bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aortic valve replacement of a quadricuspid aortic valve with right coronary artery ostium adjacent to one of the commissures
Authors: Tsuji Shigeto , Shimada Shogo , Itoda Yoshifumi , Yamauchi Haruo , Ono Minoru
Published: June 2022

Background

Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital heart disease that may be associated with a different anatomical relationship between the coronary artery ostium and the commissure.

Case presentation

Herein, we report a case of a 59-year-old woman who underwent aortic valve replacement for a quadricuspid aortic valve with severe aortic regurgitation. Intraoperatively, the aortic valve had four cusps of almost equal size and the right coronary artery arose adjacent to the commissure between the right coronary cusp and one of the two non-coronary cusps. The annular stitches were placed in a non-everting mattress fashion with pledgets on the ventricular side, and stitches near the right coronary ostium were transitioned to the subannular ventricular myocardium to maintain the distance from the ostium. A one-step smaller-sized prosthesis was selected to avoid an oversized prosthetic valve potentially compressing the right coronary ostium.

Conclusions

When performing aortic valve replacement for a quadricuspid aortic valve, careful observation of the coronary location and means to avoid coronary ostium obstruction are essential.
Comparison of hybrid coronary revascularization versus coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Li , Zhu Keying , Du Nannan , Si Yuexiu , Liang Jiali , Shen Ruijing , Chen Bangsheng
Published: June 2022

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, but the best revascularization method for multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) patients is still controversial. Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR), together with CABG and PCI, have been proved to be feasible methods, but the long-term effect of HCR is not as clear as CABG.

Method

By October 2020, we retrieved articles from PubMed, Web of science, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases. The main results are based on major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE).

Result

A total of 18 articles (3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 15 observational studies) were included in this meta-analysis. The outcomes of MACCE in the HCR group at perioperative, short-term (30 days to 1 year), medium-term (1 year to 5 years) and long-term (5 years and above) follow-up period were similar to those in the CABG group. The mortality rates of patients in perioperative, short-term and medium-term follow-up were similar to those in the CABG group, but lower than that in the CABG group at long-term follow-up (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.18–0.69, p = 0.002). The revascularization rate was higher in the HCR group during the perioperative period (OR = 3.50, 95% CI 2.07–5.94, p < 0.001), short-term (OR = 3.28, 95% CI 1.62–6.64, p < 0.001) and mid-term follow-up (OR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.64–4.92, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results reveal that HCR is a safe and therapeutically effective alternative in treatments for MVD patients. It has not only less short-term adverse effect, but also better long-term effect, especially in death.
Comparison of early outcomes associated with coronary artery bypass grafting for multi-vessel disease conducted using minimally invasive or conventional off-pump techniques: a propensity-matched study based on SYNTAX score
Authors: Liang Lin , Liu Jia-Ji , Kong Qing-Yu , You Bin , Ma Xiao-long , Chi Li-Qun , Zhu Jun-ming
Published: June 2022

Background

This study was designed to compare early outcomes associated with coronary artery bypass grafting for multi-vessel disease conducted using either minimally invasive or conventional off-pump techniques.

Methods

From January 2017 through January 2021, 582 patients with multi-vessel lesion coronary artery disease underwent either minimally invasive cardiac surgery coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) or conventional off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) treatment by our team at Anzhen Hospital. Patients in the MICS CABG group were propensity score-matched with those in the OPCABG at a 1:1 ratio (MICS CABG = 172; OPCABG = 172), using epidemiological data, preoperative clinical characteristics, and SYNTAX score as covariates. Perioperative outcomes and 6-month computed tomography angiography findings were compared between these groups.

Results

No significant differences between groups were observed with respect to 30-day postoperative mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke incidence. Surgical data indicated that the MICS CABG procedure was able to cover all three main arterial territories with a relatively low need for circulatory assistance. The MICS CABG procedure was associated with a longer operative duration, but was also associated with higher postoperative hemoglobin and activities of daily living index values as well as a shorter duration of postoperative hospitalization (P < 0.05). No differences in 6-month graft patency were observed between groups.

Conclusions

MICS CABG is a safe, less invasive alternative to OPCABG when performing complete revascularization provided patients are properly selected, yielding similar in-hospital outcomes and 6-month graft patency rates together with an earlier return of physical function.
Optogenetic inactivation of the medial septum impairs long-term object recognition memory formation
Authors: Gonzalez Maria Carolina , Radiske Andressa , Rossato Janine I. , Conde-Ocazionez Sergio , Bevilaqua Lia R. M. , Cammarota Martín
Published: June 2022

Theta is one of the most prominent extracellular synchronous oscillations in the mammalian brain. Hippocampal theta relies on an intact medial septum (MS) and has been consistently recorded during the training phase of some learning paradigms, suggesting that it may be implicated in hippocampus-dependent long-term memory processing. Object recognition memory (ORM) allows animals to identify familiar items and is essential for remembering facts and events. In rodents, long-term ORM formation requires a functional hippocampus but the involvement of the MS in this process remains controversial. We found that training adult male Wistar rats in a long-term ORM-inducing learning task involving exposure to two different, but behaviorally equivalent novel stimuli objects increased hippocampal theta power, and that suppressing theta via optogenetic MS inactivation caused amnesia. Importantly, the amnesia was specific to the object the animals were exploring when the MS was inactivated. Taken together, our results indicate that the MS is necessary for long-term ORM formation and suggest that hippocampal theta activity is causally linked to this process.
Addressing the routine failure to clinically identify monogenic cases of common disease
Authors: Murray Michael F. , Khoury Muin J. , Abul-Husn Noura S.
Published: June 2022

Changes in medical practice are needed to improve the diagnosis of monogenic forms of selected common diseases. This article seeks to focus attention on the need for universal genetic testing in common diseases for which the recommended clinical management of patients with specific monogenic forms of disease diverges from standard management and has evidence for improved outcomes.

We review evidence from genomic screening of large patient cohorts, which has confirmed that important monogenic case identification failures are commonplace in routine clinical care. These case identification failures constitute diagnostic misattributions, where the care of individuals with monogenic disease defaults to the treatment plan offered to those with polygenic or non-genetic forms of the disease.

The number of identifiable and actionable monogenic forms of common diseases is increasing with time. Here, we provide six examples of common diseases for which universal genetic test implementation would drive improved care. We examine the evidence to support genetic testing for common diseases, and discuss barriers to widespread implementation. Finally, we propose recommendations for changes to genetic testing and care delivery aimed at reducing diagnostic misattributions, to serve as a starting point for further evaluation and development of evidence-based guidelines for implementation.
Implementation of respondent driven sampling in Nairobi, Kenya, for tracking key family planning indicators among adolescents and youth: lessons learnt
Authors: Thiongo Mary , Gichangi Peter , Macho Patrick K. , Byrne Meagan E. , Kimani Peter , Waithaka Michael , Radloff Scott , Anglewicz Philip , Decker Michele R.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Adolescents and youth constitute a significant proportion of the population in developing nations. Conventional survey methods risk missing adolescents/youth because their family planning/contraception (FP/C) behavior is hidden. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS), a modified chain-referral recruitment sampling approach, was used to reach unmarried adolescents/youth aged 15–24 in Nairobi, Kenya to measure key FP/C indicators. Seeds were selected and issued with three coupons which they used to invite their peers, male or female, to participate in the study. Referred participants were also given coupons to invite others till sample size was achieved. We report on key implementation parameters following standard RDS reporting recommendations.

Results

A total of 1674 coupons were issued to generate a sample size of 1354. Coupon return rate was 82.7%. Study participants self-administered most survey questions and missing data was low. Differential enrolment by gender was seen with 56.0% of females recruiting females while 44.0% of males recruited males. In about two months, it was possible to reach the desired sample size using RDS methodology. Implementation challenges included presentation of expired coupons, recruitment of ineligible participants and difficulty recruiting seeds and recruits from affluent neighborhoods. Challenges were consistent with RDS implementation in other settings and populations. RDS can complement standard surveillance/survey approaches, particularly for mobile populations like adolescents/youth.
Performance analysis of different DCNN models in remote sensing image object detection
Authors: Liu Huaijin , Du Jixiang , Zhang Yong , Zhang Hongbo
Published: June 2022

In recent years, deep learning, especially deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN), has made great progress. Many researchers use different DCNN models to detect remote sensing targets. Different DCNN models have different advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we use YoloV4 as the detector to “fine-tune” various mainstream deep convolutional neural networks on two large public remote sensing data sets−LEVIR data set and DOTA data set to compare the advantages of various networks. This paper analyzes the reasons why the effect of “fine-tuning” convolutional neural networks is sometimes not good, and points out the difficulties of object detection in optical remote sensing images. To improve the detection accuracy of optical remote sensing targets, in addition to “fine-tuning” convolutional neural network, we also provide a variety of adaptive multi-scale feature fusion methods to improve the detection accuracy. In addition, for the large number of parameters generated by deep convolutional neural network, we provide a method to save storage space.
Visualising iron gall ink underdrawings in sixteenth century paintings in-situ by micro-XRF scanning (MA-XRF) and LED-excited IRR (LEDE-IRR)
Authors: Gerken Mareike , Sander Jochen , Krekel Christoph
Published: June 2022

Until today, iron gall ink is classified as an exceptional underdrawing material for paintings. Its study and definite identification is usually based on invasive analysis. This article presents a new non-destructive approach using micro-X-ray fluorescence scanning (MA-XRF), LED-excited IRR (LEDE-IRR) based on a narrow wavelength-range of infrared radiation (IR) for illumination and stereomicroscopy for studying and visualising iron gall ink underdrawings. To assess possibilities and limits of these analytical techniques, the approach was tested on panel paintings by Hans Holbein the Elder and Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano. Results are compared to invasive examinations on cross-sections using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). The holistic setup could successfully visualise iron gall ink underdrawings, allowing to harness the formerly invisible underdrawing lines for interdisciplinary studies.
Validation of an adapted Pediatric Sepsis Score in children admitted to PICU with invasive infection and sepsis: a retrospective analysis of a Dutch national cohort
Authors: Boeddha Navin P. , Schlapbach Luregn J. , Visser Idse H. , Jansen Nicolaas J. G. ,   SKIC (Dutch Collaborative PICU Research Network), Bollen Casper , van Heerde Marc , van der Heide Douwe , Klein Richard , Kneyber Martin , Kuiper Jan-Willem , Riedijk Maaike , Verlaat Carin , van Waardenburg Dick
Published: June 2022

We validated an adapted form of the Pediatric Sepsis Score (aPSS), a disease-specific severity score available within 60 min of PICU admission, in children with invasive infection. aPSS consist of all components of PSS except lactate. aPSS predicted mortality in children with invasive infection (n = 4096; AUC 0.70 (95% CI 0.67–0.73)) and in children with sepsis (n = 1690; AUC 0.71 (0.67–0.76)). aPSS can be an adequate tool to predict outcome in children admitted to PICU with invasive infection or sepsis, especially in situations where lactate is not available within 60 min.
Multi-site medical record review for validation of intentional self-harm coding in emergency departments
Authors: Gabella Barbara A. , Hume Beth , Li Linda , Mabida Marianne , Costich Julia
Published: June 2022

Background

Codes in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), are used for injury surveillance, including surveillance of intentional self-harm, as they appear in administrative billing records. This study estimated the positive predictive value of ICD-10-CM codes for intentional self-harm in emergency department (ED) billing records for patients aged 10 years and older who did not die and were not admitted to an inpatient medical service.

Methods

The study team in Maryland, Colorado, and Massachusetts selected all or a random sample of ED billing records with an ICD-10-CM code for intentional self-harm (specific codes that began with X71-X83, T36-T65, T71, T14.91). Positive predictive value (PPV) was determined by the number and percentage of records with a physician diagnosis of intentional self-harm, based on a retrospective review of the original medical record.

Results

The estimated PPV for the codes’ capture of intentional self-harm based on physician diagnosis in the original medical record was 89.8% (95% CI 85.0–93.4) for Maryland records, 91.9% (95% CI 87.7–95.0) for Colorado records, and 97.3% (95% CI 95.1–98.7) for Massachusetts records.

Conclusion

Given the high PPV of the codes, epidemiologists can use the codes for public health surveillance of intentional self-harm treated in the ED using ICD-10-CM coded administrative billing records. However, these codes and related variables in the billing database cannot definitively distinguish between suicidal and non-suicidal intentional self-harm.
Does the addition of whole-body MRI to routine imaging influence real-world treatment decisions in metastatic breast cancer?
Authors: Bhaludin Basrull N. , Tunariu Nina , Senthivel Nishanthi , Babiker Amna , Soneji Neil D. , Hujairi Nabil , Sharma Bhupinder , McGrath Sophie E. , Okines Alicia F. , Ring Alistair E. , Messiou Christina , Downey Kate , Koh Dow-Mu
Published: June 2022

Background

The assessment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) can be limited with routine imaging such as computed tomography (CT) especially in bone-only or bone-predominant disease. This analysis investigates the effects of the use of WBMRI in addition to the use of routine CT, bone scintigraphy (BS) and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) on influencing systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) decisions in patients with known MBC.

Methods

MBC patients undergoing SACT who had WBMRI undertaken within 8 weeks of either a routine CT, BS or FDG-PET/CT were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical indications for undertaking the WBMRI examinations were recorded. Data on the extent and distribution of the disease were collected and discordance/concordance of disease status across the imaging modalities were compared. SACT decisions at each time point were also evaluated.

Results

There were 105 MBC patients with 148 WBMRI studies paired with CT, BS or FDG-PET/CT. 50 pairs (33.8%) showed differences in the extent of disease, with 44 pairs due to additional sites (AS) reported on WBMRI alone.

81 patients (Group 1) had one WBMRI paired with routine imaging due to a variety of indications, with clinical symptoms (such as bone pain) being the most common (24.7%).

24 patients (Group 2) had more than one WBMRI study paired with routine imaging comprising 67 pairs. 13/67 pairs (19.4%) showed discordance in assessments. 10/13 pairs had progressive disease (PD) reported on WBMRI alone.

SACT change due to AS reported on WBMRI alone occurred in 21/23 pairs (91.3%) in Group 1. SACT change due to PD reported on WBMRI alone in Group 2 occurred in 6/14 pairs (42.9%). SACT change due to AS/PD in both groups occurred in 11/102 pairs (10.8%) with known invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and 13/28 pairs (46.4%) with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).

Conclusions

The use of WBMRI in MBC led to earlier recognition of PD and SACT change compared with the other imaging modalities. A higher proportion of discordant response assessments and SACT changes were observed in ILC compared with IDC in our patient group, although larger-scale studies are required to investigate this further.
Midnight/midday-synchronized expression of cryptochrome genes in the eyes of three teleost species, zebrafish, goldfish, and medaka
Authors: Nakagawa Marika , Okano Keiko , Saratani Yuya , Shoji Yosuke , Okano Toshiyuki
Published: June 2022

Photoperiodic responses are observed in many organisms living in the temperate zones. The circadian clock is involved in photoperiodic time measurement; however, the underlying molecular mechanism for detection of the day length remains unknown. We previously compared the expression profiles of the Cryptochrome(Cry) genes in the zebrafish eye and reported that Cry1ab has a double peak with variable expression duration depending on the photoperiod. In this study, to understand commonalities and differences in the photoperiodic responses of ocular Cry genes, we identified Cryptochrome genes in two other teleost species, goldfish and medaka, living in temperate zones, and measured ocular Cry mRNA levels in all of the three species, under different photoperiods (long-day [14 h light: 10 h dark] and short-day [10 h light: 14 h dark] and in constant darkness. Cry1ab mRNA levels did not show dual peaks in goldfish or medaka under the examined conditions; however, the mRNA expression profiles of many Crys were altered in all three species, depending on the day length and light condition. Based on their expression profiles, Cry mRNA peaks were classified into three groups that better synchronize to sunrise (light-on), midnight/midday (middle points of the dark/light periods), or sunset (light-off). These results suggest the presence of multiple oscillators that oscillate independently or a complex oscillator in which Cry expression cycles change in a photoperiod-dependent manner in the eye.
Uncertainty index and stock volatility prediction: evidence from international markets
Authors: Gong Xue , Zhang Weiguo , Xu Weijun , Li Zhe
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the predictability of a fixed uncertainty index (UI) for realized variances (volatility) in the international stock markets from a high-frequency perspective. We construct a composite UI based on the scaled principal component analysis (s-PCA) method and demonstrate that it exhibits significant in- and out-of-sample predictabilities for realized variances in global stock markets. This predictive power is more powerful than those of two commonly employed competing methods, namely, PCA and the partial least squares (PLS) methods. The result is robust in several checks. Further, we explain that s-PCA outperforms other dimension-reduction methods since it can effectively increase the impacts of strong predictors and decrease those of weak factors. The implications of this research are significant for investors who allocate assets globally.
Efficacy of smartphone-based retinal photography by undergraduate students in screening and early diagnosing diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Gobbi Jéssica Deponti , Braga João Pedro Romero , Lucena Moises M. , Bellanda Victor C. F. , Frasson Miguel V. S. , Ferraz Daniel , Koh Victor , Jorge Rodrigo
Published: June 2022

Background

To evaluate the efficacy of retinal photography obtained by undergraduate students using a smartphone-based device in screening and early diagnosing diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

We carried out an open prospective study with ninety-nine diabetic patients (194 eyes), who were submitted to an ophthalmological examination in which undergraduate students registered images of the fundus using a smartphone-based device. At the same occasion, an experienced nurse captured fundus photographs from the same patients using a gold standard tabletop camera system (Canon CR-2 Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera), with a 45º field of view. Two distinct masked specialists evaluated both forms of imaging according to the presence or absence of sings of DR and its markers of severity. We later compared those reports to assess agreement between the two technologies.

Results

Concerning the presence or absence of DR, we found an agreement rate of 84.07% between reports obtained from images of the smartphone-based device and from the regular (tabletop) fundus camera; Kappa: 0.67; Sensitivity: 71.0% (Confidence Interval [CI]: 65.05–78.16%); Specificity: 94.06% (CI: 90.63–97.49%); Accuracy: 84.07%; Positive Predictive Value (PPV): 90.62%; Negative Predictive Value (NPV): 80.51%. As for the classification between proliferative diabetic retinopathy and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, we found an agreement of 90.00% between the reports; Kappa: 0.78; Sensitivity: 86.96%; (CI: 79.07–94.85%); Specificity: 91.49% (CI: 84.95–98.03%); Accuracy: 90.00%; PPV: 83.33%; NPV: 93.48%. Regarding the degree of classification of DR, we found an agreement rate of 69.23% between the reports; Kappa: 0.52. As relating to the presence or absence of hard macular exudates, we found an agreement of 84.07% between the reports; Kappa: 0.67; Sensitivity: 71.60% (CI: 65.05–78.16%); Specificity: 94.06% (CI: 90.63–97.49%); Accuracy: 84.07%; PPV: 90.62%; NPV: 80.51%.

Conclusion

The smartphone-based device showed promising accuracy in the detection of DR (84.07%), making it a potential tool in the screening and early diagnosis of DR.
ACCORD guideline for reporting consensus-based methods in biomedical research and clinical practice: a study protocol
Authors: Gattrell William T. , Hungin Amrit Pali , Price Amy , Winchester Christopher C. , Tovey David , Hughes Ellen L. , van Zuuren Esther J. , Goldman Keith , Logullo Patricia , Matheis Robert , Harrison Niall
Published: June 2022

Background

Structured, systematic methods to formulate consensus recommendations, such as the Delphi process or nominal group technique, among others, provide the opportunity to harness the knowledge of experts to support clinical decision making in areas of uncertainty. They are widely used in biomedical research, in particular where disease characteristics or resource limitations mean that high-quality evidence generation is difficult. However, poor reporting of methods used to reach a consensus – for example, not clearly explaining the definition of consensus, or not stating how consensus group panellists were selected – can potentially undermine confidence in this type of research and hinder reproducibility. Our objective is therefore to systematically develop a reporting guideline to help the biomedical research and clinical practice community describe the methods or techniques used to reach consensus in a complete, transparent, and consistent manner.

Methods

The ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document) project will take place in five stages and follow the EQUATOR Network guidance for the development of reporting guidelines. In Stage 1, a multidisciplinary Steering Committee has been established to lead and coordinate the guideline development process. In Stage 2, a systematic literature review will identify evidence on the quality of the reporting of consensus methodology, to obtain potential items for a reporting checklist. In Stage 3, Delphi methodology will be used to reach consensus regarding the checklist items, first among the Steering Committee, and then among a broader Delphi panel comprising participants with a range of expertise, including patient representatives. In Stage 4, the reporting guideline will be finalised in a consensus meeting, along with the production of an Explanation and Elaboration (E&E) document. In Stage 5, we plan to publish the reporting guideline and E&E document in open-access journals, supported by presentations at appropriate events. Dissemination of the reporting guideline, including a website linked to social media channels, is crucial for the document to be implemented in practice.

Discussion

The ACCORD reporting guideline will provide a set of minimum items that should be reported about methods used to achieve consensus, including approaches ranging from simple unstructured opinion gatherings to highly structured processes.
Comparative genomics reveals low levels of inter- and intraspecies diversity in the causal agents of dwarf and common bunt of wheat and hint at conspecificity of Tilletia caries and T. laevis
Authors: Sedaghatjoo Somayyeh , Mishra Bagdevi , Forster Monika K. , Becker Yvonne , Keilwagen Jens , Killermann Berta , Thines Marco , Karlovsky Petr , Maier Wolfgang
Published: June 2022

Tilletia caries and T. laevis, which are the causal agents of common bunt, as well as T. controversa, which causes dwarf bunt of wheat, threaten especially organic wheat farming. The three closely related fungal species differ in their teliospore morphology and partially in their physiology and infection biology. The gene content as well as intraspecies variation in these species and the genetic basis of their separation is unknown. We sequenced the genome of four T. caries, five T. controversa, and two T. laevis and extended this dataset with five publicly available ones. The genomes of the three species displayed microsynteny with up to 94.3% pairwise aligned regions excluding repetitive regions. The majority of functionally characterized genes involved in pathogenicity, life cycle, and infection of corn smut, Ustilago maydis, were found to be absent or poorly conserved in the draft genomes and the biosynthetic pathway for trimethylamine in Tilletia spp. could be different from bacteria. Overall, 75% of the identified protein-coding genes comprising 84% of the total predicted carbohydrate utilizing enzymes, 72.5% putatively secreted proteins, and 47.4% of effector-like proteins were conserved and shared across all 16 isolates. We predicted nine highly identical secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters comprising in total 62 genes in all species and none were species-specific. Less than 0.1% of the protein-coding genes were species-specific and their function remained mostly unknown. Tilletia controversa had the highest intraspecies genetic variation, followed by T. caries and the lowest in T. laevis. Although the genomes of the three species are very similar, employing 241 single copy genes T. controversa was phylogenetically distinct from T. caries and T. laevis, however these two could not be resolved as individual monophyletic groups. This was in line with the genome-wide number of single nucleotide polymorphisms and small insertions and deletions. Despite the conspicuously different teliospore ornamentation of T. caries and T. laevis, a high degree of genomic identity and scarcity of species-specific genes indicate that the two species could be conspecific.
Mineralizing microangiopathy: radiological features of a "not uncommon" complication of chemoradiotherapy in pediatric cancer patients
Authors: Youssef Ayda , Madney Youssef , Zaghloul Mohamed , Heikal Samia
Published: June 2022

Background

Mineralizing microangiopathy represents one of the delayed complications of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We reviewed clinical and radiological data of pediatric cancer patients who presented with mineralizing microangiopathy. This is a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 37 cancer children treated with chemoradiotherapy presented with imaging criteria suspected of mineralizing microangiopathy admitted to our hospital during the period 2015–2020. The CT was reviewed for distribution of calcification and MRI for signal criteria.

This study aims to raise awareness among radiologists about radiological features of mineralizing microangiopathy during the sequential routine follow-up brain scans of pediatric cancer patients who received chemo, radio, or combined chemoradiotherapy and to identify changes as a long-term delayed complication of therapy and avoid misdiagnosis.

Results

Thirty-seven pediatric cancer patients (17 female and 20 males, aged 1.5–18 years) who had mineralizing microangiopathy were thoroughly investigated. Most of them (32 patients) had brain tumors and 5 patients had leukemia. Cranial radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy were given to 33 patients, while nine patients received intrathecal chemotherapy. The interval needed to develop mineralizing microangiopathy ranged from 1 to 10 years after the end of treatment. CT detected calcification in the basal ganglia, being the most common location (32 cases), followed by cerebral gray–white matter interface in 26 patients, cerebellum (18), brain stem (13), thalamus (5), and caudate nucleus (4), while dural calcifications were found in only one patient. MRI was considered “positive” when T1 hyperintensity was noted in the anatomical location of CT detected calcification; it was positive in 29 cases.

Conclusion

Mineralizing microangiopathy is one of the delayed complications of chemoradiotherapy among pediatric cancer patients. The awareness of its radiological criteria is essential to avoid misdiagnosis. Early detection can alert pediatric oncologists to monitor neurotoxicity and help prevent long-term neurological sequels.
Current Systemic Treatments for the Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Drug Development in Light of Genomic Defects
Authors: Hasanov Elshad , Pimentel Isabel , Cruellas Mara , Lewis Mark A. , Jonasch Eric , Balmaña Judith
Published: June 2022

Advances in the genetic basis of different tumors have led to identification of tumor vulnerabilities that can be turn into targeted therapies. In this regard, PARP inhibitors cause synthetic lethality with tumors harboring BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic alterations. On the other hand, tumors with microsatellite instability, either due to germline or sporadic alterations, are candidates for immune checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease who carry a germline alteration in the VHL gene may benefit form belzutifan, a hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha inhibitor. Overall, research on the underlying pathological mechanisms of these tumors has provided new therapeutic opportunities that might be expanded to other sporadic tumors with similar biology.
Breast Medical Oncologists' Perspectives of Telemedicine for Breast Cancer Care: A Survey Study
Authors: Stavrou Eleni , Qiu Jeanna , Zafar Affan , Tramontano Angela C. , Isakoff Steven , Winer Eric , Schrag Deborah , Manz Christopher
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE:

The COVID-19 pandemic forced rapid adoption of telemedicine (TM) for breast oncology visits in the United States, but the appropriate role of postpandemic TM is uncertain. We sought to understand physician and advance practice practitioner perspectives on the use of TM for outpatient breast cancer care through an electronically administered survey.

METHODS:

Breast medical oncology clinicians at two academic cancer centers and five satellite locations affiliated with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Massachusetts General Cancer Center were invited to respond to a 21-question survey administered in September 2021 about clinicians' perceptions and attitudes toward TM during the previous 12 months.

RESULTS:

Of the 71 survey invitations, 51 clinicians (36 physicians and 15 advance practice practitioners) provided survey responses (response rate = 72%). Ninety-two percent of respondents (n = 47) agreed that TM visits enhance patient care. Ninety-two percent of respondents (n = 46) also agreed that TM is valuable for early-stage breast cancer follow-up visits. Most respondents felt that there was no difference between TM and face-to-face (F2F) visits when it came to patient adherence, ease of ordering tests, ease of accessing patient records, and workflow outside of the visit (82%, 82%, 78%, and 53%, respectively). Fifty-one percent of respondents (n = 26) said that TM was better for timely access to follow-up appointments. Most respondents said that F2F visits were better for seeing physical problems, personal connection with patients, overall quality of visits, and patient-physician communication (100%, 75%, 65%, and 63%, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Breast clinicians believe that TM is a valuable tool to enhance outpatient breast cancer care. TM was felt to be appropriate for routine follow-up visits and second opinion consultations and is as good as or better than F2F visits for several routine aspects of breast cancer care.
Climate Insurgency between Academia and Activism
Authors: Armiero Marco , De Rosa Salvatore Paolo
Published: June 2022

This interview focuses on a spectrum of urgent challenges facing marginalized human and other-than-human communities, including the intersecting crises of global anthropogenic climate disruption and state and institutional racist violence. We discuss and consider the opportunities, limits, and contradictions of pursuing transformative, intersectional political change and scholarship through efforts to bridge community activism and academic labor. We also critically engage questions concerning the role of the state in the context of racial capitalism and the production of environmental and climate injustice, and how grassroots movements have responded to these concerns. Specific movement formations included in this discussion include the Central Coast Climate Justice Network of California, the Movement for Black Lives/Black Lives Matter, Extinction Rebellion, and multispecies abolition democracy. The importance of radical, multi-issue politics and cross-movement solidarities is also given serious attention.
Beta-Delta or Delta-Tau? A Reformulation of Quasi-Hyperbolic Discounting
Authors: Bleichrodt Han , Potter van Loon Rogier J. D. , Prelec Drazen
Published: June 2022

This paper introduces the index [Formula: see text] as a measure of time inconsistency and vulnerability to self-control problems in the quasi-hyperbolic, beta-delta ([Formula: see text] discounting model. We provide a preference foundation for [Formula: see text] and, consequently, a revealed preference definition of failed self-control. The [Formula: see text] index is independent of utility and has an intuitive interpretation as the maximum number of future selves who can disagree with the current self with respect to uniform deviations from an intertemporal plan. The index is also computable for continuous discount functions after an appropriate mapping of functions onto the ([Formula: see text] family. The [Formula: see text] index thus provides a common yardstick for comparing temporal inconsistency across different functional forms.

This paper was accepted by Manel Baucells, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
Offline Multi-Action Policy Learning: Generalization and Optimization
Authors: Zhou Zhengyuan , Athey Susan , Wager Stefan
Published: June 2022

As a result of digitization of the economy, more and more decision makers from a wide range of domains have gained the ability to target products, services, and information provision based on individual characteristics. Examples include selecting offers, prices, advertisements, or emails to send to consumers, choosing a bid to submit in a contextual first-price auctions, and determining which medication to prescribe to a patient. The key to enabling this is to learn a treatment policy from historical observational data in a sample-efficient way, hence uncovering the best personalized treatment choice recommendation. In “Offline Policy Learning: Generalization and Optimization,” Z. Zhou, S. Athey, and S. Wager provide a sample-optimal policy learning algorithm that is computationally efficient and that learns a tree-based treatment policy from observational data. In our quest toward fully automated personalization, the work provides a theoretically sound and practically implementable approach.
Ofsted's strategic plan
Authors: Cowley Sue
Published: June 2022

In April 2022, Ofsted published its latest strategic plan, covering the five years from 2022 to 2027. Ahead of publication of the new strategy, HMCI Amanda Spielman had said that her focus was going to be on the early years sector, and so practitioners and settings were keen to find out what this meant for them. But what does Ofsted's strategic plan look like in reality, on the ground, for settings? Sue Cowley explores the details.
The ratios debate
Authors: Davis Emma
Published: June 2022

The aim of the relaxing of ratios is said to be in response to the cost of living crisis we currently find ourselves in. Understandably, action needs to be taken to alleviate the financial pressures on families and individuals across the country. However, is it right that children and early years staff should pay the price?
Inclusion and children with SEND
Authors: Penfold Sophie
Published: June 2022

The following article discusses Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion. It outlines how to create an inclusive environment and discusses the importance of emotional literacy within inclusion. As with my previous articles the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic will be discussed throughout and the impact it had specifically on children with SEND.
The wider picture
Authors: King Janet
Published: June 2022

Why is it important to embed sustainability into our early years provision and how can providers do that? Janet King explores these questions, with the view of the early years being at the forefront of this pressing issue for the education sector.
Tiny voices, giant ideas
Authors: Wickett Karen
Published: June 2022

This is the final of three articles, which have explored and discussed artist involvement in early years settings. This final article gives voices to the parents/carers, practitioners and students who share their experiences of working together and their reflections on children's learning.
Hygge in practice
Authors: Smith Kimberly
Published: June 2022

Embracing hygge brings an increased calmness and balance into the day. It was when I started to prioritise my mental health and wellbeing that I was able to believe in myself and be an outstanding practitioner. Using it as a reminder to fix our own oxygen mask first which then equips us to look after those around us better.
Planting at home
Authors: McMorland Stacey
Published: June 2022

Our first home learning opportunity supports children to build their knowledge of growth and change with the chance to plant a sunflower at home through a ‘family time bag.’
Hydrogen storage in metal powder
Authors: Chatterjee Kajari , Mohanty Sutanuka , Prakash Chandra , Kumar Atul , Saran Debasis , Bathula Sivaiah , Basak Soumyabrata , Sahu Kisor Kumar
Published: June 2022

Using hydrogen as an energy carrier could help the world adopt renewable energy sources. However, storing it effectively can be an issue. This article discusses the options available.
A Case Study on the Effect of Self-Assessment on EFL Learners’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs
Authors: Demirbulak Dilara , Icden Levent , Yilmaz-Virlan Ayse
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to look into the impact of continuous self-assessment on the self-efficacy beliefs of undergraduates studying English as a foreign language (EFL). To find out if there is a change in students’ beliefs about their language proficiency perception, the research was undertaken with 102 participants at the school of foreign languages of a private university. It was designed as quasi-experimental research utilizing qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect data through a self-efficacy scale, self-assessment questionnaire, and self-reflection checklists. The control and experimental groups were administered a self-efficacy scale at the beginning and the end of the term. Throughout the term, the participants in the experimental group assessed themselves weekly through self-reflection checklists and a self-assessment questionnaire. Based on the overall results, it was found that when the students had an opportunity to identify their strengths and weaknesses during a skill-based task through self-assessment questionnaires, they had a better sense of mastery related to that task. This inevitably led to an increase in their self-efficacy beliefs in terms of four skills, namely reading, writing, listening, and speaking as well as grammar.
Imagining digital twins in healthcare: Designing for values as designing for technical milieus
Authors: de Boer Bas , Strasser Carla , Mulder Sander
Published: June 2022

Medicine is increasingly focusing on the prevention of diseases. The digital twin (DT) is considered to be an important technological development for realizing this transition. Broadly speaking, a DT is an in silico representation of an individual that dynamically reflects molecular and physiological status, which makes it possible to monitor precisely health status over time. Currently, DTs are more of an abstract ideal than a concrete technological reality, which makes it possible to actively imagine the different ways in which DTs might materialize. This article develops an approach to imagining the different ways in which DTs can be integrated into the lives of people. It focuses on how potential users want to be cared for by means of DTs and how care practices might be changed through the introduction of DTs. The article shows that a shift towards preventive medicine is taking place and situates DT in this context. Then, drawing on the insights of Gilbert Simondon, it suggests that the notion of technical milieu can be a helpful tool for designers to imagine the practices of valuing to which DTs give rise. Subsequently, it explains how our philosophical approach helps inform what kinds of DTs can be imagined. Then, based on interviews with people likely to relate to DTs in the (near) future, it develops six conceptions of DTs and fleshes out some of the implications of our approach for the design of DTs.
More work for Roomba? Domestic robots, housework and the production of privacy
Authors: Coggins Tom N.
Published: June 2022

Housework is hard work. Keeping our homes clean, tidy and comfortable takes effort and every moment we spend on housework (that we would prefer to avoid) means we have less time to devote to our private lives. Over the past two decades, numerous companies have created robots designed to relieve their owners of housework. Having robots take care of housework for us, it seems, would enable us to focus our energy at home on private pursuits we find valuable, such as spending quality time with our loved ones, recreation, and relaxation. Although this line of reasoning helps explain why domestic robots are in high demand, this article will contest its validity throughout. By drawing from historical accounts of older, ostensibly labour-saving domestic technologies, it will argue that we should expect domestic robots to alter the nature of housework rather than reduce the need for it. Overall, it will argue that domestic robots change what needs to be done for their owners to enjoy their private lives.
Twisted thinking: Technology, values and critical thinking
Authors: Marin Lavinia , Steinert Steffen
Published: June 2022

Technology should be aligned with our values. We make the case that attempts to align emerging technologies with our values should reflect critically on these values. Critical thinking seems like a natural starting point for the critical assessment of our values. However, extant conceptualizations of critical thinking carve out no space for the critical scrutiny of values. We will argue that we need critical thinking that focuses on values instead of taking them as unexamined starting points. In order to play a crucial role in helping to align values and technology, critical thinking needs to be modified and refocused on values. Here, we outline what value-centred critical thinking could look like.
Rayleigh scattering with material dispersion for low volume fraction transparent glass ceramics
Authors: Dunch Tara , Jackson Stuart D.
Published: June 2022

In this report we review the literature concerning the theory of
scattering in transparent glass ceramics (TGCs). The parameters
dictating scattering are all relational and include the size of the
scatterers relative to the wavelength of propagating light, the volume
fraction of crystals relative to the vitreous matrix and the
refractive index difference between crystal and glass. We extend the
theory by including material dispersion for the case of low, i.e.,
<5% volume fraction of nanocrystals relative to the vitreous
matrix where Rayleigh scattering is appropriate. We examine five
crystal-glass sets and calculate the scattering coefficient from the
visible to the mid-infrared. We show that for all combinations, the
scattering coefficient departs from the fixed refractive index case by
as much as 48% at 2.5 µm for
BaF2 nanocrystals in an aluminosilictate glass. For every
case studied, the addition of material dispersion reduces the
dependence on wavelength from the standard
λ−p where p = 4 to as much
as p = 4.8 for the case of PbF2 nanocrystals in an
aluminosilictate glass. For the accurate estimation of the Rayleigh
scattering coefficient in a TGC, knowledge of material dispersion is
therefore essential.
Ge2Sb2Se4Te1-assisted non-volatile silicon mode selective switch
Authors: Liu Tingyu , Xu Yan , Liu Songyue , Sun Xiaoqiang , Zhang Daming
Published: June 2022

A silicon waveguide mode selective switch based on optical phase-change material Ge2Sb2Se4Te1(GSST) is theoretically demonstrated. The mode switch formed by three cascaded asymmetric directional couplers (ADCs) allows the input TE11 mode to be selectively converted to TE21, TE31 or TE41 mode based on the state of GSST. Each ADC consists of the single-mode silicon waveguide and the GSST film covered multimode silicon waveguide. The phase change of GSST could adjust the effective index of GSST/Si hybrid waveguide, thereby implementing the mode conversion. The three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3D-FDTD) method is adopted for performance optimization. The simulation results show that the mode conversion efficiencies of TE11 to TE21, TE31 and TE41 mode are 89.96%, 92.87% and 90.94%, respectively. The proposed mode selective switch has good potentials in on-chip signal multiplexing.