Letter from Emma L. Leighton, Shelburne, New Hampshire, to Anne Whitney, Boston, Massachusetts, 1912 February 20

https://repository.wellesley.edu/whitney_correspondence/2695/thumbnail.jp

Comprehensive evaluation of CAZyme prediction tools in fungal and bacterial species

Carbohydrate Active enZymes (CAZymes) are pivotal in pathogen recognition, signalling, structure and energy metabolism. CAZy is the most comprehensive CAZyme database, cataloguing CAZymes into sequence-based CAZy families. The CAZyme prediction tools dbCAN, CUPP and eCAMI annotate CAZymes with CAZy families. However, these tools have not been independently evaluated on a common high-quality dataset. Additionally, previous evaluations did not evaluate the binary classification of CAZymes/non-CAZymes, and the multilabel classification of CAZymes to multiple CAZy families.Publisher PDFNon peer reviewe

cazy_webscraper : for creating a local CAZy database

Carbohydrate Active enZymes (CAZymes) are pivotal in pathogen recognition, signalling, structure and energy metabolism. CAZy (www.cazy.org) is the most comprehensive CAZyme database, but it does not provide methods for automating data retrieval or submitting sequences for annotation. cazy_webscraper retrieves user-specified datasets from CAZy, producing a local SQL database enabling thorough interrogation of the data. cazy_webscraper can also retrieve protein sequences from GenBank and download structure files from RCSB PDB.Publisher PDFNon peer reviewe

cazy_webscraper : For creating a local CAZy database

Carbohydrate Active enZymes (CAZymes) are pivotal in pathogen recognition, signalling, structure and energy metabolism. CAZy (www.cazy.org) is the most comprehensive CAZyme database, but it does not provide methods for automating data retrieval or submitting sequences for annotation. cazy_webscraper retrieves user-specified datasets from CAZy, producing a local SQL database enabling thorough interrogation of the data. cazy_webscraper can also retrieve protein sequences from GenBank and download structure files from RCSB PDB

Comprehensive evaluation of CAZyme prediction tools in fungal and bacterial species

Carbohydrate Active enZymes (CAZymes) are pivotal in pathogen recognition, signalling, structure and energy metabolism. CAZy is the most comprehensive CAZyme database, cataloguing CAZymes into sequence-based CAZy families. The CAZyme prediction tools dbCAN [2], CUPP and eCAMI annotate CAZymes with CAZy families. However, these tools have not been independently evaluated on a common high-quality dataset. Additionally, previous evaluations did not evaluate the binary classification of CAZymes/non-CAZymes, and the multilabel classification of CAZymes to multiple CAZy families

SafeSpot:An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions about the effect of the SafeSpot mental health curriculum on the well‐being of young people and on their knowledge of mental health conditions. This trial intends to determine the acceptability and benefits of web and mobile technology in delivering emotional well‐being in schools, through use of the SafeSpot programme. Background: With 10% of young people aged 5 to 16 diagnosed with a mental disorder, there is pressure for schools to address their pupils’ emotional well‐being. However, many educators report that their schools have insufficient provisions and feel inadequately equipped to support pupils’ mental health. Methods: This qualitative analysis was embedded within a randomly allocated stepped‐wedge design, conducted in six West of Scotland secondary schools. A total of 2320 pupils (aged 11 to 14 years) and 90 teachers were included. Young people’s understanding of health‐seeking, and teacher’s confidence in delivering and accessing well‐being information was assessed qualitatively. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed themes highlighting the beneficial nature of SafeSpot, including pupil engagement, content of tutorials, perceived impact of SafeSpot and level of training provided for teachers. Conclusions: Web technology could potentially offer a more structured way for staff to support their pupils’ mental health, whilst reducing stigma. SafeSpot was perceived, by pupils and teachers, to be engaging

'Against the World': Michael Field, female marriage and the aura of amateurism'

This article considers the case of Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper, an aunt and niece who lived and wrote together as ‘Michael Field’ in the fin-de-siècle Aesthetic movement. Bradley’s bold statement that she and Cooper were ‘closer married’ than the Brownings forms the basis for a discussion of their partnership in terms of a ‘female marriage’, a union that is reflected, as I will argue, in the pages of their writings. However, Michael Field’s exclusively collaborative output, though extensive, was no guarantee for success. On the contrary, their case illustrates the notion, valid for most products of co-authorship, that the jointly written work is always surrounded by an aura of amateurism. Since collaboration defied the ingrained notion of the author as the solitary producer of his or her work, critics and readers have time and again attempted to ‘parse’ the collaboration by dissecting the co-authored work into its constituent halves, a treatment that the Fields too failed to escape

Treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa evaluation study: the THESEUS prospective cohort study

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by recurrent inflammatory lesions and skin tunnels in flexural sites such as the axilla. Deroofing of skin tunnels and laser treatment are standard hidradenitis suppurativa interventions in some countries but not yet introduced in the United Kingdom. Objective To understand current hidradenitis suppurativa management pathways and what influences treatment choices to inform the design of future randomised controlled trials. Design Prospective 12-month observational cohort study, including five treatment options, with nested qualitative interviews and an end-of-study consensus workshop. Setting Ten United Kingdom hospitals with recruitment led by dermatology and plastic surgery departments. Participants Adults with active hidradenitis suppurativa of any severity not adequately controlled by current treatment. Interventions Oral doxycycline 200 mg once daily; oral clindamycin and rifampicin, both 300 mg twice daily for 10 weeks initially; laser treatment targeting the hair follicle (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet or alexandrite); deroofing; and conventional surgery. Main outcome measures Primary outcome was the proportion of participants who are eligible, and hypothetically willing, to use the different treatment options. Secondary outcomes included proportion of participants choosing each of the study interventions, with reasons for their choices; proportion of participants who switched treatments; treatment fidelity; loss to follow-up rates over 12 months; and efficacy outcome estimates to inform outcome measure instrument responsiveness. Results Between February 2020 and July 2021, 151 participants were recruited, with two pauses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow-up rates were 89% and 83% after 3 and 6 months, decreasing to 70% and 44% at 9 and 12 months, respectively, because pandemic recruitment delays prevented all participants reaching their final review. Baseline demographics included an average age of 36 years, 81% female, 20% black, Asian or Caribbean, 64% current or ex-smokers and 86% with a raised body mass index. Some 69% had moderate disease, 19% severe disease and 13% mild disease. Regarding the study’s primary outcome, laser treatment was the intervention with the highest proportion (69%) of participants who were eligible and hypothetically willing to receive treatment, followed by deroofing (58%), conventional surgery (54%), the combination of oral clindamycin and rifampicin (44%) and doxycycline (37%). Considering participant willingness in isolation, laser was ranked first choice by the greatest proportion (41%) of participants. The cohort study and qualitative study demonstrated that participant willingness to receive treatment was strongly influenced by their clinician. Fidelity to oral doxycycline was only 52% after 3 months due to lack of effectiveness, participant preference and adverse effects. Delays receiving procedural interventions were common, with only 43% and 26% of participants commencing laser therapy and deroofing, respectively, after 3 months. Treatment switching was uncommon and there were no serious adverse events. Daily pain score text messages were initiated in 110 participants. Daily responses reduced over time with greatest concordance during the first 14 days

Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study (THESEUS) : protocol for a prospective cohort study

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful, inflammatory skin disease with estimates of prevalence in the European population of 1%–2%. Despite being a relatively common condition, the evidence base for management of HS is limited. European and North American management guidelines rely on consensus for many aspects of treatment and within the UK variations in management of HS have been identified. The HS James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) published a top 10 list of future HS research priorities including both medical and surgical interventions. The aims of the THESEUS study are to inform the design of future HS randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and to understand how HS treatments are currently used. THESEUS incorporates several HS PSP research priorities, including investigation of oral and surgical treatments. Core outcome domains have been established by the HIdradenitis SuppuraTiva cORe outcomes set International Collaboration (HISTORIC) and THESEUS is designed to validate instruments to measure the domains. Methods and analysis: The THESEUS study is a prospective observational cohort study. Participants, adults with active HS of any severity, will be asked to select one of five HS treatment options that is appropriate for their HS care. Participants will be allocated to their chosen treatment intervention and followed for a period of up to 12 months. Outcomes will be assessed at 3-monthly intervals using HISTORIC core outcome instruments. Video recordings of the surgical and laser operations will provide informational and training videos for future trials. Nested mixed-methods studies will characterise the interventions in clinical practice, understand facilitators and barriers to recruitment into future HS RCTs and examine patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives on HS treatment choices. Trial registration number: ISRCTN69985145

Treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa evaluation study (THESEUS): a prospective cohort study

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful disease affecting flexures and other skin regions, producing nodules, abscesses and skin tunnels. Laser treatment targeting hair follicles and deroofing of skin tunnels are standard HS interventions in some countries but rarely offered in the UK. Objectives To describe current UK HS management pathways and influencing factors to inform the design of future randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods THESEUS was a non-randomised 12-month prospective cohort study set in 10 UK hospitals offering five interventions: oral doxycycline 200mg daily; oral clindamycin and rifampicin both 300mg twice daily for 10 weeks, extended for longer in some cases; laser treatment targeting hair follicles; deroofing, and conventional surgery. Primary outcome was the combination of clinician-assessed eligibility and participant hypothetical willingness to receive each intervention. Secondary outcomes: proportion of participants selecting each intervention as their final treatment option; proportion who switch treatments; treatment fidelity, and attrition rates. THESEUS was prospectively registered on ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN69985145. Results The recruitment target of 150 participants was met after 18 months, in July 2021, with two pauses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Baseline demographics reflected the HS secondary care population: average age 36 years, 81% female, 20% non-white, 64% current or ex-smokers, 86% BMI≥25, 68% moderate disease, 19% severe, and 13% mild disease. Laser was the intervention with the highest proportion (69%) of participants eligible and willing to receive treatment, then deroofing (58%), conventional surgery (54%), clindamycin and rifampicin (44%), and doxycycline (37%). Laser was ranked first choice by the greatest proportion of participants (41%). Attrition rates were 11% and 17% after three and six months respectively. Concordance with doxycycline was 52% after three months due to lack of efficacy, participant choice and adverse effects. Delays with procedural interventions were common, with only 43% and 26% of participants starting laser and deroofing respectively after three months. Uptake of conventional surgery was too small to characterise the intervention. Switching treatment was uncommon and there were no serious adverse events. Conclusions THESEUS established laser treatment and deroofing for HS in the UK and demonstrated their popularity with patients and clinicians for future RCTs