bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among healthcare workers in Yaoundé, Cameroon after the first wave of Covid‐19 pandemic and associated factors
Authors: Tejiokem Mathurin Cyrille , Abessolo Hermine Abessolo , Nkodo Joseph Mendimi , Ouethy Mireille , Mayaka Georges Bouting , Touha Yannick , Dikoume Ulrich Armel , Tchatchueng‐Mbougua Jules Brice , Noumbissi Diane Choualeu , Ndjeukam William Tsobeng , Mbarga Hervé Odilon Otabela , Ngoupo Paul Alain Tagnouokam , Moussi Charlotte , Garoua Bonaventure Hollong , Njouom Richard , Richard Vincent
Published: February 2024

Background

Healthcare workers (HWs) are at a high risk of exposure to emerging health threats. Following the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Cameroon, we explored the presence and persistence of naturally acquired antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and the factors associated with seropositivity in HWs.

Methods

Staff at two referral hospitals in Yaoundé or two Health District Hospitals in Obala and Mbalmayo were included in a 6‐month prospective cohort analysis or cross‐sectional survey, respectively. Seroprevalence and associated factors were determined, and Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess antibody persistence or positive seroconversion over time.

Results

From August 2020 to March 2021, 426 HWs (median age: 31 years, interquartile range: 27–37 years; 66.4% female) were enrolled. The overall seroprevalence of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies was 54.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 49.1–58.8) and was significantly different between study sites (p = 0.04). Of the 216 HWs included in the 6‐month cohort, 109 (50.5%) HWs were seropositive at inclusion; the probability of persistent antibodies or of becoming seropositive was 93.8% (95% CI: 84.2–100) and 78.9% (95% CI: 61.7–88.4), respectively. Seroconversion was associated with study site and occupation but not with infection prevention and control (IPC) practices.

Conclusions

We observed high seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody and seroconversion among HWs associated with occupational risk. This suggests low compliance to the COVID‐19 control measures. Continued training and implementation of IPC measures and accelerated preparedness are needed to better tackle future threats.
Interventions addressing challenging behaviours in Arab children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism: A systematic review
Authors: Alarifi Shahad , Denne Louise , Alatifi Nouf , Hastings Richard P.
Published: February 2024

Background

Arabs with intellectual disabilities and/or autism may exhibit challenging behaviour that affects them and their caregivers. Early, appropriate intervention may reduce these effects. This review synthesised and critically appraised challenging behaviour intervention research for this population.

Methods

All published empirical research on challenging behaviour interventions for Arabs with intellectual disabilities and/or autism was included. In September 2022, 15 English and Arabic databases yielded 5282 search records. Studies were appraised using the MMAT. Review findings were narratively synthesised.

Results

The 79 included studies (n = 1243 participants) varied in design, intervention, and evaluation method. Only 12.6% of interventions were well‐designed and reported. Arab interventions primarily targeted children, were applied collectively on small samples, lacked individualised assessment, and were based on an inconsistent understanding of challenging behaviour.

Conclusion

The evidence base on interventions for Arabs with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and challenging behaviour needs strengthening. Attention should be given to culturally relevant adaptations.
Tension regulates the cartilage phenotypic expression of endplate chondrocytes through the α‐catenin/actin skeleton/Hippo pathway
Authors: Zhang Min , Xiong Shouliang , Gao Daokuan , Liu Chen , Xiao Liang
Published: February 2024

The study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of intracellular tension signaling in endplate chondrocytes and its impact on extracellular matrix synthesis. Human endplate chondrocytes were subjected to tension load using Flexcell FX‐5000™, and changes in phenotype, morphology, and the expression of Hippo signaling pathway and α‐Catenin were assessed through various techniques. Through the overexpression of YAP and inhibition of α‐Catenin, the study clarified the intracellular tension signaling pathway and its regulation of extracellular matrix synthesis in endplate cartilage. In vitro‐cultured human endplate chondrocytes significantly suppressed phenotype‐related genes and proteins, accompanied by distinct changes in cytoskeleton morphology. Tension activation resulted in the substantial activation of the Hippo pathway, increased phosphorylation of YAP, and reduced nuclear translocation of YAP. YAP overexpression alleviated the inhibitory effect of tension on extracellular matrix synthesis in endplate chondrocytes. Tension also upregulated the expression of α‐Catenin in endplate chondrocytes, which was attenuated by inhibiting α‐Catenin expression, thereby reducing the impact of tension on cytoskeletal morphology and YAP nuclear translocation. Taken together, the α‐Catenin/actin skeleton/Hippo‐coupled network is a crucial signaling pathway for tension signaling in endplate chondrocytes, providing potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of endplate cartilage degeneration.
Adenine base editor‐based correction of the cardiac pathogenic Lmna c.1621C > T mutation in murine hearts
Authors: Yang Luzi , Liu Zhanzhao , Sun Jinhuan , Chen Zhan , Gao Fei , Guo Yuxuan
Published: February 2024

Base editors are emerging as powerful tools to correct single‐nucleotide variants and treat genetic diseases. In particular, the adenine base editors (ABEs) exhibit robust and accurate adenine‐to‐guanidine editing capacity and have entered the clinical stage for cardiovascular therapy. Despite the tremendous progress using ABEs to treat heart diseases, a standard technical route toward successful ABE‐based therapy remains to be fully established. In this study, we harnessed adeno‐associated virus (AAV) and a mouse model carrying the cardiomyopathy‐causing Lmna c.1621C > T mutation to demonstrate key steps and concerns in designing a cardiac ABE experiment in vivo. We found DeepABE as a reliable deep‐learning‐based model to predict ABE editing outcomes in the heart. Screening of sgRNAs for a Cas9 mutant with relieved protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) allowed the reduction of bystander editing. The ABE editing efficiency can be significantly enhanced by modifying the TadA and Cas9 variants, which are core components of ABEs. The ABE systems can be delivered into the heart via either dual AAV or all‐in‐one AAV vectors. Together, this study showcased crucial technical considerations in designing an ABE system for the heart and pointed out major challenges in further improvement of this new technology for gene therapy.
Climate risk and credit ratings
Authors: Tran Nhu , Uzmanoglu Cihan
Published: February 2024

We find weak evidence suggesting that cities’ credit ratings reflect their climate risk exposure. Using a large sample of US cities, we test whether cities with higher exposure to physical or transition risks of climate change have lower credit ratings. We also compare the ratings of coastal and similar noncoastal cities, and run difference‐in‐differences tests around events that raise climate change awareness. Moreover, we study the climate risk effect within cities and at the bond level. We observe a negative association only between the Hallegatte et al. (2013) sea‐level‐rise measure and ratings, and this association is solely driven by New Orleans, which had already experienced a significant climate event.
Effect of gas ultrafine bubbles on the potency of antimicrobials against Escherichia coliO157:H7 biofilms on various food processing surfaces
Authors: Unger Phoebe , Sekhon Amninder Singh , Sharma Sonali , Lampien Alexander , Michael Minto
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the impact of incorporating gas [air, carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen (N2)] UFB on the potency of chlorine (Cl2; 50, 100, and 200 ppm) and peracetic acid (PAA; 20, 40, and 80 ppm) antimicrobial (AM) solutions against fresh (3 days) and aged (30 days) E. coli O157:H7 biofilms on polypropylene, silicone, and stainless‐steel surfaces. The biofilms were statically grown on polypropylene, silicone, and stainless‐steel coupons (7.62 × 2.54 cm) at 25°C for 3 or 30 days by immersing in a 3‐strain cocktail of E. coli. The incorporation of air, CO2, and N2 UFB in AM solutions resulted in significantly increased log reductions (2.1–3.7 logs) in fresh and aged E. coli biofilms on all surfaces compared to solutions without UFB, except for N2 UFB on aged stainless‐steel biofilms and air UFB on aged polypropylene biofilms, which resulted in similar log reductions as solutions without UFB (1.5–2.1 logs).
Vitamin C, lactoferrin and elastin—Advancing the science
Authors: Widgerow Alan D. , Ziegler Mary E.
Published: February 2024

Background

This study follows an initial scientific validation linking sodium ascorbate (SAC) with elastin conservation and the clinical trial histology observation that the full formulation tested there stimulated elastin development. In an effort to explain the increased elastin response, a candidate was sought that may provide synergy to SAC during elastin stimulation. Lactoferrin was the constituent chosen to explore in this realm.

Materials and Methods

Using the previously described ex vivo skin model, freshly collected discarded human skin from 2 donors was used to evaluate the effects of lactoferrin and SAC alone and together, and L‐ascorbate CE Ferulic formulation (CEF) on elastogenesis. Four skin explants were topically subjected to the treatments daily for 7 days and one group was left untreated as a negative control. The tissue was fixed and embedded. Sections were evaluated by immunofluorescence using antibodies targeting Tropoelastin and CD44, with DAPI counterstaining to observe nuclei. Images were then analyzed using ImageJ.

Results

Treatment with SAC and lactoferrin demonstrated a significant synergistic effect on tropoelastin stimulation compared to the single treatments. In addition, this combination demonstrated intact and increased elastin fibers in contrast to the CEF, which portrayed fragmented elastin fibers. In addition, an additive effect of SAC also contributed to the enhanced CD44, suggesting an increased presence of hyaluronic acid, a new observation for this compound.

Conclusion

This study complements a series of studies that have been undertaken to validate the efficacy of a novel antioxidant formulation. Aside from its efficacy in ROS management, the SAC constituent is unique in the different forms of Vitamin C for its ability to conserve elastin. Prior clinical studies demonstrated additive elastin stimulation on histology, not just conservation. From this current study, the combination of SAC with lactoferrin may be responsible for this additive stimulatory effect on elastin. This presents a significant advance in topical antioxidant formulations where the Vitamin C component provides antioxidant and collagen stimulation with additional elastin stimulation rather than degradation.
The effectiveness of interventions to reduce cancer‐related stigma: An integrative review
Authors: Zheng Shuang , Liu Shengjie , Yang Qingmo , Chan Sally , Huang Wenhe , Jiang Xiaoying , Zhu Jiemin
Published: February 2024

Aims

The clinical significance of cancer‐related stigma on patients' well‐being has been widely established. Stigma can be perceived and internalised by cancer patients or implemented by the general population and healthcare workers. Various interventions have been carried out to reduce cancer‐related stigma, but their effectiveness is not well‐understood. This review aims to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce cancer‐related stigma.

Design

An integrative review.

Methods

This integrative review combined both qualitative and quantitative studies and followed five steps to identify problems, search for the literature, appraise the literature quality, analyse data, and present data. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2018) was applied to evaluate the quality of the included studies.

Data Sources

Databases included Web of Science, MEDLINE, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Journals, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, OVID, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (from the inception of each database to 30 April 2021).

Results

Eighteen quantitative, six qualitative, and five mixed‐methods studies were included in this review. Cultural factors should be considered when conducting interventions to reduce cancer‐related stigma. For cancer patients, multi‐component interventions have demonstrated a positive effect on their perceived stigma. For general population, interactive interventions show promise to reduce their implemented stigma towards cancer patients. For healthcare workers, there is a paucity of studies to reduce their implemented stigma. Existing studies reported inconclusive evidence, partially due to the lack of a robust study design with an adequate sample size.

Conclusions

Multi‐component and interactive interventions show promise to relieve cancer‐related stigma. More methodologically robust studies should be conducted in different cultures to elucidate the most appropriate interventions for different populations to reduce cancer‐related stigma.

Implication for the Profession and Patient Care

These findings will facilitate healthcare workers to design and implement interventions to reduce cancer‐related stigma, thus improving the quality of life for cancer patients.

Patient and Public Contribution

No patient and public contribution.
Being a nurse between research and clinic: What challenges and opportunities for a PhD‐prepared nurse? Overview from an Italian paediatric hospital
Authors: Ottonello Giulia , Dasso Nicoletta , Da Rin Della Mora Roberta , Rossi Silvia , Calza Simona , Scelsi Silvia
Published: February 2024

Aim

To report a reflection on the role, challenges and opportunities for nurses with advanced education in research outside the academic field.

Design

A discursive paper.

Data Sources

We reported the case of an Italian paediatric research hospital where PhD‐prepared nurses started to apply their knowledge and competencies in different fields, both in clinical and organizational settings. From this experience, an overview of the possible barriers and challenges that PhD‐prepared nurses may face up within the hospital setting.

Discussion

The application of PhD‐prepared nurses in hospital settings could be an opportunity to advance high standards of quality of care in managerial and clinical areas and to create networks between highly specialized professional figures and different clinical‐care realities.

Conclusion

More research is needed to explore how to apply the advanced competencies of PhD‐prepared nurses within healthcare organizations to provide high‐quality and safe care and services.

This paper can provide insights for a reflection on applying and developing PhD‐prepared nurses' skills and competencies within the hospital setting in clinical, research and managerial areas. This can enhance the effective application of highly competent nursing professional figures.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution, due to study design.
How couples meet and assortative mating in Canada
Authors: Qian Yue , Hu Yang
Published: February 2024

Objective

This study examines, for the first time in Canada, the relationship between how different‐sex couples meet and assortative mating on education, race, nativity, and age.

Background

Extending research on how the likelihood of heterogamy differed between offline and online dating, this study disentangles the implications of institutional and third‐person influences from those of online dating for configuring the patterns of heterogamy and gender asymmetry in assortative mating.

Method

Data from a 2018 national survey are analyzed using (multinomial) logit models.

Results

Educational heterogamy and nativity heterogamy are higher, but age heterogamy appears lower, in online than offline dating. Next, specific channels of offline dating—formal institutions, social ties, and other channels—are distinguished and compared with online dating. Online dating tends to entail higher educational and nativity heterogamy (vs. meeting through formal institutions), higher racial and nativity heterogamy but lower age heterogamy (vs. meeting through social ties), and higher educational heterogamy (vs. meeting through other offline channels). Further considering gender asymmetry shows that online dating is associated with higher educational hypergyny (more‐educated man, less‐educated woman) than meeting through other offline channels; higher nativity hypogyny (immigrant man, native‐born woman) than meeting offline (overall, formal institutions, social ties); and lower age hypergyny (older man, younger woman) than meeting offline through social ties.

Conclusion

The findings help untangle the roles of institutional, social, and digital forces in shaping assortative mating. They illustrate the importance of leveraging theoretically informed comparisons to understand how online and offline dating configures assortative mating and its gender‐asymmetric patterns.
Licensing option to reduce rent extraction by the input supplier
Authors: Kao Kuo‐Feng , Mukherjee Arijit
Published: February 2024

It is well known that if the final goods producers adopt new technologies, the input suppliers with market power can extract more rent from the final goods producers by increasing the input prices. Higher rent extraction by the input supplier neither allows the licenser of the new technology to earn large profit nor helps welfare to increase much. In a model with an outside innovator (the licenser), a final good producer (the licensee) and an input supplier, we offer a new perspective to the literature by considering a licensing option, which is often observed in the business world, but ignored in the literature. We show that the licensing option offered by the outside innovator can prevent rent extraction by the input supplier. The innovator's profit and social welfare are higher under licensing option compared to a standard licensing contract with no option.
Fragilising clients: A positioning analysis of identity construction during clinical psychology trainees' supervision
Authors: Schubert Samantha , Monrouxe Lynn V. , Buus Niels , Hunt Caroline
Published: February 2024

Context

Western mental healthcare system reforms prioritise person‐centred care and require clinicians to adjust their professional positions. Realising these reforms will necessitate clinicians—including clinical psychologists—acquiring professional identities that align with them. Learners develop professional identities through socialisation activities: within interactional spaces such as supervision learners come to understand the self (clinician) and, by extension, the other (client). A clinician's understanding of who I am is intertwined with an understanding of who they are. Our study offers a moment‐by‐moment examination of supervision interactions of clinical psychology trainees to illuminate processes through which the identities of therapists and clients are constructed.

Aim

We examined how clinical psychology trainees and supervisors construct identities for themselves and clients in supervision.

Methods

We used positioning analysis to explore identity construction during interactions between supervisors (n = 4) and trainees (n = 12) in a clinical psychology training clinic. Positioning analysis focuses on the linguistic choices participants make as they position themselves (and others) in certain social spaces during everyday interactions. Twelve supervision sessions were audio recorded and transcribed. We found that clients were frequently positioned as fragile and subsequently analysed these sequences (n = 12).

Results

Clients' identities were constructed as fragile, which co‐occurred with clinical psychologists' claiming positions as responsible for managing their distress. Supervisors played an active role in linguistically positioning clients and trainees in this way. Trainees rarely contested the identities made available to them by supervisors.

Discussion and Conclusion

We suggest that linguistically positioning clients as fragile perpetuates paternalistic clinical discourses that do not align with mental healthcare reform priorities. We make visible how this is achieved interactionally through language and influenced by organisational power relations. Intentional efforts are required to support the professional identity construction of clinical psychologists in ways that do not perpetuate paternalism. We offer recommendations for education and clinical practice to support these efforts.
The association of weight loss from anti‐obesity medications or bariatric surgery and apnea‐hypopnea index in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Locke Brian W. , Gomez‐Lumbreras Ainhoa , Tan Chia Jie , Nonthasawadsri Teerawat , Veettil Sajesh K. , Patikorn Chanthawat , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Weight loss is recommended for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and overweight or obesity, but there is limited evidence to guide the selection of weight management strategies for patients who do not lose sufficient weight with diet and lifestyle changes. We evaluated the relationship between weight loss caused by pharmacologic or surgical interventions and subsequent improvement in OSA by the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI).

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched for randomized trials comparing pharmacologic or surgical obesity interventions to usual care, placebo, or no treatment in adults with OSA. The association between percentage weight loss and AHI change between randomization and last follow‐up was evaluated using meta‐regression. PROSPERO: CRD42022378853.

Results

Ten eligible trials (n = 854 patients) were included. Four (n = 211) assessed bariatric surgery, and 6 (n = 643) assessed pharmacologic interventions over a median follow‐up of 13 months (interquartile range 6–26 months). The linear best estimate of the change in AHI is 0.45 events per hour (95% Confidence Interval 0.18 to 0.73 events per hour) for every 1% body weight lost.

Conclusions

Weight loss caused by medication or surgery caused a proportionate improvement of the AHI. Providers could consider extrapolating from this relationship when advising patients of the expected effects of other pharmacologic or surgical interventions without direct evidence in OSA.
Views, perceptions, and experiences of type 2 diabetes or weight management programs among minoritized ethnic groups living in high‐income countries: A systematic review of qualitative evidence
Authors: Dhir Pooja , Evans Tamla S. , Drew Kevin J. , Maynard Maria , Nobles James , Homer Catherine , Ells Louisa
Published: February 2024

Background

Prevalence of both obesity and type 2 diabetes can be higher in patients from certain ethnic groups, yet uptake and adherence to current support within these groups is lower, leading to widening health inequalities in high‐income countries.

Objectives

The main objective of this study is to understand the views, perceptions, and experiences of and barriers and facilitators in relation to the uptake and adherence to weight management and type 2 diabetes programs in minoritized ethnic groups in high‐income countries.

Methods

CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, and PubMed were searched for English language studies undertaken in community‐dwelling adults residing in high‐income countries, who are from a minoritized ethnic group within the country of study.

Results

Seventeen studies were synthesized using the JBI System for the Unified Management of the Assessment and Review of Information. From these studies, 115 findings were retrieved, and seven key themes were identified: (1) family health status and program education, (2) social support, (3) challenges, (4) cultural beliefs, (5) increased awareness and dietary changes, (6) impact of psychological evaluations, and (7) considerations for future.

Conclusions

Nutritional considerations for type 2 diabetes mellitus and weight management programs in high‐income countries should include social, habitual, economic, and conceptual components, which should include consideration of local ethnic and cultural norms and building community relationships while creating culturally tailored programs.
Effect of Knee Valgus Deformity on Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism and Prosthesis Revision Risk after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Xu Kuishuai , Zhang Liang , Yu Tengbo , Zhao Xia , Zhang Yingze
Published: February 2024

Objective

Symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prosthesis failure are the most serious complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, whether knee valgus deformity aggravates these complications has not been fully clarified. To study the difference between perioperative symptomatic VTE and prosthesis revision rate in patients with valgus knee osteoarthritis by comparing with patients undergoing TKA for varus deformity and analyze the reasons for revision. At the same time, the distribution and radiographic features of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis were recorded.

Methods

The data of patients who underwent TKA in two tertiary hospitals from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed, and a total of 8917 patients were included. According to preoperative manifestations of knee malformations, all patients were divided into two groups: valgus group (n = 412) and varus group (n = 8505). Main indicators included the incidence of symptomatic VTE and prosthesis revision. Secondary outcomes included general information on operative time, Kellgren and Lawrence score, total hospital stay, and total costs. The patient data of the two groups were analyzed by Pearson chi‐square test, Student t test, or Mann–Whitney U test. The revision was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

The proportion of valgus knees in TKA patients was 4.62% (412/8917). The incidence of VTE was 6.23‰ (53/8505) and 16.99‰ (7/412) in the varus and valgus groups, and the results were statistically different (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in echogenicity, number of occluded vessels, and thrombus length between the valgus group (p = 0.102; p = 0.645; p = 0.684). Patients with valgus deformity had 12.14‰ (5/412) prosthesis revision, the incidence of varus deformity was 4.82‰ (41/8505), and the revision risk of valgus group was 2.5 times higher than varus group, and the results were statistically different (p = 0.043). The operation time and hospital stay in the valgus group were longer than those in the varus group, and the results were statistically different (p = 0.018; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Valgus deformity increases risk of symptomatic VTE and prosthesis revision after TKA. These results have guiding significance for the prevention of complications after TKA in patients with valgus deformity.
A natural variation in OsDSK2a modulates plant growth and salt tolerance through phosphorylation by SnRK1A in rice
Authors: Wang Juan , Zhu Rui , Meng Qingshi , Qin Hua , Quan Ruidang , Wei Pengcheng , Li Xiaoying , Jiang Lei , Huang Rongfeng
Published: February 2024

Plants grow rapidly for maximal production under optimal conditions; however, they adopt a slower growth strategy to maintain survival when facing environmental stresses. As salt stress restricts crop architecture and grain yield, identifying genetic variations associated with growth and yield responses to salinity is critical for breeding optimal crop varieties. OsDSK2a is a pivotal modulator of plant growth and salt tolerance via the modulation of gibberellic acid (GA) metabolism; however, its regulation remains unclear. Here, we showed that OsDSK2a can be phosphorylated at the second amino acid (S2) to maintain its stability. The gene‐edited mutant osdsk2aS2G showed decreased plant height and enhanced salt tolerance. SnRK1A modulated OsDSK2a‐S2 phosphorylation and played a substantial role in GA metabolism. Genetic analysis indicated that SnRK1A functions upstream of OsDSK2a and affects plant growth and salt tolerance. Moreover, SnRK1A activity was suppressed under salt stress, resulting in decreased phosphorylation and abundance of OsDSK2a. Thus, SnRK1A preserves the stability of OsDSK2a to maintain plant growth under normal conditions, and reduces the abundance of OsDSK2a to limit growth under salt stress. Haplotype analysis using 3 K‐RG data identified a natural variation in OsDSK2a‐S2. The allele of OsDSK2a‐G downregulates plant height and improves salt‐inhibited grain yield. Thus, our findings revealed a new mechanism for OsDSK2a stability and provided a valuable target for crop breeding to overcome yield limitations under salinity stress.
Phototherapy causing a purpuric eruption in a neonate
Authors: Pelchat Frédéric , Lagacé Maude , Vallée Sheila
Published: February 2024

Neonatal jaundice is a frequent condition in newborns and is commonly treated with phototherapy. We describe the case of a neonate with hemolytic disease of the newborn who developed a rarely described purpuric eruption. Laboratory testing revealed elevated porphyrins.
Bleach suit for atopic dermatitis
Authors: Shah Manish K. , Barve Ajit , Vasani Resham , Jadhav Rajesh , Sheth Preeti , Parikh Deepak
Published: February 2024

Bleach baths are an important adjunct in the management of atopic dermatitis. However, many homes do not have bath tubs. We tried to overcome this by soaking a cotton pajama suit or Indian kurta pajama in dilute bleach solution and then having the child wear it for ten minutes. This is done two to three times a week, as in standard bleach tub baths. We have tried this technique in eleven patients with satisfactory outcomes and no adverse effects.
Similarities and differences of interstitial lung disease associated with pathogenic variants in SFTPC and ABCA3 in adults
Authors: Diesler Rémi , Legendre Marie , Si‐Mohamed Salim , Brillet Pierre‐Yves , Wemeau Lidwine , Manali Effrosyni D. , Gagnadoux Frédéric , Hirschi Sandrine , Lorillon Gwenaël , Reynaud‐Gaubert Martine , Bironneau Vanessa , Blanchard Elodie , Bourdin Arnaud , Dominique Stéphane , Justet Aurélien , Macey Julie , Marchand‐Adam Sylvain , Morisse‐Pradier Hélène , Nunes Hilario , Papiris Spyros A. , Traclet Julie , Traore Ibrahim , Crestani Bruno , Amselem Serge , Nathan Nadia , Borie Raphaël , Cottin Vincent ,   the OrphaLung network
Published: February 2024

Background and Objective

Variants in surfactant genes SFTPC or ABCA3 are responsible for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in children and adults, with few studies in adults.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre retrospective study of all consecutive adult patients diagnosed with ILD associated with variants in SFTPC or ABCA3 in the French rare pulmonary diseases network, OrphaLung. Variants and chest computed tomography (CT) features were centrally reviewed.

Results

We included 36 patients (median age: 34 years, 20 males), 22 in the SFTPC group and 14 in the ABCA3 group. Clinical characteristics were similar between groups. Baseline median FVC was 59% ([52–72]) and DLco was 44% ([35–50]). An unclassifiable pattern of fibrosing ILD was the most frequent on chest CT, found in 85% of patients, however with a distinct phenotype with ground‐glass opacities and/or cysts. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia were the most common histological patterns in the ABCA3 group and in the SFTPC group, respectively. Annually, FVC and DLCO declined by 1.87% and 2.43% in the SFTPC group, respectively, and by 0.72% and 0.95% in the ABCA3 group, respectively (FVC, p = 0.014 and DLCO, p = 0.004 for comparison between groups). Median time to death or lung transplantation was 10 years in the SFTPC group and was not reached at the end of follow‐up in the ABCA3 group.

Conclusion

SFTPC and ABCA3‐associated ILD present with a distinct phenotype and prognosis. A radiologic pattern of fibrosing ILD with ground‐glass opacities and/or cysts is frequently found in these rare conditions.
Predicting suicide risk in real‐time crisis hotline chats integrating machine learning with psychological factors: Exploring the black box
Authors: Grimland Meytal , Benatov Joy , Yeshayahu Hadas , Izmaylov Daniel , Segal Avi , Gal Kobi , Levi‐Belz Yossi
Published: February 2024

Background

This study addresses the suicide risk predicting challenge by exploring the predictive ability of machine learning (ML) models integrated with theory‐driven psychological risk factors in real‐time crisis hotline chats. More importantly, we aimed to understand the specific theory‐driven factors contributing to the ML prediction of suicide risk.

Method

The dataset consisted of 17,654 crisis hotline chat sessions classified dichotomously as suicidal or not. We created a suicide risk factors‐based lexicon (SRF), which encompasses language representations of key risk factors derived from the main suicide theories. The ML model (Suicide Risk‐Bert; SR‐BERT) was trained using natural language processing techniques incorporating the SRF lexicon.

Results

The results showed that SR‐BERT outperformed the other models. Logistic regression analysis identified several theory‐driven risk factors significantly associated with suicide risk, the prominent ones were hopelessness, history of suicide, self‐harm, and thwarted belongingness.

Limitations

The lexicon is limited in its ability to fully encompass all theoretical concepts related to suicide risk, nor to all the language expressions of each concept. The classification of chats was determined by trained but non‐professionals in metal health.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential of how ML models combined with theory‐driven knowledge can improve suicide risk prediction. Our study underscores the importance of hopelessness and thwarted belongingness in suicide risk and thus their role in suicide prevention and intervention.
Livin expression promotes keratinocyte release of inflammatory mediators in psoriasis
Authors: Che Delu , Li Yazhuo , Hang Bing , Li Kaili , Wang Kaijie , Wang Hao
Published: February 2024

Background

Psoriasis is a prevalent, long‐term skin condition characterized by inflammation. Keratinocytes (KCs) are important effector cells that release inflammatory factors and chemokines to promote the inflammatory cascade in psoriasis. However, the mechanisms underlying the activation of KCs in psoriasis remain unclear. Livin suppresses apoptotic proteins and directly affects the growth and spread of cancer cells. Livin expression reportedly increases significantly in lesions of patients with psoriasis; however, its specific role in KC activation remains unknown. This study aimed to examine the impact of Livin on KC activation and the subsequent release of inflammatory mediators.

Methods

Immunofluorescence staining, reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and western blotting were used to assess Livin expression in patients with psoriasis, an imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis‐like mouse model, and M5‐treated HaCaT cells. To investigate the role of Livin in KCs, we performed RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis of Livin‐knockdown (knockdown‐HaCaT) and negative control (NC‐HaCaT) cells. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were used for enrichment analyses. Moreover, the effect of Livin expression on the release of inflammatory mediators in KCs was verified using ELISA.

Results

Livin expression was higher in KCs of patients with psoriasis than in those healthy controls. Livin expression in HaCaT cells treated with M5 increased significantly over time. Livin expression was higher in the skin lesions of the IMQ mouse model than in the control group. Proteomic analysis and RNA sequencing used to investigate the function of Livin in HaCaT cells revealed its potential role in mediating KC activation and inflammatory mediator release, which affected the pathology of psoriasis.

Conclusions

Livin expression played an effect on KCs activation, which induced release of inflammatory mediators and up‐regulation of keratin. This study provides a new effector molecule for the mechanism of inflammatory response in psoriasis.
Exploring inquiry‐based STEM in preschool: The treehouse project
Authors: Damjanovic Victoria , Ward Jennifer
Published: February 2024

Integrating STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in authentic ways is often overlooked in early childhood spaces, despite young children having the ability to engage with the world around them through STEM practices. This piece showcases the work of children in a prekindergarten classroom as they explored an integrated STEM unit centering around the construction of a treehouse on their playground. Through the careful connection to content and standards in science, engineering, and mathematics, along with the integration of developmentally appropriate uses of technology, children learned about and constructed a treehouse on their school playground. Family and community partnerships also contributed to this work. We highlight the various phases of the project, associated standards, and tasks that children engaged with to help demonstrate the propensity of our youngest learners to authentically engage with STEM tasks.
Arguments against head‐stranding ellipsis in Japanese: A reply to Funakoshi (2016)
Authors: Tanabe Tomoya , Kobayashi Ryoichiro
Published: February 2024

Whether syntactic head movement exists in Japanese has been hotly debated because of the strictly head‐final character of the language. This paper addresses this issue, focusing on data regarding null adjuncts. We demonstrate that the head‐stranding ellipsis (HSE) analysis of null adjuncts is not conclusive. To achieve this, we show that null adjuncts are more widely observed than the HSE analysis predicts. Specifically, we provide a new set of data that challenges Funakoshi's (2016) generalization regarding null adjuncts, which he claims his verb‐stranding VP‐ellipsis analysis explains. We also present a novel observation that some null adjuncts take scope over negation, contrary to what the HSE analysis predicts. Furthermore, we show that null adjuncts are derived even if the verb does not raise. Given these findings, we explore alternative analyses of null adjuncts that do not assume head movement. In particular, we discuss the pragmatic enrichment analysis as well as the adjunct ellipsis analysis, and suggest that the distribution of null adjuncts is better analyzed by a pragmatic account in line with Landau (2023). This paper concludes that any arguments for head movement based on the HSE analysis of null adjuncts are inconclusive at best.
Recognition of the HLA‐B*15:01:17 allele in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: February 2024

Nucleotide substitution in codon 129 of HLA‐B*15:01:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*15:01:17.
One nucleotide substitution in the 3′UTR generated the novel allele HLA‐B*40:01:02:47 in a North Indian individual
Authors: Sharma Akanksha , Bagchi Soumita , Barwad Adarsh W. , Agarwal Sanjay Kumar , Kanga Uma
Published: February 2024

HLA‐B*40:01:02:47 differs from HLA‐B*40:01:02:01 by one nucleotide change in the 3′UTR at position 2739 (A>T).
The novel HLA‐C*03:651 allele, identified by Sanger dideoxy nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Liu Xuan , Xie Zhi‐cong , Ma Li , Xue Han‐chun , Wang Fu‐xu
Published: February 2024

HLA‐C*03:651 differs from HLA‐C*03:03:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 4.
Two‐dimensional stationary fluids with gravity and nonflat bottom
Authors: Wang Yongfu
Published: February 2024

We establish well‐posedness theory for the two‐dimensional stationary fluids with gravity and a nonflat bottom. The major purpose in this paper is to study free streamline theory in hydrodynamics of the fluids with gravity in rotational flows. More precisely, given any positive horizontal velocity of incoming flow in the inlet of the nozzle, there exists a smooth fluids with gravity. In addition, there exists a smooth free surface, which goes to infinity. Furthermore, we obtain the asymptotic behavior of the fluids with gravity in upstream and downstream by means of a blow‐up argument. As byproducts, the monotone relationship between the location of the free boundary and the asymptotic height in the inlet are also established.
Discrete logarithmic Sobolev inequalities in Banach spaces
Authors: Cordero‐Erausquin Dario , Eskenazis Alexandros
Published: February 2024

Let be the discrete hypercube equipped with the uniform probability measure . We prove that if is a Banach space of finite cotype and , then every function satisfies the dimension‐free vector‐valued logarithmic Sobolev inequality
The finite cotype assumption is necessary for the conclusion to hold. This estimate is the hypercube counterpart of a result of Ledoux (1988) in Gauss space and the optimal vector‐valued version of a deep inequality of Talagrand (1993). As an application, we use such vector‐valued logarithmic Sobolev inequalities to derive new lower bounds for the bi‐Lipschitz distortion of nonlinear quotients of the Hamming cube into Banach spaces with prescribed Rademacher type.
Hausdorff dimension of Besicovitch sets of Cantor graphs
Authors: Altaf Iqra , Csörnyei Marianna , Héra Kornélia
Published: February 2024

We consider the Hausdorff dimension of planar Besicovitch sets for rectifiable sets Γ, that is, sets that contain a rotated copy of Γ in each direction. We show that for a large class of Cantor sets C and Cantor‐graphs Γ built on C, the Hausdorff dimension of any Γ‐Besicovitch set must be at least , where .
Catalyzing Clinically Driven Undergraduate Design Projects at the Nexus of Engineering, Medicine, and Business
Authors: Erath Byron D. , Fite Kevin B. , Kuxhaus Laurel
Published: February 2024

Design projects, particularly those related to assistive technology, offer unparalleled educational opportunities for undergraduate students to synthesize engineering knowledge with a clinically driven need to produce a product that can improve quality of life. Such projects are most effective when engineering, clinical, and business perspectives are considered throughout. However, the logistics of successfully implementing such interdisciplinary projects can be challenging. This paper presents an auto-ethnography of 12 undergraduate design team projects in assistive technology performed by 87 students from five majors (including engineering, business, and clinical students) over the course of 5 years. The overarching goal of our work was to establish an undergraduate integrated design experience at a university in the absence of a dedicated biomedical engineering major. The focus of this experience was to foster the creation of student-led prototypes to address real-world problems for people with disabilities while keeping commercialization potential at the forefront throughout. Student participation demonstrated a clear enthusiasm for completing biomedical engineering-themed projects. To encourage the implementation of similar approaches at universities where a biomedical engineering major does not exist, we identify common obstacles that can arise and present strategies for mitigating these challenges, as well as effective approaches for catalyzing cross-disciplinary collaborations. High impact practices include close involvement of end-users in the design process; cross-disciplinary team composition (e.g., engineering, business, and health sciences students); and choosing cross-disciplinary leads for project management. Teams experienced a high degree of success with all 12 teams producing functional prototypes. We conclude that at universities that do not offer a biomedical engineering major, health-focused integrated design experiences offer students important interdisciplinary perspectives, including a holistic approach to project implementation. Furthermore, for many students, these projects ultimately served as a gateway to subsequent careers and graduate study in biomedical engineering.
A Numerical Model of Microstructure Formation Considering Nanoparticle Distribution During Selective Laser Melting Process
Authors: Alam Taosif , Amin M. Ruhul
Published: February 2024

One of the widely used metal additive manufacturing processes, named Selective laser melting (SLM), can facilitate the printing of novel metal matrix nanocomposites through the fusion of metallic powders with nanoparticles. The current study proposes a novel numerical model to simulate microstructure formation considering local nanoparticle distribution during the SLM process. The proposed model formulates a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with Lagrangian particle tracking to simulate a single-track, single-layer SLM process of aluminum alloy reinforced with titanium diboride (chemical formula: TiB2) nanoparticles in ANSYS FLUENT. A very low weight fraction (0.0009%) of nanoparticles was considered due to the computational limitations of the software package. The temperature distribution and particle distribution results were first calculated by the 3D CFD model. Then, the results were one-way coupled to a 2D Cellular Automata (CA) model to predict the microstructure evolution using matlab. The coupled CFD-CA model and Lagrangian particle tracking were separately validated in this study. The results showed that the nanoparticles migrate within the recirculation zones formed by both Marangoni and natural convection in the fluid of the molten pool. The microstructure predicted by this model showed that the introduction of the nanoparticles increased bulk nucleation during solidification. The growth of large columnar grains is interrupted by the formation of randomly oriented small equiaxed grains. The average grain diameter decreased by 40% when nanoparticles were present compared to microstructures without nanoparticles.
Vascular Remodeling During Late-Gestation Pregnancy: An In-Vitro Assessment of the Murine Ascending Thoracic Aorta
Authors: Vargas Ana I. , Tarraf Samar A. , Jennings Turner , Bellini Chiara , Amini Rouzbeh
Published: February 2024

Maternal mortality due to cardiovascular disease is a rising concern in the U.S. Pregnancy triggers changes in the circulatory system, potentially influencing the structure of the central vasculature. Evidence suggests a link between a woman's pregnancy history and future cardiovascular health, but our understanding remains limited. To fill this gap, we examined the passive mechanics of the murine ascending thoracic aorta during late gestation. By performing biaxial mechanical testing on the ascending aorta, we were able to characterize the mechanical properties of both control and late-gestation tissues. By examining mechanical, structural, and geometric properties, we confirmed that remodeling of the aortic wall occurred. Morphological and mechanical properties of the tissue indicated an outward expansion of the tissue, as reflected in changes in wall thickness (∼12% increase) and luminal diameter (∼6% increase) at its physiologically loaded state in the pregnant group. With these geometric adaptations and despite increased hemodynamic loads, pregnancy did not induce significant changes in the tensile wall stress at the similar physiological pressure levels of the pregnant and control tissues. The alterations also included reduced intrinsic stiffness in the circumferential direction (∼18%) and reduced structural stiffness (∼26%) in the pregnant group. The observed vascular remodeling maintained the elastic stored energy of the aortic wall under systolic loads, indicating preservation of vascular function. Data from our study of pregnancy-related vascular remodeling will provide valuable insights for future investigations of maternal cardiovascular health.