bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The introduction of LAG-3 checkpoint blockade in melanoma: immunotherapy landscape beyond PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibition
Authors: Kreidieh Firas Y. , Tawbi Hussein A.
Published: July 2023

Despite major advances with immunotherapy and targeted therapy in the past decade, metastatic melanoma continues to be a deadly disease for close to half of all patients. Over the past decade, advancement in immune profiling and a deeper understanding of the immune tumor microenvironment (TME) have enabled the development of novel approaches targeting and a multitude of targets being investigated for the immunotherapy of melanoma. However, to date, immune checkpoint blockade has remained the most successful with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, alone or in combination, yielding the most robust and durable clinical outcome in patients with metastatic melanoma. The highest rate of durable responses is achieved with the combination with PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibition, and is effective in a variety of settings including brain metastases; however, it comes at the expense of a multitude of life-threatening toxicities occurring in up to 60% of patients. This has also established melanoma as the forefront of immuno-oncology (IO) drug development, and the search for novel checkpoints has been ongoing with multiple relevant targets including T-cell immunoglobulin and mucinodomain containing-3 (TIM-3), LAG-3, V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor T-cell activation (VISTA), T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domain (TIGIT), among others. Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), which is a co-inhibitory receptor on T cells that suppress their activation, has revolutionized immunomodulation in melanoma. The ‘game changing’ results from the RELATIVITY-047 trial validated LAG-3 blockade as a relevant biological target and established it as the third clinically relevant immune checkpoint. Importantly, LAG-3 inhibition in combination with PD-1 inhibition offered impressive efficacy with modest increases in toxicity over single agent PD-1 inhibitor and has been U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for the first-line therapy of patients with metastatic melanoma. The efficacy of this combination in patients with untreated brain or leptomeningeal metastases or with rare melanoma types, such as uveal melanoma, remains to be established. The challenge remains to elucidate specific mechanisms of response and resistance to LAG-3 blockade and to extend its benefits to other malignancies. Ongoing trials are studying the combination of LAG-3 antibodies with PD-1 inhibitors in multiple cancers and settings. The low toxicity of the combination may also allow for further layering of additional therapeutic approaches such as chemotherapy, oncolytic viruses, cellular therapies, and possibly novel cytokines, among others.
Mechanisms hypothesized for pain-relieving effects of exercise in fibromyalgia: a scoping review
Authors: Neelapala Yuva Venkata Raghava , Mercuri Domenico , Macedo Luciana , Hanna Steven , Kobsar Dylan , Carlesso Lisa
Published: July 2023

Background:

Exercise is one of the most recommended management strategies by treatment guidelines for fibromyalgia (FM); however, the mechanism through which exercise improves pain in FM is still unknown.

Objective:

We aimed to summarize the hypothesized theoretical mechanisms for the pain-relieving effects of exercise in people with FM.

Eligibility Criteria:

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English reporting mechanisms for pain-relieving effects of exercise in the ‘Introduction’ and ‘Discussion’ sections and significant within- group or between-group effects of exercise interventions were included.

Sources of Evidence:

We searched the databases Ovid MEDLINE(R), EMBASE, CINAHL, COCHRANE, Sports Discuss, and AMED with the keywords: exercise and fibromyalgia until December 2021.

Charting Methods:

Two authors independently performed title/abstract, full-text review, and data abstraction using a data abstraction form. The hypothesized mechanisms from individual studies were grouped into three categories.

Results:

The literature search resulted in 2147 studies, out of which 220 studies were considered for full-text review. A total of 50 RCTs proposing 29 unique mechanisms for the pain-relieving effects of exercise were included. These mechanisms were divided into three categories: physical, neuro-physiological, and psychological. The neuro-physiological category was further subdivided into exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), pain sensitization, the autonomic system, the immune system, the endocrine system, and miscellaneous categories. The most frequently hypothesized mechanisms were EIH ( n = 15), autonomic modulation ( n = 7), improved sleep ( n = 6), muscle oxygenation ( n = 6), self-efficacy ( n = 5), mental health ( n = 4), and benefits of the aquatic environment ( n = 12). While all exercise interventions involved FM patients, most of the supporting evidence for these mechanisms was cited from previous studies conducted on healthy samples. No studies performed analyses to demonstrate causal associations between the mechanisms and outcomes.

Conclusion:

Multiple mechanisms were hypothesized for the positive influence of exercise in people with FM. Future studies using causal analyses, such as mediation analysis, are recommended to validate these mechanisms.
Mychonastes sp. 247 Induces Apoptosis of A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells by Promoting STRA6-Mediated Reactive Oxygen Species Production
Authors: Lee Soon , Hong Eunmi , Yim Kyung June , Jung Ji Yong , Choi Yong-Soo , Lee Chang Soo , Jang Hyun-Jin , Kim Z-Hun
Published: July 2023

Mychonastes sp. 247 is a newly isolated freshwater microalga. Mychonastes sp. 247 methanolic extract (ME) suppresses the growth of A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. However, the underlying mechanism of this anticancer effect remains unclear. The present study aimed to reveal the underlying mechanism of the anticancer effect of ME in A549 cells. The components of ME, their cytotoxicity in normal cells, and their inhibitory effect on the growth and migration of two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultured cancer cells were investigated. We also showed that ME upregulated the mRNA levels of signaling receptors and transporters of retinol (STRA6) and cytochrome P450 family 26 subfamily B member 1, and increased the protein expression of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase, B-cell lymphoma protein 2/(Bcl-2)-associated X (Bcl-2/Bax), and cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, co-treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine reversed the ME-induced changes in the levels of STRA6 and reactive oxygen species (ROS), confirming their role in the ME-mediated anticancer effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study elucidating the pathway by which ME induces anticancer effects in lung cancer cells. Our results reveal that ME induces NSCLC apoptosis by regulating ROS levels via the STRA6 pathway, suggesting ME as a prospective anticancer agent for lung cancer treatment.
The Essential Oil Composition of Anthriscus caucalis M. Bieb. (Apiaceae) Growing Wild in Southwestern Idaho
Authors: Swor Kathy , Satyal Prabodh , Setzer William N
Published: July 2023

Background

Anthriscus caucalis is a non-native plant in North America with invasive potential. As part of our interests in essential oils of the Great Basin, a wild-growing sample of A. caucalis was collected in southwestern Idaho.

Methods

The essential of A. caucalis was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatographic methods (GC–MS, GC–FID, and chiral GC–MS).

Results

The major components in the essential oil were cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (42.3%), myrcene (20.4%), cis-chrysanthenol (6.7%), α-pinene (4.2%), and ( E)-β-farnesene (4.2%). (+)-α-Thujene, (+)-α-pinene, (+)-sabinene, (+)-limonene, (−)-β-phellandrene, (−)-bornyl acetate, (−)-( E)-β-caryophyllene, and (−)-germacrene D were the predominant enantiomers in the essential oil.

Conclusion

The essential oil composition of A. caucalis from Idaho is similar to those from Europe, but markedly different from A. caucalis from China. The enantiomeric distributions are comparable to those reported in other essential oils of the Apiaceae.
Artificial Intelligence and Democracy: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Jungherr Andreas
Published: July 2023

The success and widespread deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) have raised awareness of the technology’s economic, social, and political consequences. Each new step in the development and application of AI is accompanied by speculations about a supposedly imminent but largely fictional artificial general intelligence (AGI) with (super-)human capacities, as seen in the unfolding discourse about capabilities and impact of large language models (LLMs) in the wake of ChatGPT. These far-reaching expectations lead to a discussion on the societal and political impact of AI that is largely dominated by unfocused fears and enthusiasms. In contrast, this article provides a framework for a more focused and productive analysis and discussion of AI’s likely impact on one specific social field: democracy. First, it is necessary to be clear about the workings of AI. This means differentiating between what is at present a largely imaginary AGI and narrow artificial intelligence focused on solving specific tasks. This distinction allows for a critical discussion of how AI affects different aspects of democracy, including its effects on the conditions of self-rule and people’s opportunities to exercise it, equality, the institution of elections, and competition between democratic and autocratic systems of government. This article shows that the consequences of today’s AI are more specific for democracy than broad speculation about AGI capabilities implies. Focusing on these specific aspects will account for actual threats and opportunities and thus allow for better monitoring of AI’s impact on democracy in an interdisciplinary effort by computer and social scientists.
Computational propaganda: Concepts, methods, and challenges
Authors: Howard Philip , Lin Fen , Tuzov Viktor
Published: July 2023

In this dialogue, Phillip Howard introduces “computational propaganda” as an emerging communication tool in political communication and a perspective for investigating misinformation and disinformation. By articulating the concepts, patterns, and mechanisms of computational propaganda, Howard proposes a socio-technical framework for studying computational propaganda. He calls for mixed methods to undertake computational research alongside qualitative investigation, thus addressing the computational as well as the political. Howard emphasizes the battle against algorithm bias, manipulation, and misinformation, and he advocates building an International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE), an international scientific collaboration, to respond to the challenges. In addition, Howard offers advice on further research in computational propaganda.
Feasibility, Acceptability and Preliminary Outcomes of Embracing Your Life: An Online Self-Compassion Program for Emerging Adults
Authors: Bluth Karen , Knox Marissa , Press Amanda , Lathren Christine
Published: July 2023

Due to the psychological toll COVID-19 has had on emerging adults, as well as normative mental health challenges of this developmental period, emerging adults are struggling more than ever with depression and loneliness. The objective of this study was to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary psychosocial outcomes of Embracing Your Life, a self-compassion program for emerging adults, as self-compassion is associated with better mental health. Thirty-nine emerging adults ( Mage = 23.7, 67% female) enrolled in a 6-session online program from July 2020 to January 2022 participated in this study. Results indicated the program was feasible; 81% of participants attended at least five out of six sessions. Qualitative feedback indicated high acceptability, with recommended changes to make the program more interactive. Participants reported significant improvements in self-compassion, resilience, loneliness, depression, stress, and emotion regulation. Conclusions are that Embracing Your Life is a promising, accessible intervention to address the mental health of emerging adults.
Ultrasonic elliptical vibration-assisted micro-texturing
Authors: Zhang Chen , Silberschmidt Vadim V.
Published: July 2023

Various micro-texturing techniques are used to generate the surface topography. However, conventional methods are inherently difficult to adapt for efficient production of micro-textures on cylindrical surface. In this paper, an ultrasonic elliptical vibration-assisted (UEVA) cutting technique based on discussed control parameters is proposed to fabricate the micro-texture on cylindrical surfaces. In the proposed UEVA micro-texturing method, a control model is developed based on shape and distribution parameters for the micro-texture. The locus of UEVA cutting is actively controlled with this EVA model to generate the micro-texture. The simulation model based on the proposed micro-texturing method is developed to predict the topography of the generated micro-texture. The cutting experiment to produce the micro-texture is conducted to verify the established control model. A comparison of the obtained results shows that the proposed UEVA micro-texturing method can be used to predict and generate the micro-texture on the cylindrical surfaces.
Investigating Rape Myth in the Prism of the Big Five Factors of Personality: An Explorative Study
Authors: Das Ivan , Bhattacharjee Anjana
Published: July 2023

Background:

A society’s perception of rape is largely determined by Rape Myth, an important psychological construct, whose endorsement promotes rape supportive attitudes among people. Again, the extent of people perceiving the various forms of sexual interactions are also largely affected by different personality dispositions.

Aim:

The present study attempts to assess the impacts of the big five factors of personality (often termed as the OCEAN factors) on people’s acceptance of rape myths.

Method and Materials:

A total 608 young adults (370 males and 238 females), who are the students of colleges and universities in Tripura, India participated in this study and were administered with the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance (RMA) Scale and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory in order to measure the aforesaid study variables.

Statistical Analyses:

Product moment correlation and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were conducted to fulfil the objectives of the study.

Results and Conclusion:

Results in the Structural Equation Modeling model revealed that RMA is significantly correlated to and predicted by the neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness factors of personality. However, RMA and the conscientiousness factor were not found to be significantly related. While neuroticism was positively correlated to RMA, a negative correlation was found between the RMA and the other four factors of personality. The findings add concrete knowledge to what was known about rape-supportive attitudes till date. The study shall serve as crucial literature to future works on rape and rape myths.
Climate finance, conflict and gender—Benchmarking women’s empowerment and sustaining peace
Authors: Wong Catherine
Published: July 2023

The intersection of knowledge and practice in climate finance, peace, and women’s empowerment remains understudied even though the aspirations of climate and peacebuilding finance on gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment are actually well aligned. They have in common, an emphasis on the undervalued role of women, the importance of women assuming leadership roles, the elevated agency that finance would afford in, respectively, climate action and sustaining peace, and the full participation of women. At a fundamental level, there is a strong inherent understanding of women’s role in natural resource governance and stewardship that cuts across both the normative framings of climate and peacebuilding finance. Climate financing mechanisms such as the “vertical funds” have over the years introduced sophisticated performance metrics for gender and women’s empowerment, but none to address conflict or fragility. The key gap as highlighted by UNDP is the understanding of the peace co-benefits of climate finance, which means that women in conflict settings may be left behind. This article examines progress on gender and climate finance; the gaps in access by conflict and fragility-affected regions; the benchmarking of climate finance and peace mainstreaming; and a comparative approach for greater cross-fertilization.
A late-surviving phytosaur from the northern Atlantic rift reveals climate constraints on Triassic reptile biogeography
Authors: Brownstein Chase Doran
Published: July 2023

Background

The origins of all major living reptile clades, including the one leading to birds, lie in the Triassic. Following the largest mass extinction in Earth’s history at the end of the Permian, the earliest definite members of the three major living reptile clades, the turtles (Testudines), crocodylians and birds (Archosauria), and lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians, and Tuatara (Lepidosauria) appeared. Recent analyses of the Triassic reptile fossil record suggest that the earliest diversifications in all three of these clades were tightly controlled by abrupt paleoclimate fluctuations and concordant environmental changes. Yet, this has only been preliminarily tested using information from evolutionary trees. Phytosauria consists of superficially crocodylian-like archosaurs that either form the sister to the crown or are the earliest divergence on the crocodylian stem and are present throughout the Triassic, making this clade an excellent test case for examining this biogeographic hypothesis.

Results

Here, I describe a new phytosaur,Jupijkam paleofluvialisgen. et sp. nov., from the Late Triassic of Nova Scotia, Canada, which at that time sat in northern Pangaea near the northern terminus of the great central Pangean rift. As one of the northernmost occurrences of Phytosauria,J. paleofluvialisprovides critical new biogeographic data that enables revised estimations of phytosaur historical biogeography along phylogenies of this clade built under multiple methodologies. Reconstructions of phytosaur historical biogeography based on different phylogenies and biogeographic models suggest that phytosaurs originated in northern Pangaea, spread southward, and then dispersed back northward at least once more during the Late Triassic.

Conclusions

The results presented in this study link phytosaur biogeography to major changes to Triassic global climate and aridity. Together with the earliest dinosaurs and several other reptile lineages, phytosaur diversification and migration appear to have been restricted by the formation and loss of arid belts across the Pangean supercontinent.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of SRLK gene family reveal their roles in self-incompatibility of Erigeron breviscapus
Authors: Xiang Chenggang , Tao Hongzheng , Wang Tiantao , Meng Hengling , Guan Dejun , Li He , Wei Xiang , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2023

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a reproductive protection mechanism that plants acquired during evolution to prevent self-recession. As the female determinant of SI specificity, SRK has been shown to be the only recognized gene on the stigma and plays important roles in SI response. Asteraceae is the largest family of dicotyledonous plants, many of which exhibit self-incompatibility. However, systematic studies on SRK gene family in Asteraceae are still limited due to lack of high-quality genomic data. In this study, we performed the first systematic genome-wide identification of S-locus receptor like kinases (SRLKs) in the self-incompatible Asteraceae species, Erigeron breviscapus, which is also a widely used perennial medicinal plant endemic to China.52 SRLK genes were identified in the E. breviscapus genome. Structural analysis revealed that the EbSRLK proteins in E. breviscapus are conserved. SRLK proteins from E. breviscapus and other SI plants are clustered into 7 clades, and the majority of the EbSRLK proteins are distributed in Clade I. Chromosomal and duplication analyses indicate that 65% of the EbSRLK genes belong to tandem repeats and could be divided into six tandem gene clusters. Gene expression patterns obtained in E. breviscapus multiple-tissue RNA-Seq data revealed differential temporal and spatial features of EbSRLK genes. Among these, two EbSRLK genes having high expression levels in tongue flowers were cloned. Subcellular localization assay demonstrated that both of their fused proteins are localized on the plasma membrane. All these results indicated that EbSRLK genes possibly involved in SI response in E. breviscapus. This comprehensive genome-wide study of the SRLK gene family in E. breviscapus provides valuable information for understanding the mechanism of SSI in Asteraceae.
Differences in the components of metabolic syndrome by age and sex: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of a cohort of middle-aged and older Japanese adults
Authors: Hiramatsu Yuji , Ide Hiroo , Furui Yuji
Published: July 2023

Background

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Japan, a super-aged society, is increasing and poses a major public health issue. Several studies have reported sex differences in the association between age and MetS prevalence. This study aimed to examine the association between age and the prevalence of MetS based on multiple screening criteria and MetS components by sex.

Methods

We used 6 years of individual-level longitudinal follow-up data (June 2012 to November 2018; checkup year: 2012–2017) of middle-aged and older adults aged 40–75 years in Japan (N = 161,735). The Joint Interim Statement criteria, International Diabetes Federation criteria, and another set of criteria excluding central obesity were used as the screening criteria for MetS. The prevalence of MetS and MetS components was cross-sectionally analyzed according to sex and age. A longitudinal association analysis of age, MetS, and MetS components by sex was performed using a multilevel logistic model, adjusted for lifestyle- and regional-related factors.

Results

Sex differences were observed in the prevalence and association of MetS and MetS components. In all age groups, the prevalence of central obesity was higher among women, and the prevalence of high blood pressure and fasting glucose was higher among men (P < 0.001). The prevalence of high triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher among women aged > 60 years (P < 0.05). Based on the criteria of the Joint Interim Statement and International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence of MetS was higher among women than in men aged > 55 years (P < 0.001). Men had a higher prevalence of MetS without central obesity than women in all age groups (P < 0.001). The odds ratio for MetS and MetS components with aging was greater among women than in men.

Conclusions

Medical management should be based on the prevalence of MetS and its components according to sex and age. In particular, the high prevalence of MetS without central obesity in middle-aged and older Japanese men suggests that the adoption of the Joint Interim Statement criteria, which do not precondition central obesity, should be considered.
High incidence of fosfomycin-resistant uropathogenic E. coli among children
Authors: Abdelraheem Wedad M. , Mahdi W. K.M , Abuelela Ibtehal S. , Hassuna Noha Anwar
Published: July 2023

Background

There are few epidemiological or molecular data on Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains resistant to fosfomycin. In this study, we described the occurrence and characterization of fosfomycin-resistant uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolated from children.

Materials and methods

This study was carried out on 96 E. coli isolates obtained from children with urinary tract infections. Two methods were performed to detect fosfomycin resistance: The agar dilution method and the rapid fosfomycin test. The disc diffusion method was done to detect the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of all isolates. The phylogenetic grouping of all isolates was done according to the modified Clermont method. Conventional PCR was performed to detect plasmid-mediated fosfomycin-resistant genes (fos genes) and the blaCTX−M gene.

Results

Analyses of data were performed by SPSS software. A high percentage of fosfomycin resistance (37/96; 38.5%) was reported among UPEC isolates. The fosfomycin-resistant strains showed a higher resistance rate than fosfomycin-susceptible isolates to different antibiotics. E group (62.2%) was the most predominant phylogenetic group among the fosfomycin-resistant UPEC isolates, followed by Group B2 (21.6%) and group D (13.5%). The fos genes were detected in 21 isolates with the fosA3 gene as the most frequent, which was detected in 11 isolates followed by fosA (8), fosC2 (4), fosA4(1), and fosA5(1) genes.

Conclusion

This is the first report of a high prevalence of plasmid-mediated fosfomycin-resistant UPEC in Egypt. All of these isolates were multidrug-resistant to the tested antibiotics. Close monitoring of such strains is mandatory to prevent widespread dissemination of the genes code for antibiotic resistance.
High NANOG expression correlates with worse patients’ survival in esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Knipper Karl , Damanakis Alexander I. , Lyu Su Ir , Simon Adrian Georg , Wahler Isabell , Bruns Christiane J. , Schröder Wolfgang , Schmidt Thomas , Quaas Alexander
Published: July 2023

Background

Patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer demonstrate a low overall survival even despite the established multimodal therapy as the current standard of care. Therefore, further biomarkers for patients with high-risk and additional therapy options are needed. NANOG is a transcription factor, which can be found in stem cells and is known to support tumorigenesis.

Methods

Six hundred sixty patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, who were operated at the University of Cologne with a curative intent, were included. Immunohistochemical stainings for NANOG were performed. The study population was divided into NANOG-positive and -negative subgroups.

Results

Positive NANOG expression correlates significantly with worse overall survival (p = 0.002) and could be confirmed as an independent risk factor for worse patient survival in multivariate analysis (HR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.09–1.80, p = 0.006). This effect could be detected in the subgroup of primarily operated patients, but not in patients after neoadjuvant therapy.

Conclusions

We describe a NANOG-positive subgroup of patients with esophageal cancer, who exhibit worse overall survival in a large patient cohort. This discovery suggests the potential use of NANOG as a biomarker for both intensified therapy and stricter follow-up regimes. Additionally, NANOG-positive stem cell-like cancer cells could be used as a new antitumoral treatment target if validated in mechanistic and clinical studies.
Hospital healthcare experiences of children and young people with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions, and their parents: scoping reviews and resultant conceptual frameworks
Authors: Mukherjee Suzanne , Richardson Natalie , Beresford Bryony
Published: July 2023

Background

Patient experience is a core component of healthcare quality. Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are increasingly used to assess this, but there are few paediatric PREMs. This paper reports the first stage of developing two such measures, one for children and young people (0–18 years) (CYP) with a life-threatening or life-shortening condition (LT/LSC), and one for their parents. It comprised parallel scoping reviews of qualitative evidence on the elements of health service delivery and care that matter to, or impact on, CYP (Review 1) and parents (Review 2).

Methods

Medline and PsychINFO (1/1/2010 – 11/8/2020) and CINAHL Complete (1/1/2010 – 4/7/2020) were searched and records identified screened against inclusion criteria. A thematic approach was used to manage and analyse relevant data, informed by existing understandings of patient/family experiences as comprising aspects of staff’s attributes, their actions and behaviours, and organisational features. The objective was to identity the data discrete elements of health service delivery and care which matter to, or impact on, CYP or parents which, when organised under higher order conceptual domains, created separate conceptual frameworks.

Results

18,531 records were identified. Sparsity of data on community-based services meant the reviews focused only on hospital-based (inpatient and outpatient) experiences. 53 studies were included in Review 1 and 64 in Review 2. For Review 1 (CYP), 36 discrete elements of healthcare experience were identified and organized under 8 higher order domains (e.g. staff’s empathetic qualities; information-sharing/decision making; resources for socializing/play). In Review 2 (parents), 55 elements were identified and organized under 9 higher order domains. Some domains were similar to those identified in Review 1 (e.g. professionalism; information-sharing/decision-making), others were unique (e.g. supporting parenting; access to additional support).

Conclusions

Multiple and wide-ranging aspects of the way hospital healthcare is organized and delivered matters to and impacts on CYP with LT/LSCs, and their parents. The aspects that matter differ between CYP and parents, highlighting the importance of measuring and understanding CYP and parent experience seperately. These findings are key to the development of patient/parent experience measures for this patient population and the resultant conceptual frameworks have potential application in service development.
Prevalence and drivers of female genital mutilation/cutting in three coastal governorates in Yemen
Authors: Al-Taj Mansour Abdu , Al-hadari Motahar Hassan
Published: July 2023

Background

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), a violation of human rights, remains common in the coastal areas of Yemen.

Objective

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of FGM/C and its risk factors among the youngest daughters in families in the Yemeni coastal areas, as well as the knowledge and attitudes of the local population towards FGM/C.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 646 women and 345 men from six districts in three Yemeni coastal governorates between July and September 2020 using a structured questionnaire. Categorical data were described by proportion. The chi-square test was used to identify factors associated with FGM/C. All factors with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 were included in the multivariate analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in the multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of FGM/C in Yemeni coastal areas was 89.0% (95% CI 84.0%-92.5%) among women and 79.8% (95% CI 73.5%-84.8%) among the youngest daughters in the surveyed families. Nearly two-thirds of women and half of the men recorded a poor knowledge level about the harms of FGM/C. Furthermore, almost two-thirds of both women and men would like to continue the practice of FGM/C. Among women, significant predictors of FGM/C among youngest daughters included advanced maternal age of ≥ 40 years (AOR 7.16, 95% CI 2.73–18.76), mother’s desire to continue FGM/C (AOR 8.07, 95% CI 3.64–17.89), and living in a rural area (AOR 3.95, 95% CI 1.51–10.30). Daughters of mothers who did not undergo FGM/C were more protected from FGM/C than those whose mothers had undergone FGM/C (AOR 0.04, 95% CI 0.02–0.09). Among men, the father’s desire to continue FGM/C (AOR 15.10, 95% CI 6.06–37.58) was significantly associated with FGM/C among the youngest daughters.

Conclusion

This study confirmed that FGM/C is still prevalent among communities in Yemeni coastal areas. Thus, community-based interventions with a focus on the rural population are vital to improving the awareness of various harms of FGM/C.
ADAPTations to low load blood flow restriction exercise versus conventional heavier load resistance exercise in UK military personnel with persistent knee pain: protocol for the ADAPT study, a multi-centre randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cassidy Robyn P. , Lunt Kieran M. , Coppack Russell J. , Bennett Alexander N. , Bilzon James L. J. , Mcguigan M. Polly , Egginton Natalie , Sellon Edward , Day Jo , Ladlow Peter
Published: July 2023

Background

Muscle atrophy, muscle weakness and localised pain are commonly reported following musculoskeletal injury (MSKI). To mitigate this risk and prepare individuals to return to sport or physically demanding occupations, resistance training (RT) is considered a vital component of rehabilitation. However, to elicit adaptations in muscle strength, exercise guidelines recommend lifting loads ≥ 70% of an individual’s one repetition maximum (1-RM). Unfortunately, individuals with persistent knee pain are often unable to tolerate such high loads and this may negatively impact the duration and extent of their recovery. Low load blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) is an alternative RT technique that has demonstrated improvements in muscle strength, hypertrophy, and pain in the absence of high mechanical loading. However, the effectiveness of high-frequency LL-BFR in a residential rehabilitation environment remains unclear. This study will compare the efficacy of high frequency LL-BFR to ‘conventional’ heavier load resistance training (HL-RT) on measures of physical function and pain in adults with persistent knee pain.

Methods

This is a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) of 150 UK service personnel (aged 18–55) admitted for a 3-week residential rehabilitation course with persistent knee pain. Participants will be randomised to receive: a) LL-BFR delivered twice daily at 20% 1-RM or b) HL-RT three-times per week at 70% 1-RM. Outcomes will be recorded at baseline (T1), course discharge (T2) and at three-months following course (T3). The primary outcome will be the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) at T2. Secondary outcomes will include patient reported perceptions of pain, physical and occupational function and objective measures of muscle strength and neuromuscular performance. Additional biomechanical and physiological mechanisms underpinning both RT interventions will also be investigated as part of a nested mechanistic study.

Discussion

LL-BFR is a rehabilitation modality that has the potential to induce positive clinical adaptations in the absence of high mechanical loads and therefore could be considered a treatment option for patients suffering significant functional deficits who are unable to tolerate heavy load RT. Consequently, results from this study will have a direct clinical application to healthcare service providers and patients involved in the rehabilitation of physically active adults suffering MSKI.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.org reference number, NCT05719922
Incidence and risk factors of postoperative hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis following total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study
Authors: Liu Song , Li Fangguo , Hu Wei , Yang Qihao , Zhang Chi , Wang Zhao
Published: July 2023

Background

Postoperative hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis are recognized complications after abdominal and spinal surgeries. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and identify risk factors for postoperative hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis following total knee arthroplasty.

Methods

170 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were retrospectively identified from our database from January 2017 to January 2021. Patients were divided into normal and hyperamylasemia groups based on the presence of serum amylase level within or greater than the normal range. The diagnosis of postoperative pancreatitis was based on the 2012 revised Atlanta Classification of Acute Pancreatitis. Patient demographics, perioperative parameters were investigated with student t test, chi square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

43 patients (25.3%) exhibited postoperative hyperamylasemia while eight patients (4.7%) exhibited serum amylase < 5 times the normal upper limit. One patient (0.6%) was designated as having postoperative pancreatitis. More patients with Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) were noted in hyperamylasemia group (P = 0.009) compared with normal group. Hyperamylasemia group showed higher preoperative serum amylase (74.95 vs. 55.62 IU/L, P < 0.001), higher intra-operative blood loss (IBL) (117.67 vs. 77.01 mL, P = 0.040) and longer surgical duration (132.98 vs. 107.01 min, P = 0.041). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that HTG (OR = 0.189, P = 0.006), preoperative serum amylase (OR = 1.042, P < 0.001) and IBL (OR = 1.004, P = 0.022) were independent risk factors for postoperative hyperamylasemia.

Conclusions

A significant percentage of patients developed hyperamylasemia after total knee arthroplasty. Patients with HTG, higher preoperative serum amylase and higher IBL had an increased risk of developing postoperative hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis.
Accuracy of digital workflow for placing orthodontic miniscrews using generic and licensed open systems. A 3d imaging analysis of non-native .stl files for guided protocols
Authors: Ronsivalle Vincenzo , Venezia Pietro , Bennici Orazio , D’Antò Vincenzo , Leonardi Rosalia , Giudice Antonino Lo
Published: July 2023

Background

This study aimed to assess the accuracy of digital workflow for guided insertion of miniscrews in the anterior palate using restorative implant dentistry software and licensed software for orthodontic applications.

Methods

Twenty subjects (8 males, 12 females, mean age = 16.7 ± 2.1 years) were prospectively selected to receive guided insertion of bicortical palatal miniscrews. Virtual planning was performed using restorative implant dentistry software (Blue Sky Plan*, version 4.7) (group 1 = 10 subjects) and licensed orthodontic software (Dolphin Imaging Software, version 11.0) (group 2 = 10 subjects). A specific 3D Imaging technology was applied to permit the registration of the planned and achieved position of the miniscrews based on the superimposition of maxillary models. The angular deviation (accuracy error) between the planned and the achieved positions of the miniscrews were recorded. Independent Student’s test was used with statistical significance set at p value < 0.05.

Results

The mean accuracy error recorded in group 1 was 7.15° ± 1.09 (right side) and 6.19 ± 0.80 (left side) while the mean error in group 2 was 6.74° ± 1.23 (right side) and 5.79 ± 0.95 (left side). No significant differences were recorded between the two groups (p > 0.05); instead, miniscrews placed on the right side were almost one degree higher than the left side (p < 0.05) in both groups.

Conclusions

The clinical accuracy error was similar when using generic and licensed orthodontic software for guided systems.
Designing and evaluating the children’s developmental motor disorders system: an experience from a developing country
Authors: Gozali Elahe , Safdari Reza , Rahimi Bahlol , Ghazisaeedi Marjan , Farrokh-Eslamlou Hamidreza , Sadeghi Malihe
Published: July 2023

Background

Developmental disorders are a prevalent problem in the health sector of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and children in these countries are at greater risk. A registry system is helpful and vital to monitoring and managing this disease.

Objective

The present study aims to develop an electronic registry system for children's developmental motor disorders.

Methods

The study was conducted between 2019 and 2020 in three phases. First, the requirements of the system were identified. Second, UML diagrams were first drawn using Microsoft Visio software. Then, the system was designed using the ASP.NET framework in Visual Studio 2018, and the C# programming language was used in the NET 4.5 technology platform. In the third phase, system usability was evaluated from the users' viewpoint.

Results

The findings of this research included system requirements, a conceptual model, and a web-based system. The client and system server connection was established through the IP/TCP communication protocol in a university physical network. End users approved the system with an agreement rate of 87.14%.

Conclusion

The study's results can be used as a model for designing and developing systems related to children's developmental movement disorders in other countries. It is also suggested as a valuable platform for research and improving the management of this disease.
A novel adaptation of spatial interpolation methods to map health attitudes related to COVID-19
Authors: Behal Raisa , Davis Kenneth , Doering Jeffrey
Published: July 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic presented substantial challenges to public health stakeholders working to vaccinate populations against the disease, particularly among vaccine hesitant individuals in low- and middle-income countries. Data on the determinants of vaccine hesitancy are scarce, and often available only at the national level. In this paper, our goal is to inform programmatic decision making in support of local vaccine uptake. Our analytical objectives to support this goal are to (1) reliably estimate attitudinal data at the hyperlocal level, and (2) estimate the loss of data heterogeneity among these attitudinal indicators at higher levels of aggregation. With hyperlocal attitudinal data on the determinants of vaccine hesitancy, public health stakeholders can better tailor interventions aimed at increasing uptake sub-nationally, and even down to the individual vaccination site or neighborhood.

Methods

We estimated attitudinal data on the determinants of vaccine hesitancy as framed by the WHO’s Confidence, Complacency, and Convenience (“3Cs”) Model of Vaccine Hesitancy using a nationally and regionally representative household survey of 4,922 adults aged 18 and above, collected in February 2022. This custom survey was designed to collect information on attitudes towards COVID-19 and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine. A machine learning (ML) framework was used to spatially interpolate metrics representative of the 3Cs at a one square kilometer (1km2) resolution using approximately 130 spatial covariates from high-resolution satellite imagery, and 24 covariates from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).

Results

Spatial interpolated hyperlocal estimates of the 3Cs captured significant information on attitudes towards COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. The interpolated estimates held increased heterogeneity within each subsequent level of disaggregation, with most variation at the 1km2 level.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that a) attitudinal data can be successfully estimated at the hyperlocal level, and b) the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy have large spatial variance that cannot be captured through national surveys alone. Access to community level attitudes toward vaccine safety and efficacy; vaccination access, time, and financial burden; and COVID-19 beliefs and infection concerns presents novel implications for public health practitioners and policymakers seeking to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake through more customized community-level interventions.
Sizes and shapes of perivascular spaces surrounding murine pial arteries
Authors: Raicevic Nikola , Forer Jarod M. , Ladrón-de-Guevara Antonio , Du Ting , Nedergaard Maiken , Kelley Douglas H. , Boster Kimberly
Published: July 2023

Background

Flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through brain perivascular spaces (PVSs) is essential for the clearance of interstitial metabolic waste products whose accumulation and aggregation is a key mechanism of pathogenesis in many diseases. The PVS geometry has important implications for CSF flow as it affects CSF and solute transport rates. Thus, the size and shape of the perivascular spaces are essential parameters for models of CSF transport in the brain and require accurate quantification.

Methods

We segmented two-photon images of pial (surface) PVSs and the adjacent arteries and characterized their sizes and shapes of cross sections from 14 PVS segments in 9 mice. Based on the analysis, we propose an idealized model that approximates the cross-sectional size and shape of pial PVSs, closely matching their area ratios and hydraulic resistances.

Results

The ratio of PVS-to-vessel area varies widely across the cross sections analyzed. The hydraulic resistance per unit length of the PVS scales with the PVS cross-sectional area, and we found a power-law fit that predicts resistance as a function of the area. Three idealized geometric models were compared to PVSs imaged in vivo, and their accuracy in reproducing hydraulic resistances and PVS-to-vessel area ratios were evaluated. The area ratio was obtained across different cross sections, and we found that the distribution peaks for the original PVS and its closest idealized fit (polynomial fit) were 1.12 and 1.21, respectively. The peak of the hydraulic resistance distribution is $$1.73\times 10^{15}$$

1.73
×

10
15

 Pa  s/m$$^{5}$$

5

and $$1.44\times 10^{15}$$

1.44
×

10
15

 Pa s/m$$^{5}$$

5

for the segmentation and its closest idealized fit, respectively.

Conclusions

PVS hydraulic resistance can be reasonably predicted as a function of the PVS area. The proposed polynomial-based fit most closely captures the shape of the PVS with respect to area ratio and hydraulic resistance. Idealized PVS shapes are convenient for modeling, which can be used to better understand how anatomical variations affect clearance and drug transport.
Genomes to Fields 2022 Maize genotype by Environment Prediction Competition
Authors: Lima Dayane Cristina , Washburn Jacob D. , Varela José Ignacio , Chen Qiuyue , Gage Joseph L. , Romay Maria Cinta , Holland James , Ertl David , Lopez-Cruz Marco , Aguate Fernando M. , de los Campos Gustavo , Kaeppler Shawn , Beissinger Timothy , Bohn Martin , Buckler Edward , Edwards Jode , Flint-Garcia Sherry , Gore Michael A. , Hirsch Candice N. , Knoll Joseph E. , McKay John , Minyo Richard , Murray Seth C. , Ortez Osler A. , Schnable James C. , Sekhon Rajandeep S. , Singh Maninder P. , Sparks Erin E. , Thompson Addie , Tuinstra Mitchell , Wallace Jason , Weldekidan Teclemariam , Xu Wenwei , de Leon Natalia
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The Genomes to Fields (G2F) 2022 Maize Genotype by Environment (GxE) Prediction Competition aimed to develop models for predicting grain yield for the 2022 Maize GxE project field trials, leveraging the datasets previously generated by this project and other publicly available data.

Data description

This resource used data from the Maize GxE project within the G2F Initiative [1]. The dataset included phenotypic and genotypic data of the hybrids evaluated in 45 locations from 2014 to 2022. Also, soil, weather, environmental covariates data and metadata information for all environments (combination of year and location). Competitors also had access to ReadMe files which described all the files provided. The Maize GxE is a collaborative project and all the data generated becomes publicly available [2]. The dataset used in the 2022 Prediction Competition was curated and lightly filtered for quality and to ensure naming uniformity across years.
Dataset on infant mortality rates in Brazil
Authors: Souto Gabriel , Miloski Matheus , Cardoso Carlos Leonardo Souza , Kreischer Vinicius , Paixão Balthazar , Ribeiro Victor de Paula Dornellas , Gritz Raquel , Carraro Lucas , Cruz Sérgio Ricardo de Borba , Bonifácio Carmen Lúcia Corrêa , Saldanha Raphael de Freitas , Zirondi Leandro , Alencar Gizelton Pereira , Alves Ariane Camilo Pinheiro , Neto Nelson Niero , Salles Rebecca , Lima Jefferson da Costa , Pedroso Marcel
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Surveillance of infant and fetal deaths is of paramount importance in thinking about government strategies to reduce these rates, provide greater visibility of these mortality figures in the country, enable the adoption of prevention measures, as well as contribute to a better record of deaths.

Data description

The dataset comprises fetal, neonatal, early neonatal, late neonatal, and perinatal Mortality Rates of Brazilian municipalities with their respective information, between 2010 to 2020, aggregated by epidemiological week.