bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intensified Adjuvant Treatment for High‐Risk Resected Cutaneous Angiosarcoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: El Shatanofy Muhammad , Thakkar Punam , Patel Vishal , Joshi Arjun , Goodman Joseph , Siegel Robert , Haroun Faysal , Ojong‐Ntui Martin , Goyal Sharad , Bauman Julie , Rao Yuan James
Published: July 2023

Objective

Previous studies have highlighted the poor survival of patients with cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck. Therapeutic options are limited, and effective treatment strategies are yet to be discovered. The objective of this study is to evaluate overall survival following intensified adjuvant treatment for high‐risk resected angiosarcoma of the head and neck.

Study Design

Retrospective observational.

Setting

National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck from 2004 to 2016 were identified by NCDB. We retrospectively compared demographics and overall survival between patients who received surgery and radiation therapy (SR) and patients who received surgery and chemoradiation (SRC). The χ2 test, Kaplan‐Meier method, and Cox regression models were used to analyze data.

Results

A total of 249 patients were identified, of which 79.5% were treated with surgery and radiation alone and 20.5% were treated with surgery and chemoradiation. The addition of chemotherapy, regardless of the sequence of administration, was not associated with significantly higher overall survival. Factors associated with worse survival in both groups included positive nodal status and positive margins. Patients with positive nodes had higher overall survival with radiation doses >50.4 Gy compared to ≤50.4 Gy (hazard ratio: 2.93, confidence interval: 1.60‐5.36, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Adjuvant chemotherapy was not significantly associated with higher overall survival for resected nonmetastatic angiosarcoma of the head and neck. Higher radiation doses appear to be prognostic for high‐risk diseases.
Coagulant potentials of emicizumab in the plasmas from infant and toddler patients with hemophilia A
Authors: Takeyama Masahiro , Matsumoto Naoki , Abe Hiroto , Harada Suguru , Ogiwara Kenichi , Furukawa Shoko , Shimonishi Naruto , Nakajima Yuto , Yada Koji , Soeda Tetsuhiro , Nogami Keiji
Published: July 2023

Background

Emicizumab significantly reduces bleedings in patients with hemophilia A (PwHA). A clinical study (HAVEN 7; NCT04431726) for PwHA aged less than or equal to 12 months is ongoing, but emicizumab‐driven coagulation potential in PwHA in early childhood remains to be clarified.

Aim

To investigate the in vitro or in vivo coagulation potential of emicizumab in plasmas obtained from infant and toddler PwHA.

Methods

Twenty‐seven plasma samples from 14 infant/toddler PwHA (aged 0–42 months, median 19 months) who received emicizumab (n = 9), factor (F)VIII products (n = 8), or no treatment (n = 10) were obtained. FVIII activity in FVIII‐treated plasmas was cancelled by the addition of anti‐FVIII monoclonal antibody (mAb). Emicizumab‐treated plasmas (in vivo) and emicizumab‐spiked plasmas (in vitro) were analyzed. Emicizumab‐untreated plasma or emicizumab‐treated plasma supplemented with two anti‐emicizumab mAbs were used as references. Adjusted maximum coagulation velocity (Ad|min1|) by clot waveform analysis and peak thrombin (Peak‐Th) by thrombin generation assay was assessed.

Results

Ad|min1| values in 24 samples were improved by the presence of emicizumab. Values did not improve in the three remaining samples (aged 1, 23, and 31 months). Although the presence of emicizumab showed an age‐dependent increase in Peak‐Th in 20 samples, this increase was not observed in seven samples (aged 0, 1, 1, 2, 8, 19, and 36 months). Emicizumab‐dependent increases in both Ad|min1| and Peak‐Th were shown in 18 samples, and increases in either parameter were shown in eight samples. One sample (from patient aged 1 month) showed no increase in both, however.

Conclusion

Emicizumab could improve coagulant potential in plasmas from infant/toddler patients with hemophilia A.
Endophytic Beauveria bassiana induces biosynthesis of flavonoids in oilseed rape following both seed inoculation and natural colonization
Authors: Muola Anne , Birge Traci , Helander Marjo , Mathew Suni , Harazinova Vili , Saikkonen Kari , Fuchs Benjamin
Published: July 2023

Background

Cultivation of oilseed rape Brassica napus is pesticide‐intensive, and alternative plant protection strategies are needed because both pesticide resistance and legislation narrow the range of effective chemical pesticides. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is used as a biocontrol agent against various insect pests, but little is known about its endophytic potential and role in plant protection for oilseed rape. First, we studied whether B. bassiana can establish as an endophyte in oilseed rape, following seed inoculation. To evaluate the plant protection potential of endophytic B. bassiana on oilseed rape, we next examined its ability to induce plant metabolite biosynthesis. In another experiment, we tested the effect of seed inoculation on seedling survival in a semi‐field experiment.

Results

Beauveria bassiana endophytically colonized oilseed rape following seed inoculation, and, in addition, natural colonization was also recorded. Maximum colonization rate was 40%, and generally increased with inoculation time. Seed inoculation did not affect the germination probability or growth of oilseed rape, but B. bassiana inoculated seeds germinated more slowly compared to controls. Endophytic colonization of B. bassiana induced biosynthesis of several flavonoids in oilseed rape leaves under controlled conditions. In the experiment conducted in semi‐field conditions, inoculated seedlings had slightly higher mortality compared to control seedlings.

Conclusion

Beauveria bassiana showed endophytic potential on oilseed rape via both natural colonization and seed inoculation, and it induced the biosynthesis of flavonoids. However, its use as an endophyte for plant protection against pests or pathogens for oilseed rape remains unclear. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Longitudinal efficacy and safety modeling and simulation framework to aid dose selection of belantamab mafodotin for patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Collins Jon , van Noort Martijn , Rathi Chetan , Post Teun M. , Struemper Herbert , Jewell Roxanne C. , Ferron‐Brady Geraldine
Published: July 2023

Belantamab mafodotin, a monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF)–containing monoclonal antibody‐drug conjugate (ADC), demonstrated deep and durable responses in the DRiving Excellence in Approaches to Multiple Myeloma (DREAMM)‐1 and pivotal DREAMM‐2 studies in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. As with other MMAF‐containing ADCs, ocular adverse events were observed. To predict the effects of belantamab mafodotin dosing regimens and dose‐modification strategies on efficacy and ocular safety end points, DREAMM‐1 and DREAMM‐2 data across a range of doses were used to develop an integrated simulation framework incorporating two separate longitudinal models and the published population pharmacokinetic model. A concentration‐driven tumor growth inhibition model described the time course of serum M‐protein concentration, a measure of treatment response, whereas a discrete time Markov model described the time course of ocular events graded with the GSK Keratopathy and Visual Acuity scale. Significant covariates included baseline β2‐microglobulin on growth rate, baseline M‐protein on kill rate, extramedullary disease on the effect compartment rate constant, and baseline soluble B cell maturation antigen on maximal effect. Efficacy and safety end points were simulated for various doses with dosing intervals of 1, 3, 6, and 9 weeks and various event‐driven dose‐modification strategies. Simulations predicted that lower doses and longer dosing intervals were associated with lower probability and lower overall time with Grade 3+ and Grade 2+ ocular events compared with the reference regimen (2.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks), with a less‐than‐proportional reduction in efficacy. The predicted improved benefit–risk profiles of certain dosing schedules and dose modifications from this integrated framework has informed trial designs for belantamab mafodotin, supporting dose‐optimization strategies.
Dion–Jacobson to Alternating‐Cations‐Interaction Reconstruction toward Narrow Bandgap 2D Aromatic Hybrid Perovskite
Authors: Dai Hongliang , You Shihai , Ye Huang , Zhu Tingting , Luo Junhua
Published: July 2023

The 2D aromatic Dion–Jacobson (DJ) hybrid perovskites combining advantages of high stability, enhanced light absorption, and favorable charge transport, are regarded as a kind of very promising materials for high‐performance optoelectronic applications. However, due to the rigidity and large size of the aromatic ring, how to further reduce the interlayer distance to achieve better carrier transport and wider light response window still remain extremely challenging. Here, an interesting DJ‐to‐ACI (alternating‐cations‐interaction) reconstruction in 2D aromatic perovskite is first realized by inserting MA+ cations into (4‐AP)PbI4 (1, 4‐AP = 4‐amidinopyridinium), successfully constructing an unprecedented ACI perovskite of (4‐AP)(MA)2Pb2I8 (2, MA = methylamine). Remarkably, such a DJ‐to‐ACI reconstruction not only effectively reduces the interlayer spacing from 3.89 to 3.15 Å but also alleviates the structural distortion, which jointly causes a significant bandgap narrowing from 2.22 to 1.95 eV (smaller than all current 2D monolayered DJ perovskites), hence achieving a broad photodetection window over 660 nm. This work reports a novel narrow bandgap 2D ACI perovskite derived from the aromatic DJ motif, which sheds light on future regulations on the structure and properties of hybrid perovskites.
Attribute‐based encryption scheme for secure data sharing in cloud with fine‐grained revocation
Authors: Islam Md Azharul , Madria Sanjay
Published: July 2023

Attribute‐based encryption (ABE) is a prominent cryptographic tool for secure data sharing in the cloud because it can be used to enforce very expressive and fine‐grained access control on outsourced data. The revocation in ABE remains a challenging problem as most of the revocation techniques available today, suffer from the collusion attack. The revocable ABE schemes which are collusion resistant require a semi‐trusted manager to update the secret keys of nonrevoked users in order to achieve revocation. This introduces computation and communication overhead, and also increases the overall security vulnerability. In this paper, we propose two collusion resistant revocable ABE schemes that do not require any semi‐trusted entity. Our first scheme supports revocation at the user‐level that is equivalent to revoking all the attributes from a user. Our second scheme supports revocation at the attribute‐level that enables more fine‐grained revocation by allowing selective attribute(s) revocation from a user. We call them user‐level revocable ABE (ULR‐ABE) and attribute‐level revocable ABE (ALR‐ABE), respectively. For both the schemes, the secret keys of the nonrevoked users are never affected and the decryption algorithm has the same performance as the baseline ABE scheme. We are able to achieve these at the cost of some increase (compared to the baseline scheme) in the size of the secret key and the ciphertext.
Luteal phase decrease in packed cell volume in healthy non‐pregnant and pregnant bitches
Authors: Moxon Rachel , Dutton Worsfold Rebekah , Davis Julie , Adams Wendy , England Gary C. W.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To establish packed cell volume (PCV) ranges for non‐pregnant, pregnant and post‐partum bitches from day 10 of proestrus, investigating any relationship with parity and litter size.

Methods

This prospective cohort study used 37 healthy breeding bitches to examine PCV counts from routine blood samples collected every 4 weeks, from day 10 of proestrus, as part of routine PCV monitoring.

Results

For pregnant (n = 19) and non‐pregnant (n = 18) bitches, PCV decreased until week 8 (corresponding to 8.5 ± 1.1 days before whelping for pregnant bitches) and recovered by 16–20 weeks after the initial sample; bitches that whelped average and large litters showed greater declines. PCV began to recover sooner for bitches that had previously whelped one or two litters compared to bitches that had previously whelped three or more litters. There was a significant three‐way interaction between time after the onset of proestrus, litter size and the number of previous litters which demonstrated that the large decrease in PCV for bitches that had previously whelped three or more litters only occurred in bitches that were expecting an average or large sized litter.

Clinical Significance

Chronological variation in PCV for pregnant and non‐pregnant bitches was established during the reproductive cycle. There was no evidence to suggest that routine PCV measurement for normal, healthy bitches would be beneficial. However, knowledge from this study may be useful when deciding whether to prospectively monitor a bitch where there is a history of previous pregnancy‐related anaemia, when performing a caesarean section due to the anticipated blood loss during surgery, or when examining blood profiles for post‐litter bitches.
Comparison of spermatic cord ligation and the vas plexus ligation in canine orchiectomy: A prospective clinical study
Authors: Şenocak Mümin Gökhan
Published: July 2023

Background

Orchiectomy with a vas deferens to pampiniform plexus ligation (VPL) is a novel method, and it is unclear how its short‐term outcomes compare with the results of a conventional method, spermatic cord ligation (SCL).

Objective

To compare the short‐term outcomes of SCL and VPL on inflammation, surgery time, bleeding, pain and surgeon satisfaction during canine open orchiectomy.

Methods

Thirty male crossbred dogs undergoing open orchiectomy were enrolled the study. Dogs were randomly allocated to one of the SCL or VPL groups, with 15 patients in each. In the SCL group, the spermatic cord was ligated using absorbable sutures. The vas deferens, and pampiniform plexus self‐tying were performed in the VPL group. Surgery time, bleeding and surgeon satisfaction scores were recorded. Inflammation at the surgical site was assessed using infrared thermal camera over three days, and pain associated with inflammation was scored on the third day.

Results

On Day 3, the average temperature in the SCL group was significantly higher than that of the VPL group, with a mean difference of 4.63°C (95% CI: 2.34–6.93, p < 0.001). Moreover, the surgery time in the VPL group was significantly longer compared to the SCL group, with a mean difference of 1.7 min (95% CI: 0.28–3.11, p = 0.021). The bleeding score was also significantly higher in the VPL group (p = 0.012). On the other hand, surgeon satisfaction and pain scores were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion

Both SCL and VPL methods are safe and effective for orchiectomy in dogs. VPL is comparable in efficacy and safety and has the additional benefit of less inflammation.
Comparative study of PRPH2 D2 loop mutants reveals divergent disease mechanism in rods and cones
Authors: Ikelle Larissa , Makia Mustafa , Lewis Tylor , Crane Ryan , Kakakhel Mashal , Conley Shannon M. , Birtley James R. , Arshavsky Vadim Y. , Al-Ubaidi Muayyad R. , Naash Muna I.
Published: July 2023

Mutations in the photoreceptor-specific tetraspanin gene peripherin-2 (PRPH2) lead to widely varying forms of retinal degeneration ranging from retinitis pigmentosa to macular dystrophy. Both inter- and intra-familial phenotypic heterogeneity has led to much interest in uncovering the complex pathogenic mechanisms of PRPH2-associated disease. Majority of disease-causing mutations in PRPH2 reside in the second intradiscal loop, wherein seven cysteines control protein folding and oligomerization. Here, we utilize knockin models to evaluate the role of three D2 loop cysteine mutants (Y141C, C213Y and C150S), alone or in combination. We elucidated how these mutations affect PRPH2 properties, including oligomerization and subcellular localization, and contribute to disease processes. Results from our structural, functional and molecular studies revealed that, in contrast to our understanding from prior investigations, rods are highly affected by PRPH2 mutations interfering with oligomerization and not merely by the haploinsufficiency associated with these mutations. On the other hand, cones are less affected by the toxicity of the mutant protein and significantly reduced protein levels, suggesting that knockdown therapeutic strategies may sustain cone functionality for a longer period. This observation provides useful data to guide and simplify the current development of effective therapeutic approaches for PRPH2-associated diseases that combine knockdown with high levels of gene supplementation needed to generate prolonged rod improvement.
Protrudin-mediated ER-endosome contact sites promote phagocytosis
Authors: Elfmark Liv Anker , Wenzel Eva Maria , Wang Ling , Pedersen Nina Marie , Stenmark Harald , Raiborg Camilla
Published: July 2023

During phagocytosis, endosomes both contribute with membrane to forming phagosomes and promote phagosome maturation. However, how these vesicles are delivered to the phagocytic cup and the phagosome has been unknown. Here, we show that Protrudin-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-endosome contact sites facilitate anterograde translocation of FYCO1 and VAMP7-positive late endosomes and lysosomes (LELys) to forming phagocytic cups in a retinal pigment epithelial-derived cell line (RPE1). Protrudin-dependent phagocytic cup formation required SYT7, which promotes fusion of LELys with the plasma membrane. RPE1 cells perform phagocytosis of dead cells (efferocytosis) that expose phosphatidylserine (PS) on their surface. Exogenous addition of apoptotic bodies increased the formation of phagocytic cups, which further increased when Protrudin was overexpressed. Overexpression of Protrudin also led to elevated uptake of silica beads coated with PS. Conversely, Protrudin depletion or abrogation of ER-endosome contact sites inhibited phagocytic cup formation resulting in reduced uptake of PS-coated beads. Thus, the Protrudin pathway delivers endosomes to facilitate formation of the phagocytic cup important for PS-dependent phagocytosis.
A fast, easy and reliable method for hamstrings graft size prediction in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Minoli C. , Travi M. , Monti C. , Ferrua P. , Puce Marco , Radaelli S. , Menon A. , Tassi A. L. , Randelli P. S.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe and validate a simple and reliable method to pre‐operatively predict the size of the ACL graft in the double strand technique with autologous semitendinosus–gracilis tendons on the same MRI used for ACL rupture diagnosis.

Methods

The study included 92 patients, with a median age of 31 years (IQR 26–41 years), 73/92 (79%) of whom were males. All patients that underwent an ACL reconstruction with doubled ST + GT between 2017 and 2022 were counted in the study.

Results

Overall, the median predicted graft diameter from MR imaging was similar to the actual graft diameter with no significant differences (n.s.). Regarding the comparison between predicted and actual graft size, concordance was 78/92 (85%, 95% CI 76–91%), with κ = 0.797 which corresponds to a level of agreement defined as “Strong”. Tendon sizes calculated on pre‐operative MRI were evaluated both with intra‐observer and inter‐observer reliability demonstrating a statistically reproducible method. The predicted graft was then compared to the reported one with a statistically significant reliability found.

Conclusion

This study can help the surgeons to perform a fast pre‐operative planning of an ACL reconstruction for graft selection. If the planned graft with ST and GT is smaller than 8 mm, the clinician can decide to switch to a different type of graft or plan a different graft preparing technique and, therefore, reduce the risk of post‐operative ligament re‐rupture. The method proposed is reliable and reproducible. The major strength of the planning technique proposed is that it relies on data that are already available for the clinician before surgery, without the need of further analysis.

Level of evidence

IV.
Amino acid analysis for peptide quantitation using reversed-phase liquid chromatography combined with multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry
Authors: Qasrawi Deema O. , Petrotchenko Evgeniy V. , Borchers Christoph H.
Published: July 2023

Amino acid analysis (AAA) can be used for absolute quantitation of standard peptides after acid hydrolysis using 6 M HCl. Obtained individual amino acids can then be quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Achieving baseline separation of non-derivatized amino acids is challenging when reversed-phase (RP) chromatography is used. Several derivatization methods are commonly utilized to address this issue; however, derivatization has several drawbacks, such as derivative instability and lack of reproducibility. Currently, separation of non-derivatized amino acids is typically done using HILIC, but HILIC has problems of poor reproducibility and long column equilibration times. We developed a method to quantify non-derivatized amino acids, including methionine and cysteine, from peptide hydrolysates by RP-LC-MS without special pre-treatment of the samples. Samples were spiked with certified isotopically labeled (13C- and/or 15N-) amino acids as internal standards. The amino acids released from acid hydrolysis were then analyzed by RP-UPLC-MRM-MS and quantified using the analyte/internal standard chromatographic peak area ratios. Peptide quantitation was based on the sum of the individual amino acid concentrations from the known peptide sequences. The resulting method did not require derivatization, used standard C18-based reversed-phase liquid chromatography, did not require external calibration, was robust, and was able to quantify all 17 amino acids for which we had internal standards, including the sulfur-containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine, in their respective oxidized forms. This simple and robust method enabled the absolute quantitation of standard peptides using only acid hydrolysis and a standard RP-UPLC-MRM-MS setup.

Graphical Abstract
Postnatal imaging of conjoined twins: a customized multimodality approach
Authors: Mohammad Shaimaa Abdelsattar , AbouZeid Amr Abdelhamid , Ahmed Khaled A. , Abd-Elhamed Abeer Maghawry , Rawash Eldieb Leila M.
Published: July 2023

Medical imaging plays a crucial role in the management of conjoined twins. The role of imaging is to explore the anatomy, outline the shared organs and determine whether surgery is feasible. It also serves as a roadmap for successful separation. Additionally, imaging helps with counseling parents about prognosis. This review aims to illustrate recent advances in different imaging modalities and their role in the management of the various types of conjoined twins with an emphasis on relevant tips for optimal imaging.

Graphical abstract
The distal tibiofibular joint effusion may be a reliable index for diagnosing the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability in ankle
Authors: Sun Shouqi , Chen Chao , Sheng Zhuoqi , Wei Min
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To analyze the accuracy of MRI in diagnosis of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability (DTSI) and construct new diagnostic parameters.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study evaluated 212 patients with history of ankle sprains and 3 T MRI and received a final diagnosis of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability by ankle arthroscopic surgery from October 2017 and December 2021. We compared the accuracy of syndesmotic injury, qualitative index of distal tibiofibular joint effusion (DTJE), and quantitative index of distal tibiofibular joint effusion (DTJE) in diagnosing distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability. The criteria for syndesmotic injury were consistent with previous literature, and DTJE was grouped according to the pre-experimental results.

Results

A total of 212 patients (mean age, 35.64 ± 11.79, 74 female and 138 male) were included. Independent predictive MRI features included syndesmotic injury, qualitative index of distal tibiofibular joint effusion, and quantitative index of DTJE including the height, projected area of equal-point method, and projected area of incremental-value method. The quantitative index of DTJE showed a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.805/0.803/0.804/0.811/0.817/0.805 > 0.8, P < 0.05; in comparison with all other method). The height measurement method was simpler and easier to operate, that could be gotten only by measuring the DTJE distance of a MRI independent layer, and the cut-off value of the effusion height was 8.00 mm and the Youden index (0.56) was the best.

Conclusions

Our research translated a complicated string of MRI multi-dimensional spatial measurements into a simple measuring process, and established the significance of quantifying DTJE in the diagnosis of DTSI. We found that the 8-mm height of DTJE was a more specific indicator for DTSI and could serve as a novel MRI diagnostic cutoff in clinical practice.
Muscle interconnections in the anterior and posterior arm compartment: a cadaveric case series with possible clinical implications
Authors: Natsis Konstantinos , Tsakotos George , Triantafyllou George , Olewnik Łukasz , Zielinska Nicol , Koutserimpas Christos , Totlis Trifon , Piagkou Maria
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The report describes four cases of accessory bundles (ABs) or fibers connecting the muscles of the anterior with the posterior arm compartment. The ABs morphology (pure muscular or musculofascial or musculoaponeurotic) is described emphasizing their attachment points, characterized as muscles’ interconnections.

Materials and methods

Four formalin-embalmed donated male cadavers were dissected.

Results

The muscles’ interconnections were unilaterally identified. In the first case, the two ABs originated from the coracobrachialis muscle (CB), received fibers from the biceps brachii (BB), and were inserted into the triceps brachii (TB) medial head. The ABs created an arch over the brachial vessels and the median nerve (MN). In the second case, an accessory musculoaponeurotic structure was identified between CB and TB medial head and extended over the brachial vessels. In the third case, the myofascial ABs between the BB short head and the upper arm fascia, coursed anterior to the MN, the brachial artery, and the ulnar nerve, with direction to the TB medial head. In the fourth case, the three muscular ABs originating from the CB superficial and deep heads, in common with the BB short head, joined the upper arm fascia and the TB medial head and possibly entrapped the musculocutaneous nerve, the MN, and the brachial artery.

Conclusion

ABs or musculoaponeurotic extensions may predispose to complications due to their potential compression on nerves and vessels. Clinicians should consider the possible existence of such bridging variants between muscles, in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with ischemia, edema, or MN palsy symptoms.
Post-therapeutic microRNA-146a in liquid biopsies may determine prognosis in metastatic gastrointestinal cancer patients receiving 90Y-radioembolization
Authors: Hirner-Eppeneder Heidrun , Öcal Elif , Stechele Matthias , Öcal Osman , Gu Sijing , Kimm Melanie A. , Wildgruber Moritz , Salvermoser Lukas , Kazmierczak Philipp , Corradini Stefanie , Rudelius Martina , Piontek Guido , Pech Maciej , Goldberg S. Nahum , Ricke Jens , Alunni-Fabbroni Marianna
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The role of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) in defining the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating miR-146a as an early prognostic marker of 90Y-radioembolization (90Y-RE) in metastatic liver cancer and to assess the correlation between circulating miR-146a and TIME cellular composition in distant, yet untreated metastases.

Methods

Twenty-one patients with bilobar liver lesions from gastro-intestinal cancer underwent lobar 90Y-RE. Biopsy of contralateral lobe abscopal tumors was acquired at the onset of a second treatment session at a median of 21 days after initial RE, immediately prior to ablation therapy of the contralateral lobe tumor. miR-146a was measured by RT-qPCR in plasma collected 24 h before (T1) and 48 h after (T2) initial unilobar 90Y-RE. The level of miR-146a was correlated with the infiltration of CD4 + , CD8 + , FoxP3 T cells, CD163 + M2 macrophages and immune-exhausted T cells in the abscopal tumor tissue acquired before the second treatment session.

Results

Plasma samples collected at T2 showed a higher concentration of miR-146a with respect to T1 in 43% of the patients (p = 0.002). In these patients, tumors revealed a pro-tumorigenic immune composition with enrichment of Tim3 + immune exhausted cells (p = 0.021), in combination with a higher infiltration of CD163 + M2 macrophages and a lower infiltration of CD8 + T cells. Patients with a higher level of miR-146a after 90Y-RE showed a trend to shorter OS (p = 0.055).

Conclusion

miR-146a may represent a novel prognostic biomarker for 90Y-radioembolization in metastatic liver cancer.
Resource use and costs of transitioning from pediatric to adult care for patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Choukair Daniela , Rieger Susanne , Bethe Dirk , Treiber Dorothea , Hoffmann Georg F. , Grasemann Corinna , Burgard Peter , Beimler Jörg , Mittnacht Janna , Tönshoff Burkhard
Published: July 2023

Background

The structured transition of adolescents and young adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) from pediatric to adult care is important, but data on the time and resources required for the necessary components of the transition process and the associated costs are lacking.

Methods

In a prospective single-center cohort study of 52 patients with pre-transplant CKD (CKD stage 1, n = 10; stage 2, n = 6; stage 3, n = 5; stage 4 and 5, 1 patient each) or kidney transplant recipients (KTR), resource use and costs were evaluated for the key elements of a structured transition pathway, including (i) assessment of patients’ disease-related knowledge and needs, (ii) required education and counseling sessions, and (iii) compiling an epicrisis and a transfer appointment of the patient with the current pediatric and the future adult nephrologist.

Results

Forty-four of 52 enrolled patients (84.6%) completed the transition pathway and were transferred to adult care. The mean time from the decision to start the transition process until the final transfer consultation was 514 ± 204 days. The process was significantly longer for KTR (624 ± 150 [range, 307–819] days) than for patients with pre-transplant CKD (365 ± 172 [range, 1–693] days; P < 0.0001). The cumulative costs of all counseling and education sessions performed including the transfer appointment were 763 ± 473 Euro; it was significantly higher in KTR (966 ± 457 Euro) than in patients with pre-transplant CKD (470 ± 320 Euro; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

A structured transition pathway for patients with CKD is resource and time–consuming due to the complexity of the disease and should be sufficiently funded.

Graphical Abstract
Motion capture device reveals a quick learning curve in vascular anastomosis training
Authors: Tsuyuki Shota , Miyahara Kazuhiro , Hoshina Katsuyuki , Kawahara Takuya , Suhara Masamitsu , Mochizuki Yasuaki , Taniguchi Ryosuke , Takayama Toshio
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Surgical procedures are often evaluated subjectively, and an objective evaluation has been considered difficult to make and rarely reported, especially in open surgery, where the range of motion is wide. This study evaluated the effectiveness of surgical suturing training as an educational tool using the Leap Motion Controller (LMC), which can capture hand movements and reproduce them as data comprising parametric elements.

Methods

We developed an off-the-job training system (Off-JT) in our department, mainly using prosthetic grafts and various anastomotic methodologies with graded difficulty levels. We recruited 50 medical students (novice group) and 6 vascular surgeons (expert group) for the study. We evaluated four parameters for intraoperative skills: suturing time, slope of the roll, smoothness, and rate of excess motion.

Results

All 4 parameters distinguished the skill of the novice group at 1 and 10 h off-JT. After 10 h of off-JT, all 4 parameters of the novices were comparable to those of the expert group.

Conclusion

Our education system using the LMC is relatively inexpensive and easy to set up, with a free application for analyses, serving as an effective and ubiquitous educational tool for young surgeons.
Clinical Features of Takotsubo Syndrome and Its Differential Diagnostic Criteria in Clinical Nursing Practice: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Lezzi Pierluigi , Lupo Roberto , Cimarelli Noemi , Conte Luana , De Nunzio Giorgio , Botti Stefano , Calcagnile Alessandro , Del Coco Ciro , Calabro Antonino , Rubbi Ivan , Carvello Maicol , Vitale Elsa
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a heart disease that mimics the symptoms of a myocardial infarction (MI). The exact cause of TCM is unknown, but the main theory is that the syndrome is triggered by an excessive release of catecholamines, a consequence of factors related to stress or severe emotional distress. The aim of this review is to summarize the various scientific journal articles on the nursing differential diagnosis of TCM, on the specific nurse training (particularly the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse, APN), and on the nursing educational support for the patient after hospital discharge.

Recent Findings

A literature review was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant indexed articles that investigated the elements characterizing TCM in nursing differential diagnosis and the role of the APN were identified.

Results

Sixteen studies were included in the review; they highlighted the role of the nurse in identifying and educating patients with TCM.

Nurses must have a thorough understanding of the syndrome, the onset symptoms, the unusual characteristics, and the probable etiology of TCM in order to recognize and promptly treat patients affected by this syndrome and have the opportunity to educate them after hospital discharge to reduce the possibility of recurrence.

Graphical Abstract
Are older individuals predisposed to habitual control more resilient?
Authors: Brinkhof Lotte P. , Ridderinkhof K. Richard , Bieleke Maik , Murre Jaap M. J. , Krugers Harm J. , de Wit Sanne
Published: July 2023

Based on evidence for age-related impairments in flexible, goal-directed control, the formation of habits has been recognized as an opportune route for behavioural adjustment that promotes resilience among older adults. The present study set out to examine how individual differences in quality of life (QoL) and mental well-being (MWB) in older adults (N = 1116, 55 – 92 years old) relate to the inclination to engage in strategic planning and lifestyle regularity. Importantly, the beneficial effects of these two habit predisposing factors on MWB and QoL were found to be mediated by conscientiousness, a personality trait characterized by a tendency to be goal-oriented, organized, responsible and disciplined, and to plan for the future. These results emphasize the benefits of conscientiousness for resilience in later life and suggest that both habit-predisposing factors may offer promising and concrete target points to elicit more conscientious behaviour, and thereby support QoL and MWB. Longitudinal and experimental research may help to establish the flow of causality in the intriguing dynamics between these variables.
Picosecond dissipative soliton generation from an ytterbium-doped fiber laser based on a BP/SnSe2-PVA mixture saturable absorber
Authors: Ouyang Yuting , Zhang Jiayu , Sun Wanggen , Li Mengxiao , Chen Tao , Zhang Haikun , Tang Wenjing , Xia Wei
Published: July 2023

Stable picosecond dissipative soliton pulses were observed in an ytterbium-doped fiber laser employing a high-quality mixture of BP/SnSe2-PVA saturable absorber (SA). The modulation depth, saturation intensity, and non-saturable loss of the mixture of BP/SnSe2-PVA SA were measured with values of 5.98%, 18.37 MW/cm2, and 33%, respectively. Within the pump power range of 150–270 mW, stable dissipative soliton pulses were obtained with an output power of 1.68–4 mW. When the minimum pulse duration is 1.28 ps, a repetition rate of 0.903 MHz, center wavelength of 1064.38 nm and 3 dB bandwidth of 2 nm were obtained. The maximum pulse energy of 4.43 nJ and the signal-to-noise ratio up to 72 dB were achieved at pump power of 270 mW. The results suggest that the BP/SnSe2-PVA mixture SA has outstanding nonlinear saturable absorption characteristics and broad ultrafast laser applications.

Graphical Abstract
Effects of Resistance Training on Academic Outcomes in School-Aged Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Robinson Katie , Riley Nicholas , Owen Katherine , Drew Ryan , Mavilidi Myrto F. , Hillman Charles H. , Faigenbaum Avery D. , Garcia-Hermoso Antonio , Lubans David Revalds
Published: July 2023

Background

The primary aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of resistance training on academic outcomes in school-aged youth.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of six electronic databases (CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and EMBASE) with no date restrictions. Studies were eligible if they: (a) included school-aged youth (5–18 years), and (b) examined the effect of resistance training on academic outcomes (i.e., cognitive function, academic achievement, and/or on-task behaviour in the classroom). Risk of bias was assessed using the appropriate Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools, funnel plots and Egger’s regression asymmetry tests. A structural equation modelling approach was used to conduct the meta-analysis.

Results

Fifty-three studies were included in our systematic review. Participation in resistance training (ten studies with 53 effect sizes) had a small positive effect on the overall cognitive, academic and on-task behaviours in school-aged youth (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05–0.32). Resistance training was more effective (SMD 0.26, 95% CI 0.10–0.42) than concurrent training, i.e., the combination of resistance training and aerobic training (SMD 0.11, 95% CI − 0.05–0.28). An additional 43 studies (including 211 effect sizes) examined the association between muscular fitness and cognition or academic achievement, also yielding a positive relationship (SMD 0.13, 95% CI 0.10–0.16).

Conclusion

This review provides preliminary evidence that resistance training may improve cognitive function, academic performance, and on-task behaviours in school-aged youth.

PROSPERO Registration

CRD42020175695.
Statistical aspects of mean field coupled intermittent maps
Authors: BAHSOUN WAEL , KOREPANOV ALEXEY
Published: July 2023

We study infinite systems of mean field weakly coupled intermittent maps in the Pomeau–Manneville scenario. We prove that the coupled system admits a unique ‘physical’ stationary state, to which all absolutely continuous states converge. Moreover, we show that suitably regular states converge polynomially.
Contentious Institutionalization of Protests under Democracy: The Evidence from Taiwan, 1986–2016
Authors: Ho Ming-sho , Ting Yun-Chung
Published: July 2023

While many scholarly works are concerned with how social protests promote democratization, this article addresses the causally reverse question: how democratization shapes the landscape of street protests. We use a unique database of 31 years of protest events in Taiwan, a smooth and successful case of authoritarianism-to-democracy transition, to engage in a dialogue with political transition theory, the institutionalization thesis and networked movement theory. The logistic regression analysis indicates that protest violence persists under consolidated democracy, but it is marginalized. We find an indirect effect from the growth of social movement organizations that foster the adaptation of festive and performative tactics, which are less confrontational in nature. Politicians' involvement, however, remains a constant source of disruptiveness. Our conclusion of contentious institutionalization finds that late-democratizing countries also gravitate towards becoming a ‘social movement society’ as advanced democracies do, but in a highly compressed period of time.
Gravitational effects on coffee-ring formation during the evaporation of sessile droplets
Authors: Moore Madeleine R. , Wray Alexander W.
Published: July 2023

We consider the role of gravity in solute transport when a thin droplet evaporates. Under the physically relevant assumptions that the contact line is pinned and the solutal Péclet number,

${Pe}$

, is large, we identify two asymptotic regimes that depend on the size of the Bond number,

${Bo}$

. When

${Bo} = O(1)$

as

${Pe}\rightarrow \infty$

, the asymptotic structure of solute transport follows directly from the surface-tension-dominated regime, whereby advection drives solute towards the contact line, only to be countered by local diffusive effects, leading to the formation of the famous ‘coffee ring.’ In the distinguished limit in which

${Bo} = O({Pe}^{4/3})$

as

${Pe}\rightarrow \infty$

, this interplay between advection and diffusion takes place alongside that between surface tension and gravity. In each regime, we perform a systematic asymptotic analysis of the solute transport and compare our predictions to numerical simulations. We identify the effect of gravity on the nascent coffee ring, providing quantitative predictions of the size, location and shape of the solute mass profile. In particular, for a fixed Péclet number, as the effect of gravity increases, the coffee ring is diminished in height and situated further from the contact line. Furthermore, for certain values of

${Bo}$

,

${Pe}$

and the evaporation time, a secondary peak may exist inside the classical coffee ring. The onset of this secondary peak is linked to the change in type of the critical point in the solute mass profile at the droplet centre. Both the onset and the peak characteristics are shown to be independent of

${Pe}$

.
Equivalent criterion for the grand Riemann hypothesis associated with Maass cusp forms
Authors: Banerjee Soumyarup , Kumar Rahul
Published: July 2023

In this article, we obtain transformation formulas analogous to the identity of Ramanujan, Hardy and Littlewood in the setting of primitive Maass cusp form over the congruence subgroup $\Gamma _0(N)$ and also provide an equivalent criterion of the grand Riemann hypothesis for the $L$-function associated with the primitive Maass cusp form over $\Gamma _0(N)$.
Afro-Asian resonances: Staging the Congo Crisis in 1960s’ Chinese theatre
Authors: Hao Yucong
Published: July 2023

In the first half of the 1960s China witnessed an unprecedented florescence of theatrical works on Third World decolonization, which aimed to disseminate the ideology of Maoist internationalism and cultivate transnational and interracial solidarity among the Chinese public. Existing scholarship on Maoist internationalist theatre tends to understand the phenomenon as the domestication of Third World decolonization for China’s political ends. This article, by focusing on the heterogeneous processes of production, adaptation, and reception, illuminates the practical and epistemological challenges of representing an internationalist subject, the imperfect performance of foreign culture and history, and the porous process of meaning-making for Chinese performers and audiences. Using previously untapped historical materials, such as performance programmes, personal recollections, and newspapers, this article explores the staging of the Congo Crisis (1960–1965)—a widely mediated international event in Maoist China and a central conflict in the global Cold War—in the spoken drama War Drums on the Equator (1965), its many local variations, and a dance drama adaptation, The Raging Congo River (1965). By mediating and enacting ‘embodied and affective knowledge’ about Congo, these theatrical works made the political motif of internationalist solidarity into sonorous and kinaesthetic artefacts that engendered plural meanings to Chinese performers and audiences. This article further reveals flawed perceptions, processes of corrections, and the epistemological limitations in the performance of the Congo Crisis in Maoist China.
Effects of speaking task and proficiency on the midclause pausing characteristics of L1 and L2 speech from the same speakers
Authors: Huensch Amanda
Published: July 2023

This study explored the effect of speaking task on midclause pausing characteristics in the L1 and L2 speech of the same speakers to gain further insights into the potential relationship between pause location and stages of speech production. Participants included English L1 learners of L2 French (n= 29) or Spanish (n= 27) from the publicly available, longitudinal LANGSNAP corpus. Participants completed two oral tasks in their L1 and L2: a picture-based narrative and a semistructured interview. The rate, duration, and proportion of midclause pauses were compared between tasks in the L1 as well as in the L2 before and during residence abroad. In the L1, results indicated more fluent performance in the narrative task except for rate. When speaking in their L2, participants showed improvement on each measure in the narrative task but ultimately remained less fluent in their L2 in comparison to their L1. In the interview task, the only measure of midclause pausing that consistently differentiated L1 from L2 speech was midclause pause rate. The findings call for a nuanced interpretation of connections between midclause pausing and formulation and suggest that midclause pause rate is least influenced by speaking task.
Toward A Logical Theory Of Fairness and Bias
Authors: BELLE VAISHAK
Published: July 2023

Fairness in machine learning is of considerable interest in recent years owing to the propensity of algorithms trained on historical data to amplify and perpetuate historical biases. In this paper, we argue for a formal reconstruction of fairness definitions, not so much to replace existing definitions but to ground their application in an epistemic setting and allow for rich environmental modeling. Consequently we look into three notions: fairness through unawareness, demographic parity and counterfactual fairness, and formalize these in the epistemic situation calculus.
New small-molecule alcohol synthesis by breaking the space limitation of the “aromatic cage” in Pseudomonas sp. AK1 BBOX
Authors: Xu Zhiqin , Mo Yaling , Li Zhengwen , Ban Shurong , Song Heng
Published: July 2023

The hydroxylation of cyclic quaternary ammonium analogues were significantly improved by semi-rational design of the “aromatic cage” amino acid in Pseudomonas sp. AK1 BBOX.
Tea film formation in artificial tap water
Authors: Giacomin Caroline E. , Chen Rebecca Yun , Hack Erwin , Fischer Peter
Published: July 2023

On tea infusions, the formation of a transparent, shiny film which cracks upon disturbance can often be observed. The strength of this film depends on water hardness and tea variety.