bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust interpolation for dispersed gas‐droplet flows using statistical learning with the fully Lagrangian approach
Authors: Stafford C. P. , Rybdylova O.
Published: July 2023

A novel methodology is presented for reconstructing the Eulerian number density field of dispersed gas‐droplet flows modelled using the fully Lagrangian approach (FLA). In this work, the nonparametric framework of kernel regression is used to accumulate the FLA number density contributions of individual droplets in accordance with the spatial structure of the dispersed phase. The high variation which is observed in the droplet number density field for unsteady flows is accounted for by using the Eulerian‐Lagrangian transformation tensor, which is central to the FLA, to specify the size and shape of the kernel associated with each droplet. This procedure enables a high level of structural detail to be retained, and it is demonstrated that far fewer droplets have to be tracked in order to reconstruct a faithful Eulerian representation of the dispersed phase. Furthermore, the kernel regression procedure is easily extended to higher dimensions, and inclusion of the droplet radius within the phase space description using the generalised fully Lagrangian approach (gFLA) additionally enables statistics of the droplet size distribution to be determined for polydisperse flows. The developed methodology is applied to a range of one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional steady‐state and transient flows, for both monodisperse and polydisperse droplets, and it is shown that kernel regression performs well across this variety of cases. A comparison is made against conventional direct trajectory methods to determine the saving in computational expense which can be gained, and it is found that times fewer droplet realisations are needed to reconstruct a qualitatively similar representation of the number density field.
Nodal metastasis in surgically treated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Prasad Aman , Carey Ryan M. , Panara Kush , Rajasekaran Karthik , Cannady Steven B. , Newman Jason G. , Brant Jason A. , Brody Robert M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Management of the neck in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is essential to oncologic control and survival. We aim to describe patterns and rates of clinical/pathologic lymph node disease, elective neck dissection (END), and occult lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with surgically‐managed LSCC.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) diagnosed with LSCC between January 2004 and December 2016 who underwent primary surgery.

Results

Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy‐six patients met inclusion criteria. For cN0 patients, the rates of END and occult LNM both increased with tumor stage and were highest for supraglottic tumors. Predictors of occult LNM included supraglottic site, pathologic T3 and T4 stage, positive margins, and presence of lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The propensity for cervical LNM in surgically‐managed LSCC varies based on primary tumor site and stage, and a variety of disease factors increase risk of occult LNM.
The importance of family support to engage and retain girls in male dominated action sports. A qualitative study of young people's perspectives
Authors: Sharman Melanie J. , Nash Meredith , Moore Robyn , Waddingham Suzanne , Oakley Anita L. , Langenberg Helen , Cleland Verity J.
Published: July 2023

Issue Addressed

Social support is positively correlated with physical activity (PA), especially amongst girls, but is underexplored in male‐dominated action sports (e.g., mountain biking, skateboarding and surfing). This study explored family level social support needs and experiences of girls and boys in three action sports.

Method

Aspiring, current or former Australian adolescent (12–18 years; girls n = 25; boys n = 17) mountain bikers, skateboarders and/or surfers were individually interviewed (telephone/Skype) in 2018/2020. A socio‐ecological framework guided the semi‐structured interview schedule. Audio‐recordings were transcribed verbatim and data analysed thematically using a constant comparative approach.

Results

Family level social support was highly influential in young people's participation in action sports, with its absence a common reason for no or discontinued engagement amongst girls. Parents and siblings were the main social support providers with extended family (e.g., grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins) also notable. Participation (current/past/co‐) was the main social support type followed by emotional (e.g., encouragement), instrumental (e.g., transport, equipment/funding) and informational (e.g., coaching) support. Girls were inspired/encouraged by brothers but boys were not inspired/encouraged by sisters; boys and girls co‐participated with both parents but co‐participating and being inspired by fathers was most common, especially amongst girls; fathers were more commonly the main transport provider if they co‐participated with their child; fathers mostly provided initial coaching; only boys were taught equipment maintenance by parents.

Conclusions and So What

Sport‐related organisations/groups have numerous opportunities to improve girls' representation in action sports by fostering family level social support through various means. Intervention strategies should be tailored to account for gendered participation differences.
Youths with disabilities: Utilization and predictors of Youths Friendly Reproductive Health Services in Dessie City Administration, North East Ethiopia, 2021: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Shehu Eshetu Y. , Kumar Prem , Yimam Wondwossen , Anteneh Samuel
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

Younger generations with disabilities are more likely to be affected and have severe difficulties receiving specific services. Ethiopia is no exception to the global trend of poverty‐stricken countries with a higher frequency of illness or disability. This study aimed to assess the utilization of Youths Friendly Reproductive Health Services (YFRHS) and predictors among youths with disabilities in Dessie City, North East, Ethiopia, 2021.

Methods

A community‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted. Data were collected from the literature using questionnaires. Bivariable analysis was performed for each independent variable with a p < 0.25 on the data imported to multivariate logistic regression analysis. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) at a 5% level of significance has measured the strength of association between utilization of youth‐friendly reproductive services among disabilities and independent variables.

Results

Of 423 participants, 91% responded. About 42% of participants had used YFRHS. Youths in the age group of 20–24 years were 2.8 times more likely to use such services than 15–19‐year‐olds (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: [1.04, 7.44]). Disabled youths living alone were 3.6 times more likely to use the services than those with parents (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: [1.36, 9.35]). Youths with a visual impairment were 80% less likely to use the services than youths with hearing impairments (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: [0.18, 0.30]), and disabled youths with poor knowledge were 90% less likely to use the services than participants with good knowledge (AOR = 0.1, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.61]) were statistically significant.

Conclusion

The utilization of YFRHS among youths with disabilities in Dessie Town was low. Participants aged 20–24 years, who lived alone, had visual impairment, and had poor knowledge, were found to be significantly associated.
Diabetes is associated with increased risk of death in COVID‐19 hospitalizations in Mexico 2020: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Huang Alexander A. , Huang Samuel Y.
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim

The COVID‐19 disease course can be thought of as a function of prior risk factors consisting of comorbidities and outcomes. Survival analysis data for diabetic patients with COVID‐19 from an up to date and representative sample can increase efficiency in resource allocation. The study aimed to quantify mortality in Mexico for individuals with diabetes in the setting of COVID‐19 hospitalization.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study utilized publicly available data from the Mexican Federal Government, covering the period from April 14, 2020, to December 20, 2020 (last accessed). Survival analysis techniques were applied, including Kaplan–Meier curves to estimate survival probabilities, log‐rank tests to compare survival between groups, Cox proportional hazard models to assess the association between diabetes and mortality risk, and restricted mean survival time (RMST) analyses to measure the average survival time.

Results

A total of 402,388 adults age greater than 18 with COVID‐19 were used in the analysis. Mean age = 16.16 (SD = 15.55), 214,161 males (53%). Twenty‐day Kaplan–Meier estimates of mortality were 32% for COVID‐19 patients with diabetes and 10.2% for those without diabetes with log‐rank p < 0.01. Univariable analysis showed increased mortality in diabetic patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.54–3.67, p < 0.01) showing a 254% increase in death. After controlling for confounding variables, multivariate analysis continued to show increased mortality in diabetics (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.29–1.44, p < 0.01) indicating a 37% increase in death. Multivariable RMST at Day 20 showed in Mexico, hospitalized COVID‐19 patients were associated with less mean survival time by 2.01 days (p < 0.01) and a 10% increased mortality (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In the present analysis, COVID‐19 patients with diabetes in Mexico had shorter survival times. Further interventions aimed at improving comorbidities in the population, particularly in individuals with diabetes, may contribute to better outcomes in COVID‐19 patients.
(Pre)treatment risk factors for late fatigue and fatigue trajectories following radiotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Rosas Juan C. , Aguado‐Barrera Miguel E. , Azria David , Briers Erik , Elliott Rebecca , Farcy‐Jacquet Marie‐Pierre , Giraldo Alexandra , Gutiérrez‐Enríquez Sara , Rancati Tiziana , Rattay Tim , Reyes Victoria , Rosenstein Barry , De Ruysscher Dirk , Sperk Elena , Stobart Hilary , Talbot Christopher , Vega Ana , Taboada‐Valladares Begoña , Veldeman Liv , Ward Tim , Webb Adam , West Catharine , Chang‐Claude Jenny , Seibold Petra ,   the REQUITE Consortium
Published: July 2023

Fatigue is common in breast‐cancer survivors. Our study assessed fatigue longitudinally in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and aimed to identify risk factors associated with long‐term fatigue and underlying fatigue trajectories. Fatigue was measured in a prospective multicenter cohort (REQUITE) using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI‐20) and analyzed using mixed models. Multivariable logistic models identified factors associated with fatigue dimensions at 2 years post‐RT and latent class growth analysis identified individual fatigue trajectories. A total of 1443, 1302, 1203 and 1098 patients completed the MFI‐20 at baseline, end of RT, after 1 and 2 years. Overall, levels of fatigue significantly increased from baseline to end of RT for all fatigue dimensions (P < .05) and returned to baseline levels after 2 years. A quarter of patients were assigned to latent trajectory high (23.7%) and moderate (24.8%) fatigue classes, while 46.3% and 5.2% to the low and decreasing fatigue classes, respectively. Factors associated with multiple fatigue dimensions at 2 years include age, BMI, global health status, insomnia, pain, dyspnea and depression. Fatigue present at baseline was consistently associated with all five MFI‐20 fatigue dimensions (ORGeneralFatigue = 3.81, P < .001). From latent trajectory analysis, patients with a combination of factors such as pain, insomnia, depression, younger age and endocrine therapy had a particularly high risk of developing early and persistent high fatigue years after treatment. Our results confirmed the multidimensional nature of fatigue and will help clinicians identify breast cancer patients at higher risk of having persistent/late fatigue so that tailored interventions can be delivered.
Capital flow deflection under the magnifying glass
Authors: Gori Filippo , Lepers Etienne , Mehigan Caroline
Published: July 2023

Leveraging on a new quarterly dataset of capital control adjustments, we find renewed evidence that the introduction or tightening of capital controls in one economy increases capital inflows to other similar borrowing economies, an effect often called capital flow deflection. However, not all flows are deflected alike. Capital flow deflection is primarily driven by portfolio investment and bank credit, and only controls targeting these types of flows generate this externality. Moreover, analysing bilateral capital flows in order to capture investing countries' characteristics, we find that capital controls tend to deflect flows from advanced economies' portfolio equity investors, while controls on bank‐related flows primarily deflects lending from emerging market banks.
An efficient quantification of COVID‐19 in chest CT images with improved semantic segmentation using U‐Net deep structure
Authors: Salama Aya Nader , Mohamed M. A. , Amer Hanan M. , Ata Mohamed Maher
Published: July 2023

The worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID‐19) outbreak has proven devastating to public health. The severity of pneumonia relies on a rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID‐19 in CT images. Accordingly, a computed tomography (CT) scan is an excellent screening tool for detecting COVID‐19. This paper proposes a deep learning‐based strategy for recognizing and segmenting a COVID‐19 lesion from chest CT images, which would introduce an accurate computer aided decision criteria for the physicians about the severity rate of the patients. Two main stages have been proposed for detecting COVID‐19; first, a convolutional neural network (CNN) deep structure recognizes and classifies COVID‐19 from CT images. Second, a U‐Net deep structure segments the COVID‐19 regions in a semantic manner. The proposed system is trained and evaluated on three different CT datasets for COVID‐19, two of which are used to illustrate the system's segmentation performance and the other is to demonstrate the system's classification ability. Experiment results reveal that the proposed CNN can achieve classification accuracy greater than 0.99, and the proposed U‐Net model outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art in segmentation with an IOU greater than 0.92.
Pickering emulsion: From controllable fabrication to biomedical application
Authors: Pan Jiahao , Chen Jianping , Wang Xuejiao , Wang Ying , Fan Jun‐Bing
Published: July 2023

Pickering emulsion, stabilized by solid particles, possesses low toxicity, high stability, large surface area as well as good biocompatibility in comparison with traditional molecular surfactant‐stabilized emulsion. As such, Pickering emulsion has received much attention in numerous fields including the chemical industry, food industry, agriculture, and biomedicine. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of Pickering emulsion from controllable fabrication to biomedical applications. Firstly, we elaborate on the influence of solid‐particle surfactant on the fabrication of Pickering emulsions and their corresponding preparation technologies. Secondly, we focus on the biomedical applications of Pickering emulsion, including antitumor treatment, antiviral infection, biosensing and biocatalysis as well as wound healing. Finally, we further introduce the proof‐of‐concept of Pickering emulsion and comment on the prospects of this emerging field.
Understanding chemistry with thesymmetry‐decomposed Voronoideformation density charge analysis
Authors: Nieuwland Celine , Vermeeren Pascal , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Fonseca Guerra Célia
Published: July 2023

The symmetry‐decomposed Voronoi deformation density (VDD) charge analysis is an insightful and robust computational tool to aid the understanding of chemical bonding throughout all fields of chemistry. This method quantifies the atomic charge flow associated with chemical‐bond formation and enables decomposition of this charge flow into contributions of (1) orbital interaction types, that is, Pauli repulsive or bonding orbital interactions; (2) per irreducible representation (irrep) of any point‐group symmetry of interacting closed‐shell molecular fragments; and now also (3) interacting open‐shell (i.e., radical) molecular fragments. The symmetry‐decomposed VDD charge analysis augments the symmetry‐decomposed energy decomposition analysis (EDA) so that the charge flow associated with Pauli repulsion and orbital interactions can be quantified both per atom and per irrep, for example, for σ, π, and δ electrons. This provides detailed insights into fundamental aspects of chemical bonding that are not accessible from EDA.
A morphological investigation of the tongue of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Selviler‐Sizer Sedef , Kurt Semih , Kanik Betül , Tütüncü Şerife , Onuk Burcu , Kabak Murat
Published: July 2023

The morphological structure of the tongue and papillae that occur on it vary according to an animal's lifestyle, nutrition, and adaptation to various environmental conditions. This study aimed to reveal in detail the morphological, histological, and electron microscopic structure of the tongue of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758). In this study, nine roe tongues were used. The tongue consists of three parts: the apex, body, and root. When the dorsal surface of the tongue was examined in detail, five different papillae were observed: filiform, lenticular, conical, fungiform, and vallate. Filiform papillae differed in having secondary papillae according to their localization. The opening holes of taste buds were observed on the surface of the round and flat fungiform papillae. The free ends of the filiform papillae were more pointed and thinner than those of the other papillae, while the width of the lenticular papillae was thicker, the surface was flat, and the free ends were blunt. Triangular‐shaped conical papillae were observed differently regarding the presence or absence of secondary papillae. The vallate papillae were caudolateral to the lingual torus. On the surface of the vallate papillae, circumferenced by a deep groove, were the opening holes of the taste buds and microridges. From this analysis, it appears to be characteristic of roe deer that mechanical function, filiform, and conical papillae contain secondary papillae; lenticular papillae, absent in many deer species, are found; and a prominent papillary groove surrounds all mechanical and gustatory papillae.

Research Highlights

The lingual papillae of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758) were examined with this study in detail for the first time.

Similarities and differences with ruminant species were determined.
Factors associated with long‐term healthcare expense and steroid exposure in patients admitted with acute severe ulcerative colitis
Authors: Gilmore Robert , Lo Sheng W. , Cheong Rachael , Karim Syeda Tahiya , Farrah Deborah , Kashkooli Soleiman , Segal Jonathan P. , Garg Mayur
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) remains a significant cause of morbidity and healthcare utilization. This study aimed to characterize the total healthcare costs of ASUC, explore factors associated with significant cost over the 12 months following an index admission, and document outcomes including corticosteroid exposure.

Methods

Patients admitted from January 2016 until January 2021 for ASUC to a tertiary inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center in Australia were identified via retrospective chart review. Costs were calculated over a 12‐month period following index admission.

Results

Seventy‐two patients (30 [42%] female, median age 39 [IQR 27–54] years) were included. The median length of stay of index admission was 6 days (IQR 5–10 days). The median cost of index admission was 7829 AUD, which was driven by the initial length of stay (P < 0.01) and requirement for colectomy (P < 0.01). Median total healthcare cost over the first 12 months was 13 873 AUD (IQR 9684–19 936 AUD), again predominately driven by the length of stay (P < 0.01) and requirement for colectomy (P < 0.01). Median cumulative corticosteroid use over 12 months inclusive of index hospitalization was 1760 mg (IQR 1560–2350 mg). Requirement for inpatient medical salvage therapy with infliximab was associated with increased corticosteroid requirement (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Healthcare expense related to ASUC remains high, driven predominantly by the length of stay during initial hospitalization and need for colectomy. From a healthcare cost perspective, novel methods to reduce inpatient hospital stay as well as need for colectomy may help reduce the economic and steroid burden of ASUC.
Petals and books: The largest Laplacian spectral gap from 1
Authors: Jost Jürgen , Mulas Raffaella , Zhang Dong
Published: July 2023

We prove that, for any connected graph on vertices, the spectral gap from the value 1 with respect to the normalized Laplacian is at most 1/2. Moreover, we show that equality is achieved if and only if the graph is either a petal graph (for odd) or a book graph (for even). This implies that is a maximal gap interval for the normalized Laplacian on connected graphs. This is closely related to the Alon–Boppana bound on regular graphs and a recent result by Kollár and Sarnak on cubic graphs. Our result also provides a sharp bound for the convergence rate of some eigenvalues of the Laplacian on neighborhood graphs.
Systemic delivery of specific and efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting HPV16 oncogenes using LL‐37 antimicrobial peptide in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Khairkhah Niloofar , Bolhassani Azam , Rajaei Farzad , Najafipour Reza
Published: July 2023

Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is the most common sexually transmitted virus related to cervical cancer. Among different types of advanced novel therapies, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas‐mediated gene editing holds great promise for cancer treatment. In this research, optimal gRNA sequences targeting HPV16 E5, E6, E7, and p97 promoter for CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing were designed by in silico prediction. After cloning, delivery of the recombinant vectors into C3, TC1 and HeLa tumor cells was evaluated by Lipofectamine 2000, and LL‐37 antimicrobial peptide. Then, the levels of cell cycle proteins (p21, p53, and Rb) were investigated after treatment by western blot analysis. Finally, C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with C3 tumor cells, and treated with recombinant vectors and cisplatin. Based on the tumor size reduction and IHC results, the E6 + E7‐treated group with a high percentage of cleaved caspase‐3 positive cells (45.75%) and low mitotic index of 2−3 was determined as the best treatment among other groups. Moreover, the potential of LL‐37 peptide to overcome the CRISPR/Cas9 delivery challenge was shown for the first time. Overall, our study suggests that the CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing of pre‐existing tumors is effective, specific and nontoxic, and the outlook for precise gene therapy in cancer patients is very bright.
Impact of obesity on catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia: In‐hospital and 30‐day outcomes
Authors: Tan Min Choon , Yeo Yong Hao , Ang Qi Xuan , Tan Bryan E‐Xin , Rattanawong Pattara , Tan Jian Liang , Lee Justin Z.
Published: July 2023

Background

Evidence on the impact of obesity on catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is scarce.

Method and Results

We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database to determine the hospital outcomes and procedural complications of VT ablation among the obese and nonobese populations. Obesity was associated with a more prolonged length of stay (p < .01), higher cost of hospitalization (p < .01), and higher rates of pericardial effusion or hemopericardium (p = .05) and vascular complications (p = .05). There was no significant difference in early mortality, 30‐day readmissions, and other procedural complications.

Conclusion

VT ablation could be performed relatively safely among patients with obesity.
Microbial bio‐film calcite mediated removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater of Kasur, Pakistan
Authors: Aqsa  , Qurashi Aisha W. , Moqaddes Sidra
Published: July 2023

Heavy metals in the industrial wastewater are an area of great concern as act as source of bioaccumulation in edible plants and posing a major health risk to humans like cancers. This study was planned by exploiting the bio‐film producing microbes that have the potential to remediate heavy metals by calcite mediated removal from industrial wastewater. Samples (n = 10) from a marble factory wastewater were collected. Samples were serially diluted and were spread on nutrient agar media supplemented with 2% urea and 0.28 g calcium chloride. All the isolates were observed for colony morphology, gram staining, and spore staining, for biochemical profile and for their efficacy in producing calcium carbonate crystals. All isolates showed cell densities at varying metal (chromium) concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 µg/mL. Determination of biofilm formation is performed by recording Optical density (OD = 600 nm). Normalized biofilm (570/600 nm) was formed. Different concentrations of chromium were used to measure their reduction ability and also by using tannery water. In tannery wastewater, significant reduction was recorded (p = 0.05) by AS4 bacterial isolate as compared to rest of the isolates and treatments. It showed remarkable chromium VI reduction ability.
Antioxidant effects of phenolic extract from sugarcane straw and mannan extract from brewer's spent yeast on fresh‐cut apples
Authors: Deuchande Teresa , Fundo Joana , Rodrigues Daniela , Abudiab Iyad , Durão Joana , Carvalho Ana Paula , Oliveira Ana Lúcia Silva , Pintado Manuela , Amaro Ana Luísa
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Fresh‐cut fruit are convenient ready‐to‐eat products increasingly demanded by consumers, but highly susceptible to oxidation. To increase the shelf life of these products, this industry is currently facing the challenge of finding sustainable natural preservatives capable of maintaining fresh‐cut fruit quality while meeting consumers’ expectations regarding health and environmental concerns.

RESULTS

In this work, fresh‐cut apple slices were treated with two antioxidant extracts derived from industrial by‐products: a phenolic‐rich extract produced from sugarcane straw (PE‐SCS) and applied at 15 g L−1, and a mannan‐rich extract obtained from brewer's spent yeast (MN‐BSY) applied at two concentrations: 1 and 5 g L−1. PE‐SCS, having a brown color, imparted a brownish hue to the fruit and increased the browning rate during storage, and not even the initial robust antioxidant response (high superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activities), prevented oxidation. Fruit treated with MN‐BSY extract at 5 g L−1 showed lower color loss rate and higher polyphenol oxidase inhibition, while at 1 g L−1 it showed lower firmness loss rate and lower lipid peroxidation after 6 days of storage.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that PE‐SCS triggers a potent antioxidant response in fresh‐cut fruit and, despite it imparting a brown color to the fruit at 15 g L−1, it may have potential for application at lower concentrations. Regarding MN‐BSY, it generally decreased oxidative stress, but its effect on quality maintenance was dependent on the concentration and, thus, to confirm its potential as a fruit preservative more concentrations must be tested. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Decreasing length of stay in breast reconstruction patients: A national analysis of 2019–2020
Authors: Rubenstein Robyn N. , Stern Carrie S. , Graziano Francis D. , Plotsker Ethan L. , Haglich Kathryn , Tadros Audree B. , Allen Robert J. , Mehrara Babak J. , Matros Evan , Nelson Jonas A.
Published: July 2023

Background

The effects of COVID‐19 on breast reconstruction included shifts toward alloplastic reconstruction methods to preserve hospital resources and minimize COVID exposures. We examined the effects of COVID‐19 on breast reconstruction hospital length of stay (LOS) and subsequent early postoperative complication rates.

Methods

Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, we examined female patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction from 2019 to 2020. We compared postoperative complications across 2019–2020 for alloplastic and autologous reconstruction patients. We further performed subanalysis of 2020 patients based on LOS.

Results

Both alloplastic and autologous reconstruction patients had shorter inpatient stays. Regarding the alloplastic 2019 versus 2020 cohorts, complication rates did not differ (p > 0.05 in all cases). Alloplastic patients in 2020 with longer LOS had more unplanned reoperations (p < 0.001). Regarding autologous patients in 2019 versus 2020, the only complication increasing from 2019 to 2020 was deep surgical site infection (SSI) (2.0% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.024). Autologous patients in 2020 with longer LOS had more unplanned reoperations (p = 0.007).

Conclusions

In 2020, hospital LOS decreased for all breast reconstruction patients with no complication differences in alloplastic patients and a slight increase in SSIs in autologous patients. Shorter LOS may lead to improved satisfaction and lower healthcare costs with low complication risk, and future research should examine the potential relationship between LOS and these outcomes.
Features of anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement in early‐stage lung cancer: Analysis of a nationwide Japanese database
Authors: Matsuura Yosuke , Mun Mingon , Shintani Yasushi , Okami Jiro , Ito Hiroyuki , Ohtsuka Takashi , Mori Takeshi , Watanabe Shun‐ichi , Chida Masayuki , Endo Shunsuke , Nakanishi Ryoichi , Kadokura Mitsutaka , Suzuki Hidemi , Miyaoka Etsuo , Yoshino Ichiro , Date Hiroshi ,   Japanese Joint Committee of Lung Cancer Registry
Published: July 2023

Background and Objectives

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement is a representative driver mutation in lung cancer. However, the biology of early‐stage ALK‐rearranged lung cancer remains unclear. We aimed to assess the clinicopathological features, prognostic implications, and influence of ALK rearrangement on the postoperative course in surgically resected lung cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from the Japanese Joint Committee of Lung Cancer Registry database. Of the 12 730 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, 794 (6.2%) were tested for ALK rearrangement and were included.

Results

ALK rearrangements were detected in 76 patients (10%). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly higher in the ALK rearrangement‐positive group than in the ALK rearrangement‐negative group (p = 0.030). Multivariable analysis revealed that ALK rearrangement was an independent prognostic factor for improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.521; 95% confidence interval, 0.298–0.911; p = 0.022). Regarding the postrecurrence state, there was no difference in the initial recurrence sites between both groups. Administration of ALK‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) improved postrecurrence survival in any treatment lines.

Conclusion

In one of the largest national surveys, ALK rearrangement was associated with improved long‐term outcomes in surgically resected patients. ALK‐TKIs may be an important treatment strategy for ALK rearrangement‐positive lung adenocarcinoma in the postrecurrence state.
Reduced uptake pattern on 68Ga‐DOTATATE‐scan may indicate necrosis predicting aggressive behavior in pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas (PPGLs)
Authors: de Jong Mechteld Christine , Pinto Diluka , Parameswaran Rajeev
Published: July 2023

Background

Predicting malignancy among pheochromocytoma paragangliomas (PPGLs) remains a challenge, with only limited understanding of the clinical and molecular characteristics. It has been suggested that reduced avidity of a PPGL on 68Ga‐DOTATATE PET/CT could be a sign of not only altered metabolic activity, but also of increased biologic aggressiveness, possibly due to loss of SSTR‐expression.

Design

Retrospective cohort review.

Patients and Measurements

Thirty‐seven patients who underwent treatment for PPGL at a tertiary institution over the period 2010−2022, had their biochemical, radiological, and clinicopathological variables collected.

Results

Five of 37 (13%) patients (5 males) with a mean age of 42 years were found to have malignant PPGLs. The mean size of the tumors were 5.4 cm, with 4 located in the paraaortic area and 1 in right adrenal. Functional imaging with 68Ga‐DOTATATE PET/CT showed a mean SUVmax of 4.5. Four of 5 patients underwent open resection of the tumors under general anesthesia following preoperative alpha blockade with oral phenoxybenzamine. The mean PASS score of the excised tumors was 5.5 in keeping with biologically aggressive tumors, with evidence of necrosis. All but 1 patient had germline SDHB‐mutation (Deletion Exon 1). Postintervention after a mean follow‐up of 31 months, 2 of 5 (40%) patient developed spinal metastasis and 1 patients (25%) died of cardiac complications.

Conclusion

A non‐highly avid PPGL on DOTATE scan should be considered as possibly having necrosis of tumors indicating a more aggressive tumor‐biology. There might be a subgroup of patients in whom FDG‐PET scan should be considered to gain additional information.
Reactivity of tert‐butylperoxyl radical with some phenylthiazolidine derivatives and probucol
Authors: Tavadyan Levon , Tonikyan Hakob , Sahakyan Adrine , Musaelyan Makich
Published: July 2023

The hybrid molecule phenylthiazolidine derivatives and probucol were kinetically examined as antioxidants (AOs) in scavenging tert‐butylperoxyl radical (t‐BuOO•) with comparable to the reference AO, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The anti‐t‐BuOO• reactivity of phenylthiazolidine derivatives and probucol was established using the direct kinetic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique with pulse reactant injection. Absolute values of the bimolecular reaction rate constants and antiradical capacities of the studied compounds were measured from −63 to 0°C. The main antiperoxylradical sites of the compounds under study were revealed.

High removal ability of t‐BuOO• by (2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)thiazolidine), 4‐[thiazolidin‐2‐yl]benzene‐1,2‐diol, 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid and probucol was connected with the reaction of hydrogen atom abstraction from phenolic OH group.

Weaker antiperoxylradical reactivity of 2‐phenylthiazolidine was connected with the slower reaction of hydrogen atom abstraction from benzylic C–H bond in reference to nitrogen and sulfur atoms compared with the phenolic OH group. It is found that sulfide groups had much weaker participation in antiperoxylradical reactivity of the studied compounds. It is concluded that removal of alkylperoxyl radicals by oxidizable phenylthiazolidine derivatives and probucol may partially account for biological activity of their compounds.
Facial plating industry payments: An analysis of the open payments database
Authors: Lorenz F. Jeffrey , LaBarge Brandon , Lighthall Jessyka G. , Walen Scott G.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To compare industry payments from facial plating companies to plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), and otolaryngology (OHNS).

Methods

The Open Payments Database was queried from 2016 to 2021 to identify all industry disbursements related to facial plating products from Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Depuy Synthes Products, Acumed, and KLS Martin. Total dollars, number of payments, and specialists paid were compared between plastic surgery, OMFS, and OHNS. Funding was correlated to estimated case volume and number of licensed surgeons determined by literature review.

Results

From 2016 through 2021, OMFS received an average of $786,497 annually, followed by plastic surgery ($765,482), and OHNS ($184,484). On average, facial plating companies distributed 2256, 963, and 917 yearly payments to 699 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 378 plastic surgeons, and 354 otolaryngologists, respectively. Total dollars, number of payments, and specialists paid were significantly different between specialties (p < .05). Facial trauma coverage is 39.6% by plastic surgery, 36.6% by OMFS, and 23.3% by OHNS. There are 7560 licensed oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 4948 plastic surgeons, and 11,778 otolaryngologists in the United States. Decreased payment to OHNS was more than could be accounted for by case volume alone.

Conclusions

The facial plating industry allocates more funding dollars to OMFS and plastic surgery compared to OHNS. OMFS receives the greatest number of payments to the most specialists compared to plastic surgery and OHNS. Engagement between OHNS and the facial plating industry is a potential area of growth in the future.

Level of evidence: Level 4.
Combining modeling with novel field observations yields new insights into wintertime food limitation of larval fish
Authors: Akimova Anna , Peck Myron A. , Börner Gregor , van Damme Cindy , Moyano Marta
Published: July 2023

Recruitment success of marine fishes is generally considered to be highly dependent on larval growth and survival. In temperate ecosystems, fish larvae are sensitive to food limitation during the low productivity seasons, particularly if water temperatures and concomitant larval metabolic costs increase due to climate change. We combined 7 years of in situ sampling of larval fish, novel observations on zooplankton via automated image analyses, and larval physiological modeling to explore feeding conditions of Atlantic herring larvae (Clupea harengus) in the North Sea. The observed plankton size‐structure was close to the theoretical optimum for larval foraging, but not the biomass. Our results for autumn larvae supported Hjort's critical period hypothesis: small first‐feeding larvae were predicted to have a high probability of starvation, whereas larvae > 13 mm were able to reach their maximal growth capacity. In winter, the majority of herring larvae of all tested sizes (5–27 cm) experienced food‐limitation with over 35% probability of starvation. Sensitivity analysis suggested that young herring larvae improve their growth performance and probability of survival if feed not only on copepods and their life‐stages but include other microplankters in their diet. Given projected warming of the North Sea, our model predicts that herring larvae would require 28% (35%) more prey biomass in autumn (winter) to sustain their growth and survival in the future. This finding together with the ongoing low recruitment of North Sea herring underscore the importance of future micro‐ and mesoplankton monitoring within a scope of wintertime larval fish surveys.
Global Ocean dimethylsulfide photolysis rates quantified with a spectrally and vertically resolved model
Authors: Galí Martí , Devred Emmanuel , Pérez Gonzalo L. , Kieber David J. , Simó Rafel
Published: July 2023

Photochemical reactions initiated by ultraviolet radiation remove the climate‐active gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) from the ocean's surface layer. Here, we quantified DMS photolysis using a satellite‐based model that accounts for spectral irradiance attenuation in the water column, its absorption by chromophoric dissolved organic matter, and the apparent quantum yields (AQYs) with which absorbed photons degrade DMS. Models with two alternative parameterizations for AQY estimate global DMS photolysis at between 17 and 20 Tg S yr−1, equivalent to 13–15 Tg C yr−1, of which ~ 73% occurs in the Southern hemisphere. This asymmetry results mostly from the high AQYs found south of 40° S, which more than counteract the prevailing low irradiance and deep mixing in that region. Simplified schemes currently used in biogeochemical models, whereby photolysis follows the vertical attenuation of visible radiation, overestimate DMS photolysis by around 150% globally. We propose relevant corrections and simple adjustments to those models.
Characterization of Eumelanin as an Additive in High‐Temperature Phthalonitrile‐Based Resin Blends
Authors: Dysart Jennifer L. , Wolfgang Josh D. , Smith Aaron D. , Atoyebi Olufolasade F. , Wallace Jean M. , Maza William A. , Wang Zheng , Laskoski Matthew
Published: July 2023

Bio‐manufactured eumelanin is investigated as a sustainable high‐char carbon additive for use with moldable high temperature resins. Blends of Bisphenol A poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK)‐based phthalonitrile (PN) with 0–30 wt% melanin are prepared and characterized for their compositional, thermal, and mechanical properties. Although the char yield increases from 10 to 30 wt% melanin loading, the presence of melanin decreases the thermal stability compared to PN resin alone. Despite this, the melanin‐PN resins still maintain a very high char yield (>64%) up to 1000 °C under nitrogen. Rheology, thermal analysis, and mechanical measurements suggest off‐gassing of the melanin and increased crosslinking between the melanin and PN, leading to a lower flexural strength resin with higher additive loadings. Spectroscopic studies suggest possible interaction between melanin and PN during co‐curing, which ultimately can affect the processing and final properties of melanin‐additive composite materials.
Assessment of Photoinduced Frontal Polymerization Processes for a Stable 1K System
Authors: Hammoud Fatima , Kirschner Julie , Carré Méline , Paulus Wolfgang , Cristadoro Anna‐Maria , Schmitt Michael , Lalevée Jacques
Published: July 2023

Frontal polymerization (FP) has attracted increasing interest in recent years in various applications. This polymerization method can be very promising for the polymerization of thick materials with high fillers content in the range of 50–80% (weight) by local application of a reasonable amount of energy. In this work, recent advances in controllable and predictive behavior for photoinduced frontal photopolymerization are reported. Here, tert‐butyl peroxybenzoate (Luperox‐P) is selected to initiate thermal polymerization at depth because its high polymerization ability and its decomposition temperature is in a promising range, i.e., neither extremely high (monomer decomposition) nor very low (storage stability issues). Thermal imaging experiments are used to follow the temperatures in the samples in real time. The number of cured layers and the depth of cure are also determined. This paper investigates various factors such as the contents of both photo and thermal initiators, the light intensity, the fiber contents, the irradiation time, etc., resulting in a statistical design of experiments with the factors: 1) content of Luperox P and 2) the irradiation time used to investigate the influence on photoinduced frontal polymerization. Markedly, FP appears to be fully controllable for a storage‐stable, tunable 1K system.
Optimality of function spaces for kernel integral operators
Authors: Takáč Jakub
Published: July 2023

We explore boundedness properties of kernel integral operators acting on rearrangement‐invariant (r.i.) spaces. In particular, for a given r.i. space X we characterize its optimal range partner, that is, the smallest r.i. space Y such that the operator is bounded from X to Y. We apply the general results to Lorentz spaces to illustrate their strength.
Towards nowcasting in Europe in 2030
Authors: Bojinski Stephan , Blaauboer Dick , Calbet Xavier , de Coning Estelle , Debie Frans , Montmerle Thibaut , Nietosvaara Vesa , Norman Katie , Bañón Peregrín Luis , Schmid Franziska , Strelec Mahović Nataša , Wapler Kathrin
Published: July 2023

The increasing impact of severe weather over Europe on lives and weather‐sensitive economies can be mitigated by accurate 0–6 h forecasts (nowcasts), supporting a vital ‘last line of defence’ for civil protection and many other applications. Recognizing lack of skill in some complex situations, often at convective and local sub‐kilometre scales and associated with rare events, we identify seven recommendations with the aim to improve nowcasting in Europe by the national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs) by 2030. These recommendations are based on a review of user needs, the state of the observing system, techniques based on observations and high‐resolution numerical weather models, as well as tools, data and infrastructure supporting the nowcasting community in Europe. Denser and more accurate observations are necessary particularly in the boundary layer to better characterize the ingredients of severe storms. A key driver for improvement is next‐generation European satellite data becoming available as of 2023. Seamless ensemble prediction methods to produce enhanced weather forecasts with 0–24 h lead times and probabilistic products require further development. Such products need to be understood and interpreted by skilled forecasters operating in an evolving forecasting context. We argue that stronger co‐development and collaboration between providers and users of nowcasting‐relevant data and information are key ingredients for progress. We recommend establishing pan‐European nowcasting consortia, better exchange of data, common development platforms and common verification approaches as key elements for progressing nowcasting in Europe in this decade.
Existence and uniqueness of steady incompressible impinging flow with finite inlet
Authors: Huang Jiahuan , Wang Xiaohui
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we discuss the well‐posedness of impinging flow through a semi‐infinitely long nozzle and impacting on a plane. More precisely, given the semi‐infinitely long nozzle with finite inlet, the plane, and the positive incoming horizontal velocity, then there exists a unique smooth solution to the impinging flow. Moreover, there exists a smooth free interface that separates the fluid such that it flows out of different outlets in the downstream.
A stabilized nonconforming Crouzeix–Raviart finite element method for the elasticity eigenvalue problem with the pure traction boundary condition
Authors: Zhang Xuqing , Han Jiayu , Yang Yidu
Published: July 2023

The linear elasticity problem has important applications in structural analysis and engineering design. It is shown that the classical Crouzeix–Raviart finite element method is unstable to solve the linear elasticity eigenvalue problem with the pure traction boundary condition. In this paper, first we propose a new scheme with the stabilization terms. Then we prove the a priori error estimates for approximate eigenpairs. Finally, we carry out numerical experiments using the stabilized scheme. Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that this scheme is locking free and efficient.
Cross‐perspectives on care pathways for painful osteoarthritis: A qualitative analysis in patients and healthcare professionals
Authors: Perrot Serge , Roucoux Guillaume , Bertin Philippe , Beauvais Catherine , Alliot‐Launois Françoise , Chassany Olivier , Duracinsky Martin
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To analyse and compare patients' and healthcare professionals' (HPs) perspectives concerning patient care pathways for painful osteoarthritis (OA).

Patients and methods

We performed a qualitative study of two focus groups corresponding to eight patients with painful OA and eight HPs involved in OA management.

Results

Six key themes emerged from the interviews: (1) representations of OA, (2) OA pain, (3) quality of life, (4) care pathways, (5) actors involved in the care pathway, and (6) treatments. Both groups considered general practitioners, pharmacists and physiotherapists to be first‐line HPs, and no well‐defined OA specialist was identified. Patients and HPs reported similar difficulties concerning the adaptation of management to individual cases, late diagnosis and treatment, whereas only patients mentioned financial issues. Communication difficulties were identified as a major problem both between patients and HPs, and between HPs. Patients reported a lack of knowledge concerning pain and OA. The coordination between the various HPs is required, with education on both pain and OA. Several possible solutions were put forward by both patients and HPs.

Conclusion

The care pathways of patients with painful OA are complex, with an unclear definition of the roles of the various HPs and suboptimal coordination. The role of HPs should be defined and collaboration between HPs developed.