bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To which non-physician health professionals do French general practitioners refer their patients to and what factors are associated with these referrals? Secondary analysis of the French national cross-sectional ECOGEN study
Authors: Peurois Matthieu , Chopin Matthieu , Texier-Legendre Gaëlle , Angoulvant Cécile , Bellanger William , Bègue Cyril , Ramond-Roquin Aline
Published: January 2022

Background

Multiprofessional practice is a key component in primary care. Examining general practitioner (GP) referral frequency to non-physician health professionals (NPHP) can provide information about how primary care is organised and works which is useful for policymakers. Our study aimed to describe French GP referral frequency to various NPHPs in France and identify associated factors.

Methods

This is an ancillary study to the observational, cross-sectional (ECOGEN) study conducted in 2011/2012 in France among 128 GPs. Data about consultations using the standardised International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2), and patient and GP characteristics were collected from 20,613 GP consultations. Referrals were identified through inductive and deductive approaches using ICPC-2 codes, keywords, and deep, open manual searches. Referral frequency was described overall and per NPHP. Patient, GP, and consultation-related factors associated with referral rates were described for the three most frequently identified NPHPs. To minimise potential sources of bias, this observational study followed the STROBE guidelines.

Results

French GPs referred 6.8% of patients to NPHPs, with physiotherapists, podiatrists, and nurses accounting for 85.2% of referrals. Older patients, retired patients, multiple health problems managed, and longer consultation durations were found to be associated with higher referral rates (p < 0.001). Specific trends were observed for nurse, physiotherapist, and podiatrist referrals. Women (p < 0.001) and regular patients (p = 0.002) were more likely to receive physiotherapy referrals while people with no professional activity were less likely (p < 0.001). Female GPs and those working in urban practices were more likely to issue a physiotherapy referral (p < 0.001), while GPs working in rural practices (p < 0.001) and those with higher annual consultation numbers (p = 0.002) were more likely to refer to a nurse. Working in multiprofessional centres appeared to have little impact on referral rates, being only slightly associated with podiatrist referrals (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Referral frequency is more associated with patient characteristics and clinical situations than GP-related factors suggesting patients needing referral most are most often referred. Furthermore, the three NPHPs that GPs refer to the most are those for which a referral is required for reimbursement in France, suggesting that health system legislation and NPHP reimbursement are strong determinants for referrals.
Healthcare practitioners experiences in delivering sexual and reproductive health services to unmarried adolescent clients in Jordan: results from a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kapoor Neena R. , Langer Ana , Othman Areej , Gausman Jewel
Published: January 2022

Background

The need for youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services has been identified as a national policy priority in Jordan, but there remains limited data on service utilization among adolescents, especially those who are unmarried, and there is limited training for healthcare practitioners (HCPs) in providing SRH services to youth. The objectives of this study are to 1) describe the most common reasons for encounters that HCPs have with unmarried youth clients about SRH topics and 2) explore differences in SRH services provided to unmarried youth by provider in Jordan.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used a two-stage cluster-randomized sampling scheme to sample HCPs (doctors, nurses, and midwives) from health facilities in four governorates in Jordan. Data were collected on practitioner demographics, facility characteristics, and self-reports of having provided services related to nine common SRH concerns to unmarried girls or boys between the ages of 15–19 years. Chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the associations between provider and facility characteristics, client sex, and types of services rendered.

Results

In total, 578 providers participated in the study (110 male and 468 female). Practitioners most commonly reported seeing unmarried female youth for concerns related to puberty (38.5%) and family planning (18.51%) and unmarried male youth for concerns of puberty (22.49%) or condoms (11.59%). In total, 64.45, 64.61 and 71.19% of midwives, nurses, and doctors reported having provided any SRH service to an unmarried adolescent. While practitioners most often reported seeing clients of the same sex, male practitioners were more likely to report having seen a female client for STIs (9.09% vs. 4.27% p = 0.040), and providing general information about sexual activity (12.73% vs. 5.77% p = 0.011) than female providers.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a substantial proportion of HCPs have provided SRH services to unmarried youth – challenging existing perceptions of the SRH care-seeking practices of unmarried youth in this conservative context.
Profiles and predictors of healthcare utilization: using a cluster-analytic approach to identify typical users across conventional, allied and complementary medicine, and self-care
Authors: Recchia Daniela Rodrigues , Cramer Holger , Wardle Jon , Lee David J. , Ostermann Thomas , Lauche Romy
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The identification of typologies of health care users and their specific characteristics can be performed using cluster analysis. This statistical approach aggregates similar users based on their common health-related behavior. This study aims to examine health care utilization patterns using cluster analysis; and the associations of health care user types with sociodemographic, health-related and health-system related factors.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey were used. Health care utilization was measured by consultations with a variety of medical, allied and complementary health practitioners or the use of several interventions (exercise, diet, supplementation etc.) within the past 12 months (used vs. not used). A model-based clustering approach based on finite normal mixture modelling, and several indices of cluster fit were determined. Health care utilization within the cluster was analyzed descriptively, and independent predictors of belonging to the respective clusters were analyzed using logistic regression models including sociodemographic, health- and health insurance-related factors.

Results

Nine distinct health care user types were identified, ranging from nearly non-use of health care modalities to over-utilization of medical, allied and complementary health care. Several sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were predictive of belonging to the respective health care user types, including age, gender, health status, education, income, ethnicity, and health care coverage.

Conclusions

Cluster analysis can be used to identify typical health care utilization patterns based on empirical data; and those typologies are related to a variety of sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. These findings on individual differences regarding health care access and utilization can inform future health care research and policy regarding how to improve accessibility of different medical approaches.
Evaluating the impact of a training program to support transitioning from the hospital to the community for people after stroke: a community case study
Authors: Lui Michelle , McKellar Katherine , Cooper Shari , Eng Janice J. , Bird Marie-Louise
Published: January 2022

Background

The transitions in care along the stroke recovery path are challenging, particularly in finding mechanisms to continue one’s recovery once at home. We aim to evaluate the impact of training physiotherapists and fitness instructors from one regional community together to deliver an evidence-based group exercise program starting in the hospital and transitioning to the community using an implementation approach.

Methods

The evidenced based exercise program Fitness and Mobility Exercise (FAME) for stroke was chosen as the intervention. Data from interviews with stakeholders (community centre and health authority hospital staff including a physiotherapy navigator) was transcribed and themes evaluated using the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. These data were supplemented by information collected as a quality assurance project within the health authority.

Results

Two programs were established; one in the community centre (run over 15 months by fitness instructors) and one in the regional hospital (run over 12 months by a rehabilitation assistant under the direction from a physiotherapist). Transitions in care were facilitated by implementing the same evidence-based group exercise class in both the hospital and community setting, so people living with stroke could seamlessly move from one to another. An existing physiotherapist navigator service also was valued as a support for the transitions between the two centres for people with stroke. The hospital group accessed group-based physiotherapy service on average 31 days earlier than they were able to in a one-to-one format.

Conclusions

This case study described the implementation of the Fitness and Mobility Exercise (FAME) program in one community and the use of a physiotherapist navigator to assist transition between them. After a community training workshop, FAME programs were established within the health authority and the community centre. FAME program participants within the health authority benefited from reduced wait times to access hospital outpatient physiotherapy service. Improvements in function were measured in and reported by the people after stroke attending either the health authority or community centre FAME groups.
An intron SNP rs2069837 in IL-6 is associated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head development
Authors: Wang Ruisong , Li Rui , Liu Ruiyu
Published: January 2022

Background

Genetic polymorphisms play a crucial role in the development of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). This study mainly explored the association of IL-6 variants and ONFH susceptibility among the Chinese Han population.

Methods

Two variants (rs2069837, and rs13306435) in the IL-6 gene were identified and genotyped from 566 patients with ONFH and 566 healthy controls. The associations between IL-6 polymorphisms and ONFH susceptibility were assessed using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) via logistic regression. The potential function of these two variants was predicted by the HaploReg online database.

Results

The results of the overall analysis revealed that IL-6 rs2069837 was correlated with decreased risk of ONFH among the Chinese Han population (p < 0.05). In stratified analysis, rs2069837 also reduced the susceptibility to ONFH in older people (> 51 years), males, nonsmokers, and nondrinkers (p < 0.05). However, no associations between rs13306435 and ONFH susceptibility were observed (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

To sum up, we suggested that rs2069837 G>A polymorphism in the IL-6 gene was significantly associated with a decreased risk of ONFH among the Chinese Hans. These findings underscored the crucial role of IL-6 rs2069837 in the occurrence of ONFH.
Switched alternative splicing events as attractive features in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: He Boxue , Wei Cong , Cai Qidong , Zhang Pengfei , Shi Shuai , Peng Xiong , Zhao Zhenyu , Yin Wei , Tu Guangxu , Peng Weilin , Tao Yongguang , Wang Xiang
Published: January 2022

Background

Alternative splicing (AS) plays important roles in transcriptome and proteome diversity. Its dysregulation has a close affiliation with oncogenic processes. This study aimed to evaluate AS-based biomarkers by machine learning algorithms for lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) patients.

Method

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and TCGA SpliceSeq database were utilized. After data composition balancing, Boruta feature selection and Spearman correlation analysis were used for differentially expressed AS events. Random forests and a nested fivefold cross-validation were applied for lymph node metastasis (LNM) classifier building. Random survival forest combined with Cox regression model was performed for a prognostic model, based on which a nomogram was developed. Functional enrichment analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were also conducted to explore underlying mechanisms. The expression of some switch-involved AS events along with parent genes was verified by qRT-PCR with 20 pairs of normal and LUSC tissues.

Results

We found 16 pairs of splicing events from same parent genes which were strongly related to the splicing switch (intrapair correlation coefficient = − 1). Next, we built a reliable LNM classifier based on 13 AS events as well as a nice prognostic model, in which switched AS events behaved prominently. The qRT-PCR presented consistent results with previous bioinformatics analysis, and some AS events like ITIH5-10715-AT and QKI-78404-AT showed remarkable detection efficiency for LUSC.

Conclusion

AS events, especially switched ones from the same parent genes, could provide new insights into the molecular diagnosis and therapeutic drug design of LUSC.
Meta-analysis of risk factors associated with suicidal ideation after stroke
Authors: Zhang Shuangmei , Wang Anrong , Zhu Weifeng , Qiu Zhaoyang , Zhang Zhaoxu
Published: January 2022

Background

Over the past decade, increasing attention has been paid on post stroke suicide (PSS), which is one of complications of stroke. The rates of stroke and suicide are relatively high, especially in Asian populations. Thus, a deeper understanding of the prevalence and epidemiological impact of suicide after stroke is urgently needed. Clinical diagnosis and prevention of PSS are at the incipient stage, but the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of PSS in different regions and stages of the disease remain largely unknown. The present meta-analysis aimed to determine the incidence of PSS at different stages and time courses, and to identify the underlying risk factors for PSS.

Methods

We systematically searched the Cochrane library, Embase, PubMed, CNKI and Web of Science databases from their inception until April 2019.The research articles reporting on the risk factor for PSS were screened and included in the meta-analysis. The data from the included studies were extracted according to the predefined criteria.

Results

A total of 12 studies (n = 2,693,036) were included for meta-analyses. Of these studies, 7 reporting suicide prevalence were meta-analyzed. The pooled estimate of suicidal ideation rates after stroke was 12%, which could be influenced by multiple risk factors, including sex, smoking, depression, sleep disorders, previous stroke and low household income. Studies conducted in Asia demonstrated higher suicide prevalence (approximately 15%) compared to other regions. Smoking, low family income, depression, heart disease and sleep disorders were important risk factors for PSS. When compared to PSS of more than 1 year, the incidence of suicide within 1 year after stroke was more likely to be statistically significant. It was found that 4 out of every 1000 stroke survivors tended to commit suicide. The results of this meta-analysis showed that depression (OR = 2.32; p < 0.01) was significantly associated with suicidal ideation, regardless of stroke duration.

Conclusion

PSS is one of the common complications of stroke. Despite some limitations, we successfully identified the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation after stroke. Notably, depression was significantly associated with suicidal ideation, regardless of stroke duration. Targeting this risk factor may be helpful to improve stroke patient care and prevent suicidal ideation after stroke. Future research will be carried out to assess whether suicidal ideation or thoughts and actual suicide attempts are strongly predictive of suicide deaths after stroke (Registration No. CRD42019128813).
Acupuncture for cancer pain: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline
Authors: Ge Long , Wang Qi , He Yihan , Wu Darong , Zhou Qi , Xu Nenggui , Yang Kehu , Chen Yaolong , Zhang Anthony Lin , Hua Haiqing , Huang Jinchang , Hui Ka-Kit , Liang Fanrong , Wang Linpeng , Xu Bin , Yang Yufei , Zhang Weimin , Zhao Baixiao , Zhu Bing , Guo Xinfeng , Xue Charlie Changli , Zhang Haibo ,   International Trustworthy traditional Chinese Medicine Recommendations (TCM Recs) Working Group, Xue Charlie Changli , Zhang Haibo , Guo Xinfeng , Wu Darong , Yang Kehu , Chen Yaolong , Ge Long , He Runsen , Hua Haiqing , Huang Jinchang , Hui Ka-Kit , Liang Fanrong , Pan Zuodi , Wang Linpeng , Xu Bin , Xu Nenggui , Yang Yufei , Zhang Anthony Lin , Zhang Weimin , Zhao Baixiao , Zhu Bing , Wang Qi , He Yihan , Zhou Qi , Yang Lihong , Liu Shaonan , Li Jieyun , Hou Liangying , Zhang Qian , Lai Honghao , Chen Xueling , Deng Xueyi , Kang Fuqin
Published: January 2022

Background

This study aims to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline of acupuncture in the treatment of patients with moderate and severe cancer pain.

Methods

The development of this guideline was triggered by a systematic review published in JAMA Oncology in 2020. We searched databases and websites for evidence on patient preferences and values, and other resources of using acupuncture for treatment of cancer pain. Recommendations were developed through a Delphi consensus of an international multidisciplinary panel including 13 western medicine oncologists, Chinese medicine/acupuncture clinical practitioners, and two patient representatives. The certainty of evidence, patient preferences and values, resources, and other factors were fully considered in formulating the recommendations. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was employed to rate the certainty of evidence and the strength of recommendations.

Results

The guideline proposed three recommendations: (1) a strong recommendation for the treatment of acupuncture rather than no treatment to relieve pain in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain; (2) a weak recommendation for the combination treatments with acupuncture/acupressure to reduce pain intensity, decrease the opioid dose, and alleviate opioid-related side effects in moderate to severe cancer pain patients who are using analgesics; and (3) a strong recommendation for acupuncture in breast cancer patients to relieve their aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia.

Conclusion

This proposed guideline provides recommendations for the management of patients with cancer pain. The small sample sizes of evidence limit the strength of the recommendations and highlights the need for additional research.
Acazicolcept (ALPN-101), a dual ICOS/CD28 antagonist, demonstrates efficacy in systemic sclerosis preclinical mouse models
Authors: Orvain Cindy , Cauvet Anne , Prudent Alexis , Guignabert Christophe , Thuillet Raphaël , Ottaviani Mina , Tu Ly , Duhalde Fanny , Nicco Carole , Batteux Frédéric , Avouac Jérôme , Wang NingXin , Seaberg Michelle A. , Dillon Stacey R. , Allanore Yannick
Published: January 2022

Background

Uncontrolled immune response with T cell activation has a key role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a disorder that is characterized by generalized fibrosis affecting particularly the lungs and skin. Costimulatory molecules are key players during immune activation, and recent evidence supports a role of CD28 and ICOS in the development of fibrosis. We herein investigated the efficacy of acazicolcept (ALPN-101), a dual ICOS/CD28 antagonist, in two complementary SSc-related mouse models recapitulating skin fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension.

Methods

Expression of circulating soluble ICOS and skin-expressed ICOS was investigated in SSc patients. Thereafter, acazicolcept was evaluated in the hypochlorous acid (HOCL)-induced dermal fibrosis mouse model and in the Fra-2 transgenic (Tg) mouse model. In each model, mice received 400 μg of acazicolcept or a molar-matched dose of an Fc control protein twice a week for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, skin and lung were evaluated.

Results

ICOS was significantly increased in the sera from SSc patients and in SSc skin biopsies as compared to samples from healthy controls. Similar body weight changes were observed between Fc control and acazicolcept groups in both HOCL and Fra-2 Tg mice suggesting a good tolerance of acazicolcept treatment. In mice challenged with HOCL, acazicolcept induced a significant decrease in dermal thickness, collagen content, myofibroblast number, and inflammatory infiltrates characterized by B cells, T cells, neutrophils, and macrophages. In the Fra-2 Tg mouse model, acazicolcept treatment reduced lung collagen content, fibrillar collagen, histological fibrosis score, and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP). A reduction in frequency of CD4+ and T effector memory cells and an increase in the percentage of CD4+ T naïve cells in spleen and lung of acazicolcept-treated Fra-2 Tg mice was observed as compared to Fc control-treated Fra-2 Tg mice. Moreover, acazicolcept reduced CD69 and PD-1 expression on CD4+ T cells from the spleen and the lung. Target engagement by acazicolcept was demonstrated by blockade of CD28 and ICOS detection by flow cytometry in treated mice.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the importance of costimulatory molecules in inflammatory-driven fibrosis. Our data highlight a key role of ICOS and CD28 in SSc. Using complementary models, we demonstrated that dual ICOS/CD28 blockade by acazicolcept decreased dermal and pulmonary fibrosis and alleviated pulmonary hypertension. These results pave the way for subsequent research on ICOS/CD28-targeted therapies.
Grey systems in the management of demand for palliative care services in Poland
Authors: Nieszporska Sylwia
Published: January 2022

Background

The concept of care for people in a critical or even terminal health condition, who are in the last stage of their life, has become the mission of palliative care facilities. Therefore, the life of a sick patient poses a number of challenges for health care services to make sure that medical services are tailored to the trajectory of the disease, as well as the various needs, preferences and resources of patients and their families.

Methods

Health systems financed from public funds need to adopt new methods of management to meet the high and arising demand for a long-term care. There are several ways of assessing the demand for long-term care services. The method recommended by the author and presented in more detail in this paper is the one relying on grey systems, which enables the estimation of forecasting models and, finally, actual forecasts of the number of potential future patients.

Results

GST can be used to make predictions about the future behaviour of the system, which is why this article aims to present the possibility of using the first-order grey model GM (1,1) in predicting the number of patients of palliative care facilities in Poland. The analysis covers the data from 2014 to 2019, whereas the prediction of the number of patients has been additionally formulated for 2020.

Conclusions

Health systems, particularly publicly funded ones, are characterised by a certain kind of incompleteness and uncertainty of data on the structure and behaviour of its individual components (e.g. potential patients or payers). The present study aims to prove how simple and effective grey systems models are in the decision-making process.
Oral care for intensive care unit patients without mechanical ventilation: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Xiaoxia , Shen Yunxia , Pan Xuejiao , Liao Jianglong , Xu Yanfei , Luo Wen , Zhang Xiaolin , Li Chun’e , Wan Qing , Cai Xin , Zhang Xiaomei , Wang Tao , Zhang Guilan
Published: January 2022

Background

Infection is a common problem and a major cause of morbidity and mortality for patients in intensive care units (ICUs). According to published meta-analyses, oral care has been found to reduce the risk of nosocomial pneumonia, and has been recommended to improve the oral environment for patients in ICUs. However, relatively little information is available about the effects of oral care in patients without ventilatory support in ICUs. Therefore, this review proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of oral care in preventing pneumonia in non-ventilated ICU patients.

Methods

Eight databases will be searched for relevant literature, including four Chinese and four English online databases, from their inception to the protocol publication date. Records obtained will be managed and screened via Endnote X7. All literature will be selected following pre-established inclusion criteria by two independent review authors to obtain quality trials. The quality of the included records will be evaluated according to the “risk of bias table”, recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. All the data will be extracted by one author and checked by another. If there is any disagreement, a final agreement will be reached with a third reviewer via consultation. If there are missing data, the original authors will be emailed to ask for it. If enough data were collected, the data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager (RevMan5.3). Both a random effect model and a fixed effect model will be undertaken. A Bayesian meta-analysis will also be performed to estimate the magnitude of the heterogeneity variance and comparing it with the distribution using the WinBUGS software. Otherwise, the results will be reported narratively. The sources of heterogeneity will be determined using meta-regression and subgroup analysis if there is significant heterogeneity. A funnel plot will be used to assess publication bias if there are enough records included. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions will be followed throughout the system evaluation process.

Conclusion

This review will provide evidence of oral care for intensive care unit patients without mechanical ventilation to prevent nosocomial pneumonia.

Trial registration

PROSPERO Research registration identifying number: CRD42020146932
“I always prefer to withdraw than use a condom”: contextualising condomless sex among East Asian and sub-Saharan African international students in Sydney
Authors: Okeke Sylvester R.
Published: January 2022

Background

Incidence and prevalence of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections among young people continue to necessitate population-based studies to understand how contextualised sexual health services can be developed and implemented to promote protective behaviours such as consistent condom use. This study examined condomless sexual practice among a sample of East Asian and sub-Saharan African international university students in Sydney, Australia.

Methods

This qualitative study was methodologically guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data was provided by 20 international students sampled from five universities in Sydney, who participated in either face-to-face or telephone semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interview sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded in NVivo and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Condomless sexual practices appear to be common among the study group based on participants’ self-reports of their own practices and the practices of friends and peers. Three themes contextualising condomless among the study participants were generated from the interview transcripts: (1) unanticipated sex, condom related stigma and alcohol use (2) pleasure-seeking, curiosity and intimacy (3) condomless sex as a gendered practice.

Conclusions

The result of this study has implications for public health research, practice and policy around design, implementation and evaluation of multi-layered and population-specific sexual health services that are tailored to addressing the needs of international students, who  migrate from traditional sexual cultures to Australia, where sexual norms are more liberal.
Analysis of Short-Term Prestress Losses in Post-tensioned Structures Using Smart Strands
Authors: Kim Sang-Hyun , Park Sung Yong , Kim Sung Tae , Jeon Se-Jin
Published: January 2022

The proper estimation of prestressing force (PF) distribution is critical to ensure the safety and serviceability of prestressed concrete (PSC) structures. Although the PF distribution can be theoretically calculated based on certain predictive equations, the resulting accuracy of the theoretical PF needs to be further validated by comparison with reliable test data. Therefore, a Smart Strand with fiber optic sensors embedded in a core wire was developed and applied to a full-scale specimen and two long-span PSC girder bridges in this study. The variation in PF distribution during tensioning and anchoring was measured using the Smart Strand and was analyzed by comparison with the theoretical distribution calculated using the predictive equations for short-term prestress losses. In particular, the provisions for anchorage seating loss and elastic shortening loss were reviewed and possible improvements were proposed. A new method to estimate the amount of anchorage slip based on real PF distributions revealed that the general assumption of 3–6-mm slip falls within a reasonable range. Finally, the sensitivity of the PF distribution to a few of the variables included in the equation of the elastic shortening loss was examined. The study results confirmed that the developed Smart Strand can be used to improve the design parameters or equations in PSC structures by overcoming the drawbacks of conventional sensing technologies.
Exploring the effects of increasing underutilized crops on consumers’ diets: the case of millet in Uganda
Authors: Revoredo-Giha Cesar , Toma Luiza , Akaichi Faical , Dawson Ian
Published: January 2022

Known in the literature as underutilized, neglected or orphan crops, these crops have been cited as having the potential to improve food and nutritional security. The literature also highlights however that consumers in developing countries are increasingly abandoning their traditional diets that these crops are part of, and are replacing them by western diets. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the consumption and nutritional implications of expanding the participation of underutilized crops in current diets. This was done using a modified version of the microeconomic consumer problem. This was augmented with a linear constraint using generalized rationing theory that can be found in the economics literature. The method was applied to the case study of the consumption of millet (finger millet, botanical name: Eleusine coracana) by rural, urban-poor and urban-affluent Ugandan socioeconomic groups. The results indicated that millet could contribute to improving the intake of macronutrients and of some micronutrients, though the overall picture is complex. However, under current preferences and given its demand inelasticity, to achieve a substantial increase in the quantity of millet in the diet will require a significant reduction of its price. Otherwise, the net impact on nutrition as measured by the mean adequacy ratio will be only slightly positive for rural and urban-poor households. Our findings indicate that supply-side initiatives aimed at increasing the productivity of underutilized crops (reducing crop price) are likely to produce disappointing results in restoring their importance unless accompanied by specific interventions to expand demand.
Soya saponin improves egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens
Authors: Li Peng , Zhao Yizhu , Yan Shaojia , Song Bocheng , Liu Yongfa , Gao Mingkun , Tang Dazhi , Guo Yuming
Published: January 2022

Background

Soya saponin (SS), an active compound in soybean meals, has been widely studied in the medical field. However, it was considered as an anti-nutritional factor in poultry diets. The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of dietary SS using three dietary treatments on egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens. Birds were fed a low soybean meal basal diet (CON), a low-SS diet (50 SS) containing 50 mg/kg SS, or a high-SS diet (500 SS) containing 500 mg/kg SS for 10 weeks. At the end of the 5th and 10th week of the trial, samples were collected for analysis.

Results

Results showed that with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation, the egg production rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and eggshell quality tended to be improved. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were also elevated as well as the peripheral blood LPS stimulation index, the proportion of B lymphocytes, and antibody titer of bovine serum albumin (BSA). We also found that mRNA levels of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in ovarian, nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB), Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in spleen were up-regulated at the end of the trial. Additionally, dietary 50 mg/kg SS improved the ileal flora via up-regulating the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Romboutsia and Lactobacillus delbrueckii. Although the immune related indicators were improved with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented, it seemed to have a negative influence on the laying-performance. Specifically, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4 were increased in the 500 SS group at the end of the trial. The mRNA levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) in Hypothalamus, the estrogen related receptor (ERR) in ovaries were downregulated as well as the egg production rate during the trial with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented.

Conclusions

The egg production performance was improved by dietary supplemented with 50 mg/kg SS via increasing ovarian FSHR transcription level and serum estrogen level. A beneficial shift in intestinal microflora was recorded, and the immune function of laying hens was also improved with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation. Surprisingly, the long-term supplementation of 500 mg/kg SS exerted a negative impact on the laying performance and physiological functions of the liver of laying hens.
Role of milk carbohydrates in intestinal health of nursery pigs: a review
Authors: Jang Ki Beom , Kim Sung Woo
Published: January 2022

Intestinal health is essential for the resistance to enteric diseases and for nutrient digestion and absorption to support growth. The intestine of nursery pigs are immature and vulnerable to external challenges, which cause negative impacts on the structure and function of the intestine. Among nutritional interventions, the benefits of milk are significant for the intestinal health of pigs. Milk coproducts have traditionally been used in starter feeds to improve the growth of nursery pigs, but their use is somewhat limited due to the high costs and potential risks of excessive lactose on the intestine. Thus, understanding a proper feeding level of milk carbohydrates is an important start of the feeding strategy. For nursery pigs, lactose is considered a highly digestible energy source compared with plant-based starch, whereas milk oligosaccharides are considered bioactive compounds modulating intestinal immunity and microbiota. Therefore, milk carbohydrates, mainly composed of lactose and oligosaccharides, have essential roles in the intestinal development and functions of nursery pigs. The proper feeding levels of lactose in starter feeds could be variable by weaning age, body weight, or genetic lines. Effects of lactose and milk oligosaccharides have been broadly studied in human health and animal production. Therefore, this review focuses on the mechanisms of lactose and milk oligosaccharides affecting intestinal maturation and functions through modulation of enterocyte proliferation, intestinal immunity, and intestinal microbiota of nursery pigs.
Prevalence of Schistosoma mono- and co-infections with multiple common parasites and associated risk factors and morbidity profile among adults in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system, South-Central Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Bassa Fidèle K. , Eze Ikenna C. , Assaré Rufin K. , Essé Clémence , Koné Siaka , Acka Félix , Laubhouet-Koffi Véronique , Kouassi Dinard , Bonfoh Bassirou , Utzinger Jürg , N’Goran Eliézer K.
Published: January 2022

Background

Schistosomiasis remains an important public health problem, also among adults, and infected individuals not treated serve as a reservoir for continued transmission. Despite this fact, evidence on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in adults in Côte d’Ivoire is scanty. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors ofSchistosomainfection and co-infection with other helminth species andPlasmodiumamong adults in the Taabo region in the south-central part of Côte d’Ivoire.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in April and May 2017 in the frame of the “Côte d’Ivoire Dual Burden of Disease Study” (CoDuBu). A total of 901 randomly selected individuals, aged 18–90 years, provided blood, stool and urine samples for the diagnosis of malaria and helminth infections. Stool samples were subjected to the Kato-Katz technique for detection ofSchistosoma mansoniand soil-transmitted helminth eggs, while urine samples were examined for eggs ofSchistosoma haematobiumand circulating cathodic antigen ofS. mansoni. Risk factors and morbidity profiles were assessed using health examination and questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regressions were employed to identify risk factors and morbidity patterns associated withS. mansonimono- and co-infections.

Results

The prevalence ofS. mansoniandS. haematobiumwas 23.2% and 1.0%, respectively. MostS. mansoniwere mono-infections (81.3%). Independent determinants ofS. mansoniinfection were young age, low socioeconomic status (mono- and co-infection) and poor hygiene practices (co-infection) (P < 0.05).S. mansoniinfection was independently associated with higher pain and symptom scores (mono-infection), poor self-rated health and low healthcare use (co-infection) (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study showed that adults represent a substantial reservoir ofS. mansoni. To sustain schistosomiasis control and improve people’s wellbeing, it is important to expand preventive chemotherapy from school-aged children to adults, coupled with hygiene and health education.
Testing times: the association of intolerance of uncertainty and metacognitive beliefs to test anxiety in college students
Authors: Huntley Christopher , Young Bridget , Tudur Smith Catrin , Jha Vikram , Fisher Peter
Published: January 2022

Background

Test anxiety has a detrimental effect on test performance but current interventions for test anxiety have limited efficacy. Therefore, examination of newer psychological models of test anxiety is now required. Two transdiagnostic psychological models of emotional disorders that can account for anxiety are the intolerance of uncertainty model (IUM) and the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model. Intolerance of uncertainty, the stable disposition to find uncertainty distressing, is central to the IUM, while beliefs about thinking, metacognition, are central to the S-REF model. We tested for the first time the role of both intolerance of uncertainty and metacognitive beliefs in test anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used, with college students (n = 675) completing questionnaires assessing their test anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and metacognitive beliefs. Hierarchical linear regressions examined if intolerance of uncertainty and metacognitive beliefs were associated with test anxiety, after controlling for age and gender.

Results

Females reported significantly more test anxiety than males. Partial correlations, controlling for gender, found intolerance of uncertainty and metacognitive beliefs were significantly and positively correlated with test anxiety. Hierarchical linear regressions found metacognitive beliefs explained an additional 13% of variance in test anxiety, after controlling for intolerance of uncertainty. When the order of entry was reversed, intolerance of uncertainty was only able to explain an additional 2% of variance, after controlling for metacognitive beliefs. In the final regression model, gender, intolerance of uncertainty and the metacognitive belief domains of ‘negative beliefs about the uncontrollability and danger of worry’ and ‘cognitive confidence’ were all significantly associated test anxiety, with ‘negative beliefs about the uncontrollability and danger of worry’ having the largest association.

Conclusions

Both intolerance of uncertainty and metacognitive beliefs are linked to test anxiety, but results suggest metacognitive beliefs have more explanatory utility, providing greater support for the S-REF model. Modification of intolerance of uncertainty and metacognitive beliefs could alleviate test anxiety and help students fulfil their academic potential.
Validation of the South Korean Version of the Beliefs about Emotions Scale
Authors: Park Gahyun , Kim Jeong Han , Lee Dong Hun
Published: January 2022

Background

Beliefs about the unacceptability of experiencing or expressing negative emotions can contribute to diverse psychological symptoms and associated with poor treatment outcomes and low treatment attempts. The Beliefs about Emotions Scale (BES) was developed to assess such beliefs based on the cognitive-behavioral models; however, no study has reported on the psychometric properties of the BES in Korea. The present study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the BES for the Korean population (BES-K).

Methods

The BES-K was administered to 592 Korean adults (323 men and 269 women) aged 20–59 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the factor model of the scale. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between the BES-K and other psychological measures.

Results

The result showed a two-factor model of the BES-K, with Factor 1 relating to Interpersonal and Factor 2 representing Intrapersonal aspects. The scale had significant yet moderately low correlations with measures of depression, anxiety, and difficulties in emotion regulation.

Conclusion

The BES-K is a useful instrument in evaluating the beliefs about emotions in the Korean population.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: The teratogenic effect of pregabalin on heart, liver and kidney in rats: a light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Ismail Omnia I. , Shaltout Eman S. , Abdellah Nora Z. , Hetta Diab F. , Abd El-Ghani Wael M. A. , Abdelzaher Lobna A. , Mahmoud Ahmed Mohamed Mohamed , Hasan Asmaa M. , Rashed Noha A. , Ebrahem Noha Esmael
Published: January 2022

Background

Pregabalin (PGB) was approved as new anti-epileptic drugs with little information about its teratogenic effect.

Aim of the work

to evaluate the developmental toxicity of PGB.

Materials and methods

60 pregnant albino rats were divided into three groups. PGB (500 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to group II, PGB (1250 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to Group III and no medications were given to group I. The pups were normally delivered. Liver, kidney and heart specimens were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies.

Results

A dose of 500 mg of PGB had minimal toxic effects in the form of mild collagen deposition and moderate positive caspase-3 immunoexpression. PGB dose of 1250 mg/kg induced gross toxic effects in form of degenerated cardiac myofibres, ruptured blood vessels, vacuolations in the renal cortex, fibrosis and strong positive caspase-3 immunoexpression.

Conclusion

PGB at dose of 500 mg/kg revealed minimal toxic changes. PGB cause embryotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as the higher dose induced more degenerative changes.
Plastics in robots: a degradation study of a humanoid skin mask made of soft urethane elastomer
Authors: Micheluz Anna , Angelin Eva Mariasole , Sawitzki Julia , Pamplona Marisa
Published: January 2022

Understanding the degradation of plastic materials is a big challenge for curators, conservators and conservation scientists in museums worldwide aiming to preserve their collections due to the variety of formulations of synthetic polymers and pigments. The conservation of polyurethane (PUR) based objects is challenging because they can suffer from extensive degradation. Particularly PUR elastomers can degrade shortly after their production, as occurred to the mask of the Japanese robot SAYA, which within 8 years suffered from two large tears, discoloration and stickiness. This research aims at studying the degradation phenomena of the androids’ synthetic skin. Better knowledge of the chemical composition of the mask and the chemical and physical decay will contribute to planning a suitable stabilization treatment. Within a multi-analytical approach, colorimetric and microscopic investigations highlighted discolored areas, which showed further color changes within a five months monitoring campaign, confirming the instability of the material likely due to ongoing degradation. Raman microscopy allowed the identification of Pigment White 6 (titanium dioxide TiO2) in the anatase form, known to promote the photosensitivity of PUR substrates towards ultraviolet (UV) light. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy identified the PUR composition of the mask, the presence of phthalates as plasticizers and suggested the formation of quinone chromophores in the polymer structure as a result of photo-oxidation, possibly responsible for the mask yellowing. Evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) and double-shot-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/Py–GC/MS) analyses support the characterization of the formulation of the mask as being made of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) PUR ether elastomer. Plasticizers in high concentration, mainly diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), and the UV stabilizer Tinuvin 328 were also detected. In addition, the presence of styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) could also contribute to the mask’s chemical instability. More amount of UV stabilizer and phthalates were detected at the surface (contributing to its stickiness) than in the inner core. The degradation of the mask results from the light susceptibility of MDI PUR ether and SAN, as well as the higher photochemical activity of anatase. The mask was transferred on to a mannequin and placed in the storage area to prevent light exposure and photo-oxidation. As loose edges had to be stabilized, tests were conducted and adhesive stripes glued with a PUR dispersion were selected for keeping the head’s shape. The novelty of this study is the implementation of conservation science on the study of androids with PUR elastomeric components in robotic collections, which are becoming increasingly popular in technical museums, however still seldomly studied.