bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sub-second characterization of locomotor activities of mouse models of Parkinsonism
Authors: Berezhnoi Daniil , Chehade Hiba Douja , Simms Gabriel , Chen Liqiang , Chu Hong-Yuan
Published: December 2024

The degeneration of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons disrupts the neural control of natural behavior, such as walking, posture, and gait in Parkinson’s disease. While some aspects of motor symptoms can be managed by dopamine replacement therapies, others respond poorly. Recent advancements in machine learning-based technologies offer opportunities for unbiased segmentation and quantification of natural behavior in both healthy and diseased states. In the present study, we applied the motion sequencing (MoSeq) platform to study the spontaneous locomotor activities of neurotoxin and genetic mouse models of Parkinsonism as the midbrain DA neurons progressively degenerate. We also evaluated the treatment efficacy of levodopa (L-DOPA) on behavioral modules at fine time scales. We revealed robust changes in the kinematics and usage of the behavioral modules that encode spontaneous locomotor activity. Further analysis demonstrates that fast behavioral modules with higher velocities were more vulnerable to loss of DA and preferentially affected at early stages of Parkinsonism. Last, L-DOPA effectively improved the velocity, but not the usage and transition probability, of behavioral modules of Parkinsonian animals. In conclusion, the hypokinetic phenotypes in Parkinsonism are mediated by the decreased velocities of behavioral modules and the disrupted temporal organization of sub-second modules into actions. Moreover, we showed that the therapeutic effect of L-DOPA is mainly mediated by its effect on the velocities of behavior modules at fine time scales. This work documents robust changes in the velocity, usage, and temporal organization of behavioral modules and their responsiveness to dopaminergic treatment under the Parkinsonian state.
Relationship Between Circulating FGF21 and Physiological and Lifestyle Characteristics, an Exploratory Study
Authors: Peterson Matthew , Adair Kathleen , Funderburk LesLee
Published: December 2024

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a biomarker that has been linked to metabolic health. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between FGF21 and its purported upstream regulators and downstream targets in healthy humans. Male and female participants completed three study visits. During visit 1 anthropometrics were measured and a VO2peaktest was conducted on a stationary bike. During visits 2 and 3 resting metabolic rate, heart rate, and blood pressure were recorded and a blood sample was taken. Results from visits 2 and 3 were averaged before statistical analysis. Additionally, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire to detail typical diet over the previous month and had three days of measured physical activity and sleep. Moderate correlations between FGF21 and measured sleep (r= 0.34,p= 0.05), saturated fat intake (r= −0.37,p= 0.04), and blood urea nitrogen levels (r= −0.47,p= 0.01) were observed. Additionally, greater intensities of daily physical activity were associated with lower FGF21 levels. Serum FGF21 levels may be influenced by lifestyle variables such as sleep and physical activity, diet, and other circulating biomarkers.

Highlights

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FGF21 is positively correlated with sleep in healthy humans.

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Sugar intake is positively correlated with FGF21 concentrations in humans.

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Blood urea nitrogen concentrations are negatively correlated with FGF21 in humans.
Quantum-to-classical crossover in the spin glass dynamics of cavity QED simulators
Authors: Hosseinabadi Hossein , Chang Darrick E. , Marino Jamir
Published: December 2024

By solving the quench dynamics of a frustrated many-body spin-boson problem, we investigate the role of spin size on the dynamical formation of spin-glass order. In particular, we observe that quantum and classical spin glasses exhibit markedly different evolution. The former displays a quick relaxation of magnetization together with an exponential dependence of the spin-glass order parameter on spin size, while the latter has long-lasting prethermal magnetization and a spin-glass order parameter independent of spin size. The quantum-to-classical crossover is sharp and occurs for relatively small spins, highlighting the fragility of the quantum regime. Furthermore, we show that spin-glass order is resonantly enhanced when the frequency of the bosonic mediators of the interactions approaches the value of the transverse field. Our predictions are directly applicable to the nonequilibrium dynamics of all spin-glass systems with SU(2) spins, such as the quantum Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model, and they can be examined in recently developed multimode cavity QED experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
BIM framework to minimize embodied energy in heritage buildings: old downtown Amman case studies
Authors: Al-Zrigat Zaid.M.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an integrated Building Information Modeling (BIM) framework to minimize embodied energy (EE) in heritage buildings. Focusing on Darat al Funun and the Chief British Representative’s Building (CBR) in Old Downtown Amman, the study addresses the critical need for a comprehensive lifecycle energy evaluation of building materials in heritage structures. Recognizing EE’s significant role in the sustainability of heritage buildings, the framework systematically incorporates the principles of ISO 14040 to assess and reduce EE, ensuring methodological accuracy and enhancing the preservation and energy efficiency of these culturally significant structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs a multi-step approach grounded in ISO 14040 principles to ensure methodological rigor in lifecycle analysis. It integrates BIM with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), utilizing Extraction, Transformation, and Loading (ETL) technologies for data interoperability. Detailed models of Darat al Funun and the CBR buildings are developed using Autodesk Revit. Spatial ETL via the Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) integrates diverse data sources. The Google Maps API facilitates mapping and visualization, while Power Pivot conducts advanced data analysis, evaluating EE across building materials’ lifecycles in alignment with ISO 14040 standards.

Findings

Applying the prototype to Darat al Funun and CBR buildings assesses EE parameters. Results demonstrate that using local materials effectively reduces EE. The study underscores the impacts of transportation, capacity utilization and material lifespan in EE assessment. The framework integrates BIM for comprehensive energy evaluations, advocates eco-efficient materials and supports sustainable supply chain practices.

Originality/value

This study innovates by applying BIM to minimize EE in heritage buildings, an often-neglected area in prior research. Unlike earlier works that integrated BIM with LCA, this research uniquely tailors the integration to address heritage buildings’ specific challenges – preservation, energy conservation and structural integrity. Incorporating criteria such as historical value, material conservation and site-specific energy patterns, the study adapts modern tools for sustainable heritage conservation. This nuanced approach contributes novel insights to BIM and enhances sustainability in heritage building practices, emphasizing EE’s crucial role in preserving cultural heritage.
Metaverse and education: identifying key themes and future research trajectories
Authors: Virani Shreya , Rautela Sonica
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The present study aims to undertake an extensive review of scholarly literature by exploring the intersection of the metaverse and education.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers used the relevant documents from the Scopus database to conduct bibliometric analysis. The data were retrieved from 2010 to February 2024. Citation, co-citation and author’s keyword analysis were conducted for bibliometric analysis. The study was performed using VOSviewer and the Biblioshiny app software packages.

Findings

The extant literature related to the metaverse and education is presented in the paper. The paper identified four key themes in the literature, i.e. Metaverse and education, Contemporary application of metaverse: a multisectoral perspective, Metaverse: spatial dimensions and concerns and Metaverse: shaping the future of digital interaction. Other information related to the most influential authors, journals and countries concerning metaverse and education is also presented.

Originality/value

The paper studies the gradual evolution of the present research domain over time. The study outlines key areas that have emerged from the literature review, suggesting directions for future research.
Formal versus casual: examining the influence of doctors’ profile pictures on patients’ choice in the online health market
Authors: Yang Hualong , Cheng Zhiying , Zhou Junjie
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The online profile picture of a doctor serves as a pivotal source of visual information, playing a key role in shaping the doctor’s professionalism in the online health market. Doctors can strategically curate the elements of their online profile pictures, such as attire and background, to either reinforce a formal image or craft a casual image, thereby influencing patients’ doctor choices. Despite this, the relative effectiveness of formal or casual images in swaying patient choices remains unclear. This study endeavors to bridge this knowledge gap.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested the influence of a doctor’s attire and background in their profile picture on patient decision-making, with a focus on discerning variations in impact among patient groups differentiated by the severity of their illnesses (i.e. high-severity versus low-severity conditions). We formulated four hypotheses and tested them through an econometric analysis and a controlled laboratory experiment.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal that doctors’ formal profile pictures, characterized by formal attire and backgrounds, exert a more pronounced influence on patient choices than casual images. The severity of a patient’s illness positively moderated the relationship between formal images and patient choices.

Originality/value

These insights make a significant contribution to the understanding of patient behavior in selecting doctors within the online health market. Furthermore, they offer valuable guidance for doctors in optimizing their online profile presentation to better align with patient preferences and expectations.
Using accounting measures and data envelopment analysis to measure firm performance: the effect of variability in prices
Authors: Cui Claire Murong , Harrison Julie A. , Ng Frederick , Rouse Paul
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Recent accounting research using data envelopment analysis (DEA) measures firm performance using accounting measures from annual reports, which are readily available from electronic databases (e.g. Demerjian et al., 2013; Schwab, 2022). This approach differs from conventional DEA studies that analyse productivity and use internal data about physical quantities of production inputs and outputs. Using accounting measures instead of physical measures presents challenges as accounting measures aggregate physical quantities using unknown but fluctuating prices. This raises the issue of what these DEA models measure. This study aims to examine how price variability influences DEA results when measuring firm performance and identifies implications for future accounting research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a Cobb–Douglas function to simulate physical data for input and output quantities, which are then priced to form accounting measures that incorporate different levels of price variability. These simulated accounting data are used to estimate DEA results. The results using physical data and accounting data are compared to identify the impact of increasing levels of price variation and sample size on the comparability of DEA results.

Findings

The study confirms the theoretical argument that accounting measures can be used in DEA to measure productivity when prices are identical across a sample of firms. Moreover, where price variability is low, large samples can also reliably estimate productivity when using accounting measures. This measure of productivity fundamentally underpins financial performance and provides a new dimension of firm performance that can be measured by accounting measures. However, where price variability is high, DEA using accounting measures cannot estimate productivity and can only be used for benchmarking financial performance. In this case, DEA provides an alternative measure for financial performance, which incorporates multiple dimensions and can extend traditional financial analysis approaches by providing a more comprehensive measure.

Originality/value

Despite calls for investigation (Camanho et al., 2024; Färe et al., 2017; Zelenyuk, 2020), evidence has been scarce regarding the impact of price variability when using accounting measures in DEA. Understanding this impact is key to understanding the nature of DEA results produced using accounting measures, as this can affect the interpretation and use of those results. This study is the first to focus on the impact of price variability on accounting measures within DEA and suggests new avenues for accounting research using this performance measurement method.
Finite element analysis and experimental study on the sealing performance of low-phenyl silicone rubber sealing rings
Authors: Gao Ming , Li Dongkai , Liu Kun , Xu Shuliang , Zhao Feng , Guo Ben , Pan Anhui , Xie Xiao , Han Huanre
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The brake pipe system was an essential braking component of the railway freight trains, but the existing E-type sealing rings had problems such as insufficient low-temperature resistance, poor heat stability and short service life. To address these issues, low-phenyl silicone rubber was prepared and tested, and the finite element analysis and experimental studies on the sealing performance of its sealing rings were carried out.

Design/methodology/approach

The low-temperature resistance and thermal stability of the prepared low-phenyl silicone rubber were studied using low-temperature tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic thermomechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The sealing performance of the low-phenyl silicone rubber sealing ring was studied by using finite element analysis software abaqus and experiments.

Findings

The prepared low-phenyl silicone rubber sealing ring possessed excellent low-temperature resistance and thermal stability. According to the finite element analysis results, the finish of the flange sealing surface and groove outer edge should be ensured, and extrusion damage should be avoided. The sealing rings were more susceptible to damage in high compression ratio and/or low-temperature environments. When the sealing effect was ensured, a small compression ratio should be selected, and rubbers with hardness and elasticity less affected by temperature should be selected. The prepared low-phenyl silicone rubber sealing ring had zero leakage at both room temperature (RT) and −50 °C.

Originality/value

The innovation of this study is that it provides valuable data and experience for the future development of the sealing rings used in the brake pipe flange joints of the railway freight cars in China.
Team collective efficacy as a mediator of coaching leadership effects on exhaustion: a multilevel investigation
Authors: Mastrorilli Andrea , Santarpia Ferdinando Paolo , Borgogni Laura
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Team-based work is increasing within organizations nowadays. Despite calls for differentiation between individual and team levels of analysis, research on leadership effects at multiple levels is still limited. By integrating the Conservation of Resources and Social Cognitive theories, this paper aims to analyze the relationships between coaching leadership, team collective efficacy and individual exhaustion via multilevel modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper opted for an exploratory study testing a 2-2-1 multilevel mediational model, positing team collective efficacy as a key factor in mediating the relationship between coaching leadership at the team level and exhaustion at the individual level. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 311 employees, nested in 72 teams (Msize = 5.70, SDsize = 2.82 team members) of a large Italian company that provides financial services.

Findings

Results supported the positive association between coaching leadership and team collective efficacy, which, in turn, was negatively associated with team members’ average score in exhaustion and fully mediated the effect of coaching leadership on exhaustion, even controlling for team design features (i.e. task interdependence and team virtuality). The association between coaching leadership and exhaustion was only indirect, explained by team collective efficacy.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the self-report nature of the measures and the cross-sectional nature of the data, this research results might raise problems of variance in common methods and not allow causal conclusions to be drawn. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

This paper includes several practical implications for enhancing group efficacy beliefs, which have an impact on individual well-being within the team.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the lack of empirical findings on the multilevel nature of the relationship between coaching-based leadership, collective team effectiveness and individual exhaustion.
Wound, Pressure Ulcer, and Burn Guidelines‐5: Guidelines for the management of lower leg ulcers and varicose veins, second edition
Authors: Ito Takaaki , Kukino Ryuichi , Sarayama Yasuko , Tanioka Miki , Maekawa Takeo , Yatsushiro Hiroshi , Asai Jun , Asano Yoshihide , Abe Masatoshi , Amano Masahiro , Ikegami Ryuta , Ishii Takayuki , Isei Taiki , Isogai Zenzo , Inoue Yuji , Irisawa Ryokichi , Iwata Yohei , Otsuka Masaki , Omoto Yoichi , Kato Hiroshi , Tanizaki Hideaki , Kadono Takafumi , Kaneko Sakae , Kanoh Hiroyuki , Kawakami Tamihiro , Kawaguchi Masakazu , Kono Takeshi , Koga Monji , Kodera Masanari , Sakai Keisuke , Sakurai Eiichi , Shintani Yoichi , Tsujita Jun , Doi Naotaka , Nakanishi Takeshi , Hashimoto Akira , Hasegawa Minoru , Hayashi Masahiro , Hirosaki Kuninori , Fujita Hideki , Fujimoto Manabu , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Matsuo Koma , Madokoro Naoki , Motegi Sei‐Ichiro , Yamasaki Osamu , Yoshino Yuichiro , Le Pavoux Andres , Tachibana Takao , Ihn Hironobu
Published: December 2024

“Wound, Pressure Ulcer, and Burn Guidelines‐5: Guidelines for the management of lower leg ulcers and varicose veins, second edition” is revised from the first edition, which was published in the Japanese Journal of Dermatology in 2011. The guidelines were drafted by the Wound, Pressure Ulcer, and Burn Guidelines Drafting Committee delegated by the Japanese Dermatological Association and intend to facilitate physicians' clinical decisions in preventing, diagnosing and management of lower leg ulcers and varicose veins. We updated all sections by collecting documents published since the publication of the first edition. In particular, we added clinical question 8 (CQ8), which addresses endovenous laser ablation for varicose veins, a procedure that became covered by the Japanese national health insurance after the writing of the first edition, and endovenous radiofrequency ablation, which became covered by national health insurance in 2014. We also rearranged the subsequent clinical question (CQs) for easier reading. While the addition of these new techniques has increased the number of options available within the treatment algorithm, differences have arisen in the indication for surgery depending on the facility performing the treatment. Therefore, these have been abbreviated.
Barriers and facilitators to caregiver comfort with health‐related social needs data collection in the pediatric clinical setting
Authors: Brown Rachel , Barouk Nadia , McPeak Katie , Fein Joel , Cullen Danielle
Published: December 2024

Objective

To identify barriers and facilitators to family‐level comfort with health‐related social needs (HRSN) data collection and documentation in the pediatric clinical setting.

Study Setting and Design

This qualitative study was nested within a pragmatic randomized controlled trial on social care integration in the pediatric clinical setting. We used a hybrid random‐purposive strategy to sample 60 caregivers of pediatric patients ages 0–25 presenting at two primary care clinics and one emergency department affiliated with a large pediatric healthcare system between September 2022 and 2023. We developed an interview guide and codebook to explore caregiver experiences with and perceptions of HRSN data collection and documentation.

Data Sources and Analytic Sample

We conducted semi‐structured telephone interviews in English and Spanish with 60 caregivers. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved and were transcribed verbatim. We used thematic analysis with constant comparison to code interviews and identify emerging themes.

Principal Findings

Our analysis yielded several barriers to caregiver comfort with HRSN data collection and documentation: (1) stigmatization by providers and medical staff and risk of child protective services involvement, (2) providers presuming connections between documented HRSN and medical complaints, (3) permanency of documented HRSN, (4) visibility of HRSN data by pediatric patients and caregiver proxies, and (5) fear that documented HRSN could negatively impact future insurance cost and coverage. We identified four facilitators to caregiver comfort: (1) clear communication regarding the purpose of HRSN data collection and use, (2) respect for caregiver autonomy, for example, by providing the option to decline participation, (3) training of data collection personnel to ensure privacy and compassionate care, and (4) consideration of timing within the medical visit, delaying assessment until medical concerns are addressed.

Conclusions

Caregiver‐identified barriers and facilitators should be considered in clinically based HRSN data collection efforts to ensure that these programs are equitable and family‐centered.
A Systematic Review on Worker Voice in the Platform Economy: The Constitution of a Grassroots Voice Mechanism
Authors: Dasgupta Prakriti , McDonnell Anthony , Carbery Ronan , Jooss Stefan
Published: December 2024

This systematic review investigates why and how platform workers express voice in a context where institutional and organisational voice mechanisms and representation structures are lacking or absent. Platform workers have been restricted in their ability to formally unionise or collectively bargain, and the presence of a digital intermediary in the form of a platform organisation limits the scope of worker voice. In this paper, we identify and synthesise the motives for voice use by platform workers—namely mutual aid, organising, visibility, and confrontation, and unpack how these are realised through bottom‐up and independent voice channels that may potentially influence multiple stakeholders. The paper's core contribution lies in highlighting how the blurred employment boundaries of platform work structurally render labour power even more indeterminate, informing our conceptualisation of a ‘grassroots voice mechanism’, wherein the social relations of platform work and digital technologies convey worker voice beyond traditional organisational boundaries. We conclude with an agenda to guide future research centred heavily around the dynamics of platform work, the use of novel voice channels, and worker attitudes towards them.
Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk: The Founding Father of Czechoslovak People's Democracy
Authors: Krejčí Pavel
Published: December 2024

This study explores connections between the intellectual and political work of the first President of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (1850–1937), and the system of people's democracy implemented in Czechoslovakia following the end of Second World War (1945–1948). It aims to do so by delving into Masaryk's perspectives on the “social question,” his critique of Marxism, and the practical measures he implemented as an engaged politician. Additionally, this study examines how Masaryk's ideas inspired his followers, shaping their notions of advancing modern democracy beyond its liberal phase into what they termed “people's democracy.” Central to this analysis is the premise that the Czechoslovak regime of people's democracy, existing between the end of Second World War and the communist takeover in February 1948, was built upon theoretical foundations distinct from Marxist‐Leninist doctrine. While people's democracy is traditionally associated with the Stalinist regimes in Eastern Europe post‐1948, this study argues that its conceptual framework, notably different from the Stalinist model, had been formulated by Czechoslovak intellectuals well before the Soviet Union's involvement in Second World War, and implemented in Czechoslovakia after the war. Specifically, the paper highlights the contributions of Czechoslovak founding figure Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk to this intellectual evolution.
Efficacy of two novel antifungal lipopeptides, AF4 and AF5 of bacillomycin D family in murine models of invasive candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and aspergillosis
Authors: Paul Raees A. , Madduri Madhuri , Kashyap Nisha , Ramesh Swetha , Rudramurthy Shivaprakash M. , Roy Utpal
Published: December 2024

Invasive fungal diseases are an important public health concern due to an increase in the at‐risk population and high mortality associated with these infections. Managing invasive fungal infections poses a significant challenge given the limited antifungal options and the emergence of resistance in key fungal pathogens. Through a comprehensive approach, we evaluated the in vitro antifungal activity and the in vivo efficacy of two novel lipopeptides, AF4 and AF5 in murine models of disseminated candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and aspergillosis. Flow cytometry analysis with propidium iodide showed a dose‐dependent increase in the permeability and disruption of fungal cell membranes, underscoring the membrane perturbing effects of AF4 and AF5. These observations were further substantiated by SEM analyses that showed yeast cell and hyphal deformation and leakage of cellular contents. Our in vivo investigations utilizing two doses (5 and 10 mg/kg bodyweight) of each lipopeptide and its comparison with standard antifungal therapies showed lipopeptides significantly improved the odds of mice survival in invasive candidiasis and cryptococcosis models, with a reduction in organ fungal burden by 2 to 3‐log10 order. Additionally, in the disseminated aspergillosis model, treatment with 10 mg/kg of AF4 significantly improved median survival from 4 to 10 days while achieving a notable 1‐log10 order reduction in organ fungal burden. Overall, our study underscores the potent and broad‐spectrum antifungal activity of lipopeptides in mouse infection models, hinting at their promising therapeutic potential in invasive fungal disease.
Early Experience of Uniportal Robotic‐Assisted Anatomic Resection in Lung Cancer Patients: Is it Safe and Feasible for Direct Transition From Uniportal Video Thoracoscopic–Assisted Surgery to Uniportal Robotic‐Assisted Surgery?
Authors: Kuo Yung‐Chia , Wu Ching‐Yang , Hsieh Ming‐ Ju , Gonzalez‐Rivas Diego , Yang Tzu ‐Yi , Wu Ching‐Feng
Published: December 2024

Background

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with surgery being a primary treatment option for early‐stage cases. Minimally invasive surgery has gained attention due to its potential benefits. Uniportal robotic‐assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is emerging as a viable option for treating lung cancer patients.

Methods

In this retrospective study, conducted from August 2023 to December 2023, we assessed the feasibility of Uniportal robotic‐assisted thoracic surgery (URATS) in 15 patients with 16 lung cancers. The perioperative and 30‐day short‐term outcome results were collected.

Results

Perioperative outcomes, including length of hospital stay and postoperative complications, were evaluated. No perioperative or 30‐day mortality was observed, and there were no cases requiring conversion to multiport RATS or thoracotomy.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that URATS can be successfully performed in lung cancer patients, provided the surgical team possesses excellent communication skills and extensive training in Uniport video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery and comprehensive RATS techniques.
Serum Ethanol Concentrations in Relation to Sex and Age in Patients Admitted to a Large Emergency Department During 2015–2020
Authors: Bratberg Aase , Nygaard Ilah , Løhne Kari , Gustavsen Ingebjørg , Opdal Mimi Stokke
Published: December 2024

We examined the number of patients tested for serum ethanol concentration (SEC) at admission to a large Emergency Department (ED) and the relationship of SEC with sex and age. SEC was analysed by enzymatic method. We retrieved SEC in patient samples from the ED during 2015–2020 from the laboratory information system. Altogether, 174 378 patients were admitted, and 7.3% were tested for SEC. Of these, 35.3% had a positive test. The percentage of patients tested increased from 4.8% in 2015 to 14.4% in 2020. A total of 416 patients had more than one positive SEC. For individual data, we included the first positive test per patient, n = 3607. Of these, 73% were men and 27% were women. The median SEC for both men and women was 1.9 g/L. About 4.4% had a SEC ≥ 3.5 g/L. The median SEC in patients aged 30–59 years was 0.2 g/L higher than the 12–29 and ≥ 60 age groups. In conclusion, the increase in the percentage of patients tested did not lead to a corresponding increase in ethanol‐positive tests. There was a large predominance of men, the median SEC was the same for men and women and highest in the 30–59 age group.
Preclinical Evidence for a Drug–Drug Interaction Between Cannabinol and Melatonin
Authors: Anderson Lyndsey L. , Hawkins Nicole A. , Yip Ka Lai , Udoh Michael , Kearney Jennifer A. , Arnold Jonathon C.
Published: December 2024

The worldwide legalization of medicinal cannabis has led to an increased use of products made by commercial operators. These products often contain minor cannabinoids such as cannabinol (CBN) which are advertised to improve sleep. Products are also available in which CBN is combined with conventional therapies, with a common product containing both CBN and the widely used sleep‐aid melatonin. The combination of CBN and melatonin provides potential for a pharmacokinetic drug–drug interaction (DDI) given that cannabinoids are known to inhibit drug‐metabolizing enzymes. Indeed, we recently reported that CBN potently inhibited the CYP1A2‐mediated metabolism of caffeine. CYP1A2 is the major hepatic enzyme involved in the metabolism of melatonin; thus, in this study, we aimed to examine whether CBN inhibited CYP1A2‐mediated metabolism of melatonin in vitro and in vivo. We found CBN potently inhibited CYP1A2‐mediated metabolism of melatonin and increased the apparent oral bioavailability of melatonin in mice with a four‐fold increase in the plasma melatonin exposure. Our results provide an additional example of a potential DDI involving melatonin.
‘We Are Students: Experiences From Our Student Lives at a University in Norway’
Authors: Brynildsen Tone , Jacobsen Ingrid Eid , Chalachanová Anna , Lid Inger Marie
Published: December 2024

Adults with intellectual disabilities in Norway lack opportunities for higher education.

A pilot project at one university college seeks to develop higher education courses accommodating students with intellectual disabilities.

Two of the students, Tone and Ingrid, wrote accounts of their educational journeys.

They wrote about their experiences in kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and their experiences as students at a university college.

This retrospective of their educational journeys is essential for a better understanding of persons with intellectual disabilities as learners.

Two researchers, who are also project leaders and teachers at the pilot project supported Tone and Ingrid in their writing. They asked questions, translated the stories to English and helped with the structure of the stories.

In the end, we summed up the students’ learning experiences.
Pheochromocytoma in von Hippel‐Lindau Disease: Clinical Features and Comparison With Sporadic Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Li Tianyi , Cui Yunying , Zhou Yue , Zhou Ting , Chen Shi , Lu Lin , Zhang Yushi , Tong Anli
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are manifestations of von Hippel‐Lindau (VHL) disease. This study aims to describe the clinical features of PPGLs in VHL patients and the distinctions between VHL disease‐related PPGLs and sporadic PPGLs.

Design, Patients and Measurements

The study included all patients with VHL disease and PPGLs treated in a single centre from 2007 to 2023. A total of 145 patients were included in the sporadic PPGLs group. Their clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Genetic testing for VHL mutation was conducted using Sanger sequencing. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.

Results

Fifty‐nine (65.6%) of the 90 VHL disease patients had PPGLs (male: female, 38:21; age at diagnosis, 25.0 ± 13.3 years). 42 (71.2%) patients had lesions only in the adrenal gland, and 16 (27.1%) patients had lesions both in and out of the adrenal gland. 45 (76.3%) patients had multiple lesions. Eighteen (45.0%) patients developed recurrence after surgery. Fifty‐eight patients with PPGLs underwent genetic testing and had pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations in the VHL gene. Fifty‐three (91.4%) patients had missense mutations, 34 of which were located in the Elongin‐C binding domain. The hotspot mutation sites were codon 161 and codon 167. Five novel mutations were identified. The clinical characteristics showed no significant differences between groups with different mutation sites. Compared to sporadic PPGLs, VHL disease‐related PPGLs were more frequently located in the adrenal gland (71.2% vs. 49.0%, p < 0.001), had a higher prevalence of multiple lesions (76.3% vs. 11.0%, p < 0.001), and secreted noradrenaline (80.4% vs. 43.2%, p < 0.001). They were also more likely to relapse after surgery (45.0% vs. 15.3%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

VHL disease‐related PPGLs were often multifocal and noradrenergic, and more likely to relapse compared with sporadic PPGLs. No relationships were identified between the mutation sites and the clinical characteristics of PPGLs.
Adolescents From Wealthier Families are More Prosocial? A Caregiver–Child Paired Survey
Authors: Xie Zhongju , Liu Chuanjun
Published: December 2024

Whether higher family socio‐economic status (SES) drives adolescents to engage in more prosocial behaviours is a topic of debate. Previous research has typically concentrated on the association between self‐reported subjective SES and their prosocial behaviours. Drawing from the Ecological Systems Theory, this study incorporates two proximal factors—parental educational expectations (PEE) and adolescent's self‐esteem—into a chained mediation model to explore the mechanisms of the distal factor, family SES, links to adolescents' prosocial behaviour. An analysis of 600 caregiver–child pairs (with children ranging from Grades 3 to 12, comprising 64.3% boys) supports the negative link between family SES and prosocial behaviour and unexpectedly indicates the suppressing mediating effect of PEE and self‐esteem. Results suggest that prosocial motivation is not solely linked with material resources; it also intertwines with family educational perspectives and the development of individual self‐worth. These findings provide implications in cultivating prosocial behaviours among adolescents from different SES.
Young People's Experiences of Citizenship in Relation to Place: A Case Study of Three Rural Communities in Germany
Authors: Suppers Janina , Vajen Bastian
Published: December 2024

Young people's experiences of citizenship play a significant part in shaping their citizenship norms and practices. While young people's experiences as citizens have been explored in the literature, the places they inhabit, which shape their experiences, are often not considered. Using qualitative case study evidence in the form of 13 focus groups (n = 35) and 21 interviews with secondary school students aged 13–17 from three rural communities in Germany, this research contributes to our understanding of how place is related to young people's experiences of citizenship. Findings suggest that place acted as a reference point when participants discussed their citizenship practices. Furthermore, place determined the citizenship spaces participants encountered and acted as a lens through which current citizenship issues were interpreted.
Gray Matter Asymmetry Alterations in Patients With Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: A Voxel‐Based Morphometric Comparison Study
Authors: Shi Linfeng , Ou Lan , Ou Peiling , Deng Lihua , Huang Yonghua , Wang Xingang , Gui Li , Wang Bijia , Dai Limeng , Ma Guolin , Wang Jian , Liu Chen
Published: December 2024

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the whole‐brain asymmetry changes in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and their association with movement disorders.

Methods

Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) was used to assess asymmetry in gray matter (GM) volume in 83 genetically confirmed SCA3 patients and 83 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls (HCs). The asymmetry index (AI) was analyzed for partial correlation with disease severity, as measured by the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). Age, sex, and total intracranial volume (TIV) were included as covariates in the analysis.

Results

Asymmetry in GM analysis with SCA3 patients showed decreased leftward asymmetry in cerebellar lobules VIII and IX, the visual cortex, and the putamen, as well as decreased rightward asymmetry in the ventral lateral thalamus, as analyzed by VBM. The AI in the cerebellum, the visual cortex, and the putamen was positively correlated with SARA and ICARS scores, whereas the AI in the thalamus was negatively correlated with these scales.

Conclusion

SCA3 patients exhibit distinct patterns of asymmetrical changes in GM volume, which correlates with motor dysfunction. These changes in asymmetry may serve as potential biomarkers for early intervention in SCA3.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR): 1800019901, 2000039434
Structural and Functional Projections of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert and Their Changes After Cognitive Training in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Lu Qingzheng , Wang Yu , Qu Bingqian , Wang Caixia , Su Xiao , Wang Siqi , Xing Yi , Qin Wen , Tang Yi , Zhang Nan
Published: December 2024

Aims

The nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is a major source of cholinergic innervation in the central nervous system. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of structural and functional alterations in the NBM and its projections in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the effects of computerized cognitive training (CCT).

Methods

Forty‐five patients with MCI and 45 cognitively unimpaired controls (CUCs) were recruited. NBM volume, mean diffusivity (MD) of NBM white matter (WM) projections, and functional connectivity (FC) of projections of the NBM were measured with T1‐weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI). Thirty‐six MCI patients were randomly assigned to receive CCT or control training. The effects of CCT on the neuropsychological measures and MRI properties were analyzed with a linear mixed model (LMM).

Results

We detected that compared with the CUCs, the MCI patients had a reduced volume of the NBM and a greater MD of both cholinergic pathways. Increased MD values of both pathways were related to lower scores of global cognition, processing speed and attention in all participants. After CCT intervention, significant group × timepoint effects on score of the Backward Digit Span and the FC between NBM and right putamen were observed in the CCT group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

NBM atrophy and WM pathway disruption occurred in MCI patients and were correlated with cognitive impairment. Working memory and the FC between NBM and right putamen could be improved by cognitive training.
Contact Allergy to Methacrylate Containing Nail Products: Lack of Impact of EU Legislation. An Audit on Behalf of the European Environmental Contact Dermatitis Research Group (EECDRG)
Authors: Wilkinson S. Mark , Aerts Olivier , Agner Tove , Bruze Magnus , Brans Richard , Foti Caterina , Giménez‐Arnau Ana Maria , Stingeni Luca , Svedman Cecilia
Published: December 2024

Background

There is a current fashion for the use of methacrylate‐containing nail cosmetics that can induce allergic contact dermatitis. European Union (EU) legislation was introduced in 2021 that had the aim of preventing its development.

Objectives

To assess prevalence and exposures causing contact allergy to 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) prior to and following implementation of the legislation.

Methods

A retrospective audit was conducted by 7 European centres patch testing to HEMA prior to the legislation and for 2 years afterwards.

Results

A total of 26 297 patients were tested to HEMA in the baseline series between 2016 and 2023. The prevalence of contact allergy to HEMA from all sources amongst females was 2.82% compared to 0.34% amongst males.

The prevalence of nail related contact allergy rose from 0.91% in 2016 (2 centres) to: 0.99% in 2017 (3 centres); 1.24% in 2018 (5 centres); 1.23% in 2019 (6 centres); 1.36% in 2020 (7 centres); 1.30% in 2021 (7 centres); 1.52% in 2022 (7 centres) and 1.98% in 2023 (7 centres).

Contact allergy to HEMA from exposure to nail cosmetics accounted for 3.4% of all occupational skin disease.

Conclusions

EU legislation appears not to have had the intended impact on controlling allergic contact dermatitis from methacrylates in nail cosmetics. There is an urgent need to revisit Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) opinion to reconsider exposure to methacrylates and cross‐reactions between them. A strategy needs to be developed and implemented to better control the current outbreak.
Keynote address at the Thirteenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope” September 14, 2023
Authors: Halík Tomáš
Published: December 2024

Christianity stands on the threshold of a new reformation. It will not be the first, nor the second, nor the last. The Church is, in the words of St. Augustine, ever reforming, semper reformanda. But especially in times of great change and crisis in our common world, it is the Church's prophetic task to recognize and respond to God's call in relation to these signs of the times.
Psychoneural reduction revised: The case of suicidality in bipolar disorder
Authors: Carls‐Diamante Sidney , Atanasova Nina
Published: December 2024

This paper uses suicidality in bipolar disorder (BD) to illustrate that multidimensional frameworks account for complex phenomena with cognitive, psychological, socioenvironmental and physiological components better than their reductionist counterparts. We challenge level‐based reductionist models that regard a particular dimension as fundamental. To comprehensively understand complex psychiatric phenomena, multidimensional models that acknowledge the heterogeneity of aetiological factors, rather than homogenising them under a single dimension, must be utilised. Multidimensional models allow a better understanding of the individual context under which a psychiatric phenomenon arises, and the interrelationships between its different aetiological dimensions.

Suicidality in BD is used as a case study because it particularly highlights the interplay between biological, psychological, sociocultural and experiential factors. The multidimensional nature of suicidality is reflected by the heterogeneous strategies by which it is managed. Although similar to suicidality in other contexts, in BD suicidality has distinctive structural characteristics that emphasise its multidimensionality. Consequently, investigating suicidality in BD yields claims generalisable to suicidality as a whole alongside novel insights on BD‐specific features. For instance, suicidality in BD has physiological causal factors, e.g., genetic predisposition and aggravation by symptomatic periods. However, its other features underscore the causal roles of cognitions. In persons with BD, suicidality can persist beyond depression and is sometimes experienced during mania, possibly due to suicidal ideation persisting beyond symptomatic periods. This indicates the need to account for cognitive or psychological causal factors.

Models of suicidality in BD typically adopt a non‐level‐based, non‐reductionist approach, reflected in the diverse clinical strategies for managing suicidality in BD.
The ends of history? Jerome, Geruchia, and the Rhine crossings
Authors: Fafinski Mateusz
Published: December 2024

This article revisits Jerome’s treatment of the Rhine crossings of 406 in his letter to the widow Geruchia, and the broader issue of breaching the Roman limes. It argues that his description of the events in Gaul and on the border was framed to fit his notion of the history of salvation. Placing Jerome’s letter to Geruchia in its historical and theological setting, the paper questions the role of contemporary historical details in its composition. Jerome’s account was shaped by hearsay, memory, and tropes from other authors, including Ammianus Marcellinus, alongside the ways that Jerome thought about time, truth, and gender. In this way, the paper casts a new light on what we can say about the early fifth‐century invasion of Gaul. The events of 406 are prone to misinterpretation without an analysis of Jerome’s philosophy of history.
Clinical validity and reproducibility of a visual rating scale for cingulate island sign in a real‐world memory clinic: An FDG‐PET/MRI study
Authors: Zorzi Giovanni , Gazzola Gianmarco , Rossato Francesco , Bussè Cinzia , Camporese Giulia , Cecchin Diego , Cagnin Annachiara
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Brain [18F]FDG‐PET is a supportive biomarker for cognitive impairment in Lewy bodies disease (LBD) showing reduced occipital metabolism and presence of the cingulate island sign (CIS), a relative preservation of posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) metabolism compared with precuneus and cuneus. We assess validation, clinical utility, and reproducibility of a qualitative visual CIS scale in the differential diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a memory clinic setting.

Methods

Sixty‐seven patients were studied: 36 LBD, of whom 30 with dementia (DLB) and 6 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI‐LB), and 31 AD (20 typical and 11 atypical presentations). They underwent FDG‐PET/MRI scans and were followed for at least 24 months. The visual CIS rating scale was scored by a nuclear medicine physician and a neurologist independently. Qualitative CIS scores were validated with ROI‐based semiquantitative FDG analysis.

Results

Mean CIS scores were 1.84 ± 1.69 for LBD and 0.9 ± 1.24 for AD (p = 0.001). With a cutoff CIS score ≥2, sensitivity was 0.56, and specificity 0.81 (accuracy 0.67). Positive CIS in patients with AD was due to atypical presentations. Negative CIS in LBD was due to (i) normal FDG‐PET in MCI‐LB or (ii) marked hypometabolism of both the PCC and cuneus. Visual CIS scores correlated with FDG‐uptake (r = 0.45; p < 0.001) and held a high inter‐specialists concordance.

Discussion

The visual CIS scale can be successfully scored by different specialists. Lower sensitivity is expected in cases of MCI‐LB or dementia due to mixed LBD/AD changes. Specificity may be influenced by the inclusion of atypical AD cases.