bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant potential and factors influencing the content of antioxidant compounds of pepper: A review with current knowledge
Authors: Sanatombi Keithellakpam
Published: May 2023

The use of natural food items as antioxidants has gained increasing popularity and attention in recent times supported by scientific studies validating the antioxidant properties of natural food items. Peppers (Capsicum spp.) are also important sources of antioxidants and several studies published during the last few decades identified and quantified various groups of phytochemicals with antioxidant capacities as well as indicated the influence of several pre‐ and postharvest factors on the antioxidant capacity of pepper. Therefore, this review summarizes the research findings on the antioxidant activity of pepper published to date and discusses their potential health benefits as well as the factors influencing the antioxidant activity in pepper. The major antioxidant compounds in pepper include capsaicinoids, capsinoids, vitamins, carotenoids, phenols, and flavonoids, and these antioxidants potentially modulate oxidative stress related to aging and diseases by targeting reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, lipid peroxidation products, as well as genes for transcription factors that regulate antioxidant response elements genes. The review also provides a systematic understanding of the factors that maintain or improve the antioxidant capacity of peppers and the application of these strategies offers options to pepper growers and spices industries for maximizing the antioxidant activity of peppers and their health benefits to consumers. In addition, the efficacy of pepper antioxidants, safety aspects, and formulations of novel products with pepper antioxidants have also been covered with future perspectives on potential innovative uses of pepper antioxidants in the future.
Predictive value of bone marrow megakaryocyte count for immunotherapeutic response in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients with severe immune thrombocytopenia: A single‐center case–control study in China
Authors: Zhong Hui , Xue Yuan , Zhang Li , Yang Yunjiao , Zhou Jiaxin , Zhang Shangzhu , Jiang Nan , Qiao Lin , Peng Linyi , Wang Li , Zhang Wen , Xu Dong , Li Mengtao , Zhao Yan , Zeng Xiaofeng
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To investigate potential predictors of treatment response in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients with severe immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), with a focus on bone marrow megakaryocyte (MK) count.

Methods

This case–control study included patients with pSS and severe ITP who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital and met the 2002 AECG or 2016 American College of Rheumatology / European League Against Rheumatism criteria for SS. Patients who had overlap other connective tissue diseases and with thrombocytopenia that could be explained by other causes were excluded. Severe ITP was defined as platelet count <20 × 109/L. Response was evaluated at 3 months after treatment.

Results

Sixty‐eight eligible patients were included: 34 (50%) achieved complete remission (CR), 18 (26%) partial remission (PR) and 16 (24%) were non‐responders (NRs). Fewer infections were found in the CR group (24%) than in the PR (50%) and NR (56%) groups (P = 0.04). The MK count (CR 32 vs PR 36 vs NR 4 per slide, P < 0.001) in the NR group was significantly lower than in the other groups. MK count >6.5 per slide predicted good treatment response, with 85.7% sensitivity, 88.1% specificity and 0.866 area under the curve. Logistic regression indicated that patients with more MKs were more likely to respond to immunotherapy (crude odds ratio [OR] 1.45, 95% CI 1.2–2.0, adjusted OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.2–2.7).

Conclusions

MK count predicted response to immunosuppressive treatment in pSS patients with severe ITP. These patients are recommended to have bone marrow aspiration before treatment initiation. Clinicians should be aware of screening for infections during clinical practice.
Garment Model Extraction from Clothed Mannequin Scan
Authors: Gao Qiqi , Taketomi Takafumi
Published: May 2023

Modelling garments with rich details require enormous time and expertise of artists. Recent works re‐construct garments through segmentation of clothed human scan. However, existing methods rely on certain human body templates and do not perform as well on loose garments such as skirts. This paper presents a two‐stage pipeline for extracting high‐fidelity garments from static scan data of clothed mannequins. Our key contribution is a novel method for tracking both tight and loose boundaries between garments and mannequin skin. Our algorithm enables the modelling of off‐the‐shelf clothing with fine details. It is independent of human template models and requires only minimal mannequin priors. The effectiveness of our method is validated through quantitative and qualitative comparison with the baseline method. The results demonstrate that our method can accurately extract both tight and loose garments within reasonable time.
Influence of implant restorative emergence angle and contour on peri‐implant marginal bone loss: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Atieh Momen A. , Shah Maanas , Ameen Mohammed , Tawse‐Smith Andrew , Alsabeeha Nabeel H. M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Implant restorative emergence angle and profile may have a negative impact on peri‐implant marginal bone level and may increase the risk of developing peri‐implantitis. However, the role of these prosthetic features on peri‐implant health is still unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analyses was to evaluate the long‐term outcomes of implant restorations with an emergence angle of >30° in comparison to those with ≤30° in terms of changes in peri‐implant marginal bone level, periodontal parameters, and prevalence rate of peri‐implantitis.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched to identify observational studies that compared implant restorations with an emergence angle of >30° to those with ≤30°. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool.

Results

Four studies with 912 dental implants in 397 participants were included in the present review. Of these, 455 implants had restorations with an emergence angle of >30°, while the remaining implants had restorative emergence angle of ≤30°. The follow‐up time varied between 3.8 and 10.9 years. Implant restorations with an emergence angle of ≤30° were associated with less changes in peri‐implant marginal bone level compared to those with emergence angle of >30°. The difference, however, was not statistically significant (mean difference 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.13 to 1.72; p = 0.09). In platform‐matched implants, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant in favor of implant restorations with emergence angle of ≤30°. In terms of emergence profile, implant restorations with convex profile had significantly higher rate of peri‐implantitis (57.8%) compared to implant restorations with concave or straight profile (21.3%) (risk ratio 2.32; 95% CI 1.12–4.82; p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Within the limitation of this review, implant restorations with an emergence angles of >30° or ≤30° seem to have no significant influence on peri‐implant marginal bone level. Platform‐matched implants with an emergence angle of ≤30° may have positive effects on the peri‐implant marginal bone level changes, but the evidence support is of low to moderate certainty.
Efficacy and safety of remote ischemic conditioning for acute ischemic stroke: A comprehensive meta‐analysis from randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kan Xiuji , Yan Zeya , Wang Fei , Tao Xinyu , Xue Tao , Chen Zhouqing , Wang Zhong , Chen Gang
Published: May 2023

Background and Purpose

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a remote, transient, and noninvasive procedure providing temporary ischemia and reperfusion. However, there is no comprehensive literature investigating the efficacy and safety of RIC for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive meta‐analysis of the available studies.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library database (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched before Sep 7, 2022. The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software, Stata version 16.0 software, and R 4.2.0 software. Odds ratio (OR), mean difference (MD), and corresponding 95% CIs were pooled using fixed‐effects meta‐analysis.

Results

We pooled 6392 patients from 17 randomized controlled trials. Chronic RIC could reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke at the endpoints (OR 0.67, 95% CI [0.51, 0.87]). RIC could also improve the prognosis of patients at 90 days as assessed by mRS score (mRS 0–1: OR 1.29, 95% CI [1.09, 1.52]; mRS 0–2: OR 1.22, 95% CI [1.01, 1.48]) and at the endpoints assessed by NIHSS score (MD −0.99, 95% CI [−1.45, −0.53]). RIC would not cause additional adverse events such as death (p = 0.72), intracerebral hemorrhage events (p = 0.69), pneumonia (p = 0.75), and TIA (p = 0.24) but would inevitably cause RIC‐related adverse events (OR 26.79, 95% CI [12.08, 59.38]).

Conclusions

RIC could reduce the stroke recurrence and improve patients' prognosis. Intervention on bilateral upper limbs, 5 cycles, and a length of 50 min in each intervention might be an optimal protocol for RIC at present. RIC could be an effective therapy for patients not eligible for reperfusion therapy. RIC would not cause other adverse events except for relatively benign RIC‐related adverse events.
Mucosectomy of the anal canal via transanal minimally invasive surgery combined with transanal total mesorectal excision for familial adenomatous polyposis: A technical note
Authors: Matsumoto Ryu , Mori Shinichiro , Nepal Pramod , Kita Yoshiaki , Tanabe Kan , Hokonohara Kentaro , Satake Soichi , Hamada Yuki , Wada Masumi , Arigami Takaaki , Sasaki Ken , Kurahara Hiroshi , Ohtsuka Takao
Published: May 2023

Aim

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch−anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard surgical treatment modality for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). It is challenging to perform proctectomy and preserve anal sphincter function. In this video, precise mucosectomy of the anal canal via transanal minimally invasive surgery (MAC‐TAMIS) is reported.

Methods

An asymptomatic 35‐year‐old man was found to have a positive faecal occult blood test in routine screening examination and was diagnosed with FAP on colonoscopic examination. The patient was scheduled for total proctocolectomy with IPAA using the TAMIS approach combined with transanal total mesorectal excision. MAC‐TAMIS was performed to preserve the internal anal sphincter during laparoscopy.

Results

The total duration of surgery was 543 min, blood loss was minimal, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The postoperative hospital stay was 12 days. The pathological findings demonstrated no evidence of malignancy. Gastrographic imaging from the ileostomy showed sufficient size of the J pouch and good tonus of the anus at 6 months after surgery. The Wexner scores at 1, 3 and 6 months after ileostomy closure were 5, 3 and 0, respectively.

Conclusion

The MAC‐TAMIS technique is safe and feasible during total proctocolectomy with IPAA in patients with FAP. This technique allows us to precisely preserve the internal anal sphincter using a laparoscopic approach.
Prices of flower and resin in cannabis social clubs: Analyses of register data from 220,000 collections
Authors: Manthey Jakob , Obradors‐Pineda Anna
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Cannabis social clubs (CSC) are community‐based non‐profit organisations that aim to minimise cannabis‐related harm for their members. This contribution seeks to: (i) compare the cost of cannabis flower and resin in CSCs to the national average retail price on the illegal market; and (ii) identify possible quantity discounts for cannabis flower and resin distributed to members of CSCs.

Methods

Routine data from four CSCs located in Barcelona, Spain, contained information on n = 220,465 collections of cannabis resin and flower (0.01–39 g per collection). The costs for 1 g of cannabis flower and resin per collection were determined. The mean national prices on illicit cannabis were obtained from Spanish police reports.

Results

On average, members paid 6.19€ for 1 g flower (median: 6€; interquartile range: 6–7€) and 8.54€ for 1 g resin (median: 7€; interquartile range: 6–9€), with less variations for flower than for resin. Compared to the national average, prices appeared to be higher for cannabis products distributed in CSCs, but comparisons were limited by a lack of data on the variation of national prices. For resin, doubling the quantity was associated with a 20.7% (95% confidence interval 20.4–21.2%; p < 0.001) fee discount.

Discussion and conclusions

Cannabis in CSCs may be more costly than the estimated national average for the illicit market. No meaningful price discount could be observed for flower but for resin. Pricing policies pursued by CSCs may help to disincentivise consumption of larger amounts but may also bar socioeconomically disadvantaged users from accessing safer alternatives than the illegal market.
Syphilis
Authors: Sadoghi Birgit , Stary Georg , Wolf Peter
Published: May 2023

Syphilis is a curable systemic infectious disease with a clear increase in incidence in recent years. The disease presents with a broad clinical spectrum and challenges clinicians due to the long incubation period and the sometimes complex interpretation of serological test results. Penicillin G remains the treatment of choice in all stages of syphilis.
Comparing temporal dynamics of compositional reorganization in long‐term studies of birds and fish
Authors: Penny Amelia , Dornelas Maria , Magurran Anne
Published: May 2023

The composition of ecological assemblages has changed rapidly over the past century. Compositional reorganization rates are high relative to rates of alpha diversity change, creating an urgent need to understand how this compositional reorganization is progressing. We developed a quantitative framework for comparing temporal trajectories of compositional reorganization and applied it to two long‐term bird and marine fish datasets. We then evaluated how the number and magnitude of short‐term changes relate to overall rates of change. We found varied trajectories of turnover across birds and fish, with linear directional change predominating in birds and non‐directional change more common in fish. The number of changes away from the baseline was a more consistent correlate of the overall rate of change than the magnitude of such changes, but large unreversed changes were found in both fish and birds, as were time series with accelerating compositional change. Compositional reorganization is progressing through a complex mix of temporal trajectories, including both threshold‐like behaviour and the accumulation of repeated, linear change.
Proximal segmental ostectomy under standing sedation for treatment of open comminuted axially displaced fractures of the fourth metatarsal bone in two horses
Authors: Vajs Taja , Haltmayer Eva
Published: May 2023

Two cases with open, comminuted, axially displaced fractures of the proximal third of the fourth metatarsal bone were referred to the University Equine Hospital Vienna. Due to concerns regarding the risk of injury to the suspensory ligament and risk of implant infection with an open configuration, surgical treatment with proximal ostectomy of the fractured fourth metatarsal bone was performed in both cases. Based on telephone follow‐up, Case 1 was reported to be sound with no significant reaction at the surgical site 22 months following the procedure and Case 2 exhibited intermittent lameness, radiographically evident irregular new bone formation and some residual ultrasonographic changes of the proximal suspensory ligament 17 months after the procedure. Based on the results of this report, a proximal ostectomy facilitated by standing sedation and regional anaesthesia is a valid treatment option in cases of open, axially displaced fractures of the fourth metatarsal bone, minimising perioperative complications but not excluding long‐term postoperative complications.
Dynamic evaluation of pathological changes in a mouse acne model by optical imaging technology
Authors: Li Dongying , Sun Yanan , Ren Xing , Zhou Na , Li Lu , He Gaiying , Ma Shuhua , Wang Yi
Published: May 2023

Acne vulgaris is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that is primarily caused by hyperseborrhoea, colonization with Propionibacterium acnes, hyperkeratosis and an inflammatory response. Existing pharmacodynamic assessment methods primarily focus on a single causative factor at a certain time point, making it difficult to assess multiple factors simultaneously in real time. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a dynamic and nondestructive method for the assessment of acne in vivo. This study utilized four‐dimensional optical imaging techniques to assess the pathogenic factors and pathological progression of acne. LSCI was employed to measure blood flow; TPEF was used to observe inflammatory changes (NAD(P)H) in epidermal granular layer cells and structural changes in collagen fibres in the dermal layer. Additionally, the dermatoscope was used to investigate the micro‐characterization of the lesions. We observed that the epidermis in the lesion area was thickened, hair follicles were keratinized, and there was obvious inflammation and blood flow aggregation by optical imaging technology. Based on these findings, the pathological progression of this acne model could be divided into the inflammation phase, accompanied by bacterial colonization, and the reparative phase. These results provide a new perspective for the assessment of acne and offer an experimental basis for the selection of precise drugs for clinical use.
Some like it salty: Spatio‐temporal dynamics of salinity differentially affect anurans and caudates in coastal wetlands
Authors: Lorrain‐Soligon Léa , Robin Frédéric , Barbraud Christophe , Brischoux François
Published: May 2023

Coastal wetlands are naturally subjected to salinity, which is expected to increase through global climate changes. Most species will be affected by these changes, leading to major consequences for community structure and ecosystem functioning.

We investigated variation of salinity of temporary wetlands across spatial (1,000 m from the ocean) and temporal (across three breeding season) scales relevant to coastal biodiversity and used amphibians (six species, sampled across one breeding season) as a model to investigate the consequences of the spatio‐temporal variation of salinity in 24 ponds situated on the Atlantic coast of France.

We show that salinity is a highly dynamic environmental variable that varies widely both across spatial and temporal scales. The spatio‐temporal dynamics of salinity are a critical factor structuring amphibian communities that affect the main amphibian phylogenetic groups (caudates vs. anurans) differently. Temporal variation in salinity disrupts the match between salinity selected by reproductive adults and those experienced later by their developing offspring, which negatively affect reproductive success.

Future changes in coastal salinity are likely to affect the structure and functioning of these ecosystems, excluding salt‐intolerant species and eventually leading to less diverse communities of salt‐tolerant species.
Efficacy of dual enkephalinase inhibition in a preclinical migraine model is mediated by activation of peripheral delta opioid receptors
Authors: Mei Hao‐Ruei , Hu Ya‐Yu , Kapadia Soneet , Ouimet Tanja , Poras Hervé , Dussor Gregory
Published: May 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether elevating levels of enkephalin by inhibiting their degradation can attenuate stress‐induced migraine‐like behaviors in mice.

Background

Previous studies in animals have suggested the delta opioid receptor (DOR) as a novel migraine target. The primary endogenous ligands for DOR are enkephalins and their levels can be increased by pharmacological inhibition of enkephalinases; however, it is not clear whether enkephalinase inhibition can be efficacious in preclinical migraine models through activation of DOR or whether other opioid receptors might be involved. Further, it is not clear whether opioid receptors in the central nervous system are necessary for these effects.

Methods

This study used a model of repetitive restraint stress in mice that induces periorbital hypersensitivity and priming to the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 0.1 mg/kg). Von Frey filaments were used to measure periorbital mechanical thresholds and grimace scores were evaluated by observing mouse facial features. Animals were treated with the dual enkephalinase inhibitor (DENKI) PL37.

Results

On day two post‐stress, PL37 given to mice via either intravenous injection (10 mg/kg) or oral gavage (20 mg/kg) significantly attenuated stress‐induced periorbital hypersensitivity and facial grimace responses. Additionally, both intravenous (10 mg/kg) and oral gavage (20 mg/kg) of PL37 prior to SNP (0.1 mg/kg) administration on day 14 post‐stress significantly reduced SNP‐induced facial hypersensitivity. Injection of the DOR antagonist naltrindole (0.1 mg/kg) but not the mu‐opioid receptor antagonist CTAP (1 mg/kg) prior to PL37 treatment blocked the effects. Finally, pretreatment of mice with the peripherally restricted opioid receptor antagonist naloxone methiodide (5 mg/kg) blocked the effects of PL37.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that inhibiting enkephalinases, and thus protecting enkephalins from degradation, attenuates stress‐induced migraine‐like behavior via activation of peripheral DOR. Peripheral targeting of endogenous opioid signaling may be an effective therapeutic strategy for migraine.
Association of abnormal glucose tolerance with liver‐related disease and cardiovascular diseases in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Konishi Fumiaki , Miyake Teruki , Watanabe Takao , Tokumoto Yoshio , Furukawa Shinya , Matsuura Bunzo , Yoshida Osamu , Miyazaki Masumi , Shiomi Akihito , Kanzaki Sayaka , Nakaguchi Hironobu , Nakamura Yoshiko , Imai Yusuke , Koizumi Mitsuhito , Yamamoto Yasunori , Koizumi Yohei , Hirooka Masashi , Takeshita Eiji , Kumagi Teru , Ikeda Yoshio , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: May 2023

Aim

Hepatitis C complicated by diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a risk factor for the progression of fibrosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cardiovascular diseases. However, several studies may have lacked appropriate diagnosis of glucose intolerance. We aimed to examine the risk associated with abnormal glucose intolerance in the development of liver‐related diseases, including HCC and complications of liver cirrhosis, such as ascites, esophageal and gastric varices, and hepatic encephalopathy, and cardiovascular diseases in patients with hepatitis C accurately diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods

This longitudinal retrospective study included 365 patients with chronic hepatitis C admitted to Ehime University Hospital for anti‐hepatitis C therapy between September 1991 and January 2015. Patients were classified into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes, and DM groups based on 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test results.

Results

Both univariate and multivariate (adjusted for potential confounders) analyses revealed a significantly higher risk of developing HCC and cardiovascular events in the DM group than in the NGT group. However, in multivariate analysis, liver‐related events, particularly liver cirrhosis complications, revealed no significant association. In addition, the prediabetes group had no significant risk of any outcome.

Conclusions

Patients with hepatitis C complicated by DM, compared with patients with hepatitis C with NGT or complicated with prediabetes, have a higher risk of HCC and cardiovascular disease events, but not liver‐related events, particularly in not developing liver cirrhosis complications. Therefore, appropriate follow‐up is required for patients with hepatitis C based on their glucose tolerance status.
High temperature dielectric properties of calcium zirconate
Authors: Devoe Alan , Trinh Hung , Dogan Fatih
Published: May 2023

The electrical properties of dense, high purity CaZrO3 discs, sintered at 1380°C with and without added ZrO2, were investigated up to 950°C. Dielectric constant, loss tangent, and electrical conductivity were measured from 25 to 725°C, and the real and imaginary impedances were measured between 800 and 950°C by impedance spectroscopy techniques. Dielectric constant increased by 8% above 300°C and loss tangent increased from .1% at 25°C to ∼2% above 300°C. Activation energy of electrical conductivity determined between 300°C and 950°C by alternative current (AC) and direct current (DC) measurements. These results indicate that CaZrO3 could be a useful dielectric material for capacitor applications up to 500°C. A reported decrease in conductivity due to addition of excess ZrO2 into stoichiometric CaZrO3 could not be confirmed.
An Australian COVID‐19 respiratory care unit experience
Authors: Ward‐Ambler Emily , Wallbridge Peter , Singh Kasha , Miller Alistair , Irving Louis B. , Manser Renee , Goldin Jeremy , Hii Su , Hammerschlag Gary , Rees Megan
Published: May 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) with a heterogeneous presentation ranging from severe pneumonitis to asymptomatic infection. International studies have demonstrated the utility of respiratory care units (RCUs) to facilitate the delivery of non‐invasive ventilation techniques to patients with COVID‐19 pneumonitis.

Aims

This study aims to describe the patient characteristics, flow and outcomes of admissions to the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) COVID‐19 RCU (CRCU) during its initial period of operation.

Methods

Single‐centre retrospective cohort study, all patients admitted to CRCU between 17 September and 10 December 2021 were included in this study. Patient demographics, including comorbidities and limitations of medical treatment, were analysed. Admission source and discharge destination were reviewed. Length of stay was recorded. Finally, in‐hospital and CRCU mortality were analysed.

Results

Ninety‐seven patients, comprising 111 admissions, occurred during the study period with median age of 65 years (48% female). Most patients were admitted from and discharged to the ward. Twenty patients died in hospital (21%), with age, 4C score, comorbidity and presence of obstructive lung disease predicting mortality (area under the curve (AUC) 0.85, P < 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in those over 65 years of age compared to those under 65 (P < 0.001), or those deemed not for intubation compared to those for intubation (P = 0.0019).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of operating a CRCU within an Australian tertiary healthcare setting.
A tutorial on graph models for scheduling round‐robin sports tournaments
Authors: Ribeiro Celso C. , Urrutia Sebastián , de Werra Dominique
Published: May 2023

Many sports leagues organize their competitions as round‐robin tournaments. This tournament design has a rich mathematical structure that has been studied in the literature over the years. We review some of the main properties and fundamental scheduling methods of round‐robin tournaments. Special attention is given to extra‐mural tournaments in which each team in the competition has its venue. Teams play either at home or away in such tournaments in each round. The surge of breaks in the perfect alternation of home and away breaks is studied in detail.
Mechanism of enhanced corrosion resistance against molten CMAS for pyrosilicates by high‐entropy design
Authors: Chen Zeyu , Lin Chucheng , Zheng Wei , Song Xuemei , Jiang Caifen , Niu Yaran , Zeng Yi
Published: May 2023

Meeting service requirements at temperatures above 1400°C is challenging for the CMAS corrosion resistance of single‐component pyrosilicates. This research presents a high‐entropy design approach for pyrosilicates using ionic radius modulation. This method enhances pyrosilicates’ resistance to CMAS corrosion by regulating the apatite's quantity formed to obstruct CMAS melt infiltration while avoiding excessive reactions. We investigated the corrosion behavior of two types of single‐component pyrosilicates (Lu2Si2O7 and Yb2Si2O7) with a small ionic radius of rare‐earth elements (REEs), three types of β‐type pyrosilicates ((Ho1/4Er1/4Yb1/4Lu1/4)2Si2O7, (Y1/5Ho1/5Er1/5Yb1/5Lu1/5)2Si2O7 and (Y1/6Ho1/6Er1/6Tm1/6Yb1/6Lu1/6)2Si2O7), and one γ‐type pyrosilicate ((Gd1/4Dy1/4Yb1/4Lu1/4)2Si2O7) with a larger average ionic radius of REEs at 1450–1550°C. The analysis of the residual CMAS and apatite compositions showed the differences in the behavior of different REEs in the reaction with CMAS and the conditions required for the reaction to proceed.
Increased circulating phenylacetylglutamine concentration elevates the predictive value of cardiovascular event risk in heart failure patients
Authors: Wei Haoran , Wu Junfang , Wang Huiqing , Huang Jin , Li Chenze , Zhang Yuxuan , Song Yaonan , Zhou Zhitong , Sun Yang , Xiao Lei , Peng Liyuan , Chen Chen , Zhao Chunxia , Wang Dao Wen
Published: May 2023

Background

Phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln)—a newly discovered microbial metabolite produced by phenylalanine metabolism—is reportedly associated with cardiovascular events via adrenergic receptors. Nonetheless, its association with cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients remains unknown.

Objectives

This study aimed to prospectively investigate the prognostic value of PAGln for HF.

Methods

Plasma PAGln levels were quantified by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. We first assessed the association between plasma PAGln levels and the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in 3152 HF patients (including HF with preserved and reduced ejection fraction) over a median follow‐up period of 2 years. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular death or heart transplantation. We then assessed the prognostic role of PAGln in addition to the classic biomarker N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). The correlation between PAGln levels and β‐blocker use was also investigated.

Results

In total, 520 cardiovascular deaths or heart transplantations occurred in the HF cohort. Elevated PAGln levels were independently associated with a higher risk of the primary endpoint in a dose‐response manner, regardless of HF subtype. Concurrent assessment of PAGln and NT‐proBNP levels enhanced risk stratification among HF patients. PAGln further showed prognostic value at low NT‐proBNP levels. Additionally, the interaction effects between PAGln and β‐blocker use were not significant.

Conclusions

Plasma PAGln levels are an independent predictor of an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events in HF. Our work could provide joint and complementary prognostic value to NT‐proBNP levels in HF patients.
Masticatory dysfunction in older adults: A scoping review
Authors: Lahoud Tony , Yu Angus Yao‐Dong , King Shalinie
Published: May 2023

Background

Masticatory dysfunction impacts food selection, nutritional intake and social activities; all of which play a vital role to ensure good general health and quality of life. Despite the rapidly ageing population, there is limited evidence regarding the risk factors that lead to masticatory dysfunction in older adults or protective factors which may help maintain masticatory ability. Furthermore, there is currently no consensus for a specific test which measures masticatory ability.

Objectives

The objectives of this scoping review are to identify the risk and protective factors associated with masticatory dysfunction and determine the most commonly used objective measure of masticatory performance.

Design

A scoping review was performed using the PRISMA recommendations. MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched. Seventy‐eight articles were included in this review. There were six randomised controlled trials, six interventional studies, one systematic review, one quasi‐experimental study, five prospective cohort studies, 58 cross‐sectional studies and one case–control study. Data were analysed for frequency of studies reporting on risk factors, protective factors and/or objective measures of masticatory performance.

Results

This scoping review identified tooth loss as the most common risk factor for masticatory dysfunction. Other notable risk factors included musculoskeletal conditions such as frailty and sarcopenia, cognitive decline and malnutrition. Additionally, the review identified that the presence or addition of teeth was the main protective factor. Other protective factors included denture maintenance via liners and adhesives, textured foods, and oral exercises. Chewing gum was the most common objective measure of masticatory function, followed by the occlusal force and sieve methods.

Conclusions

This scoping review found that there was limited evidence for a causal link between each of the risk factors and masticatory dysfunction or the protective factors and the maintenance of masticatory ability in older adults. Establishing a standard method for measuring masticatory performance such as the commonly used chewing gum method and encouraging clinicians to routinely measure masticatory function will enable comparisons across multiple risk and protective factors, improving the evidence base and contributing to better patient care.
The skillful means and meanings of philosophy: Attention and immersion in the philosophical art of writing
Authors: Johnson Charles
Published: May 2023

This response to Richard Shusterman's Philosophy and the Art of Writing focuses on his concern that philosophy is, first and foremost, a way of life, illustrated in the West by the Socratic ideal of the philosopher and in the East by the example of the scholar‐artist‐gentleman. This paper examines the process of Buddhist meditation and the process of creating novels, supplementing the authors Shusterman carefully examines with examples from Black American literature, the author's own teacher John Gardner, and artistic colleagues the author has known. The basic thrust of the response is that the skillful means used in writing can indeed be a form of self‐creation, but it can also be a means of liberation from the self.
Prenatal and early‐life antibiotic exposure and the risk of atopic dermatitis in children: A nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Chang Yu‐Chuan , Wu Meng‐Che , Wu Hsing‐Ju , Liao Pei‐Lun , Wei James Cheng‐Chung
Published: May 2023

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) contributes to substantial social and financial costs in public health care systems. Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy has been proposed as a risk factor, but findings remain inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between prenatal antibiotic use and childhood AD.

Methods

We performed a population‐based cohort study using data collected from the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database from 2009 to 2016. Associations were determined using Cox proportional hazards model and were adjusted for several potential covariates, including maternal atopic disorders and gestational infections. Children with and without maternal predispositions of atopic diseases and postnatal antibiotic/acetaminophen exposures within 1 year were stratified to identify the subgroups at risk.

Results

A total of 1,288,343 mother–child pairs were identified and 39.5% received antibiotics prenatally. Maternal antibiotic use during pregnancy was slightly positively associated with childhood AD (aHR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.05), especially in the first and second trimesters. An apparent dose–response pattern was observed with an 8% increased risk when the exposure was ≥5 courses prenatally (aHR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06–1.11). Subgroup analysis showed the positive association remained significant regardless of postnatal infant antibiotic use, but the risk attenuated to null in infants who were not exposed to acetaminophen (aHR 1.01, 95% CI 0.96–1.05). The associations were higher in children whose mothers were without AD compared to those whose mothers were with AD. In addition, postnatal antibiotic or acetaminophen exposure of infants was associated with an increased risk of developing AD after 1 year of age.

Conclusion

Maternal antibiotic use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of childhood AD in a dose‐related manner. Further research may be warranted to investigate this variable using a prospectively designed study, and also to examine whether or not this association is specifically related to pregnancy.
Accountability, affect, and the political unconscious: A dialogue
Authors: Borneman John , Wilson Richard Ashby
Published: May 2023

This dialogue between John Borneman and Richard Ashby Wilson examines several of the key questions for law and politics that have come to the fore since the end of the Cold War. Beginning with Borneman's contributions over the last three decades, in which he elaborates the concepts of accountability, care, and affect, both authors then engage with how these issues emerge in their own research in different locales. They argue for the global relevance of these concepts for the recent authoritarian turn and increasingly vocal demands for justice. Drawing on the history of anthropological study of kinship and law, they ask how psychoanalytic understandings of violence and the domestic sphere might pose new questions in contemporary debates. They assess, in turn, the place of retribution in transitional justice strategies such as criminal trials and truth commissions, the productivity of care in querying relationality after political violence, the relation of affect and revenge to justice, the changing gender of the public sphere, the significance of reciprocity in both violence and care, the role of aggression and the death drive in producing and redressing violence, and the significance of law to trauma work.
Open‐access renewable resources and pollution: Trade and policy implications in a two‐country model
Authors: Güven Gökhan , İnançlı Selim
Published: May 2023

We examine the interaction between the relative inter‐industry pollution externality and resource stock externality of harvesting in deciding trade patterns and welfare gains from trade in a two‐country model (less‐developed countries) with renewable resources in the absence of resource management. This paper focuses on the impacts of trade policies on resource conservation and welfare outcomes in two countries with different environmental management regimes. Differences in pollution management standards between both countries determine the direction of trade flow and gains from trade in a diversified production case. The country with a lower pollution intensity parameter, an exporter of resource goods, certainly experiences welfare loss in the post‐trade steady‐state and may also suffer a decline in utility throughout the transition path. However, a country with higher pollution intensity and importers of resource goods tend to gain from trade. Under national open‐access resources, given that pollution is regulated up to a certain point in both countries, this study finds that implementing better restrictions on only one externality factor is not optimal from a post‐trade welfare perspective. Lastly, from the point of view of policy suggestion, this paper offers an optimal trade policy that the economic and environmental effects of enforcing import tax on resource goods are likely to be Pareto‐improving consequences compared to the implications of using an export tax.
COVID‐19 attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors in association with personal ideology and social media exposure: Findings from emerging adults in the Southern United States
Authors: Bennett‐Brown Margaret , Gesselman Amanda N. , Edmund Emmanuel
Published: May 2023

In the U.S., the COVID‐19 pandemic has been highly politicized and has been the subject of large‐scale media misinformation. Personal ideologies—including religiosity and political leanings (i.e., conservative, liberal)—have heavily guided responses to the pandemic, particularly in the Southern United States. However, microenvironments like Southern U.S. universities provide a unique perspective into the juxtaposition of larger societal conservatism and the liberalism associated with higher education. In the current study, we examined Southern university students' political beliefs, religiosity, and social media exposure in association with their COVID‐19 attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors. Participants' political beliefs were associated with their COVID‐19 concern, myth acceptance, vaccination status, and likelihood to receive a future vaccination. Religiosity and social media exposure were more nuanced. Future research into personal ideologies as emerging adults develop their independent identities away from their parents, and how this process can impact health behaviors, is needed.
Linear feature conflation: An optimization‐based matching model with connectivity constraints
Authors: Lei Ting L. , Lei Zhen
Published: May 2023

Geospatial data conflation is the process of combining multiple datasets about a geographic phenomenon to produce a single, richer dataset. It has received increased research attention due to its many applications in map making, transportation, planning, and temporal geospatial analyses, among many others. One approach to conflation, attempted from the outset in the literature, is the use of optimization‐based conflation methods. Conflation is treated as a natural optimization problem of minimizing the total number of discrepancies while finding corresponding features from two datasets. Optimization‐based conflation has several advantages over traditional methods including conciseness, being able to find an optimal solution, and ease of implementation. However, current optimization‐based conflation methods are also limited. A main shortcoming with current optimized conflation models (and other traditional methods as well) is that they are often too weak and cannot utilize the spatial context in each dataset while matching corresponding features. In particular, current optimal conflation models match a feature to targets independently from other features and therefore treat each GIS dataset as a collection of unrelated elements, reminiscent of the spaghetti GIS data model. Important contextual information such as the connectivity between adjacent elements (such as roads) is neglected during the matching. Consequently, such models may produce topologically inconsistent results. In this article, we address this issue by introducing new optimization‐based conflation models with structural constraints to preserve the connectivity and contiguity relation among features. The model is implemented using integer linear programming and compared with traditional spaghetti‐style models on multiple test datasets. Experimental results show that the new element connectivity (ec‐bimatching) model reduces false matches and consistently outperforms traditional models.
Contextualizing evidence‐based nurse‐led interventions for reducing 30‐day hospital readmissions using GRADE evidence to decision framework: A Delphi study
Authors: Zhong Claire C. W. , Wong Charlene H. L. , Hung Chi‐tim , Yeoh Eng‐kiong , Wong Eliza L. Y. , Chung Vincent C. H.
Published: May 2023

Background

High 30‐day readmission rates increase hospital costs and negatively impact patient outcomes in many healthcare systems, including Hong Kong. Evidence‐based and local adaptable nurse‐led interventions have not been established for reducing 30‐day hospital readmissions among general medical patients in Hong Kong's public healthcare system.

Aims

The aim of this study was to select and refine evidence‐based nurse‐led interventions for reducing 30‐day hospital readmissions among general medical patients in Hong Kong's public healthcare system using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework.

Methods

Eighteen local healthcare stakeholders were recruited to carry out a two‐step process. In step 1, stakeholders were invited to prioritize nurse‐led interventions which were supported by existing evidence and suggest important combinations of different interventions. For all interventions prioritized in step 1, step 2 involved stakeholders performing a two‐round Delphi questionnaire aiming to generate consensus‐based interventions appropriate to the local context. GRADE EtD framework was applied to guide the decision‐making process, taking into account certainty of evidence, benefits and harms, resource use, equity, acceptability, and feasibility.

Results

Four out of eight nurse‐led interventions reached a positive consensus with percentage agreement ranging from 70.6% to 82.4%. GRADE EtD criteria ratings showed that over 70% of stakeholders agreed these four interventions were probably acceptable and feasible, though the certainty of evidence was low or moderate. Half of stakeholders believed their desirable effects compared to undesirable effects were large. However, the resources required and how these nurse‐led interventions might affect health inequities when implemented were uncertain. Preliminary implementation issues included high complexity of delivering multiple nurse‐led intervention components, and challenges of coordinating different involved parties in delivering the interventions. Appropriate resource allocation and training should be provided to address these potential problems, as suggested by stakeholders.

Linking Evidence to Action

Using the GRADE EtD framework, four nurse‐led interventions were recommended by healthcare stakeholders as possible strategies for reducing 30‐day hospital readmissions among general medical patients in Hong Kong. To address preliminary implementation issues, nurses' role as care coordinators should also be strengthened to ensure smooth delivery of nurse‐led intervention components, and to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration during service delivery.
An Analysis of Disability in The Little Mermaid: Examining Disparities and Similarities in the Fairytale and Its Movie Adaptation
Authors: R Roshini , V Rajasekaran
Published: May 2023

Differences and disabilities have always been a part of oral tradition and folklore. These differences greatly influenced story-telling that eventually stemmed from oral tradition. The western canon has included disability in their literature for some time now, but their portrayal of disability from the beginning to the twentieth century has drastically improved. Fairytales and folktales were historically associated with values and morals, and the moral system during the olden times was completely patriarchal and abelistic. The tales never offered any space for disability to exist as a simple part of an individual's life. This paper aims to investigate the representation of disability in Disney's version of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale, "The Little Mermaid", and attempts to understand disability in the light of fairytales. There are some major and vital differences between the original story by Hans Christian and the movie by Disney, but do they accommodate positive signals that counteract the ableist society? Does the movie reflect the truth about a disabled person's life? Or is it still a profusion of negative elements that reinforce oppression and discrimination? This paper examines the narratives employed in the movie and the original fairy tale and attempts to address the issues of identity, stigma, and stereotypes based on the representation of disability in both genres.