Predicting trajectories of behavioral adjustment in children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Purpose Previous research showed that children with cancer are at risk for developing behavioral adjustment problems after successful treatment; however, the course of adjustment remains unclear. This study focuses on adjustment trajectories of children during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and aims to distinguish subgroups of patients showing different trajectories during active treatment, and to identify sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial predictors of the distinct adjustment trajectories. Methods In a multicenter longitudinal study, 108 parents of a child (response rate 80 %) diagnosed with ALL were assessed during induction treatment (T0), after induction/consolidation treatment (T1), and after end of treatment (T2). Trajectories of child behavioral adjustment (Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL) were tested with latent class growth modeling (LCGM) analyses. Results For internalizing behavior, a three-trajectory model was found: a group that experienced no problems (60 %), a group that experienced only initial problems (30 %), and a group that experienced chronic problems (10 %). For externalizing behavior, a three-trajectory model was also found: a group that experienced no problems (83 %), a group that experienced chronic problems (12 %), and a group that experienced increasing problems (5 %). Only parenting stress and baseline QoL (cancer related) were found to contribute uniquely to adjustment trajectories. Conclusions The majority of the children (77 %) showed no or transient behavioral problems during the entire treatment as reported by parents. A substantial group (23 %) shows maladaptive trajectories of internalizing behavioral problems and/or externalizing behavioral problems. Screening for risk factors for developing problems might be helpful in early identification of these children

Role of NiO in the nonlocal spin transport through thin NiO films on Y3Fe5O12

Hoogeboom GR, Sint Nicolaas G-JN, Alexander A, et al. Role of NiO in the nonlocal spin transport through thin NiO films on Y3Fe5O12. Physical Review B. 2021;103(14): 144406.In spin-transport experiments with spin currents propagating through an antiferromagnetic (AFM) material, the antiferromagnet is mainly treated as a passive spin conductor not generating nor adding any spin current to the system. The spin current transmissivity of the AFM NiO is affected by magnetic fluctuations, peaking at the Néel temperature and decreasing by lowering the temperature. To study the role of antiferromagnetism in local and nonlocal spin-transport experiments, we send spin currents through NiO of various thicknesses placed on Y3Fe5O12. The spin currents are injected either electrically or by thermal gradients and measured at a wide range of temperatures and magnetic field strengths. The transmissive role is reflected in the sign change of the local electrically injected signals and the decrease in signal strength of all other signals by lowering the temperature. The thermally generated signals, however, show an additional upturn below 100 K that is unaffected by an increased NiO thickness. A change in the thermal conductivity could affect these signals. The temperature and magnetic field dependence are similar to those for bulk NiO, indicating that NiO itself contributes to thermally induced spin currents

Quality evaluation of colonoscopy reporting and colonoscopy performance in daily clinical practice

Background: Comprehensive monitoring of colonoscopy quality requires complete and accurate colonoscopy reporting. Objective: This study aimed to assess the compliance with colonoscopy reporting and to assess the quality of colonoscopy performance. Design: Consecutive colonoscopy reports were reviewed by hand. Four hundred reports were included from each department. Setting: Daily clinical practice in 12 Dutch endoscopy departments. Patients: Consecutive patients undergoing scheduled colonoscopy procedures. Main Outcome Measurements: Quality of reporting was assessed by using the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy criteria for colonoscopy reporting. Quality of colonoscopy performance was evaluated by using the cecal intubation rate and adenoma detection rate (ADR). Results: A total of 4800 colonoscopies were performed by 116 endoscopists: 70% by gastroenterologists, 16% by gastroenterology fellows, 10% by internists, 3% by nurse-endoscopists, and 1% by surgeons. The mean age of the patients was 59 years (standard deviation 16), and 47% were male. Reports contained information on indication, sedation practice, and extent of the procedure in more than 90%. Only 62% of the reports mentioned the quality of bowel preparation (range between departments 7%-100%); Limitations: Dependent on reports, no intervention in endoscopic practice. No analysis for performance per endoscopist. Conclusion: Colonoscopy reporting varied significantly in clinical practice. Colonoscopy performance met the suggested standards; however, considerable variability between endoscopy departments was found. The results of this study underline the importance of the implementation of quality indicators and guidelines. Moreover, by continuous monitoring of quality parameters, the quality of both colonoscopy reporting and colonoscopy performance can easily be improved. (Gastrointest Endosc 2012;75:98