bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐Duration Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Clinical Course and Pathological Underpinnings
Authors: Lukic Milica Jecmenica , Respondek Gesine , Kurz Carolin , Compta Yaroslau , Gelpi Ellen , Ferguson Leslie W. , Rajput Alex , Troakes Claire ,   the MDS‐endorsed PSP study group, van Swieten John C. , Giese Armin , Roeber Sigrun , Herms Jochen , Arzberger Thomas , Höglinger Günter
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To identify the clinical characteristics of the subgroup of benign progressive supranuclear palsy with particularly long disease duration; to define neuropathological determinants underlying variability in disease duration in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Methods

Clinical and pathological features were compared among 186 autopsy‐confirmed cases with progressive supranuclear palsy with ≥10 years and shorter survival times.

Results

The 45 cases (24.2%) had a disease duration of ≥10 years. The absence of ocular motor abnormalities within the first 3 years from disease onset was the only significant independent clinical predictor of longer survival. Histopathologically, the neurodegeneration parameters in each survival group were paralleled anatomically by the distribution of neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, whereas the tufted astrocytes displayed anatomically an opposite severity pattern. Most interestingly, we found significantly less coiled bodies in those who survive longer, in contrast to patients with less favorable course.

Interpretation

A considerable proportion of patients had a more ”benign” disease course with ≥10 years survival. They had a distinct pattern and evolution of core symptoms compared to patients with short survival. The inverted anatomical patterns of astrocytic tau distribution suggest distinct implications of these cell types in trans‐cellular propagation. The tempo of disease progression appeared to be determined mostly by oligodendroglial tau, where the high degree of oligodendroglial tau pathology might affect neuronal integrity and function on top of neuronal tau pathology. The relative contribution of glial tau should be further explored in cellular and animal models. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:637–649
Long‐Life Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries Enabled by Amidoxime‐Functionalized Ion‐Selective Polymer Membranes
Authors: Ye Chunchun , Tan Rui , Wang Anqi , Chen Jie , Comesaña Gándara Bibiana , Breakwell Charlotte , Alvarez‐Fernandez Alberto , Fan Zhiyu , Weng Jiaqi , Bezzu C. Grazia , Guldin Stefan , Brandon Nigel P. , Kucernak Anthony R. , Jelfs Kim E. , McKeown Neil B. , Song Qilei
Published: July 2022

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) based on aqueous organic electrolytes are a promising technology for safe and cost‐effective large‐scale electrical energy storage. Membrane separators are a key component in RFBs, allowing fast conduction of charge‐carrier ions but minimizing the cross‐over of redox‐active species. Here, we report the molecular engineering of amidoxime‐functionalized Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (AO‐PIMs) by tuning their polymer chain topology and pore architecture to optimize membrane ion transport functions. AO‐PIM membranes are integrated with three emerging aqueous organic flow battery chemistries, and the synergetic integration of ion‐selective membranes with molecular engineered organic molecules in neutral‐pH electrolytes leads to significantly enhanced cycling stability.
In Situ Periodic Regeneration of Catalyst during CO2 Electroreduction to C2+ Products
Authors: Xu Liang , Ma Xiaodong , Wu Limin , Tan Xingxing , Song Xinning , Zhu Qinggong , Chen Chunjun , Qian Qingli , Liu Zhimin , Sun Xiaofu , Liu Shoujie , Han Buxing
Published: July 2022

Developing electrocatalytic reactions with high‐efficiency can make important contributions to carbon neutrality. However, poor long‐term stability of catalysts is a bottleneck for its practical application. Herein, an “in situ periodic regeneration of catalyst (PR‐C)” strategy is proposed to give long‐term high efficiency of CO2 electroreduction to generate C2+ products over Cu catalyst by applying a positive potential pulse for a short time periodically in the halide‐containing electrolyte. The high Faradaic efficiency (81.2 %) and current density (22.6 mA cm−2) could be maintained completely at least 36 h, while the activity and selectivity decreased continuously without using the PR‐C method. Control experiments and operando characterization demonstrated that the surface structure and oxidation state of Cu could be recovered periodically by the PR‐C method, which was beneficial for CO2 activation and C−C coupling.
Superior flame retardancy, antidripping, and thermomechanical properties of polyamide nanocomposites with graphene‐based hybrid flame retardant
Authors: Malkappa Kuruma , Bandyopadhyay Jayita , Ojijo Vincent , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: July 2022

Graphene is considered one of the most prominent halogen‐free multifunctional flame retardants for polymers, and the resultant nanocomposites also display a good balance of properties. However, the biggest concern nowadays is thermal oxidative degradation, which mainly affects the flame retardant (FR) efficiency of graphene. To improve the flame retardancy and thermal oxidative degradation efficiency, graphene was functionalized with a combination of polycyclotriphosphazes and siloxanes via a sol–gel surface modification method, yielding a graphene‐based hybrid FR (PSGO) containing multiple elements (P, N, S, and Si). The PSGO‐containing PA6 composite exhibited significant improvements in the water resistance, thermal, mechanical, and FR properties, as compared with those of 3‐isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized graphene oxide (ITS‐GO) and siloxane‐modified polycyclotriphosphazenes (m‐PZS) individually. The peak heat release rate and total heat release values of the PA6 composites with 10 wt% PSGO decreased by 45.7% and 36.9%, respectively, compared to those of pristine PA6. Moreover, it was confirmed that 10 wt% PSGO in the PA6 composite resulting in a V–0 rating in the UL‐94 tests, even after the water immersion test. These attractive properties are attributed to the resistance to thermal‐oxidative degradation of PSGO and the improved interfacial interactions with the polymer matrix. Therefore, this PSGO can be used as a multifunctional modifier to improve the water resistance, thermal, mechanical, and FR properties of polymers.
Aminoalkoxy‐substituted coumarins: Synthesis and evaluation for reactivation of inhibited human acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Elsinghorst Paul W. , Wille Timo , Barić Danijela , Mertens Matthias D. , Baumann Madlen , Küppers Jim , Gütschow Michael
Published: July 2022

Reactivation of inhibited acetylcholinesterase remains an important therapeutic strategy for the treatment of poisoning by organophosphorus compounds, such as nerve agents or pesticides. Although drugs like obidoxime or pralidoxime have been used with considerable success, there is a need for new substances capable of reactivating acetylcholinesterase with a broader scope and increased efficacy. Possible screening candidates must fulfill two fundamental requirements: They must (i) show an affinity to acetylcholinesterase well balanced between sufficient binding and competitive inhibition and (ii) facilitate the nucleophilic cleavage of the phosphorylated catalytic serine residue. We attached a variety of nonaromatic primary and secondary amines to a coumarin core through selected alkoxy side linkers attached at coumarin positions 6 or 7 to obtain a small set of possible reactivators. Evaluation of their inhibition and reactivation potential in vitro showed some activity with respect to acetylcholinesterase inhibited by cyclosarin.
Subsets of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis Enriched for Contemporaneous Cancer Relative to the General Population
Authors: Mecoli Christopher A. , Igusa Tak , Chen Mengkun , Wang XingYao , Albayda Jemima , Paik Julie J. , Tiniakou Eleni , Adler Brittany , Richardson Carrie , Kelly Will , Danoff Sonye , Mammen Andrew L. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Rosen Antony , Christopher‐Stine Lisa , Casciola‐Rosen Livia , Shah Ami A.
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study investigates cancer risk in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) relative to the general population.

Methods

We conducted a single‐center, retrospective cohort study of IIM patients and malignancy. Myositis‐specific and ‐associated autoantibodies were determined by Euroimmun line blot, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoprecipitation. We calculated standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) and adjusted for calendar year, age, sex, race, and ethnicity by comparing observed cancers in IIM patients versus expected cancers in the general population using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry.

Results

Of 1,172 IIM patients, 203 (17%) patients with a cancer history were studied. Over a median follow‐up of 5.2 years, the observed number of IIM patients diagnosed with cancer was increased 1.43‐fold (SPR 1.43 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15–1.77]; P = 0.002). Within 3 years of IIM symptom onset, an increased SPR was observed for anti–transcription intermediary factor 1γ (anti‐TIF1γ)–positive patients for ovarian and breast cancer (ovarian SPR 18.39 [95% CI 5.01–47.08], P < 0.001; breast SPR 3.84 [95% CI 1.99–6.71], P < 0.001). As expected, anti‐TIF1γ positivity was associated with a significantly elevated SPR; however, only 55% (36 of 66) of all cancers within 3 years of dermatomyositis onset were observed in anti‐TIF1γ–positive patients. Other myositis‐specific autoantibodies, including anti–Mi‐2, anti–small ubiquitin‐like modifier activating enzyme (SAE), and anti‐nuclear matrix protein 2 (NXP‐2), accounted for 26% (17 of 66) of cancers diagnosed within 3 years of dermatomyositis onset. No cancer association, positive or negative, was observed for patients with antisynthetase, anti–melanoma differentiation–associated protein 5 (anti–MDA‐5), or anti–hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase (anti‐HMGCR) antibodies.

Conclusion

In a tertiary referral center population, anti‐TIF1γ was most strongly associated with breast and ovarian cancer. Patients with antisynthetase, anti–MDA‐5, or anti‐HMGCR antibodies had the same cancer risk as the general population.

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FE‐basierte Verifikation der Rissbreitenberechnung nach DAfStb‐Heft 466
Authors: Schlicke Dirk , Krenn Christina , Mayer Michael , Betschoga Christoph
Published: July 2022

Ein wesentliches Element der Erfolgsgeschichte des Stahlbetonbaus ist die Beherrschung der Rissbildung, sodass die Rissbreiten im Gebrauchszustand auf ein tolerierbares Maß begrenzt werden können. Mehr als 60 Jahre nach den ersten gezielten Forschungsarbeiten zur Rissbreitenentwicklung in Stahlbeton mit Rippenbewehrung besteht aber noch immer kein Konsens darüber, wie die Rissbreite rechnerisch prognostiziert werden sollte. Dieser Beitrag greift die mechanische Modellvorstellung aus DAfStb‐Heft 466 nach König/Tue zur Berechnung der maximalen Rissbreite [1] auf und vergleicht die Ergebnisse mit modernen numerischen Simulationsmethoden. Besonderes Augenmerk wird hierbei auf den Einfluss der Betondeckung auf die Oberflächenrissbreite und die Bedeutung einer rissbreitenabhängigen Verbundspannung in der Berechnung gelegt. Dabei zeigt sich, dass das mechanische Modell zur maximalen Rissbreite durch die numerische Simulation sehr gut bestätigt werden kann.
17 alpha‐hydroxylase deficiency: A case report of young Chinese woman with a rare gene mutation
Authors: Han Li Hui , Wang Liang , Wu Xiu Yun
Published: July 2022

We report a young adult woman with 17 alpha‐hydroxylase deficiency (17α‐OHD) in Shandong province of China. The patient carried compound heterozygous mutations in the CYP17A1 gene: c.985–987 delinsAA (p.Tyr329LysfsX90) and c.1486C > T (p.Arg496Cys). The patient's hypertension and hypokalemia were resolved after taking medications of glucocorticoid, aldactone, and calcium antagonists.
Hemoglobin I‐Toulouse: A rare hemoglobinopathy presenting with low oxygen saturations
Authors: Xu Ziheng , Masters Ian Brent , Barbaro Pasquale , Miller Stephen , Kapur Nitin
Published: July 2022

We report a child with persistently low oxygen saturations (SpO2 90%–92%) [normal SpO2 > 98%], with delayed diagnosis due to the co‐existing congenital pulmonary airway malformation with possible arterio‐venous malformation. The diagnosis was only achieved after low oxygen saturations incidentally discovered from the child's father. The eventual cause was Hemoglobin I‐Toulouse, making both patients the first reported cases with low oxygen saturations.
Tuberculosis arthritis of ankle: A case report
Authors: Sayad Babak , Babazadeh Arefeh , Shabani Sakineh , Hosseinzadeh Rezvan , Barary Mohammad , Ebrahimpour Soheil , Mohseni Afshar Zeinab
Published: July 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) primarily involves the respiratory tract, but any organ in the body can be affected. In recent years, extrapulmonary TB cases have significantly increased due to the prevalence of immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of unilateral ankle arthritis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
Surgical repair of acute on chronic seven‐year pectoralis major rupture near the distal myotendinous junction: A case report
Authors: Guzman Alvarho J. , Rayos Del Sol Shane M. , Dela Rueda Therese , Bryant Stewart A. , Jenkins Sarah , Gardner Brandon , McGahan Patrick J. , Chen James L.
Published: July 2022

The surgical fixation of an acute on chronic pectoralis major rupture with inciting injury 7 years prior has never been reported in the literature. Thus, we report the first case of an acute on chronic pectoralis major rupture repair in an active male patient who underwent successful surgical intervention and review the pathophysiology and treatment of pectoralis major tears.
Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis diagnosed using dynamic digital radiography during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Shibuya Yukimi , Hirano Koichi , Machida Haruhiko , Miyamoto Makoto , Watabe Kozue , Mitsuma Tomoya , Nakazato Yoko , Tachibana Keisei , Tanaka Ryota , Kondo Haruhiko
Published: July 2022

Dynamic digital radiography (DDR) is a motion‐detecting technique with high temporal resolution. Flexible laryngoscopy is a common modality for the observation of the larynx; however, it generates aerosol. DDR is an easy and less risky screening test for the diagnosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Occupational exposure to coal and risk of multiple health outcomes: A case report
Authors: Hakim Zina , Kotti Nada , Ben Younes Khaoula , Dhouib Feriel , Jmal Hammami Kaouthar , Masmoudi Mohamed Larbi , Turki Hamida , Hajjaji Mounira
Published: July 2022

Occupational cutaneous squamous‐cell carcinoma has an increased incidence, but rarely suspected. When located in an uncovered skin area, it is closely linked to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure. However, single pulmonary anthracosis nodule is rarely described in the literature. The association of both diseases due to the same exposure remains uncommon.
Multimodality imaging in the diagnostic approach to a patient with carcinoid heart disease involving four heart valves
Authors: Habibi Khorasani Shirin , Parsaee Mozhgan , Samiei Niloufar , Hesami Mahshid , Noohi Feridoun , Hosseini Saeid , Houshmand Golnaz
Published: July 2022

Carcinoid heart disease is a rare condition that occurs in less than half of patients with carcinoid syndrome. The disease mainly affects right‐sided heart valves; however, in 5%–10%, it can also involve left‐sided valves. This case illustrates the most complicated form of the disease involving four heart valves.
Co‐Assembly of Chiral Amines and a Four‐Armed Cyano‐Substituted Luminophore through Hydrogen Bonds for Potential Development of Smart Chiroptical Materials
Authors: Liu Yiping , Hao Aiyou , Xing Pengyao
Published: July 2022

Chirality transfer from chiral molecules to assemblies is of vital importance to the design of functional chiral materials. In this work, selective co‐assembly behaviors between chiral molecules and an achiral luminophore, potentially driven by the intermolecular salt‐bridge type hydrogen bonds are reported. Cyano‐substituted tetrakis(arylthio)benzene carboxylic acid (TA) served as the luminophore and hydrogen bond donors, which underwent co‐assembly with different chiral amines. It was found that structures of chiral amines affect the chirality transfer and the properties of co‐assemblies due to effects on hydrogen bonds and stacking pattern. Only in specific co‐assemblies, the chiroptical properties occurred at both ground state and excited states based on the emerged Cotton effects and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) signals, revealing that the chirality was successfully transferred from molecular level to supramolecular level. In addition, accurate quantitative examination of chiral amines was realized by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. This work demonstrates the characteristic chirality response and transfer through co‐assembly, providing a potential method to develop smart chiroptical materials.
The history of botulinum toxin and its relationship to the skin
Authors: Couvillion Megan , Allen Ashley W.
Published: July 2022

Botulinum toxin was first identified as the cause of muscle paralysis in cases of food poisoning in the 1800s. Further study of the toxin gained insight into its mechanism of action and potential for therapeutic use. “Oculinum,” now known as onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), was approved for clinical use in 1989 for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasm. The first published cosmetic use was in 1992 describing successful treatment of glabellar lines. OnabotulinumtoxinA became approved for treatment of rhytides in 2002, followed by abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin), and prabotulinumtoxinA‐xvfs (Jeuveau) in 2009, 2010, and 2019, respectively. Since the initial approval of onabotulinumtoxinA 20 years ago, neuromodulator injection has become the most popular nonsurgical aesthetic procedure in the world.
Mitochondrial phylogeny within the Yellow Chat (Epthianura crocea) does not support subspecific designation of endangered Alligator Rivers population
Authors: Leppitt Robin , Rose Alea , Houston Wayne A. , Kyne Peter M. , Banks Sam C. , Woinarski John C. Z. , Garnett Stephen T.
Published: July 2022

The delineation of subspecies is important in the evaluation and protection of biodiversity. Subspecies delineation is hampered by inconsistently applied criteria and a lack of agreement and shifting standards on how a subspecies should be defined. The Australian endemic Yellow Chat (Epthianura crocea) is split into three subspecies (E. c. crocea, E. c. tunneyi, and E. c. macgregori) based on minor plumage differences and geographical isolation. Both E. c. tunneyi (Endangered) and E. c. macgregori (Critically Endangered) are recognized under Australian legislation as threatened and are the subject of significant conservation effort. We used mitochondrial DNA to evaluate the phylogeny of the Yellow Chat and determine how much genetic variation is present in each of the three subspecies. We found no significant difference in the cytochrome b sequences (833 base pairs) of E. c. crocea and E. c. tunneyi, but approximately 0.70% or 5.83 bp difference between E. c macgregori and both E. c. crocea and E. c. tunneyi. This analysis supports the delineation of E. c. macgregori as a valid subspecies but does not support separation of E. c. crocea from E. c. tunneyi. We also found very low levels of genetic variation within the Yellow Chat, suggesting it may be vulnerable to environmental change. Our results cast doubt upon the geographic isolation of E. c. crocea from E. c. tunneyi, but more advanced genetic sequencing and a robust comparison of plumage are needed to fully resolve taxonomy.
Absence of stress‐promoted facilitation coupled with a competition decrease in the microbiome of ephemeral saline lakes
Authors: Menéndez‐Serra Mateu , Ontiveros Vicente J. , Barberán Albert , Casamayor Emilio O.
Published: July 2022

Salinity fluctuations constitute a well‐known high stress factor strongly shaping global biological distributions and abundances. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding how increasing saline stress affects microbial biological interactions. We applied the combination of a probabilistic method for estimating significant co‐occurrences/exclusions and a conceptual framework for filtering out associations potentially linked to environmental and/or spatial factors, in a series of connected ephemeral (hyper) saline lakes. We carried out a network analysis over the full aquatic microbiome—bacteria, eukarya, and archaea—under severe salinity fluctuations. Most of the observed co‐occurrences/exclusions were potentially explained by environmental niche and/or dispersal limitation. Co‐occurrences assigned to potential biological interactions remained stable, suggesting that the salt gradient was not promoting interspecific facilitation processes. Conversely, co‐exclusions assigned to potential biological interactions decreased along the gradient both in number and network complexity, pointing to a decrease of interspecies competition as salinity increased. Overall, higher saline stress reduced microbial co‐exclusions while co‐occurrences remained stable suggesting decreasing competition coupled with lack of stress‐gradient promoted facilitation in the microbiome of ephemeral saline lakes.
Application of Double Deposition and Stripping Steps System for Minimization of Interferences of Peaks’ Overlapping in Anodic Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: Gęca Iwona
Published: July 2022

An anodic stripping voltammetric procedure for the determination of bismuth in the presence of excess of Cu2+ ions at two ex situ plated gold film electrodes was described. The procedure is based on utilization of two deposition and two stripping steps system. The presented procedure ensures increasing the sensitivity of Bi3+ determination and minimization of interferences related to peaks’ overlapping. The calibration graph for bismuth determination was linear from 2.5×10−9 to 2×10−8 mol L−1 for deposition time of 300 s at both working electrodes while detection limit was 7.7×10−10 mol L−1.
Influence of processing conditions on the aroma profile of Litopenaeus vannamei by SPME‐GC‐MS
Authors: Duppeti Haritha , Kempaiah Bettadaiah Bheemanakere , Manjabhatta Sachindra Nakkarike
Published: July 2022

This study reports the aroma profile of Litopenaeus vannamei under different processing conditions such as raw, boiled, hot air dried, microwave dried and roasted using SPME‐GC‐MS. A total of 86 volatile compounds were identified, among which 38 compounds reported as aroma‐active compounds (AAC) having the odour activity value (OAV) greater than one. The microwave‐dried shrimp meat (MSM) exhibited the highest summation of odour activity value, and roasted shrimp meat (RSM) showed the highest concentration of aroma‐active compounds (3448.78 μg/g). The partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis and cluster analysis (CA) showed that MSM and RSM are related to each other in their aroma characteristics while boiled shrimp meat (BSM) is different than these samples. The results of this study illustrate the typical volatile markers and the impact of processing methods on flavour generation in L. vannamei, which should be examined for the assessment of its freshness and product development based on shrimp flavour.
Trades or quotes: Which drives price discovery? Evidence from Chinese index futures markets
Authors: Jin Liwei , Yuan Xianghui , Wang Shihao , Li Peiran , Lian Feng
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we analyze the role that trades and quotes play in price discovery. Based on tick‐level data for CSI 300 stock index futures, we find that the contribution of quotes to price discovery does not differ from trades at low resolutions, but dominates at high resolutions. This difference is influenced by spreads and volume. Further analysis reveals that the intraday price contribution of quotes and trades is trending downward, up to 31% in the first half‐hour. The adverse selection and liquidity supply cost components of spreads significantly contribute to and dampen the difference in intraday contribution, respectively.
Provenance of the Late Cretaceous Pab Formation, Sulaiman fold‐thrust belt, Pakistan: Insight from the detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and sandstone petrography
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Tabassum Kamran , Ding Lin , Tanoli Javed Iqbal , Awais Muhammad , Baral Upendra
Published: July 2022

This study provides an insight to the provenance of the Late Cretaceous Pab Formation exposed in the Sulaiman fold‐thrust belt, Pakistan. The methodology adopted consisted of sandstone petrography and U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology. The sandstone petrography indicates craton interior and recycled orogenic provenances that points to an Indian provenance. The observed basaltic lithics were possibly derived from Rajmahal traps instead of Deccan traps, supported by younger detrital age. The detrital zircon ages exhibit a resemblance to the central and southern Indian provenances, while some detritus also matches the age spectrum of Tethyan Himalayas (~400–800 Ma). Combining sandstone petrography and U–Pb geochronology results, it is suggested that in the Late Cretaceous time, the sediments were mainly fed by the southern and central sources of the Indian Craton. This provenace is possible, as during the Cretaceous time, thermal doming of Indian Plate in the southern part occurred when it was passing over a mantle hotspot. This movement over the hotspot uplifted the southeastern region and increased sediment supply from southern and central Indian provenances and deposited along the western margin as the Pab Formation.
Curative high‐dose reirradiation for patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using IMRT or proton therapy: Outcomes and analysis of patterns of failure
Authors: Beddok Arnaud , Saint‐Martin Caroline , Krhili Samar , Eddine Catherine Ala , Champion Laurence , Chilles Anne , Goudjil Farid , Zefkili Sofia , Amessis Malika , Peurien Dominique , Choussy Olivier , le Tourneau Christophe , Dendale Remi , Buvat Irene , Créhange Gilles , Calugaru Valentin
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To analyze outcomes of patients treated with curative reirradiation (reRT), with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or proton therapy (PT) for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials

Among the 55 patients reirradiated for head and neck cancer from 30/08/2012 to 08/04/2019, 23 had HNSCC and received IMRT (52.2%) or PT (47.8%) at a median maximum dose to the CTV of 66 Gy.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 41.3 months, 18 patients developed a locoregional recurrence (LR), of which eight (44.4%) occurred within the previously reirradiated volume. Two‐year locoregional failure‐free survival and overall survival were 18.3%[95%CI:7.1%–47.1%] and 42.5%[95%CI:26.2%–69.1%], respectively. Disease‐free survival was significantly longer in the PT group (p = 0.031). Main late grade ≥2 toxicities were dysphagia and trismus.

Conclusion

Curative reRT in HNSCC is possible for selected cases, but the LR rate in the irradiated field and the risk of toxicity grade ≥2 remain high.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of abnormalities in hematological and biochemical markers among Bangladeshi COVID‐19 cases
Authors: Bhowmik Khokon Kanti , Barek Md. Abdul , Aziz Md. Abdul , Islam Mohammad Safiqul
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims

Abnormalities in hematological and biochemical markers are assumed to be associated with the progression of COVID‐19 disease. This meta‐analysis was performed to assess the consequences of abnormalities of biomarkers (D‐dimers, C‐reactive protein [CRP], serum ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], random blood sugar [RBS], absolute neutrophil count [ANC], neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), serum creatinine, and hemoglobin) in the Bangladeshi COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

The data of biomarker levels in Bangladeshi COVID‐19 patients were gathered from five databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Bangladesh Journals Online between January 2020 to March 2022. Review Manager 5.4 was used for the meta‐analysis, and Egger's test and Begg‐Mazumdar's rank correlation were used to investigate publication bias.

Results

This study included 1542 patients with 567 severe and 975 nonsevere statuses. Based on the accumulated data synthesis, there is a strong correlation between disease severity and different biomarkers, including D‐dimer, CRP, ferritin, LDH, RBS, NLR, and serum creatinine (MD = 1.16, p = 0.0004; MD = 22.97, p = 0.003; MD = 419.26, p < 0.00001; MD = 118.37, p = 0.004; MD = 1.96, p = 0.02; MD = 1.26, p = 0.02; and MD = 0.31, p = 0.008, respectively). A significantly decreased correlation was observed for hemoglobin levels in severe COVID‐19 patients (MD = −0.73, p = 0.10).

Conclusion

The elevated biomarkers level was noticed in severe cases compared to nonsevere patients, revealing that D‐dimer, CRP, ferritin, LDH, RBS, NLR, and serum creatinine are significantly correlated to COVID‐19 severity. Only lower hemoglobin level was found to be associated with COVID‐19 severity.
Serological findings following the second and third SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Bárczi Enikő , Varga Viktória , Nagy Alexandra , Eszes Noémi , Jáky‐Kováts Zsuzsanna , Müller Veronika , Bohács Anikó
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Lung transplant recipients (LuTX) represent a vulnerable population for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Even though many vaccines are already developed, more clinical data need to support effective immunological response in immunocompromised patients.

Methods

Stable LuTX recipients with no medical history of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) were enrolled. Currently available messenger RNA (mRNA) (BNT162b2‐mRNA, mRNA‐1273) and non‐mRNA (ChAdOx1, BBIBP‐CorV) vaccines were given according to availability, boosters were all mRNA‐based. SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer was evaluated before and 2 weeks after second and third dose. Difference between mRNA versus non‐mRNA vaccines was assessed.

RESULTS

Forty‐one patients (49% men, age 48.4 ± 13.8 years) received two doses of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines: 23 of mRNA, 18 of non‐mRNA, and 24/41 (58%) received a third dose. Median 92 months passed since transplantation, and serum level of tacrolimus was median 5.5 ng/ml. Positive serology was found in 37% of all patients after the second dose, 86% had mRNA vaccine. After the third dose, 29% became positive who had no antibody before. Significantly higher level of antibody was found after the second mRNA than non‐mRNA vaccines (2.2 vs. 1568.8 U/ml, respectively, p = .002). 6/23 (26%) patients received two doses of mRNA vaccine developed COVID‐19 after the second injection in an average of 178 days, half of them recovered, half of them died in intensive care unit (ICU). 3/6 (50%) patients with two doses mRNA and recovered from COVID‐19 had significantly higher level of antibody (average 20847.3 U/ml) than without infection. After the booster vaccine, 1/24 (4%) developed infection.

Conclusion

Immunosuppression therapy may induce a weaker SARS‐CoV‐2 response in LuTX recipients; therefore, third dose is a priority in transplanted patients. The highest antibody level was measured recovering from COVID after two doses. Our data confirm that booster mRNA vaccine could increase antibody levels, even if immunization was started with non‐mRNA vaccine.
Enhancing level set brain tumor segmentation using fuzzy shape prior information and deep learning
Authors: Khosravanian Asieh , Rahmanimanesh Mohammad , Keshavarzi Parviz , Mozaffari Saeed
Published: July 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain tumor segmentation is a crucial task for clinical treatment. However, it is challenging owing to variations in type, size, and location of tumors. In addition, anatomical variation in individuals, intensity non‐uniformity, and noises adversely affect brain tumor segmentation. To address these challenges, an automatic region‐based brain tumor segmentation approach is presented in this paper which combines fuzzy shape prior term and deep learning. We define a new energy function in which an Adaptively Regularized Kernel‐Based Fuzzy C‐Means (ARKFCM) Clustering algorithm is utilized for inferring the shape of the tumor to be embedded into the level set method. In this way, some shortcomings of traditional level set methods such as contour leakage and shrinkage have been eliminated. Moreover, a fully automated method is achieved by using U‐Net to obtain the initial contour, reducing sensitivity to initial contour selection. The proposed method is validated on the BraTS 2017 benchmark dataset for brain tumor segmentation. Average values of Dice, Jaccard, Sensitivity and specificity are 0.93 ± 0.03, 0.86 ± 0.06, 0.95 ± 0.04, and 0.99 ± 0.003, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method outperforms the other state‐of‐the‐art methods in brain tumor segmentation.
Exploring the effects of family control on dividend policy—Evidence from Canada
Authors: Leung Raymond
Published: July 2022

This study examines if publicly listed family‐controlled corporations (hereafter called FCCs) have more differential effects on cash dividend policy (in both willingness to pay and amounts paid) than non‐FCCs. While the literature provides mixed conclusions, this study focuses on the theoretical underpinning that FCCs’ unique behavior model with objective to preserve their socio‐emotional wealth (SEW) tend to protect their highly undiversified invested capital, operate conservatively and conserve corporate wealth for future generations. As a result, FCCs, especially those with large size and large accumulated profits, would pursue type II expropriative agency motive by lowering cash dividend payout. Nevertheless, when FCCs operate for long years, their transgenerational sustainability intentions and reputational concerns stemmed from the SEW will induce FCCs to endeavor non‐financial goals. This study further finds evidence that FCCs with longer years, and accumulated large retained earnings and size are willing to align with minority shareholders’ interests by being more willing to pay more cash dividends. However, comparing to their non‐FCC counterparts, the heterogeneous variable of FCCs age interacts with retained earnings and size to cause larger positive effects in willingness to pay more cash dividends; and cash dividend payouts.
Pediatric Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Prognostic Factors for Survival
Authors: Patel Vijay A. , LePhong Christopher D. , Osterbauer Beth , Gomez Gabriel , Don Debra M. , Ference Elisabeth H. , Hochstim Christian J. , Koempel Jeffery A.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Pediatric invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFS) is a devastating infection that manifests almost exclusively in immunocompromised children. The goal of this work was to determine which clinical features carry prognostic value for survival.

Methods

A retrospective review of children with a histopathological diagnosis of IFS was performed at an academic tertiary care institution from 1990 to 2021. Clinical variables were collected to generate survival and life‐table estimators at 6‐months and 1‐year.

Results

Eighteen patients were included in this analysis, with a mean age of 9.8 years (range, 1–17 years). Most children were neutropenic (n = 15, 83.3%), with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 10, 55.6%) representing the most common primary diagnosis. A mean of 3.2 operations (range 1–7 operations) was performed per patient for either mucormycosis (n = 10, 55.6%) or aspergillosis (n = 8, 44.4%). The mean time to absolute neutrophil count recovery was 65.8 days (range 20–137 days), with a 6‐month and 1‐year survival rate of 47.6% and 41.7%, respectively. Gross total resection (p = 0.006, p < 0.001), number of antifungals (p = 0.0004, p = 0.0003), and total operation number (p = 0.0032, p = 0.0035), served as positive prognostic factors for 6‐month and 1‐year survival. Conversely, altered mental status (p = 0.0026), cerebral involvement (p = 0.0010), cranial neuropathies (p < 0.0001), hyperglycemia (p = 0.0445, p = 0.0208), and intensive care unit status (p = 0.0013) served as negative prognostic factors for 6‐month and 1‐year survival.

Conclusion

Several key elements were identified and found to play a vital role in influencing survival for pediatric IFS. Early diagnosis, prompt medical therapy, and aggressive surgical intervention remain at the forefront in the treatment of this complex opportunistic infection.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:1239–1250, 2023
Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease/Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease exception policy and outcomes in pediatric patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome requiring liver transplantation
Authors: Raza Muhammad H. , Kwon Yong , Kobierski Pierre , Misra Asish C. , Lim Angelina , Goldbeck Cameron , Etesami Kambiz , Kohli Rohit , Emamaullee Juliet
Published: July 2022

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is associated with increased waitlist mortality in liver transplantation (LT) candidates. Children with HPS are granted Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD)/Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease (PELD) exception points for waitlist prioritization in the United States based on criterion developed for adults. In this study, the impact of this MELD/PELD exception policy on post‐LT survival in children was examined. A retrospective cohort of patients aged younger than 18 years with a MELD/PELD exception request who underwent LT between 2007 and 2018 were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Patients were stratified by waitlist partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) to assess risk factors for waitlist mortality and post‐LT survival. Among 3082 pediatric LT recipients included in the study, 124 patients (4%) received MELD/PELD exception points for HPS. Patients with HPS were a median age of 9 years (interquartile range: 6, 12 years), 54.8% were girls, and 54% were White. Most patients (87.9%) were listed with laboratory MELD/PELD scores <15. Waitlist mortality for patients with HPS exception points was rare and not different from patients without HPS. When stratified by pre‐LT PaO2, hypoxemia severity was not associated with differences in 1‐, 3‐, or 5‐year survival rates after LT (p = 0.13). However, patients with HPS showed a slightly lower survival rate at 5 years compared with patients without HPS (88.7% vs. 93.4%; p = 0.04). MELD/PELD exceptions for children with HPS mitigated waitlist mortality, and recipients with HPS experienced excellent 5‐year survival after LT, although slightly lower than in patients without HPS. Unlike adults with HPS, the severity of pre‐LT hypoxemia in children does not impact post‐LT survival. These data suggest that adult criteria for granting MELD/PELD exception points may not appropriately capture HPS severity in pediatric patients. Further prospective multicenter studies to examine the risk factors predicting negative survival outcomes in children with HPS are warranted.
Development of a Self‐Adhesive Oleogel Formulation Designed for the Slow Release of Semiochemicals
Authors: Muskat Linda C. , Jiang Lin , Brikmann Johannes , Rostás Michael , Patel Anant V.
Published: July 2022

Oleogels have been widely studied as delivery matrices for lipophilic compounds. Despite their potential, oleogels are underexplored for the formulation and release of semiochemicals for insect behavior manipulation strategies. An ethylcellulose‐candelilla wax‐oleogel as a suitable carrier for the slow release of volatile semiochemicals, employing the sesquiterpene β‐caryophyllene as a model substance is presented. A current drawback of ethylcellulose oleogels is the high temperature needed during the oleogel preparation procedure, leading to excessive volatilization of the active compounds. Reducing the gelling temperature from 104.8 to 66.9 °C and, thus, the volatile addition temperature by addition of the softener octyldodecanol results in 95.28% entrapment efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate release modifiability by tailoring the matrix crystalline state due to candelilla wax addition. Furthermore, a method is established for analyzing the self‐adhesive properties of the gel on plant leaves. In addition, the gel's self‐adhesive properties employed on apple leaves are synergistically affected by oil leakage and gel stiffness. Olfactometer experiments showed that the formulation is able to enhance the attractiveness of aphid‐infested plants for parasitic wasps. The present study provides a novel matrix‐type semiochemical formulation based on non‐toxic, biobased and biodegradable materials and will contribute to the establishment of oleogels as delivery systems for semiochemicals.
Outbreak control management: Lessons from SARS‐CoV‐2 infections in 2020–2022 in Hong Kong, an international municipality with high‐frequency travelers
Authors: Feng Yaxiu , Young Ching Han , Lau Siu Hin , He Ming‐Liang
Published: July 2022

The control management of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections is one of the most challenges in the 21st century. By May 8th, 2022, SARS‐CoV‐2 has infected over 510 million people with 6.2 million death worldwide and over 1.2 million people with 9133 deaths in the fifth wave of infection in Hong Kong. The government responded rapidly in the early days of the 2020 outbreak, and the results were encouraging to control COVID‐19 outbreak unavailable of vaccine. The quick responses to the epidemic alerts, for example, public education and control policies, kept residents safe from infection in the city with such a high population density and large‐scale travelers. Nevertheless, the extremely high infectivity, Omicron variant infections, and the shortcomings of transmission control measures led to uncontrollable outbreak in 2022. The weak immunity groups, elderly and children, experienced a high hospitalization rate and mortality rate because of low vaccination rate. Currently, the infection is under well controlled. This study timely summarizes the challenges, policy, and lessons of SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak control from 2020 to 2022. More importantly, the lesson and policy revealed from this study may be beneficial and applied to other cities with the outbreak of highly infectious SARS‐CoV‐2.
Mutation spectrum in a cohort with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Qu Ning , Li Wei , Han Dong‐Ming , Gao Jia‐Yu , Yang Zheng‐Tao , Jiang Li , Liu Tian‐Bin , Chen Yan‐Xian , Jiang Xiao‐Sen , Zhou Liang , Wu Ji‐Hong , Huang Xin
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To expand the mutation spectrum of patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) disease.

Participants

74 probands (53 families and 21 sporadic probands) with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) disease and their available family members (n = 188) were recruited for sequencing.

Methods

Panel‐based targeted screening was performed on all subjects. Before sanger sequencing, variants of LRP5, NDP, FZD4, TSPAN12, ZNF408, KIF11, RCBTB1, JAG1, and CTNNA1 genes were verified by a series of bioinformatics tools and genotype–phenotype co‐segregation analysis.

Results

40.54% (30/74) of the probands were sighted to possess at least one etiological mutation of the nine FEVR‐causative genes. The etiological mutation detection rate was 37.74% (20/53) in family‐attainable probands while 47.62% (10/21) in sporadic cases. The diagnosis rate of patients in the early‐onset subgroup (≤5 years old, 45.4%) is higher than that of the children or adolescence‐onset subgroup (6–16 years old, 42.1%) and the late‐onset subgroup (≥17 years old, 39.4%). A total of 36 etiological mutations were identified in this study, comprising 26 novel mutations and 10 reported mutations. LRP5 was the most prevalent mutant gene among the 36 mutation types with a percentage of 41.67% (15/36). Followed by FZD4 (10/36, 27.78%), TSPAN12 (5/36, 13.89%), NDP (4/36, 11.11%), KIF11 (1/36, 2.78%), and RCBTB1 (1/36, 2.78%). Among these mutations, 63.89% (23/36) were missense mutations, 25.00% (9/36) were frameshift mutations, 5.56% (2/36) were splicing mutations, 5.56% (2/36) were nonsense mutations. Moreover, the clinical pathogenicity of these variants was defined according to American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and genomics guidelines: 41.67% (15/36) were likely pathogenic variants, 27.78% (10/36) pathogenic variants, 30.55% (11/36) variants of uncertain significance. No etiological mutations discovered in the ZNF408, JAG1, and CTNNA1 genes in this FEVR cohort.

Conclusions

We systematically screened nine FEVR disease‐associated genes in a cohort of 74 Chinese probands with FEVR disease. With a detection rate of 40.54%, 36 etiological mutations of six genes were authenticated in 30 probands, including 26 novel mutations and 10 reported mutations. The most prevalent mutated gene is LRP5, followed by FZD4, TSPAN12, NDP, KIF11, and RCBTB1. In total, a de novo mutation was confirmed. Our study significantly clarified the mutation spectrum of variants bounded up to FEVR disease.
The profunda artery perforator flap for upper limb reconstruction: A case report and literature review on the flap applications in reconstruction
Authors: Boriani Filippo , Sassu Paolo , Atzeni Matteo , Buckley Christina , Figus Andrea
Published: July 2022

The profunda femoris artery perforator (PAP) flap has been recently popularized as an alternative option for microsurgical reconstruction. The use of PAP flap has never been reported and described for reconstruction of the upper extremities, in particular the forearm. The purpose of this case report is to describe a case suggesting the PAP flap as a further reconstructive option in the upper limb. A 16‐year‐old girl who sustained a traumatic injury to her right dominant forearm resulting in subtotal circumferential tissue loss following a road traffic accident was referred to the authors' department 2 years post‐trauma. The disabling fibrotic sequelae on her volar forearm (15 × 10 cm) resulted in a nonfunctional hand. She was unable to perform any active movement of her wrist or digits. Passive movements in the finger joints were preserved. Following debridement and reconstruction of nerves and tendons, soft tissues were resurfaced with a PAP flap. The transverse skin paddle, 12 × 7 cm, was placed distally with the adipofascial portion positioned proximally above the muscle bellies and anastomoses site. A small raw area (4 × 3 cm) was covered with an acellular dermal matrix (ADM). The postoperative course was uneventful. At 9 months postoperatively, the patient demonstrated active flexion and extension of the fingers with independent function. The patient reported satisfaction with the flap donor site and forearm resurfacing. The PAP flap can be a further option for areas requiring soft tissue coverage in patients refusing visible scars. This flap had both the advantage of reducing the morbidity and visibility of the donor site, as well as the ability to resurface a large recipient site with soft and pliable tissue, covering exposed nerves and tendons.