bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential changes in cooling degree day under different global warming levels and shared socioeconomic pathways in West Africa
Authors: Odou Oluwarotimi Delano Thierry , Ursula Heidi Heinrichs , Adamou Rabani , Godjo Thierry , Moussa Mounkaila S
Published: March 2023

Increasing levels of climatic warming are expected to affect the global development of energy consumption. The cooling degree day (CDD) is one of the climate-driven indices that captures the impact of climate on energy demand. However, little is known about the spatiotemporal trends of CDD in relation to a changing climate and economy in West Africa and its main implications. Hence, in order to analyze how energy demand could evolve, this study aims to assess the changes in CDD under 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 °C global warming levels (GWLs), with and without population exposure and trends under the two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) of RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for West Africa. A climate-reflective base temperature (T-base) is used and was determined using a piecewise linear regression method. Seasonal electricity consumption was derived using a decomposition feature. An ensemble of seven Global Climate Models (GCMs) were used for the future temperature projections. The future population was based on shared socioeconomic pathway outputs. Based on the analysis, the reported average T-base for the West African region is 24 °C. An increasing CDD trend was identified in all of the RCP scenarios, but is more pronounced in RCP8.5. RCP8.5 departs from the mean historical period of approximately 20% by 2100 with the standardized value. The same trend is observed under different GWLs as the warming level increased and was most striking in the Sahelian zone. Population exposure to CDD (labelled CDDP) increases with warming levels, but is more pronounced in highly agglomerated areas. The CDDP index best captures the spatial representation of areas with high cooling demand potential with respect to the demographic distribution. This study can serve to inform better energy demand assessment scenarios and supply planning against the backdrop of changing climate conditions in West Africa.
Stationary measures of the KPZ equation on an interval from Enaud–Derrida’s matrix product ansatz representation
Authors: Barraquand Guillaume , Le Doussal Pierre
Published: March 2023

The stationary measures of the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang equation on an interval have been computed recently. We present a rather direct derivation of this result by taking the weak asymmetry limit of the matrix product ansatz for the asymmetric simple exclusion process. We rely on the matrix product ansatz representation of Enaud and Derrida, which allows to express the steady-state in terms of re-weighted simple random walks. In the continuum limit, its measure becomes a path integral (or re-weighted Brownian motion) of the form encountered in Liouville quantum mechanics, recovering the recent formula.
Quantum transport efficiency in noisy random-removal and small-world networks
Authors: Kurt Arzu , Rossi Matteo A C , Piilo Jyrki
Published: March 2023

We report the results of an in-depth study of the role of graph topology on quantum transport efficiency in random removal and Watts–Strogatz networks. By using four different environmental models—noiseless, driven by classical random telegraph noise (RTN), thermal quantum bath, and bath + RTN—we compare the role of the environment and of the change in network topology in determining the quantum transport efficiency. We find that small and specific changes in network topology is more effective in causing large change in efficiency compared to that achievable by environmental manipulations for both network classes. Furthermore, we have found that noise dependence of transport efficiency in Watts–Strogatz networks can be categorized into six classes. In general, our results highlight the interplay that network topology and environment models play in quantum transport, and pave the way for transport studies for networks of increasing size and complexity—when going beyond so far often used few-site transport systems.
Compact and robust deep learning architecture for fluorescence lifetime imaging and FPGA implementation
Authors: Zang Zhenya , Xiao Dong , Wang Quan , Jiao Ziao , Chen Yu , Li David Day Uei
Published: March 2023

This paper reports a bespoke adder-based deep learning network for time-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). By leveraging thel1-norm extraction method, we propose a 1D Fluorescence Lifetime AdderNet (FLAN) without multiplication-based convolutions to reduce the computational complexity. Further, we compressed fluorescence decays in temporal dimension using a log-scale merging technique to discard redundant temporal information derived as log-scaling FLAN (FLAN+LS). FLAN+LS achieves 0.11 and 0.23 compression ratios compared with FLAN and a conventional 1D convolutional neural network (1D CNN) while maintaining high accuracy in retrieving lifetimes. We extensively evaluated FLAN and FLAN+LS using synthetic and real data. A traditional fitting method and other non-fitting, high-accuracy algorithms were compared with our networks for synthetic data. Our networks attained a minor reconstruction error in different photon-count scenarios. For real data, we used fluorescent beads’ data acquired by a confocal microscope to validate the effectiveness of real fluorophores, and our networks can differentiate beads with different lifetimes. Additionally, we implemented the network architecture on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) with a post-quantization technique to shorten the bit-width, thereby improving computing efficiency. FLAN+LS on hardware achieves the highest computing efficiency compared to 1D CNN and FLAN. We also discussed the applicability of our network and hardware architecture for other time-resolved biomedical applications using photon-efficient, time-resolved sensors.
Preparing high-strength and osteogenesis-induced Mg-Gd alloy with ultra-fine microstructure by equal channel angular pressing
Authors: Wu Jiajun , Shen Chao , Zhou Xiaoxiao , Wang Xiuhui , Zhang Linyuan
Published: March 2023

Mechanical strength and corrosion resistance are needed for Mg based BMs in the application of biomedical fields. In the present study, a high-strength biodegradable Mg-Gd alloys with an ultrafine microstructure successfully were prepared by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). The high tensile strength of ECAPed Mg-Gd alloys was attributed to ultrafine DRX grains and fragmented secondary phases. During ECAP, the grain structure was refined by dynamic recrystallization (DRX), and the size of the DRX grains was approximately 300 nm. The secondary phase with lamellar structures was fragmented into fine particles of submicrometer size after ECAP process. As the number of ECAP passes increased, the distribution of the fragmented secondary phase has been changed into a uniform distribution. The corrosion rates calculated from the hydrogen evolution test demonstrated that the 8p-ECAP Mg-Gd alloy with an ultrafine microstructure possessed better corrosion resistance. Cell and osteogenesis induction experiments confirmed that Mg-Gd alloys processed by ECAP exhibited good biocompatibility. This study provides a new method for preparing high-strength Mg alloys with good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.
Dynamics of the judgment of tactile stimulus intensity
Authors: Yousefi Darani Z , Hachen I , Diamond M E
Published: March 2023

In the future, artificial agents will need to make assessments of tactile stimuli in order to interact intelligently with the environment and with humans. Such assessments will depend on exquisite and robust mechanosensors, but sensors alone do not make judgments and choices. Rather, the central processing of mechanosensor inputs must be implemented with algorithms that produce ‘behavioral states’ in the artificial agent that resemble or mimic perceptual judgments in biology. In this study, we consider the problem of perceptual judgment as applied to vibration intensity. By a combination of computational modeling and simulation followed by psychophysical testing of vibration intensity perception in rats, we show that a simple yet highly salient judgment—is the current stimulus strong or weak?—can be explained as the comparison of ongoing sensory input against a criterion constructed as the time-weighted average of the history of recent stimuli. Simulations and experiments explore how judgments are shaped by the distribution of stimuli along the intensity dimension and, most importantly, by the time constant of integration which dictates the dynamics of criterion updating. The findings of this study imply that judgments made by the real nervous system are not absolute readouts of physical parameters but are context-dependent; algorithms of this form can be built into artificial systems.
Association of Retrospectively Reported Concussion Symptoms with Objective Cognitive Performance in Former American-Style Football Players
Authors: Strong Roger W , Grashow Rachel , Roberts Andrea L , Passell Eliza , Scheuer Luke , Terry Douglas P , Cohan Sarah , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Weisskopf Marc G , Zafonte Ross D , Germine Laura T
Published: March 2023

Objective

Sustaining concussions has been linked to health issues later in life, yet evidence for associations between contact sports exposure and long-term cognitive performance is mixed. This cross-sectional study of former professional American-style football players tested the association of several measures of football exposure with later life cognitive performance, while also comparing the cognitive performance of former players to nonplayers.

Methods

In total, 353 former professional football players (Mage = 54.3) completed both (1) an online cognitive test battery measuring objective cognitive performance and (2) a survey querying demographic information, current health conditions, and measures of past football exposure, including recollected concussion symptoms playing professional football, diagnosed concussions, years of professional play, and age of first football exposure. Testing occurred an average of 29 years after former players’ final season of professional play. In addition, a comparison sample of 5,086 male participants (nonplayers) completed one or more cognitive tests.

Results

Former players’ cognitive performance was associated with retrospectively reported football concussion symptoms (rp = −0.19, 95% CI −0.09 to −0.29; p < 0.001), but not with diagnosed concussions, years of professional play, or age of first football exposure. This association could be due to differences in pre-concussion cognitive functioning, however, which could not be estimated based on available data.

Conclusions

Future investigations of the long-term outcomes of contact sports exposure should include measures of sports-related concussion symptoms, which were more sensitive to objective cognitive performance than other football exposure measures, including self-reported diagnosed concussions.
Tofacitinib for Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Steenholdt Casper , Dige Ovesen Pernille , Brynskov Jørn , Seidelin Jakob Benedict
Published: March 2023

Background

Tofacitinib has emerged as a new potential treatment for acute severe ulcerative colitis [ASUC]. We conducted a systematic review to assess efficacy, safety and integration in ASUC algorithms.

Methods

Systematic searching was done in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrials.gov until August 17, 2022, including all studies reporting original observations on tofacitinib for ASUC, preferably defined according to Truelove and Witts criteria. The primary outcome was colectomy-free survival.

Results

Of 1072 publications identified, 21 studies were included of which three were ongoing clinical trials. The remaining comprised a pooled cohort originating from 15 case publications [n = 42], a GETAID cohort study [n = 55], a case-control study [n = 40 cases] and a paediatric cohort [n = 11]. Of these 148 reported cases, tofacitinib was used as second-line treatment after steroid failure in previous infliximab failures or third-line after sequential steroid and infliximab or cyclosporine failure, 69 [47%] were female, median age range was 17–34 years and disease duration was 0.7–10 years. Overall, 30-day colectomy-free survival was 85% [n = 123 of 145; n = 3 without colectomy had follow-up <30 days], 90-day 86% [n = 113 of 132; n = 16 follow-up <90 days] and 180-day 69% [n = 77 of 112; n = 36 follow-up <180 days]. Tofacitinib persistence at follow-up was 68–91%, clinical remission 35–69% and endoscopic remission 55%. Adverse events occurred in 22 patients, predominantly being infectious complications other than herpes zoster [n = 13], and resulted in tofacitinib discontinuation in seven patients.

Conclusion

Tofacitinib appears promising for treatment of ASUC with high short-term colectomy-free survival among refractory patients who are otherwise deemed to require colectomy. However, large high-quality studies are needed.
Association Between Gut Microbiota and Delirium in Acutely Ill Older Adults
Authors: Garcez Flavia Barreto , Garcia de Alencar Júlio César , Fernandez Shirley Steffany Muñoz , Avelino-Silva Vivian Iida , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , Martins Roberta Cristina Ruedas , Franco Lucas Augusto Moysés , Lima Ribeiro Sandra Maria , Possolo de Souza Heraldo , Avelino-Silva Thiago Junqueira
Published: March 2023

Our aim was to investigate the association between gut microbiota and delirium occurrence in acutely ill older adults. We included 133 participants 65+ years consecutively admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary university hospital, between September 2019 and March 2020. We excluded candidates with ≥24-hour antibiotic utilization on admission, recent prebiotic or probiotic utilization, artificial nutrition, acute gastrointestinal disorders, severe traumatic brain injury, recent hospitalization, institutionalization, expected discharge ≤48 hours, or admission for end-of-life care. A trained research team followed a standardized interview protocol to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data on admission and throughout the hospital stay. Our exposure measures were gut microbiota alpha and beta diversities, taxa relative abundance, and core microbiome. Our primary outcome was delirium, assessed twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method. Delirium was detected in 38 participants (29%). We analyzed 257 swab samples. After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed that a greater alpha diversity (higher abundance and richness of microorganisms) was associated with a lower risk of delirium, as measured by the Shannon (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.60–0.99; p = .042) and Pielou indexes (OR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.51–0.87; p = .005). Bacterial taxa associated with pro-inflammatory pathways (Enterobacteriaceae) and modulation of relevant neurotransmitters (Serratia: dopamine; Bacteroides, Parabacteroides: GABA) were more common in participants with delirium. Gut microbiota diversity and composition were significantly different in acutely ill hospitalized older adults who experienced delirium. Our work is an original proof-of-concept investigation that lays a foundation for future biomarker studies and potential therapeutic targets for delirium prevention and treatment.
Validation of an Adapted Version of the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey for Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Homes
Authors: Wilson Rozanne , Cuthbertson Lena , Sasaki Ayumi , Russell Lara , Kazis Lewis E , Sawatzky Richard
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

The Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) is a generic patient-reported outcome measure of physical and mental health status. An adapted version of the VR-12 was developed for use with older adults living in long-term residential care (LTRC) homes in Canada: VR-12 (LTRC-C). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric validity of the VR-12 (LTRC-C).

Research Design and Methods

Data for this validation study were collected via in-person interviews for a province-wide survey of adults living in LTRC homes across British Columbia (N = 8,657). Three analyses were conducted to evaluate validity and reliability: (1) confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to validate the measurement structure; (2) correlations with measures of depression, social engagement, and daily activities were examined to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity; and (3) Cronbach’s alpha (r) statistics were obtained to evaluate internal consistency reliability.

Results

A measurement model with 2 correlated latent factors (representing physical health and mental health), 4 cross-loadings, and 4 correlated items resulted in an acceptable fit (root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.07; comparative fit index = 0.98). Physical and mental health were correlated in expected directions with measures of depression, social engagement, and daily activities, though the magnitudes of the correlations were quite small. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable for physical and mental health (r > 0.70).

Discussion and Implications

This study supports the use of the VR-12 (LTRC-C) to measure perceived physical and mental health among older adults living in LTRC homes.
Barriers and facilitators of implementing proactive deprescribing within primary care: a systematic review
Authors: Okeowo Daniel A , Zaidi Syed Tabish R , Fylan Beth , Alldred David P
Published: March 2023

Objective

Proactive deprescribing – identifying and discontinuing medicines where harms outweigh benefits – can minimise problematic polypharmacy, but has yet to be implemented into routine practice. Normalisation process theory (NPT) can provide a theory-informed understanding of the evidence base on what impedes or facilitates the normalisation of routine and safe deprescribing in primary care. This study systematically reviews the literature to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing routine safe deprescribing in primary care and their effect on normalisation potential using NPT.

PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, CINAHL, PsycINFO and The Cochrane Library were searched (1996–2022). Studies of any design investigating the implementation of deprescribing in primary care were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set were used to appraise quality. Barriers and facilitators from included studies were extracted and mapped to the constructs of NPT.

Key findings

A total of 12,027 articles were identified, 56 articles included. In total, 178 barriers and 178 facilitators were extracted and condensed into 14 barriers and 16 facilitators. Common barriers were negative deprescribing perceptions and suboptimal deprescribing environments, while common facilitators were structured education and training on proactive deprescribing and utilising patient-centred approaches. Very few barriers and facilitators were associated with reflexive monitoring, highlighting a paucity of evidence on how deprescribing interventions are appraised.

Through NPT, multiple barriers and facilitators were identified that impede or facilitate the implementation and normalisation of deprescribing in primary care. However, more research is needed into the appraisal of deprescribing post-implementation.
Exploring Corruption as a Violation of Human Rights in the Practices of International Human Rights Institutions
Authors: Juwita Ratna
Published: March 2023

This article discusses the evolution of soft law concerning the link between corruption and human rights. Evolution is defined as the increase in quantity and/or quality in International Human Rights Institutions’ normative outputs concerning corruption and human rights in (non-legally binding) instruments. Previous scholarly research was used as the benchmark to assess the evolution. The results indicated quantitative and qualitative evolutions in the production of the normative outputs regarding the link between corruption and human rights. The number of normative outputs produced by the respective institutions doubled and a substantial content-based evolution was identified. However, no normative output explicitly addressing corruption as a violation of human rights was found. Considering the pivotal role of the normative outputs to guide the implementation of human rights promotion and protection, this article suggests that the International Human Rights Institutions should continue to address and further clarify the link between corruption and human rights.
Perceptions of Adolescents With Chronic Pain About Peer Support: Reflexive Thematic Analysis
Authors: Linkiewich Delane , Dib Katherine C , Forgeron Paula A , Dick Bruce D , McMurtry C Meghan
Published: March 2023

Objective

Social challenges are a common experience for adolescents with chronic pain. Group peer support for these adolescents could be a promising intervention; however, no studies have focused exclusively on the peer support needs of this population. The present study addressed this gap in the literature.

Methods

Adolescents with chronic pain between 12 and 17 years of age completed a virtual interview and demographics questionnaire. Interviews were analyzed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Fourteen adolescents (Mage: 15.21 years; 9 females; 3 males, 1 nonbinary, 1 gender questioning) with chronic pain participated. Three themes were generated: “Being Misunderstood,” “They Would Understand Me,” and “Moving Forward Together in Our Pain Journeys.” Adolescents with chronic pain feel misunderstood and under supported by their peers without pain leading to feeling “othered” by having to explain their pain, yet not feeling free to talk about their pain with friends. Adolescents with chronic pain expressed that peer support would provide the forms of social support they are missing amongst their friends without pain as well as companionship and a sense of belonging due to shared knowledge and experiences.

Conclusions

Adolescents with chronic pain desire peer support from others like themselves, highlighting the challenges in their everyday friendships as the impetus for this support, as well as their anticipated short- and long-term benefits, including learning from their peers and developing new friendships. Findings indicate that adolescents with chronic pain may benefit from group peer support. Findings will inform the development of a peer support intervention for this population.
CRISPR/Cas-mediated in planta gene targeting: current advances and challenges
Authors: Guzmán-Benito Irene , Achkar Natalia Patricia , Bologna Nicolas G , Ursache Robertas
Published: March 2023

Gene targeting can be used to make modifications at a specific region in a plant’s genome and create high-precision tools for plant biotechnology and breeding. However, its low efficiency is a major barrier to its use in plants. The discovery of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–Cas-based site-specific nucleases capable of inducing double-strand breaks in desired loci resulted in the development of novel approaches for plant gene targeting. Several studies have recently demonstrated improvements in gene targeting efficiency through cell-type-specific expression of Cas nucleases, the use of self-amplified gene-targeting-vector DNA, or manipulation of RNA silencing and DNA repair pathways. In this review, we summarize recent advances in CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene targeting in plants and discuss potential efficiency improvements. Increasing the efficiency of gene targeting technology will help pave the way for increased crop yields and food safety in environmentally friendly agriculture.
Neglected acidity pitfall: boric acid-anchoring hole-selective contact for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Guo Huanxin , Liu Cong , Hu Honglong , Zhang Shuo , Ji Xiaoyu , Cao Xiao-Ming , Ning Zhijun , Zhu Wei-Hong , Tian He , Wu Yongzhen
Published: March 2023

The spontaneous formation of self-assembly monolayer (SAM) on various substrates represents an effective strategy for interfacial engineering of optoelectronic devices. Hole-selective SAM is becoming popular among high-performance inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), but the presence of strong acidic anchors (such as –PO3H2) in state-of-the-art SAM is detrimental to device stability. Herein, we report for the first time that acidity-weakened boric acid can function as an alternative anchor to construct efficient SAM-based hole-selective contact (HSC) for PSCs. Theoretical calculations reveal that boric acid spontaneously chemisorbs onto indium tin oxide (ITO) surface with oxygen vacancies facilitating the adsorption progress. Spectroscopy and electrical measurements indicate that boric acid anchor significantly mitigates ITO corrosion. The excess boric acid containing molecules improves perovskite deposition and results in a coherent and well-passivated bottom interface, which boosts the fill factor (FF) performance for a variety of perovskite compositions. The optimal boric acid-anchoring HSC (MTPA-BA) can achieve power conversion efficiency close to 23% with a high FF of 85.2%. More importantly, the devices show improved stability: 90% of their initial efficiency is retained after 2400 h of storage (ISOS-D-1) or 400 h of operation (ISOS-L-1), which are 5-fold higher than those of phosphonic acid SAM-based devices. Acidity-weakened boric acid SAMs, which are friendly to ITO, exhibits well the great potential to improve the stability of the interface as well as the device.
The START domain potentiates HD-ZIPIII transcriptional activity
Authors: Husbands Aman Y , Feller Antje , Aggarwal Vasudha , Dresden Courtney E , Holub Ashton S , Ha Taekjip , Timmermans Marja C P
Published: March 2023

The CLASS III HOMEODOMAIN-LEUCINE ZIPPER (HD-ZIPIII) transcription factors (TFs) were repeatedly deployed over 725 million years of evolution to regulate central developmental innovations. The START domain of this pivotal class of developmental regulators was recognized over 20 years ago, but its putative ligands and functional contributions remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the START domain promotes HD-ZIPIII TF homodimerization and increases transcriptional potency. Effects on transcriptional output can be ported onto heterologous TFs, consistent with principles of evolution via domain capture. We also show the START domain binds several species of phospholipids, and that mutations in conserved residues perturbing ligand binding and/or its downstream conformational readout abolish HD-ZIPIII DNA-binding competence. Our data present a model in which the START domain potentiates transcriptional activity and uses ligand-induced conformational change to render HD-ZIPIII dimers competent to bind DNA. These findings resolve a long-standing mystery in plant development and highlight the flexible and diverse regulatory potential coded within this widely distributed evolutionary module.
Brassinosteroids regulate cotton fiber elongation by modulating very-long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis
Authors: Yang Zuoren , Liu Zhao , Ge Xiaoyang , Lu Lili , Qin Wenqiang , Qanmber Ghulam , Liu Le , Wang Zhi , Li Fuguang
Published: March 2023

Brassinosteroid (BR), a growth-promoting phytohormone, regulates many plant growth processes including cell development. However, the mechanism by which BR regulates fiber growth is poorly understood. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibers are an ideal single-cell model in which to study cell elongation due to their length. Here we report that BR controls cotton fiber elongation by modulating very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis. BR deficiency reduces the expression of 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases (GhKCSs), the rate-limiting enzymes involved in VLCFA biosynthesis, leading to lower saturated VLCFA contents in pagoda1 (pag1) mutant fibers. In vitro ovule culture experiments show that BR acts upstream of VLCFAs. Silencing of BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESOR 1.4 (GhBES1.4), encoding a master transcription factor of the BR signaling pathway, significantly reduces fiber length, whereas GhBES1.4 overexpression produces longer fibers. GhBES1.4 regulates endogenous VLCFA contents and directly binds to BR RESPONSE ELEMENTS (BRREs) in the GhKCS10_At promoter region, which in turn regulates GhKCS10_At expression to increase endogenous VLCFA contents. GhKCS10_At overexpression promotes cotton fiber elongation, whereas GhKCS10_At silencing inhibits cotton fiber growth, supporting a positive regulatory role for GhKCS10_At in fiber elongation. Overall, these results uncover a mechanism of fiber elongation through crosstalk between BR and VLCFAs at the single-cell level.
Phytochromes mediate germination inhibition under red, far-red, and white light in Aethionema arabicum
Authors: Mérai Zsuzsanna , Xu Fei , Musilek Andreas , Ackerl Florian , Khalil Sarhan , Soto-Jiménez Luz Mayela , Lalatović Katarina , Klose Cornelia , Tarkowská Danuše , Turečková Veronika , Strnad Miroslav , Mittelsten Scheid Ortrun
Published: March 2023

The view on the role of light during seed germination stems mainly from studies with Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), where light is required to initiate this process. In contrast, white light is a strong inhibitor of germination in other plants, exemplified by accessions of Aethionema arabicum, another member of Brassicaceae. Their seeds respond to light with gene expression changes of key regulators converse to that of Arabidopsis, resulting in opposite hormone regulation and prevention of germination. However, the photoreceptors involved in this process in A. arabicum remain unknown. Here, we screened a mutant collection of A. arabicum and identified koy-1, a mutant that lost light inhibition of germination due to a deletion in the promoter of HEME OXYGENASE 1, the gene for a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the phytochrome chromophore. koy-1 seeds were unresponsive to red- and far-red light and hyposensitive under white light. Comparison of hormone and gene expression between wild type and koy-1 revealed that very low light fluence stimulates germination, while high irradiance of red and far-red light is inhibitory, indicating a dual role of phytochromes in light-regulated seed germination. The mutation also affects the ratio between the 2 fruit morphs of A. arabicum, suggesting that light reception via phytochromes can fine-tune several parameters of propagation in adaptation to conditions in the habitat.
Phenytoin and carbamazepine cross reactivity: report of a case and review of literature
Authors: Misra U K , Kalita J , Rathore C
Published: March 2023

Cross reactivity between phenytoin, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine is reported. An 8 year old boy with partial seizures developed maculopapular rashes with itching on day 15 of carbamazepine therapy. After stopping carbamazepine, phenytoin 100 mg daily was prescribed two days later. On the 12th day of phenytoin therapy he developed cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy with fever. Lymph nodes revealed reactive hyperplasia. Oxcarbazepine 75 mg twice daily also resulted in oral and mucosa ulceration. The seizures were controlled without any side effects with sodium valproate 200 mg three times a day and gabapentin 300 mg twice a day. Due to the cross reactivity of aromatic anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine), valproate or newer anticonvulsants should be used if a patient has sensitivity to these drugs.
Premature ejaculation prevalence among young men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study with internet users in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: de Mello Ferreira dos Reis Margareth , Barros Eduardo Augusto Corrêa , Monteiro Leonardo , Pazeto Cristiano Linck , Baccaglini Willy Roberto Camargo , Glina Sidney
Published: March 2023

Background

There are only a few studies about the prevalence and correlates of premature ejaculation (PE) among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Aim

(1) To estimate PE prevalence according to 3 assessment methods: self-reported time from penetration to ejaculation (ejaculation latency time [ELT]); Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT); and a direct question about the self-perception of ejaculation as being normal, too early (premature), or retarded. (2) To assess the agreement of the 3 assessment methods and identify factors associated with PE according to each method and their combination.

Methods

We evaluated data from 226 MSM who participated in a cross-sectional study about sexual behavior among men living in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. They responded anonymously to an online survey between May 2019 and March 2020. We calculated the agreement of the 3 assessment methods and their association with other characteristics using logistic regression models.

Outcomes

Outcomes included the prevalence of PE according to the assessment methods and the association measures (PE vs sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior).

Results

The prevalence of PE among MSM was 21.2% (95% CI, 16.1%-27.1%) according to the PEDT, 17.3% (95% CI, 12.6%-22.8%) per self-report, and 6.2% (95% CI, 3.4%-10.2%) by estimated ELT ≤2 minutes. The agreement among the 3 assessments was fair (kappa, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.25-0.37; P < .001). Association with PE varied by assessment method: obesity and shorter time for ejaculation with anal sex vs masturbation were associated with PE according to the PEDT and ELT but not self-evaluation. Perception about ideal time to ejaculate ≤5 minutes increased the chance of PE based on ELT. Higher chances of self-reported PE were associated with trying to hold back ejaculation, and lower chances were associated with higher frequencies of masturbation.

Clinical Implications

Combining tools to investigate PE allows the identification of characteristics associated with this condition and may result in improvement in the care of MSM.

Strengths and Limitations

This anonymous online survey provided the privacy necessary for participants to respond freely about sensitive questions, with a low risk of social adequacy bias. However, as it was a secondary analysis of a larger study, it could not evaluate comorbidities (eg, erectile dysfunction, prostatitis, depression) and the use of condoms.

Conclusion

The prevalence of PE among MSM is high and varies according to the instrument used for the assessment, and the agreement among the 3 assessments was only fair.
Readability of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Patient Education Tool
Authors: Ghanem Diane , Covarrubias Oscar , Harris Andrew B. , Shafiq Babar
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Online educational materials have become a fundamental resource for orthopaedic surgery patients; however, they are frequently written at a high level of reading ability and are too complicated for some patients to understand. The aim of this study was to appraise the readability of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) patient education materials.

Methods:

All 41 articles on the OTA patient education website (https://ota.org/for-patients
) were analyzed for readability. Readability scores were calculated by 2 independent reviewers using the (1) FleschKincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and the (2) Flesch Reading Ease algorithms. Mean readability scores were compared across anatomic categories. One-sample t test was performed to compare mean FKGL with the recommended sixth-grade readability level and the average American adult reading level.

Results:

The average (SD) FKGL of the 41 OTA articles was 8.15 (1.14). The average (SD) Flesch Reading Ease for the OTA patient education materials was 65.5 (6.60). Four (11%) of the articles were at or below a sixth-grade reading level. The average readability of the OTA articles was significantly higher than the recommended sixth-grade level (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, 7.79–8.51). The average readability of the OTA articles was not significantly different from the average eighth-grade reading skill level of US adults (P = 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 7.79–8.51).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that despite most OTA patient education materials having readability levels suitable for the average US adult, these reading materials are still above the recommended sixth-grade level and may be too difficult for patient comprehension.
Methotrexate Drug Monitoring From Central Access: Can Blood Sample Collection From Central Venous Access Replace Peripheral Venipuncture in Adults?
Authors: Aydilek Enver , Schanz Julie , Brökers Nils
Published: March 2023

Background:

Intravenous high-dose methotrexate (MTX ≥ 1 g/m2) is frequently used in patients with cerebral lymphoma or other malignancies. In addition to its potent efficacy, it is known to have pronounced toxicity and life-threatening side effects. Regular-level monitoring at short and defined intervals is mandatory. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of replacing peripheral blood sampling with blood samples from central venous catheters for therapeutic monitoring of MTX in adults.

Methods:

A total of 6 patients and 7 cycles of chemotherapy (6 females; 5 with cerebral non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 1 with osteosarcoma, median age 51 years; range 33–62 years) were included. An immunoassay was used for quantitative analysis of MTX levels. The measurement points were obtained in the time intervals of 24, 42, 48, and 72 hours, and afterward, every 24 hours until the level was below <0.1 µmol/L. After flushing with 10 mL of saline solution and discarding 10 mL of venous blood, blood was drawn from the central venous access through which MTX had previously been administered. Simultaneously, MTX levels were obtained from peripheral venipuncture.

Results:

Methotrexate levels from central venous access and MTX levels from peripheral venipuncture showed a significant correlation (r = 0.998; P < 0.01; n = 35). During withdrawal from the central access group, 17 values showed a lower MTX level, 10 showed a higher level, and 8 showed no difference. However, the MTX level difference was not significant (P = 0.997, linear mixed model). No increase in the dose of calcium folinate was necessary based on the collected MTX levels.

Conclusions:

In adults, MTX monitoring from central venous access is not inferior to monitoring from peripheral venipuncture. Repeated venipuncture to measure MTX levels can be replaced after establishing standardized instructions for proper sampling by a central venous catheter.
Robot-assisted sacrohysteropexy vs robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy in women with primary advanced apical prolapse: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chan I-San , Chen Guan-Yeu , Shih Ying-Chu , Jiang Ling-Yu , Chang Yen-Hou , Wang Tzu-Ya , Chen Yi-Jen
Published: March 2023

Background:

This study aimed to evaluate the anatomic and clinical outcomes of robot-assisted sacrohysteropexy (RASH) against robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RASC) for the treatment of primary advanced apical prolapse.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all robot-assisted pelvic organ prolapse surgeries for primary advanced apical prolapse (stage ≥II) between January 2011 and May 2021 at an academic tertiary hospital. Surgical outcomes and pelvic organ function were evaluated using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitative (POP-Q) stage and validated questionnaires (POPDI-6) during preoperative and postoperative 12-month follow-up evaluations. All data were obtained from electronic medical records.

Results:

A total of 2368 women underwent surgery for apical prolapse repair, and 18 women underwent either RASH (n = 11) or RASC (n = 7). Compared to the RASC group, the RASH group was significantly younger, premenopausal, and less parous. Preoperative prolapse stage, operative time, estimated blood loss, and hospitalization length was comparable between the groups. No intraoperative complications were observed. All women had a median follow-up duration of 24 months (range: 12–108 months). During the 12-month follow-up period, women in the RASH group reported higher satisfaction with the surgery than those in the RASC group (100% vs. 71.4%, p = 0.137). The mesh exposure rate was significantly higher in the RASC group (3/7, 42.9%) than in the RASH group (0/11, 0%) (p = 0.043), which was found at 12 to 36 months postoperatively and was successfully managed with vaginal estrogen cream. In the RASH group, one woman required reoperation with anterior colporrhaphy for recurrent anterior prolapse at 60 months postoperatively. The apical success rate was 100% at one year postoperatively, without apical recurrence in either group during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

RASH represents an effective and feasible option for the surgical treatment of advanced primary apical prolapse in women who desire uterine preservation and have a significantly lower risk of mesh erosion than RASC.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of the Pap smear test in female college students attending a global university in the United States
Authors: Tolosko Jacqueline Ann , Beauchesne Michelle , Rancatore Elaine
Published: March 2023

Background:

According to the World Health Organization, every minute, one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, and every 2 minutes, one woman dies of cervical cancer globally (World Health Organization, 2022). The biggest tragedy is 99% of cervical cancer is caused by a preventable sexually transmitted infection known as human papilloma virus (World Health Organization, 2022).

Local problem:

Many US universities indicate approximately 30% of their admissions are international students. The lack of Pap smear screening in this population has not been clearly identified by college health care providers.

Methods:

Fifty-one participants from a university located in the northeastern United States completed an online survey between September and October 2018. The survey was designed to identify disparities between United States residents and internationally admitted female students in their knowledge, attitudes, and practice of the Pap smear test.

Interventions:

One hundred percent of US students had heard of the Pap smear test as compared with 72.7% of international students (p = .008); 86.8% of US students considered a Pap smear as opposed to 45.5% of international students (p = .002), and 65.8% of US students previously had a Pap smear test as opposed to 18.8% of international students (p = .007).

Results:

Results revealed statistically significant differences between US and internationally admitted female college students in knowledge, attitudes, and practice of the Pap smear test.

Conclusions:

This project helps to bring awareness to college health clinicians the need for cervical cancer education and Pap smear screening for our college age international female population.
Cardiac index and hepatopulmonary syndrome in liver transplantation candidates: The pulmonary vascular complications of liver disease study
Authors: DuBrock Hilary M. , Forde Kimberly , Krok Karen , Patel Mamta , Al-Naamani Nadine , Lin Grace , Oh Jae K. , Fallon Michael B. , Kawut Steven M. , Krowka Michael J.
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims:

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and a hyperdynamic circulation are common complications of advanced liver disease, but the relationship between HPS and cardiac index (CI) is poorly understood. We sought to compare CI in patients with and without HPS and to assess the relationship between CI and symptoms, quality of life, gas exchange, and exercise capacity among liver transplantation (LT) candidates. We performed a cross-sectional analysis within the Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease 2 study, a multicenter prospective cohort study of patients being evaluated for LT. We excluded patients with obstructive or restrictive lung disease, intracardiac shunting, and portopulmonary hypertension. We included 214 patients (81 with HPS and 133 controls without HPS). Compared with controls, patients with HPS had a higher CI (least square mean 3.2 L/min/m2, 95% CI 3.1–3.4 vs. 2.8 L/min/m2, 95% CI 2.7–3.0, p < 0.001) after adjustment for age, sex, Model for End-stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) score and beta-blocker use, and a lower systemic vascular resistance. Among all LT candidates, CI was correlated with oxygenation (Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient r=0.27, p< 0.001), intrapulmonary vasodilatation severity (p < 0.001), and biomarkers of angiogenesis. Higher CI was independently associated with dyspnea and worse functional class and physical quality of life after adjusting for age, sex, MELD-Na, beta-blocker use, and HPS status. HPS was associated with a higher CI among LT candidates. Independent of HPS, higher CI was associated with increased dyspnea and worse functional class, quality of life, and arterial oxygenation.
Construction of a prognostic model for radical esophagectomy based on immunohistochemical prognostic markers combined with clinicopathological factors
Authors: Wang Bo , Su Anna , Li Mengyan , Wang Xuecheng , Gao Yongmei , Su Liping , Li Wan , Ma Yuqing
Published: March 2023

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has a poor prognosis and lacks effective biomarkers to evaluate prognosis and treatment. Glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) is a protein highly expressed in ESCC tissues screened by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation proteomics, which has significant prognostic value in a variety of malignant tumors, but its relationship with ESCC remains unclear. By immunohistochemical staining of 266 ESCC samples, we analyzed the relationship between GPNMB and ESCC. To explore how to improve the ability of ESCC prognostic assessment, we established a prognostic model of GPNMB and clinicopathological features. The results suggest that GPNMB expression is generally positive in ESCC tissues and is significantly associated with poorer differentiation, more advanced American Joint Council on Cancer (AJCC) stage, and higher tumor aggressiveness (P < .05). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that GPNMB expression was an independent risk factor for ESCC patients. A total of 188 (70%) patients were randomly selected from the training cohort and the four variables were automatically screened by stepwise regression based on the AIC principle: GPNMB expression, nation, AJCC stage and nerve invasion. Through the weighted term, we calculate the risk score of each patient, and by drawing the receiver operating characteristic curve, we show that the model has good prognostic evaluation performance. The stability of the model was verified by test cohort. Conclusion: GPNMB is a prognostic marker consistent with the characteristics of tumor therapeutic targets. For the first time, we constructed a prognostic model combining immunohistochemical prognostic markers and clinicopathological features in ESCC, which showed higher prognostic efficacy than AJCC staging system in predicting the prognosis of ESCC patients in this region.