bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve outcome in children with ovarian immature teratoma: A comparative analysis of clinical trial data from the Malignant Germ Cell International Consortium
Authors: Vieira Ana Glenda Santarosa , Puthenpura Vidya , Krailo Mark , Fallahazad Negar , Brougham Mark F. H. , Murray Matthew J. , Frazier A. Lindsay , Lopes Luiz Fernando , Pashankar Farzana
Published: May 2023

Background/objectives

Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for children with ovarian immature teratoma (IT), whereas adults receive adjuvant chemotherapy, except those with stage‐I, grade‐1 disease. In Brazil, children with metastatic ovarian IT received postoperative chemotherapy. This practice variation allowed evaluation of the value of chemotherapy, by comparison of Brazilian patients with those in the United States and United Kingdom.

Design/methods

From the Malignant Germ Cell International Consortium data commons, data on ovarian IT patients from two recently added Brazilian trials (TCG‐99/TCG‐2008) were compared with data from US/UK (INT‐0106/GC‐2) trials. Primary outcome measure was event‐free (EFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Forty‐two Brazilian patients were included (stage I: 27, stage II: 4, stage III: 8, stage IV: 3). Twenty‐nine patients had surgery alone, whereas 13 patients received postoperative chemotherapy. The EFS and OS for entire cohort was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.64–0.89) and 0.97 (0.84–0.99). There was no difference in relapse risk based on stage, grade, or receipt of chemotherapy. Comparing the Brazilian cohort with 98 patients in US/UK cohort (stage I: 59, stage II: 12, stage III: 27), there was no difference in EFS and OS across all stages, despite 87% of stage II–IV Brazilian patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy compared with only 13% of US/UK patients. The EFS and OS for Brazilian compared with US/UK cohort was stage I: 88% versus 98% (p = .05), stage II–IV EFS: 67% versus 79% (p = .32), stage II–IV OS: 93% versus 97% (p = .44); amongst grade‐3 patients, there was no difference in EFS or OS.

Conclusion

Addition of postoperative chemotherapy did not improve outcome in children with ovarian IT, even at higher grade or stage, compared with surgery alone.
Viral‐specific T cells for Cytomegalovirus retinitis following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A success story
Authors: Montiel‐Esparza Raul , Michalak Suzanne M. , Le Anthony Huy Dinh , Or Christopher , Nguyen Quan Dong , Khoury Ruby , Grimley Michael S. , Bertaina Alice , Klinger Edna , Shah Ami J. , Wood Edward H.
Published: May 2023

Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) for a primary immunodeficiency is a rare but highly morbid condition with potential irreversible consequences despite optimal antiviral pharmacotherapy. Viral‐specific T cells (VSTs) pose a promising and safe approach eradicating intractable viral disease. We describe the case of a 21‐month‐old male with Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and CMVR post HCT with sustained long‐term virologic and clinical response after CMV‐specific T‐cell therapy. This case highlights the need to consider VST as an adjunct upfront strategy in refractory CMVR and for routine ophthalmologic screening and surveillance in high‐risk patients post HCT.
Ganglioneuroblastoma intermixed: Clinicopathological implications of diagnosis at presentation and genomic correlations
Authors: Nezami Behtash G. , Modak Shakeel , Cardenas Fiorella Iglesias , Sarungbam Judy , Sirintrapun Sahussapont J. , Gopalan Anuradha , Chen Yingbei , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat , Fine Samson W. , Reuter Victor E. , Tickoo Satish K.
Published: May 2023

Background

Ganglioneuroblastoma intermixed (GNBI) is classified as “favorable” histology by International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification system. However, the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) stratifies patients using wider clinicopathological and cytogenetic/molecular parameters. While the diagnosis of GNBI is typically made on resected tumor, it may sometimes be rendered on initial biopsy. We studied GNBI noted at diagnosis to evaluate its correlation with INRG staging and other clinicopathological and molecular features.

Methods

In this retrospective study, clinical, radiological, pathological, cytogenetic, and molecular information from patients with GNBI at diagnosis seen between 1995 and 2021 was analyzed. INRG staging was performed.

Results

Of the 15,827 neuroblastoma specimens, GNBI was noted in 237 patients. Of these, 53 had the initial pathological diagnosis of GNBI; median follow‐up 3.5 (range: 0.2–14) years. Disease was locoregional in 41 (77%, 16 stage L1 and 25 L2); none relapsed. Twelve (23%) had metastatic disease at presentation; six (50%) relapsed, and two died of disease. MYCN was amplified in two metastatic tumors. Six of 31 (19%) tumors tested had recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities and nonrecurrent somatic gene mutations in 10/23 (43%). The presence of any adverse molecular/cytogenetic findings was associated with metastatic disease (p < .05). For patients with localized GNBI undergoing both biopsy and resection, GNBI was diagnosed in both in 17/19 (90%).

Conclusions

Localized GNBI at diagnosis has excellent long‐term clinical outcome even without cytotoxic therapy. For localized GNBI, a biopsy sample is adequate to make the diagnosis. When associated with metastasis at diagnosis, prognosis is poorer, possibly due to associated adverse biological features.
Diminished ovarian reserve in adolescent cancer survivors treated with heavy metal chemotherapy
Authors: Pruett Megan , Williamson Lewis Rebecca , Klosky James L. , Effinger Karen E. , Meacham Lillian R. , Cherven Brooke
Published: May 2023

The extent to which heavy metal chemotherapy results in treatment‐related ovarian damage is controversial. Anti‐Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels measured more than 1 year after cancer therapy completion were abstracted from the medical records of 39 female survivors of childhood cancer aged 11 years and older, whose only gonadotoxic exposure was heavy metal chemotherapy. One‐fifth of survivors who received cisplatin had AMH levels indicative of diminished ovarian reserve at last measurement. There was an observed clustering of low AMH in patients diagnosed in the peripubertal age range (i.e., 10–12 years). These findings may support a small, but present, risk of gonadal damage after heavy metal chemotherapy.
Publication outlets for school psychology faculty: 2016–2020
Authors: Hulac David M. , Aspiranti Kathleen B.
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the peer‐reviewed journal publication outlets and impact of school psychology faculty research from the years 2016 through 2020. The National Association of School Psychologists website was used to identify 972 faculty from 195 doctoral and nondoctoral school psychology programs. Faculty publications were identified through a Google Scholar search and using published faculty curriculum vitaes. Journal h‐index impact factors and 2‐year citation rates were collected through SCImago. There were a total of 4354 articles published across 1125 journals during the 5‐year span. The journals Psychology in the Schools, Contemporary School Psychology, and School Psychology were where school psychology faculty published the most and accounted for 13% of the total publications. The average 2‐year citation rate for all journals was 2.83 and the average h‐index for all journals was 69.62. Discussion focuses on the historical and recent trend of school psychology faculty publications and the expanding range of nonschool psychology journals in which faculty publish.
The effects of x‐axis time compression on the visual analysis of single‐case data
Authors: Dart Evan H. , Radley Keith C.
Published: May 2023

Single‐case design is a research methodology that entails repeated measurement to assess the influence of an independent variable on a dependent variable over time. Data collected in this manner are regularly analyzed using visual analysis of data displayed in a linear graph. Although there is agreement regarding critical elements of visual analysis, research has highlighted poor reliability between raters. One potential contributor to this poor reliability are variations in visual presentation of the data during construction of the linear graph. The current study sought to determine the potential effect of one common variation, scaling of the x‐axis by intervention session or by calendar date. Results of the study indicated a significant effect of x‐axis scaling, with data presented by session, rather than by calendar day, judged as reflecting larger intervention effects, Z = 1981, p < .001. This effect was consistent across graphs displaying treatment effects of various magnitudes. Results of the study are discussed with the respect to the standardization of visual representation of single case data.
Tea green leafhopper‐induced synomone attracts the egg parasitoids, mymarids to suppress the leafhopper
Authors: Wang Mengxin , Han Shanjie , Wu Yiqi , Lin Jinli , Zhou Jiangxuan , Han Baoyu
Published: May 2023

Background

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca flavescens is the most important pest of tea plants in China. Mymarid attractants based on herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) from leafhopper feeding and oviposition‐induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) were formulated and tested as a novel pest control agent against the leafhopper in tea plantations.

Results

Results showed that two mymarid species, Stethynium empoascae and Schizophragma parvula, had a reducing effect on leafhopper populations. The HIPVs and OIPVs were identified and bioassayed to screen the key synomones showing strong attraction to the mymarids. They were formulated into different blends, of which Field Attractant 1, comprising linalool, methyl salicylate, (E)‐2‐hexenal, perillen and α‐farnesene at ratio of 1:2:3:58:146 (20 mg/lure), showed the strongest attraction to the mymarids. In field trials with the attractant, the average parasitism rate (60.46 ± 23.71%) of tea leafhoppers by the two mymarids in the attractant‐baited area was significantly higher than that (42.85 ± 19.24%) in the CK area. Also, the average leafhopper density (46 ± 30 per 80 tea shoots) in the attractant‐baited area was significantly lower than that (110 ± 70 per 80 tea shoots) in the CK area.

Conclusion

This study showed that a synthetic blend of key volatiles from HIPVs and OIPVs at an optimal ratio can be formulated into an attractant with the potential to attract and retain wild mymarid populations to suppress leafhopper populations in infested tea plantations, so as to reduce or avoid the spraying of insecticides. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Adaptive output feedback control of uncertain nonlinear systems with input saturation
Authors: Mi Yize , Yao Jianyong
Published: May 2023

This article concerns with the tracking control problem for a class of control‐affine nonlinear systems subject to input saturation, parametric uncertainties and unmodeled uncertainties. The proposed scheme consists of a nested‐saturation‐function‐based controller integrated with feedforward model compensation. A saturated linear extended state observer (SLESO) and parameter adaptation law are constructed to compensate for the unmodeled uncertainties and parametric uncertainties, respectively. By using these mechanisms, the steady‐state tracking performance can be guaranteed through uncertainty compensation. Additionally, the issue of conservativeness in the input saturation problem is effectively addressed through online‐updating the available unsaturated region, which improves transient performance. The proposed scheme results in asymptotic stability when unmodeled uncertainties are constants and ultimate boundedness when unmodeled uncertainties are time‐varying. Finally, simulation studies are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A Chip Off the Old Block: Do Reading‐Motivated Parents Raise Reading‐Motivated Children?
Authors: Cubillos Montserrat
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parents' reading motivation and leisure reading frequency and their children's reading motivation. Secondary data analysis was used to examine a sample of almost 330,000 Chilean adolescents. The results of multilevel regression models revealed that parents' reading motivation and frequency were significantly and positively associated with adolescents' reading motivation, even after controlling for their classmates' and their own previous reading achievement. Furthermore, the negative and significant association found between students' reading motivation and their socioeconomic status was smaller in effect size than that of parents' reading motivation and frequency combined. The implications and limitations of these findings are also discussed.
Value as ethics: Climate change, crisis, and the struggle for the future
Authors: Field Sean
Published: May 2023

Drawing on ethnographic research in Houston, Texas, I contribute novel ethnographic insights into how oil and gas experts understand notions of value. I show that prevailing notions of value are normatively defined in economic terms and closely tied to understandings of an American “way of life.” Questions of value, I suggest, reveal our idiosyncratic and shared ethical orientations toward what we think is important and the futures we are fighting to create. The climate crisis, as such, is not a crisis of emissions or hydrocarbons but a crisis of how value is assigned to worldly things. I conclude by arguing that until we address questions of value, we are unlikely to address the existential crisis of anthropogenic climate change.
Fractured Ownership and the Tragedy of the Anticommons in Hawai‘i
Authors: Khorasani Danae G.
Published: May 2023

The decline in the number of Native Hawaiian–ownedkuleanaproperties is partly the result of legal frameworks surrounding heirs' property adjudication, which does not easily allow families with multiple owners to collectivize their interests. As a result, families are made vulnerable to land dispossession by developers' use of quiet title and partition actions through the courts. Based on fieldwork that incorporates ethnography and archival research, I explore the disjunction of kin‐based patterns of inheritance within a culturally Western legal framework that values one owner, one property scenario. A novel analysis of heirs' property reveals the extent to which current legal doctrine is inherently unsuited to address both real and intangible inheritance patterns, thereby creating property and wealth destruction characteristic of a tragedy of the anticommons.
Complementary and integrative health therapies in whole person resilience research
Authors: Pitcher Mark H. , Edwards Emmeline , Langevin Helene M. , Rusch Heather L. , Shurtleff David
Published: May 2023

Complementary and integrative health approaches can improve health and well‐being, as well as play an important role in disease prevention. The concept of whole person health builds on these concepts by empowering individuals, families, communities, and populations to improve their health in multiple interconnected domains: biological, behavioural, social, and environmental. Research on whole person health involves studies of interconnected biological systems and complex approaches to prevention and treatment. Some of these approaches may involve methods of diagnosis and therapy that differ from those used in conventional Western medicine. Of growing interest is how complementary, integrative, and whole person health approaches contribute to resilience. This brief commentary describes an integrated framework for mapping the connections between various complementary and integrative health therapeutic inputs onto aspects of resilience, including the ability to resist, recover (partially or fully), adapt, and/or grow in response to a following a stressor. The authors present selected examples of research studies supported by the National Institutes of Health that test whether complementary and integrative health approaches can promote some aspect of resilience. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities in incorporating the study of resilience in complementary, integrative, and whole person health research.
All families of transposable elements were active in the recent wheat genome evolution and polyploidy had no impact on their activity
Authors: Papon Nathan , Lasserre‐Zuber Pauline , Rimbert Hélène , De Oliveira Romain , Paux Etienne , Choulet Frédéric
Published: May 2023

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major crop and its genome is one of the largest ever assembled at reference‐quality level. It is 15 Gb, hexaploid, with 85% of transposable elements (TEs). Wheat genetic diversity was mainly focused on genes and little is known about the extent of genomic variability affecting TEs, transposition rate, and the impact of polyploidy. Multiple chromosome‐scale assemblies are now available for bread wheat and for its tetraploid and diploid wild relatives. In this study, we computed base pair‐resolved, gene‐anchored, whole genome alignments of A, B, and D lineages at different ploidy levels in order to estimate the variability that affects the TE space. We used assembled genomes of 13 T. aestivum cultivars (6x = AABBDD) and a single genome for Triticum durum (4x = AABB), Triticum dicoccoides (4x = AABB), Triticum urartu (2x = AA), and Aegilops tauschii (2x = DD). We show that 5%–34% of the TE fraction is variable, depending on the species divergence. Between 400 and 13,000 novel TE insertions per subgenome were detected. We found lineage‐specific insertions for nearly all TE families in di‐, tetra‐, and hexaploids. No burst of transposition was observed and polyploidization did not trigger any boost of transposition. This study challenges the prevailing idea of wheat TE dynamics and is more in agreement with an equilibrium model of evolution.
Assessment of tropical suburban surface soils contamination from Jengka, Malaysia
Authors: Sulaiman Fazrul Razman , Jusoh Mohammad Syahirul Aiman , Nasaruddin Amirul Amin , Sulaiman Noorzamzarina
Published: May 2023

Heavy metals in suburban soils pose both indirect and direct health risks. This study assessed the concentrations of Cr, Zn, Pb, and Cd in Jengka (Malaysia) suburban soil and estimated the human health risk. Health risk assessment (HRA) was utilized to assess non‐cancer and cancer risks. The concentrations of heavy metals increased in the following order: Cd < Zn < Cr < Pb. The heavy metals were found to be divided into two components using principal component analysis (PCA), with PC1 comprising Pb and Cd and PC2 containing Zn and Cr. PC1 originates from anthropogenic sources, while PC2 is often from mixed anthropogenic and natural sources. Despite having the lowest mean concentration, Cd was enriched based on the geo‐accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF). Average hazard index values were below the acceptable threshold (HI < 1) for dermal and inhalation pathways suggesting a low non‐cancer risk. Jengka suburban soil had total lifetime cancer risk values slightly higher than the acceptable threshold (1 × 10−5). Skin contact was the most prominent contributing exposure pathway for both non‐carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. This study suggests that heavy metal bioactivity levels be used to make a plausible HRA of heavy metal pollution in suburban soils.
The Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) Model
Authors: Horgmo Jæger Karoline , Tveito Aslak
Published: May 2023

In these notes, we have considered models of electrophysiology across several scales. The first was the membrane model. It assumes that the action potential is similar across the whole cell membrane, and the model represents the action potential as a function of time alone. No spatial variable is involved in the pure membrane models, so a length scale of these models does not make sense.
Ausgangslage: Energie- und Rohstoffwirtschaft im Spannungsfeld von gesellschaftlicher Notwendigkeit und bürgerschaftlichem Protest
Authors: Walter Stefanie
Published: May 2023

„KIES IST MIES“ (NEIN zum Sand- und Kiesabbau in Königshain, Claußnitz & Altmittweida, 2020b), „REST IN KIES“ (ebd.) und „Bei uns ist KEIN KIES zu holen!“ (NEIN zum Sand- und Kiesabbau in Königshain, Claußnitz & Altmittweida, 2020a) – diese Slogans sind auf Plakaten und Schildern in und um Altmittweida zu lesen: Bürger:innen engagieren sich gegen den seit 20 Jahren in Planung befindlichen Sand- und Kiesabbau vor Ort. Teile der mittelsächsischen Bevölkerung positionieren sich gegen den Rohstoffabbau, gegen fossile Energieumwandlung oder den Bau erneuerbarer Energieumwandlungsanlagen in ihrem Umfeld. Auf regionaler Ebene ist bürgerschaftlicher Widerstand eher Normalfall denn Ausnahme (Rugenstein, 2017).
Ergebnisse: Analyse der (In-)Akzeptanz und Ableitungen zur kommunikativen Steigerung
Authors: Walter Stefanie
Published: May 2023

In diesem Kapitel werden die Ergebnisse der Analysen analog der Reihenfolge der FK vorgestellt. Zuerst wird die (In-)Akzeptanz der Bevölkerung sowie die Befunde zu den Akzeptanzfaktoren dargelegt. Daran schließen sich die Ergebnisse zur sächsischen Energie- und Rohstoffbranche an. Es folgen Ausführungen zum Nutzen und den Möglichkeiten der Akzeptanzsteigerung mittels Kommunikation. Die Erkenntnisse führen zur Vorstellung der auf dieser Grundlage entwickelten Webapplikation sowie deren Evaluierung. Beendet werden die Ausführungen mit Ableitungen zur Steigerung der soziopolitischen Akzeptanz.
Soziologische Theorie und Recht
Authors: Bora Alfons
Published: May 2023

Theorien des Rechts haben die Soziologie seit ihren Anfängen wesentlich mit geprägt. Soziologische Klassiker wie Emile Durkheim, Ferdinand Tönnies oder Max Weber haben dem Recht nicht zufällig erhöhte Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Sie griffen entweder auf juristische Examina wie Weber, einen philosophischen Werdegang wie Tönnies oder auf Begegnungen mit den Staatswissenschaften wie der junge Durkheim während seines Studienaufenthaltes in Deutschland zurück und waren deshalb mit den großen rechtstheoretischen Debatten ihrer Zeit vertraut.
Institution und Reflexion – Die Schwäche der Rechtssoziologie und die Semantik der Interdisziplinarität
Authors: Bora Alfons
Published: May 2023

Unseren Überlegungen liegt die Vermutung zugrunde, dass die Rechtssoziologie ein Muster der Selbstbeschreibung in Form einer asymmetrischen Beziehung zwischen Recht und Soziologie entwickelt hat, in welcher die Frage nach der Rezeption soziologischen Wissens in Rechtspraxis und Jurisprudenz im Vordergrund steht. Die vielfältigen Auseinandersetzungen zwischen Erfahrungs- und Normwissenschaften nahmen, wie im Folgenden zu zeigen sein wird, fast durchweg diese Gestalt an. Bis heute, über ein Jahrhundert nach der Entstehung der Rechtssoziologie im deutschsprachigen Wissenschaftsraum, ist die Identität der Rechtssoziologie in dem im ersten Kapitel dargelegten Sinne unklar geblieben, nicht zuletzt als Folge dieser in historischen Zeiträumen gewachsenen Selbstbeschreibung.
Surface roughness of as-printed polymers: a comprehensive review
Authors: Golhin Ali Payami , Tonello Riccardo , Frisvad Jeppe Revall , Grammatikos Sotirios , Strandlie Are
Published: May 2023

Surface roughness is gaining increasing recognition in the processing design methods of additive manufacturing (AM) due to its role in many critical applications. This impact extends not only to various AM product manufacturing but also to indirect applications, such as molding and casting. This review article discusses the role of processing on the surface roughness of AM-printed polymers with limited post-processing by summarizing recent advances. This review offers a benchmark for surface quality improvement of AM processes, considering the surface roughness of polymeric parts. For this purpose, it lists and analyzes the key processes and various printing parameters used to monitor and adjust surface roughness under given constraints. Four AM techniques for manufacturing polymeric parts are compared: fused filament fabrication (FFF), selective laser sintering (SLS), vat photopolymerization (VPP), and material jetting (MJT). A review and discussion of recent studies are presented, along with the most critical process parameters that affect surface roughness for the selected AM techniques. To assist in selecting the most appropriate method of 3D printing, comparable research summaries are presented. The outcome is a detailed survey of current techniques, process parameters, roughness ranges, and their applicability in achieving surface quality improvement in as-printed polymers.
Operation characteristics of a disk-type rotating detonation engine
Authors: Ishii K. , Ohno K. , Kawana H. , Kawasaki K. , Hayashi A. K. , Tsuboi N.
Published: May 2023

In the present work, operation characteristics of a disk-type rotating detonation engine (DRDE) with a constant chamber area were experimentally studied for various total mass flow rates and a wide variety of equivalence ratios of hydrogen–air mixtures. From the direct visualizations, the rotating detonation wave was found to propagate near the outer wall of the combustion chamber, regardless of the wave mode. For the present test conditions, single- and double-wave modes are observed, depending on the equivalence ratio of the mixture. The pressure gain was evaluated based on a one-dimensional flow model together with the chamber static pressure measured with the capillary tube average pressure technique. Although the present DRDE configuration provided a negative pressure gain for all the test conditions, it was found that the single-wave mode was superior to the double-wave mode in terms of the pressure gain.
Effects of Dl-3-n-butylphthalide on cognitive functions and blood–brain barrier in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats
Authors: Ma Yang , Chen Shiling , Li Yuanwei , Wang Jiahui , Yang Jingfei , Jing Jie , Liu Xia , Li Yunjie , Wang Jingyi , Zhang Ping , Tang Zhouping
Published: May 2023

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) has been one of the major types of cognitive impairment. Blood–brain barrier damage plays an essential part in the pathogenesis of VCI. At present, the treatment of VCI is mainly focused on prevention, with no drug clinically approved for the treatment of VCI. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on VCI rats. A modified bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (mBCCAO) model was applied to mimic VCI. The feasibility of the mBCCAO model was verified by laser Doppler, 13N-Ammonia-Positron Emission Computed Tomography (PET), and Morris Water Maze. Subsequently, the Morris water maze experiment, Evans blue staining, and western blot of tight junction protein were performed to evaluate the effect of different doses of NBP (40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg) on the improvement of cognitive impairment and BBB disruption induced by mBCCAO. Immunofluorescence was employed to examine the changes in pericyte coverage in the mBCCAO model and the effect of NBP on pericyte coverage was preliminarily explored. mBCCAO surgery led to obvious cognitive impairment and the decrease of whole cerebral blood flow, among which the blood flow in the cortex, hippocampus and thalamus brain regions decreased more significantly. High-dose NBP (80 mg/kg) improved long-term cognitive function in mBCCAO rats, alleviated Evans blue leakage and reduced the loss of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Claudin-5) in the early course of the disease, thereby exerting a protective effect on the blood–brain barrier. No significant changes in pericyte coverage were observed after mBCCAO. High-dose NBP improved cognitive function in mBCCAO rats. High-dose NBP protected the integrity of BBB by upregulating TJ protein expression, rather than regulating pericyte coverage ratio. NBP could be a potential drug for the treatment of VCI.
Prognostic Value of Systemic Inflammation Response Index in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Xu Hongjie , Wang He , Wu Lujia , Xu Tianyu , Han Lin , Lu Fanglin , Li Bailing , Sun Yangyong , Xu Zhiyun
Published: May 2023

Background

The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD) following open surgery.

Methods and results

Totally, 410 ATAD patients underwent open surgery from 2019 to 2021 were enrolled in the study. Among the patients, the in‐hospital mortality was 14.4%. Cox regression (95%CI 1.033–1.114p < 0.001) and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (AUC = 0.718, p < 0.001) demonstrated the prognostic role of SIRI for in‐hospital mortality after surgery. The optimal cut‐off value of SIRI for in‐hospital mortality was identified as 9.43 by maximally selected Log‐Rank statistics. The patients were divided into high SIRI group (SIRI ≥ 9.43) and low SIRI group (SIRI < 9.43)) after the linear inverse relationship between SIRI and hazard ratio for in‐hospital mortality was demonstrated by restricted cubic spline analysis (p = 0.0742). The Kaplan–Meier analysis illustrated that in‐hospital mortality increased significantly in high SIRI group (p < 0.001). In addition, elevating SIRI was significantly associated with the incidence of coronary sinus tear (95%CI 1.020–4.475p = 0.044). Furthermore, the incidence rate of postoperative complications including renal failure (p < 0.001) and infection (p = 0.019) was higher in high SIRI group.

Conclusion

The study indicated that preoperative SIRI could provide strong prognostic value for in‐hospital mortality in ATAD patients following open surgery. Thus, SIRI was a promising biomarker for risk stratification and management prior to open surgery.
A model robust subsampling approach for Generalised Linear Models in big data settings
Authors: Mahendran Amalan , Thompson Helen , McGree James M.
Published: May 2023

In today’s modern era of big data, computationally efficient and scalable methods are needed to support timely insights and informed decision making. One such method is subsampling, where a subset of the big data is analysed and used as the basis for inference rather than considering the whole data set. A key question when applying subsampling approaches is how to select an informative subset based on the questions being asked of the data. A recent approach for this has been proposed based on determining subsampling probabilities for each data point, but a limitation of this approach is that the appropriate subsampling probabilities rely on an assumed model for the big data. In this article, to overcome this limitation, we propose a model robust approach where a set of models is considered, and the subsampling probabilities are evaluated based on the weighted average of probabilities that would be obtained if each model was considered singularly. Theoretical results are derived to inform such an approach. Our model robust subsampling approach is applied in a simulation study and in two real-world applications where performance is compared to current subsampling practices. The results show that our model robust approach outperforms alternative methods.
Radiomorphologic profiles of nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis
Authors: Skadorwa Tymon , Wierzbieniec Olga , Sośnicka Kamila , Podkowa Klaudia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Numerous classification systems of nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis (NSC) are applied but none has gained a wide acceptance, since each classification is focused on distinct aspects of cranial dysmorphology. The goal of this study was to depict the most common combinations of radiomorphologic characteristics of NSC and to separate groups where the patients were morphologically similar to one another and at the same time significantly different from others.

Methods

The study was conducted on anonymized thin-cut CT scans of 131 children with NSC aged 1–12 months (mean age 5.42 months). The type of cranial dysmorphology was assessed using four criteria: skull shape, pattern of sagittal suture fusion, morphologic features and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces alterations. After assigning the categories, an unsupervised k-modes clustering algorithm was applied to identify distinct patients clusters representing radiomorphologic profiles determined by investigated characteristics.

Results

Cluster analysis revealed three distinct radiomorphologic profiles including the most common combinations of features. The profiles were not influenced by sex nor age but were significantly determined by skull shape (V = 0.58, P < 0.0001), morphologic features (V = 0.50, P < 0.0001) and pattern of sagittal suture fusion (V = 0.47, P < 0.0001). CSF alterations did not significantly correlate with the profiles (P = 0.3585).

Conclusion

NSC is a mosaic of radiologic and morphologic features. The internal diversity of NSC results in dissimilar groups of patients defined by unique combinations of radiomorphologic characteristics, from which the skull shape is the most differentiating factor. Radiomorphologic profiles support the idea of clinical trials targeted at more selective outcomes assessment.
Speaking up for the lost voices: representation and inclusion of people with communication impairment in brain tumour research
Authors: Menger Fiona , Cresswell Harriet , Lewis Joanne , Volkmer Anna , Sharp Linda
Published: May 2023

Brain tumours and their associated treatments can lead to progressive impairments of communication, adversely affecting quality-of-life. This commentary explores our concerns that people with speech, language, and communication needs face barriers to representation and inclusion in brain tumour research; we then offer possible solutions to support their participation. Our main concerns are that there is currently poor recognition of the nature of communication difficulties following brain tumours, limited focus on the psychosocial impact, and lack of transparency on why people with speech, language, and communication needs were excluded from research or how they were supported to take part. We propose solutions focusing on working towards more accurate reporting of symptoms and the impact of impairment, using innovative qualitative methods to collect data on the lived experiences of speech, language, and communication needs, and empowering speech and language therapists to become part of research teams as experts and advocates for this population. These solutions would support the accurate representation and inclusion of people with communication needs after brain tumour in research, allowing healthcare professionals to learn more about their priorities and needs.
Benchmarking short-term postoperative mortality across neurosurgery units: is hospital administrative data good enough for risk-adjustment?
Authors: Wahba Adam J , Phillips Nick , Mathew Ryan K , Hutchinson Peter J , Helmy Adel , Cromwell David A
Published: May 2023

Background

Surgical mortality indicators should be risk-adjusted when evaluating the performance of organisations. This study evaluated the performance of risk-adjustment models that used English hospital administrative data for 30-day mortality after neurosurgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2018. Organisational-level 30-day mortality was calculated for selected subspecialties (neuro-oncology, neurovascular and trauma neurosurgery) and the overall cohort. Risk adjustment models were developed using multivariable logistic regression and incorporated various patient variables: age, sex, admission method, social deprivation, comorbidity and frailty indices. Performance was assessed in terms of discrimination and calibration.

Results

The cohort included 49,044 patients. Overall, 30-day mortality rate was 4.9%, with unadjusted organisational rates ranging from 3.2 to 9.3%. The variables in the best performing models varied for the subspecialties; for trauma neurosurgery, a model that included deprivation and frailty had the best calibration, while for neuro-oncology a model with these variables plus comorbidity performed best. For neurovascular surgery, a simple model of age, sex and admission method performed best. Levels of discrimination varied for the subspecialties (range: 0.583 for trauma and 0.740 for neurovascular). The models were generally well calibrated. Application of the models to the organisation figures produced an average (median) absolute change in mortality of 0.33% (interquartile range (IQR) 0.15–0.72) for the overall cohort model. Median changes for the subspecialty models were 0.29% (neuro-oncology, IQR 0.15–0.42), 0.40% (neurovascular, IQR 0.24–0.78) and 0.49% (trauma neurosurgery, IQR 0.23–1.68).

Conclusions

Reasonable risk-adjustment models for 30-day mortality after neurosurgery procedures were possible using variables from HES, although the models for trauma neurosurgery performed less well. Including a measure of frailty often improved model performance.
Childhood trauma and fear of childbirth: findings from a birth cohort study
Authors: Porthan Elviira , Lindberg Matti , Härkönen Juho , Scheinin Noora M. , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Ekholm Eeva
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate if experiencing childhood trauma (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, physical neglect, or sexual abuse) or a greater total burden of childhood trauma increase the risk of fear of childbirth (FOC). This study included 2556 women living in Southwest Finland. Women were recruited during routine ultrasound visits at gestational week (gwk) 12. Experiencing childhood trauma was assessed in retrospect with the Trauma and Distress Scale (TADS) questionnaire completed at gwk 14. Information on the diagnosis of FOC (ICD-10 diagnosis O99.80) was obtained from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Associations between childhood trauma (domains and total TADS score) and FOC were analyzed with logistic regression in unadjusted and adjusted models. Emotional abuse (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10–1.42), emotional neglect (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08–1.46), and a greater total burden of trauma (TADS total score) (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.10) increased the risk for FOC. We found no evidence for physical abuse (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00–1.32), physical neglect (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 0.92–1.22), and sexual abuse (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 0.99–1.56) associating with FOC. Childhood emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and a greater total burden of childhood trauma increase the risk for FOC. However, the childhood traumatic events were inquired in retrospect, which could distort the events.
Synthesis of artificial aggregates and their impact on performance of concrete: a review
Authors: Bekkeri Gopal Bharamappa , Shetty Kiran K. , Nayak Gopinatha
Published: May 2023

Infrastructure development and urbanization have created a demand for the prime construction material—"Concrete." The manufacture of concrete has pressurized the aggregate supply chain for over-exploitation of natural resources leading to eco-detrimental impacts besides environmental regulations. The auxiliary sectors of the construction industry are creating a vast quantum of by-products and waste, causing environmental degradation, which concerns governing bodies. Developing aggregates artificially using these by-products and waste materials would be an eco-friendly and economical solution. This article provides an overview of the ingredients, production methods, and factors influencing the characteristics of such sustainable building materials, which can substitute conventional aggregates in the near future.
Social disadvantage, context and network dynamics in later life
Authors: Feng Nan
Published: May 2023

How do personal networks evolve as individuals age? To what degree do social disadvantage and contextual factors matter for network dynamics in later life? This paper answers these two questions based on egocentric network data of older adults over a ten-year period. Specifically, I use longitudinal and nationally representative data on 1,168 older adults from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. I use between-within models to separate the within- and between-individual effects of sociodemographic characteristics and contextual factors on three aspects of social connectedness in later life: network size, frequency of contact, and proportion of kin. Patterns of network change vary among people of different races and ethnicities as well as educational levels. Black and Hispanic respondents have a significantly smaller network size and a higher average frequency of contact with confidants. Moreover, Hispanic respondents have a higher proportion of kin in the network, compared to White respondents. Similarly, older adults with less education have a smaller network size, higher frequency of contact and higher proportion of kin in their confidant networks compared to those who attended college. Older adults who have better mental health are more likely to have a higher frequency of contact and higher proportion of kin. When an older adult starts to work for pay, their frequency of contact with confidants tends to increase. Older adults living in neighborhoods with stronger social ties are more likely to have a larger network size, higher frequency of contact, and lower proportion of kin in their confidant network. The above results show that disadvantaged backgrounds and contextual factors are associated with certain less favorable network characteristics, which helps to explain the concentration of social disadvantage on certain populations.
Effect of P53 nuclear localization mediated by G3BP1 on ferroptosis in acute liver failure
Authors: Li Wenyuan , Li Wei , Li Xun , Wang Luwen , Wang Yao
Published: May 2023

This study investigated whether G3BP1 could regulate ferroptosis in hepatocytes during ALF by affecting the entry of P53 into the nucleus. Promoting G3BP1 expression could inhibit P53 entry by binding to the nuclear localization sequence of P53. The inhibition of SLC7A11 transcription was weakened after blocking of P53 binding to the promoter region of the SLC7A11 gene. The SLC7A11-GSH-GPX4 antiferroptotic pathway was subsequently activated, and the level of ferroptosis in ALF hepatocytes was inhibited.
Cultivation of Gongolaria barbata (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) with a seaweed-derived biostimulant in order to improve photophysiological fitness and promote fertility to advance the restoration of marine macroalgal forests
Authors: Kaleb Sara , Sánchez de Pedro Raquel , Bañares-España Elena , Alboresi Alessandro , Savonitto Gilda , Natale Sara , Bevilacqua Stanislao , Falace Annalisa
Published: May 2023

As a result of several anthropogenic factors, Cystoseira sensu lato forests have declined or become regionally extinct in many coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Given the low natural recovery of lost populations, research efforts have been encouraged to develop sustainable and efficient restoration of macroalgal forests on a large scale. By promoting growth and fertility of collected thallus branches under controlled laboratory conditions, the availability of seedlings for restoration could be ensured without jeopardizing natural populations. Here we investigated the effect of a commercial algal biostimulant (AlgatronCifo®) on the photophysiology, growth and fertility of Gongolaria barbata (Stackhouse) Kuntze (Fucales, Phaeophyceae). In a factorial laboratory experiment, two different temperatures (10 ºC and 14 °C) and two culture media [i.e. seawater (SW) and Algatron (AT)] were tested. The photosynthetic performance of G. barbata doubled after three weeks of culture with AT, while it decreased by 25% when cultivated in SW. The highest photosynthetic performance and growth were achieved at 14ºC with AT, where fertile receptacles also developed, followed by seedling settlements. The thalli cultured in AT had similar or better photosynthetic performance than the initial control thalli. AT-cultured thalli had a greater ability to quench energy via photochemical pathways (qP) than those from the SW, which on the contrary, had higher levels of non-photochemical responses (qN, NPQmax). This limited photosynthetic performance was probably linked to the higher P-limitation experienced under that treatment. The algal biostimulant enhanced the physiological performance and induced fertility of G. barbata, demonstrating its valorization potential and setting a new path for improved restoration applications.
Parenting in Adversity: Effects of Older Caregivers, Biological Carers and Troubled Carers on Child Outcomes in High HIV-Affected Communities
Authors: Sherr Lorraine , Macedo Ana , Tomlinson Mark , Skeen Sarah , Hensels Imca S. , Steventon Roberts Kathryn J.
Published: May 2023

Caregiving by older adults is a common phenomenon, enhanced in the era of HIV infection. This longitudinal study was set up to examine the effect of caregiver age, relationship and mental wellbeing on child (4–13 years) outcomes (psychosocial and cognitive) in a sample of 808 caregiver- child dyads in South Africa and Malawi. Respondents were drawn from consecutive attenders at Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and interviewed with standardised inventories at baseline and followed up 12–15 months later. Analysis focused on three separate aspects of the caregiver; age, relationship to the child, and mental wellbeing, results are stratified with regard to these factors. Results showed that compared to younger caregivers, over 50 years were carrying a heavy load of childcare, but caregiver age for the most part was not associated with child outcomes. Being biologically related to the child (such as biological grandparenting) was also not a significant factor in child outcomes measured. However, irrespective of age and relationship, caregiver mental health was associated with differences in child outcome – those children of caregivers with a greater mental health burden were found to report experiencing more physical and psychologically violent discipline. Over time, the use of violent discipline was found to reduce. These data suggest that older caregivers and grandparents are providing comparable care to younger caregivers, for young children in the face of the HIV epidemic and that interventions should focus on mental health support for all caregivers, irrespective of age or relationship to the child.
Influence of indium and selenium co-doping on structural and thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 alloys
Authors: Hegde Ganesh Shridhar , Prabhu A. N. , Chattopadhyay M. K.
Published: May 2023

The melt-grown, indium and selenium co-doped Bi2Te3 single-crystal system is studied with a purpose to improve and analyze the thermoelectric performance in the low and near room-temperature range (10–400 K). The influence of co-dopants on the crystalline perfection, symmetry, dislocation, and single-crystal quality is investigated using high-resolution X-ray diffraction. The surface morphological features show the existence of small-angle grain boundaries, white patches, and tilt boundaries. Degenerate type of semiconducting behavior is seen in all the samples over the entire temperature range. The existence of small polarons is experimentally inferred from temperature-dependent electrical resistivity. Measurement of Seebeck coefficient confirms p- to n-type transition in the crystals doped with indium and selenium. The total thermal conductivity at 11 K was decreased by 3.4 times in (Bi0.98In0.02)2Te2.7Se0.3 as compared to pristine sample. Therefore, this novel co-doped indium and selenium Bi2Te3 single-crystal combination is viable to use as a competitor for low and near-room-temperature thermoelectric applications.