bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of different antibiotic regimens in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Feliciano-Alfonso John E. , Muñoz-Ortiz Juliana , Marín-Noriega María Alejandra , Vargas-Villanueva Andrés , Triviño-Blanco Laura , Carvajal-Saiz Natalia , de-la-Torre Alejandra
Published: July 2021

Background

Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common cause of posterior uveitis, which leads to visual impairment in a large proportion of patients. Antibiotics and corticosteroids lower the risk of permanent visual loss by controlling infection and inflammation. However, there remains disagreement regarding optimal antibiotic therapy for OT. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the effects and safety of existing antibiotic treatment regimens for OT.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Gray Literature in Europe (“OpenGrey”) were searched for relevant studies; manual searches of reference lists were performed for studies identified by other methods. All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials that compared antibiotic schemes known to be effective in OT at any dosage, duration, and administration route were included. Studies comparing antibiotics with placebo were excluded. This review followed standard methodological procedures recommended by the Cochrane group.

Results

Ten studies were included in the narrative summary, of which four were included for quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). Interventions were organized into three groups: intravitreal clindamycin versus pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine, trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole versus other antibiotics, and other interventions. The first comparison favored intravitreal clindamycin (Mean difference (MD) = 0.10 logMAR; 95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.22). However, this finding lacks clinical relevance. Other outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups. In general, the risk of performance bias was high in evaluated studies, and the quality of the evidence found was low to very low.

Conclusions

No antibiotic scheme was superior to others, and the selection of a treatment regimen depends on multiple factors; therefore, treatment should be chosen based on safety, sulfa allergies, and availability.
Geotechnical evaluation of gully erosion and landslides materials and their impact in Iguosa and its environs, southern Nigeria
Authors: Aigbadon Godwin Okumagbe , Ocheli Azuka , Akudo Ernest Orji
Published: July 2021

Background

Detailed field surveys and geotechnical evaluation of soils in Iguosa and its environs, Southern Nigeria, were undertaken to determine the root causes, mechanisms, and impacts of landslides and gully erosion. This was done to suggest appropriate mitigation measures to reclaim the affected land and prevent future occurrences in the study area.

Results

Field study revealed high elevations, a steep slope, high rainfall and inadequate drainage systems. Also, human activities and socio-cultural activities have contributed to the large lateral extents in depths and widths of the landslides and gullies in the study area. The geotechnical analyses reveal that soil samples from SB1, SB2, SB6 and SB7 lithological units are mainly sandy clay with a coefficient of permeability ranging from 3.5 × 10−4 to 4.2 × 10−4 cm/s, the cohesion ranges from 27 to 28 kƿa and angle of internal resistance ranges from 27° to 30° respectively. The plastic limit ranges from 2 to 4, and liquid limit ranges from 33 to 38, and the plasticity index ranges from 30 to 36. Ajali sand units SB3, SB4, SB8 and SB9, consist of coarse-grained sand with no plasticity. The coefficient of permeability ranges from 2.8 × 10−4 to 3.2 × 10−4 cm/s, the cohesion range from 10 to 18 kƿa, angle of internal resistance 24° to 26°, respectively. The soil samples from SB5 and SB10 lithological units are silty-clay with a coefficient of permeability of 4.6 × 10−4 to 4.8 × 10−4 cm/s. The cohesion of 45 to 46 kƿa, and angle of internal resistance of 37﻿° to 40°, respectively. The plastic limits ranges from 35 to 36, and liquid limit is 76, and the plasticity index ranges from 40 to 41.

Conclusion

Field survey and geotechnical evaluations of the soils revealed that high elevation, a steep slope and the geotechnical properties of the soils were the initial conditions that initiated landslides and gully developments in the study area. This has also been influenced by rainfall, poor vegetation, inadequate drainage systems, and human activities as well as socio-cultural activities. Over four hundred and thirty-two houses and farmlands and other properties have been damaged and abandoned in the study area. Covering the landslide areas with impermeable layers/materials, diverting surface water away from the landslide areas, enacting laws to prevent the erection of structures on landslide prone-areas, sound drainage systems, the use of biotechnical slope and bioengineering methods, afforestation and re-vegetation were the proposed mitigation measures to tackle this menace in the study area.
ACER3-related leukoencephalopathy: expanding the clinical and imaging findings spectrum due to novel variants
Authors: Dehnavi Ali Zare , Heidari Erfan , Rasulinezhad Maryam , Heidari Morteza , Ashrafi Mahmoud Reza , Hosseini Mohammad Mahdi , Sadeghzadeh Fatemeh , Fallah Mohammad-Sadegh , Rostampour Noushin , Bahraini Amir , Garshasbi Masoud , Tavasoli Ali Reza
Published: July 2021

Background

Leukodystrophies are the main subgroup of inherited CNS white matter disorders which cause significant mortality and morbidity in early years of life. Diagnosis is mostly based on clinical context and neuroimaging findings; however, genetic tools, particularly whole-exome sequencing (WES), have led to comprehending the causative gene and molecular events contributing to these disorders. Mutation in Alkaline Ceramidase 3 (ACER3) gene which encodes alkaline ceramidase enzyme that plays a crucial role in cellular growth and viability has been stated as an uncommon reason for inherited leukoencephalopathies. Merely only two ACER3 mutations in cases of progressive leukodystrophies have been reported thus far.

Results

In the current study, we have identified three novel variants in ACER3 gene in cases with new neurological manifestations including developmental regression, dystonia, and spasticity. The detected variants were segregated into family members.

Conclusion

Our study expands the clinical, neuroimaging, electroencephalographic, and genetic spectrum of ACER3 mutations. Furthermore, we reviewed and compared the findings of all the previously reported cases and the cases identified here in order to facilitate their diagnosis and management.
Text Data Augmentation for Deep Learning
Authors: Shorten Connor , Khoshgoftaar Taghi M. , Furht Borko
Published: July 2021

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is one of the most captivating applications of Deep Learning. In this survey, we consider how the Data Augmentation training strategy can aid in its development. We begin with the major motifs of Data Augmentation summarized into strengthening local decision boundaries, brute force training, causality and counterfactual examples, and the distinction between meaning and form. We follow these motifs with a concrete list of augmentation frameworks that have been developed for text data. Deep Learning generally struggles with the measurement of generalization and characterization of overfitting. We highlight studies that cover how augmentations can construct test sets for generalization. NLP is at an early stage in applying Data Augmentation compared to Computer Vision. We highlight the key differences and promising ideas that have yet to be tested in NLP. For the sake of practical implementation, we describe tools that facilitate Data Augmentation such as the use of consistency regularization, controllers, and offline and online augmentation pipelines, to preview a few. Finally, we discuss interesting topics around Data Augmentation in NLP such as task-specific augmentations, the use of prior knowledge in self-supervised learning versus Data Augmentation, intersections with transfer and multi-task learning, and ideas for AI-GAs (AI-Generating Algorithms). We hope this paper inspires further research interest in Text Data Augmentation.
The risks of warm nights and wet days in the context of climate change: assessing road safety outcomes in Boston, USA and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Authors: Nazif-Munoz José Ignacio , Martínez Pablo , Williams Augusta , Spengler John
Published: July 2021

Background

There remains a dearth of cross-city comparisons on the impact of climate change through extreme temperature and precipitation events on road safety. We examined trends in traffic fatalities, injuries and property damage associated with high temperatures and heavy rains in Boston (USA) and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).

Methods

Official publicly available data on daily traffic outcomes and weather conditions during the warm season (May to September) were used for Boston (2002–2015) and Santo Domingo (2013–2017). Daily maximum temperatures and mean precipitations for each city were considered for classifying hot days, warm days, and warm nights, and wet, very wet, and extremely wet days. Time-series analyses were used to assess the relationship between temperature and precipitation and daily traffic outcomes, using a quasi-Poisson regression.

Results

In Santo Domingo, the presence of a warm night increased traffic fatalities with a rate ratio (RR) of 1.31 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.00,1.71). In Boston, precipitation factors (particularly, extremely wet days) were associated with increments in traffic injuries (RR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.32) and property damages (RR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.33, 1.51).

Conclusion

During the warm season, mixed associations between weather conditions and traffic outcomes were found across Santo Domingo and Boston. In Boston, increases in heavy precipitation events were associated with higher traffic injuries and property damage. As climate change-related heavy precipitation events are projected to increase in the USA, the associations found in this study should be of interest for road safety planning in a rapidly changing environment.
A comparative geological, tectonic and geomorphological assessment of the Charlotte, Regent and Madina landslides, Western area, Sierra Leone
Authors: Lahai Yusuf Alhaji , Anderson Kelvin F. E. , Jalloh Yaguba , Rogers Ibrahim , Kamara Mohamed
Published: July 2021

This work focused on three landslide events that have attracted significant public concern due to the associated calamities they recorded in 1945, 2017 and 2019, i.e. the Charlotte, Regent and Madina landslides, respectively. Their geology, tectonics (structural discontinuities) and geomorphology, i.e. their GTG characteristics were studied to establish links between them and the landslide events.

Field surveys were conducted, particularly on the Charlotte landslide, where the identification of geological structures was impeded to an extent by its obliteration by vegetation and sediment accumulations on relatively planar sections of the landslide area. Remote sensing and GIS techniques (earth imagery and drone images) enhanced the mapping and determination of landslides’ geometric and geomorphic parameters. Laboratory analyses of rock and soil samples provided the landslides’ petrological characterisation and were used to determine the particle-size distribution in the slide-prone soil.

The study indicated a change in the gabbroic rock composition, variable geomorphological characteristics, and nature/pattern and density of the discontinuities. These factors, to a large extent, determined the nature and magnitude of the rainfall-triggered landslides. Charlotte lithology slightly differed from the other two landslides and recorded higher Silica (Si) and Aluminum (Al) and lower iron (Fe) from X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) than rocks of Regent and Madina landslides. The study also revealed only a tenuous correlation between rock composition and weathering depth. The slope angles at the landslides’ prominent scarps (depletion zone) are steep (> 45 degrees) with altitudes of approximately 270 m, 200 m and 470 m above sea level for Charlotte, Regent and Madina, respectively. Unlike the Charlotte landslide, both Regent and Madina landslides are active, but geometrically, their area, length and run-out distances have relatively high variance with a coefficient of variance equals to 1. Information derived from this work can help understand the spatial variation in landslide characteristics and develop a susceptibility map.
Retention of different temporary cements tested on zirconia crowns and titanium abutments in vitro
Authors: Dähne Felix , Meißner Heike , Böning Klaus , Arnold Christin , Gutwald Ralf , Prause Elisabeth
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to examine the retention force of monolithic zirconia copings cemented with various temporary cements on implant abutments in vitro.

Methods

Sixty exercise implants with pre-screwed implant abutments were embedded in resin. Subsequently, 60 CAD/CAM manufactured zirconia copings were divided into three main groups [Harvard Implant Semi-permanent (HAV), implantlink semi Forte (IMP), Temp Bond NE (TBNE)]. The zirconia copings were cemented on the implant abutments and loaded with 35 N. Specimens were stored in distilled water (37 °C) for 24 h. Half of the test specimens of each group were subjected to a thermocycling (TC) process. Retention force was measured in a universal testing machine. Using magnifying glasses, the fracture mode was determined. Statistical analysis was performed applying the Kruskal-Wallis test, the post hoc test according to Dunn-Bonferroni and a chi-square test of independence.

Results

Without TC, IMP showed the highest retention of the three temporary luting agents (100.5 ± 39.14 N). The measured retention forces of IMP were higher than those of HAV (45.78 ± 15.66 N) and TBNE (61.16 ± 20.19 N). After TC, retention was reduced. IMP showed the greatest retentive strength (21.69 ± 13.61 N, three fail outs). HAV and TBNE showed pull-off forces of similar magnitude (17.38 ± 12.77 N and 16.97 ± 12.36 N, two fail outs). The fracture mode analysis showed different results regarding the tested cements before and after TC (facture type before/after TC): IMP (III+II/III), HAV (I/II) and TBNE (III/III). There were clear differences of the fracture modes regarding the examination before and after TC.

Conclusions

Within the limits of this study, IMP showed the highest pull-off forces under the chosen test conditions. All three temporary luting agents showed lower retention forces after TC. Retention values in the individual cement classes were very heterogeneous. Easy cement removal in the crown lumen favours the dominance of adhesive cement fractures on the abutment and adhesive/cohesive cement fractures on the abutment with HAV appears advantageous in case of recementation of the superstructure.
High-Intensity Interval Training in Older Adults: a Scoping Review
Authors: Marriott Catherine F. S. , Petrella Andrea F. M. , Marriott Emily C. S. , Boa Sorte Silva Narlon C. , Petrella Robert J.
Published: July 2021

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an increasingly popular form of aerobic exercise which includes bouts of high-intensity exercise interspersed with periods of rest. The health benefits, risks, and optimal design of HIIT are still unclear. Further, most research on HIIT has been done in young and middle-aged adults, and as such, the tolerability and effects in senior populations are less well-known. The purpose of this scoping review was to characterize HIIT research that has been done in older adults including protocols, feasibility, and safety and to identify gaps in the current knowledge. Five databases were searched with variations of the terms, “high-intensity interval training” and “older adults” for experimental or quasi-experimental studies published in or after 2009. Studies were included if they had a treatment group with a mean age of 65 years or older who did HIIT, exclusively. Of 4644 papers identified, 69 met the inclusion criteria. The average duration of training was 7.9 (7.0) weeks (mean [SD]) and protocols ranged widely. The average sample size was 47.0 (65.2) subjects (mean [SD]). Healthy populations were the most studied group (n = 30), followed by subjects with cardiovascular (n = 12) or cardiac disease (n = 9), metabolic dysfunction (n = 8), and others (n = 10). The most common primary outcomes included changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (such as VO2peak) as well as feasibility and safety of the protocols as measured by the number of participant dropouts, adverse events, and compliance rate. HIIT protocols were diverse but were generally well-tolerated and may confer many health advantages to older adults. Larger studies and more research in clinical populations most representative of older adults are needed to further evaluate the clinical effects of HIIT in these groups.
The effect of ethanolic leaves extract of Hymenodictyon floribundun on inflammatory biomarkers: a data-driven approach
Authors: Usman Abdullahi Garba , Ahmad Mubarak Hussaini , Danraka Rabi’u Nuhu , Abba Sani Isah
Published: July 2021

Background

Medicinal plants are used to manage pain and inflammatory disorders in traditional medicine. A scientific investigation could serve as a basis for the determination of molecular mechanisms of antinociceptive and antiinflammatory actions of herbal products. In this work, we used both artificial intelligence (AI) based models inform of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system and artificial neural network (ANN) as well as a linear model, namely; stepwise linear regression in modelling the performance of four different inflammatory biomarkers namely; interleukin (1L)-1β, 1L-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). This modelling was done using number of abdominal writes, the reaction time of paw licking in mice and paw oedema diameter as the input variables.

Results

Four different performance indices were employed, which are determination coefficient (DC), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE) and correlation co-efficient (CC). The results have shown the superiority of the AI-based models over the linear model.

Conclusions

The overall quantitative and visualized comparison of the results showed that adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system outperformed the ANN and SWLR models in modelling the performance of the four inflammation biomarkers in both the calibration and verification phases.
Post-translational modifications of CDK5 and their biological roles in cancer
Authors: Gao Gui-Bin , Sun Yue , Fang Run-Dong , Wang Ying , Wang Yang , He Qing-Yu
Published: July 2021

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) have emerged as important regulatory mechanisms that modulate cancer development in patients. Though CDK5 is an atypical member of the cyclin-dependent kinase family, its aberrant expression links to cell proliferation, DNA damage response, apoptosis, migration and angiogenesis in cancer. Current studies suggested that, new PTMs on CDK5, including S-nitrosylation, sumoylation, and acetylation, serve as molecular switches to control the kinase activity of CDK5 in the cell. However, a majority of these modifications and their biological significance in cancer remain uncharacterized. In this review, we discussed the role of PTMs on CDK5-mediated signaling cascade, and their possible mechanisms of action in malignant tumors, as well as the challenges and future perspectives in this field. On the basis of the newly identified regulatory signaling pathways of CDK5 related to PTMs, researchers have investigated the cancer therapeutic potential of chemical compounds, small-molecule inhibitors, and competitive peptides by targeting CDK5 and its PTMs. Results of these preclinical studies demonstrated that targeting PTMs of CDK5 yields promising antitumor effects and that clinical translation of these therapeutic strategies is warranted.
Direct microseismic event location and characterization from passive seismic data using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Wang Hanchen , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: July 2021

The ample size of time-lapse data often requires significant event detection and source location efforts, especially in areas such as shale gas exploration regions where a large number of microseismic events are often recorded. In many cases, real-time monitoring and location of these events are essential to production decisions. Conventional methods face considerable drawbacks. For example, traveltime-based methods require traveltime picking of often noisy data, whereas migration and waveform inversion methods require expensive wavefield solutions and event detection. Both tasks require some human intervention, and this becomes a big problem when too many sources need to be located, which is common in microseismic monitoring. Machine learning has recently been used to identify microseismic events or locate their sources once they are identified and picked. We have used a novel artificial neural network framework to directly map seismic data, without any event picking or detection, to their potential source locations. We train two convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on labeled synthetic acoustic data containing simulated microseismic events to fulfill such requirements. One CNN, which has a global average pooling layer to reduce the computational cost while maintaining high-performance levels, aims to classify the number of events in the data. The other network predicts the source locations and other source features such as the source peak frequencies and amplitudes. To reduce the size of the input data to the network, we correlate the recorded traces with a central reference trace to allow the network to focus on the curvature of the input data near the zero-lag region. We train the networks to handle single-, multi-, and no-event segments extracted from the data. Tests on a simple vertical varying model and a more realistic Otway field model demonstrate the approach’s versatility and potential.
Spirituality, moral injury and mental health among Chinese health professionals
Authors: Wang Zhizhong , Al Zaben Faten , Koenig Harold G. , Ding Yuanlin
Published: July 2021

Background

Moral injury has been found to be prevalent among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Aims

The present study examines the relationship between spirituality, moral injury, and mental health among physicians and nurses in mainland China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

An online cross-sectional study was conducted involving 3006 physicians and nurses in mainland China, where the COVID-19 pandemic has caused high rates of hospital admission and death. The Moral Injury Symptoms Scale-Health Professional was administered, along with measures of mental health and spirituality. Hierarchical linear regression modelling was used to examine the mediating and moderating role of moral injury in the relationship between spirituality and mental health.

Results

Spirituality was positively correlated with moral injury (β = 2.41, P < 0.01), depressive symptoms (β = 0.74, P < 0.01) and anxiety symptoms (β = 0.65, P < 0.01) after controlling sociodemographic variables. Moral injury significantly mediated the relationship between spirituality and both depression and anxiety, explaining 60% (0.46/0.76) of the total association between spirituality and depression and 58% (0.38/0.65) of the association with anxiety. No moderating effect of moral injury was found on the spirituality–mental health relationship.

Conclusions

Although they were the findings of a cross-sectional study, these results suggest that concern over transgressing moral values during the pandemic may have been a driving factor for negative mental health symptoms among Chinese health professionals for whom spirituality was somewhat important. Future longitudinal studies are needed to determine the causal nature of these relationships.
Homozygous SHBG Variant (rs6258) Linked to Gonadotropin-Independent Precocious Puberty in a Young Girl
Authors: Andriessen Victoria C , Lightbourne Marissa , Flippo Chelsi , Faucz Fabio R , Delaney Angela , Hannah-Shmouni Fady , Hammond Geoffrey L , Stratakis Constantine A
Published: July 2021

Sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood is a major determinant of bioactivity for key sex steroids such as testosterone and estradiol. Low serum levels of SHBG have been associated with obesity, polycystic ovaries, and metabolic syndrome, and other states associated with hyperandrogenemia. A 9-year, 6-month-old girl presented with a history of peripheral precocious puberty and aggressive behavior. The patient’s SHBG level was remarkably low for her age, at less than 5 nmol/L (reference range for a girl with a bone age of 10 years, 73 nmol/L [SEM = 10]) [1]. On genetic and protein analysis, the patient was found to have a homozygous missense potentially pathogenic variant in the SHBG gene (c.554C>T, p.P185L); her parents were asymptomatic heterozygote carriers. Laboratory investigations supported the possible involvement of this genetic alteration in the patient’s phenotype. Various analyses of this variant support its pathogenicity, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. In conclusion, we present a genetic SHBG variant in the homozygote state that may have been associated with gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty in a young girl.
Role of Liquid–Liquid Separation in Endocrine and Living Cells
Authors: Akiba Kazuhisa , Katoh-Fukui Yuko , Yoshida Kei , Narumi Satoshi , Miyado Mami , Hasegawa Yukihiro , Fukami Maki
Published: July 2021

Context

Recent studies have revealed that every eukaryotic cell contains several membraneless organelles created via liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). LLPS is a physical phenomenon that transiently compartmentalizes the subcellular space and thereby facilitates various biological reactions. LLPS is indispensable for cellular functions; however, dysregulated LLPS has the potential to cause irreversible protein aggregation leading to degenerative disorders. To date, there is no systematic review on the role of LLPS in endocrinology.

Evidence acquisition

We explored previous studies which addressed roles of LLPS in living cells, particularly from the viewpoint of endocrinology. To this end, we screened relevant literature in PubMed published between 2009 and 2021 using LLPS-associated keywords including “membraneless organelle,” “phase transition,” and “intrinsically disordered,” and endocrinological keywords such as “hormone,” “ovary,” “androgen,” and “diabetes.” We also referred to the articles in the reference lists of identified papers.

Evidence synthesis

Based on 67 articles selected from 449 papers, we provided a concise overview of the current understanding of LLPS in living cells. Then, we summarized recent articles documenting the physiological or pathological roles of LLPS in endocrine cells.

Conclusions

The discovery of LLPS in cells has resulted in a paradigm shift in molecular biology. Recent studies indicate that LLPS contributes to male sex development by providing a functional platform for SOX9 and CBX2 in testicular cells. In addition, dysregulated LLPS has been implicated in aberrant protein aggregation in pancreatic β-cells, leading to type 2 diabetes. Still, we are just beginning to understand the significance of LLPS in endocrine cells.
Health Insurance Loss during COVID-19 May Increase Support for Universal Health Coverage
Authors: Fox Ashley , Choi Yongjin , Lanthorn Heather , Croke Kevin
Published: July 2021

Context: The United States is the only high-income country that relies on employer-sponsored health coverage to insure a majority of its population. Millions of Americans lost employer-sponsored health insurance during the COVID-19–induced economic downturn. We examine public opinion toward universal health coverage policies in this context.

Methods: Through a survey of 1,211 Americans in June 2020, we examine the influence of health insurance loss on support for Medicare for All (M4A) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in two ways. First, we examine associations between pandemic-related health insurance loss and M4A support. Second, we experimentally prime some respondents with a vignette of a sympathetic person who lost employer-sponsored coverage during COVID-19.

Findings: We find that directly experiencing recent health insurance loss is strongly associated (10 pp, p < 0.01) with greater M4A support and with more favorable views of extending the ACA (19.3 pp, p < 0.01). Experimental exposure to the vignette increases M4A support by 6 pp (p = 0.05).

Conclusions: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, situational framings can induce modest change in support for M4A. However, real-world health insurance losses are associated with larger differences in support for M4A and with greater support for existing safety net policies such as the ACA.
Regional International Organizations and Health: A Framework for Analysis
Authors: Greer Scott L. , Amaya Ana B. , Jarman Holly , Legido-Quigley Helena , McKee Martin
Published: July 2021

Context: Regional international organizations (RIOs), from the South African Development Community (SADC) to the European Union (EU), are organizations that promote cooperation among countries in a specific region of the world. Asking what RIOs do to health and health policy by looking only at their formal health policies can understate their effects (e.g., a free trade agreement with no stated health goals can affect health policy) and overstate their effects (as with agreements full of ambition that did not deliver much).

Methods: We adopt a “three-faces” framework that identifies RIOs’ direct health policies, the effects of their trade and market policies, and their effects on health via fiscal governance of their member states to better capture their health impact. We tested the usefulness of the framework by examining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, EU, North American Free Trade Agreement, SADC, and the Union of South American Nations.

Findings: All RIOs had some impact on health systems and policies, and, in many cases, the principal policies were not identified as health policy.

Conclusions: Such a framework will be useful in understanding the effects of RIOs on health systems and policies because it captures indirect and even unintended health effects in a way that permits development of explanatory theories.
EVI/WLS function is regulated by ubiquitylation and is linked to ER-associated degradation by ERLIN2
Authors: Wolf Lucie M. , Lambert Annika M. , Haenlin Julie , Boutros Michael
Published: July 2021

WNT signalling is important for development in all metazoans and is associated with various human diseases. The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) and regulatory endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) have been implicated in the production of WNT proteins. Here, we investigated how the WNT secretory factor EVI (also known as WLS) is ubiquitylated, recognised by ERAD components and subsequently removed from the secretory pathway. We performed a focused immunoblot-based RNAi screen for factors that influence EVI/WLS protein stability. We identified the VCP-binding proteins FAF2 and UBXN4 as novel interaction partners of EVI/WLS and showed that ERLIN2 links EVI/WLS to the ubiquitylation machinery. Interestingly, we also found that EVI/WLS is ubiquitylated and degraded in cells irrespective of their level of WNT production. This K11, K48 and K63-linked ubiquitylation is mediated by the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes UBE2J2, UBE2K and UBE2N, but is independent of the E3 ubiquitin ligases HRD1 (also known as SYVN1) and GP78 (also known as AMFR). Taken together, our study identifies factors that link the UPS to the WNT secretory pathway and provides mechanistic details of the fate of an endogenous substrate of regulatory ERAD in mammalian cells.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
A developmental stage- and Kidins220-dependent switch in astrocyte responsiveness to brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Jaudon Fanny , Albini Martina , Ferroni Stefano , Benfenati Fabio , Cesca Fabrizia
Published: July 2021

Astroglial cells are key to maintain nervous system homeostasis. Neurotrophins are known for their pleiotropic effects on neuronal physiology but also exert complex functions to glial cells. Here, we investigated (i) the signaling competence of mouse embryonic and postnatal primary cortical astrocytes exposed to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and, (ii) the role of kinase D-interacting substrate of 220 kDa (Kidins220), a transmembrane scaffold protein that mediates neurotrophin signaling in neurons. We found a shift from a kinase-based response in embryonic cells to a response predominantly relying on intracellular Ca2+ transients [Ca2+]i within postnatal cultures, associated with a decrease in the synthesis of full-length BDNF receptor TrkB, with Kidins220 contributing to the BDNF-activated kinase and [Ca2+]i pathways. Finally, Kidins220 participates in the homeostatic function of astrocytes by controlling the expression of the ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 10 (Kir4.1) and the metabolic balance of embryonic astrocytes. Overall, our data contribute to the understanding of the complex role played by astrocytes within the central nervous system, and identify Kidins220 as a novel actor in the increasing number of pathologies characterized by astrocytic dysfunctions.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.
Dried Blood Spot and Microwave-Induced Combustion in Disposable Vessels: A Successful Combination for Halogen Determination
Authors: Waechter Samuel R , Bizzi Cezar A , Pedrotti Matheus F , Barin Juliano S , Duarte Fabio A
Published: July 2021

A protocol for blood sampling, storage and digestion for subsequent determination of Br, Cl and I by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was proposed. The blood sampling was performed by a protocol known as dried blood spot (DBS). Their characteristics make it a perfect couple with microwave-induced combustion in disposable vessels (MIC-DV) for trace elements determination. Strategies for controlling the blood volume or mass collected in the DBS paper were evaluated. Operational conditions of MIC-DV such as the time of vessel purging with O2, suitable absorbing solutions, and blood mass were evaluated. Results for Br, Cl and I determination by ICP-MS after MIC-DV in three venous samples were compared with reference values obtained by analyte determination by ICP-MS and MIC. The limits of quantification achieved combining DBS/MIC-DV/ICP-MS were 0.23 µg g−1 for Br, 66 µg g−1 for Cl, and 27 ng g−1 for I, which were considered fit for purpose. After MIC-DV optimization, a protocol for Br, Cl and I determination in blood was proposed and applied for blood analysis from ten volunteers. The analyte concentration ranged from 1.79 to 3.57 µg g−1 for Br, 2634 to 3113 µg g−1 for Cl and 0.033 to 0.060 µg g−1 for I.
An agenda-setting paper on data sharing platforms: euCanSHare workshop
Authors: Devriendt Thijs , Ammann Clemens , W. Asselbergs Folkert , Bernier Alexander , Costas Rodrigo , Friedrich Matthias G. , Gelpi Josep L. , Jarvelin Marjo-Riitta , Kuulasmaa Kari , Lekadir Karim , Mayrhofer Michaela Th. , Papez Vaclav , Pasterkamp Gerard , Petersen Steffen E. , Schmidt Carsten Oliver , Schulz-Menger Jeanette , Söderberg Stefan , Shabani Mahsa , Veronesi Giovanni , Viezzer Darian Steven , Borry Pascal
Published: July 2021

Various data sharing platforms are being developed to enhance the sharing of cohort data by addressing the fragmented state of data storage and access systems. However, policy challenges in several domains remain unresolved. The euCanSHare workshop was organized to identify and discuss these challenges and to set the future research agenda. Concerns over the multiplicity and long-term sustainability of platforms, lack of resources, access of commercial parties to medical data, credit and recognition mechanisms in academia and the organization of data access committees are outlined. Within these areas, solutions need to be devised to ensure an optimal functioning of platforms.
Bias from questionnaire invitation and response in COVID-19 research: an example using ALSPAC
Authors: Fernández-Sanlés Alba , Smith Daniel , Clayton Gemma L , Northstone Kate , Carter Alice R , Millard Louise AC , Borges Maria Carolina , Timpson Nicholas John , Tilling Kate , Griffith Gareth J , Lawlor Deborah A.
Published: July 2021

Background: Longitudinal studies are crucial for identifying potential risk factors for infection with, and consequences of, COVID-19, but relationships can be biased if they are associated with invitation and response to data collection. We describe factors relating to questionnaire invitation and response in COVID-19 questionnaire data collection in a multigenerational birth cohort (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, ALSPAC).

Methods: We analysed online questionnaires completed between the beginning of the pandemic and easing of the first UK lockdown by participants with valid email addresses who had not actively disengaged from the study. We assessed associations of pre-pandemic sociodemographic, behavioural, anthropometric and health-related factors with: i) being sent a questionnaire; ii) returning a questionnaire; and iii) item response (for specific questions). Analyses were conducted in three cohorts: the index children born in the early 1990s (now young adults; 41 variables assessed), their mothers (35 variables) and the mothers’ partners (27 variables).

Results: Of 14,849 young adults, 41% were sent a questionnaire, of whom 57% returned one. Item response was >95%. In this cohort, 78% of factors were associated with being sent a questionnaire, 56% with returning one, and, as an example of item response, 20% with keyworker status response. For instance, children from mothers educated to degree-level had greater odds of being sent a questionnaire (OR=5.59; 95% CI=4.87-6.41), returning one (OR=1.60; 95% CI=1.31-1.95), and responding to items (e.g., keyworker status OR=1.65; 95% CI=0.88-3.04), relative to children from mothers with fewer qualifications. Invitation and response rates and associations were similar in all cohorts.

Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of considering potential biases due to non-response when using longitudinal studies in COVID-19 research and interpreting results. We recommend researchers report response rates and factors associated with invitation and response in all COVID-19 observational research studies, which can inform sensitivity analyses.
Outstanding records of mammals from two protected areas of central Guerrero, México
Authors: Briseño-Hernández Iván , Naranjo Eduardo J.
Published: July 2021

Se describen registros notables de 8 especies de mamíferos en categorías de riesgo de acuerdo con la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059, los cuales son nuevos para 2 áreas naturales protegidas de la región centro de Guerrero, México.  Estas especies son difíciles de observar y hay pocos estudios, por lo que no se cuenta con registros previos en la zona de estudio.  El estudio se realizó entre julio 2018 y julio 2019 con 22 cámaras trampa distribuidas en bosque de pino-encino, bosque de encino-pino, y selva baja caducifolia con un rango de separación entre las mismas de 170 m a 1,300 m.  Se compararon los registros fotográficos con registros previos mediante el ingreso de coordenadas a un sistema de información geográfica.  Se registró mediante foto-trampeo y observación directa a Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Lontra longicaudis, Panthera onca, Coendou mexicanus, Spilogale pygmaea y Tamandua mexicana; estos mamíferos están incluidos como especies en categoría de riesgo de acuerdo con la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2020.  Nuestros resultados son de relevancia para el conocimiento mastozoológico en el estado de Guerrero; antes del presente trabajo no se contaba con información sobre la presencia de estas especies en el área de estudio ni en localidades cercanas.  El registro de estas especies sugiere un indicador del buen estado de conservación de la zona estudiada.
The RUMA Alliance targets: an overview
Authors: Lloyd Chris
Published: July 2021

The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) was established to promote the highest standards of food safety, animal health and animal welfare in the British livestock industry. It has a current focus to deliver on the Government objective of identifying sector-specific targets for the reduction, refinement or replacement of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The creation and roll out of sector specific targets in 2017 through the RUMA Targets Task Force, has helped focus activity across the UK livestock sectors to achieve a 50% reduction in antibiotic use since 2014. This has been realised principally through voluntary multi-sector collaboration, cross sector initiatives, codes of practice, industry body support and farm assurance schemes. This article provides an overview of RUMA's work to date providing insight into the methods used to create the targets, why they are so important, the impact they are having and how ongoing support and robust data are vital components in achieving the latest set of targets.
Cattle Review
Authors: Barrett David C
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

In this Cattle Review we consider a meta-analysis of dietary cation-anion difference research, methods of measuring antimicrobial use on dairy farms, and UK veterinary students' attitudes towards production animal orientated careers.
How to set up a postmortem facility in a farm animal practice
Authors: Mee John F , Ley Rhona
Published: July 2021

Postmortem examinations can be a useful diagnostic tool in farm animal medicine; however, they are often avoided in general practice because of a lack of appropriate facilities and expertise/familiarity with techniques. This article describes the setting up of a basic facility to allow general practitioners to perform postmortem examinations of calves, small ruminants and other small animals, e.g. poultry.
Livestock cognition: stimulating the minds of farm animals to improve welfare and productivity
Authors: George Adam J , Bolt Sarah L
Published: July 2021

Historically, farm animal cognition has not always been considered on commercial enterprises, but it has emerged as an important aspect of managing livestock to enhance welfare and increase productivity. The aim of this review is to summarise literature on the subject of cognition in livestock and discuss techniques to stimulate the minds of animals to enhance welfare practices on farm.
Factors associated with patient-reported outcomes following coccygectomy for chronic coccydynia
Authors: Jensen Mads Moss , Milosevic Stefan , Andersen Gustav Østerheden , Carreon Leah , Simony Ane , Rasmussen Mikkel Mylius , Andersen Mikkel Østerheden
Published: July 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with poor outcome following coccygectomy on patients with chronic coccydynia and instability of the coccyx.

Methods

From the Danish National Spine Registry, DaneSpine, 134 consecutive patients were identified from a single centre who had coccygectomy from 2011 to 2019. Patient demographic data and patient-reported outcomes, including pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) were obtained at baseline and at one-year follow-up. Patient satisfaction was obtained at follow-up. Regression analysis, including age, sex, smoking status, BMI, duration of symptoms, work status, welfare payment, preoperative VAS, ODI, and SF-36 was performed to identify factors associated with dissatisfaction with results at one-year follow-up.

Results

A minimum of one year follow-up was available in 112 patients (84%). Mean age was 41.9 years (15 to 78) and 97 of the patients were female (87%). Regression showed no statistically significant association between the investigated prognostic factors and a poor outcome following coccygectomy. The satisfied group showed a statistically significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes at one-year follow-up from baseline, whereas the dissatisfied group did not show a significant improvement.

Conclusion

We did not identify factors associated with poor outcome following coccygectomy. This suggests that neither of the included parameters should be considered contraindications for coccygectomy in patients with chronic coccydynia and instability of the coccyx. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(7):540–544.
Temporal and spatial domain detection model and method of infrared photoelectric detection target
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Li Hanshan , Gao Junchai
Published: July 2021

To improve the detection ability of photoelectric detection targets under low-illumination conditions, based on the traditional infrared photoelectric detection targets, in this paper, we propose a design method for an infrared detection screen by using a double high-power line laser interactive layout auxiliary mode, and we form an active infrared photoelectric detection target. We then establish the calculations of the laser beam’s illumination and the emission power of the pulse laser as a projectile passes through the infrared detection screen. According to the relation of the thickness of the infrared detection screen, the time period over which the projectile passes through the infrared detection screen, and the projectile’s spatial position, we use the grid division method to establish the temporal- and spatial-domain echo power model and the output signal voltage function of the active infrared photoelectric detection target. Through calculations and experimental analysis, it is found that the echo power is reduced as the detection distance is increased, and the intensity of the echo power is not linear with the thickness of the detection screen or the length of the projectile in the temporal and spatial domains. The detection performance of the proposed active infrared photoelectric detection target is better than the traditional infrared photoelectric detection target, and it can be improved to a certain extent by increasing the laser emission power appropriately.
Amplitude-modulated continuous-wave laser rangefinder employing
Bessel–Gauss beamforming
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhang Zheyuan , Liu Sifan , Jin Lei , Sugiura Yohei , Set Sze Yun , Yamashita Shinji , Ito Fumihiko
Published: July 2021

We propose an amplitude-modulated continuous-wave laser rangefinder
employing Bessel–Gauss beamforming. Our Bessel–Gauss beam was
generated by a newly proposed doublet configuration, which is simple
and low cost. Such a beam was propagated

>

2

m

with a mainlobe having the diameter

<

1

m
m

. We have conducted proof-of-concept
ranging experiments employing the amplitude-modulated continuous-wave
scheme with the Bessel–Gauss beam and obtained ranging results of a
measurement distance up to 2 m. To the best of our knowledge, this is
the first attempt to apply zeroth-order Bessel–Gauss beamforming to
laser rangefinders.