bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The micronutrient content of the diet is correlated with serum glucose biomarkers and lipid profile and is associated with the odds of being overweight/obese—a case-control study
Authors: Vahid Farhad , Rahmani Wena , Davoodi Sayed Hossein , Bohn Torsten
Published: June 2023

Background

A low micronutrient intake has been reported to contribute to the double-burden of obesity, increasing the risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental disorders. This case-control study compared micronutrient intake profiles in overweight/obese vs. normal-weight individuals. We hypothesized that a low intake of certain micronutrients would increase the odds of being overweight/obese.

Methods

The case group (n = 812 adults) consisted of individuals with a BMI of ≥25  kg/m2, and the control group (n = 793) had BMIs of 17.9–24.9  kg/m2. A validated 124-item food frequency questionnaire was used to determine micronutrient-related dietary-quality, using the index of nutritional quality (INQ), calculated as the fraction of a micronutrient consumed vs. its dietary requirement. In addition, body surface area (BSA) was calculated according to the Mosteller formula.

Results

The control group had significantly higher INQ-scores of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and selenium compared to the case group. Furthermore, individuals with normal BSA (≤1.91 m2 for men; ≤1.71  m2 for women) had significantly higher INQ scores of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and zinc compared to participants with high BSA. In multivariable adjustment regression models, INQs of vitamin C (ORBMI = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.64–0.97; ORBSA = 0.81, 95%CI, 0.68–0.97) and magnesium (ORBMI = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.47–0.99; ORBSA = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.52–0.97) were significantly associated with the odds of obesity/overweight (in both BMI and BSA categories).

Conclusion

The significant association between micronutrient levels of the diet, especially of vitamin C and magnesium, with both obesity criteria, emphasized the importance of certain micronutrients in the obesity/overweight causal network.
Metabolic response of intestinal microbiota to guar gum consumption
Authors: Barber Claudia , Sabater Carlos , Guarner Francisco , Margolles Abelardo , Azpiroz Fernando
Published: June 2023

Background

Guar gum is used extensively as a thickening agent in food, but it remains uncertain whether and to what extent it is fermented by colonic microbiota and whether it has microbiota modulatory properties.

Aim

To determine the metabolic response of intestinal microbiota to guar gum consumption, specifically, the extent of initial fermentation and subsequent adaptation.

Methods

Single-center, single arm, open label, proof-of-concept study testing the effect of guar gum on microbiota metabolism and adaptation. Healthy male subjects (n = 12) were administered gum guar (8 g/day) for 18 days. Outcomes were measured before, at initial and late administration: (a) anal gas evacuations (number/day); (b) digestive sensations (daily scales); and (c) fecal gut microbiota taxonomy and metabolic functions by shotgun sequencing.

Results

At initial consumption, guar gum induced a transient increase in anal gas evacuations and digestive sensations; gas evacuation completely reverted upon continuous administration, whereas sensations reverted only in part. Guar gum induced moderate changes in human microbiota composition at both taxonomic and functional levels. Positive associations between effects on microbiota (proliferation of Agathobaculum butyriciproducens and Lachnospira pectinoschiza) and hedonic sensations were detected.

Conclusion

Guar gum is metabolized by intestinal microbiota, and, upon continuous consumption, induces a selective adaptation of microbial taxonomy and function. These data highlight the potential interest of guar gum for novel prebiotic ingredient formulation.
Pediatric IBD patients show medication and disease activity dependent changes in NK cell and CD4 memory T cell populations
Authors: Pappa Angeliki , Mührer Julia , Gast Patricia , Hebbar Subramanyam Sudheendra , Ohl Kim , Muschaweck Moritz , Wagner Norbert , Wenzl Tobias , Tenbrock Klaus
Published: June 2023

Objectives

CD4+ memory T cells facilitate long-termed adaptive immune responses while NK cells are predominately rapid effector cells with significant functions for both intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. We wanted to study both populations in health and pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and correlate them with disease activity and medication.

Methods

We performed flow cytometric analyses of peripheral blood CD4 + CD45RO+ memory T cells and CD3-CD16 + CD56+ NK cells in 30 patients with IBD and 31 age-matched controls and correlated percentages of subsets with disease activity (PUCAI/PCDAI) and medication.

Results

We found a significant reduction of peripheral NK cells in overall IBD patients with both clinical remission and disease activity, which was even more pronounced in patients treated with azathioprine. Otherwise, circulating CD4+ memory T cell populations were significantly enhanced in active IBD compared to controls. Enhancement of memory T cells was particularly found in new onset disease and correlated with disease activity scores.

Discussion

Our single center cohort confirms previous results showing enhanced memory T cell populations in pediatric IBD patients, which correlate with disease activity scores. CD4+ memory T cells are a relevant pathogenic leukocyte population for disease development and perpetuation in IBD. In addition, we found a decrease of NK cells in IBD patients, which was pronounced by use of azathioprine. Surveillance of both cellular populations could possibly serve as biomarker for therapy control in pediatric IBD.
Piezosurgery in hemifacial microsomia: a promising exemption from conventional peri-osteotomy suffering
Authors: Wang Xuetong , Kim Byeong Seop , Zhang Ziwei , Wang Hayson Chenyu , Zhang Yan , Chai Gang
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis, a recommended therapy for hemifacial microsomia, has brought much agony because of its traumatic procedures and peri-osteotomy complications. Our study aims to retrospectively compare piezoelectric osteotome with conventional reciprocal bone saw for hemifacial microsomia patients and validate its meliority in operability, surgical risks and patient outcomes.

Methods

All patients included underwent osteotomies conducted by either piezosurgery or bone saw. Information of intraoperative blood loss, operation duration, postoperative pain and complications was collected from patient files, ward round inspections and follow-ups.

Results

Among all 40 patients, 13 underwent piezo-osteotomy. Piezosurgery performed better than conventional reciprocal bone saw in decreasing intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.001) and operation duration (p = 0.030). No significant difference was found in hospitalization duration, total expenses or complication rates between two groups. There were positive relations between operation duration and intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.042), and between hospitalization duration and total expenses (p = 0.0096). Postoperative pain scores of both groups declined over time while the piezosurgery group had a statistically significant tendency (p = 0.006) to suffer less than the conventional group.

Discussion

Piezosurgery diminishes intraoperative blood loss, operative duration, and postoperative pain, making an alternative to conventional osteotomes to mitigate patients' and families' peri-osteotomy sufferings, and a more humane solution to HFM.
Paeonol enhances macrophage phagocytic function by modulating lipid metabolism through the P53-TREM2 axis
Authors: Miao Jifei , Liu Xiaoming , Liao Yuanpin , Li Yiwen , Kuang Yingyan , Zheng Juanxia , Li Zigang , Lan Jiao
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The emerging concept of immunometabolism highlights the interplay between lipid metabolism and phagocytosis in macrophages. Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) has been identified as an essential modulator of both lipid metabolism and phagocytic function in macrophages. This study aims to investigate the roles of P53 and TREM2 in regulating macrophage lipid metabolism and phagocytosis and to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of paeonol on these processes.

Methods: CRISPR-Cas9 was utilized to generate P53 and TREM2 knockout RAW264.7 cell lines. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to assess the interaction between P53 and the TREM2 promoter. A series of functional assays were conducted to evaluate the impact of P53 and TREM2 on macrophage lipid metabolism and phagocytic function. The effects of Paeonol on these processes were also examined.

Results: Our findings revealed that paeonol induces the accumulation of P53 in the nucleus. P53 acts as a transcription factor that upregulates the expression of TREM2, promoting macrophage lipid metabolism, metabolic activity, and phagocytic capacity. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed the interaction between P53 and the TREM2 promoter.

Discussion: This study provides novel insights into the roles of P53 and TREM2 in regulating macrophage lipid metabolism and phagocytic function. Further research is warranted to explore the potential applications of Paeonol and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects.
Presenting the direct intercultural effectiveness simulation: an implicit trait policy on intercultural competence
Authors: Schelfhout Stijn , Derous Eva
Published: June 2023

Background

An implicit trait policy (ITP) represents the interaction between a personal disposition and general domain knowledge on how to effectively handle a specific (intercultural) situation. Such an ITP is a proven construct to create instruments that can predict future effective behavior. Moreover, such a simulation can provide valuable proxies for actual (future) behavior, as measures of (future) real life intercultural interactions are not always available.

Methods

In a series of three studies (N1 = 224, N2 = 291, N3 = 478), the present research introduces a “Direct Intercultural Effectiveness Simulation” or DIES, an instrument that simulates intercultural effectiveness by directly tapping into an ITP on intercultural competence.

Results

First and foremost, the present research demonstrates that the DIES instrument generates reliable and construct-valid measures of intercultural effectiveness. Second, the DIES instrument also shows expected converging and diverging patterns when correlated with a nomological network on intercultural effectiveness. And third, the DIES measure is further validated by integration into an ITP framework of intercultural effectiveness based on theoretical and empirical accounts from literature.

Conclusion

The DIES instrument generates a reliable and valid measure of intercultural effectiveness by tapping into an ITP on intercultural competence. Theoretically, the present research integrates the instrument into literature by empirically verifying an ITP framework of intercultural effectiveness. In practice, the DIES instrument can be used as an awareness or training proxy for actual behavior to tackle important problems like ethnic prejudice and discrimination.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sleep among healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cui Dandan , Zhang Xiangning , Guo Jianwei
Published: June 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on physical and mental health, while physical activity and sleep are two important indicators of the impact that have been explored in recent studies. However, the results of studies with different measurement methods and populations with different levels of physical activity have been diverse in that physical activity and sleep are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in some studies but not in others. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sleep and the role of measurement methods and populations on results.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were used to search for related studies systematically. Study characteristics and data on physical activity and sleep were collected and analyzed from each included study. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate pooled effect sizes.

Results

A total of 13 articles were included in the systematic review, 11 of which were included in the meta-analysis. We found that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was 0.33 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.59) and sleep quality was 0.37 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.53) decreased, while sleep duration was −0.24 (95% CI −0.28 to −0.20) increased during the lockdown; overall physical activity time had no significant difference (p = 0.07) during the lockdown. The “wearables” subgroup had no heterogeneity (p = 0.89, I2 = 0) in sleep duration, while MVPA time measured by subjective scales was not significantly changed. The “elite athletes” subgroup had lower heterogeneity (p = 0.69, I2 = 0) in sleep duration than general adults, while the results of sleep quality for population subgroups were significant and there was no heterogeneity within either.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on MVPA time, sleep duration, and sleep quality, instead of overall physical activity time among healthy adults. The results of MVPA time and sleep duration were greatly influenced by the measurement methods, and sleep behavior differed among populations with varying physical activity levels. Thus, when researching physical activity, especially MVPA time, should consider measurement methods, and more attention should be given to differences in populations when researching sleep behavior.
Compulsive Internet Use Scale for assessment of self-reported problematic internet use in primary school-aged children
Authors: Jusienė Roma , Pakalniškienė Vilmantė , Wu Jennifer Chun-Li , Sebre Sandra B.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The tremendous growth of internet use during past few decades has been primarily led by young people. Despite a plenitude of studies reporting the pros and cons of excessive internet use by adolescents, the internet use of primary school-aged children is under-researched. First, there is lack of reliable and valid cultural invariant self-report instruments for children younger than 11-years-old. Secondly, there is no consensus on whether primary school-aged children can reliably report on their internet use. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) as reported by primary school-aged children in three different countries/regions.

Methods

Paper-pencil format CIUS questionnaires were completed by a total of 691 children aged 8 to 10 years old, 236 of them Latvian, 207 Lithuanian, and 248 Taiwanese, as well as by one of their parents, at two-time points, separated by a one-year interval. The parents also reported on the child’s emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Methods

Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that for the child self-report, a 10-item CIUS showed the best fit and good psychometric properties: solid structural validity; very good internal consistency; appropriate stability and predictive validity after 1 year; as well as sound sensitivity and specificity when compared to the 14-item CIUS parent-report form. Child self-report CIUS ratings correlated with time online reported by the child and parent and with emotional and behavioral problems reported by the parent.

Discussion

This study indicates that children as young as 8–10 years old can reliably and consistently provide valuable information on their problematic use of the internet.
The impact of emotional stimuli on response inhibition in an inpatient and day-hospital patient psychosomatic cohort
Authors: Westbomke Sina , Schag Kathrin , Derntl Birgit , Zipfel Stephan , Stengel Andreas
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To correctly recognize and respond to your counterpart's emotion is essential for a successful get-together. To ensure this, emotional processes and inhibitory control are linked and interact with each other. However, this interaction can be altered in several mental disorders. In a group of psychosomatic patients, we investigated possible differences in the response inhibition between neutral and emotional stimuli and whether a psychosomatic inpatient and day-hospital patient treatment influences response inhibition profiles.

Methods

One hundred and one patients, diagnosed with different psychiatric diagnoses (77 women, 41.43 ± 13.13 years), completed an emotional stop-signal task (ESST) and an impulsive behavior scale upon admission in an inpatient and day-hospital patient treatment on a psychosomatic ward (T0) and at discharge (T1). Patients with depressive disorders completed the test again after 1 year (follow-up measurement T2, n = 22). Emotional stimuli were angry and neutral faces. Stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) and stop-signal delay (SSD) were calculated as the main behavioral parameters.

Results

We found a significantly higher SSRT for neutral than angry faces at both admission (8.538 ms, p < 0.001) and discharge (11.142 ms, p < 0.001), with a matching higher SSD for angry than neutral faces at both timepoints (T0: 8.360 ms, p < 0.001, T1: (6.950 ms, p < 0.001). The SSRT for angry faces significantly decreased after treatment (-8.485 ms, p = 0.0110). For neutral faces, the decrease failed to reach significance (−5.881 ms, p = 0.250). A significant decrease in SSRT for neutral faces in patients with depressive disorders was found 1 year after discharge compared with admission (−19.040 ms, p = 0.0380).

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate a decreased response inhibition for neutral compared with emotional stimuli and an improved response inhibition for angry faces after discharge in a psychosomatic inpatient and day-hospital patient cohort. Additionally, patients with depressive disorders displayed a significantly better response inhibition for neutral faces 1 year after discharge compared with the baseline measurement. With this study, we provide more evidence for altered emotional response inhibition in different mental disorders and a hint that psychosomatic inpatient and day-hospital patient treatment may help to normalize it, even if the effects remained small and it needs further research to prove causality.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with HER2-low advanced breast cancer based on DESTINY-Breast04
Authors: Zhan Mei , Huang Zijia , Xu Ting , Xu Xinyi , Zheng Hanrui , Wu Fengbo
Published: June 2023

Background and purpose

Breast cancer is a rapidly raising healthcare problem worldwide. DESTINY-Breast04 demonstrated that trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-Dxd) had a survival advantage comparing to the physician's choice of chemotherapy for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. But at the same time, this expensive novel treatment also brought an economic burden. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of T-Dxd based on results of DESTINY-Breast04 from the perspective of Chinese healthcare system.

Materials and methods

A three-state partitioned-survival model [progression-free survival (PFS), progressive disease (PD) and death] based on data from DESTINY-Breast04 and Chinese healthcare system was used to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of T-Dxd vs. the physician's choice of chemotherapy for HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. Costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and the ICER in terms of 2022 US$ per QALY gained were calculated for both hormone receptor–positive cohort and all patients. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the model robustness.

Results

Compared with the physician's choice of chemotherapy, T-Dxd increased costs by $104,168.30, while gaining 0.31 QALYs, resulting in an ICER of $336,026.77 per QALY in all patients. The costs of T-Dxd and the utility of PFS were the crucial factors in determining the ICER. In the hormone receptor–positive cohort, the ICER was lower than that in all patients, with the ICER of $274,905.72 per QALY. The ICER was much higher than the commonly accepted willingness-to-pay threshold ($357,96.83 per QALY).

Conclusion

T-Dxd as second- or subsequent-line treatment is not a cost-effective treatment option for HER2-low metastatic breast cancer from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.
The impact of the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan benefit re-evaluation on SNAP participants’ short-term food security and health outcomes
Authors: Leung Cindy W. , Wolfson Julia A.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and played a critical role in mitigating food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the updated Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which provides the basis of SNAP benefit allotments, led to a 21% monthly benefit increase for SNAP participants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the TFP re-evaluation on food insecurity, diet quality, and mental health using a natural experiment design.

Methods

A longitudinal, web-based study was conducted among 1,004 United States adults with incomes at or below $65,000 in September 2021 (prior to the policy change) and February 2022 (after the policy change). Outcomes of interest included household food security, diet quality, perceived stress, and anxiety/depression, assessed using validated instruments. We used difference-in-differences regression modeling to assess the effects of the policy change on participants’ outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions about the policy change were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Prior to the policy change, SNAP participants had significantly worse food insecurity, lower diet quality scores, and higher perceived stress and anxiety/depression when compared to non-participants (all Ps < 0.05). After adjustment for differences in sociodemographic characteristics, there were no significant effects of the TFP re-evaluation on food insecurity, diet quality, and mental health outcomes among SNAP participants relative to non-participants (all Ps > 0.05). Qualitative responses suggested that rising food prices and growing inflation potentially negated the benefits of the policy change; however, most SNAP participants described the added benefits as helpful in purchasing additional food supplies and offsetting other household costs during this period.

Discussion

The TFP benefit increase may have helped to prevent inflation-related disparities in food insecurity and health outcomes from widening among SNAP participants and non-participants. Further research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of this policy change.
Association of grip strength and comorbidities with all-cause mortality in the older hypertensive adults
Authors: Wang Ying , Meng Tianyu , Yang Wei , Yan Miaojia , Su Xianming , Wang Xiaohong , Chen Lihong , Ren Yanping
Published: June 2023

Background

With growing concerns about global population aging, comorbidity, and disability have emerged as key variables that influence the health of the older adults in terms of disease and function. This study sought to examine the impact of comorbidity and impairment using disease and functional status indicators of all-cause mortality in the older adults. Hypertension, which was chosen as the indicator chosen for disease, has the greatest prevalence in the older population. A total of 15 self-reported chronic conditions were added as indicators of comorbidity, and grip strength was chosen as a measure of functional status. The study also evaluated the association between grip strength and comorbidity, as well as its consequences on all-cause death and survival in a hypertensive senior population.

Methods

We chose a total of 2,990 hypertensive participants aged ≥60 years whose data for grip strength were collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2011 and 2014. The association of all-cause death with grip strength and comorbidity was examined using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. The interaction between comorbidity and all-cause mortality, as well as its association with grip strength, was also examined.

Results

The hazard ratio [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for all-cause mortality in the highest grip strength tertile was 0.266 (0.168–0.419), compared to the lowest grip strength tertile. The all-cause mortality decreased with an increase in the number of co-morbidities [2.677 (1.557–4.603) in the group with ≥3 chronic diseases]. The weighted generalized model revealed a negative correlation between grip strength and comorbidities in more than three groups after accounting for all possible variables (β = −2.219, −3.178 ~ −1.260, p < 0.001). The risk of mortality reduced with increasing grip strength in patients with ≥3 comorbidities (p-value for trend <0.05), but no meaningful difference was found in the interaction between comorbidities and grip strength (p-value for interaction >0.05).

Conclusion

In older hypertension patients, grip strength and comorbidities were correlated with all-cause death, and there was a negative correlation between grip strength and comorbidities. Higher grip strength was associated with fewer fatalities in patients with ≥3 comorbidities, suggesting that functional exercise can improve the prognosis of comorbidities.
Hospital response challenges and strategies during COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Authors: Mohammadinia Leila , Saadatmand Vahid , Khaledi Sardashti Hassan , Darabi Saeid , Esfandiary Bayat Fahimeh , Rejeh Nahid , Vaismoradi Mojtaba
Published: June 2023

Background

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare managers at hospitals did not have sufficient experiences to appropriately respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to a lack of preparedness, many challenges arose in the healthcare system, and each country developed and implemented strategies depending on national policies. This study aimed to understand challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies used in Iranian hospitals.

Methods

A qualitative research was conducted in four hospitals in an urban area of Iran. In-depth semi-structured interviews were performed with 32 participants including healthcare managers, nurses, and medical doctors. Data underwent qualitative content analysis.

Results

Four categories were developed: ‘capacity expansion’, ‘management affairs’, ‘diagnostic services,” and therapeutic services’. Each category consisted of 2–3 subcategories.

Conclusion

Hospitals should be prepared to intelligently respond to future epidemics. It is necessary to develop a comprehensive epidemic plan for the management of disasters to reduce the impact of the epidemic and minimize the risk to public health and ensure that resources are allocated in an efficient and effective manner.
Factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults: the APPCARE study
Authors: Bally Esmée L. S. , Ye Lizhen , van Grieken Amy , Tan Siok Swan , Mattace-Raso Francesco , Procaccini Elena , Alhambra-Borrás Tamara , Raat Hein
Published: June 2023

Background

Falls are a leading cause of disability. Previous studies have identified various risk factors for falls. However, contemporary novel research is needed to explore these and other factors associated with falls among a diverse older adult population. This study aims to identify the factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the ‘Appropriate care paths for frail elderly people: a comprehensive model’ (APPCARE) study were analyzed. The study sample consisted of hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults. Falling was assessed by asking whether the participant had fallen within the last 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between socio-demographic characteristics, potential fall risk factors and falls.

Results

The sample included 113 hospitalized (mean age = 84.2 years; 58% female) and 777 community-dwelling (mean age = 77.8 years; 49% female) older adults. Among hospitalized older adults, loneliness was associated with an increased risk of falls. Associations between female sex, secondary education lever or lower, multimorbidity, a higher score on limitations with activities of daily living (ADL), high risk of malnutrition and falling were found among community-dwelling participants.

Conclusion

The results of this study confirm the multi-factorial nature of falling and the complex interaction of risk factors. Future fall prevention programs could be tailored to the needs of vulnerable subpopulations at high risk for falls.
Risk assessment and disease burden of extreme precipitation on hospitalizations for acute aortic dissection in a subtropical coastal Chinese city
Authors: Ji Yanhu , Xiong Jianping , Yuan Zhongjia , Huang Zepeng , Li Liping
Published: June 2023

Background

Extreme precipitation events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. The present study aimed to explore the impacts of extreme precipitation on hospitalizations for acute aortic dissection (AAD) and to identify susceptible populations and quantify the corresponding disease burden.

Methods

The present study used a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) with a quasi-Poisson function to investigate the association between extreme precipitation (≥95th percentile) and the risk of hospitalizations for AAD from 2015 to 2020 in Shantou, Guangdong Province, China.

Results

The significant adverse effects of extreme precipitation (relative to no precipitation) on daily AAD hospitalizations lasted from lag 5 [relative risk (RR): 1.0318, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0067–1.0575] to lag 9 (RR: 1.0297, 95% CI: 1.0045–1.0555) and reached its maximum at lag 7 (RR: 1.0382, 95% CI: 1.0105–1.0665). Males and older adult individuals (≥60 years) were more susceptible to extreme precipitation. A total of 3.68% (118 cases) of AAD hospitalizations were due to extreme precipitation.

Conclusion

Extreme precipitation was significantly correlated with AAD hospitalizations. Government departments should actively implement extreme precipitation intervention measures to strengthen the protection of males and the older adult (≥60 years) and effectively reduce AAD hospitalizations.
Contribution of life course cardiovascular risk factors to racial disparities in dementia incidence
Authors: Ferguson Erin L. , Vittinghoff Eric , Zeki Al Hazzouri Adina , Allen Norrina , Fitzpatrick Annette , Yaffe Kristine
Published: June 2023

Background

Racial disparities in dementia outcomes persist in the United States. Targeting modifiable risk factors, including cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), is a conceivable way to reduce health disparities. Life course CVRFs are often higher in non-White adults and are associated with risk of dementia, but it is unknown whether they contribute to racial disparities in dementia and cognition.

Methods

Using a pooled cohort of 4,159 White and 939 Black participants aged 65–95 years, we conducted a mediation analysis to estimate the proportional effect of race on dementia that is explained by four CVRFs imputed over the life course (20–49, 50–69, and 70–89 years of age): body mass index, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Results

Compared to White participants, Black participants had greater risk of dementia (adjusted OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.17–1.60). BMI and fasting glucose over the life course were significant mediators of the effect of race on dementia risk, mediating 39.1% (95% CI: 10.5–67.8%) and 8.2% (95% CI: 0.1–16.2%) of the effect, adjusted for sex and age. All four CVRFs together were also significant mediators of the effect of race on scores on global cognition and processing speed, accounting for approximately 11% of the effect.

Conclusions

We found that CVRFs across the life course partially explain disparities in dementia risk and cognition in late-life. Improved prevention and treatment of CVRFs across the life course may be important to reduce health disparities for dementia.
Development of new approach methods for the identification and characterization of endocrine metabolic disruptors—a PARC project
Authors: Braeuning Albert , Balaguer Patrick , Bourguet William , Carreras-Puigvert Jordi , Feiertag Katreece , Kamstra Jorke H. , Knapen Dries , Lichtenstein Dajana , Marx-Stoelting Philip , Rietdijk Jonne , Schubert Kristin , Spjuth Ola , Stinckens Evelyn , Thedieck Kathrin , van den Boom Rik , Vergauwen Lucia , von Bergen Martin , Wewer Neele , Zalko Daniel
Published: June 2023

In past times, the analysis of endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals has mainly been focused on (anti-)estrogenic or (anti-)androgenic properties, as well as on aspects of steroidogenesis and the modulation of thyroid signaling. More recently, disruption of energy metabolism and related signaling pathways by exogenous substances, so-called metabolism-disrupting chemicals (MDCs) have come into focus. While general effects such as body and organ weight changes are routinely monitored in animal studies, there is a clear lack of mechanistic test systems to determine and characterize the metabolism-disrupting potential of chemicals. In order to contribute to filling this gap, one of the project within EU-funded Partnership for the Assessment of Risks of Chemicals (PARC) aims at developing novel in vitro methods for the detection of endocrine metabolic disruptors. Efforts will comprise projects related to specific signaling pathways, for example, involving mTOR or xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors, studies on hepatocytes, adipocytes and pancreatic beta cells covering metabolic and morphological endpoints, as well as metabolism-related zebrafish-based tests as an alternative to classic rodent bioassays. This paper provides an overview of the approaches and methods of these PARC projects and how this will contribute to the improvement of the toxicological toolbox to identify substances with endocrine disrupting properties and to decipher their mechanisms of action.
The prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in Asia
Authors: Aslam Munazza , Alkheraije Khalid A.
Published: June 2023

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is listed among the highly contagious diseases in animals and is endemic throughout the Asian continent. The disease is caused by the Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and affects a wide variety of domesticated animals as well as wild ungulates. Clinically, the disease is described as a vesicular lesion on the tongue, muzzle, lips, gum, dental pad, interdigital cleft, coronary band, and heel of the foot. Sometimes these lesions give rise to lameness. Mastitis is also caused due to teat lesions. A biochemical test reveals that during FMD infection, there are elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-6, serum amyloid A protein, lactoferrin, mannose-binding lectin, and monocytes chemo-attractant protein-1 in the serum of infected animals. There is no specific treatment for FMD although some antivirals are given as prophylaxis and antibiotics are given to prevent secondary bacterial infection. This review presents comprehensive data on the prevalence of FMD and serotypes of FMDV that are attributable to the cause of FMD from a regional point of view. It also explains the worldwide dynamics of the seven serotypes of FMD and tries to identify epidemiological clusters of FMD in various geographical areas. Furthermore, the pathology associated with the foot and mouth disease virus along with the pathophysiology is discussed. The continent-wide prevalence and diversity patterns of FMD suggest that there is a need for stringent policies and legislation implementation regarding research and development aimed at manufacturing strain-specific vaccination, infection prevention, and control of the disease.
Case report: Vulval sebaceous carcinoma: a report of two cases and literature review focus on treatment and survival
Authors: Wang Xiaoxue , Wei Xin
Published: June 2023

Background: Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma (SC) arising in the vulva is extremely rare that no treatment consensus has been well-defined.

Case presentation: We here presented two cases of vulval SC in a 31-year-old and a 62-year-old woman, respectively. Radical wide local excision was performed with free margin and they received no postoperative adjuvant therapy. No evidence of disease was detected after follow-ups for 12 months and 49 months, respectively. A comprehensive literature review of vulval SC was further conducted and other ten cases were included. The mean age was 55.9 years, nine patients were diagnosed with FIGO stage I diseases while the remaining three patients had metastatic lesions at initial diagnosis. Surgery was the mainstay treatment option that 11 (91.7%) underwent surgical resection, of which 5 patients received inguinal lymphadenectomy and 2 patients showed lymph nodes involved. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were given in 2 and 1 patient, respectively. Two patients experienced recurrence within 1 year after initial therapy. At the final follow-up, ten patients had no evidence of disease, one patient was alive with the disease, and only one died of the disease.

Conclusion: Radical wide local excision may be preferred in early-stage vulval SC and utilization of sentinel lymph node sampling should be recommended. Postoperative adjuvant therapy may be spared in patients with negative surgical margin and absence of lymph node involvement. Treatment of vulval SC referring to the guidelines of vulvar cancer should be administered in case of positive margins or metastatic disease.
The Perspectives of General Nephrologists Toward Transitions of Care and Management of Failing Kidney Transplants
Authors: Alhamad Tarek , Murad Haris , Dadhania Darshana M. , Pavlakis Martha , Parajuli Sandesh , Concepcion Beatrice P. , Singh Neeraj , Murakami Naoka , Casey Michael J. , Ji Mengmeng , Lubetzky Michelle , Tantisattamo Ekamol , Alomar Omar , Faravardeh Arman , Blosser Christopher D. , Basu Arpita , Gupta Gaurav , Adler Joel T. , Adey Deborah , Woodside Kenneth J. , Ong Song C. , Parsons Ronald F. , Lentine Krista L.
Published: June 2023

The management of failing kidney allograft and transition of care to general nephrologists (GN) remain a complex process. The Kidney Pancreas Community of Practice (KPCOP) Failing Allograft Workgroup designed and distributed a survey to GN between May and September 2021. Participants were invited via mail and email invitations. There were 103 respondents with primarily adult nephrology practices, of whom 41% had an academic affiliation. More than 60% reported listing for a second kidney as the most important concern in caring for patients with a failing allograft, followed by immunosuppression management (46%) and risk of mortality (38%), while resistant anemia was considered less of a concern. For the initial approach to immunosuppression reduction, 60% stop antimetabolites first, and 26% defer to the transplant nephrologist. Communicating with transplant centers about immunosuppression cessation was reported to occur always by 60%, and sometimes by 29%, while 12% reported making the decision independently. Nephrologists with academic appointments communicate with transplant providers more than private nephrologists (74% vs. 49%, p = 0.015). There are heterogeneous approaches to the care of patients with a failing allograft. Efforts to strengthen transitions of care and to develop practical practice guidelines are needed to improve the outcomes of this vulnerable population.
A Singular Perturbation Theory-Based Composite Control Design for a Pump-Controlled Hydraulic Actuator with Position Tracking Error Constraint
Authors: Wang Bing-Long , Cai Yan , Song Jin-Chun , Liang Qian-Kun
Published: June 2023

Pump-controlled hydraulic actuators (PHAs) contain slow mechanical and fast hydraulic dynamics, and thus singular perturbation theory can be adopted in the control strategies of PHAs. In this article, we develop a singular perturbation theory-based composite control approach for a PHA with position tracking error constraint. Disturbance observers (DOBs) are used to estimate the matched and mismatched uncertainties for online compensation. A sliding surface-like error variable is proposed to transform the second-order mechanical subsystem into a first-order error subsystem. Consequently, the position tracking error constraint of the PHA is decomposed into the output constraint of the first-order error subsystem and the stabilizing of the first-order hydraulic subsystem. Slow and fast control laws can be easily designed without using the backstepping technique, thus simplifying the control design and reducing the computational burden to a large extent. Theoretical analysis verifies that desired stability properties can be achieved by an appropriate selection of the control parameters. Simulations and experiments are performed to confirm the efficacy and practicability of the proposed control strategy.
Design, Topology Optimization, and Additive Manufacturing of a Pneumatically Actuated Lightweight Robot
Authors: Dämmer Gabriel , Gablenz Sven , Neumann Rüdiger , Major Zoltán
Published: June 2023

Soft robotics research has rapidly incorporated Additive Manufacturing (AM) into its standard prototyping repertoire. While numerous publications have highlighted the suitability of AM for producing soft pneumatic actuators, fluidic components, and lightweight structures, their integration into an industry-like robotic arm has not yet been shown. Against this background, a pneumatically actuated robot was developed that incorporates additively manufactured soft structures into rigid articulated hinges that generally allow for integration into today’s industrial production lines. The development of the robot, including pneumatic soft rotary bellows and rotary vane actuators (RVAs), is summarized, and its functionality is proven. It was found that using AM can increase the structural stiffness of robot links to a significant degree as manufacturing-related constraints in topology optimization are largely eliminated. Moreover, it was found that multi-material polyjet printing of soft rotary bellows actuators allows for highly integrated designs that provide low leakage and friction. However, these soft rotary actuators are still inferior in terms of endurance and performance if compared to AM replicas of RVAs. Our work narrows the gap between soft robotics research and today’s industrial applications, may realign research directions, and may provide impulses for the industry towards soft robotics and AM.
Safety Aspects of Supporting Apron Controllers with Automatic Speech Recognition and Understanding Integrated into an Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System
Authors: Kleinert Matthias , Ohneiser Oliver , Helmke Hartmut , Shetty Shruthi , Ehr Heiko , Maier Mathias , Schacht Susanne , Wiese Hanno
Published: June 2023

The information air traffic controllers (ATCos) communicate via radio telephony is valuable for digital assistants to provide additional safety. Yet, ATCos have to enter this information manually. Assistant-based speech recognition (ABSR) has proven to be a lightweight technology that automatically extracts and successfully feeds the content of ATC communication into digital systems without additional human effort. This article explains how ABSR can be integrated into an advanced surface movement guidance and control system (A-SMGCS). The described validations were performed in the complex apron simulation training environment of Frankfurt Airport with 14 apron controllers in a human-in-the-loop simulation in summer 2022. The integration significantly reduces the workload of controllers and increases safety as well as overall performance. Based on a word error rate of 3.1%, the command recognition rate was 91.8% with a callsign recognition rate of 97.4%. This performance was enabled by the integration of A-SMGCS and ABSR: the command recognition rate improves by more than 15% absolute by considering A-SMGCS data in ABSR.
Continuous and Impact Cutting in Mechanized Sugarcane Harvest: Quality, Losses and Impurities
Authors: Paulo Testa João Vitor , Battistuzzi Martins Murilo , Carpes Marques Filho Aldir , Pereira Lanças Kléber , Lustosa Sobrinho Renato , Finatto Taciane , Okla Mohammad K. , AbdElgawad Hamada
Published: June 2023

Sugarcane harvesting requires improvements, particularly in cutting tools. Continuous cutting saws have been introduced as a solution to this issue. This study evaluates the performance of two basal sugarcane cutting systems in different fields: a traditional impact cut system (ICS) with knives and a continuous cut system (CCS) with saw blades. Tests were conducted during two crop cycles in three areas, using a 3 × 2 factorial design with two cutting devices and four replications per treatment. Cut quality indices and ratoon damage were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Raw material losses were subjected to the Shapiro–Wilk normality test, ANOVA, and Tukey’s test at 5% probability. Significant differences in cutting quality were found across different areas. The total crop productivity influenced sugarcane cut quality, with the CCS showing (0.8 Mg ha−1) visible losses in higher productivity areas, which is a 74% increase compared to the ICS. In lower productivity areas, the CCS demonstrated better loss performance (0.8 Mg ha−1). Additionally, the stumps damage rate for the CCS was lower than that for the ICS (0.15 and 0.28, respectively), indicating that saws can preserve cane fields and enhance longevity.
Effects of the Pesticides Benomyl, Metribuzin and Imidacloprid on Soil Microbial Communities in the Field
Authors: Streletskii Rostislav , Astaykina Angelika , Cheptsov Vladimir , Belov Andrey , Gorbatov Victor
Published: June 2023

Pesticide preparations based on benomyl, metribuzin and imidacloprid were used on a potato plot for three years. Every year soil samples were taken at 0, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 84 days after treatment. For all samples, the pesticide residues in the soil were measured. A study of the soil’s bacterial and fungal community structures was preformed using next-generation sequencing. It was found that the rate of decomposition of the pesticides increased every year, while the pesticides affected only certain phylogenetic groups of microorganisms. The most significant effect was the decrease in the proportion of Ascomycota. Additionally, in the field, as well as previously in the laboratory, pesticides have had an impact on the relative abundance of the genera Haliangium, Solicoccozyma and Humicola. It can be assumed that the repeated application of pesticides does not have a significant effect on the microbial communities of soils, provided that they are applied according to the application rate.