bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole‐Abdomen Metabolic Imaging of Healthy Volunteers Using Hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate MRI
Authors: Lee Philip M. , Chen Hsin‐Yu , Gordon Jeremy W. , Wang Zhen J. , Bok Robert , Hashoian Ralph , Kim Yaewon , Liu Xiaoxi , Nickles Tanner , Cheung Kiersten , Alas Francesca De Las , Daniel Heather , Larson Peder E. Z. , von Morze Cornelius , Vigneron Daniel B. , Ohliger Michael A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Hyperpolarized 13C MRI quantitatively measures enzyme‐catalyzed metabolism in cancer and metabolic diseases. Whole‐abdomen imaging will permit dynamic metabolic imaging of several abdominal organs simultaneously in healthy and diseased subjects.

Purpose

Image hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate and products in the abdomens of healthy volunteers, overcoming challenges of motion, magnetic field variations, and spatial coverage. Compare hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate metabolism across abdominal organs of healthy volunteers.

Study Type

Prospective technical development.

Subjects

A total of 13 healthy volunteers (8 male), 21–64 years (median 36).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T. Proton: T1‐weighted spoiled gradient echo, T2‐weighted single‐shot fast spin echo, multiecho fat/water imaging. Carbon‐13: echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging, metabolite‐specific echo‐planar imaging.

Assessment

Transmit magnetic field was measured. Variations in main magnetic field (ΔB0) determined using multiecho proton acquisitions were compared to carbon‐13 acquisitions. Changes in ΔB0 were measured after localized shimming. Improvements in metabolite signal‐to‐noise ratio were calculated. Whole‐organ regions of interests were drawn over the liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys by a single investigator. Metabolite signals, time‐to‐peak, decay times, and mean first‐order rate constants for pyruvate‐to‐lactate (kPL) and alanine (kPA) conversion were measured in each organ.

Statistical Tests

Linear regression, one‐sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, paired t‐tests, one‐way ANOVA, Tukey's multiple comparisons tests. P ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

Proton ΔB0 maps correlated with carbon‐13 ΔB0 maps (slope = 0.93, y‐intercept = −2.88, R2 = 0.73). Localized shimming resulted in mean frequency offset within ±25 Hz for all organs. Metabolite SNR significantly increased after denoising. Mean kPL and kPA were highest in liver, followed by pancreas, spleen, and kidneys (all comparisons with liver were significant).

Data Conclusion

Whole‐abdomen coverage with hyperpolarized carbon‐13 MRI was feasible despite technical challenges. Multiecho gradient echo 1H acquisitions accurately predicted chemical shifts observed using carbon‐13 spectroscopy. Carbon‐13 acquisitions benefited from local shimming. Metabolite energetics in the abdomen compiled for healthy volunteers can be used to design larger clinical trials in patients with metabolic diseases.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Noninvasive Assessment of APAP (N‐acetyl‐p‐aminophenol)‐Induced Hepatotoxicity Using Multiple MRI Parameters in an Experimental Rat Model
Authors: Chen Dan , Zhao Xinyan , Xu Hui , Ren Hao , Liu Tianhui , Wang Yu , Yang Dawei , Yang Zhenghan
Published: April 2022

Background

Early detection and accurate assessment of N‐acetyl‐p‐aminophenol (APAP)‐induced hepatotoxicity can prevent further aggravation of liver injury and reduce the incidence of liver failure.

Purpose

To evaluate the potential of multiple MRI parameters for assessing APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity in an experimental rat model.

Study Type

Prospective.

Animal Model

Twenty‐one APAP‐treated rats and 12 control rats.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T, T1 mapping, Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI, and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM).

Assessment

The severity of histological changes was assessed by a liver pathologist. Rat livers were pathologically classified into three groups: normal (n = 12), mild necrosis (n = 13), and moderate necrosis (n = 8). T1 relaxation time (T1) and diffusion parameters were measured. The reduction rate of T1 (ΔT1%) at different time points, the maximum value of ΔT1%, time period to the maximum value of ΔT1%, and time period from ΔT1max (%) to 2/3 value of ΔT1max (%) (ΔT1‐T2/3) were calculated. Transporters activities like organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1 (oatp1) and multidrug resistance‐associated protein 2 (mrp2) were compared among different necrotic groups.

Statistical Tests

ANOVA/Kruskal–Wallis. Pearson/Spearman correlation. P < 0.05 was considered statistical significance.

Results

T1 Precontrast and ΔT1‐T2/3 were strongly correlated with the severity of necrosis (r = 0.9094; r = 0.7978, respectively) and showed significant differences between the two groups. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and tissue diffusivity (D) values were significantly lower in the moderate necrosis group than in the normal and mild necrosis groups. The oatp1 activity of the necrosis groups was significantly reduced compared to that of the normal group, but the differences between normal and mild (P = 0.21), normal and moderate group (P = 0.56) were not significant. Meanwhile, enlargement of bile canaliculi and sparse microvilli was observed in the necrotic groups.

Conclusion

MRI parameters such as precontrast T1 and ΔT1‐T2/3 had promising potential in assessing the severity of early‐stage hepatotoxicity in an APAP overdose rat model.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Using artificial intelligence to improve the diagnostic efficiency of pulmonologists in differentiating COVID‐19 pneumonia from community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: İn Erdal , Geçkil Ayşegül A. , Kavuran Gürkan , Şahin Mahmut , Berber Nurcan K. , Kuluöztürk Mutlu
Published: April 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has quickly turned into a global health problem. Computed tomography (CT) findings of COVID‐19 pneumonia and community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) may be similar. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a popular topic among medical imaging techniques and has caused significant developments in diagnostic techniques. This retrospective study aims to analyze the contribution of AI to the diagnostic performance of pulmonologists in distinguishing COVID‐19 pneumonia from CAP using CT scans. A deep learning‐based AI model was created to be utilized in the detection of COVID‐19, which extracted visual data from volumetric CT scans. The final data set covered a total of 2496 scans (887 patients), which included 1428 (57.2%) from the COVID‐19 group and 1068 (42.8%) from the CAP group. CT slices were classified into training, validation, and test datasets in an 8:1:1. The independent test data set was analyzed by comparing the performance of four pulmonologists in differentiating COVID‐19 pneumonia both with and without the help of the AI. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values of the proposed AI model for determining COVID‐19 in the independent test data set were 93.2%, 85.8%, and 99.3%, respectively, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.984. With the assistance of the AI, the pulmonologists accomplished a higher mean accuracy (88.9% vs. 79.9%, p < 0.001), sensitivity (79.1% vs. 70%, p < 0.001), and specificity (96.5% vs. 87.5%, p < 0.001). AI support significantly increases the diagnostic efficiency of pulmonologists in the diagnosis of COVID‐19 via CT. Studies in the future should focus on real‐time applications of AI to fight the COVID‐19 infection.
Reference Raman spectrum and mapping of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts
Authors: Malyshev Dmitry , Dahlberg Tobias , Öberg Rasmus , Landström Lars , Andersson Magnus
Published: April 2022

Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite and among the most infectious diarrhea‐causing pathogens, leading to severe health problems for malnourished children and immunocompromised individuals. Outbreaks are common even in developed countries, originating from water or food contamination and resulting in suffering and large costs for society. Therefore, robust, fast, and highly specific detection strategies of Cryptosporidium are needed. Label‐free detection techniques such as Raman spectroscopy have been suggested; however, high‐resolution reported spectra in the literature are limited. In this work, we report reference Raman spectra at 3 cm−1 resolution for viable and inactivated Cryptosporidium oocysts of the species C. parvum, gathered at a single oocyst level using a laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy system. We furthermore provide tentative Raman peak assignments for the Cryptosporidium oocysts, along with Raman mapping of the oocysts' heterogeneous internal structure. Finally, we compare the C. parvum Raman spectrum with other common enterotoxigenic pathogens: Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium difficile. Our results show a significant difference between C. parvum Raman spectra and the other pathogens.
A two‐weight boundedness criterion on spaces of homogeneous type with its application to some elliptic boundary value problems
Authors: Chang Der‐Chen , Yang Sibei , Yang Zhenyu
Published: April 2022

Let
be a space of homogeneous type in the sense of Coifman and Weiss. Namely,
is a non‐empty set,
is a quasi‐metric on
, and
is a positive measure satisfying the doubling condition. In this article, the authors establish a general weighted good‐
inequality for a pair of functions
on
. Using this weighted good‐
inequality, the authors further obtain a two‐weight boundedness criterion for a pair of functions
on
in the scale of weighted Lebesgue spaces. As an application, the authors prove the two‐weight global gradient estimates for some quasi‐linear elliptic equations on bounded Reifenberg flat domains of
.
Muscarinic‐3‐receptor positive allosteric modulator ASP8302 in patients with underactive bladder. A randomized controlled trial
Authors: van Till Jan Willem Olivier , Arita Eri , Kuroishi Kentaro , Croy Richard , Oelke Matthias , van Koeveringe Gommert A. , Chapple Christopher R. , Yamaguchi Osamu , Abrams Paul
Published: April 2022

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of ASP8302, a novel positive allosteric modulator for the muscarinic M3 receptor (M3‐PAM), in patients with underactive bladder (UAB).

Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicenter study was performed in adult male/female subjects with UAB, defined as incomplete bladder emptying (postvoid residual volume [PVR] > 100 ml) without significant bladder outlet obstruction and/or overactive bladder. Subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive 4‐week oral once‐daily administration of 100 mg ASP8302 or matching placebo. Primary endpoint was a change from baseline in PVR measured by catheterization after standardized bladder filling (PVRC2). Other endpoints included PVR and bladder voiding efficiency (BVE) measured in various ways, uroflowmetry, bladder diary, and questionnaires. Pressure‐flow studies were performed in a subgroup.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐five patients were randomized (ASP8302 group: 65 patients, placebo group: 70 patients). The median change in PVRC2 was −40.0 ml (ASP8302) versus −35.0 ml (placebo) and the difference between groups was −5.0 ml (p = 0.960). In males, functional and symptomatic outcomes improved, for example, maximum urine flow rate (Qmax) and detrusor pressure at Qmax (Pdet.Qmax) increased (mean difference in change ASP8302 vs. placebo: 3.8 ml/s, p = 0.031 and 12.7 cm H2O, p = 0.034, respectively). Urinary incontinence episodes/24 h decreased in males with preexisting incontinence (mean difference: −0.35; p = 0.028). The incidence of adverse events was similar between study groups (ASP8302: 33.3%, placebo: 31.4%). In the included subjects, both baseline urine flow and bladder voiding pressure was low. Compared with PVR, simultaneous BVE measurements were more consistent between various methods (spontaneous vs. standardized bladder filling, catheterization vs. ultrasound [US]).

Conclusions

ASP8302 was safe and well tolerated in patients with UAB identified by nonurodynamic clinical criteria, but it did not show efficacy in the primary endpoint. However, in males it showed improvement of symptoms and functional parameters. BVE (using US) is a more optimal outcome measure than PVR in UAB.
Acceptability and perceived value of urodynamics from the patient perspective: A narrative review
Authors: Serati Maurizio , Braga Andrea , Rosier Peter F. W. M , de Wachter Stefan , Uren Alan , Finazzi‐Agrò Enrico
Published: April 2022

Background

The value and application of urodynamic evaluation (UDS) have been a controversial topic in recent years. Gaining robust data on the patient viewpoint in this area is important since, even when UDS findings do not change the management plan, the objective diagnostic information gained from UDS may be valued by patients. Moreover, insights from UDS may empower treating physicians to counsel patients more effectively and manage their expectations regarding treatment outcomes.

Objective

This expert narrative review aims to analyze the findings of published studies in this area, looking at two topics in turn: (a) the tolerability and acceptability of the UDS procedure itself from the patient perspective and (b) patient perceptions of the clinical value of insights provided by UDS.

Design, Setting, Participants, and Outcome Measurements

An evidence assessment was conducted using selected articles from the literature reporting data on patients' perspectives on the tolerability, acceptability, utility, and value of the urodynamic investigation.

Results and Limitations

Although pain, discomfort, and infection risks are frequently used as a rationale to skip UDS when initial management fails, there is good evidence that, from the patients' perspective, the procedure is very well tolerated in most cases. There are only a few articles available that assess patient perceptions of the usefulness of UDS, but those that do exist appear to demonstrate that the insights gained from UDS are widely welcomed by patients in the interest of receiving a more tailored and personalized treatment approach.

Conclusion

From the patient perspective, UDS appears to be a well‐accepted and well‐tolerated diagnostic tool in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, particularly when an appropriate explanation is provided before the examination. Our review also highlights that patients value the objective information provided by UDS and that this outweighs the temporary invasiveness of the test. This information is particularly relevant in light of the relative lack of evidence in the literature about patient expectations of specialist care in functional urology, which may have hindered progress with quality of care.
Utilization rate and long‐term persistence of combination pharmacotherapy with β3‐agonists and antimuscarinics for overactive bladder refractory to monotherapy in a real‐world setting
Authors: Soda Takeshi , Koike Shuhei , Ikeuchi Ryosuke , Okada Takuya
Published: April 2022

Aim

To assess real‐world treatment profiles, including utilization rate, time to and reasons for discontinuation of combination pharmacotherapy with β3‐agonists and antimuscarinics for refractory overactive bladder (OAB) through a retrospective chart review.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of OAB patients who received β3‐agonists or antimuscarinics at our hospital between 2012 and 2020 and analyzed the clinical course of patients who progressed to combination therapy. Data on age, sex, major complaints, OAB symptom score at the initiation of combination therapy, treatment persistence, and reasons for discontinuation were collected. Treatment persistence was assessed with respect to the median time to discontinuation and persistence rate at 12 months.

Results

Of the 2163 patients receiving β3‐agonists or antimuscarinics, only 84 (3.8%) progressed to combination therapy with both drug classes. At therapy initiation, most (98%) of these patients had moderate to severe OAB symptoms. Median treatment duration and 12‐month persistence rate for combination therapy were 595 days and 64.0%, respectively. The reasons for discontinuation were insufficient treatment efficacy followed by adverse effects including voiding impairment in nearly 10% of the patients. None of the baseline parameters was independently associated with persistence in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

While underutilized among OAB patients refractory to monotherapy, combination pharmacotherapy showed a greater persistence rate than published mirabegron or antimuscarinic monotherapy when applied to patients with moderate to severe symptoms. Treatment‐emergent voiding impairment is a concern associated with this mode of therapy. A small sample size at a single institution is the limitation of this study.
Positive psychological well‐being in women with obesity: A scoping review of qualitative and quantitative primary research
Authors: Conradson Heather E. , Hayden K. Alix , Russell‐Mayhew Shelly , Raffin Bouchal Shelley , King‐Shier Kathryn
Published: April 2022

Background

Positive psychological well‐being (PPWB) is generally associated with improved physical health, mental well‐being, and healthy behaviors. However, it is not clear how PPWB differs in women with obesity or if improving PPWB will improve their health. The objective of this study was to summarize the evidence on PPWB in women with obesity.

Method

A scoping review was conducted in APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, SocINDEX, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global databases. Primary research studies, with an analysis of adult women with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2with measures of PPWB are included.

Results

Thirty‐two studies encompassing >57,000 women with obesity, measured constructs of PPWB included: self‐esteem, life satisfaction, positive affect, social support, vitality, happiness, self‐acceptance, and optimism. Most studies showed that PPWB was lower in women with obesity although this association dissipated in studies when health and negative social factors were considered. Improvements in PPWB were associated with weight loss and with successful lifestyle changes with and without weight loss. Positive psychological interventions (PPIs) were used to bolster psychological well‐being. PPIs were associated with improved measures of self‐esteem and well‐being.

Conclusions

Prospective longitudinal and intervention studies are required to understand how evaluating and fostering PPWB might support gender‐informed obesity care.
Diagnostic yield of whole exome data in fetuses aborted for conotruncal malformations
Authors: Shi Jia‐wei , Cao Haiyan , Hong Liu , Ma Jing , Cui Li , Zhang Yi , Song Xiaoyan , Liu Juanjuan , Yang Yali , Lv Qing , Zhang Li , Wang Jing , Xie Mingxing
Published: April 2022

Objective

We investigated a custom congenital heart disease (CHD) geneset to assess the diagnostic value of whole‐exome sequencing (WES) in karyotype‐ and copy number variation (CNV)‐negative aborted fetuses with conotruncal defects (CTDs), and to explore the impact of postnatal phenotyping on genetic diagnosis.

Methods

We sequentially analyzed CNV‐seq and WES data from 47 CTD fetuses detected by prenatal ultrasonography. Fetuses with either a confirmed aneuploidy or pathogenic CNV were excluded from the WES analyses, which were performed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommendations and a custom CHD‐geneset. Imaging and autopsy were applied to obtain postnatal phenotypic information about aborted fetuses.

Results

CNV‐seq identified aneuploidy in 7/47 cases while 13/47 fetuses were CNV‐positive. Eighty‐five rare deleterious variants in 61 genes (from custom geneset) were identified by WES in the remaining 27 fetuses. Of these, five pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV) were identified in five fetuses, revealing a 10.6% (5/47) incremental diagnostic yield. Furthermore, RERE:c.2461_2472delGGGATGTGGCGA was reclassified as LPV based on postnatal phenotypic data.

Conclusion

We have developed and defined a CHD gene panel that can be utilized in a subset of fetuses with CTDs. We demonstrate the utility of incorporating both prenatal and postnatal phenotypic information may facilitate WES diagnostics.
A Multifunctional Ionic Liquid Additive Enabling Stable and Efficient Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Luo Yun , Kong Lingmei , Wang Lin , Shi Xingyu , Yuan Hao , Li Wenqiang , Wang Sheng , Zhang Zhijun , Zhu Wenqing , Yang Xuyong
Published: April 2022

The electroluminescence performance and long‐term stability of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are greatly affected by the film quality of perovskite emitting layer. Herein, the authors employ an ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([BMIm]OTf), to manipulate the growth of quasi‐2D perovskite films by providing heterogeneous nucleation sites. The [BMIm]OTf molecules simultaneously realize uniform perovskite films by reducing the contact angles of precursor solution on the hole transport layer (HTL), and eliminate defect states through bonding [BMIm]+ cations to negatively‐charged uncoordinated Br and OTf− anions to uncoordinated Pb2+ defects that effectively suppresses the defect states assisted nonradiative recombination in perovskite films. As a result, the efficiency and the operational lifetime of the resultant PeLED are enhanced by more than twofold and threefold, respectively, achieving a maximum external quantum efficiency of 17.6% and an operational lifetime of over 500 min at an initial brightness of 100 cd m−2.
Near 90% Transparent ITO‐Based Flexible Electrode with Double‐Sided Antireflection Layers for Highly Efficient Flexible Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Zhang Jinxia , Li Xiaoxuan , Zhong Meiyan , Zhang Zhenzhen , Jia Mingdi , Li Jin , Gao Xiaowen , Chen Langxing , Li Qi , Zhang Wenhua , Xu Dongsheng
Published: April 2022

As a widely used substrate for flexible electronics, indium‐tin oxide‐based polymer electrodes (polymer‐ITO electrodes) exhibit poorly visible light transmittance of less than 80%. The inferior transmittance for polymer‐ITO electrodes severely limits the performance improvement of polymer‐ITO based electronics. Here, a conceptually different approach of the double‐sided antireflection coatings (DARCs) strategy is proposed to modulate both the air–polymer substrate interface and ITO–air interface refractive index gradient, to synergistically improve the transmittance of polymer‐ITO electrodes. On the basis of SiO2 nanoparticles antireflection layer on polymer substrate, a polymer–metal oxide composite antireflection film is fabricated on the ITO side. Resultantly, the transmittance of ITO‐based flexible electrodes is successfully improved from 76.8% to 89.8%, which is the highest transmittance among the reported ITO‐based flexible electrodes. Furthermore, the photoluminescence emission intensity of luminescent materials enveloped with the DARCs electrodes increases by 74% over that with reference electrodes, demonstrating the DARCs antireflection strategy can efficiently improve the performance of flexible optoelectronic devices. With DARCs electrode, the flexible perovskite solar cells exhibit an enhanced efficiency from 18.80% to 20.85%.
Standardized Dempster's non‐exact test for high‐dimensional mean vectors
Authors: Fang Hongyan , Chen Yuanyuan , Chen Ling , Yang Wenzhi , Jiang Binyan
Published: April 2022

Although the Hotelling's
test has been a widely used test for hypothesis testing problems on the mean vectors, it is not well defined when the data dimension is larger than the sample size. Dempster's non‐exact test, as a remedy for the Hotelling's
test, is known to be more powerful than the Hotelling's
test and is well defined even when the dimension is much larger than the sample size. However, Dempster's non‐exact test will lose power when the variances of the covariates are different. In this paper, we propose a standardized Dempster's non‐exact test for the classical mean testing problem. The proposed test is more powerful for data with heteroscedastic features and is applicable to the high‐dimensional case. An approximate distribution of the test statistic has been established, and to better control the type I error rate when the sample size is small, we further constructed a Monte Carlo version of the proposed standardized Dempster's non‐exact test. Various simulation studies and a real data application were conducted with comparison to other popular tests. The numerical results showed that while the type I error rates were well controlled, the testing power of our proposed test was generally higher than those of other tests.
First application of the balanced lowering method to build two bridges in Austria
Authors: Kollegger Johann , Suza Dominik , Proksch‐Weilguni Clemens , Träger Wolfgang
Published: April 2022

This new bridge construction method consists of building the bridge girders in a vertical position and of rotating the bridge girders into the final horizontal position. In order to rotate the bridge girders, additional structural elements, in this case compression struts, are required. In some topographical situations, it will be more efficient to produce the bridge girders with this innovative method than with the traditional incremental launching method or the balanced cantilever method. The span of the bridge girders is reduced by the compression struts, which enables considerable savings in construction materials. This article explains the design and the first application of the balanced lowering method to build two bridges across the Lafnitz and Lahnbach rivers as part of the Fürstenfeld Motorway in the southeast of Austria. The good cooperation of the project participants allowed for the successful first‐time application of the method for the two bridges described in this article. The unproblematic application of the balanced lowering method for the prestressed concrete bridge with 2.0 m high bridge girders proved that considerable savings in resources and costs were possible compared to the originally planned steel‐concrete‐composite bridges with 4.2 and 4.6 m high bridge girders.
A Reliable Short‐Term Power Load Forecasting Method Based on VMD‐IWOA‐LSTM Algorithm
Authors: Zhuang Zhiyuan , Zheng Xidong , Chen Zixing , Jin Tao
Published: April 2022

To reduce the short‐term load forecasting (STLF) error of off‐line forecasting model, a VMD‐IWOA‐LSTM (VIL) method for STLF is proposed. Firstly, variational mode decomposition (VMD) is used to decompose the historical power load signals. Then, the decomposed signals are reconstructed according to the similarity of Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), and meteorological data are chosen for each reconstructed component based on the set PCC threshold. The long short‐term memory (LSTM) models are used to predict the corresponding components, and improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) is used to optimize the parameters in LSTM. Finally, the forecast results of each component are added together to get the final forecast result. The experimental results of power load data in a certain area show that the proposed method has the advantages of strong anti‐interference performance and high prediction accuracy compared with other methods, and has strong practicability. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Leslie Arnall
Authors: Davies J.O. , Walton G.S.
Published: April 2022

A veterinary surgeon with many interests who never let an opportunity to learn pass him by.
Use of an ultrasound‐guided sciatic and saphenous nerve block as a part of the multimodal analgesic management in a cria for the stabilisation of a left tibial eminence avulsion fracture
Authors: Gomez‐Martinez Maria Isabel , Adams James , Langley‐Hobbs Sorrel , Khenissi Latifa
Published: April 2022

A 5‐month‐old female cria with body mass of 30 kg was referred to the Langford Vet farm animal practice for management of a left tibial eminence avulsion fracture. Preanaesthetic medication consisted of xylazine 0.3 mg/kg and butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg intravenously, followed by induction of anaesthesia with ketamine 4 mg/kg intravenously. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane vaporised in oxygen. A multimodal analgesic approach consisting of an ultrasound‐guided sciatic and saphenous nerve block using a combination of 2 mg/kg of lidocaine and 10 μg/kg of detomidine and a continuous infusion of ketamine 25 μg/kg/minute were used. Total anaesthetic time was 375 minutes. The cria received paracetamol 5 mg/kg and flunixin meglumine 2 mg/kg intravenously in the postoperative period. The cria was weight bearing on the operated hind limb 3 hours post‐extubation. Intravenous meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg/day) was administered 24 hours postoperatively for 4 days. Amoxicillin 15 mg/kg intramuscularly every 48 hours was continued until discharge.
Copper‐based nanomaterials for cancer theranostics
Authors: Zhong Xiaoyan , Dai Xingliang , Wang Yan , Wang Hua , Qian Haisheng , Wang Xianwen
Published: April 2022

Copper‐based nanomaterials (Cu‐based NMs) with favorable biocompatibility and unique properties have attracted the attention of many biomedical researchers. Cu‐based NMs are one of the most widely studied materials in cancer treatment. In recent years, great progress has been made in the field of biomedicine, especially in the treatment and diagnosis of tumors. This review begins with the classification of Cu‐based NMs and the recent synthetic strategies of Cu‐based NMs. Then, according to the abundant and special properties of Cu‐based NMs, their application in biomedicine is summarized in detail. For biomedical imaging, such as photoacoustic imaging, positron emission tomography imaging, and multimodal imaging based on Cu‐based NMs are summarized, as well as strategies to improve the diagnostic effectiveness. Moreover, a series of unique structures and functions as well as the underlying property activity relationship of Cu‐based NMs were shown to highlight their promising therapeutic performance. Cu‐based NMs have been widely used in monotherapies, such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Moreover, the sophisticated design in composition, structure, and surface fabrication of Cu‐based NMs can endow these NMs with more modalities in cancer diagnosis and therapy. To further improve the efficiency of cancer treatment, combined therapy based on Cu‐based NMs was introduced in detail. Finally, the challenges, critical factors, and future prospects for the clinical translation of Cu‐based NMs as multifunctional theranostic agents were also considered and discussed. The aim of this review is to provide a better understanding and key consideration for the rational design of this increasingly important new paradigm of Cu‐based NMs as theranostic agents.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Shifting to sounders: Whole sounder removal eliminates wild pigs
Authors: Lewis Alexandra A. , Williams Brian L. , Smith Mark D. , Ditchkoff Stephen S.
Published: April 2022

Wild pig (Sus scrofa) eradication in demographically open populations has seemed an impossible feat for managers, but more recently, whole sounder removal (WSR) has been proposed as a trapping strategy that has the potential to be successful in eradicating wild pigs from an area. However, little empirical data exist concerning implementation of whole sounder removal strategies. Our objective was to implement and describe wild pig management using WSR. We established a 27‐km2 area (northwest section) where sounders were removed using WSR and a 29‐km2 area (southeast section) where GPS collars were deployed on Lowndes Wildlife Management Area in Alabama. Prior to implementing WSR, we used game cameras over bait at a density of one camera/km2 in November 2014 and counted 65 and 100 individuals in our northwest and southeast sections, respectively. We began WSR July 2015 and by May 2016, we reduced the estimated population by 90%. However, due to births and seasonal movements of pigs in the periphery of the study area, the population fluctuated between 10–20 individuals from May 2016 to December 2017. In December 2017, we removed the last known remaining sounder, and using game cameras, observed no sounders in the northwest section for the following 7 months, the remaining length of the study. We determined that using the WSR approach can lead to a delay before inevitable recolonization. Therefore, WSR can be a successful tool to significantly reduce a wild pig population and potentially provide managers a pig‐free area.
Electric dipole moments from colour-octet scalars
Authors: Gisbert Hector , Miralles Víctor , Ruiz-Vidal Joan
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We present the contributions to electric dipole moments (EDMs) induced by the Yukawa couplings of an additional electroweak doublet of colour-octet scalars. The full set of one-loop diagrams and the enhanced higher-order effects from Barr-Zee diagrams are computed for the quark (chromo-)EDM, along with the two-loop contributions to the Weinberg operator. Using the stringent experimental upper limits on the neutron EDM, constraints on the parameter space of the Manohar-Wise model are derived.
Optimale Sauerstoffversorgung – neue Erkenntnisse aus der COVID-19-Therapie?
Authors: Dankl Daniel
Published: April 2022

Für die Energiegewinnung und damit Überlebensfähigkeit menschlicher Zellen ist Sauerstoff von essenzieller Bedeutung. Kommt es durch Krankheit, Verletzung oder Veränderung der Umweltfaktoren zu einer Störung der Sauerstoffversorgung, ist der menschliche Körper bis zu einem gewissen Grad in der Lage, Kompensationsmechanismen in Gang zu setzten, um trotzdem ein ausreichendes Sauerstoffangebot für die Funktion und Integrität der Zellen bzw. Organsysteme breitzustellen. Werden diese Kompensationsmechanismen ausgeschöpft oder überlastet, droht ein Funktionsausfall von Zellen und Organsystemen. Im klinischen Alltag ist es bei abnormen Sauerstoffwerten oft schwierig zu entscheiden, ob die körpereigenen Kompensationsmechanismen noch ausreichen oder ob invasivere Therapieoptionen mit entsprechenden Nebenwirkungen angewandt werden sollten, um Organschäden zu verhindern. Um dies entscheiden zu können, ist neben der Kenntnis der aktuellen Studienlage und der Zielparameter ein Verständnis der grundlegenden physiologischen Mechanismen der Sauerstoffversorgung der Zellen notwendig. Ziel dieser Übersicht ist es, die physiologischen Grundlagen des Sauerstoffangebots zu wiederholen, aufzuzeigen, wie ein unzureichendes Sauerstoffangebot erkannt werden kann, und die aktuelle Studienlage bzw. die Leitlinien zu Sauerstoffzielwerten zu beleuchten. Zwar hat die Pandemie durch die Coronaviruserkrankung 2019 (COVID-19) die Aufmerksamkeit für Pathophysiologie und Therapiestrategien bei Oxygenierungsstörungen rezent in den Fokus gerückt, allerdings haben sich aus dieser Pandemie kaum neue Erkenntnisse hinsichtlich der Sauerstoffzielwerte ergeben. Somit bleiben die bisher empfohlenen Sauerstoffzielwerte unverändert bestehen.
Krankenhauseinweisungsgründe für Menschen mit Demenz – ein Scoping-Review
Authors: Stiefler Susanne , Dunker Ellen , Schmidt Annika , Friedrich Anna-Carina , Donath Carolin , Wolf-Ostermann Karin
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund

Krankenhausaufenthalte stellen für Menschen mit Demenz eine hohe Belastung dar, die den Abbau kognitiver und motorischer Fähigkeiten beschleunigen können. Verhaltensänderungen und Orientierungsprobleme können bei Menschen mit Demenz während Krankenhausaufenthalten verstärkt auftreten. Einige Krankenhausaufenthalte sind durch eine bessere ambulante Versorgung potenziell vermeidbar.

Ziel der Arbeit

Erstellung eines aktuellen Überblicks zu den häufigsten Krankenhauseinweisungsgründen für Menschen mit Demenz oder leichten kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen.

Material und Methoden

Zur Erstellung des Scoping-Reviews wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken PubMed®, CINAHL und PsycINFO® im Mai 2020 durchgeführt. Einbezogen wurden Publikationen in deutscher und englischer Sprache, die zwischen Juli 2010 und Mai 2020 publiziert wurden.

Ergebnisse

Die häufigsten Krankenhauseinweisungsgründe, die in den 14 eingeschlossenen Studien genannt wurden, waren Infektionskrankheiten, insbesondere Atemwegs- und Harnwegsinfektionen sowie Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen (allgemein oder spezifisch, z. B. in Form von Herzinsuffizienz), Stürze, Verletzungen, Vergiftungen und Frakturen sowie gastrointestinale Krankheiten.

Diskussion

Bei dem Großteil der häufigsten Krankenhauseinweisungsgründen handelt es sich um potenziell vermeidbare Krankenhausaufenthalte bei rechtzeitiger adäquater ambulanter Versorgung. Eine Stärkung der ambulanten Versorgung von Menschen mit Demenz kann zur Vermeidung von Krankenhausaufenthalten beitragen.
Symptom burden, psychosocial distress and palliative care needs in heart failure – A cross-sectional explorative pilot study
Authors: Strangl F. , Ischanow E. , Ullrich A. , Oechsle K. , Fluschnik N. , Magnussen C. , Knappe D. , Grahn H. , Blankenberg S. , Bokemeyer C. , Kirchhof P. , Rybczynski M.
Published: April 2022

Background

Beyond guideline-directed treatments aimed at improving cardiac function and prognosis in heart failure (HF), patient-reported outcomes have gained attention.

Purpose

Using a cross-sectional approach, we assessed symptom burden, psychosocial distress, and potential palliative care (PC) needs in patients with advanced stages of HF.

Methods

At a large tertiary care center, we enrolled HF patients in an exploratory pilot study. Symptom burden and psychosocial distress were assessed using the MIDOS (Minimal Documentation System for Patients in PC) questionnaire and the Distress Thermometer (DT), respectively. The 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) was used to screen for anxiety and depression. To assess PC needs, physicians used the “Palliative Care Screening Tool for HF Patients”.

Results

We included 259 patients, of whom 137 (53%) were enrolled at the Heart Failure Unit (HFU), and 122 (47%) at the outpatient clinic (OC). Mean age was 63 years, 72% were male. New York Heart Association class III or IV symptoms were present in 56%. With a mean 5-year survival 64% (HFU) vs. 69% (OC) calculated by the Seattle Heart Failure Model, estimated prognosis was comparatively good. Symptom burden (MIDOS score 8.0 vs. 5.4, max. 30 points, p < 0.001) and level of distress (DT score 6.0 vs. 4.8, max. 10 points, p < 0.001) were higher in hospitalised patients. Clinically relevant distress was detected in the majority of patients (HFU 76% vs. OC 57%, p = 0.001), and more than one third exhibited at least mild symptoms of depression or anxiety. Screening for PC needs revealed 82% of in- and 52% of outpatients fulfil criteria for specialized palliative support.

Conclusion

Despite a good prognosis, we found multiple undetected and unaddressed needs in an advanced HF cohort. This study’s tools and screening results may help to early explore these needs, to further improve integrated HF care.

Graphical abstract
iRECIST-based versus non-standardized free text reporting of CT scans for monitoring metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective comparison
Authors: Schomburg Laura , Malouhi Amer , Grimm Marc-Oliver , Ingwersen Maja , Foller Susan , Leucht Katharina , Teichgräber Ulf
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Therapy decision for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is highly dependent on disease monitoring based on radiological reports. The purpose of the study was to compare non-standardized, common practice free text reporting (FTR) on disease response with reporting based on response evaluation criteria in solid tumors modified for immune-based therapeutics (iRECIST).

Methods

Fifty patients with advanced mRCC were included in the retrospective, single-center study. CT scans had been evaluated and FTR prepared in accordance with center’s routine practice. For study purposes, reports were re-evaluated using a dedicated computer program that applied iRECIST. Patients were followed up over a period of 22.8 ± 7.9 months in intervals of 2.7 ± 1.8 months.

Weighted kappa statistics was run to assess strength of agreement. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors for different rating.

Results

Agreement between FTR and iRECIST-based reporting was moderate (kappa 0.38 [95% CI 0.2–0.6] to 0.70 [95% CI 0.5–0.9]). Tumor response or progression according to FTR were not confirmed with iRECIST in 19 (38%) or 11 (22%) patients, respectively, in at least one follow-up examination. With FTR, new lesions were frequently not recognized if they were already identified in the recent prior follow-up examination (odds ratio for too favorable rating of disease response compared to iRECIST: 5.4 [95% CI 2.9–10.1].

Conclusions

Moderate agreement between disease response according to FTR or iRECIST in patients with mRCC suggests the need of standardized quantitative radiological assessment in daily clinical practice.
Wandern während und nach Corona – Segmentierung von Wanderzielgruppen am Beispiel der Sinus-Milieus®
Authors: Quack Heinz-Dieter , Thiele Franziska
Published: April 2022

Insbesondere während der Lockdowns des Jahres 2020 wurde aus einigen deutschen Regionen von überfüllten Wanderwegen und gesperrten Wanderparkplätzen berichtet, ein Zustand, der so in den betroffenen Regionen bislang noch nicht bekannt war und auf denen viele Orte und Regionen entsprechend nicht vorbereitet waren. Wer wandert eigentlich? Und kann man empirisch feststellen, dass in Deutschland pandemiebedingt mehr oder anders gewandert wurde? Sind möglicherweise „neue“ Wandernde hinzugekommen, also Personen, die präpandemisch nicht wanderten, dies aber nun für sich entdeckten und möglicherweise auch postpandemisch weiterführen? Gibt es Unterschiede innerhalb der Gruppe der Wandernden und wie kann man touristisch hinreichende Segmentierungen vornehmen? Der Beitrag reflektiert zunächst kurz tradierte Zielgruppendefinitionen, um dann detaillierter auf die möglichen vertieften Einblicke in die Genese und die Ausprägungen von Wanderverhalten einzugehen, die lebensstilorientierte Segmentierungen erlauben. Sind die „Corona-Wandernden“ andere Wandernde als die „Prä-Corona-Wandernden“ und was bedeutet dies für Wandernachfrage und Wanderverhalten ausgangs der Pandemie? Diesen Fragen widmet sich der nachfolgende Beitrag.
Perceived stress during the prenatal period: assessing measurement invariance of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) across cultures and birth parity
Authors: Katus Laura , Foley Sarah , Murray Aja L. , Luong-Thanh Bao-Yen , Taut Diana , Baban Adriana , Madrid Bernadette , Fernando Asvini D. , Sikander Siham , Ward Catherine L. , Osafo Joseph , Marlow Marguerite , Du Toit Stefani , Walker Susan , Van Vo Thang , Fearon Pasco , Valdebenito Sara , Eisner Manuel P. , Hughes Claire
Published: April 2022

Maternal prenatal stress places a substantial burden on mother’s mental health. Expectant mothers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have thus far received less attention than mothers in high-income settings. This is particularly problematic, as a range of triggers, such as exposure to traumatic events (e.g. natural disasters, previous pregnancy losses) and adverse life circumstances (e.g. poverty, community violence), put mothers at increased risk of experiencing prenatal stress. The ten-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely recognised index of subjective experience of stress that is increasingly used in LMICs. However, evidence for its measurement equivalence across settings is lacking. This study aims to assess measurement invariance of the PSS-10 across eight LMICs and across birth parity. This research was carried out as part of the Evidence for Better Lives Study (EBLS, vrc.crim.cam.ac.uk/vrcresearch/EBLS). The PSS-10 was administered to N = 1,208 expectant mothers from Ghana, Jamaica, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Vietnam during the third trimester of pregnancy. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested a good model fit of a two-factor model across all sites, with items on experiences of stress loading onto a negative factor and items on perceived coping onto a positive factor. Configural and metric, but not full or partial scalar invariance, were established across all sites. Configural, metric and full scalar invariance could be established across birth parity. On average, first-time mothers reported less stress than mothers who already had children. Our findings indicate that the PSS-10 holds utility in assessing stress across a broad range of culturally diverse settings; however, caution should be taken when comparing mean stress levels across sites.
Art. 20a GG in der Hand des Bundesverfassungsgerichts – Potential für einen Anspruch auf Gesetzgebung?
Authors: Lang Lorenz
Published: April 2022

Als allein objektive Verfassungsnorm kann Art. 20a GG für sich genommen dem Einzelnen kein subjektives
Recht auf Klima-Gesetzgebung verleihen. Hieran ändert auch der schon jetzt berühmte “Klima-Beschluss”
des BVerfG nichts. Die Ausführungen des Gerichtes bieten dennoch neue Impulse für das Verhältnis
von Grundrechten und Staatszielbestimmung des Art. 20a GG. Je mehr Grundrechte und Staatszielbestimmung
dabei miteinander verschränkt werden, desto näher wird Art. 20a GG von seiner ursprünglichen
Konzeption entfernt und das Potential geschaffen den Gesetzgeber gerichtlich zu mehr Klimaschutzbemühungen
zu verpflichten.
Enablers and Constraints of STEM Programme Implementation: an External Change Agent Perspective from a National STEM Programme in Finland
Authors: Mäkelä Tiina , Tuhkala Ari , Mäki-Kuutti Matias , Rautopuro Juhani
Published: April 2022

An international need exists for effective programmes that will enhance learners’ interest in studies and careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, i.e. STEM. When considering the impact of STEM programmes, it is important to identify what can enable or constrain effective programme implementation. As such, enablers can be systematically supported and constraints tackled to maximise a programme’s impact. This study considers a nationwide STEM programme in Finland that involved 450 teachers and their learning communities. The study followed an interpretative paradigm, collecting data through semi-structured interviews and analysed with data-driven thematic analysis. The study participants were 14 external change agents operating between participating learning communities and the national programme administration and, thus, had a valuable overview on how the programme evolved. The most important enablers of effective programme implementation were versatile support, programme flexibility and long-term vision. Two major constraints were limited resources and collaboration challenges. Considering the findings of this study can help design effective STEM programmes by providing various support mechanisms for educators, particularly scaffolding; peer and school administrator support; flexibility to enable embedding activities and adapting programme objectives to participants’ everyday work; long-term vision to support both lifelong learning and a continuum between different STEM programmes; sufficient time and economic resources to achieve a long-term impact; and collaboration and networking opportunities at the local, regional, national and international levels.