bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract P40: PTSD and levels of general anxiety in Italian oncological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chichua Mariam , Brivio Eleonora , Oliveri Serena , Guiddi Paolo , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: March 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, along with others in Italy, oncological patients had to put their life on hold, adjusting to the new restrictions and complying to the precautionary measures, some of which affected their participation in treatment programs and medical check-ups/health screening tests. The aim of this contribution is to investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 lockdown affected the above-mentioned participation in health screening tests and treatment programs, as well as to study the prodromal levels of PTSD in oncological patients in Italy during the lockdown. A survey consisting of Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), items related to the diagnosis of patients and items regarding treatment and screening tests was shared across several channels. Five-hundred forty-four patients answered the survey. Compared to the screening tests, treatment programs were less affected by COVID-19 restrictions, only 5% of participants had the treatment postponed or interrupted, for the screening tests this number exceeded 30%. The results of linear regression analysis show that overall the level of distress that oncological patients suffered from represents the probable diagnosis of PTSD, with patients who had to stop their regular screening tests showing a higher level of distress compared to those who continued screening (β = 10.78, SE = 1.85, t = 5.84, p = 0.00). These results indicate the need to provide psychological support for oncological patients during future emergency management of catastrophic events such as a pandemic.

Citation Format: Mariam Chichua, Eleonora Brivio, Serena Oliveri, Paolo Guiddi, Gabriella Pravettoni. PTSD and levels of general anxiety in Italian oncological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr P40.
Abstract P42: Construction of a risk map to understand the vulnerability of various types of cancer patients to COVID-19 infection
Authors: He Jian , Meng Mei , Zhao Yiyang
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 is leading to a global pandemic and invades human cells via ACE2. ACE2 was found to abundantly expressed in many organs and cells. However, there is no evidence about the potential risk of various types of cancer patients vulnerable to the infection of COVID-19. To obtain a risk map which indicating the novel coronavirus vulnerability of different types of cancer, so in this work we analyzed the RNA sequencing datasets of cancer patient. By interrogating the datasets, we not only identified the cancer types which vulnerable to COVID-19 attacks, but also we reported that variations in the mRNA expression level of ACE2 correlate to various prognosis phenomenon in different types of cancer cohorts and illustrated the underlying mechanism involved in may be related to lymphocytes infiltration. From these discoveries, we constructed an infection risk map which indicate the vulnerability of different types of cancer to COVID-19 infection, also elucidated the correlationship between ACE2 and the prognosis of cancer. We found that high ACE2 expression levels leading high risk of COVID-19 infection and poor prognosis of BRCA while better prognosis in OV patient cohorts. Moreover, our study demonstrated that this different pattern may correlate with the immune infiltration level.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Jian He, Mei Meng, Yiyang Zhao. Construction of a risk map to understand the vulnerability of various types of cancer patients to COVID-19 infection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr P42.
Abstract S02-03: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Barrett’s esophagus and esophago-gastric cancer
Authors: Turkington Richard C. , Lavery Anita , Donnelly David , Gavin Anna T. , McManus Damian T. , Cairnduff Victoria , McShane Charlene M. , Johnston Brian T. , Anderson Lesley A. , Coleman Helen G.
Published: March 2021

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an inexorable strain on endoscopy services worldwide, affecting the diagnosis of esophago-gastric (EG) cancer and Barrett’s esophagus (BE). As coronavirus infection rates rose many professional bodies advised that all endoscopy, except emergency and essential procedures, be stopped immediately. We sought to quantify the decline in EG cancer and BE diagnoses following implementation of British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidance related to COVID-19 and the psychosocial effects on BE patients. Methods We examined EG cancer and BE diagnoses in Northern Ireland from March-September 2020 and compared them with the three-year average number of patients during the same time period between 2017-2019 by utilizing Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) data. The psychosocial impact of COVID-19 was assessed using an online survey, which included validated WHOQOL-BREF and EQ-5D-5L quality of life measures, and was completed by 24 BE patients from April-May 2020. Results During the first six months of the pandemic the proportion of EG cancer and BE diagnoses declined by 26.6% and 59.3%, respectively, compared to expected levels. In April, BE diagnoses fell by 95.5% but by September, whilst EG cancer rates had returned to baseline, BE cases remained suppressed by approximately 20%. We estimate that these declines in diagnosis represent 53 ‘missed’ EG cancer and 236 ‘missed’ BE diagnoses. In the online survey sample, BE patients reported consistently lower quality of life scores than population norms, and highlighted a number of concerns with regard to their health and care. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an abrupt decline in EG cancer and BE diagnoses and has profoundly impacted the wellbeing of BE patients. Our study represents the first report of the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis of BE. Strategies to mitigate the ongoing effects of the pandemic are urgently required to preserve the ability to rapidly detect and diagnose cancer and pre-malignant conditions.

Citation Format: Richard C. Turkington, Anita Lavery, David Donnelly, Anna T. Gavin, Damian T. McManus, Victoria Cairnduff, Charlene M. McShane, Brian T. Johnston, Lesley A. Anderson, Helen G. Coleman. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Barrett’s esophagus and esophago-gastric cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr S02-03.
Abstract S03-02: Adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients: The CAPTURE study
Authors: Au Lewis , Fendler Annika , Boos Laura Amanda , Byrnes Fiona , Shepherd Scott , Nicholson Emma , Kumar Scaheen , Yousaf Nadia , Wilkinson Katalin , Swerdlow Anthony , Harvey Ruth , Kassiotis George , Wilkinson Robert , Larkin James , Turajlic Samra
Published: March 2021

There is a pressing need to characterise the nature, extent and duration of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients, to inform risk-reduction strategies and preserve cancer outcomes. CAPTURE is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of cancer patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) integrating immune profiles and clinical annotation. We evaluated 529 blood samples and 1051 oronasopharyngeal swabs from 144 cancer patients and 73 HCWs and correlated with >200 clinical variables. In patients with solid cancers and HCWs, S1-reactive and neutralising antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detectable five months post-infection. In these participants, SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses were detected. CD4+ T-cell response correlated with S1 antibody levels. Patients with haematological malignancies had impaired but partially compensated immune responses, depending on malignancy and therapy. Overall, cancer stage, disease status, and therapies did not correlate with immune responses. These findings have implications for understanding individual risks and potential effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in this population.

Citation Format: Lewis Au, Annika Fendler, Laura Amanda Boos, Fiona Byrnes, Scott Shepherd, Emma Nicholson, Scaheen Kumar, Nadia Yousaf, Katalin Wilkinson, Anthony Swerdlow, Ruth Harvey, George Kassiotis, Robert Wilkinson, James Larkin, Samra Turajlic. Adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients: The CAPTURE study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr S03-02.
Abstract S05-02: Plant viral nanoparticle-based adjuvants for cancer immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines
Authors: Steinmetz Nicole F. , Pokorski Jonathan K. , Fiering Steven N. , Hoopes P. Jack , Shukla Sourabh , Ortega-Rivera Oscar A. , King Steven , Empig Cyril J.
Published: March 2021

Plant virus nanoparticles are recognized as a platform technology for potential applications in nanomedicine. While non-infectious toward mammals, many plant virus nanoparticles are recognized by the immune system and act as potent adjuvants, both in the classical setting of vaccination and cancer immunotherapy. In the context of cancer immunotherapy, we have demonstrated potent efficacy of plant virus, particularly cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) when applied intratumorally; CPMV signals through and activates multiple toll-like receptors, which primes a potent innate immune activation leading to reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment from an immunosuppressed to immune-activated state. Data in mouse models of melanoma, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, glioma, and breast cancer demonstrate potent efficacy through priming of the innate immune system leading to adaptive and systemic anti-tumor immunity and most importantly immune memory. Efficacy was also replicated in canine patients with melanoma. Given the promise of the plant virus nanotechnology as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy, we also have begun to utilize the technology as a vaccination platform for the generation of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. We formulated multivalent COVID-19 vaccine candidates using plant virus nanoparticles displaying SARS-CoV-2 S protein peptide B cell epitopes. The plant virus nanoparticle confers efficient lymphatic trafficking and targeting of antigen-presenting cells; the adjuvant properties of the nanotechnology lead to robust antibody levels against the target, S protein. While other vaccine candidates have advanced through clinical testing, our approach has unique advantages: The high thermal and pH stability of the plant virus nanotechnology alleviates cold chain requirements; further, the stability of the platform technology enables its integration into vaccine delivery devices such as microneedle patches that can be shipped globally and be self-administered. In this presentation, we will discuss our data on the cancer immunotherapy and highlight the potential to pivot the technology for infectious disease vaccines with unique attributes. This work was funded in part through grants from the National Cancer Institute (U01CA218292) and National Science Foundation (RAPID CMMI-2027668).

Citation Format: Nicole F. Steinmetz, Jonathan K. Pokorski, Steven N. Fiering, P. Jack Hoopes, Sourabh Shukla, Oscar A. Ortega-Rivera, Steven King, Cyril J. Empig. Plant viral nanoparticle-based adjuvants for cancer immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr S05-02.
Abstract S06-04: Telehealth experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mann Karely , Waters Austin R. , Vaca Lopez Perla L. , Warner Echo L. , Ou Judy , Kaddas Heydon , Ramsay Joemy , Ray Nicole , Tsukamoto Tomoko , Fair Douglas B. , Letourneau Joseph M. , Lewis Mark A. , Gill David , Linder Lauri , Kirchhoff Anne C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To describe adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients’ and survivors’ experiences with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Eligible participants were identified through the Huntsman Intermountain Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care Program, which provides age-specific programming and patient navigation to AYA cancer patients and survivors in Utah and surrounding Mountain West states. Participants were emailed an online survey if they were currently age 18 or older and had been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39 years. We applied descriptive statistics to summarize demographics, comfortability with technology, access to reliable internet connection, and perceived quality of care while using telehealth. Results: AYAs (N=280) were an average of 29.4 years old at survey (range 18-58); 65.2% were female and 82.4% non-Hispanic white. Over half (54.2%) had received cancer treatment since March 2020. All participants reported owning a computer, tablet, and/or smart phone they could use for telehealth appointments. The majority (93.5%) reported almost always or always having a reliable internet connection. AYAs felt most comfortable having a telehealth appointment in their own home (96.4%); only 12.5% felt comfortable using telehealth at work. Since March 2020, (N=183) 65.4% had a health care visit moved to a telehealth platform due to COVID-19. Of those who recently moved to telehealth, 60.1% had an oncology visit, 33.9% had a primary care visit, and 31.1% had a mental health visit. Additionally over one-third (35.2%) reported the quality of their medical care had decreased since moving to telehealth. This was most commonly due to 1) troubles with audio, video, or connecting through telehealth platforms; 2) telehealth visits feeling impersonal; and 3) feeling that providers more easily dismissed or did not fully address their symptoms. Conclusions: Although AYAs are digital natives, over one-third of AYAs feel the quality of their medical care has decreased since moving to telehealth for COVID-19. Further research should explore medical provider training in using telehealth systems and encourage telehealth practices that help AYAs feel more supported and understood.

Citation Format: Karely Mann, Austin R. Waters, Perla L. Vaca Lopez, Echo L. Warner, Judy Ou, Heydon Kaddas, Joemy Ramsay, Nicole Ray, Tomoko Tsukamoto, Douglas B. Fair, Joseph M. Letourneau, Mark A. Lewis, David Gill, Lauri Linder, Anne C. Kirchhoff. Telehealth experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr S06-04.
Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Transabdominal Cerclage with a “Needle-Free” Technique: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Abdel Azim Samira , Wieser Verena , Ritter Magdalena , Tiechl Johanna , Kropshofer Stephan , Widschwendter Andreas , Fessler Siegfried
Published: March 2021

Background: In high-risk patients with cervical incompetence, laparoscopic cerclage is a promising treatment option. However, the procedure exhibits relevant surgical risks. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a surgical “needle-free” technique for minimally invasive, laparoscopically placed cervico-isthmic cerclage in high-risk patients. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study over a 10-year period of pre- and postconceptional cerclage placement. The included patients either experienced previous transvaginal cerclage (TVC) failure or were not eligible for TVC. Laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage using a needle-less mersilene tape was performed via a broad ligament window lateral to the uterine vessels. Results: Laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage was successfully performed in all included women with a median operation time of 62 min. We did not observe any intra- or postoperative complications, particularly no bleeding complications. Nine of 11 women became pregnant and/or carried out a successful pregnancy, respectively. Importantly, we did not observe any cases of miscarriage or mid-trimester loss. Two patients did not conceive; however, their medical histories did include Asherman’s syndrome and advanced maternal age. Conclusion: Transabdominal laparoscopic “needle-free” cerclage is a safe and effective treatment option for a well-selected group of women at high risk of cervical incompetence. It provides good obstetric results without increasing perioperative morbidity.
Primordial Germ Cell Migration and Histological and Molecular Characterization of Gonadal Differentiation in Pachón Cavefish Astyanax mexicanus
Authors: Imarazene Boudjema , Beille Séverine , Jouanno Elodie , Branthonne Adéle , Thermes Violette , Thomas Manon , Herpin Amaury , Rétaux Sylvie , Guiguen Yann
Published: March 2021

The genetic regulatory network governing vertebrate gonadal differentiation appears less conserved than previously thought. Here, we investigated the gonadal development of Astyanax mexicanus Pachón cavefish by looking at primordial germ cells (PGCs) migration and proliferation, gonad histology, and gene expression patterns. We showed that PGCs are first detected at the 80% epiboly stage and then reach the gonadal primordium at 1 day post-fertilization (dpf). However, in contrast to the generally described absence of PGCs proliferation during their migration phase, PGCs number in cavefish doubles between early neurula and 8–9 somites stages. Combining both gonadal histology and vasa (germ cell marker) expression patterns, we observed that ovarian and testicular differentiation occurs around 65 dpf in females and 90 dpf in males, respectively, with an important inter-individual variability. The expression patterns of dmrt1, gsdf, and amh revealed a conserved predominant male expression during cavefish gonadal development, but none of the ovarian differentiation genes, i. e., foxl2a, cyp19a1a, and wnt4b displayed an early sexually dimorphic expression, and surprisingly all these genes exhibited predominant expression in adult testes. Altogether, our results lay the foundation for further research on sex determination and differentiation in A. mexicanus and contribute to the emerging picture that the vertebrate sex differentiation downstream regulatory network is less conserved than previously thought, at least in teleost fishes.
O cotidiano como transformação na teoria e no cinema letrista
Authors: Uchôa Fábio
Published: March 2021

Entre 1947 e 1962, alguns dos escritos e filmes letristas sugerem uma atenção subjacente à vida cotidiana, incluindo diálogos com debates contemporâneos sobre o tema. O objetivo deste artigo é identificar indícios de uma teoria do cotidiano na vanguarda letrista, a partir de escritos teóricos, literários e filmes. Por hipótese, acredita-se em diálogos especialmente com Henri Lefebvre, tomando-se a intervenção no cotidiano como exercício transformador – ação que no letrismo tem a sala de projeção como espaço-foco. Para tanto, parte-se do mapeamento de teorias da vida cotidiana nos anos 1940-60 e sua comparação com a teoria letrista, para um posterior cotejo com a produção escrita e cinematográfica do grupo. São assim analisados três estratos artísticos: os artigos da revista ION v.1 (1952), os contos “Le mobile” e “Vers une salle de cinéma”, além dos filmes Traité de Bave… (1951) e Un soir au cinéma (1962).
Por uma realidade conectada: apontamentos genealógicos sobre as conexões tecnológicas e um possível sentido comunicacional
Authors: Neves Thiago Tavares das
Published: March 2021

O artigo pretende analisar as conexões tecnológicas sob o ponto de vista filosófico e antropológico, retomando o debate natureza/cultura com o intuito de problematizar possibilidades de um sentido comunicacional em emergência na realidade contemporânea. O texto aposta em uma genealogia do que se entende por conexão e suas imbricações epistemológicas entre diversos operadores conceituais como natureza, cultura, comunicação, técnica e tecnologia, com objetivo de resgatar esse sentido comunicacional. Para que se possa contribuir com a discussão sobre o tema, será invocado o suporte filosófico de Edgar Morin, Vilém Flusser, Carlos París, Bruno Latour e as considerações epistemológicas de Circo Marcondes Filho para se pensar o sentido comunicacional.
Análise da apuração jornalística na cobertura da posse de Jair Bolsonaro
Authors: Silva Gislene , Silva Terezinha , Bertasso Daiane , Silva Valentina Nunes da , Gustafson Jéssica , Azeredo Diana de
Published: March 2021

A eleição de 2018 foi um marco para o Brasil por ter levado à Presidência da República, em uma campanha marcada por fake news, um candidato de extrema-direita após três décadas de democratização no país. Analisamos a cobertura jornalística da chegada de Jair Bolsonaro ao poder, nos jornais Folha de S.Paulo, O Estado de S. Paulo e O Globo, nos portais UOL e G1, e nas revistas Carta Capital, Época, IstoÉ e Veja. O estudo se concentra nas práticas de apuração passíveis de identificação nos textos. A análise mostra pouco investimento em pré-apuração de informações, burocrática apuração durante o evento, utilização pouco criteriosa da internet e das redes sociais, persistente tendência em priorizar fontes e interpretações oficiais, uso excessivo e não recomendável de fontes sem identificação. Estas são ações determinantes nos entendimentos que a imprensa oferece a respeito do novo governo.
Apresentação
Authors: Vicente Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Apresentação da edição V9 N2
Exercício de conservação do jardim histórico do conjunto moderno da SUDENE: uma experiência didática no curso de arquitetura e urbanismo da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Authors: Silva Joelmir Marques da , Ferreira Raquel Nadine Cavalcante , Feitosa Júnior Wilson de Barros , Costa Thais Santos , Carvalho Elzilane
Published: March 2021

Os jardins históricos são um patrimônio vivo e, como obra de arte efêmera, condição atrelada ao vegetal, necessitam de cuidados constantes para que seus valores patrimoniais não sejam perdidos e, consequentemente, a autenticidade, a integridade e a significância. Desta forma, objetivou-se com este artigo, sintetizar as principais discussões e resultados obtidos na disciplina Oficina de Arquitetura, Urbanismo e Paisagismo 2A – Arquitetura da Paisagem do Curso de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco pelo pioneirismo em ofertar uma disciplina direcionada ao entendimento e à conservação de jardins históricos, tema ainda pouco explorado no âmbito da graduação dos cursos de arquitetura e urbanismo no Brasil. O Jardim da Superintendência do Desenvolvimento do Nordeste, projetado em 1972 por Roberto Burle Marx, foi escolhido como objeto de estudo por ser um marco do modernismo no Brasil (jardim e edifício), bem como por estar em processo de descaracterização. Ao final da oficina chegou-se a um estudo preliminar com diretrizes que embasarão o projeto de restauro do jardim.
O modelo estrutural da sustentabilidade: uma discussão acerca dos elementos, hierarquia e representação do sistema ambiental
Authors: Oppliger Emilia Alibio , Ronda Izabela Cristina Barbosa Prado de Souza , Oliveira Ademir Kleber Morbeck de
Published: March 2021

O conceito de sustentabilidade é baseado em três pilares: ambiental, social e econômico, todos com igualdade de importância, interdependentes, tendo como meta atender às necessidades humanas sem degradar o ambiente, garantindo sua preservação para as futuras gerações. Porém, é necessário compreender como esses pilares interagem entre si. Objetivou-se revisar esse conceito e apresentar um novo modelo estrutural de sustentabilidade, em que se compreende ‘sistema ecológico’ como a natureza sem o ser humano. Trata-se de um artigo teórico, fundamentado na teoria geral dos sistemas, referenciado em análises críticas sobre sustentabilidade e relação entre natureza, sociedade e economia. Demonstrou-se que o sistema ecológico é o mais importante na representação da sustentabilidade, pois se autorregula e não depende dos demais. Conclui-se que há uma hierarquia entre os sistemas e que o sistema ambiental é a soma dos sistemas ecológico, sociocultural e econômico.
Cardiac and Noncardiac Disease Burden and Treatment Effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan
Authors: Rohde Luis E. , Claggett Brian L. , Wolsk Emil , Packer Milton , Zile Michael , Swedberg Karl , Rouleau Jean , Pfeffer Marc A. , Desai Akshay S. , Lund Lars H. , Kober Lars , Anand Inder , Merkely Bela , Senni Michele , Shi Victor , Rizkala Adel , Lefkowitz Martin , McMurray John J.V. , Solomon Scott D.
Published: March 2021

Background:

The net clinical benefit of cardiac disease-modifying drugs might be influenced by the interaction of different domains of disease burden. We assessed the relative contribution of cardiac, comorbid, and demographic factors in heart failure (HF) and how their interplay might influence HF prognosis and efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods:

We combined data from 2 global trials that evaluated the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan compared with a renin-angiotensin antagonist in symptomatic HF patients (PARADIGM-HF [Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor With an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure; n=8399] and PARAGON-HF [Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor With Angiotensin Receptors Blockers Global Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction; n=4796]). We decomposed the previously validated Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure risk score into cardiac (left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association class, blood pressure, time since HF diagnosis, HF medications), noncardiac comorbid (body mass index, creatinine, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking), and demographic (age, gender) categories. Based on these domains, an index representing the balance of cardiac to noncardiac comorbid burden was created (cardiac-comorbid index). Clinical outcomes were time to first HF hospitalization or cardiovascular deaths and all-cause mortality.

Results:

Higher scores of the cardiac domain were observed in PARADIGM-HF (10 [7–13] versus 5 [3–6],
P
<0.001) and higher scores of the demographic domain in PARAGON-HF (10 [8–13] versus 5 [2–9],
P
<0.001). In PARADIGM-HF, the contribution of the cardiac domain to clinical outcomes was greater than the noncardiac domain (
P
<0.001), while in PARAGON-HF the attributable risk of the comorbid and demographic categories predominated. Individual scores from each sub-domain were linearly associated with the risk of clinical outcomes (
P
<0.001). Beneficial effects of sacubitril/valsartan were observed in patients with preponderance of cardiac over noncardiac comorbid burden (cardiac-comorbid index >5 points), suggesting a significant treatment effect modification (interaction
P
<0.05 for both outcomes).

Conclusions:

Domains of disease burden are clinically relevant features that influence the prognosis and treatment of patients with HF. The therapeutic benefits of sacubitril/valsartan vary according to the balance of components of disease burden, across different ranges of left ventricular ejection fraction.
Kirschsteiniothelia thailandica sp. nov. (Kirschsteiniotheliaceae) from Thailand
Authors: SUN YA-RU , JAYAWARDENA RUVISHIKA S. , HYDE KEVIN D. , WANG YONG
Published: March 2021

A Kirschsteiniothelia species was found on decayed twigs of Ficus microcarpa collected at the Garden of Medicinal Plants in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and SSU sequence data showed the new isolate was phylogenetically distinct from other known species of Kirschsteiniothelia. Accordingly, Kirschsteiniothelia thailandica sp. nov. is described and illustrated and compared with other species in the genus.
Litsea manilaliana (Lauraceae): a new species from southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India
Authors: ROBI ALOOR JOSE , UDAYAN PUNNAKKAL SREEDHARAN
Published: March 2021

A new species in the Lauraceae, Litsea manilaliana Robi & Udayan, is described and illustrated from the Wagamon hills in India. The new species is similar to L. gorayana, from which it differs by its densely lenticellate branchlets, its elliptic leaves with cuneate base, obtuse apex and pale-glaucous undersurface, its adaxially flat midrib, its 5–7 pairs of lateral veins with abaxially prominent, scalariform-reticulate intercostae, its brachyblasts with 4–8 umbels, its umbels with 4 fragrant flowers, its ovate-oblong or oblong, gland-dotted, glabrous tepals, its slightly curved style, its globose ovary, its obovoid fruits with beaked apex and its glabrous fruiting pedicel.
Evaluation and defense of light commands attacks against voice controllable systems in smart cars
Authors: Xu Zhijian , Zhang Guoming , Ji Xiaoyu , Xu Wenyuan
Published: March 2021

The in-car voice controllable system has become an almost standard feature in smart cars. Prior work shows that the voice controllable system is vulnerable to light commands attack which uses the laser as the medium to inject voice commands. In this article, we first reproduced the light commands attack on acoustic isolated in-car voice controllable system under several scenarios with a lightweight solution. We validate the feasibility of injecting the malicious voice command through a window into the microphone by modulating a laser beam. Then, we tested a variety of mainstream countermeasures such as placing sunscreen film on the glass panel to see whether it can protect the microphone from being attacked. Surprisingly, we find that the lower light transmittance of sunscreen film is the lower the success rate of the attack. Experiment results also show that when the transmittance rate of sun film is 50% which is the darkest sunscreen film that can be applied, the attacking success rate decreased by up to 0.4. We also explore the impact of attack angle by changing the incidence angle of the laser beam and the results demonstrate that light commands is sensitive to attack angle and the successful angle range is ± 15°. Finally, we propose a series of hardware-based protection schemes against light commands attacks.
Perioperative Complications of Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Comparison Between 3 Procedures
Authors: Mesregah Mohamed Kamal , Formanek Blake , Liu John C. , Buser Zorica , Wang Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2021

Study Design:

Retrospective comparative study.

Objectives:

To compare the perioperative complications of propensity score-matched cohorts of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), who were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior laminectomy with fusion, or laminoplasty.

Methods:

The Humana PearlDiver Patient Record Database was queried using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and ICD-10) and the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Propensity score-matched analysis was done using multiple Chi-squared tests with Bonferroni correction of the significance level.

Results:

Cohorts of 11,790 patients who had ACDF, 2,257 patients who had posterior laminectomy with fusion, and 477 patients who had laminoplasty, were identified. After propensity score matching, all the 3 groups included 464 patients. The incidence of dysphagia increased significantly following ACDF compared to laminoplasty, P < 0.001, and in laminectomy with fusion compared to laminoplasty, P < 0.001. The incidence of new-onset cervicalgia was higher in ACDF compared to laminoplasty, P = 0.005, and in laminectomy with fusion compared to laminoplasty, P = 0.004. The incidence of limb paralysis increased significantly in laminectomy with fusion compared to ACDF, P = 0.002. The revision rate at 1 year increased significantly in laminectomy with fusion compared to laminoplasty, P < 0.001, and in ACDF compared to laminoplasty, P < 0.001.

Conclusions:

The incidence of dysphagia following laminectomy with fusion was not different compared to ACDF. Postoperative new-onset cervicalgia and revisions were least common in laminoplasty. The highest rate of postoperative limb paralysis was noticed in laminectomy with fusion.
Misdiagnosed thrombocytopenia in children and adolescents: analysis of the Pediatric and Adult Registry on Chronic ITP
Authors: Schifferli Alexandra , Heiri Andrea , Imbach Paul , Holzhauer Susanne , Seidel Markus G. , Nugent Diane , Michel Marc , Kühne Thomas
Published: March 2021

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children is a diagnosis of exclusion, but cases of secondary ITP and nonimmune thrombocytopenia (non-IT) are generally difficult to recognize in a timely fashion. We describe a pediatric population with a revised diagnosis of secondary ITP or non-IT within 24 months of follow-up. Data were extracted from the Pediatric and Adult Registry on Chronic ITP, an international multicenter registry collecting data prospectively in patients with newly diagnosed primary ITP. Between 2004 and 2019, a total of 3974 children aged 3 months to 16 years were included. Secondary ITP and non-IT were reported in 113 patients (63 female subjects). Infectious (n = 53) and autoimmune (n = 42) diseases were identified as the main causes, with median ages at diagnosis of 3.2 years (interquartile range: 1.2; 6.7 years) and 12.4 years (interquartile range: 7.6; 13.7 years), respectively. Other causes included malignancies, aplastic anemia, immunodeficiency, and drug use. Patients with malignancy and aplastic anemia had significantly higher initial platelet counts (37 and 52 × 109/L) than did those with infection or autoimmune diseases (12 and 13 × 109/L). Characteristics of patients with secondary ITP due to infection were similar to those of children with primary ITP at first presentation, indicating similar mechanisms. Significant differences were found for age, sex, comorbidities, initial bleeding, sustained need for treatment, and disease persistence for the remaining noninfectious group compared with primary ITP. Based on our findings, we propose a diagnostic algorithm that may serve as a basis for further discussion and prospective trials.
Autologous stem cell transplantation after anti-PD-1 therapy for multiply relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Merryman Reid W. , Redd Robert A. , Nishihori Taiga , Chavez Julio , Nieto Yago , Darrah Justin M. , Rao Uttam , Byrne Michael T. , Bond David A. , Maddocks Kami J. , Spinner Michael A. , Advani Ranjana H. , Ballard Hatcher J. , Svoboda Jakub , Singh Anurag K. , McGuirk Joseph P. , Modi Dipenkumar , Ramchandren Radhakrishnan , Romancik Jason , Cohen Jonathon B. , Frigault Matthew J. , Chen Yi-Bin , Serritella Anthony V. , Kline Justine , Ansell Stephen , Nathan Sunita , Rahimian Maryam , Joyce Robin M. , Shah Mansi , David Kevin A. , Park Steven , Beaven Anne W. , Habib Alma , Bachanova Veronika , Nakhoda Shazia , Khan Nadia , Lynch Ryan C. , Smith Stephen D. , Ho Vincent T. , LaCasce Ann , Armand Philippe , Herrera Alex F.
Published: March 2021

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) can be curative for patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Based on studies suggesting that anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can sensitize patients to subsequent chemotherapy, we hypothesized that anti-PD-1 therapy before ASCT would result in acceptable outcomes among high-risk patients who progressed on or responded insufficiently to ≥1 salvage regimen, including chemorefractory patients who are traditionally considered poor ASCT candidates. We retrospectively identified 78 HL patients who underwent ASCT after receiving an anti-PD-1 mAb (alone or in combination) as third-line or later therapy across 22 centers. Chemorefractory disease was common, including 42 patients (54%) refractory to ≥2 consecutive systemic therapies immediately before anti-PD-1 treatment. Fifty-eight (74%) patients underwent ASCT after anti-PD-1 treatment, while 20 patients (26%) received additional therapy after PD-1 blockade and before ASCT. Patients received a median of 4 systemic therapies (range, 3-7) before ASCT, and 31 patients (41%) had a positive pre-ASCT positron emission tomography (PET) result. After a median post-ASCT follow-up of 19.6 months, the 18-month progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 81% (95% CI, 69-89) and 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87-99), respectively. Favorable outcomes were observed for patients who were refractory to 2 consecutive therapies immediately before PD-1 blockade (18-month PFS, 78%), had a positive pre-ASCT PET (18-month PFS, 75%), or received ≥4 systemic therapies before ASCT (18-month PFS, 73%), while PD-1 nonresponders had inferior outcomes (18-month PFS, 51%). In this high-risk cohort, ASCT after anti-PD-1 therapy was associated with excellent outcomes, even among heavily pretreated, previously chemorefractory patients.
Safety and reactogenicity of the recombinant zoster vaccine after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Baumrin Emily , Izaguirre Natalie E. , Bausk Bruce , Feeley Monica M. , Bay Camden P. , Yang Qiheng , Ho Vincent T. , Baden Lindsey R. , Issa Nicolas C.
Published: March 2021

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are at increased risk for varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation and associated complications. A nonlive adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) has been developed to prevent herpes zoster (HZ), but there are no recommendations for use in this population. In this single-center prospective observational cohort study, we assessed the safety and reactogenicity of RZV, as well as incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and confirmed cases of HZ after vaccination. Between December of 2018 and June of 2020, patients aged ≥18 years received 2 doses of RZV between 9 and 24 months after HCT, with the doses separated by ≥8 weeks. One hundred and fifty-eight patients (mean age, 55 years; 42% women) received ≥1 dose (total vaccinated cohort), and 150 patients (95%) received 2 doses (modified total vaccinated cohort). Solicited reactions occurred in 92.1% of patients (grade 3, 32.5%), owing mostly to injection site pain, which occurred in 86% (grade 3, 16%). The cumulative incidence of GVHD in the peri-vaccination period was no different than in historical controls (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-1.38). There were 4 cases of HZ in the total vaccinated cohort (2.5%) and 3 cases in the modified total vaccinated cohort (28.3/1000 person-years). Among recipients of allogeneic HCT, RZV was safe, tolerable, and did not increase rates of GVHD. Future clinical trials are needed to determine the immunogenicity and efficacy of RZV in this population.
Genetic parameters for uniformity of harvest weight in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: García-Ballesteros Silvia , Villanueva Beatriz , Fernández Jesús , Gutiérrez Juan Pablo , Cervantes Isabel
Published: March 2021

Background

Uniformity of body weight is a trait of great economic importance in the production of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A necessary condition to improve this trait through selective breeding is the existence of genetic variability for the environmental variance of body weight. Although several studies have reported such variability in other aquaculture species, to our knowledge, no estimates are available for shrimp. Our aim in this study was to estimate the genetic variance for weight uniformity in a farmed population of shrimp to determine the potential of including this trait in the selection program. We also estimated the genetic correlation of weight uniformity between two environments (selection nucleus and commercial population).

Methods

The database contained phenotypic records for body weight on 51,346 individuals from the selection nucleus and 38,297 individuals from the commercial population. A double hierarchical generalized linear model was used to analyse weight uniformity in the two environments. Fixed effects included sex and year for the nucleus data and sex and year-pond combination for the commercial data. Environmental and additive genetic effects were included as random effects.

Results

The estimated genetic variance for weight uniformity was greater than 0 (0.06 ± 0.01) in both the nucleus and commercial populations and the genetic coefficient of variation for the residual variance was 0.25 ± 0.01. The genetic correlation between weight and weight uniformity was close to zero in both environments. The estimate of the genetic correlation of weight uniformity between the two environments (selection nucleus and commercial population) was 0.64 ± 0.06.

Conclusions

The existence of genetic variance for weight uniformity suggests that genetic improvement of this trait is possible. Selection for weight uniformity should not decrease weight, given the near zero genetic correlation between these two traits. The strong genetic correlation of weight uniformity between the two environments indicates that response to selection for uniformity in the nucleus will be at least partially transmitted to the commercial population if this trait is included in the breeding goal.
Imputation accuracy to whole-genome sequence in Nellore cattle
Authors: Fernandes Júnior Gerardo A. , Carvalheiro Roberto , de Oliveira Henrique N. , Sargolzaei Mehdi , Costilla Roy , Ventura Ricardo V. , Fonseca Larissa F. S. , Neves Haroldo H. R. , Hayes Ben J. , de Albuquerque Lucia G.
Published: March 2021

Background

A cost-effective strategy to explore the complete DNA sequence in animals for genetic evaluation purposes is to sequence key ancestors of a population, followed by imputation mechanisms to infer marker genotypes that were not originally reported in a target population of animals genotyped with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels. The feasibility of this process relies on the accuracy of the genotype imputation in that population, particularly for potential causal mutations which may be at low frequency and either within genes or regulatory regions. The objective of the present study was to investigate the imputation accuracy to the sequence level in a Nellore beef cattle population, including that for variants in annotation classes which are more likely to be functional.

Methods

Information of 151 key sequenced Nellore sires were used to assess the imputation accuracy from bovine HD BeadChip SNP (~ 777 k) to whole-genome sequence. The choice of the sires aimed at optimizing the imputation accuracy of a genotypic database, comprised of about 10,000 genotyped Nellore animals. Genotype imputation was performed using two computational approaches: FImpute3 and Minimac4 (after using Eagle for phasing). The accuracy of the imputation was evaluated using a fivefold cross-validation scheme and measured by the squared correlation between observed and imputed genotypes, calculated by individual and by SNP. SNPs were classified into a range of annotations, and the accuracy of imputation within each annotation classification was also evaluated.

Results

High average imputation accuracies per animal were achieved using both FImpute3 (0.94) and Minimac4 (0.95). On average, common variants (minor allele frequency (MAF) > 0.03) were more accurately imputed by Minimac4 and low-frequency variants (MAF ≤ 0.03) were more accurately imputed by FImpute3. The inherent Minimac4 Rsq imputation quality statistic appears to be a good indicator of the empirical Minimac4 imputation accuracy. Both software provided high average SNP-wise imputation accuracy for all classes of biological annotations.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that imputation to whole-genome sequence is feasible in Nellore beef cattle since high imputation accuracies per individual are expected. SNP-wise imputation accuracy is software-dependent, especially for rare variants. The accuracy of imputation appears to be relatively independent of annotation classification.
Correlation between uniocular deviation and duction changes following different decompression surgeries in thyroid eye disease
Authors: Guo Jie , Li Xiaofeng , Ma Ruiqi , Qian Jiang
Published: March 2021

Background

Postoperative ocular imbalance is an important problem for orbital decompression surgery in thyroid eye disease (TED). The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in unilateral ocular deviation and duction following orbital decompression and discuss the biomechanics of ocular imbalance.

Methods

Fifty-four TED patients who underwent unilateral orbital decompression were included. Fifteen patients underwent 1-wall (deep lateral wall) decompression, 18 patients underwent 2-wall (deep lateral and medial wall) decompression and 21 patients underwent 3-wall (deep lateral, medial and inferior wall) decompression. Objective and subjective deviation of the operated eyes were evaluated using the prism test and synoptophore, respectively. Ocular ductions were measured using Hirschberg’s method. The diameters of the extraocular rectus were measured by computed tomography.

Results

Ocular deviation and duction showed no significant difference after 1-wall decompression (p = 0.25–0.89). Esotropia increased after 2-wall decompression (p = 0.001–0.02), and hypotropia increased after 3-wall decompression (p = 0.02). Adduction increased but abduction decreased following 2-wall and 3-wall decompression (p < 0.05). Infraduction increased following 3-wall decompression (p < 0.001). Additionally, the increase in esotropia was significantly correlated with the increase in adduction and with the decrease in abduction (r = 0.37–0.63, p < 0.05). There were significant correlations between the diameter of the medial rectus and the increase in esotropia, the increase in adduction and the decrease in abduction postoperatively (r = 0.35–0.48, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The changes in ocular deviation and duction were different after 1-wall, 2-wall and 3-wall orbital decompression. The increased contractile force of the rectus may be an important reason for strabismus changes after orbital decompression surgery.
Novel ERCC2 variant in trichothiodystrophy infant: the first case report in China
Authors: Chen Jian-Dong , Liao Wei-Dong , Wen Ling-Ying , Zhong Rong-Hua
Published: March 2021

Background

Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is a rare, autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder most commonly caused by variants inERCC2.

Case presentation

Here, we describe the first Chinese patient with a novel variant inERCC2. A male infant, who was born to a healthy non-consanguineous couple, exhibited brittle hair, hair loss ichthyosis, eczema, retinal pigmentation and hypospadias. He carried a novel heterozygousERCC2variant. The maternal variant (c.2191-18_2213del) is a previous described genomic deletion that affects the splicing of intron 22. The paternal variant (c.1666-1G > A), that occurs in the splice site of intron 17 and likely altersERCC2gene function through aberrant splicing, has not been reported previously.

Conclusions

Our case reported a novel pathogenic variant inERCC2, which expanded the known genetic variants associated with TTD.