bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review article: The need for more efficient and patient‐oriented drug development pathways in NASH—setting the scene for platform trials
Authors: Pericàs Juan M. , Di Prospero Nicholas A. , Anstee Quentin M. , Mesenbrinck Peter , Kjær Mette S. , Rivera‐Esteban Jesús , Koenig Franz , Sena Elena , Pais Raluca , Manzano Ramiro , Genescà Joan , Tacke Frank , Ratziu Vlad ,   the EU‐PEARL NASH Investigators
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims

Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) constitutes a significant unmet medical need with a burgeoning field of clinical research and drug development. Platform trials (PT) might help accelerate drug development while lowering overall costs and creating a more patient‐centric environment. This review provides a comprehensive and nuanced assessment of the NASH clinical development landscape.

Methods

Narrative review and expert opinion with insight gained during the EU Patient‐cEntric clinicAl tRial pLatforms (EU‐PEARL) project.

Results

Although NASH represents an opportunity to use adaptive trial designs, including master protocols for PT, there are barriers that might be encountered owing to distinct and sometimes opposing priorities held by these stakeholders and potential ways to overcome them. The following aspects are critical for the feasibility of a future PT in NASH: readiness of the drug pipeline, mainly from large drug companies, while there is not yet an FDA/EMA‐approved treatment; the most suitable design (trial Phase and type of population, e.g., Phase 2b for non‐cirrhotic NASH patients); the operational requirements such as the scope of the clinical network, the use of concurrent versus non‐concurrent control arms, or the re‐allocation of participants upon trial adaptations; the methodological appraisal (i.e. Bayesian vs. frequentist approach); patients' needs and patient‐centred outcomes; main regulatory considerations and the funding and sustainability scenarios.

Conclusions

PT represent a promising avenue in NASH but there are a number of conundrums that need addressing. It is likely that before a global NASH PT becomes a reality, ‘proof‐of‐platform’ at a smaller scale needs to be provided.
Low B‐cell content is associated with a CD73‐low tumour microenvironment and unfavourable prognosis in classic Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Grund Johanna , Iben Katharina , Reinke Sarah , Bühnen Ina , Plütschow Annette , Müller‐Meinhard Berit , Garcia Marquez Maria A. , Schlößer Hans A. , von Tresckow Bastian , Kellermeier Fabian , Borchmann Peter , Engert Andreas , Bröckelmann Paul J. , Klapper Wolfram
Published: March 2023

B‐cell content in the tumour microenvironment (TME) of classic Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is known to be associated with prognosis. Here we demonstrate that whole slide image analysis using routinely available slides predicts outcomes in patients treated with ABVD in a prospective trial with a high B‐cell content being associated with a favourable prognosis. B cells in the TME did not correlate with B cells in peripheral blood. In the TME maturation, stages of B cells (naive and memory) were consistent. However, we detected down‐regulation of CD73 in HL with low B cells suggestive of an antibody‐independent function of B cells in the TME of HL.
Procrastination and health: A longitudinal test of the roles of stress and health behaviours
Authors: Sirois Fuschia M. , Stride Christopher B. , Pychyl Timothy A.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Procrastination is a common form of self‐regulation failure that a growing evidence base suggests can confer risk for poor health outcomes, especially when it becomes habitual. However, the proposed linkages of chronic procrastination to health outcomes have not been tested over time or accounted for the contributions of higher‐order personality factors linked to both chronic procrastination and health‐related outcomes. We addressed these issues by examining the role of chronic procrastination in health outcomes over time in which the hypothesized links of procrastination to health problems operate via stress and health behaviours.

Design

Three‐wave longitudinal study with 1‐month intervals.

Methods

Participants (N = 379) completed measures of trait procrastination at Time 1, and measures of health behaviours, stress and health problems at each time point, in a lab setting.

Results

Procrastination and the health variables were inter‐related in the expected directions across the three assessments. Chronic procrastination was positively associated with stress and negatively with health behaviours at each time point. Path analysis testing a cross‐lagged longitudinal mediation model found an indirect relationship operating between procrastination and health problems via stress, after accounting for the contributions of conscientiousness and neuroticism.

Conclusions

This research extends previous work by demonstrating that the links between chronic procrastination and poor health are accounted for mainly by higher stress, after accounting for other key traits, and that these associations are robust over time. The findings are discussed in terms of the importance of addressing habitual self‐regulation failure for improving health.
The effects of mindfulness on mother–child relationships and maternal well‐being during the first COVID‐19 lockdown in Israel
Authors: Ben Uriel‐Maoz Liat , Lavy Shiri , Berkovich‐Ohana Aviva
Published: March 2023

Research indicates associations of mindfulness with better relationships and well‐being because it promotes decentering and relationship‐related capacities. This study examined the effects of mindfulness on mothers' relationships with their children and well‐being in a challenging time – the first COVID‐19 lockdown. We hypothesized that mothers' relationships and well‐being would deteriorate during the lockdown, but a mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) would mitigate this process because of its effect on mothers' mindfulness and decentering. We surveyed 109 mothers caring for their children (mean age 8.61) during the first lockdown in Israel. First, they completed online questionnaires assessing their interpersonal mindfulness, decentering, relationships with their children and well‐being (including positive and negative affect and life satisfaction). Then, they were randomly assigned to a group: MBI, relaxing music intervention or no intervention. Participants completed the questionnaires again after 2 weeks of daily interventions. Unexpectedly, mothers in all groups improved their relationships with their children and well‐being (their satisfaction with life increased and negative affect decreased) with no significant group differences. Furthermore, the increase in relationship quality was associated with increases in mindfulness and decentering. The findings suggest that crises initially perceived as a threat to mother–child relationships may also present a beneficial opportunity in certain circumstances.
Exploring the emergence of a tipping point for conservation with increased recognition of social considerations
Authors: Melanidis Marina Stavroula , Hagerman Shannon , St‐Laurent Guillaume Peterson , Oakes Lauren E. , Cross Molly S.
Published: March 2023

Despite a common understanding of the harmful impacts of Western conservation models that separate people from nature, widespread progress toward incorporating socioeconomic, political, cultural, and spiritual considerations in conservation practice is lacking. For some, the concept of nature‐based solutions (NbS) is seen as an interdisciplinary and holistic pathway to better integrate human well‐being in conservation. We examined how conservation practitioners in the United States view NbS and how social considerations are or are not incorporated in conservation adaptation projects. We interviewed 28 individuals working on 15 different such projects associated with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Climate Adaptation Fund. We completed 2 rounds of iterative coding in NVivo 12.6.1 to identify in the full text of all interview responses an a priori set of themes related to our research questions and emergent themes. Many respondents saw this moment as a tipping point for the field (one in which the perceived values of social considerations are increasing in conservation practice) (76%) and that social justice concerns and the need to overcome racist and colonial roots of Western conservation have risen to the forefront. Respondents also tentatively agreed that NbS in conservation could support social and ecological outcomes for conservation, but that it was far from guaranteed. Despite individual intention and awareness among practitioners to incorporate social considerations in conservation practice, structural barriers, including limited funding and inflexible grant structures, continue to constrain systemic change. Ultimately, systemic changes that address power and justice in policy and practice are required to leverage this moment to more fully address social considerations in conservation.
The impact of medical insurance payment systems on patient choice, provider behavior, and out‐of‐pocket rate: Fee‐for‐service versus diagnosis‐related groups
Authors: Fan Wenjuan , Jiang Yuanyuan , Pei Jun , Yan Ping , Qiu Liangfei
Published: March 2023

The medical insurance payment system (MIPS) is a key mechanism to ensure the public's access to medical services. In a game‐theoretic model, we examine the impact of two MIPSs, fee‐for‐service (FFS) and diagnosis‐related groups (DRG), on patient choices, provider behavior, and out‐of‐pocket rate. We find that neither FFS nor DRG can dominate the other in all three aspects: social welfare, provider profit, and total patient surplus. In particular, under DRG, the out‐of‐pocket rate for patients is lower, and the total patient surplus is higher than that under FFS. However, patients with lower illness severity tend to not participate in DRG, while FFS can make all patients participate in the program. Furthermore, when the marginal cost of medical services is high, the profit of the provider and social welfare under DRG is higher than those under FFS, otherwise lower. After interviewing hospital leaders, we further investigate two extended (pilot) payment systems: DRG with two price groups, and the hybrid model incorporating both FFS and DRG. We find that both models contribute to improving provider behavior, making more patients choose the provider, but are still not perfect payment systems due to lower provider profit or social welfare. Our findings offer important insights for policymakers regarding implementing medical insurance reform in practice.
Scale‐dependent effects of landscape structure on pollinator traits, species interactions and pollination success
Authors: Peralta Guadalupe , Webber Christie J. , Perry George L. W. , Stouffer Daniel B. , Vázquez Diego P. , Tylianakis Jason M.
Published: March 2023

The environmental filtering of species traits can influence the identity of their interaction partners and the contribution of species interactions to ecosystem functioning, but the extent to which this process is influenced by landscape composition and configuration remains unclear. We combined a field experiment with an agent‐based model to assess how landscape structure and local flower patch isolation affect pollinator body‐size distribution and plant–pollinator interactions, sampled at different spatial extents. We then evaluated how these changes in pollinator functional (i.e. body‐size) diversity influence plant reproduction. We observed higher pollinator functional diversity in less‐isolated patches, which promoted plant reproduction via a relationship between functional diversity and interaction complementarity. This complementarity occurred partly because larger pollinators interacted with more plant species. Moreover, we showed that patch configuration at the landscape level can change the direction of these local‐scale patch isolation effects on pollinator body‐size distribution, functional diversity and plant–pollinator interactions. Importantly, these relationships were robust to sampling spatial extent. Thus, management strategies to promote pollination should account for local resources and landscape structure, because response, effect and interaction traits like body size connect landscape filtering effects with local community responses and outcomes of interaction‐based functions.
Altered task demands lead to a division of labour for sensory and cognitive processing in the middle temporal area
Authors: Scott Hayden , Wimmer Klaus , Pasternak Tatiana , Snyder Adam C.
Published: March 2023

Neurons in the primate middle temporal (MT) area signal information about visual motion and work together with the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) to support memory‐guided comparisons of visual motion direction. These areas are reciprocally connected, and both contain neurons that signal visual motion direction in the strength of their responses. Previously, LPFC was shown to display marked changes in stimulus coding with altered task demands, including changes in selectivity for motion direction, trial‐to‐trial variability in responses and comparison effects. Since MT and LPFC are directly interconnected, we sought to determine if MT neurons display similar dependence on task demands. We found that active participation in a motion direction comparison task affected both sensory and nonsensory activity in MT neurons. In fact, neurons that became less selective for motion direction during the active task showed increased signalling for cognitive aspects of the task. This heterogeneity in neural modification with heightened task demands suggests a division of labour in MT, whereby sensory and cognitive signals are both heightened in different subpopulations of neurons.
An improved fixture for better measuring the displacements and mode‐I fracture toughness of chevron bend specimens
Authors: Cui Zhendong , Wei Tao , Zhao Leilei , Si Kai
Published: March 2023

The load versus load point displacement (LPD) curve is significant for the nonlinearity corrections for the mode‐I fracture toughness of chevron bend (CB) specimens. The testing fixture plays a crucial role in measuring load versus LPD curves. To better measure the LPDs of CB specimens, we developed an improved fixture system consisting of an understructure and a yoke based on the traditional saddle arrangement fixture suggested by ISRM. With the aid of the improved fixture, continuous synchronized LPDs and CMODs are measured, and nonlinearity corrections are conducted. After nonlinearity corrections, the data of mode‐I fracture toughness become more comparable and present a better regularity among different specimen diameters and variant rock types. Repeated tests verify that the improved fixture has the advantages of higher stability and more convenient installation, removal, and adjustment, which can enhance the testing robustness and efficiency.
Patch‐burn management affects grassland butterfly communities in cattle‐grazed rangelands
Authors: Geest Emily A. , Moranz Ray A. , Baum Kristen A.
Published: March 2023

Grassland butterflies are undergoing worldwide population decline due to habitat loss and degradation. Rangelands in the Southern Great Plains can provide a habitat for grassland butterflies depending on management practices. Patch‐burn grazing is a management regime that involves burning portions of grazed pastures at different times. The combination of rotational fire and grazing creates a shifting mosaic of recently burned to older burned areas and lightly grazed to heavily grazed areas. However, the impact of fire and grazing on butterfly communities is complex and the effects of different management regimes on butterfly communities are not clear.

We investigated the impact of time since prescribed fire and season of fire on butterfly communities in eight cattle‐grazed pastures, each with three burn units, in northern Oklahoma. Treatments included units burned in spring 2018, summer 2018, summer 2019, and spring 2020, with three replicates of each for a total of 12 burn units. Surveys were conducted three times per year in each burn unit in 2019 and 2020 using two standardised Pollard transects.

A total of 909 butterflies and 35 species were observed. Species diversity varied by time since fire and season of fire, with spring‐burned sites having the lowest species diversity and summer‐burned sites having the highest. Dominant vegetation cover and blooming forb presence differed with time since fire and season of fire.

Patch‐burn grazing creates a mosaic of successional vegetation stages which can benefit different butterfly species and support the overall community. Some species such asCercyonis pegala,Danaus plexippus, andAtrytone arogosmay benefit from fire every 1–2 years, while other species such asEchinargus isolamay need longer times between fire treatments. Patch‐burn grazing regimes can support butterfly communities with species that need different fire return intervals by providing a mosaic of areas with different times since fire and associated grazing intensities.
Effect of chronic exposure to fine particulate matter on cardiac tissue of NZBWF1 mice
Authors: Waked Dunia , Rodrigues Ana Clara B. , Silva Thamires Moraes , Yariwake Victor Yuji , Farhat Sylvia Costa Lima , Veras Mariana Matera
Published: March 2023

Epidemiological and toxicological studies have shown that inhalation of particulate matter (PM) is associated with development of cardiovascular diseases. Long‐term exposure to PM may increase the risk of cardiovascular events and reduce life expectancy. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune in nature, that is characterized by the production of autoantibodies that affects several organs, including the heart. Air pollution ‐ which can be caused by several different factors ‐ may be one of the most important points both at the onset and the natural history of SLE. Therefore this study aims to investigate whether exposure to air pollution promotes increased inflammation and cardiac remodelling in animals predisposed to SLE. Female NZBWF1 mice were exposed to an environmental particle concentrator. Aspects related to cardiac remodelling, inflammation and apoptosis were analysed in the myocardium. Body weight gain, cardiac trophism by heart/body weight ratio, relative area of cardiomyocytes and the fibrotic area of cardiac tissue were evaluated during the exposure period. Animals exposed to PM2.5 showed increased area of cardiomyocytes, and area of fibrosis; in addition, we observed an increase in IL‐1 and C3 in the cardiac tissue, demonstrating increased inflammation. We suggest that air pollution is capable of promoting cardiac remodelling and increased inflammation in animals predisposed to SLE.
Micropatterning of alumina tubular membranes via laser carving for enhanced direct air capture
Authors: Wang Jinwen , Gao Xin , Omosebi Ayokunle , Zhu Feng , Thompson Jesse , Patrick Aron , Liu Kunlei
Published: March 2023

An approach for preparing and applying micropatterned alumina tubular membranes was developed for improved gas‐liquid contact at low air pressure drop in direct air capture application. The paper demonstrated that the laser carving of micropatterns on the outer surface of the alumina tubular membranes could greatly increase their outer surface area and enhance gas‐liquid turbulence for a reduced diffusion mass transfer resistance. Six kinds of micropattern configurations were fabricated and studied, including random and regular micropatterns. By introducing a 500‐µm solid grid micropattern, the outer surface area doubles and enhances carbon dioxide capture efficiency from 61% to 97% after the membrane was hydrophobically modified with fluoroalkylsilane. The air pressure drop through the tube lumen remained low even when the packing density increased from 382 to 906 m2/m3. The liquid entry pressure of this micropatterned membrane was the same after testing for 220 h running with the help of periodic drying.
Effect of Fe2O3 additive on the preparation of Si3N4−Si2N2O composite ceramics via diamond‐wire saw silicon waste
Authors: Fang Zheyu , Sun Yue , Mi Zhishan , Jin Xing , Ran Songlin
Published: March 2023

In this study, Si3N4−Si2N2O composite ceramics were prepared through a two‐step combination of the direct nitriding method and spark plasma sintering method with diamond‐wire saw silicon waste in the photovoltaic industry as raw material. The whole holding time at the constant temperature of the preparing process only lasts 35 min, in which the nitriding time only takes 30 min and the sintering time only takes 5 min. The effects of the Fe2O3 additive on the nitriding and sintering process were investigated in detail. The results show that the Fe2O3 additive accelerates the nitriding process by promoting the formation and diffusion of the gas phase and reducing the apparent activation energy of the reaction between the gas phase containing silicon and N2. Meanwhile, the Fe2O3 additive also promotes the sintering process by lowering the eutectic temperature of the SiO2−Al2O3 and the SiO2−Y2O3 binary system. The optimal technical parameters follow the nitriding temperature of 1400°C, the nitriding time of 30 min, the sintering temperature of 1800°C, and the sintering time of 5 min. The Si3N4−Si2N2O composite ceramic prepared under the above conditions exhibits good performance with an apparent porosity of 2.7%, Vickers hardness of 16.54 GPa, and fracture toughness of 4.1 MPa·m1/2.
Encapsulation of Lacto‐N‐biose based on ovalbumin and carboxymethyl cellulose microparticles: fabrication, characterisation and thermal stability
Authors: Huang Xin , Sun Yue , Li Suhong , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Li Tuoping
Published: March 2023

To improve the thermal stability Lacto‐N‐biose (LNB), it was encapsulated by the OVA‐CMC microparticles system. When the mass ratio of OVA:CMC:LNB was 1.5:1:1, the particle size of microparticles was 623 ± 4 nm, and the encapsulation efficiency and loading efficiency of 83 ± 1.38% and 45 ± 0.92% respectively. Analysis with the scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the OVA‐CMC‐LNB microparticles were spherical and uniformly distributed. The hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions were the main forces to assemble the microparticles. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the structure of microparticles remained stable at 240 °C. The residual amount of LNB in microparticles reached 94.3 ± 1.03% and 78.8 ± 2.38% after being heated at 90 °C for 10 and 30 min, and the thermal stability was greatly improved. In vitro simulated digestion experiments showed that the release rate of LNB in microparticles reached 95 ± 1.31%. These results provided a theoretical and technological approach for the construction of LNB delivery system improved thermal stability.
Artificial intelligence in medical imaging for cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis: A systematic review with scientometric analysis
Authors: Njei Basile , Kanmounye Ulrick Sidney , Seto Nancy , McCarty Thomas R. , Mohan Babu P. , Fozo Lydia , Navaneethan Udayakumar
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI), by means of computer vision in machine learning, is a promising tool for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) diagnosis. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of AI in medical imaging for CCA diagnosis.

Methods

A systematic review with scientometric analysis was conducted to analyze and visualize the state‐of‐the‐art of medical imaging to diagnosis CCA.

Results

Fifty relevant articles, published by 232 authors and affiliated with 68 organizations and 10 countries, were reviewed in depth. The country with the highest number of publications was China, followed by the United States. Collaboration was noted for 51 (22.0%) of the 232 authors forming five clusters. Deep learning algorithms with convolutional neural networks (CNN) were the most frequently used classifiers. The highest performance metrics were observed with CNN‐cholangioscopy for diagnosis of extrahepatic CCA (accuracy 94.9%; sensitivity 94.7%; and specificity 92.1%). However, some of the values for CNN in CT imaging for diagnosis of intrahepatic CCA were low (AUC 0.72 and sensitivity 44%).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that there is increasing evidence to support the role of AI in the diagnosis of CCA. CNN‐based computer vision of cholangioscopy images appears to be the most promising modality for extrahepatic CCA diagnosis. Our social network analysis highlighted an Asian and American predominance in the research relational network of AI in CCA diagnosis. This discrepancy presents an opportunity for coordination and increased collaboration, especially with institutions located in high CCA burdened countries.
Predictors of mobility status one year post hip fracture among community‐dwelling older adults prior to fracture: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Bajracharya Rashmita , Guralnik Jack M. , Shardell Michelle D. , Hochberg Marc C. , Orwig Denise L. , Magaziner Jay S.
Published: March 2023

Background

Orthopedists and other clinicians assess recovery potential of hip fracture patients at 2 months post‐fracture for care planning. It is unclear if examining physical performance (e.g., balance, gait speed, chair stand) during this follow‐up visit can identify individuals at a risk of poor functional recovery, especially mobility, beyond available information from medical records and self‐report.

Methods

Data came from 162 patients with hip fracture enrolled in the Baltimore Hip Studies‐7th cohort. Predictors of mobility status (ability to walk 1 block at 12 months post‐fracture) were the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) comprising balance, walking and chair rise tasks at 2 months; baseline medical chart information (sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status rating, type of fracture and surgery, and comorbidities); and self‐reported information about the physical function (ability to walk 10 feet and 1 block at pre‐fracture and at 2 months post‐fracture). Prediction models of 12‐month mobility status were built using two methods: (1) logistic regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regularization, and (2) classification and regression trees (CART). Area under ROC curves (AUROC) assessed discrimination.

Results

The participants had a median age of 82 years, and 49.3% (n = 80) were men. Two‐month SPPB and gait speed were selected as predictors of 12‐month mobility by both methods. Compared with an analytic model with medical chart and self‐reported information, the model that additionally included physical performance measures had significantly better discrimination for 12‐month mobility (AUROC 0.82 vs. 0.88, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Assessing SPPB and gait speed at 2 months after a hip fracture in addition to information from medical records and self‐report significantly improves prediction of 12‐month mobility. This finding has important implications in providing tailored clinical care to patients at a greater risk of being functionally dependent who would not otherwise be identified using regularly measured clinical markers.
Associations between physical fitness and cardiovascular disease in older adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disability study
Authors: de Leeuw M. J. , Oppewal A. , Elbers R. G. , Hilgenkamp T. I. M. , Bindels P. J. E. , Maes‐Festen D. A. M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Reduced physical fitness is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor in the general population. However, generalising these results to older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) may be inappropriate given their pre‐existing low physical fitness levels and high prevalence of co‐morbidities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the difference in physical fitness between older adults with ID with and without CVD.

Method

Baseline data of a cohort of older adults with borderline to profound ID (HA‐ID study) were used (n = 684; 61.6 ± 8.2 years; 51.3% male). CVD status (coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke) was obtained from medical files. Cardiorespiratory fitness (10‐m incremental shuttle walking test), comfortable and fast gait speed (over 5 m distance) and grip strength (hand dynamometer) were measured. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the association between these physical fitness components and the presence of CVD, adjusted for participant characteristics.

Results

Of the 684 participants 78 (11.4%) had CVD. Participants with CVD scored lower on cardiorespiratory fitness (−81.4 m, P = 0.002), comfortable gait speed (−0.3 km/h, P = 0.04) and fast gait speed (−1.1 km/h, P = 0.04). No significant differences were found for grip strength (−0.2 kg, P = 0.89).

Conclusions

Older adults with CVD had significantly lower physical fitness levels than those without CVD, except for grip strength. Longitudinal research is needed to investigate causality.
New aerosol‐decreasing dental handpiece functions sufficiently decrease pulp temperature: An in vitro study
Authors: Lau Xin Er , Ma Sunyoung , Choi Joanne Jung Eun
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To assess the changes in intrapulpal temperature between electric high‐speed handpieces of different coolant functions (‘Water Jet’ and ‘Water Spray’), coolant port designs (1‐ and 4‐port), suction use, and bur and tooth types using an experimental in vitro setup.

Materials and methods

Forty‐four extracted anterior and posterior teeth were collected. A total of 18 groove cuts (n = 18/coolant port spray design, bur and tooth type group) and 12 groove cuts (n = 12/tooth type and suction use) were completed, with a total of 264 groove cuts. Real‐time temperature and duration were recorded at 1‐s intervals throughout the preparation process using a thermocouple and digital data logger setup (GFX Data Logger Series and EL USB‐TC; Lascar Electronics Inc., USA), and the data retrieved using EasyLog Software (EasyLog USB; Lascar Electronics Inc., USA). Statistical analysis was performed (SPSS V.27) for the change in temperature using the analysis of variance and post hoc analysis.

Results

The majority of the specimen cuts, regardless of tooth (anterior or posterior) and bur (diamond or carbide) types, handpiece coolant port design, and suction use showed an overall decreasing trend in intrapulpal temperature. No cuts caused a mean temperature change that reached the critical temperature of 42.5°C or resulted in an overall increase in intrapulpal temperature when the 60‐s duration was completed.

Conclusions

The tested electric handpieces efficiently reduced intrapulpal temperature, with the majority displaying a decreasing trend. A greater decrease in intrapulpal temperature was observed in canines compared to premolars; carbide burs compared to diamond; and with no suction preparations compared to when suction was used.
Determining fungal profiles associated at different stages of disease development and confirmation of pathogenicity for deducing aetiology of rough bark disease of cinnamon
Authors: Tharangani H. D. A. , De Costa D. M. , Jayasinghe G. G. , Ananda E. H. M.
Published: March 2023

Rough bark disease (RBD) damages the peel of cinnamon (Cinnamommum zeylanicum), the economically important part of the plant. A total of 405 plant samples representing four distinct symptom development stages of RBD were collected from five cinnamon‐growing districts of Sri Lanka. Epiphytic and endophytic fungi dwelling on different tissues of the stems were isolated using another set of healthy and RBD‐infected plants. Different tissues of healthy and RBD‐infected stems representing the symptom development stages and districts of cinnamon cultivation resulted in a total of 2432 fungal isolates. Fungal profiles associated with different stem tissues in healthy and RBD‐infected plants during the pathogenesis were determined by colony and spore morphology of isolated fungal isolates and DNA sequencing of PCR products by ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Pathogenicity was tested using consistently associated 138 isolates on detached stem pieces. Subsequently, field‐grown plants were inoculated with three highly virulent isolates among the 138 isolates. Pestalotiopsis, Colletotrichum, Botryodiplodia, and Phomopsis were the core fungal genera in the four symptom development stages with a varying abundance. The four genera were infectious having different degrees of virulence in terms of lesion development on stems. Composition and relative abundance of fungal profiles were compared in different stem tissues of healthy and RBD‐infected plants at distinct symptom development stages. Results revealed the presence of a core fungal genera in both healthy and RBD‐infected plants but a fluctuation of their abundance among different tissues and symptom development stages. RBD can be deduced as a complex fungal disease than a unimicrobial infection.
Association of folate concentrations with clinical signs and laboratory markers of chronic enteropathy in dogs
Authors: Ullal Tarini V. , Marks Stanley L. , Huebner Sara N. , Taylor Sandra L. , Shelley Courtney D.
Published: March 2023

Background

Serum folate is considered a biomarker of chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs, but few studies have examined associations with markers of CE.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate serum folate concentrations in dogs with and without CE and associations with sample hemolysis and selected markers of CE. We hypothesized that hypofolatemia would be more common in dogs with CE and associated with hypocobalaminemia, higher CIBDAI, and hypoalbuminemia.

Animals

Six hundred seventy‐three dogs with available serum folate measurements performed at an academic veterinary hospital between January 2016 and December 2019.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to categorize cases as CE or non‐CE and record clinical details and laboratory markers. Relationships between serum folate, cobalamin, and CE variables were assessed using chi‐square, Kruskal‐Wallis, or Spearman's correlation tests.

Results

Of the 673 dogs, 99 CE were compared to 95 non‐CE. In the overall cohort, serum folate concentration did not correlate with sample hemolysis (P = .75). In the CE subset, serum folate and cobalamin concentrations were positively associated (rho = 0.34, FDR = 0.02). However, serum folate concentrations (median [25th, 75th percentiles]) were higher (CE: 12.1 (8.9, 16.1), non‐CE: 10.4 (7.2, 15.5);P = .04) and cobalamin concentrations were lower (CE: 343 (240, 597), non‐CE: 550 (329, 749);P = .001) in the CE vs non‐CE group. Serum folate was not associated with markers of CE, but serum cobalamin was associated with albumin (P = .04) and cholesterol (P = .03).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Hypofolatemia is an inferior biomarker of CE compared to hypocobalaminemia.
State history and political instability: The disadvantage of early state development
Authors: Vu Trung V.
Published: March 2023

This article hypothesizes and empirically establishes that statehood experience, accumulated over a period of up to six millennia, lies at the deep roots of the spatial distribution of political instability across non‐European countries. Using the state history index measured between 3,500 BCE and 2000 CE, I consistently obtain precise estimates that long‐standing states outside Europe, relative to their newly established counterparts, are characterized by greater political uncertainty. I postulate that a very long duration of state experience impeded the transplantation of inclusive political institutions by European colonizers, which would eventually become central to shaping countries' ability to establish politically stable regimes outside Europe. The core findings place emphasis on the long‐term legacy of early state development for contemporary political instability.
Immune genotypes, immune responses, and survival in a wild bird population
Authors: Nelson‐Flower Martha J. , Grieves Leanne A. , Reid Jane M. , Germain Ryan R. , Lazic Savo , Taylor Sabrina S. , MacDougall‐Shackleton Elizabeth A. , Arcese Peter
Published: March 2023

Individuals vary in their immune genotype, inbreeding coefficientf, immune responses, survival to adulthood, and adult longevity. However, whether immune genes predict survival or longevity, whether such relationships are mediated through immune responses, and howfaffects immune genotype remain unclear. We use a wild song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) population in which survival to adulthood, adult longevity, andfwere measured precisely, and in which immune responses have previously been assessed. We investigate four toll‐like receptor (TLR) and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class IIB exon 2 genes. We test whether immune genes predict fitness (survival to adulthood or adult longevity); whether immune genes predict immune response; whether immune response predicts fitness and whether fitness, immune responses, or immune genotypes are correlated withf. We find that survival to adulthood is not associated with immune gene variation, but adult longevity is decreased by high MHC allele diversity (especially in birds that were relatively outbred), and by the presence of a specific MHC supertype. Immune responses were affected by specific immune genotypes. Survival to adulthood and adult longevity were not predicted by immune response, implying caution in the use of immune response as a predictor for fitness. We also found no relationship betweenfand immune genotype. This finding indicates that immune gene associations with longevity and immune response are not artefacts off, and suggests that pathogen‐mediated selection at functional loci can slow the loss of genetic variation arising from genetic drift and small population size.
Chemical ecology of Himalayan eggplant variety's antixenosis: identification of geraniol as an oviposition deterrent against the eggplant shoot and fruit borer
Authors: Ghosh Rituparna , Metze Dennis , Sant Surhud , Shaikh Maroof , Deshpande Ashish , Firake Dnyaneshwar M. , Pandit Sagar
Published: March 2023

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) suffers severe losses due to a multi‐insecticide‐resistant lepidopteran pest, shoot and fruit borer (SFB, Leucinodes orbonalis). Heavy and combinatorial application of pesticides for SFB control renders eggplant risky for human consumption. We observed that gravid SFB females do not oviposit on Himalayan eggplant variety RC‐RL‐22 (RL22). We hypothesized that RL22 contained an antixenosis factor.

Females' behavior indicated that the RL22 cue they perceived was olfactory. To identify it, leaf volatile blends of seven eggplant varieties were profiled using solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

Seven RL22‐specific compounds were detected in the plant headspace. In choice assays, oviposition deterrence efficacies of these candidate compounds were independently tested by their foliar application on SFB‐susceptible varieties. Complementation of geraniol, which was exclusively found in RL22, reduced oviposition (> 90%). To validate geraniol's role in RL22's SFB‐deterrence, we characterized RL22's geraniol synthase and silenced its gene in planta, using virus‐induced gene silencing. Geraniol biosynthesis suppression rendered RL22 SFB‐susceptible; foliar geraniol application on the geraniol synthase‐silenced plants restored oviposition deterrence.

We infer that geraniol is RL22's SFB oviposition deterrent. The use of natural compounds like geraniol, which influence the chemical ecology of oviposition, can reduce the load of hazardous synthetic larvicides.
Eating disorder risk during behavioral weight management in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Jebeile Hiba , Libesman Sol , Melville Hannah , Low‐wah Timothy , Dammery Genevieve , Seidler Anna L. , Jones Rebecca A. , McMaster Caitlin M. , Paxton Susan J. , Hill Andrew J. , Ahern Amy L. , Garnett Sarah P. , Braet Caroline , Wilfley Denise E. , Baur Louise A. , Lister Natalie B.
Published: March 2023

This systematic review examined change in eating disorder risk during weight management interventions. Four databases and clinical trials registries were searched in March and May 2022, respectively, to identify behavioral weight management intervention trials in adults with overweight/obesity measuring eating disorder symptoms at pre‐ and post‐intervention or follow‐up. Random effects meta‐analyses were conducted examining within group change in risk. Of 12,023 screened, 49 were eligible (n = 6337, mean age range 22.1 to 59.9 years, mean (SD) 81(20.4)% female). Interventions ranged from 4 weeks to 18 months, with follow‐up of 10 weeks to 36 months post‐intervention. There was a within group reduction in global eating disorder scores (20 intervention arms; Hedges' g = −0.27; 95% CI −0.36, −0.17; I2 67.1%) and binge eating (49 intervention arms; −0.66; 95% CI −0.76, −0.56; I2 82.7%) post‐intervention, both maintained at follow‐up. Of 14 studies reporting prevalence or episodes of binge eating, all reported a reduction. Four studies reported eating disorder symptoms, not present at baseline, in a subset of participants (0%–6.5%). Overall, behavioral weight management interventions do not increase eating disorder symptoms for most adults; indeed, a modest reduction is seen post‐intervention and follow‐up. A small subset of participants may experience disordered eating; therefore, monitoring for the emergence of symptoms is important.
Person‐centred care competence and person‐centred care climate described by nurses in older people's long‐term care—A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Pakkonen Mari , Stolt Minna , Edvardsson David , Pasanen Miko , Suhonen Riitta
Published: March 2023

Background

Person‐centred care requires that nurses are competent in this approach to care. There may be an association between person‐centred care competence and person‐centred care climate, but it has not been demonstrated in the literature. This is the justification for the survey study to gain staff's perceptions of such a relationship.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyse the levels and associations between person‐centred care competence and the person‐centred care climate as assessed by professional nurses in long‐term care settings for older people.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional survey design with cluster sampling was used to recruit professional nurses of different levels from six long‐term care institutions for older people. Data were collected using the Patient‐centred Care Competency scale (PCC) and the Person‐centred Climate Questionnaire staff version (PCQ‐S) in September 2021 and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The mean score on the PCC was rated at a good level of 3.80 (SD 0.45), and the PCQ‐S was rated at a good level of 3.87 (SD 0.53). The correlation between PCC and PCQ‐S total scores (r = .37, p < .001) indicated that person‐centred care competence and person‐centred care climate were associated. No associations were detected between nurses’ educational levels and PCC (p = .19) or PCQ‐S (p = .13) or in terms of age or work experience.

Conclusions

The results provide insights into competence and climate levels of person‐centred care and preliminary evidence of an association between nurses’ assessed competence in person‐centred care and the perceived person‐centred care climate in long‐term care. Nurses’ individual characteristics did not appear to affect the level of person‐centred care competence or climate. In the future professional nurses of different levels could benefit from effective continuing education in person‐centred care. This study design serving for the future intervention study registered to the ClinicalTrials.goc NCT04833153
Retrospective review of the effectiveness of orthokeratology versus soft peripheral defocus contact lenses for myopia management in an academic setting
Authors: Skidmore Kelsea V. , Tomiyama Erin S. , Rickert Martin E. , Richdale Kathryn , Kollbaum Pete
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the relative efficacy of peripheral defocus contact lenses (PDCLs) and orthokeratology (OK) in a real‐world clinical population, and compare these results with previous randomised controlled clinical trials.

Methods

Records from a university practice were reviewed to identify children who were treated with OK or PDCLs. The analysed sample contained 273 visits from 77 patients. Annualised rates of axial length (AL) progression were calculated and used as the response variable in both linear mixed‐effects (LME) and nonlinear regression models.

Results

On average, children were 10.7 years of age at baseline (p = 0.14 between treatments), and most patients were female. More Asian children wore OK lenses compared with PDCLs (p < 0.01). At baseline, children had ~3.00 D of myopia and 0.75 D of astigmatism in both treatment groups (p > 0.20 between treatments). LME regression models using only baseline covariates showed no evidence that the annualised change in AL differed between treatments, with or without the inclusion of age, race, sex, baseline AL or spherical equivalent refractive error. Across all possible subsets of models, age at baseline was the best predictor of annualised AL change. There was no statistical difference between parameters of an exponential decay model fitted within treatment using follow‐up age as a time‐varying predictor, indicating that the rate of annualised change in AL was similar for OK and PDCL.

Conclusions

Retrospective analysis of real‐world clinical data found no difference in annualised AL growth between PDCL and OK. Importantly, the AL progression from this clinical setting is consistent with that reported in randomised clinical trials. Therefore, continued research of real‐world performance is warranted to understand the safety and efficacy of modern myopia control treatments in the broader population.
Change in Fertility Intentions in the First Year of COVID‐19: Evidence from Four Countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Zimmerman Linnea A. , Karp Celia , Komuro Naomi , Akilimali Pierre , Zakirai Musa Sani , OlaOlorun Funmilola , Moreau Caroline , Anglewicz Philip , Gummerson Elizabeth
Published: March 2023

Recent evidence suggests that women in high‐income countries desired to delay or forgo childbearing due to COVID‐19, yet there remains insufficient evidence of COVID‐19's impact on fertility desires in low‐ and middle‐income countries, particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). We examined how quantum and tempo of fertility intentions changed in the first year of COVID‐19 and assessed the impact of economic insecurity and sociodemographic characteristics on these changes in SSA. We used longitudinal data collected among 14,053 women from Kenya, Burkina Faso, two provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa and Kongo Central), and two states in Nigeria (Kano and Lagos). Descriptive analyses and logistic regression examined overall changes and economic and sociodemographic factors associated with quantum and tempo shifts. At the population‐level, most women remained stable in their fertility intentions throughout the first year of COVID‐19. Despite widespread income loss, few women reported that COVID‐19 influenced their near‐term childbearing intentions. However, among women who changed their intentions in Burkina Faso and Kenya, income loss was associated with transitions toward wanting to delay or limit childbearing, particularly among the poorest women. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for context when anticipating the consequences of public health emergencies on fertility.