bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Candidate Ideology and Vote Choice in the 2020 US Presidential Election
Authors: Broockman David , Kalla Joshua L.
Published: December 2023

A prominent literature argues that moderate candidates perform better in general elections, but a competing literature that emphasizes partisan loyalties contests this. The 2020 Democratic presidential primary represented an opportunity to speak to these debates due to high voter information about multiple moderate and extreme candidates running in the same election. We present results from two national surveys (total n = 102, 425) that asked how respondents would choose in an election between one of the Democratic candidates and Republican Donald Trump. Our evidence is consistent with moderates having an electoral advantage: more moderate Democratic candidates receive more support against Trump than do more extreme candidates. Providing information through plausible attacks did not change these results. Notably, Sanders had the highest support after the moderates, but this was due to an implausibly large increase in intended turnout among young voters. Inconsistent with theories emphasizing the strength of partisan loyalties, Republican voters explain much of this effect.
The Emerging Science of Interacting Minds
Authors: Wheatley Thalia , Thornton Mark A. , Stolk Arjen , Chang Luke J.
Published: December 2023

For over a century, psychology has focused on uncovering mental processes of a single individual. However, humans rarely navigate the world in isolation. The most important determinants of successful development, mental health, and our individual traits and preferences arise from interacting with other individuals. Social interaction underpins who we are, how we think, and how we behave. Here we discuss the key methodological challenges that have limited progress in establishing a robust science of how minds interact and the new tools that are beginning to overcome these challenges. A deep understanding of the human mind requires studying the context within which it originates and exists: social interaction.
Emotional numbing: A key construct in the assessment of mental health during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Li Gen , Hampel Amir , Li Chunbo , Hall Brian J.
Published: December 2023

Emotional numbing is a debilitating response to traumatic stress, but no scale has yet to be validated for use among Chinese populations. The aim of the study is to revise and validate a brief measurement of emotional numbing and test the clinical significance of emotional numbing among Chinese adults. A total of 3,230 participants enrolled in this study during a city-wide lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, China. The general subscale of the Emotional Reactivity and Numbing Scale (ERNS) was used to assess emotional numbing. Cronbach's αs were calculated to examine each item’s contribution to the measurement reliability. A unidimensional graded response model was estimated to evaluate the item-level performance and validity from an item-response theory (IRT) perspective. Informed by the reliability test and the IRT analysis, a four-item ENRS-C scale was found to be a reliable and valid measurement. Regression models were used to examine pandemic-related stressors and mental health correlates of emotional numbing. Emotional numbing was associated with intimate partner violence, bereavement, stressful life events and mental health outcomes including self-reported depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, psychological well-being, and sleeping problems. This study highlights emotional numbing as a mental health condition associated with major life stressors and has significant clinical and functional implications. Additional studies are needed to investigate how emotional numbing in China is shaped by sociocultural contexts that discourage the expression of socially disruptive emotions.
Impatience Over Time
Authors: Roberts Annabelle R. , Fishbach Ayelet
Published: December 2023

Waiting is ubiquitous yet painful. We find that the discomfort of waiting intensifies as the wait draws closer to its end. Using longitudinal studies that measured impatience for real-world events, we documented greater impatience closer to learning the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election (Study 1), receiving the first COVID-19 vaccine (Study 2), and boarding a bus (Study 3). Follow-up experiments found that a desire for closure underlies this effect, and that impatience increases at the end of the wait controlling for how long people have already been waiting (Supplemental Studies 1–4). These findings suggest that the distress of waiting escalates when the wait is almost over.
Out-of-Pocket Costs and Physician Payment Variations in Abdominal Contouring: Evidence From United States Claims Data
Authors: Oleru Olachi O. , Seyidova Nargiz , Taub Peter J.
Published: December 2023

Background: Abdominal contouring after massive weight loss has positive impacts on quality of life. There are often cost and access barriers for patients who desire these procedures. Objectives: To examine levels of access to body contouring in the era of price transparency, this study aims to characterize the out-of-pocket expenses and physician/facility payments in abdominal contouring procedures. Setting: The IBM MarketScan Commercial Databases were queried to identify patients who underwent outpatient abdominal contouring surgeries in the United States in 2021. Methods: Financial variables of interest included gross payments to the provider (facility and/or physician) and out-of-pocket costs (total of coinsurance, deductible, and copayments). Univariate analysis and mixed-effects linear regression were utilized to study the variations in costs across regions, insurance plan types, and places of service. Results: A total of 1319 abdominal contouring episodes were identified. The average age was 44.7, and the majority of patients were female (91%) and in the South region (44%). Median out-of-pocket costs were low overall ($30, IQR $768) and median total physician/facility payments for abdominal contouring was $4982.47 (IQR $7392.46). Out-of-pocket costs were highest in the South ($105) and $0 in all other regions ( P < .05). The highest physician/facility payments were in the Northeast ($6392) and the lowest was in the South ($3936). Conclusions: Patients undergoing abdominal contouring incur relatively low out-of-pocket costs overall, but there is a need for further reimbursement negotiation in regions where physician payments are lower and out-of-pocket costs are higher. Further study should explore reimbursement and payment gaps in procedural coverage.
Attention Failures Cause Workplace Accidents: Why Workers Ignore Hazards and What To Do About It
Authors: Anderson Brian A. , Kim Namgyun , Gregoire Laurent , Yan Niya , Ahn Changbum Ryan
Published: December 2023

Accidents readily occur when workers are not attentive to the hazards of their work. For some professionals, such as workers in the construction and mining industry, exposure to workplace hazards occurs on a daily basis. Such repetitive exposure to workplace hazards poses unique challenges for the attention of workers. This review explores how, in the absence of negative consequences, repetitive exposure to hazards decreases attention to them. Recommendations, informed by the science of attention, suggest how to combat the tendency to ignore frequently-exposed hazards and restore worker vigilance, thereby reducing the frequency of workplace accidents. Experiential training incorporating virtual reality holds some promise.
Settlement types, territorial discourse and the symbolic production of the ‘post-industrial town’
Authors: Emery Jay
Published: December 2023

Couched in work on territory, discourse and symbolic power, this paper examines how dominant representations and classifications of settlement types are produced by overlapping political, media and academic discourses through an investigation of the ‘post-industrial town.’ The 2016 referendum on European Union (EU) membership and the 2019 General Election thrust England’s deindustrializing towns into the foreground. Viewed as the primary settlement type of the ‘Brexit heartlands’ and the ‘Red Wall’, descriptions, encodings and classifications of the ‘post-industrial town’ have proliferated across media, academic and political discourses. Following, the article draws on Critical Discourse Studies to trace the emergence of the ‘post-industrial town’ as a territorial production. I argue that the ‘post-industrial town’ has been produced by discursive and socio-technical practices invoking symbolic imaginaries of how places look, who lives there and their practices. In the case of ‘post-industrial towns’, a dominant symbolic production has emerged of an older, white, working-class, non-cosmopolitan and socially conservative type of settlement. Moreover, discursive and symbolic territorial productions have led to (un)wilful misrepresentation and misrecognition as places ‘on-the-ground’ are brought into political strategizing and discourse.
Hotel BookingIntentions: ALiterature Review
Authors: Ahmad Khalil , Gandhi Aradhana
Published: December 2023

This study aims to review tourism and hospitality management research on online satisfaction, offline satisfaction and booking intentions published in numerous recognised tourism and hospitality journals from 2000 to 2023. This article studied and reviewed 62 published articles that emerged in the past 22 years in selected top 10 tourism, leisure and hospitality journals. Various variables influencing customer satisfaction, that is, online satisfaction and offline satisfaction leading to the intention to book a hotel online, were identified based on the previous studies. A conceptual model is proposed, which can be empirically tested while conducting future studies in the tourism and hospitality sector, specifically with respect to hotel booking intention. This study offers a conceptual framework for the antecedents used to measure online and offline satisfaction while booking a hotel online. The study ascertained information quality, system quality and service quality as independent variables to measure online satisfaction and perceived values like perceived functional value, emotional value, social value, and monetary value as independent variables to measure offline satisfaction. This study provides a detailed literature review on hotel booking intention and variables that influence overall satisfaction, that is, online and offline satisfaction published in specific hospitality and tourism journals over the past 22 years.
Genome-wide association study of preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm)
Authors: Higbee Daniel H. , Lirio Alvin , Hamilton Fergus , Granell Raquel , Wyss Annah B. , London Stephanie J. , Bartz Traci M. , Gharib Sina A. , Cho Michael H. , Wan Emily , Silverman Edwin , Crapo James D. , Lominchar Jesus V.T. , Hansen Torben , Grarup Niels , Dantoft Thomas , Kårhus Line , Linneberg Allan , O'Connor George T. , Dupuis Josée , Xu Hanfie , De Vries Maaike M. , Hu Xiaowei , Rich Stephen S. , Barr R. Graham , Manichaikul Ani , Wijnant Sara R.A. , Brusselle Guy G. , Lahousse Lies , Li Xuan , Hernández Cordero Ana I. , Obeidat Ma'en , Sin Don D. , Harris Sarah E. , Redmond Paul , Taylor Adele M. , Cox Simon R. , Williams Alexander T. , Shrine Nick , John Catherine , Guyatt Anna L. , Hall Ian P. , Davey Smith George , Tobin Martin D. , Dodd James W.
Published: December 2023

Background

Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) <80% predicted and FEV1/forced vital capacity ≥0.70. PRISm is associated with respiratory symptoms and comorbidities. Our objective was to discover novel genetic signals for PRISm and see if they provide insight into the pathogenesis of PRISm and associated comorbidities.

Methods

We undertook a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PRISm in UK Biobank participants (Stage 1), and selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reaching genome-wide significance for replication in 13 cohorts (Stage 2). A combined meta-analysis of Stage 1 and Stage 2 was done to determine top SNPs. We used cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression to estimate genome-wide genetic correlation between PRISm and pulmonary and extrapulmonary traits. Phenome-wide association studies of top SNPs were performed.

Results

22 signals reached significance in the joint meta-analysis, including four signals novel for lung function. A strong genome-wide genetic correlation (rg) between PRISm and spirometric COPD (rg=0.62, p<0.001) was observed, and genetic correlation with type 2 diabetes (rg=0.12, p=0.007). Phenome-wide association studies showed that 18 of 22 signals were associated with diabetic traits and seven with blood pressure traits.

Conclusion

This is the first GWAS to successfully identify SNPs associated with PRISm. Four of the signals, rs7652391 (nearest geneMECOM), rs9431040 (HLX), rs62018863 (TMEM114) and rs185937162 (HLA-B), have not been described in association with lung function before, demonstrating the utility of using different lung function phenotypes in GWAS. Genetic factors associated with PRISm are strongly correlated with risk of both other lung diseases and extrapulmonary comorbidity.
Extensive acute and sustained changes to neutrophil proteomes post-SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Long Merete B. , Howden Andrew J.M. , Keir Holly R. , Rollings Christina M. , Giam Yan Hui , Pembridge Thomas , Delgado Lilia , Abo-Leyah Hani , Lloyd Amy F. , Sollberger Gabriel , Hull Rebecca , Gilmour Amy , Hughes Chloe , New Benjamin J.M. , Cassidy Diane , Shoemark Amelia , Richardson Hollian , Lamond Angus I. , Cantrell Doreen A. , Chalmers James D. , Brenes Alejandro J.
Published: December 2023

Background

Neutrophils are important in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the molecular changes contributing to altered neutrophil phenotypes following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are not fully understood. We used quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to explore neutrophil phenotypes immediately following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and during recovery.

Methods

Prospective observational study of hospitalised patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (May to December 2020). Patients were enrolled within 96 h of admission, with longitudinal sampling up to 29 days. Control groups comprised non-COVID-19 acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and age-matched noninfected controls. Neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood and analysed using mass spectrometry. COVID-19 severity and recovery were defined using the World Health Organization ordinal scale.

Results

Neutrophil proteomes from 84 COVID-19 patients were compared to those from 91 LRTI and 42 control participants. 5800 neutrophil proteins were identified, with >1700 proteins significantly changed in neutrophils from COVID-19 patients compared to noninfected controls. Neutrophils from COVID-19 patients initially all demonstrated a strong interferon signature, but this signature rapidly declined in patients with severe disease. Severe disease was associated with increased abundance of proteins involved in metabolism, immunosuppression and pattern recognition, while delayed recovery from COVID-19 was associated with decreased granule components and reduced abundance of metabolic proteins, chemokine and leukotriene receptors, integrins and inhibitory receptors.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 infection results in the sustained presence of circulating neutrophils with distinct proteomes suggesting altered metabolic and immunosuppressive profiles and altered capacities to respond to migratory signals and cues from other immune cells, pathogens or cytokines.
PET-CT-guidedversusCT-guided biopsy in suspected malignant pleural thickening: a randomised trial
Authors: de Fonseka Duneesha , Arnold David T. , Smartt Helena J.M. , Culliford Lucy , Stadon Louise , Tucker Emma , Morley Anna , Zahan-Evans Natalie , Bibby Anna C. , Lynch Geraldine , Mishra Eleanor , Khan Shahul , Haris Mohammed , Steer Henry , Lewis Leon , Ionescu Alina , Harvey John , Blyth Kevin , Rahman Najib M. , Edey Anthony E. , Rogers Chris A. , Maskell Nick A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Pleural biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of pleural malignancy but a significant proportion will have an inconclusive biopsy despite ongoing clinical suspicion of malignancy. We investigated whether positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) targeted pleural biopsy is superior to standard CT-guided pleural biopsy following an initial non-diagnostic biopsy.

Methods

The TARGET trial was a multicentre, parallel group randomised trial. Patients with a previous inconclusive pleural biopsy but an ongoing suspicion of pleural malignancy were randomised (1:1) to receive either CT-guided biopsy (standard care) or PET-CT followed by a targeted CT biopsy (intervention). The primary outcome was pleural malignancy correctly identified from the trial biopsy.

Results

Between September 2015 and September 2018, 59 participants were randomised from eight UK hospital sites: 29 to CT-only followed by targeted biopsy and 30 to PET-CT followed by targeted biopsy. The proportion of pleural malignancy correctly identified was similar between the groups (risk ratio 1.03 (95% CI 0.83–1.29); p=0.77). The sensitivity of the trial biopsy to identify pleural malignancy was 79% (95% CI 54–94%) in the CT-only groupversus81% (95% CI 54–96%) in the PET-CT group.

Conclusions

The results do not support the practice of PET-CT to guide pleural biopsies in patients with a previous non-diagnostic biopsy. The diagnostic sensitivity in the CT-only group was higher than anticipated and supports the practice of repeating a CT-guided biopsy following an inconclusive result if clinical suspicion of malignancy persists.
Rail Internal Defect Detection Method Based on Enhanced Network Structure and Module Design Using Ultrasonic Images
Authors: Wu Fupei , Xie Xiaoyang , Ye Weilin
Published: December 2023

Improving the detection accuracy of rail internal defects and the generalization ability of detection models are not only the main problems in the field of defect detection but also the key to ensuring the safe operation of high-speed trains. For this reason, a rail internal defect detection method based on an enhanced network structure and module design using ultrasonic images is proposed in this paper. First, a data augmentation method was used to extend the existing image dataset to obtain appropriate image samples. Second, an enhanced network structure was designed to make full use of the high-level and low-level feature information in the image, which improved the accuracy of defect detection. Subsequently, to optimize the detection performance of the proposed model, the Mish activation function was used to design the block module of the feature extraction network. Finally, the proposed rail defect detection model was trained. The experimental results showed that the precision rate and $${F}_{1}$$

F
1

score of the proposed method were as high as 98%, while the model’s recall rate reached 99%. Specifically, good detection results were achieved for different types of defects, which provides a reference for the engineering application of internal defect detection. Experimental results verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Rainfall modeling using two different neural networks improved by metaheuristic algorithms
Authors: Sammen Saad Sh. , Kisi Ozgur , Ehteram Mohammad , El-Shafie Ahmed , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Ghorbani Mohammad Ali , Bhat Shakeel Ahmad , Ahmed Ali Najah , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: December 2023

Rainfall is crucial for the development and management of water resources. Six hybrid soft computing models, including multilayer perceptron (MLP)–Henry gas solubility optimization (HGSO), MLP–bat algorithm (MLP–BA), MLP–particle swarm optimization (MLP–PSO), radial basis neural network function (RBFNN)–HGSO, RBFNN–PSO, and RBFGNN–BA, were used in this study to forecast monthly rainfall at two stations in Malaysia (Sara and Banding). Different statistical measures (mean absolute error (MAE) and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and percentage of BIAS (PBIAS)) and a Taylor diagram were used to assess the models’ performance. The results indicated that the MLP–HGSO performed better than the other models in forecasting rainfall at both stations. In addition, transition matrices were computed for each station and year based on the conditional probability of rainfall or absence of rainfall on a given month. The values of MAE for testing processes for the MLP–HGSO, MLP–PSO, MLP–BA, RBFNN–HGSO, RBFNN–BA, and RBFNN–PSO at the first station were 0.712, 0.755, 0.765, 0.717, 0.865, and 0.891, while the corresponding NSE and PBIAS values were 0.90–0.23, 0.83–0.29, 0.85–0.25, 0.87–0.27, 0.81–0.31, and 0.80–0.35, respectively. For the second station, the values of MAE were found 0.711, 0.743, 0.742, 0.719, 0.863 and 0.890 for the MLP–HGSO, MLP–PSO, MLP–BA, RBFNN–HGSO, RBFNN–BA, and RBFNN–PSO during testing processes and the corresponding NSE–PBIAS values were 0.92–0.22, 0.85–0.28, 0.89–0.26, 0.91–0.25, 0.83–0.31, 0.82–0.32, respectively. Based on the outputs of the MLP–HGSO, the highest rainfall was recorded in 2012 with a probability of 0.72, while the lowest rainfall was recorded in 2006 with a probability of 0.52 at the Sara Station. In addition, the results indicated that the MLP–HGSO performed better than the other models within the Banding Station. According to the findings, the hybrid MLP–HGSO was selected as an effective rainfall prediction model.
Expectations of duplicate gene retention under the gene duplicability hypothesis
Authors: Wilson Amanda E. , Liberles David A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Gene duplication is an important process in evolution. What causes some genes to be retained after duplication and others to be lost is a process not well understood. The most prevalent theory is the gene duplicability hypothesis, that something about the function and number of interacting partners (number of subunits of protein complex, etc.), determines whether copies have more opportunity to be retained for long evolutionary periods. Some genes are also more susceptible to dosage balance effects following WGD events, making them more likely to be retained for longer periods of time. One would expect these processes that affect the retention of duplicate copies to affect the conditional probability ratio after consecutive whole genome duplication events. The probability that a gene will be retained after a second whole genome duplication event (WGD2), given that it was retained after the first whole genome duplication event (WGD1) versus the probability a gene will be retained after WGD2, given it was lost after WGD1 defines the probability ratio that is calculated.

Results

Since duplicate gene retention is a time heterogeneous process, the time between the events (t1) and the time since the most recent event (t2) are relevant factors in calculating the expectation for observation in any genome. Here, we use a survival analysis framework to predict the probability ratio for genomes with different values of t1 and t2 under the gene duplicability hypothesis, that some genes are more susceptible to selectable functional shifts, some more susceptible to dosage compensation, and others only drifting. We also predict the probability ratio with different values of t1 and t2 under the mutational opportunity hypothesis, that probability of retention for certain genes changes in subsequent events depending upon how they were previously retained. These models are nested such that the mutational opportunity model encompasses the gene duplicability model with shifting duplicability over time. Here we present a formalization of the gene duplicability and mutational opportunity hypotheses to characterize evolutionary dynamics and explanatory power in a recently developed statistical framework.

Conclusions

This work presents expectations of the gene duplicability and mutational opportunity hypotheses over time under different sets of assumptions. This expectation will enable formal testing of processes leading to duplicate gene retention.
The effects of Leishmania RNA virus 2 (LRV2) on the virulence factors of L. major and pro-inflammatory biomarkers: an in vitro study on human monocyte cell line (THP-1)
Authors: Mirabedini Zahra , Mirjalali Hamed , Kazemirad Elham , Khamesipour Ali , Samimirad Katayoun , Koosha Mona , Saberi Reza , Rahimi Hanieh Mohammad , Mohebali Mehdi , Hajjaran Homa
Published: December 2023

Background

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease with diverse outcomes. Clinical diversity is influenced by various factors such as Leishmania species and host genetic background. The role of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV), as an endosymbiont, is suggested to not only affect the pathogenesis of Leishmania, but also impact host immune responses. This study aimed to investigate the influence of LRV2 on the expression of a number of virulence factors (VFs) of Leishmania and pro-inflammatory biomarkers.

Materials and methods

Sample were obtained from CL patients from Golestan province. Leishmania species were identified by PCR (LIN 4, 17), and the presence of LRV2 was checked using the semi-nested PCR (RdRp gene). Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) was treated with three isolates of L. major with LRV2 and one isolate of L. major without LRV2. The treatments with four isolates were administered for the time points: zero, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after co-infection. The expression levels of Leishmania VFs genes including GP63, HSP83, and MPI, as well as pro-inflammatory biomarkers genes including NLRP3, IL18, and IL1β, were measured using quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

The expression of GP63, HSP83, and MPI revealed up-regulation in LRV2 + isolates compared to LRV2- isolates. The expression of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers including NLRP3, IL1β, and IL18 genes in LRV2- were higher than LRV2 + isolates.

Conclusion

This finding suggests that LRV2 + may have a probable effect on the Leishmania VFs and pro-inflammatory biomarkers in the human macrophage model.
Anomalous origin of left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva
Authors: Chua Frederick , Vongbunyong Kenny , Urgun Deniz Akay , Ghashghaei Roxana
Published: December 2023

Background

Anomalous coronary arteries are rare congenital variations with cases ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Given the wide variability of coronary anomalies, it is challenging to predict their clinical consequences. Here, we present the ‘malignant’ variant – interarterial course of the left coronary artery between the aorta and pulmonary trunk – given the highest risk of sudden cardiac death among the various coronary anomalies.

Case presentation

Our case presents a 22-year-old male presenting to the emergency department after a syncopal episode that occurred while the patient was driving a motor vehicle. Initial Computed Tomography (CT) of the chest performed as part of the trauma work-up revealed a rare case of an anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) originating from a common ostium with the right coronary artery (RCA). The LMCA was found to have a malignant course, as it was positioned between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Given the high risk of sudden cardiac arrest with this congenital variant, the patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.

Conclusion

Anomalous coronary arteries remain the second leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young adult patients. The risk of sudden cardiac death depends on the congenital variant of the anomalous coronary artery as well as the course these vessels take. This case highlights a rare congenital variant featuring both the LMCA and RCA originating from a common ostium, with the LMCA having a malignant course, a variant with the highest risk of sudden cardiac death.
Trends and projections of inflammatory bowel disease at the global, regional and national levels, 1990–2050: a bayesian age-period-cohort modeling study
Authors: Zhou Jia-Li , Bao Jia-Chen , Liao Xu-Ying , Chen Yi-Jia , Wang Lin-Wei , Fan Yan-Yun , Xu Qin-Yu , Hao Lan-Xiang , Li Kun-Jian , Liang Ming-Xian , Hu Tian-Hui , Liu Zheng-Jin , Hu Yi-Qun
Published: December 2023

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global health concern with varying levels and trends across countries and regions. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Methods

Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study, we examine IBD incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates in 198 countries from 1990 to 2019. To assess changes in the burden of IBD, estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated, and a Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict the future 30-year trends of IBD.

Results

In 2019, there were 405,000 new IBD cases globally (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 361,000 to 457,000), with 41,000 deaths (95% UI 35,000 to 45,000) and 1.62million DALYs (95% UI 1.36–1.92million). The global age-standardized incidence rate in 2019 was 4.97 per 100,000 person-years (95% UI 4.43 to 5.59), with a mortality rate of 0.54 (95% UI 0.46 to 0.59) and DALYs rate of 20.15 (95% UI 16.86 to 23.71). From 1990 to 2019, EAPC values for incidence, mortality, and DALYs rates were − 0.60 (95% UI − 0.73 to − 0.48), − 0.69 (95% UI − 0.81 to − 0.57), and − 1.04 (95% UI − 1.06 to − 1.01), respectively. Overall, the burden of IBD has shown a slow decline in recent years. In SDI stratification, regions with higher initial SDI (high-income North America and Central Europe) witnessed decreasing incidence and mortality rates with increasing SDI, while regions with lower initial SDI (South Asia, Oceania, and Latin America) experienced a rapid rise in incidence but a decrease in mortality with increasing SDI. Predictions using a Bayesian model showed lower new cases and deaths from 2020 to 2050 than reference values, while the slope of the predicted incidence-time curve closely paralleled that of the 2019 data.

Conclusion

Increasing cases, deaths, and DALYs highlight the sustained burden of IBD on public health. Developed countries have stabilized or declining incidence rates but face high prevalence and societal burden. Emerging and developing countries experience rising incidence. Understanding these changes aids policymakers in effectively addressing IBD challenges in different regions and economic contexts.
Perceptions of HIV patients on the use of cell phones as a tool to improve their antiretroviral adherence in Northwest, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tizie Sefefe Birhanu , Shiferaw Atsede Mazengia , Beshir Miftah Abdella , Mengistie Muluken Belachew , Degualem Sayih Mehari , Assaye Bayou Tilahun
Published: December 2023

Background

Human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most infectious diseases that cause death. A Medication non-adherence in HIV patient has been caused by factors such as not taking medications as prescribed by a physician, withdrawing from medication, missing appointments, and forgetfulness. To improve patients’ antiretroviral adherence, supporting them with mobile phone applications is advisable. This study aimed to assess HIV patients’ perceptions towards the use of cell phones to improve antiretroviral adherence.

Methods and materials

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 HIV patients at a comprehensive specialized hospital in northwest Ethiopia from June to July 2022. Study participants were selected using systematic random sampling techniques and the data collection tool was adopted and modified for different literatures. Data were collected through an online data collection tool, and STATA-14 software was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used. The variables with a P-value equal to or less than 0.2 in bivariable logistic regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression, and model fitness was assessed.

Results

A total of 410 study subjects have participated, making a response rate of 97%. In this study, 62% (95% CI: 57–67%) of HIV patients had a positive perception regarding the use of mobile phones to improve antiretroviral adherence. Perceived usefulness of mobile phones [AOR = 4.5, (95% CI: 2.2–9.1)], perceived ease of mobile phone use [AOR = 3.9, (95% CI: 2.0–7.5), age [AOR = 3.0, (95% CI: 1.5–6.2)], and educational status [AOR = 5.0, (95% CI: 2.3–10.0)] were significantly associated with HIV patients’ perception of mobile phones’ use to improve antiretroviral adherence.

Conclusions

More than half of the respondents had positive perception regarding the use of mobile phones to enhance their adherence to treatment. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, age, and educational status was significantly associated with perception of mobile phone use to enhance antiretroviral therapy adherence. Therefore, the government have to encourage and support patients in incorporating mobile phones into their antiretroviral therapy (ART) follow-up through training.
Development of a patient-reported outcome measure of digital health literacy for chronic patients: results of a French international online Delphi study
Authors: Délétroz Carole , Del Grande Claudio , Amil Samira , Bodenmann Patrick , Gagnon Marie-Pierre , Sasseville Maxime
Published: December 2023

Background

A psychometrically robust patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess digital health literacy for chronic patients is needed in the context of digital health. We defined measurement constructs for a new PROM in previous studies using a systematic review, a qualitative description of constructs from patients, health professionals and an item pool identification process. This study aimed to evaluate the content validity of a digital health literacy PROM for chronic patients using an e-Delphi technique.

Methods

An international three-round online Delphi (e-Delphi) study was conducted among a francophone expert panel gathering academics, clinicians and patient partners. These experts rated the relevance, improvability, and self-ratability of each construct (n = 5) and items (n = 14) of the preliminary version of the PROM on a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus attainment was defined as strong if ≥ 70% panelists agree or strongly agree. A qualitative analysis of comments was carried out to describe personal coping strategies in healthcare expressed by the panel. Qualitative results were presented using a conceptually clustered matrix.

Results

Thirty-four experts completed the study (with 10% attrition at the second round and 5% at the third round). The panel included mostly nurses working in clinical practice and academics from nursing science, medicine, public health background and patient partners. Five items were excluded, and one question was added during the consensus attainment process. Qualitative comments describing the panel view of coping strategies in healthcare were analysed. Results showed two important themes that underpin most of personal coping strategies related to using information and communications technologies: 1) questionable patient capacity to assess digital health literacy, 2) digital devices as a factor influencing patient and care.

Conclusion

Consensus was reached on the relevance, improvability, and self-ratability of 5 constructs and 11 items for a digital health literacy PROM. Evaluation of e-health programs requires validated measurement of digital health literacy including the empowerment construct. This new PROM appears as a relevant tool, but requires further validation.
Electricity generation and oxidoreductase potential during dye discoloration by laccase-producing Ganoderma gibbosum in fungal fuel cell
Authors: Umar Aisha , Abid Islem , Antar Mohammed , Dufossé Laurent , Hajji-Hedfi Lobna , Elshikh Mohamed S. , Shahawy Abeer El , Abdel-Azeem Ahmed M.
Published: December 2023

Color chemicals contaminate pure water constantly discharged from different points and non-point sources. Physical and chemical techniques have certain limitations and complexities for bioenergy production, which motivated the search for a novel sustainable production approaches during dye wastewater treatment. The emerging environmental problem of dye decolorization has attracted scientist's attention to a new, cheap, and economical way to treat dye wastewater and power production via fungal fuel cells. Ganoderma gibbosum was fitted in the cathodic region with laccase secretion in the fuel cell. At the same time, dye water was placed in the anodic region to move electrons and produce power. This study treated wastewater using the oxidoreductase enzymes released extracellularly from Ganoderma gibbosum for dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) degradation via fungal-based fuel cell. The maximum power density of 14.18 mW/m2 and the maximum current density of 35 mA/m2 were shown by the concentration of 5 ppm during maximum laccase activity and decolorization of RBBR. The laccase catalysts have gained considerable attention because of eco-friendly and alternative easy handling approaches to chemical methods. Fungal Fuel Cells (FFCs) are efficiently used in dye treatment and electricity production. This article also highlighted the construction of fungal catalytic cells and the enzymatic performance of fungal species in energy production during dye water treatment.
Molecular pathways in the development of HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Ullah Muhammad Ikram , Mikhailova Maria V. , Alkhathami Ali G. , Carbajal Nestor Cuba , Zuta Manuel Enrique Chenet , Rasulova Irodakhon , Najm Mazin A. A. , Abosoda Munther , Alsalamy Ali , Deorari Mahamedha
Published: December 2023

Oropharyngeal cancer, a subset of head and neck cancer, is increasingly recognized as a unique clinical entity primarily influenced by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, particularly HPV-16. This review delves into the viral life cycle of HPV-16 and its interactions with host cells, with a specific focus on the crucial roles played by the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7. These oncoproteins drive cellular proliferation by targeting critical tumor suppressor proteins like p53 and Rb, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth and genomic instability. Furthermore, the significance of epigenetic modifications induced by HPV-16 and their implications is important for cancer progression. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the intricate molecular landscape of HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer, shedding light on the development of targeted therapies and preventive strategies for this emerging global health concern.
Orthodontic treatment and biological limits: a retrospective clinical trial
Authors: Tabancis Niki Nikoleta , Krey Karl-Friedrich , Stahl Franka , Behnke Valeria , Ratzmann Anja
Published: December 2023

Background

The fundamental part of every successful orthodontic treatment is the detailed treatment planning including a precise determination of the virtual treatment objective (VTO) while considering the biological and anatomical limits. The aim of this study is to investigate and to compare the feasibility of the established reference values before and after orthodontic treatment and to determine the usefulness of this parameters as guidance for the sagittal anterior, sagittal posterior and transverse biological boundaries.

Materials and methods

Thirty-two patients aged 9 to 18 years (12 male and 20 female) with all permanent teeth present were randomly selected for orthodontic treatment with fixed multibracket appliance regardless of the potential malocclusion. The parameters 6-PTV, 1-NB [mm] and the WALA ridge were set for the identification of the transverse, sagittal anterior and sagittal posterior tooth position. The measurements were carried out at the beginning (T0) and at the end (T1) of the orthodontic treatment. They were set in relation with their individual threshold values (G). After the results of the measurements were conducted using the software OnyxCeph3TM (version 3.2.185 (505), Image Instruments GmbH, Chemnitz, DE), they were statistically calculated in the software RStudio (2022.12.0 Build 353 © 2009–2022 Posit Software PBC).

Results

Among the 32 patients, the mean pre- and post-treatment changes measured through the three parameters in relation to the individual reference values were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The mean values for 6-PTV, 1-NB and the WALA ridge amounted 15.37 mm, 2.56 mm and 4.23 mm at the beginning of the treatment, while after the treatment the measured values amounted 20.31 mm, 2.4 mm and 5.55 mm. These measurements combined with the statistical analysis of the changes of WALA ridge (T0, T1) confirmed that the teeth have been successfully uprighted and aligned. Furthermore, the maxillary first molars have been moved slightly mesially, as proven by the changes in 6-PTV, without certainty as to whether bodily movement or mesial tipping took place. Additionally, the lower incisors have been protruded, slightly exceeding the individual threshold values.

Conclusion

The parameters investigated provide a suitable assessment tool for recording the limits of the sagittal posterior, the sagittal anterior and the transverse dimension.
Ripening dynamics revisited: an automated method to track the development of asynchronous berries on time-lapse images
Authors: Daviet Benoit , Fournier Christian , Cabrera-Bosquet Llorenç , Simonneau Thierry , Cafier Maxence , Romieu Charles
Published: December 2023

Background

Grapevine berries undergo asynchronous growth and ripening dynamics within the same bunch. Due to the lack of efficient methods to perform sequential non-destructive measurements on a representative number of individual berries, the genetic and environmental origins of this heterogeneity, remain nearly unknown. To address these limitations, we propose a method to track the growth and coloration kinetics of individual berries on time-lapse images of grapevine bunches.

Results

First, a deep-learning approach is used to detect berries with at least 50 ± 10% of visible contours, and infer the shape they would have in the absence of occlusions. Second, a tracking algorithm was developed to assign a common label to shapes representing the same berry along the time-series. Training and validation of the methods were performed on challenging image datasets acquired in a robotised high-throughput phenotyping platform. Berries were detected on various genotypes with a F1-score of 91.8%, and segmented with a mean absolute error of 4.1% on their area. Tracking allowed to label and retrieve the temporal identity of more than half of the segmented berries, with an accuracy of 98.1%. This method was used to extract individual growth and colour kinetics of various berries from the same bunch, allowing us to propose the first statistically relevant analysis of berry ripening kinetics, with a time resolution lower than one day.

Conclusions

We successfully developed a fully-automated open-source method to detect, segment and track overlapping berries in time-series of grapevine bunch images acquired in laboratory conditions. This makes it possible to quantify fine aspects of individual berry development, and to characterise the asynchrony within the bunch. The interest of such analysis was illustrated here for one cultivar, but the method has the potential to be applied in a high throughput phenotyping context. This opens the way for revisiting the genetic and environmental variations of the ripening dynamics. Such variations could be considered both from the point of view of fruit development and the phenological structure of the population, which would constitute a paradigm shift.
From data to action: a scoping review of wearable technologies and biomechanical assessments informing injury prevention strategies in sport
Authors: Rebelo André , Martinho Diogo V. , Valente-dos-Santos João , Coelho-e-Silva Manuel J. , Teixeira Diogo S.
Published: December 2023

Background

The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate the current use of technologies in sports settings for training adaptation and injury prevention. The review aimed to map the existing literature, identify key concepts and themes, and highlight gaps in research, thus offering guidance for future studies.

Methods

This study followed the guidelines of the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and a search in four major databases was conducted.

Results

A total of 21 studies were included. The findings highlighted the widespread use of various technologies, including wearable devices and force plates, to monitor athletes’ performance and inform evidence-based decision-making in training and injury prevention. Variables such as Player Load, changes of direction, and acute chronic workload ratio were identified as key metrics in injury prediction.

Conclusions

This review uncovers a dynamic field of research in athlete injury prevention, emphasizing the extensive use of varied technologies. A key finding is the pivotal role of Player Load data, which offers nuanced insights for customizing training loads according to sport-specific demands, player positions, and the physical requirements of various activities. Additionally, the review sheds light on the utility of tools like force plates in assessing fatigue, aiding recovery, and steering injury rehabilitation, particularly in sports prone to knee and ankle injuries. These insights not only enhance our understanding of injury prevention but also provide a strategic direction for future research, aiming to boost athlete safety, performance, and career longevity.
Translation, and validation of Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS): Swedish version
Authors: Movander Klara , Larsson Palmquist Tove , Hägglund Patricia , Bergström Liza
Published: December 2023

Background

Swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) significantly impacts patient and medical outcomes. In Sweden, there is no comprehensive outcome measure for dysphagia that incorporates holistic assessment and dysphagia impact on a person’s impairment, function and participation. The Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) was developed and validated (in English) and incorporates the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) aforementioned, International Classification of Functioning (ICF) aspects. This study translated then evaluated the validity and reliability of the Swedish version, DOSS-S.

Method

Translation occurred based on WHO recommendations. The Content Validity Index (CVI) of the translated version (DOSS-S) was assessed twice by 11 (multi-professional) dysphagia experts. Criterion validity and rater reliability was calculated using 18 Speech Pathologists assessing patient cases from International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative—Functional Diet Scale (IDDS-FDS) research.

Results

Very high CVI values (0.96–0.99) for the linguistic correlation, and high CVI values (0.84–0.94) for applicability correlation were achieved. High criterion validity of DOSS-S with IDDSI-FDS was demonstrated (rs = 0.89, p < 0.01), with very high inter and intra rater reliabilities (ICC > 0.90).

Conclusion

The DOSS-S demonstrated very high validity values, and very high inter and intra rater reliability. This research contributes to improved dysphagia management by providing interprofessional dysphagia clinicians with a validated scale to identify patient progression, communicate dysphagia status between regions and countries, and document patient outcomes using an ICF framework.