bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glofitamab in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: Real‐world data
Authors: Birtas Atesoglu Elif , Gulbas Zafer , Uzay Ant , Ozcan Muhit , Ozkalemkas Fahir , Dal Mehmet Sinan , Kalyon Hakan , Akay Olga Meltem , Deveci Burak , Bekoz Huseyin , Sevindik Omur Gokmen , Toptas Tayfur , Yilmaz Fergun , Koyun Derya , Alkis Nihan , Alacacioglu Inci , Sonmez Mehmet , Yavasoglu Irfan , Tombak Anil , Mehtap Ozgur , Kurnaz Fatih , Yuce Orhan Kemal , Karakus Volkan , Turgut Mehmet , Kurekci Derya Deniz , Ayer Mesut , Keklik Muzaffer , Buyuktas Deram , Ozbalak Murat , Ferhanoglu Burhan
Published: May 2023

Glofitamab is a CD3xCD20 bi‐specific antibody with two fragments directed to the CD20 antigen and a single CD3‐binding fragment. Encouraging response and survival rates were recently reported in a pivotal phase II expansion trial conducted in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B‐cell lymphoma. However, the real‐world data of patients of all ages with no strict selection criteria are still lacking. Herein, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients who received glofitamab via compassionate use in Turkey. Forty‐three patients from 20 centers who received at least one dose of the treatment were included in this study. The median age was 54 years. The median number of previous therapies was 4, and 23 patients were refractory to first‐line treatment. Twenty patients had previously undergone autologous stem cell transplantation. The median follow‐up time was 5.7 months. In efficacy‐evaluable patients, 21% and 16% of them achieved complete response and partial response, respectively. The median response duration was 6.3 months. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 3.3 and 8.8 months, respectively. None of the treatment‐responsive patients progressed during the study period, and their estimated 1‐year PFS and OS rate was 83%. The most frequently reported toxicity was hematological toxicity. Sixteen patients survived, while 27 died at the time of the analysis. The most common cause of death was disease progression. One patient died of cytokine release syndrome during the first cycle after receiving the first dose of glofitamab. Meanwhile, two patients died due to glofitamab‐related febrile neutropenia. This is the largest real‐world study on the effectiveness and toxicity of glofitamab treatment in R/R DLBCL patients. The median OS of 9 months seems promising in this heavily pretreated group. The toxicity related mortality rates were the primary concerns in this study.
Predicting the COVID‐19 mortality among Iranian patients using tree‐based models: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Aghakhani Amirhossein , Shoshtarian Malak Jaleh , Karimi Zahra , Vosoughi Fardis , Zeraati Hojjat , Yekaninejad Mir Saeed
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

To explore the use of different machine learning models in prediction of COVID‐19 mortality in hospitalized patients.

Materials and Methods

A total of 44,112 patients from six academic hospitals who were admitted for COVID‐19 between March 2020 and August 2021 were included in this study. Variables were obtained from their electronic medical records. Random forest‐recursive feature elimination was used to select key features. Decision tree, random forest, LightGBM, and XGBoost model were developed. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, F‐1 score, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC)‐AUC were used to compare the prediction performance of different models.

Results

Random forest‐recursive feature elimination selected following features to include in the prediction model: Age, sex, hypertension, malignancy, pneumonia, cardiac problem, cough, dyspnea, and respiratory system disease. XGBoost and LightGBM showed the best performance with an ROC‐AUC of 0.83 [0.822−0.842] and 0.83 [0.816−0.837] and sensitivity of 0.77.

Conclusion

XGBoost, LightGBM, and random forest have a relatively high predictive performance in prediction of mortality in COVID‐19 patients and can be applied in hospital settings, however, future research are needed to externally confirm the validation of these models.
A case report of the treatment and care of decubitus ulcers in macaques with spinal cord injury
Authors: Niu Yong‐Min , Qin Hao‐Yue , Liu Jin‐Xiang , Li Xin‐Yi , Wang An‐Su , Sun Ling‐Xia , Huang Ni‐Jiao , Yang Chang‐Wei , Cao Yu , Bai Tao , Lan Yang , Liu Sheng , Yuan Hao
Published: May 2023

Decubitus ulcers are a common spinal cord injury (SCI) complication that puts patients' lives in danger and has emerged as a more prevalent issue in modern clinical rehabilitation and care. Decubitus ulcers in humans can currently be treated in a number of different ways, but there are fewer studies on how to treat and care for decubitus ulcers in macaques. To treat a 20‐year‐old adult male macaque monkey with SCI and decubitus ulcers after a quarter transection of the thoracic spinal cord, a number of scientific care procedures and pharmaceutical treatments, such as dietary changes and topical or intravenous administration of medication, were carried out and continuously monitored in real‐time. In comparison to the untreated group, we observed a significant improvement in decubitus wound healing in the macaques. In this article, we provide a good protocol for decubitus ulcer care after SCI and suggest that future experimental animal modeling needs to focus on issues such as care for postoperative complications.
Comparative analysis of the clinical efficacy and reproductive outcomes of the hysteroscopic tissue removal system (MyoSure) and hysteroscopic electroresection in the treatment of benign intrauterine lesions
Authors: Yong Jiahui , Wan Yajun , Ye Mingzhu , Yi Shuijing , Zeng Fei , Sun Xin , Song Jiarui , Wang Xinyu , Zeng Xiangyang , Xiao Songshu
Published: May 2023

Objective

To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy and reproductive outcomes of the hysteroscopic tissue removal system (MyoSure) and hysteroscopic electroresection in the treatment of benign intrauterine lesions in women of reproductive age.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of patients with benign intrauterine lesions treated with MyoSure or hysteroscopic electroresection. The primary outcomes were operative time and resection completeness, and reproductive outcomes were followed up and compared. Secondary outcomes included perioperative adverse events and postoperative adhesions seen during second‐look hysteroscopy. Data analysis was performed using χ2 and Fisher tests for qualitative variables and Student t‐test for quantitative variables.

Results

The operative times of patients with type 0 or I myoma, endometrial polyps, or retained products of conception in the MyoSure group were shorter than those in the electroresection group but were not significantly different for patients with type II myomas. The complete resection rate was lower in the MyoSure group than in the electroresection group. The degree of decrease in the American Fertility Society score of intrauterine adhesion in the MyoSure group was significantly higher (2.90 ± 1.29 points vs 1.31 ± 0.89 points, P = 0.025). The time to pregnancy and the pregnancy rate were higher in the MyoSure group (13.14 ± 7.85 months vs 16.26 ± 8.22 months, P = 0.040; 65.12% vs 54.55%, P = 0.045), but there was no significant difference in the term live birth rate, premature birth rate, or abortion rate between the two groups.

Conclusion

MyoSure has advantages of a shortened operative time and improvement in reproductive outcomes such as pregnancy rate. However, for type II myomas, MyoSure has limitations, and a comprehensive evaluation before the procedure is required.
A novel adaptive class weight adjustment‐based multiclass segmentation error minimization technique for COVID‐19 X‐ray image analysis
Authors: Samantaray Leena , Panda Rutuparna , Naik Manoj Kumar , Abraham Ajith
Published: May 2023

Coronavirus outbreaks during the last couple of years created a huge health disaster for human lives. Diagnosis of COVID‐19 infections is, thus, very important for the medical practitioners. For a quick detection, analysis of the COVID‐19 chest X‐ray images is inevitable. Therefore, there is a strong need for the development of a multiclass segmentation method for the purpose. Earlier techniques used for multiclass segmentation of images are mostly based on entropy measurements. Nonetheless, entropy methods are not efficient when the gray‐level distribution of the image is nonuniform. To address this problem, a novel adaptive class weight adjustment‐based multiclass segmentation error minimization technique for COVID‐19 chest X‐ray image analysis is investigated. Theoretical investigations on the first‐hand objective functions are presented. The results on both the biclass and multiclass segmentation of medical images are enlightened. The key to our success is the adjustment of the pixel counts of different classes adaptively to reduce the error of segmentation. The COVID‐19 chest X‐ray images are taken from the Kaggle Radiography database for the experiments. The proposed method is compared with the state‐of‐the‐art methods based on Tsallis, Kapur's, Masi, and Rényi entropy. The well‐known segmentation metrics are used for an empirical analysis. Our method achieved a performance increase of around 8.03% in the case of PSNR values, 3.01% for FSIM, and 4.16% for SSIM. The proposed technique would be useful for extracting dots from micro‐array images of DNA sequences and multiclass segmentation of the biomedical images such as MRI, CT, and PET.
Associations of resilience and hope with mental and physical health among firefighters
Authors: Senger Amy R. , McGrew Shelby J. , Gallagher Matthew W. , Vujanovic Anka
Published: May 2023

Objective

Firefighters represent an understudied population with high rates of chronic exposure to stress and potentially traumatic events. Thus, there is a need to identify modifiable resilience factors to address posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSD) and chronic pain in firefighters to inform prevention and intervention efforts.

Methods

The current sample included 155 firefighters (93.5% male; Mage = 42.2, SD = 9.8) recruited online from career, volunteer, and combination (i.e., volunteer and career) departments in a large metropolitan area in the southern United States.

Results

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to investigate the associations between/among resilience and hope on PTSD symptoms, chronic pain, well‐being, and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Resilience had a stronger, negative relationship with PTSD and chronic pain compared to hope, while hope had a stronger, positive relationship with PTG and well‐being compared to resilience. Hope and resilience combined predicted 10%–33% of the variance in the outcomes.

Conclusion

The current findings may provide evidence to promote interventions that increase resilience and hope in firefighters.
Low muscle mass, malnutrition, sarcopenia, and associations with survival in adults with cancer in the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Kiss Nicole , Prado Carla M. , Daly Robin M. , Denehy Linda , Edbrooke Lara , Baguley Brenton J. , Fraser Steve F. , Khosravi Abbas , Abbott Gavin
Published: May 2023

Background

Low muscle mass (MM) is a common component of cancer‐related malnutrition and sarcopenia, conditions that are all independently associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study aimed to (1) compare the prevalence of low MM, malnutrition, and sarcopenia and their association with survival in adults with cancer from the UK Biobank and (2) explore the influence of different allometric scaling (height [m2] or body mass index [BMI]) on low MM estimates.

Methods

Participants in the UK Biobank with a cancer diagnosis within 2 years of the baseline assessment were identified. Low MM was estimated by appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST) from bioelectrical impedance analysis derived fat‐free mass. Malnutrition was determined using the Global Leadership in Malnutrition criteria. Sarcopenia was defined using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria (version 2). All‐cause mortality was determined from linked national mortality records. Cox‐proportional hazards models were fitted to estimate the effect of low MM, malnutrition, and sarcopenia on all‐cause mortality.

Results

In total, 4122 adults with cancer (59.8 ± 7.1 years; 49.2% male) were included. Prevalence of low MM (8.0% vs. 1.7%), malnutrition (11.2% vs. 6.2%), and sarcopenia (1.4% vs. 0.2%) was higher when MM was adjusted using ALST/BMI compared with ALST/height2, respectively. Low MM using ALST/BMI identified more cases in participants with obesity (low MM 56.3% vs. 0%; malnutrition 50% vs. 18.5%; sarcopenia 50% vs. 0%). During a median 11.2 (interquartile range: 10.2, 12.0) years of follow up, 901 (21.7%) of the 4122 participants died, and of these, 744 (82.6%) deaths were cancer‐specific All conditions were associated with a higher hazard of mortality using either method of MM adjustment: low MM (ALST/height2: HR 1.9 [95% CI 1.3, 2.8], P = 0.001; ALST/BMI: HR 1.3 [95% CI 1.1, 1.7], P = 0.005; malnutrition (ALST/height2: HR 2.5 [95% CI 1.1, 1.7], P = 0.005; ALST/BMI: HR 1.3 [95% CI 1.1, 1.7], P = 0.005; sarcopenia (ALST/height2: HR 2.9 [95% CI 1.3, 6.5], P = 0.013; ALST/BMI: HR 1.6 [95% CI 1.0, 2.4], P = 0.037).

Conclusions

In adults with cancer, malnutrition was more common than low MM or sarcopenia, although all conditions were associated with a higher mortality risk, regardless of the method of adjusting for MM. In contrast, adjustment of low MM for BMI identified more cases of low MM, malnutrition, and sarcopenia overall and in participants with obesity compared with height adjustment, suggesting it is the preferred adjustment.
Reappraising the role of chronic inflammatory burden in heart failure
Authors: Lin Xueqi , Song Wei , Zhang Chunsheng , Zhou Miaomiao , Li Jiming
Published: May 2023

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome associated with poor quality of life, substantial utilization of health care resources, and premature mortality. It is now considered to be the most urgent unmet medical need in the field of cardiovascular disease. Accumulated evidence suggested that comorbidity‐driven inflammation has emerged as a critical component of HF pathogenesis. Although anti‐inflammatory therapies have increased in popularity, very few effective treatments are still available. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between chronic inflammation and its impact on HF will facilitate the identification of future therapeutic targets.

Methods

A two‐sample Mendelian randomization study was conducted to assess the association between genetic liability for chronic inflammation and HF. By analyzing functional annotations and enrichment data, we were able to identify common pathophysiological mechanisms.

Results

The present study did not provide evidence for chronic inflammation as the cause of HF and the reliability of the results was enhanced by the other three Mendelian randomization analysis methods. Functional annotations of genes and pathway enrichment analyses have indicated that chronic inflammation and HF share a common pathophysiology.

Conclusions

The associations between chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease from observational studies may be explained by shared risk factors and comorbidities rather than direct effects.
The current scenario of furoxan hybrids with anticancer potential
Authors: Shi Yu‐Min , Wang Jun , Yan Heng
Published: May 2023

Cancer is one of the most common and deadliest diseases affecting millions of human beings globally. Treatment of cancer has achieved great advancements, and chemotherapy remains one of the most important means. However, the chemotherapy suffers from apparent limitations including drug resistance, systemic toxicity, adverse effects, and tumor recurrence, creating an urgent demand to develop novel anticancer chemotherapeutics. Furoxan derivatives could exert anticancer activity via releasing high concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), which could induce cellular apoptosis, arrest cell cycle, inhibit the migration and invasion of cells, and suppress angiogenesis. Hence, furoxan derivatives demonstrated potent in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficiency. In particular, furoxan hybrids, combination of other anticancer pharmacophores with furoxan moiety, demonstrated significant therapeutic effects on various cancers including drug‐resistant forms since these derivatives could act on multiple targets in cancer cells simultaneously. Accordingly, furoxan hybrids constitute an important source in the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents with anticancer activity. This review is to highlight the current scenario of furoxan hybrids with anticancer potential, covering articles published from 2012 to present. The structure–activity relationships and mechanisms of action are discussed to continuously open up a map for the remarkable exploration of more effective candidates.
Children as Earth Authors: A Story of Creativity, Metacognition and Motivation among Indian School Children
Authors: Jamal Aneesa , Jamal Abubakr Mohammed , Yusof Sanitah Mohd
Published: May 2023

Project‐Based Learning (PBL) is inherently creative. But little is known about children's process of creativity during a PBL experience or how PBL supports the creative process. This qualitative study explores 14 Indian schoolchildren's creative journey during a book‐authoring PBL program. Transcripts for the structured interviews, assignments, driving questions, and journals were analyzed for patterns inductively and codified for themes. Results show that PBL provided the framework for children's creative behavior. Children's creative process was a cycle between ideating, shaping a story, reviewing, and rework with elements of “jugaad.” Emotion played a key role in the creative process. Metacognition played a dual role in both helping to shape the storybooks and children's self‐beliefs and added to their motivation. Children's self‐concept as authors and self‐efficacious beliefs in the powerful impact of their storybooks motivated them through an extremely challenging project. The significance of the research is threefold. First, it explores Indian children's creative process, which is extremely under‐researched. Second, it explores the role of creative metacognition in the creative process. Most importantly, it highlights PBL as a way for creating learning conditions to foster creativity.
Reducing the treatment burden of keratinocyte cancers requiring referral to plastic surgery: Lessons from lockdown
Authors: Drumm Ciara , Lynch Sorcha , O'Donnell Ciara , Lawlor Catriona , Dolan Roisin , Moriarty Blaithin , Lally Aoife
Published: May 2023

Background

Keratinocyte cancers are increasing in incidence in Ireland and are more common in older age, necessitating multidisciplinary specialist input and treatment often is a greater burden for patients. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) allowed us to restructure our interspecialty treatment pathways to reduce healthcare contact for patients.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to establish whether a revised interspecialty pathway reduced the time‐to‐treatment completion (days) and treatment burden (defined as total healthcare encounter days).

Methods

Patients with keratinocyte cancer under the care of dermatology and plastic surgery at St Vincent's University Hospital Dublin from July to December 2020 inclusive were identified in the Hospital‐Inpatient Enquiry database. Treatment burden was captured as the number of total days with a healthcare encounter and time‐to‐treatment completion was captured as the time from initial dermatology review to complete excision by plastic surgery.

Results

Forty patients with 49 keratinocyte cancers were referred by dermatology to plastic surgery from July to December 2020. Thirty‐nine patients with 48 keratinocyte cancers were included in the analysis. The new referral pathway reduced the time‐to‐treatment completion from a mean of 164 to 75 days (p = 0.04). Treatment burden reduced from a mean of 5.4 to 3.5 (p = 0.002) total healthcare encounter days.

Conclusions

Multidisciplinary input to establish a more efficient referral pathway for patients with keratinocyte cancer has successfully reduced the time‐to‐treatment completion and the treatment burden for our patients. This approach reduced the risk of exposure to COVID‐19 for patients and frees up valuable healthcare resources to treat these increasingly frequent malignancies.
Relationship between the Co‐Continuous Morphology of Immiscible Polymer Blends and the Structure of an In Situ Formed Graft Copolymer
Authors: Liang Tianqi , Huang Qiwen , Wei Zhaoyang , Lei Weiwei , You Jun , Liu Jie , Ren Xiaoming , Zhang Qunchao , Hu Guohua , Shi Dean
Published: May 2023

In order to get stable co‐continuous morphology in immiscible polymer blends, besides reducing the interfacial tension, the compatibilizer should not only promote the formation of flat interface between different phases, but also not hinder the coalescence of the dispersed phase. Herein, the relationship between the morphology of the compatibilized polystyrene/nylon 6/styrene‐maleic anhydride (PS/PA6/SMA) immiscible polymer blends and the structures of the in‐situ formed SMA‐g‐PA6 graft copolymers as well as the processing conditions are studied. Two kinds of SMA are used: SMA28 (28 wt.% MAH) and SMA11 (11 wt.% MAH). After melt blending with PA6, the in‐situ formed copolymer SMA28‐g‐PA6 has on average of four PA6 side chains, while that of SMA11‐g‐PA6 has only one. Dissipative particle dynamics simulation results indicate that both SMA28‐g‐PA6 copolymer and PS/PA6/SMA28 blends tend to form co‐continuous structure, while those related to SMA11 intend to form sea‐island morphologies. These results are correct only at relatively low rotor speed (60 rpm). When the rotor speed is higher (105 rpm), sea‐island morphologies are obtained in SMA28 systems, while that for SMA11 ones are co‐continuous. This indicates that higher shear stress can elongate the minor phase domains to form flat interfaces, while the SMA28‐g‐PA6 copolymers can be pulled out from the interface.
Multi‐frame biomechanical and relaxometry analysis during in vivo loading of the human knee by spiral dualMRI and compressed sensing
Authors: Lee Woowon , Miller Emily Y. , Zhu Hongtian , Schneider Stephanie E. , Reiter David A. , Neu Corey P.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Knee cartilage experiences repetitive loading during physical activities, which is altered during the pathogenesis of diseases like osteoarthritis. Analyzing the biomechanics during motion provides a clear understanding of the dynamics of cartilage deformation and may establish essential imaging biomarkers of early‐stage disease. However, in vivo biomechanical analysis of cartilage during rapid motion is not well established.

Methods

We used spiral displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) MRI on in vivo human tibiofemoral cartilage during cyclic varus loading (0.5 Hz) and used compressed sensing on the k‐space data. The applied compressive load was set for each participant at 0.5 times body weight on the medial condyle. Relaxometry methods were measured on the cartilage before (T1ρ, T2) and after (T1ρ) varus load.

Results

Displacement and strain maps showed a gradual shift of displacement and strain in time. Compressive strain was observed in the medial condyle cartilage and shear strain was roughly half of the compressive strain. Male participants had more displacement in the loading direction compared to females, and T1ρ values did not change after cyclic varus load. Compressed sensing reduced the scanning time up to 25% to 40% when comparing the displacement maps and substantially lowered the noise levels.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the ease of which spiral DENSE MRI could be applied to clinical studies because of the shortened imaging time, while quantifying realistic cartilage deformations that occur through daily activities and that could serve as biomarkers of early osteoarthritis.
Is there an association between plantar fasciitis and knee osteoarthritis?
Authors: Miladi Saoussen , Bouzid Sirine , Fazaa Alia , Boussaa Hiba , Makhlouf Yasmine , Souabni Leila , Ouenniche Kmar , Kassab Salma , Chekili Salma , Ben Abdelghani Kaouther , Laatar Ahmed
Published: May 2023

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and plantar fasciitis share similar risk factors including ageing, occupation, obesity, and inappropriate shoe wear. However, the association between knee OA and heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis has received limited attention to date.

Aim

We aimed to assess the prevalence of plantar fasciitis using ultrasound in patients with knee OA and to identify factors associated with plantar fasciitis in these patients.

Patients and methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study including patients with Knee OA, fulfiling the European League Against Rheumatism criteria. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) and the Lequesne indexes were used to evaluate pain and function of the knees. The Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI) was used to estimate foot pain and disability. Each patient underwent a physical examination, plain radiographs of the knees and the heels, and an ultrasound examination of both heels to find signs of plantar fasciitis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results

We included 40 knee OA patients, with a mean age of 59.85 ± 9.65 years [32–74] and a male‐to‐female ratio of 0.17. The mean WOMAC was 34.03 ± 19.9 [4–75]. The mean Lequesne for knees was 9.62 ± 4.57 [3–16.5]. Among our patients, 52% (n = 21) experienced heel pain. The heel pain was severe in 19% (n = 4). The mean MFPDI was 4.67 ± 4.16 [0–8]. Limited ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion were noted in 47% of patients (n = 17) each. High and low arch deformities were seen in 23% (n = 9) and 40% (n = 16) of patients. Ultrasound revealed a thickened plantar fascia in 62% (n = 25). An abnormal hypoechoic plantar fascia was noted in 47% (n = 19), with the loss of normal fibrillar architecture in 12 cases (30%). No Doppler signal was exhibited. Patients with plantar fasciitis had significantly limited dorsiflexion (n = 2 (13%) versus n = 15 (60%), p = 0.004) and plantar flexion (n = 3 (20%) versus n = 14 (56%), p = 0.026). The range of supination was also less important in the plantar fasciitis group (17.73 ± 4.1 vs. 12.8 ± 6.46, p = 0.027). The low arch was statistically more present in patients with plantar fasciitis (G1: 36% [n = 9] vs. G0: 0% [n = 0], p = 0.015). However, the high arch deformity was statistically more present in patients without plantar fasciitis (G1: 28% [n = 7] vs. G0: 60% [n = 9], p = 0.046). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factor for plantar fasciitis in knee OA patients was limited dorsiflexion (OR = 3.889, 95% CI [0.017–0.987], p = 0.049).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our work showed that plantar fasciitis is frequent in knee OA patients, with reduced ankle dorsiflexion being the main risk factor for plantar fasciitis in these patients.
An improved coupling of 3D state‐based peridynamics with high‐order 1D finite elements to reduce spurious effects at interfaces
Authors: Scabbia F. , Enea M.
Published: May 2023

Peridynamics (PD) is a nonlocal continuum theory capable of handling fracture mechanisms with ease. However, its use involves high computational costs. On the other hand, Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) allows one to use one‐dimensional high‐order finite elements, resulting in excellent accuracy while improving computational efficiency. To address the high computational cost of solving fracture problems, a coupling technique between these two theories is necessary. Various approaches have been proposed to couple peridynamic grids with finite element meshes in the literature. However, most of these approaches are affected by arbitrary choices of blending functions and tuning parameters or exhibit spurious effects at the interfaces. To overcome these issues, we propose a simple coupling technique based on overlapping PD/CUF regions and continuity of the displacement field at the interfaces. This approach is verified through static analysis of classical beams and thin‐walled structures with applications in the aerospace industry.
Patient engagement practice within perinatal eHealth: A scoping review
Authors: Auxier Jennifer N. , Bender Miriam , Hakojärvi Henna‐Riikka , Axelin Anna M.
Published: May 2023

Background

There is a gap in knowledge about how perinatal eHealth programs function to support autonomy for new and expectant parents from pursuing wellness goals.

Objectives

To examine patient engagement (access, personalization, commitment and therapeutic alliance) within the practice of perinatal eHealth.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

Five databases were searched in January 2020 and updated in April 2022. Reports were vetted by three researchers and included if they documented maternity/neonatal programs and utilized World Health Organization (WHO) person‐centred digital health intervention (DHI) categories. Data were charted using a deductive matrix containing WHO DHI categories and patient engagement attributes. A narrative synthesis was conducted utilizing qualitative content analysis. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses ‘extension for scoping reviews’ guidelines were followed for reporting.

Results

Twelve eHealth modalities were found across 80 included articles. The analysis yielded two conceptual insights: (1) The nature of perinatal eHealth programs: (1) emergence of a complex structure of practice and (2) practising patient engagement within perinatal eHealth.

Conclusion

Results will be used to operationalize a model of patient engagement within perinatal eHealth.
Hypertension literacy: Concept analysis
Authors: Konlan Kennedy Diema , Lee Hyeonkyeong , Choi Eun Kyoung
Published: May 2023

Aim

Analysis of the concept of hypertension literacy to ensure clarity, reduce ambiguities and promote consistency in usage.

Design

Walker and Avant's concept analysis method was adopted.

Methods

Searched four electronic databases using keywords combined with the appropriate Boolean operators. After removing duplicates, thirty titles were identified, and ten articles met the basic criteria for inclusion. The analysis was done using a convergent synthesis design to integrate results and transform them into qualitative descriptions.

Results

Hypertension literacy's defining attributes were hypertension information search skills, comprehension of numeracy associated with blood pressure and medication and utilization of hypertension prevention information. The identified antecedents were formal education and improved cognitive, social, economic and health‐related experiences. Consequences of hypertension literacy included improved self‐reported and increased health awareness. Hypertension literacy allows nurses to assess and accurately improve knowledge and facilitate people to adopt prevention behaviours.
‘Everything that's said comes from me’: New fathers' experiences of individual conversations with the child health nurse
Authors: Massoudi Pamela , Wikerstål Amanda , Carlsson Viktor , Gunnarsson A. Birgitta
Published: May 2023

Aim

Swedish Child Health Services provide regular health surveillance of children 0–5 years and support to parents, with the aim to contribute to equitable child healthcare and to promote physical, emotional, and social health for children. Individual conversations with the child health nurse, including screening for postnatal depression, have been recommended and well implemented for mothers, whereas routines for a visit specifically for the nonbirthing parent vary and are not well studied. The aim of this study was therefore to explore how nonbirthing parents experienced individual conversations with their child health nurse, held 3 months after the birth of their child.

Design

Qualitative interview study.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 fathers who had participated in individual conversations with a nurse at their child health centre, 3 months post‐partum. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies.

Results

The findings are presented in three categories: ‘Being invited into a supportive context’, ‘Talking about what was important’ and ‘Taking it home’, each of them including three subcategories. The individual conversations, without the mother present, made the fathers feel important and allowed for a different type of content, tailored to their own needs. The conversations were validating and led to changes in daily routines with their child for some fathers.
Optimal allocation of nature‐based solutions to achieve climate mitigation and adaptation goals
Authors: Villarreal‐Rosas Jaramar , Rhodes Jonathan R. , Sonter Laura J. , Possingham Hugh P. , Vogl Adrian L.
Published: May 2023

Nature‐based solutions (NbS) can prevent further climate change and increase local communities' capacity to adapt to the current impacts of climate change. However, the benefits obtained from implementing NbS are not distributed equally across people. Thus, it is key to further understand how people are impacted when implementing NbS.

We developed a multi‐objective prioritization approach to identify changes in (i) the biophysical provision of ecosystem services, (ii) optimal allocation of NbS and (iii) monetary benefits when targeting climate mitigation versus climate adaptation goals. We used the increase in metric tons of carbon storage as representative of climate mitigation and the decrease in on‐site and downstream tons of sediment per year as representative of climate adaptation.

Planning strategies that target climate mitigation or climate adaptation goals separately represent a loss of between 30% and 60% of the maximum possible carbon sequestration or sediment retention benefits. Conversely, targeting climate mitigation and climate adaptation goals at the same time captured more than 90% of the maximum possible benefits for all objectives.

Priority NbS in the mitigation planning strategy included soil and water conservation and forest rehabilitation, while priority NbS in the adaptation planning strategy included grassland rehabilitation and hill terrace improvement.

Targeting mitigation and adaptation goals at the same time captures 35M USD (89% of the maximum attainable) in value of carbon restored and retained, and 2M USD (100% of the maximum attainable) of avoided maintenance costs to the KGA hydropower plant. Conversely, failing to incorporate adaptation goals when developing climate plans only captures 1M of avoided maintenance costs to the KGA hydropower plant.

Our approach can be replicated in other locations to promote cost‐effective investments in NbS able to secure both global and local benefits to people. This can improve the outcomes of international climate change financial schemes like the Green Climate Fund and the UN‐REDD+ program.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
A patient with dyskeratosis congenita and portal hypertension
Authors: Wei Min , Liu Yuanyuan , Li Jinhou , Wang Hongxia , Gao Yanjing
Published: May 2023

Portal hypertension (PH) refers to a collection of syndromes characterized by an increase in pressure within the portal venous system and/or elevated portal venous blood flow, most commonly caused by cirrhosis. This condition is frequently associated with viral hepatitis and chronic alcohol abuse, and its complications, such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and esophageal varices, have a considerable impact on mortality. Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple systems, most notably manifesting as dystrophy of the fingernails and toenails, skin pigmentation, and mucosal leukoplakia. While cirrhotic PH is an uncommon complication of DC, we present a case of a young patient who presented with PH and had no history of hepatitis or heavy alcohol use. The patient underwent splenectomy and devascularization to treat hypersplenism and esophagogastric varices caused by PH but developed portal vein thrombosis following the surgery. Given the patient's cutaneous manifestations and cirrhosis that could not be attributed to common causes, we continued to search for the underlying cause of PH until the diagnosis of DC was finally made. The patient was subsequently treated with carvedilol to prevent variceal rebleeding and showed no significant complications or bleeding during follow‐up.
Little tools, big job: The periglacial conveyor system in cryoplanated uplands
Authors: Mitchell Raven J. , Nelson Frederick E. , Nyland Kelsey E.
Published: May 2023

The mechanisms of sediment removal associated with the nivation process suite are underinvestigated, a situation that hinders development of a unified, coherent theory of cryoplanation terrace formation. This study links sorted stripes—a type of periglacial patterned ground frequently encountered on cryoplanation terrace treads—to active hydrologic networks capable of transporting large quantities of fine sediments on periglacial hillslopes. Traditional interpretations hold that the presence of sorted patterned ground indicates geomorphic quiescence, a view that has contributed to the dismissal of these features as a factor in the formation of erosional periglacial topography. We address the geomorphic role of sorted stripes as fluvial features by investigating their hydrologic potential for transporting weathered material across and off developing cryoplanation terraces. Flow modeling and watershed geomorphometric analyses were conducted using a high‐resolution digital elevation model of a large cryoplanation terrace in a geomorphically active periglacial upland near Atlin, British Columbia, Canada. Results demonstrate the landscape‐scale spatial organization and geomorphic effectiveness of sorted‐stripe networks—“little tools”—for transporting water and suspended sediment across large cryoplanated surfaces. We present a qualitative model of sediment production and transportation, “the periglacial conveyor system,” that outlines erosional processes responsible for cryoplanation terrace formation and defines the distinctive hydrologic–geomorphic imprint imparted by sorted stripes on periglacial hillslopes.
Evolution of affinity between p53 transactivation domain and MDM2 across the animal kingdom demonstrates high plasticity of motif‐mediated interactions
Authors: Mihalič Filip , Åberg Emma , Farkhondehkish Pouria , Theys Niels , Andersson Eva , Jemth Per
Published: May 2023

The interaction between the transcription factor p53 and the ubiquitin ligase MDM2 results in the degradation of p53 and is well‐studied in cancer biology and drug development. Available sequence data suggest that both p53 and MDM2‐family proteins are present across the animal kingdom. However, the interacting regions are missing in some animal groups, and it is not clear whether MDM2 interacts with, and regulates p53 in all species. We used phylogenetic analyses and biophysical measurements to examine the evolution of affinity between the interacting protein regions: a conserved 12‐residue intrinsically disordered binding motif in the p53 transactivation domain (TAD) and the folded SWIB domain of MDM2. The affinity varied significantly across the animal kingdom. The p53TAD/MDM2 interaction among jawed vertebrates displayed high affinity, in particular for chicken and human proteins (KD around 0.1 μM). The affinity of the bay mussel p53TAD/MDM2 complex was lower (KD = 15 μM) and those from a placozoan, an arthropod, and a jawless vertebrate were very low or non‐detectable (KD > 100 μM). Binding experiments with reconstructed ancestral p53TAD/MDM2 variants suggested that a micromolar affinity interaction was present in the ancestral bilaterian animal and was later enhanced in tetrapods while lost in other linages. The different evolutionary trajectories of p53TAD/MDM2 affinity during speciation demonstrate high plasticity of motif‐mediated interactions and the potential for rapid adaptation of p53 regulation during times of change. Neutral drift in unconstrained disordered regions may underlie the plasticity and explain the observed low sequence conservation in TADs such as p53TAD.
18F‐sodium fluoride positron emission tomography quantitation of bone metastases in African American and non‐African American men with metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Hazelton Julian , Kim Seongho , Boerner Julie L. , Podgorski Izabela , Perk Timothy , Cackowski Frank , Aoun Hussein D. , Heath Elisabeth I.
Published: May 2023

Background

Bone is the most common site of metastases in men with prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to explore potential racial differences in the distribution of tumor metastases in the axial and appendicular skeleton.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients with metastatic prostate cancer to the bone as detected by 18F‐sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐NaF PET/CT) scans. In addition to describing patients' demographics and clinical characteristics, the metastatic bone lesions, and healthy bone regions were detected and quantified volumetrically using a quantitative imaging platform (TRAQinform IQ, AIQ Solutions).

Results

Forty men met the inclusion criteria with 17 (42%) identifying as African Americans and 23 (58%) identifying as non‐African Americans. Most of the patients had axial (skull, ribcage, and spine) disease. The location and the number of lesions in the skeleton of metastatic prostate cancer patients with low disease burden were not different by race.

Conclusions

In low‐disease burden patients with metastatic prostate cancer, there were no overall differences by race in the location and number of lesions in axial or appendicular skeleton. Therefore, given equal access to molecular imaging, African Americans might derive similar benefits. Whether this holds true for patients with a higher disease burden or for other molecular imaging techniques is a topic for further study.
Micron‐Thick Interlocked Carbon Nanotube Films with Excellent Impact Resistance via Micro‐Ballistic Impact
Authors: Xiao Kailu , Zhang Pengfei , Hu Dongmei , Huang Chenguang , Wu Xianqian
Published: May 2023

The highest specific energy absorption (SEA) of interlocked micron‐thickness carbon nanotube (IMCNT) films subjected to micro‐ballistic impact is reported in this paper. The SEA of the IMCNT films ranges from 0.8 to 1.6 MJ kg−1, the greatest value for micron‐thickness films to date. The multiple deformation‐induced dissipation channels at the nanoscale involving disorder‐to‐order transition, frictional sliding, and entanglement of CNT fibrils contribute to the ultra‐high SEA of the IMCNT. Furthermore, an anomalous thickness dependency of the SEA is observed, that is, the SEA increases with increasing thickness, which should be ascribed to the exponential growth in nano‐interface that further boosts the energy dissipation efficiency as the film thickness increases. The results indicate that the developed IMCNT overcomes the size‐dependent impact resistance of traditional materials and demonstrates great potential as a bulletproof material for high‐performance flexible armor.
Mechanism of cognitive impairment induced by d‐galactose and l‐glutamate through gut–brain interaction in tree shrews
Authors: Wang Limei , Lu Jingli , Yang Yi , Zhao Yulan , Wang Peijin , Jiao Jianlin , Zheng Hong
Published: May 2023

d‐Galactose (d‐gal) and l‐glutamate (l‐glu) impair learning and memory. The mechanism of interaction between the gut microbiome and brain remains unclear. In this study, a model of cognitive impairment was induced in tree shrews by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of d‐gal (600 mg/kg/day), intragastric (ig) administration with l‐glu (2000 mg/kg/day), and the combination of d‐gal (ip, 600 mg/kg/day) and l‐glu (ig, 2000 mg/kg/day). The cognitive function of tree shrews was tested by the Morris water maze method. The expression of Aβ1‐42 proteins, the intestinal barrier function proteins occludin and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), and the inflammatory factors NF‐κB, TLR2, and IL‐18 was determined by immunohistochemistry. The gut microbiome was analyzed by 16SrRNA high‐throughput sequencing. After administering d‐gal and l‐glu, the escape latency increased (p < .01), and the times of crossing the platform decreased (p < .01). These changes were greater in the combined administration of d‐gal and l‐glu (p < .01). The expression of Aβ1‐42 was higher in the perinuclear region of the cerebral cortex (p < .01) and intestinal cell (p < .05). There was a positive correlation between the cerebral cortex and intestinal tissue. Moreover, the expression of NF‐κB, TLR2, IL‐18, and P‐gp was higher in the intestine (p < .05), while the expression of occludin and the diversity of gut microbes were lower, which altered the biological barrier of intestinal mucosal cells. This study indicated that d‐gal and l‐glu could induce cognitive impairment, increase the expression of Aβ1‐42 in the cerebral cortex and intestinal tissue, decrease the gut microbial diversity, and alter the expression of inflammatory factors in the mucosal intestines. The dysbacteriosis may produce inflammatory cytokines to modulate neurotransmission, causing the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment. This study provides a theoretical basis to explore the mechanism of learning and memory impairment through the interaction of microbes in the gut and the brain.
Recent Advances in Visible Light‐Mediated Radical Fluoro‐alkylation, ‐alkoxylation, ‐alkylthiolation, ‐alkylselenolation, and ‐alkylamination
Authors: Lin Daniel , Coe Matthew , Krishnamurti Vinayak , Ispizua‐Rodriguez Xanath , Surya Prakash G. K.
Published: May 2023

In the last few years, many reagents and protocols have been developed to allow for the efficient fluorofunctionalization of a diverse set of scaffolds ranging from alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and (hetero)arenes. The concomitant rise of organofluorine chemistry and visible light‐mediated synthesis have synergistically expanded the fields and have mutually benefitted from developments in both fields. In this context, visible light driven formations of radicals containing fluorine have been a major focus for the discovery of new bioactive compounds. This review details the recent advances and progress made in visible light‐mediated fluoroalkylation and heteroatom centered radical generation.