bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ancestral haplotype markers HLA -A3 and B7 do not influence the likelihood of advanced hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis in HFE hemochromatosis
Authors: Olynyk John K. , Grainger Richard , Currie Helen , Ramm Louise E. , Ramm Grant A.
Published: May 2023

Advanced hepatic fibrosis occurs in up to 25% of individuals with C282Y homozygous hemochromatosis. Our aim was to determine whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A3 and B7 alleles act as genetic modifiers of the likelihood of advanced hepatic fibrosis. Between 1972 and 2013, 133 HFE C282Y homozygous individuals underwent clinical and biochemical evaluation, HLA typing, liver biopsy for fibrosis staging and phlebotomy treatment. Hepatic fibrosis was graded according to Scheuer as F0–2 (low grade hepatic fibrosis), F3–4 (advanced hepatic fibrosis), and F4 cirrhosis. We analysed associations between the severity of fibrosis and HLA-A3 homozygosity, heterozygosity or absence, with or without the presence of HLA-B7 using categorical analysis. The mean age of HLA-A3 homozygotes (n = 24), heterozygotes (n = 65) and HLA-A3 null individuals (n = 44) was 40 years. There were no significant differences between the groups for mean(± SEM) serum ferritin levels (1320 ± 296, 1217 ± 124, 1348 ± 188 $$\upmu$$
μ
g/L), hepatic iron concentration (178 ± 26, 213 ± 22, 199 ± 29 $$\upmu$$
μ
mol/g), mobilizable iron stores (9.9 ± 1.5, 9.5 ± 1.5, 11.5 ± 1.7 g iron removed via phlebotomy), frequency of advanced hepatic fibrosis (5/24[12%], 13/63[19%], 10/42[19%]) or cirrhosis (3/24[21%], 12/63[21%], 4/42[24%]), respectively. The presence or absence of HLA-B7 did not influence the outcome. Thus, HLA-A3 and HLA-B7 alleles are not associated with the risk of advanced hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis in C282Y hemochromatosis.
Vascular cell-adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) regulates JunB-mediated IL-8/CXCL1 expression and pathological neovascularization
Authors: Kaur Geetika , Sharma Deepti , Bisen Shivantika , Mukhopadhyay Chandra Sekhar , Gurdziel Katherine , Singh Nikhlesh K.
Published: May 2023

Vascular adhesion molecules play an important role in various immunological disorders, particularly in cancers. However, little is known regarding the role of these adhesion molecules in proliferative retinopathies. We observed that IL-33 regulates VCAM-1 expression in human retinal endothelial cells and that genetic deletion of IL-33 reduces hypoxia-induced VCAM-1 expression and retinal neovascularization in C57BL/6 mice. We found that VCAM-1 via JunB regulates IL-8 promoter activity and expression in human retinal endothelial cells. In addition, our study outlines the regulatory role of VCAM-1-JunB-IL-8 signaling on retinal endothelial cell sprouting and angiogenesis. Our RNA sequencing results show an induced expression of CXCL1 (a murine functional homolog of IL-8) in the hypoxic retina, and intravitreal injection of VCAM-1 siRNA not only decreases hypoxia-induced VCAM-1-JunB-CXCL1 signaling but also reduces OIR-induced sprouting and retinal neovascularization. These findings suggest that VCAM-1-JunB-IL-8 signaling plays a crucial role in retinal neovascularization, and its antagonism might provide an advanced treatment option for proliferative retinopathies.
Boosting the performance of an iontophoretic biosensing system with a graphene aerogel and Prussian blue for highly sensitive and noninvasive glucose monitoring
Authors: Li Xiao , Li Tong , Liu Baoyang , Hu Ning , Hu Tao , Ni Zhonghua
Published: May 2023

A screen-printed iontophoretic biosensing system with graphene aerogel and Prussian blue is reported, which is demonstrated to hold considerable prospects for valid noninvasive extraction and accurate in situ instant detection of ISF glucose.
Tunable control of the performance of aqueous-based electrochemical devices by post-polymerization functionalization
Authors: Cong Shengyu , Chen Junxin , Ding Bowen , Lan Liuyuan , Wang Yazhou , Chen Chaoyue , Li Zhengke , Heeney Martin , Yue Wan
Published: May 2023

Polymeric mixed ionic-electronic conductors (PMIECs) sharing the same backbone but varying ethylene glycol (EG) composition are prepared by ‘‘graft-onto-polymer’’ strategy via post-polymerization functionalization (GOP-PPF).
Pure 2H phase MoSe2 nanosheets promote the formation of a porous PbI2 film and modulate residual stress for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Yang Huimin , Hao Yang , Ren Jingkun , Wu Yukun , Sun Qinjun , Zhang Chenxi , Cui Yanxia , Hao Yuying
Published: May 2023

2D MoSe2 nanosheets added to PbI2 precursor solution in the process of preparing perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to improve conversion of PbI2 and crystallinity of perovskite films as well as reduce residual stress. Optimal power conversion efficiency of 22.80% is achieved.
Adaptive observer‐based control for fractional‐order chaotic MEMS system
Authors: Yaghoubi Zahra , Adeli Mahdieh
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes an adaptive observer‐based scheme to control fractional‐order chaotic micro‐electro‐mechanical‐systems (MEMS). The fractional‐order model of a system exhibits the dynamic behaviour of a physical system more accurately than a similar integer‐order one. An observer‐based control considering the unknown parameters is presented for a fractional‐order chaotic micro‐electro‐mechanical‐system. To handle the existence of the unknown parameters, the control law consists of both estimated parameters and also estimated states that have been designed. First, a fractional‐order observer is designed to estimate the state variables. The asymptotic convergence to zero of the estimation state error is proved using the Lyapunov scheme. After that, with the designed observer as a foundation, adaptive control is expanded for the closed‐loop system to ensure its asymptotic stability. An evaluation of the proposed method shows its efficacy via simulations for two case studies.
GIGAN: Self‐supervised GAN for generating the invisible using cycle transformation and conditional normalization
Authors: Quan Fengnan , Lang Bo
Published: May 2023

Objects in a real scene often occlude each other and inferring a complete appearance from the visible part is an important and challenging task. In this paper, the authors propose a self‐supervised generative adversarial network GIGAN (GAN for generating the invisible), which can generate the complete appearance of objects without labelled invisible part information. The authors build two cycle transformation networks CycleIncomplete (CycleI) and CycleComplete (CycleC) that share parameters to improve the accuracy of mask completion. This design does not require well‐matched training images and can make better use of the limited labelled samples. In addition, the authors propose a conditional normalization module and combine it with the inferred complete mask output. The combination not only enhances the content recovery ability and obtains more realistic outputs, but also improves the efficiency of the generation process. Experimental results show that compared with existing self‐supervised learning models, our method achieves l1 error, mean intersection‐over‐union (mIOU), and Fréchet inception distance (FID) improvements on the COCOA and KINS datasets.
Design and implementation of power factor corrected circuits without using inductor‐current sensors
Authors: Liu Tian‐Hua , Hsu Chih‐Pin , Wang Shao‐Ming , Song Yu‐Cheng
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates the design and implementation of a new single‐phase sensorless power factor corrected (PFC) circuit. Here, the inductor‐current sensor and its sensing circuit are removed. As a result, the cost and volume of the PFC circuit are effectively reduced. Two different methods, including an inductor‐voltage estimation method and an inductor‐current estimation method, are proposed and compared. To improve the dynamic responses of the PFC circuit, predictive voltage control and predictive current control are implemented here. A digital signal processor, type TMS‐320F‐2808, manufactured by Texas Instruments, is used here as the control centre to execute the sensorless methods and control algorithms. A 400 W, 50 kHz switching frequency, single‐phase alternating current (AC) 110 V /DC 300 V PFC circuit is implemented. The measured results validate the feasibility and correctness of the proposed methods. This proposed sensorless PFC circuit can be widely applied in industry due to its simplicity.
Multi‐type power generation planning method for power systems based on complex adaptive system theory
Authors: Suo Xun , Zhao Shuqiang , Ma Yanfeng , Dong Ling
Published: May 2023

Aiming at the problem of multi‐point power source layout planning for power systems, the output characteristics of a power system composed of wind power, photovoltaic power, hydropower, traditional thermal power, concentrated solar power and electrochemical energy storage are comprehensively analyzed. A power source multi‐point layout planning model for a power system based on complex adaptive system theory is proposed with a focus on the complementarity among these different energies and the combination of power optimization planning and complex adaptive system theory. With the minimum construction unit of various types of power sources as the ‘agent’, considering the interactions among agents and the accumulation of experiences, the behaviour rules of the model are constantly changed, the grid‐connected positions of various types of power sources are adjusted, and the optimal layout schemes for all kinds of power capacities for each node are obtained. In addition, an agent modelling method based on complex phenomena emergence with simple rules is proposed, which reveals the core idea of the complex adaptive system theory: adaptability creates complexity. Taking the new energy construction base in Northwest China as an example, the proposed method is verified to have a significant effect on improving energy consumption in the new system. Based on the current power capacity layout and the future grid structure in this area, the future power optimization scheme is determined, and it provides guiding significance for actual engineering construction.
Underwater acoustic target recognition based on automatic feature and contrastive coding
Authors: Sun Baogui , Luo Xinwei
Published: May 2023

Underwater acoustic target recognition (UATR) technology based on deep learning and automatic encoding has become an important research direction in the underwater acoustic field in recent years. However, the existing methods do not have favourable self‐adaptability for different data because of the complex and changeable underwater environment, which easily leads to an unsatisfactory recognition effect. The concept of contrastive learning is introduced into UATR and a model named Contrastive Coding for UATR (CCU) is proposed. Based on the unsupervised contrastive learning framework, the model has been modified for the underwater acoustic field. Thus, the CCU can generate adaptable automatic features according to different data. The experimental test shows that the model is superior to other automatic encoding models and has achieved excellent recognition performance on different underwater acoustic datasets.
A fast Wigner Hough transform algorithm for parameter estimation of low probability of intercept radar polyphase coded signals
Authors: Yang Jincheng , Chen Shiwen , Dong Jinpeng , Han Xiao
Published: May 2023

It is difficult for a receiver to intercept the signals from a radar system that can emit low probability of intercept (LPI) polyphase coded signals. The traditional Wigner Hough transform (WHT) algorithm requires a large amount of computation and takes a long time to estimate the parameters of the LPI radar polyphase coded signals. To address this problem, an iterative angle search (IAS) algorithm, which when used in combination with the WHT algorithm significantly reduces the computational cost is proposed. When the signal‐to‐noise ratio is in the range of −4 to 20 dB, the carrier frequency, number of subcodes, and number of cycles of the carrier frequency per subcode of five polyphase coded signals, namely, Frank, P1, P2, P3, and P4, are accurately estimated in simulation experiments. Based on the selected IAS algorithm parameters, the estimation accuracy of the proposed method is the same as that of the traditional WHT algorithm. However, the operation time is only 5.14% of that of the traditional method. The IAS algorithm has certain application prospects. Experiments indicate that the proposed algorithm provides excellent performance and can rapidly and accurately estimate the parameters of LPI polyphase codes.
Metabolomic Profile of Insulin Resistance Women with Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus
Authors: Munguía-Realpozo Pamela , Mendoza-Pinto Claudia , Etchegaray-Morales Ivet , Osorio-Peña Angel David , Vélez-Pelcastre Sandra , Escamilla-Márquez Marco Antonio , Ayón-Aguilar Jorge , Méndez-Martínez Socorro , García-Carrasco Mario
Published: May 2023

The aims of this study were in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: 1) to
compare the metabolomic profile of insulin resistance (IR) with controls and 2)
to correlate the metabolomic profile with other IR surrogates and SLE disease
variables and vitamin levels. In this cross-sectional study, serum samples were
collected from women with SLE (n=64) and gender- and age-matched
controls (n=71), which were not diabetic. Serum metabolomic profiling
was performed using UPLC-MS-MS (Quantse score). HOMA and QUICKI were carried
out. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay.
In women with SLE, the metabolomic Quantose score significantly correlated with
HOMA-IR, HOMA2-IR, and QUICKI. Although concentrations of IR metabolites were
not different between SLE patients and controls, fasting plasma insulin levels
were higher and insulin sensitivity lower in SLE women. Interestingly, the
Quantose IR score was significantly correlated with complement C3 levels
(r=0.7; p=0.001). 25 (OH)D did not correlate with any metabolite
or the Quantose IR index. Quantose IR may be a useful tool for IR assessment.
There was a possible correlation between the metabolomic profile and complement
C3 levels. The implementation of this metabolic strategy may help develop
biochemical insight into metabolic disorders in SLE.
Disengaged or raising voices? An analysis of the relationship between individual risk perception and non-institutionalised political participation
Authors: Weiss Julia
Published: May 2023

The economic crisis of 2008 resulted in rising levels of unemployment, which were accompanied by protests in many countries. This led to a scientific debate on the influence of grievances on political participation. Previous studies have shown that individual affectedness leads to ‘exiting’, whereas in times of crisis grievances lead to increased political participation. What all these studies have in common is that they solely investigate actual deprivation. The present study adds a new aspect and examines if the individual risk perception of becoming deprived influences political participation. Does the individual risk perception of becoming deprived influence political participation and, if so, does this depend on the economic context? Based on grievance theory and using data from the European Social Survey and the World Bank, this study shows that the personal risk of becoming deprived increases the likelihood of participation. However, the participation-enhancing effect of one’s own risk perception is diminished when individuals live in an economically weak country and thus see no chance of improvement. This underlines that context plays a role and that economically deteriorating situations in the country can reduce participation rates.
How mixture of plant and prey diets affects long-term rearing of predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: Yazdanpanah Shima , Fathipour Yaghoub
Published: May 2023

The phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is one of the well-known natural enemies across the globe which can feed on different types of pests and pollen grains. This predator was reared on the mixture of the stored products mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) (as prey diet) along with different plant pollens (as plant diet) including almond (TA), cattail (TC), castor-bean (TCb), date (TD), saffron (TS), and mixed pollens of almond, cattail, castor bean, and date (TP) for 20 generations (G1–G20). The effects of the mixed plant and prey diets on biological parameters of N. cucumeris were evaluated under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h every 10 generations (G1, G10, and G20). N. cucumeris showed the highest performance on the mixed pollens + T. putrescentiae (TP diet) among the diets tested. Our findings revealed almost stable performance of the predator by long-term feeding on a mixture of pollen and prey diet and this combination can use as a suitable alternative food for mass rearing of N. cucumeris.
Impact of alcohol home delivery and other methods of obtaining alcohol in young adults
Authors: Noel Jonathan K , Rosenthal Samantha R
Published: May 2023

Aims: To estimate the use of home alcohol delivery and other methods of obtaining alcohol, rates of ID checking for home alcohol delivery purchases, and associations with alcohol-related consequences. Methods: Surveillance data from 784 lifetime drinkers participating in the 2022 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey were used. The method of obtaining alcohol (e.g. type of purchase, gifted, theft) was assessed. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Brief Young Adults Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire, and a drinking and driving question were used to measure high-risk drinking behaviors, experiencing negative alcohol questions, and history of drinking and driving. Logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic variables were used to estimate main effects. Results: About 7.4% of the sample purchased alcohol through a home delivery or to-go purchase; 12.1% of participants who obtained alcohol this way never had their ID checked during the purchase attempt, and 10.2% of these purchases were completed by participants under the legal purchase age. Home delivery/to-go purchases were associated with high-risk drinking. Alcohol theft was associated with high-risk drinking, experiencing negative alcohol consequences, and drinking and driving. Conclusions: Home alcohol delivery and to-go purchases may provide an opportunity for underage access to alcohol, but their current use as a method of obtaining alcohol is rare. Stronger ID checking policies are needed. Alcohol theft was linked to several negative alcohol outcomes, and home-based preventive interventions should be considered.
Effect of PDYN and OPRK1 polymorphisms on the risk of alcohol use disorder and the intensity of depressive symptoms
Authors: Özkan-Kotiloğlu Selin , Kaya-Akyüzlü Dilek , Yurdakul Rabia , Yıldırım Mukaddes Asena , Özgür-İlhan İnci
Published: May 2023

Aims: The dynorphin (DYN)/Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) system has been suggested to be involved in both negative affective states and the action of alcohol. The present study was undertaken to explore whether the DYN/KOR system genes, PDYN and OPRK1, influence on individual differences in the intensity of depressive symptoms at admission as well as the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) risk in a sample of 101 individuals with AUD and 100 controls. Methods: PDYN (rs2281285, rs2225749 and rs910080) and OPRK1 (rs6473797, rs963549 and rs997917) polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. The intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms and craving were measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Penn Alcohol Craving Scale, respectively. Results: A significant association between the risk of AUD and OPRK1 rs6473797 (P < 0.05) at the gene level. OPRK1 rs6473797 CC genotype was found to lead to a 3.11 times greater alcohol dependence risk. In addition, the BDI-II score of the OPRK1 rs963549 CC genotype was found to be significantly lower (20.9 ± 11.2, min: 1.0, max: 48.0) than that of the CT + TT genotypes (27.04 ± 12.7, min: 0.0, max: 49.0) (t: −2.332, P = 0.022). None of the PDYN polymorphisms were associated with BDI-II score. Conclusion: Variations in the KOR are associated with the risk of AUD and the intensity of depressive symptoms at admission at the gene level in Turkish males. On the other hand, PDYN gene seemed not to be associated with AUD, depression, anxiety, and craving.
Phylogenomics reveals widespread hybridization and polyploidization in Henckelia (Gesneriaceae)
Authors: Yang Li-Hua , Shi Xi-Zuo , Wen Fang , Kang Ming
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

Hybridization has long been recognized as an important process for plant evolution and is often accompanied by polyploidization, another prominent force in generating biodiversity. Despite its pivotal importance in evolution, the actual prevalence and distribution of hybridization across the tree of life remain unclear.

Methods

We used whole-genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing and cytological data to investigate the evolutionary history of Henckelia, a large genus in the family Gesneriaceae with a high frequency of suspected hybridization and polyploidization events. We generated WGS sequencing data at about 10× coverage for 26 Chinese Henckelia species plus one Sri Lankan species. To untangle the hybridization history, we separately extracted whole plastomes and thousands of single-copy nuclear genes from the sequencing data, and reconstructed phylogenies based on both nuclear and plastid data. We also explored sources of both genealogical and cytonuclear conflicts and identified signals of hybridization and introgression within our phylogenomic dataset using several statistical methods. Additionally, to test the polyploidization history, we evaluated chromosome counts for 45 populations of the 27 Henckelia species studied.

Key Results

We obtained well-supported phylogenetic relationships using both concatenation- and coalescent-based methods. However, the nuclear phylogenies were highly inconsistent with the plastid phylogeny, and we observed intensive discordance among nuclear gene trees. Further analyses suggested that both incomplete lineage sorting and gene flow contributed to the observed cytonuclear and genealogical discordance. Our analyses of introgression and phylogenetic networks revealed a complex history of hybridization within the genus Henckelia. In addition, based on chromosome counts for 27 Henckelia species, we found independent polyploidization events occurred within Henckelia after different hybridization events.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated that hybridization and polyploidization are common in Henckelia. Furthermore, our results revealed that H. oblongifolia is not a member of the redefined Henckelia and they suggested several other taxonomic treatments in this genus.
Successful tapering of dupilumab in patients with atopic dermatitis with low disease activity: a large pragmatic daily practice study from the BioDay registry
Authors: Spekhorst Lotte S , Boesjes Celeste M , Loman Laura , Zuithoff Nicolaas P A , Bakker Daphne S , Kamphuis Esmé , Kamsteeg Marijke , Haeck Inge M , Oosting Albert J , van Lumig Paula P M , van Lynden-van Nes Anneke M T , Tupker Ron A , Flinterman Annebeth , Garritsen Floor M , Touwslager Wouter R H , de Bruin-Weller Marjolein S , Schuttelaar Marie-Louise A , de Graaf Marlies
Published: May 2023

Background

Limited data are available regarding patient-centred dosing of dupilumab for atopic dermatitis (AD) in daily practice.

Objectives

To evaluate our patient-centred dupilumab dosing regimen in daily practice, to assess prognostic factors for successful tapering and to estimate medication-related cost savings.

Methods

This prospective multicentre study included adult patients with AD, participating in the BioDay registry, treated with dupilumab for ≥ 1.3 years. Interval prolongation was considered in the case of dupilumab standard dose for ≥ 1 year and persistent controlled AD [Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) ≤ 7; ≥ 6 months]. Primary endpoints were the mean EASI and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-pruritus after the start of tapering. Prognostic factors for successful tapering were analysed with logistic regression and a cost-savings analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 595 patients were included, of whom 401 patients [mean EASI 2.5 (SD 2.3); NRS-pruritus of 2.4 (SD 1.9) at the start of tapering] prolonged their dupilumab interval. In 83.3% of these patients tapering was successful; most patients used dupilumab every 3 or 4 weeks (Q3W/Q4W). A significant small increase was observed for EASI (highest mean 3.5) and NRS-pruritus (highest mean 3.2) (P < 0.001); however, scores remained low. Predicting successful tapering showed nonsignificant odds ratios for all incorporated variables. The estimated cost savings was €3 977 033.98 for 401 patients between January 2019 and June 2022.

Conclusions

This study showed successful tapering of dupilumab in 83.3% of patients with AD who attempted tapering, while maintaining controlled disease and with the majority using Q3W/Q4W. Interval prolongation can be beneficial both for the patient and from a socio-economic perspective.
Breast carcinoma detection in ex vivo fresh human breast surgical specimens using a fast slide-free confocal microscopy scanner: HIBISCUSS project
Authors: Conversano Angelica , Abbaci Muriel , van Diest Paul , Roulot Aurélie , Falco Giuseppe , Ferchiou Malek , Coiro Saverio , Richir Milan , Genolet Pierre-Michel , Clement Carine , Casiraghi Odile , Lahkdar Aicha Ben , Labaied Nizard , Ragazzi Moira , Mathieu Marie-Christine
Published: May 2023

Background

New generation ultra-fast fluorescence confocal microscopy allows the ex vivo intraoperative analysis of fresh tissue. The High resolution Imaging for Breast carcInoma detection in ex vivo Specimens after breast Conserving sUrgery by hiStolog Scanner (HIBISCUSS) project aimed to develop an online learning program to recognize the main breast tissue features on ultra-fast fluorescence confocal microscopy images and to evaluate the performance of surgeons and pathologists in diagnosing cancerous and non-cancerous breast tissue in ultra-fast fluorescence confocal microscopy images.

Methods

Patients who underwent conservative surgery or mastectomy for breast carcinoma (invasive or in situ lesions) were included. The fresh specimens were stained with a fluorescent dye and imaged using a large field-of-view (20 cm2) ultra-fast fluorescence confocal microscope.

Results

One hundred and eighty-one patients were included. The images from 55 patients were annotated to generate learning sheets and images from 126 patients were blindly interpreted by seven surgeons and two pathologists. The time for tissue processing and ultra-fast fluorescence confocal microscopy imaging was between 8 and 10 min. The training program was composed of 110 images divided into nine learning sessions. The final database for blind performance assessment comprised 300 images. The mean duration for one training session and one performance round was 17 and 27 min respectively. The performance of pathologists was almost perfect with 99.6 per cent (standard deviation (s.d.) 5.4 per cent) accuracy. Surgeons’ accuracy significantly increased (P = 0.001) from 83 per cent (s.d. 8.4 per cent) in round 1 to 98 per cent (s.d. 4.1 per cent) in round 7 as well as the sensitivity (P = 0.004). Specificity increased without significance from 84 per cent (s.d. 16.7 per cent) in round 1 to 87 per cent (s.d. 16.4 per cent) in round 7 (P = 0.060).

Conclusion

Pathologists and surgeons showed a short learning curve in differentiating breast cancer from non-cancerous tissue in ultra-fast fluorescence confocal microscopy images. Performance assessment for both specialties supports ultra-fast fluorescence confocal microscopy evaluation for intraoperative management.

Registration number

NCT04976556 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Athena: Speciality Certificate Examination case for general dermatology and dermatology in primary health care
Authors: Leahy Marion , Byrne Berbie , Markham Trevor
Published: May 2023

A 62-year-old man was referred to the emergency department with a 6-day history of a progressive pustular eruption; he had commenced ceftriaxone to treat suspected facial cellulitis 2 days prior. He had no significant past medical or dermatological history. This is a case of a rare severe cutaneous adverse reaction to a prescribed drug.
The Promise of Persistence: Expanding the Framework for High School Completion
Authors: Uretsky Mathew C , Mirakhur Zitsi , Clark-Shim Hyuny , Hill Kathryn , Henneberger Angela K
Published: May 2023

The research on students who do not graduate from high school has traditionally focused on students who drop out before their expected graduation date. This ignores the experiences of persisters or persisting students—those who remain enrolled in high school on or beyond their expected graduation date, but have yet to earn a diploma. Where data are available persisting students are estimated to be equal to or greater in number than dropouts. Authors argue that persisting students warrant greater attention in research, policy, and practice efforts meant to better understand and promote high school completion and the postsecondary transition. To this end, this article summarizes the existing literature on persisting students, with attention to how they are defined, their sociodemographic and academic characteristics, and the schools they attend. The article also lays out a research agenda and policy implications, highlighting the importance of better understanding this group and meeting their needs more effectively with the twin goals of (1) adding nuance to our understanding of persisting students and (2) improving the precision in educational research more broadly.
Screening for Social Communication and Mental Health Needs in Schools: Initial Validation of the School-Based Social Communication Skill Set Screener (SBSCSSS)
Authors: Canfield James P , Kokotek Leslie , Kim Suk Hee , Kinney Wayne , Harley Dana
Published: May 2023

Social communication is closely related to overall and general adolescent mental health and predictive of problem behaviors in adulthood. However, adolescents with social communication deficits remain an underidentified and underserved population, especially in school-based settings. In part, this is due to the dearth of social communication measures developed for use, and within, school contexts. The School-Based Social Communication Skill Set Screener (SBSCSSS) was developed as a schoolwide rapid assessment measure for students’ perceptions of their own skills and problems stemming from potential social communication issues. This study aims to provide initial psychometric evidence for the SBSCSSS by analyzing a data set of schoolwide needs assessment responses conducted at an urban Appalachian high school. Exploratory factor analyses identified a three-factor structure across 23 items. Internal consistency calculations found that each factor, including a global factor, had high levels of internal consistency. Convergent validity findings are also provided. Initial psychometric evidence for the SBSCSSS indicates a potential valid and reliable tool to examine perceived social communication skills for high school students. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for future research and practice.
Within-field spatial patterns of Euschistus servus and Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in field corn
Authors: Bryant Tim B , Greene Jeremy K , Reay-Jones Francis P F
Published: May 2023

A complex of stink bugs, primarily the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) , and the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) , are the most damaging insect pests of field corn, Zea mays L., in the southeastern United States. Characterizing the spatial patterns of these highly mobile, polyphagous pests is critical for developing efficient and effective sampling plans. In 2021 and 2022, stink bugs and their injury were assessed biweekly from emergence through R2 in 20 corn fields. The spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) showed that aggregation patterns were identified primarily in adult populations of both E. servus and N. viridula, and in nymphal populations of both species to a lesser extent. Aggregation patterns were also identified in early vegetative injury, but not in ear injury assessed at R2. The spatial association of stink bugs and their injury varied with corn phenological stage. A lack of spatial association between stink bug populations early in the season and vegetative injury suggests a need for intensive sampling, particularly in fields with increased residue from cover crops. Results of this study illustrate the variability in spatial patterns of stink bugs in corn, which can help to improve sampling plans for decision-making in IPM programs.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors compared with glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in type 2 diabetes: a nationwide nested case-control study
Authors: Júlíusdóttir Yrsa Kolka , Halili Andrim , Coronel Ruben , Folke Fredrik , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Gislason Gunnar Hilmar , Eroglu Talip E
Published: May 2023

Aims

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are antidiabetic drugs that have beneficial direct effects on the myocardium by impacting cardiac ion channels and exchangers that control cardiac electrophysiology. We investigated the relationship between SGLT-2is in comparison to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1as) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Using data from Danish registries, we conducted a nationwide nested case-control study in a cohort of individuals with type 2 diabetes between 2013 and 2019. Cases were defined as OHCA victims from presumed cardiac causes and each case was randomly matched with five controls without OHCA based on age, sex, and index-date (OHCA date). Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of OHCA comparing SGLT-2i use with GLP-1as (reference).

Results

The study population consisted of 3618 OHCA cases and 18 090 matched controls. SGLT-2i was used by 91 cases and 593 controls, and was associated with reduced odds of OHCA compared with use of GLP-1a after controlling for the relevant confounders (adjusted OR 0.76 [95% CI:0.58–0.99]). The adjusted OR of OHCA associated with SGLT-2i use did not vary significantly by sex (P-value interaction: 0.461), pre-existing cardiac disease (P-value interaction: 0.762), heart failure (P-value interaction: 0.891), diabetes duration (P-value interaction: 0.101), and chronic kidney disease (P-value interaction: 0.894).

Conclusion

Use of SGLT-2i is associated with a reduced risk of OHCA compared with use of GLP-1a in type 2 diabetes.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor use in early-phase acute coronary syndrome with severe heart failure
Authors: Kanaoka Koshiro , Iwanaga Yoshitaka , Nakai Michikazu , Nishioka Yuichi , Myojin Tomoya , Kubo Shinichiro , Okada Katsuki , Noda Tatsuya , Sakata Yasushi , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Saito Yoshihiko , Imamura Tomoaki
Published: May 2023

Aims

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) improves clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF), but has limited evidence of SGLT2i use in early-phase acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We determined association of early SGLT2i use compared with either non-SGLT2i or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP4i) use in hospitalized patients with ACS.

Methods and results

This retrospective cohort study that used the Japanese nationwide administrative claims database included patients hospitalized with ACS aged ≥20 years between April 2014 and March 2021. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality or HF/ACS rehospitalization. Using 1:1 propensity score matching, the association with outcomes of the early SGLT2i use (≤14 days after admission) compared with non-SGLT2i or DPP4i use was determined according to the HF treatment. Among 388 185 patients included 115 612 and 272 573 with and without severe HF, respectively. Compared to non-SGLT2i users, the SGLT2i users had a lower hazard ratio (HR) with the primary outcome [HR: 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76–0.91; P < 0.001] in the severe HF group; however, there was no significant difference in the non-severe HF group (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.82–1.03; P = 0.16). SGLT2i use showed a lower risk of the outcome in patients with severe HF and diabetes compared with DPP4i use (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69–1.00; P = 0.049).

Conclusion

SGLT2i use in patients with early-phase ACS showed a lower risk of primary outcome in patients with severe HF, but the effect was not apparent in patients without severe HF.
Reliability of the novel cleft lip and palate smile esthetic index (CLP-SEI)
Authors: Luyten Jonathan , Thierens Laurent , De Roo Noëmi M C , Temmerman Liesbeth , De Pauw Guy A M
Published: May 2023

Background/objectives

The aim of this research was to determine the reliability of a novel index for the assessment of smile esthetics in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL ± P) at the end of their multidisciplinary treatment, for use in clinical and academic settings.

Materials and methods

Five orthodontists, five periodontologists, five general practitioners, five dental students, and five laypeople rated the smiles of 10 patients with CL ± P twice at a 2 weeks interval. The rating scale consisted of four main categories: 1. nasolabial esthetics, 2. gingival esthetics, 3. dental esthetics, and 4. overall esthetics. A total of 15 parameters were rated. Intra- and inter-rater agreements were calculated using SPSS.

Results

The inter-rater agreement varied between good and excellent whereby the orthodontists, periodontists, general practitioners, dental students, and laypeople obtained agreement scores of 0.86, 0.92, 0.84, 0.90, and 0.89, respectively. The intra-rater agreement was good with agreement scores of 0.78, 0.84, 0.84, 0.80, and 0.79, respectively.

Limitations

Smile esthetics were rated on static pictures, not in real life or by video recordings in a young adult population.

Conclusions/implications

The cleft lip and palate smile esthetic index is a reliable tool for the assessment of smile esthetics in patients with CL ± P.
Sweetened beverages and incident heart failure
Authors: Zhang Ziteng , Zhang Kun , Sun Ying , Yu Bowei , Tan Xiao , Lu Yingli , Wang Yu , Xia Fangzhen , Wang Ningjian
Published: May 2023

Aims

Recent studies have demonstrated the associations of the consumption of different beverages with cardiometabolic diseases, whereas no studies have investigated such associations in heart failure (HF). Thus, this study aimed to explore the associations of the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs), and pure fruit/vegetable juices (PJs) with the risk of incident HF.

Methods and results

This prospective cohort study included 209 829 participants in the UK Biobank who completed at least one 24-h diet questionnaire and who were free of baseline HF. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During a median follow-up of 9.9 years, 4328 incident HF cases were recorded. Compared to corresponding non-consumers, individuals who consumed >2 L/week SSBs or ASBs had an increased risk of HF (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08–1.38 and HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16–1.47, respectively) in the multivariate adjusted model. An inverse association was observed between the consumption of >0–1 L/week PJs and the risk of HF (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83–0.98). Additionally, a significant interaction was observed between PJ consumption and sleep duration on HF risk (P for interaction = 0.030).

Conclusions

Increased consumption of SSBs or ASBs may be an independent risk factor for HF, whereas moderate intake of PJs may have a protective effect on HF.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a randomized study
Authors: Havranek Stepan , Fingrova Zdenka , Skala Tomas , Reichenbach Adrian , Dusik Milan , Jansa Pavel , Ambroz David , Dytrych Vladimir , Klimes Dalibor , Hutyra Martin , Kautzner Josef , Linhart Ales , Wichterle Dan
Published: May 2023

Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF), typical atrial flutter (AFL), and other atrial tachycardias (ATs) are common in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Frequently, several supraventricular arrhythmias are successively observed in individual patients. We investigated the hypothesis of whether more extensive radiofrequency catheter ablation of the bi-atrial arrhythmogenic substrate instead of clinical arrhythmia ablation alone results in superior clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) and supraventricular arrhythmias.

Methods and results

Patients with combined post- and pre-capillary or isolated pre-capillary PH and supraventricular arrhythmia indicated to catheter ablation were enrolled in three centres and randomized 1:1 into two parallel treatment arms. Patients underwent either clinical arrhythmia ablation only (Limited ablation group) or clinical arrhythmia plus substrate-based ablation (Extended ablation group). The primary endpoint was arrhythmia recurrence >30 s without antiarrhythmic drugs after the 3-month blanking period. A total of 77 patients (mean age 67 ± 10 years; 41 males) were enrolled. The presumable clinical arrhythmia was AF in 38 and AT in 36 patients, including typical AFL in 23 patients. During the median follow-up period of 13 (interquartile range: 12; 19) months, the primary endpoint occurred in 15 patients (42%) vs. 17 patients (45%) in the Extended vs. Limited ablation group (hazard ratio: 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.49–2.0). There was no excess of procedural complications and clinical follow-up events including an all-cause death in the Extended ablation group.

Conclusion

Extensive ablation, compared with a limited approach, was not beneficial in terms of arrhythmia recurrence in patients with AF/AT and PH.

Clinical Trials Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04053361.
Explaining the gender gap in COVID-19 vaccination attitudes
Authors: Toshkov Dimiter
Published: May 2023

Background

Women have been significantly more likely than men to express hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination and, to a lesser extent, to refuse vaccination altogether. This gender gap is puzzling because women have been more likely to perceive higher risks from COVID-19, to approve more restrictive measures to fight the pandemic and to be more compliant with such measures.

Methods

This article studies the gender gap in COVID-19 vaccination attitudes using two nationally representative surveys of public opinion fielded in February 2021 and May 2021 in 27 European countries. The data are analyzed using generalized additive models and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

The data analyses show that hypotheses about (i) pregnancy, fertility and breastfeeding concerns, (ii) higher trust in Internet and social networks as sources of medical information, (iii) lower trust in health authorities and (iv) lower perceived risks of getting infected with COVID-19 cannot account for the gender gap in vaccine hesitancy. One explanation that receives support from the data is that women are more likely to believe that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and ineffective and this leads them to perceive the net benefits of vaccination as lower than the associated risks.

Conclusions

The gender gap in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy results to a large extent from women perceiving higher risks than benefits of the vaccines. While accounting for this and other factors decreases the gap in vaccine hesitancy, it does not eliminate it completely, which suggests further research is needed.
Using the AKAR3-EV biosensor to assess Sch9p- and PKA-signalling in budding yeast
Authors: Botman Dennis , Kanagasabapathi Sineka , Savakis Philipp , Teusink Bas
Published: May 2023

Budding yeast uses the TORC1-Sch9p and cAMP-PKA signalling pathways to regulate adaptations to changing nutrient environments. Dynamic and single-cell measurements of the activity of these cascades will improve our understanding of the cellular adaptation of yeast. Here, we employed the AKAR3-EV biosensor developed for mammalian cells to measure the cellular phosphorylation status determined by Sch9p and PKA activity in budding yeast. Using various mutant strains and inhibitors, we show that AKAR3-EV measures the Sch9p- and PKA-dependent phosphorylation status in intact yeast cells. At the single-cell level, we found that the phosphorylation responses are homogenous for glucose, sucrose, and fructose, but heterogeneous for mannose. Cells that start to grow after a transition to mannose correspond to higher normalized Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) levels, in line with the involvement of Sch9p and PKA pathways to stimulate growth-related processes. The Sch9p and PKA pathways have a relatively high affinity for glucose (K0.5 of 0.24 mM) under glucose-derepressed conditions. Lastly, steady-state FRET levels of AKAR3-EV seem to be independent of growth rates, suggesting that Sch9p- and PKA-dependent phosphorylation activities are transient responses to nutrient transitions. We believe that the AKAR3-EV sensor is an excellent addition to the biosensor arsenal for illuminating cellular adaptation in single yeast cells.
Craft, Labour and Cabinets of Curiosities: Rethinking the Body of the Artisan
Authors: Rublack Ulinka
Published: May 2023

This article asks how we should best historically situate processes of making and knowing in early modern luxury crafts. It focuses on the Augsburg merchant Philipp Hainhofer (1578–1647) and his celebrated cabinets of curiosities. The article methodologically argues for the need to cross-fertilize scholarship on ‘the body of the artisan’ (Pamela H. Smith) with the history of labour. The notion of the European ‘artisan’ involved in ‘making and knowing’ has unwittingly tended to conjure up the image of an unquestionably male and often autonomous practitioner soberly immersed in experiment. By contrast, the article argues that lived ‘bodies’ involved in making and knowing were diverse and subjected to far more disciplining and strain than has hitherto been highlighted. A culture of secrecy fostered isolation. Increased alcohol consumption interrelated with the cultivation of wit as intellectual and affective practice. The article considers how differences in social status and religious beliefs created tensions among these makers and pays attention to the gendered nature of these types of employment and the hidden global types of knowledge and labour upon which they depended. By focusing primarily on Hainhofer’s published and unpublished correspondence, the article argues against the generalized conception that artefacts emerged from a ‘flow’ between makers and materials and demonstrates how early modern craft labour can be situated in social, economic and cultural contexts. Material communities in the luxury crafts were characterized by systemic strain, conflicts and the need to find shortcuts, but also by pleasure, wit, resistance, tenacity and opportunities for conceptual thinking.