bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Ultrasound‐Responsive Biomimetic Nanoparticle for Targeted Delivery and Controlled Release of Nitric Oxide to Attenuate Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Xu Lingling , Chen Yihan , Jin Qiaofeng , Gao Tang , Deng Cheng , Wang Rui , Wang Yihui , Bai Ying , Xu Jia , Wu Wenqian , Li He , Fang Lingyun , Wang Jing , Yang Yali , Zhang Li , Lv Qing , Xie Mingxing
Published: March 2023

Targeted and controlled nitric oxide (NO) release is critical due to an extremely short half life and low bioavailability for treating cardiovascular diseases. To address this challenge, various sustained‐release precursors and NO donors activated by light, enzyme, or pH are developed. However, their efficacy is limited by the deep location and rapid blood flow of the heart. Herein, a platelet membrane‐coated nanoparticle (B‐P@PLT) is designed with a polymeric core loaded with BNN6, an ultrasound‐responsive NO donor, for the targeted treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI). B‐P@PLT can specifically target the ischemic myocardium and release NO during ultrasound (US) irradiation, thereby increasing the local concentration of NO. B‐P@PLT + US shows promising results in promoting angiogenesis, reducing reactive oxygen species production, protecting cardiomyocytes both in vitro and in vivo, and ultimately decreasing cardiac injury and improving heart function in MIRI mice. These findings demonstrate a simple and noninvasive strategy for targeted delivery and controlled release of NO, highlighting its potential therapeutic application in MIRI.
Functional clustering on a sphere via Riemannian functional principal components
Authors: Kim Hyunsung , Lim Yaeji
Published: March 2023

We propose the functional clustering algorithm applicable to the sphere‐valued random curves, called
‐centres Riemannian functional clustering (kCRFC). It is based on Riemannian functional principal component scores and
‐centres functional clustering algorithm; thus, we can obtain accurate clustering results by reflecting the geometry of the sphere. Our method shows better clustering performances than existing multivariate functional clustering methods in various simulation settings. We apply the proposed method to the migration trajectories of Egyptian Vultures in the Middle East and East Africa and fruit fly behaviours, containing the curves lied on two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional sphere, respectively.
Distribution and straying of minijack Chinook Salmon released from a captive broodstock hatchery program
Authors: Pearsons Todd N. , Graf Peter J. , Taylor Timothy N.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Production of Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in hatcheries can unintentionally produce large numbers of age-1 males, termed "minijacks," which pose ecological and genetic risks to target and nontarget populations. We evaluated the postrelease distribution of minijacks produced in a hatchery captive broodstock program targeting the White River in the Columbia River basin between 2010 and 2015.

Methods

Fish were passive integrated transponder (PIT)-tagged in the hatchery (n = 218,555), and databases were searched to determine movement behavior and final detections on fixed PIT tag antenna arrays during the year in which they were released.

Result

Two main movement behaviors were detected: (1) residuals, which moved solely within the subbasin of release; and (2) migrants, which moved downstream into the Columbia River and then reascended the Columbia River in the year of release. Minijacks that reascended fish ladders in the Columbia River were most often detected at Rock Island and Bonneville dams, the nearest and furthest detection locations downstream of the Wenatchee River. Minijacks were last detected in all locations where spring Chinook Salmon spawn in the Wenatchee River subbasin (seven tributaries and one main-stem area) and also in the Entiat River (an adjacent watershed); minijacks in eight of the nine locations were considered strays. Estimates of minijacks that strayed outside of the White River were between 61% and 100% annually and were influenced by release location. Minijacks were also more abundant than males of all older ages in some of the tributaries during some years. In addition, they were detected in these tributaries during periods when anadromous adults migrate into spawning areas and when spring Chinook Salmon spawn.

Conclusion

The large amount of minijack production and the spatial and temporal overlap could pose genetic and ecological risks to both target and nontarget populations and particularly high straying poses risks to the maintenance of between-population genetic variability.
Dynamic Changes in Pre‐Service Language Teacher Well‐Being in the Classroom Ecology: A Micro Approach
Authors: Sak Mehmet , Gurbuz Nurdan
Published: March 2023

Although language teacher well‐being has been the focus of growing attention in recent years, there is little known of its dynamic and contextually dependent nature. Integrating the complex dynamic view of well‐being with an ecological orientation, this classroom‐based study examined the micro‐scale changes in pre‐service language teacher well‐being and the reasons for such changes using data from three pre‐service English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language (EFL) teachers in Türkiye. The individual trajectories of well‐being were tracked in a particular class over 4 weeks through self‐ratings of well‐being at 10‐minute intervals during the lectures, journal entries, interviews, and stimulated recall sessions on individual microteachings. The findings suggest that the experience of pre‐service language teacher well‐being in the classroom ecology remains subject to inter and intraindividual variability over time, displaying nonlinear trajectories not only within sequences of single lessons but also from one lesson to another in response to a host of personal and contextual factors. These findings imply that pre‐service language teacher well‐being is not static, but instead is enhanced and reduced at particular moments in the classroom as a result of the interplay of a myriad of variables. We end with a call for more research into micro‐scale changes in teacher well‐being within applied linguistics and beyond.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Arsinidenide Iridium Complexes
Authors: Doddi Adinarayana , Bannenberg Thomas , Bockfeld Dirk , Tamm Matthias
Published: March 2023

Half‐sandwich iridium complexes of the type [(η5‐C5Me5){(NHC)E}IrCl] (E=P, As) were prepared by the reactions of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts of trimethylsilylphosphinidene and trimethylsilylarsinidene, (IDipp)ESiMe3 and (IMes)ESiMe3, with [(η5‐C5Me5)IrCl2]2 (IDipp=bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene; IMes=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene). The molecular structure of [(η5‐C5Me5){(IDipp)As}IrCl] was established by X‐ray diffraction analysis, affording the first structurally authenticated NHC‐arsinidenide complex with a short Ir−As bond length that reveals a significant degree of metal‐arsenic π‐interaction as also confirmed by theoretical calculations.
Consciousness as the Source of Purposeful Leadership
Authors: Nader Tony , Maheshwari Anil K.
Published: March 2023

Strong, focused, and inclusive leadership is of the essence in articulating and solving the overwhelming problems of climate change, social inequality, bio-extinction, and more. Many researchers have highlighted the need to design new integrative approaches to gather the collective energies of humanity to face those challenges (Datar et al., Rethinking the MBA: Business education at a crossroads. Harvard Business Press, 2010). Purposeful Leadership based on a higher purpose (Quinn & Thakor, The economics of higher purpose: Eight counterintuitive steps for creating a purpose-driven organization. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2019), a deep purpose (Gulati & Adam, Deep purpose: The heart and soul of high-performance companies. Harper Business Press, 2022), a sustainable purpose (Polman & Winston, Net positive: How courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take. HBS Press, 2021), and total interconnectedness (Tsao & Laszlo, Quantum Leadership, Stanford University Press, 2019) is another way proposed to harness the integrative self-awareness of people in organizations. We propose that purposeful leadership emerges from the higher consciousness of leaders and managers (Maheshwari, Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 18:77–91, 2021; Nader, One Unbounded Ocean of Consciousness. Aguilar, 2021). The foundational Vedic message ofYogasthah kuru karmani, or “Established in Consciousness, perform action” (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, The science of being and art of living, 1963) from Bhagavad Gita, implies that highly developed consciousness of individuals leads to more evolutionary leadership (Harung et al., Leadership Org Dev J, 16:44–59, 1995). This chapter will discuss purpose-driven leadership and purpose-driven organizations (Quinn, & Thakor, The economics of higher purpose: Eight counterintuitive steps for creating a purpose-driven organization. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2019) in the context of developing a theory of organizational purpose (Morrison & Rota, Academy of Management Review, 2021), which describes the principal values and drivers of purpose-driven organizations, and how such organizations may be better positioned for solving the problems facing humanity. It will also describe how regular practice of transcending can help develop the consciousness of leaders and managers and help clarify their deeper purposes.
Sexual Aspects of the Female Pelvic Floor
Authors: Westerik-Verschuuren Liesbeth , Lutke Holzik-Mensink Marjolijn , Wieffer-Platvoet Marleen , van der Velde Minke
Published: March 2023

This chapter is devoted to the pelvic floor (PF). Maternity care has always considered the PF muscles an essential part of the birth and its disturbances. Gradually, the pelvic floor became a vital element for both sexual pleasure and sexual problems. This chapter will start by explaining its role in posture and movement, and sexuality and delineate the differences between the normotonic, the hypotonic, and the hypertonic pelvic floor and their influences on sexuality. The chapter also gives some elementary education on assessing pelvic floor function. After explaining the PF concerning pregnancy and birth, the chapter will address aspects of prevention and prehabilitation. In other words, this chapter will also deal with how to optimally prepare the pregnant woman for a relaxed birth with as low as possible negative consequences regarding vaginal laxity or pelvic floor prolapse. For the severe pelvic floor disturbances and their implications on sexuality and quality of life, the reader is recommended to look at Chap. 16.

This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.
Sexual Aspects of High-Risk and Complicated Pregnancy
Authors: Simetinger Gabrijela , Gianotten Woet L.
Published: March 2023

In a healthy pregnancy, the best response to sexual insecurity is reassurance and telling the couple that they can continue to be sexually active. When the situation gets complicated, things can be different. This chapter elaborates on the sexual risks in conditions such as premature birth, shortened cervix, placental dysfunction, and multiple gestation. It will delineate the relationship between various sexual activities and their potential influence on the uterus and the pregnancy. The chapter will also address how to communicate when specific sexual acts should be discouraged (or forbidden) and simultaneously give room for other sexual acts, in other words: the sexual do’s and don’ts. Midwives and HCPs must be aware of the cultural taboos between the woman and the couple regarding sexuality and pregnancy. It is a common finding in research that patients have many questions about sex but do not ask them. The consequence is that the professional must anticipate when providing information, as it were, by ‘answering the not-asked questions’. This chapter provides the background information needed to do just that in high-risk and complicated pregnancies.

This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.
Sexual Aspects of Problematic Lactation
Authors: Uslu Dilek , Debonnet Serena
Published: March 2023

Lactation can be an extremely beneficial factor in the bonding between mother and baby and can, at the same time, also impair the bond between the woman and her partner. On the other hand, breastfeeding can last longer when the partner is supportive. Therefore, to properly succeed, it is crucial to approach breastfeeding using a couple’s strategy. Good lactation is, for many women, also kind of proof of good motherhood. From that perspective, developments like pain during feeding, mastitis, or early breastfeeding cessation can easily have consequences for female identity and the couple’s sexual relationship.

This chapter will elaborate on those areas. It will also provide information on breastfeeding in diseases like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, on breastfeeding after breast surgery and when there has been depression or abuse in the past. A small piece will elaborate on induced lactation in the woman who did not carry the pregnancy.

This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.
Relevant (Sexual) Aspects of Cultural Differences
Authors: Atallah Sandrine , Redón Aida Martín
Published: March 2023

Culture is one of the most important elements influencing the sexual lives of people. Factors like traditionalism, religion, polygamy, machismo, and feminism influence sexuality and cultural ideas about motherhood and sex roles. This chapter focuses on those cultural aspects. Cultural differences exist not only by merit of geographical distance since cultures get intermingled through economic migration, political refugees, and global traffic. Even in midwifery, there are significant cultural differences between one country and another. In some countries, midwives independently guide childbirth at home, whereas, in other countries, the law prohibits such an approach. In some countries, the midwife provides postpartum contraception, whereas, in others, they don’t.

This book is written in English and focuses relatively strongly on Western maternity care. It certainly has a European touch since most authors work in Europe. An advantage of Western and Northwestern Europe is the more open and pragmatic approach to discussing sexuality. While sexuality is essential everywhere, some basic health and luxury seem needed before it becomes relevant to tackle the problematic aspects of sexuality. We believe this book to be precious to midwives in middle- and high-income countries (Atallah et al., J Sex Med 13:591–606, 2016). On the other hand, much of the information will also be handy for urban midwives in low-income countries.

This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.
Sexual Aspects of Pregnancy
Authors: Polona Mivšek Ana , Tomai Xuan-Hong
Published: March 2023

Especially during the first pregnancy, many changes occur in the woman and in the relationship with her partner. This chapter will describe the wide range of elements influencing sexuality and intimacy in pregnancy, according to the pregnancy trimesters. It will start with the physical changes and continue with psychological issues.

Sexual desire can change in different directions and is influenced by physical and psychological factors like fear (for miscarriage, pre-term birth, etc.), changing appearance and sense of self. Both pregnancy and sexual arousal are characterised by hypercongestion of the internal and external genital organs and the breasts. The pregnancy’s physiology can, on the one hand, facilitate sexual arousal. The accumulating effect of sexual arousal and the existing hypercongestion can, on the other hand, cause pain in the breasts and the vulvar area and therefore diminish arousal. In the last trimester of pregnancy, the quality of orgasm can change from clonic contractions to tonic (and can therefore be painful).

Moreover, also partners deal with pregnancy and change differently, depending on their personal experiences, earlier quality of this relationship, upbringing and cultural context. The chapter focusses on the couple, not just the woman.

This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.
The Markov gap in the presence of islands
Authors: Lu Yizhou , Lin Jiong
Published: March 2023

Abstract

The Markov gap [1], namely the difference between reflected entropy and mutual information, is explicitly computed in the defect extremal surface model, JT gravity, and the generic 2d extremal black holes, in vacuum states. The phases that contain various island contributions are considered, and their existence is carefully checked. Moreover, we show explicitly how the Markov gap originates from the OPE coefficient of the boundary CFT. And, as a generalization of [1], the lower bound of the Markov gap is given by $$ \frac{C}{3} $$

C
3

log 2 times the number of EWCS boundaries on minimal surfaces. We propose a boundary way of counting the lower bound for the Markov gap, which states that the lower bound is given by $$ \frac{C}{3} $$

C
3

log 2 times the number of gaps between two boundary regions in vacuum states. We discuss the limitation and possible generalization of the boundary counting, and its relation to tripartite entanglement.
Complementary collider and astrophysical probes of multi-component Dark Matter
Authors: Hernández-Sánchez J. , Keus V. , Moretti S. , Sokołowska D.
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We study a new physics scenario with two inert and one active scalar doublets, hence a 3-Higgs Doublet Model (3HDM). We impose a $$ {Z}_2\times {Z}_2^{\prime } $$

Z
2

×

Z
2
′

symmetry onto such a 3HDM with one inert doublet odd under the Z2 transformation and the other odd under the $$ {Z}_2^{\prime } $$

Z
2
′

one. Such a construction leads to a two-component Dark Matter (DM) model. It has been shown that, when there is a sufficient mass difference between the two DM candidates, it is possible to probe the light DM candidate in the nuclear recoil energy in direct detection experiments and the heavy DM component in the photon flux in indirect detection experiments. With the DM masses at the electroweak scale, we show that, independently of astrophysical probes, this model feature can be tested at the Large Hadron Collider via scalar cascade decays in "Image missing" final states. We study several observable distributions whose shapes hint at the presence of the two different DM candidates.
The TIMELESS effort for timely DNA replication and protection
Authors: Patel Jinal A. , Kim Hyungjin
Published: March 2023

Accurate replication of the genome is fundamental to cellular survival and tumor prevention. The DNA replication fork is vulnerable to DNA lesions and damages that impair replisome progression, and improper control over DNA replication stress inevitably causes fork stalling and collapse, a major source of genome instability that fuels tumorigenesis. The integrity of the DNA replication fork is maintained by the fork protection complex (FPC), in which TIMELESS (TIM) constitutes a key scaffold that couples the CMG helicase and replicative polymerase activities, in conjunction with its interaction with other proteins associated with the replication machinery. Loss of TIM or the FPC in general results in impaired fork progression, elevated fork stalling and breakage, and a defect in replication checkpoint activation, thus underscoring its pivotal role in protecting the integrity of both active and stalled replication forks. TIM is upregulated in multiple cancers, which may represent a replication vulnerability of cancer cells that could be exploited for new therapies. Here, we discuss recent advances on our understanding of the multifaceted roles of TIM in DNA replication and stalled fork protection, and how its complex functions are engaged in collaboration with other genome surveillance and maintenance factors.
Was muss der Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurg von der onkologisch ausgerichteten Strahlentherapie wissen?
Authors: Müller Jörg Andreas , Trommer Simon , Meyer Frank , Lampe Katharina , Croner Roland S. , Vordermark Dirk , Medenwald Daniel
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Die Strahlentherapie ist ein integraler Bestandteil in den meisten modernen multimodalen Tumortherapiekonzepten sowohl in kurativen als auch in palliativen Therapiesituationen. Dies gilt auch für viele Tumorentitäten im allgemein- und viszeralchirurgischen Bereich. Dabei kann es zu neuen Herausforderungen im Rahmen des klinischen Alltags und der interdisziplinären Tumorkonferenzen kommen.

Ziel

Praxisrelevanter Überblick, basierend auf selektiven Referenzen der aktuellen medizinisch-wissenschaftlichen Literatur und gewonnenen klinischen Alltagserfahrungen, für den onkologisch tätigen Chirurgen über strahlentherapeutische Therapieoptionen bei viszeralmedizinischen Tumoren mit dem Fokus auf die viszeralonkologischen Tumoren wie Rektumkarzinom, Ösophaguskarzinom, Analkarzinom und Lebermetastasen

Methode

Es wird eine narrative Übersicht präsentiert.

Ergebnisse (selektive Eckpunkte)

In ausgewählten Fällen ist es beispielsweise möglich, dass im Rahmen neuer Konzepte beim Rektumkarzinom ein derart gutes Ansprechen erreicht wird, dass unter engmaschiger Kontrolle eine Resektion vermieden werden kann. Beim Ösophaguskarzinom gilt die neoadjuvante Radiochemotherapie mit anschließender Resektion bei allen geeigneten Patienten als Therapieregime der Wahl. Sollte eine Operation nicht infrage kommen, so steht mit der definitiven Radiochemotherapie, insbesondere bei einem Plattenepithelkarzinom, eine gute Alternative zur Verfügung. Beim Analkarzinom bleibt auch im Licht neuster Erkenntnisse die primär definitive Radiochemotherapie als strahlentherapeutische Therapie der Wahl. Lebertumoren können mithilfe der stereotaktischen Strahlentherapie lokal abladiert werden. Mit der Leberstereotaxie ist ein hoch wirksames Mittel mit geringer Nebenwirkungsrate verfügbar.

Schlussfolgerung

Auch vor dem Hintergrund der jüngsten Studien bleibt die enge Zusammenarbeit der Disziplinen im Rahmen der Tumortherapie essenziell zur bestmöglichen Therapie der betroffenen Patienten.
Versorgungsstruktur der ambulanten Urologie in Deutschland
Authors: Haas Helmut , Müller Laura , Speck Thomas , Michel Maurice Stephan , Huber Johannes
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Obwohl urologische Facharztpraxen zentraler Pfeiler der ambulanten Patientenversorgung in Deutschland sind, fehlen hierzu aktuelle Daten. Eine Beschreibung der Strukturen in Großstädten gegenüber dem ländlichen Raum sowie von Gendereffekten und Generationsunterschieden ist auch als Ausgangsbasis für weitere Untersuchungen erforderlich.

Material und Methoden

Die Erhebung umfasst Daten des Arztverzeichnisses der Stiftung Gesundheit sowie der Bundesärztekammer und des Statistischen Bundesamtes. Die erfassten Praxen bzw. Kolleg*innen wurden in Subgruppen eingeteilt. Anhand der unterschiedlichen Subgruppengröße lassen sich Aussagen über die Versorgungsstruktur der ambulanten Urologie in Deutschland treffen.

Ergebnisse

Während in größeren Städten die Mehrheit der niedergelassenen Urolog*innen in Berufsausübungsgemeinschaften (BAG) arbeitet und durchschnittlich weniger Patient*innen betreut, zeigt sich im ländlichen Raum ein besonders hoher Anteil an Einzelpraxen mit mehr zu versorgenden Einwohnern pro Urolog*in. Urologinnen arbeiten häufiger in der stationären Versorgung. Wenn sich Fachärztinnen für Urologie für die Niederlassung entscheiden, dann eher in BAG und eher in städtischen Gebieten. Außerdem zeigt sich eine Verschiebung der Geschlechterverteilung: Je jünger die betrachtete Alterssubgruppe, desto höher liegt der Anteil an Urologinnen unter allen Kolleg*innen.

Schlussfolgerung

Wir beschreiben erstmalig die tatsächliche Versorgungsstruktur der ambulanten Urologie in Deutschland. Hierbei deuten sich Trends an, die die Art zu arbeiten und die Patientenversorgung in einigen Jahren maßgeblich beeinflussen werden.
Challenges and recent progress on the application of rapid sand casting for part production: a review
Authors: Oguntuyi Samson Dare , Nyembwe Kasongo , Shongwe Mxolisi Brendon , Mojisola Tajudeen
Published: March 2023

Conventional means of producing material via metal casting have long been used for centuries. In spite of its advantages in producing durable parts with lower cost implications and the accommodation of large part production, this conventional approach is still characterized by the challenges of high lead time in patterns production, poor surface finish, and the need for secondary manufacturing operations, which always leads to material loss. Hence, the introduction of additive manufacturing (AM) to metal casting process has been immensely recognized because of its huge advantages in negating some of the challenges encountered in the conventional route. However, the inconsistency in the material properties (such as density, strength, elastic modulus, dimensional accuracies, surface finish), produced by one of the AM techniques (rapid sand casting), has not been yielding optimum results to be applied in high-tech application like aerospace and automotive industries. Furthermore, this technique lacks efficient qualification and certification, which contributes to their disadvantages. This review focuses on the challenges and recent progress in producing parts from rapid sand moulds and cores via binder jetting (BJ), as well as the need to incorporate efficient qualification and certification in the future production of parts from rapid sand casting.
On the Uniqueness of Schwarzschild–de Sitter Spacetime
Authors: Borghini Stefano , Chruściel Piotr T. , Mazzieri Lorenzo
Published: March 2023

We establish a new uniqueness theorem for the three dimensional Schwarzschild–de Sitter metrics. For this, some new or improved tools are developed. These include a reverse Łojasiewicz inequality, which holds in a neighborhood of the extremal points of any smooth function. We further prove the smoothness of the set of maxima of the lapse, whenever this set contains a topological hypersurface. This leads to a new strategy for the classification of well behaved static solutions of vacuum Einstein equations with a positive cosmological constant, based on the geometry of the maximum-set of the lapse.
Oscillation and jump inequalities for the polynomial ergodic averages along multi-dimensional subsets of primes
Authors: Mehlhop Nathan , Słomian Wojciech
Published: March 2023

We prove the uniform oscillation and jump inequalities for the polynomial ergodic averages modeled over multi-dimensional subsets of primes. This is a contribution to the Rosenblatt–Wierdl conjecture (Lond Math Soc Lect Notes 205:3–151, 1995, Problem 4.12, p. 80) with averages taken over primes. These inequalities provide endpoints for the r-variational estimates obtained by Trojan (Math Ann 374:1597–1656, 2019).
Trans-generational physiological condition of embryos is conditioned by maternal thermal stress in Octopus maya
Authors: Domínguez-Castanedo Omar , Palomino-Cruz Daniela , Mascaró Maite , Rodríguez-Fuentes Gabriela , Juárez Oscar E. , Galindo-Sánchez Clara E. , Caamal-Monsreal Claudia , Torres Pavel Galindo , Díaz Fernando , Rosas Carlos
Published: March 2023

Anthropogenic global warming generates profound metabolic alterations in marine ectotherm invertebrates capable of leading a wide range of these species to extinction. To evaluate the cross-generational effect of thermal stress on the cephalopod Octopus maya, groups of females were exposed at 24 and 30 °C until spawn. After, embryos of each female group were incubated at 24 and 30 °C allowing for evaluating the transgenerational effects on embryos exposed to high and low temperatures. We analyzed the morphology, oxygen consumption, antioxidant mechanisms, and oxidative stress indicators of the embryos. The results demonstrate that thermally stressed females produced smaller eggs with lower yolk content as observed in nonthermally stressed females. Also was observed that embryos from females acclimated at 30 °C had lower body weight and higher respiratory rates when compared with nonthermal stressed females. Embryos from females acclimated at 30 °C showed a collapse of the antioxidant defense system measured as lower both catalase activity and total glutathione concentrations. Additionally, glutathione-s transferase activity increased in embryos incubated at 30 °C and in females maintained at high temperatures in a clear deleterious and cross-generational effect of thermal stress on this octopus species. No changes were observed in the activity of B-esterases in octopus embryos linked with the thermal stress of females. Embryos from thermally stressed females had smaller sizes, less yolk, and higher metabolic rates. Additionally, a collapse in the antioxidant defense system was observed indicating they were unable to control the high load of ROS and oxidative damage, which was partially acquired by maternal inheritance.
Clinical utilisation of multimodal quantitative magnetic resonance imaging in investigating muscular damage in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a study on the association between gluteal muscle groups and motor function
Authors: Song Yu , Xu Hua-yan , Xu Ke , Guo Ying-kun , Xie Lin-jun , Peng Fei , Xu Rong , Fu Hang , Yuan Wei-feng , Zhou Zi-qi , Cheng Bo-chao , Fu Chuan , Zhou Hui , Cai Xiao-tang , Li Xue-sheng
Published: March 2023

Background

Duchenne
muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease characterised by progressive muscular weakness and atrophy. Currently, studies on DMD muscle function mostly focus on individual muscles; little is known regarding the effect of gluteal muscle group damage on motor function.

Objective

To explore potential imaging biomarkers of hip and pelvic muscle groups for measuring muscular fat replacement and inflammatory oedema in DMD with multimodal quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and methods

One hundred fifty-nine DMD boys and 32 healthy male controls were prospectively included. All subjects underwent MRI examination of the hip and pelvic muscles with T1 mapping, T2 mapping and Dixon sequences. Quantitatively measured parameters included longitudinal relaxation time (T1), transverse relaxation time (T2) and fat fraction. Investigations were all based on hip and pelvic muscle groups covering flexors, extensors, adductors and abductors. The North Star Ambulatory Assessment and stair climbing tests were used to measure motor function in DMD.

Results

T1 of the extensors (r = 0.720, P < 0.01), flexors (r = 0.558, P < 0.01) and abductors (r = 0.697, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with the North Star Ambulatory Assessment score. In contrast, T2 of the adductors (r = -0.711, P < 0.01) and fat fraction of the extensors (r = -0.753, P < 0.01) were negatively correlated with the North Star Ambulatory Assessment score. Among them, T1 of the abductors (b = 0.013, t = 2.052, P = 0.042), T2 of the adductors (b = -0.234, t = -2.554, P = 0.012) and fat fraction of the extensors (b = -0.637, t =  − 4.096, P < 0.001) significantly affected the North Star Ambulatory Assessment score. Moreover, T1 of the abductors was highly predictive for identifying motor dysfunction in DMD, with an area under the curve of 0.925.

Conclusion

Magnetic resonance biomarkers of hip and pelvic muscle groups (particularly T1 values of the abductor muscles) have the potential to be used as independent risk factors for motor dysfunction in DMD.
Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (PC-CT) of the spine: impact on diagnostic confidence and radiation dose
Authors: Rau Alexander , Straehle Jakob , Stein Thomas , Diallo Thierno , Rau Stephan , Faby Sebastian , Nikolaou Konstantin , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Overhoff Daniel , Beck Jürgen , Urbach Horst , Klingler Jan-Helge , Bamberg Fabian , Weiss Jakob
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Computed tomography (CT) is employed to evaluate surgical outcome after spinal interventions. Here, we investigate the potential of multispectral photon-counting computed tomography (PC-CT) on image quality, diagnostic confidence, and radiation dose compared to an energy-integrating CT (EID-CT).

Methods

In this prospective study, 32 patients underwent PC-CT of the spine. Data was reconstructed in two ways: (1) standard bone kernel with 65-keV (PC-CTstd) and (2) 130-keV monoenergetic images (PC-CT130 keV). Prior EID-CT was available for 17 patients; for the remaining 15, an age–, sex–, and body mass index–matched EID-CT cohort was identified. Image quality (5-point Likert scales on overall, sharpness, artifacts, noise, diagnostic confidence) of PC-CTstd and EID-CT was assessed by four radiologists independently. If metallic implants were present (n = 10), PC-CTstd and PC-CT130 keV images were again assessed by 5-point Likert scales by the same radiologists. Hounsfield units (HU) were measured within metallic artifact and compared between PC-CTstd and PC-CT130 keV. Finally, the radiation dose (CTDIvol) was evaluated.

Results

Sharpness was rated significantly higher (p = 0.009) and noise significantly lower (p < 0.001) in PC-CTstd vs. EID-CT. In the subset of patients with metallic implants, reading scores for PC-CT130 keV revealed superior ratings vs. PC-CTstd for image quality, artifacts, noise, and diagnostic confidence (all p < 0.001) accompanied by a significant increase of HU values within the artifact (p < 0.001). Radiation dose was significantly lower for PC-CT vs. EID-CT (mean CTDIvol: 8.83 vs. 15.7 mGy; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

PC-CT of the spine with high-kiloelectronvolt reconstructions provides sharper images, higher diagnostic confidence, and lower radiation dose in patients with metallic implants.

Key Points

• Compared to energy-integrating CT, photon-counting CT of the spine had significantly higher sharpness and lower image noise while radiation dose was reduced by 45%.

• In patients with metallic implants, virtual monochromatic photon-counting images at 130 keV were superior to standard reconstruction at 65 keV in terms of image quality, artifacts, noise, and diagnostic confidence.
Combined forced diuresis and late acquisition on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for biochemical recurrent prostate cancer: a clinical practice-oriented study
Authors: Bauckneht Matteo , Miceli Alberto , Signori Alessio , Albano Domenico , Capitanio Selene , Piva Roberta , Laudicella Riccardo , Franchini Annalisa , D’Amico Francesca , Riondato Mattia , Chiola Silvia , Marini Cecilia , Fornarini Giuseppe , Scarale Antonio , Muni Alfredo , Bertagna Francesco , Burger Irene A. , Sambuceti Gianmario , Morbelli Silvia
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Increased detection of prostate cancer (PCa) recurrences using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT has been reported by adding forced diuresis or late-phase imaging to the standard protocol. However, the combination of these procedures in the clinical setting is still not standardized.

Methods

One hundred prospectively recruited biochemical recurrent PCa patients were restaged with dual-phase [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT from September 2020 to October 2021. All patients received a standard scan (60 min), followed by diuretics (140 min) and a late-phase abdominopelvic scan (180 min). PET readers with low (n = 2), intermediate (n = 2), or high (n = 2) experience rated (i) standard and (ii) standard + forced diuresis late-phase images in a stepwise fashion according to E-PSMA guidelines, scoring their level of confidence. Study endpoints were (i) accuracy against a composite reference standard, (ii) reader’s confidence level, and (iii) interobserver agreement.

Results

Forced diuresis late-phase imaging increased the reader’s confidence category for local and nodal restaging (both p < 0.0001), and the interobserver agreement in identifying nodal recurrences (from moderate to substantial, p < 0.01). However, it significantly increased diagnostic accuracy exclusively for local uptakes rated by low-experienced readers (from 76.5 to 84%, p = 0.05) and for nodal uptakes rated as uncertain at standard imaging (from 68.1 to 78.5%, p < 0.05). In this framework, SUVmax kinetics resulted in an independent predictor of PCa recurrence compared to standard metrics, potentially guiding the dual-phase PET/CT interpretation.

Conclusions

The present results do not support the systematic combination of forced diuresis and late-phase imaging in the clinical setting, but allow the identification of patients-, lesions-, and reader-based scenarios that might benefit from it.

Key Points

• Increased detection of prostate cancer recurrences has been reported by adding diuretics administration or an additional late abdominopelvic scan to the standard [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT procedure.

• We verified the added value of combined forced diuresis and delayed imaging, showing that this protocol only slightly increases the diagnostic accuracy of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, thus not justifying its systematic use in clinics.

• However, it can be helpful in specific clinical scenarios, e.g., when PET/CT is reported by low-experienced readers. Moreover, it increased the reader's confidence and the agreement among observers.
Prognostic value of microRNA-125a expression status in molecular groups of pediatric medulloblastoma
Authors: Hamam Soheir M. , Abdelzaher Eman , Fadel Shady H. , Nassra Rasha A. , Sharafeldin Hend A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Current treatment allows decent survival rates but often with life-long morbidity. Molecular classification provides a base for novel therapeutic approaches. However, these groups are heterogeneous. MicroRNA-125a has a tumor suppressor function. It is downregulated in several tumors. The expression of microRNA-125a in MB patients remains unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the expression of microRNA-125a in molecular groups of pediatric MB patients in Egyptian population and its clinical significance.

Methods

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 50 pediatric MB patients were retrospectively collected. Immunohistochemistry for β-catenin, GAB1, YAP1, and p53 was done for molecular classification. MicroRNA-125a expression analysis was done using qRT-PCR. Follow-up data were obtained from patients’ records.

Results

MicroRNA-125a expression was significantly lower in MB patients showing large cell/anaplastic (LC/A) histology and in the non-WNT/non-SHH group. Lower levels of microRNA-125a showed a tendency toward poor survival rates; however, difference was not significant. Infants and larger preoperative tumor size were significantly associated with lower survival rates. On a multivariate analysis, preoperative tumor size was an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusion

MicroRNA-125a expression was significantly lower in categories of pediatric MB patients with worse prognosis namely LC/A histology and the non-WNT/non-SHH group suggesting a pathogenetic role. MicroRNA-125a expression could represent a promising prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target in the non-WNT/non-SHH group which represents the most common and the most heterogeneous group of pediatric MBs coupled with the highest rates of disseminated disease. Preoperative tumor size represents an independent prognostic factor.
Five-year follow-up mortality prognostic index for colorectal patients
Authors: Orive Miren , Barrio Irantzu , Lázaro Santiago , Gonzalez Nerea , Bare Marisa , de Larrea Nerea Fernandez , Redondo Maximino , Cortajarena Sarai , Bilbao Amaia , Aguirre Urko , Sarasqueta Cristina , Quintana José M. ,   for the REDISSEC-CARESS/CCR group
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To identify 5-year survival prognostic variables in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to propose a survival prognostic score that also takes into account changes over time in the patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) status.

Methods

Prospective observational cohort study of CRC patients. We collected data from their diagnosis, intervention, and at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years following the index intervention, also collecting HRQoL data using the EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer’s Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. Multivariate Cox proportional models were used.

Results

We found predictors of mortality over the 5-year follow-up to be being older; being male; having a higher TNM stage; having a higher lymph node ratio; having a result of CRC surgery classified as R1 or R2; invasion of neighboring organs; having a higher score on the Charlson comorbidity index; having an ASA IV; and having worse scores, worse quality of life, on the EORTC and EQ-5D questionnaires, as compared to those with higher scores in each of those questionnaires respectively.

Conclusions

These results allow preventive and controlling measures to be established on long-term follow-up of these patients, based on a few easily measurable variables.

Implications for cancer survivors

Patients with colorectal cancer should be monitored more closely depending on the severity of their disease and comorbidities as well as the perceived health-related quality of life, and preventive measures should be established to prevent adverse outcomes and therefore to ensure that better treatment is received.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02488161.
Normative values for the video Head Impulse Test in children without otoneurologic symptoms and their evolution across childhood by gender
Authors: Rodríguez-Villalba Rosana , Caballero-Borrego Miguel
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The video Head Impulse Test is routinely used to assess semicircular canal function in adults, but to date, pediatric reference values are scarce. This study aimed to explore the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in healthy children at different development stages and to compare the obtained gain values with reference to those in an adult population.

Methods

This prospective, single-center study recruited 187 children from among patients without otoneurological diseases, healthy relatives of these patients, and staff families from a tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into three groups by age: 3–6 years, 7–10 years, and 11–16 years. The vestibulo-ocular reflex was assessed by video Head Impulse Test, using a device with a high-speed infrared camera and accelerometer (EyeSeeCam®; Interacoustics, Denmark).

Results

We found a lower vestibulo-ocular reflex gain of both horizontal canals in the 3–6-year-old group when compared with the other age groups. No increasing trend was found in the horizontal canals from age 7–10 years to age 11–16 years, and no differences were found by sex.

Conclusion

Gain values in the horizontal canals increased with age until children reached age 7–10 years and matched the normal values for adults.
Ptolemy’s treatise on the meteoroscope recovered
Authors: Gysembergh Victor , Jones Alexander , Zingg Emanuel , Cotte Pascal , Apicella Salvatore
Published: March 2023

The eighth-century Latin manuscript Milan, Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, L 99 Sup. contains fifteen palimpsest leaves previously used for three Greek scientific texts: a text of unknown authorship on mathematical mechanics and catoptrics, known as the Fragmentum Mathematicum Bobiense (three leaves), Ptolemy's Analemma (six leaves), and an astronomical text that has hitherto remained unidentified and almost entirely unread (six leaves). We report here on the current state of our research on this last text, based on multispectral images. The text, incompletely preserved, is a treatise on the construction and uses of a nine-ringed armillary instrument, identifiable as the “meteoroscope” invented by Ptolemy and known to us from passages in Ptolemy's Geography and in writings of Pappus and Proclus. We further argue that the author of our text was Ptolemy himself.
End of life in patients attended by pediatric palliative care teams: what factors influence the place of death and compliance with family preferences?
Authors: Peláez-Cantero Maria José , Morales-Asencio Jose Miguel , Navarro-Mingorance Álvaro , Madrid-Rodriguez Aurora , Tavera-Tolmo Ángela , Escobosa-Sánchez Olga , Martino-Alba Ricardo
Published: March 2023

Each year, more than 8 million children worldwide require specialized palliative care, yet there is little evidence available in pediatrics on the characteristics of the end of life in this context. Our aim is to analyze the characteristics of patients who die in the care of specific pediatric palliative care teams. This is ambispective, analytical observational, multicenter study conducted between 1 January and 31 December 2019. Fourteen specific pediatric palliative care teams participated. There are 164 patients, most of them suffering from oncologic, neurologic, and neuromuscular processes. The follow-up time was 2.4 months. The parents voiced preferences in respect of the place of death for 125 of the patients (76.2%). The place of death for 95 patients (57.9%) was at the hospital and 67 (40.9%) was at home. The existence of a palliative care team for over 5 years is more likely to be related to families voicing preferences and their fulfillment. Longer follow-up times by pediatric palliative care teams were observed in families with whom preferences regarding the place of death were discussed and in patients who died at home. Patients who did not receive home visits, when the pediatric palliative care team did not provide full care and when preferences regarding the place of death were not discussed with parents, were more likely to die in the hospital.

  Conclusions: Advance planning of end-of-life care is one of the most important aspects of pediatric palliative care. The provision of services by the teams and the follow-up time are related to parents’ expressed preferences and the place of death.

What is Known:• Various studies have shown how the availability of pediatric palliative care services improves the quality of life of patients and their families while reducing costs.• The place of death is an important factor influencing the quality of end-of-life care for dying people. The increase in palliative care teams increases the number of deaths in the home and having this care available 24/7 increases the probability of dying at home.

What is New:• Our study identifies how a longer follow-up time of patients by palliative care teams is significantly associated with death at home and with express and comply with the preferences expressed by families.• Home visits by the palliative care team increase the likelihood that the patient will die at her home and that the preferences expressed by the palliative care team families will be cared for.