bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and management of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP): Experience from the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) GPP Expert Network
Authors: Wolf P. , Ceovic R. , Conrad C. , Falkensteiner K. , Graier T. , Kołt‐Kamińska M. , Marovt M. , Mateeva V. , Maul J.‐T. , Navarini A. A. , Nicolescu A. C. , Ratzinger G. , Pavlovsky L. , Sanzharovskaya M. , Szegedi A. , Reich A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, inflammatory skin disease characterized by widespread eruption of sterile pustules with or without systemic symptoms.

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the demographics of patients with GPP in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), present the clinical characteristics of individual GPP flares and explore the current treatment landscape.

Methods

Patient demographics were collected at the times of last observation and previous treatment. Characteristics of a patient's last (most recent) and most severe (from all documented episodes) flare were provided at clinician's discretion.

Results

Fifty‐eight patients were recruited from 12 centres in nine CEE countries; median (range) age was 61 (16–92) years and 60.3% (35 out of 58) were female. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (43.1% [25 out of 58]) and hyperlipidaemia (32.8% [19 out of 58]). Thirty‐four patients (58.6%) presented with concomitant plaque psoriasis before or during the course of GPP. Data from two separate flares were recorded in 26 individuals; in 32 patients, the most recent flare was reported as the most severe. Over 90% of patients with a flare episode classified as most severe by clinicians were hospitalized, with >75% of these individuals having a Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician Global Assessment (GPPGA) total score of 3 or 4. Systemic symptoms were more common in patients with a GPPGA score of 3 or 4 but were also manifest in individuals with a GPPGA score ≤2. A significant correlation was observed between a combined systemic disease score of clinical and laboratory features and both GPPGA total score (r = 0.385, p < 0.001) and GPPGA pustulation subscore (r = 0.305, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Considerable heterogeneity in the presentation of GPP flares was observed, both between patients and within‐patient. All GPP flares were associated with a significant clinical burden, highlighting the unmet need for accurate and early diagnosis.
Deroofing: A safe, effective and well‐tolerated procedure in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Krajewski P. K. , Sanz‐Motilva V. , Flores Martinez S. , Solera M. , Ochando G. , Jfri A. , Martorell A.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a recurrent, debilitating, chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. Although advances in HS treatment have been made, more than 45% of patients remain dissatisfied with systemic treatment, and more than one‐third are dissatisfied with surgical procedures.

Objectives

A prospective, observational study on the deroofing procedures in HS with special attention paid to patient satisfaction and complications.

Methods

HS lesions were assessed clinically and by the use of ultrasound. Patients reported outcomes, including pain, itch and satisfaction, were measured at 24 h post‐surgery by a numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 to 10. Additionally, the timeline of objective wound closure reported by patients in (weeks), in addition to the need for any analgesics use, were both evaluated.

Results

The mean closure time of the post‐deroofing wound was assessed as 4.4 ± 1.9 weeks. A statistically longer time was necessary for complete closure in males than in females (4.9 ± 2.2 weeks and 3.9 ± 1.6 weeks, respectively; p = 0.046). The closure time correlated positively yet weakly with the HS tunnel's width (r = 0.27, p = 0.016) and length (r = 0.228, p = 0.044). Patients assessed mean pain at 24 h post‐op as mild with 0.7 ± 1.2 points according to NRS, with no differences between sexes. Similarly, itch in the first 24 h was assessed as mild with 1.8 ± 1.1 points, without differences between sexes. No pain, itch or adverse events were reported after 1 week following deroofing. Moreover, no cases of wound infection were reported. An overall patient satisfaction was assessed as 9.9 ± 0.4 points (range 9–10 points).

Conclusion

Deroofing is an easy, effective and safe dermatosurgical procedure that does not require surgical experience or operating theatre. It is associated with no complications and very low post‐op pain and should be part of holistic HS management.
“It shouldn't be like this”: Family caregivers navigating insurance for family members with dementia
Authors: Gordon Wexler Mikayla , Watman Deborah , Perez Sasha , Ankuda Claire , Reckrey Jennifer M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Almost 11.3 million family caregivers of people with dementia must navigate the health insurance landscape to meet the complex medical and long‐term care needs of their family members. This study explores factors that influence family caregivers' decisions about insurance and how these choices affect the care and support people with dementia receive.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted from June 2022 to January 2023 with 15 family caregivers of people with dementia dual eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and enrolled in home‐based primary care in New York City. A set of open‐ended questions were asked exploring caregivers' perspectives on navigating insurance plans. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis with both deductive and inductive coding.

Results

Analysis revealed three major themes: (1) challenges of Medicaid enrollment, (2) making do with existing insurance, and (3) mistrust of the insurance system. Initial enrollment in Medicaid compounded the stress of adjusting to caregiving. The enrollment process was impacted by clinical factors, financial factors, and input from providers and social workers; however, caregivers could not identify a centralized system for obtaining insurance information and support. Once Medicaid was in place, participants described advocating on behalf of their family member within the constraints of their current insurance plans (Medicare and Medicaid) and ensuring they had the necessary knowledge to understand their family member's coverage. Participants voiced a need for ongoing vigilance to ensure their family members received needed care and support.

Conclusion

The challenges family caregivers experience when navigating insurance for their family members with dementia contribute to caregiver burden. Robust and centralized professional support for family members both immediately after a family member's dementia diagnosis and as the disease progresses could increase caregivers' capacity to make insurance decisions that best support their family members with dementia.
Role of transcription factors, noncoding RNAs, epitranscriptomics, and epigenetics in post‐ischemic neuroinflammation
Authors: Mehta Suresh L. , Arruri Vijay , Vemuganti Raghu
Published: January 2024

Post‐stroke neuroinflammation is pivotal in brain repair, yet persistent inflammation can aggravate ischemic brain damage and hamper recovery. Following stroke, specific molecules released from brain cells attract and activate central and peripheral immune cells. These immune cells subsequently release diverse inflammatory molecules within the ischemic brain, initiating a sequence of events, including activation of transcription factors in different brain cell types that modulate gene expression and influence outcomes; the interactive action of various noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) to regulate multiple biological processes including inflammation, epitranscriptomic RNA modification that controls RNA processing, stability, and translation; and epigenetic changes including DNA methylation, hydroxymethylation, and histone modifications crucial in managing the genic response to stroke. Interactions among these events further affect post‐stroke inflammation and shape the depth of ischemic brain damage and functional outcomes. We highlighted these aspects of neuroinflammation in this review and postulate that deciphering these mechanisms is pivotal for identifying therapeutic targets to alleviate post‐stroke dysfunction and enhance recovery.
The temporal and spatial pattern of leptin receptor‐expressing cells in the developing mouse hypothalamus
Authors: Higgins Matt B. A. , Glendining Kelly A. , Jasoni Christine L.
Published: January 2024

The arcuate nucleus is a crucial hypothalamic brain region involved in regulating body weight homeostasis. Neurons within the arcuate nucleus respond to peripheral metabolic signals, such as leptin, and relay these signals via neuronal projections to brain regions both within and outside the hypothalamus, ultimately causing changes in an animal's behaviour and physiology. There is a substantial amount of evidence to indicate that leptin is intimately involved with the postnatal development of arcuate nucleus melanocortin circuitry. Further, it is clear that leptin signalling directly in the arcuate nucleus is required for circuitry development. However, as leptin receptor long isoform (Leprb) mRNA is expressed in multiple nuclei within the developing hypothalamus, including the postsynaptic target regions of arcuate melanocortin projections, this raises the possibility that leptin also signals in these nuclei to promote circuitry development. Here, we used RT‐qPCR and RNAscope® to reveal the spatio‐temporal pattern of Leprb mRNA in the early postnatal mouse hypothalamus. We found that Leprb mRNA expression increased significantly in the arcuate nucleus, ventromedial nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus from P8, in concert with the leptin surge. In the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, increases in Leprb mRNA were slightly later, increasing significantly from P12. Using duplex RNAscope®, we found Leprb co‐expressed with Sim1, Pou3f2, Mc4r and Bdnf in the paraventricular nucleus at P8. Together, these data suggest that leptin may signal in a subset of neurons postsynaptic to arcuate melanocortin neurons, as well as within the arcuate nucleus itself, to promote the formation of arcuate melanocortin circuitry during the early postnatal period.
Induction of fat apoptosis by a combination of synchronized radiofrequency and HIFEM technology: Human histology study
Authors: Goldberg David J.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

With the growing demand for more effective fat reduction techniques, a combination of synchronized radiofrequency (RF) and HIFEM has been introduced. Preceding studies evidenced the ability of RF+HIFEM to maintain the fat tissue temperature at the levels necessary for adipocyte apoptosis while documenting the induced changes to the fat tissue during the several weeks after the treatment. This study aims to demonstrate the induction of apoptosis by RF+HIFEM technology in the early stages through the assessment of caspase‐3 protein, one of the apoptosis‐executing proteases.

Design

In this two‐arm, single‐center, randomized trial, nine human subjects were enrolled and assigned into two groups, either the active group (N = 6) treated with both RF+HIFEM set at the highest tolerated levels or the sham group (N = 3) treated with 5% of the maximum RF+HIFEM power, serving as a control. All patients were scheduled to undergo one treatment visit of the abdominal area, two follow‐up visits at 8 and 24 h, and one safety visit 7 days after the treatment. A punch biopsy (5 mm in diameter, approximately 10 mm in depth) was obtained from the abdominal area at the baseline and consecutive follow‐up visits. Samples were fixed, and cut into 5 μm thick slices, and immunohistochemical staining was used to visualize the Caspase‐3, revealing the adipocyte nuclei where apoptosis processes are in progress.

Findings

Documented findings suggest that the temperature threshold of 43–45°C is required to initiate fat apoptosis and consequent reduction in adipocyte number was achieved during the combined treatment with RF+HIFEM. The active group showed an elevated ratio of positively stained nuclei versus all adipocyte nuclei found on the evaluated slices—referred to as the apoptotic index (AI). The AI significantly (p < 0.001) increased at both 8 h (47.01 ± 10.56%) and 24 h (43.58 ± 6.35%) posttreatment. The Sham group showed no significant change in the AI (p > 0.05). No adverse events or side effects related to the treatments were observed.

This study supports previously published evidence on fat reduction after RF+HIFEM treatment, documenting the safe initiation of adipocyte programmed cell death posttreatment.
Does occlusal morphology of artificial teeth improve chewing of removable dentures wearers? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Silva Nêila Clarisse de Souza , Oliveira Pedro Henrique Bastos de , Gama Lorena Tavares , Magno Marcela Baraúna , Marañón‐Vásquez Guido Artemio , Maia Lucianne Cople , Rodrigues Garcia Renata Cunha Matheus
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This systematic review aimed to verify whether anatomic, semi‐anatomic, or nonanatomic occlusal morphology of artificial teeth improves the masticatory function of complete or removable partial denture wearers.

Materials and Methods

According to the PICO strategy, six databases and the grey literature were searched to identify randomized (RCT) and non‐randomized clinical trials (N‐RCT) comparing masticatory function, in terms of masticatory performance and efficiency, and muscle activity as primary outcomes; and patient‐reported results (O) in individuals using removable dentures (P) with different occlusal morphologies of artificial teeth (I/C). Masticatory ability, satisfaction with the prosthetic treatment, and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0) for RCT and Risk of Bias for non‐randomized studies with intervention (ROBINS‐I) for N‐RCT studies. Meta‐analyses were performed to compare primary outcomes and masticatory ability between the occlusal morphologies of artificial teeth of complete or removable partial dentures (α = 0.05). Certainty of the evidence was verified using the GRADE approach.

Results

Eleven studies (seven RCTs and four N‐RCTs) were included. The risk of bias was considered low for two studies, some concerns for five, and high for the last four studies. Meta‐analyses showed that removable partial dentures with anatomic artificial teeth improved masticatory efficiency for carrot chewing (MD 6.31; 95% CI [3.39, 9.22], I2 = 0%). However, masseter and temporal muscle activities increased when removable partial dentures with nonanatomic teeth were used (MD –756.97; 95% CI [–892.25, –621.68], I2 = 100%). Masticatory ability was not influenced by occlusal morphology during chewing of all foods in complete denture users: Carrot (MD –0.88, 95% CI [–8.98, 7.23], I2 = 57%); sausage (MD –8.86, 95% CI [–23.05, 5.33], I2 = 71%); apple (MD –5.78, 95% CI [–28.82, 17.26], I2 = 87%); and cheese (MD –4.16, 95% CI [–15.14, 6.82], I2 = 62%). The certainty of evidence for all evaluated outcomes was very low, mainly due to very serious problems found in the parameters of inconsistency, indirectness, and imprecision.

Conclusions

Despite the very low certainty of evidence, the occlusal morphology of artificial teeth influences masticatory function. Anatomic teeth improved the masticatory efficiency and muscle activity of removable partial denture wearers. Nonanatomic teeth increased temporal and masseter muscle activity, which negatively affected chewing in removable partial denture users. However, patients using complete dentures with anatomic and semi‐anatomic teeth presented similar masticatory ability.
Technique for cementing screwmentable implant crowns to prevent misalignment
Authors: Ryser Andrew S. , Kim Ken , Sabol Jennifer V. , Handel Steven
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this article is to describe a technique to accurately cement implant crowns on an abutment extraorally and prevent misalignment that might change the desired position of the crown on the abutment when delivered. An implant‐retained crown was tried‐in and occlusal and interproximal contacts were adjusted for delivery. The cementation verification aid was fabricated using a polyvinylsiloxane bite registration material (Blu Mousse) to cement the crown onto the abutment extraorally to ensure proper alignment of the crown on the abutment. Cementation of the prosthesis occurred with no adjustments required to the interproximal or occlusal contacts during final delivery. This article provides a technique that aims to increase accuracy in the placement of the crown on the abutment when cementing screwmentable crowns.
Person‐specific priorities in solitude
Authors: Ren Dongning , Loh Wen Wei , Chung Joanne M. , Brandt Mark J.
Published: January 2024

Objective

People value solitude in varying degrees. Theories and studies suggest that people's appreciation of solitude varies considerably across persons (e.g., an introverted person may value solitude more than an extraverted person), and solitude experiences (i.e., on average, people may value some functions of solitude, e.g., privacy, more than other functions, e.g., self‐discovery). What are the unique contributions of these two sources?

Method

We surveyed a quota‐based sample of 501 US residents about their perceived importance of a diverse set of 22 solitude functions.

Results

Variance component analysis reveals that both sources contributed to the variability of perceived importance of solitude (person: 22%; solitude function: 15%). Crucially, individual idiosyncratic preferences (person–by‐solitude function interaction) had a substantial impact (46%). Further analyses explored the role of personality traits, showing that different functions of solitude hold varying importance for different people. For example, neurotic individuals prioritize emotion regulation, introverted individuals value relaxation, and conscientious individuals find solitude important for productivity.

Conclusions

People value solitude for idiosyncratic reasons. Scientific inquiries on solitude must consider the fit between a person's characteristics and the specific functions a solitary experience affords. This research suggests that crafting or enhancing positive solitude experiences requires a personalized approach.
Positive event diversity: Relationship with personality and well‐being
Authors: Klaiber Patrick , Hill Patrick L. , Almeida David M. , DeLongis Anita , Sin Nancy L.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Examining the personality and well‐being correlates of positive event diversity.

Background

Past research has highlighted that personality traits are linked to the frequency of daily positive events. This study is the first to examine positive event diversity, the extent to which positive events are spread across multiple types of positive life domains, as well as its personality and well‐being correlates.

Method

We conducted parallel analyses of three daily diary datasets (Ns = 1919, 744, and 1392) that included evening assessment of daily positive events and affective well‐being. The Big Five personality traits were assessed in baseline surveys.

Results

Positive Event Diversity was related to higher person‐mean daily positive affect but not negative affect. Higher Extraversion, Agreeableness, Openness, and lower Neuroticism were correlated with more positive event diversity. These associations became nonsignificant when controlling for positive event frequency. Positive event frequency moderated the link between positive event diversity and person‐mean affect, such that higher positive event diversity was associated with higher negative and lower positive affect for people who experienced more frequent positive events.

Conclusions

No consistent evidence was found for personality as a moderator of the positive event diversity–well‐being link across the three studies. Further, the well‐being implications of positive event diversity may be better understood when interpreting them alongside indexes of positive event frequency.
Reliability of the 2020 School Health Profiles Principal and Lead Health Education Teacher Questionnaires
Authors: Jones Sherry Everett , Brener Nancy D. , Queen Barbara , Hershey‐Arista Molly , Harris William , Underwood J. Michael
Published: January 2024

Background

School Health Profiles assesses school health policies and practices among US secondary schools.

Methods

The 2020 School Health Profiles principal and teacher questionnaires were used for a test‐retest reliability study. Cohen's kappa coefficients tested the agreement in dichotomous responses to each questionnaire variable at 2 time points. The aggregate prevalence estimates between time 1 and time 2 were compared for each questionnaire item via overlapping 95% confidence intervals. Chi‐square tests examined whether the prevalence at time 2 differed between paper and web administration for both questionnaires.

Results

For the principal (N = 50) and teacher (N = 34) data, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of any items between time 1 and time 2. For the principal survey, the mean kappa for 191 variables was 0.49. For the teacher survey, the mean kappa for 260 variables was 0.65. Overall, 60.7% of principal and 91.1% of teacher questionnaire items had at least “moderate” reliability.

Conclusions

School Health Profiles offers education and health agencies a reliable tool to monitor school policies and practices.
Association of four differently processed diets with plasma and urine advanced glycation end products and serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products concentration in healthy dogs
Authors: Bridglalsingh Siobhan , Archer‐Hartmann Stephanie , Azadi Parastoo , Barbier de La Serre Claire , Remillard Rebecca L. , Sunvold Gregory D. , Bartges Joseph W.
Published: January 2024

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), formed via the Maillard reaction (MR) during processing of foods, have been implicated in inflammatory and degenerative diseases in human beings. Cellular damage is primarily caused by AGE binding with the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) on cell membranes. An isoform of RAGE, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), acts as a decoy receptor binding circulating AGEs preventing cellular activation. Pet food manufacturing involves processing methods similar to human food processing that may increase dietary AGEs (dAGEs). We hypothesized that diet, plasma and urine AGEs, and serum sRAGE concentrations would differ between thermally processed diets. This study examined the association of four differently processed diets: ultra‐processed canned wet food (WF); ultra‐processed dry food (DF); moderately processed air‐dried food (ADF) and minimally processed mildly cooked food (MF) on total plasma levels of the AGEs, carboxymethyllysine (CML), carboxyethyllysine (CEL), methylglyoxal hydroimidazolone‐1, glyoxal hydroimidazolone‐1, argpyrimidine, urine CML, CEL and lysinoalanine, and serum sRAGE concentration. Ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure AGEs. sRAGE concentration was measured using a commercial canine‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit. Total dAGEs (mg/100 kcal as fed) were higher in WF than in other diets. Plasma total AGEs (nM/50 μL) were significantly higher with WF, with no difference found between DF, ADF, and MF; however, ADF was significantly higher than MF. Urine CML (nmol AGEs/mmol creatinine) was significantly higher with DF than with WF and MF. There were no significant differences in total urine AGEs or serum sRAGE concentration between diets. In conclusion, different methods of processing pet foods are associated with varied quantities of AGEs influencing total plasma AGE concentration in healthy dogs. Serum sRAGE concentration did not vary across diets but differences in total AGE/sRAGE ratio were observed between MF and WF and, ADF and DF.
A palaeogenomic investigation of overharvest implications in an endemic wild reindeer subspecies
Authors: Kellner Fabian L. , Le Moullec Mathilde , Ellegaard Martin R. , Rosvold Jørgen , Peeters Bart , Burnett Hamish A. , Pedersen Åshild Ønvik , Brealey Jaelle C. , Dussex Nicolas , Bieker Vanessa C. , Hansen Brage B. , Martin Michael D.
Published: January 2024

Overharvest can severely reduce the abundance and distribution of a species and thereby impact its genetic diversity and threaten its future viability. Overharvest remains an ongoing issue for Arctic mammals, which due to climate change now also confront one of the fastest changing environments on Earth. The high‐arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), endemic to Svalbard, experienced a harvest‐induced demographic bottleneck that occurred during the 17–20th centuries. Here, we investigate changes in genetic diversity, population structure, and gene‐specific differentiation during and after this overharvesting event. Using whole‐genome shotgun sequencing, we generated the first ancient and historical nuclear (n = 11) and mitochondrial (n = 18) genomes from Svalbard reindeer (up to 4000 BP) and integrated these data with a large collection of modern genome sequences (n = 90) to infer temporal changes. We show that hunting resulted in major genetic changes and restructuring in reindeer populations. Near‐extirpation followed by pronounced genetic drift has altered the allele frequencies of important genes contributing to diverse biological functions. Median heterozygosity was reduced by 26%, while the mitochondrial genetic diversity was reduced only to a limited extent, likely due to already low pre‐harvest diversity and a complex post‐harvest recolonization process. Such genomic erosion and genetic isolation of populations due to past anthropogenic disturbance will likely play a major role in metapopulation dynamics (i.e., extirpation, recolonization) under further climate change. Our results from a high‐arctic case study therefore emphasize the need to understand the long‐term interplay of past, current, and future stressors in wildlife conservation.
Divergence and gene flow history at two large chromosomal inversions underlying ecotype differentiation in the long‐snouted seahorse
Authors: Meyer Laura , Barry Pierre , Riquet Florentine , Foote Andrew , Der Sarkissian Clio , Cunha Regina L. , Arbiol Christine , Cerqueira Frédérique , Desmarais Erick , Bordes Anaïs , Bierne Nicolas , Guinand Bruno , Gagnaire Pierre‐Alexandre
Published: January 2024

Chromosomal inversions can play an important role in divergence and reproductive isolation by building and maintaining distinct allelic combinations between evolutionary lineages. Alternatively, they can take the form of balanced polymorphisms that segregate within populations until one arrangement becomes fixed. Many questions remain about how inversion polymorphisms arise, how they are maintained over the long term, and ultimately, whether and how they contribute to speciation. The long‐snouted seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus) is genetically subdivided into geographic lineages and marine‐lagoon ecotypes, with shared structural variation underlying lineage and ecotype divergence. Here, we aim to characterize structural variants and to reconstruct their history and suspected role in ecotype formation. We generated a near chromosome‐level genome assembly and described genome‐wide patterns of diversity and divergence through the analysis of 112 whole‐genome sequences from Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Black Sea populations. By also analysing linked‐read sequencing data, we found evidence for two chromosomal inversions that were several megabases in length and showed contrasting allele frequency patterns between lineages and ecotypes across the species range. We reveal that these inversions represent ancient intraspecific polymorphisms, one likely being maintained by divergent selection and the other by pseudo‐overdominance. A possible selective coupling between the two inversions was further supported by the absence of specific haplotype combinations and a putative functional interaction between the two inversions in reproduction. Lastly, we detected gene flux eroding divergence between inverted alleles at varying levels for the two inversions, with a likely impact on their dynamics and contribution to divergence and speciation.
Automated flatness assessment for large quantities of full‐scale precast beams using laser scanning
Authors: Xu Chang , Xiong Wen , Tang Pingbo , Cai C. S.
Published: January 2024

Prefabrication has been widely used in bridge construction, for which precast beams are produced from a beam yard and constructed with a cast‐in‐suit bridge deck. The developments recently are focusing on large dimensions or large quantities of beam units, which leads to the inevitable challenge of beam quality control. Among them, beam surface flatness as one of the important indicators for manufacturing quality needs to be strictly controlled to ensure structural performance. However, the commonly used methods still rely heavily on manually contact‐based inspection, which is not only time‐consuming but also error‐prone. This paper presents an automated flatness assessment for large quantities of full‐scale precast beams by using terrestrial laser scanning techniques. Through axis calibration, target surface segmentation, and flatness deviation calculation, flatness deviations of the segmented surfaces from the point cloud of the entire beam are calculated, and colored maps are generated to visually assess the flatness quality. The proposed approach was applied to numerical simulated models as well as laboratory‐scale specimens for accuracy validation. Besides, its processing time was also compared to conventional contact‐based inspection during a field test. Moreover, efforts are devoted to applying the proposed method on nearly a thousand precast beams in an in‐field bridge construction project. Results can demonstrate its outperformance not only on accuracy but also the efficiency and practicality when applied to large quantities of full‐scale precast beams.
A suffering body, hidden away from others: The experience of being long‐term bedridden with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Krabbe Silje Helen , Bjorbækmo Wenche Schrøder , Mengshoel Anne Marit , Sveen Unni , Groven Karen Synne
Published: January 2024

In this article, we present findings from a qualitative study examining how young women experience being long‐term bedridden with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), during childhood and adolescence. The aim is to explore how young women who fell ill with ME/CFS during childhood and adolescence look back on their lived experience of being long‐term bedridden from the vantage point of being fully or partially recovered. Informed by a phenomenological theoretical perspective, the researchers applied a narrative methodological approach involving the analysis of interviews with 13 women, aged 16–29 years at the time of the interview. Attention was particularly paid to how participants structured their narratives and to the events (telling moments) they identified as important. Four major storylines were developed: Ambivalent responses to the presence of others; A body on the edge of life; An eternity in the dark; and Recasting painful memories of being bedridden and alone. Based on our findings, we argue that the experience of being long‐term bedridden with ME/CFS during childhood and adolescence can be understood and communicated as a plot in which individuals find themselves pushed to the extreme limit of suffering and loneliness.
Finance, race, ethnicity, and spoken language impact clinical outcomes for children with acute liver failure
Authors: Ascher Bartlett Johanna , Barhouma Sarah , Bangerth Sarah , Mejia Valeria , Weaver Carly , Kohli Rohit , Emamaullee Juliet
Published: January 2024

Background

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is an emergency, necessitating prompt referral and management at an experienced liver transplant center. Social determinants of health (SDOH) drive healthcare disparities and can affect many aspects of disease presentation, access to care, and ultimately clinical outcomes. Potential associations between SDOH and PALF outcomes, including spontaneous recovery (SR), liver transplant (LT) or death, are unknown. This study aims to investigate how SDOH may affect PALF and therefore identify areas for intervention to mitigate unrecognized disparities.

Methods

A retrospective, single‐center cohort was analyzed and then compared and validated with data from the multicenter National Institutes of Health PALF Study Group. The single‐center review included 145 patients admitted with PALF using diagnostic codes. Medical records were reviewed to extract patient demographics, family structure, inpatient social worker assessments, and clinical outcomes. Data were stratified by outcome.

Results

This analysis determined that level of family support (p = .02), caretaker employment (p = .02), patient age, race, and language (p = .01) may impact clinical outcomes. Specifically, the cohort of children that died had the largest proportion of non‐English speaking patients with limited support systems and parents who worked full‐time. Conversely, patients who underwent LT more often belonged to English‐speaking families with a homemaker and extensive support systems.

Conclusion

This study suggests that SDOH impact PALF outcomes and highlights patient populations facing additional challenges during an already complex healthcare emergency. These associations may indicate unconscious biases held by transplant teams when evaluating waitlist candidacy, as well as barriers to healthcare access. Strategies to better understand the broader applicability of our findings and, if confirmed, efforts to mitigate social disparities, may improve clinical outcomes in PALF.
Comparison of tacrolimus vs. cyclosporine in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for thalassemia
Authors: Zhumatayev Suleimen , Yalcin Koray , Celen Safiye Suna , Karaman Irem , Daloglu Hayriye , Ozturkmen Seda , Uygun Vedat , Karasu Gulsun , Yesilipek Akif
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT, and effective prevention of GvHD is critical for the success of the HSCT procedure. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) have been used for decades as the backbone of GvHD prophylaxis. In this study, the efficacy and safety of Cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (TCR) were compared in pediatric HSCT for thalassemia.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of 129 pediatric patients who underwent HSCT with the diagnosis of thalassemia at Medicalpark Göztepe and Antalya Hospitals between January 2017 and December 2020.

Results

Despite the GvHD prophylaxis, grade II–IV acute GvHD developed in 29 patients. Of these patients, 12 had only gut, 10 had only skin, 6 had combined gut and skin, and one had only liver GvHD. Fifteen of these 29 patients were in the CsA group, and 14 of them were in the TCR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of acute GvHD occurrence, GvHD stage, or involvement sites. In terms of CNI‐related toxicity, neurotoxicity in 15 (CsA n = 9, TCR n = 6) and nephrotoxicity in 18 (CsA n = 4, TCR n = 14) patients were observed. While there was no difference between the two groups in terms of neurotoxicity, more nephrotoxicity developed in patients using TCR (p = .013). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of engraftment syndrome, veno‐occlusive disease, CMV reactivation, PRES, or graft rejection.

Conclusion

Regarding GvHD, there was no difference in efficacy between TCR and CsA usage. Patients taking TCR experienced noticeably higher nephrotoxicity in terms of adverse effects. This difference should be considered according to the patient's clinical situation while choosing a CNI.
Improvement of survival after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and trends at a pediatric transplantation center; a three‐decade journey
Authors: Sezgin Gülay , Öner Yasemin Sofu , İnan Gül , Ünal İlker , Özkan Ayşe , Küpeli Serhan , Bayram İbrahim , Tanyeli Atila
Published: January 2024

Background

Advances in stem cell transplantation have resulted in improved outcomes.

Methods

This is a retrospective study aimed to analyze changes in patient profile, transplantation, graft characteristics, and outcome among 241 pediatric patients who received stem cell transplantation in a single center between 1993 and 2019.

Results

In the 2010–2019, compared with the 1993–2009 period, a significantly higher 5‐year overall survival (60% vs. 44%, p = .022) and an event‐free survival (53% vs. 34%, p = .025) were observed. Cumulative incidence of deaths due to relapse or progression between the 1993–2009 and 2010–2019 periods were 33% and 26% respectively (p = .66). Cumulative incidence of non‐relapse mortality was significantly higher during the 1993–2009 period compared with the 2010–2019 period for malignant diseases (57.7% vs. 28.3%, p = .007). The overall survival from acute graft‐versus‐host disease between 1993 and 2009 was 11% versus 46% between 2010 and 2019 (p = .0001). The overall survival from infection in both eras did not show any difference (p = .41).

Conclusions

Development in transplantation technology has led to a decrease in non‐relapse mortality and better control of graft‐versus‐host disease. However, relapse and infection remained as major causes of death. Studies evaluating institutional trends in patients undergoing HSCT and analyzing their mortality profile, can improve the management of patients, leading to a reduction in transplant‐related problems.
Comparing between HLA‐matched sibling donor allogenic HSCT and non‐sibling matched related donor allogenic HSCT outcome in pediatric patients; single center retrospective study
Authors: Essa Mohammed F. , Alghazwani Sarah , Abujoub Rodaina , Memon Shahbaz , Alkaiyat Mohammed , Ardah Husam , Alsultan Abdulrahman
Published: January 2024

Background

Extended family donor search other than siblings may yield an HLA matched donor in communities with high rate of consanguinity. The outcome of patients who are transplanted from non‐sibling matched related donors (NS‐MRD) including engraftment and graft versus host disease (GVHD) are scarce in comparison with matched sibling donor (MSD).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of all our pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients who had non‐sibling matched related donor and controlled them with matched sibling donor HSCT (based on age, indication of HSCT, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, serotherapy, stem cell source and cytomegalovirus status).

Results

A total of 76 patients were reviewed during study period. Thirty patients (39.5%) in NS‐MRD arm and 46 patients in MSD (60.5%) were identified after matching in age, disease, and conditioning regimens. All patients had similar approach including stem cell source and GVHD prophylaxis (CNI + 2nd agent). Out of the NS‐MRD group, 18 patients (59%) had one of their parents as a donor and the rest as second degree relatives. Both groups were equally distributed and were homogeneous. Both groups had no statistically significant difference in outcome including engraftment, GVHD and Chimerism tests results. GVHD was seen in (13%) NS‐MRD patients compared to (11%) in MSD patients. All patients remain alive with median follow up of 1249 days (431–3525).

Conclusions

This study showed no significant difference in allogenic HSCT outcomes between matched sibling donors and non‐sibling matched related donors and support using the same management approach in terms of conditioning therapy, GVHD prophylaxis, and serotherapy only if indicated.
Metastatic pulmonary calcifications after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Chiu Megan Z. , Cuenca Alex G. , Koo Donna C. , Hartjes Kayla , Wehrman Andrew , Kim Heung Bae , Lee Eliza J.
Published: January 2024

Background

Pulmonary calcification (PC) is a rare clinical entity observed following liver transplantation (LT). Most often identified in adults or in patients with concomitant renal failure, PC is rarely reported in children. While the clinical course of PC is largely benign, cases of progressive respiratory failure and death have been reported. Additionally, PC may mimic several other disease processes making diagnosis and management challenging. Currently, little is reported regarding the diagnosis, management, and long‐term outcomes of children with PC following LT.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing LT at our institution between 2006 and 2023. We identified two patients who developed PC following LT. Their diagnosis, clinical course, and long‐term outcomes are reported. A literature review of the presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of adult and pediatric patients with PC post‐LT was also performed.

Conclusions

Pulmonary calcifications are a rare but notable complication after pediatric liver transplantation. Our case series adds to the limited literature on this clinical entity in children but also highlights the fact that effective diagnosis and treatment may be safely accomplished without the use of lung biopsy.
Monitoring of adenoviremia in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Is it alone sufficient to predict adenoviral disease?
Authors: Kanık Yüksek Saliha , Arman Bilir Özlem , Erat Tuğba , Gülhan Belgin , Kanbur Şerife Mehtap , Bayhan Gülsüm İclal , Ok Bozkaya İkbal , Özkaya Parlakay Aslınur , Özbek Namık Yaşar
Published: January 2024

Background

We aimed to evaluate our pediatric HSCT recipients routinely monitored for adenoviremia and to determine the adequacy of this monitoring in predicting adenoviral disease (AD).

Methods

A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT between January 2021 and August 2022, and routinely monitored for adenoviremia by real‐time PCR was included in our survey. Demographic and clinical data of the patients were recorded. Incidence rates, risk factors, and mortality rates related to adenoviremia, and AD were analyzed.

Results

Among 104 HSCTs performed in 94 patients adenovirus (AdV) was revealed in 27 (26%) episodes and adenoviremia in 18 (17.3%) HSCT episodes. AD without adenoviremia developed in nine episodes (8.6%). Disseminated disease was significantly more frequently detected in episodes with adenoviremia (p = .008). GVHD was independent risk factor for AdV detection (OR: 8.6, 95% CI: 2.03–33.7, p = .001). Viremia developed within a shorter time interval after HSCT in isolated episodes of adenoviremia compared to those with concomitant AD (p = .006). Initial and peak viral loads were significantly higher in adenoviremia with AD (p < .001). Mortality was higher in the AdV‐detected episodes (p < .001) than in the AdV‐undetected episodes. AdV‐related mortality was found to be 22.2%. Adenoviremia increased the risk of mortality (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.22–1.33, p = .01).

Conclusions

Adenoviremia monitoring is an important process in the detection of AD. Since some patients may develop AD without accompanying by adenoviremia, monitoring for AdV in blood samples should be supported with other monitoring methods in order to evaluate the probable involvement of different organs or systems.
The effect of place on voting behavior: The case of the Arizona proposition to legalize recreational marijuana
Authors: Mathews Mason Clay , Fotheringham A. Stewart
Published: January 2024

In 2020, Arizonans approved Proposition 207, the Smart and Safe Arizona Act, which legalized recreational marijuana sales. Previous research has typically used non‐spatial survey data to understand marijuana legalization voting patterns. However, voting behavior can, in part, be shaped by geographic context, or place, which is unaccounted for in aspatial survey data. We use multiscale geographically weighted regression to analyze how place shaped Proposition 207 voting behavior, independently of demographic variations across space. We find significant spatial variability in the sensitivity of voting for Proposition 207 to changes in several of the predictor variables of opposition and support for recreational marijuana legalization. We argue that local statistical modeling approaches provide a more in‐depth understanding of ballot measure voting behavior than the current use of global models.

Related Articles

Branton, Regina, and Ronald J. McGauvran. 2018. “Mary Jane Rocks the Vote: The Impact of Climate Context on Support for Cannabis Initiatives.” Politics & Policy 46(2): 209–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12248.

Brekken, Katheryn C., and Vanessa M. Fenley. 2020. “Part of the Narrative: Generic News Frames in the U.S. Recreational Marijuana Policy Subsystem.” Politics & Policy 49(1): 6–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12388.

Fisk, Jonathan M., Joseph A. Vonasek, and Elvis Davis. 2018. “‘Pot'reneurial Politics: The Budgetary Highs and Lows of Recreational Marijuana Policy Innovation.” Politics & Policy 46(2): 189–208. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12246.
Participation in multiple policy venues in governance of Chile's Santiago Metropolitan Region: When institutional attributes can make the difference
Authors: Arias‐Yurisch Karina , Retamal‐Soto Karina , Ramos‐Fuenzalida Camila , Espinosa‐Rada Alejandro
Published: January 2024

The complexity of metropolitan polycentric governance is still challenging scholars and practitioners, who have mostly been engaged in a normative debate in which scant attention has been paid to the coexistence and interdependence of institutional solutions. The ecology of games framework (EGF) can be used to remedy this gap. By incorporating the analysis of institutional variation into EGF propositions about venues' interdependence, this article examines the mechanisms of metropolitan governance configuration resulting from institutional complexity at the inter‐municipal level. Provincial forums, municipal associations, and inter‐municipal agreements are the policy venues studied in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile. Official documents reporting formal agreements in 2017–2021 help to capture the inter‐municipal governance network to which we apply exponential random graph models (ERGMs). The results show the positive effects of mandated provincial venues on inter‐municipal ties and the absence of the effect of self‐organized municipal associations, tendencies that prevail even when incorporating other relevant covariates into the models. These results nourish the EGF debate about interdependencies between coexisting policy venues, emphasizing the role of the different institutional attributes framing the policy venues and the effects of these differences on governance formation.
Centering Indigenous Brilliance in “The Stories We Tell”☆
Authors: Jacob Michelle M. , Sabzalian Leilani , Springer Shareen , Simmons Kevin
Published: January 2024

Indigenous stories are the backbone of Indigenous education systems. While Indigenous communities are still grappling with settler colonial‐imposed violence, many Indigenous Nations are engaging in what Leanne Betasamosake Simpson describes as Indigenous resurgence. In our paper, we draw from our own Indigenous communities' teachings and discuss our peoples' ongoing storytelling traditions as important forms of resurgence, which contribute to a process Dene scholar Glen Sean Coulthard describes as grounded normativity. After setting the context for understanding Indigenous stories as a form of resurgent education, we then pay special attention to a well‐known collection of stories, first published in the book Anakú Iwachá in 1974, with a second edition published in 2021. We analyze the history of the project, examine key principles that make it a strong example of resurgence, and explain how it is a particularly instructive data source for social scientists to (1) better understand Indigenous knowledges within our storytelling traditions, (2) engage place‐based learning, and (3) imagine futures beyond settler colonialism. These aims, already central in Indigenous sociology, are currently at the margins of mainstream social sciences. We argue these aims provide a particularly hopeful remedy for U.S. sociology, which has generally ignored Indigenous Peoples' knowledges.