bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of oral mannitol for bowel preparation for colonoscopy
Authors: Fiori Giancarla , Spada Cristiano , Soru Pietro , Tontini Gian Eugenio , Bravi Ivana , Cesana Bruno Mario , Cesaro Paola , Manes Gianpiero , Orsatti Anna , Prada Alberto , Quadarella Alessandro , Schettino Mario , Spina Luisa , Trovato Cristina , Carnovali Marino , Vecchi Maurizio ,   Satisfaction Study Group
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to define the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of oral mannitol used as an osmotic laxative for bowel preparation for colonoscopy. The PKs of oral mannitol was evaluated in a substudy as part of a phase II dose‐finding, international, multicenter, randomized, parallel‐group, endoscopist‐blinded study. Patients were randomly assigned to take 50, 100, or 150 g mannitol. Venous blood samples were drawn at baseline (T0), 1 h (T1), 2 h (T2), 4 h (T4), and 8 h (T8) after completion of mannitol self‐administration. The mean mannitol plasma concentrations (mg/ml) were dose‐dependent with a consistent difference among doses. The mean maximum concentration (Cmax) ± SD was 0.63 ± 0.15, 1.02 ± 0.28, and 1.36 ± 0.39 mg/ml, in the three dosage groups, respectively. The mean area under the curve from zero to infinity (AUC0−∞) was 2.667 ± 0.668, 4.992 ± 1.706, and 7.403 ± 3.472 mg/ml*h in the 50, 100, and 150 g mannitol dose groups, respectively. Bioavailability was similar in the three dose groups and was just over 20% (0.243 ± 0.073, 0.209 ± 0.081, and 0.228 ± 0.093 in the 50, 100, and 150 g mannitol dose groups, respectively). The present study showed that the bioavailability of oral mannitol is just over 20% and is similar for the three tested doses (50, 100, and 150 g). The linear increase in Cmax, AUC0−t8, and AUC0−∞ must be considered when choosing the oral mannitol dose for bowel preparation to avoid its systemic osmotic effects.
Demographic history, local adaptation and vulnerability to climate change in a tropical mountain bird in New Guinea
Authors: Ericson Per G. P. , Irestedt Martin , Qu Yanhua
Published: August 2022

Aim

To investigate how and when allopatric populations of a widely spread mountain bird in New Guinea, Amblyornis macgregoriae, have diversified, how they differ genetically, and how they may respond to future climate conditions.

Location

New Guinea.

Methods

Using whole‐genome resequencing data for 26 individuals of A. macgregoriae, we studied how geographically separate populations of this species have responded to past environmental change and how this may have shaped their current genomic structure. We estimated genotype–environment associations and variation in genomic offset to predict how the different populations may respond to climate change.

Results

A. macgregoriae today has six allopatric mountain populations, occupying sky‐islands with limited gene flow between them. We show that these populations fall into three distinct genetic clusters. Through genotype–environment modelling, we identified annual precipitation and seasonal and day‐to‐night temperature fluctuations as the environmental factors that explain most of the genetic variation in A. macgregoriae. By comparing current and predicted future (RCP 8.5 greenhouse gas scenario for year 2070) genomic variation, we found that the populations close to the Strickland Gorge region in Central Range are those most heavily affected by the predicted climate conditions.

Main conclusions

The A. macgregoriae populations have fluctuated in size as the glacial cycles caused their montane habitats to repeatedly expand and contract. Low gene flow between populations promoted local adaptation and increased genetic divergence, resulting in a considerable variation in their genomic offset to future climate conditions. Understanding populations' differential response to the ongoing global warming is important for conservation strategy planning, not least for the sensitive mountainous biodiversity in New Guinea.
Palliative care utilization, transfusion burden, and end‐of‐life care for patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: McInturf Geoffrey , Younger Kimberly , Sanchez Courtney , Walde Charles , Abdallah Al‐Ola , Ahmed Nausheen , Shune Leyla , Sborov Douglas W. , Godara Amandeep , McClune Brian , Sinclair Christian T. , Mohyuddin Ghulam Rehman
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Despite treatment advances, multiple myeloma (MM) remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine specialist palliative care (SPC) involvement and end‐of‐life care for patients with MM.

Methods

We assessed all deceased patients with a diagnosis of MM who received care at a single institution from January 2010 to December 2019 and assessed SPC involvement.

Results

We reviewed 456 deceased patients. Overall, 207 patients (45.4%) received SPC visits by clinicians during their disease, and 153 (33.5%) were on MM treatment in the month before death. Median time from SPC consultation to death was 1 month, with 42 (9.2%) of patients receiving SPC visits 6 or more months before death. Amongst the patients for which a place of death was reported (351), 117 (33.3%) died in the acute care setting. Outpatient SPC did not correlate with a reduction of death in the acute care setting. In the group of patients who received outpatient SPC, 22/84 (26.2%) died in an acute care setting, whereas 95/267 (35.5%) patients who did not receive outpatient SPC also died in an acute care setting, (p = .11).

Conclusion

In our analysis of the entire trajectory of the MM patient experience from diagnosis to death, we found low rates of SPC involvement and a significant proportion of patients receiving aggressive care at end‐of‐life. While there is no clear correlation that SPC involvement impacted the rate of acute care deaths or decreased utilization of MM treatment in the last month of life, further prospective research on optimal utilization of SPC is required.
Avoiding excess computation in asynchronous evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Scott Eric O. , Coletti Mark , Schuman Catherine D. , Kay Bill , Kulkarni Shruti R. , Parsa Maryam , Gunaratne Chathika , De Jong Kenneth A.
Published: August 2022

Asynchronous evolutionary algorithms are becoming increasingly popular as a means of making full use of many processors while solving computationally expensive search and optimization problems. These algorithms excel at keeping large clusters fully utilized, but may sometimes inefficiently sample an excess of fast‐evaluating solutions at the expense of higher‐quality, slow‐evaluating ones. We have previously introduced a steady‐state parent selection strategy, SWEET (“Selection whilE EvaluaTing”), that sometimes selects individuals that are still being evaluated and allows them to reproduce early. We perform a takeover‐time analysis that confirms that this strategy gives slow‐evaluating individuals that have higher fitnesses an increased ability to multiply in the population. We also find that SWEET appears effective at improving optimization performance on problems in which solution quality is positively correlated with evaluation time. We evaluate our approach on six simulated real‐valued optimization problems and three real‐world applications: an autonomous vehicle controller problem that involves tuning a spiking neural network and two adversarial EA problems. We further evaluate SWEET versus a basic asynchronous process in a simulated setting. We present evidence that SWEET outperforms basic asynchronous processes in a use‐case in which performance is positively correlated with evaluation time, and performs comparably (and often better) than basic asynchronous processes in several use‐cases where performance is negatively correlated with evaluation time. That said, in the cases where performance and evaluation time are negatively correlated the variance of outcomes for SWEET is notably high.
Axonal ion homeostasis and glial differentiation
Authors: Rey Simone , Ohm Henrike , Klämbt Christian
Published: August 2022

The brain is the ultimate control unit of the body. It conducts accurate, fast and reproducible calculations to control motor actions affecting mating, foraging and flight or fight decisions. Therefore, during evolution, better and more efficient brains have emerged. However, even simple brains are complex organs. They are formed by glial cells and neurons that establish highly intricate networks to enable information collection, processing and eventually, a precise motor control. Here, we review and connect some well‐established and some hidden pieces of information to set the focus on ion homeostasis as a driving force in glial differentiation promoting signalling speed and accuracy.
What's new in WHO fifth edition – urinary tract
Authors: Compérat Eva , Amin Mahul B , Berney Dan M , Cree Ian , Menon Santosh , Moch Holger , Netto George J , Rao Vishal , Raspollini Maria Rosaria , Rubin Mark A , Srigley John R , Tan Puay Hoon , Tickoo Satish Kumar , Turajlic Samra , Tsuzuki Toyonori
Published: August 2022

The fifth edition of the WHO Blue Book on urological tumours, specifically in the bladder chapter, represents a refinement and update in the classification of bladder tumours building on the aggregate major changes made in previous editions. Progress in the molecular underpinnings of urothelial tumours, particularly with promising stratifiers for more precision‐based treatment approaches, have been made. Special attention has been paid to burning questions in bladder pathology, such as grading, heterogeneous lesions, inverted tumours and substaging. The concept of neuroendocrine tumours will be explained precisely.
Missed opportunities for HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis among people with recent HIV infection: The French ANRS 95041 OMaPrEP study
Authors: Lions Caroline , Laroche Helene , Mora Marion , Pialoux Gilles , Cotte Laurent , Cua Eric , Piroth Lionel , Molina Jean Michel , Salnikova Maria , Maradan Gwenaëlle , Poizot‐Martin Isabelle , Spire Bruno
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Our objective was to identify missed opportunities for the use of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in people with recently acquired HIV, factors associated with PrEP knowledge, and reasons for not using PrEP.

Design

This was a French national cross‐sectional multicentre study enrolling people diagnosed with recent HIV (incomplete Western blot or negative HIV test in the previous 6 months) in 28 HIV clinical centres. Data were gathered using a self‐administered questionnaire (SAQ).

Method

We analysed missed opportunities for PrEP use via a retrospective prep cascade. Factors associated with prior knowledge of PrEP and reasons for PrEP non‐use among those who knew about PrEP were described using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Of the 224 eligible patients, 185 completed the SAQ and 168 (91%) were eligible for PrEP. Of these, 90% reported seeing at least one physician during the previous year, 26% received information about PrEP, and 5% used PrEP. Factors independently associated with a higher probability of knowing about PrEP were being a man who has sex with men, being aged 25–30 years (vs older), undergoing HIV screening at least once every semester (vs less often; odds ratio [OR] 4.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.00–8.45), and practicing chemsex (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.12–9.10). Fear of side effects and a low perceived risk of HIV infection were the two most common reasons for not using PrEP (N = 40 [33.33%] and N = 34 [28.3%], respectively).

Conclusions

We found two gaps in the retrospective PrEP cascade: insufficient provision of PrEP information by healthcare providers (mainly general practitioners) and low PrEP acceptability by informed, eligible patients. More diverse healthcare providers need to be involved in PrEP prescription, and at‐risk people need to be sensitized to the risk of HIV infection.
International environmental agreements under different evolutionary imitation mechanisms
Authors: Chen Hsiao‐Chi , Liu Shi‐Miin
Published: August 2022

This paper explores how the formation and stability of international environmental agreements vary with two often adopted mechanisms: imitating‐the‐best‐average and imitating‐the‐best‐total rules. We first show that the possible long‐run equilibria of two dynamics are the same. They are countries' full participation, no‐participation, and the two equilibria combined. However, the occurring conditions of these equilibria under two dynamics may differ. Then, we prove that countries' full participation is more likely to be long‐run equilibrium in international environmental agreements when imitating‐the‐best‐average rule is adopted. Moreover, all findings of this study hold whatever the function forms of countries' abnoatement benefits and costs are, and are unaffected by the positive affine transformation of countries' total payoffs.
Cassava starch films incorporated with clove essential oil and nanoclay as a strategy to increase the shelf life of strawberries
Authors: Alves‐Silva Gisele Fernanda , Santos Luan Gustavo , Martins Vilásia Guimarães , Cortez‐Vega William Renzo
Published: August 2022

The incorporation of essential oil and nanocomposites can develop bioplastics with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects that extend the shelf life of food. In this study, active cassava starch films were incorporated with clove essential oil (CEO) and montmorillonite (MMT) for application on fresh strawberries. Central composite design was used in the development of cassava starch active films and the mechanical, barrier, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. The effects of active films on the quality of fresh strawberries were investigated. The incorporation of MMT and CEO promoted better mechanical performance (elongation greater than 180%), greater light barrier properties (opacity greater than 17%) and high antioxidant action due to the content of polyphenols present (32 mg GAE/g). Strawberries packed with the active films showed less changes in the parameters of colour, acidity and microbial contamination during the storage period evaluated.
Relation between hydration level and quality of steamed oat cakes: from the view of batter rheological properties
Authors: Qian Xiaojie , Sun Binghua , Gu Yujuan , Ma Sen , Wang Xiaoxi
Published: August 2022

The effects of hydration level on the rheological properties of oat batters and quality of steamed oat cakes were evaluated. With the increase in hydration level, the apparent viscosity was sharply decreased from 18.47 to 7.08 Pa⋅s, and the frequency sweep results suggested an increasing fraction of uncross‐linked component in oat batter. The water fluidity was enhanced, and the cross‐linking of proteins were weakened, resulting in loose batter structure. Apparent viscosity and microstructure analysis suggested that the gas chamber size was negatively correlated with the viscosity. Large gas chamber formed by low viscosity batter was unstable, resulting in steamed oat cakes collapsed. Besides, a highly viscous batter resulted in excessive cross‐linking and restricted gas expansion. Medium viscosity of oat batter, 15.28 Pa⋅s, with 110% water addition resulted in highest specific volume, cell area fraction and minimum hardness, 2.22 mL g−1, 34.73% and 7.61 N, respectively.
A treatment protocol for chronic post‐pneumonectomy empyema associated with bronchopleural fistula: A single‐centre retrospective study
Authors: Zhu Ming , Yang Yang , Shi Yuedong , Zhang Yong , Liu Jiaqi , Lu Nanhang
Published: August 2022

Chronic post‐pneumonectomy empyema (CPPE) associated with bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a potentially fatal complication and remains a surgical challenge. This study aims to propose a treatment protocol for managing this severe disease. From July 2009 to June 2021, 47 CPPE with BPF patients were treated in our department. CT scan with 3D reconstruction was used to detect BPF and to evaluate the location and volume of empyema cavity. Different surgical techniques were used to close BPFs according to they sizes. Multiple pedicled muscle flaps were chosen to fill the empyema cavity, and among them, latissimus dorsi (LD) was the mostly used flap. For cases that regional flaps were not suitable, free flaps were used. Patients were followed‐up from 7.9 to 102.8 months. Forty‐four patients (93.6%) healed after the operation. Closure of BPFs failed in three patients (6.4%), leading to regional infection. These patients were treated by bronchoscopic application of sealants, continuous drainage and antibiotics, and they eventually healed. Total or partial flap loss was not seen in any of the cases. Treatment protocol was proposed based on these results. CT scan with 3D reconstruction is an effective examination to evaluate pleural cavity defect and BPF. Proper technique to close the BPF and right choice of flap to fulfil the empyema cavity are the two most important key points to treat CPPE associated with BPF patients.
Effects of temperature and light conditions during the late growth stage on delayed stem senescence and cytokinin levels in the xylem exudate of soybean
Authors: Isobe Katsunori , Sasaki Ami , Fukuoka Shingo , Hasegawa Kohta , Suzuki Daisuke , Higo Masao
Published: August 2022

Delayed stem senescence (DSS) in soybean plants is defined as retarded leaf and stem maturity, even if pods mature normally. This phenomenon is a serious problem for the combine harvesting of soybean in Japan. Our previous research showed that DSS occurred more frequently in June sowing than in July sowing, and the plants sown in June were exposed to higher temperature and higher solar radiation intensity during reproductive growth stage as compared to those sown in July. We additionally observed higher levels of cytokinins, plant hormones with senescence inhibition activity, in xylem exudate after pod‐setting stage (R4) under the DSS‐induced condition. Thus, this study investigated the effects of the respective environmental factors, temperature and light intensity, after R4 on cytokinin levels in the xylem exudate and the occurrence of DSS. Pot experiments were conducted in the experimental field of Nihon University (Fujisawa‐city, Kanagawa, Japan). In temperature treatments, soybean plants grown in the field environment were moved to an air‐conditioned room at R4 stage, whereas control of light intensity was achieved by shading using cheese clothes under the field condition. The temperature control experiments revealed that high temperature after R4 promoted the DSS symptom, while low temperature after R4 inhibited the occurrence of DSS. On the other hand, decreased light intensity after R4 did not affect the severity of DSS. The cytokinin levels in the xylem exudate at R5 correlated with the severity of DSS in the temperature treatments, but the change in light intensity did not influence the cytokinin levels. These results indicated that high temperature after pod‐setting stage have a profound effect on the occurrence of DSS, and this effect is mediated by the increased cytokinin levels in the xylem exudate.
The genetic architecture of blood pressure variability: A genome‐wide association study of 9370 participants from UK Biobank
Authors: Jia Pingping , Zhan Na , Bat Baker K. K. , Feng Qi , Tsoi Kelvin K. F.
Published: August 2022

Long‐term blood pressure variability (BPV) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and stroke. However, its genetic architecture is not fully understood. This study aims to explore its genetic factors and provide more evidence on the mechanisms and further pathological study of BPV. The genome‐wide association study (GWAS) is based on the UK Biobank cohort. There were four data collection rounds from 2006 to 2020, and 9370 participants with more than three blood pressure measurements were included. They had a median age of 55 and a male percentage of 50.1%. The phenotypes (BPV) were calculated by four methods and the genetic data contains 6 884 260 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after imputation and quality control. A linear regression model was performed with adjustments for sex, age, genotype array, and a significant principal component. Subgroup analysis was performed on hypertension‐free participants. The significant and suggestive significant P thresholds were set as 5 × 10−8 and 1 × 10−6. Six genetic loci (BAD, CCDC88B, GPR137, PLCB3, RPS6KA4 for systolic BPV, and WWC2 for diastolic BPV) were identified by coding region SNPs at the suggestive significant P threshold (1 × 10−6). Among them, gene CCDC88B and RPS6KA4 reached the significant P threshold (5 × 10−8), with the strongest signal of SNP rs1229536170 (P = 6.36 × 10−8, β = –.29). The annotation results indicate that genes CCDC88B, GPR137, RPS6KA4, and BAD are associated with long‐term SBPV. Their functions of inflammation, epithelial dysfunction, and apoptosis are related to artery stiffness, which was reported as potential mechanisms of BPV.
Smoking causes the disorder of glucose metabolism under different levels of blood pressure in male occupational population
Authors: Wang Dan , Qiang Deren , Xu Wenchao , Wang Jiaqi , Liu Jiali , Qin Yu , Zhang Yongqing , Liu Qizhan , Xiang Quanyong
Published: August 2022

Smoking is an important modifiable factor in the risk of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension overlap in the population. The present study investigated effects of smoking on glucose metabolism under different blood pressure (BP) levels in occupational population. A smoking survey among occupational groups was conducted in 2018. The general linear model was used to analyze the differences of glucose metabolism indexes and BP indexes influenced by different smoking intensity (never 0, mild <10, moderate <20, heavy ≥20 pack‐years). Odds ratios of developing diabetes and β‐cell deficiency were analyzed by using logistic regression model. BP was further taken into account in the relationship between smoking and glucose metabolism. As a result, 1730 male workers aged 21 to 60 years were included in the analysis finally. Compared to never smokers, heavy smokers had significantly increased fasting plasma glucose. Moderate and above smokers had significantly increased glycosylated hemoglobin, decreased fasting plasma insulin and β‐cell function, after adjustment for covariates. Further, smoking intensity was found to have a dose‐dependent relationship with impaired β‐cell function and diabetes. In conclusion, smoking has a positive dose‐dependent relationship with β‐cell deficiency and diabetes. Male smoking workers, especially the moderate or higher smoking, with high‐normal and high BP levels are at high risk of abnormal glucose metabolism.
Effects of daily full‐term infant skin‐to‐skin contact on behavior and cognition at age three – secondary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rheinheimer Nicole , Beijers Roseriet , Bruinhof Nina , Cooijmans Kelly H. M , de Weerth Carolina
Published: August 2022

Background

Daily skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) during early infancy fosters the long‐term development of children born preterm. This is the first randomized controlled trial assessing the potential beneficial effects of daily SSC on executive functioning and socio‐emotional behavior of children born full‐term. Whether children of mothers who experienced prenatal stress and anxiety benefitted more from SSC was also explored.

Methods

Pregnant women (N = 116) were randomly assigned to a SSC or care‐as‐usual (CAU) condition. Women in the SSC condition were instructed to perform one hour of SSC daily from birth until postnatal week five. Prenatal stress was measured with questionnaires on general and pregnancy‐specific stress and anxiety completed by the mothers in gestational week 37. At child age three, mothers filled in questionnaires on children's executive functioning, and externalizing and internalizing behavior. Analyses were performed in an intention‐to‐treat (ITT), per‐protocol, and dose–response approach. Netherlands Trial Register:NL5591.

Results

In the ITT approach, fewer internalizing (95% CI = 0.11–1.00,U = 2148.50,r = .24,p = .001) and externalizing (95% CI = 0.04–2.62,t = 2.04,d = 0.38,p = .04) problems were reported in the SSC condition compared to the CAU condition. Multivariate analyses of variance did not show group differences on executive functioning. Additional analyses of covariance showed no moderations by maternal prenatal stress.

Conclusions

Current findings indicate that early daily SSC in full‐term infants may foster children's behavioral development. Future replications, including behavioral observations of child behavior to complement maternal reports, are warranted.
Analysis of static electricity generation and elimination in the process of food powder screw feeding
Authors: Shen Changpu , Li Yongxiang , Wang Yi , Xu Xuemeng
Published: August 2022

The static electricity in the powder can easily cause poor packaging accuracy, incomplete heat‐sealing of the packaging bag and certain safety hazards. Therefore, the electrostatic generation and elimination of wheat flour and wheat starch were studied in the process of powder screw feeding. Firstly, taking powder particle size, screw speed and conveying distance as influencing factors, the law of static electricity generation in the process of powder screw conveying is studied. Then, an adjustable DC power supply and an ion fan were used to apply voltage and ion wind during the powder screw feeding process to study the elimination of powder static electricity. The research results show that the electrostatic charge of wheat flour and wheat starch is positive. The greater the screw speed, the more severe the powder collision and friction, and the greater the increase in powder charge‐to‐mass ratio. The larger the conveying distance, the greater the increase in the powder‐to‐mass ratio, and when the conveying distance reaches 5200 mm, the experimental powder‐to‐mass ratio tends to be stable. The gain and loss of the charge of wheat starch with small particle size is obviously greater than that of wheat flour with large particle size. The ability and stability of adding ion wind at the outlet of the screw feeder to eliminate static electricity are obviously stronger than the ability and stability of adding voltage to eliminate static electricity.

Practical applications

The static electricity generated in the process of screw conveying and feeding causes trouble to the packaging weighing, packaging sealing and safety production of powder. Therefore, this paper studies the electric characteristics of food powder in the process of screw transportation and the influence of various factors on the electrostatic generation law, and also through experiments to compare the two methods of electrostatic elimination. This study provides ideas and references for reducing the generation and elimination of static electricity in the process of screw transportation of food powder, so as to improve the packaging accuracy, packaging quality and reduce safety risks in actual industrial production.
Change in smoking status and its relation to the risk of gastroduodenal ulcer in Korean men
Authors: Park Sung Keun , Kim Min‐Ho , Jung Ju Young , Oh Chang‐Mo , Ha Eunhee , Yang Eun Hye , Lee Hyo Choon , Hwang Woo Yeon , You Ann Hee , Ryoo Jae‐Hong
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim

Smoking is associated with the increased risk of gastroduodenal ulcer. However, although smoking status can vary over time, most of studies have analyzed this association with smoking status at a single point of time. We analyzed the risk of gastroduodenal ulcer according to change in smoking status for more than 5 years.

Methods

Study participants were 43 380 Korean adults free of gastroduodenal ulcer who received health check‐up between 2002 and 2013. Through evaluating their smoking status (never, quitter, and current) at 2003–2004 and 2009, they were categorized them into seven groups (never‐never, never‐quitter, never‐current, quitter‐quitter, quitter‐current, current‐quitter, and current‐current) and monitored until 2013 to identify incident gastroduodenal ulcer. Cox‐proportional hazard model was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident gastroduodenal ulcer according to changes in smoking status and smoking amount.

Results

Compared with never‐never group (reference), other groups had the significantly increased adjusted HRs and 95% CI for gastroduodenal ulcer. In particular, participants with current smoking (never‐current, quitter‐current, and current‐current) had the relatively higher HRs than other groups (never‐quitter: 1.200 [1.070–1.346], never‐current: 1.375 [1.156–1.636], quitter‐quitter: 1.149 [1.010–1.306], quitter‐current: 1.325 [1.058–1.660], current‐quitter: 1.344 [1.188–1.519], and current‐current: 1.379 [1.256–1.513]). Heavy smoker had the highest risk for gastroduodenal ulcer, followed by moderate and light smoker.

Conclusion

People who ever experienced smoking had increased risk of gastroduodenal ulcer. Out of smoking status, current smoking is more associated with the increased risk of gastroduodenal ulcer than past smoking.
Stroke damages attentional maintenance in working memory
Authors: Plancher Gaën , Naëgelé Bernadette , Guinet Victoria , Portrat Sophie , Colliot Pascale
Published: August 2022

Stroke is the main cause of acquired disability in adults, and specific deficits in working memory (WM) are among the most common cognitive consequences. In neuropsychological routine, WM is most of the time investigated in the framework of the multicomponent model (Baddeley & Hitch, 1974, The psychology of learning and motivation, 47). Using a more recent theoretical WM model, the time‐based resource‐sharing (TBRS) model (Barrouillet et al., 2011, Psychol. Rev., 118, 175), the aim of the present study was to investigate in young post‐stroke patients to which extent attentional maintenance is impaired in WM. To address this question, we discarded other factors known to directly influence WM performance, that is processing speed and short‐term memory span. We proposed to 53 post‐stroke patients and to 63 healthy controls a complex span paradigm in which participants were asked to alternate between the memorization of a series of images and a concurrent parity judgement task of a series of digits. To investigate the attentional maintenance processes, we manipulated the cognitive load (CL) of the concurrent task. CL effect is typically interpreted as the involvement of attentional maintenance processes. The task was adapted to each participant according to their processing speed and memory span. As expected, the results showed higher recall performance in healthy controls compared with post‐stroke patients. Consistent with the literature, we also observed higher performance when the CL was low compared with high. However, the improvement in recall at low CL was smaller for post‐stroke patients compared with controls, suggesting that post‐stroke WM deficit could be in part due to a deficit of the attentional maintenance processes.
Fatigue trajectory and its associated factors in patients after cardiac surgery: A longitudinal study
Authors: Chou Hsiu‐Ling , Yang Ting‐Hui , Lin Hsuan‐Hua , Hsu Hung‐Lung , Chiou Ai‐Fu
Published: August 2022

Background

Fatigue is associated with multidimensional factors in heart failure patients. Investigating longitudinal changes in fatigue and its association in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is needed to create interventions for improving fatigue during recovery.

Aims

This study examined the trajectory of fatigue and its associated factors over time in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

This longitudinal study enrolled 125 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in northern Taiwan. Patients completed questionnaires before surgery, at discharge, and at 1, 3 and 6 months post‐discharge. Fatigue was measured using the General Fatigue Scale. Generalised estimating equation models were fitted to identify variables associated with fatigue over time. This study complied with the STROBE checklist.

Results

The sample (mean age = 60.70 ± 10.42) was mostly male (68%). High fatigue was found in 73.6% of patients before cardiac surgery and significantly decreased over the six months after discharge. NYHA III/IV, lower haemoglobin level, more symptom distress, poor sleep quality, higher anxiety and depression and lower social and family support were significantly associated with an increase in fatigue levels over time. Compared with before discharge, decreases in sleep quality at 1, 3 and 6 months were significantly associated with an increase in fatigue levels (p < .001). The increases in social support (B = 0.20, p = .016) and family support (B = 0.37, p = .002) at 6 months were significantly associated with an increase in the fatigue scores.

Conclusion

Fatigue was common and associated with symptoms, sleep quality, emotion and social support in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In addition to symptom management, improving sleep quality and social support are important to manage fatigue for the long‐term care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Relevance to clinical practice

Patient education on symptom management, sleep hygiene and family support is suggested to improve fatigue in patients recovering from cardiac surgery.
Imaging of intraspinal cystic lesions: A review
Authors: Cunha Bruno , Rodrigues Alexandra , Gonçalves João , Conceição Carla
Published: August 2022

Several distinct conditions present as cystic or pseudocystic lesions within the spinal canal. Some of the most common spinal cystic lesions include spinal meningeal cysts, juxtafacet cysts, dermoid/epidermoid cysts, nerve sheath tumors, and syringohydromyelia. Clinical presentation is usually nonspecific and imaging characteristics are frequently overlapping, which may pose a challenging presurgical diagnosis. We provide a pictorial review of cystic intraspinal lesions and discuss the main imaging features that can aid the neuroradiologist in the differential diagnosis. First, we propose a categorization of the lesions according to their location as extradural, intradural extramedullary, and intramedullary. This is a crucial initial step in the diagnostic workup and surgical planning. Second, for each of these locations, we organize the lesions according to their etiology: congenital and developmental disorders, degenerative disorders, traumatic or postsurgical collections, infectious conditions, neoplastic lesions, and other miscellaneous disorders. Finally, we summarize the clinical highlights and MR features that provide important insights for the differential diagnosis. MR is the technique of choice in presurgical evaluation and postsurgery follow‐up. It provides accurate lesion localization and characterization and, most of the times, it will allow a confident differential diagnosis. High‐resolution three‐dimensional T2‐weighted sequences and diffusion‐weighted imaging can provide important hints in specific cases. Signal correlation with T1‐weighted and fat‐saturated sequences allows to differentiate true cystic lesions from hemorrhage or fat tissue.
Millennia‐old coral holobiont DNA provides insight into future adaptive trajectories
Authors: Scott Carly B. , Cárdenas Anny , Mah Matthew , Narasimhan Vagheesh M. , Rohland Nadin , Toth Lauren T. , Voolstra Christian R. , Reich David , Matz Mikhail V.
Published: August 2022

Ancient DNA (aDNA) has been applied to evolutionary questions across a wide variety of taxa. Here, for the first time, we utilized aDNA from millennia‐old fossil coral fragments to gain new insights into a rapidly declining western Atlantic reef ecosystem. We sampled four Acropora palmata fragments (dated 4215 BCE to 1099 CE) obtained from two Florida Keys reef cores. From these samples, we established that it is possible both to sequence aDNA from reef cores and place the data in the context of modern‐day genetic variation. We recovered varying amounts of nuclear DNA exhibiting the characteristic signatures of aDNA from the A. palmata fragments. To describe the holobiont sensu lato, which plays a crucial role in reef health, we utilized metagenome‐assembled genomes as a reference to identify a large additional proportion of ancient microbial DNA from the samples. The samples shared many common microbes with modern‐day coral holobionts from the same region, suggesting remarkable holobiont stability over time. Despite efforts, we were unable to recover ancient Symbiodiniaceae reads from the samples. Comparing the ancient A. palmata data to whole‐genome sequencing data from living acroporids, we found that while slightly distinct, ancient samples were most closely related to individuals of their own species. Together, these results provide a proof‐of‐principle showing that it is possible to carry out direct analysis of coral holobiont change over time, which lays a foundation for studying the impacts of environmental stress and evolutionary constraints.
Many ways to TOPLESS – manipulation of plant auxin signalling by a cluster of fungal effectors
Authors: Bindics Janos , Khan Mamoona , Uhse Simon , Kogelmann Benjamin , Baggely Laura , Reumann Daniel , Ingole Kishor D. , Stirnberg Alexandra , Rybecky Anna , Darino Martin , Navarrete Fernando , Doehlemann Gunther , Djamei Armin
Published: August 2022

Plant biotrophic pathogens employ secreted molecules, called effectors, to suppress the host immune system and redirect the host's metabolism and development in their favour. Putative effectors of the gall‐inducing maize pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis were analysed for their ability to induce auxin signalling in plants.

Using genetic, biochemical, cell‐biological, and bioinformatic approaches we functionally elucidate a set of five, genetically linked effectors, called Topless (TPL) interacting protein (Tips) effectors that induce auxin signalling.

We show that Tips induce auxin signalling by interfering with central corepressors of the TPL family. CRISPR‐Cas9 mutants and deletion strain analysis indicate that the auxin signalling inducing subcluster effectors plays a redundant role in virulence.

Although none of the Tips seem to have a conserved interaction motif, four of them bind solely to the N‐terminal TPL domain and, for Tip1 and Tip4, we demonstrate direct competition with auxin/indole‐3‐acetic acid transcriptional repressors for their binding to TPL class of corepressors. Our findings reveal that TPL proteins, key regulators of growth–defence antagonism, are a major target of the U. maydis effectome.
Importance of the vaporization margin during CO2 laser treatment of oral leukoplakia: A survival study
Authors: Vilar‐Villanueva Marta , Somoza‐Martín José Manuel , Blanco‐Carrión Andrés , García‐García Abel , García‐Carnicero Tamara , Marichalar‐Mendía Xabier , Gallas‐Torreira Mercedes , Gándara‐Vila Pilar
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The main purpose of this study was to assess the response of oral leukoplakia to CO2 laser vaporization treatment, as well as determining possible factors that may affect recurrence of lesions.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study was conducted, in which the medical records of patients who had been clinically and histologically diagnosed with oral leukoplakia and treated with CO2 laser between 1996 and 2019 at the Oral Medicine Teaching Unit of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Santiago de Compostela were reviewed.

Results

Fifty‐eight patients were included: 36 female and 22 male subjects, with a mean age of 63.7 years old (SD ±13.1). The average follow‐up time was 57.5 months (SD ±57.9). A relapse rate of 52.6% was determined. Of all the studied variables, the margin was the only one for which a statistically significant association with recurrence of lesions was demonstrated (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The vaporization of lesions using CO2 laser with a safety margin of at least 3 mm from the clinical limits of OL is a key factor in preventing recurrence.
Do patients with fibromyalgia have body image and tactile acuity distortion?
Authors: Menten Laura A. , Franco Katherinne F. M. , Franco Yuri R. S. , Miyamoto Gisela C. , Reis Felipe J. J. , Cabral Cristina M. N.
Published: August 2022

Background

The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to compare the body image and tactile acuity of patients with fibromyalgia and asymptomatic participants, and (2) to investigate the effects of an 8‐week exercise‐based intervention (aerobic or Pilates exercises) on the body image, tactile acuity, and pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study and a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial were carried out, which assessed the following outcomes in 24 patients with fibromyalgia and 24 asymptomatic participants: subjective body image (Drawing Test), tactile acuity (Two‐Point Discrimination Test), limb circumference (Cirtometry), and pain (Pain Numerical Rating Scale). After the assessment, the 24 patients with fibromyalgia were randomly allocated to one of the intervention groups: aerobic or Pilates.

Results

There was no significant difference in the tactile acuity of the cervical, lumbar, hands, and feet regions between the participants with fibromyalgia and the asymptomatic participants (p > 0.05). However, patients with fibromyalgia showed changes in subjective body image when the drawings were compared to the cirtometry measurements. After the intervention, there was no significant difference between aerobic exercise and Pilates for pain and tactile acuity in the cervical, lumbar, hands, and feet regions of patients with fibromyalgia (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with fibromyalgia presented altered perception in subjective body image but not on tactile acuity, when compared to asymptomatic participants. In addition, there was no difference between aerobic exercise and Pilates for pain and tactile acuity in these patients.
“They may be confronting but they are good questions to be asking” young people's experiences of completing a trauma and PTSD screening tool in an early psychosis program
Authors: Dryden‐Mead Tracey , Nelson Barnaby , Bendall Sarah
Published: August 2022

Background

There is a history of inadequate enquiry about, and assessment of, trauma in young people within Early Psychosis services and even when screening does occur there is little known about how young people experience this process.

Aims

This study aimed to explore young people's experiences of completing a trauma and PTSD screening tool when receiving a service in an Early Psychosis Program.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 10 young people, aged 18–24 years, to explore their subjective experience of this process. Transcripts were analysed via interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Four super‐ordinate themes were identified: (i) an emotional experience, (ii) the importance of the relationship with the clinician, (iii) an opportunity to reflect on past experiences, and (iv) the ability to be able to provide honest responses. Results from this study indicated that young people expected to be asked about their trauma experiences, acknowledged that this was challenging for them but found that this was made easier due to the relationship they had built with the clinician, the timing of the screening and also, possibly, by the written style format of the questionnaires.

Conclusions

Young people in this study accepted the need for screening for traumatic histories, and expected to be asked about their traumatic experiences, despite the possibility of a short‐term increase in distress. The support offered by a trusted clinician, whom the young person had built a relationship with, appeared to be an important component to the willingness and the ability of the young person to complete the questionnaires. This reinforces the fact that screening for trauma in an early psychosis service can be conducted in a way that is safe and acceptable to young people.
Nurse practitioner in Swedish municipal elderly care: A Delphi study of challenges and opportunities
Authors: Ljungbeck Birgitta , Sjögren‐Forss Katarina , Carlson Elisabeth
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Worldwide, countries are struggling with strained healthcare systems, especially due to the growing number of frail elderly. Developing the role of nurse practitioner in the care of the frail elderly is therefore of interest to make the care chain more efficient. In Sweden, the role is in an early development phase, but more research is needed.

Aim

The aim was to investigate how stakeholders at the national level express the challenges and opportunities of the evolving nurse practitioner role in Swedish municipal elderly care.

Method

A Delphi survey technique with three rounds of electronic questionnaires was used. Twenty‐seven experts responded to the first questionnaire, containing two open questions; what opportunities respectively challenges do you see in developing and implementing the nurse practitioner role in municipal elderly care? The following questionnaires consisted of statements to rate using a four‐grade Likert scale, and 20 and 17 responded to the second and third, respectively. The first round was analysed using content analysis, and the other two with descriptive statistics.

Results

Thirty‐four statements about challenges and opportunities related to the nurse practitioner role in municipal elderly care were identified and rated as important.

Conclusion

The findings provide knowledge that can contribute to discussions and decisions to refine the nurse practitioner role in Swedish municipal elderly care. The nurse practitioner role may contribute with much‐needed competence to the elderly care. However, it is important to consider the challenges that need to be overcome before the development of the role. To solve this, it is necessary to have clear national guidelines concerning issues of education, title protection and the mandate and authority of the NP role.
Agree as information transmission over dependencies
Authors: Ermolaeva Marina , Kobele Gregory M.
Published: August 2022

In contemporary Minimalism agreement is the result of a syntactic operation. In contrast to Merge, Agree does not build structure, its role being to transmit morphological features from one head to another. We provide an alternative perspective on agreement in a Minimalist idiom, one that cuts the ontological pie in a different way. Syntax has as its only operation Merge, and agreement, now divorced from syntax, transfers purely morphological information from head to head alongchannelsestablished via syntactic feature checking. Separating agreement from structure building seems to enable more elegant descriptions of even complicated agreement phenomena.