bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gauging the higher-spin-like symmetries by the Moyal product
Authors: Cvitan M. , Dominis Prester P. , Giaccari S. , Paulišić M. , Vuković I.
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We analyze a novel approach to gauging rigid higher derivative (higher spin) symmetries of free relativistic actions defined on flat spacetime, building on the formalism originally developed by Bonora et al. and Bekaert et al. in their studies of linear coupling of matter fields to an infinite tower of higher spin fields. The off-shell definition is based on fields defined on a 2d-dimensional master space equipped with a symplectic structure, where the infinite dimensional Lie algebra of gauge transformations is given by the Moyal commutator. Using this algebra we construct well-defined weakly non-local actions, both in the gauge and the matter sector, by mimicking the Yang-Mills procedure. The theory allows for a description in terms of an infinite tower of higher spin spacetime fields only on-shell. Interestingly, Euclidean theory allows for such a description also off-shell. Owing to its formal similarity to non-commutative field theories, the formalism allows for the introduction of a covariant potential which plays the role of the generalised vielbein. This covariant formulation uncovers the existence of other phases and shows that the theory can be written in a matrix model form. The symmetries of the theory are analyzed and conserved currents are explicitly constructed. By studying the spin-2 sector we show that the emergent geometry is closely related to teleparallel geometry, in the sense that the induced linear connection is opposite to Weitzenböck’s.
Free boundary problem for the role of planktonic cells in biofilm formation and development
Authors: D’Acunto B. , Frunzo L. , Luongo V. , Mattei M. R. , Tenore A.
Published: June 2021

The dynamics of biofilm lifecycle are deeply influenced by the surrounding environment and the interactions between sessile and planktonic phenotypes. Bacterial biofilms typically develop in three distinct stages: attachment of cells to a surface, growth of cells into colonies, and detachment of cells from the colony into the surrounding medium. The attachment of planktonic cells from the surrounding environment plays a prominent role in the initial phase of biofilm lifecycle as it initiates the colony formation. During the maturation stage, biofilms harbor numerous microenvironments which lead to metabolic heterogeneity. Such microniches provide conditions suitable for the growth of new species, which are present in the bulk liquid as planktonic cells and can penetrate the porous biofilm matrix. We present a 1D continuum model on the interaction of sessile and planktonic phenotypes in biofilm lifestyle. Such a model is able to reproduce the key role of planktonic cells in the formation and development of biofilms by considering the initial attachment and colonization phenomena. The model is formulated as a hyperbolic–elliptic free boundary value problem with vanishing initial value which considers the concentrations of planktonic and sessile cells as state variables. Hyperbolic equations reproduce the transport and growth of sessile species, while elliptic equations model the diffusion and conversion of planktonic cells and dissolved substrates. The attachment is modeled as a continuous, deterministic process which depends on the concentrations of the attaching species. The growth of new species is modeled through a reaction term in the hyperbolic equations which depends on the concentration of planktonic species within the biofilm. Existence and uniqueness of solutions are discussed and proved for the attachment regime. Finally, some numerical examples show that the proposed model correctly reproduces the growth of new species within the biofilm and overcomes the ecological restrictions characterizing the Wanner–Gujer-type models.
Initiated and received task interdependence and distributed team performance: the mediating roles of different forms of role clarity
Authors: Wong Sut I , van Gils Suzanne
Published: June 2021

Distributed agile teams are increasingly employed in organizations, partly due to the increased focus on digital transformation. However, research findings about the performance of such teams appear to be inconsistent, calling for more research to investigate the conditions under which distributed agile teams may thrive. Given that task coordination is particularly challenging when team members are not co-located, the present study investigates the roles of the two types of task interdependence, i.e., initiated versus received task interdependence. Survey results from 191 participants working in distributed agile teams within three companies in Norway confirm our hypotheses. Specifically, we show that high initiated task interdependence is associated with higher role clarity of others, while received task interdependence is associated with higher role clarity of self, and that both subsequently result in higher team performance in distributed agile teams. Thus, we argue that each type of task interdependence contributes in a unique way to team performance in distributed agile teams.
Regimes reloaded! A reappraisal of Schumpeterian patterns of innovation, 1977–2011
Authors: Fontana Roberto , Martinelli Arianna , Nuvolari Alessandro
Published: June 2021

One of the most significant results of the empirical literature on innovation studies of the 1980s and 1990s was that innovation patterns were characterized by important inter-sectoral differences. This finding prompted a lively research agenda that: i) provided empirical characterizations of sectoral patterns of innovation by means of taxonomic exercises; ii) sought to interpret sectoral patterns of innovation as emerging properties of underlying selection and learning processes reflecting the structural properties of technical change at sectoral level (“technological regimes”). In this paper, we reconsider one of the landmark works on technological regimes (e.g., Breschi et al. 2000), reassess its findings, and perform a quasi-replication of their its exercise. Our conclusion is that the proposed distinction between Schumpeterian patterns of innovation (Mark I vs. Mark II) and their interpretation in terms of technological regimes has still the promise of yielding important insights concerning on the connection between inventive activities and industrial dynamics.
Applications of analytic newvectors for $$\mathrm {GL}(n)$$
Authors: Jana Subhajit
Published: June 2021

We provide a few natural applications of the analytic newvectors, initiated in Jana and Nelson (Analytic newvectors for $$\text {GL}_n(\mathbb {R})$$

GL
n

(
R
)

, arXiv:1911.01880 [math.NT], 2019), to some analytic questions in automorphic forms for $$\mathrm {PGL}_n(\mathbb {Z})$$

PGL
n

(
Z
)

with $$n\ge 2$$

n
≥
2

, in the archimedean analytic conductor aspect. We prove an orthogonality result of the Fourier coefficients, a density estimate of the non-tempered forms, an equidistribution result of the Satake parameters with respect to the Sato–Tate measure, and a second moment estimate of the central L-values as strong as Lindelöf on average. We also prove the random matrix prediction about the distribution of the low-lying zeros of automorphic L-function in the analytic conductor aspect. The new ideas of the proofs include the use of analytic newvectors to construct an approximate projector on the automorphic spectrum with bounded conductors and a soft local (both at finite and infinite places) analysis of the geometric side of the Kuznetsov trace formula.
The PI3Kδ inhibitor idelalisib impairs the function of human dendritic cells
Authors: Braun Christiane , Schlaweck Sebastian , Daecke Solveig Nora , Brossart Peter , Heine Annkristin
Published: June 2021

The PI3Kδ-inhibitor Idelalisib is approved for the treatment of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, its use has been decreased within the last years due to deleterious infections such as cytomegalovirus and pneumocystis jirovecii. Here, we have investigated the effect of Idelalisib on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) as important players in the induction of immune responses. We found that Idelalisib-treated DCs displayed impaired T cell stimulatory function. PI3Kδ inhibition during differentiation resulted in decreased Interleukin-12, Interleukin-13 and TNFα production by DCs after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Moreover, DCs showed decreased expression of the activation marker CD83 after Idelalisib treatment. Further, in line with this was the failure of Idelalisib-treated DCs to properly induce allogeneic T cells in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, activation of the NFκB pathway was also ablated in Idelalisib-treated DCs. Our results implicate that severe infectious complications may not only result from direct PI3Kδ-inhibition in T cells, but also from impaired DC function in Idelalisib-treated patients. Here, we provide new insight into the pathogenesis of Idelalisib-associated infectious complications. Our study may further provide a rationale for the use of Idelalisib as a novel therapeutic option in inflammatory diseases.
Routine chest X-rays after pigtail chest tube removal rarely change management in children
Authors: Theodorou Christina M. , Hegazi Mennatalla S. , Moore Hope Nicole , Beres Alana L.
Published: June 2021

Background

The need for chest X-rays (CXR) following large-bore chest tube removal has been questioned; however, the utility of CXRs following removal of small-bore pigtail chest tubes is unknown. We hypothesized that CXRs obtained following removal of pigtail chest tubes would not change management.

Methods

Patients < 18 years old with pigtail chest tubes placed 2014–2019 at a tertiary children’s hospital were reviewed. Exclusion criteria were age < 1 month, death or transfer with a chest tube in place, or pigtail chest tube replacement by large-bore chest tube. The primary outcome was chest tube reinsertion.

Results

111 patients underwent 123 pigtail chest tube insertions; 12 patients had bilateral chest tubes. The median age was 5.8 years old. Indications were pneumothorax (n = 53), pleural effusion (n = 54), chylothorax (n = 6), empyema (n = 5), and hemothorax (n = 3). Post-pull CXRs were obtained in 121/123 cases (98.4%). The two children without post-pull CXRs did not require chest tube reinsertion. Two patients required chest tube reinsertion (1.6%), both for re-accumulation of their chylothorax.

Conclusions

Post-pull chest X-rays are done nearly universally following pigtail chest tube removal but rarely change management. Providers should obtain post-pull imaging based on symptoms and underlying diagnosis, with higher suspicion for recurrence in children with chylothorax.
Das Potenzial von Instant Messaging für soziale Beziehungen von Menschen 65+
Authors: Pauli Cora , Braunwalder Rhea , Hämmerle Veronika , Reiner Julia , Misoch Sabina
Published: June 2021

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Aktuelle Daten aus der Schweiz zeigen, dass zunehmend auch ältere Personen (65+) Instant-Messaging-Dienste nutzen. Am Beispiel von WhatsApp soll untersucht werden, ob und wie sich die Nutzung von WhatsApp auf unterschiedliche Formen des sozialen Kapitals älterer Menschen auswirkt, und ob die sozioemotionale Selektivitätstheorie auch im digitalen Raum angewendet werden kann.

Untersuchungsmethoden

Es wurde eine qualitative Studie mit 30 WhatsApp-Nutzer(innen) der Altersgruppe 65+ durchgeführt. Die Befragung fußte auf der Erstellung von egozentrierten Netzwerkkarten und der Durchführung von Interviews anhand eines semistrukturierten Leitfadens.

Ergebnisse

WhatsApp wird v. a. für die Kommunikation mit nahestehenden Personen genutzt. Die Nutzung von WhatsApp vereinfacht die Beziehungspflege, erhöht die Kontakthäufigkeit und kann zur Intensivierung von Beziehungen führen. Die Nutzung von WhatsApp kann zudem das Zugehörigkeitsgefühl zu Gruppen stärken. Das Medium wird als sehr niederschwellig beschrieben und erlaubt Spontaneität.

Diskussion

Die sozioemotionale Selektivitätstheorie ist auch im digitalen Raum anwendbar. Via WhatsApp wurden tendenziell positive Inhalte mit emotional bedeutsamen Personen des Netzwerks geteilt. Die Nutzung von WhatsApp erhöht sowohl das „bonding social capital“, da Beziehungen vertieft und verstärkt werden, als auch das „maintaining social capital“, da geografische Distanzen überbrückt werden können.
Impact of dietary supplementation with resistant dextrin (NUTRIOSE®) on satiety, glycaemia, and related endpoints, in healthy adults
Authors: Hobden Mark R. , Commane Daniel M. , Guérin-Deremaux Laetitia , Wils Daniel , Thabuis Clementine , Martin-Morales Agustin , Wolfram Saskia , Dìaz Antonio , Collins Sineaid , Morais Ines , Rowland Ian R. , Gibson Glenn R. , Kennedy Orla B.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Resistant dextrin (RD) supplementation has been shown to alter satiety, glycaemia, and body weight, in overweight Chinese men; however, there are limited data on its effects in other demographic groups. Here, we investigated the effects of RD on satiety in healthy adults living in the United Kingdom.

Methods

20 normal weight and 16 overweight adults completed this randomised controlled cross-over study. Either RD (14 g/day NUTRIOSE® FB06) or maltodextrin control was consumed in mid-morning and mid-afternoon preload beverages over a 28-day treatment period with crossover after a 28-day washout. During 10-h study visits (on days 1, 14, and 28 of each treatment period), satietogenic, glycaemic and anorectic hormonal responses to provided meals were assessed.

Results

Chronic supplementation with RD was associated with higher fasted satiety scores at day 14 (P = 0.006) and day 28 (P = 0.040), compared to control. RD also increased satiety after the mid-morning intervention drink, but it was associated with a reduction in post-meal satiety following both the lunch and evening meals (P < 0.01). The glycaemic response to the mid-morning intervention drink (0–30 min) was attenuated following RD supplementation (P < 0.01). Whilst not a primary endpoint we also observed lower systolic blood pressure at day 14 (P = 0.035) and 28 (P = 0.030), compared to day 1, following RD supplementation in the normal weight group. Energy intake and anthropometrics were unaffected.

Conclusions

RD supplementation modified satiety and glycaemic responses in this cohort, further studies are required to determine longer-term effects on body weight control and metabolic markers.

Clinicaltrials.gov registration

NCT02041975 (22/01/2014)
Exercise-induced peptide TAG-23 protects cardiomyocytes from reperfusion injury through regulating PKG–cCbl interaction
Authors: Cheng Zijie , Zhang Hao , Zhang Li , Wang Xuejun , Zhang Qijun , Feng Mengwen , Hu Deliang , Li Hua , Qian Lingmei
Published: June 2021

Recent studies have revealed that proper exercise can reduce the risk of chronic disease and is beneficial to the body. Peptides have been shown to play an important role in various pathological processes, including cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the role of exercise-induced peptides in cardiovascular disease. We aimed to explore the function and mechanism of TAG-23 peptide in reperfusion injury and oxidative stress. Treatment with TAG-23 peptide significantly improved cell viability, the mitochondrial membrane potential, and ROS levels and reduced LDH release, the apoptosis rate and caspase 3 activation in vitro. In vivo, TAG-23 ameliorated MI and heart failure induced by I/R or DOX treatment. Pull-down assays showed that TAG-23 can bind to PKG . The TAG-23-PKG complex inhibited PKG degradation through the UPS. We also identified cCbl as the E3 ligase of PKG and found that the interaction between these proteins was impaired by TAG-23 treatment. In addition, we provided evidence that TAG-23 mediated Lys48-linked polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Our results reveal that a novel exercise-induced peptide, TAG-23, can inhibit PKG degradation by serving as a competitive binding peptide to attenuate the formation of the PKG–cCbl complex. Treatment with TAG-23 may be a new therapeutic approach for reperfusion injury.
Complement-associated loss of CA2 inhibitory synapses in the demyelinated hippocampus impairs memory
Authors: Ramaglia Valeria , Dubey Mohit , Malpede M. Alfonso , Petersen Naomi , de Vries Sharon I. , Ahmed Shanzeh M. , Lee Dennis S. W. , Schenk Geert J. , Gold Stefan M. , Huitinga Inge , Gommerman Jennifer L. , Geurts Jeroen J. G. , Kole Maarten H. P.
Published: June 2021

The complement system is implicated in synapse loss in the MS hippocampus, but the functional consequences of synapse loss remain poorly understood. Here, in post-mortem MS hippocampi with demyelination we find that deposits of the complement component C1q are enriched in the CA2 subfield, are linked to loss of inhibitory synapses and are significantly higher in MS patients with cognitive impairments compared to those with preserved cognitive functions. Using the cuprizone mouse model of demyelination, we corroborated that C1q deposits are highest within the demyelinated dorsal hippocampal CA2 pyramidal layer and co-localized with inhibitory synapses engulfed by microglia/macrophages. In agreement with the loss of inhibitory perisomatic synapses, we found that Schaffer collateral feedforward inhibition but not excitation was impaired in CA2 pyramidal neurons and accompanied by intrinsic changes and a reduced spike output. Finally, consistent with excitability deficits, we show that cuprizone-treated mice exhibit impaired encoding of social memories. Together, our findings identify CA2 as a critical circuit in demyelinated intrahippocampal lesions and memory dysfunctions in MS.
Self-other distinction modulates the social softness illusion
Authors: Pyasik Maria , Fortunato Elisabetta , Dal Monte Olga , Schintu Selene , Garbarini Francesca , Ciorli Tommaso , Pia Lorenzo
Published: June 2021

The social softness illusion (i.e., the tendency to perceive another person's skin as softer than our own) is thought to promote the sharing of social-emotional experiences because of the rewarding properties of receiving and giving social affective touch. Here we investigated whether the ability to distinguish someone else’s body from our own modulates the social softness illusion. In particular, we tested whether the spatial perspective taken by the participants and seeing or not the touched arms could alter this illusion. Pairs of female participants were assigned the roles of either the giver (i.e., delivering the touches) or the receiver (i.e., being touched). We manipulated the location of the touch (palm or forearm), the spatial perspective of the receiver’s body with respect to the giver’s body (egocentric or allocentric perspective), and the vision of the touched body part (the giver could either see both her own and the receiver’s body part, or she was blindfolded). Consistently with previous findings, the skin of another person was perceived as softer than the own one. Additionally, the illusion was present for both the forearm and the palm, and it was stronger in allocentric compared to the egocentric perspective (i.e., when the self-other distinction was clearer). These findings show that the mechanisms underpinning the ability to represent another person’s body as distinct from our own modulates the social softness illusion, and thus support the role of the social softness illusion in fostering social relationships.
Differential expression of stem cell markers in proliferating cells in glioma
Authors: Rehfeld Marten , Matschke Jakob , Hagel Christian , Willenborg Kerstin , Glatzel Markus , Bernreuther Christian
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The identification of prognostically and therapeutically relevant molecular markers is fundamental to the further development of personalised therapies in brain tumours. Current therapeutic options for the treatment of gliomas rely mainly on surgical resection and the inhibition of tumour cell proliferation by irradiation and chemotherapy. Glioma stem cells are a subpopulation of proliferating tumour cells that have self-renewal capacity and can give rise to heterogeneous cells that comprise the tumour and are thought to play a role in the resistance of gliomas to therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of markers of glioma stem cells and differentiated glial cells in proliferating glioma cells in comparison to the overall expression of the respective markers in the tumour tissue.

Methods

Tissue microarrays were assembled from specimen of pilocytic astrocytoma, diffuse astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, and anaplastic ependymoma. These were immunohistochemically double stained with antibodies against the proliferation-associated antigen Ki67 and marker proteins for glioma stem cells (CD133, Nestin, Musashi, CD15, CD44), and differentiated glioma cells (GFAP, MAP2c).

Results

The expression of both glial and glioma stem cell markers differs between proliferating and non-proliferating glioma cells. Furthermore, the proliferating cells in the different glial tumour entities show a different expression profile.

Conclusion

Further analysis of marker expression in proliferating glioma cells and correlation with clinical outcome and susceptibility to irradiation and chemotherapy might help establish new biomarkers and therapies for glioma.
Bank vole alarm pheromone chemistry and effects in the field
Authors: Sievert Thorbjörn , Ylönen Hannu , Blande James D. , Saunier Amélie , van der Hulst Dave , Ylönen Olga , Haapakoski Marko
Published: June 2021

Chemical communication plays an important role in mammalian life history decisions. Animals send and receive information based on body odour secretions. Odour cues provide important social information on identity, kinship, sex, group membership or genetic quality. Recent findings show, that rodents alarm their conspecifics with danger-dependent body odours after encountering a predator. In this study, we aim to identify the chemistry of alarm pheromones (AP) in the bank vole, a common boreal rodent. Furthermore, the vole foraging efficiency under perceived fear was measured in a set of field experiments in large outdoor enclosures. During the analysis of bank vole odour by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, we identified that 1-octanol, 2-octanone, and one unknown compound as the most likely candidates to function as alarm signals. These compounds were independent of the vole’s sex. In a field experiment, voles were foraging less, i.e. they were more afraid in the AP odour foraging trays during the first day, as the odour was fresh, than in the second day. This verified the short lasting effect of volatile APs. Our results clarified the chemistry of alarming body odour compounds in mammals, and enhanced our understanding of the ecological role of AP and chemical communication in mammals.
Conservation laws for even order elliptic systems in the critical dimension - a new approach
Authors: Hörter Jasmin , Lamm Tobias
Published: June 2021

We consider elliptic systems of order 2m in dimension 2m which are generalizations of extrinsic and intrinsic polyharmonic maps. We show the existence of a conservation law for these systems by using a small perturbation of Uhlenbeck’s gauge fixing matrix.
Comparison of isoflurane and propofol sedation in critically ill COVID-19 patients—a retrospective chart review
Authors: Kermad Azzeddine , Speltz Jacques , Danziger Guy , Mertke Thilo , Bals Robert , Volk Thomas , Lepper Philipp M. , Meiser Andreas
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In this retrospective study, we compared inhaled sedation with isoflurane to intravenous propofol in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients with ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome).

Methods

Charts of all 20 patients with COVID-19 ARDS admitted to the ICU of a German University Hospital during the first wave of the pandemic between 22/03/2020 and 21/04/2020 were reviewed. Among screened 333 days, isoflurane was used in 97 days, while in 187 days, propofol was used for 12 h or more. The effect and dose of these two sedatives were compared. Mixed sedation days were excluded.

Results

Patients’ age (median [interquartile range]) was 64 (60–68) years. They were invasively ventilated for 36 [21–50] days. End-tidal isoflurane concentrations were high (0.96 ± 0.41 Vol %); multiple linear regression yielded the ratio (isoflurane infusion rate)/(minute ventilation) as the single best predictor. Infusion rates were decreased under ECMO (3.5 ± 1.4 versus 7.1 ± 3.2 ml∙h−1; p < 0.001). In five patients, the maximum recommended dose of propofol of 4 mg∙hour−1∙kg−1ABW was exceeded on several days. On isoflurane compared to propofol days, neuro-muscular blocking agents (NMBAs) were used less frequently (11% versus 21%; p < 0.05), as were co-sedatives (7% versus 31%, p < 0.001); daily opioid doses were lower (720 [720–960] versus 1080 [720–1620] mg morphine equivalents, p < 0.001); and RASS scores indicated deeper levels of sedation (− 4.0 [− 4.0 to − 3.0] versus − 3.0 [− 3.6 to − 2.5]; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Isoflurane provided sufficient sedation with less NMBAs, less polypharmacy and lower opioid doses compared to propofol. High doses of both drugs were needed in severely ill COVID-19 patients.
Anterior artery release, distraction and fusion (ARDF) for radiculopathy caused by a vertebral artery loop
Authors: Farshad Mazda , Spirig José Miguel , Burkhard Marco D.
Published: June 2021

Background

Anomalous vertebral artery (VA) with loop formation is a rare cause of cervical nerve root compression. Various techniques with anterior and posterior approaches have been described for surgical treatment once conservative treatments fail. We herein present a case treated with the new technique of anterior release, distraction and fusion (ARDF) and further provide an updated review of surgically managed VA loops in the subaxial spine.

Case description

A 76-year-old female complained of a 6-year history of pulsating, shooting pain in her right arm to the thumb. After obtaining repeated MRI, the VA loop compressing the right-sided C6-nerve root was detected. A neurovascular decompression through ARDF which led to an indirect loop straightening was performed. The patient immediately improved after surgery and remained pain-free 1 year postoperative.

Conclusion

Neural irritation due to VA loop formation is a rare cause of cervical radiculopathy. While various surgical strategies have been described, we believe that anterior and anterolateral approaches are the safest to yield neurovascular decompression. We described and documented ARDF (anterior VA release, intervertebral distraction and fusion) on a patient case.

Level of evidence

II (Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding).
Frühes Mammakarzinom: Aktuelle Strategien in der System- und Radiotherapie
Authors: Schneeweiss Andreas , Huober Jens , Brucker Sara Y. , Budach Wilfried , Denkert Carsten , Fasching Peter A. , Haidinger Renate , Harbeck Nadia , Jackisch Christian , Janni Wolfgang , Krug David , Kühn Thorsten , Loibl Sibylle , Müller Volkmar , Thill Marc , Thomssen Christoph , Untch Michael , Kolberg-Liedtke Cornelia , Lüftner Diana
Published: June 2021

Hintergrund

Seit über 30 Jahren findet regelmäßig die internationale St.-Gallen(SG)-Konsensuskonferenz zur Behandlung des primären Mammakarzinoms (SG-BCC) statt. Bei diesem Konsens handelt es sich um ein Meinungsbild von Experten unterschiedlicher Länder und Fachdisziplinen.

Rationale

Vor diesem Hintergrund werden die Abstimmungsergebnisse des St.-Gallen-Konsensus-Panels bereits seit einigen Jahren von einer deutschen Arbeitsgruppe führender Brustkrebsexperten für den Klinikalltag in Deutschland diskutiert. Fünf der Brustkrebsexperten aus Deutschland sind zugleich Mitglieder des diesjährigen St.-Gallen-Panels.

Grundlage

Grundlage der Diskussion für den deutschen Klinikalltag sind die jährlich aktualisierten Therapieempfehlungen der Kommission Mamma der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie (AGO Mamma 2021) sowie die deutsche S3-Leitlinie.

Ergebnis

Die diesjährige 17. SG-BCC stand unter dem Motto „Customizing local and systemic therapies for women with early breast cancer“ und fokussierte auf die Herausforderung, die Behandlung des frühen Mammakarzinoms zielgerichteter an die individuelle Krankheitssituation zu adaptieren. Die vorliegende Publikation diskutiert die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der SG-BCC zur System- und Radiotherapie.
Adolescent depression and adult labor market marginalization: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Alaie Iman , Philipson Anna , Ssegonja Richard , Copeland William E. , Ramklint Mia , Bohman Hannes , Jonsson Ulf
Published: June 2021

Adolescent depression is linked to adult ill-health and functional impairment, but recent research suggests that individual/contextual factors might account for this association. This study aimed to test whether the clinical heterogeneity of adolescent depression is related to marginalization from the labor market across early to middle adulthood. Data were drawn from the Uppsala Longitudinal Adolescent Depression Study, a community-based cohort initially assessed with structured clinical interviews at age 16–17. The cohort (n = 321 depressed;n = 218 nondepressed) was followed up after 2+ decades through linkage to nationwide population-based registries. Outcomes included consecutive annual data on unemployment, work disability, social welfare recipiency, and a composite marginalization measure, spanning from age 21 to 40. Longitudinal associations were examined using logistic regression analysis in a generalized estimating equations modeling framework. Subsequent depressive episodes and educational attainment in early adulthood were explored as potential pathways. The results showed that adolescent depression was associated with adult marginalization outcomes, but the strength of association varied across depressed subgroups. Adolescents with persistent depressive disorder had higher odds of all outcomes, including the composite marginalization measure (adjusted OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.4–2.7,p < 0.001), and this was partially (31%) mediated by subsequent depressive episodes in early adulthood. Exploratory moderation analysis revealed that entry into tertiary education mitigated the association with later marginalization, but only for adolescents with episodic major depression. In conclusion, the risk for future labor market marginalization is elevated among depressed adolescents, particularly those presenting with persistent depressive disorder. Targeted interventions seem crucial to mitigate the long-lasting impact of early-onset depression.
E-cigarettes and smoking in Irish teens: a logistic regression analysis of current (past 30-day) use of e-cigarettes
Authors: Hanafin Joan , Sunday Salome , Clancy Luke
Published: June 2021

Aim

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among Irish teenagers has risen significantly. In 2019, prevalence of current use (last 30 days) among 15–17-year-olds was 17.3%. We examine social determinants of adolescent e-cigarette current use.

Subject and methods

A stratified random sample of 50 schools in Ireland was surveyed in 2019, part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD), with 3495 students aged 15, 16, and 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression [providing adjusted odds ratios (AORs)] analyses were performed using Stata version 16.

Results

Current e-cigarette users were more likely to be male (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI:0.32–0.96, p < .01), younger (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17–0.67, p = < .05), to participate in sport (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.05–4.65, p < .05), to have higher-educated parents (maternal higher education: AOR = 27.54, 95% CI: 1.50–505.77, p = < .05, paternal higher education: AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.00–5.91, p < .05), and less likely to consider their families better off (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.65, p < .01), or to report familial support (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.95, p < .05). They were more likely to be cigarette smokers (AOR = 7.22, 95% CI: 3.97–13.12, p < .001), to report problem cannabis use (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.40–6.93, p < .01), to be ‘binge’ drinkers (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI : 1.00–3.32, p = .054), and to have friends who get drunk (AOR = 5.30, 95% CI: 1.34–20.86, p < .05).

Conclusion

Boys, smokers, binge drinkers, problem cannabis users, and sport-playing teenagers from higher-educated families, are at particular risk. As the number of young people using e-cigarettes continues to rise, including teenagers who have never smoked, improved regulation of e-cigarettes, similar to other tobacco-related products, is needed urgently to prevent this worrying new trend of initiation into nicotine addiction.
Differential Analysis of the Years of Experience of Higher Education Teachers, their Digital Competence and use of Digital Resources: Comparative Research Methods
Authors: Guillén-Gámez Francisco. D. , Cabero-Almenara Julio , Llorente-Cejudo Carmen , Palacios-Rodríguez Antonio
Published: June 2021

This study compares the level of digital competence of Spanish higher education teachers in the use of three types of ICT resources in the classroom: digital tools to consume information, digital tools to produce information, and emerging technologies. To measure the level of competence, the validated DigCompEdu Check-In instrument with an ex post facto design is used. The sample consists of 2180 university teachers from Andalusia (Spain) working in different areas of knowledge: Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Social and Legal Sciences; and classified into three levels of teaching experience: between 0–5 years, 6–14 years, and 15 years or more. The results show that teachers with 15 or more years of experience represent the group with the most significant differences in regard to their level of digital competence when comparing the use of the three types of ICT resources; furthermore, the results were similar for all areas of knowledge. In addition, the visualization or creation of videos, as well as the visualization or creation of posters and concept maps, are the resources that were found to be most significant for the three levels of experience. For each specific area, it is recommended that each of their results is analysed in detail. Finally, further research is recommended to validate these preliminary findings in each of the knowledge areas.
Legio: fault resiliency for embarrassingly parallel MPI applications
Authors: Rocco Roberto , Gadioli Davide , Palermo Gianluca
Published: June 2021

Due to the increasing size of HPC machines, dealing with faults is becoming mandatory due to their high frequency. Natively, MPI cannot handle faults and it stops the execution prematurely when it finds one. With the introduction of ULFM, it is possible to continue the execution, but it requires complex integration with the application. In this paper we propose Legio, a framework that introduces fault resiliency in embarrassingly parallel MPI applications. Legio exposes its features to the application transparently, removing any integration difficulty. After a fault, the execution continues only with the non-failed processes. We also propose a hierarchical alternative, which features lower repair costs on large communicators. We evaluated our solutions on the Marconi100 cluster at CINECA with benchmarks and real-world applications, showing that the overhead introduced by the library is negligible and it does not limit the scalability properties of MPI.
The impact of sediment, fresh and marine water on the concentration of chemical elements in water of the ice-covered lagoon
Authors: Bełdowska Magdalena , Jędruch Agnieszka , Sieńska Dorota , Chwiałkowski Wojciech , Magnuszewski Artur , Kornijów Ryszard
Published: June 2021

The common use of chemical elements by man has been contributing to their extraction for centuries. As a consequence, they have been directly or indirectly introduced into the biogeochemical cycle. In the framework of many conventions, mining and processing of elements are currently subject to many restrictions. However, their large load that has already been deposited in the soil and bottom sediments can be remobilised and enter the food chain. The identification of factors favouring this process is very important, especially during the period of adopting new legal regulations on limiting the emission of pollutants. It became possible in February 2018 during the persistence of ice cover on the lagoon’s surface. This allowed observation of processes, the effect of which in the absence of ice is blurred by wind mixing water. Therefore, an investigation of sources of 25 elements in a lagoon of the southern Baltic has been undertaken, based on the example of the Vistula Lagoon. The results point to the remobilisation of chemical elements (including the toxic ones) from land and bottom sediments, where they have been deposited for decades. These processes led to the accumulation of metals in certain areas of the lagoon. It may result in their uptake and accumulation in the benthic organisms inhabiting the lagoon and further transfer in the food chain. It is of major importance as the lagoons in the southern Baltic fulfil many essential functions in the scope of tourism, economy, and fishery. Thanks to restrictions on the quality of wastewater and the emission of pollutants, it has been noticed a substantial “purifying” effect of rivers, too.
Evaluating the Effects of Opioid Prescribing Policies on Patient Outcomes in a Safety-net Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Rowe Christopher L. , Eagen Kellene , Ahern Jennifer , Faul Mark , Hubbard Alan , Coffin Phillip
Published: June 2021

Background

After decades of liberal opioid prescribing, multiple efforts have been made to reduce reliance upon opioids in clinical care. Little is known about the effects of opioid prescribing policies on outcomes beyond opioid prescribing.

Objective

To evaluate the combined effects of multiple opioid prescribing policies implemented in a safety-net primary care clinic in San Francisco, CA, in 2013–2014.

Design

Retrospective cohort study and conditional difference-in-differences analysis of nonrandomized clinic-level policies.

Patients

273 patients prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in 2013 at either the treated (n=151) or control clinic (n=122) recruited and interviewed in 2017–2018.

Interventions

Policies establishing standard protocols for dispensing opioid refills and conducting urine toxicology testing, and a new committee facilitating opioid treatment decisions for complex patient cases.

Main Measures

Opioid prescription (active prescription, mean dose in morphine milligram equivalents [MME]) from electronic medical charts, and heroin and opioid analgesics not prescribed to the patient (any use, use frequency) from a retrospective interview.

Key Results

The interventions were associated with a reduction in mean prescribed opioid dose in the first three post-policy years (year 1 conditional difference-in-differences estimate: −52.0 MME [95% confidence interval: −109.9, −10.6]; year 2: −106.2 MME [−195.0, −34.6]; year 3: −98.6 MME [−198.7, −23.9]; year 4: −72.6 MME [−160.4, 3.6]). Estimates suggest a possible positive association between the interventions and non-prescribed opioid analgesic use (year 3: 5.2 absolute percentage points [−0.1, 11.2]) and use frequency (year 3: 0.21 ordinal frequency scale points [0.00, 0.47]) in the third post-policy year.

Conclusions

Clinic-level opioid prescribing policies were associated with reduced dose, although the control clinic achieved similar reductions by the fourth post-policy year, and the policies may have been associated with increased non-prescribed opioid analgesic use. Clinicians should balance the urgency to reduce opioid prescribing with potential harms from rapid change.
Maternal mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China
Authors: Wei Zhuang , Gao Ming-Yue , Fewtrell Mary , Wells Jonathan , Yu Jin-Yue
Published: June 2021

Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on breastfeeding women and to identify predictors of maternal mental health and coping.

Methods

Mothers aged ≥ 18 years with a breast-fed infant ≤ 18 months of age during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China, completed a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis of lockdown consequences was performed and predictors of these outcomes were examined using stepwise linear regression.

Results

Of 2233 participants, 29.9%, 20.0% and 34.7% felt down, lonely, and worried, respectively, during the lockdown; however, 85.3% felt able to cope. Poorer maternal mental health was predicted by maternal (younger age, higher education) and infant (older age, lower gestation) characteristics, and social circumstances (husband unemployed or working from home, receiving advice from family, having enough space for the baby, living close to a park or green space). Conversely, better maternal mental health was predicted by higher income, employment requiring higher qualifications, more personal space at home, shopping or walking > once/week and lack of impact of COVID-19 on job or income. Mothers with higher education, more bedrooms, fair division of household chores and attending an online mother and baby group > once/week reported better coping.

Conclusion

The findings highlight maternal characteristics and circumstances that predict poorer mental health and reduced coping which could be used to target interventions in any future public health emergencies requiring social restrictions.
Deterministic global optimization with Gaussian processes embedded
Authors: Schweidtmann Artur M. , Bongartz Dominik , Grothe Daniel , Kerkenhoff Tim , Lin Xiaopeng , Najman Jaromił , Mitsos Alexander
Published: June 2021

Gaussian processes (Kriging) are interpolating data-driven models that are frequently applied in various disciplines. Often, Gaussian processes are trained on datasets and are subsequently embedded as surrogate models in optimization problems. These optimization problems are nonconvex and global optimization is desired. However, previous literature observed computational burdens limiting deterministic global optimization to Gaussian processes trained on few data points. We propose a reduced-space formulation for deterministic global optimization with trained Gaussian processes embedded. For optimization, the branch-and-bound solver branches only on the free variables and McCormick relaxations are propagated through explicit Gaussian process models. The approach also leads to significantly smaller and computationally cheaper subproblems for lower and upper bounding. To further accelerate convergence, we derive envelopes of common covariance functions for GPs and tight relaxations of acquisition functions used in Bayesian optimization including expected improvement, probability of improvement, and lower confidence bound. In total, we reduce computational time by orders of magnitude compared to state-of-the-art methods, thus overcoming previous computational burdens. We demonstrate the performance and scaling of the proposed method and apply it to Bayesian optimization with global optimization of the acquisition function and chance-constrained programming. The Gaussian process models, acquisition functions, and training scripts are available open-source within the “MeLOn—MachineLearning Models for Optimization” toolbox (https://git.rwth-aachen.de/avt.svt/public/MeLOn).
Intratumoral gene expression of dihydrofolate reductase and folylpoly-c-glutamate synthetase affects the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sakon Kayo , Sasaki Masato , Tanaka Kaede , Mizunaga Tae , Yano Keita , Kawamura Yuuko , Okada Akitoshi , Ikeda Takeshi , Tanabe Sawaka , Takamori Atsushi , Yamada Narihisa , Morioka Kouichi , Koshiji Takaaki
Published: June 2021

Background

Various factors related to the sensitivity of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have been reported, and some of them have been clinically applied. In this single-institutional prospective analysis, the mRNA expression level of five folic acid-associated enzymes was evaluated in surgical specimens of NSCLC. We investigated the correlation between the antitumor effect of 5-FU in NSCLC using an anticancer drug sensitivity test and the gene expression levels of five enzymes.

Materials and methods

Forty patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC were enrolled, and the antitumor effect was measured using an in vitro anticancer drug sensitivity test (histoculture drug response assay) using freshly resected specimens. In the same sample, the mRNA expression levels of five enzymes involved in the sensitivity to 5-FU were measured in the tumor using real-time PCR. The expression levels and the result of the sensitivity test were compared.

Results

No correlation was found between dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT), or DPD/OPRT expression and the antitumor effects of 5-FU. On the other hand, a correlation was found between thymidylate synthase (TS), folylpoly-c-glutamate synthetase (FPGS), and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression and 5-FU sensitivity.

Conclusion

Expression of FPGS and DHFR may be useful for predicting the efficacy of 5-FU-based chemotherapy for NSCLC.
Improved Process Monitoring Scheme Using Multi-Scale Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Kini K Ramakrishna , Madakyaru Muddu
Published: June 2021

The task of fault detection is crucial in modern chemical industries for improved product quality and process safety. In this regard, data-driven fault detection (FD) strategy based on independent component analysis (ICA) has gained attention since it improves monitoring by capturing non-gaussian features in the process data. However, presence of measurement noise in the process data degrades performance of the FD strategy since the noise masks important information. To enhance the monitoring under noisy environment, wavelet-based multi-scale filtering is integrated with the ICA model to yield a novel multi-scale Independent component analysis (MSICA) FD strategy. One of the challenges in multi-scale ICA modeling is to choose the optimum decomposition depth. A novel scheme based on ICA model parameter estimation at each depth is proposed in this paper to achieve this. The effectiveness of the proposed MSICA-based FD strategy is illustrated through three case studies, namely: dynamic multi-variate process, quadruple tank process and distillation column process. In each case study, the performance of the MSICA FD strategy is assessed for different noise levels by comparing it with the conventional FD strategies. The results indicate that the proposed MSICA FD strategy can enhance performance for higher levels of noise in the data since multi-scale wavelet-based filtering is able to de-noise and capture efficient information from noisy process data.