bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Origin of Mesozoic A‐type Granitoids, Fujian Province, Southeast China: Insights from Geochronology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry
Authors: XIE Qifeng , DONG Yunpeng , CAI Yuanfeng , ZHAI Mingguo , XIAO Aifang , ZHANG Hong
Published: March 2024

The magma sources, origins and precise forming ages of the miarolite from Qishan and Kuiqi intrusions are still uncertain. New results reveal that, miarolites from the Qishan and Kuiqi intrusions yield crystallization ages of ∼101 and ∼98 Ma, and they have a high formation temperature (∼910°C) and low oxygen fugacity value, indicating crystallization condition at low pressure in the upper crust with temperature of 678°C. The Qishan and Kuiqi miarolites are characterized by enrichment in SiO2 and high‐K alkali, depletion in Ca and Mg, and belong to the high‐K weak peraluminous rock series. The samples are enriched in HFSEs (i.e., Ta, Zr and Hf) and LILEs (i.e., Ba, P and Sr), depleted in Ba and Sr with the negative anomaly of Eu. In the primitive mantle normalized trace element spider diagram, the samples show a right‐inclined ‘seagull‐type’ pattern, combined the ratios of (La/Yb)N, 10000 × Al/Ga, Rb/Nb and Nb/Ta etc., they were proved to be alkaline A‐type granite. Combined the characterize of the trace elements, they were derived from clay‐rich source accompanied pelite melting, and subjected to K‐feldspar crystallization fractional. The values of εHf(t) and tDM2 are distributed in the range of –2.8 to 3.3 with ∼1.2 Ga, and –6.0 to 4.0 with ∼1.2 Ga, revealing that they were generated from the Mesoproterozoic Cathaysia basement rocks. The comprehensive research reveals the Kuiqi and Qishan intrusions derived from crust‐mantle mixing and partial melting of the crust, respectively, resulting from lithospheric extension generated by the Paleo‐Pacific Plate subducted into the European–Asian Plate.
Late Triassic Intracontinental Deformation of South Tianshan, Central Asia: Evidence from Syn‐tectonic Sedimentation and Detrital Zircon Provenances of the Kuqa Depression
Authors: QIN Xiang , CHEN Xuanhua , SHAO Zhaogang , ZHANG Yiping , WANG Yongchao , LI Bing , SU He , WANG Ye , LIU Kui , HAN Lele
Published: March 2024

The Tianshan range, a Paleozoic orogenic belt in Central Asia, has undergone multiple phases of tectonic activities characterized by the N–S compression after the early Mesozoic, including the far‐field effects of the Cenozoic Indian–Asian collision. However, there are limited reports on the tectonic deformation and initiation of Triassic intracontinental deformation in the Tianshan range. Understanding this structural context is crucial for interpreting the early intracontinental deformation history of the Eurasian continent during the early Mesozoic. Growth strata and syn‐tectonic sediments provide a rich source of information on tectonic activities and have been extensively used in the studies of orogenic belts. Based on detail fieldwork conducted in this study, the middle–late Triassic Kelamayi Formation of the northern Kuqa Depression in the southern Tianshan fold‐thrust belt has been identified as the typical syn‐tectonic growth strata. The youngest detrital zircon component in two lithic sandstone samples from the bottom and top of the Kelamayi growth strata yielded U‐Pb ages of 223.4 ± 3.1 and 215.5 ± 2.9 Ma, respectively, indicating that the maximum depositional age of the bottom and top of the Kelamayi growth strata is 226–220 and 218–212 Ma. The geochronological distribution of detrital samples from the Early–Middle Triassic and Late Triassic revealed abrupt changes, suggesting a new source supply resulting from tectonic activation in the Tianshan range. The coupling relationship between the syn‐tectonic sedimentation of the Kelamayi Formation and the South Tianshan fold‐thrust system provides robust evidence that the Triassic intracontinental deformation of the South Tianshan range began at approximately 226–220 Ma (during the Late Triassic) and ended at approximately 218–212 Ma. These findings provide crucial constraints for understanding the intraplate deformation in the Tianshan range during the Triassic.
How flash mobs can be used for data collection in healthcare? A scoping review protocol
Authors: Gamst‐Jensen Hejdi , Brix Lone Dragnes , Collet Marie Oxenbøll , Nielsen Anne Højager
Published: March 2024

Background

Traditional research methods often involve a lengthy process, but the emergence of flash mobs as an innovative data collection method offers the potential to gather substantial data within a short time frame. Flash mobs draw inspiration from the concept of large groups organizing through the internet or mobile devices to perform a prearranged action in public. In healthcare research, flash mobs serve as research organizing method to investigate clinically relevant questions on a large scale within a limited period.

Aims

This study aims to present a study protocol for a scoping review that comprehensively maps the existing literature on the use of flash mobs as a data collection method in healthcare research.

Methods

The review will follow established guidelines and include steps such as identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting studies, charting the data, and collating and summarizing the results. The review will utilize databases, manual screening of additional sources, and covidence for study selection and data charting. The findings will be summarized using descriptive statistics and a descriptive synthesis of qualitative data. The review protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework.

Results

The results of this scoping review will provide insights into different flash mob designs, motivations, and the data collection process, contributing to the development of high‐quality flash mob data collections in healthcare research.
Volatility spillovers of cloud stocks: Evidence from China using the dynamic connectedness approach
Authors: Lin Lichao , Cheung Adrian (Wai Kong) , Yan Wan‐Lin
Published: March 2024

Based on daily data from 2013 to 2022, this study examines the spillover effects of volatility between cloud stocks and other asset classes (global stocks, treasury bonds, gold and crude oil) using the VAR connectedness approach. The results show that there is a significant spillover effect from global stocks and crude oil markets to the cloud stock market. The spillover effects become stronger whenever there are shocks such as economic crisis, turbulence in the international financial markets, COVID‐19 and global inflation. However, nearly 91% of the variations of cloud stocks come from within, suggesting that the diversification/hedging value of cloud stocks is potentially high.
Estimating causality between smoking and abdominal obesity by Mendelian randomization
Authors: Carrasquilla Germán D. , García‐Ureña Mario , Romero‐Lado María J. , Kilpeläinen Tuomas O.
Published: March 2024

Background and aims

Smokers tend to have a lower body weight than non‐smokers, but also more abdominal fat. It remains unclear whether or not the relationship between smoking and abdominal obesity is causal. Previous Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have investigated this relationship by relying upon a single genetic variant for smoking heaviness. This approach is sensitive to pleiotropic effects and may produce imprecise causal estimates. We aimed to estimate causality between smoking and abdominal obesity using multiple genetic instruments.

Design

MR study using causal analysis using summary effect estimates (CAUSE) and latent heritable confounder MR (LHC‐MR) methods that instrument smoking using genome‐wide data, and also two‐sample MR (2SMR) methods.

Setting

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics from participants of European ancestry, obtained from the GWAS and Sequencing Consortium of Alcohol and Nicotine use (GSCAN), Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) Consortium and the UK Biobank.

Participants

We used GWAS results for smoking initiation (n = 1 232 091), life‐time smoking (n = 462 690) and smoking heaviness (n = 337 334) as exposure traits, and waist–hip ratio (WHR) and waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC) (n up to 697 734), with and without adjustment for body mass index (adjBMI), as outcome traits.

Measurements

Smoking initiation, life‐time smoking, smoking heaviness, WHR, WC, HC, WHRadjBMI, WCadjBMI and HCadjBMI.

Findings

Both CAUSE and LHC‐MR indicated a positive causal effect of smoking initiation on WHR (0.13 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10, 0.16 and 0.49 (0.41, 0.57), respectively] and WHRadjBMI (0.07 (0.03, 0.10) and 0.31 (0.26, 0.37). Similarly, they indicated a positive causal effect of life‐time smoking on WHR [0.35 (0.29, 0.41) and 0.44 (0.38, 0.51)] and WHRadjBMI [0.18 (0.13, 0.24) and 0.26 (0.20, 0.31)]. In follow‐up analyses, smoking particularly increased visceral fat. There was no evidence of a mediating role by cortisol or sex hormones.

Conclusions

Smoking initiation and higher life‐time smoking may lead to increased abdominal fat distribution. The increase in abdominal fat due to smoking is characterized by an increase in visceral fat. Thus, efforts to prevent and cease smoking can have the added benefit of reducing abdominal fat.
Drug survival of biologics in psoriasis: An Australian multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Ting Samantha , Lowe Patricia , Smith Annika , Fernández‐Peñas Pablo
Published: March 2024

Background

Drug survival, which refers to the time from treatment initiation to discontinuation, provides a surrogate measure of the effectiveness of a biologic in a real‐world setting (J Invest Dermatol, 2015, 135, 1). The aim of this study was to determine the drug survival of biologics that are currently available in Australia. We also analysed the treatment efficacy of these biologics and reasons for discontinuation.

Methods

Retrospective data from outpatient Dermatology biologic clinics in Westmead Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Sydney, Australia) from April 2006 to December 2020 were collected. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to calculate drug survival.

Results

A total of 306 patients who underwent 566 treatment courses were analysed. Guselkumab was observed to have the longest drug survival, with cumulative drug survival rates of 94.2% ± 4.0 at 1‐ and 5‐years. This was followed by ixekizumab which had a 1‐year survival rate of 87.2% ± 4.5 and 5‐year survival rate of 59.4% ± 9.5. Ixekizumab and guselkumab were also noted to have superior treatment efficacy compared with other biologics, with PASI‐75 rates of 94.9% and 93.8%, respectively. The most common reasons for treatment discontinuation were a lack of initial efficacy to treatment and a loss of efficacy over time despite an initial response, respectively.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first Australian study to report on outcomes of multiple new biologics that are currently in use for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Overall, this study provides insight into patterns of care from a local experience that may help guide the management of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.
Prevalence and associations of provision of nursing home visits and home visits by early‐career specialist general practitioners
Authors: Turnock Allison , Fielding Alison , Moad Dominica , Blowes Ashley , Tapley Amanda , Davey Andrew , Holliday Elizabeth , Ball Jean , Bentley Michael , FitzGerald Kristen , Kirby Catherine , Spike Neil , van Driel Mieke L. , Magin Parker
Published: March 2024

Objective

To establish prevalence and associations of provision of nursing home visits (NHV) and home visits (HV) by early‐career specialist GPs. Of particular interest were associations of rurality with performing NHVs and HVs.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study.

Design

A questionnaire‐based study.

Setting

Australian general practice.

Participants

Early‐career specialist GPs, practising in Australia, who attained Fellowship between January 2016 and July 2018, inclusive, having completed GP training in NSW, the ACT, Eastern Victoria or Tasmania.

Main Outcome Measures

Current provision of NHV and HV.

Results

NHV were provided by 34% of participants (59% in rural areas) and HV by 41% of participants (60% in rural areas). Remote, rural or regional practice location, as compared to major‐city practice, was strongly associated with performing NHV as an early‐career specialist GP; multivariable OR 5.87 (95% CI: 2.73, 12.6), p < 0.001, and with the provision of HV; multivariable OR 3.64 (95% CI: 1.63, 8.11), p = 0.002. Rurality of GP training (prior to attaining Fellowship) was significantly univariably associated with providing NHV and with providing HV as an early‐career specialist GP. On multivariable analyses, these were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusion

Early‐career specialist GPs located in regional/remote areas are more likely than their urban colleagues to provide NHV and HV.
Seizures, focal neurological signs, and pneumococcal aetiology associate with impaired consciousness in childhood bacterial meningitis
Authors: Valtiala Ester , Roine Irmeli , Cruzeiro Manuel Leite , Peltola Heikki , Pelkonen Tuula
Published: March 2024

Aim

A low Glasgow Coma Scale Score (GCS) on admission is a known predictor of poor outcome from childhood bacterial meningitis. In turn, the factors associated with the admission GCS are less known. Our aim was to identify them, both for clinical alerts of reserved prognosis and to find potential targets for intervention.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of data collected prospectively in Angola and in Latin America between 1996 and 2007. Children with bacterial meningitis were examined on hospital admission and their GCS was assessed using the age‐adjusted scale. Associations between on‐admission GCS and host clinical factors were examined.

Results

A total of 1376 patients with confirmed bacterial meningitis were included in the analysis (609 from Latin America and 767 from Angola). The median GCS was 13 for all patients (12 in Angola and 13 in Latin America). In the multivariate analysis, in the areas combined, seizures, focal neurological signs, and pneumococcal aetiology associated with GCS <13, as did treatment delay in Latin America.

Conclusion

Besides pneumococcal aetiology, we identified characteristics, easily registrable on admission, which are associated with a low GCS in childhood bacterial meningitis. Of these, expanding pneumococcal vaccinations and treatment delays could be modified.
Endurance training increases mitochondrial myoglobin and enhances its interaction with complex IV in rat plantaris muscle
Authors: Koma Rikuhide , Shibaguchi Tsubasa , Yamada Tatsuya , Nonaka Yudai , Jue Thomas , Yamazaki Ayaka , Masuda Kazumi
Published: March 2024

Aim

Endurance exercise training is known to increase mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this are not fully understood. Myoglobin (Mb) is a member of the globin family, which is highly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles. We recently found that Mb localizes inside mitochondria in skeletal muscle and interacts with cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COXIV), a subunit of mitochondrial complex IV, which regulates respiration by augmenting complex IV activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of endurance training on Mb‐COXIV interaction within mitochondria in rat skeletal muscle.

Methods

Eight‐week‐old male Wistar rats were subjected to 6‐week treadmill running training. Forty‐eight hours after the last training session, the plantaris muscle was removed under anesthesia and used for biochemical analysis.

Results

The endurance training increased mitochondrial content in the skeletal muscle. It also augmented complex IV‐dependent oxygen consumption and complex IV activity in isolated mitochondria from skeletal muscle. Furthermore, endurance training increased Mb expression at the whole muscle level. Importantly, mitochondrial Mb content and Mb‐COXIV binding were increased by endurance training.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that an increase in mitochondrial Mb and the concomitant enhancement of Mb interaction with COXIV may contribute to the endurance training‐induced upregulation of mitochondrial respiration by augmenting complex IV activity.
Frailty in clinical drug trials: Frailty assessments, subgroup analyses and outcomes
Authors: Nguyen Tu N. , Ahmad Fahed , Lindley Richard I.
Published: March 2024

With population ageing, drug trials are increasingly turning their attention to including older, frailer people. This review aimed to provide an overview of how frailty was assessed in published studies related to clinical pharmacological trials, and on the interaction of frailty on the efficacy of the treatments. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane for clinical drug trials in older people. A total of 4031 abstracts were screened and 17 relevant studies were included in this review. We summarized the findings of these 17 trials into five main clinical areas: cardiovascular (eight studies), cognition (one study), vaccination (two studies), cancer (four studies) and other (two studies). Frailty was assessed retrospectively in most of the studies. Frailty was treated as an ordinal variable (with different levels of frailty) or binary variable (frail/non‐frail) using cut‐offs in some studies, and as a continuous in some other studies. The effect of frailty on the treatment efficacy was not consistent among the studies. While several trials, such as the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease—Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation trials, the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial and the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly trial, showed some reduced effects of the treatment in frail patients, most of the trials showed that the benefits of the treatment are not affected by frailty. Some trials even showed that the benefits of the treatment were more significant in frailer patients (the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure and the Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the Lives of Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure trials). The results of this review suggest that routine measurement of frailty in participants in clinical drug trials would improve our knowledge of the effect of treatment in the frail and identify those who have more or least to gain from treatment.
Socioenvironmental sugar promotion and geographical inequalities in dental health of 5‐year‐old children in England
Authors: Ganbavale Suruchi G. , Louca Chris , Twigg Liz , Wanyonyi Kristina
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between socioenvironmental sugar promotion and geographical inequalities in the prevalence of dental caries amongst 5‐year‐olds living across small areas within England.

Methods

Ecological data from the National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP) 2018–2019, comprising information on the percentage of 5‐year‐olds with tooth decay (≥1 teeth that are decayed into dentine, missing due to decay, or filled), and untreated tooth decay (≥1 decayed but untreated teeth), in lower‐tier local authorities (LAs) of England. These were analysed for association with a newly developed Index of Sugar‐Promoting Environments Affecting Child Dental Health (ISPE‐ACDH). The index quantifies sugar‐promoting determinants within a child's environment and provides standardized scores for the index, and its component domains that is, neighbourhood‐, school‐ and family‐environment, with the highest scores representing the highest levels of sugar promotion in lower‐tier LAs (N = 317) of England. Linear regressions, including unadjusted models separately using index and each domain, and models adjusted for domains were built for each dental outcome.

Results

Participants lived across 272 of 317 lower‐tier LAs measured within the index. The average percentage of children with tooth decay and untreated tooth decay was 22.5 (SD: 8.5) and 19.6 (SD: 8.3), respectively. The mean index score was (0.1 [SD: 1.01]). Mean domain scores were: neighbourhood (0.02 [SD: 1.03]), school (0.1 [SD: 1.0]), and family (0.1 [SD: 0.9]). Unadjusted linear regressions indicated that the LA‐level percentage of children with tooth decay increased by 5.04, 3.71, 4.78 and 5.24 with increased scores of the index, and neighbourhood, school and family domains, respectively. An additional model, adjusted for domains, showed that this increased percentage predicted by neighbourhood domain attenuated to 1.37, and by family domain it increased to 6.33. Furthermore, unadjusted models indicated that the LA‐level percentage of children with untreated tooth decay increased by 4.72, 3.42, 4.45 and 4.97 with increased scores of the index, and neighbourhood, school, and family domains, respectively. The model, adjusted for domains, showed that this increased percentage predicted by neighbourhood domain attenuated to 1.24 and by family domain rose to 6.47. School‐domain was not significantly associated with either outcome in adjusted models.

Conclusions

This study reveals that socioenvironmental sugar promotion, particularly within neighbourhood‐ and family‐environments, may contribute to geographical inequalities in dental caries in children. Further research involving data on individual‐level dental outcomes and confounders is required.
The role of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis
Authors: Abdelmalek Manal F. , Harrison Stephen A. , Sanyal Arun J.
Published: March 2024

Despite its considerable and growing burden, there are currently no Food and Drug Administration‐approved treatments for metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease or its progressive form, metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Several glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) and other agents are in various phases of clinical development for use in MASH; an ideal therapy should reduce liver fat content, improve chronic liver disease, help mitigate metabolic comorbidities and decrease all‐cause mortality. Because of interconnected disease mechanisms, metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease/MASH often coexists with type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity and cardiovascular disease. Various GLP‐1RAs are Food and Drug Administration‐approved for use in T2D, and two, liraglutide and semaglutide, are approved for overweight and obesity. GLP‐1RAs decrease glucose levels and body weight and improve cardiovascular outcomes in people with T2D who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, GLP‐1RAs have been reported to reduce liver fat content and liver enzymes, reduce oxidative stress and improve hepatic de novo lipogenesis and the histopathology of MASH. Weight loss may contribute to these effects; however, the exact mechanisms are unknown. Adverse events that are commonly associated with GLP‐1RAs include vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. There is a lack of evidence from meta‐analyses regarding the increased risk of acute pancreatitis and various forms of cancer with GLP‐1RAs. Large‐scale, phase 3 trials, which will provide definitive data on GLP‐1RAs and other potential therapies in MASH, are ongoing. Given the spectrum of modalities under investigation, it is hoped that these trials will support the identification of pharmacotherapies that provide clinical benefit for patients with MASH.
Focal changes in alpha oscillations during short‐term memorization of pain: a high‐density electroencephalogram study with source localization
Authors: Caldichoury Argitxu , Garcia‐Larrea Luis , Frot Maud
Published: March 2024

Memories of painful events constitute the basis for assessing patients' pain. This study explores the brain oscillatory activity during short‐term memorization of a nociceptive stimulus. High‐density EEG activity (128 electrodes) was recorded in 13 healthy subjects during a match‐to‐sample sensory discrimination task, whereby participants compared the intensity of a thumb‐located electric shock (S2) with a prior stimulus to the same location (S1) delivered 8–10 s earlier. Stimuli were above or below the individual nociceptive threshold. EEG activity with intracortical source localization via LORETA source reconstruction was analysed during the inter‐stimuli period and contrasted with a non‐memory‐related control task.

The inter‐stimulus memorization phase was characterized by a focal alpha‐activity enhancement, significant during the nociceptive condition only, which progressed from bilateral occipital regions (cuneus and mid‐occipital gyri) during the first encoding—memorization phase towards the right‐superior and right mid‐temporal gyri during the 2–4 s immediately preceding S2. Initial alpha enhancement in occipital areas/cuneus is consistent with rapid non‐specific inhibition of task‐irrelevant visual processing during initial stimulus encoding. Its transfer to the right‐temporal regions was concomitant to the temporary upholding of the stimulus perceptual representation, previous to receiving S2, and suggests an active and local blockade of external interferences while these regions actively maintain internal information. These results add to a growing field indicating that alpha oscillations, while indicating local inhibitory processes, can also indirectly reveal active stimulus handling, including maintenance in short‐term memory buffers, by objectivizing the filtering out of irrelevant and potentially disrupting inputs in brain regions engaged in internally driven operations.
Combining magnetic resonance fingerprinting with voxel‐based morphometric analysis to reduce false positives for focal cortical dysplasia detection
Authors: Ding Zheng , Hu Siyuan , Su Ting‐Yu , Choi Joon Yul , Morris Spencer , Wang Xiaofeng , Sakaie Ken , Murakami Hiroatsu , Huppertz Hans‐Jürgen , Blümcke Ingmar , Jones Stephen , Najm Imad , Ma Dan , Wang Zhong Irene
Published: March 2024

Objective

We aim to improve focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) detection by combining high‐resolution, three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with voxel‐based morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis.

Methods

We included 37 patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy and FCD (10 IIa, 15 IIb, 10 mild Malformation of Cortical Development [mMCD], and 2 mMCD with oligodendroglial hyperplasia and epilepsy [MOGHE]). Fifty‐nine healthy controls (HCs) were also included. 3D lesion labels were manually created. Whole‐brain MRF scans were obtained with 1 mm3 isotropic resolution, from which quantitative T1 and T2 maps were reconstructed. Voxel‐based MRI postprocessing, implemented with the morphometric analysis program (MAP18), was performed for FCD detection using clinical T1w images, outputting clusters with voxel‐wise lesion probabilities. Average MRF T1 and T2 were calculated in each cluster from MAP18 output for gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) separately. Normalized MRF T1 and T2 were calculated by z‐scores using HCs. Clusters that overlapped with the lesion labels were considered true positives (TPs); clusters with no overlap were considered false positives (FPs). Two‐sample t‐tests were performed to compare MRF measures between TP/FP clusters. A neural network model was trained using MRF values and cluster volume to distinguish TP/FP clusters. Ten‐fold cross‐validation was used to evaluate model performance at the cluster level. Leave‐one‐patient‐out cross‐validation was used to evaluate performance at the patient level.

Results

MRF metrics were significantly higher in TP than FP clusters, including GM T1, normalized WM T1, and normalized WM T2. The neural network model with normalized MRF measures and cluster volume as input achieved mean area under the curve (AUC) of .83, sensitivity of 82.1%, and specificity of 71.7%. This model showed superior performance over direct thresholding of MAP18 FCD probability map at both the cluster and patient levels, eliminating ≥75% FP clusters in 30% of patients and ≥50% of FP clusters in 91% of patients.

Significance

This pilot study suggests the efficacy of MRF for reducing FPs in FCD detection, due to its quantitative values reflecting in vivo pathological changes. © 2024 International League Against Epilepsy.
Including climate change in pest risk assessment: Current practices and perspectives for future implementation
Authors: Rosace M. C. , Björklund N. , Boberg J. , Bradshaw C. D. , Camac J. , Damus M. , Kompas T. , Li C. , MacLeod A. , Maggini R. , Rossi E. , Szyniszewska A. M. , Tuomola J. , Gardi C.
Published: March 2024

The evaluation of the potential for newly arrived species to survive and the determination whether a founder population can become established and subsequently spread and cause negative impacts are crucial considerations when performing a pest risk assessment in plant health. Climate change has clear consequences concerning the potential range of pests, and their potential for spread and impacts. Despite its importance, no guidance exists to support the evaluation of whether and how climate change should be incorporated into pest risk assessment. This paper reviews how climate change has been considered so far, not only in the area of pest risk assessment but also in other domains and provides guidance on how its incorporation could affect the overall assessment. Furthermore, from this analysis, some possible solutions for incorporating climate change into pest risk assessment are provided, taking into account that its outcomes have profound political, economic, social and environmental implications.
Courts as an arena of societal change? The Italian Constitutional Court's self‐restraint facing the legislator's uncertain discretion in seabed mining: A concrete counter‐example
Authors: Cataldo Giorgio
Published: March 2024

The article explores the difficult balance of interests in the Italian field of seabed mining. In recent years, the regions, bearers of the local communities' social demands, claimed greater attention to sustainability, while the State almost always privileged productivity. The Constitutional Court always took an attitude of self‐restraint, basically adhering to State reasons. Given this starting point, it is not entirely certain that the European Court of Justice's 2022 ruling, which included the environmental interest alongside economic concerns, will bring concrete developments. Indeed, although environmental protection falls under constitutional principles from 2022, there is a complex framework of interests involved in the sector, from which political power suffers above all. Consequently, the reception of social demands makes the effort of only the Court insufficient. The Italian case thus illustrates some of the constraints that can weigh on courts, especially constitutional courts, in their ability to constitute an arena of societal change.
Predicting human chronological age via AI analysis of dorsal hand versus facial images: A study in a cohort of Indian females
Authors: Georgievskaya Anastasia , Tlyachev Timur , Kiselev Konstantin , Hillebrand Greg , Chekanov Konstantin , Danko Daniil , Golodyaev Arseny , Majmudar Gopa
Published: March 2024

Predicting a person's chronological age (CA) from visible skin features using artificial intelligence (AI) is now commonplace. Often, convolutional neural network (CNN) models are built using images of the face as biometric data. However, hands hold telltale signs of a person's age. To determine the utility of using only hand images in predicting CA, we developed two deep CNNs based on 1) dorsal hand images (H) and 2) frontal face images (F). Subjects (n = 1454) were Indian women, 20–80 years, across three geographic cohorts (Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore) and having a broad variation in skin tones. Images were randomised: 70% of F and 70% of H were used to train CNNs. The remaining 30% of F and H were retained for validation. CNN validation showed mean absolute error for predicting CA using F and H of 4.1 and 4.7 years, respectively. In both cases correlations of predicted and actual age were statistically significant (r(F) = 0.93, r(H) = 0.90). The CNNs for F and H were validated for dark and light skin tones. Finally, by blurring or accentuating visible features on specific regions of the hand and face, we identified those features that contributed to the CNN models. For the face, areas of the inner eye corner and around the mouth were most important for age prediction. For the hands, knuckle texture was a key driver for age prediction. Collectively, for AI estimates of CA, CNNs based solely on hand images are a viable alternative and comparable to CNNs based on facial images.
NECTIN4‐targeted antibody–drug conjugate is a potential therapeutic option for extramammary Paget disease
Authors: Tanaka Yuka , Ito Takamichi , Murata Maho , Tanegashima Keiko , Kaku‐Ito Yumiko , Nakahara Takeshi
Published: March 2024

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare skin cancer mainly found in areas rich in apocrine sweat glands. Since the effective treatments for advanced and/or metastasized EMPD are limited, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic approaches. Nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (NECTIN4) is highly expressed in cancers and considered to be a promising therapeutic target. NECTIN4 is also expressed in EMPD, but its role and the efficacy of NECTIN4‐targeted therapy in EMPD remain unclear. This study investigated the potential of NECTIN4 as a novel therapeutic target for EMPD. NECTIN4 expression was immunohistochemically analysed in EMPD patients' primary (118 samples) and metastatic (21 samples) lesions. Using an EMPD cell line, KS‐EMPD‐1, the effects of NECTIN4 inhibition on cell proliferation and migration were investigated. NECTIN4 was expressed in primary and metastatic EMPD lesions, and the H‐score of NECTIN4 staining was significantly higher in metastatic lesions than in primary ones. Knockdown of NECTIN4 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and affected cell migration. The cytotoxic effects of NECTIN4‐targeted antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) were further evaluated, revealing a significant decrease in EMPD cell viability. In conclusion, NECTIN4 is a potential therapeutic target and NECTIN4‐targeted ADC is promising as a therapeutic option for EMPD.
Reply letter to Munoz et al. ‘on the importance of time in carbon sequestration in soils and climate change mitigation’—Keep carbon sequestration terminologies consistent and functional
Authors: Don Axel , Seidel Felix , Leifeld Jens , Kätterer Thomas , Martin Manuel , Pellerin Sylvain , Emde David , Seitz Daria , Chenu Claire
Published: March 2024

Munoz et al. (2024) raised concerns regarding our recent contribution and the definition of the term C sequestration in soils (Don et al., 2024). We performed a review and therefore based our analysis on existing definitions of C sequestrations, mainly by the IPCC. We recommend sticking with terminologies around C sequestration and climate mitigation, as outlined in our review, in order to keep it consistent and manageable.
Antibacterial mechanism of ultrasound combined with thymol against Shewanella putrefaciens: implications for cell integrity and biofilm control
Authors: Gu Yongji , Lan Weiqing , Xie Jing
Published: March 2024

The study aimed to assess the in vitro antibacterial effect of thymol (Thy) in conjunction with ultrasound (US) on Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Thy against S. putrefaciens were 0.50 and 1.00 mg mL−1, respectively. US was found to augment the antibacterial efficacy of Thy, resulting in a significant reduction of 2.36 log CFU mL−1 in the total colony count of S. putrefaciens, ensuring that the bacterial population maintained a consistently low growth rate. Quantitative detection of crystal violet revealed that the combined treatment exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect on biofilm formation, with a clearance rate of mature biofilms reaching 91.60%. Alkaline phosphatase (AKPase), lactate dehydrogenase (LDHase), UV absorbing substance permeability, and other indicators were employed to measure changes in the bacterial cell membrane and internal environment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was further used to observe the bacteria morphology before and after treated by US and Thy, a notable collapse of bacterial cells was observed, accompanied by ruptured outer membranes, damaged cell walls, and extensive leakage of cellular contents. This study presents a novel approach for controlling bacterial growth in food preservation methods.
Formulation of inks for 3D printing of microalgae‐based meat analogues and the role of modified starch: a review
Authors: Mirzapour‐Kouhdasht Armin , Biparva Paniz , McClements David Julian , Garavand Farhad , Garcia‐Vaquero Marco
Published: March 2024

The quest for sustainable alternatives to traditional meat products has led to increased interest in plant‐based meat analogues. Microalgae, with their high protein content and eco‐friendly cultivation methods, present a promising option for the development of such analogues. However, integrating microalgae into meat analogues poses challenges related to achieving desired texture, flavour, and colour. This review explores the potential of modified starch (MS) as a solution to enhance the quality of microalgae‐based meat analogues produced via 3D printing. Key findings from the manuscript indicate that MSs can improve the viscosity, elasticity, and printability of microalgae‐based edible inks. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in reducing off‐flavours and off‐colours in the final product. By optimising the type and concentration of MSs used, microalgae‐based meat analogues can be tailored to meet consumer preferences while addressing environmental concerns. Overall, the utilisation of MSs represents a practical approach to overcoming manufacturing challenges associated with microalgal‐based meat analogues, paving the way for the development of sustainable and nutritious plant‐based meat products through innovative and ecologically friendly food technologies.
Evaluation of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in genetic association studies
Authors: Saadat Mostafa
Published: March 2024

STrengthening the REporting of Genetic Association (STREGA) studies strongly recommend that researchers assess the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in their control groups. The exact frequency of studies in which their control subjects show a significant deviation from the HWE is not well established. Therefore, the present study was conducted. The electronic database PubMed was searched using the terms: ‘meta‐analysis’ and ‘polymorphism’. Data of original articles were extracted from meta‐analysis. The STREGA statement was published in 2009. Therefore, studies were divided into two groups, before and after the statement. After data collection, quartiles for sample size and minor allele frequency (MAF) were determined separately. A total of 772 independent studies were extracted from these meta‐analyses and included in the current study. Multivariate analysis revealed the following associations: (1) Reports published after the STREGA statement (compared to before the statement) were associated with an increased prevalence of deviation from HWE. (2) Reports with sample size Q2–Q4 versus Q1 were associated with an increased prevalence of deviation from HWE. (3) Studies with MAF Q4 versus Q1 were negatively associated with the prevalence of reports of deviation from HWE. We conclude that the STREGA statement failed to change the attitudes and practices of researchers and editors towards the importance of HWE.
Comparison of self‐competency and executive (charge) nurse competency assessments of clinical nurses
Authors: Önal Ayşe , Seren İntepeler Şeyda
Published: March 2024

Aim

This study compared nurses’ self‐competency assessments and their managers’ nurse competence assessments.

Background

Nurse competence is important for nursing care quality and patient safety. Executive (charge) nurses play a main role in the nurse competency assessment.

Methodology

In this study conducted at a university hospital between January and December 2020, the self‐efficacy evaluations of nurses (n = 162) working in services other than the emergency department, operating room, and outpatient clinics of the university hospital were compared with the evaluations of nurse executives (charges) on these nurses (n = 21). Data were collected using the personal information form and the Nurse Competence Scale. A cross‐sectional study design was used. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline was used for reporting.

Results

Service nurses’ self‐assessments and nurses treating charge's assessment of clinical nurses evaluated the competence levels as excellent in both groups. The self‐competency assessments of the nurses were higher than the charge nurses' competency assessments.

Discussion

In this study, the lower competence assessment of nurses by the charge nurses was may be due to their ability to observe nurses in their teams in general and that they have more experience in evaluation.

Conclusion

It is suggested that professional development and competence programs be created to further develop the competencies of nurses.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Nurse competency assessments support planning to ensure patient safety. Patient care burden and planning of risky patients according to the nurse competency level will provide safe patient care.
Bank diversification and performance: Empirical evidence from Japan
Authors: Wu Yichang
Published: March 2024

This article examines the relationship between bank diversification and performance in the Japanese banking sector. We use panel data from 141 banks over the period 2000–2022 to investigate whether banks can improve profitability and reduce risk through diversification strategies. Our evidence shows that diversification can improve bank profitability at the cost of a decline in net interest margins, suggesting banks are using the interest business as a loss leader to promote other business lines. We find that asset diversification has a risk‐reducing effect, which supports the portfolio hypothesis. Some evidence also implies that there is a more complex nonlinear relationship. This can be partly attributed to bank type, as the diversification effects vary across different types of banks. Furthermore, the decomposition of non‐interest income reveals that fees and commissions negatively influence return on assets while simultaneously reducing bank risk.
Changes in Viral Dynamics Following the Legal Relaxation of COVID‐19 Mitigation Measures in Japan From Children to Adults: A Single Center Study, 2020–2023
Authors: Hirotsu Yosuke , Nagakubo Yuki , Maejima Makoto , Shibusawa Masahiro , Hosaka Kazuhiro , Sueki Hitomi , Mochizuki Hitoshi , Omata Masao
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Respiratory infections are an ongoing global health challenge. The COVID‐19 pandemic triggered global nonpharmacological measures that reshaped public health. In Japan, the shift from legal to individual discretion in pandemic management started on May 8, 2023. However, it still unknown how the relaxation of measures affects respiratory pathogens across age groups.

Methods

We collected 16,946 samples from 13,526 patients between February 2020 and September 2023, analyzing the circulating respiratory pathogen dynamics using FilmArray respiratory panel.

Results

Our analysis revealed significant increases in the positivity rates of respiratory pathogens across multiple age groups after relaxation. The pathogens including adenovirus, Bordetella pertussis, parainfluenza 2 and parainfluenza 4 showed increased positivity predominantly in children aged under 10 years. Conversely, some pathogens including human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus/enterovirus, and respiratory virus (RSV) increased in broad range of age groups. SARS‐CoV‐2 positivity rates decreased in children under 10 years but increased in those aged over 60 years.

Discussion

Age‐stratified analysis reveals a dynamic pattern of circulating pathogen in each age group after relaxation measures. This study provides essential epidemiologic data that can guide strategies to protect different age groups and effectively respond to respiratory infections in post‐COVID‐19 era.
Influence of urinary tract infections on the incidence of surgical site infections following hip fracture surgery: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mou Zhefei , Xiang Lingping , Ni Yueping
Published: March 2024

The prevalence of surgical site infections (SSIs) following hip fracture surgery poses a substantial challenge, compounding patient morbidity and healthcare costs. This systematic review and meta‐analysis investigate the potential correlation between perioperative urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the subsequent risk of SSIs, aiming to illuminate the impact of UTIs on postoperative outcomes in this vulnerable population. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, utilising the PICO framework to define our search strategy across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Our inclusion criteria encompassed randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and case–control studies that reported on SSIs following hip fracture surgery in patients with UTIs. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale, and heterogeneity was quantified using the I2 statistic. A random‐effects model was applied due to significant heterogeneity, and a sensitivity analysis assessed the stability of the results. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, demonstrating high methodological quality. The analysis included studies from 2016 to 2021, with sample sizes ranging from 402 to 31 621 participants. A significant association was found between UTIs and SSIs, with an odds ratio of 2.79 (95% CI: 1.72–4.54, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results, and no publication bias was detected. Perioperative UTIs significantly increase the risk of SSIs in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Proactive treatment of UTIs may be crucial for reducing the incidence of SSIs and improving surgical outcomes in this demographic.
Meta‐analysis on GLP‐1 mediated modulation of autophagy in islet β‐cells: Prospectus for improved wound healing in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Xia Wenjing , Yu Hua , Wen Pengcheng
Published: March 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus refers to a significantly challenging health disease due to its high prevalence and risk of other chronic diseases across the world. Notably, GLP‐1 has been recognized to enhance the treatment of T2DM, along with this, GLP‐1 is also involved in autophagy modulation. However, ineffectiveness of few analogue types can limit the efficacy of this treatment. This study particularly aims to elucidate the influence of GLP‐1 receptor analogues on wound infection and patients with type 2 diabetes. To conduct the meta‐analysis, an expansive literature survey was conducted to unveil the studies and research conducted on T2DM patients that revealed whether the adoption of any GLP‐1 analogue in the form of specific interventions impacts the type 2 diabetes mellitus. The literature was searched using multiple search terms, screened and data were extracted to conduct the meta‐analysis and it was conducted using metabin function of R package meta. A total of 800 patients consisting of the both intervention and control groups were employed to carry out the meta‐analysis to analyse and evaluate the impact of GLP‐1 mediated modulation to improve wound healing in the T2DM patients. The results revealed that GLP‐1 mediated modulation considering one type of analogue was an effective intervention to patients suffering from T2DM. The variations in these results depicted insignificant outcomes with the values (risk ratio [RR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90–1.18, p > 0.05) and enlightened the fact that adopting different GLP‐1 analogues may significantly improve the efficacy of wound healing in T2DM patients. Hence, interventions of GLP‐1 mediated modulation must be utilized in the clinical practice to reduce the incidence of T2DM patients.