bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient and health care delays in large (class T3–T4) oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal carcinomas
Authors: Atula Markus , Aro Katri , Irjala Heikki , Halme Elina , Jouppila‐Mättö Anna , Koivunen Petri , Wilkman Tommy , Blomster Henry , Mäkitie Antti , Atula Timo
Published: March 2023

Background

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. We investigated the lengths and factors associated with patient, primary health care (PHC), and specialist care (SC) delays in T3–T4 oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer.

Methods

A nationwide prospective questionnaire‐based study (n = 203) with the 3‐year long data collection period.

Results

The median patient, PHC and SC delays were 58, 13, and 43 days, respectively. Lower level of education, heavy alcohol use, hoarseness, difficulties breathing, and eventual palliative treatment associated with a longer patient delay. A lump on the neck or facial swelling associated with a shorter PHC delay. Conversely, if symptoms were treated as an infection, PHC delay was longer. The treatment modality and tumor site affected SC delay.

Conclusions

Patient delay stands as the most notable factor contributing to delays before treatment. HNC symptom awareness thus remains especially important among HNC risk groups.
Loss of individualized behavioral trajectories in adult neurogenesis‐deficient cyclin D2 knockout mice
Authors: Lopes Jadna Bogado , Małz Monika , Senko Anna N. , Zocher Sara , Kempermann Gerd
Published: March 2023

There is still limited mechanistic insight into how the interaction of individuals with their environment results in the emergence of individuality in behavior and brain structure. Nevertheless, the idea that personal activity shapes the brain is implicit in strategies for healthy cognitive aging as well as in the idea that individuality is reflected in the brain's connectome. We have shown that even isogenic mice kept in a shared enriched environment (ENR) developed divergent and stable social and exploratory trajectories. As these trajectories—measured as roaming entropy (RE)—positively correlated with adult hippocampal neurogenesis, we hypothesized that a feedback between behavioral activity and adult hippocampal neurogenesis might be a causal factor in brain individualization. We used cyclin D2 knockout mice with constitutively extremely low levels of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and their wild‐type littermates. We housed them for 3 months in a novel ENR paradigm, consisting of 70 connected cages equipped with radio frequency identification antennae for longitudinal tracking. Cognitive performance was evaluated in the Morris Water Maze task (MWM). With immunohistochemistry we confirmed that adult neurogenesis correlated with RE in both genotypes and that D2 knockout mice had the expected impaired performance in the reversal phase of the MWM. But whereas the wild‐type animals developed stable exploratory trajectories with increasing variance, correlating with adult neurogenesis, this individualizing phenotype was absent in D2 knockout mice. Here the behaviors started out more random and revealed less habituation and low variance. Together, these findings suggest that adult neurogenesis contributes to experience‐dependent brain individualization.
Methods for assessing the bioaccumulation of hydrocarbons and related substances in terrestrial organisms: A critical review
Authors: Gobas Frank A. P. C. , Lee Yung-Shan , Fremlin Katharine M. , Stelmachuk Stephanie C. , Redman Aaron D.
Published: March 2023

This study investigates and reviews methods for the assessment of the terrestrial bioaccumulation potential of hydrocarbons and related organic substances. The study concludes that the unitless biomagnification factor (BMF) and/or the trophic magnification factor (TMF) are appropriate, practical, and thermodynamically meaningful metrics for identifying bioaccumulative substances in terrestrial food chains. The study shows that various methods, including physical–chemical properties like the KOA and KOW, in vitro biotransformation assays, quantitative structure–activity relationships, in vivo pharmacokinetic and dietary bioaccumulation tests, and field-based trophic magnification studies, can inform on whether a substance has the potential to biomagnify in a terrestrial food chain as defined by a unitless BMF exceeding 1. The study further illustrates how these methods can be arranged in a four-tier evaluation scheme for the purpose of screening assessments that aim to minimize effort and costs and expediate bioaccumulation assessment of the vast numbers of organic substances in commerce, identifies knowledge gaps, and provides recommendations for further research to improve bioaccumulation assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1433–1456. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Quantitative detection of Epstein‐Barr virus DNA methylation in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by blind brush sampling
Authors: Zheng Xiao‐Hui , Li Xi‐Zhao , Zhou Ting , Jiang Cheng‐Tao , Tang Cao‐Li , Deng Chang‐Mi , Liao Ying , He Yong‐Qiao , Wang Tong‐Min , Jia Wei‐Hua
Published: March 2023

Detecting EBV DNA load in nasopharyngeal (NP) brushing samples for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has attracted widespread attentions. Currently, NP brush sampling mostly relies on endoscopic guidance, and there are few reports on diagnostic markers suitable for nonguided conditions (blind brush sampling), which is of great significance for extending its application. One hundred seventy nasopharyngeal brushing samples were taken from 98 NPC patients and 72 non‐NPC controls under the guidance of endoscope, and 305 blind brushing samples were taken without endoscopic guidance from 164 NPC patients and 141 non‐NPC controls (divided into discovery and validation sets). Among these, 38 cases of NPC underwent both endoscopy‐guided NP brushing and blind brushing. EBV DNA load targeting BamHI‐W region and EBV DNA methylation targeting 11029 bp CpG site located at Cp‐promoter region were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q‐PCR). EBV DNA load showed good classification accuracy for NPC in endoscopy‐guided brushing samples (AUC = 0.984). However, in blind bushing samples, the diagnostic performance was greatly reduced (AUC = 0.865). Unlike EBV DNA load, the accuracy of EBV DNA methylation was less affected by brush sampling methods, whether in endoscopy‐guided brushing (AUC = 0.923) or blind brushing (AUC = 0.928 in discovery set and AUC = 0.902 in validation set). Importantly, EBV DNA methylation achieved a better diagnostic accuracy than EBV DNA load in blind brushing samples. Overall, detection of EBV DNA methylation with blind brush sampling shows great potential in the diagnosis of NPC and may facilitate its use in nonclinical screening of NPC.
Impact of critical care pharmacist‐led interventions on pain, agitation, and delirium in mechanically ventilated adults: A systematic review
Authors: Buckley Mitchell S. , Roberts Russel J. , Yerondopoulos Melanie J. , Bushway Audrey K. , Korkames Grace C. , Kane‐Gill Sandra L.
Published: March 2023

Best practices of pain, agitation, and delirium (PAD) management require coordinated, bundled care among an interprofessional intensive care unit (ICU) team. Clinical pharmacists are essential health care team members in optimizing sedation and analgesia management in critically ill patients. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the clinical impact of pharmacist‐led interventions targeting PAD in mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials between January 1, 2000 and September 1, 2022. Randomized controlled trials, quasi‐experimental, or observational studies comparing pharmacist‐led interventions aimed at PAD management best practices and usual care in adult (≥18 years) ICU patients were included. Clinical (mechanical ventilation duration, hospital length of stay, and mortality) and economic outcomes as well as sedation and analgesia utilization were evaluated. A total of 1418 citations were identified with 9 studies (n = 3769 patients) meeting eligibility. The types of pharmacist‐led intervention strategies were inconsistent among included studies. Four of the 9 studies showed that pharmacist‐led interventions were associated with a significant reduction in mechanical ventilation duration ranging from 4.0 to 8.5 days compared with approximately 5.6 to 14.0 days in the control groups. Three (50%) of 6 studies evaluating length of stay showed significant reductions with the intervention group compared with controls. No impact on mortality and ICU‐acquired delirium/coma rates was shown. The pharmacist‐led intervention group was also associated with significant reductions in opioid analgesia and sedative utilization. Only two studies evaluated the financial impact of the intervention group with one study finding a positive benefit attributed to decreased drug utilization, while the other report failed to find an impact on total hospital stay costs. Pharmacist‐led interventions promote PAD best practices in the ICU, although the impact on patient‐centered outcomes remains controversial.
Synthesis of aryl‐functionalized, 1,5‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles and derivatives by arylation of zwitterionic ruthenium triazolato complexes
Authors: Chang Chao‐Wan , Sung Hui‐Ling , Lee Chi‐Rung , Lee Gene‐Hsiang
Published: March 2023

The synthesis of a series of ruthenium 1,5‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazolato complexes, 1,5‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles, and a triazolium salt is reported. Treatment of the ruthenium azido complex [Ru]‐N3 (1, [Ru] = (η5‐C5H5)(dppe)Ru, dppe = Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2) with an excess of ethyl propiolate results in the formation of a mixture of the Z‐ and E‐forms of zwitterionic N(1)‐bound N(3)‐ethyl acryl‐4‐carboxylate triazolato complexes [Ru]N3(CH=CHCO2Et)C2H(CO2) (Z‐2) and (E‐2). The arylation of 2 with aromatic bromides gives a series of cationic N(1)‐bound N(3)‐ethyl acryl‐4‐alkoxycarbonyl triazolato complexes {[Ru]N3(CH=CHCO2Et)C2H(CO2CH2R)}[Br] (3a, R = Ph; 3b, R = C6F5; 3c, R = 4‐C6H4CN, 3d, R = 2,6‐C6H3F2) and the subsequent cleavage of the Ru‐N bond of 3a–d gives 1,5‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles N3(CH=CHCO2Et)C2H(CO2CH2R) (4a, R = Ph; 4b, R = C6F5; 4c, R = 4‐C6H4CN; 4d, R = 2,6‐C6H3F2) and [Ru]‐Br. A 1,2,3‐triazolium salt [N3(CH=CHCO2Et)(CH2C6F5)C2H2][Br] (5) was formed by transformation of 4b in BrCH2C6F5/chloroform mixture. The structures of Z‐3a and Z‐5 were confirmed by single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction analysis and both complexes participate in non‐covalent aromatic interactions in the solid‐state structures which can be favorable in the binding of DNA/biomolecular targets and have shown great potential in the application of biologically active anticancer drugs.
Interleukin‐6 promotes skeletal muscle catabolism by activating tryptophan–indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1–kynurenine pathway during intra‐abdominal sepsis
Authors: Xie Tingbin , Lv Tengfei , Zhang Tenghui , Feng Dengyu , Zhu Feng , Xu Yi , Zhang Liang , Gu Lili , Guo Zhen , Ding Chao , Gong Jianfeng
Published: March 2023

Background

Inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) plays a pivotal role in skeletal muscle degradation after intra‐abdominal sepsis (IAS), with mechanism remained to be elucidated. Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO‐1), a key enzyme in converting tryptophan into kynurenine, could be activated by IL‐6, and kynurenine has been shown to be involved in muscle degradation. We hypothesized that IL‐6 could promote muscle degradation via tryptophan–IDO‐1–kynurenine pathway in IAS patients.

Methods

Serum and rectus abdominis (RA) were obtained from IAS or non‐IAS patients. Mouse model of IAS‐induced muscle wasting was generated by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. IL‐6 signalling was blocked by anti‐mouse IL‐6 antibody (IL‐6‐AB), and the IDO‐1 pathway was blocked by navoximod. To elucidate the role of kynurenine in muscle mass and physiology, kynurenine was administered to IAS mice treated with IL‐6‐AB.

Results

Compared to non‐IAS patients, kynurenine levels in serum (+2.30‐fold vs. non‐IAS, P < 0.001) and RA (+3.11‐fold vs. non‐IAS, P < 0.001) were elevated, whereas tryptophan levels in serum (−53.65% vs. non‐IAS, P < 0.01) and RA (−61.39% vs. non‐IAS, P < 0.01) were decreased. Serum IL‐6 level of the IAS group was significantly higher compared to non‐IAS patients (+5.82‐fold vs. non‐IAS, P = 0.01), and muscle cross‐sectional area (MCSA) was markedly reduced compared to non‐IAS patients (−27.73% vs. non‐IAS, P < 0.01). In animal experiments, IDO‐1 expression was up‐regulated in the small intestine, colon and blood for CLP or LPS‐treated mice, and there was correlation (R2 = 0.66, P < 0.01) between serum and muscle kynurenine concentrations. Navoximod significantly mitigated IAS‐induced skeletal muscle loss according to MCSA analysis (+22.94% vs. CLP, P < 0.05; +23.71% vs. LPS, P < 0.01) and increased the phosphorylated AKT (+2.15‐fold vs. CLP, P < 0.01; +3.44‐fold vs. LPS, P < 0.01) and myosin heavy chain (+3.64‐fold vs. CLP, P < 0.01; +2.13‐fold vs. LPS, P < 0.01) protein expression in myocytes. In the presence of anti‐IL‐6 antibody, a significantly decreased IDO‐1 expression was observed in the small intestine, colon and blood in CLP or LPS mice (all P < 0.01), whereas the decrease of MCSA was alleviated (+37.43% vs. CLP + IgG, P < 0.001; +30.72% vs. LPS + IgG, P < 0.001). In contrast, additional supplementation of kynurenine decreased the MCSA in septic mice treated with IL‐6‐AB (both P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study provided novel insights into the tryptophan–IDO‐1–kynurenine‐dependent mechanisms that underlie inflammatory cytokine‐induced skeletal muscle catabolism during intra‐abdominal sepsis.
Salinity‐dependent changes in branchial morphometry and Na+, K+‐ATPase responses of euryhaline Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer
Authors: Ding Yu‐Chen , Lee Sih‐Shien , Peng Sheng‐Kai , Yang Wen‐Kai , Lee Tsung‐Han
Published: March 2023

Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790) is a euryhaline fish widely cultured in Asia and Australia. Although it is common to culture Asian sea bass at different salinities, osmoregulatory responses of Asian sea bass during acclimation to various salinities have not been fully observed. In this study, we used scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphology of the ionocyte apical membrane of Asian sea bass acclimated to fresh water (FW), 10‰ brackish water (BW10), 20‰ brackish water (BW20), and seawater (SW; 35‰). Three types of ionocytes were identified in FW and BW fish: (I) flat type with microvilli, (II) basin type with microvilli, and (III) small−hole type. Flat type I ionocytes were also observed in the lamellae of the FW fish. In contrast, two types of ionocytes were identified in SW fish: (III) small‐hole type and (IV) big‐hole type. Furthermore, we observed Na+, K+‐ATPase (NKA) immunoreactive cells in the gills, which represent the localization of ionocytes. The highest protein abundance was observed in the SW and FW groups, whereas the highest activity was observed in the SW group. In contrast, the BW10 group had the lowest protein abundance and activity. This study demonstrates the effects of osmoregulatory responses on the morphology and density of ionocytes, as well as protein abundance and activity of NKA. In this study, we found that Asian sea bass had the lowest osmoregulatory response in BW10, because the lowest amounts of ionocytes and NKA were required to maintain osmolality at this salinity.
Transition‐metal free synthesis of 2‐pyrones by [3 + 3] annulation of cyclopropenones and sulfur ylides
Authors: Yuan Cheng , Wang Qingqing , Feng Tao , Liu Jikai , Cheung William , Wang Gangqiang , Sun Shaofa , Xing Yalan
Published: March 2023

A simple and efficient synthesis for 2‐pyrones by [3 + 3] annulation of cyclopropenones and sulfur ylides in the presence of triethyl amine as a base has been developed featuring transition‐metal free conditions, high yields, and excellent functional group compatibility. Using this process, a variety of 2‐pyrones were prepared in good to excellent yields.
Current Standing on Radical Ring‐Opening Polymerizations of Cyclic Ketene Acetals as Homopolymers and Copolymers with one another
Authors: Deng Yiyi , Mehner Fabian , Gaitzsch Jens
Published: March 2023

Radical Ring‐opening polymerization (RROP) of cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) emerges to be a valuable polymerization technique. In attracting more attention, RROP has seen a new spike in publications, which the authors will put into perspective. This review will hence address the progress made on the number of available CKAs and the synthetic strategies to get them. In grouping, the available monomers into distinct categories, the enormous variety of available CKAs will be highlighted. Polymerizations of CKAs without vinylenes have the potential to yield fully biodegradable polymers, which is why this kind of polymerization is the focus of this review. Detailing the current understanding of the mechanism, the various side reactions will be noted and also their effect on the overall properties of the final polymers. Current attempts to control the ring‐retaining and branching reactions will be discussed as well. In addition to the polymerization itself, the available materials will be discussed as well as homopolymers, copolymers of CKAs, and block‐copolymers with pure CKA‐blocks have significantly widened the range of possible applications of materials from RROP. Altogether this review highlights the progress in the entire field of RROP just of CKAs to give a holistic overview of the field.
Projected changes in extreme rainfall and temperature events and possible implications for Cameroon's socio‐economic sectors
Authors: Tamoffo Alain T. , Weber Torsten , Akinsanola Akintomide A. , Vondou Derbetini A.
Published: March 2023

Extreme events like flooding, droughts and heatwave are among the factors causing huge socio‐economic losses to Cameroonians. Investigating the potential response of rainfall and temperature extremes to global warming is therefore critically needed for tailoring and adjusting the country's policies. Recent datasets have been developed for this purpose within the Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations (CORDEX‐CORE) initiative, at ~25 km grid spacing. These regional climate models were used to dynamically downscaled four global climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5), under the optimistic and pessimistic representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5, respectively. These models were employed in this study for characterizing the response of Cameroon's extreme precipitation and temperature events to global warming, using seven indices defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices. Under global warming, the maximum number of consecutive dry (wet) days' is expected to increase (decrease). However, the annual total rainfall amount is expected to increase, mainly due to the intensification of very wet days and daily rainfall intensity. Furthermore, the temperature‐based indices reveal an increase (decrease) in the total annual hot (cold) days, and overall, changes intensify with increased radiative forcing. The high‐mitigated low‐emission pathway RCP2.6 features attenuated changes, and even sometimes adapts to reverse the sign of changes. Designing reliable policies to limit the risks associated with the above changes is required, as their socio‐economic consequences are likely to include food insecurity, heat‐related illness, population impoverishment, price rises and market instability.
Different stabilities for oscillatory Volterra integral equations
Authors: Simões Alberto Manuel
Published: March 2023

Inspired by the increasing development of theories subordinate to the topic of stability in the sense of Ulam–Hyers and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias, we present in this paper new sufficient conditions for concluding the stability of classes of integral equations with kernels depending on sine and cosine functions. This will be done by taking the profit of fixed‐point arguments in the framework of spaces of continuous functions endowed with a generalization of the Bielecki metric. After presenting the main theorems, some examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Stability analysis of a fractional‐order SEIR epidemic model with general incidence rate and time delay
Authors: Ilhem Gacem , Kouche Mahiéddine , Ainseba Bedr'eddine
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate the qualitative behavior of a class of fractional SEIR epidemic models with a more general incidence rate function and time delay to incorporate latent infected individuals. We first prove positivity and boundedness of solutions of the system. The basic reproduction number
of the model is computed using the method of next generation matrix, and we prove that if
, the healthy equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable, and when
, the system admits a unique endemic equilibrium which is locally asymptotically stable. Moreover, using a suitable Lyapunov function and some results about the theory of stability of differential equations of delayed fractional‐order type, we give a complete study of global stability for both healthy and endemic steady states. The model is used to describe the COVID‐19 outbreak in Algeria at its beginning in February 2020. A numerical scheme, based on Adams–Bashforth–Moulton method, is used to run the numerical simulations and shows that the number of new infected individuals will peak around late July 2020. Further, numerical simulations show that around 90% of the population in Algeria will be infected. Compared with the WHO data, our results are much more close to real data. Our model with fractional derivative and delay can then better fit the data of Algeria at the beginning of infection and before the lock and isolation measures. The model we propose is a generalization of several SEIR other models with fractional derivative and delay in literature.
Relatively exact controllability of fractional stochastic delay system driven by Lévy noise
Authors: Huang Jizhao , Luo Danfeng
Published: March 2023

In this article, we consider the relatively exact controllability of fractional stochastic delay system (FSDS) driven by Lévy noise. First, we derive the solution of linear FSDS via delayed matrix functions of Mittag–Leffler (M‐L). Subsequently, by virtue of the controllability Grammian matrix, we explore the relatively exact controllability of linear FSDS. In addition, with the aid of Jensen's inequality, Hölder's inequality, and Itô's isometry, the existence and uniqueness of the considered nonlinear FSDS are investigated by employing Banach contraction principle. Thereafter, the relatively exact controllability of nonlinear FSDS is discussed. Finally, the theoretical results are supported through examples.
Loss of astrocytic A1 adenosine receptor is involved in a chemotherapeutic agent–induced rodent model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Liu Lin , Xia Lingjie , Cui Yao
Published: March 2023

Introduction/Aims

Oxaliplatin is a commonly used platinum chemotherapy drug, whereas peripheral neurotoxicity is a widely observed adverse reaction lacking a satisfactory therapeutic strategy. Different adenosine receptors underlying the common neuropathic phenotype play different roles through varied pathophysiological mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the role of adenosine receptor A1 (A1R) in oxaliplatin‐induced neuropathic pain and its potential use in an effective therapeutic strategy.

Methods

We established an oxaliplatin‐induced neuropathic pain model simulating the mode of chemotherapy administration and observed the related neuropathic behavioral phenotype and implicated mechanisms.

Results

Five weekly injections of oxaliplatin for 2 weeks induced a severe and persistent neuropathic pain phenotype in mice. A1R expression in the spinal dorsal horn decreased during this process. Pharmacological intervention against A1R verified its importance in this process. Mechanistically, the loss of A1R expression was mainly attributed to its decreased expression in astrocytes. Consistent with the pharmacological results, the oxaliplatin‐induced neuropathic pain phenotype was blocked by specific therapeutic interventions of A1R in astrocytes via lentiviral vectors, and the expression of glutamate metabolism–related proteins was upregulated. Neuropathic pain can be alleviated by pharmacological or astrocytic interventions via this pathway.

Discussion

These data reveal a specific adenosine receptor signaling pathway involved in oxaliplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathic pain, which is related to the suppression of the astrocyte A1R signaling pathway. This may provide new opportunities for the treatment and management of neuropathic pain observed during oxaliplatin chemotherapy.
A questionnaire to assess the health information literacy of patients with intermediate‐stage chronic kidney disease
Authors: Zhao Fei , Wang Jianyi , Chen Piao , Yimin Hu
Published: March 2023

Aim

To investigate the status and influencing factors of health information literacy in patients with intermediate‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design

A prospective clinical study.

Methods

We used a CKD health information literacy questionnaire to survey 130 patients with intermediate‐stage CKD and valuate their health needs and health knowledge. We performed the study in strict accordance with the Guidelines for Clinical Trial Protocols. We registered the study in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registration Center (registration No. ChiCTR2100053103; approval No. K56‐1).

Results

The overall health information literacy of CKD was relatively low. Low education level, advanced age and unemployment were influencing factors. The scores of assessment ability, literacy awareness, application ability, integration ability and CKD health knowledge reserve were relatively low. The generalized linear model showed that the older the men, the lower their health information literacy.
Medical staff's perception of factors contributing to accelerated rehabilitation in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: A qualitative research
Authors: Li Qiuxue , Zhang Qianghuizi , Liu Weiwei , Zhou Zheyi
Published: March 2023

Aim

To explore the factors affecting the quality of accelerated rehabilitation for patients with cervical spinal cord injury, therefore, to propose targeted improvement strategies and provide reference for promoting the quality of nursing care for accelerated rehabilitation.

Design

This descriptive qualitative inquiry followed the COREQ guidelines.

Methods

From December 2020 to April 2021, 16 subjects including orthopaedic nurses, nursing management experts, orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthesiologists and physical therapists experienced in accelerated rehabilitation were selected by objective sampling method to conduct semi‐structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview content.

Results

Through analysis and summary of the interview data, the following two themes and nine sub‐themes were finally extracted. Factors related to the quality of accelerated rehabilitation structure include: construction of multidisciplinary teams, thorough system guarantee and adequate staffing. Factors related to the quality of accelerated rehabilitation process include: inadequate training and assessment, lack of medical staff's awareness, incapability of the accelerated rehabilitation team members, poor multidisciplinary communication and collaboration, lack of patient's awareness, and ineffective health education.

Conclusion

Quality of implementation of accelerated rehabilitation can be improved by maximizing the role of multidisciplinary team, establishing a flawless accelerated rehabilitation system, increasing allocation of nursing resources, enhancing knowledge of medical staff, improving their awareness of accelerated rehabilitation, establishing personalized clinical pathways of accelerated rehabilitation, increasing communication and collaboration among multidisciplinary disciplines, and improving health education of patients.
A comprehensive review of 30 years of pediatric clinical trial radiotherapy dose constraints
Authors: Vassantachart April , Olch Arthur J. , Jones Marjorie , Marques Christophe , Ronckers Cécile , Constine Louis S. , Maduro John H. , de Boer Charlotte , Wong Kenneth
Published: March 2023

Background

Radiation therapy normal tissue dose constraints are critical when treating pediatric patients. However, there is limited evidence supporting proposed constraints, which has led to variations in constraints over the years. In this study, we identify these variations in dose constraints within pediatric trials both in the United States and in Europe used in the past 30 years.

Procedure

All pediatric trials from the Children's Oncology Group website were queried from inception until January 2022 and a sampling of European studies was included. Dose constraints were identified and built into an organ‐based interactive web application with filters to display data by organs at risk (OAR), protocol, start date, dose, volume, and fractionation scheme. Dose constraints were evaluated for consistency over time and compared between pediatric US and European trials

Results

One hundred five closed trials were included—93 US trials and 12 European trials. Thirty‐eight separate OAR were found with high‐dose constraint variability. Across all trials, nine organs had greater than 10 different constraints (median 16, range 11–26), including serial organs. When comparing US versus European dose tolerances, the United States constraints were higher for seven OAR, lower for one, and identical for five. No OAR had constraints change systematically over the last 30 years.

Conclusion

Review of pediatric dose‐volume constraints in clinical trials showed substantial variability for all OAR. Continued efforts focused on standardization of OAR dose constraints and risk profiles are essential to increase consistency of protocol outcomes and ultimately to reduce radiation toxicities in the pediatric population.
Development and psychometric analysis of a Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Educational Needs Scale
Authors: Kudubeş Aslı Akdeniz , Semerci Remziye , Özbay Sevil Çınar , Ay Ayşe , Boztepe Handan
Published: March 2023

Background/objectives

It is important to determine the educational needs of pediatric oncology nurses in order to maximize and implement nursing care interventions. Therefore, this study aims to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to determine pediatric oncology nurses’ educational needs and examine its psychometric properties.

Design/methods

This methodological study was conducted with 215 pediatric oncology nurses in Turkey between December 2021 and July 2022. Data were collected with the “Nurse Information Form” and “Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Educational Needs Scale.” IBM SPSS 21.0 and IBM AMOS 25.0 software programs were used for data analysis, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze numeric variables. Exploration and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to determine the scale's factorial structure.

Results

The factorial analysis was used to test the structural validity of the scale. A five‐factor structure consisting of 42 items was developed. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for “Illness” was .978, “Chemotherapy and Side Effect” was .978, “Another Therapy and Side Effect” was .974, “Palliative Care” was .967, “Supportive Care” was .985, and the total score was .990. Fit indices resulting from the study were χ2/SD: 3.961, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA): 0.072, goodness‐of‐fit index (GFI): 0.95, comparative‐of‐fit index (CFI): 0.96, and normed fit index (NFI): 0.95.

Conclusion

The Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Educational Needs Scale is a valid and reliable scale for pediatric oncology nurses to determine their educational needs.
Cardiovascular outcomes among patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer: A comparative safety study using US administrative claims data
Authors: Conover Mitchell M. , Weaver James , Fan Bo , Leitz Gerhard , Richarz Ute , Li Qing , Gifkins Dina
Published: March 2023

Background

Cardiovascular conditions are the most prevalent comorbidity among patients with prostate cancer, regardless of treatment. Additionally, cardiovascular risk has been shown to increase following exposure to certain treatments for advanced prostate cancer. There is conflicting evidence on risk of overall and specific cardiovascular outcomes among men treated for metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We, therefore, sought to compare incidence of serious cardiovascular events among CRPC patients treated with abiraterone acetate plus predniso(lo)ne (AAP) and enzalutamide (ENZ), the two most widely used CRPC therapies.

Methods

Using US administrative claims data, we selected CRPC patients newly exposed to either treatment after August 31, 2012, with prior androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). We assessed incidence of hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), ischemic stroke, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the period 30‐days after AAP or ENZ initiation to discontinuation, outcome occurrence, death, or disenrollment. We matched treatment groups on propensity‐scores (PSs) to control for observed confounding to estimate the average treatment effect among the treated (AAP) using conditional Cox proportional hazards models. To account for residual bias, we calibrated our estimates against a distribution of effect estimates from 124 negative‐control outcomes.

Results

The HHF analysis included 2322 (45.1%) AAP initiators and 2827 (54.9%) ENZ initiators. In this analysis, the median follow‐up times among AAP and ENZ initiators (after PS matching) were 144 and 122 days, respectively. The empirically calibrated hazard ratio (HR) estimate for HHF was 2.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32, 4.94). Corresponding HRs for AMI and ischemic stroke were 1.94 (95% CI: 0.90, 4.18) and 1.25 (95% CI: 0.54, 2.85), respectively.

Conclusions

Our study sought to quantify risk of HHF, AMI and ischemic stroke among CRPC patients initiating AAP relative to ENZ within a national administrative claims database. Increased risk for HHF among AAP compared to ENZ users was observed. The difference in myocardial infarction did not attain statistical significance after controlling for residual bias, and no differences were noted in ischemic stroke between the two treatments. These findings confirm labeled warnings and precautions for AAP for HHF and contribute to the comparative real‐world evidence on AAP relative to ENZ.
First‐Principles Modeling of the Adsorption Mechanism of Carboxylic and Phosphonic Acids onto Pristine and Defective Delafossite CuAlO2 Surfaces
Authors: Fatihi Mohamed Yassine , Gueddida Saber , Hasnaoui Abdellatif , Lebègue Sébastien , Pastore Mariachiara
Published: March 2023

In order to provide atomistic insights on the mechanism and stability of dye grafting to delafossite surfaces, the authors study, using density‐functional theory calculations in vacuo and in implicit solvent, the adsorption of carboxylic and phosphonic anchoring groups onto stoichiometric and defective slabs exposing the most stable (012) termination. A remarkable increase of the adsorption energies is found on the reduced surfaces when the vacancy is on the top surface layer, in proximity to the molecule. While on the pristine substrate, the monodentate anchoring is the most stable one, and on the reduced interface, a strong bidentate bridging anchoring mode is favored, after the transfer of the hydroxyl proton to the oxygen surface atom adjacent to the copper vacancy. Identification of a largely stable bidentate coordination suggests a possible long‐term device stability, as well as a larger efficiency of the interfacial hole injection, indicating that may be a good alternative to NiO in p‐type photocathodes.
Effects of strain and Li adsorption on the electronic structure and optical properties of arsenene
Authors: He Jianlin , Liu Guili , Li Xinyue , Wang Yao , Zhang Guoying
Published: March 2023

The effects of shear deformation on the electronic structure and optical properties of intrinsic arsenene and arsenene adsorbed Li are investigated using a first‐principles approach. Shear deformation can transform the band gap of intrinsic arsenene from indirect‐direct‐indirect. After the adsorption of Li atoms by arsenene, it transforms from semiconductor to metal with a very obvious hybridization between the 2s orbital of Li and the 4p orbital of As. With the increase of shear deformation, the charge transfer increases and has a good modulation of the absorption coefficient and reflectivity. The adsorption of multiple Li atoms makes the dielectric constant of arsenene more sensitive to low energy spectra and increases the imaginary part of the photoconductivity, which increases the refractive index and decreases the extinction coefficient to some extent.
A qualitative study on self‐image, mental well‐being and fertility among female young adult childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Örtegren Sara , Nilsson Sofia , Jarfelt Marianne , Thurin‐Kjellberg Ann , Järvholm Stina
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Young female adult childhood cancer survivors have frequently been reported to be concerned about their health, in particular their future fertility. The aim of this study was to examine how self‐image, mental health and perceptions of the fertility of young female adults are affected by the illness.

Methods

A qualitative study with interviewer‐administered semistructured questions was performed from May 2018 to October 2020 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden. Fourteen women participated in the study. The median age of the participants was 27 (25–31) years.

Results

The interviews were recorded and analysed inductively by a thematic approach. Forty‐one codes were created, of these 21 initial codes were found to be related to the aim of the present study. Subsequently, four broad themes were created and these were reanalysed and constituted three main themes, resulting in the labelling: ‘An experience for better and worse’, ‘An everyday life similar and yet different from peers’ and ‘An uncertain fertility’, and a relevant number (11) of inclusive subthemes. Participants expressed that the experience of surviving childhood cancer both strengthened and impaired their everyday life and implied the lack of information about fertility.

Conclusions

Although a long time, over 10 years, had passed since the cancer treatment for all participants, the experiences of the illness were still present in their lives, both for better and worse. Healthcare workers need to keep this complexity in mind when facing young childhood cancer survivors. Thus, there is a need for individualized support regarding fertility and mental health.
Using Electrocardiogram Electrodes to Monitor Skin Impedance Spectroscopic Response When Skin is Subjected to Sustained Static Pressure
Authors: Owen Emily J. , Hathaway Hollie , Lafferty Bronwen , Jenkins A. Toby A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Impedance spectroscopy is a non-invasive technique which can be used to monitor skin barrier function, with potential applications in early-stage pressure ulcer detection. This paper describes how changes in skin impedance, due to mechanical damage of the stratum corneum by tape stripping or applied pressure, can be straightforwardly measured using commercial electrocardiogram electrodes and a relatively low-cost impedance analyser. Two models of pressure injury were studied, an ex vivo porcine and in vivo human skin model.

Objectives

Determine whether impedance spectroscopy may have potential utility in measuring the effect on skin of applied pressure on early-stage pressure injury.

Methods

Two models were utilized to measure the effect of pressure. Porcine model: 0, 7.5, 15 or 22.5 mmHg of pressure was applied for up to 24 h (N = 4) and monitored at various time intervals. Human Model: 88 mmHg of pressure was applied for four sets of three-minute intervals (N = 13) and post-pressure recovery was monitored for 4 h. For each model, skin impedance was monitored at 0.1 Hz–50 kHz using disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes. The data was analysed using Ordinary One-Way Analysis of Variance.

Results

Porcine model: after 24 h, the impedance of pressure-loaded skin was significantly reduced compared to the non-loaded control group (p ≤ 0.0001); this reduction in impedance was proportional to the degree of mechanical loading. Histology images of skin cross-sections provided qualitative evidence that the epidermis was structurally compromised by pressure. Human Model: the response of healthy skin to applied pressure displayed inter-variation. Participants with a significant change in skin impedance (p ≤ 0.01) also demonstrated signs of erythema.

Conclusions

This study suggests that using impedance spectroscopy to measure skin (stratum corneum) resistance may have utility in giving early warning of skin pressure injury prior to clinical symptoms, with a good correlation between observed erythema and reduction in skin resistance. Further work should be initiated on patients at risk of pressure injury to improve intervention strategies, including in darker skin tones where early-stage pressure injuries may not be visually distinct.
Development of Thermo‐Sensitive and Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Extraction of Omeprazole in Biological and Pharmaceutical Samples Coupled by High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Beheshti Sajjad , Panahi Homayon Ahmad , Feizbakhsh Alireza
Published: March 2023

This work proposed the developed of thermo‐sensitive and magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for the extraction of omeprazole from the human urine and pharmaceutical samples. The ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and N, N′‐methylenediacrylamide were used as the cross‐linkers, poly (N‐vinylcaprolactam) as a thermo‐sensitive monomer, and omeprazole as a template to create molecularly imprinted polymer. The maximum sorption capacity was achieved at a contact time of 15 min, pH=7, temperature of 25 °C, and initial concentration of 20 μg mL−1. Under these conditions, the omeprazole in human urine and pharmaceutical samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with ultra‐violet detection. The obtained polymer was characterized by different techniques. The equilibrium data were fitted well with Langmuir isotherm model.The limit of quantification and limit of detection were 0.24 and 0.061 μg mL−1, respectively. Relative standard deviations for inter‐day and intra‐day precisions were 1.78 % and 1.51 %, respectively. Omeprazole extraction recoveries from samples exceeded 93 %.
Cold Oxidative Demetalation of Aryl Organometallics: A Novel Route to Demetalate Ullmann Intermediates without Heating
Authors: Pérez Paz Alejandro
Published: March 2023

A new way of demetalating Ullmann organometallic aryl intermediates is proposed that uses charging rather than heating conditions. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations show that certain aryl organosilver and organocopper intermediates (MPh2, with M=Cu, Ag and Ph=phenyl group) spontaneously demetalate even starting with zero velocities upon the oxidative removal of one electron. The oxidative demetalation is driven by the loss of electron density in the interatomic C−M region and leads to a biphenyl molecule with a η‐coordinated nearby M atom. The main advantage of this dry redox demetalation process is that it avoids the use of high temperatures which have deleterious effects on the yields. The method does not compromise the thermal stability of the end product and reduces the chances of uncontrolled side reactions. The demetalation of oxidized MPh2 is predicted to occur spontaneously in the gas phase and on an inert surface. A possible experimental setup is proposed to test this idea in the widely‐used Ullmann reaction for the controlled on‐surface synthesis of new C−C bonds. The reduction‐induced planarization of the neutral MPh2 molecule is reversible and could be used as an electro‐mechanical nano‐switch. The neutral and anionic compounds are predicted to be locally aromatic and dynamically stable. For bimetallic aryl intermediates (M2Ph3), the irreversible demetalation occurs upon the removal of two electrons leading to the dication.
Palladium Modified FeCoS2 Nanosheet Arrays on Ni Foam as Bifunctional Electrodes for Overall Alkaline Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Zeen , Pan Duo , Chen Kai , Yin Ximeng , Wang Jun , Cai Pingwei , Wen Zhenhai
Published: March 2023

The development of high‐efficient electrocatalysts with low applied voltage and robust stability is of great importance for electrolysis of water. In this work, a bifunctional electrode has been developed by growing palladium‐modified FeCoS2 nanosheet arrays on Ni foam (Pd‐FeCoS2 NAs/NF), which can serve as anode and cathode for alkaline water splitting with high activities and ultra‐strong durability. The Pd‐FeCoS2 NAs/NF shows overpotentials of 130 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 202 mV for alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at 10 mA cm−2. The alkaline electrolyzer is built by employing Pd‐FeCoS2 NAs/NF as cathode and anode, delivering a current density of 50 mA cm−2 at 1.59 V. Moreover, the electrolyzer can run stably for 600 h with negligible decline.
Total Synthesis of Streptococcus suis Serotype 8 Capsular Polysaccharide Repeating Unit
Authors: P. Ramesh , Saif Ali Mohammad , Ghosh Subhash , Babu Tatina Madhu
Published: March 2023

The first total synthesis of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) repeating unit [2)‐α‐l‐Rhap‐1→P→4‐β‐d‐ManpNAc‐(1→4)‐α‐d‐Glcp‐(1]n of streptococcus suis serotype 8 is reported. The key features of the synthesis are the formation of 1,2 cis glycosidic linkage between mannosamine and glucose derived monomers to get disaccharide which on coupling with rhamnose H‐phosphonate followed by oxidation of P−H bond and global debenzylation provide targeted trisaccharide repeating unit of streptococcus suis serotype 8.
Zero‐waste emission design of sustainable and programmable actuators
Authors: Sun Linchao , Che Lixuan , Li Ming , Neal William George , Leng Xu , Long Yaojia , Jia Yifeng , Gao Yunhu , Palma Matteo , Lu Yao
Published: March 2023

Moisture‐responsive actuators are widely used as energy‐harvesting devices due to their excellent ability to spontaneously and continuously convert external energy into kinetic energy. However, it remains a challenge to sustainably synthesize moisture‐driven actuators. Here, we present a sustainable zero‐waste emission methodology to prepare soft actuators using carbon nano‐powders and biodegradable polymers through a water evaporation method. Due to the water solubility and recyclability of the matrixes employed here, the entire synthetic process achieves zero‐waste emission. Our composite films featured strong figures of merit and capabilities with a 250° maximum bending angle under 90% relative humidity. Programmable motions and intelligent bionic applications, including walkers, smart switches, robotic arms, flexible excavators, and hand‐shaped actuators, were further achieved by modulating the geometry of the actuators. This sustainable method for actuators’ fabrication has great potential in large‐scale productions and applications due to its advantages of zero‐waste emission manufacturing, excellent recyclability, inherent adaptive integration, and low cost.