bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arthrographic description of the canine carpal joint cavities and its recesses
Authors: Klußmann Sven , Meyer‐Lindenberg Andrea , Brühschwein Andreas
Published: March 2024

Joint effusion is diagnostically important. The canine carpal joint effusion, which is sometimes difficult to detect clinically, has received less attention in diagnostic ultrasound (US) studies. The aim of the present study was to provide a description of the morphological appearance of the canine carpal joint cavities and recesses using US, radiography, helical computed tomography (CT) and three‐dimensional volume rendering technique (3D‐VRT) images and to prove the applicability of musculoskeletal US for the detection of artificial carpal joint effusion in dogs. The understanding of the characteristics of these structures in normal patients is essential in the diagnosis. Twenty‐eight clinically and radiologically unremarkable canine carpal cadavers of different breeds were examined, representative images were selected and anatomical structures were labelled. The canine carpal joint cavities and in particular its recesses had a complex appearance with a basic structure found in all dogs: Antebrachiocarpal joint: dorsoproximal antebrachiocarpal recess, dorsodistal antebrachiocarpal recess, medial antebrachiocarpal recess, lateral antebrachiocarpal recess and five palmar antebrachiocarpal recesses. Middle carpal joint: two dorsal middle carpal recesses, medial common middle carpal and carpometacarpal recess, lateral common middle carpal and carpometacarpal recess, four palmar middle carpal recesses. The carpometacarpal joint had dorsal and palmar funnel‐shaped and irregular, finely tubular extensions, the most prominent ran dorsal to metacarpal III, the maximum distal end represented the proximal metacarpal diaphysis. All recesses presented ultrasonographically as a generalized anechogenic to hypoechoic filled continuation of the articular capsule with an indistinct peripheral hypoechogenic to isoechogenic fine capsule, the synovial‐connective tissue interface was difficult to identify. The novel results of this study provide the first morphological description of the ultrasonographic, radiographic and computed tomographic arthrographic appearance of the canine carpal joint cavities and recesses with different injection volumes. The canine carpal joint cavities and in particular its recesses had a complex appearance with a basic structure found in all dogs. The applicability of musculoskeletal US to visualize an artificial carpal effusion has been demonstrated. The results of this study, and in particular US, give the practitioner an advantage in visualizing joint effusion and assist in the decision to perform arthrocentesis.
Letter: Switching to tenofovir alafenamide for nucleos(t)ide analogue‐experienced patients with chronic hepatitis B can increase body weight—Authors' reply
Authors: Ogawa Eiichi
Published: March 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Ogawa et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17107 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17896
Letter: Association of polymorphic variant of SerpinB3 and faster cirrhosis decompensation in patients with cirrhosis—More evidence needed. Authors' reply
Authors: Martini Andrea , Pontisso Patrizia
Published: March 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Martini et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17804andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17901
Victim‐survivors’ proposed solutions to addressing image‐based sexual abuse in the U.S.: Legal, corporate, educational, technological, and cultural approaches
Authors: Eaton Asia A. , Krieger Michelle A. , Siegel Jaclyn A. , Miller Abbey M.
Published: March 2024

Sexual violence is a world‐wide health problem that has begun to escalate in online and virtual spaces. One form of technology‐facilitated sexual violence that has grown in recent years is image‐based sexual abuse (IBSA), or the nonconsensual creation, distribution, and/or threat of distribution of nude or sexual images. Using a trauma‐informed and victim‐centered framework, we asked victim‐survivors for structural solutions to IBSA based on their own experiences. Using thematic analysis on 36 semi‐structured interviews with adult U.S. victim‐survivors of IBSA, we found that victim‐survivors proposed structural solutions to IBSA along five general dimensions: legal (creating/strengthening laws, enforcing laws, facilitating legal navigation), corporate (corporate responsibility/activism and solutions for employers), educational (IBSA education, outreach and advocacy, and developing communities of support), technological (more platform accountability, improved procedures for uploading images, better avenues for reporting and removing images, and enhanced platform policies), and cultural. Many solutions built on existing structures (e.g., sexual education in schools) and frameworks (e.g., creating support groups like those for people in recovery from alcohol abuse), enabling educational professionals, policy makers, victim‐support service providers, and corporations to readily implement them.
What characterizes adolescent young carers? A multigroup comparative study
Authors: Pilato Jade , Lamore Kristopher , Vioulac Christel , Jarrige Eléonore , Dorard Géraldine , Untas Aurélie
Published: March 2024

Context

To identify the characteristics of adolescent young carers (AYCs), studies in the literature have compared them with non‐AYCs, but without considering that in the latter group, some face the illness of a relative whereas others do not.

Objectives

The aims of the study were (1) to identify the characteristics of AYCs as compared with adolescents who are not young carers but are facing the illness/disability of a relative, or adolescents not facing the illness/disability of a relative, and (2) to identify factors associated with being a carer within adolescents facing a relative illness.

Methods

A total of 4000 high school students (grades 10–12, mainly aged 15–17 years, 568 identified as AYCs, 1200 as adolescents facing the illness/disability of a relative without being a carer and 2232 as adolescents not facing the illness/disability of a relative) completed a self‐reported questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, illness/disability in the family, caregiving activities (MACA‐YC18 and specific emotional support scale), quality of life (KIDSCREEN‐10) and mental health (GHQ‐12). Chi‐square tests, ANOVAs and logistic regressions were performed.

Results

AYCs scored lower on the quality‐of‐life measure compared with adolescents not facing the illness/disability of a relative (p < .001) and had poorer mental health compared with adolescents facing the illness/disability of a relative without being a carer and adolescents not facing the illness/disability of a relative (p < .001). Logistic regressions showed that youth were more at risk to be an AYC when they were females (p < .001), when they had an extracurricular job (p < .001), spoke another language at home (p < .01), had siblings and were one of the oldest siblings (p < .001), and when the relative had a serious or chronic physical illness (p < .001) and lived with the youth (p < .001).

Conclusions

These results highlight the importance of distinguishing AYCs, adolescents facing the illness/disability of a relative without being a carer and adolescents not facing the illness/disability of a relative to better describe AYCs, recognizing that as the level of care provided might change over time, adolescents facing the illness/disability of a relative without being a carer could become AYCs or inversely. The factors that emerged could be used by professionals to better identify AYCs.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of atropine oral gel formulation in healthy volunteers
Authors: Parrot Madison , Yathavan Bhuvanesh , Averin Olga , Hoggard Logan , Rower Joseph E. , Voight Michael , Greene Danielle , Tarrell Ariel , Whelan Aviva , Ghandehari Hamidreza , Murphy Nancy , Yellepeddi Venkata
Published: March 2024

Sialorrhea or drooling is a common problem in children and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders. It can negatively impact the quality of life due to its physical and psychological manifestations. Providers commonly prescribe atropine eye drops for topical administration to the oral mucosa, as an off‐label treatment to manage sialorrhea. However, the off‐label use of atropine eye drops can be associated with medication and dosing errors and systemic side effects. To address these limitations of treatment, we developed a mucoadhesive topical oral gel formulation of atropine as an alternative route to off‐label administration of atropine eye drops. In this clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) study, we evaluated the safety and PK of atropine gel (0.01% w/w) formulation after single‐dose administration to the oral mucosa in 10 healthy volunteers. The PK data showed that after topical administration to the oral mucosa, atropine followed a two‐compartment PK profile. The maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve extrapolated to infinite time were 0.14 ng/mL and 0.74 h·ng·mL−1, respectively. The absorption rate constant calculated by the compartmental analysis was 0.4 h−1. Safety parameters, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, did not significantly change before and after administration of the gel formulation, and no adverse events were observed in all participants who received atropine gel. These data indicate that atropine gel formulation has a satisfactory PK profile, is well‐tolerated at the dose studied, and can be further considered for clinical development as a drug product to treat sialorrhea.
Development and validation of a scoring system for in‐hospital mortality following band ligation in esophageal variceal bleeding
Authors: Ichita Chikamasa , Goto Tadahiro , Okada Yohei , Uojima Haruki , Iwagami Masao , Sasaki Akiko , Shimizu Sayuri
Published: March 2024

Objectives

We aimed to develop and validate a simple scoring system to predict in‐hospital mortality after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) for esophageal variceal bleeding.

Methods

Data from a 13‐year study involving 46 Japanese institutions were split into development (initial 7 years) and validation (last 6 years) cohorts. The study subjects were patients hospitalized for esophageal variceal bleeding and treated with EVL. Variable selection was performed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, targeting in‐hospital all‐cause mortality as the outcome. We developed the Hospital Outcome Prediction following Endoscopic Variceal Ligation (HOPE‐EVL) score from β coefficients of multivariate logistic regression and assessed its discrimination and calibration.

Results

The study included 980 patients: 536 in the development cohort and 444 in the validation cohort. In‐hospital mortality was 13.6% and 10.1% for the respective cohorts. The scoring system used five variables: systolic blood pressure (<80 mmHg: 2 points), Glasgow Coma Scale (≤12: 1 point), total bilirubin (≥5 mg/dL: 1 point), creatinine (≥1.5 mg/dL: 1 point), and albumin (<2.8 g/dL: 1 point). The risk groups (low: 0–1, middle: 2–3, high: ≥4) in the validation cohort corresponded to observed and predicted mortality probabilities of 2.0% and 2.5%, 19.0% and 22.9%, and 57.6% and 71.9%, respectively. In this cohort, the HOPE‐EVL score demonstrated excellent discrimination ability (area under the curve [AUC] 0.890; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.850–0.930) compared with the Model for End‐stage Liver Disease score (AUC 0.853; 95% CI 0.794–0.912) and the Child–Pugh score (AUC 0.798; 95% CI 0.727–0.869).

Conclusions

The HOPE‐EVL score practically and effectively predicts in‐hospital mortality. This score could facilitate the appropriate allocation of resources and effective communication with patients and their families.
Differential effects of benzo[a]pyrene exposure on glutathione and purine metabolism in keratinocytes: Dose‐dependent and UV co‐exposure effects
Authors: Masutin Viktor , Kersch Christian , Alsaleh Rasha , Schmitz‐Spanke Simone
Published: March 2024

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the key substance benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) are widespread pollutants in the environment and at working places. Nonetheless, the exact underlying mechanisms of toxicological effects caused by B[a]P especially in absence and presence of UV irradiation remain uncertain. This study examines variations in exposure conditions: low B[a]P (4 nM), low B[a]P + UV and high B[a]P (4 μM), selected based on pertinent cytotoxicity assessments. Following cell viability evaluations post‐treatment with varied B[a]P concentrations and UV irradiation, the identified concentrations underwent detailed metabolomic analysis via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Subsequently, resulting changes in metabolic profiles across these distinct exposure groups are comprehensively compared. Chemometric analyses showed modest regulation of metabolites after low B[a]P exposure compared to control conditions. High B[a]P and low B[a]P + UV exposure significantly increased regulation of metabolic pathways, indicating that additional UV irradiation plus low B[a]P is as demanding for the cells as higher B[a]P treatment alone. Further analysis revealed exposure‐dependent regulation of glutathione—important for oxidative defence—and purine metabolism—important for DNA base synthesis. Only after low B[a]P, oxidative defence appeared to be able to compensate for B[a]P‐induced perturbations of the oxidative homeostasis. In contrast, purine metabolism already responded towards adversity at low B[a]P. The metabolomic results give an insight into the mechanisms leading to the toxic response and confirm the strong effects of co‐exposure on oxidative defence and DNA repair in the model studied.
Land surface conductance linked to precipitation: Co‐evolution of vegetation and climate in Earth system models
Authors: Franks Peter J. , Herold Nicholas , Bonan Gordon B. , Oleson Keith W. , Dukes Jeffrey S. , Huber Matthew , Schroeder Julian I. , Cox Peter M. , Jones Simon
Published: March 2024

Vegetation and precipitation are known to fundamentally influence each other. However, this interdependence is not fully represented in climate models because the characteristics of land surface (canopy) conductance to water vapor and CO2 are determined independently of precipitation. Working within a coupled atmosphere and land modelling framework (CAM6/CLM5; coupled Community Atmosphere Model v6/Community Land Model v5), we have developed a new theoretical approach to characterizing land surface conductance by explicitly linking its dynamic properties to local precipitation, a robust proxy for moisture available to vegetation. This will enable regional surface conductance characteristics to shift fluidly with climate change in simulations, consistent with general principles of co‐evolution of vegetation and climate. Testing within the CAM6/CLM5 framework shows that climate simulations incorporating the new theory outperform current default configurations across several error metrics for core output variables when measured against observational data. In climate simulations for the end of this century the new, adaptive stomatal conductance scheme provides a revised prognosis for average and extreme temperatures over several large regions, with increased primary productivity through central and east Asia, and higher rainfall through North Africa and the Middle East. The new projections also reveal more frequent heatwaves than originally estimated for the south‐eastern US and sub‐Saharan Africa but less frequent heatwaves across east Europe and northeast Asia. These developments have implications for evaluating food security and risks from extreme temperatures in areas that are vulnerable to climate change.
Plant diversity and community age stabilize ecosystem multifunctionality
Authors: Dietrich Peter , Ebeling Anne , Meyer Sebastian T. , Asato Ana Elizabeth Bonato , Bröcher Maximilian , Gleixner Gerd , Huang Yuanyuan , Roscher Christiane , Schmid Bernhard , Vogel Anja , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: March 2024

It is well known that biodiversity positively affects ecosystem functioning, leading to enhanced ecosystem stability. However, this knowledge is mainly based on analyses using single ecosystem functions, while studies focusing on the stability of ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) are rare. Taking advantage of a long‐term grassland biodiversity experiment, we studied the effect of plant diversity (1–60 species) on EMF over 5 years, its temporal stability, as well as multifunctional resistance and resilience to a 2‐year drought event. Using split‐plot treatments, we further tested whether a shared history of plants and soil influences the studied relationships. We calculated EMF based on functions related to plants and higher‐trophic levels. Plant diversity enhanced EMF in all studied years, and this effect strengthened over the study period. Moreover, plant diversity increased the temporal stability of EMF and fostered resistance to reoccurring drought events. Old plant communities with shared plant and soil history showed a stronger plant diversity–multifunctionality relationship and higher temporal stability of EMF than younger communities without shared histories. Our results highlight the importance of old and biodiverse plant communities for EMF and its stability to extreme climate events in a world increasingly threatened by global change.
Diagnosis and treatment challenges in lower resource countries: State‐of‐the‐art
Authors: Mahlangu Johnny , Diop Saliou , Lavin Michelle
Published: March 2024

The 2022 World Federation of Haemophilia Annual Global Survey (AGS) reports that 454,690 patients with inherited bleeding disorders (IBD) have been identified globally. While this represents noteworthy progress, haemophilia epidemiology data indicate that 75% of people with inherited bleeding disorders living in low‐income and low‐to‐middle‐income countries have yet to be diagnosed. The AGS also revealed that 11 billion clotting factor units are available to treat haemophilia A and B globally. Due to a lack of finance, these treatments are unavailable to haemophilia in low‐income countries with a consequence lack of access equity for haemophilia treatment in these communities. This sobering reality is not limited to haemophilia but applies to von Willebrand Disease (VWD). While VWD is the most prevalent IBD, only 103,844 people living with this condition have been diagnosed globally. Of the diagnosed patients, only a fraction live in low‐ or middle‐income countries. Moreover, the majority of VWD patients are still treated sub‐optimally without replacement therapies or prophylaxis, both of which are now accepted as global standards of care. In this state‐of‐the‐art review, the authors reflect on three issues. First, the minimum elements required to diagnose haemophilia in a resource‐constrained setting are identified. Second, this review points to the critical stakeholders and outlines their roles in removing access to haemophilia treatment barriers. Finally, the authors examine von Willebrand disease's ongoing diagnostic and treatment challenges and compare these to haemophilia. With the rapidly evolving novel therapies, the therapeutic landscape of all IBD will likely change for the better.
How green social network affordances enhance pro‐environmental behaviour?
Authors: Nivedhitha K. S. , Pasricha Palvi , Angelin Vilma G.
Published: March 2024

Though social media is considered to enhance environmentally conscious behaviour, there has not been sufficient investigation on the effects of specific affordances pertaining to green social networks (GSN). Also, the mechanism by which these affordances affect pro‐environmental behaviour (PEB) has not been explored in depth. Addressing these research gaps, this study first introduces three context‐specific GSN affordances, such as green self‐identification, green broadcasting, and green social endorsement. Further, drawing inspiration from social influence theory and the Stimulus‐Organism‐Response framework, the study put forth a novel framework that explains the varying effects of the conceptualized GSN affordances on PEB through the mediating mechanism of collective intention. The framework also indicates perceived informational and emotional values as moderators that accentuate the indirect influence of GSN affordances on PEB. Adopting a time‐lagged multi‐wave online survey design, 314 valid responses were obtained. The results of the moderated mediation analysis reveal that: (1) collective intention partially mediates the relationships between green broadcasting and PEB, and between green social endorsement and PEB; (2) collective intention fully mediates the relationship between green self‐identification and PEB. Further, the indirect effect of green self‐identification on PEB is positively moderated by emotional values and not moderated by informational values. Interestingly, the indirect effects of green broadcasting and green social endorsement on PEB are positively moderated by both informational and emotional values. These findings offer significant implications for researchers and practitioners who look out for online communities to promote actual PEB.
Influencers and donations: The impact of source and product benefits
Authors: Cho Yoon‐Na , Kim Yuna , Ye Christine
Published: March 2024

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are increasingly using social media as a communication platform to promote their charitable marketing efforts. The purpose of our research is to investigate how NPOs can enhance message effectiveness by utilizing a social media influencer and different product benefit appeals (utilitarian vs. hedonic) in their social media posts to enhance attitudes toward the donation campaign and word‐of‐mouth (WOM) intention, leading to higher donation behavior. Across two experimental studies, we show that an NPO's donation post (i.e., social media post promoting a donation campaign) is evaluated more favorably when paired with a hedonic benefit appeal, while an influencer's donation post is more favorable when paired with a utilitarian benefit appeal. Further, we find that the effects of source and product benefit appeal types on donation behavior are serially mediated by attitude toward the donation campaign and WOM intention. As the use of influencers is becoming increasingly popular to support fundraising and charitable causes, our findings provide timely implications for researchers and practitioners who are interested in optimizing NPO communication strategies in the digital landscape.
Metabolic regulation of type I interferon production
Authors: O'Carroll Shane M. , Henkel Fiona D. R. , O'Neill Luke A. J.
Published: March 2024

Over the past decade, there has been a surge in discoveries of how metabolic pathways regulate immune cell function in health and disease, establishing the field of immunometabolism. Specifically, pathways such as glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and those involving lipid metabolism have been implicated in regulating immune cell function. Viral infections cause immunometabolic changes which lead to antiviral immunity, but little is known about how metabolic changes regulate interferon responses. Interferons are critical cytokines in host defense, rapidly induced upon pathogen recognition, but are also involved in autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes how metabolic change impacts interferon production. We describe how glycolysis, lipid metabolism (specifically involving eicosanoids and cholesterol), and the TCA cycle‐linked intermediates itaconate and fumarate impact type I interferons. Targeting these metabolic changes presents new therapeutic possibilities to modulate type I interferons during host defense or autoimmune disorders.
Evaluation of an early childhood caries preventive programme starting during pregnancy—Results after 3 and 6 years
Authors: Blomma Caroline , Aronsson Kerstin , Bågesund Mats , Risberg Madeleine Borgstedt , Gerdin Elisabeth Wärnberg , Davidson Thomas
Published: March 2024

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) has been found to be up to five times more common among children living in areas of low socio‐economic status (SES) than among children in areas of higher SES.

Aim

To evaluate an ECC prevention programme from pregnancy to 3 and 6 years of age.

Design

A prospective, controlled, intervention cohort study was initiated in 2013 in a low‐SES area in Sweden. The intervention group received an individual interdisciplinary ECC prevention programme starting pre‐birth, consisting of supportive oral health‐promoting talks using motivational interviewing techniques and individual ECC preventive actions. A control group, consisting of pregnant women living in a comparable area, received ordinary routines.

Results

Of the 336 pregnant women, 64 mothers (with 64 children) completed the programme, and 394 children were born in the control group. At the sixth year examination, the proportion of children with no caries was similar between the groups (53% resp. 52%, p = .976), whereas the proportion with decayed, missed, filled primary teeth (dmft = 1–5) was slightly lower (23% resp. 36%, p = .063), and the proportion with severe caries disease (dmft > 5) was higher (p = .013) in the intervention group (25%) than in the control group (12%).

Conclusion

No preventive effect regarding caries can be demonstrated at sixth year of age. Maternal behavioural change in dental care was not sufficient to even out inequalities in oral health in children, eventually due to difficulties in reaching the target group and the lack of effects among the families reached.
The impact of blinding on estimated treatment effects in randomized clinical trials on acupuncture: A meta‐epidemiological study
Authors: Long Youlin , Zhang Na , Wang Xinyao , Tang Ruixian , Guo Qiong , Huang Jin , Du Liang
Published: March 2024

Objective

To evaluate the sole impact of blinding patients and outcome assessors in acupuncture randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on treatment effects while considering the type of outcome measures.

Methods

We searched databases for the meta‐analyses on acupuncture with both blinded and non‐blinded RCTs. Mixed‐effects meta‐regression models estimated the average ratio of odds ratios (ROR) and differences in standardized mean differences (dSMD) for non‐blinded RCTs versus blinded mixed‐effects meta‐regression model.

Results

The study included 96 meta‐analyses (1012 trials). The average ROR for lack of patient blinding was 1.08 (95% confidence intervals 0.79–1.49) in 18 meta‐analyses with binary patient‐reported outcomes. The average ROR for lack of outcome assessor blinding was 0.98 (0.77–1.24) in 43 meta‐analyses with binary subjective outcomes. The average dSMD was −0.38 (−0.96 to 0.20) in 10 meta‐analyses with continuous patient‐reported outcomes. The average dSMD was −0.13 (−0.45 to 0.18) in 25 meta‐analyses with continuous subjective outcomes. The results of the subgroup analysis were consistent with the primary analysis findings.

Conclusions

Blinding of participants and outcome assessors does not significantly influence acupuncture treatment efficacy. It underscores the practical difficulties of blinding in acupuncture RCTs and the necessity to distinguish between trials with and without successful blinding to understand treatment expectations’ effects. Enhancing blinding procedures’ quality and assessment in future research is crucial for improving RCTs’ internal validity and reliability.
Effects of screw pressing conditions on fodder radish seed oil yield, throughput, and fatty acid profile
Authors: Zlatković Vesna S. , Grahovac Nada L. , Banković Ilić Ivana B. , Mitrović Petar M. , Troter Dragan Z. , Todorović Zoran B. , Marjanović Jeromela Ana M. , Veljković Vlada B.
Published: March 2024

This study aims to explore the influence of screw frequency, nozzle diameter, and press head temperature on critical crude fodder radish seed oil (FRSO) yield, throughput, and fatty acid composition. A quadratic equation, developed using response surface methodology, fitted the experimental data for oil yield. It was substantiated by a non‐significant lack‐of‐fit, commendable coefficient‐of‐determination (R2 = 0.782), and a modest mean relative percentage deviation (±7.27%). The analysis of variance pinpointed the statistical significance of press head temperature, nozzle size, and the squared term of press head temperature. The highest FRSO yield (17.61%)—corresponding to an extraction efficiency of 51.3% was found with a screw frequency of 50 Hz, at 80°C, and an 8 mm nozzle. A linear model highlighted that all three pressing factors significantly influenced the FRSO throughput. FRSO consists of C18:1 (30.9%), C22:1 (20.8%), C18:2 (14.9%), and C18:3 (11.9%), aligning with the compositions reported in other studies on fodder radish oils.

Practical applications

Effective control of cold pressing parameters is paramount to maximize oil yield and throughput during the oil extraction process and to ensure the appropriate oil quality. A comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of this process, while carefully considering key parameters, which is essential to ensure efficiency, is achieved through a combination of experimental and statistical methods. This study marks the inaugural attempt to optimize screw pressing for fodder radish seeds while conducting a comparative analysis with hydraulic pressing and the Soxhlet extraction method, focusing on oil yield, throughput, and fatty acid composition within the system by employing a modeling approach for oil extraction. Through the utilization of the response surface methodology coupled with various experimental designs, the processing conditions are successfully optimized. The valuable data gathered can aid equipment design for an efficient, eco‐friendly oil extraction process. Furthermore, the oil extracted under the optimized conditions met the quality standards.
The screening, diagnosis, and management of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: A national consensus statement from Taiwan
Authors: Yen Pao‐Wen , Chen Yung‐An , Wang Wei , Mao Fang‐Sheng , Chao Chia‐Ter , Chiang Chih‐Kang , Lin Shih‐Hua , Tarng Der‐Cherng , Chiu Yi‐Wen , Wu Ming‐Ju , Chen Yung‐Chang , Kao Juliana Tze‐Wah , Wu Mai‐Szu , Lin Chun‐Liang , Huang Jenq‐Wen , Hung Kuan‐Yu
Published: March 2024

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited cause of end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of ADPKD in Taiwan remains unavailable. In this consensus statement, we summarize updated information on clinical features of international and domestic patients with ADPKD, followed by suggestions for optimal diagnosis and care in Taiwan. Specifically, counselling for at‐risk minors and reproductive issues can be important, including ethical dilemmas surrounding prenatal diagnosis and pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis. Studies reveal that ADPKD typically remains asymptomatic until the fourth decade of life, with symptoms resulting from cystic expansion with visceral compression, or rupture. The diagnosis can be made based on a detailed family history, followed by imaging studies (ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging). Genetic testing is reserved for atypical cases mostly. Common tools for prognosis prediction include total kidney volume, Mayo classification and PROPKD/genetic score. Screening and management of complications such as hypertension, proteinuria, urological infections, intracranial aneurysms, are also crucial for improving outcome. We suggest that the optimal management strategies of patients with ADPKD include general medical care, dietary recommendations and ADPKD‐specific treatments. Key points include rigorous blood pressure control, dietary sodium restriction and Tolvaptan use, whereas the evidence for somatostatin analogues and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors remains limited. In summary, we outline an individualized care plan emphasizing careful monitoring of disease progression and highlight the need for shared decision‐making among these patients.
Advancing pediatric perioperative care in India: A contemporary overview
Authors: Rai Ekta , Varghese Elsa , Yaddanapudi Sandhya , Iyer Rajeev S.
Published: March 2024

Background

In the last 30 years, significant advances have been made in pediatric medical care globally. However, there is a persistent urban‐rural gap which is more pronounced in low middle‐income countries than high‐income countries, similar urban‐rural gap exists in India. While on one hand, health care is on par or better than healthier nations thriving international medical tourism industry, some rural parts have reduced access to high‐quality care.

Aim

With this background, we aim to provide an overview of the present and future of healthcare in India.

Methodology

With the cumulative health experience of the authors or more than 100 years, we have provided our experience and expertise about healthcare in India in this narrative educational review. This is supplemented by the government plans and non government plans as appropriate. References are used to justify as applicable.

Results

With the high percentage of pediatric population like other low to middle‐income countries, India faces challenges in pediatric surgery and anesthesia due to limited resources and paucity of specialized training, especially in rural areas. Data on the access and quality of care is scarce, and the vast rural population and uneven resource distribution add to the challenges along with the shortage of pediatric surgeons in these areas of specialized care . Addressing these challenges requires a multi faceted strategy that targets both immediate and long‐term healthcare needs, focusing on improving the facilities and training healthcare professionals. Solutions could include compulsory rural service, district residency programs, increasing postgraduate or residency positions, and safety courses offered by national and international organizations like Safer Anesthesia from Education Pediatrics, Vital Anesthesia Simulation Training, and World Federation of Society of Anesthesiologists pediatric fellowships.

Conclusion

India has achieved great strides in perioperative health care and safety. It has become the major international medical industry due to high‐quality care, access and costs. Crucially, India needs to establish local hubs for pediatric perioperative care training to enhance healthcare delivery for children.
Pediatric anesthesia in North America
Authors: Srinivasan Ilavajady , Whyte Simon , Bailey Katherine , Antrobus Tiffany , Hinkson‐LaCorbinière Karisha , Martin Timothy W. , Cravero Joseph P. , Mason Linda J.
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives

This educational review outlines the current landscape of pediatric anesthesia training, care delivery, and challenges across Canada, Barbados, and the United States.

Descriptions and Conclusions

Approximately 5% of Canadian children undergo general anesthesia annually, administered by fellowship‐trained pediatric anesthesiologists in children's hospitals, general anesthesiologists in community hospitals, or family practice anesthesiologists in underserved regions. In Canada, the focus is on national‐level evaluation and accreditation of pediatric anesthesia fellowship training, addressing challenges arising from workforce shortages, particularly in remote areas. Barbados, a Caribbean nation, lacks dedicated pediatric hospitals but has provided pediatric anesthesia since 1972 through anesthetists with additional training. Challenges in its development, common to low‐middle‐income countries, include inadequate infrastructure and workforce shortages. Increased awareness of pediatric anesthesia as a sub‐specialty could enhance perioperative care for Barbadian children. Pediatric anesthesia encompasses various specialties in the United States, with pediatric anesthesiologists playing a foundational role. Challenges faced include recruitment and retention difficulties, supply‐chain shortages, and the proliferation of anesthesia sites, all impacting the delivery of modern, high‐quality, and cost‐effective patient care. Collaborative efforts at national and organizational levels strive to improve the quality and safety of pediatric anesthesia care in the United States.
Metabolomic profiling of pediatric post‐tonsillectomy pain: A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Mpody Christian , Patel Ambrish B. , Smoyer William E. , Tobias Joseph D. , Nafiu Olubukola O.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Tonsillectomies are among the most common surgical procedures in children, with over 500 000 cases annually in the United States. Despite universal administration of intraoperative opioid analgesia, three out of five children undergoing tonsillectomy report moderate‐to‐severe pain upon recovering from anesthesia. The underlying molecular mechanisms of post‐tonsillectomy pain are not well understood, limiting the development of targeted treatment strategies. Our study aimed to identify candidate serum metabolites associated with varying severity of post‐tonsillectomy pain.

Methods

Venous blood samples and pain scores were obtained from 34 children undergoing tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy, and metabolomic analysis was performed. Supervised orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis were employed to identify differentially expressed metabolites between children with severe and mild pain, as well as between moderate and mild pain.

Results

Pain scores differentiated children as mild (n = 6), moderate (n = 14), or severe (n = 14). Four metabolites (fatty acid 18:0(OH), thyroxine, phosphatidylcholine 38:5, and branched fatty acids C27H54O3) were identified as candidate biomarkers that differentiated severe vs. mild post‐tonsillectomy pain, the combination of which yielded an AUC of 0.91. Similarly, four metabolites (sebacic acid, dicarboxylic acids C18H34O4, hydroxy fatty acids C18H34O3, and myristoleic acid) were identified as candidate biomarkers that differentiated moderate vs. mild post‐tonsillectomy pain, with AUC values ranging from 0.85 to 0.95.

Conclusion

This study identified novel candidate biomarker panels that effectively differentiated varying severity of post‐tonsillectomy pain. Further research is needed to validate these data and to explore their clinical implications for personalized pain management in children undergoing painful surgeries.
Corrective Duties/Corrective Justice
Authors: Fornaroli Giulio
Published: March 2024

In this paper, I assess critically the recent debate on corrective duties across moral and legal philosophy. Two prominent positions have emerged: the Kantian rights‐based view (holding that what triggers corrections is a failure to respect others' right to freedom) and the so‐called continuity view (correcting means attempting to do what one was supposed to do before). Neither position, I try to show, offers a satisfactory explanation of the ground (why correct?) and content (how to correct?) of corrective duties. In the final section, I suggest that it is probably better to restrict the label “corrective duties” to duties generated by interpersonal wronging.
Crowding at the ballot box: Germ aversion and voting methods in the 2020 U.S. general election
Authors: Wang Iris M. , Roman Mallory K. , Goldstein Gabrielle , Ackerman Joshua M.
Published: March 2024

In 2020, the growing COVID‐19 pandemic threatened engagement with the U.S. presidential election. Did this threat affect how people perceived the voting process and the means by which they voted? Four months before the election, 564 participants in several states viewed slideshows framing the pandemic primarily as a health or economic threat, then rated their impressions of voting environments and their attitudes about various voting methods. Following the general election, these data were matched to records indicating if and how participants voted. Exposure to the health consequences of COVID‐19 led people to judge socially dense polling places more negatively but had few effects on other voter outcomes. Instead, chronic aversion to germs predicted more negative responses to dense polling places as well as support for, and use of, socially distanced voting methods, even when accounting for other relevant factors such as partisanship and local COVID‐19 rates.
The Guardian State: Strengthening the public service against democratic backsliding
Authors: Yesilkagit Kutsal , Bauer Michael , Peters B. Guy , Pierre Jon
Published: March 2024

Liberal democracy has become vulnerable to illiberal political movements and the gradual erosion of democratic institutions. To safeguard liberal democracy, we propose the concept of the Guardian State, which embraces liberal principles while acting as a defensive barrier against illiberal tendencies. We need strong administrative institutions that uphold liberal democratic norms and resist pressures from populist politicians. Institutionalizing guardianship as the key norm within the civil service fortifies democratic institutions against backsliding. The principle of neutrality alone cannot ensure that only liberal citizens come to power. Structural measures at the individual and organizational levels are essential to fortify the foundations of the Guardian State and protect liberal democracy against evolving threats. Proactive efforts are necessary to defend and strengthen the public service to ensure the long‐term viability of democratic governance. The Guardian State places the bureaucracy in a key role in preserving the core principles of democracy.
Continued response of Oregon oak to release treatments 20 years after initiation in western Washington, United States
Authors: Slesak Robert A. , Brodie Leslie C. , Harrington Constance A.
Published: March 2024

Fire suppression has increased competitive tree encroachment of Oregon white oak (Quercus garryanna Douglas ex Hook) ecosystems, threatening maintenance of this important species. Restoration of oak ecosystems is ideal to address this threat but not always possible, giving rise to a need for novel treatments that will allow oak to persist on an altered landscape. We tested the effect of three release treatments centered around individual Oregon oak trees within four forested sites that had developed following encroachment and overtopping by Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco var. menziesii). The release treatments entailed removal of competitive tree species (>10 cm dimaeter at breast heigh [DBH]) within zero (as control), half, or full distance of the associated Oregon oak trees' height. There was no effect of release treatment on height, but diameter was significantly increased in the full release treatment relative to both the control and half release treatments. The effect on diameter increased up to year 10 and then decreased to year 20. Growth response to canopy damage from an ice storm in year 12 of the study varied significantly with treatment; growth was negatively related to the percent crown damage in both release treatments but not the control treatment. Full release treatments around individual Oregon oak trees can have long‐term positive effects on growth, providing managers with an option to maintain oak within altered ecosystems.
Effect of earthquake sequences on risk‐based catastrophe bond pricing
Authors: Mistry Harsh K. , Hernandez Andres , Guéguen Philippe , Lombardi Domenico
Published: March 2024

Catastrophe bonds (cat bond in short) are an alternative risk‐transfer instrument used to transfer peril‐specific financial risk from governments, financial institutions, or (re)insurers, to the capital market. Current approaches for cat bond pricing are calibrated on seismic mainshocks, and thus do not account for potential effects induced by earthquake sequences. This simplifying assumption implies that damage arises from mainshocks only, while aftershocks yield no damage. Postearthquake field surveys reveal that this assumption is inaccurate. For example, in the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake sequence and 2016–2017 Central Italy Earthquake sequence, aftershocks were responsible for higher economic losses when compared to those caused by mainshocks. This article proposes a time‐dependent aggregate loss model that takes into account seismicity clustering and damage accumulation effects in the computation of damage. The model is calibrated on the seismic events recorded during the recent 2016–2017 Central Italy Earthquake sequence. Furthermore, the effects of earthquake sequence on cat bond pricing is explored by implementing the proposed model on five Italian municipalities. The investigation showed that neglecting time‐dependency may lead to higher difference (up to 45%) in the cat bond price when compared to standard approaches.
Kirillov structures and reduction of Hamiltonian systems by scaling and standard symmetries
Authors: Bravetti A. , Grillo S. , Marrero J. C. , Padrón E.
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we discuss the reduction of symplectic Hamiltonian systems by scaling and standard symmetries which commute. We prove that such a reduction process produces a so‐called Kirillov Hamiltonian system. Moreover, we show that if we reduce first by the scaling symmetries and then by the standard ones or in the opposite order, we obtain equivalent Kirillov Hamiltonian systems. In the particular case when the configuration space of the symplectic Hamiltonian system is a Lie group , which coincides with the symmetry group, the reduced structure is an interesting Kirillov version of the Lie–Poisson structure on the dual space of the Lie algebra of . We also discuss a reconstruction process for symplectic Hamiltonian systems which admit a scaling symmetry. All the previous results are illustrated in detail with some interesting examples.
Barriers and mediators for routine dental care visits from the experiences of immigrant parents of autistic children living in the United States
Authors: Imanpour Sara , Ullah Rukhsar
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Immigrants are reluctant to attend routine dental care visits. Moreover, children with autism have a higher chance of developing periodontal disease. In this study, we describe the experiences of immigrant parents with autistic children and the barriers and mediators to routine dental care visits for their children in the United States.

Method

We conducted semistructured interviews with 19 immigrants who have children with autism.

Results

We found that lack of transportation, support system, and insurance; prioritization of basic needs; and a mistrust of healthcare providers are the main barriers to attending routine dental care visits for autistic children of immigrant parents. Moreover, staff who consider the needs of children with autism, spend ample time with children with autism, and help with navigating the health system can improve access to routine dental care visits for autistic children with immigrant parents. This study found that despite their immigration status, all parents want to see improvements in the oral health of their children with special needs.

Conclusion

This study aimed to unpack the structural barriers and mediators to routine dental care visits for autistic children of immigrant parents. We found that removing structural barriers to care and utilizing mediators will enhance the outcome of routine dental care, resulting in healthier oral hygiene.