bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
After “Cool Japan”: A Study on Cultural Nationalism
Authors: Yoshioka Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

What is the meaning of “Japanese” culture? In earlier ages, it was about temples, Noh plays, Kabuki, Utamaro and Wabi-sabi. These traditional icons have, since the Meiji era (1868-1912), been identified as typically Japanese. Are they, however, still relevant today? Has there been any crucial mutation in the cultural identity of Japan? In the contemporary era, more and more people associate Japanese culture with Manga, animation and video games, in other words with cultural developments of the post-World War II era. The Japanese Government has actively promoted the popularity of these new aspects of Japanese culture as evidenced in their eagerness to adopt the expression “Cool Japan,” inspired by its British predecessor’s “Cool Britannia.” Everyone does not share that perception though. Following the 11th March 2011 series of disasters, Japanese artist Tadasu Takamine (1968-) worked on a critical questioning of Japanese society and culture, culminating in a work titled Tadasu Takamine's Cool Japan that was shown at the Art Tower Mito, in Ibaraki Prefecture (2012). The present essay reflects on and develops further the message conveyed by Takamine about contemporary Japanese cultural identity.
Anglo-American Narratives of Italian Otherness and the Politics of Orientalizing Southern Europe
Authors: Pierini Francesca
Published: July 2022

This essay reflects on Anglo-American literary representations of Italian culture from the perspective of postcolonial theory. Throughout history, many national and cultural entities have defined themselves in relation to foreign and “exotic” civilizations; this equally applies to “the exotic within Europe.” Through a discussion of the works of writers as various as E.M. Forster (The Story of a Panic, 1903), Frances Mayes (Under the Tuscan Sun, 1997), and Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love, 2006), the essay describes a tradition that celebrates Italy as an authentic cultural experience and at the same time “orientalises” such a tradition by depicting it as a destabilizing threat and challenge to the “rational mind,” allegedly represented by Anglo-American culture. The essay attempts to disclose the degree of “imagined identity” that emerges from an on-going productive dialogue with the “other within oneself.”
Fragilaria odeloucaensis sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta, Fragilariaceae) a diatom from temporary streams in southern Portugal
Authors: MORALES EDUARDO A. , NOVAIS MARIA HELENA , WETZEL CARLOS E. , ECTOR LUC , MORAIS MARIA MANUELA
Published: July 2022

A new species of araphid diatom is described from a temporary stream in southern Portugal, Fragilaria odeloucaensis sp. nov., which belongs to the group of Fragilaria with widely linear to lanceolate valve outline, spaced striae, lacking spines, and with well-developed apical pore fields. The new taxon can be distinguished based on five unique features within this group, the lanceolate valves with capitate apices, the zig-zagged axial area, the central area with squared fascia, the apical pore fields clearly sunken into the valve apices and the heterovalvar frustules (with respect to striae distancing). Ecological features of the type locality and an additional sampling point where the new species was found are given, together with a discussion of the taxonomic position of the new species within Fragilaria, and the approach used herein for the identification of diagnostic features. This approach includes a detailed analysis of the internal and external characteristics of the axial area-virgae-striae complex, central area, apical pore fields and differences among valves of the same frustule, in addition to the traditional valve shape and morphometric features.
Microchilus dasilvae: a new species of Goodyerinae (Orchidaceae) from Southeastern Brazil
Authors: ENGELS MATHIAS E. , SMIDT ERIC C.
Published: July 2022

We describe and illustrate a new orchid species, Microchilus dasilvae, belonging to the Goodyerinae subtribe, found in the Atlantic Forest Domain of southeastern Brazil in an ecotonal region between Dense Ombrophilous Forest and Semideciduous Seasonal Forest. The species has an affinity with Microchilus decorus and Microchilus metallescens. It differs by the lip with a trilobed, yellow mesochile with acute lateral lobes, and by the broad-ovate epichile, about the same width as the mesochile when flattened.
The National School Lunch Program and Healthy Eating: An Analysis of Food Selection and Consumption in an Urban Title I Middle School
Authors: Kaiser Robert , Hamlin Daniel
Published: July 2022

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federal program that provides free and reduced priced lunch to millions of low-income children in urban schools. Empirical research shows mixed results on the physical and nutritional health of urban students participating in the program. However, a considerable limitation of this literature is that it focuses on student participation in the NSLP rather than what students consume when they receive a school lunch. By directly collecting a random of sample of school lunches, we analyze the nutritional content of both selected and consumed school lunches ( n = 141) at a Title I middle school in a large US city. Results indicated that the food items that students select for school lunch are low in nutrients and high in sugar. Furthermore, food that students ultimately consumed during lunch had even lower nutritional value while consumption of sugar remained high. Future research is needed to investigate school-based interventions that leaders can deploy to foster healthy eating in urban schools.
Explanatory Models and their Relationship with Drug Attitude in Patients with Depression in South India
Authors: Ram Dushad , Bheemaraju Samaksha Pasupaleti , Alammar Muath A.
Published: July 2022

Background:

The patient’s understanding of the illness may mediate beliefs towards its treatment. There is a paucity of studies examining the relationships between these variables in depression. This study was conducted to know the relationships between explanatory models and attitude to medication in depression.

Methods:

494 patients with depression in remission were assessed with sociodemographic proforma, Drug Attitude Inventory, and Mental Distress Explanatory Model Questionnaire.

Results:

A favorable attitude toward medication was observed in 57.49% of participants. Mean scores on MDEMQ subscales Stress, Western Physiology, Non-Western Physiology, and Supernatural were 32.96, 21.87, 10.06, and 47.55, respectively. Statistically significant associations were found between attitude towards medication and the patient’s marital status (more negative attitude with single status, χ2 = 11.72, df = 3, P = 0.008) and occupation (more negative attitude among unemployed patients, χ2 = 4.17, df = 1, P = 0.041). The scores of explanatory models did not differ based on positive or negative drug attitude.

Conclusion:

Though explanatory models are not linked to patient attitudes toward medication, patients who are single or unemployed have a negative attitude toward medications. Such negative attitude may impair compliance and worsen patient outcomes.
The chronic effects of a combination of herbal extracts (Euphytose®) on psychological mood state and response to a laboratory stressor: A randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind study in healthy humans
Authors: Dodd Fiona , Kennedy David , Wightman Emma , Khan Julie , Patan Michael , Elcoate Rian , Jackson Philippa
Published: July 2022

Background:

Global lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders has been estimated at approximately 16.6%, with subclinical prevalence likely much higher. Herbal approaches to reduce anxiety may be as effective as pharmacological treatments and are less likely to be associated with adverse side effects. The herbal species, namely, valerian, passionflower, hawthorn and ballota, have a long history of use as anxiolytics in traditional medicine, further supported by recent pre-clinical and clinical trials.

Aims:

To assess the effects of chronic (14 days) supplementation with a multi-herb extract preparation (MHEP, Euphytose®) on psychological state and psychological and physiological stress responses during a laboratory stressor.

Methods:

In this crossover study, 31 healthy participants (aged 19–58 years) received a MHEP and placebo for 14 days with a 28-day washout. Anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), mood and physiological measures of stress (heart rate, galvanic skin response, salivary α-amylase and cortisol levels) were measured before and after an Observed Multitasking Stressor. Cognitive performance was also assessed.

Results:

MHEP was associated with reduced tension-anxiety ( p = 0.038), with participants showing an attenuated response to the observed multitasking psychosocial stressor following MHEP, evidenced by lower salivary α-amylase ( p = 0.041) and galvanic skin response ( p = 0.004).

Conclusions:

The combination of herbal extracts contained within the MHEP reduced subjective anxiety in a healthy population and lowered electrodermal skin conductance and concentration of salivary α-amylase in response to a psychosocial stressor, compared to placebo. The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT03909906).
The combination of decitabine and aspirin inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xu Maoyi , Song Binbin , Yang Xinmei , Li Na
Published: July 2022

Objective

Combination therapy has become the hallmark of lung cancer treatment, as it reduces the dosage intensity of individual drugs while increasing their efficacy. In the current study, we analyzed the combinatorial effect of decitabine and aspirin on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell growth.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the combinatorial effect of decitabine and aspirin by MTT, colony formation, and Transwell assays. We also explored the underlying molecular mechanism via a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

The combination of decitabine and aspirin regulated cell viability and migration in vitro. Moreover, the combination therapy suppressed tumor cell growth by inhibiting the β-catenin/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our study also found that the regimen increased the phosphorylation of β-catenin and decreased the expression of STAT3 and β-catenin.

Conclusion

The combined administration of decitabine and aspirin significantly reduced tumor growth compared with single-agent treatment and the control in vivo. The study results indicated that decitabine and aspirin could suppress NSCLC cell growth and metastasis via the β-catenin/STAT3 signaling pathway.
Podoplanin expression in lymph node metastases of head and neck cancer and cancer of unknown primary patients
Authors: Kühn Jan Philipp , Bochen Florian , Körner Sandrina , Schick Bernhard , Wagner Mathias , Smola Sigrun , Berkó-Göttel Barbara , Morris Luc G.T. , Wang Jingming , Bozzato Alessandro , Linxweiler Maximilian
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are cancers with generally poor prognosis. Outcomes have not improved in decades, with more than half of the patients presenting with lymph node metastases at the time of diagnosis. A unique subtype of HNSCC, cancer of unknown primary of the head and neck (HNCUP) is associated with a poor outcome. Increased expression of the D2-40 gene (podoplanin) has been described for several human malignancies and has been associated with increased metastatic potential of cancer cells.

Methods

In order to examine the role of podoplanin in lymph node metastasis of HNSCC generally and HNCUP specifically, we evaluated the prognostic impact of podoplanin expression in HNSCC- (n = 68) and HNCUP-associated lymph node metastases (n = 30). The expression of podoplanin was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of lymph node tissue samples and correlated with clinical and histopathological data.

Results

We found a non-significant tendency towards a higher podoplanin expression in HNCUP compared to HNSCC lymph node metastases and a significant correlation between a high podoplanin expression and advanced node-stage classification. Podoplanin expression had no significant impact on overall survival for both groups and did not correlate with human papillomavirus tumor status.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results suggest that upregulation of podoplanin may be associated with a stimulation of lymphatic metastasis in head and neck cancer.
Selling Breonna: Twitter Responses to Breonna Taylor on the Covers of O, The Oprah Magazine and Vanity Fair
Authors: Grant Rachel , Jenkins Joy , Cabas-Mijares Ayleen
Published: July 2022

Black women are largely invisible in mainstream media’s coverage of police brutality, despite the rise of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Breonna Taylor’s killing by police in March 2020 gained some media attention after George Floyd’s killing. To engage with BLM, O, The Oprah Magazine and Vanity Fair released special issues in September 2020 featuring Taylor’s portrait on the covers. This study examined the Twitter response to these covers to illuminate how mass media commodify Black womanhood. A critical discourse analysis (CDA) using an intersectional feminist lens revealed themes related to the profitability of Black death, gendered Black allegiance, and Black woman aesthetics.
Framing a Movement: Media Portrayals of the George Floyd Protests on Twitter
Authors: Cowart Holly S. , Blackstone Ginger E. , Riley Jeffrey K.
Published: July 2022

This study examines the way news media framed the protests following the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. It utilizes 510 tweets from 13 different U.S. media outlets in a mixed-methods content analysis of images tweeted by those media outlets. It looks at how protestors and police are portrayed as well as the role of race in the news images. Civil liberties, as opposed to law and order, are found to be a dominant frame. These findings suggest a change from previous research. Images of protestors were likely to include signs that are readable. Implications are discussed.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by ADHD Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wu Jinhui , Li Ping , Luo Hong , Lu You
Published: July 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to review the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and its different used types, characteristics of the studied cohorts, the reasoning for CAM use, and possible predictive factors for its use amongst ADHD patients.

Method:

The Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, and Scopus were searched from inception to 10 February 2022. All of the original papers published in English which report data on CAM use by patients with ADHD were included.

Results:

Twelve original researches including 4,447 patients were included. The prevalence of CAM use varied from 7.5% to 67.6%. The most-reported CAM modalities were dietary modifications and natural products. Moreover, higher parental education should be considered as a predictive factor for CAM use.

Conclusion:

CAM use by ADHD patients seems to be prevalent. Healthcare providers should be trained about the most commonly used CAM therapies and their possible adverse events.
The m6A RNA Modification Quantity and the Prognostic Effect of Reader YTHDC2 in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Tang Wentao , Chen Yijiao , Liu Yu , Xu Donghao , Jiang Yudong , Zhou Shizhao , Qin Xiaorui , Ren Li , Chang Wenju , Xu Jianmin
Published: July 2022

Background:

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays crucial roles in cancers. However, its alteration in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still poorly described. The purpose of this study is to explore the change of m6A modification and the function of m6A binding protein YTHDC2 in CRC.

Methods:

The global level of m6A modification was detected by mass spectrometry and dot blotting assay. The expression of YTHDC2 was investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas and using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry based on CRC tissues. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression were performed to analyze the prognostic value of YTHDC2. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)-seq and m6A immunoprecipitation (MeRIP)-seq were used to explore the direct targets of YTHDC2. Gene oncology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to explore the pathways that could be influenced by YTHDC2.

Results:

No significant difference was observed in the global level of m6A modification on total RNA or mRNA between CRC and adjacent nontumor tissues. We further found a significant decreasing of YTHDC2 in CRC tissues. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that lower expression of YTHDC2 was related to the worse disease-free survival and overall survival. In addition, lower expression of YTHDC2 was an independent worse prognostic factor in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Using YTHDC2-RIP-seq and MeRIP-seq, we identified that YTHDC2 could participate in several important biological signal pathways.

Conclusions:

In summary, this study suggested that the global level of m6A did not change in CRC and identified that lower YTHDC2 as a prognostic marker for worse survival of CRC.
The semiotic heritage of grunge and the distressed sneakers trend
Authors: Kulinicheva Ekaterina
Published: July 2022

This article offers a cultural biography of the distressed sneaker as a fashion item: the complex of stories, stereotypes and assessments that accumulates in our collective memory, and helps us determine our attitudes. It was found that the cultural associations that distressed aesthetics trigger are neither universal nor always immediately apparent. Two main narratives are built around reading such intentionally applied imperfections on sneakers as defect (the negative narrative) or as asset (the positive narrative). This article also calls attention to the process of negotiation of the meanings inside and outside fashion industry and conceptualizes the fashion aestheticization as an ongoing process of negotiation and tension between contradictory interpretations attributed to particular items or their distinctive features. In today’s media landscape, Barthes’ idea of the key role of written fashion needs to be reconceptualized from ‘a machine that makes Fashion’ into an arena where meanings of fashion are (re)negotiated.
From progressiveness to perfection: Mothers’ descriptions of their children in print media, 1970–1979 versus 2010–2019
Authors: Auðardóttir Auður Magndís
Published: July 2022

In this article, I address how mothers’ public discourse about their children has changed over time by analysing 130 interviews with mothers published in Icelandic magazines and newspapers in 1970–1979 and 2010–2019. The analysis is framed by scholarship on intensive mothering and the affective aspects of neoliberalism, including Berlant’s cruel optimism. The results show that in the former period, children are depicted as equality minded and independent, echoing the then public debate about mothers’ participation in the workforce and gender equality. In the latter era, the children are characterised as talented, perfect, happy and spiritually inspiring for the mothers. This stark contrast between the time periods suggests that today, the feeling-rules of neoliberalism influence mothers’ public portrayal of their children. In that way, children have become proxies to the neoliberal and competitive pursuit of perfection as well as perceived pathways to the personal enlightenment of adults.
“Octafen”: A Noninvestigational Alternative Endograft Configuration for the Treatment of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Katsarou Maria , Auyang Philip L. , Chinnadurai Ponraj , Bismuth Jean
Published: July 2022

Purpose:

To demonstrate the feasibility of Octafen technique, a novel endovascular configuration for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA).

Technique:

Two patients with complex TAAA and high surgical risk were treated with Octafen endograft configuration in a hybrid operating room with computed tomography (CT)-fluoroscopy image fusion guidance, using 3D-3D fusion techniques to facilitate procedural success. The procedure is a modification of the previously-described Octopus technique for endovascular repair of TAAA. The main advantage of this technique is the ability to use devices to repair a TAAA with the combination of off-the-shelf and noninvestigational custom-made devices. The devices used are readily available to most practicing vascular surgeons, which provides an alternative treatment in case of limited access to investigational devices, in time-sensitive cases, and in patients with limited functional capacity who cannot undergo open repair. In the modification described herein, we use a combination of standard bifurcated endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) devices (Excluder; W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Arizona) in combination with a 2-vessel renal fenestrated device (Z-Fen; Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana). The article describes a step-by-step approach to this technique to elucidate pitfalls, benefits, and advantages.

Conclusion:

The Octafen technique might offer an alternative option for thoracoabdominal aneurysm treatment circumventing the need for access to custom-made, investigational devices.

Clinical Impact

In this manuscript, we describe a technique for endovascular repair of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms that involves the combination of off-the-shelf and non-investigational, custom-made devices. The ‘Octafen’ technique provides a treatment alternative in case of limited access to investigational devices and can be adjusted according to patient anatomy.
Positive effect of immunomodulatory therapies on disease progression in Huntington’s disease? Data from a real-world cohort
Authors: Achenbach Jannis , Saft Carsten , Faissner Simon , Ellrichmann Gisa
Published: July 2022

Background:

The role of neuroinflammation and autoimmune processes in neurodegenerative diseases is not fully understood. Activation of microglia with expression of proinflammatory cytokines supports the hypothesis that immune processes may play an important role in the pathophysiology of Huntington’s disease (HD) and thus, immunomodulating therapies might have potential neuroprotective properties. Until now, no disease-modifying therapy (DMT) is available for HD.

Objective:

The aim of this research was to characterize a cohort of patients suffering from both HD and autoimmune demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (classified as G35-37 in ICD-10; ADD-CNS) in comparison to HD cases without ADD-CNS. In particular, we were interested to investigate potential modulating effects on disease manifestation and progression of HD over time of prescribed immunomodulating medications (DMT).

Methods:

We analyzed the course of HD regarding motoric, functional, and cognitive aspects, using longitudinal data of up to 2 years from the worldwide registry study ENROLL-HD. Additional cross-sectional data in the largest cohort worldwide of HD patients was analyzed using demographic and molecular genetic parameters. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for cross-sectional and repeated-measures ANOVA for longitudinal parameters in IBM SPSS Statistics V.27.

Results:

Within the ENROLL-HD database, we investigated N = 21,116 participants and identified n = 60 participants suffering from ADD-CNS. Molecular, genetic, and demographic data did not differ between groups. The subgroup of n = 32 participants with motor-manifest HD revealed better cognitive performance in five out of eight cognitive tests at baseline with less progression over time in two tests (all p < 0.05). Differentiation between DMT-treated and untreated patients revealed better cognitive and motor performance in the DMT group; those patients, however, tended to be younger. Pre-manifest HD patients simultaneously diagnosed with ADD-CNS ( n = 12) showed lower functional scores and more decline over time when compared with other pre-manifest HD ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Patients suffering from motor-manifest HD and simultaneously from ADD-CNS have better cognitive capacities compared with other motor-manifest HD patients. Moreover, DMTs might have beneficial effects on progression of neurodegeneration including the motor phenotype. However, this effect might have been biased by younger age in DMT-treated patients. Pre-manifest HD patients showed more functional impairment as expected due to their additional ADD-CNS disease.
An optimized prostate biopsy strategy in patients with a unilateral lesion on prostate magnetic resonance imaging avoids unnecessary biopsies
Authors: Jager Auke , van Riel Luigi A.M.J.G. , Postema Arnoud. W. , de Reijke Theo M. , van der Sluis Tim M. , Oddens Jorg R.
Published: July 2022

Purpose:

The introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsy (TBx) besides systematic prostate biopsies has resulted in a discussion on what the optimal prostate biopsy strategy is. The ideal template has high sensitivity for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), while reducing the detection rate of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (iPCa). This study evaluates different biopsy strategies in patients with a unilateral prostate MRI lesion.

Methods:

Retrospective subgroup analysis of a prospectively managed database consisting of patients undergoing prostate biopsy in two academic centres. Patients with a unilateral lesion (PI-RADS ⩾ 3) on MRI were included for analysis. The primary objective was to evaluate the diagnostic performance for different biopsy approaches compared with bilateral systematic prostate biopsy (SBx) and TBx. Detection rates for csPCa (ISUP ⩾ 2), adjusted csPCa (ISUP ⩾ 3) and iPCa (ISUP = 1) were determined for SBx alone, TBx alone, contralateral SBx combined with TBx and ipsilateral SBx combined with TBx. A subgroup analysis was performed for biopsy-naive patients.

Results:

A total of 228 patients were included from October 2015 to September 2021. Prostate cancer (PCa) detection rate of combined SBx and TBx was 63.5% for csPCa, 35.5% for adjusted csPCa, and 14% for iPCa. The best performing alternative biopsy strategy was TBx and ipsilateral SBx, which reached a sensitivity of 98.6% (95% CI: 95.1–99.6) for csPCa and 98.8% (95% CI: 96.3–99.9) for adjusted csPCa, missing only 1.4% of csPCa, while reducing iPCa detection by 15.6% compared with SBx and TBx. TBx or SBx alone missed a significant amount of csPCa, with sensitivities of 90.3% (95% CI: 84.4–94.2) and 86.8% (95% CI: 80.4–91.4) for csPCa. Subgroup analysis on biopsy-naive patients showed similar results as the overall group.

Conclusion:

This study shows that performing TBx with ipsilateral SBx and omitting contralateral SBx is the optimal biopsy strategy in patients with a unilateral MRI lesion. With this strategy, a very limited amount of csPCa is missed and iPCa detection is reduced.
Survival benefit of surgery in patients with clinical T4 esophageal cancer who achieved complete or partial response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy
Authors: Gao Lin-Rui , Li Chen , Han Weiming , Ni Wenjie , Deng Wei , Tan Lijun , Zhou Zongmei , Chen Dongfu , Feng Qinfu , Liang Jun , Lv Jima , Wang Wenqing , Liu Wenyang , Deng Lei , Wang Xin , Zhang Tao , Wang Jianyang , Zhai Yirui , Bi Nan , Wang Lvhua , Hui Zhouguang , Li Ye-Xiong , Xiao Zefen
Published: July 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the long-term survival of patients with cT4 esophageal cancer (EC) and whether neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy/radiotherapy plus surgery (nCRT/RT + S) is superior to definitive CRT(dCRT)/RT in terms of survival in cT4 EC downstaged after nCRT/RT.

Summary background data:

Treatment options for cT4 EC include dCRT/RT and nCRT/RT + S, but it is not clear whether the latter provides survival benefit in patients downstaged after nCRT/RT.

Methods:

From 2002 to 2017, 726 patients with cT4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients achieving clinical complete response (cCR) or partial response (PR) after 4-week RT (median dose, 40.7 Gy) and considered fit for surgery were offered esophagectomy. Of the 726 patients, 308 (42.4%) achieved cCR/PR, while 74 patients received subsequent surgery (nCRT/RT + S group), 234 patients received dCRT/RT.

Results:

Median follow-up was 58 months. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates for all patients were 33.3% and 35.6%, respectively. The corresponding OS and PFS rates were 54.8% and 48.5% in the nCRT/RT + S group versus 30.0% and 22.1% in the dCRT/RT group (both p < 0.0001). After adjusting the confounding variables with inverse probability of treatment weighting, the adjusted 3-year OS rates were 50.4% in the nCRT/RT + S group versus 50.8% in the dCRT/RT group ( p = 0.15). However, the adjusted 3-year PFS rates were significantly different between the two groups (49.0% and versus 38.3%, p = 0.004). Postoperative complications occurred in 18 (24.3%) patients.

Conclusion:

The long-term survival of cT4 ESCC was improved after the use of three-dimensional CRT. In cT4, EC responded to nCRT/RT, surgery improves PFS but not OS.
The economic value of liquid biopsy for genomic profiling in advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ezeife Doreen A. , Spackman Eldon , Juergens Rosalyn A. , Laskin Janessa J. , Agulnik Jason S. , Hao Desiree , Laurie Scott A. , Law Jennifer H. , Le Lisa W. , Kiedrowski Lesli A. , Melosky Barbara , Shepherd Frances A. , Cohen Victor , Wheatley-Price Paul , Vandermeer Rachel , Li Janice J. , Fernandes Roxanne , Shokoohi Aria , Lanman Richard B. , Leighl Natasha B.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Liquid biopsy (LB) can detect actionable genomic alterations in plasma circulating tumor circulating tumor DNA beyond tissue testing (TT) alone in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of adding LB to TT in the Canadian healthcare system.

Methods:

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a decision analytic Markov model from the Canadian public payer (Ontario) perspective and a 2-year time horizon in patients with treatment-naïve stage IV non-squamous NSCLC and ⩽10 pack-year smoking history. LB was performed using the comprehensive genomic profiling Guardant360™ assay. Standard of care TT for each participating institution was performed. Costs and outcomes of molecular testing by LB + TT were compared to TT alone. Transition probabilities were calculated from the VALUE trial (NCT03576937). Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to assess uncertainty in the model.

Results:

Use of LB + TT identified actionable alterations in more patients, 68.5 versus 52.7% with TT alone. Use of the LB + TT strategy resulted in an incremental cost savings of $3065 CAD per patient (95% CI, 2195–3945) and a gain in quality-adjusted life-years of 0.02 (95% CI, 0.01–0.02) versus TT alone. More patients received chemo-immunotherapy based on TT with higher overall costs, whereas more patients received targeted therapy based on LB + TT with net cost savings. Major drivers of cost-effectiveness were drug acquisition costs and prevalence of actionable alterations.

Conclusion:

The addition of LB to TT as initial molecular testing of clinically selected patients with advanced NSCLC did not increase system costs and led to more patients receiving appropriate targeted therapy.
The negative impact of timed intercourse in infertile couples: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Dasgupta Sujoy , Frodsham Leila CG , Yap Tet L , Patra Paramita , Chanda Abhyuday
Published: July 2022

Objective:

To study the differences in sexual dysfunction and time to pregnancy (TTP) between infertile couples pursuing timed intercourse (TI – around the time of ovulation) and regular intercourse (RI – at least twice a week).

Methods:

In this prospective cohort study, we recruited all infertile couples presenting to the regional infertility clinics from January 2016 to December 2018, pursuing TI ( n = 283) or RI ( n = 88), and having no pre-existing sexual or psychiatric illness, and no medical contraindications to frequent intercourse. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. The couples for whom natural conception was possible were followed up to determine TTP using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results:

TI significantly increased the risk of sexual dysfunction than RI for both males and females, even after adjusting for age, medical disorders, obesity, smoking, cause of infertility, and previous assisted reproductive techniques. TI increased the risk of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, male hypoactive sexual dysfunction, female sexual interest-arousal disorder, and female orgasmic disorder. The TTP for natural conception was similar between them.

Conclusion:

TI increased the risk of sexual dysfunction without accelerating the time to achieve pregnancy, compared with RI.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable
The Effectiveness of Perturbation-Based Training in the Treatment of Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alayat Mohamed Salaheldien Mohamed , Almatrafi Nahla Ahmad , El Fiky Amir Abdel Raouf , Elsodany Ahmed Mohamed , Shousha Tamer Mohamed , Basuodan Reem
Published: July 2022

Purpose:

To investigate the effectiveness of perturbation-based training (PBT) on balance and balance confidence in patients with stroke.

Methods:

Systematic searching was performed from inception to November 2021. The inclusion criteria were RCTs assessed the effectiveness of PBT in patients with stroke. Data regarding participants, intervention parameters, outcome measures, follow-up, and main results were extracted. The outcomes were balance and balance confidence. Methodological quality and quality of evidence were assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system; respectively.

Data analysis:

A total of 7 articles )271 patients) were included. A meta-analysis using a random-effect model was performed on 6 studies. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval was calculated for balance and balance confidence.

Results:

PEDro scale revealed 5 good-quality and 2 fair-quality studies. The currently available evidence showed significant effect of PBT in improving balance (SMD 0.60 [95% CI 0.15-1.06]; P = .01; very low-quality evidence) and non-significant in improving balance confidence (SMD 0.11 [95% CI −0.24 to 0.45]; P = .55; low-quality evidence).

Conclusion:

PBT may improve balance in patients with stroke, however its effect on balance confidence was limited. The quality of the evidence was low or very low with little confidence in the effect estimate, which suggests further high-quality trials are required.

Registration:

PROSPERO registration number (CRD42021291474).
Left Amygdala Functional Connectivity Decreased after Fear of Negative Events was Disregarded in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Hu Xian-Zhang
Published: July 2022

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating mental disorder that affects patients throughout their lives, leading to a diminished quality of life for patients and families, reduced productivity, and higher health care costs. It is of clinical and theoretical importance to investigate a more efficacious therapeutic approach for OCD and the neurophysiological mechanism underlying the efficacy of treatment, potentially associated with the etiology of OCD. Recently, a novel psychotherapy designated cognitive-coping therapy (CCT) has been reported to have a large effect size in OCD treatment. CCT hypothesizes that fear of negative events plays a crucial role in OCD. The study entitled “Decreased left amygdala functional connectivity by cognitive-coping therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder” attempted to investigate the potential neurophysiological mechanism underlying the efficacy of CCT for OCD. The study provides crystal evidence showing that 4-week pharmacotherapy plus CCT decreases the left amygdala seed-based functional connectivity (LA-FC) with the right anterior cingulate gyrus and the left paracentral lobule/the left superior parietal/left inferior parietal, and 4-week CCT decreases the LA-FC with the left middle occipital gyrus/the left superior parietal. The alteration of the LA-FC with the right anterior cingulate gyrus positively correlates to the reduction of the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) score. Therefore, it provides new insights into understanding the neurophysiology and neuropsychology behind the onset and treatment of OCD.
CMIC: an efficient quality score compressor with random access functionality
Authors: Chen Hansen , Chen Jianhua , Lu Zhiwen , Wang Rongshu
Published: July 2022

Background

Over the past few decades, the emergence and maturation of new technologies have substantially reduced the cost of genome sequencing. As a result, the amount of genomic data that needs to be stored and transmitted has grown exponentially. For the standard sequencing data format, FASTQ, compression of the quality score is a key and difficult aspect of FASTQ file compression. Throughout the literature, we found that the majority of the current quality score compression methods do not support random access. Based on the above consideration, it is reasonable to investigate a lossless quality score compressor with a high compression rate, a fast compression and decompression speed, and support for random access.

Results

In this paper, we propose CMIC, an adaptive and random access supported compressor for lossless compression of quality score sequences. CMIC is an acronym of the four steps (classification, mapping, indexing and compression) in the paper. Its framework consists of the following four parts: classification, mapping, indexing, and compression. The experimental results show that our compressor has good performance in terms of compression rates on all the tested datasets. The file sizes are reduced by up to 21.91% when compared with LCQS. In terms of compression speed, CMIC is better than all other compressors on most of the tested cases. In terms of random access speed, the CMIC is faster than the LCQS, which provides a random access function for compressed quality scores.

Conclusions

CMIC is a compressor that is especially designed for quality score sequences, which has good performance in terms of compression rate, compression speed, decompression speed, and random access speed. The CMIC can be obtained in the following way:https://github.com/Humonex/Cmic.
Analysis of gastric microbiome reveals three distinctive microbial communities associated with the occurrence of gastric cancer
Authors: Liu Dehua , Zhang Rutong , Chen Si , Sun Baolin , Zhang Kaiguang
Published: July 2022

Background

Gastric microbial dysbiosis were reported to be associated with gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to explore the variation, diversity, and composition patterns of gastric bacteria in stages of gastric carcinogenesis based on the published datasets.

Methods

We conducted a gastric microbial analysis using 10 public datasets based on 16S rRNA sequencing, including 1270 gastric biopsies of 109 health control, 183 superficial gastritis (SG), 135 atrophic gastritis (AG), 124 intestinal metaplasia (IM), 94 intraepithelial neoplasia (IN), 344 GC, and 281 adjacent normal tissues. And QIIME2-pipeline, DESeq2, NetMoss2, vegan, igraph, and RandomForest were used for the data processing and analysis.

Results

We identified three gastric microbial communities among all the gastric tissues. The first community (designate as GT-H) was featured by the high abundance of Helicobacter. The other two microbial communities, namely GT-F, and GT-P, were featured by the enrichment of phylum Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, respectively. The distribution of GC-associated bacteria, such as Fusobacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus, and Veillonella were enriched in tumor tissues, and mainly distributed in GT-F type microbial communities. Compared with SG, AG, and IM, the bacterial diversity in GC was significantly reduced. And the strength of microbial interaction networks was initially increased in IM but gradually decreased from IN to GC. In addition, Randomforest models constructed in in GT-H and GT-F microbial communities showed excellent performance in distinguishing GC from SG and precancerous stages, with varied donated bacteria.

Conclusions

This study identified three types of gastric microbiome with different patterns of composition which helps to clarify the potential key bacteria in the development of gastric carcinogenesis.
Efficacy of using an intravenous catheter to repair damaged expansion lines of endotracheal tubes and laryngeal masks
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Jiang , Lu Yao , Liu Xuesheng , Chen Shangui
Published: July 2022

Background

 In perioperative care or intensive care units, the expansion lines of endotracheal tubes (ETTs) or laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) may be accidentally cut off during medical procedures. We designed a simple method for repairing damaged ETT and LMA expansion lines.

Methods

 In this in vitro study, ETT (n = 20) or LMA (n = 20) models were each categorized into experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. In the experimental groups, the expansion lines were cut in the middle, and a 22G intravenous catheter was inserted into the broken end of each expansion line. The time taken to repair the expansion lines was recorded in both experimental groups. The repaired expansion lines in both groups were tested for visible underwater air leakage with cuffs under high pressure (120 cm H2O). After 15 h, the cuff pressure and tensile strength of the expansion lines were measured.

Results

 The overall time required to repair the expansion line was 27.8 ± 1.5 s in the ETT group and 20.4 ± 1.1 s in the LMA group. When the cuff pressure was increased to 120 cmH2O, no air leakage was observed in the experimental LMA and ETT groups. The mean difference in the cuff pressures of the control and experimental groups was insignificant for both, ETT (9.50 ± 1.29 vs. 9.50 ± 1.08 cmH2O, 95% CI =  − 1.11 to 1.11 cmH2O, P = 1.00) and LMA (34.1 ± 1.10 cmH2O vs. 34.5 ± 0.97 cmH2O, 95% CI =  − 0.57 to 1.37 cmH2O, P = 0.40) groups, The tensile strength and the force required to pull apart the expansion lines in the experimental groups were lower than those in the control groups for ETTs (3.32 ± 0.37 N vs. 35.03 ± 4.47 N, 95% CI =  − 34.69 to − 28.72 N, P < 0.0001) and LMAs (36.55 ± 2.20 N vs. 26.18 ± 1.67 N, 95% CI =  − 12.21 to − 8.53 N, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

 An intravenous catheter can be directly inserted into the damaged ETT or LMA expansion lines; it is a simple, rapid, and effective repair method.
Latent dependency classes according to the need for help: a population-based analysis for the older population
Authors: Marroig Alejandra , Sánchez-Laguardia Guillermo , Colacce Maira , Córdoba Julia , Muniz-Terrera Graciela
Published: July 2022

Background

Older adults living in the community may have daily needs for help to perform different types of activities. In developing countries, older adults face the additional challenge of lacking sufficient economic means to face their increasing needs with ageing, and health and social policies may be under pressure. The aim of this study was to assess dependency in the older population from a developing country using a latent class approach to identify heterogeneity in the type of activities in which dependent older adults require help.

Methods

In this cross-sectional evaluation of dependency, we considered individuals aged 60 years and older from a nationally representative study (N = 5138) in Uruguay. We fitted latent class regressions to analyse dependency, measured by the need for help to perform Activities of Daily Living, adjusted by sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Four latent classes were identified, 86.4% of the individuals were identified as non-dependent, 7.4% with help requirements to perform instrumental activities while individuals in the other two classes need help to perform all types of activities with different degrees (4.3 and 1.9%). Less educated women are more likely to be in the group with needs in instrumental activities.

Conclusions

The heterogeneous patterns of dependency have to be addressed with different services that meet the specific needs of dependent older adults.
A hybrid type I, multi-center randomized controlled trial to study the implementation of a method for Sustained cord circulation And VEntilation (the SAVE-method) of late preterm and term neonates: a study protocol
Authors: Ekelöf Katarina , Sæther Elisabeth , Santesson Anna , Wilander Maria , Patriksson Katarina , Hesselman Susanne , Thies-Lagergren Li , Rabe Heike , Andersson Ola
Published: July 2022

Background

An intact umbilical cord allows the physiological transfusion of blood from the placenta to the neonate, which reduces infant iron deficiency and is associated with improved development during early childhood. The implementation of delayed cord clamping practice varies depending on mode of delivery, as well as gestational age and neonatal compromise. Emerging evidence shows that infants requiring resuscitation would benefit if respiratory support were provided with the umbilical cord intact. Common barriers to providing intact cord resuscitation is the availability of neonatal resuscitation equipment close to the mother, organizational readiness for change as well as attitudes and beliefs about placental transfusion within the multidisciplinary team. Hence, clinical evaluations of cord clamping practice should include implementation outcomes in order to develop strategies for optimal cord management practice.

Methods

The Sustained cord circulation And Ventilation (SAVE) study is a hybrid type I randomized controlled study combining the evaluation of clinical outcomes with implementation and health service outcomes. In phase I of the study, a method for providing in-bed intact cord resuscitation was developed, in phase II of the study the intervention was adapted to be used in multiple settings. In phase III of the study, a full-scale multicenter study will be initiated with concurrent evaluation of clinical, implementation and health service outcomes. Clinical data on neonatal outcomes will be recorded at the labor and neonatal units. Implementation outcomes will be collected from electronic surveys sent to parents as well as staff and managers within the birth and neonatal units. Descriptive and comparative statistics and regression modelling will be used for analysis. Quantitative data will be supplemented by qualitative methods using a thematic analysis with an inductive approach.

Discussion

The SAVE study enables the safe development and evaluation of a method for intact cord resuscitation in a multicenter trial. The study identifies barriers and facilitators for intact cord resuscitation. The knowledge provided from the study will be of benefit for the development of cord clamping practice in different challenging clinical settings and provide evidence for development of clinical guidelines regarding optimal cord clamping.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov,NCT04070560. Registered 28 August 2019.