bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strained diamond for quantum sensing applications
Authors: Yang Limin , Wang Heyi , Yang Sen , Lu Yang
Published: May 2024

Apart from being an extraordinary optical and electronic material, diamond has also found applications in quantum mechanics especially in quantum sensing with the discovery and research development of various color centers. Elastic strain engineering (ESE), as a powerful modulation method, can tune the quantum properties and improve the performance of diamond quantum sensors. In recent years, deep ESE (DESE, when >5% elastic strain, or >σ
ideal/2 is achieved) has been realized in micro/nano-fabricated diamond and shows a great potential for tuning the quantum mechanical properties of diamond substantially. In this perspective, we briefly review the quantum properties of diamond and some of the corresponding sensing applications carried out with ESE, and look at how DESE could be applied for further tuning the quantum sensing properties of diamond with desired applications and what the critical challenges are.
Terror and Philanthropy
Authors: Finkel Stuart
Published: May 2024

This chapter begins with the maturation of “Red Cross” aid for political prisoners during the upsurge of revolutionary activity during 1879–81, describing how the otherwise deeply divided factions—the People’s Will and Black Repartition—worked jointly on these “philanthropic” concerns. After the March assassination of Alexander II led to harsh repression against the leadership of People’s Will, political aid became even more central to radical activities. The formalized “Red Cross of the People’s Will” (KKNV) coalesced with a network of branches across European Russia and Siberia, based in Moscow, and its Tomsk branch played a key role linking to exiles further east. In its brief existence (summer 1881 to 1882), the KKNV connected dispersed radical activists and established a sophisticated apparatus for gathering information on the status of political detainees and for disbursing funds. Its rapid downfall after initial arrests led to the uncovering of the full network and left a void already partly filled by other groups, such as the “Red Cross” of the Polish Proletariat party, which survived into the mid-1880s. But as this chapter concludes, another model had also already emerged in fall 1881: the St. Petersburg “Society for Aid to Political Exiles and Prisoners” (OPPSiZ), which claimed to be a fully nonpartisan alternative. Initially also known as the “Blue Cross,” it blossomed by drawing steadily from the student youth, so that when most of its founders were arrested in 1884, others continued its work without interruption.
Is the universal republic achievable?
Authors: Koenig-Archibugi Mathias
Published: May 2024

The chapter uses empirical data to assess whether a democratic world state is achievable. The first section uses machine learning and statistical simulations to identify the level of democracy that we could expect a hypothetical world state to attain, given the world’s current levels of ethnic, religious, and linguistic diversity, economic inequality, population size, and other features. The world state’s expected level of democracy is reasonably high. The remaining sections consider empirical evidence on the motivations of key actors in relation to world state formation, namely social movements, citizens, and governments. The survey of multiple sources of evidence fails to find insurmountable obstacles to the emergence of a democratic world state.
Universal republic or polycentric democracy?
Authors: Koenig-Archibugi Mathias
Published: May 2024

This chapter evaluates ‘polycentric democracy’ as an approach to global democratization that is an alternative to a democratic world state. A defining feature of polycentric democracy is the absence of an overarching governance framework that adjudicates between competing demands and manages the relationship between multiple policy issues. Representation of individuals by issue-area can restrict considerably the ability of people to exercise democratic control over decisions that affect their autonomy. Decisions on a specific issue are likely to have effects on other issue-areas and these policy externalities are often negative, which means that policies aimed at attaining one goal can be an obstacle in the promotion of other goals. This situation can be observed empirically in the trade-offs between the Sustainable Development Goals. Parliaments and programmatic political parties are mechanisms that address policy interdependencies within domestic political systems, and they could play a similar role in a democratic world state.
A simulation-based bias analysis to assess the impact of unmeasured confounding when designing nonrandomized database studies
Authors: Desai Rishi J , Bradley Marie C , Lee Hana , Eworuke Efe , Weberpals Janick , Wyss Richard , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Ball Robert
Published: May 2024

Unmeasured confounding is often raised as a source of potential bias during the design of nonrandomized studies, but quantifying such concerns is challenging. We developed a simulation-based approach to assess the potential impact of unmeasured confounding during the study design stage. The approach involved generation of hypothetical individual-level cohorts using realistic parameters, including a binary treatment (prevalence 25%), a time-to-event outcome (incidence 5%), 13 measured covariates, a binary unmeasured confounder (u1; 10%), and a binary measured “proxy” variable (p1) correlated with u1. Strengths of unmeasured confounding and correlations between u1 and p1 were varied in simulation scenarios. Treatment effects were estimated with (1) no adjustment, (2) adjustment for measured confounders (level 1), and (3) adjustment for measured confounders and their proxy (level 2). We computed absolute standardized mean differences in u1 and p1 and relative bias with each level of adjustment. Across all scenarios, level 2 adjustment led to improvement in the balance of u1, but this improvement was highly dependent on the correlation between u1 and p1. Level 2 adjustments also had lower relative bias than level 1 adjustments (in strong u1 scenarios: relative bias of 9.2%, 12.2%, and 13.5% at correlations of 0.7, 0.5, and 0.3, respectively, vs 16.4%, 15.8%, and 15.0% for level 1). An approach using simulated individual-level data is useful to explicitly convey the potential for bias due to unmeasured confounding while designing nonrandomized studies, and can be helpful in informing design choices.

This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology.
Characterization of particle exposure during tunnel excavation by tunnel boring machines
Authors: Ervik Torunn K , Leite Mimmi , Weinbruch Stephan , Nordby Karl-Christian , Ellingsen Dag G , Ulvestad Bente , Dahl Kari , Berlinger Balazs , Skaugset Nils Petter
Published: May 2024

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are used to excavate tunnels in a manner where the rock is constantly penetrated with rotating cutter heads. Fine particles of the rock minerals are thereby generated. Workers on and in the vicinity of the TBM are exposed to particulate matter (PM) consisting of bedrock minerals including α-quartz. Exposure to respirable α-quartz remains a concern because of the respiratory diseases associated with this exposure. The particle size distribution of PM and α-quartz is of special importance because of its influence on adverse health effects, monitoring and control strategies as well as accurate quantification of α-quartz concentrations. The major aim of our study was therefore to investigate the particle size distribution of airborne PM and α-quartz generated during tunnel excavation using TBMs in an area dominated by gneiss, a metamorphic type of rock. Sioutas cascade impactors were used to collect personal samples on 3 separate days. The impactor fractionates the dust in 5 size fractions, from 10 µm down to below 0.25 µm. The filters were weighted, and the α-quartz concentrations were quantified using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and the NIOSH 7500 method on the 5 size fractions. Other minerals were determined using Rietveld refinement XRD analysis. The size and elemental composition of individual particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The majority of PM mass was collected on the first 3 stages (aerodynamic diameter = 10 to 0.5 µm) of the Sioutas cascade impactor. No observable differences were found for the size distribution of the collected PM and α-quartz for the 3 sampling days nor the various work tasks. However, the α-quartz proportion varied for the 3 sampling days demonstrating a dependence on geology. The collected α-quartz consisted of more particles with sizes below 1 µm than the calibration material, which most likely affected the accuracy of the measured respirable α-quartz concentrations. This potential systematic error is important to keep in mind when analyzing α-quartz from occupational samples. Knowledge of the particle size distribution is also important for control measures, which should target particle sizes that efficiently capture the respirable α-quartz concentration.
Plant biomass allocation advances our understanding of plant adaptation to environmental gradients: a commentary on ‘Contrasting biomass allocations explain adaptations to cold and drought in the world’s highest-growing angiosperms’
Authors: De Battisti Davide
Published: May 2024

This article comments on:

Jiří Doležal, Thinles Chondol, Zuzana Chlumská, Jan Altman, Kateřina Čapková, Miroslav Dvorský, Pavel Fibich, Kirill A. Korznikov1, Adam T. Ruka1, Martin Kopecký, Martin Macek, Klára Řeháková, Contrasting biomass allocations explain adaptations to cold and drought in the world’s highest-growing angiosperms, Annals of Botany, Volume 134, Issue 3, 1 September 2024, Pages 401–414 https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae028
SpaNCMG: improving spatial domains identification of spatial transcriptomics using neighborhood-complementary mixed-view graph convolutional network
Authors: Si Zhihao , Li Hanshuang , Shang Wenjing , Zhao Yanan , Kong Lingjiao , Long Chunshen , Zuo Yongchun , Feng Zhenxing
Published: May 2024

The advancement of spatial transcriptomics (ST) technology contributes to a more profound comprehension of the spatial properties of gene expression within tissues. However, due to challenges of high dimensionality, pronounced noise and dynamic limitations in ST data, the integration of gene expression and spatial information to accurately identify spatial domains remains challenging. This paper proposes a SpaNCMG algorithm for the purpose of achieving precise spatial domain description and localization based on a neighborhood-complementary mixed-view graph convolutional network. The algorithm enables better adaptation to ST data at different resolutions by integrating the local information from KNN and the global structure from r-radius into a complementary neighborhood graph. It also introduces an attention mechanism to achieve adaptive fusion of different reconstructed expressions, and utilizes KPCA method for dimensionality reduction. The application of SpaNCMG on five datasets from four sequencing platforms demonstrates superior performance to eight existing advanced methods. Specifically, the algorithm achieved highest ARI accuracies of 0.63 and 0.52 on the datasets of the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and mouse somatosensory cortex, respectively. It accurately identified the spatial locations of marker genes in the mouse olfactory bulb tissue and inferred the biological functions of different regions. When handling larger datasets such as mouse embryos, the SpaNCMG not only identified the main tissue structures but also explored unlabeled domains. Overall, the good generalization ability and scalability of SpaNCMG make it an outstanding tool for understanding tissue structure and disease mechanisms. Our codes are available at https://github.com/ZhihaoSi/SpaNCMG.
Bayesian meta-analysis of penetrance for cancer risk
Authors: Ruberu Thanthirige Lakshika M , Braun Danielle , Parmigiani Giovanni , Biswas Swati
Published: May 2024

Multi-gene panel testing allows many cancer susceptibility genes to be tested quickly at a lower cost making such testing accessible to a broader population. Thus, more patients carrying pathogenic germline mutations in various cancer-susceptibility genes are being identified. This creates a great opportunity, as well as an urgent need, to counsel these patients about appropriate risk-reducing management strategies. Counseling hinges on accurate estimates of age-specific risks of developing various cancers associated with mutations in a specific gene, ie, penetrance estimation. We propose a meta-analysis approach based on a Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model to obtain penetrance estimates by integrating studies reporting different types of risk measures (eg, penetrance, relative risk, odds ratio) while accounting for the associated uncertainties. After estimating posterior distributions of the parameters via a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, we estimate penetrance and credible intervals. We investigate the proposed method and compare with an existing approach via simulations based on studies reporting risks for two moderate-risk breast cancer susceptibility genes, ATM and PALB2. Our proposed method is far superior in terms of coverage probability of credible intervals and mean square error of estimates. Finally, we apply our method to estimate the penetrance of breast cancer among carriers of pathogenic mutations in the ATM gene.
Mapping SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and objective SCORAD to the Eczema Area and Severity Index to facilitate large-scale meta-analyses of molecular data
Authors: Hübenthal Matthias , Dai Chengliang , Brown Sara J , Heinrich Luise , Kind Barbara , Harder Inken , Schmitt Jochen , Werfel Thomas , Weidinger Stephan
Published: May 2024

We used data from 1501 patients to build mathematical models for mapping between common measures of atopic dermatitis severity, including SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), objective SCORAD (oSORAD) and the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). These models can be used to facilitate progress in harmonizing patient data across studies, enabling important comparative analyses at scale.
Applications and implementation of generative artificial intelligence in cardiovascular imaging with a focus on ethical and legal considerations: what cardiovascular imagers need to know!
Authors: Marey Ahmed , Serdysnki Kevin Christopher , Killeen Benjamin D , Unberath Mathias , Umair Muhammad
Published: May 2024

Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) have potential applications in medicine. This overview explores the applications of AI in cardiovascular imaging, focusing on echocardiography, cardiac MRI (CMR), coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and CT morphology and function. AI, particularly DL approaches like convolutional neural networks, enhances standardization in echocardiography. In CMR, undersampling techniques and DL-based reconstruction methods, such as variational neural networks, improve efficiency and accuracy. ML in CCTA aids in diagnosing coronary artery disease, assessing stenosis severity, and analyzing plaque characteristics. Automatic segmentation of cardiac structures and vessels using AI is discussed, along with its potential in congenital heart disease diagnosis and 3D printing applications. Overall, AI integration in cardiovascular imaging shows promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency across modalities. The growing use of Generative Adversarial Networks in cardiovascular imaging brings substantial advancements but raises ethical concerns. The “black box” problem in DL models poses challenges for interpretability crucial in clinical practice. Evaluation metrics like ROC curves, image quality, clinical relevance, diversity, and quantitative performance assess GAI models. Automation bias highlights the risk of unquestioned reliance on AI outputs, demanding careful implementation and ethical frameworks. Ethical considerations involve transparency, respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, necessitating standardized evaluation protocols. Health disparities emerge if AI training lacks diversity, impacting diagnostic accuracy. AI language models, like GPT-4, face hallucination issues, posing ethical and legal challenges in healthcare. Regulatory frameworks and ethical governance are crucial for fair and accountable AI. Ongoing research and development are vital to evolving AI ethics.
Neural mechanisms of social comparison in subthreshold depression
Authors: Du Xue , Yao Li , Sun Le , Chen Xiaoyi , Jiang Jun
Published: May 2024

Social comparison is a common phenomenon in our daily life, through which people get to know themselves, and plays an important role in depression. In this study, event-related potential (ERP) was used to explore the temporal course of social comparison processing in the subthreshold depression group. Electrophysiological recordings were acquired from 30 subthreshold depressed individuals and 31 healthy individuals while they conducted the adapted dot estimation task. The ERP results revealed that there was a significant difference of feedback-related negativity (FRN) in the process of social comparison. Especially only in the subthreshold depression, the FRN amplitudes of worse off than some, better off than many comparisons were larger than those of upward comparisons and downward comparisons. Our results suggested that the abnormal reward sensitivity for worse off than some, better off than many comparisons might be prodromal symptoms in the subthreshold depression.
Exploring circular economy transition pathways: a roadmap analysis of 15 Canadian local governments
Authors: Rajaonson Juste , Chembessi Chedrak
Published: May 2024

This paper explores how 15 Canadian local governments of various sizes and contexts are transitioning to a circular economy by analysing their roadmap currently in development. It provides qualitative insights into how physical, socioeconomic and institutional factors are influencing the content of roadmaps, along with their similarities and differences. Drawing from the literature on the geography of transitions, we show that while local physical and socioeconomic attributes typically shape the roadmaps by determining likely activities, their actual trajectory varies based on the roadmap instigators and the broader institutional contexts in which they operate. The findings suggest the importance of local governments supporting the roadmap instigators while also recognising that circular economy transition pathways can capitalise on policies and programs not only locally but beyond local boundaries.
Acute kidney injury after CAR-T cell therapy: exploring clinical patterns, management, and outcomes
Authors: Vincendeau Maud , Joseph Adrien , Thieblemont Catherine , Rabian Florence , Harel Stéphanie , Valade Sandrine , Zafrani Lara
Published: May 2024

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported after CAR-T cells, but available data are limited. We sought to describe the incidence of AKI in a cohort of patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) following CAR-T cell reinjection, identify the primary factors linked to the onset of AKI, and ascertain the key determinants associated with kidney outcomes and mortality.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 119 patients hospitalized in ICU after CAR-T cell therapy between 2017 and 2023. Factors associated with AKI, mortality, and kidney sequelae were identified using multivariate analyses.

Results

Of the 119 patients, 41 patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria of AKI (34%). By multivariate analysis, grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) [OR = 1.20 CI95% (1.01–1.43)] and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels at admission [OR = 1.44 CI95% (1.04–1.99)] were significantly associated with the occurrence of AKI during ICU stay. AKI KDIGO ≥2 was an independent risk factor for hospital mortality [OR = 1.50 (1.22–1.85), P < 0.001]. Nine out of 12 (75%) and 6/9 (67%) patients who had experienced AKI and survived had chronic kidney disease (CKD) at 6 months and 1 year, respectively. We did not identify any specific factor associated with kidney recovery.

Conclusion

AKI may occur in ICU patients receiving CAR-T cell therapy, especially those who experience CRS and exhibit elevated LDH levels. Early recognition of AKI is of utmost importance as it substantially compromises survival in these patients. Future studies should aim to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of AKI in this context and pinpoint predictive factors for long-term risks of CKD.
Electrophysiology of Human iPSC-derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Cell-autonomous Consequences of Cantú Syndrome Mutations
Authors: Hanson Alex , McClenaghan Conor , Weng Kuo-Chan , Colijn Sarah , Stratman Amber N , Halabi Carmen M , Grange Dorothy K , Silva Jonathan R , Nichols Colin G
Published: May 2024

Cantú syndrome (CS), a multisystem disease with a complex cardiovascular phenotype, is caused by gain-of-function (GoF) variants in the Kir6.1/SUR2 subunits of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and is characterized by low systemic vascular resistance, as well as tortuous, dilated, vessels, and decreased pulse-wave velocity. Thus, CS vascular dysfunction is multifactorial, with both hypomyotonic and hyperelastic components. To dissect whether such complexities arise cell autonomously within vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) or as secondary responses to the pathophysiological milieu, we assessed electrical properties and gene expression in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived VSMCs (hiPSC-VSMCs), differentiated from control and CS patient-derived hiPSCs, and in native mouse control and CS VSMCs. Whole-cell voltage clamp of isolated aortic and mesenteric arterial VSMCs isolated from wild-type (WT) and Kir6.1[V65M] (CS) mice revealed no clear differences in voltage-gated K+ (Kv) or Ca2+ currents. Kv and Ca2+ currents were also not different between validated hiPSC-VSMCs differentiated from control and CS patient-derived hiPSCs. While pinacidil-sensitive KATP currents in control hiPSC-VSMCs were similar to those in WT mouse VSMCs, they were considerably larger in CS hiPSC-VSMCs. Under current-clamp conditions, CS hiPSC-VSMCs were also hyperpolarized, consistent with increased basal K conductance and providing an explanation for decreased tone and decreased vascular resistance in CS. Increased compliance was observed in isolated CS mouse aortae and was associated with increased elastin mRNA expression. This was consistent with higher levels of elastin mRNA in CS hiPSC-VSMCs and suggesting that the hyperelastic component of CS vasculopathy is a cell-autonomous consequence of vascular KATP GoF. The results show that hiPSC-VSMCs reiterate expression of the same major ion currents as primary VSMCs, validating the use of these cells to study vascular disease. Results in hiPSC-VSMCs derived from CS patient cells suggest that both the hypomyotonic and hyperelastic components of CS vasculopathy are cell-autonomous phenomena driven by KATP overactivity within VSMCs .
Endothelial-adipocyte Cx43 Mediated Gap Junctions Can Regulate Adiposity
Authors: Luse Melissa A , Dunaway Luke S , Nyshadham Shruthi , Carvalho Alicia , Sedovy Meghan W , Ruddiman Claire A , Tessema Rachel , Hirschi Karen , Johnstone Scott R , Isakson Brant E
Published: May 2024

Obesity is a multifactorial metabolic disorder associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adipose capillary adipose endothelial cells (CaECs) plays a crucial role in lipid transport and storage. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying CaEC-adipocyte interaction and its impact on metabolic function. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) revealed an enrichment of fatty acid handling machinery in CaECs from high fat diet (HFD) mice, suggesting their specialized role in lipid metabolism. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed direct heterocellular contact between CaECs and adipocytes. To model this, we created an in vitro co-culture transwell system to model the heterocellular contact observed with TEM. Contact between ECs and adipocytes in vitro led to upregulation of fatty acid binding protein 4 in response to lipid stimulation, hinting intercellular signaling may be important between ECs and adipocytes. We mined our and others scRNAseq datasets to examine which connexins may be present in adipose capillaries and adipocytes and consistently identified connexin 43 (Cx43) in mouse and humans. Genetic deletion of endothelial Cx43 resulted in increased epididymal fat pad (eWAT) adiposity and dyslipidemia in HFD mice. Consistent with this observation, phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine 368, which closes gap junctions, was increased in HFD mice and lipid-treated ECs. Mice resistant to this post-translational modification, Cx43S368A, were placed on an HFD and were found to have reduced eWAT adiposity and improved lipid profiles. These findings suggest Cx43-mediated heterocellular communication as a possible regulatory mechanism of adipose tissue function.
Health care cost accounting in the Indian hospital sector
Authors: Chugh Yashika , Sharma Shuchita , Mehndiratta Abha , Sharma Deepshikha , Garg Basant , Prinja Shankar , Guinness Lorna
Published: May 2024

Setting reimbursement rates in national insurance schemes requires robust cost data. Collecting provider-generated cost accounting information is a potential mechanism for improving the cost evidence. To inform strategies for obtaining cost data to set reimbursement rates, this analysis aims to describe the role of cost accounting in public and private health sectors in India and describe the importance, perceived barriers and facilitators to improving cost accounting systems. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 key informants. The interview tool guide was informed by a review of published and grey literature and government websites. The interviews were recorded as both audio and video and transcribed. A thematic coding framework was developed for the analysis. Multiple discussions were held to add, delete, classify or merge the themes. The themes identified were as follows: the status of cost accounting in the Indian hospital sector, legal and regulatory requirements for cost reporting, challenges to implementing cost accounting and recommendations for improving cost reporting by health care providers. The findings indicate that the sector lacks maturity in cost accounting due to a lack of understanding of its benefits, limited capacity and weak enforcement of cost reporting regulations. Providers recognize the value of cost analysis for investment decisions but have mixed opinions on the willingness to gather and report cost information, citing resource constraints and a lack of trust in payers. Additionally, heterogeneity among providers will require tailored approaches in developing cost accounting reporting frameworks and regulations. Health care cost accounting systems in India are rudimentary with a few exceptions, raising questions about how to source these data sustainably. Strengthening cost accounting systems in India will require standardized data formats, integrated into existing data management systems, that both meet the needs of policy makers and are acceptable to hospital providers.
Integrated analysis revealing novel associations between dietary patterns and the immune system in older adults
Authors: Conway Jessica , Acharjee Animesh , Duggal Niharika A
Published: May 2024

With the expanding ageing population, there is a growing interest in the maintenance of immune health to support healthy ageing. Enthusiasm exists for unravelling the impact of diet on the immune system and its therapeutic potential. However, a key challenge is the lack of studies investigating the effect of dietary patterns and nutrients on immune responses. Thus, we have used an integrative analysis approach to improve our understanding of diet–immune system interactions in older adults. To do so, dietary data were collected in parallel with performing immunophenotyping and functional assays from healthy older (n = 40) participants. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was utilised to derive food group intake and multi-colour flow cytometry was performed for immune phenotypic and functional analysis. Spearman correlation revealed the strength of association between all combinations of dietary components, micronutrients, and hallmarks of immunesenescence. In this study, we propose for the first time that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a positive immune-ageing trajectory (Lower IMM-AGE score) in older adults due to the immune protective effects of high dietary fibre and PUFA intake in combating accumulation or pro-inflammatory senescent T cells. Furthermore, a diet rich in Vit A, Vit B6 and Vit B12 is associated with fewer features of immunesenescence [such as accumulation of terminally differentiated memory CD8 T cells] in older adults. Based on our findings we propose a future nutrition-based intervention study evaluating the efficacy of adherence to the MED diet alongside a multi-nutrient supplementation on immune ageing in older adults to set reliable dietary recommendations with policymakers that can be given to geriatricians and older adults.

Insight box: There is a growing interest in the maintenance of immune health to boost healthy ageing. However, a key challenge is the lack of studies investigating the effect of dietary patterns and nutrients on immune responses. Thus, to do so we collected dietary data in parallel with performing immunophenotyping and functional assays on healthy older (n = 40) participants, followed by an integrative analysis approach to improve our understanding of diet–immune system interactions in older adults. We strongly believe that these new findings are appropriate for IB and will be of considerable interest to its broad audience.
Exploring the Landscape of UX Subjective Evaluation Tools and UX Dimensions: A Systematic Literature Review (2010–2021)
Authors: Mortazavi Ehsan , Doyon-Poulin Philippe , Imbeau Daniel , Taraghi Mitra , Robert Jean-Marc
Published: May 2024

The quality of the User Experience (UX) with systems, products and services is now considered an indispensable part of success in the market. Users' expectations have increased in such a way that mere usability is no longer sufficient. While numerous UX subjective evaluation tools exist, there is little guidance on how to select or use these tools. Therefore, there is a need to provide a critical state of the art on the topic of subjective evaluation tools and the UX dimensions covered. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review on UX subjective evaluation tools and the UX dimensions covering the period of 2010–2021 with an initial sample of 3831 publications, 325 of which were selected for the final analysis, to provide researchers and practitioners with the recent changes in the field of UX. Results showed that 104 different tools are available for UX evaluation, they can be classified as general or domain-specific, applicable for a wide variety of products and in total covering more than 300 UX dimensions. Our categorization of UX dimensions under 13 main dimensions (e.g. usability, utility, hedonic, emotion, sensory, etc.) showed that the informational, social, cognitive and physical dimensions appeared to be less frequently present in current tools. We argue that these four dimensions deserve more space in UX tools. Having a high number of UX evaluation tools can be confusing for evaluators, and they need some guidance for selecting and combining tools. Modularity is the emerging trend in the development of UX evaluation questionnaires (e.g. meCUE, UEQ+), bringing the benefits of being thorough, flexible, easy to use, low-cost and rapid, while avoiding overlapping of dimensions and providing comparability through the use of a similar format and rating scale. Finally, the need for having a comprehensive evaluation tool requires updating the set of included dimensions to accommodate for new generations of products and technologies.
What I Don’t Like about You?: A Systematic Review of Impeding Aspects for the Usage of Conversational Agents
Authors: Hennekeuser Darius , Vaziri Daryoush , Golchinfar David , Stevens Gunnar
Published: May 2024

The application and use cases for conversational agents (CAs) are versatile. Smart speakers such as Alexa and Google Home are used in smart home environments, digital agents are integrated into car systems and chatbots are increasingly used in customer service processes. However, human–computer interaction researchers identify and investigate a wide-ranging variety of aspects impeding the usage of CAs by end-users. In general, impediments differ depending on use case contexts, user group characteristics and the CA’s technological infrastructure. Hence, it is difficult and often ambiguous for designers and developers to generate an appropriate awareness about aspects impeding CA usage. We address this problem, by conducting a systematic review of 65 publications surveying impeding aspects of the usage of CAs.
Differences in Cardiac Troponin T Composition in Myocardial Infarction and End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: A Blood Tube Effect?
Authors: Vroemen Wim H M , Denessen Ellen J S , van Doorn William P T M , Pelzer Kelly E J M , Hackeng Tilman M , Litjens Elisabeth J R , Henskens Yvonne M C , van der Sande Frank M , Wodzig Will K W H , Kooman Jeroen P , Bekers Otto , de Boer Douwe , Mingels Alma M A
Published: May 2024

Background

Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is key in diagnosing myocardial infarction (MI) but is also elevated in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Specific larger cTnT proteoforms were identified for the acute phase of MI, while in serum of ESRD patients solely small cTnT fragments were found. However, others allocated this to a pre-analytic effect due to abundant thrombin generation in serum. Therefore, we investigated the effect of various anticoagulation methods on cTnT composition and concentration and compared the cTnT composition of MI and ESRD patients.

Methods

The agreement of cTnT concentrations between simultaneously collected serum, lithium-heparin (LH) plasma, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma was studied using the high-sensitivity (hs-)cTnT immunoassay. cTnT proteoform composition was investigated in a standardized time-dependent manner through spike experiments and in simultaneously collected blood matrixes of MI and ESRD patients.

Results

Excellent hs-cTnT concentration agreements were observed across all blood matrixes (slopes > 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96–1.04). Time-dependent degradation (40 kDa intact:29 kDa fragment:15 to 18 kDa fragments) was found in LH plasma and EDTA plasma, and serum in ratios (%) of 90:10:0, 0:5:95, and 0:0:100, respectively (48 h after blood collection). Moreover, gel filtration chromatography (GFC) profiles illustrated mainly larger cTnT proteoforms in MI patients, while in ESRD patients mainly 15 to 18 kDa fragments were found for all matrices.

Conclusions

The extent of cTnT degradation in vitro is dependent on the (anti)coagulation method, without impacting hs-cTnT concentrations. Furthermore, mainly larger cTnT proteoforms were present in MI patients, while in ESRD patients mainly small 15 to 18 kDa cTnT fragments were found. These insights are essential when developing a novel hs-cTnT assay targeting larger cTnT proteoforms.
Outcomes of patients admitted with acute, severe ulcerative colitis on biologic therapy: a retrospective analysis from a tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Sabrie Nasruddin , Jogendran Manisha , Jogendran Rohit , Targownik Laura E
Published: May 2024

Background

In steroid-refractory acute, severe, ulcerative colitis (ASUC), salvage medical therapy with infliximab is recommended to reduce the risk of colectomy. However, the evidence supporting this practice is based on cohorts naïve to biologics. Consequently, the management of patients on biologic or small molecule therapy (BST) with ASUC is not well defined.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted with ASUC to Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) in Toronto, Ontario from January 2018 until January 2022. Included subjects were considered to be on BST if they had received a dose of these agents within 56 days prior to admission. Our outcomes of interest included the mean difference in hospital length of stay (HLOS), rates of surgical consultation, rates of inpatient colectomies, and 90-day readmission rates between the 2 groups.

Results

Of the 185 admissions for ASUC, 76 were on BST prior to admission and 109 were not. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in hospital length of stay (7.46 days vs 7.45 days P = .52) or in-hospital colectomy rates between the 2 groups. Patients on BST had higher rates of surgical consultation (36.8% vs 8.3% P < .01) and 90-day readmission rates (26.3% vs 13.8% P = .03).

Conclusions

We did not identify significant differences in the majority of our outcomes between the 2 groups. However, patients on BST were more likely to receive a surgical consultation during their admission and had higher rates of readmission at 90 days. Further studies evaluating the underlying factors that contribute to readmission in patients on BST in hospitals are needed.
scRNA-seq profiling of human granulocytes reveals expansion of developmentally flexible neutrophil precursors with mixed neutrophil and eosinophil properties in asthma
Authors: Haruna Nana-Fatima , Politanska Yuliya , Connelly Andrew R , O’Connor Kathrine , Bhattacharya Sourav , Miklaszewski Grace E , Pérez-Leonor Xóchitl G , Rerko Geddy , Hentenaar Ian T , Nguyen Doan C , Lamothe Molina Pedro Alberto , Bochner Bruce S , Abdala-Valencia Hiam , Gill Michelle A , Lee F Eun-Hyung , Berdnikovs Sergejs
Published: May 2024

Neutrophils and eosinophils share common hematopoietic precursors and usually diverge into distinct lineages with unique markers before being released from their hematopoietic site, which is the bone marrow (BM). However, previous studies identified an immature Ly6g(+) Il-5Rα(+) neutrophil population in mouse BM, expressing both neutrophil and eosinophil markers suggesting hematopoietic flexibility. Moreover, others have reported neutrophil populations expressing eosinophil-specific cell surface markers in tissues and altered disease states, confusing the field regarding eosinophil origins, function, and classification. Despite these reports, it is still unclear whether hematopoietic flexibility exists in human granulocytes. To answer this, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing and cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing to profile human BM and circulating neutrophils and eosinophils at different stages of differentiation and determine whether neutrophil plasticity plays role in asthmatic inflammation. We show that immature metamyelocyte neutrophils in humans expand during severe asthmatic inflammation and express both neutrophil and eosinophil markers. We also show an increase in trilobed eosinophils with mixed neutrophil and eosinophil markers in allergic asthma and that interleukin-5 promotes differentiation of immature blood neutrophils into trilobed eosinophilic phenotypes, suggesting a mechanism of emergency granulopoiesis to promote myeloid inflammatory or remodeling response in patients with chronic asthma. By providing insights into unexpectedly flexible granulocyte biology and demonstrating emergency hematopoiesis in asthma, our results highlight the importance of granulocyte plasticity in eosinophil development and allergic diseases.
Lessons to be learned from test evaluations during the COVID-19 pandemic: RSS Working Group’s Report on Diagnostic Tests
Authors: Deeks Jonathan J , Ashby Deborah , Takwoingi Yemisi , Perera Rafael , Evans Stephen J W , Bird Sheila M
Published: May 2024

The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic raised challenges for everyday life. Development of new diagnostic tests was necessary, but under such enormous pressure risking inadequate evaluation. Against a background of concern about standards applied to the evaluation of in vitro diagnostic tests (IVDs), clear statistical thinking was needed on the principles of diagnostic testing in general, and their application in a pandemic. Therefore, in July 2020, the Royal Statistical Society convened a Working Group of six biostatisticians to review the statistical evidence needed to ensure the performance of new tests, especially IVDs for infectious diseases—for regulators, decision-makers, and the public. The Working Group’s review was undertaken when the Covid-19 pandemic shone an unforgiving light on current processes for evaluating and regulating IVDs for infectious diseases. The report’s findings apply more broadly than to the pandemic and IVDs, to diagnostic test evaluations in general. A section of the report focussed on lessons learned during the pandemic and aimed to contribute to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s examination of the response to, and impact of, the Covid-19 pandemic to learn lessons for the future. The review made 22 recommendations on what matters for study design, transparency, and regulation.
Incarcerated incisional hernia on an old orthopedics incision, a rare case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Abu-Jeyyab Mohammad , Al-Jafari Mohammad , AlKhawaldeh Ibraheem M , Eddin Sadeen Zein , Tapanjeh Sophia Abu , Ja’Awin Mohannad , Aborajooh Emad , Nashwan Abdulqadir J
Published: May 2024

A previous surgical incision can lead to an abdominal wall defect known as an incisional hernia. The protrusion of abdominal viscera, particularly bowel loops, through this defect can result in various complications and affect organ function. Bowel loops are frequently involved and can lead to incarceration, obstruction or even strangulation. A 38-year-old male with a history of open reduction internal fixation for the left iliac wing presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and obstipation. Abdominal examination revealed a tender, distended abdominal area with swelling on the left hip. Radiological examination revealed bowel obstruction at the previous surgery site. During surgery, an incisional hernia was confirmed, and the bowel was found viable. Incisional hernias can occur even many years after primary surgery and may remain asymptomatic until complications arise. Elective hernial repair is recommended in some cases, such as the one presented here, as complications can be fatal.
Bouveret’s syndrome: a rare presentation of a common surgical enigma
Authors: Chatterjee Indranil , De Utpal
Published: May 2024

Bouveret syndrome, an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis, typically manifests with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction. Despite its rarity, Bouveret syndrome carries significant morbidity and mortality. This paper presents a case study and explores diagnostic approaches and management options for this challenging condition.
De-MA.ch: A Web Database for Electron and X-ray Microanalysis to Assist Electron Microscope Lab Managers and Users
Authors: Allaz Julien M
Published: May 2024

Lab managers and users of scanning electron microscope or electron probe microanalyzer facilities aiming for qualitative or quantitative X-ray analyses require comprehensive, yet flexible documentation structures for their daily work and available reference material, with a complete X-ray data library, a repository of energy- and wavelength-dispersive spectra, and an instrument scheduling mechanism. An online multilaboratory database system available at https://de-ma.ch is presented with the primary goals of providing information on microanalytical reference materials, analytical setups, characteristic X-ray data, and for managing reservation and training requests. This website is designed for multiuser facilities, where experience ranges from beginners to expert users. Registered users will find these tools useful in developing and maintaining high-quality, reproducible, and efficient analyses, whereas lab managers will keep records of their microanalytical reference material database and analytical protocols. The database also serves an educational purpose by (a) providing information on reference materials, (b) encouraging students to select appropriate X-ray lines to analyze, (c) providing analytical setups for point analysis or mapping, (d) identifying unknown X-ray lines, (e) displaying energy- or wavelength-dispersive spectra, and (f) recalculating mineral formula from quantitative wt% analysis results, based on a number of oxygen atoms or cations.
General Radiographic Anatomy
Authors: Andrews Keith A. , Helou Mada
Published: May 2024

Diagnostic radiographic imaging is a fundamental element of modern medical practice, including the practice of anesthesiology. More specifically, the utilization of radiographic, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound modalaties to aid in diagnosis, to monitor response to treatment, and to confirm placement of lines and other devices is critical in modern anesthesia practice. Depending on the body region, different modalities can be employed to answer specific clinical questions. This chapter, divided into sections by body region, will provide a foundational reference for diagnostic imaging that is relevant to anesthesia practice. Special attention is paid to high-yield content pertinent to the Anesthesia Basic exam.
Back and Pelvis
Authors: Nordstrom Brian A. , Rahman Abed
Published: May 2024

The spine consists of 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, and 5 sacral vertebrae encompassing the spinal cord. A physician anesthesiologist’s knowledge of the topographical landmarks of the back and pelvis in relationship to the corresponding vertebral level and dermatomal region is essential to providing adequate analgesia during neuraxial anesthesia, interventional pain procedures, and regional blockade. Thorough understanding of the anatomic landmarks can provide precise anesthetic placement and avoid perioperative complications including, but not limited to, spinal cord damage, local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), cephalad migration of spinal, and epidural dosages delivered intrathecally.
Extremities
Authors: Cannon Jeffrey W. , Helou Mada
Published: May 2024

Anatomy of the extremities is essential knowledge for anesthesiologists. Being able to perform peripheral intravenous catheter insertions, arterial catheter insertions, and peripheral nerve blocks all rely on a mastery of this anatomy. The upper extremities are composed of two of each of the following: shoulder, axilla, arm, elbow, cubital fossa, and hand. The lower extremities are composed of two of each of the following: gluteal region, hip, thigh, knee, leg, and foot. The relationship of bones, nerves, and arteries are presented in this chapter.
Spine Anatomy
Authors: Pan Wenyu , Malik Tariq M.
Published: May 2024

Knowledge of the spine anatomy is required for safe performance of spinal and epidural anesthesia. This includes clear understanding of the variability that is prevalent not only in the spinal column, but also the structures around it. The presence of spine anatomy variability is not only due to aging but also it varies with patients’ body habitus, gender, and even race. This chapter reviews the basic bony anatomy of the spine and the variations in the vertebral configuration present at different spinal levels. The importance of this variability as it affects the daily practice of anesthesia is also highlighted at the end of the chapter.
Upper Extremity
Authors: Samba Amit , Nickless Alexandria
Published: May 2024

A proper understanding of anatomy is important for any practicing anesthesiologist in any clinical or perioperative setting. The upper extremity includes structures connecting the shoulder to the fingers and has an increased ability for motor control and sensory innervation when compared to the lower extremity. Identifying the anatomy (osseous, vasculature, and nervous) structures is necessary to provide a safe and effective anesthetic plan. Proper visualization and identification could help in minimizing the risk of injury during patient positioning, performing regional anesthesia, or anesthetic management of a patient’s pathophysiology in the perioperative setting. This chapter will identify the anatomy (osseous, vasculature, and nervous structures) with possible complications associated with these structures.