bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: DeCotis Paul A.
Published: March 2021

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the environment, social and governance (ESG) criteria used to assess investment opportunities and investment risks are fast becoming a pillar in organizational strategy. Corporations are considered the most powerful and influential entities in the world today, much as they have been since the inception of organized commerce and markets. The jobs they provide support life and livelihood and provide psychological and physical comfort and security. Corporate leaders serve as trustees of academic institutions, serve on private and public boards of directors including faith‐based and charitable and cultural organizations, and are appointed or elected to serve in influential government and philanthropic positions. As such the influence of corporations and corporate leaders is wide and vast and their impact on CSR and ESG initiatives can be impactful.
Factors influencing prescription and administration of analgesic medication: A longitudinal study of people with dementia living in care homes
Authors: La Frenais Francesca , Vickerstaff Victoria , Cooper Claudia , Livingston Gill , Stone Patrick , Sampson Elizabeth L.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To (1) describe the prescription and administration of regular and ‘as required’ (pro re nata [PRN]) analgesics in English care homes, (2) investigate individual and care home factors associated with analgesic use.

Methods

We collected data (2014–2016) at 0‐, 4‐, and 12‐months nested in a longitudinal cohort study of 86 English care homes about residents with diagnosed or probable dementia. We describe analgesics prescribed as regular or PRN medication, by class, and PRN administration. We explored individual differences (sociodemographic; dementia severity [Clinical Dementia Rating]), and care home differences (type; ownership; number of beds; dementia‐registered/specialist; Care Quality Commission rating) in prescription and administration using multilevel regression models.

Results

Data were available for 1483 residents. At baseline, 967 residents (67.9%) were prescribed analgesics: 426 residents (28.7%) prescribed regular analgesics and 670 (45.2%) prescribed PRN. Paracetamol was the most prescribed analgesic (56.7%), with PRN prescriptions more common than regular (39.7% vs. 16.6%). Across all study visits, 344 residents (mean = 41.9%) with a PRN prescription did not receive any analgesic in the 2 weeks prior to data collection. Male residents and those with severe dementia received fewer analgesics. Care homes differences in PRN administration were not explained by the modelled variables.

Conclusions

Pain management in English care homes largely relies on PRN paracetamol that is frequently prescribed but infrequently administered. Care homes differ in how often they administer PRN analgesics. Some care home residents particularly those with more severe dementia are likely to have untreated pain.
The Multiscale TROPIcal CatchmentS critical zone observatory M‐TROPICS dataset II: Land use, hydrology and sediment production monitoring in Houay Pano, northern Lao PDR
Authors: Boithias Laurie , Auda Yves , Audry Stéphane , Bricquet Jean‐Pierre , Chanhphengxay Alounsavath , Chaplot Vincent , de Rouw Anneke , Henry des Tureaux Thierry , Huon Sylvain , Janeau Jean‐Louis , Latsachack Keooudone , Le Troquer Yann , Lestrelin Guillaume , Maeght Jean‐Luc , Marchand Pierre , Moreau Pierre , Noble Andrew , Pando‐Bahuon Anne , Phachomphon Kongkeo , Phanthavong Khambai , Pierret Alain , Ribolzi Olivier , Riotte Jean , Robain Henri , Rochelle‐Newall Emma , Sayavong Saysongkham , Sengtaheuanghoung Oloth , Silvera Norbert , Sipaseuth Nivong , Soulileuth Bounsamay , Souliyavongsa Xaysatith , Sounyaphong Phapvilay , Tasaketh Sengkeo , Thammahacksa Chanthamousone , Thiebaux Jean‐Pierre , Valentin Christian , Vigiak Olga , Viguier Marion , Xayyathip Khampaseuth
Published: March 2021

Mountain regions of the humid tropics are characterized by steep slopes and heavy rains. These regions are thus prone to both high surface runoff and soil erosion. In Southeast Asia, uplands are also subject to rapid land‐use change, predominantly as a result of increased population pressure and market forces. Since 1998, the Houay Pano site, located in northern Lao PDR (19.85°N 102.17°E) within the Mekong basin, aims at assessing the long‐term impact of the conversion of traditional slash‐and‐burn cultivation systems to commercial perennial monocultures such as teak tree plantations, on the catchment hydrological response and sediment yield. The instrumented site monitors hydro‐meteorological and soil loss parameters at both microplot (1 m2) and small catchment (0.6 km2) scales. The monitored catchment is part of the network of critical zone observatories named Multiscale TROPIcal CatchmentS (M‐TROPICS). The data shared by M‐TROPICS in Houay Pano are (1) rainfall, (2) air temperature, air relative humidity, wind speed, and global radiation, (3) catchment land use, (4) stream water level, suspended particulate matter, bed particulate matter and stones, (5) soil surface features, and (6) soil surface runoff and soil detachment. The dataset has already been used to interpret suspended particulate matter and bed particulate matter sources and dynamics, to assess the impact of land‐use change on catchment hydrology, soil erosion, and sediment yields, to understand bacteria fate and weed seed transport across the catchment, and to build catchment‐scale models focused on hydrology and water quality issues. The dataset may be further used to, for example, assess the role of headwater catchments in large tropical river basin hydrology, support the interpretation of new variables measured in the catchment (e.g., contaminants other than faecal bacteria), and assess the relative impacts of both climate and land‐use change on the catchment.
Prospective analyses of testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin with the risk of 19 types of cancer in men and postmenopausal women in UK Biobank
Authors: Watts Eleanor L. , Perez‐Cornago Aurora , Knuppel Anika , Tsilidis Konstantinos K. , Key Timothy J. , Travis Ruth C.
Published: March 2021

We investigated the associations of estimated free and total circulating testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) with cancer risk in men and postmenopausal women, using a pan‐cancer approach, including 19 cancers in UK Biobank. Risk was estimated using multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression in up to 182 608 men and 122 112 postmenopausal women who were cancer‐free at baseline. Participants diagnosed with cancer within 2 years of baseline were excluded. Hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were corrected for regression dilution bias using repeat measurements. We accounted for multiple testing using the false discovery rate. In men, higher free testosterone was associated with higher risks of melanoma and prostate cancer (HR per 50 pmol/L increase = 1.35, 95% CI 1.14‐1.61 and 1.10, 1.04‐1.18, respectively). Higher total testosterone was associated with an elevated risk of liver cancer (HR per 5 nmol/L = 2.45, 1.56‐3.84), and higher SHBG was associated with a higher risk of liver cancer (HR per 10 nmol/L = 1.56, 1.31‐1.87) and a lower risk of prostate cancer (0.93, 0.91‐0.96); the associations with liver cancer were partially attenuated after excluding men diagnosed within 4.7 years from baseline. In postmenopausal women, free and total testosterone and SHBG were associated with risks of endometrial (HR per 10 pmol/L = 1.59, 1.32‐1.90; HR per 0.5 nmol/L = 1.34, 1.18‐1.52 and HR per 25 nmol/L = 0.78, 0.67‐0.91, respectively) and breast cancer (1.32, 1.22‐1.43; 1.24, 1.17‐1.31 and 0.88, 0.83‐0.94, respectively). We report a novel association of free testosterone with malignant melanoma in men, and confirm known associations between testosterone and risks for prostate, breast and endometrial cancers. The association with liver cancer in men may be attributable to reverse causation.
Clinical impact of probiotics on the efficacy of anti‐PD‐1 monotherapy in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer: A multicenter retrospective survival analysis study with inverse probability of treatment weighting
Authors: Takada Kazuki , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Takamori Shinkichi , Shimamatsu Shinichiro , Hirai Fumihiko , Tagawa Tetsuzo , Okamoto Tatsuro , Hamatake Motoharu , Tsuchiya‐Kawano Yuko , Otsubo Kohei , Inoue Koji , Yoneshima Yasuto , Tanaka Kentaro , Okamoto Isamu , Nakanishi Yoichi , Mori Masaki
Published: March 2021

The gastrointestinal microbiota was reported as an important factor for the response to cancer immunotherapy. Probiotics associated with gastrointestinal dysbiosis and bacterial richness may affect the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy drugs. However, the clinical impact of probiotics on the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poorly understood. The outcomes of 294 patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC who received antiprogrammed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) therapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy) at three medical centers in Japan were analyzed in our study. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to minimize the bias arising from the patients' backgrounds. The IPTW‐adjusted Kaplan‐Meier curves showed that progression‐free survival (nonuse vs use: hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval {CI}] = 1.73 [1.42‐2.11], log‐rank test P = .0229), but not overall survival (nonuse vs use: HR [95%CI] = 1.40 [1.13‐1.74], log‐rank test P = .1835), was significantly longer in patients who received probiotics. Moreover, the IPTW‐adjusted univariate analyses showed that nonuse or use of probiotics was significantly associated with disease control (nonuse vs use: odds ratio [OR] [95%CI] = 0.51 [0.35‐0.74], P = .0004) and overall response (nonuse vs use: OR [95%CI] = 0.43 [0.29‐0.63], P < .0001). In this multicenter and retrospective study, probiotics use was associated with favorable clinical outcomes in patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC who received anti‐PD‐1 monotherapy. The findings should be validated in a future prospective study.
Transcription factor AP‐2beta in development, differentiation and tumorigenesis
Authors: Raap Mieke , Gierendt Lisa , Kreipe Hans H. , Christgen Matthias
Published: March 2021

To date, the AP‐2 family of transcription factors comprises five members. Transcription factor AP‐2beta (TFAP2B)/AP‐2β was first described in 1995. Several studies indicate a critical role of AP‐2β in the development of tissues and organs of ectodermal, neuroectodermal and also mesodermal origin. Germline mutation of TFAP2B is known to cause the Char syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by facial dysmorphism, patent ductus arteriosus and anatomical abnormalities of the fifth digit. Furthermore, single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in TFAP2B were linked to obesity and specific personality traits. In neoplasias, AP‐2β was first described in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunohistochemical staining of AP‐2β is a recommended ancillary test for the histopathological diagnosis of this uncommon childhood malignancy. In neuroblastoma, AP‐2β supports noradrenergic differentiation. Recently, the function of AP‐2β in breast cancer (BC) has gained interest. AP‐2β is associated with the lobular BC subtype. Moreover, AP‐2β controls BC cell proliferation and has a prognostic impact in patients with BC. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge about AP‐2β and its function in organ development, differentiation and tumorigenesis.
Bone Aging, Cellular Senescence, and Osteoporosis
Authors: Pignolo Robert J , Law Susan F , Chandra Abhishek
Published: March 2021

Changes in aging bone that lead to osteoporosis are mediated at multiple levels, including hormonal alterations, skeletal unloading, and accumulation of senescent cells. This pathological interplay is superimposed upon medical conditions, potentially bone‐wasting medications, modifiable and unmodifiable personal risk factors, and genetic predisposition that accelerate bone loss with aging. In this study, the focus is on bone hemostasis and its dysregulation with aging. The major physiological changes with aging in bone and the role of cellular senescence in contributing to age‐related osteoporosis are summarized. The aspects of bone aging are reviewed including remodeling deficits, uncoupling phenomena, inducers of cellular senescence related to bone aging, roles of the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype, radiation‐induced bone loss as a model for bone aging, and the accumulation of senescent cells in the bone microenvironment as a predominant mechanism for age‐related osteoporosis. The study also addresses the rationale and potential for therapeutic interventions based on the clearance of senescent cells or suppression of the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype. © 2021 The Authors.JBMR Pluspublished by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Punicalagin induces ROS‐mediated apoptotic cell death through inhibiting STAT3 translocation in lung cancer A549 cells
Authors: Fang Le , Wang Hong , Zhang Jie , Fang Xiaolei
Published: March 2021

Lung cancer is a noxious disease with substandard overall survival. Despite this, there are several treatment strategies for lung cancer include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery; however, the overall survival remains poor. Punicalagin has been documented as a potential phytomedicine to selectively inhibit the progression and expansion of numerous cancers. In the present study, we evaluated the antiproliferative ability of punicalagin against lung cancer A549 cells by inducing apoptosis by inhibiting STAT‐3 activation. Punicalagin induces toxic effects of A549 cells in a dose‐associated manner after 24 h treatment. And we also observed that punicalagin (10, 20, and 30 μM) induced reactive oxygen species generation, alters the mitochondrion membrane potential and apoptotic morphological changes in A549 cells. The STAT‐3 overexpression regulates apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Here, the punicalagin inhibited STAT‐3 translocation and thereby induces apoptosis by inhibiting expression Bcl‐2 and enhanced expression of Bax, cytochrome‐c, caspase‐9, and caspase‐3 in A549 cells. Hence, we stated that the punicalagin is a possible therapy for non‐small cell lung, malignancies. Altogether, the punicalagin is a promising phytomedicine in malignancy treatment and further endeavors are needed to unveil the complete potential.
Developing a variation of 3D‐QSAR/MD method in drug design
Authors: Haghshenas Hamed , Kaviani Bita , Firouzeh Monireh , Tavakol Hossein
Published: March 2021

In continuation of the previous reports on a combination of 3D‐quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) with computational molecular dynamics (MD) studies, a new variation of 3D‐QSAR/MD method has been employed for drug‐design as an alternative or supplementary for the typical experimental methods. The presented method is more cost‐effective and less time‐consuming than the previous methods and avoids several restrictions of experimental methods, such as validity estimation, and predictability. For this purpose, seven inhibitors for bromodomain (BRD)‐containing protein, as an important protein in the development of different types of cancer and responsible for oncogenic rearrangements, have been selected to study of their interactions by docking and MD simulations using molecular mechanics/generalized born surface area (MM/GBSA) method. To build the proposed model, a common variant of 3D‐QSAR methods, comparative molecular field analysis has been employed using a dataset of 100 MD‐extracted ligand conformations and their corresponding MM/GBSA BRD4‐binding energies. The results showed excellent predictability of the generated model for both the training set and test groups. Finally, two new inhibitors were selected among total 4000 designed derivatives (generated through evolutionary techniques) using the proposed 3D‐QSAR‐MD model. The potentials of these inhibitors were assessed by MD simulations, which showed the higher inhibitory of these compounds than the previous inhibitors. Therefore, this method showed high potentials for acceleration of the procedure of drug design and a basis for joining researchers in computational biology and pharmaceutical sciences.
Impact of Dose Delays and Alternative Dosing Regimens on Pertuzumab Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Liu Stephanie N. , Lu Tong , Jin Jin Y. , Li Chunze , Girish Sandhya , Melnikov Fjodor , Badovinac Crnjevic Tanja , Machackova Zuzana , Restuccia Eleonora , Kirschbrown Whitney P.
Published: March 2021

PERJETA (pertuzumab), administered with Herceptin (trastuzumab), is used in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐positive breast cancer. Pertuzumab is currently approved with an initial loading dose of 840 mg, followed by a 420‐mg maintenance dose intravenously every 3 weeks. A reloading dose is required if there is a ≥6‐week delay in treatment. In response to the potential treatment disruption due to COVID‐19, the impact of dose delays and alternative dosing regimens on intravenous pertuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐positive breast cancer treatment is presented. Simulations were conducted by using the validated population pharmacokinetic model for pertuzumab, and included (1) 4‐, 6‐, and 9‐week dose delays of the 840 mg/420 mg every 3 weeks dosing regimen and (2) 840 mg/420 mg every 4 weeks and 840 mg every 6 weeks alternative dosing regimens. Simulations were compared with the currently approved pertuzumab dosing regimen. The simulations in 1000 virtual patients showed that a dose reload (840 mg) is required following a dose delay of ≥6 weeks to maintain comparable Ctrough (lowest concentration before the next dose is given) levels to clinical trials. The 840 mg/420 mg every 4 weeks and 840 mg every 6 weeks alternative dosing regimens decrease median steady‐state Ctrough by ≈40% compared with the approved regimen, and <90% of patients will be above the target Ctrough. Thus, the alternative 840 mg/420 mg every 4 weeks and 840 mg every 6 weeks pertuzumab dosing regimens are not recommended. Flexibility for intravenous PERJETA‐based regimens is available with an alternative route of pertuzumab administration (subcutaneous vs intravenous).
Untargeted analysis of pure snail slime and snail slime‐induced Au nanoparticles metabolome with MALDI FT‐ICR MS
Authors: Onzo Alberto , Pascale Raffaella , Acquavia Maria Assunta , Cosma Pinalysa , Gubitosa Jennifer , Gaeta Carmine , Iannece Patrizia , Tsybin Yury , Rizzi Vito , Guerrieri Antonio , Ciriello Rosanna , Bianco Giuliana
Published: March 2021

Chronic wounds result from the failure of the normal wound healing process. Any delay during the tissue repair process could be defined as chronic wound healing, potentially having a highly detrimental impact on human health. To face this problem, in the last years, the use of different technologies alternative to therapeutic agents is gaining more attention. The Helix aspersa snail slime‐based products are increasingly being used for skin injury, thanks to their ability to make tissue repair processes faster. To date, a comprehensive overview of pure snail slime metabolome is not available. Besides, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) technology is spreading rapidly in the medical environment, and the search for AuNPs “green” synthetic routes that involve natural products as precursor agents is demanded, alongside with a deep comprehension of the kind of species that actively take part in synthesis and product stabilization. The aim of this work is to characterize the metabolic profile of a pure snail slime sample, by an untargeted high‐resolution mass spectrometry‐based analysis. In addition, insights on AuNPs synthesis and stabilization by the main components of pure snail slime used to induce the synthesis were obtained. The untargeted analysis provided a large list of important classes of metabolites, that is, fatty acid derivatives, amino acids and peptides, carbohydrates and polyphenolic compounds that could be appreciated in both samples of slime, with and without AuNPs. Moreover, a direct comparison of the obtained results suggests that mostly nitrogen and sulfur‐bearing metabolites take part in the synthesis and stabilization of AuNPs.
Cause of an extreme warm and rainy winter inShanghaiin 2019
Authors: Pan Xiao , Wang Wei , Li Tim , Xin Fei , Yu Jinhua
Published: March 2021

An extreme warm winter (ranked first during the past 30‐years) occurred in Shanghai in 2019, accompanied with an extreme rainy winter (ranked thirdly in the same period). An observational diagnosis shows that the extreme warm and rainy winter arose from southerly anomalies associated with an anticyclone east of Shanghai. The cause of the anticyclone was attributed to V‐shaped upper‐tropospheric Rossby wave activity fluxes, originated from the North Atlantic and tropical Indian Ocean. Numerical model experiments indicate that the anomalous heat source in the tropical Indian Ocean played a dominant role (~65%) in causing the local anomalous circulation, while the heating in North Atlantic also played a role (~35%). A further analysis of the past 30 year data revealed that an extreme warm winter in the past did not coincide with an extreme wet winter. While the warm winter composite shows a large‐scale anticyclone anomaly over Central and East Asia, the rainy winter composite exhibits a circulation dipole pattern with an anomalous cyclone (anticyclone) west (east) of Shanghai. Numerical experiments confirm that the former was forced by the combined effect of precipitation anomalies over the North Atlantic and tropical Indian Ocean (IO) and Maritime Continent (MC) through Rossby wave energy dispersion, whereas the latter was caused by a dipole heating pattern over the tropical IO/MC sector.
Comparison of Sugammadex Dose for Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Thyroid Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chai Young Jun , Lee Jung‐Man , Won Dongwook , Lee Jiwon , Hwang Jin‐Young , Kim Tae Kyong , Chang Jee‐Eun , Kim Hyerim , Yang Hyo Jun , Min Seong‐Won
Published: March 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To compare effect of 1 and 2 mg/kg of sugammadex on the incidence of intraoperative bucking and intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) quality in thyroid surgery.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Patients qualified for thyroid surgery with IONM were eligible for this double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial. After tracheal intubation with 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium, 1 or 2 mg/kg of sugammadex was administered to patients in group I or II, respectively. The quality of the IONM for the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) was evaluated (strong/intermediate/weak). The initial amplitude of electromyography for the vagus nerve (V1) and the recurrent laryngeal nerve (R1) were recorded. Intraoperative bucking movements was recorded.

Results

A total of 102 patients (51 in each group) completed the study. Time from sugammadex administration to initial checking for the EBSLN was not different between group I and II (25.0 ± 7.9 vs. 25.5 ± 9.0 minutes, P = .788). There was no difference in the neuromonitoring quality for the EBSLN between group I and II (strong/intermediate/weak: 46/5/0 vs. 50/1/0, P = .205). The amplitudes of V1 (1,086.3 ± 673.3 μV vs. 1,161.8 ± 727.5 μV, P = .588) and R1 (1,328.2 ± 934.1 μV vs. 1,410.5 ± 919.6 μV, P = .655) were comparable between the groups. Patients who experienced bucking were significantly fewer in the group I than the group II (13.7% vs. 35.3%, P = .020).

Conclusion

A dose of 1 mg/kg sugammadex induced less bucking than 2 m/kg while providing comparable IONM quality during thyroid surgery.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 131:2154–2159, 2021
Carbon and nitrogen content to biovolume relationships for marine protist of the Rhizaria lineage (Radiolaria and Phaeodaria)
Authors: Mansour Joost Samir , Norlin Andreas , Llopis Monferrer Natalia , L'Helguen Stéphane , Not Fabrice
Published: March 2021

Rhizaria are large protistan cells that have been shown to be a major component of the planktic community in the oceans and contribute significantly to major biogeochemical cycles such as carbon or silicon. However, unlike for many other protists, limited data is available on rhizarian cellular carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and cell volume. Here we present novel C and N mass to volume equations and ratios for nine Rhizaria taxa belonging to Radiolaria (i.e., Collozoum, Sphaerozoum, Collosphaeridae, Acantharia, Nassellaria, and Spumellaria) and Phaeodaria (i.e., Aulacantha, Protocystis, and Challengeria). The C and N content of collodarian cells was significantly correlated to cell volume as expressed by the mass : vol equations ng C cell−1 = −13.51 + 0.1524 × biovolume (μm3) or ng N cell−1 = −4.33 + 0.0249 × biovolume (μm3). Significant C and N content to volume correlations were also identified, and corresponding equations are proposed, for C : vol and N : vol of collodarian colonies (Radiolaria), and C : vol of the genus Protocystis (Phaeodaria). Furthermore, average C and N densities (mass per volume) are given for all studied Rhizaria. The densities and mass : vol equations established here could show that, with the exception of Aulacantha, biomass of most Rhizaria would have been underestimated using previously published generic protist C : vol ratios. We measured up to 35 times more C content for Acantharia than otherwise estimated, and between 1.4 and 21.5 times more for other taxa. Our mass : vol data will prove critical for model input and quantitative ecological studies of oceanic ecosystems.
Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness as a substitute for BMI in predicting complications in abdominally‐based autologous breast reconstruction
Authors: Dinis Jacob , Junn Alexandra , Shah Rema , Allam Omar , Mehta Sumarth , Mozaffari Mohammad Ali , Avraham Tomer , Alperovich Michael
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Patient selection for autologous tissue transfer for postmastectomy breast reconstruction often utilizes body mass index (BMI) to risk stratify patients, though it only estimates fat content and does not address fat distribution. This study aims to identify a measurement of abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness (ASFT) from preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography imaging to better predict complications.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients who underwent an abdominal microvascular free flap breast reconstruction was performed. The average of the bilateral distances from the lateral border of the rectus abdominus to the most proximal point of the dermis at the L4–L5 space was measured on preoperative imaging to estimate ASFT. This measurement was compared to BMI in regards to correlation with any complication, major or minor complications, and donor or recipient site complications. Statistical analysis utilized point‐biserial correlations and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Three hundred and nine cases comprising a total of 496 breast reconstructions were identified. BMI did not correlate with any of the grouped complications, while ASFT correlated with occurrence of any complication (p = .003), minor complications (p = .001), and recipient site complications (p = .001). Further analysis revealed ASFT is specifically correlated with fat necrosis (p = .005). In independent multivariable regression models, both BMI (p = .011) and ASFT (p = .001) were significant predictors of fat necrosis. The ASFT model had a BIC of 335.42 compared to the BMI model with a value of 340.89, with smaller numbers representing more predictive models.

Conclusion

Estimation of ASFT is easily performed and is a significantly better predictor of flap fat necrosis than BMI.
Abundant exact solutions to a generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation with local fractional derivative
Authors: Ghanbari Behzad
Published: March 2021

The paper aims to employ a new effective methodology to build exact fractional solutions to the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a local fractional operator defined on Cantor sets. The equation contains group velocity dispersion and second‐order spatiotemporal dispersion coefficients. We obtain exact solutions of the equation via the generalized version of the exponential rational function method. This new version of the method uses a set of elementary functions that are adopted on the contour set. To study the dynamic behavior of the obtained results, extensive numerical simulations are provided. We observe that the employed method is simple but quite efficient for determining the exact solutions of the problem in the local sense. Moreover, they are practically compatible with solving various classes of nonlinear problems arising in mathematical physics. All computations are carried out using the Maple package.
Technical Note: A 3D‐printed phantom for radiochromic film evaluation of moving lung tumor SBRT without dose convolution
Authors: Retif Paul , Djibo Sidikou Abdourahamane , Letellier Romain , Verrecchia‐Ramos Emilie , Quetin Philippe
Published: March 2021

Purpose

A common dosimetric quality assurance (QA) method in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) of lung tumors is to use lung phantoms with radiochromic film. However, in most phantoms, the film moves with the tumor, leading to the blurring effect. This technical note presents the QA performance of a novel phantom in which the film is fixed; this phantom can be used for both patient‐specific QA and end‐to‐end testing.

Methods

Lung tumor motion was simulated with the CIRS Model 008A phantom. A lung‐equivalent insert that consisted of a fixed radiochromic film around which a 2‐cm tumor moved in the inferior/superior direction (i.e., mimicking respiration‐induced tumor motion) was generated by 3D printing. Two common SBRT plans [dynamic conformal arc (DCA) and volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT)] were calculated on the average intensity projection (AIP) image set in Varian Eclipse using the dose calculation algorithm Acuros XB. The plans were delivered by a Varian TrueBeam STx accelerator using 6‐MV flattening filter‐free energy. EBT3 films were used for treatment‐dose verification. The measured and planned dose distributions were compared by using the local gamma index at 3% and 2 mm.

Results

Mean gamma pass rates of film and planned dose distributions were all ≥95%. DCA and VMAT plans did not differ in gamma pass rates. Planned and measured dose distributions agreed well, as did planned and measured gamma maps.

Conclusions

With this new insert, measured and planned dose distributions were very similar, which supports the current view in the field that dose calculations on AIP image sets account sufficiently for tumor motion during treatment. The phantom also performed well despite challenging breathing parameters (large tumor amplitude and slow breathing rate) and the application of a complex treatment technique (VMAT). This phantom could facilitate clinical and end‐to‐end film‐based dosimetric QA for lung SBRT.

Taxonomy

Twenty‐seven TH‐ Radiation dose measurement devices. Eleven Phantoms for dosimetric measurement.
MC2‐Net: motion correction network for multi‐contrast brain MRI
Authors: Lee Jongyeon , Kim Byungjai , Park HyunWook
Published: March 2021

Purpose

A motion‐correction network for multi‐contrast brain MRI is proposed to correct in‐plane rigid motion artifacts in brain MR images using deep learning.

Method

The proposed method consists of 2 parts: image alignment and motion correction. Alignment of multi‐contrast MR images is performed in an unsupervised manner by a CNN work, yielding transformation parameters to align input images in order to minimize the normalized cross‐correlation loss among multi‐contrast images. Then, fine‐tuning for image alignment is performed by maximizing the normalized mutual information. The motion correction network corrects motion artifacts in the aligned multi‐contrast images. The correction network is trained to minimize the structural similarity loss and the VGG loss in a supervised manner. All datasets of motion‐corrupted images are generated using motion simulation based on MR physics.

Results

A motion‐correction network for multi‐contrast brain MRI successfully corrected artifacts of simulated motion for 4 test subjects, showing 0.96%, 7.63%, and 5.03% increases in the average structural simularity and 5.19%, 10.2%, and 7.48% increases in the average normalized mutual information for T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and T2‐weighted fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery images, respectively. The experimental setting with image alignment and artifact‐free input images for other contrasts shows better performances in correction of simulated motion artifacts. Furthermore, the proposed method quantitatively outperforms recent deep learning motion correction and synthesis methods. Real motion experiments from 5 healthy subjects demonstrate the potential of the proposed method for use in a clinical environment.

Conclusion

A deep learning‐based motion correction method for multi‐contrast MRI was successfully developed, and experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Diffusion‐prepared fast spin echo for artifact‐free spinal cord imaging
Authors: Lee Seung‐Yi , Meyer Briana P. , Kurpad Shekar N. , Budde Matthew D.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Diffusion MRI provides unique contrast important for the detection and examination of pathophysiology after acute neurologic insults, including spinal cord injury. Diffusion weighted imaging of the rodent spinal cord has typically been evaluated with axial EPI readout. However, Diffusion weighted imaging is prone to motion artifacts, whereas EPI is prone to susceptibility artifacts. In the context of acute spinal cord injury, diffusion filtering has previously been shown to improve detection of injury by minimizing the confounding effects of edema. We propose a diffusion‐preparation module combined with a rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement readout to minimize artifacts for sagittal imaging.

Methods

Sprague‐Dawley rats with cervical contusion spinal cord injury were scanned at 9.4 Tesla. The sequence optimization included the evaluation of motion‐compensated encoding diffusion gradients, gating strategy, and different spinal cord‐specific diffusion‐weighting schemes.

Results

A diffusion‐prepared rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement achieved high‐quality images free from susceptibility artifacts with both second‐order motion‐compensated encoding and gating necessary for reduction of motion artifacts. Axial diffusivity obtained from the filtered diffusion‐encoding scheme had greater lesion‐to‐healthy tissue contrast (52%) compared to the similar metric from DTI (25%).

Conclusion

This work demonstrated the feasibility of high‐quality diffusion sagittal imaging in the rodent cervical cord with diffusion‐prepared relaxation enhancement. The sequence and results are expected to improve injury detection and evaluation in acute spinal cord injury.
Strategic Planning for Catfish Angling in the Future: An Example from Urban Iowa
Authors: Krogman Rebecca M. , Stubbs Tyler J.
Published: March 2021

Ictalurid catfish have a long history of popularity in Iowa fisheries, but recent changes have highlighted the need to investigate catfish angling interest and potential for future growth. Ictalurid catfish were superseded by other taxa for the first time in recent statewide angler surveys, putting their importance into question. Ongoing urbanization in Iowa was associated with reduced interest in angling and specifically in catfish angling. We sought to determine demographic characteristics, preferences, and constraints of potential anglers, lapsed catfish anglers, active catfish anglers, and non-catfish anglers and to predict where catfish angling had the greatest potential for growth. A survey of urban areas was conducted in 2018; questions included interest and past experience fishing in Iowa, target species, characteristics of an ideal fishing trip, interest in various programs, and constraints to fishing participation. A total of 693 responses were obtained, yielding a 27.7% response rate. Catfish anglers were predominantly male, middle aged, and White, and interest in catfish angling was best explained by gender, age, and rurality (i.e., urban/rural background). Interest level (i.e., potential, lapsed, active, or non-catfish angler) was related to ideal trip factors, program preferences, and constraints, with active catfish anglers being significantly different in numerous aspects from lapsed, potential, and non-catfish anglers. Based on their description of an ideal fishing trip, some potential anglers were predicted to be similar to active catfish anglers, while others would be similar to lapsed anglers. Spatial prediction of interest based on Tapestry segment composition revealed patterns of interest in both Channel Catfish Ictalurus  punctatus and Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris, which were repeated across cities. Our findings suggested numerous differences between active catfish anglers and those who may be recruited or reactivated; these differences translate into dissimilar management actions and interventions. We conclude that catfish angling can grow in Iowa’s urban centers, but recruitment and retention strategies should be specific to both audience and place.
Animal modeling of lower urinary tract dysfunction associated with multiple sclerosis: Part I: Justification of the mouse model for MS research
Authors: Ramasamy Ramalakshmi , Smith Phillip P.
Published: March 2021

Lower urinary tract symptoms and dysfunction (LUTS/LUTD) contribute to loss of quality of life, morbidity, and need for medical intervention in most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although MS is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease, clinical manifestations including continence control disorders have traditionally been attributed to the loss of neural signaling due to neurodegeneration. Clinical approaches to MS‐LUTS/LUTD have focused on addressing symptoms in the context of urodynamic dysfunctions as pathophysiologic understandings are incomplete. The mouse model provides a useful research platform for the discovery of more detailed molecular, cellular, and tissue‐level knowledge of the disease and its clinical manifestations. The aim of this two‐part review is to provide a state‐of‐the‐art update on the use of the mouse model for MS research, with a focus on lower urinary tract symptoms. Part I presents a summary of the current understanding of MS pathophysiology, the impact on lower urinary tract symptoms, and briefly introduces the types of mouse models available to study MS. Part II presents the common animal models that are currently available to study MS, their mechanism, relevance to MS‐LUTS/LUTD and their urinary pathophysiology, advantages, and disadvantages.
Changes in patient reported outcome measures after treatment for female urethral stricture
Authors: Lane Giulia I. , Gracely Alyssa , Uberoi Pansy , Lee Una , Smith Ariana L. , Anger Jennifer T. , Theva Didi , DeLong Jessica , Kowalik Casey , Padmanabhan Priya , Powell Charles R. , Carmel Maude E. , Clemens J. Quentin , Cameron Anne P. , Gupta Priyanka ,   For the SUFU Research Network
Published: March 2021

Introduction

There is a paucity of patient reported outcome measure (PROM) data for women with urethral strictures. To address this gap, we aim to evaluate change in PROM among women who underwent surgery for a stricture.

Methods

American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA‐SI) and Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) data from a multi‐institutional retrospective cohort study of women treated for urethral stricture was assessed.

Results

Fifty‐seven women had either AUA‐SS or UDI‐6 and 26 had baseline and postoperative data for either. Most women underwent urethroplasty (77%) and the majority (73%) remained stricture free at median follow‐up of 21 months (interquartile range [IQR] 7–37). The median baseline AUA‐SI was 21 (IQR 12–28) and follow‐up was 10 (IQR 5–24). After treatment, there was a median decrease of 12 (IQR −18 to −2) in AUA‐SI (p = 0.003). The median AUA Quality of life (QOL) score at baseline and follow‐up were 6 (IQR 4–6) and 3 (IQR 2–5), respectively. There was a median AUA‐QOL improvement of 2 points (−5,0; p = 0.007) from a baseline 5 (unhappy) to 3 (mixed). Median UDI‐6 scores were 50 (IQR 33–75) at baseline and 17 (IQR 0–39), at follow‐up. After treatment, there was a median decrease of 19 (−31 to −11; p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Women with urethral strictures have severe lower urinary tract symptoms which improved after surgery. This study substantiates the claims that recognizing and treating women with urethral stricture disease greatly improves lower urinary tract symptoms and QOL.
The quality in psychiatric care—Addiction outpatient instrument: Psychometric properties and patient views of the quality of care
Authors: Schröder Agneta , Skårberg Kurt , Lundqvist Lars‐Olov
Published: March 2021

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Quality in Psychiatric Care—Addiction Outpatient (QPC‐AOP) instrument and to describe the experiences with the quality of care among addiction outpatients.

Design

The study has a cross‐sectional design.

Methods

A sample of 244 patients with addiction and psychiatric disorders completed the QPC‐AOP.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate to excellent goodness‐of‐fit indices supporting the 9‐factor structure of the QPC‐AOP. The results thus demonstrate that the concept of quality of care to a large extent is equivalent among outpatients from general psychiatry and from outpatient addiction services. Internal consistency for the full QPC‐AOP was adequate, but poor for some of the separate factors. The patients’ ratings of quality of care were generally high; the highest rating was for Encounter and the lowest for Discharge.
Developing the logic framework underpinning a whole‐systems approach to childhood overweight and obesity prevention: Amsterdam Healthy Weight Approach
Authors: Sawyer Alexia , den Hertog Karen , Verhoeff Arnoud P , Busch Vincent , Stronks Karien
Published: March 2021

Background

Whole‐systems approaches (WSAs) are well placed to tackle the complex local environmental influences on overweight and obesity, yet there are few examples of WSAs in practice. Amsterdam Healthy Weight Approach (AHWA) is a long‐term, municipality‐led program to improve children's physical activity, diet, and sleep through action in the home, neighborhood, school, and city. Adopting a WSA, local political, physical, social, educational, and healthcare drivers of childhood obesity are viewed as a complex adaptive system. Since 2013, AHWA has reached >15,000 children. During this time, the estimated prevalence of 2–18‐year‐olds with overweight or obesity in Amsterdam has declined from 21% in 2012 to 18.7% in 2017. Declining trends are rarely observed in cities. There is a need to formally articulate AHWA program theory in order to: (i) inform future program evaluation which can interpret this decline within the context of AHWA and (ii) contribute a real‐life example of a WSA to the literature.

Methods

This study aimed to formally document the program theory of AHWA to permit future evaluation. A logic framework was developed through extensive document review and discussion, during program implementation.

Results

The working principles of the WSA underpinning AHWA were made explicit in an overarching theory of change, articulated in a logic framework. The framework was operationalized using an illustrative example of sugar intake.

Conclusions

The logic framework will inform AHWA development, monitoring, and evaluation and responds to a wider need to outline the working principles of WSAs in public health.
Early doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in Malawian children admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi
Authors: Moyo Dominic , Chimalizeni Yamikani , Chagaluka George , Banda Clifford G. , Molyneux Elizabeth M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Doxorubicin is known to cause chemotherapy‐induced cardiotoxicity. In resource‐poor settings, monitoring for cardiotoxicity is not routinely done, and its incidence is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of children who developed doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity within 1 year of having received treatment at paediatric oncology ward.

Methods

Children aged 3 months to 18 years with cancer were prospectively enrolled and followed up between January 2016 to June 2019. Transthoracic echocardiogram was done at baseline, 1 month, 6 months and a year after completion of therapy. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥10% to a final value of <50%. An overall incidence risk of developing cardiotoxicity was estimated. A one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare baseline LVEF with follow‐up measurements.

Findings

Ninety‐one children were enrolled, 74% (68/91) were male, and 67% (62/91) were aged 5 months to 14 years. Most patients received a doxorubicin cumulative dose between 100 and 200 mg/m2 and no cardiotoxicity was observed during the study period. However, of 77 children with at least one follow up, five children 6.54% (95% CI: 2.1–14.5) experienced LVEF reduction of >10%, though not to a final value of <50%. No deterioration of systolic function was found among 20 children who completed follow‐up (F = 2.43, p‐value = .07).

Interpretation

In this cohort of patients, most received a low cumulative doxorubicin dose and only 22% were available for evaluation at study end; no cardiotoxic events associated with doxorubicin administration were observed after 12 months.
Dynamic shear rheological study of soy protein isolate/poly(vinyl alcohol) bionanocomposites reinforced with montmorillonite nanoparticles
Authors: Gautam Sanjeev , Sharma Bhasha , Jain Purnima
Published: March 2021

Conventional nonbiodegradable thermoplastic polymers are mainly utilized by industries for edible and nonedible packaging applications. Various polysaccharides such as soy protein isolate (SPI) were used as a biodegradable polymer on behalf of synthetic polymers. Polysaccharides have superior water vapor permeability properties as compared with other synthetic polymers. In the present study, rheological characterization of SPI/poly(vinyl alcohol) (SPI/PVA) based biocomposite and bionanocomposites were performed. Ecofriendly biocomposite and bionanocomposites were successfully prepared via solution casting technique. Montmorillonite (MMT) was used as a nanofiller to enhance the characteristics of the SPI/PVA matrix. The rheological tests have been carried out to evaluate the viscoelastic behavior of biocomposite and bionanocomposites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and polarizing optical microscope (POM) images were evaluated to define dispersion of SPI and MMT in the PVA matrix. The shear‐thinning behavior of prepared samples was determined by measuring the viscosity of the polymeric solution. The frequency sweep test was done to govern the long term stability of SPI/PVA/MMT bionanocomposites. SPI/PVA/MMT (0.7% NC) nanocomposite is more stable in contrary to other prepared biocomposite and bionanocomposites. An amplitude sweep test was conducted to define the linear viscoelastic region. The viscosity of synthesized biocomposite and bionanocomposites was decreased as the shear rate increased at room temperature. Low‐cost biocomposite and bionanocomposites have been developed. It is a potential material that has been used as a coating material in the wood and paper industry.