bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive overview of metaplastic breast cancer: Features and treatments
Authors: Yan Qiaoke , Deng Yuwei , Zhang Qingyuan
Published: May 2024

Metaplastic breast cancer is a rare, aggressive, and chemotherapy‐resistant subtype of breast cancers, accounting for less than 1% of invasive breast cancers, characterized by adenocarcinoma with spindle cells, squamous epithelium, and/or mesenchymal tissue differentiation. The majority of metaplastic breast cancers exhibit the characteristics of triple‐negative breast cancer and have unfavorable prognoses with a lower survival rate. This subtype often displays gene alterations in the PI3K/AKT pathway, Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, and cell cycle dysregulation and demonstrates epithelial–mesenchymal transition, immune response changes, TP53 mutation, EGFR amplification, and so on. Currently, the optimal treatment of metaplastic breast cancer remains uncertain. This article provides a comprehensive review on the clinical features, molecular characteristics, invasion and metastasis patterns, and prognosis of metaplastic breast cancer, as well as recent advancements in treatment strategies.
Identifying Deficiencies in Children's Residential Care in Finland: Inspectors' Views on Working With Information
Authors: Repo Jenni
Published: May 2024

Abusive and illegal practices in residential care are a recognised issue in child welfare internationally; thus, the question of how these institutions are supervised is important. However, children's residential care is complex by nature, making its supervision a challenging task. This article examines residential care supervision by looking at the ‘knowledge work’ that two central legality supervisors in Finland—the Parliamentary Ombudsman and Regional State Administrative Agencies—conduct when inspecting children's residential homes. Here, ‘knowledge work’ refers to the process of working with information to identify deficiencies in care. Eleven interviews and 16 inspection reports are analysed with a focus on the nature of the information that these supervisors gather when inspecting residential units and how they evaluate the significance and reliability of the information. The results show that to complete their institutional task, the inspectors gather information from various sources, including documents and interviews with children. The significance of the information is then assessed by comparing it with legislation and the supervisory mandate, and its reliability is verified by considering the diverse information sources as a whole collection of information. The results suggest that how well ‘knowledge work’ is conducted highly affects the impact of supervision.
The biological behavior and clinical outcome of pituitary adenoma are affected by the microenvironment
Authors: Li Yuhe , Ren Xiufang , Gao Wei , Cai Ruikai , Wu Jianqi , Liu Tianqi , Chen Xin , Jiang Daoming , Chen Chong , Cheng Quan , Wu Anhua , Cheng Wen
Published: May 2024

Background

Pituitary adenoma is one of the most common brain tumors. Most pituitary adenomas are benign and can be cured by surgery and/or medication. However, some pituitary adenomas show aggressive growth with a fast growth rate and are resistant to conventional treatments such as surgery, drug therapy, and radiation therapy. These tumors, referred to as refractory pituitary adenomas, often relapse or regrow in the early postoperative period. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has recently been identified as an important factor affecting the biological manifestations of tumors and acts as the main battlefield between the tumor and the host immune system.

Main body

In this review, we focus on describing TME in pituitary adenomas and refractory pituitary adenomas. Research on the immune microenvironment of pituitary adenomas is currently focused on immune cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes, and extensive research and experimental verifications are still required regarding other components of the TME. In particular, studies are needed to determine the role of the TME in the specific biological behaviors of refractory pituitary adenomas, such as high invasion, fast recurrence rate, and high tolerance to traditional treatments and to identify the mechanisms involved.

Conclusion

Overall, we summarize the similarities and differences between the TME of pituitary adenomas and refractory pituitary adenomas as well as the changes in the biological behavior of pituitary adenomas that may be caused by the microenvironment. These changes greatly affect the outcome of patients.
CD22 blockade aggravates EAE and its role in microglia polarization
Authors: Xiang Weiwei , Wang Kan , Han Lu , Wang Ze , Zhou Zhiyang , Bai Shuwei , Peng Jing , Xie Chong , Guan Yangtai
Published: May 2024

Aims

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease. Microglia are reportedly involved in the pathogenesis of MS. However, the key molecules that control the inflammatory activity of microglia in MS have not been identified.

Methods

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice were randomized into CD22 blockade and control groups. The expression levels of microglial CD22 were measured by flow cytometry, qRT–PCR, and immunofluorescence. The effects of CD22 blockade were examined via in vitro and in vivo studies.

Results

We detected increased expression of microglial CD22 in EAE mice. In addition, an in vitro study revealed that lipopolysaccharide upregulated the expression of CD22 in microglia and that CD22 blockade modulated microglial polarization. Moreover, an in vivo study demonstrated that CD22 blockade aggravated EAE in mice and promoted microglial M1 polarization.

Conclusion

Collectively, our study indicates that CD22 may be protective against EAE and may play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis in EAE mice.
Safety and efficacy of three‐dimensional versus two‐dimensional endoscopy in otolaryngology surgery and training: A systematic review
Authors: Ban Yuxin , Mcneely Brendan , Chadha Neil K. , Felton Mark
Published: May 2024

Objective

Three‐dimensional (3D) endoscopy has been developed to provide depth perception to allow for improved visualisation during otolaryngology surgery. We conducted a systematic review to determine the surgical safety and efficacy of 3D endoscopy in comparison to two‐dimensional (2D) endoscopy in performing otolaryngology procedures, and the role of 3D endoscopy as a training tool for novice otolaryngology surgeons.

Methods

Primary studies were identified through MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases, which were searched for articles published through June 2022 that compared the outcomes of 2D and 3D endoscopy in otolaryngology surgical procedures or otolaryngology‐relevant simulations. Candidate articles were independently reviewed by two authors.

Results

A total of 18 full‐text articles met inclusion criteria for this study. In clinical trials (n = 8 studies, 362 subjects), there were no significant differences in performance time, intraoperative or postoperative complications with 3D endoscopes when compared to 2D. In simulation studies (n = 10 studies, 336 participants), 3D endoscopes demonstrated a decreased error rate (n = 5 studies) and shorter performance time (n = 3 studies). Studies also reported improved depth perception (n = 14 studies) and visualisation preference (n = 5 studies) with 3D over 2D systems. The 3D systems were found to have a shorter learning curve and better manoeuvrability among novice surgeons.

Conclusion

3D endoscopy showed equivalent safety and efficacy compared to 2D endoscopy in otolaryngology surgery. The improved depth perception and performance for novices using 3D endoscopes suggests the technology may be superior to 2D endoscopes as a training tool for otolaryngology surgeons.
Cost‐utility analysis and drug pricing for tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes in the Chinese market compared with semaglutide
Authors: Hu Shanshan , Shi Chenyang , Ma Yuhang , Wang Shuowen , Gu Shengying , Qi Chendong , Fan Guorong
Published: May 2024

Aim

To investigate the most matchable price of tirzepatide (TIRZ) compared with semaglutide (SEMA) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes in China.

Methods

The patient cohort and clinical efficacy data were derived from the SURPASS‐2 trial. Cost‐utility analysis and a binary search were performed to identify the most matchable price of TIRZ from a Chinese healthcare provider's perspective.

Results

After lifetime simulation, the quality‐adjusted life years of TIRZ 5, 10, 15 mg and SEMA 1 mg were 11.17, 11.21, 11.27 and 11.12 years, respectively. Despite an initial assumption that the annual cost of TIRZ equals that of SEMA, our analysis revealed that TIRZ is probably more cost‐effective than SEMA. A thorough evaluation of pricing showed that the cost ranges for TIRZ at doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg were $1628.61‐$1846.23, $1738.40‐$2140.95 and $1800.30‐$2430.81, respectively. After adjustment in the univariate sensitivity analysis, the cost ranges for TIRZ 5, 10 and 15 mg were $1542.68‐$1757.57, $1573.00‐$1967.16 and $1576.54‐$2133.96, respectively. These cost intervals were validated through robust probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis, except for the cost range for TIRZ 5 mg.

Conclusions

This study shows that, using SEMA as a reference, the annual costs for TIRZ 10 and 15 mg are $1573.00‐$1967.16 and $1576.54‐$2133.96, respectively, for patients with type 2 diabetes in China.
Cardiometabolic factors and population risks of cardiovascular disease in community‐dwelling adults with varied blood pressure statuses
Authors: Qiu Weida , Cai Anping , Nie Zhiqiang , Wang Jiabin , Ou Yanqiu , Feng Yingqing
Published: May 2024

Aims

To examine the differential associations between cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and to evaluate the population‐attributable fractions (PAFs) for CVD among community‐dwelling adults with varied blood pressure (BP) statuses.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included participants without prevalent CVD from a subcohort of the China Patient‐Centred Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Million Persons Project. Participants were divided into four BP groups according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. The study exposure comprised the selected cardiometabolic risk factors, including waist circumference (WC), body mass index, (BMI) heart rate, fasting blood glucose (FBG), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and remnant cholesterol. The outcome was hospitalizations for CVD. Cox proportional hazard models were conducted, and the PAFs were calculated in the analysis.

Results

Among the 94 183 participants (39.0% were men, mean age: 54.2 years), 26.6% had Stage 1 hypertension and 30.8% had Stage 2 hypertension. A total of 6065 hospitalizations for CVD were captured after a median follow‐up of 3.5 years. BP (per 1‐standard deviation [SD]: hazard ratio [HR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29, 1.40), FBG (per 1‐SD: HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.14, 1.19) and WC (per 1‐SD: HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.36, 1.47) were three major contributors to CVD events. BP status significantly modified the associations of abdominal obesity, suboptimal BMI, suboptimal heart rate and abnormal FBG with CVD, with stronger associations with CVD observed in optimal BP groups compared to hypertensive groups (p for risk factor‐by‐BP group interaction <0.05). Participants with all cardiometabolic risk factors were at the highest risk for CVD, accounting for 35.6% (95% CI 30.0, 40.8) of the PAF for CVD. Among the risk factors, BP control explained the highest PAF for CVD (15.1%, 95% CI 8.2, 21.4) The overall PAFs of cardiometabolic risk factors for CVD were higher among the normotensive participants compared to the hypertensive participants.

Conclusions

The awareness and control rates of hypertension were extremely low among Southern Chinese adults. BP status significantly modified the associations between cardiometabolic risk factors and CVD, and the overall PAFs for CVD were higher among people with normal BP. Dedicated efforts are needed to improve the management of cardiometabolic factors.
Cognitive brain activity before and after surgery in meningioma patients
Authors: Schouwenaars Irena T. , de Dreu Miek J. , Rutten Geert‐Jan M. , Ramsey Nick F. , Jansma J. Martijn
Published: May 2024

Neuropsychological studies have demonstrated that meningioma patients frequently exhibit cognitive deficits before surgery and show only limited improvement after surgery. Combining neuropsychological with functional imaging measurements can shed more light on the impact of surgery on cognitive brain function. We aimed to evaluate whether surgery affects cognitive brain activity in such a manner that it may mask possible changes in cognitive functioning measured by neuropsychological tests. Twenty‐three meningioma patients participated in a fMRI measurement using a verbal working memory task as well as three neuropsychological tests focused on working memory, just before and 3 months after surgery. A region of interest based fMRI analysis was used to examine cognitive brain activity at these timepoints within the central executive network and default mode network. Neuropsychological assessment showed impaired cognitive functioning before as well as 3 months after surgery. Neuropsychological test scores, in‐scanner task performance as well as brain activity within the central executive and default mode network were not significantly different between both timepoints. Our results indicate that surgery does not significantly affect cognitive brain activity in meningioma patients the first few months after surgery. Therefore, the lack of cognitive improvement after surgery is not likely the result of compensatory processes in the brain. Cognitive deficits that are already present before surgery appear to be persistent after surgery and a considerable recovery period. Our study shows potential leads that comprehensive cognitive evaluation can be of added value so that cognitive functioning may become a more prominent factor in clinical decision making.
Diversity inhibits foliar fungal diseases in grasslands: Potential mechanisms and temperature dependence
Authors: Zhang Peng , Jiang Hongying , Liu Xiang
Published: May 2024

A long‐standing debate exists among ecologists as to how diversity regulates infectious diseases (i.e., the nature of diversity‐disease relationships); a dilution effect refers to when increasing host diversity inhibits infectious diseases (i.e., negative diversity‐disease relationships). However, the generality, strength, and potential mechanisms underlying negative diversity‐disease relationships in natural ecosystems remain unclear. To this end, we conducted a large‐scale survey of 63 grassland sites across China to explore diversity‐disease relationships. We found widespread negative diversity‐disease relationships that were temperature‐dependent; non‐random diversity loss played a fundamental role in driving these patterns. Our study provides field evidence for the generality and temperature dependence of negative diversity‐disease relationships in grasslands, becoming stronger in colder regions, while also highlighting the role of non‐random diversity loss as a mechanism. These findings have important implications for community ecology, disease ecology, and epidemic control.
Multinational enterprises' lobbying and foreign subsidiary performance: Evidence from the U.S. in the context of the global financial crisis
Authors: Shirodkar Vikrant , Konara Palitha
Published: May 2024

Whether corporate political activity (CPA) benefits firm performance is contested in the literature. However, the CPA‐performance relationship has been less explored in the international business context or in the context of macroeconomic shocks—notably the global financial crisis—during which multinational enterprises (MNEs) may be forced to revisit their market and non‐market strategies. In this study, we draw upon insights from the institutional theory and legitimacy perspectives to argue that the performance consequences of MNEs' lobbying in a host market are contingent upon the MNE's experience of operating in the host market, their lobbying frequency, and the subsidiary's technological intensity. The empirical analysis used to test our hypotheses is based on a panel dataset of 224 subsidiaries of foreign MNEs operating in the United States, spanning the 8‐year period 2005–2013, covering the years of the financial crisis. We find support for most of our hypotheses and contribute to the performance implications of CPA in international business contexts.
Disrupting the epileptogenic network with stereoelectroencephalography‐guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation
Authors: Kreinter Hellen , Espino Poul H. , Mejía Sonia , Alorabi Khalid , Gilmore Greydon , Burneo Jorge G. , Steven David A. , MacDougall Keith W. , Jones Michelle‐Lee , Pellegrino Giovanni , Diosy David , Mirsattari Seyed M. , Lau Jonathan , Suller Marti Ana
Published: May 2024

Stereoelectroencephalography‐guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SEEG‐guided RF‐TC) is a treatment option for focal drug‐resistant epilepsy. In previous studies, this technique has shown seizure reduction by ≥50% in 50% of patients at 1 year. However, the relationship between the location of the ablation within the epileptogenic network and clinical outcomes remains poorly understood. Seizure outcomes were analyzed for patients who underwent SEEG‐guided RF‐TC and across subgroups depending on the location of the ablation within the epileptogenic network, defined as SEEG sites involved in seizure generation and spread. Eighteen patients who had SEEG‐guided RF‐TC were included. SEEG‐guided seizure‐onset zone ablation (SEEG‐guided SOZA) was performed in 12 patients, and SEEG‐guided partial seizure‐onset zone ablation (SEEG‐guided P‐SOZA) in 6 patients. The early spread was ablated in three SEEG‐guided SOZA patients. Five patients had ablation of a lesion. The seizure freedom rate in the cohort ranged between 22% and 50%, and the responder rate between 67% and 85%. SEEG‐guided SOZA demonstrated superior results for both outcomes compared to SEEG‐guided P‐SOZA at 6 months (seizure freedom p = .294, responder rate p = .014). Adding the early spread ablation to SEEG‐guided SOZA did not increase seizure freedom rates but exhibited comparable effectiveness regarding responder rates, indicating a potential network disruption.
Strangulation of the small colon by a pendulous ovarian pedicle in an adult broodmare
Authors: Claunch Kevin M. , Wurst Parker , Chisholm Cari
Published: May 2024

A 17‐year‐old Quarter Horse broodmare was taken to surgery for signs of colic unresponsive to medical management. The small colon was strangulated by a pendulous ovarian pedicle. The strangulation was freed, and the affected ovary was removed. The mare developed signs of a small colon obstruction 4 days after surgery. The mare was euthanised 6 days after surgery because of a GI rupture. A post‐mortem examination revealed necrosis of the previously strangulated portion of small colon.
Inhibition of the morphological transition of Candida spp. by riparins I–IV
Authors: Queiroz da Silva Maria Lucilene , Ferreira de Sousa Natália , dos Santos Antonia Thassya Lucas , de Sousa Gabriela Ribeiro , Fonseca Victor Juno Alencar , Douglas Melo Coutinho Henrique , Barbosa Filho José Maria , de Souza Ferrari Jailton , Scotti Marcus Tullius , Ribeiro‐Filho Jaime , Martins de Lima João Paulo , da Rocha João Batista Teixeira , Bezerra Morais‐Braga Maria Flaviana
Published: May 2024

Candida spp. is an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing superficial to invasive infections. Morphological transition is one of the main virulence factors of this genus and, therefore, is an important variable to be considered in pharmacological interventions. Riparins I, II, III, and IV are alkamide‐type alkaloids extracted from the unripe fruit of Aniba riparia, whose remarkable pharmacological properties were previously demonstrated. This work aimed to evaluate in silico and in vitro the inhibitory effects of Riparins on the morphological transition of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei. Molecular docking was applied to analyze the inhibitory effects of riparins against proteins such as N‐acetylglucosamine, CYP‐51, and protein kinase A (PKA) using the Ramachandran plot. The ligands were prepared by MarvinSketch and Spartan software version 14.0, and MolDock Score and Rerank Score were used to analyze the affinity of the compounds. In vitro analyses were performed by culturing the strains in humid chambers in the presence of riparins or fluconazole (FCZ). The morphology was observed through optical microscopy, and the size of the hyphae was determined using the ToupView software. In silico analysis demonstrated that all riparins are likely to interact with the molecular targets: GlcNAc (>50%), PKA (>60%), and CYP‐51 (>70%). Accordingly, in vitro analysis showed that these compounds significantly inhibited the morphological transition of all Candida strains. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that riparins inhibit Candida morphological transition and, therefore, can be used to overcome the pathogenicity of this genus.
Evaluation of hematological inflammatory parameters in patients with palmoplantar pustulosis
Authors: Ning Xin , Wu Chao , Song Biao , Wang Hai‐Meng , Jin Hong‐Zhong
Published: May 2024

Background

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of ill‐defined etiopathology. Recent studies have proposed complete blood count‐based hematological parameters, such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), as biomarkers to monitor disease status in many inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to analyze for the first time the clinical significance of hematological parameters, including NLR, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), PLR, mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), and pan‐immune‐inflammation value (PIV) in PPP patients.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated the clinical and laboratory data of 237 patients with PPP and 250 sex‐age‐matched healthy controls (HCs). Hematological parameters were compared between patients with PPP and HCs. The correlations between these parameters and disease severity, as well as treatment response, were analyzed.

Results

NLR, MLR, MPV, PCT, and PIV values were significantly higher in PPP patients than in HCs. But in receiver‐operating characteristic analyses, only monocyte count (Youden Index = 0.53), PCT (Youden Index = 0.65), and PIV (Youden Index = 0.52) performed relatively accurate distinguishment between moderate‐to‐severe cases and mild cases. PCT and PIV values were significantly correlated with disease severity. After treatment, both PIV and PCT values decreased significantly in the responder group but not in the non‐responder group.

Conclusions

Hematological parameters altered significantly in PPP patients. PCT and PIV can be used as simple and inexpensive biomarkers for systemic inflammation in PPP patients.
Recent advances, challenges and functional applications of protein glycosylation modification in food industry
Authors: Hu Shunyang , Wang Bangxu , Zeng Rumei , Luo Qing , Zhao Peiming , Bai Ting , Cheng Jie , Zhang Jiamin
Published: May 2024

Protein glycosylation modification is an effective way to enhance the functional properties of natural proteins. This study aims to explore the preparation of glycosylation products (PPCs) through the Maillard reaction or enzymatic glycosylation using transglutaminase. The study discusses the advantages and disadvantages of preparing PPCs using dry heat, wet heat, and enzymatic glycosylation, as well as factors influencing the glycosylation process. Compared to natural proteins, PPCs demonstrate superior functional properties, including solubility, viscosity, emulsifying ability, gelling ability, thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity. With improved functional performance, PPCs have broad application prospects as raw materials in food processing. For example, PPCs can be used as antioxidants, emulsifiers, gelling agents, and carriers for various bioactive molecules in the food industry. In the pharmaceutical field, PPCs are expected to serve as contrast agents and dressings. Furthermore, the application of PPCs in food processing should also consider specific processing requirements to achieve the intended enhancement of glycosylated protein functionality.
Human CD4+iNKT cell adoptive immunotherapy induces anti‐tumour responses against CD1d‐negative EBV‐driven B lymphoma
Authors: Baiu Dana C. , Sharma Akshat , Schehr Jennifer L. , Basu Jayati , Smith Kelsey A. , Ohashi Makoto , Johannsen Eric C. , Kenney Shannon C. , Gumperz Jenny E.
Published: May 2024

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a conserved population of innate T lymphocytes that are uniquely suitable as off‐the‐shelf cellular immunotherapies due to their lack of alloreactivity. Two major subpopulations of human iNKT cells have been delineated, a CD4− subset that has a TH1/cytolytic profile, and a CD4+ subset that appears polyfunctional and can produce both regulatory and immunostimulatory cytokines. Whether these two subsets differ in anti‐tumour effects is not known. Using live cell imaging, we found that CD4− iNKT cells limited growth of CD1d+ Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐infected B‐lymphoblastoid spheroids in vitro, whereas CD4+ iNKT cells showed little or no direct anti‐tumour activity. However, the effects of the two subsets were reversed when we tested them as adoptive immunotherapies in vivo using a xenograft model of EBV‐driven human B cell lymphoma. We found that EBV‐infected B cells down‐regulated CD1d in vivo, and administering CD4− iNKT cells had no discernable impact on tumour mass. In contrast, xenotransplanted mice bearing lymphomas showed rapid reduction in tumour mass after administering CD4+ iNKT cells. Immunotherapeutic CD4+ iNKT cells trafficked to both spleen and tumour and were associated with subsequently enhanced responses of xenotransplanted human T cells against EBV. CD4+ iNKT cells also had adjuvant‐like effects on monocyte‐derived DCs and promoted antigen‐dependent responses of human T cells in vitro. These results show that allogeneic CD4+ iNKT cellular immunotherapy leads to marked anti‐tumour activity through indirect pathways that do not require tumour cell CD1d expression and that are associated with enhanced activity of antigen‐specific T cells.
Mobilising new frontiers in digital transformation research: A problematization review
Authors: Ashrafi Amir , Constantinides Panos , Mehandjiev Nikolay , Thatcher Jason Bennett
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we mobilise new frontiers in digital transformation (DT) research by deconstructing the literature's underlying assumptions and analysing their correspondence with current theory. To do so, we conduct a problematization review across the fields of IS, strategy and entrepreneurship, organisation theory and management studies, to capture the multidimensionality of DT research. Unlike systematic literature reviews commonly found in DT research, a problematization review critically questions how theoretical contributions have been constructed in past research to develop novel theoretical questions. Our findings offer three contributions. First, we uncover five research trajectories, each with its own in‐house assumptions about the nature of digital technologies and how organisations, groups and individuals interact with those technologies and the data they generate. Second, we show how individual studies within the identified research trajectories position themselves against prior research, pointing at six distinct processes of constructing theoretical contributions. Finally, we mobilise new frontiers of research by questioning DT research field assumptions that cut across the five research trajectories. We conclude by discussing the theoretical implications of our problematization review for further DT research.
Drone scheduling in a hexagon‐based delivery network with multiple fulfillment centers
Authors: Liu Chuang , Chen Huaping , Li Xueping , Zhou Shengchao , Jia Zhaohong
Published: May 2024

As an emerging technology, drones have great potential in small parcel delivery, reducing operational costs, and improving efficiency. However, battery technologies restrict the endurance of drones. Inspired by the cellular networks used in mobile communications, a hexagon‐based delivery network (HBDN) is proposed to overcome such restrictions. Battery‐swapping stations are incorporated into the HBDN to expand the delivery service range of drones. Based on the proposed HBDN, the multidrone scheduling problem in multiple fulfillment centers (FCs) is addressed. The objective is to minimize the makespan. A mixed‐integer programming model is constructed for the problem. A memetic algorithm with hill climbing (MAHC) is developed to address the problem. A strategy is proposed to prevent inbreeding in the crossover procedure. A local search based on hill climbing is combined with the mutation operation. A lower bound of the problem is proposed to measure the performance of MAHC. Furthermore, load balancing and nearest‐priority strategies are proposed to select FCs. Comparative experiments show that MAHC performs competitively in terms of running time and solution quality.
Internet‐based breastfeeding peer support for breastfeeding parents: An integrative review
Authors: Hiito Elisa , Ikonen Riikka , Niela‐Vilén Hannakaisa
Published: May 2024

Aim

To explore what Internet‐based breastfeeding peer support offers to breastfeeding parents.

Design

Integrative review.

Data Sources and Review Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in March 2024 using the following electronic databases: CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE and PsycINFO. Database searches yielded 717 results. Two researchers removed the duplicates (n = 256) and screened the remaining titles (n = 461), abstracts (n = 197) and full texts (n = 60) independently. Eventually, 19 studies were included in the review. The chosen studies had qualitative (n = 11), quantitative (n = 6), or mixed methods designs (n = 2) and were published between 2015 and 2024. Qualitative content analysis was conducted.

Results

The main categories were supplying support that is responsive to the needs of parents and belonging to a breastfeeding community. The parents looked for and received breastfeeding support, advice, information, emotional support, reassurance and access to shared experiences from various online breastfeeding peer support groups. The support groups helped them in their breastfeeding decisions, thus making a difference in their breastfeeding experience. The support groups created breastfeeding communities for these parents and they were able to bond with others, feel like they belonged and share experiences. Additionally, these breastfeeding communities helped to normalize various breastfeeding practices.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding peer support groups can offer parents the support and guidance they seek and a sense that they are part of a breastfeeding community. However, it is vital these groups are efficiently moderated to ensure the advice parents receive is evidence‐based and the support is encouraging.

Impact

These findings show that well‐moderated online breastfeeding peer support can offer parents high‐quality support. It is essential for health care professionals to be aware of the various options available in order to recommend high‐quality support groups for breastfeeding parents.

Reporting Method

PRISMA.

Patient or Public Contribution

This was an integrative review therefore no patient or public contribution was necessary.
Dual holdings and shareholder–creditor agency conflicts: Evidence from the syndicated loan market
Authors: Geburtig Ingo , Mählmann Thomas , Liebscher Roberto
Published: May 2024

We examine implications from the expansion of private equity (PE) firms into the collateralized loan obligation (CLO) (i.e., leveraged lending) business. Due to similarities in the investment universes of CLO managers and PE firms, asset managers running both of them frequently hold debt and equity claims of the same company. Our results indicate lower credit costs for these companies through the mitigation of shareholder–creditor agency conflicts. The lower funding costs imply increased equity returns for the sponsoring PE firms. In addition, our findings suggest that PE‐affiliated CLO managers benefit from informed trading in the secondary leveraged loan market.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy versus observation in high‐risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients: An inverse probability of treatment weighting study
Authors: Tejera‐Vaquerizo Antonio , Gómez‐Tomás Álvaro , Jaka Ane , Toll Agustín , del Río María , Ferrándiz‐Pulido Carla , Fuente María J. , Carrasco Cristian , Almazán‐Fernández Francisco M. , Toledo‐Pastrana Tomás , Ferrer‐Fuertes Ada , Ribero Simone , Avallone Gianluca , Cañueto Javier , Santos‐Juanes Jorge , Sanmartín Onofre
Published: May 2024

Background

The survival benefit of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients with high‐risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has not been established.

Objective

To determine whether SLNB improves disease‐specific survival (DSS) in high‐risk cSCC. Secondary objectives were to analyse disease‐free survival, nodal recurrence‐free survival and overall survival (OS).

Methods

Multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study comparing survival outcomes in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients treated with SLNB or watchful waiting. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for possible confounding effects.

Results

We studied 638 tumours in immunocompetent patients (SLNB n = 42, observation n = 596) and 173 tumours in immunosuppressed patients (SLNB n = 28, observation n = 145). Overall, SLNB was positive in 15.7% of tumours. SLNB was associated with a reduced risk of nodal recurrence (NR) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.05 [95% CI, 0.01–0.43]; p = 0.006), disease specific mortality (HR, 0.17 [95% CI, 0.04–0.72]; p = 0.016) and all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.15–0.71]; p = 0.004) only in immunocompetent patients.

Conclusions

SLNB was associated with improvements in NR, DSS and OS in immunocompetent but not in immunosuppressed patients with high‐risk cSCC.
Crossing the deintensification chasm for older adults with diabetes
Authors: Pilla Scott J. , Maruthur Nisa M.
Published: May 2024

This editorial comments on the article by Haider et al.
Diet modification reduces pain and improves function in adults with osteoarthritis: a systematic review
Authors: Stanfar Karen , Hawes Corey , Ghajar Mina , Byham‐Gray Laura , Radler Diane R.
Published: May 2024

Background

The effect of dietary modifications on pain and joint function in adults with osteoarthritis (OA) is an emerging area of study. This systematic review aimed to evaluate if adults with OA who consume diets with a higher proportion of plant phenols and omega‐3 fatty acids would have less pain and improved joint function than those with a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids, omega‐6 fatty acids and refined carbohydrates.

Methods

Database searches of CINAHL (EBSCO), Clinical Trials (NIH‐NLM), Cochrane Library (Wiley), Dissertation & Thesis Global (ProQuest), Embase (Elsevier), Medline (OVID), PubMed (NLM), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Sciences (Clarivate) for clinical trials identified 7763 articles published between January 2015 and May 2023. After an independent review of the articles, seven randomised clinical trials and one nonrandomised clinical trial were included in the analysis. Because of the heterogeneity of the outcome measures, a meta‐analysis was not possible.

Results

Participants who were instructed to consume high‐phenol/high‐omega‐3 fatty acid diets reported significant improvements in pain and physical function scores. The greatest improvement was reported by those who consumed a diet that had the most omega‐3 fatty acids.

Conclusion

Because of the high risk of bias, the strength of the evidence is limited. However, there is evidence that counselling adults with OA to replace refined grains and processed foods with whole plant foods, fish and plant oils may have a favourable effect on pain and physical function. Routine follow‐up care regarding these diet modifications may be necessary to ensure adherence to this therapy.
Strategies for selecting and managing equipment in a light microscopy facility
Authors: Anderson Kurt I.
Published: May 2024

Light microscopy facilities vary in the number of imaging systems and the scope of technologies they support. Each facility must craft an identity through the selection of equipment and development of staff in order to serve the needs of its local research environment. The process of crafting a light microscopy facility can be compared to curation of an art exhibition: great care should be given to the selection and placement of each object in order to make a coherent statement.

Lay Description: Light microscopy facilities vary in the number of imaging systems and the scope of technologies they support. Each facility must develop an identity through the selection of equipment and development of staff in order to serve the needs of its local research environment. The process of crafting a light microscopy facility can be compared to curation of an art exhibition: great care should be given to the selection and placement of each object in order to make a coherent statement.
Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of port‐wine stains in phakomatosis pigmentovascularis
Authors: Huang Yuanbo , Yang Jun , Bi Mingye , Wang Lei , Ju Wen , Liu Xuan , Bi Lingbo , Du Yimei , Chen Bin , Fan Weixin
Published: May 2024

Background

Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) is a rare congenital syndrome. Only a few studies have reported the treatment of PPV, including a case using photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat PPV‐associated port‐wine stains (PWS).

Objective

To investigating the efficacy and adverse effects of hemoporfin‐PDT in PPV‐associated PWS.

Methods

The efficacy and adverse effects in patients with PPV who underwent two sessions of hemoporfin‐PDT from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Twenty patients were included (13 females, 7 males, age range: 2–31 years; mean: 8.20 ± 8.92 years). Two, nine, seven, and two patients had PPV types Ia, IIa, IIb, and IIIa, respectively. After two treatments, the visual evaluation indicated the color of the PWS in 4, 5, 6, and 5 patients showed poor, fair, good, and excellent improvements, respectively. The combined good and excellent improvement rates in patients with PWS and pigmentary nevus overlapping in the same treatment area and in patients with PWS in the treatment areas only were 33.3% versus 87.5%, respectively, and were significantly different (p = 0.02). Minor side effects, such as edema, scabbing, hyperpigmentation, and blistering, were observed in some patients after PDT.

Conclusion

Hemoporfin‐PDT is an effective treatment for PPV‐associated PWS. Patients with PWS and pigmentary nevus overlapping in the same treatment area showed poorer efficacy than patients with PWS in the treatment areas only.
Safety and efficacy of tofacitinib in 97 alopecia areata patients
Authors: Nasimi Maryam , Abedini Robabeh , Ghandi Narges , Teymourpour Amir , Babaie Hanie
Published: May 2024

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is a recurrent immune‐mediated disorder causing hair loss without any scarring being present. It affects hairs on the head or other parts of the body and can occur at any age and in both genders. It seems that AA is associated with a higher rate of psychological disorders resulting from hair loss and the esthetic and social repercussions of it. Common treatments like corticosteroids do not work for every patient and recent treatment options focusing on the immunologic mechanisms like tofacitinib have shown some promising results.

Methods

It's a retrospective study on patients with AA, AT, AU taking oral tofacitinib as a treatment for at least 6 months. Scalp hair loss was assessed before treatment and at each visit using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score.

Results

Of 97 cases, 69.1% demonstrated over 50% SALT score improvement, with 44.3% having 90% or more decrease in SALT score. Patients who suffered from patchy AA were more responsive compared to patients with AT and AU subtypes and had a greater percent change in SALT score. Tofacitinib was tolerated quite well and no significant adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Tofacitinib should be taken into consideration as an efficacious treatment option for patients with AA, AT and AU.
The familialization of terrorism and the securitization of the family: gendered narratives of infantilization and demonization
Authors: AHDASH FATIMA
Published: May 2024

This article examines the recent proliferation of gendered narratives underpinning and shaping counter‐terrorism laws, policies, and practices. Looking specifically at the United Kingdom, there has been shift in the place of women and gender within international and national security discourses and practices, from historic absence to contemporary presence and influence. The article identifies and critiques some of the gendered and racialized tropes through which Muslim women involved in or associated with Islamist terrorism have been represented since the advent of the ‘War on Terror’. Gendered narratives that oscillate between infantilizing and demonizing Muslim women underline, and are manifested in, two particularly important shifts in the global counter‐terrorism landscape: the familialization of (Islamist) terrorism and the securitization of the (Muslim) family. These changes – which foreground the importance of the private realm in understanding and countering terrorism, and have turned the attention of the security state to the relationship between private intimacies and public threats – rest on gendered assumptions and have gendered implications. Their power is most clearly seen in the rhetoric of the family judiciary in cases that have recently emerged in the English family courts dealing with the radicalization of children and their construction of three discursive figures: the radicalized girl, the radicalized woman/wife, and the radicalized mother.
Respiration‐triggered olfactory stimulation reduces obstructive sleep apnea severity: A prospective pilot study
Authors: Perl Ofer , Kemer Lilach , Green Amit , Arish Nissim , Corcos Yael , Arzi Anat , Dagan Yaron
Published: May 2024

Obstructive sleep apnea is a prevalent sleep‐disordered breathing condition characterized by repetitive reduction in breathing during sleep. The current care standard for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive air pressure devices, often suffering from low tolerance due to limited adherence. Capitalizing on the unique neurocircuitry of olfactory perception and its retained function during sleep, we conducted a pilot study to test transient, respiration‐based olfactory stimulation as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea markers. Thirty‐two patients with obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index ≥ 15 events per hr) underwent two polysomnography sessions, “Odour” and “Control”, in random order. In “Odour” nights, patients were presented with transient respiratory‐based olfactory stimulation delivered via a computer‐controlled commercial olfactometer (Scentific). The olfactometer, equipped with a wireless monitoring, analysed respiratory patterns and presented odour upon detection of respiratory events. No odours were presented in “Control” nights. Following exclusions, 17 patients entered the analysis (four women, 47.4 (10.5) years, body mass index: 29.4 (6.3) kg m−2). We observed that olfactory stimulation during sleep reduced the apnea–hypopnea index (“Odour”: 17.2 (20.9), “Control”: 28.2 (18.6), z = −3.337, p = 0.000846, BF10 [Bayesian Factor 10]= 57.9), reflecting an average decrease of 31.3% in the number of events. Relatedly, stimulation reduced the oxygen desaturation index by 26.9% (“Odour”: 12.5 (15.8), “Control”: 25.7 (25.9), z = −3.337, p = 0.000846, BF10 = 9.522). This effect was not linked to the severity of baseline obstructive sleep apnea markers (ρ = −0.042, p = 0.87). Olfactory stimulation did not arouse from sleep or affect sleep structure, measured as time per sleep stage (F1,16 = 0.088, p = 0.77). In conclusion, olfactory stimulation during sleep was effective in reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea markers without inducing arousals, and may provide a novel treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, prompting continued research.
Do Implicit Learning Deficit and Dyslexia Go Together? An fMRI and Behavioral Study
Authors: Wójcik Marta , Beck Joanna , Chyl Katarzyna , Dynak Agnieszka , Dzięgiel‐Fivet Gabriela , Łuniewska Magdalena , Grabowska Anna , Jednoróg Katarzyna , Dębska Agnieszka
Published: May 2024

What is the relationship between literacy skills and implicit learning? To address previous mixed findings, we compared school‐aged readers, typical (CON, n = 54) and with dyslexia (DYS, n = 53), in relation to their performance on a serial reaction time task. For the first time, we also included an isolated spelling deficit group (ISD, n = 30) to control for distinctive effects of reading and spelling deficits. A linear reaction times analysis did not reveal between‐group differences in implicit learning. However, further examination revealed that most CON (65%) and ISD (63%) were implicit learners, whereas most DYS were nonlearners (64%). Brain activity showed differences in early learning phases: CON learners and DYS nonlearners activated the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and left insula more than other groups. Our findings imply that implicit learning is more frequently disrupted in children with dyslexia than in typical readers, and that activation of the left IFG and insula contributes to effective learning in the latter group but it does not in the former.
Origin of fabrics and olivine chemical variations preserved in brachinite and brachinite‐like achondrite meteorites
Authors: Gruber Benjamin H. , Nicklas Robert W. , Day James M. D. , Chin Emily J. , Ren Minghua , Bernard Rachel E.
Published: May 2024

Brachinites and brachinite‐like achondrites are olivine‐rich meteorites that represent materials after partial metal–silicate differentiation on multiple early Solar System bodies. Both meteorite types show macroscopic textures of olivine crystals, which make up >70 modal percent of their mineralogy. We investigated the orientations of olivine using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and elemental compositions from paired brachinite‐like achondrites and one brachinite. The olivine orientations are characterized by a strong concentration of [010] axes with maxima perpendicular to the foliation/layering and a concentration of [001] axes distributed in a girdle or, in a few samples, as point maxima. Trace element abundances of the olivine in these meteorites determined using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry have uniformly low concentrations of sodium (<300 μg g−1), aluminum (<70 μg g−1), and titanium (<40 μg g−1) that are distinct from olivine in chondrites or within terrestrial lavas. Instead, brachinite and brachinite‐like olivine compositions broadly overlap those of olivine from melt‐depleted mantle lithologies on Earth. Evidence from olivine trace element geochemistry, in conjunction with mineral fabrics, supports that these meteorites formed as melt residues on their host planetary body(ies).