bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-Tissue Analysis Using Machine Learning to Identify Novel Biomarkers for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhao Yudong , Xia Yu , Kuang Gaoyan , Cao Jihui , Shen Fu , Zhu Mingshuang
Published: June 2022

Background. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disease. In this study, we aimed to identify new biomarkers of KOA to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. Methods. GSE98918 and GSE51588 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database as training sets, with a total of 74 samples. Gene differences were analyzed by Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, and Disease Ontology enrichment analyses for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and GSEA enrichment analysis was carried out for the training gene set. Through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis, the support vector machine recursive feature elimination algorithm, and gene expression screening, the range of DEGs was further reduced. Immune infiltration analysis was carried out, and the prediction results of the combined biomarker logistic regression model were verified with GSE55457. Results. In total, 84 DEGs were identified through differential gene expression analysis. The five biomarkers that were screened further showed significant differences in cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovial tissue. The diagnostic accuracy of the model synthesized using five biomarkers through logistic regression was better than that of a single biomarker and significantly better than that of a single clinical trait. Conclusions. CX3CR1, SLC7A5, ARL4C, TLR7, and MTHFD2 might be used as novel biomarkers to improve the accuracy of KOA disease diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and improve the efficacy of clinical treatment.
Myocardium Assessment by Relaxation along Fictitious Field, Extracellular Volume, Feature Tracking, and Myocardial Strain in Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Mirmojarabian Seyed Amir , Lammentausta Eveliina , Liukkonen Esa , Ahvenjärvi Lauri , Junttila Juhani , Nieminen Miika T. , Liimatainen Timo
Published: June 2022

Background. Previous research has shown impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS) and slightly elevated extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (HTN LVH). Up to now, only little attention has been paid to interactions between macromolecules and free water in hypertrophied myocardium. Purpose. To evaluate the feasibility of relaxation along a fictitious field with rank 2 (RAFF2) in HTN LVH patients. Study Type. Single institutional case control. Subjects. 9 HTN LVH (age,

69
±
10

years) and 11 control subjects (age,

54
±
12

years). Field Strength/Sequence. Relaxation time mapping (

T

1

,

T

1
ρ

, and

T

RAFF
2

with 11.8 μT maximum radio frequency field amplitude) was performed at 1.5 T using a Siemens Aera (Erlangen, Germany) scanner equipped with an 18-channel body array coil. Assessment. ECV was calculated using pre- and postcontrast

T

1

, and global strains parameters were assessed by Segment CMR (Medviso AB Co, Sweden). The parametric maps of

T

1
ρ

and

T

RAFF
2

were computed using a monoexponential model, while the Bloch-McConnell equations were solved numerically to model effect of the chemical exchange during radio frequency pulses. Statistical Tests. Parametric maps were averaged over myocardium for each subject to be used in statistical analysis. Kolmogorov-Smirnov was used as the normality test followed by Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation to determine the difference between the HTN LVH patients and controls along with Hedges’

g

effect size and the association between variables, respectively. Results.

T

RAFF
2

decreased statistically

83
±
2
 
ms
 
vs
 
88
±
6
 
ms
,
P
<
0.031

, and global longitudinal strain was impaired (GLS,

−
14
±
3
 
vs
−
18
±
2
,
P
<
0.002

) in HTN LVH patients compared to the controls, respectively. Also, significant negative correlation was found between

T

RAFF
2

and GLS

r
=

−

0.53
,
P
<
0.05

. Data Conclusion. Our results suggest that

T

RAFF
2

decrease in HTN LVH patients may be explained by gradual collagen accumulation which can be reflected in GLS changes. Most likely, it increases the water proton interactions and consequently decreases

T

RAFF
2

before myocardial scarring.
[Retracted] The Radiographic Changes of Catheter Tip in Different Positions of Arm Infusion Port
Authors: Gong Yuan , Yu Li , Wang Fang , Wang Lixia , Sun Mengru , Li Huiyu
Published: June 2022

In order to investigate the influence of patient position change on the position of catheter tip in arm infusion port, the clinical data of 324 patients undergoing arm infusion port implantation in a hospital were retrospectively analyzed. It could be obtained that TIVAP was successfully implanted in 324 patients with malignant tumors. In 171 cases, the TIVAP catheter tip shifted to the foot side when the position was changed from upright to decubitus, with an average displacement of (12.29 ± 7.48) mm; 149 cases had cephalic displacement with an average of (5.00 ± 3.79) mm; and 5 cases had no change. The position of the TIVAP catheter tip tended to shift to the foot side when the vertical position changed to the decubitus position, with an average displacement of (−9.32 ± 9.36) mm, and the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.0001), while there were no significant differences in gender, age, height, weight, body mass index, and catheter tip position (P > 0.05). It could be analyzed from the data that from decubitus to upright position, the tip of the arm infusion port tended to shift to the foot side, and the moving distance was related to the patient’s gender, sebum thickness, and indwelling catheter length. Preoperative understanding of relevant information is helpful to determine the location and length of catheterization and reduce catheter‐related complications.
The Intervention Probability Curve: Modeling the Practical Application of Threshold-Guided Decision-Making, Evaluated in Lung, Prostate, and Ovarian Cancers
Authors: Kammer Michael N. , Rowe Dianna J. , Deppen Stephen A. , Grogan Eric L. , Kaizer Alexander M. , Barón Anna E. , Maldonado Fabien
Published: June 2022

Background:

Diagnostic prediction models are useful guides when considering lesions suspicious for cancer, as they provide a quantitative estimate of the probability that a lesion is malignant. However, the decision to intervene ultimately rests on patient and physician preferences. The appropriate intervention in many clinical situations is typically defined by clinically relevant, actionable subgroups based upon the probability of malignancy. However, the “all-or-nothing” approach of threshold-based decisions is in practice incorrect.

Methods:

Here, we present a novel approach to understanding clinical decision-making, the intervention probability curve (IPC). The IPC models the likelihood that an intervention will be chosen as a continuous function of the probability of disease. We propose the cumulative distribution function as a suitable model. The IPC is explored using the National Lung Screening Trial and the Prostate Lung Colorectal and Ovarian Screening Trial datasets.

Results:

Fitting the IPC results in a continuous curve as a function of pretest probability of cancer with high correlation (R2 > 0.97 for each) with fitted parameters closely aligned with professional society guidelines.

Conclusions:

The IPC allows analysis of intervention decisions in a continuous, rather than threshold-based, approach to further understand the role of biomarkers and risk models in clinical practice.

Impact:

We propose that consideration of IPCs will yield significant insights into the practical relevance of threshold-based management strategies and could provide a novel method to estimate the actual clinical utility of novel biomarkers.
Tumor Immune Microenvironment Changes by Multiplex Immunofluorescence Staining in a Pilot Study of Neoadjuvant Talazoparib for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients with a Hereditary BRCA Mutation
Authors: Kumar Tapsi , Hobbs Evie , Yang Fei , Chang Jeffrey T. , Contreras Alejandro , Cuentas Edwin Roger Parra , Garber Haven , Lee Sanghoon , Lu Yiling , Scoggins Marion E. , Adrada Beatriz E. , Whitman Gary J. , Arun Banu K. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , Litton Jennifer K.
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

The immunological profile of early-stage breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant PARP inhibitors has not been described. The aim of this study was to delineate the changes in the tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) induced by talazoparib.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with operable germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant (gBRCA1/2+) breast cancer were enrolled in a feasibility study of neoadjuvant talazoparib. Thirteen patients who received 8 weeks of neoadjuvant talazoparib were available for analysis, including 11 paired pre- and post-talazoparib core biopsies. Treatment-related changes in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were examined and immune cell phenotypes and their spatial distribution in the TiME were identified and quantified by multiplex immunofluorescence using a panel of 6 biomarkers (CD3, CD8, CD68, PD-1, PD-L1, and CK).

Results:

Neoadjuvant talazoparib significantly increased infiltrating intratumoral and stromal T-cell and cytotoxic T-cell density. There was no difference in PD-1 or PD-L1 immune cell phenotypes in the pre- and post-talazoparib specimens and PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was rare in this cohort. Spatial analysis demonstrated that pre-talazoparib interactions between macrophages and T cells may correlate with pathologic complete response.

Conclusions:

This is the first study with phenotyping to characterize the immune response to neoadjuvant talazoparib in patients with gBRCA1/2+ breast cancer. These findings support an emerging role for PARP inhibitors in enhancing tumor immunogenicity. Further investigation of combinatorial strategies is warranted with agents that exploit the immunomodulatory effects of PARP inhibitors on the TiME.
Classification of BRCA2 Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS) Using an ACMG/AMP Model Incorporating a Homology-Directed Repair (HDR) Functional Assay
Authors: Hu Chunling , Susswein Lisa R. , Roberts Maegan E. , Yang Hana , Marshall Megan L. , Hiraki Susan , Berkofsky-Fessler Windy , Gupta Sounak , Shen Wei , Dunn Carolyn A. , Huang Huaizhi , Na Jie , Domchek Susan M. , Yadav Siddhartha , Monteiro Alvaro N.A. , Polley Eric C. , Hart Steven N. , Hruska Kathleen S. , Couch Fergus J.
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

The identification of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes by hereditary cancer testing poses great challenges for the clinical management of variant carriers. The ACMG/AMP (American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology) variant classification framework, which incorporates multiple sources of evidence, has the potential to establish the clinical relevance of many VUS. We sought to classify the clinical relevance of 133 single-nucleotide substitution variants encoding missense variants in the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of BRCA2 by incorporating results from a validated functional assay into an ACMG/AMP-variant classification model from a hereditary cancer–testing laboratory.

Experimental Design:

The 133 selected VUS were evaluated using a validated homology-directed double-strand DNA break repair (HDR) functional assay. Results were combined with clinical and genetic data from variant carriers in a rules-based variant classification model for BRCA2.

Results:

Of 133 missense variants, 44 were designated as non-functional and 89 were designated as functional in the HDR assay. When combined with genetic and clinical information from a single diagnostic laboratory in an ACMG/AMP-variant classification framework, 66 variants previously classified by the diagnostic laboratory were correctly classified, and 62 of 67 VUS (92.5%) were reclassified as likely pathogenic (n = 22) or likely benign (n = 40). In total, 44 variants were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic, 84 as benign/likely benign, and 5 remained as VUS.

Conclusions:

Incorporation of HDR functional analysis into an ACMG/AMP framework model substantially improves BRCA2 VUS re-classification and provides an important tool for determining the clinical relevance of individual BRCA2 VUS.
Accuracy and Predictors of Success of EUS-B-FNA in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Malignant Lesions: A Prospective Multicenter Italian Study
Authors: Mondoni Michele , Gasparini Stefano , Varone Francesco , Trisolini Rocco , Mancino Laura , Rossi Giulio , Carlucci Paolo , Bonifazi Martina , Mei Federico , Zuccatosta Lina , Michieletto Lucio , Pitari Federica , Saderi Laura , Richeldi Luca , Centanni Stefano , Sotgiu Giovanni
Published: June 2022

Background: The role of endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) in the diagnosis of suspected malignant pulmonary lesions adjacent to the esophagus has been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of EUS-B-FNA for the diagnosis and molecular profiling of paraesophageal pulmonary lesions, as well as its predictors of success. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent EUS-B-FNA for the diagnosis of paraesophageal lesions were consecutively enrolled in four Italian centers. Demographic, clinical, procedural, pathological, and molecular characteristics of the malignant samples were collected. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary malignancies. Secondary outcomes were diagnostic yield and predictors of success for diagnosis and molecular profiling. Results: 107 adult patients (60 [56.1%] males; median (interquartile range) age: 69 [60–70] years) were enrolled. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS-B-FNA was 95.3% in the overall cohort and 95.2% in the 99 patients with a final diagnosis of malignancy. Neither clinical nor procedural variables significantly affected the diagnostic accuracy, whereas rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), performed by pathologists or trained pulmonologists, was a strong predictor for a complete molecular profiling (OR [95% CI]: 12.9 [1.2–137.4]; p value: 0.03). Conclusion: EUS-B-FNA is a safe and accurate method for the diagnosis of paraesophageal pulmonary lesions. The presence of ROSE is relevant for a complete molecular profiling in this selected cohort of patients with advanced lung cancer.
The Role of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Xia Yifan , Wang Hongtian , Yin Jinshu
Published: June 2022

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition in otorhinolaryngology. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity and the sinus mucosa. However, its specific pathogenesis remains unclear. Epithelial dysfunction is closely related to inflammatory airway diseases. Various evidences support that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the development of CRS. Objective: The study aimed to explore our understanding of how EMT contributes to the pathogenesis of CRS and to examine the role of several signaling pathways in EMT. Methods: PubMed database was used to review the literature related to EMT in CRS pathogenesis. The following key words were used for the search strategy: CRS, sinusitis, nasal polyps, epithelial cells, EMT, dysfunction, cytokines, signaling pathways, pathogenesis, and therapy. Results: EMT is widely present in the nasal mucosa of CRSwNP patients and contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the existence of EMT in CRSsNP. Multiple signaling pathways and molecules, such as transforming growth factor-β signaling, Wnt signaling, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling, have been found to be involved in the EMT process and promote CRSwNP. Conclusion: EMT is closely associated with CRS pathogenesis. Our study supports further research on epithelial EMT changes in CRS patients and provides a basis for revealing its pathogenesis and exploring new treatments.
Extracorporeal Blood Purification in Burns: For Whom, Why, and How?
Authors: Abraham Paul , Monard Céline , Schneider Antoine , Rimmelé Thomas
Published: June 2022

Patients with serious thermal burn injuries require immediate and specialized care in order to minimize morbidity and mortality. Optimal fluid resuscitation, nutritional support, pulmonary care, burn wound care, and infection control practices represent key aspects of patient care in burn centers. When severely burned, the patient usually presents a systemic inflammatory response syndrome, soon balanced by a counter anti-inflammatory response syndrome. These may lead to immune dysregulation/exhaustion favoring infectious complications that dramatically impair the prognosis of burn patients. This narrative review provides an overview of the main concepts, current understanding, and potential applications of extracorporeal blood purification techniques for burn patient management. Current understanding of burn patients’ immune responses is reported. Hypotheses and data on the potential value of immunoregulation are reviewed. Finally, how extracorporeal blood purification may be of interest in this specific population is discussed.
The Effectiveness of 6 versus 12 Months of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: McMain Shelley F. , Chapman Alexander L. , Kuo Janice R. , Dixon-Gordon Katherine L. , Guimond Timothy Henry , Labrish Cathy , Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee , Streiner David L.
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Evidence-based psychotherapies for borderline personality disorder (BPD) are lengthy, posing a barrier to their access. Brief psychotherapy may achieve comparable outcomes to long-term psychotherapy for BPD. Evidence is needed regarding the comparative effectiveness of short- versus long-term psychotherapy for BPD. Objective: The aim was to determine if 6 months of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is noninferior to 12 months of DBT in terms of clinical effectiveness. Methods: This two-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled noninferiority trial with suicidal or self-harming patients with BPD was conducted at two sites in Canada. Participants (N = 240, M (SD)age = 28.27 (8.62), 79% females) were randomized to receive either 6 (DBT-6) or 12 months (DBT-12) of comprehensive DBT. Masked assessors obtained measures of clinical effectiveness at baseline and every 3 months, ending at month 24. DBT-6 and DBT-12 were outpatient treatments consisting of weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly DBT skills training group sessions, telephone consultation as needed, and weekly therapist consultation team meetings. Results: The noninferiority hypothesis was supported for the primary outcome, total self-harm (6 months: margin = −1.94, Mdiff [95% CI] = 0.16 [−0.14, 0.46]; 12 months: margin = −1.47, Mdiff [95% CI] = 0.04 [−0.17, 0.23]; 24 months: margin = −1.25, Mdiff [95% CI] = 0.12 [−0.02, 0.36]). Results also supported noninferiority of DBT-6 for general psychopathology and coping skills at 24 months. Furthermore, DBT-6 participants showed more rapid reductions in BPD symptoms and general psychopathology. There were no between-group differences in dropout rates. Conclusions: The noninferiority of a briefer yet comprehensive treatment for BPD has potential to reduce barriers to treatment access.
Bioengineering Human Tissues and the Future of Vascular Replacement
Authors: Naegeli Kaleb M. , Kural Mehmet H. , Li Yuling , Wang Juan , Hugentobler Emmanuelle A. , Niklason Laura E.
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular defects, injuries, and degenerative diseases often require surgical intervention and the use of implantable replacement material and conduits. Traditional vascular grafts made of synthetic polymers, animal and cadaveric tissues, or autologous vasculature have been utilized for almost a century with well-characterized outcomes, leaving areas of unmet need for the patients in terms of durability and long-term patency, susceptibility to infection, immunogenicity associated with the risk of rejection, and inflammation and mechanical failure. Research to address these limitations is exploring avenues as diverse as gene therapy, cell therapy, cell reprogramming, and bioengineering of human tissue and replacement organs. Tissue-engineered vascular conduits, either with viable autologous cells or decellularized, are the forefront of technology in cardiovascular reconstruction and offer many benefits over traditional graft materials, particularly in the potential for the implanted material to be adopted and remodeled into host tissue and thus offer safer, more durable performance. This review discusses the key advances and future directions in the field of surgical vascular repair, replacement, and reconstruction, with a focus on the challenges and expected benefits of bioengineering human tissues and blood vessels.
Does D Select the CP in Light Verb Constructions? A Reply to Hankamer and Mikkelsen 2021
Authors: Srinivas Sadhwi , Legendre Géraldine
Published: June 2022

In this response to Hankamer and Mikkelsen (H&M) 2021, we clarify the meaning of the definite article the in out-of-the-blue occurrences of English light verb constructions such as make the claim. While H&M view these as purely uniqueness-requiring determiners (as opposed to purely anaphoric ones in non−light verb constructions), we classify them as instances of Carlsonian weak definites (e.g., Carlson et al. 2006), which presuppose neither uniqueness nor anaphoricity. This clarification casts doubt on H&M’s idea that the D in light verb constructions selects the descriptive CP, which serves to uniquely specify the intended referent. Crosslinguistic data (from the Dravidian language Kannada) also serve to question the relationship between D and CP claimed by H&M. We conclude that D does not directly select the CP in light verb constructions. Nevertheless, these CPs do empirically behave like syntactically selected complements. We suggest that this is because, if the light verb construction is taken as a whole—that is, the light verb + the weak definite nominal—its complement selection properties altogether parallel those of the corresponding lexical verbs. We propose a compositional analysis that reinforces this conclusion.
Estimating Who Benefits from Productivity Growth: Local and Distant Effects of City Productivity Growth on Wages, Rents, and Inequality
Authors: Hornbeck Richard , Moretti Enrico
Published: June 2022

We first estimate the direct effects on local workers’ earnings and housing costs from increases in local labor demand caused by gains in city-level manufacturing productivity. We find that local workers benefit from productivity growth, even after subtracting increases in housing costs. These gains are larger for local less educated workers, such that productivity growth reduces local inequality. We then propose and implement a new transparent method of estimating indirect effects of local productivity growth on earnings and housing costs of workers in other cities. We find that these general equilibrium effects are economically important and disproportionately benefit college-educated workers.
Discrimination, Migration, and Economic Outcomes: Evidence from World War I
Authors: Ferrara Andreas , Fishback Price
Published: June 2022

This paper examines the individual and aggregate costs of ethnic discrimination. Studying Germans in the United States during World War I, an event that abruptly downgraded their previously high social standing, we show that anti-German sentiment was strongly associated with counties’ casualties in the war, leading to subsequent outmigration of Germans. Such relocation to evade discrimination was costly for German workers. However, counties with larger outflows of Germans, who tended to be well-trained manufacturing workers, incurred economic costs too, including a drop in average annual manufacturing wages of 0.6% to 2.2%. This effect lasted at least until 1930.
Cretoneuronema gen. nov. (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), a new brown lacewing genus from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber
Authors: LIU XING-YUE , CHEN ZU-LUAN , ZHUO DE
Published: June 2022

A new genus and species of the lacewing family Hemerobiidae, Cretoneuronema jarzembowskii gen. et sp. nov., is described from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber in northern Myanmar. This new genus has a definite hemerobiid affinity and is characterized by the distally fused ScP and RA in both fore- and hind wing, the presence of forewing RP and MA (= ORB1 and ORB2) separately diverging from R near wing base and closely spaced with each other, the forewing MA with anteriorly directed branches, the deeply forked forewing CuP, and the completely developed hind wing CuP. The new genus resembles some extinct brown lacewing genera, such as Promegalomus Panfilov, 1980, Cretomerobius Ponomarenko, 1992, and Proneuronema Makarkin, Wedmann & Weiterschan, 2016, from the Late Jurassic to Eocene, and represents the second Kachin amber genus of Hemerobiidae, a family that appears to be very rare from this deposit.
Leucas martinicensis (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae), a new naturalized species in Mexico
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-GALLEGOS JESÚS GUADALUPE , VIBRANS HEIKE
Published: June 2022

N/A
3. Incentives for Advisers
Authors: Meeks Geoff , Meeks J. Gay
Published: June 2022

If a merger deal goes ahead, the investment bank advisers will typically receive a substantial success fee calculated as a percentage of the deal value. Moreover, there will also often be lucrative fees for organising the funding of the deal. If the potential bidders decide against going ahead, the advisers will only recoup their costs. The advisers gain much more if the deal goes ahead than if it is aborted. Going ahead to deal completion also brings longer term benefits for the adviser. It strengthens the bond with the CEO and CFO, improving the prospect of repeat business. And just as published success tables for executives emphasise size, so also those for M&A advisors highlight total fee income. Completed deals therefore raise the profile of an advisor visible to other prospective bidders. Consequently, advisers sometimes do not wait for bidders to approach them for support in completing a deal identified by the acquirer executives: they search for firms they can suggest to potential acquirers as suitable targets. The rewards are substantial: in one example reported by the Financial Times the banks advising bidder and target charged £96 million ‘for a few weeks' work’.
Endoscopic Management of Recurrent Maxillary Sinus Ameloblastoma in a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report
Authors: Wu Jing-Jing , Liu Zeng-Ping , Xu Chen-Yang , Zhang Xue-Ling , Liu Xiao-Wen , Wang Ju-Yuan , Guo Yu-Fen
Published: June 2022

Ameloblastomas are slow-growing, aggressive odontogenic epithelial tumors that originate from the jawbone. One of the most easily relapsing maxillofacial tumors, ameloblastomas mainly occur in the mandibular molar area and ascending branch, although they can occasionally occur in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. A 14-year-old child with autism spectrum disorder underwent sinus computed tomography (CT) under anesthesia. A swollen tumor had grown in the left maxillary sinus, and the bone of the maxillary sinus was damaged. Nine months after the first operation, recurrence was observed in the left maxillary sinus. The pathological diagnosis was ameloblastoma. Due to the child’s inability to communicate and cooperate with the treatment normally, he underwent endoscopic surgery again combined with low-temperature plasma treatment. No tumor recurrence was found on reexamination 6 months after surgery.
Steroid-eluting Stent Placement for Refractory Stenosis of Parotid Megaduct After Sialodochoplasty
Authors: Bernstein Jeffrey D. , DeConde Adam S. , Coffey Charles S.
Published: June 2022

Salivary megaduct with stricture is characterized by recurrent pain, swelling, and infection, leading to reduced quality of life. Surgical management includes sialodochoplasty, however, recurrence is common and repeated surgery can lead to further scarring. In the sinuses, drug-eluting stents (DES) are used to reduce scarring after surgery, yet no such technology exists for salivary megaduct with stricture.We trialed DES for this condition with promising results which may pave the way for future development.
Seeking news and information through social networking sites: An experience of internally displaced people
Authors: Abdullah Abdulrahman Dheyab , Elareshi Mokhtar , Kaba Abdoulaye
Published: June 2022

This case study was designed to investigate the use of social networking sites (SNSs) for seeking news and information by internally displaced people (IDP). The study is guided by media dependency theory and related literature. Data were collected from 288 Iraqi internally displaced people (IDP) in four large camps through a survey questionnaire. The findings of the study reported how and why the respondents use SNSs for news and information and how much they trusted such platforms. Most of the respondents were found to depend on a variety of SNS media, old or new, to receive news and information, especially in times of crisis and conflicts. Such devices were very important for communicating with the families, news contributions, and news production.
Quantitative kinetic modelling and mapping of cerebral glucose transport and metabolism using glucoCESL MRI
Authors: Dickie Ben R , Jin Tao , Wang Ping , Hinz Rainer , Harris William , Boutin Hervé , Parker Geoff JM , Parkes Laura M , Matthews Julian C
Published: June 2022

Chemical-exchange spin-lock (CESL) MRI can map regional uptake and utilisation of glucose in the brain at high spatial resolution (i.e sub 0.2 mm3 voxels). We propose two quantitative kinetic models to describe glucose-induced changes in tissue R1ρ and apply them to glucoCESL MRI data acquired in tumour-bearing and healthy rats. When assuming glucose transport is saturable, the maximal transport capacity ( Tmax) measured in normal tissue was 3.2 ± 0.6 µmol/min/mL, the half saturation constant ( Kt) was 8.8 ± 2.2 mM, the metabolic rate of glucose consumption ( MRglc) was 0.21 ± 0.13 µmol/min/mL, and the cerebral blood volume ( vb) was 0.006 ± 0.005 mL/mL. Values in tumour were: Tmax = 7.1 ± 2.7 µmol/min/mL, Kt = 14 ± 1.7 mM, MRglc = 0.22 ± 0.09 µmol/min/mL, vb = 0.030 ± 0.035 mL/mL. Tmax and Kt were significantly higher in tumour tissue than normal tissue (p = 0.006 and p = 0.011, respectively). When assuming glucose uptake also occurs via free diffusion, the free diffusion rate ( kd) was 0.061 ± 0.017 mL/min/mL in normal tissue and 0.12 ± 0.042 mL/min/mL in tumour. These parameter estimates agree well with literature values obtained using other approaches (e.g. NMR spectroscopy).
Safety and efficacy of MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation for radiorecurrent prostate cancer in the presence of gold fiducial markers
Authors: Mäkelä Pietari , Wright Cameron , Anttinen Mikael , Boström Peter J. , Blanco Sequeiros Roberto
Published: June 2022

Background

Safety and efficacy of ultrasound prostate ablation for radiorecurrent prostate cancer (PCa) in the presence of gold fiducial markers has not been previously reported.

Purpose

To evaluate safety, functional, and early-stage oncological outcomes for patients with gold fiducial markers undergoing salvage magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (sTULSA) for radiorecurrent PCa.

Material and Methods

Data were acquired from an ethics-approved, single-center phase-1 study. Eight patients with 18 total gold fiducial markers inside the planned treatment volume were identified. MRI controls were performed at three and 12 months, followed by PSMA-PET-CT imaging and biopsies at 12 months. A control cohort of 13 patients who underwent sTULSA without markers were also identified for safety profile comparison. Adverse events were reported using the Clavien-Dindo classification, and questionnaires including EPIC-26, IPSS, and IIEF-5 were collected.

Results

Of 18 markers, 2 (11%) were directly responsible for poor ultrasound penetration. However, there were no local recurrences at 12 months. PSA, prostate volume, and non-perfused volume all decreased over time. At 12 months, 11/18 (61%) of fiducial markers had disappeared via sloughing. The adverse event profile was similar between both patient cohorts, and when controlled for ablation type, no statistical difference in functional outcomes between the two cohorts was observed.

Conclusion

Patients with radiorecurrent PCa with intraprostatic gold fiducial markers can be successfully treated with TULSA. The early-stage efficacy of sTULSA for patients with intraprostatic gold markers is encouraging and the safety profile is unaffected by marker presence.
Comparison of the clinical value of transcranial Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography angiography for diagnosing ischemic cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Gao Jun , Wang Yu , Ding Qian
Published: June 2022

Objective

To compare the clinical value of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound and computed tomography angiography (CTA) for diagnosing ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Methods

A retrospective clinical study was conducted in 142 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease who were initially diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography. Under the single-blind condition, the patients were diagnosed by using TCD ultrasound and CTA independently. The accuracy of these two methods was compared.

Results

The accuracy of diagnosing bilateral middle cerebral artery, bilateral vertebral artery and bilateral internal carotid artery lesions with a TCD examination was significantly higher than that with a CTA examination. There were no significant differences in the accuracy of diagnosing bilateral anterior cerebral artery, bilateral posterior cerebral artery or basilar artery lesions between TCD ultrasound and CTA. The accuracy of diagnosing all cerebral arterial ischemic lesions was significantly higher with a TCD examination (87.39%) than with a CTA examination (69.75%). The accuracy of diagnosing all cerebral arteries that cause ischemic encephalopathy (cerebrovascular + cervical blood vessels) was significantly higher with a TCD examination (88.03%) than with a CTA examination (69.01%).

Conclusions

TCD ultrasound has several advantages over CTA. Therefore, TCD ultrasound is better for diagnosing ischemic encephalopathy than CTA.
Performance Evaluation and Characterization of Extracted Recycled Asphalt Binder With Rejuvenators
Authors: Samara Mahmoud , Offenbacker Daniel , Mehta Yusuf , Ali Ayman , Elshaer Mohamed , Decarlo Christopher
Published: June 2022

Rejuvenators are used in the asphalt industry to improve the performance and durability of aged binders and facilitate the use of recycled asphalt materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of rejuvenator type and dose on the laboratory performance of asphalt binders. For this study, recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and extracted RAP binder were obtained from an airfield reconstruction project located in Atlantic City, NJ. One petroleum-based (aromatic extract) and three organic-based (corn oil, tall oil, and modified vegetable oil) rejuvenators were evaluated in this study. Each rejuvenator was used at two different rejuvenator doses (6% and 12% by total RAP binder weight) and was aged at three different levels. Performance grade testing, frequency sweep tests, critical temperature differential (ΔTc ), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests were conducted. Results showed that the use of rejuvenators lowered the high and low performance grade of extracted RAP binders, in particular organic-based rejuvenators had a greater impact on the performance grade. ΔT c was also improved through the use of rejuvenators. In fact, the extracted RAP binder exceeded the high severity ΔTc threshold (−5°C), whereas the rejuvenated RAP binders improved ΔT c to values greater than the low severity threshold (−2.5°C). Similar findings were observed from the Glover-Rowe parameter as well, in which rejuvenated RAP binders improved the cracking resistance of the extracted RAP binder. When assessing the aging susceptibility, modified vegetable oil and corn oil rejuvenators showed the smallest change in performance between aging levels.
Learning-Based Model for Evaluating the Impact of Neighborhood Design on Travel Behavior
Authors: Masoud Abdul Rahman , Idris Ahmed Osman , Lovegrove Gordon
Published: June 2022

This research developed an agent-based model that evaluates the impact of neighborhood design on travel behavior while accounting for habit formation, social interactions, various levels of information provision, and awareness of transport and land use system changes. The developed model employs a framework that integrates random utility maximization theory with reinforcement learning concepts to account for the bounded rationality and knowledge learning process. Moreover, the model utilizes the diffusions of innovations theory to simulate how agents propagate information across family members and co-workers. It also adds a time dimension to the modal shift process, which could be used to indicate the relative duration to reap the full benefits of proposed scenarios. The model was applied to a neighborhood in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, to assess the impact on travel behavior of the SMARTer growth principles. The results showed that retrofitting non-motorized networks has more impact on modal shift than retrofitting road networks. This implies that infrastructure investments related to providing more accessibility for non-motorized users may be more socially and sustainably profitable than investments in policies targeting auto users. In addition, the results revealed that land use policies led to higher modal shift to non-motorized modes compared to retrofitting the transportation network, which highlights the importance of integrating land use and transportation planning. Similarly, the results demonstrated that transportation demand management policies can provide a positive stimulus to commuters to maintain familiarity with active transportation (AT) modes, which led in the presented case study to an increase in AT modal share.
Integrating Public Transit and Shared Micromobility Payments to Improve Transportation Equity in Seattle, WA
Authors: Beale Kirsten , Kapatsila Bogdan , Grisé Emily
Published: June 2022

This study explores how shared micromobility services can integrate with public transit through equitable payment structures to address first and last mile issues for light rail transit riders in Seattle, WA, and increase accessibility for low-income households. Seattle has recently permitted shared micromobility services such as e-scooter companies to begin operating alongside existing bikesharing services in the city. However, equity concerns have arisen as the users of bikeshare have been disproportionately white, affluent, and well-educated. To address these concerns, efforts have been made to reduce barriers to access and make these services more equitable to encourage their use among marginalized populations. Previous research has demonstrated evidence that these services can improve accessibility for disadvantaged populations such as low-income people of color. This research consists primarily of a literature review of relevant academic and gray literature, and a jurisdictional scan of cities in the U.S., Canada, Finland, and China. The objective of this research is to identify barriers to accessing shared micromobility services and synthesize existing best practices to propose solutions to make these services more equitable. Findings from this research then inform a set of recommendations for equitable payment integration in King County, which can also be generalized to other municipalities that are striving for equitable public transit and shared micromobility integration.
Traffic Noise Modeling of Short Safety Barriers
Authors: Lodico Dana M.
Published: June 2022

Solid safety barriers are commonly constructed along highways. These barriers improve highway safety by preventing collisions and providing separation from slopes or adjacent hazards such as deep water. For elevated and at-grade roadways, these shorter barriers have also been shown to noticeably reduce traffic noise. In this study, modeling methods were developed and evaluated for their ability to accurately calculate the performance of short barriers in reducing traffic noise at the wayside. Five real-world highway scenarios were selected for model validation, including four sites located behind short safety barriers and a site located behind a short berm. Theoretical modeling was conducted to systematically evaluate the effects of modeling parameters on the prediction of noise reduction provided by short barriers.
Machine and Deep Learning Techniques for Daytime Fog Detection in Real Time with In-Vehicle Vision Systems Using the SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study Data
Authors: Khan Md Nasim , Ahmed Mohamed M.
Published: June 2022

The main focus of this study is to develop a system that can accurately detect the presence of fog in real time at a trajectory level. This study leveraged video data from the SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study (NDS). Extensive data reduction steps were taken to classify various levels of foggy weather conditions from the video data to form two unique image data sets. Afterward, features based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) were extracted from the images and used as classification parameters for training support vector machine (SVM) and K-nearest neighbor (K-NN) algorithms. In addition, a convolutional neural network (CNN) was also examined to improve the detection performance. Although the analysis was done initially on a data set consisting of two weather conditions, clear and fog, it has been extended to include different levels of fog, that is, near fog and distant fog. While the accuracy of the first analysis with two categories was approximately 92% and 91% for SVM and K-NN classifiers, respectively, the CNN produced much greater accuracy of 99%. As expected, the accuracy of the second analysis, with more refined weather categories, was relatively lower than the first analysis where CNN, SVM, and K-NN models produced an accuracy of about 98%, 89%, and 88%, respectively. With the rapid advances in connectivity and affordable cameras, the proposed detection models could be integrated into the smartphones of regular road users, creating an effective way to collect real-time road weather information that could be used to improve weather-based variable speed limit (VSL) systems.
Decline in Traffic Congestion Increased Crash Severity in the Wake of COVID-19
Authors: Hughes Jonathan E. , Kaffine Daniel , Kaffine Leah
Published: June 2022

Highway fatalities are a leading cause of death in the U.S. and other industrialized countries. Using highly detailed crash, speed, and flow data, we show highway travel and motor vehicle crashes fell substantially in California during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we also show the frequency of severe crashes increased owing to lower traffic congestion and higher highway speeds. This “speed effect” is largest in counties with high pre-existing levels of congestion, and we show it partially or completely offsets the “VMT effect” of reduced vehicle miles traveled on total fatalities. During the first eleven weeks of the COVID-19 response, highway driving decreased by approximately 22% and total crashes decreased by 49%. While average speeds increased by a modest 2 to 3 mph across the state, they increased between 10 and 15 mph in several counties. The proportion of severe crashes increased nearly 5 percentage points, or 25%. While fatalities decreased initially following restrictions, increased speeds mitigated the effect of lower vehicle miles traveled on fatalities, yielding little to no reduction in fatalities later in the COVID period.
Interpersonal, institutional, and structural racism in Canadian nursing: A culture of silence
Authors: Beagan Brenda L. , Bizzeth Stephanie R. , Etowa Josephine
Published: June 2022

Background

Alongside declarations against racism, the nursing profession in Canada needs examination of experiences of racism within its ranks. Racism at multiple levels can create a context wherein racialized nurses experience barriers and ongoing marginalization.

Purpose

This critical interpretive qualitative study asks how interpersonal, institutional, and structural racisms intersect in the professional experiences of racialized nurses in Canada, and how nurses respond.

Methods

Self-identified racialized nurses (n = 13) from across Canada were recruited primarily through snowball sampling, and each was interviewed by phone or in person. Once transcribed, interviews were analyzed inductively, which led to the levels of racism as a guiding framework.

Results

From entry to nursing education throughout their careers participants experienced racism from instructors, patients, colleagues and managers. Interpersonal racism included comments and actions from patients, but more significantly lack of support from colleagues and managers, and sometimes overt exclusion. Institutional racism included extra scrutiny, heavier workloads, and absence in leadership roles. Structural racism included prevalent assumptions of incompetence, which were countered through extra work, invisibility and hyper-visibility, and expectations of assimilation. Racialized nurses were left to choose among silence, resisting (often at personal cost), assimilation and/or bolstering their credibility through education or extra work. Building community was a key survival strategy.

Conclusions

Everyone in nursing needs to challenge the culture of silence regarding racism. White nurses in particular need to welcome discomfort, listen and learn about racism, then speak out to help disrupt its normative status.
The Impact of Vitamin D3 Supplementation to Topiramate Therapy on Pediatric Migraine Prophylaxis
Authors: Kotb Elmala Moustafa , Suliman Hany Abdelaziz , Al-shokary Ashraf Hamed , Ibrahim Asmaa Obada , Kamal Naglaa M. , Elshorbagy Hatem Hamed , Nasef Khaled Amin , El Din Fathallah Mohamed Gamal
Published: June 2022

Background:There is still a need for more studies to evaluate the role of vitamin D3 in pediatric migraine prophylaxis. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effects and safety of vitamin D3 supplementation to topiramate on pediatric migraine. Methods: A double-blinded prospective clinical trial was conducted on 5- to 14-year-old children with migraine. They were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio into 2 groups, one with vitamin D3 supplementation (the supplementation group) and the other without vitamin D supplementation (the placebo group). The supplementation group received topiramate plus one 5000-IU dose of vitamin D3 daily for 4 months. The placebo group received topiramate with a placebo capsule without any effective substances. The primary outcomes were a monthly frequency of headache attacks, a good response to intervention, and reduction in migraine severity, duration, and disability before and after treatment. Fifty-six children completed the trial. Vitamin D3 supplementation to topiramate was more effective than the placebo group in the reduction of monthly frequency (6231.31 vs 9792.24 times, P = .01) and disability score for migraines (17 566.43 vs 25 187.65, P = .04). A good response was observed in 76.13% of patients in the vitamin D3 supplementation group and 53.5% of patients in the placebo group, and vitamin D3 supplementation was significantly more effective than placebo ( P = .01). Side effects were observed in 13.3% and 20% of the intervention group and placebo groups, respectively, P = .5. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 supplementation in pediatric migraine prophylaxis could be a well-tolerated, safe, and effective strategy.