bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Y and La Doping in CaMnO3 Compounds: Effects of Dopant Identity and Amount on Charge Transport Kinetics
Authors: Azulay Amram , Caspin Neta , Freidzon Daniel , Kauffmann Yaron , Kleinke Holger , Amouyal Yaron
Published: November 2023

Enhancing electronic transport properties of thermoelectric oxides is of great technological importance. Oxides are promising candidates for waste heat harvesting at elevated temperatures as well as for electricity generation in low‐power applications. To this purpose, fundamental understanding of their electrical and thermal conduction mechanisms is essential. Herein, the conduction mechanism of CaMnO3 materials is focused on and how dopant identity and amount alter the kinetic properties of charge transport is investigated. Ca1−xRxMnO3 compounds with R = Y and La are synthesized, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.13, and the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient for temperatures ranging from 300 to 1050 K, indicating that Y‐doped compounds are usually more conductive than their La‐doped counterparts, are measured. Analysis of both in terms of the small polaron hopping model reveals that Y doping reduces conduction activation energies, resulting in higher electrical conductivity and charge carrier mobility. Remarkably high values of thermoelectric power factor for the Ca0.97La0.03MnO3 compound, for example, 300 μWm−1 K−2 at 1050 K are observed; furthermore, these values are preserved for a wide temperature range, rendering this compound a good candidate for heat‐to‐electrical power generation at elevated temperatures.
Challenges hindering emergency physicians; involvement in multicenter collaborative studies in Japan: A nationwide survey analysis
Authors: Yasuda Manaho , Saito Ayaka , Goto Tadahiro , Yamamoto Ryohei , Liu Keibun , Kuriyama Akira , Kondo Yutaka , Kasugai Daisuke ,   RED‐PAM study investigators
Published: November 2023

Aim

Multicenter collaborative research accelerates patient recruitment and strengthens evidence. Nevertheless, the factors influencing emergency and critical care physicians’ involvement in such research in Japan remain unclear.

Methods

A nationwide web‐based survey conducted in early 2023 targeted emergency physicians working a minimum of 3 days per week in Japan. The survey descriptively assessed their backgrounds, work and research environments, experiences, and perceived impediments and motivators for multicenter research.

Results

Of the 387 respondents, 348 were included in the study, yielding a 5.1% response rate. Women comprised 11% of the participants; 33% worked in university hospitals, 65% served in both emergency departments and intensive care units, and 54% did shift work. Only 12% had designated research time during working hours, with a median of 1 hour per week (interquartile range 0–5 h), including time outside of work. While 73% had participated in multicenter research, 58% noted barriers to participation. The key obstacles were excessive data entry (72%), meeting time constraints (59%), ethical review at each facility (50%), and unique sample collection, such as bronchoalveolar lavage specimens or pathological tissues (51%). The major incentives were networking (70%), data sets reuse (65%), feedback on research results (63%), and recognition from academic societies (63%). Financial rewards were not highly prioritized (38%).

Conclusions

While valuing clinical research, emergency physicians face barriers, especially data entry burden and limited research time. Networking and sharing research findings motivate them. These insights can guide strategies to enhance collaborative research in emergency and critical care in Japan.
Altered Impulsivity Across Drug‐Naïve Parkinsonism, Isolated Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder, and Their High‐Risk Relatives
Authors: Zhou Li , Li Shirley Xin , Chau Steven WH , Huang Bei , Wang Jing , Tang Shi , Chan Joey WY , Zhang Jihui , Yu Mandy WM , Tsang Jessie CC , Hu Michele TM , Mok Vincent CT , Wing Yun Kwok , Liu Yaping
Published: November 2023

Objective

To determine multidimensional impulsivity levels across different early stages of α‐synucleinopathy.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study investigated motor and decisional impulsivity levels using a panel of computerized tasks among drug‐naïve parkinsonism patients, isolated/idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) patients and their first‐degree relatives (iRBD‐FDRs), and control participants. Trait impulsivity and impulse control behaviors were assessed by self‐reported questionnaires.

Results

A total of 27 drug‐naïve parkinsonism patients, 157 iRBD patients, 66 iRBD‐FDRs, and 82 control participants were recruited. Parkinsonism and iRBD patients had fewer numbers of extracted beads in beads task 1 and 2 (both p < 0.001), and a higher rate of irrational choice in task 1 (p = 0.046) before making decisions, and fewer numbers of pumps of unexploded blue balloons in the balloon analog risk task (p = 0.004) than control participants, indicating a higher level of reflection impulsivity and a lower level of risk taking, respectively. iRBD patients had more no‐go errors in the go/no‐go task than control participants (padjusted = 0.036), suggesting a higher level of motor impulsivity. iRBD‐FDRs with dream‐enactment behaviors had fewer numbers of extracted beads (p = 0.047) in beads task 2 than FDRs without dream‐enactment behaviors, suggesting a possible higher level of reflection impulsivity.

Interpretation

A complex construct of altered impulsivity with decreased risk taking, but increased reflection and motor impulsivity, has already occurred at the prodromal and early stages of α‐synucleinopathy, which have implications for underlying pathophysiology and clinical management of α‐synucleinopathy, especially for impulse control behaviors upon dopaminergic drug treatment. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:544–557
Gold Nanoclusters for Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Chen Shiqun , Li Shasha , Wang Yili , Chen Zuohong , Wang Hao , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: November 2023

Nanomedicine shows remarkable potential to improve the efficacy of diagnosis and treatment of tumors, utilizing nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have emerged as a highly promising option due to their exceptional optical and enzyme‐mimicking catalytic activities as well as good biocompatibility. The renal clearable clusters can enrich in the tumors upon their enhanced permeability and retention properties, which benefits the tumor‐related applications. The fluorescence of AuNCs in the second near‐infrared region possesses extraordinary penetration depth and high temporal–spatial resolution, enabling excellent in vivo imaging and real‐time monitoring of pathological process. AuNC‐based nanoplatforms represent a paradigm of integrated, efficient, intelligent, and safe treatment strategy, extending personalized tumor therapy. Meanwhile, the optical and biocatalytic properties can be modulated by adopting the atom/ligand engineering, which further enhances the efficacy of AuNCs. Herein, the advances of AuNCs in the field of diagnosis and treatment of tumors are summarized and the directions to be improved are proposed to promote the clinical translation of the AuNCs.
Discrimination of Turkish Gemlik virgin olive oils by growing regions and environmental conditions
Authors: Keceli Turkan Mutlu , Celik Fulya Harp
Published: November 2023

Geographic origins together with environmental conditions (temperature, rainfall, humidity, altitude) during harvest, could alter the olive oil quality, nutritional value, and traceability. The impact of geographic region (Bursa PDO, Hatay, Mersin, and Izmir NPDO) and conditions at harvest years (2016 and 2017) on the quality and traceability of Gemlik virgin olive oils were investigated. Environmental conditions (high temperature and relative humidity, low rainfall) resulted in low quality due to increase in FFA, linoleic acid, PUFA, Δ7‐stigmastenol, stigmasterol and total sterols in oils obtained from southeast (Hatay and Mersin) NPDO regions. Bursa PDO and Izmir NPDO Gemlik virgin olive oils were high in oleic acid, MUFA, hydroxtytyrsol, tyrosol, antioxidant activity and, ∆5‐avenesterol and discriminated by 99% accuracy with discriminant analysis. PCA and DA can easily detect and distinguish differences in virgin olive oils quality and purity coming from different growing regions and subjected to inverse environmental conditions. Bursa PDO and Izmir NPDO growing regions have better conditions for Gemlik olives cultivation to obtain high quality and oxidative resistant Gemlik virgin olive oils.
A new deal for dynamic psychotherapies: The psychoanalyst as street‐level bureaucrat
Authors: Clarke Jeremy
Published: November 2023

In the UK in 2007 a national experiment was initiated with the aim of tackling “Britain's Biggest Social Problem”—Depression. Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) was devised as the solution. A universal free‐to‐access talking therapies program would make available evidence‐based treatment to all adults with depression. NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), the body that decides on what is cost‐effective, said CBT, not antidepressants, should be its first line offer. The starting gun was fired. The promise from IAPT was 3‐fold: to scale up access to CBT rapidly; to achieve recovery targets that would reduce the prevalence of depression over time; and—most ambitious of all—to ensure the Treasury would see a return on its investment by reducing the economic burden from depression. People who were on invalidity benefits due to depression would be supported back into employment. It was a New Deal for depression. As well as for CBT. But did it work? A decade and a half on with IAPT, are we in any position to give an answer? This paper will seek to draw lessons about “What Worked”, and what didn't, to askourselvesa question: arewe—those of us in the applied psychoanalytic community—willing to garner what can be learned from IAPT to advocate a new deal for evidence‐based psychoanalysis? Faced with challenges from unemployment and widening inequalities, against a backdrop where global economic recovery must heed the existential threats from climate change and ongoing warfare, to say nothing of the scale of loss and grief for those already impacted by bereavement due to the pandemic, the need for some such deal could not be more urgent.
From academic to media capital: To what extent does the scientific reputation of universities translate into Wikipedia attention?
Authors: Arroyo‐Machado Wenceslao , Díaz‐Faes Adrián A. , Herrera‐Viedma Enrique , Costas Rodrigo
Published: November 2023

Universities face increasing demands to improve their visibility, public outreach, and online presence. There is a broad consensus that scientific reputation significantly increases the attention universities receive. However, in most cases estimates of scientific reputation are based on composite or weighted indicators and absolute positions in university rankings. In this study, we adopt a more granular approach to assessment of universities' scientific performance using a multidimensional set of indicators from the Leiden Ranking and testing their individual effects on university Wikipedia page views. We distinguish between international and local attention and find a positive association between research performance and Wikipedia attention which holds for regions and linguistic areas. Additional analysis shows that productivity, scientific impact, and international collaboration have a curvilinear effect on universities' Wikipedia attention. This finding suggests that there may be other factors than scientific reputation driving the general public's interest in universities. Our study adds to a growing stream of work which views altmetrics as tools to deepen science–society interactions rather than direct measures of impact and recognition of scientific outputs.
Modellbasierte Etagenlogistikplanung für die Ausbauphase im Hochbau – Teil 1: Erarbeitung des Konzepts
Authors: Jaster Isabell , Placzek Gerrit , Schwerdtner Patrick
Published: November 2023

Die Baulogistik besitzt für Bauprojekte eine zentrale Bedeutung. Insbesondere in der Ausbauphase mehrgeschossiger Gebäude kann das häufig bestehende „Chaos“ durch eine verbesserte Etagenlogistik behoben werden. Die Planung einer Etagenlogistik ermöglicht eine insgesamt effizientere Arbeitsplatzgestaltung bei der Errichtung mehrgeschossiger Gebäude. Nicht wertschöpfende Tätigkeiten können im Sinne des Lean‐Gedankens reduziert und die Produktivität in der Ausführungsphase erhöht werden. In diesem Beitrag wird ein modellbasiertes Konzept zur Planung der Etagenlogistik für Ausbauprozesse im Hochbau vorgestellt. Im ersten Teil wird der Bedarf einer modellbasierten Vorgehensweise formuliert und das Grundgerüst des Konzepts dargestellt. Das entwickelte Konzept zeigt die großen Potenziale zur effizienteren Arbeitsplatzgestaltung und Arbeitsorganisation bei der Errichtung mehrgeschossiger Gebäude auf. Im zweiten Teil wird das Konzept anhand eines Beispielprojekts und ‐gewerks (Trockenbau) diskutiert.
Tragverhalten von Balkenreihentragwerken
Authors: Steinbock Oliver , Mertzsch Olaf , Hampel Torsten
Published: November 2023

Die Nachweisformate aus der Nachrechnungsrichtlinie und ihrer Ergänzung sind bei zahlreichen Brückensystemen der alten Bundesländer anwendbar. Problematisch ist die Übertragbarkeit auf einen großen Teil der älteren Brückentragwerke, welche auf dem Gebiet der ehemaligen Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (DDR) liegen. Die Konstruktionen weisen besondere Spezifikationen auf, wie sie lediglich in der ehemaligen DDR ausgeführt wurden. Insbesondere die sogenannten Balkenreihentragwerke sind, sowohl im Bestand der Landesbauverwaltungen als auch dem von Kommunen, noch weit verbreitet. Aufgrund ihrer Häufigkeit und ihrer besonderen Konstruktion würden angepasste Rechenansätze die Bewertung dieser Tragwerke stark erleichtern. In der DDR wurde fast ausschließlich Spannstahl aus Hennigsdorfer Produktion verwendet, der als spannungsrisskorrosionsanfällig gilt. Im Vergleich mit Ortbetonbauwerken wird bei Fertigteilkonstruktionen jedoch von einer besseren Fertigungsqualität ausgegangen, sodass aktuell von einer Nichtbetroffenheit dieses Tragwerktyps ausgegangen wird. Der Beitrag beschreibt entsprechende Hintergründe und Berechnungsempfehlungen zu diesem besonderen Brückentyp. Die Erkenntnisse beruhen auf Erfahrungen aus einem Rückbau an einem Balkenreihentragwerk im Zuge der A 19. Hier ergab sich die bisherig einmalige Möglichkeit, Untersuchungen an einem Brückenüberbau durchzuführen, welcher als Balkenreihentragwerk ausgeführt war. Es werden die elementaren Ergebnisse überblicksartig zusammengefasst und Empfehlungen für die rechnerische Bewertung gegeben.
Investigating rutin as a potential transforming growth factor‐β type I receptor antagonist for the inhibition of bleomycin‐induced lung fibrosis
Authors: Karunarathne Wisurumuni Arachchilage Hasitha Maduranga , Lee Kyoung Tae , Choi Yung Hyun , Kang Chang‐Hee , Lee Mi‐Hwa , Kim Sang‐Hun , Kim Gi‐Young
Published: November 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung condition characterized by the abnormal regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we investigated the potential of rutin, a natural flavonoid, in attenuating transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)‐induced ECM regulation and EMT through the inhibition of the TGF‐β type I receptor (TβRI)‐mediated suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) signaling pathway. We found that non‐toxic concentrations of rutin attenuated TGF‐β‐induced ECM‐related genes, including fibronectin, elastin, collagen 1 type 1, and TGF‐β, as well as myoblast differentiation from MRC‐5 lung fibroblast cells accompanied by the downregulation of α‐smooth muscle actin. Rutin also inhibited TGF‐β‐induced EMT processes, such as wound healing, migration, and invasion by regulating EMT‐related gene expression. Additionally, rutin attenuated bleomycin‐induced lung fibrosis in mice, thus providing a potential therapeutic option for IPF. The molecular docking analyses in this study predict that rutin occludes the active site of TβRI and inhibits SMAD‐mediated fibrotic signaling pathways in lung fibrosis. These findings highlight the potential of rutin as a promising anti‐fibrotic prodrug for lung fibrosis and other TGF‐β‐induced fibrotic and cancer‐related diseases; however, further studies are required to validate its safety and effectiveness in other experimental models.
White matter microstructure is differently associated with executive functioning in youth born with congenital heart disease and youth born preterm
Authors: Easson Kaitlyn , Khairy May , Rohlicek Charles V. , Gilbert Guillaume , Majnemer Annette , Nguyen Kim‐Anh , Luu Thuy Mai , Couture Élise , Nuyt Anne‐Monique , Deoni Sean C. L. , Descoteaux Maxime , Brossard‐Racine Marie
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Executive function deficits and adverse psychological outcomes are common in youth with congenital heart disease (CHD) or born preterm. Association white matter bundles play a critical role in higher order cognitive and emotional functions and alterations to their microstructural organization may result in adverse neuropsychological functioning. This study aimed to examine the relationship of myelination and axon density and orientation alterations within association bundles with executive functioning, psychosocial well‐being, and resilience in youth with CHD or born preterm.

Methods

Youth aged 16 to 26 years born with complex CHD or preterm at ≤33 weeks of gestational age and healthy controls completed a brain MRI and self‐report assessments of executive functioning, psychosocial well‐being, and resilience. Multicomponent driven equilibrium single‐pulse observation of T1 and T2 and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging were used to calculate average myelin water fraction (MWF), neurite density index (NDI), and orientation dispersion index values for eight bilateral association bundles. The relationships of bundle‐average metrics with neuropsychological outcomes were explored with linear regression and mediation analyses.

Results

In the CHD group, lower MWF in several bundles was associated with poorer working memory and behavioral self‐monitoring and mediated self‐monitoring deficits relative to controls. In the preterm group, lower NDI in several bundles was associated with poorer emotional control and lower MWF in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus III mediated planning/organizing deficits relative to controls. No significant relationships were observed for psychosocial well‐being or resilience.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that microstructural alterations to association bundles, including lower myelination and axon density, have different relationships with executive functioning in youth with CHD and youth born preterm. Future studies should aim to characterize other neurobiological, social, and environmental influences that may interact with white matter microstructure and neuropsychological functioning in these at‐risk individuals.
Microfluidic chip as a promising evaluation method in assisted reproduction: A systematic review
Authors: Wu Tong , Wu Yangyang , Yan Jinfeng , Zhang Jinjin , Wang Shixuan
Published: November 2023

The aim of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is to select the high‐quality sperm, oocytes, and embryos, and finally achieve a successful pregnancy. However, functional evaluation is hindered by intra‐ and inter‐operator variability. Microfluidic chips emerge as the one of the most powerful tools to analyze biological samples for reduced size, precise control, and flexible extension. Herein, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and IEEE Xplore databases until March 2023. We displayed and prospected all detection strategies based on microfluidics in the ART field. After full‐text screening, 71 studies were identified as eligible for inclusion. The percentages of human and mouse studies equaled with 31.5%. The prominent country in terms of publication number was the USA (n = 13). Polydimethylsiloxane (n = 49) and soft lithography (n = 28) were the most commonly used material and fabrication method, respectively. All articles were classified into three types: sperm (n = 38), oocytes (n = 20), and embryos (n = 13). The assessment contents included motility, counting, mechanics, permeability, impedance, secretion, oxygen consumption, and metabolism. Collectively, the microfluidic chip technology facilitates more efficient, accurate, and objective evaluation in ART. It can even be combined with artificial intelligence to assist the daily activities of embryologists. More well‐designed clinical studies and affordable integrated microfluidic chips are needed to validate the safety, efficacy, and reproducibility.

Trial registration: The protocol was registered in the Open Science Frame REGISTRIES (identification: osf.io/6rv4a).
Model validation and selection in metabolic flux analysis and flux balance analysis
Authors: Kaste Joshua A. M. , Shachar‐Hill Yair
Published: November 2023

13C‐Metabolic Flux Analysis (13C‐MFA) and Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) are widely used to investigate the operation of biochemical networks in both biological and biotechnological research. Both methods use metabolic reaction network models of metabolism operating at steady state so that reaction rates (fluxes) and the levels of metabolic intermediates are constrained to be invariant. They provide estimated (MFA) or predicted (FBA) values of the fluxes through the network in vivo, which cannot be measured directly. These fluxes can shed light on basic biology and have been successfully used to inform metabolic engineering strategies. Several approaches have been taken to test the reliability of estimates and predictions from constraint‐based methods and to compare alternative model architectures. Despite advances in other areas of the statistical evaluation of metabolic models, such as the quantification of flux estimate uncertainty, validation and model selection methods have been underappreciated and underexplored. We review the history and state‐of‐the‐art in constraint‐based metabolic model validation and model selection. Applications and limitations of the χ2‐test of goodness‐of‐fit, the most widely used quantitative validation and selection approach in 13C‐MFA, are discussed, and complementary and alternative forms of validation and selection are proposed. A combined model validation and selection framework for 13C‐MFA incorporating metabolite pool size information that leverages new developments in the field is presented and advocated for. Finally, we discuss how adopting robust validation and selection procedures can enhance confidence in constraint‐based modeling as a whole and ultimately facilitate more widespread use of FBA in biotechnology.
Chemotherapy in pediatric brain tumor and the challenge of the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Malik Johid Reza , Podany Anthony T. , Khan Parvez , Shaffer Christopher L. , Siddiqui Jawed A. , Baranowska‐Kortylewicz Janina , Le Jennifer , Fletcher Courtney V. , Ether Sadia Afruz , Avedissian Sean N.
Published: November 2023

Background

Pediatric brain tumors (PBT) stand as the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in children. Chemoradiation protocols have improved survival rates, even for non‐resectable tumors. Nonetheless, radiation therapy carries the risk of numerous adverse effects that can have long‐lasting, detrimental effects on the quality of life for survivors. The pursuit of chemotherapeutics that could obviate the need for radiotherapy remains ongoing. Several anti‐tumor agents, including sunitinib, valproic acid, carboplatin, and panobinostat, have shown effectiveness in various malignancies but have not proven effective in treating PBT. The presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) plays a pivotal role in maintaining suboptimal concentrations of anti‐cancer drugs in the central nervous system (CNS). Ongoing research aims to modulate the integrity of the BBB to attain clinically effective drug concentrations in the CNS. However, current findings on the interaction of exogenous chemical agents with the BBB remain limited and do not provide a comprehensive explanation for the ineffectiveness of established anti‐cancer drugs in PBT.

Methods

We conducted our search for chemotherapeutic agents associated with the blood–brain barrier (BBB) using the following keywords: Chemotherapy in Cancer, Chemotherapy in Brain Cancer, Chemotherapy in PBT, BBB Inhibition of Drugs into CNS, Suboptimal Concentration of CNS Drugs, PBT Drugs and BBB, and Potential PBT Drugs. We reviewed each relevant article before compiling the information in our manuscript. For the generation of figures, we utilized BioRender software.

Focus

We focused our article search on chemical agents for PBT and subsequently investigated the role of the BBB in this context. Our search criteria included clinical trials, both randomized and non‐randomized studies, preclinical research, review articles, and research papers.

Finding

Our research suggests that, despite the availability of potent chemotherapeutic agents for several types of cancer, the effectiveness of these chemical agents in treating PBT has not been comprehensively explored. Additionally, there is a scarcity of studies examining the role of the BBB in the suboptimal outcomes of PBT treatment, despite the effectiveness of these drugs for other types of tumors.
Primary breast diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in the rituximab era: A retrospective study of the Chinese Southwest Oncology Group
Authors: Weng Huawei , Shrestha Prem Raj , Hong Huangming , Chen Zegeng , Yu Le , Yao Yuyi , Zhang Zhihui , Zou Liqun , Zhu Bo , Zhou Hui , Liu Xianling , Liu Yao , Guo Hongqiang , Huang He , Lin Tongyu
Published: November 2023

Background

Primary breast diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (PB‐DLBCL) is a rare subtype of extranodal DLBCL, and the standard treatment remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to define the optimal treatment management in the rituximab era.

Methods

A total of 5089 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients treated with rituximab‐containing immunochemotherapy between 2008 and 2019 from the Chinese Southwest Oncology Group‐affiliated institutes were identified, of whom 135 diagnosed with PB‐DLBCL were eligible for this analysis.

Results

PB‐DLBCL accounted for 2.7% of all DLBCLs. With a median follow‐up of 4.2 years, the 5‐year overall survival and progression‐free survival rates were 84.8% and 71.6%, respectively. Breast and central nervous system (CNS) relapses were the main cause of treatment failure. We observed that consolidative breast radiotherapy (RT) significantly decreased breast relapse risk (5‐year risk, 2.9% vs. 20.1%, p = 0.007). The CNS relapse risk was lower for patients who received high‐dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX) than for patients who did not (5‐year risk, 0% vs. 15.2%, p = 0.015). We further screened the genetic mutation profile of 20 patients from two institutes, and found that MYD88 (25%) and CD79B mutations (25%) frequently occur in PB‐DLBCL. In addition, four patients with MYD88 and/or CD79B mutations experienced CNS relapse, while three patients with MYD88 and/or CD79B mutations who received HD‐MTX did not experience CNS relapse.

Conclusion

Collectively, our results indicate combined modality therapy including rituximab‐containing immunochemotherapy and consolidative breast RT is a promising approach for PB‐DLBCL, while HD‐MTX is useful for preventing CNS relapse.
The power of uniforms to change your community relationships
Authors: Miles David
Published: November 2023

For years, I can remember that police uniforms, regardless of the municipality, all looked similar. Campus police and public safety officers also took to wearing that type and style of uniform, and it helped make the transition from campus security guards.
Botanical‐based simulation of color change in fruit ripening: Taking tomato as an example
Authors: Xu Yixin , Liu Shiguang
Published: November 2023

The color change of plant fruit in ripening is a typical time‐varying phenomenon involving various factors. Due to its complexity and biodiversity, it is challenging to model this phenomenon. To address this issue, we take the tomato as an example and propose a botanical‐based framework considering variety, environment, phytohormone, and genes to simulate fruit color change during the ripening process. Specifically, we propose a first‐order kinetic model that integrates varietal, environmental, and phytohormonal factors to represent the variation of pigment concentrations in the pericarp. Moreover, we introduce a logistic model to describe the change in pigment concentration in the epidermis. Based on the gene expression pathway of tomato color in botany, we propose a genotype‐to‐phenotype simulation method to represent its biodiversity. An improved method is proposed to convert pigment concentrations into color accurately. Furthermore, we propose a gradient descent‐based method to assist the user in quickly setting pigment concentration parameters. Experiments verified that the proposed framework can simulate a wide range of tomato colors. Both qualitative and quantitative experiments validated the proposed method. Furthermore, our framework can be applied to more fruits.
Catheter‐based therapy for intermediate or high‐risk pulmonary embolism is associated with lower in‐hospital mortality in patients with cancer: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Leiva Orly , Yuriditsky Eugene , Postelnicu Radu , Yang Eric H. , Mukherjee Vikramjit , Greco Allison , Horowitz James , Alviar Carlos , Bangalore Sripal
Published: November 2023

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common complication among patients with cancer and is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Catheter‐based therapies (CBT), including catheter‐directed thrombolysis (CDT) and mechanical thrombectomy, have been developed and are used in patients with intermediate or high‐risk PE. However, there is a paucity of data on outcomes in patients with cancer as most clinical studies exclude this group of patients.

Aims

To characterize outcomes of patients with cancer admitted with intermediate or high‐risk PE treated with CBT compared with no CBT.

Methods

Patients with an admission diagnosis of intermediate or high‐risk PE and a history of cancer from October 2015 to December 2018 were identified using the National Inpatient Sample. Outcomes of interest were in‐hospital death or cardiac arrest (CA) and major bleeding. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was utilized to compare outcomes between patients treated with and without CBT. Variables that remained unbalanced after IPTW were adjusted using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 2084 unweighted admissions (10,420 weighted) for intermediate or high‐risk PE and cancer were included, of which 136 (6.5%) were treated with CBT. After IPTW, CBT was associated with lower death or CA (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.46–0.64) but higher major bleeding (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.21–1.65). After stratifying by PE risk type, patients treated with CBT had lower risk of death or CA in both intermediate (aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.36–0.75) and high‐risk PE (aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33–0.53). However, patients with CBT were associated with increased risk of major bleeding in intermediate‐risk PE (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.67–2.69) but not in those with high‐risk PE (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.66–1.07).

Conclusions

Among patients with cancer hospitalized with intermediate or high‐risk PE, treatment with CBT was associated with lower risk of in‐hospital death or CA but higher risk of bleeding. Prospective studies and inclusion of patients with cancer in randomized trials are warranted to confirm our findings.
Combination therapy for management of pemphigus patients with unexpected therapeutic response to rituximab: A report of five cases
Authors: Aryanian Zeinab , Riyaz Insha Zainab , Balighi Kamran , Ahmadzade Ali , Mahmoudi Hamid Reza , Azizpour Arghavan , Hatami Parvaneh
Published: November 2023

Key Clinical Message

The immunosuppressant agents should be considered earlier in the course of treatment with rituximab, possibly after the unfavorable response at first cycle of treatment, especially in male patients and those with high BMI.

Rituximab (RTX) has recently been proposed as an alternative first‐line therapy for pemphigus patients. However, there are some rare reports of worsening of pemphigus following RTX therapy in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using a combination treatment of mycophenolate mofetil or dapsone and methotrexate in case of nonresponse, exacerbation or development of allergic reactions following rituximab therapy in pemphigus patients. In this case series, archive files of pemphigus patient in a tertiary care hospital from 2016 to 2021 who were treated with rituximab were reviewed and those with failure in treatment process including nonresponsiveness, exacerbation or development of allergic reactions to rituximab were identified and assessed. The study includes five patients out of 1245 RTX‐treated patients, who did not respond to RTX (one patient) or experienced an exacerbation of disease (two patients) or development of allergic reactions (two patients). Male patients with high BMI (BMI > 25) whose response to rituximab was not good at first cycle and happened to receive rituximab later in the course of disease, had highest number of relapses and benefited the most from this combination immunosuppressive treatment as an alternative for repeating rituximab cycles. The lower risk of relapse and a better chance of remission might indicate the efficacy of adjuvant immunosuppressant therapy in patients with no‐response, exacerbation, or allergic reaction to rituximab. These therapeutic effects were better observed in patients who received lower doses of rituximab which could suggest that the immunosuppressant agents should be considered earlier in the course of the disease, possibly after the first failed trial of rituximab therapy.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis following flu guard influenza vaccination: A case report
Authors: Jafarpour Mehdi , Daneshvar Sara , Eftekharsadat Amir Taher , Khabbazi Alireza , Pourbagherian Omid
Published: November 2023

Key Clinical Message

This case highlights a potential association between influenza vaccination and the development of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), prompting the need for increased vigilance regarding vaccine‐related autoimmune reactions. While causality remains unclear, clinicians should consider this possibility in patients presenting with EGPA‐like symptoms shortly after vaccination.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis characterized by tissue infiltration by eosinophils and hyper eosinophilia. We present a case of EGPA in a middle‐aged man following influenza vaccination. The patient developed respiratory symptoms, skin lesions, joint pain, and neurological deficits. Diagnostic tests revealed eosinophilia, positive anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and elevated acute phase reactants. This report highlights a potential association between influenza vaccination and EGPA.
Biliary atresia and posterior fossa bleed: Chance or causality. A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Karki Susmin , Chand Vikash , Parajuli Asmita , Shilpakar Sushil Kumar , Regmi Prakash , Bhusal Kabi Raj
Published: November 2023

Key Clinical Message

A newborn with a rare form of biliary atresia had posterior fossa bleed and subarachnoid hemorrhage despite vitamin K prophylaxis, indicating biliary atresia is a causality rather than chance.

Biliary atresia frequently causes surgical jaundice, resulting in delayed vitamin K deficiency. We report a 28‐day‐old newborn diagnosed with a rare form of biliary atresia presented with an unusual association of posterior fossa bleed and subarachnoid hemorrhage despite vitamin K prophylaxis. Thus, biliary atresia remains causality rather than chance.
Synovial sarcoma of the maxilla: A challenging diagnostic case report and literature review
Authors: Saghravanian Nasrollah , Rahpeyma Amin , Ghorbani Mahsa , Saeedi Pooya
Published: November 2023

Synovial sarcoma, a malignant mesenchymal tumor, is primarily associated with the extremities. Nevertheless, its appearance within the head and neck region, particularly in the maxillary area, is remarkably rare. This rarity underscores the significance of each case in unraveling the complexities of its behavior and management strategies. The core focus of this research is a detailed case report involving a 6‐year‐old female patient who presented with a conspicuous swelling in the left posterior maxilla. Subsequent incisional biopsy led to microscopic identification of malignant spindle cell proliferation, marked by dysplastic changes, and abundant mitoses. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis demonstrated negative reactivity for neural and muscular markers, while positive expression of Vimentin, Bcl‐2, and TLE1. These morphological and IHC findings coalesced to definitively diagnose synovial sarcoma, substantiated by a notable 40% Ki67 proliferative index. The chosen treatment strategy encompassed surgery and radiotherapy, which yielded successful outcomes, with no recurrence observed during the one‐year follow‐up period. Beyond the specific case, this article undertakes a review of existing literature, meticulously analyzing nine similar cases reported in scholarly sources.
Optic neuritis after mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination: a case report
Authors: Tarcha Raghad , Ghazal Afraa , Al‐Darwish Lama , Abdoh Hoda , Kudsi Maysoun
Published: November 2023

Key Clinical Message

Our case reported a 22‐year‐old male presented with headache, and sudden vision loss, 10 days after receiving the first dose of COVID‐19 vaccination. Counting fingers in both eyes was his visual acuity on examination and bilateral optic disc edema on fundoscopy was found. Brain MRI was normal. After methylprednisolone pulse therapy, plasmapheresis, and IV cyclophosphamide courses, the optic disc edema disappeared, and his visual function did not improve. Reported cases of optic neuritis develop after mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination are limited.
A novel telomere biology disease‐associated gastritis identified through a whole exome sequencing‐driven approach
Authors: Setia Namrata , del Gaudio Daniela , Kandikatla Priscilla , Arndt Kelly , Tjota Melissa , Wang Peng , Segal Jeremy , Alikhan Mir , Hart John
Published: November 2023

A whole exome sequencing (WES)‐driven approach to uncover the etiology of unexplained inflammatory gastritides has been underutilized by surgical pathologists. Here, we discovered the pathobiology of an unusual chronic atrophic gastritis in two unrelated patients using this approach. The gastric biopsies were notable for an unusual pattern of gastritis with persistent dense inflammation, loss of both parietal and neuroendocrine cells in the oxyntic mucosa, and sparing of the antral mucosa. The patients were found to harbor pathogenic variants in telomeropathic genes (POT1 and DCLRE1B). Clonality testing for one of the patients showed evidence of evolving clonality of TCR‐gene rearrangement. Both patients showed significantly decreased numbers of stem/progenitor cells by immunohistochemistry, which appears to be responsible for the development of mucosal atrophy. No such cases of unusual chronic atrophic gastritis in the setting of telomeropathy have been previously reported. The loss of stem/progenitor cells suggests that stem/progenitor cell exhaustion in the setting of telomere dysfunction is the likely mechanism for development of this unusual chronic atrophic gastritis. The results underscore the need for close monitoring of these gastric lesions, with special regard to their neoplastic potential. This combined WES‐driven approach has promise to identify the cause and mechanism of other uncharacterized gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders.
Life's essential 8 and risk of all‐cause mortality in individuals with cardiovascular diseases: A prospective community‐based study
Authors: Huang Lili , Wang Aitian , Wu Zhijun , Chen Shuohua , Zheng Yan , Wu Shouling , Gao Xiang
Published: November 2023

Background

Although risk factors for mortality in individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been reported, little is known regarding the association between the comprehensive cardiovascular health (CVH) index assessed by life's essential 8 (LE8) and the risk of mortality.

Hypothesis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the CVH assessed by LE8 and risk of mortality in individuals with CVD.

Methods

A total of 1391 participants with CVD diagnosed before 2014 from the Kailuan cohort were included in the analysis. The CVH score ranged from 0 to 100 was assessed using the LE8 metrics (diet quality, physical activity, sleep health, cigarette smoking, body mass index, lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure). Cox regression model was used to estimate the association between the CVH score and risk of all‐cause mortality.

Results

During a mean follow‐up of 6.1 ± 1.5 years, 229 deaths occurred. The hazard ratio for all‐cause mortality was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38, 0.84) in the highest quartiles compared with the lowest quartiles of CVH scores and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.95) for each 10 points increment in CVH scores (ptrend = .009), after adjustment for age, sex, CVD duration, social‐economic status, alcohol consumption, inflammation, medicine use, and kidney function. We did not observe significant interactions between the CVH scores and age, sex, and duration of CVD diagnosis (pinteraction > .05 for all).

Conclusions

The CVH assessed by the LE8 metrics was associated with a lower risk of all‐cause mortality in individuals with CVD.
Analysis and numerical investigation of bile flow dynamics within the strictured biliary duct
Authors: Peng Tao , Zhong Yunlong , Lin Xiaodong , Jiang Bingyan , Wang Ping , Jia Yanwei
Published: November 2023

The mechanics of bile flow in the biliary system plays an important role in studying bile stasis and gallstone formation. Bile duct stricture is an abnormal phenomenon that refers to the bile duct getting smaller or narrower. The main objective of this study is to study the influence of stricture on bile flow dynamics using numerical methods. We employed a numerical Computational Fluid Dynamics model of the bile flow within a strictured hepatic duct. We studied and compared the influence of stricture severity, stricture length, eccentricity, and bile flow property on the bile flow dynamics. The bile flow velocity, pressure distribution, pressure drop, and wall shear stress are provided in detail. The stricture alters the normal bile flow pattern and increases flow resistance. At the location upstream and downstream of the stricture, bile flow slows down. In the area of the stricture throat, bile flow is accelerated, and recirculation forms behind the stricture. The maximum pressure drop of the biliary system increases with the stricture length. The eccentricity makes the flow deflect away from the duct's centerline. The behavior of the deflected flow is significantly altered downstream of the stricture. Such bile flow behavior as deceleration and recirculation may lead to cholestasis. Stricture alters bile flow in the biliary tract, causing changes in biliary hydrodynamic indexes, which could potentially serve as an omen for gallstone formation and other related diseases. The consideration of the bile duct stricture could lead to better patient stratification.
Adaptive kernel density estimation weighted twin support vector machine and its sample screening method
Authors: Lv Li , Zhang Faying , Qiu Shenyu , Fan Tanghuai
Published: November 2023

In twin support vector machines (TSVM), noise blurs the boundary between positive and negative samples, increasing the probability of classification errors. In this article, we propose an adaptive kernel density estimation weighted twin support vector machine(AKWTSVM). AKWTSVM uses KDE based on K‐nearest neighbor estimation to calculate the probability density of samples. It automatically selects the optimal bandwidth based on the local density of the samples to improve the robustness of the algorithm. However, TSVM has high time complexity, to reduce the time costs, a sample screening method is proposed for AKWTSVM, named AKWTSVM‐SSM, which is based on the overall distance and local density, and reduces the time costs of the algorithm by reducing the sample size while ensuring the accuracy of the algorithm. The experiment with differently scaled noise environments of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% on 12 UCI datasets validate the accuracy and running time of AKWTSVM and AKWTSVM‐SSM. Experimental results prove the effectiveness and robustness of AKWTSVM, the robustness of AKWTSVM‐SSM, and its applicability to large‐scale datasets.
Identification and Characterization of Tunneling Nanotubes for Intercellular Trafficking
Authors: Sáenz‐de‐Santa‐María Inés , Henderson J. Michael , Pepe Anna , Zurzolo Chiara
Published: November 2023

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are thin membranous channels providing a direct cytoplasmic connection between remote cells. They are commonly observed in different cell cultures and increasing evidence supports their role in intercellular communication, and pathogen and amyloid protein transfer. However, the study of TNTs presents several pitfalls (e.g., difficulty in preserving such delicate structures, possible confusion with other protrusions, structural and functional heterogeneity, etc.) and therefore requires thoroughly designed approaches. The methods described in this protocol represent a guideline for the characterization of TNTs (or TNT‐like structures) in cell culture. Specifically, optimized protocols to (1) identify TNTs and the cytoskeletal elements present inside them; (2) evaluate TNT frequency in cell culture; (3) unambiguously distinguish them from other cellular connections or protrusions; (4) monitor their formation in living cells; (5) characterize TNTs by a micropatterning approach; and (6) investigate TNT ultrastructure by cryo‐EM are provided. Finally, this article describes how to assess TNT‐mediated cell‐to‐cell transfer of cellular components, which is a fundamental criterion for identifying functional TNTs. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Identification of tunneling nanotubes

Alternate Protocol 1: Identifying the cytoskeletal elements present in tunneling nanotubes

Alternate Protocol 2: Distinguishing tunneling nanotubes from intercellular bridges formed during cell division

Basic Protocol 2: Deciphering tunneling nanotube formation and lifetime by live fluorescent microscopy

Alternate Protocol 3: Deciphering tunneling nanotube formation using a live‐compatible dye

Basic Protocol 3: Assessing tunneling nanotubes functionality in intercellular transfer

Alternate Protocol 4: Flow cytometry approach to quantify the rate of vesicle or mitochondria transfer

Support Protocol: Controls to support TNT‐mediated transfer

Basic Protocol 4: Studies of tunneling nanotubes by cell micropatterning

Basic Protocol 5: Characterization of the ultrastructure of tunneling nanotubes by cryo‐EM