bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism After Benign Colorectal Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Leow Tjun Wei , Rashid Adil , Lewis-Lloyd Christopher A. , Crooks Colin J. , Humes David J.
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND:

Venous thromboembolism is a well-established preventable complication after colectomy. Specific guidance on venous thromboembolism prevention after colectomy for benign disease is limited.

OBJECTIVE:

This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the venous thromboembolism risk after benign colorectal resection and determine its variability.

DATA SOURCES:

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021265438), Embase, MEDLINE, and 4 other registered medical literature databases were searched from the database inception to June 21, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION:

Inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials and large population-based database cohort studies reporting 30-day and 90-day venous thromboembolism rates after benign colorectal resection in patients aged ≥18 years. Exclusion criteria: patients undergoing colorectal cancer or completely endoscopic surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Thirty- and 90-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years after benign colorectal surgery.

RESULTS:

Seventeen studies were eligible for meta-analysis reporting on 250,170 patients. Pooled 30-day and 90-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates after benign colorectal resection were 284 (95% CI, 224–360) and 84 (95% CI, 33–218) per 1000 person-years. Stratified by admission type, 30-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years were 532 (95% CI, 447–664) for emergency resections and 213 (95% CI, 100–453) for elective colorectal resections. Thirty-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years after colectomy were 485 (95% CI, 411–573) for patients with ulcerative colitis, 228 (95% CI, 181–288) for patients with Crohn’s disease, and 208 (95% CI, 152–288) for patients with diverticulitis.

LIMITATIONS:

High degree of heterogeneity was observed within most meta-analyses attributable to large cohorts minimizing within-study variance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Venous thromboembolism rates remain high up to 90 days after colectomy and vary by indication for surgery. Emergency resections compared to elective benign resections have higher rates of postoperative venous thromboembolism. Further studies reporting venous thromboembolism rates by type of benign disease need to stratify rates by admission type to more accurately define venous thromboembolism risk after colectomy.

REGISTRATION NO.:

CRD42021265438.
Efficacy and Safety of Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses: A Meta-Analysis Update of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Hu Chengjun , Luo Xiangyue , Jiang Chufeng , Lei Shaorong , Sun Yuming
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common and some may evolve into squamous cell carcinoma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), imiquimod, cryotherapy, and other methods have been reported to have good effects. However, which treatment is the most effective with the best cosmetic results and fewest complications is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate which method has the best efficacy and cosmetic results with less adverse events and recurrence rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All relevant articles up to July 31, 2022 were searched from Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed databases. Extract and analyze the data of efficacy, cosmetic results, local reactions, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine articles with 3,,850 participants and 24,747 lesions were included. Quality of evidence was generally high. The efficacy of PDT was better in complete response (CR) (lesions CR; risk ratio (RR) 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.55–1.87/patient CR; RR 3.07; 95% CI 2.07–4.56), overall preference, and cosmetic results. The time cumulative meta-analysis showed that the curative effect was gradually increasing before 2004, and then gradually stabilizing. Two groups showed no statistically significant differences in recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Compared with other methods, PDT is significantly more effective for AK with excellent cosmetic results and reversible adverse effects.
Outcome of Primary Monocanalicular Stent Placement in Pediatric Down Syndrome Patients with Congenital Nasolacrimal Obstruction
Authors: Landau Prat Daphna , Munroe Christiana E. , Revere Karen , Khatib Lama , Hua Peiying , Ying Gui-Shuang , Binenbaum Gil , Katowitz James A. , Katowitz William R.
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

Congenital Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is a relatively common problem in children with Down syndrome (DS). Probing and irrigation (PI) with monocanalicular stent intubation may be less successful than in non-DS patients, thus raising some concerns regarding the preferred treatment in this population. We aimed to analyze the surgical outcome of PI along with monocanalicular stent intubation in children with DS compared with non-DS patients.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study. Thirty-five eyes of 19 children with DS and 1,472 eyes of 1,001 children without DS underwent PI-monocanalicular stent intubation as a primary treatment for CNLDO. All patients were operated on by a single surgeon at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between 2009 and 2020. The main outcome measure was a surgical success, defined as the resolution of symptoms after surgery.

Results:

A total of 1,020 patients were included, 48% females; mean age of 1.9 ± 1.4 years. The mean follow-up time was 35.0 months. The DS patients group consisted of 19 patients. Higher rates of right nasolacrimal duct obstruction and bilateral obstructions were observed in the DS group (100% vs. 73.2%; p = 0.006, and 84.2% vs. 46.8%; p = 0.001, respectively). Patients with DS had a lower success rate (57.1% vs. 92.4%; p < 0.0001). The median time to failure was 3.1 months in the DS group, and 5.2 months in the group of patients without DS. The hazard ratio comparing DS to the no-DS outcome was 6.6 (95% CI: 3.2–13.7; p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

CNLDO in DS is more likely to be bilateral and less likely to resolve after primary monocanalicular stent placement.
Application of 1,000 fps High-Speed Angiography to In-Vitro Hemodynamic Evaluation of Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft Configurations
Authors: Shields Allison , Setlur Nagesh Swetadri Vasan , Rajagopal Keshava , Bednarek Daniel R. , Rudin Stephen , Chivukula Venkat Keshav
Published: May 2023

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)–induced hemodynamics are characterized by fast-moving flow with large variations in velocity, making quantitative assessments difficult with existing imaging methods. This study demonstrates the ability of 1,000 fps high-speed angiography (HSA) to quantify the effect of the surgical implantation angle of a LVAD outflow graft on the hemodynamics within the ascending aorta in vitro. High-speed angiography was performed on patient-derived, three-dimensional–printed optically opaque aortic models using a nonsoluble contrast media, ethiodol, as a flow tracer. Outflow graft configuration angles of 45° and 90° with respect to the central aortic axis were considered. Projected velocity distributions were calculated from the high-speed experimental sequences using two methods: a physics-based optical flow algorithm and tracking of radio-opaque particles. Particle trajectories were also used to evaluate accumulated shear stress. Results were then compared with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to confirm the results of the high-speed imaging method. Flow patterns derived from HSA coincided with the impingement regions and recirculation zones formed in the aortic root as seen in the CFD for both graft configurations. Compared with the 45° graft, the 90° configuration resulted in 81% higher two-dimensional–projected velocities (over 100 cm/s) along the contralateral wall of the aorta. Both graft configurations suggest elevated accumulated shear stresses along individual trajectories. Compared with CFD simulations, HSA successfully characterized the fast-moving flow and hemodynamics in each LVAD graft configuration in vitro, demonstrating the potential utility of this technology as a quantitative imaging modality.
Baseline and early digital [18F]FDG PET/CT and multiparametric MRI contain promising features to predict response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer patients: a pilot study
Authors: Vuijk Floris A. , Feshtali Shahbazi Shirin , Noortman Wyanne A. , van Velden Floris H.P. , Dibbets-Schneider Petra , Marinelli Andreas W.K.S. , Neijenhuis Peter A. , Schmitz Roderick , Ghariq Eidrees , Velema Laura A. , Peters Femke P. , Smit Frits , Peeters Koen C.M.J. , Temmink Sofieke J.D. , Crobach Stijn A.L.P. , Putter Hein , Vahrmeijer Alexander L. , Hilling Denise E. , de Geus-Oei Lioe-Fee
Published: May 2023

Objective

In this pilot study, we investigated the feasibility of response prediction using digital [18F]FDG PET/computed tomography (CT) and multiparametric MRI before, during, and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients and aimed to select the most promising imaging modalities and timepoints for further investigation in a larger trial.

Methods

Rectal cancer patients scheduled to undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy were prospectively included in this trial, and underwent multiparametric MRI and [18F]FDG PET/CT before, 2 weeks into, and 6–8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy. Two groups were created based on pathological tumor regression grade, that is, good responders (TRG1-2) and poor responders (TRG3-5). Using binary logistic regression analysis with a cutoff value of P ≤ 0.2, promising predictive features for response were selected.

Results

Nineteen patients were included. Of these, 5 were good responders, and 14 were poor responders. Patient characteristics of these groups were similar at baseline. Fifty-seven features were extracted, of which 13 were found to be promising predictors of response. Baseline [T2: volume, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI): apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mean, DWI: difference entropy], early response (T2: volume change, DWI: ADC mean change) and end-of-treatment presurgical evaluation MRI (T2: gray level nonuniformity, DWI: inverse difference normalized, DWI: gray level nonuniformity normalized), as well as baseline (metabolic tumor volume, total lesion glycolysis) and early response PET/CT (Δ maximum standardized uptake value, Δ peak standardized uptake value corrected for lean body mass), were promising features.

Conclusion

Both multiparametric MRI and [18F]FDG PET/CT contain promising imaging features to predict response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in LARC patients. A future larger trial should investigate baseline, early response, and end-of-treatment presurgical evaluation MRI and baseline and early response PET/CT.
Trends in Childhood Oncology Admissions to ICUs in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Wraight Tracey I. , Namachivayam Siva P. , Maiden Matthew J. , Erickson Simon J. , Oberender Felix , Singh Puneet , Gard Jye , Ganeshalingham Anusha , Millar Johnny ,   on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group and Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation
Published: May 2023

OBJECTIVES:

There are few robust, national-level reports of contemporary trends in pediatric oncology admissions, resource use, and mortality. We aimed to describe national-level data on trends in intensive care admissions, interventions, and survival for children with cancer.

DESIGN:

Cohort study using a binational pediatric intensive care registry.

SETTING:

Australia and New Zealand.

PATIENTS:

Patients younger than 16 years, admitted to an ICU in Australia or New Zealand with an oncology diagnosis between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2018.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

We examined trends in oncology admissions, ICU interventions, and both crude and risk-adjusted patient-level mortality. Eight thousand four hundred ninety admissions were identified for 5,747 patients, accounting for 5.8% of PICU admissions. Absolute and population-indexed oncology admissions increased from 2003 to 2018, and median length of stay increased from 23.2 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 16.8–62 hr) to 38.8 hours (IQR, 20.9–81.1 hr) (p < 0.001). Three hundred fifty-seven of 5,747 patients died (6.2%). There was a 45% reduction in risk-adjusted ICU mortality, which reduced from 3.3% (95% CI, 2.1–4.4) in 2003–2004 to 1.8% (95% CI, 1.1–2.5%) in 2017–2018 (p trend = 0.02). The greatest reduction in mortality seen in hematological cancers and in nonelective admissions. Mechanical ventilation rates were unchanged from 2003 to 2018, while the use of high-flow nasal prong oxygen increased (incidence rate ratio, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.61–3.67 per 2 yr).

CONCLUSIONS:

In Australian and New Zealand PICUs, pediatric oncology admissions are increasing steadily and such admissions are staying longer, representing a considerable proportion of ICU activity. The mortality of children with cancer who are admitted to ICU is low and falling.
The Genomic Landscape of Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Corey Logan , Wallbillich John J. , Wu Sharon , Farrell Alex , Hodges Kurt , Xiu Joanne , Nabhan Chadi , Guastella Anthony , Kheil Mira , Gogoi Radhika , Winer Ira , Bandyopadhyay Sudeshna , Huang Marilyn , Jones Nathaniel , Wilhite Annelise , Karnezis Anthony , Thaker Premal , Herzog Thomas J. , Oberley Matthew , Korn William Michael , Vezina Alex , Morris Robert , Ali-Fehmi Rouba
Published: May 2023

Vulvar squamous cell cancer (VSC) accounts for 90% of vulvar cancers. Next-generation sequencing studies of VSC imply human papillomavirus (HPV) and p53 status play separate roles in carcinogenesis and prognosis. We sought to describe the genomic landscape and analyze the immunologic profiles of VSC with respect to HPV and p53 status. A total of 443 VSC tumors underwent tumor profiling. Next-generation sequencing was performed on genomic DNA isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples. PD-L1, microsatellite instability were tested by fragment analysis, IHC, and next-generation sequencing. Tumor mutational burden—high was defined as >10 mutations per MB. HPV 16/18 positive (HPV+) status was determined using whole exome sequencing on 105 samples. Three cohorts were identified from 105 samples with known HPV: HPV+, HPV−/p53wt, and HPV−/p53mt. Where HPV and p53 status were examined, TP53 mutations were exclusive of HPV+ tumors. In all, 37% of samples were HPV+. Among the 66 HPV− tumors, 52 (78.8%) were HPV−/p53mt and 14 (21.2%) were HPV−/p53wt. The HPV−/p53wt cohort had a higher rate of mutations in the PI3KCA gene (42.9% HPV−/p53wt vs 26.3% HPV+ vs. 5.8% HPV−/p53mt, q=0.028) and alterations in the PI3K/AkT/mTOR pathway (57.1% HPV−/p53wt vs. 34.2% HPV+ vs. 7.7% HPV−/p53mt, q=0.0386) than the other 2 cohorts. Ninety-eight VSC tumors with HPV16/18 information underwent transcriptomic analysis and immune deconvolution method. No differences were observed in immune profiles. The HPV−/p53wt VSC tumors had significantly higher rates of mutations in the PI3KCA gene and alterations in the PI3K/AkT/mTOR pathway, a potential target that merits further investigation in this subgroup.
Prepectoral vs. Submuscular Implant-based Breast Reconstruction: A Matched-Pair Comparison of Outcomes
Authors: Talwar Ankoor A. , Lanni Michael A. , Ryan Isabel A. , Kodali Pranav , Bernstein Elizabeth , McAuliffe Phoebe B. , Broach Robyn B. , Serletti Joseph M. , Butler Paris D. , Fosnot Joshua
Published: May 2023

Introduction:

Implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common reconstructive approach following mastectomy. Prepectoral implants offer advantages over submuscular implants, such as less animation deformity, pain, weakness, and post-radiation capsular contracture. However, clinical outcomes following prepectoral reconstruction are debated. We performed a matched cohort analysis of outcomes following prepectoral and submuscular reconstruction at a large academic medical center.

Methods:

Patients treated with implant-based breast reconstruction following mastectomy from January 2018 – October 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were propensity score-exact matched to control demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative differences. Outcomes assessed included surgical site occurrences, capsular contracture, and explantation of either expander or implant. Subanalysis was done on infections and secondary reconstructions.

Results:

A total of 634 breasts were included (prepectoral: 197, submuscular: 437). 292 breasts were matched (146 prepectoral:146 submuscular) and analyzed for clinical outcomes. Prepectoral reconstructions were associated with greater rates of surgical site infection (prepectoral: 15.8%, submuscular: 3.4%, p<0.001), seroma (prepectoral: 26.0%, submuscular: 10.3%, p<0.001), and explantation (prepectoral: 23.3%, submuscular: 4.8%, p<0.001). Subanalysis of infection revealed prepectoral implants have shorter time to infection, deeper infections, more gram-negative infections, and are more often treated surgically (all p<0.05). There have been no failures of secondary reconstructions after explantation in the entire population at a mean follow up of 20.1 months.

Conclusion:

Prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction is associated with higher rates of infection, seroma, and explantation compared to submuscular reconstructions. Infections of prepectoral implants may need different antibiotic management to avoid explantation. Regardless, secondary reconstruction following explantation can readily achieve long-term success.
Impact of Cold Somatostatin Analog Administration on Somatostatin Receptor Imaging
Authors: Morland David , Laures Nicolas , Triumbari Elizabeth Katherine Anna , Perrier Marine , Imperiale Alessio , Annunziata Salvatore , Rufini Vittoria
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The interactions between the administration of cold somatostatin analogs (cSAs) and their radiolabeled counterpart remain unclear, and discontinuation before imaging is still advised as a precaution. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the consequences of cSA administration on tumoral and surrounding healthy organs' uptake at somatostatin receptor (SSTR) imaging with SPECT or PET.

Methods

After registration of the study on Prospero (CRD42022360260), an electronic search of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: human patients referred for SSTR imaging for oncological purposes; at least 1 examination performed either before cSA administration or after a long-enough withdrawal of cSA treatment; at least 1 examination was performed under cSA treatment. Included articles were independently appraised by 2 authors using the standardized protocol provided by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies. Discrepancies were solved by consensus.

Results

A total of 12 articles were included, 4 using 111In-pentetreotide and 8 using 68Ga-DOTA peptides. Administration of cSAs consistently resulted in decreased spleen and liver uptake (from 6.9% to 80% for spleen, 10% to 60% for liver) and increased tumor-to-background or tumor–to–healthy organ ratios. After cSA treatment, tumor uptake alone was unchanged or moderately decreased. Similar results were noted whether patient was octreotide-naive.

Conclusion

Impairment in SSTR imaging quality after cSA administration has not been demonstrated. On the contrary, the administration of cSAs seems to improve the contrast between tumoral lesions and the surroundings.
Management for Acute Uncomplicated Appendicitis During Pregnancy
Authors: Cheng Vincent , Ashbrook Matthew , Youssefzadeh Ariane C. , Kohrman Nathan , Matsuo Koji , Inaba Kenji , Matsushima Kazuhide
Published: May 2023

Objective:

This study analyzes national trends in the management of uncomplicated appendicitis during pregnancy, comparing outcomes for non-operative management (NOM) and appendectomy.

Background:

In the non-pregnant population, several randomized controlled trials demonstrated non-inferiority of NOM compared to appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. However, it remains unclear if these findings are generalizable to pregnant patients.

Methods:

The National Inpatient Sample was queried for pregnant women diagnosed with acute uncomplicated appendicitis from January 2003 to September 2015. Patients were categorized by treatment: NOM, laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), and open appendectomy (OA). A quasi-experimental analysis with interrupted time-series examined the relationship between the year of admission and the likelihood of receiving NOM. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between treatment strategy and patient outcomes.

Results:

A total of 33,120 women satisfied inclusion criteria. Respectively, 1,070 (3.2%), 18,736 (56.6%), and 13,314 (40.2%) underwent NOM, LA, and OA. The NOM rate significantly increased between 2006 and 2015 with an annual increase of 13.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.5-19.4, P<0.001). Compared to LA, NOM was significantly associated with higher rates of preterm abortion (odds ratio [OR] 3.057, 95% CI 2.210-4.229, P<0.001) and preterm labor/delivery (OR 3.186, 95% CI 2.326-4.365, P<0.001). Each day of delay to appendectomy was associated with significantly greater rates of preterm abortion (OR 1.210, 95% CI 1.123-1.303, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Though NOM has been increasing as a treatment for pregnant patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, compared to LA, it is associated with worse clinical outcomes.
Trends in Alzheimer Disease Mortality Among American Indian and Alaska Native People Between 2011 and 2019
Authors: Amiri Solmaz , Jiang Luohua , Manson Spero M. , Buchwald Dedra S.
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

The number of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people living with dementia is expected to increase 5-fold by 2060. Social determinants of health may explain disparities in the incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD) but remain largely overlooked.

Methods:

We examined the time trend of AD mortality rates and associations of the percentage of AI/ANs, density of primary care physicians and neurologists, area deprivation index, rurality, and Indian Health Service region with AD mortality in 646 purchased/referred care delivery area counties.

Results:

AD mortality rates significantly increased over time. Counties with higher concentrations of AI/AN people had lower AD mortality. More deprived counties had 34% higher AD mortality compared with less deprived counties. AD mortality was 20% lower in nonmetro counties than in metro counties.

Conclusions:

Findings have implications for prioritizing areas where more resources for AD care, education, or outreach are needed.
Ronald James Gillespie. 21 August 1924—26 February 2021
Authors: Davies FRS Alwyn G.
Published: May 2023

Ron Gillespie moved in 1958 from a lectureship at University College London to McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, where he spent all his subsequent career. He was a distinguished inorganic chemist who made major discoveries in the fields of acids and super-acids, the generation and study of new inorganic species particularly polyatomic cations, the cations of noble gas compounds and the development of the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion and the Ligand Close Packing models for understanding molecular structures. Ron was active in reforming the teaching of introductory chemistry, avoiding if possible descriptions that relied on thermodynamics or quantum mechanics, and instead presenting qualitative non-mathematical models.
Understanding the illicit drug distribution in England: a data-centric approach to the County Lines Model
Authors: Castro-Gonzalez Leonardo
Published: May 2023

The County Lines Model (CLM) is a relatively new illicit drugs distribution method found in Great Britain. The CLM has brought modern slavery and public health issues, while challenging the law-enforcement capacity to act, as coordination between different local police forces is necessary. Our objective is to understand the territorial logic behind the line operators when establishing a connection between two places. We use three different spatial models (gravity, radiation and retail models), as each one of them understands flow from place
i
to
j
in a different way. Using public data from the Metropolitan Police of London, we train and cross-validate the models to understand which of the different physical and socio-demographic variables are considered when establishing a connection. We analyse hospital admissions by drugs, disposable household income, police presence and knife crime events, in addition to the population of a particular place and the distance and travel times between two different locations. Our results show that knife crime events and hospital admissions by misuse of drugs are the most important variables. We also find that London operators distribute to the territory known as the ‘south’ of England, as negligible presence of them is observed outside of it.
Folding–unfolding asymmetry and a
RetroFold
computational algorithm
Authors: Shityakov Sergey , Skorb Ekaterina V. , Nosonovsky Michael
Published: May 2023

We treat protein folding as molecular self-assembly, while unfolding is viewed as disassembly. Fracture is typically a much faster process than self-assembly. Self-assembly is often an exponentially decaying process, since energy relaxes due to dissipation, while fracture is a constant-rate process as the driving force is opposed by damping. Protein folding takes two orders of magnitude longer than unfolding. We suggest a mathematical transformation of variables, which makes it possible to view self-assembly as time-reversed disassembly, thus folding can be studied as reversed unfolding. We investigate the molecular dynamics modelling of folding and unfolding of the short Trp-cage protein. Folding time constitutes about 800 ns, while unfolding (denaturation) takes only about 5.0 ns and, therefore, fewer computational resources are needed for its simulation. This
RetroFold
approach can be used for the design of a novel computation algorithm, which, while approximate, is less time-consuming than traditional folding algorithms.
Seizure detection with reduced electroencephalogram channels: research trends and outlook
Authors: Maher Christina , Yang Yikai , Truong Nhan Duy , Wang Chenyu , Nikpour Armin , Kavehei Omid
Published: May 2023

Epilepsy is a prevalent condition characterized by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. Monitoring with surface electroencephalography (EEG) is the gold standard for diagnosing epilepsy, but a time-consuming, uncomfortable and sometimes ineffective process for patients. Further, using EEG over a brief monitoring period has variable success, dependent on patient tolerance and seizure frequency. The availability of hospital resources and hardware and software specifications inherently restrict the options for comfortable, long-term data collection, resulting in limited data for training machine-learning models. This mini-review examines the current patient journey, providing an overview of the current state of EEG monitoring with reduced electrodes and automated channel reduction methods. Opportunities for improving data reliability through multi-modal data fusion are suggested. We assert the need for further research in electrode reduction to advance brain monitoring solutions towards portable, reliable devices that simultaneously offer patient comfort, perform ultra-long-term monitoring and expedite the diagnosis process.
Comparison between ozone column depths and methane lifetimes computed by one- and three-dimensional models at different atmospheric O
2
levels
Authors: Ji A. , Kasting J. F. , Cooke G. J. , Marsh D. R. , Tsigaridis K.
Published: May 2023

Recently, Cooke
et al
. (Cooke
et al
. 2022
R. Soc. Open Sci.
9
, 211165. (
doi:10.1098/rsos.211165
)) used a three-dimensional coupled chemistry-climate model (WACCM6) to calculate ozone column depths at varied atmospheric O
2
levels. They argued that previous one-dimensional (1-D) photochemical model studies, e.g. Segura
et al
. (Segura
et al
. 2003
Astrobiology
3
, 689–708. (
doi:10.1089/153110703322736024
)), may have overestimated the ozone column depth at low pO
2
, and hence also overestimated the lifetime of methane. We have compared new simulations from an updated version of the Segura
et al
. model with those from WACCM6, together with some results from a second three-dimensional model. The discrepancy in ozone column depths is probably due to multiple interacting parameters, including H
2
O in the upper troposphere, lower boundary conditions, vertical and meridional transport rates, and different chemical mechanisms, especially the treatment of O
2
photolysis in the Schumann–Runge (SR) bands (175–205 nm). The discrepancy in tropospheric OH concentrations and methane lifetime between WACCM6 and the 1-D model at low pO
2
is reduced when absorption from CO
2
and H
2
O in this wavelength region is included in WACCM6. Including scattering in the SR bands may further reduce this difference. Resolving these issues can be accomplished by developing an accurate parametrization for O
2
photolysis in the SR bands and then repeating these calculations in the various models.
Well-posedness of wave scattering in perturbed elastic waveguides and plates: application to an inverse problem of shape defect detection
Authors: Bonnetier Éric , Niclas Angèle , Seppecher Laurent
Published: May 2023

The aim of this work is to present theoretical tools to study wave propagation in elastic waveguides and perform multi-frequency scattering inversion to reconstruct small shape defects in elastic waveguides and plates. Given surface multi-frequency wavefield measurements, we use a Born approximation to reconstruct localized defect in the geometry of the plate. To justify this approximation, we introduce a rigorous framework to study the propagation of elastic wavefield generated by arbitrary sources. By studying the decreasing rate of the series of inhomogeneous Lamb mode, we prove the well-posedness of the PDE that model elastic wave propagation in two- and three-dimensional planar waveguides. We also characterize the critical frequencies for which the Lamb decomposition is not valid. By using these results, we generalize the shape reconstruction method already developed for acoustic waveguide to two-dimensional elastic waveguides and provide a stable reconstruction method based on a mode-by-mode spacial Fourier inversion given by the scattered field.
Hamel’s equations and geometric mechanics of constrained and floating multibody and space systems
Authors: Müller Andreas
Published: May 2023

Modern geometric approaches to analytical mechanics rest on a bundle structure of the configuration space. The connection on this bundle allows for an intrinsic splitting of the reduced Euler–Lagrange equations. Hamel’s equations, on the other hand, provide a universal approach to non-holonomic mechanics in local coordinates. The link between Hamel’s formulation and geometric approaches in local coordinates has not been discussed sufficiently. The reduced Euler–Lagrange equations as well as the curvature of the connection are derived with Hamel’s original formalism. Intrinsic splitting into Euler–Lagrange and Euler–Poincaré equations and inertial decoupling is achieved by means of the locked velocity. Various aspects of this method are discussed.
Bedload transport and the stream power approach
Authors: Gomez Basil , Soar Philip J.
Published: May 2023

Bedload transport is highly variable, and we address the issue of what value(s) of the transport rate a formula is expected to predict by incorporating two metrics of variance in an elementary scale correlation between the transport rate and stream power. The first captures uncertainty in the empirical relation we develop to describe the efficiency of the bedload transport process, and the second acknowledges that different patterns of transport are experienced under similar hydraulic conditions. Our simple, generalized expression explicitly applies to rivers in which there is always a high availability of mobile sediment on the bed, and we demonstrate that it provides a realistic portrayal of the observed range of transport rates in rivers with a sporadically mobile gravel armour and a characteristic bedload size that is approximately the same as that of the substrate. Accepting that the transport rate is influenced by the nature of the material available at the bed surface which is, in turn, moderated by antecedent flows, we suggest that if effort in the field is required to apply our methodology it should be expended on characterizing the sizes available on the bed
between
floods, rather than observing active transport during individual events.
Pure torsion for incompressible hyperelastic materials of Valanis–Landel form
Authors: Horgan Cornelius O. , Murphy Jeremiah G.
Published: May 2023

The stretch-based formulation of basic problems for incompressible isotropic hyperelastic materials has been the subject of renewed recent attention largely motivated by application to modelling the mechanical response of soft tissues. Here, we are concerned with this formulation of the classic problem of simple torsion of a circular cylinder that has been primarily in the past investigated by employing the classical approach of Rivlin in terms of invariants of the Cauchy–Green strain tensor. Attention is focused on examining the resultant axial force necessary to sustain pure torsion, thereby investigating the Poynting effect, and the resultant moment needed to generate the twist. General results for the resultant force and moment are obtained for all hyperelastic materials that can be modelled in the celebrated separable Valanis–Landel form. These expressions are specialized for the one-term Ogden model to provide explicit results valid for all strain-stiffening exponents in this model. Some particular examples are provided, mainly for even values of the exponent. A notable result obtained for the Ogden model is that for values of the hardening exponent

n

in that model for which

n
≤
6

, one obtains the classical Poynting effect, whereas for

n
>
6
,

a reverse Poynting effect always occurs for sufficiently small twist.
Apes reciprocate food positively and negatively
Authors: Benozio Avi , House Bailey R. , Tomasello Michael
Published: May 2023

Reciprocal food exchange is widespread in human societies but not among great apes, who may view food mainly as a target for competition. Understanding the similarities and differences between great apes' and humans’ willingness to exchange food is important for our models regarding the origins of uniquely human forms of cooperation. Here, we demonstrate in-kind food exchanges in experimental settings with great apes for the first time. The initial sample consisted of 13 chimpanzees and 5 bonobos in the control phases, and the test phases included 10 chimpanzees and 2 bonobos, compared with a sample of 48 human children aged 4 years. First, we replicated prior findings showing no spontaneous food exchanges in great apes. Second, we discovered that when apes believe that conspecifics have ‘intentionally’ transferred food to them, positive reciprocal food exchanges (food-for-food) are not only possible but reach the same levels as in young children (approx. 75–80%). Third, we found that great apes engage in negative reciprocal food exchanges (no-food for no-food) but to a lower extent than children. This provides evidence for reciprocal food exchange in great apes in experimental settings and suggests that while a potential mechanism offosteringcooperation (via positive reciprocal exchanges) may be shared across species, a stabilizing mechanism (via negative reciprocity) is not.
Actinomyces israelii and Fusobacterium nucleatum brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient: case report.
Authors: LAMTIRI LAARIF Mouhsine , SCHILS Raphael , LIFRANGE Fréderic , VALKENBORGH Christophe , PITTI Pauline , BROUWERS Pauline , BIANCHI Elettra , MEEX Cécile , HAYETTE Marie-Pierre
Published: May 2023

Introduction . Brain abscess is the most common focal infectious neurological injury. Until the 19th century this condition was fatal, however the development of neuroimaging for early diagnosis, neurosurgery and antibiotic therapy in the 20th century has led to new therapeutic strategies decreasing mortality from 50% in the 1970s to less than 10% nowadays. In this context we report a case of brain abscess with a dental origin.
Case report .  A immunocompetent man without any addiction presented to the emergency department with dysarthria and frontal headache at home. The clinical examination was normal. Further investigations revealed a polymicrobial brain abscess as a consequence of an ear, nose or throat (ENT) infection with locoregional extension with a dental starting point involving Actinomyces israelii and Fusobacterium nucleatum. In spite of a rapid diagnosis and a neurosurgical management associated with an optimal treatment by a dual therapy made of ceftriaxone and metronidazole the patient unfortunately died.
Conclusion. This case report shows that despite a low incidence and a good prognosis following the diagnosis, brain abscesses can lead to patient’s death. Thereby, when the patient's condition and urgency allow, a thorough dental examination of patients with neurological signs following the recommendations would improve the diagnosis made by the clinician. The use of microbiological documentation, the respect of pre-analytical conditions, the interaction between the laboratory and the clinicians are indispensable for an optimal management of these pathologies.
Estimating the contagiousness ratio between two viral strains
Authors: Della Croce Di Dojola Giulia , Mastrantonio Gianluca , Cerutti Francesco , Ghisetti Valeria , Gasparini Mauro , Bibbona Enrico
Published: May 2023

Summary

We propose a new method to estimate the ratio between the basic reproduction numbers of a newly emerged variant and the one currently dominating. We use public data of two kinds: the proportions of the daily infected from each strain obtained from a random sample that has been sequenced, and the epidemic curves of total infections and recoveries. Our method is based on a new discrete-time SIR model with two strains, considered both in the deterministic and stochastic versions. In the deterministic case we use maximum likelihood, while in the stochastic setting, since we need to reconstruct the missing incidence and prevalence information of the new variant, we decided to use a hierarchical Bayesian hidden Markov model. This new methodology is applied to data from the Piedmont Italian region in December-January 2022, when the Omicron variant started to be observed and quickly became prevalent. With both approaches, we obtain an estimate of the contagiousness ratio that is consistent with other studies specifically designed for the aim.
Pectoralis muscle dosimetry and post-treatment rehabilitation utilization for early-stage breast cancer patients
Authors: Takayesu Jamie S.K. , Jiang Shannon J. , Marsh Robin , Moncion Alexander , Smith Sean R. , Pierce Lori J. , Jagsi Reshma , Lipps David B.
Published: May 2023

Up to 50% of women treated for localized breast cancer will experience some degree of arm or shoulder morbidity. While radiation is thought to contribute to this morbidity, the mechanism remains unclear. Prior studies have shown biologic and radiographic changes in the pectoralis muscles after radiation. This study thus aims to investigate the relationship between radiation to the pectoralis muscles and referrals for rehabilitation services post-treatment for arm and shoulder morbidity. A retrospective 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted for breast cancer patients who were and were not referred for breast or shoulder rehabilitation services between 2014-2019 at a single academic institution. Patients were included if they had a lumpectomy and adjuvant radiation. Patients who underwent an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were excluded. Cohorts were matched based on age, axillary surgery, and use of radiation boost. Muscle doses were converted to EQD2 assuming an α/β ratio of 2.5 and were compared between the two groups. In our cohort of 50 patients of a median age 60 years (interquartile range (IQR) 53-68 years), 36 patients (72%) underwent a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in addition to a lumpectomy. While pectoralis muscle doses were generally higher in those receiving rehabilitation services, this was not statistically significant. Pectoralis major V20-40Gy reached borderline significance, as did pectoralis major mean dose (17.69Gy vs. 20.89Gy, p=0.06). In this limited cohort of patients, we could not definitively conclude a relationship between pectoralis muscle doses and use of rehabilitation services. Given the borderline significant findings, this should be further investigated in a larger cohort.
Efficacy of N-163 strain ofAureobasidium pullulans-produced beta-glucan in improving muscle strength and function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Results of a 6-month non-randomised open-label linear clinical trial
Authors: Raghavan Kadalraja , Sivakumar Thanasekar , Bharatidasan Sudhakar S , Srinivasan Subramaniam , Dedeepiya Vidyasagar Devaprasad , Ikewaki Nobunao , Senthilkumar Rajappa , Preethy Senthilkumar , Abraham Samuel JK
Published: May 2023

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating genetic disease that causes gradual muscle weakening and early mortality. After a 45-day clinical pilot study and a pre-clinical study in mdx mice demonstrating safety and efficacy, and anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively, of anAureobasidium pullulansN-163 strain-produced B-1,3–1,6-glucan. We conducted this linear six-month clinical study to assess its efficacy. Twelve ambulatory and 12 non-ambulatory individuals with DMD were included; all received the N-163 strain of A.pullulans produed beta-glucan dietary supplement orally in addition to the standard treatment regimen, which included steroids. The Medical Research Council muscle score improved in 11 patients in the ambulatory group and in 8 patients in the non-ambulatory group. The six-minute walk test distance improved in nine patients, with a 29.5-meter average improvement. The North Star Ambulatory Assessment improved by 1 unit in three patients. This safe beta-glucan food supplement improved muscle function within 6 months. A comprehensive, multi-centric clinical research should be conducted for unravelling its potential as a disease-modifying drug adjuvant in DMD.
Improving Multichannel Raw Electroencephalography-based Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder via Transfer Learning with Single Channel Sleep Stage Data*
Authors: Ellis Charles A. , Sattiraju Abhinav , Miller Robyn L. , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: May 2023

As the field of deep learning has grown in recent years, its application to the domain of raw resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) has also increased. Relative to traditional machine learning methods or deep learning methods applied to manually engineered features, there are fewer methods for developing deep learning models on small raw EEG datasets. One potential approach for enhancing deep learning performance, in this case, is the use of transfer learning. While a number of studies have presented transfer learning approaches for manually engineered EEG features, relatively few approaches have been developed for raw resting-state EEG. In this study, we propose a novel EEG transfer learning approach wherein we first train a model on a large publicly available single-channel sleep stage classification dataset. We then use the learned representations to develop a classifier for automated major depressive disorder diagnosis with raw multichannel EEG. Statistical testing reveals that our approach significantly improves the performance of our model (p < 0.05), and we also find that the performance of our approach exceeds that of many previous studies using both engineered features and raw EEG. We further examine how transfer learning affected the representations learned by the model through a pair of explainability analyses, identifying key frequency bands and channels utilized across models. Our proposed approach represents a significant step forward for the domain of raw resting-state EEG classification and has broader implications for use with other electrophysiology and time-series modalities. Importantly, it has the potential to expand the use of deep learning methods across a greater variety of raw EEG datasets and lead to the development of more reliable EEG classifiers.
Blood protein levels predict leading incident diseases and mortality in UK Biobank
Authors: Gadd Danni A. , Hillary Robert F. , Kuncheva Zhana , Mangelis Tasos , Cheng Yipeng , Dissanayake Manju , Admanit Romi , Gagnon Jake , Lin Tinchi , Ferber Kyle , Runz Heiko ,   Biogen Biobank Team, Marioni Riccardo E. , Foley Christopher N. , Sun Benjamin B.
Published: May 2023

The circulating proteome offers insights into the biological pathways that underlie disease. Here, we test relationships between 1,468 Olink protein levels and the incidence of 23 age-related diseases and mortality, over 16 years of electronic health linkage in the UK Biobank (N=47,600). We report 3,201 associations between 961 protein levels and 21 incident outcomes, identifying proteomic indicators of multiple morbidities. Next, protein-based scores (ProteinScores) are developed using penalised Cox regression. When applied to test sets, six ProteinScores improve Area Under the Curve (AUC) estimates for the 10-year onset of incident outcomes beyond age, sex and a comprehensive set of 24 lifestyle factors, clinically-relevant biomarkers and physical measures. Furthermore, the ProteinScore for type 2 diabetes outperformed a polygenic risk score, a metabolomic score and HbA1c – a clinical marker used to monitor and diagnose type 2 diabetes. These data characterise early proteomic contributions to major age-related disease and demonstrate the value of the plasma proteome for risk stratification.