bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adoption of Hybrid MRI-Linac Systems for the Treatment of Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature Regarding Clinical and Technical Features
Authors: Guerini Andrea Emanuele , Nici Stefania , Magrini Stefano Maria , Riga Stefano , Toraci Cristian , Pegurri Ludovica , Facheris Giorgio , Cozzaglio Claudia , Farina Davide , Liserre Roberto , Gasparotti Roberto , Ravanelli Marco , Rondi Paolo , Spiazzi Luigi , Buglione Michela
Published: September 2023

Background

Possible advantages of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) for the treatment of brain tumors include improved definition of treatment volumes and organs at risk (OARs) that could allow margin reductions, resulting in limited dose to the OARs and/or dose escalation to target volumes. Recently, hybrid systems integrating a linear accelerator and an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (MRI-linacs, MRL) have been introduced, that could potentially lead to a fully MRI-based treatment workflow.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the published literature regarding the adoption of MRL for the treatment of primary or secondary brain tumors (last update November 3, 2022), retrieving a total of 2487 records; after a selection based on title and abstracts, the full text of 74 articles was analyzed, finally resulting in the 52 papers included in this review.

Results and discussion

Several solutions have been implemented to achieve a paradigm shift from CT-based radiotherapy to MRgRT, such as the management of geometric integrity and the definition of synthetic CT models that estimate electron density. Multiple sequences have been optimized to acquire images with adequate quality with on-board MR scanner in limited times. Various sophisticated algorithms have been developed to compensate the impact of magnetic field on dose distribution and calculate daily adaptive plans in a few minutes with satisfactory dosimetric parameters for the treatment of primary brain tumors and cerebral metastases. Dosimetric studies and preliminary clinical experiences demonstrated the feasibility of treating brain lesions with MRL.

Conclusions

The adoption of an MRI-only workflow is feasible and could offer several advantages for the treatment of brain tumors, including superior image quality for lesions and OARs and the possibility to adapt the treatment plan on the basis of daily MRI. The growing body of clinical data will clarify the potential benefit in terms of toxicity and response to treatment.
The Variability of Semen Parameters With Sexual Abstinence Using Mail-in Sperm Testing Is Similar to That Seen With Traditional In-Office Semen Analysis
Authors: Badreddine Jad , Rhodes Stephen , Sellke Nicholas , Navarrete Felipe , Keller Stephanie , Gowda Vrushab , Simon Paul H. G. , Abou Ghayda Ramy
Published: September 2023

The impact of ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameters using in-office semen analyses has been well-established; however, their variability has not been evaluated in men using mail-in semen analysis kits. Our study aims to describe how the sperm parameters using mail-in semen analysis tests change with abstinence and validate their equivalence to those seen with in-office semen analysis tests. We retrospectively reviewed the semen analysis results of men using mail-in semen analysis tests provided by Give Legacy, Inc (Legacy) facilities from 2019 to 2021. We collected their demographic information, abstinence duration, and semen parameters (conventional and kinematic) from their records. Semen samples were categorized as normozoospermic and oligozoospermic based on concentration. The shape of the relationship between abstinence duration and semen parameters was assessed via generalized additive models. We have collected 3,469 unique samples provided by 2,609 (75%) normozoospermic men and 860 (25%) oligozoospermic from all over the United States. In normozoospermic men, longer periods of sexual abstinence were linked to higher levels of sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm. However, there was a decline in both total and progressive motility. Conversely, in oligozoospermic men, extended periods of abstinence led to a rapid decline in total motile sperm, as well as total and progressive motility. There was no significant correlation observed between sexual abstinence and variations in sperm morphology. Our study shows that variability of sperm parameters with abstinence, as measured through mail-in semen analysis tests, is comparable to the patterns observed with conventional in-office sperm testing.
Outcomes Following Surgical Interventions for Isolated Lunotriquetral Interosseous Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Omar-Hossein Mohanad , Leung Jacob C. K. , Munaku Joyce , Rodzik Danielle , Dabbagh Armaghan , Szekeres Mike
Published: September 2023

Ulnar-sided wrist pain can be attributed to various bony and ligamentous structures. The purpose of this review is to compare outcomes following surgical interventions for isolated lunotriquetral (LT) interosseous ligament injuries in adults. We assessed 202 procedures from 9 retrospective case series studies of low to moderate quality based on the Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale. The comparative outcomes (ie, range of motion, pain, strength, quality of life, complications, return to work, and patient satisfaction) were aggregated and categorized under arthrodesis, capsulodesis, ligament repairs and reconstruction, and ulna shortening osteotomy procedures. Although the comparison of outcomes was largely inconclusive due to the heterogeneity and the omission of preoperative characteristic data, we did observe higher complications and reoperation rates post LT arthrodesis. It is recommended that all outcomes be standardized and presented uniformly with best practices developed to better characterize the injury’s severity and integrity in future studies.
The Co-Creative Futures Triangle: A Workshop to Build Shared Intent for Transformation
Authors: Leong Lavonne , Kornet Weber Kelly
Published: September 2023

Although the Futures Triangle, developed by Sohail Inayatullah in the 1990s, has become a staple mental model for the futures/foresight field, it has not been well explored in the academic literature in the context of other futures tools. Here, the authors use a variation of the Futures Triangle as a springboard for foresight work in groups of any size, with a particular focus on facilitating the mindset shift that precedes organizational transformation. The authors present directions and an 80-stakeholder use case of the Co-Creative Futures Triangle, an effective tool to help diverse members of a system to co-ideate unique, positive futures created from a pool of shared values and current realities.
Comparative effectiveness study of paliperidone palmitate 6-month with a real-world external comparator arm of paliperidone palmitate 1-month or 3-month in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Turkoz Ibrahim , Wong Joshua , Chee Benjamin , Siddiqui Uzma , Knight R. Karl , Richarz Ute , Correll Christoph U.
Published: September 2023

Background:

The paliperidone palmitate 6-month (PP6M) long-acting injectable formulation is currently the longest dosing interval available for schizophrenia treatment.

Objective:

To compare treatment outcomes between a real-world external comparator arm (ECA; NeuroBlu database) and the PP6M open-label extension (OLE) clinical trial arm.

Methods:

The ECA comprised patients receiving PP 1-month (PP1M) or PP 3-month (PP3M) for ⩾12 months without a relapse. The PP6M OLE arm included patients with PP1M treatment prior to randomization who completed the 12-month double-blind PP6M study on either PP3M or PP6M relapse-free. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to study time-to-relapse (primary outcome) and change in Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score (secondary outcome).

Results:

At 24 months, 3.9% (7/178) of patients in the PP6M cohort experienced a relapse versus 15.6% (26/167) in the ECA. Time-to-relapse was longer in the PP6M cohort versus the ECA at 12-, 18-, and 24-months across the different weighting methods; median time-to-relapse was not reached in both cohorts. Hazard ratio (HR) for relapse was significantly lower for the PP6M cohort versus the ECA throughout the duration of the study [HR at 24 months: 0.18 (95% CI: 0.08–0.42), p < 0.001]. At 24 months, change in CGI-S score for the PP6M cohort was 0.76 points lower than the ECA ( p < 0.001). Results were similar in a sensitivity analysis using propensity score matching (PSM); IPTW resulted in larger sample sizes in balanced dataset than PSM.

Conclusion:

Consistent findings across weighting and matching methods suggest PP6M efficacy in reducing and delaying relapses and long-term symptom control compared to PP1M/PP3M in usual-care settings. Additional confounds, such as greater illness severity and more frequent comorbidities and comedications in the ECA, were not fully controlled by the applied statistical methods. Future real-world studies directly comparing PP6M with PP3M/PP1M and adjusting for these confounders are warranted.
Bronchoscopic view of post-tuberculosis lung cavity: A case report
Authors: Moledina Sibtain M , Thangakunam Balamugesh
Published: September 2023

An elderly male, a former smoker, was evaluated at the pulmonary medicine clinic for recurrent episodes of streaky hemoptysis for the last 3 years. He had a history of being successfully treated for microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in the past. He presented in this consultation with two episodes of large volume hemoptysis, and the laboratory results suggested an ongoing active infection. Sputum smear was negative for an infectious etiology. Contrast-enhanced CT of the thorax revealed a lung cavity in the right upper lobe. He underwent flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage which revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. Small-diameter bronchoscope was used to navigate into the affected lung segment which revealed a cave-like appearance. This was an interesting finding and physicians should be familiar with such bronchoscopic findings and techniques in the management of their patients, particularly in tuberculosis endemic areas.
Middle ear cholesteatoma in two cats diagnosed with the aid of video-otoscopy
Authors: Botelho Cristiane Bazaga , Tortoriello Rafaella , Koch Sandra Nogueira , Lopes Natália Lôres , Lucas Ronaldo , Fernandes Julio Israel
Published: September 2023

Case series summary

The present report describes middle ear cholesteatoma in two cats and also the use of video-otoscopy and flushing to assist with the diagnosis. CT and video-otoscopic examination and flushing were performed in two cats, a 13-year-old mixed breed spayed female cat and a 1-year-old mixed breed male cat, with middle ear cholesteatomas. During the procedure, keratinous material from the middle ears was collected for histopathological evaluation, demonstrating findings consistent with cholesteatoma, and the middle ears were flushed extensively.

Relevance and novel information

There is little information about middle ear cholesteatoma in cats, and to the authors’ knowledge, there are no reports in cats investigating the use of video-otoscopy to aid in the diagnosis of aural cholesteatoma, and this report demonstrates that it can aid in the diagnosis of this condition in cats. In addition, one of the cats had a concurrent otic polyp, which has not been previously reported in cats with cholesteatoma. Additionally, this is the first report of cholesteatoma in a young cat. The access to the cholesteatoma material was via ventral bulla osteotomy in one cat and via external canal without video-otoscopy in the other. More information regarding cholesteatoma in cats will help identify potential similarities and differences of this condition in cats compared with humans and dogs.
Introduction: Political dynasties in Asia
Authors: Teehankee Julio C , Chambers Paul , Echle Christian
Published: September 2023

This Special Issue seeks to understand the formation and development of Asian political dynasties that extended or continue to extend power through at least two generations by comparing and contrasting the experiences of eight select country cases in the region. The Issue concentrates on “political dynasties” rather than “political families” because we examine the chronological extension of clout by a kinship group over the geographical unit in which it resides rather than simply the nuanced power relations of the political family in stasis. We also focus on dynasties as political families in motion—not political families at one point in time. The study is crucial because it enhances comprehension of the Asian family dynasty's role as a political institution in the age of elections. Such research remains uncommon.
Translating Culture in the Jordanian T.V. Comedy Series “al jar gabl al dar” (My American Neighbor) Into English
Authors: Obeidat Mohammed M.
Published: September 2023

The present study aims at investigating the strategies of translating cultural expressions from Arabic into English. The study also attempts to identify the types of cultural expressions and the strategies employed by the translators when rendering them into English. The data is collected from the Jordanian TV comedy series الجار قبل الدار “al jar gabl al dar” (My American Neighbor) season 4, which was streamed on Roya T.V. channel in 2017; several challenging cases, within their context, were selected and being elaborated. The study relied on Gottlieb’s subtitling model of analysis to handle the strategies employed. The English subtitled translations of these cases were compared to the original texts and were analyzed to check accuracy, acceptability, and comprehensibility. The hypothesis is that the cultural expressions do perplex the translators who exert lots of effort to employ strategies that may convey them into the target language. However, the inevitable result is inaccurately rendering some of these statements, which may be attributed to a lack of understanding of both cultures on the part of the translators and inappropriate translation strategies selection. The study reveals that cultural expressions identified in this TV comedy include idioms (41%), dialect sayings (27%), religious expressions (15%), dialect (11%), and standard proverbs (6%), respectively. The study concludes that paraphrase (60.61%), imitation (22.73%), deletion (12.12%), expansion 3.03%), and transfer (1.51%) have been the most recurrent subtitling strategies employed when dealing with the Arabic cultural expressions.
Factors Affecting Intention Toward ICT Adoption in Rural Entrepreneurship: Understanding the Differences Between Business Types of Organizations and Previous Experience of Entrepreneurs
Authors: Geng Lili , Hui Huixian , Liang Xiaomeng , Yan Shaocong , Xue Yongji
Published: September 2023

Information and communication technology (ICT) is substantially beneficial for rural entrepreneurship. A better understanding of factors contributing to ICT adoption is needed for wide promotion, yet it remains underexplored This study investigated the factors affecting ICT adoption intention. From the technology, individuals, and environment dimensions, an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) was proposed, and data from 327 rural entrepreneurs and the method of SEM were used to test the hypotheses. The moderating effect of multi-group on each path was discussed, including online and offline organizations and entrepreneurs with and without previous experience. Results show that, except for core variables in the TAM, social influence and relative advantage positively influence ICT adoption intention directly and indirectly. Increasing the relative advantage of ICT among enterprises with offline businesses can significantly improve their ICT adoption intention. For entrepreneurs without previous experience, perceived ease of use significantly and positively affects attitudes toward ICT adoption.
Rural Development and Entrepreneurship: Exploration of Entrepreneurial Intention in Rural Area Among Chinese University Students
Authors: He Wang , Ding Liang
Published: September 2023

China’s rapid economic growth and correlating growth of metropolitan areas has attracted young people leaving their hometowns from the rural areas. Revitalizing the rural areas has been a national development strategy in China. College students returning home to start businesses is one way to alleviate the current shortage of young talents in rural areas of China. Based on the model of goal-directed behavior (MGB), this paper takes behavioral attitude, subjective norms, positive expectations of emotion, negative expectations of emotion, perceived behavioral controls, and government support, all as independent variables. The paper uses the desire as the intermediary variable to construct a goal-oriented behavior model about the intention of entrepreneurial initiatives by college students. By using survey data, the empirical analysis shows that the model has a strong explanatory power on the intention of college students. The positive expected emotions, perceived behavioral control, and government support, have a significantly positive influence on college student’s intentions through controlling behavior desire. The perceived behavioral control and behavioral desire of the subjects had a direct positive and significant influence on their intention. This research provides a reference for the government to formulate policies to attract college students to return to their hometowns to start businesses and boost rural revitalization.
Internet Finance and Risk-Taking of City Commercial Banks: Evidence From China
Authors: Pang Ming , Liu Yao , Wu Sha , Wang Hui
Published: September 2023

China’s urban commercial banks are more likely to face risks with the rapid development of Internet finance. However, few studies unfold the impact of Internet finance on the risk-taking level of urban commercial banks and explore their role path in depth. To study the relationship between the two and their path of action, this paper takes 62 city commercial banks in China from 2011 to 2020 as research objects and makes empirical tests by Stata. The intermediary effect model is used to study its impact path from the perspectives of assets, liabilities, and intermediate services. The conclusions are as follows: (1) Internet finance aggravates the risk-taking of urban commercial banks; (2) This effect shows heterogeneity in listed and non-listed, trans-region and non-trans-region urban commercial banks; (3) Net interest margin, debt structure, and non-interest income show the mediating effect when Internet finance affects the risk-taking of urban commercial banks. The results are beneficial for urban commercial banks to change their business strategies with their characteristics and achieve sustainable and healthy development.
Monitoring of Public Opinion on Typhoon Disaster Using Improved Clustering Model Based on Single-Pass Approach
Authors: Chen Xin
Published: September 2023

Ambiguities in information and difficulties in distinguishing truth from fiction during natural disasters produce negative emotions and create problems in emergency rescue work. In this study, we focused on two aspects. First, we propose a method that improves upon the existing streaming data clustering method based on twin networks, which is a single-pass topic clustering method based on the Siamese-bidirectional gated recurring units (BiGRUs)-attention technique. Second, a bidirectional encoder representation from transformers (BERT)-BiGRU-conditional random field (CRF) sentiment analysis model based on the idea of sequence tagging was designed. Combining this method with the proposed topic clustering method, we propose a new disaster management method that analyzes the public opinion before and after a disaster. We conducted experiments that showed that the single-pass topic clustering model based on Siamese-BiGRU-attention outperformed other clustering methods in terms of clustering performance. Simultaneously, the BERT-BiGRU-CRF model was employed to statistically analyze data on daily public opinion monitoring. The statistics of the clustering results before and after disasters occur and the emotion distribution based on each category were obtained. Overall, the proposed method can help rescue workers and governmental officials understand the sentiments of the public more clearly and provide the necessary response measures more effectively during disasters.
Socially Situated Experiences of Substance Use: A Photo Elicitation Pilot Study
Authors: Kiepek Niki , Ausman Christine , Murphy Andrea , Brothers Tommy
Published: September 2023

Our study was designed to pilot a photo elicitation methodology and undertake preliminary examination of substance use from the perspectives of two potentially disparate groups. Photo elicitation methodology involved participant generated photos and elicitation interviews to purposefully explore (i) how people who use substances depict and discuss their own substance use, and (ii) how professionals who prescribe/dispense pharmaceuticals depict and portray how substances impact the lives’ of patients/clients. Individuals who use substances told “stories of self.” Health providers blended “stories of others” and “stories of social worlds” that indirectly revealed “stories of self.” All participants confronted dominant social perspectives, offering alternative interpretations and challenging such opinions as incomplete or erroneous. The social nature of substances held contrasting perspectives, with health professionals seeing incentives of “fitting in” with “peers using” and a “coping strategy” to reduce social anxiety. Participants who use substances told stories of positive social connections through shared experiences of substance use and increased effects of sociability. Findings may contribute to nuanced understandings to destigmatise and mitigate Othering.
Followers’ PsyCap and Job Performance: A Longitudinal COR Approach to Transformational Leadership as a Key Resource
Authors: Widianto Sunu , Wilderom Celeste P. M.
Published: September 2023

Rooted in both the self-concept based theory of transformational leadership and the conservation of resources (COR) theory, transformational leadership is hypothesized to elicit follower-felt support for excellence and, through it, follower psychological capital (PsyCap), resulting in high follower job performance as well as work engagement. We examined this three-path mediation model with change scores from a two-wave study of 149 Indonesian healthcare workers. When applying structural equation modeling to the change scores, the integrated model was supported. Further cross-lagged analysis showed that transformational leadership had a lagged effect on follower PsyCap and that follower PsyCap had, in turn, a lagged effect on follower job performance. Hence, PsyCap is proposed as a parsimonious element in the self-concept-based theory of transformational leadership. Moreover, the results suggest that the transformational style can be added as a so-called “key” resource to COR’s notion of “gain spirals.”
Does Reshoring Generate Employment? A Study on Services Reshoring and Its Intra- and Inter-Sectoral Components
Authors: Fuster Begoña , Martínez-Mora Carmen , Lillo-Bañuls Adelaida
Published: September 2023

The aim of this paper is to deepen the analysis of services reshoring in the Spanish services sector, both as a whole and for its constituent elements, examining both intra- and inter-sectoral components. Likewise, it analyzes the impact of this strategy on employment in the services sector, also differentiating between broad reshoring, intra-sectoral reshoring and inter-sectoral reshoring. The data used come from the Input-Output Tables of the Spanish National Accounts published since 2000. The results show Spanish service companies significantly reduced their contracting of activities abroad between 2008 and 2010, substituting foreign intermediate services for domestic services. This process of reshoring is observed with greater intensity in inputs of the same sector. However, since 2010 Spanish service companies have slightly increased their contracting of foreign services per unit of output, adopting new services offshoring strategies, although to a lesser extent than in the period prior to the recession. In the analysis of the effect of reshoring on services employment can be concluded that services reshoring has not generated employment in the Spanish service sector.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning-based Supervisory Technology in Financial Markets Surveillance: A Review of Literature
Authors: Maheshwari Saurabh , Chatnani Niti Nandini
Published: September 2023

Supervisory Technology (SupTech) combines artificial intelligence (AI) with machine learning (ML) for the specific purpose of supervision of the financial markets. SupTech offers transformative solutions for the regulation, monitoring and surveillance of financial markets. This article presents a literature review examining the role of SupTech in enhancing market surveillance. Using the PSALSAR framework, we conduct a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 55 articles published between 1999 and 2022. The review highlights the potential of SupTech to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape, and its versatile applications for financial supervisors and regulators, stock exchanges, intermediaries, and investors. Our findings indicate that SupTech models can effectively detect instances of market manipulations, insider trading, and fraud. These models also showcase exceptional potential to forecast crises in markets, economies, corporations, and in the banking sector. They are useful in empowering policymakers and regulators to make informed decisions. The study provides a strong foundation for future research and policy development to explore and deploy the potential of SupTech, paving the way for greater transparency, efficiency, and resilience in financial markets.
Lower rates of return to sport in patients with generalised joint hypermobility two years after ACL reconstruction: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lindskog Jakob , Piussi Ramana , Simonson Rebecca , Högberg Johan , Samuelsson Kristian , Thomeé Roland , Sundemo David , Senorski Eric Hamrin
Published: September 2023

Objectives:

Generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) is associated with an increased risk of suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Patients with GJH exhibit lower muscle strength and poorer scores for patient-reported outcomes after ACL reconstruction, compared with patients without GJH. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the percentages of patients who return to sport (RTS) or pre-injury level of activity (RTP), muscle function and patient-reported outcomes at the time of RTS or RTP, as well as the time of RTS or RTP in patients with GJH compared with patients without GJH in the first two years after ACL reconstruction.

Methods:

This prospective study used data from an ACL- and rehabilitation-specific register located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Patients aged between 16 and 50, who had a primary ACL injury treated with reconstruction, were included. Data up to two years after ACL reconstruction were used and consisted of achieving RTS and RTP, results in isokinetic muscle function tests for knee extension and flexion and patient-reported outcomes (Knee Self-Efficacy Scale, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale) at the time of RTS, as well as the time of RTP. A Beighton Score of ≥ 5/9 was used to define GJH. A Tegner Activity Scale of ≥ 6 was used to define RTS, while a Tegner equal to or above pre-injury level was used to define RTP.

Results:

A total of 1,198 patients (54.7% women) with a mean age of 28.5 ± 8.6 years were included. A smaller proportion of patients with GJH achieved RTS compared with patients without GJH (49.2% vs 57.3%, Odds ratio: 0.720, p=0.041). Furthermore, patients with GJH were marginally less symmetrical on the knee extension strength test, expressed as a Limb Symmetry Index, at the time of RTP compared with patients without GJH (87.3 ± 13.5 vs 91.7 ± 14.3, Cohen’s d= 0.142, p=0.022). No further differences were found between groups regarding any muscle function tests or patient-reported outcomes.

Conclusion:

A smaller proportion of patients with GJH achieved RTS compared with patients without GJH. Patients with GJH display less symmetrical knee extension strength at the time of RTP compared with patients without GJH.
Inheriting the Grade: HOLC “Redlining” Maps and Contemporary Neighborhood Crime
Authors: Lyons Christopher J. , Vélez María B. , Chen Xuanying
Published: September 2023

Communities and crime research often invokes historical housing policies to explain vast disparities in crime. However, these assertions are rarely tested. Using lending security maps from the government-sponsored Home Owner’s Loan Corporation (HOLC), we examine the consequences for neighborhood crime of a notorious policy intervention in the housing market: the practice of “redlining” that discouraged investment in Black, non-White, and poor areas. The HOLC maps represent class and race biases embedded in the housing market and may have institutionalized the practice of redlining. Pairing data from the National Neighborhood Crime Study (Wave 2) with HOLC maps, we find neighborhoods with relatively poor HOLC grades inherited more violence and burglary some 70 years later. Furthermore, greater concentrations of contemporary neighborhood disadvantage, racial segregation, and housing instability largely explain these associations. Findings underscore the long shadow of historical interventions in the housing market for inequalities in the spatial distribution of crime today.
Endovascular treatment of cerebral sinus thrombosis due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia
Authors: Weller Johannes , Krzywicka Katarzyna , van de Munckhof Anita , Dorn Franziska , Althaus Katharina , Bode Felix J , Bandettini di Poggio Monica , Buck Brian , Kleinig Timothy , Cordonnier Charlotte , Dizonno Vanessa , Duan Jiangang , Elkady Ahmed , Chew Beng Lim Alvin , Garcia-Esperon Carlos , Field Thalia S , Legault Catherine , Morin Martin Mar , Michalski Dominik , Pelz Johann , Schoenenberger Silvia , Nagel Simon , Petruzzellis Marco , Raposo Nicolas , Skjelland Mona , Zimatore Domenico Sergio , Aaron Sanjith , Sanchez van Kammen Mayte , Aguiar de Sousa Diana , Lindgren Erik , Jood Katarina , Scutelnic Adrian , Heldner Mirjam R , Poli Sven , Arauz Antonio , Conforto Adriana B , Putaala Jukka , Tatlisumak Turgut , Arnold Marcel , Coutinho Jonathan M , Günther Albrecht , Zimmermann Julian , Ferro José M
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

There is little data on the role of endovascular treatment (EVT) of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Here, we describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of CVST-VITT patients who were treated with EVT.

Patients and methods:

We report data from an international registry of patients who developed CVST within 28 days of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, reported between 29 March 2021 and 6 March 2023. VITT was defined according to the Pavord criteria.

Results:

EVT was performed in 18/136 (13%) patients with CVST-VITT (92% aspiration and/or stent retrieval, 8% local thrombolysis). Most common indications were extensive thrombosis and clinical or radiological deterioration. Compared to non-EVT patients, those receiving EVT had a higher median thrombus load (4.5 vs 3). Following EVT, local blood flow was improved in 83% (10/12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 54–96). One (6%) asymptomatic sinus perforation occurred. Eight (44%) patients treated with EVT also underwent decompressive surgery. Mortality was 50% (9/18, 95% CI 29–71) and 88% (8/9, 95% CI 25–66) of surviving EVT patients achieved functional independence with a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 at follow-up. In multivariable analysis, EVT was not associated with increased mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.66, 95% CI 0.16–2.58).

Discussion and conclusion:

We describe the largest cohort of CVST-VITT patients receiving EVT. Half of the patients receiving EVT died during hospital admission, but most survivors achieved functional independence.
Timing of higher education completion in out-of-home care experienced individuals: On schedule or delayed?
Authors: Forsman Hilma , Brännström Lars
Published: September 2023

It is well known that individuals with out-of-home care (OHC) experience tend to have lower educational attainment than their peers in young adulthood, and a number of interventions have been implemented to increase their higher education outcomes. However, the timing of their higher education completion, and whether they experience educational recovery over the life course, is largely unknown. Using longitudinal Swedish data from a birth cohort of more than 13,000 individuals, this study examined OHC experienced individuals’ chances of having a higher education, here defined as a record of postsecondary education of two years or more, in midlife (age 50) and whether the timing of completion differs between them and a group of individuals who had child welfare contact (CWC) without being placed, and a group of general population peers. Results from multivariable logistic regressions corroborated prior findings that individuals who have been placed in OHC were less likely to have completed higher education compared to their general population peers. However, among those who did, they were more likely to have completed it later in life. Overall, there were no differences between the OHC group and the CWC group, both groups may thus not only benefit from specific support but also from more general inclusive education policies that allow for life-long learning.
A deep-learning-based model for quality assessment of earthquake-induced ground-motion records
Authors: Dupuis Michael , Schill Claudio , Lee Robin , Bradley Brendon
Published: September 2023

High-quality earthquake ground-motion records are required for various applications in engineering and seismology; however, quality assessment of ground-motion records is time-consuming if done manually and poorly handled by automation with conventional mathematical functions. Machine learning is well suited to this problem, and a supervised deep-learning-based model was developed to estimate the quality of all types of ground-motion records through training on 1096 example records from earthquakes in New Zealand, which is an active tectonic environment with crustal and subduction earthquakes. The model estimates a quality and minimum usable frequency for each record component and can handle one-, two-, or three-component records. The estimations were found to match manually labeled test data well, and the model was able to accurately replicate manual quality classifications from other published studies based on the requirements of three different engineering applications. The component-level quality and minimum usable frequency estimations provide flexibility to assess record quality based on diverse requirements and make the model useful for a range of potential applications. We apply the model to enable automated record classification for 43,398 ground motions from GeoNet as part of the development of a new curated ground-motion database for New Zealand.
Cold exposure induces vaso-occlusion and pain in sickle mice that depend on complement activation
Authors: Ivy Zalaya K. , Belcher John D. , Khasabova Iryna A. , Chen Chunsheng , Juliette Joseph P. , Abdulla Fuad , Ruan Conglin , Allen Kaje , Nguyen Julia , Rogness Victoria M. , Beckman Joan D. , Khasabov Sergey G. , Gupta Kalpna , Taylor Ronald P. , Simone Donald A. , Vercellotti Gregory M.
Published: September 2023

Vaso-occlusive pain episodes (VOE) cause severe pain in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Vaso-occlusive events promote ischemia/reperfusion pathobiology that activates complement. We hypothesized that complement activation is linked to VOE. We used cold to induce VOE in the Townes sickle homozygous for hemoglobin S (HbSS) mouse model and complement inhibitors to determine whether anaphylatoxin C5a mediates VOE. We used a dorsal skinfold chamber to measure microvascular stasis (vaso-occlusion) and von Frey filaments applied to the plantar surface of the hind paw to assess mechanical hyperalgesia in HbSS and control Townes mice homozygous for hemoglobin A (HbAA) mice after cold exposure at 10°C/50°F for 1 hour. Cold exposure induced more vaso-occlusion in nonhyperalgesic HbSS mice (33%) than in HbAA mice (11%) or HbSS mice left at room temperature (1%). Cold exposure also produced mechanical hyperalgesia as measured by paw withdrawal threshold in HbSS mice compared with that in HbAA mice or HbSS mice left at room temperature. Vaso-occlusion and hyperalgesia were associated with an increase in complement activation fragments Bb and C5a in plasma of HbSS mice after cold exposure. This was accompanied by an increase in proinflammatory NF-κB activation and VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in the liver. Pretreatment of nonhyperalgesic HbSS mice before cold exposure with anti-C5 or anti-C5aR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) decreased vaso-occlusion, mechanical hyperalgesia, complement activation, and liver inflammatory markers compared with pretreatment with control mAb. Anti-C5 or -C5aR mAb infusion also abrogated mechanical hyperalgesia in HbSS mice with ongoing hyperalgesia at baseline. These findings suggest that C5a promotes vaso-occlusion, pain, and inflammation during VOE and may play a role in chronic pain.
A simplified bacterial community found within the epidermis than at the epidermal surface of atopic dermatitis patients and healthy controls
Authors: Barnes Christopher J. , Asplund Maria , Clausen Maja-Lisa , Rasmussen Linett , Olesen Caroline Meyer , Yüksel Yasemin Topal , Andersen Paal Skytt , Litman Thomas , Holmstrøm Kim , Bay Lene , Fritz Blaine Gabriel , Bjarnsholt Thomas , Agner Tove , Hansen Anders Johannes
Published: September 2023

There has been considerable research into the understanding of the healthy skin microbiome. Similarly, there is also a considerable body of research into whether specific microbes contribute to skin disorders, with atopic dermatitis (AD) routinely linked to increased Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonisation. In this study, the epidermal surface of participants was sampled using swabs, while serial tape-stripping (35 tapes) was performed to sample through the stratum corneum. Samples were taken from AD patients and healthy controls, and the bacterial communities were profiled by metabarcoding the universal V3-V4 16S rRNA region. Results show that the majority of bacterial richness is located within the outermost layers of the stratum corneum, however there were many taxa that were found almost exclusively at the very outermost layer of the epidermis. We therefore hypothesise that tape-stripping can be performed to investigate the ‘core microbiome’ of participants by removing environmental contaminants. Interestingly, significant community variation between AD patients and healthy controls was only observable at the epidermal surface, yet a number of individual taxa were found to consistently differ with AD status across the entire epidermis (i.e. both the epidermal surface and within the epidermis). Sampling strategy could therefore be tailored dependent on the hypothesis, with sampling for forensic applications best performed using surface swabs and outer tapes, while profiling sub-surface communities may better reflect host genome and immunological status.
Changes in m6A RNA methylation are associated with male sterility in wolfberry
Authors: Zhao Jiawen , Zhang Chujun , Li Sifan , Yuan Mengmeng , Mu Wenlan , Yang Jing , Ma Yutong , Guan Cuiping , Ma Chuang
Published: September 2023

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most abundant type of RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, playing pivotal roles in multiple plant growth and development processes. Yet the potential role of m6A in conferring the trait of male sterility in plants remains unknown.

Results

In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) and m6A-sequencing (m6A-Seq) of RNAs obtained from the anther tissue of two wolfberry lines: ‘Ningqi No.1’ (LB1) and its natural male sterile mutant ‘Ningqi No.5’ (LB5). Based on the newly assembled transcriptome, we established transcriptome-wide m6A maps for LB1 and LB5 at the single nucleus pollen stage. We found that the gene XLOC_021201, a homolog of m6A eraser-related gene ALKBH10 in Arabidopsis thaliana, was significantly differentially expressed between LB1 and LB5. We also identified 1642 and 563 m6A-modified genes with hypermethylated and hypomethylated patterns, respectively, in LB1 compared with LB5. We found the hypermethylated genes significantly enriched in biological processes related to energy metabolism and lipid metabolism, while hypomethylation genes were mainly linked to cell cycle process, gametophyte development, and reproductive process. Among these 2205 differentially m6A methylated genes, 13.74% (303 of 2205) were differentially expressed in LB1 vis-à-vis LB5.

Conclusions

This study constructs the first m6A transcriptome map of wolfberry and establishes an association between m6A and the trait of male sterility in wolfberry.
Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of alginate oligosaccharides alleviating salt stress in rice seedlings
Authors: Du You-Wei , Liu Ling , Feng Nai-Jie , Zheng Dian-Feng , Liu Mei-Ling , Zhou Hang , Deng Peng , Wang Ya-xing , Zhao Hui-Min
Published: September 2023

Background

Salt stress is one of the key factors limiting rice production. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) enhance plant stress resistance. However, the molecular mechanism underlying salt tolerance in rice induced by AOS remains unclear. FL478, which is a salt-tolerant indica recombinant inbred line and IR29, a salt-sensitive rice cultivar, were used to comprehensively analyze the effects of AOS sprayed on leaves in terms of transcriptomic and metabolite profiles of rice seedlings under salt stress.

Results

In this experiment, exogenous application of AOS increased SOD, CAT and APX activities, as well as GSH and ASA levels to reduce the damage to leaf membrane, increased rice stem diameter, the number of root tips, aboveground and subterranean biomass, and improved rice salt tolerance. Comparative transcriptomic analyses showed that the regulation of AOS combined with salt treatment induced the differential expression of 305 and 1030 genes in FL478 and IR29. The expressed genes enriched in KEGG pathway analysis were associated with antioxidant levels, photosynthesis, cell wall synthesis, and signal transduction. The genes associated with light-trapping proteins and RLCK receptor cytoplasmic kinases, including CBA, LHCB, and Lhcp genes, were fregulated in response to salt stress. Treatment with AOS combined with salt induced the differential expression of 22 and 50 metabolites in FL478 and IR29. These metabolites were mainly related to the metabolism of amino and nucleotide sugars, tryptophan, histidine, and β -alanine. The abundance of metabolites associated with antioxidant activity, such as 6-hydroxymelatonin, wedelolactone and L-histidine increased significantly. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that dehydroascorbic acid in the glutathione and ascorbic acid cycles plays a vital role in salt tolerance mediated by AOS.

Conclusion

AOS activate signal transduction, regulate photosynthesis, cell wall formation, and multiple antioxidant pathways in response to salt stress. This study provides a molecular basis for the alleviation of salt stress-induced damage by AOS in rice.
Systemic thrombolysis with newer thrombolytics vs anticoagulation in acute intermediate risk pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mathew Don , Seelam Susmitha , Bumrah Karandeep , Sherif Akil , Shrestha Utsav
Published: September 2023

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing systemic thrombolysis to anticoagulation in intermediate risk pulmonary embolism (PE) have yielded mixed results. A prior meta-analysis on this topic had included studies that used lower than standard dose of thrombolytics and included thrombolytic agents that are no longer available. Hence, interpreting the findings of that paper is not valid in contemporary practice.

Objectives

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of systemic thrombolysis with newer thrombolytic agents vs anticoagulation in intermediate risk PE.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.

Results

Nine randomized controlled trials were included in the study. We did not find any difference in in-hospital mortality (RR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.42–1.50; I2: 0) or risk of major bleeding (RR:2.08;95% CI: 0.98–4.42; I2: 23.9%) between systemic thrombolysis and anticoagulation. Systemic thrombolysis was associated with lower risks for vasopressor use (RR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.11–0.64, I2: 0) and secondary/rescue thrombolysis (RR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14–0.45; I2: 0). But systemic thrombolysis was found to have an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (RR: 4.55; 95% CI: 1.30–15.91; I2:0). There was no difference in mechanical ventilation between the two groups (RR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.31–1.19, I2:0).

Conclusion

In our meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of systemic thrombolysis vs anticoagulation in intermediate risk PE, we did not find any difference in in-hospital mortality or overall risk of major bleeding. With systemic thrombolysis, we found lower risks for vasopressor use and need for secondary/ rescue thrombolysis and an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage.
Evaluation of CI electrode position from imaging: comparison of an automated technique with the established manual method
Authors: Mewes Alexander , Bennett Christopher , Dambon Jan , Brademann Goetz , Hey Matthias
Published: September 2023

Background

A manual evaluation of the CI electrode position from CT and DVT scans may be affected by diagnostic errors due to cognitive biases. The aim of this study was to compare the CI electrode localization using an automated method (image-guided cochlear implant programming, IGCIP) with the clinically established manual method.

Methods

This prospective experimental study was conducted on a dataset comprising N=50 subjects undergoing cochlear implantation with a Nucleus® CI532 or CI632 Slim Modiolar electrode. Scalar localization, electrode-to-modiolar axis distances (EMD) and angular insertion depth (aDOI) were compared between the automated IGCIP tool and the manual method. Two raters made the manual measurements, and the interrater reliability (±1.96·SD) was determined as the reference for the method comparison. The method comparison was performed using a correlation analysis and a Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

Concerning the scalar localization, all electrodes were localized both manually and automatically in the scala tympani. The interrater differences ranged between ±0.2 mm (EMD) and ±10° (aDOI). There was a bias between the automatic and manual method in measuring both localization parameters, which on the one hand was smaller than the interrater variations. On the other hand, this bias depended on the magnitude of the EMD respectively aDOI. A post-hoc analysis revealed that the deviations between the methods were likely due to a different selection of mid-modiolar axis.

Conclusions

The IGCIP is a promising tool for automated processing of CT and DVT scans and has useful functionality such as being able to segment the cochlear using post-operative scans. When measuring EMD, the IGCIP tool is superior to the manual method because the smallest possible distance to the axis is determined depending on the cochlear turn, whereas the manual method selects the helicotrema as the reference point rigidly. Functionality to deal with motion artifacts and measurements of aDOI according to the consensus approach are necessary, otherwise the IGCIP is not unrestrictedly ready for clinical use.