bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of care for tuberculosis and HIV in the private health sector: a cross-sectional, standardised patient study in South Africa
Authors: Boffa Jody , Moyo Sizulu , Chikovore Jeremiah , Salomon Angela , Daniels Benjamin , Kwan Ada T , Pai Madhukar , Daftary Amrita 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundSouth Africa has high burdens of tuberculosis (TB) and TB-HIV, yet the quality of patient care in the private sector is unknown. We describe quality of TB and TB-HIV care among private general practitioners (GPs) in two South African cities using standardised patients (SPs).MethodsSixteen SPs presented one of three cases during unannounced visits to private GPs in selected high-TB burden communities in Durban and Cape Town: case 1, typical TB symptoms, HIV-positive; case 2, TB-specified laboratory report, HIV-negative and case 3, history of incomplete TB treatment, HIV-positive. Clinical practices were recorded in standardised exit interviews. Ideal management was defined as relevant testing or public sector referral for any reason. The difference between knowledge and practice (know-do gap) was assessed through case 1 vignettes among 25% of GPs. Factors associated with ideal management were assessed using bivariate logistic regression.Results511 SP visits were completed with 212 GPs. Respectively, TB and HIV were ideally managed in 43% (95% CI 36% to 50%) and 41% (95% CI 34% to 48%) of case 1, 85% (95% CI 78% to 90%) and 61% (95% CI 73% to 86%) of case 2 and 69% (95% CI 61% to 76%) and 80% (95% CI 52% to 68%) of case 3 presentations. HIV status was queried in 35% (95% CI 31% to 39%) of visits, least with case 1 (24%, 95% CI 18% to 30%). The difference between knowledge and practice was 80% versus 43% for TB and 55% versus 37% for HIV, resulting in know-do gaps of 37% (95% CI 19% to 55%) and 18% (95% CI −1% to 38%), respectively. Ideal TB management was associated with longer visit time (OR=1.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.2), female GPs (3.2, 95% CI 2.0 to 5.1), basic symptom inquiry (2.0, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.3), HIV-status inquiry (OR=11.2, 95% CI 6.4 to 19.6), fewer medications dispensed (OR=0.6, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.7) and Cape Town (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.5 to 3.1). Similar associations were observed for HIV.ConclusionsPrivate providers ideally managed TB more often when a diagnosis or history of TB was implied or provided. Management of HIV in the context of TB was less than optimal.
Exercise prescription improves exercise tolerance in young children with CHD: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Callaghan Sinead , Morrison Margaret Louise , McKeown Pascal P , Tennyson Christopher , Sands Andrew J , McCrossan Brian , Grant Brian , Craig Brian G , Casey Frank A 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to ascertain if a structured intervention programme can improve the biophysical health of young children with congenital heart disease (CHD). The primary end point was an increase in measureable physical activity levels following the intervention.MethodsPatients aged 5–10 years with CHD were identified and invited to participate. Participants completed a baseline biophysical assessment, including a formal exercise stress test and daily activity monitoring using an accelerometer. Following randomisation, the intervention group attended a 1 day education session and received an individual written exercise plan to be continued over the 4-month intervention period. The control group continued with their usual level of care. After 4 months, all participants were reassessed in the same manner as at baseline.ResultsOne hundred and sixty-three participants (mean age 8.4 years) were recruited, 100 of whom were male (61.3%). At baseline, the majority of the children were active with good exercise tolerance. The cyanotic palliated subgroup participants, however, were found to have lower levels of daily activity and significantly limited peak exercise performance compared with the other subgroups. One hundred and fifty-two participants (93.2%) attended for reassessment. Following the intervention, there was a significant improvement in peak exercise capacity in the intervention group. There was also a trend towards increased daily activity levels.ConclusionOverall physical activity levels are well preserved in the majority of young children with CHD. A structured intervention programme significantly increased peak exercise capacity and improved attitudes towards positive lifestyle changes.
Efficacy of parasternal block to decrease intraoperative opioid use in coronary artery bypass surgery via sternotomy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bloc Sébastien , Perot Brieuc P , Gibert Hadrien , Law Koune Jean-Dominique , Burg Yannick , Leclerc Didier , Vuitton Anne-Sophie , De La Jonquière Christophe , Luka Marine , Waldmann Thierry , Vistarini Nicolas , Aubert Stéphane , Ménager Mickaël M , Merzoug Messaouda , Naudin Cécile , Squara Pierre 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the effect of a preoperative parasternal plane block (PSB) on opioid consumption required to maintain hemodynamic stability during sternotomy for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.MethodsThis double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial prospectively enrolled 35 patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery under general anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. Patients were randomized to receive preoperative PSB using either ropivacaine (PSB group) or saline solution (placebo group) (1:1 ratio). The primary endpoint was the maximal effect-site concentration of remifentanil required to maintain heart rate and blood pressure within the recommended ranges during sternotomy.ResultsMedian maximum concentration of remifentanil necessary to maintain adequate hemodynamic status during sternotomy was significantly reduced in PSB group (4.2 (2.5–6.0) ng/mL) compared with placebo group (7.0 (5.2–8.0) ng/mL) (p=0.02). Mean maximum concentration of propofol used to control depth of anesthesia was also reduced (3.9±1.1 µg/mL vs 5.0±1.5 µg/mL, PSB vs placebo, respectively; p=0.02). This reduction in propofol consumption during sternotomy enabled a more adequate level of sedation to be maintained in patients (minimum patient state index was 11.7±8.7 in placebo group and 18.3±6.8 in PSB group; p=0.02). PSB reduced postoperative inflammatory response by limiting concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines IL-8, IL-18, IL-23, IL-33 and MCP-1 measured in the first 7-day after surgery (p<0.05).ConclusionsPreoperative PSB reduced the maximum concentrations of remifentanil and propofol required to maintain hemodynamic stability and depth of anesthesia during sternotomy.Trial registration numberNCT03734159.Sébastien Bloc, M.D.1,2; Brieuc P. Pérot, Ph.D.3; Hadrien Gibert, M.D.1; Jean-Dominique Law Koune, M.D.1; Yannick Burg, M.D.1; Didier Leclerc, M.D.1; Anne-Sophie Vuitton, M.D.1; Christophe De La Jonquière, M.D.1; Marine Luka, L.S.3; Thierry Waldmann, M.D.4; Nicolas Vistarini, M.D.4; Stéphane Aubert, M.D.4; Mickaël M. Ménager, Ph.D.3; Messaouda Merzoug, Ph.D.2; Cécile Naudin, Ph.D.2; Pierre Squara, M.D.2,5
On the scalar $$\varvec{\pi K}$$ form factor beyond the elastic region
Authors: von Detten L. , Noël F. , Hanhart C. , Hoferichter M. , Kubis B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPion–kaon ($$\pi K$$

π
K

) pairs occur frequently as final states in heavy-particle decays. A consistent treatment of $$\pi K$$

π
K

scattering and production amplitudes over a wide energy range is therefore mandatory for multiple applications: in Standard Model tests; to describe crossed channels in the quest for exotic hadronic states; and for an improved spectroscopy of excited kaon resonances. In the elastic region, the phase shifts of $$\pi K$$

π
K

scattering in a given partial wave are related to the phases of the respective $$\pi K$$

π
K

form factors by Watson’s theorem. Going beyond that, we here construct a representation of the scalar $$\pi K$$

π
K

form factor that includes inelastic effects via resonance exchange, while fulfilling all constraints from $$\pi K$$

π
K

scattering and maintaining the correct analytic structure. As a first application, we consider the decay $${\tau \rightarrow K_S\pi \nu _\tau }$$

τ
→

K
S

π

ν
τ

, in particular, we study to which extent the S-wave $$K_0^*(1430)$$

K
0
∗

(
1430
)

and the P-wave $$K^*(1410)$$

K
∗

(
1410
)

resonances can be differentiated and provide an improved estimate of the CP asymmetry produced by a tensor operator. Finally, we extract the pole parameters of the $$K_0^*(1430)$$

K
0
∗

(
1430
)

and $$K_0^*(1950)$$

K
0
∗

(
1950
)

resonances via Padé approximants, $$\sqrt{s_{K_0^*(1430)}}=[1408(48)-i\, 180(48)]\,\text {MeV}$$

s

K
0
∗

(
1430
)

=

[
1408

(
48
)

-
i

180

(
48
)

]

MeV

and $$\sqrt{s_{K_0^*(1950)}}=[1863(12)-i\,136(20)]\,\text {MeV}$$

s

K
0
∗

(
1950
)

=

[
1863

(
12
)

-
i

136

(
20
)

]

MeV

, as well as the pole residues. A generalization of the method also allows us to formally define a branching fraction for $${\tau \rightarrow K_0^*(1430)\nu _\tau }$$

τ
→

K
0
∗

(
1430
)

ν
τ

in terms of the corresponding residue, leading to the upper limit $${\text {BR}(\tau \rightarrow K_0^*(1430)\nu _\tau )<1.6 \times 10^{-4}}$$

BR

(
τ
→

K
0
∗

(
1430
)

ν
τ

)

<
1.6
×

10

-
4

.
Doxorubicin-Dexrazoxane from Day 1 for Soft-tissue Sarcomas: The Road to Cardioprotection
Authors: Benjamin Robert S. , Minotti Giorgio 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Doxorubicin cardiac toxicity is widely misunderstood, largely preventable, and starts with the first dose. This article reviews the history of doxorubicin cardiac toxicity and strategies for minimizing it. Dexrazoxane cardioprotection can safely be initiated on day 1 without compromising antitumor activity, allowing doxorubicin administration beyond the reported maximum lifetime dose.
See related articles by Van Tine et al., p. 3854 and Jones et al., p. 3861
Mechanisms Driving Neutrophil-Induced T-cell Immunoparalysis in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Emmons Tiffany R. , Giridharan Thejaswini , Singel Kelly L. , Khan ANM Nazmul H. , Ricciuti Jason , Howard Kaitlyn , Silva-Del Toro Stephanie L. , Debreceni Ivy L. , Aarts Cathelijn E.M. , Brouwer Mieke C. , Suzuki Sora , Kuijpers Taco W. , Jongerius Ilse , Allen Lee-Ann H. , Ferreira Viviana P. , Schubart Anna , Sellner Holger , Eder Jörg , Holland Steven M. , Ram Sanjay , Lederer James A. , Eng Kevin H. , Moysich Kirsten B. , Odunsi Kunle , Yaffe Michael B. , Zsiros Emese , Segal Brahm H. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractT-cell activation and expansion in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are critical for antitumor immunity. Neutrophils in the TME acquire a complement-dependent T-cell suppressor phenotype that is characterized by inhibition of T-cell proliferation and activation through mechanisms distinct from those of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In this study, we used ascites fluid supernatants (ASC) from patients with ovarian cancer as an authentic component of the TME to evaluate the effects of ASC on neutrophil function and mechanisms for neutrophil-driven immune suppression. ASC prolonged neutrophil life span, decreased neutrophil density, and induced nuclear hypersegmentation. Mass cytometry analysis showed that ASC induced 15 distinct neutrophil clusters. ASC stimulated complement deposition and signaling in neutrophils, resulting in surface mobilization of granule constituents, including NADPH oxidase. NADPH oxidase activation and phosphatidylserine signaling were required for neutrophil suppressor function, although we did not observe a direct role of extracellular reactive oxygen species in inhibiting T-cell proliferation. Postoperative surgical drainage fluid also induced a complement-dependent neutrophil suppressor phenotype, pointing to this effect as a general response to injury. Like circulating lymphocytes, ASC-activated neutrophils caused complement-dependent suppression of tumor-associated lymphocytes. ASC-activated neutrophils adhered to T cells and caused trogocytosis of T-cell membranes. These injury and signaling cues resulted in T-cell immunoparalysis characterized by impaired NFAT translocation, IL2 production, glucose uptake, mitochondrial function, and mTOR activation. Our results demonstrate that complement-dependent priming of neutrophil effector functions in the TME induces a T-cell nonresponsiveness distinct from established checkpoint pathways and identify targets for immunotherapy.See related Spotlight by Cassatella, p. 725.
Antihypertensives and Statin Therapy for Primary Stroke Prevention: A Secondary Analysis of the HOPE-3 Trial
Authors: Bosch Jackie , Lonn Eva M. , Dagenais Gilles R. , Gao Peggy , Lopez-Jaramillo Patricio , Zhu Jun , Pais Prem , Avezum Alvaro , Sliwa Karen , Chazova Irina E. , Peters Ron J.G. , Held Claes , Yusoff Khalid , Lewis Basil S. , Toff William D. , Khunti Kamlesh , Reid Christopher M. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Yusuf Salim , Hart Robert G. ,   for the HOPE-3 Investigators
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose:
The HOPE-3 trial (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation–3) found that antihypertensive therapy combined with a statin reduced first stroke among people at intermediate cardiovascular risk. We report secondary analyses of stroke outcomes by stroke subtype, predictors, treatment effects in key subgroups.

Methods:
Using a 2-by-2 factorial design, 12 705 participants from 21 countries with vascular risk factors but without overt cardiovascular disease were randomized to candesartan 16 mg plus hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg daily or placebo and to rosuvastatin 10 mg daily or placebo. The effect of the interventions on stroke subtypes was assessed.

Results:
Participants were 66 years old and 46% were women. Baseline blood pressure (138/82 mm Hg) was reduced by 6.0/3.0 mm Hg and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 3.3 mmol/L) was reduced by 0.90 mmol/L on active treatment. During 5.6 years of follow-up, 169 strokes occurred (117 ischemic, 29 hemorrhagic, 23 undetermined). Blood pressure lowering did not significantly reduce stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.59–1.08]), ischemic stroke (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.55–1.15]), hemorrhagic stroke (HR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.34–1.48]), or strokes of undetermined origin (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.41–2.08]). Rosuvastatin significantly reduced strokes (HR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.52–0.95]), with reductions mainly in ischemic stroke (HR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.37–0.78]) but did not significantly affect hemorrhagic (HR, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.59–2.54]) or strokes of undetermined origin (HR, 1.29 [95% CI, 0.57–2.95]). The combination of both interventions compared with double placebo substantially and significantly reduced strokes (HR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.36–0.87]) and ischemic strokes (HR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.23–0.72]).

Conclusions:
Among people at intermediate cardiovascular risk but without overt cardiovascular disease, rosuvastatin 10 mg daily significantly reduced first stroke. Blood pressure lowering combined with rosuvastatin reduced ischemic stroke by 59%. Both therapies are safe and generally well tolerated.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00468923.
Fazliddin Muhammadiev’s Journey to the “Other World”: The History of a Cold War Ḥajjnāma
Authors: Bobrovnikov Vladimir , Kalinovsky Artemy M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Fazliddin Muhammadiev’s Dar on dunyo (“In the other world”), first published in Tajik in 1965 and later translated to Russian, Uzbek, and many other languages, is the only known fictionalized account of the ḥajj produced in the Soviet Union. Based on a trip made by the author in 1963, the novel provided the Soviet reader a rare glimpse into this sacred rite. Drawing on archival sources, contemporary responses, and the text itself, this article traces the origins and publication history of the novel, situates it within Soviet domestic and foreign policy goals, and analyzes the text to see how the author tried to reconcile competing ideological priorities.
Using Local Dynamics to Explain Analog Forecasting of Chaotic Systems
Authors: Platzer P. , Yiou P. , Naveau P. , Tandeo P. , Filipot J.-F. , Ailliot P. , Zhen Y. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAnalogs are nearest neighbors of the state of a system. By using analogs and their successors in time, one is able to produce empirical forecasts. Several analog forecasting methods have been used in atmospheric applications and tested on well-known dynamical systems. Such methods are often used without reference to theoretical connections with dynamical systems. Yet, analog forecasting can be related to the dynamical equations of the system of interest. This study investigates the properties of different analog forecasting strategies by taking local approximations of the system’s dynamics. We find that analog forecasting performances are highly linked to the local Jacobian matrix of the flow map, and that analog forecasting combined with linear regression allows us to capture projections of this Jacobian matrix. Additionally, the proposed methodology allows us to efficiently estimate analog forecasting errors, an important component in many applications. Carrying out this analysis also makes it possible to compare different analog forecasting operators, helping us to choose which operator is best suited depending on the situation. These results are derived analytically and tested numerically on two simple chaotic dynamical systems. The impact of observational noise and of the number of analogs is evaluated theoretically and numerically.
Realization of Self-Preserving Size Distribution Theory for the Evolution of Tropospheric Atmospheric Aerosols Through an Inverse Gaussian Distribution
Authors: Shen J. , Yu M. , Koivisto A. J. , Jiang H. , Liu Y. , Wang L. , Hussein T. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe inverse Gaussian distributed method of moments (IGDMOM; J. Atmospheric Sci. 77 (9): 3011-3031, 2020) was developed to analytically solve the kinetic collection equation (KCE) for the first time. Using the IGDMOM, we obtained both new analytical and asymptotic solutions to the KCE. This is shown for both the free molecular and continuum regime collision frequency functions. The new analytical solutions are highly suitable for demonstrating the self-preserving size distribution (SPSD) theory. The SPSD theory is considered one of the most elegant research works in atmospheric science for aerosols or small cloud droplets. It was initially discovered by Friedlander (J. Meteorology 17 (5): 479-483, 1960) and then developed by Lee (J. Colloid Interface Sci. 92 (2): 315-325, 1983) with an assumption of the time-dependent lognormal size distribution function. In this study, we demonstrate that the SPSD theory of coagulating atmospheric aerosols can be presented in a simpler and more rigorous theoretical way, which is realized through the introduction of the IGDMOM for describing aerosol size distributions. Using the IGDMOM, the new formulas for the SPSD, as well as the time required for aerosols to reach the SPSD, are analytically provided and verified. Furthermore, we discover that the SPSD of atmospheric aerosols undergoing coagulation is only determined using a shape factor variable, 𝛺, which is composed of the first three moments at an initial stage. This study has critical implications for developing tropospheric atmospheric aerosol or small cloud droplet dynamics models and further verifies the SPSD theory from the viewpoint of theoretical analysis.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a potential novel biomarker for cognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia
Authors: Yu Jian-Jin , Zhao Qing , Li Hong-Na , Song Jia-Qi , Chen Da-Chun 
Published: May 2021

Objective: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in schizophrenia. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor which is released into the circulation under stress or inflammation, is associated with cognition and also plays an important role in immunity. However, no study has investigated the relationship between macrophage migration inhibitory factor and cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia patients at baseline or after treatment. This study investigated the pre- and post-risperidone treatment correlations between serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels and cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia patients. Methods: A total of 83 first-episode schizophrenia patients who received risperidone monotherapy and 57 healthy controls – matched for sex, age, smoking status, education (years), marital status and waist-to-hip ratio – were included. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels were measured before and 10 weeks after treatment in the patient group and at baseline in the controls. Pre- and post-treatment cognitive functions in patients were assessed using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery. Results: At baseline, macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels were significantly higher in first-episode schizophrenia patients than those in healthy controls ( p < 0.01) and decreased in patients after 10 weeks of risperidone treatment compared with baseline ( p < 0.05). The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery total score and the sub-scores for the Trail Making Test, Symbol Coding, Letter Number Sequence, Maze and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised improved significantly after risperidone treatment. After controlling for age, sex, education, waist-to-hip ratio and smoking status, partial correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between baseline macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels and patients’ baseline MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery verbal memory scores ( r = 0.29, p = 0.01). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor changes correlated negatively with verbal memory changes ( r = −0.26, p = 0.04). Multiple linear regression analysis identified a definite correlation between the changes in word memory test score and macrophage migration inhibitory factor level (β = −0.09, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor may be involved in the process of cognitive impairment in first-episode schizophrenia and repair mechanisms following risperidone treatment.
Settlements and Resolutions Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code: Assessing the Impact of Covid-19
Authors: Singh Ram , Thakkar Hiteshkumar 
Published: May 2021

In this study, we develop a model to examine the dynamics of the insolvency and bankruptcy code (IBC) processes in the aftermath of Covid-19. We use the model to study the impact of the pandemic on the following aspects of the financial disputes and their implications: number of disputes between debtors and their creditors in the aftermath of Covid-19; frequency of these disputes coming to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT); impact of the pandemic on the frequency of ‘out of court’ settlements; the nature of disputes settled amicably and those adjudicated under the corporate insolvency resolution process of the NCLT; and the recovery rates in the settled versus litigated disputes. We show that while the number of disputes will go up, the frequency of settlements will come down in the post-Covid world. Moreover, the post-pandemic legal changes made to the IBC are detrimental to the interest of the micro, small and medium enterprises and also for the formal and informal sector employees. We offer suggestions for promoting out-of-court settlements to save time and costs of the parties involved. Our suggestions related to public policy can help mitigate the macroeconomic costs of the pandemic. JEL Classification Codes: K00, K22, K41, G21