bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in high tibial osteotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Jimin , Lu Hanli , Chen Xinxing , Wang Dasai , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2021

Objective

The present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the application of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Methods

PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for relevant literature from inception until 1 February 2021. A combined searching strategy of subject words and random words was adopted. After testing for potential publication bias and/or heterogeneity, we aggregated variables by using the random-effect model. The primary comparison outcome measures were total blood loss, hemoglobin decrease, drain output, wound complications, thrombotic events, and blood transfusion rate of the TXA group versus control. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

A total of 5 studies were included involving 532 patients. The results showed that there were significant differences in the two groups concerning total blood loss (95% confidence interval [CI] − 332.74 to − 146.46, P < 0.00001), hemoglobin decrease on postoperative day (POD) 1, 2, and 5 (POD 1 95% CI − 1.34 to − 0.63, P < 0.00001; POD 2 95% CI − 1.07 to − 0.68, P < 0.00001; POD 5 95% CI − 1.46 to − 0.84, P < 0.00001), drain output (POD total 95% CI − 195.86 to − 69.41, P < 0.00001) and wound complications (RR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.97, P = 0.04). Nonsignificant differences were found in the incidence of thromboembolic events (RR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.41, P = 0.36) and blood transfusion rate (RR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.27, P = 0.22).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis of the available evidence demonstrated that TXA could reduce total blood loss, hemoglobin decrease, drain output, and wound complications without increasing the incidence of thromboembolic events in patients undergoing HTO. But there is no obvious evidence that TXA could reduce blood transfusion rates. Further studies, including more large-scale and well-designed randomized controlled trials, are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety issues of routine TXA use in HTO patients.
Factors contributing to emotional distress in Sierra Leone: a socio-ecological analysis
Authors: Horn Rebecca , Arakelyan Stella , Wurie Haja , Ager Alastair
Published: June 2021

Background

There is increasing global evidence that mental health is strongly determined by social, economic and environmental factors, and that strategic action in these areas has considerable potential for improving mental health and preventing and alleviating mental disorders. Prevention and promotion activities in mental health must address the needs prioritised by local actors. The aim of this study was to identify stressors with the potential to influence emotional wellbeing and distress within the general population of Sierra Leone, in order to contribute to an inter-sectoral public mental health approach to improving mental health within the country.

Methodology

Respondents were a convenience sample of 153 respondents (60 women, 93 men) from five districts of Sierra Leone. Using freelisting methodology, respondents were asked to respond to the open question ‘What kind of problems do women/men have in your community?’. Data analysis involved consolidation of elicited problems into a single list. These were then organised thematically using an adaptation of the socio-ecological model, facilitating exploration of the interactions between problems at individual, family, community and societal levels

Results

Overall, respondents located problems predominantly at community and societal levels. Although few respondents identified individual-level issues, they frequently described how problems at other levels contributed to physical health difficulties and emotional distress. Women identified significantly more problems at the family level than men, particularly related to relationships with an intimate partner. Men identified significantly more problems at the societal level than women, primarily related to lack of infrastructure. Men and women were equally focused on problems related to poverty and lack of income generating opportunities.

Conclusion

Poverty and inability to earn an income underpinned many of the problems described at individual, family and community level. Actions to address livelihoods, together with improving infrastructure and addressing gender norms which are harmful to both men and women, are likely key to improving the wellbeing of the Sierra Leone population.
Development of a rapid and sensitive immunochromatographic strip based on EuNPs-ES fluorescent probe for the detection of early Trichinella spiralis-specific IgG antibody in pigs
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Tang Bin , Zhao Ying , Ding Jing , Wang Nan , Liu Yan , Dong Zijian , Sun Xiangdong , Xu Quangang , Liu Mingyuan , Liu Xiaolei
Published: June 2021

Trichinellosis, which is caused by nematodes of the genusTrichinella, is one of the most important zoonotic parasite diseases in the world. A rapid and sensitive immunochromatographic strip (ICS) based on Eu (III) nanoparticles (EuNPs) was developed for the detection ofTrichinella spiralis(T. spiralis) infection in pigs.T. spiralismuscle larvae excretory secretory or preadult worm excretory secretory (ML-ES or PAW-ES) antigens were conjugated with EuNPs probes to captureT. spiralis-specific antibodies in pig sera, after which the complex bound to mouse anti-pig IgG deposited on the test line (T-line), producing a fluorescent signal. In the pigs infected with 100, 1000 and 10 000 ML, seroconversion was first detectable for the EuNPs-ML-ES ICS at 30, 25 and 21 days post-infection (dpi) and for the EuNPs-PAW-ES ICS at 25, 21 and 17 dpi. These results show that EuNPs-PAW-ES ICS detects anti-TrichinellaIgG in pigs 4–5 days earlier that test using ML-ES antigens. Our ICS have no cross reaction with other parasite infection sera. Furthermore, the detection process could be completed in 10 min. This study indicated that our ICS can be used for the detection of the circulating antibodies in earlyT. spiralisinfection and provide a novel method for on-site detection ofT. spiralisinfection in pigs.
New fragmented electro-active biofilm (FAB) reactor to increase anode surface area and performance of microbial fuel cell
Authors: Atnafu Tesfalem , Leta Seyoum
Published: June 2021

Background

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is a promising sustainable future energy source with a renewable and abundant substrate. MFC critical drawbacks are anode surface area limitations and electrochemical loss. Recent studies recommend thick anode biofilm growth due to the synergetic effect between microbial communities. Engineering the anode surface area is the prospect of MFC. In this study, a microbial electrode jacket dish (MEJ-dish) was invented, first time to the authors’ knowledge, to support MFC anode biofilm growth. The MFC reactor with MEJ-dish was hypothesized to develop a variable biofilm thickens. This reactor is called a fragmented electro-active biofilm-microbial fuel cell (FAB-MFC). It was optimized for pH and MEJ-dish types and tested at a bench-scale.

Results

Fragmented (thick and thin) anode biofilms were observed in FAB-MFC but not in MFC. During the first five days and pH 7.5, maximum voltage (0.87 V) was recorded in MFC than FAB-MFC; however, when the age of the reactor increases, all the FAB-MFC gains momentum. It depends on the MEJ-dish type that determines the junction nature between the anode and MEJ-dish. At alkaline pH 8.5, the FAB-MFC generates a lower voltage relative to MFC. On the contrary, the COD removal was improved regardless of pH variation (6.5–8.5) and MEJ-dish type. The bench-scale studies support the optimization findings. Overall, the FAB improves the Coulombic efficiency by 7.4–9.6 % relative to MFC. It might be recommendable to use both FAB and non-FAB in a single MFC reactor to address the contradictory effect of increasing COD removal associated with the lower voltage at higher pH.

Conclusions

This study showed the overall voltage generated was significantly higher in FAB-MFC than MFC within limited pH (6.5–7.5); relatively, COD removal was enhanced within a broader pH range (6.5–8.5). It supports the conclusion that FAB anode biofilms were vital for COD removal, and there might be a mutualism even though not participated in voltage generation. FAB could provide a new flexible technique to manage the anode surface area and biofilm thickness by adjusting the MEJ-dish size. Future studies may need to consider the number, size, and conductor MEJ-dish per electrode.
Mass spectrometry imaging of L-[ring-13C6]-labeled phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics in non-small cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Cao Jianhua , Balluff Benjamin , Arts Martijn , Dubois Ludwig J. , van Loon Luc J. C. , Hackeng Tilman M. , van Eijk Hans M. H. , Eijkel Gert , Heij Lara R. , Soons Zita , Olde Damink Steven W. M. , Heeren Ron M. A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Metabolic reprogramming is a common phenomenon in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Amino acids are important mediators in cancer metabolism, and their kinetics in tumor tissue are far from being understood completely. Mass spectrometry imaging is capable to spatiotemporally trace important endogenous metabolites in biological tissue specimens. In this research, we studied L-[ring-13C6]-labeled phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics in a human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) xenografted mouse model using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-FTICR-MSI).

Methods

We investigated the L-[ring-13C6]-Phenylalanine (13C6-Phe) and L-[ring-13C6]-Tyrosine (13C6-Tyr) kinetics at 10 min (n = 4), 30 min (n = 3), and 60 min (n = 4) after tracer injection and sham-treated group (n = 3) at 10 min in mouse-xenograft lung tumor tissues by MALDI-FTICR-MSI.

Results

The dynamic changes in the spatial distributions of 19 out of 20 standard amino acids are observed in the tumor tissue. The highest abundance of 13C6-Phe was detected in tumor tissue at 10 min after tracer injection and decreased progressively over time. The overall enrichment of 13C6-Tyr showed a delayed temporal trend compared to 13C6-Phe in tumor caused by the Phe-to-Tyr conversion process. Specifically, 13C6-Phe and 13C6-Tyr showed higher abundances in viable tumor regions compared to non-viable regions.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the spatiotemporal intra-tumoral distribution of the essential aromatic amino acid 13C6-Phe and its de-novo synthesized metabolite 13C6-Tyr by MALDI-FTICR-MSI. Our results explore for the first time local phenylalanine metabolism in the context of cancer tissue morphology. This opens a new way to understand amino acid metabolism within the tumor and its microenvironment.
A cross-sectional survey on community pharmacists readiness to fight COVID-19 in a developing country: knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanon
Authors: Zeenny Rony M. , Dimassi Ahmad , Sacre Hala , El Khoury Ghada , Hajj Aline , Farah Rita , Hajj Hind , Lahoud Nathalie , Akel Marwan , Hallit Souheil , Salameh Pascale
Published: June 2021

Background

Lebanon, a developing Middle Eastern country, was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred amid a severe national economic crisis. Community pharmacists are responsible for dispensing appropriate medications and products in addition to counseling, informing and educating the public, and promoting disease prevention and infection control.

Objective

This study aimed to assess community pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate behavior changes and safety measures.

Methods

An anonymous and standardized online questionnaire in English was disseminated via social media platforms to Lebanese community pharmacists. The questionnaire consisted of 95 items designed as Likert-scales and multiple-choice questions divided into four different sections: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge-based, attitude-based, and pharmacy practice questions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the demographic characteristics, and indices were created for knowledge, attitude, and practice by computing the correct answers for each section.

Results

A total of 310 questionnaires were completed. Around 61% have expressed their fear of getting infected with COVID-19 due to occupational exposure. The respondents were able to answer 80–90% of the knowledge-based questions of the survey. A more careful/anxious attitude, but not knowledge, was associated with overall better practice (p = 0.03). Also, respondents stated that they are dispensing protective equipment items such as masks (87%), gloves (60%), and sanitizers (77%) in small quantities due to limited availability.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed an adequate level of knowledge and good practice towards COVID-19 among Lebanese community pharmacists. Their fears of contracting the virus and compromising the safety of those around them are justified. However, their supply of protective equipment is limited.
Towards planning of osteotomy around the knee with quantitative inclusion of the adduction moment: a biomechanical approach
Authors: Biehl Margit , Damm Philipp , Trepczynski Adam , Preiss Stefan , Salzmann Gian Max
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Despite practised for decades, the planning of osteotomy around the knee, commonly using the Mikulicz-Line, is only empirically based, clinical outcome inconsistent and the target angle still controversial. A better target than the angle of frontal-plane static leg alignment might be the external frontal-plane lever arm (EFL) of the knee adduction moment. Hypothetically assessable from frontal-plane-radiograph skeleton dimensions, it might depend on the leg-alignment angle, the hip-centre-to-hip-centre distance, the femur- and tibia-length.

Methods

The target EFL to achieve a medial compartment force ratio of 50% during level-walking was identified by relating in-vivo-measurement data of knee-internal loads from nine subjects with instrumented prostheses to the same subjects’ EFLs computed from frontal-plane skeleton dimensions. Adduction moments derived from these calculated EFLs were compared to the subjects’ adduction moments measured during gait analysis.

Results

Highly significant relationships (0.88 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.90) were found for both the peak adduction moment measured during gait analysis and the medial compartment force ratio measured in vivo to EFL calculated from frontal-plane skeleton dimensions. Both correlations exceed the respective correlations with the leg alignment angle, EFL even predicts the adduction moment’s first peak. The guideline EFL for planning osteotomy was identified to 0.349 times the epicondyle distance, hence deducing formulas for individualized target angles and Mikulicz-Line positions based on full-leg radiograph skeleton dimensions. Applied to realistic skeleton geometries, widespread results explain the inconsistency regarding correction recommendations, whereas results for average geometries exactly meet the most-consented “Fujisawa-Point”.

Conclusion

Osteotomy outcome might be improved by planning re-alignment based on the provided formulas exploiting full-leg-radiograph skeleton dimensions.
Automated Self-Administered 24-H Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) recalls for parent proxy-reporting of children’s intake (> 4 years of age): a feasibility study
Authors: Sharpe Isobel , Kirkpatrick Sharon I. , Smith Brendan T. , Keown-Stoneman Charles D. G. , Omand Jessica , Vanderhout Shelley , Maguire Jonathon L. , Birken Catherine S. , Anderson Laura N. ,   on behalf of the TARGet Kids! collaboration
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background

Robust measurement of dietary intake in population studies of children is critical to better understand the diet–health nexus. It is unknown whether parent proxy-report of children’s dietary intake through online 24-h recalls is feasible in large cohort studies.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to describe the feasibility of the Automated Self-Administered 24-h Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) to measure parent proxy-reported child dietary intake. A secondary objective was to compare intake estimates with those from national surveillance.

Methods

Parents of children aged 4–15 years participating in the TARGet Kids! research network in Toronto, Canada were invited by email to complete an online ASA24-Canada-2016 recall for their child, with a subsample prompted to complete a second recall about 2 weeks later. Descriptive statistics were reported for ASA24 completion characteristics and intake of several nutrients. Comparisons were made to the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 24-h recall data.

Results

A total of 163 parents completed the first recall, and 46 completed the second, reflecting response rates of 35% and 59%, respectively. Seven (4%) first recalls and one (2%) second recall were excluded for ineligibility, missing data, or inadvertent parental self-report. The median number of foods reported on the first recall was 18.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 6.0) and median time to complete was 29.5 min (IQR 17.0). Nutrient intakes for energy, total fat, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sodium, total sugars, and added sugars were similar across the two recalls and the CCHS.

Conclusions

The ASA24 was found to be feasible for parent proxy-reporting of children’s intake and to yield intake estimates comparable to those from national surveillance, but strategies are needed to increase response rate and support completion to enhance generalizability.
Effect of sequentially fed high protein, hydrolyzed protein, and high fiber diets on the fecal microbiota of healthy dogs: a cross-over study
Authors: Martínez-López Lina María , Pepper Amy , Pilla Rachel , Woodward Andrew P. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Mansfield Caroline
Published: June 2021

Background

Dietary content and environmental factors can shape the gut microbiota, and consequently, the way the gut microbiota metabolizes fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, affecting overall health of the host. We evaluated the impact of 3 diets (all meat [raw], high-insoluble fiber dry extruded diet and hydrolyzed protein dry extruded diet) on the gut microbiota of healthy dogs in a cross-over sequential study.

Results

We showed that diet can have an effect on the gut microbiome in dogs, which was influenced by the order of feeding. High-protein (all meat) diets were characterized by an increase in bacteria belonging to the Fusobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla, whereas a high-insoluble fiber commercial diet correlated with increases in Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla. However, the individual dog’s baseline microbiota had the most impact on the magnitude and nature of the changes in response to dietary intervention.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the dog fecal microbiota is driven by protein and fiber composition to different degrees in individual animals, and targeted modification of these patterns could be useful in the modulation of the gut microbiota in different diseases.
Responsiveness to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Is Associated With a Peripheral Blood T-Cell Signature in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Simnica Donjete , Smits Minke , Willscher Edith , Fanchi Lorenzo F. , Kloots Iris S.H. , van Oort Inge , Gerritsen Winald , Mehra Niven , Binder Mascha
Published: June 2021

PURPOSE

Although most patients with microsatellite instable (MSI) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), only a small subset of patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors have similar benefit. Biomarkers defining ICB-susceptible subsets of patients with MSS mCRPC are urgently needed.

METHODS

Using next-generation T-cell repertoire sequencing, we explored immune signatures in 54 patients with MSS and MSI mCRPC who were treated with or without ICB. We defined subset-specific immune metrics as well as T-cell clusters and correlated the signatures with treatment benefit.

RESULTS

Consistent overlaps between tumor and peripheral T-cell repertoires suggested that blood was an informative material to identify relevant T-cell signatures. We found considerably higher blood T-cell richness and diversity and more shared T-cell clusters with low generation probability (pGen) in MSI versus MSS mCRPC, potentially reflecting more complex T-cell responses because of a greater neoepitope load in the MSI subset. Interestingly, patients with MSS mCRPC with shared low pGen T-cell clusters showed significantly better outcomes with ICB, but not with other treatments, compared with patients without such clusters. Blood clearance of T-cell clusters on ICB treatment initiation seemed to be compatible with T-cell migration to the primary tumor or metastatic sites during the process of clonal replacement as described for other tumors receiving ICB.

CONCLUSION

The MSI mCRPC subset shows a distinct T-cell signature that can be detected in blood. This signature points to immune parameters that could help identify a subset of patients with MSS mCRPC who may have an increased likelihood of responding to ICB or to combination approaches including ICB.
Counting Frequency
Authors: Smith Christen A.
Published: June 2021

Examining Black women's experiences with policing, this article argues that police terror is not predicated upon gender; rather, it enacts gender by undoing gender. Thus, it requires a new arithmetic of time and space in order to read beyond normative, hypermasculine narratives of police violence. While the dominant discourse of race and policing asserts that police terror disproportionately affects Black men, the frequency of Black women's experiences with police terror attunes to a lingering yet deadly impact beyond the linear, Cartesian dimensions of body counting, a frequency the article terms sequelae. Policing stretches and bends time and space as part of its (un)gendering practice. Through a brief survey of cases in Brazil and the United States, this article considers sequelae as a new arithmetic for calculating the multiple frequencies of police terror against Black women. Specifically, the article examines the case of Luana Barbosa dos Reis, a Black lesbian mother who was beaten to death by police officers in São Paulo in 2016. The article argues that her beating was an act of (un)gendering—a desire to both discipline her as a Black female/mother and erase her potential humanity by denying her desired gender identification (female). In this sense, her death was an act of anti-Black terror “in the wake.” Through a close reading of the police ledger, the police report, and the physical violence she endured, the article argues that her story teaches us the need for a new way of counting the frequency of police terror in relationship to time, space, and the Black female/mother body.
Futures of Life and Futures of Reason
Authors: Mbembe Achille
Published: June 2021

As the new century unfolds, humans are increasingly surrounded by multiple and expanding wave fronts of calculation. What remains of the human subject in an age when instrumental reason is carried out by and through information machines and technologies of calculation? Who will set the boundary that distinguishes between the calculable and the incalculable? In the double-edged conditions of our times, what will it take to turn instruments of calculation into instruments of liberation?
The Return to/of Theory
Authors: Spassova Kamelia
Published: June 2021

In his paper “The Return to Philology,” Paul de Man insists that philology and theory should not be in conflict, but should, rather, mutually enhance one another. This claim that the turn to theory is also a return to philology is explored in the context of the structure of language. In the last twenty to twenty-five years, the return to philology has been a dominant part of the Anglo-Saxon discourse of “world literature,” which has turned away from theory. The return to philology is captured in a market-based adaptation of literature in terms of globalization, transnationalism, and translation. In his latest book The Birth and Death of Literary Theory (2019), Galin Tihanov recalls the legacy of classical literary theory and propounds the contemporary discourse of world literature as an unreflected continuation of this legacy as it was articulated in Viktor Shklovsky’s and Mikhail Bakhtin’s approaches to literature beyond language. Turning this legacy on its head, this essay focuses, rather, on language in literature. In a short-circuiting way, Roman Jakobson’s linguistics and poetics and Erich Auerbach’s nonnational-based philology can be seen as surprisingly close to one another.
Exilic Inscriptions
Authors: Tihanov Galin
Published: June 2021

This essay reflects the author’s interest in understanding the reasons for the growing resistance to theory witnessed over the last couple of decades. The first part attempts to demonstrate that literature and literary theory have been involved in complex dialectical moves between autonomy and heteronomy. The second part focuses on the role of exile in the production and negation of theory; two case studies examine both the potency of theory in exile and the constraints imposed on it. At stake here is gaining insight, through this focus on exile, into the impurity of theory, its pragmatic enmeshments and instability. The author then turns to reflect on the reasons for the current resistance to theory, emphasizing the significant role migration has recently played, as part of a wider constellation of factors, in this process. The text concludes with an examination of (literary) theory as a specifically Western product that has not necessarily had such an intense hold over other, differently constituted cultural zones.
Yuan-Ming Sanqu Songs as Communal Texts: Discovering Their Literary Vitality from a New Research Perspective
Authors: Ye Ye , Wang Erxin
Published: June 2021

When examining songs in Chinese literature, we can distinguish among literary, musical, and communal aspects of their circulation. Sanqu songs became popular in the form of musical texts in the Yuan and Ming dynasties, but the ci song lyrics, by the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279) if not earlier, had already become a form of communal text in a broad sense. While relying on musical and literary aspects in the early stages of circulation, such ci song lyrics also became increasingly meaningful as social artifacts characterized by diverse forms of usage and participation, and they have been widely appreciated as a “literary-cultural phenomenon” unrelated to music per se. Standard histories of Chinese literature typically interpret the interaction between Song dynasty ci song lyrics and Yuan dynasty sanqu songs and song-drama as a natural evolution of literary forms. To be sure, these histories address the vitality of the musicality and popular nature of such songs while also paying attention to the artistic styles, inherent characters, and originality of sanqu song composition (tige xingfen 體格性分). From such an analysis, however, we know very little about the textual forms and mechanisms of transmission of Yuan-Ming sanqu songs beyond the realm of music and songwriters. In this regard, this article explores whether it was possible for the ci song lyrics, as a literary genre of greater maturity and higher status, albeit divorced from music, to transfer its literary experience to sanqu songs. Such a line of inquiry is also relevant to the study of the survival of various forms of Chinese musical literature beyond their original environments. It also helps us think about the complex relationships between the musical and communal functions of ci song lyrics and sanqu songs.
Have the eyes of bioluminescent scale worms adapted to see their own light? A comparative study of eyes and vision inHarmothoe imbricataandLepidonotus squamatus
Authors: Garm Anders , Simonsen Sidsel H. , Mendoza-González Paula , Worsaae Katrine
Published: June 2021

Annelids constitute a diverse phylum with more than 19,000 species, which exhibit greatly varying morphologies and lifestyles ranging from sessile detritivores to fast swimming active predators. The lifestyle of an animal is closely linked to its sensory systems, not least the visual equipment. Interestingly, many errantian annelid species from different families, such as the scale worms (Polynoidae), have two pairs of eyes on their prostomium. These eyes are typically 100–200 µm in diameter and structurally similar judged from their gross morphology. The polynoids Harmothoe imbricata and Lepidonotus squamatus from the North Atlantic are both benthic predators preying on small invertebrates but only H. imbricata can produce bioluminescence in its scales. Here, we examined the eye morphology, photoreceptor physiology and light-guided behaviour in these two scale worms to assess their visual capacity and visual ecology. The structure and physiology of the two pairs of eyes are remarkably similar within each species, with the only difference being the gaze direction. The photoreceptor physiology, however, differs between species. Both species express a single opsin in their eyes, but in H. imbricata the peak sensitivity is green shifted and the temporal resolution is lower, suggesting that the eyes of H. imbricata are adapted to detect their own bioluminescence. The behavioural experiments showed that both species are strictly night active but yielded no support for the hypothesis that H. imbricata is repelled by its own bioluminescence.
Prognostic Impact of Different Gleason Patterns on Biopsy Within Grade Group 4 Prostate Cancer
Authors: Mori Keiichiro , Sharma Vidit , Comperat Eva M. , Sato Shun , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Schuettfort Victor M. , Pradere Benjamin , Sari Motlagh Reza , Mostafaei Hadi , Quhal Fahad , Kardoust Parizi Mehdi , Abufaraj Mohammad , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Egawa Shin , Tilki Derya , Boorjian Stephen A. , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: June 2021

Background

Grade group (GG) 4 prostate cancer (PC) is considered a single entity; however, there are questions regarding prognostic heterogeneity. This study assessed the prognostic differences among various Gleason scores (GSs) classified as GG 4 PC on biopsy before radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study, and a total of 1791 patients (GS 3 + 5: 190; GS 4 + 4: 1557; and GS 5 + 3: 44) with biopsy GG 4 were included for analysis. Biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with high-risk surgical pathologic features. Cox regression models were used to analyze time-dependent oncologic endpoints.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 75 months, 750 patients (41.9%) experienced BCR, 146 (8.2%) died of any causes, and 57 (3.2%) died of PC. Biopsy GS 5 + 3 was associated with significantly higher rates of GS upgrading in RP specimens than GS 3 + 5 and GS 4 + 4. On multivariable analysis adjusted for clinicopathologic features, different GSs within GG 4 were significantly associated with BCR (p = 0.03) but not PC-specific or all-cause mortality. Study limitations include the lack of central pathological specimen evaluation.

Conclusions

Patients with GG 4 at biopsy exhibited some limited biological and clinical heterogeneity. Specifically, GS 5 + 3 had an increased risk of GS upgrading. This can help individualize patients’ counseling and encourage further study to refine biopsy specimen-based GG classification.
Synthesis and Optical Properties of C,N-Swapped Boranils Derived from Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates
Authors: Matsuura Satsuki , Taguchi Jumpei , Seki Tomohiro , Ito Hajime
Published: June 2021

Novel C,O-chelated bora-heterocycles were synthesized. Reaction of potassium acyltrifluoroborates with tetrahydroquinolin-8-ol furnished C,N-swapped boranils in a single step. All five obtained borates showed photoluminescence in solid state. One of them showed yellow-to-orange reversible mechanochromic luminescence. Further derivatization afforded a B-chiral borate with an O,C,O-tridentate ligand that showed significant thermochromism.
The Theory of Effort Minimization in Physical Activity
Authors: Cheval Boris , Boisgontier Matthieu P.
Published: June 2021

Although the automatic attraction to effort minimization has been evidenced in multiple fields, its potential role in explaining the pandemic of physical inactivity has been overlooked. The theory of effort minimization in physical activity (TEMPA) fills this gap. TEMPA seeks to obtain a more accurate understanding of the neuropsychological determinants of movement-based behaviors.
The impact of Human Papilloma Virus status on the prediction of head and neck cancer chemoradiotherapy outcomes using the pre-treatment apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Connor Steve , Anjari Mustafa , Burd Christian , Guha Amrita , Lei Mary , Guerrero-Urbano Teresa , Pai Irumee , Bassett Paul , Goh Vicky
Published: June 2021

Objective:

To determine the impact of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) status on the prediction of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) chemoradiotherapy (CRT) outcomes with pre-treatment quantitative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI).

Methods:

Following ethical approval, 65 participants (53 male, age 59.9 ± 7.86) underwent pre-treatment DW-MRI in this prospective cohort observational study. There were 46 HPV OPC and 19 other HNSCC cases with Stage III/IV HNSCC. Regions of interest (ROIs) (volume, largest area, core) at the primary tumour (n = 57) and largest pathological node (n = 59) were placed to analyse ADCmean and ADCmin. Unpaired t-test or Mann–Whitney test evaluated the impact of HPV OPC status and clinical parameters on their prediction of post-CRT 2 year locoregional and disease-free survival (LRFS and DFS). Multivariate logistic regression compared significant variables with 2 year outcomes.

Results:

On univariate analysis of all participants, the primary tumour area ADCmean was predictive of 2 year LRFS (p = 0.04). However, only the HPV OPC diagnosis (LFRS p = 0.03; DFS p = 0.02) predicted outcomes on multivariate analysis. None of the pre-treatment ADC values were predictive of 2 year DFS in the HPV OPC subgroup (p = 0.21–0.68). Amongst participants without 2 year disease-free survival, HPV-OPC was found to have much lower primary tumour ADCmean values than other HNSCC.

Conclusion:

Knowledge of HPV OPC status is required in order to determine the impact of the pre-treatment ADC values on post-CRT outcomes in HNSCC.

Advances in knowledge:

Pre-treatment ADCmean and ADCmin values acquired using different ROI methods are not predictive of 2 year survival outcomes in HPV OPC.
Cumulative radiation doses from recurrent PET–CT examinations
Authors: Hosono Makoto , Takenaka Mamoru , Monzen Hajime , Tamura Mikoto , Kudo Masatoshi , Nishimura Yasumasa
Published: June 2021

Positron emission tomography (PET–CT) is an essential imaging modality for the management of various diseases. Increasing numbers of PET–CT examinations are carried out across the world and deliver benefits to patients; however, there are concerns about the cumulative radiation doses from these examinations in patients. Compared to the radiation exposure delivered by CT, there have been few reports on the frequency of patients with a cumulative effective radiation dose of ≥100 mSv from repeated PET–CT examinations. The emerging dose tracking system facilitates surveys on patient cumulative doses by PET–CT because it can easily wrap up exposure doses of PET radiopharmaceuticals and CT. Regardless of the use of a dose tracking system, implementation of justification for PET–CT examinations and utilisation of dose reduction measures are key issues in coping with the cumulative dose in patients. Despite all the advantages of PET/MRI such as eliminating radiation exposure from CT and providing good tissue contrast in MRI, it is expensive and cannot be introduced at every facility; thus, it is still necessary to utilise PET–CT with radiation reduction measures in most clinical situations.
Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) with diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) in prostate cancer: Prevalence and clinical significance of incidental findings
Authors: Kumasaka Soma , Motegi Shunichi , Kumasaka Yuka , Nishikata Tatsuya , Otomo Masami , Tsushima Yoshito
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) is now recommended as a first-line staging modality in prostate cancer patients, and the widespread use of DWIBS may lead to an increased frequency of incidental findings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of incidental findings on whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) with DWIBS.

Methods:

Data from 124 patients with prostate cancer (age, 76.5 ± 5.6 years), who underwent 1.5 T WB-MRI with STIR, TSE-T2, TSE-T1, In/Out GRE, and DWIBS sequences, were retrospectively analyzed. Findings unrelated to prostate cancer were considered as incidental findings and categorized into two groups based on their clinical implications as follows: imaging follow-up or additional examinations was required (significant incidental findings) and no need to additional work-up (non-significant incidental findings). A chi-square test was performed to compare the differences in the prevalence of significant incidental findings based on age (≤75 and>75 years old).

Results:

A total of 334 incidental findings were found with 8.1% (n = 27) as significant incidental findings. Significant incidental findings were more frequent in patients over 75 years old than those of 75 years old or younger (28.6% vs  11.1%, p = 0.018).

Conclusion:

Clinically significant incidental findings, which required imaging follow-up or additional examinations, were commonly observed in prostate cancer patients on WB-MRI/DWIBS.

Advances in knowledge:

Some incidental findings were clinically significant that may lead to changes in treatment strategy. Checking the entire organ carefully for abnormalities and reporting any incidental findings detected are important.
Probing the peripheral immune response in mouse models of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy highlights their limited translatability
Authors: Hore Zoe Lee , Villa-Hernandez Sara , Denk Franziska
Published: June 2021

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a disabling side effect of various chemotherapeutic agents, including oxaliplatin. It is highly prevalent amongst cancer patients, causing sensory abnormalities and pain. Unfortunately, as the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, effective therapeutics are lacking. Neuro-immune interactions have been highlighted as potential contributors to the development and maintenance of CIPN, however, whether this is the case in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is yet to be fully established.

Methods: In this study we used flow cytometry to examine the peripheral immune response of male C57BL/6 mice following both single and repeated oxaliplatin administration. In animals exposed to repeated dosing, we also undertook mechanical and thermal behavioural assays to investigate how oxaliplatin alters phenotype, and conducted RT-qPCR experiments on bone marrow derived macrophages in order to further inspect the effects of oxaliplatin on immune cells.

Results: In contrast to other reports, we failed to observe substantial changes in overall leukocyte, lymphocyte or myeloid cell numbers in dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerves or inguinal lymph nodes. We did however note subtle, tissue-dependant alterations in several myeloid subpopulations following repeated dosing. These included a significant reduction in MHCII antigen presenting cells in the sciatic nerve and an increase in infiltrating cell types into the inguinal lymph nodes. Though repeated oxaliplatin administration had a systemic effect, we were unable to detect a pain-like behavioural phenotype in response to either cold or mechanical stimuli. Consequently, we cannot comment on whether the observed myeloid changes are associated with OIPN.

Conclusions: Our discussion puts these results into the wider context of the field, advocating for greater transparency in reporting, alignment in experimental design and the introduction of more clinically relevant models. Only through joint concerted effort can we hope to increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of CIPN, including any immune contributions.
Taxonomic novelties in Pentaphylacaceae: Four new species of Ternstroemia from Brazil
Authors:   Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP/IBILCE), Vieira Jaqueline A. , Silveira Daniela S. ,   Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP/IBILCE),, Jordão Valner M.M. ,   Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP/IBILCE),, Soares-Silva João Paulo ,   Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
Published: June 2021

Pentaphylacaceae (Ericales) comprise 14 genera and ca. 510 species distributed in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. In Brazil, the family is represented by two genera (i.e., Freziera and Ternstroemia) with 21 species, after the inclusion of the four new species described here. Ternstroemia bahiensis is endemic to the Caatinga domain, T. rupestris is endemic to the Atlantic Forest-Cerrado transition, while T. megaphylla and T. longipetiolata are endemic to the Amazon Forest domain. Morphological descriptions and comments on habitat, distribution, conservation, phenology, and taxonomy affinities are presented for all the new species, plus line drawings, distribution map, and an identification key to all Ternstroemia species from Brazil.
Stimulated Rayleigh–Bragg scattering study in a two-photon absorbing liquid and a solid
Authors: He Guang S. , Kannan Ramamurthi , Yu Zhenning , Tan Loon-Seng , Prasad Paras N.
Published: June 2021

Stimulated Rayleigh–Bragg scattering (SRBS) in highly two-photon active
chromophores’ solutions and in a doped polymer rod has been
investigated. Under optimized experimental conditions, the energy
conversion efficiency from the input 816-nm and

∼

10

-

n
s

pump pulses to the backward SRBS
pulses was up to

η
=
58
%

in the solution of AF450 chromophore
in methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid of 0.001 M concentration, while
for the AF450 doped poly(methyl methacrylate) rod of the same
concentration the measured value was only

η
=
0.16
%

. Considering that the two-photon
absorption properties of the chromophore molecules are basically the
same in both cases, the above-mentioned results strongly suggested
that the formation of the induced Bragg grating in a solution is
mainly due to spatial redistribution of the dopant molecules driven by
two-photon resonance enhanced gradient force. In contrast, the same
dopant molecules are “frozen” in a solid matrix which prohibits the
spatial redistribution of these molecules from forming an effective
Bragg grating. Based on the high efficiency of backward SRBS
generation as well as the coexisting two-photon absorption, the
intense input laser beam will undergo a much stronger nonlinear
attenuation. For the tested AF450/MMA solution sample of 0.004 M
concentration, when the input laser pulse energy changed from 0.06 mJ
to 3.7 mJ, the measured nonlinear transmissivity decreased from 0.82
to 0.11, showing a superior nonlinear attenuation performance with
regard to the input pump laser beam.
Anomalous spatial coherence changes in radiation and scattering
Authors: Wadood S. A. , Schouten H. F. , Fischer D. G. , Visser T. D. , Vamivakas A. N.
Published: June 2021

The superposition of two partially correlated waves is shown to produce fields with drastically altered coherence properties. It is demonstrated, both theoretically and experimentally, that two strongly correlated sources may generate a field with practically zero correlation between certain pairs of points. This anomalous change in coherence is a general phenomenon that takes place in all cases of wave superposition, including Mie scattering, as is shown. Our results are particularly relevant to applications in which it is assumed that highly coherent radiation maintains its spatial coherence on propagation, such as optical systems design and the imaging of extended sources.
Mass spectrometry and machine learning for the accurate diagnosis of benzylpenicillin and multidrug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in bovine mastitis
Authors: Esener Necati , Maciel-Guerra Alexandre , Giebel Katharina , Lea Daniel , Green Martin J. , Bradley Andrew J. , Dottorini Tania
Published: June 2021

Staphylococcus aureusis a serious human and animal pathogen threat exhibiting extraordinary capacity for acquiring new antibiotic resistance traits in the pathogen population worldwide.

The development of fast, affordable and effective diagnostic solutions capable of discriminating between antibiotic-resistant and susceptibleS.aureusstrains would be of huge benefit for effective disease detection and treatment. Here we develop a diagnostics solution that uses Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and machine learning, to identify signature profiles of antibiotic resistance to either multidrug or benzylpenicillin inS.aureusisolates. Using ten different supervised learning techniques, we have analysed a set of 82S.aureusisolates collected from 67 cows diagnosed with bovine mastitis across 24 farms. For the multidrug phenotyping analysis, LDA, linear SVM, RBF SVM, logistic regression, naïve Bayes, MLP neural network and QDA had Cohen’s kappa values over 85.00%. For the benzylpenicillin phenotyping analysis, RBF SVM, MLP neural network, naïve Bayes, logistic regression, linear SVM, QDA, LDA, and random forests had Cohen’s kappa values over 85.00%. For the benzylpenicillin the diagnostic systems achieved up to (mean result ± standard deviation over 30 runs on the test set): accuracy = 97.54% ± 1.91%, sensitivity = 99.93% ± 0.25%, specificity = 95.04% ± 3.83%, and Cohen’s kappa = 95.04% ± 3.83%. Moreover, the diagnostic platform complemented by a protein-protein network and 3D structural protein information framework allowed the identification of five molecular determinants underlying the susceptible and resistant profiles. Four proteins were able to classify multidrug-resistant and susceptible strains with 96.81% ± 0.43% accuracy. Five proteins, including the previous four, were able to classify benzylpenicillin resistant and susceptible strains with 97.54% ± 1.91% accuracy. Our approach may open up new avenues for the development of a fast, affordable and effective day-to-day diagnostic solution, which would offer new opportunities for targeting resistant bacteria.
DYF-4 regulates patched-related/DAF-6-mediated sensory compartment formation in C. elegans
Authors: Hong Hui , Chen Huicheng , Zhang Yuxia , Wu Zhimao , Zhang Yingying , Zhang Yingyi , Hu Zeng , Zhang Jian V. , Ling Kun , Hu Jinghua , Wei Qing
Published: June 2021

Coordination of neurite extension with surrounding glia development is critical for neuronal function, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Through a genome-wide mutagenesis screen in C. elegans, we identified dyf-4 and daf-6 as two mutants sharing similar defects in dendrite extension. DAF-6 encodes a glia-specific patched-related membrane protein that plays vital roles in glial morphogenesis. We cloned dyf-4 and found that DYF-4 encodes a glia-secreted protein. Further investigations revealed that DYF-4 interacts with DAF-6 and functions in a same pathway as DAF-6 to regulate sensory compartment formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that reported glial suppressors of daf-6 could also restore dendrite elongation and ciliogenesis in both dyf-4 and daf-6 mutants. Collectively, our data reveal that DYF-4 is a regulator for DAF-6 which promotes the proper formation of the glial channel and indirectly affects neurite extension and ciliogenesis.