bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health clinical pathways for children and young people with long‐term health conditions: A systematic review
Authors: King Thomas , Shafran Roz , Hargreaves Dougal S. , Muschialli Luke , Linton Daniela , Bennett Sophie
Published: July 2024

Rationale

Clinical pathways (CPWs) are structured care plans that set out essential steps in the care of patients with a specific clinical problem. Amidst calls for the prioritisation of integrated mental and physical health care for young people, multidisciplinary CPWs have been proposed as a step towards closer integration. There is very limited evidence around CPWs for young people with mental and physical health needs, necessitating a review of the literature.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this review is to understand how clinical pathways have been used to deliver mental health support to children and young people with long‐term physical health conditions and their effectiveness across a range of outcomes.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO and CINAHL were searched from inception to 6 September 2023. Keywords linked to children and young people, mental health, long‐term physical health conditions and CPWs were used. Studies using either quantitative or qualitative research designs were included. All studies must have evaluated a CPW to provide mental health support to children and young people (up to 25 years old) with long‐term health physical conditions. Both mental and physical health outcomes were considered. Pathways were grouped by integration ‘model’ as described in the wider literature.

Results

The initial search returned 4082 studies after deduplication. A total of eight studies detailing six distinct care pathways (232 participants [170 children and young people; 50 caregivers; 12 healthcare professionals]) met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Four pathways were conducted within an ‘integrated model’; two were a combination of ‘integrated’ and ‘colocated’; and none within a ‘co‐ordinated model’. Only pathways within an integrated model reported quantitative health outcomes, with improvements across a range of mental health measures. One negative physical health outcome was reported from an integrated diabetes pathway, but this should be interpreted with caution.

Conclusion

This review identified a range of CPW designs but most fell under an integrated model. The results suggest that calls for integrated mental health pathways in this population may be appropriate; however, conclusions are limited by a paucity of evidence.
Primary outcomes and characteristics of clinical trial registries (up to October 2021) on COVID‐19 vaccines
Authors: do Nascimento Yuri Yokoyama , de Toledo Matheus Aparecido , Pasqui Daniel Maringelli , Pacheco Rafael L. , Riera Rachel
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To analyse the general and primary outcome‐related characteristics of clinical trials protocols on COVID‐19 vaccines.

Study Design and Setting

A meta‐research study. A search for clinical trial protocols on COVID‐19 vaccines was conducted on the ClinicalTrials.gov platform. We considered all protocols of comparative trials registered up to October 26, 2021.

Results

Two hundred and eighty‐two trials were analysed. The median expected trial duration was 445 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 225), and the median target sample size was 420 participants (IQR = 1638). A retrospective registry (after the start date) was observed for 42.55% of the trials. Randomization procedures were planned by 84.75% and full‐blinding procedures by 34.75% of the 282 trials. Most trials were labelled as active or still recruiting, and 14 trials (5%) were completed. None of the 14 trials labelled as completed on our search date had results available. Industry funding was reported by 198 trials (70.2%). Most studies declared more than one primary outcome, usually a safety or immunogenicity outcome, and 59 studies (20.9%) had at least one primary efficacy outcome. The description of the primary efficacy outcomes was limited in most cases, referred to as a non‐specified ‘efficacy’ outcome (18.6%) or described as ‘COVID‐19 cases’ (32.2%).

Conclusion

the primary outcomes of clinical trials on COVID‐19 vaccines are poorly described, and the registers provide insufficient information about them. The registry was retrospectively fulfilled for many trials, which may lead to bias and research waste. Outcomes were generically described and did not provide transparent information for replication in practice, further trials or meta‐analyses.
Impact of CAD/CAM burs lifetime on surface properties of dental zirconia: Implications for biocompatibility of custom abutments
Authors: Marinho Liliane Cristina Nogueira , de Paiva Raissa Pinheiro , de Barros Pascoal Ana Luísa , Barboza Carlos Augusto Galvão , Batista André Ulisses Dantas , dos Santos Calderon Patrícia
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the deterioration of computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) burs during zirconia milling, on surface roughness, contact angle, and fibroblast viability.

Materials and Methods

Ceramic blocks were milled and 75 ceramic disks (8 × 1.5 mm) made and allocated into three groups (n = 25): G1‐brand new 2L and 1L burs, G2‐2L bur at the end of lifetime and brand new 1L bur and G3‐both burs at the end of their lifetimes. Roughness (Ra, Rq, and Rz) was evaluated using a 3D optical profilometer, the contact angle by the sessile drop method and the cell viability of the mouse NIH/3T3 fibroblast, using the Alamar Blue assay at intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h (ISO 10993‐5). Data were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests (p ≤ 0.05).

Results

Roughness increased as the burs deteriorated and G3 (0.27 ± 0.04) presented a higher value for Ra (p < 0.001). The highest contact angle was observed in G3 (86.2 ± 2.66) when compared with G1 (63.7 ± 12.49) and G2 (75.3 ± 6.36) (p < 0.001). Alamar Blue indicated an increase in cell proliferation, with no significant differences among the groups at 24 and 72 h (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The deterioration of the burs increased the surface roughness and decreased the wettability, but did not interfere in cell viability and proliferation.

Clinical Significance

The use of custom zirconia abutments represents an effective strategy for single crowns restorations. Our findings suggest that these abutments can be efficiently milled using CAD/CAM burs within their recommended lifetime.
Dielectric properties during the heating process of savory and sweet coconut‐/almond‐based bread in the microwave region
Authors: Kaur Tejinder , Olvera‐Cervantes Jose Luis , Sosa Morales Maria Elena , Corona‐Chavez Alonso
Published: July 2024

For microwave‐assisted heating, accurate knowledge of the dielectric properties (DPs) plays a key role for optimizing the heating process. In this paper, the DPs of four different bread dough formulations are presented from 300 MHz to 20 GHz. The base dough was prepared with almond powder, coconut powder, eggs, cashew nut powder, ghee butter, and cardamom. In addition, three more honey‐sweetened formulations were prepared with honey, goat milk and cacao. The DPs were measured during the complete baking process, from room temperature up to 80°C. It is shown that in all cases, ε′ and ε″ decrease as frequency increases. In addition, a second‐order Debye equation was extracted for all formulations showing two relaxation times (τ1 and τ2), which can be seen in the Cole–Cole plot. Moreover, it is shown that in all formulations, as temperature increases, ε′ and ε″ also increase, which is a typical trend for low moisture foods. Finally, the penetration depths are calculated for all formulations.

Practical Applications

The dielectric properties (DPs) of four different bread dough formulations are provided covering a wide band in the microwave range from 300 MHz to 20 GHz. DPs are useful for the development of microwave‐assisted heating applications, where prior knowledge of the DPs permits the optimization of the heating process. In addition, penetration depth is necessary as this parameter allows to calculate the maximum depth that the microwave energy will heat up the sample.
A retrospective study of the management and outcomes of pregnancies with inherited antithrombin deficiency
Authors: Du Zhe , Zhu Tienan , Peng Ping , Liu Xinyan , Fu Linru , Sun Zhijing
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Antithrombin (AT) deficiency is a rare but highly thrombogenic inherited thrombophilia. Its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) is undefined. There is limited guidance on managing AT deficiency in pregnancy. Some significant issues remain controversial, including risk assessment for prophylactic anticoagulation, anticoagulant therapy, and monitoring. Our goal was to examine if the antepartum management of patients with AT deficiency affected their pregnancy outcomes.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective, single‐center observational study included pregnant women with inherited AT deficiency in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2013 and 2024.

Results

Seventeen pregnancies in 6 women with AT deficiency were identified. A total of 7 pregnancies received adjusted‐dose low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) and were monitored by anti‐Xa level, AT activity, and D‐dimer. There were 5 live births (all received LMWH), 7 second‐trimester abortions (1 received LMWH), and 5 early pregnancy losses (1 received LMWH). There were 5 abruptio placentae events (3 received LMWH) and 7 thrombotic events (2 received LMWH).

Conclusions

AT deficiency is at least an important partial factor contributing to APO. It is suggested to make a full assessment of AT patients both for venous thrombus embolism and APO risk. We observed a high prevalence of heparin resistance and a positive correlation between adequate anticoagulation and pregnancy outcome based on tight monitoring with anti‐Xa level and timely adjustment of the LMWH dosage.
Asymmetrical listening practices and hegemonic aurality in a dual‐language kindergarten classroom
Authors: Wirtz Kristina
Published: July 2024

Listening practices among kindergarteners in a two‐way bilingual elementary school reveal how asymmetries between incoming “English speakers” and “Spanish speakers” shape children's emerging language attitudes. My ethnographic study of a US Midwestern public school (2013–2017) shows that objectifying the two languages was a central project of the school that children embraced. This metapragmatic understanding is most evident in their listening, as opposed to speaking, practices. I argue that a hegemonic aurality privileging English and monolingualism emerges in students' differential attunements to language as sounds or as a communicative code, thereby reinforcing the social dominance of English monolingualism over Spanish bilingualism.
The Temporality of Crisis and the Crisis of Temporality: On the Construction and Modulation of Urgency During Prolonged Crises
Authors: Skade Lorenzo , Lehrer Elisa , Hamdali Yanis , Koch Jochen
Published: July 2024

Despite the increasing frequency and awareness of large‐scale crises, our knowledge of how organizations construct urgency to act in these extreme contexts – especially if they are prolonged disasters rather than single events – remains limited. By undertaking an explorative study of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the central German organization for disease control and prevention during the COVID‐19 pandemic, we address the research question of how organizations construct urgency during prolonged crises. In doing so, we develop a process model of the construction and modulation of urgency. Specifically, we draw on a temporal perspective to argue that the RKI translated temporal cues of the crisis to mobilize different forms of urgency via the central mechanism of modulating urgency (i.e., by speeding up or slowing down activities) over an extended period of time. Our findings contribute to an advanced understanding of the role of temporality and urgency during prolonged crises by (1) showing how urgency is enacted through temporal practices, (2) extending the literature on temporality and how organizations materialize temporality to construct and modulate urgency, and (3) demonstrating that various forms of urgency exist, rendering it a much more multifaceted concept than previously suggested.
Programs Promoting Physical Activity and Social‐Emotional Learning for Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Jackson Deja , Prochnow Tyler , Ettekal Andrea Vest
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Social‐emotional learning (SEL) and physical activity (PA) are beneficial for adolescent development. This review aims to describe educational programs that promote SEL and PA simultaneously among adolescents.

METHODS

A search was conducted using electronic databases in 2023 (eg, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ERIC) eliciting 5226 articles. Studies were included (n = 5) if they: (1) evaluated a program that promotes both SEL and PA among adolescents; (2) included adolescents aged 10‐19 years old; (3) reported outcomes related to SEL and PA; (4) used a quasi‐experimental or experimental design; (5) were published in English within the last 25 years.

RESULTS

Results were mixed, with some studies showing impacts on both SEL skills and PA, while others showed benefits for SEL only. Across different programs and measures, integrative SEL and PA interventions demonstrated modest effects, indicating potential but highlighting the need for more research on optimal implementation to improve adolescent well‐being.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies highlighted the importance of combining SEL with PA during in‐school and out‐of‐school settings.
Beyond School Climate: Conceptualizing the School as a Protective Factor Approach*
Authors: Mann Michael J. , Kristjansson Alfgeir L. , Smith Megan L. , Lilly Christa L. , Thrisdottir Inibjorg E. , Havlicak Ashley
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

The school climate concept has been promising, but has long‐standing critiques that have not been adequately addressed to date. The School as a Protective Factor approach represents one attempt to offer a new approach that builds on and extends beyond the concept of school climate while addressing previously identified limitations.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEORY

The School as a Protective Factor approach offers a new framework for conceptualizing, measuring, and establishing protective school social and learning environments that co‐promote academic achievement and student health in schools, especially student mental health and substance use/abuse prevention. This new framework includes clear definitions, explicit goals, firmly established constructs, validated measures, and an intentionally parsimonious approach that prioritizes the implementation of well‐established, high‐impact constructs.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY

The School as a Protective Factor approach presents a simple, easy‐to‐use means of ensuring a school social environment that meets the developmental, academic, and health needs of all children and adolescents while maximizing protection across a range of desired outcomes. Perhaps most importantly, it does so in a manner that is manageable and easily integrated into every aspect of schooling, resonates with the practical experience of school personnel, and includes brief, effective, and free measurement tools.
Analyzing linguistic variation using discursive worlds
Authors: Burnett Heather , Abbou Julie , Thiberge Gabriel
Published: July 2024

Researchers in variationist sociolinguistics have long sought to develop social measures that are more sophisticated than demographic categories such as age, gender, and social class, while still being useful for quantitative analysis. This paper presents one such new measure: discursive worlds. For each speaker in a corpus, their discursive world is operationalized through compiling a list of specific referents cited in their interview. These lists are then used to construct similarity spaces locating the speakers along dimensions that are discursively relevant in the corpus. Using common clustering algorithms, the corpus speakers are then partitioned into categories, and this partition can be used in statistical analysis. We show how this method can be used to analyze a series of lexical variables in the Cartographie linguistique des féminismes corpus, a corpus of francophone interviews with feminist and queer activists, for which, we argue, quantitative analysis using classic demographic categories is inappropriate.
Assessment of alendronate and dietary treatment in the management of feline idiopathic ionised hypercalcaemia and ionised hypercalcaemia associated with chronic kidney disease: 29 cases (2016‐2022)
Authors: Rzeszutek U. , Allerton F. , Au C. , Bras I. , Briggs A. , Broome H. , Gamston T. , Parton S. , Raj J. , Rossell G. M. , Russell O. , Sparks T. , Bazelle J.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This retrospective cohort multicentre study aimed to characterise the signalment, clinicopathologic data, complications and the association between treatment and outcome (the reduction in ionised calcium concentration) in cats with idiopathic or chronic kidney disease‐associated ionised hypercalcaemia managed with alendronate and standard treatment or standard treatment alone, and to compare the outcome between the two groups.

Materials and Methods

Medical records for cats diagnosed with idiopathic or chronic kidney disease‐associated ionised hypercalcaemia were retrospectively reviewed. Cats treated with alendronate and standard treatment were assigned to the alendronate group and cats treated with standard treatment alone were assigned to the control group. The standard treatment was defined as dietary modification and/or monitoring of ionised calcium concentrations and management of complications secondary to hypercalcaemia. The follow‐up period was selected as 6 months.

Results

Twenty‐nine cats were enrolled in the study. Nine cats were included in the control group and 20 cats in the alendronate group. A significant reduction in serum ionised calcium was observed in both groups between the baseline and the follow‐up visit; however, this reduction did not differ significantly between both groups (the mean change in the ionised calcium concentration in alendronate and control group was −0.18 and −0.17, respectively). Suspected bisphosphate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw was reported in one cat receiving alendronate.

Clinical Significance

In this study, similar reduction in serum ionised calcium concentration was observed in cats with ionised hypercalcaemia treated with diet alone and in cats treated with diet and alendronate. These results should be interpreted with caution, as the study was underpowered for meaningful statistical comparison. Cats receiving alendronate should be monitored for the development of adverse reactions, including osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Diagnosis and surgical management of an extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the brachial plexus in a Belgian shepherd dog
Authors: Nalborczyk Z. R. , Hall E. , Cappello R. , Polton G. , Groth A.
Published: July 2024

An 11‐year‐old Belgian shepherd presented with progressive right thoracic limb lameness. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a brachial plexus neoplasm and cytology was suggestive of a sarcoma. The patient underwent forequarter amputation and hemilaminectomy of the fifth cervical to first thoracic vertebrae with nerve root transection. Histopathology confirmed extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Twelve months post‐operatively, the dog was exercising normally, and computed tomography did not identify local recurrence or metastatic disease. This is the first recorded case of canine brachial plexus extraskeletal osteosarcoma.
Methylprednisolone alone or combined with cyclosporine or mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs, a prospective study
Authors: Agnoli Chiara , Tumbarello Michele , Vasylyeva Kateryna , Selva Coddè Carola S. , Monari Erika , Gruarin Marta , Troìa Roberta , Dondi Francesco
Published: July 2024

Background

Benefit of adding a second‐line immunosuppressive drug to glucocorticoids for the treatment of non‐associative immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (naIMHA) in dogs has not been defined prospectively.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Evaluate the effectiveness of different immunosuppressive protocols in naIMHA dogs.

Animals

Forty‐three client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Open label, randomized, clinical trial. Dogs were treated with methylprednisolone (M‐group), methylprednisolone plus cyclosporine (MC‐group) or methylprednisolone plus mycophenolate mofetil (MM‐group). Dogs were defined as responders by disappearance of signs of immune‐mediated destruction and hematocrit stabilization. Frequency of responders was compared between M‐group and combined protocols (MC and MM‐group evaluated together), and among the 3 different therapeutic groups at 14 (T14), 30 (T30), 60 (T60) days after admission. Frequency of complications, length of hospitalization and relapse were also compared. Death rate was evaluated at discharge, T60 and 365 (T365) days.

Results

Proportion of responders was not significantly different between M‐group and combined protocols (MC and MM‐groups), nor among the 3 therapeutic groups at T14, T30, and T60 (P > .17). Frequency of relapse, complications, and length of hospitalization were not significantly different between M‐group and dogs treated with combined protocols, nor among the 3 treatment groups (P > .22). Death was significantly more common only for MM‐group compared with MC‐group at T60 (+42.8%; 95% CI: 11.5–67.4; P = .009), and at T365 (+50%; 95% CI: 17.5–73.2; P = .003).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Combined immunosuppressive therapy did not improve hematological response in naIMHA.
AI‐based digital pathology provides newer insights into lifestyle intervention‐induced fibrosis regression in MASLD: An exploratory study
Authors: Yuan Hai‐Yang , Tong Xiao‐Fei , Ren Ya‐Yun , Li Yang‐Yang , Wang Xin‐Lei , Chen Li‐Li , Chen Sui‐Dan , Jin Xiao‐Zhi , Wang Xiao‐Dong , Targher Giovanni , Byrne Christopher D. , Wei Lai , Wong Vincent W.‐S , Tai Dean , Sanyal Arun J. , You Hong , Zheng Ming‐Hua
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims

Lifestyle intervention is the mainstay of therapy for metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and liver fibrosis is a key consequence of MASH that predicts adverse clinical outcomes. The placebo response plays a pivotal role in the outcome of MASH clinical trials. Second harmonic generation/two‐photon excitation fluorescence (SHG/TPEF) microscopy with artificial intelligence analyses can provide an automated quantitative assessment of fibrosis features on a continuous scale called qFibrosis. In this exploratory study, we used this approach to gain insight into the effect of lifestyle intervention‐induced fibrosis changes in MASH.

Methods

We examined unstained sections from paired liver biopsies (baseline and end‐of‐intervention) from MASH individuals who had received either routine lifestyle intervention (RLI) (n = 35) or strengthened lifestyle intervention (SLI) (n = 17). We quantified liver fibrosis with qFibrosis in the portal tract, periportal, transitional, pericentral, and central vein regions.

Results

About 20% (7/35) and 65% (11/17) of patients had fibrosis regression in the RLI and SLI groups, respectively. Liver fibrosis tended towards no change or regression after each lifestyle intervention, and this phenomenon was more prominent in the SLI group. SLI‐induced liver fibrosis regression was concentrated in the periportal region.

Conclusion

Using digital pathology, we could detect a more pronounced fibrosis regression with SLI, mainly in the periportal region. With changes in fibrosis area in the periportal region, we could differentiate RLI and SLI patients in the placebo group in the MASH clinical trial. Digital pathology provides new insight into lifestyle‐induced fibrosis regression and placebo responses, which is not captured by conventional histological staging.
Raman spectroscopy of Ryugu particles and their extracted residues: Fluorescence background characteristics and similarities to CI chondrites
Authors: Komatsu Mutsumi , Yabuta Hikaru , Kebukawa Yoko , Bonal Lydie , Quirico Eric , Fagan Timothy J. , Cody George D. , Barosch Jens , Bejach Laure , Dartois Emmanuel , Dazzi Alexandre , De Gregorio Bradley , Deniset‐Besseau Ariane , Duprat Jean , Engrand Cecile , Hashiguchi Minako , Martins Zita , Mathurin Jérémie , Montagnac Gilles , Mostefaoui Smail , Nittler Larry R. , Ohigashi Takuji , Okumura Taiga , Rémusat Laurent , Sandford Scott , Stroud Rhonda , Suga Hiroki , Takahashi Yoshio , Takeichi Yasuo , Tamenori Yusuke , Verdier‐Paoletti Maximilien , Yamashita Shohei , Yurimoto Hisayoshi , Nakamura Tomoki , Noguchi Takaaki , Okazaki Ryuji , Naraoka Hiroshi , Sakamoto Kanako , Yoshikawa Makoto , Saiki Takanao , Tanaka Satoshi , Terui Fuyuto , Nakazawa Satoru , Usui Tomohiro , Abe Masanao , Okada Tatsuaki , Yada Toru , Nishimura Masahiro , Nakato Aiko , Miyazaki Akiko , Yogata Kasumi , Tachibana Shogo , Watanabe Sei‐ichiro , Tsuda Yuichi
Published: July 2024

We present here an investigation of Ryugu particles recovered by the Hayabusa2 space mission and their extracted carbonaceous acid residues using Raman spectroscopy. Raman parameters of Ryugu intact grains and their acid residues are characterized by broad D (defect induced) and G (graphite) band widths, indicating the presence of polyaromatic carbonaceous matter with low thermal maturity. Raman spectra of Ryugu particles and CI (type 1) chondrites exhibit stronger laser‐induced fluorescence backgrounds compared to Type 2 and Type 3 carbonaceous chondrites. The high fluorescence signatures and wide bandwidths of the D and G bands of Ryugu intact grains are similar to the Raman spectra observed in CI chondrites, reflecting the low structural order of their aromatic carbonaceous matter, and strengthening the link between Ryugu particles and CI chondrites. The high fluorescence background intensity of the Ryugu particles is due to multiple causes, but it is likely that the relative abundance of geometry‐bearing macromolecular organic matter in total organic carbon contents makes a large contribution to the fluorescence intensities. Locally observed high fluorescence in the acid‐extracted residues of Ryugu is due to nitrogen‐bearing outlier phase. The high fluorescence signature is one consequence of the low degree of thermal maturity of the organic matter and supports evidence that the Ryugu particles have escaped significant parent body thermal metamorphism.
Reliability of anthropometric measurements of a digi‐board in comparison to an analog height board in Namibian children under 5 years
Authors: Namene Johanna , Hunter Christian J. , Hodgson Shirley , Hodgson Humphrey , Misihairabgwi Jane , Huang Shan , Conkle Joel
Published: July 2024

Poor measurement quality has set back the utility of anthropometry in defining childhood malnutrition, prompting calls for alternative measurement techniques. This study aimed to assess the reliability of anthropometric measurements using a digital height board in comparison to an analog height board in Namibian children under 5 years of age. A cross‐sectional, descriptive study was conducted (n = 425) between the age of 6 and 59 months, using anthropometric measurements of weight, height and mid‐upper arm circumference. Two trained enumerators each collected four height measurements of each child: two using an analog height board and two using a digi‐board. The repeated height measurements between and within the enumerators were used to determine intra‐ and interobserver reliability. Reliability of the digi‐board was assessed using the technical error of measurement (TEM), relative TEM (%TEM), intraclass correlation and a Bland–Altman analysis to assess the agreement between the two methods. In all these assessments, the analog height board was considered as the gold standard and used for comparison. The digi‐board showed superiority to the analog height board in terms of reliability (analog TEM = 0.22, digi‐board TEM = 0.16). Although the digi‐board has potential to improve child anthropometry, further clinical and large survey studies are needed to validate the used of this tool in routine population‐based surveys.
Complex intertwined association between breastfeeding practices and household food insecurity: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Buccini Gabriela , Larrison Cali , Neupane Smriti , Palapa Maria , Schincaglia Raquel Machado , Brown Sara , Gubert Muriel B.
Published: July 2024

Breastfeeding offers ideal food and nutrition for infants; however, structural barriers may amplify breastfeeding inequities. We aimed to identify whether household food insecurity (HFI) is associated with exclusive and continued breastfeeding (EBF and CBF) as recommended by the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis, literature searches using ‘breastfeeding’, ‘food insecurity’ and ‘infant’ terms were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health and LILACS from inception through November 2023, without language restrictions, yielding 1382 publications (PROSPERO:CRD42022329836). Predetermined eligibility criteria yielded the 12 included studies (nine cross‐sectional and three cohorts). The risk of bias was assessed through the Effective Public Health Practice Project. Meta‐analysis was performed for studies assessing EBF (n = 10), and metaregression was used to explore heterogeneity across studies. Prevalence of EBF ranged from 1.6% to 85.3%, with a lower prevalence among HFI. The pooled effect of the association between HFI and EBF presented an odds ratio (OR) of 0.61 (95% CI = 0.49–0.76) with consistent results across marginal (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55–0.94), moderate (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.41–0.84) and severe HFI (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.32–0.76). High heterogeneity was found only when HFI was dichotomized. The prevalence of CBF ranged from 35.4% to 78.0%, with inconsistent prevalence among HFI; a meta‐analysis was not performed due to the low number of studies (n = 3). We concluded that HFI levels are associated with lower odds of EBF. Integrating service and policy‐level strategies, such as screening, referrals, skilled breastfeeding counseling and access to comprehensive nutrition and social programs, could reduce structural inequities and promote adherence to the World Health Organization/UNICEF breastfeeding recommendations among food‐insecure families.
Genome resequencing reveals population divergence and local adaptation of blacklegged ticks in the United States
Authors: Schoville Sean D. , Burke Russell L. , Dong Dahn‐young , Ginsberg Howard S. , Maestas Lauren , Paskewitz Susan M. , Tsao Jean I.
Published: July 2024

Tick vectors and tick‐borne disease are increasingly impacting human populations globally. An important challenge is to understand tick movement patterns, as this information can be used to improve management and predictive modelling of tick population dynamics. Evolutionary analysis of genetic divergence, gene flow and local adaptation provides insight on movement patterns at large spatiotemporal scales. We develop low coverage, whole genome resequencing data for 92 blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, representing range‐wide variation across the United States. Through analysis of population genomic data, we find that tick populations are structured geographically, with gradual isolation by distance separating three population clusters in the northern United States, southeastern United States and a unique cluster represented by a sample from Tennessee. Populations in the northern United States underwent population contractions during the last glacial period and diverged from southern populations at least 50 thousand years ago. Genome scans of selection provide strong evidence of local adaptation at genes responding to host defences, blood‐feeding and environmental variation. In addition, we explore the potential of low coverage genome sequencing of whole‐tick samples for documenting the diversity of microbial pathogens and recover important tick‐borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi. The combination of isolation by distance and local adaptation in blacklegged ticks demonstrates that gene flow, including recent expansion, is limited to geographical scales of a few hundred kilometres.
The root‐knot nematode effector MiEFF12 targets the host ER quality control system to suppress immune responses and allow parasitism
Authors: Soulé Salomé , Huang Kaiwei , Mulet Karine , Mejias Joffrey , Bazin Jérémie , Truong Nhat My , Kika Junior Lusu , Jaubert Stéphanie , Abad Pierre , Zhao Jianlong , Favery Bruno , Quentin Michaël
Published: July 2024

Root‐knot nematodes (RKNs) are microscopic parasitic worms able to infest the roots of thousands of plant species, causing massive crop yield losses worldwide. They evade the plant's immune system and manipulate plant cell physiology and metabolism to transform a few root cells into giant cells, which serve as feeding sites for the nematode. RKN parasitism is facilitated by the secretion in planta of effector molecules, mostly proteins that hijack host cellular processes. We describe here a conserved RKN‐specific effector, effector 12 (EFF12), that is synthesized exclusively in the oesophageal glands of the nematode, and we demonstrate its function in parasitism. In the plant, MiEFF12 localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A combination of RNA‐sequencing analysis and immunity‐suppression bioassays revealed the contribution of MiEFF12 to the modulation of host immunity. Yeast two‐hybrid, split luciferase and co‐immunoprecipitation approaches identified an essential component of the ER quality control system, the Solanum lycopersicum plant bap‐like (PBL), and basic leucine zipper 60 (BZIP60) proteins as host targets of MiEFF12. Finally, silencing the PBL genes in Nicotiana benthamiana decreased susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita infection. Our results suggest that EFF12 manipulates PBL function to modify plant immune responses to allow parasitism.
The effect of telecounseling on depression in primiparous mothers during the postpartum period: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Koç Emine , Baltaci Nazlı , Bal Sümeyye
Published: July 2024

Postpartum depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in women after giving birth. This study was conducted to examine the effect of telecounseling support on depression in primiparous mothers. This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with a parallel group pretest–posttest design. The study comprised 50 participants each in the intervention and control groups. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with all participants, and the Maternal Information Form and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered. The intervention group received telecounseling for 6 weeks, while the control group received routine postnatal care. After the 6‐week period, EPDS was re‐administered to both groups. In the intervention group, the EPDS mean score decreased from 7.12 ± 3.96 to 6.34 ± 3.73 after telecounseling (p < 0.001). Conversely, in the control group, the EPDS mean score increased from 6.62 ± 3.55 to 7.90 ± 4.65 without any intervention (p = 0.002). The results indicate that telecounseling is an effective method for reducing the risk of depression among mothers during the postpartum period. It is recommended that healthcare professionals extend their support by providing telecounseling for mothers.
The biosynthesis of storage reserves and auxin is coordinated by a hierarchical regulatory network in maize endosperm
Authors: Song Teng , Huo Qiang , Li Chaobin , Wang Qun , Cheng Lijun , Qi Weiwei , Ma Zeyang , Song Rentao
Published: July 2024

Grain filling in maize (Zea mays) is intricately linked to cell development, involving the regulation of genes responsible for the biosynthesis of storage reserves (starch, proteins, and lipids) and phytohormones. However, the regulatory network coordinating these biological functions remains unclear.

In this study, we identified 1744 high‐confidence target genes co‐regulated by the transcription factors (TFs) ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 (ZmNAC128/130) through chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing coupled with RNA‐seq analysis in the zmnac128/130 loss‐of‐function mutants. We further constructed a hierarchical regulatory network using DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis of downstream TFs regulated by ZmNAC128/130.

In addition to target genes involved in the biosynthesis of starch and zeins, we discovered novel target genes of ZmNAC128/130 involved in the biosynthesis of lipids and indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA). Consistently, the number of oil bodies, as well as the contents of triacylglycerol, and IAA were significantly reduced in zmnac128/130. The hierarchical regulatory network centered by ZmNAC128/130 revealed a significant overlap between the direct target genes of ZmNAC128/130 and their downstream TFs, particularly in regulating the biosynthesis of storage reserves and IAA.

Our results indicated that the biosynthesis of storage reserves and IAA is coordinated by a multi‐TFs hierarchical regulatory network in maize endosperm.
Auxetic Biomedical Metamaterials for Orthopedic Surgery Applications: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Sun Minghao , Hu Xin , Tian Leilei , Yang Xiao , Min Li
Published: July 2024

Poisson's ratio in auxetic materials shifts from typically positive to negative, causing lateral expansion during axial tension. This scale‐independent characteristic, originating from tailored architectures, exhibits specific physical properties, including energy adsorption, shear resistance, and fracture resistance. These metamaterials demonstrate exotic mechanical properties with potential applications in several engineering fields, but biomedical applications seem to be one of the most relevant, with an increasing number of articles published in recent years, which present opportunities ranging from cellular repair to organ reconstruction with outstanding mechanical performance, mechanical conduction, and biological activity compared with traditional biomedical metamaterials. Therefore, focusing on understanding the potential of these structures and promoting theoretical and experimental investigations into the benefits of their unique mechanical properties is necessary for achieving high‐performance biomedical applications. Considering the demand for advanced biomaterial implants in surgical technology and the profound advancement of additive manufacturing technology that are particularly relevant to fabricating complex and customizable auxetic mechanical metamaterials, this review focuses on the fundamental geometric configuration and unique physical properties of negative Poisson's ratio materials, then categorizes and summarizes auxetic material applications across some surgical departments, revealing efficacy in joint surgery, spinal surgery, trauma surgery, and sports medicine contexts. Additionally, it emphasizes the substantial potential of auxetic materials as innovative biomedical solutions in orthopedics and demonstrates the significant potential for comprehensive surgical application in the future.
Clinical benefit of botulinum toxin for treatment of persistent TMD‐related myofascial pain: A randomized, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial
Authors: Sitnikova V. , Kämppi A. , Kämppi L. , Alvesalo E. , Burakova M. , Kemppainen P. , Teronen O.
Published: July 2024

Background

Injections of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) have been proposed as an additional treatment modality for patients suffering chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD)‐related myofascial pain (MFP). BoNT‐A impairs muscle function, along with its analgesic effect, and a minimal effective dose should be used. The objective of this randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study was to evaluate the clinical benefit of a moderate dose (50 U) of BoNT‐A.

Methods

Sixty‐six subjects were randomized into two groups, one which received BoNT‐A first and a second which received a saline solution (SS) first. Follow‐ups were performed 2, 11, and 16 weeks after the injections. Diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) diagnostic algorithms were used to evaluate characteristic pain intensity (CPI) and pain‐related disability based on the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS). Electromyographic and bite force were also evaluated.

Results

The within‐group analysis showed a significant improvement in pain intensity and pain‐related disability after BoNT‐A (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.011) and SS (p = 0.003, p = 0.005, p = 0.046) injections up to week 16. The between‐group analysis of pain‐related variables revealed no differences between groups at any time. Nonetheless, BoNT‐A, but not SS, caused a significant decline in muscle performance. The number needed to treat (NNT) regarding a clinically significant pain reduction (≥30%) was 6.3, 57.0, and 19.0 at 2, 11, and 16‐week follow‐ups favoring BoNT‐A.

Conclusions

Injections of 50 U of BoNT‐A might improve MFP symptoms, but the specific effect of the drug on pain compared to the placebo is not obvious.
Livedo‐like acute cutaneous graft‐versus‐host disease in two children
Authors: Alvarez‐Alatriste Maria Fernanda , Olaya‐Vargas Alberto , Melchor‐Vidal Yadira Berenice , Garcia‐Romero Maria Teresa
Published: July 2024

We present two pediatric patients who exhibited an unusual clinical presentation of cutaneous acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), characterized by livedo‐like appearance. Such manifestations of cutaneous acute GVHD have not been previously documented.
Linking social reward responsiveness and affective responses to the social environment: An ecological momentary assessment study
Authors: Dell'Acqua Carola , Allison Grace O. , Yun Connie H. , Weinberg Anna
Published: July 2024

Social support is a key predictor of well‐being, but not everyone experiences mental health benefits from receiving it. However, given that a growing number of interventions are based on social support, it is crucial to identify the features that make individuals more likely to benefit from social ties. Emerging evidence suggests that neural responses to positive social feedback (i.e., social reward) might relate to individual differences in social functioning, but potential mechanisms linking these neural responses to psychological outcomes are yet unclear. This study examined whether neural correlates of social reward processing, indexed by the reward positivity (RewP), relate to individuals' affective experience following self‐reported real‐world positive social support events. To this aim, 193 university students (71% females) underwent an EEG assessment during the Island Getaway task and completed a 10‐day ecological momentary assessment where participants reported their positive and negative affects (PA, NA) nine times a day and the count of daily positive and negative events. Experiencing a higher number of social support positive events was associated with higher PA. The RewP moderated this association, such that individuals with greater neural response to social feedback at baseline had a stronger positive association between social support positive events count and PA. Individual differences in the RewP to social feedback might be one indicator of the likelihood of experiencing positive affect when receiving social support.
Approaches to studying emotion using physiological responses to spoken narratives: A scoping review
Authors: Savard Marie‐Anick , Merlo Raphaëlle , Samithamby Abiraam , Paas Anita , Coffey Emily B. J.
Published: July 2024

Narratives are effective tools for evoking emotions, and physiological measurements provide a means of objectively assessing emotional reactions – making them a potentially powerful pair of tools for studying emotional processes. However, extent research combining emotional narratives and physiological measurement varies widely in design and application, making it challenging to identify previous work, consolidate findings, and design effective experiments. Our scoping review explores the use of auditory emotional narratives and physiological measures in research, examining paradigms, study populations, and represented emotions. Following the PRISMA‐ScR Checklist, we searched five databases for peer‐reviewed experimental studies that used spoken narratives to induce emotion and reported autonomic physiological measures. Among 3466 titles screened and 653 articles reviewed, 110 studies were included. Our exploration revealed a variety of applications and experimental paradigms; emotional narratives paired with physiological measures have been used to study diverse topics and populations, including neurotypical and clinical groups. Although incomparable designs and sometimes contradictory results precluded general recommendations as regards which physiological measures to use when designing new studies, as a whole, the body of work suggests that these tools can be valuable to study emotions. Our review offers an overview of research employing narratives and physiological measures for emotion study, and highlights weaknesses in reporting practices and gaps in our knowledge concerning the robustness and specificity of physiological measures as indices of emotion. We discuss study design considerations and transparent reporting, to facilitate future using emotional narratives and physiological measures in studying emotions.
Effect of water delivery and irrigation for riparian restoration in the Colorado River Delta, Mexico
Authors: Nagler Pamela L. , Sall Ibrahima , Gómez‐Sapiens Martha M. , Flessa Karl W. , Barreto‐Muñoz Armando , Didan Kamel
Published: July 2024

Along Mexico's arid Colorado River Delta, the riparian corridor lacks water due to a reduction in frequent flows, climate change, human infrastructure, and altered riparian landcover from disturbances to invasive species, fire, and high soil and water salinities, which have led to declines in riparian plant health in recent decades. Restoration efforts focusing on small plots have successfully revitalized habitat, which is the motivation for this research. Accurate estimations of water use by riparian vegetation are crucial in arid environments, where measuring actual evapotranspiration (ETa) poses a significant challenge in these narrow corridors. This study utilizes field‐validated remote sensing techniques to quantify ETa at restoration sites. Our methods are twofold; we use the Landsat‐8 two‐band Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI2) to monitor changes in vegetation greenness—a proxy of plant health—and we integrate EVI2 with potential evapotranspiration (ET) to calculate ETa. Our findings reveal a notable increase in vegetation greenness within the restoration sites over 9 years, with an average increase of 41.3%. Conversely, greenness in adjacent, unrestored control areas declined by 27.3%. The study also indicates a 22.1% increase in ETa in the restored areas, compared to a 30.8% reduction in the unrestored regions. Restored sites in reach 4 experienced ETa increases ranging from 9.2 to 12.2%, whereas their unrestored counterparts show a decline of 21.4%. Valuable estimates are provided of riparian greenness and water use that may assist natural resource managers who are tasked with allocating water and managing habitats within similar riparian corridors.