bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small supernumerary marker chromosomes derived from chromosome 14 and/or 22
Authors: Liehr Thomas , Williams Heather E. , Ziegler Monika , Kankel Stefanie , Padutsch Niklas , Al-Rikabi Ahmed
Published: February 2021

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) are additional derivative chromosomes present in an otherwise numerically and structurally normal karyotype. They may derive from each of the 24 human chromosomes, and most contain a normal centromeric region with an alphoid sequence from a single chromosome. The majority of human chromosomes have a unique centromeric DNA-sequence enabling their indubitable characterization. However, chromosomes 14 and 22 share a common centromeric sequence D14/22Z1, and sSMCs with this DNA-stretch can derive from either chromosome. Euchromatin-carrying sSMCs(14 or 22) may be further characterized by molecular cytogenetics. However, in most diagnostic laboratories, heterochromatic sSMCs cannot be differentiated between chromosomes 14 or 22 derivation and are often reported as der(14 or 22). Still, heterochromatic sSMC(14 or 22) can be distinguished from each other using the D22Z4 probe (non-commercial) localized to 22p11.2. Herein, 355 sSMC(14 or 22) analyzed in the authors’ laboratory during the last ~ 20 years are summarized to address the questions: (1) What are the true frequencies of chromosome 14- and chromosome 22- derived sSMCs within D14/22Z1-positive cases? (2) Does sub-characterization of sSMC(14) and sSMC(22) make a difference in routine diagnostics? These questions could be answered as follows: (ad 1) within the studied group of sSMCs ~ 40% are derived from chromosome 14 and ~ 60% from chromosome 22; (ad 2) the knowledge on exact sSMC origin can help to save costs in routine diagnostics; i.e. in a clinically abnormal person with sSMC(14) a test for uniparental disomy is indicated, which is not necessary if a chromosome 22 origin for the sSMC was determined.
Enhanced contextual fear memory in peroxiredoxin 6 knockout mice is associated with hyperactivation of MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Phasuk Sarayut , Pairojana Tanita , Suresh Pavithra , Yang Chee-Hing , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Huang Shun-Ping , Chen Chien-Chang , Pakaprot Narawut , Chompoopong Supin , Nudmamud-Thanoi Sutisa , Liu Ingrid Y.
Published: February 2021

Fear dysregulation is one of the symptoms found in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients. The functional abnormality of the hippocampus is known to be implicated in the development of such pathology. Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) belongs to the peroxiredoxin family. This antioxidant enzyme is expressed throughout the brain, including the hippocampus. Recent evidence reveals that PRDX6 plays an important role in redox regulation and the modulation of several signaling molecules involved in fear regulation. Thus, we hypothesized that PRDX6 plays a role in the regulation of fear memory. We subjected a systemicPrdx6knockout (Prdx6−/−) mice to trace fear conditioning and observed enhanced fear response after training. Intraventricular injection of lentivirus-carried mousePrdx6into the 3rd ventricle reduced the enhanced fear response in these knockout mice. Proteomic analysis followed by validation of western blot analysis revealed that several proteins in the MAPK pathway, such as NTRK2, AKT, and phospho-ERK1/2, cPLA2 were significantly upregulated in the hippocampus ofPrdx6−/−mice during the retrieval stage of contextual fear memory. The distribution of PRDX6 found in the astrocytes was also observed throughout the hippocampus. This study identifies PRDX6 as a participant in the regulation of fear response. It suggests that PRDX6 and related molecules may have important implications for understanding fear-dysregulation associated disorders like PTSD.
High-Fidelity simulation-based program improves flow state scale in the perinatal team
Authors: Strozzi Mariachiara Martina , Varrica Alessandro , Colivicchi Micaela , Pelazzo Claudia , Negri Rossana , Galante Anna , Ianniello Patrizia , Sterpone Rossella , Nannini Priscilla , Leo Daniela , Mannarino Francesca , Striani Manuel , Montani Stefania , Gazzolo Diego
Published: February 2021

Background

We aimed to evaluate the degree of realism and involvement, stress management and awareness of performance improvement in practitioners taking part in high fidelity simulation (HFS) training program for delivery room (DR) management, by means of a self-report test such as flow state scale (FSS).

Methods

This is an observational pretest-test study. Between March 2016 and May 2019, fourty-three practitioners (physicians, midwives, nurses) grouped in multidisciplinary teams were admitted to our training High Fidelity Simulation center. In a time-period of 1 month, practitioners attended two HFS courses (model 1, 2) focusing on DR management and resuscitation maneuvers. FSS test was administred at the end of M1 and M2 course, respectively.

Results

FSS scale items such as unambiguous feed-back, loss of self consciousness and loss of time reality, merging of action and awareness significantly improved (P < 0.05, for all) between M1 and M2.

Conclusions

The present results showing the high level of practitioner involvement during DR management-based HFS courses support the usefulness of HFS as a trustworthy tool for improving the awareness of practitioner performances and feed-back. The data open the way to the usefulness of FSS as a trustworthy tool for the evaluation of the efficacy of training programs in a multidisciplinary team.
Effectiveness of pediatric integrative manual therapy in cervical movement limitation in infants with positional plagiocephaly: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pastor-Pons Iñaki , Hidalgo-García César , Lucha-López María Orosia , Barrau-Lalmolda Marta , Rodes-Pastor Iñaki , Rodríguez-Fernández Ángel Luis , Tricás-Moreno José Miguel
Published: February 2021

Background

Positional plagiocephaly (PP) is a cranial deformation frequent amongst children and consisting in a flattened and asymmetrical head shape. PP is associated with excessive time in supine and with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). Few studies have evaluated the efficiency of a manual therapy approach in PP. The purpose of this parallel randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of adding a manual therapy approach to a caregiver education program focusing on active rotation range of motion (AROM) and neuromotor development in a PP pediatric sample.

Methods

Thirty-four children with PP and less than 28 week-old were randomly distributed into two groups. AROM and neuromotor development with Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) were measured. The evaluation was performed by an examiner, blinded to the randomization of the subjects. A pediatric integrative manual therapy (PIMT) group received 10-sessions involving manual therapy and a caregiver education program. Manual therapy was addressed to the upper cervical spine to mobilize the occiput, atlas and axis. The caregiver educational program consisted in exercises to reduce the positional preference and to stimulate motor development. The control group received the caregiver education program exclusively. To compare intervention effectiveness across the groups, improvement indexes of AROM and AIMS were calculated using the difference of the final measurement values minus the baseline measurement values. If the distribution was normal, the improvement indexes were compared using the Student t-test for independent samples; if not, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. The effect size of the interventions was calculated using Cohen’s d.

Results

All randomized subjects were analysed. After the intervention, the PIMT group showed a significantly higher increase in rotation (29.68 ± 18.41°) than the control group (6.13 ± 17.69°) (p = 0.001). Both groups improved the neuromotor development but no statistically significant differences were found. No harm was reported during the study.

Conclusion

The PIMT intervention program was more effective in increasing AROM than using only a caregiver education program.

The study has been retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov, with identification number NCT03659032. Registration date: September 1, 2018.
Frailty status among older critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury
Authors: Beaubien-Souligny William , Yang Alan , Lebovic Gerald , Wald Ron , Bagshaw Sean M.
Published: February 2021

Background

Frailty status among critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is not well described despite its importance for prognostication and informed decision-making on life-sustaining therapies. In this study, we aim to describe the epidemiology of frailty in a cohort of older critically ill patients with severe AKI, the outcomes of patients with pre-existing frailty before AKI and the factors associated with a worsening frailty status among survivors.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of a prospective multicentre observational study that enrolled older (age > 65 years) critically ill patients with AKI. The clinical frailty scale (CFS) score was captured at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months among survivors. Frailty was defined as a CFS score of ≥ 5. Demographic, clinical and physiological variables associated with frailty as baseline were described. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to describe the association between frailty and 90-day mortality. Demographic and clinical factors associated with worsening frailty status at 6 months and 12 months were described using multivariable logistic regression analysis and multistate models.

Results

Among the 462 patients in our cohort, median (IQR) baseline CFS score was 4 (3–5), with 141 (31%) patients considered frail. Pre-existing frailty was associated with greater hazard of 90-day mortality (59% (n = 83) for frail vs. 31% (n = 100) for non-frail; adjusted hazards ratio [HR] 1.49; 95% CI 1.11–2.01,p = 0.008). At 6 months, 68 patients (28% of survivors) were frail. Of these, 57% (n = 39) were not classified as frail at baseline. Between 6 and 12 months of follow-up, 9 (4% of survivors) patients transitioned from a frail to a not frail status while 10 (4% of survivors) patients became frail and 11 (5% of survivors) patients died. In multivariable analysis, age was independently associated with worsening CFS score from baseline to 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% CI 1.03–1.13,p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Pre-existing frailty is an independent risk factor for mortality among older critically ill patients with severe AKI. A substantial proportion of survivors experience declining function and worsened frailty status within one year.
A checklist-based method for improving COPD care for the elderly in general practice: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial using electronic health records
Authors: Kowalczyk Anna , Zakowska Izabela , Andrzejewska Ewa , Kosiek Katarzyna , Godycki-Cwirko Maciek
Published: February 2021

Background

The third most frequent chronic condition, and the fourth most common cause of death, in Poland is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The diagnosis and treatment of COPD is the responsibility of the general practitioner (GP); the GP also serves as gatekeeper, referring patients to the other levels of public health care system when necessary. Undertreatment of COPD can result in a greater frequency of exacerbations and hospitalizations. Elderly patients require special attention due to the increased prevalence of COPD and systemic comorbidities. However, both the occurrence of exacerbations and the quality of life of the patients may be improved by developing and implementing guidelines for practice and ensuring their adherence. This proposal concerns the development of a checklist-based educational program to assist general practitioners in managing COPD patients.

Methods

No less than eighty-four general clinics in the Lodz region, Poland (28 clusters in each of three study arms), will be identified, randomized, and included in the trial. The trial will be based on anonymized data in electronic health records within the national public health care system.

The educational intervention program will consist of GPs in two intervention arms being provided with a COPD management checklist: those in the first intervention arm with receive the checklist once at the beginning, while those in the second with receive it twice. The third (control) arm receives standard care without the checklist.

The study used the International Code of Diseases (ICD)-10 for COPD. The primary aim is to determine the effect of interventions delivered to general practitioners (GPs) in primary health care. These interventions are aimed at decreasing the hospitalization of elderly patients with medical code J-44 (COPD) as the main reason for hospital admission.

Discussion

The results of this trial will be directly applicable to primary care in Poland and add new data to the growing body of evidence regarding interventions aimed at improving chronic illness care.

Trial registration

This trial has been registered with the Clinical Trials Protocol Registration System. Please see inClinicalTrial.govidentifier (NCT Number):NCT04301505. Registered on 10 March 2020.
ClinSV: clinical grade structural and copy number variant detection from whole genome sequencing data
Authors: Minoche Andre E. , Lundie Ben , Peters Greg B. , Ohnesorg Thomas , Pinese Mark , Thomas David M. , Zankl Andreas , Roscioli Tony , Schonrock Nicole , Kummerfeld Sarah , Burnett Leslie , Dinger Marcel E. , Cowley Mark J.
Published: February 2021

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has the potential to outperform clinical microarrays for the detection of structural variants (SV) including copy number variants (CNVs), but has been challenged by high false positive rates. Here we presentClinSV, a WGS based SV integration, annotation, prioritization, and visualization framework, which identified 99.8% of simulated pathogenic ClinVar CNVs > 10 kb and 11/11 pathogenic variants from matched microarrays. The false positive rate was low (1.5–4.5%) and reproducibility high (95–99%). In clinical practice,ClinSVidentified reportable variants in 22 of 485 patients (4.7%) of which 35–63% were not detectable by current clinical microarray designs.ClinSVis available athttps://github.com/KCCG/ClinSV.
Association of systemic lupus erythematosus autoantibody diversity with breast cancer protection
Authors: Shah Ami A. , Igusa Takeru , Goldman Daniel , Li Jessica , Casciola-Rosen Livia , Rosen Antony , Petri Michelle
Published: February 2021

Background

Epidemiologic data suggest that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a lower risk of breast cancer than women in the general population. In light of mechanistic studies suggesting that anti-DNA antibodies have anti-cancer effects, we sought to examine breast cancer risk in autoantibody strata in a well-characterized SLE cohort.

Methods

SLE patients without a cancer diagnosis prior to entry in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort were studied (N = 2431). Overall and site-specific cancer incidence was calculated in racial strata and compared with the US Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry. Breast cancer incidence was further examined in autoantibody subsets. Patients were considered positive for an autoantibody if they were ever positive for a specificity during their disease course.

Results

Patients with SLE had a 37% lower risk of breast cancer (SIR 0.63, 95% CI 0.39–0.95). The risk of HPV-associated cancers (SIR 4.39, 95% CI 2.87–6.44) and thyroid cancer (SIR 2.27, 95% CI 1.04–4.30) was increased. Cancer risk varied by race, with breast cancer protection occurring in non-African Americans (SIR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11–0.63) and the increased risk of HPV-associated cancers occurring in African Americans (SIR 7.23, 95% CI 4.35–11.3). Breast cancer risk was decreased in patients ever positive for anti-dsDNA (SIR 0.55, 95% CI 0.29–0.96), anti-La (SIR 0.00, 95% CI 0.00–0.78), and lupus anticoagulant (SIR 0.37, 95% CI 0.10–0.94). Patients who were positive for fewer (0–2) SLE autoantibodies did not have a lower risk of breast cancer (SIR 0.84, 95% CI 0.47–1.39), but patients with 3+ autoantibodies had a 59% decreased risk (SIR 0.41, 95% CI 0.16–0.84).

Conclusions

Positivity for multiple SLE autoantibodies was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, supporting the hypothesis that a highly diversified immune response may exert an anti-cancer effect against some cancers. Validation of racial differences in cancer risk in SLE is required to determine whether cancer screening strategies should be targeted to racial subgroups.
Increased aperiodic gamma power in young boys with Fragile X Syndrome is associated with better language ability
Authors: Wilkinson Carol L. , Nelson Charles A.
Published: February 2021

Background

The lack of robust and reliable clinical biomarkers in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited form of intellectual disability, has limited the successful translation of bench-to-bedside therapeutics. While numerous drugs have shown promise in reversing synaptic and behavioral phenotypes in mouse models of FXS, none have demonstrated clinical efficacy in humans. Electroencephalographic (EEG) measures have been identified as candidate biomarkers as EEG recordings of both adults with FXS and mouse models of FXS consistently exhibit alterations in resting state and task-related activity. However, the developmental timing of these EEG differences is not known as thus far EEG studies have not focused on young children with FXS. Further, understanding how EEG differences are associated with core symptoms of FXS is crucial to successful use of EEG as a biomarker, and may improve our understanding of the disorder.

Methods

Resting-state EEG was collected from FXS boys with full mutation of Fmr1 (2.5–7 years old, n = 11) and compared with both age-matched (n = 12) and cognitive-matched (n = 12) typically developing boys. Power spectra (including aperiodic and periodic components) were compared using non-parametric cluster-based permutation testing. Associations between 30 and 50 Hz gamma power and cognitive, language, and behavioral measures were evaluated using Pearson correlation and linear regression with age as a covariate.

Results

FXS participants showed increased power in the beta/gamma range (~ 25–50 Hz) across multiple brain regions. Both a reduction in the aperiodic (1/f) slope and increase in beta/gamma periodic activity contributed to the significant increase in high-frequency power. Increased gamma power, driven by the aperiodic component, was associated with better language ability in the FXS group. No association was observed between gamma power and parent report measures of behavioral challenges, sensory hypersensitivities, or adaptive behaviors.

Limitations

The study sample size was small, although comparable to other human studies in rare-genetic disorders. Findings are also limited to males in the age range studied.

Conclusions

Resting-state EEG measures from this study in young boys with FXS identified similar increases in gamma power previously reported in adults and mouse models. The observed positive association between resting state aperiodic gamma power and language development supports hypotheses that alterations in some EEG measures may reflect ongoing compensatory mechanisms.
Correction to: An efficient hybrid model for thermal analysis of deep borehole heat exchangers
Authors: Zhao Yazhou , Pang Zhonghe , Huang Yonghui , Ma Zhibo
Published: February 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
3D-surface scan based validated new measurement technique of femoral joint line reconstruction in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Tuecking Lars-Rene , Ettinger Max , Nebel Dennis , Welke Bastian , Schwarze Michael , Windhagen Henning , Savov Peter
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to validate a new joint line measurement technique in total knee arthroplasty for separated assessment of the medial and lateral femoral joint line alteration with 3D-surface scan technology. Separate assessment of the medial and lateral joint line alteration may improve TKA alignment assessment regarding to joint line restoration in kinematic alignment and use of robotic-assisted TKA surgery.

Methods

The medial and lateral joint line difference after TKA implantation on an artificial bone model was analyzed and compared with a 3D-scan and full femoral radiographs pre- and postoperatively. Radiographic analysis included the perpendicular distance between the most distal point of the medial and lateral condyle and the reproduced preoperative lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA). For evaluation of validity and reliability, radiographs were captured initially with true anteroposterior view and subsequently with combined flexion and rotation malpositioning. Reliability of the introduced measurement technique in between three observers was tested with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

Radiographic measurement showed a mean difference of 0.9 mm on the medial side and 0.6 mm on the lateral side when compared to the 3D-surface scan measurement. The reliability of measurement accuracy was ≤ 1 mm in x-rays with < 10° flexion error regardless to malrotation in these images. The ICC test showed very good reliability for the medial joint line evaluation and good reliability for lateral joint line evaluation (ICC 0.92, ICC 0.86 respectively).

Conclusion

The new introduced joint line measurement method showed a sufficient reliability, accuracy and precision. It provides separated information about medial and lateral joint line alteration in TKA surgery in absolute values.

Level of evidence

V - Experimental Study
Lipid profile of childhood cancer survivors and the effects of vitamin D supplementation: a prospective study
Authors: Kandil Shaimaa , Fouda Ashraf , Boujettif Khadijah , Salama Yasmin , Abdelmabood Suzy
Published: February 2021

Background

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have high prevalence of obesity vitamin D (VD) deficiency together with dyslipidemia. We aimed to evaluate lipid profile and the effect of VD supplementation in CCS.

Results

VD deficiency was more frequent among obese CCS and their lipid profiles, TC, and LDL-C levels were significantly higher compared to non-obese patients. After VD supplementation trials, VD levels increased among obese and non-obese children albeit it was significantly higher in non-obese subjects while the lipid profile of obese patients significantly decreased. Also, parathyroid hormone levels were persistently elevated among VD-deficient obese patients. Yet, the weight of obese patients remained unchanged.

Conclusion

VD deficiency was more prevalent among obese CCS. VD supplementation helped in normalization of the lipid profile of obese CCS. Regular measurement of PTH and 25OH-VD is recommended for CCS especially obese ones who may need VD supplementation.
Implementation and evaluation of an e-health innovation for personalized care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): protocol for a participatory action research study
Authors:   on behalf of the Study Group ALS Home-monitoring and Coaching, Dontje M. L. , Kruitwagen - van Reenen E. , Visser-Meily J. M. A. , Beelen A.
Published: February 2021

Background

In the absence of a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, treatment consists of symptomatic management by a multidisciplinary healthcare team and is mainly aimed at optimizing patients’ quality of life. Because the course of the disease is often erratic and varies between patients, it is imperative for patients with ALS to be closely monitored. E-health innovations that can monitor disease progression remotely have great potential to tailor the care to the needs of individual patients with ALS. Therefore, the e-health innovation “ALS Home-monitoring and Coaching” was developed employing a user-centered design process and implemented at the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands in 2017. Because ALS Home-monitoring and Coaching was shown to be feasible and well received by patients and healthcare professionals at University Medical Centre Utrecht, we aim to implement this e-health innovation nationwide, starting with 10 ALS care teams in different rehabilitation settings spread across the Netherlands.

Methods

This research focuses on the implementation process and the user experiences with ALS Home-monitoring and Coaching of both patients and healthcare professionals. We will use a participatory action research approach, with the stakeholders involved in all stages of the implementation process. The implementation process model of Grol and Wensing was used to structure and support planning, execution and evaluation of the implementation strategy. The expected barriers and facilitators will be explored and identified in focus group settings using the Theoretical Domains Framework. After that, each team will develop their own action plan with strategies for how to resolve each barrier. The teams will include 5-10 ALS patients with whom they will test their implementation plan and provide care with ALS Home-monitoring and Coaching for approximately 3 months. Afterwards, the implementation and the user experiences will be evaluated with digital surveys based on the evaluation framework of Proctor (e.g., acceptability, adoption, appropriateness).

Discussion

Using implementation theories, this study will provide inside in factors influencing implementation outcomes and strategies that can be used to overcome barriers. This will enhance our understanding of how to successfully implement e-health innovations in multidisciplinary care in rehabilitation settings.

Trial registration

Trial NL8542 registered at Netherlands Trial Register (trialregister.nl) on 15th April 2020.
Impact of Risk-Adapted Therapy for Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma on Risk of Long-Term Morbidity: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Oeffinger Kevin C. , Stratton Kayla L. , Hudson Melissa M. , Leisenring Wendy M. , Henderson Tara O. , Howell Rebecca M. , Wolden Suzanne L. , Constine Louis S. , Diller Lisa R. , Sklar Charles A. , Nathan Paul C. , Castellino Sharon M. , Barnea Dana , Smith Susan A. , Hutchinson Raymond J. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Robison Leslie L.
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of serious chronic health conditions among survivors of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), compare by era of therapy and by selected cancer therapies, and provide estimates of risks associated with contemporary therapy.

METHODS

Assessing 2,996 5-year HL survivors in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study diagnosed from 1970 to 1999, we examined the cumulative incidence of severe to fatal chronic conditions (grades 3-5) using self-report conditions, medically confirmed subsequent malignant neoplasms, and cause of death based on the National Death Index. We used multivariable regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) per decade and by key treatment exposures.

RESULTS

HL survivors were of a mean age of 35.6 years (range, 12-58 years). The cumulative incidence of any grade 3-5 condition by 35 years of age was 31.4% (95% CI, 29.2 to 33.5). Females were twice as likely (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8 to 2.4) to have a grade 3-5 condition compared with males. From the 1970s to the 1990s, there was a 20% reduction (HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7 to 0.9) in decade-specific risk of a grade 3-5 condition ( P trend = .002). In survivors who had a recurrence and/or hematopoietic cell transplant, the risk of a grade 3-5 condition was substantially elevated, similar to that of survivors treated with high-dose, extended-field radiotherapy (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.9 to 1.5). Compared with survivors treated with chest radiotherapy ≥ 35 Gy in combination with an anthracycline or alkylator, a contemporary regimen for low-intermediate risk HL was estimated to lead to a 40% reduction in risk of a grade 3-5 condition (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.8).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that risk-adapted therapy for pediatric HL has resulted in a significant reduction in serious long-term outcomes.
Chemotherapy and the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Evidence From the Medicare System
Authors: Akushevich Igor , Yashkin Arseniy P. , Kravchenko Julia , Kertai Miklos D.
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE:

Evidence on the nature of the relationship between patients receiving chemotherapy as an essential part of guideline-concordant cancer care and the onset of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other adverse cognitive outcomes has been mixed. Biological mechanisms were proposed to support both a potentially beneficial and an adverse role. To explore the relationship between chemotherapy and onset of AD and other neurocognitive disorders (ND) in colorectal cancer survivors.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 135,834 individuals older than 65 years diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1998 and 2007, using SEER-Medicare data. A proportional hazards model was used before and after the use of inverse probability weighting to account for populational differences between the chemotherapy and nonchemotherapy groups. Weights were normalized to the total sample size.

RESULTS:

After inverse probability weighting, chemotherapy was associated with decreased AD risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.791; 95% CI: 0.758 to 0.824) and lower risk for the majority of other ND including AD-related diseases (HR: 0.823; CI: 0.802 to 0.844), dementia (permanent mental disorder) (HR: 0.807; CI: 0.782 to 0.832), and dementia (senile) (HR: 0.772; CI: 0.745 to 0.801). The only adverse effect to remain significant was cerebral degeneration (excluding AD) (HR: 1.067; CI: 1.033 to 1.102). The effects for AD remained after treatment was stratified by chemotherapy agent type and remained significant for up to 6 years past diagnosis.

CONCLUSION:

Chemotherapy use in colorectal cancer survivors demonstrated an association with reduced risk for AD and other ND.
Hawking temperature of black holes using the EUP and EGUP formalisms based on the Einstein-Bohr's photon box
Authors: Farahani N. , Hassanabadi H. , Chung W. S. , Lütfüoğlu B. C. , Zarrinkamar S.
Published: February 2021

In this paper, by studying the Einstein-Bohr's photon box for weighting a photon, we find that the effective Newton constant can be proposed by the extended uncertainty principle and extended generalized uncertainty principle. We obtain the modified Hawking temperature, mass, specific heat, and entropy by using the modified Schwarzschild metric.
Investigating the Relationship Between IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 Concentrations and Later-Life Cognition and Brain Volume
Authors: Salzmann Antoine , James Sarah-Naomi , Williams Dylan M , Richards Marcus , Cadar Dorina , Schott Jonathan M , Coath William , Sudre Carole H , Chaturvedi Nishi , Garfield Victoria
Published: February 2021

Background

The insulin/insulin-like signaling (IIS) pathways, including insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), vary with age. However, their association with late-life cognition and neuroimaging parameters is not well characterized.

Methods

Using data from the British 1946 birth cohort, we investigated associations of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3; measured at 53 and 60-64 years of age) with cognitive performance [word-learning test (WLT) and visual letter search (VLS) at 60-64 years and 69 years of age] and cognitive state [Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Exam III (ACE-III) at 69-71 years of age], and in a proportion, quantified neuroimaging measures [whole brain volume (WBV), white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV), hippocampal volume (HV)]. Regression models included adjustments for demographic, lifestyle, and health factors.

Results

Higher IGF-I and IGF-II at 53 years of age was associated with higher ACE-III scores [ß 0.07 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.02, 0.12); scoreACE-III 89.48 (88.86, 90.1), respectively). IGF-II at 53 years of age was additionally associated with higher WLT scores [scoreWLT 20 (19.35, 20.65)]. IGFBP-3 at 60 to 64 years of age was associated with favorable VLS score at 60 to 64 and 69 years of age [ß 0.07 (0.01, 0.12); ß 0.07 (0.02, 0.12), respectively], higher memory and cognitive state at 69 years of age [ß 0.07 (0.01, 0.12); ß 0.07 (0.01, 0.13), respectively], and reduced WMHV [ß −0.1 (−0.21, −0.00)]. IGF-I/IGFBP-3 at 60 to 64 years of was associated with lower VLS scores at 69 years of age [ß −0.08 (−0.15, −0.02)].

Conclusions

Increased measure in IIS parameters (IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3) relate to better cognitive state in later life. There were apparent associations with specific cognitive domains (IGF-II relating to memory; IGFBP-3 relating to memory, processing speed, and WMHV; and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio related to slower processing speed). IGFs and IGFBP-3 are associated with favorable cognitive function outcomes.
Importin-9 regulates chromosome segregation and packaging in Drosophila germ cells
Authors: Palacios Victor , Kimble Garrett C. , Tootle Tina L. , Buszczak Michael
Published: February 2021

Germ cells undergo distinct nuclear processes as they differentiate into gametes. Although these events must be coordinated to ensure proper maturation, the stage-specific transport of proteins in and out of germ cell nuclei remains incompletely understood. Our efforts to genetically characterize Drosophila genes that exhibit enriched expression in germ cells led to the finding that loss of the highly conserved Importin β/karyopherin family member Importin-9 (Ipo9, herein referring to Ranbp9) results in female and male sterility. Immunofluorescence and fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed that Ipo9KO mutants display chromosome condensation and segregation defects during meiosis. In addition, Ipo9KO mutant males form abnormally structured sperm and fail to properly exchange histones for protamines. Ipo9 physically interacts with proteasome proteins, and Ipo9 mutant males exhibit disruption of the nuclear localization of several proteasome components. Thus, Ipo9 coordinates the nuclear import of functionally related factors necessary for the completion of gametogenesis.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Nonplacebo Controls to Determine the Magnitude of Ergogenic Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: MARTICORENA FELIPE MIGUEL , CARVALHO ARTHUR , OLIVEIRA LUANA FARIAS DE , DOLAN EIMEAR , GUALANO BRUNO , SWINTON PAUL , SAUNDERS BRYAN
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Placebos are used as a control treatment that is meant to be indistinguishable from the active intervention. However, where substantive placebo effects may occur, studies that do not include a nonplacebo control arm may underestimate the overall effect of the intervention (active plus placebo components). This study aimed to determine the relative magnitude of the placebo effect associated with nutritional supplements (caffeine and extracellular buffers) by meta-analyzing data from studies containing both placebo and nonplacebo control sessions.

Methods

Bayesian multilevel meta-analysis models were used to estimate pooled effects and express the placebo effect as a percentage of the overall intervention effect.

Results

Thirty-four studies were included, with the median pooled effect size (ES0.5) indicating a very small (ES0.5 = 0.09 (95% credible interval (CrI), 0.01–0.17)) improvement in the performance of placebo compared with control. There was no moderating effect of exercise type (capacity or performance), exercise duration, or training status. The comparison between active intervention and control indicated a small to medium effect (ES0.5 = 0.37 (95% CrI, 0.20–0.56)). Expressed in relative terms, the placebo effect was equivalent to 25% (75% CrI, 16%–35%) and 59% (75% CrI, 34%–94%) of the total intervention effect for buffers and caffeine.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate a very small but potentially important placebo effect with nutritional supplementation studies. A substantive proportion of supplement effects may be due to placebo effects, with the relative proportion influenced by the magnitude of the overall ergogenic effect. Where feasible, intervention studies should use nonplacebo control-arm comparators to identify the proportion of the effect estimated to come from placebo effects and avoid underestimating the overall benefits that the physiological plus psychobiological aspects associated with an intervention provide in the real world.
Kuidas pääseda löögile rahvusvahelistes ajakirjades?
Authors: Lust Kersti
Published: February 2021

The number of Estonian historians who publish regularly in international journals is fairly small. The aim of this article is to encourage historians to take this step and to give tips on how to succeed in the increasingly competitive world of international publishing. The tips are based on the lectures presented at the summer school “How to get published?” (organised by Tallinn University in 2019) alongside the author’s experiences and conversations with other colleagues. The topics considered include how to select a journal, compose an article and its key parts, impress editors and please peer-reviewers. Special attention is paid to the importance of language and style. Having a native speaker read the draft is essential.

The article provides both general guidelines as well as specific suggestions for how to publish on Estonian history. The paper describes the main characteristics of what has been called the “Anglo-American model of academic writing”. The colleagues interviewed for the article agreed that, in principle, it would be possible to publish on most topics of Estonian history and there is no need to pick a globally attractive and currently trending topic. For that, the research question has to be linked to global or European developments, events or phenomena and to discussions in the respective field of research. The colleagues, however, disagreed on the issue of whether it is more important to follow the conventional style and format of the journal or to present novel ideas. There was a consensus that surprising source material, intriguing results, and high-quality English certainly increase the article’s chances of getting published.
Structural challenges in English>Arabic simultaneous interpreting
Authors: Al Zahran Aladdin
Published: February 2021

This article reports on an empirical investigation into language-specific factors and strategies pertaining to syntactic asymmetry in English>Arabic simultaneous interpreting. It discusses the disparity between subject-verb-object (S-initial) and verb-subject-object (V-initial) structures when complicated by long and/or complex initial subjects in the source language (SL). These types of complex initial structures in the subject position significantly delay the verb that is normally needed to start sentences in Arabic. I hypothesise that professionals are more likely to follow SL structures to cope with complex initial subjects and avoid memory overload, information loss or failure. I propose that they do so using what I refer to as the strategy of not waiting for the verb, utilising Arabic word-order flexibility which offers nominal clause structures similar to the English S-initial structure. Three English speeches from real-life conference settings were analysed. The analysis focused on English sentences with complex initial subjects and their different renditions in multiple authentic Arabic simultaneous interpretations. The results of the analysis and fidelity assessment supported my hypothesis in relation to strategy and “language-pair specificity”, indicating a preference for “form-based processing”. The analysis also supported the difficulty of interpreting complex initial subjects. The strategy of not waiting for the verb was found to contribute to greater completeness and accuracy, albeit the latter to a lesser extent. It can be proposed as a complementary strategy to ‘waiting’, ‘lagging’, ‘restructuring’, ‘anticipation’, and so on. This approach could enhance (would-be) interpreters’ repertoire of potentially useful options, particularly when other approaches may lead to memory overload, omission or information failure.
Optimizing turn-taking in interpreter-mediated therapy: on the importance of the interpreter’s speaking space
Authors: Vranjes Jelena , Bot Hanneke
Published: February 2021

This paper highlights two types of turn-taking problems that can occur in dialogue interpreting within the context of mental healthcare. Although interpreting in mental health care has received some scholarly attention over the past two decades, the multimodal dimension of such encounters has not been investigated in detail so far.Based on a dataset of video recorded psychotherapeutic sessions with refugees, the study aims to show how interpreters deal with turn-taking issues during the conversation and how this affectsboth their ownrolein the encounter and the interaction itself. Both verbal and nonverbal behavior (gaze orientation and gestures) were taken into account. The data were analyzed qualitatively by drawing on the insights from Conversation Analysis (CA). The analysis suggests that problems may arise when the interpreter is not able to negotiate the moment of turn transfer or his/her turn space during the talk.Such problems in the coordination of turn-taking with the interpreter can even result in loss of information. We argue that turn-taking in therapeutic counseling with an onsite interpreter is a collaborative achievement between both speakers and the interpreter, and that acknowledging the interpreter as a co-participant with rights for speaking space supports the interpreting process.
Location-Aware Real-Time Recommender Systems for Brick-and-Mortar Retailers
Authors: Zeng Daniel , Liu Yong , Yan Ping , Yang Yanwu
Published: February 2021

Providing real-time product recommendations based on consumer profiles and purchase history is a successful marketing strategy in online retailing. However, brick-and-mortar (BAM) retailers have yet to utilize this important promotional strategy because it is difficult to predict consumer preferences as they travel in a physical space but remain anonymous and unidentifiable until checkout. In this paper, we develop such a recommender approach by leveraging the consumer shopping path information generated by radio frequency identification technologies. The system relies on spatial-temporal pattern discovery that measures the similarity between paths and recommends products based on measured similarity. We use a real-world retail data set to demonstrate the feasibility of this real-time recommender system and show that our approach outperforms benchmark methods in key recommendation metrics. Conceptually, this research provides generalizable insights on the correlation between spatial movement and consumer preference. It makes a strong case that the emerging location and path data and the spatial-temporal pattern discovery methods can be effectively utilized for implementable marketing strategies. Managerially, it provides one of the first real-time recommender systems for BAM retailers. Our approach can potentially become the core of the next-generation intelligent shopping environment in which the stores customize marketing efforts to provide real-time, location-aware recommendations.
Finance and Firm Volatility: Evidence from Small Business Lending in China
Authors: Chen Tao , Huang Yi , Lin Chen , Sheng Zixia
Published: February 2021

The online trading platform Alibaba provides financial technology (FinTech) credit for millions of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Using a novel data set of daily sales and an internal credit score threshold that governs the allocation of credit, we apply a fuzzy regression discontinuity design (RDD) to explore the causal effect of credit access on firm volatility. We find that credit access significantly reduces firm sales volatility and that the effect is stronger for firms with fewer alternative sources of financing. We further look at firm exit probability and find that firms with access to FinTech credit are less likely to go bankrupt or exit the business in the future. Additional channel tests reveal that firms with FinTech credit invest more in advertising and product/sector diversification, particularly during business downturns, which serves as effective mechanisms through which credit access reduces firm volatility. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of FinTech credit in MSMEs.

This paper was accepted by Haoxiang Zhu, finance.
Kinesio taping techniques for ankle stabilisation in patients with stroke: a single-blinded randomised controlled study
Authors: Kurul Ramazan , Cankaya Tamer , Yildirim Necmiye Un
Published: February 2021

Background/Aims

Ankle proprioception and neuromuscular feedback from this region provides the sensory input needed for balance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of repeated correction taping applied on the ankle and peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles on balance and gait in patients with stroke.

Methods

A total of 61 patients with stroke with a mean age of 62.25 ± 7.04 years were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n=30) received 1 hour of rehabilitation, which took place during weekdays over the course of 2 weeks. The intervention group (n=31) received 1 hour of daily rehabilitation as well as having kinesio tape applied to their ankle. Both groups were assessed with the Balance Evaluating Systems Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Functional Reach Test, Tetrax Balance System and Barthel Index. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after the first application, 1 week and 2 weeks later, following the first taping.

Results

There was a significant improvement in the Balance Evaluating Systems and Functional Reach Tests scores between the first and last measurements in favour of the intervention group (P<0.05). There were no significant changes between baseline and immediately after assessment for all measurements (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Tetrax scores, Timed Up and Go Test and Barthel Index scores (P>0.05).

Conclusions

In this study, it was found that dynamic balance was improved by taping the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles, but the static balance did not change. One week of kinesio taping would be beneficial; however, prolonged use would not provide further improvement.