bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orteronel for Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Phase III Trial (SWOG-1216)
Authors: Agarwal Neeraj , Tangen Catherine M. , Hussain Maha H.A. , Gupta Shilpa , Plets Melissa , Lara Primo N. , Harzstark Andrea L. , Twardowski Przemyslaw W. , Paller Channing J. , Zylla Dylan , Zibelman Matthew R. , Levine Ellis , Roth Bruce J. , Goldkorn Amir , Vaena Daniel A. , Kohli Manish , Crispino Tony , Vogelzang Nicholas J. , Thompson Ian M. , Quinn David I.
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE

Orteronel (TAK-700) is a nonsteroidal 17,20-lyase inhibitor suppressing androgen synthesis. We evaluated the clinical benefit of orteronel when added to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

METHODS

In this open-label randomized phase III study, patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer were randomly assigned 1:1 to ADT with orteronel (300 mg oral twice daily; experimental arm) or ADT with bicalutamide (50 mg oral once daily; control arm). The primary objective was the comparison of overall survival (OS), targeting a 33% improvement in median survival. A stratified log-rank test with a one-sided P ≤ .022 would indicate statistical significance. Secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at 7 months (≤ 0.2 v 0.2 to ≤ 4 v > 4 ng/mL), and adverse event profile.

RESULTS

Among 1,279 patients included in the analysis, 638 were randomly assigned to the ADT plus orteronel arm and 641 to the control arm. The median age was 68 years; 49% had extensive disease. After a median follow-up of 4.9 years, there was a significant improvement in PFS (median 47.6 v 23.0 months, hazard ratio 0.58; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.67; P < .0001) and PSA response at 7 months ( P < .0001), but not in OS (median 81.1 v 70.2 months, hazard ratio 0.86; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.02; P = .040, one-sided). More grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in the experimental versus the control arms (43% v 14%). Postprotocol life-prolonging therapy was received by 77.4% of patients in the control arm and 61.3% of patients in the orteronel arm.

CONCLUSION

The study did not meet the primary end point of improved OS with orteronel. The lack of correlation of PFS and PSA response with OS raises concerns over assumption of their consistent surrogacy for OS in the context of extensive postprotocol therapy in this setting.
Andolan Imaginaries
Authors: Arondekar Anjali , Vohra Paromita , Kidwai Ayesha , Waghmore Suryakant , Sharma Ditilekha , Vee Vihaan
Published: April 2022

The authors offer andolan/protest imaginaries, meditations that move between the heady inspirations of current protests and the stultifying violence of state practices in South Asia. Each contributor speaks of sight lines of possibility and peril, even as they struggle to inhabit a divided and ravaged landscape. For Paromita Vohra and Anjali Arondekar, andolan gardens grow into supply chains that may or may not create food for thought and struggle. Ayesha Kidwai's dream of a multilingual university accompanies the protest dialogues of activists Diti and Vihaan. Suryakant Waghmore's journey of caste and voice provides the counterpoint to Mir Suhail's images of fury, joy, and death. Together, the authors move toward justice.
Martial Law Now, as Then
Authors: Tadiar Neferti X. M. , Sanchez Mark John , Manalansan Martin F. , Hanna Karen Buenavista , Devilles Gary C. , Capino José B. , Diaz Josen Masangkay , Isaac Allan Punzalan , Balance Christine Bacareza , Diaz Robert , Lopez Ferdinand , Clutario Genevieve Alva
Published: April 2022

In the middle of the global pandemic of 2020, as states of emergency were declared in both the Philippines and the United States, Filipinx scholars offer memories and reflections of life under martial law in the Philippines and its aftermath and resonances in the present.
The Impasse of the Latin American Left
Authors: Gaudichaud Franck , Modonesi Massimo , Webber Jeffery R.
Published: April 2022

In The Impasse of the Latin American Left, Franck Gaudichaud, Massimo Modonesi, and Jeffery R. Webber explore the region’s Pink Tide as a political, economic, and cultural phenomenon. At the turn of the twenty-first century, Latin American politics experienced an upsurge in progressive movements, as popular uprisings for land and autonomy led to the election of left and center-left governments across Latin America. These progressive parties institutionalized social movements and established forms of state capitalism that sought to redistribute resources and challenge neoliberalism. Yet, as the authors demonstrate, these governments failed to transform the underlying class structures of their societies or challenge the imperial strategies of the United States and China. Now, as the Pink Tide has largely receded, the authors offer a portrait of this watershed period in Latin American history in order to evaluate the successes and failures of the left and to offer a clear-eyed account of the conditions that allowed for a right-wing resurgence.
TV Snapshots
Authors: Spigel Lynn
Published: April 2022

In TV Snapshots, Lynn Spigel explores snapshots of people posing in front of their television sets in the 1950s through the early 1970s. Like today’s selfies, TV snapshots were a popular photographic practice through which people visualized their lives in an increasingly mediated culture. Drawing on her collection of over 5,000 TV snapshots, Spigel shows that people did not just watch TV: women used the TV set as a backdrop for fashion and glamour poses; people dressed in drag in front of the screen; and in pinup poses, people even turned the TV setting into a space for erotic display. While the television industry promoted on-screen images of white nuclear families in suburban homes, the snapshots depict a broad range of people across racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds that do not always conform to the reigning middle-class nuclear family ideal. Showing how the television set became a central presence in the home that exceeded its mass entertainment function, Spigel highlights how TV snapshots complicate understandings of the significance of television in everyday life.
Medical student flourishing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at one U.S. institution
Authors: Kelly-Hedrick Margot , Iuliano Kayla , Tackett Sean , Chisolm Margaret S.
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Medical education research often focuses on measuring negative mental states like burnout, rather than focusing on positive states like well-being. Flourishing – a state that includes domains of happiness and mental health - is a way of thinking about well-being that may be relevant to education and research. The purpose of this prospective, observational study was to compare the relationship among flourishing, other well-being measures, and burnout in medical students via a survey administered at two time points.   

Methods: We surveyed medical students at one U.S. institution about their flourishing, satisfaction with work-life balance, quality of life, empathic concern, and burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization) before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flourishing was measured using two scores, the Flourish Index (FI) and Secure Flourish Index (SFI), with higher scores indicating greater flourishing. Pre- and post-scores for both measures were compared.

Results: 107/585 (18%) medical students responded to the survey and 78/107 (73%) participated in the post survey. SFI scores were higher at the second time point (M=7.1, SD=1.2) than the first (M=6.7, SD=1.3, p=.026). FI, satisfaction with work-life balance, quality of life, empathic concern, and burnout were unchanged at the second time point.

Discussion: COVID-19 has disrupted medical students and their education in multiple ways – some of them positive – which may explain the increase in SFI score and the lack of change in FI and other measures, at the post-survey.
Viability of telepsychiatry - results from an ambulatory academic tertiary care clinic
Authors: Giles Chuck , Amor Wail , Sarangi Ashish , Baronia Regina , Kim Dalynn , Gude Jayasudha
Published: April 2022

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine became an important method of providing patient care and minimizing person-to-person contact. For example, it has been considered a reasonable option for patients who have been discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU) and other acute settings. Previous studies have indicated that using telemedicine with psychiatry, also known as telepsychiatry, may be preferred by certain patient groups, such as rural patients. This study aims to evaluate the impact of transitioning to telepsychiatry services in response to the pandemic on patient appointment compliance of a university affiliated ambulatory clinic in Lubbock, Texas. Retrospective data on clinic appointment attendance from three separate three-month time periods (March-June 2019, December 2019- March 2020, March-June 2020) were used to determine their respective no-show prevalence. Results were analyzed with chi square testing (
Atrial septal defect and concomitant significant pulmonic stenosis in an adult patient
Authors: Temple Hunter , Cevik Cihan
Published: April 2022

We report a case of an adult male with continued hypoxia and polycythemia after repair of significant pulmonic valve stenosis. A large ostium secundum atrial septal defect was found to be causing these symptoms. We discuss the workup at his initial visit and return to hospital, the diagnosis, and treatment of the pulmonic stenosis and atrial septal defect. We discuss the sudden onset of symptoms in this adult patient and the importance of further screening for a right-to-left shunt through an atrial septal defect in an adult patient with pulmonic stenosis.
A novel percutaneous device to aid in treatment of tricuspid endocarditis
Authors: Mittal Nitish , Mittal Rohan , Greene Joseph , Sly Zhaunn , Lahoti Ankush , Ansari Mohammad M.
Published: April 2022

The AngioVac System is utilized for the removal of the thrombus. High-risk surgical patients who present with severe valve disease secondary to endocarditis can be treated with the AngioVac system, hence mitigating the risks for this patient population. We describe a 56-year-old African American male who presented to the hospital due to infected pacemaker lead. During the lead extraction procedure, residual vegetations of 3 x 1.5 cm on the atrial aspect of the tricuspid valve and 1.5 x 1.2 cm on the ventricular aspect were discovered. We approached with the AngioVac system, due to high surgical risk, to decrease the vegetation burden to decrease septic emboli risk and greater penetration of the antibiotic therapy. Trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) demonstrated a significant reduction (>80%) in the size of the vegetations. This case illustrates the use of innovative medical technology, the AngioVac system, to remove the large vegetations with bacteremia on the tricuspid valve.
The role of TLR-2 and TLR-4 gene polymorphisms in the development of sepsis in children with severe burns
Authors: Koval M. , Sorokina O.
Published: April 2022

Recently, many studies are based on the study of innate immunity genes, namely the role of TLRs in the development of various diseases. Severe burn injury is characterized by the development of hyperimmune reactions, which further leads to the development of multiple organ complications and sepsis. The aim of our study was to identify the frequency and prognostic value of polymorphism of TLR-2 Arg753Gln and TLR-4 Thr399 Ile genes and their role in the development of sepsis and MOD in children with severe burns. Materials and methods: genetic analysis of TLR-2 Arg 753 Gln and TLR-4 Thr399 Ile gene polymorphisms was performed in children with severe and extremely severe burns (n ​​= 22) who were treated in the anesthesiology department with intensive care beds. Results: as a result of the obtained data, the heterozygous genotype TLR-2 Arg 753 Gln was detected in 69.5% (n = 16), in 31.8% (n = 7) patients with burn injury polymorphism was not detected. In 13.6% (n = 3) cases, polymorphism was associated with sepsis and MOD. Sepsis and normal homozygous genotype were diagnosed in 4.5% (n = 1). Heterozygous genotype TLR-4 Thr399 Ile was observed in 18.2% (n = 4) patients, of which only 4.5% (n = 1) patients had polymorphism associated with sepsis and MOD. Analysis of the association of TLR 2 genotypes and markers of acute inflammation revealed statistically significant differences between the heterozygous TLR 2 Arg 753 Gln genotype and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the blood of patients on day 3 of burn disease. Conclusions: The study of the role of innate immune system genes is promising in predicting the development of sepsis and complications in severe burns and requires further careful study.
The juxtaposition of the natural and the medical perspectives in noisy breathing at the end of life
Authors: Hendry Annie , Hiscock Julia , Evans Elizabeth , Turner Bethany , Pottle Jacqueline , Wilkinson Clare , Poolman Marlise
Published: April 2022

Background:

Noisy breathing is common at the end of life. Management of noisy breathing aims to reduce the noise via repositioning the person, suctioning the person's airways and using antimuscarinic drugs. Dying people are generally thought not to be distressed by noisy breathing at the end of life, but the noise may distress others. There is doubt on whether antimuscarinic drugs are any more effective than a placebo for noisy breathing. However, antimuscarinics are still commonly administered to people at the end of life.

Aim:

To illuminate reasons behind decision making and noisy breathing at the end of life.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews and ‘self-recorded brief accounts’ with healthcare professionals.

Findings:

Noisy breathing at the end of life is viewed as both a natural and a medical phenomenon. However, while most participants in the interviews thought that antimuscarinics were uneffective, the prescription and administration of antimuscarinics were embedded within professional culture.

Conclusion:

Managing noisy breathing is a complex issue that incorporates natural and medical viewpoints and has a long-standing culture of practice. Research should aim to determine best practice and reduce a person's distress at the end of life.
Occult prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes: a case report
Authors: Servito M , Fernández AL , Culhane S , Amador-Godoy Y , El-Diasty M
Published: April 2022

We present an unusual case of occult mechanical aortic valve endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which occurred five years after the initial cardiac surgical procedure. The only potential source of this infection from the patient’s past medical history was a gastric band removal followed by a gastric bypass surgery, which was performed two years prior to her redo cardiac procedure. The patient’s main presenting symptom was progressive dyspnoea with worsening of gradients across the mechanical aortic valve. Of note, she had no cardinal symptoms of infection. The patient underwent redo bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement with aortic root replacement. Prosthetic valve cultures grew P. acnes, while blood cultures remained negative. She was started on intravenous antibiotics for six weeks and her postoperative course was uneventful. She remained symptom-free six months postoperatively. This case opens the discussion for the importance of administering antibiotics prophylaxis for endocarditis in patients with prosthetic heart valves undergoing gastric procedures.
Lateral rectus muscle palsy secondary to sphenoid sinusitis
Authors: Leong WS , Mulla O
Published: April 2022

Isolated sphenoid sinus disease is a rare, often misdiagnosed condition of the paranasal sinus. If left untreated, it can lead to complications involving pituitary gland, cavernous sinus, neurological and vascular structures nearby. Early recognition and treatment are critical to prevent the progression of the disease. We present a case of a 60-year-old woman with a history of severe left-sided headache, facial pain, diplopia and left lateral rectus palsy. She was initially referred to ophthalmology and rheumatology for possible giant cell arteritis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed opacification in left sphenoid sinus with cavernous sinus/superior orbital fissure involvement consistent with left sphenoid sinusitis. She was then referred to the ear, nose and throat department and had endoscopic transnasal sphenoidotomy in theatre. Culture results showed Haemophilus influenza and fungal pseudohyphae. She recovered three months later after a course of antibiotics and antifungals. The onset of isolated sphenoid sinus disease is often insidious and the diagnosis of this condition remains a challenge. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography remain the best diagnostic tools to recognise and manage this condition.
Comparison of fine-needle aspiration with fine-needle capillary cytology in thyroid nodules
Authors: Hatami H , Samsami M , Movahedinia S , Salehi B , Movahedinia M , Ardeshir M
Published: April 2022

Introduction

High false-negative results have been reported for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in thyroid nodules. Fine-needle capillary (FNC) cytology is an alternative technique that prevents aspiration, reducing tissue damage. This study aimed to compare FNA and FNC in assessing thyroid nodules and in terms of their predictive role in the appropriate diagnosis of malignancy.

Methods

This is a comparative prospective study conducted on 486 patients. FNA was performed in 235 patients during 2016 and 2017 and FNC in 251 patients during 2018 and 2019. The quality of cytological specimens was compared and then correlated with the final histopathological findings of 39 patients who underwent thyroidectomy.

Results

Both groups were statistically similar regarding age and sex distribution. The FNA technique yielded significantly higher adequate specimens compared with FNC (p<0.001). Abundant blood in the background was found more frequently in the FNA technique (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of FNA for malignancy diagnosis were both 100%, compared with 83.3% and 57.7% for FNC, respectively.

Conclusions

The two methods, FNA and FNC, did not differ in terms of overall quality. FNA was superior regarding consistency with the histopathological results and the ability to diagnose malignancy.
Pilonidal sinus laser-assisted closure (PiLAC) – a low-morbidity alternative to excision with excellent long-term outcomes
Authors: Johnson DE , Granville R , Lovett E , Runau F , Chaudhri S
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Recurrence after surgery for pilonidal sinus disease is a recognised problem and patients often re-present months after discharge. We routinely treat primary and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease with Pilonidal sinus Laser-Assisted Closure (PiLAC). Long-term outcomes following PiLAC surgery was examined following clinical and telephone review.

Methods

All patients undergoing PiLAC as a day-case between April 2016 and July 2019 were included. Patients were followed up in a nurse-led clinic until complete healing or recurrence. A prospective database and retrospective audit of notes combined with longer-term follow-up by telephone were used.

Results

A total of 35 patients underwent PiLAC, median age 28 (18–53 years), 28 males:7 females. A total of 28 patients had long-term (>60 days) follow-up, mean 407 days (range 67–887 days); 25/28 patients (89.3%) had healed with no recurrence on long-term follow-up. Of these 28 patients, 11 were first presentation of pilonidal disease and underwent PiLAC as their first treatment, with a 91% heal rate long term. A total of 15 patients had seton drainage prior to PiLAC, with a 93% heal rate versus no seton (83%). Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference between sex, new/recurrent pilonidal disease and seton placement (p>0.05).

Conclusions

Healing after PiLAC for the treatment of primary and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease is preserved with excellent long-term outcomes. We recommend it as an alternative to surgical excision.
Prediction of long-term dependence on vitamin D analogues following total thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease
Authors: Patel N , Mahoney R , Scott-Coombes D , Stechman M
Published: April 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to identify patients at risk of long-term hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease, and to determine the thresholds of postoperative day 1 serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) at which long-term activated vitamin D treatment can be safely excluded.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of 115 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease at a university referral centre between 2010 and 2018. Outcome measures were the day 1 postoperative adjusted calcium and PTH results, and vitamin D analogue need at 6 months postoperatively. Logistic receiver operating curves were used to identify optimal cut-off values for adjusted serum calcium and serum PTH, and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated.

Results

Temporary hypocalcaemia was observed in 20.9% of patients (mean day 1 serum adjusted calcium 2.2±0.14mmol/l and PTH 4.15±2.42pmol/l). Long-term (>6 months) activated vitamin D analogue therapy was required in five patients (4.3%), four of whom had normal serum PTH and one with undetectable PTH at 6 weeks post surgery. No patient with a day 1 postoperative calcium >2.05mmol/l and detectable PTH required vitamin D supplementation at 6 months post surgery (100% sensitivity, PPV 50%, NPV 100%).

Conclusions

The biochemical postoperative day 1 thresholds identified in this paper have a 100% NPV in the identification of patients who are likely to require either no or only temporary activated vitamin D supplementation. We were able to identify all patients requiring activated vitamin D supplementation 6 months postoperatively from the day 1 postoperative serum calcium and PTH values, while excluding those that may only need temporary calcium supplementation. These threshold levels could be used for targeted follow-up and management of this subset of patients most at risk of long-term hypocalcaemia.
Identifying fault system and basement depth using aeromagnetic data beneath the Jahamah Platform, NE Sirt Basin, Libya
Authors: Kahoul Sufian
Published: April 2022

The Jahamah Platform is a part of a structural depression called the Sirt basin, located in the northern central part of Libya. The Jahamah Platform spans latitude 〖29.95〗^° N to 〖30.55〗^° N and longitudes 〖19.32〗^° E to 〖19.77〗^° E with an estimated area of about 2,187 km2. Libyan Petroleum Institute provided the data of aeromagnetic that was used in this study. The data was used to study the structure beneath the Jahamah Platform by using Oasis montaj software. Various filters from the software have been applied to enhance determining the fault system within the study area. An RTP filter was applied to the magnetic data to construct a reduction to the pole anomaly map. The subsurface structural elements underneath the study area were identified using Total horizontal derivative (THD), CET analysis, and Euler deconvolution. 2-D forward modelling of the area was constructed based on gravity data, and then the basement depth was estimated to range from 2.2 km to 3.1 km based on the model. Based on the interpretation of the constructed maps, the area has a number of faults that trend in NE-SW, NNW-SSE, N-S and NW-SE and faults depth ranging between 790 m to 3102 m.
Controllable transportation of microparticles along structured waveguides by the plasmonic spin-hall effect
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Zhang Yuquan , Min Changjun , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: April 2022

With the nanoscale integration advantage of near field photonics, controllable manipulation and transportation of micro-objects have possessed plentiful applications in the fields of physics, biology and material sciences. However, multifunctional optical manipulation like controllable transportation and synchronous routing by nano-devices are limited and rarely reported. Here we propose a new type of Y-shaped waveguide optical conveyor belt, which can transport and route particles along the structured waveguide based on the plasmonic spin-hall effect. The routing of micro-particles in different branches is determined by the optical force components difference at the center of the Y junction along the two branches of the waveguide. The influence of light source and structural parameters on the optical forces and transportation capability are numerically studied. The results illustrate that the proposed structured waveguide optical conveyor belt can transport the microparticles controllably in different branches of the waveguide. Due to the selective transportation ability of microparticles by the 2D waveguide, our work shows great application potential in the region of on-chip optical manipulation.
Autler-Townes splitting of three-photon excitation of cesium cold Rydberg gases
Authors: Bai Jingxu , Jiao Yuechun , He Yunhui , Song Rong , Zhao Jianming , Jia Suotang
Published: April 2022

We demonstrate the three-photon Autler-Townes (AT) spectroscopy in a cold cesium Rydberg four-level atom by detecting the field ionized Rydberg population. The ground state |6S1/2〉, two intermediate states |6P3/2〉 and |7S1/2〉 and Rydberg state |60P3/2〉 form a cascade four-level atomic system. The three-photon AT spectra and AT splittings are characterized by the Rabi frequency Ω852 and Ω1470 and detuning δ852 of the coupling lasers. Due to the interaction of two coupling lasers with the atoms, the AT spectrum has three peaks denoted with the letters A, B and C. Positions of the peaks and relative AT splittings, γAB and γBC, strongly depend on two coupling lasers. The dependence of the AT splitting, γAB and γBC, on the coupling laser detuning, δ852, and Rabi frequency, Ω852 and Ω1470 are investigated. It is found that the AT splitting γAB mainly comes from the first photon coupling, whereas the γBC mainly comes from the second photon coupling with the atom. The three-photon AT spectra and relevant AT splittings are simulated with the four-level density matrix equation and show good agreement with the theoretical simulations considering the spectral line broadening. Our work is of great significance both for further understanding the interaction between the laser and the atom, and for the application of the Rydberg atom based field measurement.
Optically transparent infrared selective emitter for visible-infrared compatible camouflage
Authors: Wu YingJie , Luo Jun , Pu MingBo , Liu Bin , Jin Jinjin , Li Xiong , Ma XiaoLiang , Guo YingHui , Guo YongCai , Luo XianGang
Published: April 2022

Visible-infrared compatible camouflage is significant to enhance the equipment survivability through counteracting the modern detecting and surveillance systems. However, there are still great challenges in simultaneously achieving multispectral camouflage with high transmittance in visible, low emissivity in the atmospheric windows and high emissivity in the non-atmospheric window, which can be attributed to the mutual influence and restriction within these characteristics. Here, we proposed an optically transparent infrared selective emitter (OTISE) composed of three Ag-ZnO-Ag disk sub-cells with anti-reflection layers, which can synchronously improve the visible transmittance and widen absorption bandwidth in the non-atmospheric window by enhancing and merging resonance response of multi-resonators. Test results reveal that low emissivity in infrared atmospheric windows, high emissivity in the 5-8 µm non-atmospheric window and high optical transparency have been obtained. In addition, the radiative flux of OTISE in 3-5 µm and 8-14 µm are respectively 34.2% and 9.3% of that of blackbody and the energy dissipation of OTISE is 117% of that of chromium film. Meanwhile, it keeps good optical transparency due to the ultrathin Ag film. This work provides a novel strategy to design the optically transparent selective emissive materials, implying a promising application potential in visible and infrared camouflage technology.
Geometric metasurface for polarization synthesis and multidimensional multiplexing of terahertz converged vortices
Authors: Zhu Yang , Lu Binbin , Fan Zhiyuan , Yue Fuyong , Zang Xiaofei , Balakin Alexei V. , Shkurinov Alexander P. , Zhu Yiming , Zhuang Songlin
Published: April 2022

The investigation of converged twisted beams with a helical phase structure has a remarkable impact on both fundamental physics and practical applications. Geometric metasurfaces consisting of individually orientated metal/dielectric meta-atoms provide an ultracompact platform for generating converged vortices. However, it is still challenging to simultaneously focus left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized incident beams with pure geometric phase modulation, which hinders the independent operation on topological charges between these two helical components. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate an approach to design terahertz geometric metasurfaces that can generate helicity-independent converged vortices with homogeneous polarization states by the superposition of two orthogonal helical vortices with identical topological charges. Furthermore, the multiplexing of polarization-rotatable multiple vortices in multiple dimensions, i.e., in both longitudinal and transverse directions, and a vortex with an extended focal depth is confirmed by embedding polarization modulation into the geometric metasurfaces. The demonstrated approach provides a new way to simultaneously manipulate orthogonal helical components and expand the design dimension, enabling new applications of geometric metasurface devices in polarization optics, twisted-beam related image and edge detection, high capacity optical communication, and quantum information processing, to name a few.
Detection of plane in remote sensing images using super-resolution
Authors: Wang YunYan , Wu Huaxuan , Shuai Luo , Peng Chen , Yang Zhiwei
Published: April 2022

The object detection of remote sensing image often has low accuracy and high missed or false detection rate due to the large number of small objects, instance level noise and cloud occlusion. In this paper, a new object detection model based on SRGAN and YOLOV3 is proposed, which is called SR-YOLO. It solves the problems of SRGAN network sensitivity to hyper-parameters and modal collapse. Meanwhile, The FPN network in YOLOv3 is replaced by PANet, shortened the distance between the lowest and the highest layers, and the SR-YOLO model has strong robustness and high detection ability by using the enhanced path to enrich the characteristics of each layer. The experimental results on the UCAS-High Resolution Aerial Object Detection Dataset showed SR-YOLO has achieved excellent performance. Compared with YOLOv3, the average precision (AP) of SR-YOLO increased from 92.35% to 96.13%, the log-average miss rate (MR-2) decreased from 22% to 14%, and the Recall rate increased from 91.36% to 95.12%.
Molecular typing and epidemiology profiles of human adenovirus infection among hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infection in Huzhou, China
Authors: Xu Deshun , Chen Liping , Wu Xiaofang , Ji Lei
Published: April 2022

Background

Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) threaten human health and cause a large number of hospitalizations every year. However, as one of the most common pathogen that cause acute respiratory tract infection, the molecular epidemiological information relating to human adenoviruses (HAdVs) among patients with SARI is limited. Here, we evaluate the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HAdV infections among hospitalized patients with SARI from January 2017 to December 2019 in Huzhou, China.

Methods

From January 2017 to December 2019, a total of 657 nasopharyngeal swabs collected from inpatients with SARI were screened for HAdV and other common respiratory viruses by multiplex real-time PCR. All samples that tested positive for HAdV were further typed by sequencing partial sequences of hexon gene. Genotypes of HAdV were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Epidemiological data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and service solutions (SPSS) 21.0 software.

Results

251 (38.20%) samples were positive for at least one respiratory virus. HAdV was the second common viral pathogen detected, with a detection rate of 7.08%. Infection with HAdV was found in all age groups tested (0<2, 2<5, 5<15, 15<50, 50<65, ≥65). Children under 15 years old accounted for 84.62% (44/52) of the infections. Higher activity of HAdV infection could be seen in spring-early autumn season. Seven different types of HAdV belonging to 4 species (HAdV-A, B, C, E) were identified in hospitalized SARI cases, with HAdV-B3 as the most prevalent HAdV types, followed by HAdV-B7 and HAdV-E4. HAdV-B3 was the most frequently detected genotype in 2017 and 2019, accounting for 75.00% (9/12) and 63.64% (7/11) of typed HAdV infections in 2017 and 2019, respectively. No predominant strain was responsible for HAdV infections in 2018, although HAdV-B7 (28.57%, 2/7) and HAdV-C1 (28.57%, 2/7) were the major causative genotypes.

Conclusions

This study revealed the prevalence and the molecular epidemiological characteristics of HAdV infections among hospitalized patients with SARI in Huzhou from January 2017 to December 2019. The HAdV prevalence is related to age and season. As the most prevalent HAdV types, HAdV-B3 was co-circulating with other types and presented an alternate prevalence pattern.
The cost of oral cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Ribeiro-Rotta Rejane Faria , Rosa Eduardo Antônio , Milani Vanessa , Dias Nadielle Rodrigues , Masterson Danielle , da Silva Everton Nunes , Zara Ana Laura de Sene Amâncio
Published: April 2022

Although clinical and epidemiological aspects of oral cancers (OC) are well-documented in the literature, there is a lack of evidence on the economic burden of OC. This study aims to provide a comprehensive systematic assessment on the economic burden of OC based on available evidence worldwide. A systematic review was conducted. The population was any individual, who were exposed to OC, considered here as lip (LC), oral cavity (OCC), or oropharynx (OPC) cancer. The outcome was information on direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect (productivity loss and early death) costs. The data sources included Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, BVS, and NHS EED. A search of grey literature (ISPOR and INAHTA proceedings) and a manual search in the reference lists of the included publications were performed (PROSPERO no. CRD42020172471). We identified 24 studies from 2001 to 2021, distributed by 15 countries, in 4 continents. In some developed western countries, the costs of LC, OCC, and OPC reached an average of Gross Domestic Product per capita of 18%, 75%, and 127%, respectively. Inpatient costs for OC and LC were 968% and 384% higher than those for outpatients, respectively. Advanced cancer staging was more costly (from ~22% to 373%) than the early cancer staging. The economic burden of oral cancer is substantial, though underestimated.
Distressed Democrats and relaxed Republicans? Partisanship and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bock Sean , Schnabel Landon
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic was a potent stressor, yielding unprecedented levels of mental distress. However, public health responses and personal reactions to the pandemic were politically polarized, with Democrats highlighting and Republicans downplaying its severity. Did Republicans subsequently experience as much mental distress as Democrats during the COVID-19 pandemic? This study examines partisan patterns in mental health outcomes at three time points throughout the pandemic. Results demonstrate a clear partisan distress gap, with Democrats consistently reporting worse mental health than Republicans. Trend data suggest that the 2020 pandemic patterns are a continuation and exacerbation of an existing partisan distress gap. Consideration of race, however, demonstrates a widening partisan distress gap, specific to white Americans. Among white Americans, therefore, Democrats experienced a substantially greater increase in distress in response to the pandemic than Republicans.
SUVfdg: A standard-uptake-value (SUV) body habitus normalizer specific to fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in humans
Authors: Beattie Bradley J. , Akhurst Tim J. , Augensen Finn , Humm John L.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To devise a new body-habitus normalizer to be used in the calculation of an SUV that is specific to the PET tracer 18F-FDG.

Methods

A cohort of 481-patients was selected for analysis of 18F-FDG uptake into tissues unaffected by their disease. Among these, 65-patients had only brain concentrations measured and the remaining 416 were randomly divided into an 86-patient test set and a 330-patient training set. Within the test set, normal liver, spleen and blood measures were made. In the training set, only normal liver concentrations were measured. Using data from the training set, a simple polynomial function of height and weight was selected and optimized in a fitting procedure to predict each patient’s mean liver %ID/ml. This function, when used as a normalizer, defines a new SUV metric (SUVfdg) which we compared to SUV metrics normalized by body weight (SUVbw), lean-body mass (SUVlbm) and body surface-area (SUVbsa) in a five-fold cross-validation. SUVfdg was also evaluated in the independent brain-only and whole-body test sets.

Results

For patients of all sizes including pediatric patients, the normal range of liver 18F-FDG uptake at 60 minutes post injection in units of SUVfdg is 1.0 ± 0.16. Liver, blood, and spleen SUVfdg in all comparisons had lower coefficients of variation compared to SUVbw SUVlbm and SUVbsa. Blood had a mean SUVfdg of 0.8 ± 0.11 and showed no correlation with age, height, or weight. Brain SUVfdg measures were significantly higher (P<0.01) in pediatric patients (4.7 ± 0.9) compared to adults (3.1 ± 0.6).

Conclusion

A new SUV metric, SUVfdg, is proposed. It is hoped that SUVfdg will prove to be better at classifying tumor lesions compared to SUV metrics in current use. Other tracers may benefit from similarly tracer-specific body habitus normalizers.
Does hepatectomy improve outcomes of breast cancer with liver metastasis? A nationwide analysis of real-world data in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Pin-Chun , Lee Yuan-Chi , Su Yu-Chieh , Lee Cheng-Hung , Chen Jian-Han , Chen Chung-Yen
Published: April 2022

Background

Liver metastases from breast cancer are associated with poor prognosis, and treatment options are usually restricted to palliative systemic therapy. The impact of liver resection on metastasis remains controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate whether liver resection can offer better survival outcomes in cases of isolated liver metastases from breast cancer.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cohort study using a claims dataset from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). We identified all patients with breast cancer (diagnostic code ICD-9: 174.x) from the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patient Database (RCIPD) of the NHIRD who underwent mastectomy between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2008. Patients with other malignancies (history, initially, or during follow-up), those with a history of metastasis prior to or at initial admission for mastectomy, and those without liver metastases were excluded. Patients with other metastases between mastectomy and liver metastasis and those who died at first admission for liver resection were also excluded. All patients were followed up until December 31, 2013, or withdraw from the database because of death.

Results

Data were analyzed for 1,116 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (resection group: 89; non-resection group: 1,027). There were no differences in age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, or major coexisting diseases except renal disease between two groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the liver resection group had significantly better overall survival (OS) than the non-resection group. (1-year: 96.6% vs. 52.3%, 2-year: 86.8% vs. 35.4%, 3-year: 72.3% vs. 25.2%, 5-year: 51.6% vs. 16.9%, respectively, p<0.001). Cox analysis revealed that the liver resection group exhibited a significant improvement in patient survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.321, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.234–0.440, p<0.001).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that liver resection may offer better survival benefit in patients with breast cancer who develop new liver metastases post mastectomy.
To what extent do callers follow the advice given by a non-emergency medical helpline (NHS 111): A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nakubulwa Mable Angela , Greenfield Geva , Pizzo Elena , Magusin Andreas , Maconochie Ian , Blair Mitch , Bell Derek , Majeed Azeem , Sathyamoorthy Ganesh , Woodcock Thomas
Published: April 2022

National Health Service (NHS) 111 helpline was set up to improve access to urgent care in England, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of first-contact health services. Following trusted, authoritative advice is crucial for improved clinical outcomes. We examine patient and call-related characteristics associated with compliance with advice given in NHS 111 calls. The importance of health interactions that are not face-to-face has recently been highlighted by COVID-19 pandemic. In this retrospective cohort study, NHS 111 call records were linked to urgent and emergency care services data. We analysed data of 3,864,362 calls made between October 2013 and September 2017 relating to 1,964,726 callers across London. A multiple logistic regression was used to investigate associations between compliance with advice given and patient and call characteristics. Caller’s action is ‘compliant with advice given if first subsequent service interaction following contact with NHS 111 is consistent with advice given. We found that most calls were made by women (58%), adults aged 30–59 years (33%) and people in the white ethnic category (36%). The most common advice was for caller to contact their General Practitioner (GP) or other local services (18.2%) with varying times scales. Overall, callers followed advice given in 49% of calls. Compliance with triage advice was more likely in calls for children aged <16 years, women, those from Asian/Asian British ethnicity, and calls made out of hours. The highest compliance was among callers advised to self-care without the need to contact any other healthcare service. This is one of the largest studies to describe pathway adherence following telephone advice and associated clinical and demographic features. These results could inform attempts to improve caller compliance with advice given by NHS 111, and as the NHS moves to more hybrid way of working, the lessons from this study are key to the development of remote healthcare services going forward.
Does financial crisis change the relationship between bank development and economic growth? Evidence from US states
Authors: Li Fang , Zhang Sheng
Published: April 2022

This paper investigates the causal relationship between bank development and economic growth in the US before and after the financial crisis in 2008. Based on the quarterly panel data of US states for 2002Q1-2012Q4, this paper uses two-step system GMM method to test the long-term and short-term impact of bank on growth. In addition, panel Granger causality test is used to verify the causality between bank and growth in different periods. The study finds that banks have played a significant role in the long-run economic growth process and there exists a bidirectional causality between bank and growth among US states. In the short term, the financial crisis has corrected the short-run relationship between bank and growth. The relationship between bank and growth has changed from one-way causality before the crisis to two-way causality after the crisis. Before the crisis, economic growth promotes bank credit, but bank development does not promote growth. After the crisis, banks play the role of economic driver through credit, savings and services, and economic growth drives bank savings and scale expansion. The financial intermediary service functions of banks, especially credit to private sector and absorbing savings to transfer loans, determine the role of bank development in economic growth. Policy makers should support bank development in the long run to establish a mature financial intermediary system and promote regional economic development.
Lead ammunition residues in a hunted Australian grassland bird, the stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis): Implications for human and wildlife health
Authors: Hampton Jordan O. , Dunstan Heath , Toop Simon D. , Flesch Jason S. , Andreotti Alessandro , Pain Deborah J.
Published: April 2022

Scavenging and predatory wildlife can ingest lead (Pb) from lead-based ammunition and become poisoned when feeding on shot game animals. Humans can similarly be exposed to ammunition-derived lead when consuming wild-shot game animals. Studies have assessed the degree of lead contamination in the carcasses of game animals but this scrutiny has not so far extended to Australia. Stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis) are one of the only native non-waterfowl bird species that can be legally hunted in Australia, where it is commonly hunted with lead shot. The aim of this study was to characterize lead contamination in quail harvested with lead-based ammunition. The frequency, dimensions, and number of lead fragments embedded in carcasses were assessed through use of radiography (X-ray). From these data, the average quantity of lead available to scavenging wildlife was estimated along with potential risks to human consumers. We radiographed 37 stubble quail harvested by hunters using 12-gauge (2.75”) shotguns to fire shells containing 28 g (1 oz) of #9 (2 mm or 0.08” diameter) lead shot in western Victoria, Australia, in Autumn 2021. Radiographs revealed that 81% of carcasses contained embedded pellets and/or fragments with an average of 1.62 embedded pellets detected per bird. By excising and weighing a sample of 30 shotgun pellets (all had a mass of 0.75 grain or 48.6 mg), we calculated an average lead load of 78 mg/100 g of body mass. This was a conservative estimate, because fragments were not considered. This level of lead contamination was comparable to hunted bird species examined using similar methods in Europe. The quantity and characteristics of lead ammunition residues found suggest that predatory and scavenging wildlife and some groups of human consumers will be at risk of negative health impacts.