bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADGRG1-related polymicrogyria syndrome: report on a large consanguineous family with a novel variant and review
Authors: El Khatib Dalida , Hojeij Moussa , Sabbagh Sandra , Mehawej Cybel , Chouery Eliane , Ryu Seung Woo , Kim JiHye , Mégarbané Andre
Published: April 2024

Background

Polymicrogyria is a spectrum of complex cortical malformations encompassing multiple subtypes. Of these, bilateral frontoparietal polymicrogyria (BFPP) has been associated with pathogenic variants in the ADGRG1 gene, formerly known as GPR56. BFPP is characterized by cognitive impairment, motor delay, seizures, oculomotor findings, cerebellar, pyramidal signs, and brain malformations that consist of abnormal changes in the cortex, white matter, brainstem, and cerebellum.

Case presentation

A large consanguineous Syrian family with five affected individuals exhibiting features of BFPP, is included in this study. These patients presented with cognitive impairment, psychomotor delay, epileptic episodes, cerebellar signs, oculomotor findings, and brain malformations. Through whole exome sequencing, a novel homozygous pathogenic variant in the ADGRG1 gene (NM_201525.4: c.308T > C; p.Leu103Pro) was identified.

Conclusion

Here, we report a thorough literature review of cases with BFPP, and we discuss the importance of genetic counseling in families with genetic disorders, especially in underdeveloped countries.
The effect of cigarette and e-cigarette smoke on dental pulp stem cells proliferation capacity and differentiation [in vitro study]
Authors: Riad Dalia , Nour Eldin Amani , Hamouda Mai Abdelhalim
Published: April 2024

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have long been known for their ability to regenerate tissue. Cigarette smoking is one environmental risk factor that may impair the performance of MSCs. Electronic cigarettes have recently become a popular and widely accepted alternative to tobacco cigarettes due to their safety. The present study aims to analyze how smoke extracts of cigarette tobacco and electronic cigarettes affect the capability of dental pulp stem cell (DPSCs) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. In this study, DPSCs were isolated from healthy impacted third molars of non-smokers, and two smoke extracts were made from tobacco powder and electronic cigarettes. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated at two time intervals (14 and 21 days), and its effect on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the DPSCs was assessed.

Results

The proliferation rate with the calculated IC50 of both smoke extracts was reduced compared to control cells. After 21 days of osteogenic induction, significantly fewer calcium deposits were visible among cells exposed to both smoke extracts. In addition, the expression of alkaline phosphatase and RANKL proteins was significantly reduced in differentiated DPSCs subjected to both smoke extracts.

Conclusions

DPSCs exposed to both smoke extracts showed decreased cell viability and osteogenic differentiation potentiality compared to control cells. Smoking in any form has a detrimental effect on the proliferation and regenerative capacity of MSCs.
The unconfined compressive strength estimation of rocks using a novel hybridization technique based on the regulated Gaussian processor
Authors: Huang Linhua , Li Song , Guo Enping
Published: April 2024

The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of rocks is a crucial factor in geotechnical engineering, assuming a central role in various civil engineering undertakings, including tunnel construction, mining operations, and the design of foundations. The precision in forecasting UCS holds paramount importance in upholding the security and steadfastness of these endeavors. This article introduces a fresh methodology for UCS prognostication by amalgamating Gaussian process regression (GPR) with two pioneering optimization techniques: sand cat swarm optimization (SCSO) and the equilibrium slime mould algorithm (ESMA). Conventional techniques for UCS prediction frequently encounter obstacles like gradual convergence and the potential for becoming ensnared in local minima. In this investigation, GPR is the foundational predictive model due to its adeptness in managing nonlinear associations within the dataset. The fusion of GPR with cutting-edge optimizers is envisioned to elevate the precision and expeditiousness of UCS prognostications.

An extensive collection of rock samples, each accompanied by UCS measurements, is harnessed to assess the suggested methodology. The efficacy of the GPSC and GPES models is juxtaposed with the conventional GPR technique. The findings reveal that incorporating SCSO and ESMA optimizers into GPR brings about a noteworthy enhancement in UCS prediction accuracy and expedites convergence. Notably, the GPSC models exhibit exceptional performance, evidenced by an exceptional R2 value of 0.995 and an impressively minimal RMSE value of 1.913. These findings emphasize the GPSC model’s potential as an exceedingly auspicious tool for experts in the realms of engineering and geology. It presents a sturdy and dependable method for UCS prediction, a resource of immense value in augmenting the security and efficiency of civil engineering endeavors.
An Undergraduate Health Care Experience Course Increases Confidence and Improves Student Understanding of Health Care Careers
Authors: Williams Adrienne , Williams Matthew
Published: April 2024

A health care experience (HCE) course was created for undergraduate students to increase accessibility to career experiences for students interested in health care careers. The HCE included training, active learning exercises, and coordinated shadowing experiences, which contributed to increased confidence in and understanding of health care.
Using Machine Learning to Predict Unplanned Hospital Utilization and Chemotherapy Management From Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Authors: Wójcik Zuzanna , Dimitrova Vania , Warrington Lorraine , Velikova Galina , Absolom Kate
Published: April 2024

PURPOSE

Adverse effects of chemotherapy often require hospital admissions or treatment management. Identifying factors contributing to unplanned hospital utilization may improve health care quality and patients' well-being. This study aimed to assess if patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) improve performance of machine learning (ML) models predicting hospital admissions, triage events (contacting helpline or attending hospital), and changes to chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical trial data were used and contained responses to three PROMs (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire [QLQ-C30], EuroQol Five-Dimensional Visual Analogue Scale [EQ-5D], and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General [FACT-G]) and clinical information on 508 participants undergoing chemotherapy. Six feature sets (with following variables: [1] all available; [2] clinical; [3] PROMs; [4] clinical and QLQ-C30; [5] clinical and EQ-5D; [6] clinical and FACT-G) were applied in six ML models (logistic regression [LR], decision tree, adaptive boosting, random forest [RF], support vector machines [SVMs], and neural network) to predict admissions, triage events, and chemotherapy changes.

RESULTS

The comprehensive analysis of predictive performances of the six ML models for each feature set in three different methods for handling class imbalance indicated that PROMs improved predictions of all outcomes. RF and SVMs had the highest performance for predicting admissions and changes to chemotherapy in balanced data sets, and LR in imbalanced data set. Balancing data led to the best performance compared with imbalanced data set or data set with balanced train set only.

CONCLUSION

These results endorsed the view that ML can be applied on PROM data to predict hospital utilization and chemotherapy management. If further explored, this study may contribute to health care planning and treatment personalization. Rigorous comparison of model performance affected by different imbalanced data handling methods shows best practice in ML research.
Cell coupling compensates for changes in single-cell Her6 dynamics and provides phenotypic robustness
Authors: Doostdar Parnian , Hawley Joshua , Chopra Kunal , Marinopoulou Elli , Lea Robert , Arashvand Kiana , Biga Veronica , Papalopulu Nancy , Soto Ximena
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the effect of altering the protein expression dynamics of the bHLH transcription factor Her6 at the single-cell level in the embryonic zebrafish telencephalon. Using a homozygote endogenous Her6:Venus reporter and 4D single-cell tracking, we show that Her6 oscillates in neural telencephalic progenitors and that the fusion of protein destabilisation (PEST) domain alters its expression dynamics, causing most cells to downregulate Her6 prematurely. However, counterintuitively, oscillatory cells increase, with some expressing Her6 at high levels, resulting in increased heterogeneity of Her6 expression in the population. These tissue-level changes appear to be an emergent property of coupling between single-cells, as revealed by experimentally disrupting Notch signalling and by computationally modelling alterations in Her6 protein stability. Despite the profound differences in the single-cell Her6 dynamics, the size of the telencephalon is only transiently altered and differentiation markers do not exhibit significant differences early on; however, a small increase is observed at later developmental stages. Our study suggests that cell coupling provides a compensation strategy, whereby an almost normal phenotype is maintained even though single-cell gene expression dynamics are abnormal, granting phenotypic robustness.
GPR124 regulates murine brain embryonic angiogenesis and BBB formation by an intracellular domain-independent mechanism
Authors: Yuki Kanako , Vallon Mario , Ding Jie , Rada Cara C. , Tang Alan T. , Vilches-Moure José G. , McCormick Aaron K. , Henao Echeverri Maria F. , Alwahabi Samira , Braunger Barbara M. , Ergün Süleyman , Kahn Mark L. , Kuo Calvin J.
Published: April 2024

The GPR124/RECK/WNT7 pathway is an essential regulator of CNS angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. GPR124, a brain endothelial adhesion seven-pass transmembrane protein, associates with RECK, which binds and stabilizes newly synthesized WNT7 that is transferred to frizzled (FZD) to initiate canonical β-catenin signaling. GPR124 remains enigmatic: although its extracellular domain (ECD) is essential, the poorly conserved intracellular domain (ICD) appears to be variably required in mammals versus zebrafish, potentially via adaptor protein bridging of GPR124 and FZD ICDs. GPR124 ICD deletion impairs zebrafish angiogenesis, but paradoxically retains WNT7 signaling upon mammalian transfection. We thus investigated GPR124 ICD function using the mouse deletion mutant Gpr124ΔC. Despite inefficiently expressed GPR124ΔC protein, Gpr124ΔC/ΔC mice could be born with normal cerebral cortex angiogenesis, in comparison with Gpr124−/− embryonic lethality, forebrain avascularity and hemorrhage. Gpr124ΔC/ΔC vascular phenotypes were restricted to sporadic ganglionic eminence angiogenic defects, attributable to impaired GPR124ΔC protein expression. Furthermore, Gpr124ΔC and the recombinant GPR124 ECD rescued WNT7 signaling in culture upon brain endothelial Gpr124 knockdown. Thus, in mice, GPR124-regulated CNS forebrain angiogenesis and BBB function are exerted by ICD-independent functionality, extending the signaling mechanisms used by adhesion seven-pass transmembrane receptors.
Variety-Based Congestion in Online Markets: Evidence from Mobile Apps
Authors: Ershov Daniel
Published: April 2024

In many online markets, consumers have to spend time and effort browsing through products. The addition of new products could make other products less visible, creating congestion externalities. Using Android app store data, I take advantage of a natural experiment—a redesign of part of the store—to show evidence of congestion externalities online: more apps in the market directly reduce per app usage/downloads. The natural experiment also increases long-run entry, but a structural demand model that accounts for congestion externalities suggests that 40 percent of consumer variety welfare gains are lost from higher congestion. (JEL D12, D22, D62, L86)
Consumer Search and Product Returns in E-Commerce
Authors: Janssen Maarten , Williams Cole
Published: April 2024

E-commerce has led to a surge in products being returned after purchase. We analyze product returns as resulting from a trade-off between the social waste of returns and the search efficiency gains of being able to inspect a product’s value after purchase. We find whenever returns are efficient, the market generates too few returns, as the parties involved in the transaction do not internalize the welfare benefit of consumers continuing their search, generating profits for other firms. We also show, despite their consumer-friendly appearance and the private cost of returns, firms may benefit and capture the gains from less costly search. (JEL D11, D21, D83, L25)
Compression elastography in assessment of bicep muscle stiffness with controlled pressure in healthy adults
Authors: Ordierez Zuñiga Laura Daniela , Gaviria López Carlos Alberto , Roldán Gonzáles Elizabeth , de Albuquerque Pereira Wagner Coelho
Published: April 2024

Background Ultrasound Shear Elastography (USE) is used to quantify the stiffness of biological tissues by measuring muscle deformation or displacement. Compression Elastography (CE) involves applying pressure to the skin using an ultrasound (US) transducer, resulting in tissue displacement, and is used to assess tissue stiffness based on the principle that compression produces strain. Methods In this study, we estimated the strain in the biceps brachialis of healthy volunteers (n=11) and patients with post-stroke spasticity (n=2). The arms were evaluated using the Tardieu scale and strain measurements were obtained using an ultrasound probe with the elbow flexed at 30°. A semi-automatic algorithm for muscle thickness measurement was employed to qualitatively measure muscle elasticity. The application of controlled pressure from an electromechanical actuator allows for strain estimation without direct intervention by an operator, thereby reducing subjectivity in the results. The main aim of this study was to utilize CE to characterize the normal range of muscle elasticity in the biceps brachialis of healthy volunteers who exhibited no changes and were rated 0 on the modified Tardieu scale. Results The normal range of strain for both healthy male and female volunteers demonstrated an acceptable deviation for each strain measurement, as the standard deviation was considered small and relatively constant (with higher values observed under maximum pressure). The proposed measurement mechanism is sensitive, allowing for the observation of strain differences between healthy and spastic muscles in both men and women. Conclusions Comparison of the average curve for the healthy group with two examples of curves from individuals with spasticity showed evident differences. Thus, it would be worthwhile to continue this research by evaluating a group of subjects with spastic muscles.
Predictors Of Tobacco Smoking Initiation Among Indonesian Teenagers: The 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey
Authors: Deva Hani Salsabila , Efendi Ferry , Asmoro Candra Panji , Aditya Ronal Surya , McKenna Lisa , Alruwaili Abdullah Saleh
Published: April 2024

Introduction We examined the predictors of tobacco smoking initiation considering factors such as age, gender, pocket money, exposure to smoke in public outdoor places, anti-tobacco media, smoking parents, smoking teachers, and smoking friends among adolescents in Indonesia. Methods Using data from the 2014–2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey grades 7–12, data from 9,655 teenagers were analyzed. The research used the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) questionnaire. The analysis used univariate, chi-square and logistic regression with the STATA application version 15. Results In total, 9655 adolescent respondents participated. Multivariate tests indicated that teenagers aged 13-15 years (AOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08-1.66) and teenagers aged> 15 years (AOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.25-2.17), teenagers who were male (AOR: 13.99, 95% CI: 11.11-17.63), teenagers who were exposed to cigarette smoke in public places outside the room (AOR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.74-2.29), teenagers who had never seen anti-tobacco messages in the mass media (AOR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02-1.48), Teenagers who had parents who smoke (AOR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08-1.46), teenagers who saw teachers smoking in the school area (AOR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.18-1.71), and teenagers who accepted offers of cigarettes from friends (AOR: 15.11, 95% CI: 10.33-22.11). Conclusion The initiation of tobacco smoking among teenagers in Indonesia can be predicted by various factors such as age, gender, exposure to smoke in outdoor public places, exposure to anti-tobacco media, and influence of parents, teachers, and friends.
Organización y gestión de un programa interdisciplinar de dolor y cuidado paliativo
Authors: González-Puche Ángela Carmela , Isaza-Narváez Ana Milena , Moreno-Serrano Nancy Lucía
Published: April 2024

Este capítulo narra la experiencia de nuestro grupo interdisciplinar. Es una experiencia local y contextualizada que ilustra los retos, las necesidades, los errores y los aciertos en la conformación del Programa de Dolor y Cuidado Paliativo con el que contamos en la Corporación Hospitalaria Juan Ciudad Méderi en Bogotá (Colombia), así como el proceso de acreditación de los hospitales universitarios Mayor y Barrios Unidos, que inició con el compromiso de ser hospitales libres de dolor. Está narrado por tres voces: la Dra. Nancy Moreno, quien acompañó desde su inicio el esfuerzo del profesor John Jairo Hernández, pionero y fundador del grupo, y estuvo a cargo del desarrollo de la interfase clínico-administrativa en la planeación del programa; la Dra. Ángela González Puche, gestora administrativa, como jefe de Programas Especiales de Méderi, y la Dra. Ana Milena Isaza, actual coordinadora del Programa de Dolor y Cuidado Paliativo. Nuestro propósito es animar la creación de grupos interdisciplinares en dolor y cuidado paliativo.
Perspectivas de la enseñanza del emprendimiento internacional: una revisión de la literatura
Authors: Múnera Montoya Nazly , León García Nancy Carolina
Published: April 2024

Este capítulo hace una revisión de la literatura a través de la cual se identifican las características y la evolución de la universidad emprendedora. Posteriormente, se examinan tres modelos de enseñanza del emprendimiento que han sido exitosos en países en vías de desarrollo. El primer modelo descrito se denomina Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion (STEP), el cual se ejecutó en cinco países de África subsahariana. El segundo modelo es conocido como avsi Uganda, the Women’s Income Generating Support (WINGS), el cual recoge las lecciones aprendidas de la enseñanza del emprendimiento en comunidades rurales de Uganda, en especial enfocado en mujeres. Finalmente, se estudia el modelo Securing, Expanding, Exposing, and Challenging (SEEC), el cual promueve el emprendimiento basado en identificación de oportunidades, a través de un piloto desarrollado con 130 estudiantes de pregrado de universidades de la costa oeste de los Estados Unidos. Para concluir la revisión de la literatura, se documentan dos metodologías para la medición de impacto de la educación en emprendimiento.
Adwords with Unknown Budgets and Beyond
Authors: Udwani Rajan
Published: April 2024

In the classic Adwords problem introduced by [Mehta A, Saberi A, Vazirani U, Vazirani V (2007) Adwords and generalized online matching. J. ACM 54(5):22-es.], we have a bipartite graph between advertisers and queries. Each advertiser has a maximum budget that is known a priori. Queries are unknown a priori and arrive sequentially. When a query arrives, advertisers make bids, and we (immediately and irrevocably) decide which (if any) Ad to display based on the bids and advertiser budgets. The winning advertiser for each query pays their bid up to their remaining budget. Our goal is to maximize total budget used without any foreknowledge of the arrival sequence (which could be adversarial). We consider the setting where the online algorithm does not know the advertisers’ budgets a priori and the budget of an advertiser is revealed to the algorithm only when it is exceeded. A naïve greedy algorithm is 0.5 competitive for this setting, and finding an algorithm with better performance remained an open problem. We show that no deterministic algorithm has competitive ratio better than 0.5 and give the first (randomized) algorithm with strictly better performance guarantee. We show that the competitive ratio of our algorithm is at least 0.522 but also strictly less than [Formula: see text]. We present novel applications of budget oblivious algorithms in search ads and beyond. In particular, we show that our algorithm achieves the best possible performance guarantee for deterministic online matching in the presence of multichannel traffic [Manshadi V, Rodilitz S, Saban D, Suresh A (2022) Online algorithms for matching platforms with multi-channel traffic. Proc. 23rd ACMConf. Econom. Comput. (ACM, NewYork), 986–987.].

This paper was accepted by Omar Besbes, revenue management and market analytics.

Funding: NSF Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation [Grant 2340306], and Google Research Scholar Program.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.03243 .
BORGES COMO PERSONAGEM DE BORGES: A IMAGEM DO AUTOR EM “O OUTRO” E “25 DE AGOSTO DE 1983”
Authors: Loureiro Vinicius Santos
Published: April 2024

O presente artigo se pretende a uma análise da imagem de autor atribuída a Jorge Luis Borges, um dos mais importantes escritores argentinos do século XX, conforme é percebida em sua obra ficcional. Em seus contos, Borges corriqueiramente projeta representações que, para além de coincidirem com seu nome, replicam aspectos biográficos de forma aberta, compondo uma literatura que, à medida que toma a literatura e suas formas como tema de relatos insólitos, se converte em uma ficção centrada a partir da experiência de se estar diante do texto literário, seja por meio da leitura ou da escrita. Dessa forma, uma série de contos do autor repensa as nuances dessa dinâmica, especialmente no que tange a relação por vezes conflitante entre a dimensão íntima de relação com a literatura e a dimensão pública e cultural, em um contexto em que o sujeito performa, em certa medida, sob uma máscara autoral. Assim, o artigo que se segue toma como objeto os contos de Borges, com ênfase em “O outro” e “25 de agosto de 1983”, a fim de discutir como esse conflito pode ser representado em um recorte que tange a literatura fantástica e os relatos autobiográficos.
Palavras-chave: fantástico; duplo; autor; literatura latino-americana; conto; biografia.
Avaliação da composição nutricional do composto lácteo à venda no mercado brasileiro
Authors: Lima Juliane Fernandes de , Oliveira de Fariña Luciana , Regina Simões Márcia
Published: April 2024

Introdução: A influência do consumo de composto lácteo na nutrição de crianças em primeira infância ainda é desconhecida, apesar de o produto movimentar um mercado multimilionário. Objetivo: Avaliar a composição nutricional do composto lácteo e a influência de seu consumo sobre as necessidades diárias de macronutrientes e energia de crianças pequenas. Métodos: A pesquisa foi dividida em três partes, sendo: a) avaliação da composição nutricional e ingredientes; b) comparação do composto lácteo brasileiro com uma proposta de padronização; c) cálculo de inadequação nutricional e influência do consumo de composto lácteo em crianças pequenas. Resultados: Foi possível categorizar o produto em três subgrupos, de acordo com os ingredientes, sendo: grupo 1 (soro de leite, açúcar e gordura vegetal), grupo 2 (adição de vitaminas e minerais) e grupo 3 (ampla lista de ingredientes, sem adição de açúcares e adição de bioativos). De forma geral, o composto lácteo tem como características: excesso de proteínas e açúcares de adição, predominância de gorduras saturadas, além de aditivos químicos. Em comparação com a proposta de composição ideal, o composto lácteo brasileiro excede todos os nutrientes analisados e, por fim, o consumo de dois copos de 200mL de composto lácteo por dia corresponde a 100% das necessidades diárias de proteína, sendo as crianças de 0 a 11 meses as mais prejudicadas. Conclusão: Independentemente do subgrupo e do ingrediente, o produto tem impacto negativo na saúde infantil, e quanto menor a idade de introdução, maior o impacto na saúde, podendo levar ao desenvolvimento de sobrepeso e obesidade.
Latest clinical research
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: April 2024

The latest studies of interest to primary care clinicians rounded up by Mark Greener
Microjet wound therapy versus sharp debridement on wound size reduction: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Probst Sebastian , Saini Camille
Published: April 2024

Objective:

There are several methods of treating hard-to-heal (chronic) wounds, each differing in terms of efficiency, selectivity, speed, cost and pain. The objective is to activate a wound to initiate the healing cascade. For this pilot study we assessed the feasibility of a new microjet wound therapy technology compared to standard sharp debridement in wound outcomes.

Method:

A randomised, controlled, open-label pilot study was conducted in one outpatient wound clinic in Western Switzerland from March 2022 to May 2023.

Results:

A total of 13 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to receive either microjet wound therapy (n=5) or standard mechanical debridement with instruments (n=8). As a feasibility study, there was insufficient power to detect significant differences between the groups. However, in the intervention group, our analysis may indicate a modestly faster reduction in wound area. Microjet wound therapy appears to alleviate patient anxiety and offer cost savings due to the potential for reduced time, as well as the number of required treatments. This meant fewer overall consultations.

Conclusion:

This study highlights a trend that may indicate that microjet therapy holds value in promoting faster healing of hard-to-heal wounds, and it provides a feasibility basis for a sufficiently powered multicentre trial.
Wound care practices following in-office cutaneous surgery among family physicians in Canada
Authors: Sander Michael , Rebner Bruce , Wiens Robyn , Shoimer Ilya , Vallerand Isabelle , Sander Megan
Published: April 2024

Objective:

Family physicians (FPs) in Canada routinely perform in-office cutaneous surgery. There is strong evidence to support a moist wound healing environment, resulting in faster healing times and improved cosmesis. However, the wound care practices of FPs have not been previously studied. We aimed to examine the postoperative wound care practices of FPs after in-office cutaneous surgery.

Method:

An online survey was distributed to Canadian FPs to determine post-surgical wound care practices. The survey examined moist versus dry wound healing and the reasons for these recommendations were explored. Additional wound care practices were also studied. Appropriate statistical analyses were undertaken.

Results:

A total of 573 (91.5%) FPs completed the survey. Just under half (49.2%) of FPs recommended moist wound healing to their patients, while the remaining respondents (50.8%) recommended dry wound healing. The most endorsed reason for both moist and dry wound care recommendations was prior training (63.1% and 65.3%, respectively). Most physicians (57.2%) recommended the use of a cream or ointment postoperatively. While there appeared to be consensus on recommending sun avoidance after cutaneous surgery (77.7%), additional wound care practices varied, including: the use of dressings; cleansing practices; smoking cessation; reduction in physical activity; photoprotection; water exposure; and scar treatment/cosmetic use.

Conclusion:

Almost half of FPs in Canada responding to the survey did not recommend moist wound healing despite strong evidence to support this practice. We also noted a diverse range of postoperative wound care practices after in-office cutaneous surgery. Therefore, these results highlight a critical need for consistent wound care recommendations following cutaneous surgery for FPs in Canada.
Management of post-Mohs surgical wounds with a hypothermically stored amniotic membrane: a case series
Authors: Kapp Daniel , Pfendler Laura
Published: April 2024

Objective:

The aim of this case series is to present an alternative approach to managing post-Mohs Micrographic Surgery (Mohs) wounds with hypothermically stored amniotic membrane (HSAM).

Method:

A case series of patients with post-Mohs wounds is presented, with four patients referred for hard-to-heal wounds following a Mohs procedure that was performed 1–3 months previously. All wounds underwent weekly assessment, debridement, and application of HSAM and secondary dressings. Treatment also included management of bioburden, proper skin care and compression therapy for lower extremity wounds.

Results:

This case series of seven wounds consisted of four females and three males with a mean age of 87.6 years. Mean wound size at first application of HSAM was 1.34±1.20cm2. All wounds closed, with an average time to wound closure of 43.7±27.1 days. Patients received an average of 4.6±2.5 HSAM applications. The four post-Mohs wounds with a history of being hard-to-heal had an average time to wound closure of 35.5±16.3 days, with an average duration of 86.5±32.4 days prior to the first HSAM application.

Conclusion:

The results of this case series suggest that use of HSAM may provide an alternative approach to managing post-Mohs wounds. In addition, these findings suggest that HSAM may be of greatest benefit when applied early after Mohs surgery.
Assessment of Nonprescription Medicine and First Aid Knowledge Among School Health Teachers in Northern Thailand
Authors:   Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, University of Phayao 56000, Thailand, Pansakun Nattapon , Kantow Supakan ,   Department of Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health, University of Phayao 56000, Thailand, Pudpong Punyisa ,   Department of Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health, University of Phayao 56000, Thailand, Chaiya Tatsanee ,   School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290 Thailand
Published: April 2024

This research aimed to assess nonprescription medicine knowledge, first aid knowledge, and compared the knowledge scores with and without previous training among school health teachers in Phayao Province, Northern Thailand. This cross-sectional study included school health teachers from primary and secondary schools by using the quota and purposive sampling methods. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with three sections: socio-demographic characteristics, nonprescription medicine assessment, and first aid assessment. The data were gathered and analyzed using descriptive and independent sample t-test analysis. A total of 152 school health teachers participated in this study, with a response rate of 94.4%. The mean age was 41.5 ± 10.6 years, and 92.8% of the teachers were females. The majority (97.4%) of the teachers did not have a degree related to health sciences. 73.0% of the teachers had no previous nonprescription medicine training, while 59.2% had no previous first aid training. Only 15.8% of teachers were knowledgeable in nonprescription medicine, and only a few (0.7%) were knowledgeable in first aid. In addition, higher knowledge scores of nonprescription medicines (P-value < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.71 – 3.69) and first aid (P-value < 0.001, 95% CI = 2.83 – 4.19) were statistically significant among the teachers who had received previous training. This highlights the importance of training teachers about the use of nonprescription medicines and first aid management so they can respond appropriately to first aid needs in schools and could be incorporated into a support policy and integrated into the teachers’ training curriculum.
Bringing gut microbiota into the spotlight of clinical research and medical practice
Authors: Davoutis Efstathia , Gkiafi Zoi , Lykoudis Panagis M
Published: April 2024

Despite the increasing scientific interest and expanding role of gut microbiota (GM) in human health, it is rarely reported in case reports and deployed in clinical practice. Proteins and metabolites produced by microbiota contribute to immune system development, energy homeostasis and digestion. Exo- and endogenous factors can alter its composition. Disturbance of microbiota, also known as dysbiosis, is associated with various pathological conditions. Specific bacterial taxa and related metabolites are involved in disease pathogenesis and therefore can serve as a diagnostic tool. GM could also be a useful prognostic factor by predicting future disease onset and preventing hospital-associated infections. Additionally, it can influence response to treatments, including those for cancers, by altering drug bioavailability. A thorough understanding of its function has permitted significant development in therapeutics, such as probiotics and fecal transplantation. Hence, GM should be considered as a ground-breaking biological parameter, and it is advisable to be investigated and reported in literature in a more consistent and systematic way.
Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina: A case report
Authors: Xu Pan , Ling Shan-Shan , Hu E , Yi Bi-Xia
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the vagina in postmenopausal women is an extremely rare malignant tumor that was originally described as a unique group of soft tissue sarcomas originating from primitive mesenchymal cells. It was first reported in postmenopausal women in 1970, and fewer than 50 postmenopausal patients have been reported to date.

CASE SUMMARY

A 68-year-old multiparous female was admitted to the hospital on October 11, 2023, with the chief complaint of a mass causing vaginal prolapse with incomplete urination that had persisted for 4 months. The vaginal mass was approximately the size of a pigeon egg; after lying down, the vaginal mass retracted. Complete resection was performed, and vaginal pleomorphic RMS was diagnosed based on pathology and immunohistochemical staining features. The patient is currently undergoing chemotherapy. The present study also reviewed the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features and latest treatment recommendations for vaginal RMS. Any abnormal vaginal mass should be promptly investigated through pelvic examination and appropriate imaging. The current initial treatment for vaginal RMS is biopsy and primary chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

When surgery is planned for vaginal RMS, an organ-preserving approach should be considered.
Social-to-biological transitions research: review of progress and development
Authors: O’Toole Thomas , Kumari Meena , Kelly-Irving Michelle , Blane David
Published: April 2024

The present text builds on an earlier publication* which had the same aim: namely, to encourage clarity and coherence in the interdisciplinary area we called social-to-biological transitions. This burgeoning area of research involves a complex workforce with differing career levels and disciplinary traditions, reflecting which the present authors comment from different perspectives (one author from each of early career research, epidemiology, biology and public health) and invite debate. (* Blane, D., Kelly-Irving, M., d’Errico, A., Bartley, M. and Montgomery, S. (2013) Social-biological transitions: how does the social become biological?, Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 4(2): 136–46.)
"Odd but recognizable": Indigenous Epistemologies and Indo-Creole Belonging in Cyril Dabydeen's Dark Swirl
Authors: Islam Najnin
Published: April 2024

Abstract: Recent scholarship across postcolonial, settler colonial, and critical Indigenous studies has interrogated the ascription of a settler identity to racialized communities whose own presence on Indigenous land may have been the result of the violent processes of colonialism. Simultaneously, this body of work has attended to how even these communities can replicate settler modes of belonging that marginalize Indigenous Peoples. In the postcolonial Caribbean, a discourse of labor and land ownership arguably consolidated Indo- and Afro-Creole belonging in such a way. This article examines literary fiction's role in imagining other ways of belonging for East Indians in Guyana. It illuminates how Cyril Dabydeen's Dark Swirl (1988) circumvents the framework of labor, land ownership, and enclosure to articulate a mode of belonging that unfolds by engaging with Indigenous histories and epistemologies. The resultant rearrangement of the East Indian characters' understanding of the land they inhabit is key to the novel's articulation of creole belonging. Dark Swirl thus intervenes in scholarship on creolization in the Caribbean that has often either ignored East Indians or reproduced the discourse of Indigenous disappearance.
Dancing Bodies in Zadie Smith's Swing Time
Authors: Yang Karen Ya-Chu
Published: April 2024

Abstract: This essay reads Zadie Smith's Swing Time (2016) as generating innovative and insightful conversations between literary criticism and dance studies. Smith's novel explores the onstage and offstage performative experiences and challenges of hybridized bodies and hyphenated identities in a transcontinental context. The novel sets up an interactive dancefloor for its leading characters—the unnamed female narrator and her childhood friend Tracey—both of whom are biracial and live in the working-class neighborhoods of Northwest London. Drawing from cultural studies and dance theories, this essay considers the narrator's and Tracey's practices and experiences of dance to discuss the swinging connections and disconnections between selves, bodies, and cultures carried through the protagonists' challenged expressions of agency and mobility in glocal and transnational contexts.
Super-resolution and super-sensitivity of quantum LiDAR with a multi-photonic state and binary outcome photon counting measurement
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Mishra Manoj K. , Mishra Devendra Kumar
Published: April 2024

Here, we are investigating the enhancement in resolution and phase sensitivity of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based quantum LiDAR. We are using a multi-photonic state (MPS), superposition of four coherent states [Int. J. Quantum Inf. 19, 2150013 (2021)0219-749910.1142/S0219749921500131], as the input state and binary outcome parity photon counting measurement and binary outcome zero non-zero photon counting measurement as the measurement schemes. We have thoroughly investigated the results in lossless as well as lossy cases. We found enhancement in resolution and phase sensitivity in comparison to the coherent state and even coherent superposition state (ECSS) based quantum LiDAR. Our analysis shows that MPS may be an alternative nonclassical resource in the field of quantum imaging and quantum sensing technologies, like in quantum LiDAR.
Anisotropic atmospheric turbulence and partially coherent self-focusing vortex beams for wireless optical communication
Authors: Kang Zhizhong , Zhu Yun , Wang Jicheng , Li Mengmeng , Khakhomov Sergei , Hu Zheng-Da
Published: April 2024

It is generally believed that employing partially coherent light for wireless optical communication can improve the communication performance. In this paper, we show that whether the partial coherence contributes positively or negatively depends on the turbulence strength of the link. For illustration, partially coherent self-focusing vortex (PCSFV) beams propagating via anisotropic atmospheric turbulence at different altitudes are investigated. It is shown that lower coherence improves focusing and helps the signal receiving only for low-altitude and strong turbulence. There is an altitude related to the critical turbulence strength of the turbulence at which the communication performance is almost independent of the initial coherence of the beam. Besides, we focus on the channel capacity as well as the bit error rate (BER) for a high-altitude link. The results show that stronger anisotropy and larger inner scale parameters lead to higher average channel capacity with lower BER. By adjusting the beam waist or receiving aperture size, the communication performance can be further maximized. Our study represents the pioneering effort to assess the different impacts of the initial partial coherence on the receiving probability and validate the potential applications of PCSFV beams in wireless optical communications.
Electric field induced second harmonic generation in arsenic sulfide deposited by thermal evaporation
Authors: Wardenberg Laurids , Bunk Benito , von Freymann Georg , Schilling Jörg
Published: April 2024

Electric field induced second harmonic (EFISH) measurements are performed on thin films of arsenic sulfide deposited on chromium coated fused silica substrates by thermal evaporation of amorphous As2S3 bulk material. EFISH allows to widely tune the second-order optical susceptibility (χ(2)). An observed shift of the minimum of the second harmonic generation (SHG) intensity away from 0 V reveals a non-EFISH bulk χ(2), which is unexpected for amorphous materials. Additional SHG measurements on as-deposited films for investigation of the non-EFISH bulk χ(2) show Maker fringe patterns. Analyzing them and calibrating the SHG response against beta barium borate (BBO) crystal allows us to extract the components of the χ(2) tensor. The main component of this non-EFISH bulk χ(2) has a value of ∼0.22 pm/V. By increasing the χ(2) by applying the dc electric field a maximum value of 3.8 pm/V was achieved in EFISH measurements. This value is comparable to the χ(2) of traditional nonlinear crystals, e.g., BBO, which makes arsenic sulfide an interesting candidate for nonlinear hybrid structures.
Reduction of relative intensity noise in a diamond Raman laser
Authors: Liu Yuxuan , Yang Xuezong , Zhu Chengjie , Sun Yuxiang , Li Muye , Cheng Xin , Mildren Richard P. , Chen Dijun , Chen Weibiao , Feng Yan
Published: April 2024

The relative intensity noise (RIN) characteristics of a continuous-wave diamond Raman laser are investigated for the first time. The results reveal the parasitic stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) that usually occurred with higher-order spatial modes in the diamond Raman resonator is a pivotal factor impacting the Raman longitudinal modes and deteriorating the RIN level. The diamond Raman laser automatically switches to single-longitudinal-mode operation and the RIN level is significantly decreased in the frequency range of 200 Hz to 1 MHz after the parasitic SBS is effectively suppressed through inserting a spatial aperture or a χ(2) nonlinear crystal into the cavity. Due to the introduction of additional nonlinear loss to the high intensity Raman fluctuations and the non-lasing spontaneous Raman modes, the χ(2) nonlinear crystal enables better performance in the RIN-level reduction compared to the spatial aperture which can only achieve SBS inhibition. The RIN reduction routes are well suited for various crystalline Raman media to achieve high power and low intensity noise laser at different wavelengths.
Bayesian uncertainty evaluation applied to the tilted-wave interferometer
Authors: Marschall Manuel , Fortmeier Ines , Stavridis Manuel , Hughes Finn , Elster Clemens
Published: April 2024

The tilted-wave interferometer is a promising technique for the development of a reference measurement system for the highly accurate form measurement of aspheres and freeform surfaces. The technique combines interferometric measurements, acquired with a special setup, and sophisticated mathematical evaluation procedures. To determine the form of the surface under test, a computational model is required that closely mimics the measurement process of the physical measurement instruments. The parameters of the computational model, comprising the surface under test sought, are then tuned by solving an inverse problem. Due to this embedded structure of the real experiment and computational model and the overall complexity, a thorough uncertainty evaluation is challenging. In this work, a Bayesian approach is proposed to tackle the inverse problem, based on a statistical model derived from the computational model of the tilted-wave interferometer. Such a procedure naturally allows for uncertainty quantification to be made. We present an approximate inference scheme to efficiently sample quantities of the posterior using Monte Carlo sampling involving the statistical model. In particular, the methodology derived is applied to the tilted-wave interferometer to obtain an estimate and corresponding uncertainty of the pixel-by-pixel form of the surface under test for two typical surfaces taking into account a number of key influencing factors. A statistical analysis using experimental design is employed to identify main influencing factors and a subsequent analysis confirms the efficacy of the method derived.
The C-terminus of the prototypical M2 muscarinic receptor localizes to the mitochondria and regulates cell respiration under stress conditions
Authors: Fasciani Irene , Petragnano Francesco , Wang Ziming , Edwards Ruairidh , Telugu Narasimha , Pietrantoni Ilaria , Zabel Ulrike , Zauber Henrik , Grieben Marlies , Terzenidou Maria E. , Di Gregorio Jacopo , Pellegrini Cristina , Santini Silvano , Taddei Anna R. , Pohl Bärbel , Aringhieri Stefano , Carli Marco , Aloisi Gabriella , Marampon Francesco , Charlesworth Eve , Roman Alexandra , Diecke Sebastian , Flati Vincenzo , Giorgi Franco , Amicarelli Fernanda , Tobin Andrew B. , Scarselli Marco , Tokatlidis Kostas , Rossi Mario , Lohse Martin J. , Annibale Paolo , Maggio Roberto
Published: April 2024

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are prototypical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), members of a large family of 7 transmembrane receptors mediating a wide variety of extracellular signals. We show here, in cultured cells and in a murine model, that the carboxyl terminal fragment of the muscarinic M2 receptor, comprising the transmembrane regions 6 and 7 (M2tail), is expressed by virtue of an internal ribosome entry site localized in the third intracellular loop. Single-cell imaging and import in isolated yeast mitochondria reveals that M2tail, whose expression is up-regulated in cells undergoing integrated stress response, does not follow the normal route to the plasma membrane, but is almost exclusively sorted to the mitochondria inner membrane: here, it controls oxygen consumption, cell proliferation, and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by reducing oxidative phosphorylation. Crispr/Cas9 editing of the key methionine where cap-independent translation begins in human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), reveals the physiological role of this process in influencing cell proliferation and oxygen consumption at the endogenous level. The expression of the C-terminal domain of a GPCR, capable of regulating mitochondrial function, constitutes a hitherto unknown mechanism notably unrelated to its canonical signaling function as a GPCR at the plasma membrane. This work thus highlights a potential novel mechanism that cells may use for controlling their metabolism under variable environmental conditions, notably as a negative regulator of cell respiration.