bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daily allergy burden and heart rate characteristics in adults with allergic rhinitis based on a wearable telemonitoring system
Authors: Buekers Joren , Stas Michiel , Aerts Raf , Bruffaerts Nicolas , Dujardin Sebastien , Van Nieuwenhuyse An , Van Orshoven Jos , Chevance Guillaume , Somers Ben , Aerts Jean‐Marie , Garcia‐Aymerich Judith
Published: April 2023

Background

Allergic rhinitis includes a certain degree of autonomic imbalance. However, no information is available on how daily changes in allergy burden affect autonomic imbalance. We aimed to estimate associations between daily allergy burden (allergy symptoms and mood) and daily heart rate characteristics (resting heart rate and sample entropy, both biomarkers of autonomic balance) of adults with allergic rhinitis, based on real‐world measurements with a wearable telemonitoring system.

Methods

Adults with a tree pollen allergy used a smartphone application to self‐report daily allergy symptoms (score 0–44) and mood (score 0–4), and a Mio Alpha 2 wristwatch to collect heart rate characteristics during two pollen seasons of hazel, alder and birch in Belgium. Associations between daily allergy burden and heart rate characteristics were estimated using linear mixed effects distributed lag models with a random intercept for individuals and adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Analyses included 2497 participant‐days of 72 participants. A one‐point increase in allergy symptom score was associated with an increase in next‐day resting heart rate of 0.08 (95% CI: 0.02–0.15) beats per minute. A one‐point increase in mood score was associated with an increase in same‐day sample entropy of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.34–1.26) × 10−2. No associations were found between allergy symptoms and heart rate sample entropy, nor between mood and resting heart rate.

Conclusion

Daily repeated measurements with a wearable telemonitoring system revealed that the daily allergy burden of adults with allergic rhinitis has systemic effects beyond merely the respiratory system.
Utility ofCYP2D6copy number variants as prognostic biomarker in localized anal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Trilla‐Fuertes Lucía , Gámez‐Pozo Angelo , Nogué Miguel , Busquier Isabel , Arias Fernando , López‐Campos Fernando , Fernández‐Montes Ana , Ruiz Ana , Velázquez Concepción , Martín‐Bravo Celia , Pérez‐Ruiz Elisabeth , Asensio Elena , Hernández‐Yagüe Xavier , Rodrigues Aline , Ghanem Ismael , López‐Vacas Rocío , Hafez Ahmed , Arias Pedro , Dapía Irene , Solís Mario , Dittmann Antje , Ramos Ricardo , Llorens Carlos , Maurel Joan , Campos‐Barros Ángel , Fresno Vara Juan Ángel , Feliu Jaime
Published: April 2023

Background

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is an infrequent tumor whose treatment has not changed since the 1970s. The aim of this study is the identification of biomarkers allowing personalized treatments and improvement of therapeutic outcomes.

Methods

Forty‐six paraffin tumor samples from ASCC patients were analyzed by whole‐exome sequencing. Copy number variants (CNVs) were identified and their relation to disease‐free survival (DFS) was studied and validated in an independent retrospective cohort of 101 ASCC patients from the Multidisciplinary Spanish Digestive Cancer Group (GEMCAD). GEMCAD cohort proteomics allowed assessing the biological features of these tumors.

Results

On the discovery cohort, the median age was 61 years old, 50% were males, stages I/II/III: 3 (7%)/16 (35%)/27 (58%), respectively, median DFS was 33 months, and overall survival was 45 months. Twenty‐nine genes whose duplication was related to DFS were identified. The most representative was duplications of the CYP2D locus, includingCYP2D6,CYP2D7P, andCYP2D8Pgenes. Patients withCYP2D6CNV had worse DFS at 5 years than those with twoCYP2D6copies (21% vs. 84%;p < .0002, hazard ratio [HR], 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7–24.9). In the GEMCAD validation cohort, patients withCYP2D6CNV also had worse DFS at 5 years (56% vs. 87%;p = .02, HR = 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1–5.7). Mitochondria and mitochondrial cell‐cycle proteins were overexpressed in patients withCYP2D6CNV.

Conclusions

TumorCYP2D6CNV identified patients with a significantly worse DFS at 5 years among localized ASCC patients treated with 5‐fluorouracil, mitomycin C, and radiotherapy. Proteomics pointed out mitochondria and mitochondrial cell‐cycle genes as possible therapeutic targets for these high‐risk patients.

Plain Language Summary

Anal squamous cell carcinoma is an infrequent tumor whose treatment has not been changed since the 1970s.

However, disease‐free survival in late staged tumors is between 40% and 70%.

The presence of an alteration in the number of copies ofCYP2D6gene is a biomarker of worse disease‐free survival.

The analysis of the proteins in these high‐risk patients pointed out mitochondria and mitochondrial cell‐cycle genes as possible therapeutic targets.

Therefore, the determination of the number of copies ofCYP2D6allows the identification of anal squamous carcinoma patients with a high‐risk of relapse that could be redirected to a clinical trial.

Additionally, this study may be useful to suggest new treatment strategies to increase current therapy efficacy.
Experimental validation of a new model for mandibular motions
Authors: Ke Si‐peng , Cheng Kang‐jie , Wang Russell , Jiang Xian‐feng , Liu Yun‐feng
Published: April 2023

Long‐term excessive forces loading from muscles of mastication during mandibular motions may result in disorders of temporomandibular joint (TMJ), myofascial pain, and restriction of jaw opening and closing. Current analysis of mandibular movements is generally conducted with a single opening, protrusive and lateral movements rather than composite motions that the three can be combined arbitrarily. The objective of this study was to construct theoretical equations reflecting the correlation between composite motions and muscle forces, and consequently to analyze the mandibular composite motions and the tensions of muscles of mastication in multiple dimensions. The muscle performances such as strength, power, and endurance of mandibular motions were analyzed and the effective motion range of each muscle was derived. The mandibular composite motion model was simplified by calculating muscle forces. An orthogonal rotation matrix based on muscle forces was established. A 3D printed mandible was used for in vitro simulation of mandibular motions on a robot and measurements of force were conducted. The theoretical model and forces were verified through a trajectory tracing experiment of mandibular motions driven by a 6‐axis robot with force/torque sensors. Through the analysis of the mandibular composite motion model, the motion form was obtained and transferred to guide the motions of the robot. The error between the experimental data obtained by the 6‐axis force/torque sensors and the theoretical data was within 0.6 N. Our system provides excellent visualization for analyzing the changes of muscle forces and locations during various mandibular movements. It is useful for clinicians to diagnose and formulate treatment for patients who suffer from (temporomandibular joint disorders) TMDs and restrict jaw movements. The system can potentially offer the comparison before and after treatment of TMDs or jaw surgery.
Modified Phenol/Chloroform‐Free DNA Isolation from Yeast and Other Fungi by Non‐Enzymatic Salting Out Method
Authors: Bandehpour Mojgan , Dehghani Niloofar , Jaliani Hossein Zarei , Asadi‐saghandi Abolghasem
Published: April 2023

The most commonly used fungal DNA extraction techniques require enzymatic digestion or hazardous chemicals. Here, we describe a quick non‐enzymatic salt‐out method that we developed for isolating high‐quality DNA from various fungal species. DNA was extracted from four species of typical fungi, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hansenula polymorpha, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus flavus. Results that we obtained from agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometry verified the integrity, high quality, and purity of the extracted DNAs. Also, PCR amplification and restriction enzyme digestion confirmed the efficiency of the extracted DNAs in molecular biology applications. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Yeast and fungal cultivation for DNA extraction

Basic Protocol 2: Modified salting out DNA extraction protocol

Support Protocol 1: PCR amplification of extracted genomes

Support Protocol 2: Digestion with restriction enzyme
Enabling positive intergroup relations through the utility of moral exemplars among young adults in post‐conflict settings
Authors: Opacin Nerkez
Published: April 2023

The article explores the role of moral exemplars as an approach to dealing with and learning from the past as part of peacebuilding education initiatives (PEIs) operating in Southeast Europe. To this day, a deeply rooted divide along ethnic lines is present throughout the region, with each ethnic group using separate narratives and educational programs, providing the youth with little space to meet and learn about the past and outgroup members. Civil society increasingly introduces PEIs that target adolescents through experiential learning approaches. Based on 12‐month‐long multi‐sited ethnographic research into four peacebuilding approaches, this article addresses three outcomes connected with the use of the moral exemplars approach in peacebuilding intervention programs. These include (1) a greater desire to learn about the past, outgroup members, and each other in post‐conflict and divided settings, (2) a greater chance to form cross‐group friendships as well as (3) a drive to take concrete steps toward peacebuilding in the participants' local communities.
Determinants of informal care time, distress, depression, and quality of life in care partners along the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Mank Arenda , van Maurik Ingrid S. , Rijnhart Judith J. M. , Rhodius‐Meester Hanneke F. M. , Visser Leonie N. C. , Lemstra Afina W. , Sikkes Sietske A. M. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , van Giessen Elsmarieke M. , Berkhof Johannes , van der Flier Wiesje M.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

We evaluated determinants associated with care partner outcomes along the Alzheimer's disease (AD) stages.

Methods

We included n = 270 care partners of amyloid‐positive patients in the pre‐dementia and dementia stages of AD. Using linear regression analysis, we examined determinants of four care partner outcomes: informal care time, caregiver distress, depression, and quality of life (QoL).

Results

More behavioral symptoms and functional impairment in patients were associated with more informal care time and depressive symptoms in care partners. More behavioral symptoms were related with more caregiver distress. Spouse care partners spent more time on informal care and QoL was lower in female care partners. Behavioral problems and subtle functional impairment of the patient predisposed for worse care partner outcomes already in the pre‐dementia stages.

Discussion

Both patient and care partner determinants contribute to the care partner outcomes, already in early disease stages. This study provides red flags for high care partner burden.
Multicomponent Reactions Based on SO2 Surrogates: Recent Advances
Authors: Chen Gang , Lian Zhong
Published: April 2023

Compounds containing sulfonyl‐derived functional groups have received intensive attention owing to their widespread applications in life science, pharmaceuticals and materials science. To access this type of compounds, the multi‐component sulfonylation reactions relying on sulfur dioxide (SO2) insertion strategy have emerged as novel and attractive approaches in the past decade. The utilization of SO2 surrogates for SO2 insertion in the multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have improved reaction flexibility and step economy. Moreover, some advances have been achieved in the challenging but practical asymmetric MCRs for the construction of high value‐added chiral sulfones. This review aims to summarize the progress made in the MCRs involving SO2 surrogates from 2019 to 2022, and point out the potentials and challenges in this field.
Proton therapy and/or helical tomotherapy for locally advanced sinonasal skull base adenoid cystic carcinoma: Focus on experience of the Institut Curie and review of literature
Authors: Mavrikios Antoine , Goudjil Farid , Beddok Arnaud , Zefkili Sofia , Bolle Stéphanie , Feuvret Loic , Le Tourneau Christophe , Choussy Olivier , Sauvaget Elisabeth , Herman Philippe , Dendale Rémi , Calugaru Valentin
Published: April 2023

Background

Sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinomas (SNACC) have high propensity for skull base (SB) infiltration. Unresectability or incomplete surgical resection in such cases make radiotherapy treatment paramount. Curative dose escalation is challenging because of adjacent organs at risk, especially in locally advanced cases.

Methods

Eighteen patients that had locally advanced SB SNACC with unresectable or incomplete surgical resection treated by proton therapy and/or helical tomotherapy at Institut Curie between 3/2010 and 8/2020 were retrospectively included.

Results

After median follow‐up of 52 months, 5‐year OS, LRRFS, DMFS, DFS rates were, respectively, 47% (95%CI: 26–83), 50% (95%CI: 36–88), 39% (95%CI: 26–81), 33% (95%CI: 22–73). One patient had grade 4 late optic nerve disorder. Eight patients had grade 3 late toxicity including mainly hearing impairments.

Conclusion

Proton therapy and helical tomotherapy are effective and safe methods for curative dose escalation of locally advanced SB SNACC, which are a poor prognosis subgroup. Available literature suggests carbon‐ion therapy could be an efficient alternative.
Pregnancy vaccination predictive factors and uptake profiles among Italian women: A cross‐sectional survey study on a large population
Authors: Ferrari Amerigo , Moretti Giaele , Corazza Ilaria , Mannella Paolo , Simoncini Tommaso , Bonciani Manila
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To assess influenza and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine coverage during pregnancy, explore key socioeconomic and maternity pathway‐related predictors of vaccination, and detect specific patterns of vaccination uptake.

Methods

The authors cross‐sectionally analyzed self‐reported data obtained from the systematic survey on the maternity pathways of Tuscany. They selected all pregnant women that completed from March 2019 to June 2022 the third‐trimester questionnaire (n = 25 160), which included two dichotomous items on influenza and Tdap vaccination, as well as socioeconomic and pathway‐related questions. Multilevel logistic models were performed to assess vaccination predictors and cluster analysis to identify vaccination patterns.

Results

Vaccination coverage was higher for pertussis (56.5%) than for influenza (18.9%). The main predictors of vaccination were high socioeconomic status, attending private gynecologists, and receiving vaccine information. Three clusters were identified: cluster 1 included women receiving both Tdap and influenza vaccines; cluster 2 included women receiving no vaccinations; and cluster 3 included women receiving only the pertussis vaccine. Although women from cluster 3 were of middle to low education status, vaccine information was the main adherence determinant also in this group.

Conclusions

Health workers and policymakers should focus on groups of pregnant women less prone to vaccination to promote vaccination information and encourage wider uptake and coverage.
Breast cancer: A hybrid method for feature selection and classification in digital mammography
Authors: Thawkar Shankar , Katta Vijay , Parashar Ajay Raj , Singh Law Kumar , Khanna Munish
Published: April 2023

In this article, a hybrid approach based on the Whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and the Dragonfly algorithm (DA) is proposed for breast cancer diagnosis. The hybrid WOADA method selects features based on the fitness value. These features are used to predict the breast masses as benign or malignant using artificial neural networks (ANN) and adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) as classifiers. The proposed solution is evaluated by using 651 mammograms. The results demonstrate that the WOADA technique outperforms the basic WOA and DA approaches. The accuracy of the suggested WOADA algorithm is 97.84%, with a Kappa value of 0.9477 and an AUC value of 0.972 ± 0.007 for the ANN classifier. Likewise, the ANFIS classifier achieved 98.00% accuracy with a Kappa value of 0.96 and an AUC value of 0.998 ± 0.001. In addition, the viability of the hybrid WOADA technique was evaluated on four benchmark datasets and then compared with four state‐of‐the‐art algorithms and published approaches.
IL‐6 at the center of cytokine storm: Circulating inflammation mediators as biomarkers in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Elbadawy Hossein M. , Khattab Amin , El‐Agamy Dina S. , Eltahir Heba M. , Alhaddad Aisha , Aljohani Fahad Dakilallah , Almuzaini Tarraji Mohammed , Abouzied Mekky M. , Aldhafiri Ahmed
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The management of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients depends largely on controlling the intensified inflammatory response known as the cytokine storm. Candidate inflammatory cytokines can serve as new biomarkers for the management of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

Patients (80) were recruited into three groups: room air (RA), oxygen (OX) and mechanical ventilator (MV). Blood analysis was performed for RBC, WBC, Hb, Platelets, serum albumin and creatinine, INR, PTT, and hematocrit. ELISA was used to quantify a panel of inflammatory mediators including GM‐SCF, IFN‐α, IFNγ, IL‐1β, IL‐1R, IL‐2, IL‐2Ra, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐13, MCP‐1, MIP‐1a, and TNF‐α. Correlations between laboratory results and the levels of circulating inflammation mediators were investigated.

Results

Patients on MV had low RBC, Hb, albumin, and HCT and high WBC count, PTT, and INR when compared to RA and OX groups. A statistical positive correlation was found between WBC and the levels of IL‐6 and MCP‐1. RBCs correlated negatively with IL‐6 and IL‐10 and positively with IL‐8. Higher TNF‐α correlated with lower platelet counts while higher levels of IL‐1Rα and IL‐10 were associated with lower Hb levels. Increases in IFN‐γ and TNF‐α were indicative of compromised kidney functions as creatinine levels increased significantly. Most significant correlations were found between IL‐6 and lab results, showing positive correlation with WBC and INR, and negative correlation with RBC, albumin, and HCT.

Conclusions

Having the most significant correlations, IL‐6 high levels in mechanically ventilated patients were shown to affect laboratory results, and, therefore, is suggested as a severity biomarker of COVID‐19.
Genetic counselors' perceptions of student supervision across service delivery models
Authors: Lichten Lauren , Murden Raphiel , Ali Nadia , Bellcross Cecelia
Published: April 2023

Genetic counseling (GC) services are increasingly delivered by phone or video, resulting in more telehealth student rotations. The purpose of this study was to describe genetic counselors' utilization of telehealth for student supervision and to compare how their comfort, preferences, and perception of the difficulty of selected student supervision competencies vary between phone, video, and in‐person student supervision. In 2021, patient‐facing genetic counselors in North America with ≥1‐year GC experience who supervised ≥3 GC students in the last 3 years received an invitation via the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the Association of GC Program Directors listservs to complete a 26‐item online questionnaire. There were 132 responses eligible for analysis. Demographics were fairly consistent with the National Society of Genetic Counselors Professional Status Survey. The majority of participants used more than one service delivery model to provide GC services (93%) and supervise students (89%). Six supervisory competencies related to the student–supervisor communication (Eubanks HIggins et al., 2013) were perceived to be most difficult to accomplish by phone and easiest in‐person (p < 0.0001). Participants were most comfortable in‐person and least comfortable by telephone for both patient care and student supervision (p < 0.001). The majority of participants predicted continued use of telehealth for patient care but preferred in‐person service delivery for both patient care (66%) and student supervision (81%). Overall, these findings indicate service delivery model changes in the field have an impact on GC education and suggest that the student–supervisor relationship may be different via telehealth. Furthermore, the stronger preference for in‐person patient care and student supervision, despite predicted continued telehealth utilization, points to a need for multifaceted telehealth education initiatives.
The effect of the crystallization of indium tin oxide on indium tin oxide wet etching based on gate line with the structure of copper/indium tin oxide
Authors: Xiao Juncheng , Zeng Guang , Li Ji , Zhang Shengdong
Published: April 2023

In thin film transistor‐liquid crystal display (TFT‐LCD), the copper/indium tin oxide (Cu/ITO) layer was often used to be gate line. In this event, the patterning of ITO is necessary and important. However, the high temperature generated during Cu deposition will cause ITO to crystallize, which is not conducive to ITO etching. In this paper, the ITO films prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering were annealed according to the monitoring results of production line to simulate and study the effect of crystallization on the etching properties of ITO film. When the annealing temperature was less than 200°C, no large size grains were detected in ITO films, and the ITO films could be easily etched by etchant. However, the ITO films transformed from amorphous structure to polycrystalline structure after being annealed more than 200°C. After wet etching experiments, the polycrystalline ITO films could be hardly removed by etchant. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that high temperature annealing induced a large amount of Sn4+ on ITO films surface. The Sn4+ was difficult to be dissolved by acid under normal conditions, which might be the most important factors that led to the greatly decreased etching rate for polycrystalline ITO films.
Identifying patient profiles of disparate care in resectable pancreas cancer using latent class analysis
Authors: Maduekwe Ugwuji N. , Stephenson Briana J. K. , Yeh Jen Jen , Troester Melissa A. , Sanoff Hanna K.
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives

Disparities in pancreas cancer care are multifactorial, but factors are often examined in isolation. Research that integrates these factors in a single conceptual framework is lacking. We use latent class analysis (LCA) to evaluate the association between intersectionality and patterns of care and survival in patients with resectable pancreas cancer.

Methods

LCA was used to identify demographic profiles in resectable pancreas cancer (n = 140 344) diagnosed from 2004 to 2019 in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). LCA‐derived patient profiles were used to identify differences in receipt of minimum expected treatment (definitive surgery), optimal treatment (definitive surgery and chemotherapy), time to treatment, and overall survival.

Results

Minimum expected treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65, 0.75) and optimal treatment (HR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.62) were associated with improved overall survival. Seven latent classes were identified based on age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) attributes (zip code‐linked education and income, insurance, geography). Compared to the referent group (≥65 years + White + med/high SES), the ≥65 years + Black profile had the longest time‐to‐treatment (24 days vs. 28 days) and lowest odds of receiving minimum (odds ratio [OR] 0.67, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.71) or optimal treatment (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.81). The Hispanic patient profile had the lowest median overall survival—55.3 months versus 67.5 months.

Conclusions

Accounting for intersectionality in the NCDB resectable pancreatic cancer patient cohort identifies subgroups at higher risk for inequities in care. LCA demonstrates that older Black patients and Hispanic patients are at particular risk for being underserved and should be prioritiz for directed interventions.
LncRNA CASC11 upregulation promotes HDAC4 to alleviate oxidized low‐density lipoprotein‐induced injury of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Hu Ke , Huang Min‐Jiang , Ling Sha , Li Yu‐Xian , Cao Xiang‐Yu , Chen Yue‐Fu , Lei Jian‐Ming , Fu Wen‐Zhe , Tan Bi‐Feng
Published: April 2023

Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are essential to regulate the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was conducted to analyze the functionality of long noncoding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 11 (lncRNA CASC11) in oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL)‐induced injury of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs). CMECs were treated with ox‐LDL to induce the CAD cell model. The cellular expression levels of CASC11 and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) were determined by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot assay. Cell absorbance, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammation were evaluated by cell counting kit‐8, flow cytometry, tube formation, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The subcellular localization of CASC11 was examined by the nuclear/cytoplasmic fractionation assay. The binding of human antigen R (HuR) to CASC11 and HDAC4 was analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation. HDAC4 stability was determined after actinomycin D treatment. CASC11 was found to be decreased in the CAD cell model. CASC11 upregulation increased cell viability and angiogenesis and reduced apoptosis and inflammation. CASC11 bound to HuR and improved HDAC4 expression. HDAC4 downregulation counteracted the protective role of CASC11 overexpression in CMECs. In summary, CASC11 alleviated ox‐LDL‐induced injury of CMECs by binding to HuR and stabilizing HDAC4.
Survival After Declining Pediatric Tracheostomy Placement
Authors: Liu Palmila , Brooks Rebecca L. , Bailey Candice H. , Whitney Cindy , Sewell Ashley , Brown Ashley F. , Kou Yann‐Fuu , Johnson Romaine F. , Chorney Stephen R.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To determine survival among critically ill children when caregivers decline tracheostomy placement.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort.

Methods

All children (<18 years) obtaining a pre‐tracheostomy consultation at a tertiary children's hospital between 2016 and 2021 were included. Comorbidities and mortality were compared between children of caregivers that declined or agreed to tracheostomy.

Results

Tracheostomy was declined for 58 children but was placed for 203 children. After consultation, mortality was 52% (30/58) when declining and 21% (42/230) when agreeing to tracheostomy (p < 0.001) at a mean of 10.7 months (standard deviation [SD]: 16) and 18.1 months (SD: 17.1), respectively (p = 0.07). For those declining, 31% (18/58) died during the hospitalization within a mean of 1.2 months (SD: 1.4) while 21% (12/58) died at a mean of 23.6 months (SD: 17.5) after discharge. Among children of caregivers declining tracheostomy, older age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74–0.97, p = 0.01) and chronic lung disease (OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04–0.82, P = .03) were associated with lower odds of mortality but sepsis (OR: 9.62, 95% CI: 1.161–57.43, p = 0.01) and intubation (OR: 4.98, 95% CI: 1.24–20.08, p = 0.02) were associated with higher odds of mortality. Median survival after declining tracheostomy was 31.9 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.0–50.7) and declining placement was associated with increased mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.04, 95% CI: 2.49–6.55, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

When caregivers declined tracheostomy placement, less than half of critically ill children in this cohort survived with younger age, sepsis, and intubation associated with higher mortality. This information offers valuable insight for families weighing decisions pertaining to pediatric tracheostomy placement.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:3602–3607, 2023
Anaerobic oxidation of methane does not attenuate methane emissions from thermokarst lakes
Authors: Lotem Noam , Pellerin André , Anthony Katey Walter , Gafni Almog , Boyko Valeria , Sivan Orit
Published: April 2023

The ongoing global temperature rise enhances permafrost thaw in the Arctic, allowing Pleistocene‐aged frozen soil organic matter to become available for microbial degradation and production of greenhouse gases, particularly methane. Here, we examined the extent and mechanism of anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in the sediments of four interior Alaska thermokarst lakes, which formed and continue to expand as a result of ice‐rich permafrost thaw. In cores of surface (~ 1 m) lake sediments we quantified methane production (methanogenesis) and AOM rates using anaerobic incubation experiments in low (4°C) and high (16°C) temperatures. Methanogenesis rates were measured by the accumulation of methane over ~ 90 d, whereas AOM rates were measured by adding labeled‐13CH4 and measuring the produced dissolved inorganic 13C. Our results demonstrate that while methanogenesis was vigorous in these anoxic sediments, AOM was lower by two orders of magnitude. In almost all sediment depths and temperatures, AOM rates remained less than 2% of the methanogenesis rates. Experimental evidence indicates that the AOM is strongly related to methanogens, as the addition of a methanogens' inhibitor prevented AOM. Variety of electron acceptor additions did not stimulate AOM, and methanotrophs were scarcely detected. These observations suggest that the AOM signals in the incubation experiments might be a result of enzymatic reversibility (“back‐flux”) during CH4 production, rather than thermodynamically favorable AOM. Regardless of the mechanism, the quantitative results show that near surface (< 1‐m) thermokarst sediments in interior Alaska have little to no buffer mechanisms capable of attenuating methane production in a warming climate.
Experimental Realization of Topologically‐Protected All‐Optical Logic Gates Based on Silicon Photonic Crystal Slabs
Authors: Zhang Furong , He Lu , Zhang Huizhen , Kong Ling‐Jun , Xu Xingsheng , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: April 2023

As the field of topological photonics has developed over the past 10 years, it has been proven that the combination of topology and photons is very beneficial to the design of robust optical devices against some disturbances. However, most of the work on robust optical logic devices stays at the theoretical level. There are very few topologically‐protected logic devices fabricated in experiments. Here, the experimental fabrication of a series of topologically‐protected all‐optical logic gates is reported. Seven topologically‐protected all‐optical logic gates (OR, XOR, NOT, XNOR, NAND, NOR, and AND) are fabricated on silicon photonic platforms, which show strong robustness even if some disorders exist. These robust logic devices are potentially applicable in future optical signal processing and computing applications.
PVA Electrospun Fibers Coated with PPy Nanoparticles for Wearable Strain Sensors
Authors: Ding Jingxian , Mei Longxiang , Guo Xiaowei , Guo Deyu , Ma Li , Gui Yanghai , Guo Dongjie
Published: April 2023

Current conductive polymers win wide applications in smart strain–stress sensors, bioinspired actuators, and wearable electronics. This work investigates a novel strain sensor by using conductive polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles coated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers as matrix. The flexible, water‐resistant PVA fibers are initially prepared by combined electrospinning and annealing techniques, and then are coated with PPy nanoparticles through in situ polymerization. The resultant PPy@PVA fibers exhibit stable, favorable electrical conductivities due to the uniform point‐to‐point connections among PPy nanoparticles, e.g. after three‐time’ polymerizations, the PPy@PVA3 fiber film presents a sheet resistance of ≈840 Ω sq−1 and a bulk conductivity of ≈32.1 mS cm−1. Cyclic sensing tests reveal that, PPy@PVA sensors show linear relationships between the relative resistance variations and the applied strains, e.g. the linear deviation of PPy@PVA3 is only 0.9 % within 33 % strain. After long‐term stretching/releasing cycles, the PPy@PVA sensor exhibits stable, durable, and reversible sensing behaviors, no evident “drift” is observed over 1,000 cycles (5,000 seconds).
Numerical investigation of slurry property effect on grouting and blocking of flowing water in rock fractures
Authors: Pan Dongdong , Zhang Yichi , Bu Zehua , Xu Zhenhao
Published: April 2023

In order to investigate the slurry flow behavior, our newly proposed numerical method is applied to simulate the fracture grouting with flowing water condition. First, by numerical validation and experiment comparison, the advantages of this method in computation efficiency and accuracy are shown. Second, the initial velocity of water and slurry properties at different levels are selected as the influencing factors, the water reduction effect, grouting pressure, and slurry deposition behavior in different cases are investigated, and the variation characteristics of flow field and slurry outflow are analyzed. The simulation results show that within the range of slurry properties and flow velocity given in this paper, cement slurry cannot seal the water inflow. Instead, quick setting slurry with different material ratios can effectively seal the fracture. The sealing efficiency is more sensitive to the initial flow rate than the slurry property. When the groundwater flow rate is low, the effect of slurry proportion on sealing can be ignored. Meanwhile, slurry properties have more influence on the final grouting pressure. There is an obvious surge in grouting pressure after sealing, which can be used as a criterion for fracture sealing.
A new method for the analysis of foundation behavior in sand under drained high‐cycle loading
Authors: Cao Shuhan , Abdel‐Rahman Khalid , Achmus Martin
Published: April 2023

In offshore technology, especially in offshore wind energy converters, permanent deformations of the structures must be limited. For that purpose, the accumulation of permanent deformation due to cyclic loading must be predicted as accurately as possible. To account for this accumulation in non‐cohesive soils, different approaches such as semi‐empirical methods, p‐y curve methods and numerical methods are available. Among the numerical approaches, the Stiffness Degradation Method (SDM) has the advantage of practical feasibility. However, it is only compatible with a relatively simple constitutive law and does not consider the influence of un‐ and reloading stress paths in the soil. With the basic concept of SDM, a new method termed Cyclic Strain Accumulation Method (CSAM) is proposed. In CSAM, the weaknesses of SDM, especially its incompatibility with advanced constitutive laws, are overcome, while retaining the practical feasibility as the main advantage of SDM. Through numerical calculations of a monopile, it is found that the CSAM is able to reproduce SDM results if the same material law is applied. The results of SDM and CSAM for the case of a vertical loaded strip footing have been presented. The comparison shows that the CSAM results are more realistic than the SDM results. Besides, CSAM is computationally more efficient and open for further optimisation. The effects of sophisticated material law and the consideration of un‐ and reloading are investigated. Results show that CSAM is a promising new approach to account for the deformation of foundations under cyclic loading in non‐cohesive soils.
Quality of life after tongue cancer treatment and its influencing factors: A cross‐sectional study of Japanese patients
Authors: Sasahara Hisako , Kurawaki Yuko , Uchida Kenichiro , Matsumura Tatsushi , Shigeishi Hideo , Hayashido Yasutaka , Toratani Shigeaki , Iida Seiji , Mishima Katsuaki , Ohta Kouji , Sugiyama Masaru
Published: April 2023

Aim

The post‐treatment quality of life (QOL) of patients with cancer has become an important issue owing to significant improvements in the outcomes of cancer treatment. The oral cavity has not only life‐sustaining functions but also important social functions, including talking. Thus, many reports have assessed the post‐treatment QOL of patients with oral cancer. However, the sample sizes in most studies were insufficient to control for potential confounding variables. Additionally, previous studies have indicated that racial/ethnic differences may be associated with health‐related QOL. Thus, this study aimed to clarify factors influencing post‐treatment QOL using multiple regression analysis in a large number of Japanese patients with tongue cancer.

Methods

In total, 106 patients with tongue cancer were recruited from the oral surgery departments of three university hospitals sharing a common treatment plan for tongue cancer. QOL was evaluated using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire, and depressive tendencies were assessed using the Self‐rating Depression Scale (SDS).

Results

Neck dissection was most widely associated with physical and socio‐emotional QOL. Reconstruction, radiotherapy, and higher T‐stage and SDS scores were the second most widely associated factors with QOL. Interestingly, a higher SDS score was negatively related only to socio‐emotional factors. Furthermore, only SDS scores were associated with the general QOL.

Conclusion

This study suggested that the physical and socio‐emotional QOL was widely affected by neck dissection, reconstruction, radiotherapy, T‐stage, and SDS scores, whereas the general QOL was affected only by SDS scores. These findings should be considered when treating patients with oral cancer.
Meaning and purpose in life, happiness, and life satisfaction in cancer: Systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Martinez‐Calderon Javier , García‐Muñoz Cristina , Heredia‐Rizo Alberto Marcos , Cano‐García Francisco Javier
Published: April 2023

Objective

To summarize current evidence on the potential cross‐sectional and longitudinal association between meaning or purpose in life and subjective happiness or life satisfaction among cancer patients.

Methods

A systematic review with meta‐analysis and meta‐regression was conducted. CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO (via ProQuest) were searched from inception to 31 December 2022. In addition, manual searches were performed. The risk of bias in cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Analytical Cross‐Sectional Studies and the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool, respectively. Certainty in the evidence was judged using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. Meta‐regressions and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.

Results

We included 13 cross‐sectional studies, comprising 12 different samples, and a longitudinal study. A total of 4968 individuals with cancer were interviewed across included studies. Certainty in the evidence was judged as very low for all outcomes, which was associated to serious concerns on risk of bias and imprecision of the results, and very serious concerns on indirectness of evidence. The assessed studies showed a marked heterogeneity in terms of participants' clinical (i.e., disease stage) and sociodemographic factors. A lack of reporting of these clinical and sociodemographic aspects were also evident among included studies.

Conclusions

The wide number of methodological flaws detected in this systematic review preclude to make any clinical recommendation. More rigorous high‐quality observational studies should guide future research on this topic.
Nanoscale Channel Gate‐Tunable Diodes Obtained by Asymmetric Contact and Adhesion Lithography on Fluoropolymers
Authors: Kim Minseo , Kim Seongjae , Yoo Hocheon
Published: April 2023

Adhesion lithography offers to fabrication of coplanar asymmetric nanogap electrodes with a low‐cost and facile process. In this study, a gate‐tunable diode with coplanar asymmetric nanogap is fabricated using adhesion lithography. A fluoropolymer material is introduced to the adhesion lithography process to ensure a manufacturing patterning process yield as high as 96.7%. The asymmetric electrodes formed a built‐in potential, leading to rectifying behavior. The coplanar electrode structure allowed the use of a gate electrode in vertical contact with the channel, resulting in gate‐tunable diode characteristics. The nanoscale channel induced a high current density (3.38 × 10−7 A∙cm−1), providing a high rectification ratio (1.67 × 105 A∙A−1). This rectifier diode is confirmed to operate with pulsed input signals and suggests the gate‐tunability of nanogap diodes.
Facile and Affordable Design of MXene‐Co3O4‐Based Nanocomposites for Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide in Cancer Cells: Toward Portable Tool for Cancer Management
Authors: Singh Sima , Numan Arshid , Khalid Mohammad , Bello Ivana , Panza Elisabetta , Cinti Stefano
Published: April 2023

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a primary reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can act as a chemical signal in developing and progressing serious and life‐threatening diseases like cancer. Due to the stressful nature of H2O2, there is an urgent need to develop sensitive analytical approaches to be applied to various biological matrices. Herein, a portable point‐of‐care electrochemical system based on MXene‐Co3O4 nanocomposites to detect H2O2 in different cancer cell‐lines is presented. The developed sensor is affordable, disposable, and highly selective for H2O2 detection. This approach achieves a dynamic linear range of 75 µm with a LOD of 0.5 µm and a LOQ of 1.6 µm. To improve the practical application, the level of ROS is evaluated both in cancer cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and DU145, respectively, to breast and prostate cancers, and in healthy HaCat cells. Moreover, the same cancer cells are treated with transforming growth factor‐β1, and MXene‐Co3O4 modified strip is capable to monitorROS variation. The results are satisfactory compared with the cellular ROS fluorescent assay based on DCFH/DCFH‐DA. These results open new perspectives for real‐time monitoring of cancer progression and the efficacy of the therapy.
“Welcome to the Club”: Palestinian-Israeli Teachers in Bilingual Integrated and in Hebrew Speaking Schools
Authors: Jayusi Wurud , Bekerman Zvi
Published: April 2023

This chapter contributes to a better understanding of how minority teachers in majority schools experience their work and how their participation in such educational contexts helps shape their sense of ethno-cultural belonging and their sense of self-efficacy. Through comparative work, we gain insights into the context-specific conditions which might help support or undermine minority teachers’ inclusion. To do this we compared the reported experiences of Palestinian Israeli teachers working in two somewhat different educational contexts; the Hebrew speaking schools which serve the regular Israeli Jewish population and the bilingual integrated schools which offer the opportunity for the two populations to study under one roof in a society in which schools are mostly segregated. Both these educational contexts include Palestinian Israeli teachers in their faculty. Our findings point mostly at similarities in the way these teachers experience their work at the schools but also some notable differences have been exposed. Both groups of teachers’ express satisfaction regarding their work at the Hebrew speaking and the bilingual integrated schools. They are satisfied with their work and feel they belong to a very special ‘club’ a metaphor that affords them a strong and positive positioning within the school context.
Ethiopian Origin Teachers in Israel: Prejudices, Pedagogical Expectations and the Pygmalion Effect in the Shadow of the COVID-19
Authors: Gutman Mary
Published: April 2023

The present study focuses on that unique positioning of Ethiopian origin teachers in Israeli schools, with the aim of examining COVID-19 as an extreme situation in which unique characteristics of minority-majority relations in the education system may be revealed and intensified. Interviews with seven teachers of Ethiopian origin during the early years of their careers indicated two specific phenomena that they faced during the period of closure in the education system. These phenomena related to prejudices and low expectations regarding their pedagogical abilities relevant to COVID-19. The findings raise two tensions encountered regularly by Ethiopian origin teachers during this period. The methodology employed the conceptual framework of ‘agility’ – a term that reflects the teacher’s ability to exercise discretionary flexibility and demonstrate the required access to students in socially distanced conditions. The first tension relates to the relationship between the interviewees’ culture and that of the students, with emphasis on the students’ low expectations of the interviewees’ abilities as distance teachers. The second tension discussed in the findings relates to the organizational culture and school management. Additionally in this context, the interviewees felt that low expectations prevailed regarding their ability to establish innovative technological conditions and develop professionally in accordance with the requirements of this challenging period within the education system. The evidence is discussed in the context of the Pygmalion effect.
Minority Status, Majority Benefits: Stories of Minority Teachers in U.S and What They Bring to the Classroom
Authors: Manzoor Atifa
Published: April 2023

With more emphasis placed on culturally responsive teaching, the field has become aware of recognizing the cultural capital students bring into the classroom but what about the teacher? This study closely examined the “lived stories” of three minority women seeking to answer the question: How does their cultural identity influence their teaching in regards to classroom curriculum, environment and relationships with students? With three participants, the researcher included, the main method of research was narrative inquiry, using interviews to gain insight on their background, teaching, and experiences with culture in the classroom. In addition to interviews, journals were employed to evidence researcher experiences. After a clean transcription, all data was then coded to reveal major themes. After researching the cultural identity of minority teachers, there was an awareness of their culture influencing their classroom. Major themes to emerge from the data were: minority teachers as role models and culturally responsive teaching. Although not obvious to participants but only through reflection, minority teachers had something more to offer students. They provided a unique perspective to which some students might relate. With an ever-changing demographic, it is advantageous to have diversity among educators that mirrors that of the student population.