bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of skin cancers in mycosis fungoides patients receiving PUVA therapy: A real‐life experience from a single tertiary center
Authors: Doğan Pelin Ertop , Akay Bengü Nisa , Vural Seçil , Arı Canan , Yılmaz Tuğçe Ertürk , Şanlı Hatice
Published: March 2023

Background

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. Skin‐directed therapies, including phototherapy, are the first‐line treatment modalities. Psoralen plus ultraviolet A light photochemotherapy (PUVA) is quite effective in controlling the disease; however, long‐term adverse effects, particularly carcinogenesis, are the cons of this treatment.

Objective

There are various studies on the negative impact of PUVA on skin cancer in patients with autoimmune skin diseases. The data on the long‐term effects of phototherapy on MF patients are scarce.

Methods

All MF cases that received PUVA alone or combined with other treatments at a single tertiary center were analyzed. This study compared the development of non‐melanoma skin cancers, melanoma, and solid organ tumors in MF patients with at least 5‐year follow‐up data with age‐ and sex‐matched controls.

Results

A total of 104 patients were included in the study. Ninety‐two malignancies were detected in 16 (15.4%) patients, and six developed multiple malignancies. Skin cancers consisted of 56 basal cell carcinomas, 16 Bowen's disease, four squamous cell carcinomas, three melanomas, two basosquamous cell carcinomas, one Kaposi sarcoma, and one keratoacanthoma were found in nine (8.7%) patients. Eight patients developed three solid cancers and six lymphomas. The risk of developing skin cancer was associated with the total number of PUVA sessions (<250 vs ≥250 sessions; hazard ratio (HR) 4.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.033–19.068; p = .045). 9 (13.2%) of 68 patients who had follow‐ups for at least 5 years developed skin cancer. Compared to an age‐ and sex‐matched cohort, the prevalence of new skin cancer was considerably greater (p = .009).

Conclusions

Patients with MF are predisposed to develop secondary malignancies, and continual exposure to PUVA may potentiate this risk. Annual digital dermoscopic follow‐up in MF patients treated with UVA is advised for early diagnosis and treatment of secondary cutaneous malignancies.
CD193 (CCR3) expression by B cells correlates with reduced IgE production in paediatric schistosomiasis
Authors: Onkanga I. O. , Sang H. , Hamilton R. , Ondigo B. N. , Jaoko W. , Odiere M. R. , Ganley‐Leal L.
Published: March 2023

We demonstrate that CD193, the eotaxin receptor, is highly expressed on circulating B cells in paediatric schistosomiasis mansoni. CD193 plays a role in directing granulocytes into sites of allergic‐like inflammation in the mucosa, but little is known about its functional significance on human B cells. We sought to characterize CD193 expression and its relationship with S. mansoni infection. We found that CD193+ B cells increased with the intensity of schistosome infection. In addition, a significant negative association was observed between CD193 expression by B cells and IgE production. Decreased IgE levels are generally associated with susceptibility to re‐infection. B cell stimulation with eotaxin‐1 increased CD193 levels whereas IL‐4 led to a reduction. This was supported by plasma levels of eotaxin‐1 correlating with CD193 levels on B cells and other cells. In contrast, CD193 expression was induced on naive B cells with a combination of IL‐10 and schistosome antigens. Whereas T cells had a modest increase in CD193 expression, only B cell CD193 appeared functionally chemotactic to eotaxin‐1. Thus, CD193+ B cells, which co‐express CXCR5, may be enroute to sites with allergic‐like inflammation, such as gastrointestinal follicles, or even to Th2 granulomas, which develop around parasite eggs. Overall, our results suggest that schistosome infection may promote CD193 expression and suppress IgE via IL‐10 and other undefined mechanisms related to B cell trafficking. This study adds to our understanding of why young children may have poor immunity. Nonetheless, praziquantel treatment was shown to reduce percentages of circulating CD193+ B cells lending hope for future vaccine efforts.
Mobile advertisement campaigns for boosting in‐store visits: A design framework and case study
Authors: Keshanian Kimia , Ramasubbu Narayan , Dutta Kaushik
Published: March 2023

Brick‐and‐mortar retailers seek higher foot traffic in their stores to improve their sales opportunities. In this quest, location‐based advertising on mobile devices has emerged as an important marketing tool for targeting potential customers. The design of such advertising campaigns is complex, and their effectiveness depends on the ability to collect and examine data that aids in targeting the right customers at the right time and place. We develop a campaign design framework that explicitly accounts for the costs of acquiring and utilizing targeting data and the heterogeneous effects of such data in affecting the performance outcomes of mobile advertising campaigns. We illustrate the application of our campaign design framework through a real‐world case study of a mobile advertising campaign undertaken by a large global retail firm. Our findings suggest that the optimal set of attributes to use for effectively targeting the potential customers of a brick‐and‐mortar retail store varies with the distance between the customers' current locations and that of the store. As a result, mobile campaign design approaches that utilize all or a naive subset of data attributes for targeted advertising yield lower levels of return on investments, relative to our proposed approach. Based on our results, we discuss implications for the design and deployment of mobile advertising campaigns and for further research on targeted advertising.
Sleep profile in a population of community‐dwelling nonagenarians: data from the Mugello study
Authors: Binazzi Barbara , Provini Federica , Pancani Silvia , Grippo Antonello , Vannetti Federica , Pasquini Guido , Frandi Roberta , Turcan Nona , Razzolini Lorenzo , Cecchi Francesca , Lova Raffaello Molino , Macchi Claudio
Published: March 2023

Background

Very few studies have investigated sleep characteristics in the oldest‐old individuals (aged ≥85 years) and data collected often rely on self‐reported information. This study had three aims: (i) to objectively assess, using a wearable device, the sleep characteristics of a large community of oldest‐old subjects; (ii) to assess differences in sleep parameters between self‐reported ‘good sleepers’ and ‘bad sleepers’; (iii) to assess whether there was a relationship between sleep parameters and cognitive status in this community‐dwelling population.

Methods

There were 178 subjects (74.2% women, median age 92 years) included in the ‘Mugello study’, who wore an armband 24 h/day for at least two consecutive nights to estimate sleep parameters. The perceived sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the cognitive status through the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Continuous variables were compared between men/women, and good/bad sleepers with the independent t‐test or Mann–Whitney U‐test, according to data distribution. Chi‐square test was used for categorical/dichotomous variables. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to study the possible association between sleep parameters and cognitive function.

Results

Participants spent in bed nearly 9 h, with a total sleep time of 7 h, a sleep onset latency of 17 min, and a sleep efficiency of 83%. Sleep onset latency was significantly associated with different cognitive levels when age and education level were considered. No significant difference in sleep parameters estimated using the SenseWear armband were found between poor (n = 136, 76.4%) and good sleepers (n = 42, 23.6%), identified according to the PSQI.

Conclusions

In this study, actigraphic measurements revealed that subjects with a cognitive decline were more prone to increased sleep onset latency. Sleep quality assessed using the PSQI was not coherent with actigraphic measurements in this sample, supporting the need for objective measures when investigating sleep quality in the oldest‐old population.
Does government social spending matter? Exploring how income inequality is associated with charitable giving
Authors: Yang Yongzheng
Published: March 2023

Objective

Given the detrimental consequences of income inequality and the importance of charitable giving in society, the relationship between income inequality and charitable giving has attracted much scholarly attention, but less is known about why and how income inequality is associated with charitable giving. This study intends to explore the role of government social spending in the relationship between income inequality and charitable giving.

Method

Building upon previous theoretical arguments and empirical studies, I argue that income inequality is negatively related to government social spending, and government social spending is negatively related to charitable giving. Using the U.S. county‐level panel data (2011–2017), this study runs a series of fixed‐effects models.

Results

It finds there is no significant relationship between income inequality and government social spending as well as between government social spending and charitable giving. However, income inequality has a robustly and significantly negative relationship with charitable giving.

Conclusion

Government social spending does not play a mediating role in the relationship between income inequality and charitable giving, but income inequality actually has a pernicious effect on individual philanthropy.
Airborne! UAV delivery of blood products and medical logistics for combat zones
Authors: Lammers Daniel T. , Williams James M. , Conner Jeffrey R. , Baird Emily , Rokayak Omar , McClellan John M. , Bingham Jason R. , Betzold Richard , Eckert Matthew J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Innovative solutions to resupply critical medical logistics and blood products may be required in future near‐peer conflicts. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being used in austere environments and may be a viable platform for medical resupply and the transport of blood products.

Methods

A literature review on PubMed and Google Scholar up to March of 2022 yielded a total of 27 articles that were included in this narrative review. The objectives of this article are to discuss the current limitations of prehospital blood transfusion in military settings, discuss the current uses of UAVs for medical logistics, and highlight the ongoing research surrounding UAVs for blood product delivery.

Discussion

UAVs allow for the timely delivery of medical supplies in numerous settings and have been utilized for both military and civilian purposes. Investigations into the effects of aeromedical transportation on blood products have found minimal blood product degradation when appropriately thermoregulated and delivered in a manner that minimizes trauma. UAV delivery of blood products is now actively being explored by numerous entities around the globe. Current limitations surrounding the lack of high‐quality safety data, engineering constraints over carrying capacity, storage capability, and distance traveled, as well as air space regulations persist.

Conclusion

UAVs may offer a novel solution for the transport of medical supplies and blood products in a safe and timely manner for the forward‐deployed setting. Further research on optimal UAV design, optimal delivery techniques, and blood product safety following transport should be explored prior to implementation.
On the Fractional Diffusion Equation Associated With Exponential Source and Operator With Exponential Kernel
Authors: Nguyen Anh Tuan , Nguyen Van Tien , Baleanu Dumitru , Nguyen Van Thinh
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate the well-posedness of mild solutions of the time-fractional diffusion equation with an exponential source function and the Caputo-Fabrizio derivative of a fractional order α∈(0,1). Some linear estimates of the solution kernels on Hilbert scale spaces are constructed using a spectrum of the Dirichlet Laplacian. Based on the Banach fixed point theorem, the global existence and uniqueness of the small-data mild solution are approved. This work is considered the first study on the time-fractional diffusion equation with a nonlinear function for all common dimensions of 1, 2, and 3.
Period-1 Motions to Twin Spiral Homoclinic Orbits in the Rössler System
Authors: Xing Siyuan , Luo Albert C. J.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, period-1 motions to twin spiral homoclinic orbits in the Rössler system are presented. The period-1 motions varying with a system parameter are predicted semi-analytically through an implicit mapping method, and the corresponding stability and bifurcations of the period-1 motions are determined through eigenvalue analysis. The approximate homoclinic orbits are obtained, which can be detected through the periodic motions with the positive and negative infinite large eigenvalues. The two limit ends of the bifurcation diagram of the period-1 motion are at twin spiral homoclinic orbits. For comparison, numerical and analytical results of stable period-1 motion are presented. The approximate spiral homoclinic orbits are demonstrated for a better understanding of complex dynamics of homoclinic orbits. Herein, only initial results on periodic motions to homoclinic orbits are presented for the Rössler system. In fact, the Rössler system has rich complex dynamics existing in other high-dimensional nonlinear systems. Thus, the further studies of bifurcation trees of periodic motions to infinite homoclinic orbits will be completed in sequel.
Efficient Hybrid Symbolic-Numeric Computational Method for Piecewise Linear Systems With Coulomb Friction
Authors: Shahhosseini Amir , Tien Meng-Hsuan , D'Souza Kiran
Published: March 2023

A wide range of mechanical systems have gaps, cracks, intermittent contact or other geometrical discontinuities while simultaneously experiencing Coulomb friction. A piecewise linear model with discontinuous force elements is discussed in this paper that has the capability to accurately emulate the behavior of such mechanical assemblies. The mathematical formulation of the model is standardized via a universal differential inclusion and its behavior, in different scenarios, is studied. In addition to the compatibility of the proposed model with numerous industrial systems, the model also bears significant scientific value since it can demonstrate a wide spectrum of motions, ranging from periodic to chaotic. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this class of models can generate a rare type of motion, called weakly chaotic motion. After their detailed introduction and analysis, an efficient hybrid symbolic-numeric computational method is introduced that can accurately obtain the arbitrary response of this class of nonlinear models. The proposed method is capable of treating high dimensional systems and its proposition omits the need for utilizing model reduction techniques for a wide range of problems. In contrast to the existing literature focused on improving the computational performance when analyzing these systems when there is a periodic response, this method is able to capture transient and nonstationary dynamics and is not restricted to only steady-state periodic responses.
Identification of an Essential LolD-Like Protein in Helicobacter pylori
Authors: McClain Mark S. , Bryant Kaeli N. , McDonald W. Hayes , Algood Holly M. Scott , Cover Timothy L.
Published: March 2023

Lipoproteins are critical in Gram-negative-bacteria for cell surface assembly of LPS, insertion of outer membrane proteins, and sensing envelope stress. Lipoproteins also contribute to bacterial pathogenesis.
A Single Intranasal Dose of Bacterial Therapeutics to Calves Confers Longitudinal Modulation of the Nasopharyngeal Microbiota: a Pilot Study
Authors: Amat Samat , Timsit Edouard , Workentine Matthew , Schwinghamer Timothy , van der Meer Frank , Guo Yongmei , Alexander Trevor W.
Published: March 2023

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains the most significant health challenge affecting the North American beef cattle industry and results in $3 billion in economic losses yearly. Current BRD control strategies mainly rely on antibiotics, with metaphylaxis commonly employed to mitigate BRD incidence in commercial feedlots.
Distinct Screening Approaches Uncover PA14_36820 and RecA as Negative Regulators of Biofilm Phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14
Authors: Yahya Amal H. , Harston Sophie R. , Colton William L. , Cabeen Matthew T.
Published: March 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a notorious human pathogen well known for forming biofilms, communities of bacteria that protect themselves within a self-secreted matrix. Here, we sought to find genetic determinants that impacted biofilm matrix production inP. aeruginosastrains.
The Photoactive Photosynthetic Reaction Center of a Rhodobacter sphaeroides Mutant Lacking 3-Vinyl (Bacterio)Chlorophyllide
a
Hydratase Contains 3-Vinyl Bacteriochlorophyll
a
Authors: Kim June , Kim Changwon , Kim Siin , Ihee Hyotcherl , Shin Woonsup , Kim Eui-Jin , Lee Jeong K.
Published: March 2023

3V-Bchlide
a
is an intermediate in the bacteriochlorophyll
a
(Bchl
a
)-specific biosynthetic branch and prenylated by bacteriochlorophyll synthase.
R. sphaeroides
synthesizes V-RC that absorbs light at short wavelengths. The V-RC was not previously discovered because 3V-Bchlide
a
does not accumulate during the growth of WT cells synthesizing Bchl
a
.
In Vitro
Modelling of Oral Microbial Invasion in the Human Colon
Authors: Etienne-Mesmin Lucie , Meslier Victoria , Uriot Ophélie , Fournier Elora , Deschamps Charlotte , Denis Sylvain , David Aymeric , Jegou Sarah , Morabito Christian , Quinquis Benoit , Thirion Florence , Plaza Oñate Florian , Le Chatelier Emmanuelle , Ehrlich S. Dusko , Blanquet-Diot Stéphanie , Almeida Mathieu
Published: March 2023

Here, we propose a new model of oral-to-gut invasion by the combined use of an
in vitro
model simulating both the physicochemical and microbial (lumen- and mucus-associated microbes) parameters of the human colon (M-ARCOL), a salivary enrichment protocol, and whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing.
Tuberculous flexor tenosynovitis of wrist and hand
Authors: Giri Sanjay Kumar , Suba Santanu , Bandyopadhyay Ahana , R Pavithra
Published: March 2023

A woman in her 40s presented with a swelling over her left distal forearm and hand since 7 months, progressively increasing in size. She had history of difficulty in moving her wrist and fingers with no associated pain. She had no immune or chronic conditions except for hypothyroidism for which she was on regular medication. On examination, there was an 8×7 cm swelling on the radial side of the volar surface of her left distal forearm extending till the thenar eminence. MRI of the left upper limb was suggestive of a soft tissue swelling arising from the flexor tendon.

The patient was planned for surgical excision of the swelling. Intraoperatively, there was a mass arising from the flexor tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor pollicis longus (FPL), extending distally up to the mid palm region. On incising the flexor tendon sheath, it was observed that multiple yellowish rice like granules extended across the tendons. The lesion was excised completely and sent for histopathology examination. The lax FDP of little and ring fingers were plicated following proper tension adjustment and defect in FPL was primarily repaired. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well with no local wound complications. The biopsy report was suggestive of tuberculosis. The patient completed a course of antituberculosis treatment in 6 months.
Diffuse cryptococcal pneumonia in multicentric Castleman’s disease with elevated serum IgG4
Authors: Takiguchi Junji , Tomioka Hiromi , Kamei Katsuhiko , Kawabata Yoshinori
Published: March 2023

A woman in her 60s with suspected multicentric Castleman’s disease, who was receiving treatment with oral prednisolone, presented to our hospital with mild cough and malaise. Chest CT showed diffuse infiltrative and granular shadows, indicating exacerbation of lung lesions caused by steroid-resistant multicentric Castleman’s disease. A video-assisted thoracoscopic lung and mediastinal lymph node biopsy was performed. The biopsy revealed mediastinal lymph node tissue consistent with multicentric Castleman’s disease, as well as presence ofCryptococcus neoformansin the alveolar space.C. neoformansinfection in immunocompromised individuals may present with diffuse lung lesions and should be noted as a mimicker of acute exacerbation of Castleman’s disease.
Application of multilevel linear spline models for analysis of growth trajectories in a cohort with repeat antenatal and postnatal measures of growth: a prospective cohort study
Authors: O'Keeffe Linda M , Yelverton Cara A , Bartels Helena C , O'Neill Kate N , McDonnell Ciara , McAuliffe Fionnuala M
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To model trajectories of antenatal and postnatal growth using linear spline multilevel models.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Participants

720–759 mother–child pairs from the ROLO study (initially a randomised control trial of a low glycaemic index diet in pregnancy to prevent recurrence of macrosomia [birth weight >4 kg]).

Primary outcomes

Trajectories of growth from 20 weeks gestation (abdominal circumference [AC], head circumference [HC] and weight) or birth (length/height) to 5 years.

Results

Over 50% of women had third-level education and 90% were of white ethnicity. Women were a mean (SD) age of 32 years (4.2) at recruitment. The best fitting model for AC, HC and weight included a model with 5 linear spline periods. The best fitting models for length/height included a model with 3 linear spline periods from birth to 6 months, 6 months to 2 years and 2 years to 5 years. Comparison of observed and predicted values for each model demonstrated good model fit. For all growth measures, growth rates were generally fastest in pregnancy or immediately post partum (for length/height), with rates of growth slowing after birth and becoming slower still as infancy and childhood progressed.

Conclusion

We demonstrate the application of multilevel linear spline models for examining growth trajectories when both antenatal and postnatal measures of growth are available. The approach may be useful for cohort studies or randomised control trials with repeat prospective assessments of growth.
Subanaesthetic single-dose ketamine as an adjunct to opioid analgesics for acute pain management in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fjendbo Galili Stine , Nikolajsen Lone , Papadomanolakis-Pakis Nicholas
Published: March 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a subanaesthetic single-dose ketamine (SDK) as an adjunct to opioids for acute pain in emergency department (ED) settings.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science through March 2022. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated SDK as an adjunct to opioids in adult patients for any painful condition in ED settings were selected. Two reviewers screened studies, extracted data and assessed study quality. Data were pooled using random-effects models. The primary outcome was mean pain intensity score measured at baseline, >0–15 min, >15–30 min, >30–45 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min. Secondary outcomes included need for rescue analgesia, adverse events and patient satisfaction. Results were reported as mean differences (MDs) and risk ratios. Statistical heterogeneity was calculated using theI2statistic.

Results

Eight RCTs were included (n=903). Studies were judged to be at moderate to high risk of bias. Mean pain intensity scores were significantly lower 60 min after study drug administration favouring adjuvant SDK (MD −0.76; 95% CI −1.19 to −0.33), compared with opioids alone. There was no evidence of differences in mean pain intensity scores at any other time point. Patients who received adjuvant SDK were less likely to require rescue analgesia, no more likely to experience serious side effects and had higher satisfaction scores, compared with opioids alone.

Conclusions

Available evidence suggests adjuvant SDK can have an effect on lowering pain intensity scores. Although reduction of pain scores was not clinically significant, the combination of reduced pain intensity and reduced opioid requirements suggest the results could be clinically important and support the potential utility of SDK as an adjunct to opioids to treat acute pain in adult ED patients. However, current evidence is limited and higher quality RCTs are needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021276708.
Cohort profile – the Renal cell cancer: Lifestyle, prognosis and quality of life (ReLife) study in the Netherlands
Authors: Maurits Jake S F , Sedelaar J P Michiel , Aben Katja K H , Kampman Ellen ,   The ReLife study group, Kiemeney Lambertus A L M , Vrieling Alina
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The Renal cell cancer: Lifestyle, prognosis and quality of life (ReLife) study is set up to obtain insight into the association of patient and tumour characteristics, lifestyle habits and circulating biomarkers with body composition features in patients with localised renal cell cancer (RCC). Further, it aims to assess the association of body composition features, lifestyle habits and circulating biomarkers with clinical outcomes, including health-related quality of life.

Participants

The ReLife study is a multicentre prospective cohort study involving 368 patients with newly diagnosed stages I–III RCC recruited from January 2018 to June 2021 from 18 hospitals in the Netherlands. At 3 months, 1 year and 2 years after treatment, participants fill out a general questionnaire and questionnaires about their lifestyle habits (eg, diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption), medical history and health-related quality of life. At all three time points, patients wear an accelerometer and have blood samples taken. CT scans for body composition analysis are being collected. Permission is asked for collection of tumour samples. Information about disease characteristics, treatment of the primary tumour and clinical outcomes is being collected from medical records by the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

Findings to date

A total of 836 invited patients were eligible and 368 patients were willing to participate and were included (response rate 44%). The mean age of patients was 62.5±9.0 years and 70% was male. The majority had stage I (65%) disease and were treated with radical nephrectomy (57%). Data collection at 3 months and 1 years after treatment have been finalised.

Future plans

Data collection at 2 years after treatment is expected to be finalised in June 2023 and longitudinal clinical data will continue to be collected. Results of studies based on this cohort are important to develop personalised evidence-based lifestyle advice for patients with localised RCC to enable them to get more control over their disease course.
Prophylaxis forPneumocystis cariniipneumonia in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma undergoing R-CHOP21 in China: a meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Huang Xiaojia , Huang Xiaoting , Lin Shen , Luo Shaohong , Dong Liangliang , Lin Dong , Huang Yaping , Xie Chen , Nian Dongni , Xu Xiongwei , Weng Xiuhua
Published: March 2023

Objective

Rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone, once every 3 weeks (R-CHOP21) is commonly used in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), but accompanied byPneumocystis cariniipneumonia (PCP) as a fatal treatment complication. This study aims to estimate the specific effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PCP prophylaxis in NHL undergoing R-CHOP21.

Design

A two-part decision analytical model was developed. Prevention effects were determined by systemic review of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from inception to December 2022. Studies reporting results of PCP prophylaxis were included. Enrolled studies were quality assessed with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Costs were derived from the Chinese official websites, and clinical outcomes and utilities were obtained from published literature. Uncertainty was evaluated through deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (DSA and PSA). Willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was set as US$31 315.23/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) (threefold the 2021 per capita Chinese gross domestic product).

Setting

Chinese healthcare system perspective.

Participants

NHL receiving R-CHOP21.

Interventions

PCP prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis.

Main outcome measures

Prevention effects were pooled as relative risk (RR) with 95% CI. QALYs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were calculated.

Results

A total of four retrospective cohort studies with 1796 participants were included. PCP risk was inversely associated with prophylaxis in NHL receiving R-CHOP21 (RR 0.17; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.67; p=0.01). Compared with no prophylaxis, PCP prophylaxis would incur an additional cost of US$527.61, and 0.57 QALYs gained, which yielded an ICER of US$929.25/QALY. DSA indicated that model results were most sensitive to the risk of PCP and preventive effectiveness. In PSA, the probability that prophylaxis was cost-effective at the WTP threshold was 100%.

Conclusion

Prophylaxis for PCP in NHL receiving R-CHOP21 is highly effective from retrospective studies, and routine chemoprophylaxis against PCP is overwhelmingly cost-effective from Chinese healthcare system perspective. Large sample size and prospective controlled studies are warranted.
Impact of a digital surgical workflow including Digital Device Briefing Tool on morbidity and mortality in a patient population undergoing primary stapled colorectal anastomosis for benign or malignant colorectal disease: protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: Lauscher Johannes , Beyer Katharina , Hellinger Achim , Croner Roland S , Ridwelski Karsten , Krautz Christian , Lim Christine , Coplan Paul M , Kurepkat Marc , Ribaric Goran
Published: March 2023

Introduction

With growing emphasis on surgical safety, it appears fundamental to assess the safety of colorectal resection involving primary stapled anastomosis. Surgical stapling devices can considerably foster patient safety in colorectal surgery, but their misuse or malfunction encompass a unique risk of postoperative complications. The Digital Device Briefing Tool (DDBT) is a digital cognitive aid developed to enhance safe use of the Ethicon circular stapling device during colorectal resection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how a digital operative workflow, including DDBT, compared with routine surgical care, affects morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing left-sided colorectal resection with primary stapled colorectal anastomosis for colorectal cancer or benign disease.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre, prospective cohort study will be conducted at five certified academic colorectal centres in Germany. It compares a non-digital with a Johnson & Johnson digital solution (Surgical Process Institute Deutschland (SPI))-guided operative workflow in patients undergoing left hemicolectomy, sigmoidectomy, anterior rectal resection and Hartmann reversal procedure. The sample size is set at 528 cases in total, divided into 3 groups (a non-digital and two SPI-guided workflow cohorts, with and without DDBT) in a ratio of 1:1:1, with 176 patients each. The primary endpoint is a composite outcome comprising the overall rate of surgical complications, including death, during hospitalisation and within the first 30 days after colorectal resection. Secondary endpoints include operating time, length of hospital stay and 30-day hospital readmission rate.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will be performed in line with the Declaration of Helsinki. The ethics committee of the Charité—University Medicine Berlin, Germany, approved the study (No: 22-0277-EA2/060/22). Study Investigators will obtain written informed consent from each patient before a patient may participate in this study. The study results will be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

DRKS00029682.
Medical evidence assisting non-fatal strangulation prosecution: a scoping review
Authors: Sharman Leah S , Fitzgerald Robin , Douglas Heather
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Non-fatal strangulation (NFS) is a serious form of gendered violence that is fast becoming an offence in many jurisdictions worldwide. However, it often leaves little or no externally visible injuries making prosecution challenging. This review aimed to provide an overview of how health professionals can support the prosecution of criminal charges of NFS as part of regular practice, particularly when externally visible injuries are absent.

Method

Eleven databases were searched with terms related to NFS and medical evidence in health sciences and legal databases. Eligible articles were English language and peer reviewed, published before 30 June 2021; sample over 18 years that had primarily survived a strangulation attempt and included medical investigations of NFS injuries, clinical documentation of NFS or medical evidence related to NFS prosecution.

Results

Searches found 25 articles that were included for review. Alternate light sources appeared to be the most effective tool for finding evidence of intradermal injury among NFS survivors that were not otherwise visible. However, there was only one article that examined the utility of this tool. Other common diagnostic imaging was less effective at detection, but were sought after by prosecutors, particularly MRIs of the head and neck. Recording injuries and other aspects of the assault using standardised tools specific for NFS were suggested for documenting evidence. Other documentation included writing verbatim quotes of the experience of the assault and taking good quality photographs that could assist with corroborating a survivor’s story and proving intent, if relevant for the jurisdiction.

Conclusion

Clinical responses to NFS should include investigation and standardised documentation of internal and external injuries, subjective complaints and the experience of the assault. These records can assist in providing corroborating evidence of the assault, reducing the need for survivor testimony in court proceedings and increasing the likelihood of a guilty plea.
Impact of testosterone use on the vaginal microbiota of transgender men, including susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis: study protocol for a prospective, observational study
Authors: Muzny Christina A , Van Gerwen Olivia T , Schroeder Julia A , Kay-Duncan Emma Sophia , Siwakoti Krishmita , Aaron Kristal J , Eastlund Isaac C , Graves Keonte J , Elnaggar Jacob H , Tamhane Ashutosh , Long Dustin , Van Wagoner Nicholas , Toh Evelyn , Taylor Christopher M
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The effect of testosterone (T) therapy on the vaginal microbiota of transgender men (TGM) is not well characterised, although one cross-sectional study comparing the vaginal microbiota of cisgender women to TGM on T≥1 year found that, in 71% of the TGM, the vaginal microbiota was less likely to beLactobacillus-dominated and more likely to be enriched with >30 other bacterial species, many associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). This prospective study aims to investigate changes in the composition of the vaginal microbiota over time in TGM who retain their natal genitalia (ie, vagina) and initiate T. In addition, we will identify changes in the vaginal microbiota preceding incident BV (iBV) in this cohort while investigating behavioural factors, along with hormonal shifts, which may be associated with iBV.

Methods and analysis

T-naïve TGM who have not undergone gender-affirming genital surgery with normal baseline vaginal microbiota (ie, no Amsel criteria, normal Nugent Score with noGardnerella vaginalismorphotypes) will self-collect daily vaginal specimens for 7 days prior to initiating T and for 90 days thereafter. These specimens will be used for vaginal Gram stain, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterise shifts in the vaginal microbiota over time, including development of iBV. Participants will complete daily diaries on douching, menses and behavioural factors including sexual activity during the study.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol is approved through the single Institutional Review Board mechanism by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. External relying sites are the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans Human Research Protection Program and the Indiana University Human Research Protection Program. Study findings will be presented at scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals as well as shared with community advisory boards at participating gender health clinics and community-based organisations servicing transgender people.

Registration details

Protocol # IRB-300008073.
Is the prolongation latency of visual evoked potentials a pathological sign in children with Down’s syndrome without ocular abnormalities? Case–control study of children with Down’s syndrome
Authors: Utrobičić Dobrila Karlica , Karlica Hana , Jerončić Ana , Borjan Ivan , Mudnić Ivana
Published: March 2023

Objective

To evaluate retino-cortical function in children with Down’s syndrome (DS) and no evident ocular abnormalities beyond mild refractive error, by recording visual evoked potentials (VEP) in response to pattern-reversal stimuli and comparing to those of age-matched healthy controls.

Methods and analysis

All the children with DS registered at Split-Dalmatia County who met inclusion criteria of no ocular abnormalities and with refraction error between −0.5 and +2.0 D, and their age-matched healthy controls were included in the study (n=36 children, N=72 eyes, for both groups, respectively, with the same age of 9±2 years). Transient VEP was recorded and the waves with a positive peak as a response to a pattern-reversal stimulus, were analysed. The peak P100 latency, defined as the time from the stimulus onset to the main positive peak, and peak to peak amplitudes were measured.

Results

While P100 wave amplitudes were comparable between two groups (p=0.804), P100 latencies were from 4.3 to 28.5 ms longer in children with DS (p<0.001). Interocular latency difference between a VEP dominant and an inferior eye was pronounced in healthy (1.2 ms (0.2–4.0), but was almost diminished in children with DS (0.3 ms (0.1–0.5), p<0.001).

Conclusion

Our study has demonstrated that VEP response is divergent in children with DS compared with their age-matched healthy controls, indicating possible structural or functional abnormalities of the visual cortex. As VEP results are helpful in the diagnosis and treatment planning of vision-related disorders, we should reconsider the use of common VEP diagnostic criteria in subpopulation of children with DS.
Grid-based state space exploration for molecular binding
Authors: Zupan Hana , Heinz Frederick , Keller Bettina G.
Published: March 2023

Binding processes are difficult to sample with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In particular, the state space exploration is often incomplete. Evaluating the molecular interaction energy on a grid circumvents this problem but is heavily limited by state space dimensionality. Here, we make the first steps towards a low-dimensional grid-based model of molecular binding. We discretize the state space of relative positions and orientations of the two molecules under the rigid body assumption. The corresponding program is published as the Python package molgri. For the rotational component of the grids, we test algorithms based on Euler angles, polyhedra and quaternions, of which the polyhedra-based are the most uniform. The program outputs a sequence of molecular structures that can be easily processed by standard MD programs to calculate grid point energies. We demonstrate the grid-based approach on two molecular systems: a water dimer and a coiled-coil protein interacting with a chloride anion. For the second system we relax the rigid-body assumption and improve the accuracy of the grid point energies by an energy minimization. In both cases, oriented bonding patterns and energies confirm expectations from chemical intuition and MD simulations. We also demonstrate how analysis of energy contributions on a grid can be performed and demonstrate that electrostatically driven association is sufficiently resolved by point-energy calculations. Overall, grid-based models of molecular binding are potentially a powerful complement to molecular sampling approaches, and we see the potential to expand the method to quantum chemistry and flexible docking applications.
The electromagnetic Sigma-to-Lambda transition form factors with coupled-channel effects in the space-like region
Authors: Lin Yong-Hui , Hammer Hans-Werner , Meißner Ulf-G.
Published: March 2023

Using dispersion theory, the electromagnetic Sigma-to-Lambda transition form factors are expressed as the product of the pion electromagnetic form factor and the $$\Sigma {\bar{\varLambda }}\rightarrow \pi \pi $$

Σ

Λ

¯

→
π
π

scattering amplitudes with the latter estimated from SU(3) chiral perturbation theory including the baryon decuplet as explicit degrees of freedom. The contribution of the $$K{\bar{K}}$$

K

K

¯

channel is also taken into account and the $$\pi \pi $$

π
π

–$$K{\bar{K}}$$

K

K

¯

coupled-channel effect is included by means of a two-channel Muskhelishvili–Omnès representation. It is found that the electric transition form factor shows a significant shift after the inclusion of the $$K{\bar{K}}$$

K

K

¯

channel, while the magnetic transition form factor is only weakly affected. However, the $$K{\bar{K}}$$

K

K

¯

effect on the electric form factor is obscured by the undetermined coupling $$h_A$$

h
A

in the three-flavor chiral Lagrangian. The error bands of the Sigma-to-Lambda transition form factors from the uncertainties of the couplings and low-energy constant in three-flavor chiral perturbation theory are estimated by a bootstrap sampling method.
Quantum entanglement for continuous variables sharing in an expanding spacetime
Authors: Li Wen-Mei , Wang Rui-Di , Wu Hao-Yu , Huang Xiao-Li , Zeng Hao-Sheng , Wu Shu-Min
Published: March 2023

Detecting the structure of spacetime with quantum technologies has always been one of the frontier topics of relativistic quantum information. Here, we analytically study the generation and redistribution of Gaussian entanglement of the scalar fields in an expanding spacetime. We consider a two-mode squeezed state via a Gaussian amplification channel that corresponds to the time-evolution of the state from the asymptotic past to the asymptotic future. Therefore, the dynamical entanglement of the Gaussian state in an expanding universe encodes historical information about the underlying spacetime structure, suggesting a promising application in observational cosmology. We find that quantum entanglement is more sensitive to the expansion rate than the expansion volume. According to the analysis of quantum entanglement, choosing the particles with the smaller momentum and the optimal mass is a better way to extract information about the expanding universe. These results can guide the simulation of the expanding universe in quantum systems.
Shielding of Penrose superradiance in optical black holes
Authors: Zhang Hongbin , Zhang Baocheng
Published: March 2023

We investigate the effect of superradiance shielding for the analogue rotating black holes simulated by optical vortices by calculating the radial motion of massless particles in such spacetime background. We add the conditions$$E<L\Omega _{r_{e}}$$E0$$L>0to judge the classically forbidden region of superradiance. It is found that the superradiance forbidden region exists near the static limit inside the ergosphere, which will limit the classical Penrose process for the particles with some specific energies and angular momenta. Once these particles satisfying the superradiance conditions are measured at the outside of the ergosphere, this shows that the Penrose process can be quantum.
The value of FDG-PET/CT imaging in the assessment, monitoring, and management of COVID-19
Authors: Griffin Matthew T. , Werner Thomas J. , Alavi Abass , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth
Published: March 2023

The pathogenesis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) involves cytokine-driven recruitment and accumulation of inflammatory cells at sites of infection. These activated neutrophils, monocytes, and effector T cells are highly glycolytic and thus appear as [18]F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid sites on positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. FDG-PET-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a highly sensitive modality for the detection, monitoring, and assessing response related to COVID-19 disease activity that holds significant clinical relevance. To date, concerns over cost, access, and undue radiation exposure have limited the use of FDG-PET/CT in COVID-19 to a small number of individuals where PET-based interventions were already indicated. In this review, we summarize the existing literature on the use of FDG-PET in the detection and monitoring of COVID-19 with particular focus on several areas of clinical relevance that warrant future research: (1) incidental early detection of subclinical COVID-19 in patients who have undergone FDG-PET for other underlying diseases, (2) standardized quantitative assessment of COVID-19 disease burden at specific points in time, and (3) analysis of FDG-PET/CT data leading to better characterization of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Employing FDG-PET/CT for these purposes may allow for the earliest detection of COVID-19-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE), standardized monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment, and better characterization of the acute and chronic complications of this disease.
Alignment & stability challenges for FCC-ee
Authors: Charles Tessa K. , Holzer Bernhard , Tomas Rogelio , Oide Katsunobu , van Riesen-Haupt Léon , Zimmermann Frank
Published: March 2023

In order to achieve its ultra-low vertical emittance (1 pm) and high luminosity (of up to $230 \times 10^{34}\text{ cm}^{-2}\text{ s}^{-1}$
230
×

10

34

 cm

−
2

 s

−
1

per collision point), the e+e− Future Circular Collider (FCC-ee) requires a well-informed alignment strategy, powerful correction methods, and good understanding of the impact of vibrations. The large ring size, high natural chromaticity, small $\beta ^{*}$

β
∗

, and the low coupling ratio make the FCC-ee design susceptible to misalignment and field errors, which if not properly addressed, threaten to increase the horizontal and vertical emittances and adversely affect the luminosity. Tight alignment tolerances around the 100 km ring would be a major cost driver and therefore alignment and stability need to be carefully studied. In this paper we present a status update, in which we apply analytical estimate methods, verified with simulation data, to determine the influence of the alignment of specific magnet types with the result informing the relative alignment tolerances. This is followed by simulations of a correction strategy that includes a large set of magnet misalignments and field errors. Finally, we also consider the tolerances on vibrations of quadrupoles through evaluating three cases: coherent vibration due to external seismic motion, vibrations resonant with the betatron frequency, and non-resonant, incoherent vibration.