bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe neonatal pulmonary artery hypertension rescued with vasopressin
Authors: Ranjan Ankit , Sundaram Venkataseshan , Taneja Manish , Dutta Sourabh
Published: April 2021

An inborn term neonate weighing 2600 g developed meconium aspiration syndrome at birth. Baby had respiratory failure requiring high-frequency oscillatory ventilation support at 15 hours of life. He additionally developed hypotension with left ventricular dysfunction noted on point-of-care echocardiography (POCE), which required dopamine and epinephrine infusions. At 28 hours of life, he was started on inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), followed by milrinone due to hypoxaemic respiratory failure and the POCE revealed severe pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). As PAH was refractory to iNO and milrinone, vasopressin was added which resulted in rapid improvement in oxygenation and normalisation of pulmonary artery pressures. Baby was weaned off from vasoactive support in the next 120 hours. Vasopressin proved to be the rescue agent in this case of iNO refractory PAH without any side effects during therapy. Baby was successfully extubated on day 18 and was discharged with a normal neurological examination finding.
Plaque brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma with vitreous haemorrhage: a therapeutic challenge
Authors: Narang Subina , Pandey Awadhesh Kumar , Giran Mannat , Kaur Ravinder
Published: April 2021

A 47-year-old man presented with profound loss of vision in right eye and relative afferent pupillary defect. On fundus examination, posterior pole details were obscured due to dense vitreous haemorrhage. B-scan ultrasonography was performed that revealed a mushroom-shaped hyperechoic lesion with medium internal reflectivity on A-scan ultrasonography. After performing contrast-enhanced MRI of the orbit, a diagnosis of choroidal melanoma was established. Patient was managed using plaque brachytherapy based on multiplanar MRI. This was followed 10 months later by pars plana vitrectomy and cataract extraction. Vision postoperatively improved to 20/60. A systematic clinical assessment along with supportive ancillary investigations augments diagnostic accuracy and reduces delay in definitive management.
Atypical chest pain in a young woman with an interatrial bronchogenic cyst
Authors: Saad Essam , Singh Pooja , Iskandar Marc
Published: April 2021

A 31-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with atypical retrosternal chest pain and dyspnoea. Investigations initially revealed atrial flutter on her electrocardiogram and an interatrial septal mass on CT angiography of the chest. Additional workup with cardiac MRI and transoesophageal echocardiogram were able to delineate the cardiac mass. Electrophysiology and cardiothoracic surgery were consulted. The mass was excised in the same hospitalisation and the pathology report demonstrated a bronchogenic cyst. After mass excision, the patient chest pain has decreased, and she reverted back to normal sinus rhythm. On further follow-up, her flecainide and metoprolol were stopped.
Promethazine-induced delirium with perceptual abnormalities: are we thinking broadly when assessing patients?
Authors: Abeysundera Hesitha , Craig Bailey , Pullich Zelle
Published: April 2021

There is limited information about promethazine-induced delirium with psychotic symptoms. The aim is to highlight the importance of taking a detailed history including medication use/abuse of both prescribed, illicit and over-the-counter preparations. This paper describes a patient who presented with delirium in the context of overuse of promethazine (Phenergan) which was initially missed. The patient was treated successfully, following the diagnosis of promethazine-induced delirium. Clinicians should be aware of assessing patients presenting with delirium to explore the possibility of over-the-counter medication misuse.
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia as a presenting feature in a COVID-19-positive patient
Authors: Vasanthpuram Varshitha Hemanth , Badakere Akshay
Published: April 2021

A 58-year-old man presented with vertical diplopia for 10 days which was sudden in onset. Extraocular movement examination revealed findings suggestive of internuclear ophthalmoplegia. Investigations were suggestive of diabetes mellitus, and reverse transcription-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was positive. At 3 weeks of follow-up, his diplopia had resolved. Neuro-ophthalmic manifestations in COVID-19 are increasingly being recognised around the world. Ophthalmoplegia due to cranial nerve palsy and cerebrovascular accident in COVID-19 has been reported. We report a case of internuclear ophthalmoplegia in a patient with COVID-19.
Iatrogenic injury of duodenum: malady of a therapeutic misadventure
Authors: Mishra Swastik , Kumar Pankaj , Sasmal Prakash Kumar , Mishra Tushar Subhadarshan
Published: April 2021

Endoscopic procedures are the front-runner of the management of bleeding duodenal ulcer. Rarely, surgical intervention is sought for acute bleeding, not amenable to endoscopic procedures. Oversewing of the gastroduodenal artery at ulcer crater by transduodenal approach is the most acceptable and recommended method of treatment. We describe a case of an intraoperative duodenal injury that occurred during an attempt to oversew the gastroduodenal artery after a duodenotomy, leading to an unsatisfactory and meagre duodenal stump. This case will highlight the intraoperative turmoil, postoperative complications and management of a series of anticipated but unfortunate events that have rendered us wiser in terms of surgical management of a bleeding duodenal ulcer.
Association of time outdoors and patterns of light exposure with myopia in children
Authors: Li Mijie , Lanca Carla , Tan Chuen-Seng , Foo Li-Lian , Sun Chen-Hsin , Yap Fabian , Najjar Raymond P , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Saw Seang-Mei
Published: April 2021

Background/aims

To evaluate the association of reported time outdoors and light exposure patterns with myopia among children aged 9 years from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes birth cohort.

Methods

We assessed reported time outdoors (min/day), light exposure patterns and outdoor activities of children aged 9 years (n=483) with a questionnaire, the FitSight watch and a 7-day activity diary. Light levels, the duration, timing and frequency of light exposure were assessed. Cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE), myopia (SE≤−0.5 D) and axial length (AL) of paired eyes were analysed using generalised estimating equations.

Results

In this study, 483 (966 eyes) multiethnic children (50.0% boys, 59.8% Chinese, 42.2% myopic) were included. Reported time outdoors (mean±SD) was 100±93 min/day, and average light levels were 458±228 lux. Of the total duration children spent at light levels of ≥1000 lux (37±19 min/day), 76% were spent below 5000 lux. Peak light exposure occurred at mid-day. Children had 1.7±1.0 light exposure episodes/day. Common outdoor activities were walks, neighbourhood play and swimming. Greater reported time outdoors was associated with lower odds of myopia (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.95/hour increase daily; p=0.009). Light levels, timing and frequency of light exposures were not associated with myopia, SE or AL (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Reported time outdoors, light levels and number of light exposure episodes were low among Singaporean children aged 9 years. Reported time outdoors was protective against myopia but not light levels or specific light measures. A multipronged approach to increase time outdoors is recommended in the combat against the myopia epidemic.
Siyabonga: a humble hero making a difference with his hands… and his heart
Authors: Patricios Jon
Published: April 2021

Siyabonga Kunene’s athletic build and confident stance belie his humble roots. Born in an impoverished area of South Africa, he soon learnt the benefits of an education. He is now a PhD-qualified sports physiotherapist making a significant contribution in both academic and clinical realms. Remaining true to his origins and the inspirational words of Nelson Mandela, Siyabonga has created a framework for managing patellofemoral pain in under-resourced athletes. He has established himself as a physiotherapy lecturer at his university and has been appointed to national teams in his professional capacity. However, his focus primary remains on treating those with a passion for sport who would not normally be able to access high-level athletic care.
NICE rapid guidelines: exploring political influence on guidelines
Authors: McPherson SJ , Speed Ewen
Published: April 2021

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has been presented as politically independent, asserting it is free from industry influence and conflicts of interest so that its decisions may be led by evidence and science. We consider the ways in which soft political factors operate in guideline development processes at NICE such that guidelines are not truly led by science. We suggest that while NICE procedures explicitly incorporate scientific principles and mechanisms, including independent committees and quality assurance, these fail to operate as scientific practices because, for example, decisions may only be challenged through the courts, which regard NICE as a scientific authority. We then examine what the NICE rapid guideline procedure for COVID-19 reveals about the practical reality of claims about the scientific integrity of NICE guidelines. Changes to guideline development processes during the COVID-19 emergency demonstrated how easy it is to undermine the scientific integrity of NICE’s decision-making. The cancellation of the guideline programme and the publication of a rapid guideline process specifically to address the COVID-19 pandemic removed scientific checks and balances, including independent committees, stakeholder consultation and quality assurance, demonstrating that the relationship between NICE and the UK government is more complex than a scientific principle truism. We suggest that NICE is not (and indeed cannot be) truly independent of government in practice, nor can it be truly led by science, in part because of its relationship to the state, which it is simultaneously constituted by and constitutive of.
Magnitude and variability of structural brain abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disease: protocol for a network meta-analysis of MRI studies
Authors: McCutcheon Robert , Pillinger Toby , Welby George , Vano Luke , Cummings Connor , Guo Xin , Heron Toni Ann , Efthimiou Orestis , Cipriani Andrea , Howes Oliver
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Structural MRI is the most frequently used method to investigate brain volume alterations in neuropsychiatric disease. Previous meta-analyses have typically focused on a single diagnosis, thereby precluding transdiagnostic comparisons.

Methods and analysis

We will include all structural MRI studies of adults that report brain volumes for participants from at least two of the following diagnostic groups: healthy controls, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic depression, clinical high risk for psychosis, schizotypal personality disorder, psychosis unspecified, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, emotionally unstable personality disorder, 22q11 deletion syndrome, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, mixed anxiety and depression. Network meta-analysis will be used to synthesise eligible studies. The primary analysis will examine standardised mean difference in average volume, a secondary analysis will examine differences in variability of volumes.

Discussion

This network meta-analysis will provide a transdiagnostic integration of structural neuroimaging studies, providing researchers with a valuable summary of a large literature.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020221143.
How much time do doctors spend providing care to each child in the ED? A time and motion study
Authors: Stellman Robert , Redfern Andrew , Lahri Sa'ad , Esterhuizen Tonya , Cheema Baljit
Published: April 2021

Background

The total time per patient doctors spend providing care in emergency departments (EDs) has implications for the development of evidence-based ED staffing models. We sought to measure the total time taken by doctors to assess and manage individual paediatric patients presenting to two EDs in the Western Cape, South Africa and to compare these averages to the estimated benchmarks used regionally to calculate ED staffing allocations.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study applying time and motion methodology, using convenience sampling. Data were collected over a 5-week period from 11 December 2015 to 18 January 2016 at Khayelitsha District Hospital Emergency Centre and Tygerberg Hospital Paediatric Emergency and Ambulatory Unit. We assessed total doctor time for each patient stratified by acuity level using the South African Triage Scale.

Results

Care was observed for a total of 100 patients. Median age was 21 months (IQR 8–55). Median total doctor time per patient (95% CI) was 31 (22 to 38), 39 (31 to 63), 48 (32 to 63) and 96 (66 to 122) min for triage categories green, yellow, orange and red, respectively. Median timing was significantly higher than the estimated local benchmark for the lowest acuity ‘green’ triage category (31 min (22 to 38) vs 15 min; p=0.001) and the highest acuity ‘red’ category (96 min (66 to 122) vs 50 min; p=0.002).

Conclusion

Doctor time per patient increased with increasing acuity of triage category and exceeded estimated benchmarks for the highest and lowest acuities. The distinctive methodology can easily be extended to other settings and populations.
Non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: ATRX/DAXX and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) are prognostically independent from ARX/PDX1 expression and tumour size
Authors: Hackeng Wenzel M , Brosens Lodewijk A A , Kim Joo Young , O'Sullivan Roderick , Sung You-Na , Liu Ta-Chiang , Cao Dengfeng , Heayn Michelle , Brosnan-Cashman Jacqueline , An Soyeon , Morsink Folkert H M , Heidsma Charlotte M , Valk Gerlof D , Vriens Menno R , Nieveen van Dijkum Els , Offerhaus G Johan A , Dreijerink Koen M A , Zeh Herbert , Zureikat Amer H , Hogg Melissa , Lee Kenneth , Geller David , Marsh J Wallis , Paniccia Alessandro , Ongchin Melanie , Pingpank James F , Bahary Nathan , Aijazi Muaz , Brand Randall , Chennat Jennifer , Das Rohit , Fasanella Kenneth E , Khalid Asif , McGrath Kevin , Sarkaria Savreet , Singh Harkirat , Slivka Adam , Nalesnik Michael , Han Xiaoli , Nikiforova Marina N , Lawlor Rita Teresa , Mafficini Andrea , Rusev Boris , Corbo Vincenzo , Luchini Claudio , Bersani Samantha , Pea Antonio , Cingarlini Sara , Landoni Luca , Salvia Roberto , Milione Massimo , Milella Michele , Scarpa Aldo , Hong Seung-Mo , Heaphy Christopher M , Singhi Aatur D
Published: April 2021

Objective

Recent studies have found aristaless-related homeobox gene (ARX)/pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX)/death domain-associated protein (DAXX) and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) to be promising prognostic biomarkers for non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PanNETs). However, they have not been comprehensively evaluated, especially among small NF-PanNETs (≤2.0 cm). Moreover, their status in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) from other sites remains unknown.

Design

An international cohort of 1322 NETs was evaluated by immunolabelling for ARX/PDX1 and ATRX/DAXX, and telomere-specific fluorescence in situ hybridisation for ALT. This cohort included 561 primary NF-PanNETs, 107 NF-PanNET metastases and 654 primary, non-pancreatic non-functional NETs and NET metastases. The results were correlated with numerous clinicopathological features including relapse-free survival (RFS).

Results

ATRX/DAXX loss and ALT were associated with several adverse prognostic findings and distant metastasis/recurrence (p<0.001). The 5-year RFS rates for patients with ATRX/DAXX-negative and ALT-positive NF-PanNETs were 40% and 42% as compared with 85% and 86% for wild-type NF-PanNETs (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Shorter 5-year RFS rates for ≤2.0 cm NF-PanNETs patients were also seen with ATRX/DAXX loss (65% vs 92%, p=0.003) and ALT (60% vs 93%, p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, ATRX/DAXX and ALT status were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Conversely, classifying NF-PanNETs by ARX/PDX1 expression did not independently correlate with RFS. Except for 4% of pulmonary carcinoids, ATRX/DAXX loss and ALT were only identified in primary (25% and 29%) and NF-PanNET metastases (62% and 71%).

Conclusions

ATRX/DAXX and ALT should be considered in the prognostic evaluation of NF-PanNETs including ≤2.0 cm tumours, and are highly specific for pancreatic origin among NET metastases of unknown primary.
Towards better understanding of giant cell granulomas of the oral cavity
Authors: Ahmed Atif , Naidu Aparna
Published: April 2021

Giant cell granulomas are enigmatic lesions of the oral cavity characterised by a peculiar combined proliferation of mononuclear and multinucleated giant cells in a mesenchymal stromal background. Central and peripheral giant cell granulomas may have similar pathogenesis and histology but differ in their location and biological behaviour. It is important to differentiate them from other giant cell lesions that can occur in the oral cavity, such as giant cell tumour of the bone, aneurysmal bone cyst, brown tumour of hyperparathyroidism, and giant cell lesions of Ramon syndrome, Noonan syndrome, neurofibromatosis and Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome. A recent insight into their molecular genetics and pathogenesis, with identification ofKRAS,FGFR1andTRPV4mutations, allows for better diagnostic differentiation and opens the door to the use of pathway inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent or dysmorphic lesions. In this review, we provide an updated summary of the clinical and pathological features of oral cavity giant cell granulomas that help with their precise diagnosis and management.
Blunt duct adenosis: a separate entity from columnar cell lesions?
Authors: de Boer Mirthe , van Diest Paul J
Published: April 2021

Blunt duct adenosis (BDA) is a breast lesion first described by Foote and Stewart in 1945 as a proliferative benign lesion of the terminal duct lobular unit. Throughout recent decades, further literature descriptions of BDA have been confusing. Some consider BDA to be a separate entity, some a growth pattern of columnar cell changes. The WHO 2012 considered BDA and columnar cell changes to be synonyms, while columnar cell lesions, especially those with atypia, are part of a spectrum of early precursors of the low nuclear grade breast neoplasia family. In the updated WHO 2019 version, BDA is mentioned as ‘not recommended’ terminology for columnar cell lesions without further discussing it, leaving the question open if BDA should be considered a separate entity.

Good diagnostic criteria for BDA have however largely been lacking, and its biological background has not yet been unravelled. In this paper, we point out that BDA is mainly associated with benign breast lesions and not with other recognised precursor lesions. Further, 16q loss, which is the hallmark molecular event in the low nuclear grade breast neoplasia family, is lacking in BDA. We therefore hypothesise that BDA may not be a true precursor lesion but a benign polyclonal lesion, and propose morphological diagnostic criteria to better differentiate it from columnar cell lesions.
Airspace dimension assessment with nanoparticles as a proposed biomarker for emphysema
Authors: Aaltonen H Laura , Petersson Sjögren Madeleine , Jakobsson Jonas K F , Nicklasson Hanna , Diaz Sandra , Sánchez Montiel Francisco , Zackrisson Sophia , Ideböhn Veronica , Engström Gunnar , Löndahl Jakob , Wollmer Per
Published: April 2021

Airspace dimension assessment with nanoparticles (AiDA) is a novel method to measure distal airspace radius non-invasively. In this study, AiDA radii were measured in 618 individuals from the population-based Swedish CArdiopulmonary BioImaging Study, SCAPIS. Subjects with emphysema detected by computed tomography were compared to non-emphysematous subjects. The 47 individuals with mainly mild-to-moderate visually detected emphysema had significantly larger AiDA radii, compared with non-emphysematous subjects (326±48 µm vs 291±36 µm); OR for emphysema per 10 µm: 1.22 (1.13–1.30, p<0.0001). Emphysema according to CT densitometry was similarly associated with larger radii compared with non-emphysematous CT examinations (316±41 µm vs 291 µm±26 µm); OR per 10 µm: 1.16 (1.08–1.24, p<0.0001). The results are in line with comparable studies. The results show that AiDA is a potential biomarker for emphysema in individuals in the general population.
Fibrotic extracellular matrix induces release of extracellular vesicles with pro-fibrotic miRNA from fibrocytes
Authors: Sato Seidai , Chong Sy Giin , Upagupta Chandak , Yanagihara Toyoshi , Saito Takuya , Shimbori Chiko , Bellaye Pierre-Simon , Nishioka Yasuhiko , Kolb Martin RJ
Published: April 2021

Rationale

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid vesicles, and EV-coupled microRNAs (miRNAs) are important modulators of biological processes. Fibrocytes are circulating bone marrow-derived cells that migrate into the injured lungs and contribute to fibrogenesis. The question of whether EV-coupled miRNAs derived from fibrocytes are able to regulate pulmonary fibrosis has not been addressed yet.

Methods

Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in rats by intratracheal administration of an adenoviral gene vector encoding active transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) or control vector. Primary fibrocytes and fibroblasts were cultured from rat lungs and were sorted by anti-CD45 magnetic beads. Human circulating fibrocytes and fibrocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were isolated by fibronectin-coated dishes. Fibrocytes were cultured on different stiffness plates or decellularised lung scaffolds. We also determined the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) and recombinant TGF-β1 on the cellular and EV-coupled miRNA expression of fibrocytes.

Results

The EVs of fibrocytes derived from fibrotic lungs significantly upregulated the expression of
col1a1
of fibroblasts. Culturing on rigid plates or fibrotic decellularised lung scaffolds increased miR-21-5 p expression compared with soft plates or normal lung scaffolds. Dissolved ECM collected from fibrotic lungs and recombinant TGF-β1 increased miR-21-5 p expression on fibrocytes, and these effects were attenuated on soft plates. Fibrocytes from BALF collected from fibrotic interstitial pneumonia patients showed higher miR-21-5 p expression than those from other patients.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that ECM contributes to fibrogenesis through biomechanical and biochemical effects on miRNA expression in fibrocytes.
Distinct cellular immune profiles in the airways and blood of critically ill patients with COVID-19
Authors: Saris Anno , Reijnders Tom D Y , Nossent Esther J , Schuurman Alex R , Verhoeff Jan , Asten Saskia van , Bontkes Hetty , Blok Siebe , Duitman Janwillem , Bogaard Harm-Jan , Heunks Leo , Lutter Rene , van der Poll Tom , Garcia Vallejo Juan J
Published: April 2021

Background

Knowledge of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 is almost exclusively derived from studies that examined the immune response in blood. We here aimed to analyse the pulmonary immune response during severe COVID-19 and to compare this with blood responses.

Methods

This was an observational study in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Mononuclear cells were purified from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood, and analysed by spectral flow cytometry; inflammatory mediators were measured in BALF and plasma.

Findings

Paired blood and BALF samples were obtained from 17 patients, four of whom died in the ICU. Macrophages and T cells were the most abundant cells in BALF, with a high percentage of T cells expressing the ƴδ T cell receptor. In the lungs, both CD4 and CD8 T cells were predominantly effector memory cells (87·3% and 83·8%, respectively), and these cells expressed higher levels of the exhaustion marker programmad death-1 than in peripheral blood. Prolonged ICU stay (>14 days) was associated with a reduced proportion of activated T cells in peripheral blood and even more so in BALF. T cell activation in blood, but not in BALF, was higher in fatal COVID-19 cases. Increased levels of inflammatory mediators were more pronounced in BALF than in plasma.

Interpretation

The bronchoalveolar immune response in COVID-19 has a unique local profile that strongly differs from the immune profile in peripheral blood. Fully elucidating COVID-19 pathophysiology will require investigation of the pulmonary immune response.
Rectal organoid morphology analysis (ROMA) as a promising diagnostic tool in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Cuyx Senne , Ramalho Anabela Santo , Corthout Nikky , Fieuws Steffen , Fürstová Eva , Arnauts Kaline , Ferrante Marc , Verfaillie Catherine , Munck Sebastian , Boon Mieke , Proesmans Marijke , Dupont Lieven , De Boeck Kris , Vermeulen François
Published: April 2021

Diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) when sweat chloride is not in the CF range and less than 2 disease-causing CFTR mutations are found requires physiological CFTR assays, which are not always feasible or available. We developed a new physiological CFTR assay based on the morphological differences between rectal organoids from subjects with and without CF. In organoids from 167 subjects with and 22 without CF, two parameters derived from a semi-automated image analysis protocol (rectal organoid morphology analysis, ROMA) fully discriminated CF subjects with two disease-causing mutations from non-CF subjects (p<0.001). ROMA, feasible at all ages, can be centralised to improve standardisation.
Genetic polymorphism in ATIC is associated with effectiveness and toxicity of pemetrexed in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Visser Sabine , Koolen Stijn , van Donk Nadine , van Walree Nico , van der Leest Cor , Cornelissen Robin , van Schaik Ron , Mathijssen Ron , Aerts Joachim , Stricker Bruno H
Published: April 2021

Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer who are treated with pemetrexed display a wide variation in clinical response and toxicity. In this prospective, multicentre cohort study, we investigated the association with treatment effectiveness and toxicity of 10 polymorphisms in nine candidate genes, covering the folate pathway (MTHFR), cell transport (SLC19A1/ABCC2/ABCC4), intracellular metabolism (FPGS/GGH) and target enzymes (TYMS/DHFR/ATIC) of pemetrexed. Adjusted for sex, ECOG performance score and disease stage, the association between ATIC (rs12995526) and overall survival (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.39) was significant. Regarding toxicity, this ATIC polymorphism was significantly associated with severe laboratory (p=0.014) and clinical (p=0.016) chemotherapy-related adverse events, severe neutropenia (p=0.007) and all-grade diarrhoea (p=0.034) in multivariable analyses.
Illicit cigarette trade in the cities of Pakistan: comparing findings between the consumer and waste recycle store surveys
Authors: Khan Amina , Dobbie Fiona , Siddiqi Kamran , Ansaari Saeed , Abdullah S M , Iqbal Romaina , Khan Zohaib , Sohail Salman , Kanaan Mona , Huque Rumana , Islam Ziauddin , Boeckmann Melanie , Ross Hana
Published: April 2021

Background

Concerns about the magnitude of illicit cigarette trade have prevented the Government of Pakistan from increasing tobacco taxes. We estimated the proportion of illicit cigarettes sold in Pakistani cities. Moreover, we compared two methods for collecting cigarette packs and investigated if the illicit cigarette trade equates to tax evasion.

Method

We analysed cigarette packs collected from 10 cities of Pakistan using two methods: consumer survey based on a two-stage random sampling strategy to recruit adult smokers and photograph their cigarette packs and waste recycle store survey to purchase used cigarette packs. Cigarettes were considered illicit if any one of the following was absent from their packs: text and pictorial health warning, underage sale prohibition warning, retail price and manufacturer’s name. From the consumer survey, we also estimated the proportion of smokers who purchased loose cigarettes (illegal) and packs below the minimum retail price. Taxation officers (n=4) were consulted to assess their level of confidence in judging tax evasion using the above criteria.

Results

Out of 2416 cigarette packs in the consumer survey, 454 (17.8%; 95% CI 15.4% to 20.2%) were illicit. Similarly, out of 6213 packs from waste recycle shops, 1046 (16.8%; 95% CI 15.9% to 17.7%) were illicit; the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.473). Among consumers, 29.5% bought loose cigarettes and 13.8% paid less than the minimum retail price. The taxation officers considered the manufacturer’s name and retail price on cigarette packs as the most relevant criteria to detect tax evasion.

Conclusions

One in six cigarette packs consumed in Pakistan could be illicit. These figures are far less than those propagated by the tobacco industry. Collecting packs from waste recycle stores is an efficient and valid method to estimate illicit cigarette trade.
Tournament and non-tournament anglers have little effect on a largemouth bass population compared to natural mortality
Authors: Sylvia Andrea , Dinsmore Stephen J. , Weber Michael J.
Published: April 2021

Popularity of bass (Micropterus spp.) catch and release and tournament angling during the past decade has resulted in increased potential for these activities to induce population level effects. Understanding capture rates and mortality sources relative to total population mortality is essential to focus of management. We conducted monthly electrofishing, solicited non-tournament angler tag returns, and censused largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) tournaments at Brushy Creek Lake, Iowa, USA, from April 2015 to June 2018. We used a multistate mark–recapture model to evaluate the effects of air temperature, water temperature, tournament bass per angler, and tournament initial mortality on non-tournament and tournament angler capture probability and natural, non-tournament angling, and initial and delayed tournament mortality. Average total annual mortality was 0.66 with natural mortality representing the largest mortality source (0.57) followed by delayed tournament mortality (0.06), non-tournament angling mortality (0.02), and initial tournament mortality (0.006). Our results reveal both non-tournament and tournament angling mortality are low compared to natural mortality in some lakes. Therefore, cumulative angling mortality likely has minimal population level effects on some bass populations.
Efficient synthetic generation of ecological data with preset spatial association of individuals
Authors: Strimbu Bogdan M. , Paun Andrei , Amarioarei Alexandru , Paun Mihaela , Strimbu Victor F.
Published: April 2021

Many experiments cannot feasibly be conducted as factorials. Simulations using synthetically generated data are viable alternatives to such factorial experiments. The main objective of the present research is to develop a methodology and platform to synthetically generate spatially explicit forest ecosystems represented by points with a predefined spatial pattern. Using algorithms with polynomial complexity and parameters that control the number of clusters, the degree of clusterization, and the proportion of nonrandom trees, we show that spatially explicit forest ecosystems can be generated time efficiently, which enables large factorial simulations. The proposed method was tested on 1200 synthetically generated forest stands, each of 25 ha, using 10 spatial indices: Clark–Evans aggregation index; Ripley’s K; Besag’s L; Morisita’s dispersion index; Greig–Smith index; the size dominance index of Hui; index of nonrandomness of Pielou; directional index and mean directional index of Corral–Rivas; and size differentiation index of Von Gadow. The size of individual trees was randomly generated aiming at variograms such as real forests. We obtained forest stands with the expected spatial arrangement and distribution of sizes in less than 1 h. To ensure replicability of the study, we have provided free, fully functional software that executes the stated tasks.
Potassium bromate (KBrO3) modulates oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) – induced Crohn’s colitis in Wistar rats
Authors: Salami Adeola Temitope , Okotie Gloria Enevwo , Echendu Precious Nekachi , Akpamu Uwaifoh , Olaleye Samuel Babafemi
Published: April 2021

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) present in consumed ozonised water was recently documented to exacerbate experimental gastric ulcer. Information, however, is vague as regards its effects in the colon where water reabsorption occurs. In this study, we observed the possible effects of KBrO3 on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) – induced Crohn’s colitis (CC). Wistar rats (180–200 g) were divided into six groups (n = 10): (i) control; (ii) untreated CC (induced by 1.4% NaOH; intra-rectal administration); and (iii–vi) CC treated with vitamin E, KBrO3, vitamin E+KBrO3, and sulphazalazine, respectively, for 7 days. Body weight and stool score were monitored daily. By day 3 and 7, excised colon was evaluated for ulcer scores and biochemical and histological analysis. Blood samples collected on days 3 and 7 were assayed for haematological indices using standard methods. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Platelet/lymphocyte ratio, colonic ulcer score, malondialdehyde, and mast cells were significantly decreased while colonic sulfhydryl, and Ca2+- and Na+/K+-ATPase activities were increased following KBrO3 treatment compared with untreated CC. These findings suggest that KBrO3 may mitigate against NaOH-induced CC via inhibiting mast cell population and oxidative and inflammatory content but stimulating colonic sulfhydryl and Ca2+- and Na+/K+-ATPase activities.
The neuromuscular system in flatworms: serotonin and FMRFamide immunoreactivities and musculature in Prodistomum alaskense (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae), an endemic fish parasite of the northwestern Pacific
Authors: Nefedova D.A. , Terenina N.B. , Mochalova N.V. , Poddubnaya L.G. , Movsesyan S.O. , Gordeev I.I. , Kuchin A.V. , Kreshchenko N.D.
Published: April 2021

Using the immunocytochemical method and confocal scanning laser microscopy, we obtained pioneering data on the muscle system organization and presence and localization of biogenic amine serotonin and FMRFamide-related peptides in the nervous system of the trematode Prodistomum alaskense (Ward and Fillingham, 1934) Bray and Merrett 1998 (family Lepocreadiidae). This flatworm is an intestinal parasite of endemic representatives of the marine fauna of the northwestern Pacific Ocean — the prowfish (Zaprora silenus Jordan, 1896) and the lumpfish (Aptocyclus ventricosus (Pallas, 1769)). We provide data of scanning electron microscopy on the tegumental topography of P. alaskense. The body wall musculature of P. alaskense has three layers of muscle fibres — the outer circular, intermediate longitudinal, and inner diagonal. The muscle system elements are well developed in the attachment organs, digestive and reproductive systems, and in the excretory sphincter. Serotonin– and FMRFamide–immunopositive neurons and neurites are found in the head ganglia, circular commissure, longitudinal nerve cords, and in the transversal connective commissures. The innervation of the oral and ventral suckers, pharynx, and the reproductive system compartments by the serotonergic and FMRFamide–immunopositive neurites is revealed. The results discus connection with the published data on the presence and functional roles of the serotonin and FMRFamide-related peptides in Platyhelminthes.
Remembering is a form of honouring: preserving the COVID-19 archival record
Authors: Jones Esyllt W. , Sweeney Shelley , Milligan Ian , Bak Greg , McCutcheon Jo-Anne
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 presents an opportunity to preserve a rich and diverse historical record—one intended to honour all experiences and voices and in recognition of ongoing systemic inequalities shaping the pandemic. But policy changes are necessary in three key areas: how memory institutions are funded and supported, the gaps in our capacity to preserve the digital records that reflect how we communicate with one another today, and how to preserve and make accessible valuable scholarly research into the societal impact of COVID-19. Our goal is to begin a conversation about priorities for archival preservation, the need for greater equity and justice in our preservation practices, and ways to safeguard the existence of historical records that will allow us in future to bear witness, with fairness and truth and in a spirit of reconciliation, to our society’s response to COVID-19.
Video analysis for the detection of animals using convolutional neural networks and consumer-grade drones
Authors: Chalmers C. , Fergus P. , Curbelo Montanez C. Aday , Longmore Steven N. , Wich Serge A.
Published: April 2021

Determining animal distribution and density is important in conservation. The process is both time-consuming and labour-intensive. Drones have been used to help mitigate human-intensive tasks by covering large geographical areas over a much shorter timescale. In this paper we investigate this idea further using a proof of concept to detect rhinos and cars from drone footage. The proof of concept utilises off-the-shelf technology and consumer-grade drone hardware. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using machine learning (ML) to automate routine conservation tasks, such as animal detection and tracking. The prototype has been developed using a DJI Mavic Pro 2 and tested over a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network. The Faster-RCNN Resnet 101 architecture is used for transfer learning. Inference is performed with a frame sampling technique to address the required trade-off between precision, processing speed, and live video feed synchronisation. Inference models are hosted on a web platform and video streams from the drone (using OcuSync) are transmitted to a real-time messaging protocol (RTMP) server for subsequent classification. During training, the best model achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.83 intersection over union (@IOU) 0.50 and 0.69 @IOU 0.75, respectively. On testing the system in Knowsley Safari our prototype was able to achieve the following: sensitivity (Sen), 0.91 (0.869, 0.94); specificity (Spec), 0.78 (0.74, 0.82); and an accuracy (ACC), 0.84 (0.81, 0.87) when detecting rhinos, and Sen, 1.00 (1.00, 1.00); Spec, 1.00 (1.00, 1.00); and an ACC, 1.00 (1.00, 1.00) when detecting cars.
Quantum criticality in dimerised anisotropic spin-1 chains
Authors: Ejima Satoshi , Lange Florian , Fehske Holger
Published: April 2021

Applying the (infinite) density-matrix renormalisation group technique, we explore the effect of an explicit dimerisation on the ground-state phase diagram of the spin-1 XXZ chain with single-ion anisotropy D. We demonstrate that the Haldane phase between large-D and antiferromagnetic phases survives up to a critical dimerisation only. As a further new characteristic the dimerisation induces a direct continuous Ising quantum phase transition between the large-D and antiferromagnetic phases with central charge $$c=1/2$$

c
=
1
/
2

, which terminates at a critical end-point where $$c=7/10$$

c
=
7
/
10

. Calculating the critical exponents of the order parameter, neutral gap and spin–spin-correlation function, we find $$\beta =1/8$$

β
=
1
/
8

(1/24), $$\nu =1$$

ν
=
1

(5/9), and $$\eta =1/4$$

η
=
1
/
4

(3/20), respectively, which proves the Ising (tricritical Ising) universality class in accordance with field-theoretical predictions.
Non-Markovian quantum Otto refrigerator
Authors: Wiedmann Michael , Stockburger Jürgen T. , Ankerhold Joachim
Published: April 2021

Based on a recently developed non-perturbative platform designed to simulate the full quantum dynamics of quantum thermal machines, the situation of a quantum refrigerator operating according to an Otto cycle is studied. The periodic steady-state dynamics is discussed in detail as well as the key thermodynamic quantities work, heat, and entropy. A particular benefit of the formulation is that it allows to access explicitly the work required for switching on and off the interaction with the respective thermal reservoirs in a consistent way. The domains in which the device operates in refrigerator mode are characterized.
A pedagogical discussion of N = 1 four-dimensional supergravity in superspace
Authors: Ducrocq Robin , Rausch de Traubenberg Michel , Valenzuela Mauricio
Published: April 2021

A short introduction to N = 1 supergravity in four dimensions in the superspace approach is given emphasizing on all steps to obtain the final Lagrangian. In particular, starting from geometrical principles and the introduction of superfields in curved superspace, the action coupling matter and gauge fields to supergravity is derived. This paper is based on the book [M. Rausch de Traubenberg and M. Valenzuela, A Supergravity Primer: From Geometrical Principles to the Final Lagrangian (World Scientific, 2020)] and on several lectures given at the doctoral school of Strasbourg.
Comparative study of functionalized MXenes Mn+1CnO2 (M = Ti, Zr and Hf, n = 1, 2 and 3): A proposal for renewable energy applications
Authors: Shehzad Nasir , Zhang Lixin , Saeed Shahzad , Ali Anwar
Published: April 2021

Using first-principles calculations, we studied the electronic, structural and thermoelectric properties of two-dimensional (2D) MXenes [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = Ti, Zr and Hf, [Formula: see text], 2 and 3). The calculations are carried out within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We have calculated the Boltzmann transport equation for finding the thermoelectric properties such as power factor, Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. For [Formula: see text], these materials behave as semiconductors having an indirect bandgap nature. In contrast, for [Formula: see text] these materials show metallic behavior. Out of these MXenes, we found that Ti2CO2 has a high Seebeck coefficient value, whereas the electrical conductivity of Ti4C3O2 is exceptionally high. While among all these compounds, Ti2CO2 and Hf4C3O2 have a high power factor in the 300–1200-K temperature range.
Quantum two-state sharing
Authors: Ma Peng-Cheng , Chen Gui-Bin , Li Xiao-Wei , Zhan You-Bang
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we propose a novel scheme for quantum two-state sharing (QTSS) by using a five-qubit entangled state as the quantum channel. In this scheme, a dealer Alice has two unknown quantum states and wants her three agents to share the quantum states. After the dealer performs a four-qubit measurement on her qubits, and the controller employs a single-qubit measurement on his own qubit, the state receivers can reconstruct the original states by using the appropriate unitary operations. It is shown that, only if all agents collaborate with each other, the QTSS can be completed with unit success probability.
Non-equilibrium thermodynamics of quantum bipartite system
Authors: Zhang Kuan-Meng , Chen Yi-Xin
Published: April 2021

In quantum information and quantum computation, a bipartite system provides a basic few-body framework for investigating significant properties of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. A Hamiltonian model for a bipartite system is introduced to analyze the important role of interaction between bipartite subsystems in quantum non-equilibrium thermodynamics. We illustrate discrimination between such quantum thermodynamics and classical few-body non-equilibrium thermodynamics. By proposing a detailed balance condition of the bipartite system, we generally investigate the properties of the entropy and heat of our model, as well as the relation between them.
Extract the network communities based on fuzzy clustering theory
Authors: Lin Zhenzhou , Li Huijia
Published: April 2021

Community detection in complex networks is of great importance in analyzing the interaction patterns and group behaviors. However, the traditional method of community division divide each node in the network into a specific community, while may ignore its internal connection. In this paper, a new strategy that selects a fuzzy function and fuzzy threshold (FF-FT) was presented to discover community structure. Edge dense degree coefficient was introduced to calculate fuzzy relation between nodes, and Fast–Warshall algorithm was used to reduce the complexity of FF-FT. Through the theoretical analysis and the comparison of eight current well-known community detection algorithms on seven real networks and artificial networks with different parameters, the results show that the FF-FT algorithm has a good community detection performance.
Charge Behavior in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production by Photo Electrochemical Test Based on Nanomaterial of CoS2 Modified g-C3N4
Authors: Wang Li , Geng Xinle , Zhang Lu , Wang Hui
Published: April 2021

Seeking and developing a new approach to energy conversion is of significance to the development of future society. Hydrogen energy is expected to become an ideal green energy. In this work, g-C3N4 nanocomposites were modified with non-noble metal-sulfide CoS2 as a co-catalyst for hydrogen evolution, and the charge behavior in a photocatalytic process was studied by optical characterization and photo electrochemical test technology. The experiments proved that the composite material showed a superior hydrogen production performance when the CoS2 load was 5[Formula: see text]wt.% and the optimal hydrogen production activity was 119.7[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]. CoS2 as the reactivity site improved the migration and separation of the photo-generated charge significantly, the transfer resistance of the photogenerated charge decreased visibly after the CoS2 loading, the photocurrent increased three times and the effective carrier lifetime on the catalyst conduction band increased ten times. The photocatalysts maintained a good stability in a 12[Formula: see text]h hydrogen production activity test and a one hour photocurrent test. This work provides guidance for the design of an efficient catalyst and the study of effective charge.
A pilot study of the dynamics of tissue oxygenation in vivo using time-resolved phosphorescence imaging
Authors: Kazachkina Natalia , Lymar Julia , Shcheslavskiy Vladislav , Savitsky Alexander
Published: April 2021

Oxygenation of tissues plays an important role in the development and progression of tumor to treatment effects. Method of metalloporphyrines phosphorescence quenching by oxygen is one of the ways to measure dynamics of the oxygen concentration in the tissues by phosphorescence lifetime imaging of meso-tetra(sulfopheny1)tetrabenzoporphyrin Pd (II) (TBP) using the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) method. It has been shown that phosphorescence lifetime of the sensor in S37 tumor in vivo varied in the range of 130 to 290 [Formula: see text]s after both topical and intravenous administration of TBP. It indicates that oxygen level in tumors was lower compared to normal tissues where TBP phosphorescence has not been detected. Phosphorescence lifetimes of TBP increased in the solid tumor and in the muscle after photodynamic therapy of solid tumor that demonstrates oxygen consumption during treatment and possibly stopping the blood flow and hence the oxygen supply to the tissues.