bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Present bias and externalities: Can government intervention raise welfare?
Authors: Kotsogiannis Christos , Schwager Robert
Published: March 2022

Quasi‐hyperbolic discounted preferences imply that consumers overemphasize immediate current rewards and overlook future ones (they have a “bias for the present”). Within this context the literature has emphasized that the misalignment between immediate and future rewards can be rectified by government policy. Importantly, it has also been shown that intervention by a government that shares the same biased intertemporal preferences with consumers does not deliver welfare improvements. Focusing on the latter, this paper identifies conditions under which, in the presence of quasi‐hyperbolic preferences and a market imperfection (which takes the form of a negative externality), intervention by a present‐biased government is welfare enhancing. This is the case if the market imperfection is sufficiently strong or the consumers' bias for the present is weak.
Postradioiodine Graves' management: The PRAGMA study
Authors: Perros Petros , Basu Ansu , Boelaert Kristien , Dayan Colin , Vaidya Bijay , Williams Graham R. , Lazarus John H. , Hickey Janis , Drake William M. , Crown Anna , Orme Stephen M. , Johnson Andrew , Ray David W. , Leese Graham P. , Jones Thomas Hugh , Abraham Prakash , Grossman Ashley , Rees Aled , Razvi Salman , Gibb Fraser W. , Moran Carla , Madathil Asgar , Žarković Miloš P. , Plummer Zoe , Jarvis Sheba , Falinska Agnieszka , Velusamy Anand , Sanderson Violet , Pariani Nadia , Atkin Stephen L. , Syed Akheel A. , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Nag Sath , Gilbert Jackie , Gleeson Helena , Levy Miles J. , Johnston Colin , Sturrock Nigel , Bennett Stuart , Mishra Biswa , Malik Isha , Karavitaki Niki
Published: March 2022

Objective

Thyroid status in the months following radioiodine (RI) treatment for Graves' disease can be unstable. Our objective was to quantify frequency of abnormal thyroid function post‐RI and compare effectiveness of common management strategies.

Design

Retrospective, multicentre and observational study.

Patients

Adult patients with Graves' disease treated with RI with 12 months' follow‐up.

Measurements

Euthyroidism was defined as both serum thyrotropin (thyroid‐stimulating hormone [TSH]) and free thyroxine (FT4) within their reference ranges or, when only one was available, it was within its reference range; hypothyroidism as TSH ≥ 10 mU/L, or subnormal FT4 regardless of TSH; hyperthyroidism as TSH below and FT4 above their reference ranges; dysthyroidism as the sum of hypo‐ and hyperthyroidism; subclinical hypothyroidism as normal FT4 and TSH between the upper limit of normal and <10 mU/L; and subclinical hyperthyroidism as low TSH and normal FT4.

Results

Of 812 patients studied post‐RI, hypothyroidism occurred in 80.7% and hyperthyroidism in 48.6% of patients. Three principal post‐RI management strategies were employed: (a) antithyroid drugs alone, (b) levothyroxine alone, and (c) combination of the two. Differences among these were small. Adherence to national guidelines regarding monitoring thyroid function in the first 6 months was low (21.4%–28.7%). No negative outcomes (new‐onset/exacerbation of Graves' orbitopathy, weight gain, and cardiovascular events) were associated with dysthyroidism. There were significant differences in demographics, clinical practice, and thyroid status postradioiodine between centres.

Conclusions

Dysthyroidism in the 12 months post‐RI was common. Differences between post‐RI strategies were small, suggesting these interventions alone are unlikely to address the high frequency of dysthyroidism.
Audit of long‐term treatment outcomes of thyrotoxicosis in a single‐centre virtual clinic: The utility of long‐term antithyroid drugs
Authors: Levy Miles J. , Reddy Narendra , Price David , Bhake Ragini , Bremner Emma , Barrowcliffe Mary , Kieffer Veronica , Robinson Carole , Zaccardi Francesco , Howlett Trevor A.
Published: March 2022

Objective

To investigate the long‐term outcomes and prognosis of thyrotoxicosis in a large number of patients in a single UK county (Leicestershire).

Design

Retrospective cohort analysis of 56,741 thyroid function test (TFT) results, treatment modalities and outcomes in a well‐established virtual thyrotoxicosis clinic database.

Patients

One thousand four hundred and eighty‐nine patients were included with a median length of follow‐up of 10.9 years. The aetiology of thyrotoxicosis was autoimmune (85.9%), nodular (9.1%) and mixed (5.0%). Treatment modalities included antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioiodine (RAI; 555 MBq fixed dose) and thyroidectomy.

Methods

We analysed both individual TFTs and groups of sequential TFTs on or after the same thyroid treatment(s), which we describe as 'phase of thyroid care' (POTC). Patients studied entered the virtual clinic between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2010; we exported data on every TFT sample up to April 2020.

Results

ATD had been used in 99.2% (median 2, maximum seven courses) with long‐term ATD (>2 years) in 48%. RAI and thyroidectomy were used more commonly with nodular and mixed aetiology. Overall, T4 was more often controlled than thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), and at the latest follow‐up, T4 was normal in >96%, TSH in >79% and both in >76% of different aetiologies. The mean percentage control of T4 was 85% and TSH 50%; in long‐term ATD courses, this improved to 89% and 62%, respectively. In the latest POTC, control of T4 and TSH was best in cases off treatment (95%/87%) and on T4 without ablative therapy (94%/72%), but was broadly similar in patients on long‐term ATD (90%/68%), after RAI (92%/60%) or after thyroidectomy (91%/58%). After the first course of ATD, remission or hypothyroidism was seen in 47.3% autoimmune, 20.9% nodular and 32.5% mixed, with 90% relapses seen within 4 years. Relapse was more common in patients with ophthalmopathy, but there was no difference between the sexes.

Conclusions

Thyrotoxicosis can be well controlled with minimal specialist clinic attendance using a software‐supported virtual shared‐care scheme. Long‐term ATD appears to be a valid patient choice achieving TFT control comparable to that seen after RAI or surgery. In patients with autoimmune disease, relapse is more common in patients with ophthalmopathy, and hypothyroidism is common after RAI. In nodular disease, we found that spontaneous remission may occur.
Genome‐scale screening in a rat haploid system identifies Thop1 as a modulator of pluripotency exit
Authors: Xu Mei , Zhao Yiding , Zhang Wenhao , Geng Mengyang , Liu Qian , Gao Qian , Shuai Ling
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The rats are crucial animal models for the basic medical researches. Rat embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which are widely studied, can self‐renew and exhibit pluripotency in long‐term culture, but the mechanism underlying how they exit pluripotency remains obscure. To investigate the key modulators on pluripotency exiting in rat ESCs, we perform genome‐wide screening using a unique rat haploid system.

Materials and Methods

Rat haploid ESCs (haESCs) enable advances in the discovery of unknown functional genes owing to their homozygous and pluripotent characteristics. REX1 is a sensitive marker for the naïve pluripotency that is often utilized to monitor pluripotency exit, thus rat haESCs carrying a Rex1‐GFP reporter are used for genetic screening. Genome‐wide mutations are introduced into the genomes of rat Rex1‐GFP haESCs via piggyBac transposon, and differentiation‐retarded mutants are obtained after random differentiation selection. The exact mutations are elucidated by high‐throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. The role of candidate mutation is validated in rat ESCs by knockout and overexpression experiments, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (p‐ERK1/2) is determined by western blotting.

Results

High‐throughput sequencing analysis reveals numerous insertions related to various pathways affecting random differentiation. Thereafter, deletion of Thop1 (one candidate gene in the screened list) arrests the differentiation of rat ESCs by inhibiting the p‐ERK1/2, whereas overexpression of Thop1 promotes rat ESCs to exit from pluripotency.

Conclusions

Our findings provide an ideal tool to study functional genomics in rats: a homozygous haploid system carrying a pluripotency reporter that facilitates robust discovery of the mechanisms involved in the self‐renewal or pluripotency of rat ESCs.
Conservation status, threats, and information needs of small mammals in Alaska
Authors: Droghini Amanda , Christie Katherine S. , Kelty Rachel R. , Schuette Paul A. , Gotthardt Tracey
Published: March 2022

Small mammals are under‐represented in conservation research relative to other mammals. We assessed the conservation status of 36 small mammal species in Alaska, USA using the Alaska Species Ranking System (ASRS). We also surveyed taxonomic experts to identify threats, conservation actions, and research priorities for five small mammal species of high conservation priority. The ASRS evaluates species' population status, biological vulnerability, and information needs. According to this ranking system, 86% (n = 31) of species were of moderately high conservation priority. Species of highest priority included three species endemic to Alaska and four bats (Order Chiroptera). Most species (n = 24) had low biological vulnerabilities, but high information needs. Taxonomic experts identified direct and indirect climate change effects as important threats for three of the five species assessed. They listed population monitoring, habitat modeling, genetic diversity, and response to climate change as high priorities for future research. Agencies can use the ASRS with expert elicitation to set priorities for research and monitoring. For example, we highlight the need to monitor population trends, which were unknown or uncertain for all species. Finally, we underscore the importance of accounting for data deficiencies to avoid conflating sparse information with low conservation priority.
In December days are shorter but loans are cheaper
Authors: Bertrand Jérémie , Weill Laurent
Published: March 2022

This study analyzes the month‐of‐the‐year effect on lending decisions. Using data from a large US peer‐to‐peer lender, we perform regressions of loan acceptance and loan rate on month dummy variables. We find evidence of a month‐of‐the‐year effect on loan acceptance and loan pricing. December is the best month to ask for a loan, with the highest chance of acceptance and the lowest rate. We test the potential explanations of the calendar anomalies and find some support for trade loading, such that granted loans might be inflated at the end of the quarter to hit quarterly targets.
Prevalence of sequelae after traumatic dental injuries to anterior primary teeth: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Moccelini Bárbara Suelen , Santos Pablo Silveira , Barasuol Jéssica Copetti , Magno Marcela Baraúna , Bolan Michele , Maia Lucianne Cople , Cardoso Mariane
Published: March 2022

Background/Aim

Clinical and radiographic sequelae are common following traumatic dental injuries to primary teeth. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence of such sequelae.

Materials and Methods

Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and BBO/LILACS databases as well as the gray literature. The outcome of interest was the prevalence of the most common sequelae following traumatic dental injuries to anterior primary teeth. Observational studies that evaluated such sequelae were included. Data were extracted, and methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. The number of sequelae per tooth and the total number of teeth evaluated in each study were considered to calculate pooled prevalence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The quality of the evidence was determined using the GRADE approach.

Results

Twenty‐five articles were included in this systematic review and meta‐analysis. The prevalence of each complication in descending order was as follows: 39.7% crown discoloration (95% CI: 29.52–50.32), 24.3% pulp necrosis with infection (95% CI: 17.34–32.06), 16.2% periapical radiolucency (95% CI: 8.88–25.49), 15.9% premature tooth loss (95% CI: 9.93–23.15), 14.8% pulp canal obliteration (95% CI: 8.46–22.73), 11.9% pathological root resorption (95% CI: 7.68–16.98), 7.1% abscess/fistula (95% CI: 4.4–10.6), and 1.8% ankylosis (95% CI: 0.82–3.17). The certainty of the evidence was very low.

Conclusions

Crown discoloration was the most common sequela in injured primary teeth, but this should be interpreted with caution due to the very low certainty of the evidence. Considerable variation was found in the prevalence of each sequela.
Primary radiation therapy in stage I/II indolent orbital lymphoma – a comprehensive retrospective recurrence and toxicity analysis
Authors: Eze Chukwuka , Friedrich Isabelle , Hadi Indrawati , Schmidt‐Hegemann Nina‐Sophie , Hartoyo Sarah Nindya , Trauth Richard , Reitz Daniel , Manapov Farkhad , Siefert Axel , Dreyling Martin , Belka Claus , Li Minglun
Published: March 2022

Purpose or Objective

To provide a comprehensive recurrence and toxicity analysis of patients treated with radiotherapy alone for stage I/II (Ann‐Arbor classification) indolent orbital lymphoma.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 46 patients (and 51 orbits) treated at our centre with radiotherapy between 1995 and 2012 for biopsy‐proven stage I/IIE primary orbital lymphomas. We evaluated treatment response and performed a comprehensive toxicity analysis with correlation to delivered radiation dose.

Results

At diagnosis, the median age was 63.5 years (range: 20–92). At initial diagnosis 43 and 3 patients had unilateral, synchronous bilateral involvement while there were 2 cases of contralateral metachronous failure. The predominant histological subtype was extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue in 42 (91.3%), follicular in 1 (2.2%), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma in 1 (2.2%) and other indolent histology in 2 (4.3%) patients. Most lymphomas were located in the conjunctiva (18/35.3%) or eyelids (18/35.3%). Thirty‐eight (82.6%) patients presented with stage I while 8/46 (17.4%) with stage II disease. The median radiation dose was 39.6 Gy (range: 21.6–48.6 Gy) delivered in 1.8–2 Gy single fractions.

At a median follow‐up of 83 months (range: 7–258 months), the complete remission rate was 98%. A local relapse was observed in 2/51 (3.9%) orbits and 4/46 (8.7%) patients had systemic relapse. The 5‐ and 10‐year PFS rates were 79.2% (95% CI: 73.0%–85.4%) and 67.6% (95% CI: 59.4%–75.8%); 5‐ and 10‐year OS was 83.6% (95% CI: 77.9%–89.3%) and 76.5% (95% CI: 69.4%–83.6%), respectively. In total, 66 acute toxicity events (all‐grade) were observed: 5/51 (9.8%) ≥G2 acute conjunctivitis, 2/51 (3.9%) cases of G2 acute keratitis, 1/51 (2%) cases of ≥G2 ophthalmagia and 12/51 (23.5%) cases of ≥G2 xerophthalmia. Furthermore, 45 chronic adverse events were observed in 34/51 (66.7%) irradiated orbits with 30 late adverse events attributed to cataract.

Conclusion

Our analysis confirms the role of radiotherapy alone at lower doses in the treatment of indolent orbital lymphomas. Further research is required to assess the efficacy of ultra‐low‐dose radiotherapy and anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibodies to further mitigate long‐term sequelae.
Corticospinal excitability and somatosensory information processing of the lower limb muscle during upper limb voluntary or electrically induced muscle contractions
Authors: Kato Tatsuya , Kaneko Naotsugu , Sasaki Atsushi , Endo Nozomi , Yuasa Akiko , Milosevic Matija , Watanabe Katsumi , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: March 2022

Neural interactions between upper and lower limbs underlie motor coordination in humans. Specifically, upper limb voluntary muscle contraction can facilitate spinal and corticospinal excitability of the lower limb muscles. However, little remains known on the involvement of somatosensory information in arm‐leg neural interactions. Here, we investigated effects of voluntary and electrically induced wrist flexion on corticospinal excitability and somatosensory information processing of the lower limbs. In Experiment 1, we measured transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)‐evoked motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of the resting soleus (SOL) muscle at rest or during voluntary or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)‐induced wrist flexion. The wrist flexion force was matched to 10% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). We found that SOL MEPs were significantly increased during voluntary, but not NMES‐induced, wrist flexion, compared to the rest (P < .001). In Experiment 2, we examined somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) following tibial nerve stimulation under the same conditions. The results showed that SEPs were unchanged during both voluntary and NMES‐induced wrist flexion. In Experiment 3, we examined the modulation of SEPs during 10%, 20% and 30% MVC voluntary wrist flexion. During 30% MVC voluntary wrist flexion, P50‐N70 SEP component was significantly attenuated compared to the rest (P = .003). Our results propose that the somatosensory information generated by NMES‐induced upper limb muscle contractions may have a limited effect on corticospinal excitability and somatosensory information processing of the lower limbs. However, voluntary wrist flexion modulated corticospinal excitability and somatosensory information processing of the lower limbs via motor areas.
Sensitivity of infiltration modelling to temporal resolution of rainfall data
Authors: Fachi Suelen M. , Gubiani Paulo I. , de Jong van Lier Quirijn , Mulazzani Rodrigo P. , Reinert Dalvan J.
Published: March 2022

The sensitivity of infiltration predictions by Hydrus‐1D and Green‐Ampt models to rainfall discretisation was investigated by assessing the accuracy of infiltration predictions with rainfall rate profiles at step sizes D between 2 and 1440 min. Five peak rainfall profiles and one sine‐wave rainfall profile, all with a cumulative rainfall amount of 28.8 cm and a duration of 24 h were used. Discrete rainfall profiles were generated based on the peak rainfall profiles for several step sizes. The rainfall profiles were evaluated in a sandy loam with a high saturated hydraulic conductivity and a silt loam with a low saturated hydraulic conductivity for two initial pressure heads. For both models, insensitivity was found below a critical step size Dcrit, whereas high sensitivity was observed above it, Dcrit depending on soil hydraulic conductivity and rainfall peak intensity, regardless of initial pressure head. In the sandy loam, Dcrit was 20–30 (high‐intensity peak) and 70 min (low‐intensity peak); in the silt loam, values were 100 and 200–300 min, respectively. Therefore, rainfall data from common weather station data at D = 60 min allow accurate estimates of infiltration only in low‐conductivity soils or for low‐intensity rainfall. The disaggregation of daily cumulative rainfall into sine‐wave profiles improved predictions in more conductive soils. Results indicate that higher saturated hydraulic conductivity and intensity peak rainfall rate require smaller values of D for the accurate modelling of infiltration with Hydrus‐1D and Green‐Ampt models.

Highlights

Temporal resolution of rainfall data is important in infiltration modelling.

Temporal resolution of rainfall data affects Green‐Ampt and Hydrus‐1D predicted infiltration

Green‐Ampt and Hydrus‐1D cumulative infiltration predictions are insensitive for rainfall resolution ≤20 min

Predictions are more sensitive to rainfall resolution >20 min in soils with higher hydraulic conductivity.
Feature optimization and identification of ovarian cancer using internet of medical things
Authors: Ghazal Taher M. , Taleb Nasser
Published: March 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one kind of tumour that impacts women's ovaries and is hard to diagnose in the initial phase as a primary cause of cancer death. The ovarian cancer information generated by the Clinical Network has been used, and the Self Organizing Map (SOM) and Optimized Neural Networks have suggested a new method for the distinction between ovarian cancer and remaining cancer. Feature optimization and identification of the ovarian cancer (FOI‐OV) framework are proposed in this research. The SOM algorithm has also been used separately to improve the functional subset, with understandable and intriguing information from participants' health information steps. The SOM‐based collection appears to be tolerable in guided learning strategies due to the lack of different classifiers, which would direct the quest for knowledge specific to the classification algorithm. The classification technique will classify data from ovarian cancer as benign/malignant. By optimizing Neural Network configuration, Advanced Harmony Searching Optimization (AHSO) can enhance the ovarian cancer detection method compared with other methods. This research's suggested model can also diagnose cancer with high precision, and low root means square error (RMSE) early. With 94% precision and 0.029%, RMSE, SOM, and NN techniques have shown identification and precision in ovarian cancer. Optimization (AHSO) has provided an efficient classification approach with a better failure rate.
The dark side of IPOs: Examining where and who trades in the IPO secondary market
Authors: Cox Justin , Van Ness Bonnie , Van Ness Robert
Published: March 2022

We analyze the impact of trading dynamics, including fragmentation of markets, undisplayed (dark), and algorithmic trading, on liquidity formation in initial public offerings (IPOs). We find that these various trading dynamics evolve throughout the IPO secondary market and are dependent on the IPO's initial offering‐day underpricing. Higher levels of fragmentation in displayed (lit) markets and algorithmic trading improve market quality in IPOs, while higher levels of undisplayed (dark) trading harm it. Overall, we find that, with the exception of the impact of dark trading, the concerns regarding the impact of fragmented markets and algorithmic trading on IPO liquidity are mostly unwarranted.
Increased precipitation and nitrogen addition accelerate the temporal increase in soil respiration during 8‐year old‐field grassland succession
Authors: Zhang Jiajia , Ru Jingyi , Song Jian , Li Heng , Li Xiaoming , Ma Yafei , Li Zheng , Hao Yuanfeng , Chi Zhensheng , Hui Dafeng , Wan Shiqiang
Published: March 2022

Ecological succession after disturbance plays a vital role in influencing ecosystem structure and functioning. However, how global change factors regulate ecosystem carbon (C) cycling in successional plant communities remains largely elusive. As part of an 8‐year (2012–2019) manipulative experiment, this study was designed to examine the responses of soil respiration and its heterotrophic component to simulated increases in precipitation and atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in an old‐field grassland undergoing secondary succession. Over the 8‐year experimental period, increased precipitation stimulated soil respiration by 11.6%, but did not affect soil heterotrophic respiration. Nitrogen addition increased both soil respiration (5.1%) and heterotrophic respiration (6.2%). Soil respiration and heterotrophic respiration linearly increased with time in the control plots, resulting from changes in soil moisture and shifts of plant community composition from grass–forb codominance to grass dominance in this old‐field grassland. Compared to the control, increased precipitation significantly strengthened the temporal increase in soil respiration through stimulating belowground net primary productivity. By contrast, N addition accelerated temporal increases in both soil respiration and its heterotrophic component by driving plant community shifts and thus stimulating soil organic C. Our findings indicate that increases in water and N availabilities may accelerate soil C release during old‐field grassland succession and reduce their potential positive impacts on soil C accumulation under future climate change scenarios.
Departmental academic support for doctoral students in Russia: Categorisation and effects
Authors: Zhuchkova Svetlana , Terentev Evgeniy , Saniyazova Aray , Bekova Saule
Published: March 2022

Departmental academic support plays an important role in a doctoral journey. However, different types of support may be related to different outcomes. This paper aims to provide a categorisation of types of departmental academic support and analyse the relationship between these different categories of support and doctoral students' confidence that they will complete their dissertations. The empirical base for the research is data from a cross‐institutional survey of doctoral students at six Russian universities. Based on the results of latent class analysis (LCA), we distinguished six types of departmental academic support depending on the functions performed by supervisors, other faculty members and department heads. Consistent with previous research, we found that departmental academic support plays a crucial role in doctoral students' experiences and outcomes, while lack of support is related to a lower level of confidence about completing a dissertation. At the same time, our results provide evidence that excessive collective engagement in doctoral students' work from departmental staff may be less effective than the strong engagement of a supervisor, assisted by informational support from other staff members.
Graduate students in public health predict their actual usage of different library services and resources quite accurately
Authors: Bourgeois John P.
Published: March 2022

Background

Public health students need to use different resources to those used by other health science students.

Objectives

To compare how users expect to interact with library resources and services with how they reported actual interactions and expected future usage, to inform library planning.

Methods

During first semester orientation, a paper questionnaire was administered to graduate students (n = 25), followed by an end of semester questionnaire in a mandatory public health course. Differences (orientation vs. actual and actual vs. predicted future) were analysed using chi‐square tests.

Results

Most graduate students utilized library resources as frequently as they anticipated at the semester's start. Regarding which library resources they would use, respondents' predictions during orientation were accurate. Respondent confidence in their abilities to use the library resources rose by the semester's end, and the group's expectations of using electronic books in the future semester increased significantly.

Discussion

Graduate students had realistic expectations when predicting their library resource usage and difficulties and most expected to value the quiet space as much as they did.

Conclusion

Such tracking of group expectations, experience and predicted usage helps library managers’ plan where support is required.
Preoperative personalization of atrial fibrillation ablation strategy to prevent esophageal injury: Impact of changes in esophageal position
Authors: Nakatani Yosuke , Nuñez‐Garcia Marta , Cheniti Ghassen , Sridi‐Cheniti Soumaya , Bustin Aurélien , Jia Shuman , Goujeau Cyril , André Clementine , Nakashima Takashi , Krisai Philipp , Takagi Takamitsu , Kamakura Tsukasa , Derval Nicolas , Duchateau Josselin , Pambrun Thomas , Chauvel Remi , Sacher Frederic , Hocini Mélèze , Haïssaguerre Michel , Sermesant Maxime , Jais Pierre , Cochet Hubert
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Due to changes in esophageal position, preoperative assessment of the esophageal location may not mitigate the risk of esophageal injury in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to assess esophageal motion and its impact on AF ablation strategies.

Methods and Results

Ninety‐seven AF patients underwent two computed tomography (CT) scans. The area at risk of esophageal injury (AAR) was defined as the left atrial surface ≤3 mm from the esophagus. On CT1, ablation lines were drawn blinded to the esophageal location to create three ablation sets: individual pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), wide antral circumferential ablation (WACA), and WACA with linear ablation (WACA + L). Thereafter, ablation lines for WACA and WACA + L were personalized to avoid the AAR. Rigid registration was performed to align CT1 onto CT2, and the relationship between ablation lines and the AAR on CT2 was analyzed. The esophagus moved by 3.6 [2.7 to 5.5] mm. The AAR on CT2 was 8.6 ± 3.3 cm2, with 77% overlapping that on CT1. High body mass index was associated with the AAR mismatch (standardized β 0.382, p < .001). Without personalization, AARs on ablation lines for individual PVI, WACA, and WACA + L were 0 [0–0.4], 0.8 [0.5–1.2], and 1.7 [1.2–2.0] cm2. Despite the esophageal position change, the personalization of ablation lines for WACA and WACA + L reduced the AAR on lines to 0 [0–0.5] and 0.7 [0.3–1.0] cm2 (p < .001 for both).

Conclusion

The personalization of ablation lines based on a preoperative CT reduced ablation to the AAR despite changes in esophageal position.
Acute‐phase heart rate trajectories and functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Feng Zhiyuan , Qin Huibing , Zhang Yijun , Liu Hongzhao , Wang Anxin , Cheng Aichun , Xu Jie , Meng Xia , Wang Yongjun
Published: March 2022

The heart rate (HR) trajectory is a dynamic metric that shows how HR changes over time. Previous studies have demonstrated that elevated HR is associated with stroke events. However, little research has been done on the influence of shifting HR throughout the acute period on clinical outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effect of HR trajectories on functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). A total of 981 AIS patients were included in the study. A latent mixture model was used to assess HR trends over the first 7 days following disease onset. The patients were divided into four groups based on different HR trajectories: markedly decreasing in 48 h (T1), mildly decreasing in 48 h (T2), sustained moderate in 7 days (T3), and sustained high in 7 days (T4). Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of ≥3 in 3 months. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between different HR trajectories and outcomes. The incidence of poor outcomes was 9.02%, 10.80%, 11.79%, 16.36% in T1 (n = 133), T2 (n = 352), T3 (n = 441), and T4 (n = 55) groups, respectively. Compared with T1 group, T4 group was significantly associated with a higher risk of poor outcome at 3 months (odds ratio = 3.00, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–8.54, p value = .0392). This suggests that in AIS patients, a sustained high HR trajectory is linked to a greater likelihood of poor functional outcome than a markedly decreasing HR trajectory. HR trajectories demonstrate the utility of repeated HR measurements for outcome assessment.
Attenuation of intrinsic ageing of the skin via elimination of senescent dermal fibroblasts with senolytic drugs
Authors: Kim H. , Jang J. , Song M.J. , Kim G. , Park C.‐H. , Lee D.H. , Lee S.‐H. , Chung J.H.
Published: March 2022

Background

Skin ageing is caused by numerous factors that result in structural and functional changes in cutaneous components. Research has shown that senescent cells are known to accumulate in skin ageing, however, the role of senescent cells in skin ageing has not been defined.

Objectives

To elucidate the role of the senescent cell in skin ageing, we evaluated the effect of known senolytic drugs on senescent dermal fibroblasts.

Methods

Primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were induced to senescence by long‐term passaging, UV irradiation, and H2O2 treatment. Cell viability was measured after treatment of ABT‐263 and ABT‐737 on HDFs. Young and aged hairless mice were intradermally injected with drugs or vehicle on the dorsal skin for 10 days. Skin specimens were obtained and reverse‐transcription quantitative PCR, western blotting, and histological analysis were performed.

Results

We found that ABT‐263 and ABT‐737 induced selective clearance of senescent dermal fibroblasts, regardless of the method of senescence induction. Aged mouse skin treated with ABT‐263 or ABT‐737 showed increased collagen density, epidermal thickness, and proliferation of keratinocytes, as well as decreased senescence‐associated secretory phenotypes, such as MMP‐1 and IL‐6.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results indicate that selective clearance of senescent skin cells can attenuate and improve skin ageing phenotypes and that senolytic drugs may be of potential use as new therapeutic agents for treating ageing of the skin.
Dermoscopy of Gottron’s papules and other inflammatory dermatoses involving the dorsa of the hands
Authors: Żychowska M. , Łudzik J. , Witkowski A. , Lee C. , Reich A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Several inflammatory dermatoses, including dermatomyositis (DM), may present as erythematous papules or plaques on the dorsal aspects of the hands over the joints. Limited skin involvement in these entities may pose a diagnostic challenge. (Video)dermoscopy is being utilized more frequently to aid in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory skin conditions.

Objective

To describe the dermoscopic findings in Gottron’s papules and compare them with dermoscopic features of other dermatoses involving the dorsal aspects of the hands.

Methods

Videodermoscopic images from patients presenting with erythematous papules or plaques on the dorsal surface of the hands were retrospectively analysed for the presence of standardized dermoscopic parameters.

Results

Dermoscopic images from patients with DM (n = 12), psoriasis (n = 19), chronic dermatitis (n = 16), mycosis fungoides (n = 7), lichen planus (n = 5) and pityriasis rubra pilaris (n = 3) were included. Gottron’s papules were characterized by pleomorphic vessels (dotted vessels accompanied by thick or thin linear vessels with branches or linear curved vessels) in 66.7% of cases, arranged in an unspecified pattern (91.7%), and accompanied by white or pink structureless areas (75.0%). Psoriatic plaques were characterized by dotted vessels arranged in a uniform pattern (94.7%). Vessels arranged in a ring pattern were nearly exclusively observed in psoriasis, while yellow structureless areas and erosions were more frequently present in chronic dermatitis. White lines, corresponding to Wickham striae, were specific for lichen planus.

Conclusions

Videodermoscopy might be of value in differentiating Gottron’s papules from other dermatoses involving dorsa of the hands.
Effect of grinding on the optical properties of monolithic zirconia
Authors: Corcodel Nicoleta , Herpel Christopher , Rammelsberg Peter , Rion Kevin , Seceleanu Irina
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to analyze the color infiltration in monolithic zirconia after grinding, which plays an essential role in the color stability of restorations after occlusal adjustment.

Methods

One hundred and eight white zirconia plates (36 Dentsply Sirona—Cercon high translucency [C], 36 Zirkonzahn—Prettau [P], 36 Zirkonzahn—Prettau anterior [Pa]) were stained by infiltration with target colors Vita A2, A3.5, and A4. In a standardized experimental setup, all plates were grinded in nine successive steps (from baseline to 500 μm), and color was measured with a spectroradiometer at each grinding step. Color differences ΔE00 between initial color and after each grinding step were calculated. The data was analyzed using regression, Kruskal‐Wallis test, inverse prediction, and simultaneous 95%‐confidence intervals.

Results

Grinding had a significant effect on color stability across all zirconia types and target colors (p < 0.001). At each cut level and target color, ΔE00 means for groups C, P, and Pa were statistically different (p < 0.05). Among the three zirconia types, Pa had the lowest ΔE00 mean score for cut levels 20–100 μm for A2 and between 50 and 300 μm for A3.5 and A4. For all other cut levels, differences between Pa and P were not significant (α = 0.05). C had the largest mean ΔE00 except for A4 until 100 μm, where it was second best.

Conclusion

Zirconia type had a significant effect on the color infiltration depth across all target colors. Pa showed the best color stability until 150 μm material reduction, whereas C presented significantly less color stability than the other two zirconia materials.

Clinical significance

Color stability is important for minimizing the risk of restoration failure due to unacceptable color changes after grinding. Pa is less susceptible to color change and has an additional buffer of 60 μm until exceeding the color acceptability threshold. When higher flexural strength is needed, P is to be preferred.
Can we improve delirium prevention and treatment in the emergency department? A systematic review
Authors: Lee Sangil , Chen Hao , Hibino Seikei , Miller Daniel , Healy Heather , Lee Jacques S. , Arendts Glenn , Han Jin Ho , Kennedy Maura , Carpenter Christopher R.
Published: March 2022

Background

This systematic review was conducted to evaluate any interventions to prevent incident delirium, or shorten the duration of prevalent delirium, in older adults presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Methods

Health sciences librarian designed electronic searches were conducted from database inception through September 2021. Two authors reviewed studies, and included studies that evaluated interventions for the prevention and/or treatment of delirium and excluded non‐ED studies. The risk of bias (ROB) was evaluated by the Cochrane ROB tool or the Newcastle‐Ottawa (NOS) scale. Meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate a pooled effect of multifactorial programs on delirium prevention.

Results

Our search strategy yielded 11,900 studies of which 10 met study inclusion criteria. Two RCTs evaluated pharmacologic interventions for delirium prevention; three non‐RCTs employed a multi‐factorial delirium prevention program; three non‐RCTs evaluated regional anesthesia for hip fractures; and one study evaluated the use of Foley catheter, medication exposure, and risk of delirium. Only four studies demonstrated a significant impact on delirium incidence or duration of delirium—one RCT of melatonin reduced the incidence of delirium (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.62), one non‐RCT study on a multi‐factorial program decreased inpatient delirium prevalence (41% to 19%) and the other reduced incident delirium (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.61). One case–control study on the use of ED Foley catheters in the ED increased the duration of delirium (proportional OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.4). A pooled odds ratio for three multifactorial programs on delirium prevention was 0.46 (95% CI 0.31–0.68, I2 = 0).

Conclusion

Few interventions initiated in the ED were found to consistently reduce the incidence or duration of delirium. Delirium prevention and treatment trials in the ED are still rare and should be prioritized for future research.
Development of stable tocopherol succinate‐loaded ethosomes to enhance transdermal permeation: In vitro and in vivo characterizations
Authors: Akhtar Naheed , Akhtar Naveed
Published: March 2022

Background

Tocopherol succinate (TS) represents synthetic derivative of α‐tocopherol (vitamin E), it act as anti‐aging, moisturizing, and antioxidant. Ultraviolet (UV) photo stability of TS is low, and it cause skin irritation.

Aim

To develop tocopherol succinate loaded ethosomal gel for topical TS delivery and to evaluate its moisturizing and anti‐aging effects.

Method

Cold method technique was used to produce ethosomal formulations (N = 9) by varying ethanol and lipid concentrations (F1–F9). The most optimized formulation (F5) was selected for further study on the basis of characterization. F5 Formulation was incorporated into gel. Ex vivo permeation study was done by using Franz diffusion cell. Non‐invasive in vivo study was performed using corneometer for the evaluation of skin moisture content and skin mechanical properties by using cutometer, for 12 weeks on human subjects (N = 13).

Results

Particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP) and polydispersity index (PDI), Entrapment efficiency were found to be 179.1 nm, −13.7 mV and 0.345, and 99.71%, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) depicted spherical ethosomal particles. Ethosomal gel and control gel were evaluated for conductivity and pH. Rheological analysis revealed a non‐Newtonian flow. The release profile showed initial burst and then, sustained release, release data followed Korsmeyer–Peppas model. TS‐loaded ethosomal gel appeared physically stable and showed significant results in terms of skin capacitance and mechanical properties.

Conclusion

The prepared ethosomal gel formulation containing TS is more stable with enhanced antioxidant, moisturizing properties, and increased TS deposition into the skin layer.
State minimum wage increases delay marriage and reduce divorce among low‐wage households
Authors: Karney Benjamin R. , Wenger Jeffrey B. , Zaber Melanie A. , Bradbury Thomas N.
Published: March 2022

Objective

To estimate the effects of state‐level changes in the minimum wage on marriage and divorce among low‐wage earners.

Background

Proponents of raising the minimum wage highlight the potential benefits of increased earnings for low‐income families, yet to date research on the effects of raising the minimum wage has focused almost exclusively on economic outcomes. No research has yet documented whether these changes actually affect marriage and divorce.

Method

Using the Current Population Survey and the American Community Survey, this project applied a quasi‐experimental difference‐in‐difference method to exploit similarities between states that have, and have not, raised their minimum wage.

Results

Across data sources, among men and women earning low wages, a one‐dollar increase in the state minimum wage predicts a 3%–6% decline in marriage entry and a 7%–15% decline in divorce one and 2 years later.

Conclusion

Both changes are likely to strengthen low‐income families, and are substantially larger effects than those obtained by federal policies directly targeting interpersonal dynamics within low‐income couples.

Implications

Government policies that reduce stress on couples and facilitate their access to resources may improve family outcomes, invisibly and without making additional demands on the time of couples who are already strained.
A theoretical model on how firms can leverage political resources to align with supply chain strategy for competitive advantage
Authors: Grover Abhay K. , Dresner Martin
Published: March 2022

The success of a firm's supply chain strategy depends on resources in the political environment and the supply network in which it operates. If the political environment is not conducive to a firm's supply chain strategy, a firm can either change its supply chain strategy or seek a political environment that is more favorable to its supply chain. This paper examines this second alternative. The structure‐conduct‐performance (SCP) paradigm and the competitive dynamics literature are used to explore the relationships between political actions that leverage supply network resources, supply chain strategies, and firm performance. We extend a well‐known typology of political actions from the strategic management literature and suggest that beyond influencing or complying with the political environment, firms may choose to moderate the political environment (circumvent or submit) or stay neutral (free ride). An integrated model is developed to explore the relationships between political actions and supply chain strategy, along with a series of propositions outlining how political actions can facilitate supply chain risk management strategies. Finally, suggestions are provided for future research.
Ultrasound‐assisted modification of gelation properties of proteins: A review
Authors: Bangar Sneh Punia , Esua Okon Johnson , Sharma Nitya , Thirumdas Rohit
Published: March 2022

Protein gels have diverse applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors due to their affordability, biodegradability, and edibility. However, the inherent properties of some native proteins have a few drawbacks that have to be tailored to meet the needs of specific functions as the food ingredients. The protein gelation properties mainly depend on the protein molecular structure, primarily the folding and unfolding of secondary structural elements (α‐helix and β‐sheets) with distinctive functions. In the past, a great amount of work (thermal, chemical, and enzymatic methods) has been carried out to enhance the gelation and functional properties of proteins. Recently, the traditional methods have been replaced with non‐thermal physical methods that enhance the properties for better applications. One such approach is the use of ultrasonic technology as a low‐cost green technology to modify the molecular orientation attributed to the native chemistry and functionality of that proteins. Ultrasonic technology is important in food systems and can be effectively used as an alternative method to improve the protein gelling characteristics to form high‐quality gels. This article is aimed to comprehensively collate some of the vital information published on the mechanism of protein gelation by ultrasonication and review the effects of ultrasound‐assisted extraction and treatments on gelation properties of different proteins. The enhanced gelation properties by the ultrasound application open a new stage of technology that enables the proteins for better utilization in the food processing sector.
The impact of point‐of‐care hepatitis C testing in needle and syringe exchange programs on linkage to care and treatment uptake among people who inject drugs: An Australian pilot study
Authors: Howell Jessica , Traeger Michael W. , Williams Bridget , Layton Chloe , Doyle Joseph S. , Latham Ned , Draper Bridget , Bramwell Frances , Membrey Dean , McPherson Maggie , Roney Janine , Stoové Mark , Thompson Alexander J. , Hellard Margaret E. , Pedrana Alisa
Published: March 2022

Point‐of‐care (POC) diagnostics overcome barriers to conventional hepatitis C (HCV) testing in people who inject drugs. This study assessed impact on hepatitis C treatment uptake of POC HCV testing in needle and syringe exchange programs (NSPs). Rapid EC was a single‐arm interventional pilot study of HCV POC testing conducted in three inner‐city community clinics with NSPs. Twelve months after the POC testing, a retrospective medical record and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme audit was performed to determine the number of HCV RNA‐positive participants who were prescribed HCV treatment. 70 HCV RNA‐positive Rapid EC study participants were included. 44 (63%) were prescribed DAAs; 26 (59%) completed treatment and 15 (34%) had SVR testing, all of whom were cured. Age ≥ 40 years (aOR 3.45, 95% CI 1.10–11.05, p = .03) and secondary school education (aOR 5.8, 95% CI 1.54–21.80, p = .009) had higher likelihood of being prescribed DAAs, whereas homelessness was inversely associated with prescription of DAAs (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09–1.04, p = .057). Median time to receive a DAA script from date of diagnosis was seven days (IQR 0 to 14 days), and time to filling the DAA prescription was 2 days (IQR 0–12 days). In conclusion, provision of POC testing through NSPs was effective for linking new clients to HCV treatment and reduced the time to treatment. Further studies are needed to define the most cost‐effective use of POC testing in models of care for people who inject drugs to increase HCV treatment uptake.