL-6 levels were measured upon admission using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The development of ALI and MODS was monitored during hospitalization. Disease severity was evaluated by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores.

RESULTS

Among the 83 patients with sepsis, 38 (45.8%) developed ALI and 29 (34.9%) developed MODS. Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients who developed ALI than in those without ALI (median: 125.6 pg/mL vs 48.3 pg/mL; P < 0.001). Similarly, patients with MODS had higher IL-6 levels than those without MODS (median: 142.9 pg/mL vs 58.7 pg/mL; P < 0.001). Plasma IL-6 levels were strongly and positively correlated with APACHE II (r = 0.72; P < 0.001) and SOFA scores (r = 0.68; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated plasma IL-6 levels in critically ill patients with sepsis were associated with an increased risk of ALI and MODS. Higher IL-6 levels were correlated with greater disease severity, as reflected by higher APACHE II and SOFA scores. These findings suggest that IL-6 may serve as a biomarker for predicting the development of ALI and disease severity in patients with sepsis.
Endobronchial metastasis secondary to renal clear cell carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Xie Tian-Hao , Fu Yan , Ha Si-Ning , Meng Qing-Xu , Sun Qian , Wang Pan
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Endobronchial metastases (EBMs) are tumours that metastasise from a malignant tumour outside the lungs to the central and subsegmental bronchi, and are visible under a bronchofibrescope. Most EBMs are formed by direct invasion or metastasis of intrathoracic malignant tumours, such as lung cancer, oesophageal cancer or mediastinum tumours. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), accounting for 2% to 3% of all tumours, is a common malignant tumour of the urinary system. Renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC) constitutes the predominant pathological subtype of RCC, comprising approximately 70% to 80% of all RCC cases. RCCC can spread and metastasise through arterial, venous and lymphatic circulation to almost all organs of the body. Moreover, lung, bone, liver, brain and local recurrence are the most common metastatic neoplasms of RCCC. However, EBM from RCCC has a low complication rate and is often misdiagnosed as primary lung cancer.

CASE SUMMARY

A 71-year-old male patient who had undergone radical left nephrectomy 7 years prior due to RCCC was referred to our hospital due to a 1-mo history of productive cough. The results of an enhanced chest CT scan indicated the presence of a soft tissue nodule in the upper lobe of the left lung, and flexible bronchoscopy revealed a hypervascular lesion in the bronchus of the left lung's superior lobe. Therefore, the patient underwent thoracoscopic left superior lobe wedge resection, and pathology confirmed EBM from the RCCC.

CONCLUSION

EBM from RCCC has a low incidence and no characteristic clinical manifestations in the early stage. If a bronchial tumour is found in a patient with RCCC, the possibility of bronchial metastatic cancer should be considered.
Optical properties estimation of photonic crystal fiber using Gaussian process regression
Authors: Abdul Kaium Sk Md , Mollah Md Aslam
Published: July 2024

In contrast to typical optical fiber, photonic crystal fiber (PCF) exhibits a variety of unique optical properties as a result of its flexible cladding distribution. Nonetheless, assessing PCF optical characteristics becomes difficult when structural parameters fluctuate. This issue is a serious impediment to fully understanding and leveraging PCF's potential for diverse optical applications. Furthermore, the variety in structural factors makes it difficult to ensure PCF's consistent and reliable performance in practical optical systems. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are widely used to forecast the optical parameters of PCF. However, ANNs have issues when dealing with local minima. In contrast, solutions obtained from support vector machines regressions (SVM/SVR), Gaussian process regressions (GPR), and k-nearest neighbors regression (KNNR) are globally unique and avoid the dangers of slipping into local minimum values. Major properties such as effective refractive index (n
e
f
f
), confinement loss (α
c
) and dispersion (D) of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) were predicted using SVM/SVR, GPR, KNNR, random forest regression (RFR), gradient boosting regression (GBR), and ANN. To evaluate the performance of various regression algorithms, we created a database of 2912 samples including the X and Y directions. In terms of prediction accuracy and stability, SVM and GPR outperform other approaches.
Fantastic wetlands and why to monitor them: Demonstrating the social and financial benefit potential of methane abatement through salt marsh restoration
Authors: Reilly Adam V. , Merrill Nathaniel H. , Mulvaney Kate K. , Colarusso Phil , Burman Erin
Published: July 2024

Salt marsh restoration has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions thereby providing an opportunity for blue carbon crediting, but implementation has been limited to date because of insufficient data and validation. In this paper, we demonstrate the potential scale of methane emissions that could be avoided if salinity-reducing impairments are mitigated by applying findings from six salt marsh restoration sites in Massachusetts combined with a previously demonstrated application of the salt marsh salinity-methane relationship. We used calculations of these avoided emissions to estimate the social benefit of salt marsh restoration by calculating avoided costs. Of the six sites selected, restorations at two sites were successful in improving salinity which we used as a methane proxy. Our approach and findings demonstrate the potential benefits in developing consistent accounting methodologies to better track, prioritize, and implement wetlands restoration strategies to mitigate methane emissions and contribute toward state-level emissions reduction targets across some of the 475 Massachusetts salt marches with an existing tidal restriction. We found the potential for $12 -$26M in added social benefit from 176 tons of avoided methane across 932 hectares of degraded salt marsh in Massachusetts. A significant limitation in estimating benefits, however, is the lack of coordinated, widespread monitoring strategies to infer methane and other GhGs at scale. While not insurmountable, these challenges will need to be addressed for GhG emissions reduction and/or sequestration through salt marsh restoration to be accepted as an effective strategy. We conclude that while carbon crediting may offer benefits to marsh restoration and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, there remain significant limitations because of a lack of project monitoring and data validation. In the worst case, this could result in the offsetting of actual greenhouse gas emissions with credits that are supported by indirect and less-than-rigorous monitoring data.
Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Latinos: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Smith Deborah G. , Smith Corey D. , DeLeon Jennifer A. , Sandoz Jillian L. , Ochoa Carolina O. , Pearson Martha P. , Macena Raimunda H. M.
Published: July 2024

Vaccination against COVID-19 can prevent severe illness and reduce hospitalizations and deaths. Understanding and addressing determinants contributing to vaccine uptake among high-risk groups, such as Latinos, are pivotal in ensuring equitable vaccine distribution, promoting health equity, and fostering community engagement to bridge the gap in vaccine acceptance and ultimately enhance public health. This study aimed to examine factors influencing vaccine uptake among Latinos. We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online platform (n = 242). The survey was administered using a multimodal approach. Strategies for recruitment included community outreach, social media, and targeting community networks serving Latinos. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and multivariable analysis were performed. Overall, 81.4% of respondents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 77.0% recommending it and 70.6% believing it to be safe, 66.7% believing in its efficacy, 62.3% able to find trustful information in Spanish or Portuguese, and almost 40% who relied on health organizations as their primary resource for COVID-19 vaccine information. Factors significantly associated with vaccine uptake included higher education level (p<0.001), English level (p = 0.023), living in an urban area (p = 0.048), having insurance (p<0.001), and having a healthcare provider (p = 0.007). Furthermore, belief in vaccine safety and efficacy, trust in public health authorities, concerns about COVID-19, the ability to determine true/false vaccine information during the pandemic, and the availability of trustworthy information in Spanish/Portuguese had statistically significant associations (p<0.05) with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. COVID-19 vaccine uptake differed based on sociodemographic and other modifiable factors. Our findings emphasize the importance of implementing targeted interventions and culturally sensitive communication strategies to improve vaccination uptake among the Latino community in the United States.
Exercise prescription for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases in primary care: Protocol of the RedExAP study
Authors: Saz-Lara Alicia , Martínez Hortelano José Alberto , Medrano María , Luengo-González Raquel , Miguel Miriam Garrido , García-Sastre Montserrat , Recio-Rodriguez José Ignacio , Lozano-Cuesta Daniel , Cavero-Redondo Iván
Published: July 2024

Background

Existing evidence supports the effectiveness of exercise in preventing and treating chronic diseases, yet its integration into clinical practice remains limited. This study protocol aims to address the evidence-practice gap by exploring barriers to exercise prescription in primary care and developing a clinical practice guideline (CPG).

Methods

Employing a qualitative approach, focus groups will be conducted to investigate primary care professionals’ challenges in prescribing exercise and patients’ adherence to recommendations. Phenomenological analysis will facilitate data interpretation. Data triangulation, expert analysis, and quality criteria will ensure study reliability. The CPG development process is outlined, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and patient involvement.

Conclusion

The RedExAP study responds to the imperative for evidence-based exercise integration in primary care. The study’s combined qualitative exploration and CPG development present the potential to improve health outcomes and cost-effectiveness. By elucidating primary care professionals’ and patients’ perspectives, the study contributes to enhancing exercise prescription adoption. The innovative transdisciplinary approach aligns with the 2030 Agenda, promoting better population health and greater social well-being, showing promise in alleviating chronic disease burdens. This study’s findings lay the groundwork for advancing evidence-based exercise interventions within primary care to transform chronic disease management.
The impact of the Drug Marketing Authorization Holder system on sustainable improvement of innovation quality in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in China—An empirical study using synthetic control methods
Authors: Liu Qiang , Wang Su , Huang Zhe
Published: July 2024

Background

In November 2015, China launched a pilot program for its Drug Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) system, aiming to integrate production and research and development resources to spur drug innovation. While many scholars have examined the theoretical relationship between the MAH system and pharmaceutical manufacturing innovation, empirical studies have been scarce.

Methods

This study uses inter-provincial panel data on China’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry from 2009 to 2019, along with synthetic control methods, to offer a robust analysis of the impact of the MAH paradigm on innovation quality in pilot provinces. We treat the 2015 MAH system implementation in ten provinces as a natural experiment and account for the mediating effects of R&D investments, allowing us to discern the underlying mechanisms.

Results

Our findings demonstrate a significant positive effect of China’s MAH system on innovation quality in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Specifically, the system is most effective in Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Shandong provinces. We also identify R&D investments as playing a mediating role in facilitating the favorable impact of the MAH system on innovation quality.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the crucial importance of the MAH system in promoting innovation quality in China’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, providing vital empirical support for its adoption and further enhancement. This research also offers practical insights for policymakers and R&D decision-makers in the pharmaceutical sector.
Developing the digital transformation skills framework: A systematic literature review approach
Authors: Bouwmans Machiel , Lub Xander , Orlowski Marissa , Nguyen Thuy-Vy
Published: July 2024

Background

Digital transformation (DT) involves integrating digital technologies into organizations to improve productivity, efficiency, and quality. Investing in the workforce’s skillsets is essential for successful DT. However, it remains unclear which skillsets are essential.

Objectives

This study aims to identify and define the essential skillsets needed for exploiting the full potential of DT, and to consolidate the identified skills into a comprehensive framework of DT skills.

Method

A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA approach for selecting studies. This led to the selection of 36 articles that were examined using thematic analysis for identifying and consolidating skills into a framework.

Results

The Digital Transformation Skills Framework (DTSF) was developed, which contains six overarching skillsets and 44 underlying skills. The framework covers key skillsets in the areas of digital work, entrepreneurship, evidence-based work, collaboration, communication, and adaptation.

Conclusion and discussion

The DTSF offers a comprehensive understanding of essential skills for today’s evolving organizations, addressing a critical gap in existing literature. It is valuable for organizations and HR professionals, serving as a foundation for re- and upskilling initiatives. Ongoing research should expand the framework to include domain-specific DT skills and emerging digital technologies.
Writing about a stressful experience can impair visual working memory
Authors: Hunter Colton L. , Shields Grant S.
Published: July 2024

Acute stress has been well-established to impair working memory. However, less is known about how writing about an unresolved stressor may influence working memory or working memory processes. We addressed these issues in the present study (N = 282) by randomly assigning participants to write about an unresolved stressful experience (stressful writing condition or the events of the previous day). We then both measured performance on a change detection task and used computational modeling to estimate the processes underlying performance: attention, capacity, and guessing bias. We found that, relative to the control condition, writing about a stressful experience impaired change detection task performance and significantly impaired task attention. These results show that the effects of writing about an unresolved stressor may mimic the effects of acute stress on working memory, rather than conforming to expectations from mood-as-information theory.
Emergence of novel methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius lineages revealed by whole genome sequencing of isolates from companion animals and humans in Scotland
Authors: Robb Andrew R. , Ure Roisin , Chaput Dominique L. , Foster Geoffrey
Published: July 2024

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is an opportunistic pathogen in dogs, and infection in humans is increasingly found, often linked to contact with dogs. We conducted a retrospective genotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing study of 406 S. pseudintermedius isolates cultured from animals (dogs, cats and an otter) and humans across Scotland, from 2007 to 2020. Seventy-five sequence types (STs) were identified, among the 130 isolates genotyped, with 59 seen only once. We observed the emergence of two methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) clones in Scotland: ST726, a novel locally-evolving clone, and ST551, first reported in 2015 in Poland, possibly linked to animal importation to Scotland from Central Europe. While ST71 was the most frequent S. pseudintermedius strain detected, other lineages that have been replacing ST71 in other countries, in addition to ST551, were detected. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 96.4% of MRSP and 8.4% of MSSP. A single MRSP isolate was resistant to mupirocin. Continuous surveillance for the emergence and dissemination of novel MDR MRSP in animals and humans and changes in antimicrobial susceptibility in S. pseudintermedius is warranted to minimise the threat to animal and human health.
Efficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Li Wenjun , Yang Bo , Shi Jing
Published: July 2024

This meta-analysis aims to assess the success rate of pulpotomy in the treatment of permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure and to compare the efficacy of different capping materials. Randomized controlled trials were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Clinicaltrial.gov, and Cochrane Library until August 31, 2023. The pooled success rate was estimated in the overall population and in subgroups. Additional analyses comparing different capping materials using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were performed. The certainty of evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. A total of 25 randomized trials with an average follow-up duration ≥ 12 months were finally included. The overall success rate of pulpotomy was 86.7% (95%CI: 82.0–90.7%). The success rate was not significantly affected by root development, pulpotomy type, and follow-up duration. Teeth with irreversible pulpitis had a relatively lower success rate than teeth with normal pulp or reversible pulpitis (82.4% [95%CI: 74.6–89.0%] vs 92.0% [95%CI: 87.9–95.4%], P = 0.013). Directly compared to conventional calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate (88.2% vs 79.1%, OR = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.28–4.51, P = 0.006) and Biodentine (97.5% vs 82.9%, OR = 6.03, 95%CI: 0.97–37.6, P = 0.054) had higher successful rates. No significant difference between MTA and other biomaterials was found. The results were graded as very low to low certainty of evidence. In conclusion, pulpotomy is an effective treatment of permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure. Mineral trioxide aggregate and Biodentine can be recommended with more favorable outcomes as capping materials.
How backers’ behavior affects financing performance in agri-food reward-based crowdfunding: The moderating mechanism of initiator characteristics and project attributes
Authors: Du Junjuan
Published: July 2024

Crowdfunding is a new type of financing favored by entrepreneurs in need of capital. Financing performance is a key concern for crowdfunding project initiators. Although a growing number of studies have investigated the factors that affect the financing performance of crowdfunding projects, there are still some issues that need to be further clarified. How does the investment behavior of backers, as the supply side of finance, affect the financing performance of project in reward-based crowdfunding? What are the moderating mechanisms of this influence by initiator characteristics and project attributes? Based on a panel data set from Zhongchou, a famous agri-food crowdfunding platform in China, this paper finds that the investment speed, the investment intensity, the number of early backers, the backers’ comments, and the number of selfless backers all have significant effects on financing performance. The core trust factors of initiator characteristics and project attributes play a moderating role in the relationship between backer investment behavior and financing performance, but there are differences in the moderating mechanisms. Based on the research conclusions, practical enlightenment is proposed for initiators, crowdfunding platforms, and regulators.
Hospital services utilisation and cost before and after COVID-19 hospital treatment: Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Rizal Muhammad Fikru , Hafidz Firdaus , Kusila Gilbert Renardi , Aisyiah Wan , Revelino Dedy , Dhanalvin Erzan , Oktavia Ayunda , Ilyasa  , Jaya Citra , Saut Benjamin , Ruby Mahlil
Published: July 2024

Objective

To estimate hospital services utilisation and cost among the Indonesian population enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program before and after COVID-19 hospital treatment.

Methods

28,159 Indonesian NHI enrolees treated with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in hospitals between May and August 2020 were compared to 8,995 individuals never diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020. A difference-in-difference approach is used to contrast the monthly all-cause utilisation rate and total claims of hospital services between these two groups. A period of nine months before and three to six months after hospital treatment were included in the analysis.

Results

A substantial short-term increase in hospital services utilisation and cost before and after COVID-19 treatment was observed. Using the fifth month before treatment as the reference period, we observed an increased outpatient visits rate in 1–3 calendar months before and up to 2–4 months after treatment (p<0.001) among the COVID-19 group compared to the comparison group. We also found a higher admissions rate in 1–2 months before and one month after treatment (p<0.001). Consequently, increased hospital costs were observed in 1–3 calendar months before and 1–4 calendar months after the treatment (p<0.001). The elevated hospital resource utilisation was more prominent among individuals older than 40. Overall, no substantial increase in hospital outpatient visits, admissions, and costs beyond four months after and five months before COVID-19 treatment.

Conclusion

Individuals with COVID-19 who required hospital treatment had considerably higher healthcare resource utilisation in the short-term, before and after the treatment. These findings indicated that the total cost of treating COVID-19 patients might include the pre- and post-acute period.
Expanding continual few-shot learning benchmarks to include recognition of specific instances
Authors: Kowadlo Gideon , Ahmed Abdelrahman , Mayan Amir , Rawlinson David
Published: July 2024

Continual learning and few-shot learning are important frontiers in progress toward broader Machine Learning (ML) capabilities. Recently, there has been intense interest in combining both. One of the first examples to do so was the Continual few-shot Learning (CFSL) framework of Antoniou et al. (2020). In this study, we extend CFSL in two ways that capture a broader range of challenges, important for intelligent agent behaviour in real-world conditions. First, we increased the number of classes by an order of magnitude, making the results more comparable to standard continual learning experiments. Second, we introduced an ‘instance test’ which requires recognition of specific instances of classes—a capability of animal cognition that is usually neglected in ML. For an initial exploration of ML model performance under these conditions, we selected representative baseline models from the original CFSL work and added a model variant with replay. As expected, learning more classes is more difficult than the original CFSL experiments, and interestingly, the way in which image instances and classes are presented affects classification performance. Surprisingly, accuracy in the baseline instance test is comparable to other classification tasks, but poor given significant occlusion and noise. The use of replay for consolidation substantially improves performance for both types of tasks, but particularly for the instance test.
Skin cancer in Germany: Characterising screening, prevalence and mortality from a spatial perspective
Authors: Augustin Jobst , Andrees Valerie , Augustin Matthias , Trialonis-Suthakharan Nirohshah , Hischke Sandra
Published: July 2024

Aim of the study was to characterise the association between screening, prevalence and mortality of skin cancer in Germany considering the spatial distribution. The study included the total set of outpatient data of all statutory health insured people and cause-of-death statistics in Germany between 2011–2015 on county level. To identify regions with high/low screening, prevalence and mortality rates, probability maps were calculated. Scenarios were developed based on the research questions. These were used to identify regions that share both high/low rates of screening, prevalence and mortality. Regression analyses were used to characterise these regions, taking into account sociodemographic characteristics. Significant regional variations in prevalence, screening and mortality in Germany were identified. Depending on the scenario, influences of sociodemographic conditions become apparent. For example, a lower income (p = 0.006) and poorer accessibility of the closest dermatologist (p = 0.03) predicted a lower prevalence of and fewer screenings for skin cancer. In regions with low screening and high mortality, significant (p = 0.03) associations with the educational status of the population were also found. The study identified the first spatial associations between screening, prevalence and mortality of skin cancer in Germany. The results indicate that regional population-related characteristics (e.g., sociodemographic characteristics) play an important role in explaining the associations and should be given more weight in further studies. However, further studies, particularly on the spatial variation of skin cancer mortality, are still necessary.
The impact of preservation solutions for static cold storage on kidney transplantation outcomes: Results of a Brazilian nationwide multicenter study
Authors: Sandes-Freitas Tainá Veras de , Moura Lucio Requião , Carvalho Deise Rosa de Boni Monteiro de , Garcia Valter Duro , Modelli de Andrade Luis Gustavo , Mazzali Marilda , Manfro Roberto Ceratti , Deboni Luciane Mônica , Davi-Neto Elias , Oliveira Claudia Maria Costa de , Cavalcanti Frederico Castelo Branco , Madeira Rafael Lage , Esmeraldo Ronaldo de Matos , Simão Denise Rodrigues , Meira Ana Carolina Guedes , Ferreira Gustavo Fernandes , Lasmar Marcus , Bignelli Alexandre Tortoza , Pacheco-Silva Alvaro , Medina Pestana José , Tedesco Silva Hélio ,   on behalf of the DGF-Brazil Study Group
Published: July 2024

This study evaluated the current practices of selecting cold storage preservation solutions in Brazil and their impact on delayed graft function (DGF) incidence and 1-year outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 3,134 brain-dead deceased donor kidney transplants performed between 2014 and 2015 in 18 Brazilian centers. The most commonly used preservation solution was Euro-collins (EC, 55.4%), followed by Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK, 30%) and Institut Georges Lopez (IGL-1, 14.6%). The incidence of DGF was 54.4%, with 11.7% of patients requiring dialysis for more than 14 days, indicating prolonged DGF. Upon adjusting for confounding variables, HTK demonstrated a significantly lower risk of DGF than EC (OR 0.7350.82500.926), as did IGL-1 (OR 0.6050.7120.837). Similar protective effects were observed for prolonged DGF when comparing HTK (OR 0.4780.5990.749) and IGL-1 (OR 0.4780.6810.749) against EC. No significant association was found between preservation solutions and 1-year death-censored graft survival. In conclusion, EC was the most frequently used cold storage perfusion solution, demonstrating a higher incidence and duration of DGF compared with HTK and IGL-1, but with no impact on 1-year graft survival.
Manual toothbrushing techniques for plaque removal and the prevention of gingivitis—A systematic review with network meta-analysis
Authors: Deinzer Renate , Weik Ulrike , Eidenhardt Zdenka , Leufkens Daniel , Sälzer Sonja
Published: July 2024

Background

The meaning of the toothbrushing technique for the effectivity of toothbrushing in terms of plaque removal and parameters of gingivitis is unknown. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Web of Science for RCTs that compared any self-applied manual toothbrushing technique to any other technique or control and assessed plaque after toothbrushing and gingivitis. Where intervention effects were recorded repeatedly, the last post-intervention assessment was treated as the primary outcome date (POD), and the assessment closest to the intervention as the secondary outcome date (SOD). Age restrictions were not imposed. Participants with fixed orthodontic appliances were excluded. The evidence was evaluated using the Confidence in Network Meta-Analyses (CINeMA) approach, which is based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results

Thirteen publications, including 15 studies, were identified. Ten studies assessing the Fones, Bass, and Scrub techniques provided data eligible for the NMA. The confidence rating of the evidence varied from very low to high in the case of plaque, and from very low to low in the case of gingivitis. Regarding PODs, Fones probably reduces plaque slightly compared with no training; the evidence is very uncertain that Fones may have little to no effect on gingivitis. Bass may result in little to no difference in plaque; the evidence that Bass may result in a slight increase in gingivitis is very uncertain. The evidence is very uncertain that Scrub may result in little to no difference in plaque at the SOD (no POD-data available) and that it may result in a slight increase in gingivitis.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence regarding the effects of toothbrushing techniques on plaque after brushing or gingivitis.
Associations between cardiovascular health and female infertility: A national population-based study
Authors: Luo Meiyan , Li Jianshu , Xiao Xiangjun , Wu Ping , Zhang Ya
Published: July 2024

Objective

This study investigates the relationship between cardiovascular health (CVH), as quantified by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) metric, and female infertility, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2013–2018.

Methods

We encompassed females aged 20–49 years and above from the NHANES in this cross-sectional analysis. We assessed CVH using the LE8 score, encompassing eight domains: dietary pattern, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep duration, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure levels. Logistic regression models were applied to explore the association between CVH scores and reported infertility, adjusting for potential confounders including age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Results

Findings revealed a notable inverse association between CVH scores (per 10 scores) and female infertility [OR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.90–0.96], Participants with higher CVH levels were 41% less likely to had female infertility compared to those with lower levels [OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.41–0.84]. Higher overall CVH scores, particularly in physical activity, BMI, and blood glucose, were associated with lower odds of infertility. This trend remained consistent across various demographic subgroups.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the significance of maintaining optimal cardiovascular health, as evidenced by higher LE8 scores, in mitigating the risk of female infertility. These insights advocate for the integration of CVH improvement strategies within the broader framework of reproductive health care, emphasizing the dual benefits of cardiovascular and reproductive health optimization.
Relationship between soil and species diversity in typical forest stands in Xianrendong, Liaoning Province based on plant-soil feedback
Authors: Du Weixin , Zhang Hua
Published: July 2024

Exploring the relationship between soil properties and species diversity in typical forest stands in Liaoning Xianrendong National Nature Reserve will help maintain the stability of forest communities in the transition zone between flora in Changbai and North China. Based on the plant-soil feedback theory, community sample data from nine typical forest stands in the study area and experimental test data from 54 soil samples, we selected indexes of soil physical and chemical properties based on the minimum data set (temperature, compactness, capillary pore space, bulk weight, capillary water holding capacity, drainage capacity, soil water storage, conductivity, pH, organic matter, Ca, Fe, K, N and P). We adopt the research method of classical statistical analysis. The soil properties of nine typical stands in Xianrendong National Nature Reserve of Liaoning Province were systematically analyzed. The relationship between soil properties and forest stands’ species diversity was quantified using correlation and redundancy analyses. The Pearson correlation analysis results showed significant positive correlations between the Gleason abundance index (arbors) with conductivity, pH, organic matter, Ca, N and P; Pielou’s evenness index (arbors) with bulk weight and Fe. Significant negative correlations between the Gleason abundance index (arbors) with capillary pore space, bulk weight, drainage capacity, soil water storage and capillary water holding capacity; Simpson dominance index and Shannon–Wiener diversity index with capillary water holding capacity, drainage capacity and soil water storage; Pielou’s evenness index (arbors) with Ca and N. The natural moisture content and clay particles are neutral feedback. The results showed that the feedback mechanism of soil physicochemical properties on stand species diversity was complex, which was conducive to species coexistence and community stability.
High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation combined with immunotherapy for treating liver metastases: A prospective non-randomized trial
Authors: Yang Xiyue , Liao Yao , Fan Lingli , Lin Binwei , Li Jie , Wu Danfeng , Liao Dongbiao , Yuan Li , Liu Jihui , Gao Feng , Feng Gang , Du Xiaobo
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Given the unique features of the liver, it is necessary to combine immunotherapy with other therapies to improve its efficacy in patients of advanced cancer with liver metastases (LM). High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation is now widely used in clinical practice and can enhanced immune benefits. The study is intended to prospectively evaluate the safety and clinical feasibility of HIFU ablation in combination with systemic immunotherapy for patients with liver metastases.

Methods

The study enrolled 14 patients with LM who received ultrasound-guided HIFU ablation combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1 agents manufactured in China) at Mianyang Central Hospital. Patients were followed up for adverse events (AEs) during the trial, using the CommonTerminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0(CTCAE v5.0) as the standard. Tumour response after treatment was assessed using computerized tomography.

Results

The 14 patients (age range, 35–84 years) underwent HIFU ablation at 19 metastatic sites and systemic immunotherapy. The mean lesion volume was 179.9 cm3 (maximum: 733.1 cm3). Median follow-up for this trial was 9 months (range: 3–21) months. The study is clinically feasible and acceptable to patients.

Conclusion

This prospective study confirmed that HIFU combined with immunotherapy is clinically feasible and safe for treating liver metastases.
Exploratory analysis of choriocapillaris vasculature as a biomarker of idiopathic epiretinal membrane
Authors: Kim Gee-Hyun , Lee Jiho , Park Young-Hoon
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To investigate the preoperative choriocapillaris perfusion (CCP) as a biomarker in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM).

Materials and methods

28 patients (28 eyes) with unilateral iERM who received pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling were included for retrospective observational study. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography (OCTA) was performed before and after PPV. Area, perimeter, and circularity of superficial foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were analyzed preoperatively in both eyes using OCTA. Preoperative CCP was also analyzed with binarized en-face OCTA images. Measurements of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) by OCT were conducted at the baseline and 6 months following the surgery. The correlations of preoperative OCT parameters with postoperative BCVA and CFT reduction were analyzed.

Results

CCP was significantly lower (p < 0.001) and FAZ had shrunk (p < 0.001) in eyes with iERM compared to unaffected fellow eyes before surgery. BCVA and CFT became significantly improved after surgery (p = 0.001, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that preoperative CCP was significantly related with BCVA improvement (β = 0.185, p = 0.005), postoperative BCVA (β = 0.108, p = 0.023) and ratio of post- to preoperative CFT (β = 0.106, p = 0.044).

Conclusions

Preoperative CCP is a biomarker for poor functional and anatomical prognosis after surgery in iERM.
Buskers in Galway: Not in the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) 2020 neither on the streets
Authors: Bona Nivea Canalli , Ó Baoill Andrew
Published: July 2024

This article is about the communication of buskers (locals or not) in Galway – Ireland, and how they self-organized to participate in the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) in 2020 and to fight by-laws voted to regulate their work in December 2019. The research question was: how did the buskers in Galway organize themselves and use ‘radical’ communication to establish their position in the face of ECoC for 2020, the by-laws and the COVID-19 pandemic? Data was gathered by carrying out six in-depth interviews and 21 surveys with buskers that were in the streets of Galway in September 2021. Results showed that Buskers in Galway consider that ECoC did not truly take place in the city. We also understood that if there was a buskers’ ‘movement’ against the by-laws, it was limited to the time of the council vote.
Putting entertainment and education back into community radio: A Ghanaian perspective on COVID-19 messaging
Authors: Essel Emmanuel , Govender Eliza
Published: July 2024

Health communicators faced substantial challenges in effectively communicating COVID-19 among resource-limited communities due to the rapid changes of the pandemic. This article explores the possibility of communicating COVID-19 via community radio (CR) using entertainment education (EE) based strategies with host communities. A qualitative approach was adopted using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to collect data, and reflexive thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data. Guy Bessette’s ten-step participatory communication model was adopted as the theoretical framework to understand CR’s EE-oriented COVID-19 messages, if any. The study found that Radio Peace adopts EE-based messaging, which is often participatory, with listener involvement in the production and broadcast. The study highlights new possibilities for pandemic communication, specifically COVID-19, with CR adopting EE-based strategies among resource-limited communities.
Could this be #MeToo?: Transnational reflections on hashtag feminism
Authors: Miles Caitlin Marie
Published: July 2024

Examining how feminist activists in Turkey adopted the Un Violador en tu Camino performance – which began in Chile and spread across Latin America and the Middle East – and moulded it around the local #SendeAnlat (#TellYourStory) campaign in Turkey, this article explores how transnational feminist solidarities emerge and circulate in relation to the 2017 manifestation of #MeToo. Although described by western analysts as part of the umbrella 2017 #MeToo campaign, how feminists in Turkey created a mosaic of digital feminist activism through Un Violador en tu Camino and #SendeAnlat, highlights how other points of departure for transnational feminist organizing and solidarity emerge in ways both linked to and beyond the scope of #MeToo, building a broader web of networked visibility. #MeToo, Un Violador en tu Camino, and #SendeAnlat remain in conversation with one another, yet circulate beyond the confines of their respective hashtags, forming around localized conditions of feminist activism. Through a study of how activists in Turkey blended Un Violador en tu Camino, #SendeAnlat and #MeToo, I argue that the MeToo hashtag is a malleable tool activists across the globe can experiment with to reach multiple audiences, play with in exploring new solidarities, and repurpose to fit local prerogatives and dynamics.
Getting animated
Authors: Drushel Bruce E.
Published: July 2024

Generally speaking, Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture (QSMPC) reserves issues with an evident theme to those crafted by guest editors. Recent examples include our issues on post-human drag, material culture and transnational queerness. Occasionally, though, themes emerge in our issues, serendipitously and quite by accident. Take the current issue of QSMPC, for example. I would love to be able to tell you that we intended it to focus on queerness in animation and comics. There would be every reason to do so, given the increased willingness of filmmakers and their distributors in recent years to stretch the boundaries of appropriate subject matter in animation, much as their counterparts in live action films and television have. Instead, it was the case that a series of very good articles that happened to share that focus fell into our laps, one after the other, and we wanted to share them with you without waiting for a Special Issue.
Christ is a magical girl: Queer popular culture and Paradise Lost
Authors: Rohrer Melissa , Austin Sara
Published: July 2024

In Queer Milton, Volume 10 (2014) of Early Modern Culture, and the subsequent Palgrave collection, queer studies and gender studies scholars argue that intersections of knowledge and power trouble cultural assumptions about sex and gender and, in fact, make a strong case for queering readings of Milton’s poem. Building on this critical thread, we trace the queer pop culture adaptation of Paradise Lost. A narrative of queer desire develops, we argue, culminating in contemporary examples such as Lil Nas X’s video for ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’, and the Netflix shows Lucifer and Sandman. While these examples focus on Satan as the embodiment of queer identification, the centre of our analysis shifts this queer identification to Christ. 2013’s animated movie My Little Pony: Equestria Girls uses Paradise Lost as queer source material for a story about forgiveness and love.
‘Once More, With Feeling’ (2001), J. Whedon (dir.), Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 6 Episode 7 (6 November, USA: UPN)
Authors: Switzer Silas Maxwell
Published: July 2024

Review of: ‘Once More, With Feeling’ (2001), J. Whedon (dir.), Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 6 Episode 7 (6 November, USA: UPN)
Arte na Distinção das Elites e a Pedagogia Racional como Possibilidade de Democratização
Authors: Bourguignon de Lima Camila , Carta Cardoso de Medeiros Cristina , Knoblauch Adriane
Published: July 2024

Fundamentado na sociologia de Pierre Bourdieu, o artigo reflete sobre o papel da arte em distinguir e valorizar socialmente as elites e os efeitos de um meio sociocultural com amplos estímulos estéticos na educação escolar. Referente à presença da arte na trama das relações sociais, pautadas na conformação de capitais, dentre os quais o cultural ocupa uma posição relevante na distinção das elites. Utiliza-se como dispositivo para análise os princípios que levam tais frações de classe a se envolverem com o mercado da arte, assegurando a legitimidade de seus valores e estilos de vida. Como ensaio teórico, constrói-se o argumento de que o ensino de arte a partir da pedagogia racional possibilita a transmissão dos instrumentos legítimos de compreensão da arte para todos aqueles que dela não se apropriaram na origem de suas formações escolares, diminuindo as desigualdades iniciais diante da cultura artística.
Podemos salir a jugar afuera?
Authors: Ried Andres , Cortés Josefina , Benavides Pelayo , Carmody Stephanie
Published: July 2024

En las últimas décadas se ha acrecentado el distanciamiento de niños, niñas y adolescentes con experiencias de contacto con la naturaleza (ECN), con efectos en las conductas pro ecológicas y pro sociales, pero también en un deterioro de la salud física y mental. A través de una metodología mixta de entrevistas a directivos, a niños/as y cuestionarios a apoderados/as identificamos los factores que dificultan la práctica de ECN en niños/as de cuatro a ocho años de la Región de La Araucanía, Chile. Los padres y madres identifican factores sociales (e.g. gestión del tiempo) y factores de seguridad (e.g. tráfico) como barreras importantes para el desarrollo de estas actividades. Además, las normativas y programas escolares también no favorecen estas experiencias. Los hallazgos se discuten en términos de promoción de estas actividades, entendiendo a la naturaleza como un sistema de relaciones que nos contiene y que también estructuramos.
Arts of Education and Education in the Arts in Late-Capitalist Times
Authors: Vansieleghem Nancy , Van Dorpe Stijn
Published: July 2024

The place of art in society is hotly debated. This also applies to the question of the role of art in education and education in the arts in times of change. This of course includes questions about the future of art schools and art education itself. But there is more, such as the demand for a broad basic education and access to the arts for all, the role of education in safeguarding the arts in the future, and the inspiration from the arts to think creatively about other forms of living together with human and non-human inhabitants. In this issue we want to shed some light on these questions. This not least against the background of current challenges (e.g. ecological catastrophes, migration movements, growing inequalities, etc.). Our aim is twofold: to rethink the role of the arts in education beyond instrumentalization and, at the same time, to ask about the significance of education in safeguarding the future of the arts.