bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective observational study of gender and ethnicity biases in respiratory protective equipment for healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Carvalho Clarissa Y M , Schumacher Jan , Greig Paul Robert , Wong Danny J N , El-Boghdadly Kariem 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveTo describe success rates of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) fit testing and factors associated with achieving suitable fit.DesignProspective observational study of RPE fit testing according to health and safety, and occupational health requirements.SettingA large tertiary referral UK healthcare facility.Population1443 healthcare workers undergoing quantitative fit testing.Main outcome measuresQuantitative fit test success (pass/fail) and the count of tests each participant required before successful fit.ResultsHealthcare workers were fit tested a median (IQR) 2 (1–3) times before successful fit was obtained. Males were tested a median 1 (1–2) times, while females were tested a median 2 (1–2) times before a successful fit was found. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Modelling each fit test as its own independent trial (n=2359) using multivariable logistic regression, male healthcare workers were significantly more likely to find a well-fitting respirator and achieve a successful fit on first attempt in comparison to females, after adjusting for other factors (adjusted OR=2.07, 95% CI): 1.66 to 2.60, p<0.001). Staff who described their ethnicity as White were also more likely to achieve a successful fit compared with staff who described their ethnicity as Asian (OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.58, p<0.001), Black (OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.71, p<0.001), mixed (OR=0.50 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.80, p=0.004) or other (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.99, p=0.043).ConclusionsMale and White ethnicity healthcare workers are more likely to achieve RPE fit test success. This has broad operational implications to healthcare services with a large female and Black, Asian and minority ethnic group population. Fit testing is imperative in ensuring RPE effectiveness in protecting healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Soluble type immune checkpoint regulators using multiplex luminex immunoassay in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Fadriquela Ailyn , Kim Cheol-Su , Lee Kyu-Jae , Kang Seong Hee , Kim Moon Young , Lee Jong-Han 
Published: May 2021

AimsSoluble immune checkpoint regulators (sICs) were reported to have clinical impact on the diagnosis and progress of various diseases. This study compared the serum levels of 16 sICs in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to elucidate their clinical significance.MethodsThe sICs of 86 patients with CHB and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were measured using luminex-based multiplex assay. The sICs were correlated with laboratory markers and sIC levels were compared in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic groups.ResultsThe levels of soluble programmed death-ligand 1, soluble cluster of differentiation 80/B7-1 (sCD80/B7-1), soluble cluster of differentiation 86/B7-2, soluble B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte attenuator, soluble herpes virus entry mediator, soluble cluster 28, soluble cluster of differentiation 40, soluble glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein, soluble ligand for receptor TNFRSF18/AITR/GITR, soluble Toll-like receptor 2 and soluble inducible T-cell costimulator (sICOS) were decreased, while soluble T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (sTIM-3) was increased in patients with CHB. Soluble programmed cell death protein 1 and sTIM-3 both positively correlated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level and increased in entecavir or tenofovir used group. The sTIM-3 positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase to platelet ratio and fibrosis-4. Soluble cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) decreased in the liver cirrhosis (LC) group compared with the non-LC group. sCD80/B7-1 decreased LC risk, while soluble lymphocyte-activation gene increased LC risk by logistic regression analysis.ConclusionsOur results showed the preliminary data on dysregulated sICs in patients with CHB that may have clinical significance in diagnosis of patients with CHB. It can be applied to develop therapeutic target of HBV infection.
Druggable epigenetic suppression of interferon-induced chemokine expression linked toMYCNamplification in neuroblastoma
Authors: Seier Johanna A , Reinhardt Julia , Saraf Kritika , Ng Susanna S , Layer Julian P , Corvino Dillon , Althoff Kristina , Giordano Frank A , Schramm Alexander , Fischer Matthias , Hölzel Michael 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundAmplification of theMYCNoncogene is a molecular hallmark of aggressive neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. There is evidence thatMYCNpromotes a non-inflamed and T-cell infiltration-poor (‘cold’) tumor microenvironment (TME) by suppressing interferon signaling. This may explain, at least in part, why patients with NB seem to have little benefit from single-agent immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Targeting MYCN or its effectors could be a strategy to convert a cold TME into a ‘hot’ (inflamed) TME and improve the efficacy of ICB therapy.MethodsNB transcriptome analyses were used to identify epigenetic drivers of a T-cell infiltration-poor TME. Biological and molecular responses of NB cells to epigenetic drugs and interferon (IFN)-γ exposure were assessed by proliferation assays, immunoblotting, ELISA, qRT-PCR, RNA-seq and ChIP-qPCR as well as co-culture assays with T cells.ResultsWe identified H3K9 euchromatic histone-lysine methyltransferases EHMT2 and EHMT1, also known as G9a and GLP, as epigenetic effectors of theMYCN-driven malignant phenotype and repressors of IFN-γ transcriptional responses in NB cells. EHMT inhibitors enhanced IFN-γ-induced expression of the Th1-type chemokinesCXCL9andCXCL10, key factors of T-cell recruitment into the TME. InMYCN-amplified NB cells, co-inhibition of EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homologue 2), a H3K27 histone methyltransferase cooperating with EHMTs, was needed for strong transcriptional responses to IFN-γ, in line with histone mark changes atCXCL9andCXCL10chemokine gene loci. EHMT and EZH2 inhibitor response gene signatures from NB cells were established as surrogate measures and revealed high EHMT and EZH2 activity inMYCN-amplified high-risk NBs with a cold immune phenotype.ConclusionOur results delineate a strategy for targeted epigenetic immunomodulation of high-risk NBs, whereby EHMT inhibitors alone or in combination with EZH2 inhibitors (in particular,MYCN-amplified NBs) could promote a T-cell-infiltrated TME via enhanced Th1-type chemokine expression.
Description of zero field steps on the potential energy surface of a Frenkel-Kontorova model for annular Josephson junction arrays
Authors: Quapp W. , Bofill J. M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We explain the emergence of zero field steps (ZFS) in a Frenkel-Kontorova (FK) model for a 1D annular chain being a model for an annular Josephson junction array. We demonstrate such steps for a case with a chain of 10 phase differences. We necessarily need the periodic boundary conditions. We propose a mechanism for the jump from M fluxons to $$M+1$$

M
+
1

in the chain.

Graphic abstract
Scattering of two and three physical pions at maximal isospin from lattice QCD
Authors: Fischer Matthias , Kostrzewa Bartosz , Liu Liuming , Romero-López Fernando , Ueding Martin , Urbach Carsten 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe present the first direct $$N_f=2$$

N
f

=
2

lattice QCD computation of two- and three-$$\pi ^+$$

π
+

scattering quantities that includes an ensemble at the physical point. We study the quark mass dependence of the two-pion phase shift, and the three-particle interaction parameters. We also compare to phenomenology and chiral perturbation theory (ChPT). In the two-particle sector, we observe good agreement to the phenomenological fits in s- and d-wave, and obtain $$M_\pi a_0 = -0.0481(86)$$

M
π

a
0

=
-
0.0481

(
86
)

at the physical point from a direct computation. In the three-particle sector, we observe reasonable agreement at threshold to the leading order chiral expansion, i.e. a mildly attractive three-particle contact term. In contrast, we observe that the energy-dependent part of the three-particle quasilocal scattering quantity is not well described by leading order ChPT.
The two-loop contributions to muon MDM in $$U(1)_X$$ SSM
Authors: Su Lu-Hao , Zhao Shu-Min , Dong Xing-Xing , Cui Dan-Dan , Feng Tai-Fu , Zhang Hai-Bin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe MSSM is extended to the $$U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

X

SSM, whose local gauge group is $$SU(3)_C \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y \times U(1)_X$$

S
U

(
3
)

C

×
S
U

(
2
)

L

×
U

(
1
)

Y

×
U

(
1
)

X

. To obtain the $$U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

X

SSM, we add the new superfields to the MSSM, namely: three Higgs singlets $${\hat{\eta }},~\hat{{\bar{\eta }}},~{\hat{S}}$$

η
^

,

η

¯

^

,

S
^

and right-handed neutrinos $${\hat{\nu }}_i$$

ν
^

i

. It can give light neutrino tiny mass at the tree level through the seesaw mechanism. The study of the contribution of the two-loop diagrams to the MDM of muon under $$U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

X

SSM provides the possibility for us to search for new physics. In the analytical calculation of the loop diagrams (one-loop and two-loop diagrams), the effective Lagrangian method is used to derive muon MDM. Here, the considered two-loop diagrams include Barr-Zee type diagrams and rainbow type two-loop diagrams, especially Z–Z rainbow two-loop diagram is taken into account. The obtained numerical results can reach $$7.4\times 10^{-10}$$

7.4
×

10

-
10

, which can remedy the deviation between SM prediction and experimental data to some extent.
Cross sections for the two-step radiative decay process $$X(v)\rightarrow A(v^{\prime \prime })\rightarrow X(v^\prime )$$ in e-LiH collisions
Authors: Celiberto Roberto , Laricchiuta Annarita 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The cross sections for the two-step process, represented by the electron-impact vibro-electronic excitation $$X^1\varSigma ^+(v) \rightarrow A^1\varSigma ^+(v'')$$

X
1

Σ
+

(
v
)

→

A
1

Σ
+

(

v

′
′

)

of the LiH molecule, followed by radiative decay back on the vibrational manifold of the ground state, $$A^1\varSigma ^+(v'')\rightarrow X^1\varSigma ^+(v')$$

A
1

Σ
+

(

v

′
′

)

→

X
1

Σ
+

(

v
′

)

, are calculated as a function of the incident electron energy from the threshold to 1000 eV. The final cross sections for the two-step process, which results in an overall vibrational excitation of the molecule, known also as E-v process, are provided for all the possible $$v,v'$$

v
,

v
′

transitions among the vibrational levels, including the continuum, of the electronic ground state.

Graphic abstract
CO2 emissions of nuclear power and renewable energies: a statistical analysis of European and global data
Authors: Wagner Friedrich 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the CO2 emissions caused by nuclear and renewable power generation. The knowledge of the share of coal, gas and oil in electricity generation permits the exact calculation of the related CO2 emissions. In addition, there is a second approach especially within the economic sciences, which applies statistical techniques for the study of the energy-related emissions. The background for these studies is the provision of general political advice and the expectation that political, cultural, or infrastructural considerations guide nations in the preference and choice of specific technologies. In this paper, we are applying both approaches and come to the certain conclusion, that nuclear power is as effective as renewable power in order to reduce the CO2 emissions. Our results are in complete contradiction to a recent publication (Sovacool et al. in Nat Energy 5:928–935, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-020-00696-3). The authors of this paper conclude that nuclear power does not reduce the CO2 emissions, but renewable power efficiently does. In addition, they argue that these two technologies crowd out each other. The possible reason for their claims may result from a specific conditioning of the data. In contrast, our analysis clearly confirms the adequacy of both nuclear and renewable power generation.
Indian (Marathi) version of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI): Translation and validation in patients with adhesive capsulitis
Authors: Pahade Apeksha Jayesh , Wani Surendra K. , Mullerpatan Rajani P. , Elizabeth Roach Kathryn 
Published: May 2021

Background: The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is the most commonly used self-administered questionnaire which is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the proportion of pain and disability in shoulder disorders. There is no evidence of SPADI questionnaire being translated into regional Indian language (Marathi). Objective: This study aims to translate and culturally adapt and validate the Marathi version of the SPADI questionnaire. This was done as per the AAOS outcomes committee guidelines. Methods: Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric testing of SPADI was done in the Outpatient Physiotherapy Department of Tertiary Care Hospital, Ahmednagar, India. Results: The internal consistency was assessed by calculating Cronbach alpha value for the pain score (0.908), disability score (0.959), and total SPADI (0.969) which were all high. The Test–retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values for the pain score (0.993), disability score (0.997), and total SPADI (0.997) which showed excellent reliability. The criterion validity was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient. In Males, weak to strong negative correlation was observed except for shoulder extension and in females, moderate negative correlation was observed between baseline shoulder range of motion and initial total SPADI scores and individual pain and disability except for shoulder internal rotation. The internal consistency of the Marathi SPADI (Cronbach’s alpha [Formula: see text]0.99) was higher than the original English version. The reliability of the total Marathi SPADI and its subscale (Intraclass correlation coefficient [Formula: see text]0.90) were found to be higher than that of the English SPADI and were consistent with the German, Brazilian, Slovene and Greek versions. Conclusion: The translated and culturally adapted Marathi version of the SPADI questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of pain and disability in Marathi population.
Near-Infrared Autofluorescence in Atherosclerosis Associates With Ceroid and Is Generated by Oxidized Lipid-Induced Oxidative Stress
Authors: Albaghdadi Mazen S. , Ikegami Ryutaro , Kassab Mohamad B. , Gardecki Joseph A. , Kunio Mie , Chowdhury Mohammed M. , Khamis Ramzi , Libby Peter , Tearney Guillermo J. , Jaffer Farouc A. 
Published: May 2021

Objective:
Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) of atherosclerosis associates with intraplaque hemorrhage and is detectable in living patients with coronary artery disease. However, further mechanisms underlying NIRAF generation have not been fully characterized. Here, we investigated the role of lipids and oxidative stress in NIRAF generation in atherosclerosis and in vitro in human macrophages.

Approach and Results:

In N=15 human carotid endarterectomy specimens, we investigated the spatial distribution of lipid, intraplaque hemorrhage, and NIRAF (ex/em 630/650 nm). Plaque NIRAF associated with both Sudan black-positive lipids (
r
=0.53,
P
=0.023) and GPA (glycophorin A)-positive intraplaque hemorrhage (
r
=0.48,
P
=0.043). Plaque NIRAF also localized with lipid and specifically insoluble lipid (ceroid) and iron. Intriguingly, some NIRAF-positive areas were Sudan black-positive but GPA-negative. Studies on human macrophages investigated further the role of lipids in NIRAF generation. OxLDL (Oxidized low-density lipoprotein) and hemoglobin, but not LDL, generated NIRAF in both THP-1 cells and monocyte-derived macrophages. In oxLDL-treated THP-1 cells, higher NIRAF, lipid peroxidation products, and intracellular oxidative stress markers evolved (
P
<0.001 versus LDL). The antioxidants α-tocopherol and N-acetylcysteine suppressed NIRAF generation and oxidative stress.

Conclusions:
In human atherosclerosis and human macrophages in vitro, NIRAF colocalizes with lipid and specifically insoluble lipid or ceroid. In vitro studies further show that oxidized LDL generates NIRAF, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation products. These results demonstrate a new pathway for NIRAF generation through oxidized lipid-driven oxidative stress and support ceroid as a source of NIRAF in human atherosclerosis. These findings may inform future clinical intracoronary NIRAF imaging studies of patients with coronary artery disease.
Reliability of Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination Scale Use by Paramedics: Mobile Stroke Unit First-Year Experience
Authors: Bhatt Nirav R. , Frankel Michael R. , Nogueira Raul G. , Fleming Carol , Bianchi Nicolas A. , Morgan Olivia , Chester Katleen , English Stephen W. , Janocko Nicholas , Navalkele Digvijaya , Haussen Diogo C. 
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose:
Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED) scale is a helpful tool to triage patients with stroke in the field. However, data on its reliability in the prehospital setting are lacking. We aim to test the reliability of FAST-ED scale when used by paramedics in a mobile stroke unit covering a metropolitan area.

Methods:
As part of standard operating mobile stroke unit procedures, paramedics initially evaluated patients. If the event characterized a stroke alert, the FAST-ED score was determined by the paramedic upon patient contact (in-person) and then independently by a vascular neurologist (VN) immediately after paramedic evaluation (remotely/telemedicine). This allowed testing of the interrater agreement of the FAST-ED scoring performance between on-site prehospital providers and remotely located VN.

Results:

Of a total of 238 patients transported in the first 15 months of the mobile stroke unit’s activity, 173 were included in this study. Median age was 63 (interquartile range, 55.5–75) years and 52.6% were females. A final diagnosis of ischemic stroke was made in 71 (41%), transient ischemic attack in 26 (15%), intracranial hemorrhage in 15 (9%), whereas 61 (35%) patients were stroke mimics. The FAST-ED scores matched perfectly among paramedics and VN in 97 (56%) instances, while there was 0 to 1-point difference in 158 (91.3%), 0 to 2-point difference in 171 (98.8%), and 3 or more point difference in 2 (1.1%) patients. The intraclass correlation between VN and paramedic FAST-ED scores showed excellent reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92–0.96;
P
<0.001). When VN recorded FAST-ED score ≥3, paramedics also scored FAST-ED≥3 in majority of instances (63/71 patients; 87.5%). A large vessel occlusion was identified in 16 (9.2%) patients; 13 occlusions were identified with a FAST-ED≥3 while 3 were missed. All of the latter patients had National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5.

Conclusions:
We demonstrate excellent reliability of FAST-ED scale performed by paramedics when compared with VN, indicating that it can be accurately performed by paramedics in the prehospital setting.
Three Different Approaches to Impact: Translating, Cocreating, and Performing
Authors: Bansal Pratima (Tima) , Sharma Garima 
Published: May 2021

In 1843, Søren Kierkegaard said, “ It is perfectly true, as philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards. But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived forwards.” Management researchers are often attracted to the business and society domain because of a desire to impact management practice to create a better world. However, they often do not have the impact that they hope, because researchers tend to rely on historical data, but managers seek insights that inform future actions. In this commentary, we describe our impact journey in three distinct moments in time. In the last one, both researchers and managers live forward.
Echocardiographic changes and quality of life after surgical unroofing of myocardial bridges
Authors: Bianco Francesco , Bucciarelli Valentina , Surace Francesca Chiara , Iezzi Federica Valentina , Berton Emanuela , Baldinelli Alessandra , Piva Tommaso , Maolo Alessandro , Schicchi Nicolo’ , Colaneri Massimo , Pozzi Marco , Gallina Sabina 
Published: May 2021

Objective To examine the echocardiographic changes and quality of life (QoL) after surgical unroofing of myocardial bridges (MBs) involving the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery compared with optimal medical therapy (OMT). Methods Twenty-two patients (median age, 24 years; interquartile range, 16–40 years) with MBs of the LAD artery and exertional angina from 2018 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Twelve patients underwent OMT and 10 underwent surgery. Both groups underwent clinical and echocardiographic examinations during hospitalization and follow-up (mean, 1.0 ± 0.8 years). QoL was assessed with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, short version (SAQ-7). Results Surgery resulted in significantly better QoL than OMT, with a significant improvement in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) [mean (standard error): 19% (0.19) to 22% (0.34) and 19% (0.15) to 20% (0.24), respectively; delta-change (delta-GLS) of 0.15 vs. 0.067]. In the univariate and multivariable analyses, delta-GLS was positively correlated with the SAQ-7 score and MB length (rho = 0.64 and 0.71, respectively), with a significant interaction between MB length and surgical treatment (beta coefficient, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.14–3.77). Conclusions MB unroofing surgery provided benefits in terms of QoL and left ventricular GLS improvement compared with 1 year of OMT.