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Flash sintering (FS) is a potentially rapid and low‐cost manufacturing technique for advanced ceramics. There are still many unknowns about ceramic FS, especially for highly conductive high‐temperature ceramics (HTC), which often display decreased bulk conductivity with increasing temperature. This study qualitatively characterizes the flash behavior of highly conductive HTC materials using zirconium nitride (ZrN) as an example. The effects of processing parameters (e.g., DC voltage/electrical field strength, voltage ramp rate, post‐flash holding time, mechanical pressure, sample milling, and choice of electrode materials) on ZrN flash behavior are also qualitatively studied and linked to samples microstructure and hardness. It is observed that best densification was achieved using 5 min Spex‐milled ZrN powder under 25 MPa of applied pressure and constant 8 V DC. The potential mechanism for ZrN FS and the similarity and difference from FS of conventional oxides like YSZ have been proposed based on experimental observations, and the directions for future research are also pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the occurrence of liver complications in patients with myelofibrosis who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The study found that liver adverse events (AEs) were more common than expected, with 64% of patients experiencing liver AEs within the first 100 days after HSCT. The most common liver AEs were caused by the conditioning regimen. Risk factors for liver toxicity included worse performance status, higher comorbidity index, and higher prognostic scoring system score. The study also found that hyperbilirubinemia and hepatic graft-versus-host disease were associated with increased mortality. The text emphasizes the importance of monitoring liver complications in HSCT patients and suggests using imaging and biopsies to determine the cause and guide treatment. The study included various factors in the analysis and was approved by the appropriate ethics committee. [Extracted from the article]

Family violence is a multifaceted issue encompassing various harmful behaviors within familial relationships. This paper explores the definitional problems presented in this special issue on family violence and its impact on parenting and coparenting. By examining the shifts and expansions of concepts related to family violence over time, we highlight the transformative turns in this special issue that have helped us to clarify our understanding of family violence. We explore the transformative expansions of family violence by situating this exploration within a "concept creep" analysis. We make a note of the underlying assumptions associated with these concepts. Through an analysis of concept creep, we elucidate how the expansions and redefinition of violence‐related terms have influenced our understanding of family violence. By differentiating family violence, intimate partner violence, and maltreatment, we emphasize the necessity of unpacking these terms to avoid oversimplification or overlooking certain forms of violence that may go unnoticed under narrow definitions. The authors further highlight the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address the complexities of family violence and its impact on parenting and coparenting. By acknowledging and responding to expansions of concepts in family violence, we can strive to protect and support children in these challenging circumstances, ultimately promoting their well‐being and creating safer family environments. Key points for the family court community: Family violence is a hypernym for various forms of violence and abuse that can impact intimate relationships.Concept creep provides a framework for understanding family violence concepts' horizontal and vertical expansions over time and its impact on parenting and coparenting.Due to the complexity of family violence, a systematic approach must thoroughly screen, assess and intervene to ensure the safety and well‐being of all family members.An ecological approach to family violence emphasizes the various interrelated levels that impact and influence the consequences of violence within families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including mediation screening tools, intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance misuse and LGBTQ+ community issues.

Patients with hematologic malignancies are particularly vulnerable to severe infectious complications. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is associated with a high risk of severe course and death in this patient population. In addition, immune deficits associated with both the blood cancer and the treatment used make vaccination against SARS‐CoV‐2 less effective than in immunocompetent individuals. Molnupiravir is one of the first oral antiviral drugs to demonstrate a significant benefit in reducing hospitalisation and death in COVID‐19 in the general population. In this context, 175 haematology patients with diagnosed COVID‐19, and treated with MOL between January and April 2022, came under our scrutiny with a view to defining their clinical characteristics and outcomes. The most common underlying conditions were lymphomas (45%), multiple myelomas (21%) and acute leukaemias or myelodysplastic syndrome (35%). Of all, 77% of the patients were vaccinated, and half of them received a booster. At 28 days after the breakthrough COVID‐19 diagnosis, 35 (20%) subjects required hospital admission. Out of those patients, seven (4%) died during the follow‐up due to the progression of COVID. Our results corroborate what has been established to date with regard to the positive clinical and safety outcomes of MOL in haematology patients with mild or moderate COVID‐19. What's new? SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is associated with a high risk of severe disease and death in patients with haematological malignancies, who are also less responsive to vaccination. Molnupiravir has been one of the first oral antiviral drugs to demonstrate a significant benefit in reducing hospitalisation and death due to COVID‐19 in the general population. However, the efficacy and drug tolerability of molnupiravir in patients with haematological cancer during the Omicron wave remain understudied. The results of our study corroborate the positive clinical and safety outcomes of molnupiravir in patients with haematological malignancies with mild or moderate COVID‐19 in daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive fish threaten ponds' ecological status and their ecosystem services, therefore obtaining a representative sample of fish community composition is fundamental to fishery management, research and nature conservation. Estimates of the size distribution, density and biomass of the topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) model species of invasive fish in three ponds were compared among three sampling methods: electrofishing, fish‐trapping and throw‐netting. The study illustrates that the invasive fish, P. parva, can be detected by all tested fishing methods, yet our results clearly showed that there are pronounced differences among methods in population characteristic estimates. Electrofishing and throw‐netting gave biased information on the size distribution of P. parva. Fish‐trapping and throw‐netting gave reasonable P. parva density and biomass estimates, while electrofishing clearly underestimated it. All tested methods showed a body size increment of P. parva between summer and autumn sampling sessions, yet neither throw‐netting nor electrofishing recorded an increment in its density. Our study showed that fish‐trapping is the most reliable and affordable method to estimate invasive P. parva population characteristics in ponds despite more time‐demanding sampling. The success depends on the mesh size of sampling gear, operator skill and habitat structure. The cost‐effectiveness of the selected methods and the importance of invasive fish monitoring in ponds is discussed. The sampling gear must be considered carefully according to the aim of the monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aims to review the existing literature on Internet‐based health interventions directed to support parents of children aged 0–5 years. Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases between January 2000 and 2018. The search consisted of terms describing eHealth, intervention and families and/or children. Results: Internet‐based parent support interventions were most often directed at rehabilitation and selective prevention, and we identified more studies on mental health (57%) than somatic health (41%). Developmental disorders were the most frequently studied mental health condition (n = 33), while interventions for obesity (15%) were the most studied somatic health condition. Forty‐four percent of mental health studies were RCTs and 65% of interventions were theory driven. Interventions most often used a behavioural approach, included guidance and delivered content via text‐based information. Conclusion: Several significant gaps were identified such as the need for more research outside of English‐speaking countries, more systematic reviews and effect studies. This review also elucidates the need for researchers to improve reporting on the theoretical approaches employed in interventions, and to focus on determining the importance of guidance. Finally, program developers should consider using more audio‐visual technology to avoid reinforcing social inequalities in access to healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transportation of evidence‐based programs (EBPs) to a new cultural setting is often preferred over the comprehensive process of developing a new program. Intervention fidelity has been suggested as a predictor of successful transportation. The present study examined whether fidelity and parent behavior improved when implementing the U.S.‐developed Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch‐up (ABC) intervention in Norwegian child welfare services (CWS). 11 child welfare workers received training and supervision to become ABC parent coaches. Fidelity was assessed through video‐recordings of parent coaches' in vivo feedback at each home‐visit session. Parent sensitive behavior was assessed using video‐recordings of parent–child interactions, recorded before each ABC session. Mixed effects modeling showed that ABC fidelity increased over the course of training and supervision. Furthermore, parent behavior improved over the course of families' exposure to the intervention. These demonstrate that an EBP transported to a novel cultural setting can obtain promising levels of fidelity and intervention outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Patients suffering from chronic ischaemic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) have reduced quality‐of‐life, repetitive hospital admissions, and reduced life expectancy. Allogeneic cell therapy is currently investigated as a potential treatment option after initially encouraging results from clinical autologous and allogeneic trials in patients with HFrEF. We aimed to investigate the allogeneic Cardiology Stem Cell Centre Adipose tissue derived mesenchymal Stromal Cell product (CSCC_ASC) as an add‐on therapy in patients with chronic HFrEF. Methods and results: This is a Danish multi‐centre double‐blinded placebo‐controlled phase II study with direct intra‐myocardial injections of allogeneic CSCC_ASC. A total of 81 HFrEF patients were included and randomized 2:1 to CSCC_ASC or placebo injections. The inclusion criteria were reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 45%), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II‐III despite optimal anti‐congestive heart failure medication and no further revascularization options. Injections of 0.3 mL CSCC_ASC (total cell dose 100 × 106 ASCs) (n = 54) or isotonic saline (n = 27) were performed into the viable myocardium in the border zone of infarcted tissue using the NOGA Myostar® catheter (Biological Delivery System, Cordis, Johnson & Johnson, USA). The primary endpoint, left ventricular end systolic volume (LVESV), was evaluated at 6‐month follow‐up. The safety was measured during a 3‐years follow‐up period. Results: Mean age was 67.0 ± 9.0 years and 66.6 ± 8.1 years in the ASC and placebo groups, respectively. LVESV was unchanged from baseline to 6‐month follow‐up in the ASC (125.7 ± 68.8 mL and 126.3 ± 72.5 mL, P = 0.827) and placebo (134.6 ± 45.8 mL and 135.3 ± 49.6 mL, P = 0.855) group without any differences between the groups (0.0 mL (95% CI −9.1 to 9.0 mL, P = 0.992). Neither were there significant changes in left ventricular end diastolic volume or LVEF within the two groups or between groups −5.7 mL (95% CI −16.7 to 5.3 mL, P = 0.306) and −1.7% (95% CI −4.4. to 1.0, P = 0.212), respectively). NYHA classification and 6‐min walk test did not alter significantly in the two groups (P > 0.05). The quality‐of‐life, total symptom, and overall summary score improved significantly only in the ASC group but not between groups. There were 24 serious adverse events (SAEs) in the ASC group and 11 SAEs in the placebo group without any significant differences between the two groups at 1‐year follow‐up. Kaplan–Meier plot using log‐rank test of combined cardiac events showed an overall mean time to event of 30 ± 2 months in the ASC group and 29 ± 2 months in the placebo group without any differences between the groups during the 3 years follow‐up period (P = 0.994). Conclusions: Intramyocardial CSCC_ASC injections in patients with chronic HFrEF were safe but did not improve myocardial function or structure, nor clinical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Parents and professionals receive conflicting recommendations about management of infant sleep problems. The aim of this umbrella review was to provide an overview of summarised research on the prevention and treatment of sleep problems in infants (0–1 year), content of the interventions and the conditions under which they are delivered. Methods: The umbrella review included five systematic reviews of 24 individual studies, mainly randomised controlled trials. Searches were conducted in PsycINFO, Cochrane, Campbell, Epistemonikos, PDQ-Evidence, IN SUM and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, for reviews published during 2010–2021. Results: The systematic reviews showed that behavioural interventions increased sleep in infants and parents. Interventions entailed reducing parental disturbances during sleep onset and enabling the infant to fall asleep and maintain sleep on their own. Knowledge about infant sleep and the establishment of positive bedtime routines seemed crucial for preventing and treating sleep difficulties. The interventions can be delivered in a few sessions, typically one-on-one during the postnatal period. Conclusion: Behavioural interventions can be recommended and adapted to the individual family. Positive outcomes for the infant and the family depend on a close and coordinated collaboration between child health clinics, community psychologists, general physicians and other services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpions' sensory abilities are intriguing, especially the rather enigmatic ventral comb‐like chemo‐ and mechanosensory organs, the so‐called pectines. Attached ventrally to the second mesosomal segment just posterior to the coxae of the fourth walking leg pair, the pectines consist of the lamellae, the fulcra, and a variable number of pecten teeth. The latter contain the bimodal peg sensillae, used for probing the substrate with regard to chemo‐ and mechanosensory cues simultaneously. In addition, the lamellae, the fulcra and the pecten teeth are equipped with pecten hair sensillae (PHS) to gather mechanosensory information. Previously, we have analyzed the neuronal pathway associated with the peg sensillae unraveling their somatotopic projection pattern in dedicated pecten neuropils. Little is known, however, regarding the projections of PHS within the scorpion nervous system. Behavioral and electrophysiological assays showed involvement of PHS in reflexive responses but how the information is integrated remains unresolved. Here, we unravel the innervation pattern of the mechanosensory pecten hair afferents in Mesobuthus eupeus and Euscorpius italicus. By using immunofluorescent labeling and injection of Neurobiotin tracer, we identify extensive arborizations of afferents, including (i) ventral neuropils, (ii) somatotopically organized multisegmental sensory tracts, (iii) contralateral branches via commissures, and (iv) direct ipsilateral innervation of walking leg neuromeres 3 and 4. Our results suggest that PHS function as sensors to elicit reflexive adjustment of body height and obstacle avoidance, mediating accurate pecten teeth alignment to guarantee functionality of pectines, which are involved in fundamental capacities like mating or navigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Optimal management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) includes titration of guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) to the highest tolerated dose within the licensed range. During hospitalization, GDMT doses are often significantly altered, although it is unknown whether the cause of hospitalization influences this. Methods and results: We recruited 711 people with stable HFrEF from specialist heart failure clinics and prospectively assessed events occurring during first unplanned hospitalization. Dose changes of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB), beta‐blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and loop diuretics were recorded during 414 hospitalizations, categorized as due to decompensated heart failure, other cardiovascular causes, infection, or other non‐cardiovascular causes. Most hospitalizations resulted in no change to GDMT. ACEi/ARB dose was reduced in 21% of hospitalizations and was more common during non‐cardiovascular hospitalization (25.4% vs. 13.9%; P = 0.005). ACEi/ARB dose reduction was associated with older age and lower left ventricular ejection fraction at study recruitment, and poorer renal function, lower systolic blood pressure, higher serum potassium, and less frequent care from a cardiologist during admission. People experiencing ACEi/ARB reduction had worse age‐adjusted survival after discharge, without differences in heart failure re‐hospitalization. De‐escalation of beta‐blockers occurred in 8% of hospitalizations, most often due to other non‐cardiovascular causes; this was not associated with post‐discharge survival or re‐hospitalization with heart failure. Conclusions: De‐escalation of HFrEF GDMT is more common during non‐cardiovascular hospitalization and for ACEi/ARB is associated with reduced survival. Post‐discharge care plans should include robust plans to consider re‐escalation of GDMT in these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Understanding of the pathophysiology of progressive heart failure (HF) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is incomplete. We sought to identify factors differentially associated with risk of progressive HF death and hospitalization in patients with HFpEF compared with patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods and results: Prospective cohort study of patients newly referred to secondary care with suspicion of HF, based on symptoms and signs of HF and elevated natriuretic peptides (NP), followed up for a minimum of 6 years. HFpEF and HFrEF were diagnosed according to the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Of 960 patients referred, 467 had HFpEF (49%), 311 had HFrEF (32%), and 182 (19%) had neither. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was found in 37% of patients with HFpEF and 34% with HFrEF. During 6 years follow‐up, 19% of HFrEF and 14% of HFpEF patients were hospitalized or died due to progressive HF, hazard ratio (HR) 0.67 (95% CI: 0.47–0.96; P = 0.028). AF was the only marker that was differentially associated with progressive HF death or hospitalization in patients with HFpEF HR 2.58 (95% CI: 1.59–4.21; P < 0.001) versus HFrEF HR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.65–1.89; P = 0.7). Conclusions: De novo patients diagnosed with HFrEF have greater risk of death or hospitalization due to progressive HF than patients with HFpEF. AF is associated with increased risk of progressive HF death or hospitalization in HFpEF but not HFrEF, raising the intriguing possibility that this may be a novel therapeutic target in this growing population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report on the oxygen isotope compositions of four proposed apatite reference materials (chlorapatite MGMH#133648 and fluorapatite specimens MGMH#128441A, MZ‐TH and ES‐MM). The samples were initially screened for 18O/16O homogeneity using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) followed by δ18O determinations in six gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometry laboratories (GS‐IRMS) using a variety of analytical protocols for determining either phosphate‐bonded or "bulk" oxygen compositions. We also report preliminary δ17O and Δ'17O data, major and trace element compositions collected using EPMA, as well as CO32− and OH− contents in the apatite structure assessed using thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The repeatability of our SIMS measurements was better than ± 0.25 ‰ (1s) for all four materials that cover a wide range of 103δ18O values between +5.8 and +21.7. The GS‐IRMS results show, however, a significant offset of 103δ18O values between the "phosphate" and "bulk" analyses that could not be correlated with chemical characteristics of the studied samples. Therefore, we provide two sets of working values specific to these two classes of analytical methodologies as well as current working values for SIMS data calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconium nitride (ZrN) is a transition metal nitride of great interest due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. This study aims to synthesize ZrN fine powders by a facile and low‐cost urea route that avoids the use of any solvent. ZrCl4 and urea mixtures were heat‐treated at up to 1600˚C in nitrogen gas. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of different processing parameters such as metal to urea molar ratio, heat treatment temperature, and dwelling time on the product phase and stoichiometry were studied to understand the synthesis method. In addition, synthesized ZrN powder was consolidated into near fully dense single‐phase bulk ceramic with a homemade flash sintering setup. A constant DC electrical field of ∼80 V/cm and pressure of ∼14 MPa at room temperature triggered flash sintering without pre‐heating, and the entire process finished in 200 s. The composition, microstructure, density, hardness, and oxidation properties of the sintered pellet were also characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost all existing luminescent thermometers rely on the temperaturedependent processes such as multi-phonon relaxation and phonon-assisted energy transfers, thermal population, or coupling between energy levels of ground and excited states of luminescent species (lanthanides, transition metals, quantum dots, fluorescent molecules, etc.). Although such phenomena are in principle suitable for straightforward calibration, aiming to offer high temperature sensitivity, high temperature resolution and the widest possible temperature sensitivity range, their performance is often dependent on the excitation intensity or sample dispersive properties and often suffers from insufficient brightness, which further becomes dimmer at increased temperatures. Exploiting temperature-dependent continuous phase transitions that modify the same near-infrared (NIR) emission band under the same NIR excitation wavelength may provide an alternative reading method for temperature sensing. Here, such a new principle of luminescent nano-thermometry (LNT) using a Nd3+ doped nanocrystalline LiYO2 matrix is studied, significant sensitivities of up to 6%/K are achieved, and other issues found in conventional LNT are circumvented. Due to the hysteresis found in this class of LNT, they may find applications in studies of temperature gradients and can be integrated with modern nanophotonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a research on new salts and cathode materials dedicated to sodium cells. Sodium technology is considered to be one of the most promising (for new battery generations) and has been very actively (re)‐developed for more than a decade. The first part of this work is mainly focused on electrochemical studies of the low coordinating Hückel type salt (4,5‐dicyano‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)imidazolate, NaTDI)‐based electrolytes with and without solid electrolyte interface modified additives: fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). In the second part electrolytes are tested in a half‐cells with layered oxides. Sodium nickel‐manganese‐cobalt oxide (NaNMC) and WI‐NaNMC‐333 and WI‐NaNMC‐622 layered cathode materials are prepared by wet impregnation synthesis (WI) routine. Prussian White is obtained from University of Uppsala group to compare and initial electrochemical properties against electrolyte with NaTDI. Basic physicochemical properties of the obtained powders are also reported in the manuscript. The best properties are recorded for 0.75 m NaTDI in EC:DMC (1:1 v/v) with 3% FEC additive by its conductivity (11.52 mS cm−1 for 20 °C). The same solution also shows promising results during electrochemical tests in half‐cell geometry against WI‐NaNMC‐622 cathode (114.22 mAh g−1 after 1 cycle C/20). NaPF6 salt is used as an electrolyte as a commercially available reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ideal dressings of surgical wounds should provide moist, semi‐permeable, and antiseptic environments for optimal wound healing. To maximise patient comfort, surgical dressings must be hypoallergenic, not restrict movement, and allow patients to manage their personal hygiene. From the aspect of health care personnel, dressings should enable visual monitoring of the wound without the need for removing them, thus reducing the number of dressing changes. The active antimicrobial effect of silver cations has been demonstrated by many studies. StopBac is a unique surgical dressing based on the sol‐gel process. Silver cations are bound in a colloidal solution in an organic‐inorganic hybrid organosilicate oligomer. This gel is deposited on a pad using spray atomisation. The result is a polymer nanolayer matrix with prolonged and controlled release of silver ions. This pad forms part of a waterproof hypoallergenic transparent adhesive bandage. The goal of this study was to prospectively evaluate the ability of StopBac to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients after abdominal surgery. The secondary goal was to compare costs and determine the properties of this new material. A total of 32 patients were included in the study. The patients were followed up until their surgical wounds healed completely. An SSI occurred only in one patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase transition observed in a temperature‐dependent experiment at 174 K is unachievable under high‐pressure conditions. Negative thermal expansion for phase (II) and negative compressibility for phase (I) were observed. A new salt of 1H‐pyrazole‐1‐carboxamidine, (HPyCA)NO3, for guanylation reaction was obtained in a crystalline form. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/c and a phase transition at 174 K to triclinic modification P1 was found. An unusual increase of the unit‐cell volume was observed just after transition. Although the volume decreases upon cooling, it remains higher down to 160 K in comparison to the unit‐cell volume of phase (I). The mechanism of the phase transition is connected with a minor movement of the nitrate anions. The triclinic phase was unreachable at room‐temperature high‐pressure conditions up to 1.27 GPa. On further compression, delamination of the crystal was observed. Phase (I) exhibits negative linear compressibility, whereas abnormal behaviour of the b unit‐cell parameter upon cooling was observed, indicating negative thermal linear expansion. The unusual nature of the compound is associated with the two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network, which is less susceptible to deformation than stacking interactions connecting the layers of hydrogen bonds. Infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were used to investigate the changes of intermolecular interactions during the phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Abnormal endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) constitutes an important cause of anaemia in chronic diseases. We analysed the relationships between iron deficiency (ID) and the adequacy of endogenous EPO in anaemic heart failure (HF) patients, and the impact of abnormal EPO on 12‐month mortality. Methods and results: We investigated 435 anaemic HF patients (age: 74 ± 10 years; males: 60%; New York Heart Association class I or II: 39%; left ventricular ejection fraction: 43 ± 17%). Patients with EPO higher than expected for a given haemoglobin were considered EPO‐resistant whereas those with EPO lower than expected ‐ EPO‐deficient. ID was defined as serum ferritin <100 µg/L or 100–299 µg/L with transferrin saturation <20%. EPO‐resistant patients (22%) had more advanced HF whereas those with EPO deficiency (57%) were more frequently females and had worse renal function. Lower serum ferritin (indicating depleted body iron stores) was related to higher EPO observed/predicted ratio when adjusted for significant clinical confounders, including C‐reactive protein. One year all‐cause mortality was 28% in patients with EPO resistance compared to 17% in patients with EPO deficiency and 10% in patients with adequate EPO (log‐rank test for the comparison EPO resistance vs. adequate EPO: P = 0.02). When adjusted for other prognosticators, there was still a trend towards increased 12‐month mortality in patients with higher EPO level. Conclusion: Anaemic HF patients with endogenous EPO deficiency vs. resistance have different clinical and laboratory characteristics. In such patients, ID contributes to EPO resistance independently of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Relapse of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) belongs to the major causes of treatment failure. Methods: Retrospective multicenter analysis of patients diagnosed with AML or MDS who had hematological relapse after allo‐HSCT and were treated with azacitidine for this indication. Results: Twenty‐three patients receiving azacitidine as the first treatment of relapse (Group_1) and 8 patients receiving azacitidine after other treatment of relapse (Group_2) were included. There were 68% males, median age at initiation of azacitidine was 53 years (15‐66). Median time to relapse was 3.5 months and 6.3 months in Group_1 and Group_2, respectively; median time from relapse to azacitidine 0.2 and 2.3 months. Azacitidine 75 mg/m2, days 1‐7, was administered in 78% and 75% of patients in Group_1 and Group_2, concomitant DLI in 48% and 50%. With median follow‐up of 4.7 and 13.6 months, the median overall survival was 5.9 and 9.5 months. 17% and 37.5% patients proceeded to salvage allo‐HSCT, with median OS of 11.6 months and not reached respectively. Conclusions: Azacitidine treatment for hematological relapse is associated with poor outcome; nevertheless, a proportion of patients may benefit from it, including patients receiving subsequent salvage allo‐HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salvage autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) may be used to treat relapse of multiple myeloma occurring after previous autoHSCT. When insufficient number of hematopoietic stem cells was stored from the initial harvest, remobilization of stem cells is necessary. Purpose: The analysis of stem cell remobilization after previous autoHSCT. Patients and Methods: Fifty‐eight patients, 60% males, median 59 years, were included. Median time interval between autoHSCT and remobilization was 42 months. The first remobilization was performed mostly after chemotherapy: cyclophosphamide (33%), cytarabine (43%), and etoposide (19%). Results: The first remobilization was successful in 67% patients. About 19% patients required plerixafor rescue, among whom it allowed for successful harvesting in 14%. Use of cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and etoposide allowed for successful remobilization in 53%, 84%, and 55% patients, respectively. Patients treated with cytarabine had the highest yield of CD34+ cells (median 7.5 × 106/kg vs 5.8 and 2.4 for etoposide and cyclophosphamide, P =.001). Higher percentage of patients was able to collect ≥2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg during one leukapheresis after cytarabine (76% vs 21% for cyclophosphamide vs 36% for etoposide, P =.001). Cytarabine use was associated with lower risk of remobilization failure OR = 0.217, P =.02. Toxicity comprised mostly hematological toxicity (thrombocytopenia and neutropenia). One patient succumbed to septic shock. Conclusion: Remobilization after previous autoHSCT is feasible only in a proportion of patients. Cytarabine is associated with the highest rate of successful mobilization and the highest yield of mobilized CD34+ cells. The toxicity requires careful surveillance of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood‐Onset Schizophrenia (COS) is a very rare and severe psychiatric disorder defined by adult schizophrenia symptoms occurring before the age of 13. We report a microduplication in the 10q26.3 region including part of the Inositol Polyphosphate‐5‐Phosphatase A (INPP5A) gene that segregates with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) in the family of a female patient affected by both COS and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Phenotyping and genotyping (including CGH‐array) were performed for mother, healthy sister, and affected child according to the GenAuDiss protocol (NCT02565524). The duplication size is 324 kb and is present in a patient with COS and in her mother with SSD, but not in the patient's healthy sister. INPP5A encodes a membrane‐associated 43 kDa type I inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3) 5‐phosphatase. This protein is found both in mouse and human brains and we found that its Drosophila homologue 5PtaseI is specifically expressed in the central nervous system. Hydrolyzed products from InsP3 5‐phosphatases mobilize intracellular calcium, which is relevant for dendritic spine morphogenesis in neurons and altered in both schizophrenia and ASD. These may constitute arguments in favor of this gene alteration in the pathophysiology of COS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in composition of the intestinal microbiota are linked to the development of obesity and can lead to endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction. It is unknown whether EC can directly influence the microbiota. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and its receptor (IGF‐1R) are critical for coupling nutritional status and cellular growth; IGF‐1R is expressed in multiple cell types including EC. The role of ECIGF‐1R in the response to nutritional obesity is unexplored. To examine this, we use gene‐modified mice with EC‐specific overexpression of human IGF‐1R (hIGFREO) and their wild‐type littermates. After high‐fat feeding, hIGFREO weigh less, have reduced adiposity and have improved glucose tolerance. hIGFREO show an altered gene expression and altered microbial diversity in the gut, including a relative increase in the beneficial genus Akkermansia. The depletion of gut microbiota with broad‐spectrum antibiotics induces a loss of the favourable metabolic differences seen in hIGFREO mice. We show that IGF‐1R facilitates crosstalk between the EC and the gut wall; this crosstalk protects against diet‐induced obesity, as a result of an altered gut microbiota. SYNOPSIS: It remained unclear if gut endothelial cells can directly influence the microbiota. Here, endothelial specific over‐expression of IGF‐1R is shown to promote advantageous remodelling of the gut microbiota upon high fat diet, which protects against the development of obesity. Mice overexpressing insulin like growth factor‐1 receptors in the endothelium (hIGFREO) are protected against obesity.Protection against obesity is in part due to remodelling of the intestinal microbiota due to endothelium‐enterocyte crosstalk.Altered microbial diversity in the gut leads to a relative increase in the beneficial genus Akkermansia.Microbiota depletion using broad‐spectrum antibiotics attenuates advantageous metabolic phenotypes of hIGFREO mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryophytes represent favourable habitats for many arthropods, but their utilisation as a food source is marginal. While one of the largest monophyletic groups that represent obligatory bryophyte consumers are the Byrrhidae, host ranges for species in this group of beetles remain largely unknown due to their cryptic appearance and rarity. The occasional notes of 'associated' moss species that do exist are related to where Byrrhidae were found and not to diet analysis. Because the majority of Byrrhidae are stenobionts with limited dispersal, the assumption that associated moss species are also used as food is a useful hypothesis.To test this hypothesis, 328 individuals were sampled from the species: Cytilus sericeus, Byrrhus fasciatus, Byrrhus pilula, and Byrrhus glabratus. Mosses from both the stomachs and the immediate microhabitats of beetles were determined with the aim of (i) identifying their host range and (ii) testing whether the moss species from microhabitats in which beetles were collected were also found in their stomachs.Almost 40 bryophyte species were found in beetle stomachs and accumulation curves for all beetle species failed to achieve asymptotes, together showing that all species are highly polyphagous.Although a strong general correlation existed between moss consumption and occupation, discrepancies were present at the individual level with there being considerably higher moss species richness in beetle stomachs than in their immediate microhabitats. Our results question the assumption that bryophyte occupancy and consumption can be used interchangeably when studying host use in these insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 20% of women in the United States experience clinically significant depressive symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period. These women may benefit from easily accessible, nonpharmacologic, and inexpensive self‐management approaches, such as via internet and mobile‐based interventions, to prevent development of symptoms and/or intervene with current symptoms. This paper summarizes the research protocol of a nationally‐funded large‐scale randomized controlled study to evaluate "Mamma Mia," a self‐guided program with 44 modules that women use throughout pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The program contains a novel combination of components designed to enable women to enhance self‐efficacy, emotional self‐regulation, and perceived social support. The overall goal of this three‐arm longitudinal randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of this self‐management approach in diverse women in the U.S. (n = 1950). Enrolled pregnant women will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) "Mamma Mia" alone, which is self‐guided; (2) "Mamma Mia Plus" in which participants engage in the "Mamma Mia" modules plus receive brief guided support from a registered nurse; or (3) usual prenatal/postpartum care. The first specific aim is to evaluate effects by group on the primary outcome of interest, depressive symptoms, over time. The second aim is to evaluate effects by group on subjective well‐being, anxiety, and stress. Using a conceptual framework based upon Individual and Family Self‐Management Theory, the third aim is to evaluate possible mediators (self‐efficacy, emotion self‐regulation, perceived support) and possible moderators (e.g., race/ethnicity, type of healthcare clinician) of this self‐management approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assemblages of insect herbivores are structured by plant traits such as nutrient content, secondary metabolites, physical traits, and phenology. Many of these traits are phylogenetically conserved, implying a decrease in trait similarity with increasing phylogenetic distance of the host plant taxa. Thus, a metric of phylogenetic distances and relationships can be considered a proxy for phylogenetically conserved plant traits and used to predict variation in herbivorous insect assemblages among co‐occurring plant species.Using a Holarctic dataset of exposed‐feeding and shelter‐building caterpillars, we aimed at showing how phylogenetic relationships among host plants explain compositional changes and characteristics of herbivore assemblages.Our plant–caterpillar network data derived from plot‐based samplings at three different continents included >28,000 individual caterpillar–plant interactions. We tested whether increasing phylogenetic distance of the host plants leads to a decrease in caterpillar assemblage overlap. We further investigated to what degree phylogenetic isolation of a host tree species within the local community explains abundance, density, richness, and mean specialization of its associated caterpillar assemblage.The overlap of caterpillar assemblages decreased with increasing phylogenetic distance among the host tree species. Phylogenetic isolation of a host plant within the local plant community was correlated with lower richness and mean specialization of the associated caterpillar assemblages. Phylogenetic isolation had no effect on caterpillar abundance or density. The effects of plant phylogeny were consistent across exposed‐feeding and shelter‐building caterpillars.Our study reveals that distance metrics obtained from host plant phylogeny are useful predictors to explain compositional turnover among hosts and host‐specific variations in richness and mean specialization of associated insect herbivore assemblages in temperate broadleaf forests. As phylogenetic information of plant communities is becoming increasingly available, further large‐scale studies are needed to investigate to what degree plant phylogeny structures herbivore assemblages in other biomes and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: An increasing proportion of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have co‐morbidities. The effect of these co‐morbidities on modes of death and the effect of disease‐modifying agents in multi‐morbid patients is unknown. Methods and results: We performed a prospective cohort study of ambulatory patients with HFrEF to assess predictors of outcomes. We identified four key co‐morbidities—ischaemic aetiology of heart failure, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD)—that were highly prevalent and associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality. We used these data to explore modes of death and the utilization of disease‐modifying agents in patients with and without these co‐morbidities. The cohort included 1789 consecutively recruited patients who had an average age of 69.6 ± 12.5 years, and 1307 (73%) were male. Ischaemic aetiology of heart failure was the most common co‐morbidity, occurring in 1061 (59%) patients; 503 (28%) patients had diabetes mellitus, 283 (16%) had COPD, and 140 (8%) had CKD stage IV/V. During mean follow‐up of 3.8 ± 1.6 years, 737 (41.5%) patients died, classified as progressive heart failure (n = 227, 32%), sudden (n = 112, 16%), and non‐cardiovascular deaths (n = 314, 44%). Multi‐morbid patients were older (P < 0.001), more likely to be male (P < 0.001), and had higher New York Heart Association class (P < 0.001), despite having higher left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (P = 0.001) and lower LV end‐diastolic diameter (P = 0.001). Multi‐morbid patients were prescribed lower doses of disease‐modifying agents, especially patients with COPD who received lower doses of beta‐adrenoceptor antagonists (2.7 ± 3.0 vs. 4.1 ± 3.4 mg, P < 0.001) and were less likely to be implanted with internal cardioverter defibrillators (7% vs. 13%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, COPD and diabetes mellitus conferred a >2.5‐fold and 1.5‐fold increased risk of sudden death, whilst higher doses of beta‐adrenoceptor antagonists were protective (hazard ratio per milligram 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.86–0.98, P = 0.009). Each milligram of bisoprolol‐equivalent beta‐adrenoceptor antagonist was associated with 9% (P = 0.001) and 11% (P = 0.023) reduction of sudden deaths in patients with <2 and ≥2 co‐morbidities, respectively. Conclusions: Higher doses of beta‐adrenoceptor antagonist are associated with greater protection from sudden death, most evident in multi‐morbid patients. Patients with COPD who appear to be at the highest risk of sudden death are prescribed the lowest doses and less likely to be implanted with implantable cardioverter defibrillators, which might represent a missed opportunity to optimize safe and proven therapies for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To estimate the risk of all‐cause mortality and hospitalization in frail patients with chronic heart failure (HF), a systematic search and meta‐analysis was carried out to identify all prospective cohort studies conducted among adults with HF where frailty was quantified and related to the primary endpoints of all‐cause mortality and/or hospitalization. Twenty‐nine studies reporting the link between frailty and all‐cause mortality in 18 757 patients were available for the meta‐analysis, along with 11 studies, with 13 525 patients, reporting the association between frailty and hospitalization. Frailty was a predictor of all‐cause mortality and hospitalization with summary hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.48 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31–1.65, P < 0.001] and 1.40 (95% CI: 1.27–1.54, P < 0.001), respectively. Summary HRs for all‐cause mortality among frail inpatients undergoing ventricular assist device implantation, inpatients hospitalized for HF, and outpatients were 1.46 (95% CI: 1.18–1.73, P < 0.001), 1.58 (95% CI: 0.94–2.22, P = not significant), and 1.53 (95% CI: 1.28–1.78, P < 0.001), respectively. Summary HRs for all‐cause mortality and frailty based on Fried's phenotype were 1.48 (95% CI: 1.03–1.93, P < 0.001) and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.05–1.79, P < 0.001) for inpatients and outpatients, respectively, and based on other frailty measures were 1.42 (95% CI: 1.12–1.72, P < 0.001) and 1.60 (95% CI: 1.43–1.77, P < 0.001) for inpatients and outpatients, respectively. Across clinical contexts, frailty in chronic HF is associated with an average of 48% and 40% increase in the hazard of all‐cause mortality and hospitalization, respectively. The relationship between frailty and all‐cause mortality is similar across clinical settings and comparing measurement using Fried's phenotype or other measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperate forest canopies support a high diversity of insects, but in comparison to the tropics, little is known about insect spatial distribution, particularly in terms of vertical stratification.We used an aerial lift platform to sample a temperate floodplain forest canopy during two seasons. We aimed to describe patterns of aphid density and diversity in terms of vertical canopy stratification within a 0.2 ha forest plot.Vertical gradient affected both the density and diversity of aphids. There was no general pattern in aphid distribution that applied to the eight tree species included in our survey. The aphid taxocoenosis was stratified differently on particular tree species and changed during the season.Species composition was better explained by aboveground absolute position (in m), while aphid density was better explained by relative height in the tree (position in the crown). Considering that these factors were significant but that the same statistical models excluding any influence of relative or absolute position provided more robust explanations, we concluded that aphid spatial distribution in temperate forests is difficult to simplify. This likely depends on environmental factors, such as wind direction and strength, that affect aphid flight and landing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a chronic, progressive disease that has detrimental consequences on a patient's quality of life (QoL). In part due to requirements for market access and licensing, the assessment of current and future treatments focuses on reducing mortality and hospitalizations. Few drugs are available principally for their symptomatic effect despite the fact that most patients' symptoms persist or worsen over time and an acceptance that the survival gains of modern therapies are mitigated by poorly controlled symptoms. Additional contributors to the failure to focus on symptoms could be the result of under‐reporting of symptoms by patients and carers and a reliance on insensitive symptomatic categories in which patients frequently remain despite additional therapies. Hence, formal symptom assessment tools, such as questionnaires, can be useful prompts to encourage more fidelity and reproducibility in the assessment of symptoms. This scoping review explores for the first time the assessment options and management of common symptoms in CHF with a focus on patient‐reported outcome tools. The integration of patient‐reported outcomes for symptom assessment into the routine of a CHF clinic could improve the monitoring of disease progression and QoL, especially following changes in treatment or intervention with a targeted symptom approach expected to improve QoL and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, near fully dense single phase bulk multicomponent transition metal nitride (Nb1/3Ta1/3Ti1/3)N1−δ has been successfully synthesized from mixed commercial powders of NbN, TaN and TiN via reaction flash sintering technique. This was performed with an applied pressure of ~ 35 MPa at 25°C under a constant DC electric field (~24‐32 V/cm). The flash event, which is the abrupt increase in current (up to ~ 25.2 A/mm2) and temperature, occurred without preheating. The threshold power dissipation on the sample right before the flash is ~ 0.7 W/mm3. The formation of single phase (Nb1/3Ta1/3Ti1/3)N1−δ random solid solution and its compositional uniformity were confirmed by XRD and EDS, respectively. The effects of ball milling duration and limiting current density on phase formation were studied. Simulation based on Joule heating provides an estimate of the ultimate sample temperature of ~ 1850°C. Vickers hardness of the obtained (Nb1/3Ta1/3Ti1/3)N1−δ is 17.6 ± 0.6 GPa, which is comparable to similarly flash sintered ingredient binary nitrides of TaN and NbN. TGA in air shows that the oxidation resistance of (Nb1/3Ta1/3Ti1/3)N1−δ is better than that of TaN and NbN but inferior to TiN. The study demonstrates that reaction flash sintering can be a highly efficient technique for synthesizing bulk multicomponent ceramics for both material fundamental investigations and application development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population is rapidly expanding. However, a significant proportion of these patients suffer sudden cardiac death. Recommending implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) insertion requires balancing the need for appropriate therapy in malignant arrhythmia against the consequences of inappropriate therapy and procedural complications. Here we present long‐term follow‐up data for ICD insertion in patients with ACHD from a large Level 1 congenital cardiac center. Methods and Results: All patients with ACHD undergoing ICD insertion over an 18‐year period were identified. Data were extracted for baseline characteristics including demographics, initial diagnosis, ventricular function, relevant medication, and indication for ICD insertion. Details regarding device insertion were gathered along with follow‐up data including appropriate and inappropriate therapy and complications. A total of 136 ICDs were implanted during this period: 79 for primary and 57 for secondary prevention. The most common congenital cardiac conditions in both groups were tetralogy of Fallot and transposition of the great arteries. Twenty‐two individuals in the primary prevention group received appropriate antitachycardia pacing (ATP), 14 underwent appropriate cardioversion, 17 received inappropriate ATP, and 15 received inappropriate cardioversion. In the secondary prevention group, 18 individuals received appropriate ATP, 8 underwent appropriate cardioversion, 8 received inappropriate ATP, and 7 were inappropriately cardioverted. Our data demonstrate low complication rates, particularly with leads without advisories. Conclusion: ICD insertion in the ACHD population involves a careful balance of the risks and benefits. Our data show a significant proportion of patients receiving appropriate therapy indicating that ICDs were inserted appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting Coordination is a "hybrid legal‐mental health role that combines assessment, education, case management, conflict management, dispute resolution and, often times, decision‐making functions (AFCC, 2019, https://www.afccnet.org/Portals/0/PublicDocuments/Guidelines%20for%20PC%20with%20Appendex.pdf?ver=2020-01-30-190220-990). This article addresses issues that arise when the case has allegations or findings of intimate partner violence (IPV). Considerations of the type of IPV, the severity, timing, perpetrator and effects on coparenting are discussed in the context of the parenting coordinator's role. Through screening and assessment, we differentiate the kinds of cases with the presence of IPV where a PC may be effective as opposed to other IPV cases that may not predict success for retaining a PC. Key Points for the Family Court Community: Parenting coordination works in some cases with IPV and is ill‐advised in other IPV cases.Screening for IPV should occur in all parenting coordination cases and is best done first as part of the parenting coordinator's (PC's) intake process before the stipulation and order appointing the Parenting Coordinator is signed or the case proceeds. Screening is an ongoing process and not a one‐time event at intake.If a screening is positive for IPV, an assessment or further information gathering is warranted again, optimally before the PC work begins.It is highly probable that parenting coordination is incompatible in cases of IPV involving coercive control, with or without physical abuse, and in cases with a history of chronic battering.Parenting coordination will more likely be helpful in high conflict families in which the aggression is more conflict‐instigated (as defined herein) and the "control" issues between the coparents are more typical of divorcing couples and not characterized by intimidation, fear, and one partner controlling the other partner's life with the goal of eliminating or diminishing their personal liberty or parental role.Identifying whether parenting coordination will work for families with domestic violence or not, will involve an intake IPV assessment of the behaviors associated with the aggression, the context for the aggression, the meaning of the aggression, and the effects of the aggression.Ultimately the focus needs to be on the structure of the parenting coordination process to help provide safety in the IPV cases while helping the coparents lower the conflict with the other coparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent–child contact problems may arise in the context of high conflict separation/divorce dynamics between parents. In cases where there are parent–child contact problems and children resist or refuse contact with one of their parents, there may also be incidents of child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, or compromised parenting that can be experienced by a parent or child as traumatic. The circumstances around separation and/or post‐divorce often result in intense stress for families. In this paper we distinguish between the stressful circumstances that may arise as a result of high interparental conflict and pulls for alignment from a parent, and the real or perceived trauma as a factor which contributes to resistance or refusal of a child to have contact with a parent. Interventions to address both trauma responses and the resist‐refuse dynamics are differentiated and discussed. After screening and assessment, the intent is to treat trauma responses with short‐term, evidence‐based therapy, either before or concurrent with co‐parent and family intervention. Key Points for the Family Court Community:Parent‐child contact problems may have many causes. When children resist contact with a parent the multiple factors including trauma, that result in this problem must be explored.Assessing the impact and symptoms of interparental conflict and trauma on children and coparents, including emotional dysregulation resulting in feelings of being overwhelmed or needing to avoid is necessary to proceed with a family interventionFor family intervention to be successful It is necessary for each family member to be able to manage distressing emotions without feeling overwhelmed or numb and to be able to process information accurately. These issues may result in one of the treatment components that can occur before or at the same time as the family intervention.Delaying contact with a parent generally results in more negative characterization, anxiety and polarization and is generally not recommended. Instead safe, structured contact to begin the process of desensitization should occur once the parent and child have basic skills of coping with and managing distressing thoughts and feelings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Richter transformation (RT) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) to Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a rare and unexpected event in the course of the disease and data on this phenomenon is still limited. To better understand the clinical and histological characteristics and the outcomes of HL variant of RT (HvRS) the Polish Lymphoma Research Group performed a nationwide survey which identified 22 patients with histologically proven HvRS diagnosed between 2002 and 2016. There were 16 (73%) males. The median age at CLL/SLL and HvRS diagnosis was 59 (39-77) and 64 (40-77) years, respectively. The median interval between CLL/SLL and HvRS diagnosis was 38 months (range: 0-187). All patients had an advanced stage HL, and majority, 17 (77%), presented with B symptoms. The predominant subtypes of HL were nodular sclerosis (12; 55%) and mixed cellularity (9; 41%). Eighteen patients received non-palliative treatment, including 13 who received driamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) regimen first line. Objective response was: 50%, with 33% complete remissions (61% and 46% for ABVD, respectively). Median overall survival reached 13.3 months (95% CI, 3.7-NA). The only adverse prognostic factor for survival was a higher number (≤1 versus ≥2) of prior lines of treatment given for CLL/SLL with HR 3.57 (95% CI, 1.16-10.92). We conclude, HvRS harbors a poor prognosis, especially in patients heavily pretreated for CLL/SLL. Response to standard first-line anti-HL chemotherapy is unsatisfactory, and new agents should be tested to improve the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decisions about when to start or switch a therapy often depend on the frequency with which individuals are monitored or tested. For example, the optimal time to switch antiretroviral therapy depends on the frequency with which HIV-positive individuals have HIV RNA measured. This paper describes an approach to use observational data for the comparison of joint monitoring and treatment strategies and applies the method to a clinically relevant question in HIV research: when can monitoring frequency be decreased and when should individuals switch from a first-line treatment regimen to a new regimen? We outline the target trial that would compare the dynamic strategies of interest and then describe how to emulate it using data from HIV-positive individuals included in the HIV-CAUSAL Collaboration and the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems. When, as in our example, few individuals follow the dynamic strategies of interest over long periods of follow-up, we describe how to leverage an additional assumption: no direct effect of monitoring on the outcome of interest. We compare our results with and without the "no direct effect" assumption. We found little differences on survival and AIDS-free survival between strategies where monitoring frequency was decreased at a CD4 threshold of 350 cells/μl compared with 500 cells/μl and where treatment was switched at an HIV-RNA threshold of 1000 copies/ml compared with 200 copies/ml. The "no direct effect" assumption resulted in efficiency improvements for the risk difference estimates ranging from an 7- to 53-fold increase in the effective sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video interaction guidance, based on the Marte Meo method, is used in child protection services (CPSs) and offered to parents to improve interactions with their children. However, the factors that promote and limit the use of video guidance in CPS are unclear. The present study explored the perceptions of 8 Norwegian Marte Meo therapists who utilize this method in the CPS. The therapists were asked questions about the method's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, to clarify factors that may be important for the use of Marte Meo in the CPS context. Therapists reported a predominance of strengths associated with the method; for example, that Marte Meo provides a set of conditions that makes it possible for parents to see themselves as significant persons in interactions with their children and raise their parenting competency to a reflective level. The results also suggested that there is a need to develop the method to make it applicable to different age groups, problem areas, and contexts. A central agency could establish procedures for identifying such challenges, to ensure continuous quality improvement and to improve Marte Meo through research and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Dialysis‐dependent (DD) multiple myeloma patients (MM) have a poor prognosis and high tumour burden, thus may benefit from autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto‐PBSCT), however, these patients have an increased risk of toxicity. Aims: To evaluate the outcomes (toxicity, PFS, OS) of high dose therapy followed by auto‐PBSCT during an observational study and after propensity score matching. Patients and methods: Between 2004‐2015, 24 DD patients, (aged 38‐67 years), ISS 3, treated with auto‐PBSCT, requiring dialysis at diagnosis and auto‐PBSCT were evaluated, matched and compared to 55 normal renal function MM patients (NRF) with ISS 3 for outcomes of interest. Results: In DD patients compared to NRF patients risk of mucositis (88% vs 55%), infection (79% vs 51%), parenteral nutrition (50% vs 24%), diarrhoea (71% vs 38%), prolonged duration of hospitalisation (medians: 30 vs 21 days), requirement for RBC transfusion (83% vs 36%) were significantly higher, while no significant differences were found in post‐transplant response (ORR; 75% vs 87%), 5‐year PFS (36% vs 20%) and OS (39% vs 50%). Subgroup analyses based on toxicity supported these results. Conclusions: Despite the increased risk of toxicity in DD patients these events do not significantly affect both the PFS and OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Knowledge about herbivores and their parasitoids in forest canopies remains limited, despite their diversity and ecological importance. Thus, it is important to understand the factors that shape the herbivore–parasitoid community structure, particularly the effect of vertical gradient. We investigated a quantitative community dataset of exposed and semiconcealed leaf‐chewing larvae and their parasitoids along a vertical canopy gradient in a temperate forest. We sampled target insects using an elevated work platform in a 0.2 ha broadleaf deciduous forest plot in the Czech Republic. We analyzed the effect of vertical position among three canopy levels (first [lowest], second [middle], and third [highest]) and tree species on community descriptors (density, diversity, and parasitism rate) and food web structure. We also analyzed vertical patterns in density and parasitism rate between exposed and semiconcealed hosts, and the vertical preference of the most abundant parasitoid taxa in relation to their host specificity. Tree species was an important determinant of all community descriptors and food web structure. Insect density and diversity varied with the vertical gradient, but was only significant for hosts. Both host guilds were most abundant in the second level, but only the density of exposed hosts declined in the third level. Parasitism rate decreased from the first to third level. The overall parasitism rate did not differ between guilds, but semiconcealed hosts suffered lower parasitism in the third level. Less host‐specific taxa (Ichneumonidae, Braconidae) operated more frequently lower in the canopy, whereas more host‐specific Tachinidae followed their host distribution. The most host‐specific Chalcidoidea preferred the third level. Vertical stratification of insect density, diversity, and parasitism rate was most pronounced in the tallest tree species. Therefore, our study contradicts the general paradigm of weak arthropod stratification in temperate forest canopies. However, in the network structure, vertical variation might be superseded by variation among tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]