bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous ablation treatment in metastatic lung tumors: a single-center experience
Authors: Ergun Onur , Birgi Erdem , Hekimoğlu Azad , Eraslan Önder , Durmaz Hasan Ali , Karaçin Cengiz , İmamoğlu Gökşen İnanç , Eren Tülay , Yazılıtaş Doğan , Hekimoğlu Baki
Published: May 2023

Background

In recent years, many studies have proven that percutaneous thermal ablation is an effective second-line treatment method with low complication rates in early-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma and lung metastases. Radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation are commonly used for this purpose.

Purpose

To evaluate the factors affecting the success of the percutaneous thermal ablation treatment with technical success, complication rates, and long-term follow-up results in metastatic lung lesions.

Material and Methods

Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous ablation was performed for 70 metastatic lung lesions in 35 patients (22 men, 13 women; mean age = 61.34 years; age range = 41–75 years). Radiofrequency ablation was performed in 53/70 (75.7%) lesions and microwave ablation in 17/70 (24.3%) lesions.

Results

The technical success rate was 98.6%. Median overall survival, progression-free survival, and local recurrence-free survival of the patients were 33.9 months (range=25.6–42.1 months), 12 months (range=4.9–19.2 months), and 24.2 months (range=8.2–40.1 months), respectively. One- and two-year overall survival rates were 84% and 74%, respectively. Median progression-free survival times were 20.3 months and 11.4 months, respectively, according to the number of metastatic lung lesions being single and multiple, and the difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.046). According to the number of lesions ≤3 and >3, the difference was also found statistically significant ( P = 0.024) (14.3 months and 5.7 months, respectively).

Conclusion

In conclusion, CT-guided percutaneous thermal ablation is a safe and effective treatment method in metastatic lung lesions. The number of lesions is the most important factor in predicting treatment success.
Screening outcome for interpretation by the first and second reader in a population-based mammographic screening program with independent double reading
Authors: Hovda Tone , Sagstad Silje , Larsen Marthe , Chen Yan , Hofvind Solveig
Published: May 2023

Background

Double reading of screening mammograms is associated with a higher rate of screen-detected cancer than single reading, but different strategies exist regarding reader pairing and blinding. Knowledge about these aspects is important when considering strategies for future use of artificial intelligence in mammographic screening.

Purpose

To investigate screening outcome, histopathological tumor characteristics, and mammographic features stratified by the first and the second reader in a population based screening program for breast cancer.

Material and Methods

The study sample consisted of data from 3,499,048 screening examinations from 834,691 women performed during 1996–2018 in BreastScreen Norway. All examinations were interpreted independently by two radiologists, 272 in total. We analyzed interpretation score, recall, and cancer detection, as well as histopathological tumor characteristics and mammographic features of the cancers, stratified by the first and second readers.

Results

For Reader 1, the rate of positive interpretations was 4.8%, recall 2.3%, and cancer detection 0.5%. The corresponding percentages for Reader 2 were 4.9%, 2.5%, and 0.5% ( P < 0.05 compared with Reader 1). No statistical difference was observed for histopathological tumor characteristics or mammographic features when stratified by Readers 1 and 2. Recall and cancer detection were statistically higher and histopathological tumor characteristics less favorable for cases detected after concordant positive compared with discordant interpretations.

Conclusion

Despite reaching statistical significance, mainly due to the large study sample, we consider the differences in interpretation scores, recall, and cancer detection between the first and second readers to be clinically negligible. For practical and clinical purposes, double reading in BreastScreen Norway is independent.
Hybrid additive manufacturing of highly sustainable Polylactic acid -Carbon Fiber-Polylactic acid sandwiched composite structures: Optimization and machine learning
Authors: Thakur Vishal , Kumar Ranvijay , Kumar Raman , Singh Rupinder , Kumar Vinay
Published: May 2023

Carbon fibre (CF) based polymeric composites are being used in automobile and aviation applications due to their lightweight, excellent mechanical and physical properties. In this study, the fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique was used to prepare composite structures of polylactic acid (PLA) sandwiched with CF layers followed by prediction of optimum setting by machine learning (ML). In the first stage, PLA-CF-PLA based composite structures (as per ASTM D638 type IV) were manufactured with deposition of fibre at various angles (0°, 45° and 90°), nozzle temperature (200°C, 205°C and 210°C) and bed temperature (55°C, 60°C and 65°C). Further, the prepared composite structures were subjected to tensile testing (strength at peak and break, strain at peak and break, Young’s modulus and modulus of toughness) followed by fracture analysis through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results of the study are supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the second stage, Classification and Regression Trees (CART) of the ML approach were used to model strength at peak and strength at break. The results of the study have highlighted that combination of parameters, 0˚orientation of CF deposition, 205°C nozzle temperature, and 55°C bed temperature are the optimum settings for manufacturing PLA-CF composite structures. The ML CART model is a valuable tool for predicting the strength at peak and strength at break hybrid additive manufacturing of highly sustainable PLA-CF-PLA sandwiched composite structures.
Effects of transfer case structural parameters on torque transmission based on thermoelastic instability
Authors: Wang Yuming , Chen Liqing , Li Hongliang , Liu Jian , Zhao Aiguo
Published: May 2023

Based on the theory of thermoelastic instability, the thickness trend of lubricating oil film on the surface of the transfer case friction pair is studied, and the basic process is obtained in which the film thickness changes due to thermoelastic instability. Firstly, the dynamic simulation model of the transfer case is established, Secondly, since the thickness of the transfer case lubricating oil film is affected by the joint action of lubricating oil pressure, contact pressure and thermal expansion, this paper discusses the condition of thermoelastic instability of the transfer case torque transmission. The result shows that the critical speed of the thermoelastic instability increases correspondingly with the increase of the thickness of the oil film. The critical curve divides the engagement process into two parts, namely the stable region at the upper part of the curve and the unstable region at the lower part of the curve; then the thermoelastic instability region of the torque transfer of the transfer case is calculated. Next, in order to further analyze the influence of thermoelastic instability on the characteristics of the transfer case, three factors—the surface roughness of the friction plate, the lubricating oil viscosity, and the thermal conductivity of the dual steel disc—are mainly analyzed, which shows that thermoelastic instability does affect the critical speed and torque transmission of the transfer case. The conclusion is expected to be applied to the engineering practice of torque distribution control of the transfer case.
Combustion performance characteristics of double-layer diverging combustion chamber compared with re-entrant chamber and omega chamber
Authors: Fu Yao , Du Xin , Ge Xiaonan , Zhu Jian , Xin Han , Xu Shun , Yao Jie , Long Wuqiang
Published: May 2023

Combustion chamber is a main component for Diesel, as it organizes the fuel-air mixing and combustion processes and eventually determines Diesel performance. In the past decades, the chamber turned into the higher radius-to-depth ratio and lower area-to-volume ratio type to increase the in-cylinder air utilization and promote the fuel spray spreading. The Double-Layer Diverging Combustion chamber (DLDC chamber) was designed in this background. In order to obtain the DLDC chamber performance characteristics comprehensively, a 135-type Diesel with a DLDC chamber, a re-entrant chamber and a ω chamber was selected. The results suggested that the DLDC chamber decreased the BSFC and soot emission, but increased the NOx with higher pmax and heat release rates during the premixed combustion phase, as it could divide the fuel into two layers and promote the fuel spreading and combustion; adjusting the injection parameters made the BSFC and exhaust emissions of the DLDC chamber change quite differently, because the different layers of the DLDC chamber had their own chamber-spray-charge motion matchings. Finally, the investigation indicated that the DLDC chamber provided lower exhaust emissions compared with the other two chambers by keeping the same fuel consumption; moreover, the DLDC chamber provided the lowest BSFC and soot emission in the three chambers under the same NOx emissions level.
Dreams vs Reality: Urban and Rural Female Youth Aspirations
Authors: Nungsari Melati , Chin Jia Wei , Ngu Kirjane , Abdullah Muhammad Farhan Shahmi , Flanders Samuel
Published: May 2023

Youth’s aspirations are a key influence on their decision-making process but may perpetuate poverty traps among marginalised and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. We aim to examine the complex formation of female youth aspirations and geographical demographic differences. We recruited 56 16-year-old Malaysian female students from one urban ( n = 24) and two rural schools in Malaysia ( n = 32). A mixed-design approach was utilised by (1) quantitatively assessing their aspirations from drawings of future selves and (2) qualitatively complementing the drawings with semi-structured interviews ( n = 28, 14/14). Results showed that youth aspirations are socially produced, primarily by family members but also by internal factors (e.g., domain passion and self-efficacy). While there were similar rural-urban aspiration levels, rural youth demonstrated more self-blaming tendencies (resulting in them choosing careers of lower occupational prestige) and frequently mentioned resorting to part-time entrepreneurship to supplement employment their income. Our study has implications for interventions targeted at driving social mobility for rural and/or low-income young women and emphasises the importance of a multifaceted capacity-building approach while also addressing structural constraints.
On the wave dispersion of a multi-scale hybrid nanocomposite microstructure via deep neural network technique
Authors: Wei Xiande
Published: May 2023

The utilization of machine learning advantages in solving engineering problems has proven to be beneficial and accurate. Dealing with partial differential equations (PDEs), on the other hand, PINN could be enhanced using additional information from the physical mathematics of the problems. In this regard, a physics-informed neural network (PINN) is exploited in the current study to extract phase and group velocities of the multi-scale hybrid composite plate structure. In doing so, the exact differential equations of homogenized plate structure are extracted using Hamilton’s principle based on modified couple stress theory and shear deformation displacement field. The boundary conditions along with initial conditions are also considered in the equations. The PINN tries to minimize the loss function which is defined using extracted PDEs, boundary conditions, and initial conditions. Moreover, the results of PINN are further compared with the analytical solution using harmonic expansion of the displacement variables. The results show highly accurate and reliable results obtained using PINN in comparison to analytical results.
Immune checkpoint inhibition in advanced colorectal cancer with inherited and acquired microsatellite instability: Current state and future directions
Authors: Dasanu Constantin A , Alani Mohammed , Habibi Shaghayegh , Codreanu Ion
Published: May 2023

Objective

This paper reviews comprehensively the most relevant data on single-agent and combination therapies for advanced colorectal cancer with inherited and acquired microsatellite instability (MSI).

Data Sources

We performed a systematic search on PubMed and MEDLINE articles published from inception to December 2022. We have also searched independent websites including U.S. Food and Drug Administration and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Data Summary

Performing microsatellite stability testing, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and germline mutation analysis could identify patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Single-agent pembrolizumab has proven superiority over traditional chemotherapy in these patients. The nivolumab–ipilimumab is the only combination ICI therapy approved in this space. Recently, the anti-PD-1 antibody dostarlimab was granted Food and Drug Administration approval in refractory tissue-agnostic advanced solid cancers with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR). ICIs are also being studied in the adjuvant/neoadjuvant setting in colon cancer patients with dMMR. Newer agents are being scrutinized in this space as well. More solid data on biomarkers predicting responses in patients with MSI-high or TMB-H to various therapies are needed. Given its both clinical and financial toxicity, it is imperative to determine the optimal duration of ICI therapy in individual patients.

Conclusions

Overall, the outlook in advanced colorectal cancer patients with MSI appears optimistic as new and efficacious ICI drugs and combinations are being added to the existing therapeutic armamentarium.
Breaking the exascale barrier for the electronic structure problem in ab-initio molecular dynamics
Authors: Schade Robert , Kenter Tobias , Elgabarty Hossam , Lass Michael , Kühne Thomas D. , Plessl Christian
Published: May 2023

The non-orthogonal local submatrix method applied to electronic structure–based molecular dynamics simulations is shown to exceed 1.1 EFLOP/s in FP16/FP32-mixed floating-point arithmetic when using 4400 NVIDIA A100 GPUs of the Perlmutter system. This is enabled by a modification of the original method that pushes the sustained fraction of the peak performance to about 80%. Example calculations are performed for SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins with up to 83 million atoms.
Staged Laboratory Processing of Testicular Tissue in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia May Rescue Retrieving an Existing Sperm: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Salama Nader , Sirelkhatim Hassan Omer
Published: May 2023

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most difficult form of male infertility to manage. It usually requires sperm retrieval from the testis, which is most challenging due to sperm rarity. Here, we describe the recovery of testicular sperms that had been missing and whose original retrieval results were negative. Salvage microsurgical testicular sperm extraction and sperm testing were performed on a 36-year-old male with NOA. Neither in the operation room nor after an inspection in the embryology laboratory were any sperm detected. The obtained tissue was advised to be frozen because the patient data and surgical microscopy predicted a favorable outcome, and the tissue processing was done in an inappropriate environment. About 1 month later, the specimen was thawed, crushed, and re-examined. Successful oocyte fertilization resulted from an effective detection of sperms and their direction to intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. This is the first case report that, to the best of our knowledge, describes the stepwise laboratory processing of testicular tissue and its capacity to recover lost sperms in challenging NOA cases and under less-than-ideal working conditions.
Broadcaster video-on-demand in Australia: Platforms, policy and local content
Authors: Scarlata Alexa , Lobato Ramon
Published: May 2023

Over the last decade Australia's free-to-air commercial networks Seven, Nine and Ten have undergone a protracted digital transformation with the development of their online, ad-supported broadcaster video-on-demand (BVOD) platforms 7Plus, 9Now, and 10Play. The present article considers some of the questions these commercial BVODs raise for television policy in Australia, with specific reference to local content regulation. Through content audits of 7Plus, 9Now and 10Play, we assess the localism of the BVODs’ catalogues in terms of the availability and discoverability of Australian titles. We find that these BVOD services – which are not presently regulated for local content – are less local in their programming than the networks’ free-to-air linear channels, but are more local than competing subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix and Prime Video. We also reflect on how the networks position themselves in the newly expanded Australian television market, and how they reconcile their historical status as protected national broadcast institutions with their newer status as ‘just another app’ in the streaming ecosystem.
Psychological experiences of patients recovering from severe COVID-19 in rehabilitation: A qualitative study
Authors: Gershfeld-Litvin Avital , Ressler Itay
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of post-sedation COVID-19 patients in rehabilitation. Eleven Israeli men and women were interviewed in semi-structured interviews. They were patients recovering in a neurological rehabilitation unit from severe COVID-19 post-mechanical ventilation and sedation. Five themes were generated through thematic analysis: “an unexpected turn of events,” “filling the gaps,” “emotional reactions,” “ambiguity regarding medical condition,” and “sense and meaning-making.” Findings suggest a need for improved communication between patients and medical staff to enhance a sense of control and coherence. Psychological support should be considered to facilitate sense and meaning-making processes during hospitalization.
The spatialization of music and politics in festival spaces: The social, symbolic and emotional structuring of the Festival of Political Songs in the German Democratic Republic
Authors: Grüning Barbara
Published: May 2023

This article examines the genesis and development of the Festival of Political Songs ( Festival des Politischen Liedes) in East Berlin under the German Democratic Republic from 1970 to 1990, looking at it as one of the main engines of the German Democratic Republic-musical field in the last twenty years of its existence. In this regard, the analysis of the empirical material (in-depth interviews and video recordings) serves first to outline the main social and cultural processes which interested the Festival from its inception to its end, and second to reflect upon some specific features of the Festival as an ‘extraordinary event’ in light of Bourdieu’s concept of field. Departing from this perspective, I examine the genesis and development of the Festival, focusing especially on the contrasting effects produced by its institutionalization and internationalization and the ways these impacted both the Festival and the musical field: from the creation of music scenes, to the development of professional careers in different fields of cultural production and the mixing of mainstream and alternative musical trends. The final aim is to highlight the different understandings of publicness and openness associated with the Festival that defined its social, spatial and emotional structure during its twenty-year lifespan.
Experimental study on micro electrical discharge machining of alumina–titanium carbide ceramic materials
Authors: Chen Yujin , Wu Yaoguang , Cheng Mengmeng , Lai Debin , Zhu Jihong , Meng Yanmei
Published: May 2023

When electric discharge machining (EDM) is used to process Al2O3-TiC ceramics, it is difficult to obtain an optimal production efficiency and tool wear rate. As the target demand of processing largely relies on the process parameters, it is pertinent to conduct an in-depth study on the process parameters. In this study, the effects of certain technological parameters on the properties of EDM Al2O3-TiC ceramic materials were assessed and a mixed 2–3 horizontal orthogonal test method was designed. The rules of machining polarity, inter-electrode voltage, peak current, gain, pulse frequency, pulse width, inter-electrode gap and electrode length loss, electrode profile loss, material removal rate were studied. The effect of process parameters on process performance was determined by range analysis. In addition, the analysis of variance revealed that machining polarity has a significant effect on the electrode loss while the electrode voltage and peak current significantly influenced the material removal rate. The optimal parameter combination was determined as negative machining polarity, 130 V inter-electrode voltage, 50 A peak current, 45 gain, 150 Hz pulse frequency, 1.0 μs pulse width, and 40 μs inter-electrode gap.
Social workers’ perceptions of intimate relationships of people with intellectual disabilities in residential settings
Authors: Holler Roni , Bondorevsky-Heyman Chen
Published: May 2023

People with intellectual disabilities still struggle to enjoy intimate and sexual relationships. Social workers have a potentially key role in realizing the intimate and sexual rights of people with intellectual disabilities, particularly in residential settings. However, we still know relatively little about the meaning social workers attribute to such relationships. The present study addresses this lacuna by examining the perceptions and practices of 15 Israeli social workers in residential settings.

Findings

Drawing on thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, two key themes are identified: (1) Intimate relationships as a human need, and (2) Intimacy with a question mark. Combined, these themes depict an ambivalent position toward residents’ intimate and sexual relationships.

Applications

The study's findings highlight the need to incorporate intimacy and sexuality within social work education, with a particular focus on people with intellectual disabilities and positive aspects of intimacy and sexuality. From a policy perspective, the findings urge state and professional authorities to develop national guidelines on realizing intimate rights.
Transforming dementia research into policy change: A case study of the multi-country STRiDE project
Authors: Weidner Wendy , Amour Rochelle , Breuer Erica , Toit Petra Du , Farres Rosa , Franzon Ana C. , Astudillo-García Claudia I. , Govia Ishtar , Jacobs Roxanne , López-Ortega Mariana , Mateus Elaine , Musyimi Christine , Mutunga Elizabeth , Muyela Levi , Palmer Tiffany , Pattabiraman Meera , Ramasamy Narendhar , Robinson Janelle N. , Knapp Martin , Comas-Herrera Adelina
Published: May 2023

STRiDE was an ambitious four-year project in seven countries aiming to build capacity around generating and using research to support the development of policies to improve quality of life of people with dementia and their carers. The project’s innovative approach combined rigorous academic research and hands-on civil society advocacy. This paper explores the project’s unique strategy for policy change and compiles case-studies from several of the STRiDE countries. Finally, we share lessons learned and next steps to keep momentum for policy change going in each of these countries – and beyond.
Urban flood resilience in Kampung Melayu: A multi-objective evolutionary approach
Authors: Ricafort Kim , Makki Mohammed
Published: May 2023

The superblock of Kampung Melayu in Jakarta, Indonesia, is an urban morphology amalgamated by the environmental and infrastructure challenges raised by Jakarta’s inevitable urban growth. Low-income settlements like Kampung Melayu are particularly susceptible as a result of the city’s rapid and uncontrolled urban sprawl, erratic tropical weather, increasing sea levels and unparalleled environmental stresses. The proposed research utilises a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) for an in-depth investigation of the many relationships within the urban fabric to address these difficulties. The experiments demonstrate an alternate urban strategy for a flood-resilient Kampung that investigates the selection techniques coupled with the use of population-based algorithms. While preserving the irregularity that has been ingrained in the history of the urban form, the results address the environmental and demographic stresses of the urban village.
A generative computational workflow to develop actionable renovation strategies for renewable built environments: A case study of Sheffield
Authors: Xu Hang , Wang Tsung-Hsien
Published: May 2023

Urban building energy modelling (UBEM) is a prevalent research method to examine the multi-scale building to urban renovation in mitigating global energy-related carbon emissions. However, only a few studies delineate a complete workflow from generation to application using UBEM. In particular, to facilitate the designing of sustainable built environments, existing research needs to emphasize the integration of multi-scale energy performance evaluation within the design development process for architects and urban planners. The key challenges lie in the need for integrated datasets and incompatibility between software tools required for designing, modelling, and evaluation. This paper presents a comprehensive methodological framework to investigate applicable urban decarbonization strategies. A case study of Sheffield in the UK demonstrates the development of an automated and standardized computational workflow. This data-driven workflow aims to evaluate energy demand and supply scenarios at an urban scale to access the potential of decarbonizing built environments. The workflow is designed to be adaptable to various scales of urban regions, given a suitable geographic information system (GIS) dataset.
The Role of Fascin-1 in Human Urologic Cancers: A Promising Biomarker or Therapeutic Target?
Authors: Zhang Naibin , Bian Qiang , Gao Yankun , Wang Qianqian , Shi Ying , Li Xiangling , Ma Xiaolei , Chen Huiyuan , Zhao Zhankui , Yu Honglian
Published: May 2023

Human cancer statistics show that an increased incidence of urologic cancers such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Due to the lack of early markers and effective therapeutic targets, their prognosis is poor. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein, which functions in the formation of cell protrusions by cross-linking with actin filaments. Studies have found that fascin-1 expression is elevated in most human cancers and is related to outcomes such as neoplasm metastasis, reduced survival, and increased aggressiveness. Fascin-1 has been considered as a potential therapeutic target for urologic cancers, but there is no comprehensive review to evaluate these studies. This review aimed to provide an enhanced literature review, outline, and summarize the mechanism of fascin-1 in urologic cancers and discuss the therapeutic potential of fascin-1 and the possibility of its use as a potential marker. We also focused on the correlation between the overexpression of fascin-1 and clinicopathological parameters. Mechanistically, fascin-1 is regulated by several regulators and signaling pathways (such as long noncoding RNA, microRNA, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular regulated protein kinases). The overexpression of fascin-1 is related to clinicopathologic parameters such as pathological stage, bone or lymph node metastasis, and reduced disease-free survival. Several fascin-1 inhibitors (G2, NP-G2-044) have been evaluated in vitro and in preclinical models. The study proved the promising potential of fascin-1 as a newly developing biomarker and a potential therapeutic target that needs further investigation. The data also highlight the inadequacy of fascin-1 to serve as a novel biomarker for prostate cancer.
Improved catheter delivery for aspiration thrombectomy using Tenzing 7 ledge reducing catheter and FreeClimb 70
Authors: Settecase Fabio , Kim Warren T , Sivapatham Thinesh , Khangura Rajkamal , Caldwell James , Lee Shane , Hixson H Robert , Hoss Daniel , English Joey D
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Previous comparative mechanical thrombectomy device trials reported a substantial crossover rate from first-line aspiration to stent-retriever thrombectomy. A specialized delivery catheter may help track large-bore aspiration catheters to target occlusions. We report our multicenter experience of aspiration thrombectomy of intracranial large vessel occlusions using the FreeClimbTM 70 and Tenzing® 7 delivery catheter (Route 92, San Mateo, CA).

Methods

After local Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical, procedural, and imaging data of patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with the FreeClimb 70 and Tenzing 7.

Results

FreeClimb 70 was successfully delivered using Tenzing 7 to target occlusion in 30/30 (100%) patients (18 M1, 6 M2, 4 ICA-terminus, and 2 basilar artery occlusions), without the use of a stent-retriever for anchoring. In 21/30 (70%) cases, a leading microwire was not needed to advance the Tenzing 7 to the target. Median (interquartile range) time from groin puncture to first pass was 12 (interquartile range 8–15) minutes. Overall first pass effect, or first pass effect (modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia 2C-3), was achieved 16/30 (53%). For M1 occlusions, first pass effect was 11/18 (61%). Successful reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia ≥ 2B) was achieved in 29/30 (97%) cases after a median of 1 pass (interquartile range 1–3). Median groin puncture to reperfusion time was 16 (interquartile range 12–26) minutes. There were no procedural complications or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Average improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge was 6.6  ±  7.1. There were three patient deaths (renal failure, respiratory failure, and comfort care).

Conclusions

Initial data support the use of Tenzing 7 with FreeClimb 70 catheter for reliable access to rapid, effective, and safe aspiration thrombectomy of large vessel occlusions.
Spinal microRNA-134-5p targets glutamate receptor ionotropic kainate 3 to modulate opioid induced hyperalgesia in mice
Authors: Wang Zhen , Yao Yao , Tao Yuzhu , Fan Peixin , Yu Yonghao , Xie Keliang , Wang Guolin
Published: May 2023

Background: Fentanyl and its analogs are extensively used for pain relief. However, their paradoxically pronociceptive effects often lead to increased opioids consumption and risk of chronic pain. Compared to other synthetic opioids, remifentanil has been strongly linked to acute opioid hyperalgesia after exposure [remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia (RIH)]. The epigenetic regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) on targeted mRNAs has emerged as an important pathogenesis in pain. The current research aimed at exploring the significance and contributions of miR-134-5p to the development of RIH. Methods: Both the antinociceptive and pronociceptive effects of two commonly used opioids were assessed, and miRNA expression profiles in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) of mice acutely exposed to remifentanil and remifentanil equianalgesic dose (RED) sufentanil were screened. Next, the candidate miRNA level, cellular distribution, and function were examined by qPCR, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and Argonaute-2 immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis, luciferase assays, miRNA overexpression, behavioral tests, golgi staining, electron microscopy, whole-cell patch-clamp recording, and immunoblotting were employed to investigate the potential targets and mechanisms underlying RIH. Results: Remifentanil induced significant pronociceptive effects and a distinct miRNA-profile from sufentanil when compared to saline controls. Among top 30 differentially expressed miRNAs spectrum, spinal miR-134-5p was dramatically downregulated in RIH mice but remained comparative in mice subjected to sufentanil. Moreover, Glutamate Receptor Ionotropic Kainate 3 (Grik3) was a target of miR-134-5p. The overexpression of miR-134-5p attenuated the hyperalgesic phenotype, excessive dendritic spine remodeling, excitatory synaptic structural plasticity, and Kainate receptor-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in SDH resulting from remifentanil exposure. Besides, intrathecal injection of selective KA-R antagonist was able to reverse the GRIK3 membrane trafficking and relieved RIH. Conclusion: The miR-134-5p contributes to remifentanil-induced pronociceptive features via directly targeting Grik3 to modulate dendritic spine morphology and synaptic plasticity in spinal neurons.
Legal Issues 101: Students Who Require One-to-One Nursing Services
Authors: Tapper Strawhacker MaryAnn
Published: May 2023

This article is part of a series of “Legal Issues 101” addressing common questions and misconceptions regarding the law and school health. One-to-one nursing services (also called personal or private nursing services) are sometimes required for students with complex health conditions requiring continuous nursing assessment and detailed care. This article addresses the team allocation of one-to-one nursing services for special education students in accordance with IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disability Education Act). Details regarding the process and associated considerations are addressed in question and answer format. Readers are encouraged to expand their knowledge further using the resources and references provided within the article.
Recombinant factor IX Fc prophylaxis reduces pain and increases levels of physical activity, with sustained, long-term improvements in patients with hemophilia B: post hoc analysis of phase III trials using patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Astermark Jan , Hermans Cédric , Ezzalfani Monia , Sidhom Alaeddine , Barbier Sylvaine , Kragh Nana , Falk Aletta , Eriksson Daniel
Published: May 2023

Background:

Pain is a common symptom of hemophilia that may adversely affect patients’ quality of life (QoL). Previous post hoc analyses of prophylaxis with recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) have been published for adults and adolescents, demonstrating improvements in health-related QoL (HRQoL) when assessed by the haemophilia-specific QoL (HaemAQoL) questionnaire.

Objective:

To describe in depth the evolution of QoL, pain- and activity-related domains and questions for pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients with hemophilia B treated with rFIXFc prophylaxis.

Design:

A post hoc analysis of data from a series of clinical trials.

Methods:

This post hoc, long-term analysis assessed patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from the Kids B-LONG (NCT01440946: pediatric) and B-LONG (NCT01027364: adults and adolescents) parent studies and the B-YOND (NCT01425723: all age groups) extension study.

Results:

Ninety-two adult and adolescent patients that started in the B-LONG study were assessed, with a median (range) duration of follow-up of 58.9 (0.0–78.4) months. The Haem-A-QoL total score was significantly reduced from baseline by 4.45 ( p ⩽ 0.01), as were the subdomains ‘physical health’ (9.10; p = 0.001), ‘sports and leisure’ (11.25; p ⩽ 0.01), ‘treatment’ (2.69; p = 0.05), and ‘view of self’ (5.81; p = 0.002). Thirty pediatric patients that started in the Kids B-LONG study were assessed, with a median (min–max) duration of follow-up of 36.7 (9.0–59.9) months. The high level of satisfaction demonstrated by the PROs at baseline was maintained.

Conclusion:

rFIXFc prophylaxis reduced perceived pain and increased levels of physical activity with sustained, long-term improvements in QoL in adult and adolescent patients with hemophilia B and maintained high QoL scores in pediatric patients.
Ten years’ blindness of the right eye: A rare presentation of an orbital melanoma
Authors: Lalmand Martin , Gilis Sarah , Raptos Alexandros , Simon Aurelien , Van Brussel Sara , Sasserath Christophe
Published: May 2023

Benign and malignant orbital tumours develop from the orbit or invade it from the surrounding tissues. Ocular melanoma is a rare but potentially devastating malignancy arising from the melanocytes of the uveal tract, conjunctiva, or orbit. The poor overall survival depends mainly on its high metastatic rate. Signs and symptoms are variables mainly depending on the size of the tumour. Its treatment consists generally of surgery, radiotherapy or both. We report a case of a patient suffering from unilateral blindness for the last 10 years with a recent swelling of the orbit. The pathological analysis described a uveal melanoma. The patient benefitted from a total orbital exenteration with reconstruction using a temporal flap. Thereafter, the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The patient was in complete remission. No recurrence was highlighted after 2 years of follow-up.
Television, women, and self-objectification: Examining the relationship between the consumption of female TV dramas and sexism, the internalization of beauty ideals, and body surveillance in China
Authors: Hu Yunyi , Gu Yuxuan
Published: May 2023

In China, a newly arising genre of TV dramas known as “female TV drama” has become very popular among female audiences and brought about great changes to the television industry in recent years. Under the framework of objectification theory, this study examines the relationship between the consumption of female TV dramas and sexism, the internalization of beauty ideals, and body surveillance among female audiences in China. Drawing on data collected from a questionnaire survey, we found that women’s consumption of female TV dramas is directly and indirectly associated with the levels of body surveillance, but is only indirectly associated with self-objectification. The relationship between women’s consumption of female TV dramas and their self-objectification is mediated by the internalization of beauty ideals. The consumption of female TV dramas can impose threats on women’s well-being and pursuit of gender equality in contemporary China.
Intended, Unintended, Unanticipated? Consequences of Social Distancing Measures for Nursing Home Residents During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tingvold Laila , Moholt Jill-Marit , Førland Oddvar , Jacobsen Frode Fadnes , Tranvåg Oscar
Published: May 2023

During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Norwegian health authorities introduced social distancing measures in nursing homes. The aim was to protect vulnerable residents from contracting the potentially deadly infection. Drawing on individual interviews with nursing home managers and physicians, and focus groups with nursing staff, we explore and describe consequences the social distancing measures had on nursing home residents’ health and wellbeing. The analysis indicates that most residents became socially deprived, while some became calmer during the nursing home lockdown. Nursing home staff, physicians and managers witnessed that residents’ health and functional capacity declined when services to maintain health, such as physiotherapy, were put on hold. In conclusion, we argue that although Norwegian health authorities managed to keep the infection rates low in nursing homes, this came at a high price for the residents however, as the social distancing measures also negatively impacted their health and wellbeing.
Mindfulness meditation intervention improves the mindfulness awareness level of nurses’ second victims to enhance their psychological support
Authors: Li Jieli , Yan Xixi , Chen Guiru , Sun Huimin
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The medical staff involved in adverse events, referred to as second victims, usually suffer second victim syndrome endangering their health. Still, there are few organizational support projects in this area in China.

Objective

To explore the effect of mindfulness meditation on the level and needs of organizational support, and mindfulness awareness among nurses as second victims.

Methods

Forty-six nurses from a comprehensive tertiary hospital in Wuhan, China were selected to participate in the study. This study was conducted using a convenience sampling method for eight weeks of mindfulness meditation intervention. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale were used to assessing the need for support and mindfulness awareness of nurses prior to intervention, during the fourth and eighth weeks of intervention, and at the conclusion of the intervention course.

Results

The difference between the scores measured before the intervention, in the fourth week, and in the eighth week of intervention showed that the need for the second victim support from work-related organizations was significant ( F  =  34.513, p  =  .000); there was no significant difference in the scores related to the need for nonwork-related support of the second victim in the participating nurses ( F  =  1.373, p = .257); the scores of the level of mindfulness awareness were (64.85  ±  11.41), (68.63  ±  11.33), and (71.20  ±  8.41), a significant difference ( F = 18.848; p = .000) was found in terms of before and after the intervention; nurses’ second victim support needs gradually shifted from evasion to confronting problems appropriately.

Conclusion

Mindfulness meditation intervention is applicable to the second victim population of nurses. It is an effective way to support second victim nurses and can effectively improve their level of mindfulness and awareness.
Flowing toxics: E-waste field work in the Palestinian-Israeli space
Authors: Garb Yaakov , Leblond Nelly
Published: May 2023

We draw on several emerging literatures on contamination and waste and our own fieldwork on e-waste contamination in a Palestinian-Israeli border space to describe a “flowing” approach to toxic phenomena. We use this term as a shorthand to underscore the particular complexities of the socio-material-biological node called “toxics,” and the corresponding epistemic, methodological, and moral demands of studying them. Some episodes from typical days of field work assessing the dispersal of heavy metals from sites of e-waste burning illustrate our claims. Even this attempt to use straightforward techniques to measure the presence of an object of apparent elemental materiality was continually permeated and unsettled by the inescapable flowiness of toxics. Their sources, generation processes and fates were mobile and multiscalar, remarkably patchy heterogeneous and contingent in ways that mattered. At issue was not (just) inadequate knowledge, but the inescapably relational biophysical and social nature of toxics; their entanglement not only with the technical means, processes and definitions that make them perceptible, but with the multiple and often disjunct social contexts that allow, inform, and motivate attention and access to toxics sites, and the production of knowledge from them.
Heart-to-Brain Multiphasic CT Angiography and Cardiac Screening in Acute Ischemic Stroke—Technical Concepts for CT Cardiac Studies in Stroke Patients
Authors: Nedunchelian Meena , Priyadharshinee Gayathri , Athiyappan Karthikeyan Muthugounder , Arunachalam Pudhiavan , Cherian Mathew , Iyer Rajesh Shankar , Elumalai Senthilkumar , Varadharajan Shriram
Published: May 2023

Cardiac CT studies to detect embolic sources can be a useful supplement to the imaging armamentarium of acute stroke patients and we explore its possibilities in 2 distinct populations in this technical note. Prior literature has looked at the yield of covering the heart during CT angiography (CTA) in addition to echocardiography and found that it can increase the detection rate of occult embolic sources such as mural thrombus, tumors, and infarcts. The advent of multiphasic CTA for acute stroke patients as part of vascular imaging prior to EVT selection has increased the likelihood of extending coverage or specifically screening the heart in such patients. Additionally, patterns of infarcts and imaging signs can help focus selective patients for dedicated cardiac screening, especially after initial negative echocardiography. We describe the technical aspects of cardiac CT screening in acute stroke patients in this brief report. Future studies in these specific cohorts can confirm the increased yield for early anticoagulation and address modifications for optimal balance with regard to additional radiation exposure.
Lower ultra-short-term heart rate variability can predict worse mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Guo Jianan , Chen Wenguo , Zhu Huatuo , Chen Hongtan , Teng Xiaodong , Xu Guoqiang
Published: May 2023

Background

Psychological stress has been proved to be a risk factor for exacerbation for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, traditional approaches of quantifying psychological stress using psychological scales are time-consuming and the results may not be comparable among patients with different educational levels and cultural backgrounds. Alternatively, heart rate variability (HRV) is an indicator for psychological stress and not biased by educational and cultural backgrounds.

Aims

In this study, we try to explore the relationship between psychological stress and UC by analyzing the effect of ultra-short-term HRV on mucosal and histological remission status of UC.

Methods

This is a retrospective case–control study on UC inpatients from 2018 through 2020. Ultra-short-term HRV were calculated using baseline electrocardiography. Patients were divided intocase and control groups according to their Mayo endoscopic scores or histological Geboes scores. Three variables of ultra-short-term HRV (the standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals (SDNN), the standard deviation of successive differences between adjacent normal to normal R-R intervals (SDSD), the root mean square of successive differences of normal to normal R-R intervals (RMSSD)) were compared between different groups. And for those variables with significant differences, we built univariate and multivariate logistic regressions to depict the relationship between HRV variables and remission status of UC.

Results

All three HRV variables showed significant differences between the mucosal groups. However, none of them showed significant difference between the histological groups. In further logistic regression analyses, smaller RMSSD can predict severe mucosal healing status (OR = 5.21).

Conclusions

Lower ultra-short-term HRV (i.e. smaller RMSSD) is shown to positively correlate with worse mucosal healing status. However, ultra-short-term HRV cannot predict histological healing status according to our data.