bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrospective Cohort Study: Scope for Improvement—Barriers to Post‐Polypectomy Surveillance in the Integrated Technologies for Improved Polyp Surveillance Cohort
Authors: Mathews Charlotte , Nauman Aleena , Johnstone Mark , Stoops Reiss , Tham Alexander , Parsons Emma C. , Robb Kathryn A. , Sloan William , Lynch Gerard , Edwards Joanne , McSorley Stephen T. ,   the INCISE collaborative group
Published: January 2025

Background

Adherence to post‐polypectomy surveillance is poor despite evidence that it is associated with lower risk of future colorectal cancer.

Methods

We evaluated 6,210 bowel screening participants between 2009‐2016 in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to assess potential barriers to post‐polypectomy surveillance.

Results

Increasing deprivation (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile 1 vs 5; OR 1.68; p < 0.001), and increasing comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index 1‐2 vs 3‐4; OR 1.80; p < 0.001, vs ≥ 5; OR 3.31; p < 0.001), were associated with non‐surveillance in British Society of Gastroenterology 2002 intermediate/high‐risk patients, while ACE‐Inhibitor (OR 0.78; p < 0.001) and aspirin use (OR 0.34; p < 0.001) were associated with undergoing surveillance. The most deprived patients receiving surveillance had more metachronous polyps (54.0% vs 49.3%) and cancer (1.1% vs 0.4%) (p = 0.044).

Discussion

Patients from more socioeconomically deprived areas are less likely to have appropriate post‐polypectomy surveillance, and are more likely to have metachronous polyps and colorectal cancer even when they do.

Conclusion

Surveillance strategies must take into account factors including socioeconomic deprivation and comorbidity exist to improve surveillance uptake in this group through the design of targeted interventions which move away from the current “one size fits all” approach.
Utility of the 6‐Min Walk Test for Assessing Physical Performance in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients
Authors: Mäenpää Heidi , Ojala Tiina , Tainio Juuso , Arokoski Jari , Jahnukainen Timo
Published: January 2025

Background

Physical performance capacity (PPC) of pediatric heart transplant (HT) recipients is reportedly low to normal, and longitudinal follow‐up of these patients is recommended. However, no recommendation for a follow‐up method is available. In this study, the correlation between the 6‐min walk test (6MWT), various clinical parameters, and a physical performance test set was evaluated to develop a simple follow‐up tool for PPC.

Methods

Fifteen pediatric HT patients and 392 historical controls were tested at a median age of 15.4 years. PPC was tested with a 6MWT and a physical performance test set consisting of six different components assessing muscle endurance, strength, speed, and flexibility.

Results

Controls outperformed recipients across all test domains except the leg lift and sit‐and‐reach test. The 6MWT distance correlated well with the physical performance test set results; the correlations were with leg lift (rs = 0.622, p = <0.05), repeated squatting (rs = 0.851, p = <0.001, sit‐up (rs = 0.738, p = <0.05), back extension (rs = 0.747, p ≤ 0.001), and total physical performance capacity (rs = 0.873, p = <0.001). Indexed 6MWT results or total physical performance capacity set had no statistically significant associations with any of the clinical parameters tested.

Conclusion

Our study supports recent findings suggesting that the 6MWT is a suitable method for longitudinal follow‐up in children with HT. We recommend performing the 6MWT annually in these patients, to be used to motivate and encourage them to enhance their physical activity.
Safety and effectiveness in an uncontrolled setting of glucagon‐like‐peptide‐1 receptor agonists in patients with familial partial lipodystrophy: Real‐life experience from a national reference network
Authors: Lamothe Sophie , Belalem Ines , Vantyghem Marie‐Christine , Nobecourt Estelle , Mosbah Héléna , Béliard Sophie , Delemer Brigitte , Dupuis Hippolyte , Vandenbroere Paul , Scheyer Nicolas , Amouyal Chloé , Hadjadj Samy , Janmaat Sonja , Vigouroux Corinne , Vatier Camille
Published: January 2025

Aim

To describe the effects of Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) in patients with familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) assessed in a real‐life setting in a national reference network.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical and metabolic parameters in patients with FPLD in the French lipodystrophy reference network, who initiated GLP‐1RA. Data were recorded before, at one‐year (12 ± 6 months) and at the latest follow‐up on GLP‐1RA therapy (≥18 months).

Results

Seventy‐six patients (89.4% of women), diagnosed with LMNA‐related FPLD2 (n = 57), PPARG‐related FPLD3 (n = 4), PLIN1‐related FPLD4 (n = 5) or FPLD1 (n = 10) initiated GLP‐1RA therapy between 2008 and 2024. Patients were aged a median (IQR) 48 years (34.5–57), body mass index (BMI) was 26.0 kg/m2 (23.9–29.5), HbA1c 8.3% (7.5–9.3), triglycerides 2.31 mmol/L (1.62–3.88). GLP‐1RA were used in addition to previously used antidiabetics, 50% of patients being insulin‐treated. After one year with GLP‐1RA therapy, BMI, HbA1c and triglycerides significantly decreased to 25.6 kg/m2 (22.7–29.1), 7.3% (6.6–8.3) and 1.97 mmol/L (1.5–3.2) respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), without significant changes in other antidiabetic and lipid‐lowering drugs. Gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase and alanine‐aminotransferase levels also significantly decreased. Effects on HbA1c, BMI and triglycerides persisted in the long term. One case of acute pancreatitis occurred during follow‐up, associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia in a non‐observant patient. Gastrointestinal symptoms affected 34% of patients, leading to GLP‐1RA withdrawal in six patients.

Conclusion

GLP‐1RA significantly improved BMI, HbA1c and triglycerides in a large majority of patients with FPLD. Larger and prospective controlled studies are warranted for identification of predictive factors and safety.
Altered fibrin clot properties and elevated von Willebrand factor are associated with progression to permanent atrial fibrillation: A cohort study
Authors: Nowak Karol Witold , Zabczyk Michal , Natorska Joanna , Polak Maciej , Zalewski Jaroslaw , Undas Anetta
Published: January 2025

Background

The role of a prothrombotic state in atrial fibrillation (AF) progression to permanent arrythmia (PerAF) is unclear. Formation of denser and poorly lysable fibrin clots has been observed in AF patients also with sinus rhythm in association with higher stroke risk. We investigated whether altered fibrin clot properties and other prothrombotic state markers may contribute to AF transition to PerAF.

Methods

In the cohort study, in 226 anticoagulated patients (median age 69 years, median CHA2DS2‐VASc of 3) with paroxysmal (n = 83, 36.7%) or persistent (n = 143, 63.3%) AF, we assessed at baseline plasma clot permeability (Ks), clot lysis time (CLT), proteins involved in fibrinolysis and von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen. We recorded patients with PerAF during a median follow‐up of 58 months.

Results

During follow‐up, PerAF was documented in 62 (27.4%, 5.7%/year) subjects, who had higher prevalence of heart failure, higher body mass index and longer history of arrhythmia. AF transition to PerAF was associated with 25.7% longer CLT in relation to 21.3% higher plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, and 29% higher vWF compared to the remainder, with no differences in Ks, plasminogen or α2‐antiplasmin. By multivariable analysis, CLT (per 10 min, odds ratio [OR] 2.734, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.788–4.180, p < .001), vWF (per 10%, OR 1.352, 95% CI 1.145–1.596, p < .001) and heart failure (OR 2.637, 95% CI 1.008–6.900, p = .048) were associated with progression to PerAF.

Conclusion

Suppressed fibrin clot susceptibility to lysis and elevated vWF could contribute to progression to PerAF despite anticoagulation, which suggests links between blood coagulation and AF progression.
High Capacity for Physiological Plasticity Occurs at a Slow Rate in Ectotherms
Authors: Burton Tim , Einum Sigurd
Published: January 2025

Phenotypic plasticity enables organisms to express a phenotype that is optimal in their current environment. The ability of organisms to obtain the optimum phenotype is determined by their (i) capacity for plasticity, which facilitates phenotypic adjustment corresponding to the amplitude of environmental change but also their (ii) rate of plasticity, because this determines if the expressed phenotype lags behind changes in the optimum. How the rate of‐ and capacity for plasticity have co‐evolved will thus be critical for the resilience of organisms under different patterns of environmental change. To evaluate the direction of the evolved relationship between plasticity rate and capacity, we reanalysed experiments documenting the time course of thermal tolerance acclimation to temperature change across species of ectothermic animals. We found that the rate and capacity with which thermal tolerance responds plastically to temperature change are negatively correlated, a pattern inconsistent with current theory regarding the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
Seasonal Variation in Responses of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) Caught During Live‐Release Angling Tournaments
Authors: Hay Allison A. , Oller Reagan E. , Glomb Jackson C. , Suski Cory D.
Published: January 2025

Traditional live‐release tournament practices can influence habitat selection and cause displacement, stockpiling, and mortality. Tournaments are held in multiple seasons in a variety of environmental conditions, yet the seasonal influence on post‐release behavior has rarely been studied. To quantify dispersal, habitat selection, and mortality of largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) caught in live‐release tournaments in multiple seasons, movements of tournament‐caught largemouth bass and non‐angled controls implanted with acoustic telemetry tags were monitored from April–September for 2 months. Short‐term stockpiling at the release point averaged 5–7 days and differed minimally among seasons. Mortality rates varied among seasons, in contrast, with nearly 12‐fold higher mortality in late‐season tournaments at higher water temperatures. If tournament pressure is intense enough, populations could be negatively impacted, thereby necessitating management actions to reduce tournament impacts over the longer term.
Developing, Piloting and Evaluating a Patient Support Portal for Men With Prostate Cancer in Victoria: An Action Research Study
Authors: Shemesh Benjamin , Opie Jacinta L. , Dunn Rodney L. , Mclaughlin Garth , Argawal Vivek , Pomery Amanda , Manus Chris Mac , O'Brien Colin , Lewis Katrina , Shub Max , Wilton Paula , Satasivam Prassannah , Evans Melanie , Millar Jeremy , Evans Sue M.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Men with prostate cancer (PCa) and their support providers face challenges in accessing high‐quality, impartial information tailored to their specific needs to enhance their overall care and decision‐making. We describe the development, piloting and evaluation of the co‐designed web portal ‘BroSupPORT’.

Methods

IT teams developed and integrated BroSupPORT into the Victorian Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry (PCOR‐Vic) electronic patient‐reported outcome follow‐up process. A comparator tool was built enabling men to compare their patient‐reported outcome results against men of similar age, risk profile and after the same treatment. PCOR‐Vic participants were invited to access BroSupPORT after 12 months of follow‐up patient‐reported outcome measure completion. Factors associated with consent to BroSupPORT were determined using logistic regression. Portal access data were gathered from PCOR‐Vic data extracts and Google Analytics. A survey on portal exit and 2 weeks after consent was used to collect feedback.

Results

Over a 4‐month pilot, 331/583 (57%) men consented to accessing BroSupPORT. Among those men who accessed the portal, the majority (209/331 =63%) were diagnosed in a private hospital and resided in a major city (214/331=65%). On average, men spent 3:20 min on the portal, with sexual function aspects receiving the most attention. Twenty‐three percent of men revisited the portal during the pilot. Most men found the portal easy to use, reassuring and informative, while 9% found the patient‐reported comparisons difficult to interpret.

Conclusion

A patient portal—enabling men to compare their patient‐reported outcomes with other similar men and providing access to information and resources—may be a scalable solution in addressing the complex supportive care needs of men with PCa on a population basis.
Between social integration, incorporation and exclusion: Perceptions of Eritrean forced migrants and Israeli professionals
Authors: Lev Ari Lilach , Herscovici Arie
Published: January 2025

This research focuses on various social integration patterns, as perceived by both Eritrean asylum seekers and professionals from NGOs and the Tel Aviv municipality who assist them. The study explores various theoretical concepts such as social exclusion, adaptation, incorporation, and integration in the context of migrants' interaction with the host society. These concepts traditionally suggest a linear progression; however, our findings indicate a more complex and dynamic social process. This is exemplified by the “differential exclusion model”: Namely, a situation where immigrants are incorporated into specific sectors of society but are excluded from others. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study involved semi‐structured interviews with 10 Eritrean asylum seekers and 11 Israeli professionals. The main findings indicate that due to help from professionals who work with them and other Israeli friends or employers, the Eritreans' sense of belonging‐feeling “at home,” is rather strong. However, Eritrean social networks appear to be quite loose and weak, and the strength of their community seems to have lost its leaders to other host countries, according to both Eritrean and professional perceptions. Although Tel Aviv serves as a partial resettlement “world city,” maintaining the differential exclusion model policy, as perceived by both groups of interviewees, the broader Israeli government policy offers even fewer opportunities for social integration. Given the prolonged state of uncertainty faced by this forced migrant community, the study concludes that it is imperative for they will be granted formal legal status, which might facilitate better social integration and inclusion for Eritrean asylum seekers and their children in Tel Aviv or Israel.
IL‐6 Signalling to Responding T Cells Is Key to Calcitonin Gene‐Related Peptide‐Exposed Endothelial Cell Enhancement of Th17 Immunity During Langerhans Cell Antigen Presentation
Authors: Ding Wanhong , Moattari Cameron , Stohl Lori L. , Wagner John A. , Zhou Xi K. , Granstein Richard D.
Published: January 2025

Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) biases Langerhans cell (LC) Ag presentation to CD4+ T cells towards Th17‐type immunity through actions on endothelial cells (ECs). We now report further evidence that IL‐6 signalling at responding T cells mediates this effect. This CGRP effect was absent with ECs from IL‐6 KO mice. Exposure of LCs, but not T cells, to IL‐6 enhanced IL‐6 and IL‐17A production and reduced IFN‐γ in the T‐cell response. Pretreatment of LCs with IL‐6 receptor α‐chain (IL‐6Rα) antibodies prior to IL‐6 exposure significantly inhibited these responses. However, T‐cell pretreatment with an IL‐6/IL‐6Rα chimera mimicked the effect of IL‐6 pretreatment of LCs on T‐cell responses. When this experiment was performed in the presence of the ADAM17 and ADAM10 inhibitor TAPI‐1 during LC pretreatment of LCs and during the Ag presentation culture, release of soluble IL‐6Rα chains into the medium was very significantly reduced, but this did not affect levels of T‐cell cytokine release. Interestingly, LC exposure to IL‐6 significantly increased LC IL‐6 expression. Furthermore, pretreatment of T cells with antibodies against the IL‐6 receptor β‐chain significantly inhibited the IL‐6 effect. CGRP may stimulate ECs in lymphatics and/or lymph nodes to produce IL‐6 which likely results in migrating LCs nonclassically presenting IL‐6. Furthermore, we found that IL‐6 induces IL‐6 production by LCs, suggesting an autocrine amplification pathway for this effect.
The K$K$‐prize‐collecting coverage problem by aligned disks
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zheng Xiya , Liu Zhonghao , Liu Xiaofei
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we study the ‐prize‐collecting coverage problem by using aligned disks. Suppose is a set of users, is a horizontal line on the plane, and is a set of points on the line , where each user corresponds to a coordinate point, with an associated profit and an uncovered penalty. The problem is to select a set of disks whose centers are all in such that the total profit of the users covered by is at least , and the objective value, which consists of the total cost of the disks in plus the total penalty of the uncovered users in , is minimized, where the cost of disk is , is an attenuation factor, is the radius of disk , and is a given profit bound. We first prove that this problem is ‐hard even when all users are located on line , and the penalty of each user is 0. We present a pseudo‐polynomial‐time algorithm. Finally, we present a fully polynomial time approximation scheme for the problem.
Analysis of Social Genetic Effects on Pigs Fed With Automatic Feeders Using a Visit‐Based Approach
Authors: Nuñez P. , Casto‐Rebollo C. , Negro S. , Gol S. , Reixach J. , Varona L. , Casellas J. , Ibáñez‐Escriche N.
Published: January 2025

Social behaviour traits and their impact on feed efficiency are of particular interest in pig farming. The integration of automatic feeders enables the collection of multiple phenotypes for breeding purposes. The additive genetic and social genetic effect can be estimated considering all the visits to the feeder by modelling each visit independently in a ‘visit‐based approach’. This study aimed to determine the impact of the social genetic effect on individual feed intake and duration per visit in Pietrain pigs and Iberian pigs separately. The dataset comprised 883,906 visits from 1608 Pietrain pigs and 775,054 visits from 856 Iberian pigs. In the Pietrain population, the social genetic effects did not explain a substantial percentage of the phenotypic variance (~1%). In contrast, the Iberian population exhibited more substantial contributions, with social genetic effects accounting for 6.2% of the variance in duration per visit and 5.5% in feed intake per visit. The correlations between additive direct genetic and additive social genetic effects were slightly positive for feed intake across all analyses, and around zero for duration per visit with most of them including the zero in the highest posterior density interval (HPD95%). These weak correlations suggest that both effects could be selected independently. The visit‐based approach successfully identified social genetic effects in the studied populations. Models incorporating social genetic effects demonstrated lower residual variance, enhancing the accuracy of additive values and, consequently, the potential for an improved response to selection.
Global Patterns in the Allocation of Forest Net Primary Production
Authors: Lu Xiancheng , Chung Chi‐Hsin , Malhi Yadvinder , Huang Cho‐ying
Published: January 2025

Aim

Environmental factors that govern the allocation of net primary production (NPP) between long‐lived components (wood) and short‐lived components (leaves, fine roots) are poorly understood yet essential when relating NPP to carbon stocks, especially among different plant functional types. We conducted a spatially synoptic analysis to investigate the relationships between NPP allocation and climate at the global scale. We ask a fundamental question in forest ecology and terrestrial carbon science: What environmental drivers influence NPP allocation?

Location

Global forests (64.21 N–41.53 S).

Taxon

Trees.

Methods

We investigated the relationships between field forest NPP data (n = 131) and 31 bioclimatic, meteorological, geographical, topographic and vegetation variables using machine learning.

Results

These environmental variables accounted for 94%, 93% and 85% of the variation in canopy, woody and fine‐root NPP fractions, respectively. Most of the important predictors were temperature‐related. Allocation to the canopy was facilitated by warm and stable climates. In contrast, woody and fine‐root carbon growth could endure cold and extreme temperatures.

Main Conclusions

Our analysis suggested that the most important drivers were annual mean (e.g. high canopy and fine‐root NPP ratios in favourable climates), variation and extreme (e.g. significant woody and fine‐root NPP ratios where light‐ and nutrient‐limited) of temperatures. Overall, most carbon was stored in woody tissue and in a constant proportion to the canopy, which could be explained by allometric scaling and resource availability. Our results pointed to a ‘root‐wood’ trade‐off rather than the previously prevailing ‘root‐leaf’ trade‐off, but may vary regionally. For example, regarding particular plant functional types, ‘wood‐leaf’ and ‘root‐leaf’ were only evident in broadleaved and coniferous forests, respectively, to adapt to climates and compete for resources. Knowing the relationships between NPP allocation and the environment, we could assess forest carbon cycle dynamics in the face of climate change.
Women's Lives and Birth Experiences Are Important! Evaluation of Women's Perceptions of Respectful Maternal Care: The Mother‐Friendly Hospital Difference
Authors: Dağlı Elif , Aktaş Reyhan Feyza , Uncu Betül
Published: January 2025

Aim

The aim of this study is to determine women's perceptions of respectful maternity care, the effect of giving birth in a mother‐friendly hospital on this perception and other factors affecting this perception.

Background

The philosophy of a mother‐friendly hospital includes respectful maternity care. Few quantitative studies have been conducted in Turkey to assess the prevalence of respectful maternity care during childbirth and none have examined the difference between respectful maternity care in mother‐friendly and nonmother‐friendly hospitals.

Methods

This descriptive and comparative study was conducted between December 2023 and September 2024 with 319 primiparous women who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of a mother‐friendly and a nonmother‐friendly hospital in Turkey for postpartum follow‐up. The data were collected face‐to‐face using the Descriptive Characteristics Form and Women's Perception of Respectful Maternity Care Scale. For data analysis, χ2 and independent samples t test methods were used in SPSS 26 program.

Results

In the study, a significant difference was obtained between the Perception of Respectful Maternity Care Scale scores of women according to the type of hospital where the birth was performed and the level of education (p < 0.05). The mean scale scores of women who gave birth in a mother‐friendly hospital and whose educational level was secondary education and above were higher than other women (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the scale scores of women according to the variables of age, employment status, place of residence, number of pregnancies and the last pregnancy being planned (p > 0.05).

Conclusions and Implications for Practice

It was determined that women's perception of respectful maternity care was highly positive, and the factors affecting this perception were delivery in a mother‐friendly hospital and educational level. The current study may contribute to the development of policies for the dissemination of mother‐friendly practices and the provision of respectful birth services, and may also support efforts to improve the quality of care.
Sequential Pre‐Treatment Strategies to Improve Papaya Drying: Impact on Mass Transfer, Morphology, and Rehydration Rate
Authors: de Lima Thalis Leandro Bezerra , Santos Newton Carlos , Almeida Raphael Lucas Jacinto , Monteiro Shênia Santos , Figueira Julianna Gomes da Silva , do Bomfim Katiane Araújo , Pasquali Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira , Rocha Ana Paula Trindade
Published: January 2025

Papaya cubes were subjected to freezing–thawing, ethanol, and ethanol solution containing ferulic acid and caffeic acid, both individually and in combination, as pre‐treatments for convective drying (60°C). Empirical and diffusional models were used to describe the drying process. In addition, energy consumption, firmness, total phenolic compounds (TPC), carotenoids, water adsorption isotherms, morphology, and the rehydration profile of the dehydrated cubes were also evaluated. The results revealed that all pre‐treatments reduced drying time, ranging between 810 and 1170 min, and energy consumption (6.80–12.77 kWh/kg). According to the mass transfer models, effective diffusivity (1.37–5.18 × 10−10 m/s2) and convective mass transfer coefficient (1.04–3.11 × 10−5 m/s) were significantly influenced by process conditions. The combined pre‐treatments, particularly sequential freezing–thawing with ferulic acid solution (S8), significantly enhanced the retention of bioactive compounds in the dehydrated papaya cubes, achieving TPC and carotenoid levels 4.2 and 2.8 times higher than the control, respectively. Regarding water adsorption isotherms, the Peleg model showed the best fit (R2 > 0.9972, p < 1.76%), being classified as Type II. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the dried samples revealed the formation of cavities and irregular surfaces due to the pre‐treatments, which significantly influenced the increase in rehydration rate, resulting in faster moisture absorption and the restoration of initial texture and volume.
ACE2 Inhibits Dermal Regeneration Through Ang II in Tissue Expansion
Authors: Bai Ruoxue , Liang Baoyan , Guo Yaotao , Liu Wei , Wen Zhuoyue , Wang Zhantong , Zhang Yu , Du Jing , Song Yajuan , Yu Zhou , Ma Xianjie
Published: January 2025

Background

Tissue expansion is a widely employed technique in reconstructive surgery aimed at addressing considerable skin defects. Nevertheless, matters like inadequate expansion capability and the potential for skin breakage due to the fragility of the expanded tissue present notable hurdles in enhancing skin regeneration during this process. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is recognized for its essential role in facilitating tissue renewal and regeneration. However, its precise impact on skin renewal during tissue expansion remains underexplored. This study seeks to elucidate ACE2's contribution to skin regeneration, specifically examining its role in collagen synthesis.

Methods

This study evaluated the expression and distribution of ACE2 in expanded skin using samples derived from both rats and human patients. Additionally, we investigated ACE2 expression in stretched keratinocytes in vitro. ACE2 knockout keratinocytes were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and cocultured with fibroblasts to observe fibroblast proliferation and migration. MLN‐4760 was utilized to inhibit the ACE2 enzymatic activity. Additionally, we analyzed parameters such as the size of expanded skin, dermal thickness, and the levels of collagen I (COL I), collagen III (COL III), and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) to elucidate the role of ACE2 in the context of expanded skin.

Results

The thinning of the expanded dermis was linked with elevated ACE2 expression. Enzymatic activity and ACE2 expression were both increased by mechanical stress. Additionally, ACE2 utilized Ang II to activate the migration and proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts. In vivo, the ACE2 inhibitor MLN‐4760 promoted skin regeneration and reduced dermal thinning by elevating COL I, COL III, and TGF‐β during expansion.

Conclusions

This finding suggest that mechanical stretch increases ACE2 expression, which in turn promotes the regeneration of expanded skin. The basis for using ACE2 in clinical settings to increase tissue expansion efficacy is provided by this work.
How Do Nurses Decide on Missed Nursing Care? A Grounded Theory Study of Grassroots Arrangement of Nursing Care
Authors: Guo Xiaoying , Li Hongxia , Zou Qian , Cao Yanjun , Lin Taoyu , Zhang Mingji
Published: January 2025

Aims

To explore the complete decision‐making process and action logic of nurses making autonomous decisions that result in missed nursing care.

Background

The complex characteristics of patients in Intensive Care Units place higher demands on the allocation of nursing resources, as well as on the professional skills, resilience and ethics of nursing staff. Preventing missed nursing care is particularly crucial in Intensive Care Units.

Design

A theory construction qualitative study using grounded theory.

Methods

Semistructured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 20 nurses, including three head nurses and 17 bedside nurses. Head nurses provided insights into counselling and management practices.

Results

The theoretical model of nurses' decision‐making processes comprise four strategies: setting priorities, seeking help, delaying nursing care and omitting nursing care. The latter two constitute missed nursing care. Inadequate staffing, task urgency and negative emotions can lead to omitting nursing care.

Conclusions

This study proposes an original concept: grassroots arrangement of nursing care (GANC). Grassroots arrangement of nursing care includes the autonomous and adaptive decision‐making process used by bedside nurses to optimise workflow in busy environments. It includes specific strategies and quality implications, enabling a nuanced balance between limited nursing resources, increasing patient needs and maintaining the best possible quality of care.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nursing managers should consider the dual aspects of grassroots arrangement of nursing care, support nurses' grassroots autonomy and streamline decision‐making processes.

Reporting Method

This study follows the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ).

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Development and Validation of the Family and Community Nursing Advanced Practice Scale
Authors: Unsworth John , Oldman Crystal , Atkinson Joanne , Comparcini Dania , Simonetti Valentina , Cicolini Giancarlo , Mikkonen Kristina , Tomietto Marco
Published: January 2025

Aim

To develop and test a Family and Community Nursing—Advanced Practice Scale.

Design

A cross‐sectional and methodological scale validation design, following classical test theory.

Methods

Three phases, the first of which involved scale development, including item generation. Phase two assessed the content validity index. The third phase involved a cross‐sectional survey to establish construct validity, content validity, internal consistency reliability, and exploratory factor analysis.

Results

The Family and Community Nursing Advanced Practice Scale has good construct validity, with the final scale consisting of 5 domains and 27 items. This was confirmed by both the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's Alpha is very good, suggesting that the scale is reliable. When comparing family practice advanced practice nurses with those working in the community, the results show that scores are similar except for clinical reasoning and health promotion, which consistently showed statistically significant higher scores among the family practice nurses. While community nurses scored higher on items in the leading practice domain reflecting their role in a wider team of nurses.

Conclusion

This study developed and psychometrically tested the Family and Community Nursing—Advanced Practice Scale. The scale has good reliability, and analysis of the construct validity reveals five domains of advanced practice among this practitioner group.

Implications for the Profession

The study suggests that advanced practice nurses working in community roles perform similar activities to those working in family practice in the United Kingdom. However, activity related to research was less evident.

Impact

The study examined the scope of the advanced practice nurse role in family and community nursing. The study illustrated practice across five domains: clinical care, leading practice, clinical reasoning, health promotion, and ethics. The family practice and wider community roles were largely homogenous, with only two items showing a statistically significant difference in scores.

Reporting Method

STROBE guidelines for cross‐sectional studies.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Two sides of a coin: The relationship between work autonomy and childbearing
Authors: Osiewalska Beata , Matysiak Anna
Published: January 2025

Objective

This article investigates the under‐researched role of work autonomy, encompassing the control over how, when and where to work, for both the entry into parenthood and the transition to a second child across different social strata in the United Kingdom.

Background

Over the past three decades, employees have gained increased work autonomy, a trend expected to persist with technological advancements. Work autonomy substantially affects the combination of paid work and family life. But its multifaceted impact on workers' fertility behavior, especially across different educational levels, has remained unclear.

Method

The study employs a sample of partnered women and men from UKHLS 2009–2019 data. Latent Class Analysis incorporates the three dimensions: job, schedule, and workplace controls to identify distinct patterns of work autonomy, which serve as key explanatory variables in event‐history models for first and second‐birth risks.

Results

We find no relationship between work autonomy and fertility behavior for men. For highly educated women, work autonomy is negatively related to the transition to motherhood, but positively associated with the risk of having a second child. For less educated women, the relationship between work autonomy and childbearing ranges from negative to non‐significant, depending on the specific dimension of autonomy.

Conclusion

The study highlights the intricate link between work autonomy and fertility and emphasizes important social stratification in the impact of autonomy on individuals. Further research is needed to unravel the observed duality, that is, understanding the challenges posed by work autonomy for fertility, especially among childless women and those less educated.
Understanding familial resemblance of fingerprints: Forensic and anthropological aspects
Authors: Rana Akansha , Siwan Damini , Vashisht Akashdeep , Krishan Kewal
Published: January 2025

Although fingerprint analysis is widely used in forensic science investigations for personal identification, this unique feature of human beings always has something new to reveal. Genetic factors heavily influence fingerprint formation during embryonic development; therefore, there is a possibility of resemblance or inheritance of fingerprint patterns among the family members. The main objective of the present study is to understand the resemblance of fingerprint patterns among close family members, that is, father, mother, and their children. The study included 134 participants from 20 families of north India. Fingerprints from all the participants were obtained and analyzed for similarities and differences in pattern types between the parents and children to assess their strength of association. The results indicate a significant association (p‐value < 0.05) between the fingerprint patterns of the first and second child and their mother. However, no such significance was found between the father and the children. The present study shows that there is a 40% chance of inheritance of fingerprint patterns from the mother to both the children, while the father shows 30% similarity with the first child and only 10% similarity with the second child. Whereas, only 20% of similarity was found among both the siblings. The findings of this preliminary study suggest that in certain circumstances such as mass disasters, cold cases, paternity disputes, missing persons, and so forth, forensic scientists may help to establish connections and corroborate familial relationships by studying the fingerprint patterns of family members.
Anatomical and morphological variations in the dorsal root ganglion: Technical implications for chronic pain treatment with neuromodulation—A systematic review
Authors: Acevedo‐Gonzalez Juan Carlos , Ariza‐Piñeros Carlos Felipe , Vega‐Corredor José Manuel
Published: January 2025

Objectives

In the last 20 years, we have seen the flourishing of multiple treatments targeting the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) for pain. However, there is concern regarding the variation in the location of the DRG, which could influence the long‐term clinical outcomes. The aim of this work was to determine the exact position of the DRG in the spine and propose a pre‐surgical planning.

Materials and Methods

A systematic search was conducted following the principles recommended by PRISMA. Search terms “ganglia,” “DRG,” “dorsal root ganglia, anatomy,” “radiological,” “neuromodulation,” “dorsal root ganglion stimulation” (PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase) were identified 177 articles and subjected to the selection criteria (inclusion/exclusion) based on the independent review of the abstracts.

Results

Eighteen articles were selected (seven anatomical dissections on cadavers, five radiological studies, and six narrative reviews).

Discussion

Percutaneous procedure targeting the DRG for the treatment of chronic pain requires preoperative planning independent to the study of the etiology of pain. The DRG should be typified using magnetic resonance imaging. We propose a preoperative evaluation scale based on four specific items: A—position in the vertebral canal, B—position of the DRG within the foramen, C—number of ganglia in the root, and D—ratio (proportion) of foramen/DRG.

Conclusion

Percutaneous treatments for chronic pain directed at the DRG are effective. Clinical outcomes depend of good preoperative planning that allows for optimizing its effects. We propose a DRG morphology evaluation scale useful for the planning process prior to any treatment directed at the ganglion.
Breakdown of the Kasha–Vavilov's rule in low‐symmetry porphyrazines: Ultrafast intersystem crossing via high vibronic state
Authors: Tarakanov Pavel A. , Kozlov Alexei V. , Simakov Anton O. , Goryachev Nikolay S. , Pushkarev Victor E.
Published: January 2025

Recently (Photochem Photobiol. 2023;100:1277–1289. doi:10.1111/php.13898), we described the anti‐Kasha effect in tribenzo‐6H‐1,4‐diazepinoporphyrazins with C2v symmetry, where the ultrafast spin changes successfully compete with the internal conversion. In this study, we show the presence of this effect in 2 (3),9 (10),16(17),23(24)‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐29H,31H‐phthalocyanine (1) and 1,4‐di‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]‐29H,31H‐phthalocyanine (2), which also possess reduced molecular symmetry and do not bear 6H‐1,4‐diazepine fragments. The anti‐Kasha effect in 1 and 2 supplemented by Mg(II) tribenzo‐6H‐1,4‐diazepinoporphyrazinates 3 and 4 exhibits a close‐to‐linear dependence on energy gap value between the zero vibrational levels of two lowest singlet excited states S10 and S20 (these states are degenerate in D4h symmetry) and enhances with increase. The theoretical kinetic model of excited state dynamics, which takes into account the observed effects and follows Fermi's golden rule, predicts the presence of an additional excited state with enhanced spin‐orbit coupling compared to S10, S20 and the corresponding triplet states, which is not predicted by TDDFT calculations in the Born–Oppenheimer approximation. The combination of the above indicates that the key role in the observed anti‐Kasha effect and the mechanism of dissipation of the excited state in porphyrazines and their analogs is played by vibronic excited states, which requires theoretical research methods beyond the Born–Oppenheimer approximation.
Response of native (Quercus robur L.) and alien (Quercus rubra L.) species to water stress and nutrient input in European temperate ecosystems
Authors: Rolando Morena , Ganugi Paola , Secchi Francesca , Said‐Pullicino Daniel , Bonifacio Eleonora , Celi Luisella
Published: January 2025

Drought and nutrient‐poor soils can increase the invasive potential of non‐native species, further changing the ecosystems they invade. The high adaptability of these alien species, especially in their efficient use of resources, improves their resilience against abiotic stress. Here, we evaluated the response of the North American Quercus rubra L. (RO) and the European Quercus robur L. (EO) oak species to drought and nutrient scarcity as single and combined factors. Both species were grown under well‐watered or alternating short dry‐wet phases, with or without the addition of phosphorous (P) and labelled nitrogen (N). Leaf gas exchanges and stem water potential were measured; moreover, leaf chemical characterization was carried out. Under concurrent low fertility and drought, both species reduced gas exchanges and stem water potential, although RO recovery was faster than EO. Nutrient inputs did not modulate RO's physiological response; however, P supply increased its uptake of the more available N forms (15NH415NO3). The different leaf contents of N and P demonstrated that EO has lower nutrient use efficiency compared to RO. Nevertheless, P addition significantly mitigated the drought effects on EO, highlighting the crucial role of this nutrient in aiding EO's recovery under stress conditions. RO invasive potential may be linked to its superior adaptability and resource‐use efficiency under combined abiotic stress. Nevertheless, EO competitiveness can be improved through targeted nutrient management.
Enriched Pitman–Yor processes
Authors: Rigon Tommaso , Petrone Sonia , Scarpa Bruno
Published: January 2025

Bayesian non‐parametrics has evolved into a broad area encompassing flexible methods for Bayesian inference, combinatorial structures, tools for complex data reduction, and more. Discrete prior laws play an important role in these developments, and various choices are available nowadays. However, many existing priors, such as the Dirichlet process, have limitations if data require nested clustering structures. Thus, we introduce a discrete non‐parametric prior, termed the enriched Pitman–Yor process, which offers higher flexibility in modeling such elaborate partition structures. We investigate the theoretical properties of this novel prior and establish its formal connection with the enriched Dirichlet process and normalized random measures. Additionally, we present a square‐breaking representation and derive closed‐form expressions for the posterior law and associated urn schemes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that several established models, including Dirichlet processes with a spike‐and‐slab base measure and mixture of mixtures models, emerge as special instances of the enriched Pitman–Yor process, which therefore serves as a unified probabilistic framework for various Bayesian non‐parametric priors. To illustrate its practical utility, we employ the enriched Pitman–Yor process for a species‐sampling ecological problem.
Conceptual and Evidence Update on Incidental Physical Activity: A Scoping Review of Experimental and Observational Studies
Authors: Reyes‐Molina Daniel , Zapata‐Lamana Rafael , Nazar Gabriela , Cigarroa Igor , Ruiz Jonatan R. , Parrado Eva , Losilla Josep‐Maria , Celis‐Morales Carlos
Published: January 2025

Promoting incidental physical activity (IPA) can help reduce sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity levels in the population. However, there is heterogeneity in the definition of IPA, and studies have yet to synthesize the empirical findings on this topic. This review aimed to (1) Synthesize the definitions of the IPA used in the scientific literature, (2) Identify the behaviors part of the IPA, and (3) Synthesize the main findings on IPA. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was performed in July 2023, and an update was made in February 2024 in the CINAHL databases by EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search phrase was (“incidental physical activity” OR “incidental physical activity of daily living” OR “incidental movement” OR “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity” OR “VILPA” OR “physical activity of daily living”). Fifty‐five studies were included, with non‐experimental (40), experimental (12), qualitative studies (2), and mixed design (1). Ten different terms for IPA were identified, and a conceptual definition was included in 33 articles. Behaviors measured as part of the IPA were reported in 41 articles. These definitions describe unstructured, unplanned, and unintentional physical activities of daily living that are performed as a by‐product of an activity with a different primary purpose during free or occupational time and without specific fitness, sport, or recreation goals. Include light and vigorous intensities ranging from short sessions of < 1 min to prolonged ones. They include home activities, self‐care, gardening, occupation, active transportation, and walking. Furthermore, evidence on IPA suggests an association with a lower risk of all‐cause mortality. The findings of this review contribute to the updated study of IPA. Advances in data processing methods are needed to capture the diversity of behaviors and deepen the understanding of IPA.
A First Proposal for Fatigue Life Prediction of Carbon Black Filled Natural Rubber at Different Temperatures With an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Robin E. , Le Cam J.‐B. , Delahaye G. , Ruellan B. , Di Cesare N. , Canévet F.
Published: January 2025

In this paper, the fatigue life prediction of a carbon black filled natural rubber was carried out using an artificial neural network. A wide range of loading ratios were considered under relaxing and non‐relaxing loading conditions in order to fully describe the fatigue response, especially the lifetime reinforcement. As the reinforcement is generally assumed to be due to a highly thermosensitive phenomenon, namely, the strain‐induced crystallisation, tests were performed at three different temperatures. The lifetime criterion was defined in terms of stiffness loss. An original pedagogically based training approach allowed us to satisfactorily predict the fatigue response from limited experimental databases. The method provides Haigh diagrams at temperatures not previously tested and predicts well the reinforcement decrease with the temperature, then saving a considerable number of tests. The results show that the approach finds promising results and opens a new way for reducing fatigue tests of elastomers.
A novel approach to decannulation of a tracheostomy tube using a 1‐way speaking valve after upper airway trauma in 2 dogs
Authors: Kastenholz Victoria N. P. , Wolf Jacob , Bernhard Christa L.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To describe a novel approach to tracheostomy management in dogs with upper airway trauma.

Case Series Summary

Two dogs with upper airway trauma presented to an emergency department and required immediate intubation. To minimize sedation time, tracheostomy tubes were placed in both dogs. A stepwise approach to decannulation was initiated, with both dogs receiving a 1‐way speaking valve to facilitate a gradual approach to decannulation.

New or Unique Information Provided

This is the first report of a 1‐way speaking valve being used in the management of tracheostomy tubes in dogs.