bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anthropometry
Authors: Bogin Barry , Marcos Laura Medialdea
Published: April 2024

This chapter explains that anthropometry is the scientific measurement and analysis of variation in the size and shape of the human body. Anthropometry can provide a relatively quick and inexpensive means for the assessment of nutritional status. Thus, anthropometric assessment most commonly involves the measurement of height, weight, fatness, and muscularity and may include the estimation of biological maturation. The chapter shows that dietary intake and nutritional balance are key determinants of human physical growth and development. It then considers how to minimize the inaccuracy of recordings before detailing the use of anthropometric references and standards to estimate levels of under-nutrition and over-nutrition.
Biochemical assessment
Authors: Powers Hilary J.
Published: April 2024

This chapter provides an overview of biochemical assessment. Biochemical assessment forms part of a coordinated set of nutritional investigations that may also include dietary assessment, anthropometry, physiological tests, and clinical investigations. The design of the biochemical aspect of a nutritional assessment depends on there being an available and suitable sample of body fluid or tissue for analysis. The chapter looks into the necessary precautions to be taken during sample selection, storage, and analysis, before providing an outline of essential fieldwork and laboratory methodologies. It covers the correlation between status and nutritional adequacy by considering inter-relationships between the biochemical and other indices of nutritional status.
Food Toxicity and Safety
Authors: Williams Peter , Brent Paul
Published: April 2024

This chapter evaluates food toxicity and safety. Very few of the foods that we commonly eat have been subject to any toxicological testing and yet they are generally accepted as being safe to eat. However, all chemicals, including those naturally found in foods, are toxic at some dose. ‘Risk’ is the probability that the substance will produce injury under defined conditions of exposure. The concept of risk takes into account the dose and length of exposure, as well as the toxicity of a particular chemical, and is a better guide to the safety of a food. The chapter then looks at hazardous substances in food; microbial contamination; environmental contamination; natural toxins; agricultural residues; intentional food additives; and novel foods. It also identifies the regulatory agencies that manage food safety legislation.
Food Habits
Authors: Truswell A. Stewart , Leach Helen
Published: April 2024

This chapter focuses on food habits: why people choose to eat all the foods they do, even if they have been advised that doing so may be unhealthy. In families, the parents have the responsibility of guiding their children to eat enough of the main foods to provide the nutrients needed for growth and health. However, there can be no denying that in the course of a human lifetime, the decision whether to ingest a particular food item lies ultimately with the individual. Nevertheless, for many humans, selection of food is subject to significant constraints for much of their lifetime, despite the apparent freedom of the individual to eat as they choose. The chapter then looks at social and cultural influences on food choice. It also considers food habits in nutrition practice, before examining the changing food habits in the modern world.
Limiting Distribution of Dense Orbits in a Moduli Space of Rank m Discrete Subgroups in (m+1)-Space
Authors: Bersudsky Michael , Xing Hao
Published: April 2024

We study the limiting distribution of dense orbits of a lattice subgroup $\Gamma \leq \textrm{SL}(m+1,\mathbb{R})$ acting on $H\backslash \textrm{SL}(m+1,\mathbb{R})$, with respect to a filtration of growing norm balls. The novelty of our work is that the groups $H$ we consider have infinitely many non-trivial connected components. For a specific such $H$, the homogeneous space $H\backslash G$ identifies with $X_{m,m+1}$, a moduli space of rank $m$-discrete subgroups in $\mathbb{R}^{m+1}$. This study is motivated by the work of Shapira-Sargent who studied random walks on $X_{2,3}$.
Analyte Extension Method Validation of Elemental Analysis Manual Method 4.7 for Six Additional Elements, Cobalt (Co), Strontium (Sr), Thallium (Tl), Tin (Sn), Uranium (U), and Vanadium (V)
Authors: Kovalenko Anthony , Stutts Dominique , Gray Patrick J
Published: April 2024

Background

An interlaboratory study was conducted at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Northeast Food and Feed Laboratory (NFFL) and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) with the purpose to expand FDA Elemental Analysis Manual (EAM) method 4.7 (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometric Determination of Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, and Other Elements in Food Using Microwave Assisted Digestion) to include new analytes.

Objective

The goal of the study was to demonstrate the performance of FDA EAM method 4.7 when analyzing new analytes cobalt (Co), strontium (Sr), thallium (Tl), tin (Sn), uranium (U), and vanadium (V). This analyte extension method validation of EAM 4.7 for six additional elements, Co, Sr, Tl, Sn, U, and V, followed all guidelines for a Level 2 or single-laboratory validation and met all acceptance criteria for analyte extensions as per the Guidelines for the Validation of Chemical Methods.

Method

As per EAM 4.7, this study followed the procedures and used specified equipment operated under recommended conditions. The analyte extension method validation was performed in accordance with protocol and with no deviations.

Results

All quality control (QC) requirements for this analyte extension method validation of EAM 4.7 passed as evidenced by the analytical data. The results presented demonstrate accuracy, linearity, and precision by successful analyses of method blanks, matrix spikes, unfortified test samples, and reference materials. The data analyzed met each of the validation requirements for each analyte in all representative matrixes.

Conclusions

The study showed that the new analytes performed satisfactorily using EAM 4.7 for total acidic extractable elemental analysis of food according to FDA’s guidelines.

Highlights

The method met or exceeded the performance criteria.
Challenges in the surgical treatment and management of the patient with super super obesity
Authors: Ducas Alvaro , Lopez Paula , Figueroa Beatriz , Manueli Laos Emiliano G , Mangano Alberto , Hassan Chandra
Published: April 2024

Obesity is defined by the Body Mass Index (BMI) which is derived by the weight and height of a person (BMI > 30). Furthermore, obesity is classified as super-obesity (BMI >50 kg/m2) and super-super obesity (BMI >60 kg/m2) by the International Bariatric Surgery Registry (Renquist K. Obesity classification. Obes Surg 1997;7:523). Patients with super-super obesity have a greater incidence of comorbid diseases and are at greater risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality and longer length of hospital stay (LOS). Soong et al. described short-term outcomes after weight loss surgery comparing a group of patients with super-obesity with another group of patients with super-super obesity. The authors concluded that experienced surgeons could achieve comparable outcomes in both groups. However, higher BMI is associated with longer operative time, longer LOS, and delayed discharge to chronic care facilities (Soong TC, Lee MH, Lee WJ, et al. Long-term efficacy of bariatric surgery for the treatment of super-obesity: comparison of SG, RYGB, and OAGB. Obes Surg. 2021;31:3391–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-021-05464-0). The following paradigmatic case report aims at showing the complex management of a patient with super-super obesity, with BMI of 141.2 kg/m2 and associated multiple comorbidities.
A case of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis on the aortic valve following coronary angiography
Authors: Motiduki Nobuhiro , Ushioda Ryohei , Yuzawa Sayaka , Miyatani Kazuki , Isa Hideki , Setogawa Yuki , Ishidou Kohei , Narita Masahiko , Suzuki Fumitaka , Hirofuji Aina , Okubo Ryo , Kunioka Shingo , Tsutsui Masahiro , Ishikawa Natsuya , Hiroyuki Kamiya
Published: April 2024

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) on the aortic valve involves fibrin and platelet aggregate formation, potentially leading to embolic events. We present a case of NBTE on the aortic valve following coronary angiography (CAG) in a 54-year-old man with multiple comorbidities. Surgical thrombectomy was performed owing to acute cerebral infarcts. This case highlights the significance of considering that mechanical trauma from catheterization during CAG can trigger thrombus formation.
Finding common features in multilingual fake news: a quantitative clustering approach
Authors: Yuan Wei , Liu Haitao
Published: April 2024

Since the Internet is a breeding ground for unconfirmed fake news, its automatic detection and clustering studies have become crucial. Most current studies focus on English texts, and the common features of multilingual fake news are not sufficiently studied. Therefore, this article uses English, Russian, and Chinese as examples and focuses on identifying the common quantitative features of fake news in different languages at the word, sentence, readability, and sentiment levels. These features are then utilized in principal component analysis, K-means clustering, hierarchical clustering, and two-step clustering experiments, which achieved satisfactory results. The common features we proposed play a greater role in achieving automatic cross-lingual clustering than the features proposed in previous studies. Simultaneously, we discovered a trend toward linguistic simplification and economy in fake news. Furthermore, fake news is easier to understand and uses negative emotional expressions in ways that real news does not. Our research provides new reference features for fake news detection tasks and facilitates research into their linguistic characteristics.
The dependence of assembly bias on the cosmic web
Authors: Montero-Dorta Antonio D , Rodriguez Facundo
Published: April 2024

For low-mass haloes (i.e. Mhalo ≲ 1013 h−1 M⊙), the physical origins of halo assembly bias have been linked to the slowdown of accretion due to tidal forces, which are more dominant in some cosmic-web environments as compared to others. Here, we use publicly available data from the application of the Discrete Persistent Structures Extractor (DisPerSE) to the IllustrisTNG magnetohydrodynamical simulation to investigate the dependence of the related galaxy assembly bias effect on the cosmic web. We show that, at fixed halo mass, the galaxy population displays significant secondary bias when split by distance to DisPerSE critical points representing nodes (dnode), filaments (dskel), and saddles (dsadd), with objects closer to these features being more tightly clustered (particularly at Mhalo ≲ 1012.5 h−1 M⊙). The secondary bias produced by some of these parameters exceeds the assembly bias signal considerably at some mass ranges, especially for dsadd. We also demonstrate that the assembly bias signal is reduced significantly when clustering is conditioned to galaxies being close or far from these critical points. The maximum attenuation is measured for galaxies close to saddle points, where less than 35 per cent of the signal remains. Objects near voids, conversely, preserve a fairly pristine signal (almost 85 per cent). Our analysis confirms the importance of the tidal field in shaping assembly bias, but it is also consistent with the signal being the result of different physical mechanisms. Our work introduces new aspects of secondary bias where predictions from simulations can be directly tested with observational data.
Unveiling energy pathways in AGN accretion flows with the warm corona model for the soft excess
Authors: Ballantyne D R , Sudhakar V , Fairfax D , Bianchi S , Czerny B , De Rosa A , De Marco B , Middei R , Palit B , Petrucci P -O , Różańska A , Ursini F
Published: April 2024

The soft excess in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) may arise through a combination of relativistic reflection and the effects of a warm corona at the surface of the accretion disc. Detailed examination of the soft excess can therefore constrain models of the transport and dissipation of accretion energy. Here, we analyse 34 XMM–Newton observations from 14 type 1 AGNs with the reXcor spectral model that self-consistently combines emission from a warm corona with relativistic reflection assuming a lamppost corona. The model divides accretion energy between the disc, the warm corona, and the lamppost. The XMM–Newton observations span a factor of 188 in Eddington ratio (λobs) and 350 in black hole mass, and we find that a warm corona is a significant contributor to the soft excess for 13 of the 14 AGNs with a mean warm corona heating fraction of 0.51. The reXcor fits reveal that the fraction of accretion energy dissipated in the lamppost is anticorrelated with λobs. In contrast, the relationship between λobs and both the optical depth and the heating fraction of the warm corona appears to transition from an anticorrelation to a correlation at λobs,t ≈ 0.15. Therefore, at least one other physical process in addition to the accretion rate is needed to explain the evolution of the warm corona. Overall, we find that a warm corona appears to be a crucial depository of accretion energy in AGNs across a broad range of λobs and black hole mass.
The frequency of metal enrichment of cool helium-atmosphere white dwarfs using the DESI early data release
Authors: Manser Christopher J , Gänsicke Boris T , Izquierdo Paula , Swan Andrew , Najita Joan , Rockosi C , Carrillo Andreia , Kim Bokyoung , Xu Siyi , Dey Arjun , Aguilar J , Ahlen S , Blum R , Brooks D , Claybaugh T , Dawson K , de la Macorra A , Doel P , Gaztañaga E , Gontcho A Gontcho S , Honscheid K , Kehoe R , Kremin A , Landriau M , Le Guillou L , Levi Michael E , Li T S , Meisner A , Miquel R , Nie J , Rezaie M , Rossi G , Sanchez E , Schubnell M , Tarlé G , Weaver B A , Zhou Z , Zou H
Published: April 2024

There is an overwhelming evidence that white dwarfs host planetary systems; revealed by the presence, disruption, and accretion of planetary bodies. A lower limit on the frequency of white dwarfs that host planetary material has been estimated to be ≃ 25–50 per cent; inferred from the ongoing or recent accretion of metals on to both hydrogen-atmosphere and warm helium-atmosphere white dwarfs. Now with the unbiased sample of white dwarfs observed by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey in their Early Data Release (EDR), we have determined the frequency of metal enrichment around cool-helium atmosphere white dwarfs as 21 ± 3 per cent using a sample of 234 systems. This value is in good agreement with values determined from previous studies. With the current samples we cannot distinguish whether the frequency of planetary accretion varies with system age or host-star mass, but the DESI data release 1 will contain roughly an order of magnitude more white dwarfs than DESI EDR and will allow these parameters to be investigated.
Mitolnc controls cardiac BCAA metabolism and heart hypertrophy by allosteric activation of BCKDH
Authors: Weiss Maria , Hettrich Sara , Hofmann Theresa , Hachim Salma , Günther Stefan , Braun Thomas , Boettger Thomas
Published: April 2024

Enzyme activity is determined by various different mechanisms, including posttranslational modifications and allosteric regulation. Allosteric activators are often metabolites but other molecules serve similar functions. So far, examples of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) acting as allosteric activators of enzyme activity are missing. Here, we describe the function of mitolnc in cardiomyocytes, a nuclear encoded long non-coding RNA, located in mitochondria and directly interacting with the branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex to increase its activity. The BCKDH complex is critical for branched-chain amino acid catabolism (BCAAs). Inactivation of mitolnc in mice reduces BCKDH complex activity, resulting in accumulation of BCAAs in the heart and cardiac hypertrophy via enhanced mTOR signaling. We found that mitolnc allosterically activates the BCKDH complex, independent of phosphorylation. Mitolnc-mediated regulation of the BCKDH complex constitutes an important additional layer to regulate the BCKDH complex in a tissue-specific manner, evading direct coupling of BCAA metabolism to ACLY-dependent lipogenesis.
RecA-dependent or independent recombination of plasmid DNA generates a conflict with the host EcoKI immunity by launching restriction alleviation
Authors: Skutel Mikhail , Yanovskaya Daria , Demkina Alina , Shenfeld Aleksandr , Musharova Olga , Severinov Konstantin , Isaev Artem
Published: April 2024

Bacterial defence systems are tightly regulated to avoid autoimmunity. In Type I restriction–modification (R–M) systems, a specific mechanism called restriction alleviation (RA) controls the activity of the restriction module. In the case of the Escherichia coli Type I R–M system EcoKI, RA proceeds through ClpXP-mediated proteolysis of restriction complexes bound to non-methylated sites that appear after replication or reparation of host DNA. Here, we show that RA is also induced in the presence of plasmids carrying EcoKI recognition sites, a phenomenon we refer to as plasmid-induced RA. Further, we show that the anti-restriction behavior of plasmid-borne non-conjugative transposons such as Tn5053, previously attributed to their ardD loci, is due to plasmid-induced RA. Plasmids carrying both EcoKI and Chi sites induce RA in RecA- and RecBCD-dependent manner. However, inactivation of both RecA and RecBCD restores RA, indicating that there exists an alternative, RecA-independent, homologous recombination pathway that is blocked in the presence of RecBCD. Indeed, plasmid-induced RA in a RecBCD-deficient background does not depend on the presence of Chi sites. We propose that processing of random dsDNA breaks in plasmid DNA via homologous recombination generates non-methylated EcoKI sites, which attract EcoKI restriction complexes channeling them for ClpXP-mediated proteolysis.
Divergence in Cigarette Discontinuation Rates by Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Longitudinal Findings From the United States PATH Study Waves 1–6
Authors: Kasza Karin A , Tang Zhiqun , Seo Young Sik , Benson Adam F , Creamer MeLisa R , Edwards Kathryn C , Everard Colm , Chang Joanne T , Cheng Yu-Ching , Das Babita , Oniyide Olusola , Tashakkori Nicole A , Weidner Anna-Sophie , Xiao Haijun , Stanton Cassandra , Kimmel Heather L , Compton Wilson , Hyland Andrew
Published: April 2024

Introduction

We compare real-world trends in population-level cigarette discontinuation rates among adults (ages ≥21) who smoked cigarettes, by electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use.

Aims and Methods

U.S nationally representative data from adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (2013/14-2021, Waves 1–6) who smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days (P30D) were analyzed (n = 13 640). The exposure was P30D ENDS use. The outcome was P30D cigarette discontinuation at biennial follow-up. Weighted trend analyses were conducted to test for differences in cigarette discontinuation trends by ENDS use.

Results

Between 2013/14 and 2015/16, cigarette discontinuation rates were both 16% for those who used ENDS and for those who did not; between 2018/19 and 2021, rates were ~30% for those who used ENDS and ~20% for those who did not; the time by ENDS use interaction was significant.

Conclusions

The relationship between adults’ ENDS use and cigarette discontinuation in the context of an expanded ENDS marketplace, new tobacco regulatory actions, and COVID-19 differs from the relationship in earlier years.

Implications

It is important for public health decisions to be informed by research based on the contemporary ENDS marketplace and circumstances.
The association between serum vitamin D levels and abnormal lipid profile in pediatrics: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies
Authors: Hajhashemy Zahra , Tirani Shahnaz Amani , Askari Gholamreza , Saneei Parvane
Published: April 2024

Context

Several studies have investigated the relationship between serum vitamin D and dyslipidemia in children and adolescents, but the findings have been contradictory.

Objective

The current systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis investigated the serum vitamin D – dyslipidemia relationship in children and adolescents.

Data Sources

ISI Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE databases, and Google Scholar, were searched up to December 2022.

Data Extraction

Observational studies that investigated the odds of dyslipidemia in categories of serum vitamin D levels in children were included, and their data were extracted.

Data Analysis

Pooling of 17 effect sizes from 15 studies (39 342 participants) showed that subjects with higher serum vitamin D had 27% lower odds of hypertriglyceridemia (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60, 0.88). A meta-analysis of 18 effect sizes from 16 studies (39 718 participants) illustrated that highest vs lowest serum vitamin D was related to 22% lower odds of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.91). Also, a nonlinear association between serum vitamin D and odds of abnormal lipid profile was found: elevating values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D from 35 nmol/L to 55 nmol/L was associated with a decreasing trend in odds of hypertriglyceridemia, hyper low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypo HDL-cholesterolemia. However, no significant linear association was observed. Based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE), the certainty of all evidence was rated as high.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis revealed that the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was inversely related to odds of abnormal serum triglycerides and HDL-c in children and adolescents. Increasing serum vitamin D from 35 nmol/L to 55 nmol/L was associated with a decreasing trend in the odds of abnormal serum triglycerides, HDL-c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol in children.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. 42023400787.
Dietary fat intake with risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Talebi Sepide , Zeraattalab-Motlagh Sheida , Rahimlou Mehran , Sadeghi Erfan , Rashedi Minoo Hasan , Ghoreishy Seyed Mojtaba , Mohammadi Hamed
Published: April 2024

Context

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) are commonly observed medical complications in pregnancy. Dietary total fat and fatty acids associated with GDM and PE risk have been examined in several epidemiological studies. In some instances, systematic reviews and meta-analyses might provide more accurate dietary recommendations.

Objectives

This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the association between dietary total fat and fatty acids and the risk of GDM and PE.

Data sources

Research on dietary fat intake and the risk of GDM and PE was conducted through systematic searches of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for articles published up to August 19, 2023. An investigation of associations between dietary intake of total fat and fatty acids and the risk of GDM and PE was performed using prospective cohort study designs.

Results

Twenty-one prospective cohort studies were considered eligible. Findings indicated that higher intakes of total fat (relative risk [RR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.14), animal fat (RR, 1.56; 95%CI, 1.34–1.89), vegetable fat (RR, 1.23; 95%CI, 1.05–1.45), dietary cholesterol (RR, 1.48; 95%CI, 1.10–2.00), and omega-3 fatty acid (RR, 1.11; 95%CI, 1.02–1.20) are associated with a greater risk of GDM. However, no significant association was found between dietary total fat and fatty acids and the risk of PE. Dose-response meta-analyses suggested every 10% increment in total energy intake from total fat, 5% from animal fat, 5% from vegetable fat, and 100 mg from cholesterol was related to 15%, 12%, 7%, 14%, and 20% higher GDM risk, respectively.

Conclusions

Overall, total fat, animal fat, vegetable fat, dietary cholesterol, and omega-3 fatty acid consumption are associated with a small but statistically significant increase in GDM risk.

Protocol Registration

PROSPERO (CRD42023466844).
Shareholder-Creditor Conflict and the Resolution of Financial Distress
Authors: Chu Yongqiang , Diep-Nguyen Ha , Wang Jun , Wang Wei , Wang Wenyu
Published: April 2024

Constructing a comprehensive data set of financially distressed firms that restructured their debts from 2000–2014, we find that firms with financial institutions’ loan-equity simultaneous holdings are more likely to restructure out of court than to file for bankruptcy. The effect is stronger when loans are oversecured and when the expected bankruptcy costs are larger. We use mergers of financial institutions and instrumental variable estimations to address potential endogeneity concerns. Firms with simultaneous holdings experience higher stock returns. The evidence suggests that mitigating shareholder-creditor conflict results in cost-effective resolutions of financial distress.
Acetaminophen influences musculoskeletal signaling but not adaptations to endurance exercise training
Authors: Roberts Brandon M. , Geddis Alyssa V. , Ciuciu Alexandra , Reynoso Marinaliz , Mehta Nikhil , Varanoske Alyssa N. , Kelley Alyssa M. , Walker Raymond J. , Munoz Rigoberto , Kolb Alexander L. , Staab Jeffery S. , Naimo Marshall A. , Tomlinson Ryan E.
Published: April 2024

Acetaminophen (ACE) is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic drug with various applications, from pain relief to fever reduction. Recent studies have reported equivocal effects of habitual ACE intake on exercise performance, muscle growth, and risks to bone health. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of a 6‐week, low‐dose ACE regimen on muscle and bone adaptations in exercising and non‐exercising rats. Nine‐week‐old Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomized to an exercise or control (no exercise) condition with ACE or without (placebo). For the exercise condition, rats ran 5 days per week for 6 weeks at a 5% incline for 2 min at 15 cm/s, 2 min at 20 cm/s, and 26 min at 25 cm/s. A human equivalent dose of ACE was administered (379 mg/kg body weight) in drinking water and adjusted each week based on body weight. Food, water intake, and body weight were measured daily. At the beginning of week 6, animals in the exercise group completed a maximal treadmill test. At the end of week 6, rats were euthanized, and muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA), fiber type, and signaling pathways were measured. Additionally, three‐point bending and microcomputer tomography were measured in the femur. Follow‐up experiments in human primary muscle cells were used to explore supra‐physiological effects of ACE. Data were analyzed using a two‐way ANOVA for treatment (ACE or placebo) and condition (exercise or non‐exercise) for all animal outcomes. Data for cell culture experiments were analyzed via ANOVA. If omnibus significance was found in either ANOVA, a post hoc analysis was completed, and a Tukey's adjustment was used. ACE did not alter body weight, water intake, food intake, or treadmill performance (p > .05). There was a treatment‐by‐condition effect for Young's Modulus where placebo exercise was significantly lower than placebo control (p < .05). There was no treatment by condition effects for microCT measures, muscle CSA, fiber type, or mRNA expression. Phosphorylated‐AMPK was significantly increased with exercise (p < .05) and this was attenuated with ACE treatment. Furthermore, phospho‐4EBP1 was depressed in the exercise group compared to the control (p < .05) and increased in the ACE control and ACE exercise group compared to placebo exercise (p < .05). A low dose of ACE did not influence chronic musculoskeletal adaptations in exercising rodents but acutely attenuated AMPK phosphorylation and 4EBP1 dephosphorylation post‐exercise.
Telehealth Virtual Simulation Across the Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Authors: Wittler Ashley , Perez Amelia , Griffin Valerie
Published: April 2024

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recognizes telehealth education as an essential aspect of nurse practitioner (NP) education because it increases accessibility to health care. Studies reported in the literature have focused on NP telehealth simulation, but findings for the inclusion of simulation in multiple courses throughout the curriculum are scarce. This pre- and post-survey design study aimed to evaluate family nurse practitioner students’ perceptions of knowledge, confidence, and attitudes regarding telehealth before and after engaging in telehealth virtual simulations in six courses. Simulations were rated highly and telehealth knowledge increased in three of the six courses.
Changing global epidemiology of chronic hepatitis C virus-related outcomes from 2010 to 2019: cirrhosis is the growing burden of hepatitis C virus-related disease
Authors: Pham Yen Thi-Hai , Huang Daniel Q. , Zhang Zhongjie , Ng Cheng Han , Tan Darren Jun Hao , Nguyen Hiep C. , Nguyen Tin C. , Behari Jaideep , Yuan Jian-Min , Luu Hung N.
Published: April 2024

Background

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a long-term impact on hepatic consequences. A comprehensive evaluation of the global burden of HCV-related health outcomes can help to develop a global HCV prevention and treatment program.

Methods

We used the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study to comprehensively investigate burden and temporal trends in incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of HCV-related diseases, including liver cancer and cirrhosis and other liver diseases across 264 countries and territories from 2010 to 2019.

Results

Globally, there were 152 225 incident cases, 141 811 deaths and approximately 2.9 million DALYs because of HCV-related liver cancer, and 551 668 incident cases, 395 022 deaths and about 12.2 million DALYs because of HCV-related cirrhosis in 2019. Worldwide, during the 2010–2019 period, liver cancer incidence declined, however, there was a 62% increase in cirrhosis incidence. In 2019, the Eastern Mediterranean was the region with the highest rates of incidence and mortality of both liver cancer and cirrhosis. Africa was the region with the fastest-growing trend of incidence of cirrhosis in the 2010–2019 period [annual percentage change (APC) = 2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93–2.25], followed by the Western Pacific region (APC = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09–1.22). Americas were the only region observing increased trends in liver cancer and cirrhosis mortality (APC = 0.70 and 0.12, respectively). We identified three patterns of temporal trends of mortality rates of liver cancer and cirrhosis in countries that reported HCV treatment rates.

Conclusion

Urgent measures are required for diagnosis, treatment and research on HCV-related cirrhosis at global, regional and country levels, particularly in Africa, the Western Pacific and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Risk of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes Among African-born Black Women in California, 2011–2020
Authors: McKenzie-Sampson Safyer , Baer Rebecca J. , Chambers Butcher Brittany D. , Jelliffe-Pawlowski Laura L. , Karasek Deborah , Oltman Scott P. , Riddell Corinne A. , Rogers Elizabeth E. , Torres Jacqueline M. , Blebu Bridgette E.
Published: April 2024

Background:

African-born women have a lower risk of preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA) birth compared with United States-born Black women, however variation by country of origin is overlooked. Additionally, the extent that nativity disparities in adverse perinatal outcomes to Black women are explained by individual-level factors remains unclear.

Methods:

We conducted a population-based study of nonanomalous singleton live births to United States- and African-born Black women in California from 2011 to 2020 (n = 194,320). We used age-adjusted Poisson regression models to estimate the risk of preterm birth and SGA and reported risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Decomposition using Monte Carlo integration of the g-formula computed the percentage of disparities in adverse outcomes between United States- and African-born women explained by individual-level factors.

Results:

Eritrean women (RR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.3, 0.5) had the largest differences in risk of preterm birth and Cameroonian women (RR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.3, 0.6) in SGA birth, compared with United States-born Black women. Ghanaian women had smaller differences in risk of preterm birth (RR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.7, 1.0) and SGA (RR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.8, 1.1) compared with United States-born women. Overall, we estimate that absolute differences in socio-demographic and clinical factors contributed to 32% of nativity-based disparities in the risk of preterm birth and 26% of disparities in SGA.

Conclusions:

We observed heterogeneity in risk of adverse perinatal outcomes for African- compared with United States-born Black women, suggesting that nativity disparities in adverse perinatal outcomes were not fully explained by differences in individual-level factors.
The Impact of the Linear No-threshold Hypothesis on Litigation
Authors: Fellman Alan , Wiedis Dave
Published: April 2024

As the basis of radiation safety practice and regulations worldwide, the linear no-threshold (LNT) hypothesis exerts enormous influence throughout society. This includes our judicial system, where frivolous lawsuits are filed alleging radiation-induced health effects caused by negligent companies who subject unwitting victims to enormous financial and physical harm. Typically, despite the lack of any supporting scientific basis, these cases result in enormous costs to organizations, insurance companies, and consumers.
A Review of Recent Low-dose Research and Recommendations for Moving Forward
Authors: Wilson Charles , Adams Grace G. , Patel Pooja , Windham Kiran , Ennis Colby , Caffrey Emily
Published: April 2024

The linear no-threshold (LNT) model has been the regulatory “law of the land” for decades. Despite the long-standing use of LNT, there is significant ongoing scientific disagreement on the applicability of LNT to low-dose radiation risk. A review of the low-dose risk literature of the last 10 y does not provide a clear answer, but rather the body of literature seems to be split between LNT, non-linear risk functions (e.g., supra- or sub-linear), and hormetic models. Furthermore, recent studies have started to explore whether radiation can play a role in the development of several non-cancer effects, such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes, the mechanisms of which are still being explored. Based on this review, there is insufficient evidence to replace LNT as the regulatory model despite the fact that it contributes to public radiophobia, unpreparedness in radiation emergency response, and extreme cleanup costs both following radiological or nuclear incidents and for routine decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Rather, additional research is needed to further understand the implications of low doses of radiation. The authors present an approach to meaningfully contribute to the science of low-dose research that incorporates machine learning and Edisonian approaches to data analysis.
EXAMINATION OF GALACTOMANNAN LEVELS IN INTRAOCULAR FLUID TO ASSIST THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASPERGILLUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS
Authors: Yu Ting , Chen Li , Qian Zhuyun , Tao Yong
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

To evaluate the utility of galactomannan testing of intraocular fluid in the diagnosis of Aspergillus endophthalmitis (AE).

Methods:

This retrospective study enrolled three groups of patients, including those with 17 eyes with AE; 20 eyes with intraocular infection of bacteria, viruses, or other fungi; and 19 eyes with cataract. Intraocular fluid from all these patients was collected for galactomannan testing. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic curves and diagnostic significance were analyzed.

Results:

The mean optical density index (ODI) of galactomannan was 5.77 ± 1.73 in the AE group, which was significantly higher than that in the non-Aspergillus intraocular infection group (0.19 ± 0.11, P < 0.001) and the negative control group (0.29 ± 0.27, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) was 1.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.00–1.00; P < 0.001) in the AE group and the other two groups. At a cutoff optical density index of 1.88, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively, and the Youden index reached its highest value of 1.00.

Conclusion:

Galactomannan testing of intraocular fluid indicated good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of AE, thereby promising a rapid diagnostic modality for AE.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRAUMATIC RETINAL DETACHMENT AFTER OPEN AND CLOSED GLOBE INJURIES IN CHILDREN
Authors: Wenzel Daniel A. , Gassel Caroline J. , Druchkiv Vasyl , Neubauer Jonas , Bartz-Schmidt Karl Ulrich , Dimopoulos Spyridon
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

Pediatric traumatic retinal detachment (RD) resulting from open globe injuries (OGIs) or closed globe injuries (CGIs) presents unique challenges due to complexity often resulting in lifelong sequelae. This study compares pediatric traumatic RD outcomes and prognostic factors following OGI and CGI.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis reviewed 47 cases of pediatric traumatic RD in children (age <18 years), who underwent RD surgery between 2002 and 2021. Among them, 25 cases were caused by CGI and 22 cases by OGI. Demographics, RD characteristics, surgical procedures, and anatomical and functional results were assessed. Predictive factors for visual outcomes were investigated.

Results:

In the CGI group, mean (±SD) age was 11 years ± 4 years, and 10 years ± 5 years in the OGI group. Closed globe injury traumatic RD had significantly better preoperative (CGI: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 1.39 ± 0.19 (mean ± standard error); OGI: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 2.12 ± 0.20) and follow-up (CGI: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.94 ± 0.19; OGI: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 1.85 ± 0.20) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (P < 0.05). Initial BCVA improvement was observed in CGI only. In multivariable analysis, prognostic factors for favorable BCVA outcomes included higher preoperative BCVA, older age, and absence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Visual prognosis for pediatric traumatic RD remains limited, favoring CGI cases compared with OGI. Baseline BCVA emerged as a major determinant of final visual acuity. Tailored management approaches can optimize treatment results.
Evolution of Autoimmune Retinopathy in Stiff Person Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Nipp Grace E. , Woodward Richmond , Gross Andrew , Deaner Jordan , Grewal Dilraj S.
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

To report a case of autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) as the presenting feature of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and assess its evolution.

Observations:

A 35-year-old man presented with progressive, chronic, vision loss. On initial examination, visual acuity measured 20/20 OD and 20/50 OS. Humphrey Visual Field testing (HVF) demonstrated decreased foveal threshold OU. Mild subfoveal ellipsoid zone loss was noted on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Five years later the patient presented with painful lower extremity muscle spasms and stiffness and complained of increasing vision loss with difficulty distinguishing colors. OCT showed marked progression of ellipsoid zone loss. Scotoma were demonstrated on HVF and electroretinography demonstrated reduced responses consistent with bilateral severe maculopathy. Serum testing showed autoantibodies to the glutamic acid decarboxylase 65-kilodalton isoform (GAD65) at a high titer and a diagnosis of AIR in the setting of SPS was made. A systemic workup for malignancy was negative. The patient was treated with IVIG and transitioned to rituximab with improvement in systemic symptoms.

Conclusions

and Importance: Unlike previous cases of AIR in the setting of SPS, vision symptoms and OCT changes presented years before the onset of muscle spasms. Etiologies such as SPS should be on the differential of unexplained retinopathy, even in the absence of systemic symptoms, especially when paraneoplastic etiologies are ruled out.
Primary palliative care in the ICU
Authors: Boling Bryan
Published: April 2024

Despite the best efforts of modern health care and critical care providers, many patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) will still die each year. The need for palliative care services in the ICU is common. Although specialty palliative care services provide excellent care and are a tremendous resource, every critical care provider should be able to provide the basics of palliative care themselves through the model of primary palliative care. Although it may be uncomfortable for the critical care provider at first, providing palliative care to our ICU patients can be a very rewarding experience. In this article, I discuss best practices for handling difficult conversations with patients and their families, helping patients and families make difficult decisions regarding the goals of care, and managing symptoms at the end of life.
Movement as a Gateway to Participation for Individuals With Neuromotor Conditions: A Scoping Review
Authors: Flores Megan B. , Tovin Melissa Moran , Gill Simone V. , Iverson Jana M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this scoping review was to examine and analyze the developmental and rehabilitation literature related to movement and participation at key points of transition for individuals with neuromotor conditions.

Methods:

Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review protocol was applied, and 37 articles were included. Extracted data included population, developmental transition points, movement opportunity, type of participation, and outcome measures.

Results:

Most studies covered developmental transition points; none examined transitions as a variable for participation outcomes. Physical activity/exercise was the most common movement opportunity. Most publications used formal outcome measures of participation; others used observation or interviews.

Conclusion:

No publications adequately addressed the effect of movement opportunities on participation during developmental transition points.
Inspiratory Training for Improving Respiratory Strength, Pulmonary Function, and Walking in Cerebral Palsy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Menezes Kênia K.P. , Avelino Patrick R. , Alvarenga Maria T.M. , Nascimento Lucas R.
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of inspiratory strength training on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and walking capacity in children with cerebral palsy, with Gross Motor Function Classification System I to III.

Methods:

Searches were conducted in CINAHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases. The outcomes of interest were respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and walking capacity. The quality was assessed by PEDro Scale. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to summarize the quality of evidence.

Results:

Inspiratory strength training increased the strength of inspiratory muscles and may increase the strength of the expiratory muscles. No changes were observed in pulmonary function or walking capacity.

Conclusions:

This systematic review provides moderate-quality evidence that inspiratory strength training is effective for increasing inspiratory muscle strength in children with cerebral palsy. Benefits may be carried over to improving expiratory muscle strength but were not observed on pulmonary function or walking capacity.
Three-Dimensional Instrumented Gait Analysis for Children With Cerebral Palsy: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: States Rebecca A. , Salem Yasser , Krzak Joseph J. , Godwin Ellen M. , McMulkin Mark L. , Kaplan Sandra L.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) who walk have complex gait patterns and deviations often requiring physical therapy (PT)/medical/surgical interventions. Walking in children with CP can be assessed with 3-dimensional instrumented gait analysis (3D-IGA) providing kinematics (joint angles), kinetics (joint moments/powers), and muscle activity.

Purpose:

This clinical practice guideline provides PTs, physicians, and associated clinicians involved in the care of children with CP, with 7 action statements on when and how 3D-IGA can inform clinical assessments and potential interventions. It links the action statement grades with specific levels of evidence based on a critical appraisal of the literature.

Conclusions:

This clinical practice guideline addresses 3D-IGA’s utility to inform surgical and non-surgical interventions, to identify gait deviations among segments/joints and planes and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Best practice statements provide guidance for clinicians about the preferred characteristics of 3D-IGA laboratories including instrumentation, staffing, and reporting practices.

Video Abstract: Supplemental digital content available at http://links.lww.com/PPT/A524.
Patient Portal Enrollment for Discharged Pediatric Emergency Department Patients: A Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Isbey Sarah C. , Morrison Sephora N. , Burroughs Sonya M. , Kline Jaclyn N.
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Patient portal enrollment following pediatric emergency department (ED) visits allows access to critical results, physician documentation, and telehealth follow-up options. Despite these advantages, there are many challenges to portal invitation and enrollment. Our primary objective was to improve patient portal enrollment rates for discharged pediatric ED patients.

Methods:

A multidisciplinary team of staff from two ED sites developed successful portal enrollment interventions through sequential Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles from October 2020 to October 2021. Interventions included a new invitation process, changes to patient paperwork on ED arrival, staff portal education, and changes to discharge paperwork and the portal website. The team utilized statistical process control charts to track the percentage of eligible discharged patients who received a portal invitation (process measure) and enrolled in the patient portal.

Results:

Before the study’s initiation, less than 1% of eligible patients received patient portal invites or enrolled in the patient portal. Statistical process control charts revealed significant changes in enrollment and baseline shift at both a large academic ED campus and a satellite ED site by May 2021. Improvements in invitation rates were also observed at both campuses. Changes were sustained for over 6 months at both locations.

Conclusions:

High-reliability interventions and a multidisciplinary approach allowed for significant and sustained improvement in patient portal invitation and enrollment rates in eligible pediatric ED patients. Future study will examine enrollment patterns across patient demographics and further high-reliability interventions.