bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening in Occupational Health Surveillance Exams Is Associated With Decreased CRC Mortality
Authors: Cloeren Marianne , Dement John , Ghorbanpoor Kian , Almashat Sammy , Grier William , Quinn Patricia , Cranford Kim , Chen Anna , Haas Scott , Ringen Knut
Published: December 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is recommended for adults aged 45 to 75. Using data from a national screening program, we examined the impact of CRC screening in a population with occupational exposures.

Methods

Since 1998, the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed) has offered CRC screening every 3 years. Tests used were: guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), 1998–2008; high sensitivity (HS)‐gFOBT, 2009–2015; and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) since 2015. Data from the National Death Index through December 31, 2021 were used to compute standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) to compare the mortality experience of exam participants to nonparticipants. Internal analyses used Poisson regression and Cox regression to evaluation impact of CRC screening participation on CRC mortality.

Results

Participation in gFOBT was 68.2%; HS‐gFOBT, 78.7%; and FIT, 85.9%. The SMR for CRC was significantly higher for BTMed exam nonparticipants (SMR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.40–2.86) than exam participants (SMR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.88–1.28). Impact of CRC screening participation on reducing CRC mortality by type of test was 2% for gFOBT, 12% for HS‐FOBT, and 61% for FIT.

Discussion

This study found higher CRC screening participation than in the general population, with mortality reduction from screening similar to what is found in the general population, even though BTMed screening was conducted every 3 years rather than annually.

Conclusions

Participation in CRC screening had a significant impact on CRC mortality. Innovations in stool tests have led to greater convenience, participation, and impact, particularly for the FIT test. Occupational health practices should consider including CRC screening.
Temperature‐Swing Synthesis of Highly Crystalline Covalent Organic Framework Films for Fast and Precise Molecular Separations
Authors: Liu Kai , Yin Congcong , Gao Jinglin , Wang Yong
Published: December 2024

Producing crystalline covalent organic framework (COF) films is intimately related to the elusive nucleation and growth processes, which is desirable for efficient molecular transport. Rational control over these processes and insights into the mechanisms are crucial to improve synthetic methodology and achieve COF films with regular channels. Here, we report the controllable synthesis of COF films via the temperature‐swing strategy and explore their crystallization from monomer assemblies to film formation. A detailed time‐dependent study reveals that COF crystallites preferentially coalesce at low temperature, progressing from assembled nanospheres to continuous films through lateral and vertical interactions. Moreover, appropriately elevating the synthesis temperature promotes crystal growth and eliminate the defects of weakly crystalline regions, contributing to highly crystalline and porous COF film with a surface area of 746 m2 g−1. The prepared COF composite membrane exhibits a methanol permeance of 79 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, which is 4.5 times higher than the weakly crystalline counterpart. In addition, the molecular sieving test recognize great membrane selectivity to discriminate the antibiotic mixture with a high separation factor of 15.4. This work offers a feasible way for the rational design of the synthesis environment, enabling access to highly crystalline framework materials for targeting molecular separations.
Autophagy‐Mediated Targeted Protein Degradation
Authors: Shao Jinning , Xie Shangzhi , Hong Shurui , Qian Linghui
Published: December 2024

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved turnover process in eukaryotes, mediating the delivery of various cellular components to lysosomes for degradation and facilitating the recycling of the breakdown products to maintain homeostasis. By harnessing this powerful autophagy‐lysosomal degradation system, strategies for targeted protein degradation (TPD) have been emerging to remove specific disease‐related proteins (both intracellular and cell‐surface proteins) for complete elimination of their functions, bringing new insights to drug discovery. Herein, we give a brief introduction on how autophagy works followed by a focus on available small‐molecule and macromolecule‐based strategies for TPD mediated by autophagy.
An Innovative Polydopamine/Polyvinyl Alcohol Binder System for High‐Performance Micro‐Sized Silicon Anodes
Authors: Zhao Fangfang , Tang Ruixian , Yu Liming , Ma Lei , Wei Liangming
Published: December 2024

Micro‐sized silicon (Si) is expected to be widely used in the future lithium‐ion battery industry due to its abundant resources, low price, and high energy density. However, the rapid capacity degradation resulting from its significant volume expansion remains a critical challenge. Herein, an innovative binder system for micro‐sized Si anodes is presented. Utilizing a high‐energy ball milling reaction, Si particles are coated with a thin polydopamine (PDA) layer, forming Si@PDA particles. Subsequently, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder is incorporated to form the Si@PDA/PVA binder system. The numerous hydroxyl groups in PDA form hydrogen bonds with PVA binder, establishing robust interactions among electrode components, thereby stabilizing the overall structure of the Si anode and maintaining the integrity of its electrical contacts. As a result, the obtained Si@PDA/PVA anode exhibits a high specific capacity of 1215 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C after 100 cycles. In addition, the rate performance test demonstrates that it delivers a high capacity of over 800 mAh g−1 at 3 C. This approach provides a promising strategy for the overall design of micro‐sized Si electrodes, offering enhanced cyclic performance and durability.
Study on Energy‐Saving and Emission Reduction Solutions for the Bearing Heating System of Offshore Wind Turbines: A Case Study of General Electric's Offshore Wind Power Assembly Base
Authors: Liang Huanrui , Huang Xiaoa , Chen Faquan , Wu Jiayang , Deng Leying , Huang Youxin
Published: December 2024

In the context of the global transition to renewable energy sources, the offshore wind power sector is confronted with operational inefficiencies during the thermal processing and assembly of wind turbine spindles and components. The research, centered on General Electric's offshore wind turbine assembly facility, addresses the deficiencies in the thermal management of bearing heating systems, the prevalence of rework due to substandard thermal treatments, and the inefficiencies in energy utilization. The paper proposes a targeted strategy comprising three key interventions: (1) The synchronization of bearing heating procedures with the off‐peak electricity tariff regime to mitigate peak demand and associated energy expenditures and carbon footprints. (2) The deployment of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) system to harness and convert waste heat into electrical energy, with meticulous modeling of its thermal dynamics. (3) The engineering of a thermally insulated housing for bearings to curtail thermal losses. The projected outcomes of these interventions are a reduction in electricity costs by 127.83 yuan, a decrease in carbon emissions by 90.41 kg, and a substantial reduction in heat loss. The findings of this research underscore the efficacy of thermal process optimization, waste heat recuperation, and thermal insulation in enhancing the energy efficiency of bearing heating systems, thereby contributing to the broader objectives of energy conservation and emission reduction in the renewable energy sector, which is imperative in the contemporary era of climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
Fenugreek Sprouts Around the World: Exploring Therapeutic and Nutritional Benefits
Authors: Çoban Furkan
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the therapeutic and nutritional potential of fenugreek sprouts from 30 diverse genotypes sourced from various regions. The aim was to characterize and compare their therapeutic attributes, including antioxidant capacity, antidiabetic, and anti‐cholinesterase activities, along with their nutritional compositions, particularly minerals, and protein content. Results revealed significant variations among the genotypes in terms of their therapeutic properties. China genotypes exhibited notable α‐amylase inhibition 64.57%, suggesting potential antidiabetic properties, while South Sudan genotypes demonstrated significant acetylcholinesterase (14.44%) and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitions, indicating possible cognitive health benefits. The Morocco and Konya/Türkiye genotypes exhibited noteworthy antioxidant effects, with showing DPPH• scavenging activities of 7.79% and 7.23%, and ABTS•+ activities of 27.87% and 27.31%, respectively. Mineral analysis revealed considerable differences across genotypes. Israel genotypes had the highest iron content (43.18 mg/100 g), Sivas/Türkiye genotype had the highest potassium levels (2259.87 mg/100 g), and Kayseri/Türkiye genotype had the highest sodium content (616.91 mg/100 g). Ukraine genotypes contained the most magnesium (266.61 mg/100 g), while Israel genotypes also had the highest zinc content (54.44 mg/100 g). The protein content of the fenugreek sprouts varied significantly, with Corum/Türkiye showing the highest protein content at 5.75/100 g. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted the relationships among the mineral nutrients and protein content, revealing distinct groupings of genotypes based on their mineral compositions. Correlation analysis further elucidated the associations between various minerals and protein content. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential therapeutic and nutritional significance of fenugreek sprouts.
Legacies of Past Land Use: Mapping Anthropogenic Landforms in Forest Areas of Eastern Bavaria, Germany
Authors: Schneider Anna , Raab Thomas , Raab Alexandra , Bonhage Alexander
Published: December 2024

Reconstructing (pre‐)historic land use distribution is essential for understanding past human societies and their impacts on the environment. Various land use forms result in distinct alterations of surface morphology, which are often well preserved but rarely described within forest areas. The interpretation of LiDAR Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) can greatly enhance our insight into the geoarchaeological records of woodlands. This study examines the legacies of past land use in forested areas of Upper Palatinate, Germany, utilizing LiDAR DEMs to map anthropogenic relief features. We comprehensively mapped land use legacy landforms (LULLs) that occur with considerable frequency in the study area, that is, former agricultural field systems, road remnants, abandoned ponds, relict charcoal hearths, mining legacies, and indicators of anthropogenically induced soil erosion. Results reveal that 17% of the forested area is affected by LULLs, with the largest areas covered by former field systems, roads, and ponds. Characteristic LULL associations reflect past agricultural and charcoal production landscapes. While erosion indicators often coincide with field systems and roads, natural factors mainly influence their distribution. Comparison with historical maps suggests pre‐19th‐century abandonment of most LULLs and good preservation of anthropogenic relief modifications. Our results underscore the enduring impact of past land use on present woodland ecosystems and emphasize the importance of considering forest areas in the analysis of past human–landscape interactions.
Leveraging anatomical constraints with uncertainty for pneumothorax segmentation
Authors: Yuan Han , Hong Chuan , Tran Nguyen Tuan Anh , Xu Xinxing , Liu Nan
Published: December 2024

Background

Pneumothorax is a medical emergency caused by the abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space—the potential space between the lungs and chest wall. On 2D chest radiographs, pneumothorax occurs within the thoracic cavity and outside of the mediastinum, and we refer to this area as “lung + space.” While deep learning (DL) has increasingly been utilized to segment pneumothorax lesions in chest radiographs, many existing DL models employ an end‐to‐end approach. These models directly map chest radiographs to clinician‐annotated lesion areas, often neglecting the vital domain knowledge that pneumothorax is inherently location‐sensitive.

Methods

We propose a novel approach that incorporates the lung + space as a constraint during DL model training for pneumothorax segmentation on 2D chest radiographs. To circumvent the need for additional annotations and to prevent potential label leakage on the target task, our method utilizes external datasets and an auxiliary task of lung segmentation. This approach generates a specific constraint of lung + space for each chest radiograph. Furthermore, we have incorporated a discriminator to eliminate unreliable constraints caused by the domain shift between the auxiliary and target datasets.

Results

Our results demonstrated considerable improvements, with average performance gains of 4.6%, 3.6%, and 3.3% regarding intersection over union, dice similarity coefficient, and Hausdorff distance. These results were consistent across six baseline models built on three architectures (U‐Net, LinkNet, or PSPNet) and two backbones (VGG‐11 or MobileOne‐S0). We further conducted an ablation study to evaluate the contribution of each component in the proposed method and undertook several robustness studies on hyper‐parameter selection to validate the stability of our method.

Conclusions

The integration of domain knowledge in DL models for medical applications has often been underemphasized. Our research underscores the significance of incorporating medical domain knowledge about the location‐specific nature of pneumothorax to enhance DL‐based lesion segmentation and further bolster clinicians' trust in DL tools. Beyond pneumothorax, our approach is promising for other thoracic conditions that possess location‐relevant characteristics.
A novel ensemble ARIMA‐LSTM approach for evaluating COVID‐19 cases and future outbreak preparedness
Authors: Jain Somit , Agrawal Shobhit , Mohapatra Eshaan , Srinivasan Kathiravan
Published: December 2024

Background

The global impact of the highly contagious COVID‐19 virus has created unprecedented challenges, significantly impacting public health and economies worldwide. This research article conducts a time series analysis of COVID‐19 data across various countries, including India, Brazil, Russia, and the United States, with a particular emphasis on total confirmed cases.

Methods

The proposed approach combines auto‐regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)'s ability to capture linear trends and seasonality with long short‐term memory (LSTM) networks, which are designed to learn complex nonlinear dependencies in the data. This hybrid approach surpasses both individual models and existing ARIMA‐artificial neural network (ANN) hybrids, which often struggle with highly nonlinear time series like COVID‐19 data. By integrating ARIMA and LSTM, the model aims to achieve superior forecasting accuracy compared to baseline models, including ARIMA, Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), LSTM, and Prophet.

Results

The hybrid ARIMA‐LSTM model outperformed the benchmark models, achieving a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) score of 2.4%. Among the benchmark models, GRU performed the best with a MAPE score of 2.9%, followed by LSTM with a score of 3.6%.

Conclusions

The proposed ARIMA‐LSTM hybrid model outperforms ARIMA, GRU, LSTM, Prophet, and the ARIMA‐ANN hybrid model when evaluating using metrics like MAPE, symmetric mean absolute percentage error, and median absolute percentage error across all countries analyzed. These findings have the potential to significantly improve preparedness and response efforts by public health authorities, allowing for more efficient resource allocation and targeted interventions.
Expression profile of Bcl‐2 family proteins in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
Authors: De Ramón Cristina , Rojas Elizabeta A. , Misiewicz‐Krzeminska Irena , Cardona‐Benavides Ignacio J. , Cuadrado Myriam , Isidro Isabel , Calasanz María‐José , Fernandez Manuela , García‐Sanz Ramón , Puig Noemi , Cedena M. Teresa , Paiva Bruno , Rosiñol Laura , Martínez‐López Joaquín , Bladé Joan , Lahuerta Juan J. , San Miguel Jesús F. , Mateos María V. , Corchete Luis A. , Gutiérrez Norma C. ,   GEM/PETHEMA cooperative study group
Published: December 2024

Antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins are involved in myeloma cell survival. To date, their expression in multiple myeloma (MM) patients has mostly been analyzed at the RNA level. In the present study, we quantified for the first time the protein expression of the Bcl2‐family members using a capillary electrophoresis immunoassay in 120 newly diagnosed MM patients, aged ≤65 years, treated in the context of the PETHEMA/GEM2012 study. We found that the pattern of expression of Bcl‐2 family proteins was highly heterogeneous among patients. Although cases with t(11;14) had significantly higher levels of Bcl‐2/Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2+Bim+Bax/Bcl‐xL ratios than those without t(11;14), the presence of this translocation was not synonymous with such high levels of expression. Conversely, some patients with other genetic alterations also showed higher levels of those ratios. Survival analysis revealed that the high expression of Bad and Puma proteins was associated with significantly longer overall survival (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Bcl‐2 protein ratios predicting sensitivity to venetoclax in vitro were also able to distinguish patients with shorter time to progression after triplet‐based induction therapy and ASCT. This is the first study to assess the expression of the most important Bcl‐2 family proteins by a quantitative method in a large set of MM patients according to their cytogenetic abnormalities. We shed light on the impact of these proteins on MM prognosis, which could help to consider the levels of proteins involved in apoptosis in the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Features of the Velocity Distribution and Secondary Flow in a Compound Channel With Vegetation
Authors: Zhu Zhi‐Peng , Dong Fei , Wang Wei‐Jie , Zhao Han‐Qing , Li Jin‐Jin , Meng Qing‐Feng , Li Da‐Cheng
Published: December 2024

Aquatic vegetation is an important component of natural river ecosystem, usually growing in riverine, marsh, and coastal areas, interacting with water flow to form complex flow structure, which has an important impact on bank slope stability and flood discharge capacity of river channels. Four sets of indoor flume vegetation‐flow experiments were conducted using a typical beach trough structure in the lower section of the Yangtze River. The compound channel was divided into the main channel, side slope and side beach zones, and simulated vegetation such as reeds, sedges and dwarf grass were used. The emphasis was on the hydrodynamic properties under semi‐covered emergent rigid vegetation and semi‐covered non‐submerged rigid vegetation. In this study, the Shiono and Knight equation (SKM model) was used to elucidate the distribution characteristics of ‘the depth‐averaged velocity Ud’ and ‘equivalent diameter D’ of vegetation in water gradient, and the Taylor method was used to demonstrate that the proposed ‘equivalent diameter D’ of vegetation has a certain level of accuracy within a reasonable threshold range. In addition, a new secondary flow model was proposed using a genetic algorithm that considers many hydraulic and vegetation parameters. Further, a new secondary flow model was proposed using a genetic algorithm that considers many hydraulic and vegetation parameters. Finally, ‘the depth‐averaged velocity Ud’ of the compound channel was accurately predicted by combining the experimental data with the new SKM model. In this study, we investigated the water‐blocking ability of gradient vegetation in river water. A method in which the secondary flow law and formula are difficult to determine was solved, which could provide technical support for the design of complex vegetated rivers and the evaluation of the flood discharge capacity of rivers.
Developing a Lateral Terrestrial Water Flow Scheme to Improve the Representation of Land Surface Hydrological Processes in the Noah‐MP of WRF‐Hydro
Authors: Wang Jie , Miao Shiguang , Kumar Pokharel Ashok , Dou Jingjing , Ma Bin , Meng Chunlei , Li Yuhuan
Published: December 2024

Lateral terrestrial water flow in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and its hydrologically enhanced version, WRF‐Hydro, is calculated on a routing grid based on infiltration excess in Land Surface Model (LSM) grid disaggregates to the routing grids. However, this design neglects the lateral terrestrial water flow within LSM grids and does not resolve water lateral transport in LSM. In this study, we develop a lateral terrestrial water flow scheme in the Noah with multiparameterization (Noah‐MP) of WRF‐Hydro grids to address this knowledge gap and evaluate its influence on land surface hydrological processes. Our results indicate that lateral terrestrial water flow leads to 62.3% of grid surface water outflow, resulting in a decrease in accumulated water depth by 123.88 mm. In urban areas, the accumulated water depth further reduces by 21.11 mm when considering the pipe discharge scheme. Compared to the default WRF‐Hydro simulation, the lateral terrestrial water flow combined with pipe discharge can effectively advance the calibrated WRF‐Hydro modelling capability and reproduce the water depth reasonably compared to the observation in urban areas. Further, our analysis indicates that the decreasing lateral terrestrial water flow in LSM primarily reduces overland flow and increases streamflow in routing grids, mainly through redistributing water from the steep slopes towards the lower elevations and ultimately converting it to streamflow in the channel network.
Prevalence and risk factors of maternal dissatisfaction after vaginal delivery: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Tartaglia Marie , Froeliger Alizée , Delva Fleur , Madar Hugo , Bouchghoul Hanane , Deneux‐Tharaux Catherine , Sentilhes Loïc ,   the TRanexamic Acid for Preventing postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery (TRAAP) study group
Published: December 2024

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of maternal dissatisfaction 2 days after a singleton vaginal delivery at or near term.

Methods

We conducted a planned ancillary cohort study of the TRanexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage After Vaginal Delivery (TRAAP) randomized controlled trial. Maternal dissatisfaction, related to the birth and to the subsequent hospital stay, was assessed 2 days postpartum by two self‐administered questions: “Are you satisfied with the care you received during your child's birth?” and “Are you satisfied with the care you have received during your hospital stay?”. Satisfaction was defined by answers of “extremely satisfied” or “very satisfied,” and dissatisfaction by the responses “moderately satisfied,” “not very satisfied,” or “not at all satisfied”. Their association with maternal dissatisfaction was analyzed by random‐effects logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of maternal dissatisfaction with the birth was 2.9%, and with the hospital stay 9.5%. Characteristics associated with a higher risk of maternal dissatisfaction with the birth were labor exceeding 6 h, bad memories of the birth and, only for women without complicated deliveries, manual examination of the uterine cavity. The only characteristic associated with a higher risk of dissatisfaction with the hospital stay was non‐French nationality. None of the postpartum hemorrhage, third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal lacerations, operative vaginal delivery, episiotomy and uterine massage were associated with a higher risk of maternal dissatisfaction.

Conclusion

Maternal dissatisfaction was low after singleton vaginal deliveries at or near term. Strategies aiming to avoid labor longer than 6 h and manual examination of the uterine cavity may decrease maternal dissatisfaction after delivery.
Multiomics analysis reveals signatures of selection and loci associated with complex traits in pigs
Authors: Liu Lei , Yi Guoqiang , Yao Yilong , Liu Yuwen , Li Jiang , Yang Yalan , Liu Mei , Fang Lingzhao , Mo Delin , Zhang Longchao , Liu Yonggang , Niu Yongchao , Wang Liyuan , Qu Xiaolu , Pan Zhangyuan , Wang Lei , Chen Muya , Fan Xinhao , Chen Yun , Zhang Yongsheng , Li Xingzheng , Wang Zhen , Tang Yijie , Huang Hetian , Yuan Pengxiang , Liao Yuying , Li Xinjian , Yin Zongjun , Liu Di , Zhang Dongjie , Zhou Quanyong , Wu Wangjun , Jiang Jicai , Gao Yahui , Liu George E. , Wang Lixian , Chen Yaosheng , Li Kui , Groenen Martien A. M. , Tang Zhonglin
Published: December 2024

The genetic basis of complex traits and phenotypic differentiation remains unclear in pigs. Using nine genomes—seven of which were newly generated, high‐quality de novo assembled genomes—and 1081 resequencing genomes, we built a pan‐genome and identified 134.24 Mb nonredundant nonreference sequences, 1099 novel protein‐coding genes, 187,927 structural variations (SVs) and 30,143,962 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Analysis of selective domestication revealed BRCA1 associated with enhanced adipocyte growth and fat deposition, and ABCA3 linked to an alleviated immune response and reduced lung injury. Integrating 162 transcriptomes and 162 methylomes of skeletal muscle across 27 developmental stages revealed the regulatory mechanism of phenotypic differentiation between Eastern and Western breeds. Artificial selection reshaped local DNA methylation status and imparted regulatory effects on the progression patterns of heterochronic genes such as GHSR and BDH1, particularly during embryonic development. Altogether, our work provides valuable resources for understanding molecular mechanisms behind phenotypic variations and enhancing the genetic improvement programs in pigs.
Mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty does not lead to better joint awareness compared to fixed bearing design: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Poursalehian Mohammad , Pakbaz Yeganeh , Mortazavi Seyed Mohammad Javad
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Mobile‐bearing total knee arthroplasty (MB‐TKA) and fixed‐bearing (FB) TKA are both widely used, with MB‐TKA theoretically offering better functional outcomes due to its natural kinematics. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to compare joint awareness between MB‐TKA and FB‐TKA, as measured by Forgotten Joint Score‐12 (FJS‐12), to provide insights into patient‐perceived outcomes.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases following PRISMA guidelines, without date or language restrictions. Studies focusing on TKA with MB or FB as the intervention and control groups, respectively, and reporting on FJS‐12 were included. The selection process involved two independent reviewers. Data extraction was carried out using a structured checklist and assessed for quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). The meta‐analysis employed Hedge's g method to compare FJS‐12 and assessed publication bias using Egger's test and funnel plot analyses.

Results

Six studies, including two randomized clinical trials and four cohort studies with 731 participants and mean follow‐up of 5.4 years, met the inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis revealed no significant difference in FJS‐12 between MB and FB TKA (pooled difference = 0.132, 95% confidence interval: −0.103 to 0.367, p = 0.271), with moderate heterogeneity observed (I2 = 53.5%). Publication bias assessment indicated no significant bias. Meta‐regression did not identify factors contributing to heterogeneity.

Conclusion

MB‐TKA does not provide superior patient‐perceived outcomes in terms of joint awareness compared to FB‐TKA. This suggests that the clinical advantage of MB‐TKA in terms of joint awareness is likely negligible. Therefore, the choice between MB and FB TKA should be based on other considerations, such as surgeon preference, implant cost and individual patient needs.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Taxanes and Breast Cancer‐Related Lymphedema
Authors: Najafali Daniel , Siotos Charalampos , Kokosis George
Published: December 2024

No clear evidence‐based consensus has been reached on taxanes and the development of lymphedema.

The cumulative effect of longer duration chemotherapy needs to be accounted for in analyses.

Larger and more balanced study designs are needed to capture the risks of lymphedema from taxanes.
Good functional outcome but high rates of instability recurrence after posterior open‐wedge glenoid osteotomy for the treatment of posterior shoulder instability with increased glenoid retroversion at mid‐term follow‐up
Authors: Hinz Maximilian , Fritsch Lorenz , Siebenlist Sebastian , Lacheta Lucca , Pogorzelski Jonas , Rupp Marco‐Christopher , Scheiderer Bastian
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To evaluate clinical, functional and radiological mid‐term outcomes following posterior open‐wedge glenoid osteotomy (POWGO) for the treatment of posterior shoulder instability (PSI) associated with increased glenoid retroversion.

Methods

Patients who underwent POWGO for the treatment of symptomatic PSI with glenoid retroversion >10° and participated in a previous study assessing short‐term outcomes were included after a minimum follow‐up of 5 years. Clinical (Rowe score and physical examination) and functional outcomes (Oxford Shoulder Instability Score [OSIS] and visual analogue scale [VAS] for pain) were assessed. Preoperative versus follow‐up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments were compared for changes in posterior humeral head subluxation (PHHS) and progression of osteoarthritis (shoulder osteoarthritis severity [SOAS] score).

Results

Eight patients (nine shoulders) were included 92.0 months (88.0–109.5 months) post‐operatively, of which seven patients (eight shoulders) underwent MRI. Shoulder function was good (Rowe score: 80.0 [76.3–91.3], OSIS: 41.0 [31.0–41.5]) and pain levels were low (VAS for pain: 3.0 [1.0–3.0]) at follow‐up. Overall, the degree of PHHS did not change between preoperatively and follow‐up (p > 0.05). Four shoulders demonstrated PHHS preoperatively, of which two had a centred humeral head at follow‐up. Shoulder osteoarthritis progressed significantly (SOAS score: 17.0 [11.0–24.5] to 33.0 [31.0–45.0], p = 0.018). Residual PSI was evident in 75.0% of shoulders.

Conclusion

At mid‐term follow‐up, POWGO for PSI associated with increased glenoid retroversion led to good functional outcomes but failed to reliably restore posterior shoulder stability and prevent osteoarthritis progression.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Infratuberositary slope‐decreasing anterior closed wedge proximal tibial osteotomy is safe and shows rapid bone healing
Authors: Schuster Philipp , Mayer Philipp , Schubert Ilona , Leiprecht Janina , Micioi Gregoire , Reuter Benoit , Richter Jörg , Dickschas Jörg
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Different techniques of slope‐decreasing anterior closed‐wedge proximal tibial osteotomy (ACW‐PTO) have been described. To determine the peri‐ and post‐operative complication rate and obtain data on bone healing in ACW‐PTO with an infratuberositary approach.

Methods

A total of 170 consecutive ACW‐PTO of two sports‐orthopaedic centres were retrospectively evaluated (97 and 73, respectively). Routine follow‐up was performed after 6 weeks and was available in 166 cases (97.7%). Medical charts and x‐rays of these cases were reviewed with regard to technique‐specific complications. Lateral x‐rays (n = 155) at 6 weeks post‐operatively were evaluated with regard to bone healing (completely healed, partially healed or with no or delayed signs of bone healing). A multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to detect factors that influence bone healing.

Results

There was one case with haematoma and superficial wound‐healing problems after 5 weeks with progression to a deep wound infection and revision surgery (plate exchange) at 11 weeks after the index surgery. One case with delayed bone healing was treated with plate exchange combined with revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction after 4 months. The further course of both cases was uneventful. No other complications were observed. Therefore, the overall complication rate was 1.2% (2 out of 166). Radiologic evaluation at 6 weeks showed complete healing in 104 cases (67.1%), partial healing in 50 cases (32.3%) and delayed healing only in the aforementioned case (0.6%), respectively. All cases of partial healing showed complete healing at 12 weeks. In regression analysis, a completely closed osteotomy (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5, p = 0.003) and compression of the osteotomy (OR = 2.5, p = 0.026) were significantly associated with complete bone healing at 6 weeks.

Conclusions

ACW‐PTO using an infratuberositary approach is very safe with regard to complication rate and shows rapid bone healing. The osteotomy should be completely closed and compression should be applied for optimal bone healing.

Study Design

Case series with pooled data of two centres.

Level of Evidence

Level 4.
Enhancing Polypropylene/Polyethylene Blend Performance Through Compatibilization for A Sustainable Future: A Mini Review Focusing on Establishing Bio‐Derived Filler Based Hybrid Compatibilizer System
Authors: Zhan Ke , Elder Thomas , Peng Yucheng
Published: December 2024

Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are widely used polymers but significantly contribute to plastic waste. Effective recycling of PP and PE is essential for reducing plastic pollution and enhancing sustainability. Collection of post‐consumer PP and PE wastes forming comingled mixtures is routinely done due to the difficulty of sorting. While polymer blending offers a cost‐effective way to recycle these mixtures, their inherent immiscibility limits the development of high‐performance blends. This review provides an overview of recent advances in compatibilization strategies aimed at enhancing the PP/PE blend performance, with a focus on using bio‐derived fillers as sustainable compatibilizers. Mechanical properties of the PP/PE blends compatibilized by various approaches, including non‐reactive, reactive, and bio‐derived filler compatibilizations are summarized and discussed in terms of their advantages and weaknesses. Simultaneous incorporation of bio‐derived fillers and commercial compatibilizers potentially provides PP/PE blends with more desirable mechanical performance. Furthermore, the review summarizes the rheological and crystallization behaviors of compatibilized blends, emphasizing the significant impact of compatibilization on the processing‐structure‐property relationships within the blends. Current challenges and future directions in using bio‐derived fillers to enhance PP/HDPE compatibilization are discussed. This review provides insight into a sustainable future by endowing plastic waste with desirable properties for broader applications.
Redox regulation of cancer stem cells: Biology and therapeutic implications
Authors: Du Min , Zhang Jian , Wicha Max S. , Luo Ming
Published: December 2024

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small group of tumor cells with the capacity to undergo self‐renewal and differentiation. These cells not only initiate and maintain tumor growth, but also confer resistance to current cancer therapies. CSCs display a high degree of plasticity and can be generated under therapeutic stress via dedifferentiation from non‐stem‐like tumor cells, suggesting the necessity simultaneously targeting CSCs and bulk tumor cells to achieve the best therapeutic effect. Despite the findings that therapeutic stress induces CSC plasticity, the mechanisms underpinning CSC formation and therapeutic resistance are not fully defined. Tumor cells display elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributed by rapid proliferation, enhanced metabolic demands and oncogenic signaling. CSCs achieve redox homeostasis partly by regulating redox‐sensitive transcription factors (TFs), including NRF2, HIF‐1α, BACH1, NF‐kB, FOXOs, AP‐1, and others. This review aims to summarize the roles and underlying mechanisms of these TFs in regulation of CSCs and tumor progression from the perspectives of stem cell maintenance, metabolic reprogramming, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis. We also discuss the potentials of utilizing specific inhibitors for these TFs in suppressing drug resistance and metastasis by repressing CSC activity, an approach that may provide new targeted therapies for advanced cancer and improve patient outcome.
Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Fazaa Alia , Rachdi Mariem , Salem Leila Ben , El Ghardallou Meriam , Miladi Saoussen , Boussaa Hiba , Makhlouf Yasmine , Abdelghani Kaouther Ben , Laatar Ahmed
Published: December 2024

Background

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) can cause considerable impairment of functional capacity and quality of life (QoL), especially in elderly individuals.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of KOA on the functional capacity and QoL of elderly patients and to identify the factors associated with their impairment.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study including patients aged 65 years or more with primary KOA. Functional capacity was assessed using the WOMAC index and QoL using the WHOQOL‐OLD instrument. The p significance level was set at 0.05.

Results

Fifty patients were included, 3 men and 47 women, with a mean age of 71.9 ± 6.3 years. The mean WOMAC total score was 49.2 ± 21.7, WOMAC pain 12 ± 5.2, WOMAC function 33.4 ± 15.2 and WOMAC stiffness 4 ± 2.6. Factors associated with better functional capacity were the use of analgesics, functional rehabilitation and physical activity. The mean WOQOL‐OLD total score was 84.2 ± 13.4. The autonomy and intimacy dimensions had the highest scores (92.1 ± 13.8 and 91.3 ± 16.5 respectively). The death and dying dimension had the lowest score (69.9 ± 37.1). Factors associated with a poor QoL were diabetes, unilateral involvement, duration of KOA, absence of analgesic treatment and the absence of physical activity. Functional limitation was significantly associated with poorer QoL.

Conclusion

In our study, KOA was found to be associated with impaired functional capacity and QoL among elderly patients. Comorbidities, inadequate use of analgesics and lack of physical activity seem to be determining factors contributing to this impairment.
Carnitine supplementation in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Dixit Devika , Zhao Yang , Bardhi Olgert , Daneshmand Arvin , Phillips Jonathan , Bala Trina , Rosenthal Martin , Mohr Alicia , Kandiah Prem , Kamel Amir Y.
Published: December 2024

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). PSP is a Parkinsonian syndrome characterized by a rapidly progressive state that manifests itself as tremors, bradykinesia, and supranuclear gaze palsy. Carnitine plays an essential role in mitochondrial function by transporting fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane to be used in energy production. Mitochondrial dysfunction can bring about rapid neuronal depolarization and a calcium‐mediated cellular apoptosis owing to a loss of oxidative metabolism, likely contributing to the PSP disease process. A White man aged 65 years with PSP presented with small bowel obstruction and severe malnutrition as a result of prior gastrointestinal surgeries for which a gastrostomy tube was placed. During his hospitalization, the patient was found to be deficient in both free and total carnitine. He was treated with levocarnitine supplementation and exhibited marked improvement in tremors, fatigue, and physical therapy activities. Posthospitalization follow‐up showed sustained improvement in symptoms with continued levocarnitine supplementation. Treatment of PSP remains largely supportive in nature. No studies have investigated the role of carnitine supplementation in PSP. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to identify improvement in PSP symptoms after carnitine repletion and supportive care. Numerous animal studies have reported on carnitine supplementation in the context of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease. Further investigation is necessary to elucidate the precise role of carnitine and other nutrition supplements in the pathophysiology of PSP.
The workforce scheduling and routing problem with park‐and‐loop
Authors: Cabrera Nicolás , Cordeau Jean‐François , Mendoza Jorge E.
Published: December 2024

This article introduces formulations and an exact algorithm for the workforce scheduling and routing problem with park‐and‐loop. This problem extends the standard workforce scheduling and routing problem by allowing the use of walking subtours in the routes. We introduce a compact arc‐based formulation as well as a path‐based formulation with an exponential number of variables. To efficiently solve the latter, we propose a branch‐price‐and‐cut algorithm that leverages state‐of‐the‐art techniques, including a tailored version of the pulse algorithm to solve the pricing problem and the separation of subset row inequalities to strengthen the lower bound. We report on computational experiments carried out on a set of instances with up to 75 tasks adapted from the literature. The results show that our method systematically outperforms a standard MIP solver, proving optimality for 241 out of 324 instances. We also report experiments on the closely‐related service technician routing and scheduling problem, where our method delivered 12 new best solutions on a 54‐instance testbed from the literature.
Treatments and Outcomes of Pediatric Head and Neck Lymphatic Malformations: A 20‐Year Single Institution Experience
Authors: Zhao Jared , Thompson Elaine , Weiss Clifford Raabe , Walsh Jonathan
Published: December 2024

Objective

Examine the management and outcomes of pediatric head and neck lymphatic malformations (HNLMs).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Setting

Tertiary academic hospital.

Methods

Patients aged 18 years or younger treated for HNLMs at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2000 to 2023 were identified. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment courses were recorded from charts. Outcome measures included estimated clinical post‐treatment size reduction and complications. Fisher's exact test was performed for comparisons between treatments.

Results

We identified 101 pediatric patients (50.5% female) with HNLMs. Fifty‐two received unimodal treatment, 11 received multimodal treatment, and 38 underwent active observation or no treatment. Of those who received treatment, 44% had their first treatment before 2 years of age. 54.5% of all patients received sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy caused nearly complete or complete resolution in 52.2% (n = 24) of low‐stage (de Serres Stages 1‐3) HNLMs and complete resolution in 26.1%. Most (71.4%) high‐stage (de Serres Stages 4‐5) malformations demonstrated limited size reduction response to all treatments. Surgery had a higher all‐inclusive complication rate (25%) compared to sclerotherapy (17%). Multimodal treatment strategies were most often used to treat microcystic malformations of all stages, achieving a 42.9% nearly complete or complete resolution rate.

Conclusion

Low‐stage and macrocystic pediatric HNLMs respond well to treatment. Sclerotherapy had the lowest complication rate. High‐stage malformations had limited size reduction response to multimodal treatment. As new medical therapies continue to develop, opportunities for improved treatment algorithms will emerge.
National Trends and Benchmarks for Operative Time and Hospital Length of Stay in Parotidectomies
Authors: Calcano Gabriela A. , Rourk Katelyn S. , Glasgow Amy , Habermann Elizabeth B. , Henson Jammie , Price Daniel L. , Tasche Kendall K. , Van Abel Kathryn M. , Moore Eric J. , Yin Linda X.
Published: December 2024

Objective

The extent of parotidectomy for benign tumors has de‐escalated in the United States. We aim to define modern benchmarks for operative time and hospital length of stay (LOS) in parotidectomy and identify risk factors that may prolong these benchmarks.

Study Design

This is a retrospective cross‐sectional study of all adults who underwent parotidectomy for a primary parotid neoplasm between January 2011 and December 2021 using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Methods

The extent of parotidectomy was defined using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Prolonged operative time and LOS were defined as above the 75th percentile (longer than 194 minutes and more than 1 day, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify patient and surgical risk factors that predict prolonged operative time or LOS.

Results

Benign parotidectomies are mostly performed as outpatient procedures in the United States (average LOS <1 day). Prolonged operative time was independently associated with malignant tumors versus benign tumors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4‐3.0), total parotidectomy with facial nerve sacrifice versus lesser extent of parotidectomy (aOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.7‐3.0), and simultaneous reconstructive procedures versus none (P < .001 for all). These features were similarly independently associated with prolonged LOS (P < .001 for all). Complication rates were universally low.

Conclusion

The majority of superficial parotidectomies in this country are performed as outpatient procedures requiring <3 hours of operative time, with low complication rates. Malignant tumors, greater extent of parotidectomy, and simultaneous procedures were independently associated with prolonged operative time and LOS. These national benchmarks can inform operating room and hospital bed resource assignments.
Dissecting the Circadian Clock and Toll‐like Receptor Gene Alterations in Meniere's Disease and Vestibular Migraine
Authors: Yang Ming‐Yu , Wu Ching‐Nung , Lin Yu‐Tsai , Tsai Ming‐Hsien , Hwang Chung‐Feng , Yang Chao‐Hui
Published: December 2024

Objective

To investigate alterations in the expression of circadian clock and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) genes in peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes of patients with Meniere's disease (MD) and vestibular migraine (VM), and determine whether these gene expressions can differentiate MD from VM.

Study Design

Observational prospective study.

Setting

Tertiary academic medical center.

Methods

PB leukocytes were collected from patients diagnosed with MD and VM during recent vertigo attacks, as well as from healthy controls. The expression levels of 9 circadian clock genes and 6 TLR genes were analyzed using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Sixty‐nine participants were enrolled, including 28 patients with MD, 14 patients with VM, and 27 healthy controls. Both MD and VM groups showed lower expression of PER1 compared to the control group (P < .01). The VM group exhibited significantly lower expression of PER1, PER2, CRY1, BMAL1, CLOCK, and TIM compared to the MD group (all P < .001). The MD group had higher TLR9 expression than the control group, and elevated TLR4, TLR8, and TLR9 expression compared to the VM group (P < .05). In the VM group, patients with severe dizziness handicaps had significantly lower expression of PER2, CRY1, CRY2, and CK1ε compared to those with mild to moderate handicaps (P < .05).

Conclusion

This study identifies distinct alterations in the circadian clock and TLR gene expression in MD and VM, suggesting potential differences in the pathogenesis of these 2 vertiginous disorders and highlighting the possibility of these gene expressions as biomarkers for differentiation.