bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of globalisation, remittances and human capital on environmental quality: Evidence from landlocked African countries
Authors: Yameogo Claire Emilienne Wati , Mushtaq Rizwan , Zafar Muhammad Wasif , Zaidi Syed Anees Haider , Al‐Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: June 2023

Studying environmental quality is essential for promoting sustainable development and ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for all, as it directly affects human health, well‐being, and quality of life. This paper looks at how globalisation, remittances, human capital, foreign direct investment, and financial growth affect carbon dioxide emissions in landlocked African countries from 1980 to 2018. The study looks at the elasticities between study factors by using second‐generation tests, as well as Continuously‐updated and Fully Modified (Cup‐FM) and Continuously‐updated and Bias‐Corrected (Cup‐BC) tests. The results show that remittances, human capital, natural resources, and income growth all make the environment worse by increasing CO2 emissions, whilst globalisation, foreign direct investment, and financial development all make it better by reducing emissions. The panel causality analysis shows that there are two ways in which transfers and CO2 emissions cause each other, but only one way in which CO2 emissions cause globalisation. Globalisation should be implemented sustainably to avoid irreversible long‐term environmental impacts that deprive future generations of the chance to prosper or maintain their quality of life. It should also empower people and reduce inequality in landlocked countries.
Outcomes and cost‐effectiveness comparisons of progestin‐primed ovarian stimulation, GnRH antagonist protocol, and luteal phase stimulation for fertility preservation
Authors: Zhao Weie , Sun Peng , Li Tingting , Li Yongfang , Liang Xiaoyan , Li Jingjie
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare the clinical outcomes and cost‐effectiveness of progestin‐primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) and the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone‐antagonist (GnRH‐A) protocol in fertility preservation (FP) in cancer patients. The stimulation option when patients were in the luteal phase was also explored.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed clinical data from 163 patients who underwent FP. The number of retrieved oocytes and vitrified oocytes/embryos, total dose of gonadotropin, duration of stimulation, number of injections, and cost were compared among the PPOS, GnRH‐A, and luteal phase stimulation (LPS) groups.

Results

No significant differences were noted in the numbers of retrieved oocytes and vitrified oocytes/embryos among the three groups. In the multiple regression model, age (P = 0.02) and antral follicle count (AFC) (P < 0.001), but not the controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols (P = 0.586), were associated with the number of retrieved oocytes. The number of injections and the cost were all significantly lower in the PPOS and LPS groups than in the GnRH‐A group(P < 0.001).

Conclusion

PPOS had similar clinical results but was superior medically and economically to GnRH‐A. For patients in the luteal phase, LPS was an optional protocol with similar outcomes and costs to PPOS.
Approach to dealing with acute heart failure in cats and dogs
Authors: Hezzell Melanie
Published: June 2023

Background: Unfortunately, heart disease is common in both dogs and cats and may eventually result in congestive heart failure (CHF). However, the clinical signs of CHF overlap with other causes of respiratory compromise. As such, differentiating cardiac from non‐cardiac causes of respiratory distress is a common diagnostic challenge in emergency veterinary practice. The general principles of heart failure management can be applied to a broad range of cardiac diseases; identifying a cardiac cause for the clinical signs is therefore more important than making a definitive diagnosis in the acute phase of heart failure. Nevertheless, there is no ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ recipe for treatment and the approach needs to be tailored to the individual (eg, severity of clinical signs, comorbidities, patient demeanour and so on). Although the information in this article is organised linearly, the approach to an emergency case seldom follows the structure used in more stable patients. For example, a dog or cat presenting with significant dyspnoea will typically require treatment (eg, supplementary oxygen ± light sedation) before physical examination and diagnostic testing, and some diagnostic tests may need to be postponed until the patient is stable enough to safely undergo them; therefore, the initial treatment plan is often based on a working, rather than a definitive, diagnosis.

Aim of the article: This article provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of acute heart failure, highlighting similarities and differences between dogs and cats. The aim is to help practitioners approach these cases with more confidence.
Diagnosis and management of facial bone suturitis (suture exostosis) in horses
Authors: Dixon Padraic
Published: June 2023

Background: Facial swellings are a common presenting sign in horses and can have many causes. Some swellings can be caused by significant disorders such as sinus cysts, sinonasal neoplasia or dental abscessation, which require immediate diagnosis and treatment. However, facial swellings similar to some of these disorders may also be caused by facial suturitis and these may cause great concern to some horse owners.

Aim of the article: This article describes the anatomy of the equine facial sutures and explains the known causes and the clinical and ancillary diagnostic findings of equine facial suturitis, so that practitioners can confidently make a diagnosis and advise clients of its usually innocuous nature. Management of cases with suture infections is also described.
Evidence‐based recruitment. Part 3: from onboarding to integration
Authors: Perrin Hannah
Published: June 2023

In parts one and two of this series, I explored research on the most effective components of recruitment advertising, and good practice for recruitment and selection of applicants. In this final article I discuss the literature on the third stage of recruitment: bringing a new person on board and integrating them into the team.
Local‐level water conservation and management practices in rural communities: A case study in Dormaa Municipality, Bono Region, Ghana
Authors: Sedegah Daniella Delali , Agyekum Martin Wiredu , Kyeremeh Bernard
Published: June 2023

Studies on water conservation strategies and local approaches to water resource management among rural people in Ghana and sub‐Saharan Africa are scarce. This study examined water conservation and management practices among rural communities in Dormaa Municipality. We adopted a concurrent mixed‐method approach using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and ATLAS.ti, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to predict the factors associated with the conservation of improved sources of water and reliability of water management by Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). The findings show that 84.4% of the respondents conserve improved sources of water, and 83.6% do not rely on the management of water by the GWCL. Binary logistic regression shows that education, household size and income were significantly associated with the conservation of improved sources of water, while age, marital status and ownership of a house were associated with the reliability of water management by GWCL. Some of the challenges encountered in water management are the unavailability of persons committed to the management of boreholes and the non‐payment of electricity bills. The study recommends policy intervention in technical and material support for effective water conservation and management in rural communities.
Turning the tide: Addressing threats to pharmacist well‐being through work redesign
Authors: Reed Brent N.
Published: June 2023

The Great Resignation marked a dramatic return to the steady, rising rate of job turnover that began over a decade ago, and recent reports suggest the profession of pharmacy is no exception. Rising concerns about pharmacist turnover follow a wave of articles about the prevalence of burnout in nearly every corner of the profession. However, this should come as no surprise, as burnout and turnover are often progressively worsening symptoms of the same disease: a toxic work environment. This review suggests that many current efforts to improve burnout in pharmacy will have limited impact because they place too much emphasis on individuals and not enough of it on the environments in which they work. Scientific frameworks for understanding burnout as a problem originating from work are discussed, distinguishing burnout from other dimensions of health and well‐being. These frameworks are then followed by an integration of empiric evidence from the organizational sciences and illustrative examples from pharmacy practice to explain how burnout emerges from an imbalance of job demands (e.g., workload, time pressure, work‐life conflict) and job resources (e.g., autonomy, rewards, social support). The review concludes with a proposed course correction—one that positions organizational leaders as the people who are best equipped to address burnout at its source through a structured process known as work redesign. By doing so, leaders can create work environments that not only reduce the risk of burnout among pharmacists but also enhance their ability to thrive.
A hand‐held optical coherence tomography angiography scanner based on angiography reconstruction transformer networks
Authors: Liao Jinpeng , Yang Shufan , Zhang Tianyu , Li Chunhui , Huang Zhihong
Published: June 2023

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has successfully demonstrated its viability for clinical applications in dermatology. Due to the high optical scattering property of skin, extracting high‐quality OCTA images from skin tissues requires at least six‐repeated scans. While the motion artifacts from the patient and the free hand‐held probe can lead to a low‐quality OCTA image. Our deep‐learning‐based scan pipeline enables fast and high‐quality OCTA imaging with 0.3‐s data acquisition. We utilize a fast scanning protocol with a 60 μm/pixel spatial interval rate and introduce angiography‐reconstruction‐transformer (ART) for 4× super‐resolution of low transverse resolution OCTA images. The ART outperforms state‐of‐the‐art networks in OCTA image super‐resolution and provides a lighter network size. ART can restore microvessels while reducing the processing time by 85%, and maintaining improvements in structural similarity and peak‐signal‐to‐noise ratio. This study represents that ART can achieve fast and flexible skin OCTA imaging while maintaining image quality.
Hemodynamic alterations response to Chinese acupuncture therapy monitored by a custom near‐infrared spectroscopy probe with an open hole
Authors: Gao Chenyang , Jia Lanyu , Ma Minghua , Zhang Xinyang , Li Ting
Published: June 2023

Traditional acupuncture, a popular traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique, has demonstrated potential in relieving various ailments' symptoms. However, its black‐box feedback loop model has limited proper evaluation and use by unskilled practitioners. This study aimed to analyze hemodynamic signals around acupoints during acupuncture to identify significant parameter changes. We designed hollow near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) probes for real‐time measurements during acupuncture at acupoints, monitoring oxy‐hemoglobin (HbO), deoxy‐hemoglobin (Hb), and blood volume (HbT) changes. Acupuncture was performed on the “Xuehai” acupoint in 17 healthy subjects, with NIRS measuring hemodynamic alterations. Results showed significant and consistent increases in Hb and HbT around the acupoint, returning to baseline values after needle removal. One case of fainting revealed a significant Hb increase and HbO decrease. Acupuncture may induce tissue vasodilation and enhance oxygen consumption. This research provides a potential explanation for acupuncture's mechanism and emphasizes NIRS's potential in TCM.
Diffuse pancreatic parenchymal atrophy, an imaging finding predictive of the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A case–control study
Authors: Koiwai Akinobu , Hirota Morihisa , Matsuura Tomonori , Itoh Takehito , Kin Ryo , Katayama Tomofumi , Endo Katsuya , Takasu Atsuko , Kogure Takayuki , Murakami Kazuhiro , Satoh Kennichi
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer, partly because its early detection is difficult. This study aimed to identify computed tomography (CT) findings associated with PDAC prior to diagnosis.

Methods

Past CT images were retrospectively collected from the PDAC group (n = 54) and the control group (n = 90). The following imaging findings were compared: pancreatic mass, main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation with or without cutoff, cyst, chronic pancreatitis with calcification, partial parenchymal atrophy (PPA), and diffuse parenchymal atrophy (DPA). In the PDAC group, CT findings were examined during the pre‐diagnostic period and 6–36 months and 36–60 months before diagnosis. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression.

Results

MPD dilatation with cutoff (P < 0.0001) and PPA (P = 0.023) were identified as significant imaging findings 6–36 months before diagnosis. DPA was identified as a novel imaging finding at 6–36 months (P = 0.003) and 36–60 months (P = 0.009) before diagnosis.

Conclusion

DPA, MPD dilatation with cutoff, and PPA were identified as imaging findings associated with pre‐diagnostic PDAC.
Gamma irradiation delays tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ripening by inducing transcriptional changes
Authors: Yoon Ki‐Nam , Yoon Yeong‐Seok , Hong Hae‐Jung , Park Jong‐Heum , Song Beom‐Seok , Eun Jong‐Bang , Kim Jae‐Kyung
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) has a relatively short shelf life as a result of rapid ripening, limiting its transportability and marketability. Recently, gamma irradiation has emerged as a viable method for delaying tomato fruit ripening. Although few studies have shown that gamma irradiation delays the ripening of tomatoes, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effects of gamma irradiation on tomato fruit ripening and the underlying mechanisms using transcriptomics.

RESULTS

Following gamma irradiation, the total microbial count, weight loss, and decay rate of tomatoes significantly reduced during storage. Furthermore, the redness (a*), color change (∆E), and lycopene content of gamma‐irradiated tomatoes decreased in a dose‐dependent manner during storage. Moreover, gamma irradiation significantly upregulated the expression levels of genes associated with DNA, chloroplast, and oxidative damage repairs, whereas those of ethylene and auxin signaling‐, ripening‐, and cell wall metabolism‐related, as well as carotenoid genes, were downregulated.

CONCLUSION

Gamma irradiation effectively delayed ripening by downregulating the expression of ripening‐related genes and inhibiting microbial growth, which prevented decay and prolonged the shelf life of tomatoes. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Smell and Taste Loss Associated with COVID‐19 Infection
Authors: Mitchell Margaret B. , Workman Alan D. , Rathi Vinay K. , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of COVID‐19 on olfactory and gustatory function in US adults.

Methods

From the 2021 Adult National Health Interview Survey, demographic and survey‐specific module data concerning COVID‐19 diagnoses, testing and disease severity, and data quantifying disturbances and eventual recovery of smell and taste were extracted. Sample weights were applied to obtain nationally representative statistics. The overall rate of COVID‐19 infection was determined, and those diagnosed with COVID‐19 were analyzed with respect to disease severity, smell and taste disturbance, and respective recoveries.

Results

In 2021, 35.8 million or 14% of the adult population (95% CI 13.5–14.7%; mean age, 43.9 years; 53.8% female) had been diagnosed with COVID‐19. Among those, 60.5% (58.6–62.5%) and 58.2% (56.2–60.1%) reported accompanying losses  in smell or taste, respectively; there was a significant association between overall COVID‐19 symptom severity and smell (p < 0.001) and taste disturbance (p < 0.001). Following infection, 72.2% (69.9–74.3%), 24.1% (22.2–26.2%), and 3.7% (3.0–4.6%) of the patients experienced complete, partial, and no smell recovery, respectively. Recovery rates for gustatory function paralleled olfaction, with 76.8% (74.6–78.9%), 20.6% (18.7–22.7%), and 2.6 (1.9–3.4%) reporting complete, partial, and no recovery of taste, respectively. When sensory disturbance was present, severity of overall symptomatology was negatively associated with smell and taste recovery (p < 0.001 for each).

Conclusion

The majority of adults infected with COVID‐19 in 2021 experienced olfactory or gustatory dysfunction with a non‐negligible population reporting incomplete or no near‐term sensory recovery. Our results are useful for providers counseling patients and suggest that interventions lessening overall COVID‐19 symptom burden may prevent prolonged sensory dysfunction.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2357–2361, 2023
Unidirectional Transverse Light Scattering in Notched Silicon Nanosphere
Authors: Matsumori Akira , Sugimoto Hiroshi , Fujii Minoru
Published: June 2023

A nanoantenna that has the capability to direct light to a preferred direction is of paramount importance in a variety of applications in nanophotonics. Directional light scattering by a nanoantenna is achieved by properly controlling the interference between the electric and magnetic multipolar modes. In this work, it is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated that introduction of a small perturbation, i.e., a formation of a notch, to a Mie resonant silicon nanosphere (Si NS) results in the formation of a unique structure exhibiting unidirectional transverse light scattering in the visible range. Based on comprehensive numerical simulations including exact multipole decomposition analyses, the mechanism of the unidirectional transverse scattering is discussed. It is also shown that a notched Si NS can generate a relatively large transverse optical force as the recoil of the unidirectional transverse scattering. Finally, notched Si NSs are fabricated by a solution‐based process. By combining incident‐angle resolved single particle scattering spectroscopy with numerical simulations, directional transverse light scattering of a notched Si NS is confirmed.
How efficient is laser therapy for telangiectasias, spider veins, and cherry angiomas?—A study using dynamic optical coherence tomography
Authors: Harst Katrin , Welzel Julia , Schuh Sandra
Published: June 2023

Objectives

A clinical study to investigate the effectiveness of pulsed dye laser (PDL) versus Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of telangiectasias, spider veins and cherry angiomas. Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D‐OCT) was introduced as an innovative follow‐up tool for evaluation of blood flow within superficial vessels and to allow visualization of morphological changes of the vasculature in vivo. The final aim of this study was to demonstrate a possible treatment benefit comparing both laser types.

Materials and Methods

Vessel structures of 102 skin lesions were documented photographically and dermoscopically. Subsequently, lesions were imaged using optical coherence tomography before laser therapy (a), directly after the treatment (p) and after a follow‐up 4–6 weeks after laser treatment. All lesions were treated using either a 595 nm PDL or a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. Two main vessel parameters, namely density and diameter, and their possible changes during follow‐up were observed in 150/300/500 µm penetration depth using D‐OCT and were subsequently compared between both treatment groups. Other analyzed vessel parameters were depth of the plexus, mean diameter, mean density, top edge of the vessel, columns, and spikes.

Results

Both laser types are suitable options for the treatment of vascular skin lesions, with the most significant effect on cherry angiomas. PDL shows better results treating smaller vessels in upper skin regions, in comparison to Nd:YAG laser, achieving better results on deeper vessels, like spider veins. Using the applied laser settings, there was no statistically significant effect on telangiectasias.

Conclusion

D‐OCT represents a new, noninvasive imaging method to evaluate blood flow and vessel morphology in the follow‐up of telangiectasias, spider veins, and cherry angiomas, which underwent laser therapy.
Comparison of Er:YAG and CO2 laser therapy for women with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Li Pei‐Chen , Ding Dah‐Ching
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of Er:YAG and CO2 laser therapies for treating female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

This retrospective study included 139 women who were divided into four groups: group 1 received two therapy sessions with the Er:YAG laser, group 2 received two therapy sessions with the CO2 laser, group 3 received one therapy session with the Er:YAG laser, and group 4 received one therapy session with the CO2 laser. Patients completed three questionnaires to assess SUI symptom severity at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after laser therapy.

Results

Urinary incontinence symptoms significantly improved in groups 1 and 2 at both the 1‐ and 3‐month follow‐up evaluations compared to the baseline (p < 0.001). Symptoms improved after one therapy session in groups 3 and 4 at the 3‐month follow‐up (p < 0.001). The Er:YAG laser was more effective than the CO2 laser in improving SUI symptoms (Urogenital Distress Inventory 6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7) 3 months after treatment, regardless of the number of sessions. Both Er:YAG and CO2 laser therapies were found to be effective in reducing symptoms associated with an overactive bladder, as demonstrated by improvements in overactive bladder symptom scores. Two sessions of laser therapy were more effective than one.

Conclusion

Vaginal laser therapy could be an effective alternative treatment for mild to moderate SUI. The Er:YAG laser was more effective than CO2 laser therapy, with results lasting for at least 3 months. However, further large‐scale, randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.
Optimal behavior of weighted Hardy operators on rearrangement‐invariant spaces
Authors: Mihula Zdeněk
Published: June 2023

The behavior of certain weighted Hardy‐type operators on rearrangement‐invariant function spaces is thoroughly studied. Emphasis is put on the optimality of the obtained results. First, the optimal rearrangement‐invariant function spaces guaranteeing the boundedness of the operators from/to a given rearrangement‐invariant function space are described. Second, the optimal rearrangement‐invariant function norms being sometimes complicated, the question of whether and how they can be simplified to more manageable expressions is addressed. Next, the relation between optimal rearrangement‐invariant function spaces and interpolation spaces is investigated. Last, iterated weighted Hardy‐type operators are also studied.
Consumer–machine relationships in the age of artificial intelligence: Systematic literature review and research directions
Authors: Pentina Iryna , Xie Tianling , Hancock Tyler , Bailey Ainsworth
Published: June 2023

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of AI‐based social applications in the market have propelled research on the possibility of consumers developing relationships with AI. Motivated by the diversity of approaches and inconsistent findings in this emerging research stream, this systematic literature review analyzes 37 peer‐reviewed empirical studies focusing on human–AI relationships published between 2018 and 2023. We identify three major theoretical domains (social psychology, communication and media studies, and human–machine interactions) as foundations for conceptual development, and detail theories used in the reviewed papers. Given the radically new nature of social AI innovation, we recommend developing a novel theoretical approach that would synergistically utilize cross‐disciplinary literature. Analysis of the methodology indicates that quantitative studies dominate this research stream, while qualitative, longitudinal, and mixed‐method approaches are used infrequently. Examination of research models and variables used in the studies suggests the need to reconceptualize factors and processes of human–AI relationship, such as agency, autonomy, authenticity, reciprocity, and empathy, to better correspond to the social AI context. Based on our analysis, we propose an integrative conceptual framework and offer directions for future research that incorporate the need to develop a comprehensive theory of human ‐ AI relationships, explore the nomological networks of its key constructs, and implement methodological variety and triangulation.
Interfacially Polymerized β‐Cyclodextrin Film for Rapid Removal of Organic Dyes
Authors: Li Na , Yang Xiaoqin , Zuo Shuang , Liu Guijun , Shen Leilei , Liu Dan , Geng Rongqing , Wang Jin
Published: June 2023

Porous cyclodextrin‐based polymers are widely used for the rapid removal of organic pollutants in water. Traditional cyclodextrin‐based polymers are prepared in the organic phase, which is time consuming and costly. Herein, a novel cyanuricchloride (TCT) cross‐linked porous β‐cyclodextrin‐based thin‐film composite membrane is designed in the aqueous phase by interfacial polymerization. A self‐standing TCT‐CDP film is formed instantly at the surface of water phase at room temperature. Several different water‐soluble organic dyes such as Methylene Blue, Neutral Red, Auramine, Brilliant Green, and Crystal Violet are selected for rejection study with TCT‐CDP membrane. The effective rejection of TCT‐CDP membrane for typical dyes is up to 99%, indicating TCT‐CDP membrane exhibit excellent selectivity for separation of organic dyes from water.
The relationship of nutritional status with anticancer immunity and its prognostic value for head and neck cancer
Authors: Chen Miao‐Fen , Chen Yu‐Yen , Chen Wen‐Cheng , Hsieh Ching‐Chuan
Published: June 2023

Malnutrition has been reported to be associated with reduced survival and deficient anticancer immunity, and undernourishment is a frequent comorbidity in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between nutritional status and immunologic factors, and its prognostic value for HNC. We retrospectively reviewed 212 HNC patients who had undergone a nutrition evaluation based on the Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‐SGA) and curative radiotherapy (RT). The role of nutritional status in the prognosis of HNC and its correlation with anticancer immune response was assessed in HNC patients, and in the 4‐nitroquinoline 1‐oxide (4NQO)‐induced tongue tumor animal model. Our data revealed that malnutrition (high PG‐SGA scores) was significantly associated with more advanced disease, lower body mass index, lower RT completion rates, and reduced survival. Patients in the group with high PG‐SGA scores had a higher neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, higher proportion of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and elevated IL‐6 levels in the peripheral circulation. Patients with increased PG‐SGA scores following treatment were more likely to developing locoregional failure. In the 4NQO‐induced tumor model, nutritional supplementation decreased the rate of invasive tumor formation and attenuated the immune‐suppressive microenvironment. Following ectopic tumor implantation in an immunocompetent host, nutrition supplements decreased tumor growth in association with attenuated MDSC recruitment and lower IL‐6 expression. In conclusion, malnutrition by PG‐SGA was associated with poor prognosis in HNC patients. Based on the data of HNC patients and the 4NQO‐tumor model, adequate nutritional supplementation might improve the prognosis associated with augmented anticancer immunity.
Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in follicular fluid cooperatively promote the oncogenesis of high‐grade serous carcinoma from fallopian tube epithelial cells: Dissection of the molecular effects
Authors: Chu Tang‐Yuan , Khine Aye Aye , Wu Na‐Yi Yuan , Chen Pao‐Chu , Chu Sung‐Chao , Lee Ming‐Hsun , Huang Hsuan‐Shun
Published: June 2023

Incessant ovulation is believed to be a potential cause of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Our previous investigations have shown that insulin‐like growth factor (IGF2) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) contributed to the malignant transformation initiated by p53 mutations. Here we examined the individual and synergistic impacts of IGF2 and HGF on enhancing the malignant properties of high‐grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most aggressive type of EOC, and its precursor lesion, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). In a mouse xenograft co‐injection model, we observed that FF co‐injection induced tumorigenesis of STIC‐mimicking cells, FE25. Co‐injection with IGF2 or HGF partially recapitulated the tumorigenic effects of FF, but co‐injection with both resulted in a higher tumorigenic rate than FF. We analyzed the different transformation phenotypes influenced by these FF growth signals through receptor inhibition. The IGF signal was necessary for clonogenicity, while the HGF signal played a crucial role in the migration and invasion of STIC and HGSC cells. Both signals were necessary for the malignant phenotype of anchoring‐independent growth but had little impact on cell proliferation. The downstream signals responsible for these HGF activities were identified as the tyrosine‐protein kinase Met (cMET)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase and cMET/AKT pathways. Together with the previous finding that the FF‐IGF2 could mediate clonogenicity and stemness activities via the IGF‐1R/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin and IGF‐1R/AKT/NANOG pathways, respectively, this study demonstrated the cooperation of the FF‐sourced IGF and HGF growth signals in the malignant transformation and progression of HGSC through both common and distinct signaling pathways. These findings help develop targeted prevention of HGSC.
Judge sets deadline to end New Hampshire boarding of patients in crisis
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: June 2023

A federal judge has given New Hampshire officials exactly one year to end the state's long‐standing practice of boarding individuals who are in mental health crisis in hospital emergency rooms while waiting for an appropriate placement. But an announcement from the state just two days after last month's judicial order appears to set out a more extended timetable for mental health service expansions that would end the need for boarding.
MHA pilot prioritizes emotional well‐being of HC workers
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2023

Observing that frontline health care workers are still experiencing stress, burnout, grief, fatigue, anxiety and trauma from the impact of COVID‐19, Mental Health America (MHA) worked with five affiliates across five states to pilot culturally responsive, evidence‐based projects to serve these workers and their families.
On the role of optimization in the cancer treatment by radiation therapy (RT)
Authors: Chaharborj Sarkhosh Seddighi , Yarahmadian Shantia
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we present a mathematical model that analyzes cancer treatment via radiotherapy and proposes ways to control its progression. To identify preventive measures for cancer in its early stages, scientists have studied both risk factors and protective factors. In our model, we consider the disease‐free equilibrium points, namely, the trivial equilibrium (TE), healthy cell absenteeism equilibrium (HCAE), cancer cell absenteeism equilibrium (CCAE), and cancer cell incidence equilibrium (CCIE). We use nonlinear analysis techniques and the spectral radius method to study the stability and instability of systems. Since the reproduction number plays a critical role in stability analysis, we use the spectral radius method to evaluate it. We have also added a control function to the model to enhance it by including interactions between healthy and cancer cells. Optimization techniques are used to identify the limitations and needs of the problem and derive the best solutions to control the tumor. We conduct sensitivity analysis with respect to various parameters to study the model's robustness. To validate our methods and results, we provide simulations and numerical analysis.
A strategic approach to safeguard global supply chains against COVID‐19 disruptions
Authors: Mzougui Ilyas , Carpitella Silvia , Certa Antonella , Izquierdo Joaquín
Published: June 2023

The global system of supply chains has been dramatically disrupted over the last years due to the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic. In these current challenging times, this paper proposes a methodological approach for managing dependence and uncertainty in dynamic industrial scenarios. A detailed study of epidemic effects is carried out according to an operational management‐based perspective. We proceed by analyzing connections among effects and risks potentially leading to significant supply chain disturbances through a multicriteria approach. Risks and effects are weighted by applying the Analytic Network Process (ANP). Weighted risks are then assumed as criteria for selecting the most suitable contingency strategy. To this aim, the Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS) is able to rank a set of strategies by addressing and quantifying uncertainty. A case study on the sector of the automotive industry is implemented to validate the proposed methodological approach.
Boundary value problems for a second‐order elliptic partial differential equation system in Euclidean space
Authors: Alfonso Santiesteban Daniel , Abreu Blaya Ricardo , Bory Reyes Juan
Published: June 2023

Let
be a bounded regular domain, let
be the standard Dirac operator in
, and let
be the Clifford algebra constructed over the quadratic space
. For
fixed,
denotes the space of
‐vectors in
. In the framework of Clifford analysis, we consider two boundary value problems for a second‐order elliptic system of partial differential equations of the form
in
, where
is a smooth
‐vector valued function. The boundary conditions of the problems contain the inner and outer products of the
‐vector solution
with both the Dirac operator and the normal vector to
, ensuring the well‐posedness for the problems. Investigation of the spectral properties of the sandwich operator
is considered by using the Fredholm theory. Finally, it is shown that satisfactory problem‐solving properties, in general, fail when we replace the standard Dirac operator by those, obtained via unusual orthogonal bases of
.
Implementing failure mode and effect analysis to improve the safety of volumetric modulated arc therapy for total body irradiation
Authors: Gray Tara , Antolak Alexander , Ahmed Saeed , Magnelli Anthony , Lu Lan , Cho Young‐Bin , Qi Peng , Xia Ping , Cherian Sheen , Murphy Erin , Kilic Sarah , Zura Kim , Rankin Emily , Schulte Jenna , Kovacs Tiffany , Guo Bingqi
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Volumetric‐modulated arc therapy for total body irradiation (VMAT‐TBI) is a novel radiotherapy technique that has been implemented at our institution. The purpose of this work is to investigate possible failure modes (FMs) in the treatment process and to develop a quality control (QC) program for VMAT‐TBI following TG‐100 guidelines.

Methods

We formed a multidisciplinary team to map out the complete treatment process of VMAT‐TBI following the AAPM TG‐100 guidelines. This process map gives a visual representation of the VMAT‐TBI workflow from the CT simulation, image processing, contouring, treatment planning, to treatment delivery. From the process map, potential FMs were identified. The occurrence (O), detectability (D), and severity of impact (S) of each FM were assigned according to scoring criteria (1–10) by the multidisciplinary team. A risk priority number (RPN) was calculated from average O, S, and D of each FM (RPN = O x S x D). High risk FMs were identified as 20% of the FMs having the highest RPN scores. After the FMEA analysis, fault‐tree analysis (FTA) was performed for each major step of the treatment process to determine the effects of potential failures to the treatment outcome. Effective QC methods were identified to prevent the high risk failures and to improve the safety of the VMAT‐TBI program.

Results

We identified a total of 55 sub‐processes and 128 FMs from the VMAT‐TBI workflow. The top five high‐risk FMs were: (1) Prescription and/or OAR constraints changed during planning and not communicated to the planner, (2) Patient moves or breathes too heavily during the upper body CT scan (3) Patient moves during the lower body CT scan, (4) Treatment planning system not calculating total body DVH metrics correctly for TBI, (5) Improper optimization criteria used or not sufficient optimization, resulting in suboptimal dose coverage, OAR sparing or excessive hotspots during treatment planning. Two FMs have average severity scores ≥8: Incorrect PTV subdivision/isocenter placement and Prescription and/or OAR constraints changed during planning and not communicated to the planner. Quality assurance and QC interventions including staff training, standard operating procedures, and quality checklists were implemented based on the FMEA and FTA.

Conclusion

FM and effect analysis was performed to identify high‐risk FMs of our VMAT‐TBI program. FMEA and FTA were effective in identifying potential FMs and determining the best quality management (QM) measures to implement in the VMAT‐TBI program.
Progressively refined deep joint registration segmentation (ProRSeg) of gastrointestinal organs at risk: Application to MRI and cone‐beam CT
Authors: Jiang Jue , Hong Jun , Tringale Kathryn , Reyngold Marsha , Crane Christopher , Tyagi Neelam , Veeraraghavan Harini
Published: June 2023

Background

Adaptive radiation treatment (ART) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) requires consistently accurate segmentation of the extremely mobile gastrointestinal (GI) organs at risk (OAR) including the stomach, duodenum, large and small bowel. Also, due to lack of sufficiently accurate and fast deformable image registration (DIR), accumulated dose to the GI OARs is currently only approximated, further limiting the ability to more precisely adapt treatments.

Purpose

Develop a 3‐D Progressively refined joint Registration‐Segmentation (ProRSeg) deep network to deformably align and segment treatment fraction magnetic resonance images (MRI)s, then evaluate segmentation accuracy, registration consistency, and feasibility for OAR dose accumulation.

Method

ProRSeg was trained using five‐fold cross‐validation with 110 T2‐weighted MRI acquired at five treatment fractions from 10 different patients, taking care that same patient scans were not placed in training and testing folds. Segmentation accuracy was measured using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance at 95th percentile (HD95). Registration consistency was measured using coefficient of variation (CV) in displacement of OARs. Statistical comparison to other deep learning and iterative registration methods were done using the Kruskal‐Wallis test, followed by pair‐wise comparisons with Bonferroni correction applied for multiple testing. Ablation tests and accuracy comparisons against multiple methods were done. Finally, applicability of ProRSeg to segment cone‐beam CT (CBCT) scans was evaluated on a publicly available dataset of 80 scans using five‐fold cross‐validation.

Results

ProRSeg processed 3D volumes (128 × 192 × 128) in 3 s on a NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPU. It's segmentations were significantly more accurate () than compared methods, achieving a DSC of 0.94 ±0.02 for liver, 0.88±0.04 for large bowel, 0.78±0.03 for small bowel and 0.82±0.04 for stomach‐duodenum from MRI. ProRSeg achieved a DSC of 0.72±0.01 for small bowel and 0.76±0.03 for stomach‐duodenum from public CBCT dataset. ProRSeg registrations resulted in the lowest CV in displacement (stomach‐duodenum : 0.75%, : 0.73%, and : 0.81%; small bowel : 0.80%, : 0.80%, and : 0.68%; large bowel : 0.71%, : 0.81%, and : 0.75%). ProRSeg based dose accumulation accounting for intra‐fraction (pre‐treatment to post‐treatment MRI scan) and inter‐fraction motion showed that the organ dose constraints were violated in four patients for stomach‐duodenum and for three patients for small bowel. Study limitations include lack of independent testing and ground truth phantom datasets to measure dose accumulation accuracy.

Conclusions

ProRSeg produced more accurate and consistent GI OARs segmentation and DIR of MRI and CBCTs compared to multiple methods. Preliminary results indicates feasibility for OAR dose accumulation using ProRSeg.
MagMet: A fully automated web server for targeted nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics of plasma and serum
Authors: Rout Manoj , Lipfert Matthias , Lee Brian L. , Berjanskii Mark , Assempour Nazanin , Fresno Rosa Vazquez , Cayuela Arnau Serra , Dong Ying , Johnson Mathew , Shahin Honeya , Gautam Vasuk , Sajed Tanvir , Oler Eponine , Peters Harrison , Mandal Rupasri , Wishart David S.
Published: June 2023

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analysis of biofluids can be a time‐consuming process, requiring the expertise of a trained operator. With NMR becoming increasingly popular in the field of metabolomics, there is a growing need to change this paradigm and to automate the process. Here we introduce MagMet, an online web server, that automates the processing and quantification of 1D 1H NMR spectra from biofluids—specifically, human serum/plasma metabolites, including those associated with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). MagMet uses a highly efficient data processing procedure that performs automatic Fourier Transformation, phase correction, baseline optimization, chemical shift referencing, water signal removal, and peak picking/peak alignment. MagMet then uses the peak positions, linewidth information, and J‐couplings from its own specially prepared standard metabolite reference spectral NMR library of 85 serum/plasma compounds to identify and quantify compounds from experimentally acquired NMR spectra of serum/plasma. MagMet employs linewidth adjustment for more consistent quantification of metabolites from higher field instruments and incorporates a highly efficient data processing procedure for more rapid and accurate detection and quantification of metabolites. This optimized algorithm allows the MagMet webserver to quickly detect and quantify 58 serum/plasma metabolites in 2.6 min per spectrum (when processing a dataset of 50–100 spectra). MagMet's performance was also assessed using spectra collected from defined mixtures (simulating other biofluids), with >100 previously measured plasma spectra, and from spiked serum/plasma samples simulating known IEMs. In all cases, MagMet performed with precision and accuracy matching the performance of human spectral profiling experts. MagMet is available at http://magmet.ca.
Refined mean‐field approximation for discrete‐time queueing networks with blocking
Authors: Pan Yang , Shi Pengyi
Published: June 2023

We study a discrete‐time queueing network with blocking that is primarily motivated by outpatient network management. To tackle the curse of dimensionality in performance analysis, we develop a refined mean‐field approximation that deals with changing population size, a nonconventional feature that makes the analysis challenging within the existing literature. We explicitly quantify the convergence rate for this approximation as with being the system size. Not only is this convergence better than the convergence proven in prior work, but our approximation shows a significant improvement in performance prediction accuracy when the system size is small, compared to the conventional (unrefined) mean‐field approximation. This accuracy makes our approximation appealing to support decision‐making in practice.
Frailty in Non‐geriatric Patients With Head and Neck cancer
Authors: Bakas Ajay T. , Polinder‐Bos Harmke A. , Streng Fleur , Mattace‐Raso Francesco U.S. , Ziere Gijsbertus , de Jong Rob J. Baatenburg , Sewnaik Aniel
Published: June 2023

Objective

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are characterized by a poor lifestyle and comorbidity. The Geriatric 8 (G8) is an established screening tool to identify frail older patients with cancer. However, studies evaluating frailty in younger HNC patients are lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the G8 can identify frailty and if it is related to mortality in younger HNC patients.

Study Design

Case‐control study design.

Setting

Tertiary cancer center.

Methods

We studied patients <70 years with HNC. Patients with G8 ≤ 14 were considered frail. Patients were matched to nonfrail (G8 > 14) control patients. Patients were matched according to sex, age, smoking, tumor location, and period of first consultation. Baseline health characteristics were compared between frail patients and nonfrail controls. Second, the treatment plan and adverse outcomes were compared.

Results

Forty‐five patients with G8 ≤ 14 were included and matched to 90 nonfrail controls. The median follow‐up time was 357 days. Frail patients had a significantly lower body mass index and level of education, a worse World Health Organization performance status, and reported lower experienced overall health. 28.9% of the frail patients died after 1 year versus 10% of the nonfrail control patients (hazard ratio: 3.87 [95% confidence interval: 1.32‐11.36], p = 0.014).

Conclusion

The G8 is a valid screening tool to identify frail patients in younger HNC patients.
Branchio‐oto‐renal syndrome with submucous cleft palate: A case report
Authors: Takaoka Shohei , Yanagawa Toru , Kimura Airi , Uchida Fumihiko , Yamagata Kenji , Bukawa Hiroki
Published: June 2023

Background

Branchio‐oto‐renal (BOR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by malformations of the second branchial arch, hearing impairments, and renal anomalies.

Case presentation

A male infant diagnosed with BOR syndrome presents with an asymmetrical face, forehead protrusion, auricle dysplasia, left external auditory canal closure, hearing impairment, mandibular hypoplasia, submucous cleft palate, facial nerve palsy, renal atrophy, and malalignment of the second toe. Palatoplasty was performed.

Conclusion

This case report and related literature review have contributed to existing knowledge regarding BOR syndrome, a rare disorder.