bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noncontact monitoring of thin hydrate layers with microwave cavity resonator
Authors: Wang Bin , Li Xiaoxiao , Xing Lanchang , Gao Muzhi , Wang Meng , Wang Huimin , Wang Guoqing , Ge Xinmin , Wei Zhoutuo
Published: August 2022

In oil/gas production and transportation systems, the formation of gas hydrates needs to be properly managed as they can potentially lead to plugging. Monitoring the thin hydrate layers during the initial formation stage is thus significantly critical for preventing such a risk. Noncontact monitoring of the thin hydrate layer with an open‐ended microwave cavity resonator is presented in this study. The measuring mechanism of the proposed method was studied with numerical simulation, and the measurement ranges with two typical modes TM010/TM021s were experimentally investigated. The resonance frequency of the TM010 mode is applicable for measuring the thickness of hydrates within 20 mm, while the TM021 mode is only suitable for 8 mm. Then, formation/dissociation experiments of thin hydrate layers were conducted by using tetrahydrofuran to form the hydrate. Both simulation and experimental results showed that the resonant frequency can provide a sensitive response to the dielectric properties and layer thickness. Then the relationship between the resonant frequency and the fractions of solution/hydrate in the mixed layers was determined, and it was further optimized according to the simulation and experimental results. In addition, hydrate layer melting experiments were conducted with different layer thicknesses, and the volumetric fraction of the hydrate can be calculated with fixed layer thickness, thus the phase change during the hydrate melting process was precisely monitored with a time step of 1 min.
Temperature, pressure, and adsorption‐dependent redox potentials: I. Processes of CO2 reduction to value‐added compounds
Authors: Fang Siyuan , Hu Yun Hang
Published: August 2022

Catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into value‐added chemicals and fuels can not only mitigate global warming but also alleviate the energy crisis caused by fossil fuel depletion. Redox potential is a key thermodynamic quantity of CO2 reduction reactions, while currently, only standard reduction potential (25°C, 1 atm, 1 M) is available for application. Herein, it is the first time to report the influence of temperature (0–1000°C), pressure (1–100 atm), and molecular adsorption on the redox potentials of a series of CO2 reduction reactions to form carbon monoxide, formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol, methane, oxalic acid, acetic acid, acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethylene, and ethane. Although almost all gas‐phase and aqueous‐phase redox potentials decrease with the temperature at an increased rate and increase with pressure at a decreased rate, adsorption‐state redox potentials are only sensitive to temperature and no smaller than gas‐phase redox potentials. Significant differences of up to 2.35 V with regard to the standard reduction potential would directly affect the thermodynamics and kinetics of reactions. This report will serve as an enriched database of redox potentials for CO2 reduction reactions that allows the use under actual experimental conditions.
Climate‐smart agriculture using intelligent techniques, blockchain and Internet of Things: Concepts, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Ahmed Rania A. , Hemdan Ezz El‐Din , El‐Shafai Walid , Ahmed Zeinab A. , El‐Rabaie El‐Sayed M. , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E.
Published: August 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an important technology that provides efficient and dependable solutions in a variety of domains, such as smart agriculture and climatic change. It integrates billions of smart devices that can communicate with one another and gives solutions to automatically maintain and monitor smart agricultural and environmental fields. The combination of IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology will allow us to transform smart agriculture into the Internet of smart agriculture, providing greater control, management, and security in supply‐chain networks. This paper presents an overview of the technologies in the domains of IoT, Climate‐Smart Agriculture (CSA), AI, Machine Learning (ML), and blockchain. In addition, the paper presents several approaches for integrating IoT with CSA data analysis. Both AI and blockchain are adopted for efficient CSA systems. The paper is concerned with the combination of three recent technologies: IoT, ML, and blockchain to serve the CSA applications. The challenges and opportunities of combining these technologies to serve CSA are also discussed in the paper.
Lessons learned from a carbon dioxide huff and puff field test in a tight reservoir
Authors: Gao Chang Hong , Li Wei
Published: August 2022

Carbon dioxide has been proved to be an effect agent to enhance oil recovery. CO2 huff and puff is a very appealing technique in tight fields where water flooding is difficult. Two horizontal wells in a tight field in Northeast China received carbon dioxide injection. One well achieved good results, but the other well failed to show positive response. Possible causes of failure are analyzed, and suggestions are made for future projects. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RIPK3 dampens mitochondrial bioenergetics and lipid droplet dynamics in metabolic liver disease
Authors: Afonso Marta B. , Islam Tawhidul , Magusto Julie , Amorim Ricardo , Lenoir Véronique , Simões Rui F. , Teixeira José , Silva Liana C. , Wendum Dominique , Jéru Isabelle , Vigouroux Corinne , Castro Rui E. , Oliveira Paulo J. , Prip‐Buus Carina , Ratziu Vlad , Gautheron Jérémie , Rodrigues Cecília M. P.
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims:

Receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) mediates NAFLD progression, but its metabolic function is unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of RIPK3 in modulating mitochondria function, coupled with lipid droplet (LD) architecture in NAFLD.

Approach and Results:

Functional studies evaluating mitochondria and LD biology were performed in wild‐type (WT) and Ripk3
−/− mice fed a choline‐deficient, amino acid‐defined (CDAA) diet for 32 and 66 weeks and in CRISPR‐Cas9 Ripk3‐null fat‐loaded immortalized hepatocytes. The association between hepatic perilipin (PLIN) 1 and 5, RIPK3, and disease severity was also addressed in a cohort of patients with NAFLD and in PLIN1‐associated familial partial lipodystrophy. Ripk3 deficiency rescued impairment in mitochondrial biogenesis, bioenergetics, and function in CDAA diet–fed mice and fat‐loaded hepatocytes. Ripk3 deficiency was accompanied by a strong upregulation of antioxidant systems, leading to diminished oxidative stress upon fat loading both in vivo and in vitro. Strikingly, Ripk3
−/− hepatocytes displayed smaller size LD in higher numbers than WT cells after incubation with free fatty acids. Ripk3 deficiency upregulated adipocyte and hepatic levels of LD‐associated proteins PLIN1 and PLIN5. PLIN1 upregulation controlled LD structure and diminished mitochondrial stress upon free fatty acid overload in Ripk3

−/−
hepatocytes and was associated with diminished human NAFLD severity. Conversely, a pathogenic PLIN1 frameshift variant was associated with NAFLD and fibrosis, as well as with increased hepatic RIPK3 levels in familial partial lipodystrophy.

Conclusions:

Ripk3 deficiency restores mitochondria bioenergetics and impacts LD dynamics. RIPK3 inhibition is promising in ameliorating NAFLD.
Left atrial dysfunction is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with cirrhosis treated by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Authors: Meucci Maria Chiara , Hoogerduijn Strating Merte M. , Butcher Steele C. , van Rijswijk Catharina S. P. , Van Hoek Bart , Delgado Victoria , Bax Jeroen J. , Tushuizen Maarten E. , Marsan Nina Ajmone
Published: August 2022

The present study aimed to investigate (1) the association between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), graded according to the algorithm proposed by the Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium, and long‐term survival in patients with cirrhosis undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and (2) the additive prognostic value of left atrial (LA) function, as assessed by LA reservoir strain, using two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE). A total of 129 TIPS candidates (mean ± SD, 61 ± 12 years; 61% men) underwent a comprehensive preprocedural echocardiography. LA dysfunction was defined by LA reservoir strain ≤35%, based on a previously suggested cut‐off value. The outcome was all‐cause mortality after TIPS. In the current cohort, 65 (50%) patients had normal diastolic function, 26 (20%) patients had grade 1 LVDD, 21 (16%) patients had grade 2 LVDD, and 17 (13%) patients had indeterminate diastolic function. Additionally, LA dysfunction (based on LA reservoir strain ≤35%) was noted in 67 (52%) patients. After a median follow‐up of 36 months (range, 12–80), 65 (50%) patients died. All‐cause mortality rates increased along worse grades of LVDD (log‐rank p = 0.007) and with LA dysfunction (log‐rank p = 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score (hazard ratio [HR],1.06; p = 0.003), hemoglobin (HR, 0.74; p = 0.022), and LA strain, expressed as a continuous variable (HR, 0.96; p = 0.005) were independently associated with all‐cause mortality. Notably, the addition of LA strain to the model provided incremental prognostic value over the established prognostic variables (delta χ
2 = 8.27, p = 0.004). Conclusion: LA dysfunction assessed with 2D‐STE is independently associated with all‐cause mortality in patients with cirrhosis treated by TIPS.
Exclusive use of different types of tobacco products, exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and risk of subtypes of head and neck cancer among Indian males
Authors: Gholap Devyani , Dikshit Rajesh , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Chaturvedi Anil K. , Manjrekar Ankita , Mhatre Sharayu
Published: August 2022

Tobacco products are used in vary many forms in India. Although the risk of tobacco uses in developing head and neck cancer (HNC) is known, risk by exclusive use of different tobacco products on HNC and its subtypes is poorly understood. A case‐control study was conducted at a tertiary cancer hospital, which receives cases from different geographical regions of India with use of different types of tobacco products. The study included 824 oral cavity (OC), 149 oropharynx (OPX) 104 hypopharyngeal (HPX) and 81 larynx (LX) cancer cases and 1206 visitor controls. Information on 11 different types of tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke was collected through structured questionnaires. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), for the association of various HNC subtypes with exclusive use of each tobacco product compared to nonusers of tobacco were estimated using logistic regression models, after adjusting for potential confounders. Exclusive use of any type of smokeless tobacco product was strongly associated with all subtypes of HNC. Gutka chewing (only) had highest risk (OR = 33.67; 95% CI = 19.8‐57.0) while exclusive users of betel quid with tobacco (BQ + T), tobacco quid, Khaini, Mawa and Mishri users had a OR of 14.77, 24.20, 5.33, 2.96 and 3.32, respectively, for development of OC. Bidi smoking and secondhand smoke was independently associated with increased risk of HNC. Our study indicates that tobacco control policies should focus on product specific awareness messaging that switching between tobacco product types is not a safe alternative to complete cessation.
Phase 1 trial of CV301 in combination with anti‐PD‐1 therapy in nonsquamous non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Rajan Arun , Gray Jhanelle E. , Devarakonda Siddhartha , Birhiray Ruemu , Korchin Borys , Menius Erika , Donahue Renee N. , Schlom Jeffrey , Gulley James L.
Published: August 2022

CV301, a poxviral‐based vaccine, has been evaluated in a phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02840994) and shown to be safe and immunologically active (phase 1a). Preclinical data support a combination of CV301 with programmed death‐1 inhibitors, which has been evaluated in the phase 1b part of this trial and is reported here. Patients with advanced nonsquamous non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable genomic alterations received two priming doses of modified vaccinia Ankara‐BN‐CV301 (MVA) 4 weeks apart, followed by boosting doses of fowlpox‐CV301 (FPV) at increasing time intervals for a maximum of 17 doses in combination with nivolumab for cohort 1 (C1) and 15 doses in combination with pembrolizumab for cohort 2 (C2). The primary objective was evaluation of safety and tolerability. Between October 2017 and September 14, 2018, patients were enrolled (C1: 4; median age: 64 years). Mean treatment duration was 332 days in C1 and 289 days in C2. CTCAE ≥grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were observed in four (100%) patients in C1 and three (37.5%) patients in C2. There was one death on trial. Immune‐related AEs (irAEs) fulfilling criteria for a dose‐limiting toxicity included 1 case of pneumonitis. Among 11 evaluable patients, 1 (9%) had a complete response, 1 (9%) had a partial response and 9 (82%) had stable disease. We conclude that CV301 administered with PD‐1 inhibitors is safe and clinically active in patients with advanced NSCLC. The frequency or severity of AEs is not increased, including irAEs for each component of the combination.
Skin lesion classification based on the VGG‐16 fusion residual structure
Authors: Yan Pu , Wang Gang , Chen Jie , Tang Qingwei , Xu Heng
Published: August 2022

The analysis of skin lesion images is challenging due to the high interclass similarity and intraclass variance. Therefore, improving the ability to automatically classify based on skin lesion images is necessary to help physicians classify skin lesions. We propose a network model based on the Visual Geometry Group Network (VGG‐16) fusion residual structure for the multiclass classification of skin lesions. based on the VGG‐16 network, we simplify and improve the network structure by adding a preprocessing layer (CBRM layer) and fusing the residual structure. We also use a hair removal algorithm and perform six data augmentation operations on a small number of skin lesion images to balance the total number of the seven skin lesions in the dataset. The model was evaluated on the ISIC2018 dataset. Experiments have shown that our network model achieves good classification performance, with a test accuracy rate of 88.14% and a macroaverage of 98%.
Medication use process and assessment of extemporaneous compounding and alternative routes of administration of oral oncology drugs: Guidance for clinical and oncology pharmacists
Authors: Cohen Jonathan , Lee Christopher , Markham Ryan , Szerwo James , Roska Mark , Bubalo Joseph
Published: August 2022

Cancer treatment is evolving. Oral formulations offer potentially more convenient, effective alternatives to conventional chemotherapy for many cancers. An appealing aspect of oral antineoplastic agents is their relative ease of administration; unfortunately, patients may have difficulty swallowing the tablets or capsules. This shift towards oral administration and the accompanying issues around oral medication adherence highlights the need to assess the safety and feasibility of delivery methods for patients unable to swallow solid dosage forms. A new medication‐use process (MUP) was created to facilitate extemporaneous compounding of oral oncology drugs (OOD). Systematic review consisting of tertiary resources, drug manufacturers, and primary literature was performed to identify information related to extemporaneous compounding or alternative routes of administration for a predetermined list of OODs. A single‐center retrospective review was conducted of patients receiving liquid formulations of OODs to characterize institutional experience. Overall, 116 OODs were reviewed. The majority of OODs had information describing extemporaneous compounding or alternative routes of administration (31% with commercial liquid formulations available or information in tertiary resources; 33% with off‐label manufacturer information or case reports) while 36% had no data. The MUP included three compounding workflows to account for available solid dosage formulations (tablet, hard capsule, gelatin capsule) and creation of an electronic health record order template. Retrospective review identified 41 patients who received compounded liquid formulations of 14 OODs for 13 indications. Liquid OODs were used for a median of 3‐5 days. None of the 41 patients experienced discernable safety or overt effectiveness concerns readily attributed to use of liquid OODs. Implementation of a novel MUP and systematic review of OODs aids the pharmacist in standardizing institutional practice and mitigates risks associated with extemporaneous liquid formulations of OODs facilitating medication delivery of new agents to patients unable to swallow solid dosage forms.
Correction of refractive distortion in whole‐eye optical coherence tomography imaging of the mouse eye
Authors: Tan Jinzhen , Qiu Rui , Ding Xueqing , Dai Cuixia , Meng Jing , Zhao Jingxiu , Ma Fei , Qi Sumin
Published: August 2022

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging modality that acquires high‐resolution cross‐sectional images of living tissues and it has become the standard in ophthalmological diagnoses. However, most quantitative morphological measurements are based on the raw OCT images which are distorted by several mechanisms such as the refraction of probe light in the sample and the scan geometries and thus the analysis of the raw OCT images inevitably induced calculation errors. In this paper, based on Fermat's principle and the concept of inverse light tracing, image distortions due to refraction occurred at tissue boundaries in the whole‐eye OCT imaging of mouse by telecentric scanning were corrected. Specially, the mathematical correction models were deducted for each interface, and the high‐precision whole‐eye image was recovered segment by segment. We conducted phantom and in vivo experiments on mouse and human eyes to verify the distortion correction algorithm, and several parameters of the radius of curvature, thickness of tissues and error, were calculated to quantitatively evaluate the images. Experimental results demonstrated that the method can provide accurate and reliable measurements of whole‐eye parameters and thus be a valuable tool for the research and clinical diagnosis.
Hyperthermia‐stimulated tonsil‐mesenchymal stromal cells suppress hematological cancer cells through downregulation of IL‐6
Authors: Yüce Melek , Albayrak Esra
Published: August 2022

There are contradictory reports on the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in cancer therapy. Variable outcomes have been associated with several factors including cancer pathology, experimental procedure, MSC source tissue, and individual genetic differences. It is also known that MSCs exert their therapeutic effects with various paracrine factors released from these cells. The profiles of the factors released from MSCs are altered by heat shock, hypoxia, oxidative stress, starvation or various agents such as inflammatory cytokines, and their therapeutic potential is affected. In this study, the antitumor potential of conditioned media (CM), which contains paracrine factors, of mild hyperthermia‐stimulated mesenchymal stromal cells derived from lymphoid organ tonsil tissue (T‐MSC) was investigated in comparison with CM obtained from T‐MSCs grew under normal culture conditions. CM was obtained from T‐MSCs that were successfully isolated from palatine tonsil tissue and characterized. The cytotoxic effect of CM on the growth of hematological cancer cell lines at different concentrations (1:1 and 1:2) was demonstrated by methylthiazoldiphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide analysis. In addition, the apoptotic effect of T‐MSC‐CM treatment was evaluated on the cancer cells using Annexin‐V/PI detection method by flow cytometry. The pro/anti‐apoptotic and cytokine‐related gene expressions were also analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction post T‐MSC‐CM treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the factors released from hyperthermia‐stimulated T‐MSCs induced apoptosis in hematological cancer cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner. Importantly, our results at the transcriptional level support that the factors and cytokines released from hyperthermia‐stimulated T‐MSC may exert antitumoral effects in cancer cells by downregulation of IL‐6 that promotes tumorigenesis. These findings reveal that T‐MSC‐CM can be a powerful cell‐free therapeutical strategy for cancer therapy.
A rapid and label‐free fluorescent sensor for kojic acid based on the inner filter effect
Authors: Hu Peng , Wang Haibo
Published: August 2022

As kojic acid is increasingly used in food and cosmetics, its safety issues have attracted more and more attention. Therefore, a label‐free fluorescent sensor was developed in this study for kojic acid content detection based on the fluorescence internal filtering effect between gold nanoclusters(AuNCs) and kojic acid. In the presence of kojic acid, the fluorescent signal dropped obviously due to the competitive absorption of excitation light of AuNCs. Under the optimized conditions, the sensor exhibits rapid and selective detection of kojic acid, the linear range is 10–1,000 μM (R2 = 0.996) and the detection limit is 5 μM. The recoveries in real samples range from 97.4 to 104.3%. Furthermore, the sensor is low‐cost, convenient, time‐saving, and may hold great potential for future kojic acid detection.
Imaging of placental circulations by 4D sonography with high‐definition flow and spatiotemporal image correlation technology
Authors: Leung Kwok‐Yin
Published: August 2022

Conventionally, two‐ and three‐ dimensional color Doppler ultrasonography are used to examine the placental vascularization, but there are limitations in the examinations. In this report, spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volume acquisition in high‐definition flow, displayed in glass‐body mode was used to study the placental vascularization in eight pregnancies. At 20 weeks' gestation, STIC technique allowed visualization of blood flow in the intraplacental branches of the umbilical artery (IPB) and the spiral artery jets in a cardiac cycle. In particular, blood flow from a mega jet penetrating more than half of the placental thickness was demonstrated. Small blood flow from a tertiary order branch of the IPB traversing the placenta and sharply diminishing into the uterine wall was also demonstrated. There were differences in the IPB pattern between normal pregnancies and pregnancies at risk of fetal growth restriction/pre‐eclampsia. There were also differences in the appearance of IPB between 20‐ and 33‐weeks' gestation. The results of this report support that it is feasible to use STIC technology to study the placental vascularization. This novel application of STIC technology can increase the understanding of the complex vascularization.
Ocular manifestations of psoriasis: An inflammatory disease beyond the skin
Authors: Aryanian Zeinab , Shirzadian Azar , Hatami Parvaneh , Roostayi Gholam abbas , Najafi Sadrollah , Goodarzi Azadeh
Published: August 2022

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, mainly involves skin.

Aims

To evaluate the prevalence of ocular manifestations in Iranian patients with psoriasis, compared to healthy controls.

Materials and methods

Forty psoriasis patients and 40 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study and underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic assessment.

Results

Only meibomian gland dysfunction was significantly more common among patients with psoriasis, compared to control group (p value: 0.011). Regarding intraocular pressure (IOP), the mean values for both patients and healthy controls were within the normal range and mean IOP in patients was even lower than normal controls, although this difference was significant only for left eye (p value: 0.049). A strong positive correlation between PASI and tear meniscus height for both right and left eyes (p value: 0.005, r: 0.44 for OD and p value: 0.003, r: 0.46 for OS.) was noted. Meibomian gland dysfunction was also positively correlated with disease duration for right and left palpebras (p: 0.04, r: 0.31 for both).

Conclusion

Psoriasis can lead to meibomian gland dysfunction, especially in patients with long‐lasting disease. Hence, dermatologists and general practitioners should be vigilant in this regard when visiting psoriasis patients, especially those who have higher PASI values or long‐lasting disease.
The value of leukapheresis for treatment of priapism as presenting feature of chronic myeloid leukemia—Case report and review of literature
Authors: van der Velde Marleen G. A. M. , Tiellemans Sanne M. B. , de Lil Heleen , Nieuwenhuizen Laurens
Published: August 2022

Priapism is a rare presenting feature of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in male patients. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and to prevent erectile dysfunction. Several treatment modalities exist, however no standard treatment is recommended. We evaluated literature concerning different treatment approaches and evaluate the value of leukapheresis in treatment of priapism. The literature search resulted in 57 included articles, consisting of 53 studied patients. Patients had a mean age of 25.3 years, average time from onset to presentation at the hospital was 2 days, and mean white blood cell (WBC) count was 344 × 109/L. Most patients (67.9%) were treated with a combined approach (different modalities were radiological, urological, and oncological treatment). Twelve patients, with a mean WBC count of 365 × 109/L, received leukapheresis. Only two of them reported erectile dysfunction after treatment. Priapism is an urological emergency requiring urgent multidisciplinary treatment. We highlight the importance of local urological therapy combined with systemic therapy for CML. Therapeutic leukapheresis should be applied when available and with no other contraindications.
HIV prevention programme with young women who sell sex in Mombasa, Kenya: learnings for scale‐up
Authors: Bhattacharjee Parinita , Musau Abednego , Manguro Griffins , Ongwen Patricia , Mutegi Jane , Kioko Japheth , Lazarus Lisa , Isac Shajy , Musyoki Helgar , Hontelez Jan , Were Daniel
Published: August 2022

Introduction

In 2018, the National AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) Control Programme developed a national guidelines to facilitate the inclusion of young women who sell sex (YWSS) in the HIV prevention response in Kenya. Following that, a 1‐year pilot intervention, where a package of structural, behavioural and biomedical services was provided to 1376 cisgender YWSS to address their HIV‐related risk and vulnerability, was implemented.

Methods

Through a mixed‐methods, pre/post study design, we assessed the effectiveness of the pilot, and elucidated implementation lessons learnt. The three data sources used included: (1) monthly routine programme monitoring data collected between October 2019 and September 2020 to assess the reach and coverage; (2) two polling booth surveys, conducted before and after implementation, to determine the effectiveness; and (3) focus group discussions and key informant interviews conducted before and after intervention to assess the feasibility of the intervention. Descriptive analysis was performed to produce proportions and comparative statistics.

Results

During the intervention, 1376 YWSS were registered in the programme, 28% were below 19 years of age and 88% of the registered YWSS were active in the last month of intervention. In the survey, respondents reported increases in HIV‐related knowledge (61.7% vs. 90%,p<0.001), ever usage of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (8.5% vs. 32.2%,p< 0.001); current usage of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (5.3% vs. 21.1%,p<0.002); ever testing for HIV (87.2% vs. 95.6%,p<0.04) and any clinic visit (35.1 vs. 61.1,p<0.001). However, increase in harassment by family (11.7% vs. 23.3%,p<0.04) and discrimination at educational institutions (5.3% vs. 14.4%,p<0.04) was also reported. In qualitative assessment, respondents reported early signs of success, and identified missed opportunities and made recommendations for scale‐up.

Conclusions

Our intervention successfully rolled out HIV prevention services for YWSS in Mombasa, Kenya, and demonstrated that programming for YWSS is feasible and can effectively be done through YWSS peer‐led combination prevention approaches. However, while reported uptake of treatment and prevention services increased, there was also an increase in reported harassment and discrimination requiring further attention. Lessons learnt from the pilot intervention can inform replication and scale‐up of such interventions in Kenya.
Virological failure and treatment switch after ART initiation among people living with HIV with and without routine viral load monitoring in Asia
Authors: Teeraananchai Sirinya , Law Matthew , Boettiger David , Mata Nicole De La , Gupte Nikhil , Chan Yun‐ting Lawrence , Pham Thach Ngoc , Chaiwarith Romanee , Ly Penh Sun , Chan Yu‐Jiun , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin , Khusuwan Suwimon , Zhang Fujie , Yunihastuti Evy , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Pujari Sanjay , Azwa Iskandar , Somia I Ketut Agus , Tanuma Junko , Ditangco Rossana , Choi Jun Yong , Ng Oon Tek , Do Cuong Duy , Gani Yasmin , Ross Jeremy , Jiamsakul Awachana ,   the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) of IeDEA Asia‐Pacific
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Viral load (VL) testing is still challenging to monitor treatment responses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV treatment programme in Asia. We assessed the association between routine VL testing and virological failure (VF) and determine factors associated with switching to second‐line regimen.

Methods

Among 21 sites from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD), people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged ≥18 years initiating ART from 2003 to 2021 were included. We calculated the average number of VL tests per patient per year between the date of ART initiation and the most recent visit. If the median average number of VL tests was ≥ 0.80 per patient per year, the site was classified as a routine VL site. A site with a median < 0.80 was classified into the non‐routine VL sites. VF was defined as VL ≥1000 copies/ml during first‐line therapy. Factors associated with VF were analysed using generalized estimating equations with Poisson distribution.

Results

Of 6277 PLHIV starting ART after 2003, 3030 (48%) were from 11 routine VL testing sites and 3247 (52%) were from 10 non‐routine VL testing sites. The median follow‐up was 9 years (IQR 5–13). The median age was 35 (30–42) years; 68% were male and 5729 (91%) started non‐nucleoside reverse‐transcriptase inhibitor‐based regimen. The median pre‐ART CD4 count in PLHIV from routine VL sites was lower compared to non‐routine VL sites (144 vs. 156 cells/mm3, p <0.001). Overall, 1021 subsequent VF at a rate of 2.15 (95% CI 2.02–2.29) per 100 person‐years (PY). VF was more frequent at non‐routine VL sites (adjusted incidence rate ratio 2.85 [95% CI 2.27–3.59]) compared to routine VL sites. Other factors associated with an increased rate of VF were age <50 years and CD4 count <350 cells/mm3. A total of 817 (13%) patients switched to second‐line regimen at a rate of 1.44 (95% CI 1.35–1.54) per 100 PY. PLHIV at routine VL monitoring sites were at higher risk of switching than those at non‐routine VL sites (adjusted sub‐hazard ratio 1.78 95% CI [1.17–2.71]).

Conclusions

PLHIV from non‐routine VL sites had a higher incidence of persistent VF and a low switching regimen rate, reflecting possible under‐utilized VL testing.
Evaluation of a training intervention to improve cancer care in Zimbabwe: Strategies to Improve Kaposi Sarcoma Outcomes (SIKO), a prospective community‐based stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trial
Authors: Sabourin Katherine R. , Borok Margaret , Mawhinney Samantha , Matimba Maxwell , Jaji Francis , Fiorillo Suzanne , Chifamba Dickson D. , Muserere Claudios , Mashiri Busisiwe , Bhodheni Chenjerai , Gambiza Patricia , Mandidewa Rachael , Mutimuri Mercia , Gudza Ivy , Mulvahill Matthew , Moore Camille M. , Kutner Jean S. , Simões Eric A. F. , Campbell Thomas B.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Most Zimbabweans access medical care through tiered health systems. In 2013, HIV care was decentralized to primary care clinics; while oncology care remained centralized. Most persons in Zimbabwe with Kaposi sarcoma (KS) are diagnosed late in their disease, and the prognosis is poor. Little is known about whether educational interventions could improve KS outcomes in these settings.

Methods

Interventions to improve KS detection and management were evaluated at eight Zimbabwe primary care sites (four rural/four urban) that provided HIV care. Interventions included a standardized KS clinical evaluation tool, palliative care integration, standardized treatment and improved consultative services. Interventions were implemented between February 2013 and January 2016 using a randomized stepped‐wedge cluster design. Sites were monitored for KS diagnosis rates and KS outcomes, including early diagnosis (T0 vs. T1 tumour stage), participant retention and mortality. Analyses controlled for within‐clinic correlations.

Results

A total of 1102 persons with suspected KS (96% HIV positive) were enrolled: 47% incident (new diagnosis), 20% prevalent (previous diagnosis) and 33% determined as not KS. Early (T0) diagnosis increased post‐intervention, though not significant statistically (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.48 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.66–3.79], p = 0.37). New KS diagnosis rates increased 103% (95% CI: 11–273%), p = 0.02) post‐intervention; although paired with an increased odds of incorrectly diagnosing KS (aOR = 2.08 [95% CI: 0.33–3.24], p = 0.001). Post‐intervention, non‐significant decreases in 90‐day return rates (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.69 [95% CI: 0.38–1.45], p = 0.21) and survival (aHR = 1.36 [95% CI: 0.85–2.20], p = 0.20) were estimated.

Conclusions

KS training interventions at urban and rural Zimbabwe decentralized primary care clinics significantly increased overall and incorrect KS diagnosis rates, but not early KS diagnosis rates, 90‐day return rates or survival.
Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Reproducibility Across 3 T Scanners in a Breast Diffusion Phantom
Authors: Fang Lauren K. , Keenan Kathryn E. , Carl Michael , Ojeda‐Fournier Haydee , Rodríguez‐Soto Ana E. , Rakow‐Penner Rebecca A.
Published: August 2022

Background

To date, the accuracy and variability of diffusion‐weighted MRI (DW‐MRI) metrics have been reported in a limited number of scanner/protocol/coil combinations.

Purpose

To evaluate the reproducibility of DW‐MRI estimates across multiple scanners and DW‐MRI protocols and to assess the effects of using an 8‐channel vs. 16‐channel breast coil in a breast phantom.

Study Type

Prospective.

Phantom

Breast phantom containing tubes of water and differing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) concentrations with apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) matching breast tissue.

Field Strength/Sequence

3 T (three standard and one wide bore), three DW‐MRI single‐shot echo planar imaging protocols of varying acquired spatial resolution.

Assessment

Accuracy of estimated ADCs was assessed using percent differences (PD) relative to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy‐derived reference values. Coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated to determine variation across scanners. CVs based on the median standard deviation (CVM) were used to evaluate tube‐specific dispersion using 8‐ or 16‐channel coils at a single scanner. ADCs of PVP‐containing tubes were additionally normalized by the median water tube ADC to account for temperature effects.

Statistical Tests

Two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc tests were used to evaluate differences in ADC, CV, and CVM across scanners and protocols (α = 0.05).

Results

ADCs were within 11% (interquartile range [IQR] 7%) of reference values and significantly improved to 2% (IQR 7%) after normalization to an internal water reference. Normalization significantly reduced interscanner variability of ADC estimates from 7% to 4%. DW‐MRI protocol did not affect ADC accuracy; however, the clinical and higher‐resolution clinical protocols resulted in the greatest (9%) and least (6%) interscanner variability, respectively. The 8‐ and 16‐channel receive coils yielded similar accuracy (PD: 12% vs. 16%) and precision (CVM: 2.7% vs. 2.9%).

Data Conclusion

Normalization by an internal reference improved interscanner ADC reproducibility. High‐resolution protocols yielded comparably accurate and significantly less variable ADCs compared to a clinical standard protocol.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
MRI: Evaluating the Application of FOCUS‐MUSE Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging in the Pancreas in Comparison With FOCUS, MUSE, and Single‐Shot DWIs
Authors: Bai Yu , Pei Yigang , Liu Weiyin Vivian , Liu Wenguang , Xie Simin , Wang Xiao , Zhong Linhui , Chen Juan , Zhang Lijuan , Masokano Ismail Bilal , Li Wenzheng
Published: August 2022

Background

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) is a useful technique to detect pancreatic lesion. In DWIs, field‐of‐view optimized and constrained undistorted single‐shot (FOCUS) can improve the spatial resolution and multiplexed sensitivity‐encoding (MUSE) can gain a high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Based on the advantage of FOCUS and MUSE, a new DWI sequence—named FOCUS‐MUSE DWI (FOCUS combined with MUSE)—was developed to delineate the pancreas.

Purpose

To investigate the reliability of FOCUS‐MUSE DWI compared to FOCUS, MUSE and single‐shot (SS) DWI via the systematical evaluation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements, SNR and image quality.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

A total of 33 healthy volunteers and 9 patients with pancreatic lesion.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3.0 T scanner. FOCUS‐MUSE DWI, FOCUS DWI, MUSE DWI, SS DWI.

Assessment

For volunteers, ADC and SNR were measured by two readers in the pancreatic head, body, and tail. For all subjects, the diagnostic image quality score was assessed by three other readers on above four DWIs.

Statistical Tests

Paired‐sample T‐test, intraclass correlation (ICC), Bland–Altman method, Friedman test, Dunn‐Bonferroni post hoc test and kappa coefficient. A significance level of 0.05 was used.

Results

FOCUS‐MUSE DWI had the best intersession repeatability of ADC measurements (head: 59.53, body: 101.64, tail: 42.30) among the four DWIs, and also maintained the significantly highest SNR (reader 1 [head: 19.68 ± 3.23, body: 23.42 ± 5.00, tail: 28.85 ± 4.96], reader 2 [head: 19.93 ± 3.52, body: 23.02 ± 5.69, tail: 29.77 ± 6.33]) except for MUSE DWI. Furthermore, it significantly achieved better image quality in volunteers (median value: 4 score) and 9 patients (most in 4 score).

Data Conclusion

FOCUS‐MUSE DWI improved the reliability of pancreatic images with the most stable ADC measurement, best image quality score and sufficient SNR among four DWIs.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Highly sensitive and rapid detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 via a portable CRISPR‐Cas13a‐based lateral flow assay
Authors: Liu Hongbo , Chang Shuailei , Chen Sijia , Du Yue , Wang Hui , Wang Chao , Xiang Ying , Wang Qi , Li Zhenjun , Wang Shengqi , Qiu Shaofu , Song Hongbin
Published: August 2022

To rapidly identify individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), there is an urgent need for highly sensitive on‐site virus detection methods. A clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein (Cas)‐based molecular diagnostic method was developed for this purpose. Here, a CRISPR system‐mediated lateral flow assay (LFA) for SARS‐CoV‐2 was established based on multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification, CRISPR‐Cas13a nuclease, and LFA. To improve the limit of detection (LoD), the crispr RNA, amplification primer, and probe were screened, in addition to concentrations of various components in the reaction system. The LoD of CRISPR detection was improved to 0.25 copy/μl in both fluorescence‐ and immunochromatography‐based assays. To enhance the quality control of the CRISPR‐based LFA method, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase was detected as a reference using a triple‐line strip design in a lateral flow strip. In total, 52 COVID‐19‐positive and 101 COVID‐19‐negative clinical samples examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) were tested using the CRISPR immunochromatographic detection technique. Results revealed 100% consistency, indicating the comparable effectiveness of our method to that of RT‐PCR. In conclusion, this approach significantly improves the sensitivity and reliability of CRISPR‐mediated LFA and provides a crucial tool for on‐site detection of SARS‐CoV‐2.
The Japanese Catheter Ablation Registry (J‐AB): Annual report in 2020
Authors: Kusano Kengo , Yamane Teiichi , Inoue Koichi , Takegami Misa , Nakao Yoko M. , Nakai Michikazu , Kanaoka Koshiro , Tonegawa‐Kuji Reina , Miyamoto Koji , Iwasaki Yu‐ki , Takatsuki Seiji , Nakamura Kohki , Iwanaga Yoshitaka , Shimizu Wataru ,   J‐AB registry investigators
Published: August 2022

The Japanese Catheter Ablation (J‐AB) registry, started in August 2017, is a voluntary, nationwide, multicenter, prospective, observational registry, performed by the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society (JHRS) in collaboration with the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center using a Research Electronic Data Capture system. The purpose of this registry is to collect the details of target arrhythmias, the ablation procedures, including the type of target arrhythmias, outcomes, and acute complications in real‐world settings. During the year 2020, we have collected a total of 84 591 procedures (mean age of 65.8 years and 66.6% male) from 466 participant hospitals. Detailed data were shown in Figures and Tables.
Conformity of prescription medication labels with label format and content recommendations
Authors: Oh Yeow Boon , Suppiah Sumithra Devi , Chia Deborah Miao‐Hui , Tan Yi Wen , Malhotra Rahul
Published: August 2022

Background

Prescription medication labels (PMLs) are central in guiding patients to use their medications appropriately. For PMLs to achieve this purpose, their content must enable medication use as desired and be presented in a clear and legible manner.

Aim

This study assesses the extent to which the format and content of PMLs used in Singapore meet national and/or international recommendations, and if the extent varies across public and private healthcare institutions.

Method

The format and content variables of 113 PMLs were compared against published recommendations. Variability in the extent to which the format and content of PMLs met the recommendations across public and private institutions was assessed through the Chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test.

Results

Less than 50% of the PMLs conformed with the format recommendations of printing instructions in sentence case (35.4%), and the content recommendations for providing drug–food administration instructions (45.3%), using specific dosing intervals for dosing instructions (21.2%), providing an expiry date (17.7%), and generating bilingual labels (5.3%). A higher proportion of private institution PMLs followed the format recommendations of printing instructions in sentence case (p = 0.004) and numeric characters for quantitative values (p = 0.003), and the content recommendations for providing drug indication (p < 0.001). In contrast, a higher proportion of public institution PMLs followed the content recommendations of using specific dosing intervals (p = 0.001), providing side effects/precautions (p = 0.003), and providing drug‐food administration instructions (p = 0.021).

Conclusion

There is definite scope for improving the format and content of PMLs in Singapore. Future studies could explore the possible logistical, financial, and administrative reasons that contribute to PML variability across healthcare institutions.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of plants grown in the Mediterranean region
Authors: Kaçar Diren , Bayraktar Oguz , Erdem Cansu , Alamri Abdulhakeem S. , Galanakis Charis M.
Published: August 2022

Background

The main objective of this research was to identify plant species with possible bioactivities based on their total phenol content, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, different parts of 42 plant species grown in the Mediterranean region were extracted with aqueous ethanol solutions to prepare extracts with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, mainly resulting from their total phenol contents. No detailed laboratory data on the flora of this area exists regarding their total phenol contents and total antioxidant activities.

Results

Yields of extraction for each plant material were determined. Extracts were characterized based on their total phenol contents, total antioxidant (both hydrophilic and lipophilic), and antimicrobial activities using Folin–Ciocalteu, Photochemiluminescence, disc diffusion, and microdilution methods, respectively. The extract of Hypericum empetrifolium had the relatively highest total water‐soluble and lipid‐soluble antioxidant activities. Sarcopoterium spinosum extract had relatively high total phenol content. Preliminary screening study was conducted with the disc diffusion method to evaluate the extracts' antimicrobial activities. 26 out of 42 plant species showed significant antimicrobial activities against the growth of microorganisms. Microdilution assays were performed to evaluate the most active plant species with their minimum inhibition concentrations. H. empetrifolium, Pistacia terebinthus, Arbutus unedo, and Cistus parviflorus were the most antimicrobial plant species among those investigated.

CONCLUSION

The new potential sources for the isolation of bioactive natural compounds from specific plant species could be possible with the help of this present screening study. Isolated bioactive natural compounds can be utilized as raw materials in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, food supplements, and pharmaceutical industries.
Real‐life self‐assessment of pruritus relief with a combination of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate foam in patients with plaque psoriasis
Authors: Misery Laurent , Gonnet Jessica , Mackenzie Nadine , Beneton Nathalie , Halioua Bruno
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Psoriasis‐related pruritus is a frequent and underestimated symptom with a strong impact on quality of life, psychological condition and sleep. Our main objective was to document, in real‐life clinical practice, the perception of pruritus and the efficacy of a 4‐week topical treatment with a fixed‐dose combination of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) foam on psoriasis‐related moderate‐to‐severe pruritus.

Methods

This was an exploratory prospective observational study in psoriasis patients with a pruritus visual analogic scale (VAS) score ≥ 3/10 cm. The primary endpoint was the proportion of responder patients defined as the self‐assessed improvement from baseline of pruritus of at least 2 VAS score points 48 h after the first topical administration. The quality of sleep was assessed on VAS and the quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) on Day 28.

Results

A total of 81 patients were included by 34 dermatologists and 40 self‐questionnaires were evaluable for efficacy on Day 28. At inclusion, pruritus was self‐assessed as severe by 60.8% of patients, whereas physicians reported severe pruritus in 16.9% of patients. A proportion of 91.4% (95% confidence interval: 82–100) of patients were responders to pruritus relief 48 h after the first Cal/BD application. Relevant improvements in quality of sleep after 24 h (+2.9 ± 3.0) and in quality of life after 28 days (−9.0 ± 6.8) were reported.

Conclusion

This exploratory study provides further evidence that pruritus is an underestimated symptom, and it confirms the usefulness of the fixed‐dose combination of Cal/DB foam in relieving moderate‐to‐severe pruritus and improving the quality of life and sleep in patients with plaque psoriasis.