bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Resident Involvement on 30-Day Postoperative Outcomes in Orthopedic Shoulder Surgery
Authors: Marcel Aaron J. , Feinn Richard S. , Myrick Karen M.
Published: March 2024

The literature concerning resident involvement in shoulder surgery is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine whether resident involvement across all orthopedic shoulder surgeries is associated with adverse 30-day outcomes. Utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, patients who underwent shoulder surgery with or without a resident present were analyzed. Independent t-test and chi-square or Fischer’s exact test were used appropriately. A logistic regression model was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios. This study examined 5,648 patients: 3,455 patients in the “Attending alone” group and 2,193 in the “Attending and resident in the operating room” group. Resident presence in the operating room was not associated with increased complications, except for bleeding transfusions (OR 1.71, CI 1.32–2.21, P≤0.001). This study demonstrates that resident involvement in orthopedic shoulder surgery does not present an increased risk for 30-day complications when compared to surgeries performed with the attending surgeon alone.
Enhanced Strain Measurement Sensitivity with Gold Nanoparticle‐Doped Distributed Optical Fibre Sensing
Authors: Wang Xiang , Xiao Yuzhe , Rans Calvin , Benedictus Rinze , Groves Roger M.
Published: April 2024

Nanoparticle‐ (NP‐) doped optical fibres show the potential to increase the signal‐to‐noise ratio and thus the sensitivity of optical fibre strain detection for structural health monitoring. In this paper, our previous experimental/simulation study is extended to a design study for strain monitoring. 100 nm spherical gold NPs were randomly seeded in the optical fibre core to increase the intensity of backscattered light. Backscattered light spectra were obtained in different wavelength ranges around the infrared C‐band and for different gauge lengths. Spectral shift values were obtained by cross‐correlation of the spectra before and after strain change. The results showed that the strain accuracy has a positive correlation with the relative spectral sensitivity and that the strain precision decreases with increasing noise. Based on the simulated results, a formula for the sensitivity of the NP‐doped optical fibre sensor was obtained using an aerospace case study to provide realistic strain values. An improved method is proposed to increase the accuracy of strain detection based on increasing the relative spectral sensitivity, and the results showed that the error was reduced by about 50%, but at the expense of a reduced strain measurement range and more sensitivity to noise. These results contribute to the better application of NP‐doped optical fibres for strain monitoring.
Social Media Use and Attitudes toward AI: The Mediating Roles of Perceived AI Fairness and Threat
Authors: Li Wenbo , Zheng Xia
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the association between social media use and attitudes toward AI technologies. A nationally representative two-wave longitudinal survey (N=5110) examined the mediating roles of perceived AI fairness and threat concerning three AI technologies: algorithms, facial recognition technology, and driverless passenger vehicles. Hypotheses were derived from media effect theories and the heuristic and systematic model of human-AI adoption. The results showed that social media use predicted more positive attitudes toward the three AI technologies indirectly through increased perceived AI fairness and reduced perceived AI threat. The findings contribute to our understanding of social media effects on attitudes toward AI and the underlying psychological mechanisms, providing valuable theoretical insights and practical implications.
Management of Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Application of Vitamins for Hydroponic Soybean Cultivation
Authors: Lima Alexandre H. de F. , Salles Josiane S. , Vendruscolo Eduardo P. , Seron Cássio de C. , de Freitas Rogério S. , de Lima Sebastião F. , Sant’Ana Gabriela R. , Costa Edilson
Published: March 2024

The exchange of technologies used in field cultivation for hydroponic systems can potentially increase plant development and grain production, requiring studies to verify the best management forms, such as growth‐promoting bacteria and biostimulant compounds. With this in mind, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of thiamine and niacin, alone and combined, to soybean plants in the absence and presence of inoculation with B. japonicum on the agronomic and physiological characteristics of the crop grown in an ebb and flow hydroponic system. Eight treatments were evaluated using t‐test (LSD) and Tukey’s test, both at 5% probability (P < 0.05), in addition to Pearson correlation and canonical variables. The treatments consist of inoculation with B. japonicum at 1 mL 500 g−1 seeds (with and without) and foliar application of four solutions (water, niacin (0.1 g·L−1), thiamine (0.1 g·L−1), and niacin + thiamine (0.05 g·L−1 + 0.05 g·L−1)). We found that inoculation significantly improved the parameters evaluated and resulted in a gain of approximately 84.8% in yield when compared by t‐test (P < 0.05). In addition, the action of the vitamins was more significant when they were applied without the presence of B. japonicum, especially niacin, either alone or combined with thiamine, which increased yield parameters in this condition, identified when the Tukey’s test (P < 0.05) was applied. We conclude that inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum in soybean seeds grown in a hydroponic system significantly benefits the development and grain yield, mainly when combined with vitamin solutions. Niacin also has the potential to be used alone or combined with thiamine in noninoculated or inoculated hydroponic soybean crops, respectively.
Effects of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate on Perioperative Maternal Outcomes Undergoing Cesarean Section: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shi Haibin , Zheng Caihong , Zhu Bin
Published: March 2024

Purpose. Preoperative oral carbohydrate (CHO) is a rapid postoperative rehabilitation protocol that improves perioperative outcomes and is widely used in adult surgical patients. However, pregnant women are excluded because of the possibility of aspiration due to delayed gastric emptying. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative oral CHO in elective cesarean section. Methods. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 2023. Randomized controlled trials were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to estimate risk ratios and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The outcomes included thirst and hunger scores, incidence of vomiting and nausea, time to flatus, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results. A total of nine studies with 1211 patients were included in the analysis. The levels of thirst and hunger were evaluated using a 10-point visual analog scale, with 0 representing the best and 10 representing the worst. The severity of hunger (weighted mean difference (WMD: −2.34, 95% CI: −3.13 to −1.54), time to flatus (WMD: −3.51 hours, 95% CI: −6.85 to −0.17), and HOMA-IR (WMD: −1.04, 95% CI: −1.31 to −0.77) were significantly lower in the CHO group compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences in the severity of thirst or the incidence of vomiting and nausea between the CHO and control groups. Conclusion. Preoperative oral CHO during cesarean section alleviates thirst and hunger, shortens the time of postoperative flatus, and reduces HOMA-IR. However, the available evidence is insufficient to reach a clear consensus on the benefits or harms of preoperative oral CHO during cesarean section. Therefore, it is premature to make a definitive recommendation for or against its routine use.
Numerical Solution of Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Unsteady Advection-Diffusion-Reaction Equations with Variable Coefficients
Authors: Tsega Endalew Getnet
Published: March 2024

The advection-diffusion-reaction (ADR) equation is a fundamental mathematical model used to describe various processes in many different areas of science and engineering. Due to wide applicability of the ADR equation, finding accurate solution is very important to better understand a physical phenomenon represented by the equation. In this study, a numerical scheme for solving two-dimensional unsteady ADR equations with spatially varying velocity and diffusion coefficients is presented. The equations include nonlinear reaction terms. To discretize the ADR equations, the Crank–Nicolson finite difference method is employed with a uniform grid. The resulting nonlinear system of equations is solved using Newton’s method. At each iteration of Newton’s method, the Gauss–Seidel iterative method with sparse matrix computation is utilized to solve the block tridiagonal system and obtain the error correction vector. The consistency and stability of the numerical scheme are investigated. MATLAB codes are developed to implement this combined numerical approach. The validation of the scheme is verified by solving a two-dimensional advection-diffusion equation without reaction term. Numerical tests are provided to show the good performances of the proposed numerical scheme in simulation of ADR problems. The numerical scheme gives accurate results. The obtained numerical solutions are presented graphically. The result of this study may provide insights to apply numerical methods in solving comprehensive models of physical phenomena that capture the underlying situations.
A Model for the Propagation and Control of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Disease in Kenya
Authors: Kirimi Erick Mutwiri , Muthuri Grace Gakii , Ngari Cyrus Gitonga , Karanja Stephen
Published: March 2024

Pulmonary tuberculosis is among the leading infectious diseases causing mortality worldwide. Therefore, scaling up intervention strategies to reduce the spread of infections in the population is imperative. In this paper, a population‐based compartmental approach has been employed to formulate a mathematical model of pulmonary tuberculosis that incorporates an asymptomatic infectious population. The model includes asymptomatic infectious individuals since they spread infections incessantly to susceptible populations without being noticed, thus contributing to the high rate of infection transmission. Qualitative and numerical analyses were performed to determine the impact of various intervention strategies on controlling infection transmission in the population. Sensitivity and numerical results indicate that increasing screening of latently infected and asymptomatic infectious individuals reduces infection transmission to the susceptible population. Numerical results demonstrate that the combination of vaccination, screening, and treatment of all forms of pulmonary tuberculosis is the most effective intervention in decreasing infection transmission. Furthermore, a combination of screening and treatment of all forms of pulmonary tuberculosis proves more effective than a combination of vaccination and treatment of symptomatic infectious individuals alone. Treating the symptomatic infectious population alone is identified as the least effective intervention for curtailing infection transmission in the susceptible population. These study findings will guide healthcare officials in making decisions regarding the screening of latently infected and asymptomatic infectious pulmonary tuberculosis patients, thereby aiding in the fight against epidemics of this disease.
Heat Kernel of Networks with Long-Range Interactions
Authors: Kalala Mutombo Franck , Nanyanzi Alice , Utete Simukai W.
Published: March 2024

The heat kernel associated with a discrete graph Laplacian is the basic solution to the heat diffusion equation of a strict graph or network. In addition, this kernel represents the heat transfer that occurs over time across the network edges. Its computation involves exponentiating the Laplacian eigensystem with respect to time. In this paper, we expand upon this concept by considering a novel network-theoretic approach developed in recent years, which involves defining the k-path Laplacian operator for networks. Prior studies have adopted the notion of integrating long-range interactions (LRI) in the transmission of “information” across the nodes and edges of the network. Various methods have been employed to consider long-range interactions. We explore here the incorporation of long-range interactions in network analysis through the use of Mellin and Laplace transforms applied to the k-path Laplacian matrix. The contribution of this paper is the computation of the heat kernel associated with thek-path Laplacian, called the generalized heat kernel (GHK), and its employment as the basis for extracting stable and useful novel versions of invariants for graph characterization. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that the use of LRI improves the results obtained with classical diffusion methods for networks characterization.
Effect of Mixed Probiotics on Ovalbumin‐Induced Atopic Dermatitis in Juvenile Mice
Authors: Huang Jinli , Wang Xingzhi , Li Qiuhong , Zhang Panpan , Jing Zenghui , Zhang Juan , Su Hui , Sun Xin
Published: March 2024

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common dermatologic problems, especially in children. Given the ability of symbiotic microorganisms in modulating the immune system, probiotics administration has been studied in previous research in the management of atopic dermatitis. However, there are conflicting results between studies. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of mixed probiotics as a treatment option for atopic dermatitis induced by ovalbumin. BALB/c juvenile mice were classified and divided into the ovalbumin group, mixed probiotic group (ovalbumin + LK), and control group. Except for the control group, all mice were sensitized with ovalbumin to establish a model of atopic dermatitis. The mixed probiotics were given by gavage for 14 days. Mice body weight, skin lesions, skin inflammation, ovalbumin‐specific Ig, the number of Treg and CD103+DC, and the expression level of PD‐1/PD‐L1 were examined. The results showed that mixed probiotics can improve body weight and alleviate skin symptoms. Mixed probiotics reduced serum Th2 inflammatory factors, eosinophils, mast cell degranulation, mast cell count, and the expression of ovalbumin‐specific immunoglobulin E/G1 and increased the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐10, Treg cells, CD103+DC cells, and the expression level of PD‐1/PD‐L1. These findings suggest that mixed probiotics could be a viable treatment option for atopic dermatitis and provide insight into the underlying mechanisms involved.
Health Status of Nonemergency Patients in the Emergency Department Using the EQ-5D
Authors: Dai Min , Jiang Jingyuan , Jiang Lingjun , Zhou Jin , Ye Lei
Published: March 2024

Background. Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is influenced by several factors including the hospital’s capacity, staff, patient discharges, and community resources. The number of annual ED visits has increased, with patients’ medical needs exceeding emergency capacity, resulting in a widespread concern about emergency room overcrowding. Nonemergency patients tend to use large amounts of emergency medical resources, which is one reason for ED overcrowding. Most patients consider their medical cases urgent, whereas medical professionals consider many cases to be nonemergency. Only a few studies have examined self-rated health among nonemergency patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the ED of a tertiary hospital in China using the European Quality of Life Five-Dimensional Questionnaire to investigate the health status of nonemergency patients. Results. Among the 545 respondents, 246 (45.14%) self-assessed their health as excellent, 186 (34.13%) as very good, 70 (12.84%) as good, 32 (5.87%) as average, and 11 (2.02%) as poor. Problems related to pain/discomfort were reported by 317 (58.17%) participants, 214 (39.27%) responded that they had problems related to daily activities, 212 (38.90%) responded that they felt anxious or depressed, 211 (38.35%) responded that they had problems related to self-care, and some or extreme problems related to mobility were stated by 193 people (35.41%). Conclusions. Nonemergency patients generally reported good health. Pain/discomfort was the most significant factor affecting the health of nonemergency patients, followed by limitation of daily activities. The duration of illness onset and self-rated health status were common factors influencing the health status of nonemergency patients. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1900023578.
Research on Combat Mission Configuration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Maritime Reconnaissance Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Dong Peng , Chen Weibing , Wang Kewen , Zhou Ke , Wang Wei
Published: March 2024

In recent years, in the classic battles and armed conflicts around the world, battlefield environment reconnaissance and the collection and processing of operational information play an increasingly critical role in the victory and defeat of the battlefield. Unmanned equipment, especially UAV equipment, is used by more and more countries in the field of combat reconnaissance. Meanwhile, the types of UAV are gradually diversified with the change of operational requirements. UAVs adapted to different combat environments shine brightly on the battlefield. In terms of naval battle field, due to the limitations and deficiencies of reconnaissance methods such as surface radar, UAVs play a more prominent role in combat reconnaissance. There are more scenarios for UAVs to be used in combat reconnaissance in naval battle field and higher requirements for UAVs’ combat effectiveness. Therefore, this paper takes UAVs’ naval battle reconnaissance missions as the research object. By using PSO as the research method, this paper studies the combat reconnaissance task configuration of UAVs, hoping to contribute to the improvement of UAVs’ combat reconnaissance capability and combat effectiveness.
Loss of the DNA Repair Gene RNase H2 Identifies a Unique Subset of DDR-Deficient Leiomyosarcomas
Authors: Nakazawa Michael S. , Silverman Ian M. , Rimkunas Victoria , Veloso Artur , Glodzik Dominik , Johnson Adrienne , Ohsumi Toshiro K. , Patel Shreyaskumar R. , Conley Anthony P. , Roland Christina L. , Soliman Pamela T. , Beird Hannah C. , Wu Chia-Chin , Ingram Davis R. , Lazcano Rossana , Song Dawon , Wani Khalida M. , Lazar Alexander J. , Yap Timothy A. , Wang Wei-Lien , Livingston J. Andrew
Published: April 2024

Targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway is an emerging therapeutic approach for leiomyosarcoma (LMS), and loss of RNase H2, a DDR pathway member, is a potentially actionable alteration for DDR-targeted treatments. Therefore, we designed a protein- and genomic-based RNase H2 screening assay to determine its prevalence and prognostic significance. Using a selective RNase H2 antibody on a pan-tumor microarray (TMA), RNase H2 loss was more common in LMS (11.5%, 9/78) than across all tumors (3.8%, 32/843). In a separate LMS cohort, RNase H2 deficiency was confirmed in uterine LMS (U-LMS, 21%, 23/108) and soft-tissue LMS (ST-LMS; 30%, 39/102). In the TCGA database, RNASEH2B homozygous deletions (HomDels) were found in 6% (5/80) of LMS cases, with a higher proportion in U-LMS (15%; 4/27) compared with ST-LMS (2%; 1/53). Using the SNiPDx targeted-NGS sequencing assay to detect biallelic loss of function in select DDR-related genes, we found RNASEH2B HomDels in 54% (19/35) of U-LMS cases with RNase H2 loss by IHC, and 7% (3/43) HomDels in RNase H2 intact cases. No RNASEH2B HomDels were detected in ST-LMS. In U-LMS patient cohort (n = 109), no significant overall survival difference was seen in patients with RNase H2 loss versus intact, or RNASEH2B HomDel (n = 12) versus Non-HomDel (n = 37). The overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of RNase H2 IHC for detecting RNA-SEH2B HomDels in U-LMS was 76%, 93%, and 71%, respectively, and it is being developed for future predictive biomarker driven clinical trials targeting DDR in U-LMS.
Is Primary Poorly Differentiated Sarcomatoid Malignancy of the Parotid Gland Sarcomatoid Undifferentiated/Dedifferentiated Melanoma? Report of Three Unusual Cases Diagnosed by Fine-Needle Aspiration Combined with Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Analyses
Authors: Klijanienko Jerzy , Masliah-Planchon Julien , Choussy Olivier , Rougier Guillaume , Vautrin Antoine Dubray , Lesnik Maria , Badois Nathalie , Ghanem Wahib , Klos Jan , Le Tourneau Christophe , Marret Gregoire , Barnhill Raymond , El-Naggar Adel K.
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Poorly differentiated primary sarcomatoid parotid malignancies are extremely rare. These tumors have not been consistently studied by morphology, immunohistochemistry, or molecular techniques. Case Presentation: We report three unusual cases of parotid gland poorly-differentiated sarcomatoid malignancy investigated by fine-needle aspiration and studied histologically, by immunohistochemistry and molecular investigations. Aspirates showed poorly specific polymorphous sarcomatoid malignancy in all cases. Histologically, all cases were polymorphous high-grade malignancies, and additionally, one case showed epithelial structures and was finally classified as salivary carcinosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry showed classical melanocytic markers negativity but positivity for PRAME, CD10, and WT1 in all three tumors and for CD56 in two tumors, which can potentially be supportive of melanocytic origin. Although not entirely specific, molecular characterization also suggested the melanocytic lineage of these tumors. Conclusion: Although rare, primary malignant melanoma of salivary gland was already described, but undifferentiated/dedifferentiated amelanotic forms are unknown in this localization up today. Further case reports of similar presentations are required to confirm the unequivocal primary origin of these obscure neoplasms in the parotid gland.
Renal Sodium Avidity in Heart Failure
Authors: Van den Eynde Jef , Verbrugge Frederik H.
Published: April 2024

Background: Increased renal sodium avidity is a hallmark feature of the heart failure syndrome. Summary: Increased renal sodium avidity refers to the inability of the kidneys to elicit potent natriuresis in response to sodium loading. This eventually causes congestion, which is a major contributor to hospital admissions and mortality in heart failure. Key Messages: Important novel concepts such as the renal tamponade hypothesis, accelerated nephron loss, and the role of hypochloremia, the sympathetic nervous system, inflammation, the lymphatic system, and interstitial sodium buffers are involved in the pathophysiology of renal sodium avidity. A good understanding of these concepts is crucially important with respect to treatment recommendations regarding dietary sodium restriction, fluid restriction, rapid up-titration of guideline-directed medical therapies, combination diuretic therapy, natriuresis-guided diuretic therapy, use of hypertonic saline, and ultrafiltration.
Association between social conditions and oral health in school failure
Authors: Cunha Inara Pereira da , Pereira Antonio Carlos , Meneghim Marcelo de Castro , Frias Antônio Carlos , Mialhe Fábio Luiz
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of school failure among Brazilian adolescents with social conditions and aspects of oral health through hierarchical analysis. METHODS: A state-wide survey of 5,558 adolescents from the state of São Paulo, Brazil, inquired about the sociodemographic and social capital of participants by using a structured questionnaire. Trained and calibrated professionals performed intraoral examinations and interviews in the households. Questions about the access to dentist, reason for and frequency of using dental services, toothache episodes and impact of oral conditions on daily activities (OIDP) were applied. Oral examinations evaluated caries experience, tooth losses, periodontal problems, presence of open bite, and maxillary and mandibular overjet. School failure was estimated according to the teenagers’ years of schooling. The independent variables were grouped into three blocks: sociodemographic and economic characteristics, social capital and oral health aspects. The multiple hierarchical logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with school failure. RESULTS: Of the total sample, information about schooling of 5,162 adolescents was obtained, of whom 29.6% presented school failure. We found that adolescents over the age of 16 years who did not declare themselves as white, female, with feelings of insecurity, unhappiness, with toothache, caries, tooth losses, affected by dentofacial and/or periodontal changes, were more likely to fail at school. CONCLUSION: Oral disorders and social factors were associated with school failure in adolescents. A successful school trajectory was a strong determinant of health, therefore actions between the educational and health sectors must be developed for adolescents, especially those with this profile.
Right Ventricular Function on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Long-Term Outcomes in Stable Heart Transplant Recipients
Authors: Barrett Collin M. , Bawaskar Parag , Hughes Andrew , Athwal Pal Satyajit Singh , Guo Yugene , Alexy Tamas , Shenoy Chetan
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

In heart transplant recipients, right ventricular (RV) dysfunction may occur for a variety of reasons. Whether RV dysfunction in the stable phase after heart transplantation is associated with long-term adverse outcomes is unknown. We aimed to determine the long-term prognostic significance of RV dysfunction identified on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) at least 1 year after heart transplantation.

METHODS:

In consecutive heart transplant recipients who underwent CMR for surveillance, we assessed 2 CMR measures of RV function: RV ejection fraction and RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS). We investigated associations between RV dysfunction and a composite end point of death or major adverse cardiac events, including retransplantation, nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and heart failure hospitalization.

RESULTS:

A total of 257 heart transplant recipients (median age, 59 years; 75% men) who had CMR at a median of 4.3 years after heart transplantation were included. Over a median follow-up of 4.4 years after the CMR, 108 recipients experienced death or major adverse cardiac events. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, time since transplantation, indication for transplantation, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, history of rejection, and CMR covariates, RV ejection fraction was not associated with the composite end point, but RVGLS was independently associated with the composite end point with a hazard ratio of 1.08 per 1% worsening in RVGLS ([95% CI, 1.00–1.17];
P
=0.046). RVGLS provided incremental prognostic value over other variables in multivariable analyses. The association was replicated in subgroups of recipients with normal RV ejection fraction and recipients with late gadolinium enhancement imaging. A similar association was seen with a composite end point of cardiovascular death or major adverse cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONS:

CMR feature tracking–derived RVGLS assessed at least 1 year after heart transplantation was independently associated with the long-term risk of death or major adverse cardiac events. Future studies should investigate its role in guiding clinical decision-making in heart transplant recipients.
Endothelial PTP1B Deletion Promotes VWF Exocytosis and Venous Thromboinflammation
Authors: Zifkos Konstantinos , Bochenek Magdalena L. , Gogiraju Rajinikanth , Robert Stéphane , Pedrosa Denise , Kiouptsi Klytaimnistra , Moiko Kateryna , Wagner Mathias , Mahfoud Felix , Poncelet Philippe , Münzel Thomas , Ruf Wolfram , Reinhardt Christoph , Panicot-Dubois Laurence , Dubois Christophe , Schäfer Katrin
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Endothelial activation promotes the release of procoagulant extracellular vesicles and inflammatory mediators from specialized storage granules. Endothelial membrane exocytosis is controlled by phosphorylation. We hypothesized that the absence of PTP1B (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B) in endothelial cells promotes venous thromboinflammation by triggering endothelial membrane fusion and exocytosis.

METHODS:

Mice with inducible endothelial deletion of PTP1B (End.PTP1B-KO) underwent inferior vena cava ligation to induce stenosis and venous thrombosis. Primary endothelial cells from transgenic mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used for mechanistic studies.

RESULTS:

Vascular ultrasound and histology showed significantly larger venous thrombi containing higher numbers of Ly6G (lymphocyte antigen 6 family member G)-positive neutrophils in mice with endothelial PTP1B deletion, and intravital microscopy confirmed the more pronounced neutrophil recruitment following inferior vena cava ligation. RT
2
PCR profiler array and immunocytochemistry analysis revealed increased endothelial activation and adhesion molecule expression in primary End.PTP1B-KO endothelial cells, including CD62P (P-selectin) and VWF (von Willebrand factor). Pretreatment with the NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) kinase inhibitor BAY11-7082, antibodies neutralizing CD162 (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1) or VWF, or arginylglycylaspartic acid integrin-blocking peptides abolished the neutrophil adhesion to End.PTP1B-KO endothelial cells in vitro. Circulating levels of annexin V
+
procoagulant endothelial CD62E
+
(E-selectin) and neutrophil (Ly6G
+
) extracellular vesicles were also elevated in End.PTP1B-KO mice after inferior vena cava ligation. Higher plasma MPO (myeloperoxidase) and Cit-H3 (citrullinated histone-3) levels and neutrophil elastase activity indicated neutrophil activation and extracellular trap formation. Infusion of End.PTP1B-KO extracellular vesicles into C57BL/6J wild-type mice most prominently enhanced the recruitment of endogenous neutrophils, and this response was blunted in VWF-deficient mice or by VWF-blocking antibodies. Reduced PTP1B binding and tyrosine dephosphorylation of SNAP23 (synaptosome-associated protein 23) resulting in increased VWF exocytosis and neutrophil adhesion were identified as mechanisms, all of which could be restored by NF-κB kinase inhibition using BAY11-7082.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings show that endothelial PTP1B deletion promotes venous thromboinflammation by enhancing SNAP23 phosphorylation, endothelial VWF exocytosis, and neutrophil recruitment.
Sherman Lecture: Are We Aiming at the Correct Targets to Reduce Disparities in Stroke Mortality? Celebration, Reflection, and Redirection
Authors: Howard George
Published: March 2024

Although deaths from stroke have been reduced by 75% in the past 54 years, there has been virtually no reduction in the relative magnitude of Black‐to‐White disparity in stroke deaths, or the heavier burden of stroke deaths in the Stroke Belt region of the United States. Furthermore, although the rural–urban disparity has decreased in the past decade, this reduction is largely attributable to an increased stroke mortality in the urban areas, rather than reduced stroke mortality in rural areas. We need to focus our search for interventions to reduce disparities on those that benefit the disadvantaged populations, and support this review using relatively recently developed statistical approaches to estimate the magnitude of the potential reduction in the disparities.
Addressing Disparities in Acute Stroke Management and Prognosis
Authors: Denny M. Carter , Rosendale Nicole , Gonzales Nicole R. , Leslie‐Mazwi Thabele M. , Middleton Sandy
Published: March 2024

There are now abundant data demonstrating disparities in acute stroke management and prognosis; however, interventions to reduce these disparities remain limited. This special report aims to provide a critical review of the current landscape of disparities in acute stroke care and highlight opportunities to use implementation science to reduce disparities throughout the early care continuum. In the prehospital setting, stroke symptom recognition campaigns that have been successful in reducing prehospital delays used a multilevel approach to education, including mass media, culturally tailored community education, and professional education. The mobile stroke unit is an organizational intervention that has the potential to provide more equitable access to timely thrombolysis and thrombectomy treatments. In the hospital setting, interventions to address implicit biases among health care providers in acute stroke care decision‐making are urgently needed as part of a multifaceted approach to advance stroke equity. Implementing stroke systems of care interventions, such as evidence‐based stroke care protocols at designated stroke centers, can have a broader public health impact and may help reduce geographic, racial, and ethnic disparities in stroke care, although further research is needed. The long‐term impact of disparities in acute stroke care cannot be underestimated. The consistent trend of longer time to treatment for Black and Hispanic people experiencing stroke has direct implications on long‐term disability and independence after stroke. A learning health system model may help expedite the translation of evidence‐based interventions into clinical practice to reduce disparities in stroke care.
Treatment Modalities and Outcomes in Brainstem Cavernous Malformations: A Large Multicenter Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Lu Junlin , Li Zongze , Deng Hao , Shi Guangchao , Wang Wei , You Chao , Zhu Wei , Tian Rui
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND:

Symptomatic brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs) pose a high risk of morbidity and mortality due to recurrent hemorrhage, warranting aggressive management. However, few studies have compared the effectiveness of different treatment modalities for BSCMs. We aimed to assess the association of treatment modalities with recurrent hemorrhage and neurological outcomes in patients with BSCM.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using an observational registry database covering population of southwest and southeast China. Adult patients with BSCM were included and followed up between March 1, 2011, to March 31, 2023. We compared outcomes between microsurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in propensity score-matched case pairs, incorporating demographic, medical history, and lesion characteristics. The outcomes studied included recurrent hemorrhage and poor prognosis (defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale score, <4). Absolute rate differences and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were calculated using Cox models.

RESULTS:

Among 736 diagnosed patients with BSCM, 96 (48 matched pairs) were included after exclusions and propensity score matching (mean age, 43.1 [SD, 12.1] years; 50% women). During the median 5-year follow-up, no significant differences in recurrent hemorrhage (4.2% [microsurgery] versus 14.6% [SRS], HR, 3.90 [95% CI, 0.46–32.65];
P
=0.21) and poor prognosis (12.5% [microsurgery] versus 8.3% [SRS], HR, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.08–1.08];
P
=0.07) were observed between microsurgery and SRS recipients. Furthermore, either microsurgery or SRS correlated with fewer recurrent hemorrhage (HR, 0.09 [95% CI, 0.02–0.39];
P
=0.001; HR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.07–0.69];
P
=0.01) compared with conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study, both microsurgery and SRS were safe and effective for BSCM, demonstrated comparable outcomes in recurrent hemorrhage and poor prognosis. However, interpretation should be cautious due to the potential for residual confounding.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.chictr.org.cn/
; Unique identifier: ChiCTR2300070907.
No observation of DIANA signals in rats at 7.0 and 17.2 Tesla
Authors: Cloos Martijn A. , Selingue Erwan , Hodono Shota , Gaudin Romain , Ciobanu Luisa
Published: April 2024

Recently, a new method was introduced to detect neuronal activity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The method, referred to as DIANA, showed MRI signals with millisecond temporal resolution that correlated with local field potentials measured invasively in mice. Troublingly, attempts by other groups to detect the DIANA signals in humans at 7 Tesla and mice at 15.2 Tesla have failed. So far, attempts to reproduce DIANA in small rodents have focused on paradigms using whisker pad stimulation, which were expected to produce a 0.1–0.15% signal change. However, the Supplementary Material accompanying the original DIANA paper showed that visual stimulation produced a three times larger signal, which should be much easier to detect. Therefore, we attempted to find the DIANA signal in rats using a visual stimulation paradigm. Experiments were performed at 17.2 Tesla but also at 7.0 Tesla to see if the DIANA signal appears at a lower field strength where T2 is longer and BOLD contributions are reduced. In addition, simulations were performed to investigate the theoretical detectability of synthetic DIANA signals in noisy data. Although our data indicated that a 0.1% signal change would have been detectable, we did not observe a DIANA signal. We did observe neuronally driven hemodynamic signal variations that were much larger than the anticipated DIANA signal. The amplitude of these signal changes was relatively similar at 7.0 and 17.2 Tesla (0.7% vs 1.1%). Numerical simulations indicated, however, that the measured hemodynamic signal changes would not interfere with the detection of DIANA signals. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that measurements at higher field strength with improved SNR would have a better chance to detect the DIANA signal. Yet, we, among others, were unable to find it.
Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Substance Use and Its Determinants Among College Students in a Coastal Town of South India
Authors: Das Shyamashree , Kamath Veena G , Prabhu Divya Arvind , Praharaj Samir Kumar , Pandey Akhilesh Kumar
Published: March 2024

Background:

Substance use among adolescents is increasing at an astounding rate globally posing a major threat to the health system and the society. This problem can be tackled if the adolescents are equipped with knowledge and positive attitude towards substance use. This study was an attempt to assess the knowledge and attitude towards substance use based on consumption and its determinants among college students.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,170 college students aged 18 years and above in Udupi taluk for two years using a predesigned questionnaire. Factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards substance use were identified using multiple logistic regression.

Results:

The mean age of study participants was 19 ± 1.38 years with 39(1.8%) of them indulging in substance use. Around 434(20%) and 1866(86%) of them had good knowledge and positive attitude towards substance use respectively. Though the substance users had better knowledge as compared to non-users, attitude was better in the non-users. Paternal education, affluent socioeconomic status and usage of substances significantly correlated with knowledge. Gender and substance usage were independent predictors of attitude

Conclusions:

The present study reveals that substance use is low among college students in Udupi taluk. Though knowledge about substance use is better in users as compared to non-users, the attitude is better in non-users. This calls for an urgent need to have health education sessions in the respective colleges with collaborative efforts of parents, teachers, and psychological counsellors to address the ill effects of substance
Leading with Compassion: An Inquiry into Compassionate Leadership of School Principals that Impact Teacher Attitudes and Job Performance
Authors: Richard Marcel I.  , Kamalanabhan T. J.
Published: March 2024

Leaders and organizations worldwide faced tough decisions while responding to the complications of operating during the pandemic, COVID-19. Schools were not exempt from this mayhem. The rapid need for transition to virtual classrooms stressed teachers even as they battled with the virus. Teachers required a compassionate leader during the crisis. With stress at an all-time high, accompanied by uncertainty about the future, compassionate leadership was a crucial factor to navigate through such crises. Regarding compassionate leadership of school principals, researchers are yet to thoroughly study its conceptual and empirical relationship with teacher attitudes and behaviours. Although evolving research addresses the outcomes of compassionate leadership, little is known about how compassionate school principals impact work attitudes and behaviours of teachers. Hence, we present a broad theoretical framework of how compassionate leadership of school principals influences teacher work attitudes and job performance. Mainly, we analyse the relationships between compassionate leadership and teachers’ resilience, work engagement, psychological well-being, and job performance. We base our study on trust, positive emotions, and self-efficacy theories to explain the compassionate leadership process. We advance research propositions and discuss the implications for future research and compassionate leadership practices at schools.
Assessment of Schedule Quality Problems from the DOT Schedule Reviewers’ Perspective: Case of TxDOT
Authors: Son Junghye , Han Byung Gi , Khwaja Nabeel , O’Brien William J.
Published: March 2024

A construction schedule review is an essential aspect of schedule management for U.S. state departments of transportation (DOTs) to deliver transportation construction projects on time. Despite their importance, current literature pays limited attention to addressing schedule quality problems for highway construction projects. This research aims to assess schedule quality problems from DOTs’ perspective and suggests recommendations to improve DOTs’ schedule review practices. To achieve this, two questions were formulated: 1) What schedule problems do DOT schedule reviewers perceive as vital to schedule quality? and 2) What schedule problems do DOT schedule reviewers find repeatedly? This research first reviewed relevant literature and identified 44 schedule quality problems noted about highway construction. Based on these 44 problems, a survey was developed to assess the level of impact and the likelihood of occurrence of each problem. The survey was deployed to Texas Department of Transportation practitioners with schedule review experience. The analysis prioritized the problems by the relative impact and frequency, and DOTs can utilize this analysis to improve their schedule review process and practices. This paper contributes to the academic body of knowledge by investigating the schedule quality problems in highway construction and DOT practitioners’ perceptions of the schedule quality problems. Its industry contribution includes providing the methodology for DOTs to assess their schedule quality problems.
Investigation of Bridge Scour Mitigation with Nature Binding Materials: Biopolymers
Authors: Zhang Bin , Wen Kejun , Li Junjie , Amini Farshad
Published: March 2024

The use of biopolymers to tackle geotechnical problems is an essential step toward the development of sustainable geotechnical systems. The strength and erosion resistance of biopolymer-treated Hot Coffee soil sampled from the bridge site in Jackson, Mississippi were examined in this research. The optimum biopolymer concentration and moisture content were tested for Agar Gum, Xanthan Gum, and Guar Gum treatment of Hot Coffee soil, respectively. The mechanical behavior and erosion resistance of biopolymer-treated soil samples were evaluated through the unconfined compressive strength test, splitting tensile test, triaxial test, and pocket erodometer test. The results indicated that all three biopolymers improved Hot Coffee soil strength, but Guar Gum improved soil unconfined compressive and tensile strength greatly. The addition of 1% Guar Gum can improve the unconfined compression stress (UCS) and split the tensile strength of Hot Coffee soil to roughly 4,000 kPa and 600 kPa, respectively. At the same time, the cohesion of Hot Coffee soil treated with biopolymer was enhanced. The cohesion of the soil treated with 1.5% Xanthan Gum increased from 0 to 41.5 kPa. In addition, the erosion resistance of biopolymer-treated soil was also increased. With a 1.5% Xanthan Gum addition, the erosion resistance level of Hot Coffee soil reduced from very high erodibility to medium erodibility. Therefore, biopolymers have great potential for bridge scour mitigation.
Do Risk-Taking Cyclists Have Different Sociodemographic Characteristics? An Observational Study at Intersections in a French City
Authors: Varet Florent , Lenglin Vincent , Deplancke Antoine , Barbet Levanah , Delvaux Flavien , Wever Lucie De , Maravat Camille , Paulet Julien , Privat Eline , Pelé Marie
Published: March 2024

The increase in cycling accidents can hinder the increased use of this transportation mode. To identify the sociodemographic factors explaining risky cyclists’ behaviors is therefore important. The relationships between some sociodemographic variables (gender, age, parenthood, use of a shared versus a personal bike) and some risky behaviors (helmet use, red-light running, crossing an intersection with a very short time before the next passing vehicle) remain inconsistent or under-investigated in the literature. These relationships were therefore investigated in a French population. Cyclists ( N = 2,788) were observed at two traffic signal intersections in the city center of Lille, France. Two cameras per site were used to score each cyclist’s variables (with a minimum of intercoder reliability = 80%). Men (versus women) and young (versus older) cyclists are less likely to wear a helmet and more likely to run red lights. Cyclists with (versus without) a child seat were more likely to wear a helmet, suggesting that parenthood influences risk perception. Shared (versus personal) bike users were found to be significantly less likely to wear a helmet and more likely to run red lights. This highlights the importance of further investigating whether shared bike users are more likely to take different types of risk on the road. Various factors (psychosocial, enforcement, road design) are discussed to explain these findings and prevent risks. The importance of adapting road safety interventions to the sociodemographic characteristics of cyclists is also discussed.
‘Bookish’ Borrowings and Novelty in a Chinese-Christian Manuscript from Dunhuang
Authors: Sheridan Daniel J.
Published: March 2024

The trade routes of late antique and early medieval Eurasia conducted far more than goods. Exchanges occurred between a number of prominent book cultures with origins or, at least, ties to the Indian, Iranian and Chinese worlds. A Christian scroll (Pelliot chinois 3847) discovered in the famed Library Cave near Dunhuang is the product of such interactions in both its materiality and its written content. This Chinese manuscript of East Syriac Christians bears three texts, at least some of which were composed during the late eighth century of the Tang period (618–907). This article focuses on three terms used in the postscript of P.3847. Although a relatively well-known Dunhuang manuscript, the ‘bookish’ terminology of the postscript deserves consideration in its own right; this includes the only known occurrence of the Chinese term bei pijia 貝皮夾. From this study, insight is gained into both the semantic depth of these Chinese terms and the Christian appropriation of them.