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Abstract We generalize and update our former top quark mass calibration framework for Monte Carlo (MC) event generators based on the e + e − hadron-level 2-jettiness τ 2 distribution in the resonance region for boosted t t ¯ $$ t\overline{t} $$ production, that was used to relate the Pythia 8.205 top mass parameter m t MC $$ {m}_t^{\textrm{MC}} $$ to the MSR mass m t MSR R $$ {m}_t^{\textrm{MSR}}(R) $$ and the pole mass m t pole $$ {m}_t^{\textrm{pole}} $$ . The current most precise direct top mass measurements specifically determine m t MC $$ {m}_t^{\textrm{MC}} $$ . The updated framework includes the addition of the shape variables sum of jet masses τ s and modified jet mass τ m , and the treatment of two more gap subtraction schemes to remove the O $$ \mathcal{O} $$ (ΛQCD) renormalon related to large-angle soft radiation. These generalizations entail implementing a more versatile shape-function fit procedure and accounting for a certain type of (m t /Q)2 power corrections to achieve gap-scheme and observable independent results. The theoretical description employs boosted heavy-quark effective theory (bHQET) at next-to-next-to-logarithmic order (N2LL), matched to soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) at N2LL and full QCD at next-to-leading order (NLO), and includes the dominant top width effects. Furthermore, the software framework has been modernized to use standard file and event record formats. We update the top mass calibration results by applying the new framework to Pythia 8.305, Herwig 7.2 and Sherpa 2.2.11. Even though the hadron-level resonance positions produced by the three generators differ significantly for the same top mass parameter m t MC $$ {m}_t^{\textrm{MC}} $$ value, the calibration shows that these differences arise from the hadronization modeling. Indeed, we find that m t MC $$ {m}_t^{\textrm{MC}} $$ agrees with m t MSR $$ {m}_t^{\textrm{MSR}} $$ (1 GeV) within 200 MeV for the three generators and differs from the pole mass by 350 to 600 MeV.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become the leading source of pneumonia outbreaks in the world. The present study aimed to compare the condition of intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU COVID-19 patients in terms of epidemiological and clinical features, laboratory findings, and outcomes in three cities across Iran.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 195 COVID-19 patients admitted to five hospitals across Iran during March-April 2020 were recruited. Collected information included demographic data, laboratory findings, symptoms, medical history, and outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with t test or Mann-Whitney U test (continuous data) and Chi square test or Fisher’s exact test (categorical variables). P40 years, body mass index

Long-term, immunosuppression-free allograft survival has been induced in human and nonhuman primate (NHP) kidney recipients after nonmyeloablative conditioning and donor bone marrow transplantation (DBMT), resulting in transient mixed hematopoietic chimerism. However, the same strategy has consistently failed in NHP heart transplant recipients. Here, we investigated whether long-term heart allograft survival could be achieved by cotransplanting kidneys from the same donor. Cynomolgus monkeys were transplanted with heart allografts alone or heart and kidney allografts from the same major histocompatibility complex (MHC)–mismatched donors. All animals except one received DBMT, either at the same time or after a 2- to 4-month delay, plus short-term costimulation blockade and calcineurin inhibitor treatment. Long-term, immunosuppression-free heart allograft survival was consistently achieved in heart/kidney, but not heart-alone, recipients. This was not associated with greater donor/recipient histocompatibility or altered lymphoid cell reconstitution after conditioning. The maintenance of tolerance after heart/kidney transplantation was associated with the presence of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3+) regulatory T cell (Treg)–rich organized lymphoid structures in kidneys but not hearts. Substituting high-dose erythropoietin treatment for kidney transplantation was unsuccessful, suggesting that it was not the sole mechanism of action. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that gene expression in hearts from tolerant recipients closely resembled that in hearts from chronically immunosuppressed recipients but differed markedly from rejecting allografts and naïve hearts. A version of this protocol may be able to induce tolerance in patients with end-stage heart and kidney failure who require combined heart and kidney transplantation. Editor's summary: Combining donor bone marrow transplantation (DBMT) with kidney transplantation allows for long-term immunosuppression-free survival of the kidney allograft in nonhuman primates (NHPs), although DBMT and heart cotransplantation does not. Here, Tonsho and colleagues achieved successful immunosuppression-free cardiac allograft survival in NHPs by simultaneous DBMT and kidney cotransplantation, which was associated with the presence of Treg-rich organized lymphoid structures in kidney but not heart allografts. Tolerant heart allografts showed gene expression profiles very similar to immunosuppressed heart allografts, suggesting an active process of ongoing immune quiescence. The authors also adapted their protocol for deceased donor organ transplantation, with DBMT using cryopreserved donor bone marrow several months after heart/kidney transplant, to support translation to human patients. —Melissa L. Norton [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify the key themes for evaluating the quality of initiatives to engage patients and family caregivers in decision-making across the organisation and system domains of healthcare systems.Methods We conducted a scoping review. Seven databases of journal articles were searched from their inception to June 2019. Eligible articles were literature reviews published in English and provided useful information for determining aspects of engaging patients and family caregivers in decision-making to evaluate. We extracted text under three predetermined categories: structure, process and outcomes that were adapted from the Donabedian conceptual framework. These excerpts were then independently open-coded among four researchers. The subsequent themes and their corresponding excerpts were summarised to provide a rich description of each theme.Results Of 7747 unique articles identified, 366 were potentially relevant, from which we selected the 42 literature reviews. 18 unique themes were identified across the three predetermined categories. There were six structure themes: engagement plan, level of engagement, time and timing of engagement, format and composition, commitment to support and environment. There were four process themes: objectives, engagement approach, communication and engagement activities. There were eight outcome themes: decision-making process, stakeholder relationship, capacity development, stakeholder experience, shape policy/service/programme, health status, healthcare quality, and cost-effectiveness.Conclusions The 18 themes and their descriptions provide a foundation for identifying constructs and selecting measures to evaluate the quality of initiatives for engaging patients and family caregivers in healthcare system decision-making within the organisation and system domains. The themes can be used to investigate the mechanisms through which relevant initiatives are effective and investigate their effectiveness.

Background: : This study aimed to check the effect of supplementation with low-dose group B vitamins on clinical and biochemical parameters on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Research design and method: : This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was carried out on 85 critically ill patients with COVID-19. All patients received high protein prescriptions of 30 kcal/kg/d by enteral nutrition. The intervention group (n = 40) received vitamin B complex, including thiamine (10 mg), riboflavin (4 mg), nicotinamide (40 mg), and dexpanthenol (6 mg). The control group received similar nutritional supports, except for group B vitamins. Assessments were carried out at baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention. Results: : Vitamin B supplementation had no effects on the biochemical and pathological parameters including kidney function, arterial blood gas parameters, Glasgow coma scale, cell blood count, and serum electrolytes of the intervention group compared with the control group. The 30-day mortality was insignificantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (83.3% against 96.1%, P = 0.07). Conclusions: The mortality rate of patients with COVID-19 might be improved by low-dose vitamin B supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Early and sufficient nutritional support is vital to improve outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury. This study aims to determine the effects of dietitian involvementin the nutritional and clinical outcomes inpatients with traumatic brain injuries admitted tothe neurosurgical ICU. Materials &Methods: Forty-eight male patients with traumatic brain injuries admitted to Poursina Hospital neurosurgical ICU were studied, retrospectively. Patients were divided to either receive dietitian intervention or without any nutritional recommendation(control). Demographic information, Glasgow Coma Scale and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores, the timing of initial enteral feeding, the amount of energy and protein intakeon day 4, the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay were recorded. Results:Patients under the dietitian recommendation had significantly lower timing of initial enteral nutrition compared to the other cases (P=0.02). The average energy or protein intake and the percentage of target energy or protein intake on day4 appeared to be significantly lower in the subjects in the control group than in those with nutritional intervention(P≤0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of staybetween different groups of patients. Conclusions:Instead of occasional consultations for exclusive cases, the daily attendance of dietitians during multidisciplinary rounds of ICU is required to assess the nutritional needs of patients.

Background: Inappropriate use of drugs is one of the major issues in health care system. Rational drug utilization based on the appropriate guidelines has an important role in management of use of expensive medications. We aimed to evaluate albumin usage's appropriateness based on evidence-based indications before and after implementing albumin prescription guideline in a teaching hospital.Methods: This study was performed in two phases. During two-month periods, all the patients who were ordered to receive albumin were evaluated. The first phase was done in November and December of 2017, during which, based on physicians' comments, the guideline was finalized and then implemented. Phase two was performed in May and June 2018.Results: Albumin was prescribed appropriately in 33 patients (55%) in the first phase and 43 (70%) patients in the second phase. 299 vials in the first phase and 456 vials in the second phase were prescribed which 198 vials (66%) and 394 (86%) vials were used with appropriate indications, respectively. The number of vials consumed with inappropriate indication decreased significantly from 101 vials (34%) in the first phase to 62 vials (14%) in the second phase (P-value=0.01). The average cost of the inappropriate indication per patient decreased from $197.3 ± 131.6 in the first phase to $183.5 ± 126.8 in the second phase (P-value=0.52).Conclusion: This study showed implementing a DUE program and designing a guideline for rational prescribing of albumin and interventional methods can optimize treatment duration, significantly decrease inappropriate usage, and avoid unnecessary hospital costs.

Background. In kidney transplantation, long-term allograft acceptance in cynomolgus macaques was achieved using a mixed-chimerism protocol based on the clinically available reagents, rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), and belatacept. Here, we have tested the same protocol in cynomolgus macaques transplanted with fully allogeneic lung grafts. Methods. Five cynomolgus macaques underwent left orthotopic lung transplantation. Initial immunosuppression included equine ATG and anti-IL6RmAb induction, followed by triple-drug immunosuppression for 4 mo. Post-transplant, a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen was applied, including total body and thymic irradiation. Rabbit ATG, belatacept, anti-IL6RmAb, and donor bone marrow transplantation (DBMT) were given, in addition to a 28-d course of cyclosporine. All immunosuppressant drugs were stopped on day 29 after DBMT. Results. One monkey rejected its lung before DBMT due to AMR, after developing donor-specific antibodies. Two monkeys developed fatal post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and both monkeys had signs of cellular rejection in their allografts upon autopsy. The remaining 2 monkeys showed severe cellular rejection on days 42 and 70 post-DBMT. Cytokine analysis suggested higher levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the lung transplant cohort, as compared to kidney recipients. Conclusion. Although the clinically applicable protocol showed success in kidney transplantation, the study did not show long-term survival in a lung transplant model, highlighting the organ-specific differences in tolerance induction.

Background: Anxiety and depression are among the most common psychological symptoms in patients with life-threatening illnesses, and have a close relationship with hospitalization in specialized care units. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating anxiety and depression and their related factors in patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Materials & Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 135 patients hospitalized in ICUs (neuro ICU and general ICU) of Poursina Medical Education Center in Rasht City, Iran. The patients were selected by convenience sampling method. The study data were collected using a checklist surveying demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics of the patients, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Then, the obtained data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS V. 18. Results: The Mean±SD anxiety and depression scores of the study patients were 6.12±9.3 and 7.10±2.3, respectively. There was a significant relationship between short-term hospitalization and anxiety (P=0.03), and a high score of depression was observed in those with middle-school education (P=0.03) and non-invasive ventilation (P=0.01). Moreover, administration of sedatives (P=0.001) and tracheostomy ventilation (P=0.04), showed a significant correlation with depression. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression (symptoms of mood disorders) among ICU patients were relatively high and the duration of hospitalization was significantly associated with anxiety. Moreover, the administration of sedative drugs had significant correlation with depression. In addition, the type of received mechanical ventilation was associated with both disorders. Routine screening of anxiety and depression by nurses in ICUs is useful for early treatment, and can prevent long-term complications of these disorders.

Introduction To advance person- and family-centred healthcare, government initiatives have supported the engagement of patients and family caregivers in decision-making in healthcare systems. There is, however, no consensus on how to define success for such initiatives. This scoping review aims to identify the key elements for defining the quality of patient and family caregiver engagement in decision-making across the engagement domains (individual, community/organisation, system) of British Columbia’s healthcare system. We will use those elements to develop a conceptual evaluation framework.Methods and analysis This scoping review follows Arskey and O’Malley’s methodology. (1) The research question was identified through team discussions. (2) Articles for data source will be identified using a librarian-informed search strategy for seven bibliographic databases as well as grey literature sources. (3) Selected articles will be relevant to the evaluation of patient and family caregiver engagement in healthcare systems. (4) Two researchers will independently extract data into predefined and emerging categories. (5) The researchers will reconcile and organise the identified elements. The research team’s collective perspective will then refine the elements, and select, interpret and summarise the results. (6) Persons from key stakeholder groups will be consulted to refine the emergent conceptual framework.Ethics and dissemination We will seek ethics approval for the stakeholder consultation. This study follows an integrated knowledge translation approach. The results will inform evaluation of the Patients as Partners Initiative of the British Columbia Ministry of Health, and will be disseminated as a scientific article, a research brief, and presentations at conferences and stakeholder meetings.

Acute kidney injury can progress to chronic kidney disease. Here Dehnadiet al. develop a post-ischaemic chronic kidney disease model in cynomolgus monkeys and show that prophylactic inhibition of CD11b/CD18 leukocyte receptor via a monoclonal antibody inhibits progression of kidney disease and fibrosis.