bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating heterogeneous forecasts for vintages of macroeconomic variables
Authors: Franses Philip Hans , Welz Max
Published: December 2021

There are various reasons why professional forecasters may disagree in their quotes for macroeconomic variables. One reason is that they target at different vintages of the data. We propose a novel method to test forecast bias in case of such unobserved heterogeneity. The method is based on so‐called symbolic regression, where the variables of interest become interval variables. We associate the interval containing the vintages of data with the intervals of the forecasts. An illustration to 18 years of forecasts for annual US real GDP growth, given by the Consensus Economics forecasters, shows the relevance of the method.
Zur Prognose von Tagesbrüchen
Authors: Fenk Jürgen
Published: December 2021

In Ergänzung zu den Empfehlungen des Arbeitskreises „Altbergbau“ wird im Ergebnis langjähriger Erfahrungen eine vereinfachte Verfahrensweise zur Prognose von Tagesbrüchen über Hohlräumen im Lockergebirge vorgeschlagen.
Gestational age and cancer risk up to young adulthood in Swedish population born 1974 to 2013: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Persson Monica S. M. , Yin Weiyao , Döring Nora , Risnes Kari , Weiderpass Elisabete , Steliarova‐Foucher Eva , Sandin Sven
Published: December 2021

We examined the association between gestational age and risk of any primary cancer and observed whether the risk patterns differed by sex, birth weight for gestational age categories, cancer site and age of onset. All people live‐born in Sweden 1974 to 2013 were prospectively followed up from birth until 2016 using national registers. Gestational age was extracted from the Medical Birth Register and primary malignant cancer diagnoses were from the Swedish cancer register. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for any primary cancer according to weekly gestational age and gestational age categories were determined using cox proportional hazards models adjusted for birth year and parental age. The study included 3 137 691 people; 180 363 (5.8%) born preterm and 254 790 (8.1%) born postterm. They were followed up for 71 691 112 person‐years, to a maximum of 43 years and recorded 22 604 new cancers. Although aHRs for the predefined GA categories were only increased for moderate to late preterm delivery (aHR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01‐1.14), gestational week‐specific aHRs were increased for gestational weeks 30 to 35, with greatest aHR observed for 31 weeks (aHR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05‐1.32). Increased cancer risk related to shorter gestational ages were observed particularly for women, those born small for gestational age, childhood cancers and for cancers originating at certain sites (eg, testicular and liver cancer). We provide the first evidence that those born between 30 and 35 weeks gestation may have increased risk of any primary malignant cancer up to young adulthood. Additionally, increasing gestational ages may reduce the risk of testicular and liver cancer.
Advance of transforming growth factor beta in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Lu Fan , Xu Yang , Wang Ting‐Hua
Published: December 2021

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) is a multifunctional cytokine whose neural functions are increasingly recognized. The machinery of TGF‐β signaling, including the serine kinase type transmembrane receptors, is present in the central nervous system. Indeed, TGF‐β expression is induced following the brain tissue injury. This review will describe the role of TGF‐β after traumatic brain injury, including anti‐inflammatory, actions as well as the promotion of scar formation and neuroregeneration.
Progress of MMP and AQP4 in neonatal hypoxia/ischemia‐induced brain edema
Authors: Zhang Zi‐Bin , Yu Chang‐Yin
Published: December 2021

Neonatal hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (NHIE) caused by hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) in the prenatal and perinatal period is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children. As a common outcome after NHIE, cerebral edema, the mechanisms leading to excessive fluid accumulation in the brain, were poorly understood. In the present, matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and aquaporin proteins 4 (AQP4) had become the focus of research on the pathogenesis of neonatal cerebral edema. MMPs and AQP4 were involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes in neonates with ischemic injury. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of MMPs and AQP4 under cerebral edema may provide new insights into pathogenesis and treatment of HIE. In this review, we summarized the latest progress of MMP and AQP4 in HIE condition.
Expression of NGF and its functional implication in the lung injury induced by cerebral ischemia
Authors: Zhang Lan‐Chun , Hu Yue , Xia Qing‐Jie
Published: December 2021

Background

The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the lung injury induced by cerebral ischemia.

Methods

Adult healthy female Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: sham group and brain ischemia (BI) induced lung injury group. Lung injury was induced by BI and neurological severity score (NSS) was evaluated. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, brain edema, ratio of wet/dry of lung tissue, hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining, as well as pulmonary edema were measured, respectively. The expression of mRNA and protein of NGF in lung tissues was detected by qPCR and western blot at 14 days post injury respectively. The immunohistochemical method was used to localize the expression of NGF in the lung tissues.

Results

Lung injury from BI was successfully induced. The localization of NGF was detected mainly in the lung epithelial tissue following BI, also in vascular endothelial tissues. Compared with the sham group, the expression level of mRNA and protein for NGF was increased significantly after BI.

Conclusion

The increase of NGF in the lung tissue after BI showed that NGF has been involved in the repair of injured lung, and the underlying mechanism of BI induced lung injury.
The influence of seasons on craniocerebral chronic vascular diseases, cervical spondylosis, herpes zoster, knee osteoarthritis, lumbar disc disease: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Gan Zong‐Jin , Yao Ping‐Rong , Shen Kui , Sai Min , Yang Mei , Deng Ya , Shi Min , Fang Cao , Wang Rui , Wen Song , Xiong Liu‐Lin , You Min‐Fu
Published: December 2021

Background

The distribution characteristics of gender, age, and season and the influence of season on the length of hospitalization stay (LOS) were analyzed based on the information of inpatients about various diseases.

Methods

A total of 5575 patients’ basic information (gender, age, hospitalization time, season of onset) of five diseases was classified according to spring, summer, autumn, winter. Their distribution characteristics were analysed using T‐test, one‐way ANOVA, Chi‐square test. Then the data were incorporated into SPSS 21.0 for statistical analysis.

Results

Most cases of cranial chronic vascular disease (CCVD) were found in summer (53% of cases), less in spring, and no cases in winter. The LOS was longer for middle‐aged men, elderly men, and elderly women in the fall group than in the spring group (p < 0.05). The LOS was longer in the fall group than in the summer group for older men and older women (p < 0.05). Herpes zoster cases were more frequent in summer (43%) and autumn (56.30%), less frequent in spring (1.20%), and no cases in winter. Middle‐aged and elderly men in the summer group had longer LOS than the autumn group (p < 0.05). The most cases of cervical spondylosis were found in the spring (42.00%), the fewest were found in the fall (0.10%). Cases of knee osteoarthritis were the most in winter (53.40%) and fewer in summer (7%) and autumn (9.80%).

Conclusion

CCVD, herpes zoster, cervical spondylosis, and knee osteoarthritis have an obvious seasonal distribution, and seasons have a certain impact on the hospitalization time of patients with CCVD or herpes zoster, especially in older men.
MRI tracking/detection of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells transplantation for treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction
Authors: Zhao Nan , Niu Rui‐Ze , Zhu Yu‐Hang , Yu Chang‐Yin
Published: December 2021

Background

Cerebral stroke is the second leading cause of death with high mortality and morbidity worldwide, currently it lacks effective therapies to improve the prognosis. This study was aimed to explore the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation in the recovery of brain structure and function after ischemic cerebral infarction by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

By applying internal carotid artery embolization, the ischemic cerebral infarction model in rats was established. MRI was performed to detect the imaging changes in the brain tissue after modeling, and the successful modeling was evidenced by the presence of obvious high‐signal infarct areas in the brain. BMSCs were then injected into the lateral ventricles of rats, and the recovery of brain tissue and function were quantitatively evaluated by T2‐weighted image (T2WI) and voxel‐based morphology (VBM) after 28 days.

Results

The results showed that BMSCs were cell subsets with multiple differentiation potentials. Deficits caused by Ischemic cerebral infarction were relieved by BMSCs transplantation, including increase in damaged cerebral tissue and recovery of cerebral function. In addition, the combined imaging technology of VBM and T2WI quantitatively revealed the effectiveness of BMSCs in repairing damaged brain tissue structure and function.

Conclusion

Taken together, the results revealed that the transplantation of BMSCs into the lateral ventricle was beneficial to repair the structure and function of the damaged brain tissue after ischemic cerebral infarction. Moreover, the combination of VBM and T2WI technology can detect the level of brain injury in ischemic cerebral infarction dynamically and noninvasively, and evaluate the recovery of structure and function of damaged brain tissue.
Gut microbiota: a new player in the pathogenesis of perioperative neurocognitive disorder?
Authors: Dong Liang , Li Juan , Zhang Chao , Liu De‐Xing
Published: December 2021

Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND), including postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), is a common postoperative complication in elderly patients, who represent an expanding segment of our population. PND is a multifactorial disease resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. The precise mechanism of PND is yet to be fully delineated. Identifying the modifiable risk factors and mechanisms for PND would be an important step forward in preventing such adverse events and thus improving patients' outcomes. It is increasingly recognized that gut microbiota also manifest effects in the central nervous system via the microbiota‐gut‐brain axis, which has emerged as an important player in shaping aspects of behavior and cognitive function. Recent studies have found that patients with cognitive dysfunction after surgery and anesthesia have obvious gut microbiome disorders. These findings are paralleled by a growing body of preclinical investigations aimed at better understanding how surgery and anesthesia affect the central nervous system and possibly contribute to cognitive decline. Here, we present a broad topical review of the literature supporting the role of gut microbiota in PND. We provide an overview of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PND from pre‐clinical and human studies. Therefore, gut microbiota could be a putative therapeutic target for PND in the future.
Application prospects of cerebrospinal fluid DIA techniques in identifying key regulatory molecules for mental disorders in encephalitis
Authors: Zhou Lin , Wang Zheng‐Meng , Wen Song , Li Juan , Xiong Liu‐Lin , Zhu Zhao‐Qiong
Published: December 2021

At present, data independent acquisition (DIA) protein spectrum detection technology is one of the most attractive mass spectrometry acquisition techniques, which once led the new development of quantitative proteomics. Its application fields include the screening of clinical disease markers, the study of action mechanism, the study of drug targets and so on. DIA has been wide‐ranging used in clinic because of its high throughput, high resolution and high reproducibility. The occurrence of mental disorders in encephalitis is common, and such neurocognitive impairment has a dramatically impact on the disease progression and prognosis of patients, which undoubtedly increases the economic burden of sufferers' families and society. Under the circumstance that the mechanism of mental disorder of encephalitis is still unknown, this paper summarizes a large number of literatures of encephalitis, originates the possibility of the application of cerebrospinal fluid detection by DIA in the occurrence of mental disorder of encephalitis, seeks for biomarkers for the occurrence of mental disorder of encephalitis, and provides clinical guidance.
Overview of meta‐analysis
Authors: Fang Xu , Zhao Nan , Zhu Zhao‐Qiong
Published: December 2021

Meta‐analysis has been recognized as the best means to evaluate objectively and study the evidence for a particular issue. In order to give researchers a better understanding of the Meta process, we present an overall introduction to Meta‐analysis in terms of comprehensive assessment of the literature, goals, advantages, main steps, and article structure.
Appeared inexplicable disorders of consciousness after general anesthesia tracheal tube drawing in endoscopic tympanoplasty
Authors: Qian Kun , Cao Song , Liu Xing‐Kui
Published: December 2021

Background

Disorders of consciousness (DOC) are neurocognitive disorders related to sharp fluctuations of attention and consciousness, while DOC is characterized by significant interindividual differences, rapid development, and a higher lethal rate.

Case information

A 53‐year‐old female patient underwent general anesthesia with tracheal intubation in otoendoscopic tympanoplasty. The patient suddenly appeared moderate DOC after tracheal tube removal with K+ 3.6 (3.5–5.3 mmol/L). Based on the ancillary testing and routine laboratory workup, the possible causes of DOC, such as general anesthesia drugs and cardio cerebral events, were temporarily excluded. DOC was reversed by intravenous administration of KCl 1 g, with K+ 3.78 mmol/L. On one day after surgery, the patient occurred suddenly DOC again after intravenous guttae of 5% glucose 1000 ml, K+ 3.87 mmol/L, possibly because of her recurrent hypokalemic paralysis (HP) of past medical history. The patient's consciousness gradually improved after effective KCl supplementation therapy.

Conclusion

DOC caused by periodic paralysis (PP) has not been reported, we speculate that hypoactive DOC is closely correlated with normokalemic periodic paralysis (NormoPP) in this case.
Sevoflurane inhalation has a cognitive impairing effect of aging rats involving the regulation of AChE and ChAT
Authors: Yang Xin‐Xin , Wu Zhen‐Yu , Yang Yang , Zhang Chao , Lin Xia‐Fei , Zhou Lin , Wang Feng‐Lin , Dong Liang , Zhu Zhao‐Qiong
Published: December 2021

Background

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) are closely related to the regulation of learning and memory. Nevertheless, whether sevoflurane has influence on cognition through regulating the expression of AChE and ChAT remains unclear.

Methods

Aging rat model was established by subcutaneously injection of D‐galactose for 6 consecutive weeks. To determine the role of AChE and ChAT in sevoflurane‐induced cognitive impairment, the Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess the cognitive and memory function after sevoflurane exposure. Then, the variations of AChE and ChAT was detected by western blotting analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) respectively.

Results

Our result indicated that aging model rats had showed cognition decline at 2 hours and 1week after exposure to sevoflurane. Moreover, the expression of AChE and ChAT enhanced in rats that had inhaled sevoflurane. Interestingly, our study also found that the increase of oxygen concentration had a positive impact on the gene expression of ChAT.

Conclusion

We have identified that the overexpression of AChE and ChAT improved significantly cognitive function after sevoflurane exposure.
Thermal changes during drilling in human femur by rotary ultrasonic bone drilling machine: A histologic and ultrastructural study
Authors: Singh Ravinder Pal , Pandey Pulak Mohan , Mir Muzamil Ahmad , Mridha Asit Ranjan
Published: December 2021

Undue heat production in surgical bone drilling leads to osteonecrosis and can be an important cause of failure of osteosynthesis, impaired healing, and loosening of implants following orthopedic surgery. The present work aims to minimize heat production below the critical temperature for thermal osteonecrosis (i.e., 47°C) and obviate thermal bone damage due to drilling. A total of 20 samples from the shaft of the human femur were obtained at autopsies and drilling was performed at room temperature by an operation theater (OT) compatible rotary ultrasonic bone drilling (RUBD) machine. K‐type thermocouples were used to measure the temperature rise during drilling and the physical changes of the bone samples were observed by infrared gama camera. Light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic studies were performed to evaluate the bone cell damage. The maximum temperature recorded in RUBD (40.6 ± 1.3°C) was much below the critical temperature for thermal osteonecrosis (p < .05) at the rotational speed of 2000 rpm. Light microscopic and ultrastructural studies also revealed that there was no appreciable damage to the bone cells. Conventional bone drilling (CD) on the other hand recorded much higher temperature (66.6 ± 3.2°C), tissue burn and bone cell necrosis. Hence, RUBD machine has a potentiality for its use in orthopedic surgery and may provide better results.
Longitudinal Changes in Left Ventricular Blood Flow Kinetic Energy After Myocardial Infarction: Predictive Relevance for Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Ben‐Arzi Hadar , Das Arka , Kelly Christopher , van der Geest Rob J. , Plein Sven , Dall'Armellina Erica
Published: December 2021

Background

Four‐dimensional (4D) flow cardiac magnetic resonance (cardiac MR) imaging provides quantification of intracavity left ventricular (LV) flow kinetic energy (KE) parameters in three dimensions. ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients have been shown to have altered intracardiac blood flow compared to controls; however, how 4D flow parameters change over time has not been explored previously.

Purpose

Measure longitudinal changes in intraventricular flow post‐STEMI and ascertain its predictive relevance of long‐term cardiac remodeling.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Thirty‐five STEMI patients (M:F = 26:9, aged 56 ± 9 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T/3D EPI‐based, fast field echo (FFE) free‐breathing 4D‐flow sequence with retrospective cardiac gating.

Assessment

Serial imaging at 3–7 days (V1), 3‐months (V2), and 12‐months (V3) post‐STEMI, including the following protocol: functional imaging for measuring volumes and 4D‐flow for calculating parameters including systolic and peakE‐wave LVKE, normalized to end‐diastolic volume (iEDV) and stroke volume (iSV). Data were analyzed by H.B. (3 years experience). Patients were categorized into two groups: preserved ejection fraction (pEF, if EF > 50%) and reduced EF (rEF, if EF < 50%).

Statistical Tests

Independent sample t‐tests were used to detect the statistical significance between any two cohorts. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Across the cohort, systolic KEisv was highest at V1 (28.0 ± 4.4 μJ/mL). Patients with rEF retained significantly higher systolic KEisv than patients with pEF at V2 (18.2 ± 3.4 μJ/mL vs. 6.9 ± 0.6 μJ/mL, P < 0.001) and V3 (21.6 ± 5.1 μJ/mL vs. 7.4 ± 0.9 μJ/mL, P < 0.001). Patients with pEF had significantly higher peakE‐wave KEiEDV than rEF patients throughout the study (V1: 25.4 ± 11.6 μJ/mL vs. 18.1 ± 9.9 μJ/mL, P < 0.03, V2: 24.0 ± 10.2 μJ/mL vs. 17.2 ± 12.2 μJ/mL, P < 0.05, V3: 27.7 ± 14.8 μJ/mL vs. 15.8 ± 7.6 μJ/mL, P < 0.04).

Data Conclusion

Systolic KE increased acutely following MI; in patients with pEF, this decreased over 12 months, while patients with rEF, this remained raised. Compared to patients with pEF, persistently lower peakE‐wave KE in rEF patients is suggestive of early and fixed impairment in diastolic function.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
The study of temperature regionalization in China using complex networks
Authors: Li Kaiwen , Wang Ming , Liu Kai
Published: December 2021

Temperature regionalization is important for guiding the development of agriculture and forestry in a region. However, few existing studies are able to objectively regionalize temperature in terms of both the temperature change and temperature difference. In both cases, we use the ERA5 2 m temperature reanalysis dataset to construct the temperature correlation network by traversing the winter anomalies with higher amplitudes for all possible pairs of grid points. On the basis of the temperature correlation network, the first and second‐grade regionalization is performed using the spin glass algorithm and agglomerative hierarchical clustering, respectively. Our results derived from the network topology analysis indicate that there are a few teleconnections in the network and that the nodes are mainly connected to neighbouring nodes. Some nodes in Tibet, Qinghai and western Sichuan Province have independent temperature change, and some nodes in Guizhou and Jiangxi Provinces tend to connect more nodes with an average distance of >500 km. The results of temperature regionalization show that the boundaries of the first‐grade regionalization are consistent with the relief and the distribution of major mountains in China, and the spatial distribution coincides with the four core regions with the highest convergence coefficient of temperature change (TCC) of nodes and 10 regions with relatively high TCC. The second‐grade regionalization is mainly located in the different temperature zones. In contrast to previous works on temperature regionalization, this study provides a new integration framework that further considers both the convergence in the temperature change and the closeness of the temperature between regions and finally objectively regionalizes temperature in China.
Late Pleistocene–Holocene climatic implications of high‐resolution stable isotope profiles of a speleothem from south‐central Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Erkan Gİzem , Bayari C. Serdar , Fleitmann Dominik , Cheng Hai , Edwards Larry , Özbakir Mertcan
Published: December 2021

High‐resolution 230Th ages and stable isotope (δ18O and δ13C) records from a stalagmite that grew between 39 and 2 ka in Incesu Cave located in south‐central Anatolia allow us to evaluate paleoclimate conditions for growth periods during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS3) and the Holocene. High δ18O values and Heinrich events H3 and H4 are observed during the MIS3 interval. After a dry period in the Younger Dryas, low values between ca. 10 and 5.3 ka suggest a transition to wet mid‐ to early Holocene conditions. In the early Holocene, there are drier periods at 9.4 and 10.3 ka, coincident with cooling events recorded in the North Atlantic sediments and, after 5.3 ka a relatively dry late Holocene is seen. The IN‐01 isotope record is in phase with general trends of speleothem records in Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean but differs in detail at the millennial scale. The more depleted δ18O values of IN‐01 compared to those of Eastern Mediterranean speleothems during the Holocene indicate that central Anatolian winter rainfall was isotopically influenced by the same air mass trajectories derived from the North Atlantic and Mediterranean with an isotopic rain shadow effect.
Preparation of flower‐like molybdenum disulfide for solid‐phase extraction of N‐nitrosoamines in environmental water samples
Authors: Li Bingzhi , Chen Min , Li Yang , Cao Xiaolin , She Yongxin , Yin Jungang , Cong Shuang , Zhang Ziping
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a flower‐like molybdenum disulfide material was prepared by hydrothermal method and was first used as adsorbents in the solid‐phase extraction process for enriching N‐nitrosoamines. Molybdenum disulfide exhibited three‐dimensional petal‐like microspheres with about 500 nm in diameter. The relevant analyte extraction and elution parameters (sample volumes, solution pH, washing solvents, elution solvents, and elution volumes) were optimized to improve the solid‐phase extraction efficiency. The solid‐phase extraction process coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for determining N‐nitrosoamines in environmental water samples was established. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.01–0.05 ng/mL. The satisfactory recoveries (68.9–106.1%) were obtained at three different spiked concentrations (2, 5, and 8 ng/mL) in water samples, and the relative standard deviations were between 1.96 and 8.38%. This proposed method not only showed high sensitivity and good reusability but also provided a new adsorbent for enriching trace N‐nitrosoamines in environmental water samples.
Infection metallomics for critical care in the post‐COVID era
Authors: Patil Rutuja H. , Luptáková Dominika , Havlíček Vladimír
Published: December 2021

Infection metallomics is a mass spectrometry (MS) platform we established based on the central concept that microbial metallophores are specific, sensitive, noninvasive, and promising biomarkers of invasive infectious diseases. Here we review the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical applications of metallophores from historical and functional perspectives, and identify under‐studied and emerging application areas with high diagnostic potential for the post‐COVID era. MS with isotope data filtering is fundamental to infection metallomics; it has been used to study the interplay between “frenemies” in hosts and to monitor the dynamic response of the microbiome to antibiotic and antimycotic therapies. During infection in critically ill patients, the hostile environment of the host's body activates secondary bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal metabolism, leading to the production of metallophores that increase the pathogen's chance of survival in the host. MS can reveal the structures, stability, and threshold concentrations of these metal‐containing microbial biomarkers of infection in humans and model organisms, and can discriminate invasive disease from benign colonization based on well‐defined thresholds distinguishing proliferation from the colonization steady state.
Effects of financial literacy on graduate school attitudes amidst COVID‐19
Authors: Chan Kam C. , Chang Samuel , Snavely Jean C.
Published: December 2021

This study examines the relationship between financial literacy and student attitudes toward graduate school. In the framework of human capital theory, we argue that graduate school is an investment in an individual's human capital that enhances future earnings capability. We hypothesize that during a weakened job market in conjunction with the COVID‐19 pandemic that students who are more financially literate will demonstrate a more positive attitude toward a graduate degree as an appealing and rewarding capital investment than students with less financial literacy. Our robust results are consistent with our hypothesis. We argue that these findings have significant economic implications.
Therapeutic approach and outcome of children with Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia at first relapse in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors: An SFCE retrospective study
Authors: Aubert Lucie , Petit Arnaud , Bertrand Yves , Ray‐Lunven Anne‐France , Angoso Marie , Pluchart Claire , Millot Frédéric , Saultier Paul , Cheikh Nathalie , Pellier Isabelle , Plantaz Dominique , Sirvent Anne , Thouvenin‐Doublet Sandrine , Valduga Julie , Plat Geneviève , Rialland Fanny , Henry Catherine , Esvan Maxime , Gandemer Virginie
Published: December 2021

Background

Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the profile of pediatric relapse of Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) has changed. However, the management of pediatric Ph+ ALL relapses is not currently standardized.

Procedure

We retrospectively analyzed the therapeutic strategies and outcomes of pediatric Ph+ ALL patients in first relapse who were initially treated with a TKI‐containing regimen in one of the French pediatric hematology centers from 2004 to 2019.

Results

Twenty‐seven children experienced a Ph+ ALL relapse: 24 (89%) had an overt relapse and three a molecular relapse. Eight involved the central nervous system. A second complete remission (CR2) was obtained for 26 patients (96%). Induction consisted of nonintensive chemotherapy for 13 patients (48%) and intensive chemotherapy for 14 (52%). Thirteen patients (48%) received consolidation. Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) was performed for 21 patients (78%). The TKI was changed for 23 patients (88%), mainly with dasatinib (n = 15). T315I was the most common mutation at relapse (4/7). The 4‐year event‐free survival and survival rates were 60.9% and 76.1%, respectively. Survival was positively associated with alloHSCT in CR2.

Conclusion

We show that pediatric first‐relapse Ph+ ALL reinduces well with a second course of TKI exposure, despite the use of different therapeutic approaches. The main prognostic factor for survival was alloHSCT in CR2. Because of the small size of the cohort, we could not draw any conclusions about the respective impact of TKIs, but the predominance of the T315I mutation should encourage careful consideration of the TKI choice.
Cost‐effectiveness of home‐based care of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer
Authors: Tew Michelle , De Abreu Lourenco Richard , Gordon Joshua Robert , Thursky Karin A. , Slavin Monica A. , Babl Franz A. , Orme Lisa , Bryant Penelope A. , Teh Benjamin W. , Dalziel Kim , Haeusler Gabrielle M.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Home‐based treatment of febrile neutropenia (FN) in children with cancer with oral or intravenous antibiotics is safe and effective. There are limited data on the economic impact of this model of care. We evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of implementing an FN programme, incorporating home‐based intravenous antibiotics for carefully selected patients, in a tertiary paediatric hospital.

Methods

A decision analytic model was constructed to compare costs and outcomes of the home‐based FN programme, with usual in‐hospital treatment with intravenous antibiotics. The programme included a clinical decision rule to stratify patients by risk for severe infection and home‐based eligibility criteria using disease, chemotherapy and patient‐level factors. Health outcomes (quality of life) and probabilities of FN risk classification and home‐based eligibility were based on prospectively collected data between 2017 and 2019. Patient‐level costs were extracted from hospital administrative records. Cost‐effectiveness was expressed as the incremental cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY).

Findings

The mean health care cost of home‐based FN treatment in low‐risk patients was Australian dollars (A$) 7765 per patient compared to A$20,396 for in‐hospital treatment (mean difference A$12,632 [95% CI: 12,496–12,767]). Overall, the home‐based FN programme was the dominant strategy, being more effective (0.0011 QALY [95% CI: 0.0011–0.0012]) and less costly. Results of the model were most sensitive to proportion of children eligible for home‐based care programme.

Conclusion

Compared to in‐hospital FN care, the home‐based FN programme is cost‐effective, with savings arising from cheaper cost of caring for children at home. These savings could increase as more patients eligible for home‐based care are included in the programme.
How does self name influence the neural processing of emotional prosody? AnERPstudy
Authors: Deng Nali , Sun Yifan , Chen Xuhai , Li Weijun
Published: December 2021

In this study, we investigated whether self‐relevant information can accelerate the processing of emotional information. Our experiment, based on a passive auditory oddball paradigm, involved recording electroencephalography while participants listened to stimuli comprising their own names (ONs) and unfamiliar names (UNs) spoken with varying emotional prosody. At 220–300 ms, mismatch negativity (MMN) was more negative for ONs and angry prosody than for UNs and neutral prosody, respectively. These results suggest that attention is involuntarily attracted by ONs and emotional prosody, and that both types of information are given priority processing, even under pre‐attentive conditions. Importantly, ONs with angry prosody induced more negative MMN than did similar UNs and ONs with neutral prosody, which indicates that the motivational significance embedded in angry prosody promotes the self‐reference effect and, thus, involves more attention resources. At 300–500 ms, ONs triggered smaller P3a than did UNs, suggesting that less cognitive resources are required to process self‐relevant information. These results suggest that self‐relevant and emotional information of preferential processing interact with each other during the pre‐attentive stage, with self‐reference enhancing the processing of emotional information.
Assessing the relationship between people at increased risk of developing diabetes and periodontitis: a systematic review study
Authors: Maboudi Avideh , Pourmirafzali Seyyed Mostafa , Haddadi Azam , Moosazadeh Mahmood
Published: December 2021

Impaired glucose tolerance is an intermediate condition between diabetes and normal blood glucose, in which blood glucose level has risen and is between 100–126mg/dL. Present evidence suggests that there is a relationship between poor control of diabetes and uncontrolled diabetes with periodontal disease. People with impaired glucose tolerance may have a more unfavourable periodontal condition than the general population with a mechanism similar to those with diabetes. Accordingly, the present study aims to assess the relationship between impaired glucose tolerance and periodontal disease using systematic review criteria.

This study is a systematic review. The databases included PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar search engine. Two individuals independently selected studies based on the inclusion criteria. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklist was used for quality assessment. Search management was conducted using EndNote software.

After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven articles were included in the study. Regarding the pocket depth (PD) index, five studies stated that there is a relationship between impaired glucose tolerance status and the severity of the periodontal disease, and lower periodontal health was observed in groups with higher levels of blood glucose (p<0.05). With regard to the bleeding on probing (BOP) index, it should be stated that most studies have reported that there is a relationship with impaired glucose tolerance indices (p<0.05).

This systematic review study suggested that there is a relationship between periodontal indicators and impaired glucose tolerance. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
Hydrophobic modified poly(l‐glutamic acid) graft copolymer micelles with ultrahigh drug loading capacity for anticancer drug delivery
Authors: Dong Si , Tang Yue , He Pan , Ma Sheng , Song Wantong , Deng Mingxiao , Tang Zhaohui
Published: December 2021

Self‐assembled polymeric nanoparticle (NP) drug carriers are capable of encapsulated and controlled delivery, facilitating improvements in the therapeutic efficiency of drugs. Here we report a series of poly(l‐glutamic acid)‐g‐methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/4‐phenylbutyl ester (PLG‐g‐mPEG/PB) copolymers, which were synthesized by esterification of 4‐phenylbutanol (PB) and PLG‐g‐mPEG in different feed ratios. The copolymers obtained form into nano‐sized micelles in aqueous solution by a self‐assembly process, with lower critical micelle concentration value for higher PB ratio in the copolymers. Variable temperature infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism were used to prove the breaking of intermolecular hydrogen bonds after PB modification. Podophyllotoxin (PPT), an effective anticancer agent, was incorporated into the inner core of the micelle system by physical entrapment through hydrophobic interaction between the drug and the PB‐modified copolymers. Both the drug loading content and the loading efficiency increased with PB content in the PLG‐g‐mPEG/PB copolymers and reached an ultrahigh value of 28.2 wt% and 94%, respectively. The PPT‐encapsulated micelles (PPT‐NPs) were stable at pH 7.4 but dissociated and released 80% of loaded PPT in a weak acidic environment (pH 5.0). The in vitro proliferation of non‐small‐cell lung cancer cells (A549) was significantly inhibited by PPT‐NPs in a cytotoxicity assay. These results demonstrate that hydrophobic modification is an efficient route for tuning the self‐assembly behaviour and drug encapsulation of PLG‐g‐mPEG copolymers, and our PLG‐g‐mPEG/PB will serve as a promising carrier for hydrophobic anticancer drug delivery. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Proton beam radiation therapy treatment for head and neck cancer
Authors: Mohamed Nader , Lee Anna , Lee Nancy Y.
Published: December 2021

Proton beam therapy has gained popularity over recent years. This is likely due to improved affordability; that is, lower cost, and increasing reports on excellent patient‐reported outcomes. Protons’ physical properties provide dosimetric advantages over photon therapy due to the unique ability to have little‐to‐no “exit” dose, potentially translating to reduced toxicities and improved patient quality of life. The increased delivery of proton beam therapy to treat numerous head and neck cancers, including oropharynx, nasopharynx, sinonasal, in the re‐irradiation setting, and unilateral malignancies, has led to more studies elucidating the clinical risks and benefits. In this review, we aim to summarize the recent literature on proton beam therapy utilization in head and neck cancer. In addition, we discuss the process of treatment and planning, clinical treatment toxicities and outcomes, limitations, and future directions.
Time to demedicalize marijuana
Authors: Price Lawrence H.
Published: December 2021

It seems like the intersection of public policy and psychopharmacology has been very crowded over the past 18 months. Given the events of the past couple of years and the scope of our field, I suppose that shouldn't be surprising. Maybe our colleagues in other medical disciplines feel the same way (I'm looking at you, infectious disease specialists). In any case, loath as I am to contribute to the traffic jam, a paper I saw recently in BMJ compels comment.
Temulence Therapy to Orthotopic Colorectal Tumor via Oral Administration of Fungi‐Based Acetaldehyde Generator
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zheng Di‐Wei , Li Chu‐Xin , Pan Pei , Zeng Si‐Min , Pan Ting , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: December 2021

Taking inspiration from percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for tumor ablation, an acetaldehyde generator (SC@ZIF@ADH) is constructed for tumor treatment by modifying a metal–organic framework nanocarrier (ZIF), which is loaded with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), onto the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC). Oral administration of SC@ZIF@ADH can target tumor via mannose‐mediated targeting to tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and generate ethanol at the hypoxic tumor areas. Ethanol is subsequently catalyzed to toxic acetaldehyde by ADH, inducing tumor cells apoptosis and polarizing TAMs toward the anti‐tumor phenotype. In vivo animal results show that this acetaldehyde generator can cause a temulence‐like reaction in the tumor, significantly inhibiting tumor progression, and might provide an intelligent and nonsurgical substitute for PEI therapy.
Temporal dynamics of decision making: A synthesis of computational and neurophysiological approaches
Authors: Harris Alison , Hutcherson Cendri A.
Published: December 2021

As interest in the temporal dynamics of decision‐making has grown, researchers have increasingly turned to computational approaches such as the drift diffusion model (DDM) to identify how cognitive processes unfold during choice. At the same time, technological advances in noninvasive neurophysiological methods such as electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography now allow researchers to map the neural time course of decision making with millisecond precision. Combining these approaches can potentially yield important new insights into how choices emerge over time. Here we review recent research on the computational and neurophysiological correlates of perceptual and value‐based decision making, from DDM parameters to scalp potentials and oscillatory neural activity. Starting with motor response preparation, the most well‐understood aspect of the decision process, we discuss evidence that urgency signals and shifts in baseline activation, rather than shifts in the physiological value of the choice‐triggering response threshold, are responsible for adjusting response times under speeded choice scenarios. Research on the neural correlates of starting point bias suggests that prestimulus activity can predict biases in motor choice behavior. Finally, studies examining the time dynamics of evidence construction and evidence accumulation have identified signals at frontocentral and centroparietal electrodes associated respectively with these processes, emerging 300–500 ms after stimulus onset. These findings can inform psychological theories of decision‐making, providing empirical support for attribute weighting in value‐based choice while suggesting theoretical alternatives to dual‐process accounts. Further research combining computational and neurophysiological approaches holds promise for providing greater insight into the moment‐by‐moment evolution of the decision process.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making

Neuroscience > Cognition

Economics > Individual Decision‐Making
Removal of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water and water/soil slurry using Fe0‐modified reactive activated carbon conjugated with persulfate
Authors: Gevaerd de Souza Naomi , Parenky Akshay Chandrashekar , Nguyen Hiep Hoang , Jeon Junha , Choi Hyeok
Published: December 2021

Treatment of highly persistent perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been a challenging but significant task. Herein, we propose adsorption‐mediated chemical decomposition of PFAS implemented by using granular activated carbon (GAC) impregnated with zerovalent nanoiron (ZVI, Fe0), so‐called reactive activated carbon (RAC). The effects of reaction temperature, injection of persulfate (PS), and presence of soil on removal of PFAS in water were evaluated. Results showed that RAC conjugated with PS at 60°C exhibited decomposition of PFAS, exclusively all three carboxylic PFAS tested, obviously producing various identifiable short‐chain PFAS. Carboxylic PFAS were removed via physical adsorption combined with chemical decomposition while sulfonic PFAS were removed via solely adsorption mechanism. The presence of soil particles did not greatly affect the overall removal of PFAS. Carbon mass balance suggested that chemical oxidation by radical mechanisms mutually influences, in a complex manner, PFAS adsorption to GAC, ZVI and its iron derivatives, and soil particles. Nonetheless, all tested six PFAS were removed significantly. If successfully developed, the adsorption‐mediated decomposition strategy may work for treatment of complex media containing PFAS and co‐contaminants under different environmental settings.

Practitioners Points

Treatment of persistent per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was addressed.

Activated carbon with zerovalent iron was examined in the presence of persulfate.

The system significantly removed and decomposed PFAS in water and soil mixture.
Neighborhood Effects, the Life Course, and Educational Outcomes: Four Theoretical Models of Effect Heterogeneity
Authors: Levy Brian L.
Published: December 2021

In this chapter, I review research analyzing heterogeneity in neighborhood effects on educational attainment. Using a life-course perspective on neighborhood effects, I describe four potential models of effect heterogeneity: cumulative advantage, cumulative disadvantage, advantage leveling, and compensatory advantage. Extant research most thoroughly explores effect heterogeneity by family socioeconomic background with evidence in support of multiple models. Research on secondary outcomes like achievement and dropout finds evidence of a cumulative disadvantage model, whereas research on bachelor’s degree completion finds evidence of an advantage leveling model. Still, scholarship on heterogeneity in neighborhood effects is in its nascency, and I conclude this chapter with several recommendations for future directions in research.
Space, Marginality, and Youth in Urban Spaces: Pedagogical Practices in the Quartieri Spagnoli
Authors: Nestore Matías
Published: December 2021

The Quartieri Spagnoli (QS) in Naples represent a central urban area of the city affected by extreme levels of disadvantage. The area is characterized by crime, together with high unemployment and school dropout rates, and virtually no social integration in the wider urban landscape. With the highest population density in the city, the area is low in services and green spaces, and its spatial arrangements are characterized by narrow streets and restricted accessibility. In this chapter, I aim to present an account of children’s lived experiences and self-perceptions of space, power, and violence in an urban space that is facing a process of change due to recent capitalist developments such as deepening deprivation and marginalization in advanced capitalist societies (Wacquant, Urban outcasts: a comparative sociology of advanced marginality. Polity, Cambridge, 2008), and expulsions (Sassen, Expulsions: brutality and complexity in the global economy. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2014). Moreover, I focus on teachers’ perceptions of their role as pedagogical actors in a marginalized urban space.
15 Years of Intelligent Container Research
Authors: Jedermann Reiner , Lang Walter
Published: December 2021

Food losses in the cool chain, which are mostly caused by temperature deviations, can be reduced by remote monitoring of transport conditions. The project ‘Intelligent Container’ was begun 15 years ago to provide the necessary sensor system, communication and automated evaluation of data. If transport and delivery planning are adjusted according to the actual quality or the predicted remaining shelf life, more products arrive with sufficient quality at the customers. This paper summarizes the project results and highlights current trends in industrial application and research, such as commercial remote container monitoring and standards for data exchange, sub-GHz communication, the increasing availability of biological and computational fluid dynamics models and digital twins. Open research topics include the development of specialized sensors. To overcome obstacles hindering the industrial application of sensor quality monitoring, we suggest a gradual approach, with lower company resources required for the first action points. Food losses can be reduced, even if the complete system, including permanent remote access and adaptive stock rotation, is not applied.