bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for monitoring Pseudomonas lurida in raw milk throughout the year of pasture
Authors: Zhang Shufei , Hu Lianxia , Xue Yuling , Zhang Dong , Zhang Yaoguang , Wang Shijie
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The psychrophilic bacterium Pseudomonas lurida (P. lurida) and its thermostable alkaline proteases can seriously damage raw milk quality.

Methods

In this study, specific primers were designed for P. lurida’s gyrB and aprX genes, and a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RealAmp) rapid detection method was developed for the early monitoring of P. lurida and its proteases in raw milk. A phylogenetic tree of the gyrB and aprX genes of P. lurida was constructed to analyze the homology of the design sequence of the RealAmp primer. The DNA of 2 strains of P. lurida and 44 strains of non-P. lurida were detected via RealAmp to analyze the specificity of the primer.

Results

It was found that aprX-positive proteases were produced by P. lurida-positive strains only when Pseudomonas fluorescens was negative. The dissociation temperatures of gyrB and aprX in the RealAmp-amplified products were approximately 85.0°C and 90.0°C, respectively. Moreover, DNA was detected through a 10-fold dilution of P. lurida in a pure bacterial solution and artificially contaminated skimmed milk. The limit of detection of P. lurida DNA copy number in the pure bacterial solution was 8.6 copies/μL and that in the 10% skimmed milk was 5.5 copies/μL. Further, 144 raw milk samples throughout the year from three farms in Hebei province were analyzed using RealAmp. The highest detection rate of P. lurida was 56% in the first and third quarters, and that of proteases was 36% in the second quarter. The detection rates of P. lurida and its proteases were the highest in samples collected from pasture 2 (52 and 46%, respectively), and the ability of P. lurida to produce proteases reached 88%.

Discussion

In conclusion, RealAmp established an early and rapid method for the detection of P. lurida and its proteases in raw milk samples, allowing the identification and control of contamination sources in a timely manner to ensure the quality of milk and dairy products.
Humic acids alleviate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by positively modulating gut microbiota
Authors: Huang Jiazhang , Xu Pengfei , Shao Mingzhi , Wei Bin , Zhang Cong , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2023

Humic acids (HAs) are natural polymers with diverse functional groups that have been documented and utilized in traditional Chinese medicine. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis has been used as a model to study inflammatory bowel disease. In this research, we investigate the effect of HAs on ameliorating DSS-induced colitis in mice. Our aim here was to investigate if HAs could be a remedy against colitis and the mechanisms involved. The results show that HAs facilitated a regain of body weight and restoration of intestinal morphology after DSS-induced colitis. HAs treatment alters the community of gut microbiota with more Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Changes in bacterial community result in lower amounts of lipopolysaccharides in mouse sera, as well as lower levels of inflammatory cytokines through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-NF-κB pathway. HAs also promoted the expression of tight junction proteins, which protect the intestinal barrier from DSS damage. Cell experiments show that HAs display an inhibitory effect on DSS growth as well. These results suggest that HAs can alleviate colitis by regulating intestinal microbiota, reducing inflammation, maintaining mucosal barriers, and inhibiting pathogen growth. Thus, HAs offer great potential for the prevention and treatment of colitis.
The correlation of retinal neurodegeneration and brain degeneration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease using optical coherence tomography angiography and MRI
Authors: Zhao Bingying , Yan Yibing , Wu Xingqi , Geng Zhi , Wu Yue , Xiao Guixian , Wang Lu , Zhou Shanshan , Wei Ling , Wang Kai , Liao Rongfeng
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Pathological changes in Alzheimer’s disease can cause retina and optic nerve degeneration. The retinal changes are correlated with cognitive function. This study aimed to explore the relationship of retinal differences with neuroimaging in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, analyze the association of cognitive function with retinal structure and vascular density, and identify potential additional biomarkers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Method

We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and neuropsychological assessments in 28 patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease and 28 healthy controls. Retinal structure and vascular density were evaluated by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Furthermore, we analyzed the correlation between neuroimaging and OCTA parameters in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease with adjustment for age, gender, years of education, and hypertension.

Results

In patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease, OCTA-detected retinal parameters were not significantly correlated with MRI-detected neuroimaging parameters after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. Under multivariable analysis controlled for age, gender, years of education, and hypertension, the S-Hemi (0–3) sector of macular thickness was significantly associated with Mini-cog (β = 0.583, P = 0.002) with Bonferroni-corrected threshold at P < 0.003.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested decreased macular thickness might be associated with cognitive function in mild AD patients. However, the differences in retinal parameters didn’t correspond to MRI-detected parameters in this study. Whether OCTA can be used as a new detection method mirroring MRI for evaluating the effect of neuronal degeneration in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease still needs to be investigated by more rigorous and larger studies in the future.
Violation of the ultrastructural size principle in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex underlies working memory impairment in the aged common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Glavis-Bloom Courtney , Vanderlip Casey R. , Weiser Novak Sammy , Kuwajima Masaaki , Kirk Lyndsey , Harris Kristen M. , Manor Uri , Reynolds John H.
Published: April 2023

Morphology and function of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and corresponding working memory performance, are affected early in the aging process, but nearly half of aged individuals are spared of working memory deficits. Translationally relevant model systems are critical for determining the neurobiological drivers of this variability. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is advantageous as a model for these investigations because, as a non-human primate, marmosets have a clearly defined dlPFC that enables measurement of prefrontal-dependent cognitive functions, and their short (∼10 year) lifespan facilitates longitudinal studies of aging. Previously, we characterized working memory capacity in a cohort of marmosets that collectively covered the lifespan, and found age-related working memory impairment. We also found a remarkable degree of heterogeneity in performance, similar to that found in humans. Here, we tested the hypothesis that changes to synaptic ultrastructure that affect synaptic efficacy stratify marmosets that age with cognitive impairment from those that age without cognitive impairment. We utilized electron microscopy to visualize synapses in the marmoset dlPFC and measured the sizes of boutons, presynaptic mitochondria, and synapses. We found that coordinated scaling of the sizes of synapses and mitochondria with their associated boutons is essential for intact working memory performance in aged marmosets. Further, lack of synaptic scaling, due to a remarkable failure of synaptic mitochondria to scale with presynaptic boutons, selectively underlies age-related working memory impairment. We posit that this decoupling results in mismatched energy supply and demand, leading to impaired synaptic transmission. We also found that aged marmosets have fewer synapses in dlPFC than young, though the severity of synapse loss did not predict whether aging occurred with or without cognitive impairment. This work identifies a novel mechanism of synapse dysfunction that stratifies marmosets that age with cognitive impairment from those that age without cognitive impairment. The process by which synaptic scaling is regulated is yet unknown and warrants future investigation.
Understanding the neural mechanisms of empathy toward robots to shape future applications
Authors: Chin Jenna H. , Haring Kerstin S. , Kim Pilyoung
Published: April 2023

This article provides an overview on how modern neuroscience evaluations link to robot empathy. It evaluates the brain correlates of empathy and caregiving, and how they may be related to the higher functions with an emphasis on women. We discuss that the understanding of the brain correlates can inform the development of social robots with enhanced empathy and caregiving abilities. We propose that the availability of these robots will benefit many aspects of the society including transition to parenthood and parenting, in which women are deeply involved in real life and scientific research. We conclude with some of the barriers for women in the field and how robotics and robot empathy research benefits from a broad representation of researchers.
RAGE and its ligand amyloid beta promote retinal ganglion cell loss following ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Seyed Hosseini Fin Nafiseh , Georgevsky Dana , Sukkar Maria B. , Golzan S. Mojtaba
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with age. Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) proteins in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and subsequent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss is an established pathological hallmark of the disease. The mechanism through which Aß provokes RGC loss remains unclear. The receptor for the advanced glycation end product (RAGE), and its ligand Aß, have been shown to mediate neuronal loss via internalizing Aß within the neurons. In this study, we investigated whether the RAGE–Aß axis plays a role in RGC loss in experimental glaucoma.

Methods

Retinal ischemia was induced by an acute elevation of intraocular pressure in RAGE–/– and wild-type (WT) control mice. In a subset of animals, oligomeric Aß was injected directly into the vitreous of both strains. RGC loss was assessed using histology and biochemical assays. Baseline and terminal positive scotopic threshold (pSTR) were also recorded.

Results

Retinal ischemia resulted in 1.9-fold higher RGC loss in WT mice compared to RAGE–/– mice (36 ± 3% p < 0.0001 vs. 19 ± 2%, p = 0.004). Intravitreal injection of oligomeric Aß resulted in 2.3-fold greater RGC loss in WT mice compared to RAGE–/– mice, 7-days post-injection (55 ± 4% p = 0.008 vs. 24 ± 2%, p = 0.02). We also found a significant decline in the positive scotopic threshold response (pSTR) amplitude of WT mice compared to RAGE–/– (36 ± 3% vs. 16 ± 6%).

Discussion

RAGE–/– mice are protected against RGC loss following retinal ischemia. Intravitreal injection of oligomeric Aß accelerated RGC loss in WT mice but not RAGE–/–. A co-localization of RAGE and Aß, suggests that RAGE–Aß binding may contribute to RGC loss.
Development of a prognostic nomogram and risk stratification system for upper thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Yu , Zheng Binglin , Chen Junqiang , Huang Qiuyuan , Ye Yuling , Yang Yong , Chen Yuanmei , Chen Bijuan , You Mengxing , Wang Qifeng , Xu Yuanji
Published: April 2023

Background

The study aimed to develop a nomogram model to predict overall survival (OS) and construct a risk stratification system of upper thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

Newly diagnosed 568 patients with upper ESCC at Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital were taken as a training cohort, and additional 155 patients with upper ESCC from Sichuan Cancer Hospital Institute were used as a validation cohort. A nomogram was established using Cox proportional hazard regression to identify prognostic factors for OS. The predictive power of nomogram model was evaluated by using 4 indices: concordance statistics (C-index), time-dependent ROC (ROCt) curve, net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).

Results

In this study, multivariate analysis revealed that gender, clinical T stage, clinical N stage and primary gross tumor volume were independent prognostic factors for OS in the training cohort. The nomogram based on these factors presented favorable prognostic efficacy in the both training and validation cohorts, with concordance statistics (C-index) of 0.622, 0.713, and area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.709, 0.739, respectively, which appeared superior to those of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. Additionally, net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of the nomogram presented better discrimination ability to predict survival than those of AJCC staging. Furthermore, decision curve analysis (DCA) of the nomogram exhibited greater clinical performance than that of AJCC staging. Finally, the nomogram fairly distinguished the OS rates among low, moderate, and high risk groups, whereas the OS curves of clinical stage could not be well separated among clinical AJCC stage.

Conclusion

We built an effective nomogram model for predicting OS of upper ESCC, which may improve clinicians’ abilities to predict individualized survival and facilitate to further stratify the management of patients at risk.
Joint statement for assessing and managing high blood pressure in children and adolescents: Chapter 2. How to manage high blood pressure in children and adolescents
Authors: Wühl Elke , Calpe Javier , Drożdż Dorota , Erdine Serap , Fernandez-Aranda Fernando , Hadjipanayis Adamos , Hoyer Peter F. , Jankauskiene Augustina , Jiménez-Murcia Susana , Litwin Mieczysław , Mancia Giuseppe , Mazur Artur , Pall Denes , Seeman Tomas , Sinha Manish D. , Simonetti Giacomo , Stabouli Stella , Lurbe Empar
Published: April 2023

The joint statement is a synergistic action between HyperChildNET and the European Academy of Pediatrics about the diagnosis and management of hypertension in youth, based on the European Society of Hypertension Guidelines published in 2016 with the aim to improve its implementation. Arterial hypertension is not only the most important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but also the most important modifiable risk factor. Early hypertension-mediated organ damage may already occur in childhood. The duration of existing hypertension plays an important role in risk assessment, and structural and functional organ changes may still be reversible or postponed with timely treatment. Therefore, appropriate therapy should be initiated in children as soon as the diagnosis of arterial hypertension has been confirmed and the risk factors for hypertension-mediated organ damage have been thoroughly evaluated. Lifestyle measures should be recommended in all hypertensive children and adolescents, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight loss, if appropriate. If lifestyle changes in patients with primary hypertension do not result in normalization of blood pressure within six to twelve months or if secondary or symptomatic hypertension or hypertension-mediated organ damage is already present, pharmacologic therapy is required. Regular follow-up to assess blood pressure control and hypertension-mediated organ damage and to evaluate adherence and side effects of pharmacologic treatment is required. Timely multidisciplinary evaluation is recommended after the first suspicion of hypertension. A grading system of the clinical evidence is included.
A TCAD study on the effect of process parameters on silicon optical phase shifter performance
Authors: Mishra Darpan , Sonkar Ramesh Kumar
Published: April 2023

On-chip integrated optical phase shifters are an important part of optical phase modulators. The performance of such modulators relies heavily on the phase shifter performance, which in turn depends on multiple process parameters. This paper reports the study of the effect of different process parameters on the performance of a silicon PN optical phase shifter obtained by process simulation using Silvaco® TCAD. The effect of dopant implantation dose, implantation energy, annealing temperature and time, wafer temperature, wafer tilt and rotation, and pre-amorphization on the phase and absorption of light is discussed. The 3-dB modulation bandwidth of a lumped phase shifter and the dependency of the performance metrics on different process parameters are presented. Monte Carlo numerical simulation shows that the free-carrier absorption has a much greater dependency on the process parameters than the phase shift. The study shows that ion channeling poses a limiting factor on the phase shifter performance, which can be improved by tilting the wafer or using a pre-amorphized substrate for implantation. The study shows that the 3-dB modulation bandwidth is highly dependent on the wafer tilt angle, rotation angle, and the lattice structure of the solid substrate. A bandwidth improvement of more than 5× is observed with 1.7× lower absorption for a pre-amorphized sample at −5 V compared to a crystalline sample with the same process flow.
Research on on-line assembly and calibration system based on laser scanning and optical fiber sensor
Authors: Ding Weijie , Li Meixuan , Liang Fang , Gao Yan , Qin Wei , Zhang Hong
Published: April 2023

In order to improve the degree of assembly automation, an online assembly calibration system is designed based on laser scanning and optical fiber sensors. The optical fiber sensing module is used to obtain the stress field information, and the laser scanning module is used to obtain the point cloud information of the assembly structure. The position offset caused by the stress field can be compensated to the 3D point cloud for improving the target reconstruction accuracy. It consists of laser scanning module, optical fiber sensor module, demodulator, data analysis module, etc. Analyzing the structural characteristics of the module, the stress field distribution of the module structure is obtained through simulation analysis, and an appropriate optical fiber sensor network layout is constructed. When the force is applied in different directions, the stress field distribution of the assembly structure is simulated and analyzed. The results show that the magnitude and direction of the residual stress have an impact on the distribution of the stress field. At the same time, the stress field diffusion degree had been also analyzed in different strength conditions. In the calibration test of FBG sensor, the functional relationship between wavelength variation and stress is about 0.0011 nm/N. In the assembly test, the stress test trends of different FBGs were obtained, and the relative error was concentrated between 4.0% and 9.0%, which had good stability. After correcting the position of the point cloud for optical fiber sensing data, the position deviation between the test point and the digital analog has been significantly reduced, with the average value decreasing from 2.953. to 0.095 mm. It has good applicability in factories with large interference of working environment, and can improve the application field of intelligent assembly.
The impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and specific learning disorders on academic performance in Spanish children from a low-middle- and a high-income population
Authors: Español-Martín Gemma , Pagerols Mireia , Prat Raquel , Rivas Cristina , Ramos-Quiroga Josep Antoni , Casas Miquel , Bosch Rosa
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Past research has demonstrated that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disorders (SLD), and socioeconomic status (SES) affect a host of educational outcomes. However, there are no studies examining whether SES moderates the association between these neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) and the academic achievement of children and adolescents. The present investigation examined the impact of ADHD and SLD on academic performance in 1,287 Spanish students aged 5–17 from a low-middle (LM)- and a high-income population, when adjusted for comorbidity and demographic factors that may influence educational functioning.

Methods

Parents completed a questionnaire regarding demographic data along with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Additionally, teachers provided information on learning difficulties trough the Protocol for Detection and Management of Dyslexia. Teacher’s Version. Academic performance across multiple domains (i.e., first language, foreign language, mathematics) was obtained from school records. ND were determined using standardized diagnostic methods based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. To examine the effects of ADHD and SLD on academic achievement and the potential moderating role of SES, a series of ordinal logistic regressions were conducted.

Results

Emotional/behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and ND were more frequent among individuals from the LM-income population. After controlling for gender, age, parental divorce/separation, grade retention, frequency of screen use, and daily meals, both ADHD and SLD were associated with worse educational outcomes. Lower SES also increased the risk for academic impairment, although the interactions with ADHD or SLD were not significant.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that ADHD and SLD exert a pervasive impact on academic performance across different socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, early detection and effective intervention strategies aimed at students with these ND are crucial to improve their educational functioning and mitigate the negative consequences related to academic problems.
Biomass fuel usage for cooking and frailty among older adults in China: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Song Quhong , Dai Miao , Lin Taiping , Zhao Yanli , Peng Xuchao , Liang Rui , Su Qiaoli , Yue Jirong
Published: April 2023

Background

Although outdoor air pollution is reported to have a negative effect on frailty, evidence involving household air pollution is sparse.

Methods

A cohort study on older participants aged ≥65 years from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey was conducted between 2011/2012 and 2014. Household cooking fuel types were determined by self-reported questionaries, and were dichotomized into clean or biomass fuels. The frailty status was evaluated via a 46-item frailty index (FI) and the FRAIL scale, respectively. Frailty was identified if FI >0.21 or FRAIL score ≥3. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to examine the relationship between cooking fuels and incident frailty. And the effects of swapping cooking fuels on frailty risk were also explored.

Results

Among 4,643 participants (mean age at baseline 80.9 ± 9.6 years, 53.7% male) totaling 11,340 person-years, 923 (19.9%) incident frailty was identified using FI. Compared to clean fuels, cooking with biomass fuels was intricately linked to a 23% rise in frailty risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.43). A similar association was detected between biomass cooking fuels and frailty measured by the FRAIL scale (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04–1.50). Sensitive analyses supported the independent relationship between biomass fuels and frailty. Stratified analyses revealed that the frailty risk was higher among town residents (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.13–1.84) and participants not exercising regularly (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.11–1.64). In comparison with persistent biomass fuels usage, switching to clean fuels had a trend to reduce the frailty risk, and the opposite effect was observed when swapping from clean to biomass fuels.

Conclusion

Cooking with biomass fuels was associated with an increased frailty risk in older adults, especially amongst those living in town and those lacking regular exercise. More studies are needed to confirm our findings and to evaluate the potential benefits of reducing indoor biomass fuel usage.
Examining the emergence of digital society and the digital divide in India: A comparative evaluation between urban and rural areas
Authors: Laskar Mahmudul Hasan
Published: April 2023

Contemporary digital society has become a critical agent for transformation in various spheres of life and a new methodological framework for interdisciplinary research. It has emerged as a parallel entity alongside conventional society, where an individual's membership is not only limited to the physical world but also extends to the digital realm. In fact, a person's membership in the physical world is incomplete without their connection to the digital society. Digital technology is instrumental in driving social transformations in areas such as the economy, politics, culture, and religion. The striking feature of digital society is digital data production in the form of big data. Unlike in a conventional society, people's every move and behavior in a digital society are calculated and recorded as data. In this global context of a digital society, India has created opportunities for digitalization for its people since 2000, with significant strides made between 2015 and 2016. Reliance Jio, a telecom company, helped to accelerate this process by offering free unlimited Internet packages on a mass scale. This led to a tremendous surge in service industries and the emergence of new sectors, as well as a digital revolution in the conventional systems of the economy, politics, culture, education, religion, and law. However, this transformation has also exposed a significant challenge—the digital divide or digital inequalities, which cannot be overlooked or undermined in sociological research. It would be wrong to reduce digital inequality to a mere technological divide; it is a complex issue shaped by prevailing socioeconomic conditions, digital inequalities, and capability inequality. The study revealed that India's prevailing socioeconomic divide is the source of its wide digital divide. This digital divide exists across both rural and urban areas, affecting access to digital education and economic opportunities. The digital divide is also found between under-resourced urban areas and affluent residential areas. This study's theoretical framework draws on the studies of Castell on the information society and Dijk's concept of the network society.
Ability of minimally invasive surgery to decrease incisional surgical site infection occurrence in patients with colorectal cancer and other gastroenterological malignancies
Authors: Yamamoto Takehito , Yoshitomi Mami , Oshimo Yoshiki , Nishikawa Yuta , Hisano Koji , Nakano Kenzo , Kawai Takayuki , Okuchi Yoshihisa , Iguchi Kohta , Tanaka Eiji , Fukuda Meiki , Taura Kojiro , Terajima Hiroaki
Published: April 2023

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most important complications of surgery for gastroenterological malignancies because it leads to a prolonged postoperative hospital stay and increased inpatient costs. Furthermore, SSI can delay the initiation of postoperative treatments, including adjuvant chemotherapy, negatively affecting patient prognosis. Identifying the risk factors for SSI is important to improving intra- and postoperative wound management for at-risk patients.

Methods

Patients with gastroenterological malignancies who underwent surgery at our institution were retrospectively reviewed and categorized according to the presence or absence of incisional SSI. Clinicopathological characteristics such as age, sex, body mass index, malignancy location, postoperative blood examination results, operation time, and blood loss volume were compared between groups. The same analysis was repeated of only patients with colorectal malignancies.

Results

A total of 528 patients (330 men, 198 women; mean age, 68 ± 11 years at surgery) were enrolled. The number of patients with diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas were 25, 150, seven, 255, 51, five, and 35, respectively. Open surgery was performed in 303 patients vs. laparoscopic surgery in 225 patients. An incisional SSI occurred in 46 patients (8.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative hyperglycemia (serum glucose level ≥140 mg/dl within 24 h after surgery), colorectal malignancy, and open surgery were independent risk factors for incisional SSI. In a subgroup analysis of patients with colorectal malignancy, incisional SSI occurred in 27 (11%) patients. Open surgery was significantly correlated with the occurrence of incisional SSI (P = 0.024).

Conclusions

Postoperative hyperglycemia and open surgery were significant risk factors for SSI in patients with gastroenterological malignancies. Minimally invasive surgery could reduce the occurrence of incisional SSI.
Abdominal type B vs. type C radical hysterectomy in early-stage cervical cancer: A matched single center cohort report
Authors: Wang Lu , Liu Ping , Duan Hui , Li Pengfei , Su Guidong , Li Weili , Liang Cong , Chen Chunlin
Published: April 2023

Objective

To compare survival outcomes of type B radical hysterectomy (RH) and type C RH in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively identified continuous cervical cancer patients with FIGO stage IA2-IB2 and IIA1 who underwent either type B RH (n = 278) or type C RH (n = 148) performed by the same group of surgeons between 2009 and 2018. Propensity score matching was carried out to minimize selection biases. Intraoperative photographs, immediate postoperative questionnaire and specimen measurements were used to accurately determine the extensive of surgery. We further narrowed the study population to patients with specific histological subtypes and patients with deep stromal invasion.

Results

The median follow-up period was 42.41 ± 24.60 months. After adjusting, no differences in the 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were found between the type B group and the type C group (OS: 87.8% vs. 89.4%, P = 0.814; DFS: 84.9% vs. 85.6%, P = 0.898). In further analysis of patients with squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, similar 5-year OS and DFS rates were found between two groups (OS: 88.7% vs. 97.1%, P = 0.250; DFS: 84.7% vs. 92.3%, P = 0.541). Consistent results were found in patients with deep stromal invasion (OS: 81.8% vs. 100%, P = 0.144; DFS: 82.8% vs. 100%, P = 0.128).

Conclusions

Type B RH could be used to treat FIGO stage IA2-IB2 and IIA1 cervical cancer to get equivalent 5-year OS and DFS. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted.
COVID-19 measures as an opportunity to reduce the environmental footprint in orthopaedic and trauma surgery
Authors: Arndt Eva-Maria , Jansen Tom Rainer , Bojko Jessica , Roos Jonas Joachim , Babasiz Mari , Randau Thomas Martin , Welle Kristian , Burger Christof , Kabir Koroush
Published: April 2023

Background

Climate change and its consequences on our everyday life have also tremendous impacts on public health and the health of each individual. The healthcare sector currently accounts for 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The share of the emissions in the health care system caused by the transportation sector is 7%. The study analyses the effect of video consultation on the CO2 emissions during the Covid-19 pandemic in an outpatient clinic of the department of orthopaedics and traumatology surgery at a German university hospital.

Methods

The study participants were patients who obtained a video consultation in the period from June to December 2020 and voluntarily completed a questionnaire after the consultation. The type of transport, travel time and waiting time as well as patient satisfaction were recorded by questionnaire.

Results

The study comprised 51 consultations. About 70% of respondents would have travelled to the clinic by car. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of video consultations compared to a face-to-face presentation was 97% in our model investigation.

Conclusion

The video consultation can be a very important part of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the health care system. It also saves time for the doctor and patient and can form an essential part of individual patient care.
Paddy Rice Double-Cropping Field Monitoring via Vegetation Indices with Limited Ground Data—A Case Study for Thapanzeik Dam Irrigation District in Myanmar
Authors: Eguchi Taketo , Tasumi Masahiro
Published: April 2023

This study investigated two popular satellite-derived vegetation indices (VIs), MODIS NDVI and EVI, as tools for monitoring crop growth at the Thapanzeik Dam irrigation district in Myanmar, where quality ground data are difficult to obtain. The time-series analysis for seasonal peak VIs presented a considerable improvement in paddy cultivation during 2001–2020 in the irrigation district during summer and monsoon. Fields outside the district had a much lower improvement ratio. Within the irrigation district, a canal with limited water supply was identified via peak and average VIs evaluation. The evaluation of precipitation impact on crop growth demonstrated an opposite impact on crop growth in summer and monsoon cultivations. Water is one of the limiting factors in summer in the irrigation district; thus, precipitation improves water conditions. However, water is not the limiting factor in monsoon; thus, extra water from precipitation, both hydraulically and meteorologically, negatively impacts crop growth. Compared to NDVI, EVI better captured crop growth in densely vegetated surfaces. Meanwhile, information degradation might have occurred with 250 m EVI, using 500 m blue-band reflectance as an input. Thus, the best vegetation index to use depends on the purpose of monitoring and the site situation.
Australia’s Combustible Cladding Crisis—A Failure in Delegated Legislation?
Authors: van der Pump Christian , Scheepbouwer Eric
Published: April 2023

Australia’s combustible cladding crisis is estimated to cost approximately $6 billion to remediate. No study has been published which determined the causative factors for the magnitude of this issue. Investigators for the Federal Building Ministers’ Forum stated that building practitioners misinterpreted or ignored the requirements of the National Construction Code. However, research by the authors showed that the cause of Australia’s combustible cladding crisis are likely deficiencies in the National Construction Code itself. A comparative analysis of historic National Construction Code requirements and recent National Construction Code changes in response to cladding fires showed that the factors which contributed to Australia’s combustible cladding crisis were present for nearly 20 years. Findings also showed that some of the newly introduced measures incorporated in the National Construction Code to address the combustible cladding crisis do not fully address combustible cladding risks and fail to completely address the historical deficiencies.
Targeting BCMA in Multiple Myeloma: Advances in Antibody-Drug Conjugate Therapy
Authors: Xing Lijie , Liu Yuntong , Liu Jiye
Published: April 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells. In the last twenty years, treatment strategies have evolved toward targeting MM cells—from the shotgun chemotherapy approach to the slightly more targeted approach of disrupting important MM molecular pathways to the immunotherapy approach that specifically targets MM cells based on protein expression. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are introduced as immunotherapeutic drugs which utilize an antibody to deliver cytotoxic agents to cancer cells distinctively. Recent investigations of ADCs for MM treatment focus on targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which regulates B cell proliferation, survival, maturation, and differentiation into plasma cells (PCs). Given its selective expression in malignant PCs, BCMA is one of the most promising targets in MM immunotherapy. Compared to other BCMA-targeting immunotherapies, ADCs have several benefits, such as lower price, shorter production period, fewer infusions, less dependence on the patient’s immune system, and they are less likely to over-activate the immune system. In clinical trials, anti-BCMA ADCs have shown safety and remarkable response rates in patients with relapsed and refractory MM. Here, we review the properties and clinical applications of anti-BCMA ADC therapies and discuss the potential mechanisms of resistance and ways to overcome them.
Thyroglobulin Value Predict Iodine-123 Imaging Result in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients
Authors: Campennì Alfredo , Ruggeri Rosaria Maddalena , Siracusa Massimiliano , Romano Davide , Giacoppo Giulia , Crocè Ludovica , Rosarno Helena , Russo Simona , Cardile Davide , Capoccetti Francesca , Alibrandi Angela , Baldari Sergio , Giovanella Luca
Published: April 2023

Background: In differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients, the response to initial treatments is evaluated 6–12 months after radioiodine therapy (RIT) according to the 2015 American Thyroid Association (2015 ATA) criteria. In selected patients, diagnostic 131-radioiodine whole-body scintigraphy (Dx-WBS) is recommended. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of 123I-Dx-WBS-SPECT/CT imaging in detecting incomplete structural responses in the early follow-up of DTC patients and, additionally, derived optimized basal-Tg value as a yardstick for scintigraphic imaging. Methods: We reviewed the records of 124 low or intermediate-risk DTC patients with negative anti-thyroglobulin antibody. All patients had undergone (near)-total-thyroidectomy followed by RIT. The response to initial treatments was evaluated 6–12 months after RIT. Results: According to the 2015 ATA criteria, 87, 19 and 18 DTC patients were classified to have excellent response (ER), indeterminate/incomplete biochemical response (BIndR/BIR) or structural incomplete response (SIR), respectively. Among patients with less than ER, 18 had a positive 123I-Dx-WBS-SPECT/CT. Metastatic disease at 123I-Dx-WBS-SPECT/CT mainly involved lymph nodes within the central compartment, and corresponding neck ultrasound examinations were negative. The ROC curve analysis was performed to define the best basal-Tg cut-off (i.e., 0.39 ng/mL; AUC = 0.852) able to discriminate patients with and without positive 123I-Dx-WBS-SPECT/CT, respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV were 77.8%, 89.6%, 87.9%, 56.0% and 95.9%, respectively. Basal-Tg cut-off was an independent risk factor for having a positive 123I-Dx-WBS-SPECT/CT. Conclusion: 123I-Dx-WBS-SPECT/CT identified lymph node metastases in 14/37 patients with less than ER and a negative neck ultrasound, thus modifying the management of such patients. The diagnostic performance of 123I-Dx-WBS-SPECT/CT significantly increased in patients with basal-Tg values ≥ 0.39 ng/mL.
Innovative Invasive Loco-Regional Techniques for the Treatment of Lung Cancer
Authors: Claes Erik , Wener Reinier , Neyrinck Arne P. , Coppens Axelle , Van Schil Paul E. , Janssens Annelies , Lapperre Thérèse S. , Snoeckx Annemiek , Wen Wen , Voet Hanne , Verleden Stijn E. , Hendriks Jeroen M. H.
Published: April 2023

Surgical resection is still the standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer. A multimodal treatment consisting of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy is advised for more advanced disease stages (stages IIb, III and IV). The role of surgery in these stages is limited to very specific indications. Regional treatment techniques are being introduced at a high speed because of improved technology and their possible advantages over traditional surgery. This review includes an overview of established and promising innovative invasive loco-regional techniques stratified based on the route of administration, including endobronchial, endovascular and transthoracic routes, a discussion of the results for each method, and an overview of their implementation and effectiveness.
Mapping the Lymphatic Drainage Pattern of Esophageal Cancer with Near-Infrared Fluorescent Imaging during Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy (RAMIE)—First Results of the Prospective ESOMAP Feasibility Trial
Authors: Müller Dolores T. , Schiffmann Lars M. , Reisewitz Alissa , Chon Seung-Hun , Eckhoff Jennifer A. , Babic Benjamin , Schmidt Thomas , Schröder Wolfgang , Bruns Christiane J. , Fuchs Hans F.
Published: April 2023

While the sentinel lymph node concept is routinely applied in other surgical fields, no established and valid modality for lymph node mapping for esophageal cancer surgery currently exists. Near-infrared light fluorescence (NIR) using indocyanine green (ICG) has been recently proven to be a safe technology for peritumoral injection and consecutive lymph node mapping in small surgical cohorts, mostly without the usage of robotic technology. The aim of this study was to identify the lymphatic drainage pattern of esophageal cancer during highly standardized RAMIE and to correlate the intraoperative images with the histopathological dissemination of lymphatic metastases. Patients with clinically advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus undergoing a RAMIE at our Center of Excellence for Surgery of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract were prospectively included in this study. Patients were admitted on the day prior to surgery, and an additional EGD with endoscopic injection of the ICG solution around the tumor was performed. Intraoperative imaging procedures were performed using the Stryker 1688 or the FIREFLY fluorescence imaging system, and resected lymph nodes were sent to pathology. A total of 20 patients were included in the study, and feasibility and safety for the application of NIR using ICG during RAMIE were shown. NIR imaging to detect lymph node metastases can be safely performed during RAMIE. Further analyses in our center will focus on pathological analyses of ICG-positive tissue and quantification using artificial intelligence tools with a correlation of long-term follow-up data.
Charge Equalization System for an Electric Vehicle with a Solar Panel
Authors: Angamarca-Avendaño Darwin-Alexander , Saquicela-Moncayo Jonnathan-Francisco , Capa-Carrillo Byron-Humberto , Cobos-Torres Juan-Carlos
Published: April 2023

Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and more efficient than conventional combustion vehicles. However, from the point of view of energy vectors, they may use energy produced by less efficient and more polluting means. In this paper, an applicative methodology is used to develop a charging equalizer for an electric vehicle that makes it possible to efficiently use the energy produced by a 350 W photovoltaic panel to intelligently charge the five batteries of the vehicle. In addition, using a quantitative methodology, an analysis of the different physical and electrical parameters obtained by a series of sensors installed in the vehicle is presented, and the efficiency of the system is determined. Different routes were travelled within the city of Cuenca with and without the load equalization system, which made it possible to determine an increase in vehicle efficiency of up to 27.9%, equivalent to an additional travel distance of approximately 14.35 km. This is a promising result, since with small investments in solar panels and electronic materials, the performance of low-cost electric vehicles can be significantly improved.
Research on Near-Field Propagation Characteristics of Partial Discharge Electromagnetic Wave Signal in Switchgear
Authors: Suo Chunguang , Zhao Jingjing , Wang Lifeng , Xu Zhipeng , Luo Ruikang , He Mingxing , Zhang Wenbin
Published: April 2023

In the authors’ previous research, a new method for partial discharge detection in the switchgear based on near-field detection was proposed. The content of this paper is the continuation of the authors’ previous research. In order to realize the reasonable layout of the near-field magnetic field probe for partial discharge detection in the switchgear, this paper simulates and analyzes the influence of the internal structure of the switchgear on the near-field propagation characteristics of the electromagnetic wave signal generated by partial discharge, and determines the installation position of the near-field probe in the switchgear. Firstly, the propagation characteristics of electromagnetic wave signals in the different media of the switchgear are analyzed, and the switchgear model is established. Then, based on the finite difference time domain method, the influence of different devices in the switchgear on the near-field propagation of the partial discharge electromagnetic wave signal is simulated. The simulation results show that the current transformer, insulator, busbar and cabinet all obviously attenuate the amplitude of the near-field electromagnetic wave signals generated by partial discharge, and the insulator causes obvious signal distortion. Finally, it is determined that the near-field probe can be installed on the inner wall or the right wall near the bottom plate of the switchgear.
Outdoor Climate as a Decision Variable in the Selection of an Energy-Optimal Refrigeration System Based on Natural Refrigerants for a Supermarket
Authors: Drojetzki Lawrence , Porowski Mieczyslaw
Published: April 2023

This paper presents the results of a simulation study on the selection of an energy-optimal refrigeration system based on natural refrigerants as a function of outdoor climate parameters as a decision variable in a supermarket application. Simulations were conducted for twelve locations. Three new original refrigeration systems were presented: Cascade R744/R717 which is an advanced booster extended with an ammonia condensing system (CASC_1); Cascade R744/R717 with CO2 pump-fed MT and pressure-fed LT evaporators (CASC_2); and the R717 booster with CO2 pump-fed MT and LT evaporators (CB_NH3). As a reference system, a CO2 booster system with multi-ejectors and flooded evaporators (CB_EJ) was adopted. The CB_EJ system has been confirmed to be energy optimal for cold and temperate climates (Cfb, Dfa and cooler). In warm temperate climates (Csa, BSk, Cfa and similar), the energy consumption of CB_NH3 was the lowest. CASC_2 and CB_NH3 are energy optimal for hot climates (BWh, Af, Aw). The CB_NH3 system always outperforms CASC_2 by 2.5–3.8%. For a tropical climate (Bhubaneswar—Aw), the annual electricity demand of the optimal CB_NH3 system is lower by 18.8%, 10.2%, and 2.7% relative to CB_EJ, CASC_1, and CASC_2, respectively. The COP of the CASC_1 (outdoor temperature 40 °C) is higher by 50%, 2.7%, and 4.7% compared with the CB_EJ, CB_NH3 and CASC_2 systems, respectively. The application of CASC_1 system, relative to CB_EJ, is reasonable only for hot climates and decreases by 7.2% the annual electricity demand for Bhubaneswar.