bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effect of the Combat Style Congruency on Performance and Fatigability in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kanthack Thiago Ferreira Dias , Guillot Aymeric , Simon Ismael , Di Rienzo Franck
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art emphasizing ground combat with multiple ramifications to self-defense and military training. Some Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes prefer fighting on their back (Guardadors), while others preferentially adopt a standing or kneeling position (Passadors). Whether the combat scenario leading to adopt a preferential or nonpreferential combat style influences the combat outcomes remains unexplored. Methods: In a counterbalanced design, 13 athletes performed simulated combats from either a congruent or incongruent scenario with regard to their preferred combat style. We collected combat scores from the official ranking system and measured upper- and lower-limb explosive performance before and after the combats, as well as the rating of perceived exertion and blood lactate concentrations to index fatigability. Results: Passadors had greater grip strength than Guardadors ( = .23, P = .03), whereas Guardadors showed higher lower-limb performance ( = .16, P = .05). When forced to combat as Passadors, Guardadors exhibited greater grip-strength impairment and a greater increase in perceived exertion ( = .12, P = .04; = .15, P = .05, respectively). They also had higher blood lactate concentrations ( = .19, P = .02). Conclusion: Guardadors exhibited greater fatigability after fighting from an incongruent combat situation compared to Passadors, presumably due to greater difficulties to adjust to the loss of initiative when restricted to a primarily defensive role. Future studies should examine how combat style congruency might affect performance and influence recovery strategies during high-level competitive events.
Clinical correlates of plasma insulin levels over the life course and association with incident type 2 diabetes: the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Lieb Wolfgang , de Oliveira Camila Maciel , Pan Stephanie , Echouffo-Tcheugui Justin Basile , Weber Katharina Susanne , Vasan Ramachandran S , Xanthakis Vanessa
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Insulin is a glucose-lowering hormone that affects carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. Limited data exist on the correlates of insulin levels over the life course in healthy community-dwelling individuals.

Research design and methods

Using multilevel modeling of multiple serial observations over 21 years, we assessed the longitudinal correlates of fasting insulin and the cross-sectional correlates of fasting and 2-hour (2h, post 75 g glucose challenge) plasma insulin concentrations in 2140 relatively healthy Framingham Heart Study participants without diabetes (61% women; mean age, 42 years). We used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression to relate glycemic markers (fasting and 2h-insulin, fasting glucose, 2h-glucose, and hemoglobin A1C) to the risk of type 2 diabetes during follow-up.

Results

Over the life course, fasting insulin concentrations were inversely associated with age, male sex, and physical activity, whereas waist circumference, the total/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio, and blood triglycerides were positively associated with insulin levels (p<0.005 for all). Male sex (inversely related) and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio (positively related) emerged as the most important cross-sectional correlates of 2h-insulin (p<0.005 for all). All markers were associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes (352 cases, median follow-up 18 years, p<0.001 for all).

Conclusions

We observed common and distinct correlates of fasting and 2h-insulin levels. Our findings highlight a potential role of insulin in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Furthermore, fasting and 2h-insulin are critical markers of future diabetes risk. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Anxiety and depression in Chinese patients with glaucoma and its correlations with vision-related quality of life and visual function indices: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wu Na , Kong Xiangmei , Sun Xinghuai
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate anxiety and depression in patients with glaucoma and its correlations with vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) and visual function indices.

Design

A hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

Setting

Shanghai, China

Participants

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) were administered to 446 Chinese patients with glaucoma to assess their psychological disorders, namely anxiety and depression, and VR-QoL, respectively.

Outcome measures

Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected at the same time. Multivariate linear regression analysis was carried out to investigate the associations between VR-QoL, visual function indices and psychological disorders. Standardised partial regression analysis was used to identify the variable mostly indicative in evaluating psychological burdens.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in Chinese patients with glaucoma was 12.11% and 25.78%, respectively. Most of the subscales and the composite score of NEI VFQ-25 were negatively associated with each parameter of anxiety and depression after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. For visual function indices, only the best-corrected visual acuity of both eyes was correlated with anxiety after adjustment. Standardised partial regression analysis further showed VR-QoL, but not the objective visual function indices, was mostly relevant to psychological disturbances.

Conclusions

Anxiety and depression were common in Chinese patients with glaucoma. Self-reported VR-QoL was beneficial in assessing psychological status of patients with glaucoma, while objective visual function indices provide little hint on it.
Efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transfusion for the treatment of severe AKI: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yang Yuanjun , Gao Jianjun , Wang Siyang , Wang Wenjuan , Zhu Fang-Lei , Wang Xiaolong , Liang Shuang , Feng Zhe , Lin Shupeng , Zhang Li , Chen Xiangmei , Cai Guangyan
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and severe clinical problem that is associated with high mortality, a long hospital stays and high healthcare resource consumption. Approximately a quarter of AKI survivors will develop chronic kidney disease. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with antiapoptotic, immunomodulatory, antioxidative and proangiogenic properties. Therefore, MSCs have been considered as a potential new therapy for the treatment of AKI. Several clinical trials have been performed, but the results have been inconsistent. This trial investigated whether MSCs can improve renal recovery and mortality in patients with severe AKI.

Methods and analysis

One hundred subjects suffering from severe AKI will participate in this patient-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel design clinical trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive two doses of MSCs or placebo (saline) on days 0 and 7. Urinary biomarkers of renal injury and repair will be measured using commercially available ELISA kits. The main outcome measures are changes in renal function levels within the first 28 days following MSC infusion.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chinese PLA General Hospital. The findings of the study will be disseminated through public and scientific channels.

Trial registration number

NCT04194671.
Culturally adapted pulmonary rehabilitation for adults living with post-tuberculosis lung disease in Kyrgyzstan: protocol for a randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome measures
Authors: Akylbekov Azamat , Orme Mark W , Jones Amy V , Mademilov Maamed , Muratbekova Aibermet , Aidaralieva Shoira , Mirzalieva Gulzada , Oleinik Alena , Magdieva Kamila , Taalaibekova Aijan , Rysbek kyzy Aidai , Yusuf Zainab K , Rupert Jones , Barton Andy , Miah Ruhme B , Manise Adrian , Matheson Jesse A , Malcolm Dominic , Free Robert C , Steiner Michael C , Sooronbaev Talant , Singh Sally J
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a programme of individually prescribed physical exercise, education and self-management activities. PR is recommended in international guidelines for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic respiratory diseases. PR is still under-recognised in tuberculosis (TB) guidelines and PR is not available in many low and middle-income countries and for people with post-TB lung disease (PTBLD). The main aims of the study are to adapt and define a culturally appropriate PR programme in Kyrgyzstan for people living with PTBLD and to test, in a fully powered randomised controlled trial (RCT), the effectiveness of PR in improving exercise capacity for people living with PTBLD.

Methods and analysis

The study will be divided into three stages: stage 1: focus group discussions with patients living with PTBLD and interviews with PR referrers will be conducted to explore initial perceptions and inform the cultural adaptation, structure and content of PR. Stage 2a: a single-blind RCT evaluating the effectiveness of a culturally adapted 6-week PR programme on maximal exercise capacity, assessed by the incremental shuttle walking test, before and after PR. Participants will be additionally followed-up 12 weeks postbaseline. Additional outcomes will include health-related quality of life, respiratory symptoms, psychological well-being and physical function. Stage 2b: participants’ experience of PR will be collected through interviews and using a log book and a patient evaluation form. Staff delivering PR will be interviewed to explore their experience of delivering the intervention and refining the delivery for future implementation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved 22/07/2019 by Ethics Committee National Center for Cardiology and Internal Medicine (reference number 17) and by University of Leicester ethics committee (reference number 22293). Study results will be disseminated through appropriate peer-reviewed journals, national and international respiratory/physiotherapy conferences, social media, and through patient and public involvement events in Kyrgyzstan and in the UK.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN11122503.
Effectiveness of the Strengthening Families Programme in the UK at preventing substance misuse in 10–14 year-olds: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Segrott Jeremy , Gillespie David , Lau Mandy , Holliday Jo , Murphy Simon , Foxcroft David , Hood Kerenza , Scourfield Jonathan , Phillips Ceri , Roberts Zoe , Rothwell Heather , Hurlow Claire , Moore Laurence
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The Strengthening Families Programme 10–14 (SFP10-14) is a USA-developed universal group-based intervention aiming to prevent substance misuse by strengthening protective factors within the family. This study evaluated a proportionate universal implementation of the adapted UK version (SFP10-14UK) which brought together families identified as likely/not likely to experience/present challenges within a group setting.

Design

Pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled effectiveness trial, with families as the unit of randomisation and embedded process and economic evaluations.

Setting

The study took place in seven counties of Wales, UK.

Participants

715 families (919 parents/carers, 931 young people) were randomised.

Interventions

Families randomised to the intervention arm received the SFP10-14 comprising seven weekly sessions. Families in intervention and control arms received existing services as normal.

Outcome measures

Primary outcomes were the number of occasions young people reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days; and drunkenness during the same period, dichotomised as ‘never’ and ‘1–2 times or more’. Secondary outcomes examined alcohol/tobacco/substance behaviours including: cannabis use; weekly smoking (validated by salivary cotinine measures); age of alcohol initiation; frequency of drinking >5 drinks in a row; frequency of different types of alcoholic drinks; alcohol-related problems. Retention: primary analysis included 746 young people (80.1%) (alcohol consumption) and 732 young people (78.6%) (drunkenness).

Results

There was no evidence of statistically significant between-group differences 2 years after randomisation for primary outcomes (young people’s alcohol consumption in the last 30 days adjusted OR=1.11, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.71, p=0.646; drunkenness in the last 30 days adjusted OR=1.46, 95% CI 0.83 to 2.55, p=0.185). There were no statistically significant between-group differences for other substance use outcomes, or those relating to well-being/stress, and emotional/behavioural problems.

Conclusions

Previous evidence of effectiveness was not replicated. Findings highlight the importance of evaluating interventions when they are adapted for new settings.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN63550893.Cite Now
Effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the elderly: a population-based case-crossover study
Authors: Liang Chun-Yu , Hwang Shinn-Jang , Lin Kuan-Chia , Li Chung-Yi , Loh Ching-Hui , Chan James Yi-Hsin , Wang Kwua-Yun
Published: February 2022

Background

There is limited information regarding the effectiveness of influenza vaccines for older adults. Particularly, controlling for healthy senior bias is challenging in observational studies. We aimed to assess the efficacy of influenza vaccination in the elderly while addressing potential healthy senior bias and whether it was related to virus-vaccine strains matching.

Method

To control between-individual confounder, we used a case-crossover study design using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Dataset to analyse the association between influenza vaccination in older adults and the risk of hospitalisation for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Individuals were a ‘case’ in vaccinated years and a ‘control’ in unvaccinated years. The study periods were 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 seasons because virus-vaccine strains were matching in 2006/2007 season and unmatching in 2007/2008 season. Older adults were categorised into two groups: admitted for CAP during the pre-vaccination period (Admitted, n=311) and not hospital admitted for CAP (Non-admitted, n=572 432). The outcome was hospitalisation for CAP during the influenza period. Conditional logistic regression assessed influenza vaccine efficacy in reducing CAP.

Results

Influenza vaccination had no protective effects in Admitted group. However, because of the tiny numbers in Admitted group, we could draw very limited conclusions. Receiving an influenza vaccine significantly prevented CAP in Non-admitted group only during the vaccine-circulating strain-matched year (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.83). In addition, there was no protective effect against CAP hospitalisation among individuals with a Charlson Comorbidity Index score over 2.

Conclusion

Influenza vaccine efficacy was associated with vaccine-circulating strain-matched. When vaccine-circulating strains were all matching, receiving a shot reduced the probability of CAP hospitalisation by 28% in Non-admitted group. However, high comorbidity may reduce the vaccine efficacy. Therefore, it is necessary to educate older adults to receive annual influenza vaccination and in combination with non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce the risk of CAP.
HABIT+tDCS: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the synergistic efficacy of hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy (HABIT) plus targeted non-invasive brain stimulation to improve upper extremity function in school-age children with unilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: Gordon Andrew M , Ferre Claudio L , Robert Maxime T. , Chin Karen , Brandao Marina , Friel Kathleen M
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP) is characterised by movement deficits primarily on one body side. The best available upper extremity (UE) therapies are costly and intensive. Thus, there is an urgent need for better, more efficient and thus more accessible therapies. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is non-invasive and may enhance physical rehabilitation approaches. The aim of this study is to determine whether tDCS targeted to the hemisphere with corticospinal tract (CST) connectivity enhances the efficacy of UE training in children with USCP. Our central hypothesis is that hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy (HABIT) combined with a tDCS montage targeting the hemisphere with CST connectivity to the impaired UE muscles will improve UE function more than HABIT plus sham stimulation. We will test this by conducting a randomised clinical trial with clinical and motor cortex physiology outcomes.

Methods and analyses

81 children, aged 6–17 years, will be randomised to receive 2 mA anodal tDCS targeted to the affected UE motor map, 2 mA cathodal tDCS to the contralesional motor cortex or sham tDCS during the first 20 min of each HABIT session (10 hours: 2 hours/day for 5 days). Primary outcomes will be Box and Blocks Test, Assisting Hand Assessment and motor cortex excitability, determined with single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. Secondary outcomes include ABILHAND-Kids, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Cooper Stereognosis, Dimension of Mastery Questionnaire and Participation and Environment Measure–Children and Youth. All measures will be collected before, immediately and 6 months after treatment. A group × test session Analysis of Variance will test differences among groups on all measures.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the BRANY Institutional Review Board (#18-10-285-512). We will leverage our subject and family relationships to maximise dissemination and share results with the academic and patient/family advocacy groups.

Trial registration number

NCT03402854.
Endorsement of the TRIPOD statement and the reporting of studies developing contrast-induced nephropathy prediction models for the coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary intervention population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Miao Simeng , Pan Chen , Li Dandan , Shen Su , Wen Aiping
Published: February 2022

Objective

Clear and specific reporting of a research paper is essential for its validity and applicability. Some studies have revealed that the reporting of studies based on the clinical prediction models was generally insufficient based on the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) checklist. However, the reporting of studies on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) prediction models in the coronary angiography (CAG)/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) population has not been thoroughly assessed. Thus, the aim is to evaluate the reporting of the studies on CIN prediction models for the CAG/PCI population using the TRIPOD checklist.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were systematically searched from inception to 30 September 2021. Only the studies on the development of CIN prediction models for the CAG/PCI population were included. The data were extracted into a standardised spreadsheet designed in accordance with the ‘TRIPOD Adherence Assessment Form’. The overall completeness of reporting of each model and each TRIPOD item were evaluated, and the reporting before and after the publication of the TRIPOD statement was compared. The linear relationship between model performance and TRIPOD adherence was also assessed.

Results

We identified 36 studies that developed CIN prediction models for the CAG/PCI population. Median TRIPOD checklist adherence was 60% (34%–77%), and no significant improvement was found since the publication of the TRIPOD checklist (p=0.770). There was a significant difference in adherence to individual TRIPOD items, ranging from 0% to 100%. Moreover, most studies did not specify critical information within the Methods section. Only 5 studies (14%) explained how they arrived at the study size, and only 13 studies (36%) described how to handle missing data. In the Statistical analysis section, how the continuous predictors were modelled, the cut-points of categorical or categorised predictors, and the methods to choose the cut-points were only reported in 7 (19%), 6 (17%) and 1 (3%) of the studies, respectively. Nevertheless, no relationship was found between model performance and TRIPOD adherence in both the development and validation datasets (r=−0.260 and r=−0.069, respectively).

Conclusions

The reporting of CIN prediction models for the CAG/PCI population still needs to be improved based on the TRIPOD checklist. In order to promote further external validation and clinical application of the prediction models, more information should be provided in future studies.
Risk assessment for acute kidney injury and death among new COVID-19 positive adult patients without chronic kidney disease: retrospective cohort study among three US hospitals
Authors: Li Daniel , Ren Hui , Varelmann Dirk J , Sarin Pankaj , Xu Pengcheng , Wu Dufan , Li Quanzheng , Lin Xihong
Published: February 2022

Objective

To develop simple but clinically informative risk stratification tools using a few top demographic factors and biomarkers at COVID-19 diagnosis to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) and death.

Design

Retrospective cohort analysis, follow-up from 1 February through 28 May 2020.

Setting

3 teaching hospitals, 2 urban and 1 community-based in the Boston area.

Participants

Eligible patients were at least 18 years old, tested COVID-19 positive from 1 February through 28 May 2020, and had at least two serum creatinine measurements within 30 days of a new COVID-19 diagnosis. Exclusion criteria were having chronic kidney disease or having a previous AKI within 3 months of a new COVID-19 diagnosis.

Main outcomes and measures

Time from new COVID-19 diagnosis until AKI event, time until death event.

Results

Among 3716 patients, there were 1855 (49.9%) males and the average age was 58.6 years (SD 19.2 years). Age, sex, white blood cell, haemoglobin, platelet, C reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer levels were most strongly associated with AKI and/or death. We created risk scores using these variables predicting AKI within 3 days and death within 30 days of a new COVID-19 diagnosis. Area under the curve (AUC) for predicting AKI within 3 days was 0.785 (95% CI 0.758 to 0.813) and AUC for death within 30 days was 0.861 (95% CI 0.843 to 0.878). Haemoglobin was the most predictive component for AKI, and age the most predictive for death. Predictive accuracies using all study variables were similar to using the simplified scores.

Conclusion

Simple risk scores using age, sex, a complete blood cell count, CRP and D-dimer were highly predictive of AKI and death and can help simplify and better inform clinical decision making.
Association between intrahepatic triglyceride content in subjects with metabolically healthy abdominal obesity and risks of pre-diabetes plus diabetes: an observational study
Authors: Xu Qiaoyan , Zhang Junfeng , Han Haiwei , Chen Ning , Lai Fangfang , Liu Yongwen , Huang Caoxin , Lin Mingzhu , Zhang Wei , Wang Shunqin , Liu Changqin , Li Zhibin
Published: February 2022

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the association of intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content in subjects with metabolically healthy abdominal obesity (MHAO) on risks of pre-diabetes plus diabetes.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Lianqian community, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.

Participants

Among 1523 community-living healthy adults aged 40 years or older with abdominal obesity recruited at baseline, 428 subjects who underwent IHTG content measurement were selected.

Outcome measures

Risk of pre-diabetes plus diabetes.

Results

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was diagnosed as 203 (69.1%) in MHAO and 121 (90.3%) in metabolically unhealthy abdominal obesity (MUAO) (p<0.001). The prevalence rates of pre-diabetes plus diabetes were 81.1%, 88.8% and 90.9% across the tertiles of IHTG content (p=0.037). Both MUAO (vs MHAO) and NAFLD (vs non-NAFLD) were independently associated with increased risks of pre-diabetes plus diabetes, the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) were 10.90 (3.15 to 37.69, p<0.001) and 3.02 (1.47 to 6.20, p=0.003), respectively. Higher IHTG content was significantly associated with increased risk of pre-diabetes plus diabetes with the adjusted OR (95% CI) of per SD increase of IHTG content of 1.62 (1.07 to 2.46, p=0.024). And there was a significantly positive trend between increasing categories of IHTG content tertiles and excessive risks of pre-diabetes plus diabetes (trend test p value=0.011). Stratified analyses showed similar results on the associations of NAFLD and IHTG content with risks of pre-diabetes plus diabetes for subjects with MHAO but not for those with MUAO.

Conclusions

NAFLD and higher IHTG content were independently associated with increased risks of pre-diabetes plus diabetes in MHAO subjects. NAFLD or quantity of liver fat should be considered as additional criterion when defining and diagnosing MHO. Screening of NAFLD and intervention to reduce liver fat should be strengthened even for those seemly metabolically healthy obese.
Clinical efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy inKRAS-mutated non-small cell lung cancer withSTK11,KEAP1,orTP53comutations: subgroup results from the phase III IMpower150 trial
Authors: West Howard Jack , McCleland Mark , Cappuzzo Federico , Reck Martin , Mok Tony SK , Jotte Robert M , Nishio Makoto , Kim Eugene , Morris Stefanie , Zou Wei , Shames David , Das Thakur Meghna , Shankar Geetha , Socinski Mark A
Published: February 2022

Background

The efficacy of atezolizumab (A) and/or bevacizumab (B) with carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) chemotherapy was explored in the phase III, randomized IMpower150 study in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) according toKRASmutations (mKRAS) and co-occurringSTK11,KEAP1,orTP53mutations.

Methods

Mutation status was determined by circulating tumor DNA next-generation sequencing. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed in a mutation-evaluable intention-to-treat population (MEP; n=920) and SP263 (programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)) biomarker-evaluable population (n=774).

Results

Within the mKRASpopulation (24.5% of MEP), ABCP showed numerical improvements vs BCP in median OS (19.8 vs 9.9 months; HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.72) and PFS (8.1 vs 5.8 months; HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.61)—greater than with ACP (OS: 11.7 vs 9.9 months; HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.91; PFS: 4.8 vs 5.8 months; HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.56 to 1.13) vs BCP. Across PD-L1 subgroups in mKRASpatients, OS and PFS were longer with ABCP vs BCP, but OS with ACP was similar to BCP in PD-L1-low and PD-L1-negative subgroups. Conversely, inKRAS-WT patients, OS was longer with ACP than with ABCP or BCP across PD-L1 subgroups.KRASwas frequently comutated withSTK11,KEAP1,andTP53; these subgroups conferred different prognostic outcomes. Within the mKRASpopulation,STK11and/orKEAP1mutations were associated with inferior OS and PFS across treatments compared withSTK11-WT and/orKEAP1-WT. In mKRASpatients with co-occurring mSTK11and/or mKEAP1(44.9%) or mTP53(49.3%), survival was longer with ABCP than with ACP or BCP.

Conclusions

These analyses support previous findings of mutation ofSTK11and/orKEAP1as poor prognostic indicators. While clinical efficacy favored ABCP and ACP vs BCP in these mutational subgroups, survival benefits were greater in the mKRASandKEAP1-WT andSTK11-WT population vs mKRASand mKEAP1and mSTK11population, suggesting both prognostic and predictive effects. Overall, these results suggest that atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab and chemotherapy is an efficacious first-line treatment in metastatic NSCLC subgroups with mKRASand co-occurringSTK11and/orKEAP1orTP53mutations and/or high PD-L1 expression.
Neoantigen vaccine-induced CD4 T cells confer protective immunity in a mouse model of multiple myeloma through activation of CD8 T cells against non-vaccine, tumor-associated antigens
Authors: Bekri Selma , Rodney-Sandy Reunet , Gruenstein Diana , Mei Anna , Bogen Bjarne , Castle John , Levey Daniel , Cho Hearn Jay
Published: February 2022

Background

Cancer-associated neoantigens (neoAg) derived from tumor genomic sequencing and predictive algorithms for mutated peptides are a promising basis for therapeutic vaccines under investigation. Although these are generally designed to bind major histocompatibility complex class I and induce CD8 cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, results from preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that the majority of neoAg vaccines efficiently induce CD4 T helper (Th) responses but not CTL. Despite this, these vaccines have demonstrated clinical efficacy. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of CD4 + T cell-mediated tumor protection is critical to optimizing this immunotherapeutic strategy.

Methods

We investigated this phenomenon in the mineral oil-induced plasmacytoma (MOPC).315.BM (MOPC315) mouse model of multiple myeloma, a malignancy of plasma cells. MOPC315 cells express in their lambda chain a unique tumor-specific neoAg, an idiotypic (Id) peptide. We generated a vaccine formulated with this Id peptide fused to a heat shock protein HSC70 binding (HSB) motif co-delivered with poly (I:C). The immunogenicity of the Id-vaccine was measured in splenocytes by ELISpot. Mice were challenged with MOPC315 cells and antitumor immunity was assessed by co-incubating splenocytes and bone marrow mononuclear cells derived from vaccinated mice and controls, with the Id antigen and irradiated MOPC315 cells. The frequency of activated CD4 and CD8 T cells and their phenotype were characterized by flow cytometry.

Results

Id-vaccine efficiently induced antigen-specific CD4 Th activity and antitumor immunity, protecting mice from MOPC315 tumor growth. CD4 cytolytic activity was not detected under these conditions. Polyfunctional CD8 T cells homed to the bone marrow microenvironment of protected mice and preferentially expanded only when restimulated ex vivo with both Id peptide and MOPC315 cells. Protective activity was abrogated by depletion of either CD4 or CD8 lymphocytes.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that Id-HSB +poly (I:C) vaccine protects against MOPC315 growth by priming Id-specific CD4 Th cells that confer protection against tumor but are not directly cytotoxic. These data indicate that activation of CD8 CTL against MOPC315-associated antigens not present in the vaccine is one of the major mechanisms of tumor immunity.
Shifted fifth-kind Chebyshev polynomials Galerkin-based procedure for treating fractional diffusion-wave equation
Authors: Atta A. G. , Abd-Elhameed W. M. , Youssri Y. H.
Published: February 2022

Herein, we propose new efficient spectral algorithms for handling the fractional diffusion wave equation (FDWE) and fractional diffusion wave equation with damping (FDWED). In these algorithms, we employ new basis functions of the shifted fifth-kind Chebyshev polynomials that satisfy all the initial and boundary conditions of the equation. The key idea of the presented algorithms depends on transforming the FDWE and FDWED with their underlying conditions into systems of algebraic equations in the unknown expansion coefficients. Our study is supported by a careful convergence analysis of the suggested shifted fifth-kind Chebyshev expansion. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to confirm the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Experimental test to verify whether quantum states of conjugated mass and energy exist
Authors: Guay Benoît
Published: February 2022

Based on the fact that the electromagnetic potential can interact with charged particle and using the Dirac field of conjugated mass and energy introduced in a previous paper, we show, in the framework of quantum field theory (QFT), that it would be possible experimentally to highlight significant differences in the probabilities of occurrence of electron and positron states depending on whether electrons and positrons states of conjugated mass and energy exist or not.
The Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric
Authors: Melia Fulvio
Published: February 2022

The Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) metric used to describe the cosmic spacetime is based on the cosmological principle, which assumes homogeneity and isotropy throughout the Universe. It also adopts free-fall conditions via the selection of a constant lapse function, [Formula: see text], regardless of whether or not the chosen energy–momentum tensor [Formula: see text] produces an accelerated expansion. This is sometimes justified by arguing that one may shift the gauge, if necessary, transforming the time [Formula: see text] to a new coordinate [Formula: see text], thereby re-establishing a unitary value for [Formula: see text]. Previously, we have demonstrated that this approach is inconsistent with the Friedmann equations derived using comoving coordinates. In this paper, we advance this discussion significantly by using the Local Flatness Theorem in general relativity to prove that [Formula: see text] in FLRW is inextricably dependent on the expansion dynamics via the expansion factor [Formula: see text], which itself depends on the equation-of-state in [Formula: see text]. One is therefore not free to choose [Formula: see text] arbitrarily without ensuring its consistency with the energy–momentum tensor. We prove that the use of FLRW in cosmology is valid only for zero active mass, i.e. [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are, respectively, the total energy density and pressure in the cosmic fluid.
The Casimir effect in graphene systems: Experiment and theory
Authors: Klimchitskaya G. L. , Mohideen U. , Mostepanenko V. M.
Published: February 2022

The Casimir effect in graphene systems is reviewed with a emphasis made on the large thermal correction to the Casimir force predicted at short separations between the test bodies. The computational results for the Casimir pressure and for the thermal correction are presented for both pristine graphene and real graphene sheets, which possess nonzero energy gap and chemical potential, obtained by means of exact polarization tensor. Two experiments on measuring the gradient of the Casimir force between an Au-coated sphere and graphene-coated substrates performed by using a modified atomic force microscope cantilever-based technique are described. It is shown that the measurement data of both experiments are in agreement with theoretical predictions of the Lifshitz theory using the polarization tensor. Additionally, several important improvements made in the second experiment, allowed to demonstrate the predicted large thermal effect in the Casimir interaction at short separations. Possible implications of this result to the resolution of long-term problems of Casimir physics are discussed.
Relativistic and nonrelativistic mean field analysis of the shell evolution in 44−52Ar isotopes
Authors: Bahr Hussam A. , Alzubadi Ali A.
Published: February 2022

The systematic search of axial ground state and the emergence of new gaps in neutron-rich [Formula: see text]Ar isotopes are the challenging of current calculations of relativistic and nonrelativistic mean field models. For this purpose, we have employed the model based on Relativistic Hartree–Bogoliubov (RHB) with the density-dependent effective interaction of point coupling DD-PCX type. However, the nonrelativistic mean field calculations based on Hartree-Fock model were carried out with Skyrme SV-min parametrization. All the present calculations were performed within axial symmetries. The results provide that most of isotopes show an oblate-deformed ground state. In particular, [Formula: see text]Ar and [Formula: see text]Ar display a spherical shape in their ground states with SV-Min calculations. There is a notable signature of the sub-shell closure at neutron number [Formula: see text], whereas [Formula: see text] is expected to be nearly quenched in the spherical ground. Furthermore, coexistence features are predicted in the neutron-rich [Formula: see text]Ar isotope. We have also studied the neutron axial densities and its central depletion in the well-deformed grounds for the first time. In addition to these, the proton single-particle evolution and bubble-like structure at [Formula: see text]Ar are very well reproduced with DD-PCX calculations.
On a geometry with torsion and curvature: Basic geometric structure
Authors: Wanas M. I. , Osman Samah Nabil , Kamal Mona M. , Ammar Samah A.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we developed, in detail, the geometric structure of a certain type of geometry usually used in physical applications. This paper contains building blocks (BB), tensors of different orders, curves admitted by the geometry and a comparison between this geometry and others used in the literature. Second-order symmetric and skew-symmetric tensors, usually used for physical applications in the context of the geometrization philosophy, are given. Also, in the framework of the same philosophy, the admitted curves can be used as equations of motion of test particles for any field theory constructed in this geometry.
Compact stellar model in Tolman spacetime in the presence of pressure anisotropy
Authors: Bhar Piyali , Das Shyam , Parida Bikram Keshari
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we develop a new relativistic compact stellar model for a spherically symmetric anisotropic matter distribution. The model has been obtained through generating a new class of solutions by invoking the Tolman ansatz for one of the metric potentials [Formula: see text] and a physically reasonable selective profile of radial pressure. We have matched our obtained interior solution to the Schwarzschild exterior spacetime over the bounding surface of the compact star. These matching conditions together with the condition of vanishing the radial pressure across the boundary of the star have been utilized to determine the model parameters. We have shown that the central pressure of the star depends on the parameter [Formula: see text]. We have estimated the range of [Formula: see text] by using the recent data of compact stars 4U 1608-52 and Vela X-1. The effect of [Formula: see text] on different physical parameters, e.g. pressure anisotropy, the subliminal velocity of sound, relativistic adiabatic index, etc., has also been discussed. The developed model of the compact star is elaborately discussed both analytically and graphically to justify that it satisfies all the criteria demanded by a realistic star. From our analysis, we have shown that the effect of anisotropy becomes small for higher values of [Formula: see text]. The mass–radius (MR) relationship which indicates the maximum mass admissible for observed pulsars for a given surface density has also been investigated in our model. Moreover, the variation of radius and mass with central density has been shown which allows us to estimate central density for a given radius (or mass) of a compact star. We have explored the tidal deformabilities by calculating the Love numbers and showed the variation of tidal Love numbers with the central pressure of a star.
Thermodynamic and optical behaviors of quintessential Hayward-AdS black holes
Authors: Belhaj A. , Benali M. , El Moumni H. , Essebani M. A. , Sedra M. B. , Sekhmani Y.
Published: February 2022

Motivated by Dark Energy (DE) activities, we study certain physical behaviors of the quintessential Hayward-AdS black holes in four dimensions. We generalize some physical properties of the ordinary Hayward-AdS black holes without the dark sector. We elaborate a study in terms of the new quantities [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] parametrizing the dark sector moduli space. We investigate the effect of such parameters on certain thermodynamic and optical aspects. To show the quintessential thermodynamic behaviors, we first reconsider the critical properties of the ordinary solutions. We find that the equation of state predicts a universal ratio given by [Formula: see text], which is different than the universal one appearing for Van der Waals fluids. Considering the quintessential solutions and taking certain values of the DE state parameter [Formula: see text], we observe that the new ratio depends on the DE scalar field intensity [Formula: see text]. In certain regions of the moduli space, we show that this ratio can be factorized using two terms describing the absence and the presence of the dark sector. Then, we analyze also the DE effect on the heat engines. For the optical aspect, we study the influence of DE on the shadows using one-dimensional real curves. Finally, we discuss the associated energy emission rate, using the dark sector.
Symmetry group analysis and conservation laws of the potential modified KdV equation using the scaling method
Authors: Jafari Mehdi , Zaeim Amirhesam , Tanhaeivash Amin
Published: February 2022

In this paper, using the Lie symmetry method, we obtain the Lie symmetry group of the potential modified Korteweg–de Vries (potential mKdV) equation, and we construct the optimal system of one-dimensional subalgebras for the Lie symmetry algebra of this equation. Furthermore, similarity reductions related to the infinitesimal generators of the Lie symmetry group are obtained. Also, we construct new conservation laws for this equation by the scaling method. This method is algorithmic and based on the linear algebra tools and calculus of variations. The density of the conservation laws is constructed using the Euler operator and scaling symmetry of the equation and also the associated flux is calculated by the homotopy operator. This density-flux pair renders a conservation law for the potential mKdV equation. We specify the density-flux pairs of conservation laws in ranks 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 for the potential mKdV equation.
Existence of solutions for boundary value problems and nonlinear matrix equations via F-contraction mappings in b-metric spaces
Authors: Mebawondu Akindele Adebayo , Izuchukwu Chinedu , Ogwo Grace Nnennaya , Mewomo Oluwatosin Temitope
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this paper is to present some sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions for nonlinear matrix equations and the second-order two-point boundary value problems for nonlinear ordinary differential equations via fixed point theorem. To do this, we introduce two classes of mappings called the Suzuki–Geraghty-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-contraction mappings and generalize Suzuki-type [Formula: see text]-F-contraction mappings and establish some fixed point results for these classes of mappings. The results obtained in this work complements, extends, generalizes, and improves some known results in the literature.
One-step microwave synthesis of CoSb for high-performance wearable flexible supercapacitor
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Zhang Tongtong , Bi Ruobing , Song Jun , Hou Ying , Wang Fang , Zhang Zhuxia
Published: February 2022

The activated carbon felt with uniform loading of CoSb nanomaterials is obtained by microwave radiation. Impressively, electrochemical tests show that the capacitance value of CoSb at 1 A g[Formula: see text] is 1311.0 F g[Formula: see text], and after 20,000 cycles, the capacitance retention rate is 81.5%. The assembled asymmetric flexible capacitor has a voltage window of 1.8 V. The energy density and power density of the device are 24.3 W h Kg[Formula: see text] and 921.0 W kg[Formula: see text], respectively. The electrochemical performance of the device is not affected under bending conditions.
Weak convergence of a collection of random functions defined by the eigenvectors of large dimensional random matrices
Authors: Silverstein Jack W.
Published: February 2022

For each n, let [Formula: see text] be Haar distributed on the group of [Formula: see text] unitary matrices. Let [Formula: see text] denote orthogonal nonrandom unit vectors in [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Define the following functions on [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Then it is proven that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], considered as random processes in [Formula: see text], converge weakly, as [Formula: see text], to [Formula: see text] independent copies of Brownian bridge. The same result holds for the [Formula: see text] processes in the real case, where [Formula: see text] is real orthogonal Haar distributed and [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] replaced with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. This latter result will be shown to hold for the matrix of eigenvectors of [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] consisting of the entries of [Formula: see text], i.i.d. standardized and symmetrically distributed, with each [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text]. This result extends the result in [J. W. Silverstein, Ann. Probab. 18 (1990) 1174–1194]. These results are applied to the detection problem in sampling random vectors mostly made of noise and detecting whether the sample includes a nonrandom vector. The matrix [Formula: see text] is studied where [Formula: see text] is Hermitian or symmetric and nonnegative definite with either its matrix of eigenvectors being Haar distributed, or [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] nonrandom and [Formula: see text] is a nonrandom unit vector. Results are derived on the distributional behavior of the inner product of vectors orthogonal to [Formula: see text] with the eigenvector associated with the largest eigenvalue of [Formula: see text]
Role of the arterial baroreflex in the sympathetic response to hyperinsulinemia in adult humans
Authors: McMillan Neil J. , Soares Rogerio N. , Harper Jennifer L. , Shariffi Brian , Moreno-Cabañas Alfonso , Curry Timothy B. , Manrique-Acevedo Camila , Padilla Jaume , Limberg Jacqueline K.
Published: February 2022

We hypothesized that elevation in muscle sympathetic nervous system activity (MSNA) during hyperinsulinemia is mediated by its peripheral vasodilator effect on the arterial baroreflex. Using three separate protocols in humans, we observed increases in both MSNA and cardiac output during hyperinsulinemia, which we attributed to the baroreflex response to peripheral vasodilation induced by insulin. Results show that peripheral vasodilation induced by insulin contributes to increased MSNA during hyperinsulinemia.
Design and Application of an AI-Based Text Content Moderation System
Authors: Sun Heng , Ni Wan
Published: February 2022

Cloud computing, 5G mobile network, and other new technologies have been applied in higher education in recent years. The education video resource service system with adaptive multiterminals has received widespread attention from the field. From these videos, students can get new knowledge and use the system’s built-in text comment function to communicate and interact with others. However, due to the fast increase in the number of such text comments, the traditional text content moderation methods such as the keyword method and the regular expression method can no longer meet the growing business needs. Therefore, to solve this matter, this study designed a text content moderation (TCM) system based on artificial intelligence (AI), which uses artificial intelligence and cloud-based algorithm models to analyse and recognize the text comments submitted from the web-end and app-end of the education video resource service system and completes operations such as automatic detection and manual moderation. The proposed TCM system can significantly improve the efficiency of text content moderation.