bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endurance of chalcogenide optical phase change materials: a review
Authors: Martin-Monier Louis , Popescu Cosmin Constantin , Ranno Luigi , Mills Brian , Geiger Sarah , Callahan Dennis , Moebius Michael , Hu Juejun
Published: March 2022

Chalcogenide phase change materials (PCMs) are truly remarkable compounds whose unique switchable optical and electronic properties have fueled an explosion of emerging applications in electronics and photonics. Key to any application is the ability of PCMs to reliably switch between crystalline and amorphous states over a large number of cycles. While this issue has been extensively studied in the case of electronic memories, current PCM-based photonic devices show limited endurance. This review discusses the various parameters that impact crystallization and re-amorphization of several PCMs, their failure mechanisms, and formulate design rules for enhancing cycling durability of these compounds.
Exotic interactions mediated by a non-Hermitian photonic bath
Authors: Roccati Federico , Lorenzo Salvatore , Calajò Giuseppe , Palma G. Massimo , Carollo Angelo , Ciccarello Francesco
Published: March 2022

Photon-mediated interaction between quantum emitters in engineered photonic baths is an emerging area of quantum optics. At the same time, non-Hermitian (NH) physics is currently thriving, spurred by the exciting possibility to access new physics in systems ruled by non-trivial NH Hamiltonians—in particular, photonic lattices—which can challenge longstanding tenets such as the Bloch theory of bands. Here, we combine these two fields and study the exotic interaction between emitters mediated by the photonic modes of a lossy photonic lattice described by a NH Hamiltonian. We show in a paradigmatic case study that structured losses in the field can seed exotic emission properties. Photons can mediate dissipative, fully non-reciprocal interactions between emitters with range critically dependent on the loss rate. When this loss rate corresponds to a bare-lattice exceptional point, the effective couplings are exactly nearest neighbor, implementing a dissipative, fully non-reciprocal Hatano–Nelson model. Counterintuitively, this can occur irrespective of the lattice boundary conditions. Thus photons can mediate an effective emitter’s Hamiltonian which is translationally invariant despite the fact that the field is not. We interpret these effects in terms of metastable atom–photon dressed states, which can be exactly localized on only two lattice cells or extended across the entire lattice. These findings introduce a paradigm of light-mediated interactions with unprecedented features such as non-reciprocity, non-trivial dependence on field boundary conditions, and range tunability via a loss rate.
“Female genital schistosomiasis is a sexually transmitted disease”: Gaps in healthcare workers’ knowledge about female genital schistosomiasis in Tanzania
Authors: Mazigo Humphrey D. , Samson Anna , Lambert Valencia J. , Kosia Agnes L. , Ngoma Deogratias D. , Murphy Rachel , Matungwa Dunstan J.
Published: March 2022

Female Genital Schistosomiasis is a gynecological disease that is a complication of parasitic Schistosoma haematobium infection and affects at least 40 million girls and women, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Little is known about how healthcare workers in endemic areas perceive and manage (diagnose and treat) Female Genital Schistosomiasis. We conducted cross-sectional focus group discussions and key informant interviews among healthcare workers in northwestern Tanzania. Healthcare workers, particularly those working in areas where S. haematobium is highly endemic, were purposively sampled to participate in the study. Discussions and interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo version 12. Most healthcare workers lacked knowledge and skills to manage Female Genital Schistosomiasis. They also had multiple misconceptions about its aetiology, modes of transmission, symptoms, and management. Healthcare workers did not consider Female Genital Schistosomiasis in differential diagnoses of women presenting with gynecologic symptoms except sometimes in patients who did not respond to the initial therapy for sexually transmitted infections. Healthcare facilities had limited capacity to manage Female Genital Schistosomiasis. Our findings show critical gaps in both the knowledge of healthcare workers to manage Female Genital Schistosomiasis and in the capacity of healthcare facilities to manage it. To fill these gaps, two urgent needs must be fulfilled: first, training healthcare workers (particularly those working in schistosomiasis-endemic settings) on Female Genital Schistosomiasis, and second, stocking healthcare facilities with necessary medical equipment and supplies for managing this disease.
No impact of performance-based financing on the availability of essential medicines in Burkina Faso: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Lohmann Julia , Brenner Stephan , Koulidiati Jean-Louis , Somda Serge M. A. , Robyn Paul Jacob , De Allegri Manuela
Published: March 2022

Access to safe, effective, and affordable essential medicines (EM) is critical to quality health services and as such has played a key role in innovative health system strengthening approaches such as Performance-based Financing (PBF). Available literature indicates that PBF can improve EM availability, but has not done so consistently in the past. Qualitative explorations of the reasons are yet scarce. We contribute to expanding the literature by estimating the impact of PBF on EM availability and stockout in Burkina Faso and investigating mechanisms of and barriers to change. The study used an explanatory mixed methods design. The quantitative study component followed a quasi-experimental design (difference-in-differences), comparing how EM availability and stockout had changed three years after implementation in 12 PBF and in 12 control districts. Qualitative data was collected from purposely selected policy and implementation stakeholders at all levels of the health system and community, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and explored using deductive coding and thematic analysis. We found no impact of PBF on EM availability and stockouts in the quantitative data. Qualitative narratives converge in that EM supply had increased as a result of PBF, albeit not fully satisfactorily and sustainably so. Reasons include persisting contextual challenges, most importantly a public medicine procurement monopoly; design challenges, specifically a disconnect and disbalance in incentive levels between service provision and service quality indicators; implementation challenges including payment delays, issues around performance verification, and insufficient implementation of activities to strengthen stock management skills; and concurrently implemented policies, most importantly a national user fee exemption for children and pregnant women half way through the impact evaluation period. The case of PBF and EM availability in Burkina Faso illustrates the difficulty of incentivizing and effecting holistic change in EM availability in the presence of strong contextual constraints and powerful concurrent policies.
Risk factors analysis for neglected human rickettsioses in rural communities in Nan province, Thailand: A community-based observational study along a landscape gradient
Authors: Chaisiri Kittipong , Tanganuchitcharnchai Ampai , Kritiyakan Anamika , Thinphovong Chuanphot , Tanita Malee , Morand Serge , Blacksell Stuart D.
Published: March 2022

In this study, we estimated exposure for Scrub typhus (STG), Typhus (TG) and Spotted fever groups (SFG) rickettsia using serology at a fine scale (a whole sub-district administration level) of local communities in Nan Province, Thailand. Geographical characteristics of the sub-district were divided into two landscape types: lowland agricultural area in an urbanized setting (lowland-urbanized area) and upland agricultural area located close to a protected area of National Park (upland-forested area). This provided an ideal contrast between the two landscapes with low and high levels of human-altered habitats to study in differences in disease ecology. In total, 824 serum samples of participants residing in the eight villages were tested by screening IgG ELISA, and subsequently confirmed by the gold standard IgG Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA). STG and TG IgG positivity were highest with seroprevalence of 9.8% and 9.0%, respectively; whereas SFG positivity was lower at 6.9%. Inhabitants from the villages located in upland-forested area demonstrated significantly higher STG exposure, compared to those villages in the lowland-urbanized area (chi-square = 51.97, p < 0.0001). In contrast, TG exposure was significantly higher in those villagers living in lowland-urbanized area (chi-square = 28.26, p < 0.0001). In addition to the effect of landscape types, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis identified socio-demographic parameters, i.e., gender, occupation, age, educational level, domestic animal ownership (dog, cattle and poultry) as influential factors to explain the level of rickettsial exposure (antibody titers) in the communities. Our findings raise the public health awareness of rickettsiosis as a cause of undiagnosed febrile illness in the communities.
Phenotypic divergence between the cultivated apple (Malus domestica) and its primary wild progenitor (Malus sieversii)
Authors: Davies Thomas , Watts Sophie , McClure Kendra , Migicovsky Zoë , Myles Sean
Published: March 2022

An understanding of the relationship between the cultivated apple (Malus domestica) and its primary wild progenitor species (M. sieversii) not only provides an understanding of how apples have been improved in the past, but may be useful for apple improvement in the future. We measured 10 phenotypes in over 1000 unique apple accessions belonging to M. domestica and M. sieversii from Canada’s Apple Biodiversity Collection. Using principal components analysis (PCA), we determined that M. domestica and M. sieversii differ significantly in phenotypic space and are nearly completely distinguishable as two separate groups. We found that M. domestica had a shorter juvenile phase than M. sieversii and that cultivated trees produced flowers and ripe fruit later than their wild progenitors. Cultivated apples were also 3.6 times heavier, 43% less acidic, and had 68% less phenolic content than wild apples. Using historical records, we found that apple breeding over the past 200 years has resulted in a trend towards apples that have higher soluble solids, are less bitter, and soften less during storage. Our results quantify the significant changes in phenotype that have taken place since apple domestication, and provide evidence that apple breeding has led to continued phenotypic divergence of the cultivated apple from its wild progenitor species.
The spatially heterogeneous and double-edged effect of the built environment on commuting distance: Home-based and work-based perspectives
Authors: Zheng Zhong , Zhou Suhong , Deng Xingdong
Published: March 2022

Rich literature has examined the impact of the built environment on commuting distance. Linear models assume that the influence of the built environment is spatially homogeneous. However, given the spatial heterogeneity of urban space, conclusions might be different or even be contrary. The influence of the built environment might also be different by home and work locations. To explore the spatially heterogeneous effect of the built environment from both home-based and work-based perspectives, this study applied large-scale cellular cellphone data in Guangzhou, China. Commuting was measured by decay parameters of probabilistic distributions of commuting distances. Geographically weighted regression models were applied to examine the spatially heterogeneous effect, differentiated by home-based and work-based perspectives. Results confirmed that the impact of the built environment on commuting distance is spatially heterogeneous. The urban space is classified into clusters of central areas, inner suburbs, and outer suburbs. Results also revealed the double-edged effect of the built environment. Residential population, recreation facilities, and mixed development are residence-attractive factors that increase the home-based commuting distance and decrease the work-based commuting distance. Work population and transport facilities are work-attractive factors that decrease home-based commuting distance and increase work-based commuting distance. The results further provide evidence to support area-based policies in urban planning practice.
Finite-time generalized synchronization of non-identical fractional order chaotic systems and its application in speech secure communication
Authors: Yang Jianxiang , Xiong Jianbin , Cen Jian , He Wei
Published: March 2022

This paper focuses on the finite-time generalized synchronization problem of non-identical fractional order chaotic (or hyper-chaotic) systems by a designing adaptive sliding mode controller and its application to secure communication. The effects of both disturbances and model uncertainties are taken into account. A novel fractional order integral sliding mode surface is designed and its stability to the origin is proved in a given finite time. By the aid of the fractional Lyapunov stability theory, a robust controller with adaptive update laws is proposed and its finite-time stability for generalized synchronization between two non-identical fractional-order chaotic systems in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances is derived. Numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the presented approach. All simulation results obtained are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis. According to the proposed generalized finite-time synchronization criterion, a novel speech cryptosystem is proposed to send or share voice messages privately via secure channel. Security and performance analyses are given to show the practical effect of the proposed theories.
Foot deformation analysis with different load-bearing conditions to enhance diabetic footwear designs
Authors: Zhang Liying , Yick Kit-lun , Li Pui-ling , Yip Joanne , Ng Sun-pui
Published: March 2022

In-depth analyses of foot surface measurements upon weight bearing are crucial to understand how the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the foot deform during motion to enhance the fit of footwear, which is particularly important for diabetic patients with stringent fit requirements to redistribute the plantar weight forces. This study analyzes diabetic foot deformations under 3 different weight bearing conditions (no weight bearing, half weight bearing, and 80% weight bearing) by using a novel foot scanning method that enables efficient scanning of the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the foot simultaneously. The feet of 48 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are scanned. With increased load on the feet, the width of the forefoot increases by 9.7%-10.4%, height of the midfoot decreases by 15.1%-18.2%, forefoot and midfoot rotate to the medial side by 16.9%-23.9% while the rearfoot rotates to the lateral side by 15.2% simultaneously, and the plantar of the foot increases contact with the floor by 11.4%-23.0%. Gender differences in foot shape are also found between males and females, males have a broader foot than females for the same foot length. Precise anthropometric information of foot changes and deformation therefore enables adequate foot protection, fit and comfort when designing footwear. This research contributes to shoe design considerations that focus on the deformation of the foot under different loads.
Association of midlife antibiotic use with subsequent cognitive function in women
Authors: Mehta Raaj S. , Lochhead Paul , Wang Yiqing , Ma Wenjie , Nguyen Long H. , Kochar Bharati , Huttenhower Curtis , Grodstein Francine , Chan Andrew T.
Published: March 2022

The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized to play a role in cognition and dementia. Antibiotic use impacts the gut microbiome and has been linked with chronic disease. Despite these data, there is no evidence supporting an association between long-term antibiotic use in adults and cognitive function. We conducted a prospective population-based cohort study among 14,542 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study II who completed a self-administered computerized neuropsychological test battery between 2014–2018. Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess if chronic antibiotic use in midlife was associated with cognitive impairment assessed later in life. Women who reported at least 2 months of antibiotic exposure in midlife (mean age 54.7, SD 4.6) had lower mean cognitive scores seven years later, after adjustment for age and educational attainment of the spouse and parent, with a mean difference of -0.11 standard units for the global composite score (Ptrend <0.0001), -0.13 for a composite score of psychomotor speed and attention (Ptrend <0.0001), and -0.10 for a composite score of learning and working memory (Ptrend <0.0001) compared with non-antibiotic users. These differences were not materially changed after multivariate adjustment for additional risk factors, including comorbid conditions. As a benchmark, the mean difference in score associated with each additional year of age was (-0.03) for global cognition, (-0.04) for psychomotor speed and attention, and (-0.03) for learning and working memory; thus the relation of antibiotic use to cognition was roughly equivalent to that found for three to four years of aging. Long-term antibiotic use in midlife is associated with small decreases in cognition assessed seven years later. These data underscore the importance of antibiotic stewardship, especially among aging populations.
Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking
Authors: Oliveira Ricardo , Pinho Eva , Sousa Ana Luísa , Dias Óscar , Azevedo Nuno Filipe , Almeida Carina
Published: March 2022

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides, formerly evolved by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), that fold into functional three-dimensional structures. Such conformation is crucial for aptamers’ ability to bind to a target with high affinity and specificity. Unnatural nucleotides have been used to develop nucleic acid mimic (NAM) aptamers with increased performance, such as biological stability. Prior knowledge of aptamer-target interactions is critical for applying post-SELEX modifications with unnatural nucleotides since it can affect aptamers’ structure and performance. Here, we describe an easy-to-apply in silico workflow using free available software / web servers to predict the tertiary conformation of NAM, DNA and RNA aptamers, as well as the docking with the target molecule. Representative 2ʹ-O-methyl (2ʹOMe), locked nucleic acid (LNA), DNA and RNA aptamers, with experimental data deposited in Protein Data Bank, were selected to validate the workflow. All aptamers’ tertiary structure and docking models were successfully predicted with good structural similarity to the experimental data. Thus, this workflow will boost the development of aptamers, particularly NAM aptamers, by assisting in the rational modification of specific nucleotides and avoiding trial-and-error approaches.
Perspectives of individuals with sickle cell disease on barriers to care
Authors: Phillips Shannon , Chen Yumei , Masese Rita , Noisette Laurence , Jordan Kasey , Jacobs Sara , Hsu Lewis L. , Melvin Cathy L. , Treadwell Marsha , Shah Nirmish , Tanabe Paula , Kanter Julie
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that predominantly affects African Americans in the United States. The disease is associated with complications leading to high healthcare utilization rates, including emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Optimal SCD care requires a multidisciplinary approach involving SCD specialists to ensure preventive care, minimize complications and prevent unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations. However, most individuals with SCD receive sub-optimal care or are unaffiliated with care (have not seen an SCD specialist). We aimed to identify barriers to care from the perspective of individuals with SCD in a multi-state sample.

Methods

We performed a multiple methods study consisting of surveys and interviews in three comprehensive SCD centers from March to June 2018. Interviews were transcribed and coded, exploring themes around barriers to care. Survey questions on the specific themes identified in the interviews were analyzed using summary statistics.

Results

We administered surveys to 208 individuals and conducted 44 in-depth interviews. Barriers to care were identified and classified according to ecological level (i.e., individual, family/interpersonal, provider, and socio-environmental/organizational level). Individual-level barriers included lack of knowledge in self-management and disease severity. Family/interpersonal level barriers were inadequate caregiver support and competing life demands. Provider level barriers were limited provider knowledge, provider inexperience, poor provider-patient relationship, being treated differently, and the provider’s lack of appreciation of the patient’s SCD knowledge. Socio-environmental/organizational level barriers included limited transportation, lack of insurance, administrative barriers, poor care coordination, and reduced access to care due to limited clinic availability, services provided or clinic refusal to provide SCD care.

Conclusion

Participants reported several multilevel barriers to SCD care. Strategies tailored towards reducing these barriers are warranted. Our findings may also inform interventions aiming to locate and link unaffiliated individuals to care.
The effects of centipedegrass extract on hair growth via promotion of anagen inductive activity
Authors: Ramadhani Fatuma Jumapili , Bak Dong-Ho , Kang Seong Hee , Park Chul-hong , Park Sang hwa , Chung Byung Yeoup , Bai Hyoung-woo
Published: March 2022

To investigate the CGE on hair growth and to explore the mechanism that is involved in the acceleration of anagen induction, we investigated the effects of CGE studied on cell proliferation and molecular mechanism in human hair dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Additionally, hair growth evaluation was carried out following topical treatment of the dorsal skin of telogen C57BL/6 mice with CGE for 14 days. As result, CGE increased cell viability and ALP activity in hDPCs. Moreover, CGE increased the expression of catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1), ALP, sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) genes in hDPCs. CGE increased the expression of proteins such as ALP, β-catenin, and phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (pGSK3β), and protein kinase B (pAKT) in hDPCs. Furthermore, CGE induced the proliferation of HaCaT cells and up-regulated AKT-ERK-GSKβ-β-catenin signaling in HaCaT cells. Additionally, the anagen induction effects of CGE were confirmed on the telogen-anagen transition mice model. these findings demonstrated that CGE promoted the entering the growth phase of hair follicle via activation of β-catenin signaling pathways in vivo. Thus, this study suggests that CGE might be a potential therapeutic reagent for hair growth.
Brucellosis testing patterns at health facilities in Arusha region, northern Tanzania
Authors: Lukambagire AbdulHamid Settenda , Shirima Gabriel Mkulima , Shayo Damas Davis , Mathew Coletha , Yapi Richard B. , Kasanga Christopher Julius , Mmbaga Blandina Theophile , Kazwala Rudovick Reuben , Halliday Jo E. B.
Published: March 2022

Background

Brucellosis is listed as one of six priority zoonoses in Tanzania’s One Health strategic plan which highlights gaps in data needed for the surveillance and estimation of human brucellosis burdens. This study collected data on current testing practices and test results for human brucellosis in Arusha region, northern Tanzania.

Methods

Retrospective data were extracted from records at 24 health facilities in Arusha region for the period January 2012 to May 2018. Data were captured on: the test reagents used for brucellosis, procurement and testing protocols, the monthly number of patients tested for brucellosis and the monthly number testing positive. Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate relationships between health facility characteristics and the probability that brucellosis testing was conducted in a given month, and the proportion of individuals testing positive.

Results

Four febrile Brucella agglutination tests were used widely. The probability of testing for brucellosis in a given month was significantly associated with an interaction between year of testing and facility ownership. Test probability increased over time with more pronounced increases in privately owned as compared to government facilities. The proportion of individuals testing positive for brucellosis was significantly associated with facility type and district, with individuals tested in hospitals in Meru, Monduli and Ngorongoro districts more likely to test positive.

Conclusions

Febrile Brucella agglutination tests, known for their poor performance, were the mainstay of brucellosis testing at health facilities in northern Tanzania. The study indicates that historical data on human brucellosis in Arusha and other regions are likely to provide an inaccurate measure of true disease burden due to poor performance of the tests used and variation in testing practices. Measures to address these identified shortcomings could greatly improve quality of testing and surveillance data on brucellosis and ultimately inform prevention and control of this priority disease.
The effects of others’ drinking on the harms to children in Thailand: Lessons from the WHO-ThaiHealth project
Authors: Preampruchcha Perawas , Suwanno Nattapong , Petchana Butpetch , Kuemee Tirada , Tanaree Athip , Nontarak Jiraluck , Balthip Karnsunaphat , Ratworawong Khemanat , Hayiyani Narisa , Oumudee Nurtasneam , Maneemai Ongart , Waleewong Orratai , Chotipanvithayakul Rassamee , Nasueb Sopit , Rungruang Supeecha , Chaiyasong Surasak , Saokaew Surasak , Intanont Tanomsri , Donraman Teerohah , Saengow Udomsak , Duangpaen Warangkhana , Bunyanukul Warintorn , Vichitkunakorn Polathep
Published: March 2022

Background

Many knowledge gaps exist in the area of alcohol-related harms in children research such as the potential impact of other’s drinking and their social demography. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effects of characteristics of household members and others’ alcohol drinking on harms to children in Thailand.

Data and methods

This study examined 952 parents caring for children and adolescents under 18 years of age, using the questionnaire (i.e., The Harm to Others from Drinking under the WHO/ThaiHealth International Collaboration Research Project). They were interviewed between September 2012 and March 2013.

Results

The study found that 15.89% of children and young people were affected by someone’s drinking in at least one category of harms. People over 60 years of age were less likely to cause alcohol-related harm to children than those aged 18 to 29 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.19, 95% confidence interval [Cl]: 0.06–0.58). Households with a binge drinker or regular drinker (≥1 time/week) were more likely to have children at higher risk of suffering alcohol-related harm in comparison to households without alcohol drinker (AOR 4.75 and 1.92, respectively).

Conclusion

This study found that children whose family members are young adult or consume alcohol (i.e., weekly drinker or binge drinker) were significantly adversely affected. The most common problems were domestic violence and verbal abuse. Most of the problems, affecting children, were caused mostly by their parents.
Persisting olfactory dysfunction in post-COVID-19 is associated with gustatory impairment: Results from chemosensitive testing eight months after the acute infection
Authors: Hintschich Constantin A. , Fischer René , Hummel Thomas , Wenzel Jürgen J. , Bohr Christopher , Vielsmeier Veronika
Published: March 2022

Olfactory and gustatory disorders are prominent symptoms of acute COVID-19. Although both senses recover in many patients within weeks to months, persistency has been described in up to 60%. However up to now most reports on the course of chemosensitive disorders after COVID-19 are not based on psychophysical testing but only on subjective patients’ ratings. In this study we assessed both olfaction and gustation using psychophysical tests eight months after COVID-19. Validated psychophysical testing revealed hyposmia in 18% and hypogeusia in even 32% of 303 included patients. This shows that olfactory and especially gustatory disorders have to be seen as important chronic symptoms post-COVID-19. The high prevalence of gustatory dysfunction indicates that gustatory function does not recover or might even deteriorate in the months following the acute infection.
Performance of the Universal Vital Assessment (UVA) mortality risk score in hospitalized adults with infection in Rwanda: A retrospective external validation study
Authors: Hazard Riley , Bagenda Danstan , Patterson Andrew J. , Hoffman Julia T. , Lisco Steven J. , Urayeneza Olivier , Ntihinyurwa Polyphile , Moore Christopher C.
Published: March 2022

Background

We previously derived a Universal Vital Assessment (UVA) score to better risk-stratify hospitalized patients in sub-Saharan Africa, including those with infection. Here, we aimed to externally validate the performance of the UVA score using previously collected data from patients hospitalized with acute infection in Rwanda.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of data collected from adults ≥18 years with acute infection admitted to Gitwe District Hospital in Rwanda from 2016 until 2017. We calculated the UVA score from the time of admission and at 72 hours after admission. We also calculated quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment (qSOFA) and modified early warning scores (MEWS). We calculated amalgamated qSOFA scores by inserting UVA cut-offs into the qSOFA score, and modified UVA scores by removing the HIV criterion. The performance of each score determined by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) was the primary outcome measure.

Results

We included 573 hospitalized adult patients with acute infection of whom 40 (7%) died in-hospital. The admission AUCs (95% confidence interval [CI]) for the prediction of mortality by the scores were: UVA, 0.77 (0.68–0.85); modified UVA, 0.77 (0.68–0.85); qSOFA, 0.66 (0.56–0.75), amalgamated qSOFA, 0.71 (0.61–0.80); and MEWS, 0.74 (0.64, 0.83). The positive predictive values (95% CI) of the scores at commonly used cut-offs were: UVA >4, 0.35 (0.15–0.59); modified UVA >4, 0.35 (0.15–0.59); qSOFA >1, 0.14 (0.07–0.24); amalgamated qSOFA >1, 0.44 (0.20–0.70); and MEWS >5, 0.14 (0.08–0.22). The 72 hour (N = 236) AUC (95% CI) for the prediction of mortality by UVA was 0.59 (0.43–0.74). The Chi-Square test for linear trend did not identify an association between mortality and delta UVA score at 72 hours (p = 0.82).

Conclusions

The admission UVA score and amalgamated qSOFA score had good predictive ability for mortality in adult patients admitted to hospital with acute infection in Rwanda. The UVA score could be used to assist with triage decisions and clinical interventions, for baseline risk stratification in clinical studies, and in a clinical definition of sepsis in Africa.
Incidence of Lyme disease in the United Kingdom and association with fatigue: A population-based, historical cohort study
Authors: Brellier Florence , Pujades-Rodriguez Mar , Powell Emma , Mudie Kathleen , Mattos Lacerda Eliana , Nacul Luis , Wing Kevin
Published: March 2022

Background

Estimations of Lyme disease incidence rates in the United Kingdom vary. There is evidence that this disease is associated with fatigue in its early stage but reports are contradictory as far as long-term fatigue is concerned.

Methods and findings

A population-based historical cohort study was conducted on patients treated in general practices contributing to IQVIA Medical Research Data: 2,130 patients with a first diagnosis of Lyme disease between 2000 and 2018 and 8,510 randomly-sampled patients matched by age, sex, and general practice, followed-up for a median time of 3 years and 8 months. Main outcome measure was time to consultation for (1) any fatigue-related symptoms or diagnosis; or (2) myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated from Cox models. Average incidence rate for Lyme disease across the UK was 5.18 per 100,000 person-years, increasing from 2.55 in 2000 to 9.33 in 2018. In total, 929 events of any types of fatigue were observed, leading to an incidence rate of 307.90 per 10,000 person-years in the Lyme cohort (282 events) and 165.60 in the comparator cohort (647 events). Effect of Lyme disease on any subsequent fatigue varied by index season: adjusted HRs were the highest in autumn and winter with 3.14 (95%CI: 1.92–5.13) and 2.23 (1.21–4.11), respectively. For ME/CFS, 17 events were observed in total. Incidence rates were 11.76 per 10,000 person-years in Lyme patients (12 events) and 1.20 in comparators (5 events), corresponding to an adjusted HR of 16.95 (5.17–55.60). Effects were attenuated 6 months after diagnosis but still clearly visible.

Conclusions

UK primary care records provided strong evidence that Lyme disease was associated with subsequent fatigue and ME/CFS. Albeit weaker on the long-term, these effects persisted beyond 6 months, suggesting patients and healthcare providers should remain alert to fatigue symptoms months to years following Lyme disease diagnosis.
Galectin-1 and -3 in high amounts inhibit angiogenic properties of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells in vitro
Authors: Hillenmayer Anna , Wertheimer Christian M. , Geerlof Arie , Eibl Kirsten H. , Priglinger Siegfried , Priglinger Claudia , Ohlmann Andreas
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Galectin-1 and -3 are β-galactoside binding lectins with varying effects on angiogenesis and apoptosis. Since in retinal pigment epithelial cells high amounts of human recombinant galectin (hr-GAL)1 and 3 inhibit cell adhesion, migration and proliferation, we investigated if hr-GAL1 and 3 have homologous effects on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC) in vitro.

Methods

To investigate the effect of galectin-1 and -3 on HRMEC, proliferation, apoptosis and viability were analyzed after incubation with 30, 60 and 120 μg/ml hr-GAL1 or 3 by BrdU-ELISA, histone-DNA complex ELISA, live/dead staining and the WST-1 assay, respectively. Further on, a cell adhesion as well as tube formation assay were performed on galectin-treated HRMEC. Migration was investigated by the scratch migration assay and time-lapse microscopy. In addition, immunohistochemical staining on HRMEC for β-catenin, galectin-1 and -3 were performed and β-catenin expression was investigated by western blot analysis.

Results

Incubation with hr-GAL1 or 3 lead to a decrease in proliferation, migration, adhesion and tube formation of HRMEC compared to the untreated controls. No toxic effects of hr-GAL1 and 3 on HRMEC were detected. Intriguingly, after treatment of HRMEC with hr-GAL1 or 3, an activation of the proangiogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was observed. However, incubation of HRMEC with hr-GAL1 or 3 drew intracellular galectin-1 and -3 out of the cells, respectively.

Conclusion

Exogenously added hr-GAL1 or 3 inhibit angiogenic properties of HRMEC in vitro, an effect that might be mediated via a loss of intracellular endogenous galectins.
Knowledge of hepatitis C and awareness of reinfection risk among people who successfully completed direct acting antiviral therapy
Authors: Yazdani Kiana , Dolguikh Katerina , Zhang Wendy , Shayegi-Nik Sara , Ly Jessica , Cooper Shaughna , Trigg Jason , Bartlett Sophia , Barrios Rolando , Montaner Julio S. G. , Salters Kate
Published: March 2022

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) education may be changing following the simplification of HCV treatment and emergence of direct acting antiviral (DAA). We aimed to characterize HCV knowledge among people who recently completed DAA therapy.

Methods

The Per-SVR (Preservation of Sustained Virologic Response) is a prospective cohort of patients who achieved a sustained virologic response upon successful completion of DAA therapy. The per-SVR study provided the sampling frame of participants who completed a psychometrically validated 19-item HCV knowledge scale at cohort entry (n = 227). To score the questionnaire, for each correct response one point was awarded, with no point for incorrect response. We assessed mean HCV knowledge score in the overall sample and mutually exclusive populations: people who inject drug (PWID) (n = 71); people with co-occurring HIV (n = 23); PWID and co-occurring HIV (n = 29), and others (n = 104) Using a latent class analysis based on distal outcome, we identified unobserved subgroups and assessed HCV knowledge amongst them.

Results

Total mean (SD) percent of correct responses were 83 (11) in the overall sample; 83 (10) in PWID; 79 (12) in people with co-occurring HIV; 81 (10) in PWID and co-occurring HIV, and 84 (11) in rest of the sample Three latent groups were identified: baby boomers who ever experienced homelessness (n = 126); women sex workers who ever experienced homelessness (n = 68); men who inject drug, ever experienced homelessness and had ever diagnosis of mental health disorders (n = 18). Mean percent of correct responses were 85 (8), 82 (11), 85 (10), in latent class 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients successfully treated with DAAs had a high HCV knowledge. High knowledge and awareness of reinfection among complex patient groups often facing barriers to HCV care is encouraging and emphasizes the positive outcomes of universal access to treatment.
Factors associated with community acquired severe pneumonia among under five children in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A case control analysis
Authors: Nasrin Sabiha , Tariqujjaman Md. , Sultana Marufa , Zaman Rifat A. , Ali Shahjahan , Chisti Mohammod J. , Faruque Abu S. G. , Ahmed Tahmeed , Fuchs George J. , Gyr Niklaus , Alam Nur H.
Published: March 2022

Background

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children globally with the majority of these deaths observed in resource-limited settings. Globally, the annual incidence of clinical pneumonia in under-five children is approximately 152 million, mostly in the low- and middle-income countries. Of these, 8.7% progressed to severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization. However, data to predict children at the greatest risk to develop severe pneumonia from pneumonia are limited.

Method

Secondary data analysis was performed after extracting relevant data from a prospective cluster randomized controlled clinical trial; children of either sex, aged two months to five years with pneumonia or severe pneumonia acquired in the community were enrolled over a period of three years in 16 clusters in urban Dhaka city.

Results

The analysis comprised of 2,597 children aged 2–59 months. Of these, 904 and 1693 were categorized as pneumonia (controls) and severe pneumonia (cases), respectively based on WHO criteria. The median age of children was 9.2 months (inter quartile range, 5.1–17.1) and 1,576 (60%) were male. After adjustment for covariates, children with temperature ≥38°C, duration of illness ≥3 days, male sex, received prior medical care and severe stunting showed a significantly increased likelihood of developing severe pneumonia compared to those with pneumonia. Severe pneumonia in children occurred more often in older children who presented commonly from wealthy quintile families, and who often sought care from private facilities in urban settings.

Conclusion and recommendation

Male sex, longer duration of illness, fever, received prior medical care, and severe stunting were significantly associated with development of WHO-defined severe childhood pneumonia in our population. The results of this study may help to develop interventions target to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality of children suffering from severe pneumonia.
Knitting masculinities: How men are challenging masculinity and needlework in a post-pandemic age
Authors: Beyer Judith
Published: March 2022

The JW Anderson patchwork cardigan from the spring/summer 2020 menswear collection has become an iconic fashion item during the COVID-19 pandemic. Worn by Harry Styles, the cardigan inspired a worldwide TikTok trend of crafting and DIY-ing a replica at home with over 90 million views to date. In response, JW Anderson published the pattern online and the V&A museum acquired the knitwear for its permanent collection. One year later, Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley was pictured knitting in the stands at the 2020 Olympic games – a craft he had picked up during the lockdowns. Both instances are challenging the notion of knitting and needlework as a feminine craft. In the past, men who embroidered, knitted or sewed their clothes were designated as infantile, effeminate and deviant from the hetero masculine norm. In today’s post-pandemic climate, these associations are being challenged. Taking the cardigan and the resurgence of needlework as a case study, this article investigates the ways the COVID-19 pandemic influenced contemporary fashion consumption and re-stitched the meaning of male knitting. Focusing on the transformative aspects of slow fashion and gender fluidity in contemporary society, this article draws on a theoretical framework deriving from queer theory and sustainable fashion. Coined by Kate Fletcher, slow fashion encompasses a recalibration towards a focus on high-quality items over quantity and a slower production that does not exploit natural and human resources. Judith Butler’s notion of gender performativity exposes gender as a social construct produced and maintained by a stylized repetition of acts, such as commonplace speech or nonverbal communication. Analysing the resurgence of male needlework through this critical lens, this article argues that it is the result of seismographic shifts within the contemporary fashion and popular culture that have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disrupting the fashion industry profoundly on a global scale, this article discusses how the pandemic can be seen as a catalyst for fashion in renegotiating masculinities.
Synergistic anticancer activity of disulfiram/copper against mouse lymphoma cells
Authors: Jung Haebeen , Joo Hong-Gu
Published: March 2022

Disulfiram (DSF) is a marketed drug to treat patients with alcohol dependence by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase. Over the last few decades, DSF has been shown to have anticancer effects through different mechanisms. Moreover, this effect can be elevated when used with copper (Cu). Subsequent studies have been conducted on various cancers, but few on lymphoma. This study investigated the anticancer effects of DSF on lymphoma and how this effect changed when treated with Cu. DSF synergistically decreased the metabolic activity of EL4 lymphoma cells when combined with Cu. At 1 µM of DSF alone, the metabolic activity of EL4 cells decreased by 49% compared to the control, whereas it decreased by 87% with a DSF + CuCl2 treatment. Rhodamine 123 and 2',7'–dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining showed that DSF induced the reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted the production of reactive oxygen species. In particular, the combined treatment of DSF + Cu induced cell death based on multiple assays, including annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining. Overall, DSF has anticancer effects on lymphoma cells and exhibits synergistic effects when combined with Cu. This study provides some valuable information to broaden the use of DSF in clinics and basic research.
Chemotaxis-Stokes interaction with very weak diffusion enhancement: Blow-up exclusion via detection of absorption-induced entropy structures involving multiplicative couplings
Authors: Winkler Michael
Published: March 2022

The chemotaxis–Stokes systemnt+u⋅∇n=∇⋅(D(n)∇n)−∇⋅(nS(x,n,c)⋅∇c),ct+u⋅∇c=Δc−nc,ut=Δu+∇P+n∇Φ,∇⋅u=0,\left\{\begin{array}{l}{n}_{t}+u\cdot \nabla n=\nabla \cdot (D\left(n)\nabla n)-\nabla \cdot (nS\left(x,n,c)\cdot \nabla c),\\ {c}_{t}+u\cdot \nabla c=\Delta c-nc,\\ {u}_{t}=\Delta u+\nabla P+n\nabla \Phi ,\hspace{1.0em}\nabla \cdot u=0,\end{array}\right.is considered in a smoothly bounded convex domainΩ⊂R3\Omega \subset {{\mathbb{R}}}^{3}, with given suitably regular functionsD:[0,∞)→[0,∞)D:{[}0,\infty )\to {[}0,\infty ),S:Ω¯×[0,∞)×(0,∞)→R3×3S:\overline{\Omega }\times {[}0,\infty )\times \left(0,\infty )\to {{\mathbb{R}}}^{3\times 3}andΦ:Ω¯→R\Phi :\overline{\Omega }\to {\mathbb{R}}such thatD>0D\gt 0on(0,∞)\left(0,\infty ). It is shown that if with some nondecreasingS0:(0,∞)→(0,∞){S}_{0}:\left(0,\infty )\to \left(0,\infty )we have∣S(x,n,c)∣≤S0(c)c12for all(x,n,c)∈Ω¯×[0,∞)×(0,∞),| S\left(x,n,c)| \le \frac{{S}_{0}\left(c)}{{c}^{\tfrac{1}{2}}}\hspace{1.0em}\hspace{0.1em}\text{for all}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}\left(x,n,c)\in \overline{\Omega }\times {[}0,\infty )\times \left(0,\infty ),then for allM>0M\gt 0there existsL(M)>0L\left(M)\gt 0such that wheneverliminfn→∞D(n)>L(M)andliminfn↘0D(n)n>0,\mathop{\mathrm{liminf}}\limits_{n\to \infty }D\left(n)\gt L\left(M)\hspace{1.0em}\hspace{0.1em}\text{and}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{1.0em}\mathop{\mathrm{liminf}}\limits_{n\searrow 0}\frac{D\left(n)}{n}\gt 0,for all sufficiently regular initial data(n0,c0,u0)\left({n}_{0},{c}_{0},{u}_{0})fulfilling‖c0‖L∞(Ω)≤M\Vert {c}_{0}{\Vert }_{{L}^{\infty }\left(\Omega )}\le Man associated no-flux/no-flux/Dirichlet initial-boundary value problem admits a global bounded weak solution, classical if additionallyD(0)>0D\left(0)\gt 0. When combined with previously known results, this particularly implies global existence of bounded solutions whenD(n)=nm−1D\left(n)={n}^{m-1},n≥0n\ge 0, with arbitrarym>1m\gt 1, but beyond this asserts global boundedness also in the presence of diffusivities which exhibit arbitrarily slow divergence to+∞+\inftyat large densities and of possibly singular chemotactic sensitivities.
Effect of the genetic mutant G71R in uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 on the conjugation of bilirubin
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhong Danni , Gao Zongyan , Wu Xiaojing
Published: March 2022

We aimed to investigate the effect of the genetic mutant G71R (c. 211G > A) in uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) on the glucuronidation of unconjugated bilirubin. The UGT1A1 wild-type and mutant G71R gene sequences were inserted into the lentiviral vector GV358 plasmid and then transfected into COS-7 cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were used to determine mRNA and protein expression levels of UGT1A1, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantitate the levels of conjugated bilirubin. The results showed no significant difference in the mRNA and protein expression levels between the UGT1A1 wild-type and G71R homozygous and heterozygous mutants. The level of conjugated bilirubin reached a maximum in wild-type UGT1A1-transfected COS-7 cells. However, relative to the UGT1A1 wild-type, conjugated bilirubin concentrations were 71 and 22% with G71R heterozygous- and G71R homozygous-transfected COS-7 cells, respectively. In conclusion, we successfully established in vitro cell models of the UGT1A1 wild-type and the G71R homozygous and heterozygous mutants using a lentiviral vector. Furthermore, the catalytic activity for unconjugated bilirubin was lower in the mutant G71R than the UGT1A1 wild-type enzyme, and a weaker effect was observed in the homozygote.