bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Inequities in Cancer Treatment Delay or Discontinuation Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Llanos Adana A. M. , Ashrafi Adiba , Ghosh Nabarun , Tsui Jennifer , Lin Yong , Fong Angela J. , Ganesan Shridar , Heckman Carolyn J.
Published: January 2023

Importance

There is a disproportionately greater burden of COVID-19 among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black individuals, who also experience poorer cancer outcomes. Understanding individual-level and area-level factors contributing to inequities at the intersection of COVID-19 and cancer is critical.

Objective

To evaluate associations of individual-level and area-level social determinants of health (SDOH) with delayed or discontinued cancer treatment following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective, registry-based cohort study used data from 4768 patients receiving cancer care who had positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 and were enrolled in the American Society for Clinical Oncology COVID-19 Registry. Data were collected from April 1, 2020, to September 26, 2022.

Exposures

Race and ethnicity, sex, age, and area-level SDOH based on zip codes of residence at the time of cancer diagnosis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Delayed (≥14 days) or discontinued cancer treatment (any cancer treatment, surgery, pharmacotherapy, or radiotherapy) and time (in days) to restart pharmacotherapy.

Results

A total of 4768 patients (2756 women [57.8%]; 1558 [32.7%] aged ≥70 years at diagnosis) were included in the analysis. There were 630 Hispanic (13.2%), 196 non-Hispanic Asian American or Pacific Islander (4.1%), 568 non-Hispanic Black (11.9%), and 3173 non-Hispanic White individuals (66.5%). Compared with non-Hispanic White individuals, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black individuals were more likely to experience a delay of at least 14 days or discontinuation of any treatment and drug-based treatment; only estimates for non-Hispanic Black individuals were statistically significant, with correction for multiple comparisons (risk ratios [RRs], 1.35 [95% CI, 1.22-1.49] and 1.37 [95% CI, 1.23-1.52], respectively). Area-level SDOH (eg, geography, proportion of residents without health insurance or with only a high school education, lower median household income) were associated with delayed or discontinued treatment. In multivariable Cox proportinal hazards regression models, estimates suggested that Hispanic (hazard ratio [HR], 0.87 [95% CI, 0.71-1.05]), non-Hispanic Asian American or Pacific Islander (HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.46-1.35]), and non-Hispanic Black individuals (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.67-0.97]) experienced longer delays to restarting pharmacotherapy compared with non-Hispanic White individuals.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that race and ethnicity and area-level SDOH were associated with delayed or discontinued cancer treatment and longer delays to the restart of drug-based therapies following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such treatment delays could exacerbate persistent cancer survival inequities in the United States.
Endocrine Society Hypercalcemia of Malignancy Guidelines
Authors: Dickens Laura T. , Derman Ben , Alexander Jason T.
Published: January 2023

This guideline synopsis summarizes the Endocrine Society guidelines for hypercalcemia of malignancy in adults.
Proximity proteomics reveals role of Abelson interactor 1 in the regulation of TAK1/RIPK1 signaling
Authors: Petersen Max , Chorzalska Anna , Pardo Makayla , Rodriguez Anaelena , Morgan John , Ahsan Nagib , Zhao Ting C. , Liang Olin , Kotula Leszek , Bertone Paul , Gruppuso Philip A. , Dubielecka Patrycja M.
Published: January 2023

Dysregulation of the adaptor protein Abelson interactor 1 (ABI1) is linked to malignant transformation. To interrogate the role of ABI1 in cancer development, we mapped the ABI1 interactome using proximity‐dependent labeling (PDL) with biotin followed by mass spectrometry. Using a novel PDL data filtering strategy, considering both peptide spectral matches and peak areas of detected peptides, we identified 212 ABI1 proximal interactors. These included WAVE2 complex components such as CYFIP1, NCKAP1, or WASF1, confirming the known role of ABI1 in the regulation of actin‐polymerization‐dependent processes. We also identified proteins associated with the TAK1‐IKK pathway, including TAK1, TAB2, and RIPK1, denoting a newly identified function of ABI1 in TAK1‐NF‐κB inflammatory signaling. Functional assays using TNFα‐stimulated, ABI1‐overexpressing or ABI1‐deficient cells showed effects on the TAK1‐NF‐kB pathway‐dependent signaling to RIPK1, with ABI1‐knockout cells being less susceptible to TNFα‐induced, RIPK1‐mediated, TAK1‐dependent apoptosis. In sum, our PDL‐based strategy enabled mapping of the ABI1 proximal interactome, thus revealing a previously unknown role of this adaptor protein in TAK1/RIPK1‐based regulation of cell death and survival.
Zonotopic recursive least‐squares parameter estimation: Application to fault detection
Authors: Samada Sergio E. , Puig Vicenç , Nejjari Fatiha
Published: January 2023

The uncertain parameters estimation problem for linear discrete‐time systems modeled in regression form and assuming an unknown but bounded description of the noise, is the main subject of this work. Particularly, zonotopic sets for bounding the parametric uncertainty are considered. Then, a zonotopic recursive least‐squares (ZRLS) estimator is proposed and compared with its stochastic counterpart (RLS), as well as with the set‐membership (SM) approach. Likewise, the parameter estimation problem is addressed from the Bayesian general framework to define the relationship between stochastic and deterministic approaches. Moreover, both ZRLS and SM applications applied to fault detection are assessed taking as a reference the minimum detectable fault in the worst case. Finally, a well‐known quadruple‐tank process is used to illustrate the estimation and fault detection results.
Coupling Fe(II)/Fe(III) Redox Mediated SO2 Conversion with Hydrogen Production
Authors: Wu Ze , Zhang Yiqiong , Zhang Li , Zhou Bo , Wei Zengxi , Wang Dongdong , Lu Wenbo , Jia Jianfeng , Tao Li , Wang Tehua , Wang Shuangyin
Published: January 2023

Water electrolysis is recognized as a green hydrogen production technology, but the high voltage required for anodic oxygen evolution reaction restricts the practical application. In this work, a Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox mediated SO2 conversion is proposed to couple the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction to achieve sulfur dioxide conversion and hydrogen production at low voltage. The onset potential of Fe(II) electrooxidation to Fe(III) is as low as 0.75 VRHE (vs reversible hydrogen electrode). Ex situ ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) spectrum and ion chromatography indicate that SO2 in electrolyte can reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II), completing the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox cycle as well as the conversion of SO2 to sulfuric acid. The assembled flow cell electrolyzer requires a low operating voltage of 0.97 V at 10 mA cm−2 and shows good performance under both acidic and neutral conditions. This study proposes an innovative energy saving and environment friendly strategy for simultaneous hydrogen production and sulfur dioxide capture based on low‐cost catalyst materials.
Controlled Adhesion of Ice—Toward Ultraclean 2D Materials
Authors: Liu Haijun , Thi Quoc Huy , Man Ping , Chen Xin , Chen Tianren , Wong Lok Wing , Jiang Shan , Huang Lingli , Yang Tiefeng , Leung Ka Ho , Leung Tsz Tung , Gao Shan , Chen Honglin , Lee Chun‐Sing , Kan Min , Zhao Jiong , Deng Qingming , Ly Thuc Hue
Published: January 2023

The scalable 2D device fabrication and integration demand either the large‐area synthesis or the post‐synthesis transfer of 2D layers. While the direct synthesis of 2D materials on most targeted surfaces remains challenging, the transfer approach from the growth substrate onto the targeted surfaces offers an alternative pathway for applications and integrations. However, the current transfer techniques for 2D materials predominantly involve polymers and organic solvents, which are liable to contaminate or deform the ultrasensitive atomic layers. Here, novel ice‐aided transfer and ice‐stamp transfer methods are developed, in which water (ice) is the only medium in the entire process. In practice, the adhesion between various 2D materials and ice can be well controlled by temperature. Through such controlled adhesion of ice, it is shown that the new transfer methods can yield ultrahigh quality and exceptional cleanliness in transferred 2D flakes and continuous 2D films, and are applicable for a wide range of substrates. Furthermore, beyond transfer, ice can also be used for cleaning the surfaces of 2D materials at higher temperatures. These novel techniques can enable unprecedented ultraclean 2D materials surfaces and performances, and will contribute to the upcoming technological revolutions associated with 2D materials.
Recent Advances in Efficient Photocatalysis via Modulation of Electric and Magnetic Fields and Reactive Phase Control
Authors: Dai Baoying , Guo Jiahao , Gao Chenchen , Yin Hang , Xie Yannan , Lin Zhiqun
Published: January 2023

The past several years has witnessed significant progress in enhancing photocatalytic performance via robust electric and magnetic fields’ modulation to promote the separation and transfer of photoexcited carriers, and phase control at reactive interface to lower photocatalytic reaction energy barrier and facilitate mass transfer. These three research directions have received soaring attention in photocatalytic field. Herein, recent advances in photocatalysis modulated by electric field (i.e., piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and triboelectric fields, as well as their coupling) with specific examples and mechanisms discussion are first examined. Subsequently, the strategy via magnetic field manipulation for enhancing photocatalytic performance is scrutinized, including the spin polarization, Lorentz force, and magnetoresistance effect. Afterward, materials with tailored structure and composition design enabled by reactive phase control and their applications in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and carbon dioxide reduction are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and potential opportunities to further boost photocatalytic efficiency are presented, aiming at providing crucial theoretical and experimental guidance for those working in photocatalysis, ferroelectrics, triboelectrics, piezo‐/pyro‐/tribo‐phototronics, and electromagnetics, among other related areas.
Composite Hydrogel for Spatiotemporal Lipid Intervention of Tumor Milieu
Authors: Ma Jia , Guo Daoxia , Ji Xiaoyuan , Zhou Yanfeng , Liu Chang , Li Qian , Zhang Jiye , Fan Chunhai , Song Haiyun
Published: January 2023

Induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) plays crucial roles in cancer immunotherapy, whereas its efficacy is severely compromised by redundant antioxidant defenses in cancer cells and aberrant lipid metabolism in immunosuppressive cell populations. In this work, it is found that hollow mesoporous CuS nanoparticles (NPs) possess an intrinsic capacity of inhibiting glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). When loaded with an inhibitor of the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), these NPs block two parallel redox systems and cooperate with near‐infrared irradiation to reinforce ICD. A hydrogel co‐delivering cancer‐cell‐targeting CuS NPs and immunosuppressive‐cell‐targeting sulfo‐N‐succinimidyl oleate (SSO) for spatiotemporal lipid intervention i further fabricated. While the CuS NPs augment ICD via synergistic lipid peroxidation, SSO reinstates immune perception via lipid metabolic reprogramming, thereby coordinately triggering robust innate and adaptive immunity to restrain tumor growth, relapse, and metastasis. This study provides an immunometabolic therapy via orchestrated lipid modulation in the tumor milieu.
Integrating Graphene Enables Improved and Gate‐Tunable Photovoltaic Effect in Van der Waals Heterojunction
Authors: Liu Zihao , Shu Kaixiang , Yang Yujue , Yu He , Huang Ying , Gao Wei , Zhang Xin , Wu Fugen , Li Jingbo , Dong Huafeng , Huo Nengjie
Published: January 2023

Van der Waals (vdW) heterojunction has emerged as promising building blocks for the next generation of optoelectronics, which can fulfill the increasing demands of miniaturization, high density of integration, and low power consumption. The photovoltaic effect is one of the crucial functions for fast photo‐detection and energy‐harvesting applications. Here, graphene is integrated into vdW WS2/WSe2 heterojunction, the graphene can serve as electron and hole transport layers, boosting the collection efficiency of photo‐excited carriers and thus improving the photovoltaic effect. The graphene‐integrated device exhibits superior power‐conversion‐efficiency (PCE) up to 9.08%, one order of magnitude improvement compared to the device with metal‐WS2/WSe2‐metal configuration. Moreover, the back gate has great modulation on its photovoltaic effect due to the large gate‐tunability of band bending at the interface. Operating as self‐driven photo‐diode, it also achieves outstanding photodetection performance with high photo‐switching ratio of 1 × 106, high detectivity (D*) of 2.66 × 1012 Jones, and fast speed of 110 µs, all the parameters are improved by nearly one order of magnitude compared to the device without graphene integration. This work provides a universal approach by integrating graphene as vdW contact to significantly improve the photovoltaic effect and photodetection property toward highly efficient energy‐harvest and photodetector applications.
High cholesterol levels change the association of biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases with dementia risk: Findings from a population‐based cohort
Authors: Perna Laura , Mons Ute , Stocker Hannah , Beyer Léon , Beyreuther Konrad , Trares Kira , Holleczek Bernd , Schöttker Ben , Perneczky Robert , Gerwert Klaus , Brenner Hermann
Published: January 2023

Introduction

This study assessed whether in a population with comorbidity of neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disease (mixed pathology) the association of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NfL), and phosphorylated tau181 (p‐tau181) with dementia risk varied depending on levels of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype.

Methods

Plasma biomarkers were measured using Simoa technology in 768 participants of a nested case‐control study embedded within an ongoing population‐based cohort. Logistic and spline regression models, and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated.

Results

The strength of the association between GFAP and NfL with risk of a clinical diagnosis of dementia changed depending on cholesterol levels and on APOE ε4 genotype. No significant association was seen with p‐tau181.

Discussion

In individuals with mixed pathology blood GFAP and NfL are better predictors of dementia risk than p‐tau181, and their associations with dementia risk are amplified by hypercholesterolemia, also depending on APOE ε4 genotype.

HIGHLIGHTS

Cholesterol levels changed the association of blood biomarkers with dementia risk.

Blood biomarkers seem to perform differently in community‐ and clinic‐based cohorts.

Neurofilament light chain might be a biomarker candidate for dementia risk after stroke.
Endowing Polythioester Vitrimer with Intrinsic Crystallinity and Chemical Recyclability
Authors: Shi Changxia , Zhang Zhen , Scoti Miriam , Yan Xiao‐Yun , Chen Eugene Y.‐X.
Published: January 2023

Technologically important thermosets face a long‐standing end‐of‐life (EoL) problem of non‐reprocessability, a more sustainable solution of which has resolved to nascent vitrimers that can merge the robust material properties of thermosets and the reprocessability of thermoplastics. However, the lifecycle of vitrimers is still finite, as they often suffer from significant deterioration of mechanical performance following multiple reprocessing cycles, analogous to mechanical recycling, and they often show undesired creep under working conditions. To address these two key limitations, we have developed a cross‐linked semi‐crystalline polythioester with both dynamic covalent bonds and intrinsic crystallinity and chemical recyclability, affording a vitrimeric system that exhibits not only reprocessability and crystallinity‐restricted creep but also complete chemical recyclability to initial monomer by catalyzed depolymerization in solution or bulk. Therefore, reported herein is an “infinite” vitrimer system that is empowered with a facile closed‐loop EoL option once serial reprocessing deteriorates performance and the material can no longer meet the application requirements. Specifically, the polythioester vitrimer was constructed by copolymerization of a bicyclic thioester with a bis‐dithiolane, producing dynamically cross‐linked polythioesters with excellent property tunability, from amorphous to semi‐crystalline states and melting transition temperatures from 91 to 178 °C.
Postvoid residual bladder volume after uncomplicated vaginal delivery
Authors: Degasper Christine , Späth Laura , Fessler Siegfried , Widschwendter Andreas , Abdel Azim Samira , Ritter Magdalena
Published: January 2023

Objective

To create a reference curve for postvoid residual volume (PVRV) in asymptomatic postpartum women who are at low risk of developing postpartum urinary retention (PUR), a well‐known complication in the immediate postpartum period.

Methods

This is a prospective observational study measuring PVRV after uncomplicated vaginal delivery. PVRV was assessed by transabdominal ultrasound using a portable ultrasound scanner within the first 26 h after delivery (PVRV 1) and on the day of discharge (day 2 or 3 postpartum) (PVRV 2). A PVRV of 150 mL or more was defined as the cut‐off value for covert PUR.

Results

The prevalence of covert PUR was 7.1%. Primiparity, duration of second stage, and obstetric injury were correlated with higher PVRV 1. The median PVRV 1 was 21 mL and PVRV 2 was 11 mL. The subgroup of nulliparous women had a significantly higher PVRV 1 compared with multiparous women. At discharge, the majority (99.1%) of women had a PVRV of less than 150 mL.

Conclusion

Asymptomatic women were at low risk of developing PUR. However, women with a prolonged second stage may benefit from a routine postpartum assessment. Our results allow for a better understanding of PVRV in the early postpartum period.
Evaluation of an electronic health record documentation tool use to improve pharmacist intervention tracking in the intensive care unit
Authors: Vlashyn Olga O. , Murphy Claire V. , Cape Kari , Phelps Megan K. , Nunez Samara M. , Hafford Amanda , Jordan Trisha A. , Smetana Keaton S.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Pharmacists are integral members of the healthcare team, but interventions are not always captured due to documentation limitations. This study evaluated the impact of implementing a tracking tool to address gaps in capturing pharmacist interventions.

Methods

A prospective, observational study was conducted to assess pharmacist interventions between July and November 2020. Twelve critical care pharmacists captured interventions on 10 weekdays using a tracking tool (iVent—Epic®) embedded in the electronic medical record (EMR) to capture high frequency interventions not standardly captured via existing standard note documentation (e.g., renal/hepatic dose adjustment, parenteral nutrition management). Value added of the interventions is proposed. Patients' baseline demographics, interventions, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) were collected. The primary outcome was to determine the added benefit of using a tracking tool within the EMR to capture pharmacist interventions compared to progress note documentation.

Results

Two thousand seven hundred and eighty‐three interventions were documented on 514 unique patients over 120 pharmacist shifts. Of these, 2363 (84.9%) interventions were captured through iVent tracking. The median SOFA score on day of intervention was 4 [interquartile range (IQR) 2–7] and ICU LOS was 3.5 days [IQR 1.5–9]. The median number of interventions per patient per day was 2 [IQR 1–3]. A significant difference was observed among days of the week and the number of iVents documented (χ2 = 13.172, p = 0.01, df = 4). The post hoc pairwise comparison revealed more documented iVents on Tuesday than Friday.

Conclusion

This study reveals that an iVent tracking tool increased total capture of pharmacist interventions by 563%. These interventions can be associated with value‐based programs and further work is needed in highlighting the pharmacist's role in these new payment models. This study confirms that the current standard practice at this institution of solely entering pharmacist progress notes into the patient chart misses a majority of pharmacist interventions.
Detection of thin‐cap fibroatheroma in IVOCT images based on weakly supervised learning and domain knowledge
Authors: Shi Peiwen , Xin Jingmin , Wu Jiayi , Deng Yangyang , Cai Zhuotong , Du Shaoyi , Zheng Nanning
Published: January 2023

Automatic detection of thin‐cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) on intravascular optical coherence tomography images is essential for the prevention of acute coronary syndrome. However, existing methods need to mark the exact location of TCFAs on each frame as supervision, which is extremely time‐consuming and expensive. Hence, a new weakly supervised framework is proposed to detect TCFAs using only image‐level tags as supervision. The framework comprises cut, feature extraction, relation, and detection modules. First, based on prior knowledge, a cut module was designed to generate a small number of specific region proposals. Then, to learn global information, a relation module was designed to learn the spatial adjacency and order relationships at the feature level, and an attention‐based strategy was introduced in the detection module to effectively aggregate the classification results of region proposals as the image‐level predicted score. The results demonstrate that the proposed method surpassed the state‐of‐the‐art weakly supervised detection methods.
Residents as gratuitous referrals at destination: An integrative model from altruistic values to pro‐tourism behavior
Authors: Plaza‐Mejía María Ángeles , Haldon‐Hermoso Juana María , Porras‐Bueno Nuria
Published: January 2023

The altruistically shared information provided by residents is significant for travelers, affecting decisions they postpone until arrival at their destination. This study integrates altruism as a personal value with the basic postulates of social exchange theory and theory of reasoned action to explain the behavior of residents in terms of gratuitous referrals at destination (GRAD). A structural equation model is tested at a tourist destination on the coast of southwestern Spain. The results reveal that the factors influencing residents' attitude toward GRAD behavior (GRB) substantially differ from those that condition attitude toward tourism more generally. Furthermore, the altruistic values of residents indirectly condition their GRB.
Competition between a manufacturer and a relicensing third party when customers are strategic
Authors: Zhu Qingyuan , Yu Chenghao , SHEN Zhiyang , Song Malin
Published: January 2023

This study presents an analytical framework for examining how remanufacturing rate, consumer buying behavior, and consumer preferences impact a supply chain's economic and environmental outcomes. An original equipment manufacturer and a third‐party remanufacturer make decisions influenced by the competitive leverage of relicensing fees and the maximum available quantity of remanufactured products. We analyze this monopoly scenario in a two‐period model, assuming that consumers are strategic. The remanufacturing rate has a nonmonotonic impact on the economic outcomes of this supply chain system, and excellent environmental improvement is not an inevitable consequence of a high remanufacturing rate.
Type of cancer and complementary and alternative medicine are determinant factors for the patient delay experienced by children with cancer: A study in West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Sari Nur Melani , Devansyah Sultan , Modjaningrat Ismiana , Suryawan Nur , Susanah Susi , Rakhmillah Lulu , Wahyudi Kurnia , Kaspers Gertjan J. L.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Most pediatric cancer patients in developing countries present at an advanced stage due to delayed diagnosis, being an important barrier to effective care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the associated factor of patient delay and explore significant parental practice‐associated risk factor to patient delay.

Methods

This was a sequential mixed methodology, utilizing data from the Indonesian Pediatric Cancer Registry for clinical variables and completed interviews with parents using structured questionnaires to obtain their sociodemographic data. A binary logistic regression analysis model was fitted to identify factors associated with patient delay. Additional semi‐structured interviews related to parental practice of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) were administered to 30 parents. Thematic framework analysis was performed on qualitative data to explore determinant factors of parental practice of using CAM.

Results

We interviewed 356 parents with children with cancer. The median patient delay was 14 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–46.5 days). The most extended delay was in patients with malignant bone tumors (median 66, IQR: 14–126). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, solid cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 5.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.79–9.77, p < .001) and use of CAM (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.13–3.08, p = .015) were associated with patient delay. Qualitative interviews highlighted key issues relative to determinant parental factors using CAM, including vague initial childhood cancer symptoms, parental health‐seeking behavior, CAM availability and accessibility, also barriers of healthcare facilities.

Conclusion

Type of cancer and use of CAM are essential factors that cause patient delay. It should be addressed in the future childhood cancer awareness and childhood cancer diagnosis pathway.
Informed consent for expanded carrier screening: Past, present, and future
Authors: Rink Britton D.
Published: January 2023

History, law, bioethics, and geocultural influences all have impacted the modern application of informed consent. It is a complex, multilayered process to communicate information and obtain voluntary patient permission before a health care intervention. Lack of provider education about genetic disorders, complexities of advanced genomic technologies, limited time during patient encounters, and low health literacy within a population all represent challenges to effective communication. There is no consensus on how informed consent in reproductive genetics is optimally obtained. Expanded carrier screening (ECS) is purposed to simultaneously test for a large list of diseases in a pan‐ethnic manner. The increased use of ECS is driven by advances in genomic technologies, decreased cost, an improved understanding of single gene disorders, and in support of reproductive autonomy. Academic organizations recommend pretest counseling when patients consider ECS, yet best practice is not established. Ongoing research is needed to determine how optimally implement informed consent given the increased complexity of ECS.
Internet‐delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety in breast cancer survivors: Results from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Akkol‐Solakoglu Selin , Hevey David
Published: January 2023

Objective

Depression and anxiety symptoms are common among breast cancer survivors. Access to evidence‐based psychological therapy remains a major challenge. Despite the proven effectiveness of internet‐delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) in reducing depression and anxiety, the research with cancer survivors is still limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an iCBT intervention on depression and anxiety, quality of life, fear of recurrence, active and avoidant coping, and perceived social support in breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Seventy‐two participants were randomised to a 7‐module guided iCBT intervention or treatment‐as‐usual (TAU). Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale total score (HADS‐T). The secondary measures included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC‐QLQ), Breast Cancer Worry Scale (CWC), Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Encountered (Brief COPE), Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS‐SSS). All were completed at baseline, post‐intervention, and 2‐month follow‐up. Groups were compared using linear mixed models.

Results

Although non‐significant, iCBT group had lower HADS‐T scores than TAU at post‐intervention. This difference was statistically significant at 2‐month follow‐up (Hedge's g = −0.94). No significant group‐by‐time interaction effects were found for quality of life, fear of recurrence, active coping, avoidant coping, and perceived social support. The intervention adherence was acceptable; 52.8% (n = 28) completed all seven modules.

Conclusions

iCBT intervention demonstrated its preliminary effectiveness in reducing distress in breast cancer survivors.
Exploring the structural and dynamic differences between human carnosinase I (CN1) and II (CN2)
Authors: Tancharoen Chompoonuch , Tovivek Borvornwat , Niramitranon Jitti , Kityakarn Sutasinee , Luksirikul Patraporn , Gorinstein Shela , Pongprayoon Prapasiri
Published: January 2023

Human carnosinases (CNs) are dimeric dipeptidases in the metallopeptidase M20 family. Two isoforms of carnosinases (Zn2+‐containing carnosinase 1 (CN1) found in serum and Mn2+‐carnosinase 2 (CN2) in tissue) were identified. Both CNs cleave histidine‐containing (Xaa‐His) dipeptides such as carnosine where CN2 was found to accept a broader spectrum of substrates. A loss of CN function, resulting in a high carnosine concentration, reduces risk for diabetes and neurological disorders. Although several studies on CN activities and its Michaelis complex were conducted, all shed the light on CN1 activity where the CN2 data is limited. Also, the molecular details on CN1 and CN2 similarity and dissimilarity in structure and function remain unclear. Thus, in this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to study structure and dynamics of human CN1 and CN2 in comparison. The results show that the different catalytic ability of both CNs is due to their pocket size and environment. CN2 can accept a wider range of substrate due to the wider mouth of a binding pocket. The L1 loop seems to play a role in gating activity. Comparing to CN2, CN1 provides more electronegative entrance, more wettability, and higher stability of catalytic metal ion‐pair in the active site which allow more efficient water‐mediated catalysis. The microscopic understanding obtained here can serve as a basis for CN inhibition strategies resulting in higher carnosine levels and consequently mitigating complications associated with diseases such as diabetes and neurological disorder.
The Emergence of the Noninteracting Channel in the Strongly Interacting 1D System
Authors: Yurkevich Igor Valery , Kagalovsky Victor
Published: January 2023

A strongly interacting 1D system with many channels is studied. When single‐electron interchannel backscattering processes become relevant, new fields are defined. Some fields are frozen (gapped) by these relevant perturbations, whereas others remain free. A mathematical procedure to separate gapped and conducting channels is proposed. The problem for a two‐channel system with particular relevant perturbation is then solved exactly for arbitrary intra‐ and interchannel interactions, and effective Luttinger parameter and velocity for the free field are found. The parameters of the free field are independent of the interactions between right‐ and left‐moving electrons in the same channel and between electrons moving in the same direction in different channels. Finally, if the interchannel interactions are weak, the free field becomes noninteracting (effective Luttinger parameter ) independently of how strong intrachannel interactions are.
Severe unilateral nephrolithiasis and recurrent colic in a horse
Authors: Barrantes Murillo Daniel Felipe , Ramaker Erica , Burke Megan , Walker Ryan , Negrão Watanabe Tatiane Terumi
Published: January 2023

Urolithiasis is an uncommon disorder reported in horses. Calculi located in the kidneys and ureters are often underdiagnosed. Associated clinical signs include weight loss, anorexia, haematuria, dysuria, colic and polyuria/polydipsia. A 26‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding was referred for evaluation of an acute colic episode of 5‐hour duration. Haematologic analysis revealed increased serum creatine kinase and creatinine concentrations. Abdominocentesis yielded serosanguineous, mildly cloudy fluid with a lactate of 9.6 mmol/L (<2 mmol/L). Exploratory laparotomy was recommended. Surgical intervention was declined, and the horse was humanely euthanased. Limited postmortem evaluation was performed. A 3.633 kg nephrolith measuring 23.6 × 16.2 × 8.9 cm was completely effacing the left kidney. Crystallography and infrared spectroscopy (attenuated total reflection and Fourier transform infrared) revealed a 100% calcium carbonate nephrolith. Carbonate calcium calculi are the most common subtype in horses. Nephrolithiasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for colic and haematologic evidence of azotaemia in horses.
Simultane Entfernung von organischen Spurenstoffen und Phosphor aus kommunalem Abwasser unter Einsatz einer Adsorptions‑/Fällmittelsuspension
Authors: Reif Daniela , Weisz Liad , Kobsik Kara , Schaar Heidemarie , Saracevic Ernis , Krampe Jörg , Kreuzinger Norbert
Published: January 2023

In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Wirksamkeit einer Adsorptions‑/Fällmittel-Prototypsuspension der Firma Donau Chemie AG zur simultanen Entfernung von Spurenstoffen und Phosphor aus kommunalem Abwasser untersucht. Die Suspension enthält Polyaluminiumchlorid zur Fällung von gelöstem Orthophosphat, Pulveraktivkohle (PAK) zur Adsorption von organischen Spurenstoffen sowie anorganische Stabilisatoren, die die Suspension der PAK unterstützen. Vergleichende Laborversuche mit herkömmlicher PAK und der Prototypsuspension mit einem PAK-Gehalt von 16,5 % wurden mittels zweier unabhängiger Methoden (Spurenstoffanalytik und In-vitro-Bioassays) bewertet. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Suspension zu einer Verbesserung der Oberflächeneigenschaften der Aktivkohle führt und somit eine höhere Anzahl von bekannten und unbekannten Substanzen adsorbiert werden kann. Die Anwendbarkeit der Suspension wurde in drei verschiedenen Abwässern untersucht und ist vor allem vom Verhältnis zwischen gelöstem organischem Kohlenstoff (dissolved organic carbon – DOC) und Gesamtphosphor im Zulauf abhängig. Bei höheren DOC-Konzentrationen ist ein höherer Anteil an PAK in der Suspension notwendig, um eine massive Überdosierung des Fällmittels zu verhindern. Während des großtechnischen Versuchs, der auf einer kommunalen Kläranlage durchgeführt wurde, kam es zu einem Anstieg der prozentuellen Entfernung um mehr als 90 % für Carbamazepin, mehr als 50 % für Diclofenac und Metoprolol und um etwa 30 % für Benzotriazol. Bei einer konstanten Dosiermenge von 90 L d−1 wurde die auf Basis der Labortests erwartete Spurenstoffentfernung von mehr als 75 % für alle Stoffe erreicht. Der Prototyp zeigte sich als einfacher zu lagern und zu dosieren als herkömmliche PAK. Weiters kann die vorhandene Infrastruktur für die chemische Phosphorfällung für die organische Spurenstoffentfernung mitgenutzt werden.
Testing the environmental buffering hypothesis of cooperative breeding in the Seychelles warbler
Authors: Borger Mirjam J. , Richardson David S. , Dugdale Hannah , Burke Terry , Komdeur Jan
Published: January 2023

Species are facing environmental challenges caused by rapidly changing environments. Globally, extreme weather events, like droughts or extreme rainfall, are increasing in frequency. Natural selection usually acts slowly, while adaptations through phenotypic plasticity are limited. Therefore, organisms may utilise other mechanisms to cope with such rapid change. Cooperative breeding is hypothesised to be one such mechanism, as helpers could increase survival probabilities of offspring, especially in harsh years. Rainfall is a cue for onset of breeding in many tropical species, to ensure young are born when food abundance is highest. Using 21 years of data, we investigate the effect of rainfall on social behaviour and life history in the insectivorous Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis), a facultative cooperative breeder. We found that low rainfall is associated with reduced reproductive output and possibly with decreased survival. However, there were no statistical differences in response between groups with helpers, groups with only non-helping subordinates, and breeding pairs without subordinates. With low rainfall, more sons (the sex less likely to help) were produced, and those subordinate males already present were less likely to help. Thus, in contrast to expectations, cooperative breeding does not seem to buffer against harsh environments in Seychelles warblers, indicating that group living may be costly and thus not a mechanism for coping with changing environments. Our study showed that the interaction between the environment and life histories, including social behaviour, is complex, but that this interaction is important to consider when studying the impact of changing environments on species survival.
Prevention of occupational dysphonia in scientific university personnel: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Lücking Christiane
Published: January 2023

Aim

The aim of the study was to identify occupational and individual factors that influence the occurrence of voice problems in university staff and to investigate whether there is a link between voice problems and physical, psychological or functional changes?

Subject and methods

The voices of university teachers are exposed to increased stress. As members of the group of professional speakers, they have an increased prevalence of developing a voice disorder, so-called dysphonia. In the worst case, chronic, occupational dysphonia can occur. In an empirical-quantitative study in form of a cross-sectional study in Germany, an online questionnaire was used to determine whether university teaching staff is more frequently affected by voice problems than their colleagues in the administrative sector.

Results

The results show that dry room climate, background noise, poor spatial acoustics, lack of breaks, and increasing age influence the occurrence of voice problems in university teachers. Teaching staff is therefore more frequently affected by impaired vocal function due to frequent throat clearing/coughing and a raspy, hoarse and scratchy voice than their administrative colleagues. In addition, there is a need for regular training and counselling.

Conclusion

In order to prevent the development of occupational dysphonia among university teachers, diagnostic, practical and theoretical interventions for the target group are needed. To this end, the appropriate structural and personnel conditions must be created in the university environment.
Population Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Adverse Events of Osimertinib and its Two Active Metabolites, AZ5104 and AZ7550, in Japanese Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Ishikawa Emi , Yokoyama Yuta , Chishima Haruna , Kasai Hidefumi , Kuniyoshi Ouki , Kimura Motonori , Hakamata Jun , Nakada Hideo , Suehiro Naoya , Nakaya Naoki , Nakajima Hideo , Ikemura Shinnosuke , Kawada Ichiro , Yasuda Hiroyuki , Terai Hideki , Jibiki Aya , Kawazoe Hitoshi , Soejima Kenzo , Muramatsu Hiroshi , Suzuki Sayo , Nakamura Tomonori
Published: January 2023

Background: Potential novel strategies for adverse event (AE) management of osimertinib therapy, including therapeutic drug monitoring and the use of biomarkers, have not yet been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the relationship between exposure to osimertinib, especially its active metabolites (AZ5104 and AZ7550), and AEs, and (2) the relationship between germline polymorphisms and AEs. Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal observational study of 53 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving osimertinib therapy from February 2019 to April 2022. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to estimate the area under the serum concentration–time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0–24) of osimertinib and its metabolites. Germline polymorphisms were analyzed using TaqMan® SNP genotyping and CycleavePCR® assays. Results: There was a significant association between the AUC0–24 of AZ7550 and grade ≥ 2 paronychia (p = 0.043) or anorexia (p = 0.011) and between that of osimertinib or AZ5104 and grade ≥ 2 diarrhea (p = 0.026 and p = 0.049, respectively). Furthermore, the AUC0–24 of AZ5104 was significantly associated with any grade ≥ 2 AEs (p = 0.046). EGFR rs2293348 and rs4947492 were associated with severe AEs (p = 0.019 and p = 0.050, respectively), and ABCG2 rs2231137 and ABCB1 rs1128503 were associated with grade ≥ 2 AEs (p = 0.008 and p = 0.038, respectively). Conclusion: Higher exposures to osimertinib, AZ5104, and AZ7550 and polymorphisms in EGFR, ABCG2, and ABCB1 were related to higher severity of AEs; therefore, monitoring these may be beneficial for osimertinib AE management.
Chemical expansion of CeO2−δ and Ce0.8Zr0.2O2−δ thin films determined by laser Doppler vibrometry at high temperatures and different oxygen partial pressures
Authors: Kohlmann Dhyan , Wulfmeier Hendrik , Schewe Marvin , Kogut Iurii , Steiner Carsten , Moos Ralf , Rembe Christian , Fritze Holger
Published: January 2023

The chemical expansion of ceria (CeO2−δ) and ceria-zirconia (Ce0.8Zr0.2O2−δ, CZO80) thin films is investigated by high-temperature laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) at temperatures from 600 to 950 °C. The films are deposited on single-crystalline 8 mol-% yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates, which act as pumping cells to adjust oxygen non-stoichiometry in the thin films. Oxygen deficiency causes film expansion, leading to mechanical strain that bends the sample. The total displacement, i.e., the sum of bending and film-thickness change, is determined contact-less by LDV. A differential laser Doppler vibrometer (D-LDV) is realized to enable measurements on a very long time scale, which is necessary due to the long equilibrium times of the ceramic films. These displacements are compared to those acquired with a commercial single-point laser Doppler vibrometer (SP-LDV) for motions above 1 Hz. Here, both devices yield similar results. CZO80 films are found to bend a substrate much more than ceria films under similar experimental conditions. A model describing the displacement of the sample is derived from the Stoney model and applied to calculate deflections using literature data. The displacements at the center of the CZO80 sample measured with the SP-LDV increase from 0.18 nm at 10 Hz and 600 °C to 32.7 nm at 0.1 Hz and 800 °C. For ceria, the displacements range from 1.6 nm (10 Hz, 800 °C) to 79.4 nm (0.1 Hz, 900 °C). The D-LDV enables the detection of quasi-static displacements at very low frequencies. The ceria sample exhibits 218 nm at 0.001 Hz and 800 °C.
Mandible segmentation from CT data for virtual surgical planning using an augmented two-stepped convolutional neural network
Authors: Pankert Tobias , Lee Hyun , Peters Florian , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali , Raith Stefan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

For computer-aided planning of facial bony surgery, the creation of high-resolution 3D-models of the bones by segmenting volume imaging data is a labor-intensive step, especially as metal dental inlays or implants cause severe artifacts that reduce the quality of the computer-tomographic imaging data. This study provides a method to segment accurate, artifact-free 3D surface models of mandibles from CT data using convolutional neural networks.

Methods

The presented approach cascades two independently trained 3D-U-Nets to perform accurate segmentations of the mandible bone from full resolution CT images. The networks are trained in different settings using three different loss functions and a data augmentation pipeline. Training and evaluation datasets consist of manually segmented CT images from 307 dentate and edentulous individuals, partly with heavy imaging artifacts. The accuracy of the models is measured using overlap-based, surface-based and anatomical-curvature-based metrics.

Results

Our approach produces high-resolution segmentations of the mandibles, coping with severe imaging artifacts in the CT imaging data. The use of the two-stepped approach yields highly significant improvements to the prediction accuracies. The best models achieve a Dice coefficient of 94.824% and an average surface distance of 0.31 mm on our test dataset.

Conclusion

The use of two cascaded U-Net allows high-resolution predictions for small regions of interest in the imaging data. The proposed method is fast and allows a user-independent image segmentation, producing objective and repeatable results that can be used in automated surgical planning procedures.
Positive Ethnic Choice Effects are Persistent Over Time but not Across Minority Generations: Evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Nennstiel Richard
Published: January 2023

Many empirical studies have demonstrated positive ethnic choice effects at the transition to upper secondary education. This means that ethnic minority students—given the same academic performance, parental resources and type of school at lower secondary level—aspire to more demanding educational programs than ethnic majority students. Previous research has often examined only single cohorts of school-leavers and has rarely considered differences between ethnic minority generations. Therefore, little is known about the extent to which these positive ethnic choice effects vary over time and across minority generations. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap using large-scale survey data from Switzerland (2000–2016; N = 100,495). Using multilevel analyses, I am able to show that positive ethnic choice effects are persistent over time in Switzerland. Furthermore, it becomes clear that positive ethnic choice effects vary across ethnic minority generations, with these effects decreasing with each succeeding minority generation. Ethnic minority students with one parent born in Switzerland hardly differ from ethnic majority students in their educational decisions.
Spectral variational multi-scale method for parabolic problems: application to 1D transient advection-diffusion equations
Authors: Rebollo Tomás Chacón , Fernández-García Soledad , Moreno-Lopez David , Muñoz Isabel Sánchez
Published: January 2023

In this work, we introduce a variational multi-scale (VMS) method for the numerical approximation of parabolic problems, where sub-grid scales are approximated from the eigenpairs of associated elliptic operator. The abstract method is particularized to the one-dimensional advection-diffusion equations, for which the sub-grid components are exactly calculated in terms of a spectral expansion when the advection velocity is approximated by piecewise constant velocities on the grid elements.We prove error estimates that in particular imply that when Lagrange finite element discretisations in space are used, the spectral VMS method coincides with the exact solution of the implicit Euler semi-discretisation of the advection-diffusion problem at the Lagrange interpolation nodes. We also build a feasible method to solve the evolutive advection-diffusion problems by means of an offline/online strategy with reduced computational complexity.We perform some numerical tests in good agreement with the theoretical expectations, that show an improved accuracy with respect to several stabilised methods.