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The Jingle fallacy is the false assumption that instruments which share the same name measure the same underlying construct. In this experiment, we focus on the comprehension subtests of the Nelson Denny Reading Test (NDRT) and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-II). 91 university students read passages for comprehension whilst their eye movements were recorded. Participants took part in two experimental blocks of which the order was counterbalanced, one with higher comprehension demands and one with lower comprehension demands. We assumed that tests measuring comprehension would be able to predict differences observed in eye movement patterns as a function of varying comprehension demands. Overall, readers were able to adapt their reading strategy to read more slowly, making more and longer fixations, coupled with shorter saccades when comprehension demands were higher. Within an experimental block, high scorers on the NDRT were able to consistently increase their pace of reading over time for both higher and lower comprehension demands, whereas low scorers approached a threshold where they could not continue to increase their reading speed or further reduce the number of fixations to read a text, even when comprehension demands were low. Individual differences based on the WIAT-II did not explain similar patterns. The NDRT comprehension test was therefore more predictive of differences in the reading patterns of skilled adult readers in response to comprehension demands than the WIAT-II (which also suffered from low reliability). Our results revealed that these different comprehension measures should not be used interchangeably, and researchers should be cautious when choosing reading comprehension tests for research., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Lee et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

When a preview contains substituted letters (SL; markey) word identification is more disrupted for a target word (monkey), compared to when the preview contains transposed letters (TL; mnokey). The transposed letter effect demonstrates that letter positions are encoded more flexibly than letter identities, and is a robust finding in adults. However, letter position encoding has been shown to gradually become more flexible as reading skills develop. It is unclear whether letter position encoding flexibility reaches maturation in skilled adult readers, or whether some differences in the magnitude of the TL effect remain in relation to individual differences in cognitive skills. We examined 100 skilled adult readers who read sentences containing a correct, TL or SL preview. Previews were replaced by the correct target word when the reader's gaze triggered an invisible boundary. Cognitive skills were assessed and grouped based on overlapping variance via Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and subsequently used to predict eye movement measures for each condition. Consistent with previous literature, adult readers were found to generally encode letter position more flexibly than letter identity. Very few differences were found in the magnitude of TL effects between adults based on individual differences in cognitive skills. The flexibility of letter position encoding appears to reach maturation (or near maturation) in skilled adult readers., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Lee et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: The number of patients on home mechanical ventilation (HMV) worldwide has been steadily rising as medical technological advanced. To ensure the safety and quality care of the patients receiving HMV with tracheostomy, caring behavior of family caregivers is critical. However, studies on caring behavior of family caregivers and its associated factors were remained unexplored. This study aimed to describe the caring behaviors of family caregivers for patients receiving home mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy and to identify factors associated with their caring behaviors., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study for 95 family caregivers for patients with invasive home mechanical ventilation in South Korea. Caring behaviors were assessed by the Caring Behavior Scale with 74 items with 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis., Results: Caring behaviors score of caregivers was 304.68±31.05 out of 370. They were significantly associated with knowledge on emergency care (β = 0.22, p = .011), number of required instruments for care (β = 0.21, p = .010), frequency of home visit care (β = 0.19, p = .017), experience of emergency situation for the last six months (β = 0.19, p = .009) and activities of daily living of patient (β = 0.27, p = .002)., Conclusion: Development of standardized multidisciplinary discharge education for improving the caring capacity of caregivers is required for successful and healthy application of home mechanical ventilation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

This study evaluated changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) with face-down positioning (FDP) following surgical treatment of idiopathic macular hole. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 130 patients diagnosed with idiopathic macular hole who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with intravitreal gas injection after fluid-gas exchange. We analyzed IOP changes in both eyes following FDP over the course of 7 days. The mean IOP of the operated eyes was 14.98±2.95 mmHg preoperatively and 16.82±3.12 and 15.57±6.10 mmHg on postoperative days 2 and 7, respectively. In contralateral eyes, the mean IOP changed from 14.78±3.15 mmHg preoperatively to 16.27±1.87 and 14.40±4.14 mmHg on postoperative days 2 and 7, respectively. On postoperative day 2, the IOP increased in both eyes compared to the preoperative values, but the increase was significant only in operated eyes (p = 0.039). In contralateral eyes, the IOP on postoperative day 7 was significantly decreased compared with that on postoperative day 2 (p = 0.021) and in eyes with an axial length ≥ 23.0 mm, compared with the preoperative values (p = 0.042). The IOP of the operated eyes on postoperative day 7 was higher than that of the contralateral eyes (p = 0.039). Based on a short-term follow-up, FDP after PPV with intravitreal gas tamponade for the treatment of idiopathic macular hole may cause IOP elevation not only in the operated, but also in the contralateral eyes; the IOP increase in contralateral eyes was not as significant as that in operated eyes and was not maintained over 7 days after surgery; the IOP change seems to be affected by axial length and lens status., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combined treatment (image guided thrombectomy and endovascular therapy with open femoral access) for acute lower limb ischemia., Methods: From 2009 to 2017, 52 patients (44 men, eight women, mean 67.2 years) underwent combined treatment for acute thrombotic occlusion of lower extremity arteries. The patients presented with acute limb ischemia and we selectively perform combined treatment in the cases with challenging clinical considerations (e.g. various spectrum of thrombus, underlying atherosclerotic lesions). Combined treatment included cutdown of common femoral artery, thrombectomy using a Fogarty balloon catheter, balloon angioplasty, stenting, and catheter-introduced thrombus fragmentation and aspiration. Patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed and follow-up data were collected. The technical and clinical success rates and limb salvage were assessed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze primary patency rates and overall survival rates. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the factors related to clinical outcomes., Results: Technical and clinical success rate was 90.4% and 80.8%, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 26.5 ± 25.8 months. Primary patency was 91.4%, 86.1%, and 74.6% at six months, 1-, and 2-year, respectively. Limb salvage without amputation was 88.5% (46/52). The overall survival rates at six months, 1-, and 3-year were 82.6%, 80.2, and 56.9%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 5.8% (3/52). Univariate analysis showed that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) type (balloon versus stent) was related to clinical failure., Conclusions: Combined treatment can be effective and safe for ALI patients even under challenging clinical conditions., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Objectives: To identify a broad range of research priorities to inform the studies seeking to improve population health outcomes based on the engagement of diverse stakeholders., Methods: A multi-step, participatory and mixed-methods approach was adopted to solicit and structure the investigative themes from diverse stakeholders. The priority setting exercise involved four key phases: (1) feedback from community leadership; (2) interim ranking survey and focus group discussions during the population health symposium; (3) individual in-depth interviews with stakeholders in the community; and (4) synthesis of the research priorities from the multistep process., Results: Diverse stakeholders in Singapore, comprising community partnership leaders, health care and social service providers, users of population health services, patients and caregivers, participated in the research priority setting exercise. Initial 14 priorities were identified from six community leadership feedback, 42 survey responses, two focus groups (n = 16) and 95 in-depth interviews. The final integrated research agenda identified six priorities: empower residents and patients to take charge of their health; improve care transition and management through relationship building and communication; enhance health-social care interface; improve respite care services for long-term caregivers; develop primary care as a driving force for care integration; and capacity building for service providers. Selected research questions in each priority area were also generated to develop novel models of care, foster collaboration, implement optimal services and enhance understanding of the end users' care needs., Conclusions: This study illuminates that greater community engagement in research priority setting for population health can facilitate the formulation of evidence-based research agendas that matter to the care providers and service users in the community. The outcomes derived from this exercise will help focus researchers' efforts through which meaningful gains can be made for population health., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: A wider angle between the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) has been suggested to induce plaque formation in the arterial system via changes in shear stress. However, the relationship between the left main coronary artery (LM)-LAD angle and LAD stenosis has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the associations between the LM-LAD and LAD-LCX angles and LAD stenosis., Methods: Coronary computed tomography angiographies (CTAs) of 201 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were analyzed. Angle measurements were performed twice by experts using CTA images, and the values were averaged. The patients were divided into two groups, based on the presence of significant LAD stenosis (luminal diameter narrowing ≥50%) on CTA., Results: The mean LM-LAD and LAD-LCX angles were 37.46° and 63.04°, respectively. The LM-LAD and LAD-LCX angles of the group with significant LAD stenosis were significantly wider than that of the group with nonsignificant LAD stenosis (P<0.001; P = 0.020, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, an LAD-LCX angle greater than 60° showed a trend toward predicting significant LAD stenosis (HR, 3.14; 95% CI: 0.96-1026; P = 0.058). In contrast, an LM-LAD angle greater than 40° was a significant predictor of significant LAD stenosis (HR, 12.2; 95% CI: 2.60-56.52; P = 0.001)., Conclusions: The results of the present study may suggest that a wider LM-LAD angle could be used to identify patients at higher risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Thus, close follow-up and preventive management of other risk factors may be needed in such cases., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

CREB3L1 (cAMP response element binding protein 3-like 1), a transcription factor synthesized as a membrane-bound precursor and activated through Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis (RIP), is essential for collagen production by osteoblasts during bone development. Here, we show that TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β), a cytokine known to stimulate production of collagen during wound healing and fibrotic diseases, induces proteolytic activation of CREB3L1 in human A549 cells. This activation results from inhibition of expression of TM4SF20 (transmembrane 4 L6 family member 20), which normally inhibits RIP of CREB3L1. Cleavage of CREB3L1 releases its NH2-terminal domain from membranes, allowing it to enter the nucleus where it binds to Smad4 to activate transcription of genes encoding proteins required for assembly of collagen-containing extracellular matrix. Our findings raise the possibility that inhibition of RIP of CREB3L1 could prevent excess deposition of collagen in certain fibrotic diseases.

The objective of this study was to determine the trends in national rates of peripartum hysterectomy (PH) and uterine arterial embolization (UAE) in Korea. We used data collected by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service of Korea and analyzed data from patients who gave birth during the period from 2005 to 2008. There were 1785,178 deliveries during the study period, including 2636 cases of PH (1.48 per 1000 deliveries). The PH rate in 2005 was 1.57 per 1000 deliveries and in 2008 it was 1.33 per 1000 deliveries. UAE was performed in 161 women (incidence, 0.38 per 1000 deliveries) and 447 women (incidence, 0.98 per 1000 deliveries) in 2005 and 2008, respectively. In Korea, the rate of PH decreased slightly, while the rate of UAE rate increased dramatically during the period from 2005 to 2008. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of UAE on the rate of PH performed.

The neuronal coordination of metabolic homeostasis requires the integration of hormonal signals with multiple interrelated central neuronal circuits to produce appropriate levels of food intake, energy expenditure and fuel availability. Ghrelin, a peripherally produced peptide hormone, circulates at high concentrations during nutrient scarcity. Ghrelin promotes food intake, an action lost in ghrelin receptor null mice and also helps maintain fasting blood glucose levels, ensuring an adequate supply of nutrients to the central nervous system. To better understand mechanisms of ghrelin action, we have examined the roles of ghrelin receptor (GHSR) expression in the mouse hindbrain. Notably, selective hindbrain ghrelin receptor expression was not sufficient to restore ghrelin-stimulated food intake. In contrast, the lowered fasting blood glucose levels observed in ghrelin receptor-deficient mice were returned to wild-type levels by selective re-expression of the ghrelin receptor in the hindbrain. Our results demonstrate the distributed nature of the neurons mediating ghrelin action.

Objective: The SLC30A8 gene encodes the islet-specific transporter ZnT-8, which is hypothesized to provide zinc for insulin-crystal formation. A polymorphic variant in SLC30A8 is associated with altered susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. Several groups have examined the effect of global Slc30a8 gene deletion but the results have been highly variable, perhaps due to the mixed 129SvEv/C57BL/6J genetic background of the mice studied. We therefore sought to remove the conflicting effect of 129SvEv-specific modifier genes., Methods: The impact of Slc30a8 deletion was examined in the context of the pure C57BL/6J genetic background., Results: Male C57BL/6J Slc30a8 knockout (KO) mice had normal fasting insulin levels and no change in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from isolated islets in marked contrast to the ∼50% and ∼35% decrease, respectively, in both parameters observed in male mixed genetic background Slc30a8 KO mice. This observation suggests that 129SvEv-specific modifier genes modulate the impact of Slc30a8 deletion. In contrast, female C57BL/6J Slc30a8 KO mice had reduced (∼20%) fasting insulin levels, though this was not associated with a change in fasting blood glucose (FBG), or GSIS from isolated islets. This observation indicates that gender also modulates the impact of Slc30a8 deletion, though the physiological explanation as to why impaired insulin secretion is not accompanied by elevated FBG is unclear. Neither male nor female C57BL/6J Slc30a8 KO mice showed impaired glucose tolerance., Conclusions: Our data suggest that, despite a marked reduction in islet zinc content, the absence of ZnT-8 does not have a substantial impact on mouse physiology.