bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collision‐free formation generation and tracking of unmanned aerial vehicles based on physicomimetics approach
Authors: Li Huiming , Chen Hao , Wang Xiangke
Published: November 2022

This paper investigates the problem of collision‐free leader–follower formation generation and tracking of multiple fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A group of UAVs, described by unicycle‐type models subject to velocity constraints, are required to form a desired formation, while tracking a virtual leader and achieving collision‐free flight. To handle this problem, a novel control law based on physicomimetics approach is proposed, which integrates the formation generation, formation tracking, and collision avoidance together. Physical forces are imitated to design artificial forces used in control laws that drive multiple UAVs to accomplish desired collaborative behaviors. Further, the virtual repulsion is embedded in the physicomimetics‐based control scheme to achieve obstacle avoidance naturally. The artificial forces have similar meaning to the physical forces because of similar forms, which facilitates the design and adjustment of the control strategy. Specially, to deal with the speed constraints of fixed‐wing UAVs, a saturation function is applied to modify the control laws and the stability is proved theoretically. Finally, numerical simulations and hardware‐in‐the‐loop experiments are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Nichtlineare Ermittlung der Spannungszunahme im CFK‐Spannglied eines verbundlos vorgespannten Trägers
Authors: Raiyan Eman , Khorgade Prathamesh , Hückler Alex , Schlaich Mike
Published: November 2022

Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit der nichtlinearen Ermittlung der Spannungszunahme in Spanngliedern aus carbonfaserverstärktem Kunststoff (CFK) in verbundlos vorgespannten Spannbetonträgern. Dafür wird zu Beginn ein Verfahren vorgeschlagen, anhand dessen die Spannungszunahme im Spannglied für jeden Lastschritt, vom Anfangszustand bis zum Bruchzustand, berechnet werden kann. Vom Anfangszustand bis zum Risszustand ist hierbei ein lineares Verfahren und vom Risszustand bis zum Bruchzustand ein iteratives Verfahren zielführend. Anschließend wird dieses Verfahren auf einen hypothetischen Spannbetonträger mit verbundlosen CFK‐Litzen angewendet. Die daraus resultierenden Ergebnisse werden anschließend mit zwei verfügbaren Normen verglichen. Die empirische Spannungszunahme gemäß DIN EN 1992‐1‐1 (EC2) liegt deutlich unterhalb des in der nichtlinearen Berechnung ermittelten Werts und führt zu einer unwirtschaftlichen Bemessung der kostspieligen Spannglieder. Die Berechnung nach der kanadischen Norm (CAN/CSA‐S806‐02) hingegen liegt um ca. 20 % oberhalb des Werts aus der eigenen Berechnung. Zuletzt wird im Rahmen einer Parameterstudie der Einfluss aus der Menge an schlaffer Bewehrung und Spannbewehrung auf die Spannungszunahme im CFK‐Spannglied untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine höhere Menge an Spannbewehrung die Spannungszunahme im Spannglied reduziert, während eine höhere Menge an schlaffer Bewehrung die Spannungszunahme erhöht.
Folic acid incorporated nitrogen‐doped carbon dots as a turn‐on fluorescence probe for homocysteine detection
Authors: Anju Saralammma Madanan , Aswathy Asokan Omana , Varghese Susan , Abraham Merin Kodinattumkunnel , Lekshmi Ragini Sanjeevan , Ibrahim Shkhair Ali , Lekha Girija Muraleedharan , Syamchand Sasidharanpillai S. , George Sony
Published: November 2022

This study describes the development of a low‐cost fluorescence assay for detecting homocysteine (Hcy) without the interference of cysteine and glutathione using carbon quantum dots. Herein nitrogen‐doped carbon quantum dots (NCDs) were synthesized from citric acid as the carbon source and urea as the dopant using a one‐pot microwave‐assisted method. The obtained NCDs were incorporated with folic acid (FA) by the direct ex situ addition method and were used as a fluorescence probe to detect Hcy. The probe exhibited a fluorescence turn‐on response with increased Hcy concentration up to 50 μM with a limit of detection of 2.276 μM. The point of care detection of Hcy using the probe was also tested with a paper‐based assay strip.
Integrated role of human thymic stromal cells in hematopoietic stem cell extravasation
Authors: Watson Sara A. , Javanmardi Yousef , Zanieri Luca , Shahreza Somayeh , Ragazzini Roberta , Bonfanti Paola , Moeendarbary Emad
Published: November 2022

The human thymus is the site of T‐cell maturation and induction of central tolerance. Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)‐derived progenitors are recruited to the thymus from the fetal liver during early prenatal development and from bone marrow at later stages and postnatal life. The mechanism by which HSCs are recruited to the thymus is poorly understood in humans, though mouse models have indicated the critical role of thymic stromal cells (TSC). Here, we developed a 3D microfluidic assay based on human cells to model HSC extravasation across the endothelium into the extracellular matrix. We found that the presence of human TSC consisting of cultured thymic epithelial cells (TEC) and interstitial cells (TIC) increases the HSC extravasation rates by 3‐fold. Strikingly, incorporating TEC or TIC alone is insufficient to perturb HSC extravasation rates. Furthermore, we identified complex gene expressions from interactions between endothelial cells, TEC and TIC modulates the HSCs extravasation. Our results suggest that comprehensive signaling from the complex thymic microenvironment is crucial for thymus seeding and that our system will allow manipulation of these signals with the potential to increase thymocyte migration in a therapeutic setting.
Worsened outcomes of newly diagnosed cancer in patients with recent emergency care visits: A retrospective cohort study of 3699 adults in a safety net health system
Authors: Pettit Nicholas R. , Li Xin , Stewart Lauren , Kline Jeffrey
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Many patients receive a suspected diagnosis of cancer through an emergency department (ED) visit. Time to treatment for a new diagnosis of cancer is directly associated with improved outcomes with little no describing the ED utilization prior to the diagnosis of cancer. We hypothesize that patients that have an ED visit in proximity to a diagnosis of cancer will have worse outcomes, including mortality.

Methods

This study is a retrospective cohort study of all patients with cancer diagnosed at Eskenazi Health (Indiana) between 2016 and 2019. Individual health characteristics, ED utilization, cancer types, and mortality were studied. We compared those patients seen in the ED within 6 months prior to their diagnosis (cases) to patients not seen in the ED (controls).

Results

A total of 3699 patients with cancer were included, with 1239 cases (33.50%). Patients of black race had higher frequencies in the cases vs. controls (46.57% vs. 40.68%). Lung cancer was the most frequently observed cancer among cases vs. controls (11.70% vs. 5.57%). For the cases, 232 patients were deceased (18.72%) compared with 247 patients among the controls (10.04%,p < 0.0001, OR 2.06 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70–2.51). An ED visit in past 6 months (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.38–2.18) and Medicaid insurance type (versus commercial, OR = 4.16, 95% CI 2.45–7.07) were associated with of mortality. Female gender (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.67–0.88), tobacco use (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 138–1.90), and Medicaid insurance type (versus commercial, OR = 2.56, 95% CI 2.07–3.47) were associated with prior ED use.

Conclusions

Over one third of patients with cancer were seen in the ED within 6 months prior to their cancer diagnosis. Higher mortality rates were observed for those seen in the ED. Future studies are needed to investigate the association and impact that the ED has on eventual cancer diagnoses and outcomes.
Novel prognostic nomograms in cervical cancer based on analysis of 1075 patients
Authors: Rao Qunxian , Han Xue , Wei Yuan , Zhou Hui , Gong Yajie , Guan Meimei , Feng Xiaoyan , Lu Huaiwu , Chen Qingsong
Published: November 2022

Objective

To explore the factors affecting the prognosis of cervical cancer (CC), and to construct and evaluate predictive nomograms to guide individualized clinical treatment.

Methods

The clinicopathological and follow‐up data of CC patients from June 2013 to December 2019 in Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University were retrospectively analyzed. Log‐rank test was used for univariate survival analysis, and Cox multivariate regression was used to identify independent prognostic factors, based on which nomogram models were established and evaluated in multiple aspects.

Results

Patients were randomly assigned into the training (n = 746) and validation sets (n = 329). Survival analysis of the training set identified cervical myometrial invasion, parametrial involvement, and malignant tumor history as prognosticators of postoperative DFS and pathological type, cervical myometrial invasion, and history of STD for OS. C‐index was 0.799 and 0.839 for the nomograms for DFS and OS, respectively. Calibration curves and Brier scores also indicated high performance. Importantly, decision curve analysis suggested great clinical applicability of these nomograms.

Conclusions

In this study, we analyzed a cohort of 1075 CC patients and identified DFS‐ or OS‐associated clinicohistologic characteristics. Two nomograms were subsequently constructed for DFS and OS prognostication, respectively, and showed high performance in terms of discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability. These models may facilitate individualized treatment and patient selection for clinical trials. Future investigations with larger cohorts and prospective designs are warranted for validating these prognostic models.
Daily practices in chemotherapy for advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: METESTOMAC French prospective cohort
Authors: Manfredi Sylvain , Dior Marie , Bouche Olivier , Barbier Emilie , Hautefeuille Vincent , Guillet Marielle , Turpin Justine , Bourgeois Vincent , Helene Dall Osto , Desgrippes Romain , Audemar Franck , Molin Yann , Locher Christophe , Chatellier Thierry , Lecomte Thierry , Baize Nathalie , Lecaille Cedric , Spaeth Dominique , Goujon Gael , Lepage Come , Tougeron David ,   For The Metestomac Investigators/Collaborators
Published: November 2022

Background

Around 50% of gastric cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Several chemotherapy regimens are now internationally validated. Few data are available on the routine daily management of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancers. We aimed to describe chemotherapy practices, tolerance, and efficacy overall survival (OS) and Progression free survival (PFS) in a prospective French cohort.

Methods

Patients starting palliative chemotherapy were prospectively enrolled in 49 French centres. The primary objective was to report and describe patients' characteristics and treatment strategies. Secondary objectives were OS, PFS, objective response rate, adverse events rate, performance status deterioration during the chemotherapy.

Results

A total of 182 patients were included; 179 were analysed. Most patients received platinium‐based chemotherapy as the first treatment and FOLFIRI as second; 62.0% of patients received a second line, and 32.4% a third line. More than two thirds of Her2‐positive patients were first treated with trastuzumab. The FOLFIRI regimen was the most frequently used second‐line therapy. Median OS was 13.3 months, similar whatever the chemotherapy or combinations used in the first line. One‐ and 2‐year OS increased with the number of chemotherapy lines received, from respectively 24.7% and 5.7% (1 line), to 46.9% and 12.4% (2 lines) and 88.1% and 29.9% (3 or more lines) (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our study showed that treatment strategies in France are based on a succession of doublets, making it possible to offer a second and third line of treatment more often. This treatment strategy must be taken into account for future trials with immunotherapy combinations.
Real‐life challenges using personalized prognostic scoring systems in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Calleja Anne , Loschi Michael , Bailly Laurent , Morisot Adeline , Marceau Alice , Mannone Lionel , Robert Guillaume , Auberger Patrick , Preudhomme Claude , Raynaud Sophie , Subtil Fabien , Sujobert Pierre , Cluzeau Thomas
Published: November 2022

Personalized medicine is a challenge for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The identification of several genetic mutations in several AML trials led to the creation of a personalized prognostic scoring algorithm known as the Knowledge Bank (KB). In this study, we assessed the prognostic value of this algorithm on a cohort of 167 real life AML patients. We compared KB predicted outcomes to real‐life outcomes. For patients younger than 60‐year‐old, OS was similar in favorable and intermediate ELN risk category. However, KB algorithm failed to predict OS for younger patients in the adverse ELN risk category and for patients older than 60 years old in the favorable ELN risk category. These discrepancies may be explained by the emergence of several new therapeutic options as well as the improvement of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) outcomes and supportive cares. Personalized medicine is a major challenge and predictions models are powerful tools to predict patient's outcome. However, the addition of new therapeutic options in the field of AML requires a prospective validation of these scoring systems to include recent therapeutic innovations.
Effect of client‐centred therapy on the coping strategies of sexually harassed students in tertiary institutions in Taraba State, Nigeria
Authors: Matsayi Lucy Aji , Adamu Naomi Nuhu , Kefas Vivian Azumi , Menchak Clifford Yubsih
Published: November 2022

Absract

This study examined the effects of client‐centred therapy (CCT) on the coping strategies of sexually harassed students in tertiary institutions in Taraba State, Nigeria. It also looked for any gender differences in the effect of CCT on the coping strategies of sexually harassed students. We employed a quasi‐experimental and pretest–post‐test design with control group. The statistical population comprised 250 students who had experienced sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, of which 20 students were selected using convenience sampling. The students who had been sexually harassed were then randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group subsequently underwent six 60‐min sessions of CCT, while the control group received placebo treatment on drug abuse. The research tools included a sexual harassment battery (SHB). Inferential statistics of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyse the data. Cronbach's alpha produced a reliability coefficient of 0.79 for the SHB. The following findings were recorded: (i) client‐centred therapy effectively increased the coping strategies of students and (ii) there was no significant mean difference between male and female students in the effectiveness of CCT on coping strategies.
Primary hyperparathyroidism in the geriatric population: A case report and mini literature review
Authors: Jaisinghani Priya , Sharma Anupa , Wang Xiangbang
Published: November 2022

We report a case of a 93‐year‐old woman with PHPT secondary to a left inferior parathyroid adenoma. The patient met criteria to be a surgical candidate; however, literature about parathyroidectomy in the elderly was limited and controversial. The patient remained stable through medical management for the next 5 years.
A cranial approach to transplastron coeliotomy and gastrotomy performed in a Sri Lanka Black Turtle (Melanochelys trijuga thermalis): Case Report
Authors: Gamage Bope Gamage Sashikala Sewwandi , Perera Bulathge Vijitha Pushpakumara , Sumanasekera Kashmini Kaushalya , Samarakoon Kalani Piyumika , Abeywardhane Vithana Pathirannehalage Malaka Kasun , Silva‐Fletcher Ayona
Published: November 2022

Successful transplastron coeliotomy via a temporary cranial plastron osteotomy can be conducted in turtles to remove foreign bodies lodged in the stomach, using basic equipment. A year later, the turtle was returned to the wild indicating that major surgeries with complete recovery can be achieved in this species.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes: A case series
Authors: Vitale Carolina , Spinozzi Valentina , Colangeli Luca , Sbraccia Paolo , Guglielmi Valeria
Published: November 2022

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) primarily affects children and rarely adults with immunodepression. We describe two cases of adults diagnosed with SSSS with no additional cause of immunological compromise other than obesity and uncontrolled diabetes. An increased risk of infection should be considered in cases of obesity and diabetes.
Multi‐objective firefly algorithm with multi‐strategy integration
Authors: Lv Li , Zhou Xiaodong , Tan Dekun , Kang Ping , Wu Runxiu
Published: November 2022

In the optimization process of multi‐objective firefly algorithm, population is easy to fall into local optimum, which leads to poor population distribution and convergence. In order to solve this problem, this article proposes a multi‐objective firefly algorithm with multi‐strategy integration (MOFA‐MSI). First, in order to improve the distribution of population, MOFA‐MSI proposes a cloning strategy, which calculates the distribution degree of individuals in population, clones them according to their distribution degree, and local mutation in the cloned individual produce a new population with good distribution. Then, in order to maintain the convergence of population, a position updating strategy based on non‐dominated sorting is proposed. The new population after local mutation are performed by non‐dominated sorting, and the fireflies with higher rank guide the fireflies with lower rank to fly, and then new population are generated by global mutation after position updated. Finally, the greedy strategy is adopted to select solutions with better distribution and convergence and store them in external files. In the experimental part, different types of test problems are used to test the performance of each algorithm, and MOFA‐MSI is compared with three classical and four new multi‐objective evolutionary algorithms. The results show that MOFA‐MSI is superior to other seven algorithms in terms of the distribution and convergence of population.
Privacy‐preserving enhanced dummy‐generation technique for location‐based services
Authors: Parmar Dilay , Rao Udai Pratap
Published: November 2022

Location‐based services (LBS) has become an intrinsic part of our everyday life. However, the flexibility and convenience provided by LBS are at the cost of user privacy since untrusted LBS server can leak private information of users. To overcome the privacy issues observed in LBS, a novel dummy‐generation based privacy preservation technique is proposed in this article. The proposed dummy‐generation technique is a circle‐based technique which generates dummy locations in the circle area and is effective against center‐of‐anonymized spatial region attack, map‐matching attack, and location‐homogeneity attack. Additionally, an edge computing enabled framework is proposed, which can be used in the IoT environment. The edge computing enabled framework helps in handling the resource poverty issues of the service requesting devices and provides the low latency solution. The security analysis of our proposed dummy‐generation technique reflects that the proposed technique is resilient to specific attacks for different adversary attack models. The results obtained through simulations suggest that our technique performs better than the pre‐existing techniques.
When the clock ticks wrong with COVID‐19
Authors: Papagerakis Silvana , Said Raed , Ketabat Farinaz , Mahmood Razi , Pundir Meenakshi , Lobanova Liubov , Guenther Greg , Pannone Giuseppe , Lavender Kerry , McAlpin Blake R. , Moreau Alain , Chen Xiongbiao , Papagerakis Petros
Published: November 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a member of the coronavirus family that causes the novel coronavirus disease first diagnosed in 2019 (COVID‐19). Although many studies have been carried out in recent months to determine why the disease clinical presentations and outcomes can vary significantly from asymptomatic to severe or lethal, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. It is likely that unique individual characteristics can strongly influence the broad disease variability; thus, tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are needed to improve clinical outcomes. The circadian clock is a critical regulatory mechanism orchestrating major physiological and pathological processes. It is generally accepted that more than half of the cell‐specific genes in any given organ are under circadian control. Although it is known that a specific role of the circadian clock is to coordinate the immune system's steady‐state function and response to infectious threats, the links between the circadian clock and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection are only now emerging. How inter‐individual variability of the circadian profile and its dysregulation may play a role in the differences noted in the COVID‐19‐related disease presentations, and outcome remains largely underinvestigated. This review summarizes the current evidence on the potential links between circadian clock dysregulation and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection susceptibility, disease presentation and progression, and clinical outcomes. Further research in this area may contribute towards novel circadian‐centred prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for COVID‐19 in the era of precision health.
Molybdenum Alkylidyne Silyloxy N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes – Highly Active Alkyne Metathesis Catalysts that can be Handled in Air
Authors: Musso Janis V. , Gramm Vincent , Stein Sarjano , Frey Wolfgang , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: November 2022

A series of molybdenum alkylidyne silyloxy N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of the general formula [Mo(≡C(R))(OSiPh3)3(NHC)] (R=tBu, 4‐methoxyphenyl, 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl; NHC = 1,3‐diisopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dicyclohexylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dicyclohexyl‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dimethyl‐4,5‐dichloroimidazol‐2‐ylidene) was synthesized. Single crystal X‐ray analyses revealed that with increasing steric demand of the alkylidyne group, enhanced air‐stability of the complexes in the solid‐state is achieved with the most stable complex (R=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl, NHC = 1,3‐diisopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) being stable in air for 24 h without showing signs of decomposition in 1H NMR. In contrast to previously reported air‐stable molybdenum‐based complexes, the novel catalysts proved to be highly active in alkyne metathesis, allowing for turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 6000 without further activation, and tolerant towards several functional groups such as tosyl, ether, ester, thioether and nitro moieties. Their air stability allows for facile handling of the catalysts in air and even after exposure to ambient atmosphere for one week, the most stable representative still displayed high productivity in alkyne metathesis.
Conditional hazard for simplified multi‐site seismic hazard and risk analyses
Authors: Cito Pasquale , Chioccarelli Eugenio , Iervolino Iunio
Published: November 2022

The joint probability distribution of different intensity measures at different sites in one earthquake is needed to define the stochastic process regulating the exceedance (in time) of the at the ensemble of the sites, which in turn is a funding element of the so‐called multi‐site probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (MSPSHA). The simplest model for the joint distribution of the in one seismic event requires the mean vector and the covariance matrix of the at all sites, conditional to the magnitude and location of the earthquake, which may need a large amount of data to be calibrated. The conditional hazard (CH) approach, originally developed for single‐site surrogate vector‐valued probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, may be a simplified option for MSPSHA, as it explicitly models only part of the covariance matrix of the at the sites, while the rest forcefully follows the working assumptions. The presented paper compares the CH approach for MSPSHA against the benchmark in which the complete covariance matrix is modelled, using a testbed in which one‐hundred sites are considered. When the comparison metric is the probability of a given number of exceedances observed at the sites in some time intervals, it is found that CH is a viable alternative to MSPSHA, although the degree of approximation is sensitive to which and how many are considered (e.g., which spectral acceleration). When the analysis is taken all the way to the risk, considering the fragilities of a portfolio of hypothetical buildings, and taking as the metric the probability of observing a given number of structural failures in a time interval, it is found that the approximation introduced by CH with respect to the benchmark is further reduced.
Is vitamin D deficiency influenced by obesity during the first 5 years of life? A cross‐sectional multicenter study
Authors: Zhao Yan , Qin Rui , Hong Hong , Lv Heyu , Ye Kan , Wei Yarong , Zheng Wen , Qi Hongxia , Ni Yufei , Zhang Li , Yang Guoqiang , Liu Guoqin , Wu Aiping
Published: November 2022

Evidence on the association of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and obesity during the first 5 years of life is limited in China. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between weight, weight for age z score (ZWAZ), weight for length/height z score (ZWHZ), and body mass index for age z score (ZBMI) and 25(OH)D. This was a large population‐based cross‐sectional multicenter study in which the children aged 0–5 years were recruited from 12 children's healthcare centers by a stratified cluster random‐sampling method in 10 cities of the Jiangsu province, China. The 25(OH)D concentration was determined by ELISA. A total of 5289 children were investigated. For 0–71 months children with obesity and nonobesity, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 36.0% and 29.8%, and the 25(OH)D level was 59.8 and 64.0 nmol/L, respectively, and there were all significant difference. Compared with children with nonobesity, children with obesity had higher risk of vitamin D deficiency (OR [95% CI]: 1.33 [1.02, 1.72], p < .05), and had lower 25(OH)D level (β = −3.84, 95% CI = −7.58, −0.09, p < .05). The results for children aged 24–71 months were similar to those for children aged 0–71 months. However, no significant difference was observed in children aged 0–23 months. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in children with greater adiposity during the first 5 years of life. However, the results mainly came from those in the age group of 2 to 5 years instead of the first 2 years in their lives.
IGF1R expression by adult oligodendrocytes is not required in the steady‐state but supports neuroinflammation
Authors: Locatelli Giuseppe , Marques‐Ferreira Filipa , Katsoulas Antonis , Kalaitzaki Vasileia , Krueger Martin , Ingold‐Heppner Barbara , Walthert Sabrina , Sankowski Roman , Prazeres da Costa Olivia , Dolga Amalia , Huber Magdalena , Gold Maike , Culmsee Carsten , Waisman Ari , Bechmann Ingo , Milchevskaya Vladislava , Prinz Marco , Tresch Achim , Becher Burkhard , Buch Thorsten
Published: November 2022

In the central nervous system (CNS), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) regulates myelination by oligodendrocyte (ODC) precursor cells and shows anti‐apoptotic properties in neuronal cells in different in vitro and in vivo systems. Previous work also suggests that IGF‐1 protects ODCs from cell death and enhances remyelination in models of toxin‐induced and autoimmune demyelination. However, since evidence remains controversial, the therapeutic potential of IGF‐1 in demyelinating CNS conditions is unclear. To finally shed light on the function of IGF1‐signaling for ODCs, we deleted insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) specifically in mature ODCs of the mouse. We found that ODC survival and myelin status were unaffected by the absence of IGF1R until 15 months of age, indicating that IGF‐1 signaling does not play a major role in post‐mitotic ODCs during homeostasis. Notably, the absence of IGF1R did neither affect ODC survival nor myelin status upon cuprizone intoxication or induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), models for toxic and autoimmune demyelination, respectively. Surprisingly, however, the absence of IGF1R from ODCs protected against clinical neuroinflammation in the EAE model. Together, our data indicate that IGF‐1 signaling is not required for the function and survival of mature ODCs in steady‐state and disease.
Higher reliability and validity of Wavelet‐ALFF of resting‐state fMRI: From multicenter database and application to rTMS modulation
Authors: Yue Juan , Zhao Na , Qiao Yang , Feng Zi‐Jian , Hu Yun‐Song , Ge Qiu , Zhang Tian‐Qing , Zhang Zhu‐Qian , Wang Jue , Zang Yu‐Feng
Published: November 2022

Amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) has been widely used for localization of abnormal activity at the single‐voxel level in resting‐state fMRI (RS‐fMRI) studies. However, previous ALFF studies were based on fast Fourier transform (FFT‐ALFF). Our recent study found that ALFF based on wavelet transform (Wavelet‐ALFF) showed better sensitivity and reproducibility than FFT‐ALFF. The current study aimed to test the reliability and validity of Wavelet‐ALFF, and apply Wavelet‐ALFF to investigate the modulation effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The reliability and validity were assessed on multicenter RS‐fMRI datasets under eyes closed (EC) and eyes open (EO) conditions (248 healthy participants in total). We then detected the sensitivity of Wavelet‐ALFF using a rTMS modulation dataset (24 healthy participants). For each dataset, Wavelet‐ALFF based on five mother wavelets (i.e., db2, bior4.4, morl, meyr and sym3) and FFT‐ALFF were calculated in the conventional band and five frequency sub‐bands. The results showed that the reliability of both inter‐scanner and intra‐scanner was higher with Wavelet‐ALFF than with FFT‐ALFF across multiple frequency bands, especially db2‐ALFF in the higher frequency band slow‐2 (0.1992–0.25 Hz). In terms of validity, the multicenter ECEO datasets showed that the effect sizes of Wavelet‐ALFF with all mother wavelets (especially for db2‐ALFF) were larger than those of FFT‐ALFF across multiple frequency bands. Furthermore, Wavelet‐ALFF detected a larger modulation effect than FFT‐ALFF. Collectively, Wavelet db2‐ALFF showed the best reliability and validity, suggesting that db2‐ALFF may offer a powerful metric for inspecting regional spontaneous brain activities in future studies.
Risk factors for fatal cardiac complications after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: Japanese Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy transplant complications working group
Authors: Yanagisawa Ryu , Tamaki Masaharu , Tanoshima Reo , Misaki Yukiko , Uchida Naoyuki , Koi Satoshi , Tanaka Takashi , Ozawa Yukiyasu , Matsuo Yayoi , Tanaka Masatsugu , Ikegame Kazuhiro , Katayama Yuta , Matsuoka Ken‐ichi , Ara Takahide , Kanda Yoshinobu , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Fukuda Takahiro , Atsuta Yoshiko , Kato Motohiro , Nakasone Hideki
Published: November 2022

Fatal cardiac complications can occur from the early to late phases after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Herein, the Japanese transplant registry database was used to retrospectively analyze health records of 33,791 allogeneic HCT recipients to elucidate the pathogenesis and risk factors involved. Overall, 527 patients died of cardiac complications at a median of 130 (range 0–3924) days after HCT. The cumulative incidence of fatal cardiac complications was 1.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–1.3) and 1.6% (95% CI: 1.5–1.8) at 1 and 5 years after HCT, respectively. Fatal cardiovascular events were significantly associated with an HCT‐specific comorbidity index (HCT‐CI) score of ≥1 specific to the three cardiovascular items, lower performance status, conditioning regimen cyclophosphamide dose of >120 mg/kg, and female sex. Cardiovascular death risk within 60 days after HCT was associated with the type of conditioning regimen, presence of bacterial or fungal infections at HCT, and number of blood transfusions. Contrastingly, late cardiovascular death beyond 1 year after HCT was associated with female sex and older age. Lower performance status and positive cardiovascular disease‐related HCT‐CI were risk factors for cardiac complications in all phases after HCT. Systematic follow‐up may be necessary according to the patients' risk factors and conditions.
Challenges with the current methodology for conducting Endangered Species Act risk assessments for pesticides in the United States
Authors: Teed R. Scott , Moore Dwayne R. J. , Vukov Oliver , Brain Richard A. , Overmyer Jay P.
Published: November 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA or the Agency) is responsible for administering the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Agency is also required to assess the potential risks of pesticides undergoing registration or re-registration to threatened and endangered (i.e., listed) species to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act. To assess potential risks to listed species, a screening-level risk assessment in the form of a biological evaluation (BE) is undertaken by the Agency for each pesticide. Given the large number of registration actions handled by the USEPA annually, efficient tools for conducting BEs are desirable. However, the “Revised Method” that is the basis for the USEPA's BE process has been ineffective at filtering out listed species and critical habitats that are at de minimis risk to pesticides. In the USEPA's BEs, the Magnitude of Effect Tool (MAGtool) has been used to determine potential risks to listed species that potentially co-occur with pesticide footprints. The MAGtool is a highly prescriptive, high-throughput compilation of existing FIFRA screening-level models with a geospatial interface. The tool has been a significant contributor to risk inflation and ultimately process inefficiency. The ineffectiveness of the tool stems from compounding conservatism, unrealistic and unreasonable assumptions regarding usage, limited application of species-specific data, lack of consideration of multiple lines of evidence, and inability to integrate higher-tier data. Here, we briefly describe the MAGtool and the critical deficiencies that impair its effectiveness, thus undermining its intention. Case studies are presented to highlight the deficiencies and solutions are recommended for improving listed species assessments in the future. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:817–829. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
The acceptance of telemedicine by physicians in Brazil: An institutional theory view
Authors: Palma Eduardo Moreira , Klein Amarolinda Zanela , Pedron Cristiane Drebes
Published: November 2022

Telemedicine comprises different health services held at a distance and is a promising practice for inclusive health care. However, there is still no consensus in the literature about the factors that influence the acceptance and dissemination of these practices. Thus, this study analyzes the factors that influence the acceptance of telemedicine, more specifically, of teleconsultations, by physicians, and seeks to understand how institutional factors act to disseminate or prevent their acceptance. An exploratory and qualitative study was carried out in Brazil, through interviews with physicians from different specialties and documents analyzes. We analyzed documents from public hearings on the regulation of telemedicine, and reports, discussions, and videos about teleconsultations. We conducted two coding cycles of data and we identified 12 factors influencing the acceptance of telemedicine/teleconsultations. Seven of these factors had previously been identified in the literature, namely: Regulatory Factors, Level of Instruction and Preparation of Users, Resistance to Change, Technological Infrastructure, Value Perception, Organizational Characteristics, and Financial Support. Five other acceptance factors emerged from our empirical data: Corporatism, Possibilities by Medical Specialization, In‐Person Physical Examination, Commoditization of Telemedicine, and Previous Doctor–Patient Relationship. Based on Institutional Theory, we associated all the acceptance factors identified to the three institutional pillars, as in the study by Scott in 2014: Regulative, Normative, and Cultural Cognitive, also identifying main themes to which these factors are related, in each one of the three institutional pillars, respectively: regulation, structure, and lack of knowledge.
Mapping gene by early life stress interactions on child subcortical brain structures: A genome‐wide prospective study
Authors: Bolhuis Koen , Mulder Rosa H. , de Mol Casper Louk , Defina Serena , Warrier Varun , White Tonya , Tiemeier Henning , Muetzel Ryan L. , Cecil Charlotte A. M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Although it is well‐established that both genetics and the environment influence brain development, they are typically examined separately. Here, we aimed to prospectively investigate the interactive effects of genetic variants—from a genome‐wide approach—and early life stress (ELS) on child subcortical brain structures, and their association with subsequent mental health problems.

Method

Primary analyses were conducted using data from the Generation R Study (N = 2257), including genotype and cumulative prenatal and postnatal ELS scores (encompassing life events, contextual risk, parental risk, interpersonal risk, direct victimisation). Neuroimaging data were collected at age 10 years, including intracranial and subcortical brain volumes (accumbens, amygdala, caudate, hippocampus, pallidum, putamen, thalamus). Genome‐wide association and genome‐wide‐by‐environment interaction analyses (GWEIS, run separately for prenatal/postnatal ELS) were conducted for eight brain outcomes (i.e., 24 genome‐wide analyses) in the Generation R Study (discovery). Polygenic scores (PGS) using the resulting weights were calculated in an independent (target) cohort (adolescent brain cognitive development Study; N = 10,751), to validate associations with corresponding subcortical volumes and examine links to later mother‐reported internalising and externalising problems.

Results

One GWEIS‐prenatal stress locus was associated with caudate volume (rs139505895, mapping onto PRSS12 and NDST3) and two GWEIS‐postnatal stress loci with the accumbens (rs2397823 and rs3130008, mapping onto CUTA, SYNGAP1, and TABP). Functional annotation revealed that these genes play a role in neuronal plasticity and synaptic function, and have been implicated in neurodevelopmental phenotypes, for example, intellectual disability, autism, and schizophrenia. None of these associations survived a more stringent correction for multiple testing across all analysis sets. In the validation sample, all PGSgenotype were associated with their respective brain volumes, but no PGSGxE associated with any subcortical volume. None of the PGS associated with internalising or externalising problems.

Conclusions

This study lends novel suggestive insights into gene‐environment interplay on the developing brain as well as pointing to promising candidate loci for future replication and mechanistic studies.
Evaluating a communication aid for return of genetic results in families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Burns Charlotte , Yeates Laura , Sweeting Joanna , Semsarian Christopher , Ingles Jodie
Published: November 2022

Genetic testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is considered a key aspect of management. Communication of genetic test results to the proband and their family members, can be a barrier to effective uptake. We hypothesized that a communication aid would facilitate effective communication, and sought to evaluate knowledge and communication of HCM risk to at‐risk relatives. This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Consecutive HCM patients attending a specialized clinic, who agreed to participate, were randomized to the intervention or current clinical practice. The intervention consisted of a genetic counselor‐led appointment, separate to their clinical cardiology review, and guided by a communication booklet which could be written in and taken home. Current clinical practice was defined as the return of the genetic result by a genetic counselor and cardiologist, often as part of a clinical cardiology review. The primary outcome was the ability and confidence of the individual to communicate genetic results to at‐risk relatives. The a priori outcome of improved communication among HCM families did not show statistically significant differences between the control and intervention group, though the majority of probands in the intervention group achieved fair communication (n = 13/22) and had higher genetic knowledge scores than those in the control group (7 ± 3 versus 6 ± 3). A total of 29% of at‐risk relatives were not informed of a genetic result in their family. Communication among HCM families remains challenging, with nearly a third of at‐risk relatives not informed of a genetic result. We show a significant gap in the current approach to supporting family communication about genetics. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617000706370.
Comparative performance of theoretical tools in order to quantify the effect of the electric potential on the vibrational wavenumbers and intensities of the SERS of 2‐methylpyrazine adsorbed on a nanostructured silver electrode
Authors: Valdivia Samuel , Aranda Daniel , Soto Juan , Otero Juan Carlos , López‐Tocón Isabel
Published: November 2022

The effect of the electrode potential in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensities and wavenumbers of 2‐methylpyrazine (2MP) was analyzed on the basis of a resonant charge transfer (CT) mechanism by using a simple theoretical model in which the metallic surface and its charge density were simulated by atomic silver clusters of different size (n) and charge (q), [Agn]q. Two linear silver atoms (n = 2) with zero charge (q = 0) and three linear silver atoms (n = 3) with positive and negative charges (q = ±1) linked to the two nonequivalent aromatic nitrogen atoms in 2MP were taken into account. The wavenumber shifts of the most intense bands and the SERS‐CT spectra of these two types of metal‐adsorbate supermolecule, [Agn‐N1]q and [Agn‐N4]q, were calculated by using a time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) method and the independent mode displaced harmonic oscillator (IMDHO) approximation. A comparison of the effect of different levels of calculation, ab initio/DFT, on the predictions from the two theoretical models (isolated adsorbate/supermolecule) is also performed. Only DFT theoretical results of the metal‐adsorbate supermolecule allow to explain the main role of the pair of bands assigned to totally symmetric ring‐stretching 8a,b modes. The 8a vibration is the strongest band at any electrode potential, whereas the 8b mode reaches a maximum enhancement at −0.50 V and then decreases at −0.75 V. This model of a charged metal‐adsorbate interface allows for detecting the presence of a CT mechanism in a SERS record.
Friction dynamics of human hair treated with water or cationic surfactant aqueous solution
Authors: Sano Momoka , Mayama Hiroyuki , Nonomura Yoshimune
Published: November 2022

Cationic surfactants are adsorbed on the surface of human hair and exhibit a lubricating effect. Here, we evaluated the friction when the hair treated with water or 1 wt% cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) aqueous solution was rubbed by a contact probe equipped in a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system. Because of the rough structure of the cuticle on the human hair surface, an oscillatory phenomenon with a frequency of 50–70 Hz was observed when untreated hair was rubbed with a contact probe. On the other hand, the oscillatory phenomenon was not observed when the hair contained a large amount of water because stick–slip phenomena were inhibited on the soft, swollen hair surface. Furthermore, the change in kinetic friction coefficient and delay time, which is a normalized value of the time difference between the reaction of the friction force to accelerated motion, from untreated hair, Δμk and Δδ, was almost zero. However, we found a large difference in Δμk and Δδ for the hair treated with cationic surfactant aqueous solution. The treatment with cationic surfactant reduced both friction parameters, Δμk and Δδ, indicating that the treatment induced not only the frictional force but also the profile at the beginning of frictional sliding. The significant lubrication is due to cationic surfactant adsorption on the hair surface. These data imply that the smoothness of hair treated with a cationic surfactant is related to a reduction in friction coefficient and delay time δ.
A safe and effective surgical method for complex pyriform sinus fistula
Authors: Li Yun , Yue Huijun , Lei Guoqing , Wei Fanqin , Wang Zhangfeng , Zhu Xiaolin , Lei Wenbin
Published: November 2022

Objective

This article aims to propose a new surgical method for the treatment of pyriform fistula, especially for the complex pyriform fistula.

Methods

A total of 36 patients with pyriform fistula underwent the procedure between August 2017 to October 2020. Surgery was performed by the senior authors using the same technique at the same clinical center for all patients. The median follow‐up time was 33 months. Meantime, we collected information on patients with pyriform fistula using traditional surgical methods in our hospital from April 2015 to November 2018 for comparison.

Results

The surgery was successfully completed in 36 patients. In all, 32 patients had a history of multiple incisions and drainage, 16 patients had a history of surgical resections, and two patients had a history of cauterization of the internal fistula. Compared with traditional surgical methods, our new surgical method greatly shortens the length of the surgical incision (4.3 vs. 5.5, p < 0.0001), reduces the operation time (8.1 vs. 27.1, p < 0.0001), and reduces the blood loss (103.2 vs. 196.8, p < 0.0001). None of the 36 patients in this study had complications such as pharyngeal fistula, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, or hypothyroidism. The mean follow‐up duration after the excision of the lesion was 34.1 months. To date, no patients have relapsed.

Conclusion

Our experience showed that this surgical technique could be used to completely remove the fistula, and it was easier to perform than the conventional strategies. These treatment options result in less trauma and reliable results, especially for complex pyriform fistulas.

Level of evidence

IV