Asymmetric universal entangling machine

We give a definition of asymmetric universal entangling machine which entangles a system in an unknown state to a specially prepared ancilla. The machine produces a fixed state-independent amount of entanglement in exchange to a fixed degradation of the system state fidelity. We describe explicitly such a machine for any quantum system having $d$ levels and prove its optimality. We show that a $d^2$-dimensional ancilla is sufficient for reaching optimality. The introduced machine is a generalization to a number of widely investigated universal quantum devices such as the symmetric and asymmetric quantum cloners, the symmetric quantum entangler, the quantum information distributor and the universal-NOT gate.Comment: 28 pages, 3 figure

Cytokines and HIV associated neurological manifestations: a systematic review

Background. Cytokines are key players in the immune system’s reaction to HIV and play a crucial role in HIV pathogenesis. Dysregulation of cytokines can contribute to the disease’s pathogenesis and associated complications, making a comprehensive understanding of their roles crucial for developing efficacious therapeutic interventions against HIV/AIDS. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to examine the role of cytokines in HIV associated neurological manifestations and related complications. Materials and methods. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were explored for original English literature until September 10, 2022. Eligible articles for data extraction were screened and selected in two steps using some inclusion/ exclusion criteria. This study conforms to the PRISMA checklist and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results. This review included a total of 15 studies. It was identified that cytokines were associated with sleep problems and numerous neurological manifestations. The most common neurological conditions include dementia, seizure, meningitis, cerebral toxoplasmosis, microcephalus, encephalitis, and gliosis. Commonly used cytokines detection methods included PCR, ELISA, Luminex xMAP multiplex platform, and PUREGene DNA Isolation System. Cytokine samples were mostly taken from blood and tissue. Conclusion. There is an interconnecting pathway of cytokines, neurological function (mainly dementia), and sleep habits in people living with HIV. Despite this, the mechanism of cytokines influencing sleep problems and neuropathological disorders remains unclear. Further research is warranted to determine the potential mechanisms and impact of cytokines associations in HIV progression

Using item response theory (IRT) to improve the efficiency of the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) for patients with ulcerative colitis

Background The SCCAI was designed to facilitate assessment of disease activity in ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to interrogate the metric properties of individual items of the SCCAI using item response theory (IRT) analysis, to simplify and improve its performance. Methods The original 9-item SCCAI was collected through TrueColours, a real-time software platform which allows remote entry and monitoring of patients with UC. Data were securely uploaded onto Dementias Platform UK Data Portal, where they were analysed in Stata 16.1 SE. A 2-parameter (2-PL) logistic IRT model was estimated to evaluate each item of the SCCAI for its informativeness (discrimination). A revised scale was generated and re-assessed following systematic removal of items. Results SCCAI data for 516 UC patients (41 years, SD = 15) treated in Oxford were examined. After initial item deletion (Erythema nodosum, Pyoderma gangrenosum), a 7-item scale was estimated. Discrimination values (information) ranged from 0.41 to 2.52 indicating selected item inefficiency with three items < 1.70 which is a suggested discriminatory value for optimal efficiency. Systematic item deletions found that a 4-item scale (bowel frequency day; bowel frequency nocturnal; urgency to defaecation; rectal bleeding) was more informative and discriminatory of trait severity (discrimination values of 1.50 to 2.78). The 4-item scale possesses higher scalability and unidimensionality, suggesting that the responses to items are either direct endorsement (patient selection by symptom) or non-endorsement of the trait (disease activity). Conclusion Reduction of the SCCAI from the original 9-item scale to a 4-item scale provides optimum trait information that will minimise response burden. This new 4-item scale needs validation against other measures of disease activity such as faecal calprotectin, endoscopy and histopathology

P298 Patient-reported outcomes: the ICHOM standard set for IBD in real-life practice helps quantify deficits in current care

Abstract Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) are associated with symptoms that lead to reduced quality of life and increased healthcare utilisation. The patient reported outcome (PRO) tools are key to documenting outcomes that matter most to patients and are increasingly important to commissioners of health care seeking value. We report the first series of the ICHOM Standard Set for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods Patients treated for UC or CD in our tertiary referral centre are offered enrolment into the TrueColours IBD web-based PRO collection programme. This functions through email prompts, directly linked to validated questionnaires. Prompts for symptoms (daily SCCAI for UC and HBI for CD); quality of life (fortnightly IBD-Control); and other outcomes (baseline and 3 monthly ICHOM Standard Set), including data on steroid use, hospital admission and other measures through internationally agreed criteria. Results The first 500 consecutive patients enrolled (401 UC, 99 CD) were studied. 274 (55%) were female, mean age 40 years (sd 15), and mean BMI 26 (sd 6). 22/500 (5%) were current smokers. Baseline medications at the time of registration were no therapy 6%, topical therapies 21%, 5ASA 49%, thiopurines 24%, methotrexate 6%, budesonide 3%, prednisolone 10%, advanced therapies 37%. (adalimumab 13%, golimumab &amp;lt;1%, infliximab 9%, tofacitinib 1%, ustekinumab 1%, vedolizumab 16%). In the previous 12 months, prednisolone use was reported by 148 (37%) patients with UC vs. 25 (25%) patients with CD, p = 0.02: 107 (21%) for &amp;lt;3 months and 66 (13%) for &amp;gt;3 months. 61 (12%) patients reported requiring an IBD-related intervention (11% UC vs. 17% CD) and 25 (5%) reported an unplanned hospital admission (4% UC vs. 8% CD). Eighty-one (16%) participants had required at least one hospital admission in the preceding year, exceeded by 101 (20%) requiring at least one emergency department presentation in the same period. There were high rates of fatigue (53%) and mood disturbance (26%). Eighty-two (16%) felt they needed a treatment change, and 136 (27%) felt their current treatment was not useful for their IBD. Conclusion Outcomes reported by patients illustrate the scale of the therapeutic deficit in current care. The ICHOM Standard Set acts as a benchmark for comparing outcomes between institutions. </jats:sec