bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of an ICD‐10‐based algorithm to identify stillbirth in the Sentinel System
Authors: Andrade Susan E. , Shinde Mayura , Moore Simas Tiffany A. , Bird Steven T. , Bohn Justin , Haynes Kevin , Taylor Lockwood G. , Lauring Julianne R. , Longley Erin , McMahill‐Walraven Cheryl N. , Trinacty Connie M. , Saphirak Cassandra , Delude Christopher , DeLuccia Sandra , Zhang Tancy , Cole David V. , DiNunzio Nina , Gertz Autumn , Fazio‐Eynullayeva Elnara , Stojanovic Danijela
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To develop and validate an International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐10‐CM)‐based algorithm to identify cases of stillbirth using electronic healthcare data.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study using claims data from three Data Partners (healthcare systems and insurers) in the Sentinel Distributed Database. Algorithms were developed using ICD‐10‐CM diagnosis codes to identify potential stillbirths among females aged 12–55 years between July 2016 and June 2018. A random sample of medical charts (N = 169) was identified for chart abstraction and adjudication. Two physician adjudicators reviewed potential cases to determine whether a stillbirth event was definite/probable, the date of the event, and the gestational age at delivery. Positive predictive values (PPVs) were calculated for the algorithms. Among confirmed cases, agreement between the claims data and medical charts was determined for the outcome date and gestational age at stillbirth.

Results

Of the 110 potential cases identified, adjudicators determined that 54 were stillbirth events. Criteria for the algorithm with the highest PPV (82.5%; 95% CI, 70.9%–91.0%) included the presence of a diagnosis code indicating gestational age ≥20 weeks and occurrence of either >1 stillbirth‐related code or no other pregnancy outcome code (i.e., livebirth, spontaneous abortion, induced abortion) recorded on the index date. We found ≥90% agreement within 7 days between the claims data and medical charts for both the outcome date and gestational age at stillbirth.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that electronic healthcare data may be useful for signal detection of medical product exposures potentially associated with stillbirth.
Organic dye‐based photoinitiating systems for visible‐light‐induced photopolymerization
Authors: Sun Ke , Xiao Pu , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: June 2021

Even though many organic dyes have been reported as photoinitiators/photosensitizers for free radical polymerization in the literature, the design and development of novel photoinitiating systems based on organic dyes adaptable for visible light irradiation, for example, 405 nm LED and sunlight still remains challenging. Recently, major achievements in the development of high‐performance photoinitiating systems based on organic dyes as light‐harvesting compounds and their uses as photoinitiators for photopolymerization under visible‐light irradiation have clearly emerged, giving rise to abundant literature. In this review, an overview of the recently synthesized chromophores belonging to various families of organic dyes and used as photoinitiators of polymerization during the 2018–2021 period are presented and classified. Recent works have resulted in the development of new chromophores exhibiting remarkable visible light absorption properties and excellent photoinitiation abilities upon irradiation with LEDs and/or sunlight in free radical photopolymerization processes. These developments notably indicate that sunlight has the advantages of being a cheap, unlimited, broad emission spectrum, and energy‐saving light source capable to be an efficient substitute to artificial light sources. The newly developed dye‐based photoinitiating systems designed to initiate visible‐light‐induced photopolymerization processes are likely to expand the scope of application of photopolymerization in modern sciences and technologies.
Mental disorders, length of hospitalization, and psychopharmacy–New approaches to identify barriers to psychological support for patients with cancer
Authors: Günther Moritz Philipp , Schulze Jan Ben , Jellestad Lena , Mehnert‐Theuerkauf Anja , von Känel Roland , Euler Sebastian
Published: June 2021

Background

Despite abundant evidence that emotional distress is frequent in cancer patients and associated with adverse health outcomes, distress screening rates and adequate referrals to psychological support programs among those in need are insufficient in many cancer centers. We therefore aimed to analyze patient‐ and treatment‐related barriers to distress screening and referrals to psychological support as a mandatory component of best‐practice cancer care.

Method

In the present explorative study, latent class analysis was used to identify homogeneous subgroups among 4837 patients diagnosed with cancer between 2011 and 2019.

Results

Four subgroups were identified. Patients with a mental disorder and psychopharmacology were least probable to be screened for distress. Together with patients aged 65 or older and male patients, they were also less likely to receive psychological support. Patients hospitalized for 28 days or longer were most likely to be both screened and to receive psychological support.

Conclusions

Clinicians and researchers are recommended not neglect patients with mental disorders and psychopharmacological treatment as well as male and elderly patients when screening for distress and providing access to psychological support.
NF‐κB Rel subunit exchange on a physiological timescale
Authors: Biancalana Matthew , Natan Eviatar , Lenardo Michael J. , Fersht Alan R.
Published: June 2021

The Rel proteins of the NF‐κB complex comprise one of the most investigated transcription factor families, forming a variety of hetero‐ or homodimers. Nevertheless, very little is known about the fundamental kinetics of NF‐κB complex assembly, or the inter‐conversion potential of dimerised Rel subunits. Here, we examined an unexplored aspect of NF‐κB dynamics, focusing on the dissociation and reassociation of the canonical p50 and p65 Rel subunits and their ability to form new hetero‐ or homodimers. We employed a soluble expression system to enable the facile production of NF‐κB Rel subunits, and verified these proteins display canonical NF‐κB nucleic acid binding properties. Using a combination of biophysical techniques, we demonstrated that, at physiological temperatures, homodimeric Rel complexes routinely exchange subunits with a half‐life of less than 10 min. In contrast, we found a dramatic preference for the formation of the p50/p65 heterodimer, which demonstrated a kinetic stability of at least an order of magnitude greater than either homodimer. These results suggest that specific DNA targets of either the p50 or p65 homodimers can only be targeted when these subunits are expressed exclusively, or with the intervention of additional post‐translational modifications. Together, this work implies a new model of how cells can modulate NF‐κB activity by fine‐tuning the relative proportions of the p50 and p65 proteins, as well as their time of expression. This work thus provides a new quantitative interpretation of Rel dimer distribution in the cell, particularly for those who are developing mathematical models of NF‐κB activity.
Pesticide use in sugar beet cultivation in Germany and assessment of the associated environmental risks using the risk indicator SYNOPS‐GIS
Authors: Nause Nelia , Strassemeyer Jörn , Mahlein Anne‐Katrin , Stockfisch Nicol
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

The assessment of the environmental risks for pesticides is a current topic of the European Union (EU) strategy ‘Farm to Fork’. Therefore, an analysis of the status quo of pesticide use from 2010 to 2015 and the associated environmental risks was performed for sugar beet cultivation in Germany. Based on this assessment, crop protection strategies should be developed that contribute to risk reduction.

RESULTS

Pesticide use data from 2314 randomly chosen sugar beet growing farms were available from annual farm surveys from 2010 until 2015. Possible environmental risks from pesticide applications were calculated with the model SYNOPS‐GIS. Each pesticide application pattern was combined with several model fields. The concentrations of active ingredients in the non‐target compartments, namely soil, neighboring surface waters and field margins, were used to determined risk indices (exposure toxicity ratios, ETRs) for different terrestrial and aquatic reference species. ETRs were mainly lower than a risk threshold used throughout this study (ETR = 1). The risks caused by herbicide use were studied in more detail since herbicides are applied on nearly all fields. The aquatic risks posed by herbicides were independent of specific active ingredients or application patterns. Instead, certain combinations of active ingredients, application dates and field‐specific environmental conditions provoked higher risks. The aquatic risks were strongly influenced by the distance of the fields to surface waters.

CONCLUSIONS

Further risk mitigation seems possible by combining field‐specific measures and technical options. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Study on Boron–Hydrogen Pairs in Bare and Passivated Float‐Zone Silicon Wafers
Authors: Winter Clemens , Simon Jochen , Herguth Axel
Published: June 2021

This study deals with the dynamics of the formation and dissociation of boron–hydrogen (BH) pairs in crystalline silicon during a rapid high‐temperature treatment and subsequent dark annealing between 200 and 300 °C. Highly accurate resistivity measurements are used to detect BH pairs in chemically polished B‐doped float‐zone silicon. It is found that an unexpecteded high amount of hydrogen is present in the as‐purchased wafers. Hydrogen is initially mostly paired to boron but can be dissolved by a short high‐temperature firing step. If a firing step (530 °C) is applied to bare, unpassivated Si wafers, most of the initial BH pairs are dissolved, and hydrogen dimers () form. With increasing peak temperature, an increasing amount of hydrogen leaves the system, while the proportion of BH increases. Additional hydrogen can be introduced by firing a wafer passivated with plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) H. A three‐state model shows a good agreement with the measured data for both bare and coated samples as well as for different annealing temperatures. With increasing dark annealing temperatures, the BH dynamics accelerates, whereas the maximum BH concentration reached decreases. For temperatures above 280 °C, significant changes in the reaction dynamics are observed.
Mean Free Path of Photoelectronic Excitations in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon and Silicon Germanium Alloy Semiconductors
Authors: Podraza Nikolas J. , Saint John David B. , Junda Maxwell M. , Collins Robert W.
Published: June 2021

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon germanium alloy (a‐Si1−x
Ge
x
:H) films are prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and characterized by in situ real time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE). From complex dielectric function spectra extracted, the broadening width energy (Γ) of the primary absorption feature centered near 3.7 eV is quantified using the Cody–Lorentz oscillator model. Mean free path length of photoelectronic excitations is calculated from Γ based on reasonable estimates for speed of electron–hole photoexcitations. A model is applied with excited state lifetime assumed to be limited by scattering from network disorder and provides a relative measure of short‐range order. The simple model applied is an extension of that widely used to characterize broadening of optical transitions in polycrystalline semiconductors. Decreases in mean free path of up to ∼30% occur with germanium. Relative increases in mean free path with increased hydrogen during PECVD a‐Si:H, a‐Si0.73Ge0.27:H, and a‐Si0.60Ge0.40:H occur from ∼5% to ∼8% and with hydrogen plasma treatment of a‐Si:H by ∼6%. Mean free path changes are tracked with thickness to provide short range order evolution and the effect of the underlying material. Mean free path of photoexcitations in electronic quality a‐Si1−x
Ge
x
:H is estimated at ∼3.5 Å, on the same order as interatomic spacing.
Polydatin protects Schwann cells from methylglyoxal induced cytotoxicity and promotes crushed sciatic nerves regeneration of diabetic rats
Authors: Chen Lulu , Chen Zixiang , Xu Zhuqiu , Feng Weifeng , Yang Xiaonan , Qi Zuoliang
Published: June 2021

Oxidative stress plays the main role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. Polydatin (PD) has been shown to exhibit strong antioxidative and antiinflammatory effects. At present, no research has focused on the possible effects of PD on Schwann cells and impaired peripheral nerves in diabetic models. Here, we used an in vitro Schwann cell damage model induced by methylglyoxal and an in vivo diabetic sciatic nerve crush model to study problems in such an area. In our experiment, we demonstrated that PD potently alleviated the decrease of cellular viability, prevented reactive oxygen species generation, and suppressed mitochondrial depolarization as well as cellular apoptosis in damaged Schwann cells. Moreover, we found that PD could upregulate Nrf2 and Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) expression and inhibit Keap1 and receptor of AGEs (RAGE) expression of damaged Schwann cells. Finally, our in vivo experiment showed that PD could promote sciatic nerves repair of diabetic rats. Our results revealed that PD exhibited prominent neuroprotective effects on Schwann cells and sciatic nerves in diabetic models. The molecular mechanisms were associated with activating Nfr2 and GLO1 and inhibiting Keap1 and RAGE.
Underwater robots provide similar fish biodiversity assessments as divers on coral reefs
Authors: Maslin Mathilde , Louis Silvain , Godary Dejean Karen , Lapierre Lionel , Villéger Sébastien , Claverie Thomas
Published: June 2021

Coral reefs are under increasing threat, and the loss of reef‐associated fishes providing valuable ecosystem services is accelerating. The monitoring of such rapid changes has become a challenge for ecologists and ecosystems managers using traditional approaches like scuba divers performing underwater visual censuses (UVC) or diver operated video recording (DOV). However, the use of small, low‐cost robots could help tackle the challenge of such monitoring, provided that they perform at least as well as diver‐based methods. To address this question, tropical fish assemblages from 13 fringing reefs around Mayotte Island (Indian Ocean) were monitored along 50 m‐long transects using stereo videos recorded by a semi‐autonomous underwater vehicle (SAUV) and by a scuba diver (Diver Operated stereo Video system, DOV). Differences between the methods were tested for complementary fish assemblage metrics (species richness, total biomass, total density, Shannon diversity and Pielou evenness) and for the number and size of nine targeted species. SAUV recorded on average 35% higher biomass than DOV which in turn recorded on average 12% higher species richness. Biomass differences were found to be due to SAUV monitoring larger fishes than DOV, a potential marker of human‐related fish avoidance behaviour. This study demonstrates that SAUV provides accurate metrics of coral reef fish biodiversity compared to diver‐based procedures. Given their ability to conduct video transects at high frequency, 100 m depth range and at a moderate cost, SAUV is a promising tool for monitoring fish assemblages in coral reef ecosystems.
Video Bioinformatics Analysis of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Morphology, Quality, and Cellular Dynamics
Authors: Lin Sabrina C. , Loza Antonio , Antrim Lauren , Talbot Prue
Published: June 2021

StemCellQC is a video bioinformatics software tool for the quantitative analysis of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) colonies. Our objective was to use StemCellQC to evaluate and compare various experimental culture conditions, cell lines, and treatments and to demonstrate its applicability to PSC problems. Seven key features were identified that provided useful information on PSC morphology, dynamic behavior, and viability. Colony attachment was better on laminin-521 than on Matrigel and Geltrex. Growth rates were similar on each matrix when data were normalized. The brightness/area ratio feature showed greater cell death in colonies grown on Matrigel and Geltrex than on laminin-521 further contributing to an overall greater yield of cells on laminin-521. Four different PSC culture media performed similarly; however, one medium produced batch-to-batch variation in colony morphology and dynamic features. Two embryonic and one induced pluripotent stem cell line showed significant differences in morphology, growth rates, motility, and death rates. Cells from the same vial that became phenotypically different in culture showed measurable differences in morphology, brightness, and motility. Likewise, differentiating and undifferentiated colonies varied in growth rate, intensity, and motility. Three pluripotent cell lines treated with a low concentration of cinnamaldehyde, a chemical used in consumer products, showed adverse effects and differed in their sensitivity to treatment. Our data demonstrate various applications of StemCellQC which could be used in basic and translational research, toxicological and drug testing, and clinical facilities engaged in stem cell therapy.
Analyzing categorical time series in the presence of missing observations
Authors: Weiß Christian H.
Published: June 2021

In real applications, time series often exhibit missing observations such that standard analytical tools cannot be applied. While there are approaches of how to handle missing data in quantitative time series, the case of categorical time series seems not to have been treated so far. Both for the case of ordinal and nominal time series, solutions are developed that allow to analyze their marginal and serial properties in the presence of missing observations. This is achieved by adapting the concept of amplitude modulation, which allows to obtain closed‐form asymptotic expressions for the derived statistics' distribution (assuming that missingness happens independently of the actual process). The proposed methods are investigated with simulations, and they are applied in a project on migraine patients, where the monitored qualitative time series are often incomplete.
Toward Flexible Zinc–Air Batteries with Self‐Supported Air Electrodes
Authors: Yang Maomao , Shu Xinxin , Pan Wei , Zhang Jintao
Published: June 2021

The compelling demand for higher energy performance, flexibility, and miniaturization is the main driving force of the energy storage and conversion industry's quest for flexible devices based on new integration and fabrication process. Herein, the recent advances on the development of flexible zinc–air batteries based on self‐supported air electrodes are summarized, focusing on the multiscale and systematic design principles for the design of flexible air electrodes. With the electrocatalytic activity regulation and structural engineering strategies, the rational design of self‐supported air electrodes is discussed in integrated devices to underpin the good flexibility for wearable requirement. The perspectives on promising developments of flexible zinc–air batteries and the accumulated knowledge from other flexible devices are also addressed for promoting the advances on flexible zinc–air batteries.
Water Splitting Induced by Visible Light at a Copper‐Based Single‐Molecule Junction
Authors: Fukuzumi Risa , Buerkle Marius , Li Yu , Kaneko Satoshi , Li Peihui , Kobayashi Shuji , Fujii Shintaro , Kiguchi Manabu , Nakamura Hisao , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Nishino Tomoaki
Published: June 2021

Water splitting is an essential process for converting light energy into easily storable energy in the form of hydrogen. As environmentally preferable catalysts, Cu‐based materials have attracted attention as water‐splitting catalysts. To enhance the efficiency of water splitting, a reaction process should be developed. Single‐molecule junctions (SMJs) are attractive structures for developing these reactions because the molecule electronic state is significantly modulated, and characteristic electromagnetic effects can be expected. Here, water splitting is induced at Cu‐based SMJ and the produced hydrogen is characterized at a single‐molecule scale by employing electron transport measurements. After visible light irradiation, the conductance states originate from Cu/hydrogen molecule/Cu junctions, while before irradiation, only Cu/water molecule/Cu junctions were observed. The vibration spectra obtained from inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy combined with the first‐principles calculations reveal that the water molecule trapped between the Cu electrodes is decomposed and that hydrogen is produced. Time‐dependent and wavelength‐dependent measurements show that localized‐surface plasmon decomposes the water molecule in the vicinity of the junction. These findings indicate the potential ability of Cu‐based materials for photocatalysis.
Nitride Dispersion Strengthened Steel Development after Sintering of Nitrided Fe‐4.6 at% Al Alloy Powder
Authors: Yadav Akeshwar Singh , Kürnsteiner Philipp , Jägle Eric A. , Sasidhar K. N. , Meka Sai Ramudu
Published: June 2021

The development of a composite microstructure with hard aluminum nitrides (AlN) dispersed in a soft ferritic iron‐based solid is achieved through the powder metallurgy route. Fe‐4.6 at% Al alloy powders subjected to two different thermochemical treatments viz. nitriding and nitriding followed by hydrogen reduction are consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 900 °C. The final sintered microstructure is characterized with the help of optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy along with X‐ray diffraction for detailed phase analysis. The microstructures of the nitrided and sintered compacts are observed to be significantly affected by two factors: 1) presence of oxide phases on the surface of the powder particles before SPS and 2) evolution of nitrogen gas due to dissociation of iron nitrides during sintering. These result in a very complicated microstructure. However, for nitrided powders, performing a hydrogen reduction step before SPS lead to a microstructure composed of precipitation‐hardened particle cores due to dispersion of nanosized AlN precipitates, with a soft, ferritic interparticle region. This composite microstructure achieved through the powder metallurgy route, which can be finely tuned by controlling the nitriding, oxidation, and sintering parameters, is envisioned to be greatly beneficial for several engineering applications such as automotive components.
Influence of Cooling Parameters on the Microstructure and Primary Carbide Precipitation in GCr15 Steel
Authors: Jiang Dongbin , Zhang Lifeng
Published: June 2021

With the high temperature confocal laser scanning microscope applied, the effect of cooling rate, temperature interval, and cooling mechanism on the solidification microstructure and primary carbide participation in GCr15 steel are investigated. The solute distribution in interdendritic segregation and participation carbide are analyzed by electron probe microanalysis. The results show that solute concentrate is low in the dendrite zone but it increases clearly in the segregation zone. The carbon concentration in the precipitation can reach 6.49%, which means the primary carbide is M3C. In the heating process, the segregation zone and carbide participation melt first before it reaches the solidus temperature. During the solidification stage, the microstructure is refined and the size of primary carbide is reduced with a higher cooling rate, but the number density of primary carbide is increased. Moreover, it is found that the microstructure is formed in the earlier solidification, before the temperature declines to 1673 K. While the primary carbide participates in the later cooling stage and the transition temperature for the primary carbide is 1503 K. In addition, the primary carbide size can be reduced with the cooling rate larger than 300 K min−1 in the subsequent cooling stage.
Shikonin ameliorates injury and inflammatory response of LPS‐stimulated WI‐38 cells via modulating the miR‐489‐3p/MAP2K1 axis
Authors: Wang Jinchun , Chen Zhujing , Feng Xiaojing , Yin Lu
Published: June 2021

Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease induced by infection with different pathogens. Currently, multiple preclinical studies have revealed that shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone, can mitigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation, but its underlying mechanism in pneumonia remains unknown. This research was designed to explore the function and regulatory mechanism of shikonin in LPS‐induced cell injury and inflammation in WI‐38 cells. In‐vitro model of pneumonia was constructed by treating WI‐38 cells with LPS. Expression of miR‐489‐3p and MAP2K1 was tested by RT‐qPCR and (or) Western blot analysis. Cell viability was examined by 3‐(4,5)‐dimethylthiahiazo (−z‐y1)‐3,5‐di‐phenytetrazoliumromide assay. The productions of pro‐inflammatory cytokines were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Cell apoptosis was detected by Western blot and flow cytometry analysis. In the current study, LPS induced WI‐38 cell damage by inhibiting cell viability and promoting cell apoptosis and inflammation. Shikonin ameliorated LPS‐induced cell injury and elevated miR‐489‐3p expression. LPS‐induced inflammatory injury was further mitigated by upregulation of miR‐489‐3p. In addition, MAP2K1, the target of miR‐489‐3p, was upregulated by LPS. Furthermore, upregulation of MAP2K1 reversed the influence of shikonin and miR‐489‐3p mimics on LPS‐induced cell injury and inflammation. This study revealed that shikonin protected WI‐38 cells against LPS‐induced cell injury and inflammatory response by regulating the miR‐489‐3p/MAP2K1 axis, thus affecting the progression of pneumonia.
The therapeutic effects of Prunella vulgaris against fluoride‐induced oxidative damage by using the metabolomics method
Authors: Li Li , Lin Li‐mei , Deng Jing , Lin Xiu‐lian , Li Ya‐mei , Xia Bo‐hou
Published: June 2021

Fluoride is considered as one of the most ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Numerous studies have linked reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐dependent oxidative damage with fluoride intoxication, which could be prevented by antioxidants. However, the metabolomic changes induced by ROS disruptions in fluoride intoxication are yet unknown. The present study aimed to provide novel mechanistic insights into the fluoride‐induced oxidative damage and to investigate the potential protective effects of ethanolic extract of Prunella vulgaris (natural antioxidant, PV) against fluoride‐induced oxidative damage. The serum biochemical indicators related to fluoride‐induced oxidative damage, such as lipid peroxidation parameter, inflammation and marker enzymes in the liver increased significantly in the fluoride‐treated group, while antioxidant enzymes were decreased. However, PV treatment restored the level of these biochemical indicators, indicating satisfactory antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and hepatoprotective potential of PV. The metabolomics analysis in the serum was performed by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy, whereas the fluoride treatment caused severe metabolic disorders in rats, which could be improved by PV. The differential metabolites screened by multivariate analysis after fluoride and PV treatment, were organic acids, fatty acids, and lipids. These differential metabolites represented disorders of glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and the citrate cycle (TCA) according to metabolic pathway analysis in fluoride treatment rats. Interestingly, the result of metabolic pathway analysis of post‐treatment with PV was consistent with that of fluoride treatment, indicating that the energy metabolism plays a major role in the progress of fluoride‐induced oxidative damage, as well as the therapeutic effect of PV. These findings provided a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism underlying metabolic disorders of fluoride toxicity and the effect of PV.
Inflammatory bowel disease integral care units: Evaluation of a nationwide quality certification programme. The GETECCU experience
Authors: Barreiro‐de Acosta Manuel , Gutiérrez Ana , Zabana Yamile , Beltrán Belén , Calvet Xavier , Chaparro María , Domènech Eugeni , Esteve Maria , Panés Julian , Gisbert Javier P. , Nos Pilar ,   on behalf GETECCU
Published: June 2021

Background

One of the most valued targets in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is for physicians to provide and patients to receive a high‐level quality of care. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a nationwide quality certification programme for IBD units.

Methods

Identification of quality indicators (QI) for IBD Unit certification was based on Delphi methodology that selected 53 QI, which were subjected to a normalisation process. Selected QI were then used in the certification process. Coordinated by GETECCU, this process began with a consulting round and an audit drill followed by a formal audit carried out by an independent certifying agency. This audit involved the scrutiny of the selected QI in medical records. If 80%–90% compliance was achieved, the IBD unit audited received the qualification of “advanced”, and if it exceeded 90% the rating was “excellence”. Afterwards, an anonymous survey was conducted among certified units to assess satisfaction with the programme for IBD units.

Results

As of January 2021, 66 IBD units adhere to the nationwide certification programme. Among the 53 units already audited by January 2021, 31 achieved the certification of excellence, 20 the advanced certification, and two did not obtain the certification. The main survey results indicated high satisfaction with an average score of 8.5 out of 10.

Conclusion

Certification of inflammatory bowel disease units by GETECCU is the largest nationwide certification programme for IBD units reported. More than 90% of IBD units adhered to the programme achieved the certification.
Transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosis of deep endometriosis involving uterosacral ligaments, torus uterinus and posterior vaginal fornix: prospective study
Authors: Ros C. , de Guirior C. , Mension E. , Rius M. , Valdés‐Bango M. , Tortajada M. , Matas I. , Martínez‐Zamora M. Á. , Gracia M. , Carmona F.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in diagnosing deep endometriosis (DE) involving the uterosacral ligaments (USLs), torus uterinus (TU) or posterior vaginal fornix (PVF) in women with suspected endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic surgery.

Methods

In this prospective study, consecutive women with clinically suspected pelvic endometriosis who were scheduled for laparoscopic surgery were invited to participate. TVS was performed before surgery. TVS findings were compared with those obtained at laparoscopy and confirmed histologically. The accuracy of TVS for diagnosing DE involving the USLs, TU or PVF was assessed. Additionally, the association of DE involving the USLs, TU or PVF on TVS with symptoms and with DE affecting other pelvic locations was assessed.

Results

In total, 172 patients were included. The global sensitivity and specificity of TVS in diagnosing DE affecting the USLs, TU and/or PVF were 92% and 87%, respectively. For DE involving the USLs, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of TVS were 89.5%, 96.6%, 82.1%, 85.0%, 95.8%, 5.41 and 0.04, respectively; the respective values for DE involving the TU were 86.6%, 83.9%, 89.4%, 89.0%, 84.4%, 7.92 and 0.18, and the respective values for DE involving the PVF were 93.6%, 87.0%, 94.6%, 71.4%, 97.9%, 16.20 and 0.14. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between DE affecting the USLs, TU and/or PVF and DE affecting the rectosigmoid (odds ratio, 5.43; P < 0.001). Dyschezia was associated strongly with DE involving the USLs, TU and PVF, while dysmenorrhea was associated significantly with DE involving the TU.

Conclusion

TVS has high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for the detection of DE involving the USLs, TU and PVF in women with suspected endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Metal failure effects predicted accurately with a unified and explicit criterion
Authors: Wang Si‐Yu , Zhan Lin , Bruhns Otto Timme , Xiao Heng
Published: June 2021

A new criterion for predicting metal failure effects under cyclic loading conditions is derived from an innovative elastoplasticity model established most recently. As compared with usual approaches, novel results with this new criterion are presented in four respects: (i) both low and high cycle fatigue effects can be simultaneously simulated in a unified and direct manner; (ii) cumbersome trial‐and‐error procedures in identifying numerous unknown parameters can be bypassed; (iii) time‐consuming numerical procedures are not involved in treating responses in cyclic loading processes; and, for the first time, (iv) data sets for fatigue failure can be simultaneously matched for various cases of the cyclic stress ratio. Numerical examples show that model predictions are in accurate agreement with test data.
Quantum Zeno Effect in Open Quantum Systems
Authors: Becker Simon , Datta Nilanjana , Salzmann Robert
Published: June 2021

We prove the quantum Zeno effect in open quantum systems whose evolution, governed by quantum dynamical semigroups, is repeatedly and frequently interrupted by the action of a quantum operation. For the case of a quantum dynamical semigroup with a bounded generator, our analysis leads to a refinement of existing results and extends them to a larger class of quantum operations. We also prove the existence of a novel strong quantum Zeno limit for quantum operations for which a certain spectral gap assumption, which all previous results relied on, is lifted. The quantum operations are instead required to satisfy a weaker property of strong power-convergence. In addition, we establish, for the first time, the existence of a quantum Zeno limit for open quantum systems in the case of unbounded generators. We also provide a variety of physically interesting examples of quantum operations to which our results apply.
Tate motives on Witt vector affine flag varieties
Authors: Richarz Timo , Scholbach Jakob
Published: June 2021

Relying on recent advances in the theory of motives we develop a general formalism for derived categories of motives with$${\mathbf{Q}}$$Q-coefficients on perfect$$\infty $$∞-prestacks. We construct Grothendieck’s six functors for motives over perfect (ind-)schemes perfectly of finite presentation. Following ideas of Soergel–Wendt, this is used to study basic properties of stratified Tate motives on Witt vector partial affine flag varieties. As an application we give a motivic refinement of Zhu’s geometric Satake equivalence for Witt vector affine Grassmannians in this set-up.
Refined floor diagrams from higher genera and lambda classes
Authors: Bousseau Pierrick
Published: June 2021

We show that, after the change of variables $$q=e^{iu}$$

q
=

e

iu

, refined floor diagrams for $${\mathbb {P}}^2$$

P

2

and Hirzebruch surfaces compute generating series of higher genus relative Gromov–Witten invariants with insertion of a lambda class. The proof uses an inductive application of the degeneration formula in relative Gromov–Witten theory and an explicit result in relative Gromov–Witten theory of $${\mathbb {P}}^1$$

P

1

. Combining this result with the similar looking refined tropical correspondence theorem for log Gromov–Witten invariants, we obtain a non-trivial relation between relative and log Gromov–Witten invariants for $${\mathbb {P}}^2$$

P

2

and Hirzebruch surfaces. We also prove that the Block–Göttsche invariants of $${\mathbb {F}}_0$$

F
0

and $${\mathbb {F}}_2$$

F
2

are related by the Abramovich–Bertram formula.
Experimental research of liquid-fueled continuously rotating detonation chamber
Authors: Wolański P. , Balicki W. , Perkowski W. , Bilar A.
Published: June 2021

Research on the application of liquid fuels to continuously rotating detonation was conducted. A new method of mixture preparation was proposed. A special system of liquid fuel injection was designed and tested which is based on injecting into the detonation chamber a preheated liquid fuel partially mixed with hot air at conditions higher than the rich flammability limit. The specially selected conditions allow all liquid fuel to evaporate in the supply system but prevent it from ignition before entering the detonation chamber. Experiments were conducted for two different liquid fuels, extraction gasoline and Jet-A fuel. Research was carried out for different equivalence ratios, and in all tested conditions detonation was achieved. The new tested method of liquid fuel preparation and injection into a cylindrical detonation chamber opens a way of application of liquid fuels to engines which utilize continuously rotating detonation and thus prepares the way for practical application of detonative combustion to turbine engines and jet propulsion systems.
Explicit motor sequence learning after stroke: a neuropsychological study
Authors: Russo Cristina , Veronelli Laura , Casati Carlotta , Monti Alessia , Perucca Laura , Ferraro Francesco , Corbo Massimo , Vallar Giuseppe , Bolognini Nadia
Published: June 2021

Motor learning interacts with and shapes experience-dependent cerebral plasticity. In stroke patients with paresis of the upper limb, motor recovery was proposed to reflect a process of re-learning the lost/impaired skill, which interacts with rehabilitation. However, to what extent stroke patients with hemiparesis may retain the ability of learning with their affected limb remains an unsolved issue, that was addressed by this study. Nineteen patients, with a cerebrovascular lesion affecting the right or the left hemisphere, underwent an explicit motor learning task (finger tapping task, FTT), which was performed with the paretic hand. Eighteen age-matched healthy participants served as controls. Motor performance was assessed during the learning phase (i.e., online learning), as well as immediately at the end of practice, and after 90 min and 24 h (i.e., retention). Results show that overall, as compared to the control group, stroke patients, regardless of the side (left/right) of the hemispheric lesion, do not show a reliable practice-dependent improvement; consequently, no retention could be detected in the long-term (after 90 min and 24 h). The motor learning impairment was associated with subcortical damage, predominantly affecting the basal ganglia; conversely, it was not associated with age, time elapsed from stroke, severity of upper-limb motor and sensory deficits, and the general neurological condition. This evidence expands our understanding regarding the potential of post-stroke motor recovery through motor practice, suggesting a potential key role of basal ganglia, not only in implicit motor learning as previously pointed out, but also in explicit finger tapping motor tasks.
Correction to: Tumour draining lymph node-generated CD8 T cells play a role in controlling lung metastases after a primary tumour is removed but not when adjuvant immunotherapy is used
Authors: Fear Vanessa S. , Forbes Catherine A. , Neeve Samuel A. , Fisher Scott A. , Chee Jonathan , Waithman Jason , Ma Shao Kang , Lake Richard , Nowak Anna K. , Creaney Jenette , Brown Matthew D. , Saunders Christobel , Robinson Bruce W. S.
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-021-02970-z
Management of chronic Achilles ruptures: a scoping review
Authors: Arshad Zaki , Lau Edward Jun Shing , Leow Shu Hui , Bhatia Maneesh
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This scoping review aims to systematically map and summarise the available evidence on the management of chronic Achilles ruptures, whilst identifying prognostic factors and areas of future research.

Methods

A scoping review was performed according to the frameworks of Arksey and O’Malley, Levac and Peters. A computer-based search was performed in PubMed, Embase, EmCare, CINAHL, ISI Web of Science and Scopus, for articles reporting treatment of chronic Achilles ruptures. Two reviewers independently performed title/abstract and full text screening according to pre-defined selection criteria.

Results

A total of 747 unique articles were identified, of which 73 (9.8%) met all inclusion criteria. A variety of methods are described, with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer being the most common. The most commonly reported outcome is the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, although 16 other measures were reported in the literatures. All studies comparing pre- and post-operative outcomes reported significant post-treatment improvement. Complications were reported in 50 studies, with an overall pooled complication rate of 168/1065 (15.8%).

Conclusion

Although beneficial results were reported following a variety of techniques, comparison between these is challenging due to the low-level study designs used and confounding factors such as treatment delay and tendon gap size. Further research comparing the efficacy of different techniques is required in order to facilitate the development of an evidence-based treatment protocol. Such work would allow clinicians to better understand the suitability of the large variety of reported techniques and select the optimal strategy for each individual patient.
A Cheeger Cut for Uniform Hypergraphs
Authors: Mulas Raffaella
Published: June 2021

The graph Cheeger constant and Cheeger inequalities are generalized to the case of hypergraphs whose edges have the same cardinality. In particular, it is shown that the second largest eigenvalue of the generalized normalized Laplacian is bounded both above and below by the generalized Cheeger constant, and the corresponding eigenfunctions can be used to approximate the Cheeger cut.
Organic food use, meat intake, and prevalence of gestational diabetes: KOALA birth cohort study
Authors: Simões-Wüst Ana Paula , Moltó-Puigmartí Carolina , van Dongen Martien C. J. M. , Thijs Carel
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To evaluate whether consumption of organic food and reduced intake of meat products in pregnancy are associated with lower prevalence of gestational diabetes (GD).

Methods

Women participating in the KOALA Birth Cohort Study with valid informed consent, a singleton pregnancy and information on their food intake were considered in this cross-sectional analysis. Participants with and without GD were compared with each other in terms of dietary characteristics (n = 37 andn = 2766, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression (LR) was used to adjust for relevant covariates.

Results

Organic food consumption tended to be lower, although not significantly, in women with GD compared to women without GD, whereas consumption of meat was positively associated with GD prevalence. LR modelling showed that GD was significantly associated with higher consumption of meat and, in addition, also of cheese, after adjustment for other relevant covariates. GD was associated with some indicators of animal product intake, namely dietary animal to plant protein ratio and maternal plasma arachidonic acid (for the latter, data available forn = 16 andn = 1304, respectively). Food patterns of participants with GD were characterised by more meat products and less vegetarian products.

Conclusions

Due to the low number of participants with GD, results have to be interpreted cautiously. Consumption of organic food during pregnancy does not seem to be markedly associated with a lower GD prevalence; lower intake of meat and cheese, irrespective of its origin (organic or conventional), does. The latter supports previous studies suggesting a causal association between consumption of animal products and GD.
Inadvertent, intraoperative, non- to minimally displaced periprosthetic humeral shaft fractures in RTSA do not affect the clinical and radiographic short-term outcome
Authors: Hasler Anita , Kriechling Philipp , Passaplan Caroline , Wieser Karl
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Little information is available on the clinical and radiographic outcome of intraoperative, non- to minimally displaced humeral fractures that occur during implantation of a stemmed, reverse shoulder prosthesis but are only recognized on routine postoperative radiographs. The goal of this study is to report the clinical and radiographic outcome for this rarely reported fracture type.

Materials and methods

39 conservatively treated non- to minimally displaced intraoperative periprosthetic humeral fractures after stemmed RTSA were detected from our radiographic database between 1.1.2006 and 31.1.2018. Exclusion criteria were lack of patient consent, preoperative humeral fracture, and revision arthroplasties. Clinical (absolute and relative Constant score, the Subjective Shoulder Value) and radiographic (conventional radiographs) assessment was performed preoperatively, at 6 weeks (only radiographically) and at latest follow-up with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Results

35 patient’s with a mean age of 72 years (range 32–88, SD ± 11 years) and a mean follow-up of 53 months (range 24–124, SD ± 31) were included in the study. At latest follow-up, all clinical outcome parameters except external rotation improved significantly. A complication rate of 17% (n:6) was recorded. At 6 weeks after the index surgery, none of the radiographs showed a fracture displacement or a sintering of the stem. At latest follow-up, all fractures were healed and no stem loosening was observed in any of the shoulders.

Conclusions

Non- to minimally displaced intraoperative periprosthetic humeral fractures in RTSA have an incidence of about 5% in this series of mainly uncemented press-fit stems. They generally heal without any further treatment and are not associated with stem loosening or compromise the clinical outcome after primary RTSA. Except slight restriction in the postoperative rehabilitation protocol, no further attention or action is needed.
Sex differences in temperature-related all-cause mortality in the Netherlands
Authors: Folkerts Mireille A. , Bröde Peter , Botzen W. J. Wouter , Martinius Mike L. , Gerrett Nicola , Harmsen Carel N. , Daanen Hein A. M.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Over the last few decades, a global increase in both cold and heat extremes has been observed with significant impacts on human mortality. Although it is well-identified that older individuals (> 65 years) are most prone to temperature-related mortality, there is no consensus on the effect of sex. The current study investigated if sex differences in temperature-related mortality exist in the Netherlands.

Methods

Twenty-three-year ambient temperature data of the Netherlands were combined with daily mortality data which were subdivided into sex and three age classes (< 65 years, 65–80 years,  ≥ 80 years). Distributed lag non-linear models were used to analyze the effect of ambient temperature on mortality and determine sex differences in mortality attributable to the cold and heat, which is defined as mean daily temperatures below and above the Minimum Mortality Temperature, respectively.

Results

Attributable fractions in the heat were higher in females, especially in the oldest group under extreme heat (≥ 97.5th percentile), whilst no sex differences were found in the cold. Cold- and heat-related mortality was most prominent in the oldest age group (≥ 80 years) and to a smaller extent in the age group between 65–80 years. In the age group < 65 years temperature-related mortality was only significant for males in the heat.

Conclusion

Mortality in the Netherlands represents the typical V- or hockey-stick shaped curve with a higher daily mortality in the cold and heat than at milder temperatures in both males and females, especially in the age group ≥ 80 years. Heat-related mortality was higher in females than in males, especially in the oldest age group (≥ 80 years) under extreme heat, whilst in the cold no sex differences were found. The underlying cause may be of physiological or behavioral nature, but more research is necessary.