bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing an open and robotic pancreatic surgery program in a level 1 trauma center community teaching hospital and comparing its outcomes to high-volume academic center outcomes: a retrospective review
Authors: Han Jane S. , Dunham C. Michael , Renner Charles E. , Neubauer Steven A. , McCarron F. Nikki , Chirichella Thomas J.
Published: December 2022

Background

The debate of whether to centralize hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery has been ongoing. The principal objective was to compare outcomes of a community pancreatic surgical program with those of high-volume academic centers.

Methods

The current pancreatic surgical study occurred in an environment where (1) a certified abdominal transplant surgeon performed all surgeries; (2) complementary quality enhancement programs had been developed; (3) the hospital’s trauma center had been verified; and (4) the hospital’s surgical training had been accredited. Pancreatic surgical outcomes at high-volume academic centers were obtained through PubMed literature searches. Articles were selected if they described diverse surgical procedures. Two-tailed Fisher exact and mid-P tests were used to perform 2 × 2 contingency analyses.

Results

The study patients consisted of 64 consecutive pancreatic surgical patients. The study patients had a similar pancreaticoduodenectomy proportion (59.4%) when compared to literature patients (66.8%; P = 0.227). The study patients also had a similar distal pancreatectomy proportion (25.0%) when compared to literature patients (31.9%; P = 0.276). The study patients had a significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status ≥ 3 proportion (100%) than literature patients (28.1%; P < 0.001). The 90-day study mortality proportion (0%) was similar to the literature proportion (2.3%; P = 0.397). The study postoperative pancreatic fistula proportion was lower (3.2%), when compared to the literature proportion (18.4%; P < 0.001; risk ratio = 5.8). The study patients had a lower reoperation proportion (3.1%) than the literature proportion (8.7%; mid-P = 0.051; risk ratio = 2.8). The study patients had a lower surgical site infection proportion (3.1%) than those in the literature (21.1%; P < 0.001; risk ratio = 6.8). The study patients had equivalent delayed gastric emptying (15.6%) when compared to literature patients (10.6%; P = 0.216). The study patients had decreased Clavien–Dindo grades III–IV complications (10.9%) compared to the literature patients (21.8%; mid-P = 0.018). Lastly, the study patients had a similar readmission proportion (20.3%) compared to literature patients (18.4%; P = 0.732).

Conclusion

Despite pancreatic surgical patients having greater preoperative medical comorbidities, the current community study outcomes were comparable to or better than high-volume academic center results.
Rescue of an enterotropic Newcastle disease virus strain ZM10 from cloned cDNA and stable expressing an inserted foreign gene
Authors: He Lei , Wang Hairong , Yu Zuhua , Liao Chengshui , Ding Ke , Zhang Cai , Yu Chuan , Zhang Chunjie
Published: December 2022

Background

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain ZM10, a typical enterotropic avirulent vaccine strain, has been widely used in China for chickens against Newcastle disease. To elucidate its enterotropic mechanism and develop recombiant multivalent vaccines based on it, the reverse genetics system for NDV ZM10 is an indispensable platform.

Results

A full-length cDNA clone of NDV ZM10 and three supporting plasmids were constructed using the ligation-independent cloning method. Recombinant NDV rZM10 was successfully rescued after these plasmids were co-transfected into BHK-21 cells. Besides, the recombinant virus rZM10-RFP encoding the red fluorescent protein was generated by inserting the RFP gene into the full-length clone of NDV between the P and M genes. These rescued viruses were genetically and biologically identical to the parental strain and showed similar growth kinetics.

Conclusion

The recovery system of NDV ZM10 strain was established, and can be used as a foundation for research on the enterotropic mechanism and development of multivalent vaccines against viral diseases of livestock and poultry.
Neurological consultations via telemedicine for specialized outpatient palliative care (SOPC) at home and in hospice (TANNE project): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gatter Shirin , Brukamp Kirsten , Adolf Daniela , Zerth Jürgen , Lorenzl Stefan , Weck Christiane
Published: December 2022

Background

Neurological diseases cause numerous challenges in palliative care. Telemedicine may improve the access to specialized expertise in neurology for patients, their relatives, and palliative care physicians. The TANNE study offers teleconsultations by a hospital-based neuropalliative center for specialized outpatient palliative care (SOPC) and hospices. A prospective, partially randomized, controlled trial aims at generating evidence for clinical improvements, quality of life, and cost efficiency.

Methods

SOPC and hospice teams in Bavaria, Germany, are partially randomized to one of two study arms, namely a treatment group with teleconsultations by specialists for neurology and palliative medicine or to a control group with interventions after a 12-months delay. Individual and population-based measures are assessed with a mixed-methods design in order to evaluate the medical effects, the potential for implementation in standard care, and health economic aspects. The primary outcome consists of the mean change difference between groups in the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS), which physicians assess before and after treatment of a neurological event. Besides, several secondary outcomes are investigated, including quality of life, which is measured with the revised McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (McGill QOL-R) as well as items regarding general and health-related quality of life. Further secondary outcomes include the concrete progress of the neurological signs and symptoms; the subjective change in well-being since the start of the treatment of the neurological diseases from the perspectives of patients, their relatives, as well as medical and nursing professionals; as well as patient, professional, and caregiver satisfaction with the teleconsultations. Moreover, a health economic evaluation compares group differences regarding hospital visits and emergency calls with utilization measurements.

Discussion

The TANNE trial provides a comprehensive and complex evaluation design for teleconsultations in neuropalliative care. Ethical considerations need to take the patients’ vulnerability into account. The project promises to substantially broaden the width of health care services and to improve the quality of life for deserving patients.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (www.germanctr.de [July 17, 2022], DRKS ID: DRKS00027436. Registered February 10th, 2022, retrospectively registered. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00027436 [July 17, 2022].
Virtual versus jaw simulation in inlay preparation preclinical teaching: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sheng Jie , Zhang Congdi , Gao Zhengkun , Yan Yimin , Meng Yucheng , Ren Shiqi , Liu Bin , Zhang Baoping
Published: December 2022

Background

To investigate the effect of virtual simulation systems on the teaching of inlay experiments and to guide the experimental teaching of tooth preparation.

Methods

Participants in their second semester of the junior year were selected to carry out the unified teaching and evaluation of dental preparation theory. The age varied from 18 to 22 years (19.96 ± 0.70) and the participants were randomly divided into four groups (n = 19) with a similar male-to-female ratio following CONSORT guidelines, including a jaw simulation model training group (Group J), a virtual simulation system training group (Group V), a jaw model training first followed by a virtual system training group (Group J-V), and a virtual system followed by a jaw model training group (Group V-J). The inlay tooth preparation assessment was performed on the extracted teeth. The data were analysed according to the assessment scores by a senior clinician. The subjective feelings of the students towards the system were evaluated using questionnaires.

Results

The second theoretical scores of Group V-J (63.5 ± 2.89) and Group J-V (60.5 ± 3.25) were higher than those of Group V (57.5 ± 3.13) and Group J (58.0 ± 3.67). The experimental scores of Groups J-V and V-J (62.79 ± 2.84; 64.00 ± 2.85) were higher than those of Groups V and J (56.05 ± 3.39; 55.74 ± 2.53). The questionnaire survey illustrated that most students preferred the digital virtual simulation system (perfect assessment: 91.3%, accuracy: 82.6%, satisfaction: 52.2%).

Conclusion

Virtual simulation training can facilitate the teaching effect of tooth preparation in inlay experiments, and the teaching mode of Group V-J was the best. Therefore, this teaching mode is to be popularised.
Differences between doctors of medicine and dental medicine in the perception of professionalism on social networking sites: the development of the e-professionalism assessment compatibility index (ePACI)
Authors: Viskić J. , Marelić M. , Machala Poplašen L. , Vukušić Rukavina T.
Published: December 2022

Background

Social networking sites (SNSs) have penetrated all aspects of health care professionals’ (HCPs’) professional and private lives. A new term, e-professionalism, has emerged, which describes the linking of traditional values with this new dynamic online environment for HCPs. The four aims of this study were: (1) to examine their SNS prevalence and usage habits, (2) to examine their perception of e-professionalism, (3) to develop an e-professionalism assessment compatibility index and (4) to investigate their tendencies and differences in values of the e-professionalism assessment compatibility index (ePACI).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among MDs and DMDs in Croatia via email using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to all MDs and DMDs who were members of their respective chambers. In addition to descriptive statistics, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test when appropriate, t-test, ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to determine differences between groups. A principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used to investigate dimensionality. Results of the PCA were compared to the coding based on the Social Media e-Professionalism rubric in order to create the ePACI.

Results

Of the 1013 gathered responses, 753 were from valid SNS users and suitable for further analysis. Facebook (91.6%) and Instagram (63.1%) were the predominant SNSs used. Both groups have a good understanding of e-professionalism. The newly developed ePACI deviates slightly in the “conservative” direction in the cases of both, MDs (t506 = 19.033, p < 0.001) and DMDs (t245 = 12.991, p < 0.001). HCPs who are older (r = 0.308, p < 0.001), who have fewer SNS profiles (rs = −0.142, p < 0.001), and who access their profiles less frequently (r = −0.166, p < 0.001) have statistically significantly more conservative ePACI values.

Conclusions

MDs and DMDs in Croatia are frequent SNS users, with Facebook and Instagram being the main SNSs used. Both groups have a good understanding of e-professionalism. The newly developed ePACI deviates slightly towards the conservative side regarding perception of the e-professionalism content for both groups. The development of the ePACI, and its subsequent usage in further research, will have a direct influence in its validation, gathering comparable data, and be able to direct efforts in oversight, regulation and education.
How to improve hospital employees’ health and well-being: a staff consultation
Authors: Lawrence Wendy , Hine Jasmine , Watson Daniella , Smedley Julia , Walker-Bone Karen
Published: December 2022

Objective

Explore perspectives from healthcare workers in a large public hospital (11,000 staff) on employers supporting their health and well-being.

Methods

Heads of departments/services were invited to convene focus groups, facilitated by a moderator using a semi-structured discussion guide. 

Results

Over 450 members of staff participated in 28 focus groups. Themes identified were: 1)unique nature of working in a large hospital, 2)hospital management agenda and relationship with staff, 3)working environment, and 4)staff health and well-being initiatives.

Conclusions

Optimal uptake of health-promoting initiatives was hindered in part due to lack of staff awareness and a range of barriers. Key requirements for improving staff health were perceived to be sufficient staffing, time and space to work safely and comfortably. Engaging with staff to hear their views, build trust and identify their needs is an essential first step.
Developing the HLS19-YP12 for measuring health literacy in young people: a latent trait analysis using Rasch modelling and confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Le Christopher , Guttersrud Øystein , Sørensen Kristine , Finbråten Hanne Søberg
Published: December 2022

Background

Accurate and precise measures of health literacy (HL) is supportive for health policy making, tailoring health service design, and ensuring equitable access to health services. According to research, valid and reliable unidimensional HL measurement instruments explicitly targeted at young people (YP) are scarce. Thus, this study aims at assessing the psychometric properties of existing unidimensional instruments and developing an HL instrument suitable for YP aged 16–25 years.

Methods

Applying the HLS19-Q47 in computer-assisted telephone interviews, we collected data in a representative sample comprising 890 YP aged 16–25 years in Norway. Applying the partial credit parameterization of the unidimensional Rasch model for polytomous data (PCM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with categorical variables, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the short versions of the HLS19-Q47; HLS19-Q12, HLS19-SF12, and HLS19-Q12-NO. A new 12-item short version for measuring HL in YP, HLS19-YP12, is suggested.

Results

The HLS19-Q12 did not display sufficient fit to the PCM, and the HLS19-SF12 was not sufficiently unidimensional. Relative to the PCM, some items in the HLS19-Q12, the HLS19-SF12, and the HLS19-Q12-NO discriminated poorly between participants at high and at low locations on the underlying latent trait. We observed disordered response categories for some items in the HLS19-Q12 and the HLS19-SF12. A few items in the HLS19-Q12, the HLS19-SF12, and the HLS19-Q12-NO displayed either uniform or non-uniform differential item functioning. Applying one-factorial CFA, none of the aforementioned short versions achieved exact fit in terms of non-significant model chi-square statistic, or approximate fit in terms of SRMR ≤ .080 and all entries ≤ .10 that were observed in the respective residual matrix. The newly suggested parsimonious 12-item scale, HLS19-YP12, displayed sufficiently fit to the PCM and achieved approximate fit using one-factorial CFA.

Conclusions

Compared to other parsimonious 12-item short versions of HLS19-Q47, the HLS19-YP12 has superior psychometric properties and unconditionally proved its unidimensionality. The HLS19-YP12 offers an efficient and much-needed screening tool for use among YP, which is likely a useful application in processes towards the development and evaluation of health policy and public health work, as well as for use in clinical settings.
Interruption of the long non-coding RNA HOTAIR signaling axis ameliorates chemotherapy-induced cachexia in bladder cancer
Authors: Hu Che-Yuan , Su Bing-Hua , Lee Ya-Che , Wang Chung-Teng , Yang Mei-Lin , Shen Wan-Ting , Fu Jing-Ting , Chen Shih-Yao , Huang Wei-Yun , Ou Chien-Hui , Tsai Yuh-Shyan , Kuo Feng-Chih , Shiau Ai-Li , Shieh Gia-Shing , Wu Chao-Liang
Published: December 2022

Background

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the first line of treatment for bladder cancer. However, cisplatin induces muscle wasting associated with NF-κB and cancer cachexia. HOTAIR, an oncogenic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), promotes cancer progression in different cancers. Crosstalk between HOTAIR and NF-κB is documented. Prothymosin α (ProT) plays important roles in cancer progression and inflammation. However, the potential link between HOTAIR, ProT, and cisplatin-induced cancer cachexia remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the contribution of HOTAIR in cisplatin-induced cancer cachexia and dissected the potential signaling cascade involving the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ProT, NF-κB, and HOTAIR.

Materials and methods

Expression of ProT and HOTAIR transcripts and their correlations in tumor tissues of bladder cancer patients and bladder cancer cell lines were determined by RT-qPCR. Next, levels of phospho-EGFR, EGFR, phospho-NF-κB, and NF-κB were examined by immunoblot analysis in human bladder cancer cells treated with cisplatin. Expression of HOTAIR in cisplatin-treated cells was also assessed by RT-qPCR. Pharmacological inhibitors and overexpression and knockdown approaches were exploited to decipher the signaling pathway. The murine C2C12 myoblasts were used as an in vitro muscle atrophy model. The syngeneic murine MBT-2 bladder tumor was used to investigate the role of mouse Hotair in cisplatin-induced cancer cachexia.

Results

Expression of ProT and HOTAIR was higher in bladder tumors than in normal adjacent tissues. There were positive correlations between ProT and HOTAIR expression in clinical bladder tumors and bladder cancer cell lines. Cisplatin treatment increased EGFR and NF-κB activation and upregulated ProT and HOTAIR expression in bladder cancer cells. ProT overexpression increased, whereas ProT knockdown decreased, HOTAIR expression. Notably, cisplatin-induced HOTAIR upregulation was abrogated by EGFR inhibitors or ProT knockdown. ProT-induced HOTAIR overexpression was diminished by NF-κB inhibitors. HOTAIR overexpression enhanced, whereas its knockdown reduced, cell proliferation, cachexia-associated pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and muscle atrophy. Cachexia-associated symptoms were ameliorated in mice bearing Hotair-knockdown bladder tumors undergoing cisplatin treatment.

Conclusions

We demonstrate for the first time a critical role for HOTAIR and identify the involvement of the EGFR-ProT-NF-κB-HOTAIR signaling axis in cisplatin-induced cachexia in bladder cancer and likely other cancers. Our findings also provide therapeutic targets for this disease.
A novel small compound TOIDC suppresses lipogenesis via SREBP1-dependent signaling to curb MAFLD
Authors: Shao Yaodi , Yao Zhi , Zhou Junyi , Yu Miao , Chen Suzhen , Yuan Yanmei , Han Liu , Jiang Liqin , Liu Junli
Published: December 2022

Background

Inhibition of hepatic lipogenesis is widely regarded as an effective treatment for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), although numerous related drugs have failed to reach clinical application. The goal of this study is to identify a novel small compound that can effectively treat MAFLD.

Methods

Primary hepatocytes were first exposed to palmitic acid and oleic acid, then treated with compounds prior to high through screening for cellular lipid content. The efficacy of these compounds was measured by Nile Red staining and triglyceride analysis. The potential cellular toxicity caused by these compounds was evaluated by CCK8 assay. qPCR and Western blot were used to determine expression of RNAs and proteins, respectively. The compound was intraperitoneally injected into diet-induced obese (DIO) mice to examine its efficacy in vivo.

Results

We identified the dimethyl 1-methyl-2-thioxoindoline-3,3-dicarboxylate (TOIDC) as a powerful chemical to reduce cellular lipid with minimal cellular toxicity. When injected intraperitoneally, TOIDC effectively ameliorates MAFLD in DIO mice. Mechanically, TOIDC suppresses de novo lipogenesis through inhibiting sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that TOIDC could be a promising lead compound to develop new drugs to treat MAFLD.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy on activity of daily living and performance status in progressive/recurrent glioblastoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Demogeot Nicolas , Salleron J. , Rech F. , Taillandier L. , Royer P. , Vogin G.
Published: December 2022

Background

The prognosis of recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) is poor, with limited options of palliative localized or systemic treatments. Survival can be improved by a second localized treatment; however, it is not currently possible to identify which patients would benefit from this approach. This study aims to evaluate which factors lead to a lower Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score after fractionated stereotactic RT (fSRT).

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from patients treated with fSRT for recurrent GBM at the Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine between October 2010 and November 2017 and analyzed which factors were associated with a lower KPS score.

Results

59 patients received a dose of 25 Gy in 5 sessions spread over 5–7 days (80% isodose). The median time from the end of primary radiotherapy to the initiation of fSRT was 10.7 months. The median follow-up after fSRT initiation was 8.8 months. The incidence of KPS and ADL impairment in all patients were 51.9% and 37.8% respectively with an adverse impact of PTV size on KPS (HR = 1.57 [95% CI 1.19–2.08],p = 0.028). Only two patients showed early grade 3 toxicity and none showed grade 4 or late toxicity. The median overall survival time, median overall survival time after fSRT, median progression-free survival and institutionalization-free survival times were 25.8, 8.8, 3.9 and 7.7 months, respectively. Initial surgery was associated with better progression-free survival (Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.48 [95% CI 0.27–0.86],p = 0.013).

Conclusions

A larger PTV should predicts lower KPS in the treatment of recurrent GBM using fSRT.
Construction and validation of prognostic signature for hepatocellular carcinoma basing on hepatitis B virus related specific genes
Authors: Wang Lei , Qiu Manman , Wu Lili , Li Zexing , Meng Xinyi , He Lu , Yang Bing
Published: December 2022

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent primary liver cancer, and it is one of the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a crucial risk factor for HCC. Thus, this study aimed to explore the prognostic role of HBV-positive HCC related specific genes in HCC.

Methods

The HCC related data were downloaded from three databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO Cox regression analysis were conducted to build the Risk score. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and survival analysis determined the independent prognostic indicators.

Results

After cross analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), we have identified 106 overlapped DEGs, which were probably HBV-positive HCC related specific genes. These 106 DEGs were significantly enriched in 213 GO terms and 8 KEGG pathways. Among that, 11 optimal genes were selected to build a Risk score, and Risk score was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. High risk HCC patients had worse OS. Moreover, five kinds of immune cells were differentially infiltrated between high and low risk HCC patients.

Conclusion

The prognostic signature, based on HMMR, MCM6, TPX2, KIF20A, CCL20, RGS2, NUSAP1, FABP5, FZD6, PBK, and STK39, is conducive to distinguish different prognosis of HCC patients.
A treatment-refractory aggressive MDS-MLD with multiple highly complex chromosome 5 intrachromosomal rearrangements: a case report
Authors: Sasi Ramakrishnan , Senft Jamie , Spruill Michelle , Barua Subit , Dougaparsad Sam , Vos Jeffrey A. , Perrotta Peter L.
Published: December 2022

Background

A patient with a myelodysplastic neoplasm exhibited a karyotype with multiple complex chromosome 5 rearrangements. This patient appeared to have a catastrophic cytogenetic event that manifested as a treatment-refractory aggressive form of disease, which lead to patient demise within one year. Both the clinical presentation and disease course were unusual based on the medical history and morphologic findings. Such cases of myelodysplastic syndrome with multilineage dysplasia (MDS-MLD) with complex abnormalities are not reported in the literature.

Case presentation

The patient was a 62-year-old female who presented with pancytopenia and dyspnea. The morphologic appearance of the peripheral blood smear and bone marrow biopsy, along with flow cytometric findings, favored the diagnosis of MDS-MLD unclassifiable. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with multilineage dysplasia (MDS-MLD), is an MDS characterized by one or more cytopenias and dysplastic changes in two or more of the myeloid lineages (i.e., erythroid, granulocytic, and megakaryocytic). The bone marrow, in particular, showed prominent dysplasia, including the presence of atypical megakaryocytes with small hypolobated morphology reminiscent of those typically seen in MDS with isolated 5q deletion. Cytogenetic analysis, including interphase and metaphase FISH, karyotype and SNP chromosomal microarray were performed, as well as DNA sequencing studies. Cytogenetic analysis showed a very complex karyotype featuring multiple 5q intrachromosomal rearrangements including a pericentric inversion with multiple interspersed deletions and monosomy 7. FISH studies showed a partial deletion of the PDGFRβ gene, and SNP chromosomal microarray and targeted panel-based sequencing identified biallelic loss of function of the TP53 gene. Based on the pathologic findings, the patient was treated for MDS but did not respond to either lenalidomide or azacitidine.

Conclusion

The genetic changes described, in particular, the complex intrachromosomal rearrangements of chromosome 5, suggest the occurrence of a sudden catastrophic event that led to an aggressive course in the patient’s disease. Conventional karyotyping, metaphase and interphase FISH, SNP chromosomal microarray and NGS helped to identify the complex genetic changes seen in this case. This highlights the importance of utilizing a multimodality approach to fully characterize complex chromosomal events that may significantly impact disease progression, treatment and survival.
In-hospital cardiac arrest: the state of the art
Authors: Penketh James , Nolan Jerry P.
Published: December 2022

In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is associated with a high risk of death, but mortality rates are decreasing. The latest epidemiological and outcome data from several cardiac arrest registries are helping to shape our understanding of IHCA. The introduction of rapid response teams has been associated with a downward trend in hospital mortality. Technology and access to defibrillators continues to progress. The optimal method of airway management during IHCA remains uncertain, but there is a trend for decreasing use of tracheal intubation and increased use of supraglottic airway devices. The first randomised clinical trial of airway management during IHCA is ongoing in the UK. Retrospective and observational studies have shown that several pre-arrest factors are strongly associated with outcome after IHCA, but the risk of bias in such studies makes prognostication of individual cases potentially unreliable. Shared decision making and advanced care planning will increase application of appropriate DNACPR decisions and decrease rates of resuscitation attempts following IHCA.
Validation of a commercial version of a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to Besnoitia besnoiti
Authors: Schares Gereon , Bärwald Andrea , Vernet Marie-Astrid , Bernard Frédéric , Blanchard Béatrice , Coppe Philippe
Published: December 2022

Background

Several reports suggest a further spread of besnoitiosis to countries in which Besnoitia besnoiti-infected bovine herds have not been noticed yet. Cattle infected without clinical signs may represent reservoirs. Serological analyses in affected herds or animals from endemic regions are necessary to identify subclinical or inapparent infections and stop transmission to naïve animals or herds. The Monoscreen AbELISA Besnoitia besnoiti (BIO K 466) is based on a previously published in-house competitive ELISA, the Bb-cELISA1, but has a different test architecture. The present study aimed to use sera from a previous evaluation of Bb-cELISA1 to assess whether BIO K466 shows identical results. In addition, further well-characterized positive and negative samples were analysed to estimate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Methods

A first set of sera consisted of a total of 305 bovine sera, collected from German herds infected by B. besnoiti, Neospora caninum or Sarcocystis spp. Sera had been characterized by reference serological tests (i.e. immunoblot, immunofluorescence antibody test and an in-house indirect ELISA). A second set consisted of 200 confirmed B. besnoiti-positive sera from French herds. Negative cattle sera (n = 624) originated from Norway and The Netherlands, countries in which bovine besnoitiosis has not been reported yet.

Results

Using the first set of sera, the BIO K466 showed an estimated diagnostic sensitivity of 97.9% (95% CI: 91.9%–99.6) and a diagnostic specificity of 99.5% (95% CI: 96.9%–100%) relative to reference serological tests. A direct comparison of the results revealed an almost perfect agreement between the results of the in-house Bb-cELISA1 and the commercialized version (kappa 0.98; 95% CI: 0.95–1). The validation using positive bovine sera from France and negative sera from other European countries revealed a diagnostic sensitivity of 97.5% (95% CI: 93.9%–99.1%) and specificity of 99.5% (95% CI: 98.5%–99.9%).

Conclusion

In conclusion, BIO K 466 appears to be a suitable tool to diagnose bovine besnoitiosis, but needs further validation especially in cases of inconclusive, suspected false-positive or -negative results in other serological tests.

Graphic abstract
Real-World Performance of the Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier (GSC)—A Meta-analysis
Authors: Nasr Christian E , Andrioli Massimiliano , Endo Mayumi , Harrell R Mack , Livhits Masha J , Osakwe Ibitoro , Polavarapu Preethi , Siperstein Allan , Wei Shuanzeng , Zheng Xingyu , Jiang Ruochen , Hao Yangyang , Huang J I ng , Klopper Joshua P , Kloos Richard T , Kennedy Giulia , Angell Trevor E
Published: December 2022

Context

The Afirma® GSC aids in risk stratifying indeterminate thyroid nodule cytology (ITN). The 2018 GSC validation study (VS) reported a sensitivity (SN) of 91%, specificity (SP) of 68%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 47%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96%. Since then, 13 independent real-world (RW) postvalidation studies have been published.

Objective

This study's objective is to compare the RW GSC performance to the VS metrics.

Methods

Rules and assumptions applying to this analysis include: (1) At least 1 patient with molecular benign results must have surgery for that study to be included in SN, SP, and NPV analyses. (2) Molecular benign results without surgical histology are considered true negatives (TN) (as are molecular benign results with benign surgical histology). (3) Unoperated patients with suspicious results are either excluded from analysis (observed PPV [oPPV] and observed SP [oSP]) or assumed histology negatives (false positives; conservative PPV [cPPV] and conservative SP [cSP]) 4. Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features is considered malignant.

Results

In RW studies, the GSC demonstrates a SN, oSP, oPPV, and NPV of 97%, 88%, 65%, 99% respectively, and conservative RW performance showed cSP of 80% and cPPV of 49%, all significantly higher than the VS except for SN and cPPV. There was also a higher benign call rate (BCR) of 67% in RW studies compared to 54% in the VS (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

RW data for the Afirma GSC demonstrates significantly better oSP and oPPV performance than the VS, indicating an increased yield of cancers for resected GSC suspicious nodules. The higher BCR likely increases the overall rate of clinical observation in lieu of surgery.
METHODOLOGICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COACHES WORKING WITH CHILD ATHLETES ENGAGED IN ROCK CLIMBING
Authors: TABUNOV I.A. , LAPINA A.P. , KOSTYCHEV M.M. , BEREZINA P.S. , NIKIFOROVA A.V.
Published: December 2022

The methodological guide will present aspects that will be useful for coaches in working with their students, in particular psychological work with athletes during the training process and during the competition, and specifically in the pre-start period. It is important for the coach to teach the athlete the techniques of psychological protection, including restoring the stability control system, reducing feelings of anxiety and countering it. It is important to carry out special psychological training. Including effective preparation for competition, based on: social values; formation of mental "internal support"; overcoming psychological barriers. Every day the degree of development and influence of sports reaches a new level. Also, the requirements for athletes in technical, physical and tactical readiness are increasing, respectively, the result of competitive activity will already be determined by readiness and psychological attitude. Psychological preparation is a process aimed at creating a state of mental readiness for competition in athletes. This should be considered the subject of psychological preparation for competitions in sports.
Analytical report on the results of an empirical study of the characteristics and level of sociopolitical stability of student youth as a factor of sustainable development of the Russian statehood in the context of current global challenges
Authors: Kokurina O. , Burov A.
Published: December 2022

The Аnalytical report summarizes and interprets the results of empirical research of characteristics and level of sociopolitical stability of student youth as a factor of sustainable development of Russian statehood in the context of contemporary global challenges. The research is performed in the form of a sociological survey. Also in the specified result of intellectual activity the data on the revealed most significant channels, forms and directions of influence of the state youth and state national policy of the Russian Federation on sociopolitical stability are listed. The Аnalytical report reflects the results of the collected and processed material - the respondents' proposals to improve the sociopolitical stability of student youth in modern Russia. The results of the study in tabular form and comments on private and general results of the study are given.
What we know about oral collagen supplementation for skin health - a literature review
Authors: Słupczyńska Aleksandra , Gorczyca Kamila , Artykiewicz Klaudia , Urbaś Weronika , Podgórska Klaudia , Puła Aleksandra , Czarkowski Marcin , Kozieł Paweł , Grodkiewicz Maria , Krzysiek Urszula
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT Introduction: The efforts to restore lost collagen, regain youthful-looking skin and healthier joints have made collagen oral supplements a huge trend of the last few years. Because collagen is the main building protein of our body, many people may ask themselves - can collagen supplementation have a real impact on our health? Are these nutraceuticals a fountain of youth in a bottle or nothing more than marketing hype?The aim of the study: The aim of this paper was to present the current state of knowledge on the supplementation of collagen and application of collagen in oral nutraceuticals. Material and methods: Literature review available on PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar and evaluation of available randomized controlled trials using collagen supplementation in terms of treatment effectiveness in terms of skin quality, anti-aging benefits and potential use in dermatology. Abstracts, comments, and non-English language articles were excluded. Conclusions: Collagen is important for maintaining the structural integrity of every tissue in the body. Despite many studies on collagen supplementation, the literature is still impecunious, but the scientific works so far confirm that supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen can improve various aspects of skin aging.Key words: collagen, collagen peptides, antiaging, skin health, nutraceuticals
Comment on “Is Leasing Greener Than Selling?” and Remark on the Focal Point Analysis in Durable Goods Models
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Mahdi
Published: December 2022

The focal point analysis is a viable approach to analyze models of finitely durable goods in infinite time horizon. Agrawal, Ferguson, Toktay, and Thomas [Agrawal VV, Ferguson M, Toktay LB, Thomas VM (2012) Is leasing greener than selling? Management Sci. 58(3):523–533.] study the focal point of steady-state firm–consumer games for leasing and selling models. We note that the optimal solution for their selling model does not reflect self-replicated leases mirroring the lease offered by the firm and show that the solution is indeed erroneous as it violates the constraint on consumer-type cutoffs. Although this does not affect the structure of their propositions, that is, outlining thresholds for more profitability and greenness of selling compared with leasing, it renders the thresholds incorrect. We first uncover and fix the root cause of the error. We then distinguish the focal point analysis from the rental price approach and note a few remarks for future durable goods models.

This paper was accepted by Jayashankar Swaminathan, operations management.

Supplemental Material: Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4637 .
Challenges of prehospital silver trauma patients
Authors: Passarelli Katie
Published: December 2022

Silver trauma patients, defined as those aged >65 years who have traumatic injuries, are a complex group because physiology alters with age leading to difficulties with assessment. This is exacerbated within the prehospital setting as environmental factors and ambulance delays increase the risk of complications. This article focuses on the pathophysiology and application of clinical guidelines on three aspects of prehospital silver trauma: neurology, osteology and haemorrhage. Neurologically, silver trauma patients have a higher risk of traumatic brain injury and are harder to assess because of age-related cognitive decline. Regarding osteology, older people, particularly postmenopausal women, are at a higher risk of vertebral fracture, with many going undiagnosed. Haemorrhage is also influenced, as geriatric patients typically experience occult bleeding or rebleeding several days after an event when crews have left. Despite these risks, prehospital guidelines often offer little support for clinicians in making holistic, clinically sound decisions for their patients.
Supply chain security – the biggest overlooked cyber risk
Authors: Griffiths James
Published: December 2022

Every business, no matter how large or small, has some form of supply chain. You could be a manufacturer that supplies goods to a business to sell, or you could be the office water cooler supplier. It really doesn't matter what size the business is – you will tend to have at least one supplier. This, unfortunately, opens all businesses up to the potential risk of cyber attacks and data breaches coming directly from their supplier or suppliers (or any other firms in their supply chain).
İDEA VE GERÇEKLİK DİKOTOMİSİNDE CANAVAR İKONOGRAFİSİNDEN “VAN GÖLÜ CANAVARI”NIN MİTSEL PARADİGMASINA
Authors: BEYDİZ Mustafa Gürbüz
Published: December 2022

Kültürlerin içinde büyüdükleri coğrafyaya özgü değerler taşıdığı gerçeği anlatılarına, masallarına, hikâyeleri ile mitlerine yansımıştır. Kulaktan kulağa yayılan birçok efsanevi söylem zamanla kültleşerek belli bir inanış bütünü içinde varlığını devam ettirmiştir. Nice nesiller bu öykülerle büyümüş ve gelecek kuşaklarına aktarmıştır. Derin ve karanlık suların ürkütücü, korkulan yapısı psikolojik anlamda insanları derinden etkilemiş, bu suların içinde yaşadığına inanılan birçok mitolojik yaratık gizemini hep korumuştur. Yüceltilerek kutsanmış sulara duyulan saygı da bir anlamda sosyal anksiyeteye dönüşmüştür. Denizlere kıyısı olan halklar için o sularda seyahate çıkmak pagan tanrılara kurbanlar sunularak başlamıştır. Hatta kurban edilen hayvanlara ait kafatasları da apotropaik tözlere dönüşmüş gemilerinin pruvalarına yerleştirilmiştir. Kafatası kültleri zamanla ahşap oyma figürlerle sembolize edilmeye başlanmıştır. Bu metamorfoz gemi süsleme sanatının doğmasına gemilerin estetiksel bir görünüme kavuşmasına da olanak sağlamıştır. Sanatın insanlığın korkularının tarihi kadar geçmişe dayandığı da bu şekilde ifade edilebilir. Suyla ilintili korku duyulan ifrit, yaratık veya canavarların farklı toplumlarda yaklaşık benzer niteliğe sahip olduğu görülmektedir. Türkiye’nin Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi sınırları içinde yer alan Van Gölü de yöre halkının sosyo-kültürel hayatlarının bir parçasıdır ve kutsal saydıkları sulardan biridir. Bu kutsallığı içinde Van Gölü Canavarı belki de ideadan uzak bir gerçekliktir veya tam tersi. Bu araştırma farklı efsanelerde özellikle sularda yaşadığı düşünülen yaratıkları incelemek ve Van Gölü Canavarı’nın mitsel özelliğini değerlendirmek üzere yapılmıştır.
Inverse diffraction in phase space
Authors: Xiao Jiasheng , Zhang Wenhui , Zhang Hao
Published: December 2022

Inverse diffraction refers to recovering the input field in the plane

z
=

0

from the knowledge of the field in some plane

z

>

0

of the free half-space to which the input field propagates. With the rapid development of computational optics, inverse diffraction is increasingly used in optimization and imaging simulations involving round-trip wave propagation. This increasing usage makes it necessary and valuable to revisit this old, important problem and clarify some existing ambiguities. In this study, an exhaustive inverse diffraction analysis is presented from the perspective of phase space. With the help of the Wigner distribution function, it is shown that the forward and inverse diffraction processes in phase space are geometrically equivalent to the deformation and recovery of the phase space diagram (PSD). The symmetries of PSD transformations corresponding to different inverse diffraction forms are revealed. The ambiguities between the conjugation of diffraction kernels and the negative diffraction distance are clarified. The physical pictures of inverse diffraction are further given. This phase space analysis provides an intuitive view on problems involving inverse diffraction and a more concise approach for understanding propagation behaviors of three-dimensional wave fields, including the phase conjugation in holography.
Generation of cross-spectrally pure electromagnetic fields using a pair of moving diffusers
Authors: Joshi Rajneesh , Kanseri Bhaskar
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we demonstrate that the vector light field is cross-spectrally pure if it passes through two diffusers (having similar correlation properties) moving with identical linear speeds in opposite directions. To determine the spatio-temporal coherence function of cross-spectrally pure light, a double slit is placed just after the second diffuser. We show that the normalized space–time coherence Stokes parameters of emerging light can be described in the form of a reduction formula, whereas the absolute values of the normalized space–frequency coherence Stokes parameters are the same for every frequency component of the light field. These are the conditions of cross-spectral purity of Stokes parameters. We further prove that at zero time delay, the condition of strict cross-spectral purity is validated. Furthermore, we establish the conditions for cross-spectral purity for a vector light field passing through the aforesaid diffusers, when they rotate with identical angular speeds in opposite directions, offering a possibility to optimize the scheme using only a single diffuser. For the first time, to our knowledge, an additional condition for equality of the degree of cross-polarization in space–time and space–frequency domains for strict cross-spectrally pure light beams is also introduced.
Wavelength-versatile deep-red laser source by intracavity frequency converted Raman laser
Authors: Zhao Hui , Lin Chen-Hui , Jiang Cong , Dai Shi-Bo , Zhou Hai-Qiong , Zhu Si-Qi , Yin Hao , Li Zhen , Chen Zhen-Qiang
Published: December 2022

We demonstrate an efficient wavelength-selectable output in the attractive deep-red spectral region from an intracavity frequency converted Nd:YLF/KGW Raman laser. Driven by an acousto-optic Q-switched 1314 nm Nd:YLF laser, two first-Stokes waves at 1461 and 1490 nm were generated owing to the bi-axial properties of KGW crystal. By incorporating intracavity sum-frequency generation and second-harmonic generation with an angle-tuned bismuth borate (BIBO) crystal, four discrete deep-red laser emission lines were yielded at the wavelengths of 692, 698, 731, and 745 nm. Under the incident pump power of 50 W and the repetition rate of 4 kHz, the maximum average output powers of 2.4, 2.7, 3.3, and 3.6 W were attained with the pulse durations of 3.4, 3.2, 4.3, and 3.7 ns, respectively, corresponding to the peak powers up to 177, 209, 190, and 245 kW. The results indicate that the Nd:YLF/KGW Raman laser combined with an angle-adjusted BIBO crystal provides a reliable and convenient approach to achieve the selectable multi-wavelength deep-red laser with short pulse duration and high peak power.
Modelling the spatial dynamics of oncolytic virotherapy in the presence of virus-resistant tumour cells
Authors: Bhatt Darshak Kartikey , Janzen Thijs , Daemen Toos , Weissing Franz J.
Published: December 2022

Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising form of cancer treatment that uses native or genetically engineered viruses to target, infect and kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, this form of therapy is not effective in a substantial proportion of cancer patients, partly due to the occurrence of infection-resistant tumour cells. To shed new light on the mechanisms underlying therapeutic failure and to discover strategies that improve therapeutic efficacy we designed a cell-based model of viral infection. The model allows us to investigate the dynamics of infection-sensitive and infection-resistant cells in tumour tissue in presence of the virus. To reflect the importance of the spatial configuration of the tumour on the efficacy of virotherapy, we compare three variants of the model: two 2D models of a monolayer of tumour cells and a 3D model. In all model variants, we systematically investigate how the therapeutic outcome is affected by the properties of the virus (e.g. the rate of viral spread), the tumour (e.g. production rate of resistant cells, cost of resistance), the healthy stromal cells (e.g. degree of resistance to the virus) and the timing of treatment. We find that various therapeutic outcomes are possible when resistant cancer cells arise at low frequency in the tumour. These outcomes depend in an intricate but predictable way on the death rate of infected cells, where faster death leads to rapid virus clearance and cancer persistence. Our simulations reveal three different causes of therapy failure: rapid clearance of the virus, rapid selection of resistant cancer cells, and a low rate of viral spread due to the presence of infection-resistant healthy cells. Our models suggest that improved therapeutic efficacy can be achieved by sensitizing healthy stromal cells to infection, although this remedy has to be weighed against the toxicity induced in the healthy tissue.