bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successes and limitations of quantitative diet metabarcoding in a small, herbivorous mammal
Authors: Stapleton Tess E. , Weinstein Sara B. , Greenhalgh Robert , Dearing M. Denise
Published: May 2022

DNA metabarcoding is widely used to determine wild animal diets, but whether this technique provides accurate, quantitative measurements is still under debate. To test our ability to accurately estimate the abundance of dietary items using metabarcoding, we fed wild‐caught desert woodrats (Neotoma lepida) diets consisting of constant amounts of juniper (Juniperus osteosperma, 15%) and varying amounts of creosote (Larrea tridentata, 1%–60%), cactus (Opuntia sp., 0%–100%) and commercial chow (0%–85%). Using metabarcoding, we compared the representation of items in the original diet samples to that in the faecal samples to test the sensitivity and accuracy of diet metabarcoding, the performance of different bioinformatic pipelines and our ability to correct sequence counts. Metabarcoding, using standard trnL primers, detected creosote, juniper and chow. Different pipelines for assigning taxonomy performed similarly. While creosote was detectable at dietary proportions as low as 1%, we failed to detect cactus in most samples, probably due to a primer mismatch. Creosote read counts increased as its proportion in the diet increased, and we could differentiate when creosote was a minor and major component of the diet. However, we found that estimates of juniper and creosote varied. Using previously suggested methods to correct these errors did not improve accuracy estimates of creosote, but did reduce error for juniper and chow. Our results indicate that metabarcoding can provide quantitative information on dietary composition, but may be limited. We suggest that researchers use caution when quantitatively interpreting diet metabarcoding results unless they first experimentally determine the extent of possible biases.
Prevalence and management of pain in lung cancer patients in northern China: A multicenter cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhang Bo , Li Xingya , Ma Zhiyong , Zhang Shucai , Song Xia , Gao Hongjun , Gong Liqun , Hu Yi , Wang Mengzhao , Jiang Da , Zhang Cuiying , Yuan Xuedong , Cao Baoshan , Zhang Peng , Nie Ligong , Zhang Yuhui , Chen Xiaoyan , Han Lei , Wei Wenqiang , Shi Yuankai
Published: May 2022

Background

Pain is a fearful yet common symptom among lung cancer patients. This multicenter, cross‐sectional study was conducted to examine the current status of pain prevalence and management in lung cancer patients in northern China.

Methods

A total of 18 hospitals across northern China were selected. Patients with primary lung cancer who visited the outpatient clinic or were admitted in the wards on a preplanned day were invited to complete a questionnaire. Meanwhile, physicians who had experience of treating primary lung cancer patients were also surveyed.

Results

A total of 533 patients and 197 physicians provided valid responses to the survey, of which 45.4% (242/533) of patients reported pain during the course of disease and 24.2% (129/533) of patients had experienced pain within the past 24 h. The mean average pain intensity by the brief pain inventory was 3.47 ± 1.55. The binary logistic regression analysis showed female gender and stage IV disease were significantly associated with the presence of pain. A total of 74.4% (96/129) of patients reporting pain within 24 h were taking analgesics. The most common reason for patients not using analgesics was that the pain was tolerable (48.2%), while the most common barriers to prescribing opioids as reported by physicians were fear of adverse reactions (43.7%) and fear of addiction (43.1%).

Conclusion

Despite recognition of the importance of pain control by most physicians and an improvement in cancer pain management, inadequate treatment of cancer pain still exists in lung cancer patients in northern China. High‐quality pain education for both patients and physicians is needed in the future.
Phenological description and thermal time requirement of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) in tropical conditions
Authors: Kishore Kundan , Kanupriya Chaturvedi , Samant Deepa , Acharya Gobinda Chandra , Singh Hari Shankar , Sahu Ankita
Published: May 2022

Tamarind is one of the highly valued fruit trees of the tropical world. Considering the potential of the crop, a precise standardised description of its growth stages and thermal time requirement were studied to ensure efficient agronomic practices. Phenological growth stages of tamarind are defined according to the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale using a three‐digit numerical system. The phenology of tamarind is characterised by eight principal growth stages: bud growth, leaf growth, shoot growth, inflorescence growth, flower development, fruit growth, fruit maturation and dormancy. Principal growth stages of tamarind are defined and described through 39 secondary growth stages. For each phenological stage, duration and thermal time were also ascertained. It is evident that thermal time for fruit growth and maturation of tamarind is substantially high, whereas inflorescence and leaf require less thermal time to complete their growth. The study could be of great help to tamarind growers and scientists for implementation of efficient agronomic management protocols as well as for assessing the response of critical phenological growth stages to temperature.
Agents intervening against delirium in the intensive care unit trial—Protocol for a secondary Bayesian analysis
Authors: Andersen‐Ranberg Nina , Poulsen Lone M. , Perner Anders , Hästbacka Johanna , Morgan Matthew P. G. , Citerio Giuseppe , Oxenbøll‐Collet Marie , Weber Sven‐Olaf , Andreasen Anne Sofie , Bestle Morten H. , Uslu Bülent , Pedersen Helle B. S. , Nielsen Louise G. , Damgaard Kjeld , Jensen Troels B. , Sommer Trine , Dey Nilanjan , Mathiesen Ole , Granholm Anders
Published: May 2022

Background

Delirium is highly prevalent in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The antipsychotic haloperidol is the most frequently used agent to treat delirium although this is not supported by solid evidence. The agents intervening against delirium in the intensive care unit (AID‐ICU) trial investigates the effects of haloperidol versus placebo for the treatment of delirium in adult ICU patients.

Methods

This protocol describes the secondary, pre‐planned Bayesian analyses of the primary and secondary outcomes up to day 90 of the AID‐ICU trial. We will use Bayesian linear regression models for all count outcomes and Bayesian logistic regression models for all dichotomous outcomes. We will adjust for stratification variables (site and delirium subtype) and use weakly informative priors supplemented with sensitivity analyses using sceptical priors. We will present results as absolute differences (mean differences and risk differences) and relative differences (ratios of means and relative risks). Posteriors will be summarised using median values as point estimates and percentile‐based 95% credibility intervals. Probabilities of any benefit/harm, clinically important benefit/harm and clinically unimportant differences will be presented for all outcomes.

Discussion

The results of this secondary, pre‐planned Bayesian analysis will complement the primary frequentist analysis of the AID‐ICU trial and facilitate a nuanced and probabilistic interpretation of the trial results.
Invasion of an exotic annual forb affects grass‐feeding termites in a semi‐arid woodland
Authors: Val James , Eldridge David J.
Published: May 2022

Invasive plants are known to have dramatic and generally negative effects on ecosystems. The rapid spread and naturalization ofCarrichtera annua(wards weed) across large areas of southern Australia has been widely reported, but its effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functions are poorly known. We examined the effects ofCarrichteraon grass‐feeding termitesDrepanotermesspp. and hypothesized that increasing cover ofCarrichterawould reduce termite abundance, which we assessed using the density of their above‐ground pavements as a proxy for density. Our study was conducted at two spatial scales to explore (i) potential effects ofCarrichterainvasion under variable intensities of grazing and (ii) differences between invaded and uninvaded sites at a long‐ungrazed conservation reserve. Increasing cover ofCarrichterawas associated with a greater density of pavements, both under grazed conditions and within the conservation reserve. However, increasing grazing intensity tended to be associated with reduced pavement density and size, through indirect reductions in plant biomass. Greater cover ofCarrichterawas associated with declines in the cover of native plants and biocrusts, but not native plant richness. Pavement size tended to decline with increasing pavement density. Under conservation,Carrichterasites supported more pavements, but densities declined markedly in drought years. The lower resilience to droughts and the fact that pavements inCarrichtera‐invaded sites tended to be less cemented and contain more ants, suggest that invasion byCarrichteramay have long‐term functional implications for processes mediated by termites. Increasingly, drier climates in southern Australia may exacerbate reductions in ecosystem functions given the pivotal role played by termites in dryland food webs and ecosystem functions.
I am an ordinary citizen: Human rights discourse and the limits of human rights law
Authors: Madson Nathan H.
Published: May 2022

Hong Kong LGBT activists contend with an on‐the‐ground discourse of human rights that constrains their ability to use human rights law as they pursue legal gender recognition that allows trans people to legally change their gender. Mainstream Hongkongers lay claim to an “ordinary” identity in which human rights is central to being a Hongkonger. This use of human rights discourse is not based on human rights law but is used to define “ordinary Hongkongers” in opposition to mainland Chinese people. Thus, some LGBT activists employ humanizing interactions with trans people to reframe ordinariness to include trans Hongkongers, using human rights law only when it is demonstrative of expertise. Other LGBT activists continued use of human rights law in public fora contravenes hegemonic discourses of human rights, and these activists are interpolated as relying on foreign law to force social change in Hong Kong.
Evaluation of the QRS score for diagnosing coronary artery disease in women: A Finnish cardiovascular study
Authors: Beyene Serkalem D. , Nikus Kjell C. , Lehtimäki Terho J. , Kähönen Mika A. P. , Viik Jari J.
Published: May 2022

Background

Exercise electrocardiography is a widely used diagnostic modality for diagnosing coronary artery disease. This method has been used for both sexes; however, its diagnostic accuracy in women is limited.

Methods

The study analyzed 332 women participating in the Finnish Cardiovascular Study. Among 332 women, 125 with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (mean age 62.1 ± 9.5 years), 91 with a low likelihood of coronary artery disease (mean age 47.3 ± 13.5 years), and 116 without angiographically proven coronary artery disease (mean age 56.3 ± 9.9 years) were analyzed. The Q, R, S, and ST‐segment changes and QRS score were determined by subtracting the Q, R, S, and ST‐segment amplitudes immediately after the maximal exercise changes from their rest values (Δ). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the overall diagnostic performance of the parameters for predicting coronary artery disease.

Results

The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve between coronary artery disease and low likelihood of coronary artery disease groups for the QRS score and ΔSTV5, ΔQaVF, and ΔRaVF were 0.75, 0.73, 0.71, and 0.71, respectively. These areas were lower (0.62, 0.57, 0.60, and 0.60, respectively) between the groups with and without angiographically proven coronary artery disease. QRS score demonstrated the highest sensitivity at 80% specificity (61.5%) and the highest specificity at 80% sensitivity (57.6%).

Conclusions

This study suggests that the QRS and ST‐segment depression have a moderate diagnostic ability to predict coronary artery disease in women. Q and R waves in lead aVF showed good diagnostic ability.
Sarcopenia ‘made simple’ and outcomes from emergency laparotomy
Authors: Ming Yan Joyce , Howley Peter , Holmes Merran , Gani Jon , Pockney Peter
Published: May 2022

Background

Emergency Laparotomy (EL) is recognized as high‐risk surgery with high mortality. Established surgical risk assessment tools (NELA Risk Prediction Calculator, P‐POSSUM, ACS‐NSQIP) are accurate predictors of morbidity and mortality. However, their multicomponent complexity limits their use in practice. Sarcopenia is associated with poorer surgical outcomes. This study tests for an association between a simple measure of radiological sarcopenia and mortality in EL patients in an Australian cohort.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 500 patients admitted to four Australian hospitals who underwent EL during 2016–2017. All patients had a contemporaneous abdomino‐pelvic CT scan. Radiological sarcopenia was measured as the ratio of total psoas muscle area (PM) to L3 vertebral body cross sectional area (PM:L3). Patients were followed up to 12 months. Primary outcomes were 30‐, 90‐ and 365‐day mortality.

Results

The mean 30‐day mortality predictions for NELA, P‐POSSUM and ACS‐NSQIP were 11.36%, 17.28% and 11.30% respectively. PM:L3 ratio was associated with 30‐, 90‐ and 365‐day mortality (P < 0.001) and sex (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with age (r = −0.4612; P < 0.001). Radiological sarcopenia had a weak negative correlation with NELA (r = −0.2737; P < 0.001), P‐POSSUM (r = −0.1880; P < 0.001) and ACS‐NSQIP (r = −0.2351; P < 0.001). The latter three metrics were significantly correlated (r > 0.5696; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Radiological sarcopenia (CT‐assessed PM:L3) is a significant predictor of mortality in EL patients in Australia. The results of this study suggest that radiological sarcopenia is equivalent to established risk assessment tools. The more timely and easily accessible CT‐assessed PM:L3 metric is potentially automatable and may have significant utility in clinical practice.
Mechanical and interventional support for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A review
Authors: Gordon Jonathan S. , Blazoski Cameron M. , Wood Chelsey T. , Zuber Charlotte , Massey Howard T. , Throckmorton Amy , Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are two disease processes that are known to progress to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Pharmacologic therapies for HFpEF have not improved patient outcomes or reduced mortality in this patient cohort; thus, there continues to be substantial interest in other treatment strategies, including surgical interventions and devices. In this article, we explore and report the current utility of percutaneous therapies and surgically implanted mechanical support in the treatment of patients with HFpEF.

Results

Treatment strategies include percutaneous interventions with interatrial shunts, left atrial assist devices (LAADs), and ventricular assist devices (VADs) in various configurations. Although VADs have been employed to treat patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, their efficacy is limited in those with RCM and HCM. A left atrial‐to‐aortic VAD has been proposed to directly unload the left atrium, but data is limited. Alternatively, a LAAD could be placed in the mitral position and simultaneously unload the left atrium, while filling the left ventricle.

Conclusion

A left atrial assist device in the mitral position is a promising solution to address the hemodynamic abnormalities in RCM and HCM; these pumps, however, are still under development.
IoT‐based mock oxygenator for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation simulator
Authors: Sayed Aya , Alhomsi Yahya , Alsalemi Abdullah , Bensaali Faycal , Meskin Nader , Hssain Ali Ait
Published: May 2022

Background

Training is an essential aspect of providing high‐quality treatment and ensuring patient safety in any medical practice. Because extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a complicated operation with various elements, variables, and irregular situations, doctors must be experienced and knowledgeable about all conventional protocols and emergency procedures. The conventional simulation approach has a number of limitations. The approach is intrinsically costly since it relies on disposable medical equipment (i.e., oxygenators, heat exchangers, and pumps) that must be replaced regularly due to the damage caused by the liquid used to simulate blood. The oxygenator, which oxygenates the blood through a tailored membrane in ECMO, acts as a replacement for the patient's natural lung. For the context of simulation‐based training (SBT) oxygenators are often expensive and cannot be recycled owing to contamination issues.

Methods

Consequently, it is advised that the training process include a simulated version of oxygenators to optimize reusability and decrease training expenses. Toward this goal, this article demonstrates a mock oxygenator for ECMO SBT, designed to precisely replicate the real machine structure and operation.

Results

The initial model was reproduced using 3D modeling and printing. Additionally, the mock oxygenator could mimic frequent events such as pump noise and clotting. Furthermore, the oxygenator is integrated with the modular ECMO simulator using cloud‐based communication technology that goes in hand with the internet of things technology to provide remote control via an instructor tablet application.

Conclusions

The final 3D modeled oxygenator body was tested and integrated with the other simulation modules at Hamad Medical Corporation with several participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the training session.
Guideline of guidelines: management of recurrent urinary tract infections in women
Authors: Kwok Michael , McGeorge Stephen , Mayer‐Coverdale Johanna , Graves Bianca , Paterson David L. , Harris Patrick N.A. , Esler Rachel , Dowling Caroline , Britton Sumudu , Roberts Matthew J.
Published: May 2022

Objective

To compare recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) guidelines from major urological and non‐urological organisations internationally and identify areas of consensus and discrepancy.

Methods

PubMed, Google Scholar and the official webpages of major urological, gynaecological, infectious diseases and general practice organisations were searched for rUTI guidelines in March 2022. Nine guidelines were included for review: European Association of Urology, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, American Academy of Family Physicians, Mexican College of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Specialists, Swiss Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, German Association of Scientific Medical Societies, and the combined American Urological Association/Canadian Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction.

Results

The definition and evaluation of rUTIs, and antibiotic prophylaxis strategies, were mostly consistent across guidelines, and emphasised the importance of obtaining urine cultures and limiting cystoscopy and upper tract imaging in women without risk factors. Variable recommendations were noted for symptomatic treatment, self‐initiated antibiotics, and antibiotic‐sparing preventative strategies such as cranberry, vaginal oestrogen, immunoactive prophylaxis with OM‐89, intravesical glycosaminoglycan instillation, and phytotherapeutics. Recent randomised evidence supports the use of methenamine hippurate. Either continuous or post‐coital prophylactic antibiotics were supported by all guidelines. None of the guidelines were tailored to the management recurrent complicated UTI.

Conclusion

Multiple rUTI guidelines were identified and mostly limited their recommendations to otherwise healthy non‐pregnant women with uncomplicated cystitis. Variation was noted, particularly in antibiotic‐sparing preventative strategies. Some conflicting recommendations are due to more recent guidelines including updated evidence. Future guidelines should consider recommendations to assist management of complex patient groups, such as recurrent complicated UTI.
Data‐driven Q‐matrix learning based on Boolean matrix factorization in cognitive diagnostic assessment
Authors: Xiong Jianhua , Luo Zhaosheng , Luo Guanzhong , Yu Xiaofeng
Published: May 2022

Attributes and the Q‐matrix are the central components for cognitive diagnostic assessment, and are usually defined by domain experts. However, it is challenging and time consuming for experts to specify the attributes and Q‐matrix manually. Thus, there is an urgent need for an automatic and intelligent means to address this concern. This paper presents a new data‐driven approach for learning the Q‐matrix from response data. By constructing a statistical index and a heuristic algorithm based on Boolean matrix factorization, the response matrix is decomposed into the Boolean product of the Q‐matrix and the attribute mastery patterns. The feasibility of the proposed approach is evaluated using simulated data generated under various conditions. A real data example is also presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach.
Feasibility and clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling of hematological malignancies
Authors: Fukuhara Suguru , Oshikawa‐Kumade Yuji , Kogure Yasunori , Shingaki Sumito , Kariyazono Hirokazu , Kikukawa Yoshiya , Koya Junji , Saito Yuki , Tabata Mariko , Yoshifuji Kota , Mizuno Kota , Miyagi‐Maeshima Akiko , Matsushita Hiromichi , Sugiyama Masanaka , Ogawa Chitose , Inamoto Yoshihiro , Fukuda Takahiro , Sugano Masato , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , Minami Yosuke , Hirata Makoto , Yoshida Teruhiko , Kohno Takashi , Kohsaka Shinji , Mano Hiroyuki , Shiraishi Yuichi , Ogawa Seishi , Izutsu Koji , Kataoka Keisuke
Published: May 2022

Identification of genetic alterations through next‐generation sequencing (NGS) can guide treatment decision‐making by providing information on diagnosis, therapy selection, and prognostic stratification in patients with hematological malignancies. Although the utility of NGS‐based genomic profiling assays was investigated in hematological malignancies, no assays sufficiently cover driver mutations, including recently discovered ones, as well as fusions and/or pathogenic germline variants. To address these issues, here we have devised an integrated DNA/RNA profiling assay to detect various types of somatic alterations and germline variants at once. Particularly, our assay can successfully identify copy number alterations and structural variations, including immunoglobulin heavy chain translocations, IKZF1 intragenic deletions, and rare fusions. Using this assay, we conducted a prospective study to investigate the feasibility and clinical usefulness of comprehensive genomic profiling for 452 recurrently altered genes in hematological malignancies. In total, 176 patients (with 188 specimens) were analyzed, in which at least one alteration was detected in 171 (97%) patients, with a median number of total alterations of 7 (0–55). Among them, 145 (82%), 86 (49%), and 102 (58%) patients harbored at least one clinically relevant alteration for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, respectively. The proportion of patients with clinically relevant alterations was the highest in acute myeloid leukemia, whereas this assay was less informative in T/natural killer‐cell lymphoma. These results suggest the clinical utility of NGS‐based genomic profiling, particularly for their diagnosis and prognostic prediction, thereby highlighting the promise of precision medicine in hematological malignancies.
A tumor metastasis‐associated molecule TWIST1 is a favorable target for cancer immunotherapy due to its immunogenicity
Authors: Yajima Yuki , Kosaka Akemi , Ishibashi Kei , Yasuda Shunsuke , Komatsuda Hiroki , Nagato Toshihiro , Oikawa Kensuke , Kitada Masahiro , Takekawa Masanori , Kumai Takumi , Ohara Kenzo , Ohkuri Takayuki , Kobayashi Hiroya
Published: May 2022

Although neoantigens are one of the most favorable targets in cancer immunotherapy, it is less versatile and costly to apply neoantigen‐derived cancer vaccines to patients due to individual variation. It is, therefore, important to find highly immunogenic antigens between tumor‐specific or associated antigens that are shared among patients. Considering the cancer immunoediting theory, immunogenic tumor cells cannot survive in the early phase of tumor progression including two processes: elimination and equilibrium. We hypothesized that highly immunogenic molecules are allowed to be expressed in tumor cells after an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment was established, if these molecules contribute to tumor survival. In the current study, we focused on TWIST1 as a candidate for highly immunogenic antigens because it is upregulated in tumor cells under hypoxia and promotes tumor metastasis, which is observed in the late phase of tumor progression. We demonstrated that TWIST1 had an immunogenic peptide sequence TWIST1140–162, which effectively activated TWIST1‐specific CD4+ T‐cells. In a short‐term culture system, we detected more TWIST1‐specific responses in breast cancer patients compared with in healthy donors. Vaccination with the TWIST1 peptide also showed efficient expansion of TWIST1‐reactive HTLs in humanized mice. These findings indicate that TWIST1 is a highly immunogenic shared antigen and a favorable target for cancer immunotherapy.
RNA binding protein POP7 regulates ILF3 mRNA stability and expression to promote breast cancer progression
Authors: Huang Yanni , Zheng Yizi , Yao Ling , Qiao Feng , Hou Yifeng , Hu Xin , Li Daqiang , Shao Zhiming
Published: May 2022

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play pivotal roles in breast cancer (BC) development. As an RBP, Processing of precursor 7 (POP7) is one of the subunits of RNase P and RNase MRP, however, its exact function and mechanism in BC remain unknown. Here, we showed that expression of POP7 was frequently increased in BC cells and in primary breast tumors. Upregulated POP7 significantly promoted BC cell proliferation in vitro and primary tumor growth in vivo. POP7 also increased cell migration, invasion in vitro, and lung metastasis in vivo. Through RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing (RIP‐seq), we found that POP7 bound preferentially to intron regions and POP7‐binding peak associated genes were mainly enriched in cancer‐related pathways. Furthermore, POP7 regulated Interleukin Enhancer Binding Factor 3 (ILF3) expression through influencing its mRNA stability. Knockdown of ILF3 significantly impaired the increased malignant potential of POP7‐overexpressing cells, suggesting that POP7 enhances BC progression through regulating ILF3 expression. Collectively, our findings provide the first evidence for the important role of POP7 and its regulation of ILF3 in promoting BC progression.
Oral histone deacetylase inhibitor tucidinostat (HBI‐8000) in patients with relapsed or refractory adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma: Phase IIb results
Authors: Utsunomiya Atae , Izutsu Koji , Jo Tatsuro , Yoshida Shinichiro , Tsukasaki Kunihiro , Ando Kiyoshi , Choi Ilseung , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Kato Koji , Kurosawa Mitsutoshi , Kusumoto Shigeru , Miyagi Takashi , Ohtsuka Eiichi , Sasaki Osamu , Shibayama Hirohiko , Shimoda Kazuya , Takamatsu Yasushi , Takano Kuniko , Yonekura Kentaro , Makita Shinichi , Taguchi Jun , Gillings Mireille , Onogi Hiroshi , Tobinai Kensei
Published: May 2022

This multicenter, prospective phase IIb trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of tucidinostat (HBI‐8000) in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) was undertaken in Japan. Eligible patients had R/R ATLL and had failed standard of care treatment with chemotherapy and with mogamulizumab. Twenty‐three patients received tucidinostat 40 mg orally twice per week and were included in efficacy and safety analyses. The primary end‐point was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by an independent committee. The ORR was 30.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.2, 52.9]. Median progression‐free survival was 1.7 months (95% CI, 0.8, 7.4), median duration of response was 9.2 months (95% CI, 2.6, not reached), and median overall survival was 7.9 months (95% CI, 2.3, 18.0). All patients experienced adverse events (AEs), which were predominantly hematologic and gastrointestinal. Incidence of grade 3 or higher AEs was 78.3%; most were laboratory abnormalities (decreases in platelets, neutrophils, white blood cells, and hemoglobin). Tucidinostat was well tolerated with AEs that could be mostly managed with supportive care and dose modifications. Tucidinostat is a meaningful treatment option for R/R ATLL patients; further investigation is warranted.
A systematic review of micro‐RNAs in aortic stenosis and cardiac fibrosis
Authors: Adewuyi Jemima Osekafore , Patel Roshan , Abbasciano Riccardo , McCann Gerry P. , Murphy Gavin , Woźniak Marcin J. , Singh Anvesha
Published: May 2022

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the commonest valve lesion requiring surgery in the Western world. The presence of myocardial fibrosis is associated with mortality even after valve replacement. MicroRNAs could serve as biomarkers of fibrosis and risk stratify patients for earlier intervention. This study aimed to systematically review reports of micro‐RNA (miR) associated with fibrosis in AS and identify potential biomarkers. We searched EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science up to May 2020. Studies that reported on the role of miRs in AS and cardiac fibrosis were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale. Of 4230 reports screened, 25 were included. All studies were of low to moderate quality. MiRs were analyzed in myocardial tissue (n = 10), aortic valve tissue (n = 5), plasma (n = 5), and serum (n = 5). A total of 365 miRs were reported, of which only a few were reported in more than one paper (3 in the myocardium, 5 in the aortic valve, and 1 in plasma). miR‐21 was upregulated in plasma and myocardial tissue. MiR‐19b was downregulated in the myocardium. Papers reporting myocardial miR‐1 contradicted each other, and miR‐133a was associated with increased left ventricular mass regression post‐surgery. In the aortic valve, miRs‐665, 602 and 939 were downregulated, and miRs‐193b and 214 were upregulated. The data on miR in fibrosis in AS is scarce and of low to moderate quality. Further studies are needed to identify novel miRs as biomarkers, especially at an earlier asymptomatic phase of the disease.
1025. LEONTICE LEONTOPETALUM SUBSP. LEONTOPETALUM: Berberidaceae
Authors: Shaw Julian M.H. , King Christabel
Published: May 2022

A history of over 400 years of cultivation and taxonomy of Leontice leontopetalum is provided. Statements that it is native to Italy still require confirmation.
Deckung großer Kopfhautdefekte vor postoperativer Bestrahlung
Authors: Mittank‐Weidner Till , Voth Harald , Simon Jan‐Christoph , Grunewald Sonja
Published: May 2022

Hintergrund und Ziel

Nach Ro‐Resektion ausgedehnter kutaner Plattenepithelkarzinome des Kapillitiums mit Indikation zur postoperativen Radiatio sollten Verschlusstechniken gewählt werden, die die zügige Einleitung einer Radiotherapie nicht behindern und diese auch aushalten. Ziel der vorliegenden retrospektiven Analyse ist es, die Defektdeckung mittels transversaler Transpositionslappenplastik und Spalthautdeckung des Hebedefektes in einem solchen Szenario hinsichtlich onkologischer Sicherheit (Rezidivrate) und Permanenz des Wundverschlusses zu untersuchen.

Patienten und Methodik

Elf Patienten wurden ermittelt, die histologisch ein kutanes Plattenepithelkarzinom aufwiesen, das durch mikroskopisch kontrollierte Exzision und Defektdeckung mittels transversalem Transpositionslappen und Spalthautdeckung des Hebedefektes in der Universitätshautklinik Leipzig versorgt und postoperativ bestrahlt wurde. Bei allen Patienten handelte es sich um betagte multimorbide Patienten. Die operative Versorgung erfolgte in Tumeszenzlokalanästhesie. Die Patienten wurden auf Rezidive, Wundheilungsstörungen und Nebenwirkungen der Strahlentherapie untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Das Durchschnittsalter betrug 81 Jahre. Die Nachbeobachtungszeit umfasste im Durchschnitt 1,4 Jahre nach der letzten Radiotherapiesitzung (minimal 72 Tage, maximal 3,7 Jahre). Wundheilungsstörungen des Transpositionslappens oder Transplantatnekrosen wurden nicht nachgewiesen. Alle therapieassoziierten Nebenwirkungen waren bei Kontrolle abgeklungen. Lokalrezidive oder Metastasen traten bei keinem Patienten auf.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die kombinierte transversale Transpositionslappenplastik mit Spalthautdeckung des Hebedefektes ist ein sicheres und nebenwirkungsarmes Behandlungskonzept für große Skalpdefekte mit freiliegender Kalotte, die einer postoperativen Radiatio bedürfen.
Validierung der psychometrischen Eigenschaften einer „Modifizierten Version des Hornheider Screening‐Instruments“ (HSI‐MV) anhand einer Stichprobe ambulanter und stationärer Hauttumorpatienten
Authors: Buchhold Britta , Lutze Stine , Freyer‐Adam Jennis , Jünger Michael , Ramp Marleen , Konschake Wolfgang , Jülich Andreas , Nordt Claudia , Peters Sebastian , Arnold Andreas , Hannich Hans‐Joachim
Published: May 2022

Hintergrund

Die Basis für adäquate psychoonkologische Betreuung ist die Identifikation von Patienten mit psychosozialem Unterstützungsbedarf. Die Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Psychoonkologie empfiehlt hierfür das Hornheider Screening‐Instrument (HSI). Die Frage: „Ist jemand in Ihrer Familie durch den Krankenhausaufenthalt besonders belastet?“ soll die krankheitsbedingte familiäre Belastung erfassen. Doch ist dieses Item für ambulante und stationäre Patienten gleichermaßen geeignet? Studienziel war zu überprüfen, wie sich das Ersetzen des Originalitems auf die Testgüte dieser modifizierten Version des HSI und die Häufigkeit psychosozialer Belastungen auswirkt.

Patienten und Methodik

92 ambulante und 98 stationäre Hauttumorpatienten schätzten ihre psychosoziale Situation mittels verschiedener Fragebögen ein.

Ergebnisse

Im Vergleich zu stationären Patienten bejahten weniger als halb so viele ambulante Patienten das Item. Wurde die Frage ersetzt durch: „Ist jemand in Ihrer Familie durch Ihre Erkrankung beziehungsweise den Krankheitsverlauf besonders belastet?“ zeigte sich dieser Setting‐bedingte Unterschied nicht. Das „Alternativ‐Item“ und die „Modifizierte Version des HSI“ (HSI‐MV) erwiesen sich dem Originalitem und dem Original‐HSI hinsichtlich aller untersuchten Kriterien überlegen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die HSI‐MV kann als reliables und valides Instrument für die systematische Erhebung des psychosozialen Betreuungsbedarfes im ambulanten und stationären Setting eingesetzt werden. Je nach Versorgungskapazität ist ein Schwellenwert von ≥ 5 oder ≥ 4 geeignet. Zusätzlich zum Screening sollte der Unterstützungswunsch erfragt werden.
Intraspecific interactions at high predator densities affect the predation efficiency ofNeoseiulus californicus(Acari: Phytoseiidae) when prey density is low
Authors: Papanikolaou Nikos E. , Broufas George D. , Kypraios Theodore , Liaka Triantafyllia , Pappas Maria L.
Published: May 2022

Quantifying functional responses is a cornerstone in evaluating the predation efficiency of biological control agents such as predatory insects and mites. In this study, we investigate whether the efficiency ofNeoseiulus californicus(Acari: Phytoseiidae) in consuming prey is driven by intraspecific interactions. For this purpose, laboratory functional response experiments were conducted using one, two, three or four predators at several initial egg densities of the two‐spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae(Acari: Tetranychidae).

The data fitted to the predator‐dependent Crowley–Martin model which accounts for intraspecific interactions. The results suggest that at high prey densities, i.e. the densities at which the predator is satiated, intraspecific interactions did not affect the predation potential ofN.californicus, as the maximum number ofT. urticaeeggs that can be attacked by predator individuals did not differ between treatments (i.e., predator densities).

However, at low prey densities and the highest predator density (i.e., four individuals), intraspecific interactions were detected, as revealed by the estimated attack rates, i.e. the per capita prey consumption at low prey densities. While mean attack rates did not differ significantly when one, two and three predators were exposed to prey, when predator density increased to four individuals, attack rate was considerable lower compared to the other predator densities.

These results indicate that intraspecific interactions are more intense at low prey densities, where the predator is not satiated and therefore digestion breaks do not exist. In contrast, at high prey densities digestion breaks exist, so that may fully accommodate the cost of intraspecific interactions. These results also suggest that predator density should be considered when functional responses are measured.
Development of self‐regulation amongst dental students in problem‐based learning curricula: A qualitative study
Authors: Ali Kamran , Daud Alaa , Ba Hattab Raidan , Philip Nebu , Matoug‐Elwerfelli Manal , Anweigi Lamiya , Al Khabuli Jumma , Du Xiangyun
Published: May 2022

Aims

To explore the value of problem‐based learning in the development of self‐regulation amongst undergraduate dental students.

Materials and Methods

A qualitative approach using focus groups was used to explore the perceptions and experiences of the participants regarding the role of problem‐based learning (PBL) in promoting self‐regulation in undergraduate dental education. The study was carried out at a newly established dental institution in Qatar. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. Invitations to potential participants were sent by e‐mail through appropriate professional channels. All focus groups were transcribed verbatim, and data were imported into NVivo 12 and analysed thematically.

Results

A total of five focus groups were conducted with 37 participants which included 27 females and seven males from two different cohorts. Participants expressed their views on a range of issues related to the self‐regulation in problem‐based learning and also provided recommendations to enhance the learning experiences of students. PBL was perceived to be an appropriate and effective strategy to support student autonomy in construction of knowledge and developing problem‐solving and interpersonal skills. However, the workload of the students can impact adversely on their motivation and time management skills.

Conclusions

This study provides useful insights into the concept of self‐regulation in problem‐based learning environments as perceived by the stakeholders at a newly established dental institution. The findings of this study may offer clarity on how problem‐based learning can be best utilised to promote self‐regulation in undergraduate dental education.
Effect of an online module designed to promote first‐year dental students' evidence‐based study strategies
Authors: Tricio Jorge , Salles Pablo , Orsini César , Aravena Jaime
Published: May 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an online module in promoting study strategies based on neuroscience applied to education for first‐year dental students at the University of the Andes in Santiago, Chile.

Methods

Four weeks after the start of the 2018 first academic semester, all 82 first‐year dental students (72% females, 28% males, average 19.0 years old) were invited to voluntarily and anonymously complete the self‐reported Study Strategies Questionnaire (SSQ) in a session of an Introduction to Dentistry course, which served as a baseline. Subsequently, the session included an interactive workshop on learning how to learn so that students could analyse how the human brain learns and relate this information to mental tools to foster learning. Furthermore, during the semester, students were sent information via email to reinforce the content they were exposed to during the learning how to learn activity so that they could use the toolbox of study techniques to improve their learning in all subjects. At the end of the semester, students were invited to voluntarily and anonymously complete a second SSQ to assess the effects of the study intervention. Exam marks from the previous (2017) and studied year (2018), as well as both SSQ results, were compared and analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results

A total of 75 and 71 students answered the SSQ before and after the intervention, respectively. The mean exam mark from 2017 was 63.7% (SD = 8.8), whilst in 2018, it was 69.6% (SD = 5.0) (p < .044); the effect size of the intervention was 0.75. The most significant changes observed after the intervention were reductions in the number of students who studied whilst checking messages on their smartphones (p = .001), studied by highlighting and/or underlining in their notes or textbooks (p ≤ .0001) and studied the day before an examination (p ≥ .0001). On the contrary, there were significant increases in the number of students who studied without access to social networks (p = .046), wrote notes or words in the margins of texts (p = .001), practised self‐testing (p = .001) and studied the day before an examination (p ≤ .0001).

Conclusions

An online module to promote evidence‐based study strategies in first‐year dental students can have an impact on increasing students' marks as well as on some practices that can improve their academic achievements and learning.
Relative entropy as an index of soil structure
Authors: Klöffel Tobias , Jarvis Nicholas , Yoon Sung Won , Barron Jennie , Giménez Daniel
Published: May 2022

Soil structure controls key soil functions in both natural and agro‐ecosystems. Thus, numerous attempts have been made to develop methods aiming at its characterization. Here we propose an index of soil structure that uses relative entropy to quantify differences in the porosity and pore(void)‐size distribution (VSD) between a structured soil derived from soil water retention data and the same soil without structure (a so‐called reference soil) estimated from its particle‐size distribution (PSD). The difference between these VSDs, which is the result of soil structure, is quantified using the Kullback–Leibler Divergence (KL divergence). We applied the method to soil data from two Swedish field experiments that investigate the long‐term effects of soil management (fallow vs. inorganic fertilizer vs. manure) and land use (afforested land vs. agricultural land dominated by grass/clover ley) on soil properties. The KL divergence was larger for the soil receiving regular addition of manure compared with the soils receiving no organic amendments. Furthermore, soils under afforested land showed significantly larger KL divergences compared to agricultural soils near the soil surface, but smaller KL divergences in deeper soil layers, which closely mirrored the distribution of organic matter in the soil profile. Indeed, a significant positive correlation (r = 0.374, p < 0.001) was found between soil organic carbon concentrations and KL divergences across all sites and treatments. Despite challenges related to modelling the VSD of the reference soil without structure, the proposed index proved useful for evaluating differences in soil structure in response to soil management and land‐use change and reflected the expected effects of soil organic matter on soil structure. We conclude that relative entropy shows great potential to serve as an easy‐to‐use index of soil structure, as it only requires widely available data on soil physical and hydraulic properties.

Highlights

A new index of soil structure is proposed based on relative entropy

A method is developed that separates the effects of soil texture and structure on the pore space

The index identified soil structural differences in response to land use and soil organic carbon concentrations (SOC)

The index shows the potential to serve as an easy‐to‐use metric of soil structure
An efficient feature selection method based on improved elephant herding optimization to classify high‐dimensional biomedical data
Authors: Singh Harpreet , Singh Birmohan , Kaur Manpreet
Published: May 2022

Machine learning algorithms are widely applied to biomedical data to classify the samples of patients and healthy persons. The high‐dimensional biomedical datasets contain a large number of features to represent a sample. However, such datasets may have redundant, noisy and irrelevant features, influencing machine learning algorithms' classification performance and increasing computation overhead. Therefore, data normalization and feature selection techniques are introduced to reduce the impact of noisy features and accurately identify the patterns in features to improve the predictive accuracy of diagnosis. This work proposes an efficient feature selection and parameter optimization method to classify high‐dimensional biomedical datasets. In the proposed method, a binary version of the improved elephant herding optimization (IEHO) algorithm is introduced to select features and optimize the C and γ parameters of the support vector machine classifier. Further, four variants of the proposed method are presented based on data normalization techniques: Z‐score normalization (ZN), Pareto‐scaling (PS), tan h‐based normalization (TN), and variant of tan h‐based normalization (VTN). The proposed variants reduce the dominance of noisy features and explore the feature space to obtain the optimal feature set that maximizes the classification accuracy and minimizes the time complexity. The performance of the proposed variants is evaluated on 15 high‐dimensional biomedical datasets. Friedman's mean rank test is applied to check the statistical difference between proposed variants. Results show that the proposed Z‐score normalization‐IEHO (ZN‐IEHO) variant performed significantly better than the other proposed variants for classification accuracy, false‐positive rate and f‐score metrics. Moreover, the performance of the proposed ZN‐IEHO variant is compared with 18 state‐of‐the‐art feature selection methods. The experimental results expressed the effectiveness of the proposed ZN‐IEHO variant in finding the best combination of features and parameters to classify the biomedical datasets accurately.
Incentivising change to beneficial ownership and open registers—Holding flag states responsible for their fleets and costs of illegal fishing
Authors: Ford Jessica H. , Wold Chris , Currie Duncan , Wilcox Chris
Published: May 2022

While efforts to reduce illegal fishing have been underway for some time, market data suggest the volume of illegal fish in the markets is not decreasing significantly. One issue that may be driving this is the difficulty in imposing meaningful sanctions. We discuss an alternative approach aimed at reducing illegal fishing. A State's open register allows relatively unassociated vessels to purchase entry to that register and fly that State's flag. This relationship between the vessel and the flag State is both a financial and legal one. The licensed vessel must comply with laws of the flag State around operations, safety, fishing access agreements, and other regulatory requirements. The flag State must exercise due diligence in the performance of its responsibility to exercise jurisdiction and control over its vessels. The State(s) which has incurred the cost and damages resulting from pursuit, apprehension, and prosecution of the vessel may have a claim for expenses and damages from the flag State if the flag State fails to exercise due diligence. By shifting the costs and harms associated with illegal fishing from coastal States to flag States that fail to exercise jurisdiction and control over the vessels they flag, such flag States may be incentivised to improve oversight over their vessels and join the international effort to combat illegal fishing.