bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predisposing factors for Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome: a systematic review
Authors: Abelleyra Lastoria Diego Agustín , Benny Clerin Kulangara , Hing Caroline Blanca
Published: June 2023

Background

Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome has been defined as impingement of Hoffa’s fat pad, leading to oedema and fibrosis. The primary aim of this systematic review was to identify morphological differences in Hoffa’s fat pad between patients with and without Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome, evaluating them as risk factors predisposing to its development. The secondary aim was to summarize and evaluate current evidence pertaining to the management of Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome.

Materials and Methods

The protocol for this review was prospectively registered (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022357036). Electronic databases, currently registered studies, conference proceedings and the reference lists of included studies were searched. All studies evaluating differences in Hoffa’s fat pad anatomy under imaging between patients with and without Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome were included, as well as those exploring epidemiological factors predisposing to its development (ethnicity, employment status, sex, age and BMI), and studies reporting on the effect of treatment on Hoffa’s fat pad morphology.

Results

A total of 3871 records were screened. Twenty one articles satisfied the inclusion criteria, evaluating 3603 knees of 3518 patients. Patella alta, increased tibial tubercle-tibial groove distance, and increased trochlear angle were found to predispose the development of Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome. Trochlear inclination, sulcus angle, patient age and BMI were not associated with this condition. The link between Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome and ethnicity, employment, patellar alignment, Hoffa’s fat pad composition, physical activity and other pathological processes cannot be established due to lack of evidence. No studies reporting on treatment for Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome were identified. Though weight loss and gene therapy may provide symptomatic relief, further research is required to corroborate these claims.

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests that high patellar height, TT-TG distance, and trochlear angle predispose the development of Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome. In addition, trochlear inclination, sulcus angle, patient age and BMI do not seem to be associated with this condition. Further research should explore the link between Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome and sport as well as other conditions pertaining to the knee. In addition, further study evaluating treatment approaches for Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome is required.
3D inversion of an integrated ground-based and waterborne transient electromagnetic survey
Authors: Xiao Longying , Fiandaca Gianluca , Maurya Pradip K. , Christiansen Anders Vest
Published: June 2023

Recent instrument advancements in the transient electromagnetic (TEM) method enable waterborne applications as well as traditional ground-based surveys. We investigate a common framework to handle combined data sets from ground-based and waterborne TEM surveys under one model domain. The modeling complexity increases for two main reasons: (1) multidimensionality effects are unavoidable in data from settings with strong conductivity contrasts and (2) different systems have different sensitivity footprints which are challenging to integrate into a common domain. We address these challenges using a previously developed 3D inversion scheme: first, octree-based forward modeling is used to describe the multidimensional environment for more accurate field simulations. Second, a decoupling between the forward and inversion mesh offers the flexibility of modeling individual soundings to minimize computational costs, while allowing a commonly shared model domain for the inversion. We validate the method through synthetic and field case studies. The synthetic studies indicate that: (1) a careful forward mesh refinement is required for models with thin and highly conductive top layers; (2) compared with 3D forward responses, 1D modeling has an approximate 300% error directly over the coastline decreasing to 10% error 50 m away; and (3) the 3D inversion outperforms the 1D inversion by a lower data misfit and more accurate model reconstruction. The field case further underlines the better consistency of the 3D inversion, which delineates the lithologic transition from sand to clay and is verified by a better agreement with existing borehole data. Based on these experiments, we conclude that (1) 3D inversion is preferred over strong resistivity contrasts arising along a coastline, (2) careful mesh refinement and decoupling of the forward and inversion mesh is an efficient approach to handling computational challenges on forward while maintaining a common inversion mesh, and (3) more focus on optimization is required to realize a full-scale 3D inversion for integrated surveys in a coastal area.
Multicenter randomized phase III trial of dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (dd-MVAC) or gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) as perioperative chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): Overall survival (OS) data at 5 years in the GETUG/AFU V05 VESPER trial.
Authors: Pfister Christian , Gravis Gwenaelle , Flechon Aude , Chevreau Christine , Mahammedi Hakim , Laguerre Brigitte , Guillot Aline , Joly Florence , Allory Yves , Harter Valentin , Culine Stephane
Published: June 2023

LBA4507

Background: The optimal perioperative chemotherapy for patients (pts) with muscle-invasive bladder cancer remains open to discussion. The primary endpoint of the VESPER trial (NCT 018 12369) was previously reported with dd-MVAC improved-3 years PFS over GC schedule. In the neoadjuvant group, a better bladder local control and significant difference on 3y-PFS was observed in the dd-MVAC arm (p=0.025). Patients and Methods: Between February 2013 and February 2018, 500 pts were randomized in 28 French centers and received either 4 cycles of GC every 3 weeks or 6 cycles of dd-MVAC every 2 weeks before surgery (neoadjuvant group) or after surgery (adjuvant group). We report the final analysis of the VESPER phase III trial with the overall survival (OS) data after 5 years of follow-up from randomization. Results: 437 pts (88%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 60% of patients received the planned 6 cycles in the dd-MVAC arm, 84% received 4 cycles in the GC arm, thereafter 91% and 90% of patients underwent surgery, respectively. Final median of follow-up was 5 years and 3 months and 190 deaths were reported within 5 years of follow-up. OS at 5 years was improved in the dd-MVAC arm (64% vs 56%, HR=0.77 (95% CI, 0.58-1.03), p=0.078), as was also disease-specific survival (DSS) (5-year rate: 72% vs 59%, HR=0.63 (95% CI, 0.46-0.86), p=0.004). The main cause of death was bladder cancer progression (83%), other causes included cardio-vascular events (4.2%), toxic deaths (2.1%), second cancers (2.1%), others (4.7%) and undocumented deaths (4.2%). In the neoadjuvant group, OS was significantly superior in the dd-MVAC arm (5-year rate: 66% vs 57%, HR=0.71 (95% CI, 0.52-0.97), p=0.032) as well as DSS (5-year rate: 75% vs 60%, HR=0.56 (95% CI, 0.39-0.80), p=0.001). In the adjuvant group, the results were not conclusive due to the limited sample size (n=56).Conclusions: Dose-dense MVAC provided a better OS at 5 years and improved significantly DSS over GC in the peri-operative setting of MIBC. Clinical trial information: NCT01812369 .
Long-term Recurrence Rates After Surgery in Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Zaman Muizz , Raveendran Laxshika , Senay Ayla , Sayles Harlan , Acharya Runa , Dhir Mashaal
Published: June 2023

Context

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the most common cause of hypercalcemia, yet long-term (5- and 10-year) recurrence rates after curative surgery have been unclear.

Objective

To perform the first systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the long-term recurrence rates of sporadic PHPT after successful parathyroidectomy.

Methods

A comprehensive search of multiple databases (including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, EBSCO-CINHAL, EMBASE, Ovid, Scopus, and Google Scholar) was performed from each database's inception to January 18, 2023. Observational studies reporting at least 5 years of follow-up data after surgical resection were included. Two reviewers independently screened articles for relevance. Of 5769 articles initially identified, 242 were examined in full-text review and 34 were deemed eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently performed data extraction and study appraisal, using the National Institutes of Health study quality assessment tools.

Results

Of 30 658 participants, 350 patients (1.1%) experienced recurrence after resection. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed to obtain the pooled recurrence rates. The pooled estimate for overall recurrence rate was 1.56% (95% CI 0.96-2.28%; I2 = 91%). The pooled estimates for 5- and 10-year recurrence rate after resection were 0.23% (0.04-0.53%, 19 studies; I2 = 66%) and 1.03% (0.45-1.80%, 14 studies; I2 = 89%), respectively. Sensitivity analyses did not find a statistically significant difference when adjusting for study size, diagnosis, or surgical approach.

Conclusion

Approximately 1.56% of sporadic PHPT patients eventually develop recurrence following parathyroidectomy. The initial diagnosis and procedure type does not influence recurrence rates. Consistent long-term follow-up is warranted to help identify recurrent disease.
That Anti-racist Feeling
Authors: Feldman Leah
Published: June 2023

This article traces the devolution of Soviet anti-racism and the emergence of ethnonationalist violence amid the collapse of the Soviet Union. Through an analysis of Uzbek writer Hamid Ismailov’s novel Mbobo/The Underground (2009), it explores the contradictions of Soviet anti-racism at the interface of flesh and place, metaphor and materiality, ecology and affect—contradictions manifested in the ways in which Brown and Black bodies were mapped onto the triumphalist architecture of socialist internationalism. Attending to built infrastructures—metro stations, sports arenas, concert halls, and conference venues—and the bodies of visibly marked internal and international others who constructed, inhabited and moved through these spaces, it discusses how these bodies were conscripted in the material manifestation of socialist internationalism and then made the targets of racialized violence in the waning days of the Soviet Union.
Families and Women in Alfred Marshall's Analysis of Well-Being and Progress
Authors: Gouverneur Virginie
Published: June 2023

Some commentators state that Marshall conceptualizes well-being primarily in terms of the consumer's and producer's surpluses, whose interdependence with moral character rests on the ability of markets to produce their effects on character spontaneously. The purpose of the present article is to show that evolutionary faith is not really enough to remove the tension between the economic and moral dimensions of Marshall's definition of well-being. Marshall understands that progress would not happen without assigning a special role to families and women in cultivating family affections as an essential means of harmonizing these two dimensions. To prove this point, the article examines several economic texts written before Marshall's major economic treatise, Principles of Economics, the first edition of which appeared in 1890. These texts have received little consideration in the existing literature about Marshall's treatment of the role of women in society. Yet they prefigure and allow a better understanding of the theory later expounded in Principles, apprehended here as the fruit of a long process of maturation that continues throughout revisions made in the successive editions of the book.
Orthobiologic Treatment of Throwing Related Injuries in Sport: A Focused Review of the Published Literature
Authors: Bowers Robert L. , Fryar Caroline M. , Cipriano Kevin , Zaremski Jason L.
Published: June 2023

Because of the growth and development of orthobiologics, in particular platelet-rich plasma, as a potential treatment modality in sports related injuries, it is imperative that providers are aware of the up-to-date published data on the usage of this treatment. While some data are promising, prospective studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma treatment for throwing related injuries. There are limitations with all of the published data that include their retrospective nature, heterogeneity between study designs, and platelet-rich plasma characteristics if reported. While platelet-rich plasma may be used as a likely safe adjuvant to conservative and surgical treatments, prospective randomized controlled studies using appropriately reported platelet-rich plasma concentrations and characteristics will help physicians make more definitive recommendations in regard to platelet-rich plasma treatment. Based on the currently available published data, this treatment may be trialed in the right setting and based on severity and location of injury.
First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pain in Athletes: Diagnosis, Management, and Return to Play Considerations
Authors: Lim Sara , Liem Brian
Published: June 2023

The first metatarsal-phalangeal joint plays a key role for athletes of various disciplines. When an athlete presents for evaluation of pain at this joint, there are several causes that should be considered. The purpose of this article is to review common injuries including turf toe, sand toe, extensor and flexor hallucis longus tendinopathy, sesamoiditis, and metatarsalgia and provide current evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, management, and return to play considerations. Conditions not specific to athletes like gout and hallux rigidus also are discussed. Mechanism of injury, physical examination, and imaging such as weight-bearing radiographs and point-of-care ultrasound can help with diagnosis. Treatment of many of these injuries begins with nonsurgical management strategies including footwear or activity modification, physical therapy, and select interventions.
Care of the Esports Athlete
Authors: Law Adrienne , Ho Garry , Moore Melita
Published: June 2023

The growth of electronic sports (esports), or competitive video gaming, in recent years has led to an increasing number of players seeking care for injuries and injury prevention associated with esports. In addition, the increase of esports players seeking care from health care professionals leads to a heightened awareness about the role of health and lifestyle in esports performance.

Unfortunately, few health care professionals are familiar with the physical and mental demands of this sport or are comfortable addressing the needs of this athletic population and the issues that they encounter affecting their health and their sport. This article offers an overview of common esports health issues and considerations specific to esports athletic care for the sports medicine physician in support of optimizing the care of these patients.
Demographic, Clinical, and Psychosocial Predictors of Exercise Adherence: The STRRIDE Trials
Authors: Collins Katherine A. , Huffman Kim M. , Wolever Ruth Q. , Smith Patrick J. , Ross Leanna M. , Siegler Ilene C. , Jakicic John M. , Costa Paul T. , Kraus William E.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to identify baseline demographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of exercise intervention adherence in the Studies of Targeted Risk Reduction Intervention through Defined Exercise (STRRIDE) trials.

Methods

A total of 947 adults with dyslipidemia or prediabetes were enrolled into an inactive control group or 1 of 10 exercise interventions with doses of 10–23 kcal·kg−1·wk−1, intensities of 40%–80% of peak oxygen consumption, and training for 6–8 months. Two groups included resistance training. Mean percent aerobic and resistance adherence were calculated as the amount completed divided by the prescribed weekly minutes or total sets of exercise times 100, respectively. Thirty-eight clinical, demographic, and psychosocial measures were considered for three separate models: 1) clinical + demographic factors, 2) psychosocial factors, and 3) all measures. A backward bootstrapped variable selection algorithm and multiple regressions were performed for each model.

Results

In the clinical and demographic measures model (n = 947), variables explained 16.7% of the variance in adherence (P < 0.001); lesser fasting glucose explained the greatest amount of variance (partial R
2 = 3.2%). In the psychosocial factors model (n = 561), variables explained 19.3% of the variance in adherence (P < 0.001); greater 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical component score explained the greatest amount of variance (partial R
2 = 8.7%). In the model with all clinical, demographic, and psychosocial measures (n = 561), variables explained 22.1% of the variance (P < 0.001); greater SF-36 physical component score explained the greatest amount of variance (partial R
2 = 8.9%). SF-36 physical component score was the only variable to account for >5% of the variance in adherence in any of the models.

Conclusions

Baseline demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables explain approximately 22% of the variance in exercise adherence. The limited variance explained suggests that future research should investigate additional measures to better identify participants who are at risk for poor exercise intervention adherence.
HbA1c Reduction in Diabetic Older Blacks and Hispanics: A Study on Mobile Physical Activity Tracking
Authors: Wu Helen , Ruaño Gualberto , Wang Biju , Grady James J. , Murray Marsha M. , Slivinsky Michelle D. , Laurencin Cato T.
Published: June 2023

Introduction/Purpose

Diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and is more prevalent in Blacks and Hispanics. This study aims to examine if different physical activity (PA) intensities reduced hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in Blacks and Hispanics with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2).

Methods

This pilot study used a one-sample pre- and postintervention design, including four in-person visits during a period of 3 months from January 2018 to December 2020 in Black or Hispanic populations with DM2 in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut, area. At each in-person visit HbA1c; specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound goals; and daily PA (categorized into high-, moderate-, or low-intensity levels by a Fitbit® Charge 2) were obtained. Change scores for minutes engaged in each PA level and HbA1c values were created between visits. A linear mixed model was used to analyze these relationships over time.

Results

Among 17 completed participants, mean age was 56 yr, 11 were Black, 6 were Hispanic, 13 were female, and 4 were male. At baseline, mean body mass index was 34.8 kg·m−2 and mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure was 135/81 mm Hg. From 70.2 mmol·mol−1 at baseline, HbA1c decreased to 66.3 after 4 wk, 66.0 after 8 wk, and 63.5 by 12 wk (9.5% reduction, P < 0.05). Average daily PA time increased over 3 months from 15.8 to 20.3 (P = 0.04) to 20.8 (P = 0.02) minutes for moderate-intensity PA (P = 0.05), and from 12.1 to 13.6 (P = 0.08) to 15.2 (P = 0.01) minutes for high-intensity PA. PA increases were significantly associated with an overall 0.58% reduction of HbA1c (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Guided by carefully selected, evidenced-based behavioral change strategies, this study found that increases of ~7 min of moderate- or high-intensity daily PA were associated with ~10% decrease in HbA1c in Blacks and Hispanics with DM2. This is consistent with the current consensus statement from the American College of Sports Medicine.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE TRANSPORT SERVICES MARKET IN RUSSIA UNDER INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS
Authors: Pokrovskaya Oksana D. , Moroz Yulia A. , Melikov Marat I.
Published: June 2023

Background. The paper is devoted to the study of trends in the transformation of the transport services market under the influence of international sanctions. It is shown that the functioning of the Russian transport industry is significantly influenced by external factors - constraints that determine the reorientation of logistics chains. The experience of other countries whose economies operate under international sanctions has been studied.

Materials and/or research methods. Materials from open Internet sources, methods of system analysis, theory of synergetics, process approach were used.

Results. The main directions and results of the transformation of the market of transport services and, in particular, rail transportation are presented. The classification of international sanctions is considered.

Conclusion. According to the results of the study, it was found that the trends in the development of the transport services market that contribute to overcoming barriers to its path are: the development of the PL services market; collaboration of services; the departure of “gray” players; market consolidation (consolidation of carriers); reorientation of carriers to the domestic market and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region; development the North-South corridor (China and Kazakhstan as transit countries).
Value of Algorithm-Enabled Process Innovation: The Case of Sepsis
Authors: Adjerid Idris , Ayvaci Mehmet U. S. , Özer Özalp
Published: June 2023

Problem definition: Algorithm-enabled decision support has an increasingly important role in supporting the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. Yet, fully realizing the value of algorithmic decision support lies critically in the opportunity to re-engineer the related processes and redefine roles in ways that make organizations more effective. We study how and when algorithm-enabled process innovation (AEPI) creates value in light of dynamic operational environments (i.e., workload) and behavioral responses to algorithmic predictions (i.e., algorithmic accuracy). Our context is an AEPI effort around a rule-based decision-support algorithm for early detection of sepsis—a costly condition that is the leading cause of death for hospitalized patients. We collaborated with a large U.S.-based hospital system and examined whether AEPI developed for sepsis care (sepsis AEPI) impacts patient mortality and when this impact is stronger or weaker. Methodology/results: We utilize a rich set of clinical and nonclinical data in empirically examining the impact of sepsis AEPI on patient mortality. We leverage the staggered implementation of sepsis AEPI across hospital units and conduct our estimation on a carefully matched sample. The matching utilizes data on patient vitals and the logic behind the algorithm to create a robust comparison group consisting of patient visits for which sepsis AEPI would have triggered an alert if it had been in place. Our empirical analysis shows that sepsis AEPI reduces the likelihood of death from sepsis (45% relative reduction in mortality risk due to sepsis). A higher-than-usual workload and an increase in the average number of inaccurate alert experience at a hospital unit (e.g., an oncology unit, which provides care for cancer patients), in general, reduces the effectiveness of AEPI. We also identify diminishing mortality benefits over prolonged periods of adoption; evaluation of the moderators over time helps explain this diminishing impact. Managerial implications: Our findings suggest that streamlining sepsis-care processes through a predictive algorithm (i.e., algorithm-based monitoring of real-time patient data and providing predictions, streamlined communication channels for coordinating care for a patient with sepsis prediction, and a more standardized process for sepsis diagnosis and treatment) can reduce the loss of life from sepsis. For the 3,739 sepsis patients in our study period, AEPI’s benefits would translate to 181 lives saved. We show that such value, however, is sensitive to operational and behavioral factors as the algorithm becomes a routine part of the day-to-day operations of the hospital.

Funding: Financial support from University Hospitals is gratefully acknowledged.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.1226 .
Description of the formation of verbal and logical thinking in older preschool children with logopathology
Authors:   Kamianets-Podіlskyi National Ivan Ohiienko University, Bielova Olena
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study is to identify the current state of formation of verbal and logical thinking in older preschool children with speech development disorders, which affects their speech readiness for learning in general secondary education institutions. Research tasks is a theoretical analysis of scientific sources on the problem of study; specify research methods and parameters that reveal the level of formation of verbal and logical thinking; carrying out a comparative analysis of the study results of children of older preschool age with malignancy and normotypical psychophysical development. Research methods are methods with tasks aimed at learning the ability to classify subjects by common features at the verbal level, generalize issues and abstract phenomena, understand the figurative meaning of words (metaphors), analyze and draw conclusions from the content of the story. The results of the experimental study give a clear idea that there are significant differences between the groups of the studied older preschool children with speech pathology and those with normotypical psychophysical development regarding the formation of verbal-logical thinking and the psychological component of speech readiness. Children of older preschool age with speech disorders needed constant help from an adult. During the tasks, most of them made a slow transition from one type of question to another. In addition, these children made many mistakes: they incorrectly classified and summarized objects by features, could not explain the meaning of metaphors and their figurative meanings, and also had difficulties when analyzing and formulating conclusions to the text. The results of the experimental study show the unformed readiness of this category of older preschool children to integrate into the conditions of general secondary education institutions.
Theory of High-Efficiency Adiabatic Frequency Conversion in Coupled Microrings
Authors: Herrera Luis Cortes , He Xiaotong , Cardenas Jaime , Agrawal Govind
Published: June 2023

Adiabatic frequency conversion (AFC) in microring resonators is a promising alternative for integrated, tunable frequency shifting of optical signals. However, the efficiency of AFC in a single ring resonator is limited to below 80% for symmetric input pulses with a single peak. This is the consequence of a poor match between the pulse shape and the ring's impulse response. To overcome this limitation, we propose inducing AFC over two coupled rings, rather than a single ring. We analyze the process's efficiency using temporal coupled mode theory (TCMT). We show that two-ring AFC can attain an efficiency of 97% in the limit of negligible intrinsic ring loss. To explain this higher AFC efficiency, we analyze two-ring AFC as a linear operator of rank two in the vector space of finite-energy pulses. We represent the AFC operator as a 2x2 matrix and examine its singular value decomposition. In this way, we analyze the dependence of the two-ring AFC efficiency on the input pulse shape and the TCMT parameters.
Impact of the three waves of COVID-19 pandemic on the HR practices of Hungarian organizations–Experience from an empirical study
Authors: Dajnoki Krisztina , Pató Beáta Sz. G. , Kun András István , Varga Erika , Tóth Arnold , Kálmán Botond Géza , Kovács Ildikó Éva , Szabó Szilvia , Szabó Katalin , Majó-Petri Zoltán , Dávid Lóránt Dénes , Poór József
Published: June 2023

Over recent decades, the practice of human resource management in the transitional countries of Eastern Europe and in Hungary has changed significantly. Especially in local subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies and in the leading domestic large organizations, HRM has become a strategic function, while in the practice of small and medium-sized enterprises it is less common. COVID-19 hit companies, institutions and individuals unexpectedly, not only in Hungary but also in the more developed regions of the world. This crisis has also highlighted the fact that larger and better prepared organizations and public institutions have found it easier to weather this global human catastrophe. We analyze how the key tasks of HRM have changed during the successive waves, along four hypotheses. Initially, health protection, communication and home-office organization were the focus of the work of human resource professionals. In the second and third waves, securing and retaining staff became more important.
Distinctive microbial community and genome structure in coastal seawater from a human-made port and nearby offshore island in northern Taiwan facing the Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Shih Chi-Yu , Chen Shiow-Yi , Hsu Chun-Ru , Chin Ching-Hsiang , Chiu Wei-Chih , Chang Mei-Hung , Kang Lee-Kuo , Yang Cing-Han , Pai Tun-Wen , Hu Chin-Hwa , Hsu Pang-Hung , Tzou Wen-Shyong
Published: June 2023

Pollution in human-made fishing ports caused by petroleum from boats, dead fish, toxic chemicals, and effluent poses a challenge to the organisms in seawater. To decipher the impact of pollution on the microbiome, we collected surface water from a fishing port and a nearby offshore island in northern Taiwan facing the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. By employing 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and whole-genome shotgun sequencing, we discovered that Rhodobacteraceae, Vibrionaceae, and Oceanospirillaceae emerged as the dominant species in the fishing port, where we found many genes harboring the functions of antibiotic resistance (ansamycin, nitroimidazole, and aminocoumarin), metal tolerance (copper, chromium, iron and multimetal), virulence factors (chemotaxis, flagella, T3SS1), carbohydrate metabolism (biofilm formation and remodeling of bacterial cell walls), nitrogen metabolism (denitrification, N2 fixation, and ammonium assimilation), and ABC transporters (phosphate, lipopolysaccharide, and branched-chain amino acids). The dominant bacteria at the nearby offshore island (Alteromonadaceae, Cryomorphaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, Litoricolaceae, and Rhodobacteraceae) were partly similar to those in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Furthermore, we inferred that the microbial community network of the cooccurrence of dominant bacteria on the offshore island was connected to dominant bacteria in the fishing port by mutual exclusion. By examining the assembled microbial genomes collected from the coastal seawater of the fishing port, we revealed four genomic islands containing large gene-containing sequences, including phage integrase, DNA invertase, restriction enzyme, DNA gyrase inhibitor, and antitoxin HigA-1. In this study, we provided clues for the possibility of genomic islands as the units of horizontal transfer and as the tools of microbes for facilitating adaptation in a human-made port environment.
High-sensitivity calcium biosensor on the mitochondrial surface reveals that IP3R channels participate in the reticular Ca2+ leak towards mitochondria
Authors: Gouriou Yves , Gonnot Fabrice , Wehbi Mariam , Brun Camille , Gomez Ludovic , Bidaux Gabriel
Published: June 2023

Genetically encoded biosensors based on fluorescent proteins (FPs) are widely used to monitor dynamics and sub-cellular spatial distribution of calcium ion (Ca2+) fluxes and their role in intracellular signaling pathways. The development of different mutations in the Ca2+-sensitive elements of the cameleon probes has allowed sensitive range of Ca2+measurements in almost all cellular compartments. Region of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tethered to mitochondria, named as the mitochondrial-associated membranes (MAMs), has received an extended attention since the last 5 years. Indeed, as MAMs are essential for calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function, molecular tools have been developed to assess quantitatively Ca2+levels in the MAMs. However, sensitivity of the first generation Ca2+biosensors on the surface of the outer-mitochondrial membrane (OMM) do not allow to measure μM or sub-μM changes in Ca2+concentration which prevents to measure the native activity (unstimulated exogenously) of endogenous channels. In this study, we assembled a new ratiometric highly sensitive Ca2+biosensor expressed on the surface of the outer-mitochondrial membrane (OMM). It allows the detection of smaller differences than the previous biosensor in or at proximity of the MAMs. Noteworthy, we demonstrated that IP3-receptors have an endogenous activity which participate to the Ca2+leak channel on the surface of the OMM during hypoxia or when SERCA activity is blocked.
Contrast normalization affects response time-course of visual interneurons
Authors: Pirogova Nadezhda , Borst Alexander
Published: June 2023

In natural environments, light intensities and visual contrasts vary widely, yet neurons have a limited response range for encoding them. Neurons accomplish that by flexibly adjusting their dynamic range to the statistics of the environment via contrast normalization. The effect of contrast normalization is usually measured as a reduction of neural signal amplitudes, but whether it influences response dynamics is unknown. Here, we show that contrast normalization in visual interneurons of Drosophila melanogaster not only suppresses the amplitude but also alters the dynamics of responses when a dynamic surround is present. We present a simple model that qualitatively reproduces the simultaneous effect of the visual surround on the response amplitude and temporal dynamics by altering the cells’ input resistance and, thus, their membrane time constant. In conclusion, single-cell filtering properties as derived from artificial stimulus protocols like white-noise stimulation cannot be transferred one-to-one to predict responses under natural conditions.
Infant and young child feeding practices and associated socioeconomic and demographic factors among children aged 6–23 months in Ghana: Findings from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2017–2018
Authors: Akanbonga Samson , Hasan Tanvir , Chowdhury Uzzal , Kaiser Adrita , Akter Bonny Fatema , Lim Ignitius Ezekiel , Mahmud Ilias
Published: June 2023

Background

Association between poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and malnutrition in infants and young children (IYC) is well established. Furthermore, appropriate IYCF practices are important during the first 1,000 days of life to ensure optimal health and development. Understanding IYCF practices and associated socioeconomic and demographic factors will inform interventions to achieve the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target to end malnutrition in all forms.

Objective

This study estimates the prevalence of Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD), Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF), and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), and examines their association with socioeconomic and demographic characteristics among children aged 6–23 months in Ghana.

Method

We used data from the Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 6 (GMICS6) conducted in 2017–18. Participants were recruited through multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. Information on caregiver’s self-reported breastfeeding status and 24-hour dietary recall of foods IYC were fed with were collected through face-to-face interviews. We estimated the prevalence of MDD, MMF and MAD with a 95% confidence interval (CI). We investigated the socioeconomic and demographic determinants of MDD, MMF and MAD using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Findings

Among 2,585 IYC aged 6–23 months, MDD, MMF and MAD were estimated as 25.46%, 32.82% and 11.72% respectively. Age of the IYC, educational status of the mothers/primary caregivers, and resident regions were found to have positive associations with MDD, MMF and MAD. In addition, the richest household wealth index and urban area of residence were found to have significant positive associations with MDD.

Conclusion

We report a low prevalence of MDD, MMF and MAD. Efforts to improve IYCF practices among children aged 6–23 months in Ghana should focus on multi-sectorial approaches including increasing access to formal education, income-generating activities and addressing regional and rural-urban inequity.
Trends in dental care utilisation among the elderly using longitudinal data from 14 European countries: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Kovács Nóra , Liska Orsolya , Idara-Umoren Enoabasi Omonigho , Mahrouseh Nour , Varga Orsolya
Published: June 2023

Background

The use of dental care among older people is low compared to other forms of health care, with significant health consequences. However, the evidence on the extent to which countries’ welfare systems and socio-economic factors influence the uptake of dental care by older people is limited. This study aimed to describe trends of dental care utilisation, and to compare use of dental care with other types of healthcare services among the elderly, considering different socio-economic factors and welfare systems in European countries.

Methods

Multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed using longitudinal data from four waves (between Wave 5 and 8) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe database, with a follow-up period of 7 years. The study sample included 20,803 respondents aged 50 years or older from 14 European countries.

Results

The annual dental care attendance was the highest in Scandinavian countries (85.7%), however, improving trends of dental attendance was recognized in Southern and Bismarckian countries (p<0.001). The difference in use of dental care services between socio-economic groups was expanding over time regarding low- and high-income level and residential area. A more marked difference was observed between social groups in dental care utilisation compared to other forms of care. Income level and unemployed status had significant effect on forgoing dental care due to cost and unavailability.

Conclusion

The observed differences between socioeconomic groups may highlight the health consequences of the different organization and financing of dental care. The elderly population could benefit from adopting policies aiming to reduce the financial barriers to dental care usage, especially in Southern and Eastern European countries.
A smoothed boundary bidomain model for cardiac simulations in anatomically detailed geometries
Authors: Biasi Niccolò , Seghetti Paolo , Mercati Matteo , Tognetti Alessandro
Published: June 2023

This manuscript presents a novel finite difference method to solve cardiac bidomain equations in anatomical models of the heart. The proposed method employs a smoothed boundary approach that represents the boundaries between the heart and the surrounding medium as a spatially diffuse interface of finite thickness. The bidomain boundary conditions are implicitly implemented in the smoothed boundary bidomain equations presented in the manuscript without the need of a structured mesh that explicitly tracks the heart-torso boundaries. We reported some significant examples assessing the method’s accuracy using nontrivial test geometries and demonstrating the applicability of the method to complex anatomically detailed human cardiac geometries. In particular, we showed that our approach could be employed to simulate cardiac defibrillation in a human left ventricle comprising fiber architecture. The main advantage of the proposed method is the possibility of implementing bidomain boundary conditions directly on voxel structures, which makes it attractive for three dimensional, patient specific simulations based on medical images. Moreover, given the ease of implementation, we believe that the proposed method could provide an interesting and feasible alternative to finite element methods, and could find application in future cardiac research guiding electrotherapy with computational models.
Perceptions and conducts of oral and maxillofacial surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Corrêa Ricardo de Oliveira , de Arruda José Alcides Almeida , Gomes Amanda Isabela Firmino , Aguiar Evandro Guimarães , Ferreira Efigênia Ferreira e , de Magalhães Cláudia Silami , Moreno Amália
Published: June 2023

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are among the frontline healthcare workers and are classified as a high-risk group for COVID-19 infection; however, it has not yet been defined how these professionals were impacted. The aim of this study was to explore the conducts and perceptions of oral and maxillofacial surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Nine individuals, mean age 34.8 years, 66.6% men, were included in the study. A semi-structured interview with a qualitative approach was applied to professionals belonging to a messaging application group (WhatsApp). Content analysis was performed in the light of Hellerian theory in its daily theoretical framework for the interpretation of the memories reported by the participants. Four themes were identified. The lack of knowledge about COVID-19 and the fear of being contaminated during care were the main factors responsible for changes in the professionals’ work routine. An important point was the collective reflection of the participants about the increase in biosafety barriers, which ensured a greater sense of security. The need for social isolation to contain the virus was also described. As a result, there was a great distance between professionals and their families, which generated high levels of anxiety in the former. Repetitive reports of slowness and reduced attendance directly related to financial loss and aggravated stress were also highlighted. The findings of this study reveal that oral and maxillofacial surgeons had their professional-personal axis affected in terms of daily habits, family life and financial strain, aspects that were responsible for impacting stress and anxiety levels.
Clinics Optimizing MEthadone Take-homes for opioid use disorder (COMET): Protocol for a stepped-wedge randomized trial to facilitate clinic level changes
Authors: Choi Sugy , O’Grady Megan A. , Cleland Charles M. , Knopf Elizabeth , Hong Sueun , D’Aunno Thomas , Bao Yuhua , Ramsey Kelly S. , Neighbors Charles J.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Regulatory changes made during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) that relaxed criteria for take-home dosing (THD) of methadone offer an opportunity to improve quality of care with a lifesaving treatment. There is a pressing need for research to study the long-term effects of the new PHE THD rules and to test data-driven interventions to promote more effective adoption by opioid treatment programs (OTPs). We propose a two-phase project to develop and test a multidimensional intervention for OTPs that leverages information from large State administrative data.

Methods and analysis

We propose a two-phased project to develop then test a multidimensional OTP intervention to address clinical decision making, regulatory confusion, legal liability concerns, capacity for clinical practice change, and financial barriers to THD. The intervention will include OTP THD specific dashboards drawn from multiple State databases. The approach will be informed by the Health Equity Implementation Framework (HEIF). In phase 1, we will employ an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to combine analysis of large state administrative databases—Medicaid, treatment registry, THD reporting—with qualitative interviews to develop and refine the intervention. In phase 2, we will conduct a stepped-wedge trial over three years with 36 OTPs randomized to 6 cohorts of a six-month clinic-level intervention. The trial will test intervention effects on OTP-level implementation outcomes and patient outcomes (1) THD use; 2) retention in care; and 3) adverse healthcare events). We will specifically examine intervention effects for Black and Latinx clients. A concurrent triangulation mixed methods design will be used: quantitative and qualitative data collection will occur concurrently and results will be integrated after analysis of each. We will employ generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) in the analysis of stepped-wedge trials. The primary outcome will be weekly or greater THD. The semi-structured interviews will be transcribed and analyzed with Dedoose to identify key facilitators, barriers, and experiences according to HEIF constructs using directed content analysis.

Discussion

This multi-phase, embedded mixed methods project addresses a critical need to support long-term practice changes in methadone treatment for opioid use disorder following systemic changes emerging from the PHE—particularly for Black and Latinx individuals with opioid use disorder. By combining findings from analyses of large administrative data with lessons gleaned from qualitative interviews of OTPs that were flexible with THD and those that were not, we will build and test the intervention to coach clinics to increase flexibility with THD. The findings will inform policy at the local and national level.
LIN-35 is necessary in both the soma and germline for preserving fertility in Caenorhabditis elegans under moderate temperature stress
Authors: Mikeworth Brian P. , Compere Frances V. , Petrella Lisa N.
Published: June 2023

Maintenance of germline function under stress conditions is crucial for species survival. The germ line in many species is especially sensitive to elevated temperature. We have investigated the role of the pocket protein LIN-35 in preserving fertility inCaenorhabditis elegansunder moderate temperature stress. We show thatlin-35mutants display several temperature sensitive germline defects, and more severe reductions in brood size at elevated temperatures compared to wild type. This loss of fertility under temperature stress is primarily due to loss of zygotic, but not maternal, LIN-35. Additionally, we have found that expression of LIN-35 is necessary in both the germ line and soma for the preserving fertility under moderate temperature stress. Specifically, while LIN-35 function in the germ line is required for maintaining fertility in hermaphrodites, broad somatic expression of LIN-35 is also necessary for oocyte formation and/or function under moderate temperature stress. Together, our data add to the emerging understanding of the critical role that LIN-35 plays in preserving tissues against stress.
Optimization of piggyBac transposon-mediated gene transfer method in common marmoset embryos
Authors: Kohri Nanami , Ota Mitsuo , Kousaku Hikaru , Minakawa Eiko N. , Seki Kazuhiko , Tomioka Ikuo
Published: June 2023

Generating non-human primate models of human diseases is important for the development of therapeutic strategies especially for neurodegenerative diseases. The common marmoset has attracted attention as a new experimental animal model, and many transgenic marmosets have been produced using lentiviral vector-mediated transgenesis. However, lentiviral vectors have a size limitation of up to 8 kb in length for transgene applications. Therefore, the present study aimed to optimize a piggyBac transposon-mediated gene transfer method in which transgenes longer than 8 kb were injected into the perivitelline space of marmoset embryos, followed by electroporation. We constructed a long piggyBac vector carrying the gene responsible for Alzheimer’s disease. The optimal weight ratio of the piggyBac transgene vector to the piggyBac transposase mRNA was examined using mouse embryos. Transgene integration into the genome was confirmed in 70.7% of embryonic stem cells established from embryos injected with 1000 ng of transgene and transposase mRNA. Under these conditions, long transgenes were introduced into marmoset embryos. All embryos survived after transgene introduction treatment, and transgenes were detected in 70% of marmoset embryos. The transposon-mediated gene transfer method developed in this study can be applied to the genetic modification of non-human primates, as well as large animals.