bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of the Comprehensive Monitoring System of Ro-Ro Ship Power Plant Based on LabVIEW
Authors: Liu Luyuan
Published: April 2022

In this paper, using power machinery monitoring technology, testing technology, signal analysis and processing technology, combined with the characteristics of the dual-engine and double-propeller arrangement, carrying, complex waters and variable operating conditions of the power unit of the ro-ro ship, a set of virtual instruments is designed for the power of the ro-ro ship. Device integrated monitoring system. The system has a complete set of comprehensive monitoring system, which can monitor the power output working status of the power unit of the ro-ro ship. Under different working conditions, the system can collect and analyse signals through sensors, and automatically obtain information such as combustion work in the cylinder, gearbox gear transmission and meshing, shaft trajectory dynamic vibration and shaft power, and is a monitoring platform for marine power plants. The development and intelligent cabin provide technical support. The system realizes the automatic monitoring of ships, effectively improves the safety and reliability of ship operations, and reduces and avoids the occurrence of major accidents. At the same time, it has also completed the integration and digitization of ship power plant monitoring, providing support for decision-making in the use, operation and control, maintenance, and management of equipment and systems, effectively improving the safety and reliability of ship operations, and further promoting the development of smart ships and smart engine rooms.
Method for introducing heteroatoms into the framework of FER-type zeolite by intercalation of sub-zeolite of Lamellar precusor PLS-3
Authors: Yang Boting , Cui Tianxiao
Published: April 2022

A method for introducing heteroatoms Al, Ti, and Sn into the framework of FER-type zeolite was provided. The incorporation of heteroatoms was achieved by intercalation of sub-zeolite of lamellar precursor PLS-3 that possessed disordered structure along layered direction using 4-amion-2,2,6,6-tetramentylniperidine together with salts containing a heteroatom. During intercalation, the molar ratio of Si and heteroatoms can be adjusted between 30 to ∞. Heteroatoms entered the material with the help of hydrothermal synthesis conditions used in the intercalation process, resulting in reordered layered metalosilicate structure. After mild acid treatment of these metalosilicates to remove extra-framework heteroatoms and further calcination, we obtained a three-dimensional zeolite of FER topology with framework Al, Ti, and Sn.
Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/Sodium alginate blends have superior characteristics and can be used to fabricate vascular stents
Authors: Qiu ShuiWei , Xia YingHui , Sun JiangDong , Wang ShanShan , Xing QuanSheng
Published: April 2022

To investigate the physical properties and in vitro biocompatibility of Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and Sodium alginate (PBAT/SA) melt blending, as well as feasibility of using PBAT/SA blending materials to fabricate vascular stents through 3D printing technology. PBAT/SA composites were prepared by melt blending, and then related physical properties were assessed through FTIR, SEM, DSC, and water contact angle tests. The effects of the PBAT/SA blend on cell morphology, ROS, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were analyzed in vitro. In addition, we employed a 4-axis 3D printer to evaluate the feasibility of using PBAT/SA blend materials to fabricate vascular stents. We successfully prepared PBAT/SA melt blended materials. FTIR and SEM analyses demonstrated that PBAT and SA were compatible, while DSC data confirmed that the addition of SA improved the thermal properties of PBAT. Besides, water contact angle analysis showed that SA improved the hydrophilicity of PBAT. In addition, we successfully fabricated PBAT/SA vascular stent using 4-axis 3D printing technology. Our data showed that PBAT and SA are compatible, and the addition of SA enhances the thermal properties and hydrophilicity of PBAT. In addition, PBAT/SA blend materials can be fabricated into vascular stents using 4-axis 3D printing technology.
Laboratory Interventions to Eliminate Unnecessary Rapid COVID-19 Testing During a Reagent Shortage
Authors: Wulff Regina T , Qiu Yuqing , Wu Caroline , Calfee David P , Singh Harjot K , Hatch Ian , Steel Peter A D , Scofi Jean E , Westblade Lars F , Cushing Melissa M
Published: April 2022

Objectives

In the fall of 2020, US medical centers were running out of rapid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of an intervention to eliminate rapid test misutilization and to quantify the effect of the countermeasures to control rapid test ordering using a test utilization dashboard.

Methods

Interventions were made to preserve a severely limited supply of rapid diagnostic tests based on real-time analysis of a COVID-19 test utilization dashboard. This study is a retrospective observational study evaluating pre- and postintervention rates of appropriate rapid test use, reporting times, and cost/savings of resources used.

Results

This study included 14,462 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction tests ordered during the study period. After the intervention, there was a 27.3% decrease in nonconforming rapid tests. Rapid test reporting time from laboratory receipt decreased by 1.47 hours. The number of days of rapid test inventory on hand increased by 39 days.

Conclusions

Performing diagnostic test stewardship, informed by real-time review of a test utilization dashboard, was associated with significantly improved appropriate utilization of rapid diagnostic COVID-19 tests, improved reporting times, implied cost savings, and improved reagent inventory on hand, which facilitated the management of scarce resources during a pandemic.
Lamprey possess both V1R and V2R olfactory receptors, but only V1Rs are expressed in olfactory sensory neurons
Authors: Kowatschew Daniel , Korsching Sigrun I
Published: April 2022

The sense of smell employs some of the largest gene families in the genome to detect and distinguish a multitude of different odors. Within vertebrates, 4 major olfactory receptor families have been described; of which, only 3 (OR, TAAR-like, and V1R) were found already in lamprey, a jawless vertebrate. The forth family (V2R) was believed to have originated later, in jawed vertebrates. Here we have delineated the entire vomeronasal receptor repertoire in 3 lamprey species. We report the presence of 6 v1r and 2 v2r genes in Lethenteron camtschaticum, arctic lamprey, and Lampetra fluviatilis, river lamprey (6 and 1, respectively, in sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus). Three v1r genes but no v2r genes were found to be expressed in olfactory sensory neurons in the characteristic sparse expression pattern. Our results show the olfactory function of some V1Rs already in lamprey and, unexpectedly, an early origin of the V2R family in the shared ancestor of jawed and jawless vertebrates. However, lamprey v2r genes appear not to have acquired an olfactory function yet, thus dissociating the evolutionary origin of the family from the onset of a function as olfactory receptor.
Prediction of Ocular Toxicity of Potential Degradation Products of Proparacaine Hydrochloride Subjected under ICH Recommended Stress Conditions
Authors: Mahajan Anand , Coelho Allan , Pissurlenkar Raghuvir , Fernandes Adison , Tagalpallewar Amol
Published: April 2022

Background

Proparacaine hydrochloric ophthalmic solution (0.5%) is widely used as ophthalmic anesthetic for short conjunctival and corneal procedures. In connection to this, present research work was conducted to investigate ocular toxicity of its probable degradation products (DPs), which were generated after treating drug with stressors mentioned under International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline Q1A (R2).

Result

The probable DPs were generated by placing drug under various stress conditions to generate similarity of the effect of stressor which drug supposed to face during its life cycle. The hydrolytic stress condition under acidic, basic and neutral environment formed two major DPs, while the drug was stable and did not generate any DP when subjected to oxidative, dry heat and photolytic stress. The separation of DPs was carried out using high performance liquid chromatographic system. The structural identification of DPs was carried out by subjecting degradation samples to liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. These DPs were screened using in-silico ocular toxicity prediction models Pub-SVM to predict their potential to cause irritation/corrosion to eye.

Conclusions

The DPs identified were DP 1 (2-(diethyl amino) ethanol) and DP 2 (3-amino-4-propoxybenzoic acid). The in-silico ocular toxicity study predicted that DP 1 has potential of eye corrosion (EC) and eye irritation (EI), whereas DP 2 has a potential EI. The drug was found safe and devoid of any EC and EI potential.
Pandemic polycentricity? Mobility and migration patterns across New York over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Schmahmann Laura , Poorthuis Ate , Chapple Karen
Published: April 2022

The expectation of a mass movement out of cities due to the rise of remote work associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, is counter to longstanding theories of the benefits of agglomeration economies. It suggests centrifugal shifts of economic activity which could boost neighbourhood economies at the expense of the downtown core. Using mobile phone data from SafeGraph, we track migration and daily mobility patterns throughout the New York metropolitan area between July 2019 and June 2021. We find that diverse suburban centres and exurban areas have bounced back more quickly than the dense specialised commercial districts in and around Manhattan.
84: DOES CHEST PAIN INFLUENCE NEGATIVELY LONG TERM CLINICALRESULTS OF THE SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR ESOPHAGEAL ACHALASIA?
Authors: Tassi V , Lugaresi M , Daddi N , Pilotti V , Ferruzzi L , Mattioli S
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Recently it has been recommended not to perform the Heller myotomy in Achalasia type III (Chicago classification) because of the persistence of chest pain after surgery; alternatively, POEM was proposed. This position is based on short term follow up studies. In the last 40 years our group performed the Heller-Dor operation (HD) in achalasia diagnosed according to Vantrappen and Castell PMDE classification also in the presence of chest pain (vigorous achalasia included, diffuse spasm and nutcracker esophagus excluded). In cases operated upon of HD, we investigated in the long term chest pain, inside the global surgery evaluation.

Methods

Between 1978 and 2020, 390 achalasia patients underwent the Heller-Dor operation. Among them, 79 preoperatively complained of chest pain (group A), 311 did not (group B). Patients were preoperatively classified and postoperatively followed up according to a timed protocol based on clinical assessment of intensity and frequency of dysphagia (D0 absent—D3 daily), GERD symptoms (RS0 absent-RS3 daily); chest pain was quantified according to the Eckardt’s scale (0 none—3 each meal). Barium swallow and endoscopy (E0: normal, E1: mild esophagitis, E2–3: erosive/ulcerative esophagitis) were performed at each planned control. A and B groups were compared.

Results

Groups were homogeneous according to sex (P = 0.42) and age (P = 0.51). After HD median follow-up was 10 years (IQR 4.7–12.6 years) for A, 14 years (IQR 5.6–20 years) for B (P = 0.166); at barium swallow the percentage of decrease in esophageal diameter and barium column was similar (P = 0.59 and P = 0.85, respectively) as well as the frequency of GERD symptoms and esophagitis (P = 0.27). Chest pain progressively attenuated; median Eckard score preoperatively was 3, at follow-up it was 1 (P < 0.001). The clinical evaluation at the last control was significantly more favorable for A (satisfactory D0–2, RS0–2, and E1 in 95%) versus B (satisfactory in 89%) (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

In the long term HD achieves very satisfactory results with the decrease/disappearance of chest pain possibly present in regular achalasia. The clinical-radiological-manometric patterns of type 3 achalasia should be revised, to eliminate eventual misunderstandings.
115: THE PULMONARY SEQUELAE OF GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE
Authors: Goonawardhana D , Falk G , Van Der Wall H
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and a spectrum of pulmonary diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and bronchiectasis have a complex but poorly understood relationship. IPF is characterised by chronic progressive interstitial pneumonia due to the deposition of fibrous tissue in the pulmonary interstitium. It has a median survival time from diagnosis of 2 to 5 years. Bronchiectasis is defined as irreversible dilatation of the bronchial tree, leading to severe pulmonary infections and gradual deterioration in lung function. Chronic micro aspiration of acid and non-acid refluxate leading to airway irritation, repeated lung injury and respiratory tree remodelling has been implicated in the pathophysiology and progression of both diseases. Current studies have shown that patients with severe GORD will demonstrate pulmonary aspiration of refluxate on scintigraphic scanning. We aim to demonstrate the presence of pulmonary aspiration of refluxate on oesophageal scintigraphy and correlate this with changes of fibrosis, scarring, bronchiectatic and ground glass changes on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest imaging.

Methods

Retrospective data was obtained from 114 patients who underwent oesophageal scintigraphy reflux studies at a single nuclear medicine imaging facility to evaluate for significant GORD or extra-oesophageal symptoms. Scintigraphy results were then compared with HRCT chest studies of the respective patients. Lobar locations of parenchymal changes on CT were correlated with location of isotope in lungs seen during aspiration on scintigraphy.

Results

114 of patients demonstrated evidence of pulmonary aspiration on scintigraphy in the delayed study. All patients had intermittent or continuous full column gastro-oesophageal reflux with evidence of tracer in both lungs or the right lung. Of these patients, 35 underwent HRCT chest studies. 23 of the 35 patients had evidence of pulmonary disease on HRCT, demonstrated by fibrosis, scarring, bronchiectatic changes or ground glass opacities. 11 patients showed evidence of pulmonary fibrosis or scarring, and 10 of these demonstrated co-location of pulmonary aspiration on scintigraphy. 10 of 11 patients with bronchiectactic change were co-located with pulmonary aspiration.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate a likely relationship between GORD, IPF and bronchiectasis, indicating that the current clinical paradigm of GORD and respiratory disease being two separate entities must be re-evaluated.
117: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF MULTIVARIATE PREDICTION MODEL OF LONG-TERM SURVIVAL AFTER OESOPHAGECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH OESOPHAGEAL CANCER
Authors: Gujjuri R R , Clarke J M , Elliot J A , Reynolds J V , Markar S R
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Long-term survival after oesophagectomy remains poor, with recurrence a feared common outcome. Prediction tools can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and optimise treatment decisions based on their prognostic factors. This study developed and evaluated a prediction model to predict long-term survival and time-to-recurrence following surgery for oesophageal cancer.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative surgery between June 2009–2015 from the European iNvestigation of SUrveillance After Resection for Esophageal Cancer study were included. Prediction models were developed for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) using Cox proportional hazards (CPH) and Random Survival Forest (RSF). Model performance was evaluated using discrimination (time-dependent area under the curve (tAUC)) and calibration (visual comparison of predicted and observed survival probabilities).

Results

This study included 4719 patients with an OS of 47.7% and DFS of 48.4% at 5 years. Sixteen variables were included in the final model. CPH and RSF demonstrated good discrimination with a tAUC of 78.2% (95% CI 77.4–79.1%) and 77.1% (95% CI 76.1–78.1%) for OS and a tAUC of 79.4% (95% CI 78.5–80.2%) and 78.6% (95% CI 77.5–79.5%) respectively for DFS at 5 years. CPH showed good agreement between predicted and observed probabilities in all quintiles. RSF showed good agreement for patients with survival probabilities between 20–80% and moderate agreement in the <20% and > 80% quintile groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the ability of a statistical model to accurately predict long-term survival and time-to-recurrence after surgery for oesophageal cancer, with CPH and RSF models showing good discrimination and calibration. Identification of patient groups at risk of recurrence and poor long-term survival can improve patient outcomes by enhancing selection of treatment methods and surveillance strategies. Future work evaluating prediction-based decisions against standard decision-making is required to improve understanding of the clinical utility derived from prognostic model use.
124: DETERMINING SEVERITY OF ESOPHAGEAL ANASTOMOTIC LEAK IN PATIENTS AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY: DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEAL SCORE
Authors: Ubels S , Verstegen M , Bouwense S , Hannink G , Siersema P , Klarenbeek B , Van Workum F , Rosman C
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a common and severe complication after esophagectomy, but it is largely unknown how to assess leakage severity at the time of diagnosis. We aimed to develop the Severity of Esophageal Anastomotic Leak (SEAL) score, a tool to predict leakage severity at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

The TENTACLE—Esophagus study is an international retrospective cohort study, in which 1509 patients with AL after esophagectomy between 2011 and 2019 were included in 71 centers from 20 countries. Potential predictors of mortality were patient parameters at diagnosis (e.g. diet at diagnosis, organ failure) and leakage parameters (e.g. fluid collections, gastric tube condition, leakage circumference). Primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Logistic regression was used to develop the SEAL score, comprising four grades of leakage severity (i.e. mild, moderate, severe and critical). Severity grade cut-offs were predefined and based on the individually predicted risk of 90-day mortality: 0–5%, 5–15%, 15–25% and 25–100%, respectively. Internal validation was performed by bootstrapping. The study protocol is accessible at www.tentaclestudy.com.

Results

The 90-day mortality rate in the included 1509 patients was 11.7%. The model had good discrimination (c-index 0.77; 95%CI 0.73–0.82) and calibration (calibration intercept 0.00; 95%CI -0.17– 0.17; calibration slope 1.14; 95%CI 0.95–1.33) after internal validation. The model classified 25.9% leakage patients as mild, 50.6% as moderate, 13.1% as severe and 10.4% as critical. The in-hospital, 30-day, 90-day and 180-day mortality rates, length of (ICU) stay, time to leak healing, Comprehensive Complication Index and Esophageal Complication Consensus Group classification worsened statistically significantly with higher classes of AL severity.

Conclusion

Anastomotic leakage is a severe complication with a 90-day mortality rate of 11.7%. The Severity of Esophageal Anastomotic Leak (SEAL) score is a tool which combines 12 patient and leak parameters at time of leak diagnosis and comprises four classes of leakage severity based on individual predictions of mortality. The SEAL score is instrumental in understanding AL severity in clinical practice and may be used to correct for leakage severity when assessing the efficacy of different treatments of AL after esophagectomy.
171: TOTAL VERSUS SUBTOTAL GASTRECTOMY FOR DISTAL GASTRIC POORLY COHESIVE CARCINOMA
Authors: Boubaddi M , Lambert C , Piessen G , Gualtierotti M , Voron T , Mantziari S , Ferrari G , Pezet D , Gronnier C
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Gastric poorly cohesive carcinoma (PCC) is characterized by a submucosal diffusion, an early lymph node and peritoneal extension associated with a worth prognosis for locally advanced stage (T2-T4) than intestinal type of adenocarcinoma. Total gastrectomy (TG) is still the most frequent procedure realized for distal gastric PCC because of its invasive characteristics. However, subtotal gastrectomy (SG) for antro-pyloric localization could improve morbidity and quality of life without compromising oncological outcomes. At this day, there is no clear recommendation about the type of surgery to realize for distal PCC gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for patients with antro pyloric PCC treated by SG vs those treated by TG.

Methods

We use a retrospective European multicentric cohort of 2327 patients treated for gastric cancer between 2007 and 2017 by members of the French Association of Surgery (AFC).

Results

All in all, this study included 271 patients with antro pyloric PCC treated by gastrectomy with 131 who underwent SG and 140 patients who underwent TG. Baseline characteristics were globally similar.

We didn’t observe any significant difference for tumor stage pTNM.

The median length of stay for patients with SG was 11 days (8–16) but for TG it was 13 days (10–18) (P = 0,001). There was no significant difference on surgical reintervention with 13 patients in each group (P = 0,93).

Concerning surgical complications, we used Dindo-Clavien classification: 60% of patients with SG had stage I-IIIa complication against 77% for TG and 8.8% had stage IIIB-IVb against 14,4% (P < 0.001).

There was no significant difference on 5-year overall survival years between SG (53.1% CI95% = 41.5–63.5%) and TG (53.8% CI95% = 43.2–63.3%) (HR = 0,94 CI95% = 0,68-1,29).

We also found no significant difference on 5-year disease free survival between SG (45.3% CI 95% = 34.3–55.6%) and TG (46.0% CI 95% = 35.9–55.5%) (HR = 0,97 CI95% = 0,69-1,33).

Conclusion

Our results show that there was no significant difference between SG and TG for 5-year OS and DFS for distal PCC with a lower complication rate in SG group. SG seems to be a valuable strategy for distal PCC.
179: EARLY PREDICTION OF PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO NEOADJUVANT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY FOR OESOPHAGEAL CANCER USING FULLY HYBRID PET/MR: PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Authors: Palumbo D , Fiorino C , Mori M , Picchio M , Cossu A , Slim N , Puccetti F , Mazza E , Steidler S , Di Muzio N , Cascinu S , Gianolli L , Rosati R , De Cobelli F
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Despite adequate preoperative staging, 25% of patients with oesophageal cancer treated with primary surgery have microscopically positive resection margins (R1), and the 5-year survival rate rarely exceeds 40%. The CROSS trial demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) double the median overall survival, with 29% of patients achieving a pathological complete response. Many authors suggest that this subgroup of patients do not benefit from additional surgery also having regard to the fact that oesophageal resections are associated with substantial morbidity and postoperative mortality rates of 3–5%. On the other hand 18% of patients who underwent nCRT were found to be non-responders, only suffering from nCRT side effects. Thus, rationale exists for identifying novel biomarkers allowing early, non-invasive prediction of pathological tumour response.

Methods

Starting from January 2020, all consecutive patients with biopsy proven potentially resectable oesophageal cancer scheduled to receive nCRT (CROSS regimen) were prospectively enrolled. In addition to standard of care imaging, a fully integrated hybrid PET/MR was performed at three time points (prior to, during and six weeks after treatment completion). For each patient, an early regression index (ERI) was computed according to the formula: ERI = ln [1—(tumour volume mid/tumour volume pre) tumour volume pre]. Tumour volumes were contoured on axial high resolution T2 weighted images by an experienced radiologist. Finally, after surgery, these data were systematically correlated with the pathological outcome in terms of Tumour Regression Grade(TRG). TRG = 1 refers to pathological complete response status.

Results

At present, of ten patients enrolled, seven underwent surgery after completion of nCRT; of these, three patients had TRG = 1. Interestingly, patients with a pathological complete response demonstrated significantly lower ERI values when compared with those patients with TRG ≥ 2 (4.09 vs. 27.94, P < 0.001). Of note, no PET parameter was significantly associated with subsequent pathological complete response status.

Conclusion

Preliminary results point out the existence of a novel imaging, MR based biomarker (ERI), able to early predict pathological tumour response during nCRT, thus providing an actual aid for patients’ management. The research leading to these results has received funding from AIRC (Italian Association for Cancer Research) under Investigator Grant—IG 2019—ID. 23015 project; NCT04359732.
183: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ESOPHAGEAL ADENOCARCINOMAS (EACS) AND ITS PROGNOSTIC IMPACT
Authors: Houlzé-Laroye C , Eveno C , Buisine M , Piessen G , Renaud F
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs) have an increasing incidence and a poor prognosis. While gastric cancer molecular subtypes are well characterized with 4 categories: EBV+, Microsatellite instability (MSI), Genomically stable (GS), Chromosomal instability (CIN), there is less data available on EACs. Often compared to stomach, recent literature only describes CIN subtype in EACs, while our clinical experience suggests greater heterogeneity. The aims of our study were (i) to characterize EACs from a molecular perspective based on a large clinico-biological database and (ii) compare our clinico-pathological data with molecular results to analyze their prognostic impact.

Methods

516 patients underwent a transthoracic esophagectomy at the University Hospital of Lille. All HES staining slides from surgical specimen was reviewed, followed by a tissue microarrays analysis. Molecular subtypes were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) (MMR proteins for the deficient MMR (dMMR) and MSI-PCR for the dMMR/MSI subtype, E-cadherin for the GS subtype, HER2, C-MET and KRAS for the CIN subtype), and in situ hybridization (EBV+).

Results

In our series, 290 EACs are located on the esogastric junction (Siewert I and II), and 226 are above. Our current analysis highlighted one patient EBV+ and 26 dMMR status (9%). Interestingly, we observed discordances between MSI-PCR and IHC results in a third of cases (n = 8), suggesting possible modifications induced by pre-operative treatment. Our results about CIN and GS subtypes are consistent with literature with a loss of E-cadherin expression in 22 tumors (15%). An overexpression of HER2, C-MET and KRAS was noticed in 12 (8%), 41 (27%) and 13 (9%) tumors, respectively. We observed a trend toward better survival in the dMMR/MSI group comparing to GS subtype (90% vs 40% at 60 months, P = 0.07). Further analyses of the prognostic impact are in progress.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the presence of biomarkers in EACs, defining at least 4 molecular subtypes, partly overlapping to those already described in gastric cancer. Interestingly, finding of EBV+ and MSI tumors was unexpected and never described elsewhere in previous genomic characterization. The prognostic impact of these 4 subtypes underlined the necessity of routine molecular characterization to adapt the therapeutic strategy.
214: THE ADDITION OF ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND AND PET IMAGING HAVE MINIMAL IMPACT ON DECISION-MAKING IN EARLY OESOPHAGEAL CANCER
Authors: Reyhani A , Dunn J , Baker C , Kelly M , Zeki S , Maisey N , Lagergren J , Gossage J , Davies A
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

With the increasing use of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for the staging and management of early oesophageal cancer (EOC), the value of multiple staging investigations remains clear.

Methods

A single centre, ethically approved, prospective database of patients treated for EOC between 2000 and 2018 was analysed. This incorporated a transition period from oesophagectomy to endoscopic therapy as the treatment of choice for early cancers. Patients were staged with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) with the accuracy and decision-making utility of these investigations assessed.

Results

In total 306 patients with glandular dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma were included (EMR n = 184; Surgery n = 113; EMR and Surgery n = 23). In patients treated by EMR staging patterns were similar for all modalities with low overall accuracy (Correct staging CT 40.1%, EUS 29.6%, PET 11%; Understaging CT 54.2%, EUS 51.9%, PET 82.9%; Overstaging CT 5.6%, EUS 18.5%, PET 6.1%). Incorrect overstaging that might have changed management occurred in 10 patients (3.6%) for T staging (T2) and 14 patients (5%) for N+. Similar staging inaccuracies persisted in both the surgery alone group and in those patients treated by oesophagectomy following EMR. Lymph node disease identified following surgery was rare (n = 8) and staging accuracy for these patients was low (CT 12.5%, EUS 12.5%, PET 0%).

Conclusion

In EOC, staging accuracy is low and the addition of EUS and PET change decision making in very few patients over and above standard CT. Factors predicting the need for surgery are predominantly obtained from the EMR histology rather than staging investigations. EUS and PET should only be used selectively in patients being assessed for EOC.
Sex-specific anthropometric and blood pressure trajectories and risk of incident atrial fibrillation: the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Lu Zuolin , Tilly Martijn J , Geurts Sven , Aribas Elif , Roeters van Lennep Jeanine , de Groot Natasja M S , Ikram M Arfan , van Rosmalen Joost , Kavousi Maryam
Published: April 2022

Aims

To investigate sex-specific longitudinal trajectories of various obesity-related measures and blood pressure at the population level and further assess the impact of these trajectories on new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results

Participants with ≥2 repeated assessments for various risk factors from the population-based Rotterdam Study were included. Latent class linear mixed models were fitted to identify the potential classes. Cox proportional-hazard models were used to assess the association between risk factors’ trajectories and the risk of new-onset AF, with the most favourable trajectory as reference. Among 7367 participants (mean baseline age: 73 years, 58.8% women), after a median follow-up time of 8.9 years (interquartile range: 5.3–10.4), 769 (11.4%) participants developed new-onset AF. After adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors, persistent-increasing body mass index (BMI) trajectory carried a higher risk for AF [hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval: (1.39; 1.05–1.85) in men and (1.60; 1.19–2.15) in women], compared with the lower-and-stable BMI trajectory. Trajectories of elevated-and-stable waist circumference (WC) in women (1.53; 1.09–2.15) and elevated-and-stable hip circumference (HC) in men (1.83; 1.11–3.03) were associated with incident AF. For systolic blood pressure (SBP), the initially hypertensive trajectory carried the largest risk for AF among women (1.79; 1.21–2.65) and men (1.82; 1.13–2.95). Diastolic blood pressure trajectories were significantly associated with AF risk among women but not among men.

Conclusion

Longitudinal trajectories of weight, BMI, WC, HC, and SBP were associated with new-onset AF in both men and women. Diastolic blood pressure trajectories were additionally associated with AF in women. Our results highlight the importance of assessing long-term exposure to risk factors for AF prevention among men and women.
Ecological and Phenotypic Diversification after a Continental Invasion in Neotropical Freshwater Stingrays
Authors: Kolmann M A , Marques F P L , Weaver J C , Dean M N , Fontenelle J P , Lovejoy N R
Published: April 2022

Habitat transitions are key potential explanations for why some lineages have diversified and others have not—from Anolis lizards to Darwin's finches. The ecological ramifications of marine-to-freshwater transitions for fishes suggest evolutionary contingency: some lineages maintain their ancestral niches in novel habitats (niche conservatism), whereas others alter their ecological role. However, few studies have considered phenotypic, ecological, and lineage diversification concurrently to explore this issue. Here, we investigated the macroevolutionary history of the taxonomically and ecologically diverse Neotropical freshwater river rays (subfamily Potamotrygoninae), which invaded and diversified in the Amazon and other South American rivers during the late Oligocene to early Miocene. We generated a time-calibrated, multi-gene phylogeny for Potamotrygoninae and reconstructed evolutionary patterns of diet specialization. We measured functional morphological traits relevant for feeding and used comparative phylogenetic methods to examine how feeding morphology diversified over time. Potamotrygonine trophic and phenotypic diversity are evenly partitioned (non-overlapping) among internal clades for most of their history, until 20–16 mya, when more recent diversification suggests increasing overlap among phenotypes. Specialized piscivores (Heliotrygon and Paratrygon) evolved early in the history of freshwater stingrays, while later trophic specialization (molluscivory, insectivory, and crustacivory) evolved in the genus Potamotrygon. Potamotrygonins demonstrate ecological niche lability in diets and feeding apparatus; however, diversification has mostly been a gradual process through time. We suggest that competition is unlikely to have limited the potamotrygonine invasion and diversification in South America.
US Supreme Court rules that unintentional mistakes of law, like mistakes of fact, may be considered under the copyright registration safe harbour provision
Authors: Macedo Charles R , Rothstein Chester , Goldberg David P , Lee Alice
Published: April 2022

On 24 February 2002, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in Unicolors, Inc. v H&M Hennes & Mauritz, LP, holding that an unintentional mistake of law is entitled to the benefit of the US Copyright Act’s safe harbour provision, § 411(b)(1)(A). In so doing, the Court clarified that not only unintentional mistakes of fact made during the application process, but also unintentional mistakes of law may be evaluated under the US Copyright Act’s safe harbour provision.
Detection and Isolation ofRickettsia tillamookensis(Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) FromIxodes pacificus(Acari: Ixodidae) From Multiple Regions of California
Authors: Paddock Christopher D , Slater Kimetha , Swei Andrea , Zambrano Maria L , Kleinjan Joyce E , Padgett Kerry A , Saunders Megan E M , Andrews Elizabeth S , Trent Erin , Zhong Jianmin , Sambado Samantha , Goldsmith Cynthia S , Pascoe Emily L , Foley Janet , Lane Robert S , Karpathy Sandor E
Published: April 2022

The western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is the most frequently identified human-biting tick species in the western United States and the principal vector of at least three recognized bacterial pathogens of humans. A potentially pathogenic Rickettsia species, first described in 1978 and recently characterized as a novel transitional group agent designated as Rickettsia tillamookensis, also exists among populations of I. pacificus, although the distribution and frequency of this agent are poorly known. We evaluated DNA extracts from 348 host-seeking I. pacificus nymphs collected from 9 locations in five California counties, and from 916 I. pacificus adults collected from 24 locations in 13 counties, by using a real-time PCR designed specifically to detect DNA of R. tillamookensis. DNA of R. tillamookensis was detected in 10 (2.9%) nymphs (95% CI: 1.6–5.2%) and 17 (1.9%) adults (95% CI: 1.2–3.0%) from 11 counties of northern California. Although site-specific infection rates varied greatly, frequencies of infection remained consistently low when aggregated by stage, sex, habitat type, or geographical region. Four novel isolates of R. tillamookensis were cultivated in Vero E6 cells from individual adult ticks collected from Alameda, Nevada, and Yolo counties. Four historical isolates, serotyped previously as ‘Tillamook-like’ strains over 40 yr ago, were revived from long-term storage in liquid nitrogen and confirmed subsequently by molecular methods as isolates of R. tillamookensis. The potential public health impact of R. tillamookensis requires further investigation.
‘Quite a pleasant little afternoon’s sport’: Imperial Femininity and Hunting Culture in Impressions of a Tenderfoot
Authors: Molin Cherneski Kristina
Published: April 2022

This article examines the 1890 book Impressions of a Tenderfoot during a journey in search of sport in the Far West, by Susan MacKinnon St Maur. It argues that St Maur used conventions of male-produced texts on hunting and masculine notions of sport, while drawing on ‘feminine’ themes and topics as well, charting a unique ‘imperial femininity’ (Procida 2001). She proclaimed her ability to participate in male-coded outdoor activities, and argued for her place in the British Empire. Instead of obviously appropriating masculinity and challenging normative femininity, she found ways to make her exploits more palatable to her readers, while still asserting her status as a ‘sportsman’. Descriptions of the people she meets, whether settler or Indigenous, and her concern with race and the politics of imperialism, stress her place in the hierarchy of the colonial project, based on her own race and class, complicating normative gender roles of the period.
Evidence for neutron star triaxial free precession in Her X-1 from Fermi/GBM pulse period measurements
Authors: Kolesnikov Dmitry , Shakura Nikolai , Postnov Konstantin
Published: April 2022

Her X-1/HZ Her is one of the best studied accreting X-ray pulsars. In addition to the pulsating and orbital periods, the X-ray and optical light curves of the source exhibit an almost periodic 35-d variability caused by a precessing accretion disc. The nature of the observed long-term stability of the 35-d cycle has been debatable. The X-ray pulse frequency of Her X-1 measured by the Fermi/GBM demonstrates periodical variations with X-ray flux at the main-on state of the source. We explain the observed periodic sub-microsecond pulse frequency changes by the free precession of a triaxial neutron star (NS) with parameters previously inferred from an independent analysis of the X-ray pulse evolution over the 35-d cycle. In the Fermi/GBM data, we identified several time intervals with a duration of half a year or longer where the NS precession period describing the pulse frequency variations does not change. We found that the NS precession period varies within one per cent in different intervals. Such variations in the free precession period on a year time-scale can be explained by $\lesssim 1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ changes in the fractional difference between the triaxial NS’s moments of inertia due to the accreted mass readjustment or variable internal coupling of the NS crust with the core.
A case of rheumatoid arthritis with bilateral shoulder bursitis accompanied by gas image
Authors: Kanayama Yoshiro , Tono Toshihiro , Tanaka Tomoki , Yamaoka Kunihiro
Published: April 2022

We experienced a case of bilateral shoulder bursitis with gas images in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient. A 60-year-old man with RA had been treated with weekly methotrexate 10 mg and daily prednisolone (PSL) 10 mg for 7 months. Generalized pain, especially in the bilateral shoulder joints, developed and exacerbated daily with increased C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Despite the initiation of biweekly sarilumab 200 mg, joint symptoms and CRP level continued to worsen. Computed tomography (CT) scan to determine the cause of severe shoulder inflammation revealed low absorption areas with contrast effects at the margins around the bilateral shoulder joints, accompanied by internal gas images. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated subacromial bursae and coracoid bursae and bursitis, leading to the suspicion of abscess formation depending on the presence of gas image. In spite of antimicrobial therapy, arthralgia did not improve, and a CT-guided arthrocentesis of the left shoulder joint resulted in negative findings of infection in culture and pathological examinations. Switching treatment to intensive anti-inflammatory therapy with high-dose steroids and etanercept finally improved symptoms and CRP levels associated with the reduction of low absorption areas and disappearance of gas images at bilateral shoulder joints. Our case indicated that bursitis with gas image in RA patients involves unusual pathophysiology and requires intensive anti-rheumatic treatment.
George Balanchine’s Art of Choreographic Musicality in Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux
Authors: Leaman Kara Yoo
Published: April 2022

George Balanchine conceived ballets from music and, arguably, as music. This article uses a music-based notation system for dance to examine one complete piece, Variation 2 from Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux (1960). The transcription facilitates the application of music-analytic tools to choreomusical works. The analysis shows that Balanchine responded to musical features and applied musical techniques to dance, not only at the surface but at higher levels of form, creating choreomusical coherence. Performances by different dancers are compared in light of the analysis. This study offers a way to describe music-dance relationships using the tools and language of music analysis.
Antisense-mediated repression of SAGA-dependent genes involves the HIR histone chaperone
Authors: Soudet Julien , Beyrouthy Nissrine , Pastucha Anna Marta , Maffioletti Andrea , Menéndez Dario , Bakir Zahra , Stutz Françoise
Published: April 2022

Eukaryotic genomes are pervasively transcribed by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), and transcription of long non-coding RNAs often overlaps with coding gene promoters. This might lead to coding gene repression in a process named Transcription Interference (TI). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TI is mainly driven by antisense non-coding transcription and occurs through re-shaping of promoter Nucleosome-Depleted Regions (NDRs). In this study, we developed a genetic screen to identify new players involved in Antisense-Mediated Transcription Interference (AMTI). Among the candidates, we found the HIR histone chaperone complex known to be involved in de novo histone deposition. Using genome-wide approaches, we reveal that HIR-dependent histone deposition represses the promoters of SAGA-dependent genes via antisense non-coding transcription. However, while antisense transcription is enriched at promoters of SAGA-dependent genes, this feature is not sufficient to define the mode of gene regulation. We further show that the balance between HIR-dependent nucleosome incorporation and transcription factor binding at promoters directs transcription into a SAGA- or TFIID-dependent regulation. This study sheds light on a new connection between antisense non-coding transcription and the nature of coding transcription initiation.
iFeatureOmega:an integrative platform for engineering, visualization and analysis of features from molecular sequences, structural and ligand data sets
Authors: Chen Zhen , Liu Xuhan , Zhao Pei , Li Chen , Wang Yanan , Li Fuyi , Akutsu Tatsuya , Bain Chris , Gasser Robin B , Li Junzhou , Yang Zuoren , Gao Xin , Kurgan Lukasz , Song Jiangning
Published: April 2022

The rapid accumulation of molecular data motivates development of innovative approaches to computationally characterize sequences, structures and functions of biological and chemical molecules in an efficient, accessible and accurate manner. Notwithstanding several computational tools that characterize protein or nucleic acids data, there are no one-stop computational toolkits that comprehensively characterize a wide range of biomolecules. We address this vital need by developing a holistic platform that generates features from sequence and structural data for a diverse collection of molecule types. Our freely available and easy-to-use iFeatureOmega platform generates, analyzes and visualizes 189 representations for biological sequences, structures and ligands. To the best of our knowledge, iFeatureOmega provides the largest scope when directly compared to the current solutions, in terms of the number of feature extraction and analysis approaches and coverage of different molecules. We release three versions of iFeatureOmega including a webserver, command line interface and graphical interface to satisfy needs of experienced bioinformaticians and less computer-savvy biologists and biochemists. With the assistance of iFeatureOmega, users can encode their molecular data into representations that facilitate construction of predictive models and analytical studies. We highlight benefits of iFeatureOmega based on three research applications, demonstrating how it can be used to accelerate and streamline research in bioinformatics, computational biology, and cheminformatics areas. The iFeatureOmega webserver is freely available at http://ifeatureomega.erc.monash.edu and the standalone versions can be downloaded from https://github.com/Superzchen/iFeatureOmega-GUI/ and https://github.com/Superzchen/iFeatureOmega-CLI/.
Heteroheptacene-based acceptors with thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole yield high-performance polymer solar cells
Authors: Luo Zhenghui , Ma Ruijie , Yu Jianwei , Liu Heng , Liu Tao , Ni Fan , Hu Jiahao , Zou Yang , Zeng Anping , Su Chun-Jen , Jeng U-Ser , Lu Xinhui , Gao Feng , Yang Chuluo , Yan He
Published: April 2022

Rationally utilizing and developing synthetic units is of particular significance for the design of high-performance non-fullerene small-molecule acceptors (SMAs). Here, a thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole synthetic unit was employed to develop a set of SMAs (ThPy1, ThPy2, ThPy3 and ThPy4) by changing the number or the position of the pyrrole ring in the central core based on a standard SMA of IT-4Cl, compared to which the four thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-based acceptors exhibit bathochromic absorption and upshifted frontier orbital energy level due to the strong electron-donating ability of pyrrole. As a result, the polymer solar cells (PSCs) of the four thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-based acceptors yield higher open-circuit voltage and lower energy loss relative to those of the IT-4Cl-based device. What is more, the ThPy3-based device achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) (15.3%) and an outstanding fill factor (FF) (0.771) that are superior to the IT-4Cl-based device (PCE = 12.6%, FF = 0.758). The ThPy4-based device realizes the lowest energy loss and the smallest optical band gap, and the ternary PSC device based on PM6:BTP-eC9:ThPy4 exhibits a PCE of 18.43% and a FF of 0.802. Overall, this work sheds light on the great potential of thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-based SMAs in realizing low energy loss and high PCE.