bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the impact of a health-system specialty pharmacy patient management program on achieving predefined clinical outcome measures
Authors: O’Reilly Emily , Foushee Sarah , Nolan Lindsey , Maier Chelsea , McPheeters Chelsey
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Specialty medications often have high costs, pose difficulties with payor approval, and require additional monitoring. Earlier articles have defined various examples of clinical outcome measures (COMs); however, goals and benchmarks have not been well defined, and a gap in the literature exists. This study evaluated the effectiveness of our health-system specialty pharmacy (HSSP) patient management program (PMP) in achieving predefined COM goals.

Methods

Disease state protocols were developed within the HSSP, and clinical and adherence goals were created for each COM based on primary literature. This retrospective, single-center review examined outcomes and adherence data on patients enrolled in the PMP during 2022. The primary outcome was the number of predefined disease state COM goals met. Secondary outcomes included the number of predefined adherence goals met and annual financial impact.

Results

Of 1,431 patients whose records were reviewed, 1,053 met criteria for inclusion. The primary outcome analysis showed that 85% (33 of 39) of the predefined disease state goals were met. Predefined adherence goals were met, with an average proportion of days covered (PDC) for all specialty medications of >90%. The PMP yielded $5,167,043 in direct patient cost savings and $167,260 in cost avoidance.

Conclusion

The PMP yielded positive results in meeting goals set for the COMs in the disease states managed within the HSSP. COMs will remain a focus for HSSPs to help patients achieve desired clinical outcomes and HSSPs adhere to accreditation standards. More research in this field and standardization of COM goals may benefit the larger HSSP community.
Development of a Rasch-calibrated emotion recognition video test for patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Kuan-Wei , Lee Shih-Chieh , Chou Frank Huang-Chih , Chiang Hsin-Yu , Hsueh I-Ping , Chen Po-Hsi , Wang San-Ping , Ju Yu-Jeng , Hsieh Ching-Lin
Published: January 2024

Patients with schizophrenia tend to have deficits in emotion recognition (ER) that affect their social function. However, the commonly-used ER measures appear incomprehensive, unreliable and invalid, making it difficult to comprehensively evaluate ER. The purposes of this study were to develop the Computerized Emotion Recognition Video Test (CERVT) evaluating ER ability in patients with schizophrenia. This study was divided into two phases. First, we selected candidate CERVT items/videos of 8 basic emotion domains from a published database. Second, we validated the selected CERVT items using Rasch analysis. Finally, the 269 patients and 177 healthy adults were recruited to ensure the participants had diverse abilities. After the removal of 21 misfit (infit or outfit mean square > 1.4) items and adjustment of the item difficulties of the 26 items with severe differential item functioning, the remaining 217 items were finalized as the CERVT items. All the CERVT items showed good model fits with small eigenvalues (≤ 2) based on the residual-based principal components analysis for each domain, supporting the unidimensionality of these items. The 8 domains of the CERVT had good to excellent reliabilities (average Rasch reliabilities = 0.84–0.93). The CERVT contains items of the 8 basic emotions with individualized scores. Moreover, the CERVT showed acceptable reliability and validity, and the scores were not affected by examinees’ gender. Thus, the CERVT has the potential to provide a comprehensive, reliable, valid, and gender-unbiased assessment of ER for patients with schizophrenia.
Condition-transfer maternal effects modulate inter-locus sexual conflict
Authors: García-Roa Roberto , Faria Gonçalo S , Noble Daniel W A , Carazo Pau
Published: January 2024

Strong sexual selection frequently favors males that increase their reproductive success by harming females, with potentially negative consequences for natural populations. Understanding what factors modulate conflict between the sexes is hence critical to understand both the evolution of male and female phenotypes and the viability of populations in the wild. Here, we model the evolution of male harm while incorporating male-induced maternal effects on offspring quality. We show that because male harm can induce condition-transfer maternal effects that reduce the quality of a harming male’s own offspring, maternal effects can partially align male and female evolutionary interests and significantly curb the evolution of male harm. These effects are independent of relatedness, the scale of competition, mating system, and whether male harm comes before (i.e., harassment) and/or during/after (i.e., traumatic inseminations or toxic ejaculates) mating and are particularly salient when maternal effects influence offspring ability to inflict (sons) or resist (daughters) harm. Our results underscore the potential importance of considering maternal effects to unravel the evolution of sexual conflict.
HAT: de novo variant calling for highly accurate short-read and long-read sequencing data
Authors: Ng Jeffrey K , Turner Tychele N
Published: January 2024

Motivation

de novo variants (DNVs) are variants that are present in offspring but not in their parents. DNVs are both important for examining mutation rates as well as in the identification of disease-related variation. While efforts have been made to call DNVs, calling of DNVs is still challenging from parent–child sequenced trio data. We developed Hare And Tortoise (HAT) as an automated DNV detection workflow for highly accurate short-read and long-read sequencing data. Reliable detection of DNVs is important for human genomics and HAT addresses this need.

Results

HAT is a computational workflow that begins with aligned read data (i.e. CRAM or BAM) from a parent–child sequenced trio and outputs DNVs. HAT detects high-quality DNVs from Illumina short-read whole-exome sequencing, Illumina short-read whole-genome sequencing, and highly accurate PacBio HiFi long-read whole-genome sequencing data. The quality of these DNVs is high based on a series of quality metrics including number of DNVs per individual, percent of DNVs at CpG sites, and percent of DNVs phased to the paternal chromosome of origin.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/TNTurnerLab/HAT
Refugia within refugium of Geranium yesoense varieties: a follow-up study using chloroplast genome sequencing data of specimens from Mt. Asama, Japan
Authors: Kurata Seikan , Sakaguchi Shota , Kurashima Osamu , Ogawa Risa , Suyama Yoshihisa , Nishida Sachiko , Ito Motomi
Published: January 2024

Recent phylogeographical studies have revealed that refugia sometimes retain high levels of genetic heterogeneity due to multiple colonization events, a phenomenon defined as ‘refugia within refugium’. In previous research, we reported a complex genetic structure within the Geranium yesoense complex, an alpine plant found in an interglacial refugium at high elevation in Central Japan, probably resulting from multiple colonization and hybridization events. However, we were unable to evaluate instances of introgression due to limited sample size. In the present study, we performed additional chloroplast genome sequencing, along with Sanger sequencing of selected chloroplast DNA regions, to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among the refugial populations. The chloroplast genome sequence of a sample from Mt. Asama (an important refugium) was nested within the northern lineage (i.e. var. yesoense and var. pseudopratense), and haplotypes from Mt. Asama and Mt. Ibuki were also grouped with those of the northern lineage. Although our previous study suggested hybridization events between northern and southern lineages (i.e. var. nipponicum) at Mt. Asama, haplotypes from the southern lineage were not detected at range margins. This suggests that directional introgression occurred in these regions. Overall, our results further support that genetic heterogeneity within these refugia was amplified by recolonization and hybridization during past climate oscillations.
Ectoparasite load generates habitat-specific variation in colour badge intensity and badge size in male lizards
Authors: Roberts Katherine M , McElroy Eric J , McBrayer Lance D
Published: January 2024

The severity of parasitic infections can mediate the differential expression of signals among populations, creating variation in signal intensity. Male signals (patch size and brightness) were quantified in Florida scrub lizards (Sceloporus woodi) from populations that vary in ectoparasite load. Males without mites were caught before breeding and exhibited different correlations among body size, patch size, and brightness. Males with ectoparasites (range = 1–368) were captured throughout the breeding season and showed a habitat-dependent pattern of how ectoparasite load, body size, and body condition were correlated with badge characteristics. In the sand pine scrub habitat, large males in good condition that were heavily parasitized had the largest badges. There was no relationship between body size or ectoparasite load and badge darkness. Lizards from longleaf pine habitat shared only one pattern, i.e. larger males had larger badges, yet there were several key differences. Body condition and ectoparasite load were unrelated to badge size, and the most heavily parasitized males had the brightest, not darkest, badges. Instead, males with moderate and low parasite loads had the darkest abdomens, and those with low parasite loads had the darkest throats. Thus, parasite load and body condition have habitat-dependent effects on badge characteristics.
Impacts of multiple demand-side management strategies on microgrids planning: a literature survey
Authors: Elazab Rasha , Abdelnaby Ahmed T , Ali A A
Published: January 2024

Demand-side management (DSM) schemes play a crucial role in managing renewable energy generation and load fluctuations by utilizing demand–response programmes (DRPs). This paper aims to provide a detailed overview of DRPs that help microgrid operators to keep costs and reliability within acceptable ranges. Additionally, this review paper provides a detailed economic load model for DRPs based on initial load, demand–response (DR) incentive, DR penalty and elasticity coefficients. This article also aims to guide researchers in identifying research gaps in DSM applications in microgrids by comparing various DSM schemes from different countries and regions in terms of DSM strategies, objective functions and optimization techniques. Furthermore, this study analyses the impact of DRPs on microgrid configuration from the perspective of utilities and customers, considering technical and economic performance metrics. As a result, it can be concluded that none of the studied cases provides models or guidelines for choosing appropriate DSM schemes that consider different consumer interests or load-type features. Furthermore, a few researchers have addressed the features of a modern price-based DR strategy, renewable generation-based dynamic pricing DR, which offers higher customer satisfaction than traditional DRPs.
Video Hashing with Tensor Robust PCA and Histogram of Optical Flow for Copy Detection
Authors: Yu Mengzhu , Tang Zhenjun , Zhang Hanyun , Liang Xiaoping , Zhang Xianquan
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes a novel video hashing with tensor robust Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Histogram of Optical Flow (HOF) for copy detection. In the proposed hashing, a video is divided into some video groups. For each video group, a low-rank secondary frame is constructed from the low-rank component decomposed by applying tensor robust PCA to the video group. Since the low-rank component can well indicate spatial-temporal intrinsic structure of the video group and it is slightly disturbed by digital operations, feature extraction from the low-rank secondary frames is discriminative and stable. Next, spatial features and temporal features are extracted from low-rank secondary frames by Charlier moments and HOF, respectively. Since the Charlier moments are robust to geometric transform and they can efficiently distinguish video frames with different contents, the use of Charlier moments can make robust and discriminative spatial features. As the HOF can measure the distribution of motion information between frames, the temporal features formed by HOFs can provide good discrimination. Hash is ultimately determined by quantizing the spatial and temporal features and concatenating the quantized results. Numerous experiments on open video datasets indicate that the proposed hashing is superior to some hashing baseline schemes in terms of classification and copy detection.
Prevention and treatment of pericardial tamponade in the electrophysiology laboratory: a European Heart Rhythm Association survey
Authors: Metzner Andreas , Sultan Arian , Futyma Piotr , Richter Sergio , Perrotta Laura , Chun K R Julian
Published: January 2024

Aims

Pericardial tamponade (PT) is the most frequent severe complication during electrophysiology (EP) procedures and requires immediate, co-ordinated, and effective treatment. However, multiple aspects of PT treatment are either not standardized or are under ongoing debate.

Methods and results

An online questionnaire consisting of 26 multiple-choice questions was sent out to the European Heart Rhythm (EHRA) Research Network and also distributed via social media outputs. The EHRA survey was conducted between May and June 2023. A total of 213 replies were received from European (87%) and non-European countries. Ninety per cent of all participants perform interventions in dedicated EP labs equipped with different ablation platforms. In case of PT, most participants use X-ray as the main imaging modality guiding pericardial puncture, predominantly aiming for an anterior puncture site. Sheaths of different sizes are introduced into the pericardial space (84.3%), followed by a pigtail catheter. Application of protamine is an established but variable step in the majority (84.6%). Novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) antidotes are not used by 73.3% of participants, while 15.2% routinely apply them. Re-transfusion of aspirated blood is performed by 72.1% [before protamine administration (18.2%), after protamine administration (13.5%), if pericardial effusion cannot be controlled (40.4%)]. A total of 72.4% re-transfuse without blood filter systems. A decision for surgical intervention is mostly taken if bleeding continues despite all interventional measures.

Conclusion

The current survey demonstrates that the management of PT is heterogeneous among centres. The findings of this survey may help to guide operators in their treatment and decisions in the setting of PT.
Which cues are sexy? The evolution of mate preference in sympatric species reveals the contrasted effect of adaptation and reproductive interference
Authors: Maisonneuve Ludovic , Smadi Charline , Llaurens Violaine
Published: January 2024

Mate preferences may target traits (a) enhancing offspring adaptation and (b) reducing heterospecific matings. Because similar selective pressures are acting on traits shared by different sympatric species, preference-enhancing offspring adaptation may increase heterospecific mating, in sharp contrast with the classical case of so-called “magic traits.” Using a mathematical model, we study which and how many traits will be used during mate choice, when preferences for locally adapted traits increase heterospecific mating. In particular, we study the evolution of preference toward an adaptive versus a neutral trait in sympatric species. We take into account sensory trade-offs, which may limit the emergence of preference for several traits. Our model highlights that the evolution of preference toward adaptive versus neutral traits depends on the selective regimes acting on traits but also on heterospecific interactions. When the costs of heterospecific interactions are high, mate preference is likely to target neutral traits that become a reliable cue limiting heterospecific matings. We show that the evolution of preference toward a neutral trait benefits from a positive feedback loop: The more preference targets the neutral trait, the more it becomes a reliable cue for species recognition. We then reveal the key role of sensory trade-offs and the cost of choosiness favoring the evolution of preferences targeting adaptive traits, rather than traits reducing heterospecific mating. When sensory trade-offs and the cost of choosiness are low, we also show that preferences targeting multiple traits evolve, improving offspring fitness by both transmitting adapted alleles and reducing heterospecific mating. Altogether, our model aims at reconciling “good gene” and reinforcement models to provide general predictions on the evolution of mate preferences within natural communities.
Reasserting the Right to Adequate Clothing in International Human Rights Law
Authors: Graham Luke D
Published: January 2024

Through examining the practice of the United Nation’s Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, this article reasserts the ‘forgotten’ right to adequate clothing as a distinct right deriving from Article 11 (1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). In doing so, this article traces and explains how the right to adequate clothing has ceased to feature in reporting and monitoring under the ICESCR. The right to adequate clothing must be reasserted for three reasons. Firstly, an accurate interpretation of the ICESCR requires its recognition as a distinct right. Secondly, it is the only human right that can effectively respond to the specific harms stemming from inadequate clothing. Thirdly, clothing is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of human rights generally. Consequently, the right must be reintegrated into the ICESCR’s reporting guidelines to allow effective monitoring and to engender the institutional development of this right.
Borrowed Words and Judicial Gestalt: A Dialogical Reading of Hirst, the ECtHR and Prisoner Voting Rights
Authors: Etxabe Julen
Published: January 2024

This article suggests that judgments of the European Court of Human Rights exhibit a textual quality that Mikhail Bakhtin called dialogism, namely, a kind of discourse constituted by a plurality of mutually effecting and interpenetrated voices. Such compositional choice is not just a lengthy prolegomenon to any decision, nor an unnecessary appendix that could be safely eliminated; it is actually fundamental for the construction—and comprehension—of any ECtHR opinion. In this article, I will focus on the 2005 case of Hirst, in which the Grand Chamber declared that the UK legislative blanket ban on prisoner voting is incompatible with the European Convention of Human Rights. As a controversial case about as-yet live-wire issues, Hirst can be shown to be a profoundly dialogized text despite all appearances to the contrary, which paves the way for a more general argument about the dialogical practice of adjudication by the Court.
On the definition of curvature in Regge calculus
Authors: Christiansen Snorre H
Published: January 2024

Regge calculus defines a curvature for piecewise constant metrics on simplicial complexes subject to a partial continuity requirement. We prove that if a part of the complex is embedded in a Euclidean space, by a piecewise affine map, and we perform smoothing by convolution there, then the smoothed metrics have a densitized scalar curvature that converges, in the sense of measures, to that defined by Regge, as the smoothing parameter goes to zero.
Sharp Global Well-Posedness and Scattering for the Radial Conformal Nonlinear Wave Equation
Authors: Dodson Benjamin
Published: January 2024

In this paper we prove global well-posedness and scattering for the conformal, defocusing, nonlinear wave equation with radial initial data in the critical Sobolev space, for dimensions $d \geq 4$. This result extends a previous result proving sharp scattering in the three dimensional case.
Subhypnotic Intravenous Ketamine Improves Patient Satisfaction With Burn Wound Care: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Pedroza Albert , Fleishhacker Zachary , Aguillon Paulsen Alba , Ong Jia Ern , Ronkar Nicolas , Weigel Isaac , Janecek Trinity , Galet Colette , Wibbenmeyer Lucy
Published: January 2024

Despite advancements in pain management for burn injuries, analgesia often fails to meet our patients’ needs. We hypothesized that low doses of intravenous (IV) ketamine as an adjunct to our current protocol would be safe, improving both nurse and patient satisfaction with analgesia during hydrotherapy. Burn patients admitted who underwent hydrotherapy from June 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023 were surveyed. Ketamine was administered with the standard opioid–midazolam regimen. Demographics, oral morphine equivalents, midazolam, ketamine doses and time of administration, and adverse events were collected. Patient and nurse satisfaction scores were collected. The ketamine and no-ketamine groups were compared. P < .05 was considered significant. Eighty-five hydrotherapies were surveyed, 47 without ketamine, and 38 with ketamine. Demographics, comorbidities, %TBSA, and hospital length of stay were not different. The median amount of ketamine given was 0.79 mg/kg [0.59-1.06]. Patients who received ketamine were more likely to receive midazolam (100% vs 61.7%; P < .001), and both oral and IV opioids (94.7% vs 68.1%; P = .002) prior to hydrotherapy and less likely to receive rescue opioids or midazolam during hydrotherapy. Two patients in the ketamine group had hypertension (defined as SBP > 180) that did not require treatment. Nurses tended to be more satisfied with patient pain control when ketamine was used (10 [8-10] vs 9 [7-10], P = .072). Patient satisfaction was higher in the ketamine group (10 [8.8-10] vs 9 [7-10], P = .006). Utilizing subhypnotic dose of IV ketamine for hydrotherapy is safe and associated with increased patient satisfaction.
3-Demethyl-2-geranyl-4-prenylbellidifoline, a natural xanthone with diuretic and kidney protective properties
Authors: Mariano Luísa Nathália Bolda , Boeing Thaise , Filho Valdir Cechinel , Niero Rivaldo , da Silva Luisa Mota , de Souza Priscila
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The diuretic and kidney protective effect of the 3-demethyl-2-geranyl-4-prenylbellidifoline (DGP) were evaluated in rats.

Methods

The normotensive (NTR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) received, once a day for 7 days, oral treatment with DGP (0.1 mg/kg), hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg), or vehicle (10 ml/kg). Urine, blood, and kidney samples were collected for further analysis.

Key findings

The urine and Na+ elimination content were significantly higher in the groups that received DGP. Furthermore, a Ca2+-sparing action was detected in the urine of DGP-treated groups, which was consistent with the reduction in calcium oxalate crystal formation. Relevantly, the treatment did not change the parameters examined in the blood. Concerning the renal analyses, DGP treatment recovered the morphological damages of the kidney corpuscle area of SHR. In addition to the differences observed between the NTR and SHR vehicle groups, DGP augmented the amount of reduced glutathione and the activity of glutathione S-transferase GST while reducing the catalase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity and nitrite levels.

Conclusion

Together, this study displayed the prolonged diuretic action of DGP and its natriuretic, Ca2+-sparing, and antiurolytic effects. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of DGP were evidenced in SHR kidneys, opening perspectives for further studies regarding the benefits of this xanthone.
Milestones in understanding transport, sensing, and signaling of the plant nutrient phosphorus
Authors: Yang Shu-Yi , Lin Wei-Yi , Hsiao Yi-Min , Chiou Tzyy-Jen
Published: January 2024

As an essential nutrient element, phosphorus (P) is primarily acquired and translocated as inorganic phosphate (Pi) by plant roots. Pi is often sequestered in the soil and becomes limited for plant growth. Plants have developed a sophisticated array of adaptive responses, termed P starvation responses, to cope with P deficiency by improving its external acquisition and internal utilization. Over the past 2 to 3 decades, remarkable progress has been made toward understanding how plants sense and respond to changing environmental P. This review provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms that regulate or coordinate P starvation responses, emphasizing P transport, sensing, and signaling. We present the major players and regulators responsible for Pi uptake and translocation. We then introduce how P is perceived at the root tip, how systemic P signaling is operated, and the mechanisms by which the intracellular P status is sensed and conveyed. Additionally, the recent exciting findings about the influence of P on plant-microbe interactions are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and prospects concerning the interplay between P and other nutrients and strategies to enhance P utilization efficiency are discussed. Insights obtained from this knowledge may guide future research endeavors in sustainable agriculture.
A pilot oral history of plant synthetic biology
Authors: Joshi Jaya , Hanson Andrew D
Published: January 2024

The whole field of synthetic biology (SynBio) is only about 20 years old, and plant SynBio is younger still. Nevertheless, within that short time, SynBio in general has drawn more scientific, philosophical, government, and private-sector interest than anything in biology since the recombinant DNA revolution. Plant SynBio, in particular, is now drawing more and more interest in relation to plants’ potential to help solve planetary problems such as carbon capture and storage and replacing fossil fuels and feedstocks. As plant SynBio is so young and so fast-developing, we felt it was too soon to try to analyze its history. Instead, we set out to capture the essence of plant SynBio's origins and early development through interviews with 8 of the field's founders, representing 5 countries and 3 continents. We then distilled these founders’ personal recollections and reflections into this review, centering the narrative on timelines for pivotal events, articles, funding programs, and quoting from interviews. We have archived the interview recordings and documented timeline entries. This work provides a resource for future historical scholarship.
A century of studying plant secondary metabolism—From “what?” to “where, how, and why?”
Authors: Dixon Richard A , Dickinson Alexandra Jazz
Published: January 2024

Over the past century, early advances in understanding the identity of the chemicals that collectively form a living plant have led scientists to deeper investigations exploring where these molecules localize, how they are made, and why they are synthesized in the first place. Many small molecules are specific to the plant kingdom and have been termed plant secondary metabolites, despite the fact that they can play primary and essential roles in plant structure, development, and response to the environment. The past 100 yr have witnessed elucidation of the structure, function, localization, and biosynthesis of selected plant secondary metabolites. Nevertheless, many mysteries remain about the vast diversity of chemicals produced by plants and their roles in plant biology. From early work characterizing unpurified plant extracts, to modern integration of ‘omics technology to discover genes in metabolite biosynthesis and perception, research in plant (bio)chemistry has produced knowledge with substantial benefits for society, including human medicine and agricultural biotechnology. Here, we review the history of this work and offer suggestions for future areas of exploration. We also highlight some of the recently developed technologies that are leading to ongoing research advances.
Follicle stimulating hormone controls granulosa cell glutamine synthesis to regulate ovulation
Authors: Zhang Kai-Hui , Zhang Fei-Fei , Zhang Zhi-Ling , Fang Ke-Fei , Sun Wen-Xing , Kong Na , Wu Min , Liu Hai-Ou , Liu Yan , Li Zhi , Cai Qing-Qing , Wang Yang , Wei Quan-Wei , Lin Peng-Cheng , Lin Yan , Xu Wei , Xu Cong-Jian , Yuan Yi-Yuan , Zhao Shi-Min
Published: January 2024

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. Inadequate understanding of the ovulation drivers hinders PCOS intervention. Herein, we report that follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) controls follicular fluid (FF) glutamine levels to determine ovulation. Murine ovulation starts from FF-exposing granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis. FF glutamine, which decreases in pre-ovulation porcine FF, elevates in PCOS patients FF. High-glutamine chow to elevate FF glutamine inhibits mouse GC apoptosis and induces hormonal, metabolic, and morphologic PCOS traits. Mechanistically, follicle-development-driving FSH promotes GC glutamine synthesis to elevate FF glutamine, which maintain follicle wall integrity by inhibiting GC apoptosis through inactivating ASK1-JNK apoptotic pathway. FSH and glutamine inhibit the rapture of cultured murine follicles. Glutamine removal or ASK1-JNK pathway activation with metformin or AT-101 reversed PCOS traits in PCOS models that are induced with either glutamine or EsR1-KO. These suggest that glutamine, FSH, and ASK1-JNK pathway are targetable to alleviate PCOS.
Wearable Technology to Capture Arm Use of People With Stroke in Home and Community Settings: Feasibility and Early Insights on Motor Performance
Authors: Demers Marika , Bishop Lauri , Cain Amelia , Saba Joseph , Rowe Justin , Zondervan Daniel K , Winstein Carolee J
Published: January 2024

Objective

The objectives of this study were to establish the short-term feasibility and usability of wrist-worn wearable sensors for capturing the arm and hand activity of people with stroke and to explore the association between factors related to the use of the paretic arm and hand.

Methods

Thirty people with chronic stroke were monitored with wrist-worn wearable sensors for 12 hours per day for a 7-day period. Participants also completed standardized assessments to capture stroke severity, arm motor impairments, self-perceived arm use, and self-efficacy. The usability of the wearable sensors was assessed using the adapted System Usability Scale and an exit interview. Associations between motor performance and capacity (arm and hand impairments and activity limitations) were assessed using Spearman correlations.

Results

Minimal technical issues or lack of adherence to the wearing schedule occurred, with 87.6% of days procuring valid data from both sensors. The average sensor wear time was 12.6 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.2) hours per day. Three participants experienced discomfort with 1 of the wristbands, and 3 other participants had unrelated adverse events. There were positive self-reported usability scores (mean = 85.4/100) and high user satisfaction. Significant correlations were observed for measures of motor capacity and self-efficacy with paretic arm use in the home and the community (Spearman correlation coefficients = 0.44–0.71).

Conclusions

This work demonstrates the feasibility and usability of a consumer-grade wearable sensor for capturing paretic arm activity outside the laboratory. It provides early insight into the everyday arm use of people with stroke and related factors, such as motor capacity and self-efficacy.

Impact

The integration of wearable technologies into clinical practice offers new possibilities to complement in-person clinical assessments and to better understand how each person is moving outside of therapy and throughout the recovery and reintegration phase. Insight gained from monitoring the arm and hand use of people with stroke in the home and community is the first step toward informing future research with an emphasis on causal mechanisms with clinical relevance.
What About Fertility? The Unintentional Pro-natalism of a Nordic Country
Authors: Hart Rannveig Kaldager , Holst Cathrine
Published: January 2024

Combining high birth rates with gender equality and women’s reproductive choice is often put forward as a Nordic success story. We analyze Norwegian governmental commission reports delivered 1984–2017, tracing how fertility issues are approached in policy-making under shifting demographic conditions. We focus on four key topics—pro-natalism, individual versus societal level effects of policies, socioeconomic differences in fertility, and immigration. We see little or no attention given to the fact that policy effects may vary by class background or preferences. Relatively high fertility is considered positive, but pro-natalist intent is downplayed or absent, even when fertility is falling. We connect these findings to the distinctive Nordic dual earner/care-giver model, a historical legacy of “unintentional” pro-natalism, and features of the commission system. We call for more interchange between demography and institutionalist scholarship and argue that questions of macro-level fertility effects of family policies could be better handled in a more explicit debate.
Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: Imaging Findings and Mimics
Authors: Xu Adrian QingYu , Nakanote Ken , Hegde Siddhi , Bastawrous Sarah , Chan Alex , Weaver Jennifer S. , Revels Jonathan , Wang Sherry S.
Published: January 2024

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a rapidly life-threatening condition in which the radiologist may play a crucial role in early diagnosis and thus improve patient outcomes. Acute mesenteric ischemia can occur from arterial embolism or thrombosis, venous occlusive, or nonocclusive etiologies. Key findings for acute arterial occlusion include hypoenhancing bowel, which is usually not thickened or dilated. Venous occlusion often results in a hyperenhancing, thickened, and dilated bowel. Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia should be considered in the appropriate clinical context, when there is no vascular occlusion on CT, and when there is involvement of watershed regions without specific vascular territory abnormalities. Venous congestion and increased vascular permeability can result in mesenteric edema and ascites; however, it is not predictive of mesenteric ischemia severity. Pneumatosis alone may not indicate presence of nonviable bowel; however, pneumatosis with portal venous gas or pneumoperitoneum has high sensitivity for nonviable bowel. Clinical history and laboratory results can often help differentiate between acute mesenteric ischemia and its mimics, such as inflammatory bowel disease, enteritis, and radiation injury.
Comparing the severity of second preeclampsia with first preeclampsia: a multicenter retrospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Zhang Lizi , Bi Shilei , Gong Jingjin , Wang Xinghe , Liang Jingying , Gu Shifeng , Su Minglian , Wang Weiwei , Sun Manna , Chen Jingsi , Zheng Weitan , Wu Junwei , Wang Zhijian , Liu Jianmeng , Li Hong-tian , Chen Dunjin , Du Lili
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Compare the clinical severity of second preeclampsia with the first preeclampsia.

Methods:

This retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted in three teaching hospitals in Guangzhou, where there were a total of 296 405 deliveries between 2010 and 2021. Two consecutive singleton deliveries complicated with preeclampsia were included. Clinical features, laboratory results within 1 week before delivery, and maternal and neonatal outcomes of both deliveries were collected. Univariate analyses were made using paired Wilcoxon tests and McNemar tests. Multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear models were performed to assess the association of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes with second preeclampsia.

Results:

A total of 151 women were included in the study. The mean maternal age was 28 and 33 years for the first and second deliveries, respectively. The proportion of preventive acetylsalicylic acid use was 4.6% for the first delivery and 15.2% for the second delivery. No significant differences were observed in terms of blood pressure on admission, gestational weeks of admission and delivery, application of perinatal antihypertensive agents, rates of preterm delivery, and severe features between the two occurrences. However, the rates of heart disease, edema, and admission to the ICU were lower, and hospital stays were shorter in the second preeclampsia compared with the first preeclampsia. Sensitivity analysis conducted among women who did not use preventive acetylsalicylic acid yielded similar results. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, the occurrence of second preeclampsia was associated with significantly decreased risks of heart disease, edema, complications, and admission to the NICU, with odds ratios ranging between 0.157 and 0.336.

Conclusion:

Contrary to expectations, the second preeclampsia did not exhibit worse manifestations or outcomes to the first occurrence. In fact, some clinical features and outcomes appeared to be better in the second preeclampsia.
Surgical Approach for Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance-Related Ocular Copper Deposition
Authors: Dai Xi , Lee Moon Jeong , Schein Oliver D. , Wenick Adam S. , Oboh-Weilke Aruoriwo M. , Woreta Fasika A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to present the surgical management of a patient with ocular copper deposition associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

Methods:

This is a case report of a 44-year-old man with MGUS who presented to us with bilateral diffuse deposition of copper in the cornea and lens.

Results:

Despite initiating systemic therapy for MGUS, no corneal clearing was observed. A decision was made to proceed with cataract extraction in the left eye given worsening vision. Despite trypan blue staining and a central descemetorhexis, visualization remained too poor to complete phacoemulsification. Pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy to remove the residual lens material and placement of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in the sulcus with endoillumination was subsequently performed. As vision in the left eye steadily improved postoperatively, cataract surgery was then performed in the right eye. With use of trypan blue, creation of a 6-mm central descemetorhexis, and a retinal light pipe for endoillumination anteriorly to augment visualization, capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, and insertion of intraocular lens in the bag were completed without difficulty. The patient's vision improved at subsequent follow-ups, reaching a final best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20-1 in the right eye and 20/25-1 in the left eye.

Conclusions:

Ocular copper deposition is a rare manifestation of MGUS. Cataract extraction is challenging, often requiring advanced techniques. Endoillumination is useful to improve visualization through the dense corneal copper deposition.
Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema
Authors: Caceres Jose Diego , Venkata Anand
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a syndrome characterized by upper lobe emphysema with lower lobe fibrosis. We aim to bring some clarity about its definition, nature, pathophysiology, and clinical implications.

Recent findings

Although multiple genetic and molecular pathways have been implicated in the development of CPFE, smoking is considered the most prevalent risk factor. CPFE is most prevalent in middle-aged men with more than 40 pack-years of smoking and can be seen in about 8% of all chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Given its nature, it is a radiological diagnosis, better defined by computed tomography (CT). Spirometry can be normal despite severe disease or can have restrictive or obstructive patterns, but the diffusing capacity of the lungs (DLCO) is consistently low regardless of the spirometry pattern. The disease is progressive, with high occurrences of lung cancer and pulmonary hypertension, complications that limit survival. Unfortunately, there is no treatment found to be beneficial other than supportive care and guideline-directed medical therapy.

CPFE is best described as a clinical and radiological syndrome where smokers are particularly at greater risk. Although simplistic, the earliest definition based chiefly on radiographic findings can identify a patient population with similar physiology. The most recent consensus proposes the definition based on mainly radiological findings with impaired gas exchange.
Which Symptoms Bridge Symptoms of Depression and Symptoms of Eating Disorders?
Authors: Meier Marieke , Summers Berta J. , Buhlmann Ulrike
Published: January 2024

Depression is a common comorbid mental illness in eating disorders (EDs). Network theory focuses on interactions between symptoms, but findings from network analyses of EDs and depression need to be replicated to make reliable claims about the nature of symptomatic interplay. We used cross-sectional data of 366 online-recruited participants with clinically elevated ED symptomatology and constructed a regularized partial correlation network with ED and depression symptoms. To determine each symptom's influence, we calculated expected influence (EI) and bridge EI to identify symptoms that bridged symptoms of depression and ED. Concerns that others see one eat, fear of weight gain, and fear of loss of control over eating were especially important among the ED symptoms. Loss of interest and feeling sad were the key depression symptoms. Eating in secret and low self-esteem emerged as potential bridge symptoms between clusters. These findings regarding bridge symptoms partially overlap with prior network analyses in nonclinical and clinical samples. Future studies that investigate symptom interplay via a longitudinal design to deduce causality are needed.
Symptoms and Main Differences Between a Psychopath and a Sociopath
Authors: Spytska Liana
Published: January 2024

The research relevance is predefined by the fact that, in modern psychology and psychiatry, the concepts of psychopathy and sociopathy are combined and interchanged. These are two concepts that describe different etiologies of the same mental health condition. The research aims to describe in detail the main manifestations and characteristics of personality disorders (psychopathy and sociopathy) in psychiatry and psychology. The research analyzes the main features and manifestations of sociopathy and psychopathy. It examines the work of psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons in helping sociopaths and psychopaths. The study also explores the challenges of treating antisocial personality disorders and identifies internal and external factors that influence the development of these conditions. In addition, the article emphasizes the behavioral differences between sociopaths and psychopaths, proposes various methods for integrated therapy, diagnoses the main aspects of these disorders, and highlights the importance of psychiatric care and psychotherapeutic interventions. The research is of theoretical and practical value for psychologists, psychoanalysts, and physicians who can help people with these pathologies of personal development.
Effects of Two Different Cold Application Methods After Rhinoplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ilce Arzu , Soysal Ganime Esra , Koybasi Sanal Serap
Published: January 2024

The aim of this prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of two methods of cold application on eye ecchymosis, periorbital edema, pain around the eyes and face, and patient comfort in postoperative rhinoplasty patients. Patients were randomly divided and evaluated in two groups: an ice in disposable latex gloves (IDLG) group and a cooling gel eye mask (CGEM) group. We used the CONSORT checklist to report the study. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, gender, preoperative blood pressure, respiration, fever status, oxygen saturation, or postoperative vital signs. Patients in the IDLG group had significantly higher scores for pain around the eyes, facial pain, and periorbital edema on the first postoperative day, and significantly higher facial edema scores during the first postoperative hour (p ≤ .05). Patients in the CGEM group reported that they slept more comfortably (p ≤ .05). The results of our study showed that CGEMs reduce pain, periorbital edema, and facial edema after rhinoplasty.
Paper Tape May Improve Scar Aesthetics and Prevent Wound Closure Complications
Authors: Stratis Catherine , Haider Syed Ali , Oleru Olachi , Seyidova Nargiz , Sbitany Hani , Henderson Peter W.
Published: January 2024

There is uncertainty whether postoperative application of paper tape (PT) improves scar aesthetics and reduces wound closure complications. This study aimed to review and assess the quality of applicable findings from studies investigating PT's efficacy. We queried PubMed and SCOPUS using the search terms “((“paper tape”) AND (wound OR closure OR heal* OR complication OR skin OR prevent* OR scar*)).” We excluded articles that were duplicates, basic science, or not clinically relevant. We assessed the level of evidence for each article using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Rating Levels of Evidence and Grading Recommendations for Therapeutic Studies, ranging from I (highest) to V (lowest). Of 186 publications reviewed, we included eight studies in the literature review. Five of these studies reported statistically significant positive outcomes on scar aesthetics and wound closure associated with using PT. Using the ASPS rating system, we found that two studies were Level I, three studies were Level II, two studies were Level IV, and one study was Level V. Notably, heterogeneity in the study designs limited outcome comparison. The data from the studies included in this literature review support using PT to optimize scar and wound management. The lack of higher levels of evidence, however, suggests the need for additional randomized controlled trials to rigorously evaluate patient outcomes when using PT compared with other forms of adhesive dressings.
Results of the 2023 ISPAN Salary and Benefits Survey
Authors: Van Wicklin Sharon Ann
Published: January 2024

In 2023, the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN) surveyed its members to collect data about the salary and benefits of plastic and aesthetic nurses and to disseminate this information to its members. The ISPAN survey also collected data about participant demographics, professional qualifications, professional experience, current position and work environment, employment status, job satisfaction, and the value of certification and ISPAN membership. I used a cross-sectional, descriptive design to portray the participants' reported salary and compensation when measured by an online survey. The survey comprised 25 multiple-choice questions. All survey responses were self-reported by plastic and aesthetic registered nurses who are members of the ISPAN. A total of 106 (7%) members agreed to participate in the study. This article describes the methods and results of the ISPAN survey and also compares the results of the ISPAN survey with a survey of 222 plastic and aesthetic nurses conducted in 2015 by the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses, now ISPAN.