bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergy between bio-control agents to trigger the defensive responses against Rhizoctonia root rot and enhance the growth, yield, and physiological and anatomical traits of pea plants
Authors: El-Sharkawy Hany H. A. , Abbas Mohamed S. , Soliman Amira S. , Ibrahim Seham A. , El-Nady Ibrahim A. I.
Published: October 2024

Rhizoctonia solani (Rs) is the fungus that causes the primary and deadly disease that attacks pea plants throughout the cool growing season. It causes seed rot, damping off, and pea root rot diseases. The current study used arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Rhizoglomus clarum, Gigaspora margarita, Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae (AMF), Pseudomonas fluorescens HE21 (Pf), and Trichoderma harzianum HL9 (TH) singly or in combination to suppress Rhizoctonia root rot of pea in a greenhouse. Using the in vitro dual culture assay, TH and Pf inhibited the radial growth of the Rs by 73.3 and 60.0%, respectively. The results of greenhouse experiments showed that all treatments significantly decreased the percentages of pre- and post-emergence damping while significantly increasing the number of surviving plants, particularly in the dual and triple combination treatments. Furthermore, all treatments improved yield and seed quality in addition to plant growth, total phenol content and antioxidant enzyme activity. There were also noted modifications to the treated plants’ anatomical, physiological, and distinctive features. The synergistic triple treatment consisting of M, TH, and Pf achieved the maximum reduction of disease severity (78.5%) compared to the untreated control treatment. As a result of the synergistic triple treatment due to their effectiveness and eco-safety, we recommend using the synergistic triple by M + Pf + TH to manage the root rot disease in peas caused by Rs and to enhance the crop’s growth, yield, and seed quality.
An Investigation of Internal Drag Correction Methodology for Wind Tunnel Test Data in a High-Speed Air-Breathing Vehicle Using Numerical Analysis
Authors: Lee Younghwan , Jin Hyeon , Kim Min-Gyu , Do Hyungrok
Published: October 2024

Accurate understanding of aerodynamic characteristics is critical for air vehicle design. This study applies the impulse-momentum theorem to estimate internal drag of an asymmetric air vehicle. Both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel tests were employed. Numerical analysis using STAR-CCM + was conducted across various Mach numbers, while wind tunnel tests were conducted under only specific Mach number conditions. The measured data from wind tunnel tests, which is considered representative, were compared with CFD plane-averaged values, indicating fairly good agreement. However, discrepancies arose when comparing CFD cell-averaged values with the plane-averaged values. To address this, a correction function was developed to describe the differences. It was observed that the ratio of internal drag coefficient from the cell-averaged values to that of the plane-averaged values followed an exponential function of Mach number. This approach allows wind tunnel data to be transformed into a form akin to cell-averaged values, enhancing internal drag estimation accuracy. Future research will explore additional methodologies to further refine and validate the proposed approach.
Young women’s conceptualisation and self-representation in online dating: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Van Kampen Astrid , Phillips Matthew J. , Devenport Scott
Published: October 2024

Online dating has become an increasingly popular way to meet potential romantic partners. Young women experience a complex interplay between traditional gender roles and elevated risks in online dating. Our project aimed to explore young women’s self-representation in online dating, with the research question,
“How do young women conceptualise and represent the ‘self’ in online dating?”
. An exploratory qualitative research design was adopted, encompassing semi-structured interviews with 10 participants analysed via Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Sampling was purposive and snowballing, resulting in a final sample of participants aged between 19 and 30 years who identified as female and had engaged in online dating within the last six months. Interviews lasted 52 min on average. To ensure quality and trustworthiness, the research team utilised various quality procedures. Three themes with multiple aspects were constructed which encompassed feelings of (un)safety, social norms in online dating, and selling your best ‘self’. Unsafety was related to deception in online dating, physical danger, and the work required to stay safe. Social norms involved the normalisation of online dating, stigma, and social assistance with self-representation. Selling your best ‘self’ examined the marketable ‘self’ and conflicts with the values of authenticity. Our study has potential implications regarding responsibility for safety and may indicate some support for the idea of an overarching framework as beneficial to understanding the vast theoretical frameworks in online dating. Further research into how different subgroups of young women self-represent in online dating is likely to yield more specific understandings.
Perspectives on non-genetic optoelectronic modulation biointerfaces for advancing healthcare
Authors: Majmudar Aman , Kim Saehyun , Li Pengju , Tian Bozhi
Published: October 2024

Advancements in optoelectronic biointerfaces have revolutionized healthcare by enabling targeted stimulation and monitoring of cells, tissues, and organs. Photostimulation, a key application, offers precise control over biological processes, surpassing traditional modulation methods with increased spatial resolution and reduced invasiveness. This perspective highlights three approaches in non-genetic optoelectronic photostimulation: nanostructured phototransducers for cellular stimulation, micropatterned photoelectrode arrays for tissue stimulation, and thin-film flexible photoelectrodes for multiscale stimulation. Nanostructured phototransducers provide localized stimulation at the cellular or subcellular level, facilitating cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. Micropatterned photoelectrode arrays offer precise tissue stimulation, critical for targeted therapeutic interventions. Thin-film flexible photoelectrodes combine flexibility and biocompatibility for scalable medical applications. Beyond neuromodulation, optoelectronic biointerfaces hold promise in cardiology, oncology, wound healing, and endocrine and respiratory therapies. Future directions include integrating these devices with advanced imaging and feedback systems, developing wireless and biocompatible devices for long-term use, and creating multifunctional devices that combine photostimulation with other therapies. The integration of light and electronics through these biointerfaces paves the way for innovative, less invasive, and more accurate medical treatments, promising a transformative impact on patient care across various medical fields.
Mariachi in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Westbrook Donald A.
Published: October 2024

This Element contributes to the interdisciplinary study of mariachi, especially in the United States, by focusing on two areas that have yet to receive substantive academic attention: philanthropy and museum studies. In 2011, UNESCO included mariachi music on its list of expressions of intangible cultural heritage. While it is undoubtedly true that mariachi is in many ways intangible, this downplays expressions of its rich material culture and the work of scholars to research mariachi history beyond an emphasis on musical performance. The first section considers mariachi collecting and philanthropy in the US, especially the efforts of Edward E. Marsh and Chris Strachwitz. The second section examines the first major mariachi history museum/exhibit in the US, managed by the Mariachi Scholarship Foundation and housed at Southwestern College in California. Finally, some open areas for research are proposed and appendices concerning mariachi studies in the US are provided.
Queering Apocalyptic Methodologies: Enacting the Utopian Performative through Extended Reality Artwork
Authors: Tytler Cassandra
Published: October 2024

This paper takes its cue from Koro and Wolgemuth’s conceptual writing on Apocalyptic Methodologies as an extended prompt to enact the utopian performative as a form of generative Queer Ecopedagogy. A utopian performative is the performance of future potential that critiques our present political moment, highlighting that the present is not enough. The paper offers a troubling of “nature” and place, in its suggestion that digital space can be a refuge for EE practice. It looks to virtual reality as a realm used to create space free from the constraints of colonial history or normative prescriptions of the non/human binary. The VR artwork Thalu: Dreamtime is Now, by Indigenous Ngarluma creator Tyson Mowarin is analysed to make a case that the digital realm can act as a reclamation and resistance to present colonialist realities, thereby enacting the utopian performative. By queering apocalyptic methodologies, the aim is to transcend traditional boundaries and reimagine the role of researchers, educators and custodians of the environment through apocalyptic imaginaries. In this endeavour, the utopian performative is only permissible through the digital space and therefore the political present, is not enough.
Unshackling from Shadows of the Anisminic Orthodoxy: Reconceptualising Approaches to Ouster Clauses in Hong Kong
Authors: Wan Trevor TW
Published: October 2024

Ouster clauses have perennially borne the mantle of a ‘litigation minefield’, where clashes between legislative and judicial powers unfold in open fora. Recent jurisprudential advancements in the United Kingdom and Singapore demonstrate how judicial approaches to ouster clauses can evolve in the face of constitutional developments. Hong Kong has, however, remained muted while these jurisprudential advancements bear fruit in other parts of the common law world, notwithstanding the fact that its constitutional framework, umpired by the Basic Law, has been in existence for over twenty-five years. This article argues for the need to reconceptualise approaches to ouster clauses in Hong Kong, grounded firmly in its post-1997 constitutional framework. Drawing on comparative jurisprudence, it presents a spectrum of approaches, animated by the dynamic interplay between various ‘macrocontextual’ and ‘microcontextual’ factors, ranging from a localised version of Anisminic, remedial interpretation, and invalidation of ouster clauses on the grounds that they impermissibly affront the constitutional right of access to courts, allocation of judicial power, and constitutional supremacy.
Unraveling the Brexit–COVID-19 nexus: assessing the decline of EU student applications into UK universities
Authors: Neville Ruth , Rowe Francisco , Singleton Alex
Published: October 2024

While the number of international students attending UK universities has been increasing in recent years, the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years saw a decline in applications from EU-domiciled students. However, the extent and varying impact of this decline remain to be estimated and disentangled from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using difference-in-differences (DID) in a hierarchical regression framework and Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) data, we aim to quantify the decline in the number of student applications post-Brexit. We find evidence of an overall decline of 65% in the 2021 academic year in successful applications from EU students as a result of Brexit. This decline is more pronounced for non-Russell Group institutions, as well as for Health and Life Sciences and Arts and Languages. Furthermore, we explore the spatial heterogeneity of the impact of Brexit across EU countries of origin, observing the greatest effects for Poland and Germany, though this varies depending on institution type and subject. We also show that higher rates of COVID-19 stringency in the country of origin led to greater applications for UK higher education institutions. Our results are important for government and institutional policymakers seeking to understand where losses occur and how international students respond to external shocks and policy changes. Our study quantifies the distinct impacts of Brexit and COVID-19 and offers valuable insights to guide strategic interventions to sustain the UK’s attractiveness as a destination for international students.
Chinese Professional Consumers at 30: The Rise and Impending Fall
Authors: Lu Yi
Published: October 2024

This paper introduces a unique phenomenon with a distinctive Chinese regulatory approach. Since 1994, the Consumer Rights Protection Law has afforded consumers the right to seek punitive damages in instances of fraudulent practices. This has given rise to a special profession with Chinese characteristics: professional consumers. Their status as enigmatic figures is a consequence of the fluctuating stance of public authorities. Thirty years of consistent inconsistency has been a rarity in China’s legislative history. The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the CRPL, China’s Consumer Rights Protection Law and the birth of its implementing regulation. It is an opportune moment to reassess the regulatory system that enabled this group and reconstruct it for the future. This paper presents a comprehensive regulatory review of the emergence, growth, and projected decline of professional consumers. It examines the reasons for this long-standing regulatory inconsistency through a detailed investigation of China’s legal system. It concludes by projecting two upcoming legal positions. The first is the transformation under the state’s co-governance strategy. The second is the displacement by procuratorial public interest litigation. Although seemingly contradictory, these two positions exemplify a distinctive Chinese approach to the co-governance strategy, which is characterized by the preponderance of public authority.
Monochromatic products and sums in the rationals
Authors: Bowen Matt , Sabok Marcin
Published: October 2024

We show that every finite coloring of the rationals contains monochromatic sets of the form

$\{x,y,xy,x+y\}$

.
Representing turbulent statistics with partitions of state space. Part 2. The compressible Euler equations
Authors: Souza Andre N.
Published: October 2024

This is the second part of a two-part paper. We apply the methodology of the first paper (Souza, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 997, 2024, A1) to construct a data-driven finite-volume discretization of the Liouville/Fokker–Planck equation of a high-dimensional dynamical system, i.e. the compressible Euler equations with gravity and rotation evolved on a thin spherical shell. We show that the method recovers a subset of the statistical properties of the underlying system, steady-state distributions of observables and autocorrelations of particular observables, as well as revealing the global Koopman modes of the system. We employ two different strategies for the partitioning of a high-dimensional state space, and explore their consequences.
Representing turbulent statistics with partitions of state space. Part 1. Theory and methodology
Authors: Souza Andre N.
Published: October 2024

This is the first of a two-part paper. We formulate a data-driven method for constructing finite-volume discretizations of an arbitrary dynamical system's underlying Liouville/Fokker–Planck equation. A method is employed that allows for flexibility in partitioning state space, generalizes to function spaces, applies to arbitrarily long sequences of time-series data, is robust to noise and quantifies uncertainty with respect to finite sample effects. After applying the method, one is left with Markov states (cell centres) and a random matrix approximation to the generator. When used in tandem, they emulate the statistics of the underlying system. We illustrate the method on the Lorenz equations (a three-dimensional ordinary differential equation) saving a fluid dynamical application for Part 2 (Souza, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 997, 2024, A2).
We Deserve It: An Augustinian Response to Divine Hiddenness Arguments
Authors: Rooney James Dominic
Published: October 2024

Significant attention has been devoted to the problem of ‘divine hiddenness’ proposed by JL Schellenberg. I propose a novel response that involves denying part of the empirical premise in divine hiddenness arguments, which holds that nonresistant nonbelievers are capable of relationship with God. While Plantinga and others in ‘reformed’ epistemology have at times appealed to original sin as an explanation for divine hiddenness, such responses might seem outlandish to many, given the way that many find nonbelievers to be no more or less epistemically or morally blameworthy than believers. Further, such appeals to original sin seem to give a ‘just-so’ story that at least leaves the situation dialectically balanced. I show that a classically Augustinian notion of original sin can provide a sufficient response to those objections, and that appeal to original sin can form an empirically grounded response to the divine hiddenness problem, beyond a simple defense. If the possibility of original sin-type scenarios is compatible with God’s perfect love, then the phenomenon of apparently nonresistant nonbelievers would push us toward considering the possibility that humans have lost those capacities for relationship with God by a Fall-like event in the past.
The relevance of biotic processes on modern tufa deposits, with an example from the Bonito region, Central-West Brazil
Authors: Oste Jéssica Thaís Ferreira , França Almério Barros , Cury Leonardo Fadel , Bahniuk Anelize Manuela
Published: October 2024

Tufas are freshwater carbonate rocks that form in continental environments through a combination of physical, chemical, and biological processes. This study investigates the role of microorganisms in the precipitation of Quaternary tufa deposits in the Serra da Bodoquena Formation, in the Bonito region. Two sites along the Mimoso River, named Taíka and Mimosa, characterized by the pool–barrage–cascade depositional subenvironment, were selected for this study. Four distinct facies were identified: stromatolitic boundstones, phytoherm boundstones of algae, phytoherm boundstones of bryophytes, and phytoclastic rudstones. These facies were observed in diverse hydrological settings, including fast-flowing waters, such as waterfalls and cascades, as well as slow-flowing areas, such as pools and dams. The δ18O depletion indicated a meteoric origin for the fluid involved in carbonate precipitation. The low δ13C values were attributed to photosynthetic processes and the contribution of light carbon-enriched groundwater. The presence of Oocardium stratum and calcified organic mucilage from extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) corroborates the significant role of microorganisms in tufa formation, particularly in stromatolitic boundstones and phytoherm boundstones of algae. Rapid CO2 degassing significantly contributes to mineralization in fast-flowing waters. Micro-CT results offer detailed insights into the relationship between mechanical processes and biological influences in shaping porosity characteristics. The findings of this study significantly enhance our understanding of the role of microorganisms in tufa formation, highlighting the complex interplay between biotic and abiotic processes in the development of different tufa facies. Moreover, the insights gained from this study provide valuable implications for interpreting tufa deposits worldwide.
Unravelling 6000 years of interplay among environmental changes, anthropogenic activities, and Vesuvius eruptions in the upper Sarno Plain (Campania, Italy)
Authors: Russo Ermolli Elda , Di Lorenzo Halinka , Santangelo Nicoletta , Santo Antonio , Comegna Chiara , Petrosino Paola
Published: October 2024

Pollen analysis was carried out on the infilling succession of the Fossa San Vito sinkhole, at the NE foothills of the Sarno Plain (Italy). Four 14C dates and six tephra layers constrain the pollen sequence between ca. 6000 and 500 cal yr BP. A forested environment, with a few signs of human activities, characterizes the pre-protohistoric period (ca. 6000–2750 yr BP). Stability of the arboreal pollen grains to non-arboreal pollen grains (AP/NAP) curve is due to climate-related opposite oscillations of deciduous and evergreen forest. In this period, the pyroclastic products from Neapolitan volcanoes that reached the upper Sarno Plain seem to have affected neither vegetation nor human activities. In the archaic and classic periods (ca. 2750–1500 yr BP), intensive deforestation and increase in anthropogenic indicators indicate the occurrence of grazing and crop activities managed by the main urban centers located in the plain: Pompeii, Stabiae, and Nuceria. After the Pompeii eruption in CE 79, a rapid re-afforestation and decline in all anthropogenic indicators testify to the temporary abandonment of the area, linked to the disastrous demise of the main economic centers. The upper plain was repopulated and exploited in the Late Ancient and Middle Ages (ca. 1700–500 yr BP), as indicated by the increase in all crop and grazing indicators.
RADIOCARBON CHRONOLOGY OF THE OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTHERN COAST OF NAYARIT, MEXICO
Authors: Solís Corina , Flores Montes de Oca Zulema Berenice , Amador García Eric Nehmad , Contreras Vargas Citlalli Minerva , Rodríguez-Ceja María , Diaz Maikel , Martínez-Carrillo Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2024

Despite chronicles from the 16th century describing fertile alluvial plains and densely populated wetlands, archaeology in western Mexico has been little studied. The Directorate of Archaeological Salvage (DSA) of National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has initiated a study of two sites in Costa Canuva, at the southern part of Nayarit state: Becerros and Naranjos. Thirty charcoal and shell samples were radiocarbon (14C) dated to determine occupation history. A Bayesian approach was used to build a chronological modeling from charcoal samples. Charcoal and shell samples found in the same context allowed us to calculate the ΔR values of marine offset for this period. In general, the archaeological sites of this area are divided into three major periods: Formative, Classic, and Postclassic. The 14C dating of Becerros recovered materials provided a chronological framework for the site’s occupation, from cal AD 169–1025, corroborating the ceramic studies in the sense that human settlement activities date from the Formative (300 BC–AD 600) to the Early Postclassic (AD 900–1200). Naranjos started in the Classic period and reached its occupancy peak in the Late Classic. The site’s occupation may have persisted for at least two centuries after the conquest of the Altiplano in 1521. The comparison of charcoal dates and associated shell samples from the Naranjos Unit gave a probability distribution for ΔR, that ranged from 118.5 to 199.5 with a mean value of 159 ± 4, slightly higher than other values obtained at nearby sites.
Performing national independence through medical diplomacy: tuberculosis control and socialist internationalism in Cold War Vietnam
Authors: Aso Michitake
Published: October 2024

This article explores medical diplomacy as a means of navigating distinct but related nation-building and internationalist projects during the Cold War. It examines how medical professionals from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) utilized their expertise to bolster foreign relations and assert national independence. This article focuses on how three tuberculosis (TB) specialists – Đặng Đức Trạch, Phạm Ngọc Thạch and Phạm Khắc Quảng – adopted, adapted and circulated techniques of TB control, including a modified version of bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Amidst these endeavours, these medical-doctors-cum-diplomats navigated various forms of internationalism while soliciting medical assistance. Their roles within the DRV's state apparatus were prominently showcased from the 1950s to the 1970s, particularly at international gatherings such as the conferences of Ministers of Health of the Socialist Countries (MOHOSC). Because of the political complexities inherent in socialist internationalism, these conferences provided a crucial platform for dialogue among socialist nations when other avenues were limited. Consequently, the DRV's medical experts cultivated goodwill and garnered political support, despite encountering mixed results in their TB control initiatives.
Effects of daily almond consumption on glycaemia in adults with elevated risk for diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Huang Li-Chu , Henderson Gregory C. , Mattes Richard D.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential for sustained almond consumption to reduce HbA1c concentrations among individuals with elevated values. A 16-week randomised, parallel-arm, controlled trial was conducted. Eighty-one adults with elevated HbA1c concentrations (> 5·7 %) were randomly assigned to incorporate 2 oz of raw almonds (A: n 39) or energy-matched snacks (C: n 42) into their daily diets. Body weight, body composition, plasma lipids, HbA1c, plasma vitamin E, glycaemia (by meal tolerance test and continuous glucose monitoring), dietary intake and hedonic responses to test foods were measured at stipulated time points. Participants consuming almonds ingested 253 kcal/d more than participants in the control group (P = 0·02), but this did not result in a significant difference in body weight. No statistically significant differences were observed in HbA1c concentrations, blood chemistries, body composition or glycaemia over time or between groups. However, Healthy Eating Index scores improved within the almond group as compared with the control group (P < 0·001). Additionally, the hedonic rating of almonds within the almond group did not decline as markedly as the control group’s reduced liking of the pretzel snack. Alpha-tocopherol increased significantly, and gamma tocopherol tended to decrease in the almond group, indicating compliance with the dietary intervention. Overall, daily ingestion of 2 oz of raw almonds in a self-selected diet for 16 weeks did not alter short-term or longer-term glycaemia or HbA1c concentrations in adults with elevated HbA1c concentrations, but they were well-tolerated hedonically and improved diet quality without promoting weight gain.
Choline and betaine intakes during pregnancy in relation to risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among Chinese women
Authors: Lamkin Kallie , Xu Lan , Wang Kaipeng , Liu Yuhong , Yang Kefeng , Wu Hui , Lu Lingpeng , Shen Xiaoxi , Johnson Cassandra M. , Jia Jie , Zhu Jie
Published: October 2024

Previous animal studies found beneficial effects of choline and betaine on maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy, but few human studies explored the association between choline or betaine intake and incident gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to explore the correlation of dietary choline or betaine intake with GDM risk among Chinese pregnant women. A total of 168 pregnant women with GDM cases and 375 healthy controls were enrolled at the Seventh People’s Hospital in Shanghai during their GDM screening at 24–28 gestational weeks. A validated semi-quantitative FFQ was used to estimate choline and betaine consumption through face-to-face interviews. An unconditional logistic regression model was adopted to examine OR and 95 % CI. Compared with the controls, those women with GDM incidence were likely to have higher pre-pregnancy BMI, be older, have more parities and have higher plasma TAG and lower plasma HDL-cholesterol. No significant correlation was observed between the consumption of choline or betaine and incident GDM (adjusted OR (95 % CI), 0·77 (0·41, 1·43) for choline; 0·80 (0·42, 1·52) for betaine). However, there was a significant interaction between betaine intake and parity on the risk of GDM (Pfor interaction = 0·01). Among those women with no parity history, there was a significantly inverse correlation between betaine intake and GDM risk (adjusted OR (95 % CI), 0·25 (0·06, 0·81)). These findings indicated that higher dietary betaine intake during pregnancy might be considered a protective factor for GDM among Chinese women with no parity history.
Assessment of the Quality of Stapedotomy Videos on YouTube Using the IVORY Grading System
Authors: Yıldırım Sibel , Ozdilek Alper
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aimed is to analyse the quality of stapedotomy videos as an educational tool and to test the feasibility of the IVORY grading system (IVORY-GS) in an otological procedure.

Methods

YouTube was searched using the terms “stapedectomy”, “stapedotomy” and “otosclerosis surgery.” Video length, upload date, view count and likes were evaluated. The included videos were scored according to the IVORY-GS.

Results

Sixty-seven videos were evaluated. The mean IVORY-GS total score was 21.8. Video scores were higher in the ethics part. Case presentation items got the lowest scores in total. The total score showed a significantly positive correlation with like counts. No significant correlation was found between the total score and view count and video age.

Conclusion

The educational quality of most of the stapedotomy videos on YouTube is insufficient. The IVORY-GS is a comprehensive guideline in the otorhinolaryngology field. However, it may require some modifications based on the type of surgery.
Adjuvant treatments for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: a descriptive review and proposed management guideline in adults
Authors: Balai Edward , Dronkers Emilie AC , Yaghchi Chadwan A , Gujral Dorothy , Sandhu Guri , Iacovidou Aphrodite
Published: October 2024

Objective

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a rare disease characterised by growth of papilloma within the respiratory tract. The disease course is variable but can require frequent surgical interventions alongside adjuvant medical treatments. There is no definitive curative treatment or gold-standard guidelines for management. We aimed to evaluate current and potential future adjuvant treatments and propose a management guideline for adult patients.

Methods

Relevant articles were identified through searching databases, reference lists and grey literature.

Results

Systemic bevacizumab appears to be the most effective adjuvant treatment currently available. However, intralesional cidofovir also achieves a high complete-response rate in adults and the Gardasil vaccine demonstrates preventative and therapeutic value. The INO-3107 DNA vaccine is a promising potential future adjuvant treatment.

Conclusions

This review provides a detailed examination of current and potential future adjuvant treatments. Based on the literature, we have developed a management guideline for adult patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
Treatment and Management of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Kuriakose Jonathan P. , Khan Najm , Suresh Neeraj V. , De Ravin Emma , Moreira Alvaro , Rajasekaran Karthik
Published: October 2024

Objective

To appraise clinical practice guidelines for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma treatment and management using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool.

Methods

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Four reviewers evaluated clinical practice guidelines utilising Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II, with domain scores requiring a threshold of greater than 60 per cent. Inter-reviewer agreement was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

Twelve clinical practice guidelines were evaluated after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were two “high-”, four “average-”, and six “low-” quality clinical practice guidelines. The domains with the highest scores were “clarity of presentation” (69.44 ± 16.75) and “scope and purpose” (68.87 ± 20.88), while “applicability” (7.12 ± 6.17) and “rigor of development” (50.26 ± 20.77) had the lowest scores. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed a high level of inter-reviewer agreement (0.689–0.924; good–excellent).

Conclusion

These results showcased wide variability in quality amongst guidelines for the treatment and management of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. These findings necessitate greater standardisation among clinical practice guidelines and greater focus on the applicability of recommended practices.
Efficacy of the automated mechanical repositioning chair treatment for patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Xia F , Zhu K , Ren Y , Wang N
Published: October 2024

Objectives:

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of the automated mechanical repositioning chairs compared to canalith repositioning manoeuvres for elderly patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods:

A retrospective study included 969 patients with BPPV who were first diagnosed at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020. Patients were followed up for one year. Demographics, disease status, treatment and various outcomes were collected through medical record reviews and follow-up interviews.

Results:

Based on the criteria for evaluating treatment efficacy using objective and subjective indicators, BPPV patients treated with automated mechanical repositioning chair therapy showed a significantly better prognosis and lower recurrence rates.

Conclusion:

Automated mechanical repositioning chair therapy is an effective approach for BPPV treatment, with advantages over conventional manual canalith repositioning procedures.
Predictive value of peripheral blood eosinophil levels for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yin Xiao , Chang Danyang , Sun Changling
Published: October 2024

Objective

To evaluate the predictive value of peripheral blood eosinophil levels for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Methods

Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Data were analysed using Stata 16.0.

Results

In total, 23 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were analysed. For peripheral blood eosinophil percentage in identifying eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis, the pooled sensitivity was 0.77 (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) = 0.69–0.83) and specificity was 0.74 (95 per cent CI = 0.68–0.80), with a positive likelihood ratio of 2.97 (95 per cent CI = 2.38–3.72) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.31 (95 per cent CI = 0.24–0.42). Similarly, for peripheral blood eosinophil count, the pooled sensitivity was 0.78 (95 per cent CI = 0.73–0.82) and specificity was 0.73 (95 per cent CI = 0.69–0.77), with a positive likelihood ratio of 2.93 (95 per cent CI = 2.45–3.50) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.30 (95 per cent CI = 0.24–0.37).

Conclusion

There is not sufficient evidence to support peripheral eosinophilia as a good predictor of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.
Association of vitamin-D deficiency with vestibular function in patients with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Lin Tao , Wu Changzhen , Zhang Luguang , Ding Ling
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the impact of vitamin D deficiency on vestibular function and recurrence in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Methods

This study enrolled 138 patients diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Vestibular function was evaluated, including ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and caloric tests. Vitamin D levels were recorded.

Results

There was a significant difference in mean vitamin D levels between the normal and abnormal groups of the caloric test, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. The likelihood of abnormal vestibular function was lower in patients with normal vitamin D levels than those with deficient levels (< 10 ng/ml). Vitamin D levels were the only predictive factor for recurrence among patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Conclusion

A deficiency in vitamin D is more likely to result in abnormalities in the caloric test, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo patients. The interaction among these factors may contribute to the recurrence.
The DILATE study: a prospective cohort study of balloon dilatation for Eustachian tube dysfunction in patients with no middle-ear disease
Authors: Kalra Aryan , McLeod Katie , Hendriks Thomas , Ling Shane , Kuthubutheen Jafri
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study evaluates the safety and utility of Eustachian tube balloon dilatation in treating Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms in adults without middle-ear disease.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed. Adults with dilatory Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms and no middle-ear disease underwent Eustachian tube balloon dilatation. A clinical assessment including tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, otoscopy, ability to Valsalva, and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 was performed pre-operatively and repeated during a 12-month follow-up period.

Results

Fifteen participants were enrolled. The mean pre-operative Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 score of 4.6 reduced to 2.5 at six weeks (P < 0.01), 3.0 at six months (P = 0.02) and 2.6 at 12 months (P < 0.01) post-operatively. All patients without evidence of negative middle-ear pressure had Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 score improvements. There were no post-operative complications.

Conclusion

Eustachian tube balloon dilatation is safe and effective at treating Eustachian tube dysfunction in patients with no middle-ear disease or evidence of negative middle-ear pressure.
Adipofascial anterolateral thigh free flap in head and neck reconstruction: a case series
Authors: Sorrentino Joshua M , Al Afif Ayham , Magner William J , Sigurdson S Lynn , Davies Jason M , Fenstermaker Robert A , Ghannam Moleca , McSpadden Ryan P
Published: October 2024

Background

The adipofascial anterolateral thigh (AF-ALT) free flap represents a versatile technique in head and neck reconstructions, with its applications increasingly broadening. The objective was to detail the novel utilization of the AF-ALT flap in orbital and skull base reconstruction, along with salvage laryngectomy onlay in our case series.

Method

We conducted a retrospective analysis at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, spanning from July 2019 to June 2023, focusing on patient demographics and reconstructive parameters data.

Results

The AF-ALT flap was successfully employed in eight patients (average age 59, body mass index [BMI] 32.0) to repair various defects. Noteworthy outcomes were observed in skull base reconstructions, with no flap failures or major complications over an average 12-month follow-up. Donor sites typically healed well with minimal interventions.

Conclusion

Our series is the first to report the AF-ALT flap's efficacy in anterior skull base and orbital reconstructions, demonstrating an additional innovation in complex head and neck surgeries.
Risk factors for pharyngocutaneous fistula formation: a study focused on pharyngeal reconstruction technique
Authors: Barcan Yagmur , Alimoglu Yalcin , Gurbuz Gokhan , Uysal Omer
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study investigated the risk factors for developing pharyngocutaneous fistula, the most common complication following total laryngectomy.

Methods

We included all patients who underwent total laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissection from 2009 to 2021. Patients excluded were those with hypopharyngeal involvement, total or partial pharyngectomy, base of the tongue resection, large pharyngeal defects requiring free/pedicle flap reconstruction, or salvage laryngectomy.

Results

A total of 164 patients participated in the study. Multivariate regression analysis identified two independent predictors of pharyngocutaneous fistula formation: pharyngeal reconstruction with simple interrupted sutures (odds ratio: 3.12, 95 per cent confidence interval: 1.31–17.00, p = 0.010) and radical neck dissection (odds ratio: 3.16, 95 per cent confidence interval: 1.13–8.82, p = 0.028).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that pharyngeal reconstruction using simple interrupted sutures and radical neck dissection are independent risk factors for pharyngocutaneous fistula development. Based on this, we recommend using the modified Cushing suture technique over simple interrupted sutures due to its association with a significantly lower pharyngocutaneous fistula rate.
Exploring attitudes towards hearing aid use among middle-aged adults with hearing loss: a quantitative and validation study
Authors: Zuriekat Margaret , Alfuqaha Othman A. , Alqudah Safa , Uchiyama Adam , Alfar Mohammad , Masadeh Noor , Shetaiwi Diala , Almuaili Amenah
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to translate and validate the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire into the Arabic language and explore attitudes of working-age adults towards their hearing loss and hearing aids.

Methods

A cross-sectional investigation was conducted of 237 middle-aged Jordanians (18-65 years old) who have hearing loss using an online questionnaire during the period of October to December 2023.

Results

The specialized experts in the field had an 88 per cent acceptance rate on all items of the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire. Five factors were loaded and explained a total of 58.37 per cent, confirming the validity of the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire Arabic version. All subscales of the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire surpass the normal values of Cronbach alpha. Several predictors of attitude towards loss of hearing were noted, including educational level, age, family members, income and marital status.

Conclusion

Addressing barriers to hearing aid use, such as psychosocial and economic, can improve hearing support and increase healthcare focus and collaboration among clinicians and stakeholders globally.
What is the risk of meningitis, utilising a single agent, single dose peri-operative antibiotic following endonasal endoscopic repair of a CSF leak?
Authors: Nix Paul
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Endoscopic endonasal surgery of the skull base carries the risk of meningitis. However, no consensus on the prophylactic antibiotic regimen exists.

Methods

A prospectively held database documenting endoscopic endonasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the anterior skull base was reviewed. Post-operative meningitis and antibiotic usage within 30 days of the index procedure were recorded.

Results

A total of 285 consecutive cases were identified with a post-operative meningitis rate of 3.5 per cent. The post-operative confirmed bacterial meningitis rate was 2 per cent. All cases received a single dose of a single agent antibiotic peri-operatively.

The risk of developing post-operative meningitis was associated with a post-operative CSF leak in cases undergoing tumour resection of the anterior skull base.

Conclusion

A single dose, single agent peri-operative antibiotic regimen would appear to be adequate following an endoscopic endonasal approach to repair a CSF leak in the anterior skull base.
How self-interest and symbolic politics shape the effectiveness of compensation for nearby housing development
Authors: Hankinson Michael , de Benedictis-Kessner Justin
Published: October 2024

Policy with concentrated costs often faces intense localized opposition. Both private and governmental actors frequently use financial compensation to attempt to overcome this opposition. We measure how effective such compensation is for winning policy support in the arena of housing development. We build a novel survey platform that shows respondents images of their self-reported neighborhood with hypothetical renderings of new housing superimposed on existing structures. Using a sample of nearly 600 Bostonians, we find that compensating residents increases their support for nearby market-rate housing construction. However, compensation does not influence support for affordable housing. We theorize that the inclusion of affordable housing activates symbolic attitudes, decreasing the importance of financial self-interest and thus the effectiveness of compensation. Our findings suggest greater interaction between self-interest and symbolic politics within policy design than previously asserted. Together, this research signals opportunities for coalition building by policy entrepreneurs when facing opposition due to concentrated costs.
Dietary guidelines for pregnant and lactating women, adherence levels and associated factors: a scoping review
Authors: Rahmannia Sofa , Murray Kevin , Arena Gina , Hickling Siobhan
Published: October 2024

This scoping review addresses gaps in the existing literature on dietary guidelines for pregnant and lactating women globally. The study delves into adherence levels, identifies influencing factors and examines outcomes associated with these guidelines. Analysing food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) from around the world, the review reveals that half of the countries lack FBDG, with only 15% providing tailored advice for pregnant and lactating women. Utilising data extracted from forty-seven articles across MEDLINE and EMBASE, the study highlights a scarcity of adherence studies, particularly in low- or middle-income countries (LMIC), and emphasises the lack of research during lactation. Overall adherence to dietary guidelines is low, with disparities in fruit, vegetable, whole grain and fish consumption. Positive correlations with adherence include age, education, employment, social class and certain medical histories, while negative correlations involve smoking, alcohol consumption, metropolitan residence and elevated BMI. The study documented significant associations between adherence and reduced risks of gestational complications but calls for further exploration of intermediate nutritional outcomes such as micronutrient deficiencies and child growth. Emphasising the urgency for globally standardised guidelines, especially in LMIC, this review provides a foundational call for prioritised studies and strategies to enhance dietary practices for pregnant and lactating women worldwide.
Emerging perspectives: the interplay of taste perception and oral microbiota composition in dietary preferences and obesity
Authors: Shanmugamprema Deepankumar , Muthuswamy Karthi , Subramaniam Selvakumar
Published: October 2024

Recent advancements in sensory research have brought to light the intricate relationship between taste perception and the oral microbiota, prompting investigations into their influence on human health, particularly in the context of dietary preferences and obesity. This review aims to update the current understanding of how oral microbiota influence taste perception and dietary choices, elucidating shared metabolic pathways between food processing and oral bacteria. Further, this review outlines the mechanisms underlying taste perception, emphasising the role of taste receptors and taste buds in shaping sensory experiences influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Notably, we explore the bidirectional relationship between oral microbiota and taste sensitivity, highlighting the potential impact of microbial composition on taste perception thresholds and implications for dietary habits and health outcomes, such as obesity and dental caries. However, significant research gaps remain, particularly in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking oral microbiota with taste sensitivity, as well as the long-term effects of microbiota-targeted interventions. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and experimental interventions to explore these connections more deeply, offering insights into potential strategies for promoting healthier dietary behaviours and managing diet-related non-communicable diseases.