bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Exploration of Moringa Leaves’ Antibacterial in Biodegradable Detergent Production Through Application of Eco-enzyme Synthesis
Authors: Sulfa Devi Mariya , Susanto Hendra , Hasanah Samudra Mutiara
Published: January 2024

Nowadays, organic waste from plants cannot be processed optimally. One of the solutions to protect the environment is to thoroughly process organic waste into an alternative eco-enzyme that is useful in making biodegradable detergents. Alternative sources of biosurfactant production can be substituted with alternative materials that are more environmentally friendly, such as Moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera). The purpose of this study was to: (1) produce biodegradable detergents processed through the synthesis of eco-enzymes and Moringa leaves surfactants, (2) find out the value of pH test, organoleptic test, and antibacterial test, and (3) explore the Moringa leaves’ antibacterial in biodegradable detergent production. The method used in this study included maceration, filtration, and evaporation using a rotary evaporator to get pure Moringa surfactants. Detergent is made by adding eco-enzymes which have been synthesized through a fermentation from organic matter. The quality control of products including organoleptic tests, pH, and antibacterial tests which are then compared with commercial detergents. Optimum biosurfactant results were obtained at an extract concentration of 45%. Liquid detergent showed physicochemical properties produced in accordance with SNI standards with a pH of 11. The results of the biosurfactant antibacterial test were 15.9 mm, 14.6 mm, and 15.2 mm. This study shows that the quality of the detergent is good, which is categorized as strong antibacterial strength.
Chemical Content and Pharmacology of Pomelo Orange (Citrus Maxima) Fruit Peel: A Review
Authors: Ajirul Abiq Moh. , Sutrisno  , Marfuah Siti
Published: January 2024

Pomelo (Citrus maxima) is one of the citrus species that is widely consumed. Consumption of pomelo oranges produces fruit peels that tend to be underutilized, so it may produce some waste. Most of the reported research has been extensively studied for its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. The objective of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical compounds and pharmacological activity of the pomelo peel as an introduction to further research related to structure determination and activity testing. Several phytochemicals have been reported from Citrus maxima fruit peel including flavonoids, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, phenolics, steroids, and essential oils. These phytochemicals also exhibit some pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, insecticidal, antialzheimer, and antidiabetic. Further research is needed to explore the fruit peel extract’s activities and compounds in more detail for drug design, herbal products, and or functional foods. Proposed development based on pharmacological activities such as external remedies, internal remedies, dietary supplements, and pesticides.
Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Vandetanib in
the Treatment of Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Xian Tong-cheng , Yang Min-ye , Zhang Xue-lin , Wang Jie , Luo Yi
Published: January 2024

The aim of the work was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of
Vandetanib in the treatment of advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). MeSH
entries to search for randomized controlled trials and clinical research
literature on the application of Vandetanib in the treatment of medullary
thyroid cancer from PubMed, Chinese national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI),
and Web of Science databases since their establishment until March 2023 were
used. In terms of efficacy, the analysis results showed that Vandetanib had a
significantly higher objective response rate compared to the control group using
placebo (OR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.38, 3.29). In terms of side effects,
Vandetanib significantly increases the incidence of hypertension, rash, and
diarrhea, and has statistical significance (p+<+0.05).
Vandetanib has a better therapeutic effect on MTC, but it also increases the
incidence of hypertension, rash, and diarrhea. Attention should be paid to the
relief of side effects when using it.
Investigation of Factors Affecting the Rate of High-Boiling-Point Solvent Removal Using a Rotary Evaporator
Authors: Zhang Qian , Chen Yinzhe , Wang Weiding
Published: January 2024

Factors that might affect the removal time of high-boiling-point solvents with a rotary evaporator were examined. Considering several essential factors, the optimized conditions for removing a high-boiling-point solvent are suggested. The results and discussion from this work can serve as a reference for current and future organic chemists. Finally, two examples of fast and successful dehydration reactions are given to demonstrate that the rotary evaporator can be used to conduct organic syntheses.
Political connection and credit risk of real estate enterprises: evidence from stock market
Authors: Chen Rongda , Yu Jingjing , Jin Chenglu , Chen Xinyang , Yang Liu , Zhang Shuonan
Published: January 2024

Although extensive research has examined the credit risk of real estate enterprises, the relationship between the political connection of real estate enterprises and these enterprises’ credit risk has not been formally studied. Using the panel data of 123 real estate listed companies in the Chinese stock market from 2008 to 2021, this paper finds a significant positive correlation between the political connection of private real estate listed companies and their credit risk. This phenomenon is attributed to the excessive debt that benefits from political connections since it may raise the credit risk of any real estate firm. Interestingly, considering that 2013 is the first year of China’s Internet finance era, we find that the popularity of Internet finance and other decentralized lending financing channels may enhance the impact of political connections on real estate credit risk. Our findings provide new micro evidence for the influencing factors and mechanism of credit risk of real estate enterprises during the recent “credit crisis” in the real estate market in China.
Composition-based phase stability model for multicomponent metal alloys
Authors: Spendlove Jay C. , Fong Bryan H. , Martin John H. , O’Masta Mark R. , Pan Andrew , Schaedler Tobias A. , Isaacs Eric B.
Published: January 2024

The vastness of the space of possible multicomponent metal alloys is hoped to provide improved structural materials but also challenges traditional, low-throughput materials design efforts. Computational screening could narrow this search space if models for materials stability and desired properties exist that are sufficiently inexpensive and accurate to efficiently guide experiments. Toward this effort, here we develop a method to rapidly assess the thermodynamic stability of a metal alloy composition of an arbitrary number of elements, stoichiometry, and temperature based on density functional theory (DFT) data. In our model, the Gibbs free energy of the solid solution contains binary enthalpy contributions and ideal configurational entropy, whereas only enthalpy is considered for intermetallic competing phases. Compared to a past model for predicting the formation of single-phase high-entropy alloys [M. C. Troparevsky et al., Phys. Rev. X 5, 011041 (2015)], our method is similarly inexpensive, since it assesses enthalpies based on existing DFT data, but less heuristic, more broadly applicable, and more accurate (70%–75%) compared to experiment.
Solution-based electrical doping of organic photovoltaics with non-fullerene acceptors facilitated by solvent vapor pre-treatment
Authors: Chang Yi-Chien , Larrain Felipe A. , Fuentes-Hernandez Canek , Park Youngrak , Kippelen Bernard
Published: January 2024

Solution-based electrical doping of organic semiconductors using 12-molybdophosphoric acid (PMA) hydrate has been shown to allow p-type doping of conjugated polymers over a limited depth from the surface, enabling the fabrication of organic solar cells with a simplified device architecture. However, the doping level of certain conjugated polymers using PMA was found to be limited by the polymer film volume. Here, we report a modified PMA doping technique based on film volume expansion that is applicable to device fabrication, leading to hole-collecting layer-free non-fullerene organic photovoltaic devices, which exhibit a comparable photovoltaic performance to those with a commonly evaporated MoO3 hole-collecting layer.
A quantum of information in black hole evaporation
Authors: van Putten Maurice H P M
Published: January 2024

Black holes evolve by evaporation of their event horizon. While this process is believed to be unitary, there is no consensus on the recovery of information in black hole entropy. A missing link is a quantum of information in black hole evaporation. Distinct from Hawking radiation, we identify evaporation in entangled pairs by

P

2

topology of the event horizon consistent with the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy in a uniformly spaced horizon area. It derives by continuation of

P

2

in Rindler spacetime prior to gravitational collapse, subject to a tight correlation of the fundamental frequency of quasi-normal-mode ringing in gravitational and electromagnetic radiation. Information extraction from entangled pairs by detecting one over the surface spanned by three faces of a large cube carries a quantum of information

2

k
B

log
3

upon including measurement of spin.
A simple model for the prediction of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, depending on global CO2 emissions
Authors: Vollmer M , Eberhardt W
Published: January 2024

We present a very simple model for estimating time dependent atmospheric CO2 concentrations c(t) from global carbon emission scenarios, serving as single input data. We derive a single linear differential equation of 1st order, based on parameters which are estimated from quantitative data of the global carbon project and Mauna Loa data for CO2 concentrations. The model is tested first by comparing it to the 1960–2021 period with reasonably good quantitative agreement and, second to two of the typical current IPCC scenarios with good qualitative agreement. Finally, some new emission scenarios are modelled. Despite several drawbacks concerning absolute quantitative predictions, there are two important advantages of the model. First, it can be easily executed by students already with simple programmable spreadsheet programs such as Excel. Second input emission scenarios can be changed easily and expected changes are immediately seen for discussion during undergraduate and graduate courses on the carbon cycle and climate change.
Fabrication of a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) with dual heterogeneous piezoelectric thin film stacking
Authors: Qi Xuanmeng , Yoshida Shinya , Risquez Sarah , Ghosh Anirban , Moridi Mohssen , Tanaka Shuji
Published: January 2024

In this study, a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) was developed using dual heterogeneous piezoelectric thin films stacked on top of each other. One piezoelectric layer is specialized for the actuation, while the other is specialized for the reception of the ultrasonic waves. This combined use of two materials promises to realize a pMUT transceiver array with an excellent transmitting and receiving performance and a high fill factor. Taking fabrication feasibility into consideration, AlN/Pb(Mg1/3, Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) and Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT)/AlN pMUTs were selected as two candidates for prototyping as the dual-layer pMUTs. The driving tests were performed by actuation of each piezoelectric layer and a resonance frequencies around 265 kHz and 203 kHz were confirmed for AlN/PMN-PT and PZT/AlN pMUT, respectively. The diaphragm of AlN/PMN-PT pMUT has a displacement sensitivity of 3538 nm V−1 and 306 nm V−1 when actuating PMN-PT layer and AlN layer at resonance frequency, respectively. While the diaphragm of PZT/AlN pMUT has a displacement sensitivity of 1036 nm V−1 and 744 nm V−1 when actuating the PZT layer and the AlN layer at the resonance frequency, respectively.
Investigating thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of a hybrid material based on cellulose nanofibers and boron nitride nanotubes using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Ray Upamanyu , Pang Zhenqian , Li Teng
Published: January 2024

Cellulose nanofibers (NFCs) have emerged as a preferred choice for fabricating nanomaterials with exceptional mechanical properties. At the same time, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have long been favored in thermal management devices due to their superior thermal conductivity (k). This study uses reverse non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate k for a hybrid material based on NFCs and BNNTs. The result is then compared with pure NFC and BNNT-based structures with equivalent total weight content to elucidate how incorporating BNNT fillers enhances k for the hybrid system. Furthermore, the fundamental phonon vibration modes responsible for driving thermal transport in NFC-based materials upon incorporating BNNTS are identified by computing the vibrational density of states from the Fourier transform analysis of the averaged mass-weighted velocity autocorrelation function. Additionally, MD simulations demonstrate how both NFCs and BNNTs synergistically improve the constituting hybrid structure’s mechanical properties (e.g. tensile strength and stiffness). The overarching aim is to contribute towards the engineered design of novel functional materials based on nanocellulose that simultaneously improve crucial physical properties pertaining to thermal transport and mechanics.
Anomalous hot electron generation via stimulated Raman scattering in plasma with up-ramp density profiles
Authors: Jiang X Y , Weng S M , Ma H H , Wu C F , Liu Z , Chen M , Eliasson B , Sheng Z M
Published: January 2024

We investigate the evolution and propagation of the electron plasma waves (EPWs) excited by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in the inhomogeneous plasma theoretically and numerically with particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. A theoretical model of EPWs in inhomogeneous plasmas is presented, which shows that the evolution of the EPW wavenumber is mainly related to the plasma density profile rather than the plasma electron temperature, in agreement with PIC simulations. When the density gradient is positive along the propagation direction of an EPW, its wavenumber decreases with time and consequently its phase velocity increases continuously, causing the trapped electrons to be accelerated to anomalous high energy. Furthermore, it is found that the Langmuir decay instability tends to reduce the levels of SRS saturation and electron acceleration and produce hot electrons in the opposite direction. This work provides a new understanding of electron heating due to SRS excitation.
Anisotropic structural and optical properties of semi-polar (20–21) InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells grown on patterned sapphire substrates
Authors: Zhang Yun , Gong Maogao , Xing Kun , Xu Feifan , Tao Tao , Xie Zili , Liu Bin , Zhang Rong
Published: January 2024

Semi-polar orientation owns the advantage of reduced internal piezoelectric fields by tilting the growth direction away from the conventional c-direction. The crystal symmetry and the balanced biaxial stress in growth plane are inevitably broken in the semi-polar orientation, leading to the appearance of anisotropic properties in both structural and optical performance. This report has investigated the structural and optical properties of semi-polar (20–21) InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells overgrown on patterned sapphire substrates with a wide wavelength range from 415 nm to 521 nm. Polarization switching was not observed on these semi-polar (20–21) samples. The polarization ratio monotonically increases from 0.18 to 0.43 with increasing the emission wavelength, and the energy difference simultaneously increases from 17 meV to 29 meV. As increasing the excitation laser power, the polarization ratio drops slightly while the energy difference remains stable, indicating a saturation of the recombination to the topmost valence subband. These results help exploit the anisotropic structural and optical properties of semi-polar nitrides and promote the development of highly polarized light source for the application in the fields of display and communication.
Review on magnetic/nonmagnetic heterojunction interface effects on spintronic MTJ devices
Authors: Yuan Yuhai , Jiang Yanfeng
Published: January 2024

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), as the core storage unit of magneto resistive random-access memory, plays important role in the cutting-edge spintronics. In the MTJ devices, there are multiple internal magnetic/nonmagnetic heterojunction structures. The heterojunction always consists of magnetic metals and magnetic insulators or nonmagnetic metals. The interface of the heterojunction has certain physical effects that can affect the performance of MTJ devices. In the review, combined with the existing research results, the physical mechanism of magnetic/non-magnetic heterojunction interface coupling is discussed. The influence of the interface effect of the heterojunction on the performance of MTJ devices is studied. The optimization method is proposed specifically. This work systematically summarizes the interface effect of magnetic/non-magnetic heterojunction, which could be the critical aspect for the device’s yield and reliability.
Analysis of satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution with adaptive optics
Authors: Marulanda Acosta V , Dequal D , Schiavon M , Montmerle-Bonnefois A , Lim C B , Conan J-M , Diamanti E
Published: January 2024

Future quantum communication infrastructures will rely on both terrestrial and space-based links integrating high-performance optical systems engineered for this purpose. In space-based downlinks in particular, the loss budget and the variations in the signal propagation due to atmospheric turbulence effects impose a careful optimization of the coupling of light in single-mode fibers required for interfacing with the receiving stations and the ground networks. In this work, we perform a comprehensive study of the role of adaptive optics (AO) in this optimization, focusing on realistic baseline configurations of prepare-and-measure quantum key distribution, with both discrete and continuous-variable encoding, and including finite-size effects. Our analysis uses existing experimental turbulence datasets at both day and night time to model the coupled signal statistics following a wavefront distortion correction with AO, and allows us to estimate the secret key rate for a range of critical parameters, such as turbulence strength, satellite altitude and ground telescope diameter. The results we derive illustrate the interest of adopting advanced AO techniques in several practical configurations.
The effects of gravitational and magnetic fields on the propagation of cylindrical strong shock waves in a van der Waals gas
Authors: Anand R K , Singh Sewa
Published: January 2024

The present study aims to investigate the effects of non-idealness parameter, gravitation and magnetic fields behind the flow of motion for cylindrical hydro-magnetic strong shock waves travelling through a tube of variable cross-section in a self-gravitating van der Waals gas. The analytical expressions of the flow variables for one-dimensional adiabatic flow behind the hydro-magnetic strong shock waves are obtained using Chester-Chisnell-Whitham’s (CCW) Method. The initial density distribution of the medium is assumed to be

ρ

0

=
ρ
'

r

−
w

where

ρ
'

is the density at the axis of symmetry,

w

is a constant and r is the distance from the axis of symmetry. The magnetic field, on the other hand, is assumed to have only constant axial and variable azimuthal components. Due to the presence of magnetic and gravitational fields, the uniform density distribution of the medium becomes non-uniform and this becomes an interesting fact to study. It is found that, all flow variables except the pressure rises with the shock propagation distance. It is also demonstrated that the gravitational and magnetic fields cause the numerical values of the flow variables to increase behind the shock wave. Further, research shows that even a small increase in the gravitational field increases the pressure behind the shock wave, whereas a small increase in the magnetic field has a little effect on it. Furthermore, it is found that the flow variables get strengthened behind the shock wave in comparison with ahead of the shock. The trends of the current findings are in good agreement with the existing experimental observations and results.
Enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of magnetocardiography by optimal channel selection for cardiac diagnosis
Authors: Kesavaraja C , Sengottuvel S , Patel Rajesh , Selvaraj Raja J , Satheesh Santhosh , Mani Awadhesh
Published: January 2024

Background. Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a non-invasive and non-contact technique that measures weak magnetic fields generated by the heart. It is highly effective in the diagnosis of heart abnormalities. Multichannel MCG provides detailed spatio-temporal information of the measured magnetic fields. While multichannel MCG systems are costly, usage of the optimal number of measurement channels to characterize cardiac magnetic fields without any appreciable loss of signal information would be economically beneficial and promote the widespread use of MCG technology. Methods. An optimization method based on the sequential selection approach is used to choose channels containing the maximum signal information while avoiding redundancy. The study comprised 40 healthy individuals, along with two subjects having ischemic heart disease and one subject with premature ventricular contraction. MCG measured using a 37 channel MCG system. After revisiting the existing methods of optimization, the mean error and correlation of the optimal set of measurement channels with those of all 37 channels are evaluated for different sets, and it has been found that 18 channels are adequate. Results. The chosen 18 optimal channels exhibited a strong correlation (0.99 ± 0.006) between the original and reconstructed magnetic field maps for a cardiac cycle in healthy subjects. The root mean square error is 0.295 pT, indicating minimal deviation. Conclusion. This selection method provides an efficient approach for choosing MCG, which could be used for minimizing the number of channels as well as in practical unforeseen measurement conditions where few channels are noisy during the measurement.
Indecomposability of the bounded derived categories of Brill-Noether varieties
Authors: Lin Xun , Yu Chenglong
Published: January 2024

We prove that the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves of the Brill-Noether variety

G

d

r

(
C
)

G^{r}_{d}(C)

parametrizing linear series of degree

d
d

and dimension

r
r

on a general smooth projective curve

C
C

is indecomposable when

d
≤
g
(
C
)
−
1

d\leq g(C)-1

.
On a Blaschke-type condition for the zeros of derivatives of R. Nevanlinna class functions in the disk
Authors: Shamoyan F.
Published: January 2024

A necessary and sufficient Blaschke-type condition is obtained for the zeros of derivatoves of Nevanlinna class functions.
Southern Sudanese Systems of Slavery
Authors: Poggo Scopas
Published: January 2024

Prior to arrival of the Turco-Egyptian officials, Europeans, Egyptians, Syrians, Sudanese, and ivory and slave traders to the Southern Sudan, the Indigenous people of this region engaged in slave trade and had their own systems of slavery. The abundance of ivory in Southern Sudan, attracted a large number of Khartoum-based merchants into the South. As ivory depleted, these merchants shifted to trading African slaves throughout Southern Sudan and beyond.

In 1805, Muhammad Ali became the ruler of Egypt, and in 1821, he sent military expeditions to the Sudan to colonize it. Because Ali came to power without any funds, ivory and slaves became the main source of revenue for his government, which led to the huge expansion of the slave trade throughout the Turkiyya. Due to the corruption, violence, and injustice that existed throughout the Turkiyya, the Mahdist Movement emerged in 1881 to destroy this alien government. In 1898, an Anglo-Egyptian military force invaded the Sudan with the primary aim of destroying the Mahdist State and abolishing the slave trade and slavery. However, in the mid-1980s, during the Second Civil War in the Sudan between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and Sudan Armed Forces (1983–2005), the slave trade in South Sudan resurged under the direction of the government of the national Islamic front and Northern Sudanese ethnic groups such as the Baqqara and Rizeiqat.
Routes to Emancipation in Ethiopia
Authors: Meckelburg Alexander , Bonacci Giulia
Published: January 2024

Slavery and the trade in slaves are deeply rooted in the economic and cultural history of the Ethiopian–Eritrean region. Various polities and societies across the Christian, Semitic languages-speaking highlands, the Rift Valley, and its surrounding lowland regions—bordered by the Nile Valley on the west and the Red Sea coast to the east—engaged in practices of human bondage and trade. These societies practiced manumission culturally, while the legal abolition of slavery and the slave trade were lengthy processes lasting many decades. Abolitionism, as a political process, was influenced by domestic and international political bargaining among regional polities and Western imperial interests. As the leading force of abolition in the 19th century, Britain took relatively late interest in Ethiopia. British abolitionism emerged in the region in order to support colonial and imperial aspirations, which were attached to commercial treaties. Abolition thus looked like a Western import and is still often discussed from a singular Western perspective. The uneven production of knowledge by travelers, diplomats, or the British Anti-Slavery Society amplified the Western abolitionist ideologies and overshadowed the contemporary Ethiopian discourse on abolition. The abolition of slavery became a major bone of contention in Ethiopia’s attempt to become a member of the League of Nations in the 1920s. Eventually, it became a matter of state survival in the standoff between Ethiopia and the threat of an invasion by Italy, which used slavery as a pretext to justify its violent occupation. Despite a long period of abolitionist efforts, slavery died a slow death in Ethiopia and has left a durable imprint on the local societies. Emancipation was never achieved throughout Ethiopia. In some areas, people of slave descent suffer from exclusion and marginalization until the early 21st century.
Measuring functional ability in Healthy Ageing: testing its validity using Japanese nationwide longitudinal data
Authors: Nishio Marisa , Haseda Maho , Inoue Kosuke , Saito Masashige , Kondo Naoki
Published: January 2024

Background

The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030 suggests nations should monitor functional ability as an indicator of healthy ageing progress. Functional ability is the attribute of people to do something they value and consists of five domains. We examined its validity in terms of a construct, cross-validation across multiple waves’ data, and predictivity for subsequent well-being.

Methods

Using panel data from 35,093 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, we performed factor analyses to explore the construct of functional ability domains in both 2013 and 2016. A modified Poisson regression analysis was employed to test their associations with well-being (subjective health and happiness) in 2019.

Results

The mean age (standard deviation) of participants was 72.1 (5.0) years, and 52.0% were women. A total of 85.0% reported good subjective health, and 50.6% reported high happiness levels. Factor analyses with 31 logically checked candidate items from 2016 data suggested a three-factor model comprising 24 items, which were compatible with the 2013 data results. Based on the World Health Organization’s original domains, we named domains as domain #1: ability to build and maintain relationships; domain #2: ability to meet basic needs + ability to move around and domain #3: ability to learn, grow and make decisions + ability to contribute. All three domains predicted both subjective health and happiness in 2019.

Conclusions

Empirical data from Japan supports the functional ability concept among older individuals. Validating this concept with data from other nations is warranted.
Preventing hospital falls: feasibility of care workforce redesign to optimise patient falls education
Authors: Morris Meg E , Thwaites Claire , Lui Rosalie , McPhail Steven M , Haines Terry , Kiegaldie Debra , Heng Hazel , Shaw Louise , Hammond Susan , McKercher Jonathan P , Knight Matthew , Carey Leeanne M , Gray Richard , Shorr Ron , Hill Anne-Marie
Published: January 2024

Objective

To examine the feasibility of using allied health assistants to deliver patient falls prevention education within 48 h after hospital admission.

Design and setting

Feasibility study with hospital patients randomly allocated to usual care or usual care plus additional patient falls prevention education delivered by supervised allied health assistants using an evidence-based scripted conversation and educational pamphlet.

Participants

(i) allied health assistants and (ii) patients admitted to participating hospital wards over a 20-week period.

Outcomes

(i) feasibility of allied health assistant delivery of patient education; (ii) hospital falls per 1,000 bed days; (iii) injurious falls; (iv) number of falls requiring transfer to an acute medical facility.

Results

541 patients participated (median age 81 years); 270 control group and 271 experimental group. Allied health assistants (n = 12) delivered scripted education sessions to 254 patients in the experimental group, 97% within 24 h after admission. There were 32 falls in the control group and 22 in the experimental group. The falls rate was 8.07 falls per 1,000 bed days in the control group and 5.69 falls per 1,000 bed days for the experimental group (incidence rate ratio = 0.66 (95% CI 0.32, 1.36; P = 0.26)). There were 2.02 injurious falls per 1,000 bed days for the control group and 1.03 for the experimental group. Nine falls (7 control, 2 experimental) required transfer to an acute facility. No adverse events were attributable to the experimental group intervention.

Conclusions

It is feasible and of benefit to supplement usual care with patient education delivered by allied health assistants.
Interaction between plant-based dietary pattern and frailty on cognitive decline: a longitudinal analysis of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey cohort
Authors: Gao Xia , Wu Qianrong , Long Yan , Hu Xiaotong , Yang Zongming , Huang Liang
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Frailty is a risk factor for faster cognitive decline, while plant-based dietary patterns are associated with decreased risk of cognitive decline. We aimed to explore their interaction with cognitive function among older adults.

Methods

We used data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey between 2008 and 2018. Frailty was evaluated based on the frailty index (FI), and the plant-based diet index (PDI) was calculated using food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Repeated measures of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were utilised to assess cognitive function. We used linear mixed models to estimate regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

We included 7,166 participants with a median follow-up of 5.8 years. Participants in pre-frail (β = −0.18, 95% CI: −0.24, −0.13) and frail (β = −0.39, 95% CI: −0.48, −0.30) groups experienced an accelerated decline in MMSE score compared with the robust group. The PDI modified the above association, with corresponding associations with frailty being much more pronounced among participants with a lower PDI (frail vs. robust β = −0.44, 95% CI: −0.56, −0.32), compared with those with a higher PDI (frail vs. robust β = −0.27, 95% CI: −0.40, −0.13). In addition, A combination of frailty and a low PDI was strongly associated with a faster decline in MMSE score (β = −0.52, 95% CI: −0.63, −0.41).

Conclusion

Adherence to plant-based dietary patterns attenuates the association between frailty and cognitive decline. If the observed association is causal, promoting plant-based dietary patterns may be a strategy to reduce the effects of frailty on neurological health.
Effectiveness and safety of major systemic treatments in classic and endemic Kaposi sarcoma: a multicentre retrospective study of 110 patients
Authors: Grolleau Chloé , Walter-Petrich Anouk , Dupin Nicolas , Chanal Johan , Zehou Ouidad , Montlahuc Claire , Baroudjian Barouyr , Da Meda Laetitia , Resche-Rigon Matthieu , Le Cleach Laurence , Lebbé Céleste
Published: January 2024

Although systemic treatments are warranted in aggressive forms of classic and endemic Kaposi sarcomas (KS), therapeutic guidelines are lacking for those nonimmunodeficient subtypes. In this retrospective multicentre study, we showed that paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin and low-dose interferon had good overall response rates for nonimmunodeficient KS with acceptable tolerance profiles. In addition, we highlighted the aggressiveness of endemic KS compared with classic KS with a higher risk of dissemination and response depletion as progression proceeded.
DNA-methylation variability in normal mucosa: a field cancerization marker in patients with adenomatous polyps
Authors: Yates Josephine , Schaufelberger Helen , Steinacher Roland , Schär Primo , Truninger Kaspar , Boeva Valentina
Published: January 2024

Background

The phenomenon of field cancerization reflects the transition of normal cells into those predisposed to cancer. Assessing the scope and intensity of this process in the colon may support risk prediction and colorectal cancer prevention.

Methods

The Swiss Epigenetic Colorectal Cancer Study (SWEPIC) study, encompassing 1111 participants for DNA methylation analysis and a subset of 84 for RNA sequencing, was employed to detect field cancerization in individuals with adenomatous polyps (AP). Methylation variations were evaluated for their discriminative capability, including in external cohorts, genomic localization, clinical correlations, and associated RNA expression patterns.

Results

Normal cecal tissue of individuals harboring an AP in the proximal colon manifested dysregulated DNA methylation compared to tissue from healthy individuals at 558 unique loci. Leveraging these adenoma-related differentially variable and methylated CpGs (aDVMCs), our classifier discerned between healthy and AP-adjacent tissues across SWEPIC datasets (cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [ROC AUC] = 0.63-0.81), including within age-stratified cohorts. This discriminative capacity was validated in 3 external sets, differentiating healthy from cancer-adjacent tissue (ROC AUC = 0.82-0.88). Notably, aDVMC dysregulation correlated with polyp multiplicity. More than 50% of aDVMCs were significantly associated with age. These aDVMCs were enriched in active regions of the genome (P < .001), and associated genes exhibited altered expression in AP-adjacent tissues.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the early onset of field cancerization in the right colon during the neoplastic transformation process. A more extensive validation of aDVMC dysregulation as a stratification tool could pave the way for enhanced surveillance approaches, especially given its linkage to adenoma emergence.
Double polytetrafluoroethylene patch repair for diaphragmatic defect caused by diaphragmatic rupture following diaphragmatic resection with endostapler
Authors: Komatsu Hiroaki , Furukawa Nao , Kinoshita Hirotaka , Okabe Kazunori
Published: January 2024

A 41-year-old man developed phrenic nerve palsy after the resection of anterior mediastinal tumor, who underwent diaphragmatic resection with an endostapler. After the surgery, the surgical stump ruptured, resulting in a large diaphragmatic defect with the liver prolapsing into the thoracic cavity. Then, the diaphragmatic defect was closed with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch. The diaphragm was reconstructed using a second PTFE patch overlaying the diaphragmatic defect that had been closed by the first PTFE patch, because solely patching the diaphragmatic defect had a risk of recurrence of diaphragmatic elevation due to remaining original diaphragm and the presence of phrenic nerve palsy. The second PTFE patch was fixed to the lower ribs by non-absorbable suture. The postoperative course was favorable. After 3 months, his symptoms and pulmonary function improved. We underwent double PTFE patch repair in a patient with both huge diaphragmatic defect and phrenic nerve palsy.
A 10-year-old male with chest wall Desmoid tumor – a rare tumor with unusual presentation
Authors: Abufara Arein A , Alsalah Qusai A , Jabari Anwar Yousef , Hammouri Ahmad G , Najajreh Mohammad
Published: January 2024

Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) is a connective tissue tumor that grows aggressively in musculoaponeurotic tissues. It has an annual incidence rate of 2–4/million and is commonly seen in individuals aged 15 to 60 years, with female predominance. While it can occur in any body part, it is commonly found in the extremities, abdominal wall, and abdominal mesentery. But it rarely develops in the chest wall. The cause of the tumor is unknown. However, trauma to the tumor site has been identified in 25% of known cases. The primary treatment is surgical resection. Local recurrence after surgical excision is common. Our study highlights the case of a 12-year-old male patient diagnosed with a desmoid tumor on the chest wall 2 years ago, at the age of 10 years, after mild trauma. The tumor was successfully managed with surgery without radiotherapy treatment and no recurrence was observed in the last 2 years.
Body-piercing associated appendicitis in the pregnant patient incidentally discovered during Caesarian section
Authors: Schadt Jennifer , Hungerford Andrew , Houser Molly , Zalamea Nia
Published: January 2024

Appendicitis is the most common general surgery condition encountered in pregnant patients. Its presentation and diagnosis can be confounded by physiological changes of pregnancy causing atypical symptoms and overlap between pregnancy symptoms and appendicitis. Diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnancy is important, as pregnant persons have a much higher rate of complication from appendicitis. In this case report, we describe a patient with a history of right lower quadrant pain thought to be related to round ligament pain. Her previously undiagnosed appendicitis was discovered during routine inspection during caesarian section. The patient’s final pathology revealed a metallic foreign body, one of the rarest causes of appendicitis.
The role and mechanism of RIPK1 in vascular endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Wang Cheng , Chen Huimin , Su Hong , Sheng Qinghao , Lang Yating , Yu Qun , Lv Zhimei , Wang Rong
Published: January 2024

Endothelial dysfunction is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular events, but the mechanism is unclear. In our study, we found elevated levels of RIPK1 in patients with CKD and cardiovascular events through bioinformation analysis. Elevated RIPK1 levels were found in serum samples of CKD patients and were associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction and renal function. We constructed the five of six nephrectomy of CKD mice model, finding that RIPK1 expressions were elevated in abdominal aorta endothelial cells. After RIPK1 inhibition and overexpression, it was found that RIPK1 could regulate the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), and activation of inflammatory responses and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In addition, uremic toxin induced abnormal expression of RIPK1 in vitro. We observed RIPK1‐mediating endothelial dysfunction and inflammation responses by ER stress pathways through gain and loss of function. In order to explore the specific mechanism, we conducted co‐immunoprecipitation and expression regulation of RIPK1 and IKK, finding that RIPK1 formed complex with IKK and regulated IKK expression. In conclusion, we demonstrated that RIPK1 levels were closely associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with CKD. With uremic toxins, RIPK1 expression was elevated, which led to the activation of inflammation through the ER stress pathway, resulting in vascular endothelial injury. Besides, activation of RIPK1‐IKK‐NF‐κB axis was a key driver of endothelial dysfunction in CKD. Our study provides a new perspective for the study of cardiovascular events in CKD.
Association between silicosis and autoimmune disease
Authors: Fireman Elizabeth Miriam , Fireman Klein Einat
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

There is a well established association between silica inhalational exposure and autoimmune disease, particularly in the context of intense exposure. We will provide in this article an update overview of new sources of silica dust exposure, with evidences of mechanisms from human and animal studies for association between silica and autoimmune diseases, their early detection of silicosis and new options for treatment.

Recent findings

New industries such as jewelry polishing, denim jean production, fabrication of artificial stone benchtops, glass manufacturing and glassware has led to re-emergence of silicosis around the world. Silicosis with long term exposure to dust containing crystalline silica has been examined as a possible risk factor with respect to several autoimmune diseases as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and some types of small vessel vasculitis with renal involvement. The dust may act to promote or accelerate disease development, requiring some other factors to break immune tolerance or initiate autoimmunity. Autophagy, apoptosis, or pyroptosis-related signaling pathways have also been suggested to contribute to the formation of those pathways with coordination of environmental co-exposure that can magnify autoimmune vulnerability.

Better understanding the mechanisms that involve silica -induced autoimmune diseases may contribute to early diagnosis.
Predictors and Significance of Readmission after Esophagogastric Surgery: A Nationwide Analysis
Authors: Evans Richard PT , Kamarajah Sivesh K , Evison Felicity , Zou Xiaoxu , Coupland Ben , Griffiths Ewen A
Published: January 2024

Objective:

The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for readmission after elective esophagogastric cancer surgery and characterize the impact of readmission on long-term survival. The study will also identify whether the location of readmission to either the hospital that performed the primary surgery (index hospital) or another institution (nonindex hospital) has an impact on postoperative mortality.

Background:

Over the past decade, the center-volume relationship has driven the centralization of major cancer surgery, which has led to improvements in perioperative mortality. However, the impact of readmission, especially to nonindex centers, on long-term mortality remains unclear.

Methods:

This was a national population-based cohort study using Hospital Episode Statistics of adult patients undergoing esophagectomy and gastrectomy in England between January 2008 and December 2019.

Results:

This study included 27,592 patients, of which overall readmission rates were 25.1% (index 15.3% and nonindex 9.8%). The primary cause of readmission to an index hospital was surgical in 45.2% and 23.7% in nonindex readmissions. Patients with no readmissions had significantly longer survival than those with readmissions (median: 4.5 vs 3.8 years; P < 0.001). Patients readmitted to their index hospital had significantly improved survival as compared to nonindex readmissions (median: 3.3 vs 4.7 years; P < 0.001). Minimally invasive surgery and surgery performed in high-volume centers had improved 90-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.75; P < 0.001; odds ratio, 0.60; P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Patients requiring readmission to the hospital after surgery have an increased risk of mortality, which is worsened by readmission to a nonindex institution. Patients requiring readmission to the hospital should be assessed and admitted, if required, to their index institution.
Ten-Year Risk of Recall of Novel Spine Devices
Authors: Ansley Brant , Koreckij Theodore , Jin Abbey , Bouloussa Houssam , Cheng An-Lin , Dubin Jonathan
Published: January 2024

Study Design.

Observational epidemiological study.

Objective.

This study’s primary objective was to examine the risk of recall for novel spine devices over time. Secondarily, we sought to analyze interbody fusion and vertebral body replacement (VBR) devices (corpectomy cages) as a risk factor for recall.

Background.

The recall risk of a novel spine device over time has not been reported. In addition, FDA regulations were lowered for interbody fusion devices to enter the market in 2007. As well, VBR implants were recently approved by the FDA for use in the cervical spine in 2015.

Materials and Methods.

Spine devices cleared between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018 were identified from the FDA’s 510(k) database. All recall data were collected from the database in January 2021 to provide a 2-year minimum follow-up for a recall to occur. Product labels were used to classify interbody fusion and VBR devices. Cumulative incidence function was conducted to compare the overall risk of recall for FDA-cleared spine devices, and the hazard ratio determined for VBR and all other devices versus interbody implants during the study period.

Results.

A total of 2384 spine devices were cleared through 510(k) in the study period. The hazard of recall at 5 years was 5.3% (95% CI: 4.4%–6.2%) and 6.5% (95% CI: 5.4%–7.7%) at 10 years. No significant difference in recall risk was identified for interbody fusion and VBR devices.

Conclusion.

The risk of recall at 5 and 10 years of a novel spine device is about half the 12% rate reported for orthopedic devices in general. Despite lowered FDA regulations for interbody fusion devices and recent approval for VBR device use in the cervical spine, no increased risk of recall was detected. Further research is necessary to explain the reason for the lower risk of recall with spine devices

Level of Evidence.

4.
Conversion of Failed J Pouch to Kock Pouch: Indications, Contraindications and Outcomes
Authors: Ahmed Ali Usama , Kiran Ravi P.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

The ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has been successful in restoring intestinal continuity and preserving continence in the majority of patients requiring a proctocolectomy. However, a subset of individuals experience significant complications that might result in pouch failure. The conversion of the J pouch to a continent ileostomy pouch represents a significant surgical procedure. In this article, we discuss the indications and contraindications, present the technical principles applied for the conversion, and describe the outcomes of such conversion in the literature.

OBJECTIVE:

The main objective during the conversion of the J pouch to a continent ileostomy is the creation of a sufficiently sized reservoir with a high-quality valve mechanism while preserving as much small bowel as possible.

CONCLUSIONS:

The conversion of the J pouch to a continent ileostomy represents a significant surgical procedure. When performed in centers of expertise, it can be a good option for patients who otherwise will require an end ileostomy. Indications for conversion include most cases of J pouch failure, with few important exceptions. See Video.