bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome and its association with studying medicine, a cross‐sectional study in Al‐Baath University, Syria
Authors: Daher Mohanad , Abbas Sara , Asaad Zainab , Khalil Karam , Jadid Ghania
Published: March 2024

Background

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence rate of fibromyalgia (FM) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among Al‐Baath University students and find out whether studying medicine has an association with a higher prevalence rate.

Methods

The participants of this observational cross‐sectional study were students aged 18–30 years from Al‐Baath University. A structured self‐estimated electronic questionnaire developed by Google Forms was distributed using social media platforms from 15 February to 15 March, 2023. We used The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2016 and Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool criteria to assess the prevalence rate of FM. We used The ROME IV criteria to asses IBS prevalence rate.

Results

The final sample size was 800 individuals. The prevalence of IBS in the study population was 26.8%. Overall, IBS‐Constipation was the most common subtype, and the prevalence rate was higher among medical students (14%) compared to other colleges (12.8%) (p = .002). The difference in IBS prevalence between males and females was (9.3% vs. 17.5%, p = .283), but this did not reach the statistical significance. The prevalence of FM according to The ACR in the study population was 3.6%. Females had higher prevalence rate than males (3.1% vs. 0.5%, p = .007). The prevalence of FM was also higher in other colleges compared to medicine (2.3% vs. 1.4%, p = .547), but this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

We found an increased prevalence of IBS among medical students. The prevalence of FM did not show any relation to studying medicine. We recommend additional prospective studies to assess whether studying medicine could be a risk factor for these disorders or not.
Hippocampal resting‐state connectivity is associated with posterior‐cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pourzinal Dana , Yang Jihyun , McMahon Katie L. , Copland David A. , Mitchell Leander , O'Sullivan John D. , Byrne Gerard J. , Dissanayaka Nadeeka N.
Published: March 2024

Aim

Frontal and posterior‐cortical cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease (PD) present with executive/attention and memory/visuospatial deficits, respectively. As the posterior‐cortical subtype is predicted to progress rapidly toward dementia, the present study aimed to explore biological markers of this group using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI).

Methods

K‐means cluster analysis delineated subtypes (cognitively intact, frontal, posterior‐cortical, and globally impaired) among 85 people with PD. A subset of PD participants (N = 42) and 20 healthy controls (HCs) underwent rs‐fMRI. Connectivity of bilateral hippocampi with regions of interest was compared between posterior‐cortical, cognitively intact, and HC participants using seed‐based analysis, controlling for age. Exploratory correlations were performed between areas of interest from the group analysis and a series of cognitive tests.

Results

The posterior‐cortical subtype (N = 19) showed weaker connectivity between the left hippocampus and right anterior temporal fusiform cortex compared to the cognitively intact (N = 11) group, p‐false discovery rate (FDR) = .01, and weaker connectivity between bilateral hippocampi and most fusiform regions compared to HCs (N = 20). No differences were found between HCs and cognitively intact PD. Exploratory analyses revealed strongest associations between connectivity of the right anterior temporal fusiform cortex and left hippocampus with category fluency (p‐FDR = .01).

Conclusion

Results suggest that weakened connectivity between the hippocampus and fusiform region is a unique characteristic of posterior‐cortical cognitive deficits in PD. Further exploration of hippocampal and fusiform functional integrity as a marker of cognitive decline in PD is warranted.
Factors associated with age of presentation of pediatric feeding disorder
Authors: Galai Tut , Friedman Gal , Kalmintzky Nataly , Shemer Kim , Gal Dana L , Cohen Shlomi , Moran‐Lev Hadar
Published: March 2024

Aim

Understanding the association between pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and age of presentation is limited. We aimed to investigate factors associated with PFD among different age groups.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of medical records of infants and toddlers diagnosed with PFD, according to the World Health Organization‐based definition. We compared children aged 1–12 months to those aged 13–72 months.

Results

Included were 253 children with PFD (median [interquartile range] age 16.4 [9.5–33] months at diagnosis, 56% boys). Significantly more children in the younger age group were girls (52.6% vs. 34.4%, respectively, p = .03) and preterm (25% vs. 14%, p = .03). They had more hospitalizations (34% vs. 23%, p = .03) and needed more prescription medications (36% vs. 17%, p < .01). Additionally, disturbances in oral intake were primarily linked to feeding skills dysfunction in the younger group and nutritional dysfunction in the older group (39.6% vs. 23.7% and 55% vs. 38%, respectively, p = .02).

Conclusions

Infants under 1 year old with PFD represent a distinct patient group with unique characteristics and outcomes. The age of presentation plays a significant role in children with PFD, necessitating tailored treatment strategies.
Prediction of prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma using infrared microspectroscopy
Authors: Whitley Conor A. , Ellis Barnaby G. , Triantafyllou Asterios , Gunning Philip J. , Gardner Peter , Barrett Steve D. , Shaw Richard J. , Smith Caroline I. , Weightman Peter , Risk Janet M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Estimation of prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is inaccurate prior to surgery, only being effected following subsequent pathological analysis of the primary tumour and excised lymph nodes. Consequently, a proportion of patients are overtreated, with an increase in morbidity, or undertreated, with inadequate margins and risk of recurrence. We hypothesise that it is possible to accurately characterise clinical outcomes from infrared spectra arising from diagnostic biopsies. In this first step, we correlate survival with IR spectra derived from the primary tumour.

Methods

Infrared spectra were collected from tumour tissue from 29 patients with OSCC and subject to classification modelling.

Results

The model had a median AUROC of 0.89 with regard to prognosis, a median specificity of 0.83, and a hazard ratio of 6.29 in univariate Cox proportional hazard modelling.

Conclusion

The data suggest that FTIR spectra may be a useful early biomarker of prognosis in OSCC.
Learning from the COVID‐19 pandemic: Improving academic continuity in workforce development programs
Authors: Shakour Katie , Ransom Tim , Gallagher Eliza , Johnson Karen , Short Rebecca , Beck Jonathan , Chalil Madathil Kapil
Published: March 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused an abrupt change in educational programs worldwide, including workforce development education in community colleges. Given the hands‐on requirements of these programs, considerations for changes included if and how instructors and students could maintain academic continuity during the pandemic. This article focuses on aviation maintenance technology schools (AMTS) as a case study to understand how programs that rely heavily on hands‐on learning responded to COVID‐19 significant disruption to education. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must approve educational training for aviation maintenance careers, and the FAA requires specific hands‐on activities in the curriculum. Of the 182 AMTS in the United States, 143 are located within community colleges. We conducted 43 interviews with AMTS students, administrators, and instructors from 18 different community colleges. Following content analysis of the interviews, the authors identified six findings related to how these programs responded to the pandemic, with special attention to maintaining academic stability. The article advocates for integrating digital learning tools (DLT) to create resilient educational programs when disruptions occur. These tools allow for students to continue to asynchronously practice the procedures and familiarize themselves with the materials needed for projects, provide students immediate feedback on their learning, and save schools money on expensive resources when students require extra practice on certain skills and processes. The application of these tools is relevant beyond the pandemic, helping students in many scenarios succeed in the face of natural disasters, family obligations, and the need for extra learning resources.
Advancing randomized controlled trial methodologies: The place of innovative trial design in eating disorders research
Authors: Ryan Elizabeth G. , Gao Caroline X. , Grantham Kelsey L. , Thao Le Thi Phuong , Charles‐Nelson Anaïs , Bowden Rhys , Herschtal Alan , Lee Katherine J. , Forbes Andrew B. , Heritier Stephane , Phillipou Andrea , Wolfe Rory
Published: March 2024

Randomized controlled trials can be used to generate evidence on the efficacy and safety of new treatments in eating disorders research. Many of the trials previously conducted in this area have been deemed to be of low quality, in part due to a number of practical constraints. This article provides an overview of established and more innovative clinical trial designs, accompanied by pertinent examples, to highlight how design choices can enhance flexibility and improve efficiency of both resource allocation and participant involvement. Trial designs include individually randomized, cluster randomized, and designs with randomizations at multiple time points and/or addressing several research questions (master protocol studies). Design features include the use of adaptations and considerations for pragmatic or registry‐based trials. The appropriate choice of trial design, together with rigorous trial conduct, reporting and analysis, can establish high‐quality evidence to advance knowledge in the field. It is anticipated that this article will provide a broad and contemporary introduction to trial designs and will help researchers make informed trial design choices for improved testing of new interventions in eating disorders.

Public Significance

There is a paucity of high quality randomized controlled trials that have been conducted in eating disorders, highlighting the need to identify where efficiency gains in trial design may be possible to advance the eating disorder research field. We provide an overview of some key trial designs and features which may offer solutions to practical constraints and increase trial efficiency.
Exploring longitudinal relationships between fitness tracking and disordered eating outcomes in college‐aged women
Authors: Berry Rachel A. , Driscoll Geneva , Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Rodgers Rachel F.
Published: March 2024

Objective

A growing body of research, primarily cross‐sectional, suggests a relationship between the practice of tracking one's food intake and exercise behaviors using fitness‐tracking smartphone applications (“apps”) or wearable devices (“wearables”) and disordered eating symptomatology. The aim of the present study was to explore longitudinal relationships between fitness tracking and disordered eating outcomes among college‐aged women, as well as to determine whether the individual‐level risk factors of pre‐existing eating concerns, perfectionism, and rumination about food moderated the relationship.

Method

N = 68 female undergraduates used the MyFitnessPal app for 8 weeks while completing a series of self‐report measures.

Results

At the trait level, fitness tracking frequency was positively associated with weight/shape concerns, but not with the other outcome measures. Daily levels of fitness tracking did not predict next‐day levels for any of the outcome measures. Within‐day fitness tracking at one timepoint was associated with lower reports of dietary restraint efforts at the next timepoint. None of the proposed moderators significantly interacted with the relationships over time.

Discussion

These results suggest that while those who engage in fitness tracking may experience higher weight/shape concerns as a trait, over time fitness tracking was not associated with an increase in concerns. Further work exploring whether fitness tracking may affect particular subgroups in different ways is warranted.
Relative gene expression analysis of catalase in environmental RNA from Japanese medaka exposed to toxic chemicals
Authors: Hiki Kyoshiro , Watanabe Haruna , Yamamoto Hiroshi
Published: March 2024

Environmental RNA (eRNA) has the potential as a non‐invasive tool for assessing the physiological status of macro‐organisms, yet the quantitative method for relative gene expression analysis is still underexplored. To bridge this gap, this study introduces a relative quantification method for eRNA, employing quantitative PCR (qPCR) to evaluate the expression of the antioxidant gene, catalase (cat), in the Japanese medaka Oryzias latipes exposed to two toxic chemicals for 96 h: chlorpyrifos (CPS) and carbamazepine. Our results showed that, in eRNA, genes frequently used as a reference for tissue or cells in conventional expression analysis correlated with each other. Also, one of them (elfa) exhibited less variability, showing its potential suitability as a reference gene in eRNA analyses. Additionally, cat expression levels in eRNA increased with increasing CPS concentrations, in a concentration‐response manner. These results suggest the promising potential of qPCR applications for eRNA in the monitoring of an organism's health and response to environmental changes. However, we observed disparities in gene expression levels of cat and beta‐actin (actb) between eRNA and whole fish body, indicating eRNA might have a biased origin. Further research is needed to uncover the origin of eRNA and determine the limitations and applicability domain of eRNA analysis.
Tide impacts the dispersion of eDNA from nearshore net pens in a dynamic high‐latitude marine environment
Authors: Baetscher Diana S. , Pochardt Meredith R. , Barry Patrick D. , Larson Wes A.
Published: March 2024

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is increasingly used to detect animals in aquatic habitats, but uncertainty remains about the relationship between the present location of an animal relative to eDNA detections. In marine environments, physical characteristics—such as tides and currents—can influence the distribution of eDNA. In this study, we make use of hatchery net pens containing >46 million juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in nearshore Southeast Alaska to test for dispersion of eDNA and the effects of tide. Initially, we collected and filtered surface water every 80 m along a 2 km transect to test eDNA attenuation over surface distance during incoming and outgoing tides on a single day. The following year, we sampled at three depths (0 m, 5 m, and 10 m) every 500 m along the same transect as well as along a perpendicular transect, to understand dispersion by depth and in additional directions. Chum salmon eDNA was quantified using species‐specific qPCR. We found that surface samples showed a consistent signal of decreasing chum salmon eDNA across the 2 km transect (R2 = 0.665), with the majority of eDNA detections within 1.5 km of the net pens. Tide had a significant effect, resulting in higher concentrations of chum DNA throughout the transect during incoming tide and a steeper decline in eDNA over distance during outgoing tide (R2 = 0.759). Depth affected chum salmon DNA concentration, with the majority of eDNA at the surface and a decreasing amount of DNA with increasing depth. This study addresses one of the critical knowledge gaps in applying eDNA to marine fisheries management by providing empirical evidence of eDNA dispersion and demonstrating that most eDNA detections are likely from nearby individuals that are either currently or recently present. Yet even at close proximity, eDNA signal strength fluctuates and depends on the physical environmental variables during a given sampling event.
U‐shaped association between serum calcium and in‐hospital mortality in patients with congestive heart failure
Authors: Zhang Kai , Han Yu , Cai Tianyi , Gu Fangming , Gu Zhaoxuan , Zhao JiaYu , Chen Jianguo , Chen Bowen , Gao Min , Hou Zhengyan , Yu Xiaoqi , Gao Yafang , Hu Rui , Xie Jinyu , Liu Tianzhou , Huang MaoXun
Published: March 2024

Aims

Serum calcium level is widely used for evaluating disease severity, but its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) remains poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum calcium levels and in‐hospital mortality in CHF patients.

Methods and results

We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing clinical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database, encompassing a cohort of 15 983 CHF patients. This cohort was stratified based on their serum calcium levels, with the primary objective being the determination of in‐hospital mortality. To assess the impact of admission serum calcium levels on in‐hospital mortality, we employed various statistical methodologies, including multivariable logistic regression models, a generalized additive model, a two‐piecewise linear regression model, and subgroup analysis. Comparative analysis of the reference group (Q3) revealed increased in‐hospital mortality in the first quintile (Q1, the group with the lowest blood calcium level) and the fifth quintile (Q5, the group with the highest blood calcium level), with fully adjusted odds ratios of 1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.68, P = 0.002] and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.01–1.5, P = 0.038), respectively. A U‐shaped relationship was observed between serum calcium levels and in‐hospital mortality, with the lowest risk occurring at a threshold of 8.35 mg/dL. The effect sizes and corresponding CIs below and above this threshold were 0.782 (95% CI: 0.667–0.915, P = 0.0023) and 1.147 (95% CI: 1.034–1.273, P = 0.0094), respectively. Stratified analyses confirmed the robustness of this correlation.

Conclusions

Our study identifies a U‐shaped association between serum calcium levels and in‐hospital mortality in CHF patients, with a notable inflection point at 8.35 mg/dL. Further investigation through prospective, randomized, and controlled studies is warranted to validate the findings presented in this study.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors influence skeletal muscle pathology in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Wood Nathanael , Straw Sam , Cheng Chew W. , Hirata Yu , Pereira Marcelo G. , Gallagher Harrison , Egginton Stuart , Ogawa Wataru , Wheatcroft Stephen B. , Witte Klaus K. , Roberts Lee D. , Bowen T. Scott
Published: March 2024

Aims

Patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) exhibit skeletal muscle pathology, which contributes to symptoms and decreased quality of life. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve clinical outcomes in HFrEF but their mechanism of action remains poorly understood. We aimed, therefore, to determine whether SGLT2i influence skeletal muscle pathology in patients with HFrEF.

Methods and results

Muscle biopsies from 28 male patients with HFrEF (New York Heart association class I–III) treated with SGLT2i (>12 months) or without SGLT2i were compared. Comprehensive analyses of muscle structure (immunohistochemistry), transcriptome (RNA sequencing), and metabolome (liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry) were performed, and serum inflammatory profiling (ELISA). Experiments in mice (n = 16) treated with SGLT2i were also performed. Myofiber atrophy was ~20% less in patients taking SGLT2i (p = 0.07). Transcriptomics and follow‐up measures identified a unique signature in patients taking SGLT2i related to beneficial effects on atrophy, metabolism, and inflammation. Metabolomics identified influenced tryptophan metabolism in patients taking SGLT2i: kynurenic acid was 24% higher and kynurenine was 32% lower (p < 0.001). Serum profiling identified that SGLT2i treatment was associated with lower (p < 0.05) pro‐inflammatory cytokines by 26–64% alongside downstream muscle interleukin (IL)‐6‐JAK/STAT3 signalling (p = 008 and 0.09). Serum IL‐6 and muscle kynurenine were correlated (R = 0.65; p < 0.05). Muscle pathology was lower in mice treated with SGLT2i indicative of a conserved mammalian response to treatment.

Conclusions

Treatment with SGLT2i influenced skeletal muscle pathology in patients with HFrEF and was associated with anti‐atrophic, anti‐inflammatory, and pro‐metabolic effects. These changes may be regulated via IL‐6–kynurenine signalling. Together, clinical improvements following SGLT2i treatment in patients with HFrEF may be partly explained by their positive effects on skeletal muscle pathology.
Unsymmetrical Anthracene Platforms as Singlet Oxygen Batteries: Effects of Substituents on Photooxygenation and Endoperoxide Thermolysis
Authors: De Bonfils Paul , Nun Pierrick , Coeffard Vincent
Published: March 2024

Aromatic architectures able to capture, store and release singlet oxygen have sparked the interest of the scientific community as an attractive strategy to generate singlet oxygen. Among these structures, anthracenes are efficient singlet oxygen batteries with applications in various fields such as chemistry, materials science or medicine. Until now, studies have mainly focused on symmetrical 9,10‐disubstituted anthracenes bearing (hetero)aryl groups or substituted alkyne motifs. In this work, we investigated unsymmetrical anthracene molecules to explore their propensity to trap and to release singlet oxygen. Kinetic studies confirmed the impact of electron‐rich and electron‐deficient substituents on the photooxygenation step and on the release of singlet oxygen triggered by thermolysis of the endoperoxides.
Multi‐decadal quantification of interactions between coarse sediment fluxes and channel management in South Tyrol, Eastern European Alps
Authors: Scorpio Vittoria , Andreoli Andrea , Dinkelaker Nicola , Marchese Enrico , Coviello Velio , Gems Bernhard , Vignoli Gianluca , Comiti Francesco
Published: March 2024

Channel incision and narrowing have occurred in the 20th century in most Alpine rivers. However, the causal links between sediment‐related human engineering and exploitation and morphological changes in rivers are mostly unclear. This study presents an analysis of the evolutionary trajectories of the main active channels in the upper Etsch/Adige River basin (Eastern European Alps) coupled with their modifications in terms of coarse sediment transport. Channel planform variations were quantified in 15 rivers (total length of 630 km) using multi‐temporal analysis of historical maps and orthophotos. Sediment volumes excavated from river channels or trapped by hydraulic structures (dams and retention basins) were retrieved from historical records, along with geospatial information regarding the presence of lateral and longitudinal consolidation works and land use variations. Results indicate that most rivers underwent slight narrowing and some of them experienced widening, from the mid‐19th century to the 1950s. From the 1950s to the late 1990s, severe variations in terms of narrowing and morphological simplification took place in all rivers. The analysis of channel changes in relation to human activities shows that gravel mining carried out in the period 1970s–1990s appears to have been the main cause of sediment imbalance in the rivers which narrowed the most. Since the 2000s, when gravel mining was banned by law, channel adjustments have become negligible throughout study area. Nevertheless, the trapping of a large share of coarse sediment fluxes—at the river basin scale—by retention check dams and hydropower dams has impeded rivers from recovering to their original conditions.
The effect of location and geometric properties of landslides caused by rainstorms and earthquakes
Authors: Qiu Haijun , Su Lingling , Tang Bingzhe , Yang Dongdong , Ullah Mohib , Zhu Yaru , Kamp Ulrich
Published: March 2024

Landslides triggered by rainstorms and earthquakes are prominent geological hazards that exhibit distinctive spatial and morphological characteristics due to diverse instability mechanisms. However, studies on differences between the two types of landslides remain limited. In this study, we explored differences in location and geometric properties between rainstorm‐induced landslides in Qinzhou, Longchuan and Fukuoka and earthquake‐induced landslides in Lushan, Iburi and Kaikōura. We normalized the location of landslides across the slope and quantified the landslide polygons using four geometric properties. Findings revealed that both location and geometric properties are specific to landslide type and differ between them. Earthquake‐induced landslides are more common near the ridge of a slope, while rainstorm‐induced landslides are more frequent in the valley or near streams. The quantitative analysis of geometric properties showed that earthquake‐induced landslides are generally larger and have a more compact, rounded and less complex shape. The two landslide types present different hazards, particularly in their runout zones, where dispersion of materials occurs. Insights from our quantitative approach serve as a critical foundation for informed decision‐making in emergency scenarios and contribute to enhancing landslide hazard management.
Joint switch controlling and subvectors permutation for quadrature index modulation with hybrid constellations
Authors: Yu Ping
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the switch and permutation index domains are developed for improving the spectral efficiency (SE) and the reliability of wireless communication. Firstly, a new schematic of quadrature index modulation with hybrid constellation (QIM‐HC) is proposed to exploit the switch index domain. In the QIM‐HC system, all transmit antennas (TAs) are divided into multiple groups. In each group, with the control of one Switch, the symbol index bits are fed into the specific modulator and mapped into a data symbol. Then, the real and imaginary parts of the data symbol are respectively modulated by two selected antenna index (AI) vectors with two blocks of AI bits, resulting in the transmit vector. Furthermore, another new design, jointing permutation index and hybrid constellation for the QIM system (JPQIM‐HC), whose each group transmits different number of data symbols with the control of different number of switches, is proposed to develop the permutation index domain for further improving the SE. Finally, the analysis of the SE and the bit error probability are analyzed. Simulation results show a close match with theoretical results at the high signal noise ratio (SNR) region, and show the improvement of the bit error rate (BER) performance for the the proposed systems as compared with the other schemes such as signed quadrature spatial modulation.
Infant sleep and anxiety disorders in early childhood: Findings from an Australian pregnancy cohort study
Authors: MacMillan Kelli K. , Bourke Declan , Watson Stuart J. , Lewis Andrew J. , Teti Douglas M. , Ball Helen L. , Galbally Megan
Published: March 2024

Emphasis on continuous infant sleep overnight may be driven by parental concern of risk to child mental health outcomes. The Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study (MPEWS) examined whether infant sleep at 6 and 12 months postpartum predicts anxiety disorders at 2–4 years, and whether this is moderated by maternal depression, active physical comforting (APC) or maternal cognitions about infant sleep. Data included 349 women and infants. Infant sleep was measured using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire and child anxiety disorders by the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment. The risk of developing generalised anxiety or social phobia disorders at 3–4 years was reduced by 42% (p = 0.001) and 31% (p = 0.001), respectively, for a one standard deviation increase in total sleep at 12 months. No other infant sleep outcomes were associated. Maternal depression, APC and cognitions about infant sleep did not significantly moderate these relationships. Focus may need to be on total infant sleep, rather than when sleep is achieved.

Highlights

To assess whether infant sleep outcomes (i.e., frequency of nocturnal wakes; nocturnal wakefulness and total sleep per day) at 6 and 12 months predict early childhood anxiety disorders at 3–4 years of age.

Maternally reported infant sleep outcomes were not associated with the risk of developing early childhood anxiety disorders at 3–4 years.

It may be total infant sleep, irrespective of when sleep occurs or night waking and, independently, active physical comforting that requires further investigation.
How do the reserve currency and uncertainties in major markets affect the uncertainty of oil prices over time?
Authors: Kocaarslan Baris , Soytas Ugur
Published: March 2024

This research aims to understand how certain events, like the global financial crisis, the post‐global financial crisis period, the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the Russia‐Ukraine war, along with changes in the value of the US dollar and uncertainty in gold, currency, and stock markets, affect the uncertainty in oil prices. We are particularly interested in looking at positive and negative changes in these factors when oil price uncertainty is either high or low. To achieve this, we use a quantile regression method, which allows us to analyse different levels of oil price uncertainty effectively. Throughout the whole timeframe we looked at, the initial findings suggest that when there is much uncertainty in the oil market, the US dollar and uncertainty in major markets have a bigger influence on making the oil market more uncertain, compared to times when there is not much uncertainty about oil prices. We also noticed that the impacts of negative and positive changes in the reserve currency, and uncertainties are quite different when crises happen. To cite an example, when there is much uncertainty about oil prices, positive expectations about economic activity (because the reserve currency is weaker) and confidence in the stock market (less worry about a shock in the stock market) have a stronger impact, reducing uncertainty in oil prices during the global financial crisis. On the other hand, more negative effects from pessimistic expectations (due to a stronger US dollar and increased fear of a shock in the stock market) lead to higher oil price uncertainty during the COVID‐19 pandemic. According to what we have discovered in our analysis, policymakers and investors should evaluate how both negative and positive shifts in the reserve currency (US dollar) and uncertainties in gold, currency, and stock markets separately affect the uncertainty in oil prices. It is important to understand that these effects vary depending on the level of uncertainty in oil prices and the direction (positive or negative) and timing of the changes.
Intertemporal comparison of cost and technical efficiencies using a base period approach for the Korean rice industry
Authors: Kim Jeongseung , Chung Chanjin
Published: March 2024

Objectives of our study are to develop a procedure for intertemporal comparison of both technical and cost efficiency and estimate farm efficiency for the Korean rice industry from 2003 to 2017. The newly developed base‐year procedure excludes frontier shift and price effects from the standard procedure for intertemporal comparison. An adjusted central limit theorem for sample T‐tests is applied to avoid potential bias from efficiency scores by the Data Envelope Analysis. Our empirical results show that the two procedures yield different scores and trends. The standard approach indicates declining efficiency, while the base‐year method shows overall improvement in farm efficiency.
Creative Activities Among Older Adults and People With Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Rodriguez Francisca S. , Ross Sabrina , Fruck Josefin , Jaarsveld Saskia , Lachmann Thomas
Published: March 2024

Little is known about creativity in old age. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent the intensity of engaging in creative activities differs between older and younger people as well as older people with and without cognitive impairment. Moreover, we evaluated associations of creative activities with specific cognitive abilities. For this cross‐sectional study, groups of younger people (n = 24), older cognitively healthy people (n = 24), and older cognitively impaired people (n = 23) were recruited via convenience sampling. Creative activities were assessed via the creative behavior inventory (CBI). Cognitive abilities were assessed via trail making test (TMT), standard progressive matrices (SPM), creative reasoning task (CRT), test of creative thinking‐drawing production (TCT‐DP), and alternate uses task (AUT). The intensity of engaging in creative activities was higher among younger people but was not significantly associated with being cognitively impaired. Only two cognitive abilities, the creative thinking scores CRT‐Components and TCT‐DP‐Original, predicted creative activities. Both did not differ significantly between cognitively healthy and cognitively impaired older adults. The findings suggest that cognitively impaired older people still engage in creative activities, which might be due to their relatively sound creative thinking. Further studies should investigate whether engaging in creative activities can mitigate cognitive decline.
Drought stress during maize flowering may cause kernel abortion by inhibition of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase activity
Authors: Hütsch Birgit W. , Faust Franziska , Jung Stephan , Schubert Sven
Published: March 2024

Background

Drought stress during flowering of maize (Zea mays L.) frequently results in decreased kernel setting, leading to grain yield depressions. Plasma membrane (PM) H+‐ATPase was identified as a key enzyme responsible for supply of assimilates to the developing maize kernels shortly after pollination. The activity of this enzyme was strongly inhibited under salt stress, pointing to an involvement in kernel abortion.

Aims

This study aimed to determine whether also drought stress causes inhibition of PM H+‐ATPase in developing maize kernels shortly after pollination, leading to diminished hexose uptake and finally kernel abortion. The key questions are as follows: What are the limiting factors for grain yield production of maize plants facing drought? Are physiologically relevant parameters, quantified at flowering, reflected by yield determinants at maturity?

Methods

Maize plants were cultivated using the container technique, and drought stress was imposed during 3 weeks bracketing flowering compared to well‐watered conditions throughout the entire growth period. The developing kernels were harvested 2 days after pollination, and PM vesicles were isolated and purified using two‐phase partitioning.

Results

Water deficit caused a significant decrease in grain yield at maturity (−35%), which was determined by a reduced kernel number (−42%). Source limitation in the developing kernels under stress could be excluded. Acid invertase activity was unaffected by water deficit. Hexose availability was also no limiting factor for kernel setting and development. However, Vmax of in vitro hydrolytic activity of PM H+‐ATPase was significantly decreased in the developing maize kernels under drought stress and the maximal pH gradient at the PM was also significantly reduced. The observed inhibiting effects on PM H+‐ATPase were mainly of quantitative nature, as a lower number of proton pumps was present in the kernel PM. Qualitative changes of the enzyme (activation energy Ea, Michaelis constant Km) due to drought were not observed.

Conclusions

The lower pH gradient probably decreased the proton‐driven transport of hexoses by carriers into the cytosol of the kernel cells, leading to kernel starvation and eventually contributing to kernel abortion.
Sporadic deficient mismatch repair in colorectal cancer increases the risk for non‐colorectal malignancy: A European multicenter cohort study
Authors: Gkekas Ioannis , Jan Novotny , Kaprio Tuomas , Beilmann‐Lehtonen Ines , Fabian Pavel , Tavelin Björn , Böckelman Camilla , Edin Sofia , Strigård Karin , Svoboda Tomas , Hagström Jaana , Barsova Lucie , Jirasek Tomas , Haglund Caj , Palmqvist Richard , Gunnarsson Ulf
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives

Disparities between tumors arising via different sporadic carcinogenetic pathways have not been studied systematically. This retrospective multicenter cohort study evaluated the differences in the risk for non‐colorectal malignancy between sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients from different DNA mismatch repair status.

Methods

A retrospective European multicenter cohort study including in total of 1706 CRC patients treated between 1996 and 2019 in three different countries. The proficiency (pMMR) or deficiency (dMMR) of mismatch repair was determined by immunohistochemistry. Cases were analyzed for tumor BRAFV600E mutation, and BRAF mutated tumors were further analyzed for hypermethylation status in the promoter region of MLH1 to distinguish between sporadic and hereditary cases. Swedish and Finish patients were matched with their respective National Cancer Registries. For the Czech cohort, thorough scrutiny of medical files was performed to identify any non‐colorectal malignancy within 20 years before or after the diagnosis of CRC. Poisson regression analysis was performed to identify the incidence rates of non‐colorectal malignancies. For validation purposes, standardized incidence ratios were calculated for the Swedish cases adjusted for age, year, and sex.

Results

Of the 1706 CRC patients included in the analysis, 819 were female [48%], median age at surgery was 67 years [interquartile range: 60–75], and sporadic dMMR was found in 188 patients (11%). Patients with sporadic dMMR CRC had a higher incidence rate ratio (IRR) for non‐colorectal malignancy before and after diagnosis compared to patients with a pMMR tumor, in both uni‐ (IRR = 2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.89–3.31, p = 0.003) and multivariable analysis (IRR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.67–3.01, p = 0.004). This association applied whether or not the non‐colorectal tumor developed before or after the diagnosis of CRC in both uni‐ (IRR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.28–2.98, p = 0.004), (IRR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.72–3.49, p = 0.004) and multivariable analysis (IRR = 1.67,95% CI = 1.05–2.65, p = 0.029), (IRR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.63–3.42, p = 0.005), respectively.

Conclusion

In this retrospective European multicenter cohort study, patients with sporadic dMMR CRC had a higher risk for non‐colorectal malignancy than those with pMMR CRC. These findings indicate the need for further studies to establish the need for and design of surveillance strategies for patients with dMMR CRC.
Correcting for Rater Effects in Operating Room Surgical Skills Assessment
Authors: Chou Ryan , Naz Hajira , Boahene Kofi D.O. , Maxwell Jessica H. , Wanamaker John R. , Byrne Patrick J. , Papel Ira D. , Kontis Theda C. , Hager Gregory D. , Ishii Lisa E. , Malekzadeh Sonya , Vedula S. Swaroop , Ishii Masaru
Published: March 2024

Objective

To estimate and adjust for rater effects in operating room surgical skills assessment performed using a structured rating scale for nasal septoplasty.

Methods

We analyzed survey responses from attending surgeons (raters) who supervised residents and fellows (trainees) performing nasal septoplasty in a prospective cohort study. We fit a structural equation model with the rubric item scores regressed on a latent component of skill and then fit a second model including the rating surgeon as a random effect to model a rater‐effects‐adjusted latent surgical skill. We validated this model against conventional measures including the level of expertise and post‐graduation year (PGY) commensurate with the trainee's performance, the actual PGY of the trainee, and whether the surgical goals were achieved.

Results

Our dataset included 188 assessments by 7 raters and 41 trainees. The model with one latent construct for surgical skill and the rater as a random effect was the best. Rubric scores depended on how severe or lenient the rater was, sometimes almost as much as they depended on trainee skill. Rater‐adjusted latent skill scores increased with attending‐estimated skill levels and PGY of trainees, increased with the actual PGY, and appeared constant over different levels of achievement of surgical goals.

Conclusion

Our work provides a method to obtain rater effect adjusted surgical skill assessments in the operating room using structured rating scales. Our method allows for the creation of standardized (i.e., rater‐effects‐adjusted) quantitative surgical skill benchmarks using national‐level databases on trainee assessments.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 134:3548–3554, 2024
Abnormalities of the Descending Inhibitory Nociceptive Pathway in Functional Motor Disorders
Authors: Squintani Giovanna , Geroin Christian , Pasquali Alessia , Cavazzana Eleonora , Segatti Alessia , Lippolis Marianna , Bonetto Chiara , Antelmi Elena , Tinazzi Michele
Published: March 2024

Background

Pain is a common disabling non‐motor symptom affecting patients with functional motor disorders (FMD).

Objective

We aimed to explore ascending and descending nociceptive pathways with laser evoked potentials (LEPs) in FMD.

Methods

We studied a “bottom‐up and top‐down” noxious paradigm applying a conditioned pain modulation (CPM) protocol and recorded N2/P2 amplitude in 21 FMD and 20 controls following stimulation of both right arm and leg at baseline (BS) (bottom‐up), during heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation (HNCS) with ice test (top‐down) and post‐HNCS.

Results

We found a normal ascending pathway, but reduced CPM response (lower reduction of the N2/P2 amplitude) in FMD patients, by stimulating both upper and lower limbs. The N2/P2 amplitude ratio*100 (between the HNCS and BS) was significantly higher in patients with FMD than HC.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that pain in FMD possibly reflects a descending pain inhibitory control impairment, therefore, providing a novel venue to explore the pathophysiology of pain in FMD. © 2025 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
In vivo B1+ enhancement of calf MRI at 7 T via optimized flexible metasurfaces
Authors: Jacobs Paul S. , Wilson Neil , Brink Wyger , Swain Anshuman , Armbruster Ryan , Hanumapur Aniketh , Tisdall M. Dylan , Detre John , Nanga Ravi Prakash Reddy , Elliott Mark A. , Reddy Ravinder
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Ultrahigh field (≥7 T) MRI is at the cutting edge of medical imaging, enabling enhanced spatial and spectral resolution as well as enhanced susceptibility contrast. However, transmit () field inhomogeneity due to standing wave effects caused by the shortened RF wavelengths at 7 T is still a challenge to overcome. Novel hardware methods such as dielectric pads have been shown to improve the field inhomogeneity but are currently limited in their corrective effect by the range of high‐permittivity materials available and have a fixed shelf life. In this work, an optimized metasurface design is presented that demonstrates in vivo enhancement of the field.

Methods

A prototype metasurface was optimized by an empirical capacitor sweep and by varying the period size. Phantom temperature experiments were performed to evaluate potential metasurface heating effects during scanning. Lastly, in vivo gradient echo images and maps were acquired on five healthy subjects on a 7 T system. Dielectric pads were also used as a comparison throughout the work as a standard comparison.

Results

The metasurfaces presented here enhanced the average relative SNR of the gradient echo images by a factor of 2.26 compared to the dielectric pads factor of 1.61. Average values reflected a similar enhancement of 27.6% with the metasurfaces present versus 8.9% with the dielectric pads.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that metasurfaces provide superior performance to dielectric padding as shown by maps reflecting their direct effects and resulting enhancements in image SNR at 7 T.
Description of a national, multi‐center registry of patients with sickle cell disease and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: Data from the Pediatric COVID‐19 United States Registry
Authors: Dain Aleksandra S. , Diorio Caroline , Fisher Brian T. , Hankins Jane S. , Witmer Char M. , Boustany Mickael , Burton Madeline , Ferrolino Jose , Sadaf Salma , Ross Hailey S. , Maron Gabriela ,   Pediatric COVID‐19 US Registry
Published: March 2024

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk of complications from viral infections, including SARS‐CoV‐2. We present the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with SCD from the Pediatric COVID‐19 United States Registry who developed acute COVID‐19 due to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (n = 259) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C; n = 4). Nearly half of hospitalized children with SCD and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection required supplemental oxygen, though children with SCD had fewer intensive care (ICU) admissions compared to the general pediatric and immunocompromised populations. All registry patients with both SCD and MIS‐C required ICU admission. Children with SCD are at risk of severe disease with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, highlighting the importance of vaccination in this vulnerable population.
Dysregulated proteome and N‐glycoproteome in ALG1‐deficient fibroblasts
Authors: Budhraja Rohit , Joshi Neha , Radenkovic Silvia , Kozicz Tamas , Morava Eva , Pandey Akhilesh
Published: March 2024

Asparagine‐linked glycosylation 1 protein is a β‐1,4‐mannosyltransferase, is encoded by the ALG1 gene, which catalyzes the first step of mannosylation in N‐glycosylation. Pathogenic variants in ALG1 cause a rare autosomal recessive disorder termed as ALG1‐CDG. We performed a quantitative proteomics and N‐glycoproteomics study in fibroblasts derived from patients with one homozygous and two compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in ALG1. Several proteins that exhibited significant upregulation included insulin‐like growth factor II and pleckstrin, whereas hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 was downregulated. These proteins are crucial for cell growth, survival and differentiation. Additionally, we observed a decrease in the expression of mitochondrial proteins and an increase in autophagy‐related proteins, suggesting mitochondrial and cellular stress. N‐glycoproteomics revealed the reduction in high‐mannose and complex/hybrid glycopeptides derived from numerous proteins in patients explaining that defect in ALG1 has broad effects on glycosylation. Further, we detected an increase in several short oligosaccharides, including chitobiose (HexNAc2) trisaccharides (Hex‐HexNAc2) and novel tetrasaccharides (NeuAc‐Hex‐HexNAc2) derived from essential proteins including LAMP1, CD44 and integrin. These changes in glycosylation were observed in all patients irrespective of their gene variants. Overall, our findings not only provide novel molecular insights into understanding ALG1‐CDG but also offer short oligosaccharide‐bearing peptides as potential biomarkers.
The role of spiritual support in palliative care—A case illustration
Authors: Zhou Yi , Cheah Joyce , Tan Elisa Sze Hui , Lim Yijun , Wang Yijun , Ong Eng Koon
Published: March 2024

Key points

Spiritual care is an important component of palliative care.

Timely and comprehensive spiritual care can lead to improved patient care outcomes including pain relief and reduced opioid use in palliative care patients.

Local religious and cultural factors need to be considered when providing spiritual care and developing services.

The introduction and integration of current spiritual care education and quality frameworks into current curricula and practice is essential for the development of the field.

A generalist‐specialist approach to spiritual care may improve both efficacy and scalability of services.