bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the failure of initial insertion of a peripheral intravascular catheter on the development of adverse events in patients admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency room: A post hoc analysis of the AMOR‐VENUS study
Authors: Kishihara Yuki , Yasuda Hideto , Kashiura Masahiro , Moriya Takashi , Shinzato Yutaro , Kotani Yuki , Kondo Natsuki , Sekine Kosuke , Shime Nobuaki , Morikane Keita ,   the AMOR‐VENUS study group
Published: May 2023

Aim

To investigate an association between failure of initial peripheral intravascular catheter (PIVC) insertion and adverse events in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from the emergency room (ER).

Methods

This study was a post hoc analysis of the AMOR‐VENUS study, a multicenter cohort study that included 22 institutions and 23 ICUs in Japan between January and March of 2018. Study participants included consecutive adult patients admitted to the ICU with PIVCs inserted in ICU during the study period exclusively from the ER. The primary outcome was adverse events. Adverse events were composite of arterial puncture, hematoma, extravasation, nerve injury, tendon injury, compartment syndrome, pain, redness, bad location, and effusion. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between adverse events and the failure of initial PIVC insertion.

Results

In total, 363 patients and 1121 PIVCs were analyzed. Moreover, 199 catheters failed to insert properly, and 36 patients and 107 catheters experienced adverse events. After performing multivariate logistic regression analysis, there were statistically significant associations in the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the failure of initial insertion (OR, 1.66 [1.02–2.71]; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Failure of initial insertion may be a risk factor for adverse events. We could potentially provide various interventions to avoid failure of initial PIVC insertion. For example, PIVC insertion could be performed by experienced practitioners.
The National Early Warning Score on admission predicts severe disease and in‐hospital mortality of the coronavirus disease 2019 Delta variant: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Endo Takuro , Khoujah Danya , Motohashi Takako , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Tsushima Kenji , Fujitani Shigeki , Shiga Takashi
Published: May 2023

Background

Clinical risk scores are widely used in emergency medicine, and some studies have evaluated their use in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). However, no studies have evaluated their use in patients with the COVID‐19 Delta variant. We aimed to study the performance of four different clinical scores (National Early Warning Score [NEWS], quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [qSOFA], Confusion, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and Age ≥65 [CRB‐65], and Kanagawa score) in predicting the risk of severe disease (defined as the need for intubation and in‐hospital mortality) in patients with the COVID‐19 Delta variant.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Delta variant infection between June 1 and December 31, 2021. The primary outcomes were the sensitivity and specificity of the aforementioned clinical risk scores at admission to predict severe disease. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were compared between the clinical risk scores and we identified new cut‐off points for all four scores.

Results

A total of 249 adult patients were included, of whom 18 developed severe disease. A NEWS ≥7 at admission predicted severe disease with 72.2% sensitivity and 86.2% specificity. The NEWS (AUROC 0.88) was superior to both the qSOFA (AUROC 0.74) and the CRB‐65 (AUROC 0.67), and there was no significant difference between the NEWS and Kanagawa score (AUROC 0.86).

Conclusion

The NEWS at hospital admission predicted the severity of the COVID‐19 Delta variant with high accuracy.
Locally Concentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolytes Enabling Low‐Temperature Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Liu Xu , Mariani Alessandro , Diemant Thomas , Dong Xu , Su Po‐Hua , Passerini Stefano
Published: May 2023

Lithium metal is a promising anode material for next‐generation high‐energy‐density batteries but suffers from low stripping/plating Coulombic efficiency and dendritic growth particularly at sub‐zero temperatures. Herein, a poorly‐flammable, locally concentrated ionic liquid electrolyte with a wide liquidus range extending well below 0 °C is proposed for low‐temperature lithium metal batteries. Its all‐anion Li+ solvation and phase‐nano‐segregation solution structure are sustained at low temperatures, which, together with a solid electrolyte interphase rich in inorganic compounds, enable dendrite‐free operation of lithium metal anodes at −20 °C and 0.5 mA cm−2, with a Coulombic efficiency of 98.9 %. As a result, lithium metal batteries coupling thin lithium metal anodes (4 mAh cm−2) and high‐loading LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 cathodes (10 mg cm−2) retain 70 % of the initial capacity after 100 cycles at −20 °C. These results, as a proof of concept, demonstrate the applicability of locally concentrated ionic liquid electrolytes for low‐temperature lithium metal batteries.
Bilayer‐Coating Strategy for Hydrophobic Nanoparticles Providing Colloidal Stability, Functionality, and Surface Protection in Biological Media
Authors: Schroter Alexandra , Arnau del Valle Carla , Marín María J. , Hirsch Thomas
Published: May 2023

The surface chemistry of nanoparticles is a key step on the pathway from particle design towards applications in biologically relevant environments. Here, a bilayer‐based strategy for the surface modification of hydrophobic nanoparticles is introduced that leads to excellent colloidal stability in aqueous environments and good protection against disintegration, while permitting surface functionalization via simple carbodiimide chemistry. We have demonstrated the excellent potential of this strategy using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), initially coated with oleate and therefore dispersible only in organic solvents. The hydrophobic oleate capping is maintained and a bilayer is formed upon addition of excess oleate. The bilayer approach renders protection towards luminescence loss by water quenching, while the incorporation of additional molecules containing amino functions yields colloidal stability and facilitates the introduction of functionality. The biological relevance of the approach was confirmed with the use of two model dyes, a photosensitizer and a nitric oxide (NO) probe that, when attached to the surface of the UCNPs, retained their functionality to produce singlet oxygen and detect intracellular NO, respectively. We present a simple and fast strategy to protect and functionalize inorganic nanoparticles in biological media, which is important for controlled surface engineering of nanosized materials for theranostic applications.
The Evolutionary Pattern of Cocaine and Hyoscyamine Biosynthesis Provides Strategies To Produce Tropane Alkaloids
Authors: Zamar Duchesse‐Lacours , Papon Nicolas , Courdavault Vincent
Published: May 2023

Cocaine and hyoscyamine are two tropane alkaloids (TA) from Erythroxylaceae and Solanaceae, respectively. These famous compounds possess anticholinergic properties that can be used to treat neuromuscular disorders. While the hyoscyamine biosynthetic pathway has been fully elucidated allowing its de novo synthesis in yeast, the cocaine pathway remained only partially elucidated. Recently, the Huang research group has completed the cocaine biosynthetic route by characterizing its two missing enzymes. This allowed the whole pathway to be transferring into Nicotiana benthamiana to achieve cocaine production. Here, besides highlighting the impact of this discovery, we discuss how TA biosynthesis evolved via the recruitment of two distinct and convergent pathways in Erythroxylaceae and Solanaceae. Finally, while enriching our knowledge on TA biosynthesis, this diversification of the molecular actors involved in cocaine and hyoscyamine biosynthesis opens perspectives in metabolic engineering by exploring enzyme biochemical plasticity that can ease and shorten TA pathway reconstitution in heterologous organisms.
Chemotherapy resistant Burkitt lymphoma: Possible novel therapies including CAR‐T cell infusion
Authors: Geerts Paulus A. F. , ’t Hart Nils , Visser Otto , Ortiz‐Maldonado Valentín , Chamuleau Martine E. D.
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

The prognosis of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) BL is poor with limited response to salvage therapy, especially for patients with early relapse (<6 months) or refractory disease. Novel therapies may be promising but need refinement.

The prognosis of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) BL is poor with a limited response to salvage therapy, especially for patients with early relapse (<6 months) or refractory disease. We present three cases of patients with R/R BL receiving novel therapies followed by a literature review. Amongst others, the patients received inotuzumab ozogamicin, idelalisib, ibrutinib, and CAR‐T cell therapy, however, with limited response. In literature, response to several novel agents is described; however, most promising results are seen with CAR‐T cell therapy. Concluding from case series, sequential CAR‐T cell therapy, targeting multiple B‐cell antigens, seems most promising.
Catalytic N‐H Insertion Reactions with α‐Diazoacetates: An Efficient Method for Enantioselective Amino Acid Synthesis
Authors: Su Yu‐Xuan , Huang Ming‐Yao , Zhu Shou‐Fei
Published: May 2023

As the monomers of proteins, amino acids are critical in chemistry and biology, playing important roles in multiple fields such as synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and materials chemistry. Unlike proteinogenic amino acids, unnatural amino acids can be difficult to obtain from living organisms and generally are synthesized chemically. Recently, a method involving the asymmetric N−H bond carbene insertion reaction with α‐diazoacetates as the carbene precursor has shown high enantioselectivity and good functional group tolerance, allowing for the facile synthesis of natural and unnatural amino acids and the introduction of new concepts in catalysis.
Covalently Modified MoS2 Bearing a Hamilton‐Type Receptor for Recognizing a Redox‐Active Ferrocene‐Barbiturate Guest via Multiple H‐Bonds
Authors: Sideri Ioanna K. , Stangel Christina , Stergiou Anastasios , Liapi Alexandra , Ojeda‐Galván Hiram Joazet , Quintana Mildred , Tagmatarchis Nikos
Published: May 2023

The covalent modification of the metallic phase of MoS2 with a Hamilton‐type ligand is presented, transforming MoS2 to a recognition platform which is able to embrace barbiturate moieties via hydrogen bonding. The successful hydrogen bonding formation is easily monitored by simple electrochemical assessments, if a ferrocene‐labeled barbiturate analogue is utilized as a proof of concept. Full spectroscopic, thermal, and electron microscopy imaging characterization is provided for the newly formed recognition system, along with valuable insights concerning the electrochemical sensing. The given methodology expands beyond the sensing applications, confidently entering the territory of supramolecular interactions on the surface of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides. The well‐designed host‐guest chemistry presented herein, constitutes a guide and an inspiration for hosting customized‐structured functional building blocks on MoS2 and its relatives via hydrogen bonding, opening up new opportunities regarding potential applications.
Block Copolymer Solid Electrolytes Based on Comb‐Like Poly(ethylene glycol) Plasticized Poly(ionic liquid)s for Lithium‐Ion Batteries†
Authors: Zhao Runtao , Yang Jixing , Wang Bin , Ma Zhe , Pan Li , Li Yuesheng
Published: May 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Electrolytes based on poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) have attracted great attention in the fields of next‐generation solid lithium‐ion batteries. However, the low ionic conductivity prevents their practical applications. Herein, we report novel solid electrolytes based on block copolymers composed of PILs and comb‐like poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which were synthesized via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of 3‐(2‐(bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐2‐yl)ethyl)‐1‐butyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl) amide and poly(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether) bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐ene‐2‐carboxylate. Comb‐like PEG acts as plasticizers in block copolymers dominated by PILs to promote the mobility of PILs segments. Effects of the copolymer composition and length of the comb‐like PEG chain on ionic conductivity were investigated. The optimized electrolyte delivers the highest ionic conductivity of 1.5 × 10–5 S·cm–1 at 30 °C, and robust electrochemical stability up to 4.6 V. A solid‐state Li/LiFePO4 cell using the optimized electrolyte demonstrates good cycle performance at 0.2 C with high capacity retention of 92% after 70 cycles at 50 °C.
Synthesis Strategies and Nanoarchitectonics for High‐Performance Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Thin Film Field‐effect Transistors
Authors: Baek Seungho , Kim Suhyeon , Han Sang A , Kim Yong Ho , Kim Sunkook , Kim Jung Ho
Published: May 2023

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) exhibit highly superior electrical properties and are typically obtained through mechanical exfoliation. This method has significant limitations, however, such as patterning issues and non‐uniformity, which hinder their application in integrated circuits as transistors and array pixel displays. To overcome these challenges, various large‐scale deposition methods have been developed. In this review, we introduce five major methods for TMDC deposition: chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, pulsed laser deposition, and ink‐jet printing. An overview of each method is provided in the following order: surface analysis, electrical characteristics, and limitations of each method are discussed. Furthermore, we present three key strategies for an advanced device fabrication using the discussed deposition methods. By implementing these strategies, we can accelerate the development of highly crystalline and scalable TMDC thin films, which are essential for producing advanced electronic devices with improved performance. Owing to recent technological advancements, TMDC devices have the potential to become the leading material for next‐generation semiconductor devices. These devices can be specifically designed and optimized for innovative applications.
Primary cardiac angiosarcoma initially diagnosed on pericardial fluid cytology with histology and autopsy correlation
Authors: Li Yan , Ahn Yoo Min , Niu Shuang
Published: May 2023

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is an exceedingly rare high‐grade malignancy of the heart originating from endothelial cells, with a predilection for the right atrium in male. Clinical diagnosis is extremely challenging because of the nonspecific symptoms and radiological findings. Although almost always presenting with massive recurrent pericardial effusions, cardiac angiosarcoma diagnosed based on pericardial fluid has rarely been reported, either due to the paucity of malignant cells or misdiagnosis due to low familiarity/suspicion and lack of proper workup. Unfortunately, patients with this disease often receive definitive diagnosis post‐mortem. We report a case of primary cardiac angiosarcoma initially diagnosed on pericardial fluid. The cytomorphology and immunophenotype of angiosarcoma in fluid, as well as the challenges and practical recommendations in using pericardial fluid cytology for early diagnosis of this deadly disease are discussed.
Nutrient intake and its possible drivers in free‐ranging European brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos)
Authors: De Cuyper Annelies , Strubbe Diederik , Clauss Marcus , Lens Luc , Zedrosser Andreas , Steyaert Sam , Verbist Leen , Janssens Geert P. J.
Published: May 2023

The dietary nutrient profile has metabolic significance and possibly contributes to species' foraging behavior. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) was used as a model species for which dietary ingredient and nutrient concentrations as well as nutrient ratios were determined annually, seasonally and per reproductive class. Brown bears had a vertebrate‐ and ant‐dominated diet in spring and early summer and a berry‐dominated diet in fall, which translated into protein‐rich and carbohydrate‐rich diets, respectively. Fiber concentrations appeared constant over time and averaged at 25% of dry matter intake. Dietary ingredient proportions differed between reproductive classes; however, these differences did not translate into a difference in dietary nutrient concentrations, suggesting that bears manage to maintain similar nutrient profiles with selection of different ingredients. In terms of nutrient ratios, the dietary protein to non‐protein ratio, considered optimal at around 0.2 (on metabolizable energy basis), averaged around 0.2 in this study in fall and around 0.8 in spring and summer. We introduced the minimal non‐fat to fat ratio necessary for efficient maintenance metabolism. This ratio varied across seasons but never fell beneath the theoretically estimated minimum to ensure metabolic efficiency. This population thus managed to ingest diets that never exerted a lack of glucogenic substrate, suggesting that metabolic efficiency may either be a driver of active diet selection or that natural resources available to bears did not constitute a constraint in this respect. Given the considerable proportion of fiber in the diet of brown bears, the relevance of this nutrient and its role in foraging behavior might be underestimated.
Mechanochemical Desymmetrization of Unbiased Bis‐ and Tris‐alkynes to Access 3,5‐Isoxazoles‐Alkyne Adducts and Unsymmetrical Bis‐3,5‐isoxazoles**
Authors: Hernandez Rafael A. , Trakakis Irini , Do Jean‐Louis , Cuccia Louis A. , Friščić Tomislav , Forgione Pat
Published: May 2023

A mechanochemical desymmetrization of symmetrical bis‐ and tris‐alkynes by a controlled 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction using nitrile oxide dipoles (NOs). This operationally simple protocol allows access to 3,5‐isoxazole‐alkyne adducts from easily prepared or commercially available symmetrical bis‐ and tris‐alkynes in moderate to excellent yields. In addition, we have highlighted the synthetic utility of 3,5‐isoxazole‐alkyne by developing a route to access, for the first time, β‐ketoenamine‐alkyne derivatives, and unsymmetrical bis‐3,5‐isoxazoles.
Characteristics of digital artifacts in international endeavors of digital‐basedinternational new ventures
Authors: Ojala Arto , Fraccastoro Sara , Gabrielsson Mika
Published: May 2023

Research Summary

Current research on digital artifacts and international business reveals that digitalization is changing how firms enter international markets and operate within them. The unbounded nature of digital artifacts provides opportunities for entrepreneur‐driven firms to rapidly launch and develop digital platforms for international markets. However, extant literature provides little guidance on leveraging the specific characteristics of digital artifacts and what entrepreneurs should do to facilitate internationalization. We conducted an extensive longitudinal case study spanning more than 10 years to garner data on digital‐based INV pursuing internationalization. We aimed to conceptualize a theoretical model explaining the role of entrepreneurs in integrating, building, and reconfiguring their capabilities to leverage the characteristics of digital artifacts for platform development.

Managerial Summary

What actions should entrepreneurs take to leverage the characteristics of digital artifacts to support their firm's internationalization? This study offers entrepreneurs a model to pinpoint those actions and possible avenues for digital platform development in the international market context. The model demonstrates how firms can apply digital artifact characteristics during the phases of internationalization and how those characteristics can facilitate and accelerate the international development of a digital platform. The findings also reveal how different entrepreneurial resources and capabilities should be integrated, built, and reconfigured throughout the process.
To stand out or fit in? How perceived overqualification motivates proactive and affiliative performance
Authors: Ma Chao , Ganegoda Deshani B. , Chen (George) Zhen Xiong , Zhao Jun , Jiang Xinhui , Zhang Xue
Published: May 2023

Contributing to the literature on positive effects of overqualification, this research examines when and why perceived overqualification predicts affiliative and proactive performance at work. Integrating optimal distinctiveness theory with self‐construal theory, we propose that depending on the nature of an employee's self‐construal (i.e., independent, or interdependent), perceived overqualification will be associated with two opposing motivational processes—namely, differentiation and assimilation. We expect perceived overqualification to have a positive relationship with a motive for assimilation when an employee has a strong interdependent self‐construal. Conversely, we expect perceived overqualification to have a positive relationship with a motive for differentiation when an employee has a strong independent self‐construal. We further argue that assimilation‐seeking and differentiation‐seeking motives will be positively related to affiliative and proactive performance, respectively. We conducted two multi‐waved and multisourced studies to test our hypotheses. In a pilot study (N = 249), we first tested our moderation hypothesis. In our main study (N = 496), we tested our overall moderated mediation model. Results from both studies reveal that perceived overqualification can trigger a need for differentiation or assimilation in employees depending on the nature of their self‐construal. The differentiation‐seeking motive was positively related to proactive performance, while the assimilation‐seeking motive was positively related to affiliative performance. Our findings advance overqualification and motivation literatures and provide insights into talent acquisition and management.
Increased risk of pancreatic, thyroid, prostate and breast cancers in men with a family history of breast cancer: A population‐based study
Authors: Song Huiyeon , Jung Yoon Suk , Tran Thi Xuan Mai , Moon Chang Mo , Park Boyoung
Published: May 2023

The association between a family history of breast cancer (FHBC) in female first‐degree relatives (FDRs) and cancer risk in men has not been evaluated. This study aimed to compare the risks of overall and site‐specific cancers in men with and without FHBC. A population‐based study was conducted with 3 329 106 men aged ≥40 years who underwent national cancer screening between 2013 and 2014. Men with and without FHBC in their female FDRs were age‐matched in a 1:4 ratio. Men without FHBC were defined as those without a family history of any cancer type in their FDRs. Data from 69 124 men with FHBC and 276 496 men without FHBC were analyzed. The mean follow‐up period was 4.7 ± 0.9 years. Men with an FHBC in any FDR (mother or sister) had a higher risk of pancreatic, thyroid, prostate and breast cancers than those without an FHBC (adjusted hazard ratios [aHRs] (95% confidence interval [CI]): 1.35 (1.07‐1.70), 1.33 (1.12‐1.56), 1.28 (1.13‐1.44) and 3.03 (1.130‐8.17), respectively). Although an FHBC in any one of the FDRs was not associated with overall cancer risk, FHBC in both mother and sibling was a significant risk factor for overall cancer (aHR: 1.69, 95% CI:1.11‐2.57) and increased the risk of thyroid cancer by 3.41‐fold (95% CI: 1.10‐10.61). FHBC in the mother or sister was a significant risk factor for pancreatic, thyroid, prostate and breast cancers in men; therefore, men with FHBC may require more careful BRCA1/2 mutation‐related cancer surveillance.
Emotional valence perception in music and subjective arousal: Experimental validation of stimuli
Authors: Hofbauer Lena M. , Rodriguez Francisca S.
Published: May 2023

Musical stimuli are widely used in emotion research and intervention studies. However, reviews have repeatedly noted that a lack of pre‐evaluated musical stimuli is stalling progress in our understanding of specific effects of varying music. Musical stimuli vary along a plethora of dimensions. Of particular interest are emotional valence and tempo. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the emotional valence of a set of slow and fast musical stimuli. N = 102 (mean age: 39.95, SD: 13.60, 61% female) participants rated the perceived emotional valence in 20 fast (>110 beats per minute [bmp]) and 20 slow (<90 bpm) stimuli. Moreover, we collected reports on subjective arousal for each stimulus to explore arousal's association with tempo and valence. Finally, participants completed questionnaires on demographics, mood (profile of mood states), personality (10‐item personality index), musical sophistication (Gold‐music sophistication index), and sound preferences and hearing habits (sound preference and hearing habits questionnaire). Using mixed‐effect model estimates, we identified 19 stimuli that participants rated to have positive valence and 16 stimuli that they rated to have negative valence. Higher age predicted more positive valence ratings across stimuli. Higher tempo and more extreme valence ratings were each associated with higher arousal. Higher educational attainment was also associated with higher arousal reports. Pre‐evaluated stimuli can be used in future musical research.
Evaluating femoral augmentation to prevent geriatric hip fracture: A scoping review of experimental methods
Authors: Bliven Emily K. , Fung Anita , Cripton Peter A. , Helgason Benedikt , Guy Pierre
Published: May 2023

Various femoral augmentation designs have been investigated over the past decade for the prevention of geriatric hip fracture. The experimental methods used to evaluate the efficacy of these augmentations have not been critically evaluated or compared in terms of biofidelity, robustness, or ease of application. Such parameters have significant relevance in characterizing future clinical success. In this study we aimed to use a scoping review to summarize the experimental studies that evaluate femoral augmentation approaches, and critically evaluate commonly applied protocols and identify areas for concordance with the clinical situation. We conducted a literature search targeting studies that used experimental test methods to evaluate femoral augmentation to prevent geriatric fragility fracture. A total of 25 studies met the eligibility criteria. The most commonly investigated augmentation to date is the injection of bone cement or another material that cured in situ, and a popular subsequent method for biomechanical evaluation was to load the augmented proximal femur until fracture in a sideways fall configuration. We noted limitations in the clinical relevance of sideways fall scenarios being modeled and large variance in the concordance of many of the studies identified. Our review brings about recommendations for enhancing the fidelity of experimental methods modeling clinical sideways falls, which include an improved representation of soft tissue effects, using outcome metrics beyond load‐to‐failure, and applying loads inertially. Effective augmentations are encouraging for their potential to reduce the burden of hip fracture; however, the likelihood of this success is only as strong as the methods used in their evaluation.
Generalized eruptive clear cell acanthomas
Authors: Gambichler Thilo , Heinzer Ekaterina , Kautz Ocko , Boms Stefanie
Published: May 2023

In most cases, clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is an uncommon solitary lesion with distinctive clinicopathological features. We report the case of an 80‐year‐old man with generalized asymptomatic skin lesions predominantly affecting his chest, abdomen and his legs. On dermoscopy, the lesions showed dotted vessels in a linear pearl‐like distribution (“pearl necklace”) surrounded by a slightly whitish halo. Histopathology clearly confirmed the diagnosis of CCA. In conclusion, CCA being an uncommon solitary skin lesion may also appear in very rare cases as a generalized eruptive skin condition.
Treatment outcomes of the external auditory canal and temporal bone malignancy with dura invasion
Authors: Lee Yun Ji , Jeong In Seong , Chung Jong Woo
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with external auditory canal (EAC) and temporal bone (TB) malignancy with dura invasion.

Methods

The medical records of patients with EAC and TB malignancy with dura invasion were retrospectively reviewed. Survival outcomes (overall survival [OS], disease‐specific survival [DSS], recurrence‐free survival [RFS], and distant metastasis‐free survival [DMFS]) were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of eight patients were included in this study. The median age at diagnosis was 49.5 years (range 12–74 years). The median follow‐up periods were 46.5 months. Histologically, four out of eight patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 50%). The 2‐year OS and DSS rates of all patients were 62.5%, and those of EAC SCC patients were 50% and 66.7%, respectively; while the 2‐year RFS and DMFS rates of all patients were 37.5%. There was one local recurrence at the resection site (12.5%), two regional neck nodal recurrences (25%), and two distant metastases (25%). Dura resection and duroplasty areas were not involved in the local recurrence case.

Conclusion

In EAC and TB cancer with dura invasion, radical surgery with dura resection may show similar survival outcomes to previous studies without recurrence at the dura resection site.

Level of evidence: IV
Thermoplasmonic Manipulation for the Study of Single Polymers and Protein Aggregates
Authors: Simon David J. , Hartmann Felix , Thalheim Tobias , Cichos Frank
Published: May 2023

Heat generation by means of plasmonic structures, which is at the heart of thermoplasmonics, has stimulated intense research on the manipulation of matter in liquid environments. Tiny noble metal structures with dimensions of a few tens of nanometers thereby serve as heat sources generating large temperature gradients. As a result, thermophoretic drifts occur, concentration fields form, or charge separation takes place. But also hydrodynamic boundary flows, which play an important role in microfluidic environments, can be induced. These processes remotely triggered by optically generated local dynamic temperature fields offer novel possibilities for manipulating and studying not only colloids but in particular also single molecules and their aggregates in solution.
Some definable types that cannot be amalgamated
Authors: Hils Martin , Mennuni Rosario
Published: May 2023

We exhibit a theory where definable types lack the amalgamation property.
A proof‐theoretic metatheorem for tracial von Neumann algebras
Authors: Păunescu Liviu , Sipoş Andrei
Published: May 2023

We adapt a continuous logic axiomatization of tracial von Neumann algebras due to Farah, Hart and Sherman in order to prove a metatheorem for this class of structures in the style of proof mining, a research programme that aims to obtain the hidden computational content of ordinary mathematical proofs using tools from proof theory.
Nice ℵ1 generated non‐P‐points, Part I
Authors: Shelah Saharon
Published: May 2023

We define a family of non‐principal ultrafilters on which are, in a sense, very far from P‐points. We prove the existence of such ultrafilters under reasonable conditions. In subsequent articles, we intend to prove that such ultrafilters may exist while no P‐point exists. Though our primary motivations came from forcing and independence results, the family of ultrafilters introduced here should be interesting from combinatorial point of view too.
Thom property and Milnor–Lê fibration for analytic maps
Authors: Menegon Aurélio
Published: May 2023

Let (X, 0) be the germ of either a subanalytic set or a complex analytic space , and let be a ‐analytic map‐germ, with or , respectively. When , there is a well‐known topological locally trivial fibration associated with f, called the Milnor–Lê fibration of f, which is one of the main pillars in the study of singularities of maps and spaces. However, when that is not always the case. In this paper, we give conditions which guarantee that the image of f is well‐defined as a set‐germ, and that f admits a Milnor–Lê fibration. We also give conditions for f to have the Thom property. Finally, we apply our results to mixed function‐germs of type on a complex analytic surface with arbitrary singularity.
Downfield proton MRSI with whole‐brain coverage at 3T
Authors: Özdemir İpek , Ganji Sandeep , Gillen Joseph , Etyemez Semra , Považan Michal , Barker Peter B.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To develop a 3D downfield (DF) MRSI protocol with whole brain coverage and post‐processing pipeline for creation of metabolite maps.

Methods

A 3D, circularly phase‐encoded version of the previously developed 2D DF MRSI sequence with spectral‐spatial excitation and frequency selective refocusing was implemented and tested in five healthy volunteers at 3T. The DF metabolite maps with a nominal spatial resolution of 0.7 cm3 were recorded in eight slices at 3T in a scan time of 22 m 40 s. An MRSI post‐processing pipeline was developed to create DF metabolite maps. Metabolite concentrations and uncertainty estimates were compared between region differences for nine DF peaks.

Results

LCModel analysis showed Cramer Rao lower bounds average values of 3%–4% for protein amide resonances in the three selected regions (anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and centrum semiovale); Cramer Rao lower bounds were somewhat higher for individual peaks but for the most part were less than 20%. While DF concentration maps were visually quite homogeneous throughout the brain, general linear regression analysis corrected for multiple comparisons found significant differences between centrum semiovale and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for peaks at 7.09 ppm (p = 0.014), 7.90 ppm (p = 0.009), 8.18 ppm (p = 0.009), combined amides (p = 0.009), and between anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for the 7.30 ppm peak (p = 0.020). Cramer Rao lower bounds values were not significantly different between brain regions for any of the DF peaks.

Conclusion

The 3D DF MRSI of the human brain at 3T with wide spatial coverage for the mapping of exchangeable amide and other resonances is feasible at a nominal spatial resolution of 0.7 cm3.
Respiratory considerations in patients with neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Patel Nina , Howard Ileana M. , Baydur Ahmet
Published: May 2023

Patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) develop respiratory impairment as muscles weaken. Ensuing complications include reductions in lung volume, compliance, and cough ability and increased risk for lung infections. Sleep disordered breathing results from weakened upper airway muscles and/or impaired central ventilatory control systems. Evaluation includes measurement of seated and supine vital capacity (VC) and respiratory muscle strength. Assisted cough techniques facilitate airway clearance. The decision to initiate assisted ventilation is multifactorial, and may include consideration of patient symptoms, spirometry, pulmonary pressures, sleep studies or blood gas values. Most patients prefer noninvasive ventilation to enhance mobility and independence. Tracheostomy is indicated when bulbar function is impaired and cough assist measures fail to clear the airway. Technological advances in respiratory support have improved quality of life and longevity. Home care is the best option for most patients but remains a challenge, especially for caregivers with regard to physical, emotional, and financial implications, as well as social, administrative, and insurance concerns.
Pre‐requisites for infrastructure public‐private partnerships in oil‐exporting countries: The case of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Biygautane Mhamed
Published: May 2023

The evolution of public‐private partnerships (PPPs) within oil‐exporting states has not attracted sufficient attention from PPP scholars. Particularly, the Gulf‐Cooperation Council (GCC) states such as Saudi Arabia which has had a prolonged history of state‐led economic development and public funding of infrastructure projects is an interesting empirical context to explore how PPPs can become an instrument for infrastructure delivery. Plummeting oil prices since 2014 have urged Saudi Arabia to identify new forms of project organizing such as PPPs. The underlying argument of this paper is that delivering projects through the PPP route necessitates major reforms to the existing legal and regulatory frameworks, establishing relevant institutional support in the form of a PPP unit and developing a friendly business environment that could attract foreign investors to the country. This field report outlines the key reforms enacted by the Saudi government, and highlights pressing challenges that need to be addressed to drastically enhance Saudi Arabia's investment climate and enable the private sector's financing of mega‐infrastructure projects.
Facial deformation following treatment for pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma; the difference between treatment modalities. Results of a trans‐Atlantic, multicenter cross‐sectional cohort study
Authors: Hol Marinka L. F. , Indelicato Daniel J. , Slater Olga , Kolb Frederic , Hewitt Richard J , Ong Juling , Becking Alfred G. , Gains Jenny , Bradley Julie , Sandler Eric , Gaze Mark N. , Pieters Bradley , Mandeville Henry , Fajardo Raquel Dávila , Schoot Reineke , Merks Johannes H. M. , Hammond Peter , Smeele Ludwig E. , Suttie Michael
Published: May 2023

Background

The four different local therapy strategies used for head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (HNRMS) include proton therapy (PT), photon therapy (RT), surgery with radiotherapy (Paris‐method), and surgery with brachytherapy (AMORE). Local control and survival is comparable; however, the impact of these different treatments on facial deformation is still poorly understood. This study aims to quantify facial deformation and investigates the differences in facial deformation between treatment modalities.

Methods

Across four European and North American institutions, HNRMS survivors treated between 1990 and 2017, more than 2 years post treatment, had a 3D photograph taken. Using dense surface modeling, we computed facial signatures for each survivor to show facial deformation relative to 35 age–sex–ethnicity‐matched controls. Additionally, we computed individual facial asymmetry.

Findings

A total of 173 HNRMS survivors were included, survivors showed significantly reduced facial growth (p < .001) compared to healthy controls. Partitioned by tumor site, there was reduced facial growth in survivors with nonparameningeal primaries (p = .002), and parameningeal primaries (p ≤.001), but not for orbital primaries (p = .080) All patients were significantly more asymmetric than healthy controls, independent of treatment modality (p ≤ .001). There was significantly more facial deformation in orbital patients when comparing RT to AMORE (p = .046). In survivors with a parameningeal tumor, there was significantly less facial deformation in PT when compared to RT (p = .009) and Paris‐method (p = .007).

Interpretation

When selecting optimal treatment, musculoskeletal facial outcomes are an expected difference between treatment options. These anticipated differences are currently based on clinicians’ bias, expertise, and experience. These data supplement clinician judgment with an objective analysis highlighting the impact of patient age and tumor site between existing treatment options.
Dynamic remodeling of Escherichia coli interactome in response to environmental perturbations
Authors: Youssef Ahmed , Bian Fei , Paniikov Nicolai S. , Crovella Mark , Emili Andrew
Published: May 2023

Proteins play an essential role in the vital biological processes governing cellular functions. Most proteins function as members of macromolecular machines, with the network of interacting proteins revealing the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of these complexes. Profiling the physiology‐driven remodeling of these interactions within different contexts constitutes a crucial component to achieving a comprehensive systems‐level understanding of interactome dynamics. Here, we apply co‐fractionation mass spectrometry and computational modeling to quantify and profile the interactions of ∼2000 proteins in the bacterium Escherichia coli cultured under 10 distinct culture conditions. The resulting quantitative co‐elution patterns revealed large‐scale condition‐dependent interaction remodeling among protein complexes involved in diverse biochemical pathways in response to the unique environmental challenges. The network‐level analysis highlighted interactome‐wide biophysical properties and structural patterns governing interaction remodeling. Our results provide evidence of the local and global plasticity of the E. coli interactome along with a rigorous generalizable framework to define protein interaction specificity. We provide an accompanying interactive web application to facilitate the exploration of these rewired networks.
Running gait adaptations among adolescent runners with soft tissue impairments following lateral ankle sprains
Authors: DeJong Lempke Alexandra F. , Meehan William P. , Whitney Kristin E.
Published: May 2023

Background

Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) frequently lead to residual soft tissue impairments, often attributed to biomechanical dysfunction during movement.

Objective

To compare running biomechanics between adolescent runners with soft tissue pathologies following LAS (injured) and healthy runners (control) and between limbs.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Hospital‐affiliated sports injury prevention center.

Participants

Twenty‐five adolescent runners with a history of LAS and current ankle impingement or tendinopathy (23 female, 2 male; age: 15 ± 2 years; body mass index [BMI]: 19.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2; symptom duration: 1.1 ± 0.9 years), and 23 healthy controls without any LAS history (19 female, 4 male; age: 15 ± 1 years; BMI: 19.2 ± 2.7 kg/m2) were included in this study.

Interventions

All participants completed a clinical gait assessment in which they ran at a self‐selected speed on a force‐plate instrumented treadmill, while two video cameras recorded two‐dimensional sagittal and coronal views.

Main Outcome Measures

Foot rotation, step width, contact time, and cadence were compared between groups and limbs (involved, uninvolved [or “better” for bilateral cases]) using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Rearfoot landing and foot strike type were compared between groups and limbs using a chi‐square analysis.

Results

The injured group had significantly increased step width (F = 4.71, p = .04; mean difference [MD] with SE: 1.5 [0.7] cm) compared to controls. The injured groups' involved limb had longer contact time (F = 4.62, p = .03; MDgroup: 12 [7] ms, MDlimb: 22 [11] ms) with more internal foot rotation (F = 14.60, p < .001; MDgroup: 2.2 [1.2] degrees, MDlimb: 4.2 [1.3] degrees) compared to controls and their contralateral limb. There were no significant differences for cadence (F = 2.43, p = .13; MD: 4 [3] steps/min), foot landing (X2 = 1.28, p = .53), or foot strike (X2 = 1.24, p = .54).

Conclusions

Spatiotemporal and kinematic running adaptations may predispose young runners with initial LAS to secondary soft tissue dysfunction due to loss of stability from ligamentous structures and an overreliance on myotendinous control. Clinicians may consider targeting these maladaptations during gait‐training interventions.
What are the post‐treatment information needs of rural cancer survivors in Australia? A systematic literature review
Authors: Goodwin Belinda C. , Zajdlewicz Leah , Stiller Anna , Johnston Elizabeth A. , Myers Larry , Aitken Joanne F. , Bergin Rebecca J. , Chan Raymond J. , Crawford‐Williams Fiona , Emery Jon D.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To conduct a systematic literature review to critically assess the met and unmet post‐treatment information needs of cancer survivors living in rural communities in Australia, to inform the improvement of survivors' transition from treatment in major cities to community care.

Methods

Cumulative index of nursing and allied health literature, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL and Academic Search Ultimate databases and websites of 118 cancer organisations were searched for relevant Australian studies published since 2006. Key search terms included ‘rural’, ‘remote’, ‘regional’, ‘cancer’, ‘survivor*’, ‘living with’, and ‘post‐treatment’. Data reflecting study source, aims, methodology, and reported information needs were extracted and summarised. Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools.

Results

Fifty‐two articles met eligibility criteria. Only six of these specified a primary aim of understanding information needs for rural cancer survivors. Information on prognosis and recovery; managing treatment side effects; healthy lifestyle choices; referrals to support services, and face‐to‐face and written delivery of information at multiple time points were reported as needed and often lacking for rural cancer survivors.

Conclusions

Co‐ordinated, multi‐step provision of information to support health and recovery after cancer treatment and beyond is likely to be particularly important for rural cancer survivors given their broad range of needs and reduced access to health care services. Findings provide useful recommendations to facilitate patients' transition home to rural communities after cancer treatment in major cities, however, an increased understanding of the information needs of rural survivors is required to inform the development of guidelines that can be used in clinical practice.
The application of metabolomics toward idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and potential metabolomic value of diverse samples in interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Liu Mingtao , Cheng Zhangkai J. , Xue Mingshan , Lin Runpei , Zhang Teng , Sun Baoqing
Published: May 2023

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), also known as diffuse lung diseases, pose a significant challenge to the respiratory health of individuals worldwide. Among these conditions, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most prevalent, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. However, IPF is characterized by high heterogeneity, presenting a substantial obstacle to clinical program development and scientific research due to significant variations in disease progression, treatment response, and prognosis. Recent advances in metabolomics have enabled the identification of specific biochemical pathways and disease biomarkers, offering a beacon of hope for patients afflicted with various diseases. Remarkably, metabolomics has made significant strides in ILDs, particularly in IPF. Metabonomics, a branch of life science, provides an in‐depth analysis of metabolic pathways and the specific biological molecular composition of omics, obtained primarily from biological samples such as serum, plasma, pleural effusion, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung surgical biopsy samples, urine, feces, sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the application of metabolomics in ILDs, with a particular focus on IPF. By summarizing the current state of research in this field, we hope to shed light on the latest advances, challenges, and opportunities that metabolomics can provide in managing ILDs.