bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some experiments and remarks regarding the possible formation of blood stains on the Turin Shroud: stains attributed to the crown of thorns, the lance wound and the belt of blood
Authors: König Lisa , Schmölders Ronja , Jühling Marcel , Reckert Alexandra , Heger Anna , Ritz-Timme Stefanie
Published: February 2023

The Turin Shroud (TS) is a Christian relic interpreted to be the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth. It exhibits red discolorations that have been interpreted as blood stains and that are the subjects of a highly controversial discussion. We conducted experiments to identify theoretically possible explanations for the stains attributed to the crown of thorns, the lance wound and the belt of blood. In the experiments with a focus on the stains attributed to the crown of thorns, a very similar stain pattern as on the TS could be provoked by simulating the following sequence of events: blood from antemortem scalp wounds is covering hair and face; blood is coagulating and/or drying; blood components are mobilised by postmortem washing and oiling. A stain pattern very similar to the belt of blood on the TS was successfully provoked by simulating the following sequence of events: The body is lying in a supine position, blood or bloodied water flowing from a wound at the right lateral chest wall; the body is rotated to the left side; the Shroud is tucked under the back; the body is rotated back to a supine position and laid onto the Shroud. The so-called serum ring surrounding the stain attributed to the lance wound could be reproduced by sequential application of serum and whole blood samples or of pleural effusion and whole blood samples onto cotton cloth. It is obvious that any attempt to interpret the assumed blood stain pattern on the TS has serious limitations. Nevertheless, it seems remarkable that we were able to reproduce findings that appear to be very similar to stains on the TS.
Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas: can common imaging features help to avoid resection?
Authors: Khristenko Ekaterina , Garcia Elena Esteban , Gaida Matthias M. , Hackert Thilo , Mayer Philipp , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Klauss Miriam
Published: February 2023

Background

Differentiation of cystic pancreatic neoplasms remains a challenging task for radiologists regarding the main aim of identifying malignant and premalignant lesions.

Purpose

The study aimed to compare the radiological features of lymphoepithelial cysts (LEC) with other cystic pancreatic lesions, which could help to differentiate them in order to avoid unnecessary resection.

Material and methods

We retrospectively reviewed 10 cases of resected and histopathologically confirmed LECs during a 12-year period with available imaging studies; 20 patients with mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), 20 patients with branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMN), and 20 patients with serous cystic neoplasms (SCN) were selected to serve as control groups. Imaging findings as well as clinical data were analyzed.

Results

The following imaging morphology of LEC was identified: simple cystic appearance (20%) and mixed cystic-solid appearance (80%) with either a diffuse subsolid component (30%) or mural nodule(s) (50%). All lesions revealed exophytic location with a strong male predominance (9:1). MCNs occurred exclusively in middle-aged women, IPMN in both sexes showed slight male predominance (13:7), and SCN showed female predominance (5:15). Median patient age in LEC (48.5, IQR 47–54.5) was significantly younger compared to IPMN (p < 0.001) and SCN (p = 0.02). Unenhanced CT attenuation of LEC was higher than MCNs (p = 0.025) and IPMNs (p = 0.021), showing no significant difference to SCN (p = 0.343).

Conclusion

The present study provides key radiological features of LEC for the differentiation from other cystic pancreatic lesions such as increased CT attenuation in the unenhanced phase, absence of a connection to the main pancreatic duct (MPD), and exophytic location. In addition to these imaging features, clinical data, such as male predominance in LEC, must be considered for the differentiation of cystic pancreatic lesions.
OAGB with shortened excluded ileal loop as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus in the cases of Caucasian men and women with obesity of the first degree (BMI 30–35 kg/m2)
Authors: Jaworski Paweł , Binda Artur , Barski Krzysztof , Wawiernia Karolina , Kudlicka Emilia , Wąsowski Michał , Jankowski Piotr , Tarnowski Wiesław
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The aim of the study is to assess the effect of shortening the excluded loop of the small intestine to 150 cm on the effectiveness of one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) in remission of type 2 diabetes with Io obesity.

Material and methods

The study included 25 patients with a body mass index (BMI) 30–35 kg/m2, with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), and undergoing OAGB with excluded 150 cm of the small intestine.

Results

There were no deaths in the study group, bleeding during the postoperative period requiring reoperation, anastomotic leakage/leakage throught mechanical stitching. The mean a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) level 12 months after surgery was 6.16 ± 0.96%, corresponding to a 2.29 ± 3.3% decrease. In more than 85% of the patients taking insulin before surgery, the insulin was discontinued in the postoperative period. Additionally, the level of glycaemia was assessed in patients on the day of surgery (163 ± 58 mg/dl) and on the day of discharge from the hospital (4.7 ± 1.3 days)—it was lower by over 18% (133 ± 39.2 mg). Over the period of 12 months following OAGB, there was a reduction in the mean BMI value from 33.5 ± 2 to 25.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2 and improvement in lipid parameters and mean values of blood pressure.

Conclusion

OAGB with excluded 150 cm of the small intestine has beneficial effect on the remission of T2DM in patients with a BMI of 30–35kg/m2 and is associated with an acceptable level of complications. The achieved weight loss after surgery is satisfactory.
Is the sarcomatous component (homologous vs heterologous) the prognostic “driving force” in early-stage uterine carcinosarcomas? A retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Rosati A. , Vargiu V. , Certelli C. , Arcieri M. , Vizza E. , Legge F. , Cosentino F. , Ferrandina G. , Fanfani F. , Scambia G. , Corrado G.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Uterine carcinosarcomas (UCSs) are aggressive biphasic malignancies, with a carcinomatous/epithelial component and a sarcomatous/mesenchymal counterpart. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the sarcomatous component (homologous vs heterologous) on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods

This is a multicenter observational retrospective study conducted in patients with stage I and II UCSs.

Results

Ninety-five women with histological diagnosis of early-stage UCSs were retrieved: 60 (63.2%) had tumors with homologous sarcomatous components, and 35 (36.8%) with heterologous. At univariate analysis, a stromal invasion ≥ 50%, the presence of clear cell, serous or undifferentiated carcinomatous component, the heterologous sarcomatous component and FIGO stage IB and II were shown to be variables with a statistically significant negative impact on PFS. Similarly, a depth of invasion ≥ 50%, the heterologous sarcomatous component and FIGO stage IB and II were statistically negative prognostic factors also concerning OS. At multivariate analysis, only the heterologous sarcomatous component was confirmed to be a statistically significant negative prognostic factor both on PFS (HR 2.362, 95% CI 1.207–4.623, p value = 0.012) and on OS (HR 1.950, 95% CI 1.032–3.684, p = 0.040).

Conclusion

Carcinomatous and sarcomatous components both played a role in tumor progression and patients’ survival. However, only the sarcomatous component retained a statistical significance at the multivariable model suggesting its preeminent prognostic role in early-stage UCSs.
Vaccines for prion diseases: a realistic goal?
Authors: Napper Scott , Schatzl Hermann M.
Published: February 2023

Prion diseases are fatal infectious neurodegenerative disorders and prototypic conformational diseases, caused by the conformational conversion of the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the pathological PrPSc isoform. Examples are scrapie in sheep and goat, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids, and Creutzfeldt–Jacob disease (CJD) in humans. There are no therapies available, and animal prion diseases like BSE and CWD can negatively affect the economy, ecology, animal health, and possibly human health. BSE is a confirmed threat to human health, and mounting evidence supports the zoonotic potential of CWD. CWD is continuously expanding in North America in numbers and distribution and was recently identified in Scandinavian countries. CWD is the only prion disease occurring both in wild and farmed animals, which, together with extensive shedding of infectivity into the environment, impedes containment strategies. There is currently a strong push to develop vaccines against CWD, including ones that can be used in wildlife. The immune system does not develop a bona fide immune response against prion infection, as PrPC and PrPSc share an identical protein primary structure, and prions seem not to represent a trigger for immune responses. This asks for alternative vaccine strategies, which focus on PrPC-directed self-antibodies or exposure of disease-specific structures and epitopes. Several groups have established a proof-of-concept that such vaccine candidates can induce some levels of protective immunity in cervid and rodent models without inducing unwanted side effects. This review will highlight the most recent developments and discuss progress and challenges remaining.
LRP2 contributes to planar cell polarity-dependent coordination of motile cilia function
Authors: Bunatyan Lena , Margineanu Anca , Boutin Camille , Montcouquiol Mireille , Bachmann Sebastian , Ilsø Christensen Erik , Willnow Thomas E. , Christ Annabel
Published: February 2023

Motile cilia are protruding organelles on specialized epithelia that beat in a synchronous fashion to propel extracellular fluids. Coordination and orientation of cilia beating on individual cells and across tissues is a complex process dependent on planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling. Asymmetric sorting of PCP pathway components, essential to establish planar polarity, involves trafficking along the endocytic path, but the underlying regulatory processes remain incompletely understood. Here, we identified the endocytic receptor LRP2 as regulator of PCP component trafficking in ependyma, a multi-ciliated cell type that is involved in facilitating flow of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain ventricular system. Lack of receptor expression in gene-targeted mice results in a failure to sort PCP core proteins to the anterior or posterior cell side and, consequently, in the inability to coordinate cilia arrangement and to aligned beating (loss of rotational and translational polarity). LRP2 deficiency coincides with a failure to sort NHERF1, a cytoplasmic LRP2 adaptor to the anterior cell side. As NHERF1 is essential to translocate PCP core protein Vangl2 to the plasma membrane, these data suggest a molecular mechanism whereby LRP2 interacts with PCP components through NHERF1 to control their asymmetric sorting along the endocytic path. Taken together, our findings identified the endocytic receptor LRP2 as a novel regulator of endosomal trafficking of PCP proteins, ensuring their asymmetric partition and establishment of translational and rotational planar cell polarity in the ependyma.
Treatment escalation and de-escalation decisions in Crohn’s disease: Delphi consensus recommendations from Japan, 2021
Authors: Nakase Hiroshi , Esaki Motohiro , Hirai Fumihito , Kobayashi Taku , Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Matsuura Minoru , Naganuma Makoto , Saruta Masayuki , Tsuchiya Kiichiro , Uchino Motoi , Watanabe Kenji , Hisamatsu Tadakazu ,   the TRADE consensus group, Andoh Akira , Bamba Shigeki , Esaki Motohiro , Fujiya Mikihiro , Futami Kitaro , Hata Keisuke , Hirai Fumihito , Hiraoka Sakiko , Hisamatsu Tadakazu , Hokari Ryota , Ishihara Shunji , Ishihara Soichiro , Itabashi Michio , Kakuta Yoichi , Kato Jun , Kato Shingo , Katsurada Takehiko , Kitamura Kazuya , Kobayashi Kiyonori , Kobayashi Taku , Koganei Kazutaka , Maemoto Atsuo , Matsui Toshiyuki , Matsumoto Takayuki , Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Matsuura Minoru , Motoya Satoshi , Nagahori Masakazu , Naganuma Makoto , Naito Yuji , Nakamura Shiro , Nakase Hiroshi , Ogata Haruhiko , Okazaki Kazuichi , Sakuraba Hirotake , Saruta Masayuki , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Sugimoto Ken , Sugita Akira , Suzuki Yasuo , Takahashi Kenichi , Takagi Tomohisa , Takenaka Kento , Takeuchi Ken , Tsuchiya Kiichiro , Tsujikawa Tomoyuki , Uchino Motoi , Ueno Fumiaki , Watanabe Kenji , Watanabe Mamoru , Yamamoto Takayuki , Yokoyama Kaoru , Yoshida Atsushi , Yoshimura Naoki
Published: February 2023

Background

We aimed to develop criteria for treatment intensification in patients with (1) luminal Crohn’s disease (CD), (2) CD with perianal disease and/or fistula, (3) CD with small bowel stenosis, (4) in the postoperative setting, and (5) for discontinuing or reducing the dose of treatment in patients with CD.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were searched for studies published since 1998 which may be relevant to the five defined topics. Results were assessed for relevant studies, with preference given to data from randomized, controlled studies. For each question, a core panel of 12 gastroenterologists defined the treatment target and developed statements, based on the literature, current guidelines, and relevant additional studies. The evidence supporting each statement was graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine: Levels of Evidence (March 2009). A modified Delphi process was used to refine statements and gain agreement from 54 Japanese specialists at in-person and online meetings conducted between October 2020 and April 2021.

Results

Seventeen statements were developed for treatment intensification in luminal CD (targeting endoscopic remission), six statements for treatment intensification in perianal/fistulizing CD (targeting healing of perianal lesions and complete closure of the fistula), six statements for treatment intensification in CD with small bowel stenosis (targeting resolution of obstructive symptoms), seven statements for treatment intensification after surgery (targeting endoscopic remission), and five statements for discontinuing or reducing the dose of treatment in patients with CD.

Conclusions

These statements provide guidance on how and when to intensify or de-intensify treatment for a broad spectrum of patients with CD.
Vitamin D and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, should we stop the hype? A cross-sectional observational prospective study based on a geometric morphometrics approach
Authors: González-Ruiz José María , Bastir Markus , Pizones Javier , Palancar Carlos A. , Toro-Ibacache Viviana , García Alfaro María Dolores , Moreno Manzanaro Lucía , Sánchez Márquez José Miguel , Pérez Núñez María Isabel
Published: February 2023

Purpose

There is strong evidence supporting the presence of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Additionally, recent research investigating the relationship between vitamin D and AIS found a relation between them. We hypothesize a negative correlation between FA and vitamin D.

Methods

We performed a surface scan of the torso of 53 AIS patients, a blood test to measure vitamin D and the radiographic Cobb angle. A correlation analysis between vitamin D and FA was carried out to test our hypothesis, and a regression of vitamin D on 3D shape was performed to observe shape differences between the vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency groups.

Results

There was no correlation between vitamin D and FA. We found a strong negative correlation between vitamin D and the Cobb angle only in the premenarche group (n = 7; r = − 0.92). Differences in shape were observed between the deficiency and insufficiency groups, and that differences were related to the width of the torso, but not the rotation or lateral flexion.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the massive screening of vitamin D in AIS. Shape analysis revealed differences between the shape of the deficiency and insufficiency groups related to robustness. However, this finding had no relation with the scoliosis characteristics, it just reflected different body composition, and its importance should be explored in future.
Remote assessment of ADHD in children and adolescents: recommendations from the European ADHD Guidelines Group following the clinical experience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Santosh P. , Cortese S. , Hollis C. , Bölte S. , Daley D. , Coghill D. , Holtmann M. , Sonuga-Barke E. J. S. , Buitelaar J. , Banaschewski T. , Stringaris A. , Döpfner M. , Van der Oord S. , Carucci S. , Brandeis D. , Nagy P. , Ferrin M. , Baeyens D. , van den Hoofdakker B. J. , Purper-Ouakil D. , Ramos-Quiroga A. , Romanos M. , Soutullo C. A. , Thapar A. , Wong I. C. K. , Zuddas A. , Galera C. , Simonoff E.
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic led ADHD services to modify the clinical practice to reduce in-person contact as much as possible to minimise viral spread. This had far-reaching effects on day-to-day clinical practice as remote assessments were widely adopted. Despite the attenuation of the acute threat from COVID, many clinical services are retaining some remote practices. The lack of clear evidence-based guidance about the most appropriate way to conduct remote assessments meant that these changes were typically implemented in a localised, ad hoc, and un-coordinated way. Here, the European ADHD Guidelines Group (EAGG) discusses the strengths and weaknesses of remote assessment methods of children and adolescents with ADHD in a narrative review based on available data and expert opinions to highlight key recommendations for future studies and clinical practice. We conclude that going forward, despite remote working in clinical services functioning adequately during the pandemic, all required components of ADHD assessment should still be completed following national/international guidelines; however, the process may need adaptation. Social restrictions, including changes in education provision, can either mask or exacerbate features associated with ADHD and therefore assessment should carefully chart symptom profile and impairment prior to, as well as during an ongoing pandemic. While remote assessments are valuable in allowing clinical services to continue despite restrictions and may have benefits for routine care in the post-pandemic world, particular attention must be paid to those who may be at high risk but not be able to use/access remote technologies and prioritize these groups for conventional face-to-face assessments.
Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in children and young people with psychiatric disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Gallop Lucy , Westwood Samuel J. , Lewis Yael , Campbell Iain C. , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: February 2023

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has demonstrated benefits in adults with various psychiatric disorders, but its clinical utility in children and young people (CYP) remains unclear. This PRISMA systematic review used published and ongoing studies to examine the effects of tDCS on disorder-specific symptoms, mood and neurocognition in CYP with psychiatric disorders. We searched Medline via PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO via OVID, and Clinicaltrials.gov up to December 2022. Eligible studies involved multiple session (i.e., treatment) tDCS in CYP (≤ 25 years old) with psychiatric disorders. Two independent raters assessed the eligibility of studies and extracted data using a custom-built form. Of 33 eligible studies (participant N = 517), the majority (n = 27) reported an improvement in at least one outcome measure of disorder-specific symptoms. Few studies (n = 13) examined tDCS effects on mood and/or neurocognition, but findings were mainly positive. Overall, tDCS was well tolerated with minimal side effects. Of 11 eligible ongoing studies, many are sham-controlled RCTs (n = 9) with better blinding techniques and a larger estimated participant enrolment (M = 79.7; range 15–172) than published studies. Although encouraging, the evidence to date is insufficient to firmly conclude that tDCS can improve clinical symptoms, mood, or cognition in CYP with psychiatric disorders. Ongoing studies appear of improved methodological quality; however, future studies should broaden outcome measures to more comprehensively assess the effects of tDCS and develop dosage guidance (i.e., treatment regimens).
The modulation of iron metabolism affects the Rhabdomyosarcoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Asperti Michela , Cantamessa Luca , Gryzik Magdalena , Bugatti Mattia , Codenotti Silvia , Denardo Andrea , Vermi William , Fanzani Alessandro , Poli Maura
Published: February 2023

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive rare neoplasm that derives from mesenchymal cells, which frequently develops resistance to the current therapies and the formation of metastases. Thus, new therapies are needed. The alteration of iron metabolism in cancer cells was effective in reducing the progression of many tumors but not yet investigated in RMS. Here we investigated the effect of iron modulation in RMS both in vitro and in vivo. We first characterized the most used RMS cell lines representing the most common subtypes, embryonal (ERMS, RD cells) and alveolar (ARMS, RH30 cells), for their iron metabolism, in basal condition and in response to its modulation. Then we investigated the effects of both iron overload and chelation strategies in vitro and in vivo. RMS cell lines expressed iron-related proteins, even if at lower levels compared to hepatic cell lines and they are correctly modulated in response to iron increase and deprivation. Interestingly, the treatment with different doses of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC, as iron source) and with deferiprone (DFP, as iron chelator), significantly affected the cell viability of RD and RH30. Moreover, iron supplementation (in the form of iron dextran) or iron chelation (in the form of DFP) were also effective in vivo in inhibiting the tumor mass growth both derived from RD and RH30 with iron chelation treatment the most effective one. All the data suggest that the iron modulation could be a promising approach to overcome the RMS tumor growth. The mechanism of action seems to involve the apoptotic cell death for both iron supplementation and chelation with the concomitant induction of ferroptosis in the case of iron supplementation.
Immune landscape and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: focus on innate and adaptive immune cells
Authors: Gao Xiaoqiang , Zuo Shi
Published: February 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for roughly 90% of all cases of primary liver cancer, and the cases are on the rise. The treatment of advanced HCC is a serious challenge. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has marked a watershed moment in the history of HCC systemic treatment. Atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab has been approved as a first-line treatment for advanced HCC since 2020; however, the combination therapy is only effective in a limited percentage of patients. Considering that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has a great impact on immunotherapies for HCC, an in-depth understanding of the immune landscape in tumors and the current immunotherapeutic approaches is extremely necessary. We elaborate on the features, functions, and cross talk of the innate and adaptive immune cells in HCC and highlight the benefits and drawbacks of various immunotherapies for advanced HCC, as well as future projections. HCC consists of a heterogeneous group of cancers with distinct etiologies and immune microenvironments. Almost all the components of innate and adaptive immune cells in HCC have altered, showing a decreasing trend in the number of tumor suppressor cells and an increasing trend in the pro-cancer cells, and there is also cross talk between various cell types. Various immunotherapies for HCC have also shown promising efficacy and application prospect. There are multilayered interwoven webs among various immune cell types in HCC, and emerging evidence demonstrates the promising prospect of immunotherapeutic approaches for HCC.
The relationship between working memory updating components and reading comprehension
Authors: Linares Rocío , Pelegrina Santiago
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of retrieval and substitution components of working memory updating to reading comprehension. Difficulties in reading comprehension have been related to the inability to update information in working memory. Updating is a complex process comprising various subprocesses, such as retrieving information into the focus of attention and substituting information that is no longer relevant. Various numerical subtasks requiring or not requiring the substitution and retrieval components of working memory updating, as well as reading comprehension and general cognitive measures, were administered to a sample (n = 148) of 4th grade children. Less-skilled comprehenders showed lower accuracy when information retrieval was required. In contrast, substitution was not related to reading comprehension. These findings suggest that reading comprehension difficulties are related to the efficacy of information retrieval during updating in working memory.
Acoustic radiation force impulse-induced lung hemorrhage: investigating the relationship with peak rarefactional pressure amplitude and mechanical index in rabbits
Authors: Takayama Noriya , Sasanuma Hideki , Rifu Kazuma , Nitta Naotaka , Akiyama Iwaki , Taniguchi Nobuyuki
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The safety of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography, which applies higher acoustic power with a longer pulse duration (PD) than conventional diagnostic ultrasound, is yet to be verified. We assessed the ARFI-induced lung injury risk and its relationship with peak rarefactional pressure amplitude (PRPA) and mechanical index (MI).

Methods

Eighteen and two rabbits were included in the ARFI (0.3-ms push pulses) and sham groups, respectively. A 5.2-MHz linear probe was applied to the subcostal area and aimed at both lungs through the liver for 30 ARFI emissions. The derated PRPA varied among the six ARFI groups—0.80 MPa, 1.13 MPa, 1.33 MPa, 1.70 MPa, 1.91 MPa, and 2.00 MPa, respectively.

Results

The occurrence of lung hemorrhage and the mean lesion area among all samples in the seven groups were 0/6, 0/6, 1/6 (1.7 mm2), 4/6 (8.0 mm2), 4/6 (11.2 mm2), 5/6 (23.8 mm2), and 0/4 (sham), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that derated PRPA was significantly associated with lung injury occurrence (odds ratio: 207, p < 0.01), with the threshold estimated to be 1.1 MPa (MI, 0.5). Spearman’s rank correlation showed a positive correlation between derated PRPA and lesion area (r = 0.671, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the occurrence and severity of ARFI-induced lung hemorrhage increased with a rise in PRPA under clinical conditions in rabbits. This indicates a potential risk of lung injury due to ARFI elastography, especially when ARFI is unintentionally directed to the lungs during liver, heart, or breast examinations.
Histopathology of non-mass-like breast lesions on ultrasound
Authors: Yamaguchi Rin , Watanabe Hidetaka , Mihara Yutaro , Yamaguchi Miki , Tanaka Maki
Published: February 2023

There have been several investigations of non-mass-like (NML) lesions on ultrasound (US) since Uematsu first described this approach, and it is a relatively new concept for breast examination. However, the results have varied, and there have been only a few studies related to the detailed histopathology of NML lesions on US. Here, we review the histopathology of NML lesions. NML lesions are pathologically benign, atypical, or malignant. There are two major findings of NML lesions on US: architectural distortion and calcifications. Architectural distortion pathologically indicates a fibrous change with ductal proliferation, invasive breast carcinoma, and carcinoma in situ. Histopathologically, microcalcifications are seen in both benign and malignant lesions, and it is important to distinguish between these lesions among NML lesions, particularly fibrocystic changes including adenosis and hyperplasia in the case of benign lesions and carcinoma in situ (ductal and lobular) in the case of malignant lesions. The differential major points may be whether NML lesions are associated with abundant hyperechoic foci, which indicate comedo necrosis on histology. They are usually high-grade carcinoma in situ that may be positive for HER2 or triple negativity. A recent report indicated that low-grade carcinoma in situ showed better survival than higher-grade carcinoma in situ, which is often accompanied by comedo necrosis on histology, reflecting visible microcalcification on US. NML lesions are considered to include a certain rate of low-grade carcinoma in situ. Therefore, more caution may be needed when detecting and managing NML lesions to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment as a result of this recent “low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ” concept.
Influence of heart rate and heart rate variability on the feasibility of ultra-fast, high-pitch coronary photon-counting computed tomography angiography
Authors: Rotkopf Lukas T. , Froelich Matthias F. , Riffel Philipp , Ziener Christian H. , Reid Carissa , Schlemmer Heinz-Peter , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Ayx Isabelle
Published: February 2023

Coronary computed tomography angiography has become a mainstay in diagnosing coronary artery disease and is increasingly used in screening symptomatic patients. Recently, photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) has been introduced into clinical practice, offering higher spatial and temporal resolution. As the applied radiation dose is highly dependent on the choice of scan mode and is lowest using the ultra-fast high-pitch (FLASH) mode, guidelines for their application are needed. From a retrospective study investigating the properties of a novel photon-counting computed tomography, all patients who underwent FLASH-mode PCCT angiography were selected between January and April 2022. This resulted in a study population of 46 men and 27 women. We recorded pre- and intrascan ECG readings and calculated heart rate (maximum heart rate 73 bpm) as well heart rate variability (maximum HRV 37 bpm) as measured by the standard deviation of the heart rate. Diagnostic quality and motion artifacts scores were recorded for each coronary artery segment by consensus between two readers. We found a highly significant association between heart rate variability and image quality (p < 0.001). The heart rate itself was not independently associated with image quality. Both heart rate and heart rate variability were significantly associated with the presence of motion artifacts in a combined model. Scan heart rate variability—but not heart rate itself—is a highly significant predictor of reduced image quality on high-pitch coronary photon-counting computed tomography angiography. This may be due to better scanner architecture and an increased temporal resolution compared to conventional energy-integrating detector computed tomography, which has to be addressed in a comparison study in the future.
A bio-inspired computational classifier system for the evaluation of children’s theatrical anxiety at school
Authors: Mastrothanasis Konstantinos , Zervoudakis Konstantinos , Kladaki Maria , Tsafarakis Stelios
Published: February 2023

Theatrical performance constitutes a complicated way for students to express and to communicate with each other, since it targets both various artistic and educational goals. Even though it constitutes a top moment of students’ expression, several students do not feel comfortable when participating in such cultural activities, as performance anxiety, a negative emotional experience stemming from the public audience exposure, affects them. The aim of this research is to apply and evaluate a student segmentation technique with the help of bio-inspired computational intelligence, for identifying high levels of performance anxiety at schoolchildren. A Mayfly-based clustering optimization algorithm is applied on a dataset with 774 instances of students to classify them according to their levels of emotions and performance anxiety that are developed during the event. A comparison with a genetic algorithm as well as particle swarm optimization shows that the proposed method is distinguished by superior categorization capabilities. The findings demonstrate the effective dissimilar student groups formation, with the members of each being distinguished by similar characteristics in terms of emotions and performance anxiety, highlighting the ones with unmanageable emotional experiences. Therefore, the drama educator is able to effortlessly detect, manage students and develop coping practices in those at risk, by acknowledging each group’s characteristics.
Effectiveness of Interventions that Foster Reading Motivation: a Meta-analysis
Authors: van der Sande Lisa , van Steensel Roel , Fikrat-Wevers Suzanne , Arends Lidia
Published: February 2023

Many students have low reading motivation. Based on (reading) motivation theories, several mechanisms are distinguished that can foster reading motivation. Our goal in this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of theory-driven reading motivation interventions in school on students’ reading motivation and reading comprehension as well as to test which mechanisms are particularly effective in fostering motivation and comprehension. We conducted a literature search in ten online databases and identified 39 relevant effect studies. Positive effects on affirming motivations (d = 0.38), extrinsic motivations (d = 0.42), combined motivations (d = 0.17), and reading comprehension (d = 0.27) were found. The effect on undermining motivations (d = −0.01) was not significant. In particular, interventions that aimed to trigger interest had positive effects on affirming motivations and reading comprehension. Furthermore, effects on affirming motivations were larger if the total duration of the intervention was longer and if the share of boys in the sample was higher. Interventions delivered by researchers had larger effects on reading comprehension than interventions delivered by teachers. Finally, effects on reading comprehension were larger for primary schoolers than for secondary schoolers and larger for typical readers than for struggling readers. Implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers are discussed.
Value Sensitive Design for autonomous weapon systems – a primer
Authors: Boshuijzen-van Burken Christine
Published: February 2023

Value Sensitive Design (VSD) is a design methodology developed by Batya Friedman and Peter Kahn (2003) that brings in moral deliberations in an early stage of a design process. It assumes that neither technology itself is value neutral, nor shifts the value-ladennes to the sole usage of technology. This paper adds to emerging literature onVSD for autonomous weapons systems development and discusses extant literature on values in autonomous systems development in general and in autonomous weapons development in particular. I identify opportunities, such as public debates, and threats, such as the classified nature of the design process, for VSD in autonomous weapons development. This paper contributes to academic debates about the non-neutrality of technology by pointing out that values have been and can be explicitly designed into autonomous systems. It is informative for policy makers and designers who are tasked with developing actual autonomous weapons or policies around such systems, as they learn about an established design methodology that is sensitive to societal concerns and industry needs and that can be applied to autonomous weapons systems.
Can Environmental Injustices be Addressed in Conservation? Settlement History and Conservation-Induced Displacement in the Case of Lyanshulu in the Zambezi Region, Namibia
Authors: Vehrs Hauke-Peter , Zickel Mirijam
Published: February 2023

The Zambezi Region of Namibia is known for its vast conservation landscape, which is part of the world’s largest transboundary conservation area – the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). Less known are the settlement histories of the communities displaced from their villages during the planning and implementation of this conservation landscape. We reconstruct the settlement history of two families that lived on two islands in the Kwando River and the adjacent riverbanks in today’s Mudumu NP, and we describe the circumstances that led to the designation of a national park in this region and the subsequent conservation-induced displacement. The evicted families increasingly protest and legally contest estrangement from their ancestral land, which is now a protected area. We argue that current nature-conservation efforts can succeed only if issues of past and present environmental injustices are comprehensively addressed.
Experience from implementing digital twins for maintenance in industrial processes
Authors: Hassan Muhammad , Svadling Marcus , Björsell Niclas
Published: February 2023

The capability of estimating future maintenance needs in advance and in a timely manner is a prerequisite for reliable manufacturing with high availability in a production unit. Additionally, conducting planned maintenance efforts regularly and prematurely increases the service lifetimes and utilization rates of parts, which leads to more sustainable production. The benefits of predictive maintenance are obvious, but introducing it into a facility poses various challenges. In this study, digital twins of well-functioning machines are used for predictive maintenance. The discrepancies between each physical unit and its digital twin are used to detect the maintenance needs. A thorough evaluation of the method over a period of 18 months by comparing digital twin detection results with maintenance and control system logs shows promising results. The method is successful in detecting discrepancies, and the paper describes the techniques that are used. However, not all discrepancies are related to the maintenance needs, and the evaluation identifies and discusses the most common sources of error. These are often the results of human interaction, such as parameter changes, maintenance activities and component replacement.
Strengthening mechanisms in Monel K500 alloyed with Al and Ti
Authors: Kostryzhev A. G. , Marenych O. O. , Pan Z. , Li H. , van Duin S.
Published: February 2023

Monel alloys containing 63Ni–30Cu (wt%) are often used in applications requiring simultaneously high strength and corrosion resistance. Additions of Ti, Al and C to Monel K500 lead to formation of TiC, Ni3Al and Ni3Ti particles, which provide precipitation strengthening effect following heat treatment. The traditional heat treatment schedule includes solution annealing above 1000 °C and aging in the 400–600 °C temperature range. However, no correlation exists between the alloy composition and the heat treatment schedule (holding temperature and time) required to obtain the optimum microstructure and mechanical properties. This may result in excessive alloying, energy loses during heat treatment, and higher product costs. In this work, we investigate the effect of solution annealing part of heat treatment schedule on microstructure (particularly, particle precipitation and grain growth), hardness and strength. For hot rolled samples, solution annealing followed by aging was shown to result in lower strength compared to aging without annealing. The analysis of strengthening mechanisms carried out utilising our theory for calculation of solute atom concentrations has explained the strength variation with heat treatment and has shown (i) a lower strength after annealing and aging being related to dissolution of fine (< 20 nm) TiC particles, (ii) Ti- and Al-rich precipitates to provide a larger strengthening than Ti and Al solute atoms, (iii) Al to be a more effective strengthening agent than Ti, and (iv) the majority of Al to remain in solution for both processing schedules, this indicates potential for mechanical properties improvement via optimisation of the heat treatment schedule aiming to generate more Al-rich precipitates.
Structural, optical, photoluminescence, and magnetic properties of Mo0.6−xTi0.3Zn0.1ErxO3 nanorods films fabricated by sol–gel/spin coating technique
Authors: Gad S. A. , Hammad Ali B. Abou , ElNahrawy Amany M. , Shaban H. , Azab A. A. , Moustafa A. M.
Published: February 2023

Er3+-incorporated Mo0.6−xTi0.3Zn0.1nanorods thin films were prepared on glass substrates via controlled sol–gel method. The Mo, Zn, Ti, and Er solutions were prepared using ammonium dimolybdate, titanium isopropoxide, zinc acetate dehydrate, and erbium nitrate as the starting material. Ethylene glycol, monoethanolamine, and HCl acid are solvents and solution stabilizers in the sol–gel process. The effect of the Er3+concentration (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 mol%) on the films structure, optical, photoluminescence, and magnetic properties of the nanorods films was investigated by XRD, SEM, Pl, and magnetic measurement. XRD analysis proved that the samples with Er doping = 0.0 and 0.1 consists of single-phase MoO3. By increasing erbium doping to 0.2 and 0.3, bi-phasic were obtained, one of them MoO3and the other was related to Ti6O11. These results indicate that MoO3(two-dimensional) can control the internal growth of the Mo0.6−xTi0.3Zn0.1ErxO3film's structure as supported by SEM and FTIR results. The reflectance of doped films exhibits high values that are increasing with the Er ratio, which adapted an increase in theEgvalues from 2.85 to 3.25 eV. The presence of Er3+in the films is found to sense the photoluminescence process that reveals two emission lines at 1477 and 1543 nm for Er ions. Magnetization behavior for samples exhibits antiferromagnetic behavior with weak ferromagnetic and unsaturated characteristics, where the magnetization at the maximum field (Mmax) increases with increase in Er content.
Safety and Feasibility of Robot-assisted Gait Training in Adults with Cerebral Palsy in an Inpatient Setting – an Observational Study
Authors: Moll Fabian , Kessel Axel , Bonetto Anna , Stresow Johanna , Herten Monika , Dudda Marcel , Adermann Jens
Published: February 2023

Background: To investigate the safety and feasibility of six sessions of Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) integrated into an inpatient therapy concept and their influence on walking speed and gait parameters in adult CP patients. Methods: Eleven subjects (male = 8, female = 3, mean age: 23 years and 2 months, ± 4.5 years) with spastic CP underwent six 20-minute RAGT sessions with the HAL during an 11-day hospital stay. Additionally, physiotherapy, physician-performed manual medicine, massage and exercise therapy were provided. Pre- (T1) and post- (T2) intervention assessments were: 10-metre walking test (10MWT), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) and lower extremities passive range of motion (pROM). Results: All subjects completed the study. No adverse events were noted. Walking speed in the 10MWT test increased from 32.5 s (± 24.5 s) at T1 to 27.5 s (± 21.4 s) at T2, without significance. Slight, but non-significant improvements were detected in the 6MWT, GMFM and pROM. Confounding factors did not significantly affect the results. Conclusion: Intensive therapy including HAL training leads to non-significant improvements. Further studies with more patients and longer intervention time could provide further insights into the RAGT therapy of adult patients with CP. Registration DRKS-ID: DRKS00020275.
US Taxation of Gambling Winnings and Incentives to Bet
Authors: Whelan Karl
Published: February 2023

Sports betting is growing rapidly in the US after its legalization by the Supreme Court in 2018. This paper describes the treatment of gambling winnings and losses in the federal tax code and shows how the system may incentivize some gamblers to substantially increase the scale of their betting in order to have a chance to win. This incentive stems from the fact that gambling losses can only be deducted if taxpayers are filing for itemized deductions, meaning the scale of gambling losses has to be large enough to push a taxpayer’s eligible deductions over the standard deduction. This incentive to engage in large-scale betting applies mostly to lower and middle-income households.
The Current State and Usage of European Electronic Cross-border Health Services (eHDSI)
Authors: Bruthans Jan , Jiráková Klára
Published: February 2023

Introduction: European Union intends to enable cross-border health services through a program referred to as “MyHealth@EU”. The first main service is the dispensation of medicine by interlinking national electronic prescription systems. The second one is the Patient Summary, which enables providing the basic set of patients’ medical data. Methods: The contemporary technical documentation of the project was studied and selected published Key Performance Indicators of the project were analyzed. Where necessary, data were acquired directly from the European Commission. Results: Data from the start of the project (fourth quarter of 2019) until the second quarter of 2022 were analyzed. During this time both the overall number of EU countries with operational cross-border healthcare and their particular abilities in both services have risen. At present, there are eleven countries with capabilities in at least one of the services, of which nine have reported transactions. More countries are in the test phase now and will join the operational phase of the project shortly. Discussion and Conclusion: Nevertheless, the program is still used mostly for testing purposes. It seems that only electronic prescription and dispensation are commonly and widely used so far and only Estonian and Finnish patients usually get their medication dispensed abroad. The rest of the operational countries is still at present missing country pairs with a strong cross-border use case.
The Old English Pharaoh: A Neglected ubi sunt Poem
Authors: Rozano-García Francisco J.
Published: February 2023

The Old English poem Pharaoh has been largely unconsidered in critical literature owing to its formal and interpretive obscurities, which have led to its relegation to a secondary place in the Old English poetic canon. The text has traditionally been read as an unsuccessful attempt at replicating Latin models of dialogic literature to invite reflection on the typological associations of the crossing of the Red Sea. It has accordingly been read almost exclusively as part of an Easter sequence within the Exeter Book. As a result, the poem has remained unexplored in terms of its artistic quality and potential intertextual connections with other texts and traditions within and beyond the corpus of Old English poetry. This study reassesses the form, function, and interpretation of Pharaoh and provides a new reading of the poem by relocating it within its appropriate contextual background in both Christian doctrine and the Old English poetic corpus. To this end, a new reconstruction of a textual crux is proposed, which reveals that Pharaoh should be read against a new interpretive framework. Drawing from textual parallels in Latin and Old English, this study suggests that Pharaoh is an experiment in textual form and poetic mode that draws inspiration from the common ubi sunt motif and its vernacular adaptation in Old English literature. Ultimately, the interpretive complexity of Pharaoh poses a challenge to modern ideas of intertextuality and literary genre, which prioritise a hierarchical rather than horizontal model of textual influence.