bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One‐way endobronchial valves in the management of complex persistent air leaks in a soft tissue sarcoma patient
Authors: Fiorelli Alfonso , Cannella Lucia , Capasso Francesca , Pizzolorusso Antonio , Picozzi Feranda , Messina Gaetana , Natale Giovanni , Mercadante Edoardo , Tafuto Salvatore
Published: August 2023

Complex persistent air leak (PAL) is a clinical condition which is difficult to treat. Herein, we report the clinical case of an 18‐year‐old woman with lung and bone metastases due an ultrarare sarcoma: “round cell sarcoma non‐Ewing”. She developed persistent air leaks due to an alveolopleural fistula which developed following two cycles of chemotherapy with doxorubicin. Chest drainage with suction failed to resolve the air leaks, while surgical treatment was unfeasible due to the poor clinical condition of the patient. Thus, she was reviewed for endoscopic treatment with one‐way endobronchial valves. A small valve was sequentially inserted within each segment of the right upper bronchus to occlude the entire upper lobe. Two days after the procedure, resolution of the air leaks were obtained. Chest drainage was removed 5 days later and the patient was discharged. Chemotherapy was resumed. The patient died 7 months later because of disease progression.
OpenSoundscape: An open‐source bioacoustics analysis package for Python
Authors: Lapp Sam , Rhinehart Tessa , Freeland‐Haynes Louis , Khilnani Jatin , Syunkova Alexandra , Kitzes Justin
Published: August 2023

Landscape‐scale bioacoustic projects have become a popular approach to biodiversity monitoring. Combining passive acoustic monitoring recordings and automated detection provides an effective means of monitoring sound‐producing species' occupancy and phenology and can lend insight into unobserved behaviours and patterns. The availability of low‐cost recording hardware has lowered barriers to large‐scale data collection, but technological barriers in data analysis remain a bottleneck for extracting biological insight from bioacoustic datasets.

We provide a robust and open‐source Python toolkit for detecting and localizing biological sounds in acoustic data.

OpenSoundscape provides access to automated acoustic detection, classification and localization methods through a simple and easy‐to‐use set of tools. Extensive documentation and tutorials provide step‐by‐step instructions and examples of end‐to‐end analysis of bioacoustic data. Here, we describe the functionality of this package and provide concise examples of bioacoustic analyses with OpenSoundscape.

By providing an interface for bioacoustic data and methods, we hope this package will lead to increased adoption of bioacoustics methods and ultimately to enhanced insights for ecology and conservation.
Is it time to drop royal patronage of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists?
Authors: Nicklin James , Robertson Greg
Published: August 2023

Historically there is a strong, amiable and mutually respectful relationship between Australian and New Zealand obstetricians and gynaecologists (O&Gs) and the British O&G establishment represented by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). The ‘Royal’ prefix pays homage to this relationship. With the evolution of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), there have been suggestions that the Royal prefix no longer accurately reflects the raison d'être and aspirations of RANZCOG. This paper will explore the arguments in favour and against dropping the Royal prefix from RANZCOG.
Short‐term dietary intervention improves endothelial dysfunction induced by high‐fat feeding in mice through upregulation of the AMPK‐CREB signaling pathway
Authors: González‐Blázquez Raquel , Gil‐Ortega Marta , Alcalá Martín , González‐Moreno Daniel , Viana Marta , Chowen Julie A. , Sanz‐Gómez Marta , Fernández‐Alfonso María S. , Somoza Beatriz
Published: August 2023

Aim

In addition to functioning as an energy sensor switch, AMPK plays a key role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. However, obesity disrupts AMPK signaling, contributing to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to elucidate if a short‐term dietary intervention consisting in replacing the high‐fat diet with a standard diet for 2 weeks could reverse obesity‐induced endothelial dysfunction via AMPK‐CREB activation.

Methods

For this, 5‐week‐old male C57BL6J mice were fed a standard (Chow) or a high‐fat (HF) diet for 8 weeks. The HF diet was replaced by the chow diet for the last 2 weeks in half of HF mice, generating 3 groups: Chow, HF and HF‐Chow. Vascular reactivity and western‐blot assays were performed in the thoracic aorta.

Results

Returning to a chow diet significantly reduced body weight and glucose intolerance. Relaxant responses to acetylcholine and the AMPK activator (AICAR) were significantly impaired in HF mice but improved in HF‐Chow mice. The protein levels of AMPKα, p‐CREB and antioxidant systems (heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) and catalase) were significantly reduced in HF but normalized in HF‐Chow mice.

Conclusion

Improving dietary intake by replacing a HF diet with a standard diet improves AMPK‐mediated responses due to the upregulation of the AMPK/CREB/HO‐1 signaling pathway.
Drug‐induced Sweet's syndrome: A case/non‐case study in the French pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Martin Salomé , Trenque Thierry , Herlem Emmanuelle , Boulay Charlène , Pizzoglio Véronique , Azzouz Brahim
Published: August 2023

Aims

Sweet's syndrome is an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis first described in 1964 by Robert Douglas Sweet. The pathophysiological mechanism is not fully established; however, several cases of Sweet's syndrome have been reported following drug administration.

Methods

To investigate the existence of pharmacovigilance signals between drugs and the occurrence of Sweet's syndrome, we performed a case/non‐case study on reports of ‘acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis’ registered in the French pharmacovigilance database. Reporting odds ratio (ROR) with its 95% confidence interval were calculated.

Results

Amongthe 994 789 reports recorded in the database, 136 were Sweet's syndrome, of which 50.7% were men and the median age was 59 years (range 15–91). A total of 224 drugs were mentioned as suspects: 21.0% were antibacterials, 19.2% were antineoplastics and 12.1% were immunosuppressants. Median time to onset from drug initiation to the development of Sweet's syndrome was 15 days (range 1–1095). The highest RORs were observed with bortezomib (74.04 [40.8–134.2]), azacitidine (72.14 [29.4–176.9]), perfilgrastim (67.05 [21.2–211.6]), azathioprine (55.46 [34.8–88.4]) and bendamustine (35.84 [11.4–112.8]).

Conclusions

Pharmacovigilance signals have been observed between the occurrence of Sweet's syndrome and colony‐stimulating factors, immunosuppressants, antineoplastics and antibiotics. Clinicians should be aware of the potential associations with these drugs and should be encouraged to report any case of drug‐induced Sweet's syndrome.
Pathogenic variants in SOX11 mimicking Pitt‐Hopkins syndrome phenotype
Authors: Pasquetti Domizia , L'Erario Federica Francesca , Marangi Giuseppe , Panfili Arianna , Chiurazzi Pietro , Sonnini Elena , Orteschi Daniela , Alfieri Paolo ,   TUDP Study Group, Morleo Manuela , Nigro Vincenzo , Zollino Marcella
Published: August 2023

Pitt‐Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by severe intellectual disability (ID), distinctive facial features and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, caused by TCF4 haploinsufficiency. We clinically diagnosed with PTHS a 14 6/12‐year‐old female, who had a normal status of TCF4. The pathogenic c.667del (p.Asp223MetfsTer45) variant in SOX11 was identified through whole exome sequencing (WES). SOX11 variants were initially reported to cause Coffin‐Siris syndrome (CSS), characterised by growth restriction, moderate ID, coarse face, hypertrichosis and hypoplastic nails. However, recent studies have provided evidence that they give rise to a distinct neurodevelopmental disorder. To date, SOX11 variants are associated with a variable phenotype, which has been described to resemble CSS in some cases, but never PTHS. By reviewing both clinically and genetically 32 out of 82 subjects reported in the literature with SOX11 variants, for whom detailed information are provided, we found that 7/32 (22%) had a clinical presentation overlapping PTHS. Furthermore, we made a confirmation that overall SOX11 abnormalities feature a distinctive disorder characterised by severe ID, high incidence of microcephaly and low frequency of congenital malformations. Purpose of the present report is to enhance the role of clinical genetics in assessing the individual diagnosis after WES results.
Colorectal cancer incidence trends by tumour location among adults of screening‐age in England: a population‐based study
Authors: Granger Sam. P. , Preece Ryan. A. D. , Thomas Michael. G. , Dixon Steven. W. , Chambers Adam. C. , Messenger David. E.
Published: August 2023

Aim

Proximal and distal colorectal cancers (CRCs) exhibit different clinical, molecular and biological patterns. The aim of this study was to determine temporal trends in the age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of proximal and distal CRC following the introduction of the English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in 2006.

Method

The National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service database was used to identify incident cases of CRC among adults of screening age (60–74 years) between 2001 and 2017. ASIRs were calculated using the European Standard Population 2013 and incidence trends analysed by anatomical subsite (proximal, caecum to descending colon; distal, sigmoid to rectum), sex and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile using Joinpoint regression software.

Results

Between 2001 and 2017, 541 515 incident cases of CRC were diagnosed [236 167 proximal (43.6%) and 305 348 distal (56.4%)]. A marginal reduction in the proximal ASIR was noted from 2008 [annual percentage change (APC) −1.4% (95% CI −2.0% to −0.9%)] compared with a greater reduction in distal ASIR from 2011 to 2014 [APC −6.6% (95% CI −11.5% to −1.5%)] which plateaued thereafter [APC −0.5% (95% CI −3.2% to 2.2%)]. Incidence rates decreased more rapidly in men than women. Adults in IMD quintiles 4–5 experienced the greatest reduction in distal tumours [APC −3.5% (95% CI −4.3% to −2.7%)].

Conclusion

Following the introduction of the English BCSP, the incidence of CRC has subsequently reduced among adults of screening age, with this trend being most pronounced in distal tumours and in men. There is also evidence of a reduction in the deprivation gap for distal tumour incidence. Strategies to improve the detection of proximal tumours are warranted.
From diagnosis of colorectal cancer to diagnosis of Lynch syndrome: The RM Partners quality improvement project
Authors: Monje‐Garcia Laura , Bill Timothy , Farthing Lindsay , Hill Nate , Kipps Emma , Brady Angela F. , Kemp Zoe , Snape Katie , Myers Alistair , Abulafi Muti , Monahan Kevin
Published: August 2023

Aim

The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline DG27 recommends universal testing for Lynch syndrome (LS) in all newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, DG27 guideline implementation varies significantly by geography. This quality improvement project (QIP) was developed to measure variation and deliver an effective diagnostic pathway from diagnosis of CRC to diagnosis of LS within the RM Partners (RMP) West London cancer alliance.

Method

RM Partners includes a population of 4 million people and incorporates nine CRC multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), overseen by a Pathway Group, and three regional genetic services, managing approximately 1500 new CRC cases annually. A responsible LS champion was nominated within each MDT. A regional project manager and nurse practitioner were appointed to support the LS champions, to develop online training packages and patient consultation workshops. MDTs were supported to develop an ‘in‐house’ mainstreaming service to offer genetic testing in their routine oncology clinics. Baseline data were collected through completion of the LS pathway audit of the testing pathway in 30 consecutive CRC patients from each CRC MDT, with measurement of each step of the testing pathway. Areas for improvement in each MDT were identified, delivered by the local champion and supported by the project team.

Results

Overall, QIP measurables improved following the intervention. The Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed significant differences with strong effect sizes on the percentile of CRC cases undergoing mismatch repair (MMR) testing in endoscopic biopsies (p = 0.008), further testing with either methylation or BRAF V600E (p = 0/03) and in effective referral for genetic testing (from 10% to 74%; p = 0.02). During the QIP new mainstreaming services were developed, alongside the implementation of systematic and robust testing pathways. These pathways were tailored to the needs of each CRC team to ensure that patients with a diagnosis of CRC had access to testing for LS. Online training packages were produced which remain freely accessible for CRC teams across the UK.

Conclusion

The LS project was completed by April 2022. We have implemented a systematic approach with workforce transformation to facilitate identification and ‘mainstreamed’ genetic diagnosis of LS. This work has contributed to the development of a National LS Transformation Project in England which recommends local leadership within cancer teams to ensure delivery of diagnosis of LS and integration of genomics into clinical practice.
Spindle cell lesions of the abdomen: Not always GIST!
Authors: Yadav Mahima , Murugesan Induparkavi , Ghosh Premangshu
Published: August 2023

The cytological differential diagnoses of gastrointestinal stromal tumours are mesenchymal, neural and neuroendocrine tumours. However, there are potential pitfalls, two of which are presented here.
Evaluating the prevalence of current hepatitis C infection and treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who inject drugs in Australia: The ETHOS engage study
Authors: Hobday Steven , Valerio Heather , Combo Troy , Monaghan Robert , Scott Clarke , Silk David , Murray Carolyn , Read Phillip , Henderson Charles , Degenhardt Louisa , Treloar Carla , Dore Gregory J. , Grebely Jason , Martinello Marianne ,   the ETHOS Engage Study Group
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Evaluating progress towards hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is critical given the disproportionate burden of infection. We examined factors associated with current HCV infection and self‐reported treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Aboriginal peoples) and non‐Aboriginal peoples who inject drugs (PWID) in Australia.

Methods

ETHOS Engage is an observational cohort study of PWID attending drug treatment and needle and syringe programs in Australia. Participants underwent point‐of‐care HCV RNA testing (Xpert HCV RNA Viral Load Fingerstick) and completed a questionnaire including self‐reported history of HCV treatment.

Results

Between May 2018 and June 2021, 2395 participants were enrolled and 555 (23%) identified as Aboriginal (median age 42 years, 58% were men, 63% injected drugs in last month, 76% ever incarcerated). HCV RNA prevalence was 23% among Aboriginal PWID (24% in 2018–2019 and 21% in 2019–2021; p = 0.44), and 21% among non‐Aboriginal PWID (24% in 2018–2019 and 16% in 2019–2021; p < 0.001). Self‐reported HCV treatment was 65% among Aboriginal PWID (63% in 2018–2019 and 69% in 2019–2021; p = 0.30), and 70% among non‐Aboriginal PWID (67% in 2018–2019 and 75% in 2019–2021; p < 0.001). Among Aboriginal PWID, current HCV infection was associated with recently injecting drugs and receiving opioid agonist treatment, and self‐reported HCV treatment was negatively associated with younger age, homelessness and recently injecting drugs.

Discussion and Conclusions

Equitable access to HCV care and prevention is needed to ensure Australia meets its elimination targets among Aboriginal PWID.
Do job aspirations cause job choice? Insights from women entering male‐dominated occupational training in India
Authors: Sahai Garima
Published: August 2023

Motivation

The participation rate of women in India's labour force is not only one of the lowest in the world, it has also been declining. To increase women's employment, some observers argue for reducing occupational gender segregation so that more women enter non‐traditional jobs.

Purpose

I ask how aspirations for non‐traditional jobs are formed among young women in Delhi. The aim was to enable policy‐makers to foster occupational aspirations for non‐traditional jobs so women could enter jobs considered to be men's work, reducing gender segregation and increasing women's participation in the labour market.

Methods and approach

I interviewed 72 young women from low‐income households in Delhi, following a semi‐structured guide. These young women were training either in jobs seen as the preserve of men—taxi drivers, electricians, and electronics mechanics—or in traditionally female work in beauty salons.

Findings

Contrary to conventional wisdom, young women's entry into non‐traditional training in Delhi was not a result of their occupational aspirations. Rather, entry into training saw them aspire to the jobs for which they trained.

Policy implications

To increase women's entry into jobs dominated by men, policy‐makers do not need to influence young women's occupational aspirations. Instead, they should focus on factors that directly affect job entry—for example, having training centres close to where these young women live—and provide opportunities for young women to train.

Traditional concepts of occupational aspirations, generally derived from the global North, do not apply in the same way to young women in India. My study raises questions about these conceptions of aspirations and prompts future studies to assess whether they apply in other parts of the global South.
A Designer's Journey of Writing — Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation
Authors: Bethune Kevin
Published: August 2023

It was my chance to reflect on a multidisciplinary career and leave an indelible fingerprint of perspective that could hopefully serve others in their creative pursuits.

Never imagining he'd write a book, along the way he discovered he had a unique perspective to communicate as a Black man at the intersection of design, business, and technology.
Design Leadership and Design Evolution Around the Globe: PARK, a Reflection on 25 Years
Authors: Joziasse Frans
Published: August 2023

High impact design leaders take their organization through all the levels of design leadership maturity, a path that can take a decade or longer.

The roles that design leaders play have changed over time, and great leaders needs to develop specific qualities to continue to provide the most impact to people, organizations, and the planet.
Neurologic deficits and surgical treatment in a horse affected with internal carotid artery tortuous elongation
Authors: Rijkenhuizen Astrid B. M. , Kaske Franziska , Rikart Johanna , Racine Julien , Engerand Claudia
Published: August 2023

A 2‐year‐old Warmblood gelding was presented with a history of bilateral feed material coming from the nostrils secondary to dysphagia, coughing and impairment of physical development, since purchase at 6 months of age. Endoscopy of the right guttural pouch was unremarkable; however, in the left guttural pouch, a distended (aneurysm), pulsating, tortuous elongated internal carotid artery (ICA) was observed. Computed tomography revealed that in the dorsal aspect of the medial compartment of the left guttural pouch adjacent to the jugular foramen, the ICA turned anti‐clockwise creating a small loop of 1 cm diameter. This loop had a faint linear, soft tissue attenuating connection to the caudodorsal wall of the guttural pouch and was slightly larger in diameter compared to the right ICA. A malformation of the left ICA was diagnosed, most likely congenital. A secondary compression and neuropathy of one or multiple nerves of the associated lower cranial nerves in the neurovascular plica (IX, X) was suspected explaining the clinical signs of dysphagia. The slightly larger diameter of the left ICA could represent congestion of the vessel or an early aneurysm formation. Based on these findings, endovascular balloon occlusion (nondetachable balloon) of the left ICA was performed to relief the compression on the affected nerves. The occlusion of the ICA resolved the clinical signs within 7 weeks after surgery.
Predicting geometry factors and normalized T‐stress of centrally cracked Brazilian disk specimens using deep learning method
Authors: Hassani Niaki Mostafa , Pashaian Matin
Published: August 2023

In this paper, the geometry factors of mode I and mode II (YI and YII) and the normalized T‐stress (T*) of the centrally cracked Brazilian disk specimen are predicted using a deep learning approach. Three deep neural networks are developed to model the relationship between the crack angle (α) and the ratio of half the crack length to the radius (a/R) as input variables and each of YI, YII, and T* as output variables. Three independent databases consisting of 174, 174, and 117 data points are prepared for YI, YII, and T*, respectively, from the previous works to train, generalize, and validate the deep neural networks. Finally, sensitivity analysis of YI, YII, and T* to α and a/R is conducted, and mathematical models are obtained using the partial dependence plots, which can be used in the optimization of stress intensity factors and T‐stress of the cracked Brazilian disk specimens with different dimensions.
Additive effect of frailty with distinct multimorbidity patterns on mortality amongst middle‐aged and older adults in Taiwan: A 16‐year population‐based study
Authors: Chu Wei‐Min , Ho Hsin‐En , Yeh Chih‐Jung , Wei James Cheng‐Chung , Arai Hidenori , Lee Meng‐Chih
Published: August 2023

Aim

This study aimed to explore the association between multimorbidity patterns with/without frailty and future mortality among Taiwanese middle‐aged and older adults through a population‐based cohort study design.

Methods

Data were collected from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. The data were obtained from Wave 3, with the multimorbidity patterns in the years of 1996 being analyzed through latent class analysis. Frailty was defined using the modified Fried criteria. The association between each disease group with/without frailty and mortality was examined using logistic regression, with the reference group as the Relatively healthy group without frailty. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression, and the follow‐up period of mortality was from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2012.

Results

A total of 4748 middle‐aged and older adults with an average age of 66.3 years (SD: 9.07 years) were included. Four disease patterns were identified in 1996, namely the Cardiometabolic (21.0%), Arthritis‐cataract (11.9%), Relatively healthy (61.6%), and Multimorbidity (5.5%) groups. After adjusting for all covariates, the Relatively healthy group with frailty showed the highest risk for mortality (odds ratio: 3.66, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.24–5.95), followed by the Cardiometabolic group with frailty (odds ratio: 3.58, 95% CI: 1.96–6.54), Multimorbidity group with frailty (odds ratio: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.17–4.44), Multimorbidity group without frailty (odds ratio: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01–2.04), and the Cardiometabolic group without frailty (odds ratio: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.04–1.49).

Conclusions

Frailty plays an important role in mortality among middle‐aged and older adults with distinct multimorbidity patterns. Middle‐aged and older adults with a relatively healthy multimorbidity pattern or a cardiometabolic multimorbidity pattern with frailty encountered dismal outcomes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 684–691.
Excellent calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicate corrosion resistance of high‐entropy garnet/alumina directionally solidified eutectic at 1500°C
Authors: Zhou Cui , Sun Luchao , Du Tiefeng , Wu Zhen , Wang Jiemin , Wang Jingyang
Published: August 2023

High‐temperature corrosion resistance is one of the major challenges for hot‐section components in gas turbines. In this paper, the interaction of a novel high entropy (HE) (Y0.2Gd0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Yb0.2)3Al5O12/Al2O3 directionally solidified eutectic (DSE) with molten calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicate (CMAS) at 1500°C for 4 to 200 h was investigated and the results indicate that (Y0.2Gd0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Yb0.2)3Al5O12/Al2O3 DSE possesses excellent CMAS resistance, with a true recession depth about 219.5 μm after corroded by CMAS at 1500°C for 200 h. Moreover, possible explanations on the outstanding CMAS corrosion resistance, including the protective diffusion‐blocking garnet layer and the actively adjustment on the corrosion activity of CMAS melt by both the rapid dissolution of Al2O3 phase and the synergetic effects of multicomponent RE elements, are deduced based on the identification, distribution and evolution analysis of the reaction products over the corrosion time. The current results can cast light on new mechanisms and strategies with respect to multilevel optimization to develop new high‐temperature structural materials with enhanced CMAS corrosion resistance ability.
Why Refugees Should Be Enfranchised
Authors: Kapelner Zsolt
Published: August 2023

Many authors argue that refugees should be enfranchised independently of citizenship. The enfranchisement of refugees is often seen as crucial for affirming their agency in the politics of asylum. However, most arguments in the literature do not explain why precisely it matters that they exercise their agency in the realm of democratic decision‐making, i.e. why it matters that refugees participate in collectively wielding the public power to which they are subjected, rather than passively enjoy protection against the excessive and intrusive exercise of this power. This leaves it unclear what value refugee enfranchisement realises precisely, and what function or role it is meant to play within the overall provision of asylum. My goal is to propose a plausible explanation of the significance of democratic inclusion from the viewpoint of refugees' agency. I argue that refugee enfranchisement affirms refugees' agency by advancing their interest in acting as makers of justice within the political context in which they find themselves.
Adoption of colonoscopy surveillance intervals in subjects who received polypectomy in southern China: A cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Deng Yunyang , Ding Hanyue , Huang Junjie , Wong Martin Chi Sang
Published: August 2023

Background and Aim

We aimed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of different colonoscopy intervals among average‐risk (5 vs 10 years) and high‐risk (1 vs 3 years) southern Chinese populations.

Methods

We constructed a Markov model with a hypothetical population of 100 000 individuals aged 50–85 years. Average risk was defined as 1–2 non‐advanced adenomas (tubular adenoma sized < 10 mm without high‐grade dysplasia). High risk was defined as ≥ 3 non‐advanced adenomas or any advanced adenoma (adenoma sized ≥ 10 mm, with high‐grade dysplasia, or with villous/tubulovillous histology). Three strategies were compared: a 5/1 strategy (average‐risk subjects: 5‐year interval; high‐risk subjects: 1‐year interval), a 10/3 strategy, and a control strategy (a 10/10 strategy). Costs (US dollar), quality‐adjusted‐life‐years, incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio, and net health benefit were calculated. If the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of one strategy against another was less than willingness‐to‐pay ($24 302 US/quality‐adjusted‐life‐years), the strategy was more cost‐effective than another.

Results

Compared with the 10/3 strategy, the 5/1 strategy involved more costs and effects (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio = $40 044 US/quality‐adjusted life‐years). When the 10/10 strategy was regarded as the control, the 5/1 strategy had a higher incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio than the 10/3 strategy ($26 056 vs $10 344 US/quality‐adjusted life‐years). Furthermore, the 10/3 strategy had the highest net health benefit.

Conclusions

A 10/3 interval was more cost‐effective than a 5/1 interval. From an economic perspective, our findings supported a 10‐year interval for average‐risk individuals and a 3‐year interval for high‐risk subjects. The findings could help form the optimal colonoscopy interval for average‐risk and high‐risk patients.
Fairness, (perception of) inequality, and redistribution preferences
Authors: Tucker Steven , Xu Yilong
Published: August 2023

This special issue consists of nine surveys that delve into the recent development in the literature on inequality, examining its perception, sources, implications, and potential solutions. The review synthesizes key aspects, from the conceptualization of inequality perception to its profound consequences such as deteriorated social cohesion, unethical behaviors, and even violent conflicts. The papers underscore the complexity of individuals' preferences for redistribution, influenced by myriad factors like procedural fairness, societal norms, and ethnicity composition. They also explore the potential for interventions, such as wage transparency reforms, to tackle inequality. This synthesis underscores the persistent challenge posed by inequality, while also pointing towards unexplored avenues for future research, thus advancing our understanding of the socio‐economic implications of inequality.
Understanding the climate change‐migration nexus through the lens of household surveys: An empirical review to assess data gaps
Authors: Letta Marco , Montalbano Pierluigi , Paolantonio Adriana
Published: August 2023

Over the last two decades, the causal relationship between climate change and migration has gained increasing prominence in international research and policy. Despite recent advances in conceptual frameworks and applied techniques, the empirical evidence does not provide clear‐cut conclusions, mainly due to the intrinsic complexity of the phenomenon of interest, the irreducible heterogeneity of the transmission mechanisms, some common misconceptions, and, in particular, the paucity of adequate data. In this work, we present the first data‐oriented review of the nexus between climate change and migration. Then, we discuss open issues and assess the main data gaps that currently prevent more robust quantifications. Finally, using a prominent survey collection produced by the World Bank as a case study, we highlight opportunities for exploiting and enhancing the potential of existing multi‐topic and multi‐purpose household survey datasets.
Effects of different food hardness on cognitive inhibitory control function
Authors: Kidoura Suzuha , Higuchi Yumeno , Sato Naoto , Santa Risa , Miyamoto Mana , Shibuya Kenichi
Published: August 2023

Mastication leads to an immediate enhancement in cognitive functions, including inhibitory control. Furthermore, the hardness of the food increases sympathetic nerve activity during and immediately after mastication. Hence, the cognitive function could be enhanced by increased sympathetic nerve activity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of food hardness on cognitive inhibitory control function in humans. The participants were 23 healthy adults (19–22 years old). Experiments were conducted with two types of gummies (soft and hard). The participants ingested 13 g of gummies and performed a stop‐signal task to measure cognitive inhibitory control function after they rested for 5 min. The reaction time for the stop‐signal task after gummy consumption was significantly shorter in the hard gummy condition compared to the soft gummy condition (p < .05). Furthermore, the accuracy rate of the responses was also significantly higher in the hard gummy condition compared to the soft gummy condition (p < .05). The results of the present study suggest that food hardness enhances cognitive inhibitory control function in humans.
Multidisciplinary consensus recommendations for management of hepatocellular carcinoma in Middle East and North Africa region
Authors: Waked Imam , Alsammany Sherif , Tirmazy Sayed Hammad , Rasul Kakil , Bani‐Issa Jafar , Abdel‐Razek Wael , Omar Ashraf , Shafik Amr , Eid Salem , Abdelaal Amr , Hosni Ahmed , Esmat Gamal
Published: August 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a growing health concern projected to cross over a million cases worldwide by 2025. HCC presents a significant burden of disease in Middle East and North African (MENA) countries due to a high prevalence of risk factors such as hepatitis C and B infections and rising incidence of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. In August 2022, an advisory meeting consisting of experts from 5 MENA countries was convened in an attempt to provide consensus recommendations on HCC screening, early diagnosis, current treatment modalities and unmet medical needs in the region. Data were collected from a pre‐meeting survey questionnaire and responses analysed and presented during the advisory meeting. This review summarizes the evidence discussed at the meeting and provides expert recommendations on the management of HCC. The 2022 update of Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) staging and treatment strategy and its implementation in the MENA region was extensively discussed. A key consensus of the expert panel was that multidisciplinary care is crucial to effective patient management that results in better clinical outcomes and overall survival of the patient. The panel recommended the use of predictive and early response biomarkers to guide clinicians in arriving at more effective therapeutic decisions. The experts also emphasized the role of robust screening/surveillance systems, population‐based registries, effective referral pathways and standardization of guidelines to ensure the successful management of HCC in the region.
Seasonal development of a tidal mixing front drives shifts in community structure and diversity of bacterioplankton
Authors: King Nathan G. , Wilmes Sophie‐B , Browett Samuel S. , Healey Amy , McDevitt Allan D. , McKeown Niall J. , Roche Ronan , Skujina Ilze , Smale Dan A. , Thorpe Jamie M. , Malham Shelagh
Published: August 2023

Bacterioplankton underpin biogeochemical cycles and an improved understanding of the patterns and drivers of variability in their distribution is needed to determine their wider functioning and importance. Sharp environmental gradients and dispersal barriers associated with ocean fronts are emerging as key determinants of bacterioplankton biodiversity patterns. We examined how the development of the Celtic Sea Front (CF), a tidal mixing front on the Northwest European Shelf affects bacterioplankton communities. We performed 16S‐rRNA metabarcoding on 60 seawater samples collected from three depths (surface, 20 m and seafloor), across two research cruises (May and September 2018), encompassing the intra‐annual range of the CF intensity. Communities above the thermocline of stratified frontal waters were clearly differentiated and less diverse than those below the thermocline and communities in the well‐mixed waters of the Irish Sea. This effect was much more pronounced in September, when the CF was at its peak intensity. The stratified zone likely represents a stressful environment for bacterioplankton due to a combination of high temperatures and low nutrients, which fewer taxa can tolerate. Much of the observed variation was driven by Synechococcus spp. (cyanobacteria), which were more abundant within the stratified zone and are known to thrive in warm oligotrophic waters. Synechococcus spp. are key contributors to global primary productivity and carbon cycling and, as such, variability driven by the CF is likely to influence regional biogeochemical processes. However, further studies are required to explicitly link shifts in community structure to function and quantify their wider importance to pelagic ecosystems.
Voriconazole plasma concentrations and dosing in paediatric patients below 24 months of age
Authors: Gastine Silke E. , Rauwolf Kerstin K. , Pieper Stephanie , Hempel Georg , Lehrnbecher Thomas , Tragiannidis Athanasios , Groll Andreas H.
Published: August 2023

Voriconazole (VCZ) is an important first‐line option for management of invasive fungal diseases and approved in paediatric patients ≥24 months at distinct dosing schedules that consider different developmental stages. Information on dosing and exposures in children <24 months of age is scarce. Here we report our experience in children <24 months who received VCZ due to the lack of alternative treatment options. This retrospective analysis includes 50 distinct treatment episodes in 17 immunocompromised children aged between 3 and <24 months, who received VCZ between 2004 and 2022 as prophylaxis (14 patients; 47 episodes) or as empirical treatment (3 patients; 3 episodes) by mouth (46 episodes) or intravenously (4 episodes) based on contraindications, intolerance or lack of alternative options. Trough concentrations were measured as clinically indicated, and tolerability was assessed based on hepatic function parameters and discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs). VCZ was administered for a median duration of 10 days (range: 1–138). Intravenous doses ranged from 4.9 to 7.0 mg/kg (median: 6.5) twice daily, and oral doses from 3.8 to 29 mg/kg (median: 9.5) twice daily, respectively. The median trough concentration was 0.63 mg/L (range: 0.01–16.2; 38 samples). Only 34.2% of samples were in the recommended target range of 1–6 mg/L; 57.9% had lower and 7.9% higher trough concentrations. Hepatic function parameters analysed at baseline, during treatment and at end of treatment did not show significant changes during VCZ treatment. There was no correlation between dose and exposure or hepatic function parameters. In three episodes, VCZ was discontinued due to an AE (6%; three patients). In conclusion, this retrospective analysis reveals no signal for increased toxicity in paediatric patients <24 months of age. Empirical dosing resulted in mostly subtherapeutic exposures which emphasises the need for more systematic study of the pharmacokinetics of VCZ in this age group.
Rethinking local seed sourcing for the restoration of a foundational grass species in California
Authors: Nolan Madeline P. , Luong Justin C. , Valliere Justin M. , Mazer Susan J. , D'Antonio Carla M.
Published: August 2023

Restricting seed collecting to local populations is a common practice in restoration because it is assumed that most plants are adapted to local environmental conditions. However, there is still considerable debate about whether local seed collection should be the default seed‐provenancing strategy as the effects of climate change are increasingly considered in restoration planning. It is especially important to explore whether local seed provenance is necessary for dominant species used in restoration because the success of these projects often rests on these species. Stipa pulchra is one such species that is commonly used in grassland restoration projects in California. To explore how different seed‐provenancing strategies affected the establishment and growth of S. pulchra, we established three common garden experiments distributed across a latitudinal gradient in California. We collected seeds from seven wild populations, germinated seeds in a common greenhouse, then planted all populations at the three common gardens. We assessed growth and reproduction for 2 years. We found limited evidence that restricting seed sourcing to local populations increased the establishment of S. pulchra compared to seeds from more distant populations. Instead, we found evidence to support the use of regional admixture seed sourcing to increase resiliency to environmental variation. In particular, we found being sourced from a dry location during the dry 2018 season was a benefit, highlighting the importance of including dry‐adapted populations to increase climate resilience. Our experiment highlights the importance of exploring multiple seed‐provenancing methods when designing a project to improve long‐term success.
Spatial distribution and variability of lobe facies in a large sand‐rich submarine fan system: Neoproterozoic Zerrissene Group, Namibia
Authors: Nieminski Nora M. , McHargue Tim R. , Gooley Jared T. , Fildani Andrea , Lowe Donald R.
Published: August 2023

The deposits of the upper Neoproterozoic Zerrissene Group of central‐western Namibia represent a large siliciclastic deep‐water depositional system that showcases the intricacies of facies and architectural relationships from bed‐scale to fan‐system‐scale. The lack of vegetation in the Namib Desert and regular east–west repetition of folded stratigraphy (reflecting ca 50% tectonic shortening) provides quasi‐three‐dimensional exposure over a current area of approximately 2700 square kilometres. The Brak River Formation, the middle sand‐rich unit of the Zerrissene Group, consists of nearly 600 m of strata exposed in multiple parallel continuous outcrops up to ca 10 km in length and oriented obliquely to depositional dip. Ten stratigraphic sections are correlated ca 32 km (ca 64 km restored) across the basin and offer exposure comparable in scale to modern submarine fans. Six sedimentary facies are identified and grouped into four facies associations that represent axial‐to‐marginal portions of deep‐water lobes in an unconfined submarine fan system. Spatial facies patterns, regional thickness variations, and palaeocurrents indicate that Brak River Formation sediments were transported primarily from the north to south–south‐west through a trough‐like basin, and deposited within an unconfined basin plain at the junction of the Adamastor and Khomas oceans. The unique outcrop exposure and extent permits the documentation of system‐scale architecture and basin configuration of the Brak River submarine fan system. A transition from the sand‐rich lower Brak River Formation to more intercalated mudstone‐dominated intervals in the middle and upper Brak River Formation is interpreted to record a change from aggradational to compensational stacking of lobe deposits. This records the evolution of a large submarine fan as it filled the subtle seafloor topography and became less confined at the system‐scale. The documentation of these deep‐water deposits from centimetre‐scale to basin‐scale provides a new model for a system with extensive long‐distance transport of sand‐rich sediment gravity flows to submarine lobes without apparent channelization.
Who are we missing? Self‐selection bias in nonsuicidal self‐injury research
Authors: Robinson Kealagh , Dayer Koosje F. , Mirichlis Sylvanna , Hasking Penelope A. , Wilson Marc S.
Published: August 2023

Background

Despite the threat of self‐selection bias to the generalizability of research findings, remarkably little is known about who chooses to take part in non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) research specifically. We aimed to establish the extent of willingness to take part in NSSI research within a commonly sampled population before assessing whether individual differences in demographic characteristics, NSSI lived experience, and participation experiences were associated with willingness to take part in future NSSI research.

Methods

New Zealand university students (n = 3098) completed self‐report measures of their NSSI, psychological distress, emotional dysregulation, experience of their participation in the current study, and willingness to participate in future NSSI research.

Results

Most participants (78.2%) indicated that they were willing to take part in future NSSI research. Men, older participants, people with NSSI lived experience, and those with more frequent past‐year NSSI were more likely to be willing to take part in future NSSI research. Participants who reported a more positive subjective experience of the current study also indicated greater willingness.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate systematic differences in who is willing to take part in NSSI research. Future research should implement methodological and statistical approaches to mitigate the impact of self‐selection bias on NSSI research.
Changes in normalized mutual information in response to strength training: An ancillary analysis of a quasi‐randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kristiansen Mathias , Hansen Ernst Albin , Samani Afshin , Madeleine Pascal
Published: August 2023

The aim of the present investigation was twofold. (1) to assess test–retest reliability of normalized mutual information (NMI) values extracted from the surface electromyography (sEMG) signal of muscles pairs of the upper body during dynamic bench press at a high load, and (2) to assess changes in NMI values from before to after a five‐week quasi‐randomized controlled bench press training intervention. For test–retest reliability, 20 strength trained males (age 25 ± 2 years, height 1.81 ± 0.07 m) performed two three‐repetition maximum (3RM) tests in bench press, while sEMG was recorded from six upper body muscles. Tests were separated by 8.2 ± 2.9 days. For the training intervention, 17 male participants (age 26 ± 5 years, height 1.80 ± 0.07 m) trained bench press specific strength training for 5 weeks (TRA), while 13 male participants (age 23 ± 3 years, height 1.80 ± 0.08 m) constituted a control group (CON). 3RM bench press test and sEMG recordings were carried out before and after the intervention period. The NMI values ranged from poor to almost perfect reliability, with the majority displaying substantial reliability. TRA displayed a significant decrease in NMI values during the concentric phase for two agonist–agonist muscle pairs, while one agonist–agonist and two agonist–antagonist muscle pairs increased the NMI values during the eccentric phase. The observed changes did not exceed the minimal detectable threshold, and we therefore cannot surely ascertain that the changes observed in NMI values reflect genuine neural adaptations.
Lip color measurement: A new hyperspectral imaging device
Authors: Vergnaud Héloïse , Cherel Marie , Francois Ghislain , Charton Zoé , Loescher Eléonore , Caisey Laurence , Gazano Germaine
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The lips are of significant interest among the facial features for self‐perception and social interactions. Such perceptions could rely in part upon the contrast in color between the lips and the surrounding skin. In contrast to skin color, lip color ethnic diversity measurement provides a challenge and is less documented in the literature, most likely due primarily to challenges in measurement based upon the lip characteristics of size and contour. Accurate measurement and reproduction of lip color are essential to build strong cross‐sectional knowledge about lip color.

Objective

This preliminary experiment of a large‐scale project on lip and skin color was designed to assess accuracy in lip color measurement and recommend instruments and protocols for good measurement practice.

Methods

The study involved 19 healthy French Caucasian women. Their inferior and superior natural lip color was measured twice with three devices in order to extract the standard colorimetric parameters of lightness (L*), chroma (C*), and hue (h): the VISIA‐CR® (high‐resolution digital camera, Canfield Scientific Inc.); the spectrophotometer VS3200 (45°:0° spectrophotometer, MetaVue™ VS3200, X‐Rite Inc.); and the SpectraFace® (new hyperspectral imaging system, Newtone Technologies). The intercomparison and color distribution between the different instruments and the measurement repeatability of each one were assessed.

Results

Our results showed a reliable and equivalent repeatability for the three tested instruments. Moreover, the three tools led to the same conclusion regarding lip color heterogeneity (lighter, redder, less yellow and more saturated inferior lip versus superior lip). Agreement between the SpectraFace® and the spectrophotometer measurements was higher, and the SpectraFace® allowed to identify three separated lip color typologies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the combination of imaging technology and hyperspectral measurement makes the SpectraFace® a useful tool to investigate lip color characterization and establish a large‐scale cross‐sectional knowledge study about lip color.