bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacists in Australian general practice: Discussion of the findings of an evaluation from 2016 to 2021
Authors: Deeks Louise S. , Naunton Mark , Peterson Gregory M. , Sudeshika Thilini , Freeman Christopher , Sharma Ravi , Leavens Stacy , Kosari Sam
Published: November 2023

Pharmacists embedded in general practice can improve medicines optimisation and patient safety, but Australia has been slower to adopt and fund this model than other comparable countries. Over the last decade there have been various local programs integrating pharmacists in general practice across Australia. This article summarises the results of an evaluation in Canberra from 2016–2021. Pharmacists predominantly conducted clinical activities, including medication reviews and clinical audits. General practitioner (GP) acceptance and implementation of medication review recommendations was high (75%). General practice pharmacists were able to achieve positive clinical outcomes in asthma and smoking cessation. Surveys and interviews identified that the general practice pharmacist role was welcomed by patients, GPs, and other healthcare professionals. Patient satisfaction was very high, with patients supporting the expansion of this pharmacy service. Collaboration between the pharmacists and other healthcare professionals was high. Some pharmacists left employment in general practice after less than a year. Introducing a clear job description could be beneficial in retaining pharmacists, improving trust and working relationships, and enhancing collaboration. The majority of clinical activities conducted by the pharmacists had the potential to improve patient care and decrease healthcare costs. Apart from healthcare savings, benefit–cost ratios of income generated and costs reduced by pharmacists when compared to salaries suggested that pharmacists may be cost‐beneficial in some scenarios. Absence of funding for this model of care remains a barrier to wider adoption in Australia and needs addressing. This study was approved by the University of Canberra Human Research Ethics Committee (Project number: 15–235) and funded under the Primary Health Network Program (Grant number: 25097479).
Novel techniques for the mass production of nutritionally improved, fungus‐treated lignocellulosic biomass for ruminant nutrition
Authors: Sufyan Abubakar , Khan Nazir Ahmad , AbuGhazaleh Amer , Ahmad Nazir , Tang Shaoxun , Tan Zhiliang
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Laboratory‐scale experiments have shown that treatment with selective lignin‐degrading white‐rot fungi improves the nutritional value and ruminal degradability of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB). However, the lack of effective field‐applicable pasteurization methods has long been recognized as a major obstacle for scaling up the technique for fungal treatment of large quantities of LCB for animal feeding. In this study, wheat straw (an LCB substrate) was subjected to four field‐applicable pasteurization methods – hot‐water, formaldehyde fumigation, steam, and hydrated lime – and cultured with Pleurotus ostreatus grain spawn for 10, 20, and 30 days under solid‐state fermentation. Samples of untreated, pasteurized but non‐inoculated and fungus‐treated straws were analyzed for chemical composition, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro total gas (IVGP), methane (CH4), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production.

RESULTS

During the 30‐day fungal treatment, steam and lime pasteurized straws had the greatest loss of lignin, resulting in marked improvements in crude protein (CP), IVDMD, IVGP, and total VFAs. Irrespective of the pasteurization method, the increase in IVDMD during fungal treatment was linearly (R2 = 0.77–0.92) related to lignin‐loss in the substrate during fungal treatment. The CH4 production of the fungus‐treated straw was not affected by the pasteurization methods. Aflatoxin B1 was within the safe level (<5 μg kg−1) in all pasteurized, fungus treated straws.

CONCLUSION

Steam and lime were promising field‐applicable pasteurization techniques to produce nutritionally improved fungus‐treated wheat straw to feed ruminants. Lime pasteurization was more economical and did not require expensive energy inputs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fabrication and Characterizations of Superhydrophobic Surface with Superior Corrosion Inhibition on Q345b Steel Substrate
Authors: Zhang Xuehua , Tu Xiaoyu , Zhou Li , Hu Fangren
Published: November 2023

In this work, a coherent and cost‐effective method is developed to achieve superhydrophobicity and excellent corrosion resistance on Q345B steel surfaces. The method involves sequential etching with hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid, passivation with potassium permanganate, treatment with bis‐(γ‐triethoxysilylpropyl)‐tetrasulfide (KHSi69，BT), and modification with hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles. The effects of etching and passivation time, including SiO2 doping ratio on the wettability and corrosion resistance of the prepared surfaces are investigated. The results demonstrate that the surface exhibits a micro–nano multilayer and modified nano‐multiscale cluster structure which has a contact angle (CA) of 155.8 ± 1.7° and a sliding angle (SA) of 5 ± 0.5° by employing the following conditions: hydrochloric acid etching time of 10 min, hydrofluoric acid etching time of 25 min, passivation time of 300 min, and a 3 wt% SiO2 doping ratio. Moreover, the surface displays extremely weak droplet adhesion and excellent self‐cleaning properties. Furthermore, the corrosion inhibition of the prepared steel surface is evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the superhydrophobic surface is enhanced by about 89.95% compared to the traditional two‐step processing involving etching and modification. These findings expand the potential applications of steel.
The bittersweet of consumer–human brand relationships in the social media context
Authors: Honora Andreawan , Memar Zadeh Maryam , Haggerty Nicole
Published: November 2023

The current research proposes an integrated model to investigate both the bright and the dark sides of consumer–human brand relationships facilitated by social media on consumers' lives. Grounded in the duality of social media and self‐regulation theory, the findings show that human brand attachment improves consumers' daily performance through stress relief, which in turn increases life satisfaction (Study 1). However, the findings also indicate that human brand attachment can cause consumers' daily performance to deteriorate as a result of compulsive human brand consumption on social media and human brand‐personal conflict, which diminishes life satisfaction (Study 2). Collectively, the findings may suggest that strong consumer–human brand relationships tend to be detrimental to consumers' well‐being as the indirect negative impact of human brand attachment on daily performance and life satisfaction overpowers its indirect positive impact (Study 3). Such detrimental effects are moderated by self‐regulatory focus (Study 4). Moreover, the findings indicate that the indirect negative effect of human brand attachment is attenuated when consumers have a higher level of work/study–life balance. Accordingly, the current research advances the theoretical understanding of the consumer–human brand relationship facilitated by social media, by highlighting its dual effects associated with the nature of technology and consumers' self‐regulatory focuses.
DTI‐MR fingerprinting for rapid high‐resolution whole‐brain T1, T2, proton density, ADC, and fractional anisotropy mapping
Authors: Cao Xiaozhi , Liao Congyu , Zhou Zihan , Zhong Zheng , Li Zhitao , Dai Erpeng , Iyer Siddharth Srinivasan , Hannum Ariel J. , Yurt Mahmut , Schauman Sophie , Chen Quan , Wang Nan , Wei Jintao , Yan Yifan , He Hongjian , Skare Stefan , Zhong Jianhui , Kerr Adam , Setsompop Kawin
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a high‐efficiency and high‐resolution 3D imaging approach for simultaneous mapping of multiple key tissue parameters for routine brain imaging, including T1, T2, proton density (PD), ADC, and fractional anisotropy (FA). The proposed method is intended for pushing routine clinical brain imaging from weighted imaging to quantitative imaging and can also be particularly useful for diffusion‐relaxometry studies, which typically suffer from lengthy acquisition time.

Methods

To address challenges associated with diffusion weighting, such as shot‐to‐shot phase variation and low SNR, we integrated several innovative data acquisition and reconstruction techniques. Specifically, we used M1‐compensated diffusion gradients, cardiac gating, and navigators to mitigate phase variations caused by cardiac motion. We also introduced a data‐driven pre‐pulse gradient to cancel out eddy currents induced by diffusion gradients. Additionally, to enhance image quality within a limited acquisition time, we proposed a data‐sharing joint reconstruction approach coupled with a corresponding sequence design.

Results

The phantom and in vivo studies indicated that the T1 and T2 values measured by the proposed method are consistent with a conventional MR fingerprinting sequence and the diffusion results (including diffusivity, ADC, and FA) are consistent with the spin‐echo EPI DWI sequence.

Conclusion

The proposed method can achieve whole‐brain T1, T2, diffusivity, ADC, and FA maps at 1‐mm isotropic resolution within 10 min, providing a powerful tool for investigating the microstructural properties of brain tissue, with potential applications in clinical and research settings.
The relationship between green innovation and sustainable growth in Korean companies: Moderated mediation effect of ESG score by industry
Authors: Lee Mi Sook
Published: November 2023

Sustainable development of companies is emphasized by many asset management companies around the world as an investment decision criterion. So, the most important issue in business management is Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG). But, criticism of ESG has been raised and some studies have found the impact of green innovation and ESG on financial performance to be inconclusive or inconsistent. At this point, this study reviewed ESG‐related researches and examined the relationship between green innovation, ESG, and sustainable growth. By analyzing the mediating effect of ESG score, this study examined whether investment for green innovation directly affects corporate sustainable growth or indirectly affects it through ESG score, an external evaluation. In addition, a moderating variable was added to see if this relationship varies by industry. For this research purpose, the moderated mediation effect analysis using PROCESS macro was conducted in‐depth. Companies received ESG evaluation by Korea Corporate Governance Service were selected as a sample. The results of this study will provide many implications for companies that are driving ESG.
Palladium nanoparticles on polydimethylsiloxane film for C−C coupling reactions, and catalytic reduction of organic pollutants in water
Authors: Majhi Shukla , Singh Renuka , Sharma Keshav , Pati Tripathi Chandra Shekhar , Guin Debanjan
Published: November 2023

In this study, we present a novel method for immobilizing Palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) onto a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) support (Pd NPs@PDMS). To enhance the stability of Pd NPs on the PDMS surface, we functionalized a PDMS thin film with amine groups. The structure and morphology of the resulting Pd NPs@PDMS material were characterized using various techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Furthermore, we investigated the catalytic performance of the Pd NPs@PDMS nanocatalyst for the reduction of well‐known environmental pollutants, such as 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), 2‐nitrophenol (2‐NP), 4‐nitroaniline (4‐NA), Methyl Orange (MO), Methylene Blue (MB), and Congo Red (CR), in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) at room temperature (RT). Additionally, we explored the application of the prepared nanocatalyst in carbon‐carbon (C−C) coupling reactions, specifically Suzuki Miyaura and Sonogashira reactions. The results obtained in this study demonstrated the high efficiency and environmentally friendly nature of Pd NPs@PDMS as a catalyst for both C−C coupling reactions and the degradation of organic pollutants.
Pseudocapacitance‐Induced Synaptic Plasticity of Tribo‐Phototronic Effect Between Ionic Liquid and 2D MoS2
Authors: Ahmadi Ribwar , Abnavi Amin , Hasani Amirhossein , Ghanbari Hamidreza , Mohammadzadeh Mohammad Reza , Fawzy Mirette , Kabir Fahmid , Adachi Michael M.
Published: November 2023

Contact‐induced electrification, commonly referred to as triboelectrification, is the subject of extensive investigation at liquid–solid interfaces due to its wide range of applications in electrochemistry, energy harvesting, and sensors. This study examines the triboelectric between an ionic liquid and 2D MoS2 under light illumination. Notably, when a liquid droplet slides across the MoS2 surface, an increase in the generated current and voltage is observed in the forward direction, while a decrease is observed in the reverse direction. This suggests a memory‐like tribo‐phototronic effect between ionic liquid and 2D MoS2. The underlying mechanism behind this tribo‐phototronic synaptic plasticity is proposed to be ion adsorption/desorption processes resulting from pseudocapacitive deionization/ionization at the liquid–MoS2 interface. This explanation is supported by the equivalent electrical circuit modeling, contact angle measurements, and electronic band diagrams. Furthermore, the influence of various factors such as velocity, step size, light wavelength and intensity, ion concentration, and bias voltage is thoroughly investigated. The artificial synaptic plasticity arising from this phenomenon exhibits significant synaptic features, including potentiation/inhibition, paired‐pulse facilitation/depression, and short‐term memory (STM) to long‐term memory (LTM) transition. This research opens up promising avenues for the development of synaptic memory systems and intelligent sensing applications based on liquid–solid interfaces.
Liquid Crystal Electrolyte with Lamellar Ionic Channels for All‐In‐One Gel Flexible Supercapacitor
Authors: Wu Wenna , Chu Yiran , Zhang Tao , He Tao , Hao Jingcheng
Published: November 2023

Liquid crystalline hydrogels with nanoscale order are an attractive soft material to transport ions or electrons with high efficiency. By employing noncovalent interactions between amphiphiles and solvents, defined anisotropic ordered structures can assemble that serve as interior transmissible channels. Herein, the phase behaviors of a polymerizable amphiphile of 1‐vinyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium bromide (VCnIMBr, n = 12, 14, 16) are investigated at different concentrations in a deep eutectic solvent. The aggregation such as micelle, hexagonal, and lamellar liquid crystal phase is created. Through in‐phase polymerization, the lamellar structures within an an isotropic liquid crystal can be well solidified to obtain a conductive gel electrolyte. A sandwich‐structured all‐in‐one gel flexible supercapacitor is then built with this specific gel electrolyte. With greatly increased adhesion and minimized interfacial resistance between electrode and electrolyte, the approach will be able to create energy‐storage devices with anisotropic ionic and electronic charge transportations envisioned for various electrochemical applications.
Mo‐Doped Mesoporous RuO2 Spheres as High‐Performance Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Dong Jing , Sun Tingting , Zhang Xiaohan , Chen Jianfeng , Xu Lianbin
Published: November 2023

The development of highly active and acid‐stable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance for water electrolysis technology. Herein, a highly efficient molybdenum‐doped mesoporous ruthenium dioxide sphere (Mo‐RuO2) catalyst is fabricated by a facile impregnation and post‐calcination method using mesoporous carbon spheres to template the mesostructure. The optimal Mo0.15‐RuO2 catalyst with Mo doping amount of 15 mol.% exhibits a significantly low overpotential of 147 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 38 mV decade−1, and enhanced electrochemical stability in acidic electrolyte, far superior to the commercial RuO2 catalyst. The experimental results and theoretical analysis reveal that the remarkable electrocatalytic performance can be attributed to the large surface area of the mesoporous spherical structure, the structural robustness of the interconnected mesoporous framework, and the change in the electronic structure of Ru active sites induced by Mo doping. These excellent advantages make Mo‐doped mesoporous RuO2 spheres a promising catalyst for highly efficient electrocatalytic OER in acidic media.
The prevalence, risks, and detection of driving under the influence of nitrous oxide
Authors: Vinckenbosch Frederick R. J. , Durán Jiménez Dinesh , Helmerhorst Hendrik , Dahan Albert , Aarts Leon , Bikker Floris , Theunissen Eef , Ramaekers Johannes G.
Published: November 2023

Nitrous oxide (N2O), colloquially known as laughing gas, is a common recreational drug of abuse. The gas is inhaled in its undiluted form from a party balloon. Its intoxicating effects are described as dissociative and euphoric, accompanied by ataxia, hypoxia, and attenuated consciousness. Therefore, the recreational use of N2O appears irreconcilable with operating a vehicle in road traffic. However, the Netherlands, one of the leading countries regarding prevalence of recreational N2O use, has seen a sharp increase in police reports of N2O‐related traffic incidents since 2016. Road traffic deaths associated with recreational N2O use have also been reported in the United Kingdom, as well as a recent increase in traffic incidents. Hence, driving under the influence of nitrous oxide (DUINO) is possibly an underreported threat to road traffic safety. Based on the limited information available at this time, the current review considers the prevalence of DUINO, its effects driving performance, and approaches to road‐side detection. It is concluded that DUINO is a potentially significant threat to road traffic safety. Although its prevalence is unclear, it is almost certain that DUINO is accompanied by severe driving impairment, based on its pharmacodynamics and documented cognitive and psychomotor effects in medical studies. The pharmacokinetic profile of N2O lends credibility to the notion that recent use can be demonstrated in breath, blood, and saliva. However, the analytical complexities of such measurements warrant elaborate research into N2O detection techniques.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology > Drug‐Impaired Driving
Osteoporosis and the Nature of Fragility Fracture: An Overview
Authors: van Oostwaard Marsha , Marques Andréa
Published: November 2023

Osteoporosis is a common, chronic, systemic skeletal disease that is characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and risk of fracture. The number of people suffering from osteoporosis and high risk of fractures is increasing globally, probably as a result of global ageing and longer life expectancy.

Typically, fractures in patients with osteoporosis occur at the following locations: vertebral (spine), proximal femur (hip), distal forearm (wrist) and proximal humerus (upper arm). Bone loss occurs silently and progressively without signs or symptoms until fractures occur, so patients are often unaware that they may have osteoporosis and are at risk of fractures.

Osteoporosis is a devastating condition that can lead to pain, severe disability and premature death from fracture. Nurses, alongside other practitioners, play a key role in the prevention of osteoporosis and fragility fractures and can be envisaged in case finding, risk assessment and management and education after diagnosis. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the link between osteoporosis and fractures and explore the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Experimental investigations and numerical modelling: a fruitful interaction for the nonlinear dynamical analysis of masonry structures
Authors: Azzara Riccardo Mario , Girardi Maria , Padovani Cristina , Pellegrini Daniele
Published: November 2023

This paper describes the experiments carried out on a mediaeval masonry tower in the historic centre of Lucca and some finite element numerical simulations of the tower’s experimental response. The Guinigi Tower, one of the most iconic monuments in Lucca, has been continuously monitored by high-sensitivity seismic stations that recorded the structure’s response to the dynamic actions of the surrounding environment. The monitoring campaign results have been analysed to show the effectiveness of dynamic monitoring as a valuable source of information on the structural properties of the tower. The dynamic analyses of the tower and the surrounding palace subjected to some seismic events recorded during the experiments have highlighted the capabilities of experiment-based finite element modelling. The calibration of the finite element model and the numerical analysis have been carried out by resorting to procedures developed at ISTI-CNR and able to consider the nonlinear behaviour of masonry materials.
Targeted LC-MS/MS profiling of bile acids reveals primary/secondary bile acid ratio as a novel biomarker for necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Gao Tingting , Hu Shaohua , Xu Weijue , Wang Zhiru , Guo Ting , Chen Feng , Ma Yingxuan , Zhu Linlin , Chen Faling , Wang Xiaomei , Zhou Jin , Lv Zhibao , Lu Li
Published: November 2023

Bile acids (BAs) are involved in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which mainly occurs in preterm infants. We aim to identify the change of BAs in preterm infants and validate its potential value in the detection of NEC. Targeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed to measure the plasma BAs in healthy preterm infants and patients with NEC. By analyzing the level of BAs in healthy preterm infants, we found that the plasma concentrations of BAs were related to sex, gestational/postnatal age, birth weight, mode of birth, and feeding type after birth. The plasma levels of TCA, GCA, TCDCA, GCDCA, primary BAs, and total BAs and the primary/secondary BA ratio were decreased, while DCA, UDCA, and secondary BAs were increased in NEC. The primary/secondary BA ratio (cutoff point 62.9) can effectively differentiate NEC from healthy preterm infants, with an AUC of 0.9, a sensitivity of 94.5%, and a specificity of 78.1%. Combining the ratio with high-risk factors of NEC can better distinguish between NEC and control, with an AUC of 0.95. Importantly, significantly lower levels of primary/secondary BA ratio were found in infants with surgical NEC than in nonsurgical NEC cases. The cutoff point of 28.7 identified surgical NEC from nonsurgical NEC with sensitivity and specificity of 76.9% and 100%. Thus, our study identified that the primary/secondary BA ratio in the plasma can differentiate NEC from healthy preterm infants and effectively differentiate the surgical NEC from nonsurgical NEC. Therefore, LC-MS/MS was expected to be a novel measurement platform used to distinguish infants who are most in need of close monitoring or early surgical intervention.
The impact of household structure on disease-induced herd immunity
Authors: Ball Frank , Critcher Liam , Neal Peter , Sirl David
Published: November 2023

The disease-induced herd immunity level $$h_D$$

h
D

is the fraction of the population that must be infected by an epidemic to ensure that a new epidemic among the remaining susceptible population is not supercritical. For a homogeneously mixing population $$h_D$$

h
D

equals the classical herd immunity level $$h_C$$

h
C

, which is the fraction of the population that must be vaccinated in advance of an epidemic so that the epidemic is not supercritical. For most forms of heterogeneous mixing $$h_D<h_C$$

h
D

<

h
C

, sometimes dramatically so. For an SEIR (susceptible $$\rightarrow $$
→
exposed $$\rightarrow $$
→
infective $$\rightarrow $$
→
recovered) model of an epidemic among a population that is partitioned into households, in which individuals mix uniformly within households and, in addition, uniformly at a much lower rate in the population at large, we show that $$h_D>h_C$$

h
D

>

h
C

unless variability in the household size distribution is sufficiently large. Thus, introducing household structure into a model typically has the opposite effect on disease-induced herd immunity than most other forms of population heterogeneity. We reach this conclusion by considering an approximation $${\tilde{h}}_D$$

h
~

D

of $$h_D$$

h
D

, supported by numerical studies using real-world household size distributions. For $$n=2, 3$$

n
=
2
,
3

, we prove that $${\tilde{h}}_D>h_C$$

h
~

D

>

h
C

when all households have size n, and conjecture that this inequality holds for any common household size n. We prove results comparing $${\tilde{h}}_D$$

h
~

D

and $$h_C$$

h
C

for epidemics which are highly infectious within households, and also for epidemics which are weakly infectious within households.
Epithelium-on versus epithelium-off corneal collagen crosslinking for keratoconus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Borchert Grace A. , Kandel Himal , Watson Stephanie L.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is the primary treatment for progressive keratoconus which has a significant impact on vision and quality of life. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of epithelium-on versus epithelium-off CXL to treat keratoconus.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. We included studies that compared standard epithelium-off with epithelium-on CXL. The primary outcome measures were changes in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and maximum keratometry (Kmax), and the secondary outcomes were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), and adverse events. A meta-analysis was performed on the primary and secondary outcomes based on the weighted mean differences between baseline to 12-month follow-up.

Results

The search retrieved 887 publications with 27 included in the systematic review. A total of 1622 eyes (1399 patients; age 25.51 ± 4.02 years) were included in comparisons of epithelium-off to epithelium-on CXL in keratoconus. Epithelium-off CXL treated 800 eyes and epithelium-on CXL for 822 eyes. At 12-month follow-up, CDVA and Kmax showed no significant difference between the epithelium-off and epithelium-on CXL. The secondary outcomes showed that UDVA was better in epithelium-off CXL (− 0.11D, 95% CI − 0.12, − 0.1; p < 0.001) and there was more thinning in CCT in epithelium-off CXL (− 3.23 μm, 95% CI − 4.64, − 1.81; p <0.001).

Conclusion

Epithelium-off and epithelium-on CXL were both effective to treat progressive keratoconus. Further research is needed to compare the long-term outcomes and safety of both CXL protocols for adaptation into clinical practice.
Local fractal dimension of collagen detects increased spatial complexity in fibrosis
Authors: Casey Dylan T. , Lahue Karolyn G. , Mori Vitor , Herrmann Jacob , Hall Joseph K. , Suki Béla , Janssen-Heininger Yvonne M. W. , Bates Jason H. T.
Published: November 2023

Increase of collagen content and reorganization characterizes fibrosis but quantifying the latter remains challenging. Spatially complex structures are often analyzed via the fractal dimension; however, established methods for calculating this quantity either provide a single dimension for an entire object or a spatially distributed dimension that only considers binary images. These neglect valuable information related to collagen density in images of fibrotic tissue. We sought to develop a fractal analysis that can be applied to 3-dimensional (3D) images of fibrotic tissue. A fractal dimension map for each image was calculated by determining a single fractal dimension for a small area surrounding each image pixel, using fiber thickness as the third dimension. We found that this local fractal dimension increased with age and with progression of fibrosis regardless of collagen content. Our new method of distributed 3D fractal analysis can thus distinguish between changes in collagen content and organization induced by fibrosis.
Cleaved caspase-3 is present in the majority of glial cells in the intact rat spinal cord during postnatal life
Authors: Holota R. , Dečmanová V. , Alexovič Matiašová A. , Košuth J. , Slovinská L. , Pačut L. , Tomori Z. , Daxnerová Z. , Ševc J.
Published: November 2023

Cell death is an essential process that occurs during the development of the central nervous system. Despite the availability of a wide range of commercially produced antibodies against various apoptotic markers, data regarding apoptosis in intact spinal cord during postnatal development and adulthood are mostly missing. We investigated apoptosis in rat spinal cord at different stages of ontogenesis (postnatal days 8, 29, and 90). For this purpose, we applied immunofluorescent detection of two widely used apoptotic markers, cleaved caspase-3 (cC3) and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (cPARP). Surprisingly, we found significant discrepancy between the number of cC3+ cells and PARP+ cells, with a ratio between 500:1 and 5000:1 in rat spinal cord at all postnatal time points. The majority of cC3+ cells were glial cells and did not exhibit an apoptotic phenotype. In contrast with in vivo results, in vitro analysis of primary cell cultures derived from neonatal rat spinal cord and treated with the apoptotic inductor staurosporine revealed a similar onset of occurrence of both cC3 and cPARP in cells subjected to apoptosis. Gene expression analysis of spinal cord revealed elevated expression of the Birc4 (XIAP), Birc2, and Birc5 (Survivin) genes, which are known potent inhibitors of apoptosis. Our data indicate that cC3 is not an exclusive marker of apoptosis, especially in glial cells, owing its possible presence in inhibited forms and/or its participation in other non-apoptotic roles. Therefore, cPARP appears to be a more appropriate marker to detect apoptosis.
Revisiting the development of cerebellar inhibitory interneurons in the light of single-cell genetic analyses
Authors: Schilling Karl
Published: November 2023

The present review aims to provide a short update of our understanding of the inhibitory interneurons of the cerebellum. While these cells constitute but a minority of all cerebellar neurons, their functional significance is increasingly being recognized. For one, inhibitory interneurons of the cerebellar cortex are now known to constitute a clearly more diverse group than their traditional grouping as stellate, basket, and Golgi cells suggests, and this diversity is now substantiated by single-cell genetic data. The past decade or so has also provided important information about interneurons in cerebellar nuclei. Significantly, developmental studies have revealed that the specification and formation of cerebellar inhibitory interneurons fundamentally differ from, say, the cortical interneurons, and define a mode of diversification critically dependent on spatiotemporally patterned external signals. Last, but not least, in the past years, dysfunction of cerebellar inhibitory interneurons could also be linked with clinically defined deficits. I hope that this review, however fragmentary, may stimulate interest and help focus research towards understanding the cerebellum.
Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with cisplatin/5-flourouracil or carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with resectable cancer of the esophagus and the gastroesophageal junction — comparison of postoperative mortality and complications, toxicity, and pathological tumor response
Authors: Lorenz Eric , Weitz Anna , Reinstaller Therese , Hass Peter , Croner Roland S. , Benedix Frank
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In 2012, the CROSS trial implemented a new neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy protocol for patients with locally advanced, resectable cancer of the esophagus prior to scheduled surgery. There are only limited studies comparing the CROSS protocol with a PF-based (cisplatin/5-fluorouracil) nRCT protocol.

Methods

In this retrospective, monocentric analysis, 134 patients suffering from esophageal cancer were included. Those patients received either PF-based nRCT (PF group) or nRCT according to the CROSS protocol (CROSS group) prior to elective en bloc esophagectomy. Perioperative mortality and morbidity, nRCT-related toxicity, and complete pathological regression were compared between both groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify independent factors for pathological complete response (pCR).

Results

Thirty-day/hospital mortality showed no significant differences between both groups. Postoperative complications ≥ grade 3 according to Clavien-Dindo classification were experienced in 58.8% (PF group) and 47.6% (CROSS group) (p = 0.2) respectively. nRCT-associated toxicity ≥ grade 3 was 30.8% (PF group) and 37.2% (CROSS group) (p = 0.6). There was no significant difference regarding the pCR rate between both groups (23.5% vs. 30.5%; p = 0.6). In multivariate analysis, SCC (OR 7.7; p < 0.01) and an initial grading of G1/G2 (OR 2.8; p = 0.03) were shown to be independent risk factors for higher rates of pCR.

Conclusion

We conclude that both nRCT protocols are effective and safe. There were no significant differences regarding toxicity, pathological tumor response, and postoperative morbidity and mortality between both groups. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and favorable preoperative tumor grading (G1 and G2) are independent predictors for higher pCR rate in multivariate analysis.
Prognostic value of HPV-PCR, p16 and p53 immunohistochemical status on local recurrence rate and survival in patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Pouwer A. W. , te Grootenhuis N. C. , Hinten F. , de Bock G. H. , van der Zee A. G. J. , Melchers W. J. G. , Oonk M. H. M. , de Hullu J. A. , Hollema H. , Bulten J.
Published: November 2023

The primary aim of this study was to assess the association between human papilloma virus (HPV) and p53 expression and local recurrence (LR), disease specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Secondary, the accuracy of p16 immunohistochemistry for HPV status was assessed. The tumor tissue of 255 patients, surgically treated for primary unifocal VSCC between 2000 and 2010, was analyzed. HPV-PCR and P16 and p53 immunohistochemical stainings were performed. All histologic slides were independently reviewed by two expert gyneco-pathologists. Time to first LR, DSS, and OS for the variables p16, p53, and HPV-PCR were compared using univariable and multivariable Cox-regression analyses. In 211/255 (83.5%) patients, HPV-PCR was negative. The local recurrence rate was significantly lower in patients positive with HPV-PCR (10-year LR rate 24.6%) versus negative tumors (47.5%), p = 0.004. After multivariable analyses, this difference remained significant (HR 0.23 (95% CI 0.08–0.62) p = 0.004). There was no difference in LR rate correlated to the p53 expression. DSS and OS did not significantly differ after multivariable analyses for all different subgroups. Sensitivity and specificity of p16 staining for presence of HPV detected by HPV-PCR were 86.4% and 93.8%, respectively. In conclusion, patients with HPV-negative VSCCs have significantly more LR compared to patients with HPV-positive VSCCs, and p16 immunohistochemistry is a reliable surrogate marker for HPV status. No relevant subgroup for LR or survival based on HPV/p53 status could be identified. We advise to perform an HPV-PCR or p16 IHC staining in all patients with VSCC.
Implementation feasibility of animal-assisted therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit: effectiveness on reduction of pain, fear, and anxiety
Authors: López-Fernández Eduardo , Palacios-Cuesta Alba , Rodríguez-Martínez Alicia , Olmedilla-Jodar Marta , Fernández-Andrade Rocío , Mediavilla-Fernández Raquel , Sánchez-Díaz Juan Ignacio , Máximo-Bocanegra Nuria
Published: November 2023

Animal-assisted therapies are an innovative strategy within health care humanization initiatives, and they could play a role in the reduction of pain or anxiety. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing animal-assisted therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit and its effectiveness for the reduction of pain, fear, and anxiety. A prospective, quasi-experimental study of animal-assisted therapy was designed in the pediatric intensive care unit of the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre of Madrid, from January 2019 to December 2019. The study sample included patients who had been admitted to the unit and were over 3 years old. Satisfaction surveys were collected from the patients, family, and health personnel involved. Physiological variables and the level of pain (visual analog scale or Wong-Baker scale), fear (Child Medical Fear Scale), and anxiety (modified Yale Preoperatory Anxiety Scale) were evaluated before and after each session. Any existence of adverse events was recorded. A total of 74 therapy sessions were performed on 61 patients. All sessions were completed without any adverse effects. A total of 164 surveys were collected, providing an overall project rating of 9.69 out of a possible 10. The survey comments were found to be positive in most cases. No differences were found in the physiological variables measured before and after each session. There was a statistically significant decrease in pain, fear, and anxiety levels (p < 0.01).

  Conclusion: The implementation of an animal-assisted therapy project in a pediatric intensive care unit is feasible and safe and has a high degree of acceptance among both participants and healthcare staff. Animal-assisted therapy is effective for the reduction of pain, fear, and anxiety, and therefore, it could be considered an adjunct to non-pharmacological therapy.

What is Known:• Animal assisted therapies (AAT) are an innovative strategy that could be beneficial to help pediatrics patients cope with admission difficulties and could even play a role in reducing pain, anxiety and/or delirium.• To date there are not studies to analyze the effectiveness of AAT in the field of Pediatric Intesive Care.

What is New:• Our study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of the implementation of an AAT in the field of Pediatric Intensive Care with a high degree of acceptance by participants, caregivers and healthcare personnel.• AAT demonstrated a reduction in pain, fear and anxiety in pediatrics patients admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Detection and quantification of preferential flow using artificial rainfall with multiple experimental approaches
Authors: Caputo Maria C. , De Carlo Lorenzo , Masciale Rita , Perkins Kim , Turturro Antonietta C. , Nimmo John R.
Published: November 2023

Preferential flow in the unsaturated zone strongly influences important hydrologic processes, such as infiltration, contaminant transport, and aquifer recharge. Because it entails various combinations of physical processes arising from the interactions of water, air, and solid particles in a porous medium, preferential flow is highly complex. Major research is needed to improve the ability to understand, quantify, model, and predict preferential flow. Toward a solution, a combination of diverse experimental measurements at multiple scales, from laboratory scale to mesoscale, has been implemented to detect and quantify preferential paths in carbonate and karstic unsaturated zones. This involves integration of information from (1) core samples, by means of mercury intrusion porosimeter, evaporation, quasi-steady centrifuge and dewpoint potentiometer laboratory methods, to investigate the effect of pore-size distribution on hydraulic characteristics and the potential activation of preferential flow, (2) field plot experiments with artificial sprinkling, to visualize preferential pathways related to secondary porosity, through use of geophysical measurements, and (3) mesoscale evaluation of field data through episodic master recession modeling of episodic recharge. This study demonstrates that preferential flow processes operate from core scale to two different field scales and impact on the qualitative and quantitative groundwater status, by entailing fast flow with subsequent effects on recharge rate and contaminant mobilizing. The presented results represent a rare example of preferential flow detection and numerical modeling by reducing underestimation of the recharge and contamination risks.
Variability in the distance between the suprascapular notch with the spine of the scapulae and the acromion
Authors: Filkin Jesse , Massy-Westropp Nicola , Wechalekar Harsha
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The suprascapular notch lies in the superior border of the scapula and is a passageway for the suprascapular nerve that is sensory to the shoulder joint. Suprascapular nerve block involves injection of local anaesthetic into the suprascapular notch, either ultrasound guided or blind, using the spine of scapula and/or the medial border of the acromion as surface landmarks.

Aim

To investigate the anatomic variations that exist between the distance of the notch from the spine of scapula and acromion.

Method

Ninety-two dry scapulae were measured with a digital calliper for their length of the spine, distance between the midpoint of the spine and base of the suprascapular notch and distance between the medial border of the acromion and the base of the suprascapular notch. These measurements were compared for variations in the scapular bony landmarks, the spine and the acromion to determine the site for the injection.

Results

Measurement reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation, Cronbach’s alpha being 0.99, 0.97 and 0.91 for length of spine, distance from spine and distance from acromion respectively. The distance from the acromion had less variation in measurement (3.73 ± 0.42 cm) but a flatter distribution when compared to distance from the spine of the scapula (3.32 ± 0.39 cm).

Conclusion

Length of the spine of the scapula appeared not to influence either distance from the acromion or distance from the spine of scapula. There is potential for greater variability in placement of nerve blocks that use acromion as the bony reference.

Key Points• Dry scapular measurement using electronic Vernier callipers is accurate (0.91–0.97).• There is potential for greater variability in placement of blind nerve blocks that use acromion as the bony reference to locate the suprascapular notch.
Mechanical experimentation of the gastrointestinal tract: a systematic review
Authors: Durcan Ciara , Hossain Mokarram , Chagnon Grégory , Perić Djordje , Girard Edouard
Published: November 2023

The gastrointestinal (GI) organs of the human body are responsible for transporting and extracting nutrients from food and drink, as well as excreting solid waste. Biomechanical experimentation of the GI organs provides insight into the mechanisms involved in their normal physiological functions, as well as understanding of how diseases can cause disruption to these. Additionally, experimental findings form the basis of all finite element (FE) modelling of these organs, which have a wide array of applications within medicine and engineering. This systematic review summarises the experimental studies that are currently in the literature (n= 247) and outlines the areas in which experimentation is lacking, highlighting what is still required in order to more fully understand the mechanical behaviour of the GI organs. These include (i) more human data, allowing for more accurate modelling for applications within medicine, (ii) an increase in time-dependent studies, and (iii) more sophisticated in vivo testing methods which allow for both the layer- and direction-dependent characterisation of the GI organs. The findings of this review can also be used to identify experimental data for the readers’ own constitutive or FE modelling as the experimental studies have been grouped in terms of organ (oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or rectum), test condition (ex vivo or in vivo), number of directions studied (isotropic or anisotropic), species family (human, porcine, feline etc.), tissue condition (intact wall or layer-dependent) and the type of test performed (biaxial tension, inflation–extension, distension (pressure-diameter), etc.). Furthermore, the studies that investigated the time-dependent (viscoelastic) behaviour of the tissues have been presented.
Variation in reproductive success in a fragmented Meadow Pipit population: a role for vegetation succession?
Authors: Anger Fabian , Förschler Marc I. , Anthes Nils
Published: November 2023

Most farmland birds experience strong declines across Europe. These declines are typically associated with agricultural intensification but research on alternative local causes remains scarce. We investigated variation in reproductive success as a potential driver for the observed population declines in a fragmented population of the Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis, a representative inhabitant of extensively managed mountain grasslands across Europe. Intense nest surveys in the entire Meadow Pipit metapopulation of the Northern Black Forest (SW Germany) between 2020 and 2022 provided information on reproductive success for 53 females distributed across nine habitat patches along an 18 km ridge of the Northern Black Forest. Hatching dates delayed by approx. 5.0 days per 100 m altitude and were almost 10 days later in a year with cold and rainy spring weather. Mean reproductive success per female and year (3.45 fledglings) was low compared to literature values (approx. 4.5) and may thus drive ongoing population declines. Mayfield nest survival estimates (approx. 51% across the nesting period) were comparably high, with most nest failures linked with predation or adverse weather. Low reproductive success further associated with comparably small clutch sizes and low fractions of second broods in habitat patches characterized by homogeneously dense swards. We suggest that restoration through extensive permanent cattle grazing coupled with succession control may be a key factor to increase population productivity.
Additive and non-additive genetic variance in juvenile Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Bong. Carr)
Authors: Ilska J.J. , Tolhurst D.J. , Tumas H. , Maclean J. P. , Cottrell J. , Lee S.J. , Mackay J. , Woolliams J.A.
Published: November 2023

Many quantitative genetic models assume that all genetic variation is additive because of a lack of data with sufficient structure and quality to determine the relative contribution of additive and non-additive variation. Here the fractions of additive (fa) and non-additive (fd) genetic variation were estimated in Sitka spruce for height, bud burst and pilodyn penetration depth. Approximately 1500 offspring were produced in each of three sib families and clonally replicated across three geographically diverse sites. Genotypes from 1525 offspring from all three families were obtained by RADseq, followed by imputation using 1630 loci segregating in all families and mapped using the newly developed linkage map of Sitka spruce. The analyses employed a new approach for estimating fa and fd, which combined all available genotypic and phenotypic data with spatial modelling for each trait and site. The consensus estimate for fa increased with age for height from 0.58 at 2 years to 0.75 at 11 years, with only small overlap in 95% support intervals (I95). The estimated fa for bud burst was 0.83 (I95=[0.78, 0.90]) and 0.84 (I95=[0.77, 0.92]) for pilodyn depth. Overall, there was no evidence of family heterogeneity for height or bud burst, or site heterogeneity for pilodyn depth, and no evidence of inbreeding depression associated with genomic homozygosity, expected if dominance variance was the major component of non-additive variance. The results offer no support for the development of sublines for crossing within the species. The models give new opportunities to assess more accurately the scale of non-additive variation.