bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving palliative and supportive care in advanced cirrhosis: the HepatoCare model of integrated collaborative care
Authors: Kearney Alison , Tiwari Neha , Cullen Olivia , Legg Amy , Arbi Ismail , Douglas Carol , Leggett Barbara , Fenech Mary , Mina Joanne , Hoey Paris , Skoien Richard
Published: October 2023

Background

Patients with advanced cirrhosis experience an unpredictable disease trajectory but are infrequently referred to palliative care (PC) services and rarely undertake advance care planning (ACP).

Aim

We assessed whether a novel model of care increased provision of meaningful PC in advanced cirrhosis compared with standard of care (SOC).

Methods

Thirty consecutive hepatology clinic outpatients with advanced cirrhosis, meeting one or more cirrhosis‐related PC referral criteria, consented to treatment in the HepatoCare clinic (PC physician, specialist liver nurse, pharmacist) in parallel with usual specialist hepatology care. A control cohort of 30 consecutive outpatients with advanced cirrhosis undergoing SOC treatment was retrospectively identified for comparison. The primary outcome was provision of meaningful PC using HepatoCare versus SOC. Additional clinical outcomes were assessed over 12 months or until death and significant differences were identified.

Results

The intervention and control cohorts had similarly advanced cirrhosis (mean Child‐Pugh scores 8.7 vs 8.2, P = 0.46; mean model for end‐stage liver disease scores 14.4 vs 14.6, P = 0.88) but a lower 12‐month mortality rate (33% HepatoCare vs 67% SOC; P = 0.02). The intervention cohort experienced higher uptake of formal ACP (100% vs 25% for the control cohort) and outpatient PC referral (100% vs 40%), and were more likely to die at home or in a PC bed/hospice (80% vs 30%). The majority of the HepatoCare cohort (81%) had medications safely deprescribed and experienced fewer unplanned admission days (470 vs 794).

Conclusions

HepatoCare is a novel multidisciplinary model of care that integrates effective PC and specialist hepatology management to improve outcomes in advanced cirrhosis.
Temporal change in aetiology and clinical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in a large cohort of patients in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Yeoh Yuen Kang Joseph , Dore Gregory J. , Lockart Ian , Danta Mark , Flynn Ciara , Blackmore Conner , Levy Miriam T. , George Jacob , Alavi Maryam , Hajarizadeh Behzad
Published: October 2023

Background

Viral hepatitis, alcohol‐related liver disease (ARLD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the main risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in many countries. In Australia, given the access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy since 2016, a temporal change in HCC aetiology was hypothesized. This study evaluated the temporal change in the aetiology and characteristics of HCC in New South Wales (NSW).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HCC, admitted to three public hospitals in NSW between 2008 and 2021, were included in the analyses. We assessed the annual frequency of each HCC aetiology and the distribution of HCC characteristics in participants.

Results

Among 1370 patients, the most common HCC etiologies were HCV (n = 483, 35%), ARLD (n = 452, 33%), NAFLD (n = 347, 25%) and hepatitis B virus (n = 301, 22%). The proportion of HCV‐related HCC was the highest in 2011–2016 (41%) and significantly declined to 30% in 2017–2021 (odds ratio [OR], 0.53 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.35–0.79]; P = 0.002). The proportion of HCC diagnosed at an early stage (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage O/A) increased from 41% in 2008–2009 to 56% in 2020–2021 (OR per annum, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.02–1.08]; P = 0.002), and the proportion of patients receiving potentially curative HCC management increased from 29% in 2008–2009 to 41% in 2020–2021 (OR per annum, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.03–1.10]; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The contribution of HCV to HCC burden has been decreasing in the DAA era, suggesting the role of HCV elimination in decreasing HCC risk. Increasing frequency of less advanced HCC at diagnosis over time suggests improved HCC surveillance.
Unlocking the role of the B7‐H4 polymorphism in psoriasis: Insights into methotrexate treatment outcomes: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Bing , Wang Zhicheng , Yang Wenjing , Han Ling , Huang Qiong , Yawalkar Nikhil , Zhang Zhenghua , Yao Yu , Yan Kexiang
Published: October 2023

B7‐H4 is a recently discovered member of B7 family that negatively regulates T‐cell immunity, specifically Th1 and Th17 cell responses. However, its role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis has yet to be determined. This study aims to investigate the effect of B7‐H4 polymorphism on the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) and its mechanism in psoriasis. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms of B7‐H4 were genotyped in 310 psoriatic patients who received 12‐week MTX. The protein expression of B7‐H4 in platelets was characterized using immunofluorescence staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and flow cytometry techniques. We found that GG genotype carriers of B7‐H4 rs1935780 had a lower Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response rate and higher weight (p = 0.0245) and body mass index (p = 0.0185) than AA and AG genotype carriers. Multiple regression analysis showed that the PASI score at baseline (p = 0.01) and age at disease onset (p = 0.003) were positively correlated with PASI 75 response rate, while weight (p = 0.005) and the rs1935780 genotype (p = 0.003) were negatively associated with PASI 75 response rate. B7‐H4 was expressed in the platelet plasma membrane and cytoplasm. Furthermore, the expression of B7‐H4 protein in platelets was lower in good responders than in non‐responders and was upregulated considerably after 12‐week MTX or in vitro MTX stimulation in good responders. Collectively, these results demonstrate that psoriatic patients with GG genotype of B7‐H4 rs1935780 had a poorer response to MTX. Low expression of B7‐H4 protein in platelets correlated with better clinical outcomes of MTX in psoriasis.
Cytotoxicity as a form of immunogenic cell death leading to efficient tumor antigen cross‐priming
Authors: Luri‐Rey Carlos , Gomis Gabriel , Glez‐Vaz Javier , Manzanal Almudena , Martinez Riaño Ana , Rodriguez Ruiz Maria E. , Teijeira Alvaro , Melero Ignacio
Published: October 2023

Antigen cross‐priming of CD8+ T cells is a critical process necessary for the effective expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells endowed with the ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells. The cross‐presentation of tumor antigens to cross‐prime CD8+ T cells is mainly mediated, if not only, by a subset of professional antigen‐presenting cells termed type‐1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1). The demise of malignant cells can be immunogenic if it occurs in the context of premortem stress. These ways of dying are termed immunogenic cell death (ICD) and are associated with biochemical features favoring cDC1 for the efficient cross‐priming of tumor antigens. Immunosurveillance and the success of immunotherapies heavily rely on the ability of cytotoxic immune cells, primarily CD8+ T cells and NK cells, to detect and eliminate tumor cells through mechanisms collectively known as cytotoxicity. Recent studies have revealed the significance of NK‐ and CTL‐mediated cytotoxicity as a prominent form of immunogenic cell death, resulting in mechanisms that promote and sustain antigen‐specific immune responses. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying the cross‐presentation of antigens released during tumor cell killing by cytotoxic immune cells, with an emphasis on the role of cDC1 cells. Indeed, cDC1s are instrumental in the effectiveness of most immunotherapies, underscoring the significance of tumor antigen cross‐priming in contexts of immunogenic cell death. The notion of the potent immunogenicity of cell death resulting from NK or cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)‐mediated cytotoxicity has far‐reaching implications for cancer immunotherapy.
Exploring digital banking adoption in developing Asian economies: Systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Tuli Ela
Published: October 2023

Consumers’ comfort and familiarity with digital interactions are helping drive the rise of digital banking. Banks are responding to customers’ demands by introducing cutting‐edge digital services designed to improve customers’ quality of life and cut costs. To better understand the obstacles preventing the widespread adoption of digital banking in developing Asian economies, we conducted a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis for this study. The data is extracted from the Scopus database, which initially contains 4211 articles, from which 152 articles were selected using PRISMA 2020 criteria for bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny software, and 85 papers were subjected to full‐text review. The review, limited to the Scopus database, uncovered essential themes, theories and methodologies used in prior research. We discuss constraints, difficulties and research gaps, illuminating critical regions of the field. Our findings offer helpful information for developing strategies to encourage the use of digital banking. The unexplored areas of crowdfunding, Robo‐advisors, payment apps, neo banks, P2P lending apps and investing apps were highlighted as future research directions.
Progress, employment and profit: The construction of the mafioso social capital and the Sack of Palermo
Authors: Scalia Vincenzo
Published: October 2023

The Sack of Palermo that took place from the 1950s to the 1980s dramatically changed the Sicilian capital's economic and social landscape. Vast tracts of what was agricultural land, including the Conca d'Oro citrus plain, were destroyed as the city was engulfed by concrete. The Mafia played a principal role in this process. This paper will show how Cosa Nostra consolidated its business through social and local connections by granting employment to the members of lower classes such as craftsmen and construction workers and thus gaining consent. The building process of a mafioso social capital, bound together by the ideology of progress, will be analysed through a qualitative analysis.
Hybridizing a matheuristic with ALNS for the optimal collection and delivery of medical specimens
Authors: Ferone Daniele , Festa Paola , Fugaro Serena , Pastore Tommaso
Published: October 2023

The past few years of the COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak have shown that optimal management of medical specimens is a key aspect of healthcare logistics, both for addressing the delivery of perishable items such as vaccines, and for ensuring the timely analysis of swabs and samples. Accordingly, recent optimization literature described the problem of optimal collection and delivery of medical specimens, modeled as a multitrip vehicle routing problem with time windows and a completion time objective function. Aiming to achieve good‐quality solutions in short computational times, this work describes a hybrid approach, combining a matheuristic construction phase with an adaptive large neighborhood search (ALNS). Our matheuristic relies on a clustering algorithm to yield subsets of the medical specimens that are optimally served by single vehicles of the fleet. The solutions of the matheuristic phase serve as starting points for the ALNS intensification phase. Extensive experimentation on both new and established benchmark problem instances shows that our hybrid method is able to match the optimality of the state of the art on small instances and outperforms the existing exact method by one order of magnitude on larger problems.
The incidence of intraoperatively acquired pressure injuries in the park‐bench position was reduced by applying soft silicone multilayer foam dressings
Authors: Yoshimura Mine , Kohno Michihiro , Okamoto Yukako , Tsuchiya Sakura , Ogawa Kyoko , Fukuma Akane , Kurihara Chie , Miyama Mari , Matsumura Hajime
Published: October 2023

The Park‐Bench Position (PBP) is associated with a high incidence rate of intraoperatively acquired pressure injuries (IAPIs). Preventive measures must be established to prevent the development of IAPIs. We investigated the risk factors for PBP by applying a soft silicone multilayered foam dressing (SMD) under core temperature management to prevent IAPIs. We conducted a prospective, single‐centre, open‐label observational study of patients undergoing elective neurosurgery operations using PBP in a university hospital in Japan. The incidence rate of IAPIs in this study was compared with that in our two previous studies, in which a film dressing was applied and core temperature management was not performed. IAPIs developed in 90 patients (6.7%); in the lateral thoracic region in five patients and the iliac crest region in one patient. The operative time (every 1 h: p = 0.0001, OR: odds ratio 3.62, 95% CI: confidence interval 1.73–11.42) was significantly associated with the incidence of IAPIs. In our two previous studies, the incidence rate of IAPIs was 11.0% and 24.1%, respectively, when film dressing was used. SMD may weaken the involvement of risk factors in IAPIs.
The correlation between transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) and forward‐looking infrared (FLIR) thermography in the evaluation of lower extremity perfusion according to angiosome
Authors: Nam Ha Jong , Wee Syeo Young , Kim Se Young , Jeong Hyun Gyo , Lee Da Woon , Byeon Je‐Yeon , Park Sang‐Ho , Choi Hwan Jun
Published: October 2023

The increased peripheral arterial disease (PAD) incidence associated with aging and increased incidence of cardiovascular conditions underscores the significance of assessing lower limb perfusion. This study aims to report on the correlation and utility of two novel non‐invasive instruments: transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) and forward‐looking infrared (FLIR) thermography. A total of 68 patients diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcer and PAD who underwent vascular studies at a single institution between March 2022 and March 2023 were included. Cases with revascularization indications were treated by a cardiologist. Following the procedure, ambient TcPO2 and FLIR thermography were recorded on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28. In impaired limbs, TcPO2 was 12.3 ± 2 mmHg and FLIR thermography was 28.7 ± 0.9°C. TcPO2 (p = 0.002), FLIR thermography (p = 0.015) and ankle–brachial index (p = 0.047) values significantly reduced with greater vascular obstruction severity. Revascularization (n = 39) significantly improved TcPO2 (12.5 ± 1.7 to 19.1 ± 2.2 mmHg, p = 0.011) and FLIR (28.8 ± 1.8 to 32.6 ± 1.6°C; p = 0.018), especially in severe impaired angiosomes. TcPO2 significantly increased immediately post‐procedure, then gradually, whereas the FLIR thermography values plateaued from day 1 to 28 post‐procedure. In conclusion, FLIR thermography is a viable non‐invasive tool for evaluating lower limb perfusion based on angiosomes, comparable with TcPO2.
Microstructure and physical properties of Sr2CrHfO6 ferrimagnetic double‐perovskite oxides
Authors: Tang Qingkai , Zhu Xinhua
Published: October 2023

Half‐metallic ferromagnets (HMFs) are highly desirable materials for applications in spintronics because of their semiconducting behavior for one spin projection and metallic nature for the other. To operate spintronic devices at room temperature (RT), HMFs should simultaneously have a large saturation magnetization (MS), high magnetic Curie temperature (TC), and a wide half‐metallic gap. However, HMFs that simultaneously fulfill these three criteria are rare. In this work, we report for the first time on the ferrimagnetic double perovskite oxides of Sr2CrHfO6 (SCHO) with a magnetic TC up to 545 K due to the strong Cr3+(↑)Cr4+(↓) antiferromagnetic spin interactions. The combined experimental results confirmed that the SCHO powders crystallized in an orthogonal crystal structure with Pnma symmetry. The SEM images demonstrate that the powders exhibit a spherical morphology with particle sizes between 150 and 250 nm. XPS spectra verified the presence of Sr2+, Cr 3+/Cr4+, and Hf4+/Hfx+ (x < 4) ions in the SCHO powder. Oxygen was present as lattice oxygen and adsorbed oxygen species. At 2 K, the SCHO powder exhibited ferrimagnetic behavior with MS of 0.11 μB/f. u and a magnetic coercive field of 290 Oe. The SCHO ceramics displayed a normal butterfly‐like magnetoresistance‐magnetic field (MR‐H) curve at 2 K due to the intergranular tunneling effect, and the MR (2 K, 7 T) value was −2.05%. The temperature dependence of the resistivity of the SCHO ceramics revealed their semiconducting nature, and the electrical transport data in the temperature range 2−800 K were well fitted by the Mott's variable‐range hopping model, thermal activation model, and small polaron hopping model. Optical measurements demonstrate that the SCHO powders have a direct optical bandgap of 2.25 eV in the visible light window. Having both high TC and a direct optical bandgap (2.25 eV) makes SCHO oxides attractive for use in advanced spintronic devices and solar cells.
Effect of ZnSnO3 on dielectric and ferroelectric properties of Sr2Bi4Ti5O18 ceramics
Authors: Bhimireddi Rajasekhar , Dhavala Lokeswararao , Shet Tukaram , Sadhu Sai Pavan Prashanth , Kandula Kumara Raja , Ansari Anees A. , Padarti Jeevan Kumar
Published: October 2023

Sr2Bi4Ti5O18 is one of the promising candidates for ferroelectric nonvolatile random access memory device applications. Albeit, this ceramic material is not suitable for certain ferroelectric device applications because of the merits and demerits associated with this material. Solid‐solution or composite ceramics in bulk configuration is the better choice to overcome the drawbacks associated with the individual compounds. Concurrently, solid‐solution of functional electro‐ceramics comprising Aurivillius family‐based lead‐free bismuth‐layered structured ceramics (1 − x) Sr2Bi4Ti5O18 (SBT) and x mol% of ilmenite structured ZnSnO3 (ZS) (where x = 0, 5, 10, and 20 mol%) were synthesized via conventional solid‐state reaction route to investigate the effect of ZS on the physical properties of SBT. X‐ray diffraction diffractograms revealed that a single phase was formed maximum up to 5 mol% of ZS in SBT and scanning electron microscopy studies suggested platelike microstructure of the samples. Intriguingly, positive‐up and negative‐down results indicated that the true switchable polarization for the 10 mol% ZS in SBT (10.87 μC/cm2), 33% higher than that of pure SBT ceramics in addition to the lower leakage current density and enhanced dielectric response in the SBT–ZS samples. The observed enhancement in electrical characteristics of SBT–ZS composite ceramics compared to pure SBT highlights the decisive role played by the ZS in lowering the thermodynamic barrier resulting in ease of polarization switching and mitigating the leakage current of SBT ceramics.
The Tyranny of Political Correctness? A Game‐Theoretic Model of Social Norms and Implicit Bias
Authors: Berndt Rasmussen Katharina , Olsson Yaouzis Nicolas
Published: October 2023

This article sets out to describe and solve two puzzles that emerge in segregated labour markets (e.g. the USA or Sweden). First, in many hiring contexts people profess to adhere to egalitarian norms, and specifically to a qualification norm according to which job qualification should be the basis of employment. Still there is evidence of frequent norm violations (discrimination). Surprisingly, the norm persists and people do not frequently protest against such norm violations. The second puzzle is that people are suspicious of the hiring of minorities, perceiving such hirings as evidence that a ‘political correctness’ norm has replaced the qualification norm. The article proposes that both puzzles can be solved within a game‐theoretical model of social norm‐following, where implicit bias is introduced into an ‘employment game’. Within this model, implicit bias plays a double role. First, it interferes with employers' hiring decisions regarding ethnic majority and minority members, respectively. This is the standard way of understanding the effects of implicit bias. Second, implicit bias interferes with bystander evaluations of hired candidates' qualifications. This is a hitherto overlooked effect of implicit bias. The article concludes that once we understand the double role of implicit bias, the two puzzles are resolved.
Genetic evaluation of gestation length in Italian Holstein breed
Authors: Galluzzo Ferdinando , Visentin Giulio , van Kaam Johannes B. C. H. M. , Finocchiaro Raffaella , Biffani Stefano , Costa Angela , Marusi Maurizio , Cassandro Martino
Published: October 2023

Gestation length (GL) can potentially affect health and performance of both the dam and the newborn calf, and it is controlled by two genetic components, direct and maternal. This means that both the calf (direct effect) and the cow (maternal effect) genotypes contribute to determine GL and its variability. The aims of the present study were to estimate direct and maternal variance components of GL, develop a routine genetic evaluation of GL in Italian Holstein and evaluate potential (un)favourable associations with traits for which selection is undertaken in this population. A multiple‐trait repeatability linear animal model was employed for the estimation of variance components considering GL in first and later parities as different traits. The posterior mean (PM) of heritability of the direct effect was 0.43 for first parity and 0.35 for later parities. The PM of heritability of the maternal effect was lower, being 0.08 for primiparae and 0.06 for pluriparae. The posterior standard deviation (PSD) of the heritability estimates was small, ranging from 0.001 to 0.005. The relationship of direct and maternal effects with important traits such as milk yield and fertility indicated that selecting for extreme GL, longer or shorter, may have negative consequences on several traits, suggesting that GL has an intermediate optimum in dairy cattle. In conclusion, this study reveals that selecting an intermediate GL in the Italian Holstein population is advisable. Although scarcely variable compared to other conventional traits for which Italian Holstein is selected, GL is heritable and a deeper knowledge can be useful for decision‐making at the farm level.
Exploring the effects of seductive details and illustration dynamics on young children's performance in an origami task
Authors: Colliot Tiphaine , Boucheix Jean‐Michel
Published: October 2023

Background

Previous studies have shown that dynamic illustrations, as compared to their static counterparts, lead to higher achievement levels, especially for hand‐based procedures. Other researchers have investigated how the presence of seductive details (i.e., appealing but irrelevant adjunct displays) influences students' interest positively but their learning negatively.

Objectives

The purpose of the two present studies was to investigate the effects of animated versus static presentations, combined with the presence of seductive details, on student performance on a paper‐folding task (i.e., origami) in a naturalistic school environment.

Methods

Fifty‐five children (5–6 years old) participated in the first study and were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The second study was conducted with older children (72 s or third graders) and a more complex origami task.

Results and Conclusions

In the first study, results demonstrated negative effects of seductive details on children's performance and time on task, but no effects of presentation format. In the second study, no negative effects of seductive details on student achievement were found, but animated illustrations significantly improved children's performance and reduced time on task. However, seductive details tended to impair learning more greatly given the presence of static, as compared to animated, presentations. Task difficulties and pupils' ability to inhibit irrelevant information may explain these results.
Relationship between elevated circulating thrombospondin‐1 levels and vascular complications in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Guo Na , Yang Linlin , Wan Xiaozheng , Qiu Dongze , Sun Wenwen , Ma Huijuan
Published: October 2023

Aims/Introduction

Thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) participates in a series of physiological and pathological processes by binding to various receptors regulating cell proliferation, adhesion and apoptosis. Elevated circulating TSP‐1 is linked with diabetic vascular complications (DVC). This study aimed to determine the relationship between circulating TSP‐1 levels and DVC.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI databases was carried out. A meta‐analysis was carried out to compare circulating TSP‐1 levels between diabetes patients without vascular complications (DNVC), diabetes patients with DVC and non‐diabetes patients. The correlation between TSP‐1 and metabolic parameters was also analyzed. Subgroup analysis was carried out according to complication type, defined as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic cardiovascular disease (DCVD).

Results

A total of eight studies were included. Compared with non‐diabetes patients, diabetic patients, including DNVC and DVC, had significantly higher circulating TSP‐1 levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] 2.660, 95% CI 1.17–4.145, P = 0.000). DNVC had significantly higher circulating TSP‐1 levels than non‐diabetes patients (SMD 3.613, 95% CI 1.607–5.619, P = 0.000). DVC had significantly higher TSP‐1 levels than DNVC (SMD 0.568, 95% CI 0.100–1.036, P = 0.017). TSP‐1 was significantly positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (overall Fisher's z = 0.696, 95% CI 0.559–0.833) and HbA1c (overall Fisher's z = 0.849, 95% CI 0.776–0.923).

Conclusions

Elevated circulating TSP‐1 levels are closely related to DVC, especially in diabetic nephropathy and diabetic cardiovascular disease. Circulating TSP‐1 detection might be helpful in the timely diagnosis and treatment of DVC.
Implementing code review in the scientific workflow: Insights from ecology and evolutionary biology
Authors: Ivimey-Cook Edward R. , Pick Joel L. , Bairos-Novak Kevin R. , Culina Antica , Gould Elliot , Grainger Matthew , Marshall Benjamin M. , Moreau David , Paquet Matthieu , Royauté Raphaël , Sánchez-Tójar Alfredo , Silva Inês , Windecker Saras M.
Published: October 2023

Code review increases reliability and improves reproducibility of research. As such, code review is an inevitable step in software development and is common in fields such as computer science. However, despite its importance, code review is noticeably lacking in ecology and evolutionary biology. This is problematic as it facilitates the propagation of coding errors and a reduction in reproducibility and reliability of published results. To address this, we provide a detailed commentary on how to effectively review code, how to set up your project to enable this form of review and detail its possible implementation at several stages throughout the research process. This guide serves as a primer for code review, and adoption of the principles and advice here will go a long way in promoting more open, reliable, and transparent ecology and evolutionary biology.

Abstract

Code review is the process of either informally (as part of a group, as colleagues) or formally (as part of the peer review process) checking and evaluating each other's code and is a critical method of reducing errors and increasing research reproducibility and reliability. In this paper, we provide a detailed commentary on how to effectively review code (including introducing the four Rs), how to set up your project to enable this form of review and detail its possibleimplementation at several stages throughout the research process.
Engineering and bio‐chemical properties of asparagus roots (Asparagus racemosus L.)
Authors: Kohli Deepika , Champawat P. S. , Mudgal V. D. , Rautela Indra
Published: October 2023

The post‐harvesting procedures, such as grading, washing, transporting, and packaging can be made better with understanding of the attributes of agricultural commodities. The paper aims to estimate the asparagus roots' thermal, physical, and biochemical characteristics. The asparagus was found to vary in the range of 6.26–13.60 cm long. The width and thickness of the root were almost the same and ranged from .69 to 1.10 cm. The bulk density, true density, and porosity ranged from .561 to .771 g/cm3, 1.418 to 2.124 g cm3, and 60.437 to 63.689%, respectively. The water activity of the roots was observed to be in the range of .797–.828. The color characteristics of asparagus roots were found to be L* = 45.46, a* = 6.94, and b* = 23.23. The obtained values of the following thermal variables were: thermal diffusivity = 8.176 × 10−8 m2/s, thermal conductivity = .493 W/m °C, specific heat = 3.424 kJ/kg °C, and latent heat = 23442.74 J/kg. The total phenolic and tannin content in the roots were observed to be 24.41 ± .09 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 1.73 ± .06 mg of tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/g, respectively. The flavonoid content in the roots was 10.33 ± .04 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE)/g. The root samples were found to be a high capacity to scavenge free radicals and also contain phytochemical components that may prove valuable in future research to combat oxidative stress. The findings of this study will also be advantageous in developing handling and processing equipment for the industrial production of asparagus root products.

Practical applications

Asparagus is a medicinal plant which is now widely used in food processing to produce the fortified‐functional food products because of its high nutritional and medicinal properties. The grading, sorting, conveying, pulping, processing, and handling equipment for various horticultural goods, including asparagus, are designed using machine designing parameters, which are vital and essential parameters. The size and shape of all agricultural commodities varies. The slight modifications to size and form could reduce the effectiveness of numerous procedures and their associated machinery. Therefore, the knowledge about these engineering and biochemical properties of asparagus will inspire researchers to create and upgrade machinery used for grading, sorting, conveying, pulping, and processing.
Dyadic bicultural competence: A new way of conceptualizing patterns of cultural competence in close relationships
Authors: Hendershot Quinn E. , Johnson Matthew D.
Published: October 2023

In this review, we explore how bicultural competence, or the extent to which individuals effectively balance two cultures, can exist at a dyadic level, where two individuals' respective levels of cultural competence determine how effectively the dyad engages with their environment and collectively manages challenges associated with navigating two cultures. We review existing literature relevant to this concept, which we call dyadic bicultural competence, focusing on intimate partners. Research in this area is limited, and there have been mixed findings regarding how partners' cultural competencies relate to relationship functioning. We propose a model based on established models of relational strain and culture in family dynamics, explaining how dyadic bicultural competence can be associated with relationship trajectories. This proposed model provides a framework that explains mixed findings in this area and may be helpful in guiding future work exploring the role of cultural competence in individual and relational functioning for migrants.
Management of delayed bleeding of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic submucosal tunneling procedures: a retrospective single‐center analysis and brief meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Li , Liu Zu‐Qiang , Zhang Ji‐Yuan , Chen Shi‐Yao , Zhong Yun‐Shi , Zhang Yi‐Qun , Chen Wei‐Feng , Ma Li‐Li , Qin Wen‐Zheng , Hu Jian‐Wei , Cai Ming‐Yan , Yao Li‐Qing , Li Quan‐Lin , Zhou Ping‐Hong
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Delayed bleeding is a rare but important major adverse event (mAE) after endoscopic submucosal tunneling procedures (ESTP), which is scarcely reported. We aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics of delayed bleeding and provide better management of this mAE.

Method

From August 2010 to October 2022, we reviewed 3852 patients with achalasia receiving peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and 1937 patients with upper gastrointestinal tumors receiving submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER). Among these, records of 22 patients (15 POEM, 7 STER) with delayed bleeding were collected. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of delayed bleeding were analyzed.

Results

The mean age was 43.6 years. Ten patients (45.5%) were intratunnel bleeding, seven (31.8%) were intratunnel bleeding accompanied by mucosal bleeding, and five (22.7%) were mucosal bleeding. The most common accompanied symptoms were hematemesis, fever, and melena. The most common accompanied mAEs were fistula, pulmonary inflammation, and pleural effusion with atelectasis. The mean duration from ESTP to endoscopic intervention was 5.3 ± 4.9 days. Active bleeding was identified in 21 patients (95.5%). The bleeding was successfully controlled by electrocoagulation (19 cases), endoscopic clipping (six cases), and Sengstaken–Blakemore tube insertion (three cases), and no patient required surgical intervention. The mean hemostatic procedure duration was 61.8 ± 45.8 min. The mean post‐bleeding hospital stay was 10.0 ± 6.2 days. A brief meta‐analysis of previous studies showed the pooled estimate delayed bleeding rate after POEM, STER, and G‐POEM was 0.4%.

Conclusions

Delayed bleeding is uncommon and could be effectively managed by timely emergency endoscopic procedures without requiring subsequent surgical interventions.
Hepatic stellate cells activate and avoid death under necroptosis stimuli: Hepatic fibrosis during necroptosis
Authors: Oh Ju Hee , Saeed Waqar Khalid , Kim Hye Young , Lee Seung Min , Lee A Hyeon , Park Gye Ryeol , Yoon Eileen L. , Jun Dae Won
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim

Necroptosis is an emerging cell death pathway that allows cells to undergo “cellular suicide” in a caspase‐independent manner. We investigated the fate of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) under necroptotic stimuli.

Methods and Results

The RNA level of mixed lineage kinase domain‐like protein (MLKL) is higher in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease than in healthy controls. Hepatic fibrosis was significantly lower in MLKL‐KO bile duct ligation (KO‐BDL) mice than in wild‐type‐BDL mice. Necroptotic stimuli caused the death of HT‐29 and U937 cells. However, necroptotic stimuli activate HSCs instead of inducing cell death. MLKL inhibitors attenuated fibrogenic changes in HSCs during necroptosis. Unlike HT‐29 and U937 cells, MLKL phosphorylation and oligomerization were not observed during necroptosis in HSCs. RNA sequencing showed that NF‐κB signaling‐related genes were upregulated in HSCs following necroptotic stimulation. Necroptotic stimuli in HSCs increased the nuclear expression of NF‐κB, which decreased after MLKL inhibitor treatment. Induction of necroptosis in HSCs led to autophagosome activation and formation, which were attenuated by MLKL inhibitor treatment.

Conclusion

HSCs avoid necroptosis due to the absence of MLKL phosphorylation and oligomerization and are activated through autophagosome and NF‐κB pathways.
Immunomodulators after the discontinuation of anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha antibody treatment and relapse in ulcerative colitis: A multicenter cohort study
Authors: Asonuma Kunio , Ozeki Keiji , Yamazaki Hajime , Okabayashi Shinji , Okano Soh , Ozaki Ryo , Nishimata Nobuaki , Kiyohara Hiroki , Ichinari Naoki , Kobayashi Taku , Yamada Masahiro , Matsubayashi Mao , Yokoyama Yoko , Arimitsu Shoko , Umeno Junji , Munetomo Yoshinori , Andoh Akira , Shinzaki Shinichiro ,   IBD Terakoya Group
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim

Strategies to reduce relapse using immunomodulators (IMs) after discontinuing anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) antibody treatment are controversial in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we assessed the association between IMs after discontinuing anti‐TNF‐α antibody treatment and relapse in patients with UC.

Methods

This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included 257 patients with UC in clinical remission. These patients discontinued anti‐TNF‐α antibody treatment between June 2010 and March 2019 and were followed up until March 2020. We evaluated the differences in relapse rates between patients with IMs (IM group) and those without IMs (non‐IM group) after discontinuing the treatment. Relapse was defined as further undergoing an induction treatment or colectomy. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for confounders were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for relapse. Exploratory analyses were performed to identify other factors that could predict relapse.

Results

During the median follow‐up period of 22 months (interquartile range: 10–41), 114 relapses occurred: 42/100 (42.0%) in the IM group and 72/157 (45.9%) in the non‐IM group. In the multivariable analysis, IMs were not associated with relapse (HR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.64–1.41]). In the exploratory analyses, discontinuation due to side effects (HR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.18–2.82]) and younger age (HR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.98–1.00]) predicted relapse.

Conclusion

Immunomodulators were not associated with relapse after discontinuing anti‐TNF‐α antibody treatment in patients with UC. Careful patient follow‐up is needed when discontinuing due to side effects or when the patient is of a younger age at the time of discontinuation.
Clinical impact and cost‐saving analysis of a comprehensive pharmaceutical care intervention in older patients with cancer
Authors: Herledan Chloé , Falandry Claire , Huot Laure , Poletto Nicolas , Baudouin Amandine , Cerfon Marie‐Anne , Lorsche Laurie , Bret Judith , Ranchon Florence , Rioufol Catherine
Published: October 2023

Background

Hospital admission and discharge are at high risk of drug‐related problems (DRPs) in older patients with cancer. This study aimed to assess the clinical and economic impact of a comprehensive pharmaceutical care intervention (RECAP) to optimize drug therapy in patients with cancer ≥75 years admitted to oncology or geriatric wards.

Method

RECAP intervention was defined as follows: at admission and discharge, hospital pharmacists conducted comprehensive medication reconciliation and review, identified relevant DRPs and provided optimization recommendations to prescribers; at discharge, pharmacists also provided patient education and shared information with primary care providers. The impact of the intervention was assessed by the rate of implementation of recommendations by the prescribers and the evolution of polypharmacy rate; a peer review of the clinical significance of DRPs was performed by an expert panel of geriatric oncologists and pharmacists. A cost saving analysis compared cost avoided through resolution of DRPs to cost of pharmacist's time.

Results

From January 2019 and August 2020, 201 patients were included (median age 80 [75–97] years), 68.7% with solid tumors. DRPs requiring optimization were identified in 70.9% of patients at admission (mean 1.7 DRP/patient) and 47.7% at discharge (0.9 DRP/patient). Most pharmacist recommendations (70.8%) were followed by prescribers, allowing the correction of 1.2 DRP/patient at admission and 0.7 DRP/patient at discharge. Half of resolved DRPs were rated as clinically significant. However, polypharmacy rate was not reduced at discharge. Cost comparison showed $7.2 avoided for $1 invested, with an estimated total net benefit of $354,822 (mean $1766 per patient).

Conclusions

The RECAP model significantly reduces DRPs in hospitalized older patients with cancer. The model was cost saving, confirming the value of implementing it in routine practice.
The association between frailty and perceived physical and mental fatigability: The Long Life Family Study
Authors: Schumacher Benjamin T. , Kehler Dustin S. , Kulminski Alexander M. , Qiao Yujia (Susanna) , Andersen Stacy L. , Gmelin Theresa , Christensen Kaare , Wojczynski Mary K. , Theou Olga , Rockwood Kenneth , Newman Anne B. , Glynn Nancy W. ,   LLFS Research Group
Published: October 2023

Background

Higher levels of frailty, quantified by a frailty index (FI), may be linked to fatigue severity as tasks become more physically and mentally demanding. Fatigue, a component of frailty research, has been ambiguous and inconsistent in its operationalization. Fatigability—the quantification of vulnerability to fatigue in relation to specific intensity and duration of activities—offers a more sensitive and standardized approach, though the association between frailty and fatigability has not been assessed.

Methods

Using cross‐sectional data from the Long Life Family Study at Visit 2 (2014–2017; N = 2524; mean age ± standard deviation (SD) 71.4 ± 11.2 years; 55% women; 99% White), we examined associations between an 83‐item FI after excluding fatigue items (ratio of number of health problems reported (numerator) out of the total assessed (denominator); higher ratio = greater frailty) and perceived physical and mental fatigability using the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS) (range 0–50; higher scores = greater fatigability).

Results

Participants had mean ± standard deviation FI (0.08 ± 0.06; observed range: 0.0–0.43), PFS Physical (13.7 ± 9.6; 39.5% more severe, ≥15), and PFS Mental (7.9 ± 8.9; 22.8% more severe, ≥13). The prevalence of more severe physical and mental fatigability was higher across FI quartiles. In mixed effects models accounting for family structure, a clinically meaningful 3%‐higher FI was associated with 1.9 points higher PFS Physical score (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.1) and 1.7 points higher PFS Mental score (95% CI 1.5–1.9) after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions

Frailty was associated with perceived physical and mental fatigability severity. Understanding this association may support the development of interventions to mitigate the risks associated with greater frailty and perceived fatigability. Including measurements of perceived fatigability, in lieu of fatigue, in frailty indices has the potential to alleviate the inconsistencies and ambiguity surrounding the operationalization of fatigue and provide a more precise and sensitive measurement of frailty.
Chromium in minerals as tracer of the polycyclic evolution of eclogite and related metabasite from the Pohorje Mountains, Slovenian Eastern Alps
Authors: Li Botao , Massonne Hans‐Joachim
Published: October 2023

Significantly different peak pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions (18–26 kbar and 630–760°C versus 29–37 kbar and 750–940°C) have previously been published for eclogite and related metabasites from the south‐eastern flank of the Pohorje Mountains in Slovenia. These rocks can show a bimodal distribution of chromium in the rock‐forming minerals, particularly garnet, the role of which in their metamorphic evolution is unclear. Therefore, we studied an eclogite and a related rock with clinopyroxene containing only 17 mol% jadeite + acmite (sample 18Ca35a). KαCr intensity maps of garnet particularly in sample 18Ca35a show a sharp irregular boundary between the core (Gt1) and the mantle (Gt2). Gt1 of millimetre‐sized garnet in this rock is nearly Cr‐free and unzoned, whereas Gt2 is of different composition (0.22 wt.% Cr2O3) and slightly zoned. Nearly Cr‐free amphibole, (clino)zoisite, kyanite and staurolite inclusions are present in Gt1. The matrix consists of garnet and Cr‐bearing clinopyroxene, (clino)zoisite and amphibole. Thermodynamic modelling suggests peak P–T conditions of 22.5 ± 2 kbar at 710 ± 25°C (Gt1) and 23 ± 2 kbar at 700 ± 25°C (Gt2) in both samples. We interpret these findings to suggest that olivine‐ and hornblende‐bearing gabbros with some chromite experienced early metamorphism in the eclogite facies, when Gt1 formed. The rock was subsequently exhumed and cooled leading to significant garnet corrosion. A second stage of metamorphism, recognized by mappable Cr contents in garnet, led to the growth of Gt2 and other Cr‐bearing minerals at the expense of chromite relics, which survived stage I. The peak P–T conditions of stage II are compatible with those previously derived by same authors and support the view that probably no ultrahigh‐pressure eclogite exists in the Pohorje Mountains. We relate the two metamorphic events to the Cretaceous and Palaeogene high‐pressure events recently reported from micaschists of the Pohorje Mountains.
Effects of anti‐tau immunotherapy on reactive microgliosis, cerebral endotheliopathy, and cognitive function in an experimental model of cerebral malaria
Authors: Akide Ndunge Oscar B. , Shikani Henry J. , Dai Minxian , Freeman Brandi D. , Desruisseaux Mahalia S.
Published: October 2023

Cerebral malaria (CM), a potentially fatal encephalopathy caused primarily by infection with Plasmodium falciparum, results in long‐term adverse neuro‐psychiatric sequelae. Neural cell injury contributes to the neurological deficits observed in CM. Abnormal regulation of tau, an axonal protein pathologically associated with the formation of neurofibrillary lesions in neurodegenerative diseases, has been linked to inflammation and cerebral microvascular compromise and has been reported in human and experimental CM (ECM). Immunotherapy with a monoclonal antibody to pathological tau (PHF‐1 mAB) in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases has been reported to mitigate cognitive decline. We investigated whether immunotherapy with PHF‐1 mAB prevented cerebral endotheliopathy, neural cell injury, and neuroinflammation during ECM. Using C57BL/6 mice infected with either Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA), which causes ECM, Plasmodium berghei NK65 (PbN), which causes severe malaria, but not ECM, or uninfected mice (Un), we demonstrated that when compared to PbN infection or uninfected mice, PbA infection resulted in significant memory impairment at 6 days post‐infection, in association with abnormal tau phosphorylation at Ser202/Thr205 (pSer202/Thr205) and Ser396–404 (pSer396–404) in mouse brains. ECM also resulted in significantly higher expression of inflammatory markers, in microvascular congestion, and glial cell activation. Treatment with PHF‐1 mAB prevented PbA‐induced cognitive impairment and was associated with significantly less vascular congestion, neuroinflammation, and neural cell activation in mice with ECM. These findings suggest that abnormal regulation of tau protein contributes to cerebral vasculopathy and is critical in the pathogenesis of neural cell injury during CM. Tau‐targeted therapies may ameliorate the neural cell damage and subsequent neurocognitive impairment that occur during disease.

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Voltage‐gated calcium channels in genetic epilepsies
Authors: Lauerer Robert J. , Lerche Holger
Published: October 2023

Voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCC) are abundant in the central nervous system and serve a broad spectrum of functions, either directly in cellular excitability or indirectly to regulate Ca2+ homeostasis. Ca2+ ions act as one of the main connections in excitation–transcription coupling, muscle contraction and excitation–exocytosis coupling, including synaptic transmission. In recent years, many genes encoding VGCCs main α or additional auxiliary subunits have been associated with epilepsy. This review sums up the current state of knowledge on disease mechanisms and provides guidance on disease‐specific therapies where applicable.

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