bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a 10-Week Exercise and Nutritional Intervention with Variable Dietary Carbohydrates and Glycaemic Indices on Substrate Metabolism, Glycogen Storage, and Endurance Performance in Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moitzi Anna Maria , Krššák Martin , Klepochova Radka , Triska Christoph , Csapo Robert , König Daniel
Published: April 2024

Background

Daily nutrition plays an important role in supporting training adaptions and endurance performance. The objective of this 10-week study was to investigate the consequences of varying carbohydrate consumption and the glycaemic index (GI) together with an endurance training regimen on substrate oxidation, muscle energy storage and endurance performance under free-living conditions. Sixty-five moderately trained healthy men (29 ± 4 years; VO2 peak 55 ± 8 mL min−1 kg−1) were randomized to one of three different nutritional regimes (LOW-GI: 50–60% CHO with ≥ 65% of these CHO with GI < 50 per day, n = 24; HIGH-GI: 50–60% CHO with ≥ 65% CHO with GI > 70 per day, n = 20; LCHF: ≤ 50 g CHO daily, n = 21). Metabolic alterations and performance were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 10 weeks (T10) during a graded exercise treadmill test. Additionally, a 5 km time trial on a 400-m outdoor track was performed and muscle glycogen was measured by magnet resonance spectroscopy.

Results

Total fat oxidation expressed as area under the curve (AUC) during the graded exercise test increased in LCHF (1.3 ± 2.4 g min−1 × km h−1, p < 0.001), remained unchanged in LOW-GI (p > 0.05) and decreased in HIGH-GI (− 1.7 ± 1.5 g min−1 × km h−1, p < 0.001). After the intervention, LOW-GI (− 0.4 ± 0.5 mmol L−1 × km h−1, p < 0.001) and LCHF (− 0.8 ± 0.7 mmol L−1 × km h−1, p < 0.001) showed significantly lower AUC of blood lactate concentrations. Peak running speed increased in LOW-GI (T0: 4.3 ± 0.4 vs. T10: 4.5 ± 0.3 m s−1, p < 0.001) and HIGH-GI (T0: 4.4 ± 0.5 vs. T10: 4.6 ± 0.4 m s−1), while no improvement was observed in LCHF. Yet, time trial performance improved significantly in all groups. Muscle glycogen content increased for participants in HIGH-GI (T0: 97.3 ± 18.5 vs. T10: 144.5 ± 39.8 mmol L wet-tissue−1, p = 0.027) and remained unchanged in the LOW-GI and the LCHF group. At the last examination, muscle glycogen concentration was significantly higher in LOW-GI compared to LCHF (p = 0.014).

Conclusion

Changes in fat oxidation were only present in LCHF, however, lower lactate concentrations in LOW-GI resulted in changes indicating an improved substrate metabolism. Compared to a LCHF diet, changes in peak running speed, and muscle glycogen stores were superior in LOW- and HIGH-GI diets. The low GI diet seems to have an influence on substrate metabolism without compromising performance at higher intensities, suggesting that a high-carbohydrate diet with a low GI is a viable alternative to a LCHF or a high GI diet.

Trial registration: Clinical Trials, NCT05241730. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05241730. Registered 25 January 2021.
Anterolateral papillary muscle suction causing low flow in a COVID-19 patient without medical history: a case report of central extracorporeal life support with left ventricular apex decompression
Authors: Miyake Tomoaki , Minami Kimito , Kazawa Masahiro , Tadokoro Naoki , Tonai Kohei , Fukushima Satsuki
Published: April 2024

Background

Left ventricular (LV) decompression is an essential strategy for improving early survival in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. Low pump flow in patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS) with LV apex decompression is a life-threatening issue. However, identifying the underlying causes of low flow can be challenging.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old woman with COVID-19-related fulminant myocarditis was treated with central ECLS with LV apex decompression. The pump flow in the intensive care unit (ICU) was intermittently low, and low flow alerts were frequent. The initial evaluation based on pressure monitor waveforms and transthoracic echocardiography failed to identify the underlying cause. Prompt bedside transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed that the anterolateral papillary muscle was suctioned into the vent cannula of the LV apex during systole. The patient underwent a repeat sternal midline incision in the operating room, and the cannula at the LV apex was repositioned. There were no further suction events after the repositioning, and the patient was weaned from ECLS 12 days after admission to the ICU. The patient was discharged in a stable condition and without neurological deficits.

Conclusions

TEE is an important diagnostic tool to identify the underlying cause of low flow flow in patients undergoing ECLS with LV apex decompression.
On investigating drivers’ attention allocation during partially-automated driving
Authors: Eddine Reem Jalal , Mulatti Claudio , Biondi Francesco N.
Published: April 2024

The use of partially-automated systems require drivers to supervise the system functioning and resume manual control whenever necessary. Yet literature on vehicle automation show that drivers may spend more time looking away from the road when the partially-automated system is operational. In this study we answer the question of whether this pattern is a manifestation of inattentional blindness or, more dangerously, it is also accompanied by a greater attentional processing of the driving scene. Participants drove a simulated vehicle in manual or partially-automated mode. Fixations were recorded by means of a head-mounted eye-tracker. A surprise two-alternative forced-choice recognition task was administered at the end of the data collection whereby participants were quizzed on the presence of roadside billboards that they encountered during the two drives. Data showed that participants were more likely to fixate and recognize billboards when the automated system was operational. Furthermore, whereas fixations toward billboards decreased toward the end of the automated drive, the performance in the recognition task did not suffer. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that the use of the partially-automated driving system may result in an increase in attention allocation toward peripheral objects in the road scene which is detrimental to the drivers’ ability to supervise the automated system and resume manual control of the vehicle.
UN peacekeeper health and risk factors --- a systematic scoping review
Authors: Yuan Quan , Chen Yong , Liu Shili , Huang Qingning , Liao Miaomiao , Zhou Jiani , Li Zhaogang , Li Ying
Published: April 2024

Background

Conflicts, natural disasters, and complex emergencies present substantial health challenges to United Nations (UN) peacekeepers deployed in mission areas. This scoping review aims at summarizing previous research on the health of UN peacekeepers and identifies issues for further investigation.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews, we systematically searched Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for English and Chinese literature published from April 1997 to November 2023. A data charting form was developed by two reviewers to extract relevant themes and provided narrative descriptions.

Results

We screened 1079 de-duplicated records and included 143 studies in this scoping review. There were 112 studies on the health status of UN peacekeepers, with more than half on mental health problems such as stress and anxiety. Many studies explored the health status of UN peacekeepers in African countries deployed from mainly U.S., Canada, U.K., China, Australia and Norway. There were 39 studies on the health risk factors of UN peacekeepers, including natural environmental, social environmental, psychological, behavioral lifestyle, biological factors and health service factors. There were 62 articles on the health protection of UN peacekeepers, mainly based on previous deployment experience, with a lack of theoretical guidance from global health perspectives. This scoping review found that health problems of UN peacekeepers are complicated, and whose impacts are cross-border. Social environmental factors were explored the most among health risk factors. Disease prevention measures, medical and health measures, and psychosocial measures were the main health protection for UN peacekeepers.

Conclusions

This scoping review highlighted that health problems of UN peacekeepers were typical global health issues with complicated and cross-border health risk factors. Therefore, comprehensive strategies could be taken from global health perspectives, including multi-phases (before-deployment, during-deployment, and post-deployment), multi-disciplines (public health, medicine, politics, health diplomacy, and others), and multi-levels (the UN, host countries, troop-contributing countries, the UN peacekeeping team, and UN peacekeepers).
Health system implementation of the PROMIS Cognitive Function Screener in the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: framing as abilities versus concerns
Authors: Harrison Jordan M. , Ernecoff Natalie C. , Lai Jin-Shei , Hanmer Janel , Weir Rebecca , Rodriguez Anthony , Langer Michelle M. , Edelen Maria O.
Published: April 2024

Background

Cognitive assessment is a required component of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). In this prospective study, we evaluated acceptability and usefulness of a patient-reported outcome measure (the PROMIS® Cognitive Function Screener, or PRO-CS) to screen for cognitive impairment during the AWV. We compared two versions of the PRO-CS: Abilities and Concerns.

Methods

We developed PRO-CS Abilities and PRO-CS Concerns using items from the PROMIS Cognitive Function item banks. We partnered with a large health system in Pennsylvania to implement an electronic health record (EHR)-integrated version of the 4-item PRO-CS into their AWV workflow. PRO-CS Abilities was implemented in June 2022 and then replaced with PRO-CS Concerns in October 2022. We used EHR data to evaluate scores on Abilities versus Concerns and their association with patient characteristics. We gathered feedback from providers on experiences with the PRO-CS and conducted cognitive interviews with patients to evaluate their preferences for Abilities versus Concerns.

Results

Between June 2022 and January 2023, 3,088 patients completed PRO-CS Abilities and 2,614 patients completed PRO-CS Concerns. Mean T-scores for Abilities (54.8) were slightly higher (indicating better cognition) than for Concerns (52.6). 10% of scores on Abilities and 13% of scores on Concerns indicated concern for cognitive impairment (T-score < 45). Both Abilities and Concerns were associated with clinical characteristics as hypothesized, with lower scores for patients with cognitive impairment diagnoses and those requiring assistance with instrumental activities of daily living. Abilities and Concerns had similar negative correlations with depression (r= -0.31 versus r= -0.33) and anxiety (r= -0.28 for both), while Abilities had a slightly stronger positive correlation with self-rated health (r = 0.34 versus r = 0.28). In interviews, providers commented that the PRO-CS could be useful to facilitate conversations about cognition, though several providers noted potential limitations of patient self-report. Feedback from patients indicated a preference for PRO-CS Concerns.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest potential utility of the PRO-CS for cognitive screening in the Medicare AWV. PRO-CS Abilities and Concerns had similar associations with patient clinical characteristics, but the Concerns version was more acceptable to patients.
Chronic congestion with oral feeds in the presence of subglottic stenosis: a case report
Authors: Momin Nashifa Hooda , Nelson James Anthony , Hall Kristin , Goudy Steven
Published: April 2024

Background

Subglottic stenosis is the narrowing of the airway below the vocal folds. It can present as a congenital or acquired condition. The primary clinical presentation is often noted as noisy breathing, also known as stridor. Diagnosis in the infant pediatric population poses challenges due to age-related factors and symptom variability. This case report highlights a pediatric patient whose predominant symptom was congestion during oral feeds.

Case presentation

A 3-month-old pre-term male, intubated following an episode of ventricular fibrillation with underlying viral infection, presented with prolonged, persistent congestion with oral feeds. Given persistent congestion, the differential diagnosis included aspiration, recovery from a viral illness, reflux, and an anatomical stricture. A videofluoroscopic swallow study was completed and ruled out oropharyngeal dysphagia from the differential. Despite this exclusion and the patient’s eventual recovery from his viral illness, congestion with oral feeds continued to worsen. A fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation was completed and revealed Grade 2 subglottic stenosis. The patient required immediate intervention via balloon dilation in the operating room.

Conclusions

Acquired subglottic stenosis is often a consequence of intubation. Symptoms are variable and can be difficult to diagnose in pediatric patients. Timely intervention is essential to prevent life-threatening conditions.
Global One Health post-graduate programmes: a review
Authors: Adeyemi Olayide Abraham , Agbabiaka Tariq Oluwakunmi , Sujon Hasnat
Published: April 2024

Background

The One Health (OH) approach recognises that humans, animals, plants, and the environment are interrelated, and therefore seeks to facilitate collaboration, communication, coordination, and capacity building between relevant stakeholders to achieve a healthier ecosystem. This calls for integrating OH into established governance, policy, health, education, and community structures, and requires OH professionals equipped with the necessary inter and trans-disciplinary skillset. Therefore, numerous OH training programmes are currently being offered globally. However, the coordination and contents of some of these trainings have been criticised as inconsistent and inadequately standardised, and therefore could serve as a barrier to OH implementation. In this study, an up-to-date repository of a subset of OH academic programmes offered globally was provided, and their curricula contents was critically assessed.

Methods

Between December 2022 and April 2023, an online search for key terms ‘ONE HEALTH MASTERS COURSES’, and ‘ONE HEALTH MASTERS PROGRAMMES’ together with variations of ‘AFRICA’, ‘NORTH AMERICA’, ‘ASIA’, ‘AUSTRALIA’, ‘EUROPE’, 'GLOBAL' was conducted. Details about course title, delivery mode, joint administration status, curricula contents, language of instruction, years to completion, host university, country, and continent were collected.

Results

Forty-three programmes met inclusion criteria of the study, and almost all (n = 36, 83.7%) were tailored towards infectious diseases and population/global health, compared to the environmental and conservation perspectives. Compiled curricula contents clustered into one of these 12 sub-headings: ‘principles and concepts of OH’, ‘epidemiology and biostatistics’, ‘major branches of OH’, ‘internship/externship/research project’, ‘infectious diseases, zoonoses, and surveillance’, ‘risk analysis and crises management’, ‘food safety, microbiology, immunology, and allied’, ‘communication’, ‘ethics’, ‘economics, policy, and management’ and ‘others. Of these, infectious disease themes were the most common. Regarding geography and organising institutions, North America and Europe, and veterinary institutions, respectively, were the most represented.

Conclusion

Despite the multi-level diversity observed, uniformity still exists across the programmes which favours interdisciplinary cross-talks. Future pedagogical studies that objectively assess the alignment of module contents with the OH core competencies and the impacts of these OH programmes is recommended. With this study, a critical information gap that has existed for long in the OH field has been bridged.
Complete hydatidiform mole with a coexisting twin live fetus (CHMTF): the uncommon diagnostic enigma—simplified
Authors: Sood Priyank , Gupta Jyoti , Tholia Rupesh
Published: April 2024

Background

Twin pregnancy comprising of a complete hydatidiform mole with a coexisting twin live fetus is an uncommon condition with an incidence rate of 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 100,000 pregnancies, more so in assisted reproductive technologies. The primary diagnosis is made on ultrasound and adjunct fetal MRI helps in unequivocally differentiating it from other disorder.

Case presentation

We present a case report of a twin pregnancy consisting of complete hydatidiform mole with a coexisting twin live fetus in a 27-year-old primigravida conception, primarily focusing on its diagnostic algorithm and related clinical aspects, adding to the paucity of existing literature.

Conclusions

Following the correct diagnostic algorithm with imaging studies like USG and more importantly MRI, combined with the bioclinical picture helps in reaching the accurate diagnosis.
Real-world derived weight-based levothyroxine doses to achieve optimal thyrotropin target in different degrees of autoimmune hypothyroidism
Authors: Elsherbiny Tamer Mohamed
Published: April 2024

Purpose

All patients with overt and severe subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), and some with mild SCH require levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy. The present study aims to report real-world derived weight-based L-T4 doses to achieve optimal–low normal–thyrotropin target in different degrees of autoimmune hypothyroidism.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism. Inclusion criteria were consistent achievement of optimal TSH target (0.3 to 2.5 µIU/L) using a stable L-T4 dose for at least 6 months. Patients were classified into 4 groups: group 1; mild SCH, group 2; severe SCH, group 3; overt hypothyroidism, and group 4; hypothyroidism with unknown initial TSH and free T4. Weight-based L-T4 doses were calculated for each group.

Results

Eighty-seven, 95, 75, and 91 patients met the inclusion criteria for groups 1–4, respectively. Weight-based L-T4 dose was the lowest in group 1 (1 ± 0.25 µg/kg/day), was the highest in group 3 (1.4 ± 0.29 µg/kg/day), while in groups 2 (1.2 ± 0.26 µg/kg/day), and 4 (1.2 ± 0.31 µg/kg/day) were not statistically different from each other. There was a significant decrease in weight-based L-T4 dose with increasing body weight categories in groups 1 and 2, and a significant difference between those less than 60 or ≥ 60 years of age in group 3.

Conclusion

Real-world derived weight-based L-T4 doses to achieve optimal TSH target are 1, 1.2, and 1.4 µg/kg/day for patients with mild, severe SCH, and overt autoimmune hypothyroidism, respectively. Age and body weight subcategories can better fine-tune required doses.
Ancylostoma ceylanicum and other zoonotic canine hookworms: neglected public and animal health risks in the Asia–Pacific region
Authors: Tenorio Jan Clyden B. , Tabios Ian Kim B. , Inpankaew Tawin , Ybañez Adrian P. , Tiwananthagorn Saruda , Tangkawattana Sirikachorn , Suttiprapa Sutas
Published: April 2024

Zoonotic hookworm infections remain a significant public health problem, causing nearly 500 million cases globally and approximately four million disability-adjusted life years lost annually. More than one-fifth of these cases are attributed to Ancylostoma ceylanicum, an emerging zoonotic health issue in the Asia-Pacific region. This review presents key research gaps regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, control, prevention and elimination of A. ceylanicum and other canine zoonotic hookworms as neglected health threats. A. ceylanicum is the second most prevalent human hookworm in the region; it is the most common hookworm among dogs and cats-reservoirs of zoonotic infections. Previous population genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that A. ceylanicum has three possible transmission dynamics: zoonotic, animal-only, and human-only pathways. The actual burden of zoonotic ancylostomiasis in most endemic countries remains unknown due to the use of parasitological techniques (e.g., Kato-Katz thick smear and floatation techniques) that have reduced diagnostic performance and do not allow accurate species identification in helminth surveys. The emergence of benzimidazole resistance in soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), including hookworms, is a concern due to the protracted implementation of mass drug administration (MDA). Resistance is conferred by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that occur in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene. These mutations have been reported in drug-resistant A. caninum but have not been found in A. ceylanicum in the field. A. ceylanicum remains understudied in the Asia-Pacific region. The zoonotic nature of the parasite warrants investigation of its occurrence in human and animal reservoir hosts to understand the dynamics of zoonotic transmission in different endemic foci. The detection of benzimidazole resistance-associated SNPs in zoonotic hookworms from Asia-Pacific countries has yet to be thoroughly explored. Considering the high level of hookworm endemicity in the region, the circulation of resistant isolates between humans and animals potentially presents a significant One Health threat that can undermine current MDA and proposed animal deworming-based control efforts.
A precise and refined identification method for carbonate bioreefs and prograding bodies guided by a knowledge graph
Authors: Yang Cun , Zhang Xiang-Ye , Meng He , Ye Yue-Ming , Guo Xiang-Yu , Dong Yue , Yao Xing-Miao
Published: April 2024

Carbonate bioreef formations serve as crucial hydrocarbon reservoirs, and their accurate identification bears significant implications for oil and gas exploration. Moreover, the precise and refined delineation of prograding body structures aids in the comprehensive analysis of stratigraphic geologic configurations. We develop the knowledge graph and geologic strata interpolation constraints (KGGSICs) model for the intricate identification of carbonate bioreefs and prograding body structures. Furthermore, we assess our KGGSIC-Unet architecture on the Dengying Formation Sections 3-4 carbonate bioreefs and prograding bodies in the Moxi area of the Sichuan Basin. Experimental results indicate that the KGGSIC enhances the predictive performance of the U-Net and realizes the precise and refined segmentation of carbonate bioreefs and prograding body structures. In addition, through a meticulous geologic study of the area, we synthesize the 2D profile identification results to achieve the precise and refined identification of carbonate bioreefs and prograding bodies.
From Knee Pain Consultation to Pituitary Surgery: The Challenge of Cushing Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Gómez-Gutiérrez Maria Alejandra , Huertas-Cañas Juan Miguel , Bedoya-Ossa Andrés
Published: April 2024

Cushing syndrome (CS) is a rare endocrinological disorder resulting from chronic exposure to excessive cortisol. The term Cushing disease is used specifically when this is caused by excessive secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by a pituitary tumor, usually an adenoma. This disease is associated with a poor prognosis, and if left untreated, it has an estimated 5-year survival rate of 50%. We present the case of a 66-year-old female patient who received a referral to endocrinology for an evaluation of obesity due to right knee arthropathy. Taking into consideration her age, she was screened for osteoporosis, with results that showed diminished bone density. Considering this, combined with other clinical features of the patient, suspicion turned toward hypercortisolism. Laboratory findings suggested that the CS was ACTH-dependent and originated in the pituitary gland. After a second look at the magnetic resonance imaging results, a 4-mm lesion was identified on the pituitary gland, prompting a transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary adenoma.
Resolution of Extensive Xanthomas Associated With Severe Hypertriglyceridemia via Modified Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
Authors: Aljabri Bandari , Saber Wafa , Alzahrani Saud , Dada Ashraf
Published: April 2024

Severe hypertriglyceridemia can be manifested by xanthomas. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an invasive medical procedure that has been documented as a viable approach for severe hypertriglyceridemia when cases would be refractory to conventional therapies. TPE is mainly an optional therapeutic modality for cases of severe acute pancreatitis or preventing the recurrence of pancreatitis. Beyond this clinical application, data are scarce on TPE utilization in managing cutaneous lesions associated with hypertriglyceridemia. We present a case of severe hypertriglyceridemia accompanied by extensive xanthomas of various types and a history of recurrent pancreatitis. After conventional therapy failed, a modified plasmapheresis regimen was used and was able to achieve a fast and marked reduction in the patient’s serum triglyceride levels with complete resolution of the extensive cutaneous lesions, providing him a newfound comfort he had not experienced in some time and suggesting the regimen potentially could be considered in the treatment of refractory severe hypertriglyceridemia with debilitating cutaneous complications.
Secularism as Misdirection
Authors: Menon Nivedita
Published: April 2024

In Secularism as Misdirection, Nivedita Menon traces how the discourse of secularism fixes attention to and hypervisualizes women and religion while obscuring other related issues. Showing how secularism is often invoked to serve capital and antiminority politics, Menon exposes it as a strategy of governance that is compatible with both democracy and authoritarianism, capitalism and socialism. Secularism also delegitimizes the nonindividuated nonrational self, Menon argues; exploring this aspect, she tracks the journey of psychoanalysis in the global South. Menon further examines the interconnectedness of religion, caste, the state, and women, showing how the discourse of secularism can also be mobilized by Hindu supremacist politics in India. Menon puts Latin American decolonial theorists in conversation with Asian and African thinkers to examine twenty-first-century global reimaginings of selfhood, constitutionalism, citizenship, and anticapitalist existence. Through a feminist and global perspective, Menon suggests that transformative politics is better imagined by stepping out of the frame offered by secularism and focusing on substantive values such as democracy, social justice, and ecological justice.
How Accurate Is Frameless Fiducial—Free Deep Brain Stimulation?
Authors: Picciano Canio Pietro , Mantovani Paolo , Rosetti Vittoria , Giannini Giulia , Pegoli Marianna , Castioni Carlo Alberto , Cani Ilaria , Baldelli Luca , Cortelli Pietro , Conti Alfredo
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Frameless deep brain stimulation (DBS) offers advantages in terms of patient comfort and reduced operative time. However, the need for bony fiducial markers for localization remains a drawback due to the time-consuming and uncomfortable procedure. An alternative localization method involves the direct tracking of an intraoperative 3-dimensional scanner. This study aims to assess the accuracy of the NexFrame frameless DBS system in conjunction with the O-Arm (Medtronic Inc.), both with and without fiducial markers.

METHODS:

The locations of 100 DBS leads were determined, with 50 cases using fiducial-free localization and 50 involving fiducial markers. The coordinates were compared with the expected intraoperative targets. Absolute errors in the X, Y, and Z coordinates (ΔX, ΔY, and ΔZ) were calculated, along with the vector error (Euclidean) (vector error

).

RESULTS:

The vector error averaged 1.61 ± 0.49 mm (right) and 1.52 ± 0.60 mm (left) for the group without fiducial bone markers and 1.66 ± 0.69 (right) and 1.44 ± 0.65 mm (left) for the other cohort (P = .76 right; P = .67 left). Absolute errors in the X, Y, and Z coordinates for the fiducial-free group were 0.88 ± 0.55, 0.79 ± 0.45, and 0.79 ± 0.57 mm (right) and 0.72 ± 0.37, 0.78 ± 0.56, and 0.77 ± 0.71 mm (left). For the group with fiducial markers, these errors were 0.87 ± 0.72, 0.92 ± 0.39, and 0.86 ± 0.50 mm (right) and 0.75 ± 0.33, 0.80 ± 0.51, and 0.73 ± 0.64 mm (left) with no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSION:

Our analysis of the accuracy of NexFrame DBS, both with and without fiducial markers, using an intraoperative navigable cone-beam computed tomography, demonstrates that both techniques provide sufficient and equivalent 3-dimensional accuracy.
Sex Differences in Track and Field Elite Youth
Authors: ATKINSON MIRA A. , JAMES JESSICA J. , QUINN MEAGAN E. , SENEFELD JONATHON W. , HUNTER SANDRA K.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To understand athletic performance before and after puberty, this study determined 1) the age at which the sex difference increases among elite youth track and field athletes for running and jumping events, and 2) whether there is a sex difference in performance before ages associated with puberty among elite youth athletes.

Methods

Track and field records of elite US male and female youth (7–18 yr) across 3 yr (2019, 2021, and 2022) were collected from an online database (athletic.net). The top 50 performances were recorded for 100-, 200-, 400-, and 800-m track running, long jump, and high jump.

Results

Males ran faster than females at every age in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 m (P <0.001). When combining all running events, the sex difference (%) was 4.0% ± 1.7% between 7 and 12 yr and increased to 6.3% ± 1.1% at 13 yr and 12.6% ± 1.8% at 18 yr (P< 0.001). Similarly, males jumped higher and farther than females at every age (P< 0.001). For long jump, the sex difference was 6.8% ± 2.8% between 7 and 12 yr, increasing to 8.5% ± 1.7% at 13 yr and 22.7% ± 1.4% at 18 yr (P< 0.001). For high jump, the sex difference was 5.3% ± 5.2% between 7 and 12 yr, increasing to 12.4% ± 2.9% at 15 yr and 18.4% ± 2.04% at 18 yr (P< 0.001).

Conclusions

Before 12 yr of age in elite youth track and field athletes, there was a consistent and significant sex difference of ~5%, such that males ran faster and jumped higher and farther than females. The magnitude of the sex difference in performance increased markedly at 12–13 yr for running and long jump and 14 yr for high jump and thus was more pronounced after ages associated with puberty.
Previous Exercise Levels and Outcome in Patients with New Atrial Fibrillation: “Past Achievements Do Not Predict the Future”
Authors: LENTING CHARLOTTE J. , WIJTVLIET E. P. J. PETRA , KOLDENHOF TIM , BESSEM BRAM , PLUYMAEKERS NIKKI A. H. A. , RIENSTRA MICHIEL , FOLKERINGA RICHARD J. , BRONZWAER PATRICK , ELVAN ARIF , ELDERS JAN , TUKKIE RAYMOND , LUERMANS JUSTIN G. L. M. , VAN KUIJK SANDER M. J. , TIJSSEN JAN G. P. , VAN GELDER ISABELLE C. , CRIJNS HARRY J. G. M. , TIELEMAN ROBERT G.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Long-term endurance exercise is suspect to elevate the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), but little is known about cardiovascular outcome and disease progression in this subgroup of AF patients. We investigated whether previous exercise level determines cardiovascular outcome.

Methods

In this post hoc analysis of the RACE 4 randomized trial, we analyzed all patients with a completed questionnaire on sports participation. Three subgroups were made based on lifetime sports hours up to randomization and previous compliance to the international physical activity guidelines. High lifetime hours of high dynamic activity patients were defined as more than 150 min·wk−1 of high-intensity physical exercise. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death and hospital admissions.

Results

A total of 879 patients were analyzed, divided in 203 high lifetime hours of high dynamic activity, 192 high lifetime hours of activity, and 484 low lifetime hours of activity patients. Over a mean follow-up of 36 months (±14), the primary endpoint occurred in 61 out of 203 (30%) high lifetime hours of high dynamic activity, 53 out of 192 (27%) high lifetime hours of activity, and 135 out of 484 (28%) low lifetime hours of activity patients (P = 0.74). During follow-up, 42 high lifetime hours of high dynamic activity (35%), 43 high lifetime hours of activity (32%), and 104 low lifetime hours of activity patients (34%) with paroxysmal AF received electrical or chemical cardioversion or atrial ablation (P = 0.90).

Conclusions

In patients included in the RACE 4, there seems to be no relation between previous activity levels and cardiovascular outcome and the need for electrical or chemical cardioversion or atrial ablation. Cardiovascular outcome was driven by AF-related arrhythmic events.
Carbohydrate Ingestion Increases Interstitial Glucose and Mitigates Neuromuscular Fatigue During Single-Leg Knee Extensions
Authors: Elghobashy Mohamed E. , Richards Andrew J. , Malekzadeh Rohin , Patel Disha , Turner Lauren V. , Burr Jamie F. , Power Geoffrey A. , Laham Robert , Riddell Michael C. , Cheng Arthur J.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

We aimed to investigate the neuromuscular contributions to enhanced fatigue resistance with carbohydrate ingestion, and to identify whether fatigue is associated with changes in interstitial glucose levels assessed using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

Methods

Twelve healthy participants (6 males, 6 females) performed isokinetic single-leg knee extensions (90°/s) at 20% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque until MVC torque reached 60% of its initial value (i.e, task failure). Central and peripheral fatigue were evaluated every 15 min during the fatigue task using the interpolated twitch technique (ITT), and electrically evoked torque. Using a single-blinded cross-over design, participants ingested carbohydrates (CHO) (85 g sucrose/h), or a placebo (PLA), at regular intervals during the fatigue task. Minute-by-minute interstitial glucose levels measured via CGM, and whole blood glucose readings were obtained intermittently during the fatiguing task.

Results

CHO ingestion increased time to task failure over PLA (113 ± 69 vs. 81 ± 49 min; mean ± SD; p < 0.001) and was associated with higher glycemia as measured by CGM (106 ± 18 vs 88 ± 10 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and whole blood glucose sampling (104 ± 17 vs 89 ± 10 mg/dL, p < 0.001). When assessing the values in the CHO condition at a similar timepoint to those at task failure in the PLA condition (i.e., ~81 min), MVC torque, % voluntary activation, and 10 Hz torque were all better preserved in the CHO vs. PLA condition (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Exogenous CHO intake mitigates neuromuscular fatigue at both the central and peripheral levels by raising glucose concentrations rather than by preventing hypoglycemia.
Decisive Factors for a Physically Active School Day in Denmark—A Multi-Stakeholder Delphi Process
Authors: Nielsen Jacob Have , Hansen Torben Aaes
Published: April 2024

Introduction

In 2014, the Danish Educational Act introduced daily physical activity (PA) as a part of a varied and physically active school day (PASD) to promote health and support motivation and learning. Implementation of PASD in Denmark has been slow, and schools meeting the legal requirement have decreased since 2017. Schools are complex systems with many stakeholders and different functions; however, evaluation of PASD often focuses on one group. This study aimed to identify the most important factors to succeed in implementing PASD as part of a varied school day in Danish schools through dialogue between stakeholders from all parts of the school system.

Methods

Stakeholders (n = 57) from all parts of the Danish school system participated in a Delphi study. Based on 449 inputs from practitioners, experts, and a literature review, 169 factors were identified. In two online surveys, stakeholders rated and prioritized factors within 12 themes related to the school system. This resulted in 136 factors which qualified as important for further discussion at two workshops where stakeholders prioritized factors within each theme through dialogue and experience exchange across the system.

Results

The panel identified 36 decisive factors for implementing PASD across all 12 themes representing the whole school system. Central themes included a common understanding of PA in PASD that aligns with teachers’ professional purposes. Also, leadership ensuring continuous evaluation and prioritizing time and resources to develop competencies and collegiate support was highlighted, along with a PASD culture where teachers and students feel competent and comfortable engaging in PA.

Conclusion

School systems are complex, and decisive factors related to all parts of a system indicate that they are interrelated, and all must be engaged to support the success of a PASD culture. The present findings can inform future actions for all stakeholders.
Pupil Voices: Review of Factors Influencing Pupil Participation in Primary School Physical Activity
Authors: Martin Rosemarie
Published: April 2024

Context

Because the purpose of school-based physical activity (PA) interventions is to improve academic and/or health-related outcomes for children, their views must be considered for such programs to be successful. To inform the development of acceptable initiatives, a need exists to examine and synthesize pupil perspectives.

Objective

This review explores what is known about primary-aged pupils’ perspectives on school-based PA and qualitatively synthesizes the factors that influence pupil participation.

Design

This rapid qualitative review was conducted systematically and followed the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria

Peer-reviewed articles published in the English language between January 2013 and April 2023 that reported qualitative data on primary school pupil participation in school-based PA were included.

Study Selection

Databases searched were Medline (Web of Science), ERIC (Education Collection-ProQuest), and EBSCO (Academic Search Complete, Education Source, ERIC, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, SportDiscus, CINAHL complete, Medline Full Text, Humanities Source Ultimate). Twenty-one articles that included qualitative evaluations of pupil participation in school-based PA from the pupil perspective were included.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measured was pupil perceptions of factors that influence their participation in school-based PA.

Results

Ten themes emerged from the pupil data. The most prevalent was fun and enjoyment, followed by perceived health benefits, social interaction, and perceived academic benefits. Autonomy, appropriate level of challenge, perceived motor competence, school culture and environment, outdoor play, and influence of teachers were also identified.

Conclusion

To promote participation in PA, schools must support autonomy with developmentally appropriate equipment and space to facilitate physically active games. Positive and encouraging adults must maintain socially safe environments where pupils can be active with their friends. Physical education must be highly regarded, and pupils should have multiple opportunities to engage in PA throughout the school day.
Erozja polskiego wybrzeża wydmowego przez spiętrzenia sztormowe w sezonie 2018/19, w tym spiętrzenie Zeetje
Authors: Łabuz Tomasz A.
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the rate of dune erosion on the Polish Baltic coast by storm surge Zeetje in January 2019. The results were based on field measurements on coast profiles located on dune sections of the Polish coast. Presented are the hydro-meteorological parameters of all storm surges that formed before Zeetje since Autumn 2018. The hydro-meteorological parameters of storm surges that occurred during this period were analised. The amount of dune retreat after selected surges was calculated. Following smaller storm surges in the fall of 2018, dune erosion was observed in erosional sections, where beaches are usually narrower and lower. The greatest erosion of the dunes was observed after the Zeetje storm, on average up to 3 m and a maximum of 10–12 m. The average and maximum erosion of the dunes varied on individual sandbars. The average dune erosion depended on the height of water inflow onto the shore during a storm and the height of the beach. Greater erosion occurred in sections with beach heights lower than the inflow of water during the storm. The average erosion of dunes at sea level above 1.3 m was 2.5–4.0 m. The maximum erosion values were observed on the western shores of the headlands located on the central and eastern coast. Dune erosion was not observed in places where the beach height exceeded 2.5 m above sea level and was higher than the maximum water inflow during storm Zeetje.
A guide to selecting high-performing antibodies for amyloid-beta precursor protein for use in Western Blot, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence
Authors: Ayoubi Riham , Fotouhi Maryam , Worrall Donovan , Southern Kathleen , Laflamme Carl ,   NeuroSGC/YCharOS/EDDU collaborative group,   ABIF consortium
Published: April 2024

The amyloid-beta precursor protein is a transmembrane protein expressed in many tissues and highly concentrated in the brain. The protein is of significant interest due to its involvement in the generation of amyloidogenic β-amyloid peptides, prone to plaque formation that is characteristic of Alzheimer’s Disease. The scientific community would benefit from the availability of high-quality anti-amyloid-beta precursor protein antibodies to enhance reproducible research on this target. In this study, we characterized eleven amyloid-beta precursor protein commercial antibodies for Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence using a standardized experimental protocol based on comparing read-outs in knockout cell lines and isogenic parental controls. These studies are part of a larger, collaborative initiative seeking to address antibody reproducibility issues by characterizing commercially available antibodies for human proteins and publishing the results openly as a resource for the scientific community. While use of antibodies and protocols vary between laboratories, we encourage readers to use this report as a guide to select the most appropriate antibodies for their specific needs.
Rising substance use disorders in Malawi: analysis of hospital-based data (2010 to 2019)
Authors: Jumbe Sandra , Newby Chris , Nyali Joel , Ndovi Wongani , Silungwe Ndumanene
Published: April 2024

Background Africa has a long history of substance abuse, mostly limited to alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, with the East African region being home to one of the world’s highest rates. There are reports of increasing substance abuse in Malawi but limited research evidence to provide details on the extent and nature of the issue. Despite indications of high prevalence, help seeking behaviour among the population is minimal. Mental health services are underfunded by government, and not a key health priority. Access to affordable psychosocial treatment for substance abuse is limited. This paper reports analysis of service utilisation patterns among those assessed at the St John of God (SJOG) Hospital and referred for psychosocial services for substance abuse treatment since its establishment in 2010. This is the first study in Malawi reporting routinely collected patient data related to substance abuse treatment from outpatient psychosocial services. Methods We descriptively analysed retrospective routinely collected data related to substance use disorders from two SJOG hospital sites that provide psychosocial or psychopharmacological treatment to service users at the mental health clinic from 2010 to 2019. Results Analysis of routinely collected data indicated increasing substance abuse treatment within SJOG psychosocial services between 2010 to 2019, with alcohol, chamba (cannabis) and tobacco related substance use disorders being predominant conditions among service users. Age-related data from 2018–2019 showed 22% of service users were under 18 years, indicating evidence of youth substance abuse. Conclusions These findings indicate growing service utilisation for substance use treatment in outpatient psychosocial services over the last decade in Malawi. Importantly, there is need for better electronic health data recording infrastructure to facilitate monitoring of incidents to inform extent of substance use issues and evidence-based solutions for treatment services in Malawi.
Assessment of Second Trimester Genetic Amniocentesis: A Review of 6 Years of Experience at Sanpatong Hospital, A Mid-level Secondary Hospital Setting
Authors:   Obstetric Gynecology Unit, Sanpatong Hospital, Sanpatong, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Ponglopisit Surachai , Wisuthimateenorn Jantira ,   Antenatal Care Unit, Sanpatong Hospital, Sanpatong, Chiang Mai, Thailand, pheungsontonsirimas Kuttareeya ,   Laboratory Unit, Sanpatong Hospital, Sanpatong, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Inta Maneewan ,   Laboratory Unit, Sanpatong Hospital, Sanpatong, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the indications, complications, and outcomes of second-trimester genetic amniocentesis performed at Sanpatong Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study analyzed data collected from high-risk pregnant women who underwent second-trimester genetic amniocentesis at Sanpatong Hospital between October 1st, 2016 and September 30th, 2022. The data include indications for the procedure, complications, and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS A study of 451 women with high-risk pregnancies who underwent amniocentesis found that the most common indications for second trimester genetic amniocentesis were advanced maternal age (49.4%) and a high-risk Quad test (49.4%). Abnormal chromosomes were detected in 3.1% of cases, with aneuploidy the most common type (2.1%), primarily trisomy 21 (1.3%). The overall aspiration success rate was 100%. The only complications related to the procedure were pelvic pain (0.6%) and placental hematoma (0.2%). There were no fetal losses within 30 days after amniocentesis. The culture failure rate was 1.1%. Pregnancy outcomes included preterm delivery (12.3%) and normal term delivery (87.7%). CONCLUSIONS Performing second trimester genetic amniocentesis at Sanpatong Hospital, a mid-level secondary hospital, over a six-year period resulted in no fetal losses.