bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Connected communities: Perceived neighborhood social cohesion during adolescence and subsequent health and well‐being in young adulthood—An outcome‐wide longitudinal approach
Authors: Kim Eric S. , Wilkinson Renae , Case Brendan W. , Cowden Richard G. , Okuzono Sakurako S. , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: July 2024

Does higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion in adolescence lead to better health and well‐being 10–12 years later? We evaluated this question using data from a large, prospective, and nationally representative sample of US adolescents (Add Health; N = 10,963), and an outcome‐wide approach. Across 38 outcomes, perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with some: mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, perceived stress), psychological well‐being outcomes (i.e., happiness, optimism), social outcomes (i.e., loneliness, romantic relationship quality, satisfaction with parenting), and civic/prosocial outcomes (i.e., volunteering). However, it was not associated with health behaviors nor physical health outcomes. These results were maintained after robust control for a wide range of potential confounders.
A new subtype of artificial cell‐derived vesicles from dental pulp stem cells with the bioequivalence and higher acquisition efficiency compared to extracellular vesicles
Authors: Duan Xingxiang , Zhang Rui , Feng Huixian , Zhou Heng , Luo Yu , Xiong Wei , Li Junyi , He Yan , Ye Qingsong
Published: July 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) have been shown an excellent efficacy in a variety of disease models. However, current production methods fail to meet the needs of clinical treatment. In this study, we present an innovative approach to substantially enhance the production of ‘Artificial Cell‐Derived Vesicles (ACDVs)’ by extracting and purifying the contents released by the DPSC lysate, namely intracellular vesicles. Comparative analysis was performed between ACDVs and those obtained through ultracentrifugation. The ACDVs extracted from the cell lysate meet the general standard of EVs and have similar protein secretion profile. The new ACDVs also significantly promoted wound healing, increased or decreased collagen regeneration, and reduced the production of inflammatory factors as the EVs. More importantly, the extraction efficiency is improved by 16 times compared with the EVs extracted using ultracentrifuge method. With its impressive attributes, this new subtype of ACDVs emerge as a prospective candidate for the future clinical applications in regenerative medicine.
RNA expression profiling in lymphoblastoid cell lines from mutated and non‐mutated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
Authors: Garau Jessica , Garofalo Maria , Dragoni Francesca , Scarian Eveljn , Di Gerlando Rosalinda , Diamanti Luca , Zucca Susanna , Bordoni Matteo , Pansarasa Orietta , Gagliardi Stella
Published: July 2024

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of upper and lower motor neurons with an unknown etiology. The difficulty of recovering biological material from patients led to employ lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) as a model for ALS because many pathways, typically located in neurons, are also activated in these cells.

Methods

To investigate the expression of coding and long non‐coding RNAs in LCLs, a transcriptomic profiling of sporadic ALS (SALS) and mutated patients (FUS, TARDBP, C9ORF72 and SOD1) and matched controls was realized. Thus, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were investigated among the different subgroups of patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and immortalized into LCLs via Epstein–Barr virus infection; RNA was extracted, and RNA‐sequencing analysis was performed.

Results

Gene expression profiles of LCLs were genetic‐background‐specific; indeed, only 12 genes were commonly deregulated in all groups. Nonetheless, pathways enriched by DEGs in each group were also compared, and a total of 89 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) terms were shared among all patients. Eventually, the similarity of affected pathways was also assessed when our data were matched with a transcriptomic profile realized in the PBMCs of the same patients.

Conclusions

We conclude that LCLs are a good model for the study of RNA deregulation in ALS.
Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for the treatment of SYNGAP1‐related non‐specific intellectual disability
Authors: Anderson Joseph S. , Lodigiani Alyse L. , Barbaduomo Camilla M. , Beegle Julie R.
Published: July 2024

Background

Synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein 1 (SYNGAP1)‐related non‐specific intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an insufficient level of SynGAP1 resulting in a dysfunction of neuronal synapses and presenting with a wide array of clinical phenotypes. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy has the potential to deliver therapeutic levels of functional SynGAP1 to affected neurons upon transduction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with a lentiviral vector.

Methods

As a novel approach toward the treatment of SYNGAP1, we have generated a lentiviral vector expressing a modified form of SynGAP1 for transduction of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The gene‐modified cells were then transplanted into adult immunodeficient SYNGAP1+/− heterozygous mice and evaluated for improvement of SYNGAP1‐related clinical phenotypes. Expression of SynGAP1 was also evaluated in the brain tissue of transplanted mice.

Results

In our proof‐of‐concept study, we have demonstrated significant improvement of SYNGAP1‐related phenotypes including an improvement in motor abilities observed in mice transplanted with the vector transduced cells because they displayed decreased hyperactivity in an open field assay and an increased latency to fall in a rotarod assay. An increased level of SynGAP1 was also detected in the brains of these mice.

Conclusions

These early‐stage results highlight the potential of this stem cell gene therapy approach as a treatment strategy for SYNGAP1.
Mentoring: Shaping the professional identity of the academic internal medicine hospitalist
Authors: Bloom‐Feshbach Kimberly , Klimenko Maria , Fluet Kimberly , Lang Valerie J.
Published: July 2024

Background

Burnout and lagging academic productivity are pressing challenges in hospital medicine, leading to stagnation and attrition. Mentoring shapes professional identity formation and enhances faculty vitality and retention, but has not been optimized among academic hospitalists.

Objectives

We sought to explore how mentoring impacts academic hospitalist professional identity and to elucidate barriers to mentoring in the field.

Methods

We conducted focus groups at three academic medical centers. Informed by social‐constructivist theory of identity development, we coded deidentified data and performed thematic analysis.

Results

Thirty‐one academic hospitalists participated with 1 to >20 years experience. Mentoring shaped professional identity formation in six core domains: choosing academic hospital medicine, identifying and focusing on an area of interest, progressing career, navigating work‐life integration, staying in academic medicine, and becoming a mentor. Distinct models included dyadic mentoring, peer mentoring, organic mentoring, and mentoring teams, each with benefits and limitations. We identified nine key mentoring actions that influenced hospitalist professional identity formation and career development. Mentoring barriers included lack of time, awareness, and access to experienced mentors, as well as poor quality mentoring and mentor‐mentee malalignment. Aspects of hospitalists' professional identity also posed barriers, including ambivalence around academic identity.

Conclusions

Mentoring fosters academic thriving and retention in academic hospitalists. Access to effective mentoring remains lacking due to few senior mentors in the relatively new field of hospital medicine and reticence in academic identity, among other factors. Mentoring training, impact on underrepresented minority hospitalists, and integration into institutional culture should be considered for enhancing the career development of academic hospitalists.
Prognostic Assessment in Patients With Primary Diffuse Large B‐Cell Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System Using MRI‐Based Radiomics
Authors: Liu Jianpeng , Tu Jiaqi , Hu Bin , Li Chao , Piao Sirong , Lu Yucheng , Li Anning , Ding Tianling , Xiong Ji , Zhu Fengping , Li Yuxin
Published: July 2024

Background

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) carries a poor prognosis. Radiomics may hold potential value in prognostic assessment.

Purpose

To develop and validate an MRI‐based radiomics model and combine it with clinical factors to assess progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with PCNSL.

Study Type

Retrospective and prospective.

Population

Three hundred seventy‐nine patients (179 female, 53 ± 7 years) from 2014 to 2022.

Field Strength/Sequence

T2/fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery, contrast‐enhanced T1WI and diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging sequences on 3.0 T.

Assessment

Radiomics features were extracted from enhanced tumor regions on preoperative multi‐sequence MRI. Using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model to select radiomic signatures in training cohort (N = 169). Cox proportional hazards models were constructed for clinical, radiomics, and combined models, with internal (N = 72) and external (N = 32) cohorts validating model performance.

Statistical Tests

Chi‐squared, Mann–Whitney, Kaplan–Meier, log‐rank, LASSO, Cox, decision curve analysis, time‐dependent Receiver Operating Characteristic, area under the curve (AUC), and likelihood ratio test. P‐value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Follow‐up duration was 28.79 ± 22.59 months (median: 25). High‐risk patients, determined by the median radiomics score, showed significantly lower survival rates than low‐risk patients. Compared with NCCN‐IPI, conventional imaging and clinical models, the combined model achieved the highest C‐index for both PFS (0.660 internal, 0.802 external) and OS (0.733 internal, 0.781 external) in validation. Net benefit was greater with radiomics than with clinical alone. The combined model exhibited performance with AUCs of 0.680, 0.752, and 0.830 for predicting 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year PFS, and 0.770, 0.789, and 0.863 for OS in internal validation, with PFS AUCs of 0.860 and 0.826 and OS AUCs of 0.859 and 0.748 for 1‐year and 3‐year survival in external validation.

Data Conclusion

Incorporating a multi‐sequence MR‐based radiomics model into clinical models enhances the assess accuracy for the prognosis of PCNSL.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Application of the Mask R‐CNN model to cold front identification in Eurasia
Authors: Qin Yujing , He Shuya , Lu Chuhan , Ding Liuguan
Published: July 2024

Cold fronts often bring catastrophic weather events, which are exacerbated under global warming. Thus, the automatic and objective identification of cold fronts will be helpful for accurate forecasting and comprehensive analysis of cold fronts. Recently, machine learning methods have been applied to meteorological study. In this study, a cold front identification method based on the deep learning model Mask R‐CNN is proposed to automatically identify cold fronts from massive data. The Mask R‐CNN method shows high accuracy after the comparison with traditional methods and is effective for identifying the cold fronts in both continuous time and extreme precipitation events. Based on the obtained cold‐front samples, we conduct some statistical analysis. The results show that the frequency of cold front is unevenly distributed over Eurasia, with the highest in the Daxing'anling region and the mid‐latitude storm axis, especially in winter. The method and results presented in this study may have some implications for the application of deep learning models in weather system identification.
The Currey cycle of Great Salt Lake: an early Younger Dryas lake in the Bonneville basin, Utah, USA
Authors: Oviatt Charles G. , Craig Young D. , Duke Daron
Published: July 2024

The highest cycle of post‐Lake Bonneville Great Salt Lake in the Bonneville basin, Utah, USA, was thought for many years to have formed the ‘Gilbert shoreline’ (quotation marks indicate lack of scientific support). Mapping of the ‘shoreline’ is not reproducible and the concept has multiple problems, including that the ‘shoreline’ cannot be correlated with the well‐documented major rise of Great Salt Lake during the terminal Pleistocene. To avoid confusion, we propose abandoning the name Gilbert, which previously had been applied informally to both the hypothetical shoreline and lake cycle, and instead we use the name Currey cycle for the lake rise. During the Younger Dryas Currey cycle, Great Salt Lake became fresh to brackish about 12 700 cal a bp, and rose roughly 15 m higher than the modern lake. The end of the Currey cycle marked the beginning of extensive human occupation of the Old River Bed inland delta.
Analysis of green pigments: The case of Almada Negreiros maritime station murals in Lisbon (Portugal)
Authors: Valadas Sara , Vandenabeele Peter , Gil Milene , Frade José C. , Vermeersch Eva , Lycke Sylvia , Dias Luís , Candeias António , Costa Mafalda
Published: July 2024

In 1949, Almada Negreiros painted at the maritime station of Rocha do Conde de Óbidos, in Lisbon, six monumental mural paintings, which are considered as his highest artistic achievement. On these paintings, he resorted to a bright colourful palette, which needs to be studied to support conservation and preservation of these artworks for future generations. Among the pigments under study within project ALMADA, the identification of the green samples is the most challenging, as Almada Negreiros seems to have explored different hues by using simultaneously inorganic (e.g., emerald green, Scheele's green and viridian) as well as organo‐synthetic pigments that were rather unusual when employing a traditional mural painting technique (e.g., PG7 and PG8). Moreover, he seems to have admixed white (e.g., titanium white) or blue pigments (e.g., ultramarine) to modify the hues. The different colourants found, as well as the use of mixtures of pigments, hints that Almada Negreiros was keen on experimenting and applying relatively novel painting materials. Raman spectroscopy, given its ability to identify inorganic as well as organic components, is a key analytical tool to discriminate between all these compounds. The findings were also supported by complimentary analytical techniques, including colourimetry, handheld X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (h‐XRF) and micro‐Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (μ‐FT‐IR). Identification of the green pigments by Raman spectroscopy is, however, not always straightforward, and it is demonstrated how changes in relative band intensities and band broadening can point to mixtures, where the Raman spectral features of some compounds can easily be overseen in the spectrum.
Preparation, structural and morphological characterization of cartilage type II collagen peptide assemblies from sturgeon head
Authors: Cui Pengbo , Shao Tianlun , He Jianfei , Tang Wei , Yu Mingxiao , Zhao Weixue , Liu Jianhua
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Sturgeon cartilage type II collagen peptides (SHCPs) can self‐assemble and be used to prepare collagen peptide assemblies. Self‐assembled peptides have great potential for applications in the food industry. In the present study, self‐assembled peptides were prepared from sturgeon cartilage and then characterized.

RESULTS

The SHCPs self‐assembled and formed collagen peptide assemblies. After response surface experiment optimization, the optimal enzyme digestion process comprised 43.1 °C, 3.37 h and 0.96% enzyme addition, and the peptide yield was 78.46%. Physicochemical analysis showed that the SHCPs were amphiphilic, with an average molecular weight of 1081 Da, and were rich in hydrophobic amino acids. Peptide sequence identification showed that the peptides of SHCPs with polar amino acids followed by hydrophobic amino acids could be self‐assembled through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. Through turbidity experiments, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, we demonstrated that SHCPs can self‐assemble into reticular and tubular structures under specific conditions. Furthermore, both the SHCPs‐Ca and SHCPs‐Mg assemblies were stabilized within a pH range consistent with that of the human gastrointestinal tract.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides a simple and safe method for preparing novel self‐assembled peptide materials from sturgeon by‐products, providing a scientific basis for the exploitation of sturgeon cartilage and potentially reducing resource wastage. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Ixekizumab trough concentrations in psoriasis: Paving the way towards personalised therapy: A cohort study
Authors: Schots Lisa , Soenen Rani , Thomas Debby , Stockman Annelies , Dreesen Erwin , Eylenbosch Anke , Lambert Jo
Published: July 2024

Background

Biologics for psoriasis demonstrate varying clinical outcome in real‐world practice, implying potential under‐ and overexposure.

Objectives

In this prospective cohort study we aimed to develop and validate an in‐house sandwich‐type enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for ixekizumab (IXE), and to explore whether there is an exposure‐response relationship in standard maintenance dose for IXE, and whether patient factors influence IXE exposure and clinical outcome.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicentric, cohort study in psoriasis patients treated with IXE according to standard dosing regimen (BIOLOPTIM‐IXE). IXE trough concentrations (TCs) in sera collected at multiple timepoints were measured using an in‐house immunoassay.

Results

Using MA‐IXE117E12 and MA‐IXE100F5‐biotin as the capture and detection antibodies, respectively, an ELISA was developed with an exposure‐response curve ranging from 10 to 0.16525 ng/mL. One hundred‐fifteen steady‐state serum samples from 48 patients (17 [35.4%] bio‐experienced; median body weight, 81.5 kg) were measured. Optimal responders (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] ≤ 2) had significantly higher TCs than suboptimal responders (PASI > 2) (median TCs, 4.4 and 3.0 μg/mL, respectively; p = 0.026). Median cohort IXE TC was 4.1 µg/mL [2.8−6.1]. An optimal steady‐state IXE TC of 3.4 µg/mL was identified for clinical outcome defined by absolute PASI. Median TCs and absolute PASI were significantly lower and worse, respectively, in patients ≥ 90 kg (p < 0.001 and p = 0.013, respectively) and in bio‐experienced subjects (p < 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively).

Conclusions

This study identified an IXE exposure‐response relationship and an optimal effective steady‐state TC of 3.4 µg/mL in real‐world psoriasis patients, revealing the potential of therapeutic drug monitoring in optimising IXE use.
Recovery of carbonized soils with a chemical catalyst: In vitro studies for developing applications
Authors: Vega Ivan , Chavez Viviana , Scott Ian , Parodi Jorge
Published: July 2024

Forest fires and burn offs generate high soil temperatures, mineralizing organic matter and trapping it in the form of charcoal. A system that can catalyze its liberation in the absence of bacteria is a technological innovation that accelerates the recovery of these soils. We evaluated the parameters of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in ashes from wood, charcoal, and burned earth. We observe that using the TCAS‐CATA catalyst in a 1% V/V solution generated a threefold increase in the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) parameters in the solutions. Using this solution on land with low fertility increased values for organic soil richness, as evaluated by NPK rising by over three times the basal rate. These data indicate that using this TCAS‐CATA helps recover nutrients from carbonized material, improves soil, and aids it in recovery in less time.
Compost as an Alternative to Inorganic Fertilizers in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Production
Authors: Diatta Andre A. , Kanfany Ghislain , Camara Boubacar , Bassène César , Manga Anicet G. B. , Seleiman Mahmoud , Mbow Cheikh , Schillaci Calogero
Published: July 2024

Soil fertility management is essential to sustain agricultural production in smallholder farming systems. An experiment was carried out to assess the viability of the combined use of compost and inorganic fertilizers as an alternative to conventional inorganic fertilization under greenhouse conditions. The 10 treatments, arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six replications, consisted of a control, conventional mineral fertilization (150 kg NPK ha−1), composts added to the soil alone (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 t ha−1), and their combination with 50% of recommended rate of inorganic fertilizers (75 kg NPK ha−1). Application of 7.5 t ha−1 of compost and 50% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (75 kg NPK ha−1) gave the significantly highest seed yield, corresponding to a 30% increase over NPK‐fertilized plants. The combined application of 2.5 or 10 t ha−1 compost with 75 kg NPK ha−1 increased plant height by 38% compared with the NPK treatment. Additionally, stem diameter increased by 53% when 5 t ha−1 of compost and 75 kg NPK ha−1 were mixed. As expected, control plants produced the most nodules (108), 85% more than inorganic fertilization. Plants fertilized with 7.5 or 10 t ha−1 of compost and 75 kg NPK ha−1 produced 17% more pods, seeds per pod, and seeds per plant than NPK treatments. However, fertilization treatments had no significant effects on cowpea fresh and dry biomass or SPAD values. The results reveal that combining compost with inorganic fertilizer reduced synthetic fertilization by 50%, while producing growth and yields comparable to, or even higher than, recommended inorganic fertilization. This experiment demonstrated that integrated soil fertility management can be used as an alternative to the use of inorganic fertilizers in cowpea cultivation.
Congenital heart disease: types, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options
Authors: Meng Xiao , Song Ming , Zhang Kai , Lu Weida , Li Yunyi , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Yun
Published: July 2024

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a structural abnormality of the heart and/or great vessels and patients with CHD are at an increased risks of various morbidities throughout their lives and reduced long‐term survival. Eventually, CHD may result in various complications including heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, pneumonia, and sudden death. Unfortunately, the exact etiology and pathophysiology of some CHD remain unclear. Although the quality of life and prognosis of patients with CHD have significantly improved following technological advancement, the influence of CHD is lifelong, especially in patients with complicated CHD. Thus, the management of CHD remains a challenge due to its high prevalence. Finally, there are some disagreements on CHD among international guidelines. In this review, we provide an update of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment in most common type of CHD, including patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, transposition of the great arteries, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, coronary anomalies, left and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, tetralogy of Fallot and Ebstein anomaly. In particular, we focus on what is known and what is unknown in these areas, aiming to improve the current understanding of various types of CHD.
Field‐based validation of penalty shooting recommendations: An experiment with elite youth football players
Authors: Nesseler Cornel , Gasparetto Thadeu , Parshakov Petr
Published: July 2024

Research has suggested many ways in which professional football players can increase their penalty shooting success rate. We set up a field experiment testing these recommendations. We perform the experiment with one of the most successful youth academies in the world. All players are highly skilled, including prospective and current Brazilian youth national players. The players either decide themselves where to shoot or the coach tells them where to shoot. The coach does not reveal if the decision is based on a random allocation or his own choice. The algorithm randomly selects where players must shoot. The results from the experiment show that the best outcome is when players choose where they want to shoot. Coaches and random algorithm have a lower success rate, although following research‐based recommendations. The findings are important as they show that researchers should test their recommendations in the field as they do not necessarily translate into real‐life settings.
A new approach to Simpson‐type inequality with proportional Caputo‐hybrid operator
Authors: Demir İzzettin , Tunç Tuba
Published: July 2024

In this article, we begin by deriving a new identity with the help of twice‐differentiable convex functions for the proportional Caputo‐hybrid operator. Then, using this newly uncovered identity, we obtain various integral inequalities associated with the Simpson's integral inequality for proportional Caputo‐hybrid operator. Moreover, we indicate that the acquired results improve and refine certain existing discoveries in the realm of integral inequalities. Finally, for a better understanding of the newly obtained inequalities, we establish illustrative examples and visualize them through their corresponding graphs.
High efficiency dual‐band rectifiers with wide input power range for wireless power transfer
Authors: Liu Yan , Xie Gang , Wang Jianxin
Published: July 2024

A watt‐scale dual‐band rectifier with excellent efficiency and a wide input power range is proposed in this letter. The rectifier is composed of two stages. In the first stage, a novel impedance‐matching network with four transmission lines (TLINs) is proposed, which can independently change the input impedance of each band over a large input power range. This approach by deriving closed‐form analytical equations to obtain an exact solution. To test the parameters of the first part of the TLINs in validation and to guarantee excellent efficiency, two TLINs are used in the second stage to control the harmonics. At 0 dBm, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is 51.2% and 56.7% at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz, respectively, at a load of 1.2 kΩ. At 2.4 GHz, PCE reaches a peak of 68% at 13 dBm. At 5.8 GHz, PCE enhances up to 89% at 17 dBm. At 2.4 and 5.8 GHz, the PCE exceeds 70% of the peak over a wide input power range of −3 to 18 and 1.5–18 dBm, respectively. For verification, the proposed rectifier is fabricated. The simulation results are consistent with the measurements. The proposed rectifier performs well in terms of compactness and rectification effectiveness. It provides a solution for powering low‐power devices.
Transitioning from 0.5 to 0.9 mT: Protecting against inadvertent activation of magnet mode in active implants
Authors: Steckner Michael C. , Grainger David , Charles‐Edwards Geoff
Published: July 2024

The “5 gauss line” is a phrase that is likely to be familiar to everyone working with MRI, but what is its significance, how was it defined, and what changes are currently in progress? This review explores the history of 5 gauss (0.5 mT) as a threshold for protecting against inadvertently putting cardiac pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and other active implantable medical devices into a “magnet mode.” Additionally, it describes the background to the recent change of this threshold to 9 gauss (0.9 mT) in the International Standard IEC 60601‐2‐33 edition 4.0 that defines basic safety requirements for MRI. Practical implications of this change and some ongoing and emerging issues are also discussed.
Nurses' evidence‐based knowledge and self‐efficacy in venous access device insertion and management: Development and validation of a questionnaire
Authors: Piredda Michela , Sguanci Marco , De Maria Maddalena , Petrucci Giorgia , Usai Matteo , Fiorini Jacopo , De Marinis Maria Grazia
Published: July 2024

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test an instrument to assess nurses' evidence‐based knowledge and self‐efficacy regarding insertion and management of venous access devices (short peripheral catheter (SPC), long peripheral catheter/midline (LPC) and PICC) and the management of totally implantable central venous catheter (Port) in adult patients.

Design

Multicenter cross‐sectional observational study with questionnaire development and psychometric testing (validity and reliability).

Methods

An evidence‐based instrument was developed including a 34‐item knowledge section and an 81‐item self‐efficacy section including four device‐specific parts. Nineteen experts evaluated content validity. A pilot study was conducted with 86 nurses. Difficulty and discrimination indices were calculated for knowledge items. Confirmatory factor analyses tested the dimensionality of the self‐efficacy section according to the development model. Construct validity was tested through known group validity. Reliability was evaluated through Cronbach's alpha coefficient for unidimensional scales and omega coefficients for multidimensional scales.

Results

Content validity indices and results from the pilot study were excellent with all the item‐content validity indices >0.78 and scale‐content validity index ranging from 0.96 to 0.99. The survey was completed by 425 nurses. Difficulty and discrimination indices for knowledge items were acceptable with most items (58.8%) showing desirable difficulty and most items (58.8%) with excellent (35.3%) or good (23.5%) discrimination power, and appropriate to the content. The dimensionality of the model posited for self‐efficacy was confirmed with adequate fit indices (e.g., comparative fit index range 0.984–0.996, root mean square error of approximation range 0.054–0.073). Construct validity was determined and reliability was excellent with alpha values ranging from 0.843 to 0.946 and omega coefficients ranging from 0.833 to 0.933. Therefore, a valid and reliable tool based on updated guidelines is made available to evaluate nurses’ competencies for venous access insertion and management.
The subcutaneous adipose transcriptome identifies a molecular signature of insulin resistance shared with visceral adipose
Authors: Mashayekhi Mona , Sheng Quanhu , Bailin Samuel S. , Massier Lucas , Zhong Jiawei , Shi Mingjian , Wanjalla Celestine N. , Wang Thomas J. , Ikizler T. Alp , Niswender Kevin D. , Gabriel Curtis L. , Palacios Julia , Turgeon‐Jones Rachel , Reynolds Cassandra F. , Luther James M. , Brown Nancy J. , Das Saumya , Dahlman Ingrid , Mosley Jonathan D. , Koethe John R. , Rydén Mikael , Bachmann Katherine N. , Shah Ravi V.
Published: July 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify the transcriptional landscape of insulin resistance (IR) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in humans across the spectrum of obesity.

Methods

We used SAT RNA sequencing in 220 individuals with metabolic phenotyping.

Results

We identified a 35‐gene signature with high predictive accuracy for homeostatic model of IR that was expressed across a variety of non‐immune cell populations. We observed primarily “protective” IR associations for adipocyte transcripts and “deleterious” associations for macrophage transcripts, as well as a high concordance between SAT and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Multiple SAT genes exhibited dynamic expression 5 years after weight loss surgery and with insulin stimulation. Using available expression quantitative trait loci in SAT and/or VAT, we demonstrated similar genetic effect sizes of SAT and VAT on type 2 diabetes and BMI.

Conclusions

SAT is conventionally viewed as a metabolic buffer for lipid deposition during positive energy balance, whereas VAT is viewed as a dominant contributor to and prime mediator of IR and cardiometabolic disease risk. Our results implicate a dynamic transcriptional architecture of IR that resides in both immune and non‐immune populations in SAT and is shared with VAT, nuancing the current VAT‐centric concept of IR in humans.
Self‐Reported Hypersensitivity to Smells: Objective Evidence for Hyposmia, not Hyperosmia
Authors: Khan Rafa , Moein Shima T. , Doty Richard L.
Published: July 2024

Objective

To compare, using state‐of‐the‐art psychophysical tests, the olfactory function of patients complaining and not complaining of olfactory hypersensitivity.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional.

Setting

The Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Methods

University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) scores were obtained from 148 patients complaining of hyperosmia and 494 patients with no such complaints; detection threshold test scores were obtained from 77 and 483 patients of these respective groups. The effects of subject group, age, and sex on the test scores were assessed using analyses of variance. Categorical variables were evaluated by χ2. Responses to items within a detailed intake questionnaire, for example, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐II), were also evaluated.

Results

Unexpectedly, those complaining of hyperosmia had lower olfactory test scores than those with no such complaints (respective UPSIT means [95% confidence interval [CIs]] = 27.86 (26.85, 28.87) and 32.19 (31.67, 32.71); P < .001; respective threshold means (log vol/vol) = −4.49 (−4.89, −4.09) and −5.22 (−5.36, −5.06); P < .001). Remarkably, 70.95% of the self‐identified hyperosmics exhibited mild to severe microsmia. The hyposmia complainers also exhibited elevated BDI scores (11.02 [9.53, 12.51] vs 7.58 [6.80, 8.34]).

Conclusion

When objectively tested, many patients who complain of hypersensitivity to odors are actually less sensitive to them. The basis of this phenomenon is unclear. It could reflect the presence of emotionally disturbing altered smell sensations, or one or more comorbidities, such as hypochondria or osmophobia. These findings point to the importance of objective testing of persons with complaints of chemosensory dysfunction and reiterate the inaccuracy of self‐reports.
Characteristic Pressure Waveforms Can Distinguish Airway Collapse Patterns in Sleep Apnea Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shah Ravi R. , Mahmoud Ahmad F. , Dedhia Raj C. , Thaler Erica R.
Published: July 2024

Objective

To use pharyngeal pressure recordings to distinguish different upper airway collapse patterns in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, and to assess whether these pressure recordings correlate with candidacy assessment for hypoglossal nerve stimulator (HGNS) implantation.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Setting

Single tertiary‐quaternary care academic center.

Methods

Subjects with OSA prospectively underwent simultaneous drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and transnasal pharyngeal pressure recording with a pressure‐transducing catheter. Pressure was recorded in the nasopharynx and oropharynx, and endoscopic collapse patterns were classified based on site, extent, and direction of collapse. Pressure recordings were classified categorically by waveform shape as well as numerically by inspiratory and expiratory amplitudes and slopes. Waveform shape, amplitude, and slope were then compared with the endoscopic findings.

Results

Twenty‐five subjects with OSA were included. Nasopharyngeal waveform shape was associated with the extent of collapse at the level of the palate (P = .001). Oropharyngeal waveform shape was associated with anatomical site of collapse (P < .001) and direction of collapse (P = .019) below the level of the palate. Pressure amplitudes and slopes were also associated with the extent of collapse at various sites. Waveform shape was also associated with favorable collapse pattern on endoscopy for HGNS implantation (P = .043), as well as surgical candidacy for HGNS (P = .004).

Conclusion

Characteristic pharyngeal pressure waveforms are associated with different airway collapse patterns. Pharyngeal pressure is a promising adjunct to DISE in the sleep surgery candidacy evaluation.
Workplace gratitude studies: Review and future agenda using bibliometric analysis
Authors: Garg Naval , Punia B. K.
Published: July 2024

The present study reviewed gratitude at work articles published in Scopus database using bibliometric analysis to examine growth in gratitude at work publications and citations, most cited publications, most influential authors, articles, publishers, universities and countries. The extracted data were analysed and visualised with the help of two analytical tools, that is, the Scopus analysis and VOSviewer (version 1.6.16). It identified 273 publications referring to gratitude at work in title, abstract, or keywords. The keyword co‐occurrence highlighted four major clusters of workplace gratitude research: Psychological studies, Customer relationship management, Employees, and Ethics and spirituality.
Higher tumor mutational burden is associated with inferior outcomes among pediatric patients with neuroblastoma
Authors: Chang Ya‐Hsuan , Yu Chih‐Hsiang , Lu Meng‐Yao , Jou Shiann‐Tarng , Lin Chien‐Yu , Lin Kai‐Hsin , Chang Hsiu‐Hao , Ni Yu‐Ling , Chou Shu‐Wei , Ko Kuan‐Yin , Lin Dong‐Tsamn , Hsu Wen‐Ming , Chen Hsuan‐Yu , Yang Yung‐Li
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Neuroblastoma is a pediatric malignancy with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. Our aim was to identify prognostic genetic markers for patients with neuroblastoma, who were treated with the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG) neuroblastoma N2002 protocol, to improve risk stratification and inform treatment.

Methods

Our analysis was based on 53 primary neuroblastoma specimens, diagnosed pre‐chemotherapy, and 11 paired tumor relapse specimens. Deep sequencing of 113 target genes was performed using a custom panel. Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification was performed to identify clinical outcomes related to copy‐number variations.

Results

We identified 128 variations associated with survival, with the number of variations being higher in the relapse than that in the diagnostic specimen (p = .03). The risk of event and mortality was higher among patients with a tumor mutational burden ≥10 than that in patients with a lower burden (p < .0001). Multivariate analysis identified tumor mutational burden, MYCN amplification, and chromosome 3p deletion as significant prognostic factors, independent of age at diagnosis, sex, and tumor stage. The 5‐year event‐free survival and overall survival rate was lower among patients with high tumor burden than in patients with low tumor burden. Furthermore, there was no survival of patients with an ALK F1147L variation at 5 years after diagnosis.

Conclusions

Genome sequencing to determine the tumor mutational burden and ALK variations can improve the risk classification of neuroblastoma and inform treatment.
Low dielectric constant composites using covalent organic framework dispersed terpolyimide
Authors: Purushothaman Revathi , Pandian C. K. Arvinda
Published: July 2024

Polyimides are used in various applications, including fuel cells, membranes, and microelectronics, due to their outstanding tensile properties, great thermal stability, low dielectric constant, and chemical inertness. Applications requiring even lower dielectric constants include interlayer dielectrics and tape‐automated bonding. In this study, a covalent organic framework (COF‐1) was synthesized and dispersed in various percentages into a solution of terpoly(amide acid) (TPAA) to produce COF‐1/terpolyimide composites. 3,3′,4,4′‐Oxydiphthalic dianhydride (ODPA), 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylicdianhydride (BPDA), and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) were reacted with 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)bis[(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene] (HFBAPP) or 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) dianiline (6FpDA) to form terpoly(amide acid). In this case, monomers with fluorinated substituents (HFBAPP, 6FpDA, and 6FDA) were utilized to improve free volume. Pores of COF‐1 and gaps between polyimide chains and COF‐1 can be filled with air with a dielectric constant (κ) ~1, lowering the κ value of terpolyimide composites. The κ value of COF‐1/terpolyimide composites decreased as COF‐1 content increased, reaching a minimum of 1.96. Tensile properties decreased slightly with increasing COF‐1 levels. The terpolyimides and their composites were thermally stable up to approximately 520°C. As a result, these polymer composites look promising for use as insulators in microelectronic applications.

Highlights

Terpolyimide is prepared using fluorinated monomers to improve bulk volume.

Incorporated COF‐1 into terpoly(amide acid) to introduce pores/voids and reduce dielectric constant.

Developed COF‐1/terpolyimide composites with a low dielectric constant of 1.96.

Optimized COF‐1/terpolyimide composites for microelectronic applications.
Narrative review and call to action on reporting and representation in orthobiologics research for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Sin Alexander , Hollabaugh William , Porras Lauren
Published: July 2024

Osteoarthritis affects a significant portion of U.S. adults, and knee osteoarthritis contributes to 80% of disease burden. Previous data have shown that non‐White patient populations often report worse symptoms and less favorable outcomes following arthroplasty, a definitive treatment for knee osteoarthritis. There is a lack of demographics data on race/ethnicity, as well as socioeconomic status (SES) and social determinants of health (SDOH), in knee osteoarthritis treatment guidelines and knee arthroplasty research. In addition, there is underrepresentation of non‐White patient populations in the existing treatment guidelines for knee osteoarthritis. Over the past decade, orthobiologics have emerged as an alternative to surgical intervention. Our hypothesis is that there would be a similar lack of reporting of demographics data and underrepresentation of non‐White populations in studies pertaining to orthobiologics, including evaluating differences in outcomes. This study reviewed U.S.‐based research in orthobiologics as a treatment option for knee osteoarthritis. We identified a lack of demographics reporting in terms of race/ethnicity, and none of the studies reported SES or SDOH. Non‐White populations were underrepresented; White patients contributed to 80% or more of all study populations that reported race/ethnicity. None studied the correlation between symptoms and outcome measures, and the race/ethnicity, SES, and SDOH of the patients. Based on a review of existing literature, we strongly advocate for ongoing research encompassing patients of all races/ethnicities, SES, and SDOH, and an exploration into potential variations in symptoms and outcomes among distinct population subgroups. Furthermore, SES barriers may influence health care delivery on orthobiologics for disadvantaged populations.
A comparative approach for life history and functional response demonstrates similar survival strategies for Trichogramma evanescens and T. pintoi
Authors: Tonğa Adil , Erkek Mustafa , Ali Jamin , Fathipour Yaghoub , Özder Nihal
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Egg parasitoids are important biological control agents of lepidopteran pests of agricultural crops. Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and T. pintoi Voegele (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are egg parasitoids with worldwide importance. The parasitoid selection necessitates comparative assessment of the life table traits and functional response analysis to provide insights into their effectiveness in pest control. In this study, we examined their life table traits including survivorship and reproductivity, and functional response and associated parameters i.e., attack coefficient and handling time.

RESULTS

Life table parameters, using age‐stage, two‐sex theory, revealed similar survival and reproductive strategies for both species. For example, the female longevity, oviposition days and fecundity did not differ between both species. Exceptionally, the male longevity of T. evanescens was shorter than that of T. pintoi. The population growth parameters such as gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and mean generation time (T) did not differ between species. The polynomial logistic regression yielded a type III functional response and a non‐linear least square analysis revealed different attack coefficient and similar handling time. However, their parasitism rate differed between the lowest (five eggs) and highest (80 eggs) initial host egg densities such that T. evanescens had a lower parasitism rate at the lowest density and higher parasitism rate at the highest density.

CONCLUSION

The similarity in survival strategies and minor differences in host handling of both parasitoids are discussed in terms of relevance to applied biological control applications and evolutionary traits. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Green Sonochemical Synthesis of rGO Nanosheets‐Decorated by SnO2 Nanoparticles for Nitrogen Gas‐Sensing Applications
Authors: Sundaramoorthi Kiruthika , Jagadesan Uma , Baskaran Balraj , Chidambaram Siva
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the development of efficient and environmentally friendly synthesis methods for nanomaterials has gained significant attention in various research fields, particularly in gas‐sensing applications. Among these methods, ultrasonic synthesis stands out for its simplicity, cost‐effectiveness, and ecofriendly nature. Herein, a simple and green ultrasonic synthesis process is used to synthesize the SnO2 nanoparticles‐decorated rGO nanosheets. The obtained X‐ray diffraction reveals the tetragonal rutile‐type crystal structure. The transmission electron microscopy images reveal the decoration of SnO2 nanoparticles on the surfaces of the rGO sheets. SnO2 nanoparticles of size 4–8 nm are identified on the surfaces of the rGO sheets. Furthermore, the optical absorbance and photoluminescence spectra of the nanocomposites validate charge migrations occurring at the interface of SnO2 and the rGO sheets. Compared to the pristine SnO2 nanoparticles, the green ultrasonically synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles‐decorated SnO2/rGO nanocomposite exhibits better sensing performance against NO2 gas and shows selectivity for NO2 gas at 200 °C. The SnO2/rGO nanocomposite demonstrates high NO2 sensing with appealing sensing properties such as excellent responsiveness (67% at 400 °C), rapid reaction time (18 s), and short recovery time (25 s).
Microstructure‐Tuned Amorphous Co2FeGe Nanoflakes for Enhanced Microwave Absorption Via Mechanical Alloying
Authors: Zhang Yifeng , Gao Yu , Zhang Zekun , Zhang Gaohe , Kang Baojuan , Jia Rongrong , Ge Junyi , Cao Shixun , Zhang Jincang , Feng Zhenjie
Published: July 2024

Herein, a simple strategy for fabricating amorphous Co2FeGe nanoflakes by tuning the milling time with mechanical alloying method to enhance the microwave absorption capabilities is presented. These alloys exhibit soft magnetic properties characterized by high saturation magnetization and low coercivity. The enhancement of polarization and resonance effects, leading to improved magnetic and dielectric loss, is attributed to the refinement of crystalline size and the substantial aspect ratio of flaky particles. The minimum reflection loss reaches −48.6 dB at 4.92 GHz with an effective absorption bandwidth of 2.88 GHz in the C‐band. Due to its high Curie temperature, Co2FeGe exhibits considerable potential for maintaining highly efficient microwave absorption capabilities under high‐temperature conditions, thereby providing a novel perspective and technical means for the development of new high‐temperature‐resistant, high‐performance microwave‐absorbing materials. This is expected to play a significant role in future high‐temperature electronic countermeasure systems.