bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do people use methods or tricks to fall asleep? A comparison between people with and without chronic insomnia
Authors: Bjorvatn Bjørn , Waage Siri , Saxvig Ingvild W.
Published: November 2022

The present study estimated the frequency of using methods or tricks to fall asleep in the general Norwegian population. Further, people with chronic insomnia were compared with people without chronic insomnia. A representative sample of 1028 participants aged 18 years or older completed a web‐based survey. The response rate was 33.5%. Insomnia symptoms were assessed with the validated Bergen Insomnia Scale, and chronic insomnia based on ICSD‐3/DSM‐5 criteria. Data were analysed with chi‐square tests and logistic regression with adjustment for sex, age, education, and circadian preference. The results showed that 34.3% reported using a method or a trick to fall asleep, with relaxation exercises/breathing exercises being the most common. More females (39.5%) compared with males (29.1%) reported the use of a method/trick to fall asleep with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.44. Chronic insomnia was reported by 24.9%, and clearly associated with higher use of such methods/tricks (53.7%; aOR = 3.49). Among the participants without chronic insomnia, 28.1% reported using methods/tricks to fall asleep. In conclusion, most people do not use methods or tricks to fall asleep, but chronic insomnia was associated with a higher frequency of such use. Still, since methods/tricks were also used by some participants without chronic insomnia, this may suggest that, for some people, this strategy may be effective or at least does not seem to disrupt the sleep onset process.
Two years after lockdown: Longitudinal trajectories of sleep disturbances and mental health over the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the effects of age, gender and chronotype
Authors: Salfi Federico , Amicucci Giulia , Corigliano Domenico , Viselli Lorenzo , D'Atri Aurora , Tempesta Daniela , Gorgoni Maurizio , Scarpelli Serena , Alfonsi Valentina , Ferrara Michele
Published: November 2022

Since the first lockdown of Spring 2020, the COVID‐19 contagion waves pervasively disrupted the sleep and mental health of the worldwide population. Notwithstanding the largest vaccination campaign in human history, the pandemic has continued to impact the everyday life of the general population for 2 years now. The present study provides the first evidence of the longitudinal trajectories of sleep disturbances and mental health throughout the pandemic in Italy, also describing the differential time course of age groups, genders and chronotypes. A total of 1062 Italians participated in a three‐time‐point longitudinal study covering two critical stages of the emergency (the first lockdown in April 2020 and the second partial lockdown in December 2020) and providing a long‐term overview 2 years after the pandemic outbreak (April 2022). We administered validated questionnaires to evaluate sleep quality/habits, insomnia, depression, stress and anxiety symptoms. Analyses showed a gradual improvement in sleep disturbances, depression and anxiety. Conversely, sleep duration progressively decreased, particularly in evening‐type and younger people. Participants reported substantial earlier bedtime and get‐up time. Stress levels increased during December 2020 and then stabilised. This effect was stronger in the population groups apparently more resilient during the first lockdown (older people, men and morning‐types). Our results describe a promising scenario 2 years after the pandemic onset. However, the improvements were relatively small, the perceived stress increased, and the re‐establishment of pre‐existing social/working dynamics led to general sleep curtailment. Further long‐term monitoring is required to claim the end of the COVID‐19 emergency on Italians' sleep and mental health.
A field experiment exploring disturbance‐and‐recovery, and restoration methodology of Zostera capensis to support its role as a coastal protector
Authors: Amone‐Mabuto Manuela , Hollander Johan , Lugendo Blandina , Adams Janine Barbara , Bandeira Salomão
Published: November 2022

Seagrass degradation in the western Indian Ocean is of serious concerns with numerous severe climate events that has impacted Mozambique, as well as South Africa in recent time, highlighting the need for re‐establishing these critical habitats. The following paper present a field experiment from Mozambique concerning disturbance‐and‐recovery effects of Zostera capensis, a highly impacted seagrass species in the region. We undertook trials mimicking disturbance of meadows in terms of digging to collect clams, a common practice in Maputo Bay. Our results indicated that once such anthropogenic impacts are halted, Z. capensis meadows restore itself after 12 months of impact exclusion. In addition, we also conducted seagrass restoration experiment using a manual method, the so‐called plug method which, demonstrated to improve the survival rate with 75%, which has large implications for seagrass transplantation projects that are both time consuming and financially costly. The results from this study will further guide the appropriate management to build the best practice in seagrasses meadows restoration and awareness. It is clear from this study that a combination of both impact exclusions and active restoration is bound for best results of seagrass management actions.
Reproducing in a changing world: combined effects of thermal conditions by day and night and of water constraints during pregnancy in a cold‐adapted ectotherm
Authors: Brusch George A. , Le Galliard Jean‐François , Viton Robin , Gavira Rodrigo S. B. , Clobert Jean , Lourdais Olivier
Published: November 2022

Climate change will continue to increase mean global temperatures with daily minima increasing more than daily maxima temperatures. Altered rainfall patterns due to climate change will also disrupt water availability for terrestrial organisms already facing climatic warming. To explore how organisms may adjust to changes in multiple, concurrent climate‐related environmental conditions, we manipulated day and night temperatures as well as water availability during gestation in female common lizards Zootoca vivipara, a cold and wet adapted species facing climatic changes notably in populations located on the warm margin. We jointly manipulated temperature (hot or cold) independently during the daytime and nighttime as well as water availability (± ad libitum access to water) throughout pregnancy and quantified the effects on maternal traits (morphology, physiology and phenology) and reproductive output. Overall, we found that higher day or night temperatures decreased gestation length and increased energetic demands. Higher temperatures during the day, coupled with water restrictions, increased dehydration and water restrictions affected ability to allocate resources but had no impact on reproductive output. While high temperatures during the day were beneficial to current reproductive output and success, high temperatures during the night had the opposite effect. Our results suggest that high nighttime temperatures can dramatically increase the burden on pregnant mothers already constrained by heavy resource and water investment. This could provide a mechanistic explanation for the long‐term declines of warm‐margin populations in this species.
Electrophysiological normative responses to emotional, neutral, and cigarette‐related images
Authors: Versace Francesco , Sambuco Nicola , Deweese Menton M. , Cinciripini Paul M.
Published: November 2022

To create reproducible emotional probes, affective scientists rely on sets of standardized pictures that are normed using subjective ratings of valence and emotional arousal. However, when emotional responses are investigated using neurophysiological measures, it might be more appropriate to select pictures integrating information from normative subjective reports and normative neurophysiological responses. Here, we provide electrophysiological normative responses for 323 emotional pictures (215 from the IAPS) covering a wide range of categories (erotica, romantic, appetizing foods, landscapes, people engaged in mundane activities, household objects, disgusting objects, accidents, sad people, violence, mutilations, and cigarette‐related contents). Event‐related potentials (ERPs) and subjective ratings of pleasure and emotional arousal were collected from 763 individuals (52% females, 41% white) aged between 18 and 65 (mean = 43). For each image, the mean amplitude of the late positive potential (LPP, an electrophysiological index of motivational relevance) and the mean subjective ratings of valence and arousal were calculated. We validated our procedure by showing that the subjective ratings of valence and arousal from this sample were highly correlated to the IAPS' published norms (Pearsonr = .97 for pleasure andr = .82 for emotional arousal). LPP responses and subjective ratings of emotional arousal also were correlated (Pearsonr = .61), but some categories reported being significantly more arousing than neutral (i.e., food, landscapes, and unpleasant objects) did not evoke LPPs significantly different from those evoked by neutral pictures. Researchers interested in probing the brain's affective systems can use these electrophysiological normative responses to create emotional probes that evoke reliable neuroaffective responses.
A five‐year cohort study on German dental students: Self‐assessment in regard to previous experience and attitude toward patients with different types of disability
Authors: Schmidt Peter , Egermann Michael , Ehlers Jan Peter , Schulte Andreas Gerhard
Published: November 2022

Aims

In Germany, a curriculum in special care dentistry (SCD) is not mandatory. As a result, very little is known about dental students’ attitudes toward interacting with people with disability (PwD). The study´s aim was to assess this among dental students at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H).

Material and Methods

In the academic years 2016–2017 to 2020–2021, dental students in the 7th semester (UW/H) were asked to complete a self‐assessment questionnaire. Prior to its start, the study had obtained a positive vote from the ethics committee of the UW/H (#174/2016).

Results

Out of 199 students 166 persons on average 24.5 years old completed the questionnaire. Nearly all participants had already had previous experience with PwD in various domains of life prior to dental school (89.2%). Three‐quarters indicated not having reservations about interacting with PwD. The proportion of persons without previous experience in interacting with a PwD was almost twice as high in the group with reservation (16.2%) as it was in the group without reservation (8.7%). Almost all surveyed students (92.8%) affirmed that they would like to learn more on the topic of “Professional Interaction with PwD.”

Conclusion

Most of the respondents did not have reservations about interacting with PwD. Almost all the participants indicated a high level of interest in topics related to SCD. Also, the authors like to encourage the curriculum committees of dental schools at other universities to integrate courses on SCD, based on the iADH recommendations, into their dental curricula.
Development and validation of the Dutch Social Attunement Questionnaire (SAQ)
Authors: Kroon Emese , Mies Gabry , Wiers Reinout W. , Cousijn Janna
Published: November 2022

The social plasticity hypothesis proposes that social attunement, that is, the adaptation to and harmonization with one's environment, plays a crucial role in the risk for developing alcohol use disorders (AUDs) during adolescence, whereas in adulthood it paradoxically may make individuals more sensitive to the social pull to reduce drinking. This study aimed to develop a valid measure of social attunement: the social attunement questionnaire (SAQ). A total of 26 items were developed and the questionnaire was completed by 576 Dutch mid to late adolescents and adults over three rounds of online data collection. Using exploratory factor analysis in part of the sample (N = 373), the final questionnaire was reduced to two subscales with a total of 11 items. This structure was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis in the second part of the sample (N = 203). Results showed that the SAQ has acceptable internal consistency, good measurement invariance to gender, and subscales assessing both cognitive as well as behavioural components of social attunement. In line with expectations on alcohol use settings, SAQ scores were not associated directly with alcohol use, but they were predictive of alcohol use when taking into account the interaction between perceived peer drinking and age. The SAQ appears suitable for the assessment of social attunement in (young) adult men and women, particularly assessing the role of social attunement in alcohol use settings. Further research is needed to confirm the utility of the SAQ in older adults and a broader variety of social settings.
Designing, planning, and conducting systematic reviews and other knowledge syntheses: Six key practical recommendations to improve feasibility and efficiency
Authors: Fontaine Guillaume , Maheu‐Cadotte Marc‐André , Lavallée Andréane , Mailhot Tanya , Lavoie Patrick , Rouleau Geneviève , Vinette Billy , García Maria‐Pilar Ramírez , Bourbonnais Anne
Published: November 2022

Background

Knowledge syntheses, such as systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and realist reviews, are crucial tools to guide nursing practice, policy, and research. However, conducting high‐quality knowledge syntheses is a complex and time‐consuming endeavor. It is imperative for nursing students, clinicians, and researchers to be aware of key practical recommendations regarding the conduct of knowledge syntheses to improve the feasibility and efficiency of such projects.

Aim

The aim of this paper was to discuss key practical recommendations for designing, planning, and conducting knowledge syntheses relevant to nursing policy, practice, and research.

Methods

The recommendations discussed are based on best‐practice guidance about knowledge synthesis methodology proposed by The Campbell Collaboration (Campbell systematic reviews: Policies and guidelines, 2020), Cochrane (Cochrane training, 2019), and the Joanna Briggs Institute (The Joanna Briggs Institute reviewers' manual, 2020) and on strategies used by the authors to improve the feasibility and efficiency of knowledge syntheses.

Results

This paper highlights six key practical recommendations that nursing students, clinicians, and researchers should take into account when deciding to embark on a knowledge synthesis project: (1) determining if (and why) knowledge synthesis should be conducted; (2) selecting the appropriate type of knowledge synthesis, as well as the associated methodological guidance and reporting standards; (3) developing a search strategy that balances sensitivity and specificity; (4) writing a protocol and obtaining feedback; (5) determining the resources required to conduct the different stages of the knowledge synthesis; and (6) keeping an audit trail. Fifteen common types of knowledge synthesis are presented with their definitions, relevant methodological guidance, and reporting standards.

Linking evidence to action

The recommendations discussed, used in conjunction with appropriate methodological guidelines, may help ensure the success of a knowledge synthesis project by providing best‐practice and experience‐based guidance to newcomers in the field.
Spherical harmonic representation of the observed directional wave front in the time domain
Authors: Wang Jiarui , Abhayapala Thushara , Samarasinghe Prasanga , Zhang Jihui Aimee
Published: November 2022

Sound field reproduction algorithms require loudspeaker directivity, which is usually measured at discrete frequencies. A time domain model of loudspeaker directivity benefits broadband applications. This Letter proposes the concept of a directional wave front in the time domain, which could be linked to loudspeaker impulse responses measured on a spherical surface. The observed signal in the time domain at the boundary of a spherical region due to a propagating directional wave front is illustrated using a geometric model. Based on the geometric model, the spherical harmonic decomposition of the observed signal in the time domain is also derived.
para
-Aminobenzoic Acid Biosynthesis Is Required for Listeria monocytogenes Growth and Pathogenesis
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Anaya-Sanchez Andrea , Portnoy Daniel A.
Published: November 2022

Biosyntheses of
para
-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and its downstream folic acid metabolites are essential for one-carbon metabolism in all life forms and the targets of sulfonamide and trimethoprim antibiotics. In this study, we identified and characterized two genes (
pabA
and
pabBC
) required for PABA biosynthesis in
Listeria monocytogenes
.
Pan-Genome Analysis of Transcriptional Regulation in Six Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Strains Reveals Their Different Regulatory Structures
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Seif Yara , Rychel Kevin , Yoo Reo , Chauhan Siddharth , Poudel Saugat , Al-bulushi Tahani , Palsson Bernhard O. , Sastry Anand V.
Published: November 2022

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is a pathogen involved in human nontyphoidal infections. Treating
S
.
The Effect of Amoxicillin with Clavulanate on the Microbiota of Tonsillar Tissue in Disease: a Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Johnston James , Wagner Mackenzie Brett , Biswas Kristi , Waldvogel-Thurlow Sharon , Clark Sita Tarini , Radcliff Fiona , Mahadevan Murali , Douglas Richard G.
Published: November 2022

Several studies have identified the presence of multiple pathogenic bacteria in hyperplastic adenoids and palatine tonsils. However, there are currently no studies that utilize this technology to investigate the effect of oral antibiotics in children with recurrent tonsillitis on the tonsillar microbiome.
Clostridium butyricum and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum Attenuate the Development of Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Chen Jiahuan , Li Linquan , Zhang Huanyu , Pang Daxin , Ouyang Hongsheng , Jin Xuemin , Tang Xiaochun
Published: November 2022

Cardiac fibrosis is a basic process in cardiac remodeling. It is related to almost all types of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and has become an important global health problem.
Environmental Response to Root Secondary Metabolite Accumulation in Paeonia lactiflora: Insights from Rhizosphere Metabolism and Root-Associated Microbial Communities
Authors: Sun Xiao , Zhang Xinke , Zhang Guoshuai , Miao Yujing , Zeng Tiexin , Zhang Min , Zhang Huihui , Zhang Li , Huang Linfang
Published: November 2022

Determining the taxonomic and functional components of the rhizosphere microbiome, as well as how they differ from those of the bulk soil microbiome, is critical for manipulating them to improve plant growth performance and increase agricultural yields. Soil metabolic profiles can help enhance the understanding of rhizosphere exudates.
Genomic Diversity of a Globally Used, Live Attenuated Mycoplasma Vaccine
Authors: Klose Sara M. , Olaogun Olusola M. , Disint Jillian F. , Shil Pollob , Gyuranecz Miklós , Kreizinger Zsuzsa , Földi Dorottya , Catania Salvatore , Bottinelli Marco , Dall'Ora Arianna , Feberwee Anneke , van der Most Marleen , Andrews Daniel M. , Underwood Gregory J. , Morrow Chris J. , Noormohammadi Amir H. , Marenda Marc S.
Published: November 2022

Preventative measures, such as vaccination, are commonly used for the control of mycoplasmal infections in poultry. A live attenuated vaccine strain (Vaxsafe MS; MS-H; Bioproperties Pty.
Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic tectono-stratigraphic framework for central Idaho: Windermere Supergroup in the northern sector of the U.S. Cordillera
Authors: Brennan* Daniel T. , Pearson David M. , Link Paul K. , Milton Jacob
Published: November 2022

The Windermere Supergroup in southern British Columbia and its correlatives (such as the Pocatello Formation and lower Brigham Group in southeastern Idaho) along the western North American Cordilleran margin are an archetype of Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic tectonic, sedimentary, and climatic processes. The central Idaho portion of the margin remains relatively understudied when compared to regions to the south in southeastern Idaho or to the north in northeastern Washington. This is in part a legacy of early workers, who identified the absence of Neoproterozoic and Cambrian strata in east-central Idaho across the Lemhi arch. However, Neoproterozoic and Cambrian rocks are indeed present west of the Lemhi arch within the central Idaho section of the Cordillera. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of these strata within central Idaho and correlate the Pocatello Formation and Brigham Group rocks from northern Utah/southeastern Idaho through central Idaho to northeastern Washington. We also provide new constraints that link Cambrian strata from central Idaho across the Lemhi arch to southwestern Montana. Collectively, this emerging tectono-stratigraphic framework suggests extensive, some likely diachronous, stratigraphic boundaries and magmatic events relating to (1) widespread rifting ca. 720–680 Ma; (2) early and late Cryogenian (Sturtian and Marinoan) glacial sedimentation; (3) base-level drawdown and formation of incised valleys, previously correlated to the Marinoan glacial interval, but which now appear to be younger (ca. 600 Ma) and perhaps related to tectonic activity; (4) onset of the Sauk I transgression 560–530(?) Ma; (5) the ca. 515 Ma Sauk II lowstand, perhaps related to final rifting in southern Laurentia; and (6) the Sauk III lowstand coeval with exhumation of 500–490 Ma Beaverhead plutons within the Lemhi arch. Magmatism occurred ca. 680 Ma, 660 Ma, 600 Ma, and 500 Ma, providing age ties. These observations suggest that Neoproterozoic and lower Paleozoic strata in the central Idaho sector of the North American Cordillera record similar processes and sedimentation as strata elsewhere along the margin.
Supplemental Material: Juxtaposition of different-grade metamorphic rocks in an ancient orogen: Evidence from the Chengde Complex of the Trans-North China Orogen, North China Craton
Authors: Zhang Hui C.G. , Zhao Guochun , al. et
Published: November 2022

Text: Analytical methods. Table S1: Summary chemical composition data of representative minerals of mafic granulites and amphibolites in the Chengde Complex. Table S2: LA–ICP–MS U-Pb analytical results of the zircons of mafic granulites and amphibolites from the Chengde Complex. Table S3: LA-ICP-MS REE analytical results of the zircons of mafic granulites and amphibolites from the Chengde Complex.
Supplemental Material: A possible sea-level fall trigger for the youngest rejuvenated volcanism in Hawaiʻi
Authors: Jicha Brian R. , et al.
Published: November 2022

Table S1: Complete 40Ar/39Ar data. Table S2: Fo (=Mg/[Mg+Fe]) and Ni EPMA data for olivine profiles from the Koko Rift (Koko Crater bomb and flow, Kaupo lava flow and Kāohikaipu Island) from core to rim.
Concomitant giant purely intradiploic cavernous haemangioma and multifocal neurotoxoplasmosis
Authors: Costanzo Roberta , Scalia Gianluca , Iacopino Domenico Gerardo , Nicoletti Giovanni
Published: November 2022

Purely calvarial or intradiploic cavernous haemangiomas (PICHs) are rare benign tumours accounting for 0.2% of all bone tumours and 10% of benign skull tumours. They are generally small, slow-growing and asymptomatic lesions. Here the authors described an immunocompromised patient with concomitant giant intradiploic ossified globular cavernous angioma and multifocal neurotoxoplasmosis that underwent a combined approach to treat both lesions with an en-bloc resection of the right parietal intradiploic lesion and biopsy of the left occipital subcortical lesion.

Indeed, it is essential to exclude the presence of metastases by making a timely differential diagnosis. En-bloc surgical resection of purely intradiploic ossified cavernous angioma is the gold standard treatment and the prognosis after a complete excision is usually excellent with rarer recurrence rate.
A subacute presentation ofMycoplasma hominisprosthetic valve endocarditis
Authors: Kim Myong Gyu Joshua , Payne Susannah , Post Jeffrey
Published: November 2022

Mycoplasma hominisis a rare but important cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis. It is usually associated with acute progression of symptoms and can be difficult to diagnose as it does not grow in standard culture media. We report a case of an immunocompetent man in his 70s who presented with 14-month subacute decline with shortness of breath and evidence of a splenic infarct. Following a redo aortic valve replacement and diagnosis ofM. hoministhrough 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid PCR, he improved clinically with oral doxycycline therapy. He remained well at follow-up 2 years post-cessation of antibiotics. We present a literature review highlighting the role of PCR testing in the microbiological identification ofM. hominis.
Qualitative study of the views of people living with cardiovascular disease, and healthcare professionals, towards the use of a digital platform to support cardiovascular disease self-management
Authors: Tighe Sarah Anne , Ball Kylie , Kayser Lars , Kensing Finn , Maddison Ralph
Published: November 2022

Objectives

This paper focuses on formative research as part of a broader study to develop and evaluate an innovative digital health platform for the self-management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary objective is to better understand the perceptions of key stakeholders towards the proposed platform (Salvio) and to identify the development considerations they may prioritise based on their own experiences of CVD management.

Design

A qualitative research study using thematic analysis to explore patterns and themes within the various participant contributions.

Setting

Triangulation of data collection methods were used to generate data, including focus group discussions, semistructured interviews and guided conversations.

Participants

Participants (n=26) were people with a diagnosis of CVD (n=18) and relevant healthcare professionals (n=8).

Results

Findings indicate that the proposed platform would be a beneficial solution for certain groups whose health behaviour change is not currently supported by discrete solutions. Both participant groups perceive the digital health platform more trustworthy than accessing multiple interventions through unsupported digital repositories. Healthcare professionals agreed that they would endorse an evidence-based platform that had been rigorously developed and evaluated. CVD participants prioritised a decision support tool to guide them through the platform, as they perceive an unstructured approach as overly complex. Both participant groups perceived data sharing with certain self-selected individuals (eg, spouse) to be a useful method for gaining support with their health behaviour change.

Conclusions

A digital health platform offering a variety of existing, evidence-based interventions would provide users with suitable self-management solution(s) based on their own individual needs and preferences. Salvio could be enhanced by providing adequate support to platform users, guiding the diverse CVD population through a host of digital solutions, ensuring that Salvio is endorsed by trusted healthcare professionals and maintaining connections with usual care. Such a platform would augment existing self-management and secondary prevention services.
Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of type 2 diabetes and its determinants among Mongolians in China: a cross-sectional analysis of IMAGINS 2015–2020
Authors: Duan Mingrui , Xi Yunfeng , Tian Qiuyue , Na Buqi , Han Ke , Zhang Xingguang , Wang Wenrui , Zheng Deqiang , Wang Youxin
Published: November 2022

Objectives

This study aims to estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and pre-diabetes as well as to identify its associated factors among Mongolians living in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

This sample included 11 361 Mongolian participants from the Inner Mongolian Healthy Aging Intervention Study, a population-based screening project consisting of 141 255 adults aged above 35 years in Inner Mongolia from 2015 to 31 December 2020.

Outcome measures

The prevalence and 95% CIs of T2D and pre-diabetes were calculated. Factors associated with the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of T2D were explored by a binomial logistic regression.

Results

A total of 17.2% (95% CI 16.5% to 17.9%) of the sample had T2D, of whom 34.0% (95% CI 31.9% to 36.1%) were aware of their diagnosis, 24.7% (95% CI 22.8% to 26.6%) were taking prescribed antidiabetic medications, 6.7% (95% CI 5.6% to 7.8%) had achieved control and 27.5% (95 % CI 26.7% to 28.3%) had pre-diabetes. The prevalence of T2D increased with increasing age, male, lower education level, smoking, obesity and a history of hypertension or dyslipidaemia (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

T2D is highly prevalent, with suboptimal awareness, treatment and control rates, and an escalating health challenge among the Mongolian population. Broad-based strategies, including diabetes prevention education, better screening and affordable treatment, should be implemented to raise awareness, treatment and control rates of T2D in Inner Mongolia.
Cascade of decisions meet personal preferences in sciatica treatment decisions
Authors: van Dijk Wieteke , Tanke Marit A C , Meinders Marjan J , Verkerk Eva W , Jeurissen Patrick P T , Westert Gert P
Published: November 2022

Study design

An in-depth interview study including patients, general practitioners, neurologists and neurosurgeons.

Objective

To gain insight in decision-making in sciatica care, by identifying patients’ and physicians’ preferences for treatment options, and the differences between and within both groups.

Summary of background data

Sciatica is a self-limiting condition, which can be treated both conservatively and surgically. The value of both options has been disputed, and the care pathway is known for a substantial amount of practice variation. Most Dutch patients are taken care of by general practitioners before they are referred to hospital-based neurologists, who might refer to a neurosurgeon, who can perform a surgical intervention. Dutch sciatica care thus follows the principles of stepped care, and a cascade of decisions precedes surgery. Better understanding of the decision-making within this cascade might reveal opportunities to improve shared decision-making and to reduce unwarranted practice variation.

Methods

Interviews with 10 patients and 22 physicians were analysed thematically.

Results

While physicians were confident of their clinical diagnosis, patients preferred confirmation trough imaging to exclude other possible explanations. Furthermore, many patients showed reluctance towards the use of (strong) opioids, while all physicians favoured this and underlined the benefits of opioids in the management of sciatica complaints, to buy time and to allow patients to recover naturally. Finally, individual physicians differed strongly in their opinion on benefits and optimal timing of surgical treatment and epidural injections.

Conclusions

Dutch sciatica care is characterised by a cascade of decisions preceding surgery. Preferences differ within and between patients and physicians, which adds to the practice variation. To improve decision-making, physicians and patients should invest not necessarily more in the exchange of options or preferences, but in making sure the other understands the rationale behind them.
Deciphering molecular and cellular ex vivo responses to bispecific antibodies PD1-TIM3 and PD1-LAG3 in human tumors
Authors: Natoli Marina , Hatje Klas , Gulati Pratiksha , Junker Fabian , Herzig Petra , Jiang Zhiwen , Davydov Iakov I , Germann Markus , Trüb Marta , Marbach Daniel , Zwick Adrian , Weber Patrick , Seeber Stefan , Wiese Mark , Lardinois Didier , Heinzelmann-Schwarz Viola , Rosenberg Robert , Tietze Lothar , Mertz Kirsten D , Umaña Pablo , Klein Christian , Codarri-Deak Laura , Kao Henry , Zippelius Alfred
Published: November 2022

Background

Next-generation cancer immunotherapies are designed to broaden the therapeutic repertoire by targeting new immune checkpoints including lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3). Yet, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which either receptor functions to mediate its inhibitory effects are still poorly understood. Similarly, little is known on the differential effects of dual, compared with single, checkpoint inhibition.

Methods

We here performed in-depth characterization, including multicolor flow cytometry, single cell RNA sequencing and multiplex supernatant analysis, using tumor single cell suspensions from patients with cancer treated ex vivo with novel bispecific antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and TIM-3 (PD1-TIM3), PD-1 and LAG-3 (PD1-LAG3), or with anti-PD-1.

Results

We identified patient samples which were responsive to PD1-TIM3, PD1-LAG3 or anti-PD-1 using an in vitro approach, validated by the analysis of 659 soluble proteins and enrichment for an anti-PD-1 responder signature. We found increased abundance of an activated (HLA-DR+CD25+GranzymeB+) CD8+T cell subset and of proliferating CD8+T cells, in response to bispecific antibody or anti-PD-1 treatment. Bispecific antibodies, but not anti-PD-1, significantly increased the abundance of a proliferating natural killer cell subset, which exhibited enrichment for a tissue-residency signature. Key phenotypic and transcriptional changes occurred in a PD-1+CXCL13+CD4+T cell subset, in response to all treatments, including increased interleukin-17 secretion and signaling toward plasma cells. Interestingly, LAG-3 protein upregulation was detected as a unique pharmacodynamic effect mediated by PD1-LAG3, but not by PD1-TIM3 or anti-PD-1.

Conclusions

Our in vitro system reliably assessed responses to bispecific antibodies co-targeting PD-1 together with LAG-3 or TIM-3 using patients’ tumor infiltrating immune cells and revealed transcriptional and phenotypic imprinting by bispecific antibody formats currently tested in early clinical trials.
Endovascular transmural access to carotid artery perivascular tissues: safety assessment of a novel technique
Authors: Kim Wi Jin , Samarage Hasitha Milan , Zarrin David , Goel Keshav , Wang Anthony C , Johnson Jeremiah , Nael Kambiz , Colby Geoffrey P
Published: November 2022

Background

Recent advances in endovascular devices have allowed access and targeting of perivascular tissues of the peripheral circulation. The perivascular tissues of the cervical and cranial circulations have many important structures of clinical significance, yet the feasibility and safety of such an approach has not been demonstrated.

Objective

To evaluate the safety of a novel endovascular transmural approach to target the perivascular tissues of the common carotid artery in swine.

Methods

A micro-infusion device was positioned in the carotid arteries of three Yorkshire pigs (six carotid arteries in total), and each carotid artery was punctured 10 times in the same location to gain access to the perivascular tissues. Digital subtraction angiography was used to evaluate vessel injury or contrast extravasation. MRI and MR angiography were used to evaluate evidence of cerebral ischemia or vessel injury. Post-mortem tissue analysis was performed to assess the level of extravascular hematoma and intravascular dissection.

Results

None of the tested carotid arteries showed evidence of vessel injury (dissection or perforation) or intravascular thrombosis. MRI performed after repeated puncture was negative for neck hematoma and brain ischemia. Post-mortem tissue analysis of the carotid arteries showed mild adventitial staining with blood, but without associated hematoma and without vessel dissection.

Conclusion

Repeated puncture of the carotid artery to gain access to the perivascular tissues using a novel endovascular transmural approach is safe in a swine model. This represents a novel approach to various tissues in close proximity to the cervical and cranial vasculature.
HSPB8 facilitates prostate cancer progression via activating the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Kan , Yin Weiqi , Ma Luping , Liu Zhili , Li Qiang
Published: November 2022

Prostate cancer (PC) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease that lacks effective treatment. Heat shock protein B8 (HSPB8) is an important factor in the progression of various types of cancer. However, the clinical significance and biological role of HSPB8 in PC are still unclear. In this study, we determined HSPB8 expression in PC tissues by immunohistochemical staining and explored the in vitro functions of HSPB8 using HSPB8 knockdown DU145 and LNcap PC cell lines. The in vivo effect of HSPB8 was explored by a subcutaneous xenograft mice model. The human phospho-kinase array and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 activator were utilized to explore the potential mechanism of HSPB8-induced PC progression. As a result, we found that HSPB8 was abundantly expressed in PC tissues and cell lines. HSPB8 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and migration, promoted apoptosis and cycle repression, as well as weakened tumorigenesis ability. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that HSPB8 facilitates the malignant phenotypes of PC by activating the Janus kinase/STAT3 signaling pathway. These results proposed that HSPB8 seems to be an attractive therapeutic target for PC patients.
Assessing the assessor: a framework for BIM maturity, capacity, and competency evaluation at the organizational level
Authors: Nonirit Emmanuelle , Poirier Érik Andrew , Forgues Daniel
Published: November 2022

Many assessment models (AMs) supporting the evaluation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) deployment within an organization or a project have recently been developed. However, it has become challenging to choose which AM is best suited to meet a user's needs in a specific context. These AMs use different criteria and apply different theoretical bases. Moreover, many have been developed with little industry involvement, feedback being given through surveys and focus groups. Lastly, they generally do not consider the context in which the assessment takes place. This paper presents a framework for a type 3 meta-evaluation assessing BIM-AMs concerning their effectiveness, relevance, and usefulness in the context in which they will be implemented. As a contribution to theory, it incorporates the criteria for BIM evaluation developed by Succar et al. (2012) and psychometric validities to evaluate theoretically different models and to incorporate industry input. As a contribution to practice, the framework was used to evaluate two BIM-AMs and provide suggestions for their improvement.
Effect of nitric oxide–cyclic GMP–K+ channel pathway blockers, naloxone and metformin, on the antinociception induced by the diuretic pamabrom
Authors: Ortiz Mario I. , Cariño-Cortés Raquel , Castañeda-Hernández Gilberto , Medina-Solís Carlo Eduardo
Published: November 2022

Pamabrom is a diuretic that is effective in treating premenstrual syndrome and primary dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of metformin and modulators of the opioid receptor–nitric oxide (NO)–cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)–K+ channel pathway on the local antinociception induced by pamabrom. The rat paw 1% formalin test was used to assess the effects. Rats were treated with local administration of pamabrom (200–800 µg/paw) or indomethacin (200–800 µg/paw). The antinociception of pamabrom or indomethacin was evaluated with and without the local pretreatment of the blockers. Local administration of pamabrom and indomethacin produced dose-dependent antinociception during the second phase of the test. Local pretreatment of the paws with naloxone (50 µg/paw), l-nitro-arginine methyl ester (10–100 µg/paw), or 1 H-(1,2,4)-oxadiazolo[4,2- a]quinoxalin-1-one (10–100 µg/paw) reverted the antinociception induced by local pamabrom, but not of indomethacin. Similarly, the K+ channel blockers glibenclamide, glipizide, 4-aminopyridine, tetraethylammonium, charybdotoxin, or apamin reverted the pamabrom-induced antinociception, but not of indomethacin. Metformin significantly blocked the antinociception of pamabrom and indomethacin. Our data suggest that pamabrom could activate the opioid receptor–NO–cGMP–K+ channel pathway to produce its peripheral antinociception in the formalin test. Likewise, a biguanide-dependent mechanism could be activated by pamabrom and indomethacin to generate antinociception.
Probing Higgs CP properties at the CEPC in the $$e^{+} e^{-} \rightarrow Z H \rightarrow l^{+} l^{-}H$$ using optimal variables
Authors: Sha Qiyu , Fadol Abdualazem , Guo Fangyi , Li Gang , Fang Yaquan , Gu Jiayin , Lou Xinchou
Published: November 2022

In the Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC), a measurement of the HiggsCPmixing through$$e^{+} e^{-} \rightarrow Z H \rightarrow l^{+} l^{-}(e^{+} e^{-} /\mu ^{+} \mu ^{-}) H(\rightarrow b \bar{b} / c \bar{c} / g g)$$e+e-→ZH→l+l-(e+e-/μ+μ-)H(→bb¯/cc¯/gg)process is presented, with$$5.6\ \text{ ab}^{-1}$$5.6ab-1$$e^{+} e^{-}$$e+e-collision data at the center-of-mass energy of$$240\ \textrm{GeV}$$240GeV. In this study, theCP-violating parameter$$\tilde{c}_{Z \gamma }$$c~Zγis constrained between the region of$$ -0.30$$-0.30and 0.27 and$$\tilde{c}_{Z Z}$$c~ZZbetween$$-0.06$$-0.06and 0.06 at$$68\%$$68%confidence level. This study demonstrates the great potential of probing HiggsCPproperties at the CEPC.
Position and momentum operators for a moving particle in bulk
Authors: Guo Wu-zhong
Published: November 2022

In this paper we explore how to describe a bulk moving particle in the dual conformal field theories (CFTs). One aspect of this problem is to construct the dual state of the moving particle. On the other hand one should find the corresponding operators associated with the particle. The dynamics of the particle, i.e., the geodesic equation, can be formulated as a Hamiltonian system with canonical variables. The achievements of our paper are to construct the dual CFT states and the operators corresponding to the canonical variables. The expectation values of the operators give the expected solutions of the geodesic line, and the quantum commutators reduce to the classical Poisson brackets to leading order in the bulk gravitational coupling. Our work provides a framework to understand the geodesic equation, that is gravitational attraction, in the dual CFTs.
MemFHE: End-to-end Computing with Fully Homomorphic Encryption in Memory
Authors: Gupta Saransh , Cammarota Rosario , Šimunić Tajana
Published: November 2022

The increasing amount of data and the growing complexity of problems have resulted in an ever-growing reliance on cloud computing. However, many applications, most notably in healthcare, finance, or defense, demand security and privacy, which today’s solutions cannot fully address. Fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) elevates the bar of today’s solutions by adding confidentiality of data during processing. It allows computation on fully encrypted data without the need for decryption, thus fully preserving privacy. To enable processing encrypted data at usable levels of classic security, e.g., 128-bit, the encryption procedure introduces noticeable data size expansion—the ciphertext is much bigger than the native aggregate of native data types. In this article, we present MemFHE, which is the first accelerator of both client and server for the latest Ring-GSW (Gentry et al. [
17
])-based homomorphic encryption schemes using Processing in Memory (PIM). PIM alleviates the data movement issues with large FHE encrypted data while providing in situ execution and extensive parallelism needed for FHE’s polynomial operations. While the client-PIM can homomorphically encrypt and decrypt data, the server-PIM can process homomorphically encrypted data without decryption. MemFHE’s server-PIM is pipelined and is designed to provide flexible bootstrapping, allowing two encryption techniques and various FHE security levels based on the application requirements. We evaluate MemFHE for various security levels and compare it with state-of-the-art CPU implementations for Ring-GSW-based FHE. MemFHE is up to 20
k
× (265×) faster than CPU (GPU) for FHE arithmetic operations and provides on average 2,007× higher throughput than [
36
] while implementing neural networks with FHE.
Algorithm 1031: MQSI—Monotone Quintic Spline Interpolation
Authors: Lux Thomas , Watson Layne T. , Chang Tyler , Thacker William
Published: November 2022

MQSI is a Fortran 2003 subroutine for constructing monotone quintic spline interpolants to univariate monotone data. Using sharp theoretical monotonicity constraints, first and second derivative estimates at data provided by a quadratic facet model are refined to produce a univariate C
2
monotone interpolant. Algorithm and implementation details, complexity and sensitivity analyses, usage information, a brief performance study, and comparisons with other spline approaches are included.
The Naked Mole-Rat as a Model for Healthy Aging
Authors: Oka Kaori , Yamakawa Masanori , Kawamura Yoshimi , Kutsukake Nobuyuki , Miura Kyoko
Published: November 2022

Naked mole-rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are the longest-lived rodents with a maximum life span exceeding 37 years. They exhibit a delayed aging phenotype and resistance to age-related functional decline/diseases. Specifically, they do not display increased mortality with age, maintain several physiological functions until nearly the end of their lifetime, and rarely develop cancer and Alzheimer's disease. NMRs live in a hypoxic environment in underground colonies in East Africa and are highly tolerant of hypoxia. These unique characteristics of NMRs have attracted considerable interest from zoological and biomedical researchers. This review summarizes previous studies of the ecology, hypoxia tolerance, longevity/delayed aging, and cancer resistance of NMRs and discusses possible mechanisms contributing to their healthy aging. In addition, we discuss current issues and future perspectives to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying delayed aging and resistance to age-related diseases in NMRs.
Spin Seebeck Effect: Sensitive Probe for Elementary Excitation, Spin Correlation, Transport, Magnetic Order, and Domains in Solids
Authors: Kikkawa Takashi , Saitoh Eiji
Published: November 2022

The spin Seebeck effect (SSE) refers to the generation of a spin current as a result of a temperature gradient in a magnetic material, which can be detected electrically via the inverse spin Hall effect in a metallic contact. Since the discovery of the SSE in 2008, intensive studies on the SSE have been conducted to elucidate its origin. SSEs appear in a wide range of magnetic materials including ferro-, ferri-, and antiferromagnets and also paramagnets with classical or quantum spin fluctuation. SSE voltage reflects fundamental properties of a magnet, such as elementary excitation, static magnetic order, spin correlation, and spin transport. In this article, we review recent progress on the SSE in various systems, with particular emphasis on its emerging role as a probe of these magnetic properties in solids. We also briefly discuss the recently discovered nuclear SSE.