bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on applying immuno-autonomics to rheumatoid arthritis: results from an online rheumatologist survey
Authors: Pappas Dimitrios A. , Brittle Christine , Concoff Andrew , Holman Andrew J. , Takasugi Dennis , Kremer Joel M.
Published: April 2022

The term “immuno-autonomics” has been coined to describe an emerging field evaluating the interaction between stress, autonomic nervous system (ANS), and inflammation. The field remains largely unknown among practicing rheumatologists. Our objective was to evaluate the perspectives of rheumatologists regarding the role of stress in the activity and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 31-item survey was conducted with 231 rheumatologists. Rheumatologists were asked to assess the role of stress in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and were provided with information regarding immuno-autonomics. They were asked to consider how immuno-autonomics resonated with their patient management needs. The majority of rheumatologists are eager to better understand non-response, believe that stress biology and ANS dysfunction interfere with disease activity, and embrace the theory that measurement of ANS via next-generation HRV may be able to evaluate autonomic dysfunction and the biology of stress. Rheumatologists are open to the idea that quantitative measurement of ANS function using next-generation HRV can be a helpful tool to RA practice. The majority agree that ANS state influences RA disease control and that quantitative measures of ANS state are helpful to RA practice. Rheumatologists also agree that patients with poor ANS function may be at risk for not responding adequately to conventional, biologic, or targeted synthetic DMARDs. Almost all would use an in-office test to quantitatively measure ANS using next-generation HRV. This study shows that rheumatologists are open to embracing evaluation of ANS function as a possible tool in the management and treatment of RA.
Detection of perineural invasion in prostate needle biopsies with deep neural networks
Authors: Kartasalo Kimmo , Ström Peter , Ruusuvuori Pekka , Samaratunga Hemamali , Delahunt Brett , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Eklund Martin , Egevad Lars
Published: April 2022

The presence of perineural invasion (PNI) by carcinoma in prostate biopsies has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis. The assessment and quantification of PNI are, however, labor intensive. To aid pathologists in this task, we developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm based on deep neural networks. We collected, digitized, and pixel-wise annotated the PNI findings in each of the approximately 80,000 biopsy cores from the 7406 men who underwent biopsy in a screening trial between 2012 and 2014. In total, 485 biopsy cores showed PNI. We also digitized more than 10% (n = 8318) of the PNI negative biopsy cores. Digitized biopsies from a random selection of 80% of the men were used to build the AI algorithm, while 20% were used to evaluate its performance. For detecting PNI in prostate biopsy cores, the AI had an estimated area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.98 (95% CI 0.97–0.99) based on 106 PNI positive cores and 1652 PNI negative cores in the independent test set. For a pre-specified operating point, this translates to sensitivity of 0.87 and specificity of 0.97. The corresponding positive and negative predictive values were 0.67 and 0.99, respectively. The concordance of the AI with pathologists, measured by mean pairwise Cohen’s kappa (0.74), was comparable to inter-pathologist concordance (0.68 to 0.75). The proposed algorithm detects PNI in prostate biopsies with acceptable performance. This could aid pathologists by reducing the number of biopsies that need to be assessed for PNI and by highlighting regions of diagnostic interest.
Healthcare Resource Utilization After Surgical Treatment of Cancer: Value of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors: Ricciardi Rocco , Goldstone Robert Neil , Francone Todd , Wszolek Matthew , Auchincloss Hugh , de Groot Alexander , Shih I.-Fan , Li Yanli
Published: April 2022

Background

As the US healthcare system moves towards value-based care, hospitals have increased efforts to improve quality and reduce unnecessary resource use. Surgery is one of the most resource-intensive areas of healthcare and we aim to compare health resource utilization between open and minimally invasive cancer procedures.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed cancer patients who underwent colon resection, rectal resection, lobectomy, or radical nephrectomy within the Premier hospital database between 2014 and 2019. Study outcomes included length of stay (LOS), discharge status, reoperation, and 30-day readmission. The open surgical approach was compared to minimally invasive approach (MIS), with subgroup analysis of laparoscopic/video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (LAP/VATS) and robotic (RS) approaches, using inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Results

MIS patients had shorter LOS compared to open approach: − 1.87 days for lobectomy, − 1.34 days for colon resection, − 0.47 days for rectal resection, and − 1.21 days for radical nephrectomy (all p < .001). All MIS procedures except for rectal resection are associated with higher discharge to home rates and lower reoperation and readmission rates. Within MIS, robotic approach was further associated with shorter LOS than LAP/VATS: − 0.13 days for lobectomy, − 0.28 days for colon resection, − 0.67 days for rectal resection, and − 0.33 days for radical nephrectomy (all p < .05) and with equivalent readmission rates.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate a significant shorter LOS, higher discharge to home rate, and lower rates of reoperation and readmission for MIS as compared to open procedures in patients with lung, kidney, and colorectal cancer. Patients who underwent robotic procedures had further reductions in LOS compare to laparoscopic/video-assisted thoracoscopic approach, while the reductions in LOS did not lead to increased rates of readmission.
Olanzapine (5 mg) plus standard triple antiemetic therapy for the prevention of multiple-day cisplatin hemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Gao Jiali , Zhao Jun , Jiang Caihong , Chen Feng , Zhao Lanzhen , Jiang Ying , Li Hui , Wang Wenjuan , Wu Yungaowa , Jin Yilan , Da Lenggaowa , Liu Guang , Zhang Yajuan , Li Hongxia , Zhang Zewei , Jin Gaowa , Li Quanfu
Published: April 2022

Objective

A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare 5 mg olanzapine plus standard triple antiemetic therapy for the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by multiple-day cisplatin chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients who received a 3-day cisplatin-based chemotherapy (25 mg/m2/d) were given either 5 mg olanzapine plus triple therapy with aprepitant, tropisetron, and dexamethasone (quadruple group) or 5 mg olanzapine plus tropisetron and dexamethasone, omitting aprepitant (triplet group). The primary endpoint was the complete response (CR) in the overall phase (OP) (0–120 h) between quadruple group and triplet group. The secondary endpoints were the CR in the acute phase (AP) (0–24 h) and delayed phase (DP) (25–120 h) between two groups. The first time of vomiting was also compared by Kaplan–Meier curves. The impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) on the quality of life was assessed by the Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE). Aprepitant-related adverse effects (AEs) were also recorded.

Results

(1) The primary endpoint CR during OP was 76.0% (45/59) vs 67.0% (41/61) between the quadruple group and triplet group (P = 0.271). The secondary endpoint CR during the AP was significantly higher in the quadruple group than in the triplet group, which was 100.0% (59/59) vs 93.0% (57/61) (P = 0.045). The difference of CR during delayed phase between the groups was especially higher in the quadruple group compared to the triplet group (76.0% (45/59) vs 67.0% (41/61) (P = 0.271)). The rate of patients who achieved total protection in the overall phase was also higher in the quadruple group than the triplet group (28.8% (17/59) vs 23.0% (14/61) (P = 0.463)). During the OP, the incidence of no vomiting in the quadruple group and the triplet group was 93.2% (55/59) vs 80.3% (49/61) (P = 0.038), respectively. (2) Kaplan–Meier curves of time to first emesis were obviously longer in the quadruple group compared with the triplet group (P = 0.031). According to FLIE, no impact of CINV on daily life was defined as total score of questionnaire > 108; this study exhibited identical life quality between two groups. (3) The most common aprepitant- or olanzapine-related AEs included sedation, fatigue, and constipation. The occurrences between two groups were identical.

Conclusion

It may been recommended that 5 mg olanzapine plus tropisetron and dexamethasone, omitting aprepitant triplet regimen as an alternative therapy in prevention CINV induced by multiple-day cisplatin chemotherapy due to the excellent CINV control rate and safety.
Expression of decitabine-targeted oncogenes in meningiomas in vivo
Authors: Canisius Julian , Wagner Andrea , Bunk Eva Christina , Spille Dorothee Cäcilia , Stögbauer Louise , Grauer Oliver , Hess Katharina , Thomas Christian , Paulus Werner , Stummer Walter , Senner Volker , Brokinkel Benjamin
Published: April 2022

Treatment of meningiomas refractory to surgery and irradiation is challenging and effective chemotherapies are still lacking. Recently, in vitro analyses revealed decitabine (DCT, 5-aza-2’–deoxycytidine) to be effective in high-grade meningiomas and, moreover, to induce hypomethylation of distinct oncogenes only sparsely described in meningiomas in vivo yet.

Expression of the corresponding onco- and tumor suppressor genes TRIM58, FAM84B, ELOVL2, MAL2, LMO3, and DIO3 were analyzed and scored by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR in samples of 111 meningioma patients. Correlations with clinical and histological variables and prognosis were analyzed in uni- and multivariate analyses.

All analyzed oncogenes were highly expressed in meningiomas. Expression scores of TRIM58 tended to be higher in benign than in high-grade tumors 20 vs 16 (p = .002) and all 9 samples lacking TRIM58 expression displayed WHO grade II/III histology. In contrast, median expression scores for both FAM84B (6 vs 4, p ≤ .001) and ELOVL2 (9 vs 6, p < .001) were increased in high-grade as compared to benign meningiomas. DIO3 expression was distinctly higher in all analyzed samples as compared to the reference decitabine-resistant Ben-Men 1 cell line. Increased ELOVL2 expression (score ≥ 8) correlated with tumor relapse in both uni- (HR: 2.42, 95%CI 1.18–4.94; p = .015) and multivariate (HR: 2.09, 95%CI 1.01–4.44; p = .046) analyses.

All oncogenes involved in DCT efficacy in vitro are also widely expressed in vivo, and expression is partially associated with histology and prognosis. These results strongly encourage further analyses of DCT efficiency in meningiomas in vitro and in situ.
Skin regeneration, repair, and reconstruction: present and future
Authors: Kamolz Lars-Peter , Kotzbeck Petra , Schintler Michael , Spendel Stephan
Published: April 2022

Background

Large skin defects caused by trauma (e.g., burns) or due to other reasons (e.g., tumor-related skin resections) require sufficient skin replacement. The constant improvement of innovative methods of skin replacement and skin expansion mean that even burn victims with more than 80% body surface burned have a realistic chance of survival. Due to these new developments, not only has survival rate increased, but also quality of life has increased tremendously over the past decades.

Methods

The aim of this review is to present an overview of current standards and future trends concerning the treatment of skin defects. The main focus is placed on the most important technologies and future trends.

Results

Autologous skin grafting was developed more than 3500 years ago. Several approaches and techniques have been discovered and established in burn care and plastic surgery since then. Great achievements were made during the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of these old and new techniques are still part of modern burn and plastic surgery. Today, autologous skin grafting is still considered to be the gold standard for many wounds, but new technologies have been developed, ranging from biological to synthetic skin replacement materials.

Conclusion

Today, old and new technologies are available which allow us new treatment concepts. All this has led to the reconstructive clockwork for reconstructive surgery of the 21st century.
Physical activity time and lifestyle correlates of cardiovascular disease status in older adults in Accra
Authors: Asiamah Nestor , Kouveliotis Kyriakos , Petersen Carl , Eduafo Richard , Borkey Richard
Published: April 2022

Aim

The maintenance of physical activity (PA) over the life course is considered a hallmark for ageing well, but individuals who practice PA also often pursue lifestyles (e.g., smoking) that may inhibit the medicinal impact of PA on them. PA is said to protect against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but the literature has little to say about the impact of PA on the risk of CVDs when it is associated with lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and personal characteristics. This study aimed to assess the association between PA time and CVDs, with relevant lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and personal characteristics treated as covariates.

Subject and methods

The study’s population was retired and working older people aged 60 years or more in Accra, Ghana. A total of 686 individuals responded to self-reported questionnaires. Pearson’s chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to present findings.

Results

The study found that the risk of having one or more CVDs increases as time spent in moderate and vigorous PA increases, whereas individuals who drank alcohol a few days a week or most days a week are respectively 2 (OR = 2.415; p = 0.037) and 22 (OR = 21.933; p = 0.000) times more likely to have one or more CVDs compared to those who never drank alcohol.

Conclusion

Health education should not only encourage PA maintenance but should also make individuals aware of the need to avoid unhealthy behaviours to maximize the positive effect of PA on health.
A Systematic Review of Factors Critical for HIV Health Literacy, ART Adherence and Retention in Care in the U.S. for Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Authors: Mgbako Ofole , Conard Ryan , Mellins Claude A. , Dacus Jagadisa-devasri , Remien Robert H.
Published: April 2022

Despite advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART), the HIV epidemic persists in the United States (U.S.), with inadequate adherence to treatment and care a major barrier to ending the epidemic. Health literacy is a critical factor in maximizing ART adherence and healthcare utilization, especially among vulnerable populations, including racial and ethnic minorities. This U.S-based systematic review examines psychosocial variables influencing health literacy among persons with HIV (PWH), with a focus on racial and ethnic minorities. Although findings are limited, some studies showed that HIV-related stigma, self-efficacy, and patient trust in providers mediate the relationship between health literacy and both ART adherence and HIV care retention. To inform effective, equitable health literacy interventions to promote adherence to HIV treatment and care, further research is needed to understand the factors driving the relationship between health literacy and HIV outcomes. Such work may broaden our understanding of health literacy in the context of racial equity.
Driving through dense fog: a study of the effects and control of sustainable public procurement of electric cars
Authors: Langseth Marius , Moe Helene Tronstad
Published: April 2022

Governments are large buyers of vehicles, thus contributing to pollution. To promote sustainability, policies have been shaped to replace government-owned fossil fuel cars with electric cars. Public procurement is seen as a strategic tool for the government to transition. This study identifies a research gap due to a lack of studies on how stakeholders at different levels identify and calculate the sustainability effects of public procurement of cars. Our approach uses a multilevel perspective to explore how various stakeholders perceive and assess the effects of sustainable public procurement. The data were obtained through a qualitative research design with documents and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in Norway ranging from government agencies, public procurement officers, car suppliers, and end-users. (End-users in this setting are the ones who ultimately use the vehicles). The study’s findings are two-fold. First, it contributes to understanding that perceived effects of sustainable public procurement vary from the stakeholders' perspectives and that public procurement initiatives perceive to have cultural effects in addition to innovation, environmental, economic, and social impacts. Second, it contributes to understanding the importance of feedback mechanisms in public procurement to align the assessment of the effects. A better understanding of how effects are identified, and improved feedback mechanisms could help government representatives control the procurement system and accomplish the intended effects.
Enacting autonomy reform in schools: The re-shaping of roles and relationships under Local Schools, Local Decisions
Authors: Gavin Mihajla , Stacey Meghan
Published: April 2022

Local Schools, Local Decisions (LSLD) was a package of school autonomy reforms operating in the state of New South Wales, Australia from 2012 to 2020. The set of reforms centred on the devolution of additional powers and responsibilities to school principals, namely enhanced capacity to manage staffing and financial functions in response to local conditions. Using a conceptual lens of policy enactment, we analyse interview data gathered from 31 teachers and school leaders on how these reform areas were understood and enacted at the school level. Our findings highlight the tensions in enacting devolutionary reform in schools. While the centrality of the school principal’s role was emphasised, including in relation to contested levels of principal discretion, the enactment of devolved powers and responsibilities also produced a fracturing of staff relationships within schools, notably between principals and teaching staff. This finding is understood within a context of heightened workload and unclear expectations which attended the policy’s introduction. We contribute to the school autonomy literature through: (a) the inclusion of teachers’ voices, a stakeholder perspective often missing in the autonomy literature, enabling the impact of the reforms on interpersonal, relational dynamics to come to the fore; and (b) exploring implications for future reform suggested by the fate of LSLD. In doing so, this article deepens knowledge on the enactment of autonomy reforms in schools, drawing implications for understanding school autonomy reform around the globe.
Development of the Manchester framework for the evaluation of emergency department pharmacy services
Authors: Greenwood D , Tully MP , Martin S , Steinke D
Published: April 2022

Background

Many countries, including the United Kingdom, have established Emergency Department (ED) pharmacy services where some ED pharmacists now work as practitioners. They provide both traditional pharmaceutical care and novel practitioner care i.e. clinical examination, yet their impact on quality of care is unknown.

Aim

To develop a framework of structures, processes and potential outcome indicators to support evaluation of the quality of ED pharmacy services in future studies.

Method

Framework components (structures, processes and potential outcome indicators) were identified in three ways: from a narrative review of relevant international literature, and separate panel meetings with ED pharmacists and then other ED healthcare professionals. Structures and processes were collated into categories developed iteratively throughout data collection, with outcome indicators collated into six domains of quality as proposed by the Institute of Medicine. These raw data were then processed e.g. outcome indicators screened for clarity i.e. those which explicitly stated what would be measured were included in the framework.

Results

A total of 190 structures, 533 processes, and 503 outcome indicators were identified. Through data processing a total of 153 outcome indicators were included in the final framework divided into the domains safe (32), effective (50), patient centred (18), timely (24), efficient (20) and equitable (9).

Conclusion

The first framework specific to the quality evaluation ED pharmacy services, service evaluators should validate potential outcome indicators prior to their use. The minimum expected of a high-quality service should also be defined to enable interpretation of relevant measurements.
An evaluation of patient-reported outcomes in sickle cell disease within a conceptual model
Authors: Treadwell Marsha J. , Mushiana Swapandeep , Badawy Sherif M. , Preiss Liliana , King Allison A. , Kroner Barbara , Chen Yumei , Glassberg Jeffrey , Gordeuk Victor , Shah Nirmish , Snyder Angela , Wun Theodore ,   For the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium (SCDIC)
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To examine the relations between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) within a conceptual model for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) ages 18 – 45 years enrolled in the multi-site Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium (SCDIC) registry. We hypothesized that patient and SCD-related factors, particularly pain, and barriers to care would independently contribute to functioning as measured using PRO domains.

Methods

Participants (N = 2054) completed a 48-item survey including socio-demographics and PRO measures, e.g., social functioning, pain impact, emotional distress, and cognitive functioning. Participants reported on lifetime SCD complications, pain episode frequency and severity, and barriers to healthcare.

Results

Higher pain frequency was associated with higher odds of worse outcomes in all PRO domains, controlling for age, gender and site (OR range 1.02–1.10, 95% CI range [1.004–1.12]). Reported history of treatment for depression was associated with 5 of 7 PRO measures (OR range 1.58–3.28 95% CI range [1.18–4.32]). Fewer individual barriers to care and fewer SCD complications were associated with better outcomes in the emotion domain (OR range 0.46–0.64, 95% CI range [0.34–0.86]).

Conclusions

Study results highlight the importance of the biopsychosocial model to enhance understanding of the needs of this complex population, and to design multi-dimensional approaches for providing more effective interventions to improve outcomes.
Epigenetic clock and methylation studies in marsupials: opossums, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, and wallabies
Authors: Horvath Steve , Haghani Amin , Zoller Joseph A. , Raj Ken , Sinha Ishani , Robeck Todd R. , Black Pete , Couzens Aidan , Lau Clive , Manoyan Meghety , Ruiz Yadiamaris Aviles , Talbott Annais , Belov Katherine , Hogg Carolyn J. , Sears Karen E.
Published: April 2022

The opossum (Monodelphis domestica), with its sequenced genome, ease of laboratory care and experimental manipulation, and unique biology, is the most used laboratory marsupial. Using the mammalian methylation array, we generated DNA methylation data from n = 100 opossum samples from the ear, liver, and tail. We contrasted postnatal development and later aging effects in the opossum methylome with those in mouse (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J strain) and other marsupial species such as Tasmanian devil, kangaroos, and wallabies. While the opossum methylome is similar to that of mouse during postnatal development, it is distinct from that shared by other mammals when it comes to the age-related gain of methylation at target sites of polycomb repressive complex 2. Our immunohistochemical staining results provide additional support for the hypothesis that PRC2 activity increases with later aging in mouse tissues but remains constant in opossum tissues. We present several epigenetic clocks for opossums that are distinguished by their compatibility with tissue type (pan-tissue and blood clock) and species (opossum and human). Two dual-species human-opossum pan-tissue clocks accurately measure chronological age and relative age, respectively. The human-opossum epigenetic clocks are expected to provide a significant boost to the attractiveness of opossum as a biological model. Additional epigenetic clocks for Tasmanian devil, red kangaroos and other species of the genus Macropus may aid species conservation efforts.
Sensitivity of buildings’ carbon footprint to electricity decarbonization: a life cycle–based multi-objective optimization approach
Authors: Kiss Benedek , Szalay Zsuzsa
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a widely used method for the evaluation of buildings’ environmental impacts, but these analyses contain high levels of uncertainty. Decarbonization of electricity production is key to reach climate goals, influencing all sectors including construction The objective of this paper is to study the sensitivity of the environmentally optimum building design solution to a changing electricity mix to assist decision-making.

Methods

In this paper, multi-objective optimization was applied to minimize the life cycle global warming potential and life cycle costs of a building at the same time, using dynamic energy simulation and LCA. The variables include building envelope parameters such as window ratio, insulation type and thickness in a typical new multi-family apartment building heated with a heat pump. A static, largely fossil-based electricity mix and a dynamic, gradually decarbonizing alternative are considered, as well as two electricity price increase scenarios. New metrics have been introduced to explore the results and describe the Pareto-optimal solutions, for example the improvement potential to contextualize the achievements through the optimization.

Results and discussion

The results show that, with the current electricity mix, building envelope optimization can improve the design by 18% on average in terms of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to typical new designs and by 10% with a dynamic mix in Hungary. With today’s static electricity mix, the optimization proved that the minimum energy efficiency requirements in force are close to cost optimality. However, from an environmental point of view, much higher insulation thicknesses have been shown as justified (U-values of less than 0.1 W/m2K).

Conclusions

Optimization of building design based on LCA is still not widely applied and the effect of a decarbonizing electricity mix on the optimum has not been studied before. The results of the paper demonstrate the importance of this question. Optimal solutions are different depending on the applied mix but an energy-efficient building envelope remains important: today’s cost-optimal building envelope proves to be both cost- and environmentally optimal in the long run.
An effect factor approach for quantifying the impact of plastic additives on aquatic biota in life cycle assessment
Authors: Tang Yibo , Mankaa Rose Nangah , Traverso Marzia
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Plastic pervades now almost every aspect of our daily lives, but this prosperity has led to an increasing amount of plastic debris, which is now widespread in the oceans and represents a serious threat to biota. However, there is a general lack of consideration regarding marine plastic impacts in life cycle assessment (LCA). This paper presents a preliminary approach to facilitate the characterization of chemical impacts related to marine plastic within the LCA framework.

Methods

A literature review was carried out first to summarize the current state of research on the impact assessment of marine plastic. In recent years, efforts have been made to develop LCA-compliant indicators and models that address the impact of marine littering, entanglement, and ingestion. The toxicity of plastic additives to marine biota is currently a less understood impact pathway and also the focus of this study. Relevant ecotoxicity data were collected from scientific literature for a subsequent additive-specific effect factor (EF) development, which was conducted based on the USEtox approach. Extrapolation factors used for the data conversion were also extracted from reliable sources.

Results and discussion

EFs were calculated for six commonly used additives to quantify their toxicity impacts on aquatic species. Triclosan shows an extremely high level of toxicity, while bisphenol A and bisphenol F are considered less toxic according to the results. Apart from additive-specific EFs, a generic EF was also generated, along with the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) illustrating the gathered data used to calculate this EF. Further ecotoxicity data are expected to expand the coverage of additives and species for deriving more robust EFs. In addition, a better understanding of the interactive effect between polymers and additives needs to be developed.

Conclusions

This preliminary work provides a first step towards including the impact of plastic-associated chemicals in LCA. Although the toxicity of different additives to aquatic biota may vary significantly, it is recommended to consider additives within the impact assessment of marine plastic. The generic EF can be used, together with a future EF for adsorbed environmental pollutants, to fill a gap in the characterization of plastic-related impacts in LCA.
Co-occurrence probability of water balance elements in a mountain catchment on the example of the upper Nysa Kłodzka River
Authors: Perz Adam , Sobkowiak Leszek , Wrzesiński Dariusz
Published: April 2022

Conditions of the formation of key elements of the water balance, such as precipitation and runoff, and relations between them in the mountain catchment area are very complicated, conditioned both by the climatic factor and the physiographic characteristics of the catchment area. The aim of the study is to determine relations between precipitation and runoff in the Kłodzka Valley (KV) located in mountain areas of south-western Poland. Analyzes were based on precipitation in KV and discharges of the Nysa Kłodzka River and its tributaries, recorded in hydrological years 1974–2013. The bivariate Archimedean copulas were used to describe the degree of synchronicity between these variables. The study area shows a considerable variability in the conditions of transformation of precipitation into runoff. It is conditioned both by the pluvial regime and the physical-geographical characteristics of the catchment area. As a result, sub-catchments with diversified hydrological activity and their role in the formation of water resources of the entire KV were identified. Among them, the Biała Lądecka River sub-catchment was found to be the most hydrologically active, and the sub-catchment of Bystrzyca Dusznicka River the most inert, despite e.g. quite similar synchronicity of precipitation compared to the average precipitation in KV. At the same time, the KV rivers are characterized by different types of runoff regime and characteristic of the water balance structure. The methodology presented can be useful in determining dependencies between selected elements of the water balance and evaluation of water resources availability in source areas of mountain rivers.
3D subsoil reconstruction of a mud volcano in central Sicily by means of geophysical surveys
Authors: Grassi Sabrina , De Guidi Giorgio , Patti Graziano , Brighenti Fabio , Carnemolla Francesco , Imposa Sebastiano
Published: April 2022

The upwelling of fluids, subject to overpressure, along with discontinuities in the subsoil, causes the formation of geological structures known as mud volcanoes. These structures, very widespread in the world and in some cases located near inhabited centers, can represent a considerable risk factor for the population, as they can give rise to paroxysmal eruptions, even very violent. The assessment of the characteristics and structure of the subsoil of the areas affected by this phenomenon can prove to be a useful tool for risk mitigation. Non-invasive geophysical surveys were carried out in the area of the active cone of the Santa Barbara mud volcano in order to obtain a 3D characterization of the subsoil. Through the processing and integration of data derived from active and passive seismic surveys was obtained, a 3D model showing the seismostratigraphic subsoil structure. The electrical resistivity tomography surveys provided results comparable to those obtained from seismic surveys and supplied information on the perimetral areas of the mud volcano. The information obtained is useful to study the boundary conditions that influence short-scale activity. Furthermore, this study seeks to evaluate the possibility of using the proposed methodological approach for monitoring the variations that occur over time in the areas affected by mud volcanoes phenomenon.
Die Bedeutung des lokalen Kontexts für die soziale Teilhabe geflüchteter Frauen – Ländliche Räume als Potenzial?
Authors: Manahl Caroline
Published: April 2022

In rezenten Forschungsarbeiten zu Zuwanderung in ländlichen Räumen wird ruralen Gebieten ein hohes Potenzial für Eingliederungsprozesse zugeschrieben. Besonders der Aufbau sozialer Beziehungen soll Zugewanderten in solchen Gebieten leichter gelingen und wiederum für andere Bereiche von Integration förderlich sein (z. B. für die Suche nach Wohnraum bzw. nach einer Beschäftigung). Dieser Beitrag überprüft, ob sich solche positiven Effekte ländlicher Gebiete im Vergleich zu städtischen Räumen am Beispiel geflüchteter Frauen in Vorarlberg nachweisen lassen. Dazu wird eine bi- und multivariate Analyse von Befragungsdaten durchgeführt, die in der praktischen Integrationsarbeit in Vorarlberg erhoben wurden. Dabei zeigt sich, dass geflüchtete Frauen, die in ruralen Kontexten wohnen, seltener am Erwerbsleben und an sozialen Beziehungen in ihrem lokalen Umfeld teilhaben als geflüchtete Frauen im städtischen Raum. Zudem wird ersichtlich, dass Nachbarschaften, ehrenamtliche Helfer*innen und lokale Austausch- und Begegnungsangebote wichtige Gelegenheitsstrukturen für geflüchtete Frauen sind, um Kontakte aufzubauen. Nachbarschaften in städtischen Gebieten scheinen hierfür allerdings bessere Rahmenbedingungen zu bieten als Nachbarschaften im ländlichen Raum und auch der Zugang zu Begegnungsangeboten scheint geflüchteten Frauen in der Stadt eher zu gelingen.
On Peaceful Political Relations Between Two in Luce Irigaray’s Work
Authors: Carter Jennifer
Published: April 2022

Practical political relations according to Luce Irigaray ground the possibilities for emerging to a new political epoch. She articulates that in order to move toward a more peaceful and emancipated politics, philosophers must focus more on subject-subject relations as opposed to subject-object relations. This in turn promotes the possibility of relating to a naturally and culturally different other. She also elaborates how an emancipated politics demands initially and primarily grounding subjectivity in the two, rather than in individuality or collectivity. This is in contrast to classical liberalism which conceives of a social contract between individual agents who relate through mediations of property. Her philosophy conceives of refounding politics not only in the sphere of public government, but also in the traditionally private domestic sphere, which must become politically awakened. She articulates ways of refounding the family and the couple mediated first by relations between two, and liberating the family from its primary role as the material ground of society. Irigaray suggests that political relations at all levels must be rooted in difference rather than sameness, starting with recognizing sexual difference. Establishing such conditions involves creating civil protections and rights, especially for women, and establishing contexts nurturing to desire, including cultivating sensitivity and attending to sensible differences. Liberating contemporary politics from competitiveness and violence, and providing favorable conditions for peace, demands first attending to cultivating difference and fostering relations between two.
Blood Pressure and Spot Sign in Spontaneous Supratentorial Subcortical Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Falcone Joseph A. , Lopez Alex , Stradling Dana , Yu Wengui , Chen Jefferson W.
Published: April 2022

Background

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is a potentially devastating cause of brain injury, often occurring secondary to hypertension. Contrast extravasation on computed tomography angiography (CTA), known as the spot sign, has been shown to predict hematoma expansion and worse outcomes. Although hypertension has been associated with an increased rate of the spot sign being present, the relationship between spot sign and blood pressure has not been fully explored.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 134 patients (40 women and 94 men, mean age 62.3 ± 15.73 years) presenting to a tertiary academic medical center with spontaneous supratentorial subcortical intracerebral hemorrhage from 1/1/2018 to 1/4/2021.

Results

A spot sign was demonstrated in images of 18 patients (13.43%) and correlated with a higher intracerebral hemorrhage score (2.61 ± 1.42 vs. 1.31 ± 1.25, p = 0.002), larger hematoma volume (53.49cm3 ± 32.08 vs. 23.45cm3 ± 25.65, p = 0.001), lower Glasgow Coma Scale on arrival (9.06 ± 4.56 vs. 11.74 ± 3.65, p = 0.027), increased risk of hematoma expansion (16.67% vs. 5.26%, p = 0.042), and need for surgical intervention (66.67% vs. 15.52%, p < 0.001). We did not see a correlation with age, sex, or underlying comorbidities. The presence of spot sign correlated with higher modified Rankin scores at discharge (4.94 ± 1.00 vs. 3.92 ± 1.64, p < 0.001). We saw significantly higher systolic blood pressure at the time of CTA in patients with a spot sign (184 mm Hg ± 43.11 vs. 153 mm Hg ± 36.99, p = 0.009) and the highest recorded blood pressure (p = 0.019), although not blood pressure on arrival (p = 0.081). Performing CTA early in the process of blood pressure lowering was associated with a spot sign (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The presence of spot sign correlates with larger hematomas, worse outcomes, and increased surgical intervention. There is a significant association between spot sign and systolic blood pressure at the time of CTA, with the highest systolic blood pressure being recorded prior to CTA. Although the role of intensive blood pressure management in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage remains a subject of debate, patients with a spot sign may be a subgroup that could benefit from this.
Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygen Delivery in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Relation to Neurointensive Care Targets
Authors: Svedung Wettervik Teodor , Engquist Henrik , Hånell Anders , Howells Timothy , Rostami Elham , Ronne-Engström Elisabeth , Lewén Anders , Enblad Per
Published: April 2022

Background

The primary aim was to determine to what extent continuously monitored neurointensive care unit (neuro-ICU) targets predict cerebral blood flow (CBF) and delivery of oxygen (CDO2) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The secondary aim was to determine whether CBF and CDO2 were associated with clinical outcome.

Methods

In this observational study, patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at the neuro-ICU in Uppsala, Sweden, from 2012 to 2020 with at least one xenon-enhanced computed tomography (Xe-CT) obtained within the first 14 days post ictus were included. CBF was measured with the Xe-CT and CDO2 was calculated based on CBF and arterial oxygen content. Regional cerebral hypoperfusion was defined as CBF < 20 mL/100 g/min, and poor CDO2 was defined as CDO2 < 3.8 mL O2/100 g/min. Neuro-ICU variables including intracranial pressure (ICP), pressure reactivity index, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), optimal CPP, and body temperature were assessed in association with the Xe-CT. The acute phase was divided into early phase (day 1–3) and vasospasm phase (day 4–14).

Results

Of 148 patients, 27 had underwent a Xe-CT only in the early phase, 74 only in the vasospasm phase, and 47 patients in both phases. The patients exhibited cerebral hypoperfusion and poor CDO2 for medians of 15% and 30%, respectively, of the cortical brain areas in each patient. In multiple regressions, higher body temperature was associated with higher CBF and CDO2 in the early phase. In a similar regression for the vasospasm phase, younger age and longer pulse transit time (lower peripheral resistance) correlated with higher CBF and CDO2, whereas lower hematocrit only correlated with higher CBF but not with CDO2. ICP, CPP, and pressure reactivity index exhibited no independent association with CBF and CDO2. R2 of these regressions were below 0.3. Lower CBF and CDO2 in the early phase correlated with poor outcome, but this only held true for CDO2 in multiple regressions.

Conclusions

Systemic and cerebral physiological variables exhibited a modest association with CBF and CDO2. Still, cerebral hypoperfusion and low CDO2 were common and low CDO2 was associated with poor outcome. Xe-CT imaging could be useful to help detect secondary brain injury not evident by high ICP and low CPP.
Sexualisierte Grenzverletzungen durch Lehrkräfte im Sportunterricht
Authors: Wagner Ingo , Knoke Carolin
Published: April 2022

Sowohl für den Leistungs- als auch für den Breitensport haben Studien bereits Vorfälle sexualisierter Gewalt untersucht und für den Sport allgemein ein spezifisches Risikopotenzial festgestellt. Für den Sportunterricht in der Schule stellen jedoch insbesondere sexualisierte Grenzverletzungen noch ein Forschungsdesiderat dar. Anhand retrospektiver Leitfadeninterviews mit 64 ehemaligen Schüler*innen wird exploriert, welche Formen und Konstellationen sexualisierter Grenzverletzungen im Sportunterricht der Befragten durch Lehrkräfte aufgetreten sind und wie mit diesen Vorfällen umgegangen wurde. Als Ergebnisse berichteten die Befragten sexualisierte Grenzverletzungen in verschiedensten Formen, u.a. unerwünschte Berührungen, unangenehme körperliche Nähe, unangekündigtes Betreten der Umkleideräume oder auch unangemessene verbale Grenzüberschreitungen durch die Sportlehrkraft. Die betroffenen Schüler*innen befanden sich oftmals in Konstellationen ausschließlich weiblicher Gruppen oder auch speziell von der Lehrkraft ausgewählter Schülerinnen. Im Umgang mit Vorfällen fällt insbesondere ein Mangel an standardisierten Präventionsstrukturen in Bezug auf sexualisierte Grenzverletzungen im Sportunterricht auf. Außerdem beschrieben die Betroffenen oftmals ein mangelndes Bewusstsein für das Auftreten sexualisierter Grenzverletzungen. Deduzierte Möglichkeiten zur Optimierung dieser Problematik könnten eine Thematisierung sexualisierter Grenzverletzungen mit einer offenen Kommunikationskultur im Setting Schule, feste Ansprechpartner*innen für die Schüler*innen sowie eine Standardisierung der Interventionsmaßnahmen bei auftretenden Vorfällen sein, aber auch Sensibilisierungsmaßnahmen in der Aus- und Weiterbildung von Sportlehrkräften scheinen erforderlich.
Global expression profiling of CD10 + /CD19 + pre-B lymphoblasts from Hispanic B-ALL patients correlates with comparative TARGET database analysis
Authors: Castañeda-Partida Laura , Ocadiz-Delgado Rodolfo , Sánchez-López José Manuel , García-Villa Enrique , Peñaloza-González José Gabriel , Velázquez-Aviña Martha Margarita , Torres-Nava José Refugio , Martín-Trejo Jorge Alfonso , Solís-Labastida Karina , Guerra-Castillo Francisco Xavier , Bekker-Méndez Vilma Carolina , Rosales-García Víctor Hugo , Romero-Rodríguez Dámaris , Mojica-Espinoza Raúl , Mendez-Tenorio Alfonso , Ramírez-Calzada Crystel A. , Álvarez-Ríos Elízabeth , Mejía-Aranguré Juan Manuel , Gariglio Patricio
Published: April 2022

Mexico City has one of the highest incidences of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) globally, with patients showing low survival, and high relapse rates. To gain more insight into the molecular features of B-ALL in Mexican children, we isolated CD10 + /CD19 + precursor B lymphoblasts from four bone marrow and nine peripheral blood samples of B-ALL patients using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting protocol. The global gene expression profile (BM vs PB) revealed 136 differentially expressed genes; 62 were upregulated (45.6%) and 74 were downregulated (54.4%). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the similarity between pre-B lymphoblast populations. We selected 26 highly significant genes and validated 21 by RT-qPCR (CNN3, STON2, CALN1, RUNX2, GADD45A, CDC45, CDC20, PLK1, AIDA, HCK, LY86, GPR65, PIK3CG, LILRB2, IL7R, TCL1A, DOCK1, HIST1H3G, PTPN14, CD72, and NT5E). The gene set enrichment analysis of the total expression matrix and the ingenuity pathway analysis of the 136 differentially expressed genes showed that the cell cycle was altered in the bone marrow with four overexpressed genes (PLK1, CDC20, CDC45, and GADD45A) and a low expression of IL7R and PIK3CG, which are involved in B cell differentiation. A comparative bioinformatics analysis of 15 bone marrow and 10 peripheral blood samples from Hispanic B-ALL patients collected by the TARGET program, corroborated the genes observed, except for PIK3CG. We conclude the Mexican and the Hispanic B-ALL patients studied present common driver alterations and histotype-specific mutations that could facilitate risk stratification and diagnostic accuracy and serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Autonomous Bus Pilot Project Testing and Demonstration using Light Rail Transit Track
Authors: Fujiwara Akimasa , Chikaraishi Makoto , Khan Diana , Ogawa Atsufumi , Suda Yoshihiro , Yamasaki Toshikazu , Nishino Takaharu , Namba Shutaro
Published: April 2022

The rapidly aging society of Japan requires a quality transportation system that provides new mobility services combining innovative technologies to include all residents. The present study carries out a pilot test of the world’s first connected public transport system between autonomous buses (AB) and the light rail transit (LRT). In this system, telecommunication between two modes enabled the bus to fully self-drive and pull in precisely at an LRT stop. Reporting a result of the pilot test in Hiroshima, this paper analyzes (a) the feasibility of the system based on a monitor survey and (b) public acceptance based on a resident survey of local residents.