bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting non‐response to intraglandular botulinum neurotoxin A injections for drooling in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
Authors: Orriëns Lynn B. , van Hulst Karen , Willemsen Michèl A. A. P. , van den Hoogen Frank J. A. , Erasmus Corrie E.
Published: December 2023

Aim

To develop robust multivariable prediction models for non‐response to (1) submandibular botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT‐A) injections and (2) concurrent submandibular and parotid (four‐gland) injections, to guide treatment decisions for drooling in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study including 262 children (155 males/107 females, median age 7 years 11 months [IQR 5 years 1 month], range 4 years 0 months – 17 years 11 months) receiving submandibular injections and 74 children (52 males/22 females, median age 7 years 7 months [IQR 4 years 3 months], range 4 years 9 months – 18 years 8 months) receiving four‐gland injections. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations between candidate predictors and non‐response 8 weeks after injection.

Results

Ninety‐six children (37%) were non‐responders to submandibular injections, for which developmental age was the strongest predictor (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–4.45 for developmental age <4 years or 4–6 years with IQ <70). Other characteristics that showed a trend towards an increased risk of non‐response were diagnosis, sex, and head position. Thirty‐four children (46%) were non‐responders to four‐gland injections, for which tongue protrusion (aOR 3.10; 95% CI 1.14–8.43) seemed most predictive, whereas multiple preceding submandibular injections (aOR 0.34; 95% CI 0.10–1.16) showed a trend towards being protective. Predictors were, however, unstable across different definitions of non‐response and both models (i.e. submandibular and four‐gland) had insufficient discriminative ability.

Interpretation

Potential predictors of non‐response to BoNT‐A injections were identified. Nevertheless, the developed prediction models seemed inadequate for guidance of treatment decisions.

What this paper adds

Developmental age seemed most predictive of non‐response to submandibular botulinum neurotoxin A injections.

Non‐response to concurrent submandibular and parotid injections was best predicted by tongue protrusion and number of previous injections.

Multivariable prediction models including these clinical characteristics were unable to discriminate well.

Predictors differed when non‐response was defined using alternative outcome measures.
Evaluation of salivary α‐amylase and immunoglobulin A responses after endurance exercise in adolescent males and females with similar aerobic fitness
Authors: Yasuda Nobuo , Tanioka Toshihiro , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: December 2023

The objective of this study was to clarify whether there are sex‐specific differences in salivary α‐amylase and immunoglobulin A responses following acute endurance exercise in adolescent males and females with equivalent cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Twenty‐six aerobically trained adolescent males and females with similar training status were enrolled in this study. Each individual executed a 1‐h prolonged cycling exercise corresponding to a constant power output at 65% of peak oxygen uptake. Unstimulated whole salivary samples were taken with the passive drooling method at the 10‐min period before and after exercise for the determination of salivary responses [α‐amylase, immunoglobulin A, total protein and flow rate]. Salivary α‐amylase activity, immunoglobulin A concentration and total protein concentration were significantly augmented immediately after acute endurance exercise. Regarding sex differences, only the salivary flow rate was significantly lower in females than in males. The findings of the present study imply that adolescent males and females appear to have similar salivary responses after acute endurance exercise, as represented by salivary α‐amylase activity and immunoglobulin A concentration in connection with total protein concentration and salivary flow rate, when they are matched for peak oxygen uptake relative to fat‐free body mass.
Add‐on treatment with cenobamate is already effective at low doses in refractory focal epilepsy: A prospective observational study
Authors: Novitskaya Yulia , Schütz Elisa , Metternich Birgitta , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Hirsch Martin
Published: December 2023

Objective

Cenobamate, a novel antiseizure medication with a dual mechanism of action, has been shown in pivotal trials to significantly improve seizure control in treatment‐resistant focal epilepsy. We aimed to evaluate whether these promising results could be confirmed in a real‐world setting with a follow‐up period of up to 12 months.

Methods

Patients from a tertiary epilepsy center who received cenobamate add‐on between June 2021 and October 2023 were followed up prospectively at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment initiation for assessment of seizure outcomes and treatment‐related adverse events.

Results

The clinical cohort included 112 adult patients with 30% nonlesional cases and a wide spectrum of epileptogenic lesions underlying refractory focal epilepsy. We observed a significant reduction in monthly seizure frequency of all seizure types already after 3 months of treatment at a median cenobamate dose of 100 mg/day. Forty‐six percent of patients were responders with a ≥50% seizure reduction, 26% had a ≥75% seizure reduction, and 9% became seizure‐free. Among the 74 patients with available follow‐up of 12 months, the responder rates reached 55%, 35%, and 19% for ≥50%, ≥75%, and 100% seizure reduction, respectively. After 3 months of treatment, 38% of patients reported adverse effects, mainly (84%) mild to moderate in intensity. Adjustment of comedication allowed successful management of adverse effects in 32% of patients. At a group level, there was no correlation between the cenobamate daily dose and the incidence of adverse events.

Significance

We found a clinically relevant response to cenobamate already at a low daily dose of 100 mg also in a patient cohort with a higher degree of drug resistance than in pivotal trials. Our prospectively collected data provide real‐world evidence for high efficacy and good tolerability of the drug, although no standardized treatment protocol or comparison with a control group was applied.
Atmospheres: The multisensoriality of spatially extended emotions
Authors: Eisenlohr Patrick
Published: December 2023

In this essay, I introduce an analytic of atmosphere as a way to bridge the gap between the phenomenology of the felt‐body and the anthropology of the senses. This analytic of atmospheres as multisensoriality partially aligns with, but also differs from other anthropological approaches to multisensoriality or the anthropology of the senses. Examining the meaningfulness of atmospheres as spatially extended emotions from a neo‐phenomenological perspective, I argue that the notion of atmosphere offers advantages for understanding sensory cultural practices such as sounding and lighting. The felt dimensions of these practices often escape full qualification by cultural discourses, but are nevertheless deeply meaningful. Further, I explore how such atmospheric meaningfulness is irreducible to particular single sensory modi. Instead, it rests on diffuse and synesthetic kinds of felt‐bodily affectedness with a holistic character. I demonstrate this by way of two ethnographic examples, investigating practices sounding and lighting, respectively, as atmospheric practices.
Low but highly geographically structured genomic diversity of East Asian Eurasian otters and its conservation implications
Authors: Li Shou‐Hsien , Yeh Chia‐fen , Jang‐Liaw Nian‐Hong , Chang Shih‐Wei , Lin Yu‐Hsiu , Tsai Cheng‐En , Chiu Chi‐Cheng , Chen Chien‐Wen , Ke Hui‐Ru , Wang Qiaoyun , Lu Yiwei , Zheng Kaidan , Fan Pengfei , Zhang Lu , Liu Yang
Published: December 2023

Populations of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra, one of the most widely distributed apex predators in Eurasia, have been depleted mainly since the 1950s. However, a lack of information about their genomic diversity and how they are organized geographically in East Asia severely impedes our ability to monitor and conserve them in particular management units. Here, we re‐sequenced and analyzed 20 otter genomes spanning continental East Asia, including a population at Kinmen, a small island off the Fujian coast, China. The otters form three genetic clusters (one of L. l. lutra in the north and two of L. l. chinensis in the south), which have diverged in the Holocene. These three clusters should be recognized as three conservation management units to monitor and manage independently. The heterozygosity of the East Asian otters is as low as that of the threatened carnivores sequenced. Historical effective population size trajectories inferred from genomic variations suggest that their low genomic diversity could be partially attributed to changes in the climate since the mid‐Pleistocene and anthropogenic intervention since the Holocene. However, no evidence of genetic erosion, mutation load, or high level of inbreeding was detected in the presumably isolated Kinmen Island population. Any future in situ conservation efforts should consider this information for the conservation management units.
Migration debates in the political party arena during the Covid‐19 pandemic in Austria
Authors: Hadj Abdou Leila , Ruedin Didier
Published: December 2023

The Covid‐19 pandemic highlighted the economic contribution of migrant workers in maintaining essential services and access to goods. This new perspective on migrants as essential workers raised expectations in migration studies that it could reinvigorate an inclusive setting in terms of migration debates and policies. Building on this potential, we examine migration debates in the political party arena with a focus on centrist parties. The analysis focuses on Austria, a country with a high dependence on migrant labor in key sectors and a long‐standing contestation of migration across the political party spectrum. Drawing on an analysis of parliamentary contributions and press releases by the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) during the pandemic, the study finds that the debates did not change fundamentally. Whilst external shocks such as the Covid‐19 pandemic have a limited potential to reverse the focus on unwanted migration in European party politics, crises can lead the political center to reemphasize bifurcation strategies in response to shifts in public discourse, as this study of the Austrian case during the pandemic suggests.
Justifying opposition and support to EU‐Africa cooperation on deportation in West Africa
Authors: Cham Omar N. , Adam Ilke
Published: December 2023

Migration, in general, is not a salient political issue in West Africa. However, one migration aspect that remains highly controversial and unpopular is cooperation on the deportation of undocumented emigrants with the EU and its member states. In this paper, we set out a typology of justification frames for studying how political actors in West Africa might frame their support or opposition to cooperation on deportation. We distinguished three types of justifications: identity‐related, moral, and utilitarian. While the moral (human rights) and utilitarian (political, economic, securitarian, labor) frames are rather classic justifications in migration politics and governance, our analysis shows that identity‐related (‘neo‐colonial resistance’ and ‘neo‐colonial compliance’) justification frames highlight how historical path dependencies matter in understanding the drivers of (migration) politics and governance in West Africa. This is particularly evident when the images of cuffed and shackled deportees from Europe evoke memories of dark historical pasts.
Retrospective assessment of immunologic and histologic heterogeneity in granuloma annulare by cytokine staining
Authors: Hwang Erica , Lee Trinity , Okifo Kevin , Murphy Michael , Damsky William
Published: December 2023

Background

Type 1 (Th1) and Type 2 (Th2) immunity have both been implicated in granuloma annulare (GA). To what extent these pathways contribute to clinical/histologic heterogeneity and/or distinct disease endotypes remains unexplored.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 30 GA biopsies with either palisaded or interstitial histology with and without eosinophils. We performed RNA in situ hybridization to assess how markers of Type 1 (interferon gamma), Type 2 (interleukin [IL]4, IL13, IL5), and Type 3 (IL17A) immunity in GA compared with canonical inflammatory disorders and whether markers correlated with histology. We analyzed another cohort of 14 patients who had multiple biopsies across anatomic space and time for individual conservation of histologic features.

Results

Interferon (IFN)G staining is highest in GA relative to other cytokines. Type 2 cytokine staining is less prominent, with IL4 increased in interstitial pattern cases. Eosinophils did not correlate with Type 2 markers. Patients with multiple biopsies display intrapatient variability in histology.

Conclusion

Type 1 inflammation predominates over Type 2 inflammation in GA irrespective of histologic pattern. Distinct disease endotypes were not detected.
Engineered polyspecific antibodies: A new frontier in the field of immunotherapeutics
Authors: Sandeep  , Shinde Suraj H. , Ahmed Sakeel , Sharma Shyam Sunder , Pande Abhay H.
Published: December 2023

The 21st‐century beginning remarked with the huge success of monospecific MAbs, however, in the last couple of years, polyspecific MAbs (PsAbs) have been an interesting topic and show promise of being biobetter than monospecific MAbs. Polyspecificity, in which a single antibody serves multiple specific target binding, has been hypothesized to contribute to the development of a highly effective antibody repertoire for immune defence. This polyspecific MAb trend represents an explosion that is gripping the whole pharmaceutical industry. This review is concerned with the current development and quality enforcement of PsAbs. All provided literature on monospecific MAbs and polyspecific MAbs (PsAbs) were searched using various electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Elsevier, Springer, ACS, Google Patent and books via the keywords Antibody engineering, Polyspecific antibody, Conventional antibody, non‐conventional antibody, and Single domain antibody. In the literature, there are more than 100 different formats to construct PsAb by quadroma technology, chemical conjugation and genetic engineering. Till March 2023, nine PsAb have been approved around the world, and around 330 are in advanced developmental stages, showing the dominancy of PsAb in the growing health sector. Recent advancements in protein engineering techniques and the fusion of non‐conventional antibodies have made it possible to create complex PsAbs that demonstrate higher stability and enhanced potency. This marks the most significant achievement for cancer immunotherapy, in which PsAbs have immense promise. It is worth mentioning that seven out of the nine PsAbs have been approved as anti‐cancer therapy. As PsAbs continue to acquire prominence, they could pave the way for the development of novel immunotherapies for multiple diseases.
Systematic review: Self‐efficacy and skill performance
Authors: Brocker Angela , Scafide Katherine N.
Published: December 2023

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the relationship between self‐efficacy and skill performance in undergraduate student nurses.

Background

Across higher education, self‐efficacy is an important predictor of student success in skill‐based learning. Nursing students are required to demonstrate skills prior to caring for hospitalized patients. Understanding the relationship between self‐efficacy and nursing student skill performance may support patient safety.

Methods

Following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA), a systematic search was conducted of four databases: CINAHL, Medline, Psychinfo, and Web of Science. Quantitative, peer‐reviewed studies published in English were included with no limitation on year. Hands‐on skill performance had to be performed in laboratory or simulation settings and evaluated by an expert. Identified studies were assessed for methodological rigor using Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tools.

Findings

A total of 2,450 items were identified by database search and screened, resulting in 20 eligible studies. Most of the studies included novice first‐ or second‐year students. Self‐efficacy was operationalized as either a general or skill‐specific measure, while the type of skill and associated instrumentation varied widely. Sixteen (80%) of the included study reports showed weak to no correlation between self‐efficacy and skill performance. The remaining 4 reports noted a moderate‐to‐strong relationship.

Conclusion

Our findings conflict with existing research in other higher education disciplines where self‐efficacy is a significant predictor of performance success. Explanations for this contradiction likely center around how self‐efficacy was operationalized and rigor of the included studies.

Implications for Nursing

Larger studies controlling for confounding variables are needed to understand this relationship with a goal of developing more consistent approaches to teaching and learning skills within prelicensure curriculums.
Right‐to‐Work revisited
Authors: Meszaros John , Quistorff Brian
Published: December 2023

This paper uses synthetic controls to reevaluate the passage of Right‐to‐Work legislation in several states and its effect on union density levels in those states. Building upon recent work, we include data from several new legislative changes and also pool evidence across events to increase the inferential power for detecting a common effect. This adds to the literature by expanding the number of states investigated as well as allowing for more robust statistical testing on the impact of Right‐to‐Work. We estimate that modern Right‐to‐Work laws have a statistically significant effect and precipitated union density declines of about two to three percentage points.
Dry eye syndrome symptoms in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Nowowiejska Julia , Ordon Agata Joanna , Baran Anna , Izdebska Justyna , Woźniak Bartosz , Kaminski Tomasz W. , Szaflik Jacek , Flisiak Iwona
Published: December 2023

Background

Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatoses associated with a variety of comorbidities. There have been some reports on its possible association with ocular disorders however dry eye syndrome (DES) in such patients has been poorly investigated.

Objectives

To investigate the frequency of DES symptoms in psoriatic patients, also regarding psoriasis severity in PASI, manifestation and therapy.

Methods

40 patients with psoriasis and 40 volunteers without dermatoses were enrolled in the study. They completed Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and were objectively examined by IDRA® device to perform automatic interferometry, automatic meibography of lower eyelid glands, non‐invasive break‐up time (NIBUT), blink quality and tear meniscus height.

Results

Patients with psoriasis had statistically significantly thicker lipid layer (p = 0.0042 left eye, p = 0.0313 right eye) and greater loss of Meibomian glands compared to controls (p = 0.0128 left eye, p = 0.048 right eye). The patients had lower, although insignificantly, eye blink quality and tear meniscus height than the control group, as well as shorter NIBUT and higher score in OSDI. After the division of patients into two groups–with or without nails involvement/psoriatic arthritis/systemic treatment– we did not observe any significant differences between the groups. PASI did not correlate with any DES parameter.

Conclusions

This is the first study of DES symptoms with an objective IDRA® analyzer. We managed to observe that patients with psoriasis have thicker lipid layer and higher Meibomian glands' loss in lower eyelids. Based on all assessed objective and subjective parameters psoriatics do not seem to have an increased risk of DES. The presence of psoriatic arthritis or nail involvement does not seem to be a predisposing factor for DES development. PASI probably cannot be a prognostic factor for any of the DES‐associated parameters. Nevertheless, DES in psoriasis requires further research on bigger samples to establish reliable recommendations.
Big data research in nursing: A bibliometric exploration of themes and publications
Authors: Li Bo , Du Kun , Qu Guanchen , Tang Naifu
Published: December 2023

Aims

To comprehend the current research hotspots and emerging trends in big data research within the global nursing domain.

Design

Bibliometric analysis.

Methods

The quality articles for analysis indexed by the science core collection were obtained from the Web of Science database as of February 10, 2023.The descriptive, visual analysis and text mining were realized by CiteSpace and VOSviewer.

Results

The research on big data in the nursing field has experienced steady growth over the past decade. A total of 45 core authors and 17 core journals around the world have contributed to this field. The author's keyword analysis has revealed five distinct clusters of research focus. These encompass machine/deep learning and artificial intelligence, natural language processing, big data analytics and data science, IoT and cloud computing, and the development of prediction models through data mining. Furthermore, a comparative examination was conducted with data spanning from 1980 to 2016, and an extended analysis was performed covering the years from 1980 to 2019. This bibliometric mapping comparison allowed for the identification of prevailing research trends and the pinpointing of potential future research hotspots within the field.

Conclusions

The fusion of data mining and nursing research has steadily advanced and become more refined over time. Technologically, it has expanded from initial natural language processing to encompass machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence, and data mining approach that amalgamates multiple technologies. Professionally, it has progressed from addressing patient safety and pressure ulcers to encompassing chronic diseases, critical care, emergency response, community and nursing home settings, and specific diseases (Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, etc.). The convergence of IoT, cloud computing, fog computing, and big data processing has opened new avenues for research in geriatric nursing management and community care. However, a global imbalance exists in utilizing big data in nursing research, emphasizing the need to enhance data science literacy among clinical staff worldwide to advance this field.

Clinical Relevance

This study focused on the thematic trends and evolution of research on the big data in nursing research. Moreover, this study may contribute to the understanding of researchers, journals, and countries around the world and generate the possible collaborations of them to promote the development of big data in nursing science.
Environment‐dependent metabolic investments in the mixotrophic chrysophyte Ochromonas
Authors: Barbaglia Gina S. , Paight Christopher , Honig Meredith , Johnson Matthew D. , Marczak Ryan , Lepori‐Bui Michelle , Moeller Holly V.
Published: December 2023

Mixotrophic protists combine photosynthesis and phagotrophy to obtain energy and nutrients. Because mixotrophs can act as either primary producers or consumers, they have a complex role in marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles. Many mixotrophs are also phenotypically plastic and can adjust their metabolic investments in response to resource availability. Thus, a single species's ecological role may vary with environmental conditions. Here, we quantified how light and food availability impacted the growth rates, energy acquisition rates, and metabolic investment strategies of eight strains of the mixotrophic chrysophyte, Ochromonas. All eight Ochromonas strains photoacclimated by decreasing chlorophyll content as light intensity increased. Some strains were obligate phototrophs that required light for growth, while other strains showed stronger metabolic responses to prey availability. When prey availability was high, all eight strains exhibited accelerated growth rates and decreased their investments in both photosynthesis and phagotrophy. Photosynthesis and phagotrophy generally produced additive benefits: In low‐prey environments, Ochromonas growth rates increased to maximum, light‐saturated rates with increasing light but increased further with the addition of abundant bacterial prey. The additive benefits observed between photosynthesis and phagotrophy in Ochromonas suggest that the two metabolic modes provide nonsubstitutable resources, which may explain why a tradeoff between phagotrophic and phototrophic investments emerged in some but not all strains.
Ibero‐Panamerican Federation of Periodontology Delphi study on the trends of periodontology and periodontics by the year 2030. A Latin American consensus
Authors: Málaga‐Figueroa Lilian , Alarcón Marco Antonio , Pannuti Claudio Mendes , Horna Patricia , López‐Pacheco Andrea , Gómez Mariel , Jiménez Paola , Romito Giuseppe Alexandre , Lozano Elizabeth , Duque Andrés , Montealegre Mauricio , Vega Marco Vinicio Medina , Galindo Roberto , Umanzor Vilma , Zerón Agustín , Barrios Carlos , Shedden Mónica , Castillo Ruth , Collins James , Bueno Luis , Giménez Xiomara , Sanz Mariano , Herrera David
Published: December 2023

Background and Objective

As elsewhere in the world, the prevalence of periodontitis in stages I–II is high in the Latin American population, this scenario emphasizes the need for identification of urgent needs for allocating adequate resources to provide diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of these diseases. The aim of this Delphi study was to predict the trends in periodontology/periodontics in the Latin American region by the year 2030.

Methods

A steering committee and an advisory group of experts in periodontology/periodontics were selected from 16 countries. An open questionnaire of 60 questions was validated and used following the Delphi methodology.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐five experts from Latin America answered the two rounds of the questionnaire. Moderate to strong consensus was reached on 45 questions (75%). The prediction was that the prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis in stages I and II will be maintained, the importance of the link with systemic diseases will increase, and the impact of prevention and periodontal treatment will also increase, mainly in the private sector. There was a strong consensus that plastic and regenerative surgical procedures will increase, as well as the demand for training in the specialty of periodontology.

Conclusions

The present study has provided relevant and useful information on predictions in periodontology/periodontics in Latin America, with important level of consensus among experts. It has been predicted that periodontitis will still be a highly prevalent disease, and its links with other medical conditions should demand more attention by health authorities to develop adequate prevention and management policies and strategies.
Periostin in the relation between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease: A pilot randomized clinical study
Authors: Padial‐Molina Miguel , Gonzalez‐Perez Gloria , Martin‐Morales Natividad , Sanchez‐Fernandez Elena , O'Valle Francisco , Galindo‐Moreno Pablo
Published: December 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of periodontal treatment on markers of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and circulating levels of periostin.

Background

Periostin is necessary for periodontal stability, but it is highly present in atherosclerotic plaques. Treatment of periodontal disease, with low levels of local periostin, is thought to reduce systemic levels of periostin. Thus, this may contribute to cardiovascular health.

Methods

A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to include patients with severe periodontal disease and history of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum were collected before and after periodontal treatment by periodontal surgery or non‐surgical therapy. The levels of several markers of inflammation and cardiovascular damage were evaluated including CRP, IFN‐γ, IL‐1ß, IL‐10, MIP‐1α, periostin, and TNF‐α in GCF and CRP, Fibrinogen, IFN‐γ, IL‐1ß, IL‐6, IL‐10, L‐Selectin, MIP‐1α, Periostin, TNF‐α, and vWF in serum.

Results

A total of 22 patients with an average of 56 years old were recruited for participating in this study. Twenty of them were male. Most of them (82%) had suffered an acute myocardial event and underwent surgery for placing 1, 2, or 3 stents in the coronary arteries more than 6 months ago but less than 1 year. The treatment of periodontal disease resulted in an overall improvement of all periodontal parameters. Regarding the evaluation of GCF and serum, a significant increase of periostin in the GCF was observed after periodontal surgery. In contrast, although other markers in GCF and serum improved, no significant correlations were found.

Conclusion

Treatment of periodontal disease through periodontal surgery induces a local and transient increase in the levels of periostin in the gingival crevicular fluid. The effects on systemic markers of inflammation and cardiovascular function have not been confirmed.
Incidence of cryoballoon expansion dislodgement during pulmonary vein isolation–An underappreciated frequent cause of incomplete isolation
Authors: Liao Yu , Tomaiko‐Clark Emrie D. , Martinez Jake , Shinoda Yasutoshi , Morris Michael F. , Liu Zhao , Shatz Dalise Yi , Katrapati Praneeth , Sahara Naohiko , Weiss J. Peter , Zawaneh Michael S. , Tung Roderick , Bai Rong , Su Wilber
Published: December 2023

Background

Cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) requires adequate contact between the pulmonary vein (PV) antrum and cryoballoon. The surge of intraballoon pressure during the initial phase of ablation may change the balloon's shape and compliance, resulting in balloon dislodgement and loss of PV occlusion. Without continuous monitoring, this phenomenon is often undetected but can be associated with incomplete PV isolation (PVI).

Methods

Primary cryoablation of AF was performed in 15 patients. PV occlusion status pre‐ and post‐freezing were analyzed with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and dielectric imaging‐based occlusion tool (DIOT) to calculate the incidence of expansion dislodgement of cryoballoon.

Results

A total of 105 cryoablation applications were performed on 57 veins, including three common ostiums of left pulmonary veins. In the evaluation of PV occlusion, both modalities reported consistent results in 86.7% of the assessments. Despite complete PV occlusion before ablation, peri‐balloon leak after initiation of freezing was detected by ICE in 5/22 (22.7%) applications and by DIOT in 8/25 (32%) applications.

Conclusion

Incidence of expansion dislodgement of the cryoballoon was detected in one‐fourth to one‐third of cryoablation applications depending on the imaging modality used, which was clinically frequent and significant.
SPIRO – the automated Petri plate imaging platform designed by biologists, for biologists
Authors: Ohlsson Jonas A. , Leong Jia Xuan , Elander Pernilla H. , Ballhaus Florentine , Holla Sanjana , Dauphinee Adrian N. , Johansson Johan , Lommel Mark , Hofmann Gero , Betnér Staffan , Sandgren Mats , Schumacher Karin , Bozhkov Peter V. , Minina Elena A.
Published: December 2023

Phenotyping of model organisms grown on Petri plates is often carried out manually, despite the procedures being time‐consuming and laborious. The main reason for this is the limited availability of automated phenotyping facilities, whereas constructing a custom automated solution can be a daunting task for biologists. Here, we describe SPIRO, the Smart Plate Imaging Robot, an automated platform that acquires time‐lapse photographs of up to four vertically oriented Petri plates in a single experiment, corresponding to 192 seedlings for a typical root growth assay and up to 2500 seeds for a germination assay. SPIRO is catered specifically to biologists' needs, requiring no engineering or programming expertise for assembly and operation. Its small footprint is optimized for standard incubators, the inbuilt green LED enables imaging under dark conditions, and remote control provides access to the data without interfering with sample growth. SPIRO's excellent image quality is suitable for automated image processing, which we demonstrate on the example of seed germination and root growth assays. Furthermore, the robot can be easily customized for specific uses, as all information about SPIRO is released under open‐source licenses. Importantly, uninterrupted imaging allows considerably more precise assessment of seed germination parameters and root growth rates compared with manual assays. Moreover, SPIRO enables previously technically challenging assays such as phenotyping in the dark. We illustrate the benefits of SPIRO in proof‐of‐concept experiments which yielded a novel insight on the interplay between autophagy, nitrogen sensing, and photoblastic response.
Effects of topical ketorolac tromethamine on tear parameters, meibography, goblet cell density, and conjunctival oxidative stress in healthy dogs
Authors: Sonego Dábila Araújo , Ribeiro Alexandre Pinto , Dower Nathalie Moro Bassil , Rodrigues Bianca Eidt , de França Lemes Suélem Aparecida , de Oliveira Souza Anderson , de Lara Spada Elaine Cristina , Furlan Fernando Henrrique , Lisboa Douglas Ramalho , Rondon e Silva Jadyellen
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate whether a twice‐daily instillation of 0.45% preservative‐free ketorolac tromethamine (FKT) or 0.4% benzalkonium chloride‐preserved ketorolac tromethamine (BACKT), every 12 h for 30 days may affect tear film parameters and the meibography in healthy dogs. Additionally, we assessed whether the same treatments irritated the ocular surface, affected goblet cell density (GCD), and the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers (OSB) in the conjunctiva of the same dogs.

Procedures

Experimental and masked comparison study. In 11 healthy dogs baseline values of the lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, non‐invasive tear breakup time (NI‐TFBT), and the meibomian gland (MG) loss were assessed by OSAvet®. For each dog, one eye received 40 μL of BACKT, while the other received 40 μL FKT, every 12 h for 30 consecutive days. Tear parameters and meibography were repeated 15, 30, and 60 days post‐treatments. Conjunctival hyperemia and blepharospasm were monitored at the same time points. At baseline and Day 30, a conjunctival biopsy was collected for GCD and OSB determination.

Results

Conjunctival hyperemia and blepharospasm were not observed. At Day 15, the MG loss increased only in FKT‐treated eyes (p < .001). On Day 30, both treatment groups showed increased MG loss, shortened NI‐TFBT, and reduced GCD and catalase (p < .05). At Day 30, BACKT‐treated eyes showed lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p = .006) and higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = .02). Differences between treatments were not observed for any parameter at any time point (p > .05). 60 days after treatment, OSAvet® parameters tended to return to values assessed at baseline; however, significant differences remained for MG loss (p < .05).

Conclusions

Twice‐daily instillation of KT, containing or not BAC, for 30 consecutive days shortened NI‐TFBT, decreased GCD, and increased the MG loss in healthy dogs. KT should be used with caution when prescribed for long periods, particularly in patients with tear film abnormalities. However, future controlled studies using KT, BAC, and other topical NSAIDs are indicated to further support this finding.
Leveraging museum specimens, genomics and legacy datasets to unravel the phylogeny and biogeography of cryptin wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptini)
Authors: Santos Bernardo F. , Brady Seán G.
Published: December 2023

Modern genomic techniques have enabled the generation of phylogenetic datasets of unprecedented scale. However, there are also troves of molecular data accumulated from past studies using Sanger sequencing, often at fine taxonomic scales. Combining both sources of data is an obviously appealing possibility, but it can also lead to inconsistency due to high levels of missing data, disparities in the scale of Sanger versus genomic datasets, and little overlap in sequences across terminals. To provide an empirical investigation of the potential of such ‘hybrid’ datasets, we combined data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) for 183 species of Cryptini (Ichneumonidae, Hymenoptera) with a previously existing dataset of 7 loci and morphological data including 308 species plus outgroup taxa. Bioinformatics pipelines allowed recovery of ‘legacy’ markers from the bycatch of UCE sequencing, reducing the problem of limited character overlap. The resulting tree combining Sanger and UCE data is highly supported and includes dense taxon sampling of the group, allowing for a better understanding of the global radiation of Cryptini. The Neotropical region had the highest phylogenetic diversity but the lowest level of phylogenetic dispersion when corrected for standardized effect size, while the Oriental fauna showed the highest level of phylogenetic dispersion. Our results highlight the potential of hybrid datasets to produce a more complete picture of the Tree of Life combining affordability, robust support and deep taxonomic sampling.
Right‐angled Artin groups as finite‐index subgroups of their outer automorphism groups
Authors: Wiedmer Manuel
Published: December 2023

We prove that every right‐angled Artin group occurs as a finite‐index subgroup of the outer automorphism group of another right‐angled Artin group. We furthermore show that the latter group can be chosen in such a way that the quotient is isomorphic to for some . For these, we give explicit constructions using the group of pure symmetric outer automorphisms. Moreover, we need two conditions by Day–Wade and Wade–Brück about when this group is a right‐angled Artin group and when it has finite index.
Study on the Burst Failure Mechanism and Residual Strength of Casing With Compound Wear Based on Extended Finite Element Method
Authors: Kuanhai Deng , Ming Zhang , Yang Peng , Niantao Zhou , Mingyuan Yao , Yuanhua Lin
Published: December 2023

Based on the data of wear casing for ShunNan 501 well in Northwest oilfield and the stress–strain intrinsic relationship of P110 tubing, a two-dimensional mechanical model of casing with compound wear is established by using the nonlinear extended finite element method (XFEM) and the burst failure criterion of damage evolution with due consideration of wear type, angle between crescents, overlap depth of crescents, and wear depth caused by drill pipe body and tool joint. The accuracy and reliability of model are verified by the full-scale burst test data. The effects of wear types, angle between crescents, overlap depth of crescents, and wear depth on the internal pressure yield strength (IPYS), burst strength and failure behavior for casing with compound wear are analyzed, by which it is found that casing with compound wear exist stress interference and complex interaction between stress interference and stress concentration, and the burst failure mechanism of casing with compound wear is revealed. Based on the gray correlation analysis result of wear parameters, a prediction model of the residual strength for P110 casing with compound wear is established by 1stOpt software and universal global optimization (UGO) algorithm.
Condition Monitoring of Wind Turbine Drivetrain Bearings
Authors: Gryllias Konstantinos , Qi Junyu , Mauricio Alexandre , Liu Chenyu
Published: December 2023

As an extremely valuable and reliable energy source, the renewable energy is developing around the world at an unprecedented pace. By the end of 2022, the global installed capacity of offshore wind turbines is expected to reach 46.4 GW, among which 33.9 GW in Europe. Efficiencies in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) offer potential to achieve significant cost savings as it accounts for around 20%–30% of overall offshore wind farm costs. A recent study of approximately 350 offshore wind turbines indicates that gearboxes might have to be replaced as early as 6.5 years. Therefore sensing and condition monitoring (CM) systems are needed in order to obtain reliable information on the state and condition of different critical parts. The development and use of such technologies will allow companies to schedule actions at the right time. The reduced costs of O&M enable the wind energy at a competitive price thus strengthening productivity of the wind energy sector. At the academic level, a plethora of methodologies have been proposed during the last decades focusing toward early and accurate fault detection. Among others, Envelope Analysis is one of the most important methodologies, where the envelope of the vibration signal is estimated, usually after filtering around a selected frequency band excited by impacts due to the faults. Different tools, such as Kurtogram, have been proposed in order to accurately select the optimum filter parameters (center frequency and bandwidth). Cyclostationary analysis and corresponding methodologies, i.e., the cyclic spectral correlation and the cyclic spectral coherence, have been proved as powerful tools for CM. On the other hand the application, test, and evaluation of such tools in general industrial cases is still rather limited. Therefore the main aim of this paper is the application and evaluation of advanced diagnostic techniques and diagnostic indicators, including the Enhanced Envelope Spectrum and the Spectral Flatness on real-world vibration data collected from vibration sensors on gearboxes in multiple wind turbines over an extended period of time of nearly four years. The diagnostic indicators are compared with classical statistic time and frequency indicators, i.e., Kurtosis, Crest Factor, etc. and their effectiveness is evaluated based on the successful detection of two failure events.
Cutaneous metastases as the presenting feature of lung cancer
Authors: Irvine James , McKenna Louise , Wylie Grant
Published: December 2023

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men and women worldwide with the highest mortality. A rare site of metastases for lung cancer is the skin. Typically, the diagnosis is secure prior to developing cutaneous metastases. We present a case of a man in his mid-70s who presented to dermatology with cutaneous metastases. We outline the presentation, diagnostic workup and management of this case. We also review the literature of cutaneous metastases in lung cancer; highlighting the clinical need for a timely accurate diagnosis and the implication in terms of prognosis.
Advanced enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma (EATL) presenting with severe malabsorption and concomitantly diagnosed coeliac disease (CD)
Authors: Rajagopal Anjali , Thompson Carrie A , Chorzempa Allison K , Ryu Alexander J
Published: December 2023

Enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma (EATL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma often associated with coeliac disease (CD). We describe a previously healthy man in his 50 s who presented with a history of abdominal pain, failure to thrive and significant weight loss over a 3-month period. Investigations revealed a positive coeliac serology, diffuse duodenal atrophy with multiple duodenal and jejunal ulcers on endoscopy and mesenteric lymphadenopathy on CT imaging. Duodenal tissue biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of EATL Stage IVB. Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone regimen was initiated. This case highlights the need for greater awareness and consideration of EATL in individuals with worsening malabsorption and abdominal pain, irrespective of coeliac history.
Menopausal status, age at menopause and risk of all-cause mortality among Chinese women: findings from a 10-year prospective study
Authors: Huang Sha , Gongye Ruofan , Zou Siyu , Hee Jia Yi , Tang Kun
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Menopause characteristics (menopausal status and age at menopause) have been implicated in future health consequences. However, evidence of the impact on menopause on total mortality has been inconsistent. The present study aimed to investigate the associations of menopausal status and age at menopause with the risk of all-cause mortality in Chinese women.

Methods

We used prospective data from the China Kadoorie Biobank cohort study that recruited over 300 000 women aged 30–79 years from 10 regions across China between 2004 and 2008. All participants were prospectively followed up, with a median follow-up of 10.20 years. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to examine HRs with 95% CIs for all-cause mortality associated with menopausal status and age at menopause.

Results

Compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women were at higher risk of all-cause mortality with adjusted HR of 1.11 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.20). Among postmenopausal women, the HRs of total mortality were 1.25 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.36), 1.09 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.15), 0.98 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.02) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.04) for menopause at ages less than 40, 40–44, 50–53 and 54 years or older, respectively, relative to 45–49 years. In addition, for each 1-year increase in age at menopause was associated with a 1% decreased risk of death from all causes (95% CI 0.98 to 0.99).

Conclusions

Women with postmenopausal status had a higher risk of all-cause mortality than premenopausal women, particularly for ages at menopause younger than 45 years.
Alkylresorcinols as a New Type of Gut Microbiota Regulators Influencing Immune Therapy Efficiency in Lung Cancer Treatment
Authors: Shestopalov Aleksandr V. , Kit Oleg I. , Zabolotneva Anastasia A. , Zlatnik Elena Y. , Maksimov Aleksey Yu , Novikova Inna A. , Sagakyants Alexander B. , Timofeeva Sofya V. , Goncharova Anna S. , Galina Anastasia V. , Appolonova Svetlana A. , Markin Pavel A. , Makarov Valentin V. , Yudin Sergey M. , Keskinov Anton A. , Roumiantsev Sergei A. , Meshkov Oleg I.
Published: December 2023

Background. Alkylresorcinols (ARs) are polyphenolic compounds of microbial origin with a wide spectrum of biological activities and are potentially involved in host immune functioning. The present study is aimed at evaluating alterations in AR content in blood serum and faeces from healthy donors and patients with lung cancer in connection with response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy to estimate the regulatory potential of AR. Methods. Quantitative analysis of AR levels, as well as other microbial metabolites in blood serum and faeces, was performed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection; estimation of lymphocyte subsets was performed by flow cytometry; faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from lung cancer patients after ICI therapy to germ-free mice was performed to explore whether the intestinal microbiota could produce AR molecules. Results. AR concentrations in both faeces and serum differ dramatically between healthy and lung cancer donors. The significant increase in AR concentrations in mouse faeces after FMT points to the microbial origin of ARs. For several ARs, there were strong positive and negative correlations in both faeces and serum with immune cells and these interrelationships differed between the therapy-responsive and nonresponsive groups. Conclusions. The content of ARs may influence the response to ICI therapy in lung cancer patients. ARs may be considered regulatory molecules that determine the functioning of antitumor immunity.