bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Machine Learning Tools to Predict Compressor Stall
Authors: Hipple Samuel M. , Bonilla-Alvarado Harry , Pezzini Paolo , Shadle Lawrence , Bryden Kenneth M.
Published: February 2020

Clean energy has become an increasingly important consideration in today’s power systems. As the push for clean energy continues, many coal-fired power plants are being decommissioned in favor of renewable power sources such as wind and solar. However, the intermittent nature of renewables means that dynamic load following traditional power systems is crucial to grid stability. With high flexibility and fast response at a wide range of operating conditions, gas turbine systems are poised to become the main load following component in the power grid. Yet, rapid changes in load can lead to fluid flow instabilities in gas turbine power systems. These instabilities often lead to compressor surge and stall, which are some of the most critical problems facing the safe and efficient operation of compressors in turbomachinery today. Although the topic of compressor surge and stall has been extensively researched, no methods for early prediction have been proven effective. This study explores the utilization of machine learning tools to predict compressor stall. The long short-term memory (LSTM) model, a form of recurrent neural network (RNN), was trained using real compressor stall datasets from a 100 kW recuperated gas turbine power system designed for hybrid configuration. Two variations of the LSTM model, classification and regression, were tested to determine optimal performance. The regression scheme was determined to be the most accurate approach, and a tool for predicting compressor stall was developed using this configuration. Results show that the tool is capable of predicting stalls 5–20 ms before they occur. With a high-speed controller capable of 5 ms time-steps, mitigating action could be taken to prevent compressor stall before it occurs.
Tip-induced deformation of polystyrene latex reference nanoparticles in atomic force microscopy
Authors: Farkas Natalia , Kramar John A.
Published: February 2020

The measurement approach typically prescribed for sizing polystyrene latex (PSL) reference nanoparticles by atomic force microscopy (AFM) is based on a single value of the height obtained from a three-dimensional image of the particle. A major challenge is that PSLs reportedly deform during sample preparation as well as imaging. While the particle-substrate deformation is controlled by adhesive contact forces, the tip-induced deformation may vary to a large degree depending on the operational conditions and the geometrical constraints imposed by the instrument. In this paper, the authors are mainly concerned with the effect of cantilever tilt, tip shape, and setpoint voltage on tip-induced deformation of PSL reference nanoparticles. Tips are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and using a multilayer Si/SiO2 tip characterizer. The authors find that the plastic flow of materials, induced by the asymmetric imaging geometry, shifts the position of the maximum particle height away from the center. This shape-change often leads to an initial height increase for PSLs that are smaller than 40 nm. Since AFM height analysis algorithms often equate apparent particle height with the highest measured point of the particle, these results have implications from the perspective of AFM-based nanoparticle metrology.
Generation and Evaluation of a Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis Capsular Mutant
Authors: Eberle Kirsten C. , Hau Samantha J. , Luan Shi-Lu , Weinert Lucy A. , Stasko Judith A. , Wang Jinhong , Peters Sarah E. , Langford Paul R. , Rycroft Andrew N. , Wren Brendan W. , Maskell Duncan J. , Tucker Alexander W. , Brockmeier Susan L.
Published: February 2020

Glaesserella
(
Haemophilus
)
parasuis
is a commensal bacterium of the upper respiratory tract in pigs and also the causative agent of Glässer’s disease, which causes significant morbidity and mortality in pigs worldwide. Isolates are characterized into 15 serovars by their capsular polysaccharide, which has shown a correlation with isolate pathogenicity. To investigate the role the capsule plays in
G. parasuis
virulence and host interaction, a capsule mutant of the serovar 5 strain HS069 was generated (HS069Δcap) through allelic exchange following natural transformation.
Trypanosoma brucei RAP1 Has Essential Functional Domains That Are Required for Different Protein Interactions
Authors: Afrin Marjia , Kishmiri Hanadi , Sandhu Ranjodh , Rabbani M. A. G. , Li Bibo
Published: February 2020

Trypanosoma bruceicauses human African trypanosomiasis and regularly switches its major surface antigen, VSG, to evade the host immune response. VSGs are expressed from subtelomeres in a monoallelic fashion.TbRAP1, a telomere protein, is essential for cell viability and VSG monoallelic expression and suppresses VSG switching. AlthoughTbRAP1 has conserved functional domains in common with its orthologs from yeasts to mammals, the domain functions are unknown. RAP1 orthologs have pleiotropic functions, and interaction with different partners is an important means by which RAP1 executes its different roles. We have established a Cre-loxP-mediated conditional knockout system forTbRAP1 and examined the roles of various functional domains in protein expression, nuclear localization, and protein-protein interactions. This system enables further studies ofTbRAP1 point mutation phenotypes. We have also determined functional domains ofTbRAP1 that are required for several different protein interactions, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms ofTbRAP1-mediated VSG silencing.
mSphere of Influence: a Controlled Burn—Pathogen Manipulation of the Dynamic Chemistry That Results from Inflammation
Authors: Hammer Neal D.
Published: February 2020

Neal Hammer works in the field of bacterial pathogenesis, metabolism, and antibiotic resistance. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how “Gut inflammation provides a respiratory electron acceptor for
Salmonella
” by Winter and colleagues (S. E. Winter, P. Thiennimitr, M. G. Winter, B. P. Butler, et al., Nature 467:426–429, 2010,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09415
) made an impact on him by demonstrating that
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhimurium metabolism is uniquely suited to exploit the chemical by-products that result from the host’s inflammatory response.
Discriminating glaucomatous and compressive optic neuropathy on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with deep learning classifier
Authors: Lee Jinho , Kim Jin-Soo , Lee Haeng Jin , Kim Seong-Joon , Kim Young Kook , Park Ki Ho , Jeoung Jin Wook
Published: February 2020

Background/aims

To assess the performance of a deep learning classifier for differentiation of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) from compressive optic neuropathy (CON) based on ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods

Eighty SD-OCT image sets from 80 eyes of 80 patients with GON along with 81 SD-OCT image sets from 54 eyes of 54 patients with CON were compiled for the study. The bottleneck features extracted from the GCIPL thickness map, GCIPL deviation map, RNFL thickness map and RNFL deviation map were used as predictors for the deep learning classifier. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to validate the diagnostic performance. The AUC with the deep learning classifier was compared with those for conventional diagnostic parameters including temporal raphe sign, SD-OCT thickness profile and standard automated perimetry.

Results

The deep learning system achieved an AUC of 0.990 (95% CI 0.982 to 0.999) with a sensitivity of 97.9% and a specificity of 92.6% in a fivefold cross-validation testing, which was significantly larger than the AUCs with the other parameters: 0.804 (95% CI 0.737 to 0.872) with temporal raphe sign, 0.815 (95% CI 0.734 to 0.896) with superonasal GCIPL and 0.776 (95% CI 0.691 to 0.860) with superior GCIPL thicknesses (all p<0.001).

Conclusion

The deep learning classifier can outperform the conventional diagnostic parameters for discrimination of GON and CON on SD-OCT.
Association of renal function with retinal vessel density in patients with type 2 diabetes by using swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography
Authors: Wang Wei , He Miao , Gong Xia , Wang Lanhua , Meng Jie , Li Yuting , Xiong Kun , Li Wangting , Huang Wenyong
Published: February 2020

Aims

To investigate the relationship between retinal vessel density and renal function in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) using non-invasive optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA).

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study recruited ocular-treatment-naïve patients with DM registered in the community of Guangzhou, China. The retinal vessel density of the superficial capillary plexus in the macula was obtained by using swept-source OCTA imaging. The Xiangya equation was used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR). Participants were divided into the following groups by eGFR: no chronic kidney disease (non-CKD), mild CKD and moderate-to-severe CKD (MS-CKD).

Results

A total of 874 patients with DM (874 eyes), with a mean age of 64.8±7.1 years, were included in the final analysis. The vessel density was significantly lower in patients with CKD than in non-CKD patients in a dose–response pattern, with a parafoveal vessel density of 49.1%±2.1% in non-CKD, 48.4%±1.9% in mild CKD and 47.2%±1.7% in MS-CKD (p<0.001). The sparser retinal capillaries were related to lower eGFR (β=0.037; 95% CI 0.025 to 0.049; p<0.001) and higher microalbuminuria (β = –0.023; 95% CI –0.039 to –0.008; p=0.002). The eGRF was independently associated with parafoveal vessel density (β=0.029; 95% CI 0.016 to 0.042; p<0.001), even after adjusting for other factors.

Conclusion

Retinal vessel density decreased with renal function impairment, underlining the potential value of OCTA to detect early microvascular damage in the kidney in patients with diabetes.
Effect of dose and duration of reduction in dietary sodium on blood pressure levels: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials
Authors: Huang Liping , Trieu Kathy , Yoshimura Sohei , Neal Bruce , Woodward Mark , Campbell Norm R C , Li Qiang , Lackland Daniel T , Leung Alexander A , Anderson Cheryl A M , MacGregor Graham A , He Feng J
Published: February 2020

Objective

To examine the dose-response relation between reduction in dietary sodium and blood pressure change and to explore the impact of intervention duration.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines.

Data sources

Ovid MEDLINE(R), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Wiley) and reference lists of relevant articles up to 21 January 2019.

Inclusion criteria

Randomised trials comparing different levels of sodium intake undertaken among adult populations with estimates of intake made using 24 hour urinary sodium excretion.

Data extraction and analysis

Two of three reviewers screened the records independently for eligibility. One reviewer extracted all data and the other two reviewed the data for accuracy. Reviewers performed random effects meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and meta-regression.

Results

133 studies with 12 197 participants were included. The mean reductions (reduced sodiumvusual sodium) of 24 hour urinary sodium, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 130 mmol (95% confidence interval 115 to 145, P<0.001), 4.26 mm Hg (3.62 to 4.89, P<0.001), and 2.07 mm Hg (1.67 to 2.48, P<0.001), respectively. Each 50 mmol reduction in 24 hour sodium excretion was associated with a 1.10 mm Hg (0.66 to 1.54; P<0.001) reduction in SBP and a 0.33 mm Hg (0.04 to 0.63; P=0.03) reduction in DBP. Reductions in blood pressure were observed in diverse population subsets examined, including hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals. For the same reduction in 24 hour urinary sodium there was greater SBP reduction in older people, non-white populations, and those with higher baseline SBP levels. In trials of less than 15 days’ duration, each 50 mmol reduction in 24 hour urinary sodium excretion was associated with a 1.05 mm Hg (0.40 to 1.70; P=0.002) SBP fall, less than half the effect observed in studies of longer duration (2.13 mm Hg; 0.85 to 3.40; P=0.002). Otherwise, there was no association between trial duration and SBP reduction.

Conclusions

The magnitude of blood pressure lowering achieved with sodium reduction showed a dose-response relation and was greater for older populations, non-white populations, and those with higher blood pressure. Short term studies underestimate the effect of sodium reduction on blood pressure.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019140812.
Japanese radio calisthenics prevents the reduction of skeletal muscle mass volume in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kimura Tomonori , Okamura Takuro , Iwai Keiko , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Senmaru Takafumi , Ushigome Emi , Hamaguchi Masahide , Asano Mai , Yamazaki Masahiro , Fukui Michiaki
Published: February 2020

Objective

Reduction of muscle mass and strength is an important treatment target for patients with type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have reported that high-intensity resistance training improves physical function; however, all patients found it difficult to perform high-intensity resistance training. Radio calisthenics, considered as therapeutic exercises to promote health in Japan, are simple exercises that can be performed regardless of age and help move the muscles and joints of the whole body effectively according to the rhythm of radio. We investigated the efficacy of radio calisthenics for muscle mass in patients with type 2 diabetes in this retrospective cohort study.

Research design and methods

A total of 42 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI, kg/m2) was calculated as appendicular muscle mass (kg) divided by height squared (m2). We defined the change of SMI as the difference of SMI between the beginning and end of hospitalization.

Results

Among 42 patients, 15 (11 men and 4 women) performed radio calisthenics. Body weights of both radio calisthenics exercisers and non-exercisers decreased during hospitalization. The change of SMI was significantly lesser in radio calisthenics exercisers than in non-exercisers (7.1±1.4 to 7.1±1.3, –0.01±0.09 vs 6.8±1.1 to 6.5±1.2, –0.27±0.06 kg/m2, p=0.016). The proportion of decreased SMI was 85.2% (23/27 patients) in non-radio calisthenics exercisers, whereas that in radio calisthenics exercisers was 46.7% (7/15 patients).

Conclusions

Radio calisthenics prevent the reduction of skeletal muscle mass. Thus, radio calisthenics can be considered effective for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Breakfast skipping is associated with persistently increased arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mita Tomoya , Osonoi Yusuke , Osonoi Takeshi , Saito Miyoko , Nakayama Shiho , Someya Yuki , Ishida Hidenori , Gosho Masahiko , Watada Hirotaka
Published: February 2020

Objective

While certain lifestyle habits may be associated with arterial stiffness, there is limited literature investigating the relationship between lifestyle habits and longitudinal changes in arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This is an exploratory study to determine whether lifestyle habits, in addition to conventional atherosclerotic risk factors, are associated with increased arterial stiffness.

Research design and methods

The study participants comprised 734 Japanese outpatients with T2DM and no history of apparent cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle habits were analyzed using self-reported questionnaires, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured at baseline, and at years 2 and 5. A multivariable linear mixed-effects model was used to determine the predictive value of lifestyle habits and possible atherosclerotic risk factors for longitudinal change in baPWV.

Results

Over 5 years of follow-up, baPWV values significantly increased. In a multivariable linear mixed-effects model that adjusted for age and gender, a low frequency of breakfast intake was significantly associated with persistently high baPWV, independently of other lifestyle habits. Furthermore, in a multivariable linear mixed-effects model that included both lifestyle habits and possible atherosclerotic risk factors, a low frequency of breakfast intake remained the only independent predictive factor for persistently high baPWV. Subjects who ate breakfast less frequently tended to have additional unhealthy lifestyle habits and atherosclerotic risk factors.

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that breakfast skipping is an independent lifestyle habit that is associated with persistently increased arterial stiffness in patients with T2DM.

Trial registration number

UMIN000010932.
Enhancing teamwork communication and patient safety responsiveness in a paediatric intensive care unit using the daily safety huddle tool
Authors: Aldawood Fatima , Kazzaz Yasser , AlShehri Ali , Alali Hamza , Al-Surimi Khaled
Published: February 2020

Background

Open communication between leadership and frontline staff at the unit level is vital in promoting safe hospital culture. Our hospital staff culture survey identified the failure to address safety issues as one of the areas where staff felt unable to express their concerns openly. Thus, this improvement project using the daily safety huddle tool has been developed to enhance teamwork communication and respond effectively to patient safety issues identified in a paediatric intensive care unit.

Methods

We used the TeamSTEPPS quality approach. TeamSTEPPS is an evidence-based set of teamwork tools developed by the US Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality to enhance teamwork and communication. We applied TeamSTEPPS using a tool called the Daily Safety Huddle, aiming at improving communication and interaction between healthcare workers and building trust by acting immediately when there is any patient safety issue or concern at the unit level.

Results

During the period from April to December 2017, the interaction between frontline staff and unit leadership increased through compliance with the daily safety huddle. Initially, compliance was at 73%, but it increased to 97%, with a total of 340 safety issues addressed. The majority of these safety issues pertained to infection control and medication errors (109; 32.05%), followed by communication (83; 24.41%), documentation (59; 17.35%), other issues (37; 10.88%), procedure (20; 5.88%), patient flow (16; 4.7%) and equipment and supplies (16; 4.7%).

Conclusions

Systematic use of daily safety huddle is a powerful tool to create an equitable environment where frontline staff can speak up freely about daily patient safety concerns. The huddle leads to a more open and active discussion with unit leadership and to the ability to perform the right action at the right time.
Reducing overutilisation of serum vitamin D testing at a tertiary care centre
Authors: Tai Felicia , Chin-Yee Ian , Gob Alan , Bhayana Vipin , Rutledge Angela
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Testing of 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D serum levels has increased drastically in recent years and much of it is considered inappropriate based on current guidelines.

Methods

In consultation with our physician groups (experts and frequent orderers), we modified existing guidelines and implemented a rational policy for 25-OH vitamin D testing and 1,25 dihydroxy (1,25 di-OH) vitamin D testing at a tertiary care centre. A computer decision support tool requiring selection of one of five acceptable testing indications was created for each test as part of a computerised physician order entry system.

Results

As a result of our intervention, we observed a 27% decrease in the average monthly test volume for 25-OH vitamin D from 504±62 (mean±SD) tests per month to 370±33 (p<0.001). 1,25 di-OH vitamin D testing decreased 58% from 71±18 to 30±10 (p<0.001). The departments ordering the tests were similar during the preintervention and postintervention periods, and further audits, patient chart reviews and individualised physician feedback were required to ensure appropriate ordering of 1,25 di-OH vitamin D. The most common ordering reasons selected were malabsorption/dietary concerns (46%) for 25-OH vitamin D and renal failure (42%) for 1,25 di-OH vitamin D.

Conclusions

Limitations of our computer decision support tool include a dependence on an honour system in selecting the testing indication and an inability to limit ordering frequency. Periodic monitoring of test volumes will be required to ensure adherence to guidelines. Despite these limitations, we have improved appropriate utilisation of these tests and reduced costs by approximately $C60 375 per year.
Effectiveness of return to activity and return to school protocols for children postconcussion: a systematic review
Authors: DeMatteo Carol , Bednar E Dimitra , Randall Sarah , Falla Katie
Published: February 2020

Objective

To determine the effects of following return to activity (RTA) and return to school (RTS) protocols on clinical outcomes for children with concussion. The 12 subquestions of this review focus on the effectiveness of protocols, guidelines and recommendations, and the evidence supporting content of the protocols including rest, exercise and school accommodations.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC and manual reference list check.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Studies were included if they evaluated RTA or RTS protocols in children aged 5–18 years with a concussion or if they reported a rigorous study design that provided evidence for the recommendations. Included studies were original research or systematic reviews. Articles were excluded if they did not report on their methodology or included participants with significant neurological comorbidities.

Results

The literature search retrieved 198 non-duplicate articles and a total of 13 articles were included in this review. Despite the adoption of several RTS and RTA protocols in clinical practice there is little evidence to determine their efficacy in the paediatric population.

The current data support the recommendation that children in the acute stage postconcussion should undergo 1–2 days physical and cognitive rest as they initiate graduated RTA/RTS protocols. Prolonged rest may increase reported symptoms and time to recovery. Further interventional studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of RTA/RTS protocols in youth with concussion.
Mental health and psychological well-being among professional rugby league players from the UK
Authors: Nicholls Adam Robert , Madigan Daniel J , Fairs Lucas R W , Bailey Richard
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study aimed to measure depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and psychological well-being among a sample of Super League players, the highest tier of professional rugby league in the northern hemisphere.

Methods

Between November 2018 and July 2019, a sample of 233 Super League players completed questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and psychological well-being.

Results

Players exhibited normal (85.8%), mild (11.6%) or moderate/severe (2.6%) depressive symptoms. Additionally, players reported normal (67.4%), mild (18.9%) or moderate/severe (13.7%) anxiety symptoms. The mean psychological well-being score across the sample was 25.07 (SD=4.34). 35.2% of players scored below average for this construct.

Conclusion

The prevalence of mild depressive symptoms, moderate/severe depressive symptoms and mild anxiety symptoms among Super League players preliminary appear higher than in the general population from the UK. Much more research is needed to understand mental health among elite athletes.
The effect of receiving versus being denied an abortion on making and achieving aspirational 5-year life plans
Authors: McCarthy Molly A , Upadhyay Ushma , Ralph Lauren , Biggs M Antonia , Foster Diana Greene
Published: February 2020

Background

Popular support for access to abortion and contraceptive services is often based on the idea that they will help women determine the trajectory of their life course. This study examined whether receiving versus being denied an abortion affects aspirational life goal setting and attainment 5 years later.

Methods

We compared women who sought and were denied an abortion because they were 3 weeks beyond the gestational limit (‘Parenting-Turnaways’) to those who received an abortion in the first trimester (‘First-Trimesters’); received an abortion within 2 weeks of the facility’s gestational limit (‘Near-Limits’); and sought an abortion, were turned away and received an abortion elsewhere or placed their baby for adoption (‘Non-Parenting-Turnaways’). We used mixed effects logistic regression analyses to estimate the odds of setting an aspirational plan and to estimate the odds of both setting and achieving an aspirational 5-year plan.

Results

At 1 week post abortion-seeking, 791 women reported 1864 5-year plans, most of which were aspirational (n=1692, 91%). Parenting-Turnaways had lower odds of setting an aspirational 5-year plan than Near-Limits (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.73). There were no differences by group in achieving aspirational 5-year plans among those who had them.

Conclusions

Soon after abortion-seeking, women denied a wanted abortion were less optimistic about their long-term futures than women who received a wanted abortion. Abortion access can help women set positive long-term goals.
Optimum nutritional strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation (BACPR)
Authors: Butler Tom , Kerley Conor P , Altieri Nunzia , Alvarez Joe , Green Jane , Hinchliffe Julie , Stanford Dell , Paterson Katherine
Published: February 2020

Nutrition has a central role in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease yet only relatively recently has food been regarded as a treatment, rather than as an adjunct to established medical and pharmacotherapy. As a field of research, nutrition science is constantly evolving making it difficult for patients and practitioners to ascertain best practice. This is compounded further by the inherent difficulties in performing double-blind randomised controlled trials. This paper covers dietary patterns that are associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, including the Mediterranean Diet but also low-carbohydrate diets and the potential issues encountered with their implementation. We suggest there must be a refocus away from macronutrients and consideration of whole foods when advising individuals. This approach is fundamental to practice, as clinical guidelines have focused on macronutrients without necessarily considering their source, and ultimately people consume foods containing multiple nutrients. The inclusion of food-based recommendations aids the practitioner to help the patient make genuine and meaningful changes in their diet. We advocate that the cardioprotective diet constructed around the traditional Mediterranean eating pattern (based around vegetables and fruits, nuts, legumes, and unrefined cereals, with modest amounts of fish and shellfish, and fermented dairy products) is still important. However, there are other approaches that can be tried, including low-carbohydrate diets. We encourage practitioners to adopt a flexible dietary approach, being mindful of patient preferences and other comorbidities that may necessitate deviations away from established advice, and advocate for more dietitians in this field to guide the multi-professional team.
Association of Gout with Cad and Effect of Antigout Therapy on Cvd Risk among Gout Patients
Authors: Huang Wei-Shih , Lin Cheng-Li , Tsai Chon-Haw , Chang Kuang-Hsi
Published: February 2020

Hyperuricemia has been identified as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), with a dose-response association. In this study, we explored the causal association between gout and antigout medication and the risk of incidental CAD. We sampled data from the National Health Insurance Research Database and recruited 37,091 patients as the gout cohort, and 37,091 controls. Our primary endpoint was the diagnosis of CAD during follow-up. The overall study population was followed up until CAD diagnosis, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance program, or the end of the study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the effect of gout on the risk of CAD, represented by the HR with the 95% CI. Patients with gout were at greater risk of CAD, compared with those without gout: HR=1.49 after adjusting for potential confounders. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prednisolone use was associated with a reduced risk of CAD: HR=0.63 and 0.50, respectively. Patients with gout, treated with antigout medication, exhibited a reduced risk of CAD compared with non-gout patients. Among patients with gout, those on antigout therapy had 32% lower risk compared with those not on antigout therapy: adjusted HR=0.68, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.73. Gout increases the risk of CAD, and the use of antigout medication reduces CAD risk. These results indicate that gout or hyperuricemia is a modifiable risk factor for CAD.
CCL5-armed oncolytic virus augments CCR5-engineered NK cell infiltration and antitumor efficiency
Authors: Li Feng , Sheng Yuqiao , Hou Weizhou , Sampath Padma , Byrd Daniel , Thorne Stephen , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2020

Background

Natural killer (NK) cells have potent antitumor activities. Nevertheless, adoptive transfer therapy of NK cells has gained very limited success in patients with solid tumors as most infused NK cells remain circulating in the peripheral blood instead of entering tumor sites. Chemokines and their receptors play important roles in NK cell distribution. Enhancing chemokine receptors on immune cells to match and be driven to tumor-specific chemokines may improve the therapeutic efficacy of NK cells.

Methods

The CCR5-CCL5 axis is critical in NK cell homing to tumor sites. Thus, we analyzed CCR5 expression on NK cells from patients with cancer and healthy donors. We then upregulated CCR5 and CCL5 with lentiviruses and oncolytic viruses in NK and tumor cells, respectively. Animal experiments were also carried out to test the efficacy of the combination of oncolytic virus with NK cells.

Results

In NK cells from patients with various solid tumors or healthy subjects, CCR5 was expressed at low levels before and after expansion in vitro. CCR5-engineered NK cells showed enhanced tumor infiltration and antitumor effects, but no complete regressions were noted in the in vivo tumor models. To further improve therapeutic efficacy, we constructed CCL5-expressing oncolytic vaccinia virus. In vitro data demonstrated that vaccinia virus can produce CCL5 in tumor cells while infectivity remained unaffected. Supernatants from tumor cells infected by CCL5-modified vaccinia virus enhanced the directional movement of CCR5-overexpressed NK cells but not green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing cells. More importantly, NK cells were resistant to the vaccinia virus and their functions were not affected after being in contact. In vivo assays demonstrated that CCL5-expressing vaccinia virus induced a greater accumulation of NK cells within tumor lesions compared with that of the prototype virus.

Conclusion

Enhancement of matched chemokines and chemokine receptors is a promising method of increasing NK cell homing and therapeutic effects. Oncolytic vaccinia viruses that express specific chemokines can synergistically augment the efficacies of NK cell-based therapy.
Rituximab in AChR subtype of myasthenia gravis: systematic review
Authors: Di Stefano Vincenzo , Lupica Antonino , Rispoli Marianna Gabriella , Di Muzio Antonio , Brighina Filippo , Rodolico Carmelo
Published: February 2020

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction characterised by an autoantibody against acetylcholine receptor (AChR-Ab), autoantibody against muscle-specific kinase (MuSK-Ab), lipoprotein-related protein 4 or agrin in the postsynaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction. Many patients are resistant to conventional treatment and effective therapies are needed. Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 antigen on B cells which has been successfully employed in anti-MuSK-Ab+MG, but the efficacy in anti-AChR-Ab+MG is still debated. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the best evidence for RTX in the acetylcholine receptor subtype. The authors undertook a literature search during the period of 1999–2019 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analys methodology, employing (myasthenia)+(gravis)+(RTX) as search terms. The analysis was confined to studies that include at least five patients with confirmed anti-AChR-Ab+MG. Thirteen studies have been selected, showing a good safety. The data obtained were heterogeneous in terms of posology, administration scheme and patients’ evaluation, ranging from a minimum of two to a maximum of three cycles. RTX led to a sustained clinical improvement with prolonged time to relapse, in parallel to a reduction or discontinuation of other immunosuppressive therapies. Treatment with RTX appears to work in some but not all patients with anti-AChR-Ab+MG, but randomised controlled trials are needed. Future studies should take into account the subtype of MG and employ reliable measures of outcome and severity focusing on how to identify patients who may benefit from the treatment. Trial registration number: NCT02110706.
The ‘Expiry Problem’ of broad consent for biobank research - And why a meta consent model solves it
Authors: Ploug Thomas , Holm Søren
Published: February 2020

In this response to Neil Manson’s latest intervention in our debate about the best consent model for biobank research we show, contra Manson that the ‘expiry problem’ that affects broad consent models because of changes over time in methods, purposes, types of data used and governance structures is a real and significant problem. We further show that our preferred implementation of meta consent as a national consent platform solves this problem and is not subject to the cost and burden objections that Manson raises.
Evaluation of hepatitis B virus in clinical trials of baricitinib in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Harigai Masayoshi , Winthrop Kevin , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Hsieh Tsu-Yi , Chen Yi-Ming , Smolen Josef S , Burmester Gerd , Walls Chad , Wu Wen-Shuo , Dickson Christina , Liao Ran , Genovese Mark C
Published: February 2020

Background

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is a well-recognised complication in patients receiving disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Limited data exist on HBV reactivation among patients with RA treated with janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. The objective of the current study was to assess HBV reactivation in clinical trials of baricitinib, an oral selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor in RA.

Methods

Data were integrated from four completed Phase 3 trials and one ongoing long-term extension (data up to 1 April 2017) in patients naïve to DMARDs or who had inadequate response (IR) to DMARDs including methotrexate (MTX)-IR and/or other conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD)-IR, or tumour necrosis factor inhibitors-IR. Within the clinical programme, baricitinib-treated patients may have received concomitant csDMARDs including MTX, or previous treatment with active comparators including MTX or adalimumab + MTX. At screening, all patients were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), core antibody (HBcAb) and surface antibody (HBsAb). Patients were excluded if they had (1) HBsAg+, (2) HBcAb+/HBsAb− (in Japan, could enrol if HBV DNA−) or (3) HBsAb+ and HBV DNA+. HBV DNA monitoring, following randomisation in the originating Phase 3 studies, was performed in Japan for patients with HBcAb+ and/or HBsAb+ at screening, and was later instituted globally for HBcAb+ patients in accordance with evolving guidance for HBV monitoring and management with immunomodulatory therapy.

Results

In total, 2890 patients received at least one dose of baricitinib in Phase 3 (6993 patient-years exposure). Of 215 patients with baseline serology suggestive of prior HBV infection (HbcAb+) who received a post-baseline DNA test, 32 (14.9%) were HBV DNA+ at some point following treatment initiation; 8 of 215 patients (3.7%) had a single quantifiable result (≥29 IU/mL). Of these eight patients, four met the definition of reactivation of HBV (HBV DNA level ≥100 IU/mL); baricitinib was permanently discontinued in four patients, and temporarily interrupted in two patients. No patient developed clinical evidence of hepatitis and in five of eight patients, antiviral therapy was not used.

Conclusion

HBV reactivation can occur among RA patients treated with DMARDs, including baricitinib, with prior HBV exposure. Our data suggest that such patients should be monitored for HBV DNA during treatment and might be treated safely with the use of antiviral therapy as needed. The risk of HBV reactivation in patients with HBsAg treated with baricitinib is unknown.
Can blood serum amyloid A concentrations in horses differentiate synovial sepsis from extrasynovial inflammation and determine response to treatment?
Authors: Sinovich Matthew , Villarino Nicolas F , Singer Ellen , Robinson Claire S , Rubio-Martínez Luis M
Published: February 2020

Background

Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations in blood and synovial fluid of horses with synovial sepsis have diagnostic value. Studies suggest serial blood SAA measurements could act as a prognostic indicator. This study evaluated the use of serial blood SAA concentrations for monitoring of horses with synovial sepsis.

Methods

A prospective clinical trial was performed of horses referred to a single hospital with synovial sepsis that survived (n=17), synovial sepsis that were euthanised (n=5), non-septic intrasynovial pathologies (n=14) or extensive extrasynovial lacerations (n=5). SAA concentrations were determined on admission and every 24 hours thereafter. The area under the concentration–time curve from 0 to 144 hours of each group was compared by Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Dunn’s tests (P<0.05).

Results

Significant difference in mean blood concentration of SAA was found between synovial sepsis that survived and non-septic pathologies in the first 48 hours, as well as between non-septic intrasynovial pathologies and non-responsive sepsis requiring euthanasia. No difference was found between extensive extrasynovial lacerations and any septic group.

Conclusions

While serial blood SAA is useful for monitoring clinical response of intrasynovial septic pathologies, interpretation should consider other clinical findings since blood SAA is not a specific marker for synovial sepsis.
Self‐reported snake management practices among owners in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Howell Tiffani Josey , Warwick Clifford , Bennett Pauleen C
Published: February 2020

Background

A large number of snakes are kept as pets in Western societies. Few studies have been undertaken to assess keeping practices of snakes by private owners in Australia. Therefore, there is concern that some owners may not understand even basic husbandry requirements. The aim of this preliminary study was to identify the most common practices used by snake owners in Victoria, Australia.

Method

An online survey asked 251 snake owners to describe ways in which they attempt to meet their snake’s environmental, behavioural, dietary, social and health needs.

Results

Fewer than half of participants had an enclosure large enough for the snake to fully stretch out, and just over half had an enclosure large enough to meet the requirements in the Victorian Code of Practice. Only 60 per cent of owners correctly identified their snake’s activity patterns based on information about wild snakes of the same species.

Conclusion

Educational campaigns may help improve outcomes for snakes in the future, but more research is needed about captive snake husbandry, to provide an evidence base for informing snake management recommendations.
Spatial variation of soil quality indicators as a function of land use and topography
Authors: Kiani Mina , Hernandez-Ramirez Guillermo , Quideau Sylvie A.M.
Published: February 2020

Soil quality (SQ) indicators such as plant available water (PAW), soil organic carbon (SOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) can reveal agroecological functions; however, their spatial variabilities across contrasting land uses need to be better understood. This study examined the spatial variation of these key SQ indicators as a function of two land-use systems and using topography covariates. We sampled a total of 116 point locations in a native grassland (NG) site and an irrigated cultivated (IC) site located near Brooks, Alberta. Compared with NG, cultivation altered soil pore-size distribution by sharply reducing macroporosity by 25%. However, conditions in the IC soil supported greater accrual of microbial growth (MBC of 601 vs. 812 nmol phospholipid fatty acids g−1 soil) probably due to more availability of water and nutrients. Focusing on the effects of topography on SQ indicators, terrain elevation (by light detection and ranging) and estimated depth-to-water were found to be key controllers of SQ at the two land-use systems. Also, there were gradual increases in both SOC and MBC where estimated water table was deeper, and higher SOC also associated with lower elevation. A comparison of ordinary kriging and cokriging (coK) geostatistical mapping indicated that the coK method performed better as demonstrated by improvements in the accuracies of spatial estimations of PAW, SOC concentration, and MBC. Thus, implementing coK using the aforementioned topography covariates enhances the capability for predictive mapping of SQ, which is particularly useful when spatial data for key SQ indicators are sparse and challenging to measure.
Towards metric-affine quantum gravity
Authors: Percacci Roberto
Published: February 2020

I review here some motivations to consider a theory of gravity based on independent metric and connection, and its status as a quantum theory.
Vanishing theorems on Kähler Lie algebroids
Authors: Pirbodaghi Zahra , Rezaii Morteza Mirmohammad
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we extend the Hodge theory to complex Lie algebroids, introduce the Laplacian operators and decompose the cohomological groups with respect to these operators, and generalize Kähler and Nakano identities to Kähler Lie algebroids as well. Our main purpose is to extend Kodaira vanishing theorem to Kähler Lie algebroids.
A note on Jordan algebras, three generations and exceptional periodicity
Authors: Perelman Carlos Castro
Published: February 2020

It is shown that the algebra [Formula: see text] based on the complexified Exceptional Jordan, and the complex Clifford algebra in 4D, is rich enough to describe all the spinorial degrees of freedom of three generations of fermions in 4D, and include additional fermionic dark matter candidates. Furthermore, the model described in this paper can account also for the Standard Model gauge symmetries. We extend these results to the Magic Star algebras of Exceptional Periodicity developed by Marrani–Rios–Truini and based on the Vinberg cubic [Formula: see text] algebras which are generalizations of exceptional Jordan algebras. It is found that there is a one-to-one correspondence among the real spinorial degrees of freedom of four generations of fermions in 4D with the off-diagonal entries of the spinorial elements of the [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] of Vinberg matrices at level [Formula: see text]. These results can be generalized to higher levels [Formula: see text] leading to a higher number of generations beyond 4. Three [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] algebras and their conjugates [Formula: see text] were essential in the Magic Star construction of Exceptional Periodicity that extends the [Formula: see text] algebra to [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] integer.
k-prime and k-semiprime ideals of semirings
Authors: Purkait S. , Dutta T. K. , Kar S.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we study the notions of [Formula: see text]-prime and [Formula: see text]-semiprime ideals of semirings, [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-system and [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-system. We produce some properties and characterizations for [Formula: see text]-prime and [Formula: see text]-semiprime ideals of semirings in terms of [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-system and [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-system, respectively. We initiate the notion of prime semiring and semiprime semiring to set up characterizations for these two ideals of a semiring. The concept of power semiring associated to a semigroup is also studied in this paper.
Finite groups which are c-absolute central factor group and the union of Ac-centralizers
Authors: Alamshahi Esmat , Moghaddam Mohammad Reza R. , Saeedi Farshid
Published: February 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a group and [Formula: see text] be the [Formula: see text]-absolute center of [Formula: see text], that is, the set of all elements of [Formula: see text] fixed by all class preserving automorphisms of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we classify all finite groups [Formula: see text], whose [Formula: see text]-absolute central factors are isomorphic to the direct product of cyclic groups, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we consider finite groups which can be written as the union of centralizers of class preserving automorphisms and study the structure of [Formula: see text] for groups, in which the number of distinct centralizers of class preserving automorphisms is equal to 4 or 5.
Nil extensions of simple regular ordered semigroups
Authors: Bhuniya A. K. , Hansda K.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, nil extensions of simple regular ordered semigroups, left simple and right regular ordered semigroups, etc. have been characterized. Also, we describe the ordered semigroups which are complete semilattices of nil extensions of left simple and right regular ordered semigroups, left group like ordered semigroups, etc.