Development of a prognostic model to predict 90-day mortality in hospitalised cancer patients (PROMISE tool): a prospective observational study.

Background: Prognostic factors for ambulatory oncology patients have been described, including Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), tumor stage and malnutrition. However, there is no firm evidence on which variables best predict mortality in hospitalized patients receiving active systemic treatment. Our main goal was to develop a predictive model for 90-day mortality upon admission.

Characterization of dark chocolates based on polyphenolic profiles and antioxidant activity.

Dark chocolates were characterized according to geographical origin, cocoa variety, and cocoa content using the methylxanthine and polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity as the data. The main study objective was to uncover sample patterns and identify possible markers of quality, variety, or origin to deal with authentication or fraud detection issues. In the study, a set of 26 dark chocolates from different varieties (e.

ANKRD1 expression is aberrantly upregulated in the mdm mouse model of muscular dystrophy and induced by stretch through NFκB.

The muscular dystrophy with myositis (mdm) mouse model results in a severe muscular dystrophy due to an 83-amino-acid deletion in the N2A region of titin, an expanded sarcomeric protein that functions as a molecular spring which senses and modulates the response to mechanical forces in cardiac and skeletal muscles. ANKRD1 is one of the muscle ankyrin repeat domain proteins (MARPs) a family of titin-associated, stress-response molecules and putative transducers of stretch-induced signaling in skeletal muscle. The aberrant over-activation of Nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB) and the Ankyrin-repeat domain containing protein 1 (ANKRD1) occurs in several models of progressive muscle disease including Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

3D phantom for image quality assessment of mammography systems.

To present an innovative approach for the design of a 3D mammographic phantom for medical equipment quality assessment, estimation of the glandular tissue percentage in the patient's breast, and emulation of microcalcification (C) breast lesions.Contrast-to noise ratio (CNR) measurements, as well as spatial resolution and intensity-to-glandularity calibrations under mammography conditions were performed to assess the effectiveness of the phantom. CNR measurements were applied to different groups of calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) and aluminum oxide (AO)Cs ranging from 200 to 600m.

The interaction between intestinal bacterial metabolites and phosphatase and tensin homolog in autism spectrum disorder.

Intestinal bacteria-associated para-cresyl sulfate (pCS) and 4-ethylphenyl sulfate (4EPS) are elevated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both metabolites can induce ASD-like behaviors in mice, but the molecular mechanisms are not known. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a susceptibility gene for ASD.

Skin landmarks as ideal entry points for ventricular drainage, a radiological study.

Purpose: Ventricular drainage remains a usual but challenging procedure for neurosurgical trainees. The objective of the study was to describe reliable skin landmarks for ideal entry points (IEPs) to catheterize brain ventricles via frontal and parieto-occipital approaches.

Methods: We included 30 subjects who underwent brain MRI and simulated the ideal catheterization trajectories of lateral ventricles using anterior and posterior approaches and localized skin surface IEPs.

Sacituzumab Govitecan in Hormone Receptor-Positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) endocrine-resistant metastatic breast cancer is treated with sequential single-agent chemotherapy with poor outcomes. Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate with an SN-38 payload targeting trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2, an epithelial antigen expressed in breast cancer.

Methods: In this global, randomized, phase III study, SG was compared with physician's choice chemotherapy (eribulin, vinorelbine, capecitabine, or gemcitabine) in endocrine-resistant, chemotherapy-treated HR+/HER2- locally recurrent inoperable or metastatic breast cancer.

Biogeography of Southern Ocean prokaryotes: a comparison of the Indian and Pacific sectors.

We investigated the Southern Ocean (SO) prokaryote community structure via zero-radius operational taxonomic unit (zOTU) libraries generated from 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 223 full water column profiles. Samples reveal the prokaryote diversity trend between discrete water masses across multiple depths and latitudes in Indian (71-99°E, summer) and Pacific (170-174°W, autumn-winter) sectors of the SO. At higher taxonomic levels (phylum-family) we observed water masses to harbour distinct communities across both sectors, but observed sectorial variations at lower taxonomic levels (genus-zOTU) and relative abundance shifts for key taxa such as Flavobacteria, SAR324/Marinimicrobia, Nitrosopumilus and Nitrosopelagicus at both epi- and bathy-abyssopelagic water masses.

Ibero-American Society of Interventionism (SIDI) and the Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI) Standard of Practice (SOP) for the Management of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in the Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

Objectives: to present an interventional radiology standard of practice on the use of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in patients with or at risk to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE) from the Iberoamerican Interventional Society (SIDI) and Spanish Vascular and Interventional Radiology Society (SERVEI).

Methods: a group of twenty-two interventional radiologist experts, from the SIDI and SERVEI societies, attended online meetings to develop a current clinical practice guideline on the proper indication for the placement and retrieval of IVCFs. A broad review was undertaken to determine the participation of interventional radiologists in the current guidelines and a consensus on inferior vena cava filters.

Mitral valve prolapse morphofunctional features by cardiovascular magnetic resonance: more than just a valvular disease.

Introduction: Mitral valve (MV) prolapse (MVP) is a primary valvular abnormality. We hypothesized that additionally there are concomitant abnormalities of the left ventricle (LV) and MV apparatus in this entity even in the absence of significant mitral regurgitation (MR).

Objective: To characterize MV and LV anatomic and functional features in MVP with preserved LV ejection fraction, with and without significant MR, using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

[Palliative Sedation at the End of Life: A Comparative Study of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer Patients].

Background: Although patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receive poor-quality palliative care, information about the use of palliative sedation (PS) in the last days of life is very scarce.

Objectives: To compare the use of PS in hospitalized patients who died from COPD or lung cancer and identify factors correlating with PS application.

Methods: In a retrospective observational cohort study, from 1,675 patients died at a teaching hospital between 2013 and 2015, 109 patients who died from COPD and 85 from lung cancer were compared.

A Randomized Trial of Convalescent Plasma in Covid-19 Severe Pneumonia.

Background: Convalescent plasma is frequently administered to patients with Covid-19 and has been reported, largely on the basis of observational data, to improve clinical outcomes. Minimal data are available from adequately powered randomized, controlled trials.

Methods: We randomly assigned hospitalized adult patients with severe Covid-19 pneumonia in a 2:1 ratio to receive convalescent plasma or placebo.

Genome, Environment, Microbiome and Metabolome in Autism (GEMMA) Study Design: Biomarkers Identification for Precision Treatment and Primary Prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorders by an Integrated Multi-Omics Systems Biology Approach.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 child in 54, with a 35-fold increase since 1960. Selected studies suggest that part of the recent increase in prevalence is likely attributable to an improved awareness and recognition, and changes in clinical practice or service availability. However, this is not sufficient to explain this epidemiological phenomenon.

Spectral Color Management in Virtual Reality Scenes.

Virtual reality has reached a great maturity in recent years. However, the quality of its visual appearance still leaves room for improvement. One of the most difficult features to represent in real-time 3D rendered virtual scenes is color fidelity, since there are many factors influencing the faithful reproduction of color.

SIRT1 Regulation in Ageing and Obesity.

Ageing and obesity have common hallmarks: altered glucose and lipid metabolism, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are some examples. The downstream effects of SIRT1 activity have been thoroughly explored, and their research is still in expanse. SIRT1 activation has been shown to regulate pathways with beneficiary effects on 1) ageing and obesity-associated metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and type-II diabetes with, 2) chronic inflammatory processes such as arthritis, atherosclerosis and emphysema, 3) DNA damage and oxidative stress with impact on neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular health and some cancers.

Optimizing clinical exome design and parallel gene-testing for recessive genetic conditions in preconception carrier screening: Translational research genomic data from 14,125 exomes.

Limited translational genomic research data have been reported on the application of exome sequencing and parallel gene testing for preconception carrier screening (PCS). Here, we present individual-level data from a large PCS program in which exome sequencing was routinely performed on either gamete donors (5,845) or infertile patients (8,280) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment without any known family history of inheritable genetic conditions. Individual-level data on pathogenic variants were used to define conditions for PCS based on criteria for severity, penetrance, inheritance pattern, and age of onset.

Use of Whole Genome Sequencing for the Molecular Comparison of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates With Decreased Susceptibility to Extended Spectrum Cephalosporins From 2 Geographically Different Regions in America.

Background: Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with reduced susceptibility or resistance to the recommended first-line antimicrobial therapy have been described in several countries. The purpose of this study was to use genome analyses to compare the molecular characteristics of N. gonorrhoeae isolates with decreased susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporin from Ontario, Canada, and Argentina.

Static lung hyperinflation is an independent risk factor for lung cancer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Static hyperinflation, a hallmark characteristic of some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is related to higher mortality and cardiovascular morbidity. However, information about its association with lung cancer is scarce. Our aim was to evaluate whether static hyperinflation is associated with future risk of lung cancer in COPD patients.

High-resolution hydrometeorological data from a network of headwater catchments in the tropical Andes.

This article presents a hydrometeorological dataset from a network of paired instrumented catchments, obtained by participatory monitoring through a partnership of academic and non-governmental institutions. The network consists of 28 headwater catchments (<20 km) covering three major biomes in 9 locations of the tropical Andes. The data consist of precipitation event records at 0.

Mesocrystalline anatase nanoparticles synthesized using a simple hydrothermal approach with enhanced light harvesting for gas-phase reaction.

Mesocrystalline TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal approach. A simple two-step procedure at low temperature (<140 °C) allowed the nucleation of primary particles sized 2-4 nm and their subsequent assembly as almost spherical aggregates sized ≈20 nm. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies, and HRTEM studies confirmed anatase as the unique TiO2 crystalline phase.

Correlation between perception of color, shadows, and surface textures and the realism of a scene in virtual reality.

Head-mounted displays allow us to go through immersive experiences in virtual reality and are expected to be present in more and more applications in both recreational and professional fields. In this context, recent years have witnessed significant advances in rendering techniques following physical models of lighting and shading. The aim of this paper is to check the fidelity of the visual appearance of real objects captured through a 3D scanner, rendered in a personal computer and displayed in a virtual reality device.

Synthesis of Cyclohexanones through a Catalytic Cationic Cyclization of Alkynols or Enynes.

A novel procedure for the synthesis of cyclohexanones from alkynol or enyne derivatives through a cationic cyclization has been developed. The key points to obtain the six-membered ring derivatives are the use of starting materials containing a terminal alkyne, the use of tetrafluoroboric acid as a promoter of the cationic cyclization, and the appropriate selection of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP) as solvent. This strategy can be extended to the biomimetic cationic cyclization of several terpene-derived polyenynes.

Anisotropic mechanosensitive pathways in the diaphragm and their implications in muscular dystrophies.

The diaphragm is the "respiratory pump;" the muscle that generates pressure to allow ventilation. Diaphragm muscles play a vital function and thus are subjected to continuous mechanical loading. One of its peculiarities is the ability to generate distinct mechanical and biochemical responses depending on the direction through which the mechanical forces applied to it.