bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the efficacy of the AMEP Digital Literacies Framework and Guide for adult EAL settings
Authors: Tour Ekaterina , Creely Edwin , Waterhouse Peter , Henderson Michael
Published: September 2023

The importance of digital literacies for adult language learners from migrant and refugee backgrounds has been widely recognized. However, there is relatively limited conceptual and practical guidance for practitioners. To address this concern, we developed a pedagogical framework and a practical guide for teachers in the Adult Migrant English Program in Australia. The conceptual framework brought together four well‐established bodies of scholarly work and formed the four principles for teaching digital literacies: (1) authentic learning contexts, (2) problem‐based learning, (2) strengths‐based approaches, and (4) multidimensional practices. To unpack the framework for practical use, we then developed a guide, which reflected these principles and offered teaching ideas. This paper describes the conceptualization of the pedagogical framework and reports on a multiple case study which sought to gain insight from five English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers on the efficacy of the framework and guide. The findings suggest that while there was a reasonable level of understanding of the framework and guide and many rich learning experiences were created , in practice some teachers experienced challenges in actuating some principles of the framework. The article concludes with implications for teachers' self‐directed learning with the help of this resource and future research.
Cypate‐loaded hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticle/hydrogel system for efficient photodynamic therapy/photothermal therapy dual‐modal antibacterial therapy
Authors: Xing Zheng , Dong Bingyu , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Qiu Lin , Jiang Pengju , Xuan Yang , Ni Xinye , Xu Hongbin , Wang Jianhao
Published: September 2023

Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms are a significant burden on public health and the economic stability of societies all over the world. The appearance of drug‐resistant bacteria has severely blocked the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. Therefore, developing novel antibiotic‐free strategies to combat bacteria holds huge potential for maximizing validity and minimizing the risk of enhancing bacterial resistance. Herein, a cypate‐loaded hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles (Cy‐HMPBs) was built to achieve the PDT/PTT synergistic antimicrobial therapy. The carbomer hydrogel (CH) was combined with the Cy‐HMPBs to form a nanoparticle/hydrogel therapeutic system (Cy‐HMPBs/CH) to reach the goal of local delivery of antimicrobial cargo. The low concentration of Cy‐HMPBs/CH receives over 99% of antimicrobial ability against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus upon near‐infrared (NIR) irradiation. More importantly, Cy‐HMPBs/CH has favorable biocompatibility and can play therapeutic effects only after laser irradiation, indicating the on‐demand therapy at the targeted region to avert side effects on healthy tissue. This study provides ideas for the design of an antibiotic‐free antimicrobial strategy against infectious diseases.
Effects of correcting metabolic acidosis on muscle mass and functionality in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Visser Wesley J. , van de Braak Elma E.M. , de Mik ‐ van Egmond Anneke M.E. , van der Burgh Anna C. , de Roos Nicole M. , Jans Inez , van der Hoef Iris , Olieman Joanne F. , Hoorn Ewout J. , Severs David
Published: September 2023

Metabolic acidosis unfavourably influences the nutritional status of patients with non‐dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) including the loss of muscle mass and functionality, but the benefits of correction are uncertain. We investigated the effects of correcting metabolic acidosis on nutritional status in patients with CKD in a systematic review and meta‐analysis. A search was conducted in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 2023. Study selection, bias assessment, and data extraction were independently performed by two reviewers. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of individual studies. We applied random effects meta‐analysis to obtain pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We retrieved data from 12 intervention studies including 1995 patients, with a mean age of 63.7 ± 11.7 years, a mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of 29.8 ± 8.8 mL/min per 1.73 m2, and 58% were male. Eleven studies performed an intervention with oral sodium bicarbonate compared with either placebo or with standard care and one study compared veverimer, an oral HCl‐binding polymer, with placebo. The mean change in serum bicarbonate was +3.6 mEq/L in the intervention group and +0.4 mEq/L in the control group. Correcting metabolic acidosis significantly improved muscle mass assessed by mid‐arm muscle circumference (SMD 0.35 [95% CI 0.16 to 0.54], P < 0.001) and functionality assessed with the sit‐to‐stand test (SMD −0.31 [95% CI −0.52 to 0.11], P = 0.003). We found no statistically significant effects on dietary protein intake, handgrip strength, serum albumin and prealbumin concentrations, and blood urea nitrogen. Correcting metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD improves muscle mass and physical function. Correction of metabolic acidosis should be considered as part of the nutritional care for patients with CKD.
Plant based synthesis of silver nanoparticles, antimicrobial efficiency, and toxicological assessment using freshwater fish (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Khan Qaisar , Yousafzai Ali Muhammad
Published: September 2023

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used and have various applications, including medicine, electronics, and textiles. However, their increasing use raises concern about their potential environmental impact, particularly on aquatic organisms, such as fish, which are the primary consumers of aquatic environments and can be exposed to AgNPs through various routes. For this purpose, the leaves of the plant species Bellis perennis were used as a reductive agent to convert silver nitrate into AgNPs, to assess its toxicity against fish. Well‐dispersed and undersized AgNPs were obtained and confirmed using analytical techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Moreover, the AgNPs have shown significant antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila (25.71 ± 0.63) and Vibrio harveyi (22.39 ± 0.29). In addition, the toxicity of the obtained AgNPs was assessed by exposing Cyprinus carpio to various concentrations, including 0.06, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/L. The findings revealed that the AgNPs were significantly accumulated in the intestine, followed by the gills, liver, muscles, kidney, and brain. This bioaccumulation led to histological alterations and destruction in the villi of the intestine, regeneration of liver cells, and degeneration of the gill lamella.

Research Highlights

Plants based synthesis of AgNPs is mostly considered as eco‐friendly

A significant antibacterial activity was obtained

The plant mediated AgNPs were found less toxic

The AgNPs was profoundly accumulated and causes histological alterations
Investigation of conditioned medium properties obtained from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem/stromal cells preconditioned with dimethyloxalylglycine in a correlation with ultrastructural changes
Authors: Olcar Hanife Nurdan , Isildar Basak , Ozkan Serbay , Ercin Merve , Gezginci‐Oktayoglu Selda , Koyuturk Meral
Published: September 2023

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) hold significant therapeutic value due to their regeneration abilities, migration capacity, and immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory properties. These cells secrete soluble and insoluble factors, and this complex secretome contributes to their therapeutic effect. Furthermore, stimulation of cells by various external stimuli lead to secretome modifications that can increase the therapeutic efficacy. So, this study examined the effect of dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), a hypoxia‐mimetic agent, on secretome profiles and exosome secretions of MSCs by evaluating conditioned medium (CM) and ultrastructural morphologies of the cells in comparison with unpreconditioned MSCs. The appropriate dose and duration of the use of DMOG were determined as 1000 μM and 24 h by evaluating the HIF‐1α expression. DMOG‐CM and N‐CM were collected from MSCs incubated in serum‐free medium with/without DMOG for 24 h, respectively. The content analysis of conditioned mediums (CMs) revealed that VEGF, NGF, and IL‐4 levels were increased in DMOG‐CM. Subsequently, exosomes were isolated from the CMs and were shown by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot analysis in both groups. The effects of CMs on proliferation and migration were determined by in vitro wound healing tests; both CMs increased the fibroblast's migratory and proliferative capacities. According to the ultrastructural evaluation, autophagosome, autolysosome, myelin figure, and microvesicular body structures were abundant in DMOG‐preconditioned MSCs. Consistent with the high number of autophagic vacuoles, Beclin‐1 expression was increased in those cells. These findings suggested that DMOG could alter MSCs' secretion profile, modify their ultrastructural morphology accordingly, and make the CM a more potent therapeutic tool.

Research Highlights

Preconditioning mesenchymal stem/stromal cells with dimethyloxalylglycine, a hypoxia‐mimetic agent, could modify cellular metabolism.

Hypoxic mechanisms lead to alterations in the ultrastructural characteristics of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells.

Preconditioning with dimethyloxalylglycine leads to ultrastructural and metabolic changes of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells along with modifications in their secretome profiles.

Preconditioning of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells could render them a more potent therapeutic tool.
Patient, provider, and system‐level factors associated with preoperative cardiac testing: A systematic review
Authors: Ellenbogen Michael I. , Drmanovic Aleksandra , Segal Jodi B. , Kapoor Shrey , Wagner Phillip C.
Published: September 2023

Background

Overuse of preoperative cardiac testing contributes to high healthcare costs and delayed surgeries. A large body of research has evaluated factors associated with variation in preoperative cardiac testing. However, patient, provider, and system‐level factors associated with variation in testing have not been systematically studied.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review to better delineate the patient, provider, and system‐level factors associated with variation in preoperative cardiac testing.

Methods

We included studies of an adult US population evaluating a patient, provider, or system‐level factor associated with variation in preoperative cardiac testing for noncardiac surgery since 2012. Our search strategy used terms related to preoperative testing, diagnostic cardiac tests, and care variation with Ovid MEDLINE and Embase from inception through January 2023. We extracted study characteristics and factors associated with variation and qualitatively analyzed them. We assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and Evidence Project Risk of Bias tool.

Results

Twenty‐eight articles met inclusion criteria. Older age and higher comorbidity were strongly associated with higher‐intensity testing. The evidence for provider and system‐level covariates was weaker. However, there was strong evidence that a focus on primary care and away from preoperative clinic and cardiac consultations was associated with less testing and that interventions to reduce low‐value testing can be successful.

Conclusions

There is significant interprovider and interhospital variation in preoperative cardiac testing, the correlates of which are not well‐defined. Further work should aim to better understand these factors.
Evaluation of a rapid, chip‐based, micro‐PCR assay for detection of rabies virus in human and canine specimens
Authors: Lodha Lonika , Ananda Ashwini M. , Ramachandran Arya , Manuel Sathya Priya , Sannaiah Sujatha Valagere , Mahadevan Anita , Mani Reeta S.
Published: September 2023

Rabies, a lethal zoonotic encephalitis, remains a significant global health concern, causing an estimated 60 000 annual fatalities worldwide. Dogs serve as the primary reservoirs and vectors for transmitting this infection to humans. Definitive diagnosis of rabies in both human and animal cases necessitates laboratory testing involving various clinical specimens. However, the complexity of laboratory infrastructure and the need for skilled personnel, along with the challenge of maintaining cold‐chain integrity during sample referral, hinder the decentralization of diagnostic facilities. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the Truenat rabies assay, a rapid, portable, semiautomated, and closed PCR‐based system, for the diagnosis of rabies in both humans and animals. The Truenat assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 86.96% when compared with the fluorescent antibody test (FAT), as the reference standard, on 147 canine brain samples tested. Notably, the Truenat assay exhibited a sensitivity and specificity of 100% when tested on 48 human brain specimens. Furthermore, an examination of 148 human antemortem samples (cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and skin biopsy) using both the Truenat assay and a validated real‐time reverse transcriptase PCR assay revealed a κ value of 0.505, indicative of a moderate level of agreement between the two tests. Thus, the Truenat assay offers a robust, reliable, and affordable point‐of‐care solution to enhance rabies diagnostic capacity in endemic areas.
The efficacy and safety of oral antibiotic treatment in patients with chronic low back pain and Modic changes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wong Arnold Y. L. , Mallow G. Michael , Pinto Sabina M. , Hornung Alexander L. , Rudisill Samuel S. , Aboushaala Khaled , Udby Peter M. , An Howard S. , Samartzis Dino
Published: September 2023

Background

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to summarize evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of oral antibiotic intervention for chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients with/without type‐1 Modic changes (MC1).

Methods

AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Medline were searched from inception to March 3, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non‐RCTs that investigated the effectiveness or safety of oral antibiotics in treating CLBP patients were eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts, full‐text articles, and extracted data. The methodological quality of each included article were evaluated by RoB2 and NIH quality assessment tools. The quality of evidence was appraised by GRADE. Meta‐analyses were performed, where applicable. A subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate the RCTs and case series separately, and to evaluate the effect of removing a low‐quality RCT.

Results

Three RCTs and four case series were included. All Amoxicillin‐clavulanate/Amoxicillin treatments lasted for approximately 3 months. Moderate‐ and low‐quality evidence suggested that antibiotic was significantly better than placebo in improving disability and quality of life in CLBP patients with MC1 at 12‐month follow‐up, respectively. Low‐quality evidence from meta‐analyses of RCTs showed that oral antibiotic was significantly better than placebo in improving pain and disability in CLBP patients with MC1 immediately post‐treatment. Very low‐quality evidence from the case series suggested that oral Amoxicillin‐clavulanate significantly improved LBP/leg pain, and LBP‐related disability. Conversely, low‐quality evidence found that oral Amoxicillin alone was not significantly better than placebo in improving global perceived health in patients with CLBP at the 12‐month follow‐up. Additionally, oral antibiotic users had significantly more adverse effects than placebo users.

Conclusions

Although oral antibiotics were statistically superior to placebo in reducing LBP‐related disability in patients with CLBP and concomitant MC1, its clinical significance remains uncertain. Future large‐scale high‐quality RCTs are warranted to validate the effectiveness of antibiotics in individuals with CLBP.
Evaluation of multiple behavioral responses of sika deer to human hunting pressures
Authors: Ikeda Takashi , Koizumi Itsuro
Published: September 2023

Several ungulate populations have become overabundant worldwide, resulting in ecological and social effects. Wildlife managers must establish effective population control programs to mitigate these negative influences. Hunting is a significant mortality factor for ungulates, which exhibit sensitive behavioral responses toward hunting activities. Wildlife managers need a comprehensive understanding of the ungulate responses to different hunting pressures across seasons. We developed a conceptual method to evaluate multiple behavioral responses to human hunting pressures and applied this to sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Hokkaido, Japan, during August and November in 2015. We measured flight behavior, spatial avoidance, and temporal activity shift during non‐hunting and hunting seasons in 4 regions with different hunting pressures. Although we did not observe a clear difference in flight initiation distance among study areas or seasons, sika deer showed significant spatial avoidance during the hunting season in areas with high hunting pressure. Furthermore, sika deer were more active at night in areas with higher hunting pressures, regardless of the season. Collectively, these results suggest that sika deer responded to hunting pressure by changing diel activity to nocturnal throughout the year and avoiding risky areas (i.e., around hunting roads) during hunting season, rather than by increasing flight distance when they encounter humans. Our method can be used for a more efficient population control program for wildlife managers, as it considers the spatiotemporal variations of flexible ungulate behaviors in response to hunting pressures.
Superlinear fractional elliptic problems via the nonlinear Rayleigh quotient with two parameters
Authors: Silva Edcarlos D. , Carvalho M. L. M. , Goulart C. , Silva M. L.
Published: September 2023

It is established existence of weak solutions for nonlocal elliptic problems driven by the fractional Laplacian where the nonlinearity is indefinite in sign. More specifically, we shall consider the following nonlocal elliptic problem:
where , and . The potentials satisfy some extra assumptions. The main feature is to find sharp parameters and where the Nehari method can be applied. In order to do that, we employ the nonlinear Rayleigh quotient together a fine analysis on the fibering maps associated to the energy functional. It is important to mention also that for each parameters and , there exist degenerate points in the Nehari set that give serious difficulties. Furthermore, we consider nonlinearities that are superlinear at the origin and superlinear at infinity. In order to overcome these difficulties, we apply some estimates together with a carefully analysis on the fibering maps. Here, we also consider the asymptotic behavior of the weak solutions for our main problem when or . Furthermore, we consider a nonexistence result for our main problem under some appropriate conditions on the parameters and .
Negative halo effects of sustainable packaging
Authors: Techawachirakul Monin , Pathak Abhishek , Motoki Kosuke , Calvert Gemma Anne
Published: September 2023

More firms are adopting “green packaging” due to regulatory and environmental concerns. The alcoholic beverage industry has recently joined the lobby and major producers have introduced creative paper bottles for their alcoholic drinks. Previous research on sustainable labeling (e.g., eco‐friendly labels) has shown the positive halo effect where sustainable labeling induces positive evaluations. In contrast, our research aims to reveal the negative halo effects of sustainable packaging in the case of paper‐bottled alcoholic beverages. Across three studies, we explore consumers' perceptions toward alcoholic drinks packed in innovative paper bottles. Studies 1–2 demonstrate that consumers hold inferior expectations (i.e., sensory attributes, price, and purchase likelihood) toward alcoholic beverages packed in paper bottles. Study 3 demonstrates that the enforced messaging and attractive packaging can mitigate the negative halo effect for self‐consumption and gifting. These findings contribute to the literature on sustainable packaging, especially in the novel space of paper‐bottled alcoholic drinks.
Practical management algorithms for late complications after colorectal and anal cancer—Basic treatment of late complications
Authors: Oggesen Birthe Thing , Hamberg Marie Louise Sjødin , Rosenberg Jacob
Published: September 2023

Background

The aim of this work was to develop a basic treatment guideline set for late complications after treatment for colorectal and anal cancer. Furthermore, a prerequisite was that the guideline was appropriate and safe to use for all health care staff regardless of their educational level. Lastly, the set should cover the most common late complications for patients treated for colorectal and anal cancer, including stool, urinary, sexual, and depressive symptoms.

Methods

The treatment algorithms were developed by doctors in the Late Complication Clinic and afterward they were discussed to establish consensus with external experts in different fields such as surgery, gastroenterology, dietitian, gynecology, urology, sexology, general practice, anesthesiology, and psychiatry.

Results

We have developed a practical basic guideline set covering the most common late complications after colorectal and anal cancer treatment. The guideline set can be used by both nurses and doctors. The treatment algorithms are a combination of ordinary treatment principles and the best possible evidence in the field of late complications after colorectal and anal cancer.

Conclusions

We have developed a basic treatment guideline set for late complications after treatment for colorectal and anal cancers. There is generally little evidence in the field of late complications, and the evidence is mostly based on consensus. To establish higher‐level evidence for late complication treatment after colorectal and anal cancer, it is important to monitor and adjust the treatment algorithms.
Global attractors for porous elastic system with memory and nonlinear frictional damping
Authors: Duan Yu‐Ying , Xiao Ti‐Jun
Published: September 2023

This paper is concerned with the long‐time behavior of a porous‐elastic system with infinite memory and nonlinear frictional damping. We prove that the dynamical system generated by the solutions of the equations is dissipative, only under the basic conditions (for the well‐posedness) on the memory kernel
and the frictional damping
. Further, we come up with a condition on
, being more general than the usual one
(with a positive constant
), under which we prove the asymptotic smoothness and quasi‐stability (the latter needs some stronger condition on
) of the dynamical system. Accordingly, we obtain the existence of a global attractor and show the finite dimensionality of the attractor.
A composite energy‐selective surface based on diode‐induced VO2 conduction for the applications of adaptive electromagnetic protection
Authors: Chen Qi , Cheng Yanqing , Min Weitong , Xiao Yonghang , Xia Zuxue
Published: September 2023

In this letter, a composite energy selective surface (CESS) using diode to induce VO2 is proposed. The CESS is composed of periodic metal meshes connected with PIN diodes and VO2 in rows and the CESS is embedded in a metal window. VO2 can be induced by using the properties of uneven distribution of induced electric field on the CESS and the conduction field of diode is smaller than that of VO2, so as to reduce the metal‐insulator transition field of it. When the shielding efficiency (SE) reaches 10 dB, the incident field of CESS would be reduced by 72.95% compared with the ESS using VO2 (V‐ESS). Meanwhile, compared with the ESS using diode (D‐ESS), the number of diode in CESS is reduced by 92%, greatly reducing the manufacturing cost. Furthermore, the design of CESS with different incident field when SE reaches 10 dB can be realized more flexibly according to different structures, while the maximum SE can reach 20.94 dB.
Superficial vessel‐based near infrared‐assisted patient position recognition and real‐time monitoring system (VIPS) for radiotherapy: A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Qiu Jianjian , Lv Bo , Ge Weiqiang , Zhang Shujun , Zhang Libo , Mo Fan , Li Ya , Zheng Xiangpeng
Published: September 2023

Background

The accuracy and precision of patient position in radiotherapy process have dramatic impacts on the tumor local control and therapy‐related side effects, and there exist demands to explore effective positioning solutions, particularly in the era with great progress in imaging recognition and matching.

Purpose

Superficial vessel‐based near infrared‐assisted patient position recognition and real‐time monitoring system (VIPS) was proposed to develop an automated, operator‐independent and skin marker‐free imaging system to improve patient setup and intrafractional motion monitoring.

Methods

VIPS includes two components, the imaging module and the image alignment software. Using a simulated blood vessel model, multiple NIR sources with various wavelength and bolus (pseudo‐skin) were evaluated in terms of imaging quality to determine the optimal light source and the upper limit of superficial fatty tissue thickness. Then the performance of VIPS with reference to either CBCT or laser setup system was conducted using 3D phantom and clinical cases enrolled into the registered clinical trial. The position displacement from VIPS and laser system was compared, as well as the systematic and random errors of VIPS setup procedure.

Results

The NIR light source with the combined wavelengths of 760 nm + 940 nm (S760+940 nm) provided the best performance among multiple tested light sources. The bolus (superficial fatty layer) thickness over 5 mm could dramatically compromise the NIR detection of vessels beneath. In the phantom study, the translational positional displacements according to VIPS guidance were within the submillimeter level with reference to CBCT, indicative of high setup accuracy. The clinical trial showed the prototype VIPS could effectively detect and control position displacement of patients in translational and rotational directions within an acceptable range, which was non‐inferior to conventional laser/skin marker system.

Conclusion

This proof‐of‐concept study validated the feasibility and reliability of VIPS in guiding radiotherapy setup. However, limitations and technical challenges should be resolved prior to further clinical evaluation, including isocenter alignment, potential NIR image distortion and the impact of the superficial tissues on the recognition of vessels.
Technical note: Preprocessing of portal images to improve image quality of VMAT‐CT
Authors: Chien Chia‐Lung , Zhao Xiaodong , Guo Beibei , Zhang Rui
Published: September 2023

Background

The concept of volumetric modulated arc therapy‐computed tomography (VMAT‐CT) was proposed more than a decade ago. However, its application has been very limited mainly due to the poor image quality. More specifically, the blurred areas in electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images collected during VMAT heavily degrade the image quality of VMAT‐CT.

Purpose

The goal of this study was to propose systematic methods to preprocess EPID images and improve the image quality of VMAT‐CT.

Methods

Online region‐based active contour method was introduced to binarize portal images. Multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) motion modeling was developed to remove the MLC motion blur. Outlier filtering was then applied to replace the remaining artifacts with plausible data. To assess the impact of these preprocessing methods on the image quality of VMAT‐CT, 44 clinical VMAT plans for several treatment sites (lung, esophagus, and head & neck) were delivered to a Rando phantom, and several real‐patient cases were also acquired. VMAT‐CT reconstruction was attempted for all the cases, and image quality was evaluated.

Results

All three preprocessing methods could effectively remove the blurred edges of EPID images. The combined preprocessing methods not only saved VMAT‐CT from distortions and artifacts, but also increased the percentage of VMAT plans that can be reconstructed.

Conclusions

The systematic preprocessing of portal images improves the image quality of VMAT‐CT significantly, and facilitates the application of VMAT‐CT as an effective image guidance tool.
Investigation on the physical dose filtered by linear energy transfer for treatment plan evaluation in carbon ion therapy
Authors: Schafasand Mansure , Resch Andreas Franz , Nachankar Ankita , Gora Joanna , Traneus Erik , Glimelius Lars , Georg Dietmar , Stock Markus , Carlino Antonio , Fossati Piero
Published: September 2023

Background

Large tumor size has been reported as a predicting factor for inferior clinical outcome in carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT). Besides the clinical factors accompanied with such tumors, larger tumors receive typically more low linear energy transfer (LET) contributions than small ones which may be the underlying physical cause. Although dose averaged LET is often used as a single parameter descriptor to quantify the beam quality, there is no evidence that this parameter is the optimal clinical predictor for the complex mixed radiation fields in CIRT.

Purpose

Purpose of this study was to investigate on a novel dosimetric quantity, namely high‐LET‐dose (, the physical dose filtered based on an LET threshold) as a single parameter estimator to differentiate between carbon ion treatment plans (cTP) with a small and large tumor volume.

Methods

Ten cTPs with a planning target volume, (large) and nine with a (small) were selected for this study. To find a reasonable LET threshold () that results in a significant difference in terms of , the voxel based normalized high‐LET‐dose () distribution in the clinical target volume (CTV) was studied on a subset (12 out of 19 cTPs) for 18 LET thresholds, using standard distribution descriptors (mean, variance and skewness).

The classical dose volume histogram concept was used to evaluate the and distributions within the target of all 19 cTPs at the before determined . Statistical significance of the difference between the two groups in terms of mean and volume histogram parameters was evaluated by means of (two‐sided) t‐test or Mann‐Whitney‐U‐test. In addition, the minimum target coverage at the above determined was compared and validated against three other thresholds to verify its potential in differentiation between small and large volume tumors.

Results

An of approximately was found to be a reasonable threshold to classify the two groups. At this threshold, the and were significantly larger () in small CTVs. For the small tumor group, the near‐minimum and median (and ) in the CTV were in average (0.31 ± 0.08) and (0.46 ± 0.06), respectively. For the large tumors, these parameters were (0.20 ± 0.01) and (0.28 ± 0.02). The difference between the two groups in terms of mean near‐minimum and median () was 2.7 Gy (11%) and 5.0 Gy (18%), respectively.

Conclusions

The feasibility of high‐LET‐dose based evaluation was shown in this study where a lower was found in cTPs with a large tumor size. Further investigation is needed to draw clinical conclusions. The proposed methodology in this work can be utilized for future high‐LET‐dose based studies.
Ecological monitoring of emotional intensity, variability, and instability in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Results of a multicentre study
Authors: Zarbo Cristina , Zamparini Manuel , Patrono Alessandra , Calini Cosima , Harvey Philip D. , Casiraghi Letizia , Clerici Massimo , Malvezzi Matteo , Rocchetti Matteo , Starace Fabrizio , de Girolamo Giovanni ,   DiAPAson Collaborators
Published: September 2023

Background

Evaluating emotional experiences in the life of people with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (SSD) is fundamental for developing interventions aimed at promoting well‐being in specific times and contexts. However, little is known about emotional variability in this population. In DiAPAson project, we evaluated between‐ and within‐person differences in emotional intensity, variability, and instability between people with SSD and healthy controls, and the association with psychiatric severity and levels of functioning.

Methods

102 individuals diagnosed with SSD (57 residential patients, 46 outpatients) and 112 healthy controls were thoroughly evaluated. Daily emotions were prospectively assessed with Experience Sampling Method eight times a day for a week. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, correlations, and generalized linear models.

Results

Participants with SSD, and especially residential patients, had a higher intensity of negative emotions when compared to controls. Moreover, all people with SSD reported a greater between‐person‐variability of both positive and negative emotions and greater intra‐variability of negative emotions than healthy controls. In addition, the emotion variability in people with SSD does not follow a linear or quadratic trend but is more “chaotic” if compared to controls.

Conclusions

Adequate assessments of positive and negative emotional experiences and their time course in people with SSD can assist mental health professionals with well‐being assessment, implementing targeted interventions through the identification of patterns, triggers, and potential predictors of emotional states.
Association of Discharge Location Following Pediatric Tracheostomy with Social Determinants of Health: A National Analysis
Authors: Ramanathan Diya , Bruckman David , Appachi Swathi , Hopkins Brandon
Published: September 2023

Objective

To evaluate the breakdown of discharge locations among pediatric tracheostomy patients and determine the impact of demographic variables and social determinants of health.

Study Design

Retrospective review of the 2016 and 2019 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database (HCUP KID).

Setting

A total of 4000 United States community hospitals, defined as short‐term, non‐Federal, general, and specialty hospitals.

Methods

ICD‐10‐PCS, ICD‐10 CM codes, and HCUP data elements were selected for patients and variables of interest. Bivariate comparisons were performed using Rao‐Scott Chi‐square tests; significance levels in post hoc pairwise testing were adjusted using Bonferroni adjustment. Multinomial generalized logistic regression models were used to determine the average annual odds ratio (OR) of 3 dispositions at discharge relative to discharge home for self‐care.

Results

Patients aged 11‐17, patients from large metropolitan areas, and patients of “Other” race have an increased odds of discharge to a short‐ or long‐term care facility (all P < .001). Weekend admissions, nonelective admissions, patients in Northeast hospitals, and patients at urban nonteaching hospitals are also more likely to be discharged to a short‐ or long‐term care facility (all P < .001). Mean and median total costs of admission were $424,387 and $243,479, respectively, with a median total charge of $854,499.

Conclusion

Among pediatric tracheostomy patients, demographic factors that affect discharge disposition include age, community type, and race, and significant hospital factors include day and type of admission, geographic region, and hospital type. Hospitalizations are associated with high overall costs and charges to the patient, which are increasing over time.
Can one hear the depth of the water?
Authors: Freitag Melina A. , Kříž Pavel , Mach Thomas , Nicolaus Jan Martin
Published: September 2023

We discuss discrete‐time dynamical systems depending on a parameter μ. Assuming that the system matrix is given, but the parameter μ is unknown, we infer the most‐likely parameter from an observed trajectory x of the dynamical system. We use parametric eigenpairs of the system matrix computed with Newton's method based on a Chebyshev expansion. We then represent x in the eigenvector basis defined by the and compare the decay of the components with predictions based on the . The resulting estimates for μ are combined using a kernel density estimator to find the most likely value for and a corresponding uncertainty quantification.
Why do we feel close to a person who expresses gratitude? Exploring mediating roles of perceived warmth, conscientiousness, and agreeableness
Authors: Imai Tatsuya
Published: September 2023

The literature suggests that expressed gratitude improves the interpersonal relationship between a beneficiary and a benefactor. However, there is little research that has explored why thanking provides these positive effects, so this study investigated thanking mechanisms to explain reasons why people feel close to a beneficiary who expresses gratitude. This study also examines the effects of apologies, which are sometimes used to show gratitude in Japan. In this experimental study, 671 Japanese participants reported their perceived closeness, warmth, conscientiousness, and agreeableness to a hypothetical beneficiary who expressed gratitude, apologies, or both after a benefit was provided. The results revealed that benefactors who received a message indicating gratitude and both gratitude and apologies reported higher levels of closeness toward a beneficiary than those who received a message with only apologies and a message without either gratitude or apologies. A structural equation model further indicated that warmth and conscientiousness mediated the link between expressed gratitude/apologies and perceived closeness.
Exact p‐value calculation for XCorr scoring of high‐resolution MS/MS data
Authors: Bhimani Kishankumar , Peresadina Arina , Vozniuk Dmitrii , Kertész‐Farkas Attila
Published: September 2023

Exact p‐value (XPV)‐based methods for dot product‐like score functions—such as the XCorr score implemented in Tide, SEQUEST, Comet or shared peak count‐based scoring in MSGF+ and ASPV—provide a fairly good calibration for peptide‐spectrum‐match (PSM) scoring in database searching‐based MS/MS spectrum data identification. Unfortunately, standard XPV methods, in practice, cannot handle high‐resolution fragmentation data produced by state‐of‐the‐art mass spectrometers because having smaller bins increases the number of fragment matches that are assigned to incorrect bins and scored improperly. In this article, we present an extension of the XPV method, called the high‐resolution exact p‐value (HR‐XPV) method, which can be used to calibrate PSM scores of high‐resolution MS/MS spectra obtained with dot product‐like scoring such as the XCorr. The HR‐XPV carries remainder masses throughout the fragmentation, allowing them to greatly increase the number of fragments that are properly assigned to the correct bin and, thus, taking advantage of high‐resolution data. Using four mass spectrometry data sets, our experimental results demonstrate that HR‐XPV produces well‐calibrated scores, which in turn results in more trusted spectrum annotations at any false discovery rate level.
A multicenter randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study to evaluate the effects of a 1‐year regimen of orally inhaled fluticasone furoate 50 µg once daily on growth velocity in prepubertal, pediatric participants with well‐controlled asthma
Authors: Bareille Philippe , Imber Varsha , Crawford Jodie , Majorek‐Olechowska Bernadetta , Karam‐Absi Zeina , Stone Sally , Birk Ruby
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Growth impairment is a known adverse event (AE) of corticosteroids in children. This study aimed to assess the effect of once‐daily (QD) inhaled fluticasone furoate (FF) versus placebo on growth velocity over 1 year in prepubertal children with well‐controlled asthma.

Materials and Methods: This randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled, multicenter study (NCT02889809) included prepubertal children, aged 5 to <9 years (boys), and 5 to <8 years (girls), with ≥6 months' asthma history. Children received inhaled placebo QD plus background open‐label montelukast QD for a 16‐week run‐in period and were then randomized 1:1 to receive inhaled FF 50 μg QD or placebo QD (whilst continuing background open‐label montelukast) for a 52‐week treatment period. The primary endpoint was the difference in growth velocity (cm/year) over the treatment period. Other growth endpoints were measured, as were incidence of AEs and asthma exacerbation. Growth analyses included all intent‐to‐treat (ITT) participants with ≥3 post‐randomization, on‐treatment clinic visit height assessments (GROWTH population).

Results: Of 644 children in the run‐in period, 477 (mean age 6.2 years, 63% male) entered the 52‐week treatment period (ITT population: FF N = 238, placebo N = 239; GROWTH population: N = 457 [FF N = 231; placebo N = 226]). The least‐squares mean difference in growth velocity for FF versus placebo was –0.160 cm/year (95% confidence interval: –0.462, 0.142). There were no new safety signals.

Conclusions: Over 1 year, FF 50 μg QD had a minimal effect on growth velocity versus placebo, with no new safety signals.
Association between SARS‐CoV‐2 viral kinetics and clinical score evolution in hospitalized patients
Authors: Néant Nadège , Lingas Guillaume , Gaymard Alexandre , Belhadi Drifa , Hites Maya , Staub Thérèse , Greil Richard , Paiva Jose‐Artur , Poissy Julien , Peiffer‐Smadja Nathan , Costagliola Dominique , Yazdanpanah Yazdan , Bouscambert‐Duchamp Maude , Gagneux‐Brunon Amandine , Ader Florence , Mentré France , Wallet Florent , Burdet Charles , Guedj Jérémie ,   the DisCoVeRy study group
Published: September 2023

The role of antiviral treatment in coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalized patients is controversial. To address this question, we analyzed simultaneously nasopharyngeal viral load and the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS‐2) using an effect compartment model to relate viral dynamics and the evolution of clinical severity. The model is applied to 664 hospitalized patients included in the DisCoVeRy trial (NCT04315948; EudraCT 2020‐000936‐23) randomly assigned to either standard of care (SoC) or SoC + remdesivir. Then we use the model to simulate the impact of antiviral treatments on the time to clinical improvement, defined by a NEWS‐2 score lower than 3 (in patients with NEWS‐2 <7 at hospitalization) or 5 (in patients with NEWS‐2 ≥7 at hospitalization), distinguishing between patients with low or high viral load at hospitalization. The model can fit well the different observed patients trajectories, showing that clinical evolution is associated with viral dynamics, albeit with large interindividual variability. Remdesivir antiviral activity was 22% and 78% in patients with low or high viral loads, respectively, which is not sufficient to generate a meaningful effect on NEWS‐2. However, simulations predicted that antiviral activity greater than 99% could reduce by 2 days the time to clinical improvement in patients with high viral load, irrespective of the NEWS‐2 score at hospitalization, whereas no meaningful effect was predicted in patients with low viral loads. Our results demonstrate that time to clinical improvement is associated with time to viral clearance and that highly effective antiviral drugs could hasten clinical improvement in hospitalized patients with high viral loads.
Development of functional active films from blend of gelatin with crude orange juice pomace pectin: Test for packaging of virgin olive oil
Authors: Chentir Imene , Aribi Chouaib , Tarchoun Ahmed Fouzi , Kchaou Hela , Lamri Melisa , Nasri Moncef , Trache Djalal
Published: September 2023

The food packaging sector is focused on developing innovative materials to enhance food safety and quality while reducing environmental impact. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop packaging based on bovine gelatin (G) blended with crude sweet orange juice pomace pectin (SOPP) at different ratios (G/SOPP = 85/15, 65/35, 50/50, w/w). The obtained crude SOPP was highly methylated and exhibited antioxidant and antibacterial properties due to the presence of galacturonic acid (<70%) and phenolic compounds (58.2 ± 0.8 mg/g SOPP). High‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection analysis revealed the presence of hesperidin, catechin, and naringin as major phenolic compounds in SOPP. Further, the incorporation of this latter improved gelatin‐based packaging structural homogeneity, opacity, water vapour barrier features, glass transition temperature and tensile strength. G‐SOPP (50/50) film showed efficient antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and high antioxidant potential reaching values of 0.7, 48.7%, 76.7% and 68.9% for reducing power, β‐carotene bleaching inhibition, DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS+ (2,2′‐azinobis‐[3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid]) radicals scavenging activities, respectively. Another interesting finding is that the combination of G and SOPP reduced the oil solubility of G‐SOPP films suggesting great physical integrity of the film over 63 days. The polyphenol content released from G‐SOPP blend film in a fatty simulant increased as SOPP content of films was increased. G‐SOPP (50/50) film, designed as a pouch, delays the photooxidation process of virgin olive oil over 63 days of storage time, without altering its organoleptic properties. Overall, these outstanding results highlighted the potential use of gelatin–pectin blend films for active packaging of oils and lipid‐based foods.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor‐induced asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap in patient with adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hayakawa Yuki , Kawaguchi Takako , Yamasaki Kei , Endo Miyu , Komatsu Masaya , Ishiguro Yutaka , Murata Yuichi , Yatera Kazuhiro
Published: September 2023

A 67‐year‐old current smoker Japanese man, with no history of asthma, was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. He received first‐line chemotherapy with carboplatin, pemetrexed, ipilimumab, and nivolumab in July 20XX‐1, and subsequently a maintenance therapy with nivolumab. In October 20XX, he became aware of wheezy dyspnoea, and chest computed tomography demonstrated worsening bronchial wall thickenings. Eosinophilia was noted, and a pulmonary function test showed obstructive dysfunction insufficiently responding to beta‐agonists, with 130 mL increase of forced expiratory volume in one second and high fractional exhaled nitric oxide level (85 ppb). He was clinically diagnosed with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap, secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The inhibition of binding between programmed cell death‐protein‐1 (PD‐1), expressed on T cells, and programmed cell death‐ligand‐2 (PD‐L2), expressed on tumour and dendritic cells, can induce airway hyperresponsiveness. Physicians should be wary of asthmatic symptoms and chest image findings during ICIs therapy.