bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A non-linear approach to predicting the amplitude and timing of the sunspot area in cycle 25
Authors: Chowdhury Partha , Sarp Volkan , Kilcik Ali , Ray Pratap Chandra , Rozelot Jean-Pierre , Obridko Vladimir N
Published: April 2022

The sunspot cycle waxes and wanes over a period of about 11 years and modulates ‘space weather’. Therefore, predicting the maximum amplitude of the solar cycle is an important goal for both solar physics and space weather. It is clear nowadays that cyclic variations of the Sun are non-linear processes, and thus the above-mentioned goal is difficult to reach with accuracy, albeit several methods currently exist to forecast both long-term and short-term variations. Solar cycle 25 has recently started and knowing the strength and timing of maximum of this cycle in advance is essential. In this study, a non-linear prediction algorithm, non-linear empirical dynamical modelling (EDM), is used to forecast the maximum amplitude and timing of the sunspot area of this cycle. This technique was tested on the last solar cycle 24 (Sarp et al. 2018) and the results obtained are in good agreement with observed values. Our study unveils that the maximum amplitude of the sunspot area of the whole solar disc will be 1606.49 ± 412.78 millionths of the solar hemispheric area (m.s.h.) and is expected to occur around 2025 March. We found that the predicted maximum sunspot areas in the Northern and Southern hemispheres are 731.39 ± 192.7 and 764.89 ± 195.39 m.s.h., respectively, with probable times of maxima around 2023 September and 2024 August, respectively. These results indicate that the strength of the sunspot area in solar cycle 25 will be weaker than or comparable with that in solar cycle 24. Such results are discussed and compared with other recent forecasts.
Probing for the host galaxies of the fast X-ray transients XRT 000519 and XRT 110103
Authors: Eappachen D , Jonker P G , Fraser M , Torres M A P , Dhillon V S , Marsh T , Littlefair S P , Quirola-Vásquez J , Maguire K , Mata Sánchez D , Cannizzaro G , Kostrzewa-Rutkowska Z , Wevers T , Onori F , Inkenhaag Anne , Brennan S J
Published: April 2022

Over the past few years, ∼30 extragalactic fast X-ray transients (FXRTs) have been discovered, mainly in Chandra and XMM-Newton data. Their nature remains unclear, with proposed origins, including a double neutron star merger, a tidal disruption event involving an intermediate-mass black hole and a white dwarf, or a supernova shock breakout. A decisive differentiation between these three promising mechanisms for their origin requires an understanding of the FXRT energetics, environments, and/or host properties. We present optical observations obtained with the Very Large Telescope for the FXRTs XRT 000519 and XRT 110103 and Gran Telescopio Canarias observations for XRT 000519 designed to search for host galaxies of these FXRTs. In the gs, rs, and R-band images, we detect an extended source on the north-west side of the $\sim \, 1^{\prime \prime }$ (68 per cent confidence) error circle of the X-ray position of XRT 000519 with a Kron magnitude of gs = 26.29 ± 0.09 (AB magnitude). We discuss the XRT 000519 association with the probable host candidate for various possible distances, and we conclude that if XRT 000519 is associated with the host candidate a supernova shock breakout scenario is likely excluded. No host galaxy is found near XRT 110103 down to a limiting magnitude of R > 25.8.
A semi-analytical solution to the forward–reverse shock hydrodynamics of the gamma-ray burst afterglow
Authors: Zhang Ze-Lin , Liu Ruo-Yu , Geng Jin-Jun , Wu Xue-Feng , Wang Xiang-Yu
Published: April 2022

We extend the standard model of forward–reverse shock (FS–RS) for gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow to more general cases. On one hand, we derive the analytical solution to the hydrodynamics of the shocks in two limiting cases, i.e. an ultrarelativistic reverse shock case and a Newtonian reverse shock case. Based on the asymptotic solutions in these two limiting cases, we constitute a semi-analytical solution for the hydrodynamics of the shocks in the generic case, covering the mildly relativistic reverse shock case. On the other hand, we derive the evolution of the system taking into account the condition of energy conservation which is not satisfied in the standard FS–RS model. A generic solution of semi-analytical expressions is also given. In both the extended standard FS–RS model (satisfying pressure balance condition) and the model satisfying energy conservation, we find that the results in the ultrarelativistic reverse shock case and in the early stage of the Newtonian reverse shock case are different from those in the standard FS–RS model by only a factor that close to one while the same initial conditions adopted. However, the asymptotic solutions in the limiting cases are not good approximations to those in the intermediate case. Our semi-analytical results agree well with the numerical results for a large range of model parameters, and hence can be easily employed to diagnose the physical quantities of the GRB shell and circumburst environment.
Globular Cluster UVIT Legacy Survey (GlobULeS) – I. FUV–optical colour–magnitude diagrams for eight globular clusters
Authors: Sahu Snehalata , Subramaniam Annapurni , Singh Gaurav , Yadav Ramakant , Valcarce Aldo R , Choudhury Samyaday , Rani Sharmila , Prabhu Deepthi S , Chung Chul , Côté Patrick , Leigh Nathan , Geller Aaron M , Chatterjee Sourav , Kameswara Rao N , Bandyopadhyay Avrajit , Shara Michael , Dalessandro Emanuele , Pandey Gajendra , Postma Joesph E , Hutchings John , Simunovic Mirko , Stetson Peter B , Thirupathi Sivarani , Puzia Thomas , Sohn Young-Jong
Published: April 2022

We present the first results of eight globular clusters (GCs) from the AstroSat/UVIT Legacy Survey programme GlobULeS based on the observations carried out in two far-ultraviolet (FUV) filters (F148W and F169M). The FUV–optical and FUV–FUV colour–magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of GCs with the proper motion membership were constructed by combining the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) data with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) UV Globular Cluster Survey data for inner regions and Gaia Early Data Release for regions outside the HST’s field. We detect sources as faint as F148W ∼ 23.5 mag, which are classified based on their locations in CMDs by overlaying stellar evolutionary models. The CMDs of eight GCs are combined with the previous UVIT studies of three GCs to create stacked FUV–optical CMDs to highlight the features/peculiarities found in the different evolutionary sequences. The FUV (F148W) detected stellar populations of 11 GCs comprise 2816 horizontal branch (HB) stars [190 extreme HB (EHB) candidates], 46 post-HB (pHB), 221 blue straggler stars (BSSs), and 107 white dwarf (WD) candidates. We note that the blue HB colour extension obtained from F148W − G colour and the number of FUV detected EHB candidates are strongly correlated with the maximum internal helium (He) variation within each GC, suggesting that the FUV–optical plane is the most sensitive to He abundance variations in the HB. We discuss the potential science cases that will be addressed using these catalogues including HB morphologies, BSSs, pHB, and WD stars.
SWORD2: hierarchical analysis of protein 3D structures
Authors: Cretin Gabriel , Galochkina Tatiana , Vander Meersche Yann , de Brevern Alexandre G , Postic Guillaume , Gelly Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2022

Understanding the functions and origins of proteins requires splitting these macromolecules into fragments that could be independent in terms of folding, activity, or evolution. For that purpose, structural domains are the typical level of analysis, but shorter segments, such as subdomains and supersecondary structures, are insightful as well. Here, we propose SWORD2, a web server for exploring how an input protein structure may be decomposed into ‘Protein Units’ that can be hierarchically assembled to delimit structural domains. For each partitioning solution, the relevance of the identified substructures is estimated through different measures. This multilevel analysis is achieved by integrating our previous work on domain delineation, ‘protein peeling’ and model quality assessment. We hope that SWORD2 will be useful to biologists searching for key regions in their proteins of interest and to bioinformaticians building datasets of protein structures. The web server is freely available online: https://www.dsimb.inserm.fr/SWORD2.
TIRSF: a web server for screening gene signatures to predict Tumor immunotherapy response
Authors: Chen Li , Chen Tianjian , Zhang Ya , Lin Haichen , Wang Ruihan , Wang Yihang , Li Hongyu , Zuo Zhixiang , Ren Jian , Xie Yubin
Published: April 2022

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has been successfully applied to clinically therapeutics in multiple cancers, but its efficacy varies greatly among different patients and cancer types. Therefore, the construction of gene signatures to identify patients who could benefit from ICB therapy is particularly important for precision cancer treatment. However, due to the lack of a user-friendly platform, the construction of such gene signatures is a great challenge for clinical investigators who have limited programming skills. In light of this challenge, we developed a web server called Tumor Immunotherapy Response Signature Finder(TIRSF) for the construction of gene signatures to predict ICB therapy response in cancer patients. TIRSF consists of three functional modules. The first module is the Signature Discovery module which provides signature construction and performance evaluation functionalities. The second is a module for response prediction based on the TIRSF signatures, which enables response prediction and prognostic analysis of immunotherapy samples. The last is a module for response prediction based on existing signatures. This module currently integrates 24 published signatures for ICB therapy response prediction. Together, all of above features can be freely accessed at http://tirsf.renlab.org/.
Cancer driver drug interaction explorer
Authors: Hartung Michael , Anastasi Elisa , Mamdouh Zeinab M , Nogales Cristian , Schmidt Harald H H W , Baumbach Jan , Zolotareva Olga , List Markus
Published: April 2022

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by unregulated cell growth and promoted by mutations in cancer driver genes some of which encode suitable drug targets. Since the distinct set of cancer driver genes can vary between and within cancer types, evidence-based selection of drugs is crucial for targeted therapy following the precision medicine paradigm. However, many putative cancer driver genes can not be targeted directly, suggesting an indirect approach that considers alternative functionally related targets in the gene interaction network. Once potential drug targets have been identified, it is essential to consider all available drugs. Since tools that offer support for systematic discovery of drug repurposing candidates in oncology are lacking, we developed CADDIE, a web application integrating six human gene-gene and four drug-gene interaction databases, information regarding cancer driver genes, cancer-type specific mutation frequencies, gene expression information, genetically related diseases, and anticancer drugs. CADDIE offers access to various network algorithms for identifying drug targets and drug repurposing candidates. It guides users from the selection of seed genes to the identification of therapeutic targets or drug candidates, making network medicine algorithms accessible for clinical research. CADDIE is available at https://exbio.wzw.tum.de/caddie/ and programmatically via a python package at https://pypi.org/project/caddiepy/.
HIP1R and vimentin immunohistochemistry predict 1p/19q status in IDH-mutant glioma
Authors: Felix Marius , Friedel Dennis , Jayavelu Ashok Kumar , Filipski Katharina , Reinhardt Annekathrin , Warnken Uwe , Stichel Damian , Schrimpf Daniel , Korshunov Andrey , Wang Yueting , Kessler Tobias , Etminan Nima , Unterberg Andreas , Herold-Mende Christel , Heikaus Laura , Sahm Felix , Wick Wolfgang , Harter Patrick N , von Deimling Andreas , Reuss David E
Published: April 2022

Background

IDH-mutant gliomas are separate based on the codeletion of the chromosomal arms 1p and 19q into oligodendrogliomas IDH-mutant 1p/19q-codeleted and astrocytomas IDH-mutant. While nuclear loss of ATRX expression excludes 1p/19q codeletion, its limited sensitivity prohibits to conclude on 1p/19q status in tumors with retained nuclear ATRX expression.

Methods

Employing mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis in a discovery series containing 35 fresh frozen and 72 formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tumors with established IDH and 1p/19q status, potential biomarkers were discovered. Subsequent validation immunohistochemistry was conducted on two independent series (together 77 oligodendrogliomas IDH-mutant 1p/19q-codeleted and 92 astrocytomas IDH-mutant).

Results

We detected highly specific protein patterns distinguishing oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma. In these patterns, high HIP1R and low vimentin levels were observed in oligodendroglioma while low HIP1R and high vimentin levels occurred in astrocytoma. Immunohistochemistry for HIP1R and vimentin expression in 35 cases from the FFPE discovery series confirmed these findings. Blinded evaluation of the validation cohorts predicted the 1p/19q status with a positive and negative predictive value as well as an accuracy of 100% in the first cohort and with a positive predictive value of 83%; negative predictive value of 100% and an accuracy of 92% in the second cohort. Nuclear ATRX loss as marker for astrocytoma increased the sensitivity to 96% and the specificity to 100%.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that immunohistochemistry for HIP1R, vimentin, and ATRX predict 1p/19q status with 100% specificity and 95% sensitivity and therefore, constitutes a simple and inexpensive approach to the classification of IDH-mutant glioma.
Presence of Nicotine Warning Statement on US Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Advertisements 6 Months Before and After the August 10, 2018 Effective Date
Authors: Czaplicki Lauren , Marynak Kristy , Kelley Dannielle , Moran Meghan Bridgid , Trigger Sarah , Kennedy Ryan David
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Effective in August 10, 2018, FDA requires advertisements for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) that meet the definition of a “covered tobacco product” to feature a standard nicotine warning statement. To date, limited data exist on the presence of warning statements in ENDS advertising.

Methods

We acquired ENDS ads (n = 459) that first ran six months before (February 10, 2018–August 9, 2018) and after (August 10, 2018–February 9, 2019) the effective date. The sample included online, print, and outdoor static ads (ie, without video or animated graphics) (n = 166 before, n = 198 after), online and television video ads (n = 16 before, n = 49 after), and radio ads (n = 9 before, n = 21 after). We coded ads for the presence of the verbatim FDA warning. Ads with verbatim warnings were coded for required formatting and additional features.

Results

Overall, 28% of static (n = 46/166), 62% of video (n = 10/16), and 67% of radio (n = 6/9) ads that ran before the effective date contained the verbatim warning versus 84% (n = 167/198, p < .001), 96% (n = 47/49, p = .002), and 86% (n = 18/21, p =.329) of ads that ran after, respectively. Following the effective date, nearly all static ads placed the warning as required at the top of the ad (76% [n = 35/46] before, 97% [n = 162/167] after, p < .001), and many video ads featured the warning statement for the entire ad duration (0% [n = 0/10] before, 60% [n = 28/47] after, p < .001). Half (n = 9/18) of radio warnings running after the effective date were read faster than the other promotional content.

Conclusions

The presence of the nicotine warning statement on paid promotional static, video, and radio ENDS ads in this sample increased after August 10, 2018, but a notable number still lacked the warning.

Implications

Results from this study provide initial insights into the extent to which required nicotine warning statements appear in ENDS ads in the study sample across traditional (eg, magazines, television, radio) and digital (eg, online/mobile ads) advertising mediums. Following the August 10, 2018, effective date, we observed a substantial increase in the presence of the required FDA warning statement on the ENDS ads in this sample. However, a notable number of ads in the study lacked the required warning and warnings did not always include the required formatting displays.
INTESTINAL ORGANOIDS FOR STUDYING THE EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE/LOW-DOSE-RATE RADIATION
Authors: Fujimichi Yuki , Otsuka Kensuke , Tomita Masanori , Iwasaki Toshiyasu
Published: April 2022

Radiation response differs depending on the dose and dose rate in intestinal stem cells; however, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. To understand the effects of low-dose and low-dose-rate radiation, the authors established an organoid system that mimics the in vivo environment and sporadic low-dose-rate irradiation conditions in vitro. Organoid-forming potential and the number of stem cells in the organoids derived from 1 Gy-irradiated cells were lower than those from non-irradiated cells; however, the difference was not significant, although 1 Gy-irradiated stem cells exhibited significant growth disadvantage in the mixed-organoid with non-irradiated and irradiated stem cells. Furthermore, the authors irradiated a cell with X-ray microbeams and performed time-lapse observations and found that irradiated cells did not remain in the organoid. These results suggest that radiation-induced stem cell competition can occur in intestinal organoids and contribute to a low risk of cancers at low-dose-rate exposures.
DEUTERIUM TRANSFER ANALYSIS INCLUDING FOOD CHAIN FROM SEAWATER INTO ABALONE
Authors: Shibata Toshihiro , Ishikawa Yoshio
Published: April 2022

Tritium is released into the ocean from nuclear facilities located at coastal areas. In addition, tritiated water is decided to be released into the ocean from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. Although released tritium concentration would be strictly controlled, impact of tritium on the marine products is major concern for the public. In this study, deuterium transfers from seawater into seaweed (ulva) and abalone were measured. In addition, organically bound deuterium (OBD) transfer from ulva into abalone was measured. OBD concentrations in ulva were saturated in 2 weeks and those in abalone were saturated in 6 months. Ulva and abalone were exposed to seawater containing 0.2% (mol-D/mol-H) deuterium. Maximum OBD concentrations in ulva were ~0.1% (mol-D/mol-H) and those in abalone muscle were ~0.035% (mol-D/mol-H). Numerical deuterium transfer model was constructed. Obtained numerical model well represented the OBD-enriched ulva feeding experiment.
Reassessment of candidate gene studies for idiopathic restless legs syndrome in a large genome-wide association study dataset of European ancestry
Authors: Schormair Barbara , Zhao Chen , Salminen Aaro V , Oexle Konrad , Winkelmann Juliane ,   International EU-RLS-GENE Consortium
Published: April 2022

Study Objectives

Several candidate gene studies have been published for idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) in populations of European ancestry, but the reported associations have not been confirmed in independent samples. Our aim was to reassess these findings in a large case–control dataset in order to evaluate their validity.

Methods

We screened PubMed for RLS candidate gene studies. We used the genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset of the International EU-RLS-GENE Consortium as our replication sample, which provided genome-wide single-variant association data based on at most 17 220 individuals of European ancestry. We performed additional gene-based tests using the software MAGMA and assessed the power of our study using the genpwr R package.

Results

We identified 14 studies conducted in European samples which assessed 45 variants in 27 genes of which 5 variants had been reported as significantly associated. None of these individual variants were replicated in our GWAS-based reassessment (nominal p > 0.05) and gene-based tests for the respective five genes ADH1B, GABRR3, HMOX1, MAOA, and VDR, were also nonsignificant (nominal p > 0.05). Our replication dataset was well powered to detect the reported effects, even when adjusting for effect size overestimation due to winner’s curse. Power estimates were close to 100% for all variants.

Conclusion

In summary, none of the significant single-variant associations from candidate gene studies were confirmed in our GWAS dataset. Therefore, these associations were likely false positive. Our observations emphasize the need for large sample sizes and stringent significance thresholds in future association studies for RLS.
Structural brain connectivity in patients with restless legs syndrome: a diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Park Kang Min , Kim Keun Tae , Lee Dong Ah , Cho Yong Won
Published: April 2022

Study Objectives

To evaluate alterations of global and local structural brain connectivity in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Methods

Patients with primary RLS and healthy controls were recruited at a sleep center where they underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the brain. We calculated the network measures of global and local structural brain connectivity based on the DTI in both groups using DSI studio program and a graph theory.

Results

A total of 69 patients with primary RLS and 51 healthy controls were included in the study. We found a significant difference in the global structural connectivity between the groups. The transitivity in the patients with RLS was lower than that in healthy controls (0.031 vs. 0.033, p = 0.035). Additionally, there were significant differences in the local structural connectivity between the groups. The characteristic path length (r = 0.283, p = 0.018), radius of graph (r = 0.260, p = 0.030), and diameter of graph (r = 0.280, p = 0.019) were all positively correlated with RLS severity, whereas the mean clustering coefficient (r = −0.327, p = 0.006), global efficiency (r = −0.272, p = 0.023), small-worldness index (r = −0.325, p = 0.006), and transitivity (r = −0.351, p = 0.003) were negatively correlated with RLS severity.

Conclusion

We identified changes in the global structural connectivity of patients with RLS using graph theory based on DTI, which showed decreased segregation in the brain network compared to healthy controls. These changes are well correlated with RLS severity. We also found changes in local structural connectivity, especially in regions involved in sensorimotor function, which suggests that these areas play a pivotal role in RLS. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of RLS symptoms.
Gadgeteering for Pain Relief: The 2021 John W. Severinghaus Lecture on Translational Science
Authors: Eisenach James C.
Published: April 2022

In this first memorial lecture after John Severinghaus’s death in 2021, the author traces his journey as a physician–scientist, using the framework of the hero’s journey as described by the author Joseph Campbell 40 to 50 yr ago, and parallels that journey to his own. The author discusses how each were gadgeteers: Severinghaus in a creative engineering way, while the author’s approach was asking simple questions translating basic research in pain from animals to humans. The classic hero’s journey of departure to achieve a goal, then trials, transformation, and finally, returning with benefits to the individual and others is translated to the common physician–scientist career with motivations progressing from “I will show” to “I wonder if” to “I wonder why.” Critical to this journey is self-questioning, openness to new ideas, and realizing that progress occurs through failure as much as success.
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score in the ICU As a Predictor of Long-Term Survival After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Velho Tiago R. , Pereira Rafael Maniés , Paixão Tiago , Guerra Nuno Carvalho , Ferreira Ricardo , Corte-Real Hugo , Nobre Ângelo , Moita Luís Ferreira
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVES:

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is a predictor of mortality in ICU patients. Although it is widely used and has been validated as a reliable and independent predictor of mortality and morbidity in cardiac ICU, few studies correlate early postoperative SOFA with long-term survival.

DESIGN:

Retrospective observational cohort study.

SETTING:

Tertiary academic cardiac surgery ICU.

PATIENTS:

One-thousand three-hundred seventy-nine patients submitted to cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS:

SOFA 24 hours, SOFA 48 hours, mean, and highest SOFA scores were correlated with survival at 12 and 24 months. Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze differences in variables. Multivariate logistic regressions and likelihood ratio test were used to access the predictive modeling. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess accuracy of the variables in separating survivor from nonsurvivors.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Lower SOFA scores have better survival rates at 12 and 24 months. Highest SOFA and SOFA at 48 hours showed to be better predictors of outcome and to have higher accuracy in distinguishing survivors from nonsurvivors than initial SOFA and mean SOFA. A decreasing score during the first 48 hours had mortality rates of 4.9%, while an unchanged or increased score was associated with a mortality rate of 5.7%.

CONCLUSIONS:

SOFA score in the ICU after cardiac surgery correlated with survival at 12 and 24 months. Patients with lower SOFA scores had higher survival rates. Differences in survival at 12 months were better correlated with the absolute value at 48 hours than with its variation. SOFA score may be useful to predict long-term outcomes and to stratify patients with higher probability of mortality.
ACR-ABS-ASTRO Practice Parameter for the Performance of Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy
Authors: Woodhouse Kristina D. , Devlin Phillip M. , Kollmeier Marisa , Lin Lilie L. , Orio Peter , Ouhib Zoubir , Song Daniel , Viswanathan Akila N. , Watanabe Yoichi , Yu Yan , Small William , Schechter Naomi R.
Published: April 2022

Aim/Objectives/Background:

The American College of Radiology (ACR), the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS), and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) have jointly developed the following practice parameter for the performance of low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy. LDR brachytherapy is the application of radioactive sources in or on tumors in a clinical setting with therapeutic intent. The advantages of LDR brachytherapy include improving therapeutic ratios with lower doses to nontarget organs-at-risk and higher doses to a specific target.

Methods:

This practice parameter was developed according to the process described under the heading. The Process for Developing ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards on the ACR website (https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Practice-Parameters-and-Technical-Standards) by the Committee on Practice Parameters—Radiation Oncology of the Commission on Radiation Oncology, in collaboration with ABS and ASTRO.

Results:

This practice parameter was developed to serve as a tool in the appropriate application of this evolving technology in the care of cancer patients or other patients with conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. It addresses clinical implementation of LDR brachytherapy including personnel qualifications, quality assurance standards, indications, and suggested documentation. This includes a contemporary literature search.

Conclusions:

This practice parameter is a tool to guide the use of LDR brachytherapy and does not assess relative clinical indication for LDR brachytherapy when compared with other forms of brachytherapy or external beam therapy, but to focus on the best practices required to deliver LDR brachytherapy safely and effectively, when clinically indicated. Comparative costs of versus other modalities therapy may also need to be considered.
Physician Understanding of and Beliefs About Leadership
Authors: Collins R. Thomas , Purington Natasha , Roth Stephen J.
Published: April 2022

Goal:

Little is known about how physicians conceptualize leadership, what factors influence that conceptualization, and how their conceptualization may impact willingness to lead. We sought to explore how physicians conceptualize leadership.

Methods:

We conducted an exploratory study of data from a convenience sample of physicians across the United States using an anonymous, 54-item, online survey. We devised a novel leadership resonance score (LRS) to distinguish between leadership and management based on published definitions and prior pilot work. The activities fit on a spectrum from purely leadership actions to purely management actions, and we assigned a numeric value to each activity, allowing for quantification of a respondent’s conceptualization of leadership as either more managing or more leading.

Principal Findings:

There were 206 respondents (57% male; median age of 43 years [interquartile ranges, IQR: 32, 72]) who completed the survey. Respondents viewed leadership abilities to be highly important for physicians, with a median importance score of 80 (range 0–100, IQR: 50, 100). LRS indicated most physicians conflate leadership and management. Compared to other physicians, respondents assessed their own preparedness for leadership highly (median preparedness score: 70, IQR: 2, 100). Respondents’ assessment of their preparedness for leadership was associated with age (Spearman’s rho = 0.24, p < .001). LRS was not associated with preparedness for leadership (Spearman’s rho = 0.12, p = .08). “Aversion to politics” was the most common barrier to interest in leadership (45%, 93/206), with “loss of personal time” being second (30%, 62/206).

Applications to Practice:

Our data demonstrate physicians misunderstand the differences between leadership and management. We surmise that if an accurate conceptualization of leadership by physicians is associated with increased willingness to lead, then educational activities designed to improve physicians’ understanding of leadership could be beneficial in increasing physicians’ willingness to take on leadership positions. An increased willingness by physicians to take on leadership roles would ultimately have a positive impact not only on individual patient care, but also on the healthcare system as a whole.
Promoting Civility in the Workplace
Authors: Phan Sandy , Hampton Michelle DeCoux
Published: April 2022

This evidence-based practice project implementation aimed to enhance new graduate nurses’ abilities to address workplace bullying. A mixed educational methodology was used. Participants indicated applying learned behaviors to improve communication, peer relationships, teamwork, and patient safety and to address bullying. Civility ratings did not significantly increase from before to after the intervention, presumably because of high baseline ratings. Future research should identify sensitive and specific measures to detect bullying behavior changes.
Integrating Evidence-Based Practice Into an Emergency Department Nurse Residency Program
Authors: Asselta Robert
Published: April 2022

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach that combines the best evidence and research with clinical knowledge in order to improve patient outcomes. Providing nurses with the tools for utilizing EBP is essential, especially for graduate nurses hired in an emergency department. This article describes how EBP is integrated into the curriculum of a nurse residency program. It discusses methodology of education and describes the development of an evidence-based project.
The Role of 68Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT in the Management and Prediction of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy Response for Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Lee Osher Ngo Yung , Tan Kel Vin , Tripathi Vrijesh , Yuan Hui , Chan Wendy Wing-Lok , Chiu Keith Wan Hang
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the role of 68Ga-DOTA–somatostatin analog (SSA) PET/CT in guiding treatment for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) based on published literature, with specific focus on the ability of PET/CT to impact clinical management and predict peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) response.

Patients and Methods

A systematic literature search of articles up to December 2021 was performed using PubMed and Scopus. Eligible studies included ≥10 patients with confirmed or suspected NETs who had undergone pretreatment staging 68Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT. A meta-analysis using the random-effects model was conducted to determine the overall change in management after PET/CT, whereas PET/CT-derived parameters that correlated with PRRT outcome were summarized from studies that assessed its predictive capabilities.

Results

A total of 39 studies were included in this systemic review, of which 2266 patients from 24 studies were included for meta-analysis. We showed that PET/CT resulted in a change in clinical management in 36% (95% confidence interval, 31%–41%; range, 3%–66%) of patients. Fifteen studies consisting of 618 patients examined the prognostic ability of 68Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT for PRRT. Of those, 8 studies identified a higher pretreatment SUV to favor PRRT, and 4 identified PET-based radiomic features for somatostatin receptor heterogeneity to be predictive of PRRT response.

Conclusions

Along with its diagnostic abilities, 68Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT can impact treatment decision-making and may predict PRRT response in patients with NETs. More robust studies should be conducted to better elucidate the prognostic role of somatostatin receptor PET/CT in optimizing treatment for clinical outcome.
An Exploratory Study to Assess the Impact of a Chair-Based Dance Intervention Among Older People With Depressive Symptoms in Residential Care
Authors: Ho Vanessa , Li Xiang , Smith Graeme D.
Published: April 2022

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychological impact of a chair-based dance intervention for older people with depressive symptoms in residential care in Macau. In addition, feasibility and acceptability of this complex intervention were explored.

Methods:

An exploratory phase quasiexperimental study with pre- and posttest intervention was used. Psychological data for the study were collected using several self-reported questionnaires, including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Short-Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 item (CD-RISC-10). In addition, sociodemographic characteristics were collected from the 13 residents who fully completed the study.

Results:

After receiving chair-based dance intervention, the mean GDS score (P = .001), mean MSPSS score (P = .000), mean UCLA-LS score (P = .000), and mean CD-RISC-10 score (P = .012) of the group improved with statistical significance. From the scores of the primary outcome, the GDS-15, item 2 “dropped many of your activities and interests” improved the most (−46%), followed by item 5 “in good spirits” (−43%), then item 3 “life is empty” (−33%) and item 7 “feel happy” (−33%).

Conclusion:

Our chair-based dance intervention may have a positive effect on decreasing symptoms of depression and improving other aspects of psychological well-being in older Chinese people in long-term residential care. In addition, chair-based dance would appear to be a safe, inexpensive, feasible, and acceptable form of intervention for rehabilitation in this setting. These findings provide valuable information to inform a full randomized controlled trial.
Disentangling Reversal-learning Impairments in Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Ahmed Khadija , Mitchell Derek G.V. , Blair Mervin , Coleman Kristy , Pasternak Stephen H. , Ruiz-Garcia Ramiro , Finger Elizabeth
Published: April 2022

Background:

Individuals with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) often present with poor decision-making, which can affect both their financial and social situations. Delineation of the specific cognitive impairments giving rise to impaired decision-making in individuals with FTD may inform treatment strategies, as different neurotransmitter systems have been associated with distinct patterns of altered decision-making.

Objective:

To use a reversal-learning paradigm to identify the specific cognitive components of reversal learning that are most impaired in individuals with FTD and those with Alzheimer disease (AD) in order to inform future approaches to treatment for symptoms related to poor decision-making and behavioral inflexibility.

Method:

We gave 30 individuals with either the behavioral variant of FTD or AD and 18 healthy controls a stimulus-discrimination reversal-learning task to complete. We then compared performance in each phase between the groups.

Results:

The FTD group demonstrated impairments in initial stimulus-association learning, though to a lesser degree than the AD group. The FTD group also performed poorly in classic reversal learning, with the greatest impairments being observed in individuals with frontal-predominant atrophy during trials requiring inhibition of a previously advantageous response.

Conclusion:

Taken together, these results and the reversal-learning paradigm used in this study may inform the development and screening of behavioral, neurostimulatory, or pharmacologic interventions aiming to address behavioral symptoms related to stimulus-reinforcement learning and response inhibition impairments in individuals with FTD.
Changes in Cognitive Functioning After Surgical Resection of Language-related, Eloquent-area, High-grade Gliomas Under Awake Craniotomy
Authors: Hendi Kasra , Rahmani Mohamad , Larijani Amirhossein , Ajam Zibadi Hamideh , Raminfard Samira , Shariat Moharari Reza , Gerganov Venelin , Alimohamadi Maysam
Published: April 2022

Background:

Dominant-hemisphere tumors, especially gliomas, as infiltrative tumors, frequently affect cognitive functioning. Establishing a balance between extensive resection, which is proven to result in longer survival, and less extensive resection, in order to maintain more cognitive abilities, is challenging.

Objective:

To evaluate changes in cognitive functioning before and after surgical resection of language-related, eloquent-area, high-grade gliomas under awake craniotomy.

Method:

We provided individuals with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas of the language-related eloquent areas with the same standard of care, including surgical resection of the glioma using intraoperative sensory-motor and cognitive mapping under awake craniotomy, and the same protocol for chemoradiotherapy. Cognitive functioning was assessed using Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination—Revised (ACE–R) at four time points (preoperatively, early after surgery, and 3 and 6 months postoperatively).

Results:

The preoperative evaluation revealed a range of cognitive impairments in 70.7% of the individuals, affecting all of the cognitive subdomains (mostly attention and visuospatial abilities). Overall cognitive functioning (ie, ACE–R score) dropped by 13.5% (P = 0.169) early postoperatively. At the 3-month evaluation, an average of 15.3% (P = 0.182) recovery in cognitive functioning was observed (mostly in verbal fluency: 39.1%). This recovery improved further, reaching 29% (P < 0.001) at the 6-month evaluation. The greatest improvement occurred in verbal fluency: 68.8%, P = 0.001.

Conclusion:

Extensive resection of eloquent-area gliomas with the aid of modern neuroimaging and neuromonitoring techniques under awake craniotomy is possible without significant long-term cognitive sequela.
Ambulatory detection of isolated REM sleep behavior disorder combining actigraphy and questionnaire
Authors: Brink-Kjaer Andreas , Gupta Niraj , Marin Eric , Zitser Jennifer , Sum-Ping Oliver , Hekmat Anahid , Bueno Flavia , Cahuas Ana , Langston James , Jennum Poul , Sorensen Helge B.D. , Mignot Emmanuel , During Emmanuel
Published: April 2022

Background

Isolated rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is in most cases a prodrome of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, affecting 1-2% of middle-aged and older adults, however accurate ambulatory diagnostic methods are lacking. Questionnaires lack specificity in non-clinic populations. Wrist actigraphy can detect characteristic features in individuals with RBD, however high frequency actigraphy has rarely been used.

Objectives

To develop a machine learning classifier using high frequency (1-second resolution) actigraphy and a short patient survey for detecting iRBD with high accuracy and precision.

Methods

Analysis of ≥7 nights home actigraphy data and 9-item questionnaire (RBD Innsbruck inventory and 3 synucleinopathy prodromes of subjective hyposmia, constipation and orthostatic dizziness) in a dataset including 42 patients with iRBD, 21 sleep clinic patients with other sleep disorders, and 21 community controls.

Results

The actigraphy classifier achieved 95.2% (95% CI: 88.3 - 98.7) sensitivity and 90.9% (95% CI: 82.1 - 95.8) precision. The questionnaire classifier achieved 90.6% accuracy and 92.7% precision, exceeding performance of RBD-I and prodromal questionnaire alone. Concordant predictions between actigraphy and questionnaire reached specificity and precision of 100% (95% CI: 95.7 - 100.0) with 88.1% sensitivity (95% CI: 79.2 - 94.1) and outperformed any combination of actigraphy plus single question on RBD or prodromal symptoms.

Conclusions

Actigraphy detected iRBD with high accuracy in a mixed clinical and community cohort. This cost-effective fully remote procedure can be used to diagnose iRBD in specialty outpatient settings and has potential for large scale screening of iRBD in the general population.
Effect of two methods of soft tissue augmentation for socket closure on soft tissue landmarks and ridge dimensions- Results from software-based analysis of clinical data
Authors: Chandra Rampalli Viswa , Bhagyasree Medisetty , Sathwika Pulijala , Reddy Aileni Amarender
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of connective tissue grafts (CTG) and pediculated connective tissue grafts (P-CTG) for extraction socket closure on soft tissue landmarks and ridge dimensions.

Methods

45 subjects were randomized into two groups, where the soft tissue closure of extraction sockets was done by pediculated connective tissue grafts (P-CTG group) and connective tissue grafts (CTG group). On photographs taken at different time-points, four markers corresponding to marginal gingiva (MG), mucogingival junction (MGJ), mesial papilla (MP) and distal papilla (DP) were placed. After image alignment and stacking, the markers were tracked through five photographs taken during the course of the therapy. The displacement, total displacement (TD), divergence and angle of maximum divergence (AMD) for each marker were recorded. Buccolingual and mesiodistal dimensions of edentulous sites were measured, and the difference from the baseline to 6-months in both the dimensions was calculated and was described as buccolingual gain (BL gain) and mesiodistal gain (ML gain) respectively.

Results

Intergroup comparison of displacement and divergence of markers across both the groups showed varying levels of significance. P-CTG resulted in higher buccolingual dimensions at 3 months (P=0.001) and 6 months (P=0.002) when compared to the CTG group. From baseline to 6-months, the BL and MD gains were 2.82±1.29mm & 1.68±1.12mm and 1.27±0.65mm & 1.48±0.67mm in P-CTG and CTG group respectively. In the P-CTG group, TD (r=0.4;P=0.001) & AMD (r=0.5;P=0.05) of MG and TD (r=0.2;P=0.005) of MGJ resulted in BL gains. In the CTG group, TD (r=0.7;P=0.004) and AMD (r=0.3;P=0.004) of MP and AMD of MGJ was associated with a significant BL gain.

Conclusions

P-CTG and CTG had significant effects on displacement and divergence of soft tissue landmarks respectively. The relocation of these landmarks, seem to result in an improvement in the buccolingual dimensions of the post-extraction ridge.
Clinical evaluation of an automated, rapid mariPOC® antigen test in screening of symptomatics and asymptomatics for SARS-CoV-2 infections
Authors: Gunell Marianne , Rantasärkkä Kaisa , Arjonen Rita , Sandén Antti , Vuorinen Tytti
Published: April 2022

A novel automated mariPOC® SARS-CoV-2 antigen test was evaluated in a Health care center laboratory among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals seeking SARS-CoV-2 testing. According to the national testing strategy, RT-PCR was used as a reference method. A total of 962 subjects were included in this study, 4.8% (46/962) of their samples were SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive, and 87% (40/46) of these were from symptomatics. Among the symptomatics, the overall sensitivity of the mariPOC® SARS-CoV-2 test was 82.5% (33/40), though the sensitivity increased to 97.1% (33/34) in samples with a Ct value <30. The mariPOC® SARS-CoV-2 test detected 2/6 PCR positive samples among the asymptomatics, four cases that remained antigen test negative had Ct values between 28 and 36. The specificity of the mariPOC® SARS-CoV-2 test was 100% (916/916). The evaluation showed that the mariPOC® SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test is very sensitive and specific for the detection of individuals who most probably are contagious.
Analytical performance of 17 commercially available point-of-care tests for CRP to support patient management at lower levels of the health system
Authors: Calarco Serafina , Fernandez-Carballo B. Leticia , Keller Thomas , Weber Stephan , Jakobi Meike , Marsall Patrick , Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole , Dittrich Sabine
Published: April 2022

Accurate and precise point-of-care (POC) testing for C-reactive protein (CRP) can help support healthcare providers in the clinical management of patients. Here, we compared the analytical performance of 17 commercially available POC CRP tests to enable more decentralized use of the tool. The following CRP tests were evaluated. Eight quantitative tests: QuikRead go (Aidian), INCLIX (Sugentech), Spinit (Biosurfit), LS4000 (Lansionbio), GS 1200 (Gensure Biotech), Standard F200 (SD Biosensor), Epithod 616 (DxGen), IFP-3000 (Xincheng Biological); and nine semi-quantitative tests: Actim CRP (ACTIM), NADAL Dipstick (nal von minden), NADAL cassette (nal von minden), ALLTEST Dipstick (Hangzhou Alltest Biotech), ALLTEST Cassette cut-off 10-40-80 (Hangzhou Alltest Biotech), ALLTEST Cassette cut-off 10-30 (Hangzhou Alltest Biotech), Biotest (Hangzhou Biotest Biotech), BTNX Quad Line (BTNX), BTNX Tri Line (BTNX). Stored samples (n=660) had previously been tested for CRP using Cobas 8000 Modular analyzer (Roche Diagnostics International AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland (reference standards). CRP values represented the clinically relevant range (10-100 mg/L) and were grouped into four categories (<10 mg/L, 10–40 mg/L or 10-30 mg/L, 40–80 mg/L or 30-80 mg/L, and > 80mg/L) for majority of the semi-quantitative tests. Among the eight quantitative POC tests evaluated, QuikRead go and Spinit exhibited better agreement with the reference method, showing slopes of 0.963 and 0.921, respectively. Semi-quantitative tests with the four categories showed a poor percentage agreement for the intermediate categories and higher percentage agreement for the lower and upper limit categories. Analytical performance varied considerably for the semi-quantitative tests, especially among the different categories of CRP values. Our findings suggest that quantitative tests might represent the best choice for a variety of use cases, as they can be used across a broad range of CRP categories.