bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the genetics of arsenic toxicity with cellular morphology QTL
Authors: O’Connor Callan , Keele Gregory R. , Martin Whitney , Stodola Timothy , Gatti Daniel , Hoffman Brian R. , Korstanje Ron , Churchill Gary A. , Reinholdt Laura G.
Published: April 2024

The health risks that arise from environmental exposures vary widely within and across human populations, and these differences are largely determined by genetic variation and gene-by-environment (gene–environment) interactions. However, risk assessment in laboratory mice typically involves isogenic strains and therefore, does not account for these known genetic effects. In this context, genetically heterogenous cell lines from laboratory mice are promising tools for population-based screening because they provide a way to introduce genetic variation in risk assessment without increasing animal use. Cell lines from genetic reference populations of laboratory mice offer genetic diversity, power for genetic mapping, and potentially, predictive value for in vivo experimentation in genetically matched individuals. To explore this further, we derived a panel of fibroblast lines from a genetic reference population of laboratory mice (the Diversity Outbred, DO). We then used high-content imaging to capture hundreds of cell morphology traits in cells exposed to the oxidative stress-inducing arsenic metabolite monomethylarsonous acid (MMAIII). We employed dose-response modeling to capture latent parameters of response and we then used these parameters to identify several hundred cell morphology quantitative trait loci (cmQTL). Response cmQTL encompass genes with established associations with cellular responses to arsenic exposure, including Abcc4 and Txnrd1, as well as novel gene candidates like Xrcc2. Moreover, baseline trait cmQTL highlight the influence of natural variation on fundamental aspects of nuclear morphology. We show that the natural variants influencing response include both coding and non-coding variation, and that cmQTL haplotypes can be used to predict response in orthogonal cell lines. Our study sheds light on the major molecular initiating events of oxidative stress that are under genetic regulation, including the NRF2-mediated antioxidant response, cellular detoxification pathways, DNA damage repair response, and cell death trajectories.
An exploratory study on becoming a traditional spiritual healer among Baganda in Central Uganda
Authors: Sekagya Yahaya H. K. , Muchunguzi Charles , Unnikrishnan Payyappallimana , Mulogo Edgar M.
Published: April 2024

Traditional medicinal knowledge and healing practices of indigenous spiritual healers play important roles in health care, and contribute towards achieving Universal Health Care. Traditional spiritual healers (TSHs) are grouped into three categories. One category of Baganda TSHs, Balubaale, engage ancestral spirits during health management. Balubaale are socially significant but not legally accepted. Their initiation and training practices have not been documented in Uganda. The study purpose was to understand and establish the training of traditional spiritual healers. Twelve (10M, 2F); practicing TSHs in Central Uganda were purposively selected and recruited between 15th July 2019 and 29th April 2020, and were prospectively interacted with for 24 months. Transcribed data was coded and thematically analyzed using ATLAS ti. 22 computer software and presented based on an inductive approach. Findings show key areas of TSHs training include connecting with ancestral spirits and the spiritual powers of non-materials and materials such as living and non-living things through rituals. Spiritual healers train in diagnosis and health management based on ancestral spirits and they finally pass out in a communal ceremony witnessed by family and community members. We conclude that TSHs undergo training and are supervised and supported by experienced spiritualists, family and the community. We recommend similar studies among other ethnic groups to contextualize the process of becoming a TSH, compare and harmonize findings to facilitate inter-medical systems communication and policy considerations.
Factors influencing the utilisation of anti-HBs titre testing services among nursing students in Northwest Ghana: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Balegha Augustine Ngmenemandel
Published: April 2024

Understanding the impact of hepatitis B testing, vaccination, the number of vaccine doses, and socio-demographics on post-vaccination anti-HBs titre testing, is essential for hepatitis B prevention. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B testing, hepatitis B vaccination, number of vaccine doses received, socio-demographic characteristics, and their impact on anti-HBs titre testing among nursing students in Northwest Ghana. A stratified sample of 402 nursing students from Wa and Lawra nursing colleges in Ghana’s Upper West Region was surveyed in November 2020 using an online cross-sectional design. STATA 13 was used to analyse the data, which described socio-demographics, hepatitis B testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and post-vaccination anti-HBs titre testing with frequencies and percentages. Hierarchical binary logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationships between post-vaccination anti-HBs titre testing and hepatitis B testing, vaccination, the number of vaccine doses, and their socio-demographics. The study discovered that while hepatitis B testing was high (89.0%), rates for hepatitis B vaccination (72.1%), obtaining the recommended vaccine doses (59.5%), and post-vaccination anti-HBs titre testing (19.4%) were lower. Nursing students who accepted hepatitis B vaccination were significantly more likely to undergo anti-HBs titre testing [aOR = 12.34; 95% CI = 1.80–84.54; p < 0.05]. Those who received ≥ 3 vaccine doses were over 8 times more likely to utilise anti-HBs titre testing [aOR = 8.31; 95% CI = 2.73–25.34; p < 0.001]. Wa NTC students were 74% less likely to access anti-HBs titre testing [aOR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.15–0.47; p < 0.001]. Students with parents who had tertiary education were significantly more likely to undergo anti-HBs titre testing [aOR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.42–4.42; p < 0.01]. The study reveals high hepatitis B testing but low vaccination rates, emphasizing the need for required vaccine doses and post-vaccination anti-HBs testing. Key predictors include hepatitis B vaccination, ≥3 doses, Wa NTC enrollment, and parental education. The study advocates mandatory testing, vaccination, and affordable access to anti-HBs titre testing. Unvaccinated students, those with <3 doses, Wa NTC attendees, and those with lower parental education for nursing school admission should be prioritised.
Climate-driven models of leptospirosis dynamics in tropical islands from three oceanic basins
Authors: Douchet Léa , Menkes Christophe , Herbreteau Vincent , Larrieu Joséphine , Bador Margot , Goarant Cyrille , Mangeas Morgan
Published: April 2024

Background

Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis which remains poorly known despite its epidemic potential, especially in tropical islands where outdoor lifestyle, vulnerability to invasive reservoir species and hot and rainy climate constitute higher risks for infections. Burden remains poorly documented while outbreaks can easily overflow health systems of these isolated and poorly populated areas. Identification of generic patterns driving leptospirosis dynamics across tropical islands would help understand its epidemiology for better preparedness of communities. In this study, we aim to model leptospirosis seasonality and outbreaks in tropical islands based on precipitation and temperature indicators.

Methodology/Principal findings

We adjusted machine learning models on leptospirosis surveillance data from seven tropical islands (Guadeloupe, Reunion Island, Fiji, Futuna, New Caledonia, and Tahiti) to investigate 1) the effect of climate on the disease’s seasonal dynamic, i.e., the centered seasonal profile and 2) inter-annual anomalies, i.e., the incidence deviations from the seasonal profile. The model was then used to estimate seasonal dynamics of leptospirosis in Vanuatu and Puerto Rico where disease incidence data were not available. A robust model, validated across different islands with leave-island-out cross-validation and based on current and 2-month lagged precipitation and current and 1-month lagged temperature, can be constructed to estimate the seasonal dynamic of leptospirosis. In opposition, climate determinants and their importance in estimating inter-annual anomalies highly differed across islands.

Conclusions/Significance

Climate appears as a strong determinant of leptospirosis seasonality in tropical islands regardless of the diversity of the considered environments and the different lifestyles across the islands. However, predictive and expandable abilities from climate indicators weaken when estimating inter-annual outbreaks and emphasize the importance of these local characteristics in the occurrence of outbreaks.
Sampling is decisive to determination of Leishmania (Viannia) species
Authors: De los Santos Maxy B. , Loyola Steev , Perez-Velez Erika S. , Santos Rocio del Pilar , Ramírez Ivonne Melissa , Valdivia Hugo O.
Published: April 2024

Background

Accuracy of molecular tools for the identification of parasites that cause human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) could largely depend on the sampling method. Non-invasive or less-invasive sampling methods such as filter paper imprints and cotton swabs are preferred over punch biopsies and lancet scrapings for detection methods of Leishmania based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) because they are painless, simple, and inexpensive, and of benefit to military and civilian patients to ensure timely treatment. However, different types of samples can generate false negatives and there is a clear need to demonstrate which sample is more proper for molecular assays.

Methodology

Here, we compared the sensitivity of molecular identification of different Leishmania (Viannia) species from Peru, using three types of sampling: punch biopsy, filter paper imprint and lancet scraping. Different composite reference standards and latent class models allowed to evaluate the accuracy of the molecular tools. Additionally, a quantitative PCR assessed variations in the results and parasite load in each type of sample.

Principal findings

Different composite reference standards and latent class models determined higher sensitivity when lancet scrapings were used for sampling in the identification and determination of Leishmania (Viannia) species through PCR-based assays. This was consistent for genus identification through kinetoplastid DNA-PCR and for the determination of species using FRET probes-based Nested Real-Time PCR. Lack of species identification in some samples correlated with the low intensity of the PCR electrophoretic band, which reflects the low parasite load in samples.

Conclusions

The type of clinical sample can directly influence the detection and identification of Leishmania (Viannia) species. Here, we demonstrated that lancet scraping samples consistently allowed the identification of more leishmaniasis cases compared to filter paper imprints or biopsies. This procedure is inexpensive, painless, and easy to implement at the point of care and avoids the need for anesthesia, surgery, and hospitalization and therefore could be used in resource limited settings for both military and civilian populations.
Unravelling Chlamydia trachomatis diversity in Amhara, Ethiopia: MLVA-ompA sequencing as a molecular typing tool for trachoma
Authors: Harte Anna J. , Ghasemian Ehsan , Pickering Harry , Houghton Joanna , Chernet Ambahun , Sata Eshetu , Yismaw Gizachew , Zeru Taye , Tadesse Zerihun , Callahan E. Kelly , Nash Scott D. , Holland Martin J.
Published: April 2024

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and is now largely confined to around 40 low- and middle-income countries. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), a contagious intracellular bacterium. The World Health Organization recommends mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin for treatment and control of ocular Ct infections, alongside improving facial cleanliness and environmental conditions to reduce transmission. To understand the molecular epidemiology of trachoma, especially in the context of MDA and transmission dynamics, the identification of Ct genotypes could be useful. While many studies have used the Ct major outer membrane protein gene (ompA) for genotyping, it has limitations.

Our study applies a typing system novel to trachoma, Multiple Loci Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis combined with ompA (MLVA-ompA). Ocular swabs were collected post-MDA from four trachoma-endemic zones in Ethiopia between 2011–2017. DNA from 300 children with high Ct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) loads was typed using MLVA-ompA, utilizing 3 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci within the Ct genome.

Results show that MLVA-ompA exhibited high discriminatory power (0.981) surpassing the recommended threshold for epidemiological studies. We identified 87 MLVA-ompA variants across 26 districts. No significant associations were found between variants and clinical signs or chlamydial load. Notably, overall Ct diversity significantly decreased after additional MDA rounds, with a higher proportion of serovar A post-MDA.

Despite challenges in sequencing one VNTR locus (CT1299), MLVA-ompA demonstrated cost-effectiveness and efficiency relative to whole genome sequencing, providing valuable information for trachoma control programs on local epidemiology. The findings suggest the potential of MLVA-ompA as a reliable tool for typing ocular Ct and understanding transmission dynamics, aiding in the development of targeted interventions for trachoma control.
Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on audiology service delivery: Observational study of the role of social media in patient communication
Authors: Hussain Adeel , Hussain Zain , Gogate Mandar , Dashtipour Kia , Ng Dominic , Riaz Muhammed Shaan , Goman Adele , Sheikh Aziz , Hussain Amir
Published: April 2024

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted an era in hearing health care that necessitates a comprehensive rethinking of audiology service delivery. There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals with hearing loss who seek information online. An estimated 430 million individuals worldwide suffer from hearing loss, including 11 million in the United Kingdom. The objective of this study was to identify National Health Service (NHS) audiology service social media posts and understand how they were used to communicate service changes within audiology departments at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Facebook and Twitter posts relating to audiology were extracted over a six week period (March 23 to April 30 2020) from the United Kingdom. We manually filtered the posts to remove those not directly linked to NHS audiology service communication. The extracted data was then geospatially mapped, and themes of interest were identified via a manual review. We also calculated interactions (likes, shares, comments) per post to determine the posts’ efficacy. A total of 981 Facebook and 291 Twitter posts were initially mined using our keywords, and following filtration, 174 posts related to NHS audiology change of service were included for analysis. The results were then analysed geographically, along with an assessment of the interactions and sentiment analysis within the included posts. NHS Trusts and Boards should consider incorporating and promoting social media to communicate service changes. Users would be notified of service modifications in real-time, and different modalities could be used (e.g. videos), resulting in a more efficient service.
A systematic review on the incidence of influenza viruses in wastewater matrices: Implications for public health
Authors: Dlamini Mbasa , Msolo Luyanda , Ehi Ebomah Kingsley , Nontongana Nolonwabo , Ifeanyi Okoh Anthony
Published: April 2024

Influenza viruses pose a significant public health threat, necessitating comprehensive surveillance strategies to enhance early detection and preventive measures. This systematic review investigates the incidence of influenza viruses in wastewater matrices, aiming to elucidate the potential implications for public health. The study synthesizes existing literature, employing rigorous inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies conducted globally. The essence of the problem lies in the gaps of traditional surveillance methods, which often rely on clinical data and may underestimate the true prevalence of influenza within communities. Wastewater-based epidemiology offers a novel approach to supplementing these conventional methods, providing a broader and more representative assessment of viral circulation. This review systematically examines the methodologies employed in the selected studies, including virus concentration techniques and molecular detection methods, to establish a standardized framework for future research. Our findings reveal a consistent presence of influenza viruses in diverse wastewater matrices across different geographic locations and seasons. Recommendations for future research include the standardization of sampling protocols, improvement of virus concentration methods, and the integration of wastewater surveillance into existing public health frameworks. In conclusion, this systematic review contributes to the understanding of influenza dynamics in wastewater matrices, offering valuable insights for public health practitioners and policymakers. Implementation of wastewater surveillance alongside traditional methods can enhance the resilience of public health systems and better prepare communities for the challenges posed by influenza outbreaks.
Synthesis of terpinyl acetate from α-pinene catalyzed by α-hydroxycarboxylic acid–boric acid composite catalyst
Authors: Meng Zhonglei , Qin Rongxiu , Wen Rusi , Xie Junkang , Li Guiqing , Zhou Yonghong
Published: April 2024

To enhance the yield of the one-step synthesis of terpinyl acetate from α-pinene and acetic acid, this study evaluated α-hydroxycarboxylic acid (HCA)–boric acid composite catalysts based on orthogonal experimental design. The most important factor affecting the terpinyl acetate content in the product was the HCA content. The catalytic performance of the composite catalyst was related to the pKa1 of HCA. The tartaric acid–boric acid composite catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity. The α-pinene conversion reached 91.8%, and the terpinyl acetate selectivity reached 45.6%. When boric acid was replaced with B2O3, the HCA composite catalyst activity was enhanced, which reduced the use of HCA. When the lactic acid and B2O3 content accounted for 10% and 4% of the α-pinene mass content, respectively, the α-pinene conversion reached 93.2%, and the terpinyl acetate selectivity reached up to 47.1%. In addition, the presence of water was unfavorable to HCA–boric acid composite catalyst. However, a water content less than 1% of the α-pinene mass content improved the catalytic activity of HCA–B2O3. When the tartaric acid–B2O3 was used as catalyst, and the water content was 1% of the α-pinene mass content, the α-pinene conversion was 89.6%, and the terpinyl acetate selectivity was 47.5%.
Identifying predictors and determining mortality rates of septic cardiomyopathy and sepsis-related cardiogenic shock: A retrospective, observational study
Authors: Hendrickson Kathryn W. , Cirulis Meghan M. , Burk Rebecca E. , Lanspa Michael J. , Peltan Ithan D. , Marshall Hunter , Groat Danielle , Jephson Al , Beesley Sarah J. , Brown Samuel M.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Septic shock is a severe form of sepsis that has a high mortality rate, and a substantial proportion of these patients will develop cardiac dysfunction, often termed septic cardiomyopathy (SCM). Some SCM patients may develop frank cardiac failure, termed sepsis-related cardiogenic shock (SeRCS). Little is known of SeRCS. This study describes baseline characteristics of patients with SCM and SeRCS compared to patients with septic shock without cardiac dysfunction. We compare clinical outcomes among SCM, SeRCS, and septic shock, and identify risk factors for the development of SCM and SeRCS.

Methods

Septic patients admitted to the ICU with an echocardiogram obtained within 72 hours were included. Left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤55% was used to define SCM, and cardiac index ≤2.1 L/min/m2 among patients with SCM defined SeRCS. Machine learning was used to identify risk factors for development of SCM and SeRCS. Logistic regression was used to compare mortality among groups.

Results

Among 1229 patients, 977 patients had septic shock without cardiac dysfunction, 207 had SCM, and 45 had SeRCS. In patients with septic shock, the strongest predictor for developing SCM and SeRCs was a prior history of cardiac dysfunction. Mortality did not significantly differ among the three groups.

Conclusions

SCM and SeRCS affect a minority of patients with septic shock, disproportionately affecting individuals with a history of cardiac disease. We did not identify a mortality difference associated with SCM or SeRCS. Additional work is needed to define further subtypes and treatment options for this patient population.
Low-carbon energy transition multi-agent network evolutionary under carbon trading scheme
Authors: Wei Zijie , Wang Heng , Fang Tao , Han Zhixin , Wang Pengyu
Published: April 2024

Transitioning to low-carbon energy is key for reaching carbon neutrality and modernizing our energy systems, but it presents significant cost-related challenges for energy businesses. To foster optimal outcomes, this paper develops a game model including power generators, high-energy businesses, and consumers in the carbon trading framework. The model explores how different entities evolve their low-carbon strategies under social learning influence to optimize utility. Stability analysis of strategy and simulation experiments reveal the following findings: (1) Greater carbon quotas reduce power generators’ low-carbon transition willingness while high-energy-consuming enterprises and consumers remain unchanged. (2) Higher prices for low-carbon products offered by high-energy-consuming enterprises boost low-carbon transition motivation across all parties. (3) Increased green premiums enhance revenue for all parties but are constrained by policy and carbon pricing. (4) Both direct and indirect increases in carbon emissions negatively impact the revenue and utility for all stakeholders. (5) Increasing social learning effect fosters a shift towards low-carbon strategies, accelerating the attainment of game equilibrium, and enhancing market stability and sustainability. This research provides decision support for carbon trading policy design and low-carbon transition of energy enterprises.
Economic expansion and innovation: A comprehensive analysis of Pakistan’s path to technological excellence
Authors: Khan Tayyab , Wei Long , Khan Ayesha , Fahlevi Mochammad , Aljuaid Mohammed , Ali Sher
Published: April 2024

To encourage technological and industrial innovation, nations worldwide implement "re-industrialization" and "manufacturing return." This study investigates the relationship between GDP growth, expenditure on research and development, and medium- to high-tech as a percentage of manufactured exports on technological innovation in Pakistan. We evaluated long-run and short-run causal relationships using the ARDL, bound-F test, and ECM regression. The study found a positive relationship between GDP growth and technological innovation in the short and long run. In the short run, with a one-year lag, the analysis reveals a positive and statistically significant relationship between technological innovation, medium-high-tech exports, and GDP growth. In the long run, R&D is positive and significant, while economic growth and technological innovation are positive but not statistically significant. There is a 0.38 percent chance that exogenous shocks will eventually lead to equilibrium in the long run. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended to allocate resources to research and development, promoting collaborative initiatives, ensuring intellectual property rights, and developing a skilled workforce.
Implications of gene tree heterogeneity on downstream phylogenetic analyses: A case study employing the Fair Proportion index
Authors: Wicke Kristina , Haque Md. Rejuan , Kubatko Laura
Published: April 2024

Many questions in evolutionary biology require the specification of a phylogeny for downstream phylogenetic analyses. However, with the increasingly widespread availability of genomic data, phylogenetic studies are often confronted with conflicting signal in the form of genomic heterogeneity and incongruence between gene trees and the species tree. This raises the question of determining what data and phylogeny should be used in downstream analyses, and to what extent the choice of phylogeny (e.g., gene trees versus species trees) impacts the analyses and their outcomes. In this paper, we study this question in the realm of phylogenetic diversity indices, which provide ways to prioritize species for conservation based on their relative evolutionary isolation on a phylogeny, and are thus one example of downstream phylogenetic analyses. We use the Fair Proportion (FP) index, also known as the evolutionary distinctiveness score, and explore the variability in species rankings based on gene trees as compared to the species tree for several empirical data sets. Our results indicate that prioritization rankings among species vary greatly depending on the underlying phylogeny, suggesting that the choice of phylogeny is a major influence in assessing phylogenetic diversity in a conservation setting. While we use phylogenetic diversity conservation as an example, we suspect that other types of downstream phylogenetic analyses such as ancestral state reconstruction are similarly affected by genomic heterogeneity and incongruence. Our aim is thus to raise awareness of this issue and inspire new research on which evolutionary information (species trees, gene trees, or a combination of both) should form the basis for analyses in these settings.
The impact of technological innovation on the green digital economy and development strategies
Authors: Liu Yanlin , Yang Yaoguang , Zhang Xiyue , Yang Yaohui
Published: April 2024

To investigate the interplay among technological innovation, industrial structure, production methodologies, economic growth, and environmental consequences within the paradigm of a green economy and to put forth strategies for sustainable development, this study scrutinizes the limitations inherent in conventional deep learning networks. Firstly, this study analyzes the limitations and optimization strategies of multi-layer perceptron (MLP) networks under the background of the green economy. Secondly, the MLP network model is optimized, and the dynamic analysis of the impact of technological innovation on the digital economy is discussed. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimization model is verified by experiments. Moreover, a sustainable development strategy based on dynamic analysis is also proposed. The experimental results reveal that, in comparison to traditional Linear Regression (LR), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Naive Bayes (NB) models, the optimized model in this study demonstrates improved performance across various metrics. With a sample size of 500, the optimized model achieves a prediction accuracy of 97.2% for forecasting future trends, representing an average increase of 14.6%. Precision reaches 95.4%, reflecting an average enhancement of 19.2%, while sensitivity attains 84.1%, with an average improvement of 11.8%. The mean absolute error is only 1.16, exhibiting a 1.4 reduction compared to traditional models and confirming the effectiveness of the optimized model in prediction. In the examination of changes in industrial structure using 2020 data to forecast the output value of traditional and green industries in 2030, it is observed that the output value of traditional industries is anticipated to decrease, with an average decline of 11.4 billion yuan. Conversely, propelled by the development of the digital economy, the output value of green industries is expected to increase, with an average growth of 23.4 billion yuan. This shift in industrial structure aligns with the principles and trends of the green economy, further promoting sustainable development. In the study of innovative production methods, the green industry has achieved an increase in output and significantly enhanced production efficiency, showing an average growth of 2.135 million tons compared to the average in 2020. Consequently, this study highlights the dynamic impact of technological innovation on the digital economy and its crucial role within the context of a green economy. It holds certain reference significance for research on the dynamic effects of the digital economy under technological innovation.
Joint observation in NICU (JOIN): A randomized controlled trial testing an early, one-session intervention during preterm care to improve perceived maternal self-efficacy and other mental health outcomes
Authors: Schneider Juliane , Harari Mathilde Morisod , Faure Noémie , Lacroix Alain , Borghini Ayala , Tolsa Jean-François , Horsch Antje ,   on behalf of the JOIN Research Consortium
Published: April 2024

Background

Parents of preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment may experience psychological distress, decreased perceived self-efficacy, and/or difficulties in establishing an adaptive parent-infant relationship. Early developmental care interventions to support the parental role and infant development are essential and their impact can be assessed by an improvement of parental self-efficacy perception. The aims were to assess the effects of an early intervention provided in the NICU (the Joint Observation) on maternal perceived self-efficacy compared to controls (primary outcome) and to compare maternal mental health measures (perceived stress, anxiety, and depression), perception of the parent-infant relationship, and maternal responsiveness (secondary outcomes).

Methods

This study was a monocentric randomized controlled trial registered in clinicatrials.gov (NCT02736136), which aimed at testing a behavioural intervention compared with treatment-as-usual. Mothers of preterm neonates born 28 to 32 6/7 weeks gestation were randomly allocated to either the intervention or the control groups. Outcome measures consisted of self-report questionnaires completed by the mothers at 1 and 6 months after enrollment and assessing perceived self-efficacy, mental health, perception of the parent-infant relationship and responsiveness, as well as satisfaction with the intervention.

Results

No statistically significant group effects were observed for perceived maternal self-efficacy or the secondary outcomes. Over time, perceived maternal self-efficacy increased for mothers in both groups, while anxiety and depression symptoms decreased. High satisfaction with the intervention was reported.

Conclusions

The joint observation was not associated with improved perceived maternal self-efficacy or other mental health outcomes, but may constitute an additional supportive measure offered to parents in a vulnerable situation during the NICU stay.
Epigallocatechin gallate regulates the myeloid-specific transcription factor PU.1 in macrophages
Authors: Karpurapu Manjula , Kakarala Kavita Kumari , Chung Sangwoon , Nie Yunjuan , Koley Amritendu , Dougherty Patrick , Christman John W.
Published: April 2024

Our previous research demonstrated that PU.1 regulates expression of the genes involved in inflammation in macrophages. Selective knockdown of PU.1 in macrophages ameliorated LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in bone marrow chimera mice. Inhibitors that block the transcriptional activity of PU.1 in macrophages have the potential to mitigate the pathophysiology of LPS-induced ALI. However, complete inactivation of PU.1 gene disrupts normal myelopoiesis. Although the green tea polyphenol Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been shown to regulate inflammatory genes in various cell types, it is not known if EGCG alters the transcriptional activity of PU.1 protein. Using Schrodinger Glide docking, we have identified that EGCG binds with PU.1 protein, altering its DNA-binding and self-dimerization activity. In silico analysis shows that EGCG forms Hydrogen bonds with Glutamic Acid 209, Leucine 250 in DNA binding and Lysine 196, Tryptophan 193, and Leucine 182 in the self-dimerization domain of the PU.1 protein. Experimental validation using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) confirmed that EGCG inhibits both DNA binding by PU.1 and self-dimerization. Importantly, EGCG had no impact on expression of the total PU.1 protein levels but significantly reduced expression of various inflammatory genes and generation of ROS. In summary, we report that EGCG acts as an inhibitor of the PU.1 transcription factor in macrophages.
Health literacy and high blood pressure among Myanmar migrant workers in Northeastern Thailand
Authors: Sornlorm Kittipong , Thi Wor Mi
Published: April 2024

Hypertension, related to serious consequences unless diagnosed and treated, is a global concern, also affecting migrant workers. Due to the high prevalence of hypertension among migrant workers in Thailand, the influences of health literacy and other factors on blood pressure were needed to explore among Myanmar migrant workers in Northeastern Thailand. Hence, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP), its association with health literacy and other factors among Myanmar migrant workers in Northeastern Thailand. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Northeastern Thailand. A multistage sampling procedure was applied. Data was gathered through interviews utilizing validated and reliable structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with multiple logistic regression were used. Among 406 participants, about 60% were male and about 70% of them were married. The prevalence of overall HBP was 63.3% (95% CI: 58.49–67.86), 52% in females and 71.86% in males. Participants with limited health literacy were 79% more likely to have HBP than those with excellent and adequate health literacy (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.13–2.84). Other factors substantially linked with having HBP were being male gender (AOR = 4.68, 95% CI: 2.81–7.78), being overweight (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.18–4.23), being obese (AOR = 5.69, 95% CI: 2.96–10.96), not having health insurance (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.11–3.66), staying in Thailand for more than 48 months (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.48–3.9), and having family history of hypertension (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.28–3.35). In conclusion, more than half of Myanmar migrant workers had HBP. Factors associated with HBP were limited health literacy, male gender, overnutrition, lack of health insurance, longer duration of stay in Thailand and having family history of hypertension. Therefore, there is a need for a multifaceted strategy to prevent hypertension and its consequences by promoting health literacy as well as by enhancing good behavioural practice among this community.
Cervical spine immobilisation following blunt trauma in pre-hospital and emergency care: A systematic review
Authors: Pandor Abdullah , Essat Munira , Sutton Anthea , Fuller Gordon , Reid Stuart , Smith Jason E. , Fothergill Rachael , Surendra Kumar Dhushy , Kolias Angelos , Hutchinson Peter , Perkins Gavin D. , Wilson Mark H. , Lecky Fiona
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To assess whether different cervical spine immobilisation strategies (full immobilisation, movement minimisation or no immobilisation), impact neurological and/or other outcomes for patients with suspected cervical spinal injury in the pre-hospital and emergency department setting.

Design

Systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and two research registers were searched until September 2023.

Eligibility criteria

All comparative studies (prospective or retrospective) that examined the potential benefits and/or harms of immobilisation practices during pre-hospital and emergency care of patients with a potential cervical spine injury (pre-imaging) following blunt trauma.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two authors independently selected and extracted data. Risk of bias was appraised using the Cochrane ROBINS-I tool for non-randomised studies. Data were synthesised without meta-analysis.

Results

Six observational studies met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality was variable, with most studies having serious or critical risk of bias. The effect of cervical spine immobilisation practices such as full immobilisation or movement minimisation during pre-hospital and emergency care did not show clear evidence of benefit for the prevention of neurological deterioration, spinal injuries and death compared with no immobilisation. However, increased pain, discomfort and anatomical complications were associated with collar application during immobilisation.

Conclusions

Despite the limited evidence, weak designs and limited generalisability, the available data suggest that pre-hospital cervical spine immobilisation (full immobilisation or movement minimisation) was of uncertain value due to the lack of demonstrable benefit and may lead to potential complications and adverse outcomes. High-quality randomised comparative studies are required to address this important question.

Trial registration

PROSPERO REGISTRATION Fiona Lecky, Abdullah Pandor, Munira Essat, Anthea Sutton, Carl Marincowitz, Gordon Fuller, Stuart Reid, Jason Smith. A systematic review of cervical spine immobilisation following blunt trauma in pre-hospital and emergency care. PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022349600 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022349600.
WTI, Brent or implied volatility index: Perspective of volatility spillover from oil market to Chinese stock market
Authors: Qin Peng , Bai Manying
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the impact of oil market uncertainty on the volatility of Chinese sector indexes. We utilize commonly used realized volatility of WTI and Brent oil price along with the CBOE crude oil volatility index (OVX) to embody the oil market uncertainty. Based on the sample span from Mar 16, 2011 to Dec 31, 2019, this study utilizes vector autoregression (VAR) model to derive the impacts of the three different uncertainty indicators on Chinese stock volatilities. The empirical results show, for all sectors, the impact of OVX on sectors volatilities are more economically and statistically significant than that of realized volatility of both WTI and Brent oil prices, especially after the Chinese refined oil pricing reform of March 27, 2013. That implies OVX is more informative than traditional WTI and Brent oil prices with respect to volatility spillover from oil market to Chinese stock market. This study could provide some important implications for the participants in Chinese stock market.
Seek and you may (not) find: A multi-institutional analysis of where research data are shared
Authors: Johnston Lisa R. , Hofelich Mohr Alicia , Herndon Joel , Taylor Shawna , Carlson Jake R. , Ge Lizhao , Moore Jennifer , Petters Jonathan , Kozlowski Wendy , Hudson Vitale Cynthia
Published: April 2024

Research data sharing has become an expected component of scientific research and scholarly publishing practice over the last few decades, due in part to requirements for federally funded research. As part of a larger effort to better understand the workflows and costs of public access to research data, this project conducted a high-level analysis of where academic research data is most frequently shared. To do this, we leveraged the DataCite and Crossref application programming interfaces (APIs) in search of Publisher field elements demonstrating which data repositories were utilized by researchers from six academic research institutions between 2012–2022. In addition, we also ran a preliminary analysis of the quality of the metadata associated with these published datasets, comparing the extent to which information was missing from metadata fields deemed important for public access to research data. Results show that the top 10 publishers accounted for 89.0% to 99.8% of the datasets connected with the institutions in our study. Known data repositories, including institutional data repositories hosted by those institutions, were initially lacking from our sample due to varying metadata standards and practices. We conclude that the metadata quality landscape for published research datasets is uneven; key information, such as author affiliation, is often incomplete or missing from source data repositories and aggregators. To enhance the findability, interoperability, accessibility, and reusability (FAIRness) of research data, we provide a set of concrete recommendations that repositories and data authors can take to improve scholarly metadata associated with shared datasets.
Research practice, satisfaction, motivation, and challenges among university academics in Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Ahmed Hamdia Mirkhan , Alkhateeb Nazdar Ezzaddin , Shabila Nazar P. , Ahmad Amir Abdulrahman
Published: April 2024

Background

Researchers in universities and academic institutions must be in a leading position in generating research evidence to inform and direct national policies and strategies, improve service delivery, and achieve the main objectives. This study aimed to determine the factors that promote or hinder research productivity and quality among university academics in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 949 university academics from all public universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The authors developed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, challenges, satisfaction, and motivation for conducting research. Data were collected using a Google form. Frequencies, percentages, and the Chi-square test were used to analyze the data.

Results

Most university academics (94.6%) believed that research was part of their job, but only 51.6% were satisfied with their role as academic researchers. The lack of financial motivation was the main reason for dissatisfaction, while the main incentive to conduct research was the passion for science. Around 21% of the university academics had not published any research, while 53.1% published 1–5 articles. Half of the participants (49.7%) lacked training in writing research proposals, and the majority (86.1%) have not applied for international grants. Approximately half of university academics (46.9%) shared their research findings with stakeholders, and the primary method was by sharing their published papers (59.4%), followed by seminars (42.2%). One of the important challenges in conducting research was the lack of funding (62.8%).

Conclusions

The academics at universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are passionate about their role as researchers, but face many challenges in conducting effective research. A strategic plan is needed to provide an encouraging environment for university academics regarding infrastructure, financial, and technical support. More studies are needed to identify the root factors of academic staff needs and challenges.
Comprehensive intellectual property ability and firm productivity: A quasi-natural experiment based on national intellectual property demonstration advantage firm policy in China
Authors: Li Fang
Published: April 2024

Intellectual property is crucial for the development of firms. At the micro level, firm comprehensive intellectual property ability involves abilities about intellectual property creation, utilization, protection, and management. In order to develop the comprehensive intellectual property ability of firms, the China National Intellectual Property Administration began to implement the national intellectual property demonstration advantage firm (NIPDAF) policy in 2013. Based on this exogenous policy shock, using data from listed companies from 2011 to 2020 as the research sample, the time-varying DID method is used to test the impact of the NIPDAF policy intended to cultivate comprehensive intellectual property ability on firm productivity. The results show that after policy implementation, the total factor productivity of NIPDAFs increased by about 3.3% compared to the control group. This finding is robust after a series of tests. Furthermore, the NIPDAF policy promotes firm productivity through stimulating technology innovation, improving investment efficiency, and enhancing competitive advantage. In addition, the NIPDAF policy has a more significant incentive effect on the total factor productivity of non-state-owned enterprises, firms in the eastern region, and firms in patent intensive industries.
Picornavirus security proteins promote the release of extracellular vesicle enclosed viruses via the modulation of host kinases
Authors: Defourny Kyra A. Y. , Pei Xinyi , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M. , Nolte-´t Hoen Esther N. M.
Published: April 2024

The discovery that extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as carriers of virus particles calls for a reevaluation of the release strategies of non-enveloped viruses. Little is currently known about the molecular mechanisms that determine the release and composition of EVs produced by virus-infected cells, as well as conservation of these mechanisms among viruses. We previously described an important role for the Leader protein of the picornavirus encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in the induction of virus-carrying EV subsets with distinct molecular and physical properties. EMCV L acts as a ‘viral security protein’ by suppressing host antiviral stress and type-I interferon (IFN) responses. Here, we tested the ability of functionally related picornavirus proteins of Theilers murine encephalitis virus (TMEV L), Saffold virus (SAFV L), and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3 2Apro), to rescue EV and EV-enclosed virus release when introduced in Leader-deficient EMCV. We show that all viral security proteins tested were able to promote virus packaging in EVs, but that only the expression of EMCV L and CVB3 2Apro increased overall EV production. We provide evidence that one of the main antiviral pathways counteracted by this class of picornaviral proteins, i.e. the inhibition of PKR-mediated stress responses, affected EV and EV-enclosed virus release during infection. Moreover, we show that the enhanced capacity of the viral proteins EMCV L and CVB3 2Apro to promote EV-enclosed virus release is linked to their ability to simultaneously promote the activation of the stress kinase P38 MAPK. Taken together, we demonstrate that cellular stress pathways involving the kinases PKR and P38 are modulated by the activity of non-structural viral proteins to increase the release EV-enclosed viruses during picornavirus infections. These data shed new light on the molecular regulation of EV production in response to virus infection.