Thermodynamics of spin-1/2 fermions on coarse temporal lattices using automated algebra.

Recent advances in automated algebra for dilute Fermi gases in the virial expansion, where coarse temporal lattices were found advantageous, motivate the study of more general computational schemes that could be applied to arbitrary densities, beyond the dilute limit where the virial expansion is physically reasonable. We propose here such an approach by developing what we call the Quantum Thermodynamics Computational Engine (QTCE). In QTCE, the imaginary-time direction is discretized and the interaction is accounted for via a quantum cumulant expansion, where the coefficients are expressed in terms of non-interacting expectation values.

Corrigendum to "Folate-dependent hypermobility syndrome: A proposed mechanism and diagnosis" [Heliyon 9 (4), (April 2023) Article e15387].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.

Folate-dependent hypermobility syndrome: A proposed mechanism and diagnosis.

Hypermobility involves excessive flexibility and systemic manifestations of connective tissue fragility. We propose a folate-dependent hypermobility syndrome model based on clinical observations, and through a review of existing literature, we raise the possibility that hypermobility presentation may be dependent on folate status. In our model, decreased methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity disrupts the regulation of the ECM-specific proteinase matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), leading to high levels of MMP-2 and elevated MMP-2-mediated cleavage of the proteoglycan decorin.

Disparities and outcomes of patients living with Down Syndrome undergoing healthcare transitions from pediatric to adult care: A scoping review.

Down Syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal disorders worldwide, and people with DS experience more co-morbidities and have poorer health outcomes compared to the general population. An area that is not well understood is how patients with DS transition from pediatric to adult care, as well as the details, barriers, and difficulties of these transitions for patients. Hence, we aimed to provide a scoping review of the literature in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL on the topic of healthcare transitions (HCTs) for patients with DS.

MON 95379 Bt maize as a new tool to manage sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) in South America.

Background: The sugarcane borer (SCB), Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a key pest of maize in Argentina, and genetically modified maize, producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins, has revolutionized the management of this insect in South America. However, field-evolved resistance to some Bt technologies has been observed in SCB in Argentina. Here we assessed a new Bt technology, MON 95379, in the laboratory, greenhouse and field for efficacy against SCB.

Measuring Cervical Rotation During Telehealth.

Introduction: Measuring cervical rotation virtually can be challenging during telehealth. The objective of this study was to proof the concept of measuring cervical rotation virtually during telehealth.

Methods: Subjects were instructed to sit in a chair with back supported and face to a computer with video conferencing platform communicating remotely with another computer.

Transformational Change in maternity services in England: a longitudinal qualitative study of a national transformation programme 'Early Adopter'.

Background: Large system transformation in health systems is designed to improve quality, outcomes and efficiency. Using empirical data from a longitudinal study of national policy-driven transformation of maternity services in England, we explore the utility of theory-based rules regarding 'what works' in large system transformation.

Methods: A longitudinal, qualitative case study was undertaken in a large diverse urban setting involving multiple hospital trusts, local authorities and other key stakeholders.

A new generation of Bt maize for control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

Background: The pyramided genetically modified maize (Zea mays [L.]) event MON 95379, expressing the Cry1B.868 and Cry1Da_7 proteins, was designed to protect against larval feeding damage by the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW).

Insect Herbivory Selects for Volatile-Mediated Plant-Plant Communication.

Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major vehicles of information transfer between organisms and mediate many ecological interactions [1-3]. Altering VOC emission in response to herbivore damage has been hypothesized to be adaptive, as it can deter subsequent herbivores [4], attract natural enemies of herbivores [5], or transmit information about attacks between distant parts of the same plant [6-9]. Neighboring plants may also respond to these VOC cues by priming their own defenses against oncoming herbivory, thereby reducing future damage [10-12].

Mature neutrophils suppress T cell immunity in ovarian cancer microenvironment.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) often presents with metastases and ascites. Granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells are an immature population that impairs antitumor immunity. Since suppressive granulocytes in the ascites of patients with newly diagnosed EOC were morphologically mature, we hypothesized that PMN were rendered suppressive in the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Ultrarestrictive Opioid Prescription Protocol for Pain Management After Gynecologic and Abdominal Surgery.

Importance: Opioids are routinely prescribed for postoperative home pain management for most patients in the United States, with limited evidence of the amount needed to be dispensed. Opioid-based treatment often adversely affects recovery. Prescribed opioids increase the risk of chronic opioid use, abuse, and diversion and contribute to the current opioid epidemic.

Implementation of a restrictive blood transfusion protocol in a gynecologic oncology service.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a restrictive blood transfusion protocol in a postoperative gynecologic oncology population. The primary objective was the rate of blood transfusions after surgery before and after implementation of a restrictive transfusion protocol (from July 1 2011 to December 30 2016). Secondary outcomes were patient morbidity and included rates of surgical site infection, pneumonia, sepsis, unplanned intubation, prolonged ventilator use, renal insufficiency, acute renal failure, urinary tract infection, cerebral vascular accident, cardiac complications, venous thromboembolism, and death within 30 days of surgery, readmissions and length of stay.

Mitochondrial DNA in the tumour microenvironment activates neutrophils and is associated with worse outcomes in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: Advanced cancer causes necrosis and releases damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Mitochondrial DAMPs activate neutrophils, including generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are injurious, thrombogenic, and implicated in metastasis. We hypothesised that extracellular mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in ascites from patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) would correlate with worse outcomes.

Prognostic impact of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment intensity for ovarian cancer.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of duration of first-line chemotherapy administration in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods: Chemotherapy records were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Patients with on-time completion (105 days) were compared to patients finishing early (<105 days), delays of 1-4 weeks, or >4 weeks.

Expert Review of Cervical Cytology: Does it Affect Patient Care?

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether expert review of outside cervical cytology affects patient care.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 424 new patient referrals for cervical dysplasia between 2004 and 2016 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Records were analyzed for outside cervical cytology reports and compared with expert cervical cytology review.

Cancer stem cell and its niche in malignant progression of oral potentially malignant disorders.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine association between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their niche with progression of oral potentially malignant disorders.

Materials And Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed oral potentially malignant disorders, stratified into high/low risk lesions based on the degree of dysplasia and oral cancer were included in this study. Immunohistochemical profiling of markers of CSCs (CD44), endothelial cells (CD31) and CSC-vascular niche cross-talk (CXCR4 and SDF1) were carried out.

Telehealth Stroke Dysphagia Evaluation Is Safe and Effective.

Background: Rapid evaluation of dysphagia poststroke significantly lowers rates of aspiration pneumonia. Logistical barriers often significantly delay in-person dysphagia evaluation by speech language pathologists (SLPs) in remote and rural hospitals. Clinical swallow evaluations delivered via telehealth have been validated in a number of clinical contexts, yet no one has specifically validated a teleswallow evaluation for in-hospital post-stroke dysphagia assessment.

Impact of ascites volume on clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer: A cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of ascites volume on ovarian cancer outcomes.

Methods: Clinicopathologic features of a cohort of patients with ovarian cancer were obtained from a curated database at a single institution. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded.

Prognostic value of miliary versus non-miliary sub-staging in advanced ovarian cancer.

Objective: The presence of miliary disease during initial ovarian cancer debulking may reflect a distinct mode of peritoneal spread independent from size-based tumor staging and may explain variation in response to treatment and survival outcomes. To infer the prevalence, presentation and clinical implications of miliary disease we reviewed existing surgical records.

Methods: Reports were available for 1008 primary debulking surgeries for ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer between 2001 and 2015 (685 reports from 2005 to 2015).

Relationship between etonogestrel level and BMI in women using the contraceptive implant for more than 1 year.

Progestin-only contraceptive methods, including the 3-year, single-rod etonogestrel (ENG) implant, may be preferred for obese women to avoid additional estrogen-related thrombosis risk; however, whether obese women receive an ENG sufficient dose to suppress ovulation is understudied. Our analysis expands on the limited information currently available by studying ENG levels related to body mass index (BMI) in a community sample of primarily Hispanic women. This cross-sectional, descriptive study of 52 long-term implant users found comparable ENG levels across a wide BMI range (p=.

On representing the prognostic value of continuous gene expression biomarkers with the restricted mean survival curve.

Motivation: Researchers developing biomarkers for cancer prognosis from quantitative gene expression data are often faced with an odd methodological discrepancy: while Cox's proportional hazards model, the appropriate and popular technique, produces a continuous and relative risk score, it is hard to cast the estimate in clear clinical terms like median months of survival and percent of patients affected. To produce a familiar Kaplan-Meier plot, researchers commonly make the decision to dichotomize a continuous (often unimodal and symmetric) score. It is well known in the statistical literature that this procedure induces significant bias.

Conscientious objection to abortion and reproductive healthcare: a review of recent literature and implications for adolescents.

Purpose Of Review: Conscientious objection to reproductive healthcare (refusal to perform abortion, assisted reproductive technologies, prenatal diagnosis, contraception, including emergency contraception and sterilization, etc.) has become a widespread global phenomenon and constitutes a barrier to these services for many women. Adolescents are a particularly vulnerable group because some providers object to specific aspects of their reproductive healthcare because of their status as minors.

Informed herbivore movement and interplant communication determine the effects of induced resistance in an individual-based model.

1. Plant induced resistance to herbivory affects the spatial distribution of herbivores, as well as their performance. In recent years, theories regarding the benefit to plants of induced resistance have shifted from ideas of optimal resource allocation towards a more eclectic set of theories that consider spatial and temporal plant variability and the spatial distribution of herbivores among plants.

Accuracy of providers' assessment of pain during intrauterine device insertion.

Background: Providers often underestimate patient pain. This study investigated if providers accurately assess pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

Study Design: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial.