bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sixty years of research in dental age estimation: a bibliometric study
Authors: Merdietio Boedi Rizky , Mânica Scheila , Franco Ademir
Published: September 2023

Background

Dental age estimation (DAE) research has grown rapidly and became one of the biggest topics in forensic odontology. This study aimed to evaluate the DAE research trends over the span of 60 years using bibliometric analysis.

Methods

Sampling was performed in the Scopus database using a search string (“Dental Age Estimation” OR “Age Determination by Teeth”) to detect DAE-related studies. The search was performed from inception to the year 2022. A data-cleaning intervention using a fuzzy-matching technique was done to unify the author and affiliation name variations.

Results

The initial search returned 1638 articles, years of publication ranging from 1964 to 2022, with an approximate growth rate of 5.9% a year. Source analysis showed that most of the top article sources were Forensic Science International (n = 200). Cameriere R presents the overall highest score (77 articles, Local h-index 30). Authors from Shanghai Jiao Tong University produced the highest number of publications (n = 111). The most locally cited study was “A New System of Dental Age Assessment” by Demirjian et al. (Hum Biol 45:211-227, 1973) (n = 1507). The trending topics analysis shows that earlier DAE studies were focused on dental regressive changes and later changed focus to utilizing technological advancements. Institutions and Author's collaborations were also found to be internationally diverse with 20.82% of the articles being a product of international co-authorships.

Conclusions

DAE research has grown rapidly helped by multiple advancements in various technological ends. Along with the high demand for DAE analysis, authors and publishers need to continually improve their standards for their respective research and reporting and continue to increase collaboration.
Combined application of effective Trichoderma, Pseudomonas and arbuscular mycorrhiza spp. reduced soil-borne diseases and boosted growth in cotton
Authors: Sain Satish Kumar , Dewasi Hanwant , Singh Amarpreet
Published: September 2023

Background

The most common soil-borne diseases in cotton are root rot and wilt, which are caused by Rhizoctonia solani (Taub) Butler and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, respectively. These two diseases significantly reduce plant stand and production. Under extreme circumstances, the application of fungicides does not provide satisfactory management of these diseases and also pollutes the environment. The effect of biocontrol agents, their combinations and fungicides on root rot and wilt management and plant growth in Gossypium hirsutum and G. arboreum cultivars CSH-3129 and CICR-3 were studied during 2017–18 and 2018–19.

Results

Out of six isolates of Trichoderma spp., T. asperellum (Th-11) was the most effective for inhibiting the mycelial growth of R. solani and F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (64.4–100%). The combined seed treatment of T. asperellum (Th-11, c.f.u. 2 × 108/g) + Pseudomonas fluorescens (c.f.u. 2 × 108/g) + arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF; 1200 IP/g) resulted in the highest plant vigour index in CSH-3129 (890.9%) and CICR-3 cultivars (393.5%) at 15 days after treatment. Ninety days after sowing, the combined seed treatments of T. asperellum (Th-11) + P. fluorescens + AMF followed by T. asperellum (Th-11) + P. fluorescens showed the lowest area under the disease progress curve in CICR-3 and CSH 3129. Two-year pooled results indicated that the combined seed treatment with T. asperellum (Th-11) + P. fluorescens + AMF reduced the root rot disease by 51 and 57.5% in CICR-3 and CSH-3129 cultivars, respectively, under field conditions.

Conclusion

The present investigation suggested that combined application of the most effective strains of T. asperellum (Th-11) @10 g/kg + P. fluorescens @10 g/kg and AMF @20 g/kg can effectively manage root rot and wilt diseases up to 60 days after sowing and enhance plant growth under field conditions. However, the application rates of these biocontrol agents vis-à-vis load of pathogen inoculum in the field must be further evaluated for improved and long-term effects.
Timing of fire during summer determines seed germination in Mediterranean Cistaceae
Authors: Luna Belén , Piñas-Bonilla Paula , Zavala Gonzalo , Pérez Beatriz
Published: September 2023

Background

Mediterranean-type ecosystems are fire-prone environments where species have evolved in the presence of seasonal summer conditions and frequent fires. In these environments, many species have seeds with impermeable hard coats that impose physical seed dormancy which prevents seed germination until it is broken by any factor such as fire or high summer temperatures. Most studies have usually focused on the isolated effects of fire or summer temperatures on the release of physical seed dormancy. However, both factors frequently operate together because when a fire occurs, usually in summer, seeds in the soil suffer not only the heat shock during the fire, but also the high summer temperatures. Nevertheless, the combined effect of both factors is almost unknown. In this investigation, we studied the isolated and combined effects of heat shock and the high temperatures of summer. The main objective was to evaluate whether the timing in which seeds are exposed to a heat shock during the period of high summer temperatures affects seed germination.

Results

We exposed the seeds of 12 Cistaceae species to three different treatments, in which heat shock (100 °C for 10 min) was applied before, after, or before + after they were exposed to summer temperatures (50/20 °C for 1 month). Although fire was the main factor breaking physical dormancy, its effects were regulated by the timing when it was simulated. We found that summer temperatures following heat shock had negative effects on seed germination since a high proportion of seeds remained dormant. On the contrary, when summer temperatures preceded heat shock, physical dormancy was broken, and germination increased.

Conclusions

Timing of fire during summer plays an important role in controlling seed germination of Cistaceae. Our results provide a novel explanation for the higher Cistaceae seedling emergence found in the field after late season fires. Additionally, we can carefully draw conclusions for fire management since prescribed burnings would have different effects depending on when they were carried out.
Resilient timekeeping algorithm with multi-observation fusion Kalman filter
Authors: Wang Xiaobin , Yang Yuanxi , Wang Bo , Lin Yuting , Han Chunhao
Published: September 2023

The timescales incorporated into the Primary Frequency Standard (PFS) exhibit excellent stability and accuracy. However, during the dead time of PFS, the reliability of the timescale can be compromised. To address this issue, a resilient timekeeping algorithm with a Multi-observation Fusion Kalman Filter (MFKF) is proposed. This algorithm fuses the frequency measurements from hydrogen masers with various reference frequency standards, including PFS and commercial cesium beam atomic clocks. The simulation results show that the time deviation and instability of the timescale generated by MFKF are improved compared to those with Kalman filtering. The experimental results demonstrate that even within 70 days of PFS dead time the resilient timescale generated by MFKF can operate reliably. Furthermore, it is theoretically proven that MFKF produces a smaller post-covariance than that with single-observation Kalman filtering.
Who’s “in the room where it happens”? A taxonomy and five-step methodology for identifying and characterizing policy actors
Authors: Cruden Gracelyn , Crable Erika L. , Lengnick-Hall Rebecca , Purtle Jonathan
Published: September 2023

Background

Engaging policy actors in research design and execution is critical to increasing the practical relevance and real-world impact of policy-focused dissemination and implementation science. Identifying and selecting which policy actors to engage, particularly actors involved in “Big P” public policies such as laws, is distinct from traditional engaged research methods. This current study aimed to develop a transparent, structured method for iteratively identifying policy actors involved in key policy decisions—such as adopting evidence-based interventions at systems-scale—and to guide implementation study sampling and engagement approaches. A flexible policy actor taxonomy was developed to supplement existing methods and help identify policy developers, disseminators, implementers, enforcers, and influencers.

Methods

A five-step methodology for identifying policy actors to potentially engage in policy dissemination and implementation research was developed. Leveraging a recent federal policy as a case study—The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)—publicly available documentation (e.g., websites, reports) were searched, retrieved, and coded using content analysis to characterize the organizations and individual policy actors in the “room” during policy decisions.

Results

The five steps are as follows: (1) clarify the policy implementation phase(s) of interest, (2) identify relevant proverbial or actual policymaking “rooms,” (3) identify and characterize organizations in the room, (4) identify and characterize policy actors in the “room,” and (5) quantify (e.g., count actors across groups), summarize, and compare “rooms” to develop or select engagement approaches aligned with the “room” and actors. The use and outcomes of each step are exemplified through the FFPSA case study.

Conclusions

The pragmatic and transparent policy actor identification steps presented here can guide researchers’ methods for continuous sampling and successful policy actor engagement. Future work should explore the utility of the proposed methods for guiding selection and tailoring of engagement and implementation strategies (e.g., research-policy actor partnerships) to improve both “Big P” and “little p” (administrative guidelines, procedures) policymaking and implementation in global contexts.
Effectiveness of de-implementation strategies for low-value prescribing in secondary care: a systematic review
Authors: Dunsmore Jennifer , Duncan Eilidh , MacLennan Sara , N’Dow James , MacLennan Steven
Published: September 2023

Background/aims

Considerable efforts have been made to improve guideline adherence in healthcare through de-implementation, such as decreasing the prescription of inappropriate medicines. However, we have limited knowledge about the effectiveness, barriers, facilitators and consequences of de-implementation strategies targeting inappropriate medication prescribing in secondary care settings. This review was conducted to understand these factors to contribute to better replication and optimisation of future de-implementation efforts to reduce low-value care.

Methods

A systematic review of randomised control trials was conducted. Papers were identified through CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane register of controlled trials to February 2021. Eligible studies were randomised control trials evaluating behavioural strategies to de-implement inappropriate prescribing in secondary healthcare. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Intervention characteristics, effectiveness, barriers, facilitators and consequences were identified in the study text and tabulated.

Results

Eleven studies were included, of which seven were reported as effectively de-implementing low-value prescribing. Included studies were judged to be mainly at low to moderate risk for selection biases and generally high risk for performance and reporting biases. The majority of these strategies were clinical decision support at the ‘point of care’. Clinical decision support tools were the most common and effective. They were found to be a low-cost and simple strategy. However, barriers such as clinician’s reluctance to accept recommendations, or the clinical setting were potential barriers to their success. Educational strategies were the second most reported intervention type however the utility of educational strategies for de-implementation remains varied. Multiple barriers and facilitators relating to the environmental context, resources and knowledge were identified across studies as potentially influencing de-implementation. Various consequences were identified; however, few measured the impact of de-implementation on usual appropriate practice.

Conclusion

This review offers insight into the intervention strategies, potential barriers, facilitators and consequences that may affect the de-implementation of low-value prescribing in secondary care. Identification of these key features helps understand how and why these strategies are effective and the wider (desirable or undesirable) impact of de-implementation. These findings can contribute to the successful replication or optimisation of strategies used to de-implement low-value prescribing practices in future.

Trial registration

The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021243944).
Extranodal lymphoma: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Yang Hua , Xun Yang , Ke Chao , Tateishi Kensuke , You Hua
Published: September 2023

Approximately 30% of lymphomas occur outside the lymph nodes, spleen, or bone marrow, and the incidence of extranodal lymphoma has been rising in the past decade. While traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy can improve survival outcomes for certain patients, the prognosis for extranodal lymphoma patients remains unsatisfactory. Extranodal lymphomas in different anatomical sites often have distinct cellular origins, pathogenic mechanisms, and clinical manifestations, significantly influencing their diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a comprehensive summary of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment progress of extranodal lymphoma overall and specifically for different anatomical sites. This review summarizes the current progress in the common key signaling pathways in the development of extranodal lymphomas and intervention therapy. Furthermore, it provides insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies of common extranodal lymphomas, including gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, mycosis fungoides (MF), natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (nasal type, NKTCL-NT), and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Additionally, as PCNSL is one of the extranodal lymphomas with the worst prognosis, this review specifically summarizes prognostic indicators and discusses the challenges and opportunities related to its clinical applications. The aim of this review is to assist clinical physicians and researchers in understanding the current status of extranodal lymphomas, enabling them to make informed clinical decisions that contribute to improving patient prognosis.
Dual-band polarized upconversion photoluminescence enhanced by resonant dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: Feng Ziwei , Shi Tan , Geng Guangzhou , Li Junjie , Deng Zi-Lan , Kivshar Yuri , Li Xiangping
Published: September 2023

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles emerged recently as an attractive material platform underpinning a broad range of innovative applications such as optical cryptography, luminescent probes, and lasing. However, the intricate 4f-associated electronic transition in upconversion nanoparticles leads only to a weak photoluminescence intensity and unpolarized emission, hindering many applications that demand ultrabright and polarized light sources. Here, we present an effective strategy for achieving ultrabright and dual-band polarized upconversion photoluminescence. We employ resonant dielectric metasurfaces supporting high-quality resonant modes at dual upconversion bands enabling two-order-of-magnitude amplification of upconversion emissions. We demonstrate that dual-band resonances can be selectively switched on polarization, endowing cross-polarization controlled upconversion luminescence with ultra-high degrees of polarization, reaching approximately 0.86 and 0.91 at dual emission wavelengths of 540 and 660 nm, respectively. Our strategy offers an effective approach for enhancing photon upconversion processes paving the way towards efficient low-threshold polarization upconversion lasers.
From industrialised to mindful medicine: including the politics of need and trust in child psychiatry
Authors: Wilkinson Simon R.
Published: September 2023

Diagnostic systems are not conducive to compassionate health-bringing psychiatric treatment. The systems were built around the fallacy that the politics of biomedicine could be reliably applied to the emergent properties of human psychological suffering and enable diagnosis-specific treatment packages. The resulting industrialised medicine, which reified people, failed to facilitate the compassion needed for healing. This article outlines an approach to psychiatric practice that involves understanding children's suffering and vulnerabilities in terms of their attachment strategies and adaptation to their context and takes a mindful approach to developing compassionate collaborative treatment goals (intelligent kindness). A shift towards mindful psychiatric medicine would encourage politicians to serve the people by addressing the contexts associated with human suffering and what makes people vulnerable, especially social inequalities. Healthy societies in which the psychiatric dis-ease of the population is adequately addressed will not be built with limited biomedical understanding of dis-ease.
Slip length for a viscous flow over spiky surfaces
Authors: Skvortsov Alexei T. , Grebenkov Denis S. , Chan Leon , Ooi Andrew
Published: September 2023

For a model of a 3D coating composed of a bi-periodic system of parallel riblets with gaps we analytically derive an approximate formula for the effective slip length (an offset from the flat surface at which the flow velocity would extrapolate to zero) as a function of the geometry of the system (riblet period, riblet height, and relative gap size). This formula is valid for an arbitrary fraction of gaps (i.e., from narrow riblets to narrow gaps) and agrees with the known analytical results for the 2D periodic coating of riblets without gaps. We validate our analytical results with the numerical solution of the equations of the viscous (creeping) flow over the riblets with gaps.
Kingdom Come
Authors: Masango Chéry Tshepo
Published: September 2023

In Kingdom Come, Tshepo Masango Chéry charts a new genealogy of early twentieth-century Black Christian activists who challenged racism in South Africa before the solidification of apartheid by using faith as a strategy against global racism. Masango Chéry traces this Black freedom struggle and the ways that South African church leaders defied colonial domination by creating, in solidarity with Black Christians worldwide, Black-controlled religious institutions that were geared toward their liberation. She demonstrates how Black Christians positioned the church as a site of political resistance and centered specifically African visions of freedom in their organizing. Drawing on archival research spanning South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Masango Chéry tells a global story of the twentieth century that illuminates the formations of racial identity, state control, and religious belief. Masango Chéry's recentering of South Africa in the history of worldwide Black liberation changes understandings of spiritual and intellectual routes of dissemination throughout the diaspora.
Residual Governance
Authors: Hecht Gabrielle
Published: September 2023

In Residual Governance, Gabrielle Hecht dives into the wastes of gold and uranium mining in South Africa to explore how communities, experts, and artists fight for infrastructural and environmental justice. Hecht outlines how mining in South Africa is a prime example of what she theorizes as residual governance—the governance of waste and discard, governance that is purposefully inefficient, and governance that treats people and places as waste and wastelands. She centers the voices of people who resist residual governance and the harms of toxic mining waste to highlight how mining's centrality to South African history reveals the links between race, capitalism, the state, and the environment. In this way, Hecht shows how the history of mining in South Africa and the resistance to residual governance and environmental degradation is a planetary story: the underlying logic of residual governance lies at the heart of contemporary global racial capitalism and is a major accelerant of the Anthropocene.
Management Patterns and Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury With Associated Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury
Authors: Findlay Matthew C. , Sarriera-Valentin Gabriela , Earl Emma R. , Cole Kyril L. , Hamrick Forrest A. , Baradaran Hediyeh , Cortez Janet , Lombardo Sarah , Nunez Jade , Kilburg Craig , Grandhi Ramesh , Menacho Sarah T.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Although blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) are relatively common in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), uncertainty remains regarding optimal management strategies to prevent neurological complications, morbidity, and mortality. Our objectives were to characterize common care patterns; assess the prevalence of adverse outcomes, including stroke, functional deficits, and death, by BCVI grade; and evaluate therapeutic approaches to treatment in patients with BCVI and TBI.

METHODS:

Patients with TBI and BCVI treated at our Level I trauma center from January 2016 to December 2020 were identified. Presenting characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were captured for univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

Of 323 patients with BCVI, 145 had Biffl grade I, 91 had grade II, 49 had grade III, and 38 had grade IV injuries. Lower-grade BCVIs were more frequently managed with low-dose (81 mg) aspirin (P < .01), although all grades were predominantly treated with high-dose (150-600 mg) aspirin (P = .10). Patients with low-grade BCVIs had significantly fewer complications (P < .01) and strokes (P < .01). Most strokes occurred in the acute time frame (<24 hours), including 10/11 (90.9%) grade IV-related strokes. Higher BCVI grade portended elevated risk of stroke (grade II odds ratio [OR] 5.3, grade III OR 12.2, and grade IV OR 19.6 compared with grade I; all P < .05). The use of low- or high-dose aspirin was protective against mortality (both OR 0.1, P < .05).

CONCLUSION:

In patients with TBI, BCVIs impart greater risk for stroke and other associated morbidities as their severity increases. It may prove difficult to mitigate high-grade BCVI-related stroke, considering most events occur in the acute window. The paucity of late time frame strokes suggest that current management strategies do help mitigate risks.
In-Hospital Venous Thromboembolism and Pulmonary Embolism After Major Urologic Cancer Surgery
Authors: Cano Garcia Cristina , Tappero Stefano , Piccinelli Mattia Luca , Barletta Francesco , Incesu Reha-Baris , Morra Simone , Scheipner Lukas , Baudo Andrea , Tian Zhe , Hoeh Benedikt , Chierigo Francesco , Sorce Gabriele , Saad Fred , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Carmignani Luca , Ahyai Sascha , Longo Nicola , Tilki Derya , Briganti Alberto , De Cobell Ottavio , Dell’Oglio Paolo , Mandel Philipp , Terrone Carlo , Chun Felix K. H. , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: September 2023

Background

This study aimed to test for temporal trends of in-hospital venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after major urologic cancer surgery (MUCS).

Methods

In the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2010–2019), this study identified non-metastatic radical cystectomy (RC), radical prostatectomy (RP), radical nephrectomy (RN), and partial nephrectomy (PN) patients. Temporal trends of VTE and PE and multivariable logistic regression analyses (MLR) addressing VTE or PE, and mortality with VTE or PE were performed.

Results

Of 196,915 patients, 1180 (1.0%) exhibited VTE and 583 (0.3%) exhibited PE. The VTE rates increased from 0.6 to 0.7% (estimated annual percentage change [EAPC] + 4.0%; p = 0.01). Conversely, the PE rates decreased from 0.4 to 0.2% (EAPC − 4.5%; p = 0.01). No difference was observed in mortality with VTE (EAPC − 2.1%; p = 0.7) or with PE (EAPC − 1.2%; p = 0.8). In MLR relative to RP, RC (odds ratio [OR] 5.1), RN (OR 4.5), and PN (OR 3.6) were associated with higher VTE risk (all p < 0.001). Similarly in MLR relative to RP, RC (OR 4.6), RN (OR 3.3), and PN (OR 3.9) were associated with higher PE risk (all p < 0.001). In MLR, the risk of mortality was higher when VTE or PE was present in RC (VTE: OR 3.7, PE: OR  4.8; both p < 0.001) and RN (VTE: OR 5.2, PE: OR  8.3; both p < 0.001).

Conclusions

RC, RN, and PN predisposes to a higher VTE and PE rates than RP. Moreover, among RC and RN patients with either VTE or PE, mortality is substantially higher than among their VTE or PE-free counterparts.
Optimizing cardiac rehabilitation by pacemaker reprogramming. Can we immediately improve the exercise capacity?
Authors: Caloian Bogdan , Irimie Diana Andrada , Gusetu Gabriel Nicolae , Comsa Dan Horatiu , Cismaru Gabriel Laurentiu , Fringu Florina Iulia , Tomoaia Raluca , Rosu Radu Ovidiu , Dadarlat-Pop Alexandra , Pop Dana , Zdrenghea Dumitru Tudor
Published: September 2023

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between pacemaker programming mode and exercise capacity on a long-term follow-up. In the present study we aimed to test whether reprogramming of the pacemaker can produce immediate effects on patients' exercise capacity. Methods: The exercise capacity of 33 patients wearing dual-chamber pacemakers was evaluated by cardiopulmonary exercise test at 24-hour intervals in two programming modes: initially in the single-chamber ventricular pacing mode with a fixed 60bpm rate, and in the second
phase in dual chamber pacing mode with exercise adaptable rate, up to 130bpm. Results: The maximum O2 consumption (VO2 max: 12.82±2.70 mL/kg/min vs 14.52±3.25 mL/kg/min, p=0.02), the O2 consumption at the time of the anaerobic threshold (10.76±2.25 mL/kg/min vs 12.30±2.84 mL/kg/min, p=0.008), the duration of exercise (456.76±116.85 seconds vs 510.57±129.56 seconds,
p=0.04) and the maximum workload (84.39±17.89W vs 96.36±24.09W, p=0.01) were significantly lower when the pacemakers were programmed in the single chamber ventricular fixed-rate pacing mode compared to the dual chamber rate adaptive pacing mode. Conclusion: Cardiac pacemaker reprogramming is able to exert immediate effects on exercise capacity. Dual chamber pacing with
adaptable rate during physical exercise is superior to single chamber fixed rate pacing
Effects of carbonated natural mineral water baths and mofettes on peripheral arterial flow in rats
Authors: Dogaru Gabriela , Munteanu Constantin , Pop Bianca , Ciumărnean Lorena , Gherman Luciana Mădălina , Ciubean Alina Deniza , Sitar-Tăut Adela-Viviana
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Disorders of peripheral blood circulation affect people all around the
world. Balneotherapy, in the form of carbonated mineral water baths and mofettes, could be considered one of the treatment options. The current study aims to investigate, in an experimental study, the effects of carbonated natural mineral water, with a known composition, and natural mofettes from Băile Tușnad (Romania) on peripheral arterial blood flow. (2) Material and method.
A total of 16 rat subjects were studied, divided equally into 4 groups, all evaluated at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the intervention. Group 1 was considered the control-group, and no treatment was applied. Group 2 was taken to the mofettes daily, for 2 weeks, for exposure to carbon dioxide, dry gas, for 20 minutes/day. Group 3 performed daily mofettes and baths with carbonated mineral water, for two weeks, 20 minutes/day, each procedure. Group 4 took a daily bath with carbonated mineral water, for 2 weeks, 20 min/day. At the end of the two-week treatment, they were evaluated by doppler ultrasound at the femoral artery, respectively at 2 and 4 weeks, to evaluate the effect
over time of these treatments. Femoral artery diameter (mm), peak systolic velocity (PVS, cm/s), heart rate (HR, bpm) were quantitatively determined in all 4 groups, at 2, 4 and 6 weeks respectively, and ultrasound images were captured. (3) Results and discussions. In the control group, there were no differences at 2 weeks vs. 4 weeks vs. 6 weeks regardless of the studied parameter. The diameter of the femoral artery increased significantly in group 3 (mofetta and carbonated mineral water,
p=0.0183), respectively in group 4 (mineral water p=0.007). Heart rate changed significantly p=0.0183 in the mofette group, as well as in the one treated with carbonated mineral water p= 0.024.
The results of the study suggest that carbonated mineral water and mofettes were responsible for the changes in femoral artery flow, compared to the data from the control group. (4) Conclusions.
Carbonated mineral water baths and mofettes could increase the peripheral arterial blood flow, during repeated immersion, and the results were beneficial 2 weeks after the end of the treatment, and were maintained after treatment at 4 and 6 weeks, respectively.
Clinical Outcome of specific therapy using high intensity electromagnetic field in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Jimbu Diana , Oprea Doinița , Petcu Lucian Cristian , Iliescu Mădălina Gabriela , Caraban Bogdan Marian , Bulbuc Ionut , Bordei Petru , Obada Bogdan
Published: September 2023

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is a compressive mononeuropathy affecting
approximately 3-6% of the adult population, having a strong physical, psychological, and
economic impact on the patient. The high intensity electromagnetic field applied with Super Inductive System (SIS) therapy has effects on pain relief, myorelaxation or miostimulation. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical outcome of patients with CTS after SIS therapy.
Material and method: An observational prospective study was conducted between 2021-2022 on a cohort of 56 patients admitted to the Balneal and Rehabilitation Techirghiol Sanatorium for 2 weeks, with specific symptoms of CTS. The patients underwent treatment for two weeks at the sanatorium, receiving three SIS therapy sessions per week with the BTL-6000 device, and also other daily physical therapies. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients who experienced pain and paresthesia before treatment and the proportion of patients who experienced the same symptoms after treatment p<0.05 respectively p<0.01.
Conclusion: The high intensity electromagnetic field using SIS therapy has been proven to be effective and safe in treating patients with CTS, bringing important benefits to patients by relieving pain, and paraesthesia, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Antioxidant and phytometabolite profiles of ethanolic extract from the cascara pulp of Coffea arabica collected from Gayo Highland: A study for potential anti-photoaging agent
Authors: Lestari Wahyu , Hasballah Kartini , Listiawan M. Yulianto , Sofia Sofia
Published: September 2023

Background: As the most abundant coffee by-product, cascara pulp has been considered a good source of antioxidants which could be used to prevent photoaging. The aim of this study was to determine the phytometabolite profiles, antioxidant and photoaging properties of the ethanolic extract of Coffea arabica cascara pulp.

Methods: Ethanolic maceration was performed on the fine powder of C. arabica cascara pulp collected from Gayo Highland, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The filtrate obtained was evaluated for its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). The phytometabolite profiling was conducted qualitatively using reagents and quantitatively using gas chromatography—mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The potential of the cascara pulp phytometabolites in inhibiting activator protein-1 (AP-1) was evaluated through molecular docking.

Results: The extract had TPC and TFC of 2.04 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and 91.81 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract, respectively. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the DPPH inhibition reached as low as 9.59 mg/L. Qualitative phytocompound screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, quinones, polyphenols, and triterpenoids. GC-MS revealed the extract containing 5-hydroxy-methylfurfural (22.31%); 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (0.74%); and caffeine (21.07%), which could form interaction with AP-1 with binding energies of -172.8, -150.8, and -63.188 kJ/mol, respectively.

Conclusion: Ethanolic extract from C. arabica cascara pulp potentially have anti-photoaging properties which is worthy for further investigations in the future.
Immunoinformatics design of B-cell multi-epitope peptide for the diagnosis of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection
Authors: Olatunde Simeon Kayowa , Owolabi Joshua Babatunde , Ayinde Bolaji Oluwabusayo , Ebanks Shauna Angella , Vidale Edla  Sophia , Oladipo Elijah Kolawole , Alli Yakubu Adekunle , Adewara Enoch Oluwalonimi
Published: September 2023

Background: Methicillin (oxacillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a significant clinical and epidemiological pathogen in hospital settings and in the community world-wide. The resistance to methicillin in Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by the mecA gene, which encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2A). Rapid patient screening for MRSA is essential for infection control procedures in order to possibly enhance the outcomes of infected patients. In this study, we utilized PBP2A to predict and create a novel synthetic protein with multiple immunodominant B cell epitopes for rapid diagnosis of MRSA using an in-silico approach.

Methods: Seven putative PBP2A peptides were used to analyze the protein’s primary, secondary, and tertiary structures (BepiPred). The B cell construct was then evaluated using I-TASSER server, and physicochemical properties, and homology modeling of the 3 D structure of the protein were obtained.

Results: In silico analyses revealed regions with high immunogenicity. Altogether, 19 consented epitopes were selected for the in-silico succession; three consented epitopes from ALJ10988.1, three from ORN56903.1, three from AFJ06714.1, one from AEO00772.1, three from WP_000721309.1, three from WP_057521704.1, and three from WP_063851348.1. The constructs have an average length of 503 amino acids, molecular weight of 55,151.78, instability index of 41.44, theoretical PI of 9.28 and a C score −1.50. In addition, the parameters that were examined indicated the newly multi-epitope construct could potentially serve as a theoretical framework for the development of a MRSA diagnostic kit.

Conclusions: Overall, we have developed an antigen-based multi-epitope peptide for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of MRSA infection through an in-silico approach, acceptable in terms of antigenicity, physicochemical properties, structural stability and strong immunogenicity.
Cultural differences in the measurement of self-curiosity within Mexico: a person-centered and variable-centered study
Authors: Aschieri Filippo , Quiroga Garza Angélica , Pascarella Giulia , Zambelli Michela , Tagliabue Semira
Published: September 2023

Background: This study assessed the role of culture in the measurement of the Self-Curiosity Attitude-Interest scale (SCAI-M), a measure of attitude and interest in increasing one’s knowledge of self, adopting both a person-centered and variable-centered approach.

Methods: The study was conducted on a Mexican sample composed of 484 adult participants who completed both the SCAI-M and a series of instruments that measure cultural dimensions through Qualtrix. Data were collected between November 9, to December 18, 2020, and respondents were contacted using advertisements on social media platforms (Facebook and WhatsApp). Analyses included multigroup confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis.

Results: A latent profile analysis allowed for the generation of three groups featuring distinct cultural orientations that were similar to previously found cultural profiles (Consensus-oriented Egalitarians, Flexible Individualists, and Rules-based Competitors). Multigroup Confirmative Factor Analysis showed partial metric and scalar invariance for the SCAI-M between groups; moreover, we found proofs of convergent validity with other cultural dimensions besides the ones linked with the Hofstede model. Our results indicate that cultural profiles and cultural variables are associated with both the level and meaning of self-curiosity among Mexican citizens.

Conclusions: Finally, the discussion includes considerations on self-curiosity divergence among minority cultures and relevant clinical applications; a field for which we propose future research.
Clinical use of autologous cell-based therapies in an evolving regulatory landscape: A survey of patient experiences and perceptions
Authors: Ogbogu Ubaka , Case Nevicia
Published: September 2023

Background: Clinical treatments involving autologous cell-based therapies (ACBT) remain prevalent despite a lack of scientific backing and an evolving regulatory landscape aimed at assessing their safety and efficacy for clinical adoption. This study seeks to assess patients’ experiences and perceptions of clinical treatments involving ACBT and their knowledge and views of the regulatory context and associated governance issues.

Methods: An anonymous online survey of 181 participants who have been treated or are in the process of being treated with ACBT. Recruitment was via social media platforms. Data was collected through Qualtrics and analyzed using SPSS 29 for the quantitative responses and NVivo 1.7.1 for the qualitative responses.  

Results: Several themes emerged from the data, including the prominent role of healthcare providers throughout the patient journey, informational practices during the clinical encounter, the high prevalence of pay-for-participation trials, patients’ gaps in regulatory knowledge, and patients’ priorities regarding clinical trials and regulation of ACBT.

Conclusions: The study makes a novel contribution to the literature by providing the first analysis of patients’ experiences and perceptions of an emerging cell-based therapy within an evolving regulatory landscape. The findings serve as a valuable resource for developing policy, promoting scientific rigor, and ensuring ethical oversight of ACBT and other upcoming cell-based therapies.
scikit-matter : A Suite of Generalisable Machine Learning Methods Born out of Chemistry and Materials Science
Authors: Goscinski Alexander , Principe Victor Paul , Fraux Guillaume , Kliavinek Sergei , Helfrecht Benjamin Aaron , Loche Philip , Ceriotti Michele , Cersonsky Rose Kathleen
Published: September 2023

Easy-to-use libraries such as scikit-learn have accelerated the adoption and application of machine learning (ML) workflows and data-driven methods. While many of the algorithms implemented in these libraries originated in specific scientific fields, they have gained in popularity in part because of their generalisability across multiple domains. Over the past two decades, researchers in the chemical and materials science community have put forward general-purpose machine learning methods. The deployment of these methods into workflows of other domains, however, is often burdensome due to the entanglement with domain-specific functionalities. We present the python library scikit-matter that targets domain-agnostic implementations of methods developed in the computational chemical and materials science community, following the scikit-learn API and coding guidelines to promote usability and interoperability with existing workflows.
How do we measure the costs, benefits, and harms of sharing data from biomedical studies? A scoping review
Authors: Maxwell Lauren , Shreedhar Priya , Krishnan Ankur
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The benefits of sharing participant-level data from biomedical studies have been widely touted and may be taken for granted. As investments in data sharing and reuse efforts continue to grow, understanding the cost and positive and negative effects of data sharing for research participants, the general public, individual researchers, research and development, clinical practice, and public health is of growing importance. In this scoping review, we will identify and summarize existing evidence on the positive and negative impacts and costs of data sharing and how they are measured.

Methods and analysis

Eligible studies will report on qualitative or quantitative approaches for measuring the cost of data sharing or its impact on participant privacy, individual or public health, researcher’s careers, clinical or public health practice, or research or development. The systematic search strategy uses MeSH and text terms and is tailored for Ovid Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science. We will apply the Arskey and O’Malley scoping review methodology. We selected a scoping rather than a systematic review approach to address multiple related questions and provide guidance related to an emerging field. Two reviewers will conduct the title-abstract and full-text screening and data charting independently. Discrepancies will be resolved through consensus and results will be summarized in a narrative form.

Conclusion

Research participants, investigators, regulatory groups, ethics review committees, data protection officers, and funders cannot make informed decisions or policies about data reuse without appropriate means of measuring the effects, positive or negative, and cost of data sharing.
Addressing disparities in European Social Sciences & Humanities research on climate, energy and mobility: insights from a Call for Evidence survey and analysis workshops on the challenges and opportunities of working in Southern and Central & Eastern Europe
Authors: Foulds Chris , Crowther Ami , Sorman Alevgul H. , Cabello Violeta , Bálint Dóra , Tagai Gergely , Varjú Viktor , Robison Rosie , Sánchez Ester Galende , Zindulková Kristina
Published: September 2023

Despite the efforts of the EU, disparities remain in terms of the participation of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) researchers from both Southern and Central & Eastern Europe in research collaborations, as compared to Northern and Western European scholars. To better understand these disparities, the EU Horizon Europe SSH CENTRE project ran a Call for Evidence over December 2022 to March 2023. Specifically, respondents were asked about the challenges they faced in conducting SSH research on climate, energy and/or mobility, as well as the ways in which these challenges could be addressed. The Call’s online survey was focused on maximising diversity, and it gathered views and experiences of 137 Southern and Central & Eastern European SSH researchers. The sample was balanced across genders (71 men, 66 women) and the three main themes (82 energy, 88 climate, 53 mobility), and included at least one respondent from each of the 27 target countries. The highest numbers of respondents were from Hungary (19) and Spain (21).

To ensure that interpretation and analysis of the data was grounded in regional contexts, we ran two parallel analysis workshops hosted in a hybrid format (combining online and in-person participants): one in Pécs for Central & Eastern European SSH researchers (34 participants); and one in Bilbao for Southern European SSH researchers (26 participants). These workshops focused on discussing the relationship between SSH-STEM disciplines, analysing the institutional contexts, and discussing the implications for domestic and EU research funding relations. During the workshops, data collected through the survey was collectively analysed and the most important reflections were gathered into a common structure of ‘Challenges’ and ‘Ways forward’. Key messages from the workshop are being distilled in a Position Statement that focuses on the common elements while also emphasising possible differences between Southern and Central & Eastern Europe.
Blimp-1 and c-Maf regulate Il10 and negatively regulate common and unique proinflammatory gene networks in IL-12 plus IL-27-driven T helper-1 cells
Authors: Cox Luke S. , Alvarez-Martinez Marisol , Wu Xuemei , Gabryšová Leona , Luisier Raphaëlle , Briscoe James , Luscombe Nicholas M. , O'Garra Anne
Published: September 2023

Background: CD4+ Th1 cells producing IFN-γ are required to eradicate intracellular pathogens, however if uncontrolled these cells can cause immunopathology. The cytokine IL-10 is produced by multiple immune cells including Th1 cells during infection and regulates the immune response to minimise collateral host damage. In this study we aimed to elucidate the transcriptional network of genes controlling the expression of Il10 and proinflammatory cytokines, including Ifng in Th1 cells.

Methods: We applied computational analysis of gene regulation derived from temporal profiling of gene expression clusters obtained from bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of flow cytometry sorted CD4+ Th1 effector cells differentiated in vitro with IL-12 and IL-27 to produce Ifng and Il10, compared to control driven-CD4+ T cells. Data were integrated with analysis of active genomic regions from these Th1 cells using an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC)-seq, integrated with literature derived-Chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq data and the RNA-seq data, to elucidate the transcriptional network of genes controlling expression of Il10 and pro-inflammatory effector genes in Th1 cells. The co-dominant role for the transcription factors, Prdm1 (encoding Blimp-1) and Maf (encoding c-Maf), in cytokine gene regulation in Th1 cells, was confirmed using T cells obtained from mice with T-cell specific deletion of these transcription factors.

Results: We show that the transcription factors Blimp-1 and c-Maf each have unique and common effects on cytokine gene regulation and not only co-operate to induce Il10 gene expression in IL-12 plus IL-27 differentiated Th1 cells, but additionally directly negatively regulate key proinflammatory cytokines including Ifng, thus providing mechanisms for reinforcement of regulated Th1 cell responses.

Conclusions: These data show that Blimp-1 and c-Maf positively and negatively regulate a network of both unique and common anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory genes to reinforce a Th1 response that will eradicate pathogens with minimum immunopathology.
The genome sequence of the Chocolate-tip, Clostera curtula (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Mallick Tista ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consor
Published: September 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Clostera curtula (the Chocolate-tip; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Notodontidae). The genome sequence is 512.7 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.37 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,251 protein coding genes.