bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal region avoidance in whole brain radiotherapy in brain metastases: For all or for some? A real-world feasibility report
Authors: Corrao Giulia , Bergamaschi Luca , Eleonora Pierini Vanessa , Gaeta Aurora , Volpe Stefania , Pepa Matteo , Zaffaroni Mattia , Vincini Maria Giulia , Fodor Cristiana Iuliana , Piperno Gaia , Emiro Francesca , Ferrari Annamaria , Gandini Sara , Cattani Federica , Orecchia Roberto , Marvaso Giulia , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara Alicja
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

Hippocampal sparing whole-brain radiotherapy (HS-WBRT) showed significantly lower long-term side effects compared to standard WBRT. Aim of this study is to describe a HS-WBRT real-world monoinstitutional experience within a retrospective cohort.

Methods:

Patients who completed HS-WBRT course, with Karnofsky Performance Status ⩾ 60 and radiological diagnosis of brain metastases (BMs) were enrolled. Treatment was performed using helical Tomotherapy scheduled in 30 Gy in 10 or 12 fractions or 25 Gy in 10 fractions. Oncological outcomes were clinically and radiologically assessed every three months. Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.3.

Results:

One hundred and nineteen patients from 2016 to 2020 met inclusion criteria; after a median follow-up of 18 months, 29 patients were alive; 6- and 12-months overall survival rates were 66% and 41%, respectively. HS-WBRT response was assessed for 72 patients. Median time to any progression and intracranial failure (IF) was 4.5 and 13.7 months, respectively. The 6- and 12-month IF rates were 85% and 57%. Among 40 patients (34%) who experienced IF, 17 (42%) were oligometastatic, 23 (58%) polymetastatic and 15/40 developed IF within the hippocampi avoidance zone. No grade (G) ⩾ 2 acute toxicities were reported and one G2 (dizziness) late toxicity was described.

Conclusions:

HS-WBRT is well tolerated, and despite the hippocampal sparing region, the oncological control is satisfying. Further investigation is warranted to find patients who could most benefit from a HS-WBRT approach.
Driveline infection according to driveline positioning in left ventricular assist device implant recipients
Authors: Lauenroth Volker , Zittermann Armin , Lucke Stefan , Gummert Jan F , Morshuis Michiel
Published: January 2024

We conducted a prospective, open-labeled, clinical trial, with a two-by-two factorial design, of argon cold plasma application and two different types of driveline positioning for the prevention of driveline infection (DLI) in 80 patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant. Here, we present the results of intracorporeal loop positioning ( n = 40) versus no intracorporeal loop positioning ( n = 40). Patients were followed up for 1 year. According to the Driveline Expert STagINg and carE grading (DESTINE) system, a DLI was considered in case of a stage 2 or higher graded infection. During follow-up, 29 (36%) patients experienced a DLI, 16 in the group with intracorporeal loop positioning and 13 in the group with no intracorporeal loop positioning. Kaplan-Meier estimates of freedom from DLI showed no statistically significant difference between study groups during follow-up ( p = 0.33). In detail, 30-day freedom from DLI was for the groups with and without intracorporeal loop positioning 92 and 92%, respectively, and 1-year freedom from DLI was 51 and 62%, respectively. In conclusion, this controlled clinical trial was unable to show a statistically significant difference in freedom from DLI during one year of follow-up in groups with or without intracorporeal loop positioning. However, larger trials have to confirm these results.
Must I follow the script? Professional objectivity, journalistic roles and the Black community journalist
Authors: Singleton William , Lowrey Wilson , Buzzelli Nick
Published: January 2024

This study examines how Black journalists in local legacy newspapers, digital startup media and historically Black newspapers have expressed journalistic objectivity and enacted journalistic roles. Findings showed more neutral coverage in historically white media, which was expected, while coverage in the historically Black newspaper and the digital startup reflected an advocacy role—one that did not fit within the four expected roles. Also, a “clarifier” role emerged in which journalists encouraged local protest groups to distinguish their identities.
Artificial Intelligence Chatbots’ Understanding of the Risks and Benefits of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scenarios
Authors: Patil Nikhil S. , Huang Ryan S. , Caterine Scott , Yao Jason , Larocque Natasha , van der Pol Christian B. , Stubbs Euan
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

Patients may seek online information to better understand medical imaging procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of information provided by 2 popular artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots pertaining to common imaging scenarios’ risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Methods:

Fourteen imaging-related scenarios pertaining to computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used. Factors including the use of intravenous contrast, the presence of renal disease, and whether the patient was pregnant were included in the analysis. For each scenario, 3 prompts for outlining the (1) risks, (2) benefits, and (3) alternative imaging choices or potential implications of not using contrast were inputted into ChatGPT and Bard. A grading rubric and a 5-point Likert scale was used by 2 independent reviewers to grade responses. Prompt variability and chatbot context dependency were also assessed.

Results:

ChatGPT’s performance was superior to Bard’s in accurately responding to prompts per Likert grading (4.36 ± 0.63 vs 3.25 ± 1.03 seconds, P < .0001). There was substantial agreement between independent reviewer grading for ChatGPT (κ = 0.621) and Bard (κ = 0.684). Response text length was not statistically different between ChatGPT and Bard (2087 ± 256 characters vs 2162 ± 369 characters, P = .24). Response time was longer for ChatGPT (34 ± 2 vs 8 ± 1 seconds, P < .0001).

Conclusions:

ChatGPT performed superior to Bard at outlining risks, benefits, and alternatives to common imaging scenarios. Generally, context dependency and prompt variability did not change chatbot response content. Due to the lack of detailed scientific reasoning and inability to provide patient-specific information, both AI chatbots have limitations as a patient information resource.
Design and experimental validation of a valve-distributed water radial piston pump
Authors: Li Ran , Wei Wenshu , Liu Hao , Geng Xiangyu , Cui Jianqiang , Guo Zongkai , Li Dongze , Yu Tianliang , Wang Dalong , Yuan Xiaoming , Lv Shijun , Gao Na
Published: January 2024

In underground coal mining, there is an urgent need for reducing the noise, hydraulic shock, and leakage of reciprocating pumps. Flow pulsation is strongly dependent on the number of pistons for single-acting reciprocating pumps. Water hydraulic radial piston pumps (RPPs) allow the pistons to be radially distributed, which makes the multi-piston design easier compared to traditional single-acting reciprocating piston pumps. In this study, a novel valve-distributed water RPP was developed in which the star wheel assembled on the camshaft is used to drive the connecting rod-crosshead-piston assembly and realize the reciprocation of the piston and suction-discharge of the pump check valves. Mathematical and numerical models representing the RPP were built using MATLAB and AMESim, respectively. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analyses were performed to investigate the internal flow field of the suction and discharge circuits as well as the flow characteristics of the discharge valve opening. A prototype pump was manufactured and tested for 200 h and then disassembled to evaluate the wear condition. The tested instant flow rates were lower than those obtained from the theoretical and simulation analyses. The experimental results also revealed that the average flow rates were almost independent of the output pressure and that the volumetric efficiency decreased with increasing rotational speed when the output pressure was larger than 25 MPa. Inspecting the disassembled water RPP revealed that scuffing problems occurred in the pistons, whereas the other components remained intact. The findings of this study offer a reference for water hydraulic power units in various applications and for investigating the intensity of water hydraulics.
A low-frequency summer temperature reconstruction for the United States Southwest, 3000 BC–AD 2000
Authors: Gillreath-Brown Andrew , Bocinsky R Kyle , Kohler Timothy A
Published: January 2024

Temperature variability likely played an important role in determining the spread and productive potential of North America’s key prehispanic agricultural staple, maize. The United States Southwest (SWUS) also served as the gateway for maize to reach portions of North America to the north and east. Existing temperature reconstructions for the SWUS are typically low in spatial or temporal resolution, shallow in time depth, or subject to unknown degrees of insensitivity to low-frequency variability, hindering accurate determination of temperature’s role in agricultural productivity and variability in distribution and success of prehispanic farmers. Here, we develop a model-based modern analog technique (MAT) approach applied to 29 SWUS fossil pollen sites to reconstruct July temperatures from 3000 BC to AD 2000. Temperatures were generally warmer than or similar to those of the modern (1961–1990) period until the first century AD. Our reconstruction also notes rapid warming beginning in the AD 1800s; modern conditions are unprecedented in at least the last five millennia in the SWUS. Temperature minima were reached around 1800 BC, 1000 BC, AD 400 (the global minimum in this series), the mid-to-late AD 900s, and the AD 1500s. Summer temperatures were generally depressed relative to northern hemisphere norms by a dominance of El Niño-like conditions during much of the second millenium BC and the first millenium AD, but somewhat elevated relative to those same norms in other periods, including from about AD 1300 to the present, due to the dominance of La Niña-like conditions.
Proximally Fat? Extending Stigma by Association to Explore Why an Employee May be Impacted by Another Employee’s Obesity
Authors: Johnson Michael A. , Schminke Marshall
Published: January 2024

Across three studies, we explore the workplace implications of “obesity proximity effects,” where a proximal person working with an obese individual suffers the same negative perceptions and outcomes as the obese individual. Specifically, we investigate why working with an obese coworker would affect a proximal employee’s job performance. We use this context to propose new theory-driven mechanisms to challenge the understanding of stigma-by-association processes more broadly. Studies 1–2 extend theory on stigma-by-association effects by introducing a novel self-stigmatization perspective. Results from two time-lagged, multisource field studies reveal that obesity proximity effects emerge most consistently from the proximal employee taking on the emotions associated with obese people when working with an obese coworker. Study 3 dives deeper into this self-stigmatization path through a between-person, experimental coworker simulation. Results again show that a proximal employee, when working with an obese coworker, will take on emotions associated with people who are obese, independently of their own obesity status. These studies show it is important to study the broader impact of obesity, exploring its influence on other organizational members. Implications for the obesity literature, stigma theory, and other stigmatized characteristics are discussed.
The mathematics and mechanics of tug of war
Authors: Moulton Derek E , Oliveri Hadrien
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we propose a mechanical model for a game of tug of war (rope pulling). We focus on a game opposing two players, modelling each player’s body as a structure composed of straight rods that can be actuated in three different ways to generate a pulling force. We first examine the static problem of two opponents being in a deadlock configuration of mechanical equilibrium; here we show that this situation is essentially governed by the ratio of masses of the players, with the heavier player having a strong advantage. We then turn to the dynamic problem and model the response of the system to an abrupt change in activation by one of the players. In this case, the system exhibits a nontrivial response; in particular, we compare a sudden pulling and a sudden “letting up,” and demonstrate the existence of regimes in which the lighter player can momentarily take the advantage.
Identifying composition-mechanics relations in human brain tissue based on neural-network-enhanced inverse parameter identification
Authors: Hinrichsen Jan , Feiler Lea , Reiter Nina , Bräuer Lars , Schicht Martin , Paulsen Friedrich , Budday Silvia
Published: January 2024

The mechanical properties of human brain tissue remain far from being fully understood. One aspect that has gained more attention recently is their regional dependency, as the brain’s microstructure varies significantly from one region to another. Understanding the correlation between tissue components and the mechanical behavior is an important step toward better understanding how human brain tissue properties change in space and time and to develop highly spatially resolved constitutive models for large-scale brain simulations. Here, we analyze the correlation between human brain tissue components quantified through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and material parameters obtained through an inverse parameter identification scheme based on a hyperelastic Ogden model and multimodal mechanical testing data for eight regions of the brain. We use neural networks as a metamodel to save computational costs. The networks are trained on finite element simulation outputs and are able to replace the simulations in the initial optimization step. We identified strong dependencies between mechanical properties and Iba1 associated with microglia cells, collagen VI, GFAP associated with astrocytes, and collagen IV. These results advance our understanding of microstructure-mechanics relations in human brain tissue and will contribute to the development of highly spatially resolved microstructure-informed constitutive models.
Campus-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Programs: Predictors of College Students’ Intentions to Participate
Authors: Halverson McKenna M. , Lowmaster Sara E.
Published: January 2024

Peer mentors play a crucial role in campus-based living and support programs that assist autistic students in their transition to U.S. colleges. However, limited research has examined the characteristics of potential peer mentors and incentives that may be necessary to staff such programs. The present study evaluated the relationship between the characteristics of college students and their intention to participate in an autism spectrum disorder-specific living and support program. Undergraduate students ( N = 210; 83% females, Mage = 18.9 years, SD = 1.2) completed questionnaires assessing personality characteristics, acceptance of individuals with disabilities, and intrinsic and extrinsic motives for potential participation. Results suggest that participants would be highly motivated to participate if course credit toward their major or monetary incentives were offered. In addition, a history of contact with autistic individuals and agreeableness emerged as the most robust predictors of students’ intention to participate. Findings from this study may improve inclusivity on college campuses.
Outlier speakers and apparent effects: The case of variable subject placement in Spanish
Authors: Limerick Philip P.
Published: January 2024

Aims and objectives:

The current paper utilizes corpus data to examine variation and potential language contact effects regarding pronominal subject placement among first-generation immigrants in Atlanta, with particular attention paid to the individual speaker. The research questions that guide the study are the following: What linguistic and social predictors govern subject placement in Mexican Spanish spoken in Roswell, GA? What role, if any, does English contact play in the overall preverbal rates and/or constraints that govern subject placement? Do the data show any substantial individual differences with regard to rates of subject placement? If so, how might the inclusion versus exclusion of these speakers influence the overall interpretation of the results?

Design and data:

This study employs a variationist sociolinguistic framework, and the speakers comprise 20 first-generation Mexican immigrants living in Georgia.

Analysis:

Descriptive statistics are employed for purposes of overall as well as individual usage rates of postverbal subjects. In addition, linguistic (e.g., person/number, priming) and social predictors (e.g., sex, English proficiency, preferred media language) were incorporated into logistic regression analyses using Rbrul.

Findings:

Pronominal subject placement is most strongly influenced by person/number. Third-person singular pronouns favor postverbals while other pronouns favor preverbal position. Regarding social predictors, both sex and preferred media language appeared to play significant roles in the initial analysis; however, upon considering outlier speaker effects, the apparent effect of sex disappeared. The media language effect shows that those with a preference for English media favor preverbal subjects, suggesting a potential language contact effect.

Originality and implications:

The current study is the first to analyze this phenomenon in southeastern U.S. Spanish. The findings have implications for the study of language contact and change, demonstrating the importance of considering how individual speakers could misrepresent the overall data, interpretations of results, and conclusions in sociolinguistic studies of bilingualism.
Are interest groups effective public action influencers in the field of education? Case studies of two school reforms in Switzerland
Authors: Revaz Sonia
Published: January 2024

This article interrogates the legitimacy and influence of interest groups in the elaboration of two school reforms of the last stage of compulsory schooling in two Swiss cantons: Geneva and Vaud. Based on the principle of participatory democracy, the Swiss political system raises questions about the specificities of interest groups’ influence on educational policies. What role is given to them by the political institutions? Conversely, what role do they grant themselves in school reform processes? This article is based on a sociology of public action and aims to determine whether interest groups influence educational policies. We investigated these actors’ involvement in the development of the reforms through a thematic content analysis of four corpora of texts for each canton. Our analysis of the data indicates that the influence of interest groups operates on two fronts: agenda setting and implementation of reforms. In contrast, interest groups are little considered during the process of drawing up bills in Parliament.
A comparison of in situ and impedance eduction experimental techniques for acoustic liners with grazing flow and high sound pressure level
Authors: Bonomo Lucas A , Quintino Nicolas T , Spillere André M N , Murray Paul B , Cordioli Julio A
Published: January 2024

Several techniques are available to characterize acoustic liners when subject to grazing flow and high sound pressure level (SPL). Although the in situ technique started as the primary experimental procedure, impedance eduction techniques have gained popularity over the past years. However, there is a lack of comparison between these group of methods, especially at conditions typically found in turbofan engines. In this work, in situ and impedance eduction techniques are compared at high flow velocities and SPL using typical acoustic liner test samples and considering uniform flow. Both upstream and downstream acoustic wave propagation will also be considered in view of the discrepancies recently observed by eduction methods. A new method to compensate the instrumentation effect in the in situ technique is proposed and validated. Results are obtained for bulk Mach numbers up to 0.5 and SPLs up to 145 dB for both in situ and two eduction techniques. The three methods presents good agreement in the absence of flow. Unexpected results are observed with higher flow Mach numbers using the eduction technique.
“Designs for People Who Do Not Readily Intermingle”: Olmsted Jr.’s Use of Race-Restrictive Covenants, ca. 1900–1930
Authors: Schentag Annie
Published: January 2024

This article illuminates Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.’s use of racially restrictive covenants in his firm’s residential subdivisions. Given his prominence in planning for urban development during the first three decades of the twentieth century, examining Olmsted Jr.’s legacy to the role of planning in perpetuating racial segregation can provide an important missing piece of planning history. This study utilizes a particularly rich collection of restrictive covenants (circa 1900–1930) from the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site to document the scope, variety, location, timing, and language of racial restrictions applied in numerous Olmsted Brothers firm projects across America. In doing so, it considers the relationship between developers, designers, and homeowners in contributing to the segregation of American residential subdivisions still prevalent today. This research demonstrates the commitment of the Olmsted firm to advancing residential segregation in newly created communities throughout the nation during the first half of the twentieth century.
Single-Port Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Repair of Pediatric Inguinal Hernias and Hydroceles by Using Hernia Crochet Needle With a Cannula
Authors: Lin Zhixiong , Yan Lei , Fang Zhihao , Wu Dianming , Liu Mingkun , Fang Yifan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Numerous modifications laparoscopic techniques have mushroomed in recent years. Here we describe a modified technique of extracorporeal ligation of processus vaginalis in children using a hernia crochet needle with a cannula.

Methods

Processus vaginalis repair was carried out on patients diagnosed with inguinal hernia or hydroceles using this novel technique between June 2021 and June 2022. The processus vaginalis was closed extracorporeally using a hernia crochet needle with a cannula. In the presence of patent processus vaginalis, the same procedure would be performed on the contralateral side. The primary outcomes was the safety and efficiency of this modified procedure, and the secondary outcomes was the post operative complications.

Results

A total of 212 (165 inguinal hernia and 47 hydroceles) children were corrected by this novel technique. The mean operation time was 27.49 min for unilateral inguinal hernia cases and 36.55 min for bilateral cases. The unilateral hydrocele median operation time was 27.83 min and that for the bilateral cases was 37.30 min. During the mean of 10.92 months of follow-up, there was only a boy subject to a metachronous contralateral occurrence of hernia 10 months after surgery, and no other complications (knot reactions, testicular atrophy, postoperative hydrocele or iatrogenic) have been observed yet.

Conclusion

This study shown a unique procedure with using a hernia crochet needle with a cannula to be simple, safe, and effective in managing inguinal hernias and hydroceles in the pediatric population.
The parole dossier and its negative impacts on prisoner identity
Authors: Read Bradley
Published: January 2024

This article suggests that the parole dossier may be working to damage prisoners’ sense of their identity through the creation of a carceral script which describes a person whom they do not recognise as themselves, and which leads to an increased narrative labour. Prisoners struggle, therefore, under that labour to form a post offence identity with which to navigate a complex process such as parole. As identity, and its repair, appear instrumental to desistance, elements of the process, such as the dossier, could be putting hopes of rehabilitation at risk. Using the analysis of 15 prisoner interviews, this article explores a parole process described as undermining agency. A process where risk assessment is perceived poorly and where ultimately the experience can lead to negative impacts on an already fragile self-identity. In conclusion, this article attempts to offer some solutions, to mitigate the negative effects, with a view to maximising the potential impact of the dossier process on future desistance, through the more meaningful involvement of the prisoner at its centre.
Género, infodemia y desinformación en salud. Revisión de alcance global, vacíos de conocimiento y recomendaciones
Authors: Moyano Daniela Luz , Agulló-Tomás María Silveria , Zorrilla-Muñoz Vanessa
Published: January 2024

Objetivo:

explorar el estado de la literatura científica sobre los aspectos de infodemia y desinformación en salud vinculados al género y a la interseccionalidad, detectar vacíos de conocimiento y brindar recomendaciones.

Métodos:

revisión de alcance global, con la detección de vacíos de conocimiento y recomendaciones. Se buscó en ocho bases de datos: MEDLINE (Pubmed), Anthropological Index Online, Studies on Women & Gender Abstracts, LILACS, Scielo, Global Index Medicus, Web of Science, Google académico y se hizo una búsqueda manual en Google de documentos de los últimos 10 años, sin restricciones de idioma y geográficas. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de los estudios incluidos.

Resultados:

855 registros fueron identificados y 21 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Predominan los estudios que tuvieron como primer autor/a una mujer (13/21), aunque en la autoría global se destacaron los hombres (10/21). El modelo binario fue el enfoque principal (16/21). La mayoría (18/21) se publicaron a partir del 2020. Se abordaron principalmente temas relacionados con la COVID-19 y la salud sexual y reproductiva (antes de la pandemia), y en menor medida la salud mental. Se identificaron interacciones entre diferencias de sexo/género en la desinformación/infodemia en salud especialmente en mujeres, colectivos de género diverso, personas mayores y población de bajo nivel socioeducativo.

Conclusiones:

existen brechas de conocimiento en el tema explorado, con escaso número de estudios, y limitaciones de alcances y del enfoque de género y/o feminista (más allá del binario). No obstante, los resultados tentativos constatan la presencia de inequidades de género e interseccionalidad en la desinformación en salud.

Palabras clave:

infodemia, desinformación, género, COVID-19, revisión sistemática
Endocrine therapy plus HER2-targeted therapy, another favorable option for HR+/HER2+ advanced breast cancer patients
Authors: Liang Yuehua , Liu Xiaoran , Yun Zehui , Li Kun , Li Huiping
Published: January 2024

Advanced breast cancer (ABC) that is positive for hormone receptors (HRs) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a cancer subtype with distinctive characteristics. The primary treatment guidelines suggest that a combination therapy comprising anti-HER2 therapy and chemotherapy should be administered as the initial treatment for HR-positive/ HER2-positive (HR+/HER2+) ABC. However, crosstalk between the HR and HER2 pathways can partially account for the resistance of HR+/HER2+ disease to HER2-targeted therapy. This, in turn, provides a rationale for the concomitant administration of HER2-targeted therapy and endocrine therapy (ET). Many clinical studies have confirmed that the combination of HER2-targeted therapy and ET as a first-line treatment is not inferior to the combination of HER2-targeted therapy and chemotherapy, and support its use as a first-line treatment choice for HR+/HER2+ ABC. Other drugs, such as antibody–drug conjugates, cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–protein kinase B (AKT)–mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and programmed cell death protein 1 or programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitors, may also improve the prognosis of patients with breast cancer by blocking signaling pathways associated with tumor proliferation and break new ground for the treatment of HR+/HER2+ ABC.
TQB2450 in patients with advanced malignant tumors: results from a phase I dose-escalation and expansion study
Authors: Xue Junli , Xue Liqiong , Tang Wenbo , Ge Xiaoxiao , Zhao Wei , Li Qun , Peng Wei , Dai Congqi , Guo Ye , Li Jin
Published: January 2024

Background:

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has demonstrated impressive clinical benefits in multiple tumor types. TQB2450, a novel monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death ligand 1, has shown safety and efficacy in preclinical studies.

Objectives:

This first-in-human study aimed to evaluate the safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, and preliminary antitumor activity of TQB2450 in patients with advanced malignant tumors.

Design and methods:

In this phase I study, eligible patients with advanced malignant tumors received intravenous TQB2450 once every 3 weeks. This study consisted of a 3 + 3 dose-escalation phase (1–30 mg/kg) and a specific dose-expansion phase (1200 mg). The primary endpoints were maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and safety. The secondary endpoints were PK, immunogenicity, and investigator-assessed response rate.

Results:

Between April 2018 and February 2020, 40 patients were enrolled (22 in the dose-escalation phase and 18 in the dose-expansion phase). No DLT was reported and the MTD was not reached. Grade ⩾3 or worse treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) occurred in 11 (27.50%) patients, with the most frequent being aspartate aminotransferase increased (5.00%), leukopenia (5.00%), and anemia (5.00%). Treatment-related serious AEs were reported in six patients, the most common of which was decompensated liver function (5.00%). No treatment-related death was reported. The maximum serum concentration of TQB2450 increased in a dose-proportional manner. Treatment-induced anti-drug antibodies were detected in 31.58% (12/38) of patients. The investigator assessed the objective response rate as 5.00% and the disease control rate was 52.50%, including 2 partial responses and 19 stable diseases. The median progression-free survival was 2.69 (95% confidence interval, 2.07–6.14) months.

Conclusion:

TQB2450 has a manageable safety profile with favorable PK and immunogenicity and has shown early evidence of clinical activity in advanced malignant tumors.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:

NCT03460457.
Combined pre-treatment and middle-treatment Epstein–Barr virus DNA load contributes to prognostication and treatment modification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
Authors: Lan Kaiqi , Mao Jingrong , Sun Xuesong , Li Suchen , Xie Siyi , Sun Rui , Liu Sailan , Mai Haiqiang
Published: January 2024

Objective:

To investigate whether pre-treatment and middle-treatment plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA loads are useful predictors of prognosis and indicators of therapy modification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods:

Plasma EBV DNA load was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction before treatment (pre-DNA) and during the second cycle of DDP (mid-DNA). The primary endpoint was 5-year progression-free survival (PFS).

Results:

A total of 775 NPC patients treated with CCRT were included. In total, 553 patients with pre-DNA <4000 copies/mL and 222 with ⩾4000 copies/mL. A total of 559 patients had mid-DNA undetectable and 216 had detectable. Multivariate analysis showed that pre- and mid-DNA were independent prognostic predictors of PFS [hazard ratio (HR), 2.035; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.406–2.944; p < 0.001; HR, 1.597; 95% CI, 1.101–2.316; p = 0.014]. The area under the curve of the combination of pre-DNA and mid-DNA for 5-year PFS was higher than that of pre-DNA, mid-DNA, and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (0.679 versus 0.622, 0.608, 0.601). In the low-risk group (pre-DNA <4000 copies/mL and undetectable mid-DNA), patients receiving ⩽200 mg/m2 showed similar efficacy as those receiving >200 mg/m2 cumulative cisplatin dose (CCD) but were associated with fewer all-grade late toxicities. However, in the high-risk group (pre-DNA ⩾4000 copies/mL or detectable mid-DNA), patients receiving >200 mg/m2 CCD showed a higher 5-year PFS (73.1% versus 58.6%, p = 0.027) and locoregional relapse-free survival (88.5% versus 76.1%, p = 0.028) than those receiving ⩽200 mg/m2 CCD.

Conclusion:

The combination of pre-DNA and mid-DNA could be particularly useful for guiding risk stratification and early treatment modification for NPC treated with CCRT. A total of 200 mg/m2 cisplatin seemed to be the optimal dose for the low-risk patients, while >200 mg/m2 cisplatin may be adequate to achieve satisfactory survival outcomes in the high-risk group.
The Versatility of the Supraclavicular Flap for Head and Neck Reconstruction
Authors: Imanol Zubiate Illarramendi , Leonardo Ferrari , Paolo Cariati , Fernando Monsalve , Ildefonso Martínez Lara
Published: January 2024

Study Design

Descriptive study of 17 patients with primary or secondary reconstruction using a supraclavicular flap.

Objective

Describe the different options for primary and secondary reconstruction using the supraclavicular flap, as well as the complications that may arise.

Methods

The present study analyzed the outcomes of 17 patients who underwent reconstruction using the supraclavicular artery island flap at the Maxillofacial Department of Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (Granada, Spain) from November 2017 to June 2023.

Results

The SCAIF served as the primary reconstructive option in 9 cases, covering skin defects in the parotid region (4 patients), cervical area (1 patient), partial tongue defects (3 patients), and cheek defects (1 patient). Additionally, the flap was used as a secondary reconstructive option in 8 patients affected by osteoradionecrosis (ORN) with bone and plate exposure. Complications included a single case of shoulder joint septic arthritis and 3 patients who experienced cervical fistula and neck infection.

Conclusions

The supraclavicular flap represents a highly effective option for oncological reconstruction within the head and neck region. This flap is particularly useful in patients with significant clinical concerns and contraindications, both local and systemic, for microsurgical free flap procedures due to its reliability, versatility, and safety.
Women ownership as a form of leadership: The role of context in understanding its effects on financial performance
Authors: Orozco Collazos Luz Elena , Botero Isabel C
Published: January 2024

Researchers have acknowledged that women leadership plays an important role in the success of organizations. However, the effects of women leadership on the financial performance of firms are mixed results. This article focuses on women ownership (i.e., critical mass and ownership percentage) as a form of leadership and family ownership as two boundary conditions that help us understand when small and medium enterprises (SMEs) benefit from women leadership. We argue that for women leadership to impact the financial performance of SMEs, women need to have a critical mass to influence outcomes and have power through ownership to influence decisions. We also argue that the effects of these relationships are affected by the context of ownership. These ideas are tested with a sample of 10,696 private SMEs from the country of Colombia. Results indicate that the women leadership enhances SME financial performance through both critical mass and a larger percentage of women ownership. However, family ownership negatively moderates the relationship between percentage of women ownership and SME financial performance. Implications of these results are discussed.

JEL CLASSIFICATION: D22; L25
Placement stability and family support after government-mandated rapid return: A two-year follow-up
Authors: Wilke Nicole Gilbertson , Pop Delia , Howard Amanda Hiles
Published: January 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple governments around the world implemented directives that mandated residential care providers to rapidly reunite thousands of children and youth with their families. Organizations were faced with expedited timelines for the reunification process, limited ability to prepare children and families, and restricted capacity to support and monitor families in-person due to lockdown measures. As such, there was significant concern regarding stability of placements, and well-being of the children and families affected by the abrupt and unprepared reunification process. This study examined data from 16 non-government organizations (NGOs) impacted by rapid return mandates in six nations (Kenya, Uganda, India, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mexico). NGOs were serving 15,978 children in residential care at the time of the mandates. NGOs had an average of 21.87 days ( SD = 9.87) to return children to families. Most NGOs felt children and families were inadequately prepared for reunification. After two years, NGOs were in contact with 90% of the children who had been rapidly returned. Of those children, 56% remained in their family placement. Families who received more types of family strengthening services were more likely to remain intact. Concerningly, 2 years following the rapid return mandates, the NGOs in this study were collectively serving a higher number of children in residential care than prior to rapid return mandates. This suggests that rapid return mandates did not seem to decrease the number of children in residential care long-term. Data-informed recommendations for practice are discussed.
Relationship between implementation of systematic advance care planning and the quality of death among nursing home residents: a survey
Authors: Toyoda Yoshie , Tokumasu Aya , Minato Yuki , Sone Takayasu , Oshiro Kyoko , Kojima Hideki , Nishikawa Mitsunori
Published: January 2024

Background:

Advance care planning (ACP) is beneficial for the quality of death (QOD). However, the effects of ACP on the QOD may vary across cultures.

Objectives:

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the 15-step ACP program and the QOD among Japanese nursing home residents.

Design:

A cross-sectional survey.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the family members of 39 nursing home residents who died between April 2017 and March 2019 by distributing the survey questionnaire by post. The survey included questions about the QOD of residents, and responses were evaluated using the Good Death Inventory (GDI) scale.

Results:

Responses were obtained from 30 of the 39 bereaved families (76.9%). Data were analyzed using hierarchical clustering to determine five groups and conduct multiple comparisons. The following three domains of interest were identified: ‘Dying in a favorite place’, ‘Good relationship with the medical staff’, and ‘Independence’. GDI scores were significantly higher for residents with higher ACP completion rates than for those with lower rates ( p < 0.01). Residents who had taken ACP interviews had significantly higher GDI scores ( p < 0.01) than those who had not taken interviews.

Conclusion:

Overall, these findings suggest that systematic ACP might be related to the QOD among Japanese nursing home residents in the above mentioned three domains. Limitations of the present study were small sample size, cross-sectional survey design as opposed to a cohort survey design, and multiple biases, including the emotional instability of bereaved family members, the length of stay of the residents, the degree of dementia of the residents, and their tendency to talk about the place of death and to develop good relationships with the medical staff.
Development of a Vaping Cessation Text Messaging Intervention for Latino Young Adults: A Participatory Research Approach
Authors: Orfin Rafael H , Siddalingaiah Simran , Dontu Vignya , Estrada Bianca , Martinez Chabeli , Guerra Darcy , Carrillo Hanzell , Cervantes-Díaz María José , Rodríguez-Rojas Diana Victoria , Rahman Irfan , McIntosh Scott , Ossip Deborah J. , Cupertino Ana Paula , Cartujano-Barrera Francisco
Published: January 2024

Objective

Describe the participatory research procedures of developing Kick Vaping, a vaping cessation text messaging intervention for Latino young adults, available in English and Spanish.

Methods

Using community-based recruitment strategies, we convened a Community Advisory Board (CAB) of eight Latino young adults (ages 18–25) with different vaping experiences (never users, ex-users, and current users of e-cigarettes). Members held a series of working meetings to adapt Decídetexto, a smoking cessation text messaging intervention, for vaping cessation. Members provided iterative feedback on the text messages until reaching a consensus on content. Messages were translated from English to Spanish following a committee approach. Readability assessments were used to evaluate the legibility of the text messages

Results

At baseline, members’ mean age was 22.6 years old (SD 3.1), 75% were female, and 50% used both English and Spanish equally. Three members (37.5%) were ex-users and one member (12.5%) was a current user of e-cigarettes. 18 meetings provided sufficient opportunities for iterative feedback on the text messages for developing the intervention. The Kick Vaping intervention consists of 208 text messages. Readability scores of the text messages in English were equivalent to fourth and fifth grade, and in Spanish were equivalent to easy and somewhat easy.

Conclusion

It is feasible and practical to build participatory research among Latino young adults focused on vaping cessation. Members of the CAB added innovation and creativity to the development of the vaping cessation text messaging intervention. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact of the intervention on vaping cessation.
Population structure and microscale morphological differentiation in a freshwater snail from the Chilean Altiplano
Authors: Valladares Moisés A. , Fabres Alejandra A. , Sánchez-Rodríguez Fernanda , Collado Gonzalo A. , Méndez Marco A.
Published: January 2024

Background

The diversity and population genetic structure of many species have been shaped by historical and contemporary climatic changes. For the species of the South American Altiplano, the historical climatic changes are mainly related to the wet events of great magnitude and regional influence that occurred during the Pleistocene climatic oscillations (PCOs). In contrast, contemporary climate changes are associated with events of lesser magnitude and local influence related to intensifications of the South American Summer Monsoon (SASM). Although multiple studies have analyzed the effect of PCOs on the genetic patterns of highland aquatic species, little is known about the impact of contemporary climate changes in recent evolutionary history. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the change in population structure and connectivity using nuclear and mitochondrial markers throughout the distribution range of Heleobia ascotanensis, a freshwater Cochliopidae endemic to the Ascotán Saltpan. In addition, using geometric morphometric analyses, we evaluated the concomitance of genetic divergence and morphological differentiation.

Results

The mitochondrial sequence analysis results revealed the presence of highly divergent co-distributed and geographically nested haplotypes. This pattern reflects an extension in the distribution of groups that previously would have differentiated allopatrically. These changes in distribution would have covered the entire saltpan and would be associated with the large-scale wet events of the PCOs. On the other hand, the microsatellite results defined five spatially isolated populations, separated primarily by geographic barriers. Contemporary gene flow analyses suggest that post-PCO, climatic events that would have connected all populations did not occur. The morphometric analyses results indicate that there is significant morphological differentiation in the populations that are more isolated and that present the greatest genetic divergence.

Conclusions

The contemporary population structure and morphological variation of H. ascotanensis mainly reflect the post-PCO climatic influence. Although both markers exhibit high genetic structuring, the microsatellite and morphology results show the preponderant influence of fragmentation in recent evolutionary history. The contemporary genetic pattern shows that in species that have limited dispersal capabilities, genetic discontinuities can appear rapidly, erasing signs of historical connectivity.
Genome-wide identification of the GRF family in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and functional analysis of the CsGRF04 in response to multiple abiotic stresses
Authors: Fu Ming-Kang , He Ying-Na , Yang Xiao-Yue , Tang Xi , Wang Min , Dai Wen-Shan
Published: January 2024

Background

Citrus is one of the most valuable fruits worldwide and an economic pillar industry in southern China. Nevertheless, it frequently suffers from undesirable environmental stresses during the growth cycle, which severely restricts the growth, development and yield of citrus. In plants, the growth-regulating factor (GRF) family of transcription factors (TF) is extensively distributed and plays an vital part in plant growth and development, hormone response, as well as stress adaptation. However, the systematic identification and functional analysis of GRF TFs in citrus have not been reported.

Results

Here, a genome-wide identification of GRF TFs was performed in Citrus sinensis, 9 members of CsGRFs were systematically identified and discovered to be scattered throughout 5 chromosomes. Subsequently, physical and chemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, structural characteristics, gene duplication events, collinearity and cis-elements of promoter were elaborately analyzed. In particular, the expression patterns of the CsGRF genes in response to multiple phytohormone and abiotic stress treatments were investigated. Predicated on this result, CsGRF04, which exhibited the most differential expression pattern under multiple phytohormone and abiotic stress treatments was screened out. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology was utilized to obtain gene silenced plants for CsGRF04 successfully. After the three stress treatments of high salinity, low temperature and drought, the CsGRF04-VIGS lines showed significantly reduced resistance to high salinity and low temperature stresses, but extremely increased resistance to drought stress.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings systematically analyzed the genomic characterization of GRF family in Citrus sinensis, and excavated a CsGRF04 with potential functions under multiple abiotic stresses. Our study lay a foundation for further study on the function of CsGRFs in abiotic stress and hormone signaling response.