bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of driver’s eye movement measurement to detect potential risks under combined conditions of taking second-generation antihistamines and calling tasks
Authors: Sagara Atsunobu , Nagahama Akihito , Aki Hayato , Yoshimura Hiroki , Hiraide Makoto , Shimizu Takatsune , Sano Motohiko , Yumoto Tetsuro , Hosoe Tomoo , Tanaka Kenji
Published: October 2024

Background

Concerns persist regarding the potential reduction in driving performance due to taking second-generation antihistamines or performing hands-free calling. Previous studies have indicated a potential risk to driving performance under an emergency event when these two factors are combined, whereas a non-emergency event was operated effectively. Currently, there is a lack of a discriminative index capable of detecting the potential risks of driving performance impairment. This study aims to investigate the relationship between driving performance and eye movements under combined conditions of taking second-generation antihistamines and a calling task, and to assess the usefulness of eye movement measurements as a discriminative index for detecting potential risks of driving performance impairment.

Methods

Participants engaged in a simulated driving task, which included a calling task, both under taking or not taking second-generation antihistamines. Driving performance and eye movements were monitored during both emergency and non-emergency events, assessing their correlation between driving performance and eye movements. The study further evaluated the usefulness of eye movement as a discriminative index for potential driving impairment risk through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

In the case of a non-emergency event, no correlation was observed between driving performance and eye movement under the combined conditions. Conversely, a correlation was observed during an emergency event. The ROC analysis, conducted to assess the discriminative index capability of eye movements in detecting the potential risk of driving performance impairment, demonstrated a high discriminative power, with an area under the curve of 0.833.

Conclusions

The findings of this study show the correlation between driving performance and eye movements under the concurrent influence of second-generation antihistamines and a calling task, suggesting the usefulness of eye movement measurement as a discriminant index for detecting potential risks of driving performance impairment.
Promoting gender equality through localized development strategies: leveraging identification
Authors: Wolff Gaélane
Published: October 2024

The humanitarian discourse has recently shifted towards bolstering the intervention capacities of affected countries and communities through “localization.” However, the implementation of this approach has encountered challenges and disappointments, partly due to conventional short-term interventions driven by external organizations rather than beneficiaries. Empowering women in developing nations is vital for gender equality and women’s rights, given the barriers they face such as unequal access to resources and underrepresentation in governance. Malawi”s context, marked by poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and cultural norms posing barriers to gender equity, complicates efforts to address inequalities against women. This article explores how localization, particularly through local NGOs, can advance women’s rights in Malawi by challenging gender norms. While recognizing its potential, caution is advised to avoid reinforcing past exclusions. This research investigates how aid localization, leveraging identification, affects gender equality and women’s rights in disaster management and humanitarian efforts. Through field research in Malawi, including 33 interviews with NGO members and beneficiaries, it underscores the role of localization in promoting gender equality and women’s rights, advocating for a more equitable and locally responsive approach to humanitarian action.
GAPS: GPU-accelerated processing service for SM9
Authors: Xu Wenhan , Ma Hui , Zhang Rui
Published: October 2024

SM9 was established in 2016 as a Chinese official identity-based cryptographic (IBC) standard, and became an ISO standard in 2021. It is well-known that IBC is suitable for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, since a centralized processing of client data (e.g. IoT cloud) is often done by gateways. However, due to limited computation resources inside IoT devices, the performance of SM9 becomes a bottleneck in practical usage. The existing SM9 implementations are often CPU-based, with relatively low latency and low throughput. Consequently, a pivotal challenge for SM9 in large-scale applications is how to reduce the latency while maximizing throughput for numerous concurrent inputs. After a systematic analysis of the SM9 algorithms, we apply optimization techniques including precomputation, resource caching and parallelization to reduce the overhead of SM9. In this work, we introduce the first practical implementation of SM9 and its underlying curve on GPU. Our GPU implementation combines multiple algorithms and low-level optimizations tailored for GPU’s single instruction, multiple threads architecture in order to achieve high throughput for SM9. Based on these, we propose , a high-performance Cryptography as a Service (CaaS) for SM9. adopts a heterogeneous computing architecture that flexibly schedules the inputs across two implementation platforms: a CPU for the low-latency processing of sporadic inputs, and a GPU for the high-throughput processing of batch inputs. According to our benchmark, only takes a few milliseconds to process a single SM9 request in idle mode. Moreover, when operating in its batch processing mode, can generate 2,038,071 private keys, 248,239 signatures or 238,001 ciphertexts per second. The results show that scales seamlessly across inputs of different sizes, preliminarily demonstrating the efficacy of our solution.
Osteoporosis in the setting of knee arthroplasty: a narrative review
Authors: Daher Mohammad , Mekhael Elio , El-Othmani Mouhanad M.
Published: October 2024

Patients undergoing knee replacement, which is mainly indicated in severe osteoarthritis, are frequently co-affected by osteoporosis and osteopenia. With a prevalence standing at around 20% in patients receiving knee arthroplasty, osteoporosis could lead to poor outcomes postoperatively. Some of these complications include periprosthetic fractures and an increased revision rate. Antiresorptive medications have been shown to be beneficial postoperatively. However, no studies have been conducted on whether they had any benefits if given preoperatively. Surgical management may also be beneficial, but this area remains full of controversy.
Screening of dandelion phenolic extracts and their anti-bacterial function against Escherichia coli through acting on Na+-K+ ATPase
Authors: Xie Pujun , Wang Xiang , Huang Lixin , Deng Yejun , Zhang Caihong
Published: October 2024

Food contamination by Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an increasing public health concern. Screening for natural plant preservatives has received increasing attention. In this study, dandelion flower phenolic extract (DFPE), with the strongest bacterial inhibition and the highest polyphenol level from various organs, was identified using HPLC and FTIR. The results showed a significant increase in extracellular ATP levels due to cellular membrane leakage in E. coli and decreased Na+-K+ ATPase activity. These behaviors were caused by representative phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid in DFPE. Molecular docking simulations were performed to reveal the mechanism of interaction between caffeic acid and Na+-K+ ATPase. This indicated that conventional hydrogen bonds, pi-anions, and pi-alkyl were involved in the interaction between them. Molecular dynamic equilibrium of the liganded ATPase complex was achieved after 20 ns. The lower values of Rg and SASA demonstrated that the liganded ATPase structure changed from a relatively loose to a tight state in the presence of caffeic acid. Overall, these findings are meaningful for screening bioactive compounds from various food-derived plant tissues using a combination of practical experimentation and molecular simulations.

Graphical Abstract
Crack SAM: enhancing crack detection utilizing foundation models and Detectron2 architecture
Authors: Rakshitha R , Srinath S , Vinay Kumar N , Rashmi S , Poornima B V
Published: October 2024

Accurate crack detection is crucial for maintaining pavement integrity, yet manual inspections remain labor-intensive and prone to errors, underscoring the need for automated solutions. This study proposes a novel crack segmentation approach utilizing advanced visual models, specifically Detectron2 and the Segment Anything Model (SAM), applied to the CFD and Crack500 datasets, which exhibit intricate and diverse crack patterns. Detectron2 was tested with four configurations—mask_rcnn_R_50_FPN_3x, mask_rcnn_R_101_FPN_3x, faster_rcnn_R_50_FPN_3x, and faster_rcnn_R_101_FPN_3x—while SAM was compared using Focal Loss, DiceCELoss, and DiceFocalLoss. SAM with DiceFocalLoss outperformed Detectron2, achieving mean IoU scores of 0.69 and 0.59 on the CFD and Crack500 datasets, respectively. The integration of Detectron2 with faster_rcnn_R_101_FPN_3x and SAM using DiceFocalLoss involves generating bounding boxes with Detectron2, which serve as prompts for SAM to produce segmentation masks. This approach achieves mIoU scores of 0.83 for CFD dataset and 0.75 for Crack500 dataset. These results highlight the potential of combining foundation models with Detectron2 for advancing crack detection technologies, offering valuable insights for enhancing highway maintenance systems.
A novel improvement of particle swarm optimization using an improved velocity update function based on local best murmuration particle
Authors: Twumasi Elvis , Frimpong Emmanuel Asuming , Prah Nicholas Kwesi , Gyasi David Boah
Published: October 2024

Improvement of particle swarm optimization (PSO) is relevant to solving the inherent local optima and premature convergence problem of the PSO. In this paper, a novel improvement of the particle swarm optimization is provided to curb the problem of the classical PSO. The proposed improvement modifies the updating velocity function of the PSO, and it uses a local best murmuration particle which is found using the k-means clustering technique. In this contribution, each particle moves towards the global best position by not only using the personal best and global best, but particles are modelled to move in murmuration towards the global best using the personal best, global best and a local best particle known as the local best murmuration particle. The improved model was tested against the traditional PSO and two other variants of the PSO and genetic algorithm (GA) using 18 benchmark test functions. The proposed improvement demonstrated superior exploration abilities by achieving the best optimum values in 15 out of 18 functions, particularly in the multimodal functions, where it achieved the best optimum value in all 6 cases. It also achieved the best worst-case values in 12 out of 18 functions, especially in the variable-dimension functions, where other algorithms showed significant escalation, indicating the proposed improvement’s reliability and robustness. In terms of convergence, the proposed improvement exhibited the best convergence rate in all 18 functions. These findings highlight the impressive ability of the proposed improvement to converge swiftly without compromising accuracy.
Multimode communication with programmable photonic integrated mesh
Authors: Chen Minjia , Cheng Qixiang
Published: October 2024

The programmable photonic integrated mesh is arising as a powerful tool to deal with crosstalk in the multimode optical communication link.
Computational quest, synthesis and anticancer profiling of 3-methyl quinoxaline-2-one-based active hits against the tyrosine kinase
Authors: Raj Priyadarsini , Samuel Abiseik , Kothandapani Anitha
Published: October 2024

Background

Cancer is the predominant cause of mortality and a remarkable obstacle to elevating life anticipation in every nation on globe. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a hyper-vascular tumour, develops and progresses due to angiogenesis, a key feature of malignancy. HCC exhibits high neoangiogenic activity because of the need to generate new blood vessels for tumour growth.

Methods

The present work includes the construction of virtual library of ligands, virtual screening using the Dockthor-VS server, ADMET study using the SwissADME and Osiris property explorer. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by UV, IR, NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. MTT assay was done to find the IC50 of the synthesized compounds against HepG2 cell line. The more active compound found is subjected to the molecular dynamics simulation study.

Results

The ligands exhibited good docking scores, ADMET profile compared to the reference drugs. The target compounds were obtained with the satisfactory yields of 66–82%. The best activity against the HepG2 cancer cell line is observed with the compound SA-4 with IUPAC name (2-(3-methyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)-N-(5-(3-nitrophenyl)-5H-thiazolo[4,3-b] [1,3,4] thiadiazol-2-yl) acetamide). The experimental results obtained show correlation with the in silico results. MD simulation of the compound SA-4 indicates the moderate stability of the protein-ligand complex in real time environment.

Conclusion

The results obtained suggest that the compound SA-4 has the potential to be a promising anticancer agent effective against the VEGFR-2 and FGFR-4.

Graphical abstract
The comparison of the effects of percussive massage therapy, foam rolling and hamstring stretching on flexibility, knee range of motion, and jumping performance in junior athlete: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ahmed Sohel , Jakaria G M , Islam Md. Shafiqul , Imam Md. Akhsaful , Ratul Sudipto Kumar , Jahangir Ruwaida , Saha Joy , Uddin Jalal , Islam Mohammad Jahirul
Published: October 2024

Background

Before every sporting event, almost all athletes engage in a routine practice of warming up to prepare the body for peak performance. There has been a surge in popularity within the athletic world around the use of percussive massage therapy (PMT).

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to see if using percussive massage therapy, foam rolling (FR), and hamstring stretching (HStr) as part of a warm-up routine had any acute effects on flexibility, jumping performance, and range of motion in junior athletes, and if so, whether there was a significant difference in the acute effects of these treatment methods.

Methods

Thirty-nine junior athletes with at least 3 years of experience, male gender, age range above 17, seated flexion test < 40 cm, and a willingness to participate were all considered for admittance. Participants were randomly divided into three groups. Before and after the treatment, the seated flexion test, vertical jump test, active SLR, and active knee extension were measured.

Results

The study found significant improvement in all three groups when comparing them within the groups in the sit and reach test (PMT p < 0.001, FR p = 0.002, and HStr p = 0.001), active SLR (PMT p < 0.001, FR p < 0.001, and HStr p = 0.001), active knee extension (PMT p < 0.001, FR p = 0.002, and HStr p = 0.004), and vertical jump test (PMT p < 0.001, FR p = 0.011, and HStr (p < 0.001). Comparisons between groups showed significant differences among PMT vs. FR (p = 0.041) in vertical jump height and PMT vs. HStr (p = 0.034) in active SLR.

Conclusion

We detected a notable disparity in hamstring flexibility between the PMT and FR groups, as well as in vertical jump height between the PMT and HStr groups. However, there was no apparent alteration in active knee extension in all three groups.
Degraded oculomotor function and its implications on balance in pediatric strabismus
Authors: Telci Fatma , Karabekiroğlu Figen , Niyaz Leyla , Cogen Talha
Published: October 2024

Background

Children with visual impairment often exhibit poor postural control. However, the effects of strabismus on oculomotor system components and its impact on balance in children are not yet fully understood. This study aims to determine the potential effects of oculomotor functions on balance skills in children with strabismus.

Methods

A total of 30 children aged between 6 and 10 years participated in this study. Fifteen children diagnosed with strabismus were included in the strabismus group (8.07 ± 1.33 years), and 15 healthy children without any vision problems were included in the control group (8.03 ± 1.49 years). All children underwent a comprehensive hearing evaluation, bedside neurological and balance examinations, the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) assessment to assess balance function, and Videonystagmography (VNG) tests to measure oculomotor function.

Results

In the saccade test, no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of latency, accuracy, and speed (p > 0.05). The strabismus group showed significantly lower pursuit test gains (except the left eye at 0.4 Hz) (p < 0.05) and significantly higher asymmetries (except the right eye at 0.4 Hz) (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups in optokinetic test gains (p > 0.05). The strabismus group had significantly lower scores on the 360-degree rotation task (10th item) (p = 0.027) and total PBS scores (p = 0.029). Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant negative correlations between strabismus angle and optokinetic test gains, pursuit test gains, and PBS total scores, with varying correlation strengths (p < 0.05 and − 0.639 < r <  − 0.338).

Conclusions

Strabismus adversely affects the optokinetic and pursuit systems, as well as balance in children. Furthermore, an increase in the strabismus angle is associated with greater adverse effects on these functions. The lower scores obtained in the PBS scores of the strabismus group indicate that strabismus may negatively affect balance skills in activities of daily living. Early intervention and targeted therapies should be considered to mitigate these effects and support the development of balance skills in children with strabismus.
Opportunities for African indigenous vegetables (AIVs): regulations in the vegetable seed sector in sub Saharan Africa
Authors: Mativavarira Munyaradzi , Simango Kennedy , Dube Praxedis , Gasura Edmore , Savadye Dexter Tony , Mujaju Claid
Published: October 2024

African indigenous vegetables (AIVSs) play crucial roles in promoting a healthy diet and providing commercial opportunities for smallholder farmers. Despite their nutrient-rich nature, their consumption is limited, highlighting the need to develop and promote them, as they are well adapted to climate change. To address this issue, a comprehensive study combining desk research and a survey was conducted in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (Southern Africa), as well as Kenya and Tanzania (East Africa). This study aimed to assess progress and regulations on AIV germplasm management, crop improvement, seed production and seed trade and to propose seed regulations that could unlock opportunities for AIVs. The World Vegetable Centre has played a crucial role in vegetable seed sector development working with public and private partners. Kenya and Tanzania officially released several AIVs, namely, spider plant (Cleome gynandra), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) and African nightshade (Solanum spp.). These efforts represent important steps toward promoting and enhancing the cultivation and utilization of AIVs. The trade of AIV seeds has primarily been observed between Kenya and Tanzania, while such trade is not well documented in other Southern African countries. Regulations regarding the release of vegetable varieties vary across regions. In Kenya and Tanzania, formal release of vegetables is required, whereas is not mandatory in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The need for testing for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) and value for cultivation and use (VCU) need to be assessed to provide flexibility, whereas seed certification should allow for the certification and quality declared seeds (QDS), offering options that promote the growth of the AIV seed sector. The AIV sector has several strengths, including the presence of key stakeholders, abundant genetic resources and an untapped market. Opportunities include the recognition of different seed classes, free trade areas, and the integration of seed systems, allowing farmer and small seed companies to enter the seed business. Owing to climate uncertainty and nutrient deficiencies, there is an urgent need to develop seed regulations for AIVs to ensure that the vegetable sector can fully develop and contribute to food system resilience.
The role of
Teff
crop in Ethiopian life: consumption and contribution to rural livelihoods
Authors: Gebrehiwot Nahusenay Teamer , Ndinda Catherine
Published: October 2024

Teff
(Eragrostis tef) is believed to be the smallest grain in the world. It is the most important crop in Ethiopia in terms of production and consumption. Smallholder farmers produce
Teff,
and it is the main source of income for farmers in comparison to other cereal crops.
Teff
is the daily staple food for over 50 million Ethiopians. There is a need for information on agricultural consumption, disaggregated at district level, to support evidence-based decision-making at local level. The objective of this paper is to understand the consumption of
Teff
among rural smallholder producers at district level and assess the position of
Teff
among cereals in the lives of Ethiopian rural farmers. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to select the top
Teff
producing regions, districts, and
kebeles
(small administrative units) and collected primary data through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants, and questionnaire respondents
.
The survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from 357 households. FGD, key informant interview (KII) participants and survey respondents were drawn from the same areas where the survey was conducted. The quantitative and qualitative data were subjected to statistical and content analysis respectively. The study findings revealed that on average households consume 26.92% of their
Teff
production per year. Moreover, there is a shift in the consumption of
Teff
which might be due to improved standards of living among the farmers, a health-conscious community, and improved income from
Teff
sales. Although
Teff
is a staple grain in Ethiopia, there is a statistically significant variation in
Teff
consumption among districts.
Current and potential distribution of the invasive apple snail,
Pomacea canaliculata
in Eastern Africa: evidence from delimiting surveys and modelling studies
Authors: Makale Fernadis , Muvea Alexander M. , Mugambi Idah , Chacha Duncan , Finch Elizabeth A. , Rwomushana Ivan
Published: October 2024

The invasive apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
has become a significant concern in invaded habitats beyond its native range. It was reported in Kenya in 2020 invading one of the largest rice-producing schemes, the Mwea irrigation scheme. Delimiting surveys were conducted across five key rice-producing schemes (Mwea, Bura, Hola, Ahero and West Kano) in Kenya to establish the extent of the invasion and develop effective quarantine and management strategies within the Mwea scheme and other risk areas. Additionally, the ensemble model approach was used to model the potential distribution of
P. canaliculata
in Eastern Africa (as defined by the United Nations Geoscheme). Over 80% of the Mwea scheme was infested with
P. canaliculata
, an expansion from the initial infestation point (Ndekia). The mean number of adults/m
2
and egg clutches/m
2
were 8.4 ± 0.9 (SEM) and 7.7 ± 1.4 (SEM), respectively, with varying densities across sections. No adults or eggs of
P. canaliculata
were found in the four schemes outside the Mwea scheme. The model predicted high suitability for
P. canaliculata
in the southwest of Kenya,and in coastal areas, with all surveyed areas marked as highly suitable.
.
Regionally, high-risk areas include Malawi, Madagascar, and Uganda. Mozambique, Tanzania, and Ethiopia showed localised areas of high suitability. Conversely, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia were largely unsuitable for
P. canaliculata
. Given the potential for further spread, strict quarantine measures are essential to prevent the spread of
P. canaliculata
in Kenya and its introduction to uninvaded regions of Eastern Africa. Alongside this, implementing IPM e strategies is crucial for effective pest management and the protection of agricultural ecosystems.
Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis: One Decade Later
Authors: Nekhlyudov Larissa , Levit Laura A. , Ganz Patricia A.
Published: October 2024

In 2012, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a committee charged with addressing the quality of cancer care in the United States and providing recommendations to policymakers and the cancer care community on strategies to improve cancer care delivery from the time of diagnosis through end-of-life. The resulting committee report, titled
Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis
(2013), presented a conceptual framework that included six interconnected components of care with corresponding recommendations. Over the past decade, the delivery of high-quality of cancer care has become more challenging and increasingly demanding on the workforce. In this manuscript, we review the goals and recommendations made in 2013, describe progress to date, and offer insights into future dedicated efforts and/or new strategies needed to achieve high-quality cancer care.
Chronic Widespread Pain
Authors: Kissoon Narayan R.
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVE

This article reviews the potential etiologies of chronic widespread pain syndromes and outlines a practical approach to the management of patients with these disorders.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Recent updates to diagnostic criteria for primary chronic widespread pain syndromes have allowed for more effective diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is the most common presentation of chronic widespread pain, and the concept of nociplastic pain has been used to describe pain that is related to altered processing of pain sensory pathways. Research studies have provided a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the central augmentation that occurs in patients with nociplastic pain and fibromyalgia.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Primary chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia have established diagnostic criteria in which chronic pain involves multiple defined regions and occurs for longer than 3 months. Evaluation of chronic widespread pain should be directed by the clinical presentation. Neurologic disease can present with chronic widespread pain but is accompanied by associated signs and symptoms. Patients with chronic widespread pain benefit from effective communication that validates concerns, provides an understandable explanation of the presenting symptoms, and sets realistic expectations in outcomes using a comprehensive multimodal care plan.
Orofacial Pain
Authors: Barad Meredith , Romero-Reyes Marcela
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVE

This article explores the multiple etiologies, diagnosis, and management of orofacial pain.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Published in 2019, the International Classification of Orofacial Pain has become the internationally accepted classification system for primary and secondary facial pain. New discoveries in temporomandibular disorders have demonstrated that they are far more complex than the traditional dental mechanistic point of view. A 2020 consensus report released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine entitled “Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care” highlighted this paradigm shift and its importance for patient care, education, and research.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Orofacial pain comprises many disorders with different etiologies and pathophysiologies. The subjectivity of the pain experience and the interrelated anatomy and physiology of the craniofacial area add to the complexity of diagnosis when the source and etiology of pain are not clear. As orofacial pain straddles the expertise of multiple disciplines, a multidisciplinary approach combining medication, physical therapy, and procedural and psychological strategies is essential in treating patients with orofacial pain.
Central Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Argoff Charles E.
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVE

This article provides an approach to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of central neuropathic pain.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Recent studies of the pathophysiology of central neuropathic pain, including evidence of changes in the expression of voltage-gated sodium channels and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, may provide the basis for new therapies. Other areas of current research include the role of cannabinoid-receptor activity and microglial cell activation in various animal models of central neuropathic pain. New observations regarding changes in primary afferent neuronal activity in central neuropathic pain and the preliminary observation that peripheral nerve blocks may relieve pain due to central neuropathic etiologies provide new insights into both the mechanism and treatment of central neuropathic pain.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

In the patient populations treated by neurologists, central neuropathic pain develops most frequently following spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or stroke. A multimodal, individualized approach to the management of central neuropathic pain is necessary to optimize pain relief and may require multiple treatment trials to achieve the best outcome.
prominin-1-null Xenopus laevis develop subretinal drusenoid-like deposits, cone-rod dystrophy and RPE atrophy
Authors: Carr Brittany J. , Skitsko Dominic , Kriese Linnea M. , Song Jun , Li Zixuan , Ju Myeong Jin , Moritz Orson L.
Published: October 2024

Prominin-1 (PROM1) variants are associated with inherited, non-syndromic vision loss. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to induce prom1-null mutations in Xenopus laevis and then tracked retinal disease progression from the ages of 6 weeks to 3 years. We found that prom1-null-associated retinal degeneration in frogs was age-dependent and involved retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction preceding photoreceptor degeneration. Before photoreceptor degeneration occurred, aging prom1-null frogs developed larger and increasing numbers of cellular debris deposits in the subretinal space and outer segment layer, which resembled subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) in their location, histology and representation as seen by color fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Evidence for an RPE origin of these deposits included infiltration of pigment granules into the deposits, thinning of the RPE as measured by OCT, and RPE disorganization as measured by histology and OCT. The appearance and accumulation of SDD-like deposits and RPE thinning and disorganization in our animal model suggests an underlying disease mechanism for prom1-null-mediated blindness that involves death and dysfunction of the RPE preceding photoreceptor degeneration, instead of direct effects upon photoreceptor outer segment morphogenesis, as was previously hypothesized.
Are the Effects of High-Intensity Interval Exercise on Executive Function, Mental Health, and Mood Obesity Dependent?
Authors: do Rêgo Barros Tércio Araújo , Lofrano-Prado Mara C. , Martin Morgan M. , de Araújo Rodrigo Cappato , de Albuquerque Lidio Lima , Gomes Priscyla Praxedes , Botero João Paulo , do Prado Wagner Luiz
Published: October 2024

Introduction

High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) is considered a time-efficient intervention to improve physical health in individuals with obesity. However, data on psychological outcomes are sparse. This study aimed to analyze and compare the acute effects of HIIE on executive function and mental health in young men with and without obesity.

Methods

Ten men with obesity (OB) (age, 23.10 ± 3.31 yr; body mass index (BMI), 34.6 ± 4.4 kg·m−2) and 10 with normal weight (NW) (age, 23.50 ± 1.64 yr; BMI, 23.1 ± 3.9 kg·m−2) underwent a single HIIE session. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after (AHS), 2 h after (AHS + 2), and 24 h after (AHS + 24) the HIIE session.

Results

Interaction effects showed that executive function was impaired in the OB group, with an average increase in reaction time of 407.80 ms (95% confidence interval (CI), 76.62–738.98 ms; P = 0.01) at AHS compared to baseline. Time effects were found for anxiety and depression scores at AHS + 2 for both groups compared to baseline (−2.75; 95% CI, −5.42 to −0.08; P = 0.04), and for anxiety scores at AHS (−2.55; 95% CI, −4.42 to −0.68; P = 0.004). Interaction effects were found for vigor scores at AHS + 2, with a decrease in vigor in the OB group and an increase in the NW group (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Although anxiety and depression symptoms are improved 2 h after a HIIE session regardless of BMI category, individuals with obesity may present distinct results in executive function and vigor after a single HIIE bout.
Exposure assessment and risks associated with wearing silver nanoparticle-coated textiles
Authors: Koivisto Antti Joonas , Burrueco-Subirà David , Candalija Ana , Vázquez-Campos Socorro , Nicosia Alessia , Ravegnani Fabrizio , Furxhi Irini , Brigliadori Andrea , Zanoni Ilaria , Blosi Magda , Costa Anna , Belosi Franco , Lopez de Ipiña Jesús
Published: October 2024

Background Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) are used increasingly in consumer and healthcare fabrics due to their antimicrobial properties. Abrasive leaching experiments have shown that AgNPs can be released during textile wear and cause a dermal exposure. Derived-no-effect-limit value for AgNPs ranges from 0.01 to 0.0375 mg/kg-body-weight, and thus, low exposures levels can cause relevant risk. Methods In this study AgNP release from textiles by artificial sweat immersion and mechanical stress was investigated. A mass balance model was used to calculate dermal Ag exposure and potential intake via percutaneous absorption and inadvertent (peri-)oral intake during wear of face mask, suit with a full body exposure and gloves. Mass flow analysis was performed for up to 8-h wear time and by using Ag penetration rate constants reported for fresh-, cryopreserved- and glycerolized skin grafts. Results Dermal intake risk characterization ratio (RCR) during 8-h wear time for glycerolized skin was up to 0.02 for face mask and 0.9 for full body wear in a worst-case condition. Wearing gloves for 1-h followed by single unintentional fingertip mouthing (contact area 11.5 cm2) resulted in an RCR of 0.0002. RCR varied depending on the type of textile-product, exposure wear duration and skin type. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive assessment of AgNPs release from textiles and their potential impact on human dermal exposure and was essential for understanding the safety implications for different exposure scenarios and mitigating potential risks.
Detailed biogeographical mapping as a useful novel tool for the conservation of endemic taxa: a case of study for Iberian orchids
Authors: Penas Angel , Alonso-Redondo Raquel , González-Pérez Alejandro , Álvarez-Santacoloma Aitor , Ochoa-Ramos Norma Yolanda , Ferreiro-Lera Giovanni-Breogán , del Río Sara
Published: October 2024

Background Iberian orchids occur in plant communities designated as habitats of interest in the European Union, particularly in Mediterranean forests. Their ecological importance highlights the need for a deeper understanding of their distribution and ecological requirements in order to develop effective conservation and management policies. Methods This study focuses on the biogeographical mapping and characterisation of five Iberian and Balearic endemic orchid species at district level. Distribution data were collected from existing biodiversity databases and integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). In order to assign the correct biogeographical epithet to each taxon, a set of rules and criteria was developed to ensure an objective, simple and universal classification based on the species' distribution areas. Results For each orchid species, the study identified its phytosociological assignment, bioclimatic range and current conservation status. Detailed maps were produced, providing insights into the biogeographical, bioclimatic and phytosociological attributes of these taxa. Conclusions The biogeographical mapping and ecological classification presented in this study provide a basis for effective decision-making regarding the conservation and management of these orchid species. In addition, the results can be used to update their conservation status to better reflect their ecological needs and threats.
On the Billefjorden fault zone in Garmdalen, central Spitsbergen: implications for the mapping of major fault zones during geological fieldwork and for the tectonic history of Svalbard
Authors: Koehl Jean-Baptiste P. , Stokmo Eirik M. B. , Muñoz-Barrera Jhon M.
Published: October 2024

Background The present contribution reexamines the geometry of a segment of a presumably long-lived fault in Svalbard, the Balliolbreen Fault segment of the Billefjorden Fault Zone, along which presumably two basement terranes of Svalbard accreted in the early–mid Paleozoic after thousands of kilometers strike-slip displacement. Methods We performed structural fieldwork to Billefjorden in central Spitsbergen and interpreted satellite images. Results Field observations demonstrate that the Balliolbreen Fault formed as a top-west thrust fault in the early Cenozoic and that weak sedimentary units such as shales of the Lower Devonian Wood Bay Formation and coals of the uppermost Devonian–Mississippian Billefjorden Group partitioned deformation, resulting in significant contrast in deformation intensity between stratigraphic units. For example, tight early Cenozoic folds are localized in shales of the Wood Bay Formation and contemporaneous top-west brittle–ductile thrusts within coals of the Billefjorden Group, whereas Pennsylvanian deposits of the Hultberget (and/or Ebbadalen?) Formation are simply folded into gentle open folds. Rheological contrasts also resulted in the development of décollements locally, e.g., between tightly folded strata of the Wood Bay Formation and Billefjorden Group and flat-lying, brecciated limestone-dominated strata of the Wordiekammen Formation. Despite the limited quality and continuity of outcrops in the area, the eastward-thickening character (i.e., away from the fault) of Pennsylvanian deposits of the Hultberget, Ebbadalen, and Minkinfjellet formations suggests that the fault did not act as a normal fault in Pennsylvanian times. Conclusions The study suggests that strain partitioning of early Cenozoic Eurekan contraction alone may explain the deformation patterns in Paleozoic rock units in central Spitsbergen, i.e., that Late Devonian Svalbardian contraction is not required, and that a major segment of the Billefjorden Fault Zone formed in the early Cenozoic. The present work illustrates the crucial need for interdisciplinary approaches and composite educational backgrounds in science.
Systematic review: locating qualitative academic publications for reviewing tenants’ and landlords’ renting experiences and interaction in the Majority World
Authors: Soaita Adriana Mihaela
Published: October 2024

This methodological protocol describes the step-by-step process of identifying the relevant international academic literature to be reviewed within the project ‘The affective economies of emerging private renting markets: understanding tenants and landlords in postcommunist Romania” (AFFECTIVE-PRS). It presents: (1) the preliminary decisions taken related to the breadth of the review (choice of databases, type of research, type of reference, searching fields); (2) the operationalisation of keywords and Boolean strings; (3) the further calibration of the searching parameters through piloting; (4) the final retrieval of relevant references through systematic and manual searches; and (5) the geographical coverage of the retained literature. While the paper demonstrates the rigour of the methodological approach taken, it also opens up the space for other scholars to scrutinise, replicate or adjust this approach to their own work.
“Kuteteza”: A community-engaged COVID-19 Prevention and Protection Initiative in Southern Malawi
Authors: Mategula Donnie , Ibarz-Pavón Ana , Sakala Melody , Chawani Marlen , Sambakunsi Henry , Phiri Mphatso D. , Ndeketa Latif , Sambo Mwiza , Shonga Wisdom , Sambani Clara , Divala Titus , Vinkhumbo Steve , Nkhoma Dominic , Mataya Robert , Nyangulugu Wongani , Saleh Sepeedeh ,   Kuteteza study group
Published: October 2024

Background The COVID-19 epidemic in Malawi involved almost 90,000 recorded cases and 2,638 deaths. In response to early concerns about vulnerable older people in rural areas, we developed ‘Kuteteza’: a COVID-19 mitigation response project. Clinicians, public health professionals, and researchers collaborated with government and district-level staff in two Southern Malawi districts. Interventions included supported ‘shielding’ of older people – minimising social mixing whilst having their daily needs supported. Additional mitigation strategies included provision of masks, handwashing stations, and soap. Government partnerships allowed additional support for vulnerable groups. We present the findings of a realist project evaluation, assessing the feasibility of this approach. Methods We collated anonymised descriptive data on Kuteteza procedures and conducted qualitative structured observations in villages involved in the initiative. We carried out three focus groups involving community members, frontline health staff, and volunteers in each setting. These provided deeper insights into experiences of the pandemic and impacts of the intervention, including suggested opportunities during future outbreaks. Results The project involved 25 villages across two districts, with 1,087 people over the age of 60 voluntarily participating in ‘shielding’. Supplies of food, water, and cooking fuel were mostly arranged within the family. In Kuteteza villages, the handwashing stations and soap were widely used, and there was awareness and some observance of COVID-19 prevention measures. The project, including the provision of supplies, was greatly appreciated by communities, but wider contextual constraints – namely widespread economic insecurity – presented persisting challenges. Suggestions for improvement largely concerned project enhancements and extensions. Conclusions Through effective stakeholder engagement and contribution to national response strategy, the Kuteteza project helped raise COVID-19 awareness and supported populations at a critical time in the pandemic. Kuteteza approaches were welcomed locally and may be incorporated in future epidemic responses. Supported ‘shielding’ should be paired with government-led measures to mitigate economic hardship.
Investigating the feasibility and potential of combining industry AMR monitoring systems: a comparison with WHO GLASS
Authors: Rahbé Eve , Kovacevic Aleksandra , Opatowski Lulla , Leclerc Quentin J.
Published: October 2024

Background Efforts to estimate the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have highlighted gaps in existing surveillance systems. Data gathered from hospital networks globally by pharmaceutical industries to monitor antibiotic efficacy in different bacteria represent an underused source of information to complete our knowledge of AMR burden.. We analysed available industry monitoring systems to assess to which extent combining them could help fill the gaps in our current understanding of AMR levels and trends. Methods We analysed six industry monitoring systems (ATLAS, GEARS, SIDERO-WT, KEYSTONE, DREAM, and SOAR) obtained from the Vivli platform and reviewed their respective isolates collection and analysis protocols. Using the R software, we designed a pipeline to harmonise and combine these into a single dataset. We assessed the reliability of resistance estimates from these sources by comparing the combined dataset to the publicly available subset of WHO GLASS for shared bacteria-antibiotic-country-year combinations. Results Combined, the industry monitoring systems cover 18 years (4 years for GLASS), 85 countries (71), 412 bacterial species (8), and 75 antibiotics (25). Although all industry systems followed a similar centralised testing approach, the patient selection protocol and associated sampling period were unclear. Over all reported years and countries, E.coli, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus resistance rates were in >65% of cases within 0.1 of the corresponding estimate in GLASS. We did not identify systemic bias towards resistance in industry systems compared to GLASS. Conclusions High agreement values for available comparisons with GLASS suggest that data for other bacteria-antibiotic-country-year combinations only present in industry systems could complement GLASS; however, for this purpose patient and isolate selection criteria must first be clarified to understand the representativeness of industry systems. This additional source of information on resistance levels could help clinicians and stakeholders prioritize testing and select appropriate antibiotics in settings with limited surveillance data.
Association between type 2 diabetes and periodontitis: a population-based study in the North Peru
Authors: Mayta-Mayorga Marcela , Guerra-Rodríguez Victoria , Bernabe-Ortiz Antonio
Published: October 2024

Background Periodontitis, one of the most common forms of periodontal disease, has been linked to several cardiovascular factors including metabolic syndrome and inflammatory processes. This study aimed to determine the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis in a representative sample of individuals in the north of Peru. Materials and methods Secondary data analysis using information of a population-based survey, enrolling subjects aged 35 to 69 years. The outcome was periodontitis, evaluated using a self-reported and validated 8-item questionnaire, whereas the exposure was the presence of T2DM, evaluated using results of oral glucose tolerance test and categorized into two different forms: (a) normoglycemic, prediabetes, and T2DM, and (b) without T2DM, with T2DM and <5 years of diagnosis, and with T2DM and ≥5 years of diagnosis. Poisson regression models were utilized to report prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results Data from 1606 individuals were analyzed, with a mean age of 48.2 (SD: 10.6) years, and 50.3% were women. Of these, 272 (16.9%) had prediabetes and 176 (11.0%) had T2DM (17.3% with <5 years of disease). Overall, 97.0% presented at least one symptom compatible with periodontitis, 882 (55.0%) had mild, 643 (40.0%) had moderate, and 5% had severe periodontitis. In multivariable model, those with T2DM had a higher prevalence of periodontitis (PR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.12 - 3.54). Similarly, those with <5 years of disease had a higher prevalence of periodontitis (PR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.38 - 4.46). Conclusions Our research confirms the association between T2DM and periodontitis, especially among those with recent diagnosis (<5 years). Symptoms of periodontitis are quite common in our study population. Our results suggest a need to periodically assess oral health in patients with T2DM.