bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence of arterial Doppler waveforms to predict major adverse outcomes among patients evaluated for peripheral artery disease
Authors: McBane Robert D , Murphree Dennis H. , Liedl David , Lopez-Jimenez Francisco , Attia Itzhak Zachi , Arruda-Olson Adelaide M. , Scott Christopher G. , Prodduturi Naresh , Nowakowski Steve E. , Rooke Thom W. , Casanegra Ana I. , Wysokinski Waldemar E. , Houghton Damon E. , Bjarnason Haraldur , Wennberg Paul W.
Published: July 2023

Background

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at increased risk for major adverse cardiac (MACE), limb (MALE) events and all-cause mortality. Developing tools capable of identifying those patients with PAD at greatest risk for major adverse events is the first step for outcome prevention. This study aimed to determine whether computer assisted analysis of a resting Doppler waveform using deep neural networks can accurately identify PAD patients at greatest risk for adverse outcome events.

Methods

Consecutive patients (4/1/2015-12/31/2020) undergoing ankle brachial index (ABI) testing were included. Patients were randomly allocated to training, validation and testing subsets (60%/20%/20%). Deep neural networks were trained on resting posterior tibial arterial Doppler waveforms to predict MACE, MALE and all-cause mortality at 5 years. Patients were then analyzed in quartiles based on the distribution of each prediction score.

Results

Among 11,384 total patients, 10,437 patients met study inclusion criteria (mean age 65.8±14.8 years; 40.6% female). The test subset included 2,084 patients. During 5 years of follow up, there were 447 deaths, 585 MACE and 161 MALE events. After adjusting for age, sex, and Charlson index, deep neural network analysis of the posterior tibial artery waveform provided independent prediction of death (Hazard ratio 2.45 95% confidence interval 1.79-3.36), MACE (HR 1.98, 95%CI 1.50-2.62) and MALE (HR 11.65 95%CI 5.65-24.04) at 5 years with similar results at 1 year.

Conclusion

An artificial intelligence enabled analysis of a resting Doppler arterial waveform enables identification of major adverse outcomes including all-cause mortality, MACE and MALE among PAD patients.
Coronin-1 controls directional cell rearrangement inDrosophilawing epithelium
Authors: Ikawa Keisuke , Hiro Souta , Kondo Shu , Ohsawa Shizue , Sugimura Kaoru
Published: July 2023

Directional cell rearrangement is a critical process underlying correct tissue deformation during morphogenesis. Although the involvement of F-actin regulation in cell rearrangement has been established, the role and regulation of actin binding proteins (ABPs) in this process are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the function of Coronin-1, a WD-repeat actin-binding protein, in controlling directional cell rearrangement in theDrosophilapupal wing. Transgenic flies expressing Coronin-1-EGFP were generated using CRISPR-Cas9. We observed that Coronin-1 localizes at the reconnecting junction during cell rearrangement, which is dependent on actin interacting protein 1 (AIP1), an actin disassembler and a known regulator of wing cell rearrangement. Loss of Coronin-1 function reduces cell rearrangement directionality and hexagonal cell fraction. These results suggest that Coronin-1 promotes directional cell rearrangement via its interaction with AIP1, highlighting the role of ABPs in the complex process of morphogenesis.
Assessment of Bacteriological Quality and Associated Risk Factors of Raw Milk Marketed in Nyagatare district, Rwanda
Authors: Emmanuel Niyigena , Enock Kwizera
Published: July 2023

Milk has tremendous nutritional value for both people and animals, but because it also contains water, many different kinds of microbes can develop in it. Dairy products are still sold in both regular and unofficial marketplaces in Rwanda. Significant dangers to human health are associated with milk sold in unregulated markets. The aim of the present study was to assess the bacteriological quality and associated risk factors of raw milk marketed in Nyagatare district, Rwanda. 126 samples were collected among milk transporters from 14 sectors of Nyagatare district, Rwanda, where 9 samples were taken from each sector and analyzed in veterinary microbiology lab of University of Rwanda, Nyagatare campus. The bacterial analysis was based on carrying out total bacterial count, Coliform count, enumeration of Staphylococcus species and enumeration of Salmonella species. Milk transportes were also asked about risk factors associated with bacterial contamination of raw milk. The total bacterial count, Coliform count and enumerated Staphylococcus species had range from 7.8 × 104-80 × 104cfu/mL, 24 × 101and 80 × 101cfu/mL and 20.8 × 101and 211 × 101cfu/mL respectively and highest prevalence of Salmonella to be 1.58 %. The level of significant was not significant between various bacterial level and several risk factors except for total bacterial count and knowledge about diseases transmitted by raw milk at p < 0.05. It is, therefore, highly recommended that all concerned parties should increase awareness about diseases transmitted by raw milk among milk transporters in Nyagatare district among others.
Interventions to promote ageing in place: developing the Village model in Manchester
Authors: Doran Patty , Goff Mhorag , Phillipson Chris
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The Village model, most extensively developed in the USA, is an innovative response to ageing populations and older adults who wish to remain living independently within their community. The “Urban Villages” participatory action research study aimed to test the potential of the Village model to work with groups of older adults in two economically deprived, inner-city neighbourhoods in Manchester, UK.

Design/methodology/approach

Participatory methods were used to work with residents to, first, adapt the Village model to the Manchester setting, and second, to develop and deliver community projects that supported ageing in place. The study aimed to involve marginalised individuals and groups in the co-design, leadership and implementation of the projects. Ethnographic methods were applied to observe and reflect on the development of “Urban Villages”. Interviews and focus groups were organised to gather the views of the residents involved in the community projects.

Findings

Residents were supported to develop and test seven projects, all aimed at reducing social isolation and supporting ageing in place. The study provides new insights into challenges related to co-production with older people in deprived neighbourhoods. These challenges are presented under the following headings: individual capacity and expectations; collective capacity including communication and knowledge; and the capacity of place.

Originality/value

To date, only a limited amount of literature is available showing how co-production with older adults can be realised when working with marginalised groups and deprived communities. The paper explores the potential of participatory approaches to develop age-friendly initiatives through strengthening the capacity of older adults to age in place.
Readiness of urban design projects for integration with big data. Case study: humanizing neighborhoods initiative—KSA
Authors: El Samaty Hosam Salah
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The research aims at finding out the extent to which such urban transformation projects—in terms of their design components and aspects—contribute to providing big data (BD) with effective datasets, which are considered a key requirement in operating smart city solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research investigates the predisposition level of these projects for supporting the BD through one of the urban initiatives for humanizing neighborhoods in Al Riyadh city (KSA). The selected case is analyzed by mapping the functional performance of its design features with certain characteristics of BD.

Findings

One of the core conclusions is: Despite the readiness of the design components of these projects to provide high levels of integration with IoT and smart transformation, the level of application is lower than expected on account of the dearth of initial targets and strategies, especially the lack of a supporting environment, street facilities and security and safety datasets.

Originality/value

The answer—arrived at through both descriptive and analytical approaches—is expected to guide those who query the further key concept of smart applications—is the answer characterized as technologically based, or is the same based on human aspects?
Supporting the needs of pre‐ and primary school children in rural Victoria: Multidisciplinary views and experiences
Authors: Reid Carol , Burrows Jenny , Sprunt Robyn , Dolar Abhinay
Published: July 2023

Problem

Predicted effects on children from the COVID‐19 pandemic include poorer mental health and increased behavioural and developmental concerns. Rural children are at higher risk due to socio‐economic factors, isolation and reduced access to services. Investigation by health services into the physical, social and emotional needs of children in rural areas is critical to inform local health promotion planning, service delivery priorities and workforce capacity building.

Setting

Located in a Modified Monash Model category 5, our northern Victorian health service undertook a child‐focused needs assessment in order to be strategically responsive to community issues.

Key measures

The project utilised a quantitative community profiling approach and qualitative interviews with a purposive sample (n = 17) of multidisciplinary professionals.

Strategies for change

Three main themes emerged: (1) Perpetual navigation of rural access limitations highlighted professionals' exhaustion in working in environments with ongoing unmet needs. (2) Cycles of disadvantage and early intervention gaps identified flow‐on negative effects, with concerning trends in poorer child outcomes. (3) Solutions through collaboration grouped ideas to improve support for children.

Effects of change

Community‐level enablement strategies could increase contact with allied health professionals for rural children and reduce reliance on individualised treatment approaches.

Lessons learnt

One collaborative action is to pilot and evaluate allied health student placement models to deliver group programs for rural children.
Lenalidomide in combination with R‐ESHAP in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: A phase 2 study from GELTAMO
Authors: Martín García‐Sancho A. , Baile M. , Rodríguez G. , Dlouhy I. , Sancho J. M. , Jarque I. , González‐Barca E. , Salar A. , Espeso M. , Grande C. , Bergua J. , Montes‐Moreno S. , Redondo A. , Enjuanes A. , Campo E. , López‐Guillermo A. , Caballero D.
Published: July 2023

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients with relapsed or refractory (RR) disease have poor outcomes with current salvage regimens. We conducted a phase 2 trial to analyse the safety and efficacy of adding lenalidomide to R‐ESHAP (LR‐ESHAP) in patients with RR DLBCL. Subjects received 3 cycles of lenalidomide 10 mg/day on days 1–14 of every 21‐day cycle, in combination with R‐ESHAP at standard doses. Responding patients underwent autologous stem‐cell transplantation (ASCT). The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR) after 3 cycles. Centralized cell‐of‐origin (COO) classification was performed. Forty‐six patients were included. The ORR after LR‐ESHAP was 67% (35% of patients achieved complete remission). Patients with primary refractory disease (n = 26) had significantly worse ORR than patients with non‐refractory disease (54% vs. 85%, p = 0.031). No differences in response rates according to the COO were observed. Twenty‐eight patients (61%) underwent ASCT. At a median follow‐up of 41 months, the estimated 3‐year PFS and OS were 42% and 48%, respectively. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (70% of patients), neutropenia (67%) and anaemia (35%). There were no treatment‐related deaths during LR‐ESHAP cycles. In conclusion, LR‐ESHAP is a feasible salvage regimen with promising efficacy results for patients with RR DLBCL.
Controls on sedimentation in a deep‐water foredeep: Central Pindos foreland basin, western Greece
Authors: Botziolis Chrysanthos , Maravelis Angelos G. , Catuneanu Octavian , Zelilidis Avraam
Published: July 2023

This study provides a sedimentological, stratigraphic and palaeocurrent investigation of Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene deep‐sea fan deposits found in the central part of the Pindos foreland basin in western Greece. According to facies analysis, the examined succession at Amfilochia area has 13 sedimentary facies and 10 facies and sub‐facies associations. Depositional elements include abyssal plain pelagics, outer fan, inner fan, and slope deposits. Outer fan sediments are classified as lobe‐axis, lobe‐off‐axis, lobe‐fringe, and distant lobe‐fringe deposits, while inner fan sediments are classified as channel‐fill, crevasse‐splay, internal and external levee deposits. The stratigraphic study shows an upward shift from abyssal plain pelagics to outer, inner fan, and finally slope deposits, implying submarine fan system progradation and progressive infilling of a deep‐water sediment depocentre. The sediments were deposited in the foredeep of the Pindos foreland system and correspond to the system's underfilled stage, when sedimentation was unable to exceed the accommodation provided by lithospheric flexure. They point to deposition near the onset of the Pindos orogen, after the closure of the Pindos basin because of the collision of the Apulian with the Pelagonian microplate during the Cretaceous‐Palaeogene period. Palaeocurrent data from sole marks show bipolar directions associated with two distinct spreading sub‐marine fan deposits. As a result, the study region was split into Upper (major SE‐direction flow) and Lower (major NW‐direction flow) parts, indicating that axial flows were predominant during sediment deposition. However, as the deposition of the elements continued, the progradation of both systems constrained the space accommodation because of the increased basin sediment supply and forced an increase in the degree of basin confinement that changed the compensational to aggradational stacking pattern. The goals of this research are to develop an updated facies model for these deep‐sea fans as well as a robust correlation framework for the various stratigraphic units in the central Pindos foreland basin. This research also connects the stratigraphic development of deep‐sea fan deposits to the evolutionary phases of the Pindos foreland system, providing fresh insights into the palaeogeographic circumstances in the Pindos foreland basin.
Phototherapy: Theory and practice
Authors: Kurz Bernadett , Berneburg Mark , Bäumler Wolfgang , Karrer Sigrid
Published: July 2023

Despite the development of highly effective biologics for skin diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, UVA and UVB therapy, alone or in combination, are still essential components of various guidelines. Phototherapy is not only a first‐line treatment and highly effective for a number of skin diseases, but is also economical and has few side effects. The targeted use of UVA and UVB, if necessary, in combination with the photosensitizer psoralen in the context of PUVA therapy, enables the dermatologist to effectively treat a wide variety of skin diseases. Indications for phototherapy include epidermal diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and vitiligo, as well as photodermatoses, mycosis fungoides, graft‐versus‐host disease and deep dermal diseases such as scleroderma. This article reviews the physical principles, molecular mechanisms, current treatment regimens, and individual indications for phototherapy and photochemotherapy.
Concomitant medication in patients with bradykinin‐mediated angioedema – there's more than ACE inhibitors
Authors: Lochbaum Robin , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Greve Jens , Hahn Janina
Published: July 2023

Bradykinin‐mediated angioedema is a rare, non‐allergic, potentially life‐threatening disease. ACE inhibitor‐induced angioedema and hereditary angioedema (HAE) are the two most common presentations. Therapeutic options, pathophysiology and diagnosis continue to be investigated, with considerable progress in HAE over the last few decades. For all patients with bradykinin‐mediated angioedema, there are several medications that should be avoided or administered with caution. Some of the triggering medications are well known, while others are suspected or of unknown significance. A common denominator is that there is no approved therapy for bradykinin‐mediated angioedema as a drug side effect. Some medications, such as tissue plasminogen activator, have a higher incidence of angioedema with potential airway compromise than ACE inhibitors, although this fact is widely underappreciated. In this review, we aim to summarize what is currently known and recommended about concomitant medication in HAE patients and the interaction of other bradykinin‐influencing drugs.
Hypoglycaemia induces a sustained pro‐inflammatory response in people with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls
Authors: Verhulst Clementine E. M. , van Heck Julia I. P. , Fabricius Therese W. , Stienstra Rinke , Teerenstra Steven , McCrimmon Rory J. , Tack Cees J. , Pedersen‐Bjergaard Ulrik , de Galan Bastiaan E. ,   the Hypo‐RESOLVE consortium
Published: July 2023

Aim

To determine the duration and the extension of the pro‐inflammatory response to hypoglycaemia both in people with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls.

Materials and Methods

Adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 47) and matched controls (n = 16) underwent a hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic hypoglycaemic (2.8 ± 0.1 mmoL/L [49.9 ± 2.3 mg/dL]) glucose clamp. During euglycaemia, hypoglycaemia, and 1, 3 and 7 days later, blood was drawn to determine immune cell phenotype, monocyte function and circulating inflammatory markers.

Results

Hypoglycaemia increased lymphocyte and monocyte counts, which remained elevated for 1 week. The proportion of CD16+ monocytes increased and the proportion of CD14+ monocytes decreased. During hypoglycaemia, monocytes released more tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β, and less interleukin‐10, after ex vivo stimulation. Hypoglycaemia increased the levels of 19 circulating inflammatory proteins, including high sensitive C‐reactive protein, most of which remained elevated for 1 week. The epinephrine peak in response to hypoglycaemia was positively correlated with immune cell number and phenotype, but not with the proteomic response.

Conclusions

Overall, despite differences in prior exposure to hypoglycaemia, the pattern of the inflammatory responses to hypoglycaemia did not differ between people with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls. In conclusion, hypoglycaemia induces a range of pro‐inflammatory responses that are sustained for at least 1 week in people with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls.
Successful surgical management of a single coronary artery with giant coronary artery aneurysm with fistula to the right ventricle
Authors: Chen Mei , Wang Jue , Ye Teng , Liu Jinjin , Liao Shusheng
Published: July 2023

A giant coronary artery aneurysm (GCAA) concurrent with coronary artery fistula is a rare condition, and it becomes even more unusual when combined with a single coronary artery (SCA) anomaly. Here, we report such an extremely rare case, who is a 35‐year‐old woman presenting with severe chest distress. A GCAA with fistula to the right ventricle was noted, occurring in a single coronary artery, diagnosed by multimodality cardiovascular imaging techniques. Both GCAA and coronary artery fistula can cause severe cardiac complications, which jeopardize life. While an SCA is mostly asymptomatic, it may also lead to sudden cardiac death as well. Therefore, surgical intervention was recommended. We chose a novel thrombus‐inducing strategy to eliminate the GCAA and repair the fistula. Symptoms were relieved after the surgery, and the patient remained asymptomatic over 8 months of follow‐up.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab: A case report
Authors: Puig‐Casadevall Marc , Álvarez‐Bravo Gary , Varela Ana Quiroga , Robles‐Cedeño René , Sànchez Cirera Laura , Miguela Albert , Laguillo Gemma , Montalban Xavier , Hauser Stephen L. , Ramió‐Torrentà Lluis
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare but often fatal complication of some multiple sclerosis treatments. Although it has mainly been associated with natalizumab treatment, its appearance with other immunosuppressive therapies has also been reported.

Aims

The aim of this case report is to describe the development of progressive multifocal encephalopathy in a patient with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab without previous use of natalizumab.

Conclusions

A summary of the presentation and disease course is provided, presented in the context of the current literature and likely pathophysiology.
HLA‐A*02:06 allele may be susceptible to myelodysplastic syndrome in Zhejiang Han population, China
Authors: Chen Nanying , Wang Fang , Zhao Yanmin , Dong Lina , Wang Wei , Zhang Wei , He Ji , Zhu Faming
Published: July 2023

The association between HLA loci and haematological malignancy has been reported in certain populations. However, there are limited data for HLA loci at a high‐resolution level with haematological malignancy in China. In this study, a total of 1115 patients with haematological malignancies (including 490 AML, 410 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), 122 myelodysplastic syndrome [MDS] and 93 non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]) and 1836 healthy individuals as a control group in the Han population of Zhejiang Province, China, were genotyped for HLA‐A, HLA‐C, HLA‐B, HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 loci at high resolution. The possible association between HLA alleles and haplotypes and haematologic malignancy was analysed. The allele frequencies (AFs) of HLA‐A*02:05, HLA‐A*02:06, HLA‐A*32:01, HLA‐B*35:03, HLA‐B*54:01, HLA‐B*55:07, HLA‐DRB1*04:05, HLA‐DRB1*15:01, HLA‐DQB1*04:01 and HLA‐DQB1*06:02 in the MDS patients were much higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the AFs of HLA‐C*07:02, HLA‐DRB1*03:01, HLA‐DRB1*14:54, HLA‐DQB1*02:01 and HLA‐DQB1*05:03 were obviously lower than those in the control group (p < .05). Interestingly, the differences in these HLA alleles in patients with MDS were not significant after applying Bonferroni correction (Pc > .05), except for HLA‐A*02:06 (Pc < .01). There were 13, 6 and 10 HLA alleles with uncorrected significant differences (p < .05) among patients with AML, ALL and NHL, respectively, compared with those in the control group, but the differences in these HLA alleles were not significant after correction (Pc > .05). Compared to those of the control group, there were some haplotypes over 1.00% frequency in patients with AML, MDS and NHL patients with uncorrected significant differences (p < .05). However, none of them showed a significant difference after correction as well (Pc > .05). The study reveals that HLA‐A*02:06 may lead to susceptibility to MDS, but none of the HLA alleles were associated with AML, ALL or NHL after correction. These data will help to further understand the role of HLA loci in the pathogenesis of haematological malignancy in China.
Embedding Physical Activity Guidance During Pregnancy and in Postpartum Care: ‘This Mum Moves’ Enhances Professional Practice of Midwives and Health Visitors
Authors: Taylor Katrina Ann , De Vivo Marlize , Mills Hayley , Hurst Phil , Draper Stacey , Foad Abby
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The benefits of physical activity during pregnancy and after childbirth are well established, yet many health care professionals do not feel well equipped to provide physical activity guidance to these populations. As such, the objectives of this study were to explore the immediate and longer term effects of training on health care professionals’ ability to provide physical activity guidance to pregnant women and new mothers (mums).

Methods

Midwives and health visitors from 5 locations in the United Kingdom were provided with training on the Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines for pregnancy and after childbirth (n = 393). Midwives and health visitors attended training to become This Mum Moves Ambassadors, then disseminated education to colleagues through a cascade training model. Changes in knowledge, confidence, and professional practice were assessed by survey before and immediately after training (n = 247), and follow‐up surveys were completed 3 (n = 35) and 6 (n = 34) months posttraining.

Results

At all posttraining time points, health care professionals reported a significant increase in their confidence to communicate about physical activity (P < .001). The reported frequency of having conversations about physical activity increased significantly 3 and 6 months following training compared with baseline (pregnant women, P = .017; new mums, P = .005). There were changes in the types of advice and resources offered by health care professionals and an overall increase in health care professionals’ own reported physical activity levels.

Discussion

The This Mum Moves cascade approach to delivering training in physical activity guidelines improved reported knowledge, confidence and professional practice of midwives and health visitors, both immediately following and 3 and 6 months after training.
Stretch tolerance and elastic passive reaction of the quadriceps femoris seem to depend more on the fascia profundis taut surfaces than on the underlying stretched muscle
Authors: Germain Franck , Perrin Raphael
Published: July 2023

The rectus femoris and its covering, the fascia lata (i.e., fascia profundis), are two anatomical structures involved in anterior thigh stretching. This study aimed to identify the role of strain changes in the fascia lata in limiting stretch tolerance. The reaction force intensity of 11 men and 5 women was assessed during passive stretching of the anterior thigh at 130, 110, 90, and 70° of knee flexion. Recent data suggest that the fascia lata strain field is modified with knee flexion. Therefore, the relationship between knee flexion angle and stretch tolerance was assessed. We found that the reaction force of the anterior thigh increased almost linearly with the degree of knee extension between 130° and 70°. The fascia lata stretched surface proprioceptive information seems responsible for stretch tolerance. Fascia profundis strain field must be considered during stretching experiments.
Medical students' perception of their ‘distance travelled’ in medical school applications
Authors: Ellsworth Brandon L. , Solano Quintin P. , Evans Julie , Bidwell Serena S. , Byrnes Mary , Sandhu Gurjit
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Within medical school's holistic review of applicants includes a review of their distance travelled to get to this point in their education. The AAMC defines distance travelled (DT) as, ‘any obstacles or hardships you've overcome to get to this point in your education or any life challenges you've faced and conquered’. What medical students consider as their distance travelled has not been explored. The authors sought to identify the factors medical students perceive are important for medical school admissions to consider when assessing someone's ‘distance travelled’ by asking current medical students to share their DT experiences along with the barriers and facilitators they encountered on their medical school journey.

Methods

The authors conducted semi‐structured interviews with US medical students through purposeful sampling methods. The social‐ecological model framework was used to develop questions to elicit participants' experiences that contributed to their distance travelled. Interviews were conducted in 2021 and ranged from 60–75 minutes. Transcribed interviews were qualitatively analysed using interpretive description.

Results

A total of 31 medical students from seven medical schools were included in the study. Overall, participants defined distance travelled as an applicant's hardships (e.g. being the primary caregiver for a family member) and privileges (e.g. having physician parents) they experienced. Three major themes were identified: (1) individual‐level characteristics and factors, (2) interpersonal relationships and (3) aspects of the participants' community and society.

Discussion

Our findings show that medical school applicants considered DT to be a valuable component of a holistic medical school admission process. Participants' experiences of DT were varied and complex. Our research suggests that admissions teams for medical schools should incorporate more comprehensive recruitment practices and inclusive methodological frameworks to accurately capture the diversity of identities and experiences of medical school applicants and to consider the factors that shape their journey to medical schools.
Success rate of sialendoscopy. A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Beumer L. J. , Vissink A. , Gareb B. , Spijkervet F. K. L. , Delli K. , van der Meij E. H.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy in the treatment of obstructive diseases of the major salivary glands.

Materials and Methods

We searched four databases for literature. The primary outcome assessed was the success rate. Secondary outcomes included the use of supportive devices, number of sialadenectomies and complications. Risk of bias was assessed. Meta‐analyses with subgroup analysis were performed.

Results

In total, 91 studies were included, comprising 8218 patients undergoing 9043 sialendoscopic procedures. The majority of studies had a medium or high risk of bias. The incidence of sialadenectomy varied from 0% to 14%. No major complications were reported. Meta‐analysis revealed a weighted pooled success rate of 80.9%. Subgroup analyses showed the weighted pooled success rate in patients with sialoliths (89.6%), stenoses (56.3%), submandibular glands (88.3%), parotid glands (81.2%), patients treated by an endoscopic‐assisted transoral removal of a sialolith (86.3%), patients treated by a combined approach of the parotid gland (78.2%), patients with JRP (67.0%) and with RAIS (45.8%).

Conclusion

The success rate of sialendoscopy did not considerably change in the last 9 years. Sialendoscopy is an efficient and safe procedure for the treatment of major salivary gland obstructive disease.
Assessment of the quality of oral biopsy procedure videos shared on YouTube
Authors: Díaz‐Rodríguez A. , Limeres‐Posse J. , Albuquerque R. , Brailo V. , Cook R. , Fricain J. C. , Lodi G. , Monteiro L. , Silva L. , Carey B. , Diniz‐Freitas M.
Published: July 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of free‐to‐access videos on oral biopsy procedures on the YouTube platform.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a search on YouTube using the term “oral biopsy” and selected the first 100 videos in order of relevance. The following exclusion criteria were applied: language other than English, videos that did not cover oral biopsy techniques, videos on nonhuman specimens, postoperative instructions, personal experiences, exfoliative cytology, or “brush biopsy.” Forty‐seven selected videos were classified based on their duration, country of origin, date of upload to the system, author, information source and number of views, and likes and dislikes. Video quality was analyzed using DISCERN, the Global Quality Scale (GQS), and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI).

Results

The majority (78.7%) of analyzed videos were uploaded by dentists, originating from India (48.9%), with a mean duration of 11.8 min (SD, 20.4), with 104.5 likes (SD, 186.4) and 7.1 dislikes (SD, 10.55). The mean values for DISCERN, GQS, and VIQI were 1.3 (SD, 0.52), 2.1 (SD, 1.04), and 9.62 (SD, 1.69), respectively.

Conclusion

The majority of videos on oral biopsy published on YouTube are of low quality.
Transvenous lead extraction versus surgical lead extraction or conservative treatment for cardiac implantable electronic device infections: Propensity score‐weighted analyses of a nationwide claim‐based database
Authors: Wada Mitsuru , Inoue Yuko Y. , Nakai Michikazu , Sumita Yoko , Tonegawa‐Kuji Reina , Miyazaki Yuichiro , Wakamiya Akinori , Shimamoto Keiko , Ueda Nobuhiko , Nakajima Kenzaburo , Kamakura Tsukasa , Yamagata Kenichiro , Ishibashi Kohei , Miyamoto Koji , Nagase Satoshi , Aiba Takeshi , Iwanaga Yoshitaka , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Kusano Kengo
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Infection is one of the most important complications associated with cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) therapy. The number of reports comparing the outcomes of transvenous lead extraction (TLE), surgical lead extraction, and conservative treatment for CIED infections using a real‐world database is limited. This study investigated the association between the treatment strategies for CIED infections and their outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 3605 patients with CIED infections admitted to 681 hospitals using a nationwide claim‐based database collected between April 2012 and March 2018.

Results

We divided the 3605 patients into TLE (n = 938 [26%]), surgical lead extraction (n = 182 [5.0%]), and conservative treatment (n = 2485 [69%]) groups. TLE was performed more frequently in younger patients and at larger hospitals (p for trend < .001 for both). The rate of TLE increased during the study period, whereas that of surgical lead extraction decreased (p for trend < .001 for both). TLE was associated with lower in‐hospital mortality (vs. surgical lead extraction: odds ratio [OR], 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06–0.70; vs. conservative treatment: OR, 0.45; 95% CI: 0.22–0.94) and lower 30‐day readmission rates (vs. surgical lead extraction: OR, 0.18; 95% CI: 0.06–0.56; vs. conservative treatment: OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03–0.13) in propensity score‐weighted analyses.

Conclusions

Only 26% of patients hospitalized for CIED infections received TLE. TLE was associated with significantly lower in‐hospital mortality and 30‐day recurrence rates than surgical lead extraction and conservative treatment, suggesting that TLE should be more widely recommended as a first‐line treatment for CIED infections.
Meta‐analysis of the genetics of resistance to Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol accumulation in barley and considerations for breeding
Authors: Sallam Ahmad H. , Haas Matthew , Huang Yadong , Tandukar Zenith , Muehlbauer Gary , Smith Kevin P. , Steffenson Brian J.
Published: July 2023

Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab is a devastating disease of barley that severely reduces the yield and quality of the grain. Additionally, mycotoxins produced by the causal Fusarium species can contaminate harvested grain, resulting in food safety concerns and further economic losses. In the Upper Midwest region of the United States, Fusarium graminearum is the primary causal agent, and deoxynivalenol (DON) is the main mycotoxin associated with Fusarium infection. Deployment of resistant cultivars is an important component of an integrated strategy to manage this disease. Unfortunately, few good sources of FHB resistance have been identified from the evaluation of large collections of Hordeum germplasm. Over the past 25 years, many barley mapping populations have been developed with selected resistance sources to identify the number, chromosomal position and allelic effect of quantitative trait loci (QTL) contributing to FHB resistance and DON accumulation. To consolidate the genetic data generated from 14 mapping studies that included 22 bi‐ or tri‐parental mapping populations and three genome‐wide association (GWAS) mapping panels, a consensus map was constructed that includes 4145 SNP, SSR, RFLP and AFLP markers. A meta‐analysis based on this consensus map revealed 96 QTL for FHB resistance and 57 for DON accumulation scattered across the barley genome. Many of the QTL explained a low percentage (<10%) of variation for the traits and were often found significant in only one or a few environments in multi‐year/multi‐location field trials. Moreover, many of the FHB/DON QTL mapped to chromosomal positions coincided with various agro‐morphological traits that could influence the level of disease (e.g. heading date, height, spike density, and spike angle), raising the important question of whether the former are true resistance factors or are simply the result of pleiotropy with the latter. Considering the magnitude of effect, consistency of detection across environments and independence from agro‐morphological traits, only three of 96 QTL for FHB and five of 57 QTL for DON were considered priority targets for marker‐assisted selection (MAS). In spite of the challenge for having a limited number of useful QTL for breeding, genomic selection holds promise for increasing the efficiency of developing FHB‐resistant barley cultivars, an essential component of the overall management strategy for the disease.
Next generation sequencing aids diagnosis and management in a case of encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis
Authors: Barry Kelly K. , Liang Marilyn G. , Balkin Daniel M. , Srivastava Siddharth , Church Alanna J. , Eng Whitney
Published: July 2023

Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) is a rare neurocutaneous disorder caused by somatic FGFR1 and KRAS variants. It shares significant phenotypic overlap with several closely related disorders caused by mutations in the RAS‐MAPK pathway (mosaic RASopathies). We report a diagnostically challenging case of ECCL in which next‐generation sequencing of affected tissue identified a pathologic FGFR1 p.K656E variant, thereby establishing a molecular diagnosis. Patients with FGFR1‐associated ECCL carry a risk of developing malignant brain tumors; thus, genetic testing of patients with suspected ECCL has important management implications.
Partner’s emotions are associated with preschoolers’ prefrontal activation under joint attention: An fNIRS evidence
Authors: Ding Keya , Li Chuanjiang , Li Yanwei , Li Hui
Published: July 2023

Emotions and joint attention are highly associated and mutually influenced during preschool, the critical period for early emotional and cognitive development. However, few studies have explored the neuropsychological mechanism of joint attention with preschoolers and their partners under different emotions. This study has examined the prefrontal activation under a comprehensive emotional joint attention task in 45 preschoolers (25 boys, Mage = 58 ± 9.02 months) to compare the different influences of partners' positive, neutral, and negative emotions. Analysis of the functional near‐infrared spectroscopy data indicated that the participants' prefrontal activation triggered by joint attention in positive and negative emotions was significantly higher than in neutral emotions. Moreover, their brain synchronization intensity was significantly higher in positive emotions of joint attention than in negative emotions. These findings advance our understanding of the neural mechanism of early childhood emotional processing under joint attention and provide a neural perspective to explain the effects of different emotions on preschoolers' social cognition.
Is inflation uncertainty a self‐fulfilling prophecy in South Africa?
Authors: van der Westhuizen Chevaughn , van Eyden Reneé , Aye Goodness C.
Published: July 2023

Inflation uncertainty causes macroeconomic ills and instability in the economy. This paper investigates if rising levels of inflation uncertainty serve as a source of higher inflation outcomes or vice versa, to determine if inflation uncertainty is potentially a self‐fulfilling prophecy. In addition, this paper examines the impact of inflation targeting, implemented in South Africa in February 2000, on the level of inflation and inflation uncertainty. Using a generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and GARCH‐in‐mean model and monthly data spanning the period 1970:01 to 2022:05, the empirical outcomes from this study suggest the existence of a bi‐directional relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty, with strong evidence in favour of the Friedman–Ball hypothesis and weaker evidence in support of the Cukierman–Meltzer hypothesis. This study also finds that inflation targeting has contributed significantly to reducing the level of inflation and inflation uncertainty since its adoption as policy framework. Time‐varying Granger causality tests accounting for instabilities underscore the above results, namely that inflation uncertainty led to increased inflation uncertainty in the full pre‐inflation targeting period, whereas increased uncertainty led to increased inflation only during the decade preceding inflation targeting. The results heed important policy implications, as it is imperative that inflation is kept low, stable and predictable.
Natural variation in Brachypodium distachyon responses to combined abiotic stresses
Authors: Ludwig Ella , Sumner Joshua , Berry Jeffrey , Polydore Seth , Ficor Tracy , Agnew Erica , Haines Kristina , Greenham Kathleen , Fahlgren Noah , Mockler Todd C. , Gehan Malia A.
Published: July 2023

The demand for agricultural production is becoming more challenging as climate change increases global temperature and the frequency of extreme weather events. This study examines the phenotypic variation of 149 accessions of Brachypodium distachyon under drought, heat, and the combination of stresses. Heat alone causes the largest amounts of tissue damage while the combination of stresses causes the largest decrease in biomass compared to other treatments. Notably, Bd21‐0, the reference line for B. distachyon, did not have robust growth under stress conditions, especially the heat and combined drought and heat treatments. The climate of origin was significantly associated with B. distachyon responses to the assessed stress conditions. Additionally, a GWAS found loci associated with changes in plant height and the amount of damaged tissue under stress. Some of these SNPs were closely located to genes known to be involved in responses to abiotic stresses and point to potential causative loci in plant stress response. However, SNPs found to be significantly associated with a response to heat or drought individually are not also significantly associated with the combination of stresses. This, with the phenotypic data, suggests that the effects of these abiotic stresses are not simply additive, and the responses to the combined stresses differ from drought and heat alone.
A randomised, double‐blinded, controlled trial to determine the efficacy of combined therapy of oclacitinib and marine oil extract PCSO‐524 in dogs with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Nishiyama Takeo , Kusakabe Masashi , Imanishi Ichiro , Hisano Tadashi , Fukamachi Teruyasu , Taguchi Norihito , Iyori Keita , Hsiao Yun‐Hsia
Published: July 2023

Background

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be beneficial in the management of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). A commercial product PCSO‐524 containing PUFA has demonstrated anti‐inflammatory effects in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of PCSO‐524, in combination with oclacitinib in dogs with cAD.

Animals

Seventeen client‐owned dogs with cAD.

Materials and Methods

A randomised, double‐blinded, controlled trial. All dogs were treated with oclacitinib (0.4–0.6 mg/kg) twice a day for 14 days, then once a day until Day (D)42. They were randomly divided into two groups: PCSO‐524 (n = 9) and sunflower oil (n = 8). Clinical status was assessed by Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI‐04) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) at baseline (D0), D14, D28 and D42. Trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured at the same time points.

Results

CADESI scores decreased significantly after treatment and there was a significant difference between the PCSO‐524 and the control group at D28 (p = 0.04) and D42 (p = 0.03). The PCSO‐524 group also demonstrated a significantly decreased pVAS on D28 and D42 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001) compared to D0, while significant differences were observed in the control group at D14 and D28 (p < 0.01 and p = 0.04) and not at D42 (p = 0.12). The mean TEWL showed a significant decrease at D28 and D42 in the PCSO‐524 group, compared to the control group (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The combination of PCSO‐524 and oclacitinib may help to alleviate the rebound effect that occurs when tapering down the dosage of oclacitinib, as compared to using oclacitinib alone for the management of cAD.
Ultrasonographic appearance of retained surgical sponges and gauzes in the acute postoperative period: a phantom and cadaveric study
Authors: Brand Emily M. , Brand Kenneth J. , Ogden Jessica A. , Lim Chee Kin , Heng Hock Gan
Published: July 2023

Retained surgical sponges or gauzes (RSS) are an uncommon complication of exploratory laparotomy surgery and pose a clinically significant risk to the patient. The purpose of this two‐part, prospective, descriptive study was to describe the previously uncharacterized ultrasonographic appearance of RSS in phantom and cadaveric models of the acute postoperative period (24–48 h). For the first part of the study, a gelatin phantom containing a woven gauze with a radiopaque marker (radiopaque gauze), a woven gauze with no marker (nonradiopaque gauze), and a laparotomy sponge with a radiopaque marker (radiopaque sponge) was evaluated with ultrasonography. For the second part of the study, a total of 23 gauzes and sponges (of the aforementioned three types) were placed within the peritoneal cavity of 20 cadavers in one of three randomized locations during an exploratory laparotomy laboratory. The cadavers were imaged with ultrasonography 17 h later and still images and video clips were reviewed. The retained surgical sponges and gauzes in the gelatin phantom displayed multiple hyperechoic layers and variable degrees of distal acoustic shadowing. In cadavers, 100% (23/23) of the retained surgical sponges and gauzes displayed a single hyperechoic layer of variable thickness and distal acoustic shadowing. In 95.6% (22/23) retained sponges and gauzes, there was a thin hypoechoic layer noted superficially to the hyperechoic layer. An improved understanding of the ultrasonographic appearance of retained sponges or gauzes in the acute postoperative period may assist in the identification of these objects.
Printability Prediction in Projection Two-Photon Lithography Via Machine Learning Based Surrogate Modeling of Photopolymerization
Authors: Pingali Rushil , Saha Sourabh K.
Published: July 2023

Two-photon lithography (TPL) is a direct laser writing process that enables the fabrication of cm-scale complex three-dimensional polymeric structures with submicrometer resolution. In contrast to the slow and serial writing scheme of conventional TPL, projection TPL (P-TPL) enables rapid printing of entire layers at once. However, process prediction remains a significant challenge in P-TPL due to the lack of computationally efficient models. In this work, we present machine learning-based surrogate models to predict the outcomes of P-TPL to >98% of the accuracy of a physics-based reaction-diffusion finite element simulation. A classification neural network was trained using data generated from the physics-based simulations. This enabled us to achieve computationally efficient and accurate prediction of whether a set of printing conditions will result in precise and controllable polymerization and the desired printing versus no printing or runaway polymerization. We interrogate this surrogate model to investigate the parameter regimes that are promising for successful printing. We predict combinations of photoresist reaction rate constants that are necessary to print for a given set of processing conditions, thereby generating a set of printability maps. The surrogate models reduced the computational time that is required to generate these maps from more than 10 months to less than a second. Thus, these models can enable rapid and informed selection of photoresists and printing parameters during process control and optimization.