bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single‐cell sequencing: Current applications in various tuberculosis specimen types
Authors: Zeng Yuqin , Ma Quan , Chen Jinyun , Kong Xingxing , Chen Zhanpeng , Liu Huazhen , Liu Lanlan , Qian Yan , Wang Xiaomin , Lu Shuihua
Published: July 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) and responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year. It has a complex pathogenesis that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact systemic organs. In recent years, single‐cell sequencing technology has been utilized to characterize the composition and proportion of immune cell subpopulations associated with the pathogenesis of TB disease since it has a high resolution that surpasses conventional techniques. This paper reviews the current use of single‐cell sequencing technologies in TB research and their application in analysing specimens from various sources of TB, primarily peripheral blood and lung specimens. The focus is on how these technologies can reveal dynamic changes in immune cell subpopulations, genes and proteins during disease progression after M.tb infection. Based on the current findings, single‐cell sequencing has significant potential clinical value in the field of TB research. Next, we will focus on the real‐world applications of the potential targets identified through single‐cell sequencing for diagnostics, therapeutics and the development of effective vaccines.
Abnormal HCK/glutamine/autophagy axis promotes endometriosis development by impairing macrophage phagocytosis
Authors: Lei Sha‐Ting , Lai Zhen‐Zhen , Hou Shu‐Hui , Liu Yu‐Kai , Li Ming‐Qing , Zhao Dong
Published: July 2024

The presence of extensive infiltrated macrophages with impaired phagocytosis is widely recognised as a significant regulator for the development of endometriosis (EMs). Nevertheless, the metabolic characteristics and the fundamental mechanism of impaired macrophage phagocytosis are yet to be clarified. Here, we observe that there is the decreased expression of haematopoietic cellular kinase (HCK) in macrophage of peritoneal fluid from EMs patients, which might be attributed to high oestrogen and hypoxia condition. Of note, HCK deficiency resulted in impaired macrophage phagocytosis, and increased number and weight of ectopic lesions in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, this process was mediated via regulation of glutamine metabolism, and further upregulation of macrophage autophagy in a c‐FOS/c‐JUN dependent manner. Additionally, macrophages of EMs patients displayed insufficient HCK, excessive autophagy and phagocytosis dysfunction. In therapeutic studies, supplementation with glutamine‐pre‐treated macrophage or Bafilomycin A1 (an autophagy inhibitor)‐pre‐treated macrophage leads to the induction of macrophage phagocytosis and suppression of EMs development. This observation reveals that the aberrant HCK‐glutamine‐autophagy axis results in phagocytosis obstacle of macrophage and further increase the development risk of Ems. Additionally, it offers potential therapeutic approaches to prevent EMs, especially patients with insufficient HCK and macrophage phagocytosis dysfunction.
Perioperative pain perception in patients undergoing dermatologic surgery with local anesthesia – A prospective observational study
Authors: Volberg Christian , Gschnell Martin , Eubel Verena , Föhr Julia , Schubert Ann‐Kristin , Pfützner Wolfgang
Published: July 2024

Background

Dermatosurgical procedures are predominantly performed under local anesthesia, yet there are few studies on perioperative pain management for extensive or staged procedures under local anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to assess pain during dermatologic surgery, describe perioperative pain management, and identify factors that influence pain perception.

Patients and methods

This prospective, monocentric study included inpatients undergoing dermatologic surgery under local anesthesia from April to December 2021. Preoperative demographic data, a pain questionnaire, and four psychometric questionnaires (PCS, LOT‐R, SFQ, PHQ‐9) were collected. Postoperative pain and analgesic use during the first 24 hours were recorded.

Results

A total of 120 patients (with a total of 191 interventions) were included in the study. Mean postoperative pain was reported to be very low (NRS < 2). Preoperative pain and expected postoperative pain were found to be predictive of postoperative pain. There was a strong correlation between catastrophizing and preoperative anxiety (r = 0.65) and a moderate correlation between depression and preoperative anxiety (r = 0.46).

Conclusions

Dermatologic surgery under local anesthesia is generally considered painless. During preoperative counseling and assessment, attention should be paid to patients who fear surgery, report pain, or anticipate postoperative pain, as they have an increased risk of experiencing postoperative pain.
The effects of intermittent fasting on body composition and cardiometabolic health in adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Khalafi Mousa , Habibi Maleki Aref , Symonds Michael E. , Rosenkranz Sara K. , Rohani Hadi , Ehsanifar Mahsa
Published: July 2024

Aim

To perform a meta‐analysis to investigate the effects of intermittent fasting (IF), as compared with either a control diet (CON) and/or calorie restriction (CR), on body composition and cardiometabolic health in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from their inception to March 2024 to identify original randomized trials with parallel or crossover designs that studied the effects of IF on body composition and cardiometabolic health. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random‐effects models.

Results

Overall, 14 studies involving 1101 adults with prediabetes or T2D were included in the meta‐analysis. IF decreased body weight (WMD −4.56 kg [95% CI −6.23 to −2.83]; p = 0.001), body mass index (BMI; WMD −1.99 kg.m2 [95% CI −2.74 to −1.23]; p = 0.001), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; WMD −0.81% [95% CI −1.24 to −0.38]; p = 0.001), fasting glucose (WMD −0.36 mmol/L [95% CI −0.63 to −0.09]; p = 0.008), total cholesterol (WMD −0.31 mmol/L [95% CI −0.60 to −0.02]; p = 0.03) and triglycerides (WMD −0.14 mmol/L [95% CI −0.27 to −0.01]; p = 0.02), but did not significantly decrease fat mass, insulin, low‐densitiy lipoprotein, high‐density lipoprotein, or blood pressure as compared with CON. Furthermore, IF decreased body weight (WMD −1.14 kg [95% CI −1.69 to −0.60]; p = 0.001) and BMI (WMD −0.43 kg.m2 [95% CI −0.58 to −0.27]; p = 0.001), but did not significantly affect fat mass, lean body mass, visceral fat, insulin, HbA1c, lipid profiles or blood pressure.

Conclusion

Intermittent fasting is effective for weight loss and specific cardiometabolic health markers in individuals with prediabetes or T2D. Additionally, IF is associated with a reduction in body weight and BMI compared to CR, without effects on glycaemic markers, lipid profiles or blood pressure.
Causes and consequences of microbiome formation in mosquito larvae
Authors: Schwing Cameron D. , Holmes Christopher J. , Muturi Ephantus J. , Dunlap Christopher , Holmes Jessica R. , Cáceres Carla E.
Published: July 2024

The assembly of host‐associated microbial communities is influenced by multiple factors, but the effect of microbiomes on host phenotypes is often not well understood. To address questions of food‐web effects on host microbiome assembly, we manipulated the resource environment (grass only [G] vs. grass + nutrients [GN]), competition type (intra‐ vs. inter‐specific) and density (high vs. low) for Culex restuans mosquito larvae. We predicted the microbial communities in fourth‐instar larvae would differ between these environmental treatments and that these treatments would translate into differences in the adult phenotype.

Resource environment and density influenced the larval microbiome. In addition, the larval microbiome exhibited notable differences compared to the free‐living microbial communities.

Resource‐driven differences in the larval samples can be attributed to Arcobacteraceae being more abundant in larvae reared in the GN treatments relative to those reared in the G treatments and Comamonadaceae being more abundant in the G treatment. Although significant, the difference in community structure between density treatments was difficult to discern. This appears to be driven by Weeksellaceae only being abundant in the high‐density, interspecific, GN treatment.

Rearing larvae to adulthood under severe food limitation resulted in low survival (<25%) in both resource environments. Approximately 60% of survivors to adulthood were male. Larvae reared in the intraspecific, G treatment had the shortest development time to adulthood and emerged as the smallest adults.

These results demonstrate how environmental variation can significantly alter the alpha and beta diversity of free‐living microbes, which in turn can significantly affect host phenotype and critical life history traits, such as development time, size at adulthood, and survival. These findings highlight the importance of considering environmental influences on microbiome diversity to understand and predict host outcomes, offering valuable insights for diverse applications in fields such as ecology, public health, and agriculture.
The potential of budgetary discharge for political accountability: Which lessons from the case of Frontex?
Authors: Gigli Michele
Published: July 2024

With the discharge procedure of the 2020 budget of Frontex, the European Parliament played a primary role in addressing the policy drift of the most important decentralised agency operating in the area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ). This case demonstrates the potential of the discharge tool in steering the performance of decentralised agencies at a time when the mandate of these agencies within the EU executive order is affected by a structural accountability deficit. Confronted with a Rule of Law crisis in the AFSJ, the European Parliament has effectively leveraged the evolving normative framework to imbue the discharge process with significant political oversight functions. In this article, I aim to show that a constitutional dimension of the discharge procedure can be conceptualised, enabling the European Parliament to reaffirm its political account‐holder role as derived from the Treaties and ensure agencies' compliance with their EU‐oriented mandate.
Real‐world approaches to outpatient treatment of status migrainosus: A survey study
Authors: Robblee Jennifer , Orlova Yulia Y. , Ahn Andrew H. , Ali Ashhar S. , Birlea Marius , Charleston Larry , Singh Niranjan N. , Souza Marcio Nattan P.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Identify how the American Headache Society (AHS) membership manages status migrainosus (SM) among outpatients.

Background

SM is defined as a debilitating migraine attack lasting more than 72 h. There is no standard of care for SM, including whether a 72‐h duration is required before the attack can be treated as SM.

Methods

The Refractory Headache Special Interest Group from AHS developed a four‐question survey distributed to AHS members enquiring (1) whether they treat severe refractory migraine attacks the same as SM regardless of duration, (2) what their first step in SM management is, (3) what the top three medications they use for SM are, and (4) whether they are United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) certified. The survey was conducted in January 2022. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Responses were received from 196 of 1859 (10.5%) AHS members; 64.3% were UCNS certified in headache management. Respondents treated 69.4% (136/196) of patients with a severe refractory migraine attack as SM before the 72‐h period had elapsed. Most (76.0%, 149/196) chose “treat remotely using outpatient medications at home” as the first step, 11.2% (22/196) preferred procedures, 6.1% (12/196) favored an infusion center, 6.1% (12/196) sent patients to the emergency department (ED) or urgent care, and 0.5% (1/196) preferred direct hospital admission. The top five preferred medications were as follows: (1) corticosteroids (71.4%, 140/196), (2) nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (50.1%, 99/196), (3) neuroleptics (46.9%, 92/196), (4) triptans (30.6%, 60/196), and (5) dihydroergotamine (DHE) (21.4%, 42/196).

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals with expertise in headache medicine typically treated severe migraine attacks early and did not wait 72 h to fulfill the diagnostic criteria for SM. Outpatient management with one or more medications for home use was preferred by most respondents; few opted for ED referrals. Finally, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, neuroleptics, triptans, and DHE were the top five preferred treatments for home SM management.
Body mass, diet, foraging strata and foraging behaviour predict variation in the propensity to join mixed‐species flocks across birds
Authors: Beauchamp Guy , Mangini G. Giselle
Published: July 2024

Mixed‐species flocking is common in birds and is associated with increased foraging efficiency and reduced predation pressure. The propensity to join mixed‐species flocks within a community varies across species, possibly reflecting species‐specific needs for increased protection from predators, opportunities to increase foraging efficiency or both. Previous studies on predictors of mixed‐species flocking propensity across species have typically focused on local communities, with or without accounting for phylogenetic relatedness. Here, we examined predictors of mixed‐species flocking propensity across the published literature using a phylogenetic linear mixed model framework. We obtained 724 mixed‐species flocking propensity estimates from 31 different study sites located primarily in South America and East Asia. Flocking propensity was associated with diet, foraging strata and foraging behaviour, and was inversely related to body mass. Controlling for phylogeny and body mass, flocking propensity was significantly lower for nectarivores than for species with other diets, lower for species foraging on the ground than in higher strata, and lower for sallying species than for bark and near‐perch foragers. These results suggest that variation across species in the tendency to join mixed‐species flocks can be predicted from knowledge about various species‐specific ecological traits in birds.
Advancing lung adenocarcinoma prognosis and immunotherapy prediction with a multi‐omics consensus machine learning approach
Authors: Lin Haoran , Zhang Xiao , Feng Yanlong , Gong Zetian , Li Jun , Wang Wei , Fan Jun
Published: July 2024

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a tumour characterized by high tumour heterogeneity. Although there are numerous prognostic and immunotherapeutic options available for LUAD, there is a dearth of precise, individualized treatment plans. We integrated mRNA, lncRNA, microRNA, methylation and mutation data from the TCGA database for LUAD. Utilizing ten clustering algorithms, we identified stable multi‐omics consensus clusters (MOCs). These data were then amalgamated with ten machine learning approaches to develop a robust model capable of reliably identifying patient prognosis and predicting immunotherapy outcomes. Through ten clustering algorithms, two prognostically relevant MOCs were identified, with MOC2 showing more favourable outcomes. We subsequently constructed a MOCs‐associated machine learning model (MOCM) based on eight MOCs‐specific hub genes. Patients characterized by a lower MOCM score exhibited better overall survival and responses to immunotherapy. These findings were consistent across multiple datasets, and compared to many previously published LUAD biomarkers, our MOCM score demonstrated superior predictive performance. Notably, the low MOCM group was more inclined towards ‘hot’ tumours, characterized by higher levels of immune cell infiltration. Intriguingly, a significant positive correlation between GJB3 and the MOCM score (R = 0.77,p < 0.01) was discovered. Further experiments confirmed that GJB3 significantly enhances LUAD proliferation, invasion and migration, indicating its potential as a key target for LUAD treatment. Our developed MOCM score accurately predicts the prognosis of LUAD patients and identifies potential beneficiaries of immunotherapy, offering broad clinical applicability.
Mullus barbatus L. and Mullus surmuletus L. from western Mediterranean waters (SE Spain) are infected by Hysterothylacium fabri, but not by zoonotic nematodes. Possible impact on fish hosts#
Authors: Morales‐Yuste Manuel , López‐Valverde Jesús , Sánchez‐Fernández Natalia , Veiga Jesús , Garrido Mario , Adroher Francisco Javier , Benítez Rocío
Published: July 2024

In order to know whether there is a risk of anisakiasis (or anisakidosis) by consumption of fish of the genus Mullus from the western Mediterranean Sea, which are appreciated for their quality, an epidemiological survey was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of zoonotic or potentially zoonotic nematodes in M. barbatus and M. surmuletus. Although the presence of the third larval stage (L3) of anisakids (Anisakis and Contracaecum) has been previously described in these fish, the results showed the absence of anisakids and the presence, never in muscle, of L3 and L4 of raphidascaridids of the genus Hysterothylacium, molecularly identified as H. fabri. Phylogenetic analysis groups them into the Mediterranean Sea clade, far from individuals isolated in the Pacific Ocean. Prevalence was slightly higher, but not significant, in M. barbatus versus M. surmuletus (72.3% vs 60.0%), but mean intensity (MI) and mean abundance (MA) parameters were approximately twice as high in M. barbatus as in M. surmuletus (MI 5.8 vs 2.8, p = .001; MA 4.2 vs 1.7, p < .001). The presence of the parasite seems to have different effects on these two sympatric species. In M. barbatus it seems to affect their growth, as it appreciably reduces the value of allometry coefficient in infected fish (2.78 vs. 2.18). On the other hand, in M. surmuletus the infection significantly (p < .04) affects the Fulton's condition factor, an indicator of the health status of the fish. It can be concluded that the ingestion of these fish by the people poses negligible risk of anisakiasis, but the consumer should continue to be urged to follow the rules of prevention against this illness.
Enhancing microbial control in poultry processing: A comprehensive study on carcass washing systems
Authors: Flores Débora Zamprogna , Steffens Clarice , Paroul Natalia , Backes Geciane Toniazzo , Steffens Juliana , Valduga Eunice , Cansian Rogério Luis
Published: July 2024

In the poultry industry, the evisceration stage often sees the highest microbial load on chicken carcasses. While manual trimming has traditionally been employed to remove gastrointestinal contamination, Brazilian legislation allows the use of a carcass washing system as an alternative. This study aimed to establish and validate a protocol for the use of a chicken carcass washing system as a replacement for manual trimming in a major poultry processing facility in southern Brazil. The methodology followed international standards for microbial analysis such as total mesophilic counts and Enterobacteriaceae. Comparing contamination levels before and after treatments, significant reductions are seen. Manual trimming reduced contamination by 39.43% (gastric), 53% (fecal), and 50% (biliary). Washing achieved greater reductions, with a 96.37% drop in gastric contamination and complete elimination (100%) of fecal contamination. These results met statistical significance. Both procedures reduced contamination levels. Manual trimming maintained 50% of samples below the mean value without exceeding upper control limits (UCL). Washing increased the percentage of samples below the mean value from 46% to 54%, demonstrating its superior efficiency. For Enterobacteriaceae, trimming maintained 44% of samples below the mean value, and washing increased it from 46% to 48%. In conclusion, the carcass washing system effectively removes visible gastrointestinal contents, meeting regulatory standards and receiving authorization from the Federal Inspection Service for use in the facility.
Cardiac autonomic modulation and exercise capacity in older adults with intellectual disability: A 6‐month randomised control trial
Authors: Font‐Farré M. , Guerra‐Balic M. , Farche A. C. , de Medeiros Takahashi A. C. , Simón‐Siles S. , Oviedo G. R.
Published: July 2024

Background

Despite reported physical and functional improvements with aerobic and sprint interval training (SIT) protocols in individuals with intellectual disability (ID), it is not known if these interventions' effectivity would promote improvements in cardiac autonomic modulation. This study aimed to investigate if a 6‐month SIT or a continuous aerobic programme could enhance physical performance and cardiac autonomic modulation at rest, during physical activity (PA) and after it in older adults with an ID.

Methods

This is a randomised control trial. Participants with ID (age: 50.58 ± 7.25) were allocated to one of three groups [multicomponent aerobic training group (MATG), multicomponent interval sprint training group (MISTG) and control group (CG)]. The programmes lasted 24 weeks, with three sessions/week, 75–90 min per session. The HRV was analysed at rest and recovery, the delta of heart rate (HR) was analysed during 6MWT, and the HR t‐off kinetics was analysed in recovery after 6MWT.

Results

There were not found differences between groups, moments, or interaction for cardiac autonomic modulation at rest and recovery. During exercise, only MSITG showed a significant increase of HR between rest and the first 30 s of exercise (P < 0.05). Physical performance increased only in MSITG (P < 0.05), while CG showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The MSITG improved the physical performance and the vagal withdrawal at the beginning of the submaximal exercise. These findings suggest that high‐intensity exercise may positively impact baroreflex function, mitigating the decline in autonomic reflex response capacity associated with aging in individuals with ID.
Mind reading dysfunctions in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: A neuropsychological approach
Authors: Macchitella Luigi , Spaccavento Simona , Arigliani Michele , Giaquinto Francesco , Turi Marco , Battista Petronilla , De Benedetto Michele , Leccese Giuliana , Aliani Maria , Angelelli Paola
Published: July 2024

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a prevalent sleep‐related breathing disorder that has been extensively studied for its effects on cognitive functions. However, little attention has been given to investigating Mind Reading (MR) skills in patients with OSAS. In this study, we employed a neuropsychological approach to thoroughly assess various facets of MR skills in patients with OSAS. Forty‐two patients with untreated moderate or severe OSAS (AHI ≥15; 30 men, 12 women) and 16 healthy controls (7 men and 9 women), matched by age, were enrolled. To assess MR skills, we used: (i) The Story‐based Empathy Task (SET), which includes three experimental conditions: identifying intentions (SET‐IA), emotional states (SET‐EA), and a control condition for inferring causality reactions (SET‐CI); (ii) the Ekman 60 Faces Test (Ek60), which measures emotion recognition from facial expressions. Our findings revealed that patients with OSAS exhibit deficits in emotion‐related MR skills, while their ability to make inferences about the cognitive states of social partners remains largely preserved. This finding corroborates previous evidence indicating that social cognition, particularly MR skills, may be one of the cognitive domains affected by OSAS. It emphasizes the significance of investigating social cognition and the relationship between MR skills and social functioning as a new and intriguing area of research in patients with OSAS.
Exploring newcomer voice and silence dynamics: The role of organizational socialization
Authors: Reissner Tim A. , Guenter Hannes , de Jong Simon B.
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the temporal dynamics of newcomer voice and silence in organizations, focusing on the role of organizational socialization. While prior research has explored the antecedents and effects of newcomer voice behaviour, little attention has been given to how voice and silence evolve over time as newcomers become more familiar with their roles and the organizational context. Drawing on multiple goal pursuit theory, this study investigates how organizational socialization influences the trajectories of newcomer promotive voice, prohibitive voice and employee silence. We test our hypotheses on a sample of 198 organizational newcomers over four waves of data, employing random coefficient growth models. The findings suggest that employee voice and silence follow distinct trajectories and provide partial support for the influence of organizational socialization on these changes in newcomer behaviour. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Electoral reform and fragmented polarization: New evidence from Taiwan legislative roll calls
Authors: Liao Yen‐Chieh
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates how legislators respond to an electoral reform by adjusting their positions with respect to co‐partisans and rivals. Using cross‐sectional legislative roll calls over 20 years, we study how the dynamics of blue‐green confrontation are influenced by Taiwan's electoral reform from Single Non‐Transferable Votes (the SNTV) to Single‐Member Districts (SMD). Contrary to existing literature, our empirical evidence shows that the reform significantly fragmented legislator positions within their party and in relation to members from opposing parties, leading to an increase in contentious legislation and higher levels of both inter‐ and intra‐party distance. In the years following the reform, the political confrontation between the Kuomintang and the Democratic Progressive Party gradually diminished, eventually returning to levels seen before the reform. Moreover, our analysis reveals that the 2008 reform had heterogeneous effects on different parties, with each party displaying varying levels of resilience in response. This finding contributes to electoral system literature, providing policy implications for democratic countries contemplating electoral reforms.
Phosphatidylethanolamines link ferroptosis and autophagy during appressorium formation of rice blast fungus
Authors: Liu Qiao , Long Ruhui , Lin Chaoxiang , Bi Xinping , Liang Zhibin , Deng Yi Zhen
Published: July 2024

A cell death pathway, ferroptosis, occurs in conidial cells and is critical for formation and function of the infection structure, the appressorium, in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. In this study, we identified an orthologous lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (Lpaat) acting at upstream of phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) biosynthesis and which is required for such fungal ferroptosis and pathogenicity. Two PE species, DOPE and SLPE, that depend on Lpaat function for production were sufficient for induction of lipid peroxidation and the consequent ferroptosis, thus positively regulating fungal pathogenicity. On the other hand, both DOPE and SLPE positively regulated autophagy. Loss of the LPAAT gene led to a decrease in the lipidated form of the autophagy protein Atg8, which is probably responsible for the autophagy defect of the lpaatΔ mutant. GFP‐Lpaat was mostly localized on the membrane of lipid droplets (LDs) that were stained by the fluorescent dye monodansylpentane (MDH), suggesting that LDs serve as a source of lipids for membrane PE biosynthesis and probably as a membrane source of autophagosome. Overall, our results reveal novel intracellular membrane‐bound organelle dynamics based on Lpaat‐mediated lipid metabolism, providing a temporal and spatial link of ferroptosis and autophagy.
A new classification for emergency critically ill patients and analysis of their adverse events during intrahospital transport: A cluster analysis
Authors: An Ying , Cao Kai , Li Fei , Lu Qi , Guan Ya‐Mei , Lu Zhen‐Hui , Wang Ai‐Ping , Tian Zi‐Rong
Published: July 2024

Background

Critical patients may experience various adverse events during transportation within hospitals. Therefore, quickly evaluating and classifying patients before transporting them from the emergency department and focusing on managing high‐risk patients are critical. At present, no unified classification method exists; all the current approaches are subjective.

Aims

To ensure transportation safety, we conducted a cluster analysis of critically ill patients transferred from the emergency department to the intensive care unit.

Study Design

Single‐centre cohort study. This study was conducted at a comprehensive first‐class teaching hospital in Beijing. Convenience sampling and continuous enrolment were employed. We collected data from 1 January 2019, to 31 December 2021. All patients were transferred from the emergency department to the intensive care unit, and cluster analysis was conducted using five variables.

Results

A total of 584 patients were grouped into three clusters. Cluster 1 (high systolic blood pressure group) included 208 (35.6%) patients. Cluster 2 (high heart rate and low blood oxygen group) included 55 (9.4%) patients. Cluster 3 (normal group) included the remaining 321 (55%) patients. The oxygen saturation levels of all the patients were lower after transport, and the proportion of adverse events (61.8%) was the highest in Cluster 2 (p < .05).

Conclusions

This study utilized data on five important vital signs from a cluster analysis to explore possible patient classifications and provide a reference for ensuring transportation safety.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Before transferring patients, we should classify them and implement targeted care. Changes in blood oxygen levels in all patients should be considered, with a focus on the occurrence of adverse events during transportation among patients with high heart rates and low blood oxygen levels.
Effectiveness and safety of a simple catheter securement device aimed at preventing catheter‐associated urinary tract infection in intensive care unit patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Calpe‐Damians Neus , Wennberg‐Capellades Laia , Ventura‐Rosado Arminda , Gonzalez‐Engroba Remei , Enríquez‐Pérez Nuria , Vicario‐Martos Concepción , Roldos‐Gales Anabel , Guri‐López Thais , Rafart‐Aguado Sonia , Ramírez‐Ramon Angie , Llauradó‐Serra Mireia
Published: July 2024

Background

Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) recommend urinary catheter securement in critical patients although there is scant research on its effectiveness.

Aim

To analyse whether securement of an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) reduces the risk of CAUTI and meatal pressure injury among intensive care unit (ICU) patients and assess medical adhesive‐related skin injury (MARSI) associated with the securement device.

Study Design

Open randomized controlled trial involving patients admitted to two ICUs in Spain. In the intervention group (n = 169 patients), the IUC was secured to the thigh using an in‐house device piloted as part of this trial. Controls (n = 181) received standard care, including non‐securement of the IUC. Barrier film spray was applied to the securement site with the aim of preventing MARSI. The definitions of the main outcomes were: CAUTI was diagnosed according to the criteria of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, meatal pressure injury was categorized into four grades and MARSI was classified as either erythema or skin tears. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Log‐rank and Cox regressions were used to compare risk over time to CAUTI and meatal pressure injury in the two groups.

Results

Data from 350 patients were analysed, 169 (48.29%) from IG and 181 (51.71%) from CG. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, IUC securement was an independent protective factor against both CAUTI (RR = 0.2, 95% CI [0.05, 0.67]) and meatal pressure injury (RR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.15, 0.58]). The incidence of MARSI was 7.1%.

Conclusion

Effective IUC securement significantly reduces the risk of CAUTI and meatal pressure injury among ICU patients. The in‐house device piloted in the present trial is simple for nurses to use, and the incidence of MARSI was low. These results underline the benefits of IUC securement.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) securement reduces the risk of urinary tract infection. IUC securement helps prevent meatal pressure injury. IUC securement with in‐house devices is safe and effective.
Nonparametric estimation of densities on the hypersphere using a parametric guide
Authors: Alonso‐Pena María , Claeskens Gerda , Gijbels Irène
Published: July 2024

Hyperspherical kernel density estimators (KDE), which use a parametric distribution as a guide, are studied in this paper. The main benefit is that these estimators improve the bias of nonguided kernel density estimators when the parametric guiding distribution is not too far from the true density, while preserving the variance. When using a von Mises‐Fisher density as guide, the proposal performs as well as the classical KDE, even when the guiding model is incorrect, and far from the true distribution. This benefit is particular for the hyperspherical setting given its compact support, and is in contrast to similar methods for real valued data. Moreover, we deal with the important issue of data‐driven selection of the smoothing parameter. Simulations and real data examples illustrate the finite‐sample performance of the proposed method, also in comparison with other recently proposed estimation methods.
Global insights into keloid formation: An international systematic review of regional genetic risk factors and commonalities
Authors: James Andrew J. , Torres‐Guzman Ricardo A. , Chaker Sara C. , Sigel Matthew E. , Perdikis Galen , Supp Dorothy M. , Dale Slater Elizabeth L.
Published: July 2024

Keloid disorder is a morbid and disfiguring benign fibroproliferative disease with a higher incidence in groups with darker skin pigmentation. Predicting keloidogenesis in patients is difficult with treatment primarily aimed at preventing further scar expansion and improving aesthetics without addressing their unknown underlying pathophysiology. We aimed to identify potential genetic predispositions to keloid scarring in the literature. A search was conducted on 21 August 2023, by the first and second authors independently from 1985 to August 2023 using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and CINAHL. The following MeSH terms were used: ‘Keloid’, ‘Risk’ and ‘Genetic’. Two researchers independently searched for studies based on titles and abstracts and screened filtered articles by reviewing full text. If no agreement could be reached, a third senior author designated whether the article should be included. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses 2020 statement as the basis of our organisation. Human studies with genetic analysis to determine an association of a protein or gene to keloidogenesis were selected for inclusion. Studies in languages other than English, reviews, conference articles, and book chapters were excluded. Fifty studies met inclusion criteria. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system was broadly implicated, and the DRB1*15 allele was associated with an increased risk of keloid in three separate ethnic groups. Some HLA Class I alleles were associated with keloid in one population but not in others. Additionally, polymorphisms in the E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligase (NEDD4) signal cascade and vitamin D receptor (VDR) have been implicated in diverse groups. No current genetic test can predict keloid risk. Our review identified candidate predisposing genes, including NEDD4, VDR and components of the HLA system. Further studies in heterogeneous populations are needed to identify reliable screening targets.
Intersections of focused ultrasound and extracellular vesicles: Toward diversified biomarker enrichment and discovery
Authors: Sheybani Natasha D.
Published: July 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous, membrane-bound structures shed by most fluid-interfacing cell types and play a critical role in orchestrating pathophysiological processes. With the advancement of liquid biopsy for cancer diagnosis and surveillance, EVs have burgeoned as a powerful asset toward circulating biomarker discovery owing to their diverse cargo (i.e., proteins, metabolites, nucleic acids, lipids). With the advent of focused ultrasound (FUS) technology as a tool for “sonobiopsy” in solid tumors, we recognize the increasing importance of deconvolving how the diverse bioeffects of FUS may influence EV quantity and quality. We have examined the impacts of thermal and mechanical FUS regimens on EV release and profile across cancer and immune cell contexts. Our observations suggest that both hyperthermia and microbubble-assisted FUS augment EV release acutely. On closer examination, hyperthermia-exposed EVs also display shifts in proteomic profile and differential immunomodulatory capacity. Ongoing studies are interrogating the impact of other FUS regimens on EV biology. Meanwhile, we are also directly investigating EVs from liquid biopsy specimens spanning murine cancer models, veterinary oncology (spontaneous canine cancers), and clinical trials. We expect that a continued work at the functional intersection of FUS and EVs will yield important, timely insight for this rapidly evolving field.
Microbubble-enhanced and activity-informed FUS liquid biopsy in infiltrating gliomas
Authors: Anastasiadis Pavlos , Bettegowda Chetan , Woodworth Graeme F.
Published: July 2024

In the absence of clinically available biomarkers for CNS malignancies, the conventional method for disease monitoring in glioma patients is radiologic. While most cancers shed cell-free molecules of tumor-derived DNA into the circulation, brain tumors form the exception to this rule, rarely shedding detectable levels of tumor DNA into the bloodstream. Microbubble-enhanced focused ultrasound (MB-FUS) is a rapidly emerging clinical tool to safely open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for enhanced neurotherapeutic delivery and liquid biopsy. Previous work demonstrated MB-FUS treatments in infiltrating gliomas using multi-transducer systems with embedded acoustic emissions (AEMs) monitoring. In this study, we analyzed serum samples from a Phase 1 clinical trial of combined MB-FUS BBB opening with adjuvant temozolomide treatment of the tumor-infiltrated brain regions surrounding the surgical resection cavity of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The analysis evaluated the technical and treatment parameters associated with BBB opening, circulating DNA levels, and other biomarkers of MB-FUS effects. We analyzed serum samples using Real-SeqS and ELISA to quantify biomarker levels in longitudinal serum fluid samples derived from 13 patients undergoing repeated cycles of MB-FUS plus temozolomide. Our work and others in the field establish the potential for MB-FUS-enabled, non-invasive biopsy of gliomas, which would fundamentally advance the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of brain tumors.
Capillaries, cancer, and cavitation: An introduction to the Biomedical Acoustics Technical Committee
Authors: Simon Julianna C.
Published: July 2024

Biomedical acoustics is a growing field comprised of individuals who study the interaction of sound with biological materials. While ultrasound in medicine is most associated with fetal imaging, researchers and clinicians continue to push the boundaries of ultrasound to improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease. As such, this conference features special sessions on imaging the microvasculature in the brain and beamforming to improve the speed and quality of the ultrasound image. But ultrasound can also be used as a therapeutic due to absorption of the acoustic wave, radiation forces, and cavitation. On the therapy side, special sessions have been organized on: phase-change contrast agents, which can improve imaging contrast or locally deliver medications to cells; sonodynamic therapy, which involves killing cancer cells with ultrasound; sonobiopsy, which uses ultrasound to enhance the release of biomarkers for noninvasive disease diagnosis; and wave propagation in complex media, which helps us to understand our acoustic field for imaging and therapy. BATC has also organized a session on training students in technical writing. Ultrasound is an important diagnostic and treatment modality that continues to advance as researchers and physicians work to improve patient outcomes.
Bound states in the continuum in clusters of acoustic and elastic resonators
Authors: Torrent Daniel , Martí Sabaté Marc , Li Junfei , Cummer Steven , Djafari-Rouhani Bahram
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the localization of waves within highly symmetric clusters of scatterers, focusing on the resonances that emerge when resonators are strategically positioned along the perimeter of a circumference. Notably, the quality factor of these resonances exhibits a noteworthy enhancement with an increasing number of resonators. We demonstrate that, specifically for flexural waves, as the number of scatterers approaches infinity, a defining condition emerges for the formation of bound states in the continuum (BICs). Additionally, we present an analytical expression for the design of these BICs. The findings extend beyond flexural waves, being applicable to various types of classical waves. To validate our theoretical framework, we conduct an experimental study in acoustics, showcasing the realization of an acoustic BIC open resonator. This resonator is constructed by coupling polygonally arranged holes within a two-dimensional waveguide. Our proposed design enables the scanning of the acoustic field, facilitating the retrieval of mode shapes and the estimation of quality factors through the analysis of signal decay rates.
Backscattering-free edge states below all bands in two-dimensional auxetic media
Authors: Cheng Wenting , Qian Kai , Cheng Nan , Boechler Nicholas , Mao Xiaoming , Sun Kai
Published: July 2024

Unidirectional and backscattering-free propagation of sound waves is of fundamental interest in physics and highly sought-after in engineering. Current strategies utilize topologically protected chiral edge modes in bandgaps or complex mechanisms involving active constituents or nonlinearity. Here, we propose a new class of passive, linear, one-way edge states based on spin-momentum locking of Rayleigh waves in two-dimensional media in the limit of vanishing bulk modulus, which provides 100% unidirectional and backscattering-free edge propagation immune to any edge roughness at a broad range of frequencies instead of residing in gaps between bulk bands. We further show that such modes are characterized by a new topological winding number that is analogous to discrete angular momentum eigenvalues in quantum mechanics. These passive and backscattering-free edge waves have the potential to enable a new class of phononic devices in the form of lattices or continua that work in previously inaccessible frequency ranges.
Time-varying phononic metamaterials
Authors: Esquivel-Sirvent Raul
Published: July 2024

The introduction of the concept of time crystals [1] opened the possibility of looking for classical systems whose properties change in time. These analog systems are known as time-varying materials [2]. In this talk, I will present two examples of time-varying systems. In one case, we consider a homogeneous slab with an acoustic impedance that varies with time in a periodic way with period T; this is, Z(t) = Z(t + T). Although it is a homogeneous medium, a band structure appears due to the time dependence of the impedance. However, rather than having the bands rather than being in frequency are in the wave-number space. The second example is a phononic crystal made of a periodic array of unit cells of two different materials. In this case, one of the materials shows a time-dependent impedance that introduces a second modulation on the system. The possible realization of time-dependent structures and the potential applications will be discussed. F. Wilkzek, Quantum Time Crystals, Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 160401 (2012). E. Galiffi, R. Tirole, S. Yin, H. Li, S. Vezzoli et al. “Photonics of time-varying media,” Adv. Photonics, 4, 014002 (2022). [Work partially supported by DGAPA-UNAM.]
Characterizing inner-hair-cell specific dysfunction from spike-train-derived transduction functions using a phenomenological auditory-nerve model
Authors: Patra Madhurima , Mukesh Adarsh , Heinz Michael G.
Published: July 2024

The impact of outer-hair-cell damage on sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been extensively studied compared with inner-hair-cell (IHC) damage (e.g., stereocilial). Pre-clinical SNHL animal models provide unique data to directly address IHC-specific deficits (e.g., carboplatin-exposed chinchillas). Spike-train data (period histograms) to low sound level tones can be used to derive IHC-transduction functions by mapping instantaneous spike rates to corresponding sinusoidal pressure values (Horst et al., 2018). However, this approach depends on sensation level and spontaneous rate, which are both affected by IHC dysfunction. To better understand the effect of these dependencies, we used a phenomenological auditory-nerve (AN) model (Bruce et al., 2018) that provides parametric control over IHC and OHC dysfunction allowing exploration of optimal experimental design. Here, we explore the utility of spike-train-derived IHC-transduction functions in capturing parametric changes in IHC dysfunction as currently implemented in the AN model. We used unsupervised methods and information-theoretic approaches to quantify the dependency of transduction functions on IHC dysfunction. We also compared model findings with AN-fiber data recorded from carboplatin-exposed chinchillas. Preliminary findings suggest that transduction functions obtained from the AN model can capture IHC-specific dysfunction within specific regimes of controllable model parameters, thus showing promise for characterizing IHC dysfunction.
Exploring the hidden risks: How U.S. infrastructure contributes to hearing loss
Authors: Duan Tianle , Li Qingchun , Kim Noori
Published: July 2024

Hearing loss is a critical health issue in the US, as approximately 15% of American adults live with hearing loss. Existing factors affecting hearing loss include congenital factors, chronic middle ear infections, noise exposure, age, gender, lifestyle, and ototoxic drugs. However, few studies investigated how infrastructure would affect hearing loss. Forbes Health recently reported cities with the greatest hearing loss risks ranked by the densities of specific infrastructure establishments, such as restaurants and cafeterias, bars and nightclubs, construction, and casinos, where sound can reach damaging levels (i.e., producing noise over 85 decibels on average). To verify this idea, we investigated the correlation between the hearing loss rate and the density of risky establishments at the county level, using the U.S. Census Bureau hearing loss population data and point-of-interest data provided by Safegraph and Openstreet. However, the results show that 81.25% of states (39/48) have statistically significant negative correlations between the densities of risky establishments and hearing loss rates at county levels. In contrast, the other states show no significant correlations. The results imply a different mechanism from Forbes’ report of infrastructure damaging hearing and suggest further exploration of how infrastructure contributes to hearing loss in the US.