bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Authors: Fotoulaki Maria , Panagopoulou Paraskevi , Kotsi Eleni , Nousia-Arvanitakis Sanda
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the nutritional status of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in relation to their clinical manifestations.

METHODS: In 68 patients with CF (aged 2–38 years), body weight, height, and composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), respiratory function, Pseudomonas colonization, pancreatic function, CF-related diabetes mellitus (CF-DM), and genotype were measured.

RESULTS: BMI was <5th percentile in 12 patients (18%), between the 5th and 10th percentiles in 6 (7%), between the 10th and 85th percentiles in 41 (60%), between the 85th and 95th percentiles (overweight) in 4 (6%), and >95th percentile (obese) in 5 (7%). Among 18 patients with a BMI at <10th percentile, 18 (100%) had pancreatic insufficiency, 16 (89%) had Pseudomonas, and 7 (38%) had CF-DM. Among 41 patients with a BMI in the 10th to 85th percentile, 37 (90%) had pancreatic insufficiency, 28 (82%) had Pseudomonas, and 9 (22%) had CF-DM. Among 9 patients with a BMI at >85th percentile, 3 (33%) had pancreatic insufficiency, 1 (11%) had Pseudomonas, and none had CF-DM. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second was significantly better among overweight patients than among patients with a low or normal BMI (P < .05). In addition, forced expiratory volume in 1 second correlated with BMI (P = .014), age (P = .029), and percent free fat mass (P = .039). Overweight/obese patients were homozygotes for mild mutations.

CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with CF had an optimal nutritional status. A small percentage were overweight or obese, especially those with pancreatic sufficiency and carriers of mild mutations. These patients had mild-to-moderate lung disease and were less likely to be colonized with Pseudomonas or have liver disease.
COMBINATION OF ARTESUNATE-AMODIAQUINE AS A TREATMENT FOR UNCOMPLICATED FALCIPARUM MALARIA IN CHILDREN
Authors: Syahril Pasaribu , Pitaloka Pasaribu Ayodhia , Panusunan Lubis Chairuddin
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Resistance of falciparum malaria to both chloroquine and pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine has been reported from Indonesia and other countries. Since the end of 2004, we have changed the standard treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria to use a combination of artesunate and amodiaquine.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of artesunate-amodiaquine as a treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Panyabungan, Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia, from August to September 2006. The sample was school-aged children between 5 and 18 years old. The sample received an oral dose of artesunate (4 mg/kg body weight) combined with an oral dose of amodiaquine (10 mg/kg body weight) for 3 days. Parasitemia was assessed at days 0, 2, 7, and 28.

RESULTS: Peripheral blood smears were performed for 376 school-aged children; 135 of them tested positive for falciparum malaria. At the end of the study (28 days), 121 cases completed a full course of study. From the peripheral blood smears on days 2, 7, and 28, we found a 100% cure rate. Adverse reactions included 20 children (16.5%) with headache, 10 (8.3%) with vomiting, and 1 (0.8%) with tinnitus.

CONCLUSIONS: A combination of artesunate and amodiaquine can be used as treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children with the caution of headache as an adverse reaction of the drug combination.
IMPACT OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH: A DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED TRIAL AMONG URBAN IRANIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN
Authors: Masoodpoor Nahideh , Darakshan R.
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: The first study that linked zinc and growth was carried out in Iran and Egypt almost 3 decades ago. At the time, the circumstances leading to growth impairment secondary to zinc deficiency were believed to be unique in less developed countries. Multiple studies have been carried out to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on children's growth. The results of these studies have been inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of zinc supplementation on growth (weight and height) among schoolchildren who were underweight or had stunted growth.

METHODS: Our study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 90 Iranian urban schoolchildren (50 boys and 40 girls; 7–12 years old) who were underweight or stunted and were supplemented with 10 mg of zinc or placebo on school days for 6 months. Variables were weight and height.

RESULTS: Significant effects on weight gain (2.037 ± 1.240 vs 1.55 ± 0.64 kg; P = .0167) and height (2.030 ± 1.003 vs 1.403 ± 0.521 cm; P = .0002) in the children after zinc supplementation versus placebo administration, respectively, were seen over the 6-month period.

CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, zinc supplementation improved growth in underweight or stunted children and should be considered for populations at risk for zinc deficiency, especially where there are elevated rates of underweight or stunting.
Long-term results after microsurgery for Cushing disease: experience with 426 primary operations over 35 years
Authors: Hofmann Bernd Markus , Hlavac Michal , Martinez Ramon , Buchfelder Michael , Müller Otto Albrecht , Fahlbusch Rudolf
Published: January 2008

Object

The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the long-term results following microsurgery in a single surgeon's continuous series of patients with Cushing disease (CD), to assess the influence of changes in surgical procedures, and to compare the results with those of other treatment modalities. In particular, preoperative diagnosis, tumor size, results of histological examination, and complications were considered.

Methods

Between 1971 and 2004, 426 patients suffering from newly diagnosed CD underwent primary surgery. Pre-operative measures included clinical examination, endocrinological workup (testing of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and 2- and 8-mg dexamethasone overnight suppression tests), sellar imaging (polytomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance [MR] imaging), and in patients with negative results on imaging studies, inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Follow-up examinations consisting of endocrinological workup, and imaging took place 1 week and 3 months after surgery and then at yearly intervals.

Results

During microsurgery as first treatment, the adenoma finding rate was 86.6%. After selective adenomectomy, the remission rate was 75.9%, and this rate showed no improvement over the years. The best results were achieved in microadenomas confirmed on MR imaging or histopathological investigation. The recurrence rate (15%) and the complication rate (5.9%) declined over the years. If no adenoma was found, exploration of the sella turcica was performed in 45.6%, hypophysectomy in 3.5%, and hemihypophysectomy in 50.9% of these patients, leading to an early remission in 37.9%. In case of persistence or recurrence, further treatment (repeated operation, adrenalectomy, radio-therapy, or medical treatment) was used to control the disease.

Conclusions

Microsurgery remains the treatment of first choice in CD, even though no improvement in remission rates was observed over the years, because complication or remission rates for other treatment options are comparable or worse.
Immunohistochemical expression of nestin in adenohypophysial vessels during development of pituitary infarction
Authors: Salehi Fateme , Kovacs Kalman , Cusimano Michael D. , Horvath Eva , Bell C. David , Rotondo Fabio , Scheithauer Bernd W.
Published: January 2008

Object

The aim of this work was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of nestin, a member of the intermediate filament family, in adenohypophysial vasculature during development and progression of pituitary infarction.

Methods

Forty-five nontumorous adenohypophyses and 34 pituitary adenomas of various types, all exhibiting acute or healing infarcts, were examined immunohistochemically using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method.

Results

In both adenohypophyses and pituitary adenomas without infarction, nestin was expressed in only a few capillaries and endothelial cells. In acute infarcts without a vascular response, no nestin was demonstrable within necrotic capillaries (50 cases). In organizing infarcts, newly formed vessels spreading into necrotic zones showed nestin expression in all capillaries and practically every endothelial cell (25 cases). In the hypocellular, fibrotic scar phase, only a few vessels (4) were apparent, and immunoreactivity was focal and mild.

Conclusions

Nestin is strongly expressed in newly formed capillaries and is downregulated when infarcts transform to fibrous tissue. Nestin expression may provide valuable insight into the process of pituitary angiogenesis.
Expanded endonasal approach: vidian canal as a landmark to the petrous internal carotid artery
Authors: Kassam Amin B. , Vescan Allan D. , Carrau Ricardo L. , Prevedello Daniel M. , Gardner Paul , Mintz Arlan H. , Snyderman Carl H. , Rhoton Albert L.
Published: January 2008

✓ The purpose of this study was to describe the technique used to safely identify the petrous carotid artery during expanded endonasal approaches to the skull base. A series of 20 cadaveric studies was undertaken to isolate the vidian artery and nerve and to use them as landmarks to the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA). Twenty-five consecutive paraclival endoscopic cases were also reviewed to determine the consistency of the vidian artery in vivo as an intraoperative landmark to the ICA. These data were then correlated with results from a separate study in which computed tomography scans from 44 patients were evaluated to delineate the course of the vidian canal and its relationship to the petrous ICA. In all 20 cadaveric dissections and all 25 surgical cases, the vidian artery was consistently identified and could be reliably used as a landmark to the ICA. The correlation between anatomical and clinical data in this paper supports the consistent use of the vidian artery as an important landmark to the petrous ICA.
Pseudotumor cerebri following tapered corticosteroid treatment in an 8-month-old infant
Authors: Ray Wilson Z. , Lee Amy , Blackburn Spiros L. , Lueder Gregg T. , Leonard Jeffrey R.
Published: January 2008

✓The authors report on an 8-month-old infant with an orbital capillary hemangioma. The patient had been treated with high-dose corticosteroid therapy and had had a recent decrease in dose. The patient presented to the emergency department with increased irritability and bulging fontanelles. On lumbar puncture the opening pressure was > 55 cm H2O. Ophthalmological examination revealed interval development of papilledema. The child was treated with high-volume lumbar puncture, subsequent drainage of 10 ml of cerebrospinal fluid, resumption of the previous steroid dose, and acetazolomide therapy. The patient's symptoms resolved and follow-up ophthalmological examination revealed interval resolution of papilledema. The authors present the youngest reported case of pseudotumor development after corticosteroid tapering.
Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma with a malignant course
Authors: Hoving Eelco W. , Kros Johan M. , Groninger Ellis , den Dunnen Wilfred F. A.
Published: January 2008

✓Desmoplastic infantile gangliogliomas (DIGs) are rare supratentorial tumors that arise in infancy. Despite the large size of these lesions, the prognosis is generally considered favorable after gross-total resection (GTR); however, in incidental cases tumor progression has been described. The authors report on a child harboring a DIG with a high-grade primitive cell population and glial differentiation. The progressive clinical course was determined by this cell component in spite of GTR and adjuvant chemotherapy. The significance of the presence of a high-grade primitive tumor component in the context of DIG is discussed.
The efficacy of microendoscopic discectomy in reducing iatrogenic muscle injury
Authors: Shin Dong Ah , Kim Keung Nyun , Shin Hyun Cheol , Yoon Do Heum
Published: January 2008

Object

The objective of this study was to evaluate the invasiveness of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) in comparison with microscopic discectomy (MD) by measuring serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK)-MM and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-5, and by comparing visual analog scale (VAS) scores of postoperative pain.

Methods

This study included a group of 15 patients who underwent surgery using MED and 15 patients who underwent surgery using MD, both for single-level unilateral herniated nucleus pulposus. The CPK-MM and LDH-5 levels were measured at admission and after 1, 3, and 5 days postoperatively. Pain assessment was recorded using scores raging from 0 to 10 on a subjective VAS at admission and at 1, 3, and 5 days postoperatively.

Results

The mean CPK-MM levels were lower for the MED group than for the MD group at both 3 (576.1 ± 286.3 IU/L compared with 968.1 ± 377.8 IU/L) and 5 days (348.1 ± 231.0 IU/L compared with 721.7 ± 463.2) postoperatively (p < 0.05). The mean VAS scores for postoperative back pain were lower in the MED group than in the MD group, both at 1 (3.3 ± 2.3 compared with 5.8 ± 1.5) and 5 days (1.9 ± 1.1 compared with 3.6 ± 1.1) postoperatively (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The MED procedure is less invasive than MD, and causes less muscle damage and less back pain.
Earworms—A Narrative Review of Infectious Music
Authors: Lees A.J. , Lawson Sarah
Published: April 2024

This Arts and Medicine feature reviews the clinical and neurophysiologic features of earworms, music fragments heard in the mind that repeat over and over as if jammed in playback mode.
Excessive Exogenous Gonadotropins and Genetic and Pregnancy Outcomes After Euploidy Embryo Transfer
Authors: Ni Tianxiang , Zhou Wei , Liu Yingbo , Cui Weiran , Liu Yang , Lu Juanjuan , Zhang Qian , Chen Zi-Jiang , Li Yan , Yan Junhao
Published: April 2024

Importance

The safety of exogenous gonadotropin treatment, based on its effect on embryos and pregnancy outcomes, remains inconclusive.

Objective

To evaluate the associations of different doses and durations of gonadotropins with embryonic genetic status and pregnancy outcomes after euploid embryo transfer in couples with infertility.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This study was a post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted at 14 reproductive centers throughout China from July 2017 to June 2018 that evaluated the cumulative live birth rate with or without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) among couples with infertility and good prognosis. The PGT-A group from the original RCT was selected for secondary analysis. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the total dosage of exogenous gonadotropins and treatment duration: group 1 (≤1500 IU and <10 days), group 2 (≤1500 IU and ≥10 days), group 3 (>1500 IU and <10 days), and group 4 (>1 500 IU and ≥10 days). Group 1 served as the control group. Data were analyzed from June through August 2023.

Interventions

Blastocyst biopsy and PGT-A.

Main outcomes and measures

The primary outcomes were embryonic aneuploidy, embryonic mosaicism, and cumulative live birth rates after euploid embryo transfer.

Results

A total of 603 couples (mean [SD] age of prospective mothers, 29.13 [3.61] years) who underwent PGT-A were included, and 1809 embryos were screened using next-generation sequencing. The embryo mosaicism rate was significantly higher in groups 2 (44 of 339 embryos [13.0%]; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.69 [95% CI, 1.09-2.64]), 3 (27 of 186 embryos [14.5%]; aOR, 1.98 [95% CI, 1.15-3.40]), and 4 (82 of 651 embryos [12.6%]; aOR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.07-2.38]) than in group 1 (56 of 633 embryos [8.8%]). There were no associations between gonadotropin dosage or duration and the embryo aneuploidy rate. The cumulative live birth rate was significantly lower in groups 2 (83 of 113 couples [73.5%]; aOR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.27-0.88]), 3 (42 of 62 couples [67.7%]; aOR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.21-0.82]), and 4 (161 of 217 couples [74.2%]; aOR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.31-0.89]) than in group 1 (180 of 211 couples [85.3%]).

Conclusions and relevance

In this study, excessive exogenous gonadotropin administration was associated with increased embryonic mosaicism and decreased cumulative live birth rate after euploid embryo transfer in couples with a good prognosis. These findings suggest that consideration should be given to minimizing exogenous gonadotropin dosage and limiting treatment duration to improve embryo outcomes and increase the live birth rate.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03118141
Modulation of Inflammation and Regeneration in the Intervertebral Disc Using Enhanced Cell‐Penetrating Peptides for MicroRNA Delivery
Authors: Barcellona Marcos N. , Ní Néill Tara , O’Brien Fergal J. , Dixon James E. , Curtin Caroline M. , Buckley Conor T.
Published: April 2024

Back pain is a global epidemiological and socioeconomic problem affecting up to 80% of people at some stage during their life and is often due to degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD). Therapies aimed at restoring the intradiscal space have predominantly focused on delivery of biomaterials, cells, or growth factors, among others, with variable degrees of success. While viral gene delivery strategies have emerged as promising therapeutic options in recent years, these approaches often have off‐target effects and are associated with immunogenicity risks and other comorbidities. Consequently, nonviral methods have gained traction as potential avenues for gene delivery. Herein, enhanced cell‐penetrating peptide (CPP) systems are used to deliver microRNAs in an in vitro and ex vivo model of disc degeneration. The data suggest that nanoparticle complexation of CPPs with (miR‐221‐inhibitor + miR‐149‐mimic) promotes protective effects in nucleus pulposus cells challenged with inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐1β. Specifically, increases in matrix deposition, significant decreases in the secretion of an array of inflammatory cytokines, and decreased expression of matrix degradation enzymes MMP13 and ADAMTS5 are observed. These miR‐CPP nanocomplexes can be further employed for targeting of the pericellular matrix space through homing, thus providing a promising approach for therapies of the intradiscal space.
Poly(ether‐ester)s synthesized from furandicarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol using an acidic binary catalyst
Authors: Li Zhisong , Wu Linbo
Published: April 2024

Poly(ethylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PEF) is an important biobased polyester with better thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties than poly(ethylene terephthalate). In PEF synthesis, diethylene glycol furandicarboxylate (DF) is inevitably formed via etherification side reaction. Taking advantage of the side reaction, poly(ethylene‐co‐diethylene furandicarboxylate) (PEDF) poly(ether‐ester)s were synthesized only from 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and ethylene glycol (EG), using a cheap binary propanedisulfonic acid/dibutyltin oxide (PSA/DBTO) catalyst. The polymers were characterized by 1H NMR, intrinsic viscosity, solubility, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile, and gas barrier test. Due to strong acidity of PSA, not only major DF but also minor oligoethylene glycol furandicarboxylate ether‐containing units were formed. Their total content can be adjusted up to 78 mol% by simply increasing the dosage of PSA from 0 to 0.4 wt%. The effect of ether‐containing units on the solubility, thermal transition, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties of the poly(ether‐ester)s were examined and compared with the poly(ether‐ester)s synthesized via copolycondensation.
Incendiary: Fire setting behaviors in youth
Authors: Sullivan Humayra N.
Published: April 2024

A 12‐year‐old boy presented for psychiatric assessment with a chief complaint of “fire setting.” The patient was reluctant to speak, however, his caregiver stated that he had set a fire in the basement of his home while the rest of the family were asleep. They were alerted due to the smoke alarm going off and were able to hurriedly contain the situation. The patient had a history of physical and emotional abuse from parents and was residing with his legal guardian, his maternal aunt.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2024

The lack of risk of later drug misuse for teens prescribed stimulants for ADHD

The risk of preterm birth when mother uses high levels of opioids for pain
ADHD treatment for young children — and older children
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2024

Parents may be confused when they first get the news that their child has a problem, especially one that requires medication. On the one hand, they may — and should — be relieved to know that there is a cure for their child's suffering. On the other hand, it is never good news to find out something is “wrong” with your child.
An improved sparrow search algorithm using chaotic opposition‐based learning and hybrid updating rules
Authors: Lian Lian
Published: April 2024

Metaheuristic algorithms have special effects in solving optimization problems in real life and have become the focus of researchers. The sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is a newly proposed swarm‐based metaheuristic algorithm that has shown excellent optimization performance. Although compared with other algorithms, SSA shows good performance, the original SSA algorithm still has problems such as weak optimization ability, leading to falling into the local optimum, and being unable to balance exploration and exploitation well. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved SSA using chaotic opposition‐based learning and hybrid updating rules (CHSSA). First, chaotic opposition‐based learning is proposed to improve the diversity of the population. Second, two strategies, including adaptive weights and spiral search, are adopted to update the position. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed CHSSA, this paper uses 23 benchmark functions, IEEE CEC 2017 functions and 4 practical engineering optimization problems to evaluate the algorithm performance. The experimental results show that compared with other advanced optimization algorithms, CHSSA has the characteristics of fast convergence speed, high search accuracy, and strong robustness.
The role of climatic variables on nest evolution in tanagers
Authors: Colombo Silvia , Newman Kevin D. , Langmore Naomi E. , Taylor Claire J. , Medina Iliana
Published: April 2024

Avian nests are fundamental structures in avian reproduction and face strong selective forces. Climatic conditions are likely to have shaped the evolution of specific nest traits, but evidence is scarce at a macroevolutionary level. The Thraupidae family (commonly known as tanagers) is an ideal clade to understand the link between nest architecture and climate because it presents wide variation in nest traits. To understand whether climatic variables have played a role in the diversification of nest traits among species in this family, we measured nests from 49 species using museum collections. We observed that dome‐nesting species are present in dryer and hotter environments, in line with previous findings suggesting that domed nests are a specialisation for arid conditions. We also found evidence that nests with thicker walls are present in locations with lower precipitation and that solar radiation can influence the shape of domed nests; birds tend to build shorter and narrower domes in areas with high levels of solar radiation. Open nest architecture is also potentially influenced by wind speed, with longer and deeper nests in areas characterised by strong winds. Our results support the hypothesis that different climatic variables can drive the evolution of specific aspects of nest architecture and contribute to the diversity of nest shapes we currently observe. However, climatic variables account only for a small fraction of the observed structural variation, leaving a significant portion still unexplained.
Sex ratio distorting microbes exacerbate arthropod extinction risk in variable environments
Authors: Fisher Adam M. , Knell Robert J. , Price Tom A. R. , Bonsall Michael B.
Published: April 2024

Maternally‐inherited sex ratio distorting microbes (SRDMs) are common among arthropod species. Typically, these microbes cause female‐biased sex ratios in host broods, either by; killing male offspring, feminising male offspring, or inducing parthenogenesis. As a result, infected populations can experience drastic ecological and evolutionary change. The mechanism by which SRDMs operate is likely to alter their impact on host evolutionary ecology; despite this, the current literature is heavily biased towards a single mechanism of sex ratio distortion, male‐killing. Furthermore, amidst the growing concerns surrounding the loss of arthropod diversity, research into the impact of SRDMs on the viability of arthropod populations is generally lacking. In this study, using a theoretical approach, we model the epidemiology of an understudied mechanism of microbially‐induced sex ratio distortion—feminisation—to ask an understudied question—how do SRDMs impact extinction risk in a changing environment? We constructed an individual‐based model and measured host population extinction risk under various environmental and epidemiological scenarios. We also used our model to identify the precise mechanism modulating extinction. We find that the presence of feminisers increases host population extinction risk, an effect that is exacerbated in highly variable environments. We also identified transmission rate as the dominant epidemiological trait responsible for driving extinction. Finally, our model shows that sex ratio skew is the mechanism driving extinction. We highlight feminisers and, more broadly, SRDMs as important determinants of the resilience of arthropod populations to environmental change.
The RAS‐signaling‐pathway‐mutation‐related prognosis in B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from South China children's leukemia group
Authors: Li Xinyu , Lin Shaofen , Liao Ning , Mai Huirong , Long Xingjiang , Liu Lili , Wu Beiyan , Chen Qiwen , Kong Qian , Kong Xianling , Liu Lixia , Qin Jiayue , Fang Jianpei , Zhou Dunhua
Published: April 2024

The next‐generation sequencing technologies application discovers novel genetic alterations frequently in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). RAS signaling pathway mutations at the time of relapse ALL frequently appear as small subclones at the time of onset, which are considered as the drivers in ALL relapse. Whether subclones alterations in the RAS signaling pathway should be considered for risk group stratification of ALL treatment is not decided yet. In this work, we investigate the RAS signaling pathway mutation spectrum and the related prognosis in pediatric ALL. We employed an NGS panel comprising 220 genes. NGS results were collected from 202 pediatric ALL patients. 155 patients (76.7%) harbored at least one mutation. The incidences of RAS signaling pathway mutations are different significantly between T‐ALL and B‐ALL. In B‐ALL, the RAS pathway is mostly involved, and NRAS (17.6%), KRAS (22.7%), and PTPN11 (7.7%) were the three most frequently mutated genes. Co‐occurring mutations of CREBBP and NRAS, FLT3, or PTPN11 (p = 0.002, p = 0.009, and p = 0.003, respectively) were found in this cohort. The 3‐year RFS rates for the RAS signaling pathway mutation‐positive and negative cases was 76.5 % versus 89.7 % (p = 0.012). Four cases relapsed in the lately 3 years were RAS signaling pathway mutation‐positive. RAS signaling pathway mutation is an important biomarker for poorer relapse‐free survival in pediatric B‐ALL patients despite good early MRD levels.
A case of testicular cancer in a long‐term hydranencephaly survivor with undescended testes
Authors: Hirata Wataru , Shinojima Toshiaki , Yokota Kotaro , Kin Rei , Yamada Taketo , Asakura Hirotaka
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The development of malignant tumors in patients with hydranencephaly is extremely rare. We describe the first case of testicular cancer that developed in the undescended testes of a long‐term survivor of hydranencephaly.

Case presentation

A 32‐year‐old man with severe cerebral palsy due to hydranencephaly was referred to our department for the evaluation of a subcutaneous lump in the lower right abdomen. He was a long‐term survivor of hydranencephaly. After confirming the diagnosis of right testicular cancer originating in his undescended testes, surgical resection was performed. Pathological examination revealed a mixed‐type germ cell tumor.

Conclusion

The decision‐making process for treating malignant tumors, like testicular cancer, in adults with severe cerebral palsy can be challenging. Clinical ethics consultation could be helpful in avoiding treatment delays.
National survey of transplant pharmacist ambulatory care practices
Authors: Sweiss Helen , Anger Lyndsey Bowman , Kataria Ann Dao , Doligalski Christina , Iaria Aoife , Pierce Dana , Waldman Georgina , Lichvar Alicia B.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

There has been sustained growth in transplant pharmacist positions. However, the scope of pharmacist involvement, frequency of patient visits with a transplant pharmacist, and description of the transplant pharmacists' role in the ongoing management of transplant recipients have not been well described.

Objective

To determine the prevalence and role of transplant pharmacists in the management of transplant recipients in the ambulatory care setting.

Methods

A 53‐question online survey was developed with the primary outcome being the incidence of solid organ transplant (SOT) programs with ambulatory care pharmacy services. Secondary outcomes included describing the scope of ambulatory transplant pharmacist activities for posttransplant recipients. The survey was distributed via transplant listservs and remained open from April 25, 2023 to May 27, 2023.

Results

A total of 174 responses were included for analysis, with 47 (27%) being partial responses. The total number of pediatric adult and pediatric transplant centers in the United States was 248 with a total number of 748 active programs, giving an estimated response rate of 23.8%. Of those, 93.7% reported having ambulatory transplant pharmacy services. The median of ambulatory care full‐time employees was 1 (interquartile range [IQR] 1–2) across the responding institutions. Transplant pharmacists were also involved in outpatient infusions (69.2%), immunization screening and administration (82.5%), telehealth services (57.0%), prescription refill authorization (61.0%) electronic medical record in‐basket, or equivalent messaging tasks (91.1%).

Conclusion

The incidence of SOT pharmacist involvement in ambulatory care is overall high (93.7%). Analysis of this project allows for a better understanding of the landscape of SOT ambulatory care pharmacy services and can be used as an assessment for standard practice activities.
Optimization of Interleukin‐10 incorporation for dendritic cells embedded in Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels
Authors: Bulondo Fredrick , Babensee Julia E.
Published: April 2024

Translational research in biomaterials and immunoengineering is leading to the development of novel advanced therapeutics to treat diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and viral infections. Dendritic cells (DCs) are at the center of these therapeutics given that they bridge innate and adaptive immunity. The biomaterial system developed herein uses a hydrogel carrier to deliver immunomodulatory DCs for amelioration of autoimmunity. This biomaterial vehicle is comprised of a poly (ethylene glycol)‐4 arm maleimide (PEG‐4MAL) hydrogels, conjugated with the immunosuppressive cytokine, interleukin‐10, IL‐10, and cross‐linked with a collagenase‐degradable peptide sequence for the injectable delivery of immunosuppressive DCs to an anatomical disease‐relevant site of the cervical lymph nodes, for intended application to treat multiple sclerosis. The amount of IL‐10 incorporated in the hydrogel was optimized to be 500 ng in vitro, based on immunological endpoints. At this concentration, DCs exhibited the best viability, most immunosuppressive phenotype, and protection against proinflammatory insult as compared with hydrogel‐incorporated DCs with lower IL‐10 loading amounts. Additionally, the effect of the degradability of the PEG‐4MAL hydrogel on the release rate of incorporated IL‐10 was assessed by varying the ratio of degradable peptides: VPM (degradable) and DTT (nondegradable) and measuring the IL‐10 release rates. This IL‐10‐conjugated hydrogel delivery system for immunosuppressive DCs is set to be assessed for in vivo functionality as the immunosuppressive cytokine provides a tolerogenic environment that keeps DCs in their immature phenotype, which consequently enhances cell viability and optimizes the system's immunomodulatory functionality.
Impact of pemafibrate in patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease complicated by dyslipidemia: A single‐arm prospective study
Authors: Ono Hiroki , Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Arai Taeang , Suzuki Kenta , Higashi Tetsuyuki , Kitamura Michika , Shioda‐Koyano Kaori , Kawano Tadamichi , Yoshida Yuji , Okubo Tomomi , Hayama Korenobu , Itokawa Norio , Kondo Chisa , Nagao Mototsugu , Iwabu Masato , Iwakiri Katsuhiko
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim

This study aimed to clarify the efficacy and safety of 48‐week pemafibrate treatment in patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) complicated by dyslipidemia.

Methods

A total of 110 patients diagnosed with MASLD complicated by dyslipidemia received pemafibrate at a dose of 0.1 mg twice daily for 48 weeks.

Results

The participants were 54 males and 37 females, with a median age of 63 (52–71) years. Besides improvement in lipid profile, significant reductions from baseline to 48 weeks of treatment were found in liver‐related enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001 for all). A significant decrease in the homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was observed in patients with insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR ≥ 2.5) (4.34 at baseline to 3.89 at Week 48, P < 0.05). Moreover, changes in ALT were weakly correlated with those in HOMA‐IR (r = 0.34; p < 0.05). Regarding noninvasive liver fibrosis tests, platelets, Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2‐binding protein, type IV collagen 7s, and the non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score significantly decreased from baseline to Week 48. Most adverse events were Grades 1–2, and no drug‐related Grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that 48‐week pemafibrate administration improved liver‐related enzymes and surrogate marker of liver fibrosis in patients with MASLD. The improvement of insulin resistance by pemafibrate may contribute to the favorable effect on MASLD complicated by dyslipidemia.
脳死下臓器移植経験施設の施設特徴とその地域性の評価：多施設後ろ向き観察研究(Evaluation of institutional and regional characteristics of facilities with experience in organ transplantation under brain death: A multi–center, retrospective observational study)
Authors: 主基 出内
Published: April 2024

【目的】2021年に日本救急医学会の脳死・臓器組織移植に関する委員会により作成された脳死判定を目的とした転院搬送についての意識調査に関する委員会報告では，救命救急センターでも3分の1の施設が過去に臓器提供経験がないと判明した。本研究は臓器提供に至る施設の特徴や地域間格差の原因を探索することを目的とした。【対象】上記の意識調査（救命救急センター 295施設を対象，220施設より回答）を二次解析した。都道府県別腎臓提供数は過去臓器提供を行った全施設を対象とし日本臓器移植ネットワークの情報を用いた。【結果】救命救急センターにおける脳死下臓器移植の有無と，救命救急センター充実段階評価における「救急での人生の最終段階における医療の整備」が有意に関連していた（71.1% vs 53.8%, p=0.04）。また，人口10万あたり腎臓提供数が少ない地域では「救急での人生の最終段階における医療の整備」を行っている割合が少なかった（Q1+Q2+Q3 vs Q4; 85.6% vs 66.7%, p=0.01）。【結語】救命救急センターでの人生の最終段階における医療体制整備は地域・病院間で格差があり，臓器提供件数が少ない病院や都道府県で体制の整備が遅れている傾向が示された。人生の最終段階における医療体制整備を医療計画に基づいて支援することは臓器提供機会の適正化に寄与する可能性が示唆された。
Promoting effects of aluminum addition on chlorophyll biosynthesis and growth of two cultured iron‐limited marine diatoms
Authors: Zhou Linbin , Liu Fengjie , Achterberg Eric P. , Engel Anja , Campbell Peter G.C. , Fortin Claude , Huang Liangmin , Tan Yehui
Published: April 2024

Aluminum (Al) may play a role in the ocean's capacity for absorbing atmospheric CO2 via influencing carbon fixation, export, and sequestration. Aluminum fertilization, especially in iron (Fe)‐limited high‐nutrient, low‐chlorophyll ocean regions, has been proposed as a potential CO2 removal strategy to mitigate global warming. However, how Al addition would influence the solubility and bioavailability of Fe as well as the physiology of Fe‐limited phytoplankton has not yet been examined. Here, we show that Al addition (20 and 100 nM) had little influence on the Fe solubility in surface seawater and decreased the Fe bio‐uptake by 11–22% in Fe‐limited diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii in Fe‐buffered media. On the other hand, the Al addition significantly increased the rate of chlorophyll biosynthesis by 45–60% for Fe‐limited T. weissflogii and 81–102% for Fe‐limited Thalassiosira pseudonana, as well as their cell size, cellular chlorophyll content, photosynthetic quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and growth rate. Under Fe‐sufficient conditions, the Al addition still led to an increased growth rate, though the beneficial effects of Al addition on chlorophyll biosynthesis were no longer apparent. These results suggest that Al may facilitate chlorophyll biosynthesis and benefit the photosynthetic efficiency and growth of Fe‐limited diatoms. We speculate that Al addition may enhance intracellular Fe use efficiency for chlorophyll biosynthesis by facilitating the superoxide‐mediated intracellular reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II). Our study provides new evidence and support for the iron–aluminum hypothesis.
Social media marketing activities, customer engagement, and customer stickiness: A longitudinal investigation
Authors: So Kevin Kam Fung , Li Jing , King Ceridwyn , Hollebeek Linda D.
Published: April 2024

Although customer engagement has been deemed critical for optimizing social media marketing performance, prior research has mainly examined customer engagement through cross‐sectional designs, thus limiting insight into its evolving dynamics over time. To address this gap, we adopt uses‐and‐gratifications theory to explore the associations among customers' evaluations of a firm's social media marketing activities, customer engagement, and customer stickiness on a brand's social media page at three points in the post‐purchase stage of the consumption journey. Cross‐lagged autoregressive panel model analyses suggest that, first, customers' evaluations of firms' social media marketing activities, customer engagement, and customer stickiness fluctuate. Second, customer engagement has cross‐lagged longitudinal effects on stickiness over time; the same applies to the role of stickiness in customers' evaluations of the firm's social media marketing activities. However, no cross‐lagged effects arise from (a) firm‐based social media marketing activities to customer stickiness or (b) stickiness to engagement. These findings contribute to the customer engagement literature by describing the dynamics of such engagement and its interrelationships with other key constructs across time.
Exploring spatial and temporal resilience in socio‐ecological systems: Evidence from sacred forests in Epirus, Greece
Authors: Marini Govigli Valentino , Healey John R. , Wong Jennifer L. G. , Stara Kalliopi , Tsiakiris Rigas , Halley John M.
Published: April 2024

Socio‐ecological resilience is the capacity of a system to adapt to changing ecological and social disturbances. Its assessment is extremely important to integrate long‐term management of ecological and social features of natural ecosystems. This is especially true for Sacred Natural Sites, such as sacred forests and groves, where it can reveal the influence of social processes in ecosystem recovery or degradation.

Using tree ages determined through dendrochronology and tree population size‐class distributions collected in five sacred forests in Epirus (NW Greece), we explore spatial and temporal dynamics of resilience in a socio‐ecological system, identifying which cultural and social elements characterize resilience in space and time.

Our main results show that over past centuries sacred forests in Epirus underwent periods of varying tree establishment rate, depending on the intensity of human activities and historical disturbance events.

We also identified strong evidence of the role of the social component (i.e. the church and associated cultural praxis) in determining the spatial extent of the forests' current recovery phase, and thus the overall resilience of the system.

Policy implications. Appreciation of the ways sacred forests' ecological resilience is linked to changing socio‐cultural praxis over both temporal and spatial scales is crucial for guiding conservation and restoration strategies. We argue that greater attention should be paid to the role of the social component of socio‐ecological systems and specifically for sacred natural sites that provide both a nucleus of established forest habitat and the conditions necessary for forest recovery and restoration.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Follow‐up results regarding fixation of contralateral testis after testicular torsion in children
Authors: Yu Chengjun , Wei Yi , Shi Qinlin , Wen Sheng , Lin Tao , He Dawei , Wei Guanghui , Wu Shengde
Published: April 2024

The aim is to investigate the possible advantages and disadvantages of contralateral testicular fixation (CTF) for boys with testicular torsion (TT) by long‐term clinical follow‐up results. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on TT boys at Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2005 to December 2020. The baseline characteristics, intraoperative findings, and clinical follow‐up results were compared between TT patients underwent orchiopexy with or without CTF, and orchiectomy with or without CTF, respectively. The χ2 test and the Fisher’s Exact test were used to compare dichotomous outcomes, and the Mann‐Whitney U test was used to compare continuous outcomes without normal distribution. A total of 140 cases were included in this study. The bell clapper deformity was found in 30.4% of all torsed testes underwent orchiopexy, 16.4% during contralateral testicular exploration, and only 10.9% in bilateral sides. Contralateral testicular volume, adverse events, and paternity rates were comparable between patients underwent orchiopexy with or without CTF, and no subsequent contralateral TT observed during follow‐up. However, those patients underwent orchiectomy without CTF had more incidence of scrotal discomfort than those had orchiectomy with CTF (P = 0.027). In addition, one boy suffered subsequent contralateral TT after orchiectomy without CTF. The incidence of bell clapper deformity was lower in this research than that of literature reports. CTF would not induce testicular volume loss, atrophy or scrotal pain. Contralateral testicular discomfort and even subsequent TT could be more easily observed during follow‐up in patients without CTF. We still recommend routine surgical fixation of contralateral testicle during surgery.
The shape of things to come
Authors: Kliner Dahv , Kingsbury Alex
Published: April 2024

All‐fiber beam shaping is revolutionizing laser‐based manufacturing. This capability is a commercially accessible reality in cutting, welding, and additive manufacturing tools released by leading integrators worldwide. These advanced tools increase productivity and part quality and introduce entirely new production capabilities, driving the displacement of legacy lasers and non‐laser technologies in existing applications and spurring the development of new markets.
Laser sources: global market and trends
Authors: Robin Thierry , Cochard Jacques , Moratis Kimon
Published: April 2024

The laser industry experienced significant growth in 2021 and 2022, reaching a value of 19.3 billion US dollars in 2022 after two challenging years in 2019 and 2020. Despite the global effects of the war in Ukraine, the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, and the aftermath of the Covid‐19 pandemic, this industry showed remarkable resilience. The demand for laser sources in both industry and consumer products has significantly accelerated their sales. If this trend is not affected by any destabilizing factors, the global laser sources market is expected to reach a total value of 26.8 billion US dollars by 2027, with a growth rate of 6.8 %.
scRNA‐seq determines the characteristics of T cell marker genes to predict the prognosis of esophageal cancer
Authors: Meng Fang , Hu Jiaru , Qiang Jinhu , Shi Qifeng , Ji Jing , Li Zhenyu , Li Lu , Lv Lei , Zhang Shiqiang
Published: April 2024

Esophageal cancer (EC) mainly includes two histological subtypes, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is of high morbidity and mortality. With the continuous development of medical technology, the treatment of EC has been greatly improved, but its prognosis is still unfavorable. Recent single‐cell RNA‐sequencing (scRNA‐seq) is expected to bring breakthroughs in the treatment of EC. First, we identified T cell marker genes and generated signature by analyzing scRNA‐seq data from Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and TCGA database. Then, an immune prognostic model was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. We found that the survival rate of ESCC varied significantly among the low‐ and high‐risk groups. Two genes from T cell signature, DCPS and CYB5R3, were expressed in ESCC cells. Collectively, our study proposed a novel prognostic signature for ESCC patients based on T cell marker genes.
Dispersion evaluation of hydrogen sulfide inclusion in a cryogenic distillation pilot plant
Authors: Mohd Shukor Mohd Syazwan , Omar Rozita , Abdul Hamid Mohamad Rezi , Harun Mohd Razif , Said Mohamad Syazarudin Md
Published: April 2024

A risk analysis simulation was completed for a cryogenic distillation (Cryo‐D) pilot operation processing a natural gas feed stream containing H2S. This study placed significant H2S concentration inside the Cryo‐D and evaluated its dispersion after a simulated leak within the pilot plant. Sensitivity analysis using an in‐house process simulation identified the operating conditions that caused the highest surroundings H2S concentration. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) dispersion simulation assessed H2S leakage at the bottom column section and its effects on operators. A case with 60 bar column pressure, −30°C inlet temperature and 10% H2S input gas had the highest mass flow rate of 4.74 kg/h H2S through a leak. Leaked H2S covers 50% of the building within 60 s. Within 120 s, H2S accumulates toward the column bottom. At 120 s, most operators are exposed to above 1000 ppm H2S, which may cause fatalities instantly. Recommendations include enhancing the ventilation of the building by installing ventilation near the base of the cryogenic column in order to lessen the exposure concentration. In conclusion, H2S leakage from an indoor Cryo‐D pilot plant can cause catastrophic consequences due to its rapid dispersion and accumulation throughout the building.