Erratum: Quantifying Qubit Magic Resource with Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill Encoding [Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 210502 (2022)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.210502.

Quantifying Qubit Magic Resource with Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill Encoding.

Quantum resource theories are a powerful framework for characterizing and quantifying relevant quantum phenomena and identifying processes that optimize their use for different tasks. Here, we define a resource measure for magic, the sought-after property in most fault-tolerant quantum computers. In contrast to previous literature, our formulation is based on bosonic codes, well-studied tools in continuous-variable quantum computation. Particularly, we use the Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill code to represent multiqubit states and consider the resource theory for the Wigner negativity. Our techniques are useful in finding resource lower bounds for different applications as state conversion and gate synthesis. The analytical expression of our magic measure allows us to extend current analysis limited to small dimensions, easily addressing systems of up to 12 qubits.

An assessment of physician reasons for prescribing Insulin Lispro 200 units/ml in Germany.

OBJECTIVE: To understand physicians' reasons for prescribing Insulin Lispro 200 units/ml (IL200) and their experience with IL200 treatment in Germany. METHODS: The survey consisted of 28 questions on physician's profile, average IL200 patients' characteristics and rationales for prescribing IL200. Questions were rated on a scale of 0 ('not at all important'/'strongly disagree') to 4 ('absolutely important'/'strongly agree'). RESULTS: The surveyed physicians had a mean (SD) experience of 18.1 (7.0) years managing diabetes, consulted an average of 226.8 patients with diabetes/month and prescribed IL200 to 56.1% of their patients on mealtime insulin (MTI). About 80.0% of IL200 patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus, were overweight/obese, and received >20 units/day of MTI. More than 70.0% of physicians rated patient's insulin dose, pattern of self-measured glucose levels, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (clinical); adherence, hypoglycemia knowledge, motivation to improve lifestyle, desire to reduce injection volume and emotional struggle with controlling HbA1c (behavioral) as 'very important'/'absolutely important' factors when prescribing IL200. CONCLUSION: Physicians considered IL200 a promising treatment option that reduces the injection burden for patients on MTI. Physicians adopted a patient-centered perspective by aligning IL200 prescribing decisions with each patient's medical needs and non-clinical preferences, with an aim to encourage treatment adherence through resorting to IL200's advantageous attributes.

Tissue Compatibility of SN-38-Loaded Anticancer Nanofiber Matrices.

Delivery of chemotherapy in the surgical bed has shown preclinical activity to control cancer progression upon subtotal resection of pediatric solid tumors, but whether this new treatment is safe for tumor-adjacent healthy tissues remains unknown. Here, Wistar rats are used to study the anatomic and functional impact of electrospun nanofiber matrices eluting SN-38-a potent chemotherapeutic agent-on several body sites where pediatric tumors such as neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma arise. Blank and SN-38-loaded matrices embracing the femoral neurovascular bundle or in direct contact with abdominal viscera (liver, kidney, urinary bladder, intestine, and uterus) are placed. Foreign body tissue reaction to the implants is observed though no histologic damage in any tissue/organ. Skin healing is normal. Tissue reaction is similar for SN-38-loaded and blank matrices, with the exception of the hepatic capsule that is thicker for the former although within the limits consistent with mild foreign body reaction. Tissue and organ function is completely conserved after local treatments, as assessed by the rotarod test (forelimb function), hematologic tests (liver and renal function), and control of clinical signs. Overall, these findings support the clinical translation of SN-38-loaded nanofiber matrices to improve local control strategies of surgically resected tumors.

Patterns of glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating second-line therapy after metformin monotherapy: Retrospective data for 10 256 individuals from the United Kingdom and Germany.

AIM: To investigate determinants of change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at 6 months after initiating uninterrupted second-line glucose-lowering therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort study utilized retrospective data from 10 256 patients with T2DM who initiated second-line glucose-lowering therapy (switch from or add-on to metformin) between 2011 and 2014 in Germany and the UK. Effects of pre-specified patient characteristics on 6-month HbA1c changes were assessed using analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Patients had a mean (standard error [SE]) baseline HbA1c of 8.68% (0.02); 28.5% of patients discontinued metformin and switched to an alternative therapy and the remainder initiated add-on therapy. Mean (SE) unadjusted 6-month HbA1c change was -1.27% (0.02). When adjusted for baseline HbA1c, 6-month changes depended markedly on the magnitude of the baseline HbA1c (HbA1c <9%, -0.45% per unit increase in HbA1c; HbA1c ≥9%, -0.87% per unit increase in HbA1c). Adjusted mean 6-month HbA1c reductions showed slight treatment differences (range, 0.92-1.09%; P < .001). Greater reductions in HbA1c were associated with second-line treatment initiation within 6 months of T2DM diagnosis (1.36% vs 1.03% [P < .001]) and advanced age (≥70 years, 1.13%; <70 years, 1.02% [P < .001]). CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with T2DM have very high HbA1c levels when initiating second-line therapy, indicating the need for earlier treatment intensification. Patient-specific factors merit consideration when making treatment decisions.

Systematic Review of Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists in Extraintestinal Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This systematic review investigated the efficacy and the effectiveness of biologic drugs in extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane until October 2015. Main inclusion criteria were adults with IBD, use of a biologic drug, evolution of EIMs, interventional study, or non-interventional study. RESULTS: Nine interventional studies (2 randomized controlled trials [N = 797], 7 open label trials [N = 1143], and 13 non-interventional studies [N = 914]) were included. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists achieved complete response for pyoderma gangrenosum in 21%-25% of patients in interventional studies and in 92%-100% patients in non-interventional studies, with similar results for other cutaneous manifestations such as erythema nodosum or stomatitis. Adalimumab significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia vs placebo after 56 weeks in 1 randomized controlled trial. In 2 non-interventional studies, anti-TNF therapy improved anemia in the short-term (67%) and in the long-term (34%). Complete response after anti-TNF treatment was reported in interventional studies, including arthralgia (reduction in prevalence from 47.1% to 26.8% in the mid-term in 1 open label trial) and arthritis (reduction in prevalence from 8.7% to 2.1% and from 58% to 12.5% in 2 open label trials). Anti-TNFs were beneficial for a majority of patients with ocular manifestations. Infliximab was associated with improved outcomes in bone formation and bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TNFs appear to be effective alternatives for certain EIMs associated with IBD including musculoskeletal, cutaneous, and ocular manifestations, and some beneficial effect may be obtained in metabolic bone disease and on hematologic or vascular EIMs.

Implementing the Concept of Continuous Clinical Response Into Clinical Practice for Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complex and progressive disease that has a significant humanistic and economic impact in patients and the wider society. Disease control is still an unmet need for a large proportion of patients. The aim of this article was to review the current evidence to assess the feasibility, value, and impact of integrating continuous clinical response (CCR) as a patient-reported outcome into routine management of UC. METHODS: Literature searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, and conference proceedings were undertaken to retrieve the relevant articles regarding burden and course of disease, outcome measures in UC, tools for measuring disease activity, and models for patient's self-monitoring. RESULTS: The concept of CCR was first introduced during the PURSUIT-M trial, where evidence was provided to support the clinical and quality of life benefits of achieving CCR. However, patient monitoring as implemented during the trial was not feasible for its use in the real world. Thus, a simple self-reported score (eg, PRO2) to monitor CCR, with good correlation with more complex procedure-driven indices, was identified for its use in routine patient care. Feasibility of introducing this easy-to-use tool over time as an integral part of patient management was also explored. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of CCR as a management goal for UC patients may pose the step change needed to improve disease course and patient's life. Providing patients with simple tools to continuously monitor their disease activity is the first step for an integrated self-monitoring model of care in UC.

Working across the veterinary and human health sectors.

Antibiotics are widely used in human and veterinary medicine for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. This practice has led to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in both humans and animals. The potential role that animals, particularly livestock, might play as potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes has been recognized, and it is currently a cause of public health concern. The impact of animal and human antibiotic usage on the emergence and persistence of resistant bacteria and the precise transfer pathways for resistance genes between humans and animals are not currently fully understood. As part of the remit of the UK Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infection (ARHAI), two main areas were addressed, namely methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, where both the human and veterinary health sectors share interests. We review the current knowledge of MRSA and resistant Gram-negative bacteria, and provide guidance on occupational risks for veterinary healthcare workers relating to animals infected or colonized with MRSA. Findings and recommendations for further work across disciplines and future research in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are also presented. Working collaboratively across disciplines is essential in order to better understand and challenge an important human and animal health problem: antimicrobial resistance.

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with a novel mecA homologue in human and bovine populations in the UK and Denmark: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Animals can act as a reservoir and source for the emergence of novel meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones in human beings. Here, we report the discovery of a strain of S aureus (LGA251) isolated from bulk milk that was phenotypically resistant to meticillin but tested negative for the mecA gene and a preliminary investigation of the extent to which such strains are present in bovine and human populations. METHODS: Isolates of bovine MRSA were obtained from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in the UK, and isolates of human MRSA were obtained from diagnostic or reference laboratories (two in the UK and one in Denmark). From these collections, we searched for mecA PCR-negative bovine and human S aureus isolates showing phenotypic meticillin resistance. We used whole-genome sequencing to establish the genetic basis for the observed antibiotic resistance. FINDINGS: A divergent mecA homologue (mecA(LGA251)) was discovered in the LGA251 genome located in a novel staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element, designated type-XI SCCmec. The mecA(LGA251) was 70% identical to S aureus mecA homologues and was initially detected in 15 S aureus isolates from dairy cattle in England. These isolates were from three different multilocus sequence type lineages (CC130, CC705, and ST425); spa type t843 (associated with CC130) was identified in 60% of bovine isolates. When human mecA-negative MRSA isolates were tested, the mecA(LGA251) homologue was identified in 12 of 16 isolates from Scotland, 15 of 26 from England, and 24 of 32 from Denmark. As in cows, t843 was the most common spa type detected in human beings. INTERPRETATION: Although routine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing will identify S aureus isolates with this novel mecA homologue as meticillin resistant, present confirmatory methods will not identify them as MRSA. New diagnostic guidelines for the detection of MRSA should consider the inclusion of tests for mecA(LGA251). FUNDING: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Isaac Newton Trust (University of Cambridge), and the Wellcome Trust.