bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patch testing with the European baseline series and 10 added allergens: Single‐centre study of 748 patients
Authors: Bizjak Mojca , Adamič Katja , Bajrovič Nissera , Eržen Renato , Jošt Maja , Kopač Peter , Košnik Mitja , Lalek Nika , Zidarn Mihaela , Dinevski Dejan
Published: June 2022

Background

The European baseline series (EBS) of contact allergens is subject to change. An allergen is considered for inclusion when routine patch testing of patients with suspected contact dermatitis results in ≥0.5% prevalence rate.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the frequency of sensitizations to 30 EBS allergens and 10 locally added allergens. Additionally, we assessed the strength and evolution of reactions to all tested allergens and co‐reactivity of additional allergens.

Methods

Patch testing with our baseline series of 40 allergens was done in 748 consecutive adults. Tests were applied to the upper back and removed by patients after 48 h. Readings were done on Day 3 (D3) and D6 or D7 (D6/7). Positive reactions fulfilled the criteria of at least one plus (+) reaction. A retrospective analysis was done.

Results

Eight allergens not listed in the EBS had ≥0.5% prevalence rate (i.e., cocamidopropyl betaine, thiomersal, disperse blue mix 106/124, 2‐bromo‐2‐nitropropane‐1,3‐diol, diazolidinyl urea, propylene glycol, Compositae mix II and dexamethasone‐21‐phosphate), and 16.6% of positive reactions would have been missed without D6/7 readings.

Conclusion

We propose further studies to evaluate whether cocamidopropyl betaine, disperse blue mix 106/124, 2‐bromo‐2‐nitropropane‐1,3‐diol, diazolidinyl urea and Compositae mix II need to be added to the EBS.
Time trends in the incidence rates of venous thromboembolism following colorectal resection by indication and operative technique
Authors: Lewis‐Lloyd Christopher A. , Crooks Colin J. , West Joe , Peacock Oliver , Humes David J.
Published: June 2022

Aim

It is important for patient safety to assess if international changes in perioperative care, such as the focus on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention and minimally invasive surgery, have reduced the high post colectomy VTE risks previously reported. This study assesses the impact of changes in perioperative care on VTE risk following colorectal resection.

Method

This was a population‐based cohort study of colectomy patients in England between 2000 and 2019 using a national database of linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics) care data. Within 30 days following colectomy, absolute VTE rates per 1000 person‐years and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) using Poisson regression for the per year change in VTE risk were calculated.

Results

Of 183 791 patients, 1337 (0.73%) developed 30‐day postoperative VTE. Overall, VTE rates reduced over the 20‐year study period following elective (relative risk reduction 31.25%, 95% CI 5.69%–49.88%) but not emergency surgery. Similarly, yearly changes in VTE risk reduced following minimally invasive resections (elective benign, aIRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90–0.97; elective malignant, aIRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.98; and emergency benign, aIRR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–1.00) but not following open resections. There was a per year VTE risk increase following open emergency malignant resections (aIRR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04).

Conclusion

Yearly VTE risks reduced following minimally invasive surgeries in the elective setting yet in contrast were static following open elective colectomies, and following emergency malignant resections increased by almost 2% per year. To reduce VTE risk, further efforts are required to implement advances in surgical care for those having emergency and/or open surgery.
Cost of postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery: A cost analysis in the Australian public hospital setting
Authors: Traeger Luke , Koullouros Michalis , Bedrikovetski Sergei , Kroon Hidde M. , Thomas Michelle L. , Moore James W. , Sammour Tarik
Published: June 2022

Aim

Postoperative ileus (POI) following surgery results in significant morbidity, drastically increasing hospital costs. As there are no specific Australian data, this study aimed to measure the cost of POI after colorectal surgery in an Australian public hospital.

Methods

A cost analysis was performed, for major elective colorectal surgical cases between 2018 and 2021 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. POI was defined as not achieving GI‐2, the validated composite measure, by postoperative day 4. Demographics, length of stay and 30‐day complications were recorded retrospectively. Costings in Australian dollars were collected from comprehensive hospital billing data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

Of the 415 patients included, 34.9% (n = 145) developed POI. POI was more prevalent in males, smokers, previous intra‐abdominal surgery, and converted laparoscopic surgery (p < 0.05). POI was associated with increased length of stay (8 vs. 5 days, p < 0.001) and with higher rates of complications such as pneumonia (15.2% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.027). Total cost of inpatient care was 26.4% higher after POI (AU$37,690 vs. AU$29,822, p < 0.001). POI was associated with increased staffing costs, as well as diagnostics, pharmacy, and hospital services. On multivariate analysis POI, elderly patients, stoma formation, large bowel surgery, prolonged theatre time, complications and length of stay were predictive of increased costs (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In Australia, POI is significantly associated with increased complications and higher costs due to prolonged hospital stay and increased healthcare resource utilisation. Efforts to reduce POI rates could diminish its morbidity and associated expenses, decreasing the burden on the healthcare system.
Are Rational Numbers Spontaneous? Natural Numbers Suffice all Processing by the Number Sense
Authors: Dimakou Anastasia , Sarubbi Aldo Antonio , Benavides‐Varela Silvia , Rugani Rosa
Published: June 2022

The presence of preverbal numerical abilities in animals and infants is widely established, but an important discussion remains about which cognitive systems support these abilities. In particular, a great amount of research is dedicated to the approximate number system (ANS) for the elaboration of non‐symbolic numbers and their possible types of mental numeric representations. In a recently published article, Clarke and Beck (2021) provide a series of evidence that supports its existence (ANS) and argue that the mental referents of this system are both natural and rational numbers. In the current commentary, we introduce the notion of the “whole‐entity bias” that permeates perception and cognition and favors an automatic processing of discrete mental magnitudes while hindering the representations of fractional numbers. Further, we argue that a hierarchical structure of the ANS that represents natural numbers and supports the understanding of proportions through a series of computations is a more ecological theorization. To conclude, we believe that such a view is still compatible with the proposal of a single representational system (the ANS) supporting both number kinds but offers a different perspective on the computational level of explanation.
Three Simple Rules for Good Cognitive Science
Authors: Hardman Doug
Published: June 2022

There is much recent concern about whether cognitive science is a cohesive discipline. In response, I propose that although cognitive science necessarily lacks conceptual or methodological cohesion, it can have dispositional cohesion. I further propose that this can be achieved by following three simple rules.
Novel insights into the interaction between N6‐methyladenosine methylation and noncoding RNAs in musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Han Juanjuan , Kong Hui , Wang Xueqiang , Zhang Xin‐an
Published: June 2022

Background

Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) are a class of inflammatory and degener‐ative diseases, but the precise molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays an essential role in the pathophysiological process of MSD. This review summarized the interaction between m6A RNA methylation and ncRNAs in the molecular regulatory mechanism of MSD. It provides a new perspective for the pathophysiological mechanism and ncRNA m6A targeted therapy of MSD.

Methods

A comprehensive search of databases was conducted with musculoskeletal disorders, noncoding RNA, N6‐methyladenosine, intervertebral disc degeneration, osteoporosis, osteosarcoma, osteoarthritis, skeletal muscle, bone, and cartilage as the key‐words. Then, summarized all the relevant articles.

Results

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), osteoporosis (OP), osteosarcoma (OS), and osteoarthritis (OA) are common MSDs that affect muscle, bone, cartilage, and joint, leading to limited movement, pain, and disability. However, the precise pathogenesis remains unclear, and no effective treatment and drug is available at present. Numerous studies confirmed that the mutual regulation between m6A and ncRNAs (i.e., microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs) was found in MSD, m6A modification can regulate ncRNAs, and ncRNAs can also target m6A regulators. ncRNA m6A modification plays an essential role in the pathophysiological process of MSDs by regulating the homeostasis of skeletal muscle, bone, and cartilage.

Conclusion

m6A interacts with ncRNAs to regulate multiple biological processes and plays important roles in IDD, OP, OS, and OA. These studies provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanism of MSD and targeting m6A‐modified ncRNAs may be a promising therapy approach.
The perceived social rejection of sexual minorities: Substance use and unprotected sexual intercourse
Authors: Drydakis Nick
Published: June 2022

Introduction

This study presents associations between the perceived social rejection of sexual minorities and tobacco, alcohol and cannabis consumption and unprotected sexual intercourse in the capital of Greece, Athens. This is the first Greek study to evaluate the concept of the minority stress theory on sexual minorities' substance use and unprotected sexual intercourse. In addition, this is among the first international studies to examine whether periods of adverse economic conditions are associated with sexual minorities' substance use and unprotected sexual intercourse.

Methods

Two‐panel datasets covering the periods 2013–2014 and 2018–2019 were used to determine the perceived social rejection, that is, whether sexual minorities have been rejected by friends, treated unfairly in educational and/or workplace environments, treated negatively in social situations and received poor health and public services due to their sexuality.

Results

The estimates indicate that perceived social rejection is associated with the increased consumption of tobacco (by 9.1%, P < 0.01), alcohol (by 7.1%, P < 0.01) and cannabis (by 12.5%, P < 0.01), as well as unprotected sexual intercourse (by 6.5%, P < 0.01). In the first three cases, the magnitude of the associations is stronger for men than women and there is increased cannabis consumption during periods of deteriorated economic conditions (by 5.5%, P < 0.01).

Discussion and Conclusions

In the European Union, reducing stigma, substance use, risky sexual behaviours and health inequalities for sexual minorities is a goal of public health. If minority stress is correlated with substance use and risky sexual behaviours leading to detrimental physical/mental health outcomes then prevention and support interventions should be designed.
Early intervention in autism spectrum disorder: The need for an international approach
Authors: Abubakar Amina , Kipkemoi Patricia
Published: June 2022

This commentary is on the systematic review by Franz et al. on pages 1063–1076 of this issue.
Evaluation of inter‐observer variability regarding aortic and mitral valve findings on transesophageal echocardiograms ordered for suspected endocarditis
Authors: Moon Kristina B. , Tattersall Matthew C. , Adoe Maame , Osman Fauzia , Rahko Peter S.
Published: June 2022

Background

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard for the detection of valvular vegetations (VV). Differentiating small VV from degenerative changes is challenging and prone to inter‐observer variability. We evaluated inter‐observer agreement regarding aortic (AV) and mitral valve (MV) findings on TEEs ordered for suspected infective endocarditis (IE).

Methods

A total of 349 consecutive TEEs were evaluated. Studies were classified as “definite, possible, or no” IE with valve masses classified further by morphology. Nine faculty echocardiographers scored randomly selected TEEs of the AV (N = 38) and MV (N = 35). Inter‐reader variability was calculated using the Fleiss/Scott Kappa (Kf).

Results

Positive blood cultures were present in 81% and 45% had definite IE by the modified Duke criteria. There was moderate reader agreement regarding the presence of a valvular mass for both the AV (Kf = .41, 95% CI [.30–.53]) and MV (Kf = .49, 95% CI [.34–.65]). For diagnosis of IE, there was fair agreement for the AV (Kf = .29, 95% CI [.18–.42]) and moderate agreement for the MV (Kf = .53, 95% CI [.36–.70]). Masses described as large, multi‐lobulated, or pedunculated were more frequently categorized as clinical IE, (p < .006, both valves), however those with filamentous lesions were not (p < .001, both valves).

Conclusions

In a large academic center, the inter‐observer agreement for the presence of a left sided valvular mass was moderate and agreement regarding the final diagnosis of IE was fair to moderate, with better agreement among readers evaluating the MV. Lesion morphology is associated with the clinical diagnosis of IE.
Informal economy and central bank digital currency
Authors: Oh Eun Young , Zhang Shuonan
Published: June 2022

This paper explores the association between the informal economy and the adoption of central bank digital currency (CBDC) by end users, namely households and businesses. Our findings suggest that CBDC may not be widely accepted by end users in the presence of a sizable informal economy in which cash is the primary method of payment. CBDC can decrease informality, but this effect becomes weaker in countries with larger informal economies. Tax reduction and CBDC interest rates can be useful tools to promote the adoption and effectiveness of CBDC, leading to a reallocation effect between formal and informal sectors.
Temporal segregation in spawning between native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and introduced rainbow trout
Authors: Fennell John M. , Rosenthal William C. , Wagner Catherine E. , Burckhardt Jason C. , Walters Annika W.
Published: June 2022

Hybridisation with introduced taxa poses a threat to native fish populations. Mechanisms of reproductive isolation can limit or prevent hybridisation between closely related species. Understanding how these mechanisms interact between the same species across geographically distinct occurrences of secondary contact, and how regional factors influence them, can inform our understanding of hybridisation as a threat and management actions to mitigate this threat. We used data collected on adult fish migration timing and approximate emergence timing of subsequent juvenile fish paired with genomic data to assess whether temporal isolation in the timing of spawning exists between Yellowstone cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and hybrids in the North Fork Shoshone River drainage in northwest Wyoming. We found evidence that Yellowstone cutthroat trout spawn, on average, two to four weeks later than rainbow trout and hybrids and two environmental covariates related to water temperature and discharge were associated with differences in spawning migration timing. Despite statistical support for Yellowstone cutthroat trout spawning later, disproportionately high numbers of rainbow trout and hybrids, paired with extended spawning seasons, lead to substantial overlap between all genotypes. Our results provide further evidence of temporal segregation in the timing of spawning as a mechanism of reproductive isolation between closely related species, but substantial spawning overlap suggests temporal segregation alone will not be enough to curtail hybridisation in conservation populations.
Evolution of first episode psychosis diagnoses and health service use among young Māori and non‐Māori—A New Zealand national cohort study
Authors: Carr Gawen , Cunningham Ruth , Petrović‐van der Deen Frederieke S. , Manuel Jenni , Gibb Sheree , Porter Richard J. , Pitama Suzanne , Crowe Marie , Crengle Sue , Lacey Cameron
Published: June 2022

Aims

The validity of diagnostic classification in early psychosis has important implications for early intervention; however, it is unknown if previously found disparities between Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand) and non‐Māori in first episode diagnoses persist over time, or how these differences impact service use.

Methods

We used anonymized routine mental health service data and a previously established cohort of over 2400 13–25‐year‐old youth diagnosed with FEP between 2009 and 2012, to explore differences in diagnostic stability of psychosis diagnoses, comorbid (non‐psychosis) diagnoses, and mental health service contacts between Māori and non‐Māori in the five‐year period following diagnosis.

Results

Differences in schizophrenia and affective psychosis diagnoses between Māori and non‐Māori were maintained in the five‐year period, with Māori being more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia (51% vs. 35%), and non‐Māori with bipolar disorder (28% vs. 18%). Stability of diagnosis was similar (schizophrenia 75% Māori vs. 67% non‐Maori; bipolar disorder 55% Māori vs. 48% non‐Māori) and those with no stable diagnosis at FEP were most likely to move towards a schizophrenia disorder diagnosis in both groups. Māori had a lower rate of diagnosed co‐morbid affective and anxiety symptoms and higher rates of continued face to face contact and inpatient admission across all diagnoses.

Conclusions

Indigenous differences in schizophrenia and affective psychosis diagnoses could be related to differential exposure to socio‐environmental risk or assessor bias. The lower rate of co‐morbid affective and anxiety disorders indicates a potential under‐appreciation of affective symptoms in Māori youth with first episode psychosis.
Seizure underreporting in LGI1 and CASPR2 antibody encephalitis
Authors: Baumgartner Tobias , Pitsch Julika , Olaciregui‐Dague Karmele , Hoppe Christian , Racz Attila , Rüber Theodor , Becker Albert , von Wrede Randi , Surges Rainer
Published: June 2022

Patients with anti‐leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1 protein (LGI1) or anti‐contactin‐associated protein 2 (CASPR2) antibody encephalitis typically present with frequent epileptic seizures. The seizures generally respond well to immunosuppressive therapy, and the long‐term seizure outcome seems to be favorable. Consequentially, diagnosing acute symptomatic seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis instead of autoimmune epilepsy was proposed. However, published data on long‐term seizure outcomes in CASPR2 and LGI1 antibody encephalitis are mostly based on patient reports, and seizure underreporting is a recognized issue. Clinical records from our tertiary epilepsy center were screened retrospectively for patients with LGI1 and CASPR2 antibody encephalitis who reported seizure freedom for at least 3 months and received video‐electroencephalography (EEG) for >24 h at follow‐up visits. Twenty (LGI1, n = 15; CASPR2, n = 5) of 32 patients with LGI1 (n = 24) and CASPR2 (n = 8) antibody encephalitis fulfilled these criteria. We recorded focal aware and impaired awareness seizures in four of these patients (20%) with reported seizure‐free intervals ranging from 3 to 27 months. Our results question the favorable seizure outcome in patients with CASPR2 and LGI1 antibody encephalitis and suggest that the proportion of patients who have persistent seizures may be greater. Our findings underline the importance of prolonged video‐EEG telemetry in this population.
Combining reinforcement learning and conventional control to improve automatic guided vehicles tracking of complex trajectories
Authors: Sierra‐Garcia J. Enrique , Santos Matilde
Published: June 2022

With the rapid growth of logistics transportation in the framework of Industry 4.0, automated guided vehicle (AGV) technologies have developed speedily. These systems present two coupled control problems: the control of the longitudinal velocity, essential to ensure the application requirements such as throughput and tag time, and the trajectory tracking control, necessary to ensure the proper accuracy in loading and unloading manoeuvres. When the paths are very short or have abrupt changes, the kinematic constraints play a restrictive role, and the tracking control becomes more challenging. In this case, advanced control strategies such as those based on intelligent techniques, including machine learning (ML) can be useful. Hence, in this work, we present an intelligent hybrid control scheme that combines reinforcement learning‐based control (RLC) with conventional PI regulators to face both control problems simultaneously. On the one hand, PIs are used to control the speed of each wheel. On the other hand, the input reference of these regulators is calculated by the RLC in order to reduce the guiding error of the path tracking and to maintain the longitudinal speed. The latter is compared with a PID path following controller. The PID regulators have been tuned by genetic algorithms. The RLC allows the vehicle to learn how to improve the trajectory tracking in an adaptive way and thus, the AGV can face disturbances or unknown physical system parameters that may change due to friction and degradation of AGV mechanical components. Extensive simulation experiments of the proposed intelligent control strategy on a hybrid tricycle and differential AGV model, that considers the kinematics and the dynamics of the vehicle, prove the efficiency of the approach when following different demanding trajectories. The performance of the RL tracking controller in comparison with the optimized PID gives errors around 70% smaller, and the average maximum error is also 48% lower.
An E‐commerce prediction system for product allocation to bridge the gap between cultural analytics and data science
Authors: Singhal Shefali , Tanwar Poonam
Published: June 2022

With the emerging era of E‐commerce and online shopping, people are also in a habit to receive default product recommendations on the web pages that they access. Google is already providing such suggestions. Till now recommendations were made only based on previous sentiments or feedback or ratings, but this research has improved the product recommendation method by including one more parameter for the same. This article represents two parameters for making predictions of product allocation to a new customer. These parameters are ratings given by the existing users for that particular product and the region to which the new customer belongs. Following these parameters, a prediction model and an algorithm, Improved_Collab_Similarity, have been implemented. The dataset has been developed where India as a country along with all its States has been considered for products which are popular for their creation based on regional and ancient skills of the people belonging to that area. Results for the mentioned prediction model have been discussed in this article where generally precision increases with the increase in a number of products but at some points, it does not increase when a smaller number of that product was purchased by the customers.
New tree‐level temperature response curves document sensitivity of tree growth to high temperatures across a US‐wide climatic gradient
Authors: Gantois Joséphine
Published: June 2022

Temperature is a key climate indicator, whose distribution is expected to shift right in a warming world. However, the high‐temperature tolerance of trees is less widely understood than their drought tolerance, especially when it comes to sub‐lethal impacts of temperature on tree growth. I use a large data set of annual tree ring widths, combined with a flexible degree day model, to estimate the relationship between temperature and tree radial growth. I find that tree radial growth responds non‐linearly to temperature across many ecoregions of the United States: across temperate and/or dry ecoregions, spring–summer temperature increases are beneficial or mostly neutral for tree growth up to around 25–30°C in humid climates and 10–15°C in dry climates, beyond which temperature increases suppress growth. Thirty additional degree days above the optimal temperature breakpoint lead to an average decrease in tree ring width of around 1%–5%, depending on ecoregions, seasons, and inclusion or exclusion of temperature‐mediated drought impacts. High temperatures have legacy effects across a 5‐year horizon in dry ecoregions, but none in the temperate‐humid South‐East or among temperature‐sensitive trees. I find limited evidence that trees acclimatize to high temperatures within their lifetime: local variation in early exposure to high temperatures, which stems from local variation in the timing of tree birth, does not significantly impact the response to high temperatures, although temperature‐sensitive trees acquire some heightened sensitivity from early exposure. I also find some evidence that trees adapt to high temperatures in the long run: across humid ecoregions of the United States, high temperatures are 40% less harmful to tree growth, where their average incidence is one standard deviation above average. Overall, these results highlight the strength of a new methodology which, applied to representative tree ring data, could contribute to predicting forest carbon uptake potential and composition under global change.
Stover and biochar can improve soil microbial necromass carbon, and enzymatic transformation at the genetic level
Authors: Zhang Yulan , Sun CaiXia , Wang ShuQiang , Xie Hongtu , Jiang Nan , Chen Zhenhua , Wei Kai , Bao Xuelian , Song Xueying , Bai Zhen
Published: June 2022

To understand how stover incorporation affects the levels of soil carbon and its biogeochemistry process, we examined soil carbon and amino sugar carbon (AS‐C). Activity of N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) and the abundance (real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, RT‐qPCR) and communities of the bacterial chitinase‐encoding gene (chiA) were monitored. We implemented a maize cropping system, which included four treatments, i.e., chopped maize stover returned directly (SD), compost produced by maize stover (SC), biochar produced by maize stover (BC), and stover removal (CK). The results showed that BC and SD enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass carbon:SOC, total AS‐C, glucosamine carbon, galactosamine carbon, NAGase activity, andchiAgene abundance significantly. There were significant positive correlations between the abundance of the soilchiAgene and NAGase activity. Biochar and stover treatments increased the number of total operational taxonomic units (OTUs), unique OTUs, and the chao 1 and ACE richness indices, but decreased the Shannon and Simpson diversity indices. The dominantchiA‐harboring bacterial phyla wereActinobacteria,Proteobacteria, andBacteroidetes. Some detectable genera inActinobacteriahad high relative abundance, includingStreptomyces,Actinoplanes, andAmycolatopsis. PLS‐DA and CCoA revealed that thechiAcommunity in the BC or SD plots was significantly different from that in the CK plots, and differences between BC and SD were not significant. Similar soil properties, diversity, and the abundance ofchiAwere observed between SC and CK. Greater abundance and diversity of thechiAgene with BC incorporation were associated with higher pH, SOC, and TN concentration. Soil pH was related to the composition and abundances of thechiA‐harboring microbial communities (CCA).
DAS GENIE IM SCHAFFEN NIETZSCHES
Authors: Kaufmann Sebastian
Published: June 2022

The article aims to show the central importance of Friedrich Nietzsche to notions of genius in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. On the one hand, it considers the influence of idealised representations of Nietzsche (for example, in Thomas Mann and Gottfried Benn) as a genius marked by loneliness, illness, and finally madness. On the other hand, it seeks to trace the significance of ‘genius’ within Nietzsche's oeuvre. It transpires that genius as a concept is not only instrumental in the ‘self‐characterisations’ of Nietzsche's late works, but runs through his entire oeuvre, from early texts written around 1870 to the final period of 1888/9.
Effectiveness of root canal filling materials and techniques for treatment of apical periodontitis: A systematic review
Authors: Pirani Chiara , Camilleri Josette
Published: June 2022

Background

Apical periodontitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the apical periodontium as sequelae of pulp death. It is managed by disinfection and filling of the root canal space.

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether obturation techniques and materials used for root canal filling led to the management of AP.

Methods

A systematic review protocol was written following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) checklist and registered on the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42021260275) including two populations, interventions, comparisons, outcomes and time (PICOT) for the research questions querying the effectiveness of obturation techniques (PICOT 1) and materials (PICOT 2) for the management of AP. Electronic searches were conducted on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Embase search engines. Searches on International Endodontic Journal, Journal of Endodontics, Clinical Oral Investigations, Journal of Dental Research and Journal of Dentistry websites were also conducted, until May 2021. Both primary (tooth survival) and secondary outcomes were evaluated. The risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane RoB2 for the randomized and ROBINS‐I for the nonrandomized trials.

Results

The search strategy identified 1652 studies, with 1600 excluded on the title and abstract screening, leaving 52 studies for full‐text screening. In total, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The obturation technique and materials used did not affect the outcome of AP. Vertical compaction resulted in faster resolution of periapical lesions. The oral health‐related quality of life of patients treated with lateral condensation exhibited poorer outcomes compared with single matched cone after 6 months of recall.

Discussion

The inclusion and exclusion criteria used for this systematic review enabled the capture of all the literature available on the effect of obturation techniques and materials on the outcome of AP. The data were heterogenous, and a number of articles investigating obturation techniques had no information on the materials and techniques used as they looked at the quality of fill.

Conclusions

Included studies did not find any difference between different procedures (PICOT 1) and materials (PICOT 2). The risk of bias was high, thus the findings should be interpreted with caution.

Registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021260275.
STORABLE GOOD MARKET WITH INTERTEMPORAL COST VARIATIONS
Authors: Antoniou Fabio , Fiocco Raffaele
Published: June 2022

We investigate a firm's dynamic pricing policy in a storable good market where the cost of production varies over time. In anticipation of a cost increase, the firm selects its prices to affect consumer storage. Price dynamics hinge upon the curvature of demand and the magnitude of the consumer storage cost. When demand is not too convex, the consumers' reluctance to store leads the firm to reduce prices to stimulate consumer storage. This shapes the firm's cost pass‐through and the price commitment effects. Our analysis provides a novel explanation for the well‐documented puzzling patterns of incomplete and negative cost pass‐through.
Emulsifying properties of homogenised soybean hull suspensions as stabilisers for oil/water emulsions
Authors: Yuan Zhiheng , Xu Xinyue , Xu Jiaxin , Zhu Danshi , Liu Jun , Liu He
Published: June 2022

In this work, the structural characteristics, physicochemical properties, and emulsifying properties of soybean hull suspension treated by high pressure homogenisation (HPH) were investigated. HPH significantly reduced the average particle size of pre‐ground soybean hulls (from 125.80 μm to 37.27 μm) and changed the shape of the particles from an irregular block‐like structure to a multi‐branched flake‐like structure. The resulting soybean hull particles increased water‐ and oil‐holding capacities (WHC and OHC), and improved particle wettability. Moreover, the viscosity and emulsifying properties of soybean hull suspension increased with increased homogenisation cycles. Oil/water (O/W) emulsions prepared with aqueous soybean hull suspensions of up to 2% (w/v) were resistant to emulsion coalescence, the droplet size was <10 μm and did not change significantly during 30 days of storage. The rheological measurements showed that the emulsions had predominantly gel‐like characteristics. These findings indicated that soybean hulls treated with HPH had good emulsifying and stabilising properties for O/W emulsions, which provided practical guidance on the high value‐added utilisation of soybean hull.
International changes in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemiology during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Association with school closures
Authors: Billard Marie‐Noëlle , van de Ven Peter M. , Baraldi Bianca , Kragten‐Tabatabaie Leyla , Bont Louis J. , Wildenbeest Joanne G.
Published: June 2022

Background

Little RSV activity was observed during the first expected RSV season since the COVID‐19 pandemic. Multiple countries later experienced out‐of‐season RSV resurgences, yet their association with non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is unclear. This study aimed to describe the changes in RSV epidemiology during the COVID‐19 pandemic and to estimate the association between individual NPIs and the RSV resurgences.

Methods

RSV activity from Week (W)12‐2020 to W44‐2021 was compared with three pre‐pandemic seasons using RSV surveillance data from Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Israel, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands and the United States. Changes in nine NPIs within 10 weeks before RSV resurgences were described. Associations between NPIs and RSV activity were assessed with linear mixed models. Adherence to NPIs was not taken into account.

Results

Average delay of the first RSV season during the COVID‐19 pandemic was 39 weeks (range: 13–88 weeks). Although the delay was <40 weeks in six countries, a missed RSV season was observed in Brazil, Chile, Japan, Canada and South Korea. School closures, workplace closures, and stay‐at‐home requirements were most commonly downgraded before an RSV resurgence. Reopening schools and lifting stay‐at‐home requirements were associated with increases of 1.31% (p = 0.04) and 2.27% (p = 0.06) in the deviation from expected RSV activity.

Conclusion

The first RSV season during the COVID‐19 pandemic was delayed in the 11 countries included. Reopening of schools was consistently associated with increased RSV activity. As NPIs were often changed concomitantly, the association between RSV activity and school closures may be partly attributed to other NPIs.
Redox chemistry of plutonium and plutonium surrogates in vitrified nuclear wastes
Authors: Darab John G. , Li Hong , Bucher Jerome J. , Icenhower Jonathan P. , Allen Patrick G. , Shuh David K. , Vienna John D.
Published: June 2022

Lanthanide borosilicate glasses containing Pu and the nonradioactive analog element Ce were subjects of an x‐ray absorption spectroscopy investigation to quantify the +3/+4 ratio of these redox‐sensitive elements. The data show that the dominant oxidation states are +4 for Pu and +3 for Ce. The data also indicate that the reductive potential of glasses can be quantified from a solution chemistry method adapted to glass chemistry, although allowances must be made for glass composition. These data can therefore be used to formulate glass compositions and processing schedules that lead to a controlled oxidation state of Pu in melts. Furthermore, the data show that Ce is a poor analog for Pu behavior in melts and that the suitability of surrogates can be assessed by the evaluation approach presented here. The method demonstrated in this paper can be used to estimate the oxidation states of a range of multi‐valent elements as functions of temperature and composition with data from only a single redox couple.
Inhibition of polycomb repressive complex 2 by targeting EED protects against cisplatin‐induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Yu Chao , Li Tingting , Li Jialu , Cui Binbin , Liu Na , Bayliss George , Zhuang Shougang
Published: June 2022

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a multicomponent complex with methyltransferase activity that catalyzes trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Interaction of the epigenetic reader protein EED with EZH2, a catalytic unit of PRC, allosterically stimulates PRC2 activity. In this study, we investigated the role and underlying mechanism of the PRC2 in acute kidney injury (AKI) by using EED226, a highly selective PRC2 inhibitor, to target EED. Administration of EED226 improved renal function, attenuated renal pathological changes, and reduced renal tubular cell apoptosis in a murine model of cisplatin‐induced AKI. In cultured renal epithelial cells, treatment with either EED226 or EED siRNA also ameliorated cisplatin‐induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, EED226 treatment inhibited cisplatin‐induced phosphorylation of p53 and FOXO3a, two transcriptional factors contributing to apoptosis, and preserved expression of Sirtuin 3 and PGC1α, two proteins associated with mitochondrial protection in vivo and in vitro. EED226 was also effective in enhancing renal tubular cell proliferation, suppressing expression of multiple inflammatory cytokines, and reducing infiltration of macrophages to the injured kidney. These data suggest that inhibition of the PRC2 activity by targeting EED can protect against cisplatin‐induced AKI by promoting the survival and proliferation of renal tubular cells and inhibiting inflammatory response.
A randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of hydrogen/oxygen inhalation for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Tao Geru , Zhang Guangjie , Chen Wei , Yang Chao , Xue Yazhuo , Song Guohua , Qin Shucun
Published: June 2022

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide with increasing incidence consistent with obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. No approved medication was currently available for NAFLD treatment. Molecular hydrogen (H2), an anti‐oxidative, anti‐inflammatory biomedical agent is proved to exhibit therapeutic and preventive effect in various diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrogen/oxygen inhalation on NAFLD subjects and explore the mechanism from the perspective of hepatocyte autophagy. We conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of 13‐week hydrogen/oxygen inhalation (China Clinical Trial Registry [#ChiCTR‐IIR‐16009114]) including 43 subjects. We found that inhalation of hydrogen/oxygen improved serum lipid and liver enzymes. Significantly improved liver fat content detected by ultrasound and CT scans after hydrogen/oxygen inhalation was observed in moderate–severe cases. We also performed an animal experiment based on methionine and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet‐induced mice model to investigate effect of hydrogen on mouse NASH. Hydrogen/oxygen inhalation improved systemic inflammation and liver histology. Promoted autophagy was observed in mice inhaled hydrogen/oxygen and treatment with chloroquine blocked the beneficial effect of hydrogen. Moreover, molecular hydrogen inhibited lipid accumulation in AML‐12 cells. Autophagy induced by palmitic acid (PA) incubation was further promoted by 20% hydrogen incubation. Addition of 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) partially blocked the inhibitory effect of hydrogen on intracellular lipid accumulation. Collectively, hydrogen/oxygen inhalation alleviated NAFLD in moderate–severe patients. This protective effect of hydrogen was possibly by activating hepatic autophagy.
The renoprotective effect of once‐weekly GLP‐1 receptor agonist dulaglutide on progression of nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (JDDM67)
Authors: Tsuchida Ken‐ichi , Taneda Shinji , Yokota Isao , Okada Kazufumi , Kurihara Yoshio , Yokoyama Hiroki , Iwamoto Masahiro , Yamazaki Katsuya , Ishigaki Yasushi , Manda Naoki , Maegawa Hiroshi ,   Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management Study Group (JDDM study group)
Published: June 2022

Aims/Introduction

Few studies have investigated the renoprotective effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study evaluated the effect of dulaglutide 0.75 mg on renal function in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD stage 3 to 4.

Materials and Methods

Dulaglutide (group A) and non‐dulaglutide (group B) were compared using data collected from a computerized diabetes care database. For group B, propensity score weighting based on propensity scores was performed. Evaluation items were a change from baseline in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body weight, urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), for 3 years.

Results

In total, the data obtained from 255 patients (125 and 130 patients for group A and B, respectively) were analyzed. Propensity score‐adjusted patient background characteristics (group A vs B) were age 70.8 vs 69.4 years, body weight 70.2 vs 72.9 kg, body mass index 27.3 vs 28.1 kg/m2, HbA1c 8.4 vs 8.5%, eGFR 47.9 vs 47.7 mL/min/1.73 m2, and UACR 218 vs 251 mg/gCr. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the change from baseline between groups A and B at most time points in eGFR, a statistically significant eGFR decline in group B was observed in slope analysis for 3 years. This renoprotective effect was marked in patients with macro‐albuminuria and/or concomitant SGLT2 inhibitor use.

Conclusions

Dulaglutide slowed the eGFR decline in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD stage 3 to 4.
The temporal association of hyperhidrosis and its comorbidities – a nationwide hospital‐based cohort study
Authors: Henning M.A.S. , Reguant R. , Jørgensen I.F. , Andersen R.K. , Ibler K.S. , Pedersen O.B. , Jemec G.B.E. , Brunak S.
Published: June 2022

Background

Research on hyperhidrosis comorbidities has documented the co‐occurrence of diseases but has not provided information about temporal disease associations.

Objective

To investigate the temporal disease trajectories of individuals with hospital‐diagnosed hyperhidrosis.

Methods

This is a hospital‐based nationwide cohort study including all patients with a hospital contact in Denmark between 1994 and 2018. International Classification of Diseases version‐10 diagnoses assigned to inpatients, outpatients and emergency department patients were collected from the Danish National Patient Register. The main outcome was the temporal disease associations occurring in individuals with hyperhidrosis, which was assessed by identifying morbidities significantly associated with hyperhidrosis and then examining whether there was a significant order of these diagnoses using binomial tests.

Results

Overall, 7 191 519 patients were included. Of these, 8758 (0.12%) patients had localized hyperhidrosis (5674 female sex [64.8%]; median age at first diagnosis 26.9 [interquartile range 21.3–36.1]) and 1102 (0.015%) generalized hyperhidrosis (606 female sex [59.9%]; median age at first diagnosis 40.9 [interquartile range 26.4–60.7]). The disease trajectories comprised pain complaints, stress, epilepsy, respiratory and psychiatric diseases. The most diagnosed morbidities for localized hyperhidrosis were abdominal pain (relative risk [RR] = 121.75; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 121.14–122.35; P < 0.001), soft tissue disorders (RR = 151.19; 95% CI 149.58–152.80; P < 0.001) and dorsalgia (RR = 160.15; 95% CI 158.92–161.38; P < 0.001). The most diagnosed morbidities for generalized hyperhidrosis were dorsalgia (RR = 306.59; 95% CI 302.17–311.02; P < 0.001), angina pectoris (RR = 411.69; 95% CI 402.23–421.16; P < 0.001) and depression (RR = 207.92; 95% CI 202.21–213.62; P < 0.001). All these morbidities were diagnosed before hyperhidrosis.

Conclusions

This paper ascertains which hospital‐diagnosed morbidities precede hospital‐diagnosed hyperhidrosis. As hyperhidrosis mainly is treated in the primary health care sector, the trajectories suggests that these morbidities may lead to a worse disease course of hyperhidrosis that necessitates treatment in hospitals. Treating these morbidities may improve the disease course of hyperhidrosis.
Integrated multivariate analysis as a tool to evaluate effects of ultrasound on beef quality
Authors: Caraveo‐Suarez Reyes Omaro , Garcia‐Galicia Iván Adrián , Santellano‐Estrada Eduardo , Carrillo‐Lopez Luis Manuel , Huerta‐Jimenez Mariana , Alarcon‐Rojo Alma Delia
Published: June 2022

An important controversy in the effect of high‐intensity ultrasound (HIU) on beef physicochemical properties exists among studies. This study aimed to analyze physicochemical data from several experiments in order to determine the most effective HIU treatment for the quality improvement of meat. Multivariate analysis was used to define the main effects attributed to the application of HIU, packaging, and storage of beef. A data set containing 104 individual records of color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* and Hue*), drip loss, water‐holding capacity, and shear force from beef muscles under different treatments (HIU, packaging, storage) was constructed. All the evaluated variables presented changes by the effect of the treatments. The cluster analysis in the MANOVA analysis showed the formation of 12 groups with significant differences (p < .05) among them. Each variable had an important role in explaining the data, and all variables should be considered in future studies about the HIU effect on meat quality. Multivariate analysis indicated that beef sonicated at 16–28 W/cm2 for 20–40 min and packed in modified atmosphere had the best physicochemical quality. This study confirmed the efficacy of multivariate statistical techniques in assessing the quality of beef and in indicating the HIU parameters associated with the technological quality of the product.

Practical applications

HIU as an alternative processing technique to conventional methods of beef preservation is considered a green emerging technology. The application of HIU to beef is effective for improving the technological quality of fresh and processed beef. Multivariate data analysis as a complementary discipline in meat processing can generate useful results to make decisions on the equipment design and the application of ultrasound for enhancing the beef technological quality and shelf life, benefiting to the meat industry.