bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraprofessional workplace learning in postgraduate medical education: a scoping review
Authors: Teheux Lara , Coolen Ester H. A. J. , Draaisma Jos M. T. , de Visser Marieke , Scherpbier-de Haan Nynke D. , Kuijer-Siebelink Wietske , van der Velden Janiëlle A. E. M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Residents need to be trained across the boundaries of their own specialty to prepare them for collaborative practice. Intraprofessional learning (i.e. between individuals of different disciplines within the same profession) has received little attention in the postgraduate medical education literature, in contrast to the extensive literature on interprofessional learning between individuals of different professions. To address this gap, we performed a scoping review to investigate what and how residents learn from workplace-related intraprofessional activities, and what factors influence learning.

Methods

The PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct a scoping review of empirical studies on intraprofessional workplace learning in postgraduate medical education published between 1 January 2000 to 16 April 2020 in Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC and Web of Science. This study applied ‘best fit’ framework-based synthesis to map the existing evidence, using the presage-process-product (3P) model developed by Tynjälä (2013).

Results

Four thousand three hundred thirty records were screened, and 37 articles were included. This review identified influencing (presage) factors that derived from the sociocultural environment, learner and learning context. Studies described that complexity of care can both facilitate and hinder learning. Furthermore, intraprofessional learning is threatened by professional stereotyping and negative perceptions, and awareness of learning opportunities and explicit reflection are critical in intraprofessional workplace learning. Studies described a range of informal and formal intraprofessional activities (process) under the headings of collaboration in clinical practice, rotations or placements, formal educational sessions and simulated workplace training. In general, learners responded well and their attitudes and perceptions improved, learners reported increased knowledge and skills and positive behavioural changes (product). Learning outcomes were reported in the domains of patient-centred care, collaborative attitudes and respect, mutual knowledge and understanding, collaborative decision making, communication, leadership, teamwork and reflexivity.

Conclusions

This review gives insight into the high learning potential of intraprofessional activities. Many of the included studies relied on self-reported perceptions of change, therefore, future research should focus on generating more robust evidence including objectively examined outcome measures. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the factors that influence intraprofessional workplace learning in postgraduate medical education. Finally, we provide recommendations for enhancing intraprofessional learning in clinical practice.
Knowledge, attitude, and use of protective measures against COVID-19 among nurses: a questionnaire-based multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Shawahna Ramzi
Published: September 2021

Background

During this pandemic, nurses have always been on the frontline and are probably the first healthcare providers to interact with patients presenting with symptoms of COVID-19. The main aim of this multicenter study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and use of protective measures against COVID-19 among nurses across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) during the ongoing pandemic.

Methods

This was a questionnaire-based multicenter cross-sectional study that was conducted in the period between October 2020 to December 2020. The study tool tested knowledge (8-item), attitude (2-item), and use of protective measures against COVID-19 (3-item) among nurses. Associations between nurses’ characteristics and their knowledge, attitude, and use of protective measures were investigated using Student’s t-test, Analysis of Variance, and Pearson’s correlations. To control potentially confounding variables, predictors of higher knowledge, attitude, and use of protective measures were identified using multiple regression analyses.

Results

The study tool was complete by 455 nurses. The mean of knowledge, attitude, and use of protective measures scores were 75.7% (SD:12.4%), 75.1% (SD: 17.7%), and 91.6% (SD: 18.2%), respectively. Multiple linear regression models showed that high knowledge was predicted by being female (p-value = 0.004) and self-rating social status as high (p-value = 0.005). Higher attitude was predicted by being female (p-value = 0.005), self-rating academic achievements as high (p-value = 0.007), and having contracted COVID-19 (p-value = 0.001). Higher use of protective measures was predicted by self-rating academic achievements as high (p-value = 0.010).

Conclusion

Findings of this study suggested that nurses in the oPt had high knowledge, relatively optimistic attitude, and appropriately used protective measures against COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic. Knowledge, attitude, and use of protective measures among nurses should continuously be updated as information unfold during the ongoing pandemic. More efforts are still needed to ensure protection of healthcare providers including nurses from contracting COVID-19.
The impact of payer status on hospital admissions: evidence from an academic medical center
Authors: Zhao Yanying , Paschalidis Ioannis Ch. , Hu Jianqiang
Published: September 2021

Background

There are plenty of studies investigating the disparity of payer status in accessing to care. However, most studies are either disease-specific or cohort-specific. Quantifying the disparity from the level of facility through a large controlled study are rare. This study aims to examine how the payer status affects patient hospitalization from the perspective of a facility.

Methods

We extracted all patients with visiting record in a medical center between 5/1/2009-4/30/2014, and then linked the outpatient and inpatient records three year before target admission time to patients. We conduct a retrospective observational study using a conditional logistic regression methodology. To control the illness of patients with different diseases in training the model, we construct a three-dimension variable with data stratification technology. The model is validated on a dataset distinct from the one used for training.

Results

Patients covered by private insurance or uninsured are less likely to be hospitalized than patients insured by government. For uninsured patients, inequity in access to hospitalization is observed. The value of standardized coefficients indicates that government-sponsored insurance has the greatest impact on improving patients’ hospitalization.

Conclusion

Attention is needed on improving the access to care for uninsured patients. Also, basic preventive care services should be enhanced, especially for people insured by government. The findings can serve as a baseline from which to measure the anticipated effect of measures to reduce disparity of payer status in hospitalization.
A pair of long intergenic non-coding RNA LINC00887 variants act antagonistically to control Carbonic Anhydrase IX transcription upon hypoxia in tongue squamous carcinoma progression
Authors: Shen Tao , Xia Wangxiao , Min Sainan , Yang Zixuan , Cheng Lehua , Wang Wei , Zhan Qianxi , Shao Fanghong , Zhang Xuehan , Wang Zhiyu , Zhang Yan , Shen Guodong , Zhang Huafeng , Wu Li-Ling , Yu Guang-Yan , Kong Qing-Peng , Wang Xiangting
Published: September 2021

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators in tumor progression. However, their biological functions and underlying mechanisms in hypoxia adaptation remain largely unclear.

Results

Here, we established a correlation between a Chr3q29-derived lncRNA gene and tongue squamous carcinoma (TSCC) by genome-wide analyses. Using RACE, we determined that two novel variants of this lncRNA gene are generated in TSCC, namely LINC00887_TSCC_short (887S) and LINC00887_TSCC_long (887L). RNA-sequencing in 887S or 887L loss-of-function cells identified their common downstream target as Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CA9), a gene known to be upregulated by hypoxia during tumor progression. Mechanistically, our results showed that the hypoxia-augmented 887S and constitutively expressed 887L functioned in opposite directions on tumor progression through the common target CA9. Upon normoxia, 887S and 887L interacted. Upon hypoxia, the two variants were separated. Each RNA recognized and bound to their responsive DNA cis-acting elements on CA9 promoter: 887L activated CA9’s transcription through recruiting HIF1α, while 887S suppressed CA9 through DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation.

Conclusions

We provided hypoxia-permitted functions of two antagonistic lncRNA variants to fine control the hypoxia adaptation through CA9.
Inheritance of the reduced mitochondria of Giardia intestinalis is coupled to the flagellar maturation cycle
Authors: Tůmová Pavla , Voleman Luboš , Klingl Andreas , Nohýnková Eva , Wanner Gerhard , Doležal Pavel
Published: September 2021

Background

The presence of mitochondria is a distinguishing feature between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It is currently accepted that the evolutionary origin of mitochondria coincided with the formation of eukaryotes and from that point control of mitochondrial inheritance was required. Yet, the way the mitochondrial presence has been maintained throughout the eukaryotic cell cycle remains a matter of study. Eukaryotes control mitochondrial inheritance mainly due to the presence of the genetic component; still only little is known about the segregation of mitochondria to daughter cells during cell division. Additionally, anaerobic eukaryotic microbes evolved a variety of genomeless mitochondria-related organelles (MROs), which could be theoretically assembled de novo, providing a distinct mechanistic basis for maintenance of stable mitochondrial numbers. Here, we approach this problem by studying the structure and inheritance of the protist Giardia intestinalis MROs known as mitosomes.

Results

We combined 2D stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) to show that mitosomes exhibit internal segmentation and conserved asymmetric structure. From a total of about forty mitosomes, a small, privileged population is harnessed to the flagellar apparatus, and their life cycle is coordinated with the maturation cycle of G. intestinalis flagella. The orchestration of mitosomal inheritance with the flagellar maturation cycle is mediated by a microtubular connecting fiber, which physically links the privileged mitosomes to both axonemes of the oldest flagella pair and guarantees faithful segregation of the mitosomes into the daughter cells.

Conclusion

Inheritance of privileged Giardia mitosomes is coupled to the flagellar maturation cycle. We propose that the flagellar system controls segregation of mitochondrial organelles also in other members of this supergroup (Metamonada) of eukaryotes and perhaps reflects the original strategy of early eukaryotic cells to maintain this key organelle before mitochondrial fusion-fission dynamics cycle as observed in Metazoa was established.
ACBD3 modulates KDEL receptor interaction with PKA for its trafficking via tubulovesicular carrier
Authors: Yue Xihua , Qian Yi , Zhu Lianhui , Gim Bopil , Bao Mengjing , Jia Jie , Jing Shuaiyang , Wang Yijing , Tan Chuanting , Bottanelli Francesca , Ziltener Pascal , Choi Sunkyu , Hao Piliang , Lee Intaek
Published: September 2021

Background

KDEL receptor helps establish cellular equilibrium in the early secretory pathway by recycling leaked ER-chaperones to the ER during secretion of newly synthesized proteins. Studies have also shown that KDEL receptor may function as a signaling protein that orchestrates membrane flux through the secretory pathway. We have recently shown that KDEL receptor is also a cell surface receptor, which undergoes highly complex itinerary between trans-Golgi network and the plasma membranes via clathrin-mediated transport carriers. Ironically, however, it is still largely unknown how KDEL receptor is distributed to the Golgi at steady state, since its initial discovery in late 1980s.

Results

We used a proximity-based in vivo tagging strategy to further dissect mechanisms of KDEL receptor trafficking. Our new results reveal that ACBD3 may be a key protein that regulates KDEL receptor trafficking via modulation of Arf1-dependent tubule formation. We demonstrate that ACBD3 directly interact with KDEL receptor and form a functionally distinct protein complex in ArfGAPs-independent manner. Depletion of ACBD3 results in re-localization of KDEL receptor to the ER by inducing accelerated retrograde trafficking of KDEL receptor. Importantly, this is caused by specifically altering KDEL receptor interaction with Protein Kinase A and Arf1/ArfGAP1, eventually leading to increased Arf1-GTP-dependent tubular carrier formation at the Golgi.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ACBD3 may function as a negative regulator of PKA activity on KDEL receptor, thereby restricting its retrograde trafficking in the absence of KDEL ligand binding. Since ACBD3 was originally identified as PAP7, a PBR/PKA-interacting protein at the Golgi/mitochondria, we propose that Golgi-localization of KDEL receptor is likely to be controlled by its interaction with ACBD3/PKA complex at steady state, providing a novel insight for establishment of cellular homeostasis in the early secretory pathway.
The effect of CYP7B1 polymorphisms on the risk of coronary heart disease in Hainan Han population
Authors: Liang Tiebiao , Zhang Xianbo , Liang Anshan , Wu Haiqing , Wang Qi , He Jun , Long Ming , Jin Tianbo
Published: September 2021

Background

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of human death worldwide. Genetic factors play an important role in the occurrence of CHD. Our study is designed to investigate the influence of CYP7B1 polymorphisms on CHD risk.

Methods

In this case–control study, 508 CHD patients and 510 healthy individuals were recruited to determine the correlation between CYP7B1 polymorphisms (rs7836768, rs6472155, and rs2980003) and CHD risk. The associations were evaluated by computing odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with logistic regression analysis. The association between SNP-SNP interaction and CHD susceptibility was carried out by multifactor dimensionality reduction analyses.

Results

Our study found that rs6472155 is significantly associated with an increased risk of CHD in age > 60 years (OR 2.20, 95% CI = 1.07–4.49, p = 0.031), women (OR 3.17, 95% CI = 1.19–8.44, p = 0.021), and non-smokers (3.43, 95% CI = 1.16–10.09, p = 0.025). Rs2980003 polymorphism has a lower risk of CHD in drinkers (OR 0.47, 95% CI = 0.24–0.91, p = 0.025). Further analyses based on false-positive report probability validated these significant results. Besides, it was found that rs6472155 polymorphism was associated with uric acid level (p = 0.034).

Conclusion

Our study indicated that CYP7B1 polymorphisms are related to the risk of CHD, which provides a new perspective for prevent of CHD.
Dendritic cells matured with recombinant human sperm associated antigen 9 (rhSPAG9) induce CD4+, CD8+ T cells and activate NK cells: a potential candidate molecule for immunotherapy in cervical cancer
Authors: Dhandapani Hemavathi , Jayakumar Hascitha , Seetharaman Abirami , Singh Shirley Sunder , Ganeshrajah Selvaluxmy , Jagadish Nirmala , Suri Anil , Thangarajan Rajkumar , Ramanathan Priya
Published: September 2021

Background

Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy is capable of activating the immune system and in particular tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to eradicate the tumor. However, major limitations are the availability of autologous tumor cells as antigenic source and the selection of antigen that may have potential to activate both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in immune-specific manner. Recently, we reported the expression of sperm associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) that is associated with various types of malignancies including cervical cancer. We examined the recombinant human SPAG9 (rhSPAG9) as an antigenic source for generating efficient DCs to stimulate CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses for future DCs-based vaccine trials in cervical cancer patients.

Methods

Human monocytes derived DCs were pulsed with different concentrations (250 ng/ml to 1000 ng/ml) of recombinant human SPAG9 (rhSPAG9) and evaluated for their phenotypic and functional ability. The efficacy of DCs primed with 750 ng/ml of rhSPAG9 (SPDCs) was compared with DCs primed with autologous tumor lysates (TLDCs), to induce CD4+, CD8+ T cells and activating NK cells. In addition, we investigated the effect of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin on phenotypic and functional potential of SPDCs.

Results

Phenotypic and functional characterization of DCs pulsed with 750 ng/ml rhSPAG9 was found to be optimal and effective for priming DCs. SPDCs were also capable of stimulating allogeneic T cells similar to TLDCs. SPDCs showed a statistically insignificant increase in the expression of maturation marker CD83 and migration towards CCL19 and CCL21 compared with TLDCs (CD83; P = 0.4; migration; P = 0.2). In contrast, although TLDCs showed better proliferation and secretion of Th1 cytokines (IL12p40, IL12p70 and IFNγ) compared to SPDCs, this difference was not statistically significant (IL12p40, P = 0.06). Further we also observed that clinical dose of cisplatin (200 µM) treated SPDCs were able to stimulate the proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes without increasing the FOXP3+ Tregs in autologous co-cultures.

Conclusions

In summary, in order to overcome the limitation of the availability of autologous tumor cells as antigenic sources, our present strategy provides an insight to consider rhSPAG9 as a strong immunogen for DC-based immunotherapy for cervical cancer trials and warrants further studies. This is the first report to suggest that rhSPAG9 is an effective antigen for pulsing DCs that are capable of eliciting a potent Th1 response which, in turn, may help in decreasing the tumor burden when used along with a cisplatin based combinatorial regimen for therapeutic intervention.
COVID-19: protocol for observational studies utilizing near real-time electronic Australian general practice data to promote effective care and best-practice policy—a design thinking approach
Authors: Georgiou Andrew , Li Julie , Pearce Christopher , McLeod Adam , Wabe Nasir , Hardie Rae-Anne , Franco Guilherme Saffi , Imai Chisato , Sezgin Gorkem , Thomas Judith , Dai Zhaoli , Sheikh Muhammad Kashif , Proposch Amanda , Weeding Stephen , Wickham Brendon , Badrick Tony , Murgatroyd Darnel
Published: September 2021

Background

Health systems around the world have been forced to make choices about how to prioritize care, manage infection control and maintain reserve capacity for future disease outbreaks. Primary healthcare has moved into the front line as COVID-19 testing transitions from hospitals to multiple providers, where tracking testing behaviours can be fragmented and delayed. Pooled general practice data are a valuable resource which can be used to inform population and individual care decision-making. This project aims to examine the feasibility of using near real-time electronic general practice data to promote effective care and best-practice policy.

Methods

The project will utilize a design thinking approach involving all collaborators (primary health networks [PHNs], general practices, consumer groups, researchers, and digital health developers, pathology professionals) to enhance the development of meaningful and translational project outcomes. The project will be based on a series of observational studies utilizing near real-time electronic general practice data from a secure and comprehensive digital health platform [POpulation Level Analysis and Reporting (POLAR) general practice data warehouse]. The study will be carried out over 1.5 years (July 2020–December 2021) using data from over 450 general practices within three Victorian PHNs and Gippsland PHN, Eastern Melbourne PHN and South Eastern Melbourne PHN, supplemented by data from consenting general practices from two PHNs in New South Wales, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN and South Western Sydney PHN.

Discussion

The project will be developed using a design thinking approach, leading to the building of a meaningful near real-time COVID-19 geospatial reporting framework and dashboard for decision-makers at community, state and nationwide levels, to identify and monitor emerging trends and the impact of interventions/policy decisions. This will integrate timely evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic related to its diagnosis and treatment, and its impact across clinical, population and general practice levels.
Evaluating predictive factors for toxicities experienced by head & neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Ray Xenia , Sumner Whitney , Sutton Leisa , Sanghvi Parag , Deichaite Ida , Moiseenko Vitali
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if HPV status serves as an independent predictor of early and late dysphagia outcomes when considered alongside standard patient characteristics and dose metrics for head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

Methods and materials

The age, sex, smoking history, cancer type (oropharyngeal vs non-oropharyngeal), HPV status, and early and late dysphagia outcomes were obtained for 99 retrospective head and neck cancer patients treated at our clinic with radiotherapy. Additionally for each patient, the mean radiation dose to the pharynx, superior/middle/inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles, and cricopharyngeus was calculated. The predictive power of these clinical characteristics and radiation metrics was evaluated using chi-square tests for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Then multi-variate logistic models were built for each outcome using a single dose metric at a time, and either HPV status, cancer type, or both. Multi-variate models were built using both top-down and bottom-up technique to establish the most predictive independent covariates.

Results

In the univariate analysis for early dysphagia, cancer type (p = 0.04) and four dose metrics (p ≤ 0.02) were significantly associated with outcome, while for late dysphagia, only cancer type (p = 0.04) was associated with outcome. In the multivariate analysis for early dysphagia, cancer type, smoking history, and mean dose to the five structures were consistently selected as covariates. For late dysphagia, either HPV status or cancer type was selected in each model and the mean dose to the cricopharyngeus was selected in one model.

Conclusion

While HPV is a known contributing factor for tumor prognosis in oropharyngeal cancers, its role in normal tissue toxicities for head and neck cancers has not previously been evaluated. Our results indicate having an oropharyngeal cancer may increase a patient’s risk of high-grade early and late dysphagia while HPV status was seldom selected.
Long-term oral blonanserin treatment for schizophrenia: a review of Japanese long-term studies
Authors: Murasaki Mitsukuni , Inoue Yoshifumi , Nakamura Hiroshi , Kinoshita Toshihiko
Published: September 2021

In general, the course of schizophrenia is chronic accompanied not only by positive and negative symptoms but also by cognitive dysfunction associated with psychosocial disability, and thus treatment combining antipsychotics and psychological therapy is considered promising. This review focused on two prospective, open-label, multicenter, phase 3 long-term studies for approval of oral blonanserin for the treatment of schizophrenia. These two studies included both inpatients and outpatients with variable disease duration or symptom prominence according to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The selected two studies consisted of almost the same study schedule and eligibility criteria but different protocols regarding prior medications and concomitant antipsychotics. The proportion of patients who had a baseline PANSS negative score higher than the positive score was 82.2 and 67.2% in the two studies. In both studies, patients with an illness duration of ≥ 10 years were the most common. Based on the clinical symptoms at baseline, the physician determined the treatment: blonanserin monotherapy, blonanserin in combination with the existing antipsychotic medication, or therapy simplified to haloperidol together with blonanserin. The 28-week completion rate for long-term blonanserin treatment was high in both studies (82.2 and 78.7%). The types of adverse events in both studies were similar to those in the preceding 8-week randomized, active-controlled studies in Japan, which were included in the application package for the approval of oral blonanserin for patients with schizophrenia. Long-term blonanserin use did not increase the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms but reduced the dose of antiparkinsonian drugs, minimally affecting functioning. In both studies, the PANSS total score, positive score, and negative score were improved at the last observation carried forward compared with those at baseline. In conclusion, blonanserin is useful for long-term treatment of chronic schizophrenic patients when the appropriate management of clinical symptoms and adverse drug reactions are applied. Blonanserin might represent a promising treatment option that partially or completely relieves patients with chronic schizophrenia of polypharmacy. Blonanserin may possibly fit both the current real-world clinical setting and the currently recommended approach to antipsychotic medication.
Recovering genotypes and phenotypes using allele-specific genes
Authors: Gürsoy Gamze , Lu Nancy , Wagner Sarah , Gerstein Mark
Published: September 2021

With the recent increase in RNA sequencing efforts using large cohorts of individuals, surveying allele-specific gene expression is becoming increasingly frequent. Here, we report that, despite not containing explicit variant information, a list of genes known to be allele-specific in an individual is enough to recover key variants and link the individuals back to their genotypes and phenotypes. This creates a privacy conundrum.
Prognostic factors of total hip replacement during a 2-year period in participants enrolled in supervised education and exercise therapy: a prognostic study of 3657 participants with hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Clausen Stine , Hartvigsen Jan , Boyle Eleanor , Roos Ewa M. , Grønne Dorte Thalund , Ernst Martin Thomsen , Arnbak Bodil , Skou Søren T.
Published: September 2021

Background

Evidence on prognostic factors associated with progression to total hip replacement (THR) in hip osteoarthritis (OA) is for the most patient- and disease-specific characteristics either conflicting or inconclusive. Therefore, the objectives of this study of participants with hip OA enrolled in a structured program of supervised education and exercise therapy were to describe the rate of THR and to identify prognostic factors for receiving THR within the following 2 years.

Methods

Participants aged ≥ 45 years with hip OA enrolled in Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) from July 2014 to March 2017 were included. Potential prognostic factors included demographic and disease-specific baseline characteristics and measures of physical activity and quality of life (QoL). Information on THR was retrieved from The Danish National Patient Registry. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was developed.

Results

Of 3657 included participants, 30% received a THR within 2 years. Of the 100 participants already wait-listed for THR, 60% had the procedure. Of 22 candidate prognostic factors, 14 were statistically significant for receiving THR. Factors associated with a faster rate of THR included being “male” (HR 1.43), having “self-reported radiographic hip OA” (HR 2.32), being “wait-listed for THR” (HR 2.17), and having a higher “pain intensity” (HR 1.01). In contrast, faster “walking speed” (HR 0.64), better “hip-related QoL” (HR 0.98), and having “three or more comorbidities” (HR 0.62) were predictive of a slower rate of THR.

Conclusion

During the 2-year follow-up period, 30% of the cohort received a THR. Notably, 40% of those wait-listed for THR when entering the program did not receive THR within 2 years. A number of baseline prognostic factors for receiving THR were identified.
Prognostic factors of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review
Authors: Lubov Joshua , Labbé Mathilde , Sioufi Krystelle , Morand Grégoire B. , Hier Michael P. , Khanna Manish , Sultanem Khalil , Mlynarek Alex M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNCSCC) is a non-melanoma skin cancer that is mostly caused by solar ultraviolet radiation exposure. While it usually has an excellent prognosis, a subset of patients (5%) develops nodal metastasis and has poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature and evaluate the prognostic factors of HNCSCC in order to better understand which patients are the most likely to develop metastatic disease.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed and EMBASE to identify the studies that evaluated the prognostic factors of HNCSCC. Prognostic factors were deemed significant if they had a reported p-value of < 0.05. Proportions of studies that reported a given factor to be statistically significant were calculated for each prognostic factor.

Results

The search yielded a total of 958 citations. Forty studies, involving a total of 8535 patients, were included in the final analysis. The pre-operative/clinical prognostic factors with the highest proportion of significance were state of immunosuppression (73.3%) and age (53.3%); while post-operative/pathological prognostic factors of importance were number of lymph nodes involved with carcinoma (70.0%), margins involved with carcinoma (66.7%), and tumor depth (50.0%).

Conclusion

This systematic review is aimed to aid physicians in assessing the prognosis of HNCSCC and identifying the subsets of patients that are most susceptible to metastasis. It also suggests that immunosuppressed patients with a high-risk feature on biopsy, such as invasion beyond subcutaneous fat, could possibly benefit from a sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Graphical Abstract
Biomechanics of a calcar loading and a shortened tapered femoral stem: Comparative in-vitro testing of primary stability and strain distribution
Authors: Freitag Tobias , Bieger Ralf , Kiefer Hartmuth , Dornacher Daniel , Reichel Heiko , Ignatius Anita , Dürselen Lutz
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The most common femoral short stems available on the market can, in principle, be divided with regard to their anchoring concepts into a calcar loading and a shortened tapered design. The purpose of this study was to compare the primary stability and stress-shielding of two short stems, which correspond to these two different anchoring concepts.

Methods

Using seven paired fresh frozen human cadaver femurs, primary axial and rotational stabilities under dynamic load (100–1600 N) were evaluated by miniature displacement transducers after 100,000 load cycles. Changes in cortical strains were measured before and after implantation of both stem types to detect implant-specific load transmission and possible stress-shielding effects.

Results

Reversible and irreversible micromotions under dynamic load displayed no significant differences between the two implants. Implantation of either stem types resulted in a reduction of cortical strains in the proximal femur, which was less pronounced for the calcar loading implant.

Conclusions

Both short stems displayed comparable micromotions far below the critical threshold above which osseointegration may disturbed. Neither short stem could avoid proximal stress-shielding. This effect was less pronounced for the calcar loading short stem, which corresponds to a more physiological load transmission.
MicroRNAs as the critical regulators of protein kinases in prostate and bladder cancers
Authors: Zangoue Malihe , Zangouei Amir Sadra , Mojarrad Majid , Moghbeli Meysam
Published: September 2021

Background

Bladder cancer (BCa) and prostate cancer (PCa) are frequent urothelial and genital malignancies with a high ratio of morbidity and mortality which are more common among males. Since BCa and PCa cases are mainly diagnosed in advanced stages with clinical complications, it is required to introduce the efficient early detection markers. Protein kinases are critical factors involved in various cellular processes such as cell growth, motility, differentiation, and metabolism. Deregulation of protein kinases can be frequently observed through the neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Therefore, kinases are required to be regulated via different genetic and epigenetic processes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are among the critical factors involved in epigenetic regulation of protein kinases. Since miRNAs are noninvasive and more stable factors in serum and tissues compared with mRNAs, they can be used as efficient diagnostic markers for the early detection of PCa and BCa.

Main body

In present review, we have summarized all of the reported miRNAs that have been associated with regulation of protein kinases in bladder and prostate cancers.

Conclusions

For the first time, this review highlights the miRNAs as critical factors in regulation of protein kinases during prostate and bladder cancers which paves the way of introducing a noninvasive kinase-specific panel of miRNAs for the early detection of these malignancies. It was observed that the class VIII receptors of tyrosine kinases and non-receptor tyrosine kinases were the most frequent targets for the miRNAs in bladder and prostate cancers, respectively.
Alternative disease management strategies for organic apple production in the United Kingdom
Authors: Shuttleworth Lucas Alexander
Published: September 2021

Apple is a globally important tree fruit. In the United Kingdom (UK) and mainland Europe, there is ongoing consumer and environmental concern regarding over-reliance on conventional chemicals for disease control. This has resulted in an increase in withdrawal of active ingredients and legal use restrictions over recent years. The loss of active ingredients can be problematic for growers, who have relied on the generally more predictable and efficacious management that results from using conventional chemicals. Organic disease management methods are generally more sustainable over the long term as organic methods have fewer negative impacts on the environment and on human health. Key diseases of organic UK apple production include scab, European canker, powdery mildew, apple replant disease, and brown rot/blossom wilt. The recommended organic control measures depend on the disease. Measures range from the use of host resistance, rootstock and scion cultivar selection, planting location of trees, application of biological control agents, soil amendments, cultural management, postharvest treatments, disease modelling and forecasting. The challenge when using organic methods is results are often more variable and less predictable than when using conventional chemicals. Biological control agents, for example, often require more applications than chemicals, need correct timing to work effectively, and can be sensitive to weather and orchard management. Additionally, a thorough understanding of disease ecology by growers is helpful for more effective implementation of organic control methods. Invasive pathogens not currently present in the UK that may affect apple production including Xylella fastidiosa and Valsa mali, and the potential effects of climate change on pathogens already present such as Erwinia amylovora (fireblight) are discussed. The consequences of climate change are difficult to predict due to the changeable nature of the weather and the variation in factors contributing to climate change. However, a warming planet and more unpredictable weather patterns may favour range expansion of pathogens, while increasing plant stress and susceptibility. This review presents various methods that can be applied as alternatives to conventional chemicals for disease control in organic apple production to provide economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and the supply of safe nutritious food.
Performance of extended end-plate bolted connections subjected to static and blast-like loads
Authors: Osman Ahmed A. , Mourad Sherif A.
Published: September 2021

In this study, numerical models were developed to predict the behavior of steel extended end-plate moment connections subjected to static and blast-like loading. Two types of extended end-plate connections were considered, stiffened, and unstiffened, with pretensioned bolts. The models were verified by comparing the results with published experimental data. The models were used to compute the moment-rotation curves for the connection under static loading, and then under different blast durations. The pressure impulse diagram and the energy dissipation for the connection under dynamic loading were determined. The failure modes were examined, and the numerical results were compared with the simplified models presented in codes and standards. Improvement in the performance of the connection by adding one or two stiffeners was demonstrated. For the configuration studied, introducing a stiffener increased plastic dissipation energy for blast loading by 45% compared to the unstiffened connection, whereas under static loading, the plastic energy dissipation for stiffened connection, SC2, was higher than the unstiffened connection by 30%. A conservative estimate for the dynamic increase factor (DIF) was found to be 1.2 for steel yield stress and 1.05 for bolt failure.
From acoustic to elastic inverse extended Born modeling: A first insight in the marine environment
Authors: Farshad Milad , Chauris Hervé
Published: September 2021

Elastic least-squares reverse time migration is a state-of-the-art linear imaging technique used to retrieve high-resolution quantitative subsurface images. Its successful application requires many migration/modeling cycles. To accelerate the convergence rate, various pseudoinverse Born operators have been proposed, providing quantitative results within a single iteration, while having roughly the same computational cost as reverse time migration. However, these are based on the acoustic approximation, leading to possible inaccurate amplitude predictions as well as the ignorance of S-wave effects. To solve this problem, we have extended the pseudoinverse Born operator from acoustic to elastic media to account for the elastic amplitudes of PP reflections and provide an estimate of physical density P- and S-wave impedance models. We restrict the extension to marine environments, with the recording of pressure waves at the receiver positions. First, we replace the acoustic Green’s functions by their elastic version, without modifying the structure of the original pseudoinverse Born operator. We then apply a Radon transform to the results of the first step to calculate the angle-dependent response. Finally, we simultaneously invert for the physical parameters using a weighted least-squares method. Through numerical experiments, we first examine the consequences of the acoustic approximation on elastic data, leading to inaccurate parameter inversion as well as to artificial reflector inclusion. Then, we determine that our method can simultaneously invert for elastic parameters in the presence of complex uncorrelated structures, inaccurate background models, and Gaussian noisy data.
A comparative study of permeability prediction for Eocene sandstones — Part 1: Application of modified Swanson models to mercury injection capillary pressure and nuclear magnetic resonance data
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Weller Andreas
Published: September 2021

The mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) method and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry provide insight into the pore radius distribution (PRD) either of pore throats (MICP) or pore bodies (NMR) of rocks. One variety of permeability ( k) prediction models is based on the knowledge of the PRD. We have evaluated the quality of k-prediction models using a sample set of Eocene sandstones with known values of measured permeability. The Swanson method relates the apex point of the capillary pressure curve to k. Although this widely acknowledged method uses only a single point of the PRD, it provides a predictive quality with an average ratio between the measured and predicted permeability lower than a factor of three. The pore throat radius of the apex point proves to be a good proxy of the effective hydraulic radius. We determine that an improved k prediction can be achieved if a larger section of the PRD is considered in our generalized model. Using reliable values of surface relaxivity, the NMR relaxation time distribution is transformed into a PRD. We find that a characteristic apex point can be determined from NMR data, too. This characteristic point enables a good k prediction for the set of Eocene sandstone samples. In contrast to MICP, the predictive quality cannot be improved by applying an integration over a larger section of the PRD. Further tests with samples of different pore structure and lithology should demonstrate the potential of our models.
Breaking Bad News in Cancer Care: Ethiopian Patients Want More Information Than What Family and the Public Want Them to Have
Authors: Abraha Woldemariam Aynalem , Andersson Rune , Munthe Christian , Linderholm Barbro , Berbyuk Lindström Nataliya
Published: September 2021

PURPOSE

This study explores the preferences of patients with cancer, family caregivers, and the general public regarding breaking bad news in an Ethiopian oncology setting.

METHODS

The study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialized Hospital. The sample consists of patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis, their family caregivers, and representatives from the general public with 150 subjects per cohort. The study used a comparative cross-sectional design and multivariable data analysis.

RESULTS

The patients would like to be informed, which contradicts the preferences of family caregivers. This creates an ethical dilemma for staff in terms of how much they involve their patients in clinical decision making. The patients also indicate that information should not be withheld from them. By contrast, the general public prefers information about poor life expectancy to be communicated to family only, which may reflect a widespread public perception of cancer as a deadly disease.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate the complexity of communication-related preferences concerning breaking bad news in oncology care in Ethiopia. It requires oncologists to probe patient attitudes before information disclosure to find a balance between involving patients in communication at the same time as keeping a constructive alliance with family caregivers.
Relaxor–super-paraelectric behaviour and crystal-field–driven spin-phonon coupling in pyrochlore Eu2Ti2O7
Authors: Alam Mohd , Pal Arkadeb , Anand Khyati , Ghosh Surajit , Tripathi Saurabh , Singh Ranjan K. , Ghosh A. K. , Yang H. D. , Chatterjee Sandip
Published: September 2021

The temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and dielectric property of pyrochlore Eu2Ti2O7 have been investigated. The appearance of additional phonon modes below 200 K is observed suggesting a local structural change. The anomalous softening of the phonon modes and existence of crystal-field-induced short-range magnetic ordering below 150 K unveiled the possible spin-phonon coupling. The signature behaviour of a dipolar glassy-relaxor state and super-paraelectric nature has been demonstrated. Additional dielectric anomaly at lower temperature, below 40 K, related to spin-spin correlation has also been reported.
Graphene-induced lasing mode tailoring in GaN floating microring cavity
Authors: Zhu GangYi , Qin FeiFei , Wang Ru , Wang XiaoXuan , Lu JunFeng , Yang Ying , Xu ChunXiang , Wang YongJin
Published: September 2021

Due to its unique properties, such as high electron and thermal conductivities, graphene has attracted much attention, especially in its applications to optoelectronic devices. Herein, graphene is used in the tailoring of the lasing mode from a floated GaN microring cavity. The lasing performances of the GaN cavities are investigated, including its lasing intensity, full width at half maximum (FWHM) and mode properties for samples with or without the presence of graphene. We show that clear side-mode suppression, and an improvement in the photoluminescence (PL), is obtained for samples containing graphene. For samples covered with graphene, the threshold values are reduced by half and the PL intensity is enhanced by over 20 times. Based on observations of the PL evolution in terms of spontaneous emission, the side-mode suppression phenomenon can be attributed to electrons transfer induced PL modulation. Our work reveals a promising strategy for fabricating high-performance optoelectronic device.
A game-theory–inspired decomposition of interspecific interaction matrices
Authors: Király B. , Fort H.
Published: September 2021

In evolutionary game theory, pair interactions are usually defined through so-called payoff matrices, which can be decomposed as linear combinations of basis matrices that represent just four different orthogonal interaction types. In this paper, we take the first steps in exploring the utility of this decomposition in ecology. We introduce the componental cosines of the irrelevant, external, coordination, and conflict components of matrices to measure the relative weight of the different interaction types, and use them to analyse the composition of 33 experimentally obtained interspecific interaction matrices compiled from the literature, which reveals statistically significant correlations both between different components and some components and community productivity and biodiversity.