bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attention to visual motion suppresses neuronal and behavioral sensitivity in nearby feature space
Authors: Yoo Sang-Ah , Martinez-Trujillo Julio C. , Treue Stefan , Tsotsos John K. , Fallah Mazyar
Published: October 2022

Background

Feature-based attention prioritizes the processing of the attended feature while strongly suppressing the processing of nearby ones. This creates a non-linearity or “attentional suppressive surround” predicted by the Selective Tuning model of visual attention. However, previously reported effects of feature-based attention on neuronal responses are linear, e.g., feature-similarity gain. Here, we investigated this apparent contradiction by neurophysiological and psychophysical approaches.

Results

Responses of motion direction-selective neurons in area MT/MST of monkeys were recorded during a motion task. When attention was allocated to a stimulus moving in the neurons’ preferred direction, response tuning curves showed its minimum for directions 60–90° away from the preferred direction, an attentional suppressive surround. This effect was modeled via the interaction of two Gaussian fields representing excitatory narrowly tuned and inhibitory widely tuned inputs into a neuron, with feature-based attention predominantly increasing the gain of inhibitory inputs. We further showed using a motion repulsion paradigm in humans that feature-based attention produces a similar non-linearity on motion discrimination performance.

Conclusions

Our results link the gain modulation of neuronal inputs and tuning curves examined through the feature-similarity gain lens to the attentional impact on neural population responses predicted by the Selective Tuning model, providing a unified framework for the documented effects of feature-based attention on neuronal responses and behavior.
Post-mortem examination of high mortality in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Țica Otilia , Țica Ovidiu , Bunting Karina V. , deBono Joseph , Gkoutos Georgios V. , Popescu Mircea I. , Kotecha Dipak
Published: October 2022

Background

The prevalence of combined heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) is rising, and these patients suffer from high rates of mortality. This study aims to provide robust data on factors associated with death, uniquely supported by post-mortem examination.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adults with a clinical diagnosis of HF and AF at a tertiary centre in Romania between 2014 and 2017. A standardized post-mortem examination was performed where death occurred within 24 h of admission, when the cause of death was not clear or by physician request. National records were used to collect mortality data, subsequently categorized and analysed as HF-related death, vascular death and non-cardiovascular death using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

A total of 1009 consecutive patients with a mean age of 73 ± 11 years, 47% women, NYHA class 3.0 ± 0.9, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40.1 ± 11.0% and 100% anticoagulated were followed up for 1.5 ± 0.9 years. A total of 291 (29%) died, with post-mortems performed on 186 (64%). Baseline factors associated with mortality were dependent on the cause of death. HF-related death in 136 (47%) was associated with higher NYHA class (hazard ratio [HR] 2.45 per one class increase, 95% CI 1.73–3.46; p < 0.001) and lower LVEF (0.95 per 1% increase, 0.93–0.97; p < 0.001). Vascular death occurred in 75 (26%) and was associated with hypertension (HR 2.83, 1.36–5.90; p = 0.005) and higher LVEF (1.08 per 1% increase, 1.05–1.11; p < 0.001). Non-cardiovascular death in 80 (28%) was associated with clinical obesity (HR 2.20, 1.21–4.00; p = 0.010) and higher LVEF (1.10 per 1% increase, 1.06–1.13; p < 0.001). Across all causes, there was no relationship between mortality and AF type (p = 0.77), HF type (p = 0.85) or LVEF (p = 0.58).

Conclusions

Supported by post-mortem data, the cause of death in HF and AF patients is heterogeneous, and the relationships with typical markers of mortality are critically dependent on the mode of death. The poor prognosis in this group demands further attention to improve management beyond anticoagulation.

Graphical Abstract
Comparing the psychometric properties of EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L proxy ratings by informal caregivers and a health professional for people with dementia
Authors: Michalowsky Bernhard , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Mohr Wiebke , Rädke Anika , Xie Feng
Published: October 2022

Background

Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among persons with dementia poses several challenges due to cognitive decline and limited perception. As a result, proxy ratings by family members or health professionals are used. The EQ-5D is the most commonly used generic and preference-based HRQoL instrument. Methodological drawbacks of the three-level version (EQ-5D-3L) prompted the development of the five-level version (EQ-5D-5L) by expanding the range in the domains. However, no comparison of the psychometric properties of both versions and different proxy ratings exist so far. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L by application of different proxy ratings in dementia.

Methods

The EQ-5D-3L and -5L were completed by n = 52 family caregivers and one care manager at baseline and three and six months later. In total, 106 caregiver and 133 care manager proxy ratings were completed. The EQ-5D-3L and 5L were evaluated in terms of acceptability (missing values), agreement, ceiling effects, redistribution properties and inconsistency, and informativity (Shannon, H', and Shannon Evenness, J', indices) as well as convergent and discriminative validity.

Results

Mean proxy index scores were higher for the 5L than the 3L. Missing values occurred less frequently in both proxy ratings and versions (< 1%). Agreement between both measures was high but higher in caregiver than care-manager ratings (ICC 0.885 vs. 0.840). The relative ceiling effect decreased from the 3L to the 5L, more intensively in the care-manager (75%) than the caregiver rating (56%). Inconsistency between both versions was low. Informativity increased from the 3L to the 5L version, nearly equally in both proxy ratings. The 5L also demonstrated a better discriminative ability and convergent validity than the 3L, especially in the caregiver rating.

Conclusion

Compared to the EQ-5D-3L, the EQ-5D-5L had higher feasibility and acceptability and was slightly superior by a reduction of ceiling effects and an improvement in informativity, discriminative ability and convergent validity. Proxy ratings by informal caregivers overall demonstrated better psychometric properties than professional care-manager ratings.
Alzheimer’s disease-related transcriptional sex differences in myeloid cells
Authors: Coales Isabelle , Tsartsalis Stergios , Fancy Nurun , Weinert Maria , Clode Daniel , Owen David , Matthews Paul M.
Published: October 2022

Sex differences have been identified in many diseases associated with dysregulated immune responses, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), for which approximately two-thirds of patients are women. An accumulating body of research indicates that microglia may play a causal role in the pathogenesis of this disease. We hypothesised that sex differences in the transcriptome of human myeloid cells may contribute to the sex difference observed in AD prevalence. To explore this, we assessed bulk and single-nuclear RNA sequencing data sets generated from four human derived myeloid cell populations: post-mortem microglial nuclei, peripheral monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and induced pluripotent stem cell derived microglial-like cells (MGLs). We found that expression of AD risk genes, gene signatures associated with the inflammatory response in AD, and genes related to proinflammatory immune responses were enriched in microglial nuclei isolated from aged female donors without ante-mortem neurological disease, relative to those from males. In addition, these inflammation-associated gene sets were found to be enriched in peripheral monocytes isolated from postmenopausal women and in MDMs obtained from premenopausal individuals relative to age-matched males. Expression of these gene sets did not differ in MDMs derived from women whose blood was sampled across the menstrual cycle or in MGLs cultured with 17β-oestradiol. This suggests that the observed gene set enrichments in myeloid cells from women were not being driven by acute hormonal influences. Together, these data support the hypothesis that the increased prevalence of AD in women may be partly explained by a myeloid cell phenotype biased towards expression of biological processes relevant to AD.
Primary small intestinal extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type with kidney involvement: a rare case report and literature review
Authors: Mao Shuyan , Diao Changying , Cao Lei
Published: October 2022

Background

Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (EN-NK/T-NT) is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. EN-NK/T-NT seldom occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, and renal involvement is relatively rare.

Case presentation

Here we report a case of primary small intestinal EN-NK/T-NT with kidney involvement. We present the case of a 71-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital for coronary heart disease with a fever of unknown origin. Laboratory examination showed renal impairment and PET/CT showed a locally thickened wall of the small intestine, abnormally increased FDG metabolism in the right lower abdomen, and multiple slightly high-density masses with abnormal increased FDG metabolism in the right kidney. The gross specimen showed a grayish-white lump located in the ileum approximately 15 cm away from the ileocecum, and two grayish-white lumps located in the upper and lower poles of the right kidney, respectively. The pathological diagnosis was EN-NK/T-NT. The patient died approximately 10 months after the operation.

Conclusion

EN-NK/T-NT is a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and may develop insidiously, with fever as the only clinical manifestation. The disease was found to be difficult to diagnose in the early stage, resulting in a highly aggressive clinical course and short survival time.
Jin-Tian-Ge ameliorates ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats and modulates osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in vitro
Authors: Shen Yi , Wang Na , Zhang Qi , Liu Yuling , Wu Qudi , He Yuqiong , Wang Yang , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhao Qiming , Zhang Quanlong , Qin Luping , Zhang Qiaoyan
Published: October 2022

Background

Tiger bone, which had been one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicine for 2000 years, was originate from the skeleton of Panthera tigris L., and had the actions of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immune-regulatory and promoting healing of bone fracture, and was used for the treatment of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Jin-Tian-Ge (JTG), the artificial tiger bone powder, were prepared from skeletons of several farmed animals to substitute the natural tiger bone, and has been used for the treatment of osteoporosis in clinical practice. However, the characteristic and mechanism of action of JTG for the therapy of osteoporosis need to be further evidenced by using modern pharmacological methods. The aim of this work is to investigate the bone-protective effects of JTG, and explore the possible underlying mechanism.

Methods

Ovariectomy (OVX) rats were orally administrated JTG or estradiol valerate (EV) for 12 weeks. We investigated the pharmacodynamic effects of JTG on anti-bone loss in OVX rats, and also investigated the role of JTG in promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclast differentiation.

Results

JTG increased the bone mineral density (BMD), improved the bone microarchitecture and biomechanical properties in ovariectomized rast, whereas reversed the bone high turnover in OVX rats as evidenced by serum biochemical markers in OVX rats. JTG increased osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro, and up-regulated the expression of the key proteins of BMP and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. JTG also inhibited the osteoclastogenesis of BMM as evidenced by the alteration of the TRAP activity, F-actin construction and the expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, Cathepsin K (Ctsk) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) of OCs induced with RANKL and LPS, reduced the expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB in OCs.

Conclusions

JTG prevented bone loss in OVX rats and increased osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through regulation of the BMP and Wnt/β-catenin pathway, inhibited osteoclastogenesis by suppressing the NF-κB pathway, suggesting that JTG had the potentials for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by modulating formation and differentiation of osteoblast and osteoclast.
A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a self-management program for adolescents with a chronic condition: a study protocol
Authors: Gauci Jaunna , Bloomfield Jacqueline , Lawn Sharon , Towns Susan , Hobbs Annabelle , Steinbeck Katharine
Published: October 2022

Background

Self-management support is increasingly viewed as an integral part of chronic condition management in adolescence. It is well recognized that markers of chronic illness control deteriorate during adolescence. Due to the increasing prevalence of long-term chronic health conditions in childhood and improved survival rates of previously life-limiting conditions in children and adolescents, significant numbers of adolescents are having to manage their chronic condition effectively as they transition to adult health care. Therapy adherence has been identified as a major challenge for young people living with a chronic condition such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes, or asthma requiring long-term pharmacological therapy and/or lifestyle modifications. Most systematic reviews on self-management interventions address adult populations. Very few intervention studies are directed at adolescents with a chronic condition who are transitioning to adult health services. This protocol describes a prospective randomized controlled trial of a standardized self-management intervention program delivered to adolescents aged 15–18 years prior to their transfer to adult care. This study has been designed to provide evidence regarding self-management programs for adolescents and is the first study to use the Flinders Program with this important, under-researched age group.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial is used to investigate the effectiveness of a modified adolescent-friendly version of an adult self-management program. This program is directed at improving self-management in an adolescent cohort 15–18 years of age with a chronic condition being treated in a specialist pediatric hospital. Participants will be randomized to either usual care or the modified Flinders Program plus usual care. Data collection will include measures of specific illness control, unscheduled hospital admissions, and questionnaires to record self-management competencies, quality of life, self-efficacy, and outcome measures specific to the chronic condition at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after delivery.

Discussion

This study will provide a better understanding of the elements required for effective self-management programs in adolescents with a chronic condition and address some important knowledge gaps in current literature. The study will be carried out in collaboration with the Discipline of Behavioural Health at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia, in order to inform the development of an adolescent version of the successful and validated Flinders Program™.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621000390886). Registered on April 8, 2021.
Trauma-focused therapies for post-traumatic stress in psychosis: study protocol for the RE.PROCESS randomized controlled trial
Authors: Burger Simone R. , van der Linden Tineke , Hardy Amy , de Bont Paul , van der Vleugel Berber , Staring Anton B. P. , de Roos Carlijn , van Zelst Catherine , Gottlieb Jennifer D. , Mueser Kim T. , van Minnen Agnes , de Jongh Ad , Marcelis Machteld , van der Gaag Mark , van den Berg David
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Many people with psychotic disorders experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In recent years, several trauma-focused therapies (TFTs), including cognitive restructuring (CR), prolonged exposure (PE), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have been studied and found to be safe and effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in individuals with psychosis. However, studies were conducted in different countries, with varying inclusion criteria, therapy duration, control groups, and trial outcomes. RE.PROCESS will be the first study to compare the impact of CR, PE, and EMDR with a waiting list control condition within the same context.

Methods and analysis

This is the protocol of a pragmatic, single-blind, multicentre, superiority randomized controlled trial, in which CR, PE, and EMDR are compared to a waiting list control condition for TFT (WL) in a naturalistic treatment setting. Inclusion criteria are as follows: age ≥ 16 years; meeting full DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), with a total CAPS score ≥ 23; and a psychotic disorder in the schizophrenia spectrum confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). Participants (N=200) will be randomly allocated to 16 sessions of one of the TFTs or WL, in addition to receiving treatment as usual (TAU) for psychosis. The primary objective is to compare the effects of CR, PE, and EMDR to WL on researcher-rated severity of PTSD symptoms over time from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Secondary objectives are to examine these effects at the separate time-points (i.e., mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up) and to test the effects for clinician-rated presence of PTSD diagnosis, and self-rated severity of (complex) PTSD symptoms.

Discussion

This is the first RCT to directly compare the effects of CR, PE, and EMDR within the same context to TAU on PTSD symptoms in individuals with psychosis and PTSD. Secondary effects on clinical and functional outcomes will be investigated both directly after therapy and long term.

Trial registration

ISRCTN ISRCTN56150327. Registered 18 June 2019.
Metabolomic profiling of bovine leucocytes transformed by Theileria annulata under BW720c treatment
Authors: Zhao Hong-xi , Li Xia , Liu Jun-long , Guan Gui-quan , Dan Xin-gang
Published: October 2022

Background

WhenTheileria annulatainfects host cells, it undertakes unlimited proliferation as tumor cells. Although the transformed cells will recover their limited reproductive characteristics and enter the apoptosis process after treatment with buparvaquone (BW720c), the metabolites and metabolic pathways involved are not clear.

Methods

The transformed cells ofT. annulatawere used as experimental materials, and the buparvaquone treatment group and DMSO control group were used. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was undertaken of 36 cell samples based on the LC–QTOF platform in positive and negative ion modes. The metabolites of the cell samples after 72 h of drug treatment were analyzed, as were the different metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in the BW720c treatment. Finally, the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways in the transformed cells were found.

Results

A total of 1425 metabolites were detected in the negative ion mode and 1298 metabolites were detected in the positive ion mode. After drug treatment for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, there were 56, 162, and 243 differential metabolites in negative ion mode, and 35, 121, and 177 differential metabolites in positive ion mode, respectively. These differential metabolites are mainly concentrated on various essential amino acids.

Conclusion

BW720c treatment induces metabolic disturbances inT. annulata-infected cells by regulating the metabolism of leucine, arginine, andl-carnitine, and induces host cell apoptosis.

Graphical abstract
Duality results for interval-valued semiinfinite optimization problems with equilibrium constraints using convexificators
Authors: Lai K. K. , Mishra S. K. , Hassan Mohd , Bisht Jaya , Maurya J. K.
Published: October 2022

This paper deals with the study of interval-valued semiinfinite optimization problems with equilibrium constraints (ISOPEC) using convexificators. First, we formulate Wolfe-type dual problem for (ISOPEC) and establish duality results between the (ISOPEC) and the corresponding Wolfe-type dual under the assumption of $\partial ^{*} $

∂
∗

-convexity. Second, we formulate Mond–Weir-type dual problem and propose duality results between the (ISOPEC) and the corresponding Mond–Weir-type dual under the assumption of $\partial ^{*} $

∂
∗

-convexity, $\partial ^{*} $

∂
∗

-pseudoconvexity, and $\partial ^{*} $

∂
∗

-quasiconvexity.
Hand hygiene improvement of individual healthcare workers: results of the multicentre PROHIBIT study
Authors: van der Kooi Tjallie , Sax Hugo , Grundmann Hajo , Pittet Didier , de Greeff Sabine , van Dissel Jaap , Clack Lauren , Wu Albert W. , Davitt Judith , Kostourou Sofia , Maguinness Alison , Michalik Anna , Nedelcu Viorica , Patyi Márta , Perme Hajdinjak Janja , Prosen Milena , Tellez David , Varga Éva , Veini Fani , Ziętkiewicz Mirosław , Zingg Walter ,   the PROHIBIT consortium
Published: October 2022

Background

Traditionally, hand hygiene (HH) interventions do not identify the observed healthcare workers (HWCs) and therefore, reflect HH compliance only at population level. Intensive care units (ICUs) in seven European hospitals participating in the “Prevention of Hospital Infections by Intervention and Training” (PROHIBIT) study provided individual HH compliance levels. We analysed these to understand the determinants and dynamics of individual change in relation to the overall intervention effect.

Methods

We included HCWs who contributed at least two observation sessions before and after intervention. Improving, non-changing, and worsening HCWs were defined with a threshold of 20% compliance change. We used multivariable linear regression and spearman’s rank correlation to estimate determinants for the individual response to the intervention and correlation to overall change. Swarm graphs visualized ICU-specific patterns.

Results

In total 280 HCWs contributed 17,748 HH opportunities during 2677 observation sessions. Overall, pooled HH compliance increased from 43.1 to 58.7%. The proportion of improving HCWs ranged from 33 to 95% among ICUs. The median HH increase per improving HCW ranged from 16 to 34 percentage points. ICU wide improvement correlated significantly with both the proportion of improving HCWs (ρ = 0.82 [95% CI 0.18–0.97], and their median HH increase (ρ = 0.79 [0.08–0.97]). Multilevel regression demonstrated that individual improvement was significantly associated with nurse profession, lower activity index, higher nurse-to-patient ratio, and lower baseline compliance.

Conclusions

Both the proportion of improving HCWs and their median individual improvement differed substantially among ICUs but correlated with the ICUs’ overall HH improvement. With comparable overall means the range in individual HH varied considerably between some hospitals, implying different transmission risks. Greater insight into improvement dynamics might help to design more effective HH interventions in the future.
Diagnostic value of apparent diffusion coefficient in predicting pathological T stage in patients with thymic epithelial tumor
Authors: Chang Chao-Chun , Lin Chia-Ying , Huang Li-Ting , Chuang Ming-Tsung , Lu Ying-Hung , Huang Wei-Li , Chen Ying-Yuan , Lai Wu-Wei , Tseng Yau-Lin , Yen Yi-Ting
Published: October 2022

Purposes

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in predicting pathological Masaoka and T stages in patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs).

Methods

Medical records of 62 patients who were diagnosed with TET and underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) prior to surgery between August 2017 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. ADC values were calculated from DWI images using b values of 0, 400, and 800 s/mm2. Pathological stages were determined by histological examination of surgical specimens. Cut-off points of ADC values were calculated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Patients had a mean age of 56.3 years. Mean ADC values were negatively correlated with pathological Masaoka and T stages. Higher values of the area under the ROC curve suggested that mean ADC values more accurately predicated pathological T stages than pathological Masaoka stages. The optimal cut-off points of mean ADC were 1.62, 1.31, and 1.48 × 10–3 mm2/sec for distinguishing pathological T2-T4 from pathological T1, pathological T4 from pathological T1-T3, and pathological T3-T4 from pathological T2, respectively.

Conclusion

ADC seems to more precisely predict pathological T stages, compared to pathological Masaoka stage. The cut-off values of ADC identified may be used to preoperatively predict pathological T stages of TETs.
Simultaneous placement of short implants (≤ 8 mm) versus standard length implants (≥ 10 mm) after sinus floor elevation in atrophic posterior maxillae: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Chenxi , Du Qianhui , Luo Jiaying , Peng Lin
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the clinical outcomes of using short implants (≤ 8 mm) inserted with osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) and standard implants (≥ 10 mm) inserted with sinus floor elevation (SFE) in atrophic posterior maxillae with insufficient residual bone height (RBH).

Methods

An electronic search was performed on PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from 1994 to July 2022, in combination with a manual search of references in relevant articles. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the clinical results between short and standard implant placement with SFE were included. The primary outcomes were implant survival rate and marginal bone loss (MBL); the secondary outcome was complication rate.

Results

Three RCTs were included, totaling 138 short and 156 standard implants. The results of the meta-analysis showed no significant differences between the short and standard implant groups in survival rate (RR = 1.02, 95% CI   0.96–1.08, p = 0.570), MBL (MD = − 0.13, 95% CI   − 0.32 to 0.07, p = 0.190) and complication rate (intra-surgical complication: RR = 1.14, 95% CI   0.46–2.83, p = 0.770; post-operative complication: RR = 1.34, 95% CI   0.71–2.55, p = 0.370).

Conclusions

Using short implants (≤ 8 mm) combined with OSFE might be an alternative to standard implants (≥ 10 mm) with SFE when the RBH of the posterior maxilla is insufficient. Based on a short-term clinical observation, short implants with OSFE show good results in terms of survival rate, MBL, and complication incidence.

Graphical Abstract
High-frequency electrical stimulation attenuates neuronal release of inflammatory mediators and ameliorates neuropathic pain
Authors: Yang Huan , Datta-Chaudhuri Timir , George Sam J. , Haider Bilal , Wong Jason , Hepler Tyler D. , Andersson Ulf , Brines Michael , Tracey Kevin J. , Chavan Sangeeta S.
Published: October 2022

Background

Neuroinflammation is an important driver of acute and chronic pain states. Therefore, targeting molecular mediators of neuroinflammation may present an opportunity for developing novel pain therapies. In preclinical models of neuroinflammatory pain, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P and high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) are molecules synthesized and released by sensory neurons which activate inflammation and pain. High-frequency electrical nerve stimulation (HFES) has achieved clinical success as an analgesic modality, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we reasoned that HFES inhibits neuroinflammatory mediator release by sensory neurons to reduce pain.

Methods

Utilizing in vitro and in vivo assays, we assessed the modulating effects of HFES on neuroinflammatory mediator release by activated sensory neurons. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons harvested from wildtype or transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) were cultured on micro-electrode arrays, and effect of HFES on optogenetic- or capsaicin-induced neuroinflammatory mediator release was determined. Additionally, the effects of HFES on local neuroinflammatory mediator release and hyperalgesia was assessed in vivo using optogenetic paw stimulation and the neuropathic pain model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve.

Results

Light- or capsaicin-evoked neuroinflammatory mediator release from cultured transgenic DRG sensory neurons was significantly reduced by concurrent HFES (10 kHz). In agreement with these findings, elevated levels of neuroinflammatory mediators were detected in the affected paw following optogenetic stimulation or CCI and were significantly attenuated using HFES (20.6 kHz for 10 min) delivered once daily for 3 days.

Conclusion

These studies reveal a previously unidentified mechanism for the pain-modulating effect of HFES in the setting of acute and chronic nerve injury. The results support the mechanistic insight that HFES may reset sensory neurons into a less pro-inflammatory state via inhibiting the release of neuroinflammatory mediators resulting in reduced inflammation and pain.
Integrated interventions and supporting activities to increase uptake of multiple cancer screenings: conceptual framework, determinants of implementation success, measurement challenges, and research priorities
Authors: Subramanian Sujha , Tangka Florence K. L. , Hoover Sonja , DeGroff Amy
Published: October 2022

Background

Screening for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer has been shown to reduce mortality; however, not all men and women are screened in the USA. Further, there are disparities in screening uptake by people from racial and ethnic minority groups, people with low income, people who lack health insurance, and those who lack access to care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds two programs—the Colorectal Cancer Control Program and the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program—to help increase cancer screenings among groups that have been economically and socially marginalized. The goal of this manuscript is to describe how programs and their partners integrate evidence-based interventions (e.g., patient reminders) and supporting activities (e.g., practice facilitation to optimize electronic medical records) across colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings, and we suggest research areas based on implementation science.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory assessment using qualitative and quantitative data to describe implementation of integrated interventions and supporting activities for cancer screening. We conducted 10 site visits and follow-up telephone interviews with health systems and their partners to inform the integration processes. We developed a conceptual model to describe the integration processes and reviewed screening recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force to illustrate challenges in integration. To identify factors important in program implementation, we asked program implementers to rank domains and constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Results

Health systems integrated interventions for all screenings across single and multiple levels. Although potentially efficient, there were challenges due to differing eligibility of screenings by age, gender, frequency, and location of services. Program implementers ranked complexity, cost, implementation climate, and engagement of appropriate staff in implementation among the most important factors to success.

Conclusion

Integrating interventions and supporting activities to increase uptake of cancer screenings could be an effective and efficient approach, but we currently do not have the evidence to recommend widescale adoption. Detailed multilevel measures related to process, screening, and implementation outcomes, and cost are required to evaluate integrated programs. Systematic studies can help to ascertain the benefits of integrating interventions and supporting activities for multiple cancer screenings, and we suggest research areas that might address current gaps in the literature.
Depth-domain angle and depth variant seismic wavelets extraction for prestack seismic inversion
Authors: Zhang Rui , Deng Zhiwen
Published: October 2022

Many prestack depth migration methods have been developed and widely used to generate depth-domain seismic images, resulting in a need for depth-domain prestack seismic inversion of the subsurface elastic properties for reservoir characterization. Time-domain inversion techniques often are used after the depth-domain data set is transformed to the time domain. We provide a new technique for directly inverting depth-domain prestack seismic data for subsurface elastic properties: P-impedance ([Formula: see text]), S-impedance ([Formula: see text]), and density ([Formula: see text]) in the depth domain. The proposed depth-domain workflow eliminates the need for time-depth/depth-time conversion, making it efficient and effective. Using a depth-wavenumber decomposition approach, the suggested workflow first extracts a collection of depth and angle varying wavelets to handle the potential nonstationarity of the depth-domain prestack seismic data. The extracted depth and angle variant wavelets are used in a basis pursuit inversion, which enhances the resolution of the inversion results. The workflow is tested on the Wenan 3D field data set, demonstrating its viability for practical applications.
Vertical transversely isotropic elastic least-squares reverse time migration based on elastic wavefield vector decomposition
Authors: Chen Ke , Liu Lu , Zhang Lele , Zhao Yang
Published: October 2022

Anisotropic elastic reverse time migration (RTM) is a promising technique for imaging complex oil and gas reservoirs. However, the migrated images often suffer from low spatial resolution, migration artifacts, wave-mode crosstalk, and unbalanced amplitude response. Conventional vertical transversely isotropic elastic least-squares reverse time migration (VTI-elastic LSRTM) defines stiffness parameter perturbations as elastic images, which have different physical meanings from VTI-elastic RTM images. We have developed a VTI-elastic LSRTM method based on elastic wavefield vector decomposition that is a natural extension of VTI-elastic RTM. More specifically, our method applies least-squares inversion to VTI-elastic RTM and defines the compressional- and shear-wave reflectivity as elastic images (PP, PS, SP, and SS images). When computing the elastic images, we decompose the elastic wavefields into compressional and shear wavefields and cross-correlate the corresponding wave modes. We derive the reverse time demigration operator by taking the adjoint of the RTM operator. Using the migration and demigration operators, we formulate the VTI-elastic LSRTM as a linear inverse problem with the least-squares criterion. The conjugate gradient method is used to solve the optimization problem. Three numerical examples are presented to test the feasibility of our method. The VTI-elastic LSRTM images have higher resolution, fewer migration artifacts and wave-mode crosstalk, and improved amplitude response when compared with VTI-elastic RTM images.
Spin-half bosons with mass dimension three-half: Evading the spin-statistics theorem
Authors: Ahluwalia Dharam Vir , Lee Cheng-Yang
Published: October 2022

By exploiting the freedom in defining the dual of spinors, we report an unexpected theoretical discovery of a quantum field theory of spin-half bosons. It fulfils Dirac's 1969-70 observation that “there must be boson variables connected with electrons”. The theory is local, Lorentz invariant, and has a positive-definite Hamiltonian. We formulate the unitarity-preserving scattering theory to accommodate the new dual and the associated adjoint. A model of Yukawa interaction with spin-half bosons and fermions of equal masses is studied to explicitly show unitarity.
Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy
Authors: Hofland Johannes , Brabander Tessa , Verburg Frederik A , Feelders Richard A , de Herder Wouter W
Published: October 2022

The concept of using a targeting molecule labeled with a diagnostic radionuclide for using positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography imaging with the potential to demonstrate that tumoricidal radiation can be delivered to tumoral sites by administration of the same or a similar targeting molecule labeled with a therapeutic radionuclide termed “theranostics.” Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs (SSAs) is a well-established second/third-line theranostic treatment for somatostatin receptor-positive well-differentiated (neuro-)endocrine neoplasms (NENs). PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE was approved by the regulatory authorities in 2017 and 2018 for selected patients with low-grade well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NENs. It improves progression-free survival as well as quality of life of GEP NEN patients. Favorable symptomatic and biochemical responses using PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE have also been reported in patients with functioning metastatic GEP NENs like metastatic insulinomas, Verner Morrison syndromes (VIPomas), glucagonomas, and gastrinomas and patients with carcinoid syndrome. This therapy might also become a valuable therapeutic option for inoperable low-grade bronchopulmonary NENs, inoperable or progressive pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, and medullary thyroid carcinomas. First-line PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE and combinations of this therapy with cytotoxic drugs are currently under investigation. New radiolabeled somatostatin receptor ligands include SSAs coupled with alpha radiation emitting radionuclides and somatostatin receptor antagonists coupled with radionuclides.
Big Game, Small World
Authors: Wolff Alexander
Published: October 2022

During the late 1990s, eminent basketball journalist Alexander Wolff traveled the globe to determine how a game invented by a Canadian clergyman became an international phenomenon. Big Game, Small World presents Wolff’s dispatches from sixteen countries spread across five continents and multiple US states. In them, he asks: What can the game tell us about the world? And what can the world tell us about the game? Whether traveling to Bhutan to challenge its king to a pickup game, exploring the women’s game in Brazil, or covering the Afrobasket tournament in Luanda, Angola, during a civil war, Wolff shows how basketball has the power to define an individual, a culture, and even a country.

This updated twentieth anniversary edition features a new preface in which Wolff outlines the contemporary rise of athlete-activists while discussing the increasing dominance within the NBA of marquee international players like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo. A loving celebration of basketball, Big Game, Small World is one of the most insightful books ever written about the game.
Development and validation of sonological classification and scoring system for uterine adenomyosis: A pilot study
Authors: Sinha Sudwita , Agarwal Mukta , Bhadani Punam Prasad , Roy Ria , Sinha Upasna
Published: October 2022

Background: Adenomyosis is a common disorder in women of reproductive age. The gold standard for diagnosis is histopathological examination of hysterectomy specimen. However, only a small percentage of women undergo surgery as treatment is primarily hormonal. Non-invasive methods of diagnosis include transvaginal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Patient management in adenomyosis is often based on ultrasonographic diagnosis alone, highlighting the importance of a uniform, reproducible, clinically relevant and validated sonological classification and scoring system. Although a few investigators have proposed classification and scoring system for diagnosis of adenomyosis, none of those have been validated yet. This study aimed to propose and validate a new sonological classification and scoring system for adenomyosis.

Methods: This was a prospective observational pilot study. A new sonological classification and scoring system of adenomyosis was proposed based on topography, type, size and extent, which was validated by comparing the sonological reporting with histopathological reporting. The main outcome measures that were measured were rate of agreement (Cohen’s kappa) between the findings of sonologist and pathologist; and diagnostic accuracy of the sonological classification of adenomyosis.

Results: This pilot study included 30 women who underwent hysterectomy over a time period of one year with ultrasonographic diagnosis of adenomyosis. The rate of agreement (Cohen’s kappa) between the findings of sonologist and pathologist showed substantial agreement (0.703) for topography and almost perfect agreement for type (0.896), extent (0.892) and size (0.898).

Conclusions: Our newly proposed sonological classification and scoring system for adenomyosis is valid and can be used for clinical application in interpersonal communication between clinicians, to prognosticate patients about the disease severity, to assess the candidates for surgical management and in further studies to correlate with symptoms severity and effectiveness of medical therapies.
Research and development of a model for assessing the optimal location of pedestrian crossings based on a conflict model
Authors: Novikov A. , Pisareva Svetlana , Song Zhili , Novikova Tatyana
Published: October 2022

With the increase in the number of vehicles, the number of conflict situations between pedestrians and cars increases - the number of accidents increases. The study of walking behavior and the relationship of behavior with the location of pedestrian crossings will allow you to find the optimal solution for a pedestrian crossing. The proposed model for assessing the optimal location of pedestrian crossings based on the pedestrian -vehicle conflict model is based on three indicators: the likelihood of a conflict between a person and a vehicle, the severity of the accident and the expected number of conflicts. The model was developed in order to determine the optimal location of pedestrian crossings and to study the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles at unregulated pedestrian crossings. In order to take into account the pedestrian behavior in the proposed model, modeling was carried out using the SPSS software. Regression analysis formed the basis for modeling pedestrian behavior, and a model of a "bad solution" for an unregulated pedestrian crossing was obtained. To verify the reliability of the model and the accuracy of the forecast, a Hosmer-Lemeshowe test for suitability and an omnibus test of model coefficients were conducted. The overall accuracy of the model prediction was 97.6%, the accuracy rate with "bad behavior" is 95.7%, and the accuracy rate without "bad behavior" is 99.4%.
Rationale for extent of operation choice in rectal cancer
Authors: Nikitenko R. , Kosovan V. , Vorotyntseva K. , Koichev E.
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains relevant occupying one of the leading places in morbidity and mortality among oncological diseases. It reaches 13.5% in the structure of tumor diseases tending to increase.

The aim of the work to improve the choice of surgical treatment management and reduce the number of intraoperative and postoperative complications in rectal cancer patients.

Materials and methods. 184 operated patients with rectal cancer (RC) were divided into 2 groups: 1 group (patients with stage I RC (T1-2N0M0) and 2 group (stage II RC (T3N0M0)) who were carried out intraoperative detection and examination of sentinel lymph nodes. The volume and surgical approach depended on the stage and the presence of metastases (MTS). The average period of postoperative observation was 12–60 months, taking into account early (purulent-septic complications, bleeding, intestinal perforation) and distant (recurrence of rectal cancer) complications.

Results. The patients of the 1 group had no MTS lesions of sentinel lymph nodes, due to this fact the surgical intervention was limited to transanal microsurgery. Among the complications were the following: bleeding – 2.2%; intraoperative perforation of the intestinal wall – 5.6%. No purulent-septic cases, no recurrences of rectal cancer were detected. In group 2, of 94 patients, 36 (38.3%) had MTS detected intraoperatively in sentinel lymph nodes which required a low anterior rectal resection with total mesorectomectomy. Among the complications was bleeding – 6.3%. No intraoperative perforations of the intestinal wall and no purulent-septic complications were detected. Recurrence of rectal cancer was detected in 12 (13.8%) patients.

Conclusions. Performing transanal endoscopic resections in patients with RC I and especially stage II is possible only under the conditions of mandatory intraoperative staining and emergency histological examination of "sentinel" lymph nodes. The extent of surgical intervention is determined on the operating table based on the results of an emergency histological examination. When MTS lesions of the mesorectal "sentinel lymph nodes" are detected, the operation should be continued with mandatory mesorectomectomy.
Nutrition and supplementation in football - practical guidelines based on current literature review
Authors: Staśkiewicz Wiktoria
Published: October 2022

It is said that football matches are the second most important thing in the world. Football is currently one of the most popular sports and brings record numbers of people together in stadiums and in front of TV sets. For many years, players were allowed to consume the products they preferred at the times they subjectively deemed appropriate. However, today's soccer has evolved due to self-improvement and players following elite athletes. This change in approach to the sport has coincided with an increase in the pace and intensity of top soccer games over the past two decades. In addition, the commercialization of the sport has resulted in increasing demands and continually increasing the level of sportsmanship. Nutrition is an important part of the sports training program. International guidelines, based on scientific research, recommend amounts, types and timing of food intake to ensure excellent training while reducing injuries and trauma. In order to achieve metabolic optimization, there must be a balance between nutrition, training, and recovery. Energy should be provided from optimal sources, and maintaining an adequate energy balance is critical for those who engage in physical activity, especially professional athletes. Supplements and foodstuffs for special nutritional purposes are widely used, so knowledge of the indications for their use, as well as the risks posed by inappropriate use, is essential.
Increasing Chip Availability Through a New After-Sales Service Supply Concept at ASML
Authors: Lamghari-Idrissi Douniel , van Hugten Roy , van Houtum Geert-Jan , Basten Rob
Published: October 2022

At the beginning of 2017, ASML embarked on a journey to evaluate and reform its after-sales service supply concept driven by the increased focus of its customers on infrequent but disruptive long downtime events. The company made changes to its service measures and to the planning approach. The new concept resulted in a worldwide decrease of 20% in the number of extreme long downtime events at ASML’s customers, generating an estimated yearly benefit of $1.5 billion for the semiconductor industry.