bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prescribing and deprescribing trends in schizophrenia: An overview of inpatients in Belgium and in the Canadian province of Québec
Authors: Lagreula Juliette , Dagenais‐Beaulé Vincent , de Timary Philippe , Elens Laure , Dalleur Olivia
Published: March 2023

Although switching to antipsychotic monotherapy improves patient outcomes in schizophrenia, antipsychotic deprescribing is rarely performed, and its use varies between countries, as do psychotropic prescribing patterns. This study aimed to determine factors associated with antipsychotic deprescribing at discharge after a psychiatric hospitalization and to compare psychotropic prescribing patterns between Belgium and Québec, Canada. Data on adult inpatients with schizophrenia were collected retrospectively in seven hospitals. At discharge, the number of antipsychotics had decreased in 22.2% of the 63 Canadian patients and 9.9% of the 516 Belgian patients. A number of factors increased the likelihood of antipsychotic deprescribing: a hospitalization in the Canadian hospital (aOR = 4.13, 95% CI 1.48–11.5), living in a residential facility (aOR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.05–4.39), ≥2 previous antipsychotic trials (aOR = 15.38, 95% CI 3.62–65.36), having an antipsychotic side effect (aOR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.01–3.44) and being in a general hospital (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.09–4.75). Patients on a long‐acting injectable antipsychotic (aOR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.26–0.98), with prior clozapine use (aOR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.13–0.95), greater antipsychotic exposure (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.2–0.61) and more hypno‐sedatives (aOR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.43–0.98), were less likely to be deprescribed. Specific deprescribing interventions could target patients who are less likely to be deprescribed.
The impact of preferential trade agreements on the duration of antidumping protection
Authors: Zhu Min , Prusa Thomas J.
Published: March 2023

This paper examines the impact of preferential trade agreements on the duration of antidumping protection. We employ a two‐step selection model where the first step accounts for the impact of membership in a preferential trade agreement on the original antidumping determination and the second step estimates the impact of membership in a preferential trade agreement on the duration of the measures. We find the duration of antidumping protection is about 17% shorter for preferential trade agreement members compared with targeted countries that are not preferential trade agreement members. The impact on duration depends largely on whether preferential trade agreements have rules related specifically to antidumping. Preferential trade agreements with rules are associated with a 28% reduction in the duration of protection, whereas the duration for preferential trade agreements without rules is not statistically different from the duration for non‐preferential trade agreement countries. While the duration of antidumping measures against China is longer than for other countries, the impact of preferential trade agreement rules is robust to controlling for China.
Molecular targets of metformin against ovarian cancer based on network pharmacology
Authors: Guo Jia‐yi , Wang Yong‐jun , Li Si‐qi , Wu Yu‐ping
Published: March 2023

The objective of this study was to analyze potential targets of metformin against ovarian cancer (OC) through network pharmacology. Pharmacodynamic targets of metformin were predicted using the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for the molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (BATMAN), Drugbank, PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction, and TargetNet databases. R was utilized to analyze the gene expression of OC tissues, normal/adjacent noncancerous tissues, and screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) + Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) datasets. STRING 11.0 was utilized to explore the protein–protein interaction (PPI) of metformin target genes differentially expressed in OC. Cytoscape 3.8.0 was used to construct the network and screen the core targets. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) annotation and enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for the common targets of metformin and OC through the DAVID 6.8 database. A total of 95 potential common targets of metformin and OC were identified from the intersection of 255 potential pharmacodynamic targets of metformin and 10,463 genes associated with OC. Furthermore, 10 core targets were screened from the PPI network [e.g., interleukin (IL) 1B, KCNC1, ESR1, HTR2C, MAOB, GRIN2A, F2, GRIA2, APOE, PTPRC]. In addition, it was shown in GO enrichment analysis that the common targets were mainly associated with biological processes (i.e., response to stimuli or chemical, cellular processes, and transmembrane transport), cellular components (i.e., plasma membrane, cell junction, and cell projection), and molecular functions (i.e., binding, channel activities, transmembrane transporter activity, and signaling receptor activities). Furthermore, it was indicated by KEGG pathway analysis that the common targets were enriched in metabolic pathways. The critical molecular targets and molecular pathways of metformin against OC were preliminarily determined by bioinformatics‐based network pharmacology analysis, providing a basis, and reference for further experimental studies.
Head and neck cancer: A 6‐year retrospective analysis and review of three common triaging systems
Authors: Siddiqui Zohaib , Hamid Mohammed , Caton Nadine , Cheang Pei‐Pei
Published: March 2023

Objectives

In the United Kingdom, head and neck cancer (HNC) cases continue to rise and are the fourth commonest cancers in men. Additionally, in the last decade, the incidence rise in women is twice their male counterpart, signifying the need for robust and dynamic triaging systems to maintain high pick‐up rates across both genders. This study investigates local risk factors associated with HNC and reviews the most commonly used guidelines and risk calculator tool for two‐week‐wait (2ww) HNC clinics.

Design

Six‐year retrospective case–control analysis of 2ww HNC clinics within a district general hospital in Kent studying symptoms and risk factors.

Results

Two hundred cancer patients (128M:72F) were identified and compared against 200 randomised non‐cancer patients (78M:122F). Increasing age, male gender, smoking, previous cancer and neck lumps were statistically relevant risk factors for HNC (p < .001). HNC mortality at 1 and 5 years was 21% and 26%, respectively. Adjusting guidelines to improve local services obtained the following area under curve (AUC) scores: NICE guidelines 67.3, Pan‐London 58.0 and HNC risk calculator version 2 (HaNC‐RC V.2) 76.5. Our adjusted HaNC‐RC V.2 improved sensitivity by 10% to 92%, and theoretically reduces local general practice referrals by 61% when utilising triaging staff.

Conclusion

Our data portray the primary risk factors as increasing age, male gender and smoking for this demographic. The presence of a neck lump was the most significant symptom within our cohort. This study demonstrates a critical balance when adjusting sensitivity and specificity of guidelines and proposes that departments adjust diagnostic tools for their local demographic to improve referral numbers and patient outcomes.
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging: A robust tool to test pathogenesis and pathophysiology behind nephropathy in humans
Authors: Andersen Ulrik B. , Haddock Bryan , Asmar Ali
Published: March 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major population disease. In diabetes as well as hypertension, kidney disease is one of the most serious complications. Recent research has demonstrated that chronic hypoxia is a key actor in the pathogenesis of CKD. In this review, we focus on how functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques can shed light on pathogenetic mechanisms and monitor new treatments aimed at preventing or ameliorating the disease. Multiparametric MRI techniques can measure changes in renal artery flow, tissue perfusion, and oxygenation repetitively over short time periods, enabling high time resolution. Furthermore, renal fibrosis can be quantified noninvasively by MRI diffusion tensor imaging, and techniques are upcoming to measure renal oxygen consumption. These techniques are all radiation and contrast‐free.

We briefly present data, demonstrating that fMRI techniques can play a major role in future research in CKD, and possibly also in daily clinical practice.
A global analysis of avian island diversity–area relationships in the Anthropocene
Authors: Matthews Thomas J. , Wayman Joseph P. , Whittaker Robert J. , Cardoso Pedro , Hume Julian P. , Sayol Ferran , Proios Konstantinos , Martin Thomas E. , Baiser Benjamin , Borges Paulo A. V. , Kubota Yasuhiro , dos Anjos Luiz , Tobias Joseph A. , Soares Filipa C. , Si Xingfeng , Ding Ping , Mendenhall Chase D. , Sin Yong Chee Keita , Rheindt Frank E. , Triantis Kostas A. , Guilhaumon François , Watson David M. , Brotons Lluís , Battisti Corrado , Chu Osanna , Rigal François
Published: March 2023

Research on island species–area relationships (ISAR) has expanded to incorporate functional (IFDAR) and phylogenetic (IPDAR) diversity. However, relative to the ISAR, we know little about IFDARs and IPDARs, and lack synthetic global analyses of variation in form of these three categories of island diversity–area relationship (IDAR). Here, we undertake the first comparative evaluation of IDARs at the global scale using 51 avian archipelagic data sets representing true and habitat islands. Using null models, we explore how richness‐corrected functional and phylogenetic diversity scale with island area. We also provide the largest global assessment of the impacts of species introductions and extinctions on the IDAR. Results show that increasing richness with area is the primary driver of the (non‐richness corrected) IPDAR and IFDAR for many data sets. However, for several archipelagos, richness‐corrected functional and phylogenetic diversity changes linearly with island area, suggesting that the dominant community assembly processes shift along the island area gradient. We also find that archipelagos with the steepest ISARs exhibit the biggest differences in slope between IDARs, indicating increased functional and phylogenetic redundancy on larger islands in these archipelagos. In several cases introduced species seem to have ‘re‐calibrated’ the IDARs such that they resemble the historic period prior to recent extinctions.
Song overlapping and matching during low‐arousal singing and their relation to visual ornaments, parental care and breeding success in the great tit (Parus major)
Authors: Bircher Nina , Mennill Daniel J. , van Oers Kees , Naguib Marc
Published: March 2023

Eavesdropping on interactions between conspecific animals provides a low‐cost method for assessing other individuals. Asymmetries in territorial counter‐singing interactions in songbirds provide a rich source of information for eavesdroppers about differences between the singers. Yet, little is known about the relationship between interactive singing in a natural, low‐arousal context among territorial neighbours and individual traits of males. We used a microphone array to monitor natural counter‐singing interactions in great tits (Parus major) during nest building, at the onset of the breeding season. We quantified song overlapping and song matching for 30 pairs (dyads) of interacting males, singing at their nest, respectively. We then compared these behaviours to five traits for 28 males: body condition, plumage ornamentation, offspring provisioning behaviour, offspring weight and breeding site quality. We found no relationship between a male song overlapping or matching behaviour and any of the measured traits. Therefore, our results do not support the idea that short‐term asymmetries in low‐arousal long‐range singing interactions among neighbours reflect differences in these fitness‐related traits. Instead, our findings suggest that such singing asymmetries have less signal value in the absence of an immediate conflict but instead reflect short‐term motivational differences, as shown in previous investigations.
Plant–herbivore interactions: Experimental demonstration of genetic variability in plant–plant signalling
Authors: Estarague Aurélien , Violle Cyrille , Vile Denis , Hany Anaïs , Martino Thibault , Moulin Pierre , Vasseur François
Published: March 2023

Plant–herbivore interactions mediated by plant–plant signalling have been documented in different species but its within‐species variability has hardly been quantified. Here, we tested if herbivore foraging activity on plants was influenced by a prior contact with a damaged plant and if the effect of such plant–plant signalling was variable across 113 natural genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. We filmed the activity of the generalist herbivore Cornu aspersum during 1 h on two plants differing only in a prior contact with a damaged plant or not. We recorded each snails' first choice, and measured its first duration on a plant, the proportion of time spent on both plants and leaf consumption. Overall, plant–plant signalling modified the foraging activity of herbivores in A. thaliana. On average, snails spent more time and consumed more of plants that experienced a prior contact with a damaged plant. However, the effects of plant–plant signalling on snail behaviour was variable: depending on genotype identity, plant–plant signalling made undamaged plants more repellant or attractive to snails. Genome‐wide associations revealed that genes related to stress coping ability and jasmonate pathway were associated to this variation. Together, our findings highlight the adaptive significance of plant–plant signalling for plant–herbivore interactions.
Presentation and management of advanced occlusal caries affecting the maxillary cheek teeth of four horses
Authors: Schneider Johanna , Reardon Richard J. M. , Pearce Chris J. , du Toit Nicole
Published: March 2023

This case series describes the management of advanced occlusal caries of the maxillary cheek teeth in four horses. All horses presented with grade 4 caries, i.e., affecting cementum, enamel, dentine and the integrity of the tooth. Food packing in deep cavities on the occlusal surface were present in all horses. Two horses presented with pulpitis of teeth adjacent to the occlusal caries lesions. The carious lesions were mostly limited to the occlusal surface of maxillary cheek teeth, whereas the peripheral cementum to a large degree remained unaffected. Management of these cases included cleaning, flushing, and debriding of carious surfaces and placing a flowable resin composite on areas with extensive tooth loss to prevent food packing and further destruction of dental tissues. Endodontic therapy was performed in two cases. Some of the horses that exhibited clinical signs showed improvement after treatment and none of the cases showed deterioration of caries lesions. One horse showed complete resolution of occlusal caries.
Study on the global stress field of the rock mass under compression and shear considering three kinds of crack parameters
Authors: Zhu Fengjin , Zhu Jiancai , Liu Fushen , Liu Hongyan
Published: March 2023

The mechanical behavior of the cracked rock mass is controlled by the crack initiation and propagation under compression and shear. The key to predicting the wing crack initiation angle is to correctly describe the distribution of the stress field at the crack tip. First, the previous studies are reviewed, and their inadequacies are discussed in detail. Next, according to the experimental results, three kinds of crack parameters (i.e., geometry, strength, and deformation) are introduced, and a stress transfer model on the crack face under compression and shear considering crack parameters is proposed. Then, the relevant formulae of stress intensity factors (KI and KII) and non‐singular term (T‐stress) at the crack tip are obtained. Finally, the proposed model is verified by other researchers' test results, and the effects of three kinds of crack parameters and the rock property on the distribution of tangential stress at the crack tip are discussed.
Feelings of being socially excluded: A matter of education, labour market situation, income, deprivation, or other things?
Authors: Hansen Hans‐Tore
Published: March 2023

This article aims (1) to investigate whether immigrants in the Norwegian population and their descendants differ in their feelings of being socially excluded from society compared with others born in Norway (‘natives’), and (2) to test empirically whether these differences reflect differences in human and economic capital (i.e., education, work, income, and material deprivation) and factors related to minority/majority issues, such as citizenship. The data were drawn from the Norwegian part of the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions survey. The results show that immigrants—especially from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, non‐EU European countries, and descendants of immigrants—feel more socially excluded than natives. For immigrants from Africa, Asia, et al., and Europe other countries, human and economic capital are linked to these differences. Immigrants from Europe other countries did not differ from natives when adjusting for education and work. Differences between natives and immigrants from Africa, Asia, et al. and descendants of immigrants remained even after controlling for various factors. The study indicates that immigrants from outside the Nordic countries with secondary education feel socially excluded to a higher degree than other immigrants. One reason could be that they may have skills not recognised in the Norwegian labour market. The study also finds that immigrants with Norwegian citizenship feel less excluded from society than other immigrants. Length of stay and social recognition are possible explanations for these results.
An integer linear programming model for the label printing problem
Authors: Xu Dehua , Shen Yuan , Cao Yu , Xu Limin , Yang Fengzhao , Xie Yunzhou
Published: March 2023

In a recent paper published in this journal, Alonso‐Pecina et al. collect several sets of benchmark instances for the label printing problem from the literature and they also propose their own instances. Due to the intractability of the problem, no optimal solutions were declared for most of these instances. In this paper, we propose an integer linear programming model for the problem. We obtain optimal solutions or show that the solutions provided in the literature are already optimal for most of these instances based on the model. For some of the rest instances, we provide better solutions compared to the previous best solutions in the literature.
What constitutes an excellent literature review? Summarize, synthesize, conceptualize, and energize
Authors: Ketchen David J. , Craighead Christopher W.
Published: March 2023

A literature review chronicles conceptual and empirical achievements within a research stream. An excellent literature review accomplishes much more. Excellent literature reviews not only explain advances within a research stream (“summarize and synthesize”) but also provide a conceptual framework that captures the key elements of the research (“conceptualize”) and lay a foundation for future inquiry that can accelerate progress in advancing knowledge (“energize”). We accomplish two main tasks in this editorial. First, we offer details about what constitutes an excellent literature review. Second, we summarize the four literature reviews contained in this special topic forum and explain their excellent features.
Using managers' expectations for ex‐ante policy evaluation: Evidence from the COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Kawaguchi Kohei , Kodama Naomi , Kumanomido Hiroshi , Tanaka Mari
Published: March 2023

Evaluation of the impacts of government policies during an economic crisis is often delayed until the outcomes are realized. Policies can be better guided if they can be evaluated amid a crisis, before the realization of outcomes. This study examines whether survey data on the expectations of small business managers can help evaluate two high‐stake subsidies for firms amid the COVID‐19 crisis in Japan, namely, Subsidy Program for Sustaining Businesses (SPSB) and Employment Adjustment Subsidy (EAS). We evaluate the accuracy of managers' expectations, estimate the impact of subsidies on the expected firm survival, and compare it with the estimated impact on realized survival. We find that the managers' expectations on their future sales, survival rate, and the possibility of receiving these subsidies predict the realized outcomes, although they were highly pessimistic about their survival rates. We find that the estimated impacts of the SPSB on the expected survival rates have the same sign as the estimated impact on the realized survival rates, but the size is more than twice because of the pessimism on survival. The estimated impacts of the EAS are both insignificant. Therefore, although its impact may be overestimated, managers' expectations are useful for selecting an effective policy.
How firms compete when they set identical prices: Nonprice strategies in the Indian biscuit industry
Authors: Antonecchia Gianluca , Bhaskarabhatla Ajay
Published: March 2023

How do firms compete when all firms in an industry set identical prices? Using Nielsen data on India's biscuit manufacturers, we document productivity‐based competition on nonprice strategies under industry‐wide uniform pricing. Products with one standard deviation higher quantity‐based productivity contain, on average, 13% more quantity per pack for the same price. Productivity also positively correlates with promotions on pack size, availability, and variety. A higher price (per pack size) sensitivity in rural markets combined with industry‐wide uniform pricing imposes a greater burden on rural consumers. Additional analyses show that firms can reduce this burden by selling different pack sizes in urban and rural areas.
Genomic characterization and identification of virulence‐related genes in Vibrio nigripulchritudo isolated from white leg shrimp Penaeus vannamei
Authors: Rathnapala Jayasundara Mudiyanselage Sajani Nisansala , Ragab Wafaa , Kawato Satoshi , Furukawa Miho , Nozaki Reiko , Kondo Hidehiro , Hirono Ikuo
Published: March 2023

Vibrio nigripulchritudo causes vibriosis in penaeid shrimps. Here, we used Illumina and Nanopore sequencing technologies to sequence the genomes of three of its strains (TUMSAT‐V. nig1, TUMSAT‐V. nig2, and TUMSAT‐V. nig3) to explore opportunities for disease management. Putative virulence factors and mobile genetic elements were detected while evaluating the phylogenetic relationship of each isolated strain. The genomes consisted of two circular chromosomes (I and II) plus one or two plasmids. The size of chromosome I ranged from 4.02 to 4.07 Mb with an average GC content of 46%, while the number of predicted CDSs ranged from 3563 to 3644. The size of chromosome II ranged from 2.16 to 2.18 Mb, with an average GC content of 45.5%, and the number of predicted CDSs ranged from 1970 to 1987. Numerous virulence genes were identified related to adherence, antiphagocytosis, chemotaxis, motility, iron uptake, quorum sensing, secretion systems, and toxins in all three genomes. Higher numbers of prophages and genomic islands found in TUMSAT‐V. nig1 suggest that the strain has experienced numerous horizontal gene transfer events. The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes suggests that the strains have multidrug resistance. Comparative genomic analysis showed that all three strains belonged to the same clade.
AMP‐activated protein kinase activators have compound and concentration‐specific effects on brain metabolism
Authors: Achanta Lavanya B. , Thomas Donald S. , Housley Gary D. , Rae Caroline D.
Published: March 2023

AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor of energy balance playing important roles in the balancing of anabolic and catabolic activities. The high energy demands of the brain and its limited capacity to store energy indicate that AMPK may play a significant role in brain metabolism. Here, we activated AMPK in guinea pig cortical tissue slices, both directly with A769662 and PF 06409577 and indirectly with AICAR and metformin. We studied the resultant metabolism of [1‐13C]glucose and [1,2‐13C]acetate using NMR spectroscopy. We found distinct activator concentration‐dependent effects on metabolism, which ranged from decreased metabolic pool sizes at EC50 activator concentrations with no expected stimulation in glycolytic flux to increased aerobic glycolysis and decreased pyruvate metabolism with certain activators. Further, activation with direct versus indirect activators produced distinct metabolic outcomes at both low (EC50) and higher (EC50 × 10) concentrations. Specific direct activation of β1‐containing AMPK isoforms with PF 06409577 resulted in increased Krebs cycle activity, restoring pyruvate metabolism while A769662 increased lactate and alanine production, as well as labelling of citrate and glutamine. These results reveal a complex metabolic response to AMPK activators in brain beyond increased aerobic glycolysis and indicate that further research is warranted into their concentration‐ and mechanism‐dependent impact.

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Mice deficient for G‐protein‐coupled receptor 75 display altered presynaptic structural protein expression and disrupted fear conditioning recall
Authors: Speidell Andrew , Walton Sofia , Campbell Lee A. , Tomassoni‐Ardori Francesco , Tessarollo Lino , Corbo Claudia , Taraballi Francesca , Mocchetti Italo
Published: March 2023

There are a number of G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are considered “orphan receptors” because the information on their known ligands is incomplete. Yet, these receptors are important targets to characterize, as the discovery of their ligands may lead to potential new therapies. GPR75 was recently deorphanized because at least two ligands appear to bind to it, the chemokine CCL5 and the eicosanoid 20‐Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Recent reports suggest that GPR75 may play a role in regulating insulin secretion and obesity. However, little is known about the function of this receptor in the brain. To study the function of GPR75, we have generated a knockout (KO) mouse model of this receptor and we evaluated the role that this receptor plays in the adult hippocampus by an array of histological, proteomic, and behavioral endpoints. Using RNAscope® technology, we identified GPR75 puncta in several Rbfox3‐/NeuN‐positive cells in the hippocampus, suggesting that this receptor has a neuronal expression. Proteomic analysis of the hippocampus in 3‐month‐old GPR75 KO animals revealed that several markers of synapses, including synapsin I and II are downregulated compared with wild type (WT). To examine the functional consequence of this down‐regulation, WT and GPR75 KO mice were tested on a hippocampal‐dependent behavioral task. Both contextual memory and anxiety‐like behaviors were significantly altered in GPR75 KO, suggesting that GPR75 plays a role in hippocampal activity.

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Anatomical analysis of the motor endplate zones of the suprascapular nerve to the infraspinatus muscle and its clinical significance in managing pain disorder
Authors: Lee Hyung‐Jin , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Yi Kyu‐Ho , Kim Hee‐Jin
Published: March 2023

Myofascial pain syndrome caused by myofascial trigger points is a musculoskeletal disorder commonly encountered in clinical practice. The infraspinatus muscle is the region most frequently involved in the myofascial pain syndrome in the scapular region. The characteristics of the myofascial trigger points are that they can be found constantly in the motor endplate zone. However, localizing myofascial trigger points within the motor endplate zone and establishing an accurate injection site of the infraspinatus muscle has been challenging because the anatomical position of the motor endplate zone of the infraspinatus muscle is yet to be described. Therefore, this cadaveric study aimed to scrutinize the motor endplate zone of the infraspinatus muscle, propose potential myofascial trigger points within the muscle, and recommend therapeutic injection sites. Twenty specimens of the infraspinatus muscle for nerve staining and 10 fresh frozen cadavers for evaluation of the injection were used in this study. The number of nerve branches penetrating the infraspinatus muscle and their entry locations were analyzed and photographed. Modified Sihler's staining was performed to examine the motor endplate regions of the infraspinatus muscle. The nerve entry points were mostly observed in the center of the muscle belly. The motor endplate was distributed equally throughout the infraspinatus muscle, but the motor endplate zone was primarily identified in the B area, which is approximately 20–40% proximal to the infraspinatus muscle. The second‐most common occurrence of the motor endplate zone was observed in the center of the muscle. These detailed anatomical data would be very helpful in predicting potential pain sites and establishing safe and effective injection treatment using botulinum neurotoxin, steroids, or lidocaine to alleviate the pain disorder of the infraspinatus muscle.
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on preterm delivery
Authors: Mak Albee Hin Man , Cicero Simona , Hui Pui Wah
Published: March 2023

Objective

Controversies exist on whether the pandemic lockdown has resulted in a lower rate of preterm deliveries. A higher stillbirth rate was also reported. This retrospective observational study aimed to examine the rate of preterm delivery and stillbirth in a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong during COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Data from 8787 singleton pregnancies at Queen Mary Hospital between April 2018 to September 2021 were retrieved from the clinical management system and obstetric database. Rates of preterm delivery (<37 weeks), low birth weight infants (<2500 g), and stillbirth in the pre‐pandemic (April 2018 to September 2019) and pandemic (April 2020 to September 2021) periods were compared.

Results

Total numbers of singleton deliveries during the pre‐pandemic and pandemic periods were 5064 and 3723, respectively. Background demographics were comparable, except 3 were higher rates of cesarean sections (30.7% vs. 25.8%; p < 0.05) and hypertensive disorders (1.4% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.05) in the pandemic cohort. Moreover, more women with a spontaneous onset of labor had a history of preterm delivery (3.5% vs. 2.4%; p < 0.05) during the pandemic. Rates of low birth weight infants (8.7% vs. 7.4%; p = 0.03) and spontaneous preterm deliveries (2.6% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.01), particularly spontaneous moderate‐to‐late preterm delivery (32–36 weeks) (1.9% vs. 1.2%; p = 0.01) were significantly higher during COVID‐19. However, no statistical difference was found in stillbirth rates (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p = 0.17).

Conclusions

Rates of spontaneous preterm delivery and low birth weight babies increased significantly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This could be related to an increase in maternal stress, or a change in behavioral patterns for pregnant women.
Conservative management of metallic sharp‐pointed straight gastric and intestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats: 17 cases (2003‐2021)
Authors: Crinò C. , Humm K. , Cortellini S.
Published: March 2023

Objective

To describe the conservative management and outcome of gastrointestinal metallic sharp‐pointed straight foreign bodies in dogs and cats.

Materials and Methods

Clinical records of dogs and cats presented to a university teaching hospital between 2003 and 2021 with gastrointestinal metallic sharp‐pointed straight foreign bodies (e.g. needles, pins, nails) were reviewed. Conservative management was defined as leaving the foreign body in situ. Cases were excluded if the foreign body was identified outside of the gastrointestinal tract (including oropharynx and oesophagus) or if it was removed by endoscopy or surgery as the first treatment choice. Patient signalment, presenting complaint, foreign body location, treatment, complications, gastrointestinal transit time, length of hospitalisation and outcome were recorded.

Results

A total of 17 cases (13 dogs and four cats) were included in the study, being treated with primary conservative therapeutic approach (11) or following failure of endoscopy (two), surgery (three) or both (one). Clinical signs associated with the foreign body were reported in three (17.6%) cases. Conservative management was successful in 15 (88.2%) cases, with no complications reported. Patients were clinically and radiographically monitored with variable supportive care. In two (11.8%) cases, surgery was subsequently performed as the foreign body failed to progress on repeated radiographs after 24 hours. Mean foreign body gastrointestinal transit time for patients treated conservatively was 59.2 (±31.4) hours. All patients survived to discharge.

Clinical Significance

Conservative management is a treatment option for clinically stable cats and dogs with metallic sharp‐pointed straight gastrointestinal foreign bodies in the absence of perforation.
Evaluation of oral telmisartan administration as a suppression test for diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism in cats
Authors: Fabrès Virginie , Dumont Renaud , Garcia Mélanie , Rosenberg Dan , Rannou Benoit , Kurtz Maxine , Benchekroun Ghita
Published: March 2023

Background

Development of a telmisartan‐based suppression test may facilitate the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) in cats, which remains difficult today.

Objectives

To develop a telmisartan suppression test (TST) that is safe, and able to suppress aldosterone secretion in healthy cats but not in cats with PHA.

Animals

Ten healthy cats and 6 cats with PHA.

Methods

Prospective study using a placebo‐controlled crossover design to investigate a TST in healthy cats, and evaluation of TST in cats with PHA. Plasma aldosterone concentration, potassium concentration, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured before (T0), and 1 hour (T1) and 1.5 hours after (T1.5) PO administration of 1 mg/kg of telmisartan, 2 mg/kg of telmisartan or placebo.

Results

Median age in healthy cats was 3 years old (range, 1‐7). In healthy cats, a telmisartan dose of 2 mg/kg significantly decreased aldosterone concentration at T1 and T1.5 compared with T0. Placebo had no significant effect on aldosterone concentration. In cats diagnosed with PHA, a 2‐mg/kg dose of telmisartan did not induce any significant change in aldosterone concentration at T1 or T1.5 compared with T0. No adverse effects of telmisartan (e.g., hyperkalemia, systemic hypotension) were observed in any cats.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The oral TST shows promise as a diagnostic test for the diagnosis of PHA in cats.
Automation of haulers for debris removal in tunnel construction
Authors: Naranjo José E. , Valle Alfredo , Cruz Alberto , Martín Miguel , Anguera Miguel , García Pablo , Jiménez Felipe
Published: March 2023

Tunnel construction is one of the areas of civil engineering where automation systems can increase both safety and productivity. That is why, to promote a continuous improvement and optimization of construction processes, the implementation of intelligent transport systems and, specifically, autonomous vehicles has been proposed as a catalyst for public works construction activity, including tunnels, reducing personnel, and operation costs, as well as improving safety. Under this scope, this paper presents the development of the automation system for a 25‐ton hauler truck, focusing on the task of removing debris from public works, including tunnels. This automation system has been designed, developed, and tested under real conditions in the facilities of two companies dedicated to civil engineering works, including vehicle guidance with and without gobal positioning system, obstacle detection, and tele‐operation for load/unload tasks. The main novelty of the system is the capacity of easy integration into the production system of the works, with a capacity to switch between manual, tele‐operation, or autonomous driving modes, and with specific sensors and control systems for combining indoor and outdoor navigation. The presented work includes the description of the automation of the vehicle, the general architecture, the environment perception, and the tele‐operation capacity, including indoor navigation and obstacle detection algorithms. The proposed system has been implemented and tested in real conditions, demonstrating the performance of the system and the benefit of the automation for this application.
Thomist Libertarianism is Committed to Mysterianism
Authors: Babakhanian Armand
Published: March 2023

In recent years, a large amount of scholarship has been written about St Thomas Aquinas's views on free will and determinism. This paper is an attempt to bring some Thomist views of libertarian free will into dialogue with analytic philosopher Peter van Inwagen and his ‘mysterianism’ about free will. The thesis of this paper is that Thomist libertarians about free will are committed to Peter van Inwagen's mysterianism about free will. The paper intends to accomplish this aim by showing how recent accounts of Thomist libertarianism cannot defeat the intuitive strength of van Inwagen's ‘Replay argument’. The significance of this conclusion is that some Thomists are committed to mysterianism and that mysterianism is a legitimate position a Thomist can hold. This also provides evidence that the Thomist tradition can grow and be nourished by engagement with contemporary analytic philosophy.
Principles and clinical methods of body surface gastric mapping: Technical review
Authors: O'Grady Gregory , Varghese Chris , Schamberg Gabriel , Calder Stefan , Du Peng , Xu William , Tack Jan , Daker Charlotte , Mousa Hayat , Abell Thomas L. , Parkman Henry P. , Ho Vincent , Bradshaw L. Alan , Hobson Anthony , Andrews Christopher N. , Gharibans Armen A. ,   the BSGM Working Group
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose

Chronic gastric symptoms are common, however differentiating specific contributing mechanisms in individual patients remains challenging. Abnormal gastric motility is present in a significant subgroup, but reliable methods for assessing gastric motor function in clinical practice are lacking. Body surface gastric mapping (BSGM) is a new diagnostic aid, employs multi‐electrode arrays to measure and map gastric myoelectrical activity non‐invasively in high resolution. Clinical adoption of BSGM is currently expanding following studies demonstrating the ability to achieve specific patient subgrouping, and subsequent regulatory clearances. An international working group was formed in order to standardize clinical BSGM methods, encompassing a technical group developing BSGM methods and a clinical advisory group. The working group performed a technical literature review and synthesis focusing on the rationale, principles, methods, and clinical applications of BSGM, with secondary review by the clinical group. The principles and validation of BSGM were evaluated, including key advances achieved over legacy electrogastrography (EGG). Methods for BSGM were reviewed, including device design considerations, patient preparation, test conduct, and data processing steps. Recent advances in BSGM test metrics and reference intervals are discussed, including four novel metrics, being the ‘principal gastric frequency’, BMI‐adjusted amplitude, Gastric Alimetry Rhythm Index™, and fed: fasted amplitude ratio. An additional essential element of BSGM has been the introduction of validated digital tools for standardized symptom profiling, performed simultaneously during testing. Specific phenotypes identifiable by BSGM and the associated symptom profiles were codified with reference to pathophysiology. Finally, knowledge gaps and priority areas for future BSGM research were also identified by the working group.
Sex‐ and gender‐related differences in the prevalence and burden of disorders of gut‐brain interaction in Poland
Authors: Mulak Agata , Freud Tamar , Waluga Marek , Bangdiwala Shrikant I. , Palsson Olafur S. , Sperber Ami D.
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of the study was to assess sex‐ and gender‐related differences in the epidemiology and impact of disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) in Poland.

Methods

Data used for the current analysis were derived from the Polish population sample of 2057 subjects (1030 F, 1027 M) collected via the Internet survey that included the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire and 80 supplementary questions.

Key Results

The overall prevalence of DGBI in Poland was 46.0% (51.7% in women and 40.3% in men, p < 0.001). Comparing women versus men, esophageal disorders were observed in 6.3% vs. 6.0%, respectively (p > 0.05), gastroduodenal disorders in 14.0% vs. 7.8% (p < 0.001), bowel disorders in 44.3% vs. 33.9% (p < 0.001), and anorectal disorders in 9.9% vs. 7.7% (p > 0.05). The six most common DGBI included functional constipation 14.2%, functional dyspepsia 8.3%, proctalgia fugax 6.6%, functional bloating 4.8%, functional diarrhea 4.5%, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 4.4%. All these disorders, except for functional diarrhea, were more common in women. The DGBI overlap was significantly higher in women than in men (16.7% vs. 11.2%, p < 0.001). A higher number of overlapping DGBI correlated positively with IBS severity, higher level of somatization, anxiety and depression, poorer quality of life (QoL), and increased healthcare utilization.

Conclusions and Inferences

This is the first comprehensive report on significant sex/gender‐related differences in the prevalence and burden of DGBI in Poland. The revealed differences between women and men with DGBI in the clinical profile, psychosocial variables, and healthcare utilization may have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
A risky challenge for intransitive preferences
Authors: Williamson Timothy Luke
Published: March 2023

Philosophers have spent a great deal of time debating whether intransitive preferences can be rational. I present a risky decision that poses a challenge for the defender of intransitivity. The defender of intransitivity faces a trilemma and must either: (i) reject the rationality of intransitive preferences, (ii) deny State‐wise Dominance, or (iii) accept the bizarre verdict that you can be required to pay to relabel the tickets of a fair lottery. If we take the first horn, then we have a synchronic refutation of intransitivity, an improvement on widely criticized diachronic arguments. I sketch possible responses that may rescue intransitivity and argue that each response is possible but generates an explanatory debt. I conclude by showing how the challenge here clarifies the foundations of decision theory without transitivity, conditional on some explanatory debt being payable.
Parasites as ecosystem modulators: foliar pathogens suppress top‐down effects of large herbivores
Authors: Li Tianyun , Zhong Zhiwei , Pearson Dean E. , Ortega Yvette K. , Li Wenjun , Li Yanan , Zhu Hui , Risch Anita C. , Wang Deli
Published: March 2023

Parasites can catalyze or inhibit interactions between their hosts and other species, but the ecosystem‐level effects of such interaction modifications are poorly understood.

We conducted a large‐scale field experiment in temperate grasslands of China to understand how foliar fungal pathogens influenced top‐down effects of cattle on plant diversity and productivity.

When foliar pathogens were suppressed, cattle grazing strongly reduced biomass of the dominant grass, Leymus chinensis, generating competitive release that significantly increased community‐level species richness and evenness. In the absence of grazing, pathogen attack on L. chinensis had no measurable effect on host biomass. However, pathogens disrupted top‐down effects of herbivory by inhibiting grazing effects on plant biomass and species richness. Mechanistically, fungal pathogens were linked to increased alkaloid and reduced nitrogen levels in leaf tissue, which appeared to deter cattle grazing on L. chinensis.

In conclusion, foliar pathogens can suppress top‐down effects of large herbivores on grassland community composition and ecosystem function by modifying the strength of their host's interactions with dominant consumers. Parasites may act as modulators of ecosystem function when their direct effects on host abundance are overshadowed by powerful influences on host traits that modify their interactions with competitors, herbivores, or predators.
Are absorptive root traits good predictors of ecosystem functioning? A test in a natural temperate forest
Authors: Da Rihan , Fan Chunyu , Zhang Chunyu , Zhao Xiuhai , von Gadow Klaus
Published: March 2023

Trait‐based approaches provide a useful framework to predict ecosystem functions under intensifying global change. However, our current understanding of trait‐functioning relationships mainly relies on aboveground traits. Belowground traits (e.g. absorptive root traits) are rarely studied although these traits are related to important plant functions.

We analyzed four pairs of analogous leaf and absorptive root traits of woody plants in a temperate forest and examined how these traits are coordinated at the community‐level, and to what extent the trait covariation depends on local‐scale environmental conditions. We then quantified the contributions of leaf and absorptive root traits and the environmental conditions in determining two important forest ecosystem functions, aboveground carbon storage, and woody biomass productivity.

The results showed that both morphological trait pairs and chemical trait pairs exhibited positive correlations at the community level. Absorptive root traits show a strong response to environmental conditions compared to leaf traits. We also found that absorptive root traits were better predictors of the two forest ecosystem functions than leaf traits and environmental conditions.

Our study confirms the important role of belowground traits in modulating ecosystem functions and deepens our understanding of belowground responses to changing environmental conditions.
Modified ACDF Technique for the Treatment of Centrum Focal Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Case Report
Authors: Xue Jing‐lai , Xue Huo‐huo , Cui Wei‐liang , Xiao Jing , Liao Zhong
Published: March 2023

Background

Anterior cervical discectomy fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure used to treat cervical spondylosis with anterior spinal cord compression. However, there are limitations to traditional ACDF and posterior indirect decompression when the anterior source lesion is in the center of the cervical vertebra.

Case Presentation

On June 8, 2022, our department treated a patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy—whose high posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) occupied the central position of the vertebral body—with modified ACDF. The preoperative surgical plan was designed based on the relevant imaging data and assay index. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and imaging parameters of neck pain were recorded and compared. Postoperative imaging data showed that cervical curvature was recovered and spinal canal compression was relieved. The VAS score for neck pain decreased from 7 preoperatively to 1.5 at the last follow‐up, while the JOA score increased from 10 preoperatively to 29 at the last follow‐up. The volume of the spinal canal was restored. Simultaneously, the patient's extremity muscle strength improved and muscle tension decreased.

Conclusions

Modified ACDF may be an effective surgical method for resolving spinal cord compression in a specific location when bone mineral density is good. We can effectively avoid iatrogenic nerve injury and symptom recurrence by removing the vertebral body and the lesion directly.