bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unilateral synchronous papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity and clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a case report with KRAS and PIK3CA mutations
Authors: Lee Hyun Jung , Shin Dong Hoon , Park Joon Young , Kim So Young , Hwang Chung Su , Lee Jung Hee , Kim Jee Yeon , Sol Mee Young , Nam Jong Kil
Published: October 2020

Background

The presence of histologically different neoplasms in the same organ is rare in pathologic practice. We report the first case of synchronous clear cell renal cell carcinoma (clear cell RCC) and papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity (PRNRP) with comprehensive immunohistochemical and molecular characterization using next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Case presentation

A 61-year-old man was incidentally found to have a left renal mass on imaging studies performed for workup of left back pain and urine color change for 1 week. A laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy was performed. Gross examination showed lobulated masses measuring 5.6 × 4.0 × 3.3 cm in the upper to mid pole and 1.1 × 1.0 × 1.0 cm in the lower pole. Microscopic findings revealed these to be two different separate masses of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity. NGS analyses revealedKRASgene mutation (c.35G > T/p.G12V in exon 2) in the papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity, withPIK3CAgene mutation restricted to the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (c.1624G > A/p.E542K in exon 10).

Conclusions

We report here an extraordinarily rare case of synchronous renal tumors of papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity and clear cell renal cell carcinoma. We identified simultaneousKRASandPIK3CAmutations in two different renal masses in the same kidney for the first time. New pathologic assessment with comparative molecular analysis of mutational profiles may be helpful for tumor studies.
Feasibility study: spot-scanning proton arc therapy (SPArc) for left-sided whole breast radiotherapy
Authors: Chang Sheng , Liu Gang , Zhao Lewei , Dilworth Joshua T. , Zheng Weili , Jawad Saada , Yan Di , Chen Peter , Stevens Craig , Kabolizadeh Peyman , Li Xiaoqiang , Ding Xuanfeng
Published: October 2020

Background

This study investigated the feasibility and potential clinical benefit of utilizing a new proton treatment technique: Spot-scanning proton arc (SPArc) therapy for left-sided whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) to further reduce radiation dose to healthy tissue and mitigate the probability of normal tissue complications compared to conventional intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

Methods

Eight patients diagnosed with left-sided breast cancer and treated with breast-preserving surgery followed by whole breast irradiation without regional nodal irradiation were included in this retrospective planning. Two proton treatment plans were generated for each patient: vertical intensity-modulated proton therapy used for clinical treatment (vIMPT, gantry angle 10°–30°) and SPArc for comparison purpose. Both SPArc and vIMPT plans were optimized using the robust optimization of ± 3.5% range and 5 mm setup uncertainties. Root-mean-square deviation dose (RMSD) volume histograms were used for plan robustness evaluation. All dosimetric results were evaluated based on dose-volume histograms (DVH), and the interplay effect was evaluated based on the accumulation of single-fraction 4D dynamic dose on CT50. The treatment beam delivery time was simulated based on a gantry rotation with energy-layer-switching-time (ELST) from 0.2 to 5 s.

Results

The average D1 to the heart and LAD were reduced to 53.63 cGy and 82.25 cGy compared with vIMPT 110.38 cGy (p = 0.001) and 170.38 cGy (p = 0.001), respectively. The average V5Gy and V20Gy of ipsilateral lung was reduced to 16.77% and 3.07% compared to vIMPT 25.56% (p = 0.001) and 4.68% (p = 0.003). Skin3mm mean and maximum dose were reduced to 3999.38 cGy and 4395.63 cGy compared to vIMPT 4104.25 cGy (p = 0.039) and 4411.63 cGy (p = 0.043), respectively. A significant relative risk reduction (RNTCP = NTCPSPArc/NTCPvIMPT) for organs at risk (OARs) was obtained with SPArc ranging from 0.61 to 0.86 depending on the clinical endpoint. The RMSD volume histogram (RVH) analysis shows SPArc provided better plan robustness in OARs sparing, including the heart, LAD, ipsilateral lung, and skin. The average estimated treatment beam delivery times were comparable to vIMPT plans when the ELST is about 0.5 s.

Conclusion

SPArc technique can further reduce dose delivered to OARs and the probability of normal tissue complications in patients treated for left-sided WBRT.
Overexpression of Slit2 decreases neuronal excitotoxicity, accelerates glymphatic clearance, and improves cognition in a multiple microinfarcts model
Authors: He Xiao-fei , Li Ge , Li Li-li , Li Ming-yue , Liang Feng-yin , Chen Xi , Hu Xi-quan
Published: October 2020

Background

Cerebral microinfarcts (MIs) lead to progressive cognitive impairments in the elderly, and there is currently no effective preventative strategy due to uncertainty about the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. One possibility is the dysfunction of GABAergic transmission and ensuing excitotoxicity. Dysfunction of GABAergic transmission induces excitotoxicity, which contributes to stroke pathology, but the mechanism has kept unknown. The secreted leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family protein slit homologue 2 (Slit2) upregulates GABAergic activity and protects against global cerebral ischemia, but the neuroprotective efficacy of Slit2 against MIs has not been examined.

Methods

Middle-aged Wild type (WT) and Slit2-Tg mice were divided into sham and MI treatment groups. MIs were induced in parietal cortex by laser-evoked arteriole occlusion. Spatial memory was then compared between sham and MI groups using the Morris water maze (MWM) task. In addition, neuronal activity, blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and glymphatic clearance in peri-infarct areas were compared using two-photon imaging, while GABAergic transmission, microglial activation, neuronal loss, and altered cortical connectivity were compared by immunofluorescent staining or western blotting.

Results

Microinfarcts increased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ signals, reduced neuronal survival and connectivity within parietal cortex, decreased the number of GABAergic interneurons and expression of vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), induced neuroinflammation, and impaired both glymphatic clearance and spatial memory. Alternatively, Slit2 overexpression attenuated dysfunctional neuronal Ca2+ signaling, protected against neuronal death in the peri-infarct area as well as loss of parietal cortex connectivity, increased GABAergic interneuron number and VGAT expression, attenuated neuroinflammation, and improved both glymphatic clearance and spatial memory.

Conclusion

Our results strongly suggest that overexpression of Slit2 protected against the dysfunction in MIs, which is a potential therapeutic target for cognition impairment in the elderly.
Oral mucositis: the hidden side of cancer therapy
Authors: Pulito Claudio , Cristaudo Antonio , Porta Caterina La , Zapperi Stefano , Blandino Giovanni , Morrone Aldo , Strano Sabrina
Published: October 2020

Inflammation response of epithelial mucosa to chemo- radiotherapy cytotoxic effects leads to mucositis, a painful side effect of antineoplastic treatments. About 40% of the patients treated with chemotherapy develop mucositis; this percentage rises to about 90% for head and neck cancer patients (HNC) treated with both chemo- and radiotherapy. 19% of the latter will be hospitalized and will experience a delay in antineoplastic treatment for high-grade mucositis management, resulting in a reduction of the quality of life, a worse prognosis and an increase in patient management costs. Currently, several interventions and prevention guidelines are available, but their effectiveness is uncertain. This review comprehensively describes mucositis, debating the impact of standard chemo-radiotherapy and targeted therapy on mucositis development and pointing out the limits and the benefits of current mucositis treatment strategies and assessment guidelines. Moreover, the review critically examines the feasibility of the existing biomarkers to predict patient risk of developing oral mucositis and their role in early diagnosis. Despite the expression levels of some proteins involved in the inflammation response, such as TNF-α or IL-1β, partially correlate with mucositis process, their presence does not exclude others mucositis-independent inflammation events. This strongly suggests the need to discover biomarkers that specifically feature mucositis process development. Non-coding RNAs might hold this potential.
Correction to: Task sharing for the care of severe mental disorders in a low-income country (TaSCS): study protocol for a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial
Authors: Hanlon Charlotte , Alem Atalay , Medhin Girmay , Shibre Teshome , Ejigu Dawit A. , Negussie Hanna , Dewey Michael , Wissow Lawrence , Prince Martin , Susser Ezra , Lund Crick , Fekadu Abebaw
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Comparison of the effect of argon, hydrogen, and nitrogen gases on the reduced graphene oxide-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites characteristics
Authors: Nosrati Hassan , Sarraf-Mamoory Rasoul , Karimi Behnagh Arman , Zolfaghari Emameh Reza , Aidun Amir , Le Dang Quang Svend , Canillas Perez Maria , Bünger Cody Eric
Published: October 2020

In this study, the effect of the argon, nitrogen, and hydrogen gases on the final properties of the reduced graphene oxide- hydroxyapatite nanocomposites synthesized by gas injected hydrothermal method was investigated. Four samples were synthesized, which in the first sample the pressure was controlled by volume change at a constant concentration. In subsequent samples, the pressure inside the autoclave was adjusted by the injecting gases. The initial pressure of the injected gases was 10 bar and the final pressure considered was 25 bar. The synthesized powders were consolidated at 950 °C and 2 MPa by spark plasma sintering method. The final samples were subjected to Vickers indentation analysis. The findings of this study indicate that the injection of argon, hydrogen, and nitrogen gases improved the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Injection of gases increased the crystallinity and particle size of hydroxyapatite, and this increase was greater for nitrogen gas than for others. Injection of these gases increased the rate of graphene oxide reduction and in this case the effect of nitrogen gas was greater than the others.
Heterologous microsatellite primers are informative for paca (Cuniculus paca), a large rodent with economic and ecological importance
Authors: Gallardo Franco F. Roldán , DeMatteo Karen E. , Rinas Miguel A. , Argüelles Carina F.
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study was designed to facilitate genetic studies that would allow information on population structure and genetic diversity of natural or captive stocks of paca (Cuniculus paca), a species of ecological and socioeconomic importance, by testing cross-amplification of 20 heterologous microsatellite primer pairs developed for guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).

Results

Those primers that showed the best amplification profile in blood samples were subsequently applied to scats and saliva samples, to evaluate their efficiency. Of the 13 microsatellite pairs that amplified in blood, one-third (32%) were successfully amplified in saliva and scat samples. This initial work demonstrates successful cross-amplification in paca providing a solid and promising foundation for future genetic studies with this species. The ability to quantify genetic diversity using noninvasive samples from free-ranging paca is essential to developing applied management strategies for this large neotropical rodent that is not only a prey favored by wide-ranging carnivores [e.g., jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor)], but is also a species targeted by illegal hunting and wildlife trade.
A spatio-temporal geodatabase of mortalities due to respiratory tract diseases in Tehran, Iran between 2008 and 2018: a data note
Authors: Pishgar Elahe , Mohammadi Alireza , Bagheri Nasser , Kiani Behzad
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Respiratory tract diseases (RTDs) are among the top five leading causes of death worldwide. Mortality rates due to respiratory tract diseases (MRRTDs) follow a spatial pattern and this may suggest a potential link between environmental risk factors and MRRTDs. Spatial analysis of RTDs mortality data in an urban setting can provide new knowledge on spatial variation of potential risk factors for RTDs. This will enable health professionals and urban planners to design tailored interventions. We aim to release the datasets of MRRTDs in the city of Tehran, Iran, between 2008 and 2018.

Data description

The Research data include four datasets; (a) mortality dataset which includes records of deaths and their attributes (age, gender, date of death and district name where death occurred), (b) population data for 22 districts (age groups with 5 years interval and gender by each district). Furthermore, two spatial datasets about the city are introduced; (c) the digital boundaries of districts and (d) urban suburbs of Tehran.
Quantitative detection and staging of presymptomatic cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer’s disease: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: O’Connor Antoinette , Weston Philip S. J. , Pavisic Ivanna M. , Ryan Natalie S. , Collins Jessica D. , Lu Kirsty , Crutch Sebastian J. , Alexander Daniel C. , Fox Nick C. , Oxtoby Neil P.
Published: October 2020

Background

Understanding the earliest manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is key to realising disease-modifying treatments. Advances in neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers have improved our ability to identify AD pathology in vivo. The critical next step is improved detection and staging of early cognitive change. We studied an asymptomatic familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) cohort to characterise preclinical cognitive change.

Methods

Data included 35 asymptomatic participants at 50% risk of carrying a pathogenic FAD mutation. Participants completed a multi-domain neuropsychology battery. After accounting for sex, age and education, we used event-based modelling to estimate the sequence of cognitive decline in presymptomatic FAD, and uncertainty in the sequence. We assigned individuals to their most likely model stage of cumulative cognitive decline, given their data. Linear regression of estimated years to symptom onset against model stage was used to estimate the timing of preclinical cognitive decline.

Results

Cognitive change in mutation carriers was first detected in measures of accelerated long-term forgetting, up to 10 years before estimated symptom onset. Measures of subjective cognitive decline also revealed early abnormalities. Our data-driven model demonstrated subtle cognitive impairment across multiple cognitive domains in clinically normal individuals on the AD continuum.

Conclusions

Data-driven modelling of neuropsychological test scores has potential to differentiate cognitive decline from cognitive stability and to estimate a fine-grained sequence of decline across cognitive domains and functions, in the preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s disease. This can improve the design of future presymptomatic trials by informing enrichment strategies and guiding the selection of outcome measures.
Allergy to Peanuts imPacting Emotions And Life (APPEAL): the impact of peanut allergy on children, adolescents, adults and caregivers in France
Authors: Couratier Pascale , Montagne Romain , Acaster Sarah , Gallop Katy , Patel Ram , Vereda Andrea , Pouessel Guillaume
Published: October 2020

Background

Peanut allergy (PA) has increased in developed countries and can have a dramatic effect on quality of life but data surrounding this is limited in France. Allergy to Peanuts imPacting Emotions And Life study (APPEAL) investigated the experience and impact of living with PA in France.

Methods

Respondents affected by PA directly (children aged 8–12 years, teenagers aged 13–17 years, or adults aged ≥ 18 years) or indirectly (caregiver) completed either an online questionnaire (APPEAL-1, N = 198), or provided in-depth interviews (APPEAL-2, N = 32). Quantitative data was evaluated using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analysed thematically, using MAXQDA software.

Results

Of 198 responders in APPEAL-1, 88% stated that PA affects their daily activities, and 74% felt isolated as a result of living with PA. Feelings of worry about exposure to peanuts on social occasions where food is involved was reported by 91%. A total of 44% reported some restrictions in their job options, 85% in socializing. Psychological impact of PA included responders feeling emotions of frustration (89%), uncertainty (87%), and stress (93%) and 93% reporting encountering instances of feeling different due to their PA. Main factors that drove PA impact included social activities and relationships; whereas main coping strategies to avoid peanuts included monitoring, communication and planning.

Conclusion

The analysis of French respondents from the APPEAL study demonstrates the impact and burden of PA on allergic children, teenagers, adults and their caregivers, and highlights the unmet need to be addressed.
Sports-related lower limb muscle injuries: pattern recognition approach and MRI review
Authors: Isern-Kebschull Jaime , Mechó Sandra , Pruna Ricard , Kassarjian Ara , Valle Xavier , Yanguas Xavier , Alomar Xavier , Martinez Javier , Pomés Jaume , Rodas Gil
Published: October 2020

Muscle injuries of the lower limbs are currently the most common sport-related injuries, the impact of which is particularly significant in elite athletes. MRI is the imaging modality of choice in assessing acute muscle injuries and radiologists play a key role in the current scenario of multidisciplinary health care teams involved in the care of elite athletes with muscle injuries. Despite the frequency and clinical relevance of muscle injuries, there is still a lack of uniformity in the description, diagnosis, and classification of lesions. The characteristics of the connective tissues (distribution and thickness) differ among muscles, being of high variability in the lower limb. This variability is of great clinical importance in determining the prognosis of muscle injuries. Recently, three classification systems, the Munich consensus statement, the British Athletics Muscle Injury classification, and the FC Barcelona-Aspetar-Duke classification, have been proposed to assess the severity of muscle injuries. A protocolized approach to the evaluation of MRI findings is essential to accurately assess the severity of acute lesions and to evaluate the progression of reparative changes. Certain MRI findings which are seen during recovery may suggest muscle overload or adaptative changes and appear to be clinically useful for sport physicians and physiotherapists.
Epigenetic silencing of KLF2 by long non-coding RNA SNHG1 inhibits periodontal ligament stem cell osteogenesis differentiation
Authors: Li Zhaobao , Guo Xiangjun , Wu Shuainan
Published: October 2020

Background

Exploring the effects of lncRNA SNHG1 in the process of osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) would provide novel therapeutic strategies for tissue regeneration.

Methods

Loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays were induced by lentivirus. The osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs were assessed by ALP staining and Alizarin Red staining as well as the mRNA and protein levels of osteogenic marker genes osterix, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase through qRT-PCR and western blot. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to uncover the interaction between SNHG1 and EZH2.

Results

Our analysis revealed that SNHG1 was downregulated and KLF2 was upregulated during the osteogenic induction differentiation of PDLSCs. SNHG1 inhibited while KLF2 promoted osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. SNHG1 directly interact with the histone methyltransferase enhancer of the zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and modulate the histone methylation of promoter of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) and altered the progress osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs.

Conclusions

Taken together, SNHG1 inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs through EZH2-mediated H3K27me3 methylation of KLF2 promotor and provided a novel class of therapeutic targets for regenerate dental tissues.
A blackbox yield estimation workflow with Gaussian process regression applied to the design of electromagnetic devices
Authors: Fuhrländer Mona , Schöps Sebastian
Published: October 2020

In this paper an efficient and reliable method for stochastic yield estimation is presented. Since one main challenge of uncertainty quantification is the computational feasibility, we propose a hybrid approach where most of the Monte Carlo sample points are evaluated with a surrogate model, and only a few sample points are reevaluated with the original high fidelity model. Gaussian process regression is a non-intrusive method which is used to build the surrogate model. Without many prerequisites, this gives us not only an approximation of the function value, but also an error indicator that we can use to decide whether a sample point should be reevaluated or not. For two benchmark problems, a dielectrical waveguide and a lowpass filter, the proposed methods outperform classic approaches.
Correlations between baseline 18F-FDG PET tumour parameters and circulating DNA in diffuse large B cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Decazes Pierre , Camus Vincent , Bohers Elodie , Viailly Pierre-Julien , Tilly Hervé , Ruminy Philippe , Viennot Mathieu , Hapdey Sébastien , Gardin Isabelle , Becker Stéphanie , Vera Pierre , Jardin Fabrice
Published: October 2020

Background

18F-FDG PET/CT is a standard for many B cell malignancies, while blood DNA measurements are emerging tools. Our objective was to evaluate the correlations between baseline PET parameters and circulating DNA in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).

Methods

Twenty-seven DLBCL and forty-eight cHL were prospectively included. Twelve PET parameters were analysed. Spearman’s correlations were used to compare PET parameters each other and to circulating cell-free DNA ([cfDNA]) and circulating tumour DNA ([ctDNA]). p values were controlled by Benjamini–Hochberg correction.

Results

Among the PET parameters, three different clusters for tumour burden, fragmentation/massiveness and dispersion parameters were observed. Some PET parameters were significantly correlated with blood DNA parameters, including the total metabolic tumour surface (TMTS) describing the tumour–host interface (e.g. ρ = 0.81 p < 0.001 for [ctDNA] of DLBLC), the tumour median distance between the periphery and the centroid (medPCD) describing the tumour’s massiveness (e.g. ρ = 0.81 p < 0.001 for [ctDNA] of DLBLC) and the volume of the bounding box including tumours (TumBB) describing the disease’s dispersion (e.g. ρ = 0.83 p < 0.001 for [ctDNA] of DLBLC).

Conclusions

Some PET parameters describing tumour burden, fragmentation/massiveness and dispersion are significantly correlated with circulating DNA parameters of DLBCL and cHL patients. These results could help to understand the pathophysiology of B cell malignancies.
Application of new quintic polynomial B-spline approximation for numerical investigation of Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Kashif , Abbas Muhammad , Nazir Tahir , Ali Nouman
Published: October 2020

A spline is a piecewise defined special function that is usually comprised of polynomials of a certain degree. These polynomials are supposed to generate a smooth curve by connecting at given data points. In this work, an application of fifth degree basis spline functions is presented for a numerical investigation of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation. The finite forward difference formula is used for temporal integration, whereas the basis splines, together with a new approximation for fourth order spatial derivative, are brought into play for discretization in space direction. In order to corroborate the presented numerical algorithm, some test problems are considered and the computational results are compared with existing methods.
Solvability of a class of hyperbolic-cosine-type difference equations
Authors: Stević Stevo , Iričanin Bratislav , Kosmala Witold , Šmarda Zdeněk
Published: October 2020

We describe a method for constructing one of the basic classes of solvable hyperbolic-cosine-type difference equations, generalizing a known difference equation by Laplace in a natural way.
Does weight-for-height and mid upper-arm circumference diagnose the same children as wasted? An analysis using survey data from 2017 to 2019 in Mozambique
Authors: Zaba Tomás , Nyawo Mara , Álvarez Morán Jose Luis
Published: October 2020

Background

Three different diagnostic criteria are used to identify children aged 6 to 59 months with acute malnutrition: weight-for-height (WHZ), middle upper arm circumference (MUAC) and bilateral pitting oedema. Prevalence of malnutrition from surveys is among the most-used decision support data, however not all diagnostic criteria are used to calculate need, creating a mismatch between programme planning and implementation. With this paper, we investigate if such discrepancies are observed in Mozambique.

Methods

Population-based nutritional anthropometric surveys from 45 districts in Mozambique conducted by the Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition (SETSAN) and UNICEF between 2017 and 2019 were analysed. We used Cohen’s kappa coefficient to measure inter-rater agreement between WHZ and MUAC, Spearman’s rank-order coefficient to assess the correlation, binary logistic regression to investigate factors influencing WHZ and MUAC diagnostic classification. We compared acute malnutrition caseload estimates by WHZ, MUAC and oedema to caseloads from combined prevalence estimates.

Results

WHZ and MUAC rarely agree on their diagnostic classification (κ = 0.353, ρ < 0.001) and results did not vary by province. We found positive correlation between WHZ and MUAC (rho = 0.593, ρ < 0.0001). Binary logistic regression explained 3.1% of variation in WHZ and 12.3% in the MUAC model. Girls (AOR = 1.6, ρ < 0.0001), children < 24 months (AOR = 5.3, ρ < 0.0001) and stunted children (AOR = 3.5, ρ < 0.0001) influenced the MUAC classification. In the WHZ model, children < 24 months (AOR = 2.4, ρ < 0.0001) and stunted children (AOR = 1.7, ρ < 0.0001) influenced the classification, sex had no effect. Caseload calculations of global acute malnutrition by WHZ and/oedema-only and by MUAC and/oedema-only yielded less children than caseload calculations using the combined prevalence estimates. Similarly, caseload calculations for SAM by WHZ and/oedema-only and SAM by MUAC and/oedema-only yielded less children than the respective combined prevalence calculations.

Conclusions

Given the discrepancy in diagnostic classification between WHZ and MUAC in Mozambique, using either one alone for calculating burden underestimates the real number of children in need of treatment and negatively affects nutrition programme planning. We recommend that use of the combined prevalence estimates, based on the three diagnostic criteria of WHZ, MUAC and oedema, be officially adopted. Further analysis is needed to detail the programmatic impact of this change.
Lost in space - an exploration of help-seeking among young people with mental health problems: a constructivist grounded theory study
Authors: Westberg Katrin Häggström , Nygren Jens M. , Nyholm Maria , Carlsson Ing-Marie , Svedberg Petra
Published: October 2020

Background

Mental health problems among young people is a worldwide public health concern. There has been an increase in mental health problems among young people in the Nordic countries in the last 25 years, particularly in Sweden. Despite this increase, international research has repeatedly shown that young people do not access or receive support when encountering mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of help-seeking for professional support among young people with mental health problems.

Methods

The study used qualitative constructivist Grounded Theory and open-ended interviews. Thirteen young people between 15 and 23, recruited from two local support clinics, were interviewed.

Results

Lost in space emerged as the core category, capturing aspects of both the experience of self and mental health problems as well as the process of seeking and acquiring help from professional support systems. The study identified several prominent barriers for seeking and acquiring professional help for mental health problems. The young people expressed a lack of knowledge on mental health issues and support services and substantial efforts were made to try to cope with problems on one’s own. Lost in space involved Drifting - trying to make sense of own experiences and struggling to cope with problems, Navigating - searching for help through multiple attempts and contacts and Docking - finding support with something/somebody that feels right.

Conclusions

The theoretical model sheds light on how young people with mental health problems were met with fragmented support services. Society needs to provide encompassing, youth-friendly and flexible support services, so that attempts at help-seeking are not missed.
Accessibility of urban green infrastructure in Addis-Ababa city, Ethiopia: current status and future challenge
Authors: Azagew Sileshi , Worku Hailu
Published: October 2020

Many studies have been conducted on the challenges underpinning the depletion and inaccessibility of urban green infrastructures (UGI) in cities of developed countries. Contrary to this, similar studies in rapidly urbanizing cities of Africa are scant. In this study, we assessed the status, accessibility and constraints of UGI in rapidly urbanizing city Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We first mapped and calculated the status of UGI from 2003 to 2016 based on the land use data in Arch GIS. We then analyzed UGI access such as recreational parks based on proximate and per capita green indicators by using the land use maps, road network and gridded population data. Finally, we examined the challenges behind the current states of UGI based on document review, expert interview and field observation. Our study disclosed that the land use of UGI from 2003 to 2016 is decreased by 9.2%. The land use of urban agriculture decreased significantly (by 11.9%) followed by urban forest (by 3.7%). The accessibility indicators also revealed that the city residents have no sufficient recreational UGI. The city’s park per capita was very small (0.37 m2) compared to Ethiopian UGI standards (15 m2) and the large portion of the city’s population (above 90%) has no access to existing parks within the minimum walking distance thresholds. Expansion of built up environment, density, weak implementation of policies and plans, and lack of priority for UGI development were identified as the major constraints behind the current state of UGI in the city. We conclude that UGI is degrading and insufficiently accessible for the city residents due to weak enforcement of development plans, density, built up area expansion, and lack of priority for UGI. Thus, strict adherence to the development plans and regulations is of paramount importance to maintain UGI in the city. Moreover, developing small to median size parks in already proposed areas, new expansion and renewal parts of the city is vital to enhance recreational park access. We hope that this study serves as a benchmark for policy and planning to ensure accessible and adequate UGI in rapidly urbanizing city Addis Ababa and beyond.
Unsupervised identification of crime problems from police free-text data
Authors: Birks Daniel , Coleman Alex , Jackson David
Published: October 2020

We present a novel exploratory application of unsupervised machine-learning methods to identify clusters of specific crime problems from unstructured modus operandi free-text data within a single administrative crime classification. To illustrate our proposed approach, we analyse police recorded free-text narrative descriptions of residential burglaries occurring over a two-year period in a major metropolitan area of the UK. Results of our analyses demonstrate that topic modelling algorithms are capable of clustering substantively different burglary problems without prior knowledge of such groupings. Subsequently, we describe a prototype dashboard that allows replication of our analytical workflow and could be applied to support operational decision making in the identification of specific crime problems. This approach to grouping distinct types of offences within existing offence categories, we argue, has the potential to support crime analysts in proactively analysing large volumes of modus operandi free-text data—with the ultimate aims of developing a greater understanding of crime problems and supporting the design of tailored crime reduction interventions.
Seismic velocity structure at the southern termination of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake rupture, Japan
Authors: Aoyagi Yasuhira , Kimura Haruo , Mizoguchi Kazuo
Published: October 2020

The earthquake rupture termination mechanism and size of the ruptured area are crucial parameters for earthquake magnitude estimations and seismic hazard assessments. The 2016 Mw 7.0 Kumamoto Earthquake, central Kyushu, Japan, ruptured a 34-km-long area along previously recognized active faults, eastern part of the Futagawa fault zone and northernmost part of the Hinagu fault zone. Many researchers have suggested that a magma chamber under Aso Volcano terminated the eastward rupture. However, the termination mechanism of the southward rupture has remained unclear. Here, we conduct a local seismic tomographic inversion using a dense temporary seismic network to detail the seismic velocity structure around the southern termination of the rupture. The compressional-wave velocity (Vp) results and compressional- to shear-wave velocity (Vp/Vs) structure indicate several E–W- and ENE–WSW-trending zonal anomalies in the upper to middle crust. These zonal anomalies may reflect regional geological structures that follow the same trends as the Oita–Kumamoto Tectonic Line and Usuki–Yatsushiro Tectonic Line. While the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake rupture mainly propagated through a low-Vp/Vs area (1.62–1.74) along the Hinagu fault zone, the southern termination of the earthquake at the focal depth of the mainshock is adjacent to a 3-km-diameter high-Vp/Vs body. There is a rapid 5-km step in the depth of the seismogenic layer across the E–W-trending velocity boundary between the low- and high-Vp/Vs areas that corresponds well with the Rokkoku Tectonic Line; this geological boundary is the likely cause of the dislocation of the seismogenic layer because it is intruded by serpentinite veins. A possible factor in the southern rupture termination of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake is the existence of a high-Vp/Vs body in the direction of southern rupture propagation. The provided details of this inhomogeneous barrier, which are inferred from the seismic velocity structures, may improve future seismic hazard assessments for a complex fault system composed of multiple segments.
Correction to: Assessing the acceptability of a text messaging service and smartphone app to support patient adherence to medications prescribed for high blood pressure: a pilot study
Authors: Kassavou Aikaterini , A’Court Charlotte Emily , Chauhan Jagmohan , Brimicombe James David , Bhattacharya Debi , Naughton Felix , Hardeman Wendy , Mascolo Cecilia , Sutton Stephen
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Family impact and economic burden among caregivers of children with chronic kidney disease in Assiut, Egypt
Authors: Darwish Manal M , Hassan Shimaa Hosny , Taha Samaher Fathy , Abd El-Megeed Hosnia Said , Ismail Taghreed Abdul-Aziz Mohammad
Published: October 2020

Background

Chronic disease greatly increases children’s dependency on parents/caregivers (usually mothers) as they face new problems associated with caring for a child with chronic disease. Thus, chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a burden for children and their families that last throughout life in different aspects. This study aimed to assess family impact and economic burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children on their families.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 250 caregivers of children with CKD attending tertiary care hospital/health insurance clinics in Assiut, Egypt using PedsQL™ family impact module (FIM) for assessing family impact and economic burden between January and May 2018.

Results

Seventy six percent of caregivers shared paying for treatment with health insurance while 14% paid the total expenses out of their pockets. Although the majority (87.2%) of caregivers suffered different degrees of financial hardship, more than 60% of them had no coping strategy. The regression module showed that responding caregiver, degree of financial hardship, treatment modality, and socioeconomic class were significant predictors of total FIM (β = 0.38, P < 0.001; β = 0.28, P < 0.001; β = 0.22, P < 0.001; β = 0.13, P = 0.006 respectively).

Conclusion

Most caregivers were involved in paying for treatment of their children either totally or sharing with health insurance and suffered different degrees of financial hardship. Mothers, caregivers with great financial hardship, and caregivers of children on dialysis had the lowest scores of PedsQL™ FIM. There is a high need for expansion of health insurance umbrella to reduce financial hardship together with continued multidimensional support to families.
Massive gastric necrosis associated with delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia—is salvage possible?
Authors: Krishna Kumar G. , Mallikarjun U. , Reshma D.
Published: October 2020

Background

Delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is an uncommon event. Occurrence of gastric volvulus with massive necrosis in this setting is unusual. In this difficult scenario, the surgeon is faced with the dilemma of conservation or resection.

Case presentation

A 1-year-old boy with vague gastrointestinal symptoms was found to have congenital diaphragmatic hernia with gastric volvulus, on imaging. The stomach showed massive necrosis secondary to volvulus, and after removal of the necrotic body of the stomach, the remnant was sutured together.

Conclusion

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is difficult to diagnose in late presenters beyond the neonatal period due to lack of respiratory symptoms. Stomach salvage is feasible even in severe vascular compromise due to extensive collaterals.
Prospective Cohort Study of Pre- and Postdiagnosis Physical Activity and Endometrial Cancer Survival
Authors: Friedenreich Christine M. , Cook Linda S. , Wang Qinggang , Kokts-Porietis Renée L. , McNeil Jessica , Ryder-Burbidge Charlotte , Courneya Kerry S.
Published: October 2020

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between pre- and postdiagnosis physical activity and survival in survivors of endometrial cancer by physical activity domain, intensity, dose (metabolic-equivalent task [MET]-hours/week/year), and change from pre- to postdiagnosis.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study in Alberta, Canada, of 425 women who were diagnosed with histologically confirmed invasive endometrial cancer between 2002 and 2006 and observed to 2019. The interviewer-administered Lifetime Total Physical Activity Questionnaire recorded prediagnosis (assessed at a median of 4.4 months after diagnosis) and postdiagnosis physical activity (assessed at a median of 3.4 years after diagnosis). Associations between physical activity and overall and disease-free survival were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, stage, grade, treatments, body mass index, menopausal status, hormone therapy use, family history of cancer, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 14.5 years, there were 60 deaths, including 18 endometrial cancer deaths, and 80 disease-free survival events. Higher prediagnosis recreational physical activity was statistically significantly associated with improved disease-free survival (> 14 v ≤ 8 MET-hours/week/year; hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.96; Ptrend = .04), but not overall survival (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.07; Ptrend = .06). Higher postdiagnosis recreational physical activity (> 13 v ≤ 5 MET-hours/week/year) was strongly associated with both improved disease-free survival (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.64; Ptrend = .001) and overall survival (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.75; Ptrend = .007). Participants who maintained high recreational physical activity levels from pre- to postdiagnosis also had improved disease-free survival (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.69) and overall survival (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.94) compared with those who maintained low physical activity levels.

CONCLUSION

Recreational physical activity, especially postdiagnosis, is associated with improved survival in survivors of endometrial cancer.
Acute Ketogenic Diet and Ketone Ester Supplementation Impairs Race Walk Performance
Authors: WHITFIELD JAMIE , BURKE LOUISE M. , MCKAY ALANNAH K. A. , HEIKURA IDA A. , HALL REBECCA , FENSHAM NIKITA , SHARMA AVISH P.
Published: October 2020

The consumption of a ketogenic low-carbohydrate (CHO), high-fat (LCHF) diet increases skeletal muscle fat utilization but impairs exercise economy. Whether the concomitant increase in circulating endogenous ketone bodies (KB) alters the capacity to metabolize exogenous ketone supplements such as the popular ketone monoester is unknown.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine if LCHF and ketone ester (KE) supplementation can synergistically alter exercise metabolism and improve performance.

Methods

Elite race walkers (n = 18, 15 males and 3 females; V˙O2peak, 62 ± 6 mL·min−1·kg−1) undertook a four-stage exercise economy test and real-life 10,000-m race before and after a 5-d isoenergetic high-CHO (HCHO, ~60%–65% fat; CHO, 20% fat; n = 9) or LCHF (75%–80% fat, <50 g·d−1 CHO, n = 9) diet. The LCHF group performed additional economy tests before and after diet after supplementation with 573 mg·kg−1 body mass KE (HVMN; HVMN Inc., San Francisco, CA), which was also consumed for race 2.

Results

The oxygen cost of exercise (relative V˙O2, mL·min−1·kg−1) increased across all four stages after LCHF (P < 0.005). This occurred in association with increased fat oxidation rates, with a reciprocal decrease in CHO oxidation (P < 0.001). Substrate utilization in the HCHO group remained unaltered. The consumption of KE before the LCHF diet increased circulating KB (P < 0.05), peaking at 3.2 ± 0.6 mM, but did not alter V˙O2 or RER. LCHF diet elevated resting circulating KB (0.3 ± 0.1 vs 0.1 ± 0.1 mM), but concentrations after supplementation did not differ from the earlier ketone trial. Critically, race performance was impaired by ~6% (P < 0.0001) relative to baseline in the LCHF group but was unaltered in HCHO.

Conclusion

Despite elevating endogenous KB production, an LCHF diet does not augment the metabolic responses to KE supplementation and negatively affects race performance.
Exponential functions through a real-world context
Authors: Budinski Natalija
Published: October 2020

The exponential function as a mathematical concept plays an important role in the corpus of mathematical knowledge, but unfortunately students have problems grasping it. Paper exposes examples of exponential function application in a real-world context.
Gene editing in dermatology: Harnessing CRISPR for the treatment of cutaneous disease
Authors: Baker Catherine , Hayden Matthew S.
Published: October 2020

The discovery of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system has revolutionized gene editing research. Through the repurposing of programmable RNA-guided CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases, CRISPR-based genome editing systems allow for the precise modification of specific sites in the human genome and inspire novel approaches for the study and treatment of inherited and acquired human diseases. Here, we review how CRISPR technologies have stimulated key advances in dermatologic research.  We discuss the role of CRISPR in genome editing for cutaneous disease and highlight studies on the use of CRISPR-Cas technologies for genodermatoses, cutaneous viruses and bacteria, and melanoma. Additionally, we examine key limitations of current CRISPR technologies, including the challenges these limitations pose for the widespread therapeutic application of CRISPR-based therapeutics.
A Universal and Structured Way to Derive Dual Optimization Problem Formulations
Authors: Roos Kees , Balvert Marleen , Gorissen Bram L. , den Hertog Dick
Published: October 2020

The dual problem of a convex optimization problem can be obtained in a relatively simple and structural way by using a well-known result in convex analysis, namely Fenchel’s duality theorem. This alternative way of forming a strong dual problem is the subject of this paper. We recall some standard results from convex analysis and then discuss how the dual problem can be written in terms of the conjugates of the objective function and the constraint functions. This is a didactically valuable method to explicitly write the dual problem. We demonstrate the method by deriving dual problems for several classical problems and also for a practical model for radiotherapy treatment planning, for which deriving the dual problem using other methods is a more tedious task. Additional material is presented in the appendices, including useful tables for finding conjugate functions of many functions.
Are Inventors or Firms the Engines of Innovation?
Authors: Bhaskarabhatla Ajay , Cabral Luis , Hegde Deepak , Peeters Thomas
Published: October 2020

In this study, we empirically assess the contributions of inventors and firms for innovation using a 37-year panel of U.S. patenting activity. We estimate that inventors’ human capital is 5–10 times more important than firm capabilities for explaining the variance in inventor output. We then examine matching between inventors and firms and find highly talented inventors are attracted to firms that (i) have weak firm-specific invention capabilities and (ii) employ other talented inventors. A theoretical model that incorporates worker preferences for inventive output rationalizes our empirical findings of negative assortative matching between inventors and firms and positive assortative matching among inventors.

This paper was accepted by Ashish Arora, entrepreneurship and innovation.