bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic review with radiomics quality score of cholangiocarcinoma: an EuSoMII Radiomics Auditing Group Initiative
Authors: Cannella Roberto , Vernuccio Federica , Klontzas Michail E. , Ponsiglione Andrea , Petrash Ekaterina , Ugga Lorenzo , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Cuocolo Renato
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To systematically review current research applications of radiomics in patients with cholangiocarcinoma and to assess the quality of CT and MRI radiomics studies.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted on PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify original studies assessing radiomics of cholangiocarcinoma on CT and/or MRI. Three readers with different experience levels independently assessed quality of the studies using the radiomics quality score (RQS). Subgroup analyses were performed according to journal type, year of publication, quartile and impact factor (from the Journal Citation Report database), type of cholangiocarcinoma, imaging modality, and number of patients.

Results

A total of 38 original studies including 6242 patients (median 134 patients) were selected. The median RQS was 9 (corresponding to 25.0% of the total RQS; IQR 1–13) for reader 1, 8 (22.2%, IQR 3–12) for reader 2, and 10 (27.8%; IQR 5–14) for reader 3. The inter-reader agreement was good with an ICC of 0.75 (95% CI 0.62–0.85) for the total RQS. All studies were retrospective and none of them had phantom assessment, imaging at multiple time points, nor performed cost-effectiveness analysis. The RQS was significantly higher in studies published in journals with impact factor > 4 (median 11 vs. 4, p = 0.048 for reader 1) and including more than 100 patients (median 11.5 vs. 0.5, p < 0.001 for reader 1).

Conclusions

Quality of radiomics studies on cholangiocarcinoma is insufficient based on the radiomics quality score. Future research should consider prospective studies with a standardized methodology, validation in multi-institutional external cohorts, and open science data.
MRI of diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumour in the knee: a guide for diagnosis and treatment response assessment
Authors: Spierenburg Geert , Suevos Ballesteros Carlos , Stoel Berend C. , Navas Cañete Ana , Gelderblom Hans , van de Sande Michiel A. J. , van Langevelde Kirsten
Published: February 2023

Tenosynovial giant cell tumour (TGCT) is a rare soft-tissue tumour originating from synovial lining of joints, bursae and tendon sheaths. The tumour comprises two subtypes: the localised-type (L-TGCT) is characterised by a single, well-defined lesion, whereas the diffuse-type (D-TGCT) consists of multiple lesions without clear margins. D-TGCT was previously known as pigmented villonodular synovitis. Although benign, TGCT can behave locally aggressive, especially the diffuse-type. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice to diagnose TGCT and discriminate between subtypes. MRI can also provide a preoperative map before synovectomy, the mainstay of treatment. Finally, since the arrival of colony-stimulating factor 1-receptor inhibitors, a novel systemic therapy for D-TGCT patients with relapsed or inoperable disease, MRI is key in assessing treatment response. As recurrence after treatment of D-TGCT occurs more often than in L-TGCT, follow-up imaging plays an important role in D-TGCT. Reading follow-up MRIs of these diffuse synovial tumours may be a daunting task. Therefore, this educational review focuses on MRI findings in D-TGCT of the knee, which represents the most involved joint site (approximately 70% of patients). We aim to provide a systematic approach to assess the knee synovial recesses, highlight D-TGCT imaging findings, and combine these into a structured report. In addition, differential diagnoses mimicking D-TGCT, potential pitfalls and evaluation of tumour response following systemic therapies are discussed. Finally, we propose automated volumetric quantification of D-TGCT as the next step in quantitative treatment response assessment as an alternative to current radiological assessment criteria.
Review on the methodology to assess respiratory tract lesions in pigs and their production impact
Authors: Maes Dominiek , Sibila Marina , Pieters Maria , Haesebrouck Freddy , Segalés Joaquim , de Oliveira Luís Guilherme
Published: February 2023

Porcine respiratory disease is one of the most important health problems in pig production worldwide. Cranioventral pulmonary consolidation (CVPC) and pleurisy are the two most common lesions in the respiratory tract of slaughtered pigs. The present review paper discusses pathogens involved in the lesions, lesion prevalence, scoring systems, advantages and disadvantages of slaughterhouse examination, and the impact of CVPC and pleurisy on performance, carcass, and meat quality. Cranioventral pulmonary consolidation and pleurisy in slaughter pigs are characteristic for infections withMycoplasma hyopneumoniaeandActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, respectively, although other pathogens may cause similar lesions and/or be involved in their development. The overall prevalence of CVPC and pleurisy in slaughter pigs are still high, being the prevalence of CVPC generally higher than that of chronic pleurisy. The advantages and disadvantages of slaughterhouse examination are discussed in relation to practical aspects, the assessment of lesions, the number and representativeness of the examined animals and the interpretation and value of the results for the stakeholders. The main scoring methods for CVPC and pleurisy are shortly reviewed. In general, scoring methods can be applied rapidly and easily, although significant variation due to abattoir and observer remains. Artificial intelligence-based technologies that automatically score lesions and facilitate processing of data may aid solving these problems. Cranioventral pulmonary consolidation and pleurisy have a major negative impact on pig performance, and the effects increase the extension of the lesions and/or presence of multiple lesions. The performance losses caused by these lesions, however, vary significantly between studies and farms, possibly due to differences in study population and used methodology. Both lesions also have a negative impact on different carcass and meat quality parameters, leading to increased risk for poor processing and storage of the carcasses. Monitoring lung lesions of slaughter pigs should be optimized and implemented routinely; however, it is recommended to complement this information with farm data and laboratory results for specific pathogens.
Convergence theorems for total asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in $\operatorname{CAT} (\kappa )$ spaces
Authors: Chang Shih-sen , Zhao Liangcai , Liu Min , Tang Jinfang
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this paper is to study the convergence theorems in$\operatorname{CAT} (\kappa )$CAT(κ)spaces with$k > 0$k>0fortotal asymptotically nonexpansive mappingswhich are essentially wider than nonexpansive mappings, asymptotically nonexpansive mapping, and asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in the intermediate sense. Our results generalize, unify, and improve several comparable results in the existing literature.
Incarcerated left-sided Amyand’s hernia and synchronous ipsilateral femoral hernia: first case report
Authors: Corvatta Franco A. , Palacios Huatuco René M. , Bertone Santiago , Viñas José F.
Published: February 2023

Background

The finding of a vermiform appendix within the peritoneal sac of an inguinal hernia is called Amyand’s hernia. The reported incidence of Amyand’s hernia and femoral hernia is 1% and 3.8%, respectively. To our knowledge, no cases have been reported in the literature that associate these two entities. We present the first case of incarcerated left-sided Amyand’s hernia and synchronous ipsilateral femoral hernia found during emergency surgery.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department for a complicated left inguinal hernia. An inguinotomy was performed that detected a large direct hernial sac and a synchronous femoral hernia. The opening of the inguinal hernia showed the presence of the cecum and the appendix, both without signs of inflammation. The femoral space was evaluated transinguinally, identifying the larger omentum that had slipped into the femoral canal. The primary closure of the posterior wall defect was performed with the McVay technique due to its large size, and then the hernioplasty was completed with a polypropylene mesh. No postoperative complications were reported.

Conclusions

In the context of an incarcerated Amyand’s hernia, the decision to perform an appendectomy in addition to hernia repair with or without mesh will depend on intraoperative findings.
Switching to brolucizumab: injection intervals and visual, anatomical and safety outcomes at 12 and 18 months in real-world eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Coney Joseph M. , Zubricky Ryan , Sinha Samriddhi Buxy , Sonbolian Nina , Zhou Lujia , Hull Thomas P. , Lewis Shawn A. , Miller David G. , Novak Michael A. , Pendergast Scott D. , Pham Hang , Platt Sean M. , Rao Llewelyn J. , Schartman Jerome P. , Singerman Lawrence J. , Donkor Richard , Fink Margaret , McCoy Jasmyne , Karcher Helene
Published: February 2023

Background

The anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection interval influences treatment burden and compliance in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This real-world study investigates visual acuity (VA), injection-interval extension, central macular thickness (CMT) and safety in nAMD eyes switched to the anti-VEGF agent brolucizumab and followed for up to 18 months.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with nAMD who were switched from other anti-VEGF agents to brolucizumab only. Patient eyes were grouped into three nested cohorts with the overall cohort receiving ≥ 1 brolucizumab injection, the second receiving ≥ 3 brolucizumab injections with a follow-up period of ≥ 12 months and the third cohort receiving ≥ 3 brolucizumab injections with a follow-up period of ≥ 18 months. Study endpoints included changes from baseline at 12 or 18 months in VA, injection intervals, and CMT. Sub-group analyses were conducted using baseline injection interval length or baseline VA as qualifiers.

Results

Overall, 482 eyes received ≥ 1 brolucizumab injection; 174 eyes received ≥ 3 brolucizumab injections with ≥ 12 months of follow-up, and 95 eyes received ≥ 3 brolucizumab injections with ≥ 18 months of follow-up. VA (mean [95% confidence intervals]) remained stable relative to baseline after 12 months (− 1.1 [− 3.7, 1.6] letters; p = 0.42) and 18 months (0.0 [− 3.1, 3.1] letters; p = 0.98) of brolucizumab treatment, respectively, and pre-switch injection intervals or baseline VA had no notable effect. Following the switch to brolucizumab, injection intervals were extended from baseline to month 12 by 26.9 (19.7, 34.0) days (p < 0.0001), and eyes with pre-switch injection intervals < 8 weeks were able to have their injection intervals extended by 23.6 days longer than eyes with pre-switch injection intervals ≥ 8 weeks. At 18 months, injection intervals were extended by 36.3 (25.6, 46.9) days (p < 0.0001) compared to baseline. Following switch to brolucizumab, CMT was reduced at both 12 and 18 months (12 months: − 35.2 (− 51.7, − 18.8) µm, p < 0.0001; 18 months: − 38.9 (− 54.3, − 22.0) µm, p < 0.0001). Intraocular inflammation-related adverse events were reported in 4.6% of brolucizumab-treated eyes.

Conclusions

This real-world study demonstrates that injection intervals may be significantly extended with maintained vision and reduced CMT in nAMD eyes switching to brolucizumab therapy from other anti-VEGFs.
Object recognition ability predicts category learning with medical images
Authors: Smithson Conor J. R. , Eichbaum Quentin G. , Gauthier Isabel
Published: February 2023

We investigated the relationship between category learning and domain-general object recognition ability (o). We assessed this relationship in a radiological context, using a category learning test in which participants judged whether white blood cells were cancerous. In study 1, Bayesian evidence negated a relationship between o and category learning. This lack of correlation occurred despite high reliability in all measurements. However, participants only received feedback on the first 10 of 60 trials. In study 2, we assigned participants to one of two conditions: feedback on only the first 10 trials, or on all 60 trials of the category learning test. We found strong Bayesian evidence for a correlation between o and categorisation accuracy in the full-feedback condition, but not when feedback was limited to early trials. Moderate Bayesian evidence supported a difference between these correlations. Without feedback, participants may stick to simple rules they formulate at the start of category learning, when trials are easier. Feedback may encourage participants to abandon less effective rules and switch to exemplar learning. This work provides the first evidence relating o to a specific learning mechanism, suggesting this ability is more dependent upon exemplar learning mechanisms than rule abstraction. Object-recognition ability could complement other sources of individual differences when predicting accuracy of medical image interpretation.
Investigating the presence of mathematics and the levels of cognitively demanding mathematical tasks in integrated STEM units
Authors: Forde Elizabeth N. , Robinson Latanya , Ellis Joshua A. , Dare Emily A.
Published: February 2023

Effective K-12 integrated STEM education should reflect an intentional effort to adequately represent and facilitate each of its component disciplines in a meaningful way. However, most research in this space has been conducted within the context of science classrooms, ignoring mathematics. Also missing from the literature is research that examines the level of cognitive demand required from mathematical tasks present within integrated STEM lessons. In order to seek insight pertaining to this gap in the literature, we sought to better understand how science teachers use mathematics within K-12 integrated STEM instruction. We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design to explore the enactment of mathematics in integrated STEM lessons that focus on physical, earth, and life science content. We first examined 2030 sets of video-recorded classroom observation scores generated from the 10-item STEM Observation Protocol (STEM-OP) designed for observing integrated STEM education in K-12 classrooms. We compared the STEM-OP scores of classroom observations that included mathematics with those that did not. This quantitative analysis was followed by a closer, more in-depth qualitative examination of how mathematics was employed, focusing on the degree of cognitive demand. To do this, we coded and analyzed transcripts from video-recorded classroom observations in which mathematical content was present. Our study yielded two main findings about mathematics in integrated STEM lessons: (1) the presence of mathematical content resulted in higher STEM-OP scores on nearly all items, and (2) mathematical tasks within these lessons were categorized as requiring mainly low levels of cognitive demand from students. This study highlights the need for the increased inclusion of mathematical tasks in integrated STEM teaching. Implications for including higher-order mathematical thinking within integrated STEM teaching are discussed.
Comparison of maximum intensity projection and volume rendering on multidetector computed tomography in detecting pulmonary nodules
Authors: Kolta Marian Fayek Farid , Higo Noura Mahmoud , Mohamed Inas Abdou , Abd El-Mageed Mohammed Raafat
Published: February 2023

Background

Lung cancer is the one of the most common types of cancer and considered as a leading cause of death from neoplasms. Almost all types of lung cancer develop from pulmonary nodules. The wide availability of the multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners makes the detection of pulmonary nodules much easier. Volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) techniques are the most commonly used post-processing techniques. The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the two techniques in terms of the number and size of nodules.

Results

In the current study, 32 patients with pulmonary nodules were included being referred from the chest department, with their age ranging from 27 to 71 years old. Nodules characteristics, such as number and size, were evaluated on both MIP and VR techniques. Paired comparison of number of pulmonary nodules less than 6 mm between MIP and VR showed statistically significant difference in 4, 7 and 10 mm slip thickness with P-value 0.003, 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively. Paired comparison of number of pulmonary nodules more than 6 mm in size between MIP and VR showed no statistically significant difference in 4, 7 and 10 mm slip thickness with P-value > 0.05 each. Comparison of the pulmonary nodules numbers according to slip thickness showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the number of detected nodules, showing that 10 mm slip thickness is significantly higher compared to 4 mm and 7 mm with P-value 0.0001, 0.0001 for nodules < 6 mm, and 0.001 for the lung nodules > 6 mm in size.

Conclusions

We can conclude the superiority of MIP over VR in detection of small sized nodules. MIP was easier to follow and showed high inter-reader agreement. The 10 mm MIP outperformed all other slab thicknesses for nodule detection less than 6 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between both techniques in terms of larger nodules measuring > 6 mm.
Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of hydrocephalus in pediatric patients
Authors: El-Sayed Sakr Gehad Ahmed , Hamisa Manal Fathy , El Sawaf Yasser Fouad , Nagy Hanan Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Background

Hydrocephalus is an increase in cerebrospinal fluid volume leading to cerebral ventricular enlargement (ventriculomegaly). Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging is a sensitive technique to cerebrospinal fluid flow allowing noninvasive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid flow.

Aim

The purpose of our study was to assess the role of cerebrospinal fluid flowmetry using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of hydrocephalus in pediatric patients.

Methods

This prospective study included a group of 50 patients with ventriculomegaly diagnosed by a previous magnetic resonance imaging study. A control group of 20 subjects of matched age group were also included. All the participants were subjected to cerebrospinal fluid flow study.

Results

After quantitative assessment of cerebrospinal fluid flow at aqueduct level, the mean values of flow and velocity parameters were compared in both patients and control groups. The mean values in patients with aqueduct stenosis and Dandy–Walker malformation were significantly lower than those of the control group (no flow with hypodynamic circulation) with p < 0.001, < 0.017 for mean velocity, respectively, the mean values in patients with brain atrophy and Arnold–Chiari malformation, bilateral obstructive hydrocephalus at foramen of Monro were significantly lower than those of the control group (diminished flow with hypodynamic circulation) with p < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.046 for mean velocity, respectively, and 0.002, 0.001, 0.160 for stroke volume, respectively, the mean values in patients with communicating hydrocephalus and unilateral obstructive hydrocephalus at foramen of Monro were significantly higher than those of the control group (hyperdynamic flow) with p < 0.001 for mean velocity and stroke volume, and the mean values in patients with arachnoid cysts were within normal as compared to control group (normal dynamic flow).

Conclusion

Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive technicality used for evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid flow both qualitatively and quantitatively for determining the type of hydrocephalus seen.
Giant anterior triangle neck lipoma with unusual extension: a case report
Authors: Rashwan Mohamed S. , El Tabbakh Mohammed T.
Published: February 2023

Background

Lipomas are considered to be the most common benign mesenchymal neoplasm which can originate from any fatty tissue. Only 13% of lipomas are present in the head and neck region where the posterior triangle of the neck is the most common site.

Case presentation

Giant lipomas > 10 cm involving the anterior triangle of the neck with para- and retropharyngeal extension are rarely seen. We report a 59-year-old male patient with giant anterior neck space lipoma 13 × 7.5 × 3.5 cm with medial extension to the retropharyngeal space which was surgically excised.

Conclusions

Giant anterior neck lipomas are very challenging in excision compared to posterior neck ones. ENT surgeons should keep lipomas in mind when dealing with anterior neck lesions. Complete surgical excision is the best treatment modality.

Level of evidence

4
Learning to solve the elastic wave equation with Fourier neural operators
Authors: Zhang Tianze , Trad Daniel , Innanen Kristopher
Published: February 2023

Neural operators are extensions of neural networks, which, through supervised training, learn how to map the complex relationships that exist within the classes of the partial differential equation (PDE). One of these networks, the Fourier neural operator (FNO), has been particularly successful in producing general solutions to PDEs, such as the Navier-Stokes equation. We have formulated an FNO to reproduce solutions of the 2D isotropic elastic wave equation training on synthetic data sets. This requires two significant alterations to the existing FNO structures. By (1) adding the Fourier kernel multiplication with respect to multiple spatial directions and (2) building connections between the Fourier layers, we produce what we refer to as the “one-connection FNO,” which is suitable for use in producing solutions of the elastic wave equation. Post training, the new FNO is examined for accuracy. Compared with the unmodified original FNO, we observe, in particular, an improved prediction of the fields generated with low source frequency, which is suggestive of immediate applicability in inversion. Once trained, the modified FNO operates at approximately 100 times the speed of traditional finite-difference methods on a CPU; this increase in the computational speed, when used within forward modeling, may have important consequences in simulation-intensive inverse problems, such as those based on the Monte Carlo methods.
UAV-towed scalar magnetic gradiometry: A case study in relation to iron oxide copper-gold mineralization, Nautanen (Arctic Sweden)
Authors: Døssing Arne , Kolster Mick E. , Rasmussen Thorkild M. , Petersen Jacob T. , da Silva Eduardo L. S.
Published: February 2023

Scalar magnetic surveying using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms is slowly gaining momentum within geophysical applications. So far, only a handful of studies have dealt with UAV-towed scalar field measurements, while even fewer have considered towed scalar difference measurements (or gradients). In this paper, we demonstrate the possibilities and benefits of deploying precisely positioned noise-minimized UAV-towed scalar transverse horizontal difference (THD) measurements for mineral exploration purposes. UAV-towed gradiometry bird data are presented from the Nautanen area in northern Sweden and compared with ground magnetic surveys. This area is known for its iron oxide copper-gold mineralizations. The UAV survey spans a total area of 2.5 km2. It was covered using an average line spacing of 30 m and a constant flight altitude above ground level of 30 m. High-quality scalar total-field and THD data were collected with a dynamic noise level of the raw scalar data of about ±0.05 nT. Comparison with the ground magnetic data shows a strong correlation between magnetic anomaly lows and highs across the survey areas. A map with new structural information is presented based on subtle magnetic structures identified in discrete derivatives of the total magnetic intensity anomaly and THD data. Such systems may replace high-quality heliborne systems and reduce costs of the geophysical exploration phase. However, mapping with UAV-towed systems is not straightforward. With typical UAV flight speeds of only 10–12 m/s, the wind often disturbs the 3D attitude of the bird during flights. Hence, advanced processing is required to obtain the intended gradients. Similar challenges are less important in surveying, where the survey speed often greatly exceeds the wind speed.
Aeromagnetic attitude compensation for uninhabited aircraft systems without high-altitude calibration patterns using hybrid recurrent neural networks
Authors: Cunningham Michael , Tuck Loughlin , Samson Claire , Laliberté Jeremy , Goldie Mark , Wood Alan , Birkett David
Published: February 2023

Since the 1950s, Tolles-Lawson-based aeromagnetic compensation methods have been used to separate an aircraft's magnetic signal from signal associated with ground geologic and cultural features. This is done by performing a high-altitude figure-of-merit (FOM) flight and fitting the band-pass-filtered magnetic data to determine compensation parameters. This paper describes a supervised hybrid recurrent neural network (HRNN) algorithm trained on low-altitude survey data to perform aeromagnetic compensation. The proposed HRNN attitude compensation method can be employed for aeromagnetic surveys where traditional FOM and compensation are not possible. It has particular relevance for surveying via uninhabited aircraft systems (UAS). Firstly, the HRNN was tested on data from a fixed-wing airplane survey, and the results were compared to hardware-based compensation results. The standard deviation of the difference between the two methods for magnetic attitude correction (MAC) was 0.1 nT for the training region and 0.4 nT for the application region, respectively. Secondly, a UAS FOM flight at the highest permitted altitude in Canada, 120 m above ground level, showed similar improvement ratios for software-based least squares (LS) and the proposed HRNN algorithm of 3.5 and 2.6, respectively. The percent change and deviation in differences in MACs from LS to HRNN was 0.0% and 0.9 nT across small-box loops and –2.7% and 0.4 nT across large-box loops. Finally, LS and the proposed HRNN algorithm were applied to a 50 m altitude UAS data set for which no FOM flight was possible. LS did not successfully model aircraft noise, whereas the HRNN demonstrated effective removal of the magnetic signal due to aircraft attitude variations. The modeled HRNN MAC had a standard deviation of 2.4 nT.
Geophysics Bright Spots
Authors: Behura Jyoti
Published: February 2023

Welcome to the latest installment of Geophysics Bright Spots. There are a number of interesting research articles in the last two issues of Geophysics. Here is a list of what piqued the editors' interests.
Evaluating the provision of paediatric liaison psychiatry services in England
Authors: Hines Declan , Ford Tamsin , Westwood Sophie , Barrett Jessica R. , Westphal Birgit , Davies Virginia , Lee William
Published: February 2023

Background

Liaison psychiatry provision for children and young people in England is poorly evaluated.

Aims

We sought to evaluate paediatric liaison psychiatry provision and develop recommendations to improve practice.

Method

The liaison psychiatry surveys of England (LPSE) cross-sectional surveys engage all liaison psychiatry services in England. Services are systematically identified by contacting all acute hospitals with emergency departments in England. Questions are developed in consultation with NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of Liaison Psychiatry, and updated based on feedback. Responses are submitted by email, post or telephone. Questions on paediatric services were included from 2015 (LPSE-2), and we analysed data from this and the subsequent four surveys.

Results

The number of acute hospitals with access to paediatric liaison psychiatry services increased from 29 (15.9%) in 2015 to 46 (26.6%) in 2019, compared with 100% provision for adults. For LPSE-4, only one site met the Core-24 criteria of 11 full-time equivalent mental health practitioners and 1.5 full-time equivalent consultants, and for LPSE-5, just two sites exceeded them. Acute hospitals with access to 24/7 paediatric liaison psychiatry services increased from 12 to 19% between LPSE-4 and LPSE-5. The proportion of paediatric liaison psychiatry services based offsite decreased from 30 to 24%.

Conclusions

There is an unacceptable under-provision of paediatric liaison psychiatry services compared with provision for adults. Number of services, staffing levels and hours of operation have increased, but continued improvement is required, as few services meet the Core-24 criteria.
Early Bereavement Psychosocial Outcomes in Parents of Children Who Died of Cancer With a Focus on Social Functioning
Authors: Snaman Jennifer M. , Mazzola Emanuele , Helton Gabrielle , Feifer Deborah , Morris Sue E. , Clark Lisa , Baker Justin N. , Wolfe Joanne
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE:

The early grief experience of parents of children who died of cancer remains understudied. Understanding psychosocial symptomology and functioning of parents early in their bereavement is essential to developing supportive interventions aimed at offsetting poor mental and physical outcomes.

METHODS:

Parents of children from two centers who died of cancer 6 to 24 months before were mailed a survey that included validated tools and additional Likert scale-based questions. We used correlation and univariate and multiple regression analyses to assess the associations between psychosocial and grief outcomes and parental social functioning.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty-five parents representing 88 children completed the survey. Most respondents identified as female (63%), White (84%), and non-Hispanic (91%). The mean time since child's death was 14.7 (range, 8-26) months. Bereaved parents' mean score for social functioning was only slightly below normative values, and most parents indicated post-traumatic growth and adaptive coping. Parents had high symptom levels for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and prolonged grief, with those identifying as female having significantly higher symptom scores. Using multivariate analysis, parental scores for resilience and continuing bonds were associated with higher social functioning scores and parental scores for depressive symptoms and prolonged grief were associated with lower social functioning scores.

CONCLUSION:

Although bereaved parents exhibit resilience and positive coping, they also show high levels of psychosocial distress in the first 2 years after their child's death, which may reflect the typical parental bereavement experience. Screening for low parental social functioning may identify parents who would benefit from additional support early in bereavement.
Interference and reflection from the event horizon of a quantum corrected black hole
Authors: Gangopadhyay Sunandan , Sen Soham , Mandal Rituparna
Published: February 2023

In this work, we calculate the Hawking temperature for a quantum corrected black hole geometry using the reflection from the horizon method. We observe that quantum gravity corrections indeed show up in the Hawking temperature formula of the quantum corrected black hole. It is important to notice that the quantum gravity corrections arise in the Hawking temperature formula only due to the underlying quantum gravity corrections to the lapse function of the black hole metric rather than the semi-classical methods used in the analysis. We also substantiate our result by computing the Hawking temperature using the tunneling approach.
Effects of Maternal Exercise Modes on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Offspring Stem Cells
Authors: Jevtovic Filip , Zheng Donghai , Houmard Joseph A , Krassovskaia Polina M , Lopez Christian A , Wisseman Breanna L , Steen Dylan M , Broskey Nicholas T , Isler Christy , DeVente Jim , Fang Xiangming , May Linda E
Published: February 2023

Context

Maternal exercise positively influences pregnancy outcomes and metabolic health in progeny; however, data regarding the effects of different modes of prenatal exercise on offspring metabolic phenotype is lacking.

Objective

To elucidate the effects of different modes of maternal exercise on offspring umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) metabolism.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Clinical research facility.

Patients

Healthy females between 18 and 35 years of age and <16 weeks’ gestation.

Intervention

Women were randomized to either 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic, resistance (RE), or combination exercise per week or to a non-exercising control.

Main Outcome Measures

At delivery, MSCs were isolated from the umbilical cords. MSC glucose and fatty acid(s) metabolism was assessed using radiolabeled substrates.

Results

MSCs from offspring of all the exercising women demonstrated greater partitioning of oleate (P ≤ 0.05) and palmitate (P ≤ 0.05) toward complete oxidation relative to non-exercisers. MSCs from offspring of all exercising mothers also had lower rates of incomplete fatty acid oxidation (P ≤ 0.05), which was related to infant adiposity at 1 month of age. MSCs from all exercising groups exhibited higher insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis rates (P ≤ 0.05), with RE having the largest effect (P ≤ 0.05). RE also had the greatest effect on MSC glucose oxidation rates (P ≤ 0.05) and partitioning toward complete oxidation (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data demonstrates that maternal exercise enhances glucose and lipid metabolism of offspring MSCs. Improvements in MSC glucose metabolism seem to be the greatest with maternal RE.

Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03838146
Controlling Inflammation Improves Aging Skeletal Muscle Health
Authors: Fountain William A. , Naruse Masatoshi , Claiborne Alex , Trappe Scott , Trappe Todd A.
Published: February 2023

Chronic inflammation is associated with a decline in aging skeletal muscle health. Inflammation also seems to interfere with the beneficial skeletal muscle adaptations conferred by exercise training in older individuals. We hypothesize that the cyclooxygenase pathway is partially responsible for this negative inflammatory influence on aging skeletal muscle health and plasticity.
Executive functions in high ability preschool children
Authors: Ραχανιώτη Ελένη
Published: February 2023

Πρόσφατα ερευνητικά δεδομένα καταδεικνύουν την ύπαρξη ανομοιογένειας στις ακαδημαϊκές επιδόσεις και στις Εκτελεστικές Λειτουργίες (ΕΛ) εντός του πληθυσμού των παιδιών με Υψηλές Ικανότητες Μάθησης (ΥΨΙΜ). Ο σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας ήταν διττός. Η πρώτη έρευνα διερεύνησε τις πιθανές συσχετίσεις της κοινωνικοοικονομικής κατάστασης των γονέων με την νοημοσύνη και τις ΕΛ των παιδιών προσχολικής ηλικίας με ΥΨΙΜ. Διερευνήθηκε επίσης ο ρόλος των εκπαιδευτικών στον εντοπισμό τους και αν οι προβλέψεις τους αντιστοιχούν με αυτές των γονέων. Επιπλέον, εξετάστηκαν οι συσχετίσεις της μη λεκτικής και λεκτικής ικανότητας με τις ΕΛ, των ΕΛ με την Φωνολογική Επίγνωση (ΦΕ) και των ΕΛ με τις μαθηματικές δεξιότητες. Οι συμμετέχοντες στη πρώτη έρευνα ήταν 50 παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας με IQ ≥ 120 και υψηλό ακαδημαϊκό δυναμικό μεταξύ 5 και 6 ετών (M = 62,50 μηνών, SD = 2,65). Τα ευρήματα κατέδειξαν ότι το μορφωτικό επίπεδο της μητέρας επηρεάζει θετικά τη λεκτική ικανότητα των παιδιών με ΥΨΙΜ. Ένα άλλο εύρημα ήταν ότι οι εκπαιδευτικοί της προσχολικής ηλικίας φαίνεται να επιλέγουν παιδιά που υπόσχονται υψηλές ακαδημαϊκές επιδόσεις και η κρίση τους βασίζεται περισσότερο στις νοητικές ικανότητες των παιδιών. Οι αξιολογήσεις των γονέων, όσον αφορά στην λεκτική ικανότητα των παιδιών, εμφάνισαν υψηλότερη συσχέτιση με τις βαθμολογίες στις αντίστοιχες δοκιμασίες σε σύγκριση με τις αξιολογήσεις των εκπαιδευτικών. Επιπλέον, οι πολλαπλές αναλύσεις παλινδρόμησης κατέδειξαν ότι η λεκτική εργαζόμενη μνήμη και η γνωστική ευελιξία είναι στατιστικώς σημαντικές προβλεπτικές μεταβλητές για την ΦΕ, ενώ η λεκτική εργαζόμενη μνήμη και η λεκτική νοητική ικανότητα προέβλεψαν τις μαθηματικές δεξιότητες. Η δεύτερη έρευνα αξιολόγησε την αποτελεσματικότητα ενός ψηφιακού προγράμματος γνωστικού εμπλουτισμού, που αναπτύχθηκε με σκοπό την εξάσκηση των ΕΛ με ενσωματωμένες δραστηριότητες ΦΕ, σε παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας με ΥΨΙΜ. 40 παιδιά από τη πρώτη έρευνα αντιστοιχήθηκαν ως προς το φύλο, τις επιδόσεις στις ΕΛ και την ΦΕ και το σχολικό περιβάλλον και χωρίστηκαν τυχαία σε πειραματική ομάδα (n=20) και ομάδα ελέγχου (n=20). Τα παιδιά της πειραματικής ομάδας συμμετείχαν στο προαναφερθέν ψηφιακό πρόγραμμα, διαρθρωμένο σε 20 ατομικές συνεδρίες 20-30 λεπτών που εφαρμόζονταν δύο φορές την εβδομάδα. Στατιστικώς σημαντικές διαφορές προέκυψαν ως προς τις επιδόσεις στις ΕΛ και την ΦΕ. Τέλος, ισχυρές αμφίδρομες συσχετίσεις μεταξύ των ΕΛ και της ΦΕ εμφανίστηκαν στην ομάδα ελέγχου. Η συζήτηση των ευρημάτων γίνεται με άξονα την αξιοποίησή τους στην εκπαίδευση των παιδιών προσχολικής ηλικίας με ΥΨΙΜ.
The role and function of Homeric δημιοεργοί
Authors: Σύμοντς Κάρεν-Νταϊάνα-Κάρρολλ
Published: February 2023

Η λέξη δημιουργός/δημιοεργός απαντά για πρώτη φορά στην αρχαία ελληνική γραμματεία στην ομηρική ποίηση, όπου αναφέρεται σε μία τάξη εξειδικευμένων λειτουργών, η οποία περιλαμβάνει μάντεις, θεραπευτές, τεχνίτες, αοιδούς και κήρυκες. Οι δημιοεργοί περιγράφονται στον Όμηρο ως καλοδεχούμενοι ξένοι, περιζήτητοι από διαφόρους δήμους για τις πολύτιμες δεξιότητές τους. Η διατριβή μου επικεντρώνεται στη διερεύνηση του ρόλου και της λειτουργίας στα ομηρικά έπη της επαγγελματικής αυτής τάξης των δημιοεργών, στην οποία φαίνεται να ανήκει και ο ίδιος ο ποιητής-αφηγητής ως αοιδός-δημιοεργός. Εκκινώντας από μία ετυμολογική μελέτη της λέξης δημιοεργός, στην οποία εξετάζονται τα επιμέρους γλωσσικά στοιχεία του εν λόγω όρου, δηλαδή οι λέξεις δῆμος και ἔργον, με αναφορά επίσης στο μυκηναϊκό υπόβαθρό τους, υποστηρίζω ότι η ιδέα της δημιουργικότητας που συνδέεται με τη μεταγενέστερη χρήση της λέξης δημιουργός είναι ήδη εμφανής στον Όμηρο. Σύμφωνα με το επιχείρημά μου, στα ομηρικά έπη η δράση των δημιοεργών εμπεριέχει τον στοχευμένο και λειτουργικό μετασχηματισμό πρώτων υλών όπως το ξύλο και τα μέταλλα, καθώς και ιστοριών, οιωνών, οραμάτων κ.λπ. σε καλοδουλεμένα και λειτουργικά έργα. Τέτοια έργα αποτελούν είτε απτά τεχνουργήματα είτε έγκυρες δημόσιες δηλώσεις και παραστάσεις με κοινωνικό προσανατολισμό, όπως άλλωστε η ίδια η λέξη δημιοεργός υποδηλώνει. Υποστηρίζω ότι στον Όμηρο, ο όρος αυτός αναφέρεται σε πρόσωπα που προσφέρουν κοινωφελές έργο. Ανεξάρτητα από εξειδίκευση, η κάθε κατηγορία ομηρικών δημιοεργών προσδιορίζεται από τη συνεισφορά της στην κοινωνική συνοχή και ευημερία. Συγκεκριμένα, δείχνω πως οι ομηρικοί δημιοεργοί μεσολαβούν μεταξύ μεμονωμένων προσώπων αλλά και ολόκληρων κοινοτήτων, ακόμη και μεταξύ ανθρώπων και θεών. Δεν είναι απλώς εξειδικευμένοι επαγγελματίες ή τεχνίτες που αποσκοπούν στον βιοπορισμό, αλλά συντελεστές ζωτικής σημασίας για την επιβίωση και άνθηση του ανθρώπινου πολιτισμού. Η διατριβή μου περιλαμβάνει ενδελεχή προσωπογραφική μελέτη συγκεκριμένων χαρακτήρων που ανήκουν στις διάφορες κατηγορίες ομηρικών δημιοεργών. Εκτός από τους εξειδικευμένους επαγγελματίες που ανήκουν στις αναφερθείσες κατηγορίες δημιοεργών, εξετάζω επίσης και χαρακτήρες όπως ο Οδυσσέας, η Ελένη, η Κασσάνδρα κ.ά., των οποίων η δραστηριότητα παρομοιάζεται με εκείνη των δημιοεργών. Υπογραμμίζω ότι η ομηρική απεικόνιση των δημιοεργών είναι αποκαλυπτική και της αντίληψης του ποιητή-αφηγητή για τη θέση και τον ρόλο της δικής του τέχνης.
Η διαμόρφωση της καταναλωτικής κουλτούρας στην Ελλάδα της δεκαετίας του 1950
Authors: Μούλιος Παύλος
Published: February 2023

Το τέλος του Β’ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου εγκαινιάζει μια νέα εποχή για την Δ. Ευρώπη με τον Αμερικανικό παράγοντα να παίζει καθοριστικό ρόλο στην επανεκκίνηση της οικονομικής και πολιτικής ζωής. Από τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του 1940, οι έννοιες της Ανασυγκρότησης και της Ανάπτυξης καταλαμβάνουν σταθερή θέση στην ρητορική των δυτικοευρωπαϊκών Κυβερνήσεων και κατ’ ένα μεγάλο βαθμό εκφράζονται μέσα από την σύνδεση της συλλογικής και ατομικής ευημερίας με την αγορά. Η κατανάλωση αγαθών και υπηρεσιών προβάλλεται από τις μεταπολεμικές κυβερνήσεις και τα ΜΜΕ ως δικαίωμα και συνάμα ευθύνη του μεταπολεμικού πολίτη, ενώ παράλληλα συνδέεται άμεσα με την υπόσχεση του εκδημοκρατισμού. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, η καθημερινή κατανάλωση εμπλουτίζεται με νέες πρακτικές της αγοράς και νοηματοδοτήσεις οι οποίες αξιώνουν μια γενικότερη πολιτισμική επίδραση στο άτομο και στον τρόπο που βλέπει τον εαυτό του και τον κόσμο. Η Ελλάδα από τις αρχές της δεκαετίας του 1950 υπήρξε από τις πρώτες χώρες οι οποίες εκτέθηκαν στις γενικότερες οικονομικές και πολιτισμικές πολιτικές που διαμόρφωσαν την μεταπολεμική Ευρώπη, γύρω από τον άξονα της μαζικής παραγωγής και κατανάλωσης. Το γεγονός αυτό μαζί με όλα όσα συγκροτούν την «ελληνική ιδιαιτερότητα» μεταπολεμικά αποτυπώθηκαν έντονα στην δεκαετία του 1950 και συνδιαμόρφωσαν σε σημαντικό βαθμό το μεταπολεμικό υποκείμενο, καθιστώντας την ελληνική περίπτωση ένα ενδιαφέρον παράδειγμα μελέτης της ρητορικής, των μέσων και των τρόπων προώθησης και εδραίωσης της καταναλωτικής ζωής. Με αφετηρία τα παραπάνω και οδηγό τον χώρο -ιδιωτικό, δημόσιο, φαντασιακό-, η μελέτη επιχειρεί μέσα από τα αρχεία του περιοδικού και ημερήσιου τύπου της δεκαετίας του 1950, αρχεία βιομηχανιών, μονογραφίες κ.α, μια ιστορική καταγραφή της προώθησης του καταναλωτισμού στην πρώιμη μεταπολεμική Ελλάδα, της σύνδεσης του με τις έννοιες της ευτυχίας, της ισότητας και της Δημοκρατίας, καθώς και των απαρχών αυτού που τις δεκαετίες που ακολούθησαν καθιερώθηκε ως «καταναλωτική κουλτούρα».
YAP in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Καρυστινού Αλεξάνδρα
Published: February 2023

Τα μεσεγχυματικά βλαστοκύτταρα (MSCs) αποτελούν τον πιο μελετημένο υποτύπο ενηλίκων βλαστοκυττάρων και έχουν προέλθει από τα περισσότερα μεταγεννητικά όργανα και ιστούς. Τα MSCs χαρακτηρίζονται από την ικανότητά τους να αυτοανανεώνονται (self-renew) και να διαφοροποιούνται τόσο σε μεσοδερμικές, όσο και σε μη μεσοδερμικές γενεές και είναι ανοσοκατασταλτικά. Για αυτές τις ιδιότητες, τα MSCs έχουν θεωρηθεί ιδανικοί υποψήφιοι για την αναγεννητική ιατρική και έχουν χρησιμοποιηθεί σε αρκετές κλινικές δοκιμές. Η δυσκολία, ωστόσο, να διατηρηθεί η ισχύς των κυττάρων κατά την καλλιέργειά τους, και να παρακολουθηθεί η διαφοροποίησή τους, αποτελούν εμπόδια στη χρήση τους στην κλινική, γεγονός που κρίνει την ανάγκη να διερευνηθούν λεπτομερέστερα οι μοριακές οδοί στις οποίες βασίζεται η μοίρα των βλαστοκυττάρων κατά τη διαφοροποίηση.Το σηματοδοτικό μονοπάτι Hippo είναι ένα πρόσφατα αναγνωρισμένο μοριακό μονοπάτι στη Drosophila melanogaster και στα θηλαστικά, το οποίο ελέγχει το μέγεθος των οργάνων ρυθμίζοντας τον πολλαπλασιασμό των κυττάρων, την απόπτωση και τη διαφοροποίηση. Το μονοπάτι αποτελείται από έναν πυρήνα κινασών σερίνης/θρεονίνης [Hpo/(MST1/2) και Wts/(LATS1/2)] και πρωτεϊνών ικριώματος [(Sav/Shrp)/SAV1 και Mats/MOB] που όταν ενεργοποιούνται, φωσφορυλιώνουν και αναστέλλουν την πρωτεΐνη YAP (yes-associated protein), η οποία λειτουργεί ως μεταγραφικός συν-ενεργοποιητής και ογκοκαταστολέας. Η αδρανοποίηση του ΥΑΡ είναι απαραίτητη σε ορισμένα βλαστοκύτταρα και προγονικά κύτταρα, μέσω του μονοπατιού Hippo, για τη διαφοροποίησή τους. Αντίθετα, η αποτυχία αναστολής του ΥΑΡ ενισχύει τον κυτταρικό πολλαπλασιασμό και δύναται να προκαλέσει τον ογκογόνο μετασχηματισμό τους.Στην παρούσα μελέτη, η έκφραση πολλαπλών παραλλαγών/ισομερών του YAP επιβεβαιώθηκε σε MSCs προερχόμενα από ιστούς ανθρώπων και ποντικιών. Τόσο στον άνθρωπο όσο και στα ποντίκια, το ΥΑΡ ανεστάλη ως απόκριση στην «κυτταρική αναστολή επαφής» (cell contact inhibition) και παρέμεινε αμετάβλητο κατά τη διάρκεια της in vitro χονδρογενούς διαφοροποίησης. Η υπερέκφραση της ανθρώπινης παραλλαγής (hYAP1) σε κύτταρα της σειράς C3H/10T1/2, που μοιάζουν με MSCs, δεν φάνηκε να επηρεάζει τον σχηματισμό αποικιών, την κατανομή του κυτταρικού κύκλου ή το μέγεθος των κυττάρων, αλλά αύξησε τον κυτταρικό πολλαπλασιασμό, προκάλεσε κυτταρικό μετασχηματισμό και μείωσε την ικανότητα των κυττάρων να διαφοροποιούνται in vitro προς τις χονδρογενείς, λιπογενείς και οστεογενείς γενεές. Τα αποτελέσματα της υπερέκφρασης του hYAP1 θεωρείται ότι είναι είτε αποτέλεσμα της λειτουργίας του ως πυρηνικού συμπαράγοντα, είτε έμμεσα μέσω αλληλεπιδράσεων διαφόρων πρωτεϊνών στο κυτταρόπλασμα. Το YAP και το σηματοδοτικό μονοπάτι Hippo είναι πιθανοί φαρμακολογικοί στόχοι για τη ρύθμιση της λειτουργίας των MSCs.
Η επίδραση της λεπτίνης στην έκφραση γονιδίων κυτταροκινών στα Τ κύτταρα και μονοκύτταρα περιφερικού αίματος υγιών παιδιών και παιδιών που πάσχουν από Ιδιοπαθή Θρομβοπενική Πορφύρα
Authors: Θωμάς Ιάσων
Published: February 2023

Για να διερευνήσουμε την επίδραση της λεπτίνης στην παιδική άνοση θρομβοπενία (ΑΘΠ), μετρήσαμε τη λεπτίνη πλάσματος σε 39 παιδιά με οξεία ΑΘΠ, μετά από θεραπεία, και σε ύφεση, και σε 33 υγιείς μάρτυρες αντίστοιχης ηλικίας και δείκτη μάζας σώματος. Καλλιεργήσαμε επίσης μονοπύρηνα κύτταρα του περιφερικού αίματος (PBMCs) από ασθενείς με ΑΘΠ και υγιείς μάρτυρες με ανασυνδυασμένη λεπτίνη για να αξιολογήσουμε την άμεση επίδρασή της στην προ/αντιφλεγμονώδη γονιδιακή έκφραση των κυτταροκινών. Σημαντική αύξηση της λεπτίνης παρατηρήθηκε σε παιδιά με ενεργή νόσο σε σύγκριση με τους υγιείς μάρτυρες. Σε παιδιά με οξεία ΑΘΠ παρατηρήθηκε στατιστικώς σημαντική αντίστροφη συσχέτιση της λεπτίνης με τον αριθμό των αιμοπεταλίων. Η λεπτίνη παρέμεινε υψηλή μετά τη θεραπεία με IVIg, ενώ η θεραπεία με στεροειδή μείωσε τη λεπτίνη σε επίπεδα χαμηλότερα από εκείνα της ομάδας ελέγχου. Όταν η νόσος βρισκόταν σε ύφεση, η λεπτίνη ήταν σε επίπεδα αντίστοιχα της ομάδας ελέγχου. Η γονιδιακή έκφραση των κυτταροκινών αυξήθηκε σημαντικά σε παιδιά με οξεία ΑΘΠ σε σύγκριση με τους υγιείς μάρτυρες, με την υψηλότερη έκφραση να παρατηρείται στις IFN-γ και IL-10. Η θεραπεία με ενδοφλέβια ανοσοσφαιρίνη ή/και στεροειδή μείωσε σημαντικά τη γονιδιακή έκφραση των IFN-γ και IL-10. Με τη νόσο σε ύφεση, η έκφραση των IFN-γ και IL-10 παρέμεινε χαμηλή. Η προσθήκη ανασυνδυασμένης λεπτίνης σε PBMCs που απομονώθηκαν από ασθενείς με ΑΘΠ σε ύφεση είχε ως αποτέλεσμα τη στατιστικώς σημαντική αύξηση της γονιδιακής έκφρασης της IL- 10 σε σύγκριση με τους υγιείς μάρτυρες. Περαιτέρω πειράματα με απομονωμένα Τ λεμφοκύτταρα και μονοκύτταρα ασθενών με ΑΘΠ ανέδειξαν τα μονοκύτταρα ως πηγή IL-10 που επάγεται από τη λεπτίνη. Προτείνουμε λοιπόν ότι η λεπτίνη δρα ως ενεργός αντιφλεγμονώδης παράγοντας στην παιδική ΑΘΠ μέσω της επαγωγής της έκκρισης IL-10 από τα μονοκύτταρα.
Circadian clocks in health and disease: Dissecting the roles of the biological pacemaker in cancer
Authors: Fortin Bridget M. , Mahieu Alisa L. , Fellows Rachel C. , Pannunzio Nicholas R. , Masri Selma
Published: February 2023

In modern society, there is a growing population affected by circadian clock disruption through night shift work, artificial light-at-night exposure, and erratic eating patterns. Concurrently, the rate of cancer incidence in individuals under the age of 50 is increasing at an alarming rate, and though the precise risk factors remain undefined, the potential links between circadian clock deregulation and young-onset cancers is compelling. To explore the complex biological functions of the clock, this review will first provide a framework for the mammalian circadian clock in regulating critical cellular processes including cell cycle control, DNA damage response, DNA repair, and immunity under conditions of physiological homeostasis. Additionally, this review will deconvolute the role of the circadian clock in cancer, citing divergent evidence suggesting tissue-specific roles of the biological pacemaker in cancer types such as breast, lung, colorectal, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent evidence has emerged regarding the role of the clock in the intestinal epithelium, as well as new insights into how genetic and environmental disruption of the clock is linked with colorectal cancer, and the molecular underpinnings of these findings will be discussed. To place these findings within a context and framework that can be applied towards human health, a focus on how the circadian clock can be leveraged for cancer prevention and chronomedicine-based therapies will be outlined.