bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A-62 Evaluating the New Consensus Criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome in Older Adults
Authors: Terry D P , Jo J , Williams K , Davis P , Iverson G L , Zuckerman S L
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the new consensus diagnostic criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) in community-dwelling older adults, with and without a history of repetitive head impacts.

Methods

Older adults (n=507; age: M=70.0, SD=9.0; 65% women) completed a survey assessing TES, as well as their demographics, prior athletic participation, and current symptoms in a variety of areas. To meet the symptom criteria for TES, participants had to report progressive changes with memory, executive functioning, or neurobehavioral dysregulation. To meet the repetitive head impacts criterion, participants reported contact sport exposure (5+ years of contact sports, at least 2 of which were in high school) or other repetitive head impacts (e.g., from military exposures or domestic violence).

Results

Overall, 26.2% endorsed having one or more of the progressive core clinical features of TES. Those who met the repetitive head impacts criterion were not significantly more likely to meet TES criteria compared to those who did not meet this criterion (31.8% vs. 25.3%, p=.26). In a binary logistic regression predicting TES status, current depression or anxiety (OR=8.00), history of psychiatric disorders (OR=2.48), male sex (OR=1.85), and sleep problems (OR=1.75) were associated with meeting TES criteria. The repetitive head impacts criterion, age, and current pain were not significantly associated with TES status.

Conclusions

About one-fourth of older adults met the symptoms criteria for TES, many of whom did not have a history of repetitive mild neurotrauma. Mental health problems and sleep issues were associated with TES, whereas having a history of repetitive head impacts was not.
A-66 Clinical Neuropsychology Journal Articles about Concussion from 2010-2020
Authors: Whaley M C , Ready R
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Concussions are a major public health concern and are caused by falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, and assaults. Concussion research increased dramatically in recent decades, with 1,015 articles about concussion listed in PubMed in 2020, up from 30 in 2000. The focus of concussion research is evolving from assessment tools towards education, biomarkers, and intervention. Little is known about the topics of concussion research in clinical neuropsychology, but this knowledge might direct research efforts in the future.

Data Selection

We coded the content of titles of concussion articles published in 12 clinical neuropsychological journals from 2010-2020. This project is part of a study about the cultural and multicultural content of clinical neuropsychology articles. From this larger dataset, titles that included the terms concussion, sub-concussive, mild traumatic brain injury were collected (n=317).

Data Synthesis

Content in titles for concussions articles were, in order, sports (29.0%), children/adolescents (23.3%), emotion and personality issues (23.0%), post-concussive symptoms (12.9%), psychiatric symptoms (12.9%), military (15.8%), sex differences (2.5%), multiple concussions (2.5%), cultural or multicultural neuropsychology (2.2%), and older adults (1.3%).

Conclusions

Clinical neuropsychology research is proportionately over-focused on sports concussion to the exclusion of other causes of concussion. That said, sports concussion is easier to study than other causes of concussion and thus, this work has tremendous value for the field. Concussion research would best serve public health by focusing more on sex differences, multicultural issues, and other individual difference factors that alter risk for and recovery from concussion.
A-67 Examining Demographic Influence on Virtual Reality Cognitive Scores in Division I Collegiate Football Players
Authors: Wilkes J , Saliba S , Goldberg M , Griffith O , Slobounov S M
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The focus of our study was to understand the influence of demographics of collegiate football players on virtual reality (VR) cognitive scores over multiple seasons. We collected subject demographic factors and VR cognitive scores obtained at multiple time-points each year for four years. By observing multiple years of football athletes’ trends in scores through the seasons, we hope to better understand both how individualized factors and playing a collegiate collision sport affect cognition.

Methods

VR scores and demographic factors from 122 Division I football players through 2019-2022 seasons were analyzed. The VR is a fully immersive system, with separate modules to evaluate spatial memory, reaction time, and balance. Data collection occurred at pre-season, post-camp, mid-season, and post-season.

Results

Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v25. Participants were categorized by position, psychiatric disorder, concussion history, and year. Paired T-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the scores of participants based on year and demographic factors. No demographic factors reached statistical significance, however VR balance scores were significantly lower in 2021 compared to other seasons (p<.05). Spatial memory scores trended toward significance between individuals with and without concussion history (p=.064). VR balance scores were significantly lower in 2021 (p<.001) across all time points.

Conclusions

While it was found that demographic factors did not influence VR performance, data suggests influence of concussion history on spatial memory warrants further investigation. The balance deficits in 2021 merit further exploration, but overall findings suggest participation in collegiate football without observable acute cognitive deficit.
A-69 The Impact of Sleep Disturbance on Depression and Anxiety Post-Concussion Among High School Athletes
Authors: Withers J , Stephenson K , Berkner P
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between concussion-related sleep symptoms and affective symptoms in high school athlete.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the Maine Concussion Management Initiative (MCMI) Immediate Post-concussion Assessment Tool ™ (ImPACT™) database was conducted to investigate the relationship between sleep and affective symptom scores in high school athletes (14-18 years) within 7 days of sustaining a concussion. The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) was completed by each athlete as part of their post-injury ImPACT™ testing battery. Sleep-related symptoms and affective/mood related symptoms from the PCSS were summed to create a sleep and affective symptom score, respectively.

Results

The final sample included 548 adolescents (M=15.94±1.06 years old; 50.4% female) were evaluated 3.16±1.85 days after injury. The results of a simple linear regression revealed a significant relationship between sleep and affective symptoms (F(1,546)=142.60, p<.001), and the model explained 20.7% of the total variance of affective symptom scores. Additionally, there was an association between gender and affective symptoms (Χ2(1)=6.39, p=.01), with females 1.6 times more likely to report at least one affective symptom. Females (M=3.62±4.33) had significantly higher affective symptom scores compared to their male (M=2.35±3.46) counterparts (t(546)=3.79, p<.001).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of a significant relationship between sleep disturbance and affective symptoms in high school-aged athletes following concussion. Female athletes reported higher affective symptom scores.
Autoimmune, inflammatory, allergic and neuropsychiatric outcomes of offspring born to mothers with vitiligo: a nationwide Korean population-based birth cohort study
Authors: Han Ju Hee , Ju Hyun Jeong , Kang Hyun , Lee Ji Hae , Lee Solam , Bae Jung Min
Published: June 2023

This study analysed a nationwide cohort from birth up to 17 years of age and tried to adjust for various confounding factors that could potentially influence disease development. Our findings showed that offspring born to mothers with vitiligo had a significantly higher risk of vitiligo, alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis compared with the control group.
Two novel mutations in SASH1 identified in a familial and a sporadic generalized lentiginosis phenotype in Koreans
Authors: Kim Jae Yeon , Kwon Il Joo , Lee Sang Eun
Published: June 2023

Here, we report two novel mutations in SASH1 (p.S510C and p.T525I) identified, respectively, in a family with nonsyndromic generalized lentiginosis, and in a sporadic case with early onset of multiple lentigines on the face and hypomelanosis of Ito in Koreans. Our findings will expand the spectrum of SASH1 mutations in a familial and a sporadic lentiginosis phenotype.
Obesity causally influencing brain cortical structure: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Wenhui , Feng Jia , Guo Jie , Dong Shiliang , Li Rufeng , NGO Jacky C K , Wang Cunchuan , Ma Yi , Dong Zhiyong
Published: June 2023

Obesity may lead to cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders, which are associated with alterations in the brain cortical structure. However, the exact causality remains inconclusive. We aimed to conduct two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to identify the causal associations of obesity [body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-hip ratio adjusted for BMI ((WHRadjBMI)) and brain cortical structure (cortical thickness and cortical surface area). Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis, whereas a series of sensitivity analyses were employed to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. The main MR results showed that higher BMI significantly increased the cortical surface area of the transverse temporal (β = 5.13 mm2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.55–7.71, P = 9.9 × 10−5); higher WHR significantly decreased cortical surface area of the inferior temporal (β = −38.60, 95% CI: −56.67- -20.54, P = 1.2 × 10−5), but significantly increased cortical surface area of the isthmus cingulate (β = 14.25, 95% CI: 6.97–21.54, P = 1.2 × 10–4). No significant evidence of pleiotropy was found in the MR analyses. This study supports that obesity has a causal effect on the brain cortical structure. Further studies are warranted to understand the clinical outcomes caused by these effects.
EMPA-KIDNEY: expanding the range of kidney protection by SGLT2 inhibitors
Authors: Fernández-Fernandez Beatriz , Sarafidis Pantelis , Soler Maria José , Ortiz Alberto
Published: June 2023

In the EMPA-KIDNEY (The Study of Heart and Kidney Protection With Empagliflozin) trial, empagliflozin reduced cardiorenal outcomes by 28% (hazard ratio 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.64–0.82; P < .0001) in a diverse population of over 6000 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, of whom >50% were not diabetic. It expanded the spectrum of CKD that may benefit from sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition to participants with urinary albumin: creatinine ratio <30 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >20 mL/min/1.73 m2 or even lower (254 participants had an eGFR 15–20 mL/min/1.73 m2). EMPA-KIDNEY was stopped prematurely because of efficacy, thus limiting the ability to confirm benefit on the primary outcome in every pre-specified subgroup, especially in those with more slowly progressive CKD. However, data on chronic eGFR slopes were consistent with benefit at any eGFR or urinary albumin:creatinine ratio level potentially delaying kidney replacement therapy by 2–27 years, depending on baseline eGFR. The representation of diverse causes of CKD (>1600 participants with glomerular disease, >1400 with hypertensive kidney disease, >450 with tubulointerstitial disease and >600 with unknown cause) was higher than in prior SGLT2 inhibitor trials, although polycystic kidney disease was excluded. Around 15% (almost 1000) of participants were not on renin–angiotensin system blockade. The clinical characteristics of the cohort differed from DAPA-CKD (A Study to Evaluate the Effect of Dapagliflozin on Renal Outcomes and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease), as did the frequency of individual components of the primary outcome in the placebo arm. Thus, rather than compare EMPA-KIDNEY with DAPA-CKD, the results of both trials should be seen as complementary to those of other SGLT2 inhibitor trials. Overall, EMPA-KIDNEY, a recent meta-analysis and post hoc analyses of participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but no baseline CKD in other trials, indicates that SGLT2 inhibitor treatment will benefit an expanded CKD population with diverse baseline albuminuria or eGFR values, presence of T2DM or cause of CKD, as well as providing primary prevention of CKD in at least the T2DM setting.
Baseline proteinuria level and adverse outcomes in pregnant women with chronic kidney disease: new evidence and a note of caution
Authors: Kervella Delphine , Torreggiani Massimo
Published: June 2023

About 3% of all pregnancies occur in patients with some degree of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and, in turn, CKD is a risk factor for developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancies (HDP) and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, at both the maternal and fetal level. CKD is often characterized by proteinuria and proteinuria is a risk factor for HDP. However, even if the positive correlation between proteinuria and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes is well acknowledged, the degree of proteinuria associated with adverse outcomes is still a matter of debate. In this issue of the Journal, Li et al. present a retrospective study that shows that >1 g of proteinuria/day is associated with worse maternal outcomes while >2 g/day with worse fetal ones. This study gives proteinuria thresholds for unfavorable outcomes in pregnant CKD patients, but it should be kept in mind that there is a linear correlation between proteinuria and worse pregnancy outcomes, thus a strict surveillance during the entire gestation should be advised independently of the proteinuria level.
Freedom from atrial arrhythmia and other clinical outcomes at 5 years and beyond after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ngo Linh , Lee Xiang Wen , Elwashahy Mohamed , Arumugam Pooja , Yang Ian A , Denman Russell , Haqqani Haris , Ranasinghe Isuru
Published: June 2023

Aims

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is now a mainstream procedure although long-term outcomes are uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of procedural outcomes at 5 years and beyond.

Methods and results

We searched PubMed and Embase and after the screening, identified 73 studies (67 159 patients) reporting freedom from atrial arrhythmia, all-cause death, stroke, and major bleeding at ≥5 years after AF ablation. The pooled mean age was 59.7y, 71.5% male, 62.2% paroxysmal AF, and radiofrequency was used in 78.1% of studies. Pooled incidence of freedom from atrial arrhythmia at 5 years was 50.6% (95%CI 45.5–55.7%) after a single ablation and 69.7% [95%CI (confidence interval) 63.8–75.3%) after multiple procedures. The incidence was higher among patients with paroxysmal compared with non-paroxysmal AF after single (59.7% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.002) and multiple (80.8% vs. 60.6%, p < 0.001) ablations but was comparable between radiofrequency and cryoablation. Pooled incidences of other outcomes were 6.0% (95%CI 3.2–9.7%) for death, 2.4% (95%CI 1.4–3.7%) for stroke, and 1.2% (95%CI 0.8–2.0%) for major bleeding at 5 years. Beyond 5 years, freedom from arrhythmia recurrence remained largely stable (52.3% and 64.7% after single and multiple procedures at 10 years), while the risk of stroke and bleeding increased over time.

Conclusion

Nearly 70% of patients having multiple ablations remained free from atrial arrhythmia at 5 years, with the incidence slightly decreasing beyond this period. Risk of death, stroke, and major bleeding at 5 years were low but increased over time, emphasizing the importance of long-term thromboembolism prevention and bleeding risk management.
From a to z and back again: motion and mobility in the fiction of John Muckle
Authors: Davidson Ian
Published: June 2023

The narrative fictions of John Muckle reflect the increased motion and mobility of people and things in the late twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This increase is a significant, although often invisible, part of the narrative and can be read through both the form and content of the writing. The working lives of his characters, and their sense of identity, are changed through acts of movement, while the objects that make up the environment they live in are similarly always in the process of change. Motion is not, however, the article claims, initiated or determined by social forces, or the inevitable consequence of a capitalist system that demands ever more productivity and growth. Motion is always and already there, and therefore is changed, but not initiated, by economic and social pressures. It is this interplay between people and things that are always and already moving, and a capitalism that seeks to change or direct that movement, that provides the tensions within the narrative and the events in the lives of the characters, both tragic and joyful. Narratives, and the movements they often describe, become less about beginnings and endings, and more about sequences of collisions and moments of change in direction and velocity.
Quantitative analysis reveals influencing factors to facilitate successful anodal-ring capture in left bundle branch pacing
Authors: Lu Wenzhao , Lin Jinxuan , Li Yao , Hu Qingyun , Cheng Chendi , Chen Ruohan , Dai Yan , Chen Keping , Zhang Shu
Published: June 2023

Aims

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) maintains left ventricular synchrony but induces right ventricular conduction delay (RVCD). Although anodal-ring capture (ARC) during bipolar LBBP improves RVCD, it is not achieved in all patients receiving LBBP. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing ARC implementation.

Methods and results

Patients receiving LBBP with intraoperative ARC testing were enrolled. Electrocardiographic parameters were measured, including stimulus-to-QRS duration (stim-QRSd), stimulus-to-left/right ventricular activation time (stim-LVAT/RVAT), and V6-V1 interpeak interval. The distribution of lead-tip sites was described as the corrected longitudinal and lateral distance (longit-/lat-dist). Relative angles of the LBBP lead were measured. Echocardiography in short-axis view was used to measure the intraseptal lead length. Intergroup comparisons, correlation analysis, and stepwise logistic regression were performed. In total, 105 patients were included, among which 65 (62%) patients achieved ARC at a pacing output ≤ 5.0 V/0.5 ms (average 3.1 V/0.5 ms). Anodal-ring capture further shortened the stim-QRSd by 13.1 ± 7.5 ms. Better unipolar-ring (cathodal) threshold and R-wave sensing in LBBP-ARC group indicated the critical role of ring–septum contact in ARC. Longer corrected longit-dist and shorter corrected lat-dist of lead-tip sites were positively correlated with higher success likelihood of ARC, likely due to the greater relative angle in which the lead enters the septum and consequently the longer intraseptal lead length and better ring–septum contact.

Conclusion

This study elucidated the factors affecting the success likelihood of LBBP-ARC. These findings improve the understanding of LBBP-ARC, providing references for future research and clinical practice.
Identifying the prognostic significance of early arrhythmia recurrence during the blanking period and the optimal blanking period duration: insights from the DECAAF II study
Authors: Noujaim Charbel , Lim Chanho , Mekhael Mario , Feng Han , Chouman Nour , Younes Hadi , Assaf Ala , Shan Botao , Shamaileh Ghaith , Dhore-Patil Aneesh , Nelson Daniel , Lanier Brennan , Makan Noor , Marrouche Nassir , Donnellan Eoin
Published: June 2023

Objective

Early atrial arrhythmia recurrence following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is common. Current guidelines promulgate a 3-month blanking period. We hypothesize that early atrial arrhythmia recurrence during the blanking period may predict longer-term ablation outcomes.

Methods and results

A total of 688 patients with persistent AF undergoing catheter ablation were included in the DECAAF II trial database. The primary endpoint of the study was the first confirmed recurrence of atrial arrhythmia. Recurrence was also monitored during the 90-day blanking period. A total of 287 patients experienced recurrent atrial arrhythmia during the blanking period, while 401 remained in sinus rhythm. Rates of longer-term arrhythmia recurrence were substantially higher among those who developed recurrence during the blanking period compared to those who remained in sinus rhythm throughout the blanking period (68% vs. 32%, P < 0.001). The study cohort was divided into three groups according to the timing of arrhythmia recurrence during the blanking period. Of those who had recurrent arrhythmia during the first month of the blanking period (Group 1), 43.9% experienced longer-term recurrence, compared to 61.6% who recurred during the second month of the blanking period (Group 2), and 93.3% of those who had arrhythmia recurrence during the third month (Group 3, P < 0.001). The risk of recurrent arrhythmia was highest in Group 3 (HR = 10.15), followed by Group 2 (HR = 2.35) and Group 1 (HR = 1.5). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the timing of arrhythmia recurrence and the primary outcome (AUC = 0.746, P < 0.001). The optimal blanking period duration was identified as 34 days. Atrial fibrillation burden determined by smartphone electrocardiogram technology over the 18 months follow-up period was significantly higher in Group 3 (29%) compared to Groups 1 (6%) and 2 (7%) and in patients who stayed in sinus rhythm during the blanking period (5%) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Early atrial arrhythmia recurrence during the blanking period, particularly during the third month, is significantly associated with later recurrence. Although a blanking period is warranted, it should be abbreviated.
The non-use of evidence in the adoption of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in OECD countries
Authors: Hornung Johanna , Sager Fritz
Published: June 2023

Background

Studies confirm the positive effect of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation on public health. However, only a few countries in Europe adopt SSB taxes. From a public policy perspective, we investigate the conditions under which countries do or do not follow this evidence.

Methods

Crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) of 26 European Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development countries with and without an SSB tax. We test which configurations of conditions (problem pressure, governmental composition, strategic planning, health care system, public health policies, inclusion of expert advice in policymaking) emerge as relevant in determining adoption and non-adoption between the years 1981 and 2021. Pathways that lead to the presence and absence of SSB taxes are identified separately.

Results

At least one of the following configurations of conditions is present in countries that introduced taxation: (i) high financial problem pressure, low regulatory impact assessment activity; (ii) high public health problem pressure, a contribution-financed health care system, no holistic strategy for combatting non-communicable diseases (NCDs); (iii) a tax-financed health care system, a holistic NCD strategy, high strategic and executive planning capacity. In countries that did not adopt SSB taxes, we find (i) high regulatory impact assessment activity, high levels of sugar export; (ii) no holistic NCD strategy, high spending on preventive care; (iii and iv) a lack of strategic planning capacity and either a high share of spending on preventive care or inclusion of expert advice.

Discussion

Evidence inclusion requires clear policy priorities in terms of strategy and resources to promote public health.
An investigation of the sex-specific genetic architecture of fitness in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Singh Amardeep , Hasan Asad , Agrawal Aneil F
Published: June 2023

In dioecious populations, the sexes employ divergent reproductive strategies to maximize fitness and, as a result, genetic variants can affect fitness differently in males and females. Moreover, recent studies have highlighted an important role of the mating environment in shaping the strength and direction of sex-specific selection. Here, we measure adult fitness for each sex of 357 lines from the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource in two different mating environments. We analyze the data using three different approaches to gain insight into the sex-specific genetic architecture for fitness: classical quantitative genetics, genomic associations, and a mutational burden approach. The quantitative genetics analysis finds that on average segregating genetic variation in this population has concordant fitness effects both across the sexes and across mating environments. We do not find specific genomic regions with strong associations with either sexually antagonistic (SA) or sexually concordant (SC) fitness effects, yet there is modest evidence of an excess of genomic regions with weak associations, with both SA and SC fitness effects. Our examination of mutational burden indicates stronger selection against indels and loss-of-function variants in females than in males.
Chromosome-Level Assemblies of the Pieris mannii Butterfly Genome Suggest Z-Origin and Rapid Evolution of the W Chromosome
Authors: Berner Daniel , Ruffener Simona , Blattner Lucas A
Published: June 2023

The insect order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) represents the largest group of organisms with ZW/ZZ sex determination. While the origin of the Z chromosome predates the evolution of the Lepidoptera, the W chromosomes are considered younger, but their origin is debated. To shed light on the origin of the lepidopteran W, we here produce chromosome-level genome assemblies for the butterfly Pieris mannii and compare the sex chromosomes within and between P. mannii and its sister species Pieris rapae. Our analyses clearly indicate a common origin of the W chromosomes of the two Pieris species and reveal similarity between the Z and W in chromosome sequence and structure. This supports the view that the W in these species originates from Z–autosome fusion rather than from a redundant B chromosome. We further demonstrate the extremely rapid evolution of the W relative to the other chromosomes and argue that this may preclude reliable conclusions about the origins of W chromosomes based on comparisons among distantly related Lepidoptera. Finally, we find that sequence similarity between the Z and W chromosomes is greatest toward the chromosome ends, perhaps reflecting selection for the maintenance of recognition sites essential to chromosome segregation. Our study highlights the utility of long-read sequencing technology for illuminating chromosome evolution.
Locating the Material: Prussian Carved Ambers, Place Ambiguity and a New Geography of Central European Art
Authors: Grusiecki Tomasz
Published: June 2023

No material is linked more closely to early modern Prussia than amber, and both the Hohenzollerns (rulers of Brandenburg-Prussia) and the Vasas (overlords of Royal Prussia) used it extensively for diplomatic gifts, linking this prized material to their territories. Amber was also one of the most enigmatic materials of the period, with its alchemical nature often examined by natural philosophers who sought to determine its origins and physical makeup. Prussian artisans participated in these explorations by foregrounding amber’s metamorphic qualities. Many amber artefacts carved in Königsberg and Danzig self-reflectively depict the transformation of the Heliades, the daughters of the Sun, into poplar trees, an Ovidian trope important for the understanding of amber as a material that was once something else. This article explores how the physical properties of cups, caskets and altarpieces carved in amber had consequences for how these objects were used and activated as a vehicle of elite sociability. By tapping into natural-philosophical treatises, descriptions of places, gift records and poetry, it proposes that amber’s material rhetoric was twofold: (1) to frame the geographically peripheral Prussia as a centre of cultural activity and material exploration, and (2) to encourage the perception of amber-made artefacts as multivalent media capable of evoking multiple geographic locations. It thus delves into the transcultural implications of amber, a Prussian material that simultaneously publicized and obfuscated its origins.
Coseismic drop of seismic velocity caused by the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes
Authors: Müller J , van Laaten M , Eulenfeld T , Wegler U
Published: June 2023

The Mw 7.8 earthquake in Turkey on 6 February 2023 was extraordinary for various reasons. It originated in depth of only 10 km, ruptured along a fault plane around 300 km long and the surface was covered by an extensive network of high-quality seismic instruments. The strong motions resulted in a vast number of tragic casualties and huge material losses in Turkey and Syria. However, abundant and proximate seismic observations of this event and numerous aftershocks give an opportunity to deepen the understanding of earthquake processes. In this study, we carried out an assessment of coseismic changes of seismic velocity using passive image interferometry. We used data from one strong-motion and twenty-four broad-band sensors. We observed coseismic drops of seismic velocity, which reached up to −1.79 per cent at a location directly at the ruptured East Anatolian Fault Zone. Along the Mw 7.8 earthquake fault, we observe frequency dependence of the velocity changes. At frequencies above 0.5 Hz, the velocity drops seem to be higher at locations close to the ruptured faults than in the more distant areas.
Using evidence in mental health policy agenda-setting in low- and middle-income countries: a conceptual meta-framework from a scoping umbrella review
Authors: Brooks Chloe , Mirzoev Tolib , Chowdhury Diptarup , Deuri Sonia Pereira , Madill Anna
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this article is to close the gap in frameworks for the use of evidence in the mental health policy agenda-setting in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Agenda-setting is important because mental health remains a culturally sensitive and neglected issue in LMICs. Moreover, effective evidence-informed agenda-setting can help achieve, and sustain, the status of mental health as a policy priority in these low-resource contexts. A scoping ‘review of reviews’ of evidence-to-policy frameworks was conducted, which followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Nineteen reviews met the inclusion criteria. A meta-framework was developed from analysis and narrative synthesis of these 19 reviews, which integrates the key elements identified across studies. It comprises the concepts of evidence, actors, process, context and approach, which are linked via the cross-cutting dimensions of beliefs, values and interests; capacity; power and politics; and trust and relationships. Five accompanying questions act as a guide for applying the meta-framework with relevance to mental health agenda-setting in LMICs. This is a novel and integrative meta-framework for mental health policy agenda-setting in LMICs and, as such, an important contribution to this under-researched area. Two major recommendations are identified from the development of the framework to enhance its implementation. First, given the paucity of formal evidence on mental health in LMICs, informal evidence based on stakeholder experience could be better utilized in these contexts. Second, the use of evidence in mental health agenda-setting in LMICs would be enhanced by involving a broader range of stakeholders in generating, communicating and promoting relevant information.
Uterus transplantation: from research, through human trials and into the future
Authors: Brännström Mats , Racowsky Catherine , Carbonnel Marie , Wu Joseph , Gargiulo Antonio , Adashi Eli Y , Ayoubi Jean Marc
Published: June 2023

Women suffering from absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) had no hope of childbearing until clinical feasibility of uterus transplantation (UTx) was documented in 2014 with the birth of a healthy baby. This landmark accomplishment followed extensive foundational work with a wide range of animal species including higher primates. In the present review, we provide a summary of the animal research and describe the results of cases and clinical trials on UTx. Surgical advances for graft removal from live donors and transplantation to recipients are improving, with a recent trend away from laparotomy to robotic approaches, although challenges persist regarding optimum immunosuppressive therapies and tests for graft rejection. Because UTx does not involve transplantation of the Fallopian tubes, IVF is required as part of the UTx process. We provide a unique focus on the intersection between these two processes, with consideration of when oocyte retrieval should be performed, whether, and for whom, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy should be used, whether oocytes or embryos should be frozen and when the first embryo transfer should be performed post-UTx. We also address the utility of an international society UTx (ISUTx) registry for assessing overall UTx success rates, complications, and live births. The long-term health outcomes of all parties involved—the uterus donor (if live donor), the recipient, her partner and any children born from the transplanted graft—are also reviewed. Unlike traditional solid organ transplantation procedures, UTx is not lifesaving, but is life-giving, although as with traditional types of transplantation, costs, and ethical considerations are inevitable. We discuss the likelihood that costs will decrease as efficiency and efficacy improve, and that ethical complexities for and against acceptability of the procedure sharpen the distinctions between genetic, gestational, and social parenthood. As more programs wish to offer the procedure, we suggest a scheme for setting up a UTx program as well as future directions of this rapidly evolving field. In our 2010 review, we described the future of clinical UTx based on development of the procedure in animal models. This Grand Theme Review offers a closing loop to this previous review of more than a decade ago. The clinical feasibility of UTx has now been proved. Advancements include widening the criteria for acceptance of donors and recipients, improving surgery, shortening time to pregnancy, and improving post-UTx management. Together, these improvements catalyze the transition of UTx from experimental into mainstream clinical practice. The procedure will then represent a realistic and accessible alternative to gestational surrogacy for the treatment of AUFI and should become part of the armamentarium of reproductive specialists worldwide.
Associations of meal timing, number of eating occasions and night-time fasting duration with incidence of type 2 diabetes in the NutriNet-Santé cohort
Authors: Palomar-Cros Anna , Srour Bernard , Andreeva Valentina A , Fezeu Léopold K , Bellicha Alice , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Hercberg Serge , Romaguera Dora , Kogevinas Manolis , Touvier Mathilde
Published: June 2023

Background

Food intake plays a pivotal role in regulating circadian rhythms, which modulate glucose and lipid homeostasis. However, studies investigating the association of meal timing and type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the longitudinal associations of meal timing, number of eating occasions and night-time fasting duration with incidence of T2D.

Methods

In total, 103 312 adults [79% women, mean age at baseline = 42.7 (SD = 14.6)] from the NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009–21) were included. Participants’ meal timings and frequency were assessed using repeated 24-h dietary records and averaged from the first 2 years of follow-up (5.7 records/participant). Associations of meal timing, number of eating occasions and night-time fasting duration with incidence of T2D were assessed by using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for known risk factors.

Results

During a median follow-up of 7.3 years, 963 new cases of T2D were ascertained. Compared with participants habitually having a first meal before 8AM, those eating after 9AM had a higher incidence of T2D (HR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.30–1.94). Time of last meal was not associated with T2D incidence. Each additional eating episode was associated with a lower incidence of T2D (HR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.90–0.99). Night-time fasting duration was not associated with T2D incidence, except in participants having breakfast before 8AM and fasting for >13 h overnight (HR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.27–0.82).

Conclusions

In this large prospective study, a later first meal was associated with a higher incidence of T2D. If confirmed in other large-scale studies, an early breakfast should be considered in preventing T2D.
Potential measurement of electricity supply
Authors: Jahangiri Mehdi , Khorsand Dehkordi Mohammad , Khorsand Dehkordi Sahar
Published: June 2023

Hydrogen has a therapeutic effect in a wide range of diseases and its presence in medical centers is essential. Hydrogen can increase efficiency along with renewable energy systems (green hydrogen). Due to the importance of the above, in the present work for the first time, the feasibility of hydrogen production on a hospital scale using water electrolysis by wind, solar and biomass energies has been investigated. The aim of the present work is to supply renewable electricity to four hospital hydrogen generators of MD-H2 400 model. Technical-economic-environmental-energy analyses were performed by HOMER 2.81 software and the study site is Shahrekord, the capital of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. The results showed that the lowest cost per kWh of electricity generated for a system disconnected from the grid with a value of $0.251 related to the system including 8 kW solar cell, 1 kW diesel generator, 9 batteries and 2 kW electric converter that the effect of temperature on performance solar cells is included. For this superior scenario, 154 kg of CO2 emissions is generated annually because 3% of the required electricity is supplied by a diesel generator. Another point that can be seen from the results is that not considering the temperature in the performance of solar cells in the study area causes some errors in the calculations and increases the levelized cost of energy parameter. This issue has not been considered in many past works and the current work in this field has an advantage.
Genetic Profiling of Plasmodium ovale wallikeri Relapses With Microsatellite Markers and Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Joste Valentin , Colard-Itté Emma , Guillochon Émilie , Ariey Frédéric , Coppée Romain , Clain Jérôme , Houzé Sandrine ,   for the French National Reference Center for Imported Malaria Study Group, Aboubacar Ahmed , Angebault Cécile , Angoulvant Adela , Argy Nicolas , Azjenberg Daniel , Belkadi Ghania , Bellanger Anne-Pauline , Bemba Dieudonné , Blaize Marion , Botterel Françoise , Bougnoux Marie-Elisabeth , Brun Sophie , Buret Bernadette , Chevrier Sylviane , Clauser Sylvain , Dahane Naima , Dannaoui Eric , Dard Céline , Dardé Marie-Laure , de Gentile Ludovic , de Suremain Nathalie , Debourgogne Anne , Delaval Anne , Deleplancque Anne-Sophie , Desoubeaux Guillaume , Durand Rémy , Durieux Marie-Fleur , Dutoit Emmanuel , Eloy Odile , Fenneteau Odile , Gargala Gilles , Godineau Nadine , Guennouni Nadia , Guinard Jérôme , Hamane Samia , Herault Etienne , Larreché Sébastien , Lavergne Rose-Anne , Marteau Anthony , Mazars Edith , Moreno-Sabater Alicia , Morio Florent , Nourrisson Céline , Perraud-Cateau Estelle , Pons Denis , Pull Lauren , Quinio Dorothée , Raffenot Didier , Silva Muriel , Thellier Marc , Tielli Alexandra , Toubas Dominique
Published: June 2023

Like Plasmodium vivax, both Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri have the ability to cause relapse in humans, defined as recurring asexual parasitemia originating from liver-dormant forms subsequent to a primary infection. Here, we investigated relapse patterns in P ovale wallikeri infections from a cohort of travelers who were exposed to the parasite in sub-Saharan Africa and then experienced relapses after their return to France. Using a novel set of 8 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, we genotyped 15 P ovale wallikeri relapses. For most relapses, the paired primary and relapse infections were highly genetically related (with 12 being homologous), an observation that was confirmed by whole-genome sequencing for the 4 relapses we further studied. This is, to our knowledge, the first genetic evidence of relapses in P ovale spp.
Removing the roadblocks to promoting health equity: finding the social determinants of health addressed in standardized nursing classifications
Authors: Wagner Cheryl Marie , Jensen Gwenneth A , Lopes Camila Takáo , Mcmullan Moreno Elspeth Adriana , Deboer Erica , Dunn Lopez Karen
Published: June 2023

Providing 80% of healthcare worldwide, nurses focus on physiologic and psychosocial aspects of health, which incorporate social determinants of health (SDOH). Recognizing their important role in SDOH, nurse informatics scholars included standardized measurable terms that identify and treat issues with SDOH in their classification systems, which have been readily available for over 5 decades. In this Perspective, we assert these currently underutilized nursing classifications would add value to health outcomes and healthcare, and to the goal of decreasing disparities. To illustrate this, we mapped 3 rigorously developed and linked classifications: NANDA International (NANDA-I), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) called NNN (NANDA-I, NIC, NOC), to 5 Healthy People 2030 SDOH domains/objectives, revealing the comprehensiveness, usefulness, and value of these classifications. We found that all domains/objectives were addressed and NNN terms often mapped to multiple domains/objectives. Since SDOH, corresponding interventions and measurable outcomes are easily found in standardized nursing classifications (SNCs), more incorporation of SNCs into electronic health records should be occurring, and projects addressing SDOHs should integrate SNCs like NNN into their ongoing work.
Effects of yeast-derived postbiotic supplementation in late gestation and lactation diets on performance, milk quality, and immune function in lactating sows
Authors: Xu Shengyu , Jia Xinlin , Liu Yalei , Pan XuJing , Chang JunLei , Wei Wenyan , Lu Ping , Petry Derek , Che Lianqiang , Jiang Xuemei , Wang Jianping , Wu De
Published: June 2023

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of yeast-derived postbiotic (YDP) supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation on the performance of sows and their offspring. At 90-d gestation, 150 sows (Landrace × Large White, parity: 3.93 ± 0.11) were allocated to three dietary treatments (n = 50 per treatment): 1) basal diet (control [CON]), 2) basal diet with 1.25 g/kg YDP (0.125 group), and 3) basal diet with 2.00 g/kg YDP (0.200 group). The experiment continued until the end of weaning (day 21 of lactation). Supplementation with YDP resulted in greater deposition of backfat in sows during late gestation and an increasing trend in average weaning weight of piglets than observed in the CON group (P < 0.01, P = 0.05). Supplementation with YDP decreased piglet mortality and diarrhea index in piglets (P < 0.05). In farrowing sows’ serum, the glutathione peroxide content in the YDP group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05); the content of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the 0.200 group or YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In lactating sows’ serum, malondialdehyde content was higher in the YDP group (P < 0.05). In day 3 milk of sows, the 0.200 group tended to increase the lactose content (P = 0.07), and tended to decrease the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content (P = 0.06) with respect to that in the CON group. The sIgA content in the YDP group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In the milk of sows, the 0.200 group tended to increase the lactose content with respect to that in the CON group (P = 0.08); the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in the 0.125 group or YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). YDP supplementation increased the IgA content in the milk (P < 0.01). In sow placenta, the content of total anti-oxidant capacity in the YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P = 0.05); and the content of transforming growth factor-β in the YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In piglet serum, the content of IgG and immunoglobulin M in the 0.125 group was higher than that in the CON and 0.200 groups (P < 0.05). In summary, this study indicated that feeding sows diets supplemented with YDP from late gestation through lactation increased sows’ backfat deposition in late gestation and piglets’ weaning weight; decreased piglet mortality and diarrhea index in piglets; and improved maternal and offspring immunity.
N,N-Dimethylpentylone (dipentylone)—A new synthetic cathinone identified in a postmortem forensic toxicology case series
Authors: Fogarty Melissa F , Krotulski Alex J , Papsun Donna M , Walton Sara E , Lamb Michael , Truver Michael T , Chronister Chris W , Goldberger Bruce A , Logan Barry K
Published: June 2023

Synthetic cathinones emerged on the novel psychoactive substance (NPS) drug market as alternatives to controlled stimulants and entactogens such as methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The majority of synthetic cathinones can be subclassified into two groups: beta-keto amphetamines (i.e., NPS with the suffix “drone”) and beta-keto methylenedioxyamphetamines (i.e., NPS with the suffix “lone”). Although a significant number of beta-keto amphetamines have been identified, beta-keto methylenedioxyamphetamines have dominated the NPS market, including notable drugs like methylone, butylone, N-ethyl pentylone (ephylone), eutylone and now N,N-dimethylpentylone. N,N-Dimethylpentylone, also known as dipentylone or beta-keto-dimethylbenzodioxolylpentanamine, emerged into the illicit drug supply <2 months of the international control of eutylone (September 2021). A novel standard addition method was developed and validated for N,N-dimethylpentylone, pentylone and eutylone, and 18 postmortem cases were quantitated using the method described in this manuscript. The resulting blood concentration range for N,N-dimethylpentylone in this case series was 3.3 to 970 ng/mL (median: 145 ng/mL, mean: 277 ± 283 ng/mL). Pentylone, a metabolite of N,N-dimethylpentylone, was detected in all cases (range: 1.3–420 ng/mL, median: 31 ng/mL and mean: 88 ± 127 ng/mL). Due to the rise in identifications of N,N-dimethylpentylone in postmortem investigations as well as the potential misidentification of N,N-dimethylpentylone as N-ethyl pentylone, samples testing positive for pentylone should be additionally confirmed for the presence of N,N-dimethylpentylone. Based on prior trends of new synthetic cathinones, it can be theorized that N,N-dimethylpentylone may predominate the US synthetic stimulant market for the next 1–2 years; however, given the emergence of additional closely related isomeric compounds, it is important to utilize methodology capable of differentiating N,N-dimethylpentylone from its isomers (N-isopropylbutylone, N-ethyl pentylone, N-ethyl N-methyl butylone, hexylone, N-propylbutylone, diethylone and tertylone).