bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of cow’s milk allergy development in mice by oral delivery of β‐lactoglobulin‐derived peptides loaded PLGA nanoparticles is associated with systemic whey‐specific immune silencing
Authors: Liu Mengshan , Thijssen Suzan , van Nostrum Cornelus F. , Hennink Wim E. , Garssen Johan , Willemsen Linette E. M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Two to four percentage of infants are affected by cow's milk allergy (CMA), which persists in 20% of cases. Intervention approaches using early oral exposure to cow's milk protein or hydrolysed cow's milk formula are being studied for CMA prevention. Yet, concerns regarding safety and/or efficacy remain to be tackled in particular for high‐risk non‐exclusively breastfed infants. Therefore, safe and effective strategies to improve early life oral tolerance induction may be considered.

Objective

We aim to investigate the efficacy of CMA prevention using oral pre‐exposure of two selected 18‐AA β‐lactoglobulin‐derived peptides loaded poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) in a whey‐protein induced CMA murine model.

Methods

The peptides were loaded in PLGA NPs via a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. In vivo, 3‐week‐old female C3H/HeOuJ mice received 6 daily gavages with PBS, whey, Peptide‐mix, a high‐ or low‐dose Peptide‐NPs or empty‐NP plus Peptide‐mix, prior to 5 weekly oral sensitizations with cholera toxin plus whey or PBS (sham). One week after the last sensitization, the challenge induced acute allergic skin response, anaphylactic shock score, allergen‐specific serum immunoglobulins and ex vivo whey‐stimulated cytokine release by splenocytes was measured.

Results

Mice pre‐treated with high‐dose Peptide‐NPs but not low‐dose or empty‐NP plus Peptide‐mix, were protected from anaphylaxis and showed a significantly lower acute allergic skin response upon intradermal whey challenge compared to whey‐sensitized mice. Compared with the Peptide‐mix or empty‐NP plus Peptide‐mix pre‐treatment, the high‐dose Peptide‐NPs‐pre‐treatment inhibited ex vivo whey‐stimulated pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α release by splenocytes.

Conclusion & Clinical relevance

Oral pre‐exposure of mice to two β‐lactoglobulin‐derived peptides loaded PLGA NPs induced a dose‐related partial prevention of CMA symptoms upon challenge to whole whey protein and silenced whey‐specific systemic immune response. These findings encourage further development of the concept of peptide‐loaded PLGA NPs for CMA prevention towards clinical application.
To be a STEM or not to be a STEM: Why do countries differ?
Authors: Bruno Bruna , Faggini Marisa
Published: June 2021

This paper proposes a theoretical analysis and an empirical investigation on simultaneous choices of an enrolment and discipline field, comparing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to non‐STEM fields, to enlighten economic variables influencing students. The cross‐country analysis of 35 countries in the period 2013–2016 tries to disentangle factors shifting students from one choice to another and why countries differ in directing students toward specific disciplines. The results show that expenditures in R&D convince more students to choose STEM disciplines, whereas population density and the expected years of schooling have a negative impact on the percentage of STEM enrolments. As a whole, it appears that STEM enrolments are chosen for investment motives, whereas non‐STEM enrolments are less guided by economic factors and more dependent on a consumption effect.
TAZ inhibits acinar cell differentiation but promotes immature ductal cell proliferation in adult mouse salivary glands
Authors: Miyachi Yosuke , Nishio Miki , Otani Junji , Matsumoto Shinji , Kikuchi Akira , Mak Tak Wah , Maehama Tomohiko , Suzuki Akira
Published: June 2021

There are currently no treatments for salivary gland diseases, making it vital to understand signaling mechanisms operating in acinar and ductal cells so as to develop regenerative therapies. To date, little work has focused on elucidating the signaling cascades controlling the differentiation of these cell types in adult mammals. To analyze the function of the Hippo‐TAZ/YAP1 pathway in adult mouse salivary glands, we generated adMOB1DKO mice in which both MOB1A and MOB1B were TAM‐inducibly deleted when the animals were adults. Three weeks after TAM treatment, adMOB1DKO mice exhibited smaller submandibular glands (SMGs) than controls with a decreased number of acinar cells and an increased number of immature dysplastic ductal cells. The mutants suffered from reduced saliva production accompanied by mild inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis in SMGs, similar to the Sjogren's syndrome. MOB1‐deficient acinar cells showed normal proliferation and apoptosis but decreased differentiation, leading to an increase in acinar/ductal bilineage progenitor cells. These changes were TAZ‐dependent but YAP1‐independent. Biochemically, MOB1‐deficient salivary epithelial cells showed activation of the TAZ/YAP1 and β‐catenin in ductal cells, but reduced SOX2 and SOX10 expression in acinar cells. Thus, Hippo‐TAZ signaling is critical for proper ductal and acinar cell differentiation and function in adult mice.
Converting factor and nonfactor usage into a single metric to facilitate benchmarking the resources consumed for haemophilia care across jurisdictions and over time
Authors: Stonebraker Jeffrey S. , O'Mahony Brian , Noone Declan , Iorio Alfonso
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The World Federation of Hemophilia started measuring factor utilization at the country level as IU/capita (International Units of factor concentrates used per country population) in 2001 for its Annual Global Survey. IU/capita have been used to benchmark a country's usage over time and for advocacy. The introduction of a common metric usage spanning across standard half‐life (SHL), and extended half‐life (EHL) clotting factor concentrates (CFCs) and emicizumab would be a valuable simplification for national healthcare policymaking and industrial production planning.

Aim

Develop and examine a method of converting IU of SHL or EHL, and milligrams of emicizumab into a single metric.

Methods

We developed conversion factors from manufacturer's recommended dose for prophylaxis with SHL, EHL, and emicizumab as reported on the licensing information for the United States and Europe. We validate the accuracy of these conversion factors against real‐world usage data.

Results

The prescribing information in the United States and Europe is marginally different. The SHL/EHL conversion factors are higher when calculated based on the prescribing information than on real‐world studies, which are considered more representative of clinical practice. The best estimate of the SHL/EHL conversion factors for FVIII and FIX were 1.04 and 1.87. The conversion factor for emicizumab to SHL is 70 IU/mg.

Conclusion

We have generated robust estimates of conversion factors for currently used treatment options for prophylaxis in haemophilia. Usage of a single, harmonized metric will facilitate benchmarking across different countries or longitudinally irrespective of the case‐mix of treatment options.
New glass‐based binders from engineered mixtures of inorganic waste
Authors: Hujova Miroslava , Rabelo Monich Patricia , Kankova Hana , Lucas Hugo , Xakalashe Buhle , Friedrich Bernd , Kraxner Jozef , Galusek Dusan , Bernardo Enrico
Published: June 2021

Aluminum is one of the most important strategic resources, but the Bayer process, typically applied for the purification of ores, leads to vast amounts of alkaline slurry waste, known as red mud. Though interesting for potential reprocessing, red mud is still predominantly stored in big slurry pools, due to high levels of toxic metals. Toxic ions can be easily immobilized by vitrification, but the high costs of this solution need to be balanced by the reuse of the obtained glass. The present paper is dedicated to the transformation of waste‐derived glass into new binders for the construction industry, according to both “conventional melting” and “smelting” approaches. In the first case, red mud was included in a mixture of waste, designed to yield a reactive glass (CMG), that is, forming stable gels after activation in an alkaline aqueous solution. In the second approach, red mud was subjected to a thermal treatment in a reductive atmosphere, implying the separation of molten iron alloy. The remaining glassy slag, according to its chemical composition (CaO and Al2O3‐rich) underwent gelation by simple interaction with pure water, without any alkaline activator, thus configuring a new “glass cement.”
The motivation‐anxiety interface in language learning: A regulatory focus perspective
Authors: Jiang Chen , Papi Mostafa
Published: June 2021

The study examined the relationship between chronic regulatory focus, L2 self‐guides, L2 anxiety, and motivated behavior. Questionnaire data were collected from 161 English learners in a foreign language context. Multiple regression results showed that the participants’ promotion focus (concerned with accomplishments and achievements) strongly and negatively predicted their L2 anxiety whereas their prevention focus (concerned with safety and obligations) was unrelated to L2 anxiety. Additionally, ought L2 self/own and ought L2 self/other, which have a prevention focus, positively predicted L2 anxiety, whereas ideal L2 self/own, which has a promotion focus, was a negative predictor. L2 anxiety was not directly related to motivated behavior for either promotion‐focused or prevention‐focused learners. The results suggest that a promotion‐focused approach in L2 learning and teaching might minimize L2 anxiety.
KNN based high dielectric constant X9R ceramics with fine grain structure and energy storage ability
Authors: Hui Kezhen , Chen Lingling , Cen Zenyong , Zhao Peiyao , Yu Yan , Guo Limin , Wang Xiaohui , Li Longtu
Published: June 2021

In this study, SrZrO3doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3ceramics with Cu, Sn, and Mn as sintering aid are prepared to modulate the temperature stability by conventional solid‐state sintering, and samples are denoted as KNNC‐100xSZ, KNNS‐100xSZ, and KNNM‐100xSZ, respectively, where x is the doping amount. The average grain size of the KNNC‐12.75SZ sample was ~150 nm. The dielectric constant of KNNC‐13.00SZ was 2072 and its dielectric loss was 1.8% at room temperature, with a wide temperature stability range from −55°C to 220°C satisfying the X9R criteria. The discharge energy density of KNNC‐12.75SZ reached 1.47 J/cm3at room temperature; therefore, the modified KNN is a promising candidate for X9R dielectrics with a fine grain structure and potential anti‐reduction capability due to the absence of variable valence elements. The modified KNN can also be applied to energy storage capacitors subjected to high working temperatures.
The effectiveness of nurse‐led interventions to prevent childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity: A systematic review of randomised trials
Authors: Whitehead Lisa , Kabdebo Istvan , Dunham Melissa , Quinn Robyn , Hummelshoj Jennifer , George Cobie , Denney‐Wilson Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Background

Obesity among children and adolescents continues to rise worldwide. Despite the efforts of the healthcare workforce, limited high‐quality evidence has been put forward demonstrating effective childhood obesity interventions. The role of nurses as primary actors in childhood obesity prevention has also been underresearched given the size of the workforce and their growing involvement in chronic disease prevention.

Aim

To examine the effectiveness of nurse‐led interventions to prevent childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity.

Design

A systematic review of randomised trials.

Data sources

Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane (CENTRAL), ProQuest Central and SCOPUS were searched from inception to March 2020.

Review methods

This review was informed by the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions.

Results

Twenty‐six publications representing 18 discrete studies were included (nine primary prevention and nine secondary prevention). Nurse‐led interventions were conducted in diverse settings, were multifaceted, often involved parents and used education, counselling and motivational interviewing to target behaviour change in children and adolescents’ diet and physical activity. Most studies did not determine that nurse‐led interventions were more effective than their comparator(s) in preventing childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity.

Conclusions

Nurse‐led interventions to prevent juvenile obesity are feasible but have not yet determined effectiveness. With adequate training, nurses could make better use of existing clinical and situational opportunities to assist in the effort to prevent childhood obesity.
The psychological well‐being of primary healthcare nurses during COVID‐19: A qualitative study
Authors: Ashley Christine , James Sharon , Williams Anna , Calma Kaara , Mcinnes Susan , Mursa Ruth , Stephen Catherine , Halcomb Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Aim

To explore primary healthcare nurses' psychological well‐being related to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants between June and August 2020 who indicated their willingness to participate in an interview following a national survey. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim by professional transcribers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The importance of professional and public support and acknowledgement of the nurses' role during the pandemic positively influenced feelings of being valued. The psychological impact of negative experiences increased anxiety and stress levels. Participants reported a range of self‐care strategies, including increased vigilance with infection control at home and work and attention to physical exercise and diet. Most participants remained positive about their roles and career decisions, although some indicated that the negative psychological impacts prompted re‐evaluation of their career.

Conclusions

Primary healthcare nurses have been exposed to a range of personal and professional stressors during the pandemic that have impacted their psychological well‐being. Awareness of stressors and an understanding of what has helped and what has impacted well‐being are important in guiding future workplace support systems. Further work to explore the long‐term impact of these stressors and the effectiveness of coping strategies employed by primary healthcare nurses is warranted.

Impact

Managers and professional organisations need to consider the personal and professional stressors that have impacted on primary healthcare nurses' psychological well‐being to promote health and well‐being among nurses following COVID‐19.
Limited dispersal and in situ diversification drive the evolutionary history of Rasborinae fishes in Sundaland
Authors: Sholihah Arni , Delrieu‐Trottin Erwan , Sukmono Tedjo , Dahruddin Hadi , Pouzadoux Juliette , Tilak Marie‐Ka , Fitriana Yuli , Agnèse Jean‐François , Condamine Fabien L. , Wowor Daisy , Rüber Lukas , Hubert Nicolas
Published: June 2021

Aim

Sea‐level changes have long been put forward to explain the colonization of Southeast Asian islands by freshwater aquatic organisms. We examined the relative impact of Sundaland geology since the Oligocene and of Pleistocene Eustatic Fluctuations on the mitochondrial lineage diversification of a species‐rich subfamily of freshwater fishes widely distributed in Southeast Asia. We specifically tested if the expansion of exposed lands and increased island connectivity during Pleistocene low sea levels (the paleoriver hypothesis) induced bursts of diversification.

Location

Sundaland.

Taxon

Rasborinae (Actinopterygii, Cypriniformes, Danionidae).

Methods

We aggregated 1,017 cytochrome oxidase I sequences and 79 mitogenomes to delineate Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) and further reconstruct a time‐calibrated phylogeny of Rasborinae. Ancestral area estimations were conducted using both island and paleoriver partitioning to examine the impact of island connectivity during Pleistocene sea‐level changes on dispersal. Temporal trends of diversification are explored through statistical selection of best‐fit models.

Results

The origin of Sundaland mitochondrial lineages is dated at c. 33 Ma and four major clades are identified, which diversified between c. 31 and 22 Ma. The Island of Borneo and North Sunda paleoriver are identified as the source of Sundaland Rasborinae. Geographical patterns of lineage divergence indicate that most divergence events occurred within islands and diversification under constant birth rate models are the most likely for all clades.

Conclusions

The geographical and historical context of diversification of mitochondrial lineages in Rasborinae provides little support for the paleoriver hypothesis. The onset of isolation of Borneo from mainland Asia triggered the initial diversification of the group (c. 31–22 Ma). The late colonization of Java and Sumatra occurred through several independent dispersal events, poorly explained by Pleistocene sea‐level changes and frequently followed by in situ diversification.
The new insight into extracellular NAD+ degradation‐the contribution of CD38 and CD73 in calcific aortic valve disease
Authors: Jablonska Patrycja , Kutryb‐Zajac Barbara , Mierzejewska Paulina , Jasztal Agnieszka , Bocian Barbara , Lango Romuald , Rogowski Jan , Chlopicki Stefan , Smolenski Ryszard T. , Slominska Ewa M.
Published: June 2021

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is crucial for cell energy metabolism and many signalling processes. Recently, we proved the role of ecto‐enzymes in controlling adenine nucleotide–dependent pathways during calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). This study aimed to investigate extracellular hydrolysis of NAD+ and mononucleotide nicotinamide (NMN) in aortic valves and aorta fragments of CAVD patients and on the inner aortic surface of ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase knockout mice (CD73−/−). Human non‐stenotic valves (n = 10) actively converted NAD+ and NMN via both CD73 and NAD+‐glycohydrolase (CD38) according to our analysis with RP‐HPLC and immunofluorescence. In stenotic valves (n = 50), due to reduced CD73 activity, NAD+ was degraded predominantly by CD38 and additionally by ALP and eNPP1. CAVD patients had significantly higher hydrolytic rates of NAD+ (0.81 ± 0.07 vs 0.56 ± 0.10) and NMN (1.12 ± 0.10 vs 0.71 ± 0.08 nmol/min/cm2) compared with controls. CD38 was also primarily engaged in human vascular NAD+ metabolism. Studies using specific ecto‐enzyme inhibitors and CD73−/− mice confirmed that CD73 is not the only enzyme involved in NAD+ and NMN hydrolysis and that CD38 had a significant contribution to these pathways. Modifications of extracellular NAD+ and NMN metabolism in aortic valve cells may be particularly important in valve pathology and could be a potential therapeutic target.
Angiogenic regulatory influence of extracellular matrix deposited by resting state asthmatic and non‐asthmatic airway smooth muscle cells is similar
Authors: Faiz Alen , Harkness Louise M. , Tjin Gavin , Bernal Victor , Horvatovich Peter , James Alan , Elliot John G. , Burgess Janette K. , Ashton Anthony W.
Published: June 2021

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the tissue microenvironment that regulates the characteristics of stromal and systemic cells to control processes such as inflammation and angiogenesis. Despite ongoing anti‐inflammatory treatment, low levels of inflammation exist in the airways in asthma, which alters ECM deposition by airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. The altered ECM causes aberrant behaviour of cells, such as endothelial cells, in the airway tissue. We therefore sought to characterize the composition and angiogenic potential of the ECM deposited by asthmatic and non‐asthmatic ASM. After 72 hours under non‐stimulated conditions, the ECM deposited by primary human asthmatic ASM cells was equal in total protein, collagen I, III and fibronectin content to that from non‐asthmatic ASM cells. Further, the matrices of non‐asthmatic and asthmatic ASM cells were equivalent in regulating the growth, activity, attachment and migration of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Under basal conditions, asthmatic and non‐asthmatic ASM cells intrinsically deposit an ECM of equivalent composition and angiogenic potential. Previous findings indicate that dysregulation of the airway ECM is driven even by low levels of inflammatory provocation. This study suggests the need for more effective anti‐inflammatory therapies in asthma to maintain the airway ECM and regulate ECM‐mediated aberrant angiogenesis.
Frequent scanning using flash glucose monitoring contributes to better glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Urakami Tatsuhiko , Yoshida Kei , Kuwabara Remi , Mine Yusuke , Aoki Masako , Suzuki Junichi , Morioka Ichiro
Published: June 2021

Aims/Introduction

We examined the impact of scanning frequency with flash glucose monitoring on glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

The study included 85 patients, aged 14.0 ± 0.5 years, with type 1 diabetes. The median time in the target glucose range (TIR) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were 50.0 ± 1.4% and 7.5 ± 0.1%, respectively.

Results

The median scanning frequency using flash glucose monitoring was 12.0 ± 0.4 times/day. Scanning frequency showed a significant positive correlation with TIR and an inverse correlation with HbA1c. Scanning frequency was identified to be the determinant of TIR and HbA1c by using multivariate analysis. The participants whose scanning frequency was <12 times/day were categorized as the low‐frequency group (n = 40), and those who carried out the scanning >12 times/day were categorized as the high‐frequency group (n = 45). Patients in the high‐frequency group were more likely to be treated with insulin pumps compared with those in the low‐frequency group; however, this difference was not significant (21.3 vs 5.3%, P = 0.073). The high‐frequency group showed significantly greater TIR than the low‐frequency group (57 ± 1.6 vs 42 ± 1.7%, P = 0.002). Furthermore, the high‐frequency group showed significantly lower HbA1c levels than the low‐frequency group (6.8 ± 0.1 vs 8.0 ± 0.1%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings showed that patients with a higher scanning frequency had better glycemic control, with greater TIRs and lower HbA1c levels, compared with those with a lower scanning frequency. Scanning frequency of >12 times/day might contribute to better glycemic outcomes in real‐world practice in children with type 1 diabetes.
Favorable long‐term outcomes of endoscopic resection for nonampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumor
Authors: Matsueda Katsunori , Kanesaka Takashi , Kitamura Masanori , Shichijo Satoki , Maekawa Akira , Yamamoto Sachiko , Takeuchi Yoji , Higashino Koji , Uedo Noriya , Michida Tomoki , Honma Keiichiro , Miyashiro Isao , Ishihara Ryu
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim

The long‐term outcomes of endoscopic resection for nonampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumors are limited. We aimed to clarify it.

Methods

Consecutive patients with nonampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumors endoscopically treated at our institute between January 2005 and June 2020 were included in this retrospective study. En bloc and R0 resection rates and adverse events were evaluated as short‐term outcomes of endoscopic resection. The 5‐year overall and recurrence‐free survival rates of patients after endoscopic resection were calculated as long‐term outcomes.

Results

Of 34 patients with 34 lesions, 33 patients (97%) underwent endoscopic mucosal resection, and one (3%) underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection. En bloc resection was achieved in 33 lesions (97%). R0 resection was achieved in 20 lesions (59%). The median tumor size was 6 mm (range: 3–13). Thirty‐one lesions (91%) and three lesions (9%) were classified as G1 and G2, respectively. Lymphovascular invasion was observed in six lesions (18%). Intraprocedural perforation occurred in four patients (12%) who were conservatively treated with endoscopic closure. All 34 patients were followed up without additional treatment after endoscopic resection, and no recurrence or metastasis developed during the median follow‐up period of 47.9 months (range: 9.0–187.1). The 5‐year overall survival and recurrence‐free survival rates were 87.1% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

Endoscopic resection provided a favorable long‐term prognosis for patients with nonampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumors without lymph node metastasis.
T3 is linked to stress‐associated reduction of prolactin in lactating women
Authors: Bibi Safia , Shah Mohsin , Malik Muhammad Omar , Goosens Ki Ann
Published: June 2021

The relationship between stress responses and lactation is bidirectional. Breastfeeding confers many benefits to maternal health, including attenuated hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis responsiveness to stress. However, increased stress burden can impair lactation. The mechanisms that underlie these relationships are poorly understood. The present study aimed to compare breastfeeding habits, as well as subjective and objective measures of stress, in employed and non‐employed lactating women and assess the relationships between these measures and prolactin (PRL), thyroid hormones (thyroid‐stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine), vasopressin and cortisol levels. A dexamethasone suppression test was also administered to determine the sensitivity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis to negative‐feedback. We report that lactating employed women had lower breastfeeding rates and lower PRL than lactating non‐employed women. They also had a significantly higher stress burden, indicated by elevations in blood pressure and evening cortisol, relative to lactating non‐employed women. In regression analyses that controlled for feeding modality and breastfeeding duration, we found these factors differentially affected PRL in the two groups and there were significant differences in PRL across groups that were not accounted for by these factors. A mediation regression analysis suggested that group differences in PRL were best explained by differences in T3 and income levels, rather than breastfeeding duration or other variables. Our data fit a speculative model in which elevated maternal stress increases cortisol, which suppresses T3, leading to decreased PRL. The decreases in PRL are associated with higher rates of bottlefeeding, which may further contribute to decreased PRL.
Nasopharyngeal neuroendocrine neoplasms: Systematic review of the literature and case presentation
Authors: Prantesh Jain , Dorth Jennifer , Asa Sylvia L. , Mohamed Amr
Published: June 2021

Most of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are located in the gastrointestinal tract and lung, and they are rarely found on the upper aero‐digestive tract, which limit the current literature about nasopharyngeal NENs. This systemic review will summarize the clinical, pathological features and optimal diagnosis and management of different types of nasopharyngeal NENs (NP NENs). In‐addition, we herein report an EBV negative TP53‐mutated/ Rb‐wild type nasopharyngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) in a young man in which touch preparation cytology studies were integral to establishing a definitive diagnosis. To our knowledge, only very few cases of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasopharynx have been reported in the literature and the reports of these cases have not included detailed description of different types and how to optimally diagnose and manage them. In this abstract, we also highlighted the evidence about the safety of using growth factors in patients with sickle cell anemia who are receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Stomach serosal arteries distinguish gastric regions of the rat
Authors: Jaffey Deborah M. , Chesney Logan , Powley Terry L.
Published: June 2021

Because the stomach in situ has few distinctive surface features and changes shape dramatically with food intake, we have used micro‐CT imaging combined with two distinct contrast agents to (1) characterize the pattern of arteries, potential landmarks, on the stomach wall and (2) evaluate how meal‐related shape changes affect the size of the different regions. Images generated with a contrast agent injected directly into the heart during perfusion enabled a thorough look at the organizational features of the stomach angioarchitecture. The stomach receives its blood supply primarily from two pairs of vessels, the gastric and gastroepiploic arteries. Each of the three regions of the stomach is delineated by a distinctive combination of arterial fields: the corpus, consistent with its dynamic secretory activity and extensive mucosa, is supplied by extensive arterial trees formed by the left and right gastric arteries, travelling, respectively, on the ventral and dorsal stomach surfaces. These major arteries course circularly from the lesser towards the greater curvature, distally along both left (or ventral) and right (or dorsal) walls of the corpus, and branch rostrally to supply the region. The muscular antrum is characterized by smaller arterial branches arising primarily from the right gastroepiploic artery that follows the distal greater curvature and secondarily from small, distally directed arteries supplied by the large vessels of the left and right gastric arteries. The forestomach, essentially devoid of mucosal tissue and separated from the corpus by the limiting ridge, is vascularized predominantly by a network of small arteries issued from the left gastroepiploic artery coursing around the proximal greater curvature, as well as from higher order and smaller branches issued by the gastric and celiac arteries. These distinctive arterial fields appear to distinguish the major gastric regions, irrespective of the degree of fill of the stomach. Volume assessments of stomach compartments were made from images of iodine‐stained stomachs. By varying the delay time between eating and perfusion, we were able to probe the emptying behavior of the stomach and demonstrate that the regions of the stomach empty at different rates, thus changing the relative dimensions of the organ regions. Notably, and despite these shape changes, the gastric arteries appear to form a regular, particularly recognizable, and lateralized pattern corresponding to the corpus that should be of use in guiding surgical and experimental interventions.
Skincare practices in extremely premature infants: A survey of tertiary neonatal intensive care units from Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Mishra Umesh , Jani Pranav , Maheshwari Rajesh , Shah Dharmesh , D'Cruz Daphne , Priyadarshi Archana , Galea Claire , Lowe Krista , Marceau James , Wright Audrey
Published: June 2021

Aim

To investigate skincare practices in the first 2 weeks of life in extremely premature infants across tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods

A web‐based secure survey invite was emailed to the medical directors of tertiary NICUs. The survey included questions on various aspects of skincare practices in the first 2 weeks of life in extremely premature infants (born before 28 weeks gestation). The person most familiar with local skincare practices was asked to complete the survey and only one response per unit was requested. We performed a descriptive analysis.

Results

We received responses from 30 out of 32 NICUs (response rate 93%). Twenty‐five NICUs (89%) reported offering resuscitation and intensive care to infants born at ≥23 weeks gestation. All NICUs reported occurrences of skin breakdown, including medical adhesive‐related skin injury (30%), abrasion/friction‐associated skin injury (46%), perineal skin breakdown (55%), pressure site injury (47%) and diaper dermatitis (60%). A high level of consensus (≥75%) was observed for certain practices, such as the use of polyethylene occlusive plastic wraps at birth and aqueous chlorhexidine solution for sterile procedures, but a low level of consensus (<25%) was observed for many other practices, including the skin risk assessment tool used.

Conclusions

Skin injuries in extremely premature infants are common and skincare practices vary considerably amongst NICUs. Clinical practice improvement projects and further clinical research will help improve consistency amongst NICUs. Further research is needed to assist the development of evidence‐based guidelines and benchmarking for skincare practices in these vulnerable infants.
Perspectives of cancer prevention and control resources from stakeholders in rural southern Illinois
Authors: Kruse‐Diehr Aaron J. , Lewis‐Thames Marquita W. , Wiedenman Eric , James Aimee , Chambers Lynne
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Rural residents have a higher cancer burden than urban residents, which is likely related to multiple socioecological factors. This study sought to investigate the perspectives of a diverse set of rural stakeholders regarding access to cancer prevention and control resources in rural southern Illinois.

Methods

Stakeholders were recruited from counties in southern Illinois and included residents (cancer survivors or caregivers), leaders of community‐based organizations with health‐related missions, and health care providers. Individual interviews and focus groups assessed recommended cancer prevention, control, and treatment resources; helpfulness of regional resources; and needed resources. The research team used an iterative approach to thematic analysis wherein codes were derived inductively and refined repeatedly to reveal overarching themes.

Findings

Forty‐four stakeholders reported challenges to health care access (eg, travel distance, financial burdens, and poor quality of care) and limited access to supportive care services (lack of caregiver support and “spotty” area resources). To mitigate these barriers, local residents used a combination of individual (self‐reliance and adaptive measures) and organizational (patient navigation and financial services) approaches. Finally, stakeholders reported multiple forms of cancer control and prevention communication, including formal discussions with health care providers and various types of informal social support (eg, friends and family).

Conclusions

Stakeholders experienced barriers to cancer prevention and control often mitigated by a reliance on personal adaptations, nonclinical organizational supports, and informal support systems. While resources remain minimal in southern Illinois, researchers and practitioners must make efforts to leverage existing community organizations and social networks to improve cancer outcomes in this region.
Spatiotemporal gated graph attention network for urban traffic flow prediction based on license plate recognition data
Authors: Tang Jinjun , Zeng Jie
Published: June 2021

The accurate forecasting of traffic states is an essential application of intelligent transportation system. Due to the periodic signal control at intersections, the traffic flow in an urban road network is often disturbed and expresses intermittent features. This study proposes a forecasting framework named the spatiotemporal gated graph attention network (STGGAT) model to achieve accurate predictions for network‐scale traffic flows on urban roads. Based on license plate recognition (LPR) records, the average travel times and volume transition relationships are estimated to construct weighted directed graphs. The proposed STGGAT model integrates a gated recurrent unit layer, a graph attention network layer with edge features, a gated mechanism based on the bidirectional long short‐term memory and a residual structure to extract the spatiotemporal dependencies of the approach‐ and lane‐level traffic volumes. Validated on the LPR system in Changsha, China, STGGAT demonstrates superior accuracy and stability to those of the baselines and reveals its inductive learning and fault tolerance capabilities.
Surgical Treatment of Internal Fixation Failure of Femoral Peritrochanteric Fracture
Authors: Zhong Gang , Teng Lin , Li Hai‐bo , Huang Fu‐guo , Xiang Zhou , Cen Shi‐qiang
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate the factors, surgical treatment methods and clinical effect of internal fixation failure of intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures.

Methods

From June 2015 to May 2019, arthroplasty and internal fixation revision were used to treat 18 cases of internal fixation failure of intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. There were 10 males and eight females, with an average age of 67.3 years (38–92 years). The 16 cases of initial intertrochanteric fractures were classified according to AO/OTA:13 cases of A2 and 3 cases of A3, the other 2 cases were subtrochanteric fractures (Seinsheimer type IV). The internal fixation failure was treated with total hip arthroplasty (6 cases), bipolar hemiarthroplasty (4 cases), revision with proximal femoral lockingplate (4 cases) and extend intramedullary nail (4 cases).

Results

All patients were followed up for an average of 24.7 months (range, 12 to 36 months). The average operative time was 111.4 min (range, 72 to 146 min) and the average intraoperative blood loss was 403.6 mL (range, 200 to 650 mL). The average time of fracture union was 6.9 months (range, 5 to 9 months) for cases of internal fixation revision. The operative time of the arthroplasty group was shorter than the revision group (P < 0.001), and the intraoperative blood loss of the arthroplasty group was less than the revision group (P = 0.001). The affected limb shortening of postoperative (0.21 ± 0.19 cm) was better than preoperative (2.01 ± 0.60 cm) (P < 0.001), while the limb shortening of the arthroplasty group (0.11 ± 0.21 cm) was less than the revision group (0.33 ± 0.09 cm) (P = 0.015). At the last follow‐up, all injured limbs regained walking function, and the Harris hip score was 81.3 ± 9.4 points. The Harris score of postoperative was better than preoperative (33.4 ± 5.9 points) (P < 0.001), while there were no significant differences between the arthroplasty group and the revision group at 3 months (76.5 ± 8.5 vs 71.1 ± 10.6, P = 0.249), 6 months (80.9 ± 7.9 vs 78.9 ± 12.9,P = 0.687) postoperative and the last follow‐up (80.5 ± 8.3 vs 82.3 ± 11.7, P = 0.716) respectively.

Conclusion

For internal fixation failure of peritrochanteric fractures, young patients could accept internal fixation revision to restore normal anatomical structure, correct varus deformity and autograft; while elderly patients and patients with damaged femoral head could be treated with arthroplasty to restore walking function.
Decreased pain sensitivity and alterations of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma inflammatory mediators after total hip arthroplasty in patients with disabling osteoarthritis
Authors: Bjurström Martin F. , Bodelsson Mikael , Irwin Michael R. , Orbjörn Camilla , Hansson Oskar , Mattsson‐Carlgren Niklas
Published: June 2021

Background

Proinflammatory mechanisms are implicated in pain states. Recent research indicates that patients with osteoarthritis (OA) with signs of central sensitization exhibit elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of interferon gamma‐induced protein 10 (IP‐10), Fms‐related tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt‐1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1).

Methods

The current prospective cohort study, including 15 patients with OA, primarily aimed to evaluate associations among alterations in CSF IP‐10, Flt‐1, MCP‐1, and pain sensitization following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Participants provided CSF and blood samples for analysis of 10 proinflammatory mediators, and underwent detailed clinical examination and quantitative sensory testing, immediately preoperative and 18 months after surgery.

Results

Neurophysiological measures of pain showed markedly reduced pain sensitivity long‐term postoperative. Increases in remote site pressure pain detection thresholds (PPDTs) and decreased temporal summation indicated partial resolution of previous central sensitization. Compared to preoperative, CSF concentrations of IP‐10 were increased (p = 0.041), whereas neither Flt‐1 (p = 0.112) nor MCP‐1 levels changed (p = 0.650). Compared to preoperative, plasma concentrations of IP‐10 were increased (p = 0.006), whereas interleukin (IL)‐8 was decreased (p = 0.023). Subjects who exhibited increases in arm PPDTs above median showed greater increases in CSF IP‐10 compared to those with PPDT increases below median (p = 0.028). Analyses of plasma IP‐10 and IL‐8 indicated higher levels of peripheral inflammation were linked to decreased pressure pain thresholds (unadjusted β = −0.79, p = 0.006, and β = −118.1, p = 0.014, respectively).

Conclusions

THA leads to long‐term decreases in pain sensitivity, indicative of resolution of sensitization processes. Changes in CSF and plasma levels of IP‐10, and plasma IL‐8, may be associated with altered pain phenotype.
Absent X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein expression in T cell blasts and causal mutations including non‐coding deletion
Authors: Abdrabou Shimaa Said Mohamed Ali , Toita Nariaki , Ichihara Shin , Tozawa Yusuke , Takahashi Michiko , Fujiwara Shin‐ichi , Ashida Toshifumi , Ohara Osamu , Ariga Tadashi , Manabe Atsushi , Konno Mutsuko , Yamada Masafumi
Published: June 2021

Background

X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) deficiency is one of inborn errors of immunity characterized by recurrent hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mimicking Crohn’s disease. The aim of this study is to make an accurate diagnosis of XIAP deficiency based on genetic and XIAP expression studies and to investigate endoscopic findings shared by patients with this disease.

Methods

Four male patients with recurrent hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and long‐term refractory IBD were studied for the diagnosis of XIAP deficiency. Endoscopic findings of the four patients were also studied in parallel.

Results

These four patients were diagnosed with XIAP deficiency based on the absent XIAP expression in cultured T‐cell blasts. Sequence analysis of the responsible gene, XIAP, demonstrated two novel nonsense mutations of p.Gln114X and p.Glu25X, and a previously reported nonsense mutation of p.Arg381X. Although no mutations in the coding region were detected in the fourth patient, further studies demonstrated a novel 2,199 bp deletion encompassing non‐coding exon 1, presumably affecting transcription and stability of XIAP mRNA. All of the patients eventually underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, leading to a complete or partial remission of IBD. These four patients shared an endoscopic finding of multiple wide and longitudinal ulcers with straight and non‐raised edge in the colon.

Conclusions

X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein expression in T‐cell blasts could facilitate the diagnosis of this disease, especially with causal mutations in non‐coding regions.
When perception is reality, there is more than one reality: The formation and effects of pay‐for‐performance perceptions
Authors: Park Sanghee , Sturman Michael C.
Published: June 2021

Compensation research has generally considered pay‐for‐performance (PFP) perceptions in terms of how people react to only a single PFP form or PFP systems as a whole, regardless of the complexity of the compensation system pertaining to the individual. Synthesizing construal level theory, expectancy theory, compensation activation theory, and Call and Ployhart's (2020) theory of firm value capture from employee job performance, we provide insights into how employees develop PFP perceptions when they are covered by a complex PFP system. We propose that (1) individuals shape PFP perceptions at different levels of mental construals, ranging from concrete to abstract; (2) concrete conceptualizations lead to specific, detailed, multidimensional perceptions of PFP system elements (i.e., expectancy, instrumentality, valence, and incentive‐intensity) while abstract conceptualizations lead to more general perceptions with fewer perceived dimensions; (3) an individual's construal level can change over time because of characteristics of the PFP system as well as external events, and (4) construal levels have different implications for PFP system effectiveness at the individual and organizational levels. We also discuss how this theoretical approach provides a structure for enhancing our understanding of modern pay practices that helps to close the gap that currently exists between compensation theory and practice.
Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problems with Arbitrary Precedence Graphs
Authors: Kasapidis Gregory A. , Paraskevopoulos Dimitris C. , Repoussis Panagiotis P. , Tarantilis Christos D.
Published: June 2021

A common assumption in the shop scheduling literature is that the processing order of the operations of each job is sequential; however, in practice, there can be multiple connections and finish‐to‐start dependencies among the operations of each job. This paper studies flexible job shop scheduling problems with arbitrary precedence graphs. Rigorous mixed integer and constraint programming models are presented, as well as an evolutionary algorithm is proposed to solve large‐scale problems. The proposed heuristic solution framework is equipped with efficient evolution and local search mechanisms as well as new feasibility detection and makespan estimation methods. To that end, new theorems are derived that extend previous theoretical contributions of the literature. Computational experiments on existing benchmark datasets show that the proposed solution methods outperform the current state‐of‐the‐art. Overall, 59 new best solutions and 61 new lower bounds are produced for a total of 228 benchmark problem instances of the literature. To explore the impact of the arbitrary precedence graphs, lower bounds and heuristic solutions are generated for new large‐scale problems. These experiments illustrate that the machine assignment flexibility and density of the precedence graphs, affect not only the makespan, but also the difficulty of producing good upper bounds.
Colletotrichum falcatum and Fusarium species induce symptoms of red rot in sugarcane in Brazil
Authors: Costa Marileide M. , Silva Bárbara A. A. S. , Moreira Gláucia M. , Pfenning Ludwig H.
Published: June 2021

Red rot is an important disease of sugarcane, reported from the main producing countries of the crop. The main causal agent is Colletotrichum falcatum, which induces reddish internal stalk rot, resulting in loss of quality and quantity of sugars. While the occurrence of this disease has been reported in plantations in Brazil, the aetiology of the disease is not yet fully understood. We isolated and identified the fungi associated with sugarcane plants showing symptoms of red rot. Thirty isolates were recovered and grouped by morphology within the genera Colletotrichum and Fusarium. Based on phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from ITS, ACT, SOD, GAPDH, and EF‐1α, eight isolates were identified as C. falcatum (n = 6) and C. plurivorum (n = 2). Twenty‐two isolates belonged to the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex and were identified as F. sacchari (n = 8), F. proliferatum (n = 3), and F. madaense (n = 11). Coinfection with C. falcatum and Fusarium species were frequently observed. C. falcatum and Fusarium strains induced reddening of internal tissues and stalk rot in sugarcane plants, symptoms of red rot, while Fusarium species also induced symptoms of pokkah boeng. C. plurivorum, whose sexual stage was observed on the surface of stems, did not induce stalk rot or leaf symptoms. The results obtained in this study clarify the aetiological agents of red rot of sugarcane in Brazil. The conditions that lead to the development of specific symptoms of red rot or pokkah boeng are under investigation.