bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Silico
Genotyping of Escherichia coli Isolates for Extraintestinal Virulence Genes by Use of Whole-Genome Sequencing Data
Authors: Malberg Tetzschner Anna Maria , Johnson James R. , Johnston Brian D. , Lund Ole , Scheutz Flemming
Published: July 2020

Extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(ExPEC) is the leading cause in humans of urinary tract infection and bacteremia. The previously published web tool VirulenceFinder (
http://cge.cbs.dtu.dk/services/VirulenceFinder/
) uses whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data for
in silico
characterization of
E. coli
isolates and enables researchers and clinical health personnel to quickly extract and interpret virulence-relevant information from WGS data.
Evaluation of Six Commercial Mid- to High-Volume Antibody and Six Point-of-Care Lateral Flow Assays for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies
Authors: Charlton Carmen L. , Kanji Jamil N. , Johal Kam , Bailey Ashley , Plitt Sabrina S. , MacDonald Clayton , Kunst Andrea , Buss Emily , Burnes Laura E. , Fonseca Kevin , Berenger Byron M. , Schnabl Kareena , Hu Jia , Stokes William , Zelyas Nathan , Tipples Graham
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID) serological tests are essential to determine the overall seroprevalence of a population and to facilitate exposure estimates within that population. We performed a head-to-head assessment of enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and point-of-care lateral flow assays (POCTs) to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies. Demographics, symptoms, comorbidities, treatment, and mortality of patients whose sera were used were also reviewed. Six EIAs (Abbott, Affinity, Bio-Rad, DiaSorin, Euroimmun, and Roche) and six POCTs (BTNX, Biolidics, Deep Blue, Genrui, Getein BioTech, and Innovita) were evaluated for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in known COVID-19-infected individuals.
A Rare Mutation in an Infant-Derived HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Alters Interprotomer Stability and Susceptibility to Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting the Trimer Apex
Authors: Mishra Nitesh , Sharma Shaifali , Dobhal Ayushman , Kumar Sanjeev , Chawla Himanshi , Singh Ravinder , Das Bimal Kumar , Kabra Sushil Kumar , Lodha Rakesh , Luthra Kalpana
Published: July 2020

The design of HIV-1 envelope-based immunogens capable of eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is currently under active research. Some of the most potent bnAbs target the quaternary epitope at the V2 apex of the HIV-1 Env trimer. By studying naturally circulating viruses from a perinatally HIV-1-infected infant with plasma neutralizing antibodies targeted to the V2 apex, we identified a rare leucine-to-phenylalanine substitution, in two out of six functional viral clones, that destabilized the trimer apex. This single-amino-acid alteration impaired the interprotomeric interactions that stabilize the trimer apex, resulting in an open trimer conformation and escape from broadly neutralizing autologous plasma antibodies and known V2 apex-directed bnAbs, thereby favoring viral evasion of the early bnAb response of the infected host. Defining the mechanisms by which naturally occurring viral mutations influence the sensitivity of HIV-1 to bnAbs will provide information for the development of vaccines and bnAbs as anti-HIV-1 reagents.
Draft Genome Assembly of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 Substrain H2 from Nanopore Data
Authors: Leidenfrost Robert Maximilian , Wappler Nadine , Wünschiers Röbbe
Published: July 2020

Rhodobacter sphaeroides
is a purple bacterium with complex genomic architecture. Here, a draft genome is reported for
R. sphaeroides
strain 2.4.1 substrain H2, which was generated exclusively from Nanopore sequencing data.
Complete Genome Sequences of 10 Phages Lytic against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Farlow Jason , Freyberger Helen R. , He Yunxiu , Ward Amanda M. , Rutvisuttinunt Wiriya , Li Tao , Campbell Ross , Jacobs Anna C. , Nikolich Mikeljon P. , Filippov Andrey A.
Published: July 2020

We report the genome sequences of 10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
phages studied for their potential for formulation of a therapeutic cocktail; they represent the families
Myoviridae
,
Podoviridae
, and
Siphoviridae
. Genome sizes ranged from 43,299 to 88,728 nucleotides, with G+C contents of 52.1% to 62.2%. The genomes contained 68 to 168 coding sequences.
Epidemiology of injuries in Olympic-style karate competitions: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lystad Reidar P , Augustovičová Dusana , Harris Gail , Beskin Kirran , Arriaza Rafael
Published: July 2020

Objective

To report the epidemiology of injuries in Olympic-style karate competitions.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of injury incidence rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (IIR
AE
) and per 1000 min of exposure (IIR
ME
) were obtained by fitting random-effects models.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, SPORTDiscus and AusportMed databases were searched from inception to 21 August 2019.

Eligibility criteria

Prospective cohort studies published in peer-reviewed journals and reporting injury data (ie, incidence, severity, location, type, mechanism or risk factors) among athletes participating in Olympic-style karate competition.

Results

Twenty-eight studies were included. The estimated IIR
AE
and IIR
ME
were 88.3 (95%CI 66.6 to 117.2) and 39.2 (95%CI 30.6 to 50.2), respectively. The most commonly injured body region was the head and neck (median: 57.9%; range: 33.3% to 96.8%), while contusion (median: 68.3%; range: 54.9% to 95.1%) and laceration (median: 18.6%; range: 0.0% to 29.3%) were the most frequently reported types of injury. Despite inconsistency in classifying injury severity, included studies reported that most injuries were in the least severe category. There was no significant difference in IIR
ME
between male and female karate athletes (rate ratio 1.09; 95%CI 0.88 to 1.36).

Conclusion

Karate athletes sustain, on average, 1 injury every 11 exposures (bouts) or approximately 25 min of competition. The large majority of these injuries were minor or mild in severity.
Smokeless tobacco control in India: policy review and lessons for high-burden countries
Authors: Yadav Amit , Singh Prashant Kumar , Yadav Nisha , Kaushik Ravi , Chandan Kumar , Chandra Anshika , Singh Shalini , Garg Suneela , Gupta Prakash C , Sinha Dhirendra N , Mehrotra Ravi
Published: July 2020

We examined the magnitude of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in India and identified policy gaps to ascertain the priorities for SLT control in India and other high SLT burden countries in the Southeast Asia region. We reviewed and analysed the legal and policy framework to identify policy gaps, options and priority areas to address the SLT burden in India and lessons thereof. In India, 21.4% adults, including 29.6% of men, 12.8% of women, use SLT while more than 0.35 million Indians die every year due to SLT use. SLT use remains a huge public health concern for other countries in the region as well. Priority areas for SLT control should include: constant monitoring, increasing taxes and price of SLT products, strengthening and strict enforcement of existing laws, integration of SLT cessation with all health and development programmes, banning of advertisement and promotion of SLT, increasing age of access to tobacco up to 21 years, introducing licensing for the sale of SLT, standardising of SLT packaging and preventing SLT industry interference in the implementation of SLT control policies besides a committed multistakeholder approach for effective policy formulation and enforcement. SLT control in India and the other high SLT burden countries, especially in the Southeast Asia region, should focus on strengthening and implementing the above policy priorities.
Pilot study for the comparison of machine-learning augmented audio-uroflowmetry with standard uroflowmetry in healthy men
Authors: Aslim Edwin Jonathan , B T Balamurali , Ng Yun Shu Lynn , Kuo Tricia Li Chuen , Lim Kheng Sit , Chen Jacob Shihan , Chen Jer-Ming , Ng Lay Guat
Published: July 2020

Background

Routine assessments of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) include standard uroflowmetry (UF), which is labour and equipment intensive to perform, and stressful and unnatural for patients. An ideal test should be accurate, repeatable, affordable and portable.

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of a machine-learning (ML) augmented audio-uroflowmetry (AF) algorithm in predicting urinary flows.

Subjects and methods

This pilot study enrolled 25 healthy men without LUTS, who were asked to void into a gravimetric uroflowmeter. A smartphone recorded the voiding sounds simultaneously. Paired uroflow and audio parameters were used to train an ensemble ML model to predict urinary flows from voiding sounds. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compare UF with AF values. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.

Results

A total of 52 voiding session were captured, of which n=35 were used for training and n=17 for testing the algorithm. Each voiding session was divided into 0.1 s frames, resulting in >300 analysable datapoints per session. Pearson’s coefficients showed strong correlations for flowtimes (r=0.96, p<0.0001), voided volumes (r=0.83, p<0.0001) and average flowrates (r=0.70, p=0.0019), and moderate correlation for maximal flowrate (r=0.69, p=0.0022). AF predicted flow patterns showed good agreement with UF tracings. The main limitations were the small participants sample size and use of a single smartphone type.

Conclusions

ML augmented AF can predict uroflow parameters with a good accuracy, and can be a viable alternative to standard UF. Further work is needed to develop this platform for use in real-life conditions and across genders.
Sociotechnical evaluation of a health management information system in South India
Authors: Gudi Nachiket , Godinho Myron Anthony , Saha Dola , Narasimhan Padmanesan
Published: July 2020

Objective

In India, a Health Management Information System (HMIS) is used to capture and aggregate data from health facilities across the country to inform decision making by healthcare managers and policymakers. In a country with the unparalleled sociocultural diversity of India, the dynamics of sociotechnical systems produce unique challenges. The study attempts to understand the sociotechnical factors that influence HMIS at the district level.

Methods

The study is conducted among the healthcare workers who were involved in managing the district HMIS for over a year. We employed quota sampling and conducted face-to-face interviews with eight healthcare workers. The interviews were transcribed and coded using an analytical framework derived from the Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) framework for HMIS evaluation.

Results

We identified 61 codes sorted into 11 categories and grouped into 3 deductive themes (derived from the PRISM framework, ie, technical processes, challenges and data quality) and 2 inductive themes (ie, the role of private enterprise and human resource management).

Conclusion

The study reveals areas to improve and lays emphasis on change management. Future evaluations should involve a complete evaluation of the district HMIS using the four PRISM tools and will inform a collaboratively developed plan to address HMIS issues for health system strengthening.
Illness perception and coping among women living with breast cancer in Ghana: an exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Kugbey Nuworza , Oppong Asante Kwaku , Meyer-Weitz Anna
Published: July 2020

Objective

Illness perception has been shown to have significant influence on the well-being and coping strategies of persons living with chronic medical conditions. Understanding of how women living with breast cancer cognitively and emotionally represent their illness and coping strategies used is likely to help in designing focused psychosocial interventions aimed at improving their health and well-being. This study explored the illness perceptions and coping strategies among women receiving care for breast cancer.

Design

A qualitative phenomenological study (using semi-structured in-depth interviews).

Setting

Oncology department of a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

Participants

Eleven women receiving breast cancer treatment were purposively sampled and in-depth individual interviews were conducted with questions based on illness perception and coping literature.

Results

In terms of illness perceptions, it emerged that most of the participants lacked adequate factual knowledge about breast cancer and perceived causes but believed in the curability of their illness through medical treatments and the help of God. Spirituality, social support and diversion coping were the key resources for coping among the participants.

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients lacked adequate factual knowledge of breast cancer and their perception about the causes of breast cancer is rooted in biopsycho-spiritual model of illness. The reliance on spirituality and social support as the main coping strategies suggests the need for psychosocial interventions tailored to the spiritual and psychosocial needs of the patients.
Economic evaluation of intrahospital clinical practices in injury care: protocol for a 10-year systematic review
Authors: Conombo Blanchard , Guertin Jason Robert , Tardif Pier-Alexandre , Farhat Imen , Moore Thomas , Bouderba Samy , Soltana Kahina , Archambault Patrick , Berthelot Simon , Lauzier François , Turgeon Alexis F , Stelfox Henry Thomas , Chasse Michaël , Hoch Jeffrey , Moore Lynne
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Underuse of high-value clinical practices and overuse of low-value practices are major sources of inefficiencies in modern healthcare systems. Injuries are second only to cardiovascular disease in terms of acute care costs but data on the economic impact of clinical practices for injury admissions are lacking. This study aims to summarise evidence on the economic value of intrahospital clinical practices for injury care.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a systematic review to identify research articles in economic evaluation of intrahospital clinical practices in acute injury care. We will search MEDLINE and databases such as Embase, Web of Science, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Cochrane CENTRAL, BIOSIS and CINAHL for randomised or non-randomised controlled trials and observational studies using a combination of keywords and controlled vocabulary. We will consider the following outcomes relative to economic evaluations: incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, incremental cost-utility ratio, incremental net health benefit, incremental net monetary benefit (iNMB) and incremental cost-benefit ratio. Pairs of independent reviewers will evaluate studies that meet eligibility criteria and extract data from included articles using an electronic data extraction form. All outcomes will be converted into iNMB. We will report iNMB for practices classified by type of practice (hospitalisation, consultation, diagnostic, therapeutic-surgical, therapeutic-drugs, therapeutic-other). Results obtained with a ceiling ratio of $50 000 per quality-adjusted life year gained for identified clinical practices will be summarised by charting forest plots. In line with Cochrane recommendations for systematic reviews of economic evaluations, meta-analyses will not be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required as original data will not be collected. This study will summarise existing evidence on the economic value of clinical practices in injury care. Results will be used to advance knowledge on value-based care for injury admissions and will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed article, international scientific meetings and clinical and healthcare quality associations.
Validation study of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris recording in routinely collected electronic primary healthcare records in England
Authors: Persson Monica S M , Harman Karen E , Vinogradova Yana , Langan Sinead M , Hippisley-Cox Julia , Thomas Kim S , Gran Sonia
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The validity of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris recording in routinely collected healthcare data in the UK is unknown. We assessed the positive predictive value (PPV) for bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris primary care Read codes in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) using linked inpatient data (Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)) as the diagnostic benchmark.

Setting

Adult participants with bullous pemphigoid or pemphigus vulgaris registered with HES-linked general practices in England between January 1998 and December 2017. Code-based algorithms were used to identify patients from the CPRD and extract their benchmark blistering disease diagnosis from HES.

Primary outcome measure

The PPVs of Read codes for bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris.

Results

Of 2468 incident cases of bullous pemphigoid and 431 of pemphigus vulgaris, 797 (32.3%) and 85 (19.7%) patients, respectively, had a hospitalisation record for a blistering disease. The PPV for bullous pemphigoid Read codes was 93.2% (95% CI 91.3% to 94.8%). Of the bullous pemphigoid cases, 3.0% had an HES diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris and 3.8% of another blistering disease. The PPV for pemphigus vulgaris Read codes was 58.5% (95% CI 48.0% to 68.9%). Of the pemphigus vulgaris cases, 24.7% had an HES diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid and 16.5% of another blistering disease.

Conclusions

The CPRD can be used to study bullous pemphigoid, but recording of pemphigus vulgaris needs to improve in primary care.
Non-conveyance in the ambulance service: a population-based cohort study in Stockholm, Sweden
Authors: Lederman Jakob , Lindström Veronica , Elmqvist Carina , Löfvenmark Caroline , Djärv Therese
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Non-conveyed patients represent a significant proportion of all patients cared for by ambulance services in the western world. However, scientific knowledge on non-conveyance is sparse. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of non-conveyance, investigate associations and compare patients’ characteristics, drug administration, initial problems and vital signs between non-conveyed and conveyed patients.

Design

A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The study setting area, Stockholm, Sweden, has a population of 2.3 million inhabitants, with seven emergency hospitals. Annually, approximately 210 000 assignments are performed by 73 ambulances. All ambulance assignments performed from 1 January to 31 December 2015 were included.

Results

In total, 23 603 ambulance assignments ended in non-conveyance—13.8% of all ambulance assignments performed in 2015. Compared with conveyed patients, non-conveyed patients were younger and more often female (median age 50.1 years for non-conveyed vs 61.7 years for conveyed; female=52 %, both p values <0.001). Approximately half of all ambulance assignments ending in non-conveyance were initially prioritised and dispatched as the highest priority. Non-conveyed patients were more often assessed by ambulance clinicians as presenting non-specific symptoms or symptoms related to psychiatric problems. Low blood glucose levels were highly associated with non-conveyance (adjusted OR (AOR): 15; 95 % CI 11.18 to 20.13), although non-conveyed patients presented abnormal vital signs across all categories of vital signs. Moreover, drugs were more often administered to younger non-conveyed patients. Older patients were more often conveyed and administered drugs once conveyed (AOR: 1.29; 95 % CI 1.07 to 1.56).

Conclusions

This study shows that non-conveyed patients represent a non-negligible proportion of all patients in contact with ambulance services. In general, most cases of non-conveyance occur at the highest dispatch level, to a large extent involve younger patients, and features problems assessed by ambulance clinicians as non-specific or related to psychiatric symptoms.
Improving the HIV PrEP continuum of care using an intervention for healthcare providers: a stepped-wedge study protocol
Authors: Ming Kristin , Shrestha Isha , Vazquez Alexander , Wendelborn James , Jimenez Veronica , Lisha Nadra , Neilands Torsten B , Scott Hyman , Liu Albert , Steward Wayne , Johnson Mallory O , Saberi Parya
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated to be a highly effective method for preventing HIV; however, many individuals with PrEP indications are not receiving PrEP. Primary care settings provide an opportunity to offer PrEP to a wide range of patients. In this paper, we describe the PrEP Optimisation Intervention (PrEP-OI), which includes a PrEP Coordinator and a web-based panel management tool (called PrEP-Rx), and is targeted at healthcare providers (HCPs) to increase PrEP uptake and persistence among those at risk for acquiring HIV.

Methods and analysis

The PrEP-OI study evaluates the efficacy of the PrEP intervention (PrEP Coordinator + PrEP-Rx) to increase PrEP prescriptions through a stepped-wedge design among 10 primary care clinical sites in the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The number of PrEP initiation prescriptions constitute the primary outcome, and we hypothesise that the mean number of PrEP prescriptions written will significantly increase after the clinics initiate PrEP-OI versus before this intervention. Secondary objectives include: 1-differences in PrEP initiation, duration of use and reasons for discontinuation based on patient’s age, race/ethnicity and sex/gender, and by clinic and HCP characteristics, 2-sustainability of the intervention during a 12-month follow-up after the stepped-wedge phase, and 3-facilitators and barriers of PrEP delivery and experiences with the proposed PrEP intervention through qualitative interviews with HCPs. The results of this study can provide valuable insight into methods to reduce the burden of PrEP care on HCPs and improve PrEP continuum of care.

Ethics and dissemination

This study and its protocols have been approved by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Institutional Review Board. Study staff will disseminate findings locally (eg, the UCSF Centre for AIDS Prevention Studies’ Community Engagement Core), statewide (eg, the California Department of Public Health’s Office of AIDS) and nationally and internationally at conferences related to HIV.

Trial registration number

NCT03532191.
Do static and dynamic activities induce potentially damaging breast skin strain?
Authors: Norris Michelle , Mills Chris , Sanchez Amy , Wakefield-Scurr Joanna
Published: July 2020

Background/Aim

This study aimed to quantify breast skin strain and strain rate and the effect of support garments at reducing strain and to determine characteristics that correlate with strain during static and dynamic activity.

Methods

39 women (UK size 32C to 36G) had electromagnetic sensors applied to their breast skin. Sensor coordinates were recorded while standing, walking, running, in no, low and high breast support conditions, plus bare-breasted in the estimated neutral position to calculate strain. Relative breast coordinates and 35 inter-sensor distances identified peak breast skin strain (%) and strain rate (%·s-1), which were then correlated with nipple kinematics, breast pain and participant characteristics.

Results

Mean peak breast skin strain was generally <60% during standing, walking and running; however, some individuals exhibited 93% strain in bare-breasted running. Compared with low support, high support did not further reduce strain during standing and walking. Peak breast skin strain/strain rate location was longitudinal, in lateral and medial breast regions and displayed strong correlations with breast volume, body mass index and bust circumference.

Conclusion

Static and dynamic activity did not result in excessive breast skin strain, suggesting low risk of skin damage. However, during running, some individuals experienced excessive skin strains (up to 93%) and strain rates (up to 1258%·s-1). Breast skin strain/strain rate location suggests lift is required in the lateral and medial bra cup to reduce strain, particularly in larger breast volumes due to increased skin strain risk.
Impact of the Four-Hour Rule policy on emergency medical services delays in Australian EDs: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Man Nicola Wing Young , Forero Roberto , Ngo Hanh , Mountain David , FitzGerald Gerard , Toloo Ghasem (Sam) , McCarthy Sally , Mohsin Mohammed , Fatovich Daniel M , Bailey Paul , Bosley Emma , Carney Rosemary , Lai Harry Man Xiong , Hillman Ken
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Delayed handover of emergency medical services (EMS) patients to EDs is a major issue with hospital crowding considered a primary cause. We explore the impact of the 4-hour rule (the Policy) in Australia, focusing on ambulance and ED delays.

Methods

EMS (ambulance), ED and hospital data of adult patients presenting to 14 EDs from 2002 to 2013 in three jurisdictions were linked. Interrupted time series ‘Before-and-After’ trend analysis was used for assessing the Policy’s impact. Random effects meta-regression analysis was examined for associations between ambulance delays and Policy-associated ED intake, throughput and output changes.

Results

Before the Policy, the proportion of ED ambulances delayed increased between 1.1% and 1.7% per quarter across jurisdictions. After Policy introduction, Western Australia’s increasing trend continued but Queensland decreased by 5.1% per quarter. In New South Wales, ambulance delay decreased 7.1% in the first quarter after Policy introduction. ED intake (triage delay) improved only in New South Wales and Queensland. Each 1% ambulance delay reduction was significantly associated with a 0.91% reduction in triage delay (p=0.014) but not ED length of stay ≤4 hours (p=0.307) or access-block/boarding (p=0.605) suggesting only partial improvement in ambulance delay overall.

Conclusion

The Policy was associated with reduced ambulance delays over time in Queensland and only the immediate period in New South Wales. Associations may be due to local jurisdictional initiatives to improve ambulance performance. Strategies to alleviate ambulance delay may need to focus on the ED intake component. These should be re-examined with longer periods of post-Policy data.
Hematopoietic lineage-converted T cells carrying tumor-associated antigen-recognizing TCRs effectively kill tumor cells
Authors: Hu Fangxiao , Huang Dehao , Luo Yuxuan , Zhou Peiqing , Lv Cui , Wang Kaitao , Weng Qitong , Liu Xiaofei , Guan Yuxian , Geng Yang , Du Juan , Chen Jiekai , Wang Jinyong , Wu Hongling
Published: July 2020

Tumor-associated antigen (TAA) T-cell receptor (TCR) gene-engineered T cells exhibit great potential in antitumor immunotherapy. Considering the high costs and low availability of patient-derived peripheral blood T cells, substantial efforts have been made to explore alternatives to natural T cells. We previously reported that enforced expression ofHoxb5converted B cells into induced T (iT) cellsin vivo. Here, we successfully regenerated naive OT1 (major histocompatibility complex I restricted ovalbumin antigen) iT cells (OT1-iT)in vivoby expressingHoxb5in pro-pre-B cells in the OT1 transgenic mouse. The OT1-iT cells can be activated and expandedin vitroin the presence of tumor cells. Particularly, these regenerated OT1-iT cells effectively eradicated tumor cells expressing the TAA (ovalbumin) bothin vitroandin vivo. This study provides insights into the translational applications of blood lineage-transdifferentiated T cells in immunotherapy.
Achieving sustained minimal disease activity with methotrexate in early interleukin 23-driven early psoriatic arthritis
Authors: den Braanker Hannah , Wervers Kim , Mus Adriana M C , Bangoer Priyanka S , Davelaar Nadine , Luime Jolanda , Tchetverikov Ilja , Hazes J M W , Vis Marijn , Lubberts Erik , Kok Marc R
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Methotrexate (MTX) is currently the recommended first-line therapy for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA), despite lacking clear evidence. No estimates of efficacy of MTX in usual care and no clear MTX responsive clinical or laboratory variables are currently available. This study describes the response to MTX monotherapy in newly diagnosed patients with PsA in usual care. Second, we compared clinical variables and cytokine profiles in patients responding and not responding to MTX monotherapy.

Methods

We used data collected in the Dutch southwest Early Psoriatic Arthritis cohoRt study to select patients with PsA with oligoarthritis or polyarthritis, and at least 1 year follow-up. We analysed disease activity at 6 months of patients who started MTX monotherapy and still used MTX monotherapy 1 year after diagnosis. Cytokine profiles were determined at baseline and after 3 and 6 months with a bead-based multi-immunoassay.

Results

We identified 219 patients of which 183 (84%) patients started MTX monotherapy within 6 months after diagnosis. 90 patients used MTX monotherapy throughout the first year of which 44 patients (24%) reached minimal disease activity(MDA) at 6 months, decreasing to 33 patients (18%) after 1 year. Non-responders had significantly higher concentrations of interleukin (IL) 23 and IL-10 before and during MTX therapy.

Conclusions

Our results showed that only 18% of patients with PsA are in sustained MDA after 1 year of MTX monotherapy and non-responders more often had IL-23-driven disease. Our results indicate the need for more treat-to-target and personalised therapy strategies in PsA.
Impact of a comprehensive tobacco control policy package on acute myocardial infarction and stroke hospital admissions in Beijing, China: interrupted time series study
Authors: Zheng Yunting , Wu Yiqun , Wang Mengying , Wang Zijing , Wang Siyue , Wang Jiating , Wu Junhui , Wu Tao , Chang Chun , Hu Yonghua
Published: July 2020

Objective

To evaluate a comprehensive tobacco control policy package on hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke in a global city.

Design

Interrupted time series study.

Setting

Beijing, China.

Population

31 707 AMI and 128 116 stroke hospital admissions recorded by the Beijing Medical Claim Data for Employees in 17.7 million residents from January 2013 to June 2017.

Intervention

The policy package including all components of MPOWER has been implemented since June 2015.

Main outcome measures

The immediate change of AMI and stroke hospital admissions and the annual change in the secular trend.

Results

There was a secular increase trend for the crude hospital admission rates of AMI and stroke during the observational period. After implementation of the policy, immediate reductions were observed in the hospital admissions for both AMI (−5.4%, 95% CI −10.0% to −0.5%) and stroke (−5.6%, 95% CI −7.8% to −3.3%). In addition, the secular increase trend for stroke was slowed down by −15.3% (95% CI −16.7% to −13.9%) annually. Compared with the hypothetical scenario where the policy had not taken place, an estimated 18 137 (26.7%) stroke hospital admissions had been averted during the 25 months of postpolicy period.

Conclusions

The results indicated significant health benefits on cardiovascular morbidity after the Beijing tobacco control policy package, which highlighted the importance for a comprehensive tobacco control policy at the national level in China. Similar tobacco control policy which consists of all components of MPOWER is urgently needed in other areas, especially in settings with high tobacco consumption, to achieve greater public health gains.
Fisher information and Shannon entropy calculations for two-electron systems
Authors: Nasser Ibraheem , Abdel-Hady Afaf
Published: July 2020

Fisher information is calculated for the ground state of He-isoelectronic series, in position ([Formula: see text]) space. The results are given and discussed as a function of the nuclear charge (Z) and the screening parameter (λ) in the case study of Yukawa potential. Simple and explicit one-, two-, and three-correlated terms of Hylleraas wave function are used to focus on extracting the most characteristic physical features of the results. The numerical values of Fisher information are given in 1- and 2-electron charge densities, and their ratio of 2- to 1-electron densities results are defined and analyzed. To enable a comparison with others, the Fisher–Shannon information products, which measure the electron–electron correlation strength, are calculated in 1-electron density. The calculations of Fisher information, the ratio, and the Shannon-information products for two-electron systems in the presence of Yukawa potential are carried out for the first time in this study.
CO474 corn inbred line
Authors: Kebede A.Z. , Reid L.M. , Voloaca C. , De Schiffart R. , Wu J. , Woldemariam T. , Jindal K.K. , Zhu X.
Published: July 2020

CO474 is a mostly Stiff Stalk (BSSS), yellow, semi-dent inbred with early-medium maturity (75 d to flowering). It has moderate resistance to eyespot and rust and intermediate reactions to Fusarium stalk rot, northern leaf blight, and goss’s wilt. This inbred combines well with several testers in many different locations.
Mechanics of isolated horizons in scalar-tensor theories
Authors: Song Shupeng , Ma Yongge
Published: July 2020

Based on the first-order action for scalar-tensor theories with the Immirzi parameter, the symplectic form for the spacetimes admitting a weakly isolated horizon as internal boundary is derived by the covariant phase space approach. The first law of thermodynamics for the weakly isolated horizons with rotational symmetry is obtained. It turns out that the Immirzi parameter appears in the expression of the angular momentum of isolated horizon, and the scalar field contributes to the horizon entropy.
HIGH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BUT LOW CORPORATE MATERNITY RESPONSIBILITY: KOREAN EVIDENCE
Authors: JUNG HANNA , CHO JOONMO
Published: July 2020

This study analyzes the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and maternity protection using Korean firm-level data. The result shows that companies with good CSR evaluation is negatively related to reinstatement rate after parental leave. It was also revealed that industries with low relevance to female workers or consumer issues and firms with good corporate governance indicators is negatively related to maternity protection. Firms are attracted to external social issues, rather than internal labor standards, such as parental leave. This study examined various causes that lead to these results.
Interactions and oscillations of coherent flavor eigenstates in beta decay
Authors: Lee Cheng-Yang
Published: July 2020

The theory pioneered by Blasone and Vitiello describes massive neutrinos as generalized coherent flavor eigenstates within the extended Standard Model. In this paper, we compute the neutron [Formula: see text] decay spectrum for the Blasone–Vitiello theory in a model with two neutrinos. For relativistic neutrinos, the obtained spectrum is in agreement with the Standard Model. However, there are discrepancies when the kinetic energy of the electron is close to the end point energy. The possibility of measuring the discrepancies in future experiments is discussed.
Refined Chern–Simons theory in genus two
Authors: Arthamonov S. , Shakirov Sh.
Published: July 2020

Reshetikhin–Turaev (a.k.a. Chern–Simons) TQFT is a functor that associates vector spaces to two-dimensional genus [Formula: see text] surfaces and linear operators to automorphisms of surfaces. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that there exists a Macdonald [Formula: see text]-deformation — refinement — of these operators that preserves the defining relations of the mapping class groups beyond genus 1. For this, we explicitly construct the refined TQFT representation of the genus 2 mapping class group in the case of rank one TQFT. This is a direct generalization of the original genus 1 construction of arXiv:1105.5117 opening a question that if it extends to any genus. Our construction is built upon a [Formula: see text]-deformation of the square of [Formula: see text]-6[Formula: see text] symbol of [Formula: see text], which we define using the Macdonald version of Fourier duality. This allows to compute the refined Jones polynomial for arbitrary knots in genus 2. In contrast with genus 1, the refined Jones polynomial in genus 2 does not appear to agree with the Poincare polynomial of the triply graded HOMFLY knot homology.
A multiple group rack and oriented spatial surfaces
Authors: Ishii Atsushi , Matsuzaki Shosaku , Murao Tomo
Published: July 2020

A spatial surface is a compact surface embedded in the [Formula: see text]-sphere. In this paper, we provide several typical examples of spatial surfaces and construct a coloring invariant to distinguish them. The coloring is defined by using a multiple group rack, which is a rack version of a multiple conjugation quandle.
2-Knot homology and Yoshikawa move
Authors: Matsuda Hiroshi
Published: July 2020

Ng constructed an invariant of knots in [Formula: see text], a combinatorial knot contact homology. Extending his study, we construct an invariant of surface-knots in [Formula: see text] using marked graph diagrams.
Finite-dimensional Nichols algebras over dual Radford algebras
Authors: Márquez O. , Bagio D. , Giraldi J. M. J. , García G. A.
Published: July 2020

For [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the dual of the Radford algebra of dimension [Formula: see text]. We present new finite-dimensional Nichols algebras arising from the study of simple Yetter–Drinfeld modules over [Formula: see text]. Along the way, we describe the simple objects in [Formula: see text] and their projective envelopes. Then we determine those simple modules that give rise to finite-dimensional Nichols algebras for the case [Formula: see text]. There are 18 possible cases. We present by generators and relations, the corresponding Nichols algebras on five of these eighteen cases. As an application, we characterize finite-dimensional Nichols algebras over indecomposable modules for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], which recovers some results of the second and third author in the former case, and of Xiong in the latter.

Cualquier destino, por largo y complicado que sea, consta en realidad de un solo momento: el momento en que el hombre sabe para siempre quién es.

Jorge Luis Borges
Examples of liftings of modular and unidentified type: 𝔲𝔣𝔬(7,8) and 𝔟𝔯(2,a)
Authors: García Iglesias Agustín , Pacheco Rodríguez Edwin
Published: July 2020

We compute all liftings of braidings of unidentified types [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Some of these examples had been previously computed by Helbig. We also present a list of examples of liftings of modular type [Formula: see text].

Watching a coast as it slips by the ship is like thinking about an enigma. There it is before you, smiling, frowning, inviting, grand, mean, insipid, or savage, and always mute with an air of whispering, “Come and find out”.

CONRAD
Local Price uncertainty principle and time-frequency localization operators for the Hankel–Stockwell transform
Authors: Hamadi Nadia Ben , Hafirassou Zineb
Published: July 2020

For the Hankel–Stockwell transform, the Price uncertainty principle is proved, we define the Localization operators and we study their boundedness and compactness. We also show that these operators belong to the so-called Schatten–von Neumann class.
PV criticality of Achucarro–Ortiz black hole in the presence of higher-order quantum and GUP corrections
Authors: Pourhassan Behnam , Övgün Ali , Sakallı İzzet
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we study the quantum-corrected and generalizedf uncertinty principle (GUP)-corrected thermodynamics of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional charged-rotating Achucarro–Ortiz (AO) black hole. The corrected parameters include temperature, entropy, and heat capacity which help to investigate the instability phases of the Achucarro–Ortiz black hole. We show that this black hole with small mass possesses unstable regions. However, we reveal that those instabilities can be removed by the GUP corrections. Finally, we also compute the maximum temperature that can be reached by the Achucarro–Ortiz black hole. We show that corrected temperatures by different methods we used are identical at the small mass limit, hence GUP correction at small mass limit is a quantum gravity correction. Interestingly, we show by graphical analysis that leading-order quantum-corrected temperature of the Achucarro–Ortiz black hole behaves similar to the GUP-corrected temperature of uncharged Achucarro–Ortiz black hole.
The Neumann problem of Hessian quotient equations
Authors: Chen Chuanqiang , Zhang Dekai
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we obtain some important inequalities of Hessian quotient operators, and global [Formula: see text] estimates of the Neumann problem of Hessian quotient equations. By the method of continuity, we establish the existence theorem of [Formula: see text]-admissible solutions of the Neumann problem of Hessian quotient equations.
A Method to Find an Appropriate Input Motion Using a Given Motion on Ground Surface
Authors: Morikawa Hitoshi , Iiyama Kahori
Published: July 2020

Some seismic design codes require to determine earthquake motions at ground surface, although we need sometimes a motion at engineering basement of ground. For example, it is necessary for optimal design of structures to introduce effects of soil-structure interaction and to input ground motions to engineering basement, which should satisfy the motions at surface required by a design code. This is simplified as a problem to find a possible input signal of a known non-linear-single-input and single-output (SISO) system with a given output signal. This study proposes a very simple algorithm to find a possible input signal for a known SISO system satisfying a given output signal from the system. The proposed algorithm searches for a possible input signal, whose system response is similar in shape to the given output signal, without any system identifications. Thus, it is not an inversion technique; it is an algorithm used to search for one of the possible input signals. Herein, the proposed algorithm is described and its performance is demonstrated using numerical examples.
The short wave near-infrared fluorescence properties of two p-azaquinodimethane (p-AQM)-based conjugated polymers
Authors: Zhu Yaowei , Miao Yawei , Xue Tingting , Liu Youchang , Zheng Chunying , Ma Jiping , Tan Weiqiang , Wen Shuguang , Gu Chuantao
Published: July 2020

The absorption, scattering, and autofluorescence of biological tissues in short-wave infrared region (SWIR, 900–1700[Formula: see text]nm) are relatively low, so SWIR fluorescence usually has deeper penetration into living tissues, and can show a higher signal-to-noise ratio when used for imaging in vivo. However, there are few types of organic SWIR fluorescent materials currently. In this work, [Formula: see text]-azaquinodimethane ([Formula: see text]-AQM) with a quinoid structure is used as the acceptor unit, and carbazole or fluorene with sp3 hybridization are used as the donor units, two conjugated polymers were synthesized. The quinone structure is conducive to the redshift of absorption and fluorescence spectra, and the sp3 hybridization structure is conducive to weakening the aggregation quenching of polymer fluorescence. PF and PCz exhibited absorption peaks of 492[Formula: see text]nm and 508[Formula: see text]nm, respectively. The emission peaks of the two polymers are 920[Formula: see text]nm and 950[Formula: see text]nm, respectively, both in the short-wave near infrared region. The quantum yield (QY) of PF and PCz is 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively.
Some fixed point theorems on generalized asymmetric metric spaces
Authors: Piri Hossein , Rahrovi Samira , Zarghami Ramazan
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we introduce the concept of generalized asymmetric metric spaces and we prove some fixed point theorems in the setting of this metric spaces and also some illustrative examples are given. The presented results generalize and improve several results of the topics in the literature.
A lower bound on the total vertex-edge domination number of a tree
Authors: Senthilkumar B. , Naresh Kumar H. , Venkatakrishnan Y. B.
Published: July 2020

A vertex [Formula: see text] of a graph [Formula: see text] is said to vertex-edge dominate every edge incident to [Formula: see text], as well as every edge adjacent to these incident edges. A subset [Formula: see text] is a vertex-edge dominating set (ve-dominating set) if every edge of [Formula: see text] is vertex-edge dominated by at least one vertex of [Formula: see text]. A vertex-edge dominating set is said to be total if its induced subgraph has no isolated vertices. The minimum cardinality of a total vertex-edge dominating set of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is called the total vertex-edge domination number of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we prove that for every nontrivial tree of order [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] leaves and [Formula: see text] support vertices we have [Formula: see text], and we characterize extremal trees attaining the lower bound.
Pannotia: in defence of its existence and geodynamic significance
Authors: Murphy J. Brendan , Nance R. Damian , Cawood Peter A. , Collins William J. , Dan Wei , Doucet Luc S. , Heron Philip J. , Li Zheng-Xiang , Mitchell Ross N. , Pisarevsky Sergei , Pufahl Peir K. , Quesada Cecilio , Spencer Christopher J. , Strachan Rob A. , Wu Lei
Published: July 2020

The status of Pannotia as an Ediacaran supercontinent, or even its mere existence as a coherent large landmass, is controversial. The effect of its hypothesized amalgamation is generally ignored in mantle convection models claiming the transition from Rodinia to Pangaea represents a single supercontinent cycle. We apply three geodynamic scenarios to Pannotia amalgamation that are tested using regional geology. Scenarios involving quasi-stationary mantle convection patterns are not supported by the geological record. A scenario involving feedback between the supercontinent cycle and global mantle convection patterns predicts upwellings beneath the Gondwanan portion of Pannotia and the arrival of plumes along the entire Gondwanan (but not Laurentian) margin beginning at
c.
0.6 Ga. Such a scenario is compatible with regional geology, but the candidates for plume magmatism we propose require testing by detailed geochemical and isotopic studies. If verified, this scenario could provide geodynamic explanations for the origins of the late Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic Iapetus and Rheic oceans and the terranes that were repeatedly detached from their margins.
Locomotor patterns during obstacle avoidance in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Cappellini G. , Sylos-Labini F. , MacLellan M. J. , Assenza C. , Libernini L. , Morelli D. , Lacquaniti F. , Ivanenko Y.
Published: July 2020

Previous studies mainly evaluated the neuromuscular pattern generation in cerebral palsy (CP) during unobstructed gait. Here we characterized impairments in the obstacle task performance associated with a limited adaptation of the task-relevant muscle module timed to the foot lift during obstacle crossing. Impaired task performance in children with CP may reflect basic developmental deficits in the adaptable control of gait when the locomotor task is superimposed with the voluntary movement.
Physiological characterization of a rare subpopulation of doublet-spiking neurons in the ferret lateral geniculate nucleus
Authors: Murphy Allison J. , Hasse J. Michael , Briggs Farran
Published: July 2020

Interest in visual system homologies across species has recently increased. Across species, retinas contain diverse retinal ganglion cells including cells with unusual visual response properties. It is unclear whether rare retinal ganglion cells in carnivores project to and drive similarly unique visual responses in the visual thalamus. We discovered a rare subpopulation of thalamic neurons defined by unique spike shape and visual response properties, suggesting that nonstandard visual computations are common to many species.