bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy‐converting biomaterials for cancer therapy: Category, efficiency, and biosafety
Authors: Dong Lile , Li Wenjuan , Sun Lining , Yu Luodan , Chen Yu , Hong Guobin
Published: August 2020

Energy‐converting biomaterials (ECBs)‐mediated cancer‐therapeutic modalities have been extensively explored, which have achieved remarkable benefits to overwhelm the obstacles of traditional cancer‐treatment modalities. Energy‐driven cancer‐therapeutic modalities feature their distinctive merits, including noninvasiveness, low mammalian toxicity, adequate therapeutic outcome, and optimistical synergistic therapeutics. In this advanced review, the prevailing mainstream ECBs can be divided into two sections: Reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐associated energy‐converting biomaterials (ROS‐ECBs) and hyperthermia‐related energy‐converting biomaterials (H‐ECBs). On the one hand, ROS‐ECBs can transfer exogenous or endogenous energy (such as light, radiation, ultrasound, or chemical) to generate and release highly toxic ROS for inducing tumor cell apoptosis/necrosis, including photo‐driven ROS‐ECBs for photodynamic therapy, radiation‐driven ROS‐ECBs for radiotherapy, ultrasound‐driven ROS‐ECBs for sonodynamic therapy, and chemical‐driven ROS‐ECBs for chemodynamic therapy. On the other hand, H‐ECBs could translate the external energy (such as light and magnetic) into heat for killing tumor cells, including photo‐converted H‐ECBs for photothermal therapy and magnetic‐converted H‐ECBs for magnetic hyperthermia therapy. Additionally, the biosafety issues of ECBs are expounded preliminarily, guaranteeing the ever‐stringent requirements of clinical translation. Finally, we discussed the prospects and facing challenges for constructing the new‐generation ECBs for establishing intriguing energy‐driven cancer‐therapeutic modalities.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology >Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Ventricular Cryoinjury as a Model to Study Heart Regeneration in Zebrafish
Authors: Marques Ines J. , Sanz-Morejón Andrés , Mercader Nadia
Published: August 2020

Zebrafish have the capacity to regenerate most of its organs upon injury, including the heart. Due to its amenability for genetic manipulation, the zebrafish is an excellent model organism to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms promoting heart regeneration. Several cardiac injury models have been developed in zebrafish, including ventricular resection, genetic ablation, and ventricular cryoinjury. This chapter provides a detailed protocol of zebrafish ventricular cryoinjury and highlights factors and critical steps to be considered when performing this method.
It Started with the Arts and Now It Concerns All Sectors: The Case of Smart, a Cooperative of ‘Salaried Autonomous Workers’
Authors: Murgia Annalisa , de Heusch Sarah
Published: August 2020

This chapter aims to analyse how new forms of collective organisation can be developed to counteract the ongoing process of precarisation and individualisation of labour. In particular, attention is paid to the Smart cooperative, an interesting laboratory exploring new forms of solidarity within a general trend characterised by the lack of trade unionisation and labour organisation. Smart is a cooperative of ‘salaried autonomous workers’ created in Belgium in the late 1990s to support freelance artists in a way that allows them to work autonomously while also accessing a salaried status, which provides the best social protection. Over the years, Smart realised that it was offering opportunities to support the careers not only of creative workers but more generally of freelancers, who work in a wide range of economic sectors and experience very different working and income conditions. In this chapter, we investigate, through the example of Smart, how a cooperative model can develop new forms of collective organisation and autonomy among artists and creative workers, and how this model can also address the lack of bridging solidarity and enact a compositional project able to support a broader range of workers in different employment sectors.
Understanding the Development of Technical Universities in Poland
Authors: Antonowicz Dominik
Published: August 2020

The chapter examines the past, discusses the present and speculates about the future outlook of technical universities, which perform an important though often undervalued role in Polish higher education. The study offers an interesting analysis of – undoubtedly under-researched type of higher education institutions – that have a strong organisational identity, which has been seriously challenged by turmoil arising from political and economic transformations. By doing so, it explores the historical foundation of Polish technical universities while seeking in the past answers to questions about their organisational attributes and behavior as strategic actors. The analysis shows that over the years, technical universities have proved their stability and acknowledged their loyalty to traditional modes of professional education, which remains a pivotal part of their organisational identity. However, despite historically entrenched distinctness, the demarcation line between technical universities and other higher education institutions becomes disputable. It is partly due to HE expansion, partly due to marketization of higher education and perhaps most profoundly as an unintended outcome of uniform policy measures deployed by the government. This chapter claims that paradoxically, while the traditional institutional identity of technical universities remains distinctively strong, the profile of HEIs is getting fuzzy as well as the organisational characteristics of different types of HEIs.
Abflussverzögerung – wie Abfluss gebremst werden kann
Authors: Seibert Simon P. , Auerswald Karl
Published: August 2020

Ansatzpunkte zur Reduktion der Fließgeschwindigkeit sind vielseitig und erstrecken sich über den kompletten Fließpfad, wodurch zahlreiche Akteure einen Beitrag leisten können. Flächige, flurstücksinterne Maßnahmen erhöhen die Oberflächenrauheit, längs durchflossene begrünte Abflussmulden, Kleinstrückhaltebecken in der landwirtschaftlichen Flur, Flurgliederung und Flächenarrangement, Gestaltung von Gräben und Rohren, Wege- und Wasserführung beeinflussen die Fließgeschwindigkeit jenseits der Flurstücke in unterschiedlichem, quantifizierbarem Maß. Je nach Schutzbedarf ist das Zusammenwirken mehrerer Maßnahmen notwendig, um den Abflussscheitel ausreichend zu mindern.
Anwendungsbeispiel zur quantitativen Abschätzung von Abflusssituation und Abflussminderung
Authors: Seibert Simon P. , Auerswald Karl
Published: August 2020

Zu Illustration der vorgestellten Methoden wird die Verringerung von Oberflächenabfluss und Abflussscheitel für ein Planungsgebiet vorgestellt, das in der Vergangenheit häufiger von kleinen Überschwemmungen betroffen war. Dazu werden zunächst Abflussentstehung und Konzentrationszeit bestimmt und daraus die Scheitelabflussrate bei Starkregen berechnet. Anschließend werden die Einflüsse der Grabengestaltung auf Wellenablauf und Scheitelabflussrate und die Wirkungen einer flächendeckenden Mulchdirektsaat (Bodenbedeckung ≥ 30 %) berechnet. Durch die Kombination der Maßnahmen wäre eine Reduktion des Abflussscheitels um bis zu 80 % möglich.
5d SCFTs from decoupling and gluing
Authors: Apruzzi Fabio , Schäfer-Nameki Sakura , Wang Yi-Nan
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We systematically analyse 5d superconformal field theories (SCFTs) obtained by dimensional reduction from 6d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) SCFTs. Such theories have a realization as M-theory on a singular Calabi-Yau threefold, from which we determine the so-called combined fiber diagrams (CFD) introduced in [1–3]. The CFDs are graphs that encode the superconformal flavor symmetry, BPS states, low energy descriptions, as well as descendants upon flavor matter decoupling. To obtain a 5d SCFT from 6d, there are two approaches: the first is to consider a circle-reduction combined with mass deformations. The second is to circle-reduce and decouple an entire gauge sector from the theory. The former is applicable e.g. for very Higgsable theories, whereas the latter is required to obtain a 5d SCFT from a non-very Higgsable 6d theory. In the M-theory realization the latter case corresponds to decompactification of a set of compact surfaces in the Calabi-Yau threefold. To exemplify this we consider the 5d SCFTs that descend from non-Higgsable clusters and non-minimal conformal matter theories. Finally, inspired by the quiver structure of 6d theories, we propose a gluing construction for 5d SCFTs from building blocks and their CFDs.
Vacuum stability in inert higgs doublet model with right-handed neutrinos
Authors: Jangid Shilpa , Bandyopadhyay Priyotosh , Dev P.S. Bhupal , Kumar Arjun
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We analyze the vacuum stability in the inert Higgs doublet extension of the Standard Model (SM), augmented by right-handed neutrinos (RHNs) to explain neutrino masses at tree level by the seesaw mechanism. We make a comparative study of the high- and low-scale seesaw scenarios and the effect of the Dirac neutrino Yukawa couplings on the stability of the Higgs potential. Bounds on the scalar quartic couplings and Dirac Yukawa couplings are obtained from vacuum stability and perturbativity considerations. These bounds are found to be relevant only for low-scale seesaw scenarios with relatively large Yukawa couplings. The regions corresponding to stability, metastability and instability of the electroweak vacuum are identified. These theoretical constraints give a very predictive parameter space for the couplings and masses of the new scalars and RHNs which can be tested at the LHC and future colliders. The lightest non-SM neutral CP-even/odd scalar can be a good dark matter candidate and the corresponding collider signatures are also predicted for the model.
TAME DISCRETE SETS IN ALGEBRAIC GROUPS
Authors: WINKELMANN J.
Published: August 2020

Rosay and Rudin introduced the notion of tame discrete subsets of the affine complex space and investigated their properties. We generalize this theory to the case of a complex linear algebraic group with trivial character group.
Positive solutions for anisotropic singular $$\varvec{(p,q)}$$-equations
Authors: Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Scapellato Andrea
Published: August 2020

We consider a nonlinear elliptic Dirichlet problem driven by the anisotropic (p, q)-Laplacian and with a reaction which is nonparametric and has the combined effects of a singular and of a superlinear terms. Using variational tools together with truncation and comparison techniques, we show that the problem has at least two positive smooth solutions.
Impact on mental health care and on mental health service users of the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods survey of UK mental health care staff
Authors: Johnson Sonia , Dalton-Locke Christian , Vera San Juan Norha , Foye Una , Oram Sian , Papamichail Alexandra , Landau Sabine , Rowan Olive Rachel , Jeynes Tamar , Shah Prisha , Sheridan Rains Luke , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor , Carr Sarah , Killaspy Helen , Gillard Steve , Simpson Alan ,   The COVID-19 Mental Health Policy Research Unit Group, Bell Andy , Bentivegna Francesca , Botham Joseph , Edbrooke-Childs Julian , Goldsmith Lucy , Grünwald Lisa , Harju-Seppänen Jasmine , Hatch Stephani , Henderson Claire , Howard Louise , Lane Rebecca , Ledden Sarah , Leverton Monica , Lomani Jo , Lyons Natasha , McCrone Paul , Ntephe Chukwuma U. , Ocloo Josephine Enyonam , Osborn David , Pilling Steve , Poursanidou Konstantina , Scott Hannah Rachel , Steare Thomas , Stuart Ruth , Tomlin André , Turner Kati , Tzouvara Vasiliki
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has potential to disrupt and burden the mental health care system, and to magnify inequalities experienced by mental health service users.

Methods

We investigated staff reports regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in its early weeks on mental health care and mental health service users in the UK using a mixed methods online survey. Recruitment channels included professional associations and networks, charities, and social media. Quantitative findings were reported with descriptive statistics, and content analysis conducted for qualitative data.

Results

2,180 staff from a range of sectors, professions, and specialties participated. Immediate infection control concerns were highly salient for inpatient staff, new ways of working for community staff. Multiple rapid adaptations and innovations in response to the crisis were described, especially remote working. This was cautiously welcomed but found successful in only some clinical situations. Staff had specific concerns about many groups of service users, including people whose conditions are exacerbated by pandemic anxieties and social disruptions; people experiencing loneliness, domestic abuse and family conflict; those unable to understand and follow social distancing requirements; and those who cannot engage with remote care.

Conclusion

This overview of staff concerns and experiences in the early COVID-19 pandemic suggests directions for further research and service development: we suggest that how to combine infection control and a therapeutic environment in hospital, and how to achieve effective and targeted tele-health implementation in the community, should be priorities. The limitations of our convenience sample must be noted.
Sharing the neighbourhood: assessing the impact of kelp harvest on foraging behaviour of the European shag
Authors: Christensen-Dalsgaard Signe , Mattisson Jenny , Norderhaug Kjell Magnus , Lorentsen Svein-Håkon
Published: August 2020

Coastal kelp forest ecosystems create dynamic and productive habitats, supporting a wide range of epiphytic flora, invertebrates, fish and seabirds. Worldwide, kelp is harvested commercially, affecting kelp-associated animal communities. There is, however, limited knowledge of how fish and seabird respond to kelp harvest, highlighting the need to evaluate the ecological impact of harvest on all ecosystem levels. Using 6 years of GPS-tracking data, we examined the effects of kelp harvest on foraging behaviour of breeding European shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) from a colony in central Norway. We determined the spatial overlap between kelp harvest and foraging areas of shags and assessed the immediate, short- and long-term impacts of harvest on shag foraging behaviour. Our results demonstrated large spatial and temporal overlap in areas used by foraging shags and kelp harvest. We could not detect any clear alterations in the diving activity of shags due to kelp harvest. However, the broad temporal and spatial scale of our study constrained the detection of fine scale changes in shag behaviour in response to kelp harvest. Our study, nonetheless, identifies several issues that should be addressed before concluding on the effects of kelp harvest on seabird populations. This includes the need for experimental studies using directed and controlled harvest to investigate the effects of kelp harvest through the different trophic levels, including top predators. This is essential for ecosystem-based management of coastal resources, considering the many species composed in the coastal ecosystem.
Ecological performance differs between range centre and trailing edge populations of a cold-water kelp: implications for estimating net primary productivity
Authors: King Nathan G. , Moore Pippa J. , Pessarrodona Albert , Burrows Michael T. , Porter Joanne , Bue Mathilde , Smale Dan A.
Published: August 2020

Kelp forests are extensive, widely distributed and highly productive. However, despite their importance, reliable estimates of net primary productivity (NPP) are currently unknown for most species and regions. In particular, how performance and subsequent NPP change throughout a species range is lacking. Here, we attempted to resolve this by examining growth and performance of the boreal kelp,Laminariadigitata, from range centre and trailing edge regions in the United Kingdom. During the peak growth season (March/April), range-centre individuals were up to three times heavier and accumulated biomass twice as fast as their trailing-edge counterparts. This was not apparent during the reduced growth season (August/September), when populations within both regions had similar biomass profiles. In total, annual NPP estimates were considerably lower for trailing-edge (181 ± 34 g C m−2year−1) compared to range-centre (344 ± 33 g C m−2year−1) populations. Our first-order UK estimates of total standing stock and NPP forL. digitatasuggest this species makes a significant contribution to coastal carbon cycling. Further work determining the ultimate fate of this organic matter is needed to understand the overall contribution of kelp populations to regional and global carbon cycles. Nevertheless, we highlight the need for large-scale sampling across multiple populations and latitudes to accurately evaluate kelp species’ contributions to coastal carbon cycling.
Dual-Plane Retro-pectoral Versus Pre-pectoral DTI Breast Reconstruction: An Italian Multicenter Experience
Authors: Ribuffo Diego , Berna Giorgio , De Vita Roy , Di Benedetto Giovanni , Cigna Emanuele , Greco Manfredi , Valdatta Luigi , Onesti Maria Giuseppina , Lo Torto Federico , Marcasciano Marco , Redi Ugo , Quercia Vittorio , Kaciulyte Juste , Cherubino Mario , Losco Luigi , Mori Francesco Luca Rocco , Scalise Alessandro
Published: August 2020

Background

The use of conservative mastectomies has risen significantly during the last few years. The reconstructive choice of direct-to-implant reconstruction has become more practicable with modern mastectomy techniques. The initial trend in Italian centers was to use dual-plane hybrid reconstruction. However, a high level of complications has been registered. From 2015 onward, in our centers, a pre-pectoral approach has been adopted. The authors sought to describe the Italian trend to gradually discard the sub-pectoral technique with lower lateral pole coverage of the prosthesis using ADMs comparing it with the pre-pectoral approach with ADMs, without any muscle dissection, in terms of complication rates.

Materials and Methods

A multicenter retrospective clinical study was performed from January 2010 to June 2018. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: Cases with an ADM-only coverage pre-pectoral reconstruction made up the first group (Group 1). Those with the retro-pectoral muscular position + ADM implant coverage comprised the second one (Group 2). Complications such as seroma, hematoma, wound dehiscence, surgical site infection, reconstruction failure, animation deformity and capsular contracture were recorded.

Results

We performed 716 direct-to-implant reconstructions: 509 were partially sub-pectoral and 207 were pre-pectoral. Minimum follow-up was 1 year. Incidence of complications was higher in dual-plane reconstructions. There were statistical significant differences in the rates of seroma and hematoma.

Conclusion

Using the pre-pectoral approach, the authors have experienced favorable aesthetics and superior clinical and functional outcomes. Retro-pectoral muscular ADM implant coverage has to be considered only in specific complicated second-stage surgeries.

Level of Evidence V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Versus Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Adrenalectomy: A Systematic Review by an Updated Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Gavriilidis Paschalis , Camenzuli Christian , Paspala Anna , Di Marco Aimee N. , Palazzo Fausto F.
Published: August 2020

Background

Two main minimal access adrenalectomy techniques are available: laparoscopic transperitoneal (LTA) and posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA). This study aims to compare these approaches in an updated meta‐analysis of randomised controlled (RCT) and non‐randomised comparative (NRT) trials.

Methods

A systematic search of comparative LTA and PRA studies was performed. Standard demographic and surgical data were recorded. Outcome measures compared included: operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), conversion to open, post‐operative pain, time to oral intake and ambulation, early morbidity, hospital length of stay (HLOS) and mortality. Quality of RCTs and NRTs was assessed using Cochrane and ROBINS‐I, respectively, and heterogeneity using the I2 test. Dichotomous and continuous variables were compared using odds ratios and mean/standard difference. Studies were then combined using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Meta‐analysis was performed by fixed‐ and random‐effect models.

Results

Following exclusions, 12 studies were included in the analysis: 3 RCTs and 9 NRTs. These reported a total of 775 patients: 341 (44%) PRA and 434 (56%) LTA. Demographics were similar except for tumour size which was smaller (by 0.78 cm) in PRA (p = 0.003). Significant differences in outcome were seen in EBL (18 mls less in PRA, p = 0.006), time to oral intake (3.4 h sooner in PRA p = 0.009) and HLOS (shorter in PRA by 0.84 day, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrates that while PRA tends to be performed for smaller tumours it allows for less EBL, earlier post‐operative oral intake and shorter hospital stays. In appropriately selected patients, it represents an invaluable tool in the endocrine surgeon's armamentarium.
An extension of LDEO5 model for ENSO ensemble predictions
Authors: Gao Yanqiu , Liu Ting , Song Xunshu , Shen Zheqi , Tang Youmin , Chen Dake
Published: August 2020

This study provided an extension to the latest version of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observation (LDEO5) prediction system. First, an ensemble coupled data assimilation (CDA) system, based on the Ensemble Kalman Filter, was established. Both the Kaplan sea surface temperature (SST) data from January 1856 to December 2018 and the ECMWF twentieth century reanalysis (ERA-20C) wind data from January 1900 to February 2010 were assimilated for prediction initialization. Second, an ensemble prediction (EP) system was established using stochastic optimal perturbation that represented the uncertainty in the physical process. The assimilation experiments showed that assimilating multi-source data yielded better results than assimilating single-source data. The analyses of Niño3.4 SST anomalies and zonal wind stress (ZWS) anomalies were in good agreement with the observed counterparts, respectively. The root mean square errors of both Niño3.4 SST anomalies and ZWS anomalies were found to be significantly reduced, compared to the values obtained before assimilation. The modeled upper layer depth anomalies along the equator, and subsurface temperature anomalies in the Niño3.4 region were also found to be similar to the observed counterparts. A long-term ensemble hindcast was conducted using the EP system for the past 163 years, from January 1856 to December 2018. Results showed that the predictions initialized by assimilating multi-source data yielded best deterministic skill, reaching the international advanced level. A comparative analysis revealed that the EP system predicted the warm events well, followed by cold and neutral events.
Fertility and reproductive outcome after tubal ectopic pregnancy: comparison among methotrexate, surgery and expectant management
Authors: Baggio Silvia , Garzon Simone , Russo Anna , Ianniciello Cesare Quintino , Santi Lorenza , Laganà Antonio Simone , Raffaelli Ricciarda , Franchi Massimo
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To compare fertility and reproductive outcome after surgical, medical, and expectant management for tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP).

Methods

133 of 228 patients, who were managed between January 2012 and December 2017 for a tubal EP, tried to conceive immediately after treatment: 86 out of 173 (49.7%) underwent surgical treatment; 38 (21.9%) were treated with methotrexate (MTX), and 49 (28.3%) had expectant management. Clinical data were retrieved by medical records, fertility outcomes were obtained by phone follow-up. The cumulative incidence (CI) of intrauterine clinical pregnancy (CP), miscarriage, live birth (LB), and recurrent EP, and the time between treatment and first intrauterine CP were compared between women treated with MTX, surgery and expectant management.

Results

The CI of intrauterine CP starting from 12 months after the EP was 65.3% for the expectant management, 55.3% for the MTX group, and 39.5% for surgery (p = 0.012). Post-hoc analysis showed expectant management having higher intrauterine CP and LB, and shorter time between treatment and first intrauterine CP compared to surgery (p < 0.05). The CI of recurrent EP was comparable between the 3 groups. The analysis stratified per βhCG cut-off of 1745 mUI/mL and EP mass cut-off of 25 mm reported consistent results.

Conclusions

Women successfully managed by expectation appear to have better reproductive outcomes compared to women who underwent surgery, with the shortest time to achieve a subsequent intrauterine CP. Therefore, if safely applicable the expectant management should be considered in the case of tubal EP. The fact that the chosen treatment was primarily guided by the βhCG value and EP mass diameter based on the protocol, which is intrinsically related to the characteristics of the EP, represents the main limitation of the present study. Indeed, we cannot completely exclude that the observed differences between treatments are related to the EP itself instead of the treatment.
Robotic “Double Loop” Roux-en-Y gastric bypass reduces the risk of postoperative internal hernias: a prospective observational study
Authors: Rebecchi Fabrizio , Ugliono Elettra , Palagi Silvia , Genzone Alessandro , Toppino Mauro , Morino Mario
Published: August 2020

Background

Internal herniation (IH) is a potentially serious complication after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The aim of the study is to evaluate the incidence of IH after robot-assisted RYGB (RA-RYGB) performed with the “Double Loop” technique at our Institution.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of patients submitted to RA-RYGB with the “Double Loop” technique, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patients with complaints of abdominal pain at clinical visits or entering the emergency department were evaluated. Primary outcome was the incidence of IH, defined as the presence of herniated bowel through a mesenteric defect, diagnosed at imaging or at surgical exploration.

Results

A total of 129 patients were included: 65 (50.4%) were primary procedures, while 64 (49.6%) were revisional operations after primary restrictive bariatric surgery. Mean age was 47.9 ± 10.2 years, mean weight, and body mass index were, respectively, 105.3 ± 22.6 kg and 39.7 ± 9.6 kg/m2. Postoperative morbidity rate was 7.0%. Mean follow-up was 53.2 ± 22.6 (range 24–94) months. During the follow-up period, a total of 14 (10.8%) patients entered the emergency department: 1 patient had melena, 4 renal colic, 1 acute cholecystitis, 2 gynecologic pathologies, 2 anastomotic ulcers, 1 perforated gastric ulcer, 1 diverticulitis and 2 gastroenteritis. There were no diagnoses of IH. During the follow-up period, no patient experienced recurrence of symptoms.

Conclusions

In the present study, the robotic approach confirms the low complication rate and absence of IH after “Double Loop” RA-RYGB in a large case-series at a medium-term follow-up.
Transperitoneal vs retroperitoneal minimally invasive partial nephrectomy: comparison of perioperative outcomes and functional follow-up in a large multi-institutional cohort (The RECORD 2 Project)
Authors: Porpiglia Francesco , Mari Andrea , Amparore Daniele , Fiori Cristian , Antonelli Alessandro , Artibani Walter , Bove Pierluigi , Brunocilla Eugenio , Capitanio Umberto , Da Pozzo Luigi , Di Maida Fabrizio , Gontero Paolo , Longo Nicola , Marra Giancarlo , Rocco Bernardo , Schiavina Riccardo , Simeone Claudio , Siracusano Salvatore , Tellini Riccardo , Terrone Carlo , Villari Donata , Ficarra Vincenzo , Carini Marco , Minervini Andrea ,   The RECORD 2 Project, Altieri Vincenzo , Berardinelli Francesco , Celia Antonio , Costantini Elisabetta , Diminutto Alberto , Falsaperla Mario , Ferro Matteo , Furlan Maria , Grosso Gaetano , Larcher Alessandro , Li Marzi Vincenzo , Montorsi Francesco , Polara Andrea , Porreca Angelo , Rizzetto Riccardo , Roscigno Marco , Schips Luigi , Selli Cesare , Serni Sergio , Simonato Alchiede , Trombetta Carlo , Vespasiani Giuseppe , Volpe Alessandro
Published: August 2020

Background

Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare perioperative outcomes of transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (TR) approaches in a multi-institutional cohort of minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MI-PN).

Material and methods

All consecutive patients undergone MI-PN for clinical T1 renal tumors at 26 Italian centers (RECORd2 project) between 01/2013 and 12/2016 were evaluated, collecting the pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. The patients were then stratified according to the surgical approach, TP or RP. A 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching was performed to obtain homogeneous cohorts, considering the age, gender, baseline eGFR, surgical indication, clinical diameter, and PADUA score.

Results

1669 patients treated with MI-PN were included in the study, 1256 and 413 undergoing TP and RP, respectively. After 1:1 PS matching according to the surgical access, 413 patients were selected from TP group to be compared with the 413 RP patients. Concerning intraoperative variables, no differences were found between the two groups in terms of surgical approach (lap/robot), extirpative technique (enucleation vs standard PN), hilar clamping, and ischemia time. Conversely, the TP group recorded a shorter median operative time in comparison with the RP group (115 vs 150 min), with a higher occurrence of intraoperative overall, 21 (5.0%) vs 9 (2.1%); p = 0.03, and surgical complications, 18 (4.3%) vs 7 (1.7%); p = 0.04. Concerning postoperative variables, the two groups resulted comparable in terms of complications, positive surgical margins and renal function, even if the RP group recorded a shorter median drainage duration and hospital length of stay (3 vs 2 for both variables), p < 0.0001.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that both TP and RP are feasible approaches when performing MI-PN, irrespectively from tumor location or surgical complexity. Notwithstanding longer operative times, RP seems to have a slighter intraoperative complication rate with earlier postoperative recovery when compared with TP.
Learning game for improving forklift drivers’ safety awareness
Authors: Lehtonen Esko , Perttula Pia , Maasalo Ida , Reuna Kaisa , Kannisto Henriikka , Puro Vuokko , Hirvonen Maria
Published: August 2020

Forklift drivers in in-house logistics are at a high risk of occupational injuries. This study piloted a video-based learning game for forklift drivers, designed to increase their safety awareness in their highly dynamic operating environment. The game consisted of video clips filmed from the driver’s perspective. Each video clip was stopped and masked at a point where a safety-relevant item or hazard appeared. Two locations were marked on the screen, one with the hazard and the other with no hazard. The players had to choose the location with the hazard while the screen was masked and received feedback on their choice. Eighty-one professional forklift drivers played the game at their workplaces during the 3–4 month intervention. In addition, forklift registered hard shocks were recorded and compared to the game performance of 20 participants. Higher accuracy in the game correlated with a lower shock rate, suggesting that real-world forklift driving skills transferred to the game. However, accuracy improvement in the game did not decrease the vehicle registered hard shocks. During the intervention, 40% of the participants reported that they began to pay more attention to the hazards of their work environment. Overall, the results suggest that a gamified approach could be useful for demonstrating safety-relevant features at the workplace and supporting drivers’ safety-related self-reflection.
A longitudinal study of the effects of trees, geese and avian predators on breeding wader meadow birds: the case of the Demmerik polder, the Netherlands
Authors: Tamis Wil L.M. , Heemskerk Piet
Published: August 2020

In the Netherlands, breeding populations of wader meadow birds are in sharp decline. One possible cause is that breeding areas are becoming less open because of tall trees and other factors. The effects of tree lines are generally studied by means of transversal studies spanning a short period of time. We report on a longitudinal field study from 1993 to 2010 into the breeding densities of Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) in the Demmerik polder, the Netherlands. One part of this polder, a nature reserve, has an older tree line, while two agricultural parts are divided by a newly developing tree line. As the tree line in the agricultural parts was developing, foraging families of Greylag Goose (Anser anser) showed a strong increase in only one of these parts during the breeding season. During the same period, the density of avian predators also increased in the whole polder. Analysis shows waders avoid trees in both situations: with an existing tree line (a static situation) and with a growing tree line (a dynamic situation). We investigated the possible role of geese and avian predators in explaining the decline in density of breeding wader meadow birds, by systematic comparison of several different models. In these models, the effect of the growing tree line has the greatest impact on breeding meadow birds. Models with geese describe the trends of breeding wader meadow birds better than those including avian predators, but since these two variables, geese and avian predators, are confounded, no definitive conclusion can yet be drawn. Potential explanations of and functional mechanisms behind the strong decline in breeding meadow bird populations in this area are discussed.
Semi-empirical relationships to assess the seismic performance of slopes from an updated version of the Italian seismic database
Authors: Gaudio D. , Rauseo R. , Masini L. , Rampello S.
Published: August 2020

Seismic performance of slopes can be assessed through displacement-based procedures where earthquake-induced displacements are usually computed following Newmark-type calculations. These can be adopted to perform a parametric integration of earthquake records to evaluate permanent displacements for different slope characteristics and seismic input properties. Several semi-empirical relationships can be obtained for different purposes: obtaining site-specific displacement hazard curves following a fully-probabilistic approach, to assess the seismic risk associated with the slope; providing semi-empirical models within a deterministic framework, where the seismic-induced permanent displacement is compared with threshold values related to different levels of seismic performance; calibrating the seismic coefficient to be used in pseudo-static calculations, where a safety factor against limit conditions is computed. In this paper, semi-empirical relationships are obtained as a result of a parametric integration of an updated version of the Italian strong-motion database, that, in turn, is described and compared to older versions of the database and to well-known ground motion prediction equations. Permanent displacement is expressed as a function of either ground motion parameters, for a given yield seismic coefficient of the slope, or of both ground motion parameters and the seismic coefficient. The first are meant to be used as a tool to develop site-specific displacement hazard curves, while the last can be used to evaluate earthquake-induced slope displacements, as well as to calibrate the seismic coefficient to be used in a pseudo-static analysis. Influence of the vertical component of seismic motion on these semi-empirical relationships is also assessed.
Computing Macro-Effects and Welfare Costs of Temperature Volatility: A Structural Approach
Authors: Donadelli Michael , Jüppner Marcus , Paradiso Antonio , Schlag Christian
Published: August 2020

We produce novel empirical evidence on the relevance of temperature volatility shocks for the dynamics of productivity, macroeconomic aggregates and asset prices. Using two centuries of UK temperature data, we document that the relationship between temperature volatility and the macroeconomy varies over time. First, the sign of the causality from temperature volatility to TFP growth is negative in the post-war period (i.e., 1950–2015) and positive before (i.e., 1800–1950). Second, over the pre-1950 (post-1950) period temperature volatility shocks positively (negatively) affect TFP growth. In the post-1950 period, temperature volatility shocks are also found to undermine equity valuations and other main macroeconomic aggregates. More importantly, temperature volatility shocks are priced in the cross section of returns and command a positive premium. We rationalize these findings within a production economy featuring long-run productivity and temperature volatility risk. In the model temperature volatility shocks generate non-negligible welfare costs. Such costs decrease (increase) when coupled with immediate technology adaptation (capital depreciation).
Application of temperature modulation to FTIR spectroscopy: an analysis of equilibrium and non-equilibrium conformational transitions of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in glassy and liquid states
Authors: Di Lisio Valerio , Sturabotti Elisa , Francolini Iolanda , Piozzi Antonella , Martinelli Andrea
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the application of a temperature modulation to the temperature-resolved FTIR analysis is reported. The advantage offered by the spectroscopic investigation, able to follow the micro-structural and conformational sample modification involved in sample thermal transformation, was merged to that of temperature modulation, related to the possibility to separate the reversing (in-equilibrium within the experimental condition) to the non-reversing (non-equilibrium) processes. The potentiality of the technique (modulated temperature FTIR, MTFTIR) is highlighted through the study of the thermal transitions of amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) from 50 °C to the cold-crystallization. After the presentation of the theoretical framework and the experimental conditions, a step-by-step description of acquired data elaboration is given. The total variation of a selected band intensity as function of mean temperature as well as its reversing and non-reversing components are obtained. The evolution of the bands at 1340 and 971 cm−1, assigned to the trans conformation of the ethylenic unit and to the all-trans conformation of the repeating unit, respectively, are investigated. As expected, the glass transition is observed in the reversing components meanwhile the recovery of the glass relaxation and cold crystallization in non-reversing ones. Particularly interesting resulted the behaviour of the sample in the supercooled liquid state, between the glass transition and the cold-crystallization onset, in which the results show that the ethylenic conformers are in-equilibrium while the all-trans sequences are not. MTFTIR is confirmed to be a technique particularly suitable for the characterization of non-equilibrium conformational states of polymers.
Solubility enhancement of berberine–baicalin complex by the constituents of Gardenia Fruit
Authors: Okoshi Kazuki , Uekusa Yoshinori , Narukawa Yuji , Kiuchi Fumiyuki
Published: August 2020

A Kampo prescription usually consists of several crude drugs and contains many kinds of compounds. Physicochemical interactions between the compounds may occur in the process of decoction, by which Kampo prescriptions are usually prepared for ingestion, and the interactions may change the extraction yields of the constituents. Berberine and baicalin have been reported to form precipitates. Orengedokuto, which consist of Coptis Rhizome, Gardenia Fruit, Phellodendron Bark and Scutellaria Root, has been a representative Kampo prescription used to treat inflammatory diseases. In our previous papers, we revealed that the precipitates formed in the decoction of orengedokuto without Gardenia Fruit mainly consists of berberine–baicalin complex and that Gardenia Fruit reduced the amount of the precipitates in orengedokuto decoction. In this report, through solubility-enhancement assay based on HPLC, we identified crocins as the constituents of Gardenia Fruits, which enhanced the solubility of berberine–baicalin complex. All-trans crocin-1 (1) and 13-cis crocin-1 (5) showed high activities among the isolated crocins, and the number of glucosyl groups in the molecule seemed correlated with the activity. As berberine and baicalin were reported as the anti-inflammatory constituents of Coptis Rhizome and Phellodendron Bark, and Scutellaria Root, respectively, Gardenia Fruit contributes anti-inflammatory activity of orengedokuto by increasing solubilities of anti-inflammatory constituents of the other component crude drugs in the prescription. Our result will add a scientific basis to the understanding of the effectiveness of orengedokuto as a whole.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: a Bitter-Sweet Symphony
Authors: Yeung Stanley M. H. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Laverman Gozewijn D. , De Borst Martin H.
Published: August 2020

Purpose of Review

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a key phosphate-regulating hormone that has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Emerging data suggest that FGF23 plays a specific role in type 2 diabetes, partly independent of kidney function. We aimed to summarize current literature on the associations between FGF23 and outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes with or without CKD.

Recent Findings

Several cohort studies have shown strong associations between plasma FGF23 and cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic CKD. Moreover, recent data suggest that FGF23 are elevated and may also be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality in type 2 diabetes patients without CKD, although the magnitude of the association is smaller than in CKD patients.

Diabetes-related factors may influence plasma FGF23 levels, and a higher FGF23 levels seem to contribute to a higher cardiovascular and mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although this risk may be relevant in diabetic individuals with preserved kidney function, it is strongly accentuated in diabetic nephropathy. Future studies should clarify if FGF23 is merely a disease severity marker or a contributor to adverse outcomes in type 2 diabetes and establish if antidiabetic medication can modify FGF23 levels.
Exploring Relative Preferences for HIV Service Features Using Discrete Choice Experiments: a Synthetic Review
Authors: Eshun-Wilson I , Kim H-Y , Schwartz S , Conte M , Glidden D V , Geng E H
Published: August 2020

Purpose of Review

Aligning HIV treatment services with patient preferences can promote long-term engagement. A rising number of studies solicit such preferences using discrete choice experiments, but have not been systematically reviewed to seek generalizable insights. Using a systematic search, we identified eleven choice experiments evaluating preferences for HIV treatment services published between 2004 and 2020.

Recent Findings

Across settings, the strongest preference was for nice, patient-centered providers, for which participants were willing to trade considerable amounts of time, money, and travel distance. In low- and middle-income countries, participants also preferred collecting antiretroviral therapy (ART) less frequently than 1 monthly, but showed no strong preference for 3-compared with 6-month refill frequency. Facility waiting times and travel distances were also important but were frequently outranked by stronger preferences. Health facility–based services were preferred to community- or home-based services, but this preference varied by setting. In high-income countries, the availability of unscheduled appointments was highly valued. Stigma was rarely explored and costs were a ubiquitous driver of preferences.

While present improvement efforts have focused on designs to enhance access (reduced waiting time, travel distance, and ART refill frequency), few initiatives focus on the patient-provider interaction, which represents a promising critical area for inquiry and investment. If HIV programs hope to truly deliver patient-centered care, they will need to incorporate patient preferences into service delivery strategies. Discrete choice experiments can not only inform such strategies but also contribute to prioritization efforts for policy-making decisions.
Resistance to cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors confers cross-resistance to other CDK inhibitors but not to chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer cells
Authors: Ogata Ryohei , Kishino Emi , Saitoh Wataru , Koike Yoshikazu , Kurebayashi Junichi
Published: August 2020

Background

Combined endocrine therapy with a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor has been indicated to improve not only progression-free survival, but also overall survival in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. However, resistance to this combination therapy inevitably develops. How to manage this resistant breast cancer is one of the most important clinical issues. To investigate the mechanisms of action responsible for resistance, we developed breast cancer cells resistant to CDK4/6 inhibitors, and analyzed their biological characteristics and sensitivity to different anticancer agents.

Methods

HR-positive, HER2-negative MCF-7 and KPL-1 breast cancer cells were cultivated in palbociclib (PAL) or abemaciclib (ABE)-added culture medium for over 5 months, and we successfully developed PAL- or ABE-resistant cells. The effects of PAL or ABE on the cell growth, basal RB expression, RB phosphorylation, cell cycle and cell senescence were compared between resistant and parental cells. Effects of the other CDK4/6 inhibitor, different chemotherapeutic agents and estrogen on the cell growth were also examined. The expression levels of cyclin D1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin E1 and estrogen receptor (ER)-ɑ were measured using RT-PCR.

Results

Long-term exposure to up to 200 nM PAL or ABE resulted in the development of PAL- or ABE-resistant MCF-7 or KPL-1 breast cancer cells. Basal expression levels of RB in both resistant cells were down-regulated. Inhibitory effects of either PAL or ABE on RB phosphorylation were reduced in both resistant cells. Accordingly, G1-S cell cycle retardation and cell senescence induced by either inhibitor were also attenuated in both resistant cells. Both resistant cells were cross-resistant to the other CDK4/6 inhibitor but almost as equally sensitive to different chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, doxorubicin and eribulin) as the parental cells. The mRNA expression level of CDK6 significantly increased in the resistant MCF-7 cells and that of Rb1 significantly decreased in the resistant KPL-1 cells. Although both resistant cells were less sensitive to estrogen than the parental cells, the expression levels of ER-ɑ did not significantly change in either.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that acquired resistance to PAL or ABE confers cross-resistance to the other CDK4/6 inhibitor but not to chemotherapeutic agents in HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer cells. Down-regulation of basal RB expression and normalized RB phosphorylation reduced by CDK4/6 inhibitors may be responsible for the attenuated anti-cell growth effects of the inhibitors.