bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ecological drivers of variation in pectoral girdle anatomy in frogs
Authors: Soliz Mónica Carina , Abdala Virginia , Tulli María José
Published: January 2024

In this ecomorphological study, we investigate how the ventral pectoral girdle morphology of anurans correlates with their locomotor modes, habitat preferences, and phylogenetic relationships. We analysed 18 morphometric variables of the pectoral girdle's ventral region across 19 anuran species, encompassing diverse locomotion modes (jumping, hopping, walking, and swimming) and habitats (arboreal, bushy, terrestrial, and aquatic). Our findings, predominantly explained by the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model, reveal evolutionary adaptations in pectoral girdle morphology driven by habitat‐specific demands. Notably, bushy and walker‐jumper species exhibit large clavicles, coracoids, and sternums, along with a broad medial pectoral girdle and bigger epicoracoid. Terrestrial and arboreal‐ jumpers have a larger omosternum area compared to predominantly swimming species. Arboreal walkers show shorter epicoracoid horns and narrower coracoids. Interestingly, bushy and terrestrial species have a higher proportion of bone tissue in their pectoral girdles. This indicates a potential adaptation to support the additional to adaptation to participate in shock absorption. The patterns recovered underscore the intricate relationship between anatomical evolution and environmental adaptation in anurans.
The impact of exclusion due to COVID‐19 restrictions on partners' satisfaction with Swedish hospital postnatal ward care: A multi‐methods approach
Authors: Olander Petrus , Berglin Lisa , Naurin Elin , Markstedt Elias , Zheng Lucy R. , Linden Karolina , Sengpiel Verena , Elden Helen
Published: January 2024

Background

To prevent the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2, hospitals around the world adopted protocols that, in varying ways, resulted in the exclusion of partners from hospital postnatal care wards. The objective of this study was to examine the effect this exclusion had on partners' satisfaction with postnatal care.

Methods

An online survey (the Swedish Pregnancy Panel) including free‐text comments was conducted before and during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic; partners of pregnant women were recruited at an early ultrasound appointment and followed until 2 months after childbirth. Data were linked to the Swedish Pregnancy Register.

Results

The survey was completed by 524 partners of women who gave birth during the pandemic and 203 partners of women who gave birth before. Partners' satisfaction with hospital postnatal care dropped 29.8 percent (−0.94 OLS, 95% CI = −1.17 to −0.72). The drop was largest for partners of first‐time mothers (−1.40 OLS, 95% CI = −1.69 to −1.11), but unrelated to clinical outcomes such as mode of birth and most social backgrounds, except higher income. The qualitative analysis showed that partners (1) felt excluded as partners and parents, (2) thought the strain on staff led to deficiencies in the care provided, and (3) perceived the decision about partner restrictions as illogical.

Conclusions

The exclusion of partners from the hospital postnatal wards clearly impaired satisfaction with care, and partners of first‐time mothers were particularly affected. Planning for future restrictions on partners from hospital wards should factor in these consequences.
A transdisciplinary view on curiosity beyond linguistic humans: animals, infants, and artificial intelligence
Authors: Forss Sofia , Ciria Alejandra , Clark Fay , Galusca Cristina‐loana , Harrison David , Lee Saein
Published: January 2024

Curiosity is a core driver for life‐long learning, problem‐solving and decision‐making. In a broad sense, curiosity is defined as the intrinsically motivated acquisition of novel information. Despite a decades‐long history of curiosity research and the earliest human theories arising from studies of laboratory rodents, curiosity has mainly been considered in two camps: ‘linguistic human’ and ‘other’. This is despite psychology being heritable, and there are many continuities in cognitive capacities across the animal kingdom. Boundary‐pushing cross‐disciplinary debates on curiosity are lacking, and the relative exclusion of pre‐linguistic infants and non‐human animals has led to a scientific impasse which more broadly impedes the development of artificially intelligent systems modelled on curiosity in natural agents. In this review, we synthesize literature across multiple disciplines that have studied curiosity in non‐verbal systems. By highlighting how similar findings have been produced across the separate disciplines of animal behaviour, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and computational cognition, we discuss how this can be used to advance our understanding of curiosity. We propose, for the first time, how features of curiosity could be quantified and therefore studied more operationally across systems: across different species, developmental stages, and natural or artificial agents.
Interparental conflict dimensions and children's psychological problems: Emotion recognition as a mediator
Authors: Davies Patrick T. , Colton Kassidy C. , Schmitz Carson , Gibb Brandon E.
Published: January 2024

This study tested children's emotion recognition as a mediator of associations between their exposure to hostile and cooperative interparental conflict and their internalizing and externalizing symptoms. From 2018 to 2022, 238 mothers, their partners, and preschool children (Mage = 4.38, 52% female; 68% White; 18% Black; 14% Multiracial or another race; and 16% Latinx) participated in three annual measurement occasions. Path analyses indicated that Wave 1 observations of hostile interparental conflict predicted residualized increases in children's emotion recognition accuracy (i.e., angry, sad, and happy) at Wave 2 (β = .27). Wave 2 emotion recognition, in turn, predicted residualized decreases in children's internalizing symptoms at Wave 3 (β = −.22). Mediational findings were partly attributable to children's accuracy in identifying angry and high‐intensity expressions.
Association of patient characteristics and insurance type with anti‐obesity medications prescribing and fills
Authors: Gasoyan Hamlet , Pfoh Elizabeth R. , Schulte Rebecca , Sullivan Erin , Le Phuc , Rothberg Michael B.
Published: January 2024

Aim

To characterize factors associated with the receipt of anti‐obesity medication (AOM) prescription and fill.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study used electronic health records from 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2023, in a large health system in Ohio and Florida. Adults with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 who attended ≥1 weight‐management programme or had an initial AOM prescription between 1 July 2015 and 31 December 2022, were included. The main measures were a prescription for an AOM (naltrexone‐bupropion, orlistat, phentermine‐topiramate, liraglutide 3.0 mg and semaglutide 2.4 mg) and an AOM fill during the study follow‐up.

Results

We identified 50 678 adults, with a mean body mass index of 38 ± 8 kg/m2 and follow‐up of 4.7 ± 2.4 years. Only 8.0% of the cohort had AOM prescriptions and 4.4% had filled prescriptions. In the multivariable analyses, being a man, Black, Hispanic and other race/ethnicity (vs. White), Medicaid, traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, self‐pay and other insurance types (vs. private insurance) and fourth quartile of the area deprivation index (vs. first quartile) were associated with lower odds of a new prescription. Hispanic ethnicity, being a man, Medicaid, traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurance types, liraglutide and orlistat (vs. naltrexone‐buproprion) were associated with lower odds of AOM fill, while phentermine‐topiramate was associated with higher odds. Among privately insured individuals, the insurance carrier was associated with both the odds of AOM prescription and fill.

Conclusions

Significant disparities exist in access to AOM both at the prescribing stage and getting the prescription filled based on patient characteristics and insurance type.
Support system for village teachers’ professional development
Authors: Zhou Cong
Published: January 2024

In the proposed work, studies of supporting rural teachers were analysed and the main directions of professional self‐development of a village teacher were identified. The program aims to assist village teachers in professional self‐development. A program to support the self‐development of rural teachers was proposed, which was experimentally tested on 246 teachers in primary and secondary schools in Hebei and Shandong provinces (China). The results of the application of the program were determined using a survey to identify the development of various components of the professional development of teachers themselves. The objective results of an increase in the academic success of students were also checked. These data show the effectiveness of the program we have developed in improving all components of the professional development of teachers and the possibility of its application to a large audience of teachers in rural areas. The practical significance of this work is the possibility of applying the proposed system of support for the self‐development of teachers. The practical application of the study is to further develop and actualize the issue of the connection between the academic and professional performance of students in schools and the level of creative thinking of teachers in rural areas.
MxML (Exploring the Relationship between Measurement and Machine Learning): Current State of the Field
Authors: Zheng Yi , Nydick Steven , Huang Sijia , Zhang Susu
Published: January 2024

The recent surge of machine learning (ML) has impacted many disciplines, including educational and psychological measurement (hereafter shortened as measurement). The measurement literature has seen rapid growth in applications of ML to solve measurement problems. However, as we emphasize in this article, it is imperative to critically examine the potential risks associated with involving ML in measurement. The MxML project aims to explore the relationship between measurement and ML, so as to identify and address the risks and better harness the power of ML to serve measurement missions. This paper describes the first study of the MxML project, in which we summarize the state of the field of applications, extensions, and discussions about ML in measurement contexts with a systematic review of the recent 10 years’ literature. We provide a snapshot of the literature in (1) areas of measurement where ML is discussed, (2) types of articles (e.g., applications, conceptual, etc.), (3) ML methods discussed, and (4) potential risks associated with involving ML in measurement, which result from the differences between what measurement tasks need versus what ML techniques can provide.
EEG microstates show different features in focal epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Kučikienė Domantė , Rajkumar Ravichandran , Timpte Katharina , Heckelmann Jan , Neuner Irene , Weber Yvonne , Wolking Stefan
Published: January 2024

Objective

Electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis seeks to cluster the scalp's electric field into semistable topographical EEG activity maps at different time points. Our study aimed to investigate the features of EEG microstates in subjects with focal epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES).

Methods

We included 62 adult subjects with focal epilepsy or PNES who received video‐EEG monitoring at the epilepsy monitoring unit. The subjects (mean age = 42.8 ± 21.2 years) were distributed equally between epilepsy and PNES groups. We extracted microstates from a 4.4 ± 1.0‐min, 21‐channel resting‐state EEG. We excluded subjects with interictal epileptiform discharges during resting‐state EEGs. After preprocessing, we derived five main EEG microstates—MS1 to MS5—for the full frequency band (1–30 Hz) and frequency subbands (delta, 1–4 Hz; theta, 4–8 Hz; alpha, 8–12 Hz; beta, 12–30 Hz), using the MATLAB‐based EEGLAB toolkit. Statistical features of microstates (duration, occurrence, contribution, global field power [GFP]) were compared between the groups, using logistic regression corrected for age and sex.

Results

We detected no differences in microstate parameters in the full frequency band. We found a longer duration (delta: B = −7.680, p = .046; theta: B = −16.200, p = .043) and a higher contribution (delta: B = −7.414, p = .035; theta: B = −7.509, p = .031) of MS4 in lower frequency bands in the epilepsy group. The PNES group showed a higher occurrence of MS5 in the delta subband (B = 3.283, p = .032). In the theta subband, a higher GFP of MS1 was associated with the PNES group (B = 5.674, p = .025), whereas a higher GFP of MS2 was associated with the epilepsy group (B = −6.579, p = .026).

Significance

Microstate features show differences between patients with focal epilepsy and PNES. EEG microstates could be a promising parameter, helping to understand changes in brain dynamics in subjects with epilepsy, and should be explored as a potential biomarker.
Compositional, functional and rheological characterisation of peanut oils influenced by ozonation, roasting and combination process
Authors: Kaur Gurjeet , Sidhu Gagandeep Kaur , Kaur Jaspreet , Singla Mohit
Published: January 2024

As peanuts are prone to fungal attack, techniques like ozonation and heat treatment hold enormous potential. Peanut oil, being health‐healthy, was extracted from O1: control, O2: roasted (166 °C for 7 min), O3: ozonated (6 mg L−1 for 30 min), and O4: ozonated + roasted peanuts and analysed for chemical, colour, phenolic, fatty acids and rheological properties. Roasting significantly affected peroxide, iodine, acid, p‐anisidine values and stability of oils as compared to other treatments. The results indicated a decline in colour attributes of all oils except hue angle which were strongly correlated to increased levels of functional compounds expressed by third‐degree polynomial. O4 oil indicated best quality in terms of high atherogenic, thrombogenic, calculated oxidisability value and low hypocholesterolaemic: hypercholesterolaemic indices of fatty acid. Oils exhibited pseudoplasticity postulated by Ostwald‐de Waele and Herschel–Bulkley models. Arrhenius equation and oscillatory rheology predicted temperature dependency and crystal matrix behaviour. Overall, the O4 oils followed by O3 from ozonated peanuts individually and along with roasting are pivotal to cater the rising demands of oils due to their better appearance, fatty acids and rheology.
Medical Emergency Team call within 24 h of medical admission with a focus on sepsis: a retrospective review
Authors: Nolan James , Mackay Ian , Nolan Timothy , de Looze Julian
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Clinical deterioration within the first 24 h of patient admission triggering a Medical Emergency Team (MET) call is a common occurrence. A greater understanding of these events, with a focus on the recognition and management of sepsis, could lead to quality improvement interventions.

Methods

A retrospective observational review of general and subspecialty medical admissions triggering a MET call within 24 h of admission at a quaternary Australian hospital.

Results

2648 MET calls occurred (47.9/1000 admissions), 527 (20% of total MET events, 9.5/1000 admissions) within 24 h of admission, with the trigger more likely to be hypotension (odds ratio: 1.5, P = 0.0013). There were 263 MET calls to 217 individual medical patients within 24 h of admission, of which 84 (38.7%) were admitted with suspected infection, 69% of which fulfilled sepsis criteria. Of these, 36.2% received antimicrobial therapy within the recommended timeframe and 39.6% received antibiotics in line with hospital guidelines. Sepsis was initially missed in 11% of patients. Afferent limb failure occurred in 29% of patients with 40.5% experiencing a failure of the ward‐based response to deterioration prior to MET call. Median hospital length of stay was increased in patients admitted with suspected infection (7 vs 5 days, P = 0.015) and in those with sepsis not receiving antimicrobial therapy within guideline timeframes (9 vs 4 days, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

There is a significant opportunity to improve care for patients who trigger a MET within 24 h of admission. This study supports the implementation of a hospital sepsis management guideline.
Shake it or light it! The effects of cueing in desktop‐VR learning environments on search time and learning
Authors: Decker Daniela , Merkt Martin
Published: January 2024

Background

Virtual reality (VR) offers much potential for learning, but it challenges learners' orientation.

Objectives

This paper investigates whether it is possible to use light or movement cues to facilitate orientation in a search task in a desktop‐VR environment so that participants can better attend to the learning content presented simultaneously.

Methods

In two pre‐registered online experiments, we investigated the effects of cueing (light and movement) on search time, learning, and several evaluation variables. Participants were asked to find tools in a virtual workshop, while information about the respective tool was narrated. Experiment 1 (N = 60) used a within‐subject design, that is, the objects were alternately highlighted by light, movement or not. For Experiment 2 (N = 159) the narration was substantially shortened, and a between‐subject design was used. Cognitive load and presence were measured additionally.

Results and conclusions

In Experiment 1, only the movement cue decreased search time, indicating automatic guidance of learners' attention. There was no effect of cueing on learning, which may be due to the average search time being substantially shorter than the narration, leaving sufficient time to attend to the narration exclusively. In Experiment 2 search times were significantly faster for both cueing methods, but only the light cue resulted in better learning outcomes, which could be explained by the slightly lower presence in the movement cue condition.

Implications

Results imply that it is important to develop cues that automatically guide attention without reducing presence.
Reduced prosocial motivation and effort in adolescents with conduct problems and callous‐unemotional traits
Authors: Gaule Anne , Martin Peter , Lockwood Patricia L. , Cutler Jo , Apps Matthew , Roberts Ruth , Phillips Harriet , Brown Katie , McCrory Eamon J. , Viding Essi
Published: January 2024

Background

Prosocial behaviours – acts that benefit others – are of crucial importance for many species including humans. However, adolescents with conduct problems (CP), unlike their typically developing (TD) peers, demonstrate markedly reduced engagement in prosocial behaviours. This pattern is particularly pronounced in adolescents with CP and high levels of callous‐unemotional traits (CP/HCU) who are at increased risk of developing psychopathy in adulthood. While a substantial amount of research has investigated the cognitive‐affective mechanisms thought to underlie antisocial behaviour, much less is known about the mechanisms that could explain reduced prosocial behaviours in adolescents with CP.

Methods

Here we examined the willingness to exert effort to benefit oneself (self) and another person (other, prosocial condition) in children with CP/HCU, CP and lower levels of CU traits (CP/LCU) and their TD peers. The task captured both prosocial choices, and actual effort exerted following prosocial choices, in adolescent boys aged 11–16 (27 CP/HCU; 34 CP/LCU; 33 TD). We used computational modelling to reveal the mechanistic processes involved when choosing prosocial acts.

Results

We found that both CP/HCU and CP/LCU groups were more averse to initiating effortful prosocial acts than TD adolescents – both at a cognitive and at a behavioural level. Strikingly, even if they chose to initiate a prosocial act, the CP/HCU group exerted less effort following this prosocial choice than other groups.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that reduced exertion of effort to benefit others may be an important factor that differentiates adolescents with CP/HCU from their peers with CP/LCU. They offer new insights into what might drive low prosocial behaviour in adolescents with CP, including vulnerabilities that may particularly characterise those with high levels of CU traits.
Large‐scale proteomics in the first trimester of pregnancy predict psychopathology and temperament in preschool children: an exploratory study
Authors: Buthmann Jessica L. , Miller Jonas G. , Aghaeepour Nima , King Lucy S. , Stevenson David K. , Shaw Gary M. , Wong Ronald J. , Gotlib Ian H.
Published: January 2024

Background

Understanding the prenatal origins of children's psychopathology is a fundamental goal in developmental and clinical science. Recent research suggests that inflammation during pregnancy can trigger a cascade of fetal programming changes that contribute to vulnerability for the emergence of psychopathology. Most studies, however, have focused on a handful of proinflammatory cytokines and have not explored a range of prenatal biological pathways that may be involved in increasing postnatal risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Methods

Using extreme gradient boosted machine learning models, we explored large‐scale proteomics, considering over 1,000 proteins from first trimester blood samples, to predict behavior in early childhood. Mothers reported on their 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children's (N = 89, 51% female) temperament (Child Behavior Questionnaire) and psychopathology (Child Behavior Checklist).

Results

We found that machine learning models of prenatal proteomics predict 5%–10% of the variance in children's sadness, perceptual sensitivity, attention problems, and emotional reactivity. Enrichment analyses identified immune function, nervous system development, and cell signaling pathways as being particularly important in predicting children's outcomes.

Conclusions

Our findings, though exploratory, suggest processes in early pregnancy that are related to functioning in early childhood. Predictive features included far more proteins than have been considered in prior work. Specifically, proteins implicated in inflammation, in the development of the central nervous system, and in key cell‐signaling pathways were enriched in relation to child temperament and psychopathology measures.
Surgery‐first in interdisciplinary class II cases
Authors: Cascales Raúl Ferrando , Casolari Francesca , Hernández‐Alfaro Federico , Berdugo Mayra Lucero , Cascales Álvaro Ferrando
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To present an interdisciplinary case treated with a surgery‐first orthognathic approach, followed by orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment.

Clinical Considerations

After an accurate pre‐operative virtual planning, a young patient with skeletal class II, retrognathia, and an anterior open bite was treated with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery without pre‐surgical orthodontic decompensation. Orthodontic treatment was carried out post‐operatively. The treatment was completed with a prosthodontic phase to improve the final esthetic outcome of the smile.

Conclusions

A surgery‐first approach allowed to achieve esthetic and functional results in a reduced treatment duration that remained stable over the course of 1 year. The outcomes were consistent with prior research in terms of advantages brought by following an accurately planned surgery‐first protocol. Nevertheless, longer‐term follow‐up was required to evaluate the treatment stability.

Clinical Significance

An accurately planned surgery‐first approach significantly helped in shortening the duration of the treatment, while providing a stable, functional, and esthetic solution to the patient's problems.
Enhancing corporate governance quality through mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Hussain Tanveer , Kryzanowski Lawrence , Loureiro Gilberto , Sufyan Muhammad
Published: January 2024

This study examines whether the pre‐deal target‐bidder firm governance gap affects the bidder's postdeal change in governance quality. We estimate cross‐sectional regressions using mergers and acquisitions from 2004 to 2016. We find that the bidder's firm‐level governance improves for acquisitions where the target's governance quality is better than that of the bidder preacquisition. We attribute the results to reverse portability, suggesting that the predeal governance gap creates space for governance transfer, and bidders can adopt better governance of targets after the acquisition. Board independence, audit committee independence, CEO‐Chairman separation, stock compensation, and equal treatment of minority shareholders serve as potential channels to demonstrate the bidder's higher governance after the acquisition. Our findings also reveal that bidders with governance improvement are also associated with higher operating performance. We extend the portability theory of Ellis et al. (2017) and suggest that governance can also travel from targets to bidders through mergers and acquisitions.
School Safety and Mental Health Awareness: Recommendations from K‐12 Texas Public School Teachers
Authors: Gaal Susanne R. , Fuller Matthew B.
Published: January 2024

Background

Mass school shootings have created fear in the American public. The results of this fear have been the hardening of schools, lockdowns, and active shooter drills, yet the mass shootings have not ended. The goal of this study was to analyze the mental health awareness of K‐12 public schools teachers in Texas with a goal to identify the connections between mental health awareness and school safety.

Methods

Data were used from an archival database of K‐12 teacher responses in the 2020 Texas Educators' Needs Assessment Regarding School Safety and Victims Services to assess the current state of student mental health concerns and the connection of these concerns to school safety. This needs assessment included one mixed methods survey that was collected from Texas K‐12 educators and Texas educators working in higher education in 2020. The original study included 25,161 usable responses (6.1%). For the purpose of this study, only K‐12 teacher responses were used in the analysis. The K‐12 teacher participants (n = 19,888) included the following institutional levels: (a) special setting, 2,919 (14.7%); (b) elementary school, 6,813 (34.3%); (c) middle/intermediate school, 4,189 (21.1%); (d) high school, 5,864 (29.5%); and (e) district level, 103 (0.5%). A total of 8,053 participant's qualitative responses and 10 of the original quantitative survey questions from the archival data were used to identify all findings in the study.

Results

Collected qualitative and quantitative participant responses' outlined a need to improve student mental health by strengthening the focus on supporting all stakeholders (e.g., teachers, parents, counselors, and students) in mental health awareness and education. Participant comments focused on the lack of training, counselor support, and community support regarding the mental health needs of their students.

Conclusion

Recommendations to improve student mental health that were developed from this study identified key goals in school counselor role and responsibility to student mental health, increased involvement of community agencies, and improvement to in‐school mental health counseling. Final recommendations of this study were focused on the need to improve student mental health if stakeholders want to develop a positive school environment. The failure to build an environment that is focused on student mental health will continue to affect the goal to improve overall school safety.
Cutting‐edge technologies for detecting and controlling fish diseases: Current status, outlook, and challenges
Authors: Islam Sk Injamamul , Ahammad Foysal , Mohammed Haitham
Published: January 2024

Aquaculture is now the main source of seafood in human diets and is one of its fastest‐growing industries worldwide. However, the industry is facing several difficulties, including infectious diseases, the most significant limiting factor for aquaculture expansion. The impact of diseases on aquaculture growth, fecundity, mortality rates, and marketability is profound. Hence, the ability to predict disease outbreaks is crucial to overcoming these challenges. Various infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can cause significant losses of fish in intensive aquaculture practices. In an aquaculture environment, the high host density coupled with restricted water flow promotes pathogen spread. Early detection of disease is crucial for farmers as mortality rates can reach as high as 100% if left untreated. Therefore, new techniques and technical solutions for disease management in aquaculture are required. In this context, data analytics technologies, such as internet of things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, allow farmers to proactively monitor their farms and detect potential disease outbreaks before they strike. Here, we highlighted the potential of machine learning algorithms in early pathogen detection and the possibilities of intelligent aquaculture in controlling disease outbreaks at the farm level. IoT is currently a popular study topic for smarter and sustainable aquaculture, as seen by the growing interest and broad overall assumptions. Therefore, this review aims to provide comprehensive information on the various aspects and challenges associated with modern technologies for controlling pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the potential benefits of using the IoT to improve fish health and welfare in aquaculture.
Effects of nasoalveolar molding on nasolabial aesthetics in patients with cleft lip and palate during pre‐adolescence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of retrospective studies
Authors: Likitkulthanaporn Ard , Boonpratham Supatchai , Honglertnapakul Yanasinee , Saengfai Nuntinee Nanthavanich , Chaweewannakorn Chaiyapol , Jongkhum Nannapat , Peanchitlertkajorn Supakit
Published: January 2024

This study aims to analyze long‐term effects of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) as a part of cleft primary management protocols on nasolabial aesthetics for patients with non‐syndromic cleft lip and palate by conducting a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Six electronic databases and two journals were searched up to July 2023. Studies comparing nasolabial outcomes between NAM and non‐NAM protocols were selected for further analysis. Nasolabial aesthetics were the outcome of interest. Data extraction, methodological quality assessment, risk of bias assessment, meta‐analysis and subgroup analysis were performed. Seven retrospective cohort studies were selected for a qualitative review and four for a quantitative analysis. The risk of bias assessment was moderate for most studies. Only studies utilizing the Asher‐McDade rating (AMR) were included for meta‐analyses. The protocols with NAM exhibited a significantly lower AMR score for vermillion border than other protocols. AMR scores for nasal form and nasal symmetry from protocols with NAM were significantly lower than protocols without any pre‐surgical infant orthopaedics (PSIO) but not significantly different from protocols with other PSIO techniques. The AMR score for nasolabial profile from protocols with NAM was not significantly different from other protocols. However, subgroup analysis demonstrated that protocol combining NAM and primary rhinoplasty significantly lowered AMR scores for nasal form, nasal symmetry and nasolabial profile. For patients with unilateral cleft lip with or without palate (UCLP), this study found that a protocol combining NAM and primary rhinoplasty improved nasolabial outcomes while a protocol with NAM alone offered only limited benefits. For patients with BCLP, the available evidence remains inconclusive. Performing NAM in combination with primary rhinoplasty improves nasolabial aesthetics in patients with UCLP. PROSPERO (CRD4202128384).
IFT80 promotes early bone healing of tooth sockets through the activation of TAZ/RUNX2 pathway
Authors: Zhao Ziwei , Geng Ying , Ni Qiaoqi , Chen Yue , Cao Yanan , Lu Yahui , Wang Hua , Wang Ruixia , Sun Wen
Published: January 2024

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins have been reported to regulate cell growth and differentiation as the essential functional component of primary cilia. The effects of IFT80 on early bone healing of extraction sockets have not been well studied. To investigate whether deletion of Ift80 in alveolar bone‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (aBMSCs) affected socket bone healing, we generated a mouse model of specific knockout of Ift80 in Prx1 mesenchymal lineage cells (Prx1Cre;IFT80f/f). Our results demonstrated that deletion of IFT80 in Prx1 lineage cells decreased the trabecular bone volume, ALP‐positive osteoblastic activity, TRAP‐positive osteoclastic activity, and OSX‐/COL I‐/OCN‐positive areas in tooth extraction sockets of Prx1Cre; IFT80f/f mice compared with IFT80f/f littermates. Furthermore, aBMSCs from Prx1Cre; IFT80f/f mice showed significantly decreased osteogenic markers and downregulated migration and proliferation capacity. Importantly, the overexpression of TAZ recovered significantly the expressions of osteogenic markers and migration capacity of aBMSCs. Lastly, the local administration of lentivirus for TAZ enhanced the expression of RUNX2 and OSX and promoted early bone healing of extraction sockets from Prx1Cre; IFT80f/f mice. Thus, IFT80 promotes osteogenesis and early bone healing of tooth sockets through the activation of TAZ/RUNX2 pathway.
The “5Ts” screening tool: Enhancements and threshold values for effective TMD identification
Authors: Liu C. G. , Yap A. U. , Fu K. Y. , Lei J.
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to enhance the quintessential “five temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms” (5Ts) screener by incorporating frequency options and distinguishing between TMJ and muscle pain. The diagnostic accuracy along with cut‐off points for the effective identification of TMDs was also established.

Methods

Participants, aged ≥18 years, were recruited from a university‐based hospital. After completing surveys encompassing demographic data and the enhanced 5Ts (with frequency options [5Ts‐F] and differentiation of TMJ/muscle pain [6Ts‐F]), protocolized interviews and clinical examinations were performed following DC/TMD. The diagnostic accuracy and best cut‐off points were determined with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs).

Results

324 participants were recruited (mean age 30.0 ± 11.4 years). Among these, 86.4% had TMDs. 5Ts exhibited high diagnostic accuracy for detecting all TMDs (AUC = 0.92) with sensitivity/specificity values of 83.9%/88.6%. Both 5Ts‐F and 6Ts‐F had slightly better accuracy (AUCs = 0.95/0.96), comparable sensitivity, and superior specificity (97.7%) compared to 5Ts. The best cut‐off points were 1.5 for 5Ts and 2.5 for 5Ts‐F/6Ts‐F.

Conclusions

Although all three TMD screeners presented high diagnostic accuracy, 5Ts‐F/6Ts‐F had notably improved specificity. 5Ts scores of >1.5 and 5Ts‐F/6Ts‐F scores of >2.5 are to be applied for screening the presence of TMDs.
Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of fruit‐bearing habit locus (Bh1) in eggplant (Solanum melongenaL.)
Authors: K. H. Sulochana , Saha Partha , Tomar Bhoopal Singh , Behera Tusar Kanti , Ghoshal Chandrika , Verma Veerendra Kumar , Verma Aakriti , S Gopala Krishnan , Saha Namita Das , Ray Soham , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Madhav Maganti Sheshu
Published: January 2024

In eggplant, two kinds of fruit‐bearing habits can be observed, that is, cluster and solitary. The fruits grown in cluster are small in size but contribute towards yield and productivity. In this investigation, we have studied the genetics of fruit‐bearing habit and identified the SSR markers linked to this trait. Pusa Safed Baingan 1 (cluster bearer) and Pusa Hara Baingan 1 (solitary bearer) having contrasting traits were crossed to generate F1(20 plants), F2(215 plants), B1(73 plants) and B2(64 plants). Genetic analysis of the trait was carried out using Chi‐square test. The segregation of plants in F2suggested recessive epistasis with ratio of 9:3:4 (solitary: mixed: cluster) indicating involvement of two genes for controlling the fruit‐bearing habit. The parental polymorphic 6 SSR markers were used for genotyping F2plants and co‐segregated with the fruit‐bearing habit (Bh1) locus in 1:2:1. A linkage map covering 63.86 cm distance was developed, the SSR marker emf11A03 was closest with a distance of 4.37 cm,emk03O04at 12.5 cm distance, andemf21O06at 14.5 cm. The physical positions of the SSR markersemb01J19andemf11A03flankingBh1gene were located at 4.77 mb position of contig Sme2.5_05721.1 and 5.18 Mb position of contig Sme2.5_00994.1, respectively. The findings in the present study will be helpful in marker‐assisted breeding to enhance yield in eggplant.
Evidence for the involvement of keratinocyte‐derived microvesicle particles in the photosensitivity associated with xeroderma pigmentosum type A deficiency
Authors: Christian Lea , Manjrekar Pranali , Henkels Karen M. , Rapp Christine M. , Annamraju Risha , Lohade Rushabh P. , Singh Shikshita , Carpenter M. Alexandra , Khan Saman , Kemp Michael G. , Chen Yanfang , Sahu Ravi P. , Travers Jeffrey B.
Published: January 2024

Photosensitivity can be due to numerous causes. The photosensitivity associated with deficiency of xeroderma pigmentosum type A (XPA) has been previously shown to be associated with excess levels of the lipid mediator platelet‐activating factor (PAF) generated by the keratinocyte. As PAF has been reported to trigger the production of subcellular microvesicle particles (MVP) due to the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase), the goal of these studies was to discern if PAF and aSMase could serve as therapeutic targets for the XPA deficiency photosensitivity. HaCaT keratinocytes lacking XPA generated greater levels of MVP in comparison to control cells. Mice deficient in XPA also generated enhanced MVP levels in skin and in plasma in response to UV radiation. Use of a genetic strategy with mice deficient in both XPA and PAF receptors revealed that these mice generated less MVP release as well as decreased skin erythema and cytokine release compared to XPA knockout mice alone. Finally, the aSMase inhibitor imipramine blocked UV‐induced MVP release in HaCaT keratinocytes, as well as XPA knockout mice. These studies support the concept that the photosensitivity associated with XPA involves PAF‐ and aSMase‐mediated MVP release and provides a potential pharmacologic target in treating this form of photosensitivity.
Checklist for Habitual Physical Activity (CHaPA) for adults 75 years and older: tool development and content and face validation
Authors: Arita Kuniko , Ishibashi Yu , Ishibashi Hitomi
Published: January 2024

Background

Physical activity significantly contributes to older adults' physical and mental health, suggesting that physical activity could enhance healthy life expectancy. Despite its importance for adults aged 75 and older, activity levels among a large proportion of individuals aged 75 and older in Japan do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, indicating a need for specific strategies tailored to this age group. This study aimed to develop a screening tool that measures daily activities promoting physical activity among older adults and assessed its content and face validity.

Methods

In Stage 1, we derived constructs pertinent to physical activity from previous literature and formulated an item list based on a prior qualitative study we undertook in Japan that evaluated daily behaviours facilitating physical activity among older adults. During Stage 2, we assessed the content and face validity of the list utilising the Nominal Group Technique (NGT), involving eight experts. The content validity was confirmed through two scoring evaluation rounds, while the face validity was verified through the NGT discussion, focusing on the comprehensibility and appropriateness of the tool.

Results

We created a tool with 22 items consisting of three constructs. The NGT participants modified eight of these items for the final assessment, resulting in a finalised tool comprising 22 items that satisfied the adaptation criteria. The content validity of these items was affirmed by median adequacy (>5.0 points) and interquartile range (<1.0 points). The NGT discussion consensus also confirmed satisfactory face validity.

Conclusion

The newly developed tool, Checklist for Habitual Physical Activity (CHaPA) for adults 75 years and older, is a valid screening tool to assess the daily behaviours that facilitate physical activity. This self‐administered instrument aims to assist older adults who need to start and maintain physical activity daily. Before its widespread public deployment, further investigation of the tool's validity and reliability is necessary.
Reconciling risk as threat and opportunity: The social construction of risk in boardrooms
Authors: Bryce Cormac , Ashby Simon , Ring Patrick
Published: January 2024

Board directing is a continuous process of risk analysis and control in response to the duality of risk as threat and opportunity. Judgments are made and remade to simultaneously reduce the potential for damaging threats (e.g., fraud, reputation damage), while exploiting opportunities (e.g., new product development, mergers and acquisitions). Adopting an institutional logics approach, we explore this process of risk analysis and control through the varied subject identities (e.g., directorial roles), risk management practices (the procedures and tools used to identify, assess, and control risk), and risk objects (the product of risk identification, assessment, and control, e.g., a risk matrix or register) of boards. We argue that the contingent interaction between these identities, practices, and objects inform the “risk logic” of a board, which may draw attention to the notion of risk as threat, risk as opportunity, or both threat and opportunity. Using the testimony of 30 executive and nonexecutive directors that represent 62 companies from a range of public, private, and third‐sector organizations, we contribute to the literature on the microfoundations of risk analysis in organizations by shining a light on how board directors understand, assess, control, and ultimately govern risk in organizations.
RH genotypes and red cell alloimmunization rates in chronically transfused patients with sickle cell disease: A multisite study in the USA
Authors: Israelyan Narek , Vege Sunitha , Friedman David F. , Zhang Zhe , Uter Stacey , Fasano Ross M. , Yee Marianne , Piccone Connie , Kelly Shannon , Hankins Jane S. , Zheng Yan , Westhoff Connie M. , Chou Stella T.
Published: January 2024

Background

Red cell alloimmunization remains a challenge for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and contributes to increased risk of hemolytic transfusion reactions and associated comorbidities. Despite prophylactic serological matching for ABO, Rh, and K, red cell alloimmunization persists, in part, due to a high frequency of variant RH alleles in patients with SCD and Black blood donors.

Study Design and Methods

We compared RH genotypes and rates of alloimmunization in 342 pediatric and young adult patients with SCD on chronic transfusion therapy exposed to >90,000 red cell units at five sites across the USA. Genotyping was performed with RHD and RHCE BeadChip arrays and targeted assays.

Results

Prevalence of overall and Rh‐specific alloimmunization varied among institutions, ranging from 5% to 41% (p = .0035) and 5%–33% (p = .0002), respectively. RH genotyping demonstrated that 33% RHD and 57% RHCE alleles were variant in this cohort. Patients with RHCE alleles encoding partial e antigens had higher rates of anti‐e identified than those encoding at least one conventional e antigen (p = .0007). There was no difference in anti‐D, anti‐C, or anti‐E formation among patients with predicted partial or altered antigen expression compared to those with conventional antigens, suggesting that variant Rh on donor cells may also stimulate alloimmunization to these antigens.

Discussion

These results highlight variability in alloimmunization rates and suggest that a molecular approach to Rh antigen matching may be necessary for optimal prevention of alloimmunization given the high prevalence of variant RH alleles among both patients and Black donors.
Plasma cell‐free DNA in canine lymphoma patients as a novel material for genotyping
Authors: Kambayashi Satoshi , Ono Nanae , Tone Tomofumi , Baba Kenji , Okuda Masaru
Published: January 2024

Canine lymphoma is a disease with high morbidity and poor long‐term prognosis, despite a high response rate to chemotherapy. In this study, we focused on liquid biopsy, in which small amounts of substances from body fluids were analysed, to determine whether cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in the plasma can be used as a biomarker for lymphoma in dogs. We found that 23 patients with lymphoma had significantly higher cfDNA concentrations than the 12 healthy dogs (median 2360 ng/mL versus 299 ng/mL, p < .0001). Polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) was also employed using cfDNA from the lymphoma group to investigate whether cfDNA could be used for the detection of genetic clonality of lymphomas, as well as the genomic DNA (gDNA) extracted from an original lesion in each case. The correlation of the PARR results between cfDNA and gDNA was observed in 100% of B‐cell lymphomas (10/10), 77.8% of T‐cell lymphomas (7/9), and 100% of other types of lymphomas (4/4), respectively. These results indicate that plasma cfDNA levels are increasing in canine lymphoma patients, that cfDNA concentration can be a novel diagnostic tool, and that it can be used as a diagnostic tool for PARR.
Extensive red blood cell matching considering patient alloimmunization risk
Authors: Wemelsfelder Merel L. , van de Weem Ronald H. G. , Luken Jessie S. , de Haas Masja , Niessen René W. L. M. , van der Schoot C. Ellen , Hoogeveen Han , Oyebolu Folarin B. , den Hertog Dick , Janssen Mart P.
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions pose a risk of alloantibody development in patients. For patients with increased alloimmunization risk, extended preventive matching is advised, encompassing not only the ABO‐D blood groups but also the most clinically relevant minor antigens: C, c, E, e, K, Fya, Fyb, Jka, Jkb, S and s. This study incorporates patient‐specific data and the clinical consequences of mismatching into the allocation process.

Materials and Methods

We have redefined the MINimize Relative Alloimmunization Risks (MINRAR) model to include patient group preferences in selecting RBC units from a finite supply. A linear optimization approach was employed, considering both antigen immunogenicity and the clinical impact of mismatches for specific patient groups. We also explore the advantages of informing the blood bank about scheduled transfusions, allowing for a more strategic blood distribution. The model is evaluated using historical data from two Dutch hospitals, measuring shortages and minor antigen mismatches.

Results

The updated model, emphasizing patient group‐specific considerations, achieves a similar number of mismatches as the original, yet shifts mismatches among patient groups and antigens, reducing expected alloimmunization consequences. Simultaneous matching for multiple hospitals at the distribution centre level, considering scheduled demands, led to a 30% decrease in mismatches and a 92% reduction in shortages.

Conclusion

The reduction of expected alloimmunization consequences by incorporating patient group preferences demonstrates our strategy's effectiveness for patient health. Substantial reductions in mismatches and shortages with multi‐hospital collaboration highlights the importance of sharing information in the blood supply chain.