bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying spin diffusion and quantum entanglement with LF-µSR
Authors: Pratt F L , Lang F , Blundell S J , Steinhardt W , Haravifard S , Mañas-Valero S , Coronado E , Huddart B M , Lancaster T
Published: March 2023

LF-µSR studies have previously been used to study the diffusive 1D motion of solitons and polarons in conducting polymers. This type of study was also applied to investigating the diffusive motion of spinons in spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic chains. Recently the method has been extended to examples of 2D layered triangular spin lattices which can support quantum spin liquid states, such as 1T-TaS2 and YbZnGaO4. These systems are found to show spin dynamics that matches well to 2D spin diffusion, such a model being found to provide a much better fit to the data than previously proposed models for spin correlations in such systems. In YbZnGaO4 the diffusion rate shows a clear crossover between classical and quantum regimes as T falls below the exchange coupling J. That the spin diffusion approach works well in the high T classical region might be expected, but it is found that it also works equally well in the low T quantum region where quantum entanglement controls the spin dynamics. Measurement of the diffusion rate allows a T dependent length scale to be derived from the data that can be assigned to a quantum entanglement length ξ
E. Another entanglement measure, the Quantum Fisher Information F
Q can also be obtained from the data and its T dependence is compared to that of ξ
E.
Muon studies of the proton conducting polymer Nafion
Authors: Pratt F L , Baker P J , Blundell S J
Published: March 2023

The fluorinated ionomer Nafion, first discovered by the Du Pont company, is a material that provides efficient proton conducting membranes for application in important technological areas such as hydrogen fuel cells. Although many aspects of the polymer have been studied in relation to these applications, the microscopic mechanisms for proton transport in this polymer are still only poorly understood. We have therefore applied implanted muon techniques to the study of Nafion, aiming to gain information about these mechanisms via the muon acting as a local spin probe. Our results indicate that the muon is highly sensitive to the hydration state of the polymer and to the dynamical processes of the various sub-phases within the material. A three component model is found to describe the data well. This model has one F-µ-F component, reflecting muons in the PTFE-like polymer matrix, a second component representing quasi-static environments dominated by a single close proton and a third component encompassing highly dynamic proton-coupled environments. The properties have been studied within this modelling framework as a function of temperature for both dehydrated and fully hydrated samples.
Magnetic Properties of Multifunctional 7LiFePO4 under Hydrostatic Pressure
Authors: Miniotaite Ugne , Forslund Ola Kenji , Nocerino Elisabetta , Elson Frank , Palm Rasmus , Matsubara Nami , Ge Yuqing , Khasanov Rustem , Kobayashi Genki , Sassa Yasmine , Weissenrieder Jonas , Pomjakushin Vladimir , Andreica Daniel , Sugiyama Jun , Månsson Martin
Published: March 2023

LiFePO4 (LFPO) is an archetypical and well-known cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. However, its quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) structure along with the Fe ions, LFPO also displays interesting low-temperature magnetic properties. Our team has previously utilized the muon spin rotation (µ
+SR) technique to investigate both magnetic spin order as well as Li-ion diffusion in LFPO. In this initial study we extend our investigation and make use of high-pressure µ
+SR to investigate effects on the low-T magnetic order. Contrary to theoretical predictions we find that the magnetic ordering temperature as well as the ordered magnetic moment increase at high pressure (compressive strain).
Near-surface dynamics of the ionic liquid EMIM-Ac above and below the glass transition
Authors: Fujimoto D , Karner V L , Dehn M H , Dunsiger S R , Hemmingsen L , Kiefl R F , McFadden R M L , Michal C A , Morris G D , Li R , Pearson M , Szunyogh D , Thoeng E , Ticknor J O , MacFarlane W A , Stachura M
Published: March 2023

In our prior work, we showed that β-detected nuclear magnetic resonance (β-NMR) was a good probe of bulk room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) dynamics and dynamic heterogeneity. We now investigate how the surface modifies these properties, presenting the first depth-resolved β-NMR measurements in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as a liquid, supercooled liquid, and glass. This interfacial region is important for understanding how constrained dimensionality affects dynamics. We show that both the surface and the glass transition have a large impact on molecular dynamics, which in many aspects differs greatly from our expectations based on polymer glasses. For example, in the glassy phase the surface dynamics appear to be faster than in the bulk (i.e., liquid-like), yet just as heterogeneous (i.e., glass-like).
Structure of muoniated trimethylsilylvinyl radicals
Authors: McKenzie Iain , Percival Paul W
Published: March 2023

Muoniated vinyl radicals can be produced by muonium (Mu) addition to triple bonds. Rhodes et al. observed a muoniated radical formed by Mu addition to trimethylsilylacetylene but were unable to determine the structure (J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.
1987, 447). We have performed transverse field muon spin rotation measurements on trimethylsilylacetylene at 298 K and two different applied magnetic fields and observed that two types of muoniated radical were formed: a major product with muon hyperfine coupling constant (A
µ
) of 587.3(1) MHz and a minor product with A
µ
of 570.9(5) MHz. DFT calculations show that Mu addition is preferred to the terminal carbon of the triple bond and that the two resulting radicals are isomers of the Me3SiĊ =CH(Mu) radical. Calculated muon hyperfine coupling constants were used to assign the observed radicals, which have Mu cis and trans to the trimethylsilyl substituent, respectively.
Are Interventions Efficacious at Increasing Human Papillomavirus Vaccinations Among Adults? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fleszar-Pavlović Sara E , Cameron Linda D
Published: March 2023

Background

A variety of intervention strategies to improve Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in adults exist; however, they have shown varying efficacy and inconsistent outcomes.

Purpose

This meta-analysis tested the efficacy of HPV vaccination interventions for adults in increasing vaccine intentions, rates of initiation of the vaccine series, and completion rates. The study also tested potential moderators (intervention strategy, theory-based versus nontheory-based interventions, race/ethnicity, gender, study quality) of relationships between intervention receipt and vaccine intentions.

Method

Electronic databases (PsychINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, JSTOR, PubMed) were searched for English-language articles published up to September 2021. Eligible studies included outcomes of vaccine intentions, receipt of the first dose, or vaccine series completion and included intervention and comparison conditions.

Results

The search yielded 38 eligible studies reporting 78 effect sizes. Random effects, multilevel, meta-analytic models revealed a significant, small effect of interventions on vaccine intentions (OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.07, 0.65]); a nonsignificant effect on vaccine initiation rates (OR = 1.29; 95% CI [0.87, 1.91]); and significant effects on vaccine completion rates (OR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.18, 2.11]). Race/ethnicity, gender, intervention strategy, theory-based interventions, and study quality did not moderate the intervention effects on vaccine intentions.

Conclusion

Evidence supports the efficacy of interventions to increase intentions to receive the HPV vaccine and completion of the HPV vaccine series in adults. However, evidence did not support the efficacy of interventions to increase HPV vaccine initiation. Findings highlight directions for developing more efficacious HPV vaccine interventions for adults.
Gait and falls in cerebral small vessel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sharma Breni , Wang Meng , McCreary Cheryl R , Camicioli Richard , Smith Eric E
Published: March 2023

Background

Gait impairment contributes to falls and frailty. Some studies suggest that cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is associated with gait impairment in the general population. We systematically reviewed and meta-analysed the literature on associations of CSVD with gait impairment and falls.

Methods

The protocol was published in PROSPERO (CRD42021246009). Searches of Medline, Cochrane and Embase databases were conducted on 30 March 2022. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of community-dwelling adults were included, reporting relationships between diagnosis or neuroimaging markers of CSVD and outcomes related to gait or falls. Partial correlation coefficients were calculated and pooled using a random-effects model for meta-analysis.

Results

The search retrieved 73 studies (53 cross-sectional; 20 longitudinal). Most studies reported an association between CSVD and gait impairments or falls risk: 7/7 studies on CSVD score or diagnosis, 53/67 studies on white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), 11/21 studies on lacunar infarcts, 6/15 studies on cerebral microbleeds and 1/5 studies on perivascular spaces. Meta-analysis of 13 studies found that higher WMH volume was mildly correlated with lower gait speed, in all studies (r = −0.23, 95% confidence interval: −0.33 to −0.14, P < 0.0001). However, there was significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 82.95%; tau2 = 0.02; Q = 79.37, P < 0.0001), which was unexplained by variation in age, sex, study quality or if the study adjusted for age.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that CSVD severity is associated with gait impairment, history of falls and risk of future falls. Prevention of CSVD should be part of a comprehensive public health strategy to improve mobility and reduce risk of falls in later life.
Against classical paraconsistent metatheory
Authors: Tanaka Koji , Girard Patrick
Published: March 2023

There was a time when ‘logic’ just meant classical logic. The climate is slowly changing, and non-classical logic cannot be dismissed off-hand. However, a metatheory used to study the properties of non-classical logic is often classical. In this paper, we will argue that this practice of relying on classical metatheories is problematic. In particular, we will show that it is a bad practice because the metatheory that is used to study a non-classical logic often rules out the very logic it is designed to study.
SCREE: a comprehensive pipeline for single-cell multi-modal CRISPR screen data processing and analysis
Authors: Wei Hailin , Han Tong , Li Taiwen , Wu Qiu , Wang Chenfei
Published: March 2023

Single-cell CRISPR screens have been widely used to investigate gene regulatory circuits in diverse biological systems. The recent development of single-cell CRISPR screens has enabled multimodal profiling of perturbed cells with both gene expression, chromatin accessibility and protein levels. However, current methods cannot meet the analysis requirements of different types of data and have limited functions. Here, we introduce Single-cell CRISPR screens data analysEs and perturbation modEling (SCREE) as a comprehensive and flexible pipeline to facilitate the analyses of various types of single-cell CRISPR screens data. SCREE performs read alignment, sgRNA assignment, quality control, clustering and visualization, perturbation enrichment evaluation, perturbation efficiency modeling, gene regulatory score calculation and functional analyses of perturbations for single-cell CRISPR screens with both RNA, ATAC and multimodal readout. SCREE is available at https://github.com/wanglabtongji/SCREE.
ACSL4: a double-edged sword target in multiple myeloma, promotes cell proliferation and sensitizes cell to ferroptosis
Authors: Zhang Jiasi , Liu Yuxi , Li Qun , Zuo Liping , Zhang Bo , Zhao Fei , Fan Fengjuan , Luo Shanshan , Hu Yu , Sun Chunyan
Published: March 2023

Overactive fatty acid metabolism is usually found in hematological malignancies including multiple myeloma (MM), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we reveal that acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) is abnormally overexpressed in MM cell lines and MM patients compared to healthy donors. Knockdown of ACSL4 inhibited MM cell proliferation and reduced fatty acid levels possibly by regulating lipid metabolism genes including c-Myc and sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs). As a propellent in ferroptosis, ACSL4 also determines the sensitivity of MM cells to ferroptosis inducer RSL3. Knockdown of ACSL4 rendered MM cells resistance to ferroptosis. Our findings suggest that ACSL4 is a double-edged sword target in MM. Based on the high expression of ACSL4, ferroptosis induction represents a promising therapeutic strategy for MM.
Not all errors are created equal: decoding the error-processing mechanisms using alpha oscillations
Authors: Li Qing , Yin Shouhang , Wang Jing , Zhang Mengke , Li Zhifang , Chen Xu , Chen Antao
Published: March 2023

Empirical evidence on error processing comes from the comparison between errors and correct responses in general, but essential differences may exist between different error types. Typically, cognitive control tasks elicit errors without conflicts (congruent errors) and with conflicts (incongruent errors), which may employ different monitoring and adjustment mechanisms. However, the neural indicators that distinguish between both error types remain unclear. To solve this issue, behavioral and electrophysiological data were measured while subjects performed the flanker task. Results showed that a significant post-error improvement in accuracy on incongruent errors, but not on congruent errors. Theta and beta power were comparable between both error types. Importantly, the basic error-related alpha suppression (ERAS) effect was observed on both errors, whereas ERAS evoked by incongruent errors was greater than congruent errors, indicating that post-error attentional adjustments are both source-general and source-specific. And the brain activity in alpha band, but not theta or beta band, successfully decoded congruent and incongruent errors. Furthermore, improved post-incongruent error accuracy was predicted by a measure of post-error attentional adjustments, the alpha power. Together, these findings demonstrate that ERAS is a reliable neural indicator for identifying error types, and directly conduces to the improvement of post-error behavior.
The Present and Future of Lipid Testing in Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Authors: White-Al Habeeb Nicole M A , Higgins Victoria , Wolska Anna , Delaney Sarah R , Remaley Alan T , Beriault Daniel R
Published: March 2023

Background

Lipids play a central role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins are routinely measured to help identify individuals at high risk of developing CVD and to monitor patients’ response to therapy. The landscape of lipid testing is rapidly changing, including new ways to estimate traditional lipid parameters (e.g., low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C] calculations) and new lipid parameters that show superiority for risk prediction (e.g., non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [non-HDL-C], apolipoprotein B [apoB], and lipoprotein a [Lp(a)]).

Content

Various national guidelines for managing dyslipidemia to prevent CVD are available, which primarily focus on LDL-C for identifying those at high risk and setting thresholds for optimal response to therapy. However, LDL-C can be calculated and measured in various ways, each with advantages and disadvantages. Importantly, the recently established Sampson–NIH LDL-C equation appears to be superior to preceding calculations, as is clear from the literature and in guidelines. There is now a shift towards using lipid parameters other than LDL-C, such as non-HDL-C, apoB, and Lp(a), to identify high-risk patients and/or establish treatment targets.

The goal of this review is to discuss the present and future of lipid testing for CVD risk assessment through describing various national clinical guidelines, critically reviewing methods to calculate and measure LDL-C and discussing the clinical utility of additional lipid parameters.
Growth Differentiation Factor 15: A Prognostic Marker in Patients with Acute Chest Pain without Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Myrmel Gard M S , Steiro Ole-Thomas , Tjora Hilde L , Langørgen Jørund , Bjørneklett Rune , Skadberg Øyvind , Bonarjee Vernon V S , Mjelva Øistein R , Pedersen Eva K R , Vikenes Kjell , Omland Torbjørn , Aakre Kristin M
Published: March 2023

Background

Acute chest pain is associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular events even when acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been excluded. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a strong prognostic marker in patients with acute chest pain and AMI, but the prognostic value in patients without AMI is uncertain. This study sought to investigate the ability of GDF-15 to predict long-term prognosis in patients presenting with acute chest pain without AMI.

Methods

In total, 1320 patients admitted with acute chest pain without AMI were followed for a median of 1523 days (range: 4 to 2208 days). The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Secondary end points included cardiovascular (CV) death, future AMI, heart failure hospitalization, and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF).

Results

Higher concentrations of GDF-15 were associated with increased risk of death from all causes (median concentration in non-survivors vs survivors: 2124 pg/mL vs 852 pg/mL, P < 0.001), and all secondary end points. By multivariable Cox regression, GDF-15 concentration ≥4th quartile (compared to <4th quartile) remained an independent predictor of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 2.75; 95% CI, 1.69–4.45, P < 0.001), CV death (adjusted HR: 3.74; 95% CI, 1.31–10.63, P = 0.013), and heart failure hospitalization (adjusted HR: 2.60; 95% CI, 1.11–6.06, P = 0.027). Adding GDF-15 to a model consisting of established risk factors and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) led to a significant increase in C-statistics for prediction of all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Higher concentrations of GDF-15 were associated with increased risk of mortality from all causes and risk of future CV events.
The influence of explicit local dynamics on range expansions driven by long-range dispersal
Authors: Villiger Nathan , Paulose Jayson
Published: March 2023

Range expansions are common in natural populations. They can take such forms as an invasive species spreading into a new habitat or a virus spreading from host to host during a pandemic. When the expanding species is capable of dispersing offspring over long distances, population growth is driven by rare but consequential long-range dispersal events that seed satellite colonies far from the densely occupied core of the population. These satellites accelerate growth by accessing unoccupied territory, and also act as reservoirs for maintaining neutral genetic variation present in the originating population, which would ordinarily be lost to drift. Prior theoretical studies of dispersal-driven expansions have shown that the sequential establishment of satellites causes initial genetic diversity to be either lost or maintained to a level determined by the breadth of the distribution of dispersal distances. If the tail of the distribution falls off faster than a critical threshold, diversity is steadily eroded over time; by contrast, broader distributions with a slower falloff allow some initial diversity to be maintained for arbitrarily long times. However, these studies used lattice-based models and assumed an instantaneous saturation of the local carrying capacity after the arrival of a founder. Real-world populations expand in continuous space with complex local dynamics, which potentially allow multiple pioneers to arrive and establish within the same local region. Here, we evaluate the impact of local dynamics on the population growth and the evolution of neutral diversity using a computational model of range expansions with long-range dispersal in continuous space, with explicit local dynamics that can be controlled by altering the mix of local and long-range dispersal events. We found that many qualitative features of population growth and neutral genetic diversity observed in lattice-based models are preserved under more complex local dynamics, but quantitative aspects such as the rate of population growth, the level of maintained diversity, and the rate of decay of diversity all depend strongly on the local dynamics. Besides identifying situations in which modeling the explicit local population dynamics becomes necessary to understand the population structure of jump-driven range expansions, our results show that local dynamics affects different features of the population in distinct ways, and can be more or less consequential depending on the degree and form of long-range dispersal as well as the scale at which the population structure is measured.
Average dwell time based networked predictive control for switched linear systems with data transmission time-varying delays
Authors: Cui Yanliang , Shi Guangtian , Xu Lanlan , Ji Juanjuan
Published: March 2023

This paper investigates an average dwell time (ADT) based networked predictive control for discrete-time linear systems with data transmission time-varying delays. Since the data transmission time-varying delays and packet dropouts simultaneously exhibit in the sensor-to-controller and the controller-to-actuator channels, a predictor is proposed to approximate the current state with the delayed state measurement. Based on the estimation state, a synchronous switching controller is proposed, and its mode-dependent and mode-independent design methods are presented. The proposed methods not only guarantee the desired stability of the closed-loop systems but also tolerate some locally unstable subsystems. In addition, the decay rate of the closed-loop system can be pre-regulated. Moreover, given some prior activation probabilities of subsystems, the ADT can be further reduced, thus more frequent switching dynamics can be allowed. Numerical example is provided to show the effectiveness of the developed method.
The circadian neutrophil, inside-out
Authors: Ovadia Samuel , Özcan Alaz , Hidalgo Andrés
Published: March 2023

The circadian clock has sway on a myriad of physiological targets, among which the immune and inflammatory systems are particularly prominent. In this review, we discuss how neutrophils, the wildcard of the immune system, are regulated by circadian oscillations. We describe cell-intrinsic and extrinsic diurnal mechanisms governing the general physiology and function of these cells, from purely immune to homeostatic. Repurposing the concepts discovered in other cell types, we then speculate on various uncharted avenues of neutrophil–circadian relationships, such as topology, metabolism, and the regulation of tissue clocks, with the hope of identifying exciting new avenues of work in the context of circadian immunity.
Relative influence of inter- and intraspecific competition in an ungulate assemblage modified by introduced species
Authors: Zini Valentina , Wäber Kristin , Dolman Paul M
Published: March 2023

Interspecific competition from introduced and naturally colonizing species has potential to affect resident populations, but demographic consequences for vertebrates have rarely been tested. We tested hypotheses of interspecific and intraspecific competition for density, body mass, and fertility of adult female Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) across a heterogeneous forest landscape occupied by two introduced deer species: Mediterranean Fallow Deer (Dama dama); and subtropical Reeve’s Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Species-specific deer densities in buffers around culling locations of 492 adult female Roe Deer, sampled over seven years, were extracted from spatially explicit models calibrated through annual nocturnal distance sampling. Roe Deer fertility and body mass were related to species-specific deer densities and extent of arable lands using piecewise structural equation models. Reeve’s Muntjac density was lower at higher Fallow Deer densities, suggesting interspecific avoidance via interference competition, but greater when buffers included more arable land. Roe Deer body mass was marginally greater when buffers included more arable land and was independent of deer densities. However, Roe Deer fertility was unrelated to female body mass, suggesting that fertility benefits exceeded an asymptotic threshold of body condition in this low-density population. However, Roe Deer fertility was slightly greater rather than reduced in areas with greater local Roe Deer density, suggesting negligible intraspecific competition. In contrast, Roe Deer was less fertile in areas with greater Reeve’s Muntjac densities; thus, interspecific exceeded intraspecific competition in this assemblage. In contrast, we found no support for any effects of Fallow Deer density on Roe Deer density, body mass, or fertility. Complex networks of interspecific competition operating in this deer assemblage include: interspecific interference from Fallow Deer exceeded habitat effects for Reeve’s Muntjac; and interspecific competition from introduced, smaller sedentary Reeve’s Muntjac reduced fertility, unlike intraspecific, or potential competition with larger, more mobile, Fallow Deer for native Roe Deer. Mechanisms driving Roe Deer fertility may include interspecific behavioral interference or stress–resource depletion is considered less likely because Roe Deer fertility was independent of body mass. Findings emphasize the importance of ensuring appropriate management strategies for controlling invasive species.
Single-cell individual full-length mtDNA sequencing by iMiGseq uncovers unexpected heteroplasmy shifts in mtDNA editing
Authors: Bi Chongwei , Wang Lin , Fan Yong , Yuan Baolei , Ramos-Mandujano Gerardo , Zhang Yingzi , Alsolami Samhan , Zhou Xuan , Wang Jincheng , Shao Yanjiao , Reddy Pradeep , Zhang Pu-Yao , Huang Yanyi , Yu Yang , Izpisua Belmonte Juan Carlos , Li Mo
Published: March 2023

The ontogeny and dynamics of mtDNA heteroplasmy remain unclear due to limitations of current mtDNA sequencing methods. We developed individual Mitochondrial Genome sequencing (iMiGseq) of full-length mtDNA for ultra-sensitive variant detection, complete haplotyping, and unbiased evaluation of heteroplasmy levels, all at the individual mtDNA molecule level. iMiGseq uncovered unappreciated levels of heteroplasmic variants in single cells well below the conventional NGS detection limit and provided accurate quantitation of heteroplasmy level. iMiGseq resolved the complete haplotype of individual mtDNA in single oocytes and revealed genetic linkage of de novo mutations. iMiGseq detected sequential acquisition of detrimental mutations, including large deletions, in defective mtDNA in NARP/Leigh syndrome patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. iMiGseq identified unintended heteroplasmy shifts in mitoTALEN editing, while showing no appreciable level of unintended mutations in DdCBE-mediated mtDNA base editing. Therefore, iMiGseq could not only help elucidate the mitochondrial etiology of diseases, but also evaluate the safety of various mtDNA editing strategies.
Appendicitis Associated With Clozapine
Authors: Misawa Fuminari , Nakajima Nozomi , Fujii Yasuo , Takeuchi Hiroyoshi
Published: March 2023

Background

An association between appendicitis and clozapine has recently been reported; however, few studies other than case reports have investigated this association. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between appendicitis and clozapine, using a large spontaneous reporting database in Japan.

Methods

Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report data were used in this study, and patients who had received clozapine or nonclozapine second-generation antipsychotics (NC-SGAs) available in Japan were included. To compare the reporting frequency of appendicitis associated with clozapine and NC-SGAs, we calculated the adjusted reporting odds ratio using logistic regression models, adjusting for age group, sex, and anticholinergic use. We conducted a time-to-event analysis to examine the time to onset of appendicitis associated with clozapine.

Results

In total, 8921 patients were included in this study, of whom 85 (1.0%) had appendicitis. Of these, 83 patients had received clozapine. Appendicitis was significantly more frequently reported with clozapine than with NC-SGAs. Time-to-event analysis showed that the risk of developing appendicitis associated with clozapine increased over time.

Conclusions

Clozapine was associated with a higher risk of appendicitis than NC-SGAs, which increased with time. These findings suggest that clinicians need to pay greater attention to the risk of developing appendicitis during clozapine treatment.
Comparative efficacies of 13 surgical interventions for primary congenital glaucoma in children: a network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Lee Yun Jeong , Ha Ahnul , Kang Donghwee , Shim Sung Ryul , Jeoung Jin Wook , Park Ki Ho , Kim Young Kook
Published: March 2023

Background:

Timely and proper intraocular pressure (IOP) management is vital to the prevention of visual impairment in children with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Although various surgical interventions have been proposed, no well-founded evidence exists on their comparative efficacies. We aimed to compare the efficacies of surgical interventions for PCG.

Methods:

We searched relevant sources up to 4 April 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) entailing surgical interventions for PCG in children were identified. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed, comparing 13 surgical interventions: Conventional partial trabeculotomy ([CPT] control), 240-degree trabeculotomy, Illuminated microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy (IMCT), Viscocanalostomy, Visco-circumferential-suture-trabeculotomy, Goniotomy, Laser goniotomy, Kahook dual bladeab-internotrabeculectomy, Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, Trabeculectomy with modified scleral bed, Deep sclerectomy, Combined trabeculectomy-trabeculotomy with mitomycin C, and Baerveldt implant. The main outcomes were mean IOP reduction and surgical success rate at postoperative 6 months. The mean differences (MDs) or odds ratios (ORs) were analyzed by a random-effects model, and the efficacies were ranked byP-score. We appraised the RCTs using the Cochrane risk-of-bias (ROB) tool (PROSPERO: CRD42022313954).

Results:

Sixteen RCTs were eligible for NMA, including 710 eyes of 485 participants and 13 surgical interventions, which formed a network of 14 nodes comprising both single interventions and intervention combinations. IMCT was superior to CPT in both IOP reduction [MD (95% CI): −3.10 (−5.50 to −0.69)] and surgical success rate [OR (95% CI): 4.38 (1.61–11.96)]. The MD and OR comparing the other surgical interventions and intervention combinations with CPT were not statistically significant. TheP-scores ranked IMCT as the most efficacious surgical intervention in terms of success rate (P-score =0.777). Overall, the trials had a low-to-moderate ROB.

Conclusion:

This NMA indicated that IMCT is more effective than CPT and might be the most efficacious of the 13 surgical interventions for management of PCG.
Intraoperative dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain in gastrointestinal surgery: an observational study
Authors: Lv Xuecai , Zhang Haoyun , Gao Jie , Hou Aisheng , Ma Yulong , Zhou Zhikang , Mi Weidong , Zhang Hong , Liu Yanhong
Published: March 2023

Background:

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is widely used for adjuvant sedation and analgesia in gastrointestinal surgeries. The authors aimed to reassess the effects of intraoperative DEX on acute pain by comprehensive analysis of the multiple dimensions of pain.

Materials and Methods:

In this multicentre cohort study, patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries were prospectively enrolled in the China Acute Postoperative Pain Study. Patients were divided into DEX and non-DEX groups based on whether DEX was used during surgery. Patient satisfaction with pain treatment (rated on a numeric rating score, 0–10) and other pain-related outcomes were evaluated using the International Pain Outcome Questionnaire on the first postoperative day. The effects of intraoperative DEX were analyzed using logistic or linear regression for dichotomous or continuous variables, respectively. Propensity score matching and subgroup analyses were performed to appraise the correlation between intraoperative DEX and postoperative pain outcomes.

Results:

Of the 1260 patients eligible for analysis, 711 (56.4%) received intraoperative DEX. Propensity score matching resulted in 415 patients in each group. Intraoperative DEX was associated with higher patient satisfaction (β: 0.556; 95% CI: 0.366–0.745), and a decrease in the percentage of time spent in severe pain (β: −0.081; 95% CI: −0.104– −0.058), anxiety (odds ratio: 0.394; 95% CI: 0.307–0.506), helplessness (odds ratio: 0.539; 95% CI: 0.411–0.707), and postoperative opioid consumption (β: −16.342; 95% CI: −27.528– −5.155).

Conclusions:

Intraoperative DEX was associated with the prognosis of acute postoperative pain in multiple aspects in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery, including increased patient satisfaction, and a reduction in the duration of severe pain, postoperative anxiety and helplessness, and postoperative opioid consumption. Future studies to determine the dose and timing of DEX administration on pain-related outcomes are warranted.
Efficacy and safety of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol on minimally invasive bariatric surgery: a meta-analysis
Authors: Gao Benjian , Chen Jianfei , Liu Yongfa , Hu Shuai , Wang Rui , Peng Fangyi , Fang Chen , Gan Yu , Su Song , Han Yunwei , Yang Xiaoli , Li Bo
Published: March 2023

Background:

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), a multidisciplinary and multimodal perioperative care protocol, has been widely used in several surgical fields. However, the effect of this care protocol on patients receiving minimally invasive bariatric surgery remains unclear. This meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes of the ERAS protocol and standard care (SC) in patients who underwent minimally invasive bariatric surgery.

Material and methods:

PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were systematically searched to identify literature reporting the effects of the ERAS protocol on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive bariatric surgery. All the articles published until 01 October 2022, were searched, followed by data extraction of the included literature and independent quality assessment. Then, pooled mean difference (MD) and odds ratio with a 95% CI were calculated by either a random-effects or fixed-effects model.

Results:

Overall, 21 studies involving 10 764 patients were included in the final analysis. With the ERAS protocol, the length of hospitalization (MD: −1.02, 95% CI: −1.41 to −0.64, P<0.00001), hospitalization costs (MD: −678.50, 95% CI: −1196.39 to −160.60, P=0.01), and the incidence of 30-day readmission (odds ratio =0.78, 95% CI: 0.63–0.97, P=0.02) were significantly reduced. The incidences of overall complications, major complications (Clavien–Dindo grade ≥3), postoperative nausea and vomiting, intra-abdominal bleeding, anastomotic leak, incisional infection, reoperation, and mortality did not differ significantly between the ERAS and SC groups.

Conclusions:

The current meta-analysis indicated that the ERAS protocol could be safely and feasibly implemented in the perioperative management of patients receiving minimally invasive bariatric surgery. Compared with SC, this protocol leads to significantly shorter hospitalization lengths, lower 30-day readmission rate, and hospitalization costs. However, no differences were observed in postoperative complications and mortality.
Accuracy of ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the emergency department: A systematic review
Authors: Cho Sung Uk , Oh Se Kwang
Published: March 2023

Background:

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a quick, useful, noninvasive, and inexpensive diagnostic tool used for the diagnosis of trauma, abdominal pain, dyspnea, and chest pain in the emergency department (ED). However, the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in the ED may be different from those reported in previous studies owing to the setting and time constraints in ED.

Methods:

We conducted our study in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. A literature search was conducted using databases on US National Library of Medicine’s database of biomedical literature, Ovid MEDLINE, online database of biomedical articles, and the collection of databases of systematic reviews and other evidence. The inclusion criteria were the use of bedside ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for acute appendicitis in the ED and the available data on diagnostic parameters such as sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (NPV). We constructed forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic curves to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of bedside ultrasound for acute appendicitis in the ED.

Results:

A total of 21 studies that met the inclusion criteria of this study were included for analysis. The overall pooled sensitivity was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78–0.83), whereas the pooled specificity was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.85–0.88). However, the I
2 test showed 91.7% and 90.9% heterogeneity in the sensitivity and specificity values, respectively. The summary receiver operating characteristic curves showed high levels of accuracy, as evidenced by an area under the curve of 0.9249 (standard error: 0.0180).

Conclusions:

The use of ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the ED showed that ultrasound has high overall sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. however, high heterogeneity among the included studies was observed.
How an Automated Patient Education Module Improves Patient Outcomes and Informs Quality-of-Care Measures for Providers Within a Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Practice
Authors: Harper-Lonabaugh Wendi
Published: March 2023

I conducted a quality improvement project to determine whether providing patient education before consultation and treatment would help meet the needs of aesthetic patients and providers. The project objective was to create an automated patient education module that provided consistent, accurate information to each patient who viewed it and would give the providers additional time to treat the patient and generate revenue. Before and during the 6-week study period, I administered three surveys and reviewed electronic health records metrics indicating patient check-in and check-out times and facility revenue. I used descriptive statistics to examine the demographics of the patients included in the study. I analyzed check-in and check-out times and facility revenue by conducting two-tailed Mann-Whitney U tests. There were a total of 201 patient visits in the 6-week period before the study and a total of 316 patient visits during the study period. Most patients were White, married women, 50- to 59-years-old, with at least some college education. The most common treatments administered were neurotoxin and dermal filler injections. After implementing the preappointment education, I found a significant reduction in the length of patient appointments (p < .001) and a significant increase in facility revenue (p < .037). I concluded that after implementing the education program, patient understanding about the intended treatment was improved. To better correlate how preappointment automated education impacts the amount of time the provider spends with patients and influences practice revenue, I recommend conducting a longer study with a greater number of patients.
Chelativorans petroleitrophicus sp. nov., a paraffin oil-degrading bacterium isolated from a mixture of oil-based drill cuttings and paddy soil
Authors: Yu Jinyang , Liu Hanjun , Deng Yonggang , Penttinen Petri , Wang Zuyu , Liu Yihao , Wang Yan , Wang Entao , Sun Yu , Chen Keming , Li Hui , Chen Liyun , Yu Xiumei , Zhao Ke , Gu Yunfu , Huang Min , Zhang Lingzi , Xiang Quanju , Ma Menggen , Chen Qiang
Published: March 2023

We isolated a paraffin oil-degrading bacterial strain from a mixture of oil-based drill cutting and paddy soil, and characterized the strain using a polyphasic approach. The Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming strain (SCAU 2101T) grew optimally at 50 °C, pH 7.0 and 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain represented a distinct clade in the genus Chelativorans, neighbouring

Chelativorans intermedius

LMG 28482T (97.1 %). The genome size and DNA G+C content of the strain were 3 969 430 bp and 63.1 mol%, respectively. Whole genome based phylogenomic analyses showed that the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain SCAU 2101T and

C. intermedius

LMG 28482T were 77.5 and 21.2 %, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The dominant fatty acids were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (50.6 %), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c; 22.5 %) and C18 : 0 (13.8 %). The polar lipids of the strain included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol. Based on the results, strain SCAU 2101T was considered to represent a novel species in the genus

Chelativorans

, for which the name Chelativorans petroleitrophicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCAU 2101T (= CCTCC AB 2021125T=KCTC 92067T).
Lolliginicoccus levis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the brain of the Chiroteuthis picteti squid, and reclassification of two Hoyosella species as Lolliginicoccus suaedae comb. nov. and Lolliginicoccus lacisalsi comb. nov.
Authors: Miyanishi Makoto , Hamada Moriyuki , Taniguchi Tomomi , Enomoto Narumi , Oota Takamasa , Teramoto Maki
Published: March 2023

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, mesophilic, aerobic, coccus-shaped bacterium, designated strain Y7R2T, was isolated from the brain of a Chiroteuthis picteti squid living in mesopelagic water near Muroto, Kochi, Japan. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was most closely related to the genus

Hoyosella

(96.1 % similarity to the type strain of the type species

Hoyosella altamirensis

) and formed a separate distinct cluster in a stable, deep-branching lineage with the type strains of

Hoyosella suaedae

and

Hoyosella lacisalsi

(98.7–99.5% similarities). The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain Y7R2T were C17 : 1 ω8c, C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω6c/C16 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0, and the isoprenoid quinones were menaquinone-7 (57.8 %) and menaquinone-8 (42.2 %). The principal polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol, and the DNA G+C content was 68.0 %. These chemotaxonomic features, with the exception of the fatty acid composition, were similar to those of the phylogenetically clustered species (

H. suaedae

and

H. lacisalsi

) but different from those of core

Hoyosella

species (including

H. altamirensis

). These results suggested that Y7R2T,

H. suaedae

and

H. lacisalsi

strains should be assigned to a novel genus. Furthermore, strain Y7R2T showed low average nucleotide identity values (88.0–88.2 %) and low digital DNA–DNA hybridization values (34.3–34.7 %) to the type strains of

H. suaedae

and

H. lacisalsi

. These data indicated that strain Y7R2T should be assigned to a novel genus and species, for which the name Lolliginicoccus levis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y7R2T (=NBRC 114883T=KCTC 49749T). Accordingly, reclassification of

H. suaedae

and

H. lacisalsi

as Lolliginicoccus suaedae comb. nov. (type species) and Lolliginicoccus lacisalsi comb. nov. is also proposed.
Who wants to leave when facing mass lay-off: a regulatory focus perspective on turnover intentions and mobility-oriented behavior
Authors: Hamstra Melvyn R.W. , Schreurs Bert , Maxim Laurijssen L. , Marescaux Elise
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Mass lay-offs tremendously impact employees and companies. Helping people toward new employment could help organizations manage costs and reputation. The authors sought to test a model, based on regulatory focus theory, predicting which employees are more likely to consider leaving the company during this uncertain time (turnover intentions) and indirectly to engage in behavior to strengthen their external labor market position (mobility-oriented behavior).

Design/methodology/approach

With a mass lay-off impending, the authors studied employees (N = 326) in a financial services organization. The authors reasoned that employees' perception that they have higher (vs lower) qualifications than their job requires, may be able to spur turnover intentions for some because it enhances perception that movement to another job is desirable and feasible. The authors proposed perceptions of being overqualified vs perceptions of being underqualified only affect the turnover intentions and mobility-oriented behavior of promotion-focused employees.

Findings

Supporting the expectations, promotion-focused employees (but not prevention-focused employees) who perceived themselves to be overqualified, compared with promotion-focused employees who perceived themselves to be underqualified, showed higher turnover intentions and, indirectly, mobility-oriented behavior.

Originality/value

This research is one of few studies that have examined intentions and behavior of employees who are facing impending mass lay-off, as most lay-off research has studied survivors or victims post lay-off. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to apply a regulatory focus perspective on overqualification/underqualification, as well as to turnover intention and mobility behavior.
Nexus between corporate innovation and investor sentiment: empirical evidence from the US
Authors: Majid Safyan , Abbas Faisal , Malik Muhammad Nasir
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study examines the connection between investor sentiment and corporate innovation in the United States, considering the magnitude of corporate information asymmetry, the implied cost of capital and the financial constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a two-step GMM framework to examine the hypotheses of this study by utilizing annual data from 2001 to 2021 for US corporations.

Findings

The empirical evidence demonstrates a significant impact of investor sentiment on corporate innovation for firms with a lower information asymmetry and implied cost of capital than those with a higher information asymmetry and cost of capital. Although the financial constraint channel remained positive, it had little impact on the innovations of US corporations. Overall, the study's results show that companies make more valuable and high-quality patents when investors are optimistic.

Practical implications

This research has policy implications for all managers, investors, analysts and state officers, particularly in the USA and other developed countries. Managers and investors of all types should predict the role of corporate innovation in increasing shareholder wealth.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between investor sentiment and corporate innovation in the United States, considering the extent of corporate information asymmetry, the implied cost of capital and the financial limitations. The study's empirical findings uniquely contribute to the existing literature on corporate innovation and investor sentiment in the current context.