bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women of reproductive age in a tertiary intensive care unit: indications, outcome and the impact of pregnancy—a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ramlakhan Karishma P. , Gommers Diederik , Jacobs Carmen E. R. M. , Makouri Khaoula , Duvekot Johannes J. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Franx Arie , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W. , Cornette Jérôme M. J.
Published: June 2021

Background

To evaluate the indications for admission and mortality rates of women of reproductive age admitted to a tertiary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to compare the outcomes of obstetric and non-obstetric admissions.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed, including all women aged 17–41 years admitted to a level 3 ICU in the Netherlands, between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2016. Primary outcome was indication for admission and mortality. Mortality, length of stay (LOS), need for mechanical ventilation and APACHE II score were compared between obstetric and non-obstetric admissions. The obstetric group was further analyzed for maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Results

3461 women (median age 32 years) were included, with an overall mortality rate of 13.3%. The obstetric group consisted of 265 women (7.7%). The non-obstetric group (n = 3196) was admitted most often for cardiovascular disease (19.6%), followed by oncologic disease (15%). Mortality was the highest in women with oncologic disease (23.9%). The obstetric group had lower mortality compared to the non-obstetric group (4.9% vs. 14%, p < 0.001), despite higher APACHE II score (14 vs. 11, p < 0.001) and a higher ventilation rate (47.9% vs. 39%, p = 0.004). Major surgical or endovascular interventions, besides caesarean section, were performed in 46% of the obstetric group. Perinatal death occurred in 17.2% and of the surviving infants, 63.2% were born preterm and 45.1% required Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular disease is the most important indication for admission and oncologic disease is associated with highest mortality in women of reproductive age. Obstetric patients constitute a small percentage of all ICU admissions in a tertiary ICU center. They have lower mortality rates than non-obstetric young female patients, despite a more severe initial presentation. Nevertheless lasting maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality and morbidity is frequent.
Ameliorated biomechanical properties of carotid arteries by puerarin in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Fang Xiaoxia , Dong Sheng , Wu Yun , He Yun , Lu Min , Shi Dandan , Feng Na , Yin Songhe , Jiang Yan , Zhang Anhua , Ding Yan , Zhang Qiufang , Tang Junming , Zhang Wenjun , He Xiju
Published: June 2021

Background

An emerging body of evidence indicates that puerarin (PUE) plays an important role in the treatment of angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, but how PUE affects the vascular remodeling of hypertensive rats has not been reported yet. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of PUE on carotid arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to provide the basis for the clinical application of PUE.

Methods

Thirty male SHR and six male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) aged 3 months were used in this study, SHR rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, PUE(40 or 80 mg/kg/d, ip) and telmisartan (TELMI) (30 mg/kg/d, ig) were administrated for 3 months. We use DMT myography pressure-diameter system to investigate biomechanical properties of carotid arteries, 10 μM pan-classical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) inhibitor SKF96365, 200 nM specific TRPC6 inhibitor SAR7334 and 100 μM Orai1 inhibitor ANCOA4 were used in the mechanical test.

Results

PUE can significantly decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure, long-term administration of PUE resulted in a mild reduction of thickness and inner diameter of carotid artery. PUE ameliorate NE-response and vascular remodeling mainly through inhibiting TRPCs channel activities of VSMC.

Conclusion

PUE can ameliorate biomechanical remodeling of carotid arteries through inhibiting TRPCs channel activities of VSMC in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Student support systems for undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic narrative review of the literature
Authors: Ardekani Ali , Hosseini Seyed Ali , Tabari Parinaz , Rahimian Zahra , Feili Afrooz , Amini Mitra , Mani Arash
Published: June 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has boosted medical students’ vulnerability to various problems. Given the stressful nature of medical disciplines, considerable attention must be paid to student support systems during pandemics. This study aimed to review the current literature regarding medical student support systems systematically.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of six databases and grey literature sources in addition to a hand search in the references of the articles on April 5, 2021. We included all studies about support for undergraduate medical students delivered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In conducting this review, we used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Results

A total of 3646 articles were retrieved from the databases, and 16 additional papers were extracted from other sources. After removing duplicates, we screened 2434 titles and abstracts according to our criteria. Among them, 32 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, 10 studies were included for review. We identified two major themes: (a) academic support and (b) mental health support. All of the included studies utilized online methods whether for transitioning from previous support systems or developing novel approaches. Students and faculty members seemed to be receptive to these new systems. Despite indicating outstanding program outcomes, most studies merely described the positive effects of the program rather than providing a precise evaluation.

Conclusion

There are several methods of supporting medical students who are experiencing unprecedented changes in their educational trajectory. Due to substantial differences in undergraduate medical education in different regions of the world, cultural and contextual-oriented support is indispensable for developing a safe learning environment. Future research should investigate the question of the extent to which online support can supersede in-person strategies.
Validation of the attitudes to patient safety questionnaire for nursing students in the Spanish context
Authors: Cervera-Gasch Águeda , González-Chordá Víctor M , Manrique-Abril Fred Gustavo , Andreu-Pejo Laura , Valero-Chillerón María Jesús , Mena-Tudela Desirée
Published: June 2021

Background

There are different instruments to assess the attitudes of nursing students towards patient safety. However, no questionnaire validated in Spanish with this objective was identified. The objective of this study was to validate the Attitudes to Patient Safety (APS) questionnaire for nursing students in Spain and to study the attitudes towards patient safety of nursing students at the Universitat Jaume I (Spain).

Design

Cross-sectional psychometric study developed in a sample of 177 undergraduate nursing students. The study was carried out in the second semester of 2016.

Methods

First, a nominal group was created to perform cross-cultural adaptation and determine content validity of the Attitude to Patient Safety Questionnaire (APQS-III). Second, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the questionnaire and to study nursing student attitudes towards patient safety.

Results

Exploratory factorial analysis explained 53.82 % of the variance, with good internal consistency (α = 0.808), and confirmatory factor analysis indicate an adequate fit between the model and the data (χ2 = 366; p < 0.001; χ2/df = 1.886; RMSEA = 0.07; IC95 %=0.059–0.081; CFI = 0.885). Intra-observer reliability was good (ICC = 0.792, p < 0.001). The mean overall score of the questionnaire was 3.92 (95 % CI = 3.88–4.03). Significant differences were observed regarding whether the students had completed a clinical practicum (p = 0.012) and the academic year (p = 0.25).

Conclusions

The psychometric properties of the APS questionnaire adapted for Spanish nursing students are adequate. Students show an adequate attitude towards patient safety; however, it is necessary to develop a strategy to guarantee the acquisition of competency for patient safety as well as to design and evaluate specific educational interventions.
Impact of baseline clinical asthma characteristics on the response to mepolizumab: a post hoc meta-analysis of two Phase III trials
Authors: Lemiere Catherine , Taillé Camille , Lee Jason Kihyuk , Smith Steven G. , Mallett Stephen , Albers Frank C. , Bradford Eric S. , Yancey Steven W. , Liu Mark C.
Published: June 2021

Background

Severe asthma is associated with a broad range of phenotypes and clinical characteristics. This analysis assessed whether select baseline patient characteristics could prognosticate mepolizumab efficacy in severe eosinophilic asthma.

Methods

This was a post hoc meta-analysis of data from the Phase III MENSA (NCT01691521/MEA115588) and MUSCA (NCT02281318/200862) studies. Patients aged ≥ 12 years with severe eosinophilic asthma and a history of exacerbations were randomised to receive placebo (MENSA/MUSCA), mepolizumab 75 mg intravenously (MENSA) or 100 mg subcutaneously (SC) (MENSA/MUSCA) every 4 weeks for 32 (MENSA) or 24 (MUSCA) weeks. The primary endpoint was the annual rate of clinically significant exacerbations; other outcomes included the proportion of patients with no exacerbations and changes from baseline in pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ)-5 score. Analyses were performed by baseline age of asthma onset (< 18 years; 18–40 years; ≥ 40 years); lung function (% predicted FEV1 ≤ 60; 60–80; > 80); airway reversibility (reversible [≥ 12% change in FEV1]; non-reversible [< 12% change in FEV1]); perennial and/or seasonal allergen sensitivity (yes/no); asthma control (uncontrolled [ACQ-5 score ≥ 1.5]; partial/complete control [ACQ-5 score < 1.5]).

Results

Overall, 936 patients received mepolizumab 100 mg SC or placebo. Across age at asthma onset, lung function and airway reversibility subgroups, mepolizumab reduced the rate of clinically significant exacerbations by 49–63% versus placebo. Improvements in lung function, SGRQ total score and ACQ-5 score were also seen with mepolizumab versus placebo across most age and lung function subgroups. Clinically significant exacerbations were reduced with mepolizumab versus placebo irrespective of season or allergen sensitivity; SGRQ total and ACQ-5 scores were generally improved across seasons.

Conclusions

Mepolizumab efficacy was consistent for patients with varying age at asthma onset, lung function, airway reversibility and allergen sensitivities at baseline. Our results indicate that mepolizumab is likely to be beneficial for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma with a broad range of baseline clinical characteristics; large-scale real-world studies are needed to confirm the external validity of these findings.

Trial registration Post hoc meta-analysis of data from MENSA (NCT01691521/MEA115588) and MUSCA (NCT02281318/200862)
Systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic microRNA biomarkers for survival outcome in laryngeal squamous cell cancer
Authors: Huang Yan , Gu Min , Tang Yiting , Sun Zhiqiang , Luo Judong , Li Zhe
Published: June 2021

Background

Laryngeal carcinoma is a primary malignant tumor originating from the laryngeal mucosa, and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. It is a rare type of cancer that shows a downward trend in the 5-year survival rate. In clinical practice, dysregulated microRNAs are often observed in patients with laryngeal cancer. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have confirmed that the strong biomarker potential of microRNAs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and highlight multiple microRNAs as biomarkers for disease prognosis in patients with laryngeal cancer.

Methods

We actively searched the systematic reviews in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library to select the studies that met the proposed guidelines. A total of 5307 patients with laryngeal cancer were included in this study to evaluate the association between microRNAs expression levels and patient outcomes. For overall survival in the clinical stage, a hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) are calculated to assess the effect of survival.

Results

A total of 36 studies on microRNAs and laryngeal cancer recovery were included in this meta-analysis. The selected endpoints for these studies included overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).The comorbidities of overexpression and underexpression of microRNAs were 1.13 (95% CI 1.06–1.20, P < 0.05) and 1.10 (95% CI 1.00–1.20, P < 0.05), respectively.

Conclusion

MiRNA-100, miRNA-155, miRNA-21, miRNA-34a, miRNA-195 and miR-let-7 are expected to be potential noninvasive and simple markers for laryngeal cancer.
Ex vivo and in vivo fluorescence detection and imaging of adenosine triphosphate
Authors: Chu Binbin , Wang Ajun , Cheng Liang , Chen Runzhi , Shi Huayi , Song Bin , Dong Fenglin , Wang Houyu , He Yao
Published: June 2021

Background

Ex vivo and in vivo detection and imaging of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is critically important for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, which still remains challenges up to present.

Results

We herein demonstrate that ATP could be fluorescently detected and imaged ex vivo and in vivo. In particular, we fabricate a kind of fluorescent ATP probes, which are made of titanium carbide (TC) nanosheets modified with the ROX-tagged ATP-aptamer (TC/Apt). In the constructed TC/Apt, TC shows superior quenching efficiency against ROX (e.g., ~ 97%). While in the presence of ATP, ROX-tagged aptamer is released from TC surface, leading to the recovery of fluorescence of ROX under the 545-nm excitation. Consequently, a wide dynamic range from 1 μM to 1.5 mM ATP and a high sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) down to 0.2 μM ATP can be readily achieved by the prepared TC/Apt. We further demonstrate that the as-prepared TC/Apt probe is feasible for accurate discrimination of ATP in different samples including living cells, body fluids (e.g., mouse serum, mouse urine and human serum) and mouse tumor models.

Conclusions

Fluorescence detection and imaging of ATP could be readily achieved in living cells, body fluids (e.g., urine and serum), as well as mouse tumor model through a new kind of fluorescent ATP nanoprobes, offering new powerful tools for the treatment of diseases related to abnormal fluctuation of ATP concentration.
Therapeutic analysis of Herbert screw fixation for capitellar fractures via the anterior approach in adolescent patients
Authors: Ju Lingpeng , Jiang Linjun , Zhang Yuan , Wu Jun , Li Ming , Liu Xing , Qu Xiangyang
Published: June 2021

Objective

The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of open reduction and Herbert screw fixation for coronal fractures of the capitellum via the anterior approach in adolescents.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and imaging data of 15 adolescents with capitellar fractures who were admitted to our hospital from May 2014 to May 2019. The fracture was reduced through the cubital crease incision via the anterior approach and was internally fixated with Herbert screws. A follow-up was conducted after the operation to examine fracture healing and elbow function. The postoperative functional recovery of patients was evaluated with the Mayo Elbow Performance index (MEPI) and the Broberg-Morrey rating system.

Results

Patients underwent surgery 3.7 days after injury on average. Intraoperative fracture reduction was satisfactory. No vascular injury or nerve injury occurred. Bony union occurred in an average of 6 weeks after the operation. All adolescents completed a 12- to 36-month follow-up. At the last follow-up, the Mayo Elbow Performance index was considered excellent in 12 patients and good in three patients. The Broberg-Morrey score was considered excellent in 12 patients, good in two patients, and fair in one patient.

Conclusion

Open reduction with Herbert screw fixation via the anterior approach is a feasible surgical method for the treatment of coronal fractures of the capitellum in adolescents.

Levels of evidence

Therapeutic, retrospective study-Level IV
Re-thinking treatment strategies for febrile neutropenia in paediatric oncology population: the perspective from a developing country
Authors: James Vinson , Prakash Anand , Mehta Kayur , Durugappa Tarangini
Published: June 2021

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological profile of bacterial isolates in febrile neutropenia in a pediatric oncology unit, thereby, reviewing the use of restricted antibiotics and need for aggressive medical treatment accordingly.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted in a paediatric haemat-oncology division of a tertiary care teaching hospital in southern India from September 2014 to August 2016. One hundred and thirty children with febrile neutropenia were enrolled in the study. Blood cultures were performed using automated system. Cultures from other sites were obtained if needed, based on the clinical profile. Standard antibiotic susceptibility testing was done. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS.

Results

One hundred and thirty children were enrolled for the study. Two hundred and fifty episodes of febrile neutropenia were studied. Three hundred and eighty four cultures were sent and 92 (24%) cultures were positive. There were 48 (52.2%) Gram negative isolates followed by 33 (35.8%) Gram positive isolates, six (6.5%) fungal isolates and five (5.5%) poly-microbial cultures. Lactose fermenting Gram negative bacilli (20 isolates, 31.5%) were the most frequently isolated in the Gram negative group, with Escherichia coli being the most common organism (19 isolates, 20.6%). Amongst the Gram positive coagulase negative staphylococcus was the most common (twenty seven isolates, 29%). Escherichia coli and Non lactose fermenting gram negative bacteria (NFGNB) had only 36, 25% sensitivity to ceftazidime, respectively. Most Gram negative bacilli were found to have better sensitivity to amikacin (mean: 57%). There was a higher prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organisms. Pan drug resistance, Extreme drug resistance and Multi drug resistance was found in three, twenty and thirteen Gram negative isolates respectively.Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were often drug resistant. Significantly higher mortality was associated with Gram negative isolates (eight deaths out of the thirteen deaths, 61.5%).

Conclusions

Our results show the importance of surveillance, monitoring resistance frequencies and identifying risk factors specific to each region. Given that significant mortality is attributed to drug resistant Gram negative bacilli, early initiation of appropriate antibiotics to cover for drug resistance is required while formulating empirical antibiotic policies for febrile neutropenia in the oncology units in the developing world.
Effect of Baduanjin exercise intervention on cognitive function and quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wei Xiao-Lin , Yuan Ru-Zhen , Jin Yong-Mei , Li Shu , Wang Ming-Yue , Jiang Jie-Ting , Wu Cai-Qin , Li Kun-Peng
Published: June 2021

Background

More than 50% cognitive impairment was reported by cancer patients before and after medical treatment. However, there are no effective interventions to manage the cognitive problem in women with breast cancer. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function and cancer-related symptoms in women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Method

A single-blinded, randomized control trial was designed. The trial will recruit 70 patients with early-stage breast cancer scheduled to receive chemotherapy from Shanghai in China. All participants will be randomly assigned to (1:1) the supervised Baduanjin group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or the wait-list control group for 3 months. The effect of Baduanjin exercise intervention will be evaluated by outcome measures including subjective and objective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression, and anxiety), and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 8 weeks (T1), and 12 weeks (T2). The PCI score in the FACT-Cog as the primary cognitive outcome will be reported descriptively, while effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be calculated. The collected data will be analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling.

Discussion

This is the first randomized clinical trial to investigate whether Baduanjin exercise will have a positive role in improving cognitive function in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. If possible, Baduanjin exercise will be a potential non-pharmacological intervention to manage cognitive dysfunction and promote survivorship care among breast cancer survivors.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR2000033152. Registered on 22 May 2020
Joint Doppler shift and time delay estimation by deconvolution of generalized matched filter
Authors: Li Xuan , Ma Xiaochuan
Published: June 2021

Resolution probability is the most important indicator for signal parameter estimator, including estimating time delay, and joint Doppler shift and time delay. In order to get high-resolution probability, some procedures have been suggested such as compressed sensing. Based on the signal’s sparsity, compressed sensing has been used to estimate signal parameters in recent research. After solving ℓ0 norm Optimization problem, the methods would achieve high resolution. These methods all require high SNR. In order to improve the performance in low SNR, a novel implementation is proposed in this paper. We give a sparsity representation for the generalized matched filter output, or ambiguity function, while the former methods utilized the sparsity representation for channel response in time domain. By deconvolving the generalized matched filter output, 2-dimension estimation for Doppler shift and time delay would be gotten by greedy method, optimization method based on relaxation, or Bayesian method. Simulation demonstrates our method has better performance in low SNR than the method by the channel sparsity representation.
A novel fault section locating method based on distance matching degree in distribution network
Authors: Li Zhenxing , Wan Jialing , Wang Pengfei , Weng Hanli , Li Zhenhua
Published: June 2021

Fault section location of a single-phase grounding fault is affected by the neutral grounding mode of the system, transition resistance, and the blind zone. A fault section locating method based on an amplitude feature and an intelligent distance algorithm is proposed to eliminate the influence of the above factors. By analyzing and comparing the amplitude characteristics of the zero-sequence current transient components at both ends of the healthy section and the faulty section, a distance algorithm with strong abnormal data immune capability is introduced in this paper. The matching degree of the amplitude characteristics at both ends of the feeder section are used as the criterion and by comparing with the set threshold, the faulty section is effectively determined. Finally, simulations using Matlab/Simulink and PSCAD/EMTDC show that the proposed section locating method can locate the faulty section accurately, and is not affected by grounding mode, grounding resistance, or the blind zone.
Benchmark for scale-resolving simulation with curved walls: the Taylor Couette flow
Authors: Wang Z. J. , Jourdan E.
Published: June 2021

Flow between rotating concentric cylinders, or the Taylor Couette flow, has been studied extensively because of its rich physics, ranging from axisymmetric steady laminar flow, to fully developed turbulent flow. In the present study, we advocate the use of this problem as a benchmark case for scale-resolving simulation, such as large eddy simulation (LES) and direct numerical simulation (DNS). The problem is attractive because of its simple geometry, simple boundary conditions, and complex physics involving wall-shear induced and centrifugal instability. Unlike the well-known fully developed channel flow, this problem has a curved wall boundary, and it is unnecessary to add a source term to the governing equations to sustain the fully developed turbulent flow. A p-refinement study for Re = 4000 is performed first to establish DNS data, including the time history of enstrophy, which can be used as an accuracy and resolution indicator to evaluate numerical methods, and is orders of magnitude faster than using the mean flow quantities and Reynolds stresses to evaluate solution quality. Finally, an hp-refinement study is performed to establish the relative accuracy and efficiency of high-order schemes of various accuracy.
Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Pamidronate for Parathyroid Hormone-dependent Hypercalcemia in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Rosenblum Rachel Chava , Twito Orit , Barzilay-Yoseph Liat , Ramaty Erez , Klein Noa , Rotman-Pikielny Pnina
Published: June 2021

Context

Bisphosphonates are effective for hypercalcemia of malignancy (HOM). Efficacy and safety data for bisphosphonates in parathyroid hormone–related hypercalcemia (PTHRH) are rare, including pamidronate (Pam), which is not indicated for this condition.

Objective

This work aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pam for moderate-to-severe PTHRH.

Methods

This retrospective case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care medical center. Patients included adults hospitalized with serum calcium levels greater than 12 mg/dL, from October 29, 2013 to December 17, 2019. Etiology was categorized as PTHRH or PTH-independent. Clinical and laboratory data of PTHRH patients treated with Pam (PTHRH-Pam+) were compared to Pam-untreated counterparts (PTHRH-Pam–).

Results

Thirty-four patients with 37 hospitalizations for PTHRH (Pam-treated and -untreated) met the inclusion criteria. Pam was given in 24 of 37 cases (64.8%). Admission serum calcium levels for the PTHRH-Pam+ group were higher than for PTHRH-Pam– group (14.4 mg/dL vs 13.0 mg/dL, P = .005). Median total Pam dose was 60 mg (range, 30-180 mg) in the treated group. Serum calcium decreased 3.5 mg/dL for PTHRH-Pam+ vs 1.6 mg/dL for PTHRH-Pam– (P = .003). No PTHRH-Pam+ patients developed hypocalcemia or acute kidney injury. Nadir serum phosphorus levels were lower in the PTHRH-Pam+ vs PTHRH-Pam– group (1.7 mg/dL vs 2.4 mg/dL, respectively, P = .004). Three PTHRH-Pam+ patients developed severe hypophosphatemia; all resolved with intravenous and oral supplementation. Seventeen patients underwent parathyroidectomy, of whom 10 received Pam within 28 days preoperatively. Postoperatively, 4 developed hypocalcemia and 3 hypophosphatemia.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that Pam is effective and safe for treating PTHRH, while ensuring close laboratory monitoring of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Larger, prospective studies are needed to establish the role of Pam and other potent bisphosphonates in moderate-to-severe PTHRH.
Personalized Management of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
Authors: Nölting Svenja , Bechmann Nicole , Taieb David , Beuschlein Felix , Fassnacht Martin , Kroiss Matthias , Eisenhofer Graeme , Grossman Ashley , Pacak Karel
Published: June 2021

Pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas are characterized by a unique molecular landscape that allows their assignment to clusters based on underlying genetic alterations. With around 30% to 35% of Caucasian patients (a lower percentage in the Chinese population) showing germline mutations in susceptibility genes, pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas have the highest rate of heritability among all tumors. A further 35% to 40% of Caucasian patients (a higher percentage in the Chinese population) are affected by somatic driver mutations. Thus, around 70% of all patients with pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma can be assigned to 1 of 3 main molecular clusters with different phenotypes and clinical behavior. Krebs cycle/VHL/EPAS1-related cluster 1 tumors tend to a noradrenergic biochemical phenotype and require very close follow-up due to the risk of metastasis and recurrence. In contrast, kinase signaling–related cluster 2 tumors are characterized by an adrenergic phenotype and episodic symptoms, with generally a less aggressive course. The clinical correlates of patients with Wnt signaling–related cluster 3 tumors are currently poorly described, but aggressive behavior seems likely. In this review, we explore and explain why cluster-specific (personalized) management of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma is essential to ascertain clinical behavior and prognosis, guide individual diagnostic procedures (biochemical interpretation, choice of the most sensitive imaging modalities), and provide personalized management and follow-up. Although cluster-specific therapy of inoperable/metastatic disease has not yet entered routine clinical practice, we suggest that informed personalized genetic-driven treatment should be implemented as a logical next step. This review amalgamates published guidelines and expert views within each cluster for a coherent individualized patient management plan.
Embodying Autonomous Trans Health Care in Zines
Authors: Raha Nat
Published: June 2021

This short article discusses recent trans health-care zines that have emerged from collectives rooted in radical care practices and mutual aid in the United Kingdom and Europe. This includes the publications Dysphoria, Power Makes us Sick, Radical Transfeminism, and Wages for Transition. It considers the embodied politics that emerge through the manifestos, writing, illustrations, and poems included within these zines, and the forms of bodily being they elaborate. In the context of the second half of a decade defined by fiscal austerity in Europe and the ongoing underresourcing of trans-specific health-care services in the United Kingdom, it details the practices and imaginaries of trans social reproduction, autonomy, and liberation that have emerged through these publications.
Altered germline cyst formation and oogenesis in Tex14 mutant mice
Authors: Ikami Kanako , Nuzhat Nafisa , Abbott Haley , Pandoy Ronald , Haky Lauren , Spradling Allan C. , Tanner Heather , Lei Lei
Published: June 2021

During oocyte differentiation in mouse fetal ovaries, sister germ cells are connected by intercellular bridges, forming germline cysts. Within the cyst, primary oocytes form via gaining cytoplasm and organelles from sister germ cells through germ cell connectivity. To uncover the role of intercellular bridges in oocyte differentiation, we analyzed mutant female mice lacking testis-expressed 14 (TEX14), a protein involved in intercellular bridge formation and stabilization. In Tex14 homozygous mutant fetal ovaries, germ cells divide to form a reduced number of cysts in which germ cells remained connected via syncytia or fragmented cell membranes, rather than normal intercellular bridges. Compared with wild-type cysts, homozygous mutant cysts fragmented at a higher frequency and produced a greatly reduced number of primary oocytes with precocious cytoplasmic enrichment and enlarged volume. By contrast, Tex14 heterozygous mutant germline cysts were less fragmented and generate primary oocytes at a reduced size. Moreover, enlarged primary oocytes in homozygous mutants were used more efficiently to sustain folliculogenesis than undersized heterozygous mutant primary oocytes. Our observations directly link the nature of fetal germline cysts to oocyte differentiation and development.
High-throughput detection of eukaryotic parasites and arboviruses in mosquitoes
Authors: Cannon Matthew V. , Bogale Haikel N. , Bhalerao Devika , Keita Kalil , Camara Denka , Barry Yaya , Keita Moussa , Coulibaly Drissa , Kone Abdoulaye K. , Doumbo Ogobara K. , Thera Mahamadou A. , Plowe Christopher V. , Travassos Mark A. , Irish Seth R. , Yeroshefsky Joshua , Dorothy Jeannine , Prendergast Brian , St. Laurent Brandyce , Fritz Megan L. , Serre David
Published: June 2021

Vector-borne pathogens cause many human infectious diseases and are responsible for high mortality and morbidity throughout the world. They can also cause livestock epidemics with dramatic social and economic consequences. Due to its high costs, vector-borne disease surveillance is often limited to current threats, and the investigation of emerging pathogens typically occurs after the reports of clinical cases. Here, we use high-throughput sequencing to detect and identify a wide range of parasites and viruses carried by mosquitoes from Cambodia, Guinea, Mali and the USA. We apply this approach to individual Anopheles mosquitoes as well as pools of mosquitoes captured in traps; and compare the outcomes of this assay when applied to DNA or RNA. We identified known human and animal pathogens and mosquito parasites belonging to a wide range of taxa, as well as DNA sequences from previously uncharacterized organisms. Our results also revealed that analysis of the content of an entire trap could be an efficient approach to monitor and identify rare vector-borne pathogens in large surveillance studies. Overall, we describe a high-throughput and easy-to-customize assay to screen for a wide range of pathogens and efficiently complement current vector-borne disease surveillance approaches.
S-acylation of Orai1 regulates store-operated Ca2+ entry
Authors: West Savannah J. , Kodakandla Goutham , Wang Qioachu , Tewari Ritika , Zhu Michael X. , Boehning Darren , Akimzhanov Askar M.
Published: June 2021

Store-operated Ca2+ entry is a central component of intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathways. The Ca2+ release-activated channel (CRAC) mediates store-operated Ca2+ entry in many different cell types. The CRAC channel is composed of the plasma membrane (PM)-localized Orai1 channel and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized STIM1 Ca2+ sensor. Upon ER Ca2+ store depletion, Orai1 and STIM1 form complexes at ER–PM junctions, leading to the formation of activated CRAC channels. Although the importance of CRAC channels is well described, the underlying mechanisms that regulate the recruitment of Orai1 to ER–PM junctions are not fully understood. Here, we describe the rapid and transient S-acylation of Orai1. Using biochemical approaches, we show that Orai1 is rapidly S-acylated at cysteine 143 upon ER Ca2+ store depletion. Importantly, S-acylation of cysteine 143 is required for Orai1-mediated Ca2+ entry and recruitment to STIM1 puncta. We conclude that store depletion-induced S-acylation of Orai1 is necessary for recruitment to ER–PM junctions, subsequent binding to STIM1 and channel activation.
Condensation of pericentrin proteins in human cells illuminates phase separation in centrosome assembly
Authors: Jiang Xueer , Ho Dac Bang Tam , Mahe Karan , Mia Jennielee , Sepulveda Guadalupe , Antkowiak Mark , Jiang Linhao , Yamada Soichiro , Jao Li-En
Published: June 2021

At the onset of mitosis, centrosomes expand the pericentriolar material (PCM) to maximize their microtubule-organizing activity. This step, termed centrosome maturation, ensures proper spindle organization and faithful chromosome segregation. However, as the centrosome expands, how PCM proteins are recruited and held together without membrane enclosure remains elusive. We found that endogenously expressed pericentrin (PCNT), a conserved PCM scaffold protein, condenses into dynamic granules during late G2/early mitosis before incorporating into mitotic centrosomes. Furthermore, the N-terminal portion of PCNT, enriched with conserved coiled-coils (CCs) and low-complexity regions (LCRs), phase separates into dynamic condensates that selectively recruit PCM proteins and nucleate microtubules in cells. We propose that CCs and LCRs, two prevalent sequence features in the centrosomal proteome, are preserved under evolutionary pressure in part to mediate liquid-liquid phase separation, a process that bestows upon the centrosome distinct properties critical for its assembly and functions.
Ana1 helps recruit Polo to centrioles to promote mitotic PCM assembly and centriole elongation
Authors: Alvarez-Rodrigo Ines , Wainman Alan , Saurya Saroj , Raff Jordan W.
Published: June 2021

Polo kinase (PLK1 in mammals) is a master cell cycle regulator that is recruited to various subcellular structures, often by its polo-box domain (PBD), which binds to phosphorylated S-pS/pT motifs. Polo/PLK1 kinases have multiple functions at centrioles and centrosomes, and we have previously shown that in Drosophila phosphorylated Sas-4 initiates Polo recruitment to newly formed centrioles, while phosphorylated Spd-2 recruits Polo to the pericentriolar material (PCM) that assembles around mother centrioles in mitosis. Here, we show that Ana1 (Cep295 in humans) also helps to recruit Polo to mother centrioles in Drosophila. If Ana1-dependent Polo recruitment is impaired, mother centrioles can still duplicate, disengage from their daughters and form functional cilia, but they can no longer efficiently assemble mitotic PCM or elongate during G2. We conclude that Ana1 helps recruit Polo to mother centrioles to specifically promote mitotic centrosome assembly and centriole elongation in G2, but not centriole duplication, centriole disengagement or cilia assembly.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Ιδιότητες και χρήση, φυσικοχημική ανάλυση και μελέτη συντήρησης υλικών λίθινης δομής στα κτήρια μινωικών οικισμών κατά την νεοανακτορική περίοδο
Authors: Καρδαρά Ευαγγελία
Published: June 2021

Η παρούσα εργασία ασχολείται με το λίθινο υλικό δομής που απαντά στον αρχαιολογικό χώρο της Κάτω Ζάκρου, και συγκεκριμένα, πραγματεύεται την ταύτιση, την αναγνώριση και το χαρακτηρισμό των λίθινων δομικών στοιχείων των νεοανακτορικών κτιρίων του αρχαιολογικού χώρου, με ιδιαίτερη αναφορά στα αρχιτεκτονικά χαρακτηριστικά τους, τις συνθήκες χρήσης τους, τη φυσικοχημική τους σύσταση και την πιθανή προέλευση τους, καταλήγοντας σε συγκεκριμένες προτάσεις για την προστασία και τη διατήρησή τους.
Ο φιλόδοξος ήρωας στο "Κόκκινο και το Μαύρο" του Stendhal και στην "Πάπισσα Ιωάννα" του Εμ. Ροϊδη
Authors: Πρίντεζη Ευγενία
Published: June 2021

Ο Ζυλιέν Σορέλ και η Ιωάννα είναι δύο μυθιστορηματικοί ήρωες των οποίων η θέση στην κοινωνία δεν είναι αυτή που φιλόδοξα επιθυμούν. Αναλύοντας και συγκρίνοντας την εποχή που συνεγράφησαν το Κόκκινο και το Μαύρο και η Πάπισσα Ιωάννα, το ύφος του Στεντάλ και του Ροΐδη και την παρουσία των συγγραφέων ως αφηγητές μέσα στα ίδια τα μυθιστορήματα, γίνεται η συγκριτική μελέτη της έννοιας της φιλοδοξίας καθώς και των δύο ηρώων, και πώς αυτοί εγκλωβίζονται στην ονειροπόλησή τους. Έχοντας αγγίξει τον αριβισμό, φτάνουν στην κορυφή, ζουν έστω και πρόσκαιρα το μεγάλο τους όνειρο να αποκτήσουν μια ένδοξη θέση στην κοινωνία του 19ου αιώνα και μετά, από δική τους αφέλεια και απερισκεψία, εξαιτίας της παρορμητικότητάς τους, ξεκινούν την πορεία προς την πτώση τους, καθώς οι έρωτες που ζουν, η επικρατούσα θρησκεία και το πεπρωμένο τους τούς κρατάνε παγιδευμένους σε μια ουτοπία.
Βυζαντινά επιγράμματα στον Σταυρό. Συμβολή στη μελέτη της λατρείας του σταυρού και των ιερών λειψάνων στο Βυζάντιο
Authors: Κανταράς Αναστάσιος
Published: June 2021

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή εξετάζει το σύμβολο του σταυρού μέσα από τα βυζαντινά επιγράμματα από τα πρώιμα χριστιανικά χρόνια (από τα μέσα του τέταρτου αι., όταν ο σταυρός καθιερώνεται ως το κατ’ εξοχήν σύμβολο του Χριστιανισμού) έως τα τέλη του δέκατου πέμπτου αι.. Επίσης εξετάζει παράλληλα με την πορεία της λατρείας του σταυρού και αυτή των ιερών λειψάνων στη Βυζαντινή Αυτοκρατορία, λειψάνων που σχετίζονται με τη σταύρωση του Χριστού, όπως για παράδειγμα αυτά της Λόγχης, του Σπόγγου, των Καρφιών και του Χιτώνα. Ο στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής είναι διττός, από τη μια πλευρά ο εντοπισμός και ο σχολιασμός των κυριότερων μοτίβων, όπως αντλούνται από τους στίχους των αντίστοιχων επιγραμμάτων, και από την άλλη πλευρά ο τρόπος παρουσίασής τους από τον εκάστοτε επιγραμματοποιό, επώνυμο ή ανώνυμο. Συγχρόνως η διδακτορική διατριβή εξετάζει και το θεολογικό συμβολικό μήνυμα του σταυρού μέσα στα επιγράμματα, όπως αντλούνται από τη μελέτη των Ψαλμών του Δαυίδ, των κειμένων της Παλαιάς και της Καινής Διαθήκης, την εκκλησιαστική λειτουργία και τις ομιλίες πεφωτισμένων Πατέρων της Εκκλησίας. Επίσης εξετάζεται η λατρεία του σταυρού και των ιερών λειψάνων μέσω της βυζαντινής τέχνης σε διάφορα είδη της, όπως για παράδειγμα στην εικονογραφία, την τοιχογραφία ναών και την κατασκευή έργων μικροτεχνίας (σταυροθήκες, λειψανοθήκες, εγκόλπια), όλα συνοδευόμενα από έμμετρες επιγραφές. Τέλος, διαπιστώνεται η διαχρονική πορεία του συμβόλου του σταυρού στη βυζαντινή κοινωνία μέσα από τους στίχους των επιγραμμάτων, με την παράλληλη επιρροή των ιερών κειμένων και τη συμβολή της τέχνης, προκειμένου ο σταυρός από μέσο δημόσιας θανατικής καταδίκης να μετασχηματιστεί σε σύμβολο λύτρωσης, ελπίδας και προμήνυμα ανάστασης στις συνειδήσεις των πιστών.
Κλιματική αλλαγή και οι επιπτώσεις της στη Δημόσια Υγεία
Authors: Καραγιαννοπούλου Μαρία
Published: June 2021

Τα διάφορα επιστημονικά δεδομένα καταδεικνύουν ότι οι ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες επηρεάζουν το κλίμα της Γης. Η κλιματική αλλαγή είναι μια σημαντική και αναδυόμενη απειλή για τη δημόσια υγεία και αποτελεί μία από τις μεγαλύτερες περιβαλλοντικές, κοινωνικές και οικονομικές απειλές. Σύμφωνα με τον Παγκόσμιο Οργανισμό Υγείας, οι κίνδυνοι για την υγεία που σχετίζονται με την κλιματική αλλαγή μπορεί να είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντικοί, να διαφέρουν ανάλογα με τη γεωγραφική περιοχή στην οποία εντοπίζονται και να είναι συχνά μη αναστρέψιμοι. Οι παράγοντες κινδύνου που σχετίζονται με την κλιματική αλλαγή και τις ασθένειες συγκαταλέγονται μεταξύ των σημαντικότερων συντελεστών στην παγκόσμια επιβάρυνση της υγείας, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του υποσιτισμού - εκτιμάται ότι σκοτώνει 3,7 εκατομμύρια άτομα ετησίως), τη διάρροια (1, 9 εκατομμύρια) και την ελονοσία (0,9 εκατομμύρια άτομα ετησίως). Τέτοιες καταστάσεις καθώς και άλλες επιπτώσεις στην υγεία θα επηρεαστούν όλο και περισσότερο καθώς η κλιματική αλλαγή επιταχύνεται εξαιτίας των αρνητικών επιπτώσεών τους στην παραγωγή των τροφίμων, την παροχή νερού και την ανθρώπινη αντίσταση στους ξενιστές και τους παθογόνους μικροοργανισμούς. Ο στόχος αυτής της εργασίας είναι να μελετήσει κριτικά και να παρουσιάσει αρχικά τις προσπάθειες της διεθνούς κοινότητας να αντιμετωπίσει το φαινόμενο της κλιματικής αλλαγής στην πορεία του χρόνου μέσα από μια σειρά διασκέψεων, διακηρύξεων και σύναψης διεθνών συμβάσεων και πρωτοκόλλων, δίνοντας την απαιτούμενη προσοχή και στις προσπάθειες διεθνών οργανισμών, όπως ο ΠΟΥ και Ε.Ε να αντιμετωπίσουν τις επιπτώσεις της κλιματικής αλλαγής στη δημόσια υγεία. Σε ένα δεύτερο επίπεδο η εργασία θα αναφερθεί στις επιπτώσεις της κλιματικής αλλαγής στη δημόσια υγεία, κάνοντας αρχικά μια γενική περιγραφή, ενώ στην συνέχεια θα εστιάσει στις επιπτώσεις της αλλαγής του κλίματος στη δημόσια υγεία σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο και μάλιστα ανά γεωγραφικές περιοχές. Θα εξεταστούν 5 παράμετροι/επιπτώσεις της κλιματικής αλλαγής στη δημόσια υγεία και συγκεκριμένα: οι επιπτώσεις από τις ακραίες καιρικές συνθήκες (καύσωνες, καταιγίδες, πλημμύρες), τα νοσήματα που μεταδίδονται με φορείς, η διατροφική ανασφάλεια-η ασφάλεια τροφίμων, οι κοινωνικοοικονομικές επιπτώσεις και τέλος η ψυχική υγεία και οι διαταραχές που σχετίζονται με το άγχος. Ποια είναι η ευπάθεια των πληθυσμών των περιοχών αυτών στις αλλαγές αυτές; Ποιες από τις αλλαγές αυτές παρατηρούνται ήδη, ποια προβλέπεται να είναι η μελλοντική εξέλιξη των επιδράσεων αυτών;
Ein Hafnerlehmdepot in der Steinenvorstadt 1 (1996/17)
Authors: Matt Christoph Philipp , Rentzel Philippe
Published: June 2021

Ein Lehmlager (Löss) in einer wenig tiefen Erdgrube unter einem Haus des 19. Jh. entpuppte sich dank geologischer Untersuchungen als mutmassliches Hafnerlehmdepot. Funde, insbesondere Ofenkeramik, datieren diesen Befund ins späte 13./ frühe 14. Jh. Ein neu interpretierter Altfund des Jahres 1906 aus der Aeschenvorstadt 2 (ehemals 10) erbrachte einen gleichartigen Befund.Weitere Überlegungen betreffen die Nutzung der Liegenschaft durch Hafner und Bäcker sowie die frühe Baugeschichte der Steinenvorstadt und ihren Namen.
Rückstände in Kochgefässen
Authors: Keller Christine , Gerber Yvonne , Stern Willem B.
Published: June 2021

Die chemische Analyse von Rückständen in spätmittelalterlichen Kochgefässen hat ergeben, dass es sich hierbei um zermahlene und kalzinierte Knochen, also um Knochenasche handelt. Obschon solche Rückstände in Gefässen vom optischen Erscheinungsbild her vielerorts bekannt sind, stehen wir hinsichtlich ihrer Funktion und Bedeutung vor vielen Fragen.

Diese sonderbare Innenbeschichtung kommt sowohl auf unglasierter wie auch auf glasierter Keramik vor. Da sie über der Glasur liegt, kann es sich nicht um eine Engobe handeln. Wurden in privaten Haushaltungen Knochen verwertet, wofür man Kochtöpfe zweckentfremdet hat, oder hat man Knochenasche als zusätzliche Schutzschicht - vergleichbar mit der modernen Teflonbeschichtung - in den Kochgefässen aufgetragen?
Tätigkeitsbericht der Archäologischen Bodenforschung Basel-Stadt für das Jahr 1999
Authors: Schwarz Peter-A.
Published: June 2021

Der Tätigkeitsbericht des Kantonsarchäologen bietet einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Kennzahlen und die Arbeiten in den verschiedenen Abteilungen der Archäologischen Bodenforschung im Jahr 1999.

Mit Beiträgen zur Fundchronik im Jahr 1999.
Tüpfelplatten vom Titelberg
Authors: Gerber Yvonne , Burkhardt Andreas , Helmig Guido
Published: June 2021

Im Rahmen des in den 90er Jahren gross angelegten Projektes zur Untersuchung der keltischen Münzen aus Basel wurde nicht nur nach der chronologischen und typologischen Differenzierbarkeit dieser Fundgattung aufgrund ihrer optischen und physischen Beschaffenheit geforscht, sondern es wurde auch der Frage nachgegangen, mit weichen Münztechniken die Kelten ihr Geld überhaupt hergestellt hatten.

Tüpfelplatten sind von der Forschung früh mit der Produktion von Münzen in Zusammenhang gebracht worden, und zwar sowohl mit gegossenen Potin- als auch mit geprägten Buntmetall- und Edelmetallmünzen.

Bei den Untersuchungen der Fundgattung Tüpfelplatten, die im folgenden Aufsatz dargelegt werden, drehten sich die Fragen um die Herstellung von Metallrohlingen als Grundlage für zu prägende Münzen. 75 Fragmente von Tüpfelplatten vom Oppidum auf dem Titelberg in Luxemburg konnten im Rahmen dieses Projekts archäometrisch untersucht werden.
Die baugeschichtlichen Untersuchungen im Lohnhof von 1997-2000
Authors: Jaggi Bernard , Reicke Daniel
Published: June 2021

Die mehrjährigen Untersuchungen im ehemaligen Leonhardskloster, dem heutigen Lohnhof, haben neue Erkenntnisse zu den Basler Stadtmauern und zu einem Gründungsbau des Stifts sowie eine Vielzahl von Einzelbefunden in den verschiedenen Teilen der Anlage erbracht.
Erfahrungen beim Einsatz von TachyCAD und Photoplan auf der Grabung Münsterplatz 1 +2
Authors: Schön Udo
Published: June 2021

Vom Frühjahr 2002 bis zu Beginn von 2003 untersuchten Mitarbeitende der Archäologischen Bodenforschung und der Basler Denkmalpflege die umfangreichen und gut erhaltenen Baustrukturen der spätgotischen Sankt-Johannes-Kapelle in den Liegenschaften Münsterplatz 1 und 2 auf dem Basler Münsterhügel.

Bei den Untersuchungen wurde während zweier Monate erstmalig der Einsatz von TachyCAD und Photoplan getestet.