bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteochondral fluid transport in an ex vivo system
Authors: Hislop Brady David , Mercer Ara K. , Whitley Alexandria G. , Myers Erik P. , Heveran Chelsea M. , June Ronald K.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Alterations to fluid transport from bone-to-cartilage may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. However, many questions remain about fluid transport between these tissues. The objectives of this study were to (1) test for diffusion of 3kDa molecular tracers from bone-to-cartilage and (2) assess potential differences in bone-to-cartilage fluid transport between different loading conditions.

Design

Osteochondral cores extracted from bovine femurs (N=8 femurs, 10 cores/femur) were subjected to either no-load (i.e., pure diffusion), pre-load only, or cyclic compression (5±2% or 10±2% strain) in a two-chamber transport system with the bone compartment filled with a 3kDa tracer. Tracer concentrations in the cartilage compartment were measured every 5 minutes for 120 minutes. Tracer concentrations were analyzed for differences in beginning, peak and equilibrium concentrations, loading effects, and time-to-peak tracer concentration.

Results

Peak tracer concentration in the cartilage compartment was significantly higher compared to beginning and equilibrium tracer concentrations indicating fluid transport from bone to cartilage. Cartilage-compartment tracer concentration was influenced by strain magnitude, but no time-to-peak relationship was found when comparing strain magnitudes.

Conclusion

This study shows that osteochondral fluid transport occurs from bone-to-cartilage with 3kDa dextran molecules. These are much larger molecules to move between bone and cartilage than previously reported. Further these results demonstrate the potential for cyclic compression to impact osteochondral fluid transport. Determining the baseline osteochondral fluid transport in healthy tissues is crucial to elucidating the potential mechanisms of progression and onset of osteoarthritis.
Combined studies of N170/M170 responses to single letters and pseudoletters
Authors: Toussi Nima , Takai Osamu , Bann Sewon , Rowe Jacob , Hildebrand Andrew-John I. , Herdman Anthony
Published: October 2023

To read efficiently, individuals must be able to rapidly identify letters within their visual networks, which occurs through forming line segments into letters and then letters into words. The temporal processes and utilized brain areas that engage in this process are widely thought to be left-lateralized within the brain. However, a range of studies demonstrate that the processing of unfamiliar stimuli, such as pseudoletters, is temporally delayed and bilaterally processed when compared to letters. The present study investigated the contributions of both hemispheres and how these interactions impact the temporal dynamics of implicit visual processing of single-letters as compared to unfamiliar pseudoletters (false fonts). The results of 5 “in-house” studies are presented within a meta-analysis (synthesis analysis), 3 High-density EEG studies and 2 MEG studies. Of the 3 EEG studies, 2 focused on measuring event related potentials (ERPs) while the participants performed an orthographic discrimination task (letters vs pseudoletters) and the other was a target detection task in which the participants detected infrequent, simple perceptual targets within a series of pseudoletter and letter strings. Of the 2 MEG studies, one was a discrimination task and the other a target detection task. Delayed N170 waveforms to pseudoletters as compared to letters were exhibited across all studies. Lateralization of the ERP differences between letter-evoked and pseudoletter-evoked responses were bilaterally distributed, whereas lateralization measure separately for letters and pseudoletters were primarily left-lateralized. As a whole, these in-house studies indicate that ERPs to letters occur earlier than to pseudoletters, and that interpretation of hemispheric laterality depends on whether the researcher is assessing ERP differences between letters and pseudoletters or the ERP waveforms of the separate letter and pseudoletter conditions.
Spatial organization of collective food distribution in a paper wasp society
Authors: Sharma Nitika , Gadagkar Raghavendra
Published: October 2023

In social insect colonies, food transferred through space and time via nestmates carries both nutrition and information. We study the mechanism of spatio-temporal coordination (or the lack thereof) between multiple wasps for them to optimally solve the problem of feeding randomly placed larvae in a social insect colony. We followed each morsel of food brought into semi-natural colonies of the tropical paper waspRopalidia marginata,in each of 36 feeding bouts until the food was exhausted. We found that most acts of feeding larvae are performed by wasps that unload food from foragers, but unloading itself is highly skewed among individuals. We also found that larvae closer to the nest center were fed more frequently than those at the periphery, irrespective of their developmental stage. This differential feeding may have fitness consequences as it is known that well-fed larvae become voracious feeders as adults and have a higher likelihood to become reproductives. Using the analogies of the travelling salesman problem and the Hamiltonian path problem, we showed that individuals which disburse food to more larvae within a feeding bout adopted paths that were considerably shorter than expected by chance while the distinction between adopted and random routes was not as pronounced when the number of larvae fed in a bout was fewer. There was no spatial segregation between wasps feeding larvae in parallel, possibly building redundancy and avoiding larval starvation across bouts. Understanding the spatial organization of food transfer may be a key to understanding how insect societies achieve efficient social organization and division of labor.

Significance

The limited studies on within-nest spatial organization of food distribution have been performed on ants and not primitively eusocial insects like wasps that contain randomly placed yet trackable larvae within the colony. We address the gap in a holistic understanding of spatial organization of food distribution through our study in the social waspRopalidia marginata. Through the lens of task partitioning, colony-level larval landscape, and spatial strategies adopted at individual and collective scales, our study presents one of the most detailed account of behavioral and spatio-temporal data mapping sources and sinks of food in a colony chronologically. We found that feeding routes adopted by wasps while feeding randomly placed larvae within a colony may not be a result of random walk but instead the degrees of route optimization based on the food load available to distribute within each feeding bout. We suggest paper wasp colonies to be ideal model systems for spatial studies owing to their observable colony sizes and randomly placed brood. Understanding the mechanism of colony-level problem solving by individuals with limited local information has widespread real-life applications besides a better understanding of social organization in colonies of social insects.
Effects of intensified training with insufficient recovery on joint level and single muscle fibre mechanical function: The role of myofibrillar Ca2+sensitivity
Authors: Roussel Olivia P. , Pignanelli Christopher , Hubbard Emma F. , Coates Alexandra M. , Cheng Arthur J. , Burr Jamie F. , Power Geoffrey A.
Published: October 2023

Intense exercise training with insufficient recovery is associated with reductions in neuromuscular performance. However, it is unclear how single muscle fibre mechanical function and myofibrillar Ca2+sensitivity contribute to these impairments. We investigated the effects of overload training on joint-level neuromuscular performance and cellular-level mechanical function. Fourteen athletes (4 female, 10 male) underwent a 3-week intensified training protocol consisting of ∼140% of their regular training hours with three additional high-intensity training sessions per week. Neuromuscular performance of the knee extensors was assessed via maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force, electrically evoked twitch contractions, and a force-frequency relationship. Muscle biopsies were taken from thevastus lateralisto assess single fibre mechanical function. Neither MVC force nor twitch parameters were altered following intensified training (allp>0.05), but a rightward shift in the force-frequency curve was observed with a 6-27% reduction in force at low-frequencies (5-20Hz, allp<0.05). In single fibres, maximal force output was not reduced following intensified training, but there was a rightward shift in the force-pCa curve driven by a 6% reduction in Ca2+sensitivity as indicated by a lower pCa50value (i.e., higher [Ca2+]) across fibre types (Pre=6.477±0.157, Post=6.088±0.480,p<0.05). These data indicate intensified training leads to impaired Ca2+sensitivity at the single fibre level, which in part explains impaired neuromuscular function at the joint level during lower frequencies of activation. This is an important consideration for athletes, as performance is often assessed at maximal levels of activation, and these underlying impairments in force generation may be less obvious.

New & Noteworthy

Intense exercise training with insufficient recovery leads to impaired muscle contractile performance. These impairments often manifest at lower frequencies of muscle stimulation, termed prolonged low-frequency force depression. Impaired myofibrillar calcium sensitivity has been suggested as a potential mechanism of prolonged low-frequency force depression. Our work shows that impaired calcium sensitivity of single muscle fibres coincided with joint level prolonged low-frequency force depression after intense exercise training with insufficient recovery.
The impact of self-isolation on psychological wellbeing and how to reduce it: a systematic review
Authors: Martin Alex F. , Smith Louise E. , Brooks Samantha K. , Stein Madeline V. , Davies Rachel , Amlôt Richard , Greenberg Neil , Rubin G James
Published: October 2023

Self-isolation is a public health measure used to prevent the spread of infection, and which can have an impact on the psychological wellbeing of those going through it. It is likely that self-isolation will be used to contain future outbreaks of infectious disease. We synthesised evidence on the impact of home self-isolation on psychological wellbeing of the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022378140). We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, and grey literature (01 January 2020 to 13 December 2022). Our definition of wellbeing included adverse mental health outcomes and adaptive wellbeing. Studies that investigated isolation in managed facilities, children, and healthcare workers were excluded. We followed PRISMA and synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines. We extracted data on the impact of self-isolation on wellbeing, and factors associated with and interventions targeting wellbeing during self-isolation.

We included 36 studies (most were cross sectional, two were longitudinal cohort studies, three assessed interventions, and five were qualitative). The mode quality rating was ‘high-risk’. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were most investigated. Evidence for an impact of self-isolation on wellbeing was often inconsistent in quantitative studies, although qualitative studies consistently reported a negative impact on wellbeing. However, people with pre-existing mental and physical health needs consistently reported increased symptoms of mental ill health during self-isolation. Studies reported modifiable stressors that have been reported in previous infectious disease contexts, such as inadequate support, poor coping strategies, inadequate and conflicting information, and the importance of regular contact from trusted healthcare professionals. However, interventions targeting psychological wellbeing were rare and evaluative studies of these had high or very high risk of bias.

When implementing self-isolation directives, public health officials should prioritise support for more vulnerable individuals who have pre-existing mental or physical health needs, lack support, or who are facing significant life stressors. Clinicians can play a key role in identifying and supporting those most at risk. Focus should be directed toward interventions that address loneliness, worries, and misinformation, whilst monitoring and identifying individuals in need of additional support.
Automating Clinical Phenotyping Using Natural Language Processing: An Application for Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Schmidt Linea , Ibing Susanne , Borchert Florian , Hugo Julian , Marshall Allison A. , Peraza Jellyana , Cho Judy H. , Böttinger Erwin P. , Renard Bernhard Y. , Ungaro Ryan C.
Published: October 2023

Real-world studies based on electronic health records often require manual chart review to derive patients’ clinical phenotypes, a labor-intensive task with limited scalability. Here, we developed and compared computable phenotyping based on rules using the spaCy frame-work and a Large Language Model (LLM), GPT-4, for disease behavior and age at diagnosis of Crohn’s disease patients. We are the first to describe computable phenotyping algorithms using clinical texts for these complex tasks with previously described inter-annotator agreements between 0.54 and 0.98. The data comprised clinical notes and radiology reports from 584 Mount Sinai Health System patients. Overall, we observed similar or better performance using GPT-4 compared to the rules. On a note-level, the F1 score was at least 0.90 for disease behavior and 0.82 for age at diagnosis. We could not find statistical evidence for a difference to the performance of human experts on this task. Our findings underline the potential of LLMs for computable phenotyping.

Graphical Abstract
CAG repeat expansions create splicing acceptor sites and produce aberrant repeat-containing RNAs
Authors: Anderson Rachel , Das Michael , Chang Yeonji , Farenhem Kelsey , Jain Ankur
Published: October 2023

Expansions of CAG trinucleotide repeats cause several rare neurodegenerative diseases. The disease-causing repeats are translated in multiple reading frames, without an identifiable initiation codon. The molecular mechanism of this repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation is not known. We find that expanded CAG repeats create new splice acceptor sites. Splicing of proximal donors to the repeats produces unexpected repeat-containing transcripts. Upon splicing, depending on the sequences surrounding the donor, CAG repeats may become embedded in AUG-initiated open reading frames. Canonical AUG-initiated translation of these aberrant RNAs accounts for proteins that are attributed to RAN translation. Disruption of the relevant splice donors or the in-frame AUG initiation codons is sufficient to abrogate RAN translation. Our findings provide a molecular explanation for the abnormal translation products observed in CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders and add to the repertoire of mechanisms by which repeat expansion mutations disrupt cellular functions.
Alternative accounts, rivers and dams: the case of the Green Earth Volunteers’ river project
Authors: Zou Sisi , Paisey Catriona
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the alternative accounts produced by Green Earth Volunteers (GEV), a Chinese environmental non-governmental organisation, over a 10-year period in the context of their campaign to create visibilities about hydroelectric dam projects along the Chang Jiang.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on conceptions of the human–nature relationship, including those evident in ancient Chinese philosophy and mythology, and the Chinese way of viewing and resolving conflict, this paper offers an interpretive analysis of the alternative accounts of GEV in terms of their form and content.

Findings

In terms of their content, the alternative accounts reflect elements of interrelated thinking, being underpinned by a recognition of the relationship between humans and nature, which is evident in Confucianism, Taoism and ancient Chinese mythology. The strategies adopted by GEV are a non-confrontational but feasible way to promote their ecological beliefs in the Chinese context.

Practical implications

The study suggests that social and environmental accounting (SEA) in developing countries is steeped in local cultural and philosophical traditions that need to be considered and incorporated into the design of alternative accounts.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the very limited literature that offers qualitative analyses of SEA in developing countries.
Toward a framework for visual nomen
Authors: Coladangelo L.P.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Through examination of the Library Reference Model (LRM) specifications for nomen and the potential challenges visual nomen might present for their description and use in information systems, the purpose of this study was to investigate two questions: (1) how do nonlinguistic or nonalphanumeric signs or symbols act as nomen to identify entities? and (2) what details or attributes are relevant to describe and classify such nomen to integrate them into information systems?

Design/methodology/approach

This research was built on an exploratory, qualitative instrumental case study design using multiple (or comparative) cases. Using the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions LRM conceptualization of nomen as the basis, this research explored the similarities and differences between the LRM definition, its attributes and the use of nonlinguistic and nonalphanumeric “strings” for visual nomen to represent a res, moving iteratively between the LRM documentation, visual nomen identified in previous research and additional examples. This study used a constant comparative method to conduct a structured, focused comparison across different cases found in the source survey.

Findings

A close review of the history of the development of the nomen entity was made to understand the semiotic relationship between entities and their symbolic representation, how those symbols are then reified to be further classified and described and how such definitions in the LRM offer a path forward for better understanding the role and function of visual nomen. Based on the foundation of the nomen entity and its attributes established in the LRM, this research then looked at visual representations of concepts and entities to suggest a nascent framework for describing aspects of visual nomen which may be relevant to their use and application

Originality/value

This exploratory study of the use of supralinguistic ways of referencing entities delineates novel insights into a potential framework for describing and using visual nomen as a way of labeling or naming entities represented in information systems. By examining the specifications of the nomen entity and its attributes as delineated by the LRM, this study reinforces the applicability of LRM-defined attributes in the use of visual nomen in addition to offering other attributes or dimensions.
Workplace reflections of librarians in India during the COVID pandemic
Authors: V.S. Sivankutty , Sudhakaran Jinu
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Covid-19 pandemic created a series of challenges for all professions, and libraries and library professionals were not spared. This study aims to attempt to analyze how qualified library professionals in India responded to the pandemic period and seeks their opinion on their preference for the job sector, activities and the challenges they faced during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a quantitative survey method using simple random sampling technique. A structured Google forms questionnaire was used to collect the data. In total, 169 qualified professionals, working in different LIS areas, and a few nonworking professionals participated in the survey. The data were collected and analyzed using MS Excel, and statistical tests were done.

Findings

The major challenges include lack of proper equipment and official digital records, comfortable work environment, poor internet connection and over work load. Majority wish to work in the government rather than the private sector. The participants believe that Covid has affected employment opportunities. Despite the challenges, library professionals are satisfied with the profession and were actively engaged in the learning process.

Research limitations/implications

The challenges faced by the LIS profession during the post Covid era should be examined by professional bodies and organizations and should ensure extensive human resources development in different LIS sectors and stress the need to implement better services to society with a better digital experience.

Originality/value

The study explores how qualified library professionals from India have coped with the Covid pandemic and seeks to identify challenges in post-Covid LIS employment. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind concerning work reflections of library professionals in India since the pandemic.
Exploring international collaboration and language dynamics in Digital Humanities: insights from co-authorship networks in canonical journals
Authors: Gao Jin , Nyhan Julianne , Duke-Williams Oliver , Mahony Simon
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper presents a follow-on study that quantifies geolingual markers and their apparent connection with authorship collaboration patterns in canonical Digital Humanities (DH) journals. In particular, it seeks to detect patterns in authors' countries of work and languages in co-authorship networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an in-depth co-authorship network analysis, this study analysed bibliometric data from three canonical DH journals over a range of 52 years (1966–2017). The results are presented as visualised networks with centrality calculations.

Findings

The results suggest that while DH scholars may not collaborate as frequently as those in other disciplines, when they do so their collaborations tend to be more international than in many Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences disciplines. DH authors in some countries (e.g. Spain, Finland, Australia, Canada, and the UK) have the highest international co-author rates, while others have high national co-author rates but low international rates (e.g. Japan, the USA, and France).

Originality/value

This study is the first DH co-authorship network study that explores the apparent connection between language and collaboration patterns in DH. It contributes to ongoing debates about diversity, representation, and multilingualism in DH and academic publishing more widely.
Critical success factors for implementing smart maintenance in the fourth industrial revolution era: a bibliometric analysis within the built environment
Authors: Osunsanmi Temidayo O. , Okafor Chigozie Collins , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The implementation of smart maintenance (SM) has greatly benefited facility managers, construction project managers and other stakeholders within the built environment. Unfortunately, its actualization for stakeholders in the built environment in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) era remains a challenge. To reduce the challenge, this study aims at conducting a bibliometric analysis to unearth the critical success factors supporting SM implementation. The future direction and practice of SM in the construction industry were also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric approach was adopted for reviewing articles extracted from the Scopus database. Keywords such as (“smart maintenance“) OR (“intelligent maintenance”) OR (“technological maintenance”) OR (“automated maintenance”) OR (“computerized maintenance”) were used to extract articles from the Scopus database. The studies were restricted between 2006 and 2021 to capture the 4IR era. The initial extracted papers were 1,048; however, 288 papers were selected and analysed using VOSviewer software.

Findings

The findings revealed that the critical success factors supporting the implementation of SM in the 4IR era are collaboration, digital twin design, energy management system and decentralized data management system. Regarding the future practice of SM in the 4IR era, it was also revealed that SM is possible to evolve into maintenance 4.0. This will support the autonomous maintenance of infrastructures in the built environment.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a single database contributed to the limitation of the findings from this study.

Practical implications

Despite the limitations, the findings of this study contributed to practice and research by providing stakeholders in the built environment with the direction of SM practice.

Originality/value

Stakeholders in the built environment have clamoured to implement SM in the 4IR era. This study provided the critical success factors for adopting SM, guaranteeing the 4IR era. It also provides the research trends and direction of SM practice.
Suicide concerns among pretrial detainees: validation of the Portuguese version of the SCOPE-2
Authors: Andrade Joana , Gomes Hugo , Gonçalves Rui , Castro-Rodrigues Andreia
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Remand prisoners (RPs) are known to be in a more vulnerable situation than those already convicted. Beyond the difficulties to adapt to the prison, RP also tend to experience tough circumstances due to the uncertainty of their future. This study aims to further test the psychometric properties of the Suicide Concerns for Offenders in the Prison Environment (SCOPE-2) in a sample of RP.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have carried out a confirmatory factor analysis to test the psychometric qualities of the SCOPE-2. The authors tested the originally proposed two-factor structure composed of two subscales: optimism and protective self-worth. Also, the authors examined internal consistency through Cronbach’s alphas. Convergent validity was tested by correlational analyses between SCOPE-2 subscales and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) total scores. Finally, the authors have tested known-groups validity by carrying out discriminant analysis by testing the SCOPE-2 subscales’ ability to predict belonging to a group with previous suicide attempts.

Findings

The confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable model fit, even though the subscale “Protective self-worth” presented a less acceptable fit. The correlation analysis supported the convergent validity of the SCOPE-2. Both the “Optimism” and “Protective self-worth” subscales showed a positive correlation with the total scores of BSI. Finally, the Portuguese version of SCOPE-2 also showed known groups validity. Concretely, the “Optimism” scores revealed an acceptable predictive accuracy.

Practical implications

This study embraces important contributions to the practice as it was the first study to validate a measure to assess vulnerability for suicide and self-harm in male and female RP.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study to validate an instrument to assess vulnerability for suicide and self-harm in both male and female pretrial detainees. Knowing their particular case, as well as the lack of responses for these individuals, it is particularly important to access suicide concerns that could precede suicide attempts.
Cluster-based supplier segmentation: a sustainable data-driven approach
Authors: Rahiminia Mohammad , Razmi Jafar , Shahrabi Farahani Sareh , Sabbaghnia Ali
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Supplier segmentation provides companies with suitable policies to control each segment, thereby saving time and resources. Sustainability has become a mandatory requirement in competitive business environments. This study aims to develop a clustering-based approach to sustainable supplier segmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

The characteristics of the suppliers and the aspects of the purchased items were considered simultaneously. The weights of the sub-criteria were determined using the best-worst method. Then, the K-means clustering algorithm was applied to all company suppliers based on four criteria. The proposed model is applied to a real case study to test the performance of the proposed approach.

Findings

The results prove that supplier segmentation is more efficient when using clustering algorithms, and the best criteria are selected for sustainable supplier segmentation and managing supplier relationships.

Originality/value

This study integrates sustainability considerations into the supplier segmentation problem using a hybrid approach. The proposed sustainable supplier segmentation is a practical tool that eliminates complexity and presents the possibility of convenient execution. The proposed method helps business owners to elevate their sustainable insights.
How land‐use planning in multifunctional regions shapes spaces for farming
Authors: Pritchard Bill , Welch Elen , Restrepo Guillermo Umaña
Published: October 2023

In multifunctional rural regions, strong commercial incentives exist for agricultural landholders to convert their land from farming to residential, lifestyle, and tourist land uses. In Australia, those regions mainly comprise coastal, peri‐urban, and high‐amenity rural areas. The pace and pattern of land‐use conversion in these regions is shaped by the interaction of landholders with land‐use planning regulations, notably minimum lot size (MLS) controls. This paper examines that interface in a deep dive into the role of land‐use planning controls in shaping the future of farming in an area of rapid rural change, the Ballina‐Lismore region in northern New South Wales. We argue that although planning controls in the region are designed to protect land for agriculture by curbing pressures for suburbanisation, they have also inadvertently contributed to the proliferation of unplanned rural living. This proliferation has occurred because MLS controls have incentivised agricultural landholders to sidestep restrictions on subdivision by exploiting concessions and flexibility in some of the controls and have forced some nonagricultural buyers of rural land to acquire bigger holdings than they may have otherwise desired, hence “sterilising” these agricultural‐zoned landholdings from farming. We conclude that to better protect agriculture in multifunctional rural regions, land‐use planning needs to look beyond deterrence mechanisms, such as MLS restrictions, and towards planning incentives to promote farming on agricultural‐zoned land.
Establishment and validation of symptomatic patients colorectal screening score for predicting colorectal neoplasia risk
Authors: Wang Xu , Zhang Xi , Liu Jiani , Liu Tian Yu , Wang Bang Mao , Liu Wen Tian , Xu Xin , Zhang Jie , Cao Hai Long
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Currently, most colorectal neoplasia (CRN) screening strategies target asymptomatic individuals. However, studies on patients with non‐specific gastrointestinal symptoms (NSGS) are limited. We aimed to develop a CRN risk score specifically for patients with NSGS.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients who underwent initial colonoscopy between June 2020 and June 2021. A new risk scoring system was constructed and its applicability was evaluated.

Results

A total of 1522 consecutive patients were enrolled, among whom 1016 symptomatic patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort at a ratio of 7:3. The constructed Symptomatic Patients Colorectal Screening (SPCS) score showed higher diagnostic efficacy and sensitivity than several previous scoring systems. Using the SPCS score, the patients were divided into a low‐risk group (−2 to 3 points) and a high‐risk group (4–10 points) for CRN. Additionally, the detection rate of CRN in the training and validation cohorts of the high‐risk group were 41.7% and 37.0%, respectively. The SPCS score detected 79.3% (188/237) of CRN and 87.5% (42/48) of advanced CRN in the high‐risk group, which reduced the workload of colonoscopy to 45.9% (466/1016).

Conclusion

An effective CRN risk scoring system was established and validated for symptomatic patients, which accurately classified individuals into low‐risk and high‐risk groups for CRN and might be used to optimize colonoscopic resource allocation.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning for clinical pharmacology
Authors: Ryan David K. , Maclean Rory H. , Balston Alfred , Scourfield Andrew , Shah Anoop D. , Ross Jack
Published: October 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) will impact many aspects of clinical pharmacology, including drug discovery and development, clinical trials, personalized medicine, pharmacogenomics, pharmacovigilance and clinical toxicology. The rapid progress of AI in healthcare means clinical pharmacologists should have an understanding of AI and its implementation in clinical practice. As with any new therapy or health technology, it is imperative that AI tools are subject to robust and stringent evaluation to ensure that they enhance clinical practice in a safe and equitable manner. This review serves as an introduction to AI for the clinical pharmacologist, highlighting current applications, aspects of model development and issues surrounding evaluation and deployment. The aim of this article is to empower clinical pharmacologists to embrace and lead on the safe and effective use of AI within healthcare.
Presence of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and other (meth)acrylates in nail cosmetics, and compliance with EU legislation: An online market survey
Authors: Steunebrink Iemke M. , de Groot Anton , Rustemeyer Thomas
Published: October 2023

Background

During the last 15–20 years, allergic contact dermatitis from acrylates‐containing nail cosmetics (acrylic nails, gel nails, gel nail polish) has been increasingly reported. 2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) is considered to be the major allergenic culprit; few data on its presence in nail cosmetics are available.

Objectives

To investigate (1) the frequency in which HEMA and di‐HEMA trimethylhexyl dicarbamate are present in nail cosmetics; (2) whether nail cosmetics comply with EU regulations; (3) which other (meth)acrylates are present in nail cosmetics and how often.

Methods

One‐line market survey.

Results

HEMA was present in nearly 60% of 394 cosmetic nail products and di‐HEMA trimethylhexyl dicarbamate in 34%. Mandatory warnings on the packages of products containing HEMA were absent in 35% (‘For professional use only’) resp. 55% (‘Can cause an allergic reaction’). Forty‐five other (meth)acrylates were identified, of which the most frequent were hydroxypropyl methacrylate (25%), isobornyl methacrylate (16%) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (12%). Some ingredient lists mentioned non‐INCI names or non‐specific names.

Conclusions

HEMA was by far the most common ingredient of nail cosmetics, being present in nearly 60% of the products. Violations of EU legislation occurred in >30% (mandatory warnings missing) resp. 10% (mislabelling) of nail cosmetics.
“Shape bias” goes social: Children categorize people by weight rather than race
Authors: Peretz‐Lange Rebecca , Kibbe Melissa M.
Published: October 2023

Children tend to categorize novel objects according to their shape rather than their color, texture, or other salient properties—known as “shape bias.” We investigated whether this bias also extends to the social domain, where it should lead children to categorize people according to their weight (their body shape) rather than their race (their skin color). In Study 1, participants (n = 50 US 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds) were asked to extend a novel label from a target object/person to either an object/person who shared the target's shape/weight, color/race, or neither. Children selected the shape‐/weight‐matched individual over the color‐/race‐matched individual (dobjects = 1.58, dpeople = 0.99) and their shape biases were correlated across the two domains. In Study 2, participants (n = 20 US 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds) were asked to extend a novel internal property from a target person to either a person who shared the target's weight, race, or neither. Again, children selected the weight‐matched individual (d = 1.98), suggesting they view an individual's weight as more predictive of their internal properties than their race. Overall, results suggest that children's early shape bias extends into the social domain. Implications for weight bias and early social cognition are discussed.

Research Highlights

Preschoolers extend novel labels based on people's weight rather than their race.

Preschoolers infer internal features based on people's weight rather than their race.

Shape biases are present, and correlated, across the social and object domains.
Pancreatic islet cell plasticity: Pathogenic or therapeutically exploitable?
Authors: Tanday Neil , Tarasov Andrei I. , Moffett R. Charlotte , Flatt Peter R. , Irwin Nigel
Published: October 2023

The development of pancreatic islet endocrine cells is a tightly regulated process leading to the generation of distinct cell types harbouring different hormones in response to small changes in environmental stimuli. Cell differentiation is driven by transcription factors that are also critical for the maintenance of the mature islet cell phenotype. Alteration of the insulin‐secreting β‐cell transcription factor set by prolonged metabolic stress, associated with the pathogenesis of diabetes, obesity or pregnancy, results in the loss of β‐cell identity through de‐ or transdifferentiation. Importantly, the glucose‐lowering effects of approved and experimental antidiabetic agents, including glucagon‐like peptide‐1 mimetics, novel peptides and small molecules, have been associated with preventing or reversing β‐cell dedifferentiation or promoting the transdifferentiation of non‐β‐cells towards an insulin‐positive β‐cell‐like phenotype. Therefore, we review the manifestations of islet cell plasticity in various experimental settings and discuss the physiological and therapeutic sides of this phenomenon, focusing on strategies for preventing β‐cell loss or generating new β‐cells in diabetes. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning islet cell plasticity is a prerequisite for more targeted therapies to help prevent β‐cell decline in diabetes.
Liraglutide modulates morpho‐functional and inflammatory gastrointestinal responses in rats
Authors: Gusmão‐Nascimento Jhony Willams , Nunes Cruz Daniela Maione , Almeida Gama Loyane , Luz Alves Wellington David , Machado Mariana Pirani Rocha , Corá Luciana Aparecida , Américo Madileine Francely
Published: October 2023

Background

Obesity impairs homeostatic control of energy and is associated with chronic low‐grade inflammation. Effects of glucagon‐like peptide‐1, the target in the gastrointestinal tract for anti‐obesity drugs such as Liraglutide, were not properly associated with inflammation markers. This study investigated the effects of Liraglutide on metabolic and gastrointestinal parameters in a rat model of obesity.

Methods

Twenty‐six Wistar rats with obesity were randomly distributed to receive saline (n = 10), 400 μg (n = 8), or 1200 μg of Liraglutide/kg/day (n = 8), subcutaneously for 30 consecutive days, once a day. Weight gain, feeding efficiency, caloric consumption, gastric motility, adiposity, histomorphometric, murinometric, biochemical parameters and cytokines TNF‐α and TGF‐β1 in duodenal tissue were measured. Data were analysed by ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni post hoc or Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test.

Results

Liraglutide‐treated animals had better feeding efficiency and higher caloric intake in a dose‐dependent manner. Higher doses slowed gastric emptying and diminished the amplitude of gastric contractions. These effects were accompanied by decreases in intestinal muscle layer thickness and crypt depth. Liraglutide significantly reduced retroperitoneal and visceral white adipose tissue depots. High‐dose treatment decreased levels of TNF‐α and enhanced levels of TGF‐β1 in duodenal tissue. Liraglutide treatment provided significant reductions in total cholesterol, triglyceride and hepatic transaminases.

Conclusions

Liraglutide reduced fat accumulation, improved metabolic parameters and downregulated levels of inflammatory signalling in duodenal tissue. Liraglutide at high doses controlled obesity‐related outcomes, and such effects seemed to be driven by its action on glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract slowing gastric motility.
Granuloma, vasculitis, and demyelination in sarcoid neuropathy
Authors: Mouri Naohiro , Koike Haruki , Fukami Yuki , Takahashi Mie , Yagi Satoru , Furukawa Soma , Suzuki Masashi , Kishimoto Yoshiyuki , Murate Kenichiro , Nukui Takamasa , Yoshida Tamaki , Kudo Yosuke , Tada Mikiko , Higashiyama Yuichi , Watanabe Hirohisa , Nakatsuji Yuji , Tanaka Fumiaki , Katsuno Masahisa
Published: October 2023

Background

Despite the suggestion that direct compression by granuloma and ischemia resulting from vasculitis can cause nerve fiber damage, the mechanisms underlying sarcoid neuropathy have not yet been fully clarified.

Methods

We examined the clinicopathological features of sarcoid neuropathy by focusing on electrophysiological and histopathological findings of sural nerve biopsy specimens. We included 18 patients with sarcoid neuropathy who had non‐caseating epithelioid cell granuloma in their sural nerve biopsy specimens.

Results

Although electrophysiological findings suggestive of axonal neuropathy were observed, particularly in the lower limbs, all but three patients showed ≥1 abnormalities in nerve conduction velocity or distal motor latency. Additionally, a conduction block was observed in 11 of the 16 patients for whom waveforms were assessed; five of them fulfilled motor nerve conduction criteria strongly supportive of demyelination as defined in the European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society (EAN/PNS) guideline for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). In most patients, sural nerve biopsy specimens revealed a mild to moderate degree of myelinated fiber loss. Fibrinoid necrosis was observed in one patient, and electron microscopy analysis revealed demyelinated axons close to granulomas in six patients.

Conclusions

Patients with sarcoid neuropathy may meet the EAN/PNS electrophysiological criteria for CIDP due to the frequent presence of conduction blocks. Based on our results, in addition to the ischemic damage resulting from granulomatous inflammation, demyelination may play an important role in the mechanism underlying sarcoid neuropathy.
Critical incidents, nocturnal supervision, and caregiver knowledge on SUDEP in patients with Dravet syndrome: A prospective multicenter study in Germany
Authors: Maltseva Margarita , Rosenow Felix , Schubert‐Bast Susanne , Flege Silke , Wolff Markus , von Spiczak Sarah , Trollmann Regina , Syrbe Steffen , Ruf Susanne , Polster Tilman , Neubauer Bernd A. , Mayer Thomas , Jacobs Julia , Kurlemann Gerhard , Kluger Gerhard , Klotz Kerstin A. , Kieslich Matthias , Kay Lara , Hornemann Frauke , Bettendorf Ulrich , Bertsche Astrid , Bast Thomas , Strzelczyk Adam
Published: October 2023

Objective

The aim was to investigate the monitoring, interventions, and occurrence of critical, potentially life‐threatening incidents in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) and caregivers’ knowledge about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

Methods

This multicenter, cross‐sectional study of patients with DS and their caregivers in Germany consisted of a questionnaire and prospective diary querying the disease characteristics and demographic data of patients and caregivers.

Results

Our analysis included 108 questionnaires and 82 diaries. Patients with DS were 49.1% male (n = 53), with a mean age of 13.5 (SD ± 10.0 years) and primary caregivers were 92.6% (n = 100) female, with a mean age of 44.7 (SD ± 10.6 years). Monitoring devices were used regularly by 75.9% (n = 82) of caregivers, and most monitored daily/nightly. Frequently used devices were pulse oximeters (64.6%), baby monitors (64.6%), thermometers (24.1%), and Epi‐Care (26.8%). Younger caregiver and patient age and history of status epilepticus were associated with increased use of monitoring, and 81% of monitor users reported having avoided a critical incident with nocturnal monitoring. The need for resuscitation due to cardiac or respiratory arrest was reported by 22 caregivers (20.4%), and most cases (72.7%) were associated with a seizure. Caregivers reported frequently performing interventions at night, including oropharyngeal suction, oxygenation, personal hygiene, and change of body position. Most caregivers were well informed about SUDEP (n = 102; 94%) and monitored for a lateral or supine body position; however, only 39.8% reported receiving resuscitation training, whereas 52.8% (n = 57) knew what to do in case the child's breathing or heart activity failed.

Significance

Critical incidents and the need for resuscitation are reported frequently by caregivers and may be related to high mortality and SUDEP rates in DS. Resuscitation training is welcomed by caregivers and should be continuously provided. Oxygen monitoring devices are frequently used and considered useful by caregivers.
Structural insights of a SusD‐like protein in marine Bacteroidetes bacteria reveal the molecular basis for chitin recognition and acquisition
Authors: Yang Jian , Zhang Liping , Lin Shanshan , Li Wei , Liu Chen , Yan Jingheng , Li Shubo , Long Lijuan
Published: October 2023

Efficient recognition and transportation of chitin oligosaccharides are crucial steps for the utilization of chitin by heterotrophic bacteria. In this study, we employed structural biological and biochemical approaches to investigate the substrate recognition and acquisition mechanism of a novel chitin‐binding SusD‐like protein, AqSusD, which is derived from the chitin utilization gene cluster of a marine Bacteroides strain (Aquimarina sp. SCSIO 21287). We resolved the crystal structures of the AqSusD apo‐protein and its complex with chitin oligosaccharides. Our results revealed that some crucial residues (Gln67, Phe87, and Asp276) underwent significant conformational changes to form tighter substrate binding sites for ligand binding. Moreover, we identified the functions of key amino acid residues and discovered that π‐π stacking and hydrogen bonding between AqSusD and the ligand played significant roles in recognition of the protein for chitin oligosaccharide binding. Based on our findings and previous investigations, we put forward a model for the mechanism of chitin oligosaccharide recognition, capture, and transport by AqSusD, in collaboration with the membrane protein AqSusC. Our study deepens the understanding of the molecular‐level “selfish” use of polysaccharides such as chitin by Bacteroides.