bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic improvement of cinnamylamine production by metabolic regulation
Authors: Yuan Shan , Xu Chao , Jin Miaomiao , Xian Mo , Liu Wei
Published: February 2023

Background

Aromatic primary amines (APAs) are key intermediates in the chemical industry with numerous applications. Efficient and mild biocatalytic synthesis is an excellent complement to traditional chemical synthesis. Our lab previously reported a whole-cell catalytic system for the synthesis of APAs catalyzed by carboxylic acid reductase from Neurospora crassa (ncCAR) and ω-transaminase from Ochrobactrum anthropi (OATA). However, the accumulation of toxic intermediates (aromatic aldehydes) during biocatalytic synthesis affected yields of APAs due to metabolic imbalance.

Results

In this work, the biocatalytic synthesis of APAs (taking cinnamylamine as an example) was metabolically regulated by the overexpression or knockout of five native global transcription factors (TFs), the overexpression of eight native resistance genes, and optimization of promoters. Transcriptome analysis showed that knockout of the TF arcA increased the fluxes of NADPH and ATP in E. coli, while the rate of pyruvate metabolism was accelerated. In addition, the genes related to stress and detoxification were upregulated with the overexpression of resistance gene marA, which reduced the NADPH level in E. coli. Then, the expression level of soluble OATA increased by promoter optimization. Overall, arcA and marA could regulate the catalytic rate of NADPH- dependent ncCAR, while arcA and optimized promoter could regulate the catalytic rate of OATA. Lastly, the cinnamylamine yield of the best metabolically engineered strain S020 was increased to 90% (9 mM, 1.2 g/L), and the accumulation of cinnamaldehyde was below 0.9 mM. This work reported the highest production of cinnamylamine by biocatalytic synthesis.

Conclusion

This regulatory process provides a common strategy for regulating the biocatalytic synthesis of other APAs. Being entirely biocatalytic, our one-pot procedure provides considerable advantages in terms of environmental and safety impacts over reported chemical methods.
Case management and care expertise as a prevention approach for adults with intellectual disabilities (FaPP-MgB): study protocol for a randomized-controlled trial
Authors: Nadolny Stephan , Bruland Dirk , Grunwald Marie , Gröndahl Annika , Grammatico Jessica , Richter Miriam Tariba , Grebe Christian , Latteck Änne-Dörte
Published: February 2023

Background

Adults with intellectual disabilities have a higher prevalence of unhealthy eating habits, stress, low levels of mobility, and comparable drug consumption as the general population. Consequently, they suffer from several chronic diseases earlier and more often, but there are fewer prevention and health promotion services including this population. The goal of this study is to determine if an advanced practice nursing approach in the community with home visits is an effective way to improve the health status of adults with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

We will conduct a randomized-controlled trial with waiting list design in Hamburg, Germany. Inclusion criteria are diagnosis ICD F70-F79 and exclusion criteria are care level > 3 according to the German Social Code XI or being at the end-of-life. Participants will be block randomized. The intervention consists of advanced practice nurses performing case management, social space analysis, prevention planning, and counseling through four outreach home visits on nutrition, mobility, addiction, and stress. Comparison is usual care. The primary outcome is health status (WHODAS) after 12 months. Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) and resilience (RS-11) after 6 and 12 months. The calculated sample size is 256 with an estimated dropout of 30%. Raters and analysts will be blinded. Analysis will be performed using ANCOVAs.

Discussion

By providing case management and utilizing their nursing expertise, advanced practice nurses will provide valuable input and guidance on prevention and health promotion for people with intellectual disabilities. They will close the gap between health and social care, which is prominent in Germany, through cooperation between the existing care sectors.

The findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00028771, registered 4 July 2022, Universal Trial Number: U1111-1277–0595.
Comparison of diabetes distress and depression screening results of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes onset at different ages: findings from the German early-onset T1D study and the German Diabetes Study (GDS)
Authors: Stahl-Pehe Anna , Bächle Christina , Bódis Kálmán , Zaharia Oana-Patricia , Lange Karin , Holl Reinhard W. , Roden Michael , Rosenbauer Joachim ,   for the GDS Group, Roden M. , Al-Hasani H. , Belgardt B , Bönhof GJ. , Burkart V , Buyken A. E. , Geerling G. , Herder C. , Icks A. , Jandeleit-Dahm K. , Kotzka J. , Kuß O. , Lammert E. , Rathmann W. , Schrauwen-Hinderling V. B. , Szendroedi J. , Trenkamp S. , Wagner R.
Published: February 2023

Background

Diabetes distress is increasingly considered one of the most important psychosocial issues in the care of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We analyse whether diabetes distress and depression screening results of emerging adults are associated with the age at T1D onset.

Methods

Data were taken from two cohort studies conducted at the German Diabetes Center, Düsseldorf, Germany. The 18–30-year-old participants had an age at onset either before the age of 5 years (childhood-onset long-term T1D study group, N = 749) or during adulthood (adult-onset short-term T1D study group from the German Diabetes Study (GDS), N = 163). Diabetes distress and depression screening were analysed by means of the 20-item Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID-20) scale and the nine-item depression module from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The average causal effect of age at onset was estimated by a doubly robust causal inference method.

Results

The PAID-20 total scores were increased in the adult-onset study group [potential outcome mean (POM) 32.1 (95% confidence interval 28.0; 36.1) points] compared to the childhood-onset study group [POM 21.0 (19.6; 22.4) points, difference 11.1 (6.9; 15.3) points, p<0.001] adjusted for age, sex and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Moreover, more participants in the adult-onset group [POM 34.5 (24.9; 44.2) %] than in the childhood-onset group [POM 16.3 (13.3; 19.2) %] screened positive for diabetes distress [adjusted difference 18.3 (8.3; 28.2) %, p<0.001]. The PHQ-9 total score [difference 0.3 (-1.1; 1.7) points, p=0.660] and the proportion of participants with a positive screening result for depression [difference 0.0 (-12.7; 12.8) %, p=0.994] did not differ between the groups in the adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

Emerging adults with short-term type 1 diabetes screened positive for diabetes distress more often than adults with type 1 diabetes onset during early childhood when age, sex and HbA1c values were considered confounding factors. Accounting for age at onset or the duration of diabetes may help explain the heterogeneity in the data when psychological factors are examined.
Prevalence of overweight/obesity and its relationship with metabolic syndrome and fatty liver index in adult patients with type 1 diabetes. A Brazilian multicenter study
Authors: Gomes Marilia Brito , Santos Deborah Conte , Drummond Karla , Pinheiro André , Muniz Luiza Harcar , Leal Franz , Negrato Carlos Antonio ,   Brazilian Type 1 Diabetes Study Group (BrazDiab1SG), Melo Laura Nunes , Cobas Roberta , Tannus Lucianne Righeti Monteiro , Rodacki Melanie , Zajdenverg Lenita , Dantas Joana Rodrigues , Corrêa-Giannella Maria Lúcia Cardillo , Admoni Sharon Nina , Santos Daniele Pereirados , Guedes Mariade Fatima , Dib Sergio Atala , Filho Celso Ferreirde Camargo Sallum , Pavin Elisabeth João , Takano Caroline , Rea Rosângela Roginski , Romanzini Nicole Balster , Azevedo Mirela , Canani Luis Henrique , Pedrosa Hermelinda Cordeiro , Tolentino Monica , Aguiar Cejana Hamu , Fonseca Reine Marie Chaves , Fonseca Ludmila Chaves , Kasprowicz Raffaele , Forti Adriana Costa e , Mendes Angela Delmira Nunes , Junior Renan Montenegro , Fernandes Virgínia Oliveira , Felício João Soares , Santos Flavia Marques
Published: February 2023

Aims

To determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and its relationship with metabolic syndrome (MS), fatty liver index (FLI), cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), and diabetes-related chronic complications (DRCC) in adult patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

This study was conducted in 14 Brazilian public clinics in ten cities, with 1,390 patients: 802 females (57.7%), 779 (56.0%) Caucasians, aged 33.6 ± 10.8 years, age at diagnosis, 16.2 ± 9.2 years, diabetes duration, 17.4 ± 9.2 years, and HbA1c 8.8 ± 2.0%.

Results

Overall, 825 patients (59.4%) had normal weight, and 565 had overweight/obesity; ( 429 (30.9%) presented overweight and 136 (9.8%) presented obesity). After adjustments, overweight/obesity was associated with age, family history of overweight/obesity, total daily insulin dose, hypertension, adherence to diet, type of health care insurance, use of metformin, levels of C-reactive protein, triglycerides, uric acid and HDL-cholesterol. These patients also presented a higher prevalence of MS, FLI ≥ 60, and CVRF than patients without overweight/obesity. Overweight/obesity was not associated with DRCC and with HbA1c levels.

Conclusions

Patients with T1D with overweight/obesity presented traditional risk factors for DRCC, cardiovascular diseases, MS, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; most of these risk factors are modifiable and can be avoided with interventions that prevent overweight/obesity.
An overdetermined problem of the biharmonic operator on Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Chen Fan , Huang Qin , Ruan Qihua
Published: February 2023

Let $(M,g)$
(
M
,
g
)
be an n-dimensional complete Riemannian manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature. In this paper, we consider an overdetermined problem of the biharmonic operator on a bounded smooth domain Ω in M. We deduce that the overdetermined problem has a solution only if Ω is isometric to a ball in $\mathbb{R}^{n}$

R
n

. Our method is based on using a P-function and the maximum principle argument. This result is a generalization of the overdetermined problem for the biharmonic equation in Euclidean space.
Immune-associated biomarkers identification for diagnosing carotid plaque progression with uremia through systematical bioinformatics and machine learning analysis
Authors: Liu Chunjiang , Tang Liming , Zhou Yue , Tang Xiaoqi , Zhang Gang , Zhu Qin , Zhou Yufei
Published: February 2023

Background

Uremia is one of the most challenging problems in medicine and an increasing public health issue worldwide. Patients with uremia suffer from accelerated atherosclerosis, and atherosclerosis progression may trigger plaque instability and clinical events. As a result, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications are more likely to occur. This study aimed to identify diagnostic biomarkers in uremic patients with unstable carotid plaques (USCPs).

Methods

Four microarray datasets (GSE37171, GSE41571, GSE163154, and GSE28829) were downloaded from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus database. The Limma package was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in uremia and USCP. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to determine the respective significant module genes associated with uremia and USCP. Moreover, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and three machine learning algorithms were applied to detect potential diagnostic genes. Subsequently, a nomogram and a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were plotted to diagnose USCP with uremia. Finally, immune cell infiltrations were further analyzed.

Results

Using the Limma package and WGCNA, the intersection of 2795 uremia-related DEGs and 1127 USCP-related DEGs yielded 99 uremia-related DEGs in USCP. 20 genes were selected as candidate hub genes via PPI network construction. Based on the intersection of genes from the three machine learning algorithms, three hub genes (FGR, LCP1, and C5AR1) were identified and used to establish a nomogram that displayed a high diagnostic performance (AUC: 0.989, 95% CI 0.971–1.000). Dysregulated immune cell infiltrations were observed in USCP, showing positive correlations with the three hub genes.

Conclusion

The current study systematically identified three candidate hub genes (FGR, LCP1, and C5AR1) and established a nomogram to assist in diagnosing USCP with uremia using various bioinformatic analyses and machine learning algorithms. Herein, the findings provide a foothold for future studies on potential diagnostic candidate genes for USCP in uremic patients. Additionally, immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that the dysregulated immune cell proportions were identified, and macrophages could have a critical role in USCP pathogenesis.
Analysis of clinical and genomic profiles of therapy-related myeloid neoplasm in Korea
Authors: Yun Jiwon , Song Hyojin , Kim Sung-Min , Kim Soonok , Kwon Seok Ryun , Lee Young Eun , Jeong Dajeong , Park Jae Hyeon , Kwon Sunghoon , Yun Hongseok , Lee Dong Soon
Published: February 2023

Background

Therapy-related myeloid neoplasm (T-MN) rarely occurs among cancer survivors, and was characterized by poor prognosis. T-MN has germline predisposition in a considerable proportion. Here, clinical characteristics and germline/somatic variant profiles in T-MN patients were investigated, and the findings were compared with those of previous studies.

Methods

A review of medical records, cytogenetic study, targeted sequencing by next-generation sequencing, and survival analysis were performed on 53 patients with T-MN at a single institution in Korea.

Results

The patients were relatively younger compared to T-MN patients in other studies. Our T-MN patients showed a high frequency of complex karyotypes, −5/del(5q), and −7/del(7q), which was similar to the Japanese study group but higher than the Australian study group. The most common primary disease was non-Hodgkin lymphoma, followed by breast cancer. The detailed distributions of primary diseases were different across study groups. Seven patients (13.2%) harbored deleterious presumed/potential germline variants in cancer predisposition genes (CPG) such asBRIP1,CEBPA,DDX41,FANCM,NBN,NF1, andRUNX1. In the somatic variant profile,TP53was the most frequently mutated gene, which was consistent with the previous studies about T-MN. However, the somatic variant frequency in our study group was lower than in other studies. Adverse factors for overall survival were male sex, older age, history of previous radiotherapy, previous longer cytotoxic therapy, and −5/del(5q).

Conclusion

The findings of our study corroborate important information about T-MN patients. As well as a considerable predisposition to CPG, the clinical characteristics and somatic variant profile showed distinctive patterns. Germline variant testing should be recommended for T-MN patients. If the T-MN patients harbor pathogenic germline variants, the family members for stem cell donation should be screened for carrier status through germline variant testing to avoid donor-derived myeloid neoplasm. For the prediction of the prognosis in T-MN patients, sex, age, past treatment history, and cytogenetic findings can be considered.
It’s not all about control: challenging mainstream framing of eating disorders
Authors: Branley-Bell Dawn , Talbot Catherine V. , Downs James , Figueras Carolina , Green Jessica , McGilley Beth , Murphy-Morgan Claire
Published: February 2023

Background

The concept of control has long been suggested as a central factor in eating disorder (ED) aetiology. The concept is now so mainstream that it risks being used in a potentially reductionist, stigmatising or otherwise harmful manner. In this paper, we explore and discuss our positions on the use of control-related terminology for EDs.

Methods

The authors of this auto-ethnographic position paper include academic researchers, individuals with lived experience and clinicians (not mutually exclusive). In sharing our experiences and observations, we aim to raise awareness of the wider impacts that control framing can have on ED perceptions, treatment, recovery and individuals’ lived experience.

Results

We argue that although control can play a role in some ED experiences, an overemphasis upon this factor to the exclusion of other conceptualisations is not beneficial.

Conclusions

To mitigate against pathologisation of an individual, it is important to challenge a discourse that can lead to EDs being perceived as something ‘wrong’ with the individual, rather than a consequence of life events or other environmental influences. We identify priorities for the future for researchers, clinicians, policy makers and the wider public.
Seasonal mixed layer temperature and salt balances in the Banda Sea observed by an Argo float
Authors: Ismail Mochamad Furqon Azis , Karstensen Johannes , Ribbe Joachim , Arifin Taslim , Chandra Handy , Akhwady Rudhy , Yulihastin Erma , Basit Abdul , Budiman Asep Sandra
Published: February 2023

For the first time, the processes controlling the variations of mixed layer temperature (MLT) and salinity (MLS) in the Banda Sea are quantified using data from a single Argo float in combination with satellite and reanalysis outputs from August 2017 to August 2019. This augments previous studies that utilized ocean model data only. We document the presence of a barrier layer and quantify the roles of air-sea heat and mass exchanges, horizontal advection, and vertical entrainment in the seasonal variability of MLT and MLS. We find that heat gains and losses at the air-sea interface are the main contributor to the warming and cooling of the MLT. Seasonal changes in MLS are driven by advection of low salinity water rather than freshwater fluxes from precipitation and evaporation. This is particularly the case during the late northwest and monsoon transition period from February to April when low salinity is advected eastward from the Java Sea into the Banda Sea.
Clinicopathological and computed tomography features of patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer harboring ALK rearrangement
Authors: Hou Xiaoming , Chen Han , Liu You , Gong Sandong , Zhudai Meizi , Shen Leilei
Published: February 2023

Background

Although some studies have assessed the correlation between computed tomography (CT) features and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), few have focused on early-stage patients. The results of some previous studies are inconsistent and contradictory. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological and CT features of patients with early-stage NSCLC harboring ALK rearrangement.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included 65 patients with ALK rearrangement and 629 ALK-negative patients. All patients had surgically resected NSCLC and were diagnosed with stage IA or stage IIB NSCLC. Clinicopathological features and CT signs, including tumor size and density, consolidation tumor ratio (CTR), lesion location, round or irregular shape, lobulated or spiculated margins, air bronchograms, bubble-like lucency or cavities, and pleural retraction, were investigated according to different genotypes.

Results

The prevalence of ALK rearrangement in patients with early-stage NSCLC was 9.3% (65/694). Patients with ALK rearrangement were significantly younger than those without ALK rearrangement (P = 0.033). The frequency of moderate cell differentiation was significantly lower in tumors with ALK rearrangement than in those without ALK rearrangement (46.2% vs. 59.8%, P = 0.034). The frequency of the mucinous subtype was significantly higher in the ALK-positive group than in the ALK-negative group (13.8% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.007). No significant differences were found in any CT signs between the ALK-positive and ALK-negative groups.

Conclusions

Patients with ALK-positive lung cancer may have specific clinicopathological features, including younger age, lower frequency of moderate cell differentiation, and higher frequency of the mucinous type. CT features may not correlate with ALK rearrangement in early-stage lung cancer. Immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing is needed to further clarify the genomic mutation status.
Anti-apoptotic effect of menaquinone-7 protects the brain of ovariectomized rats
Authors: Mansour Sherif W. , Selim Soad Abdallah , Salama Sarah Ahmed , Hussein Samia , Abozaid Eman Reda
Published: February 2023

Background

Mood and memory deterioration occurs after ovariectomy (OVX) with various degrees and sometimes requires medical intervention. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is a potent isoform of vitamin K2 and has many effects on the bone and cardiovascular system. However, the effect of MK-7 on the brain and its mechanisms of action are still unclear. This study was performed to investigate the effect of MK-7 on mood and memory disorders following ovariectomy. Thirty-two female albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8). Group I (control group) included sham-operated rats with sunflower oil intake. Group II (K2) included sham-operated rats with an intake of MK-7 dissolved in sunflower oil. Group III (K2 OVX) included ovariectomized rats with an intake of MK-7 dissolved in sunflower oil. Group IV(OVX) included ovariectomized rats with sunflower oil intake. Working memory, anxiety, depression, and sociability behaviors were investigated in all groups. Gene expression of BAX, BCL2, and p53 was measured in the hippocampus of all groups by real-time PCR. Besides, BAX/BCL2 ratio was calculated.

Results

Working memory, anxiety, depression, and sociability behaviors in the OVX rats showed a significant change compared to the sham-operated. However, the intake of MK-7 after the OVX resulted in significant improvement. Regarding hydrogen peroxide and MDA activity, they were significantly higher in the OVX group compared to the sham-operated groups, while in the K2OVX group, their activity showed a significant decrease in comparison with the OVX group. However, catalase and total antioxidant capacity were significantly lower in the OVX group compared to the sham-operated group, while in the k2OVX group, their activity showed a significant increase in comparison with the OVX group. The OVX group showed a significant elevation in the BAX, BAX/BCl2 ratio, and P53, but BCL2 was significantly reduced. However, the intake of MK-7 caused a significant improvement.

Conclusions

Our study showed that the OVX group showed significant physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes, which can be prevented by MK-7 intake.
An increase in the auditory steady-state response amplitudes after a period of listening to binaural beat stimuli in tinnitus patients: a pilot study
Authors: Sadeghijam Maryam , Moossavi Abdollah , Akbari Mahdi , Haghani Hamid , Yousefi Abbas , Mohsen Samer
Published: February 2023

Background

Tinnitus impact on persons’ lifestyle, function, and emotion is of significant importance that has been the leader for conducting an increasing amount of research in the field of tinnitus pathophysiology, assessment, and management. Binaural beats (BB) are one of acoustic neuromodulation approaches used in psychological disorders, such as distress and anxiety. Thus, we hypothesized that binaural beat could be helpful in the relief of tinnitus distress and annoyance.

Methods

Seventeen chronic tinnitus subjects participated in this quasi-experimental (quantitative research) study. In this study, the effect of binaural beat stimuli was evaluated subjectively using the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores, the visual analog scale for loudness and annoyance (VAS_L, VAS_A), and objectively by the 40-Hz ASSR after 1 month of listening to binaural beats, and the correlation between these two assessments was evaluated.

Results

After 1 month of binaural beat stimuli listening, all of the subjective findings were significantly improved, and the amplitude of 40-Hz ASSR was increased in the right auditory and anterior frontal regions at 2000-Hz carrier frequency. Besides, there was a high correlation between the decreasing of the subjective scores with the rising of the amplitude of 40-Hz ASSR.

Conclusion

The use of binaural beat as an acoustic neuromodulation method for tinnitus management may be recommended according to the current study findings. However, more investigations on the effectiveness supported by data from controlled clinical trials and more correlations with ASSR alteration are highly suggested.
Automatic facies classification from acoustic image logs using deep neural networks
Authors: You Nan , Li Elita (Yunyue) , Cheng Arthur
Published: February 2023

Borehole image logs greatly facilitate a detailed characterization of rock formations, especially for the highly heterogeneous and anisotropic carbonate rocks. However, interpreting image logs requires massive time and workforce and lacks consistency and repeatability because it relies heavily on a human interpreter’s expertise, experience, and alertness. Thus, we propose to train an end-to-end deep neural network (DNN) for instant and consistent facies classification of carbonate rocks from acoustic image logs and gamma-ray logs. The DNN is modified from the well-known U-Net for image segmentation. The training data are composed of two data sets: (1) manually labeled field data measured by different imaging tools from the geologically complex Brazilian presalt region and (2) noise-free synthetic data. Some short sections of the field data that are challenging for manual labeling due to entangled features and noise or low resolution are left unlabeled for a blind test after training. All labeled data are divided into a training set, a validation set, and a test set to avoid overfitting. We determine that the trained DNN achieves a 77% classification accuracy for the test set and provides reasonable predictions for the challenging unlabeled sets. It is a great achievement given the complexity and variability of the field data. Compared with manual classification, our DNN provides more consistent and higher-resolution predictions in a highly efficient manner and thus dramatically contributes to an automatic image log interpretation.
Virtual Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies: A Single-Institution Experience
Authors: Suleman Adam , Vijenthira Abi , Liu Zhihui Amy , Truong Tran , Berlin Alejandro , Prica Anca , Rodin Danielle
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE:

The use of virtual care rapidly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has persisted as a routine method of care delivery. Much of the literature on virtual care in oncology has focused on solid tumors, and little is known about its application in malignant hematology.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective review of patients with hematologic malignancies at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre from October 2019 to March 2021 to determine the use of virtual care during this period, cost-savings associated with virtual visits, and patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the Your Voice Matters survey, a provincially administered survey to evaluate patient experience.

RESULTS:

Overall, 12.1% (1,122/9,295) of patients had a virtual visit during the study period (0% from October 2019 to February 2020, 36% from March to August 2020, and 30% from September 2020 to March 2021), of which 36% were in the lymphoma clinic and 46% were in the myeloma clinic. The mean two-way opportunity cost for an in-person visit was $168.00 CAD per person with public transit, and $120.40 CAD per person driving. Responses to the Your Voice Matters survey indicated that patients with a virtual visit reported that physical symptoms were discussed appropriately (mean 4.73/5), and were more likely to ask for a follow-up virtual visit compared with patients with in-person visits (mean 4.50/5 v 3.02/5, respectively; P < .01).

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that virtual care may be a feasible and well-received tool for delivering care to a substantial proportion of patients with hematologic malignancies, while enabling substantial cost-savings to patients.
Conditional Recurrence-Free Survival After Surgical Resection of Meningioma
Authors: Tang Alan R. , Chotai Silky , Guidry Bradley S. , Sun Lili , Ye Fei , Kelly Patrick D. , McDermott Jake R. , Grisham Candace J. , Morone Peter J. , Thompson Reid C. , Chambless Lola B.
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:

Recurrence after meningioma resection warrants serial surveillance imaging, but little evidence guides the optimal time interval between imaging studies/surveillance duration.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe recurrence-free survival (RFS) after meningioma resection, conditioned to short-term RFS.

METHODS:

A retrospective cohort study for adults presenting for meningioma resection from 2000 to 2018 was conducted. The primary outcome was postoperative follow-up RFS. Conditional RFS Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years, conditioned to 6-month and 12-month RFS. RFS probabilities conditioned to 6-month RFS were estimated in subgroups, stratified by World Health Organization grade, extent of resection, and need for postoperative radiation.

RESULTS:

In total, 723 patients were included. Median age at surgery was 57.4 years (IQR = 47.2-67.2). Median follow-up was 23.5 months (IQR = 12.3-47.8). Recurrence was observed in 90 patients (12%), with median time to recurrence of 14.4 months (IQR = 10.3-37.1). Conditioned to 6-month postoperative RFS, patients had 90.3% probability of remaining recurrence-free at 2 years and 69.4% at 10 years. Subgroup analysis conditioned to 6-month RFS demonstrated grade 1 meningiomas undergoing gross total resection (GTR) had 96.0% probability of RFS at 1 year and 82.8% at 5 years, whereas those undergoing non-GTR had 94.5% and 79.9% probability, respectively. RFS probability was 78.8% at 5 years for non-grade 1 meningiomas undergoing GTR, compared with 69.7% for non-grade 1 meningiomas undergoing non-GTR. Patients with non-grade 1 meningiomas undergoing upfront radiation had a 1-year RFS of 90.1% and 5-year RFS of 51.7%.

CONCLUSION:

Recurrence risk after meningioma resection after an initial recurrence-free period is reported, with high-risk subgroups identified. These results can inform objective shared decision-making for optimal follow-up.
Optional Verification and Signaling in Online Matching Markets: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment
Authors: Shi Lanfei , Viswanathan Siva
Published: February 2023

Online matching platforms could lack common informational mechanisms, such as ratings and reviews, that serve to reduce information asymmetry in transactional platforms. The lack of verified information about participants further exacerbates issues of information asymmetry in such markets. Our study focuses on a novel role of verification in such matching markets—its ability to serve as a credible signal for a user, when such verification is made optional and visible to other users. In collaboration with a leading online dating platform with no reputation mechanisms and where most of the information is self-disclosed, we design and conduct a randomized field experiment to examine not only who chooses to verify but also, the effectiveness of such optional verification for different types of users. We identify that a simple-to-implement mechanism, such as phone verification, when made optional can take on additional significance in platforms that lack alternate reputation and transaction-assurance mechanisms, especially for those in early years or those that lack other credible mechanisms to verify important information about participants. Our findings also provide insights into how optional verification has heterogeneous impacts on different platform users and can also facilitate desirable matching and benefit the platform as a whole, paving the way for examining other similar verification mechanisms.
Reversing Reserves
Authors: Pathak Parag A. , Rees-Jones Alex , Sönmez Tayfun
Published: February 2023

Affirmative action policies are often implemented through reserve systems. In this study, we demonstrate that reserve systems face widespread misunderstanding by the public. This misunderstanding can lead individuals to support policies that ineffectively pursue their interests. To establish these claims, we present 1,013 participants in the Understanding America Study with choices between pairs of reserve systems. Participants are members of the group receiving affirmative action and are financially incentivized to choose the system that maximizes their chance of admission. Using this data, we apply a novel approach to identifying the rate of uptake of different decision rules used by participants. We find that participants rarely use a fully optimal decision rule. In contrast, we find that many choices—40% in our primary estimates—are rationalized by a nearly correct decision rule, with errors driven solely by failing to appreciate the importance of processing order. Failing to account for processing order causes individuals to fail to distinguish between two policies that achieve different degrees of affirmative action: policies that provide nonbinding minimum guarantees of the number of spaces allocated and policies that provide spaces over-and-above what would be allocated absent a reserve. Confusion about the importance of processing order helps to explain otherwise surprising decisions made in field applications of reserve systems. We discuss implications for managers and policy makers who are trying to implement reserve systems and who are accountable to the public.

This paper was accepted by Axel Ockenfels, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: The authors thank the National Science Foundation and the Wharton Behavioral Laboratory for financial support.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4669 .
Assortment Planning for Recommendations at Checkout Under Inventory Constraints
Authors: Chen Xi , Ma Will , Simchi-Levi David , Xin Linwei
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we consider a personalized assortment planning problem under inventory constraints, where each arriving customer type is defined by a primary item of interest. As long as that item is in stock, the customer adds it to the shopping cart, at which point the retailer can recommend to the customer an assortment of add-ons to go along with the primary item. This problem is motivated by the new “recommendation at checkout” systems that have been deployed at many online retailers, and it also serves as a framework that unifies many existing problems in online algorithms (e.g., personalized assortment planning, single-leg booking, and online matching with stochastic rewards). In our problem, add-on recommendation opportunities are eluded when primary items go out of stock, which poses additional challenges for the development of an online policy. We overcome these challenges by introducing the notion of an inventory protection level in expectation and derive an algorithm with a 1/4-competitive ratio guarantee under adversarial arrivals.

Funding: This work was supported by the Adobe Data Science Research Award and the Alibaba Innovation Research Award. L. Xin was partly supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) [Award CMMI-1635160], X. Chen was supported by the NSF [CAREER Award IIS-1845444]. W. Ma and D. Simchi-Levi were supported by the Accenture and MIT Alliance in Business Analytics.
Effects of multimodal cognitive exercise program on cognitive function, bone density, blood lipid, fitness, and depression in old women with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Hong Seo-Youn , Jeong Woo-Min , Rhyu Hyun-Seung
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to verify the effects of participation in 12-week multimodal cognitive exercise program on cognitive function, bone mineral density, blood lipids, senior functional fitness, and depression of the old women with mild cognitive impairment and osteopenia. As a result, the exercise group showed significant effects in cognitive function, depression, bone mineral density, blood lipid, lower extremity flexibility, upper extremity flexibility, dynamic balance, and body endurance. Such results prove that multimodal cognitive exercise program is an effective interventional exercise program for improving cognitive function in the old women with mild cognitive impairment.
Oxidative stress associated with impaired autonomic control and severity of lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Promsrisuk Tichanon , Boonla Orachorn , Kongsui Ratchaniporn , Sriraksa Napatr , Thongrong Sitthisak , Srithawong Arunrat
Published: February 2023

Oxidative stress has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to investigate a link between malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, pulmonary function, and cardiac autonomic control in patients with COPD. Plasma levels of MDA, heart rate variability, and pulmonary function were measured in 50 clinically stable COPD patients and 50 normal male controls. COPD patients exhibited lower means of the standard deviations of all normal to normal (NN) intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals (RMSSD), and high frequency (HF). Nevertheless, they presented greater low frequency (LF) and low frequency/high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio) in supine and head-up tilt positions than controls (P< 0.001). Moreover, a negative correlation between MDA levels with SDNN (P< 0.001) and a positive correlation with LF (P< 0.01) and LF/HF ratio (P< 0.05) were observed in both positions. In COPD patients, plasma MDA levels were 2.3 times greater than controls (4.33± 2.03 µM vs. 1.89± 0.39 µM, P< 0.001), and they were inversely correlated with forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, midexpiratory flow, and peak expiratory flow (P< 0.001). Our findings suggest a potential role for oxidative stress in impaired cardiac autonomic control and clinical relevance of plasma MDA levels as a predictor of severity of COPD in COPD patients.
Normalization and possibility of classification analysis using the optimal warping paths of dynamic time warping in gait analysis
Authors: Lee Hyun-Seob
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to verify classification performance and the difference analysis between gender using optimal warping paths of dynamic time warping (DTW) and to examine the usefulness of root mean square error (RMSE) represented by the perpendicular distance from the optimal warping path to the diagonal. A 3-dimensional motion analysis experiment was performed with 24 healthy adults (male= 12, female= 12) in their 20s of age without gait-related diseases or injuries for the past 6 months to collect gait data. This study performed a DTW 132 times in total (male= 62, female= 62) for the flexion angle of the right leg’s hip, knee, and ankle joints. Then, the global cost and the RMSE of the optimal warping paths were calculated and normalized. The difference analysis was performed by independent t-test. Machine learning was performed to test the classification performance using the neural network, support vector machine, and logistic regression model among the supervised models. Results analyzed using global cost and RMSE for hip, knee, and ankle joints showed a statistically significant difference between genders in global cost and RMSE for hip and knee joints but not for ankle joints using RMSE. Considering both area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and F1-score, the logistic regression model has been evaluated as the most suitable for gender classification using the global cost or RMSE. This study demonstrated that optimal warping paths could be used for statistical difference analysis and classification analysis.
Effect of concurrent aerobic exercise and bone marrow stromal cell transplantation on time-dependent changes of myogenic differentiation-related cascades in soleus muscle after sciatic nerve injury
Authors: Cho Yeong-Hyun , Seo Tae-Beom
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the time-dependent alteration in whether concurrent aerobic exercise and bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) engraftment could regulate myogenic differentiation-related signaling pathway in the soleus up to 35 days after sciatic nerve injury (SNI). The rats were divided as follows: the normal control (CON, n= 5), sedentary group (SED, n= 20), treadmill exercise group (TEX, n= 20), BMSC transplantation group (BMSC, n= 20), TEX+BMSC transplantation group (TEX+BMSC, n= 20) 7, 14, 21, and 35 days after SNI. SNI was applied into the thigh and treadmill exercise was comprised of walking at a speed of 4 to 8 m/min for 30 min once a day. Harvested BMSC at a density of 5× 106 in 50-μL phosphate-buff-ered saline was injected into the injury site. Phosphorylated (p) extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 expression was dramatically upregulated in BMSC and BMSC+EX groups from 21 days after SNI compared to those in the SED group. P-ribosomal s6 kinase (RSK) was sharply increased 14 days later, and then rapidly downregulated from day 21, whereas TEX, BMSC and TEX+ BMSC groups significantly kept up expression levels of p-RSK until 35 days post injury than SED group. TEX+BMSC group significantly increased activation of protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin in the soleus from day 14 and myoblast determination protein 1-myogenin pathways was activated in TEX+BMSC group from day 21. Present findings provide information that combined intervention of aerobic exercise and BMSC transplantation might be a reliable therapeutic strategy for overcoming the morphological and functional problems in denervated soleus muscle.
An exploratory study of exercise behaviours and barriers to participation in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a focus on resistance training
Authors: Newman Laura , Fornusek Che , Hackett Daniel
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the exercise behaviours and barriers in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), with a particular focus on resistance training (RT). Ninety-four Australian adults with a diagnosis of CMT completed an online survey. Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported performing some form of RT each week. Those performing RT engaged in more aerobic activity (P≤ 0.01) and were involved in longer periods of structured exercise (P< 0.01) compared to those not performing RT. The RT group was more likely to perceive their exercise levels as acceptable (P< 0.01), that following a program was important (P= 0.02), and that exercise is beneficial (P= 0.04). The RT group were more likely to have been advised to exercise (P= 0.02). Common barriers to exercise were fatigue (64.9%), pain (57.4%), motivation (51.1%), and time (46.8%). RT status did not influence the type of barriers experienced. Weekly RT time was positively associated with exercise satisfaction (r= 0.43, P< 0.01) and walking distance prior to resting (r= 0.29, P= 0.04). The findings suggest that positive exercise experiences, advice, assistance from a trainer, and potentially greater resources may influence participation in RT for people with CMT.
A new year: refocussing priorities in neurology
Authors: Thomas Sue
Published: February 2023

Sue Thomas highlights the challenges and opportunities that face neurology in the coming year by outlining the NHS Operational Plan 2023 and the Hewitt Review. She details how neurology is finally raising its profile in policy across the UK and speculates how this could be turned into action.
The complex neurology that links physical health to post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: February 2023

For some time, there has been a growing awareness of the physical neurological impacts that severe trauma can have. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that involves the presence of trauma-related memories and a heightened physiological stress at varying times and in response to a variety of triggers. Subsequently, the condition can have profoundly disabling mental impacts. Over time, such highly activated symptoms can cause neurological changes. This article discusses the effects of PTSD on brain structure and chemistry, exploring the link between mental injury and the brain.
High reliability and luminance of the color wheel by phosphor-in-inorganic silicone
Authors: Liu Chun-Nien , Shih Hsing-Kun , Chen Yi-Chian , Chen Yun-Huei , Cheng Wei-Chih , Cheng Wood-Hi
Published: February 2023

High reliability and luminance of the color wheel in a laser light engine (LLE) employing novel phosphor-in-inorganic silicone (PiIS) fabricated at the low temperature of 180°C for laser projector applications is presented and demonstrated for the first time. Yellow (Y3Al5O12:Ce3+) and green (Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+) phosphors were uniformly mixed by inorganic silicone, organic silicone, and glass to fabricate as a phosphor color wheel. The PiIS-based color wheels showed better thermal stability than the phosphor-in-organic silicone (PiOS), about 3-7 times less lumen loss and 7-8 times less chromaticity shift under accelerated aging at 350°C for 1008 hours. The advantage of the PiIS fabricated at a low temperature of 180°C enabled the achievement of excellent thermal performance, which was similar to the phosphor-in-glass (PiG) fabricated at a high temperature of 680°C. The good thermal stability of the PiIS can be attributed to the high glass melting temperature of up to 510°C. Low-temperature fabrication, excellent optical performance, and high reliability of the proposed PiIS-based color wheels benefit as promising candidates to replace the current PiOS or PIG-based color wheels in the LLE modules for the next-generation laser projector applications.
Strain-compensated 1.55 μm DBR lasers for operation at high speed with low drive current
Authors: Öhlander U. , Sahlén O. , Kjebon O. , Lourdudoss S. , Wallin J. , Streubel K. , Nilsson S. , Bäckbom L.
Published: February 2023

Strained-layer quantum well (QW) technology allows band-engineered active material to improve threshold current and output power [1], speed [2-4], chirp [2] and temperature performance [5]. A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) section can be used to obtain longitudinal single-mode operation [6] and improve temperature performance [7]. High-reflectivity (HR) coatings can be employed for better temperature performance [7] and threshold current [1]. We report a combination of DBR rear section, short-cavity QW active section and HR-coated front facet, which improves the properties for direct modulation.
Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy with a Modulated External Cavity Diode Laser
Authors: Wood C. S. , Bennett S. C. , Cho D. , Wieman C. E.
Published: February 2023

The usefulness of stimulated Raman transitions has been demonstrated in a variety of different applications. These two-photon transitions have the capability of very high resolution because the transition linewidths depend on the relative jitter between two frequencies, rather than absolute jitter on either one. Recent demonstrations include laser cooling and atomic interferometry [1]. They may also be needed for improved atomic clocks [2]. Due to this high resolution, stimulated Raman transitions can be a direct replacement for a microwave cavity and are often more compatible with optical experiments because a laser beam requires less space.