bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-Disease Characteristics and Coping Strategies Predict Hospitalization in Emergency Psychiatry
Authors: Schnyder Ulrich , Valach Ladislav , Mörgeli Hanspeter , Heim Edgar
Published: May 2005

Objective:

The goal of this study was to analyze how far patient-disease characteristics (sociodemographic variables, previous psychiatric treatment, way of referral, the patient's current diagnosis), and the patient's coping strategies are connected with the consecutive disposition for inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Methods:

Data from a one-year intake of the psychiatric emergency service at a University Hospital ( N = 1439) were monitored and analyzed with regard to the decision on treatment. Four hundred eighty-one patients were hospitalized and 530 were assigned to outpatient treatment. Two subsamples of twenty-eight patients from each group filled out the Bernese Coping Modes questionnaire before the decision with regard to the treatment disposition was taken.

Results:

The patient's psychiatric history, the way of referral as well as the current axis I diagnosis made a significant contribution to the treatment decision. Overall, patient-disease characteristics allowed for correct classification of 69.3 percent of cases. However, coping was a comparable predictor of hospitalization.

Conclusions:

It is argued that the search for patient-disease characteristics in the psychiatric emergency room should be complemented by a more extensive monitoring of the patients' way of coping with their current crisis.
Fenfluramine and Mazindol: Acute Reversible Cardiomyopathy Associated with Their Use
Authors: Gillis David , Wengrower Dov , Witztum Eli , Leitersdorf Eran
Published: May 2005

An unusual side effect of amphetamine-like drugs is described. A patient with acute cardiomyopathy was discovered to have been taking Fenfluramine and Mazindol at the prescribed dose. Within a week after abstention from the drugs and appropriate cardiac treatment her cardiomyopathy resolved. The authors suggest that this effect is due to the combination of the two drugs and represents a drug interaction.
The Lived Experiences of Israeli Arab Moslems Who are Caring for a Relative with Cognitive Decline
Authors: Leichtentritt Ronit D. , Schwartz Vered , Rettig Kathryn D.
Published: May 2005

The study examined the lived experience of caring for a relative with cognitive decline. The informants were 18 Arab, Moslem caregivers living in rural communities in Northern Israel who participated in personal interviews. The transcripts were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological approach to the study of human behavior (van Manen, 1998). The results clarified how social location affects caregiving perceptions, decisions, and actions. The portrayed experiences were complex and involved the dimensions of life, including individuals, family-neighbors, and social-political environments. The holistic overview of the transcripts indicated the inseparable political and personal influences on perceptions of caregivers, a conflict of old and new social viewpoints, the absence of one main caregiver for the divided duties of several family members, and the lack of scientific information about the condition of the relative. Several motivations for caregiving were documented and examples of personal, interpersonal, and community resources were provided.
Effects of Frequently Posted Computer Printouts of Ranked Student Averages
Authors: Thurn David A.
Published: May 2005

This research examined the effects of posting computer generated student averages in high school English classes. An updated printout, listing the students' names and letter grades ranked by average, was displayed shortly after major examinations. On the last day of the semester, the students completed a confidential evaluation. The mean response to the forced choice questions indicated that most students liked seeing their grades and that they often consulted the printout. Increased effort, due to competition, was also reported. Further analysis indicated that the lower ranked students liked the printout more than their higher ranked classmates. Although males viewed the printout more frequently, females were more likely to report that their efforts increased as a result of the printout.
Learning from Home: Implementing Technical Infrastructure for Distributed Learning via Home-PC within Telenor
Authors: Folkman Kristian , Berge Zane L.
Published: May 2005

This article presents research findings from a study conducted at Telenor, a Norwegian telecom operator. The company distributed home Personal Computers (PCs) to their employees in an effort to encourage professional development outside working hours and mainly on an individual basis. The report includes results from a systematic survey of 2500 employees of the approximately 11,000 home-PC users concerning their use of home-PCs for learning. Findings suggest that home-PCs can contribute positively to increasing employees' knowledge about information and communications technology (ICT), and improve specific user skills. While the use of home PCs can also enable employees to learn while using information and communications technologies, the number of employees who actually do so is modest.
Characteristics of Physicians Practicing in Alternative Primary Care Settings: A Quebec Study of Local Community Service Center Physicians
Authors: Pineault Raynald , Maheux Brigitte , Lambert Jean , Beland Françpis , Levesque Anne
Published: May 2005

Since the early 1970s, there have been two primary care networks in Quebec: the traditional one characterized by private practice remunerated on a fee-for-service basis, and the public one comprising 15 percent of physicians and characterized by salaried practice within publicly funded local community health service centers (CLSCs). Using data collected on 616 Quebec generalists, 333 in private practice and 283 in CLSCs, we compared physicians' profiles in both networks. In contrast to their colleagues in private practice, CLSC physicians are younger, more often women, and more often graduates of innovative primary care training programs. They are more sensitive to the biopsychosocial nature of health problems and to giving patients an active role in their care. Significant differences were also observed in physicians' self-reported clinical practices, more so for women than for men. The study suggests that alternative primary care settings attract physicians that are more preventive and socially oriented. As a result, they may contribute to the emergence of a more comprehensive type of medical practice in health care delivery systems.
Fish or Cut Bait: Corporate Decision-Making under Uncertainty
Authors: Walsh Ruth M.
Published: May 2005

Managerial decision making frequently takes place under less than optimal conditions. “Fish or Cut Bait …” reflects an actual decision-making situation in Subsidiary X of Corporation Y. The department heads responsible for implementing, or rejecting, a newly developed process were inhibited by unknown risk factors and had difficulty qualitatively organizing known data. With the benefit of both hindsight and detachment, the author suggests what decision should have been made on the basis of all then-known data.
Diagnosis, Treatment, Comorbidity, and Resource Utilization of Depressed Patients in a General Medical Practice
Authors: Luber M. Philip , Hollenberg James P. , Williams-Russo Pamela , DiDomenico Tara N. , Meyers Barnett S. , Alexopoulos George S. , Charlson Mary E.
Published: May 2005

Objective:

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of depression on the utilization of health care resources, after adjusting for age and comorbidity from data obtained on routine clinical practice.

Method:

The study is an observational cohort of 15,186 patients followed over a one-year period beginning December 1993. Comprehensive demographic, clinical, and utilization data were available from the computerized medical information system generated database of a general internal medicine practice in an urban academic medical center.

Results:

Four point seven percent of patients carried a provider-coded diagnosis of depression. With regards to utilization of health care resources, even after controlling for age and comorbidity, depressed patients had more primary care visits (5.3 vs. 2.9 visits, p < .001), higher rates of referral to specialists (1.1 vs. 0.5, p < .002), and radiologic tests (0.9 vs. 0.4 tests, p < .001). They had higher total outpatient charges ($1,324 vs. $701, p < .001) and total charges ($2,808 vs. $1,891, p < .001). Depressed patients also had longer length of stay when hospitalized (14.1 vs. 9.5 days, p < .002).

Conclusions:

Patients diagnosed as depressed had significantly higher resource utilization of all types, even after controlling for the higher burden of comorbid medical illness associated with depression.
Cairo: Repackaging Population Control
Authors: Simons Helen
Published: May 2005

Aid agencies, charities, and other Non-governmental organizations once denounced population control programs as racist interference in the third world. Yet, at the United Nations Conference on Population and Development in Cairo last September, these same organizations endorsed very similar ideas. The U.N. can now claim that even its fiercest critics not only have muted their criticism of population control programs but now positively endorse them. Over the last 30 years, population control has been consciously repackaged by the U.S. establishment. The image of population control has changed from being overtly anti-third world to being about giving the people of the third world—especially women—basic rights in family planning. Wrapped up in the language of women's empowerment and environmentalism, the establishment's old arguments about there being too many nonwhite babies in the world, have, unfortunately, won the day.
Traditional versus Televised Instructional Methods for Introductory Psychology
Authors: Mount George R. , Walters Sharon R.
Published: May 2005

This study compared the performance of students in a televised introductory psychology course to that of students in a traditional introductory psychology course at a community college. All students had the same instructor and textbook. They took approximately the same tests. Students in the televised introductory course did significantly better than those in the traditional introductory course. These two groups were also compared on the basis of age, sex, and scores on the Sixteen Personality Factors Inventory. Students in the televised psychology course were more happy-go-lucky, conscientious, trusting, astute, controlled and less apprehensive. They were also considerably older. Students' evaluation of the TV course, text, and study guide were favorable. More students successfully completed the on-campus psychology course.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and the Adequacy of Antidepressant Treatment
Authors: Shasha Michelle , Lyons John S. , O'Mahoney Michael T. , Miller Sheldon I. , Howard Kenneth I. , Rosenberg Alan
Published: May 2005

Objective:

To determine whether the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) improves antidepressant medication prescribing patterns for both psychiatric and non-psychiatric physicians.

Data Sources/Setting:

Drug utilization review of 4,103 prescriptions for antidepressant medications with patients diagnosed with depressive disorders over an eighteen-month period from the formulary records of a large insurance company.

Design:

Using standards developed for clinical guidelines, variation in trial and treatment adequacy between drug types and physician specialty was studied.

Principal Findings:

Thirty-five percent of initial antidepressant trials were not prescribed for an adequate duration or at an adequate dosage level. SSRIs were more likely to be prescribed adequately than any other antidepressant reviewed. Psychiatrists were more likely to prescribe antidepressants at an adequate dosage level, whereas non-psychiatric physicians were more likely to attain adequate duration of treatment.

Conclusions:

A greater reliance on SSRIs may increase the likelihood of maintaining adequacy in antidepressant treatments. Although higher in cost than other treatment choices, their lower side effect profile is likely to maximize patient satisfaction and physician and patient adherence to guidelines. In order to ensure effective and efficient antidepressant usage, such patterns must be identified and appropriate performance improvement strategies (e.g., Total Quality Improvement, critical pathways) may be employed.
Psychogenic Coma: Case Report
Authors: Baxter Cynthia L. , White William D.
Published: May 2005

Coma is present when the patient appears asleep, is unrousable, and unresponsive. Where no underlying medical condition is found, the role of the psychiatrist may become prominent. We present a clinical case and review the literature on psychogenic coma. According to DSM-IV-TR, psychogenic coma is a dissociative disorder not otherwise specified. Management is largely supportive. Principles include speaking in a reassuring manner and avoiding repeated painful stimuli. Education of family and other professionals that symptoms are real and not consciously feigned may be important. There may be a short-term role for anxiolytic and/or antipsychotic medication to assist return to consciousness.
Death Rites in the San Francisco Gay Community: Cultural Developments of the Aids Epidemic
Authors: Richards T. Anne , Wrubel Judith , Folkman Susan
Published: May 2005

This study of rituals of dying and death is based on narrative accounts of fifty-two gay men whose partners died of AIDS in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1991 and 1994. Sixty-seven percent of the deaths occurred at home, 71 percent of the caregiving partners were present at the time of death, and 71 percent of the dying partners chose cremation as a means of disposition. These factors influenced the nature of rituals enacted during the final stage of life, immediately after the death, and in the two months following the death. Culturally unique rituals included division of ashes with multiple distribution sites, multiple memorials, self-designed and delivered religious and secular memorials, and private dispersion of ashes without the use of mortuary services. The rites of death described in these data are reflective of the mobile life style among gay men as well as the drive for freedom and control of their own lives that is characteristic of gay liberation.
Hypnotic Attenuation of the ‘Boundaries’ between Emotional, Visual, and Auditory Sensations
Authors: Kunzendorf Robert G. , Maurer Joan
Published: May 2005

On two tasks measuring cognitive “boundaries,” the performance of seventy-two hypnotized subjects was compared to the performance of seventy-two wakened subjects. On a task measuring the “boundary” between visual sensations and auditory sensations, all subjects counted the visible pulses of a metronome on some trials, counted the audible pulses of a metronome on other trials, and then decided whether they had seen or heard each number of counted pulses. Hypnotized subjects confused the visible pulses and audible pulses, whereas wakened subjects maintained the “boundary” between visible sensations and audible sensations. On a task measuring the “boundary” between visual sensations and emotional sensations, all subjects imaged specific emotions while viewing pictures of surprised faces, and then decided whether they had seen a surprised or emotional or assimilated (surprised-emotional) expression on each face. Hypnotized subjects assimilated the visual expressions and emotional images, whereas wakened subjects maintained the “boundary” between emotional sensations and visual sensations.
Editorial Overview
Authors: Miller David
Published: May 2005

The educational system components consist of sources of knowledge, a communication channel between sources and students, and student processing of the knowledge with or without human intervention. The Internet has introduced a low cost world-wide communication channel on which educators are working to take full advantage. But the Internet is also proving to be a vast source of relatively free knowledge. The consequence is a growing awareness that broad application of a learner centered model of education is rapidly becoming feasible. This educational model involves a major innovation and the United States elementary and secondary educational systems are highly resistant to innovation. Therefore, it is appropriate to review how other parts of the world are taking advantage of this opportunity. The Journal has been attracting numerous papers from the international community and the first article in this issue is from the Korea National University of Education and describes four international efforts to develop learner centered educational systems using available information and communications technology (ICT). Written by Anthony Pich and Bokyeong Kim, the article is entitled “Principles of ICT in Education and Implementation Strategies in Singapore, the Province of Alberta in Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.” The progress reported in these efforts illustrates the positive side of having educational systems strongly controlled by a central government agency. The discussion of the Korean effort, however, also shows the difficulties in implementing this educational innovation.
The Persistence of Poverty under Welfare States and the Prospects for its Abolition
Authors: Walker Alan
Published: May 2005

This article examines the relationship between poverty and the welfare state and attempts to answer the question as to why poverty has persisted under all welfare states. Several major reasons for the persistence of poverty are advanced, and the author argues that the main factor underlying the failure to abolish poverty is the conflict between economic policy and social policy. The challenge to welfare states from the New Right is examined—particularly the contention that welfare states themselves create poverty and dependence—in the light of evidence of the impact of the Thatcher government's policies in Britain. Finally, the author proposes an alternative approach to the abolition of poverty, one that is based on the integration of economic and social policy.
The E3 Formula for the Presence and Absence of Fauna in Archaeological Sites
Authors: Dandoy Jeremiah R.
Published: May 2005

There are only three factors which account for the presence or the absence of fauna in any archaeological site: Ecology of the area, Economics of any associated predator population (including hominids), and Ethos of any associated hominid population. When these are incorporated into a binary equation with a presence or absence outcome, and then correlated with a locus type, a focus is provided for a more far reaching analysis of faunal richness and diversity as they relate to preference and activity patterns. Taphonomic and recovery biases, of course, enter into the analysis and are a given. The equations number 16 with 8 being equalities and 8 being inequalities. Seven of the equalities result in an absence marker. Seven of the inequalities result in a presence marker. The equations force us to think more about how and why fauna were used and the role of competing species. I have found this approach useful to better understand why goats are virtually non-existent in the early seventeenth-century Chesapeake sites, seemingly disputing the extant documentation for that time. Greater cultural understanding may unfold by incorporating this methodology into our faunal interpretation.
Death and Grief in the Greek Culture
Authors: Mystakidou Kyriaki , Tsilika Eleni , Parpa Efi , Katsouda Emmanuela , Vlahos Lambros
Published: May 2005

None would disagree that death is the great separator. Death has many meanings, and they change with culture and society. In the Greek mythology, the dead journeyed to the Afterlife, ruled by Hades. Death was not perceived as an end in and by itself, but rather as another “world” to belong to. By Classical times there was a rise to burial rituals and commemorative practices, carried out throughout the centuries. Christian religion attempted to change the way the dead were mourned, and preached the immortality of the soul and resurrection of the dead. Nevertheless, the way people grieved and buried their dead has not changed much. The only change is a difficulty in the receptiveness of burial procedures, observed in large cities and in younger population. Today in Greece, the perceptions and practices on grief and death derive both on the ancient and the Christian Orthodox traditions.
Recognition of the Large Ambulatory C2D Stage of Advanced Heart Failure—A Call to Action
Authors: Dunlay Shannon M. , Pinney Sean P. , Lala Anuradha , Stewart Garrick C. , McIlvennan Colleen , Wong Renee P. , Morris Alanna A. , Pagani Francis D. , Allen Larry A. , Breathett Khadijah , Cogswell Rebecca , Colvin Monica M. , Cowger Jennifer A. , Drakos Stavros G. , Gelfman Laura P. , Kanwar Manreet K. , Kiernan Michael S. , Kittleson Michelle M. , Lewis Eldrin F. , Moazami Nader , Ogunniyi Modele O. , Pandey Ambarish , Rogers Joseph G. , Schumacher Kurt R. , Slaughter Mark S. , Tedford Ryan J. , Teuteberg Jeffrey , Valantine Hannah A. , DeFilippis Ersilia M. , Dixon Debra D. , Golbus Jessica R. , Gulati Gaurav , Hanff Thomas C. , Hsiao Stephanie , Lewsey Sabra C. , McCormick Amanda D. , Nayak Aditi , Fenton Kathleen N. , Longacre Lisa Schwartz , Shanbhag Sujata M. , Taddei-Peters Wendy C. , Stevenson Lynne Warner
Published: February 2025

Importance

The advanced ambulatory heart failure (HF) population comprises patients who have progressed beyond the pillars of recommended stage C HF therapies but can still find meaningful life-years ahead. Although these patients are commonly encountered in practice, national databases selectively capture the small groups accepted for heart transplant listing or left ventricular assist devices. The epidemiology, trajectories, and therapies for other ambulatory patients with advanced HF are poorly understood.

Observations

In December 2022, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute convened a team of experts to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities for the ambulatory population with limiting daily symptoms and transition toward refractory end-stage D HF, designated as stage C2D. This article summarizes the findings from that 3-day workshop. Workshop participants surveyed the initial challenges and knowledge gaps for (1) recognition of ambulatory C2D HF, (2) estimation of the magnitude of the affected population and identifiable subpopulations, and (3) physiologic phenotypes, such as low cardiac output, right HF, cardiorenal syndromes, congestive hepatopathy and frailty, which offer distinct targets for existing and emerging therapies. Social drivers of HF and patient preferences for quality/length of survival were highlighted as essential modifiers for personalization of therapies.

Conclusions and Relevance

Ten key points summarized workshop findings, with target cohorts for study proposed as a crucial next step. This workshop summary is intended as a call for action to address knowledge gaps and develop new strategies to improve outcomes in the large ambulatory population with C2D HF.
Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Wearable Devices and Nocturnal Scratching in Mild Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Yang Albert F. , Patel Soham , Chun Keum San , Richards Dylan , Walter Jessica R. , Okamoto Kazuaki , Paller Amy S. , Ikoma Akihiko , Xu Shuai
Published: February 2025

Importance

Although more than 1 in 10 people experience pruritus, there are limited medical technologies that can accurately and continuously quantify and simultaneously reduce scratching behaviors through nonpharmacological methods.

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of an artificial intelligence–enabled wearable sensor with closed-loop haptic feedback to decrease nocturnal scratch in patients with mild atopic dermatitis who report a moderate to severe degree of scratching.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This single-arm 2-stage cohort study with a within-participants design was conducted at a single center and carried out in an at-home environment. Adult patients with atopic dermatitis were recruited from the Northwestern University Department of Dermatology in Chicago, Illinois. Participants were fluent in English, 18 years old or older, had a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, and self-reported moderate or severe scratching behaviors. Each participant’s disease at time of recruitment was scored via the Validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis. Data were collected from April to July 2023.

Exposures

Haptic feedback delivered by a wearable sensor mounted on the hand triggered whenever nocturnal scratch was detected by an artificial intelligence algorithm. Participants initially wore the sensor for sensing only for 7 nights to assess baseline nocturnal scratching and sleep parameters. This was followed by an additional 7 nights of wearing the sensor with haptic feedback activated.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Retrospective analysis was performed for scratch events and scratch duration per night and per hour of sleep opportunity. Paired t tests were used to compare changes in patient scratching behaviors before and after use of the artificial intelligence–enabled haptic feedback devices.

Results

Of 10 included patients, 6 were female, and the mean (SD) age was 36 (12) years. All patients had a Validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis score of 0 to 2 (clear to mild) who contributed a total of 104 sleep nights and 831 monitoring hours. No patients were lost to follow-up. There was a significant decrease in mean (SD) scratch events nightly (45.6 [24.0] vs 32.8 [13.0]; P = .03), a 28% difference, and mean (SD) scratch duration per hour of sleep opportunity (15.8 [10.7] seconds vs 7.9 [3.7] seconds; P = .01), a 50% difference, when haptic feedback was activated in the second week without a decrease in total sleep opportunity.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that haptic feedback may be used as a nonpharmacological intervention to reduce nocturnal scratching in patients with mild atopic dermatitis. Future randomized studies are needed to confirm.
Mendelian Randomization for Dermatology Research
Authors: Hettinger Gary , Margolis David J. , Mitra Nandita
Published: February 2025

This JAMA Network Insight describes the use of mendelian randomization, including key assumptions that must be met, in dermatology research.
Optimizing Pemphigus Management With Rituximab and Short-Term Relapse Predictors
Authors: Hébert Vivien , Hamwi Sami , Tancrède-Bohin Emmanuelle , Quéreux Gaelle , Pham-Ledard Anne , Caux Frédéric , Tedbirt Billal , Lefebvre Alexis , Cordel Nadège , Alexandre Marina , Viguier Manuelle , Jeudy Géraldine , D’Incan Michel , Debarbieux Sébastien , Brue Alexis , Duvert-Lehembre Sophie , Fenot Marion , Seta Vannina , Ingen-Housz-Oro Saskia , Lepelletier Clémence , Joly Pascal
Published: February 2025

Importance

Rituximab is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe pemphigus. However, 20% of patients in the RITUX 3 trial relapsed within the first year of treatment.

Objective

To assess the outcome of an additional rituximab infusion at month 6 in patients with pemphigus who were in complete remission (CR) after rituximab regimen but had 1 or more predictors of relapse at month 3.

Design, Settings, and Participants

This multicenter cohort study was conducted in France from September 2018 to June 2023 to assess patients with newly diagnosed pemphigus who were in CR after treatment with the RITUX 3 regimen but had predictors of relapse at month 3. Relapse factors were a Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) score of 45 or higher, desmoglein 1 (DSG1) antibodies greater than 20 IU/mL, and/or DSG3 antibodies greater than 130 IU/mL.

Exposure

Patients in CR at month 6 with at least 1 predictor of relapse were treated with an additional rituximab infusion at month 6.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary end point was the rate of CR without corticosteroid therapy for 2 months at month 12. Secondary end points were the rate of relapse, number of patients needing to be re-treated (NNT) with rituximab to avoid a relapse, and safety.

Results

The study population comprised 87 patients (44 females [50.6%] and 43 [49.4%] males), with a mean (SD [range]) age of 55.3 (15.2 [24-92]) years at pemphigus diagnosis. Of these, 64 patients (73.6%) had pemphigus vulgaris and 23 (26.4%) had pemphigus foliaceus. At month 6, CR had been achieved by 77 patients (88.5%), and 10 (11.5%) had persistent disease activity. Of the 77 patients in CR, 30 (39.0%) had at least 1 predictor of relapse and received an additional infusion of rituximab; 47 patients (61.0%) without a predictor did not. Two patients without a predictor and no patients with a predictor experienced relapse—an overall relapse rate of 2.6% and an NNT of 3.6 (95% CI, 1.6-46.5). The 10 patients (11.5%) with persistent disease activity at month 6 were re-treated with rituximab, 1000 mg. At month 12, the rate of CR without corticosteroid therapy for a minimum of 2 months was 72 of 77 (93.5%) among patients who had achieved CR at month 6, and 72 of 87 (82.7%) for the whole study population. Eight serious adverse effects were reported among 5 patients; there were no deaths.

Conclusion and Relevance

This multicenter cohort study indicates that using predictors such as baseline PDAI score, anti-DSG1 antibodies, and/or anti-DSG3 antibodies to initiate preemptive treatment with additional rituximab may reduce the rate of short-term relapse.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Surgical Publishing
Authors: Li Ben , Kayssi Ahmed , McLean Lianne J.
Published: February 2025

This Viewpoint discusses the role of generative artificial intelligence in surgical publishing, including idea generation, study conduct, manuscript preparation, and manuscript review.
Validated Integration of Tumor Deposits in N Staging for Prognostication in Colon Cancer
Authors: Sassun Richard , Sileo Annaclara , Ng Jyi Cheng , Violante Tommaso , Gomaa Ibrahim , Mandrekar Jay , Rumer Kristen K. , McKenna Nicholas P. , Larson David W.
Published: February 2025

Importance

Tumor deposits have prognostic value in colon cancer, but the current American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging only considers them if there are no concurrent positive lymph nodes.

Objective

To devise a staging system for colon cancer by integrating counts of tumor deposits with positive lymph nodes while retaining the current AJCC staging framework.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study examines data from a large-volume, tertiary care center database (January 2010 through March 2023 with follow-up until December 2023) and the population-based National Cancer Database (January 2010 through December 2020 with follow-up until December 2021). Participants were adults (age 18-75 years) with stage III colon adenocarcinoma who underwent chemotherapy, and had a specified positive lymph node count and tumor deposit count were selected.

Exposure

A real positive lymph nodes count was developed and used to derive Sassun-Mayo N/tumor, lymph node, and metastasis (TNM) stages that were compared with the AJCC N/TNM stages.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier analyses for 3-year overall survival were performed to assess the efficiency of the 2 staging systems. The concordance index was used for validation using the National Cancer Database.

Results

From a total patient number of 11 162 (institutional) and 848 704 (national), the final patient numbers were 788 and 77 790, respectively. The institutional database patients had a mean (SD) age of 58.5 (11.5) years; there were 433 male patients (54.9%) and 355 female (45.1%). The national database patients had a mean (SD) age of 59.3 (10.6) years; there were 40 315 male patients (51.8%) and 37 475 female (48.2%). ROC curve areas were improved using the Sassun-Mayo stages (3-year death for AJCC TMN, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.57-0.69] vs 0.66 [95% CI, for 0.60-0.72] for Sassun-Mayo TNM). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed visible overlaps among AJCC N stages, which were absent in the Sassun-Mayo N stages. The concordance index in the Sassun-Mayo N/TNM stages was 0.611 and 0.616, respectively, while in the AJCC N/TNM stages, it was 0.598 and 0.606, respectively. Patients upstaged from N1 to N2 (n = 10 307; 13.2%) had a 3-year overall survival rate nearly identical to that of AJCC N2a patients. Additionally, 3001 patients (3.9%) were upstaged from N2a to N2b, indicating that 13 308 patients (17.1%) with stage III colon cancer across cohorts were understaged.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that Sassun-Mayo N/TNM staging provided superior overall survival stratification compared with the current AJCC staging, suggesting that their implementation could improve prognostication in colon cancer.
Enhanced Mechanical Properties of a CoCrNi Alloy with a Gradient Dislocation Structure
Authors: Peng Yiru , Liao Jiangjie , Chen Mian , Ma Pengcheng , Qiu Jing , Liu Yu , Yu Yaoyao , Hu Jian
Published: February 2025

Herein, a gradient dislocation structure (GDS) with a thickness of about 600 μm is fabricated on the surface of a CoCrNi medium entropy alloy (MEA) using surface mechanical rolling treatment. With increasing depth, the dislocation density of the GDS sample decreases, while the grain size shows no significant refinement except for the topmost layer. The strength of the GDS sample exhibits a pronounced increase while maintaining decent elongation (about 40%) and work‐hardening ability, which can be attributed to the numerous dislocation tangles and networks stabilized by the nanoscale chemical short‐range ordered structure dispersed in the CoCrNi MEA. The stable dislocation tangles and networks are effective in resisting dislocation motion, thereby contributing to continuous hardening upon strain. These findings provide a promising approach to achieving exceptional strength‐ductility synergy in MEA and expanding their potential applications in engineering.
Perspective on Multiview Super‐Resolution Microscopy: Innovations and Future Directions
Authors: Rabiee Navid
Published: February 2025

Multiview super‐resolution microscopy (MSRM) has revolutionized biological imaging by providing unprecedented spatial resolution, enabling detailed visualization of complex biological structures and processes. This review explores recent advancements in MSRM, including its integration with deep learning, enhanced imaging dimensionality, synchronized multiview capture, and optimized deconvolution techniques. Despite these significant strides, the field continues to face challenges such as intricate implementation protocols, extensive data management requirements, and the need for precise calibration. Future progress is likely to focus on automating data acquisition workflows, integrating MSRM with complementary imaging modalities for enriched analysis, and achieving real‐time imaging capabilities to capture dynamic biological processes with greater accuracy. Furthermore, MSRM holds immense potential in biomedical research, offering transformative insights into disease mechanisms and the interactions between materials and biological systems. By overcoming existing limitations and embracing emerging technologies, MSRM is set to drive breakthroughs in biological imaging and make significant contributions to the study of biomaterials and bioengineered structures within material science.
Investigation on the Anisotropic Electrothermal Performance of Wood‐Based Graphene Electric Heating Composites
Authors: Qu Wen , Feng Xiaoyu , Guan Bo , Zhou Siman , Tang Xu , Ge Jipeng , Shi Mengjiao , Yang Chunmei
Published: February 2025

The unique material structure and pronounced anisotropy of wood bestow it with an array of remarkable properties, creating opportunities for designing functional materials. This study investigates the application of wood's anisotropic structure in temperature‐controlled intelligent electric heating materials by preparing wood‐based graphene electric heating composites (GNPs@EW). Graphene nanosheets (GNPs) are incorporated into a birch matrix (EW) to enhance the electrical and thermal conductivity of insulating wood. The integration of graphene with wood is confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The optimal composite (GNPs@EW1) is prepared with graphene‐to‐anhydrous ethanol mass ratio of 1:1. The results demonstrate the influence of wood's anisotropy on the electrical and thermal conductivity of the composites, revealing superior performance in the axial direction compared to the tangential direction. The resistivity of GNPs@EW1 along the axial direction decreases by 2.1–2.9 times relative to the tangential direction, and the temperature rise after energization at 6 V is 22–29 °C higher in the axial direction. Furthermore, GNPs@EW1 exhibits thermal stability, enhanced axial mechanical properties, and temperature uniformity, establishing these superior axial properties as a foundation for the development of wood‐based heating materials and innovative smart heating applications.
Double‐Sided Bifunctional Blue‐Green Light Photodetector Based on Liquid Crystalline Polymer for Light Positioning and Health Monitoring
Authors: Liu Zhefeng , Wang Rui , Han Jianing , Chen Tianhao , Deng Zichao , Sun Yalan , Zhao Yongbin , Chen Aihua
Published: February 2025

Wearable blue‐green photodetectors have attracted considerable attention in underwater and medical applications. However, semiconductor‐based photodetectors generally suffer from inevitable performance deterioration because of elastic modulus mismatch between rigid inorganic materials and polymer matrixes. Besides, most of the photodetectors reported so far can't be used on both sides and the multiple functionalizations can only be realized by stacking different types of devices. Herein, an intrinsically flexible and size‐customizable blue‐green photodetector has been fabricated based on well‐designed composite fabrics with oriented electrospun fibers, consisting of pseudo‐stilbene azobenzene‐containing cross–linked liquid crystalline polymers (NAzo‐CLCP) and piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE)] nanogenerator. Taking advantage of the synergistic effect between liquid crystalline alignment and polymer networks, the NAzo‐CLCP devices construct a consecutive and efficient conversion of illuminance – internal stress – electric signal. A responsivity of 233 mV W−1 is achieved in voltage signals and a comparable response time of 0.1 s in current signals compared to the reported wearable semiconductor‐based photodetectors. Benefiting from the inherent flexibility and compatibility of the hydrophobic fabrics, the NAzo‐CLCP devices exhibit robust stabilities under cyclic irradiations, humidity and temperature variations, and especially slightly dynamic conditions, fulfilling basic requirements for wearable electronics. For practical applications, a photodetector array for light positioning based on blue light and a bracelet for real‐time health monitoring based on green light are developed. Profiting from the uniformity of the fabrics and the consistency of detection performance, the integrated bifunction of code transmission and health monitoring over a double‐sided one‐piece photodetector has been realized for the first time, providing extensive potential for wearable electronics based on the NAzo‐CLCP fabrics.
Kidney Fibrosis In Vitro and In Vivo Models: Path Toward Physiologically Relevant Humanized Models
Authors: Addario Gabriele , Moroni Lorenzo , Mota Carlos
Published: February 2025

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 10% of the global population and is a leading cause of mortality. Kidney fibrosis, a key endpoint of CKD, disrupts nephron tubule anatomy and filtration function, and disease pathomechanisms are not fully understood. Kidney fibrosis is currently investigated with in vivo models, that gradually support the identification of possible mechanisms of fibrosis, but with limited translational research, as they do not fully recapitulate human kidney physiology, metabolism, and molecular pathways. In vitro 2D cell culture models are currently used, as a starting point in disease modeling and pharmacology, however, they lack the 3D kidney architecture complexity and functions. The failure of several therapies and drugs in clinical trials highlights the urgent need for advanced 3D in vitro models. This review discusses the urinary system's anatomy, associated diseases, and diagnostic methods, including biomarker analysis and tissue biopsy. It evaluates 2D and in vivo models, highlighting their limitations. The review explores the state‐of‐the‐art 3D‐humanized in vitro models, such as 3D cell aggregates, on‐chip models, biofabrication techniques, and hybrid models, which aim to mimic kidney morphogenesis and functions. These advanced models hold promise for translating new therapies and drugs for kidney fibrosis into clinics.
Evolution and Reconstruction of Air‐Electrode Surface Composition in Reversible Protonic Ceramic Cells: Mechanisms, Impacts on Catalytic Performance, and Optimization Strategies – A Review
Authors: Shi Nai , Xie Yun , Tadé Moses Oludayo , Shao Zongping
Published: February 2025

Reversible protonic ceramic cells (R‐PCCs) are at the forefront of electrochemical conversion devices, capable of reversibly and efficiently converting chemical energy into electricity at intermediate temperatures (350–700 °C) with zero carbon emissions. However, slow surface catalytic reactions at the air‐electrode often hinder their performance and durability. The electrode surface is not merely an extension of the bulk structure, equilibrium reconstruction can lead to significantly different crystal‐plane terminations and morphologies, which are influenced by material's intrinsic properties and external reaction conditions. Understanding electrode surface evolution at elevated temperatures in water‐containing, oxidative atmospheres presents significant importance. In this review, a comprehensive summary of recent processes in applying advanced characterization techniques for high‐temperature electrode surfaces is provided, exploring the correlations between surface evolution and performance fluctuations by examining the structural evolution and reconstruction of various air‐electrode surfaces associated with degradation and activation phenomena, offering insights into their impact on electrode performance. Furthermore, reported strategies and recent advances in enhancing the electrochemical performance of R‐PCCs through engineering air‐electrode surfaces is discussed. This review offers valuable insights into surface evolution in R‐PCCs and is expected to guide future developments in high‐temperature catalysis, solid‐state ionics, and energy materials.
A Wireless Operated Flexible Bioelectronic Microneedle Patch for Actively Controlled Transdermal Drug Delivery
Authors: Jin Taosha , Wang Haiyang , Ullah Ihsan , Xie Wenjiao , Lin Taian , Tan Qiaoling , Pan Xiaoyu , Yuan Youyong
Published: February 2025

Precise control over drug release rates is critical for enhancing therapeutic efficacy, reducing side effects, and maintaining stable drug levels. While microneedles (MNs) offer a promising approach for transdermal drug delivery, conventional passive‐response systems often lack adaptability across diverse drugs and disease models, limiting their versatility. Here, this work presents a flexible bioelectronic microneedle patch (FBMP) that integrates flexible electronics for actively controlled transdermal delivery. The FBMP incorporates a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), a eutectic gallium‐indium (EGaIn) heating film, and dual‐layer microneedles with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) core and polycaprolactone (PCL) shell. This configuration allows real‐time adjustment of the thermal response rate via smartphone‐controlled Bluetooth, achieving rapid drug release within 2 min or sustained release over 10 h. In various animal models, the FBMP demonstrate versatility in delivering multiple drug types, optimizing efficacy, and minimizing side effects for both acute and chronic conditions. Overall, this work introduces a flexible, universal electronic microneedle platform with significant potential to advance precision and personalized medicine by enabling customizable, actively controlled drug release.
Myocardia‐Injected Synergistically Anti‐Apoptotic and Anti‐Inflammatory Poly(amino acid) Hydrogel Relieves Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Luo Qiang , Li Zhibo , Sun Wei , Wang Guoliang , Yao Haochen , Wang Guoqing , Liu Bin , Ding Jianxun
Published: February 2025

Reperfusion therapy is the most effective treatment for acute myocardial infarction, but its efficacy is frequently limited by ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI). While antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory therapies have shown significant potential in alleviating IRI, these strategies have not yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes. For that, a thermo‐sensitive myocardial‐injectable poly(amino acid) hydrogel of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)45‐poly(L‐methionine20‐co‐L‐alanine10) (mPEG45‐P(Met20‐co‐Ala10), PMA) loaded with FTY720 (PMA/FTY720) is developed to address IRI through synergistic anti‐apoptotic and anti‐inflammatory effects. Upon injection into the ischemic myocardium, the PMA aqueous solution undergoes a sol‐to‐gel phase transition and gradually degrades in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS), releasing FTY720 on demand. PMA acts synergistically with FTY720 to inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and modulate pro‐inflammatory M1 macrophage polarization toward anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages by clearing ROS, thereby mitigating the inflammatory response and promoting vascular regeneration. In a rat IRI model, PMA/FTY720 reduces the apoptotic cell ratio by 81.8%, increases vascular density by 34.0%, and enhances left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by 12.8%. In a rabbit IRI model, the gel‐based sustained release of FTY720 enhanced LVEF by an additional 7.2% compared to individual treatment. In summary, the engineered PMA hydrogel effectively alleviates IRI through synergistic anti‐apoptosis and anti‐inflammation actions, offering valuable clinical potential for treating myocardial IRI.
Tailoring of Creep Regime Domain Wall Dynamics in Perpendicularly Magnetized Pd/Co/Pd Trilayers
Authors: Keloth Anurag , Raj Rakhul , Reddy V. Raghavendra , Gupta Mukul , Carlomagno Ilaria , Gloskovksii Andrei , Kuschel Timo , Gupta Ajay , Koyiloth Vayalil Sarathlal
Published: February 2025

Understanding magnetic domain wall (DW) dynamics is vital for improving the performance of heavy metal/ferromagnet based spintronic devices. Pd/Co/Pd multilayers hosting perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and interfacial Dzyaloshinskii‐Moriya interaction are prototypes for high density magnetic memory devices. This work presents the creep regime DW dynamics in Pd/Co/Pd trilayers with Ta buffer layer excited by symmetric field‐induced domain wall motion using Kerr microscopy. A systematic increment of DW velocity with increasing Co thickness is observed. SQUID‐VSM measurements reveal that the effective anisotropy constant decreases with the Co layer, leading to an increased DW width. Kerr microscopy images confirm that the DW is becoming rougher with magnetic layer thickness because of the dominance of magnetostatic energy over the DW energy. Hard X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES) reveals the presence of alloying at interfaces of Co/Pd. The asymmetry in magnetic circular dichroism HAXPES at the Pd 3d edge pictures the induced magnetic moment in Pd which is consistent with the larger saturation magnetization obtained from vibrating sample magnetometry. Extended X‐ray absorption fine structure performed in out‐of‐plane and in‐plane geometry shows the disordered nature of the Co local environment with the interdiffusion of Pd atoms into Co causing an asymmetry in the bonds.