bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tumor of follicular infundibulum – reappraisal in a series of 28 patients with critical review of the literature
Authors: Wilk Michael , Zelger Bettina G. , Zelger Bernhard 
Published: February 2024

SummaryBackground and objectivesTumor of follicular infundibulum (TFI) has been described as a neoplasm – isolated and multiple – and in association with other lesions. Its histopathologic definition is controversial.Patients and methodsWe present a histopathologically analyzed series of 28 patients with TFI features. This has been supplemented by a search in MEDLINE on the literature on this subject. The corresponding figures given in these articles have been discussed and analyzed.ResultsPatients comprised 16 women and twelve men. TFI features were seen in five patients with nevus sebaceous, two trichofolliculomas, one dilated pore Winer, eight viral warts, one dermatofibroma, six seborrheic keratoses, three actinic keratoses, one invasive squamous cell carcinoma, and one basal cell carcinoma in association with a squamous cell carcinoma/actinic keratosis. After study of the literature especially of solitary cases of TFI, we interpret such cases mostly as variants of seborrheic keratoses with variable degree of infundibular, isthmic and/or sebaceous differentiation with or without regression.ConclusionsWe regard TFI as an epithelial growth pattern which may occur in hamartomatous, inflammatory, infectious, reactive, or neoplastic conditions, in most solitary forms likely best classified within the histopathological spectrum of seborrheic keratoses.
Exposure to sign language prior and after cochlear implantation increases language and cognitive skills in deaf children
Authors: Delcenserie A. , Genesee F. , Champoux F. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecent evidence suggests that deaf children with CIs exposed to nonnative sign language from hearing parents can attain age‐appropriate vocabularies in both sign and spoken language. It remains to be explored whether deaf children with CIs who are exposed to early nonnative sign language, but only up to implantation, also benefit from this input and whether these benefits also extend to memory abilities, which are strongly linked to language development. The present study examined the impact of deaf children's early short‐term exposure to nonnative sign input on their spoken language and their phonological memory abilities. Deaf children who had been exposed to nonnative sign input before and after cochlear implantation were compared to deaf children who never had any exposure to sign input as well as to children with typical hearing. The children were between 5;1 and 7;1 years of age at the time of testing and were matched on age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The results suggest that even short‐term exposure to nonnative sign input has positive effects on general language and phonological memory abilities as well as on nonverbal working memory—with total length of exposure to sign input being the best predictor of deaf children's performance on these measures. The present data suggest that even access to early short‐term nonnative visual language input is beneficial for the language and phonological memory abilities of deaf children with cochlear implants, suggesting also that parents should not be discouraged from learning and exposing their child to sign language.Research Highlights
This is the first study to examine the effects of early short‐term exposure to nonnative sign input on French‐speaking children with cochlear implants’ spoken language and memory abilities.
Early short‐term nonnative exposure to sign input can have positive consequences for the language and phonological memory abilities of deaf children with CIs.
Extended exposure to sign input has some additional and important benefits, allowing children to perform on par with children with typical hearing.
The possible utility of global longitudinal strain in the risk‐stratifying process of non‐ST elevation‐acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Fouad Ahmed , Farag Elsayed Mohamad , Roshdy Hisham Samir , Gad Marwa Mohamad , Almaashani Said , Sayed Amro 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThere are various ways that coronary artery disease (CAD) might present itself. Individual risk stratification for non ST‐elevation‐acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS) patients should determine whether invasive coronary angiography and revascularization should be scheduled.Aim of workTo assess the possible utility of left ventricular global longitudinal strain in the risk‐stratifying process of NSTE‐ACS.Subjects and methodsThe cardiology department of Zagazig University in Egypt organized and oversaw this cross‐sectional study. The practical portion was carried out on 90 patients with NSTE‐ACS based on European society of cardiology (ESC) guidelines (and they agreed for invasive strategy) between May 2019 and December 2020 at Salalah Heart Center in Sultanate of Oman. All patients underwent a full clinical examination, 12‐lead ECG, and serial high‐sensitivity troponin T (hs‐TnT) in addition to a thorough history taking process. On patient's admission, the GRACE risk score was assessed. All patients who were suspected of having NSTE‐ACS upon admission underwent transthoracic echocardiography, including two‐dimensional speckle tracking (2D‐ST). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV‐GLS %) was measured and analyzed using 2D speckle tracking. SYNTAX Score was determined for all patients.ResultsBy analysis of the performance of LV‐GLS% in prediction of high risk by GRACE score, we found that with cutoff (≥‐13.8), the AUC was (0.944) with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy (0.944, 93.3%, 84%, 53.8%, 98.4%, 85.6%), respectively.ConclusionGlobal longitudinal strain can predict accurately high‐risk NSTE‐ACS patients by GRACE score.
Inflation surprises in a New Keynesian economy with a “true” consumption function
Authors: Tamborini Roberto 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe resurgence of inflation has been accompanied by a reversal of prospects of growth, with a prominent role assigned to the fall of households' purchasing power. Yet this real income effect of inflation surprises, independent of restrictive monetary policy, is not present in the standard New Keynesian models for monetary policy. The reason lies in the formulation of the consumption‐based “IS equation”. The paper shows how the income effect can be introduced by reformulating the consumption function, with the consequence that it exerts an autonomus stabilization effect on inflation. The main monetary policy implications are examined by means of simulations.
Validation of local approach‐based statistical models for cleavage fracture of ferritic steels in uniaxial tension
Authors: Lei Wei‐Sheng , Qian Guian , Zhang Peilei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFive major local approach (LA)‐based statistical cleavage fracture models are evaluated in uniaxial tension. The focus is to inspect their mathematical conformity to the axiom of probability on normality and their physical adherence to the consensus that cleavage fracture occurs after plastic deformation. Only the LA model that incorporates a stress‐state and temperature dependent threshold satisfies both requirements. Two sets of experimental data in uniaxial tension are analyzed to support the arguments.
Biochar produced at high temperature mitigates N2O emission and promotes nitrogen retention in subtropical forest soils
Authors: Cheng Liutao , Wang Bingtao , Ren Mengfan , Wang Yuzhe , Hu Yalin , Liu Xian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBiochar is produced by burning biomass under oxygen‐limited conditions, and it has been widely used as a soil amendment to improve soil functions such as nutrient retention. However, whether the impact of biochar application on soil nitrogen (N) transformation and N2O emission varies with the pyrolysis temperature remains unclear, especially in different forest types in subtropical regions. In this study, a 60‐day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of biochar with different pyrolysis temperatures (300°C [BC300], 500°C [BC500], and 800°C [BC800]) on net N transformation rates and N2O emission in soils collected from Castanopsis kawakamii dominated natural forest (NF) and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolate, CF) plantation in subtropical China. The results showed that the application of biochar significantly increased soil ammonium (NH4+) content (p < 0.001) but reduced nitrate (NO3−) content (p < 0.001) compared with the control. The soil NH4+ content of the BC800 treatment was significantly higher than that of other treatments (p < 0.001). Biochar application significantly reduced soil net N mineralization (NRmin) and nitrification (NRnit) rate (p < 0.001), but increased net ammonification (NRamm) rate (p < 0.001). The application of biochar led to a remarkable decrease in cumulative N2O emission compared to the control (p < 0.001). In particular, soils treated with high‐temperature biochar emitted significantly lower N2O compared to other treatments (p < 0.001). The partial least squares path model demonstrated that biochar influenced N2O emission through a direct effect in NF soil and an indirect effect in CF soil. This study highlights the distinct role of biochar, particularly that produced under high pyrolysis temperatures as a soil amendment to mitigate N2O emission and promote N retention in both subtropical natural and planted forests.
Crisis, what crisis? Real impairments and absences in the ecosystems of higher education
Authors: Barnett Ronald 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAre the many crises of higher education real, or are they in the eye of the beholder? They are evidently something of both: The crises to which we are characteristically alerted are manifestations in the real of the world and indicate much about our scholars' perceptions and even their values. To say this, however, invites the question: can we sort the wheat from the chaff? Might there be a way of validating any effort to identify a crisis that lies in the world, independently of claims made about it? There is straightaway a fundamental difficulty after all; namely, that the very concept of crisis is fact and value, both pointing to a phenomenon in the world and making a judgement about it. It seems then that, in the language of crisis, we may be conflating ontology with epistemology and ethics. When we hear talk of crisis, we may be being told more about the claim‐maker than the feature of the world that is in question. However, I suggest that, if we deploy the artifice of ecosystem, and so adopt an ecological approach to the matter, we can move on two planes at once: We can point to phenomena of crises in higher education that are in the world and that also warrant our evaluative judgements of them.
Effect of soil type on some composition parameters of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Nero d'Avola grapes at different stages of ripening
Authors: Bambina Paola , Pollon Matteo , Vitaggio Clara , Papa Giuseppe Lo , Conte Pellegrino , Cinquanta Luciano , Corona Onofrio 
Published: February 2024

SummaryIn this study, the soil effect on the chemical composition of red grapes from Vitis vinifera L. (cv Nero d'Avola) was studied. The soil effect was evaluated by considering the main soil chemical–physical parameters (e.g., texture, pH, total carbonates, cation exchange capacity, electric conductivity, organic matter, and mineral composition) of four vineyards located in the southwestern coast of Sicily (southern Italy). Grapes' quality in relation to different soils was investigated by studying some composition parameters and the (in)/homogeneity of ripeness of grapes at the harvest date. Results suggested that the soil greatly affected the quality of Nero d'Avola red grapes. The most impactful soil parameters were cation exchange capacity, electric conductivity, pH, and mineral composition (especially P and Mn content) that are directly involved into grapevine nutrition. Through multivariate statistical analysis, it was highlighted that the soil effect was remarkable within a specific vintage. However, when more vintages are considered simultaneously, the vintage effect (conceivably through the inter‐annual climatic variability) is the major factor determining grapes quality.
A longitudinal study examining the associations between prenatal and postnatal maternal distress and toddler socioemotional developmental during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Khoury Jennifer E. , Atkinson Leslie , Gonzalez Andrea 
Published: February 2024

AbstractElevated psychological distress, experienced by pregnant women and parents, has been well‐documented during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Most research focuses on the first 6‐months postpartum, with single or limited repeated measures of perinatal distress. The present longitudinal study examined how perinatal distress, experienced over nearly 2 years of the COVID‐19 pandemic, impacted toddler socioemotional development. A sample of 304 participants participated during pregnancy, 6‐weeks, 6‐months, and 15‐months postpartum. Mothers reported their depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms, at each timepoint. Mother‐reported toddler socioemotional functioning (using the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment) was measured at 15‐months. Results of structural equation mediation models indicated that (1) higher prenatal distress was associated with elevated postpartum distress, from 6‐weeks to 15‐months postpartum; (2) associations between prenatal distress and toddler socioemotional problems became nonsignificant after accounting for postpartum distress; and (3) higher prenatal distress was indirectly associated with greater socioemotional problems, and specifically elevated externalizing problems, through higher maternal distress at 6 weeks and 15 months postpartum. Findings suggest that the continued experience of distress during the postpartum period plays an important role in child socioemotional development during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Functional decline at 1 year in hospitalized elderly pneumonia with SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant: Comparison with the ancestral strain and Alpha variant
Authors: Miyashita Naoyuki , Nakamori Yasushi , Ogata Makoto , Fukuda Naoki , Yamura Akihisa , Ito Tomoki 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn the SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron period, the pattern of pneumonia changed from primarily viral pneumonia to pneumonia mixed with bacteria in the elderly. We investigated functional outcomes at 1 year after hospital discharge in patients with primary Omicron pneumonia and pneumonia mixed with bacteria, mainly aspiration pneumonia. Functional decline rates calculated using the Barthel Index at 1 year after hospital discharge were significantly higher in the pneumonia mixed with bacteria group than the primary viral pneumonia group (42.6% vs. 20.5%, p < 0.0001). It is necessary to consider early rehabilitation and treatment in elderly patients even when the predominant strain is the Omicron variant.
Comparison of the risk of postoperative wound infection in patients with rectal cancer by laparoscopic versus open Hartmann's surgery
Authors: Jiang Yan , Liu Rushi , You Qian , Fan Xiaoxiao , Wu Yi , Zeng Zhiyong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTraditional Hartmann surgery is used when the patient is in an acute case where it might not be safe to carry out a one‐stage intestinal anastomosis. Laparoscopy has been extensively applied in the treatment of large intestine, which can significantly improve both short‐ and long‐term outcomes. While randomized, controlled studies and reviews have shown that laparoscopy is superior to that of open‐access colectomy, the impact of Hartmann's surgery on postoperative site infections has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to summarize the existing evidence to show that laparoscopy is better than open operation in the area of injury. Methods The Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Libraries were searched from the moment the database was created until November 2023. For binary results, the odds ratio was estimated, and a weighted average of consecutive results was calculated. Our findings indicate that there is a lower risk for SSIs after laparoscopic approach surgery than an open‐access procedure (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10, 0.69, p = 0.006); Laparoscopy was associated with a reduction in the risk of dying after surgery (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30, 0.84, p = 0.009); The operation time was not significantly different in open and laparoscope (MD, 12.23; 95% CI, −5.63, 30.09, p = 0.18); laparoscopy was used to lower the incidence of SSI after surgery and to lower the mortality rate after surgery than by open‐access surgery. However, the time of operation did not differ significantly among the two methods. However, further controlled trials will need to be carried out to verify the results.
Correlation between symptom status, health perception, and spiritual well‐being in heart failure patients: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Eroglu Hacer , Metin Zehra Gok 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimTo explore predictors of spiritual well‐being behaviors among heart failure patients based on Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model of health‐related quality of life and to clarify the interrelationships among these variables.DesignA descriptive and correlational study design was used.MethodsThis study included 202 heart failure patients treated between October 2020 and July 2021. Data were collected using the Symptom Status Questionnaire‐Heart Failure, Perception of Health Scale, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Spiritual Well‐Being Scale. Descriptive analysis, correlation, and structural equation modeling were performed.ResultsCharacteristic factors positively affected spiritual well‐being both directly (β = 0.19, p = 0.007) and indirectly (β = 0.19; CI (0.106; 0.311)). The direct relationship between health perception and spiritual well‐being was significant (β = 0.83, p < 0.05). Symptom status acted as an essential mediator between model variables and spiritual well‐being (β = −0.28; CI (−0.449; −0.133)). Comorbidity and symptom status also influence spiritual well‐being through health perceptions. These variables explain 77% of the variance in spiritual well‐being.ConclusionThe modified structural equation modeling based on Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model fits well in predicting spiritual well‐being in patients with heart failure. Spiritual well‐being was reported to be poor, and changes in spiritual well‐being were predicted by age, educational level, marital status, comorbidity, symptom status, and health perception. The results can be applied to patients with heart failure and may serve as a guide for assessment and interventions for improving spiritual well‐being.Clinical RelevanceThis study mainly concludes that symptom status and perceived health status affect spiritual well‐being in heart failure patients. Symptom relief and improvement in perceived health status interventions may help enhance spiritual well‐being in this population. Future studies are needed to investigate the different predictor's effects on spiritual well‐being and examine whether symptom management and health status‐enhancing interventions result in improved spiritual well‐being in the heart failure population.Reporting MethodThis study was reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross‐sectional studies.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
Sacral fracture stabilisation using dorsal transiliac locking plates: 12 cases (2017‐2023)
Authors: Vardanega M. J. , Wilson L. 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesTo describe the clinical presentations, outcomes and complications associated with the use of dorsal transiliac locking plates to stabilise sacral fractures in dogs and cats.Materials and MethodsA single‐centre retrospective analysis of all patients that presented with sacral fractures between February 2017 and February 2023 that were managed surgically using paired dorsal transiliac locking plates. Twelve animals met the criteria for inclusion in a retrospective clinical case series. An owner questionnaire was employed to assess long‐term outcomes.ResultsEleven dogs and one cat with a mean age of 3.1 years (range 0.6 to 8.8) were included. Eleven patients presented following a motor vehicle accident and most were either non‐ambulatory (n=8) or displayed severe unilateral hindlimb lameness (n=4). Nine sacral fractures were considered Anderson type II and three Anderson type V. The plate fixation was augmented with additional surgical stabilisation in 11 cases. Eleven patients were ambulatory at discharge and all cases healed uneventfully without major surgical or postoperative complications. Long‐term follow‐up (>60 days) was available in 10 animals at a mean of 694 days (range 65 to 1805) and owner‐assessed outcomes via questionnaire were reported as good to excellent in all cases.Clinical SignificanceThe application of transiliac locking plates provided sufficient stability to facilitate sacral fracture healing with minimal clinical complications. This method represents a robust and safe option to stabilise sacral fractures in dogs and cats, offering an alternative to iliosacral lag screw fixation.
Osteotomy Correction Angle Cut‐off Points Can Guide the Operation to Prevent a Significant Decrease in Patella Height
Authors: Chen Renjie , Yu Chenghao , Peng Haining , Chen Jinli , Zhang Yi , Yu Tengbo 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivePatients who undergo a biplanar ascending medial open‐wedge high tibial osteotomy with an excessive correction angle might experience patella infera and even knee pain after surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify the cut‐off points for the degree of knee varus correction of open‐wedge high tibial osteotomy, which is related to the symptomatic patellar position change.MethodsThis retrospective study included 124 patients (mean age 61.69 ± 6.28 years; 78 women, 46 men) with varying degrees of varus knee osteoarthritis. All patients had undergone standard biplanar medial open‐wedge high tibial osteotomy. They were divided into nine groups according to the change in hip–knee–ankle angle. Plain radiographs and three‐dimensional CT images were obtained preoperatively and 18 months postoperatively. Patellar height was assessed using the Caton–Deschamps index, the Insall–Salvati index, and the Blackburne–Peel index. The patellofemoral index and patellar tilt were used to evaluate the degree of horizontal displacement of the patella. The varus correction, medial–proximal tibial angles, joint line convergence angles, and hip–knee–ankle angles were also measured. The subjective score was evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC).ResultsThere were significant changes in patella indexes in each group after surgery, among which there was no significant difference in patellar height changes for Groups A to F (p > 0.05), which were significantly lower than those in Group G, H, and I (p < 0.001). The patellar tilt and patellofemoral index also followed the same trend. The improvement in WOMAC scores for Groups G, H, and I was also significantly less for Groups A to F (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe patellar height, patellar tilt, and patellofemoral index all changed significantly in parallel with increasing degrees of osteotomy correction. The cut‐off points for correction angle are 12.5° to 13.4°. When the correction angle is larger than this range, the patellar position can be significantly affected. Postoperative patellofemoral joint pain may be related to the changes in patella position.