bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Experimental DUAL Model of Advanced Liver Damage
Authors: Benedé‐Ubieto Raquel , Estévez‐Vázquez Olga , Guo Feifei , Chen Chaobo , Singh Youvika , Nakaya Helder I. , Gómez del Moral Manuel , Lamas‐Paz Arantza , Morán Laura , López‐Alcántara Nuria , Reissing Johanna , Bruns Tony , Avila Matías A. , Santamaría Eva , Mazariegos Marina S. , Woitok Marius Maximilian , Haas Ute , Zheng Kang , Juárez Ignacio , Martín‐Villa José Manuel , Asensio Iris , Vaquero Javier , Peligros Maria Isabel , Argemi Josepmaria , Bataller Ramón , Ampuero Javier , Romero Gómez Manuel , Trautwein Christian , Liedtke Christian , Bañares Rafael , Cubero Francisco Javier , Nevzorova Yulia A.
Published: March 2021

Individuals exhibiting an intermediate alcohol drinking pattern in conjunction with signs of metabolic risk present clinical features of both alcohol‐associated and metabolic‐associated fatty liver diseases. However, such combination remains an unexplored area of great interest, given the increasing number of patients affected. In the present study, we aimed to develop a preclinical DUAL (alcohol‐associated liver disease plus metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease) model in mice. C57BL/6 mice received 10% vol/vol alcohol in sweetened drinking water in combination with a Western diet for 10, 23, and 52 weeks (DUAL model). Animals fed with DUAL diet elicited a significant increase in body mass index accompanied by a pronounced hypertrophy of adipocytes, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia. Significant liver damage was characterized by elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, extensive hepatomegaly, hepatocyte enlargement, ballooning, steatosis, hepatic cell death, and compensatory proliferation. Notably, DUAL animals developed lobular inflammation and advanced hepatic fibrosis. Sequentially, bridging cirrhotic changes were frequently observed after 12 months. Bulk RNA‐sequencing analysis indicated that dysregulated molecular pathways in DUAL mice were similar to those of patients with steatohepatitis. Conclusion: Our DUAL model is characterized by obesity, glucose intolerance, liver damage, prominent steatohepatitis and fibrosis, as well as inflammation and fibrosis in white adipose tissue. Altogether, the DUAL model mimics all histological, metabolic, and transcriptomic gene signatures of human advanced steatohepatitis, and therefore serves as a preclinical tool for the development of therapeutic targets.
Navigating the health system in responding to health workforce challenges of the COVID‐19 pandemic: the case of Maldives (short case)
Authors: Usman Sofoora Kawsar , Moosa Sheena , Abdullah Aminath Shaina
Published: March 2021

Being a small island and low‐middle income country (LMIC) heavily dependent on global markets for sustaining its basic needs and health system, Maldives faced specific challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This was reinforced through tensions between the heavily centralized healthcare delivery and a partially decentralized public health system. Using the pillars of pandemic response proposed by the World Health Organisation, this article explores the planning assumptions, resource estimations and strategies adopted to equip the health system with resources for the pandemic response. The resource need estimates based on projections for COVID‐19 identified a shortfall of medical professionals to care for patients while maintaining 55% of the workforce for regular healthcare across the atolls. The findings show that while the policy of lockdown bought time to increase hospital beds and devices, the country was unable to increase the healthcare workforce. Furthermore, as the lockdown eased, the exponential increase of cases took Maldives to the global one per capita incidence. Despite this, with cautious planning and use of resources, the country has so far managed to maintain low mortality from COVID‐19. The lessons from this experience are paramount in future pandemic response planning, not only for Maldives, but other small island LMICs.
Effects of various calcium transporters on mitochondrial Ca2+ changes and oocyte maturation
Authors: Wang Feng , Fan Li‐Hua , Li Ang , Dong Feng , Hou Yi , Schatten Heide , Sun Qing‐Yuan , Ou Xiang‐Hong
Published: March 2021

Ca2+ participates in many important cellular processes, but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, especially during oocyte maturation. First, we confirmed that calcium in the culture medium was essential for oocyte maturation. Next, various inhibitors of Ca2+ channels were applied to investigate their roles in mitochondrial Ca2+ changes and oocyte maturation. Our results showed that Trmp7, Orai, T‐type Ca2+ channels and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger complex (NCLX) were important for oocyte maturation. Trmp7 inhibition delayed germinal vesicle breakdown. Orai and NCLX inhibition significantly weakened the distribution of mitochondrial Ca2+ around the nucleus compared to the Ctrl group. Interestingly, even T‐type Ca2+ channels‐specific inhibitor Mibefradil blocked germinal vesicle breakdown; mitochondrial Ca2+ surrounding the nucleus still was maintained at a high level without spindle formation. Two calcium transporter inhibitors, Thapsigargin and Ruthenium Red, which have been confirmed to inhibit oocyte activation, did not significantly affect oocyte maturation. Increasing the knowledge of calcium transport may provide a basis to build on for improving oocyte in vitro maturation in human assisted reproduction clinics.
Transition metals and metal complexes in autophagy and diseases
Authors: Luo Yuping , Fu Yuanyuan , Huang Zhiying , Li Min
Published: March 2021

Transition metals refer to the elements in the d and ds blocks of the periodic table. Since the success of cisplatin and auranofin, transition metal‐based compounds have become a prospective source for drug development, particularly in cancer treatment. In recent years, extensive studies have shown that numerous transition metal‐based compounds could modulate autophagy, promising a new therapeutic strategy for metal‐related diseases and the design of metal‐based agents. Copper, zinc, and manganese, which are common components in physiological pathways, play important roles in the progression of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, enrichment of copper, zinc, or manganese can regulate autophagy. Thus, we summarized the current advances in elucidating the mechanisms of some metals/metal‐based compounds and their functions in autophagy regulation, which is conducive to explore the intricate roles of autophagy and exploit novel therapeutic drugs for human diseases.
(Theta, triangle)‐free and (even hole, K4)‐free graphs—Part 1: Layered wheels
Authors: Sintiari Ni Luh Dewi , Trotignon Nicolas
Published: March 2021

We present a construction called layered wheel. Layered wheels are graphs of arbitrarily large treewidth and girth. They might be an outcome for a possible theorem characterizing graphs with large treewidth in terms of their induced subgraphs (while such a characterization is well‐understood in terms of minors). They also provide examples of graphs of large treewidth and large rankwidth in well‐studied classes, such as (theta, triangle)‐free graphs and even‐hole‐free graphs with no (where a hole is a chordless cycle of length at least four, a theta is a graph made of three internally vertex disjoint paths of length at least two linking two vertices, and is the complete graph on four vertices).
Reduced Field‐of‐View Diffusion‐Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pancreas With Tilted Excitation Plane: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Tanabe Masahiro , Higashi Mayumi , Benkert Thomas , Imai Hiroshi , Miyoshi Keisuke , Kameda Fumi , Ariyoshi Shoko , Ihara Kenichiro , Ito Katsuyoshi
Published: March 2021

Background

Reduced field‐of‐view diffusion‐weighted imaging (rDWI) with tilted two‐dimensional radiofrequency (RF) excitation planes has not yet been applied to the imaging of the pancreas although the utility of this technique which allows the acquisition of high‐quality images without aliasing artifacts in the phase‐encoding direction has been evaluated for brain and spinal cord imaging.

Purpose

To evaluate the visual image quality of the pancreas by tilting the excitation plane (tilted rDWI) in comparison to conventional DWI (cDWI) and rDWI without using the tilted excitation plane.

Study type

Retrospective.

Population

Thirty‐two patients evaluated for suspected pancreatobiliary diseases.

Field Strength/Sequence

Echo‐planar imaging DWI (cDWI, rDWI, and tilted rDWI) acquired at 3 T.

Assessment

Images from each DWI sequence were analyzed by five radiologists to compare image quality (conspicuity of pancreatic edges, interslice signal homogeneity, overall image quality, and conspicuity of focal pancreatic lesions) and artifacts (presence of blurring or ghosting artifacts, susceptibility artifacts, and aliasing artifact).

Statistical Tests

Shapiro–Wilk test was performed to assess whether data were normally distributed. Friedman test followed by Bonferroni‐adjusted Wilcoxon signed‐rank test for post hoc analysis was performed to compare image quality and artifact scores.

Results

The mean scores for conspicuity of pancreatic edges (3.36 vs. 2.37), interslice signal homogeneity (3.14 vs. 2.81), presence of ghosting artifacts (3.32 vs. 2.66), susceptibility artifacts (3.06 vs. 2.30), and aliasing artifacts (3.90 vs. 2.34), and overall image quality (3.49 vs. 2.36) were significantly higher in the tilted rDWI than in the rDWI (P < 0.017 for all parameters). The conspicuity score for focal pancreatic lesions tended to be higher in tilted rDWI than in rDWI (2.44 vs. 2.00, P = 0.07).

Data Conclusion

Tilted rDWI had better image quality and reduced artifacts relative to cDWI and rDWI techniques in the pancreas.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Diversity of human sapovirus genotypes detected in Japanese pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis, 2014–2017
Authors: Okitsu Shoko , Khamrin Pattara , Thongprachum Aksara , Hikita Toshiyuki , Kumthip Kattareeya , Pham Ngan Thi Kim , Takanashi Sayaka , Hayakawa Satoshi , Maneekarn Niwat , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

Sapovirus (SaV) is one of the pathogens related to acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in adults and children worldwide. This study reported the diversity of SaV genotypes in children with AGE in Japan from July 2014 to June 2017. Of a total of 2259 stool samples tested by using reverse transcription‐PCR method and further analyzed by nucleotide sequencing, 114 (5.0%) were positive for SaV and GI.1 (83.3%) was the most predominant genotype, followed by GII.1, GIV.1, GI.2, GI.3, and GII.3 genotypes. Monthly distribution analysis demonstrated two epidemic peaks from July to December 2015 and February to May 2017. However, no detection peak was observed in 2014 and 2016. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete VP1 nucleotide sequences of these GI.1 strains revealed two major clusters of GI.1 and each of which contained GI.1 strains of both 2015 and 2017. This study suggests that the continuous surveillance of SaV is needed to monitor high genetic diversity in Japanese children with AGE.
Evidence of Epstein‐Barr virus heterogeneous gene expression in adult lung transplant recipients with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder
Authors: Zaffiri Lorenzo , Frankel Courtney , Bush Erika J. , Neely Megan L. , Pavlisko Elizabeth N. , Mokrova Irina L. , Luftig Micah A. , Palmer Scott M.
Published: March 2021

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐driven posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication following lung transplant. The extent to which the presence of EBV in PTLD tissue is associated with survival is uncertain. Moreover, whether the heterogeneity in expression of EBV latency programs is related to the timing of PTLD onset remains unexplored. We retrospectively performed a comprehensive histological evaluation of EBV markers at the tissue level in 34 adult lung transplant recipients with early‐ and late‐onset PTLD. Early‐onset PTLD, occurring within the first 12 months posttransplant, had higher odds to express EBV markers. The presence of EBV in PTLD was not associated with a difference in survival relative to EBV‐negative tumors. However, we found evidence of heterogeneous expression of EBV latency programs, including type III, IIb, IIa, and 0/I. Our study suggests that the heterogeneous expression of EBV latency programs may represent a mechanism for immune evasion in patients with PLTD after lung transplants. The recognition of multiple EBV latency programs can be used in personalized medicine in patients who are nonresponsive to traditional types of chemotherapy and can be potentially evaluated in other types of solid organ transplants.
Effect of local anesthetics on platelet physiology and function
Authors: Dregalla Ryan C. , Uribe Yvette , Bodor Marko
Published: March 2021

Local anesthetics are often used at the site of injury or mixed with platelet‐rich plasma to reduce pain when treating orthopedic and sports‐related injuries. Local anesthetics have been shown to have deleterious effects on stromal cells, but their impact on platelets has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine on platelet health. Based on the deleterious effects of local anesthetics on nucleated cells, we hypothesized that these compounds would affect platelet viability, intracellular physiology, and function. Platelet preparations were derived from randomly selected donors and exposed to lidocaine 1%, bupivacaine 0.75%, ropivacaine 0.5%, and saline at 1:1 and 1:3 ratios. Platelet morphology, viability, intracellular calcium, production of radical oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and adhesion were assessed via fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. Bupivacaine resulted in increased ROS production, calcium dysregulation, apoptosis, and reduced platelet adhesion. By contrast, ropivacaine and lidocaine were similar to saline in most assays, except for a low degree of mitochondrial stress as evidenced by increased ROS production. Ultimately, bupivacaine 0.75% was harmful to platelets as evidenced by reduced platelet viability, adhesion, and increased apoptosis, whereas lidocaine 1% and ropivacaine 0.5% were relatively safe at the 1:1 and 1:3 dilutions.

Clinical significance: Lidocaine 1% and ropivacaine 0.5% can be used at up to a 1:1 ratio with platelet preparations to reduce the pain and discomfort of PRP procedures while maintaining platelet therapeutic potential.
Modified minimal‐contact COVID‐19 workflow allows for safe, remote parenteral nutrition prescribing in non–critically ill patients
Authors: Salazar Ennaliza , Poh Bee Yen , Cheang Lai Ye , Tan Lee Boo , Yong Pay Wen , Cheah Mark Chang Chuen
Published: March 2021

Background

In line with recent guidance from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) to minimize healthcare team exposure by clustering care and relying on other providers or telehealth to collect relevant nutrition assessments, our nutrition support team has adopted a modified workflow using information technology to provide parenteral nutrition (PN) remotely in a safe and timely manner. We aim to compare our prescribing adequacy and PN‐related complications before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak using the modified workflow in non–critically ill patients.

Methods

This study reviewed a prospectively recruited cohort of adults receiving PN in the general wards or high‐dependency units from December 5, 2019, to April 15, 2020. Demographic data, nutrition assessment, PN prescriptions, blood results, electronic notes, capillary blood glucose monitoring, and catheter‐related bloodstream infection rates were reviewed for patients who received PN.

Results

We found that patients who started PN during COVID‐19 were more malnourished with lower body mass index and higher proportion of Subjective Global Assessment B/C scores (52 [92.9%] vs 36 [73.5%], P < .005). The proportion of patients who achieved target energy amounts within 5 days was similar in both groups. Protein prescription was >1 g/kg/day in both groups, though there was a trend of higher protein prescription during COVID‐19. Complications were similar in both groups.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that minimal contact with effective multidisciplinary communication using the modified workflow can allow for safe and timely PN administration.
Dielectric heating‐assisted disinfestation of black gram and its effect on protein profile: A comparative study on radio frequency and microwave heating
Authors: Tiwari Abhinav , Shanmugasundaram Saravanan , Jaganmohan Rangarajan , Manickam Loganathan
Published: March 2021

Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, is the major pest infesting in the stored legumes. The present study is aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of radio frequency (RF) and microwave (MW) heating treatments to eradicate the problem of infestation at all four life stages in blackgram (Vigna mungo). Infested blackgram kernels in a single egg, larvae, pupae, and adult stage were subjected to RF and MW irradiation at 180‐, 190‐, 200‐, and 210‐mm electrode heights for RF and at 365, 295, 250, and 230 W MW power. The lethal time for 99.99% mortality (LT99.99) was found to be 3.62 to 8.23 min for the egg stage, 4.70 to 7.27 min for larvae, and 7.10 to 8.96 min for pupae, and 5.40 to 7.73 min for adults. For MW heating treatment, the time for complete mortality of the single egg stage, larvae, pupae, and adult was found to be in the range of 5.33 to 7.83, 8.28 to 9.82, 8.87 to 10.68, and 8.86 to 10.18 min, respectively. The pupa stage was found to be the most heat tolerant in comparison with other life stages. The MW‐treated blackgram samples depicted a significant decrease in the lysine, aspartic acid, and proline content as compared with RF‐treated samples. This suggests a negative effect of the MW on the amino acids which in turn led to its deterioration. Therefore, the RF heating holds potency to disinfest legumes without affecting the major properties of legumes which was the major drawback of using the MW heating.
Symmetry reductions of a (2 + 1)‐dimensional Keller–Segel model
Authors: de la Rosa Rafael , Garrido Tamra Maria , Bruzón Maria Santos
Published: March 2021

In this work, symmetry groups are used to determine symmetry reductions of a (2 + 1)‐dimensional Keller–Segel system depending on two arbitrary functions. We show that the point symmetries of the considered Keller–Segel system comprise an infinite‐dimensional Lie algebra which involves three arbitrary functions. By way of example, we have used these point symmetries to reduce straightaway the given system of second‐order partial differential equations to a system of second‐order ordinary differential equations. Moreover, we are allowed to substitute one of the dependent variables from one of the equations into the other, leading to an equivalent fourth‐order nonlinear ordinary differential equation. This equation is reduced through the use of solvable symmetry subalgebras, and some exact solutions are obtained for a particular case.
Reproductive Characteristics Differ in Two Invasive Populations of Blue Catfish
Authors: Nepal Vaskar , Fabrizio Mary C.
Published: March 2021

The management of invasive Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus in Chesapeake Bay tributaries is hindered by the lack of information on its reproductive biology, which is a key component of population models used to forecast abundance. We quantified and compared the reproductive traits of female Blue Catfish from two populations from the tidal reaches of the James and York River subestuaries during 2015–2017. In these systems, Blue Catfish matured between the ages of 6 and 10 years and spawned between May and July, with larger fish spawning earlier in the season. During spawning events, Blue Catfish produced 2,613–68,356 eggs, with larger and older fish producing more eggs. Fish in the more densely populated James River matured at a marginally older age but a significantly smaller size than fish in the York River, but James River fish allocated more energy to reproduction. Fish in the James River also had greater mean values of the gonadosomatic index, relative fecundity, egg organic content, and proportion of organic content in the eggs. Relative fecundity of Blue Catfish decreased with fish size, contrary to observations in most other fishes. Based on the observed variability in reproductive traits and the size dependence of relative fecundity, we recommend incorporation of population-specific reproductive rates into stock assessment models for invasive Blue Catfish.
Two‐level preconditioning for Ridge Regression
Authors: Tavernier Joris , Simm Jaak , Meerbergen Karl , Moreau Yves
Published: March 2021

Solving linear systems is often the computational bottleneck in real‐life problems. Iterative solvers are the only option due to the complexity of direct algorithms or because the system matrix is not explicitly known. Here, we develop a two‐level preconditioner for regularized least squares linear systems involving a feature or data matrix. Variants of this linear system may appear in machine learning applications, such as ridge regression, logistic regression, support vector machines and Bayesian regression. We use clustering algorithms to create a coarser level that preserves the principal components of the covariance or Gram matrix. This coarser level approximates the dominant eigenvectors and is used to build a subspace preconditioner accelerating the Conjugate Gradient method. We observed speed‐ups for artificial and real‐life data.
The experience of continued smoking after stroke in Korean males: A qualitative study
Authors: Youn Jung Hee , Shin Sujin
Published: March 2021

Aim

This study aimed to identify the nature and meaning of continued smoking in male stroke patients based on a deep understanding of their lived experiences.

Design

Phenomenological qualitative methodology.

Methods

In total, 10 male stroke patients participated in this study. We used purposive sampling for recruitment. Data collection was performed through in‐depth interviews and analysis through van Manen's methodology.

Results

Five essential themes were derived from the analyses and described participants’ experiences with continued smoking, as follows: “Natural relapse into smoking,” “Behaving like a healthy person,” “Believing that smoking will not be a problem,” “Finding consolation in smoking behaviour,” and “Consoling oneself by the rationalization of smoking behaviour.”

Conclusion

The results showcased the need for the development of a smoking cessation educational programme tailored for male stroke patients who have perceptions towards being “like healthy people” after early recovery and who think that smoking is not a problematic behaviour. Participants’ reports underpinned the necessity for these programmes to have contents focused on the transformation of patients’ awareness toward their own health status.
A case of brachymetacarpia in a skeleton from a Mudejar cemetery from Spain (13th–14th century AD)
Authors: Dorado Enrique , Herrerín Jesús , Ramírez Ildefonso , Parro Loreto , Carrillo Manuel F. , Murillo Jorge
Published: March 2021

Brachymetacarpia, a form of brachydactyly, is one of the so‐called rare diseases because of its low prevalence. Although it is a well‐known malformation today, which occasionally requires surgical correction, it is not, or hardly, reported in the palaeopathological literature. The case presented here includes an individual exhumed from the Mudejar cemetery in Uceda (Guadalajara, Spain) dated between the 13th and 14th centuries. It was in an acceptable state of preservation, except for the skull, missing except for the mandible. Its sex was determined as female and the age as a young adult. On examining the hands, the short length of both the 4th and 5th metacarpals and the shortening of the distal phalanx of one of the thumbs were noteworthy. No anomaly was observed in the bones of the feet, which were only partially recovered. Due to the characteristics of the shortening and bones affected, it was considered that the case probably corresponded to type E of brachydactyly in the Bell and Temtamy classifications and to subtype E2 in the Hertzog classification. No data were found in the bones or teeth, suggesting their inclusion in any of the multiple clinical syndromes with this abnormality.
Integrating irinotecan in standard chemotherapy: A novel dose‐density combination for high‐risk pediatric sarcomas
Authors: Bisogno Gianni , Ferrari Andrea , Tagarelli Arianna , Sorbara Silvia , Chiaravalli Stefano , Poli Elena , Scarzello Giovanni , De Corti Federica , Casanova Michela , Affinita Maria Carmen
Published: March 2021

Background

Irinotecan is a drug active against pediatric sarcomas with a toxicity profile that theoretically allows for its association with more myelotoxic drugs. We examined the feasibility of a dose‐density strategy integrating irinotecan in standard chemotherapy regimens for patients with high‐risk sarcomas.

Methods

Between November 2013 and January 2020, 23 patients ≤25 years old were included in the study. Eleven patients newly diagnosed with metastatic disease received nine cycles of IrIVA (irinotecan‐ifosfamide‐vincristine‐actinomycin D; ifosfamide 3 g/m2 on days 1 and 2, vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 on day 1, actinomycin D 1.5 mg/m2 on day 1, irinotecan 20 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days starting on day 8) as first‐line therapy. Two relapsed patients received IrIVA and 10 IrVAC (irinotecan‐vincristine‐actinomycin D‐cyclophosphamide; cyclophosphamide 1.5 g/m2 on day 1 instead of ifosfamide). Feasibility was assessed in terms of toxicity and time to complete the treatment.

Results

Seventeen rhabdomyosarcomas, four Ewing sarcomas, two desmoplastic small round cell tumors received a total of 181 cycles (range 2–10). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 62.4% of the cycles. Thirteen patients had febrile neutropenia. Diarrhea occurred in 14 cycles. The median time to complete the treatment was 195 days (range 170–231), 83.4% of cycles were administered on time or with a delay <1 week. With a median follow‐up of 2.6 years (range 0.2–5.0), 12 patients are alive, nine complete remissions, three with the disease.

Conclusions

A dose‐density strategy combining irinotecan with standard chemotherapy is feasible. This approach will be investigated in the next trial coordinated by the European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group.
Racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic survival disparities in adolescents and young adults with primary central nervous system tumors
Authors: Puthenpura Vidya , Canavan Maureen E. , Poynter Jenny N. , Roth Michael , Pashankar Farzana D. , Jones Beth A. , Marks Asher M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Disparities in survival by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and geography in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors have not been well studied.

Procedure

A retrospective cohort study utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was conducted for AYA patients diagnosed with primary CNS tumors. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were calculated using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model to evaluate the association between race/ethnicity, SES, rurality, and hazard of death.

Results

All minority groups showed an increased hazard of death with greatest disparities in the high‐grade glioma cohort. Lower SES was associated with an increased hazard of death in non‐Hispanic White (NHW) patients (aHR 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.24), non‐Hispanic Black (NHB) patients (aHR 1.34; 95% CI 1.00–1.80), and patients aged 25–29 years (aHR 1.29; 95% CI 1.07–1.55). Mediation analysis showed an indirect effect of SES on the effect of race/ethnicity on the hazard of death only among NHB patients, with SES accounting for 33.7% of the association between NHB and hazard of death. Rurality was associated with an increased hazard of death for patients in the lowest SES tertile (aHR 1.31; 95% CI 1.08–1.59) and NHW patients (aHR 1.20; 95% CI 1.08–1.34).

Conclusions

Patients identified as a racial/ethnic minority, patients with a lower SES, and patients residing in rural areas had an increased hazard of death. Further studies are needed to understand and address the biological, psychosocial, societal, and economic factors that impact AYA neuro‐oncology patients at highest risk of experiencing poorer outcomes.
A novel “video‐game” simulator for training fetoscopic laser coagulation of anastomoses in twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Windrim Rory , Young Alexander , LeBouthillier Francis , Ryan Greg , Van Mieghem Tim , Abbasi Nimrah , Keunen Johannes , D'Souza Rohan , Kfouri Julia
Published: March 2021

Key Points/Highlights

 

We have developed a high‐fidelity interactive “video‐game” simulator in order to teach fetoscopic laser ablation of placental anastomoses for twin‐twin transfusion syndrome

This simulator may be used by teachers in order to provide metrics‐based simulator education to multiple trainees, in both hands‐on and distanced learning settings

What is already known about this topic?

The use of simulation improves training of the fetoscopic laser techniques utilized in the treatment of twin‐twin transfusion syndrome

A number of mannequins have been developed to aid this education

What does this study add?

Two new simulators are described for twin‐twin transfusion syndrome training—silicone and digital

The digital simulator is a novel digital video game virtual format

This new format has enhanced interactivity and has the potential to enable distance learning
How abnormal is the normal? Clinical characteristics of CF patients with normal FEV1
Authors: Cohen‐Cymberknoh Malena , Ben Meir Elad , Gartner Silvia , Reiter Joel , Spangenberg Angeles , Garriga Laura , Eisenstadt Iris , Israeli Tomer , Tsabari Reuven , Shoseyov David , Gileles‐Hillel Alex , Breuer Oded , Simanovsky Natalia , Kerem Eitan
Published: March 2021

Background

Normal values (>80%) of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may lead to the interpretation that there is no lung disease. This study is a comprehensive analysis of lung involvement in CF patients having normal FEV1.

Methods

Patients were recruited from two CF centers: Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem and Vall d' Hebron Hospital, Barcelona. Lung disease was assessed by lung clearance index (LCI), chest CT‐Brody score, respiratory cultures, number of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), and days of antibiotic treatment in the year before the assessment.

Results

Of the 247 patients, 89 (36%) had FEV1 ≥80% and were included in the study (mean age, 17.6; range, 4.25–49 years). Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was found in 21%, and 31% had at least one major PEx in the year before the study. Abnormally elevated LCI was found in 86% of patients, ranging between 7.52 and 18.97, and total Brody score (TBS) was abnormal in 92% (range, 5.0–96.5). Patients with chronic P. aeruginosa had significantly higher LCI (p = .01) and TBS (p = .02) which were associated with more major PEx (p < .01 and p = .01, respectively) and more days of intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment in the preceding year (p = .03 and p = .001, respectively).

Conclusions

Most CF patients with normal FEV1 have already physiological and structural lung abnormalities which were associated with more PEx and IV antibiotic treatment. Further studies are needed to determine if better adherence to the currently used therapies and the new cystic fibrosis transmembrane modulators will prevent the progression of lung disease.
Augmented renal clearance in critically ill patients with cancer (ARCCAN Study): A prospective observational study evaluating prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Nazer Lama H. , AbuSara Aseel K. , Kamal Yasmeen
Published: March 2021

Augmented renal clearance (ARC) is a phenomenon that has been associated with enhanced excretion of renally eliminated drugs, such as antimicrobials, which may result in subtherapeutic levels and potentially therapeutic failure. There has been limited data on ARC in critically ill patients with cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ARC and to identify risk factors associated with ARC in this patient population. This was a prospective study at an oncologic intensive care unit (ICU) which included adult patients with normal renal function, defined as serum creatinine ≤1 mg/dl and urine output >0.5 ml/kg/hr. The 24‐hour creatinine clearance (ClCr) study was used to determine ClCr, starting on day 1 of ICU admission, for 5 days or until ICU transfer or death. ARC was defined as ClCr >130 ml/min/1.73 m2. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for ARC. Over the study period, 363 patients were enrolled who completed an average of 2.8 ± 1.5(SD) days in the study and contributed 977 ClCr measurements. The mean age was 52 ± 16(SD) years old, the majority had solid tumors (n = 264, 73%), mean APACHE II was 21 ± 8(SD), and the major admission diagnosis was respiratory failure (n = 165, 45%). ARC was reported in 116 (32%) patients on at least one of the study days. Over the study period, the incidence of ARC ranged between 15.6% and 24.3%. Age was the only risk factor significantly associated with ARC (OR 1.028, 95% CI 1.005–1.051).
Complete lung collapse as a rare complication of sarcoidosis‐associated mediastinal lymphadenopathy
Authors: Rishi Abdul R. , Zurob Adel , Williams Christopher , Al‐Sharif Hussam , Zaied Ali , Trivedi Vipul , Rishi Muhammad A.
Published: March 2021

Key message

Complete lung collapse associated with sarcoidosis is exceedingly rare. Although lymphoma should be ruled out when patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy develop lung collapse, sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential, especially when associated with fibrosing mediastinitis.
Keyed shear connections with looped U‐bars subjected to normal and shear forces Part II—rigid‐plastic modeling of the ultimate capacity
Authors: Sørensen Jesper Harrild , Hoang Linh Cao , Poulsen Peter Noe
Published: March 2021

When the structural capacity of precast concrete structures is to be determined, reliable and practical models for estimation of the ultimate load carrying capacity of the structural connections are essential. In this paper, rigid‐plastic upper bound solutions for the load carrying capacity of keyed shear connections subjected to shear and normal forces are derived and compared to experimental results. The solutions are based on two idealized failure mechanisms involving complete key cut off and local key corner shearing, respectively. The solutions furnish a tool to design connections for the most ductile failure mode, which according to experimental observations is the one with local key corner shearing. Comparison with test results shows that satisfactory overall agreement is found, when appropriate material parameters are adopted. This includes an effectiveness factor, which in this study has been taken from previous studies of similar problems, and an internal angle of friction for mortar in the range of 30°–34°. The agreement is better for combinations of shear and compression, whereas the case of shear combined with large tension forces (i.e., half the yield capacity of the U‐bars) is overestimated by the solutions. Based on the results, it can be recommended that the solutions may be applied in practice using the lower limit for the internal angle of friction, and provided that precaution are taken in cases where the connections are utilized to transfer tension.
Trimetazidine improved adriamycin‐induced cardiomyopathy by downregulating TNF‐α, BAX, and VEGF immunoexpression via an antioxidant mechanism
Authors: Eid Basma G. , El‐Shitany Nagla Abd El‐Aziz , Neamatallah Thikryat
Published: March 2021

Few studies have reported a prophylactic effect of the anti‐ischemic trimetazidine (TRI) against cardiac toxicity caused by adriamycin (ADR). However, the mechanism of action of TRI remained incomplete. The cardioprotective mechanism(s) of TRI against ADR‐induced cardiotoxicity was investigated in this study. Cardiotoxicity was induced in three groups of Wistar rats by injecting a single dose of ADR (10 mg/kg, i.p.). TRI was administered in two doses regimen, low (L) (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and high (H) (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The results of the study showed that both TRI L and H doses improved cardiac enzymes and pathology, while only the TRI H dose improved the electrocardiogram. Both TRI L and H doses decreased malondialdehyde and increased reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Only TRI H dose increased glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Both TRI L and H doses decreased interleukin‐1 beta and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α). Both TRI L and H doses downregulated TNF‐α, BAX, and vascular endothelial growth factor cardiac protein expression. The data obtained in this study provided evidence that TRI opposed ADR‐induced cardiotoxicity. The mechanism could be due to improved antioxidant levels as well as inhibition of inflammation and programmed cell death.
Importance—Satisfaction Analysis of Deer Management Cooperative Members
Authors: Pruitt Hunter P. , Boley B. Bynum , D'angelo Gino J. , Murphy Brian P. , Mcconnell Mark D.
Published: March 2021

Our study explored the utility of using Importance‐Satisfaction Analysis (ISA) to identify critical attributes to deer management cooperative (DMC) member satisfaction. With white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) management by landowners becoming an increasingly popular conservation tool, DMCs represent an approach by private landowners and hunters to collaboratively improve deer herds and hunting quality. Deer management cooperatives are a group of landowners and hunters voluntarily working together to improve the quality of wildlife, habitat, and hunting experiences on their collective acreage. Deer management cooperatives show promise in providing dual benefits to hunter satisfaction and large‐scale conservation efforts such as increasing habitat connectivity. Heterogeneity of satisfaction for deer hunting is well‐documented and DMC member satisfaction is an important factor in member retention and recruitment. We surveyed 2,817 members of 45 DMCs across five states (Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Texas) using ISA methodology to better understand their satisfaction with their experience. Hunters’ responses (n = 459) to the 22 attributes measured were segmented by their divergent motivations for DMC membership, resulting in four unique clusters for comparison (Solitude Members, Social Members, Representative Members, and Quality Harvest Members). Our results indicated that motivations for membership influenced importance and satisfaction ratings, further elucidating that multiple types of hunters and members exist within DMC networks. Areas of agreement among the four DMC clusters were the need for Neighbors to follow Quality Deer Management practices, that DMCs are performing well on members Seeing deer and Co‐op members sharing similar harvest goals, and that Preventing crop damage and the Lease value of the DMC property are low priorities. However, there was little agreement in quadrant placement among the four membership clusters for the remaining 17 attributes indicating the importance of DMCs understanding their individual members’ motivations for joining. By retaining satisfied members, DMCs can continue to provide the hunting quality expected as well as the tangential conservation benefits. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Study on the Structure, Thermodynamic property, and Fluorescence of Pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl‐tert‐butylamine Dimethyl aluminum complex
Authors: Liu Ruiyuan , Yang Shuyan , Ding Yuqiang
Published: March 2021

Pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl‐tert‐butylamine dimethyl aluminum complex with a planar five‐membered ring was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV‐Vis spectra, TG/DSC, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. Through single‐crystal diffraction, it is proved that the structure of the alkyl aluminum complex is a planar five‐membered ring. By comparison the crystal data of 11 kinds of five‐membered ring dialkyl aluminum complexes, we found that the planar five‐membered ring dialkyl aluminum is formed when there is at least one unequal sp2 hybrid nitrogen in the ligand. TG/DSC study of the compound′s thermodynamic properties showed the thermal decomposition temperature of complex 7 was determined to be 210 °C. The rigid plane structure of the product was proved by fluorescence analysis. When the excitation wavelength was 380 nm, the emission wavelength was 478 nm.
Macronutrient composition of milk from two captive African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cows
Authors: Himschoot Elizabeth A. , Wenker Elizabeth S. , Reed Eda G. , Sampson Jill , Power Michael L.
Published: March 2021

We assayed 31 milk samples collected from two African elephant cows housed at the Indianapolis Zoo across lactation (birth to calf age 973 days) for macronutrient composition (water, fat, protein, sugar, gross energy [GE], ash, calcium, and phosphorus). All assays were performed at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park Nutrition Laboratory, Washington, DC (SNZP) using standard methods developed at SNZP. Milk constituents are expressed on a weight‐per‐weight basis (%) and as a proportion each constituent contributes to milk energy. Calf weights were recorded, and growth rate calculated. The macronutrient composition of the African elephant milk samples was compared to previously published results for Asian elephants using analysis of covariance. African elephant milk is similar to Asian elephant milk, being moderately high in fat and energy and low in sugar. The mean values across lactation (excluding colostrum; n = 28) are 5.6 ± 0.3% crude protein, 3.1 ± 0.3% sugar, 13.0 ± 1.0% fat, and GE of 1.63 ± 0.10 kcal/g. Milk composition did not differ between cows. Milk composition significantly changed over lactation; fat and protein increased, and sugar decreased with calf age, comparable to previously reported data for African and Asian elephant milk. The proportion of milk energy from fat increased and that from sugar decreased over lactation, but the energy from protein was relatively constant. Protein contributed a higher proportion of energy to African elephant milk compared to Asian elephant milk (20.6% vs. 17.0%, p = .001). Despite this, calf growth rate was similar between the species, with the calves in this study gaining about 0.8 kg/day for the first 6 months.
Correction to: A Systematic Literature Review of Information Sources for Threat Modeling in the Power Systems Domain
Authors: Ling Engla , Lagerström Robert , Ekstedt Mathias
Published: March 2021

Chapter 4, “A Systematic Literature Review of Information Sources for Threat Modeling in the Power Systems Domain” was previously published non-open access. It has now been changed to open access under a CC BY 4.0 license and the copyright holder updated to ‘The Author(s)’. The book has also been updated with this change.
Cross Reality (XR): Challenges and Opportunities Across the Spectrum
Authors: Ziker Cindy , Truman Barbara , Dodds Heather
Published: March 2021

Cross Reality (XR) resources hold promise for enhancing instruction and learning experiences in and out of the classroom. Appropriate XR applications can provide the foundation for new types of learning environments and experiences while bringing users together to create unique communities of inquiry and practice. Here we explore the opportunities and benefits of harnessing the affordances of XR while exploring the challenges associated with implementation. Recommendations and implications for future research are also addressed.
X-FILEs Jam: Ideation Process and Outcomes
Authors: Ragan Lawrence C. , Ramirez Villarin Lorraine J.
Published: March 2021

This chapter comprises the motivations behind the X-FILEs Jam, the goals expected, and a thorough description of the day’s events, outcomes, and future recommendations. This student-focused event required teams to respond to a challenge statement that encouraged the creation of a solution to improve or enhance college-level STEM education while incorporating innovative learning environments. Keeping with connective themes of the original 2018 X-FILEs Workshop, the same four technology categories and aspects of teaching and learning were incorporated into the Jam. Each teams’ ideation process was captured and transcribed. The outcomes feature a summary of these students’ contributions leading to their innovative idea-solution. Though the Jam proved to be an effective and educational experience for all, minor adjustments may better align tasks to the larger program goals.
Health Promotion Among Cancer Patients: Innovative Interventions
Authors: Lopez Violeta , Klainin-Yobas Piyanee
Published: March 2021

There are growing interests in promoting health of patients with cancer targeting on prevention and control as there are several modifiable risk factors that can be controlled to prevent cancer such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy behaviors. Once diagnosis of cancer has been determined, health promotion interventions can be targeted on helping patients overcome the physiological and psychological effects of the diagnosis. Health promotion interventions should continue during treatment, survivorship, and for those receiving palliative care. More specifically is the promotion of psychological health of patients with cancer. Introduction of the incidence of cancer, cancer risk protection interventions and innovative health promotion interventions along these different periods in the life of patients with cancer are presented. Some theoretical frameworks used in health promotion research with examples of studies are discussed.
The Overarching Concept of Salutogenesis in the Context of Health Care
Authors: Espnes Geir Arild , Moksnes Unni Karin , Haugan Gørill
Published: March 2021

Two concepts that widely impact on our ways to work with health is health promotion and salutogenesis (For a quick overview of the concept of salutogenesis, read Lindström B. & Eriksson M. (2010). The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Salutogenesis. Folkhälsan Research Center). The concept of health promotion was voted for use by the participants of World Health Organization (WHO) general assembly in 1978. And after 8 years, the concept of health promotion was filled with content by the WHO meeting in Ottawa in 1986. Meanwhile, salutogenesis as a concept was constructed of the Israeli scientist Antonovsky during the 1970s. It can be said that both health promotion and salutogenesis grew out of a wanting to understand health development rather than understanding health as a variable tied to the presence or absence of disease developments. This chapter concentrates on discussing the use of the salutogenic framework on the understanding of health care situations.