bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID‐19 on resuscitation after hospital arrival for patients with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest: An interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Sato Takuya , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Inokuchi Ryota , Yasunaga Hideo , Doi Kent
Published: January 2025

Background

In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on in‐hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods and Results

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database, we included patients with OHCA who were transported to hospitals between April 2018 and March 2021. Patients were categorized into groups, before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic, according to the day of admission (before or after April 1, 2020, respectively). The primary outcome was in‐hospital CPR duration after hospital arrival, and secondary outcomes included in‐hospital death, intubation, and other resuscitation‐related treatments. We examined the impact of the pandemic using interrupted time series (ITS) analyses. Among 144,867 patients with OHCA, 82,425 died in the outpatient department (53,286 before the pandemic and 29,139 during the pandemic) during the study period. The ITS analyses for patients who died in the outpatient department showed no significant level change in CPR duration after hospital arrival (0.41 min increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.54 to 1.4; p = 0.39), but the intubation rate was significantly lower (−5.9%; 95% CI: −8.4 to 3.4; p < 0.001). In‐hospital death among all patients with OHCA showed a significant increase in trend (0.41% per month; 95% CI: 0.081–0.74; p = 0.016).

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 pandemic had little impact on CPR duration after hospital arrival; however, there was a marked decrease in intubation for patients with OHCA after hospital arrival.
A Stable Open‐Shelled Au26 Nanocluster with Remarkable Performance in Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol
Authors: Dong Yuan‐Yuan , Liu Chun‐Yu , Shi Wan‐Qi , Guan Zong‐Jie , Wang Quan‐Ming
Published: January 2025

Open metal sites are crucial in catalysis. We have used a “loose coordination strategy” (LCS) to preorganize open metal sites in gold cluster catalysts. A gold nanocluster with composition of [Au26(3,4‐Me2‐Ph‐form)9(iPr2‐imy)3(Me2S)](BF4)2 (iPr2‐imy=1,3‐Diisopropylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 3,4‐Me2‐Ph‐form=N,N′‐Di(3,4‐dimethyl‐phenyl)formamidine) (Au26) has been obtained by one pot synthesis, i.e. the direct reduction of Me2SAuCl in the presence of N‐heterocyclic carbenes and amidinate ligands. ESI‐TOF‐MS reveals that the Me2S ligand is detached from the cluster to form open sites. The accessibility of the exposed Au atoms has been confirmed quantitatively by luminescent titration with 2‐naphthalenethiol. Surprisingly, Au26 has 15 valence electrons, and the presence of an unpaired electron is confirmed by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). This open‐shelled Au26 not only shows unexpected high stability but also exhibits excellent catalytic performance toward the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, achieving a remarkable turnover number up to 100670.
Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, Antimicrobial Investigation, Docking and Computational Studies of New Tin (IV) Schiff Base Complexes
Authors: Ahmed Yasmin M. , Al‐Hussain Sami A. , Zaki Magdi E. A. , Mohamed Gehad G.
Published: January 2025

Reaction of Organotin (IV) salts with tridentate Schiff bases (SBI and SBII) reacted in 1:1 M ratios where complexes (1–6) were afforded. Organotin (IV) complexes with the formula [Sn (CH3)2(SBI)ClH2O]Cl (1), [Sn(C4H9)2(SBI)Cl2]H2O (2), [Sn(C6H5)4(SBI)] (3), [Sn (CH3)2(SBII)Cl2]3H2O (4), [Sn(C4H9)2(SBII)Cl2]2H2O (5) and [Sn(C6H5)4(SBII)]H2O (6) (SBI = 2(E)‐2‐(((3‐hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol and SBII = (E)‐2‐(((3‐aminophenyl)imino)‐methyl)phenol were described. Every Tin (IV) complex (1–6) had a distinct color and was soluble in DMF and DMSO organic solvents. The complexes have all been thoroughly examined using mass spectrum analysis, FT‐IR, UV–vis, 1H‐NMR, and CHN investigations. For both SBI and SBII, the Schiff bases chelated to the tin metal ion in a tridentate fashion through NOO and NNO atoms, including nitrogen atoms of the azomethine group. This was demonstrated by the spectroscopic data of the ligand and its related complexes (1–6). The tin atom was found to have pentagonal‐bipyramidal geometry according to elemental analyses data coupled with electronic spectral data. The complexes were nonelectrolytes except Complex 1 is electrolyte. The complexes (1–6) thermal deterioration occurred between 200°C and 800°C, according to thermogravimetric analysis performed during thermal decomposition under nitrogen. The in vitro tests measured the efficacy of the Schiff base Tin (IV) complexes (1–6) to inhibit the growth of several types of bacteria and fungi. When compared to the Schiff bases ligand, it was shown that the complexes were more successful in killing bacteria and fungi organisms. In order to interpret the compounds' structure and reactivity, density functional calculations were done. Molecular docking by the protein locations of 2V5Z and 7KGW was utilized to evaluate possible medicines using MOE 2008. Without verifying results with MD simulations, the work was designed to explore molecular docking.
Two new chemical methods for quantifying carbonyl secondary oxidation products in frying oils and their correlation with the p‐anisidine value
Authors: Aladedunye Felix , Dellaporta Richard
Published: January 2025

Thermal decomposition of hydroperoxides during frying generates several secondary oxidation products, with carbonyl compounds predominating. p‐Anisidine value (p‐AV) is the most prominent official method for quantifying these carbonyl compounds, utilizing the reaction between carbonyls, principally 2‐alkenals and 2,4‐dienals, and p‐anisidine (para‐methoxy aniline) reagent. It is well known, however, that despite the success of the p‐AV test, the data is generally skewed toward the unsaturated carbonyl compounds and the reagent is highly toxic and presumably, carcinogenic, limiting its acceptability in some food processing settings. A method proposed in the current study utilizes the reaction between carbonyl compounds, specifically aldehydes, and purpald reagent (4‐Amino‐3‐hydrazino‐5‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazole). Unlike the p‐AV, the purpald test is very specific to aldehydes with negligible interference from other functional groups (e.g., ketones, carboxylic acids, esters). Interestingly, the reaction between aldehydes and purpald reagent is skewed toward saturated aldehydes by nearly the same factor that the p‐AV is skewed toward unsaturated aldehydes, providing a complimentary information to the p‐AV on the nature of secondary aldehydes formed during thermo‐oxidative degradation of lipid hydroperoxides. Further, a second method utilizing p‐anisidine hydrochloride reagent was optimized for the determination of carbonyl secondary oxidation compounds. A strong correlation was found between each of the proposed alternatives and the p‐AV method, providing the opportunity for indirect determination for p‐AV in food processing settings where the p‐anisidine reagent is considered unacceptable regarding environmental health and safety. Challenges and limitations of the proposed chemical alternative methods are also presented.
Thermo‐Mechanical Degradation Kinetics of a High‐Density Poly(Ethylene) Using a Closed‐Cavity Rheometer
Authors: Schülein Tim , Georgantopoulos Christos K. , Bolk Lars , Herrmann Volker , Wilhelm Manfred
Published: January 2025

Mechanical recycling of polymers is an essential aspect to achieve circular economy. High shear stress, excessive temperature, and long residence time during reprocessing cause thermo‐mechanical degradation of the polymer. Therefore, it is important to understand and quantify this degradation kinetics. Common ways to simulate degradation are very time and material consuming and clear insights into the respective influence of temperature and shear stress on degradation are rare. Within this publication a method is developed using a commercially available, close‐cavity rheometer to emulate processing conditions in a defined way. This allows monitoring and predicting the behavior of a high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and quantify degradation kinetics and changes in the polymer topology. HDPE is selected as a model polymer due to its large production and wide range of applications. Different treated samples are analyzed by various rheological methods. Additionally, molecular characterization is conducted. A kinetic model to predict the changes in the molecular weight as a function of in‐phase shear stress, temperature and duration during treatment is presented. The calculated activation energy for the initiation reaction agrees with the activation energy for HDPE degradation from thermogravimetric analysis. This activation energy is lowered by in‐phase shear stress, modified by a factor of 1.7 m3 mol−1.
Exact reachability of discrete‐time stochastic system with multiplicative noise and partial information
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Xu Juanjuan
Published: January 2025

This paper is concerned with the exact reachability of discrete‐time stochastic system with partial information. The main contribution is to obtain the necessary and sufficient Gramian matrix criterion for the exact reachability of stochastic systems with partial information. The key is to innovatively transform the stochastic system governed by forward stochastic difference equation into an equivalent system governed by backward stochastic difference equation. Simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness of the results.
Reachability of time‐varying fractional dynamical systems with prescribed control
Authors: Karthiga P. , Sivalingam S. M. , Govindaraj V.
Published: January 2025

The focus of this article revolves around investigating reachability results in the context of time‐varying fractional dynamical systems with prescribed or predetermined control by employing Riemann–Liouville's fractional derivative. The investigation delves into the necessary and sufficient conditions for reachability results concerning time‐varying linear fractional dynamical systems, employing both the Gramian technique and fractional calculus. Additionally, Schauder's fixed‐point technique is employed to establish the sufficient conditions for the reachability results of time‐varying nonlinear fractional dynamical systems. The validity of the theoretical findings is confirmed through the successive approximation technique, accompanied by a series of numerical examples.
Successful Penile Refashioning Plus Glans Reconstruction With a Buccal Mucosa Graft: A Case Report
Authors: Gombya Erisa Christopher , Kemigisa Alleluyah , Kirabo Racheal , Nantale Ritah , Mukunya David , Kuteesa Job
Published: January 2025

Poorly performed circumcisions can lead to severe complications, including penile injury and psychological distress. We present the case of a 9‐year‐old male who suffered from glans amputation following a poorly performed circumcision. The patient underwent successful penile refashioning and glans reconstruction with a buccal mucosa graft. Our case highlights the importance of proper surgical training and expertise in managing circumcision‐related complications, and the potential benefits of reconstructive surgery in restoring normal anatomy and function. The case report contributes to literature on penile reconstruction following circumcision‐related injuries.
Mechanoredox‐Catalyzed Organic Synthesis with Piezoelectric Materials: Quo Vadis?
Authors: Sudrajat Hanggara , Hsu Hsien‐Yi , Jérôme François , Colmenares Juan Carlos
Published: January 2025

Piezoelectric materials offer great promise due to their ability to generate electric fields under mechanical stress, producing surface charges that drive otherwise kinetically sluggish redox reactions. The strained surfaces of these materials provide a unique advantage in controlling product selectivity and enabling reaction pathways that are unattainable with conventional methods. This perspective highlights advancements, challenges, and the future potential of piezoelectric materials in synthetic organic chemistry, with a focus on designing materials optimized for piezocatalyzed organic synthesis. Piezocatalysis is industrially relevant because of its operational simplicity, enabling mild, gram scale synthesis with reusable catalysts, minimal solvent use, and air tolerant conditions. It involves redox cycles that facilitate one electron redox events without requiring light exposure or electrical bias. Despite significant progress, many fundamental aspects are yet to be fully understood. One example is the correlation between piezoelectricity and catalytic activity, which is not always linear, as demonstrated by the comparison between tetragonal and cubic BaTiO₃. While cubic BaTiO₃ is not piezoelectric, it shows excellent catalytic activity in certain redox reactions such as arylation, dicarbonylation, and cyclization under mechanochemical conditions comparable to that of piezoelectric tetragonal BaTiO₃. Considering all these aspects, this perspective aims to stimulate discussion to advance this promising field in the right direction.
Advanced computational strategy for damage identification of offshore jacket platforms
Authors: Jafari‐Asl Jafar , Dong You , Li Yaohan
Published: January 2025

In this study, an efficient surrogate‐assisted grey wolf optimizer (GWO) is presented by combining Kriging‐based active learning to identify damages in jacketed platforms based on modal analysis. The use of active learning in parallel with GWO significantly reduced the number of calls to the objective function and increased the accuracy of the algorithm's search in the problem space. The proposed approach was first evaluated on four benchmark problems, and its performance was validated against original GWO, particle swarm optimization (PSO), and genetic algorithm (GA) techniques. Then, by generating artificial damage scenarios on a real jacket platform in ABAQUS software, it was evaluated for the identification of damaged members. The results indicated high accuracy in estimation and an appropriate convergence rate in solving the high‐dimensional and complicated problem of damage detection of jacketed platforms. In such a way that the error rate of damage severity estimation in scenarios 1 and 2 was, on average, 3% and 5%, respectively. Meanwhile, the damage position was correctly estimated, and the call rate of the function was reduced by 50%. The efficiency of the proposed approach shows that it can be used for further works on the reliability‐based design of jacket structures.
High fidelity numerical simulation of ethylene epoxidation packed bed
Authors: Yuan Bing , Hu Chuanxia , Liu Pin , Guo Jinjun , Long Xiaodong , Jiang Congbin
Published: January 2025

Packed bed reactors with a low tube‐to‐particle diameter ratio are mainly used in strong exothermic/endothermic reaction systems. However, the traditional plug flow packed bed reactor model is unsuitable for reactors with low N value (i.e., tube‐to‐particle diameter ratio) due to channelling near the wall and reflux in the bed. In this work, a high fidelity numerical model of packed bed reactor with different macro morphologies of particles was established by coupling the heterogeneous packed bed model, particle internal diffusion model, component migration equation, and reaction kinetics. Taking the packed bed reactor for ethylene epoxidation as an example, the industrial simulation of catalyst particles with different macro morphology was carried out by using this method. The total porosity and porosity distribution of the bed in this model are in good agreement with empirical formulas, with the errors in bed pressure drop and ethylene conversion rate being less than 15%. By using this model to simulate the flow field, temperature field, and internal diffusion of particles in a packed bed reactor with high fidelity, the concentration distribution of each component can be predicted. By comparing the pressure drop, temperature rise, and ethylene conversion rate of packed bed reactors filled with catalyst particles of different macroscopic shapes, it was found that HC2 particle‐packed beds have a lower pressure drop and a higher ethylene conversion rate.
Which Machine Learning Algorithm Is Best Suited for Estimating Reference Evapotranspiration in Humid Subtropical Climate?
Authors: Deb Proloy , Kumar Virender , Urfels Anton , Lautze Jonathan , Kamboj Baldev Raj , Sharma Jeet Ram , Yadav Sudhir
Published: January 2025

Timely and reliable estimates of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) are imperative for robust water resources planning and management. Applying machine learning (ML) algorithms for estimating ET0 has been evolving, and their applicability in different sectors is still a compelling field of research. In this study, four Gaussian process regression (GPR) algorithms—polynomial kernel (PK), polynomial universal function kernel (PUK), normalized poly kernel (NPK), and radial basis function (RBF)—were compared against widely used random forest (RF) and a simpler locally weighted linear regression (LWLR) algorithm at a humid subtropical region in India. The sensitivity analysis of the input variables was followed by application of the best combination of variables in algorithm testing and training for generating ET0. The results were then compared against the Penman–Monteith method at both daily and monthly time steps. The results indicated that ET0 is least sensitive to wind speed at 2 m height. Additionally, at a daily time step, RF, followed by PUK, generated the best results during both training and testing phases. In contrast, at a monthly time step, using multiple model evaluation matrices, PUK followed by RF performed best. These results demonstrate the application of the ML algorithms is subjected to user‐required time steps. Although this study focused on Northwest India, the findings are relevant to all humid subtropical regions across the world.
Developing a Citizen Science Approach to Monitor Stranded Marine Plastics on a Remote Small Island in Indonesia
Authors: Praptiwi Radisti A. , Maharja Carya , Cholifatullah Fauzan , Subroto Dwi C. J. , Sainal Sainal , Miller Peter I. , Cheung Victoria V. , Setia Tatang Mitra , Nasruddin  , Datu  , Sugardjito Jito , Austen Melanie C.
Published: January 2025

Marine plastics stranded on the coastlines of remote small islands threaten both the ecological integrity of local ecosystems and communities’ well‐being. However, despite the growing quantities of stranded plastics in these locations, the remote nature of these sites renders monitoring and intervention efforts difficult to undertake. Within this context, we developed a citizen science approach to monitor stranded marine plastics in collaboration with villagers living on a remote small island in Indonesia. This study reports the co‐development and application of an approach that can be used and maintained independently by remote coastal communities. In the monitoring stage, the participants quantified both the weight and composition of stranded marine debris on a beach located in their village for a 4‐week period from late May to mid‐June 2021. The results revealed that the weekly accumulation of stranded marine debris on the beach was 3.97 kg/m2, with 58% categorized as plastics. The stranded plastics sampled in this study were sorted and collected for recycling, estimated to provide a total economic value of 91,700 Indonesian Rupiahs (USD 5.84), or equivalent to 12.77% of the average monthly household income in the area. The citizen science activities indicated that the local villagers were capable of operating the designed monitoring system effectively, with the added benefits of supplementary earnings from recycling. An independently operated monitoring approach combined with collection efforts for recyclable items is important as remote islands have to manage increasing quantities of stranded marine debris despite the lack of an adequate local waste management system.
Metamer Mismatching Predicts Color Difference Ellipsoids
Authors: Roshan Emitis , Funt Brian
Published: January 2025

It is well known that color‐discrimination thresholds vary throughout color space, as is easily observed from the familiar MacAdam ellipses plotted in chromaticity space. But why is this the case? Existing formulations of uniform color spaces (e.g., CIELAB, CIECAM02, CAM16‐UCS) and their associated color‐difference DE metrics are all models, not theories, based on fits to psychophysical data. While they are of great practical value, they provide no theoretical understanding as to why color discrimination varies as it does. In contrast, the hypothesis advanced and tested here is that the degree of color variability created by metamer mismatching is the primary (although not exclusive) factor underlying the variation in color‐discrimination thresholds throughout color space. Not only is it interesting to understand the likely cause of the variation, but knowing the cause may foster the development of more accurate color difference metrics.
Utilising single‐cell sequencing in clinical nutraceutical research: Recent progress and perspectives
Authors: Wang Xiaoqiang , Chan Yin S. , Sadava David , Chen Shiuan
Published: January 2025

Background

Single‐cell sequencing technologies have revolutionised pharmaceutical research by providing in‐depth insights into human biology at the single‐cell level. These tools enable researchers to identify rare cell types and analyse cellular diversity within tissues, facilitating the discovery of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. However, their application in nutraceutical research is still in its early stages.

Main Body

Unlike pharmaceuticals, which have well‐defined chemical structures and mechanisms, nutraceuticals are food‐based materials intended for specific medical purposes and often contain complex and diverse food chemicals. These molecules can work synergistically, producing multi‐targeted effects in various tissues. Traditional bulk profiling methods for tissues and tumours do not adequately capture cellular heterogeneity or specific cellular responses to treatments. Therefore, advanced single‐cell sequencing is crucial for dissecting tissues into distinct cell types, helping to clarify the underlying mechanisms at the cellular level. Many derivatives of functional foods have been marketed or assessed, demonstrating health benefits. However, mechanistic insights are lacking, with most current data derived from observational studies or traditional in vitro and in vivo models. Human clinical trials are needed to validate these nutraceutical effects and determine effective and safe dosages. Edible mushrooms have gained attention as nutraceuticals due to their medicinal properties. They have been observed to enhance immunity, reduce inflammation, and combat cancer. These effects have been attributed to their unique bioactive components and historical uses in traditional medicine. Epidemiological studies show that higher consumption of edible mushrooms is linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers.

Conclusion

In this review, we share important lessons learned in the design and execution of clinical trials focusing on white button mushrooms as anti‐cancer nutraceuticals. We demonstrate the use of single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) in nutraceutical research to capture the nuanced biological responses and health effects of dietary foods and their constituents.
Dual snare endoscopic extraction of a gastric foreign body using a dual‐channel endoscope
Authors: Singh Amitjeet , Young Edward , Singh Rajvinder
Published: January 2025

Foreign body ingestion, though rare, poses significant health risks, with 10%–20% of cases requiring endoscopic intervention. This article presents a novel case of a 16‐year‐old female who ingested a cigarette lighter, leading to abdominal pain and radiographic confirmation of a gastric foreign body. Initial attempts at retrieval using grasping forceps and snares were unsuccessful due to the object's size and shape, risking potential complications. We employed a dual‐channel endoscope utilizing a push‐pull technique with two snares, one capturing the blunt end and the other the sharp edge of the lighter. This method facilitated safe extraction through the gastroesophageal junction without causing trauma. This case highlights the efficacy of dual snares in the endoscopic retrieval of challenging foreign bodies and emphasizes the importance of appropriate techniques in preventing complications during such procedures.
Electrochemical Sensor Built on Graphene@Iron‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks for Simultaneous Detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+
Authors: Zheng Xiaofang , Han Yujie , Liu Zhiguang , Liang Shufeng , Wang Chunyan , Guo Yujing
Published: January 2025

The contamination of heavy metal ions (HMIs) in the environment poses a serious threat to health and safety. It is essential to efficiently and accurately detect multiple HMIs in environmental samples for water quality monitoring. In this work, a two‐dimensional material composed of polyvinylpyrrolidone/graphene and iron‐based metal–organic frameworks (PVP/GNs@Fe‐MOF) was synthesized by ultrasonic method. This material combines the advantages of PVP/GNs and Fe‐MOF, exhibiting enhanced conductivity, large specific surface area, and porosity, thus broadening the application potential of MOF and demonstrating excellent performance in electrochemical sensing. Using PVP/GNs@Fe‐MOF as the electrode material, a simple electrochemical sensing platform was constructed for the simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+. The results show good analytical performance with linear ranges of 0.030–1.0 μmol/L for Cd2+ and 3.0 nmol/L−1.0 μmol/L for Pb2+, and the limit of detection of 0.010 μmol/L and 1.0 nmol/L (S/N = 3), respectively. The rapid and sensitive simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in real sample was also achieved.
Emergency medicine transformation to improve hospital admissions and patient outcomes: Emergency ambulatory care model in Hong Kong
Authors: Man Shin Yan , Yeung Kwong Hang , Cheng Chi Hung , Cheung Nai Kwong , Cheung Ralph Koon Ho , Chuk Lee Kwan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The Prince of Wales Hospital's Emergency Ambulatory Care (EAC) service, initiated in August 2021, exemplifies an innovative approach to the emergency department (ED) to address the increasing demands on healthcare systems. This study evaluates the impact of EAC service on hospital admissions, focusing on patients with ambulatory care‐sensitive conditions over the initial 5 months.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the EAC service from 1 August 2021 to 31 December 2021. The service integrated the ED's workflow and operated 171 eight‐hour sessions. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman correlation test were used in the analysis.

Results

A total of 408 patients were recruited and the service achieved a high discharge rate of 89.5%, contributing to a 7.5% reduction in hospital admissions for medical conditions. These results were supported by a significant negative correlation (r = −1.000, p < 0.001) between the number of EAC sessions provided and the average daily percentage of patients admitted to the medical wards, underscoring the service's capacity to alleviate hospital admission rates. Furthermore, it achieved a low rate of 30‐day all‐cause mortality of 1.0%, without any intensive care unit admission, and an unscheduled ED re‐attendance rate of 4.7%.

Conclusions

The EAC service's successful implementation and outcomes demonstrate its potential to transform emergency care delivery, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional inpatient hospitalization for acute medical conditions. This research contributes to the ongoing discussion on optimizing healthcare delivery, emphasizing the need for innovative models like the EAC to improve system efficiency and patient outcomes in the face of growing healthcare challenges.
A Multi‐Center Prospective Study on the Healing of Neuro‐Ischemic Ulcers in Singapore: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Meng Lingyan , Bishnoi Priya , Lo Zhiwen Joseph , Yong Enming , Chong Tze Tec , Carmody David , Dharmaraj Rajesh Babu , Ng Yi Zhen , Harding Keith , Ho Pei
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Neuro‐ischemic ulcers (NIU) present a substantial clinical and economic burden on the healthcare systems. This study aims to evaluate their healing rate, associated healthcare resource utilization, and prognostic factors influencing healing.

Methods

Consecutive patients attended specialist clinics or admitted to wards in three tertiary hospitals for new or existing NIUs from November 2019 to November 2021 were eligible for this study. Each participant was followed up three times (1‐month, 3‐month and 6‐month after enrollment), with ulcer healing as the primary outcome of interest. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of NIU healing.

Results

In total, 439 patients were recruited. Six months after they seek care in the tertiary healthcare setting, 36.0% of the participants had their ulcer fully healed. Male gender (adjusted HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53–0.93), history of coronary intervention (adjusted HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41–0.93), requirement of lower extremity revascularization (adjusted HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.54–0.98) and offloading (adjusted HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.46–0.81) were found to be associated with failure to heal. Ulcers located over the toes (adjusted HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.17–2.32) was associated with better healing. Dependent activity of daily living (adjusted HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.55–1.01) was also potentially a risk factor for slow healing with borderline significance.

Nonhealed group of patients incurred higher requirement of revascularization (42.3% vs. 25.3%, p < 0.001), negative pressure wound therapy (40.6% vs. 29.7%, p = 0.03), off‐loading (57.3% vs. 46.8%, p = 0.04) and antibiotic treatment (45.2% vs. 26.6%, p < 0.001), compared to those in the healed group.

Conclusion

NIU imposes a significant burden on both patients and the healthcare system in Singapore, with low healing rates even after 6 months of tertiary‐level care. Early identification and risk stratification of high‐risk patients may help improve outcomes.
The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Glycemic, Weight, and Blood Pressure Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Double‐Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sayadi Mehrab , Nowbandegani Sara Javadpour , Inalou Fatemeh Balaghi , Nazemzadegan Bahman , Javidi Alsaadi Shirzad , Eskandari Mohammadreza , Sepehrinia Matin
Published: January 2025

Backgrounds and Aims

Type 2 diabetes and its complications are assumed to be major public health problems globally. Zinc is one of the elements that play a part in insulin secretion and signaling. Therefore, this study seeks the answer to the following question: “What are the effects of 220 mg zinc sulfate supplementation on the weight, blood pressure, and glycemic control of patients with Type 2 diabetes?”.

Methods

In this randomized controlled double‐blind trial, 79 patients with Type 2 diabetes were allocated into two groups through permuted block randomization method. The study group received two capsules of 220 mg of zinc sulfate containing 50 mg of zinc, and the control group received two capsules of 220 mg of placebo ingredient per week for 12 weeks. At the start and end of the treatment period, the fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), zinc level, weight, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were measured.

Results

After 12 weeks of follow‐up, 72 patients completed the study. There were no significant differences before and after the intervention in the FBG, HbA1c, zinc levels, and WC between the two groups. Intragroup analysis showed that weight and body mass index increased in the intervention group; however, these changes were not significant in comparison to the control group. Also, diastolic blood pressure significantly increased in the control group; however, changes in systolic blood pressure were not significant in both groups.

Conclusion

Taking 220 mg of zinc sulfate supplement twice a week did not show significant benefit for weight, blood pressure, and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Trial Registration

This trial was registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) website with code number 29627 on September 18, 2018.
Investigation of the Feasibility and Safety of a Highly Intensive Penetration Technique for Recanalization in Severe Calcified Femoropopliteal Occlusive Lesions: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Mori Shinsuke , Hirano Keisuke , Setonaga Yusuke , Kishida Toshihiko , Fukagawa Tomoya , Yamaguchi Kohei , Mizusawa Masafumi , Tsutsumi Masakazu , Kobayashi Norihiro , Ito Yoshiaki
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

When dealing with severely calcified lesions in endovascular therapy (EVT) for lower extremity artery disease (LEAD), navigating through severely calcified chronic total occlusion (CTO) using hard‐tip guidewires can be challenging. To address this issue, we employed a novel highly intensive penetration (HIP) technique. This technique involves modifying the tail of a 0.035‐inch guidewire to enhance its penetration capability, thus enabling effective navigation through the calcified lesion and facilitating the EVT procedure. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of the HIP technique.

Methods

This single‐center, retrospective study enrolled 27 consecutive patients (29 limbs) who underwent the HIP technique for the recanalization of calcified femoropopliteal CTO lesions that were resistant to penetration by high‐tip load (≧ 40 g) guidewires between January 2015 and April 2023. Statistical analyses were performed using JMP 13 software.

Results

The mean patient age was 75.9 ± 10.1 years. The proportion of men, patients with hypertension, patients with diabetes mellitus, and patients on hemodialysis was 78%, 59%, 41%, and 44%, respectively. The crossover approach was selected for 55% of the patients. The reference vessel diameter was 5.3 ± 0.6 mm, and the lesion length was 19.7 ± 12.0 cm. The target lesions were predominantly located in the superficial femoral artery (76%). In‐stent occlusion was treated in 14% of patients. The HIP technique was successfully performed in 79% of patients, and the complication rate of vascular perforation was 7%.

Conclusion

The HIP technique demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in navigating through highly calcified lesions, offering a reliable method for successful recanalization in challenging cases.
Study of Heat and Mass Transfer of Transient Free Convection Through Vertical Annuli in Presence of Heat Source, Chemical Reaction, and Newtonian Heating
Authors: Jakhar Atul , Kumar Anand , Sukariya Vijay Kumar , Anurag
Published: January 2025

Newtonian heating with a heat source has applications in a variety of areas, including heat exchangers, electronic devices, nuclear reactors, gas cooling systems, ventilated rooms, and industrial processes. In the present numerical investigation, we examine the effect of Newtonian heating with an internal heat source and temperature‐dependent chemical reaction on transient free convective laminar flow within a vertical annulus. The Method of Lines is employed to solve the governing partial differential equations with the appropriate boundary conditions. The numerical findings were extensively analyzed through plots and tables to demonstrate the impact of various fluid features on the concentration, temperature, and velocity profiles. It is observed that these profiles increase over time until they stabilize at a steady state. Additionally, the Schmidt and Damköhler numbers are found to reduce the concentration and velocity profiles, whereas the Richardson, Biot, and mass Grashof numbers have the opposite effect. A major investigation revealed that the Newtonian heating with heat source increases the external mass transport and gives a better control parameter.
Efficacy and safety of JMT103 in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors: A randomized Phase Ib clinical trial
Authors: Ran Ran , Li Hongtao , Sun Tao , Zhou Huan , Zang Aimin , Guo Hongqian , Xie Hua , Wu Shikai , Yan Yong , Yin Xing , Xiong Hailin , Li Hong , Yuan Jing , Wang Juan , Li Huiping , Li Jin
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of three dosing regimens of JMT103 in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive JMT103 subcutaneously, 120 mg every 4 weeks (Cohort 1), 120 mg every 8 weeks (Cohort 2), or 180 mg every 8 weeks (Cohort 3) for up to 49 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to Week 13 in creatinine‐adjusted urinary N‐telopeptide (uNTx/Cr). Two hundred and ninety‐five patients were randomized, and 293 received at least one dose of JMT103, of whom 96 were assigned to Cohort 1, 97 were assigned to Cohort 2, and 100 were assigned to Cohort 3. The median (interquartile range) percentage reduction in uNTx/Cr at Week 13 was 80.0% (49.9%, 93.4%) in Cohort 1, 73.0% (34.5%, 94.0%) in Cohort 2, and 75.7% (40.4%, 92.0%) in Cohort 3, respectively. On‐study skeletal‐related events were reported by 3.1% of patients in Cohort 1, 6.2% in Cohort 2, and 7.0% in Cohort 3. Treatment‐emergent adverse events occurred in 289 patients, 162 of whom were deemed treatment‐related. The most common treatment‐related adverse events were hypocalcemia (23.2%), hypophosphatemia (22.9%), and increased aspartate transaminase (11.9%). JMT103 demonstrated a good safety and a strong suppression of the bone turnover markers.
Cervical cancer incidence rates considering migration status in mainland China using Bayesian model—Estimation based on 2016 cancer registry data
Authors: Du Linlin , Sun Huixin , Tang Liping , Hao Shuxiu , Feng Chen , Li Guijin , Zhang Yu , Jin Hong , Lv Cunqi , Zeng Qingyu , Wang Cheng , Li Jiacheng , Wang Xinshu , Ma Rong , Wang Tong , Li Qi
Published: January 2025

In mainland China, cancer registration relies on household‐registered populations, overlooking migrant populations. Estimating cervical cancer incidence among permanent residents, including migrants, offers a more accurate representation of the true burden. The data from 487 cancer registries across China in 2016 were analyzed using a Bayesian spatial regression model with the integrated nested Laplace approximation‐stochastic partial differential equation method. The study estimated cervical cancer incidence among household‐registered populations and adjusted for migrant populations using a weighting method based on interprovincial distribution and age stratification to derive the incidence of cervical cancer in the permanent residents. Data from the China Population Census, the China Migrants Dynamic Survey, and the Urban Statistical Yearbook were incorporated. The estimated crude incidence rate of cervical cancer among permanent residents was 17.4/100,000 in mainland China, with an age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 17.2/100,000. The largest disparities in cervical cancer crude incidence rate between permanent residents and household‐registered populations were observed in Guizhou (2.4/100,000, 95% CI 1.9–2.9/100,000), Zhejiang (−1.2/100,000, 95% CI −1.8 to −0.6/100,000) and Tianjin (−1.1/100,000, 95% CI −1.5 to −0.7/100,000). The number of the estimated cervical cancer incident cases was 8948. Guangdong saw an increase of 887 cases, while Henan had a decrease of 1430 cases. Guizhou had the highest ASIR (28.1/100,000), and Beijing had the lowest ASIR (11.0/100,000). The significance of this study is that it improves the accuracy of cervical cancer data in China. These findings provide evidence for developing cervical cancer prevention and control strategies, and offer insights for other countries and regions facing migration challenges.
Enhancing Functional Breast Imaging: A sCMOS Camera‐Based Lock‐in Implementation for Dynamic Tomography
Authors: Zheng Yujie , Zhang Limin , Song Weijie , Gao Feng , Liu Dongyuan
Published: January 2025

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) enables the in vivo quantification of tissue chromophores, specifically the discernment of oxy‐ and deoxy‐hemoglobin (HbO and HbR, correspondingly). This specific criterion is useful in detecting and predicting early‐stage neoadjuvant breast cancer treatment response. To address the issues of the limited channels in the fiber‐dependent breast DOT system and limited signal‐to‐noise ratio in the camera‐dependent systems, we hereby present a camera‐based lock‐in detection scheme to achieve dynamic DOT with improved SNR, which adopted orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technology. The evaluation of the system performance was conducted on tissue phantoms and neoplastic rats, and the results show that this system boasts the capability of executing parallel measurement utilizing a camera detector, enabling the achievement of highly sensitive, and dynamic tomography for breast screening applications.
Association of Menopause and Rhinitis Among Adult Women in the United States: Findings from the All of Us Research Program
Authors: Chiu Richard G. , Eldeirawi Kamal , Dick Anthony I. , Nyenhuis Sharmilee M. , Vajaranant Thasarat Sutabutr , Caskey Rachel , Lee Victoria S.
Published: January 2025

Objective

The inflammatory role of female hormones has been garnering increased attention in the literature. Studies suggest a link between estrogen and inflammatory conditions of the airways and nasal mucosa. However, there remains a paucity of literature regarding the associations of hormones with rhinitis. Given the profound hormonal changes that occur during menopause, we sought to better understand the association between menopause and rhinitis.

Methods

Data from the All of Us Research Program regarding rhinitis diagnoses, menopause status, demographic variables, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities were extracted for female participants aged 40–60. Crude odds ratios (cORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for unadjusted associations between menopause and rhinitis. Variables were then included in multivariable logistic regression models, with separate models for allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) as the outcome variables. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% CI were calculated.

Results

We identified 40,875 female participants aged 40–60 without any missing data. Compared with participants without rhinitis, a greater proportion of those with AR (51.6% vs. 55.6%; cOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.11–1.25) and NAR (51.6% vs. 58.9%; cOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.11–1.63) had experienced menopause. However, after controlling for covariates, menopause was associated with a decreased odds of AR (aOR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82–0.96) and not associated with NAR (aOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.77–1.24).

Conclusion

Menopause was independently associated with a decreased odds of AR but was not associated with NAR. Research should aim to further examine these relationships and hormonal mechanisms underlying the observed protective associations.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 2025
Usage of Milan System in Risk Stratification of Submandibular Gland Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
Authors: Yew Wan Xin , Choy Kevin C.C. , Bundele Manish M. , Fu Ernest W. , Li Hao , Lim Ming Yann , Gan Yijin Jereme
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) categorizes fine needle aspiration and cytology (FNAC) results into 6 tiers and assigns a risk of malignancy (ROM) to each category. Its utility in submandibular gland lesions remains unclear. Our article aims to study (1) the utility of the MSRSGC in classifying FNAC of submandibular gland masses, (2) describe the demographics and incidence of submandibular gland malignancy in our population, and (3) analyze the accuracy of FNAC in diagnosis of benign and malignant submandibular gland tumors.

Methods

In this retrospective case series, the FNAC results of 92 patients who underwent pre‐operative FNAC and excision of submandibular gland between May 2008 and December 2023 were reviewed and assigned to a MSRSGC category, and ROM was calculated based on histological diagnosis.

Results

20/92 (21.7%) submandibular gland excisions with pre‐operative FNAC were malignant. ROM is as follows: non‐diagnostic 7.1%, non‐neoplastic 12.5%, atypia of undetermined significance 35.3%, benign neoplasm 3.3%, salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential 35%, suspicious for malignancy 100%, and malignant 100%.

Conclusion

Our study validates the usage of the MSRSGC in the work up of submandibular gland tumors.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2025
A global dataset of nitrogen fixation rates across inland and coastal waters
Authors: Fulweiler Robinson W. , Berberich Megan E. , Rinehart Shelby A. , Taylor Jason M. , Kelly Michelle C. , Ray Nicholas E. , Oczkowski Autumn , Balint Sawyer J. , Geisser Alexandra H. , Mahoney Catherine R. , Benavides Mar , Church Matthew J. , Loeks Brianna , Newell Silvia E. , Olofsson Malin , Oppong Jimmy C. , Roley Sarah S. , Vizza Carmella , Wilson Samuel T. , Groffman Peter M. , Scott J. Thad , Marcarelli Amy M.
Published: January 2025

Biological nitrogen fixation is the conversion of dinitrogen (N2) gas into bioavailable nitrogen by microorganisms with consequences for primary production, ecosystem function, and global climate. Here we present a compiled dataset of 4793 nitrogen fixation (N2‐fixation) rates measured in the water column and benthos of inland and coastal systems via the acetylene reduction assay, 15N2 labeling, or N2/Ar technique. While the data are distributed across seven continents, most observations (88%) are from the northern hemisphere. 15N2 labeling accounted for 67% of water column measurements, while the acetylene reduction assay accounted for 81% of benthic N2‐fixation observations. Dataset median area‐, volume‐, and mass‐normalized N2‐fixation rates are 7.1 μmol N2‐N m−2 h−1, 2.3 × 10−4 μmol N2‐N L−1 h−1, and 4.8 × 10−4 μmol N2‐N g−1 h−1, respectively. This dataset will facilitate future efforts to study and scale N2‐fixation contributions across inland and coastal aquatic environments.
Exceptional Absorption in a Deep‐Subwavelength Plasmonic Film
Authors: Zhang Yiyun , Feng Yiming , Lepage Dominic , Gao Bingtao , Peng Xiyao , Zhao Sihan , Ma Yaoguang , Shen Yichen , Chen Hongsheng , Li Shilong , Qian Haoliang
Published: January 2025

In the realm of photonic integrated circuit design, on‐chip absorbers are imperative for preventing signal degradation caused by unintended stray photons, which induce signal crosstalk and operational errors. An ideal on‐chip optical absorber is expected to have a superior absorption capability across a wide range of frequencies while maintaining a minimal footprint. However, widely employed optical thin‐film absorbers suffer from limited absorption due to inherent refractive index mismatches and short light‐matter interaction lengths. Here a ≈45‐nm thin metalayer is demonstrated that exhibits uniformly high absorption over a broad wavelength range from 350 nm to 4.5 µm in a wide range of incident angles up to over 60 degrees. The metalayer's performance notably exceeds the absorption predicted by standard plane‐wave optics theories, potentially attributing to the Anderson localization effect. Integration of such a deep‐subwavelength metalayer absorber into photonic circuits will facilitate the creation of highly efficient photonic chips, propelling the advancement of optical communication and computing.