bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathologic factors associated with involved margins following breast conserving surgery for invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
Authors: Silberfein E. J. , Hunt K. K. , Broglio K. , Shen J. , Sahin A. , Le-Petross H. , Oh J. , Litton J. , Hwang R. F. , Mittendorf E. A.
Published: August 2020

e11528

Background: ILC is characterized by a diffusely infiltrative growth pattern making it difficult to accurately assess disease extent prior to surgical resection. This has resulted in difficulty obtaining negative margins at the time of breast conserving surgery. We evaluated patients undergoing surgery for ILC to determine if there were specific clinicopathologic factors influencing the ability to obtain negative margins. Methods: We identified 211 patients with ILC treated between 1994 and 2004. Clinical data including radiographic appearance, biopsy method, initial surgical procedure (segmental vs. total mastectomy), and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were noted. Pathologic data included margin status (negative (>2mm), close (0–2mm), or positive), multifocality, multicentricity, ILC subtype, grade, associated LCIS or DCIS, hormone receptor status and HER2 status. Factors associated with close or positive margins were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Subset analysis was performed on patients whose initial surgery was segmental mastectomy. Results: 110 (52%) patients underwent total mastectomy and 101 (48%) underwent segmental mastectomy as their initial procedure. For patients undergoing segmental mastectomy, 50 (50%) had positive or close margins requiring re-excision. Patients with close or positive margins were more likely to have distortion on ultrasound (vs. mass, p=.05), to have undergone an excisional biopsy (vs. core or FNA, p=.008), and to have associated DCIS (p=.02). On multivariate analysis, only biopsy method retained significance (p = .006). Having an excisional biopsy for diagnosis was also associated with need for multiple surgeries (p < .0001). Breast conserving surgery was ultimately successful in 86 patients (85%). Conclusions: The majority of patients with ILC can undergo successful breast conserving surgery. Patients with distortion rather than a mass on imaging and those with DCIS are more likely to have close or positive margins. Diagnosis by excisional biopsy makes subsequent imaging less reliable and results in the need for multiple surgeries to ensure adequate excision.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
A phase II trial of image-guided radiofrequency ablation of small breast carcinomas: Results of a multicenter study in Japan
Authors: Kinoshita T. , Yamamoto N. , Fujisawa T. , Masuda N. , Hojo T. , Aogi K. , Seki K. , Tsuda H.
Published: August 2020

e11535

Background: Locally ablative therapy of early breast cancer represents the next frontier in the evolution of minimally invasive breast conservative therapy. We performed this Phase II trial to determine the efficacy and safety of Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of small localized invasive breast carcinomas as a multicenter study in Japan. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with core-biopsy proven invasive breast cancer, T<2 cm in diameter on ultrasound and MRI were enrolled in this trial. Under ultrasound guidance, the tumor and at least a 5mm margin of surrounding breast tissue were ablated with saline- cooled RF electrode followed by surgical resection. Pathologic and immunohistochemical stains were preformed to assess tumor viability. Results: Thirty-seven patients completed the treatment. The mean tumor size on ultrasound was 1.50 cm. The mean ablation time was 12 minutes using mean power of 80.0 watts. During ablation, the tumor became progressively echogenic that correspond with the region of sever electrocautery injury at pathologic examination. Of the 37 treated patients, H&E and NADPH viability staining was available for 27 patients and in 25 (92.5%), there was no evidence of viable cancer cells. H&E and or ssDNA staining were available for another 10 patients. In total, complete thermal injury to the target lesions was recognized in 33 of 37 treated patients (89.2%). No sever adverse effect on the skin and chest wall were noted. Conclusions: RF ablation is a promising minimally invasive treatment of small breast carcinomas, as it can achieve effective cell killing with a low complication rate. We are planning a multicenter observation study for RF ablation of small breast carcinomas.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Prognostic value of decrease on blood lymphocytes in breast cancer patients undergoing primary chemotherapy
Authors: Vicente A. , García-Martínez E. , Gonzalez-Billalabeitia E. , Zafra M. , Castilla-Llorente C. , García-García T. , Macías J. , García-Garre E. , Vicente V. , Ayala de la Peña F.
Published: August 2020

e11537

Background: There is evidence about chemotherapy creating a better tumor control by inmune system. Neoadjuvant treatment is an excellent situation to study tumor behaviour. The aim of this study is to determine whether decreases on blood lymphocytes (BL) absolute number have a prognostic significance on women with breast cancer receiving primary chemotherapy (PC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 105 breast cancer patients who underwent PC. Doxorubicin (60mg/m2q3w) - Cyclophosphamide (600mg/m2q3w) x4c followed docetaxel (100 mg/m2q3w) x4c was PC regimen in 73,4%. We collected data on BL before the first cycle of PC (basal BL), just before second doxorubicin- cyclophosphamide (AC) cycle (BLa), and three weeks from the end of PC (BLb). The median decrease (MD) in blood lymphocytes has been calculated: MDa = BLa - basal BL; MDb = BLb - basal BL. Results: Of 105 patients with breast cancer 16,2% were clinical stage IIA, 19% IIB, 30,5% IIIA, 14,3% IIIB, 15,2% IIIC. The mean age was 50 years. The complete pathologic response (pCR) rate was 14,9% in primary tumor, and 37,9% in axillary nodes. The median follow up is 25 months (mo). Overall survival: (OS) 25,3 mo (range 4 - 89.3). Disease-free survival: (DFS) 21,8 mo (range 5 - 80.3). The median decrease on blood lymphocytes is MDa=300 106/L(2400, -1000), MDb=700 106/L(3900, -400). A decrease on BL just before second AC cycle (> MDa=300 106/L) is correlated with worse DFS, in univariant and multivariant analysis (HR =4.022; 95% CI:1.105–14.63; p 0.035 at first; HR=5.36; 95% CI:1.1–25.82; p 0.037 at former). Patients with BL decrease three weeks after finishing PC (>MDb=700 106/L) have worse DFS in univariant as multivariant analysis (HR=5.9 95% CI:1.2–27.5; p0.022 at first; HR=9.7 95% CI:1.11- 85.07; p 0.04 at former). We have not found significant differences in OS. Conclusions: A decrease on blood lymphocyte number in women with breast cancer undergoing primary chemotherapy is correlated with worse DFS.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Locally advanced breast cancer patients with negative pathological lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and conservative surgery: Is lymph node irradiation necessary?
Authors: Daveau C. , Stevens D. , Berges O. , Zilberman S. , Gardner M. , Villette S. , Brain E. , Lasry S. , Labib A. , Le Scodan R.
Published: August 2020

e11539

Background: The increased use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in breast cancer (BC) management has raised new questions regarding the optimal locoregional treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of BC patients (pts) with pathological N0 status (pN0) following primary CT and conservative surgery who received breast radiotherapy with or without lymph node irradiation. Methods: Between 1990 and 2004, 1054 patients received preoperative CT for locally advanced BC. Data from 248 pts (23.5%) with clinical N0 (164 pts) or N1-N2 (84 pts) lymph node status at diagnosis and pN0 status after primary CT were studied. Among them, 93 pts (37.5%) received breast irradiation alone and 155 pts (62.5%) underwent locoregional irradiation. Outcome was assessed in relation to lymph node recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics. With a median follow-up of 88 months, 3 pts experienced nodal recurrence in the breast irradiation alone group compared with 2 pts in the locoregional irradiation group (p>.05). Among the 164 N0 pN0 pts, the 5-year DFS and OS rates were respectively 84% and 89% vs 84% and 95%, according to whether they received (n=87) or not (n=77) lymph node irradiation(p>.05). Among the 84 N1-N2 pN0 pts, same outcome values did not show any significant difference according to group of treatment: 72% and 88% in 68 pts treated with locoregional irradiation vs 81% and 81% in 16 pts treated with breast irradiation alone (p>.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that breast irradiation alone is not associated with a higher risk of regional recurrence in locally advanced BC pts with pN0 status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Whether this allows the omission of lymph node irradiation for such strategy should be addressed prospectively.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Pathological characteristics, distant recurrence rates, and survival outcomes of breast cancer with triple-negative phenotype
Authors: Lee C. K. , Choo E. , Lewis C. R.
Published: August 2020

e11554

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease encompassing entities with distinct biological characteristics and clinical course. Triple-negative disease (TND) is clinically aggressive disease with limited effective therapy. We compare the clinico- pathologic characteristics, recurrence and survival rates of patients with TND and non-TND. Methods: The POWH Cancer Centre breast cancer database was retrospectively reviewed from January 1995 to December 2005. 1254 eligible women with breast cancer undergoing definitive primary breast surgery were identified. TND was defined as ER-, PR- and HER2 0 or 1+ by IHC and / or florescent in- situ hybridization (FISH) negative. Non-TND was defined as either ER+ and / or PR+ and/or HER2+. Further comparisons of survival outcomes were analyzed in a subgroup of 785 patients subdivided into three groups: ER+ and/or PR+ and HER2-, HER2+ and TND. Results: There were 135 patients (10.8%) with TND. TND tumours were characterized by larger size (p=0.02), histological grade 3 (p<0.001), presence of lymphovascular invasion (p=0.03), and less likely to be diagnosed by screening mammography (p<0.001) when compared with non-TND. Amongst those developing distant metastases, the median time to recurrence was 16 months for TND compared to 35 months in non-TND. There was a trend in visceral metastases for TND as compared to non-TND (OR=1.86, p=0.06). The adjusted rates for distant recurrence (HR=3.55, p=0.006), and death (HR=3.48, p=0.01) were significantly higher for TND when compared with non-TND only for first two years after diagnosis. Beyond the two years, there was no difference in distant recurrence and overall survival. Majority of the patients did not receive adjuvant anti-HER2 therapy during the study period. When compared to ER+ and/or PR+ and HER2- cohort, the survival rate was significantly poorer for TND (HR=2.66, p<0.001) but non-significant for HER2+ (1.61, p=0.1). Conclusions: Poorer histopathological phenotypes are observed in TND. Patients with TND have higher rates of developing distant metastases. Survival rates are also poorer in TND patients. The risks of distant recurrence and death are not proportional across time and these risks are strongly time-dependent.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Phase I study of apoptosis gene modulation with oblimersen within preoperative chemotherapy in patients with primary breast cancer
Authors: Rom J. , von Minckwitz G. , Marme F. , Sievert M. , Kozian D. , Schuetz F. , Scharf A. , Kaufmann M. , Sohn C. , Schneeweiss A.
Published: August 2020

e11576

Background: The expression of the Bcl-2 protein confers resistance to chemotherapy mediated apoptotic signals in patients with breast cancer. The development of chemo sensitizing drugs may result in new treatment options. We investigated the effects of Bcl-2 down-regulation by the Bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide oblimersen in breast tumor biopsies. Oblimersen targets Bcl-2 mRNA, thereby down regulates Bcl-2 protein translation, and enhances the antitumor effects of sub therapeutic doses of docetaxel. Methods: Within a phase I trial we administered escalating doses of oblimersen (3/5/7mg/kg/day) as continuous infusion on day 1–7 in combination with standard dosed docetaxel, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (TAC) on day 5 as preoperative chemotherapy in 28 patients with T2–4 breast cancers. Effects of oblimersen were evaluated in tumor biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) 4 days after start of oblimersen continuous infusion and before TAC treatment by quantitative microfluidic real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Read-outs consisted in measurement of Bcl-2 mRNA modulations and of 18 other putative predictive markers. Results: Two out of 13 patients showed a diminution of Bcl-2 transcripts after 4 days of treatment with oblimersen 5 mg/kg/day. PBMCs could not be evaluated as a surrogate tissue, because no qualified RNA could be isolated. Conclusions: Nevertheless, we demonstrated the feasibility to process clinical samples and to obtain good quality RNA from tumor biopsies, and indicated the potential of oblimersen to lower Bcl-2 mRNA in breast cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Management of side effects of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) during adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with HR+ breast cancer: Analysis of French practices
Authors: Guastalla J. P. , Belkacemi Y. , Cutuli B. , Dalivoust P. , Dohollou N. , Hardy Bessard A. , Salmon R. , Delozier T.
Published: August 2020

e11593

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are widely used as adjuvant therapy for HR+ breast cancer. Most frequently reported side effects are joint pain, osteoporosis and lipid disorders. Our aim was to describe how physicians in their clinical practice manage these side effects at initiation of treatment and during follow-up. Methods: Multicentric survey conducted in October 2008 by Internet among a sample of 293 physicians specialized in breast cancer management prescribing adjuvant AIs in post-menopausal women with HR+ breast cancer Results: At initiation of AI treatment, 97 % of the physicians interviewed declared informing their patients of the possible occurrence of joint pain; corresponding figures were 81 % for the increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, 66 % for lipid disorders, 59 % for asthenia, and only 16% for cognitive disorders. At initiation, 71% of the physicians assess fracture history, 83 % prescribe BMD, and 60 % lipid tests. Co-prescription of drugs in association with AIs from the onset of treatment is uncommon (24% of physicians interviewed), vitamin D and calcium being the most frequent prescription (19%); prescription of bisphosphonates was less frequently declared (10%). During the course of treatment, 90% of physicians assess BMD at least once, 41% repeat BMD two years after and 41% adapt monitoring of BMD according to the initial result. Lipid tests are monitored every six months by 29% of physicians, and every year by 29%. In case of joint pain, the initial therapeutic management includes: prescription of an analgesic and/or an anti-inflammatory for 66% of physicians, change of AI for 28%; the switch for tamoxifene is mentioned by only 1%. As a second step in case of failure of the initial measures, adjuvant treatment is modified by 70 % of physicians: change of AI by 50 %, switch for tamoxifene by 20 %. Conclusions: The possible side effects of aromatase inhibitors are taken into account by physicians from the initiation of treatment. They perform themselves the monitoring of the patient during follow-up, including the search for side effects. Bone-joint adverse events are managed by oncologists while the care of lipid disorders is transferred to the primary care physician.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Benefits of preoperative chemotherapy for operable breast cancer in the community hospital setting
Authors: Komenaka I. K. , Hibbard M. L. , Bouton M. E.
Published: August 2020

e11594

Background: The benefits of preoperative chemotherapy (PC) for operable breast cancer have been demonstrated in prospective clinical trials. For palpable breast cancers, however, operative intervention remains the most common initial treatment. The benefits of PC for operable breast cancer were examined in a community hospital. Methods: Maricopa Medical Center is the safety net hospital in Arizona. A retrospective review was performed of all breast cancer patients from 2004 to 2008. All patients who were stage IIA - IIIA breast cancer patients were included. Outcomes of breast cancer were evaluated based on whether the patient underwent PC or adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). All patients in the PC group received anthracyclines and a taxane in their treatment. The Fisher's exact test and the Chi-square test were used to determine differences between the two populations. Unpaired t-test was used to compare means of the two populations. Results: During this period, 145 patients were treated. In the PC group, the clinical response rate was 81% and the pathologic complete response rate was 26%. Patients in the PC group underwent lumpectomy more often for T2 (73% vs. 40%, P = 0.01) and for T3 tumors (73% vs. 37%, P = 0.06). The positive margin rate was lower (14% vs.37%, P = 0.02) and the lumpectomy volume was smaller in the PC group compared to the AC group (132 cm3 vs. 245 cm3, P < 0.01). Despite similar demographics, compliance with chemotherapy was improved in the PC group (100% vs. 71%, P < 0.01). In addition, compliance was also improved for adjuvant radiation (97% vs. 70%, P < 0.01) and hormone therapy (100% vs. 76%, P = 0.01) in the PC group. Conclusions: Preoperative chemotherapy improved compliance with chemotherapy. This could represent a significant benefit over AC in populations where compliance with chemotherapy recommendations is not ideal. Improvements in surgical outcomes were also seen in patients who received preoperative chemotherapy in the community hospital setting.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Pharmacogenomics of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Authors: Evans William E. , Relling Mary V.
Published: August 2020

s3

Childhood ALL is a model for drug-responsive cancer: it is successfully cured with medications in 85%–90% of patients, but relapse remains unacceptably high for some subgroups, and therapy is complicated by the occurrence of adverse effects. Human germ-line genomic variability is common, with ∼1 in every 300 nucleotides (at least 10 million polymorphisms among humans) differing among individuals. Identifying the important genomic variants for purposes of optimizing anticancer therapy is the current challenge in cancer pharmacogenomics. Our research has been focused on elucidating the germ-line and acquired genomic variations that influence the effectiveness of and toxicity to chemotherapy regimens, with the long-term goal of individualizing therapy based on genetics to maximize cure and minimize toxicity. We and our many collaborators are pursuing candidate gene and whole genome approaches to this end, studying children enrolled on front-line ALL protocols at St. Jude and through the Children's Oncology Group. Based on these studies, candidate gene genotyping has been already incorporated into the treatment of childhood ALL and integrated with electronic medical records at St. Jude to optimize use of a few medications. This includes genetic testing for TPMT to adjust thiopurine doses and CYP2D6 to optimize use of codeine for vincristine neuropathy. Additional genotyping is conducted on a research basis and has identified SLCO1B1 as important for methotrexate disposition, IL15 as related to antileukemic drug response, ITPA as important for thiopurine toxicity, and a genomic basis to race-related differences in relapse risk. Gene expression analyses of ALL cells show expression signatures associated with resistance to chemotherapy and relapse. The principles and techniques of pharmacogenomics also have implications for adult malignancies. Because prognostic factors (including genomic variations) depend upon the details of therapy, collection of blood (for germ-line DNA) should be part of every cancer clinical trial to advance genomic research.
Reproduction Function in Male Patients With Bardet Biedl Syndrome
Authors: Koscinski Isabelle , Mark Manuel , Messaddeq Nadia , Braun Jean Jacques , Celebi Catherine , Muller Jean , Zinetti-Bertschy Anna , Goetz Nathalie , Dollfus Hélène , Rossignol Sylvie
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a ciliopathy with a wide spectrum of symptoms due to primary cilia dysfunction, including genitourinary developmental anomalies as well as impaired reproduction, particularly in males. Primary cilia are known to be required at the following steps of reproduction function: (i) genitourinary organogenesis, (ii) in fetal firing of hypothalamo-pituitary axe, (iii) sperm flagellum structure, and (iv) first zygotic mitosis conducted by proximal sperm centriole. BBS phenotype is not fully understood.

Methods

This study explored all steps of reproduction in 11 French male patients with identified BBS mutations.

Results

BBS patients frequently presented with genitourinary malformations, such as cryptorchidism (5/11), short scrotum (5/8), and micropenis (5/8), but unexpectedly, with normal testis size (7/8). Ultrasonography highlighted epididymal cysts or agenesis of one seminal vesicle in some cases. Sexual hormones levels were normal in all patients except one. Sperm numeration was normal in 8 out of the 10 obtained samples. Five to 45% of sperm presented a progressive motility. Electron microscopy analysis of spermatozoa did not reveal any homogeneous abnormality. Moreover, a psychological approach pointed to a decreased self-confidence linked to blindness and obesity explaining why so few BBS patients express a child wish.

Conclusions

Primary cilia dysfunction in BBS impacts the embryology of the male genital tract, especially epididymis, penis, and scrotum through an insufficient fetal androgen production. However, in adults, sperm structure does not seem to be impacted. These results should be confirmed in a greater BBS patient cohort, focusing on fertility.
Identification of Proteins Associated with the Early Restoration of Insulin Sensitivity After Biliopancreatic Diversion
Authors: Karlsson Cecilia , Wallenius Kristina , Walentinsson Anna , Greasley Peter J , Miliotis Tasso , Hammar Mårten , Iaconelli Amerigo , Tapani Sofia , Raffaelli Marco , Mingrone Geltrude , Carlsson Björn
Published: August 2020

Context

Insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, diabetic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is the most effective form of bariatric surgery for improving insulin sensitivity.

Objective

To identify plasma proteins correlating with the early restoration of insulin sensitivity after BPD.

Design

Prospective single-center study including 20 insulin-resistant men with morbid obesity scheduled for BPD. Patient characteristics and blood samples were repeatedly collected from baseline up to 4 weeks postsurgery. IR was assessed by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Matsuda Index, and by studying metabolic profiles during meal tolerance tests. Unbiased proteomic analysis was performed to identify plasma proteins altered by BPD. Detailed plasma profiles were made on a selected set of proteins by targeted multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM/MS). Changes in plasma proteome were evaluated in relation to metabolic and inflammatory changes.

Results

BPD resulted in improved insulin sensitivity and reduced body weight. Proteomic analysis identified 29 proteins that changed following BPD. Changes in plasma levels of afamin, apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA4), and apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA2) correlated significantly with changes in IR.

Conclusion

Circulating levels of afamin, ApoA4, and ApoA2 were associated with and may contribute to the rapid improvement in insulin sensitivity after BPD.
Oral Salt Loading Test is Associated With 24-Hour Blood Pressure and Organ Damage in Primary Aldosteronism Patients
Authors: Yoshida Yuichi , Yoshimura Saki , Kinoshita Mizuki , Ozeki Yoshinori , Okamoto Mitsuhiro , Gotoh Koro , Masaki Takayuki , Shibata Hirotaka
Published: August 2020

Objective

In the present study, we investigated the most useful confirmatory test for reflecting the severity of primary aldosteronism (PA), by evaluating 24-hour blood pressure (BP), urine albumin, left ventricular mass (LVM), and intima media thickness (IMT).

Methods

This study included 113 patients (80 PA and 33 non-PA hypertensive patients) who were admitted to Oita University Hospital and evaluated using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). First, casual blood pressure (BP) and ABPM parameters were compared between PA and non-PA patients. Second, patients were divided into PA-positive and PA-negative groups based on confirmatory tests, including the saline infusion test (SIT), captopril challenge test (CCT), and oral salt loading test (OSLT), and casual BP and ABPM parameters were compared between the 2 groups. In addition, urine albumin excretion, LVM, and maximum IMT as markers of organ damage were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

The ABPM parameters but not casual BP, were higher in PA patients than in non-PA patients. Nocturnal and 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) in OSLT-positive patients were significantly higher than in OSLT-negative patients. ABPM parameters in other confirmatory tests were not different between the PA-positive and PA-negative groups. Urine albumin excretion in OSLT-positive patients was significantly higher than in the OSLT-negative patients. However, in other confirmatory tests, organ damage markers were not different between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

The OSLT is potentially useful not only for the diagnosis of PA but also for assessment of 24-hour SBP and organ damage, as indicated by urine albumin excretion.
Show Me Your Watch, and I’ll Tell You Where You Work: Obtaining Scarce Goods via the Workplace in 1960s Socialist Hungary
Authors: Gagyiova Annina
Published: August 2020

In the field of consumption history there is growing interest in informal shopping practices, smuggling, and black-market activities in state socialist societies. Yet, little emphasis has been placed on how the foremost socialist workplace, the factory, became a crucial hub for smuggled goods and the extent to which workers played a role within it. This article explores local Budapest court cases from the beginning of the 1960s using the methodological insights of everyday history (Alltagsgeschichte). The cases show that white-collar workers (and in rare cases blue-collar workers) with a command of foreign languages frequently acted as middlemen in making transactions. This specific cultural capital put white-collar workers in a position to gain profit over and above their usual state salary, often contradicting wage hierarchies set by the state. At the same time, blue-collar workers embraced informal shopping possibilities at the factory in a climate of diversifying consumer expectations. This article examines how informal practices of selling and obtaining goods transformed relations among workers and created a new social hierarchy within working-class communities.
Synthesis of Phosphorus-Modified AFX Zeolite by the Hydrothermal Conversion of Tetraalkylphosphonium Hydroxide-Impregnated FAU Zeolite
Authors: Onishi Misae , Tsunoji Nao , Sadakane Masahiro , Sano Tsuneji
Published: August 2020

Phosphorus-modified AFX zeolite was synthesized by the hydrothermal conversion of FAU zeolite, which was impregnated with tetraethylphosphonium hydroxide (TEPOH). For the optimization of the introduced phosphorus, we investigated the influence of the loaded amount of TEPOH on FAU zeolite and tested the combination of the starting materials, composed of phosphorus-free and TEPOH-impregnated FAU zeolites. The synthesis system, employing the combined starting materials, effectively incorporated phosphorus into AFX zeolite while the TEPOH-impregnated FAU zeolite was not effective as a solo starting material. X-ray diffractometry, N2 adsorption, and elemental analysis were employed to confirm the high purity of the AFX zeolite, obtained from the utilization of combined starting materials. Moreover, 13C and 31P magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy further revealed the modification of phosphorus in which the phosphorus species interacting with the zeolite framework was formed via the decomposition of tetraethylphosphonium (TEP) by calcination.
Case Report: Use of hydroxychloroquine and N-acetylcysteine for treatment of a COVID-19 patient
Authors: Puyo Carlos , Kreig Danielle , Saddi Venugopal , Ansari Essam , Prince Oliver
Published: August 2020

There is worldwide concern for lack of specific therapy against the novel Betacoronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This case report presents the results of a pharmacological intervention aimed at modulating the inflammatory effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in an effort to avoid the use of mechanical ventilation. A COVID-19 positive patient was admitted with multisystem organ dysfunction, including acute respiratory insufficiency, and was treated with a combination of low oral doses of hydroxychloroquine and intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The combination therapy resulted in noticeable clinical improvement and a quantifiable decrease of several of the inflammatory markers measured, in particular ferritin levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactic acid. He also developed pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), both known side effects of COVID-19 infection. Following thrombolysis and heparinization his clinical evolution continued a positive trend until discharge.

The therapeutic approach utilized in this case suggests that early intervention not only decrease acute organ dysfunction but also may decrease the need for mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 positive patients.
Journal editors: How do their editing incomes compare?
Authors: Lee Janice C. L. , Watt Jennifer , Kelsall Diane , Straus Sharon
Published: August 2020

Background:The work of journal editors is essential to producing high-quality literature, and editing can be a very rewarding career; however, the profession may not be immune to gender pay gaps found in many professions and industries, including academia and clinical medicine. Our study aimed to quantify remuneration for journal editors from core clinical journals, determine if a gender pay gap exists, and assess if there are remuneration differences across publishing models and journal characteristics.

Methods:We completed an online survey of journal editors with substantial editing roles including section editors and editors-in-chief, identified from the Abridged Index Medicus “Core Clinical” journals in MEDLINE. We analyzed information on demographics, editing income, and journal characteristics using a multivariable partial proportional odds model for ordinal logistic regression.

Results:There were 166 survey respondents (response rate of 9%), which represented editors from 69 of 111 journals (62%). A total of 140 fully completed surveys were analyzed (95 males and 45 females); 50 (36%) editors did not receive remuneration for editorial work. No gender pay gap and no difference in remuneration between editors who worked in subscription-based publishing vs. open access journals were detected. Editors who were not primarily health care providers were more likely to have higher editing incomes (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-7.46). Editors who worked more than 10 hours per week editing earned more than those who worked 10 hours or less per week (adjusted OR 16.7, 95%CI 7.02-39.76).

Conclusions:We were unable to detect a gender pay gap and a difference in remuneration between editors who worked in subscription-based publishing and those in open access journals. More than one third of editors surveyed from core clinical journals did not get remunerated for their editing work.
A cross-sectional observational study investigating the association between sedges (swamp grasses, Cyperaceae) and the prevalence of immature malaria vectors in aquatic habitats along the shore of Lake Victoria, western Kenya
Authors: Bokore Getachew E. , Ouma Paul , Onyango Patrick O. , Bukhari Tullu , Fillinger Ulrike
Published: August 2020

Background: Strategies that involve manipulations of the odour-orientation of gravid malaria vectors could lead to novel attract-and-kill interventions. Recent work has highlighted the potential involvement of graminoid plants in luring vectors to oviposition sites. This study aimed to analyse the association between water-indicating graminoid plants (Cyperaceae, sedges), other abiotic and biotic factors and the presence and abundance of early instar Anopheles larvae in aquatic habitats as a proxy indicator for oviposition.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 110 aquatic habitats along the shores of Lake Victoria was done during the rainy season. Habitats were sampled for mosquito larvae using the sweep-net method and habitat characteristics recorded.

Results: Anopheles arabiensis was the dominant species identified from aquatic habitats. Larvae of the secondary malaria vectors such as Anopheles coustani, An. rufipes and An. maculipalpis were found only in habitats covered with graminoids, whereas An. arabiensis, An. ziemanni and An. pharoensis were found in both habitats with and without graminoid plants. The hypothesis that sedges might be positively associated with the presence and abundance of early instar Anopheles larvae could not be confirmed. The dominant graminoid plants in the habitats were Panicum repens, Cynodon dactylon in the Poaceae family and Cyperus rotundus in the Cyperaceae family. All of these habitats supported abundant immature vector populations. The presence of early instar larvae was significantly and positively associated with swamp habitat types (OR=22, 95% CI=6-86, P<0.001) and abundance of late Anopheles larvae (OR=359, CI=33-3941, P<0.001), whilst the association was negative with tadpole presence (OR=0.1, CI=0.0.01-0.5, P=0.008).

Conclusions: Early instar malaria vectors were abundant in habitats densely vegetated with graminoid plants in the study area but specific preference for any of the graminoids could not be detected. In search for oviposition cues, it might be useful to screen for chemical volatiles released from all dominant plant species.
Translation, validity and reliability of the Danish version of the Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire
Authors: Andreucci Alessandro , Lund Straszek Christian , Skovdal Rathleff Michael , Guldhammer Clara , de la Vega Rocio , Palermo Tonya M.
Published: August 2020

Background: The Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire (AIQ), English version, is the only validated screening measure developed specifically to identify insomnia symptoms in adolescents. To date, no specific screening tool for adolescent insomnia is present in Danish language. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the AIQ in a sample of Danish adolescents.

Methods: The AIQ underwent a process of forward-backward translation and pilot testing. Subsequently, data were collected at baseline and two-week follow-up from adolescents aged 11-19, who completed both the AIQ and an available adult measure of insomnia (the Athens Insomnia Scale, AIS). The internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity were assessed. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify the latent factors underlying the questionnaire.

Results: At baseline 185 adolescents (18% males and 82% females, mean age 16.0 years) and 102 (55.1%) at two-week follow-up completed the questionnaires. The AIQ showed excellent internal consistency for the total score (Cronbach's a: 0.88) and good convergent validity with the AIS total score (Pearson’s correlation value= 0.86, P<0.001). The test-retest reliability at two weeks was very satisfactory (ICC coefficient = 0.89; 95% CI 0.84, 0.92). Results from the exploratory factor analysis identified a three-model solution corresponding to the same three-model solution identified within the original development sample.

Conclusions: The Danish version of the AIQ demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, test-retest reliability and validity, which supports its use as a screening tool for the identification of insomnia symptoms in adolescents, including Danish-speaking adolescents.
„Mówienie za kimś” jako język bez komunikacji
Authors: Kominek Andrzej
Published: August 2020

“Talking after somebody”. A Language Without Communication

The paper examines “talking after somebody”, i.e. the phenomenon of echolalia which is especially characteristic for low-functioning people with autism. The paper shows that such speech is unintentional and uncommunicative. The language of autistic persons also does not fulfill the causative or persuasive role. It does, however, perform the function of uncoscious self-stimulation for those people. According to therapists, this type of behaviour should be eliminated at all cost.
Edward Piekarski (1858–1934) i jego Słownik jakucki (1907–1930)
Authors: Stachowski Marek
Published: August 2020

Edward Piekarski (1858–1934) and His Yakut dictionary (1907–1930)

World’s first, and still unsurpassed, dictionary of the Yakut language was written by a Polish exile in Yakutia by the name of Edward Piekarski. His life has been analysed in several studies from Poland, be it often superficially and without own work in the archives, but his dictionary has hardly been addressed at all. The present paper collects biographic information from various sources, highlighting the discrepancies between them, and for the first time in linguistic literature analyses Piekarski’s views on the transcription of Yakut phonetics with an alphabet contrived by Otto von Böhtlingk about half a century before the creation of the Dictionary.
Stochastic Load Balancing on Unrelated Machines
Authors: Gupta Anupam , Kumar Amit , Nagarajan Viswanath , Shen Xiangkun
Published: August 2020

We consider the problem of makespan minimization on unrelated machines when job sizes are stochastic. The goal is to find a fixed assignment of jobs to machines, to minimize the expected value of the maximum load over all the machines. For the identical-machines special case when the size of a job is the same across all machines, a constant-factor approximation algorithm has long been known. Our main result is the first constant-factor approximation algorithm for the general case of unrelated machines. This is achieved by (i) formulating a lower bound using an exponential-size linear program that is efficiently computable and (ii) rounding this linear program while satisfying only a specific subset of the constraints that still suffice to bound the expected makespan. We also consider two generalizations. The first is the budgeted makespan minimization problem, where the goal is to minimize the expected makespan subject to scheduling a target number (or reward) of jobs. We extend our main result to obtain a constant-factor approximation algorithm for this problem. The second problem involves q-norm objectives, where we want to minimize the expected q-norm of the machine loads. Here we give an [Formula: see text]-approximation algorithm, which is a constant-factor approximation for any fixed q.
Percepção de mulheres encarceradas sobre o acesso à saúde como ferramenta de ressocialização
Authors: Oliveira Karlayne Reynaux Vieira de , Santos Amuzza Aylla Pereira dos , Vieira Maraysa Jessyca De Oliveira , Pimentel Elaine , Comassetto Isabel , Silva Jovânia Marques de Oliveira e
Published: August 2020

Objetivo: desvelar a percepção das mulheres sobre o acesso aos serviços de saúde como ferramenta do processo de ressocialização. Método: trata-se de um estudo fenomenológico-sociológico, qualitativo, realizado entre novembro de 2018 e novembro de 2019, com 10 mulheres de um estabelecimento prisional feminino de Maceió, Alagoas. Resultados: as participantes possuíam de 22 a 54 anos, ensino fundamental incompleto, pardas, solteiras, já haviam vivenciado a maternidade. Emergiram duas categorias temáticas: percepções do acesso aos serviços de saúde: a invisibilidade das mulheres e acesso aos serviços de saúde como uma ferramenta de ressocialização: elos dilacerados e Trabalho e Educação como alternativa de Fuga do esquecimento, ociosidade e solidão. Conclusão: evidenciou-se a percepção de invisibilidade das mulheres privadas de liberdade e desvinculação do acesso aos serviços de saúde como ferramenta do processo de ressocialização.
Quantifying Spray Deposition from a UAV Configured for Spot Spray Applications to Individual Plants
Authors: Richardson Brian , Rolando Carol A. , Kimberley Mark O.
Published: August 2020

Highlights

Spot spraying is a method for applying pesticides to individual tree crowns.

A new method is presented to quantify and analyze the two-dimensional spot spray deposit pattern produced by a UAV.

A bivariate normal distribution provided a good fit to the observed deposition data for all treatments.

Model parameters effectively described the shape of the ground deposits.

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for quantifying and analyzing the two-dimensional spray deposit pattern produced from a UAV spot spraying system for applying pesticides to individual plants with crown diameters in the range of 1 to 2 m. An XAG P20 UAV was flown over the center of a sampling grid, and spray deposits from three droplet size treatments, with nominal volume median diameters (VMDs) of 335, 430, and 1150 µm, were measured using horizontal steel plate collectors placed on blocks on the ground. A colorimetric tracer in the spray mix was used to quantify spray deposition. The positioning accuracy of the UAV was excellent, but the droplet sizes produced were much larger than expected. A bivariate normal distribution provided a good fit to the observed deposition data for all treatments. Model parameters effectively described the shape of the ground deposits. Displacement of the deposit distribution center was in a downwind direction. While there were no statistically significant effects of wind speed on the shape or degree of displacement of the center of mass of the observed ground deposit pattern, this was probably a result of the low wind speeds during the study, which were often close to or below the lower sensitivity threshold of the anemometer used. The actual spray coverage on a 2 m tall artificial tree target of 1 or 2 m diameter placed in the center of the plot was consistent across the range of droplet sizes and operating conditions tested. Nevertheless, it is hypothesized that targeting could be further improved if the UAV was slightly offset in an upwind direction and, conceptually, the degree of this displacement would increase as wind speed increased. A sampling grid spacing of 1.0 m would have produced results similar to the 0.5 m spacing actually used. Keywords: Aerial spraying, Pesticides, Spot spraying, Spray deposition, UAV, Unmanned aerial vehicle.
Soil Moisture Impacts Linear and Nonlinear Erodibility Parameters from Jet Erosion Tests
Authors: Khanal Anish , Fox Garey A. , Guertault Lucie
Published: August 2020

Highlights

The jet erosion test (JET) remains the most commonly used instrument for measuring in situ erodibility.

This research investigated the impact of soil moisture content below saturation on erodibility parameters.

Erodibility parameters were derived for both linear and nonlinear detachment models.

Higher soil moisture increased initial resistance to erosion but also increased erosion rate.

Abstract. The jet erosion test (JET) is a commonly employed technique to measure the erodibility of soils in situ by estimating the parameters of linear and nonlinear cohesive sediment detachment models. However, additional research is needed to understand the effect of soil moisture, a critical in situ test condition, on the derived erodibility parameters. This study compared the erodibility parameters, i.e., critical shear stress (tc) and the erodibility coefficient (kd) for the linear excess shear stress equation and two parameters (b0 and b1) for a nonlinear detachment model, from laboratory JETs across two soil types with contrasting texture and moisture contents. The general pattern was that higher soil moisture content increased the soil’s initial resistance to erosion (i.e., higher tc and b1), but once erosion was initiated the rate of erosion was greater (i.e., higher kd and b0). The magnitude of the changes in the erodibility parameters across the three soil moisture profiles investigated in this research were statistically significant, with kd and b0 varying by as much as a factor of 3. This research also confirmed the greater impact of soil moisture content on kd and b0 as compared to tc and b1. For the range of shear stress applied during these JETs, a linear detachment model was more appropriate for the sandy loam soil but less so for the more cohesive clay loam soil, but results were limited to a narrow range in applied shear stress. The results further support existing research conclusions that in situ erodibility measurements obtained under one set of soil moisture conditions may need to be adjusted to better predict soil detachment during storm events. Keywords: Cohesive soil, Critical shear stress, Detachment model, Erodibility, Jet erosion test, Shear stress, Soil moisture.
Mechanical and hemodynamic responses of breast tissue under mammographic-like compression during functional dynamic optical imaging
Authors: Al abdi Rabah M. , Deng Bin , Hijazi Heba H. , Wu Melissa , Carp Stefan A.
Published: August 2020

Studying tissue hemodynamics following breast compression has the potential to reveal new contrast mechanisms for evaluating breast cancer. However, how compression will be distributed and, consequently, how hemodynamics will be altered inside the compressed breast remain unclear. To explore the effect of compression, 12 healthy volunteers were studied by applying a step compression increase (4.5–53.4 N) using an optical imaging system capable of concurrently measuring pressure distribution and hemodynamic responses. Finite element analysis was used to predict the distribution of internal fluid pressure (IFP) in breast models. Comparisons between the measured pressure distribution and the reconstructed hemodynamic images for the healthy volunteers indicated significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations. The findings from a breast cancer patient showed that IFP distribution during compression strongly correlates with the observed differential hemodynamic images. We concluded that dynamic breast compression results in non-uniform internal pressure distribution throughout the breast that could potentially drive directed blood flow. The encouraging results obtained highlight the promise of developing dynamic optical imaging biomarkers for breast cancer by interpreting differential hemodynamic images of breast tissue during compression in the context of measured pressure distribution and predicted IFP.