bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing global health through engineering: a perspective on teaching an online global health course to engineers during a global pandemic
Authors: Biswas Seema , Dahan Oren , Solomonov Evgeny , Waksman Igor , Braun Benyamin Orit
Published: August 2021

Background

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education has been felt worldwide. There are many lessons to be learned about teaching and learning in the digital age. While we evaluate the full impact and prepare ourselves for the new normal, it is worth reflecting on some of the positive aspects of online teaching and learning and understanding how students, teachers and the wider faculty have been able to support each other through the challenges of the pandemic. In this article, we offer a perspective on teaching an online Global Health course to engineering students.

Results

The course, taught by a physician, provides a grounding in basic medical, scientific and engineering principles and is available to students of diverse engineering specialties. Students developed skills and gained confidence in active listening, sourcing and critical appraisal of information, interdisciplinary teamwork, needs assessment, problem analysis, problem-solving, effective communication, and organisation and delivery of information (in English). Students learned the importance of engineering in landmark historical public health projects, the delivery of modern health care, and the pressing need to develop engineering solutions to current global health problems. Course assessment was formative: 20% attendance and active participation in online classes, 30% problem-solving, 30% student presentations, and 20% written abstracts for two class projects: historical innovations and medicine in the future.

Conclusions

We show how, through conversion from a classroom to an online format, we were able to deliver a rich curriculum with sound assessment where students were able to innovate together and discover the importance of engineering in health and well-being as we all experience an unprecedented global health pandemic.
Expression levels and clinical values of miR-92b-3p in breast cancer
Authors: Du Yu , Miao Zhuang , Wang Kedi , Lv Yan , Qiu Lijuan , Guo Lusheng
Published: August 2021

Background

miR-92b is a carcinogenic miRNA that has great potential as a biomarker for disease prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment in the clinic. It is of great significance to analyse the relationship between miR-92b and the clinicopathological characteristics of cancer patients. This paper aimed to investigate the expression levels and clinical values of miR-92b-3p in breast cancer (BC).

Methods

Altogether, 112 female BC patients who were treated in our hospital were included as a study group, and 108 healthy women who came to our hospital for physical examinations were included as a control group. miR-92b-3p expression in the serum of subjects in both groups was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) to analyse the correlation of this miRNA with the patients’ pathological features and prognoses. The diagnostic value of miR-92b-3p expression for BC was analysed by plotting a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

miR-92b-3p expression was remarkably higher in the study group (P < 0.05), and its area under the curve (AUC) for detecting BC was 0.88. The expression was correlated with the tumour size, degree of differentiation, TNM staging, and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05). miR-92b-3p was significantly positively correlated with the TNM staging (r = 0.40, P < 0.05), was significantly negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation of the breast cancer cells (r =  − 0.35, P < 0.05), and was significantly positively correlated with the expression of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) (r = 0.39, P < 0.05). The overall survival rate (OSR) of the 99 patients who had follow-up was 73.74%. The survival status was remarkably better in the low expression group (P < 0.05). miR-92b-3p expression was remarkably higher in the death group (P < 0.05). The AUC of miR-92b-3p alone in the death and survival groups was 0.76.

Conclusion

miR-92b-3p expression obviously rises in the serum of BC patients and is closely related to the clinical staging, degree of differentiation, and CA125 in BC, so the detection of this miRNA is of great significance to the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of BC. This miRNA can be used as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.
Childhood-onset dystonia-causing KMT2B variants result in a distinctive genomic hypermethylation profile
Authors: Ciolfi Andrea , Foroutan Aidin , Capuano Alessandro , Pedace Lucia , Travaglini Lorena , Pizzi Simone , Andreani Marco , Miele Evelina , Invernizzi Federica , Reale Chiara , Panteghini Celeste , Iascone Maria , Niceta Marcello , Gavrilova Ralitza H. , Schultz-Rogers Laura , Agolini Emanuele , Bedeschi Maria Francesca , Prontera Paolo , Garibaldi Matteo , Galosi Serena , Leuzzi Vincenzo , Soliveri Paola , Olson Rory J. , Zorzi Giovanna S. , Garavaglia Barbara M. , Tartaglia Marco , Sadikovic Bekim
Published: August 2021

Background

Dystonia is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements and/or postures. Heterozygous variants in lysine methyltransferase 2B (KMT2B), encoding a histone H3 methyltransferase, have been associated with a childhood-onset, progressive and complex form of dystonia (dystonia 28, DYT28). Since 2016, more than one hundred rareKMT2Bvariants have been reported, including frameshift, nonsense, splice site, missense and other in-frame changes, many having an uncertain clinical impact.

Results

We characterize the genome-wide peripheral blood DNA methylation profiles of a cohort of 18 patients with pathogenic and unclassifiedKMT2Bvariants. We resolve the “episignature” associated withKMT2Bhaploinsufficiency, proving that this approach is robust in diagnosing clinically unsolved cases, properly classifying them with respect to other partially overlapping dystonic phenotypes, other rare neurodevelopmental disorders and healthy controls. Notably, defective KMT2B function in DYT28 causes a non-random DNA hypermethylation across the genome, selectively involving promoters and other regulatory regions positively controlling gene expression.

Conclusions

We demonstrate a distinctive DNA hypermethylation pattern associated with DYT28, provide an epigenetic signature for this disorder enabling accurate diagnosis and reclassification of ambiguous genetic findings and suggest potential therapeutic approaches.
GraphDTI: A robust deep learning predictor of drug-target interactions from multiple heterogeneous data
Authors: Liu Guannan , Singha Manali , Pu Limeng , Neupane Prasanga , Feinstein Joseph , Wu Hsiao-Chun , Ramanujam J. , Brylinski Michal
Published: August 2021

Traditional techniques to identify macromolecular targets for drugs utilize solely the information on a query drug and a putative target. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of action of many drugs depend not only on their binding affinity toward a single protein, but also on the signal transduction through cascades of molecular interactions leading to certain phenotypes. Although using protein-protein interaction networks and drug-perturbed gene expression profiles can facilitate system-level investigations of drug-target interactions, utilizing such large and heterogeneous data poses notable challenges. To improve the state-of-the-art in drug target identification, we developed GraphDTI, a robust machine learning framework integrating the molecular-level information on drugs, proteins, and binding sites with the system-level information on gene expression and protein-protein interactions. In order to properly evaluate the performance of GraphDTI, we compiled a high-quality benchmarking dataset and devised a new cluster-based cross-validation protocol. Encouragingly, GraphDTI not only yields an AUC of 0.996 against the validation dataset, but it also generalizes well to unseen data with an AUC of 0.939, significantly outperforming other predictors. Finally, selected examples of identified drugtarget interactions are validated against the biomedical literature. Numerous applications of GraphDTI include the investigation of drug polypharmacological effects, side effects through offtarget binding, and repositioning opportunities.
Biotechnological applications of S-adenosyl-methionine-dependent methyltransferases for natural products biosynthesis and diversification
Authors: Zhang Congqiang , Sultan Stella Amelia , T Rehka , Chen Xixian
Published: August 2021

In the biosynthesis of natural products, methylation is a common and essential transformation to alter molecules’ bioavailability and bioactivity. The main methylation reaction is performed by S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases (MTs). With advancements in genomic and chemical profiling technologies, novel MTs have been discovered to accept complex substrates and synthesize industrially valuable natural products. However, to achieve a high yield of small molecules in microbial hosts, many methyltransferase activities have been reported to be insufficient. Moreover, inadequate co-factor supplies and feedback inhibition of the by-product, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), further limit MTs’ activities. Here, we review recent advances in SAM-dependent MTs to produce and diversify natural products. First, we surveyed recently identified novel methyltransferases in natural product biosynthesis. Second, we summarized enzyme engineering strategies to improve methyltransferase activity, with a particular focus on high-throughput assay design and application. Finally, we reviewed innovations in co-factor regeneration and diversification, both in vitro and in vivo. Noteworthily, many MTs are able to accept multiple structurally similar substrates. Such promiscuous methyltransferases are versatile and can be tailored to design de novo pathways to produce molecules whose biosynthetic pathway is unknown or non-existent in nature, thus broadening the scope of biosynthesized functional molecules.
Prognostic impact of CT severity score in childhood cancer with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Romeih Marwa , Mahrous Mary Rabea , Shalby Lobna , Khedr Reham , Soliman Sonya , Hassan Reem , El-Ansary Mohamed Gamal , Ismail Amira , Al Halfway Ahmed , Mahmoud Abeer , Refeat Amal , Zaki Iman , Hammad Mahmoud
Published: August 2021

Background

CT chest severity score (CTSS) is a semi-quantitative measure done to correlate the severity of the pulmonary involvement on the CT with the severity of the disease.

The objectives of this study are to describe chest CT criteria and CTSS of the COVID-19 infection in pediatric oncology patients, to find a cut-off value of CTSS that can differentiate mild COVID-19 cases that can be managed at home and moderate to severe cases that need hospital care.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 64 pediatric oncology patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection between 1 April and 30 November 2020. They were classified clinically into mild, moderate, and severe groups. CT findings were evaluated for lung involvement and CTSS was calculated and range from 0 (clear lung) to 20 (all lung lobes were affected).

Results

Overall, 89% of patients had hematological malignancies and 92% were under active oncology treatment. The main CT findings were ground-glass opacity (70%) and consolidation patches (62.5%). In total, 85% of patients had bilateral lung involvement, ROC curve  showed that the area under the curve of CTSS for diagnosing severe type was 0.842 (95% CI 0.737–0.948). The CTSS cut-off of 6.5 had 90.9% sensitivity and 69% specificity, with 41.7% positive predictive value (PPV) and 96.9% negative predictive value (NPV). According to the Kaplan–Meier analysis, mortality risk was higher in patients with CT score>7 than in those with CTSS < 7.

Conclusion

Pediatric oncology patients, especially those with hematological malignancies, are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Chest CT severity score > 6.5 (about 35% lung involvement) can be used as a predictor of the need for hospitalization.
Understanding the value of adhering to or adapting evidence-based interventions: a study protocol of a discrete choice experiment
Authors: von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica , Lyon Aaron R. , Pettersson Kristoffer , Giannotta Fabrizia , Liedgren Pernilla , Hasson Henna
Published: August 2021

Background

Whereas the value of an evidence-based intervention (EBI) is often determined by its effect on clinical outcomes, the value of implementing and using EBIs in practice is broader, reflecting qualities such as appropriateness, equity, costs, and impact. Reconciling these value conflicts involves a complicated decision process that has received very limited scholarly attention. Inspired by studies on decision-making, the objective of this project is to explore how practitioners appraise the values of different outcomes and to test how this appraisal influences their decisions surrounding the so-called fidelity–adaptation dilemma. This dilemma is related to the balance between using an EBI as it was designed (to ensure its effectiveness) and making appropriate adaptations (to ensure alignment with constraints and possibilities in the local context).

Methods

This project consists of three sub-studies. The participants will be professionals leading evidence-based parental programs in Sweden and, in Sub-study 1, parents and decision-makers. Sub-study 1 will use sequential focus groups and individual interviews to explore parameters that influence fidelity and adaptation decisions—the dilemmas encountered, available options, how outcomes are valued by practitioners as well as other stakeholders, and value trade-offs. Sub-study 2 is a discrete choice experiment that will test how value appraisals influence decision-making using data from Sub-study 1 as input. Sub-study 3 uses a mixed-method design, with findings from the two preceding sub-studies as input in focus group interviews to investigate how practitioners make sense of findings from optimal decision situations (experiment) and constrained, real-world decision situations.

Discussion

The project will offer unique insights into decision-making processes that influence how EBIs are used in practice. Such knowledge is needed for a more granular understanding of how practitioners manage the fidelity–adaptation dilemma and thus, ultimately, how the value of EBI implementation can be optimized. This study contributes to our knowledge of what happens once EBIs are adopted—that is, the gap between the way in which EBIs areintendedto be used and the way in which theyareused in practice.
Implementing at-birth, point-of-care HIV testing in Kenya: a qualitative study using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
Authors: Wexler Catherine , Kamau Yvonne , Muchoki Elizabeth , Babu Shadrack , Maosa Nicodemus , Maloba May , Brown Melinda , Goggin Kathy , Mabachi Natabhona , Gautney Brad , Finocchario-Kessler Sarah
Published: August 2021

Background

At-birth and point-of-care (POC) testing can expedite early infant diagnosis of HIV and improve infant outcomes. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this study describes the implementation of an at-birth POC testing pilot from the perspective of implementing providers and identifies the factors that might support and hinder the scale up of these promising interventions.

Methods

We conducted 28 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 48 providers across 4 study sites throughout the course of a pilot study assessing the feasibility and impact of at-birth POC testing. FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for a priori themes related to CFIR constructs. This qualitative study was nested within a larger study to pilot and evaluate at-birth and POC HIV testing.

Results

Out of the 39 CFIR constructs, 30 were addressed in the FGDs. While all five domains were represented, major themes revolved around constructs related to intervention characteristics, inner setting, and outer setting. Regarding intervention characteristics, the advantages of at-birth POC (rapid turnaround time resulting in improved patient management and enhanced patient motivation) were significant enough to encourage provider uptake and enthusiasm. Challenges at the intervention level (machine breakdown, processing errors), inner settings (workload, limited leadership engagement, challenges with access to information), and outer setting (patient-level challenges, limited engagement with outer setting stakeholders) hindered implementation, frustrated providers, and resulted in missed opportunities for testing. Providers discussed how throughout the course of the study adaptations to implementation (improved channels of communication, modified implementation logistics) were made to overcome some of these challenges. To improve implementation, providers cited the need for enhanced training and for greater involvement among stakeholders outside of the implementing team (i.e., other clinicians, hospital administrators and implementing partners, county and national health officials). Despite provider enthusiasm for the intervention, providers felt that the lack of engagement from leadership within the hospital and in the outer setting would preclude sustained implementation outside of a research setting.

Conclusion

Despite demonstrated feasibility and enthusiasm among implementing providers, the lack of outer setting support makes sustained implementation of at-birth POC testing unlikely at this time. The findings highlight the multi-dimensional aspect of implementation and the need to consider facilitators and barriers within each of the five CFIR domains.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT03435887. Retrospectively registered on 19 February 2020
Laser fabrication of modular superhydrophobic chips for reconfigurable assembly and self-propelled droplet manipulation
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhang Yong-Lai , Han Dong-Dong , Wang Wei , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: August 2021

Natural creatures that enables controllable liquid transport provides the inspiration for developing novel microfluidic devices by engineering functional surfaces with superwettability. However, towards microfluidic applications, the strict requirements of sophisticated droplet manipulation make it challenging to reach this end. In this work, we report a conceptually new self-propelled droplet manipulation strategy based on reconfigurable superhydrophobic chips. The modular droplet chip (MDC) is developed by laser embossing a series of superhydrophobic structures on elastomer jigsaws that act as functional units. MDC is potable since only gravity is used as the driving force for dynamic manipulation of liquid droplets, including droplets transporting, splitting, merging and bouncing without mass loss. The MDC demonstrated reasonable anti-cross-contamination property due to the water repellence of the superhydrophobicity. Modular assembly of MDC enables different chip functions including solution dilution, SERS detection, cell labeling and chemical synthesis. As a miniature and portable experimental platform, the MDC is promising for next-generation lab-on-a-chip systems.
Feasibility of home and hospital colorectal irrigation with continuous tube placement for Hirschsprung’s disease in neonates and infants: a comparative retrospective study
Authors: Sakurai Tsuyoshi , Nakamura Megumi , Endo Naobumi
Published: August 2021

Background

Since the length of the affected colon widely varies, the preoperative management of Hirschsprung’s disease varies from one hospital to another. For our cases in which the length of the aganglionic colon cannot be managed by enema, anal bougienage, or rectal irrigation, colorectal irrigation is used along with the placement of a transanal catheter for these patients as home or hospital management, until one-stage definitive surgery can be performed. No comparative studies have been conducted on the continuous tube placement method, and no study has utilized this method as home management. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the efficacy and feasibility of our proposed continuous tube placement management for patients with Hirschsprung’s disease in the hospital or even at home.

Results

We included 22 infants with Hirschsprung’s disease between 2008 and 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: those who were managed with enema, bougienage, and rectal irrigation (n = 6), and those who were managed with the placement of a continuous transanal tube and colorectal irrigation (n = 16). The group with continuous transanal tube placement was further divided into two groups: those who were preoperatively managed with a continuous anorectal tube at home (n = 7), and those at a hospital (n = 9). Preoperative demographic information and clinical details were retrospectively examined and compared between the two groups. Univariate analysis showed no significant differences in the backgrounds and clinical status between the enema, bougienage, and rectal irrigation group and the colorectal irrigation group. The patients in the home group were older and weighed more at the time of radical surgery than those in the hospital group (p = 0.0267, p = 0.0377, respectively). The total duration of hospitalization until radical surgery was significantly decreased in the home group (p = 0.0315).

Conclusions

The total duration of hospitalization was significantly reduced in patients undergoing home colorectal irrigation which was as effective as the conventional method, with no impact on the preoperative condition or postoperative outcomes. Hence, our home-based preoperative management for patients with Hirschsprung’s disease may be effective and potentially feasible for the management of patients with Hirschsprung’s disease.
Remembered jewels: The Role of Diagnosis in Psychiatry by Robert Kendell
Authors: Tyrer Peter
Published: August 2021

This is the first of a series of articles on key works in psychiatry that should not be forgotten. Many were published before our current generation of psychiatrists had easy access to them, but they need recall. It is my strong belief that originality of thought only occurs in youth. Robert Kendell's book The Role of Diagnosis in Psychiatry (1975) illustrates this perfectly.
RETRACTED: Utility of Homologous Recombination Deficiency Biomarkers Across Cancer Types
Authors: Takamatsu Shiro , Brown J.B. , Yamaguchi Ken , Hamanishi Junzo , Yamanoi Koji , Takaya Hisamitsu , Kaneyasu Tomoko , Mori Seiichi , Mandai Masaki , Matsumura Noriomi
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

Homologous recombination DNA repair deficiency (HRD) is associated with sensitivity to platinum and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in certain cancer types, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate. In these cancers,
BRCA1/2
alterations and genomic scar signatures are useful indicators for assessing HRD. However, alterations in other homologous recombination repair (HRR)-related genes and their clinical significance in other cancer types have not been adequately and systematically investigated.

METHODS

We obtained data sets of all solid tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, and comprehensively analyzed HRR pathway gene alterations, their loss-of-heterozygosity status, and per-sample genomic scar scores, that is, the HRD score and mutational signature 3 ratio, DNA methylation profiles, gene expression profiles, somatic
TP53
mutations, sex, and clinical or in vitro response to chemical exposure.

RESULTS

Biallelic alterations in HRR genes other than
BRCA1/2
were also associated with elevated genomic scar scores. The association between HRR-related gene alterations and genomic scar scores differed significantly by sex and the presence of somatic
TP53
mutations. HRD tumors determined by a combination of indices also showed HRD features in gene expression analysis and exhibited significantly higher sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents than non-HRD cases in both clinical samples and cell lines.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence for the usefulness of HRD analysis in all cancer types, improves chemotherapy decision making and its efficacy in clinical settings, and represents a substantial advancement in precision oncology.
Progesterone Receptors in AVPV Kisspeptin Neurons Are Sufficient for Positive Feedback Induction of the LH Surge
Authors: Mohr Margaret A , Esparza Lourdes A , Steffen Paige , Micevych Paul E , Kauffman Alexander S
Published: August 2021

Kisspeptin, encoded by Kiss1, stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons to govern reproduction. In female rodents, estrogen-sensitive kisspeptin neurons in the rostral anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) hypothalamus are thought to mediate estradiol (E2)-induced positive feedback induction of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. AVPV kisspeptin neurons coexpress estrogen and progesterone receptors (PGRs) and are activated during the LH surge. While E2 effects on kisspeptin neurons have been well studied, progesterone’s regulation of kisspeptin neurons is less understood. Using transgenic mice lacking PGR exclusively in kisspeptin cells (termed KissPRKOs), we previously demonstrated that progesterone action specifically in kisspeptin cells is essential for ovulation and normal fertility. Unlike control females, KissPRKO females did not generate proper LH surges, indicating that PGR signaling in kisspeptin cells is required for positive feedback. However, because PGR was knocked out from all kisspeptin neurons in the brain, that study was unable to determine the specific kisspeptin population mediating PGR action on the LH surge. Here, we used targeted Cre-mediated adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology to reintroduce PGR selectively into AVPV kisspeptin neurons of adult KissPRKO females, and tested whether this rescues occurrence of the LH surge. We found that targeted upregulation of PGR in kisspeptin neurons exclusively in the AVPV is sufficient to restore proper E2-induced LH surges in KissPRKO females, suggesting that this specific kisspeptin population is a key target of the necessary progesterone action for the surge. These findings further highlight the critical importance of progesterone signaling, along with E2 signaling, in the positive feedback induction of LH surges and ovulation.
Introduction: A Decade of Indignation
Authors: Seguín Bécquer
Published: August 2021

This introduction briefly provides the context of the Great Recession in Spain, which spurred one of the largest protests movements in the country's history. Known locally as the 15M and internationally as the indignados movement, the occupation of plazas in the spring and summer of 2011 jump-started a broader cultural, intellectual, and political shift in Spain that is only beginning to be appreciated by scholarship in literary and cultural studies. This introduction then briefly introduces the contributions to this special issue, which are organized into various clusters that cut across literary studies, intellectual history, social theory, political theory, film studies, social movements, and feminism, among other fields. The issue serves simultaneously as a primer on and a contribution to our understanding of how the 2008 global financial crisis has impacted social, intellectual, and political life in Spain.
If We Don't Tell It, They Will Tell Us: A Short Story about the Ongoing Crisis in Spain
Authors: Moreno-Caballud Luis , Hill Ryan
Published: August 2021

Leftist intellectual Ernesto Freire writes an academic paper on the Spanish “lost generation” of the 2008 crisis. He uses the case of his friend Martín Valera as an example. Freire contends that for Valera, as for most people in Spain, the crisis never ended—instead, its dire consequences were gradually accepted as a “new normal.” Freire also considers the cycle of protests and “assault on institutions” that started in 2011 as a lost opportunity, blaming the apathy of the Spanish public (and Valera's) for it. Meanwhile, Valera writes his own anxieties in a journal: his father is in the hospital, and he struggles raising a fragile child, while his wife gets involved in feminist activism. Valera finds increasing relief in writing, encouraged by the words of a former high school teacher: “If we don't tell our stories, they will be told by those who speak in the name of the people.”
Primed for Suffering: Gender, Subjectivity, and Spectatorship in Spanish Crisis Cinema
Authors: Thomas Sarah
Published: August 2021

Examining three fiction films (Techo y comida, Ayer no termina nunca, and Magical Girl), this essay illuminates the traces of the economic crisis in recent Spanish cinema, focusing on how it is inscribed on female-gendered bodies and subjectivities. In exploring how female pain accumulates across the boundaries of genre in these disparate films, it asks what kind of gendered subjects these films construct, and what work women's suffering is asked to perform, both for the benefit of the film's plot and the spectator's engagement. It shows how, even in cinema sympathetic to those devastated by crisis, women are cast as disposable raw material, as it were, “primed for suffering.” At the same time, it argues, these films bring to light and embody experiences that are seldom revealed, enacting an ethical gesture of potential solidarity with those devastated by multiple forms of crisis.
Harnessing benefit of highly conformal RT techniques for lymphoma patients
Authors: Petersen Peter Meidahl , Mikhaeel N George , Ricardi Umberto , Brady Jessica L
Published: August 2021

This status article describes current state-of-the-art radiotherapy for lymphomas and new emerging techniques. Current state-of-the-art radiotherapy is sophisticated, individualised, CT-based, intensity-modulated treatment, using PET/CT to define the target. The concept of involved site radiotherapy should be used, delineating the target using the exact same principles as for solid tumours. The optimal treatment delivery includes motion management and online treatment verification systems, which reduce intra- and interfractional anatomical variation. Emerging radiotherapy techniques in lymphomas include adaptive radiotherapy in MR- and CT-based treatment systems and proton therapy. The next generation linear accelerators have the capability to deliver adaptive treatment and allow relatively quick online adaptation to the daily variations of the anatomy. The computer systems use machine leaning to facilitate rapid automatic contouring of the target and organs-at-risk. Moreover, emerging MR-based planning and treatment facilities allow target definition directly from MR scans and allow intra-fractional tracking of structures recognisable on MR. Proton facilities are now being widely implemented. The benefits of proton therapy are due to the physical properties of protons, which in many cases allow sparing of normal tissue. The variety of techniques in modern radiotherapy means that the radiation oncologist must be able to choose the right technique for each patient. The choice is mainly based on experience and standard protocols, but new systems calculating risks for the patients with a specific treatment plan and also systems integrating clinical factors and risk factors into the planning process itself are emerging.
Barriers to recruitment to an orthopaedic randomized controlled trial comparing two surgical procedures for ankle arthritis
Authors: Realpe Alba X. , Blackstone James , Griffin Damian R. , Bing Andrew J. F. , Karski Michael , Milner Stephen A. , Siddique Malik , Goldberg Andrew ,   *On behalf of the UK TARVA Study Group
Published: August 2021

Aims

A multicentre, randomized, clinician-led, pragmatic, parallel-group orthopaedic trial of two surgical procedures was set up to obtain high-quality evidence of effectiveness. However, the trial faced recruitment challenges and struggled to maintain recruitment rates over 30%, although this is not unusual for surgical trials. We conducted a qualitative study with the aim of gathering information about recruitment practices to identify barriers to patient consent and participation to an orthopaedic trial.

Methods

We collected 11 audio recordings of recruitment appointments and interviews of research team members (principal investigators and research nurses) from five hospitals involved in recruitment to an orthopaedic trial. We analyzed the qualitative data sets thematically with the aim of identifying aspects of informed consent and information provision that was either unclear, disrupted, or hindered trial recruitment.

Results

Recruiters faced four common obstacles when recruiting to a surgical orthopaedic trial: patient preferences for an intervention; a complex recruitment pathway; various logistical issues; and conflicting views on equipoise. Clinicians expressed concerns that the trial may not show significant differences in the treatments, validating their equipoise. However, they experienced role conflicts due to their own preference and perceived patient preference for an intervention arm.

Conclusion

This study provided initial information about barriers to recruitment to an orthopaedic randomized controlled trial. We shared these findings in an all-site investigators’ meeting and encouraged researchers to find solutions to identified barriers; this led to the successful completion of recruitment. Complex trials may benefit for using of a mixed-methods approach to mitigate against recruitment failure, and to improve patient participation and informed consent. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(8):631–637.
Optical chaos generated in semiconductor lasers with intensity-modulated optical injection:a numerical study
Authors: Zeng Yao , Zhou Pei , Huang Yu , Li Nianqiang
Published: August 2021

We numerically report on an optical chaos signal generation scheme based on a semiconductor laser subject to intensity-modulated (IM) optical injection. In this scheme, the characteristics of the chaos signal obtained by destabilizing period-one nonlinear dynamics are numerically investigated. With the aid of bifurcation diagrams and the 0–1 tests for chaos, the chaotic dynamics excited by continuous-wave and IM optical injection are located, and the effects of injection and modulation parameters on chaotic regions are illustrated. Moreover, effective bandwidths and auto-correlation characteristics of chaos signals from the IM optical injection system are systematically investigated. The results show that although chaotic signals under the IM optical injection scenario have a limitation in unambiguous range detection in most parameter regions, wideband chaotic dynamics in large injection and modulation parameter regions can be easily achieved. This study paves the way for potential applications requiring no time-delay signature and broad bandwidth chaos, such as high-speed chaos communications and random bit generation.
Head injuries in professional football (soccer): Results of video analysis verified by an accident insurance registry
Authors: Krutsch Volker , Krutsch Werner , Härtl Jonas , Bloch Hendrik , Alt Volker , Klein Christian , Reinsberger Claus , Seiffert Robin , Huber Lorenz , Weber Johannes
Published: August 2021

Background

Video analysis is one of the most commonly applied methods for analysing football injuries.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of video analysis for recording head injuries in professional football from official matches in the four highest men’s professional football leagues in Germany.

Methods

In this cohort study, head injuries detected by means of video analysis of all official matches over one season (2017–18) were compared to head injuries registered with the German statutory accident insurance.

Results

Our video analysis yielded 359 head injuries of 287 players. The comparison of head injuries found in our video analysis to those registered with the accident insurance only yielded a match in 23.1% (n = 83), which presents a rather low verification rate. The verification rates varied between the leagues (7.0–30.8%). All injuries documented in the accident insurance registry were found in the video analysis (100%). The types of head injury most often verified by the accident insurance registry (n = 83) were contusion (43.4%), bone fractures (19.3%) and skin lacerations (18.1%). Only 66 of the 359 head injuries (18.4%) resulted in absence from at least one training session and involved a mean time loss of 18.5 days (1–87 days).

Conclusion

The mismatch between the number of head injuries found in the video analysis and head injuries registered with the accident insurance is an important methodological issue in scientific research. The low verification rate seems to be due to the unclear correlation between injury severity and clinical consequences of head injuries detected by means of video analysis and the failure of football clubs to register minor head injuries with the accident insurance.
Contraceptive use among women through their later reproductive years: Findings from an Australian prospective cohort study
Authors: Harris Melissa L. , Egan Nicholas , Forder Peta M. , Coombe Jacqueline , Loxton Deborah
Published: August 2021

Objective

Examine patterns of contraceptive use and contraceptive transitions over time among an Australian cohort of women through their later reproductive years.

Study design

Latent Transition Analysis was performed using data on 8,197 women from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health’s 1973–78 cohort to identify distinct patterns of contraceptive use across 2006, 2012 and 2018. Women were excluded from the analysis at time points where they were not at risk of an unintended pregnancy. Latent status membership probabilities, item-response probabilities, transitions probabilities and the effect of predictors on latent status membership were estimated and reported.

Results

Patterns of contraceptive use were relatively consistent over time, particularly for high efficacy contraceptive methods with 71% of women using long-acting reversible contraceptives in 2012 also using long-acting reversible contraceptives in 2018. Multiple contraceptive use was highest in 2006 when women were aged 28–33 years (19.3%) but declined over time to 14.3% in 2018 when women were aged 40–45 years. Overall, contraceptive patterns stabilised as the women moved into their late 30s and early 40s.

Conclusions

Although fertility declines with age, the stability of contraceptive choice and continued use of short-acting contraception among some women suggests that a contraceptive review may be helpful for women during perimenopause so that they are provided with contraceptive options most appropriate to their specific circumstances.
The association between postpartum hemorrhage and postpartum depression: A Swedish national register-based study
Authors: Liu Can , Butwick Alexander , Sand Anna , Wikström Anna-Karin , Snowden Jonathan M. , Stephansson Olof
Published: August 2021

Background

Postpartum hemorrhage is an important cause of maternal death and morbidity. However, it is unclear whether women who experience postpartum hemorrhage are at an increased risk of postpartum depression.

Objectives

To examine whether postpartum hemorrhage is associated with postpartum depression.

Methods

We conducted a national register-based cohort study of 486,476 Swedish-born women who had a singleton livebirth between 2007 and 2014. We excluded women with pre-existing depression or who filled a prescription for an antidepressant before childbirth. We classified postpartum depression up to 12 months after giving birth by the presence of an International Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10) diagnosis code for depression or a filled outpatient prescription for an antidepressant. We used Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for maternal sociodemographic and obstetric factors.

Results

Postpartum depression was identified in 2.0% (630/31,663) of women with postpartum hemorrhage and 1.9% (8601/455,059) of women without postpartum hemorrhage. In our unadjusted analysis, postpartum hemorrhage was not associated with postpartum depression (unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.15). After adjusting for maternal age, parity, education, cohabitation status, maternal smoking status, and early pregnancy maternal BMI, gestational age, and birthweight, the association did not appreciably change, with confidence intervals overlapping the null (adjusted HR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.99, 1.17).

Conclusions

Within a population-based cohort of singleton women in Sweden with no prior history of depression, postpartum hemorrhage was not associated with postpartum depression.
The tumor patient in the COVID-19 pandemic–an interview-based study of 30 patients undergoing systemic antiproliferative therapy
Authors: Kaiser Ulrich , Vehling-Kaiser Ursula , Schmidt Jörg , Hoffmann Ana , Kaiser Florian
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Five months after COVID-19 first occurred and protective regulations were introduced, patients at three outpatient hematological/oncological centers in Bavaria who had received antiproliferative tumor therapy (n = 30) were questioned about the pandemic’s impact.

Patients, materials and methods

In recorded semi-structured telephone interviews, the patients answered questions about their quality of life, treatment procedures, their relationship with medical care staff and modern communication technologies. Each interview consisted of 28 questions. The average length of an interview was 30 minutes. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed by means of a qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.

Results

The COVID-19 pandemic adds to the burden of patients by decreasing their social contacts. They perceived the new isolation and protective measures in outpatient clinics as mostly positive and said its impact had been only slightly adverse. With the implemented safety measures, they feel adequately protected and looked after and want their antiproliferative therapy to be performed as scheduled. Talking to medical staff provides additional reassurance.

Conclusion

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the social isolation of tumor patients, it has had only a minor effect on tumor therapy in the surveyed patient population. The benefits of modern communication options to tumor patients remains uncertain and should be investigated further in future studies.
Semiautomatic and fully functional electrochemical microanalyzer BO-05 suitable for scientific, didactic, and analytical applications: The use in the potentiometric analysis of drugs
Authors: Opoka Włodzimierz , Szlósarczyk Marek , Chojnacki Adam , Kryczyk-Poprawa Agata , Talik Przemysław , Gál József , Muszyńska Bożena , Baś Bogusław
Published: August 2021

This article presents the potentiometric method of determination of chlorides using the original BO-05 electrochemical microanalyzer. The quantification of chlorides is one of the frequently performed methods, both in the indirect determination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and impurities in pharmaceutical raw materials, pharmacopoeial substances or pharmaceutical formulations as well. Successfully validated method was used to the analysis of chlorides in the preparations containing verapamil hydrochloride in form of tablets Staveran® and Verapamil®. The mean content of the studied API calculated to one tablet was close to the declared and equal to 123.6±1.5 mg and 122.6±1.1 mg, respectively. The presence of excipients have no significant impact on the final results. Thus shown that the electrochemical microanalyzer BO-05 is suitable for scientific, didactic and analytical applications.
Simulation-based analytical design for aluminium recycling processing plant
Authors: Ojo Oluwole Timothy , Olugbade Temitope Olumide , Omiyale Babatunde Olamide
Published: August 2021

Indiscriminate disposal of beverage cans as waste poses a great threat to the environment, causing flooding, landfill, and blockage of drainages, leading to land pollution and sometimes accident. Hence, there is a need to design a system capable of converting these wastes into usable products. In this study, a simulation-based analytical design for aluminum recycling processing plant was carried out to ascertain the efficiency and reliability of the design before fabrication using finite element analysis (FEA) approach. The simulation results revealed a lesser maximum stress of 6.323 MPa for the furnace outer casing under the action of load with a displacement of 0.0795 mm. The stress of the machine components is less than the yield strength of the selected materials, making the machine fit and workable. The analytical results agree with the numerical analysis; hence the conceptual design is fit for fabrication based on the design analysis and evaluation. After the design analysis and simulation, the designed recycling process plant parts are found to be under negligible deflection and stress which is far below the yield strength of chosen materials.
The influence of PET and PBT contamination during transportation fuel production via pyrolysis
Authors: Dobó Zsolt , Mahner Tamara , Hegedüs Balázs , Nagy Gábor
Published: August 2021

The pyrolysis of plastic waste is a promising method to reduce waste accumulation while it could provide value-added transportation fuels. The main goal of this study is to investigate the influence of PET and PBT contamination during plastic pyrolysis oil production utilizing HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PS mixtures as these plastics are good candidates for transportation fuel production via pyrolysis and distillation. Seven different waste blends were prepared and pyrolyzed in a laboratory-scale batch reactor equipped with reflux. Mass balance, gas analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and deposit formation were evaluated. It was concluded that by increasing the PET or PBT concentration in the initial solid waste mixtures, the oil production decreases while the amount of gases increases. Additionally, either PET or PBT generates operational difficulties due to they form deposits in piping system in form of benzoic acid. The maximum concentration of these plastic waste materials was 20% (PET) and 25% (PBT) in this study as further increase blocked the cross-section of piping, causing operational difficulties. Based on the obtained results the concentration of PET and PBT should be limited in waste mixtures when transportation fuel production is desired.
Entre a inocência e a experiência
Authors: Cardoso Jose Arlei
Published: August 2021

Revolucionário na arte da gravura, o ilustrador e escritor inglês William Blake ficou famoso por confeccionar seus próprios livros, unindo poesia e ilustração em um mesmo meio físico, através da sua arte de impressão iluminada. Dessa relação entre verbal e não-verbal resultam imagens sinistras e violentas que transitam polemicamente entre os obscuros caminhos da religião e do misticismo, influenciando diretamente a cultura popular contemporânea. Nesse estudo, analisamos alguns aspectos da arte de Blake pelo viés da intermidialidade. A partir das ideias de representação simples e complexa, conceitualizadas por Lars Elleström (2017), investigamos como a arte de Blake é significada por outras mídias, a partir de processos de representação simbólica (descrição), indicial (indicação) e icônica (ilustração). Dentro desse escopo, apontamos alguns destaques que se aprofundam nas obras de Blake Canções da inocência e Canções da experiência, a graphic novel Moonshadow, o livro Dragão vermelho e músicas da banda U2.