bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Minnesota attributable risk of kidney donation (MARKD) study: a retrospective cohort study of long-term (> 50 year) outcomes after kidney donation compared to well-matched healthy controls
Authors: Vock David M. , Helgeson Erika S. , Mullan Aidan F. , Issa Naim S. , Sanka Sujana , Saiki Alison C. , Mathson Kristin , Chamberlain Alanna M. , Rule Andrew D. , Matas Arthur J.
Published: May 2023

Background

There is uncertainty about the long-term risks of living kidney donation. Well-designed studies with controls well-matched on risk factors for kidney disease are needed to understand the attributable risks of kidney donation.

Methods

The goal of the Minnesota Attributable Risk of Kidney Donation (MARKD) study is to compare the long-term (> 50 years) outcomes of living donors (LDs) to contemporary and geographically similar controls that are well-matched on health status. University of Minnesota (n = 4022; 1st transplant: 1963) and Mayo Clinic LDs (n = 3035; 1st transplant: 1963) will be matched to Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) controls (approximately 4 controls to 1 donor) on the basis of age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The REP controls are a well-defined population, with detailed medical record data linked between all providers in Olmsted and surrounding counties, that come from the same geographic region and era (early 1960s to present) as the donors. Controls will be carefully selected to have health status acceptable for donation on the index date (date their matched donor donated). Further refinement of the control group will include confirmed kidney health (e.g., normal serum creatinine and/or no proteinuria) and matching (on index date) of body mass index, smoking history, family history of chronic kidney disease, and blood pressure. Outcomes will be ascertained from national registries (National Death Index and United States Renal Data System) and a new survey administered to both donors and controls; the data will be supplemented by prior surveys and medical record review of donors and REP controls. The outcomes to be compared are all-cause mortality, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and mortality, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trajectory and chronic kidney disease, pregnancy risks, and development of diseases that frequently lead to chronic kidney disease (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, and obesity). We will additionally evaluate whether the risk of donation differs based on baseline characteristics.

Discussion

Our study will provide a comprehensive assessment of long-term living donor risk to inform candidate living donors, and to inform the follow-up and care of current living donors.
Esculetin releases maturation arrest and induces terminal differentiation in leukemic blast cells by altering the Wnt signaling axes
Authors: Mathur Ankit , Gangwar Aman , Saluja Daman
Published: May 2023

Background

The “Differentiation therapy” has been emerging as a promising and more effective strategy against acute leukemia relapses.

Objective

In extension to the revolutionising therapeutic outcomes of All Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) to induce terminal differentiation of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemic (APL) blast cells, we decipher the potential effect of a natural compound “Esculetin” to serve as a differentiating agent in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Underlaying role of Wnt signaling pathways in esculetin mediated blast cell differentiation was also evaluated.

Methods

Human acute myeloid leukemic cells (Kasumi-1) with t(8;21/AML-ETO) translocation were used as a model system. Growth inhibitory and cytotoxic activity of esculetin were analysed using growth kinetics and MTT assay. Morphological alterations, cell scatter characteristics, NBT reduction assay and cell surface marker expression patterns were analysed to detect terminally differentiated phenotypes. We employed RT2profiler PCR array system for the analysis of transcriptome profile of Wnt signaling components. Calcium inhibitors (TMB8 and Amlodipine) and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were used to modulate the Wnt signaling axes.

Results

We illustrate cytotoxic as well as blast cell differentiation potential of esculetin on Kasumi-1 cells. Morphological alterations akin to neutrophilic differentiation as well as the corresponding acquisition of myeloid lineage markers indicate terminal differentiation potential of esculetin in leukemic blast cells. Exposure to esculetin also resulted in downregulation of canonical Wnt axis while upto ~ 21 fold upregulation of non-canonical axis associated genes.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the importance of selective use of calcium pools as well as “axis shift” of the canonical to non-canonical Wnt signaling upon esculetin treatment which might abrogate the inherent proliferation to release maturation arrest and induce the differentiation in leukemic blast cells. The current findings provide further therapeutic interventions to consider esculetin as a potent differentiating agent to counteract AML relapses.
Heterogeneity of non-suicidal self-injury behavior in adolescents with depression: latent class analysis
Authors: He He , Hong Lan , Jin Wei , Xu Yao , Kang Wei , Liu Jie , Song Jingyao , Zheng Tiansheng , Chen Hong , Zhao Ke
Published: May 2023

Background

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) by adolescent patients with depression has become a serious public health problem. This cross-sectional study aims to identify subgroups of adolescents based on NSSI and explore the factors related to these subgroups.

Methods

The study recruited 326 in- and out-patient adolescents (263 girls and 63 boys) aged 12 to 18 years (mean = 14.7, SD = 1.6) who had self-injured in the past year. Latent class indicators included 12 NSSI variables, as well as suicidal ideation. Logistic regression examined associations between identified classes and related factors.

Results

In this study, two distinct subgroups were identified: a “high suicidal ideation NSSI group” (n = 129, 39.6%) and a “low suicidal ideation NSSI group” (n = 197, 60.4%). Depression (OR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05–1.16), female (OR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.09–3.69), left-behind experience (OR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.17–3.71), single-parent family (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.11–3.04) and peer victimization (OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.05) increases the probability of belonging to the “high suicidal ideation NSSI group”. A high level of perceived social support (OR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99) was a protective factor towards NSSI.

Conclusions

This study identifies two subgroups of NSSI and the factors associated with each subgroup. The early identification of high-risk groups for major NSSI in adolescents diagnosed with depression is possible due to the identification of correlating factors. Different treatment plans can be developed for different subtypes of NSSI to improve the effectiveness of prevention and intervention, promoting the healthy physical and mental development of adolescents with depression.
The Bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: implementation in a rural clinical setting
Authors: Eide Thorstein Olsen , Hjelle Kay Morten , Sætre Ida Ueland , Solem Stian , Olsen Thorbjørn , Sköld Rolf Olof , Kvale Gerd , Hansen Bjarne , Hagen Kristen
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) is a concentrated treatment with individually tailored exposure exercises. The format has shown promising results in the treatment of panic disorder.

Aim

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of the B4DT in a large sample in a rural clinical setting.

Method

Fifty-eight patients with panic disorder were consecutively included using an open trial design. The primary outcome measure was the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used as secondary outcome measures. Assessments were conducted at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Treatment satisfaction was measured at posttreatment using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8.

Results

There was a significant reduction in symptoms of panic disorder from pre- to posttreatment (d = 3.36) and from pretreatment to follow-up (d = 3.63). At posttreatment and follow-up, 72.4% and 81.0% of patients, respectively, were classified as in remission. Patients reported high treatment satisfaction, and there were significant reductions in symptoms of generalized anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

The results from the current study replicated the findings from previous studies using a larger sample size. The findings indicate that the B4DT is a promising treatment format for panic disorder. The study also demonstrated that the treatment format can be successfully implemented in new rural clinics.
A descriptive study on clinical department managers’ cognition of the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and factors influencing their cognition
Authors: Zhong Xuemin , Wu Xiaoxiao , Xie Xue , Zhou Qian , Xu Ronghua , Wang Jian , He Lanying , He Yawei , Qiu Xiaobo
Published: May 2023

Background

The mastery and application of the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” (PDCA) cycle by hospital clinical department managers are essential for hospitals to carry out total quality management and continuously improve medical quality. This study investigated the degree of cognition of the PDCA cycle by clinical department managers and the factors affecting their cognition.

Methods

A self-designed questionnaire was used to evaluate the cognition of clinical department managers regarding the PDCA cycle in 11 municipal public Class III Grade A hospitals in Western China.

Results

More than 25% of clinical department managers in the surveyed hospitals are unaware or partially aware of the PDCA cycle. Logistic regression analysis showed that sex (P = 0.049), education (P < 0.001), duty (P < 0.001), and tenure (P = 0.002) had a significant influence on managers’ cognition of PDCA. Participants who were female (P < 0.001), undergraduate (P < 0.001), head nurses, or deputy head nurses (P < 0.001), with a tenure of 5–10 years (P = 0.024) had a better cognition of the PDCA cycle. In the daily management of the department, the vast majority of managers do not implement the Check and Action steps. Among the trained managers, only 65.44% applied the complete PDCA cycle in daily management. Nearly a third of managers thought PDCA was a response to hospital demands; 82.83% of the managers need to receive PDCA cycle training, and half of them indicated a preference for online training.

Conclusions

The cognition level of hospital clinical department managers regarding the PDCA cycle is relatively low, especially among the clinical department heads, and most of them are willing to accept PDCA cycle training.
Encountering suffering in digital care: a qualitative study of providers’ experiences in telemental health care
Authors: Åhs Jill W. , Ranheim Albertine , Eriksson Henrik , Mazaheri Monir
Published: May 2023

Background

Encountering patients who are suffering is common in health care, and particularly when providing mental health care. Telehealth technologies are increasingly used to provide mental health care, yet little is known about the experiences of providers when encountering patients who are suffering within remote care. The present study explored health care providers’ lived experiences of encountering patient suffering during telemental health care.

Methods

A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to uncover participants’ experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of physicians, psychologists, and therapists who used telemental health in varied clinical practices in Sweden. Data were analyzed using descriptive phenomenology.

Results

Telehealth care with patients who were suffering was experienced by providers as loose connections, both literally in compromised functioning of the technology and figuratively in a compromised ability connecting emotionally with patients. Providers’ lived experiences were explicated into the following aspects: insecurity in digital practice, inaccessibility of the armamentarium, and conviction in the value of telehealth care. Interpersonal connection between patient and provider is necessary. Worry and guilt arose for providers with fears that technology would not work, patient status was deteriorated, or the care needed could not be delivered. Providers overcame barriers in telehealth encounters, and expressed they perceived that patients appreciated the care received, and through it found relief.

Conclusions

This study brings an understanding of experiences in providing telemental care for patients who are suffering. Providers experience challenges in connecting with patients, and in accessing tools needed to enable reaching the goals of the caring encounter. Efforts to ensure functioning of technology, comfort with its use, and accessibility of tools might be some accommodations to support providers for successful and rewarding telehealth care encounters.
Comparative assessment of the bacterial communities associated with Anopheles darlingi immature stages and their breeding sites in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Mosquera Katherine D. , Nilsson Louise K. J. , de Oliveira Marta Rodrigues , Rocha Elerson Matos , Marinotti Osvaldo , Håkansson Sebastian , Tadei Wanderli P. , de Souza Antonia Queiroz Lima , Terenius Olle
Published: May 2023

Background

The neotropical anopheline mosquito Anopheles darlingi is a major malaria vector in the Americas. Studies on mosquito-associated microbiota have shown that symbiotic bacteria play a major role in host biology. Mosquitoes acquire and transmit microorganisms over their life cycle. Specifically, the microbiota of immature forms is largely acquired from their aquatic environment. Therefore, our study aimed to describe the microbial communities associated with An. darlingi immature forms and their breeding sites in the Coari municipality, Brazilian Amazon.

Methods

Larvae, pupae, and breeding water were collected in two different geographical locations. Samples were submitted for DNA extraction and high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted. Microbial ecology analyses were performed to explore and compare the bacterial profiles of An. darlingi and their aquatic habitats.

Results

We found lower richness and diversity in An. darlingi microbiota than in water samples, which suggests that larvae are colonized by a subset of the bacterial community present in their breeding sites. Moreover, the bacterial community composition of the immature mosquitoes and their breeding water differed according to their collection sites, i.e., the microbiota associated with An. darlingi reflected that in the aquatic habitats where they developed. The three most abundant bacterial classes across the An. darlingi samples were Betaproteobacteria, Clostridia, and Gammaproteobacteria, while across the water samples they were Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Alphaproteobacteria.

Conclusions

Our findings reinforce the current evidence that the environment strongly shapes the composition and diversity of mosquito microbiota. A better understanding of mosquito–microbe interactions will contribute to identifying microbial candidates impacting host fitness and disease transmission.

Graphical Abstract
Perspectives of adults living with HIV attending the opportunistic infections clinic at Chitungwiza central hospital in Zimbabwe towards physical activity: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kaseke Farayi , Pamire Precious R , Mlambo Tecla , Nhunzvi Clement
Published: May 2023

Background

Regular physical activity and exercise have been shown to be of benefit in managing the HIV disease, its complications and the side effects of HAART. The perceptions of those living with HIV toward physical activity and exercises is a key factor in advocating for participation of rehabilitation personnel in the management of this disease. However, this domain remains underexplored in Zimbabwe.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 327 people living with HIV. Participants were consecutively sampled from Chitungwiza Central Hospital Opportunistic Clinic. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) were respectively used to measure the physical activity level and perceived benefits/barriers of physical exercise among adults living with HIV. The tools were self-administered. The analyses were done for 323 participants using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results

The mean age was 41.1 ± 11.0. Females constituted 69.7% (n = 225) of the sample. The majority of participants (n = 184; 57%) described themselves as being highly physically active (3204;IQR = 2139–4441 MET-minutes/week). Most of the participants agreed that physical activity prevented heart attacks with a mean value of 3.34 ± 0.65. The majority perceived psychological outlook as the greatest benefit from physical activity among the benefit sub-scales. Furthermore, most of the participants agreed that it cost too much for them to exercise which had a mean of 3.00 ± 0.88. Family discouragement was the most agreed perceived barrier to physical activity with a mean of 2.91 ± 0.67. Those who perceived physical activity as being beneficial reported less barriers. A statistically significant association was found between level of physical activity and CD4 cell count (p = 0.035) as well as with employment status (p < 0.05). No statistically significant association was reported between the perceived benefits and the level of physical activity (p = 0.214). A statistically significant association was reported between the perceived barriers and age (p < 0.05) as well as with employment status (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Adults living with HIV receiving HAART at Chitungwiza Central Hospital are highly active when compared to other studies done in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also important to create interventions that promote physical activity considering what this population considers as perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity.
An RMT-based generalized Bayesian information criterion for signal enumeration
Authors: Yuan Shoucheng , Zhang Bin
Published: May 2023

This paper provides a method for enumerating signals impinging on an array of sensors based on the generalized Bayesian information criterion (GBIC). The proposed method motivates by a statistic for testing the sphericity of the covariance matrix when the sample size n is less than the dimension m. The statistic consists of the first four moments of sample eigenvalue distribution and relaxes the assumption of Gaussian distribution. We derive the asymptotical distribution of the statistic as m, n tends to infinity at the same ratio by random matrix theory and propose the expression of GBIC for determining the signal number. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed method has a high probability of detection in both the Gaussian and the non-Gaussian noise, and performs better than other methods.
Seal call recognition based on general regression neural network using Mel-frequency cepstrum coefficient features
Authors: Yao Qihai , Wang Yong , Yang Yixin , Shi Yang
Published: May 2023

In this paper, general regression neural network (GRNN) with the input feature of Mel-frequency cepstrum coefficient (MFCC) is employed to automatically recognize the calls of leopard, ross, and weddell seals with widely overlapping living areas. As a feedforward network, GRNN has only one network parameter, i.e., spread factor. The recognition performance can be greatly improved by determining the spread factor based on the cross-validation method. This paper selects the audio data of the calls of the above three kinds of seals and compares the recognition performance of three machine learning models for inputting MFCC features and low-frequency analyzer and recorder (LOFAR) spectrum. The results show that at the same signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the recognition result of the MFCC feature is better than that of the LOFAR spectrum, which is verified by statistical histogram. Compared with other models, GRNN for inputting MFCC features has better recognition performance and can still achieve effective recognition at low SNRs. Specifically, the accuracy is 97.36%, 93.44%, 92.00% and 88.38% for cases with an infinite SNR and SNR of 10, 5 and 0 dB, respectively. In particular, GRNN has the least training and testing time. Therefore, all results show that the proposed method has excellent performance for the seal call recognition.
Chikungunya seroprevalence in population-based studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Skalinski Lacita Menezes , Santos Aline Elena Sacramento , Paixão Enny , Itaparica Martha , Barreto Florisneide , da Conceição Nascimento Costa Maria , Teixeira Maria Glória
Published: May 2023

Background

Seroprevalence studies about chikungunya infection are usually conducted after epidemics to estimate the magnitude of the attack. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of CHIKV by WHO region, considering the periods of introduction of the virus in these regions and its potential to lead to epidemics.

Methods

We systematically reviewed Medline/Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs, Scopus and Web of Science for original articles published up to 2020. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies were eligible for inclusion, based on the results of laboratory diagnosis of previous or previous and recent infection. Those conducted with symptomatic individuals were excluded.

Results

596 articles were identified, 197 full-text were reviewed and 64 were included, resulting in 71 seroprevalences. Most were cross-sectional studies (92%), between 2001 and 2020 (92%), with population of all ages (55%), conducted in Kenya (10.9%), Brazil (9.4%) and French Polynesia (7.8%). The pooled estimates were 24% (95%CI 19–29; I2 = 99.7%; p < 0.00), being 21% (95%CI 13–30; I2 = 99.5%; p < 0.00) for adults, 7% (95%CI 0–23; I2 = 99.7%; p < 0.00) for children and 30% (95%CI 23–38; I2 = 99.7%; p < 0.00) for all ages. The higher seroprevalences were found in African, the Americas and South-East Asian Regions.

Conclusions

The great heterogeneity of seroprevalences points to the persistence of viral circulation. Even where the seroprevalence is high, the population replacement and the absence of vaccines mean that the risk of virus spread and epidemics remains.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42020166227.
Resource-dependent biodiversity and potential multi-trophic interactions determine belowground functional trait stability
Authors: Zhu Lingyue , Chen Yan , Sun Ruibo , Zhang Jiabao , Hale Lauren , Dumack Kenneth , Geisen Stefan , Deng Ye , Duan Yinghua , Zhu Bo , Li Yan , Liu Wenzhao , Wang Xiaoyue , Griffiths Bryan S. , Bonkowski Michael , Zhou Jizhong , Sun Bo
Published: May 2023

Background

For achieving long-term sustainability of intensive agricultural practices, it is pivotal to understand belowground functional stability as belowground organisms play essential roles in soil biogeochemical cycling. It is commonly believed that resource availability is critical for controlling the soil biodiversity and belowground organism interactions that ultimately lead to the stabilization or collapse of terrestrial ecosystem functions, but evidence to support this belief is still limited. Here, we leveraged field experiments from the Chinese National Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) and two microcosm experiments mimicking high and low resource conditions to explore how resource availability mediates soil biodiversity and potential multi-trophic interactions to control functional trait stability.

Results

We found that agricultural practice-induced higher resource availability increased potential cross-trophic interactions over 316% in fields, which in turn had a greater effect on functional trait stability, while low resource availability made the stability more dependent on the potential within trophic interactions and soil biodiversity. This large-scale pattern was confirmed by fine-scale microcosm systems, showing that microcosms with sufficient nutrient supply increase the proportion of potential cross-trophic interactions, which were positively associated with functional stability. Resource-driven belowground biodiversity and multi-trophic interactions ultimately feedback to the stability of plant biomass.

Conclusions

Our results indicated the importance of potential multi-trophic interactions in supporting belowground functional trait stability, especially when nutrients are sufficient, and also suggested the ecological benefits of fertilization programs in modern agricultural intensification.
Efficient production of salvianic acid A from l-dihydroxyphenylalanine through a tri-enzyme cascade
Authors: Yang Jiahui , Wei Wanqing , Gao Changzheng , Song Wei , Gao Cong , Chen Xiulai , Liu Jia , Guo Liang , Liu Liming , Wu Jing
Published: May 2023

Salvianic acid A (SAA), used for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, possesses several pharmacological properties. However, the current methods for the enzymatic synthesis of SAA show low efficiency. Here, we constructed a three-enzyme cascade pathway in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) to produce SAA from l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). The phenylpyruvate reductase (LaPPR) from Lactobacillus sp. CGMCC 9967 is a rate-limiting enzyme in this process. Therefore, we employed a mechanism-guided protein engineering strategy to shorten the transfer distances of protons and hydrides, generating an optimal LaPPR mutant, LaPPRMu2 (H89M/H143D/P256C), with a 2.8-fold increase in specific activity and 9.3-time increase in kcat/Km value compared to that of the wild type. Introduction of the mutant LaPPRMu2 into the cascade pathway and the optimization of enzyme levels and transformation conditions allowed the obtainment of the highest SAA titer (82.6 g L−1) ever reported in vivo, good conversion rate (91.3%), excellent ee value (99%) and the highest productivity (6.9 g L−1 h−1) from 90 g L−1 L-DOPA in 12 h. This successful strategy provides a potential new method for the industrial production of SAA.

Graphical Abstract
Artificial intelligence-based refractive error prediction and EVO-implantable collamer lens power calculation for myopia correction
Authors: Jiang Yinjie , Shen Yang , Chen Xun , Niu Lingling , Li Boliang , Cheng Mingrui , Lei Yadi , Xu Yilin , Wang Chongyang , Zhou Xingtao , Wang Xiaoying
Published: May 2023

Background

Implantable collamer lens (ICL) has been widely accepted for its excellent visual outcomes for myopia correction. It is a new challenge in phakic IOL power calculation, especially for those with low and moderate myopia. This study aimed to establish a novel stacking machine learning (ML) model for predicting postoperative refraction errors and calculating EVO-ICL lens power.

Methods

We enrolled 2767 eyes of 1678 patients (age: 27.5 ± 6.33 years, 18–54 years) who underwent non-toric (NT)-ICL or toric-ICL (TICL) implantation during 2014 to 2021. The postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) and sphere were predicted using stacking ML models [support vector regression (SVR), LASSO, random forest, and XGBoost] and training based on ocular dimensional parameters from NT-ICL and TICL cases, respectively. The accuracy of the stacking ML models was compared with that of the modified vergence formula (MVF) based on the mean absolute error (MAE), median absolute error (MedAE), and percentages of eyes within ± 0.25, ± 0.50, and ± 0.75 diopters (D) and Bland-Altman analyses. In addition, the recommended spheric lens power was calculated with 0.25 D intervals and targeting emmetropia.

Results

After NT-ICL implantation, the random forest model demonstrated the lowest MAE (0.339 D) for predicting SE. Contrarily, the SVR model showed the lowest MAE (0.386 D) for predicting the sphere. After TICL implantation, the XGBoost model showed the lowest MAE for predicting both SE (0.325 D) and sphere (0.308 D). Compared with MVF, ML models had numerically lower values of standard deviation, MAE, and MedAE and comparable percentages of eyes within ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, and ± 0.75 D prediction errors. The difference between MVF and ML models was larger in eyes with low-to-moderate myopia (preoperative SE >  − 6.00 D). Our final optimal stacking ML models showed strong agreement between the predictive values of MVF by Bland-Altman plots.

Conclusion

With various ocular dimensional parameters, ML models demonstrate comparable accuracy than existing MVF models and potential advantages in low-to-moderate myopia, and thus provide a novel nomogram for postoperative refractive error prediction and lens power calculation.
Masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia that was initially misdiagnosed for polymyositis: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Katagiri Wataru , Saito Daisuke , Maruyama Satoshi , Ike Makiko , Nisiyama Hideyoshi , Hayashi Takafumi , Tanuma Jun-ichi , Kobayashi Tadaharu
Published: May 2023

Background

Masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia (MMTAH) is a relatively newly identified clinical condition that manifests as trismus with a square-shaped mandible. Herein, we report a case of MMATH that was initially misdiagnosed for polymyositis due to trismus and simultaneous lower limb pain, with literature review.

Case presentation

A 30-year-old woman had a history of lower limb pain after exertion for 2 years. Initial physical examination had been performed at the Department of General Medicine in our hospital. There was also redness in the hands and fingers. Although polymyositis was suspected, it was denied. The patient visited our department for right maxillary wisdom tooth extraction.

Clinical examination revealed that the patient had a square-shaped mandible. The maximal mouth opening was 22 mm. There was no temporomandibular joint pain at the time of opening. Furthermore, there was awareness of clenching while working. Panoramic radiography revealed developed square mandibular angles with flattened condyles. Computed tomography showed enlarged masseter muscles with high-density areas around the anterior and lateral fascia. Magnetic resonance imaging also showed thickened tendons and aponeuroses on the anterior surface and inside bilateral masseter muscles. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with MMTAH. Bilateral aponeurectomy of the masseter muscles with coronoidectomy and masseter muscle myotomy was performed under general anesthesia. The maximum opening during surgery was 48 mm. Mouth opening training was started on day 3 after surgery. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen showed that the muscle fibers were enlarged to 60 μm. Immunohistochemistry testing for calcineurin, which was associated with muscle hypertrophy due to overload in some case reports, showed positive results. Twelve months after surgery, the mouth self-opening and forced opening were over 35 mm and 44 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

Herein, we report a case of MMATH. Lower limb pain due to prolonged standing at work and overload due to clenching were considered risk factors for symptoms onset of MMATH.
Specifically designed 10-Fe1Mn1-USY hydrophobicity material for acetone adsorption under high humidity condition
Authors: Nguyen Nhat-Thien , Nguyen Thi-Minh-Phuong , Caparanga Alvin-R , Chiu Yi-Ren , Duong Cong-Chinh , Duong Thi-Thanh , Guan Chung-Yu , Hong Gui-Bing , Chang Chang-Tang
Published: May 2023

Acetone is a solvent used in many laboratories and factories. Serious problems will occur when it is exposed to the environment. Therefore, a new design hydrophobicity bimetallic metal material (10-Fe1Mn1-USY) was prepared for acetone adsorption under conditions of high humidity. Hydrophobic Y type zeolite was used to prepare bimetallic metal materials and the effect of different operating parameters (including different material, humidity, temperature, pollutant concentration, residence time, and regeneration) on the efficiency of acetone treatment was examined. Isothermal adsorption model, kinetics and thermodynamic model analysis were also used to establish the reaction mechanism. The 10-Fe1Mn1-USY material has good adsorption capacity (133 mg g−1) for acetone under a relative humidity of 50%. The main factors affecting the adsorption capacity are the contact angle, hydrophobicity, specific surface area, and Si/Al of the material. The isothermal adsorption and the kinetic adsorption behavior of 10-Fe1Mn1-USY material for acetone are more suitable for the Temkin isotherm adsorption model and the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The adsorption of acetone by 10-Fe1Mn1-USY material is dominated by intra-particle diffusion. According to the thermodynamic analysis results, the adsorption behavior of 10-Fe1Mn1-USY material for acetone is a type of physical adsorption, and a spontaneous and non-sequential reaction.
Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Combined High-Intensity Interval Training Programs on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: WANG LEZHENG , QUAN MINGHUI , NIEMAN DAVID C. , LI FEI , SHI HUI , BAI XINYUE , XIONG TING , WEI XINGYI , CHEN PEIJIE , SHI YUE
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) alone and combined HIIT programs compared with usual care on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and pain related to cancer or cancer-related treatments.

Methods

Articles published prior to January 2023 were searched in the following digital databases: PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Scopus and ScienceDirect. Randomized controlled trials were included that met the following criteria: (i) adult cancer patients and survivors (>18 yr old); (ii) HIIT or combined HIIT programs versus usual care; (iii) assessment of fatigue and pain. Cochrane tool was used for assessing Risk of Bias (RoB) and Review Manager (RevMan 5.2) was used for data analysis.

Results

Based on limited number (12) of studies included, we found HIIT and combined HIIT interventions have significant effect sizes on reducing both CRF (standardized mean difference, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.84; P < 0.001) and cancer-associated pain (standardized mean difference, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.63; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that HIIT and combined HIIT programs can reduce CRF and pain.
Joint and Limb Loading during Gait in Adults with ACL Reconstruction: Comparison between Single-Step and Cumulative Load Metrics
Authors: GARCIA STEVEN A. , PAMUKOFF DEREK N. , JOHNSON ALEXA K. , PALMIERI-SMITH RIANN M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) generally exhibit limb underloading behaviors during walking, but most research focuses on per-step comparisons. Cumulative loading metrics offer unique insight into joint loading as magnitude, duration, and total steps are considered, but few studies have evaluated if cumulative loads are altered post-ACLR. Here, we evaluated if underloading behaviors are apparent in ACLR limbs when using cumulative load metrics and how load metrics change in response to walking speed modifications.

Methods

Treadmill walking biomechanics were evaluated in 21 participants with ACLR at three speeds (self-selected (SS); 120% SS and 80% SS). Cumulative loads per step and per kilometer were calculated using knee flexion and adduction moment (KFM and KAM) and vertical ground reaction force (GRF) impulses. Traditional magnitude metrics for KFM, KAM, and GRF were also calculated.

Results

The ACLR limb displayed smaller KFM and GRF in early and late stances, but larger KFM and GRF during midstance compared with the contralateral limb (P < 0.01). Only GRF cumulative loads (per step and per kilometer) were reduced in the ACLR limb (P < 0.01). In response to speed modifications, load magnitudes generally increased with speed. Conversely, cumulative load metrics (per step and per kilometer) decreased at faster speeds and increased at slow speeds (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Patients with ACLR underload their knee in the sagittal plane per step, but cumulatively over the course of many steps/distance, this underloading phenomenon was not apparent. Furthermore, cumulative load increased at slower speeds, opposite to what is identified with traditional single-step metrics. Assessing cumulative load metrics may offer additional insight into how load outcomes may be impacted in injured populations or in response to gait modifications.
Resisting Their Programming
Authors: Kee Chera
Published: May 2023

Interrogating the biopolitical logics governing life in the Star Wars universe, I use The Clone Wars (2008-2014; 2020) to consider how the franchise challenges the devaluation of some lives while simultaneously marking others as disposable.

The most explicit way The Clone Wars deals with questions of expendability is through the clones. Many clone-centric stories center on clones questioning their status as cannon fodder. Using the clones Cut Lawquane, 99, Gregor, and Fives, I argue that the show promotes the idea of resisting one’s biopolitical fate—but only within limited parameters. Some clones can rise above their status as replaceable bodies; others can’t. As only some clones are able to claim full rights to life, the show’s exploration of the ethical dilemmas of war becomes diluted by a continual devaluing of those lives that are hidden behind masks and designations rather than faces and names.

To that end, I also examine how droids serve as counterparts to the clones: in a narrative universe where droids are often given personalities, some droids are valued as “living” beings while others can be killed without remorse. Yet, it isn’t a droid’s proximity to a human appearance that determines their status; rather, like the clones, it is the degree to which they have clearly distinguishable “human” identities. Thus, not only do both clones and droids serve as expendable weapons, but they also end up in the same unending state of exception that only a select few can ever escape.
Functional outcome after nonoperative management of minimally displaced greater tuberosity fractures and predictors of poorer patient experience
Authors: Makaram Navnit S. , Khan L. A. K. , Jenkins Paul J. , Robinson C. M.
Published: May 2023

Aims

The outcomes following nonoperative management of minimally displaced greater tuberosity (GT) fractures, and the factors which influence patient experience, remain poorly defined. We assessed the early patient-derived outcomes following these injuries and examined the effect of a range of demographic- and injury-related variables on these outcomes.

Methods

In total, 101 patients (53 female, 48 male) with a mean age of 50.9 years (19 to 76) with minimally displaced GT fractures were recruited to a prospective observational cohort study. During the first year after injury, patients underwent experiential assessment using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and assessment of associated injuries using MRI performed within two weeks of injury. The primary outcome was the one-year DASH score. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the effect of patient demographic factors, complications, and associated injuries, on outcome.

Results

The mean DASH score improved from 42.3 (SD 9.6) at six weeks post-injury, to 19.5 (SD 14.3) at one-year follow-up (p < 0.001), but outcomes were mixed, with 30 patients having a DASH score > 30 at one year. MRI revealed a range of associated injuries, with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear present in 19 patients (19%). Overall, 11 patients (11%) developed complications requiring further operative intervention; 20 patients (21%) developed post-traumatic secondary shoulder stiffness. Multivariate analysis revealed a high-energy mechanism (p = 0.009), tobacco consumption (p = 0.033), use of mobility aids (p = 0.047), a full-thickness rotator cuff tear (p = 0.002), and the development of post-traumatic secondary shoulder stiffness (p = 0.035) were independent predictors of poorer outcome.

Conclusion

The results of nonoperative management of minimally displaced GT fractures are heterogeneous. While many patients have satisfactory early outcomes, a substantial subgroup fare much worse. There is a high prevalence of rotator cuff injuries and post-traumatic shoulder stiffness, and their presence is associated with poorer patient experience. Furthermore, patients who have a high-energy injury, smoke, or use walking aids, have worse outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(5):534–542.
The efficacy of split tibial tendon transfers on functional gait outcomes for children and youth with cerebral palsy and spastic equinovarus foot deformities
Authors: Hochstetter-Owen Jennifer , Stott Susan , Williams Sîan A.
Published: May 2023

Aims

To systematically review the efficacy of split tendon transfer surgery on gait-related outcomes for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and spastic equinovarus foot deformity.

Methods

Five databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) were systematically screened for studies investigating split tibialis anterior or split tibialis posterior tendon transfer for spastic equinovarus foot deformity, with gait-related outcomes (published pre-September 2022). Study quality and evidence were assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, the Risk of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Results

Overall, 17 studies (566 feet) were included: 13 studies used clinical grading criteria to report a postoperative ‘success’ of 87% (75% to 100%), 14 reported on orthotic use with 88% reduced postoperative use, and one study reported on ankle kinematics improvements. Ten studies reported post-surgical complications at a rate of 11/390 feet (2.8%), but 84 feet (14.8%) had recurrent varus (68 feet, 12%) or occurrence of valgus (16 feet, 2.8%). Only one study included a patient-reported outcome measure (pain).

Conclusion

Split tendon transfers are an effective treatment for children and youth with CP and spastic equinovarus foot deformities. Clinical data presented can be used for future study designs; a more standardized functional and patient-focused approach to evaluating outcomes of surgical intervention of gait may be warranted.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(5):283–298.
Estimating phase parameters of a three-level system interacting with two classical monochromatic fields in simultaneous and individual metrological strategies
Authors: Abouelkhir Nour-Eddine , Slaoui Abdallah , El Hadfi Hanane , Ahl Laamara Rachid
Published: May 2023

Recently, the Hilbert–Schmidt speed, as a special class of quantum statistical speed, has been reported to improve interferometric phase in a single-parameter quantum estimation. Here, we test this concept in the multiparameter scenario where two laser phases are estimated in a theoretical model consisting of a three-level atom interacting with two classical monochromatic fields. When the atom is initially prepared in the lower bare state, taking into account the detuning parameters, we extract an exact analytical solution of the atomic density matrix in the case of a two-photon resonant transition. Further, we compare the performance of laser phase parameter estimation in individual and simultaneous metrological strategies and explore the role of quantum coherence in improving the efficiency of unknown multiphase shift estimation protocols. The obtained results show that the Hilbert–Schmidt speed detects the lower bound on the statistical estimation error as well as the optimal estimation regions, where its maximal corresponds to the maximal quantum Fisher information; further, the performance of simultaneous multiparameter estimation with individual estimation inevitably depends on the detuning parameters of the three-level atom. Aside from the quantum entanglement, the quantum coherence is also a crucial resource to improve the accuracy of a metrological protocol.
High-throughput multimodal wide-field Fourier-transform Raman microscope
Authors: Ardini B. , Bassi A. , Candeo A. , Genco A. , Trovatello C. , Liu F. , Zhu X. , Valentini G. , Cerullo G. , Vanna R. , Manzoni C.
Published: May 2023

Raman microscopy is a powerful analytical technique for materials and
life sciences that enables mapping the spatial distribution of the
chemical composition of a sample. State-of-the-art Raman microscopes,
based on point-scanning frequency-domain detection, have long (∼1s) pixel dwell times, making it
challenging to acquire images of a significant area (e.g., 100×100µm). Here we present a compact
wide-field Raman microscope based on a time-domain Fourier-transform
approach, which enables parallel acquisition of the Raman spectra on
all pixels of a 2D detector. A common-path birefringent interferometer
with exceptional delay stability and reproducibility can rapidly
acquire Raman maps (∼30min for a 250000pixel image) with high spatial (<1µm) and spectral (∼23cm−1) resolutions. Time-domain detection
allows us to disentangle fluorescence and Raman signals, which can
both be measured separately. We validate the system by Raman imaging
plastic microbeads and demonstrate its multimodal operation by
capturing fluorescence and Raman maps of a multilayer-WSe2 sample, providing complementary
information on the strain and number of layers of the material.
Angie-LAMP for diagnosis of human eosinophilic meningitis using dog as proxy: A LAMP assay for Angiostrongylus cantonensis DNA in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Baláž Vojtech , Rivory Phoebe , Hayward Douglas , Jaensch Susan , Malik Richard , Lee Rogan , Modrý David , Šlapeta Jan
Published: May 2023

Background

Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) is recognised as the leading cause of human eosinophilic meningitis, a serious condition observed when nematode larvae migrate through the CNS. Canine Neural Angiostrongyliasis (CNA) is the analogous disease in dogs. Both humans and dogs are accidental hosts, and a rapid diagnosis is warranted. A highly sensitive PCR based assay is available but often not readily accessible in many jurisdictions. An alternative DNA amplification assay that would further improve accessibility is needed. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of a newly designed LAMP assay to detect DNA of globally distributed and invasive A. cantonensis and Angiostrongylus mackerrasae, the other neurotropic Angiostrongylus species, which is native to Australia.

Methodology/Principal findings

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of A. cantonensis infection (2020–2022) were received for confirmatory laboratory testing and processed for DNA isolation and ultrasensitive Angiostrongylus qPCR targeting AcanR3390. A newly designed LAMP assay targeting the same gene target was directly compared to the reference ultrasensitive qPCR in a diagnostic laboratory setting to determine the presence of A. cantonensis DNA to diagnose CNA. The LAMP assay (Angie-LAMP) allowed the sensitive detection of A. cantonensis DNA from archived DNA specimens (Kappa = 0.81, 95%CI 0.69–0.92; n = 93) and rapid single-step lysis of archived CSF samples (Kappa = 0.77, 95%CI 0.59–0.94; n = 52). Only A. cantonensis DNA was detected in canine CSF samples, and co-infection with A. mackerrasae using amplicon deep sequencing (ITS-2 rDNA) was not demonstrated. Both SYD.1 and AC13 haplotypes were detected using sequencing of partial cox1.

Conclusions/Significance

The Angie-LAMP assay is a useful molecular tool for detecting Angiostrongylus DNA in canine CSF and performs comparably to a laboratory Angiostrongylus qPCR. Adaptation of single-step sample lysis improved potential applicability for diagnosis of angiostrongyliasis in a clinical setting for dogs and by extension, to humans.