bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The cascade of care in testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in liver transplant candidates
Authors: Foppiano Palacios Carlo , Medvedeva Natalia , Cheung Harry , Cohen Elizabeth , Azar Marwan M. , Malinis Maricar 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundTesting and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) can mitigate risk of active tuberculosis (TB) post‐liver transplant (LT). Testing and treatment completion rates have been reported low in this population. Our study aims to quantify the proportion of LT candidates who completed LTBI care cascade in our center.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted on LT candidates from 2012 to 2021. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients who completed each cascade stage. Secondary outcome was an analysis of factors associated with positive and indeterminate LTBI testing.ResultsOf the 273 LT candidates, 265 (97.1%) were referred to transplant infectious disease (TID), 264 (96.7%) had orders for interferon‐gamma release assay (IGRA), 262 (96%) underwent TID evaluation, and 259 (94.9%) completed IGRA. Twenty had LTBI, and 18 were treatment naïve and recommended for treatment. Of the 18, 15 (83.3%) agreed to therapy, 14 (77.8%) initiated treatment, and 12 (66.7%) completed treatment. No posttransplant TB reactivation occurred.Patients born in Asia, previous incarceration, past military service, and granuloma findings on chest imaging were likely to have positive IGRA (p < .05). Older age and travel to TB‐endemic countries were likely to have indeterminate IGRA (p < .05). Indeterminate IGRAs were more common in QuantiFERON (QTF)‐Gold Plus TB (15.3%) versus QTF‐Gold TB (9.3%, p < .001).ConclusionsHigh rates of LTBI testing and treatment initiation and completion can be attributed to a standardized process that includes TID evaluation. Future studies in larger cohort are needed to better understand factors that can optimize the completion rates of LTBI treatment in LT candidates.
image
Placental adaptations supporting fetal growth during normal and adverse gestational environments
Authors: Sferruzzi‐Perri Amanda Nancy , Lopez‐Tello Jorge , Salazar‐Petres Esteban 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe placenta is vital for mammalian development and a key determinant of life‐long health. It is the interface between the mother and fetus and is responsible for transporting the nutrients and oxygen a fetus needs to develop and grow. Alterations in placental formation and function, therefore, have consequences for fetal growth and birthweight, which in turn determine perinatal survival and risk of non‐communicable diseases for the offspring in later postnatal life. However, the placenta is not a static organ. As this review summarizes, research from multiple species has demonstrated that placental formation and function alter developmentally to the needs of the fetus for substrates for growth during normal gestation, as well as when there is greater competition for substrates in polytocous species and monotocous species with multiple gestations. The placenta also adapts in response to the gestational environment, integrating information about the ability of the mother to provide nutrients and oxygen with the needs of the fetus in that prevailing environment. In particular, placental structure (e.g. vascularity, surface area, blood flow, diffusion distance) and transport capacity (e.g. nutrient transporter levels and activity) respond to suboptimal gestational environments, namely malnutrition, obesity, hypoxia and maternal ageing. Mechanisms mediating developmentally and environmentally induced homeostatic responses of the placenta that help support normal fetal growth include imprinted genes, signalling pathways, subcellular constituents and fetal sexomes. Identification of these placental strategies may inform the development of therapies for complicated human pregnancies and advance understanding of the pathways underlying poor fetal outcomes and their consequences for health and disease risk.
Thresholds for surfactant use in preterm neonates: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Branagan Aoife , Yu Ivan , Gurusamy Kurinchi , Miletin Jan 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo perform a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of different surfactant treatment strategies for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) to assess if a certain fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is optimal for selective surfactant therapy.DesignSystematic review and network meta-analysis using Bayesian analysis of randomised trials of prophylactic versus selective surfactant for RDS.SettingCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase and Science Citation Index Expanded.PatientsRandomised trials including infants under 32 weeks of gestational age.InterventionsIntratracheal surfactant, irrespective of type or dose.Main outcome measuresOur primary outcome was neonatal mortality, compared between groups treated with selective surfactant therapy at different thresholds of FiO2. Secondary outcomes included respiratory morbidity and major complications of prematurity.ResultsOf 4643 identified references, 14 studies involving 5298 participants were included. We found no statistically significant differences between 30%, 40% and 50% FiO2thresholds. A sensitivity analysis of infants treated in the era of high antenatal steroid use and nasal continuous positive airway pressure as initial mode of respiratory support showed no difference in mortality, RDS or intraventricular haemorrhage alone but suggested an increase in the combined outcome of major morbidities in the 60% threshold.ConclusionOur results do not show a clear benefit of surfactant treatment at any threshold of FiO2. The 60% threshold was suggestive of increased morbidity. There was no advantage seen with prophylactic treatment. Randomised trials of different thresholds for surfactant delivery are urgently needed to guide clinicians and provide robust evidence.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020166620.
Effects of lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular risk factors in South Asians: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Limbachia Jayneel , Ajmeri Mohitkumar , Keating Benjamin J , de Souza Russell J , Anand Sonia S 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThe cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden among South Asians is high. Lifestyle interventions have been effective in the primary prevention of CVD, but this has not been replicated, through a synthesis of randomised trials, in South Asians.MethodsFour electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL and CINAHL), two clinical trial registries and references of included articles were searched through June 2022 (featuring ≥90% South Asian participants). Random-effects pairwise meta-analyses were performed, and heterogeneity was quantified with the I2statistic. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to report on the quality of evidence (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration (PROSPERO).ResultsThirty-five studies were included. Twelve tested diet and physical activity interventions; 18 tested diet alone; and 5 tested physical activity alone. All reported effects of the intervention(s) on at least one established risk factor for CVD, including blood pressure (systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and blood lipids (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) or triglycerides). No trials reported clinical CVD. There is moderate-quality evidence that diet and physical activity interventions improve SBP (mean difference (MD) −2.72 mm Hg, 95% CI −4.11 to –1.33) and DBP (MD −1.53 mm Hg, 95% CI −2.57 to –0.48); high-quality to moderate-quality evidence that diet-only interventions improve DBP (MD −2.05 mm Hg, 95% CI −2.93 to −1.16) and blood lipids (triglycerides (MD −0.10 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.14 to −0.06) and LDLc (MD −0.19 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.32 to −0.06)); and moderate-quality evidence that physical activity-only interventions improve SBP (MD −9.7 mm Hg, 95% CI −11.05 to −8.35), DBP (MD −7.29 mm Hg, 95% CI −8.42 to −6.16) and HDLc (MD 0.08 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.11) compared with usual care.ConclusionsLifestyle interventions improve blood pressure and blood lipid profiles in adult South Asians at risk of CVD. Tailored interventions should be used to modify cardiovascular risk factors in this at-risk group.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018090419.
Standardised treatment and monitoring protocol to assess safety and tolerability of bacteriophage therapy for adult and paediatric patients (STAMP study): protocol for an open-label, single-arm trial
Authors: Khatami Ameneh , Foley David A , Warner Morgyn S , Barnes Elizabeth H , Peleg Anton Y , Li Jian , Stick Stephen , Burke Nettie , Lin Ruby C Y , Warning Julia , Snelling Thomas L , Tong Steven Y C , Iredell Jonathan 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionThere has been renewed interest in the therapeutic use of bacteriophages (phages); however, standardised therapeutic protocols are lacking, and there is a paucity of rigorous clinical trial data assessing efficacy.Methods and analysisWe propose an open-label, single-arm trial investigating a standardised treatment and monitoring protocol for phage therapy. Patients included will have exhausted other therapeutic options for control of their infection and phage therapy will be administered under Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration Special Access Scheme. A phage product with highin vitroactivity against the targeted pathogen(s) must be available in line with relevant regulatory requirements. We aim to recruit 50–100 patients over 5 years, from any public or private hospitals in Australia. The standardised protocol will specify clinical assessments and biological sampling at scheduled time points. The primary outcome is safety at day 29, assessed by the frequency of adverse events, and overseen by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board. Secondary outcomes include long-term safety (frequency of adverse events until at least 6 months following phage therapy), and feasibility, measured as the proportion of participants with>80% of minimum data available for analysis. Additional endpoints assessed include clinical response, patient/guardian reported quality of life measures, phage pharmacokinetics, human host immune responses and microbiome analysis. All trial outcomes will be summarised and presented using standard descriptive statistics.Ethics and disseminationParticipant inclusion will be dependent on obtaining written informed consent from the patient or guardian. The trial protocol was approved by the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Human Research Ethics Committee in December 2021 (Reference 2021/ETH11861). In addition to publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, a lay summary of study outcomes will be made available for participants and the public on the Phage Australia website (https://www.phageaustralia.org/).Trial registration numberRegistered on ANZCTR, 10 November 2021 (ACTRN12621001526864; WHO Universal Trial Number: U1111-1269-6000).
Evaluation of vaccination strategies for the metropolitan area of Madrid via agent-based simulation
Authors: Singh David E , Olmedo Luceron Carmen , Limia Sanchez Aurora , Guzman Merino Miguel , Duran Gonzalez Christian , Delgado-Sanz Concepcion , Gomez-Barroso Diana , Carretero Jesus , Marinescu Maria-Cristina 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveWe analyse the impact of different vaccination strategies on the propagation of COVID-19 within the Madrid metropolitan area, starting on 27 December 2020 and ending in Summer of 2021.Materials and methodsThe predictions are based on simulation using EpiGraph, an agent-based COVID-19 simulator. We first summarise the different models implemented in the simulator, then provide a comprehensive description of the vaccination model and define different vaccination strategies. The simulator—including the vaccination model—is validated by comparing its results with real data from the metropolitan area of Madrid during the third COVID-19 wave. This work considers different COVID-19 propagation scenarios for a simulated population of about 5 million.ResultsThe main result shows that the best strategy is to vaccinate first the elderly with the two doses spaced 56 days apart; this approach reduces the final infection rate by an additional 6% and the number of deaths by an additional 3% with respect to vaccinating first the elderly at the interval recommended by the vaccine producer. The reason is the increase in the number of vaccinated individuals at any time during the simulation.ConclusionThe existing level of detail and maturity of EpiGraph allowed us to evaluate complex scenarios and thus use it successfully to help guide the strategy for the COVID-19 vaccination campaign of the Spanish health authorities.
Facility upgrade for superheavy-element research at RIKEN
Authors: Sakai Hideyuki , Haba Hiromitsu , Morimoto Kouji , Sakamoto Naruhiko 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe RIKEN Nishina Center (RNC) executed an accelerator upgrade project for the heavy-ion linac (called RILAC). A superconducting RIKEN linear accelerator (SRILAC) and a new superconducting electron-cyclotron-resonance ion source (SC-ECRIS) to boost the final energy and intensity were constructed, aimed at synthesizing a new superheavy element, 119, through a hot fusion reaction. The project included the construction of a gas-filled recoil ion separator (GARIS-III) suitable for detecting the residues of the hot-fusion reaction. To avoid research interruption during the SRILAC construction period (2017–2019) and gain experience in hot-fusion reaction processes, GARIS-II located in the GARIS experimental hall in LINAC building was moved to the E6 experimental hall in Nishina building. Certain exploratory measurements were performed employing the beams accelerated by RILAC2 and the RIKEN ring cyclotron (RRC), which is a part of the existing accelerator complex of the radioactive isotope beam factory (RIBF). Further, commissioning experiments with the upgraded facility (SRILAC and GARIS-III) were performed. The upgrade project and its commissioning results are chronologically described in this article.
Measurements of the ionization efficiency of protons in methane
Authors: Balogh L. , Beaufort C. , Brossard A. , Caron J.-F. , Chapellier M. , Coquillat J.-M. , Corcoran E. C. , Crawford S. , Dastgheibi-Fard A. , Deng Y. , Dering K. , Durnford D. , Garrah C. , Gerbier G. , Giomataris I. , Giroux G. , Gorel P. , Gros M. , Gros P. , Guillaudin O. , Hoppe E. W. , Katsioulas I. , Kelly F. , Knights P. , Langrock S. , Lautridou P. , Manthos I. , Martin R. D. , Matthews J. , Mols J.-P. , Muraz J.-F. , Neep T. , Nikolopoulos K. , O’Brien P. , Piro M.-C. , Santos D. , Savvidis G. , Savvidis I. , Vazquez de Sola Fernandez F. A. , Vidal M. , Ward R. , Zampaolo M. ,   NEWS-G Collaboration
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe amount of energy released by a nuclear recoil ionizing the atoms of the active volume of detection appears “quenched” compared to an electron of the same kinetic energy. This different behavior in ionization between electrons and nuclei is described by the Ionization Quenching Factor (IQF) and it plays a crucial role in direct dark matter searches. For low kinetic energies (below $$50~\textrm{keV}$$

50

keV

), IQF measurements deviate significantly from common models used for theoretical predictions and simulations. We report measurements of the IQF for proton, an appropriate target for searches of Dark Matter candidates with a mass of approximately $$1~\textrm{GeV}$$

1

GeV

, with kinetic energies in between $$2~\textrm{keV}$$

2

keV

and $$13~\textrm{keV}$$

13

keV

in $$100~\textrm{mbar}$$

100

mbar

of methane. We used the Comimac facility in order to produce the motion of nuclei and electrons of controlled kinetic energy in the active volume, and a NEWS-G SPC to measure the deposited energy. The Comimac electrons are used as a reference to calibrate the detector with 7 energy points. A detailed study of systematic effects led to the final results well fitted by $$\textrm{IQF}~(E_K)= E_K^\alpha ~/~(\beta + E_K^\alpha )$$

IQF

(

E
K

)

=

E
K
α

/

(
β
+

E
K
α

)

with $$\alpha = 0.70\pm 0.08$$

α
=
0.70
±
0.08

and $$\beta = 1.32\pm 0.17$$

β
=
1.32
±
0.17

. In agreement with some previous works in other gas mixtures, we measured less ionization energy than predicted from simulations, the difference reaching $$33\%$$

33
%

at $$2~\textrm{keV}$$

2

keV

.
Open packing subdivision number of graphs
Authors: Gayathri C. , Karuppasamy K. , Saravanakumar S. 
Published: December 2022

A nonempty set [Formula: see text] of a graph [Formula: see text] is an open packing set of [Formula: see text] if no two vertices of [Formula: see text] have a common neighbor in [Formula: see text]. The maximum cardinality of an open packing set is called the open packing number of [Formula: see text] and is denoted by [Formula: see text]. The open packing subdivision number [Formula: see text] is the minimum number of edges in [Formula: see text] that must be subdivided (each edge in [Formula: see text] can be subdivided at most once) in order to increase the open packing number. In this paper, we initiate a study on this parameter.
A synopsis of the Ordovician System in its birthplace – Britain and Ireland
Authors: Molyneux Stewart G. , Harper David A. T. , Cooper Mark R. , Philip Hollis Steven , Raine Robert J. , Rushton Adrian W. A. , Smith M. Paul , Stone Philip , Williams Mark , Woodcock Nigel H. , Zalasiewicz Jan A. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Rock successions in Britain and Ireland, and more especially those in Wales, were instrumental in the founding and naming of the Ordovician System, and the Anglo-Welsh series established both initially and subsequently were used widely as a standard for Ordovician chronostratigraphy. Although now largely superseded in the global scheme of series and stages, they retain their local and regional importance. The Ordovician System in Britain and Ireland documents the history of a segment of the Earth's crust that incorporated opposing peri-Gondwanan and peri-Laurentian/Laurentian margins of the Iapetus Ocean during its closure, and is accordingly complex. The complexity arises from the volcanic and tectonic processes that accompanied oceanic closure coupled with the effects of eustatic sea-level changes, including the far-field effects of the Late Ordovician glaciation. For the past three decades, Ordovician successions in Britain and Ireland have been discussed in terms of terranes. Here we review Ordovician successions in each terrane, incorporating the results of recent research and correlating those successions via biostratigraphical schemes and radiometric dates to the global Ordovician series and stages.
A short history of the Ordovician System: from overlapping unit stratotypes to global stratotype sections and points
Authors: Harper David A. T. , Meidla Tõnu , Servais Thomas 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The Ordovician System was introduced by Charles Lapworth as a solution to the overlapping unit stratotypes loosely defined by Adam Sedgwick, for the Cambrian, and Roderick Murchison, for the Silurian. The Ordovician has emerged as one of the longest and most significant of the geological periods. Following an interval of intensive research of all the key regions of the globe, unit stratotypes in the type areas of England and Wales have been replaced by seven global stages and three series based on Global Stratotype Sections and Points (GSSPs), enhancing the definition of these chronostratigraphic units and facilitating global correlation. As a consequence, the biological and geological events during the period can be recognized and the magnitude and significance of biotic originations and extinctions understood with some confidence.
Forty years of investigation into the thermo-hydromechanical behaviour of Boom Clay in the HADES URL
Authors: Li Xiangling , Dizier Arnaud , Chen Guangjing , Verstricht Jan , Levasseur Séverine 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

The heat generated by high-level waste or spent fuel will create disturbances around a deep geological repository (DGR) containing these wastes. Since the 1990s, SCK CEN, EIG EURIDICE and ONDRAF/NIRAS have been characterizing the thermo-hydromechanical (THM) behaviour of Boom Clay and assessing the impact of the thermal disturbances. This research has included laboratory tests as well as
in situ
experiments in the HADES Underground Research Laboratory. The two types of tests have been complementary. Laboratory tests have allowed understanding of the THM behaviour and determination of associated values of the THM parameters of the clay under well-controlled boundary conditions and loading paths. This knowledge and the parameters were then validated and even improved by
in situ
tests which allowed investigation of the effects of temperature on the Boom Clay behaviour at large scales. This paper gives an overview of this research and presents the main findings. It also explains how the knowledge gained supports the design of a possible future DGR and contributes to assessing the extent and impact of the THM disturbances in the Boom Clay around a DGR.
Prospective Study of Avocado Consumption and Cancer Risk in U.S. Men and Women
Authors: Ericsson Caroline I. , Pacheco Lorena S. , Romanos-Nanclares Andrea , Ecsedy Ethan , Giovannucci Edward L. , Eliassen A. Heather , Mucci Lorelei A. , Fu Benjamin C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAvocados contain nutrients and phytochemicals that make it promising for cancer prevention, and chemopreventive properties have been demonstrated in prior studies. Prospective studies on avocado consumption and cancer risk have yet to be conducted. This study included data from 45,289 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS, 1986–2016) and 67,039 women in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS, 1986–2014). Avocado consumption was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires every 4 years. Cox proportional hazards models calculated multivariable HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between avocado consumption and risk of total and site-specific cancers in each cohort. In HPFS, consumption of ≥1 weekly serving of avocados was associated with decreased risk of total (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.80–0.91), colorectal (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.59–0.85), lung (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57–0.90), and bladder cancer (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57–0.90). In NHS, avocado consumption was associated with increased risk of breast cancer (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.07–1.37). No associations were observed between avocado consumption and risk of total cancer (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.98–1.14) or other site-specific cancers in NHS. Considering the surprising breast cancer finding, analyses were repeated using data from 93,230 younger women in the parallel NHSII (1991–2017). In NHSII, avocado consumption was not associated with breast cancer risk (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.76–1.13). Overall, avocado consumption may be associated with reduced risk of total and some site-specific cancers in men. The positive association with breast cancer risk in NHS was not seen in the younger NHSII.Prevention Relevance:The results of this prospective study suggest that avocado consumption may be associated with decreased risk of total and some site-specific cancers in men.See related Spotlight, p. 187