bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The “V‐I penoscrotal reconfiguration”: A simple technique for the surgical treatment of congenital webbed penis
Authors: Bagnara Vincenzo , Donà Annadiletta , Berrettini Alfredo , Castagnetti Marco , Paraboschi Irene , Messina Mario , Sheridah Yasmin , Nascimben Francesca , Angotti Rossella 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesTo describe a new penoscrotal reconfiguration technique, named “V‐I penoscrotal reconfiguration” for the surgical reconstruction of a congenital webbed penis (CWP).MethodsTwenty‐one patients who underwent the “V‐I penoscrotal reconfiguration technique” were included in this retrospective study. The CWP severity was assessed according to El‐Koutby's classification. Demographic and clinical data, surgical data, and postoperative outcomes were scheduled and analyzed. Specifically, the postoperative follow‐up included both physical and psychological assessments at 2 weeks, 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Parents' satisfaction degree was quantified by the Likert scale.ResultsCWP was grade 3 in 11 (52%) patients, 2 in five (24%), and 1 (24%) in five. Five (24%) CWP were isolated malformations, 11 (52%) were associated with phimosis, three (14%) with hypospadias, and two (10%) with hypospadias and phimosis. There were no postoperative complications and no cases of redo surgery. The cosmetic outcomes were excellent in all cases: the parents' satisfaction score was 4 in 17 (81%) cases and 3 (9%) in the other four cases.ConclusionsCWP may cause psychological distress and functional problems, especially during sexual intercourse. Its correction in childhood is advocated to prevent psychological and sexual issues. The “V‐I reconfiguration technique” is simple, and easy with excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes.
The expression of Catsup in the hindgut is essential for zinc homeostasis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Jin Li , Tian Xueke , Ji Xiaowen , Xiao Guiran 
Published: April 2024

AbstractZinc excretion is crucial for zinc homeostasis. However, the mechanism of zinc excretion has not been well characterized. Zinc homeostasis in Drosophila seems well conserved to mammals. In this study, we screened all members of the zinc transporters ZnT (SLC30) and Zip (SLC39) for their potential roles in Drosophila hindgut, an insect organ that belongs to the excretory system. The results indicated that Catecholamines up (Catsup, CG10449), a ZIP member localized to the Golgi, is responsible for zinc homeostasis in the hindgut of Drosophila hindgut‐specific knockdown of Catsup leads to a developmental arrest in the larval stage, which could be rescued well by human ZIP7. Further study suggested that Catsup RNAi in the hindgut reduced zinc levels in the excretory system (containing the Malpighian tubule and hindgut) but exhibited systemic zinc overload. Besides, more calculi were observed in the Malpighian tubules of Catsup RNAi flies. The developmental arrest and calculi in the Malpighian tubules of hindgut‐specific Catsup RNAi flies could be rescued by dietary zinc restriction but hypersensitivity to zinc. These results will help us understand the fundamental process of zinc excretion in higher eukaryotes.
Clinical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Hui Samuel , Nguyen Andrew , Le Suong , Dev Anouk , Bell Sally 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundUltrasound surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may improve early tumour detection but may additionally result in surveillance‐related harm through increased evaluation of non‐HCC lesions. The incidence of these outcomes has not been reported outside North America.AimsWe aimed to report the outcomes of HCC surveillance with respect to both surveillance‐related benefits and harms.MethodsWe reviewed all HCC surveillance ultrasounds at a large Victorian tertiary hospital network in 2017 and followed their outcomes until 2021. Surveillance‐related benefits were defined as early‐stage HCC detection. Surveillance‐related harm was defined as contrast imaging, biopsies or surgery performed to evaluate non‐HCC liver lesions or false‐positive alpha‐fetoprotein levels.ResultsFive hundred and fifty‐three patients were included (mean age 54.5 ± 12.3 years, males 67.5%, cirrhosis 50.3%). The most common liver disease aetiology was hepatitis B (53.9%). Over a median of 4.7 years follow‐up, early‐stage HCC was detected in 3.3% (5.4% in cirrhotic vs 1.1% in non‐cirrhotic patients, P < 0.01). 75% of all HCCs were early‐stage. Surveillance‐related harm occurred in 12.5% (15.5% in cirrhotic vs 9.5% in non‐cirrhotic patients, P < 0.04), although most harm was mild (12.1%). In subgroup analysis, the detection of early‐stage HCC ranged between 0% (screened outside of guideline criteria and alcoholic cirrhotic patients) and 7.2% (hepatitis C cirrhosis). Harm occurred between 9% (non‐cirrhotic hepatitis B) and 20.8% (thrombocytopenia).ConclusionIn our study, HCC surveillance was associated with early tumour detection, although many patients experienced mild surveillance‐related harm. Novel surveillance strategies and pathways are required to improve detection in high‐risk patients and minimise harm in low‐risk patients.
Investigation of geopolymer efflorescence durability problems: Causes and possible solutions
Authors: Mokhtari Pozhhan , Ozer Ali , de Sá Ribeiro Ruy Alexandre , Samuel Devon , Kriven Waltraud M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractExperimental investigations were conducted to assess the impact of factors such as relative humidity (RH%) and the H2O molarity of waterglass on the efflorescence behavior of geopolymer composites. Samples with sodium (Na) and potassium (K) bases were prepared, having varying waterglass molarities (M) (at 11 and 13 moles of water). These samples were categorized into three groups exposed to different average RH ranges: (i) 0%–70% RH, (ii) 70%–90% RH, and (iii) 90%–100% RH. This study analyzed the occurrence of efflorescence and its stability, employing analytical techniques such as x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy to examine the formation and characteristics of efflorescent deposits. Additionally, mechanical testing was conducted to evaluate the compressive and flexural strengths of the geopolymer samples, considering the impact of efflorescence on their durability. For instance, in the composite geopolymer specimen containing 11 M water, at a RH of 80%, the compressive strength is decreased by approximately 25% from 56.4 to 42.3 MPa. The findings revealed that when the RH falls within the 70%–90% range, a decrease in water molar content from 13 M to 11 M leads to a more pronounced occurrence of efflorescence when compared to other conditions. Efflorescence may also occur in different RH ranges and water molarities, but its occurrence is significantly lower compared to the 70%–90% RH and 11 M water.
Influence of ceramic crown design (translucent monolithic zirconia vs. bilayered) of implant‐supported single crowns after mechanical cycling
Authors: de Oliveira Limirio Joao Pedro Justino , Gomes Jéssica Marcela de Luna , Santiago‐Junior Joel Ferreira , Nagay Bruna Egumi , Pesqueira Aldiéris Alves , Assunção Wirley Gonçalves , Alves‐Rezende Maria Cristina Rosifini , Pellizzer Eduardo Piza 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the influence of translucent monolithic versus bilayered crowns and whether the use of a CoCr base abutments affects the fatigue and fracture resistance of screwed implant‐supported single crowns with external connections under mechanical cycling.Materials and MethodsFifty specimens were divided into groups: (1) metal–ceramic (MC) crown, (2) veneered zirconia crown (Zr), (3) veneered zirconia crown with a CoCr base abutment (ZrB), (4) monolithic translucent zirconia crown (MZr), and (5) monolithic translucent zirconia crown with a CoCr base abutment (MZrB). Specimens underwent mechanical cycling (5 × 106 cycles; 150 N) evaluating fatigue resistance (number of failures) and those that failed were subsequently subjected to fractographic analyses (stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope) to evaluate failure location and area, and maximum fracture load was also measured.ResultsThe failure‐related survival rate (100%) and maximum fracture resistance of the MZrB were significantly higher than those of MC and Zr (50%; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the failure rate and fracture resistance when a CoCr base abutment was used or not in the translucent monolithic Zr groups (p > 0.05;MZrB vs. MZr). Failure location, with MC crowns' fractures, noted at the screw area (p = 0.043), while all‐ceramic crowns were mostly in the cuspid and to failure area, the Zr group had the largest mean (15.55 ± 9.17 mm2) among the groups, significant difference only when compared with MC (1.62 ± 0.81 mm2) (p = 0.025).ConclusionsTranslucent monolithic zirconia crowns exhibited significantly higher fatigue and fracture resistance compared with conventional MC and bilayered crowns.Clinical SignificanceThe appropriate choice of material and manufacturing technique is crucial for predicting the higher clinical performance of single crowns. Enhanced mechanical resistance in terms of fatigue and fracture resistance can be achieved by replacing MC and bilayered restorations with computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing monolithic zirconia.
Political economy of the ‘agrarian–urban frontier’ in Pakistan: Agrarian transformation, social reproduction and exploitation
Authors: Khan Danish 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe paper underscores the need to reconsider the ontological separation between processes of production and reproduction in the context of agrarian‐urban interlinkages. It synthesizes ‘value theory of inclusion’ with a notion of ‘unfair bargaining power’ to offer a new understanding of processes of agrarian change in the context of Pakistan. Expansion of the agrarian–urban frontier, one of the defining characteristics of the contemporary agrarian change in Pakistan, constitutes a crucial yet undertheorized site of value extraction. The paper shows that contemporary processes of capital accumulation rely on the swift conversion of agricultural land into commercial real estate, manifested in the form of gated housing enclaves. This process, on the one hand, accelerates the devalourization of small‐farm‐based production, and on the other hand, it allows affluent residents of gated housing enclaves to extract gendered surplus labour in the form of domestic workers from the growing pool of ‘classes of labour’. In short, the expansion of agrarian–urban frontier is predicated on devalourization of agrarian livelihoods and exploitation of women's labour.
Youth in individualistic countries have higher financial literacy: Evidence from PISA
Authors: Pulk Kristjan , Riitsalu Leonore 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFinancial literacy is an important life skill, but to date, it is mostly studied on the individual level. To investigate the role of national culture in financial literacy, we analyze data from 20 countries participating in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 financial literacy assessment with four approaches to measuring national culture: Hofstede, Schwartz, Inglehart–Welzel, and Minkov–Kaasa cultural dimension frameworks. This is the first study that links PISA financial literacy scores to these four culture models simultaneously, filling a gap in research on youth financial literacy. We find that culture explains an important part of within‐country variance in financial literacy. The results indicate that individualism is positively associated with youth financial literacy scores, with the Schwartz embeddedness dimension remaining consistent after a set of control variables. Therefore, financial education initiatives need to consider in their design and implication the cultural context of the participants.
Effectiveness of integrated person‐centered interventions for older people's care: Review of Swedish experiences and experts’ perspective
Authors: Kirvalidze Mariam , Boström Anne‐Marie , Liljas Ann , Doheny Megan , Hendry Anne , McCormack Brendan , Fratiglioni Laura , Ali Sulin , Ebrahimi Zahra , Elmståhl Sölve , Eriksdotter Maria , Gläske Pascal , Gustafsson Lena‐Karin , Rundgren Åsa Hedberg , Hvitfeldt Helena , Lennartsson Carin , Hammar Lena Marmstål , Nilsson Gunnar H , Nilsson Peter , Öhlén Joakim , Sandgren Anna , Söderman Annika , Swedberg Karl , Vackerberg Nicoline , Vetrano Davide Liborio , Wijk Helle , Agerholm Janne , Calderón‐Larrañaga Amaia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOlder adults have multiple medical and social care needs, requiring a shift toward an integrated person‐centered model of care. Our objective was to describe and summarize Swedish experiences of integrated person‐centered care by reviewing studies published between 2000 and 2023, and to identify the main challenges and scientific gaps through expert discussions. Seventy‐three publications were identified by searching MEDLINE and contacting experts. Interventions were categorized using two World Health Organization frameworks: (1) Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE), and (2) Integrated People‐Centered Health Services (IPCHS). The included 73 publications were derived from 31 unique and heterogeneous interventions pertaining mainly to the micro‐ and meso‐levels. Among publications measuring mortality, 15% were effective. Subjective health outcomes showed improvement in 24% of publications, morbidity outcomes in 42%, disability outcomes in 48%, and service utilization outcomes in 58%. Workshop discussions in Stockholm (Sweden), March 2023, were recorded, transcribed, and summarized. Experts emphasized: (1) lack of rigorous evaluation methods, (2) need for participatory designs, (3) scarcity of macro‐level interventions, and (4) importance of transitioning from person‐ to people‐centered integrated care. These challenges could explain the unexpected weak beneficial effects of the interventions on health outcomes, whereas service utilization outcomes were more positively impacted. Finally, we derived a list of recommendations, including the need to engage care organizations in interventions from their inception and to leverage researchers’ scientific expertise. Although this review provides a comprehensive snapshot of interventions in the context of Sweden, the findings offer transferable perspectives on the real‐world challenges encountered in this field.
The Ikigai framework: Supporting meaning in life
Authors: Douziech Joann 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis article describes the elements of a support framework based on the Japanese concept Ikigai, “that which gives your life meaning and purpose.” The basic assumption is that understanding and attaining life meaning and purpose are both the main goal and the main pathway to achieving optimal quality of life. The Ikigai framework recognizes the characteristics of people with disabilities—both their capabilities and their limitations—and contends that these need to match expectations for autonomy and choice making, but always supported and enhanced by lifelong learning. The three main pillars of the framework (environment, skills, and approaches) offer an outline for effective support planning that reduces the need for behavior support plans and enhances opportunities to develop life meaning and thus optimal quality of life.
Effect of quadrantwise versus full‐mouth subgingival instrumentation on clinical and microbiological parameters in periodontitis patients: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Isola Gaetano , Polizzi Alessandro , Santonocito Simona , Alibrandi Angela , Pesce Paolo , Kocher Thomas 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAimThis study evaluated the efficacy of quadrantwise subgingival instrumentation (Q‐SI) versus one‐stage full‐mouth subgingival instrumentation (FM‐SI) on probing depth and periodontal pathogen reduction over a 6‐month follow‐up period, as well as whether baseline periodontal pathogens influenced the impact of periodontal treatment protocols on outcomes.MethodsPatients with periodontitis were randomized to receive Q‐SI (n = 43) or FM‐SI (n = 45). Patients were instructed and motivated to maintain optimal oral hygiene during the treatment sessions. Clinical (probing pocket depth [PPD], clinical attachment loss [CAL], and bleeding on probing [BOP]) and periodontal pathogens were assessed at baseline and after 30, 90, and 180 days. Total bacterial load and periodontal pathogens were analysed via real‐time PCR.ResultsAt the 6‐month follow‐up, the median PPD decreased from 4.8 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 4.3–5.2) to 2.6 mm (IQR: 2.3–2.9) in FM‐SI patients and from 4.7 mm (IQR: 4.1–5.2) to 3.2 mm (IQR: 2.4–3.5) in Q‐SI patients (p < .001). At 6 months, FM‐SI was more effective at reducing the median proportions of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Aggregatibacter actinocomyctemcomitans, and Tannerella forsythia (Tf) (p < .001 for each value). Multilevel linear regression analysis demonstrated that high baseline PPD (p = .029), Pg (p = .014), and Tf (p < .001) levels and the FM‐SI protocol (p < .001) were statistically significant predictors of PPD reduction at 6 months. Furthermore, PPD reduction was significantly greater in the FM‐SI group when lower baseline Pg levels were detected.ConclusionThe FM‐SI was more effective than the Q‐SI in reducing the mean PPD and number of periodontal pathogens in periodontitis patients over a 6‐month follow‐up period. Higher baseline PPD and Pg levels had a negative impact on PPD reduction at 6 months after FM‐SI.
Identifying time‐resolved features of nocturnal sleep characteristics of narcolepsy using machine learning
Authors: Vilela Marco , Tracey Brian , Volfson Dmitri , Barateau Lucie , Cai Alice , Buhl Derek L. , Dauvilliers Yves 
Published: April 2024

SummaryThe differential diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1, a rare, chronic, central disorder of hypersomnolence, is challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other hypersomnolence disorders. While recent years have seen significant growth in our understanding of nocturnal polysomnography narcolepsy type 1 features, there remains a need for improving methods to differentiate narcolepsy type 1 nighttime sleep features from those of individuals without narcolepsy type 1. We aimed to develop a machine learning framework for identifying sleep features to discriminate narcolepsy type 1 from clinical controls, narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia. The population included polysomnography data from 350 drug‐free individuals (114 narcolepsy type 1, 90 narcolepsy type 2, 105 idiopathic hypersomnia, and 41 clinical controls) collected at the National Reference Centers for Narcolepsy in Montpelier, France. Several sets of nocturnal sleep features were explored, as well as the value of time‐resolving sleep architecture by analysing sleep per quarter‐night. Several patterns of nighttime sleep evolution emerged that differed between narcolepsy type 1, clinical controls, narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia, with increased nighttime instability observed in patients with narcolepsy type 1. Using machine learning models, we identified rapid eye movement sleep onset as the best single polysomnography feature to distinguish narcolepsy type 1 from controls, narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia. By combining multiple feature sets capturing different aspects of sleep across quarter‐night periods, we were able to further improve between‐group discrimination and could identify the most discriminative sleep features. Our results highlight salient polysomnography features and the relevance of assessing their time‐dependent changes during sleep that could aid diagnosis and measure the impact of novel therapeutics in future clinical trials.
Assessing breathing effort by barometric whole‐body plethysmography and its relationship with prognosis in client‐owned cats with respiratory distress
Authors: Chang Wei‐Tao , Lin Chung‐Hui , Chang Chin‐Hao , Lo Pei‐Ying , Chen Hui‐Wen , Wu Huey‐Dong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundCats in respiratory distress have limited tolerance for manipulation, hindering clinical monitoring. Minute volume (MV) can be utilized to rate dyspnea in humans, but its relationship with respiratory distress in cats remains poorly investigated.HypothesisCats with respiratory distress will show higher MV per kg body weight (MV/BW) than normal cats, and the MV/BW increase will correlate with survival.AnimalsFifty‐two cats with respiratory distress from lung parenchymal disease, pleural space disease, lower airway obstruction (LAO), or upper airway obstruction were recruited since 2014.MethodsThis is a prospective observational study. Study cats were placed in a transparent chamber, allowing clinicians to easily observe their breathing status and record ventilation using barometric whole‐body plethysmography (BWBP). Ventilatory variables of the 52 cats were compared with those of 14 historic control cats. Follow‐up data, including disease category, clinical outcomes, and survival, were prospectively collected.ResultsCats in respiratory distress demonstrated significantly higher MV/BW (397 mL/kg; range, 158‐1240) than normal cats (269 mL/kg; range, 168‐389; P < .001). Among the etiologies, cats with LAO, parenchymal, and pleural space disease exhibited higher‐than‐normal MV/BW trends. A cutoff value of 373 mL/kg (1.4‐fold increase) indicated abnormally increased breathing efforts (sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 93%). MV/BW was independently associated with increased cardiorespiratory mortality in cats with respiratory distress (adjusted hazard ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02‐1.35; P = .03).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceBreathing efforts in cats can be noninvasively quantified using BWBP. Measurement of MV/BW could serve as a prognostic index for monitoring cats experiencing respiratory distress.
New data and taxonomic changes influence our understanding of biogeographic patterns: A case study in Australian skinks
Authors: Flanagan T. , Shea G. M. , Roll U. , Tingley R. , Meiri S. , Chapple D. G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSpecies are the most commonly used unit of biogeography research, and in many conservation schemes. For many faunal groups, taxonomy is in a constant state of flux, with new species being described, and our concept of existing species regularly being refined. Using the most diverse lineage of Australian lizards (460+ species), the skinks (Family Scincidae), we quantified the impacts of taxonomic changes over time on our understanding of species richness, endemism and beta diversity. We generated surfaces of species richness, endemism and beta diversity from four editions (1975, 1988, 2000, 2014) of an authoritative field guide to understand how taxonomic shifts, and enhanced biogeographic knowledge, influenced the inferred biogeographic patterns in Australian skinks. The number of recognized Australian skink species has increased 2.3‐fold since 1975. The Wet Tropics was the major hotspot for (mostly locally endemic) species additions. Hotspots of species richness and beta diversity remained broadly similar over time, but some important local hotspots shifted. Endemism hotspots were weakly associated with hotspots of species additions over time except in the Wet Tropics. The major shifts in biogeographic patterns, which were not associated with taxonomic changes, resulted from better knowledge of species distributions through time. We hypothesize that the effects of taxonomy on biogeographic patterns we found generalize across clades and regions—especially away from major research hotspots. We suggest an understanding of the impact of taxonomic changes on conservation priorities for particular regions and taxonomic groups is needed.