bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemorrhagic colloid cyst: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Diyora Batuk , Nayak Naren , Kukreja Sanjay , Sharma Alok
Published: November 2013

Colloid cysts are cystic lesions located at the anterior part of third ventricle, close to foramen of Monro and contain colloid material. Hemorrhage in a colloid cyst is very rare. On literature review, we found only six cases of hemorrgic colloid cyst; among them, four were diagnosed at postmortem examination. We report a rare case of a hemorrhagic colloid cyst in a young lady who presented with sudden onset severe headache and vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed isodense lesion located at foramen of Monro with hyperdense areas suggestive of hemorrhage with foraminal obstruction. The lesion was not enhancing on contrast. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain revealed a well-defined cystic mass lesion located at the foramen of Monro which was hyperintense on T1 and hypointense on T2-weighted images. Excision of the colloid cyst was performed which revealed hemorrhagic clot instead of colloid material. Histopathological examination revealed a colloid cyst with hemorrhage. We believe that this is the first such reported case of successful clinical outcome following early diagnosis and excision of a hemorrhagic colloid cyst in an adult.
Study of Stress Induced Failure of the Blood-gas Barrier and the Epithelial-epithelial Cells Connections of the Lung of the Domestic Fowl,Gallus gallusVariantDomesticusafter Vascular Perfusion
Authors: Maina John N. , Jimoh Sikiru A.
Published: November 2013

Complete blood-gas barrier breaks (BGBBs) and epithelial-epithelial cells connections breaks (E-ECCBs) were enumerated in the lungs of free range chickens, Gallus gallus variant domesticus after vascular perfusion at different pressures. The E-ECCBs surpassed the BGBBs by a factor of ~2. This showed that the former parts of the gas exchange tissue were structurally weaker or more vulnerable to failure than the latter. The differences in the numbers of BGBBs and E-ECCBs in the different regions of the lung supplied with blood by the 4 main branches of the pulmonary artery (PA) corresponded with the diameters of the blood vessels, the angles at which they bifurcated from the PA, and the positions along the PA where they branched off. Most of the BGBBs and the E-ECCBs occurred in the regions supplied by the accessory- and the caudomedial branches: the former is the narrowest branch and the first blood vessel to separate from the PA while the latter is the most direct extension of the PA and is the widest. The E-ECCBs appeared to separate and fail from tensing of the blood capillary walls, as the perfusion- and intramural pressures increased. Compared to the mammalian lungs on which data are available, i.e., those of the rabbit, the dog, and the horse, the blood-gas barrier of the lung of free range chickens appears to be substantially stronger for its thinness.
Computational Identification of MicroRNAs from the Expressed Sequence Tags of Toxic Dinoflagellate Alexandrium Tamarense
Authors: Gao Dahai , Qiu Limei , Hou Zhanhui , Zhang Qingchun , Wu Jianmin , Gao Qiang , Song Linsheng
Published: November 2013

Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) represent a class of small noncoding RNAs that play important roles in multiple biological processes by degrading targeted mRNAs or by repressing mRNA translation. In the case of algal lineages, especially dinoflagellates, knowledge regarding the miRNA system is still limited and its regulatory role remains unclear. In the present study, a computational approach was employed to screen miRNAs from the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Alexandrium tamarense. A total of 18 potential miRNAs were identified according to a range of filtering criteria. In addition, unique evolutionary features, such as miRNA gene duplication and sequence similarity to metazoan miRNAs, implied that the miRNA system in dinoflagellates is complex. Moreover, based on these 18 miRNA sequences, 42 potential target genes showing diverse functions in regulating growth and development were predicted in Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Taken together, our data suggest the existence of miRNAs in dinoflagellates and provide clues for further functional studies on these predicted miRNAs.
On the determination of gravity wave momentum flux from GPS radio occultation data
Authors: Faber A. , Llamedo P. , Schmidt T. , de la Torre A. , Wickert J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) is a well-established technique for obtaining global gravity wave (GW) information. RO uses GPS signals received by low Earth-orbiting satellites for atmospheric limb sounding. Temperature profiles are derived with high vertical resolution and provide a global coverage under any weather conditions, offering the possibility of global monitoring of the vertical temperature structure and atmospheric wave parameters. The six-satellite constellation COSMIC/FORMOSAT-3 delivers approximately 2000 temperature profiles daily. In this study, we use a method to obtain global distributions of horizontal gravity wave wavelengths, to be applied in the determination of the vertical flux of horizontal momentum transported by gravity waves. Here, a method for the determination of the real horizontal wavelength from three vertical profiles is applied to the COSMIC data. The horizontal and vertical wavelength, the specific potential energy (Ep), and the vertical flux of horizontal momentum (MF) are calculated and their global distribution is discussed.
Trace elements and cathodoluminescence of detrital quartz in Arctic marine sediments – a new ice-rafted debris provenance proxy
Authors: Müller A. , Knies J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The records of ice-rafted debris (IRD) provenance in the North Atlantic–Barents Sea allow the reconstruction of the spatial and temporal changes of ice-flow drainage patterns during glacial and deglacial periods. In this study a new approach to characterization of the provenance of detrital quartz grains in the fraction > 500 μm of marine sediments offshore of Spitsbergen is introduced, utilizing scanning electron microscope backscattered electron and cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, combined with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Based on their micro-inclusions, CL and trace element characteristics, the investigated IRD grains can be classified into five distinct populations. Three of the populations are indicative of potential IRD provenance provinces in the Storfjord area including Barentsøya and Edgeøya. The results imply that under modern (interglacial) conditions IRD deposition along the western Spitsbergen margin is mainly governed by the East Spitsbergen Current controlling the ice-drift pattern. The presence of detrital quartz from local provinces, however, indicates that variations in IRD supply from western Spitsbergen may be quantified as well. In this pilot study it is demonstrated that this new approach applied on Arctic continental margin sediments bears a considerable potential for the definition of the sources of IRD and thus of spatial/temporal changes in ice-flow drainage patterns during glacial/interglacial cycles.
Rogue waves in a wave tank: experiments and modeling
Authors: Lechuga A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. In past decades theoretical studies have been carried out with the double aim of improving knowledge of the main characteristics of the rogue wave and of attempting to predict its sudden appearance. We have tried to generate rogue waves in a water wave tank, using a symmetric spectrum (Akhmediev et al., 2011a) as input on the wave maker. The next step has been to apply a theoretical model to the amplitude envelope of these waves. After some considerations we agreed the best model to be an analog of the Ginzburg–Landau equation.
Oscillatory subglacial drainage in the absence of surface melt
Authors: Schoof C. , Rada C. A. , Wilson N. J. , Flowers G. E. , Haseloff M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The presence of strong diurnal cycling in basal water pressure records obtained during the melt season is well-established for many glaciers. The behaviour of the drainage system outside the melt season is less well understood. Here we present borehole observations from a surge-type valley glacier in the St Elias Mountains, Yukon Territory, Canada. These indicate the onset of strongly correlated multi-day oscillations in water pressure in multiple boreholes straddling a main drainage axis, starting several weeks after the disappearance of a dominant diurnal mode in August 2011 and persisting until at least January 2012, when multiple data loggers suffered power failure. Jökulhlaups provide a template for understanding spontaneous water pressure oscillations not driven by external supply variability. Using a subglacial drainage model, we show that water pressure oscillations can also be driven on a much smaller scale by the interaction between conduit growth and distributed water storage in smaller water pockets, basal crevasses and moulins, and that oscillations can be triggered when water supply drops below a critical value. We suggest this in combination with a steady background supply of water from groundwater or englacial drainage as a possible explanation for the observed wintertime pressure oscillations.
The Arms Trade Treaty
Authors: Stedjan Scott
Published: November 2013

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), open for signature on June 3, 2013, is the first ever multilateral treaty on the global trade in conventional arms. It establishes common standards for the $40 billion legal international trade of weapons and seeks to reduce the illicit arms trade.
Resolutions of the World Health Organization on the Election of the Director-General
Authors: Burci Gian Luca
Published: November 2013

The election of the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General is governed by its Constitution in Article 31. Candidates must be appointed by the Health Assembly on the nomination of the Executive Board. Unlike other international organizations in which the decision-making process is largely informal—such as the IAEA and WTO—the WHO procedures were formalized in the 1990s to include: clear deadlines; an initial screening of all candidates; short-listing by secret ballot in case of more than five candidates; compulsory secret ballot voting both in the Board and the Assembly; and a limit of two terms of office of five years each. However, beginning in 2006, some regional groups strongly demanded the introduction of a compulsory rotation of the post of Director-General among the WHO’s regions. The equally strong rejection of that request by other regional groups led to an increasingly polarized debate in the governing bodies of the WHO.
Is FLT3 Internal Tandem Duplication an Unfavorable Risk Factor for High Risk Children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia? - Polish Experience
Authors: K. Pawinska-Wasikowska  , T. Ksiazek  , A.  Wieczorek  , M. Matysiak  , B. Fic-Sikorska  , E. Adamkiewicz-Drozynska  , L. Maciejka-Kapuscinska  , A. Chybicka  , K. Potocka  , J. Wachowiak  , J. Skalska-Sadowska  , J. Kowalczyk  , B. Wojcik  , M. Wysocki  , S. Koltan  , M. Krawczuk-Rybak  , K. Muszynska-Roslan  , W. Mlynarski  , M. Stolarska  , T. Urasinski  , E. Kamienska  , T. Szczepanski  , R. Tomaszewska  , G. Sobol-Milejska  , A. Mizia-Malarz  , G. Karolczyk  , J. Pohorecka  , M. Wieczorek  , I. Karpinska-Derda  , W. Balwierz
Published: November 2013

According to the AML-BFM 2004 Interim, a treatment protocol used in Poland since 2005, presence of FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD) qualifies a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to a high-risk group (HRG). The present study was aimed to identify the prevalence of FLT3/ITD in children with AML in Poland and to evaluate its prognostic significance in the HRG patients. Out of 291 children with de novo AML treated in 14 Polish centers between January 2006 and December 2012, samples from 174 patients were available for FLT3/ITD analysis. Among study patients 108 children (61.7%) were qualified to HRG. Genomic DNA samples from bone marrow were tested for identification of FLT3/ITD mutation by PCR amplification of exon 14 and 15 of FLT3 gene. Clinical features and treatment outcome in patients with and without FLT3/ITD were analyzed in the study. The FLT3/ITD was found in 14 (12.9%) of 108 HRG children. There were no significant differences between children with and without FLT3/ITD in age and FAB distribution. The white blood cells count in peripheral blood at diagnosis was significantly higher (p <0.01) in the children with FLT3/ITD. Over 5-year overall survival rate for FLT3/ITD positive children was worse (42.4%) comparing to FLT3/ITD negative children (58.9%), but the statistical difference was not significant. However, over 5-year survivals free from treatment failures were similar. The FLT3/ITD rate (12.9%) observed in the study corresponded to the published data. There was no significant impact of FLT3/ITD mutation on survival rates, although further studies are needed on this subject.
Disease-Free Remission Exceeding 37 Years in Patients Treated as Children for Acute Leukemia (AL) with Immunotherapy Using Viable (Cryopreserved) Allogeneic Leukemic Cells Pages 254-26
Authors: Tatiana I. Bulycheva  , Svetlana A. Mayakova  , Simon V. Skurkovich
Published: November 2013

At present time in spite of great achievements in modern chemotherapy of acute leukemia (AL) the issue of eradication of residual leukemic cells (MRD) is still relevant. Since 1971 we included specific immunotherapy in the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission using viable cryopreserved allogeneic leukemic cells. 67 children in remission were divided into 2 groups: 27 constituted the control group (only continued standard-for-that-time chemotherapy) and 40 children - the treatment which received immunotherapy in addition to standard chemotherapy. In 3 years all children in the control group relapsed. The median length of remission was 15 months. In the treatment group we observed stabilization of remission only in children over 7 years of age when immunization was initiated after 6 or more months of remission and in children younger than 7 if it was initiated after 1-1,5 years of remission. The median length of remission was 60 months which significantly exceeded (4 times) that parameter in the control group of children. Cytotoxic antibodies against leukemic cells appeared in the serum of effectively immunized children at a higher titer than against donor lymphocytes. Intrathecal administration of this hyperimmune serum to patients with neuroleukemia resistant to chemotherapy led to a sharp decrease in the amount of leukemic cells in the spinal fluid. After 5 years of remission (and 3-5 years of immunotherapy) all treatment in these patients was stopped. Out of 19 patients who received immunotherapy on time, 8 patients (42%) have been in event-free remission for 37 to 41 years (median - 38 years) through the present time and enjoy high quality of life. Our results indicate that immunotherapy initiated during remission period of AL can lead to creation of anti-leukemic immunity with subsequent eradication of MRD and complete recovery.
Weekly Neoadjuvant Ixabepilone on Surgical Feasibility and Clinical Outcomes in Locally Advanced High-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Phase II Clinical Trial
Authors: J.L. Layton  , J.F. Renzulli II  , A.M. Taber  , D. Golijanin  , J.E. Collins  , H.H. Safran  , A.E. Mega
Published: November 2013

Background:Men diagnosed with locally advanced high-risk prostate cancer have up to a 40% risk of biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy. The authors performed a phase II trial of neoadjuvant weekly ixabepilone prior to radical prostatectomy. Methods:Enrollment criteria included patients with high-risk prostate cancer defined by D¢‚¬„¢Amico criteria or high-volume Gleason 4+3 with a palpable nodule. Patients received ixabepilone 20 mg/m2/week or 16 mg/m2/week for 3 weeks every 28 days for 4 cycles followed by surgery 2-8 weeks later. Results:Sixteen patients were enrolled with a mean age of 56.5 years (range 43-70). PSA values decreased by a mean of 47% in 14/16 men with patients receiving a mean of 8.25 weeks of treatment (range 2-12). Nine men experienced an adverse event requiring dose modification or premature cessation of chemotherapy. Pathologic staging in 9 patients showed T3a, 5 with T3b, and 1 with T2c disease; 8 had R1 disease and 2 demonstrated nodal involvement. Mean operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay were 189 minutes, 184 mL, and 1.5 days, respectively. At median follow-up of 32 months (range 15-45), 4 patients experienced biochemical recurrence. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant weekly ixabepilone had a good PSA response and no increased surgical morbidity; however, a higher dose is associated with significant persistent neuropathy. There were no complete pathologic responses, but biochemical recurrence rate is low. Further assessment of time to treatment failure will require continued, planned follow-up to evaluate the long-term potential clinical benefit of this study.
Is the Neoadjuvant Docetaxel, Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil Regimen Superior to Classic Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma?
Authors: Zeli Huang  , Jiezhan Feng  , Shaoen Li  , Weihong Wei  , Guoyi Zhang  , Qiuxia Lu  , Yongfeng Wu  , Li Lin  , Tao Xu
Published: November 2013

Objectives: We retrospectively compared the toxicity and efficacy of two neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens (docetaxel+cisplatin+5-fluorouracil vs. cisplatin+5-fluorouracil) followed by chemoradiotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Patients and Materials: We analysed 135 patients with stage III and IVA-B nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Forty-four patients were treated with docetaxel+cisplatin+5-fluorouracil and chemoradiotherapy (TPF group), and 91 were treated with cisplatin+5-fluorouracil and chemoradiotherapy (PF group). Chemoradiotherapy was administered with weekly cisplatin. Radical radiotherapy with total doses of 70-74Gy was administered using a conventional technique, over 7 weeks in 2.0Gy/fraction; boost doses of 6-10Gy were administered in 55.6% patients (n=75) with locally advanced cancer. Results: The median follow-up was 46.5 months (range, 9.8-62.8 months), and the follow-up rate was 95%. The TPF group had better 5-year estimated progression-free survival (77.0% vs. 73.5%; P = 0.510) and overall survival than the PF group (80.7% vs. 77.9%, P = 0.446); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Toxicities in the two groups were similar; grade 3/4 oral mucositis was more common in the TPF group (27.3%) than in the PF group (15.3%) during chemoradiotherapy. Conclusions: The neoadjuvant docetaxel+cisplatin+5-fluorouracil chemotherapy led to satisfactory long-term survival and slight improvement in progression-free survival and overall survival as compared with the classic cisplatin+5-fluorouracil regimen; toxicity was tolerable. However, prospective trials are needed to prove whether docetaxel+cisplatin+5-fluorouracil is a substitute for cisplatin+5-fluorouracil.
Common resting brain dynamics indicate a possible mechanism underlying zolpidem response in severe brain injury
Authors: Williams Shawniqua T , Conte Mary M , Goldfine Andrew M , Noirhomme Quentin , Gosseries Olivia , Thonnard Marie , Beattie Bradley , Hersh Jennifer , Katz Douglas I , Victor Jonathan D , Laureys Steven , Schiff Nicholas D
Published: November 2013

Zolpidem produces paradoxical recovery of speech, cognitive and motor functions in select subjects with severe brain injury but underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In three diverse patients with known zolpidem responses we identify a distinctive pattern of EEG dynamics that suggests a mechanistic model. In the absence of zolpidem, all subjects show a strong low frequency oscillatory peak ∼6–10 Hz in the EEG power spectrum most prominent over frontocentral regions and with high coherence (∼0.7–0.8) within and between hemispheres. Zolpidem administration sharply reduces EEG power and coherence at these low frequencies. The ∼6–10 Hz activity is proposed to arise from intrinsic membrane properties of pyramidal neurons that are passively entrained across the cortex by locally-generated spontaneous activity. Activation by zolpidem is proposed to arise from a combination of initial direct drug effects on cortical, striatal, and thalamic populations and further activation of underactive brain regions induced by restoration of cognitively-mediated behaviors.
microRNA-1 regulates sarcomere formation and suppresses smooth muscle gene expression in the mammalian heart
Authors: Heidersbach Amy , Saxby Chris , Carver-Moore Karen , Huang Yu , Ang Yen-Sin , de Jong Pieter J , Ivey Kathryn N , Srivastava Deepak
Published: November 2013

microRNA-1 (miR-1) is an evolutionarily conserved, striated muscle-enriched miRNA. Most mammalian genomes contain two copies of miR-1, and in mice, deletion of a single locus, miR-1-2, causes incompletely penetrant lethality and subtle cardiac defects. Here, we report that deletion of miR-1-1 resulted in a phenotype similar to that of the miR-1-2 mutant. Compound miR-1 knockout mice died uniformly before weaning due to severe cardiac dysfunction. miR-1-null cardiomyocytes had abnormal sarcomere organization and decreased phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain-2 (MLC2), a critical cytoskeletal regulator. The smooth muscle-restricted inhibitor of MLC2 phosphorylation, Telokin, was ectopically expressed in the myocardium, along with other smooth muscle genes. miR-1 repressed Telokin expression through direct targeting and by repressing its transcriptional regulator, Myocardin. Our results reveal that miR-1 is required for postnatal cardiac function and reinforces the striated muscle phenotype by regulating both transcriptional and effector nodes of the smooth muscle gene expression network.
Awakened by a sleeping pill
Authors: Akeju Oluwaseun , Brown Emery N
Published: November 2013

Characteristic changes in brain activity accompany the paradoxical increase in alertness observed in some patients with severe brain injury when they are treated with the sleeping pill zolpidem.
MicroRNAs get to the heart of development
Authors: Tao Ge , Martin James F
Published: November 2013

A microRNA regulates the expression of a network of genes in the heart to ensure that progenitor cells develop into strongly contractile cardiac muscle.
Floral biology of large-flowered Thelymitra species (Orchidaceae) and their hybrids in Western Australia
Authors: Edens-Meier Retha , Westhus Eric J. , Bernhardt Peter
Published: November 2013

Historically, only a few large flowered species in the genus Thelymitra were identified as obligate out-breeders. We compared floral presentation, pollen-pistil interactions, pollination ecology, and interspecific hybridization in two populations of T. macrophylla where its flowering periods overlapped with T. antennifera (Tenterden) and T. crinita (Lesmurdie) respectively. Pollen-pistil interactions were studied using glasshouse collections of T. crinita and T. macrophylla at the Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Perth, WA). The number of flowers/inflorescence in T. macrophylla varied significantly between sites. Climatic conditions influenced flower opening and closing regimes differently in T. crinita vs. T. macrophylla. While all three Thelymitra spp. opened on warm, sunny mornings and closed by late afternoon, T. crinita at Lesmurdie was significantly more likely to open its perianth segments on cool days compared to the co-blooming, sympatric flowers of T. macrophylla. The floral lifespans of individual flowers of T. macrophylla and T. crinita were reduced significantly following application of Thelymitra pollen onto the stigmatic surface but were not reduced by pollinarium removal. Flowers of both species were self-compatible but neither species self-pollinated mechanically (autogamy). Fluorescence microscopy also showed that both species were inter-compatible. Natural rates of pollinarium removal by insects were low in all three species at both sites. Natural rates of pollen deposition on receptive stigmas were significantly higher in T. crinita vs. T. macrophylla but pollen deposition was less than 12% in both species. Observations and collections of pollinators were infrequent and pollinaria vectors were restricted to a few polylectic, female bees in the families Apidae, Colletidae, and Halictidae. We found a large number of hybrids between T. antennifera and T. macrophylla at Tenterden but few obvious hybrids between T. crinita and T. macrophylla at Lesmurdie. As expected, all hybrids showed characteristics intermediate between their two putative parent species, including pollen configuration in the T. crinita X T. macrophylla specimens. Due to malformations of the column, the majority of T. antennifera X T. macrophylla flowers appeared unable to attach their pollinia to their respective rostella.
WHO Warns of Counterfeit Ozempic in the Global Supply Chain—Here’s What to Know
Authors: Ruder Kate
Published: July 2024

This Medical News article discusses reports of falsified semaglutide being found around the world.
Medicare Payment for Opioid Treatment Programs
Authors: Nakamoto Carter H. , Huskamp Haiden A. , Donohue Julie M. , Barnett Michael L. , Gordon Adam J. , Mehrotra Ateev
Published: July 2024

Importance

Medicare began paying for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) at opioid treatment programs (OTPs) that dispense methadone and other MOUD in January 2020. There has been little research describing the response to this payment change and whether it resulted in more patients receiving MOUD or just a shift in who pays for this care.

Objective

To describe how many and which Medicare beneficiaries receive care from OTPs and how this compares to those receiving MOUD in other settings.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study included all patients receiving MOUD care identified in 2019-2022 100% US Medicare Parts B and D claims. Patients receiving care in an OTP who were dually insured with Medicare and Medicaid in the 2019-2020 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System were also included.

Exposure

Receiving MOUD care in an OTP.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Comparisons of 2022 beneficiaries treated in OTPs vs other non-OTP settings in 2022.

Results

The share of Medicare beneficiaries treated by OTPs rose steadily from 4 per 10 000 (14 160 beneficiaries) in January 2020 to 7 per 10 000 (25 596 beneficiaries) in August 2020, then plateaued through December 2022; of 38 870 patients (23% ≥66 years; 35% female) treated at an OTP in 2022, 96% received methadone. Patients in OTPs, compared to those receiving MOUD in other settings, were more likely be 65 years and younger (65% vs 62%; P < .001), less likely to be White (72% vs 82%; P < .001), and more likely to be an urban resident (86% vs 74%; P < .001). When Medicare OTP coverage began, there was no associated drop in the number of dually insured patients with Medicaid with an OTP claim. Of the 1854 OTPs, 1115 (60%) billed Medicare in 2022, with the share billing Medicare ranging from 13% to 100% across states.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study showed that since the initiation of Medicare OTP coverage in 2020, there has been a rapid increase in the number of Medicare beneficiaries with claims for OTP services for MOUD, and most OTPs have begun billing Medicare. Patients in OTPs were more likely to be urban residents and members of racial or ethnic minority groups than the patients receiving other forms of MOUD.
Evaluation of radiotherapy planning approaches for head and neck patients with tumors close to the skin surface
Authors: Kirk Julie S. , Rowbottom Carl G.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

In radiotherapy of the head and neck (H&N) it is common for the clinical target volume (CTV) to extend to the patient's skin. Adding a margin for set‐up uncertainty and delivery creates a planning target volume (PTV) that extends beyond the patient surface. This can result in excessive fluence being delivered to the build‐up region and therefore the skin. This study evaluates four different planning methods used when inverse‐planning H&N radiotherapy treatments with CTV extending to the skin. The aim of the study was to determine which planning method gives superior plan quality.

Method

Ten H&N cancer patients with a CTV contoured to the skin were inverse‐planned using four planning methods. The planning methods compared were: cropping the optimization PTV back from the skin surface by 5.0, 3.0, and 0.0 mm and a virtual bolus method. For each planning method, the increased fluence at the skin surface was analyzed. The CTV coverage and skin doses were compared. Plan robustness was evaluated by applying an isocenter shift of ±3.0 mm in the major axes.

Results

The planning method cropping the PTV 0.0 mm from the skin surface results in an increased fluence in the build‐up region. The average volume of CTV receiving 98% of the prescription dose was 89.6% ± 3.4%, 91.6% ± 2.4%, and 93.5% ± 1.7% when cropped 5.0, 3.0, and 0.0 mm, respectively, and 93.4% ± 2.1% for the virtual bolus method. Introducing plan uncertainty affects CTV coverage the most when cropping 5.0 mm. When plan uncertainties are considered the methods of cropping 5.0, 3.0 mm, and the virtual bolus method have the same average skin dose within ±0.3%.

Conclusion

This study shows that a virtual bolus planning method results in no increased fluence at the patient's surface, improves CTV coverage, and is the most robust to changes in setup and patient anatomy.
CSF biomarkers of neurotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors after cranial radiotherapy or surgery
Authors: Fernström Erik , Jarfelt Marianne , Blomstrand Malin , Lannering Birgitta , Axelsson Markus , Wasling Pontus , Björk‐Eriksson Thomas , Zetterberg Henrik , Kalm Marie
Published: July 2024

Objective

Treatment of pediatric brain tumors is associated with potential long‐term cognitive sequelae. Patients treated with craniospinal irradiation for posterior fossa tumors are at high risk. New biomarkers that could help to differentiate treatment effects from other causes of cognitive dysfunction would be valuable in tailoring optimal survivorship care. Biomarkers that reflect biological mechanisms behind treatment‐associated cognitive decline would also be important in the evaluation of future treatment regimens for pediatric brain or skull base tumors.

Methods

In this biomarker‐finding study, 10 adult survivors of pediatric medulloblastoma, skull base tumors, and posterior fossa low‐grade glioma underwent study specific lumbar puncture at a minimum of 17 years following treatment. We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers reflecting neuron and astrocyte integrity, amyloid metabolism, inflammation, extracellular matrix, synaptic integrity, and blood–brain barrier function. The values were compared with biomarker levels in healthy controls of comparable age.

Results

Biomarkers reflecting neuronal injury (neurofilament light chain protein), astrocyte injury or activation (glial fibrillary acidic protein) as well as inflammation (YKL‐40) were significantly elevated in cancer survivors compared to controls. Biomarkers reflecting amyloid metabolism showed a pattern of decrease in patients treated for medulloblastoma.

Interpretation

The results suggest a potential chronic low‐grade neurodegeneration and astrocyte activation in patients treated for pediatric brain or skull base tumors. Protein biomarkers of CNS disease could potentially be used to increase our understanding of the contribution from different tumor treatments with regard to long‐term symptoms in cancer patients.
Acquired Temozolomide Resistance Instructs Patterns of Glioblastoma Behavior in Gelatin Hydrogels
Authors: Kriuchkovskaia Victoria A. , Eames Ela K. , Riggins Rebecca B. , Harley Brendan A. C.
Published: July 2024

Acquired drug resistance in glioblastoma (GBM) presents a major clinical challenge and is a key factor contributing to abysmal prognosis, with less than 15 months median overall survival. Aggressive chemotherapy with the frontline therapeutic, temozolomide (TMZ), ultimately fails to kill residual highly invasive tumor cells after surgical resection and radiotherapy. Here, a 3D engineered model of acquired TMZ resistance is reported using two isogenically matched sets of GBM cell lines encapsulated in gelatin methacrylol hydrogels. Response of TMZ‐resistant versus TMZ‐sensitive GBM cell lines within the gelatin‐based extracellular matrix platform is benchmarked and drug response at physiologically relevant TMZ concentrations is further validated. The changes in drug sensitivity, cell invasion, and matrix‐remodeling cytokine production are shown as the result of acquired TMZ resistance. This platform lays the foundation for future investigations targeting key elements of the GBM tumor microenvironment to combat GBM's devastating impact by advancing the understanding of GBM progression and treatment response to guide the development of novel treatment strategies.
A Melt Electrowriting Toolbox for Automated G‐Code Generation and Toolpath Correction of Flat and Tubular Constructs
Authors: Devlin Brenna L. , Kuba Shahak , Hall Patrick C. , McCosker Audrey B. , Pickering Edmund , Dalton Paul D. , Klein Travis J. , Woodruff Maria A. , Paxton Naomi C.
Published: July 2024

Despite the growing significance of generating highly porous, high‐precision 3D printed scaffolds using melt electrowriting (MEW), the absence of easy‐to‐use and robust design and g‐code generation tools hinders its effectiveness and widespread adoption. This article introduces a versatile scaffold design workflow for MEW fabrication, drawing on learnings in scaffold design and fabrication optimization from pioneers in the field and unifies innovative approaches into one user‐friendly platform. The application contains a library of validated flat and tubular patterns, as well as incorporating automated solutions to common challenges such as scaffold dimension fitting and toolpath corrections previously reported in the literature and historically challenging to deploy into new g‐codes. Available to users via GitHub, this application readily generates a g‐code that compensates for MEW fiber lag across diverse geometries on a variety of flat and cylindrical collectors. The application's capabilities are demonstrated through proof‐of‐concept prints, including layer‐shifting strategies, and their effects on scaffold mechanical properties. By integrating design flexibility, layer‐shifting strategies, and advanced visualization, this application streamlines the MEW scaffold design process, offering a valuable tool for researchers and promises to both advance the field and enable greater access to tools required to produce high‐quality, reproducible scaffolds.
Extended Range of Ratiometric Luminescence Codes with Ce3+ Modified Gd2O2S:Er3+,Yb3+ Shortwave Infrared Phosphors
Authors: Cosgun Ergene Arzu , Madirov Eduard , Coetsee‐Hugo Elizabeth , Swart Hendrik , Richards Bryce S. , Turshatov Andrey
Published: July 2024

Lanthanide (Ln3+) based luminescent materials, with their distinctive emission spectra, offer opportunities to develop novel coding patterns for various applications, including Tracer Based Sorting (TBS). TBS uses trace amounts of inorganic phosphors and is a promising method for sorting plastics based on criteria beyond plastic type. This study investigates the synergistic effect of co‐doping with Ce3+ to enhance Er3+ luminescence at ≈1550 nm (with a maximum photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 5.7%) while significantly reducing Yb3+ luminescence at ≈1000 nm. The underlying mechanisms of these properties are analyzed using absolute PLQY measurements in an integrating sphere, luminescence decay studies, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Hyperspectral shortwave infrared imaging reveals an extended range of unique tracer combinations based on ratiometric intensity measurements, particularly when the Yb3+/Er3+/Ce3+ tracers are mixed with a single‐doped Yb3+ tracer, compared to simple mixtures of Ce3+‐free Yb3+/Er3+ and Yb3+ tracers. Therefore, the use of the tri‐doped Yb3+/Er3+/Ce3+ Gd2O2S tracer increases the diversity of available luminescent tracers that may be of potential interest in the identification and sorting of plastic waste using the TBS process.
Neighboring π‐Coordination in Palladium Catalyzed [4+4] Cycloaddition of γ‐Methylidene‐δ‐Valerolactones with Divinylketones
Authors: Wu Xiaoying , Feng Wei , Zhao Jiayi , Yang Daoshan , Song Ran , Si Wen , Lv Jian
Published: July 2024

A palladium‐catalyzed [4+4] cycloaddition of aryl‐substituted γ‐methylidene‐δ‐valerolactones (GMDVs) with divinylketones (DVKs) was developed, providing an approach to access various mono‐cyclic tetrahydro‐2H‐oxocines with diverse substituents in 41% to 95% yield with 81:19 to >20:1 dr. This reaction was facilitated by anchoring olefin (C=C), carbonyl (C=O), and arene (Ar) at the α‐position of carbonyls.
Synthesis of Acyl Halides from Carboxylic Acid Thioesters for Synthesis of Ketones, Esters, Amides and Peptides
Authors: Nagano Shuji , Maruoka Keiji
Published: July 2024

A synthesis of acyl halides from the corresponding carboxylic acid thioesters was achieved using commercially available Selectfluor or NCS, and the acyl fluoride or chloride intermediates were transformed to the corresponding esters, amides, and several carbon‐carbon bond formation products. This approach can be applied to the peptide synthesis from functionalized amino acid thioesters.
A Bioinspired Membrane with Ultrahigh Li+/Na+ and Li+/K+ Separations Enables Direct Lithium Extraction from Brine
Authors: Fan Faying , Ren Yongwen , Zhang Shu , Tang Zhilei , Wang Jia , Han Xiaolei , Yang Yuanyuan , Lu Guoli , Zhang Yaojian , Chen Lin , Wang Zhe , Zhang Kewei , Gao Jun , Zhao Jingwen , Cui Guanglei , Tang Bo
Published: July 2024

Membranes with precise Li+/Na+ and Li+/K+ separations are imperative for lithium extraction from brine to address the lithium supply shortage. However, achieving this goal remains a daunting challenge due to the similar valence, chemical properties, and subtle atomic‐scale distinctions among these monovalent cations. Herein, inspired by the strict size‐sieving effect of biological ion channels, a membrane is presented based on nonporous crystalline materials featuring structurally rigid, dimensionally confined, and long‐range ordered ion channels that exclusively permeate naked Li+ but block Na+ and K+. This naked‐Li+‐sieving behavior not only enables unprecedented Li+/Na+ and Li+/K+ selectivities up to 2707.4 and 5109.8, respectively, even surpassing the state‐of‐the‐art membranes by at least two orders of magnitude, but also demonstrates impressive Li+/Mg2+ and Li+/Ca2+ separation capabilities. Moreover, this bioinspired membrane has to be utilized for creating a one‐step lithium extraction strategy from natural brines rich in Na+, K+, and Mg2+ without utilizing chemicals or creating solid waste, and it simultaneously produces hydrogen. This research has proposed a new type of ion‐sieving membrane and also provides an envisioning of the design paradigm and development of advanced membranes, ion separation, and lithium extraction.
Design and Optimization for AlGaN‐Based Deep Ultraviolet Fabry–Perot Laser Diodes
Authors: Yang Jianyu , Tian Kangkai , Chu Chunshuang , Zhang Yonghui , Jiang Ke , Sun Xiaojuan , Li Dabing , Sun Xiao Wei , Zhang Zi‐Hui
Published: July 2024

In this work, AlGaN‐based deep ultraviolet Fabry–Perot (FP) laser diodes (DUV LDs) are designed by using Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulations, and the physical models for DUV LDs are also developed. It is found that the optical absorption in the p‐region significantly increases the optical loss and reduces the laser power. Hence, properly increasing the Al composition for the p‐waveguide (p‐WG) and the p‐type cladding layer (CL) helps shift the optical field to the n‐region, which is effective in decreasing the free‐carrier absorption in the p‐region. However, if not properly optimized, this will decrease the optical confinement factor, which will decrease the stimulated recombination rate between electrons and holes. Then, the electron leakage becomes significant. The studies show that the p‐electron blocking layer (p‐EBL) will not strongly affect the optical field profiles. Hence, the Al composition in the p‐EBL has more freedom for electrical optimization. Therefore, a compromised design is required so that both the optical and the electrical properties can be improved.
Utility of genome sequencing in exome‐negative pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental phenotypes
Authors: Nomakuchi Tomoki T. , Teferedegn Eden Y. , Li Dong , Muirhead Kayla J. , Dubbs Holly , Leonard Jacqueline , Muraresku Colleen , Sergio Emily , Arnold Kaley , Pizzino Amy , Skraban Cara M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Wang Kai , Ganetzky Rebecca D. , Vanderver Adeline L. , Ahrens‐Nicklas Rebecca C. , Bhoj Elizabeth J. K.
Published: July 2024

Exome sequencing (ES) has emerged as an essential tool in the evaluation of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) of unknown etiology. Genome sequencing (GS) offers advantages over ES due to improved detection of structural, copy number, repeat number and non‐coding variants. However, GS is less commonly utilized due to higher cost and more intense analysis. Here, we present nine cases of pediatric NDD that were molecularly diagnosed with GS between 2017 and 2022, following non‐diagnostic ES. All individuals presented with global developmental delay or regression. Other features present in our cohort included epilepsy, white matter abnormalities, brain malformation and dysmorphic features. Two cases were diagnosed on GS due to newly described gene‐disease relationship or variant reclassification (MAPK8IP3, CHD3). Additional features missed on ES that were later detected on GS were: intermediate‐size deletions in three cases who underwent ES that were not validated for CNV detection, pathogenic variants within the non‐protein coding genes SNORD118 and RNU7‐1, pathogenic variant within the promoter region of GJB1, and a coding pathogenic variant within BCAP31 which was not sufficiently covered on ES. GS following non‐diagnostic ES led to the identification of pathogenic variants in this cohort of nine cases, four of which would not have been identified by reanalysis alone.
Chelator‐Assisted Precipitation‐Based Separation of the Rare Earth Elements Neodymium and Dysprosium from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Gao Yangyang , Licup Gerra L. , Bigham Nicholas P. , Cantu David C. , Wilson Justin J.
Published: July 2024

The rare earth elements (REEs) are critical resources for many clean energy technologies, but are difficult to obtain in their elementally pure forms because of their nearly identical chemical properties. Here, an analogue of macropa, G‐macropa, was synthesized and employed for an aqueous precipitation‐based separation of Nd3+ and Dy3+. G‐macropa maintains the same thermodynamic preference for the large REEs as macropa, but shows smaller thermodynamic stability constants. Molecular dynamics studies demonstrate that the binding affinity differences of these chelators for Nd3+ and Dy3+ is a consequence of the presence or absence of an inner‐sphere water molecule, which alters the donor strength of the macrocyclic ethers. Leveraging the small REE affinity of G‐macropa, we demonstrate that within aqueous solutions of Nd3+, Dy3+, and G‐macropa, the addition of HCO3− selectively precipitates Dy2(CO3)3, leaving the Nd3+−G‐macropa complex in solution. With this method, remarkably high separation factors of 841 and 741 are achieved for 50 : 50 and 75 : 25 mixtures. Further studies involving Nd3+:Dy3+ ratios of 95 : 5 in authentic magnet waste also afford an efficient separation as well. Lastly, G‐macropa is recovered via crystallization with HCl and used for subsequent extractions, demonstrating its good recyclability.
Optimizing Upconversion Quantum Yield via Structural Tuning of Dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione Annihilators
Authors: Lyons Alexandra J. , Naimovičius Lukas , Zhang Simon K. , Pun Andrew B.
Published: July 2024

Triplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) is a photophysical process in which two low‐energy photons are converted into one higher‐energy photon. This type of upconversion requires two species: a sensitizer that absorbs low‐energy light and transfers its energy to an annihilator, which emits higher‐energy light after TTA. In spite of the multitude of applications of TTA‐UC, few families of annihilators have been explored. In this work, we show dipyrrolonaphthyridinediones (DPNDs) can act as annihilators in TTA‐UC. We found that structural changes to DPND dramatically increase its upconversion quantum yield (UCQY). Our optimized DPND annihilator demonstrates a high maximum internal UCQY of 9.4 %, outperforming the UCQY of commonly used near‐infrared‐to‐visible annihilator rubrene by almost double.
High‐performance cross‐linked SiCOH/polyimide composite film with an ultralow dielectric constant at high frequency
Authors: Yang Qingbiao , Mei Xiangyu , Shi Shuaida , Peng Kun , Qi Xiaoming , Islam M. D. Zahidul , Yang Xinyan , Si Yinsong , Fu Yaqin
Published: July 2024

Ultralow‐k materials with promising comprehensive performance to meet the increasing requirements of high‐frequency communication are highly desired. Here, a cross‐linked porous polymer SiCOH, synthesized via simple sol–gel method, was used as the filler to prepare SiCOH/PI composite films by physically blending, which demonstrates ultralow dielectric constant at high frequency. Notably, only 2.5% of SiCOH in the composite can significantly reduce the dielectric constant of PI from 3.0 to an ultralow value of 1.7 in the 9.5–12.4 GHz, together with a low dielectric loss of 0.029. Additionally, the SiCOH/PI composite maintains a high tensile strength of 82.4 MPa and a tensile modulus of 1.82 GPa, which is comparable to pure PI film. While the glass transition temperature (Tg) increases to 370°C and the linear expansion coefficient is reduced to 30.7 ppm/°C, both of which are superior to those of pure PI film. Moreover, by introducing the hydrophobic SiCOH into PI, the contact angle of the composite films increased to 92.0°–99.0°. This simple and low‐cost method not only effectively lowers the dielectric constant of PI but also improves the thermal stability, mechanical properties, and hydrophobic ability, greatly boosts the practical application of PI in high‐frequency communication in the future.