bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Testing in Gliomas: What is Necessary in Routine Clinical Practice?
Authors: Alnahhas Iyad 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Purpose of review
A number of molecular characteristics are essential for accurate diagnosis and prognostication in glioma.

Recent findings
The 2021 WHO classification of brain tumors and recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pathology agnostic drug approvals highlight the importance of molecular testing in the management of glioma.

Summary
For diffuse gliomas, it is important to identify IDH mutations, given the favorable clinical behavior and potential for using FDA approved IDH inhibitors in the near future. MGMT promoter methylation testing is the most established molecular marker for response to temozolomide in IDH wild-type glioblastoma and in turn impacts overall survival. Moreover, identification of certain mutations and molecular markers, such as BRAF V600E, hypermutation or elevated tumor-mutational burden and NTRK fusions allow for the use of FDA approved agents that are tumor-agnostic. Finally, molecular testing opens options for clinical trials that are essential for diseases with limited treatment options like gliomas.
Effect of Different Coating Materials on Black Périgord Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) Aroma Profile and Its Shelf Life
Authors: Choo Kenny S. O. , Bollen Maike , Dykes Gary A. , Coorey Ranil 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Black Périgord truffles (Tuber melanosporum) are the highest-priced edible fungus in the world due to their unique flavour, rarity, short growing season, difficulty in mass cultivating, and short shelf-life. The current industrial practices have not been effective in extending truffle shelf-life while preserving its aroma profiles. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of several preservation methods on Australian-grown black Périgord truffles, which include assessing the changes in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of truffles treated with edible coatings, antimicrobial agents, or antioxidants such as chitosan, gum Arabic, kafirin, natamycin, tocopherol, vitamin C, and citric acid at the interval of 0, 7, and 14 days of storage. The study also aimed to assess the capability of gamma-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) in encapsulating truffle VOCs at the intervals of 0, 14, and 28 days of storage. Among all the edible coatings, chitosan-treated truffles had the least change in VOCs, especially the black truffle aroma volatile markers, 2-methyl-1-butanal, 2,4-dithiapentane, and dimethyl sulphide. Chitosan also resulted in no significant changes (P < 0.05) in the carbon dioxide emissions of truffle. The PCA plots showed that chitosan-coated samples displayed the least changes. The sole application of antimicrobial agents or antioxidants was ineffective in delaying the deterioration process. On the other hand, the results show that γ-CD was able to encapsulate 30 truffle’s VOCs, which included 3-methyl-1-butanal, 2-methyl-1-butanol, dimethyl sulphide, and 2,4-dithiapentane with no significant changes over the storage period.
Long-term safety and efficacy of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in Japanese patients with polycythemia vera
Authors: Kirito Keita , Sugimoto Yuka , Gotoh Akihiko , Takenaka Katsuto , Ichii Michiko , Inano Tadaaki , Shirane Shuichi , Ito Masafumi , Zagrijtschuk Oleh , Qin Albert , Kawase Hiroaki , Sato Toshiaki , Komatsu Norio , Shimoda Kazuya 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRopeginterferon alfa-2b (ropegIFN), a new-generation interferon-based agent, has been approved in Japan for patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who are ineligible for or respond inadequately to conventional treatment. However, long-term outcomes with ropegIFN in Japanese patients have not been reported. This extension of a phase 2 study of ropegIFN in Japanese patients with PV aimed to determine its long-term safety/efficacy, and changes over time in JAK2 V617F allele burden. Here, we report data from the phase 2 study and subsequent extension over a period of 36 months. The primary endpoint was the complete hematologic response (CHR) maintenance rate without phlebotomy (hematocrit value < 45% without phlebotomy during the previous 12 weeks, platelet count ≤ 400 × 109/L, and white blood cell count ≤ 10 × 109/L). The CHR maintenance rates were 8/27 (29.6%), 18/27 (66.7%), and 22/27 (81.5%) at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. No thrombotic or hemorrhagic events occurred. The median allele burden change from baseline was − 74.8% at 36 months. All patients experienced adverse events; 25/27 (92.6%) experienced adverse drug reactions (ADRs), but no serious ADRs or deaths occurred. This interim analysis demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ropegIFN over 36 months in Japanese patients with PV.
Ruxolitinib for steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease: Japanese subgroup analysis of REACH3 study
Authors: Shiratori Souichi , Fukushima Kentaro , Onishi Yasushi , Doki Noriko , Goto Tatsunori , Okada Masaya , Nakamae Hirohisa , Maeda Yoshinobu , Kato Koji , Ishikawa Takayuki , Kondo Tadakazu , Toyosaki Masako , Ikeda Takashi , Uchida Naoyuki , Maki Akio , Shimada Fumika , Tajima Takeshi , Stefanelli Tommaso , Teshima Takanori 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRuxolitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK1–JAK2) inhibitor, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in patients with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). This phase 3 randomized trial (REACH3) evaluated the efficacy and the safety of ruxolitinib 10 mg twice daily compared with investigator-selected best available therapy (BAT) in a subgroup of Japanese patients (n = 37) with steroid-refractory or dependent (SR/D) chronic GvHD. At data cut-off, treatment was ongoing in 17 patients and discontinued in 20. The overall response rate (complete or partial) at week 24 was greater with ruxolitinib than BAT (50% vs. 20%; odds ratio, 4.13 [95% CI, 0.90–18.9]). The best overall response rate (complete or partial response at any time point up to week 24) was higher with ruxolitinib than BAT (68.2% vs. 46.7%; odds ratio, 2.69 [95% CI, 0.66–10.9]). Ruxolitinib led to longer median failure-free survival than BAT (18.6 months vs. 3.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.34; [95% CI, 0.14–0.85]). The most common grade ≥ 3 adverse events up to week 24 were anemia (ruxolitinib: 22.7%; BAT: 6.7%) and pneumonia (22.7% and 20.0%, respectively). Ruxolitinib showed a higher response rate and improvement in failure-free survival in Japanese patients with SR/D chronic GvHD, with a safety profile consistent with the overall study population.
The General Attitudes Towards Robots Scale (GAToRS): A Preliminary Validation of the Italian Version
Authors: Carradore Marco , Artioli Giovanna , Sarli Annavittoria 
Published: October 2024

AbstractSocial robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are two technologies currently benefitting from significant scientific advancements. By consequence, the development of social robots equipped with AI is also progressing fast, and their presence and relevance in our lives are set to increase considerably. Thus, in view of a context characterized by the spread of the humanoid robots, the development of scales which measure peoples’ attitudes towards social robots is of great importance and value. The aim of this paper was to translate and validate in the Italian language the English version of the General Attitudes Towards Robots Scale (GAToRS). GAToRS measures individual and social dimensions, considering both positive and negative attitudes towards robots. We compiled a questionnaire incorporating the GAToRS and sociodemographic items and administered it to a non-probabilistic sample composed of 302 Italian citizens working in the health care sector. To identify the latent underlying dimensions, we applied exploratory factor analysis to the set of the twenty GAToRS items. We used confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the factorial structure validity of the scale and Cronbach’s alpha to measure the internal consistency. The results obtained for the Italian context suggest a version of the GAToRS which excludes the item related to the need to monitor robot technology.
Agricultural commercialisation and food consumption: pathways and trade-offs across four African contexts
Authors: Saha Amrita , Harris Jody , Nisbett Nicholas , Thompson John 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe relationship between agricultural commercialisation and nutrition is empirically contested, with findings suggesting different trends for different indicators, and across different contexts. Using novel cross-sectional survey data from a study of commercialisation in four African countries, this paper aims to understand associations and trade-offs between agricultural commercialisation and food consumption using three different indicators: household perceptions of their own food security; the dietary diversity of adult women and men; and the consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods and drinks. We find that a higher level of commercialisation is associated with respondents perceiving the household as more food secure in three countries and hypothesise that this relationship only holds where food price inflation remains low. Perception of better food security is subsequently associated with better reported dietary diversity, but diversity remains low in all countries even in the most commercialised households, and men’s dietary diversity overtakes women’s, on average, at higher levels of commercialisation. Ultra-processed foods were not highly consumed in our samples but were also linked with increasing commercialisation. Through this analysis, we show that commercialization and food consumption outcomes are linked in both positive and negative ways – and that both, retaining own food production, and the food market context, plays a moderating role, as does household experience of uncertainty in transition to commercial agriculture. Findings for policy in the context of inevitable but highly varied forms of agricultural commercialisation in Africa therefore include ensuring that diverse nutritious foods are available and affordable in local markets, but also that household food security and diets are socially supported through the process of transition where commercialisation is pursued.
Mapping the patient journey: utilizing clinical informatics for a conceptual approach to identify aspects of emergency department access block
Authors: Rahman Md Anisur , Lim Derek Z. , Davoren Michael , Lok Ian , Rahman Saifur , Hough Peter , Mosa Thanaa , Begum Syeda 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
The study aims to map the patient journey in a regional Emergency Department (ED), identify factors causing extended Length of Stay (LOS) in ED during pre-COVID (2016–2019), COVID (2020–2022) and post-COVID (2023), and analyse the patient journey using clinical informatics. Through systematic analysis and root cause identification, the study seeks to establish a learning health system. This system will enhance patient experiences and improve timely and effective care delivery.

Methods
Summarized data on ED presentations data were sourced from January 2016 to August 2023 for a 294-bed regional hospital in New South Wales (NSW). The patient’s journey from ED to admission inpatient wards was analysed using clinical informatics. The time spent in each segment of the ED journey was analysed separately and subdivided by specialty for further analysis.

Results
Patient characteristics remained similar year on year. The average ED LOS increased from 5.59 h during the pre-COVID period (2016–2019) to 8.48 h during the COVID period (2020–2022) and 8.52 h during the post-COVID period (2023). The hospital’s bed occupancy rate remained consistent before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a slight improvement afterwards, except for a decrease in 2020. The occupancy rate for ED-accessible beds during the pre-COVID period is higher than during the COVID and post-COVID periods. The admission from ED to Inpatient wards decreased from 35% pre-COVID to 28% during COVID. Of the total LOS, the ‘Bed Request’ to ‘Bed Ready’ time segment increased from 11.41% in 2016 to 41.19% in 2022. The admission of medical specialty consistently made up most admissions (32%) which increased during the COVID. The medical specialty also spent the most time in the ED, peaking at 880 min in 2022.

Conclusion
Clinical Informatics is an effective tool to visualise the bottlenecks in clinical workflows. The ‘Bed Request’ to ‘Bed Ready’ time segment was the largest contributor to ED LOS and may have been attributed to a lack of bed availability. Patients took an average of 50 min to be transferred to Inpatient wards upon admission. Future studies could utilize insights gained to develop specific key performance indicators aimed at improving ED LOS. Moreover, we are currently working on improving real-time access to inpatient beds but are currently hampered by the ‘manual update’ of bed status that is controlled by the individual wards. We aim to build an automated system that can monitor and update bed availability (e.g., patient discharge) with minimal human intervention.
Smoking & autonomy: the generational tobacco endgame
Authors: Mohamed Ali Shazeea 
Published: October 2024

AbstractNew Zealand and Malaysia have abandoned plans to introduce a generational smoking ban because of concerns that such a policy is incompatible with liberal democracy as it undermines autonomy. This paper challenges this claim by showing that smoking is not an autonomous act. Autonomy requires a deliberation of preferences, wills and inclinations. This does not occur in smokers because of three related factors: nicotine addiction, cognitive biases and psychosocial development in addiction. Nicotine addiction results in strong physical and psychological desires to seek pleasure and to avoid withdrawal. This is further potentiated by conditioned behaviour. Cognitive biases explain why smokers act in ways that are detrimental to their health. Psychosocial development explains how the brains of smokers are unable to make rational decisions. This combination renders smokers unable to reflect on their actions and thus act autonomously. This stance is compatible with Mill’s view that actions that devalue autonomy cannot be considered autonomous. Defenders of liberalism should not be quick to dismiss a smoking ban and can instead foster autonomy by supporting it.
Physical Health Among Black Immigrants by Region of Birth: A Test of the Racial Context Hypothesis
Authors: Emoruwa Oluwaseun T. , Miller Gabe H. , Elufisan Gbenga I. , Marquez-Velarde Guadalupe , Ademule David , Lindl Hannah M. , Omisakin Olusola A. , Ma Guizhen , Hernandez Stephanie M. , Keith Verna M. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Objective
We test the Racial Context Hypothesis by examining the association between racial context of origin and five physical health outcomes (self-rated health, activity limitation, functional activity limitation, lifetime hypertension, and lifetime cancer) among U.S.-born Black Americans and Black immigrants in the United States.

Design
This cross-sectional study used 2000 through 2018 waves of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Our subsample was limited to adults 18 years of age or older who self-identified as Black and selected a distinct global region of birth if not U.S. born (N = 212,269). We employed zero-order logistic regression models to estimate the relationships between each measure of health and racial context by region of birth.

Results
Supporting the Racial Context Hypothesis, we found Black immigrants from racially mixed (Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America) and majority-Black contexts (Africa) had lower odds of being in fair or poor self-rated health [aOR 0.786; 0.616; 0.611], reporting any activity limitation [aOR = 0.537; 0.369; 0.678], reporting functional activity limitation [aOR 0.619; 0.425; 0.678], reporting lifetime hypertension diagnosis [aOR 0.596; 0.543; 0.618], and reporting lifetime cancer diagnosis [aOR 0.771; 0.326; 0.641] compared to U.S.-born Black Americans. After controlling for sociodemographic and socioeconomic covariates, Black immigrants from majority-White contexts (Europe) did not significantly differ from U.S.-born Black Americans on these five physical health measures.

Conclusion
This study expands our understanding of the “Black immigrant advantage” by showing that Black immigrants from predominantly Black and racially mixed regions rated their health status as poor or fair less often, experienced less activity or functional activity limitations, and had a lower risk of lifetime hypertension and cancer compared to U.S.-born Black Americans. The significant associations persisted even after controlling for sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Black immigrant health is not homogenous, and the racial context of origin Black immigrants come from has an association with their health outcomes.
Decreased trabecular bone score in patients affected by Fabry disease
Authors: Varaldo Emanuele , Giannone Beatrice , Viglino Francesca , Settanni Fabio , Bioletto Fabio , Barale Marco , Procopio Massimo , Deaglio Silvia , Ghigo Ezio , Benso Andrea 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Fabry disease (FD) is an inherited X-linked lysosomal storage disease characterized by increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The impact of FD on clinical measures of bone quality is unknown. This considered, aim of our study was to evaluate whether trabecular bone microarchitecture, measured by trabecular bone score (TBS), is altered in patients with FD compared to control subjects.

Methods
This retrospective monocentric study enrolled 14 patients (M/F 1/1, median age 46 [37–63] years, range 31–72 years) newly diagnosed with FD between January 2016 and July 2023 who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) image at the time of diagnosis and 42 matched controls. In all subjects, data about bone mineral density (BMD) and lumbar spine TBS were collected and total calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated. In subjects with FD, globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3), 24-hour proteinuria and albumin-creatinine ratio were also assessed.

Results
Patients with FD presented significantly lower lumbar spine TBS (1.29 [1.22–1.38] vs. 1.42 [1.39–1.47], p < 0.001) and lower lumbar spine BMD (0.916 ± 0.166 vs. 1.031 ± 0.125 g/cm2, p = 0.008) compared to controls; moreover, FD was shown to be an independent risk factor for both low lumbar spine TBS (β = -0.118, p < 0.001) and BMD (β = -0.115, p = 0.009). No differences were found in serum calcium, ALP, 25(OH) vitamin D and eGFR in both groups, but FD patients had significantly higher PTH levels compared to controls (p = 0.016). Finally, 8 patients with FD presented either moderately or severely increased albuminuria and only 2 patients presented normal lyso-Gb3 levels.

Conclusion
Patients affected by FD present significantly lower lumbar spine TBS and BMD compared to controls. Our findings strongly support the importance of carrying out a thorough evaluation of bone status in all patients affected by FD at baseline.
The Application of Flipped Classroom Strategies in Medical Education: A Review and Recommendations
Authors: Mishall Priti L. , Meguid Eiman M. Abdel , Elkhider Ihsan A. , Khalil Mohammed K. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe role of a flipped classroom (FC) instructional method has been expanding in medical education. Despite recent interest in FC pedagogy, little is known about optimal FC implementation strategies in medical education and their impact on learning outcomes. This article aimed to outline the educational theories that guide the design of the flipped instruction method and review the relevant literature to provide evidence-based recommendations for planning, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating FC instruction in medical education. The review incorporates evidence-based literature that highlights students’ performance outcomes and perceptions of the FC instruction method in medical education.
An overview on the characterization of microplastics (MPs) in waste water treatment plants (WWTPs)
Authors: Maleka Tebogo , Greenfield Richard , Muniyasamy Sudhakar , Modley Lee-Ann 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has become an emerging global concern and has been reported to pose consequential risks to organisms, human health and the environment. Due to their small size (ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm in size), eliminating MPs from wastewater poses a significant challenge, which leads to their accumulation in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This review article explores the method of characterizing MPs in WWTPs to understand their environmental impact better. It also discusses various techniques for characterising MPs in WWTPs, drawing on existing scientific literature. The article provides a comprehensive review of the current methodologies used for the characterisation (chemical, morphology, thermal) of MPs in WWTPs. Furthermore, analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are discussed along with their limitations and potential for recognition and differentiation of various kinds of MPs. The article also highlights the need for standardisation of sampling, extraction, and analytical methods to ensure comparability of results from different studies. The review identifies several obstacles in characterising MPs within WWTPs, such as the absence of standardised methods, restricted detection thresholds, and challenges in quantifying MPs within intricate environmental contexts. To overcome these obstacles, the review recommends prioritising research efforts aimed at enhancing current methodologies, emphasising the need to refine techniques for better comprehension and analysis of MPs within WWTPs.
Enhancing membrane fouling control in wastewater treatment processes through artificial intelligence modeling: research progress and future perspectives
Authors: Cairone Stefano , Hasan Shadi W. , Choo Kwang-Ho , Li Chi-Wang , Zorpas Antonis A. , Ksibi Mohamed , Zarra Tiziano , Belgiorno Vincenzo , Naddeo Vincenzo 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMembrane filtration processes have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in wastewater treatment, achieving high contaminant removal and producing high-quality effluent suitable for safe reuse. Membrane technologies play a primary role in combating water scarcity and pollution challenges. However, the need for more effective strategies to mitigate membrane fouling remains a critical concern. Artificial intelligence (AI) modeling offers a promising solution by enabling accurate predictions of membrane fouling, thus supporting advanced fouling mitigation strategies.This review examines recent progress in the application of AI models, with a particular focus on artificial neural networks (ANNs), for simulating membrane fouling in wastewater treatment processes. It highlights the substantial potential of ANNs, particularly the widely studied multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and other emerging configurations, to accurately predict membrane fouling, thereby enhancing process optimization and fouling mitigation efforts. The review discusses both the potential benefits and current limitations of AI-based strategies, analyzing recent studies to offer valuable insights for designing ANNs capable of providing accurate fouling predictions. Specifically, it provides guidance on selecting appropriate model architectures, input/output variables, activation functions, and training algorithms. Finally, this review highlights the critical need to connect research findings with practical applications in full-scale wastewater treatment plants. Key steps crucial to address this challenge have been identified, emphasizing the potential of AI modeling to revolutionize process control and drive a paradigm shift toward more efficient and sustainable membrane-based wastewater treatment.