bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid enlargement of pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma with fluid-containing cystic change: a case report
Authors: Yanagihara Takahiro , Kobayashi Naohiro , Kawamura Tomoyuki , Kikuchi Shinji , Goto Yukinobu , Ichimura Hideo , Sato Yukio
Published: May 2022

Background

Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma (PBML) is a rare disease that can occur in women with a history of uterine leiomyoma. Despite its benign histological features, like a malignancy, leiomyomas can on rare occasion spread to the lung. Typically, PBML presents with asymptomatic multiple solid lung nodules with slow tumor progression, following hysterectomy. Here, we present an atypical case with rapid enlargement of PBML with fluid-containing cystic change.

Case presentation

We experienced a case of a 49-year-old woman with bilateral lung nodules following hysterectomy. Two nodules in the right lung had cystic change with fluid in the tumors. Hormone therapy was initiated after surgical biopsy of the left lung confirmed a diagnosis of PBML. However, the cystic component of right upper lobe lesion enlarged rapidly over the following 7 months, and, considering the risk of malignant transformation or tumor rupture, right upper lobectomy was performed. Pathologically, the fluid-containing tumor was diagnosed as PBML.

Conclusion

Given the risk of rapid progression, we should carefully consider the surgical indications of fluid-containing PBML.
Bitcoin price change and trend prediction through twitter sentiment and data volume
Authors: Critien Jacques Vella , Gatt Albert , Ellul Joshua
Published: May 2022

Twitter sentiment has been shown to be useful in predicting whether Bitcoin’s price will increase or decrease. Yet the state-of-the-art is limited to predicting the price direction and not the magnitude of increase/decrease. In this paper, we seek to build on the state-of-the-art to not only predict the direction yet to also predict the magnitude of increase/decrease. We utilise not only sentiment extracted from tweets, but also the volume of tweets. We present results from experiments exploring the relation between sentiment and future price at different temporal granularities, with the goal of discovering the optimal time interval at which the sentiment expressed becomes a reliable indicator of price change. Two different neural network models are explored and evaluated, one based on recurrent nets and one based on convolutional networks. An additional model is presented to predict the magnitude of change, which is framed as a multi-class classification problem. It is shown that this model yields more reliable predictions when used alongside a price trend prediction model. The main research contribution from this paper is that we demonstrate that not only can price direction prediction be made but the magnitude in price change can be predicted with relative accuracy ( 63%).
Residents as teachers in Neurology: a Germany-wide survey on the involvement of neurological residents in clinical teaching
Authors: Biesalski Anne-Sophie , Tönges Lars , von Kirchbauer Isabelle , Gülke Eileen , Eisenberg Hanna , Ippen Franziska Maria , Schmidt-Graf Friederike
Published: May 2022

Background

Residents play an important role in the clinical training of medical students, spending up to 25% of their daily work teaching. In the US medical curriculum didactic courses for residents already exist and their role as a teacher is firmly anchored. In Germany, there are no fixed regulations or residents-as-teachers-programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activities of neurological residents in clinical teaching.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cross-sectional online survey among neurological residents in Germany. The evaluation was carried out descriptively and by means of text analysis.

Results

138 residents from 39 German neurological university hospitals answered the survey. Nearly half of them needed the teaching activity as part of their career planning. The residents are mostly involved in practical courses. More than 80% stated, that they enjoy teaching. 64% stated that there were no preparatory courses for teaching at their hospital/university. 78.4% of the respondents received no or merely insufficient feedback for their own teaching and 62.5% had only little or even no knowledge about the university curriculum.

Conclusions

By teaching medical students, residents play an outstanding role in recruiting students for neurology and, simultaneously, teaching leads an improvement in the residents’ own learning. To encourage young neurologists as teachers and—at the same time as learners—Clinic directors and universities should promote residents-as-teachers programs in neurology and reward the residents’ teaching activities.
Lessons Learnt From the First Year of a First-of-Its-Kind Breast Cancer Patient Psychosocial Support Group in Ethiopia and Promising Practices for Initiation and Implementation of Survivor Support Programs in Low-Resource Settings
Authors: Deressa Biniyam Tefera , Bekele Etsegenet , Hussen Rahima , Lott Breanne
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Psychosocial support helps cancer patients adjust to diagnosis and treatment and improve their overall well-being. With few resources committed to cancer prevention and treatment in Ethiopia, patients’ and survivors’ mental health needs are frequently disregarded, resulting in low quality of life. In October 2020, a support group for breast cancer (BC) patients was formed at Adama Hospital Medical College (AHMC), the first of its kind in Ethiopia. Here, we reflect on lessons learnt from the first year of implementation and share promising practices for establishing such groups in low-resource settings.

METHODS

The founder and facilitators of the AHMC BC patient and survivor support group describe the program and critically reflect on its impact, challenges to implementation, lessons learned, and ideas for further improvement. Ng and Colombani’s framework for selecting best practices in public health (2015) is used to organize key themes.

RESULTS

One Saturday each month, 20-30 patients and survivors gather with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Participants report feelings of empowerment, hope, and confidence, a stronger sense of interconnectedness with others, and increased engagement in social activities. One notable success was the advocacy opportunity for the women to speak with hospital administrators and Ministry of Health officials at a BC Awareness Month celebration this year. Implementation challenges include a lack of funding, lack of a trained psychologist, and ethical uncertainty about distress caused when members die (not uncommon as patients typically present with advanced stage disease). Clinicians have learned important lessons about patients’ lay beliefs and consequently, patient counseling has been improved to incorporate topics of diet, sexuality, and pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

A first-of-its-kind BC patient and survivor support group improves perceived psychosocial well-being and quality of life for women in Ethiopia. The low-cost program shares promising practices for survivor support groups and patient-centered cancer treatment in low-resource contexts.
Metronomic Dosing for Pancreatic Cancer Combination Therapy Treatment Association With Reduced Neutropenia
Authors: Gill Sharoon , Killian Rakesh
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Metronomic dosing for pancreatic cancer combination therapy treatment association with reduced neutropenia.

METHODS

This research aims to evaluate the use of combination therapy for shrinking tumor size in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer using gemzar/paclitaxel combination therapy for treatment. Patients with pancreatic cancer were treated and observed in a cancer outpatient clinic. Gemzar/Paclitaxel combination therapy was used in lower than recommended dose. Patients were educated on the risk of neutropenia associated with combination chemotherapy. Labs were repeated every month to assess the tumor size, metastasis of tumor growth to other organs and neutropenia associated with combination chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Patient in the clinic undergoing chemotherapy showed that using gemzar/paclitaxel combination therapy has reduced chance of neutropenia when used with low dose intervals in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSION

We observed that using metronomic dosing in patients using combination therapy for pancreatic cancer shows decreased neutropenia compared to others who did not receive metronomic dosing on combination treatment with gemzar/paclitaxel. While neutropenia is decreased, patients also have decline in the metastasis of the tumor to other organs and shrinkage in the size of tumor.
Identification of Prognostic Markers in Argentinian Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Pediatric Patients Through Transcriptome Analysis: Differential Gene Expression, Mutational Status and Immune Microenvironment
Authors: Abbate Mercedes , Ruiz María Sol , Avendaño Daniel , Riccheri María Cecilia , Vazquez Elba , Cotignola Javier
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most incident pediatric cancer. Although considerable progress has been made on treatment efficacy and survival rates, 15%-30% of patients relapse and/or die. We aimed to identify molecular profiles and microenvironment makeup in leukemic bone marrow samples that could help to better predict disease outcome.

METHODS

We performed RNA-seq on bone marrow samples from pediatric ALL patients at diagnosis (n = 37). Patients were recruited under a multi-center clinical protocol in Argentina (median follow-up: 31 months). We analyzed differential gene expression, gene set variations, mutations in candidate genes, and fusion genes among clinico-pathological features. The abundance of immune-cell populations was inferred by digital cytometry (MIXTURE) and a “cytolytic score” based on the expression of five genes specific to cytotoxic cells.

RESULTS

We detected: (1) 37 differentially expressed genes (DEG) between poor vs good responders to prednisone; (2) 71 DEG between high vs standard-risk groups; (3) 13 DEG between patients who died/relapsed vs those who did not; and (4) 35 DEG between patients that developed severe therapy-related acute toxicity vs those who did not (|log2FC|> 1; P.adj < .05). We observed that 15%-30% of the DEG corresponded to lncRNAs. We found six differentially expressed pathways relevant to cancer and leukocyte biology among risk groups ( P < .01). We identified 17 mutations and three fusion genes in 44% of patients; the presence of these mutations shortened the relapse-free survival (Cox- P-val = .006). High cytolytic score was associated with activated CD8+T cells, immune cell trafficking, and bone marrow niche signaling genesets, suggesting potential candidates for immunotherapies. Higher CD8+T-cell/NK at diagnosis was marginally associated with worse event-free survival (hazard-ratio = 5.39; Cox- P-val = .08).

CONCLUSION

Transcriptomic sequencing allowed the analysis and integration of multiple molecular features that might improve pediatric ALL outcome prediction.
Impact of Patient Navigation on Timeliness of Diagnosis and Treatment, and Adherence to Treatment in Middle Income Asian Country
Authors: Jaganathan Maheswari , Rajoo Yamuna , Rajaram Nadia , Khairy Azuddin Mohd , Zainal Nur Hidayati , Zakaria Jasiah , Adi Mazwela , Halim Shahtirah , Sabtu Fizati , Sharif Siti Zubaidah , Jaafar Nur Shuhadah , Mohd Bahar Farhana Harzila , Nik Abdullah Nik Azim , Ali Adibah , Ashrina Sharifah , Julaihi Rokayah , Menon Isabella , Muniandy Kavitha , Zainal Hani , Muniandi Mallika , Roimin France Olovia , Ghazali Aini Fatimah , Ching Ling Clara Chong , Rahim Norlia , Tajuddin Nurul Ain , Ambia Fazilah , Cheng Nurizzati , Sapiee Norija , Teo Soo-Hwang , Abdul Wahab Mohamed Yusof
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Women in low to middle-income countries (LMICs), such as in Malaysia, face complex barriers to healthcare because of social, economic, geographic, and other interrelated factors, which can limit their access to timely, affordable, and effective breast cancer care. Patient Navigation has emerged as a cost-effective and impactful approach to enable women to access care.

METHODS

We have established a hospital-based partnership model between a non-profit organization and national healthcare service to address the barriers faced by low-income women to improve the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment and reduce poor adherence to treatment. The navigation team provides resources required to overcome financial and logistic barriers, counseling to address knowledge and emotional needs and to ensure treatment adherence.

RESULTS

To determine the effectiveness of the program, timeliness of diagnosis and treatment, and rates of treatment adherence were compared with a historical cohort from the same hospital. The proportion of patients who met the healthcare system's targets for timeliness to cancer diagnosis increased from 50.4% to 67.3% ( P < .05) and that for initiation of primary treatment increased from 36.5% to 49.5% ( P < .05). The overall treatment default rates reduced from 8.6% to 2.6% ( P < .05).

CONCLUSION

In summary, Patient Navigation is feasible and potentially effective for addressing barriers to cancer care and could be a key element of cancer control in LMICs.
Improving Tobacco Cessation Programs in Lao People's Democratic Republic: Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Xangsayarath Phonepadith , Kulkarni Shweta , Xayavong Dalouny , Soulaphy Chanthavy , Phandouangsy Khatthanaphone , Keopaseuth Phayvanh , Keothongkou Khamsing , Le Tina , Vidrine Damon , Vidrine Jennifer , Businelle Michael , Bui Thanh
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Tobacco use represents a major public health problem in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), however very few tobacco cessation programs are available. This formative, qualitative study of Lao healthcare professionals (HCP) aims to elicit both factors that help smokers quit and mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of tobacco treatment programs.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth interviews with 28 HCPs at two hospitals, Setthathirath Hospital in Vientaine Capital and Champasak Hospital in Champasak Province. We used purposive sampling to select a diverse sample with regard to age, sex, work position, and clinical speciality. Interviews were voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis aided by the MAXQDA program. Codes and themes related to smoking cessation behavior were based on theoretical constructs of the Phase-Based Model (PBM). Codes and themes related to intervention implementation or dissemination were based on the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM).

RESULTS

Regarding PBM-based factors to help smokers quit, HCPs emphasized the need for medications to address craving, repeating quit-smoking advice, arranging follow-ups to monitor patients' progress, and advising patients on exercising or other distracting activities to cope with urges and stress. HCPs also identified visual education tools (e.g., short videos or images) as helpful, and that emphasis of smoking-related harms to patients' families increased smoker's motivation to quit. Salient PRISM-based factors for program implementation include the continuing dissemination of information regarding smoking-related harms in mass media, highlighting successful quit stories, the need for HCPs to be a model of becoming non-smokers, and the local enforcement of tobacco control policies (e.g., smoke-free environments).

CONCLUSION

This study identified several areas for improvement to increase the likelihood of success for tobacco treatment programs in Lao PDR, including individual-level (smokers') factors, provider-level factors, and external environment factors.
Protein Kinase A (PKA) as a Master Regulator of the Early Metabolic Reprogramming in Bone Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Sanchis Pablo , Anselmino Nicolas , Lavignolle Rosario , Sabater Agustina , Labanca Estefania , Bizzotto Juan , Lage-Vickers Sofia , Pascual Gaston , Seniuk Rocio , Toro Ayelen , Navone Nora , Cotignola Javier , Vazquez Elba , Gueron Geraldine
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

The arrival of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) tumor cells to the bone niche requires a metabolic adaptation. We sought to identify metabolic dysregulations fueling PCa metastasis, modulated by bone secreted factors.

METHODS

By an indirect co-culture system of PCa (PC3) and bone progenitors (MC3T3, pre-osteoblasts, or Raw 264.7, pre-osteoclasts) we assessed the transcriptome of PC3 cells modulated by soluble factors released from bone precursors. We validated the transcriptional profile of metabolic genes in open-access transcriptomic datasets. We performed an Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to delineate the regulators of these metabolic genes. Bone secretome was profiled on the conditioned media (CM) by ESI-MS/MS.

RESULTS

PC3 cells co-cultured with bone progenitors displayed an activation of lipidic categories, including PPAR-signaling and fat absorption/digestion. Principal Component and Unsupervised Clustering analyses using transcriptomic data from human PCa and bone metastatic samples (GSE74685) showed that the metabolic genes deregulated in PC3 accurately clustered samples in primary tumor or bone metastasis. Moreover, four lipid-associated genes, PPARA, VDR, SLC16A1 and GPX1, were associated with a shorter survival time (SU2C-PCF dataset), and were independent risk-predictors of death ( P < .05). An IPA revealed that these genes are regulated by the Protein Kinase A (PKA). Accordingly, PC3 cells treated with the CM of the co-culture presented a decreased ATP content compared to the treatment with the CM of PC3 grown alone, which was restored upon PKA inhibition. Finally, the secretome analysis revealed soluble factors secreted by bone progenitors (Col1a1, Fn1) which could regulate PKA activity.

CONCLUSION

We identified a novel lipid-associated gene signature important for metastatic PCa, triggered by the dialogue with bone cells. Moreover, PKA could regulate this signature in response to bone-secreted factors reprogramming the metabolic phenotype of metastatic cells, emerging as a potential druggable target for this disease.
Self-Efficacy and Willingness to Implement Narrative Communication Interventions: Mixed Methods Study Among Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Odukoya Oluwaponmile , Oluwasanu Mojisola , Okunnuga Ndidi , Ayandipo Omobolaji , Ntekim Atara , Arulogun Oyedunni , Olopade Olufunmilayo
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Globally, black women experience poorer breast cancer (BC) outcomes suggesting the need for effective health promotion approaches to increase perceived severity and improve screening practices for early detection. Although, narrative communication by patients or survivors are increasingly considered an effective approach for better BC outcomes, there is limited information on its use in Nigeria. This study assessed the self-efficacy and willingness of BC patients and survivors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan to implement narrative communication interventions.

METHODS

This study utilized a mixed-method convergent parallel design. Five patients were recruited for in-depth interviews (IDI). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 102 patients on perception and the generalized self-efficacy to implement narrative communication interventions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative and descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data.

RESULTS

Mean age of the respondents was 49.3 ± 10.2 years. Over three quarters (79.4%) of respondents had good self-efficacy to implement narrative communication. Majority of respondents (87.3%) were willing to share lived experiences during narrative communication interventions. Over 90% (94.1%) agreed that health programs on BC anchored by patients and survivors will enable individuals make healthy decisions than interactions with clinicians only. Respondents' educational attainment was significantly associated with perception and self-efficacy to implement narrative communication intervention programs ( P < .05). Patients opined that a pre-diagnosis discussion with a BC patient or survivor would have increased their perceived severity and susceptibility.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potentials of BC patients and survivors as breast health educators sharing their lived experiences to empower and motivate women to act on health information on BC prevention and screening. Findings could guide the design of population-level interventions on BC prevention and screening.
Health System Costs of a Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Program in a Rural District of Rwanda
Authors: Nambaziira Rashidah , Niteka Lysa Carolle , Vianney Dusengimana Jean Marie , Ruhumuriza John , Bhangdia Kayleigh , Mugunga Jean Claude , Uwineza Marie Louise , Rugema Vestine , Erfani Parsa , Shyirambere Cyprien , Shulman Lawrence N. , Rabideau Melany , Pace Lydia E.
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Low-and-middle-income countries require information about effective and pragmatic strategies to facilitate earlier breast cancer diagnoses. A Breast Cancer Early Detection (BCED) program training health workers and establishing breast clinics in Burera District, Rwanda was associated with increased evaluation of breast symptoms and higher incidence of early-stage breast cancer. We examined the program's cost from the health system perspective.

METHODS

The BCED program's first phase started in 2015 and included seven health centers (HCs) and Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence (BCCOE), the cancer referral center at Butaro Hospital. Patient volume and diagnoses from 2015 to 2017 were abstracted from existing databases. We retrospectively reviewed administrative data to identify start-up and ongoing operational costs. Using Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing, clinical costs per patient visit were estimated based on HC and BCCOE visits for breast health care observed in 2021.

RESULTS

Over the first 2 years, there were 1,010 HC visits for breast symptoms, 210 referrals to BCCOE, and 10 breast cancers diagnosed. The BCED program's total cost was $119,511, comprising of start-up costs ($36,917), recurring operational costs ($67,711) and clinical costs ($14,883). Clinical breast assessment (CBA) at HCs cost $3.27/visit. At BCCOE, CBA-only visits cost $13.47, CBA/ultrasound cost $14.79, and CBA/ultrasound/biopsy cost $147.81. Overall, the clinical cost per breast cancer diagnosed was $1,488. The primary cost drivers were personnel at HCs (55%) and biopsy supplies at BCCOE (46%). In other districts, patients must go to their local HC and district hospital before referral to BCCOE, adding about $14.00/patient.

CONCLUSION

The BCED program's cost at HCs was modest, similar to other outpatient HC services. Hospital-level care was more expensive and requiring multiple visits for biopsies increased costs. Start-up and operational costs could be reduced by using local trainers and virtual/mobile mentorship. For scalability in other districts, decentralizing ultrasound and/or biopsies to district hospitals could reduce costs.
Development of Culturally Adapted Media to Increase Community Awareness of Childhood Cancer in Tanzania
Authors: Abualhaj Dalia , Sanga Erica , Rajabu Shabani , Karia Francis , Makarushka Christina , Pollak Kathryn , Fish Laura , Schroeder Kristin
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

There is low childhood cancer awareness in many low and middle income countries (LMICs), contributing to delayed hospital presentation, and treatment abandonment. In Tanzania, only 20% of the estimated 3,500 new cases per year present for treatment. While childhood cancer awareness media exist, they are not adapted for use in many LMIC communities, including Tanzania.

METHODS

To reach consensus on childhood cancer education content and education strategy selection, a Delphi process was completed with an expert advisory panel representing three Tanzanian referral hospitals. Focus groups discussions (FGD) were completed with rural and urban communities from each of the Mwanza, Dar Es Salaam and Kilimanjaro regions. Thematic analysis was guided by content consensus to identify community knowledge gaps. Sample education materials were reviewed to identify preferred delivery format.

RESULTS

A total of 14 and 72 participants formed the expert panel and community FGD respectively. Education strategies with the highest feasibility and impact included community health worker led education, a song, and social media messaging. The following key knowledge content areas were identified to have the lowest community awareness. (1) The cause of most childhood cancer is unknown: 83% felt untreated illnesses, cooking oil, witchcraft, immune system deficiency, and the environment were causes of childhood cancer; (2) Symptom recognition and hospital based studies can improve early detection: 66% reported that ill children see a traditional healer or pharmacist and only go a hospital if febrile or if symptoms do not improve; (3) Most childhood cancer can be cured with early detection: 50% felt that there is no cure.

CONCLUSION

This study identified key childhood cancer knowledge gaps within the Tanzanian community and culturally adapted strategies to disseminate education media. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the impact of culturally adapted media on community awareness and early hospital presentation in the region.
Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) Dysregulated in Tumor Progression to Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ledesma-Bazan Sabrina , Vazquez Elba , Gueron Geraldine , Cotignola Javier
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

The dysregulation of non-coding RNAs is implicated in the development and progression of different pathological processes, including cancer. Prostate cancer is known for having a wide spectrum of clinical outcomes, ranging from an indolent tumor to a lethal metastatic castration resistant cancer (CRPC). However, the biology of the processes leading to these phenotypes remains elusive. The aim of this study was to identify lncRNAs involved in the progression of prostate tumors to CRPC.

METHODS

We browed public repositories and downloaded raw RNAseq data from primary prostate adenocarcinomas (pre- and post-androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); n = 40 and n = 11 (paired to 11 pre-ADT), respectively) and CRPC (n = 8). We performed differential gene expression of 17,009 lncRNAs with R/Bioconductor using two statistical models: DESeq2 and edgeR.

RESULTS

We identified 12 lncRNAs that responded to ADT and were further dysregulated in CRPC; three of them were previously reported as players in prostate cancer development and progression (PCA3, PCAT18 and PCGEM1), validating the pipeline used in this study. Interestingly, all of them showed the same expression pattern: (1) post-ADT tumors had significantly lower expression compared with pre-ADT tumors; and (2) CRPCs showed significant higher levels compared with post-ADT tumors, and the expression was similar, or even higher, to primary pre-ADT tumors. Unsupervised clustering analysis revealed that the expression profile of these 12 lncRNAs could cluster post-ADT and CRPC samples apart. Primary tumors pre-ADT were more heterogeneous. This suggests that primary prostate tumors which might potentially progress to CRPC might be detected at the time of diagnosis according to their lncRNA expression profile.

CONCLUSION

Herein we describe a gene expression profile comprised of 12 lncRNAs that respond to hormone therapy and that are dysregulated in CRPC. The study of this expression signature might help to characterize primary tumors with low/high risk of progression to CRPC.
Effect of Burosumab Compared With Conventional Therapy on Younger vs Older Children With X-linked Hypophosphatemia
Authors: Ward Leanne M , Glorieux Francis H , Whyte Michael P , Munns Craig F , Portale Anthony A , Högler Wolfgang , Simmons Jill H , Gottesman Gary S , Padidela Raja , Namba Noriyuki , Cheong Hae Il , Nilsson Ola , Mao Meng , Chen Angel , Skrinar Alison , Roberts Mary Scott , Imel Erik A
Published: May 2022

Context

Younger age at treatment onset with conventional therapy (phosphate salts and active vitamin D; Pi/D) is associated with improved growth and skeletal outcomes in children with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). The effect of age on burosumab efficacy and safety in XLH is unknown.

Objective

This work aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of burosumab vs Pi/D in younger (< 5 years) and older (5-12 years) children with XLH.

Methods

This post hoc analysis of a 64-week, open-label, randomized controlled study took place at 16 academic centers. Sixty-one children aged 1 to 12 years with XLH (younger, n = 26; older, n = 35) participated. Children received burosumab starting at 0.8 mg/kg every 2 weeks (younger, n = 14; older, n = 15) or continued Pi/D individually titrated per recommended guidelines (younger, n = 12; older, n = 20). The main outcome measure included the least squares means difference (LSMD) in Radiographic Global Impression of Change (RGI-C) rickets total score from baseline to week 64.

Results

The LSMD in outcomes through 64 weeks on burosumab vs conventional therapy by age group were as follows: RGI-C rickets total score (younger, +0.90; older, +1.07), total Rickets Severity Score (younger, −0.86; older, −1.44), RGI-C lower limb deformity score (younger, +1.02; older, +0.91), recumbent length or standing height Z-score (younger, +0.20; older, +0.09), and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (younger, −31.15% of upper normal limit [ULN]; older, −52.11% of ULN). On burosumab, dental abscesses were not reported in younger children but were in 53% of older children.

Conclusion

Burosumab appears to improve outcomes both in younger and older children with XLH, including rickets, lower limb deformities, growth, and ALP, compared with Pi/D.
The Limits of Repair
Authors: Lewis Jovan Scott
Published: May 2022

In this response essay, the author returns to his arguments in Scammer’s Yard: The Crime of Black Repair in Jamaica (2020) to further consider the limits of repair as advanced by the book’s crew of Jamaican lottery scammers. The author reconsiders some of the arguments to examine more deeply the issues of respectability, violence, and refusal, doing so in conversation with Patricia Noxolo, Beverley Mullings, and Kevon Rhiney—Caribbean and Caribbeanist geographers who help explore the scam as representative of repair within Jamaica’s violent, impoverished, and seemingly inescapable circumstances. Further analyzing the possibility of repair as advanced by the scammers, the essay identifies and contests the normative terms of politics that complicate those reparative claims, arguing that the scam moves past the politics of social incorporation and resistance in Jamaica and instead represents a form of political suspension that avoids the reconciliation of respectability and refusal typical of Caribbean postcolonial social production.
O SPOOFING NO MERCADO DE CAPITAIS BRASILEIRO: UMA PERSPECTIVA DE DIREITO E ECONOMIA
Authors: Klein Vinícius , Santos Samanta Fontana dos
Published: May 2022

Contexto: O presente artigo analisa a primeira condenação de spoofing no Brasil pela CVM no Processo Administrativo Sancionador nº 19957.005977/2016-18. O spoofing é uma forma de manipulação do preço de valores mobiliários no Mercado de Capitais, caracterizada pela inserção de ordens artificiais de compra e venda, que são canceladas após milésimos de segundos e alteram o preço de negociação. Entretanto, a dificuldade de caracterização da conduta e as especificidades das negociações em alta frequência apontam para o risco de não se obter uma imposição (enforcement) adequada pela CVM.Objetivo e Metodologia: Nesse contexto, a partir do método dedutivo e de revisão bibliográfica, avalia-se a estrutura do mercado de capitais brasileiro a partir da disseminação das negociações de alta frequência sob a perspectiva da literatura econômica que trata da Microestrutura de Mercado. Assim, será possível fazer uma análise inicial da atuação da CVM na dissuasão do spoofing. A literatura de Law and Economics será utilizada para determinar se o padrão de punição pela CVM, no caso, é capaz de gerar a dissuasão da conduta e, de forma geral, ganhos efetivos para o mercado de capitais brasileiro.Conclusão: Observa-se a necessidade de desenvolvimento da matéria no Brasil para proporcionar o devido poder de dissuasão.
Wenn Fibeln sprechen könnten (Text)
Authors: Wimmer Johannes
Published: May 2022

Mit Beiträgen von Norbert Spichtig und Corina Gottardi
Band 25 der Materialhefte zur Archäologie in Basel widmet sich der jüngerlatènezeitlichen Zentralsiedlung Basel-Gasfabrik. Sie gehört aufgrund ihrer über 100-jährigen Erforschungsgeschichte sowie einer Vielzahl an Ausgrabungen in den letzten 35 Jahren zu den kantonalen Fundstellen von internationaler Bedeutung. Gleichzeitig stellt sie die älteste zentralörtliche Siedlung am Rheinknie dar und nahm im 2. Jh. v. Chr. eine Schlüsselrolle in der Siedlungslandschaft am südlichen Oberrhein ein.
Johannes Wimmer hat 2019 seine Dissertation zur chronologischen Gliederung und Einordnung der Fundstelle vorgelegt, die im Rahmen eines interdisziplinären Forschungsprojektes zu einem Siedlungsausschnitt mit stratifizierter Schichterhaltung erarbeitet wurde. Die Dissertation setzt sich neben taphonomisch-methodischen Aspekten mit ausgesuchten, stratifizierten Keramikinventaren sowie den chronologischen Leitfunden aus der Gesamtsiedlung auseinander. Davon ausgehend gelingt es, den Grundstein für eine verfeinerte Spätlatène-Chronologie am Ober- und Hochrhein zu legen.
Band A: Text
Band B: Katalog
Methodisches Vorgehen bei der geochemischen Analyse der Keramik von Basel-Gasfabrik
Authors: Gottardi Corina
Published: May 2022

Rund 270 der Keramikgefässe, welche Johannes Wimmer in seiner Dissertation bearbeitet hat, wurden im Rahmen einer Masterarbeit mittels der handgehaltenen Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse (pXRF – portable X-Ray Fluorescence) untersucht. Die pXRF-Analyse erlaubt eine Bestimmung und Quantifizierung der chemischen Zusammensetzung der Keramik.
Ziel dieser Analysen war es, lokal hergestellte von nicht lokal hergestellter Keramik zu unterscheiden. Zudem sollte untersucht werden, ob sich innerhalb der lokalen Keramik einzelne Produktionsserien charakterisieren lassen.
Effects of exercise training on cardiotoxicity in cancer survivors. A systematic review
Authors: Reddy C Ravindra , Samuel Stephen , Singh Vijay Pratap , Banerjee Sourjya
Published: May 2022

Background: 

Cardiotoxicity is a major long-term complication of anti-cancer drugs such as anthracycline and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). These drugs also impact the quality of life, reduced functional capacity, and life expectancy. Exercise attenuates the cardiotoxic effects of anticancer treatments, as indicated by a growing body of evidence.  

Methods: 

Studies for this review were retrieved from databases PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and Web of Science and were restricted only to clinical trials. Study results were screened and synchronized to Mendeley. Studies that met the eligibility criteria were extracted into the spreadsheet, summarizing information regarding the site and cancer stages, adjuvant therapy, various exercise interventions, and outcome measures. Risk of bias quality analysis was done in accordance with the National Heart Lung Blood Institute. 

Results:  

 In this systematic review, 9021 articles were screened. After the exclusion criteria, seven articles were included for qualitative analysis. Outcome measures analyzed were measures of cardiotoxicity such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac biomarkers, and global longitudinal strain. 

Conclusion: 

Although a structured exercise protocol including aerobic and resistance training has been found to improve, the functional capacity is an indirect measure of cardiotoxicity. There is a lack of data in terms of improvement seen in direct measurements of cardiotoxicity such as LVEF and cardiac biomarkers. A lack of evidence regarding the effects of exercise on the direct measurement of cardiotoxicity encourages the need for further research.
Diet quality in cystic fibrosis – associations with patient reported outcome measures and enablers and barriers to eating a healthy diet: A protocol paper for a mixed methods study
Authors: Greaney Cian , Bohan Katie , Tecklenborg Sarah , Casserly Brian , Green James , Van de Ven Pepijn , Robinson Katie , Tierney Audrey
Published: May 2022

Background: People with cystic fibrosis (PWCF) have increased energy requirements. However, in recent years concerns have emerged regarding the ‘cystic fibrosis (CF) diet’ in terms of reliance on energy-dense, nutrient poor foods, which tend to be higher in saturated fat, sugar, and salt. These foods lack essential nutrients and are aetiologically linked with diet-related chronic diseases. The aim is to explore habitual dietary intakes in PWCF and (i) assess adherence to CF dietary guidelines and population specific healthy eating guidelines; (ii) derive a diet quality score and the inflammatory potential for the average diet consumed by PWCF and assess associations with patient reported outcome measures; (iii) assess drivers for current consumption patterns and enablers and barriers to eating a healthy diet.

Methods: The aim is to recruit between 100-180 PWCF. A mixed methods study will be performed. Using three-day food diaries and food frequency questionnaires, aims (i) and (ii) will be addressed. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score and Healthy Eating Index-International (HEI-I) will derive diet quality scores. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) will ascertain inflammatory potential of the diet. Validated questionnaires will be used to report health related quality of life measures. Online focus groups and semi-structured interview with PWCF will address aim (iii).

Conclusions: It is timely to revise dietary priorities and targets for CF. However, a greater understanding of what adults with CF currently consume and what they require in terms of nutrition and dietary guidance into the future is needed. In doing so, this research will help to clarify nutrition priorities and simplify the dietary aspects of CF treatment, thereby supporting adherence.
Phoretic relationship between rodents and pseudoscorpions (Arachnida) in Chiapas, México
Authors: Tapia-Ramírez Gloria , Villegas-Guzmán Gabriel A. , Lorenzo Consuelo , Hernández-Núñez Aaron
Published: May 2022

La foresia se define como una asociación no parasítica entre un animal de pequeño tamaño corporal (foronte) y uno grande (hospedero dispersor), cuyo objetivo es el transporte del individuo pequeño por el grande.  Los roedores han sido frecuentemente reportados como hospederos dispersores, de los cuales 39 especies están foréticamente asociadas a 21 especies de pseudoescorpiones.  La presente nota, reporta el hallazgo casual de la relación entre roedores y pseudoescorpiones en 2 localidades en Chiapas, México.  Los roedores fueron colectados usando trampas Sherman en selva alta perennifolia de Ocuilapa de Juárez, Municipio de Ocozocoautla en Chiapas, México.  Posteriormente, los pseudoescorpiones fueron retirados de los roedores mediante pinzas de punta fina, almacenados en viales con alcohol al 70 % y procesados para su determinación taxonómica.  Se encontraron 5 pseudoescorpiones de la especie Epichernes navarroi, asociados a 2 especies de roedores: Peromyscus mexicanus y Heteromys desmarestianus.  En P. mexicanus se encontraron a 3 pseudoescorpiones sujetándose con sus quelas al pelo cerca de la base de la cola y en H. desmarestianus a 2 pseudoescorpiones sujetándose al pelo de la pata trasera izquierda.  Todos los arácnidos encontrados fueron hembras, 3 de las cuales presentaban un saco de crianza de reciente formación, cada uno con 23 a 25 huevos.  Existe una relación de foresis activa entre los géneros Heteromys y Peromyscus con Epichernes, la cual probablemente se deba al sobrelapamiento de sus distribuciones.  Esta asociación posiblemente se establece en el nido del roedor.  Se registra por primera vez a P. mexicanus y a H. desmarestianus asociados foréticamente con E. navarroi; asimismo, es la primera vez que se reporta esta especie de pseudoescorpión para Chiapas, por lo que se incrementa su distribución conocida al sureste de México.
Documentation of a road-killed spectral bat (Vampyrum spectrum) and first report of the species in Tabasco, México
Authors: Pacheco-Figueroa Coral Jazvel , Valdez-Leal Juan de Dios , Cervantes Fernando A. , Luna-Ruíz Ruth del Carmen , Mata-Zayas Ena Edith , Saenz Joel C.
Published: May 2022

Las carreteras son infraestructuras humanas con efectos negativos para la fauna silvestre; en el caso de los mamíferos, los murciélagos pocas veces se mencionan como víctimas de atropellos.  En este trabajo, se presenta el registro de un murciélago espectral (Vampyrum spectrum) atropellado en la carretera 180 del Tramo El Bellote-Santa Cruz, Paraíso, Tabasco, México, representando el primer reporte de esta especie en el estado.  El murciélago espectral es el más grande del Continente Americano, el cual es considerado como una especie localmente rara.  El hallazgo ocurrió en 2015 durante un recorrido de un muestreo de mortandad de fauna silvestre.  El ejemplar fue recolectado e incorporado a la Colección Nacional de Mamíferos de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.  Al momento de la colecta se encontró también el cuerpo de un ave (Tyrannidae).  El presente registro corresponde al primero de atropellamiento de murciélago espectral del que se tenga documentación.  Las características particulares de vuelo del murciélago espectral de volar cerca de obstáculos y a ras del suelo, lo hace vulnerable a los vehículos y a las colisiones.  Es necesario tomar medidas de mitigación que disminuyan los riesgos de colisión para esta especie y murciélagos en general.
Neutering sugar gliders
Authors: Pellett Sarah , Jenkins Sophie
Published: May 2022

Sugar gliders have increased in popularity over the years, often being kept in teaching colleges as well as household pets. This article provides some basic information on their husbandry, with a focus on how to castrate sugar gliders and provide appropriate postoperative care. Ovariohysterectomy is rarely performed as an elective procedure in sugar gliders as a result of their unique anatomy, but is briefly covered in this article in the event of reproductive pathology requiring surgical intervention.
Predicting robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty operating time
Authors: Motesharei Arman , Batailler Cecile , De Massari Daniele , Vincent Graham , Chen Antonia F. , Lustig Sébastien
Published: May 2022

Aims

No predictive model has been published to forecast operating time for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aims of this study were to design and validate a predictive model to estimate operating time for robotic-assisted TKA based on demographic data, and evaluate the added predictive power of CT scan-based predictors and their impact on the accuracy of the predictive model.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 1,061 TKAs performed from January 2016 to December 2019 with an image-based robotic-assisted system. Demographic data included age, sex, height, and weight. The femoral and tibial mechanical axis and the osteophyte volume were calculated from CT scans. These inputs were used to develop a predictive model aimed to predict operating time based on demographic data only, and demographic and 3D patient anatomy data.

Results

The key factors for predicting operating time were the surgeon and patient weight, followed by 12 anatomical parameters derived from CT scans. The predictive model based only on demographic data showed that 90% of predictions were within 15 minutes of actual operating time, with 73% within ten minutes. The predictive model including demographic data and CT scans showed that 94% of predictions were within 15 minutes of actual operating time and 88% within ten minutes.

Conclusion

The primary factors for predicting robotic-assisted TKA operating time were surgeon, patient weight, and osteophyte volume. This study demonstrates that incorporating 3D patient-specific data can improve operating time predictions models, which may lead to improved operating room planning and efficiency. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(5):383–389.
Experimental and analytical evaluation of an active barium vapor notch filter functioning at 355  nm
Authors: Hetlage M. , Limbach C.
Published: May 2022

This work presents an experimental and theoretical study of the6s21S0→6s6p3P10(791 nm) and5s5d3D2→6s5f3F20(355 nm) transitions within a low vapor pressure barium vapor in the absence of a buffer gas. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first measurement of the latter absorption feature. The study is motivated by the development of an optically controlled atomic vapor notch filter functioning at the third harmonic of the commonly used Nd:YAG laser at 355 nm. The low-pressure environment within the vapor source has enabled a deeper understanding of barium vapor collisional and velocity changing properties with a simple pump-probe spectroscopy measurement. The results demonstrate depletion of the ground state and subsequent population of the5s5d3D2level. Most notably, the5s5d3D2→6s5f3F20transition displays a non-thermal, cusped absorption curve. An analysis of this line shape in the context of existing analytical collisional kernels is presented. Additionally, a six-level kinetic model of the low-lying energy levels, incorporating spatial diffusion and collisional and radiative transitions, is introduced and compared to the measured level populations for the barium ground state and excited5s5d3D2state.
High-sensitivity distributed relative salinity sensor based on frequency-scanning φ-OTDR
Authors: Wang Yuyao , Zheng Hua , Lu Chao
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a high-sensitivity distributed optical fiber salinity sensor based on frequency-scanning phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (φ-OTDR) and polyimide-coated single-mode fiber is proposed. Distributed salinity sensing over an 1100 m polyimide-coated fiber with a 1 m spatial resolution was demonstrated, and a sensitivity of 782.4 MHz/(mol/L) was achieved with the salinity changing from 0 mol/L to 1.61 mol/L. Then the measurement accuracies of frequency shift and salinity were evaluated theoretically and experimentally. Both theoretical and experimental results show that the measurement accuracy deteriorates as the pulse width decreases, resulting in a trade-off between the spatial resolution and measurement accuracy. The measurement uncertainty of salinity is 0.022 mol/L in the case of 30 cm spatial resolution. And when the spatial resolution is set to be 2 m, the measurement uncertainty of salinity decreases to 0.005 mol/L. The response time of the fiber to external salinity change has also been investigated, and it takes about 8 minutes for the fiber to reach a stable state. The proposed salinity sensor exhibits high sensitivity and long measurement range, which may be used for distributed marine environmental monitoring.