bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of opioid safety reports on racial and ethnic differences in post- operative opioid prescribing practices at hospital discharge: exploratory analysis of a clustered randomized controlled trial
Authors: Romanelli Robert J. , Wagner Zachary , Mariano Louis T. , Shenoy Rivfka , Kirkegaard Allison , Watkins Katherine E. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background:
The objective of this study was to examine differences in postoperative opioid prescribing by race and ethnicity before and after the implementation of opioid safety reports, via a randomized control trial (RCT), to reduce guideline-discordant opioid prescribing.
Methods:
This exploratory analysis of an RCT used three years of data (October 2019-October 2022), two before the intervention and one during the intervention, across 19 hospitals and three surgical specialties: general surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and orthopedic surgery. The analysis included patients ≥ 18 years of age, with known race/ethnicity (Hispanic [any race], or non-Hispanic, Asian, Black, Other or white [NHA, NHB, NHO, or NHW]), who underwent procedures by surgeons who were randomized to receive monthly opioid safety reports (treatment arm) or not (control arm). Safety reports were based on social norms, comparing surgeons’ prescribing to guideline recommendations s or their peers. The primary outcome was total morphine milligram equivalence (MME) prescribed per patient at hospital discharge. Linear regression models were used to examine differences in prescribed total MME by race/ethnicity between control and treatment arms, before and after intervention implementation, with statistical adjustment for numerous patient, procedure, and clinician characteristics.
Results:
Among 55,637 patients meeting study eligibility criteria, overall trends showed decreases in opioid prescribing over time, which were more pronounced among racial/ethnic minority patients compared to NHW patients. Independent of randomized assignment, NHA and Hispanic patients received on average lower opioid quantities than NHW patients within each year, whereas NHB patients received higher opioid quantities in the first and second year and lower opioid quantities in the third year. The intervention, itself, did not impact prescribing differences by race/ethnicity across surgical specialty combined. Stratified by speciality, the intervention appeared to reduce differences in opioid prescribing for NHB vs. NHW patients undergoing obstetrics/gynecological procedures by an average of -20.8 total MME (95% Confidence Interval: -40.1, -1.5).
Conclusions:
Opioid safety reports, based on social norms, showed little impact on reducing gaps in opioid prescribing by race/ethnicity. Future research is needed to identify strategies to mitigate racial/ethnic postoperative opioid prescribing differences at hospital discharge.
Integrated number sense tutoring remediates aberrant neural representations in children with mathematical disabilities
Authors: Park Yunji , Zhang Yuan , Schwartz Flora , Iuculano Teresa , Chang Hyesang , Menon Vinod 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Number sense is essential for early mathematical development but it is compromised in children with mathematical disabilities (MD). Here we investigate the impact of a personalized 4-week Integrated Number Sense (INS) tutoring program aimed at improving the connection between nonsymbolic (sets of objects) and symbolic (Arabic numerals) representations in children with MD. Utilizing neural pattern analysis, we found that INS tutoring not only improved cross-format mapping but also significantly boosted arithmetic fluency in children with MD. Critically, the tutoring normalized previously low levels of cross-format neural representations in these children to pre-tutoring levels observed in typically developing, especially in key brain regions associated with numerical cognition. Moreover, we identified distinct, 'inverted U-shaped' neurodevelopmental changes in the MD group, suggesting unique neural plasticity during mathematical skill development. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of targeted INS tutoring for remediating numerical deficits in MD, and offer a foundation for developing evidence-based educational interventions.
Proinflammatory cytokines sensitise mesenchymal stromal cells to apoptosis
Authors: Heng Tracy , Payne Natalie , Pang Swee Heng Milon , Freeman Andrew , Ozkocak Dilara , Wallis Georgia , Zheng Di , Mendonca Senora , O'Reilly Lorraine , Gray Daniel , Poon Ivan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exert broad therapeutic effects across a range of inflammatory diseases. Their therapeutic properties, largely mediated by secreted factors, can be enhanced by pre-exposure to inflammatory cytokines, a concept known as “licensing”. Yet, following intravenous infusion, MSCs fail to engraft long-term because they become trapped in the lungs. Recent evidence from in vivo models has shown that apoptosis of MSCs and subsequent clearance by host phagocytes is essential for their therapeutic efficacy. Here, we investigated the apoptotic mechanisms governing MSC death and how exposure to inflammatory cytokines, which “license” MSCs, impacts their sensitivity to cell death. Our results show that efficient killing of MSCs required triggering of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, via inhibition of the pro-survival proteins MCL-1 and BCL-XL. Apoptotic bodies were readily released by MSCs during cell disassembly, a process that was inhibited in vitro and in vivo when the apoptotic effectors BAK and BAX were genetically deleted. Exposure to the inflammatory cytokines TNF and IFN-γ increased the sensitivity of MSCs to apoptosis in vitro and accelerated their in vivo clearance by host cells within the lungs after intravenous infusion. Taken together, our study demonstrates how “licensing” of MSCs facilitates their apoptosis and clearance, informing strategies for improving the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in future human clinical trials.
Sirtuin 3 is required for pro-inflammatory and pro-regenerative aspects of senescent cells
Authors: Wiley Christopher , Mogck Bronwyn , Jezak Samantha , Velarde Michael 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a multifaceted stress response marked by stable proliferative arrest and the secretion of diverse biologically active factors, collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The senescent phenotype is remarkably variable and subject to various regulatory influences. We previously demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction induced by diverse stimuli, including the loss of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), leads to the hyperactivation of AMPK and p53, culminating in senescence while concurrently suppressing much of the proinflammatory SASP. Here, we extend our findings by revealing that the absence of SIRT3 can suppress segments of the SASP, even in the absence of p53. Intriguingly, SIRT3 deficiency renders cells resistant to stimulation by exogenous cytokines, such as interleukin-1. Fibroblasts derived from Sirt3 knockout mice exhibit a diminished SASP, including reduced levels of Pdgfa, and these mice display impaired wound healing and a more expansive granulation area. Furthermore, Sirt3 knockout mice accumulate more senescent cells than their age-matched counterparts and increases in many segments of the SASP, yet specifically exhibit lower levels of key proinflammatory SASP factors. Collectively, these data underscore a key role for SIRT3 in orchestrating cellular senescence phenotypes, shedding light on its regulatory influence beyond the p53-dependent pathway.
On-site Physiotherapy in Older Emergency Department Patients Following a Fall: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Benhamou Jonathan , Espejo Tanguy , Riedel Henk B. , Dreher-Hummel Thomas , García-Martínez Ana , Gubler-Gut Barbara , Kirchberger Joris , Overberg Jan-Arie , Perrot Guido , Bingisser Roland , Nickel Christian Hans 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Falls are a frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits for individuals aged 65 years and older. Greater fear of falling (FOF) is associated with an increased risk of falling in older patients. This study aims to assess the impact of physiotherapy on FOF in older patients and investigates the feasibility of such an intervention in the ED setting.
Methods: All patients aged 65 or older, who presented to the ED of the University Hospital Basel after a fall between January 2022 and June 2023 were screened for inclusion. Participants were assigned to an intervention or control group depending on the randomized presence or absence of a physiotherapist at inclusion.
Results: One hundred four older adults with a recent fall were included (intervention: n = 44, control: n = 60); median age was 81 years and 59.1% were female. There was no between-group difference in FOF as measured by short International Falls Efficacy Scale within a week of inclusion (p = 0.663, effect size = 0.012 [95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.377 to 0.593]). Despite the intervention being deemed feasible from the physiotherapist’s perspective, the study encountered challenges, such as low recruitment and a notable dropout rate.
Conclusion: A physiotherapy intervention in the ED showed no improvement in fear of falling when compared to a control group. Despite concerns about low recruitment and high dropout rates, both groups received a high standard of care, resulting in a reduction in FOF in both groups over the course of the study.
Trial registration number and date: NCT05156944, 01.12.2021
Modelling trace metal in river and sediment compartments to assess water quality
Authors: GRARD ALINE , DELIÈGE JEAN-FRANÇOIS 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This paper focuses on trace metal (TM) dynamics along 2 stretches of European Rivers: the French part of the Mosel River (upstream part of the watershed) and the Belgian part of the Meuse River (middle part of the Meuse watershed). A deterministic description of hydro-sedimentary processes and simulation of trace metal concentrations have been achieved.
Trace metal particulate concentrations are strongly dependent on the particle sizes. Fine particles have a high adsorption capacity. A multi-class grain size representation has then been used. The dissolved and particulate trace metal phases have been calculated with specific partitioning coefficients associated to each suspended particulate matter sediment (SS) class.
A model describing pollution transport and dilution at the watershed scalehas been enhanced with the implementation of the MicMod sub-model aiming to characterize the dynamics of trace metals in water column and bed sediment. Trace metals have been simulated by applying mass-balance relationships in aquatic ecosystem. Processes involve in trace metal fate have been calibrated in the MicMod sub-model: settling velocity, trace metal releases from the watershed (point and diffuse loads), etc. This sub-model also considers calibrated sorption processes and additionally describes trace metal behaviour and the interactions between water column and suspended particulate matter. The explicit description of SS leads to a better representation of the TM behaviour in river ecosystem. It was demonstrated that a description of at least one class of fine particles is necessary to get an adequate representation of TM concentrations. This paper establishes consistent pressure-impact relationships between the TM loads (urban, industrial, soils, etc.) discharging from the watersheds into the river. Considering the potential capacity of that type of models to be used for water quality management plans (in the scope of WFD), priority plans, etc. a special attention addresses validation phases, using measured data, to reinforce the modelling operationality.
Computational Screening of Phytochemicals present in some Nigeria Medicinal Plants against Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Asibor Yemisi Elizabeth , LATONA Dayo Felix , OYEBAMIJI Abel Kolawole , SEMIRE Banjo 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Four hundred Phytochemical (bio-active) compounds having predictive activity for treating Sickle Cell Anemia were screened, using PASS online computational resource. Twenty-six compounds out of the four hundred compounds which showed high probability for treating sickle were further screened for pharmacokinetics profiles (ADMET properties) using SwissAdmet, AdmetSAR 2 and Pro-tox II online resources. Only thirteen compounds that displayed good ADMET properties from the twenty -six were further used for DFT calculations and molecular docking against carbonmonoxy sickle hemoglobin (PDB ID: 5E6E). Molecular docking analysis reinforced by DFT calculations showed that two compounds, phenanthrene-5,6-dione (A9) and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one (A13, Luteolin) have the best binding affinity of -8.3 and − 8.9 kcal/mol, respectively, compared to voxelotor (GBT-440), a drug use in treating sickle cell disease. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one (A13, Luteolin) is highly stable with the protein than voxelotor.
Evaluation of the effect of platelet rich fibrin and low level laser therapy (LLLT) on treatment of alveolar osteitis (blinded comparative clinical study)
Authors: Mizal Kamal Sahib , Cheikh Asma Ben , Abusanna Muntathar Muhsen , Moussaoui Eya 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: A dry socket is a common complication that can occur during the healing process following a tooth extraction. Despite its frequent occurrence in otherwise healthy individuals, the exact cause of this condition remains unclear. As a result, the management of dry sockets has traditionally relied on practical experience rather than on scientific theory. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of platelets-rich fibrin (PRF) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of dry sockets with conventional treatments.
Material and Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among patients with a dry socket, who were categorized into three treatment groups. In the first group, the conventional treatment was used by performing gentle socket curettage and saline irrigation. The second group was treated with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), whereas the third group underwent low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Initially, the dry socket patients were examined at day 0 and achieved one of three treatment options, then scheduled follow-up appointments on days 4 and 7 after therapy. The pain score, inflammation and tenderness around the socket, and quantity of granulation tissue formation were assessed, respectively.
Results
A total of eighty-seven patients with dry socket were divided into three treatment groups. The conventional therapy group took more than seven days to reach the same healing phase as group II, which received PRF treatment, and group III, which received LLLT irradiation. In the comparison of healing rates between PRF and LLLT, it was noticed that the socket treated by LLLT showed an increase in both granulation tissue production and pain management on day 4 compared to the PRF-treated group II patients.
CONCOLUSION
The sockets treated with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and low-level laser therapy showed a statistically significant improvement in the healing process and granulation tissue formation compared with conventional treatment.
Advanced Machine Learning Techniques for Enhanced Landslide Susceptibility Mapping: Integrating Geotechnical Parameters in the Case of Southwestern Cyprus
Authors: tzampoglou Ploutarchos , Loukidis Dimitrios , Anastasiades Aristodemos , Tsangaratos Paraskevas 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to construct landslide susceptibility maps that are based not only on a set of geomorphological, geological, and hydrological factors but also on geotechnical parameters that are directly related to the shear strength of the ground, such as the Plasticity Index, Clay Fraction and Geological Strength Index. These parameters are overlooked in landslide susceptibility studies but are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of slope instabilities. Three methods were utilized to develop the appropriate classifiers: Logistic Regression, Random Forest and XGBoost. A database of 2500 landslide points and 2500 no-landslide points was selected for the study area, which is the southwestern part of Cyprus. These were divided into the training (70% of the total data) and a validation (30% of the total data) datasets. After processing the feature importance of 17 causal factors, lithology emerged as the most influential factor, followed by slope angle and land use. The evaluated geotechnical factors are highly important, as two of them rank sixth and seventh in the importance hierarchy. The training and testing capabilities of the three models were validated and compared with the results of the ROC curve analysis and estimation of several statistical metrics. Generally, all the models achieved high values of accuracy, sensitivity, and Cohen’s Kappa Index. Regarding the predictive capability, it was found that all the methods achieved very high accuracies, as they succeeded in identifying the 87.0% (LR), 96.3% (XGB), and 98.7% (RF) of the recorded landslides as areas of high to very high landslide susceptibility.
Forecast Assessment of Water Regime Efficiency and Changes in Water Consumption on Drained Lands of Western Polissya of Ukraine in a Changing Climate
Authors: Rokochinskiy Anatoliy , Volk Pavlo , Kuzmych Lyudmyla , Koptyuk Roman , Volk Liubov , Prykhodko Nataliia , Kuzmych Anna 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The forecast data on the impact of changing weather and climatic conditions on evaporation, water demand, and crop yield on drained lands in Western Polissia of Ukraine at different stages of their development are presented. They serve as the basis for creating the project water management regimes and forming the operational water management regimes, which are implemented by selecting and justifying the necessary water management methods, types, structures, and operation modes of drainage systems, and to calculate their parameters. Computer simulation modeling of various climatic scenarios was planned to accomplish the objective. The forecast was made through a machining experiment based on the implementation of a corresponding complex of forecast-simulation models regarding the main regime-technological variable parameters of drainage systems, local climatic conditions, water regime, water management technologies, and productivity of drained lands for schematized natural, agrotechnical, and meliorative conditions. Vegetation values of total evaporation and water demand formation of drained lands were determined for the long-term forecast module of water supply regarding variable climatic and agro-meliorative conditions. The technological efficiency of different irrigation technologies (subsoil irrigation, sprinkler irrigation) of drained lands was evaluated. The research showed that in the Western Polissia of Ukraine, the water supply module for irrigating drained lands varies significantly depending on the type of crops, drained soil (mineral, peat), irrigation technologies, and heat and moisture supply conditions during the vegetation period. Compared to the existing normative values of 0.5…0.75 l/s·ha, its range of variation is 0.5…3.9 l/s·ha. In this case, the water demand for cultivated crops increases almost two to three times, necessitating the transition from periodic to regular irrigation of drained lands.
Removal of Congo Red Dye by Using Chemically Activated Lemon Peel Adsorbent
Authors: Mondol Monisha , Rahman Molla Mohammad Shafiqur , Angon Prodipto Bishnu 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The synthetic colorant Congo red (CR) dye is an organic pollutant due to its resistance to decolorization. It is used in rubber, textiles, printing, and dyeing industries. Different dye-contaminated water can have adverse effects, including carcinogenicity and toxicity to biotic components. The discovery of CR dye, its noteworthy effects on aquatic life, and the ability of chemically activated lemon peel (LP) to function as an adsorbent were all made possible by this effort. The optimal conditions of dye concentration, adsorbent quantities, temperature, and contact period were assessed. The separation and removal of pollutants from wastewater were assessed by centrifuging the samples for the adsorption procedure, which is often used by spectrophotometers to evaluate LP’s capacity to remove CR. LP was chemically activated by using different KOH and H3PO4 material-chemical ratios due to its frequent availability in nature, high surface area, and active functional groups. For CR adsorption, the best contact periods were 80 and 100 minutes, respectively, with removal percentages of 86.86% and 89.03% for 1:3 or LP-H3 (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5 ratios of LP and H3PO4 as LP-H1, LP-H2, LP-H3, LP-H4, and LP-H5) ratios. The greatest CR adsorption took place at a dye concentration of 100 ppm. Through this work, LP served as an affordable and eco-friendly adsorbent. Further, more research can be done on using low-cost, high-performing, eco-friendly adsorbents to remove hazardous dyes.
Performance analysis of biodegradable Composite using Polyvinyl Alcohol and Pomegranate Peel Powder for Sustainable Packaging Applications
Authors: Sivaranjana P. , Nagaraj Rajini , Krishnane Kumar , Mohammad Faruq 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Fabricating a biodegradable packaging material is the requirement of this era to safeguard our planet from climatic change and waste management issues. Almost 55% of the waste was generated from packaging material used for various purposes. We have developed a biodegradable PVA/PPP composite film for dry packaging. The Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) water soluble, biodegradable polymer was taken as the matrix, and pomegranate peel powder (PPP) the agro waste material was chosen as the filler material. The developed PVA/PPP composite films were characterized with optical microscopy, FTIR, XRD, TGA and moisture analysis. The addition of the filler PPP into the matrix PVA, increased the moisture absorption tendency, decreased the rate of water solubility of the PVA matrix, decreased the crystallinity of the matrix PVA and increased the thermal stability upto 423°C. The pH of the PPP filler material is 4.5, which assist in the preventing the microbial attack. All these characterizations revealed that the developed PVA/PPP composite films have better thermal stability over the matrix PVA. These PVA/PPP composite films can be used as packaging material for dry food substances, electronics, and other moisture free materials. The fabricated PVA/PPP composite films were completely biodegradable and developed via green synthesis without using hazardous materials. Another advantage over the fabrication was the utilization of the filler material PPP which will reduce the solid waste in the environment.