bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An updated end-to-end ecosystem model of the Northern California Current reflecting ecosystem changes due to recent marine heat waves
Authors: Gomes Dylan G.E. , Ruzicka James J. , Crozier Lisa G. , Huff David D. , Phillips Elizabeth M. , Hernvann Pierre-Yves , Morgan Cheryl A. , Brodeur Richard D. , Zamon Jen E. , Daly Elizabeth A. , Bizzarro Joseph. J. , Fisher Jennifer L. , Auth Toby D.
Published: December 2022

The Northern California Current is a highly productive marine upwelling ecosystem that is economically and ecologically important. It is home to both commercially harvested species and those that are federally listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Recently, there has been a global shift from single-species fisheries management to ecosystem-based fisheries management, which acknowledges that more complex dynamics can reverberate through a food web. Here, we have integrated new research into an end-to-end ecosystem model (i.e., physics to fisheries) using data from long-term ocean surveys, phytoplankton satellite imagery paired with a vertically generalized production model, a recently assembled diet database, fishery catch information, species distribution models, and existing literature. This spatially-explicit model includes 90 living and detrital functional groups ranging from phytoplankton, krill, and forage fish to salmon, seabirds, and marine mammals, and nine fisheries that occur off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. This model was updated from previous regional models to account for more recent changes in the Northern California Current (e.g., increases in market squid and some gelatinous zooplankton such as pyrosomes and salps), to expand the previous domain to increase the spatial resolution, to include data from previously unincorporated surveys, and to add improved characterization of endangered species, such as Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca). Our model is mass-balanced, ecologically plausible, without extinctions, and stable over 150-year simulations. Ammonium and nitrate availability, total primary production rates, and model-derived phytoplankton time series are within realistic ranges. As we move towards holistic ecosystem-based fisheries management, we must continue to openly and collaboratively integrate our disparate datasets and collective knowledge to solve the intricate problems we face. As a tool for future research, we provide the data and code to use our ecosystem model.
Evaluating the efficacy of commercially available antisense oligonucleotides to reduce mouse and human tauin vivo
Authors: Vemula Pranav , Schoch Kathleen M. , Miller Timothy M.
Published: December 2022

Tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of tau protein encoded by theMAPT(Microtubule Associated Protein Tau) gene. Various strategies targeting mechanisms to reduce tau pathology have been proposed and several tau-directed therapies are being investigated in clinical trials. Our lab previously developed a novel strategy to lower tau protein levels using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), showing that human tau (hTau) reduction in aged PS19 tauopathy mice reversed phosphorylated tau pathology, spared neurons, and prolonged survival. Currently, the tau-lowering ASO is being evaluated in the clinical trials with successful phase 1b results. Similarly, preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the use of other ASOs as effective therapeutic strategies. Acquiring ASOs for research purposes may be limited by partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. However, ASOs can be obtained through commercial vendors. The current study evaluates the efficacy of mouse and human tau-targeting ASOs obtained from a commercial vendor in various mouse models. We show that mice treated with purchased ASOs distribute among various brain cell types including neurons, microglia, and astrocytes. Mice treated with tau lowering ASOs show decreased mouse or human tau mRNA and protein levels. In addition, human tau lowering ASO-treated PS19 mice showed decreased phosphorylated tau (AT8) and gliosis relative to saline-treated PS19 mice. The results obtained in PS19 mice are consistent with data obtained from our previous study using a non-commercial tau-lowering ASO. Overall, the present study demonstrates the efficacy of commercially-available tau targeting ASOsin vivoto support their broad use by researchers.
Black Cricket, the College at Haringey and the England and Wales Cricket Board
Authors: Collins Michael
Published: December 2022

This article makes a contribution, based on previously unseen archival materials, to debates about the so‐called ‘decline’ of black cricket in England. It discusses the historical context of the development of black cricket in the postwar period and presents a case study of the Haringey Cricket College—1984–1997—a black‐led project in and around the deprived areas of Tottenham, north London, which, during the period of its existence, produced more first class cricketers than many of the most expensive, elite ‘cricket schools’ in England. In so doing, it achieved national and international acclaim. The article goes on to provide detailed evidence regarding the closure of the college, arguing that the college's demise should not be seen simply as part of a wider process of decreasing interest in cricket within England's black communities, but involved active decisions by the cricket establishment not to support the college. The article raises wider questions about when and how it has been possible to be perceived as legitimately black and English in cricketing terms, and how cricket's authorities should respond to these historical problems.
Effects of the affordable care Act's Medicaid expansion on health insurance coverage for individuals in same‐sex couples
Authors: Mann Samuel , Carpenter Christopher S. , Gonzales Gilbert , Harrell Benjamin , Deal Cameron
Published: December 2022

Objective

To examine whether the Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) Medicaid expansions affected health insurance coverage for individuals in same‐sex couples.

Data Sources and Study Setting

We used data on adults aged 18–64 years in same‐sex couples (n = 33,512) from the 2008–2018 American Community Survey (ACS).

Study Design

To estimate the effect of the impact of the state Medicaid expansions under the ACA on health insurance coverage for sexual minorities, we utilize a standard difference‐in‐differences approach to leverage the variation across geography and time in expanding Medicaid.

Data Collection

Secondary and publicly available ACS data were obtained from IPUMS at the University of Minnesota.

Principal Findings

We find that Medicaid expansion significantly increased health insurance coverage among low‐income men and women in same‐sex couples by 4.9 (standard error [SE] = 1.75) and 6.5 (SE = 1.96) percentage points, respectively. We find increases in the likelihood of having Medicaid and reductions in private health insurance from an employer or privately purchased insurance. Effects on Medicaid take‐up are consistently larger for low‐income women in same‐sex couples as compared to low‐income men in same‐sex couples.

Conclusions

We provide the first evidence on the relationship between state Medicaid expansions under the ACA and health insurance coverage among sexual minority adults, a group that has been understudied in past research. Our results confirm that sexual minority adults benefitted from the ACA's Medicaid expansions with respect to increased health insurance coverage.
18‐Fluoride fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is impactful in newly diagnosed pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Power Jack , Larcos George
Published: December 2022

Background

Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas has a dismal prognosis. Surgical resection increases survival but is reliant on accurate detection and staging of disease. In overseas studies, 18F‐FDG positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to have high diagnostic accuracy and staging utility, but local data remain sparse, in part because the technique has hitherto been unfunded via the Medicare benefits schedule. Although Commonwealth funding for rare tumours (including of the pancreas) has been recently approved to commence in late 2022, the proposed item descriptor wording implies that PET should lead to a significant change in management. Accordingly, the aims of this study are to characterize PET findings in newly diagnosed pancreatic adenocarcinoma using standard parameters, such as the SUVmax, and assess the proportion of cases in which PET altered initial management planning.

Methods

We analysed the PET findings of these cancers (presence and degree of metabolic activity in the primary lesion, as well as within malignant nodal and metastatic lesions) and compared the pre‐ and post‐PET management plans of the referring specialists.

Results

Of 51 patients we found that (a) increasing SUVmax of the primary lesion correlated with an increase in disease stage (r‐value = 0.335; P‐value = 0.016), and (b) PET contributed to a significant change in management in 35% of patients.

Conclusion

In newly diagnosed pancreatic adenocarcinoma, parameters in PET correlate with disease stage and the overall findings contribute to a significant management change in about 35% of patients.
The capacity of inspection on farm and at the abattoir to predict post‐mortem outcomes in slaughter pigs: A study at animal level
Authors: Teixeira Dayane Lemos , Salazar Laura C. , Larraín Rafael , Boyle Laura A.
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between ear, tail, and skin lesions, hernias, bursitis, and rectal prolapses at the abattoir and meat inspection outcomes in slaughter pigs, including carcass condemnations and trimmings, carcass weight, and carcass quality. This was an observational study whereby pigs were managed according to routine practices in a single abattoir. Data were collected from 1816 pigs. The relationship between animal‐based welfare and post‐mortem outcomes was analyzed using generalized mixed models (Proc Glimmix). Our findings showed that tail lesions were associated with entire carcass condemnations and trimmings (P < 0.001), a reduction in carcass weight (P < 0.05), and a potential to impair carcass quality by reducing muscle pH (P < 0.05), especially in carcasses from male pigs (P < 0.05). Additionally, hernias were associated with viscera condemnation (P < 0.05) and a reduction in carcass weight (P  < 0.05). Therefore, our findings confirm that ante‐mortem inspection could be useful to predict post‐mortem outcomes in the same pigs, especially in cases of tail lesions and hernia, which might trigger attention of the veterinary inspector in charge of the post‐mortem inspection.
Caring fathers in Europe: Toward universal caregiver families?
Authors: Martínez‐Pastor Juan‐Ignacio , Jurado‐Guerrero Teresa , Fernández‐Lozano Irina , Castellanos‐Serrano Cristina
Published: December 2022

Increasingly, men are challenging the assumption that care is a feminine task and are involving themselves in childcare and the care of dependent adults. However, this does not necessarily have consequences for their work, as they very rarely make costly adaptations in their working lives. In this study, we propose a definition of a man in care (MIC) as a working father who, in order to meet care needs, has adapted his working life in a way that potentially entails a financial penalty. We analyze the prevalence of men in care among men living with children below the age of 15 across the EU‐27 plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK using recent representative data (the European Labour Survey and its 2018 ad hoc module on work‐life balance). We find that although the number of men engaging in costly work adaptations is still very low when compared to their female counterparts, the characteristics of these men can be clearly outlined: they have a non‐manual occupation (managers excluded), they have temporary contracts or are self‐employed, they are partnered to women who hold jobs of 40 or more hours a week and have a high educational attainment, and they work in family‐friendly companies. Also, at the context level, the prevalence of MIC is clearly related to gender equality and values. However, we do not find evidence of any country having reached the universal caregiver model proposed by Nancy Fraser, including those with more advanced gender and welfare regimes.
Impact of COVID‐19 infection and vaccination in pancreatobiliary IgG4‐related disease patients: An international multicenter study
Authors: Tang Raymond S Y , Sattayalertyanyong Onuma , Kuo Yu‐Ting , Park Kenneth H , Anastassiades Constantinos , Ligresti Dario , Hayashi Nobuhiko , Hasan Aws , Kim Tae‐Hyeon , Pausawasdi Nonthalee , Wang Hsiu‐Po , Lo Simon K , Ho Khek‐Yu , Barresi Luca , Traina Mario , Yasuda Ichiro , Savides Thomas J , Koo Chieh‐Sian , Chan Ting Ting , Lam Thomas Y T , Sung Joseph J Y
Published: December 2022

Background and Aim

Dedicated studies evaluating the impact of COVID‐19 on outcomes of pancreatobiliary IgG4 related disease (IgG4‐RD) patients are scarce. Whether COVID‐19 infection or vaccination would trigger IgG4‐RD exacerbation remains unknown.

Methods

Pancreatobiliary IgG4‐RD patients ≥ 18 years old with active follow‐up since January 2020 from nine referral centers in Asia, Europe, and North America were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Outcome measures include incidence and severity of COVID‐19 infection, IgG4‐RD disease activity and treatment status, interruption of indicated IgG4‐RD treatment. Prospective data on COVID‐19 vaccination status and new COVID‐19 infection during the Omicron outbreak were also retrieved in the Hong Kong cohort.

Results

Of the 124 pancreatobiliary IgG4‐RD patients, 25.0% had active IgG4‐RD, 71.0% were on immunosuppressive therapies and 80.6% had ≥ 1 risk factor for severe COVID. In 2020 (pre‐vaccination period), two patients (1.6%) had COVID‐19 infection (one requiring ICU admission), and 7.2% of patients had interruptions in indicated immunosuppressive treatment for IgG4‐RD. Despite a high vaccination rate (85.0%), COVID‐19 infection rate has increased to 20.0% during Omicron outbreak in the Hong Kong cohort. A trend towards higher COVID‐19 infection rate was noted in the non‐fully vaccinated/unvaccinated group (17.6% vs 33.3%, P = 0.376). No IgG4‐RD exacerbation following COVID‐19 vaccination or infection was observed.

Conclusion

While a low COVID‐19 infection rate with no mortality was observed in pancreatobiliary IgG4‐RD patients in the pre‐vaccination period of COVID‐19, infection rate has increased during the Omicron outbreak despite a high vaccination rate. No IgG4‐RD exacerbation after COVID‐19 infection or vaccination was observed.
Comment on: Pharmacist‐driven interventions to de‐escalate urinary antimuscarinics in the Programs of All‐Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Authors: Snyder Daniel , Mujais Salim
Published: December 2022

See the Reply by David Bankes and Jacques Turgeon.
Ceruloplasmin‐deficient mice show changes inPTMprofiles of proteins involved in messengerRNAprocessing and neuronal projections and synaptic processes
Authors: Villadsen Birgitte , Thygesen Camilla , Grebing Manuela , Kempf Stefan J. , Sandberg Marie B. , Jensen Pia , Kolstrup Stefanie H. , Nielsen Helle H. , Larsen Martin R. , Finsen Bente
Published: December 2022

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a multicopper oxidase with ferroxidase properties being of importance to the mobilisation and export of iron from cells and its ability to bind copper. In ageing humans, Cp deficiency is known to result in aceruloplasminemia, which among other is characterised by neurological symptoms. To obtain novel information about the functions of Cp in the central nervous system (CNS) we compared the brain proteome in forebrains from asymptomatic 4‐6‐month‐old Cp‐deficient (B6N(Cg)‐Cptm1b(KOMP)Wtsi/J) and wild‐type mice. Of more than 5600 quantified proteins, 23 proteins, were regulated, whereas more than 1200 proteins had regulated post‐translational modifications (PTMs). The genes of the regulated proteins, glycoproteins and phosphoproteins appeared mostly to be located to neurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Cp deficiency especially affected the function of proteins involved in the extension of neuronal projections, synaptic signalling and cellular mRNA processing and affected the expression of proteins involved in neurodegenerative disease and diabetes. Iron concentration and transferrin saturation were reduced in the blood of even younger, 3‐ to 5‐month‐old, Cp‐deficient mice. Iron act as cofactor in many enzymatic processes and reactions. Changes in iron availability and oxidation as consequence of Cp deficiency could therefore affect the synthesis of proteins and lipids. This proteomic characterisation is to our knowledge the first to document the changes taking place in the CNS‐proteome and its phosphorylation and glycosylation state in Cp‐deficient mice.

image
A case of cystic lymphangioma arising from the parauterine tissue
Authors: Semba Satoki , Kodama Takashi , Nomura Nana , Sato Yuki , Urabe Satoshi , Hirata Eiji
Published: December 2022

A 57‐year‐old woman, gravida 3, para 3, with no complaints visited our hospital for right‐sided adnexal tumor found incidentally in cancer screening. She had no medical history, surgical history, or gynecological disease. Imaging studies showed a 5‐cm lobular cystic tumor on the right side of uterus. We suspected right hydrosalpinx and decided to perform diagnostic laparoscopy. During laparoscopy, the right adnexa was found to be atrophic, and the tumor was located in the broad ligament. The tumor was observed to be a multilocular cyst containing yellow fluid that developed from the right parauterine tissue. The tumor was resected from the surrounding tissue. Histological examination revealed that the multilocular cyst contained a vascular component surrounding the lymphatic endothelium and was decided to be a cystic lymphangioma. The patient was followed up and there was no evidence of recurrence at postoperative 7 months. We experienced a very rare case of lymphangioma arising from the parauterine tissue. The laparoscopic approach can assist with both diagnosis and treatment.
Nurse intervention process for the thoughts and concerns of people with cancer at the end of their life: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Tanaka Aiko , Nagata Chizuru , Goto Miyuki , Adachi Keiichiro
Published: December 2022

Over the last decade, the importance of Advanced Care Planning has been recognized in Japan. However, it is still difficult for healthcare providers and patients to verbalize how they want to spend the last days of their lives and what unfinished business they have left to accomplish. This study aimed to clarify how nurses intervened to assist patients with cancer at the end of life to express their thoughts and concerns. Twenty‐four nurses were interviewed regarding how they intervened for patients' thoughts and concerns, and data were analyzed qualitatively using a modified grounded theory approach. A 25‐item scale was selected, and the questionnaires, which included the scale, were distributed to nurses in general wards, palliative care units, and home visiting nurse services. A total of 1864 responses were analyzed. Factor analysis and structural equation model analysis were used, and three factors were identified: “assessment and intervention,” “basic care,” and “knowledge and communication,” which led to the formulation of an intervention structure model for uncovering thoughts and concerns. These results indicate the importance of basic care and communication during interventions for patients.
H2O2, NO, and H2S networks during root development and signalling under physiological and challenging environments: Beneficial or toxic?
Authors: Mukherjee Soumya , Corpas Francisco J.
Published: December 2022

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a key modulator of the development and architecture of the root system under physiological and adverse environmental conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) also exert myriad functions on plant development and signalling. Accumulating pieces of evidence show that depending upon the dose and mode of applications, NO and H2S can have synergistic or antagonistic actions in mediating H2O2signalling during root development. Thus, H2O2‐NO‐H2S crosstalk might essentially impart tolerance to elude oxidative stress in roots. Growth and proliferation of root apex involve crucial orchestration of NO and H2S‐mediated ROS signalling which also comprise other components including mitogen‐activated protein kinase, cyclins, cyclin‐dependent kinases, respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH), and Ca2+flux. This assessment provides a comprehensive update on the cooperative roles of NO and H2S in modulating H2O2homoeostasis during root development, abiotic stress tolerance, and root‐microbe interaction. Furthermore, it also analyses the scopes of some fascinating future investigations associated with strigolactone and karrikins concerning H2O2‐NO‐H2S crosstalk in plant roots.
Wound healing dynamics, morbidity, and complications of palatal soft‐tissue harvesting
Authors: Tavelli Lorenzo , Barootchi Shayan , Stefanini Martina , Zucchelli Giovanni , Giannobile William V. , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: December 2022

Palatal‐tissue harvesting is a routinely performed procedure in periodontal and peri‐implant plastic surgery. Over the years, several surgical approaches have been attempted with the aim of obtaining autogenous soft‐tissue grafts while minimizing patient morbidity, which is considered the most common drawback of palatal harvesting. At the same time, treatment errors during the procedure may increase not only postoperative discomfort or pain but also the risk of developing other complications, such as injury to the greater palatine artery, prolonged bleeding, wound/flap sloughing, necrosis, infection, and inadequate graft size or quality. This chapter described treatment errors and complications of palatal harvesting techniques, together with approaches for reducing patient morbidity and accelerating donor site wound healing. The role of biologic agents, photobiomodulation therapy, local and systemic factors, and genes implicated in palatal wound healing are also discussed.
Downregulation of Sonic hedgehog signaling induces G2‐arrest in genital warts
Authors: Du Xiangxi , Li Shan , Yang Kun , Cao Yuchun
Published: December 2022

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infected keratinocyte dysfunction results in the formation of genital warts, and the specific role of Sonic hedgehog (SHh) signaling in genital warts remains elusive. Thus, this study aimed to identify the correlation between wart formation and SHh signaling.

Materials and methods

In this study, nine male patients with genital warts were recruited, and the expression of SHh and its downstream signal molecules Patched‐1 and GLI family zinc finger 1 (Ptch1 and Gli1) was detected. Moreover, G2‐phase cells in the collected genital warts samples were assessed with normal foreskin samples as a comparison. HPV6/11 were detected via in situ hybridization (ISH), and SHh expression of the corresponding paraffin sections was determined via immunohistochemical staining (IHC). In addition, an in vitro down‐regulated SHh model was constructed by siRNA transfection of the HaCaT cell line, and the cell cycle was detected at 36 h by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining.

Results

SHh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in warts were significantly downregulated in the condyloma acuminatum (CA) group compared to the normal foreskin group. G2‐phase cells in the middle section of the spinous layer of CA wart tissues were significantly increased. Moreover, the expression of HPV‐DNA was amplified and negatively correlated with SHh activity in CA wart tissues. Lastly, the downregulation of SHh‐induced G2 arrest in vitro.

Conclusions

The downregulation of the SHh signaling promotes HPV replication and the formation of warts by inducing G2/M arrest in the keratinocytes of CA.
HLA/MHC and KIR characterization in humans and non‐human primates using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences sequencing platforms
Authors: Bruijnesteijn Jesse
Published: December 2022

The gene products of the HLA/MHC and KIR multigene families are important modulators of the immune system and are associated with health and disease. Characterization of the genes encoding these receptors has been integrated into different biomedical applications, including transplantation and reproduction biology, immune therapies and in fundamental research into disease susceptibility or resistance. Conventional short‐read sequencing strategies have shown their value in high throughput typing, but are insufficient to uncover the entire complexity of the highly polymorphic HLA/MHC and KIR gene systems. The implementation of single‐molecule and real‐time sequencing platforms, offered by Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), revolutionized the fields of genomics and transcriptomics. Using fundamentally distinct principles, these platforms generate long‐read data that can unwire the plasticity of the HLA/MHC and KIR genes, including high‐resolution characterization of genes, alleles, phased haplotypes, transcription levels and epigenetics modification patterns. These insights might have profound clinical relevance, such as improved matching of donors and patients in clinical transplantation, but could also lift disease association studies to a higher level. Even more, a comprehensive characterization may refine animal models in preclinical studies. In this review, the different HLA/MHC and KIR characterization approaches using PacBio and ONT platforms are described and discussed.
Impact of Fertilizer Price Subsidy on Agricultural Growth in Togo
Authors: Yovo Koffi , Ganiyou Ismaïla
Published: December 2022

Fertilizer subsidy policy remains a major plank of inputs policies in Africa. Its objective is to improve agricultural productivity and reduce poverty among farmers. This article examines the impact of fertilizer prices subsidy on agricultural growth in Togo. The Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modelling approach is used to analyse both short and long run impacts of fertilizer subsidy on agricultural growth. Using data from national and international sources over the period 1985 to 2016, the results show that, the impact of fertilizer price subsidy on agricultural growth is limited. The price subsidy did not significantly enhance agricultural growth neither in the short nor in the long run. Moreover, the results highlight the fact that factors, which play a major role in agricultural growth are expenditure, arable land and labour force. To improve the efficiency of fertilizer subsidy, the government should drop price subsidy policy at global level and experience alternative options, which would facilitate fertilizer access to poorer and more marginal farmers.
Highly efficient plasma generation in inductively coupled plasmas using a parallel capacitor
Authors: Lim Yeong-Min , Hong Young-Hun , Kang Gil-Ho , Chung Chin-Wook
Published: December 2022

A highly efficient plasma source is developed in inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) using a parallel capacitor, which is connected to an antenna in parallel. The power absorbed by the ICP is proportional to the equivalent resistance of the ICP. In order to improve the plasma generation, a parallel resonance is used between the parallel capacitor and the equivalent inductance by the plasma and the antenna. In all experiments conducted under an H-mode regime where the inductive heating is dominant, the resistance of a load involving the plasma increases about ten times near the resonance, and the power consumed by the plasma is greatly increased. Consequently, the electron density is greatly increased up to about 350% in the argon plasma and is significantly increased up to about 1000% in the oxygen plasma. For analysis, the transformer model of the ICP and the power balance equation of the global model are introduced, and they show good agreement with the experimental results.
CF4 plasma-based atomic layer etching of Al2O3 and surface smoothing effect
Authors: Chen Chien-Wei , Cho Wen-Hao , Chang Chan-Yuen , Su Chien-Ying , Chu Nien-Nan , Kei Chi-Chung , Li Bor-Ran
Published: December 2022

Plasma-based Al2O3 atomic layer etching (pALE) has a reaction mechanism similar to thermal Al2O3 ALE (tALE). The main difference between the two methods is that pALE uses plasma instead of HF in tALE to fluorinate Al2O3 to AlF3. In this study, the CF4 plasma source commonly used for dry etching is combined with a self-developed low-ion-bombardment remote Al2O3 plasma-based ALE system to obtain Al2O3 plasma fluorination conditions, and then the AlCl(CH3)2 (dimethylaluminum chloride) precursor is used to develop the pALE Al2O3 process. In addition to using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate ideal fluorination conditions of CF4 plasma for Al2O3 films and establishing the linear etching rate curves of pALE at different process temperatures (250–400 °C), we used atomic force microscopy to analyze the surface morphology of the Al2O3 films after dry etching and pALE. We showed that pALE can smooth Al2O3 films with a root mean square surface roughness of 1.396–0.655 nm and used anodic aluminum oxide substrates with nanotrench structures to demonstrate that pALE can improve the surface roughness of nonplanar structures.
Birth order and morbidity and mortality to hospital discharge among inborn very low-birthweight, very preterm twin infants admitted to neonatal intensive care: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Del Pino Hernández Iris L , García Domínguez María J , Urquía Martí Lourdes , Reyes Suárez Desiderio , Avila-Alvarez Alejandro , García-Muñoz Rodrigo Fermín
Published: December 2022

Objective

To know the association of birth order with the risk of morbidity and mortality in very low-birthweight (VLBW) twin infants less than 32 weeks’ gestational age (GA).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Infants admitted to the collaborating centres of the Spanish SEN1500 neonatal network.

Patients

Liveborn VLBW twin infants, with GA from 23+0weeks to 31+6weeks, without congenital anomalies, admitted from 2011 to 2020. Outborn patients were excluded.

Main outcome measures

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotising enterocolitis, major brain damage (MBD), late-onset neonatal sepsis, severe retinopathy of prematurity, survival and survival without morbidity. Crude and adjusted incidence rate ratios were calculated.

Results

Among 2111 twin pairs included, the second twin had higher risk (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) of RDS (aRR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.12) and need for surfactant (aRR1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.16). No other significant differences were found, neither in survival (aRR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.03) nor in survival without BPD (aRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.05), survival without MBD (aRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.06) nor in survival without major morbidity (aRR 0.97, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.03). However, second twins born by caesarean section (C-section) after a vaginally delivered first twin had less overall survival and survival without MBD.

Conclusion

In modern perinatology, second twins are still more unstable immediately after birth and require more resuscitation. After admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, they are at increased risk of RDS, but not other conditions, except for second twins delivered by C-section after a first twin delivered vaginally, who have decreased overall survival and survival without major brain injury.
Balloon protection of the vein of Labbé during embolisation of a dural arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Singh Jasmeet , Kühn Anna Luisa , de Macedo Rodrigues Katyucia , Puri Ajit S
Published: December 2022

We describe a novel technique of vein of Labbé preservation using balloon protection during embolisation of a transverse-sigmoid sinus dural arteriovenous fistula. A patient with refractory Cognard type IV fistula of the left transverse-sigmoid sinus and persistent pulsatile tinnitus underwent successful embolisation of the lesion via transarterial route. During embolisation, a dual lumen balloon was simultaneously inflated within the vein of Labbé, at its orifice in the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction, to prevent embolic reflux. This allowed for liquid embolic embolisation of the fistula via the transarterial route resulting in complete occlusion. The patient recovered well with marked improvement of his tinnitus.
Metachronous metastatic pancreatoblastoma to the liver in an elderly patient misdiagnosed as pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma
Authors: Eng Nina L , Tiwari Kriti , Chen Guoli , Peng June S
Published: December 2022

A woman in her 80s was evaluated for a liver mass. She had a history of what was reported as pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma resected with a pancreatoduodenectomy 10 years prior at another institution. Liver biopsy showed metastatic pancreatoblastoma (PB) and staging imaging showed no evidence of additional metastatic disease. She underwent laparoscopic non-anatomic partial hepatectomy and recovered uneventfully. The liver pathology was reviewed along with slides from her initial pancreatoduodenectomy, and both were noted to be consistent with PB. PB contains similar histological characteristics to pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma. Distinguishing between the two diagnoses is critical for accurately defining the prevalence, clinical course and prognosis associated with PB.
Interesting case of incidental diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by endobronchial ultrasonography
Authors: Subedi Ananta , Sharma Rakshya , Jamous Fady
Published: December 2022

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches, usually by a thrombus that originates in the lower extremity veins. PE is associated with high mortality risk. Here, we present the case of a patient who initially presented with dysphagia. Chest radiography revealed a lung nodule. Endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) was performed to evaluate the nodule, which revealed a pulmonary embolus. Subsequently, CT angiography of the chest was performed to confirm the diagnosis of PE. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated. The biopsy results were positive for lung adenocarcinoma. There are only few reported cases of PE diagnosed using EBUS. Here, the patient had not presented with the signs and symptoms of PE. Had PE not been diagnosed by EBUS, our patient could have potentially had a disastrous outcome. Moreover, this case shows that EBUS may be used for diagnosing PE.
Evaluation of the long-term variability of macular OCT/OCTA and visual field parameters
Authors: Wu Jo-Hsuan , Moghimi Sasan , Nishida Takashi , Walker Evan , Kamalipour Alireza , Li Elizabeth , Mahmoudinezhad Golnoush , Zangwill Linda M , Weinreb Robert N
Published: December 2022

Background/aims

To assess the long-term variability of macular optical coherence tomography (OCT)/OCT angiography (OCTA) and visual field (VF) parameters.

Methods

Healthy and glaucoma eyes with ≥1-year follow-up were included. 24–2 VF and macular OCT/OCTA parameters, including VF mean deviation (MD), whole-image vessel density (wiVD) and ganglion cell complex thickness (wiGCC) were analysed. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), root mean squared error (RMSE), within-subject test–retest SD (Sw) and test–retest variability were calculated for stable eye cohort (max follow-up=1.5 years). Rates of change and RMSE were evaluated in the extended cohort including all eyes (unlimited follow-up).

Results

From a total of 230 eyes (150 participants; age=67.7 years), 86 eyes (37%, 62 participants) were stable. In stable eyes, OCT parameters showed the highest mean (95%) ICC (wiGCC=0.99 (0.99, 0.99)), followed by VF (VF MD=0.91 (0.88, 0.93)) and OCTA (wiVD=0.82 (0.75, 0.87)). RMSE and Sw for VF MD were 0.92 dB and 0.81 dB, respectively, for wiVD were 1.64% and 1.48%, respectively, and for wiGCC, 0.91 µm and 0.78 µm, respectively. The long-term test–rest variability of VF MD, wiVD and wiGCC was 2.2 dB, 4.1% and 2.2 µm, respectively. In the extended cohort (mean follow-up=3.0 years), all parameters had significant rates of change (p<0.001), and compared with the stable cohort, only slightly higher RMSE (VF MD=1.07 dB; wiGCC=2.03 µm; wiVD=2.57%) were found.

Conclusions

VF and macular OCT/OCTA, particularly OCT parameters, showed small long-term variability in all eyes, including stable ones, supporting the use of these instruments in glaucoma follow-up. Changes in macular VD and GCC greater than 4%–5% and 2 µm, respectively, indicate possible progression.

Trial registration number

NCT00221897.
Does NIH funding differ between medical specialties? A longitudinal analysis of NIH grant data by specialty and type of grant, 2011–2020
Authors: Schlafly Andrew , Sebro Ronnie
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Differences in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding between specialties may affect research and patient outcomes in specialties that are less well funded.The aim of this study is to evaluate how NIH funding has been awarded by medical specialty. This study assesses differences and trends in the amount of funding, by medical specialty, for the years 2011–2020, via a retrospective analysis of data from the NIH RePORTER (Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results).

Study design

Longitudinal cross-sectional study

Setting

NIH RePORTER data from 2011 to 2020 for awarded NIH grants (F32, T32, K01, K08, K23, R01, R03, R21, U01, P30) in the following medical specialties: anaesthesiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, pathology, paediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, plastic surgery, psychiatry, radiation-diagnostic/oncology, surgery, and urology.

Participants

NIH grant awardees for the years 2011-2020

Intervention

None

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The following measures were studied: (1) number of grants by specialty, (2) number of grants per active physician in each specialty, (3) total dollar amount of grants by specialty, (4) total dollar amount of grants per active physician in each specialty and (5) mean dollar amount awarded by specialty for each grant type. We investigated whether any of these measures varied between medical specialties.

Results

In general, internal medicine/medicine, psychiatry, paediatrics, pathology and neurology received the most grants per year, had the highest number of grants per active physician, had the highest total amount of funding and had the highest amount of funding per active physician, whereas fields like emergency medicine, plastic surgery, orthopaedics, and obstetrics and gynaecology had the lowest. The mean dollar amount awarded by grant type differed significantly between specialties (p value less than the Bonferroni-corrected alpha=0.00029).

Conclusions

NIH funding varies significantly between medical specialties. This may affect research progress and the careers of scientists and may affect patient outcomes in less well funded specialties.
Prevalence and distribution of lacunar stroke in China: a cross-sectional study using self-reported survey data
Authors: Han Shangrong , Sun Dongling , Jiang Bin , Sun Haixin , Ru Xiaojuan , Jin Aoming , Wang Yilong , Wang Wenzhi
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To report the prevalence and distribution of lacunar stroke in different regions of China, as well as the demographical characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic lacunar stroke.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data were derived from NESS-China Study that was conducted in 157 sites covering all 31 provinces, including 64 urban and 93 rural areas in mainland China between 1 September 2013 and 31 December 2013. Lacunar stroke was defined as being previously diagnosed according to the participants’ medical history. Patients were further divided into symptomatic or asymptomatic groups, depending on whether they were initially diagnosed with neurological symptoms.

Participants

458 833 participants aged ≥20 years were enrolled in this study.

Results

A total of 7520 participants (1.63%) were diagnosed with lacunar stroke. The peak rate of diagnosis was between the ages of 70 and 79 years in both men and women. Geographically, the age-standardised and sex-standardised prevalence was highest in Northeast China (2495.3/100 000 persons) and lowest in Southeast China (599.7/100 000 persons), showing a geographical disparity. Over 90% of patients with lacunar stroke were diagnosed in secondary or tertiary hospitals. Patients with symptomatic lacunar stroke had significantly different demographic characteristics in age, sex and geographical regions compared with those who were asymptomatic.

Conclusions

In this study, the prevalence and distribution of lacunar stroke were reported at population level across China. Special attention and prevention should be given to the age, sex and geographical groups that are vulnerable to lacunar stroke.
Cohort profile: methodology and cohort characteristics of the Aotearoa New Zealand Rheumatic Heart Disease Registry
Authors: Tilton Elizabeth , Mitchelson Bryan , Anderson Anneka , Peat Briar , Jack Susan , Lund Mayanna , Webb Rachel , Wilson Nigel
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To create a cohort with high specificity for moderate and severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in New Zealand, not reliant on International Classification of Diseases discharge coding. To describe the demography and cardiac profile of this historical and contemporary cohort.

Design and participants

Retrospective identification of moderate or severe RHD with disease onset by 2019. Case identification from the following data sources: cardiac surgical databases, RHD case series, percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty databases, echocardiography databases, regional rheumatic fever registers and RHD clinic lists. The setting for this study was a high-income country with continued incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

Findings to date

A Registry cohort of 4959 patients was established. The initial presentation was RHD without recognised prior ARF in 41%, and ARF in 59%. Ethnicity breakdown: Māori 38%, Pacific 33.5%, European 21.9%, other 6.7%. Ethnic disparities have changed significantly over time. Prior to 1960, RHD cases were 64.3% European, 25.3% Māori and 6.7% Pacific. However, in contrast, from 2010 to 2019, RHD cases were 10.7% European, 37.4% Māori and 47.2% Pacific.

Follow-up showed 32% had changed region of residence within New Zealand from their initial presentation. At least one cardiac intervention (cardiac surgery, transcatheter balloon valvuloplasty) was undertaken in 64% of the cohort at a mean age of 40 years. 19.8% of the cohort had multiple cardiac interventions. At latest follow-up, 26.9% of the cohort died. Of those alive, the mean follow-up is 20.5+19.4 years. Māori and Pacific led governance groups have been established to provide data governance and oversight for the registry.

Future plans

Detailed mortality and morbidity of the registry cases will be defined by linkage to New Zealand national health data collections. The contemporary cohort of the registry will be available for future studies to improve clinical management and outcomes for the 3450 individuals living with chronic RHD.
Feasibility and acceptance of self-hypnosis to reduce chronic stress levels on family in-home caregivers of elderly people: protocol for the POSSAID pilot, randomised, wait-list controlled trial
Authors: Reynaud Danielle , Bruneau Léa
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Family members who care for elderly people experience high levels of chronic stress because of the intensive assistance they provide permanently to those who are losing their autonomy. Often considered a burden, this stress causes serious consequences to their health and worsens their quality of life (QoL). Reducing caregivers’ chronic stress via self-hypnosis protocols may be an effective treatment. The objective is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of self-hypnosis protocols taught by hypnotherapy-trained nurses to reduce the chronic stress of in-family caregivers.

Methods and analysis

This study is a prospective, monocentric, non-blinded, parallel, pilot, randomised waitlist-controlled trial that will be conducted at the University Hospital of Reunion Island. Sixty participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: a self-hypnosis group (intervention) or a waitlist control group. After an 8-week training programme, intervention participants will practice self-hypnosis for ten minutes/day over 8 weeks and subsequently be followed up for 16 weeks thereafter. The primary outcome is to assess the feasibility of a 16-week self-hypnosis protocol for in-family caregivers. Secondary outcomes include the evaluation of the effects of practising self-hypnosis among in-family caregivers of elderly people concerning their stress levels, sleep disorders, levels of fatigue, and QoL at 2, 4 and 8 months on an exploratory basis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee CPP Ile de France VI—Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière on 14 April 2021 (ID RCB: 2021-A00009-32). All participants will receive information about the trial in verbal and written forms. They will give an oral consent which is notified in a dedicated research file prior before enrolment. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals as well as presented and disseminated at conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04909970.