bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Twenty years of International Council of Ophthalmology fellowships: description of the programme and the impact on more than 1100 awardees
Authors: Torres-Netto Emilio A , Gabel-Obermaier Cordula , Gabel Peter , Gloor Balder , Wiedemann Peter , Taylor Hugh , Davey Clare , Quilter Nicola , Seitz Berthold 
Published: August 2020

Background/AimsThe International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) offers fellowship programmes to help young ophthalmologists, mainly from low-resource countries, improve their practical or research skills in ophthalmology subspecialty areas. Using questionnaires, the objective of the present study was to evaluate how the ICO Fellowship Programme has impacted on improving knowledge, skills and the careers of young ophthalmologists from low-resource countries.MethodsFrom 2001 to 2019 overall 1140 ICO fellowships were awarded. A questionnaire was sent to ICO fellows after the conclusion of their fellowship and another 3 years later. Part 1 contained 26 questions, while Part 2 had 21 questions. The answers were collected through an online platform and analysed descriptively thereafter.Results1101 Part 1 questionnaires had been sent to former fellows, with a return rate of 47% (516 responses) and 829 Part 2 questionnaires with a return rate of 47% (390 responses). Overall, 98.3% strongly or somewhat agreed that knowledge in their subspecialty has improved considerably. Whereas only 19% of them held a lecturer, senior lecturer or head of subspecialty department position prior to the fellowship, 46% of them held such a position 3 years after the fellowship was completed.ConclusionsThe ICO Fellowship Programmes aim to promote the enhancement of eye care delivery and eye health in low-resource countries, the professional development of young leaders and the improvement of eye care. The results of the current study confirm the expectation of such a positive impact. Moreover, almost half of the responding participants have been appointed to a local leadership position in their home country.
Characterisation of thickness changes in the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer in patients with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy
Authors: Wang Dan , Liu Hong-Li , Du Yang-Yang , Yuan Jiajia , Li Xin , Tian Zhen , Zhou Haiqiang , Wang Shuang , Song Lin , Sun Jian , Xiao Xiao , Wang Zhi-Tao , Li Bin 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundLimited studies have identified the changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness in patients with chronic Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) at different stages of the disease. We aimed to characterise the pRNFL thickness changes in patients with LHON having m.11778G>A (MT-ND4) mutation.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study included 221 eyes from patients with LHON (n=145)—classified into seven groups according to disease duration—and 52 eyes from healthy controls (n=26). All subjects underwent pRNFL examinations. pRNFL thickness of the superior, nasal and inferior, and temporal quadrants, and the 360° average were measured.ResultsWithin 3 months of onset, the temporal pRNFL thickness decreased significantly, whereas the remaining quadrants and the average pRNFL thickness initially increased. The temporal quadrant (p<0.01) and average pRNFL thickness (p=0.02) significantly decreased at 3–6 months. Excluding that in the nasal quadrant (p=0.93), pRNFL thickness significantly decreased in all other quadrants at 6–9 months. At 9–12 months, the average and individual quadrant pRNFL thicknesses continued to decrease. Compared with 12–24 months, the pRNFL thickness was thinner at 24–60 months and >60 months.ConclusionsThe papillomacular bundle was affected first and preferentially in LHON. pRNFL thickness initially increased and then decreased, corresponding to the retinal ganglion cell swelling and apoptosis. pRNFL thinning first occurred in the temporal quadrant, followed by the inferior and superior quadrants, and finally, the nasal quadrant. pRNFL continued to thin slowly in some quadrants even after 60 months.
Protocol for a cluster-randomised non-inferiority trial of one versus two doses of ivermectin for the control of scabies using a mass drug administration strategy (the RISE study)
Authors: Lake Susanna J , Phelan Sophie L , Engelman Daniel , Sokana Oliver , Nasi Titus , Boara Dickson , Gorae Christina , Schuster Tibor , Grobler Anneke C , Osti Millicent H , Andrews Ross , Marks Michael , Whitfeld Margot J , Romani Lucia , Kaldor John , Steer Andrew 
Published: August 2020

IntroductionScabies is a significant contributor to global morbidity, affecting approximately 200 million people at any time. Scabies is endemic in many resource-limited tropical settings. Bacterial skin infection (impetigo) frequently complicates scabies infestation in these settings. Community-wide ivermectin-based mass drug administration (MDA) is an effective control strategy for scabies in island settings, with a single round of MDA reducing population prevalence by around 90%. However, current two-dose regimens present a number of barriers to programmatic MDA implementation. We designed the Regimens of Ivermectin for Scabies Elimination (RISE) trial to investigate whether one-dose MDA may be as effective as two-dose MDA in controlling scabies in high-prevalence settings.Methods and analysisRISE is a cluster-randomised non-inferiority trial. The study will be conducted in 20 isolated villages in Western Province of Solomon Islands where population prevalence of scabies is approximately 20%. Villages will be randomly allocated to receive either one dose or two doses of ivermectin-based MDA in a 1:1 ratio. The primary objective of the study is to determine if ivermectin-based MDA with one dose is as effective as MDA with two doses in reducing the prevalence of scabies after 12 months. Secondary objectives include the effect of ivermectin-based MDA on impetigo prevalence after 12 and 24 months, the prevalence of scabies at 24 months after the intervention, the impact on presentation to health facilities with scabies and impetigo, and the safety of one-dose and two-dose MDA.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been approved by the ethics review committees of the Solomon Islands and the Royal Children's Hospital, Australia. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and in meetings with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services and participating communities.Trial registration detailsAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618001086257. Date registered: 28 June 2018.
Clinical evolution, management and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa: a research protocol
Authors: Allwood Brian W , Koegelenberg Coenraad FN , Irusen Elvis , Lalla Usha , Davids Razeen , Chothia Yazied , Davids Ryan , Prozesky Hans , Taljaard Jantjie , Parker Arifa , Decloedt Eric , Jordan Portia , Lahri Sa'ad , Moosa Rafique , Schrueder Neshaad , Du Toit Riette , Viljoen Abraham , English Rene , Ayele Birhanu , Nyasulu Peter 
Published: August 2020

IntroductionThe outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19, declared a global pandemic by the WHO, is a novel infection with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, 55 421 cases have been confirmed as of 10 June 2020, with most cases in the Western Cape Province. Coronavirus leaves us in a position of uncertainty regarding the best clinical approach to successfully manage the expected high number of severely ill patients with COVID-19. This presents a unique opportunity to gather data to inform best practices in clinical approach and public health interventions to control COVID-19 locally. Furthermore, this pandemic challenges our resolve due to the high burden of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in our country as data are scarce. This study endeavours to determine the clinical presentation, severity and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 admitted to our hospital.Methods and analysisThe study will use multiple approaches taking into account the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospective observational design to describe specific patterns of risk predictors of poor outcomes among patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to Tygerberg Hospital. Data will be collected from medical records of patients with severe COVID-19 admitted at Tygerberg Hospital. Using the Cox proportional hazards model, we will investigate the association between the survival time of patients with COVID-19 in relation to one or more of the predictor variables including HIV and TB.Ethics and disseminationThe research team obtained ethical approval from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Research Committee of the Tygerberg Hospital. All procedures for the ethical conduct of scientific investigation will be adhered to by the research team. The findings will be disseminated in clinical seminars, scientific forums and conferences targeting clinical care providers and policy-makers.
Secondhand smoke in public places in Vietnam: An assessment 5 years after implementation of the tobacco control law
Authors: Tran Long K , Morawska Lidia , Gartner Coral E , Huong Le T T , Le Hong H T C , Thai Phong K 
Published: August 2020

ObjectivesThis study quantified the secondhand smoke (SHS) concentration in a sample of public places in Vietnam to determine changes in SHS levels 5 years after a public smoking ban was implemented.MethodsTwo monitoring campaigns, one in 2013 (before the tobacco control law was implemented) and another in 2018 (5 years after the implementation of the law) were conducted in around 30 restaurants, cafeterias and coffee shops in major cities of Vietnam. Concentrations of PM2.5, as an indicator of SHS, were measured by portable particulate matter monitors (TSI SidePak AM510 and Air Visual Pro).ResultsThe geometric mean PM2.5 concentration of all monitored venues was 87.7 µg/m3 (83.7–91.9) in the first campaign and 55.2 µg/m3 (53.7–56.7) in the second campaign. Pairwise comparison showed the PM2.5 concentrations in the smoking observed area was triple and double those in the non-smoking area and the outdoor environment. After adjusting for sampling locations and times, the SHS concentration 5 years after the implementation of the tobacco control law reduced roughly 45%.ConclusionThe study results indicate an improvement in air quality in public places in Vietnam via both the reduction in PM2.5 levels and the number of people observed smoking. However, greater enforcement of the free-smoke legislation is needed to eliminate SHS in public places in Vietnam.
A note of the first law of thermodynamics by gravitational decoupling
Authors: Estrada Milko , Prado Reginaldo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe provide a way of decoupling the first law of thermodynamics in two sectors : the standard first law of thermodynamics and the quasi first law of thermodynamics. It is showed that both sectors share the same thermodynamics volume and the same entropy. However, the total thermodynamics pressure, the total temperature and the total local energy correspond to a simple sum of the thermodynamics contributions of each sector. On the other hand, turning on the coupling constant $$\alpha $$α, the total energy, given by the Noether charge, increases proportionally to this constant. Furthermore, it is showed a simple example, where, there is a phase transition between stable/unstable black hole, and, due to the application of the decoupling, it is possible to determinate that the cause of this phase transition is the behavior of the temperature at the quasi sector.
Evolution of confined quantum scalar fields in curved spacetime. Part I
Authors: Barbado Luis C. , Báez-Camargo Ana L. , Fuentes Ivette 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe develop a method for computing the Bogoliubov transformation experienced by a confined quantum scalar field in a globally hyperbolic spacetime, due to the changes in the geometry and/or the confining boundaries. The method constructs a basis of modes of the field associated to each Cauchy hypersurface, by means of an eigenvalue problem posed in the hypersurface. The Bogoliubov transformation between bases associated to different times can be computed through a differential equation, which coefficients have simple expressions in terms of the solutions to the eigenvalue problem. This transformation can be interpreted physically when it connects two regions of the spacetime where the metric is static. Conceptually, the method is a generalisation of Parker’s early work on cosmological particle creation. It proves especially useful in the regime of small perturbations, where it allows one to easily make quantitative predictions on the amplitude of the resonances of the field, providing an important tool in the growing research area of confined quantum fields in table-top experiments. We give examples within the perturbative regime (gravitational waves) and the non-perturbative regime (cosmological particle creation). This is the first of two articles introducing the method, dedicated to spacetimes without boundaries or which boundaries remain static in some synchronous gauge.
Type-II neutrino seesaw mechanism extension of NMSSM from SUSY breaking mechanisms
Authors: Li Zhuang , Wang Fei 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe propose to accommodate economically the type-II neutrino seesaw mechanism in (G)NMSSM from GMSB and AMSB, respectively. The heavy triplets within neutrino seesaw mechanism are identified to be the messengers. Therefore, the$$\mu $$μ-problem, the neutrino mass generation, LFV as well the soft SUSY breaking parameters can be economically combined in a non-trivial way. General features of such extensions are discussed. The type-II neutrino seesaw-specific interactions can give additional Yukawa deflection contributions to the soft SUSY breaking parameters of NMSSM, which are indispensable to realize successful EWSB and accommodate the 125 GeV Higgs. Relevant numerical results, including the constraints of dark matter and possible LFV processes$$l_i\rightarrow l_j \gamma $$li→ljγetc, are also given. We find that our economical type-II neutrino seesaw mechanism extension of NMSSM from AMSB or GMSB can lead to realistic low energy NMSSM spectrum, both admitting the 125 GeV Higgs as the lightest CP-even scalar. The possibility of the 125 GeV Higgs being the next-to-lightest CP-even scalar in GMSB-type scenario is ruled out by the constraints from EWSB, collider and precision measurements. The possibility of the 125 GeV Higgs being the next-to-lightest CP-even scalar in AMSB-type scenario is ruled out by dark matter direct detection experiments. Possible constraints from LFV processes$$l_i\rightarrow l_j \gamma $$li→ljγcan give an upper bound for the messenger scale.
Enriching feature engineering for short text samples by language time series analysis
Authors: Tang Yichen , Blincoe Kelly , Kempa-Liehr Andreas W. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this case study, we are extending feature engineering approaches for short text samples by integrating techniques which have been introduced in the context of time series classification and signal processing. The general idea of the presented feature engineering approach is to tokenize the text samples under consideration and map each token to a number, which measures a specific property of the token. Consequently, each text sample becomes a language time series, which is generated from consecutively emitted tokens, and time is represented by the position of the respective token within the text sample. The resulting language time series can be characterised by collections of established time series feature extraction algorithms from time series analysis and signal processing. This approach maps each text sample (irrespective of its original length) to 3970 stylometric features, which can be analysed with standard statistical learning methodologies. The proposed feature engineering technique for short text data is applied to two different corpora: the Federalist Papers data set and the Spooky Books data set. We demonstrate that the extracted language time series features can be successfully combined with standard machine learning approaches for natural language processing and have the potential to improve the classification performance. Furthermore, the suggested feature engineering approach can be used for visualizing differences and commonalities of stylometric features. The presented framework models the systematic feature engineering based on approaches from time series classification and develops a statistical testing methodology for multi-classification problems.
Genomic Predictors of Good Outcome, Recurrence, or Progression in High-Grade T1 Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Bellmunt Joaquim , Kim Jaegil , Reardon Brendan , Perera-Bel Júlia , Orsola Anna , Rodriguez-Vida Alejo , Wankowicz Stephanie A. , Bowden Michaela , Barletta Justine A. , Morote Juan , de Torres Inés , Juanpere Nuria , Lloreta-Trull Josep , Hernandez Silvia , Mouw Kent W. , Taplin Mary-Ellen , Cejas Paloma , Long Henry W. , Van Allen Eliezer M. , Getz Gad , Kwiatkowski David J. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

High-grade T1 (HGT1) bladder cancer is the highest risk subtype of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer with unpredictable outcome and poorly understood risk factors. Here, we examined the association of somatic mutation profiles with nonrecurrent disease (GO, good outcome), recurrence (R), or progression (PD) in a cohort of HGT1 patients. Exome sequencing was performed on 62 HGT1 and 15 matched normal tissue samples. Both tumor only (TO) and paired analyses were performed, focusing on 95 genes known to be mutated in bladder cancer. Somatic mutations, copy-number alterations, mutation load, and mutation signatures were studied. Thirty-three GO, 10 R, 18 PD, and 1 unknown outcome patients were analyzed. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was similar to muscle-invasive disease and was highest in GO, intermediate in PD, and lowest in R patients (P = 0.017). DNA damage response gene mutations were associated with higher TMB (P &lt; 0.0001) and GO (P = 0.003). ERCC2 and BRCA2 mutations were associated with GO. TP53, ATM, ARID1A, AHR, and SMARCB1 mutations were more frequent in PD. Focal copy-number gain in CCNE1 and CDKN2A deletion was enriched in PD or R (P = 0.047; P = 0.06). APOBEC (46%) and COSMIC5 (34%) signatures were most frequent. APOBEC-A and ERCC2 mutant tumors (COSMIC5) were associated with GO (P = 0.047; P = 0.0002). pT1b microstaging was associated with a genomic cluster (P = 0.05) with focal amplifications of E2F3/SOX4, PVRL4, CCNE1, and TP53 mutations. Findings were validated using external public datasets. These findings require confirmation but suggest that management of HGT1 bladder cancer may be improved via molecular characterization to predict outcome.

Significance:
Detailed genetic analyses of HGT1 bladder tumors identify features that correlate with outcome, e.g., high mutational burden, ERCC2 mutations, and high APOBEC-A/ERCC2 mutation signatures were associated with good outcome.
Tumor-Resident Stromal Cells Promote Breast Cancer Invasion through Regulation of the Basal Phenotype
Authors: Hanley Christopher J. , Henriet Elodie , Sirka Orit Katarina , Thomas Gareth J. , Ewald Andrew J. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Collective invasion can be led by breast cancer cells expressing basal epithelial markers, typified by keratin-14 (KRT14). We analyzed gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and demonstrated a significant correlation between a KRT14+ invasion signature and a stromal-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) organization module. We then developed a novel coculture model of tumor organoids with autologous stromal cells. Coculture significantly increased KRT14 expression and invasion of organoids from both luminal and basal murine breast cancer models. However, stromal cell conditioned medium induced invasion but not KRT14 expression. Cancer cells released TGFβ and that signaling pathway was required for stromal cell–induced invasion and KRT14 expression. Mechanistically, TGFβ induced NOX4 expression in stromal cells and NOX4 inhibition reduced invasion and KRT14 expression. In summary, we developed a novel coculture model and revealed dynamic molecular interactions between stromal cells and cancer cells that regulate both basal gene expression and invasive behavior.

Implications:
Fibroblasts within mammary tumors can regulate the molecular phenotype and invasive behavior of breast cancer cells.

Visual Overview:
http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/18/11/1615/F1.large.jpg.
Anti‐Inflammatory and Antiarrhythmic Effects of Beta Blocker in a Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Lin Ting‐Tse , Sung Yen‐Ling , Syu Jhen‐Yang , Lin Kia‐Yuan , Hsu Hung‐Jui , Liao Min‐Tsun , Liu Yen‐Bin , Lin Shien‐Fong 
Published: August 2020

Background
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at twice the risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death as the general population. We hypothesize that β‐blocker treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is antiarrhythmic by producing synergistic anticatecholaminergic and anti‐inflammatory effects.

Methods and Results
Collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with type II collagen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. The treatment with propranolol (4 mg/kg) started on the first day of immunization. We evaluated the ventricular vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmia using in vivo programmed stimulation and performed ex vivo optical mapping to measure the electrical remodeling of the heart. The ventricular tissue was further processed for immunohistochemical staining and protein array analysis. The assessment of ventricular vulnerability showed that the number and duration of the induced ventricular arrhythmia episodes were increased in CIA rats, which were improved with propranolol treatment. The sympathovagal index and the plasma level of catecholamines significantly increased in CIA rats, whereas the use of propranolol attenuated sympathetic hyperactivity. In the optical mapping study, electrical remodeling, characterized by prolonged action potential duration, slow conduction velocity, and steepened action‐potential duration restitution, were noted in CIA rats and reversed in the propranolol‐treatment group. The propranolol treatment was associated with decreases in paw thickness, fewer inflammatory cell infiltrations in the heart, reduced levels of cardiac inflammatory cytokines, and less cardiac fibrosis as compared with the CIA group.

Conclusions
CIA increased ventricular arrhythmia vulnerability through sympathetic hyperinnervation and proarrhythmic ventricular electrophysiological remodeling. Treatment with propranolol in CIA rats was both anti‐inflammatory and antiarrhythmic.