bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing frailty amongst older people admitted to hospital in a low-income setting: a multicentre study in northern Tanzania
Authors: Davidson Sean L , Emmence Luke , Motraghi-Nobes Sara May , Bickerstaff Emily , Rayers George , Lyimo Godrule , Kilasara Joseph , Chuwa Mary , Kisheo Fortunatus , Kisaruni Elibariki , Urasa Sarah , Mitchell Emma , Dotchin Catherine L , Walker Richard W
Published: February 2024

Background

Populations are ageing globally and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) are experiencing the fastest rates of demographic change. Few studies have explored the burden of frailty amongst older people in hospital in LMICs, where healthcare services are having to rapidly adapt to align with the needs of older people. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of frailty amongst older people admitted to hospital in Tanzania and to explore their demographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods

This study had a prospective observational design. Over a six-month period, all adults ≥ 60 years old admitted to medical wards in four hospitals in northern Tanzania were invited to participate. They were screened for frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the Frailty Phenotype (FP). Demographic and clinical characteristics of interest were recorded in a structured questionnaire. These included the Barthel Index, the Identification of Elderly Africans Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADEA-IADL) and Cognitive (IDEA-Cog) screens, the EURO-D depression scale and Confusion Assessment Method.

Results

540 adults aged ≥ 60 were admitted, and 308 completed assessment. Frailty was present in 66.6% using the CFS and participants with frailty were significantly older, with lower levels of education and literacy, greater disability, greater comorbidity, poorer cognition and higher levels of delirium. Using the FP, 57.0% of participants were classed as frail though a majority of participants (n = 159, 51.6%) could not be classified due to a high proportion of missing data.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the prevalence of frailty on medical wards in northern Tanzania is high according to the CFS. However, the challenges in operationalising the FP in this setting highlight the need for future work to adapt frailty screening tools for an African context. Future investigations should also seek to correlate frailty status with long-term clinical outcomes after admission in this setting.
Vagococcus fluvialis isolation from the urine of a bladder cancer patient: a case report
Authors: Chen Qian , Tan Siwen , Long Sheng , Wang Kaixuan , Liu Qi
Published: February 2024

Vagococcus fluvialis infection is rare in humans, and there is limited research on the clinical manifestations and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Vagococcus fluvialis infection. Here, We isolated Vagococcus fluvialis from the urine samples of bladder cancer patients at Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, and it is the first reported case of Vagococcus fluvialis isolated from the urine. The fully automated microbial identification system and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified the bacterium as Vagococcus fluvialis with a confidence level of 99.9%. The VITEK-2Compact fully automated microbial susceptibility analysis system indicated that it was most sensitive to tigecycline, vancomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, linezolid, and showed moderate sensitivity to erythromycin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and tetracycline. Additionally, it exhibited synergy when combined with high-level gentamicin and vancomycin, showing sensitivity. However, it displayed poor activity against penicillin and furanth. According to our knowledge, this is the first study to isolate and identify Vagococcus fluvialis from the urine of bladder cancer patients and the systematically reviewed other reported Vagococcus infections on human, which provide an experimental basis for guiding the rational use of drugs in the clinical treatment and diagnose of Vagococcus fluvialis infection and related pathogenic mechanism research. Meanwhile, we have systematically reviewed other reported.
Selective feticide in dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins complicated with previable premature rupture of membrane before 24 weeks may be a safe therapeutic alternative to ongoing pregnancy
Authors: Zhu Caixia , Liu Haiyan , Zhu Hui , Huang Linhuan
Published: February 2024

Background

To date, there are no clinical guidelines for dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins complicated with previable premature rupture of membrane (PV-ROM) before 24 weeks of gestation. The typical management options including expectant management and/or pregnant termination, induce the risks of fetal mortality and morbidity.

Objective

To explore the feasibility selective feticide in DCDA twins complicated with PV-ROM.

Study design

A Retrospective cohort study, enrolling 28 DCDA twins suffering from PV-ROM in a tertiary medical center from Jan 01 2012 to Jan 01 2022. The obstetric outcome was compared between selective feticide group and expectant management group.

Results

There were 12 cases managed expectantly and 16 underwent selective feticide. More cases suffered from oligohydramnios in expectant management group compared to selective feticide group (P = 0.008). Among 13 cases with ROM of upper sac, the mean gestational age at delivery was (33.9 ± 4.9) weeks in the selective feticide group, which was significantly higher than that in the expectant management (P = 0.038). Five fetuses (83.3%) with selective feticide delivered after 32 weeks, whereas only one (14.3%) case in expectant management group (P = 0.029). However, in the subgroup with ROM of lower sac, no significant difference of the mean gestation age at delivery between groups and none of cases delivered after 32 weeks.

Conclusion

There was a trend towards an increase in latency interval in DCDA twins with PV-ROM following selective feticide, compared to that with expectant management. Furthermore, selective feticide in cases with PV-ROM of upper sac has a favorable outcome.
A dynamic nomogram predicting symptomatic pneumonia in patients with lung cancer receiving thoracic radiation
Authors: Zha Yawen , Zhang Jingjing , Yan Xinyu , Yang Chen , Wen Lei , Li Minying
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The most common and potentially fatal side effect of thoracic radiation therapy is radiation pneumonitis (RP). Due to the lack of effective treatments, predicting radiation pneumonitis is crucial. This study aimed to develop a dynamic nomogram to accurately predict symptomatic pneumonitis (RP ≥ 2) following thoracic radiotherapy for lung cancer patients.

Methods

Data from patients with pathologically diagnosed lung cancer at the Zhongshan People’s Hospital Department of Radiotherapy for Thoracic Cancer between January 2017 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Risk factors for radiation pneumonitis were identified through multivariate logistic regression analysis and utilized to construct a dynamic nomogram. The predictive performance of the nomogram was validated using a bootstrapped concordance index and calibration plots.

Results

Age, smoking index, chemotherapy, and whole lung V5/MLD were identified as significant factors contributing to the accurate prediction of symptomatic pneumonitis. A dynamic nomogram for symptomatic pneumonitis was developed using these risk factors. The area under the curve was 0.89(95% confidence interval 0.83–0.95). The nomogram demonstrated a concordance index of 0.89(95% confidence interval 0.82–0.95) and was well calibrated. Furthermore, the threshold values for high- risk and low- risk were determined to be 154 using the receiver operating curve.

Conclusions

The developed dynamic nomogram offers an accurate and convenient tool for clinical application in predicting the risk of symptomatic pneumonitis in patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracic radiation.
Comparison of Twin Block appliance and Herbst appliance in the treatment of Class II malocclusion among children: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Feifei , Fang Ying , Sui Xiaoling , Yao Yapeng
Published: February 2024

Background

Our meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of applying Herbst and Twin Block appliances in the treatment of Class II malocclusion among children.

Methods

Databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China VIP Database (VIP), and Wanfang were thoroughly searched from inception to August 9, 2023. The outcomes included skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used as the effect indicator, and the effect size was expressed with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The heterogeneity of each outcome effect size was tested, and the heterogeneity statistic I2 ≥ 50% was analyzed by the random-effect model, otherwise, the fixed-effect model was conducted. Sensitivity analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 12 studies involving 574 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Herbst appliance had a statistically significant increase in mandibular body length (WMD: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.96, P < 0.001) compared with the Twin Block appliance. More increases in angle and distance of L1 to mandibular plane (MP) were found in the Herbst appliance compared with the Twin Block appliance. Significant and greater improvements in molar relationship (WMD: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.28 to 1.29, P = 0.002), posterior facial height (WMD: -1.23, 95% CI: -2.08 to -0.38, P = 0.005), convexity angle (WMD: -1.89, 95% CI: -3.12 to -0.66, P = 0.003), and Sella-Nasion plane angle (U1 to SN) (WMD: 3.34, 95% CI: 2.25 to 4.43, P < 0.001) were achieved in the Twin Block appliance. Herbst and Twin Block appliances produced similar effects in the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes including Sella-Nasion-point A (SNA), Sella-Nasion-point B, point A-Nasion-point B (ANB), overjet, and overbite.

Conclusion

As the findings revealed both Herbst and Twin Block appliances contributed successfully to the correction of Class II malocclusion. Compared with the Twin Block appliance, the Herbst appliance may have more advantages in mandibular bone movement. Twin Block therapy resulted in more improvement in the aesthetics of the face.
A qualitative co-design-based approach to identify sources of workplace-related distress and develop well-being strategies for cardiovascular nurses, allied health professionals, and physicians
Authors: Jelen Ahlexxi , Goldfarb Rebecca , Rosart Jennifer , Graham Leanna , Rubin Barry B.
Published: February 2024

Objective

Clinician distress is a multidimensional condition that includes burnout, decreased meaning in work, severe fatigue, poor work–life integration, reduced quality of life, and suicidal ideation. It has negative impacts on patients, providers, and healthcare systems. In this three-phase qualitative investigation, we identified workplace-related factors that drive clinician distress and co-designed actionable interventions with inter-professional cardiovascular clinicians to decrease their distress and improve well-being within a Canadian quaternary hospital network.

Methods

Between October 2021 and May 2022, we invited nurses, allied health professionals, and physicians to participate in a three-phase qualitative investigation. Phases 1 and 2 included individual interviews and focus groups to identify workplace-related factors contributing to distress. Phase 3 involved co-design workshops that engaged inter-professional clinicians to develop interventions addressing drivers of distress identified. Qualitative information was analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis.

Results

Fifty-one clinicians (24 nurses, 10 allied health professionals, and 17 physicians) participated. Insights from Phases 1 and 2 identified five key thematic drivers of distress: inadequate support within inter-professional teams, decreased joy in work, unsustainable workloads, limited opportunities for learning and professional growth, and a lack of transparent leadership communication. Phase 3 co-design workshops yielded four actionable interventions to mitigate clinician distress in the workplace: re-designing daily safety huddles, formalizing a nursing coaching and mentorship program, creating a value-added program e-newsletter, and implementing an employee experience platform.

Conclusion

This study increases our understanding on workplace-related factors that contribute to clinician distress, as shared by inter-professional clinicians specializing in cardiovascular care. Healthcare organizations can develop effective interventions to mitigate clinician distress by actively engaging healthcare workers in identifying workplace drivers of distress and collaboratively designing tailored, practical interventions that directly address these challenges.
Psoriasis may increase the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Lingli , Wei Yujie , Hu Mengjin , Liu Yile , Zheng Xiangrong
Published: February 2024

Background

Although some studies have indicated that Psoriasis could contribute to the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), no study has reported a clear causal association between them. Our aim was to explore the potential relationship between Psoriasis and IPF using Mendelian randomization (MR) design.

Methods

To explore a causal association between Psoriasis and IPF, we used genetic instruments from the largest available genome-wide association study (GWAS) of European ancestry, including psoriasis (5314 cases, 457,619 controls) and IPF (1028 cases, 196,986 controls). Our main analyses were conducted by inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method with random-effects model, with the other complementary four analyses: weighted median method, weighted mode, multivariable MR and MR-Egger approach.

Results

The results of IVW methods demonstrated that genetically predicted psoriasis was significantly associated with higher odds of IPF, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.09 (95%CI, 1.01–1.18; P = 0.02). Weighted median method, weighted mode and multivariable MR also demonstrated directionally similar results (P < 0.05), while the MR-Egger regression did not reveal the impact of psoriasis on IPF (OR = 1.09, 95%CI, 0.98–1.21; P = 0.11). In addition, both funnel plots and MR-Egger intercepts indicated no directional pleiotropic effects between psoriasis and IPF.

Conclusions

Our study provided potential evidence between genetically predicted psoriasis and IPF, which suggests that understanding the mutual risk factors between psoriasis and IPF can facilitate the clinical management of both diseases.
Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants versus low-molecular-weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis after cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Hong , Chen Ting-Ting , Ye Ling-ling , Ma Jun-Jie , Zhang Jin-Hua
Published: February 2024

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) used as an alternative to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for thromboprophylaxis after cancer surgery for venous thromboembolic events (VTE) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of DOACs versus LMWH in these patients.

Materials and methods

A search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science was carried out and included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that directly compared DOACs with LMWH for thromboprophylaxis in patients after cancer surgery through July 25, 2023. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were VTE, major bleeding, and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) within 30 days of surgery. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) tool for RCTs and ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023445386).

Results

We retrieved 5149articles, selected 27 for eligibility, and included 10 studies (three RCTs and seven observational studies) encompassing 3054 patients who underwent postoperative thromboprophylaxis with DOACs (41%) or LMWH (59%). Compared to LMWH thromboprophylaxis, DOACs had a comparable risk of VTE (RR:0.69[95% CI:0.46–1.02], I2 = 0%), major bleeding (RR:1.55 [95% CI:0.82–2.93], I2 = 2%), and CRNMB (RR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.4–1.98], I2 = 31%) during the 30-day postoperative period. Subgroup analysis of VTE and major bleeding suggested no differences according to study type, extended thromboprophylaxis, tumor types, or different types of DOAC.

Conclusion

DOACs are potentially effective alternatives to LMWH for thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing cancer surgery, without increasing the risk of major bleeding events.
Essential role of PLD2 in hypoxia-induced stemness and therapy resistance in ovarian tumors
Authors: Muñoz-Galván Sandra , Verdugo-Sivianes Eva M. , Santos-Pereira José M. , Estevez-García Purificación , Carnero Amancio
Published: February 2024

Background

Hypoxia in solid tumors is an important source of chemoresistance that can determine poor patient prognosis. Such chemoresistance relies on the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), and hypoxia promotes their generation through transcriptional activation by HIF transcription factors.

Methods

We used ovarian cancer (OC) cell lines, xenograft models, OC patient samples, transcriptional databases, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq).

Results

Here, we show that hypoxia induces CSC formation and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer through transcriptional activation of the PLD2 gene. Mechanistically, HIF-1α activates PLD2 transcription through hypoxia response elements, and both hypoxia and PLD2 overexpression lead to increased accessibility around stemness genes, detected by ATAC-seq, at sites bound by AP-1 transcription factors. This in turn provokes a rewiring of stemness genes, including the overexpression of SOX2, SOX9 or NOTCH1. PLD2 overexpression also leads to decreased patient survival, enhanced tumor growth and CSC formation, and increased iPSCs reprograming, confirming its role in dedifferentiation to a stem-like phenotype. Importantly, hypoxia-induced stemness is dependent on PLD2 expression, demonstrating that PLD2 is a major determinant of de-differentiation of ovarian cancer cells to stem-like cells in hypoxic conditions. Finally, we demonstrate that high PLD2 expression increases chemoresistance to cisplatin and carboplatin treatments, both in vitro and in vivo, while its pharmacological inhibition restores sensitivity.

Conclusions

Altogether, our work highlights the importance of the HIF-1α-PLD2 axis for CSC generation and chemoresistance in OC and proposes an alternative treatment for patients with high PLD2 expression.
Deciphering cancer cell state plasticity with single-cell genomics and artificial intelligence
Authors: Holton Emily , Muskovic Walter , Powell Joseph E
Published: February 2024

Cancer stem cell plasticity refers to the ability of tumour cells to dynamically switch between states—for example, from cancer stem cells to non-cancer stem cell states. Governed by regulatory processes, cells transition through a continuum, with this transition space often referred to as a cell state landscape. Plasticity in cancer cell states leads to divergent biological behaviours, with certain cell states, or state transitions, responsible for tumour progression and therapeutic response. The advent of single-cell assays means these features can now be measured for individual cancer cells and at scale. However, the high dimensionality of this data, complex relationships between genomic features, and a lack of precise knowledge of the genomic profiles defining cancer cell states have opened the door for artificial intelligence methods for depicting cancer cell state landscapes. The contribution of cell state plasticity to cancer phenotypes such as treatment resistance, metastasis, and dormancy has been masked by analysis of ‘bulk’ genomic data—constituted of the average signal from millions of cells. Single-cell technologies solve this problem by producing a high-dimensional cellular landscape of the tumour ecosystem, quantifying the genomic profiles of individual cells, and creating a more detailed model to investigate cancer plasticity (Genome Res 31:1719, 2021; Semin Cancer Biol 53: 48-58, 2018; Signal Transduct Target Ther 5:1-36, 2020). In conjunction, rapid development in artificial intelligence methods has led to numerous tools that can be employed to study cancer cell plasticity.
Comprehensive linear and nonlinear analysis of the effects of spinning on dynamic balancing ability in Hungarian folk dancers
Authors: Pálya Zsófia , Kiss Rita M.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In the case of Hungarian folk dancers, it is crucial to maintain correct posture and promptly respond to imbalances. However, traditional dances often lack specific training to develop these skills.

Methods

In this present study, twelve dancers (8 male, 4 female, age: 21.7 ± 3.6 years) and ten non-dancers subjects forming a control group (6 male, 4 female, age: 21.6 ± 2.87 years) participated. During the measurements a 60-second long bipedal balancing test on the balance board was completed two times, and a spinning intervention was inserted in between the two sessions. The balance capabilities of the two groups were assessed through the characterization of motion on an unstable board, and the analysis of subject’s center of mass and head movements.

Results

Dancers applied a more sophisticated and resource-intensive strategy to address the balancing task, yielding a better balancing performance in terms of balance board parameters. By preferring a solid stability in the medio-lateral direction, a greater fluctuation in the anterior-posterior direction can be observed (e.g., significantly lowerSampEnvalues). The overall more successful performance is further evidenced by within-subject comparison since significant differences were observed mostly within the control group. Based on the results, the advanced balancing ability of the folk dancer group is more likely to be acquired through years of experience.

Conclusion

The results indicate that additional specialized training could further enhance this ability, encouraging the reliance on poorly memorized corrective movements and reducing the risk of injury.
Unraveling the causality between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its common comorbidities using bidirectional Mendelian randomization
Authors: Wang Zihan , Sun Yongchang
Published: February 2024

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexists with various diseases, yet the causal relationship between COPD and these comorbidities remains ambiguous. As a result, the aim of our study is to elucidate the potential causality between COPD and its common comorbidities.

Methods

We employed the Mendelian randomization (MR) method to analyze single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of common comorbidities with COPD from FinnGen and Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) databases. Causality was primarily assessed using the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method. Multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis was also conducted to eliminate the interference of smoking-related phenotypes. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to ensure the reliability of our findings.

Results

Preliminary univariable MR revealed an increased risk of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) (IVW: OR = 1.757, 95% CI = 1.162–2.657, P = 0.008), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (IVW: OR = 1.193, 95% CI = 1.072–1.326, P < 0.001), chronic periodontitis (IVW: OR = 1.213, 95% CI = 1.038–1.417, P = 0.012), and heart failure (HF) (IVW: OR = 1.127, 95% CI = 1.043–1.218, P = 0.002). Additionally, the reverse MR analysis indicated that genetic susceptibility to HF (IVW: OR = 1.272, 95% CI = 1.084–1.493, P = 0.003), obesity (IVW: OR = 1.128, 95% CI = 1.056–1.205, P < 0.001), depression (IVW: OR = 1.491, 95% CI = 1.257–1.770, P < 0.001), and sleep apnea syndrome (IVW: OR = 1.209, 95% CI = 1.087–1.345, P < 0.001) could raise the risk of COPD. The MVMR analysis showed no causal effect of COPD on susceptibility to chronic periodontitis after adjusting for smoking.

Conclusions

Our study identified that COPD may elevate the risk of LUSC, HF, and CKD. Additionally, our analysis revealed that HF, sleep apnea symptoms, depression, and obesity might also increase the susceptibility to COPD. These findings revealed a potential causal relationship between COPD and several prevalent comorbidities, which may provide new insights for disease early prediction and prevention.
A mixed methods evaluation of family-driven care implementation in juvenile justice agencies in Georgia
Authors: Piper Kaitlin N. , Jahn Alexandra , Escoffery Cam , Woods-Jaeger Briana , Nunn Amy , Schwartz David P. , Smith-Curry Cathy , Sales Jessica
Published: February 2024

Background

Improving family engagement in juvenile justice (JJ) system behavioral health services is a high priority for JJ systems, reform organizations, and family advocacy groups across the United States. Family-driven care (FDC) is a family engagement framework used by youth-serving systems to elevate family voice and decision-making power at all levels of the organization. Key domains of a family-driven system of care include: 1) identifying and involving families in all processes, 2) informing families with accurate, understandable, and transparent information, 3) collaborating with families to make decisions and plan treatments, 4) responding to family diversity and inclusion, 5) partnering with families to make organizational decisions and policy changes, 6) providing opportunities for family peer support, 7) providing logistical support to help families overcome barriers to participation, and 8) addressing family health and functioning. FDC enhances family participation, empowerment, and decision-making power in youth services; ultimately, improving youth and family behavioral health outcomes, enhancing family-child connectedness, and reducing youth recidivism in the JJ setting.

Methods

We evaluated staff-perceived adoption of the eight domains of FDC across detention and community services agencies in the state of Georgia. We collected mixed methods data involving surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews with JJ system administrators, staff, and practitioners between November 2021- July 2022. In total, 140 individuals from 61 unique JJ agencies participated in surveys; and 16 JJ key informants participated in qualitative interviews.

Results

FDC domains with the highest perceived adoption across agencies included identifying and involving families, informing families, collaborative decision-making and treatment planning, and family diversity and inclusion. Other domains that had mixed or lower perceived adoption included involving families in organizational feedback and policy making, family peer support, logistical support, and family health and functioning. Adoption of FDC domains differed across staff and organizational characteristics.

Conclusions

Findings from this mixed methods assessment will inform strategic planning for the scale-up of FDC strategies across JJ agencies in the state, and serve as a template for assessing strengths and weaknesses in the application of family engagement practices in systems nationally.
Computer-delivered vs. face-to-face score comparability and test takers’ perceptions: The case of the two English speaking proficiency tests for Vietnamese EFL learners
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Ho Hoang , Nguyen Bao Trang Thi , Hoang Giang Thi Linh , Pham Nhung Thi Hong , Dang Tu Thi Cam
Published: February 2024

The present study explored the comparability in performance scores between the computer-delivered and face-to-face modes for the two speaking tests in the Vietnamese Standardized Test of English Proficiency (VSTEP) (the VSTEP.2 and VSTEP.3–5 Speaking tests) according to Vietnam’s Six-Level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework (VNFLPF) and test takers’ experiences. Data were collected from 75 and 82 VSTEP.2 and VSTEP.3–5 university English-majored test takers respectively in both computer-delivered and face-to-face conditions. A counterbalanced research design was adopted to minimise mode order effects. After test completion, 30 of the test takers, 15 from each proficiency test, were interviewed in the focus group format of 3–4 members per group. The results indicated mixed, selective effects of the testing mode. Overall, test scores were comparable in the VSTEP.2 Speaking test but significantly higher in favour of the face-to-face mode for the VSTEP.3–5 Speaking test. However, the statistically significant difference was observed in only one measure of the many analytical criteria (content development in the former test, and pronunciation in the latter test) with mixed mode advantages. The interview data has provided rich refreshing insights into how test takers viewed each testing mode against real-life communication. Their experiences further revealed a wide range of affective preferences involved in the inherent affordances or constraints of each testing mode and their communication and performance/outcome orientation. The findings offer important implications for extrapolation, test preparation and administration, and test taker/rater training in the particular context of the two English speaking proficiency tests in Vietnam and perhaps beyond.
Impact of landscape attributes on the noise reduction effects of heritage landscapes
Authors: Zhang Shilun , Zhang Luchen , Chen Zhonggao , Chen Lin
Published: February 2024

Heritage landscapes provide a cost-effective solution for mitigating noise and creating adaptable open spaces in urban ecological construction and planning. In this study, we examined 27 distinct landscapes in a city in northern China to assess their effectiveness in reducing traffic-related noise. The acoustic properties of the landscapes, considering various surfaces, slopes, elevations, structures, and topography, were systematically analysed and compared. The findings indicate that vertically rigid descending landscapes exhibit the highest acoustic performance, followed by vertically flexible dense landscapes without slopes. Additionally, the noise reduction effects of horizontal landscapes with rough rigid surfaces surpass those of landscapes covered by low-growing vegetation and landscapes with sparse high-growing vegetation. The insights derived from this study can enhance our understanding of heritage landscapes, provide valuable information for their protection and micro-updates, and support quantitative research in this field.
The adaptive community-response (ACR) method for collecting misinformation on social media
Authors: Kauk Julian , Kreysa Helene , Scherag André , Schweinberger Stefan R.
Published: February 2024

Social media can be a major accelerator of the spread of misinformation, thereby potentially compromising both individual well-being and social cohesion. Despite significant recent advances, the study of online misinformation is a relatively young field facing several (methodological) challenges. In this regard, the detection of online misinformation has proven difficult, as online large-scale data streams require (semi-)automated, highly specific and therefore sophisticated methods to separate posts containing misinformation from irrelevant posts. In the present paper, we introduce the adaptive community-response (ACR) method, an unsupervised technique for the large-scale collection of misinformation on Twitter (now known as ’X’). The ACR method is based on previous findings showing that Twitter users occasionally reply to misinformation with fact-checking by referring to specific fact-checking sites (crowdsourced fact-checking). In a first step, we captured such misinforming but fact-checked tweets. These tweets were used in a second step to extract specific linguistic features (keywords), enabling us to collect also those misinforming tweets that were not fact-checked at all as a third step. We initially present a mathematical framework of our method, followed by an explicit algorithmic implementation. We then evaluate ACR on the basis of a comprehensive dataset consisting of $$>25$$

>
25

million tweets, belonging to $$>300$$

>
300

misinforming stories. Our evaluation shows that ACR is a useful extension to the methods pool of the field, enabling researchers to collect online misinformation more comprehensively. Text similarity measures clearly indicated correspondence between the claims of false stories and the ACR tweets, even though ACR performance was heterogeneously distributed across the stories. A baseline comparison to the fact-checked tweets showed that the ACR method can detect story-related tweets to a comparable degree, while being sensitive to different types of tweets: Fact-checked tweets tend to be driven by high outreach (as indicated by a high number of retweets), whereas the sensitivity of the ACR method extends to tweets exhibiting lower outreach. Taken together, ACR’s capacity as a valuable methodological contribution to the field is based on (i) the adoption of prior, pioneering research in the field, (ii) a well-formalized mathematical framework and (iii) an empirical foundation via a comprehensive set of indicators.
Association between intravenous fluid administration and endothelial glycocalyx shedding in humans: a systematic review
Authors: Sukudom Sara , Smart Lisa , Macdonald Stephen
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Several studies have demonstrated associations between greater rate/volume of intravenous (IV) fluid administration and poorer clinical outcomes. One postulated mechanism for harm from exogenous fluids is shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx (EG).

Methods

A systematic review using relevant search terms was performed using Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from inception to October 2023. Included studies involved humans where the exposure was rate or volume of IV fluid administration and the outcome was EG shedding. The protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO: CRD42021275133.

Results

The search yielded 450 articles, with 20 articles encompassing 1960 participants included in the review. Eight studies were randomized controlled clinical trials. Half of studies examined patients with sepsis and critical illness; the remainder examined perioperative patients or healthy subjects. Almost all reported blood measurements of soluble EG components; one study used in vivo video-microscopy to estimate EG thickness. Four of 10 sepsis studies, and 9 of 11 non-sepsis studies, found a positive relationship between IV fluid rate/volume and measures of EG shedding.

Conclusions

A trend toward an association between IV fluid rate/volume and EG shedding was found in studies of stable patients, but was not consistently observed among studies of septic and critically ill patients.
Gastric ulcers in finishing pigs: the evaluation of selected non-dietary risk factors and impact on production performance
Authors: Cybulski Piotr , Woźniak Aleksandra , Larska Magdalena , Jabłoński Artur , Stadejek Tomasz
Published: February 2024

Background

The complex aetiology of gastric lesions in pigs remains largely unknown and effective preventive measures and pharmaceutical treatment of the disease have not been developed yet. Regardless of the fact that the overwhelming majority of previous research works dealing with gastric ulceration in pigs focused on the role of the nutritional determinants, including chemical composition of feeds, cereal type, finely ground pelleted diets, and feed additives, conclusions presented therein remain highly ambiguous. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the disease on production performance, and investigate the influence of selected non-dietary risk factors on the prevalence of gastric alterations in finishing pigs reared under conditions of 11 modern farms located in Poland.

Results

A total number of 26,043 finishing pigs was examined. 15,228 (58.47%) had gastric ulcers. Intact stomachs were detected in 6176 animals (23.71%). Parakeratosis and erosion were observed in 2551 (9.80%) and 2088 (8.02%), respectively. Among eight continuous variables two were found to be significantly associated with prevalence of the gastric ulcer: the growing number of animals in the herd, which was negatively correlated (P = 0.002; ρ = -0.37), and the growing average entry weight of animals transported to the finisher farm (P = 0.047; ρ = 0.24), which increased the risk of gastric ulcers prevalence. Among 12 nominal variables, problems with the quality of farm management (P = 0.041), and usage of straw as a bedding material (P = 0.002) were identified as determinants significantly associated with occurrence of the analysed health problem.

Conclusions

Among 20 non-nutritional variables analysed in our study only few factors were found to be associated with the prevalence of the disease. The impact of broadly understood management issues on gastric health in finishing pigs deserves further research.
Testing the feasibility of the QuitAid smoking cessation intervention in a randomized factorial design in an independent, rural community pharmacy
Authors: Little Melissa A. , Reid Taylor , Moncrief Matthew , Cohn Wendy , Wiseman Kara P. , Wood Candace H. , You Wen , Anderson Roger T. , Krukowski Rebecca A.
Published: February 2024

Background

Adult smoking rates in the USA are highest in economically depressed rural Appalachia. Pharmacist-delivered tobacco cessation support that incorporates medication therapy management (such as the QuitAid intervention) is a promising approach to address this need.

Methods

Twenty-four adult smokers recruited between September and November 2021 through an independent pharmacy in rural Appalachia were randomized in a non-blinded 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design to (1) pharmacist delivered QuitAid intervention (yes vs. no); (2) combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gum + NRT patch (vs. NRT patch); and/or (3) 8 weeks of NRT (vs. standard 4 weeks). Participants received 4 weeks of NRT patch in addition to the components to which they were assigned. Participants completed baseline and 3-month follow-up assessments. Primary outcomes were feasibility of recruitment and randomization, retention, treatment adherence, and fidelity.

Results

Participants were recruited in 7 weeks primarily through a referral process, commonly referred to as ask-advise-connect (61%). Participants were on average 52.4 years old, 29.2% were male and the majority were white (91.6%) and Non-Hispanic (91.7%). There was a high level of adherence to the interventions, with 85% of QuitAid sessions completed, 83.3% of the patch used, and 54.5% of gum used. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the program, and there was a high level of retention (92%).

Conclusions

This demonstration pilot randomized controlled study indicates that an ask-advise-connect model for connecting rural smokers to smoking cessation support and providing QuitAid for smoking cessation is feasible and acceptable among rural Appalachian smokers and independent pharmacists. Further investigation into the efficacy of a pharmacist-delivered approach for smoking cessation is needed.

Trial registration

The trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial #: NCT05649241.
Association between acute stroke and COVID-19 infection among patients with acute stroke
Authors: Yassine I. A. , Hussein M. M. , Hosny A. O. , ElSamahy M. A.
Published: February 2024

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS COV 2) infection is associated with multiple neurological complications. Cerebrovascular accidents are considered as one of the common neurological complications associated with corona virus (COVID-19). It may represent the first presentation of the patients of COVID-19 or may occur anytime during the course of the disease.

Results

This study included 381 patients after the diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident. The mean age of the participants was 57.1 ± 15 years. 53.5% of the participants were males and 46.5% were females. The participants had COVID-19 infection in past 3 months with mean duration was 35.5 ± 18 days. The mean NIHSS among the participants was 10.5 ± 6.2. Small artery stroke was higher among PCR negative patients and controls, while large artery stroke was higher among PCR positive patients. 26% of patients with stroke and confirmed COVID-19 infection developed stroke immediately after COVID-19 infection (within 1 week). Within 1 month from getting infection with COVID-19, 41.7% of patients developed stroke and 32.3% had developed stroke after 1 month of infection with COVID-19. Female gender, older age of the patients and presence of vascular risk factors were associated with increased severity of infection as evidenced by higher NIHSS and more ICU admission among COVID-19 positive patients.

Conclusions

COVID-19 infection has been associated with both venous and arterial stroke, especially in elderly patients. COVID-19 infection was associated with increased stroke severity as evidenced by higher NIHSS and more ICU admission. Small vessel disease was higher among COVID-19 negative patients, while large artery stroke was higher among positive COVID-19 patients.
Right-sided alien hand in acute parietal infarction: a case report
Authors: El Nahas Nevine , Maged Mohamed , Kenawy Fatma Fathalla
Published: February 2024

Background

Alien limb is an involuntary movement that is considered a diagnostic feature of corticobasal degeneration syndrome. Few reports describe this condition in acute stroke, and most of them result from right parietal infarction.

Case presentation

This is a case of acute stroke presenting with a right-sided alien limb that was followed by right-sided weakness and aphasia. Effective management of the stroke was achieved through intravenous thrombolysis with the resolution of most symptoms except for a right-side sensory deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed acute parietal infarction involving the left sensory cortex.

Conclusions

Although very rare, right-sided alien limb can occur due left parietal infarction.
Assessing the applicability and interobserver variability of tumor budding and poorly differentiated clusters in colorectal cancer
Authors: Reis Monise Tadin , Matsushita Marcus , Santos Wellington , de Lima Marcos Alves , Guimarães Denise Peixoto , Reis Rui Manuel
Published: February 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) was the third most lethal cancer in 2022 worldwide. Tumor budding (TB) and poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) are prognostic factors. However, the lack of standardization in the assessment and reporting of TB and PDC can hinder their application in the pathologist’s daily practice. This study aims to address these challenges by determining the interobserver variability and the applicability of TB and PDC in CRC. In a 93-patient series, two independent pathologists assessed both variables according to ITBCC guidelines on H&E and AE1/AE3 slides. The overall concordance rate and kappa coefficient were 89.2% and 0.81 for both variables on H&E; for IHC, the results were 69.9% and 0.55 – 88.2% and 0.81 for TB and PDC, respectively. Concluding, H&E analysis had excellent agreement results for TB and PDC, indicating their reproducibility and applicability in the pathologist's daily practice, while AE1/AE3 IHC can still be used in specific situations.
A review of building digital twins to improve energy efficiency in the building operational stage
Authors: Cespedes-Cubides Andres Sebastian , Jradi Muhyiddine
Published: February 2024

The majority of Europe’s building stock consists of facilities built before 2001, presenting a substantial opportunity for energy efficiency improvements during their operation and maintenance phase. Digitalizing these buildings with digital twin technology can significantly enhance their energy efficiency. Reviewing the applications and trends of digital twins in this context is beneficial to understand the current state of the art and the specific challenges encountered when applying this technology to older buildings. This study focuses on the application of digital twins in building operations and maintenance (O & M), emphasizing energy efficiency throughout the building lifetime. A systematic process to select 21 pertinent use-case studies was performed, complemented by an analysis of six enterprise-level digital twin solutions. This was followed by an overview of general characteristics, thematic classification, detailed individual study analyses, and a comparison of digital twin solutions with commercial tools. Five main applications of digital twins were identified and examined: component monitoring, anomaly detection, operational optimization, predictive maintenance and simulation of alternative scenarios. The paper highlights challenges like the reliance on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the need for robust data acquisition systems. These limitations hinder the implementation of digital twins, in particular in existing buildings with no digital information available. It concludes with future research directions emphasizing the development of methods not solely reliant on BIM data, integration challenges, and potential enhancements through AI and machine learning applications.
Enhancing solar still performance with Plexiglas and jute cloth additions: experimental study
Authors: Dumka Pankaj , Mishra Dhananjay R. , Singh Bharat , Chauhan Rishika , Siddiqui Md Irfanul Haque , Natrayan L , Shah Mohd Asif
Published: February 2024

This research work compares the performance of a conventional solar still (CSS) with a modified CSS (MSS) that uses Plexiglas and jute fabric to increase heat localization and thin-film evaporation. Two solar stills with identical 1 m2 basin areas were designed and constructed using Fiberglass reinforced plastic for experimentation. A heat transfer model based on linear regression was utilized in the theoretical analysis. Performance analysis was determined based on exergy analysis, and a cost per litre was also included in the research work. It was found that the MSS achieved a distillate output 35% higher than the CSS. Also, MSS led to a 45% reduction in the costs of distillate output of water than CSS.
A 28-year-old male patient with asymptomatic and multi-drug-resistant HBV infection: a case report
Authors: Kazmi Syed Ayaz , Rauf Abdul , Latif Muhammad Zahid , Shahid Beenish , Khawaja Sundus , Anjum Zeeshan
Published: February 2024

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant global health challenge, impacting millions of individuals and elevating the risk of morbidity and mortality. Antiviral therapies are the primary treatment for chronic HBV infection, but treatment resistance can occur, leading to poor clinical outcomes and an increased risk of liver complications. This case report presents the clinical trajectory of a 28-year-old male diagnosed with asymptomatic HBV infection in 2016 under the auspices of the Hepatitis Control Program, Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Over 6 years, persistent HBsAg, HBV, and HBeAg were observed, with absent acute markers and co-infections. Initial HBV DNA viral load was 1 × 104 copies/mL in 2016, escalating despite entecavir and pegylated interferons therapy, indicating multi-drug resistance. Tenofovir therapy initially reduced viral load but later exacerbated it, reaching 1.86 × 106 copies/mL in 2022. Liver function abnormalities and lipid profile irregularities persisted. Urine examination consistently showed abnormalities. Pending HBV DNA sequencing results may offer insights into treatment resistance. This case underscores the need for an adaptive approach in managing chronic HBV infections within public health programs. Continuous monitoring, integration of virological and biochemical data, and a tailored treatment strategy are essential for optimizing outcomes in similar cases, stressing the importance of refining therapeutic approaches against chronic HBV infection.