bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis on carbon emissions efficiency differences and optimization evolution of China’s industrial system: An input-output analysis
Authors: Wang Shuang , Yu Yang , Jiang Tangyang , Nie Jun
Published: March 2022

The excessive carbon emissions not only intensify the global climate change, but also seriously restrict the sustainable development of social economy. However, improving industrial carbon emissions efficiency is the most directly effective way to reduce emissions. Therefore, accurate measurement and analysis of carbon emissions efficiency and evolution characteristics of China’s industrial system is the basis for China to improve carbon emissions efficiency. Based on this, we adopted energy consumption method and input-output method to calculate and analyze the industrial carbon emissions efficiency and evolution characteristics of China from 2002 to 2015. The results show that (1) If carbon emissions from cement production are ignored and only energy-related carbon emissions are considered, the calculation results of carbon emissions efficiency of heavy industry will be overestimated about 30%. (2) Compared with 2002, China’s industrial carbon emissions efficiency increased by about twice in 2015. Specifically, the optimization of carbon emissions efficiency in agriculture, construction, light industry and service industry is very obvious, which has increased by 5.65, 5.00, 4.69 and 4.68 times respectively; The optimization of carbon emissions efficiency in power sector, heavy industry, transportation and chemical industry was obvious, which increased by 2.55, 2.01, 1.86 and 1.47 times respectively; The carbon emissions efficiency of the fossil energy sector has decreased by 0.36 times. (3) The carbon emissions efficiency of various industries has significant differences. Among them, agriculture, service industry, light industry and construction industry are generally industries with higher carbon emissions efficiency, while power sector, fossil energy sector, transportation industry, chemical industry and heavy industry are generally industries with lower carbon emissions efficiency, especially power and fossil energy sectors. Based on these, this paper provides policy implications and scientific evidence for accurately improving carbon emissions efficiency from the perspective of carbon emissions efficiency.
Trading off fiscal budget adherence and child protection
Authors: Cavalca Petra Gram , Ejrnæs Mette , Gørtz Mette
Published: March 2022

Many countries delegate a substantial part of social service decisions to local administrative levels, while federal laws provide the overall framework for service levels. Strict regulations to reduce budget overruns may however leave local governments with a potential trade-off between adhering to fiscal budgets and supplying critical welfare services as e.g. programs to protect vulnerable children. We investigate if budgetary constraints influence child protection decisions using high-quality register data. We show that the introduction of fiscal sanctions to improve budget adherence contributed to a sharp decline in budget overruns on child protective services by reducing the number of children in out-of-home care. Our results further show that monthly variation in budget adherence within a fiscal year affects the probability of a placement in out-of-home care for children in need of help towards the end of a fiscal year. We estimate that a budget overrun of 10 percentage points by mid-year leads to a 1.2 percent reduction in the number of children in care over the remaining part of the fiscal year. Municipalities reduced child protection expenditure by choosing cheaper types of care and ending placement for children in out-of-home care, particularly for children turning 18. Our paper contributes to the literature on fiscal federalism by documenting the trade-off between managing public expenditure and providing safety and equal opportunity for vulnerable children. We thus highlight that enforcing strict budget adherence may be in conflict with social policy goals. Our results raise an important discussion about centralization versus delegation of critical public services.
Temporal patterns of inflammation-related proteins measured in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage using multiplex Proximity Extension Assay technology
Authors: Vlachogiannis Pavlos , Hillered Lars , Enblad Per , Ronne-Engström Elisabeth
Published: March 2022

Background

The complexity of the inflammatory response post subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may require temporal analysis of multiple protein biomarkers simultaneously to be more accurately described.

Methods

Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid was collected at days 1, 4 and 10 after SAH in 29 patients. Levels of 92 inflammation-related proteins were simultaneously measured using Target 96 Inflammation®assay (Olink Proteomics, Uppsala, Sweden) based on Proximity Extension Assay (PEA) technology. Twenty-eight proteins were excluded from further analysis due to lack of >50% of measurable values. Temporal patterns of the remaining 64 proteins were analyzed. Repeated measures ANOVA and its nonparametric equivalent Friedman’s ANOVA were used for comparisons of means between time points.

Results

Four different patterns (Groups A-D) were visually observed with an early peak and gradually decreasing trend (11 proteins), a middle peak (10 proteins), a late peak after a gradually increasing trend (30 proteins) and no specific pattern (13 proteins). Statistically significant early peaks defined as Day 1 > Day 4 values were noticed in 4 proteins; no significant decreasing trends defined as Day 1 > Day 4 > Day 10 values were observed. Two proteins showed significant middle peaks (i.e. Day 1 < Day 4 > Day 10 values). Statistically significant late peaks (i.e. Day 4 < Day 10 values) and increasing trends (i.e. Day 1 < Day 4 < Day 10 values) were observed in 14 and 10 proteins, respectively. Four of Group D proteins showed biphasic peaks and the rest showed stable levels during the observation period.

Conclusion

The comprehensive data set provided in this explorative study may act as an illustration of an inflammatory profile of the acute phase of SAH showing groups of potential protein biomarkers with similar temporal patterns of activation, thus facilitating further research on their role in the pathophysiology of the disease.
Prevalence and associated factors of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Habtegiorgis Samuel Derbie , Petrucka Pammla , Telayneh Animut Takele , Getahun Daniel Shitu , Getacher Lemma , Alemu Simegn , Birhanu Molla Yigzaw
Published: March 2022

Background

Anemia is the reduction of red blood cells in size and numbers and an indicator of both poor nutrition and poor health. It is a major global public health problem. Anemia in adolescents and young adults can have negative effects on their cognitive performance and growth. In Ethiopia, previous studies yielded variable prevalence. This review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of adolescent girls’ anemia and associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods

We searched for studies reporting anemia and associated factors among adolescent girls as reported in peer reviews publications in Ethiopia from 1988 to 2021 from PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Worldwide Science database. The search strategy identified 309 cross-sectional studies. After screening for potentially eligible articles, we identified 37 publications for full text review, following which 10 publications were included in the final review. Using data from the review, we performed meta-analysis to produce pooled estimates and assess the prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format prepared in Microsoft Excel™ and transferred to Stata ™ Version 14.0 for management and further analysis. To identify the source of heterogeneity, subgroup analysis using sample size and study setup was computed, and I2 test was used to declare the presence or absence of significant heterogeneity during subgroup analysis. A random-effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of adolescent girls’ anemia. Moreover associated factors for adolescent anemia were assessed too.

Results

The overall pooled prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls’ in Ethiopia was 23.02% (95% CI: 17.21to 28.84). In the subgroup analysis, studies that have a higher sample size than mean have a higher pooled prevalence (27.35%) (95% CI: 21.42 to 33.28) compared to their counterparts. Age being 15–19 (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.52 to 2.96), living in rural areas (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.66 to 2.54), and low dietary diversity (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.00 to 2.34), were the identified factors associated with anemia among adolescent girls’.

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia was moderately high. Being in 15–19 years, rural residence, and low dietary diversity score were found to be the significant factors of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia.
Spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and dynamic efficiency decomposition of carbon emission efficiency in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Yu Zhen , Zhang Juan
Published: March 2022

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is China’s substantial energy consumption base. The issue of carbon emission efficiency directly affects the ecological protection and high-quality development of the YRB. It is the key to achieving carbon peak in 2030 and carbon neutralization in 2060 (“30.60”) double carbon emission reduction targets. Therefore, taking YRB as the research object, this paper first calculates the carbon emission and the decoupling state in the YRB. Secondly, the super-efficiency slacks-based measurement (SE-SBM) model is combined with the Malmquist index to analyze the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of YRB’s carbon emission efficiency from static and dynamic perspectives. Thirdly, the dynamic evolution characteristics of carbon emission efficiency are analyzed with the help of the Kernel density function. Finally, the Tobit model analyzes the influencing factors of YRB’s and China’s carbon emission efficiency. The results show that: (1) Among the nine provinces of YRB, the decoupling state between carbon emissions and economic growth in most provinces changes from weak decoupling to strong decoupling, and the decoupling elasticity index shows a fluctuating downward trend. (2) There are significant differences in carbon emission efficiency among provinces, but on the whole, it shows a stable growth trend. The high-value area of carbon emission efficiency is increasing, and the phenomenon of two-level differentiation is improving. The decline of the technological progress index causes the Malmquist index in Qinghai and Ningxia. On the contrary, the rise of the Malmquist index in the other seven provinces is caused by improving the technical efficiency index. (3) Industrial structure, economic development, and industrialization are the main positive factors affecting YRB’s carbon emission efficiency. Urbanization level, green development level, and energy consumption level are the leading negative indicators hindering YRB’s improvement of carbon emission efficiency. Therefore, targeted emission reduction suggestions should be formulated according to YRB’s resource endowment and development stage characteristics.
Metal nanoparticles assisted revival of Streptomycin against MDRS Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ghaffar Nadia , Javad Sumera , Farrukh Muhammad Akhyar , Shah Anis Ali , Gatasheh Mansour K. , AL-Munqedhi Bander M. A. , Chaudhry Ozair
Published: March 2022

The ability of microorganisms to generate resistance outcompetes with the generation of new and efficient antibiotics. Therefore, it is critically required to develop novel antibiotic agents and treatments to control bacterial infections. Green synthesized metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles are considered as the potential means to target bacteria as an alternative to antibiotics. Nanoconjugates have also attracted attention because of their increased biological activity as compared to free antibiotics. In the present investigation, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), and iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) have been synthesized by using leaf extract of Ricinus communis. Characterization of nanoparticles was done by using UV–Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analyzer, X-ray Diffraction Analysis, and Dynamic Light Scattering Particle Size Analyzer. Interestingly, Streptomycin when combined with AgNPs, ZnO NPs, CuO NPs, and FeO NPs showed enhanced antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of S. aureus which suggested synergism between the nanoparticles and antibiotics. The highest enhanced antibacterial potential of Streptomycin was observed in conjugation with ZnO NPs (11 ± 0.5 mm) against S. aureus. Minimum inhibitory concentration of conjugates of AgNPs, ZnO NPs, CuO NPs, and FeO NPs with streptomycin against S. aureus was found to be 3.12, 2.5,10, and 12.5 μg/mL respectively. The considerable point of the present investigation is that S. aureus, which was resistant to streptomycin becomes highly susceptible to the same antibiotic when combined with nanoparticles. This particular observation opens up windows to mitigate the current crisis due to antibiotic resistance to combat antimicrobial infections efficiently.
Epitope-based peptide vaccine design and elucidation of novel compounds against 3C like protein of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Sajid Muhammad , Marriam Saigha , Mukhtar Hamid , Sohail Summar , Sajid Muhammad , Sehgal Sheikh Arslan
Published: March 2022

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-stranded RNA viruses with short clubs on their edges. CoVs are pathogenic viruses that infect several animals and plant organisms, as well as humans (lethal respiratory dysfunctions). A noval strain of CoV has been reported and named as SARS-CoV-2. Numerous COVID-19 cases were being reported all over the World. COVID-19 and has a high mortality rate. In the present study, immunoinformatics techniques were utilized to predict the antigenic epitopes against 3C like protein. B-cell epitopes and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) were designed computationally against SARS-CoV-2. Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) of seven complete strains (HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) was performed to elucidate the binding domain and interacting residues. MHC-I binding epitopes were evaluated by analyzing the binding affinity of the top-ranked peptides having HLA molecule. By utilizing the docked complexes of CTL epitopes with antigenic sites, the binding relationship and affinity of top-ranked predicted peptides with the MHC-I HLA protein were investigated. The molecular docking analyses were conducted on the ZINC database library and twelve compounds having least binding energy were scrutinized. In conclusion, twelve CTL epitopes (GTDLEGNFY, TVNVLAWLY, GSVGFNIDY, SEDMLNPNY, LSQTGIAV, VLDMCASLK, LTQDHVDIL, TTLNDFNLV, CTSEDMLNP, TTITVNVLA, YNGSPSGVY, and SMQNCVLKL) were identified against SARS-CoV-2.
Seed nano-priming with Zinc Oxide nanoparticles in rice mitigates drought and enhances agronomic profile
Authors: Waqas Mazhar Muhammad , Ishtiaq Muhammad , Hussain Iqbal , Parveen Abida , Hayat Bhatti Khizar , Azeem Muhammad , Thind Sumaira , Ajaib Muhammad , Maqbool Mehwish , Sardar Tauqeer , Muzammil Khursheed , Nasir Nazim
Published: March 2022

All cereal crops, particularly rice are perpetually affected due to drastic climatic changes which triggers different stressors resulting in food shortage scenarios across the globe. In modern era, application of nanotechnology holds the pledge in combating the climate change mediated environmental stressors through nanomaterials such as pesticides, nano-biosensors, nano-clays and nano-seed priming technologies. Current study is a part of experiment conducted to comprehend the behaviour of rice plants raised from Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) primed seeds under the water shortage environment. The seed priming treatment concentrations included 0, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 ppm. In the experimental results an increase in plant height, total chlorophyll contents, plant fresh and dry weights was obtained by use of seed priming with ZnONPs. The study results proved that seed priming with 25ppm of ZnONPs increased seed and straw yield with value of 85.333 and 123.333, respectively under water deficit environment. The analysis depicted that 25 ppm has been found more suitable for increasing the 1000 paddy weight of rice plants under both well irrigated and water shortage conditions. Seed priming with ZnONPs results in 53% reduction in MDA contents of water stressed rice plants Drought stress leads to reduction in plant height by 31%, plant fresh weight by 22% and plant dry weight by 28%. Seed priming treatments imparted in current study show significance increase in plant biomass. Priming with ZnONPs further enhances the levels of proline amino acid facilitating the plant to combat water shortage stress. A further elevation in activities of SOD, CAT and POD takes place in rice plants raised from ZnONPs primed seeds by 11%, 13% and 38%, respectively. An elevation in activities of antioxidant enzymes was found and the levels of oxidative stress indicators decreased upon seed priming with ZnONPs. Furthermore the yield characteristics such as panicle length, number of tillers, paddy yield and straw yield of the rice plants raised through ZnONPs primed seeds enhanced. The ZnONPs at concentration of 25 ppm proved optimum in alleviating drought induced damages. It can be inferred that seed pre conditioning with ZnONPs is helpful in increasing yield attributes under the water shortage environment.
Identification of western North Atlantic odontocete echolocation click types using machine learning and spatiotemporal correlates
Authors: Cohen Rebecca E. , Frasier Kaitlin E. , Baumann-Pickering Simone , Wiggins Sean M. , Rafter Macey A. , Baggett Lauren M. , Hildebrand John A.
Published: March 2022

A combination of machine learning and expert analyst review was used to detect odontocete echolocation clicks, identify dominant click types, and classify clicks in 32 years of acoustic data collected at 11 autonomous monitoring sites in the western North Atlantic between 2016 and 2019. Previously-described click types for eight known odontocete species or genera were identified in this data set: Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris), Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Gervais’ beaked whales (Mesoplodon europaeus), Sowerby’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), and True’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon mirus),Kogia spp., Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Six novel delphinid echolocation click types were identified and named according to their median peak frequencies. Consideration of the spatiotemporal distribution of these unidentified click types, and comparison to historical sighting data, enabled assignment of the probable species identity to three of the six types, and group identity to a fourth type. UD36, UD26, and UD28 were attributed to Risso’s dolphin (G.griseus), short-finned pilot whale (G.macrorhynchus), and short-beaked common dolphin (D.delphis), respectively, based on similar regional distributions and seasonal presence patterns. UD19 was attributed to one or more species in the subfamilyGlobicephalinaebased on spectral content and signal timing. UD47 and UD38 represent distinct types for which no clear spatiotemporal match was apparent. This approach leveraged the power of big acoustic and big visual data to add to the catalog of known species-specific acoustic signals and yield new inferences about odontocete spatiotemporal distribution patterns. The tools and call types described here can be used for efficient analysis of other existing and future passive acoustic data sets from this region.
Testing both affordability-availability and psychological-coping mechanisms underlying changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: McBride Orla , Bunting Eimhear , Harkin Oisín , Butter Sarah , Shevlin Mark , Murphy Jamie , Mason Liam , Hartman Todd K. , McKay Ryan , Hyland Philip , Levita Liat , Bennett Kate M. , Stocks Thomas V. A. , Gibson-Miller Jilly , Martinez Anton P. , Vallières Frédérique , Bentall Richard P.
Published: March 2022

Two theoretical perspectives have been proffered to explain changes in alcohol use during the pandemic: the ‘affordability-availability’ mechanism (i.e., drinking decreases due to changes in physical availability and/or reduced disposable income) and the ‘psychological-coping’ mechanism (i.e., drinking increases as adults attempt to cope with pandemic-related distress). We tested these alternative perspectives via longitudinal analyses of the COVID-19 Psychological Consortium (C19PRC) Study data (spanning three timepoints during March to July 2020). Respondents provided data on psychological measures (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, paranoia, extraversion, neuroticism, death anxiety, COVID-19 anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, resilience), changes in socio-economic circumstances (e.g., income loss, reduced working hours), drinking motives, solitary drinking, and ‘at-risk’ drinking (assessed using a modified version of the AUDIT-C). Structural equation modelling was used to determine (i) whether ‘at-risk’ drinking during the pandemic differed from that recalled before the pandemic, (ii) dimensions of drinking motives and the psychosocial correlates of these dimensions, (iii) if increased alcohol consumption was predicted by drinking motives, solitary drinking, and socio-economic changes. The proportion of adults who recalled engaging in ‘at-risk’ drinking decreased significantly from 35.9% pre-pandemic to 32.0% during the pandemic. Drinking to cope was uniquely predicted by experiences of anxiety and/or depression and low resilience levels. Income loss or reduced working hours were not associated with coping, social enhancement, or conformity drinking motives, nor changes in drinking during lockdown. In the earliest stage of the pandemic, psychological-coping mechanisms may have been a stronger driver to changes in adults’ alcohol use than ‘affordability-availability’ alone.
The impact of COVID-19 on blood donations
Authors: Veseli Besarta , Sandner Sabrina , Studte Sinika , Clement Michel
Published: March 2022

During a crisis, society calls for individuals to take prosocial actions that promote crisis management. Indeed, individuals show higher willingness to help after a disaster. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presents significant differences as it is an ongoing crisis that affects all individuals and has the potential to pose a direct health threat to anyone. Therefore, we propose that the pandemic may also negatively affect willingness to help, specifically blood donation intentions. It requires a high level of willingness to donate blood beyond the crisis outbreak, as more blood will be needed when postponed surgeries resume. When comparing blood donation intentions from a pre-pandemic study to results from a six-wave (bi-weekly) panel study conducted in Germany during the first pandemic phase (April to June 2020), we find lower medium and long-term blood donation intentions. While active donors show increased awareness of ability and eligibility to donate at the beginning of the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic, they feel significantly less able to donate as the pandemic progresses. Furthermore, inactive donors’ perceived ability to donate significantly decreases in the pandemic phase compared to the pre-pandemic phase. Crucially, both active and inactive donors feel less responsible and less morally obliged to donate, resulting in an overall negative pandemic effect on blood donation intentions. The COVID-19 pandemic compromises blood donations endangering the life-saving blood supply. These alarming results offer evidence-based grounds for practical implications for driving donations in the event of a pandemic.
Drug susceptibility profiles and factors associated with non-tuberculous mycobacteria species circulating among patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in Tanzania
Authors: Maya Togolani Godfrey , Komba Erick Vitus , Mensah Gloria Ivy , Mbelele Peter Masunga , Mpagama Stella George , Mfinanga Sayoki Godfrey , Addo Kennedy Kwasi , Kazwala Rudovick Reuben
Published: March 2022

Background

While most Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are saprophytic, several species have been associated with human diseases, from localized infection to disseminated diseases. Pulmonary NTM infections lead to TB-like disease called NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). Due to variation in treatment options among NTM species, it is necessary to identify the species and determine drug susceptibility profiles to inform the choice of appropriate regimen for the disease.

Design

A total of 188 culture-positive isolates from patients diagnosed with TB were screened for NTM at the Central Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory. All NTM were further speciated using GenoType® Mycobacterium—Common Mycobacterium and Additional species (GenoType® CM/AS) kit. Mycobacteria avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacteria abscessus complex (MABC) which could not be identified with the test to species were subjected to GenoType® Mycobacteria NTM-DR for further speciation. Using the same test, identified MAC and MABC were genotyped to determine the drug susceptibility profile for each isolate to macrolide and aminoglycosides.

Results

Of all isolates identified as mycobacteria, 24 (13%) were NTM. Fifteen isolates could be identified to species level of which prevalent species was M. avium sub. intracellulare 4 (27%). A total of 10 isolates were MAC (n = 6) and MABC (n = 4) were subjected to GenoType® Mycobacteria NTM-DR for determination of macrolide and aminoglycoside susceptibility. Three of the four MABC had a mutation at the T28 position of the erm (41). All MAC were susceptible to both drugs.

Conclusion

In this study, MAC was the most frequently isolated NTM species followed by MABC. While all MAC and MABC identified, were susceptible to aminoglycosides, three MABC were resistant to the macrolides due to mutation at position 28 of the erm (41) gene. For this, it is important for clinicians need to rule out NTM, understand species and their drug susceptibility for optimal case management.
Engaging citizens in local health policymaking. A realist explorative case-study
Authors: De Weger Esther , Drewes Hanneke W. , Van Vooren Natascha J. E. , Luijkx Katrien G. , Baan Caroline A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Municipalities have been trying to involve citizens as citizen participation is thought to improve municipalities’ accountability, the quality of services, and to align policies and services to communities’ needs. This study examined citizens’ participation preferences in policymaking by investigating their health policy priorities, expectations of involvement, and required support.

Methods

For this case-study the realist evaluation approach was applied to focus groups with citizens and to a workshop with a local panel consisting of professionals, citizens and citizen representatives.

Results

This study showed that citizens want to be involved in (health) policymaking with the aim of improving their communities’ quality of life and living environment and prioritised local services and amenities (e.g. suitable housing, public transport, health and care services). Instead, professionals’ priorities were focussed on singular public health issues related to prevention and lifestyle factors. The results also show that citizens felt responsible for driving citizen participation and representing community needs to the municipality, but needed the municipality to improve their communication and accessibility in order to do so successfully. Furthermore, the professionals on the panel indicated that they needed training on how to reach out to citizens. Such training should highlight how to better align their language to citizens’ lived experiences. They also wanted their organisations to provide more space, flexibility and resources to build relationships with citizens in order to provide improved communication and accessibility to citizens.

Conclusion

The difference in priorities between citizens and professionals highlights the importance of involving citizens in policymaking. Moreover, citizens’ involvement can act as a lever for change to bring a wider range of services and policy sectors together and has the potential to better align policies to citizens’ lived experiences and hopefully increase the democratic legitimacy of policymaking. However, to fulfil such potential municipalities will need to invest in improving their accessibility and communication with communities.
Analysis of the impact of coronavirus disease 19 on hospitalization rates for chronic non-communicable diseases in Brazil
Authors: Guimarães Rafael Alves , Policena Gabriela Moreira , Paula Hellen da Silva Cintra de , Pedroso Charlise Fortunato , Pinheiro Raquel Silva , Itria Alexander , Braga Neto Olavo de Oliveira , Teixeira Adriana Melo , Silva Irisleia Aires , Oliveira Geraldo Andrade de , Batista Karla de Aleluia
Published: March 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted health services and healthcare systems worldwide. Studies have shown that hospital admissions for causes related to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have decreased significantly during peak pandemic periods. An analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admissions for NCDs is essential to implement disability and mortality mitigation strategies for these groups. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admissions for NCDs in Brazil according to the type of NCD, sex, age group, and region of Brazil.

Methods

This is an ecological study conducted in Brazil. Data on hospital admissions from January 1, 2017 to May 31, 2021 were extracted from the Unified Health System’s Hospital Admissions Information System. The hospital admission rates per 100,000 thousand inhabitants were calculated monthly according to the type of NCD, sex, age group, and region of Brazil. Poisson regression models were used to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of hospital admissions. In this study, the pre-pandemic period was set from January 1, 2017 to February 29, 2020 and the during-pandemic from March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

Results

There was a 27.0% (95.0%CI: -29.0; -25.0%) decrease in hospital admissions for NCDs after the onset of the pandemic compared to that during the pre-pandemic period. Decreases were found for all types of NCDs—cancer (-23.0%; 95.0%CI: -26.0; -21.0%), diabetes mellitus (-24.0%; 95.0%CI: -25.0%; -22.0%), cardiovascular diseases (-30.0%; 95.0%CI: -31.0%; -28.0%), and chronic respiratory diseases (-29.0%; 95.0%CI: -30.0%; -27.0%). In addition, there was a decrease in the number of admissions, regardless of the age group, sex, and region of Brazil. The Northern and Southern regions demonstrated the largest decrease in the percentage of hospital admissions during the pandemic period.

Conclusions

There was a decrease in the hospitalization rate for NCDs in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic in a scenario of social distancing measures and overload of health services.
Medical students’ attitudes toward psychiatry in Indonesia
Authors: Kaligis Fransiska , Hillary Ribka , Kusuma Nabilla Merdika Putri , Sianipar Helisa Rachel Patricie , Ramadhanti Camilla Sophi , Findyartini Ardi , Indraswari Madhyra Tri , Magdalena Clarissa Cita , Nurraga Garda Widhi
Published: March 2022

Nearly two-thirds of psychiatric patients are reluctant to seek help from healthcare professionals due to stigma, discrimination, and negligence that evolve around the community, including healthcare providers. Future health professionals should have a positive attitude toward psychiatry and patients with mental health problems. Thus, it is vital to identify medical students’ attitudes toward psychiatry as future healthcare providers. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study by using online questionnaires of “Perceptions of Psychiatry” in Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, with first- and fourth-year students (before psychiatric rotation), as well as fifth-year students and alumni (after psychiatric rotation). Out of 250 questionnaires distributed, 224 subjects responded, with a response rate 89.6%. Chi-square or fisher analysis was conducted to know the correlation between gender and attitudes towards psychiatry. The frequency distribution method was applied to identify the degree of stigmatization from respondents. A mix of positive and negative perceptions towards psychiatry was identified. The overall response was favorable to both before and after psychiatric rotation groups. Differences in perceptions between male and female psychiatry students as a discipline and career were statistically significant. Correcting misapprehension and removing the stigma on psychiatry during medical education might decrease the stigma in the psychiatric field and patients.
Efficacy and safety of eplerenone treatment for patients with diabetic nephropathy: A meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Honglei , Zhao Xiaodong , Jin Xingqian , Wang Shujuan , Liang Wenlong , Cong Xiangguo
Published: March 2022

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, significantly elevates the morbidity and mortality of patients with diabetes. Recently, the benefits of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, have been discovered. Thus, the present meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of eplerenone treatment in patients with DN. Six electronic databases—PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and CBM(Chinese BioMedical Literature Database)—were searched to retrieve randomized controlled trials that assessed eplerenone treatment in patients with DN and were published up to July 31, 2021. Eight randomized controlled trials involving 838 patients were included. Between the eplerenone treatment groups and controls, significant differences were identified in 24-h urine protein levels (mean difference [MD], −19.63 [95% CI, −23.73 to −15.53], P < 0.00001), microalbuminuria (MD, -7.75 [95% CI, -9.75 to -5.75], P < 0.00001), urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (MD, -48.29 [95% CI, -64.45 to -32.14], P < 0.00001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD, -2.49 [95% CI, -4.48 to -0.50], P = 0.01), serum potassium levels (MD, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.24], P < 0.00001), and levels of the renal fibrosis indicator laminin (MD, -8.84 [95% CI, -11.93 to -5.75], P < 0.00001). However, for the effect of estimated glomerular filtration rate (MD, 1.74 [95% CI, -0.87 to 4.35], P = 0.19) and diastolic blood pressure (MD, -0.51 [95% CI, -1.58 to 0.57], P = 0.36), the differences between the two groups were not significant. In addition, no noticeable difference was identified in the adverse events of hyperkalemia and cough between them. These findings suggest that eplerenone exerts beneficial effects on DN by significantly reducing urinary albumin or protein excretion, SBP, and laminin levels, without increasing the incidence of hyperkalemia and other adverse events.
Limited gene flow and pronounced population genetic structure of Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) in a Midwestern prairie remnant
Authors: Anthonysamy Whitney J. B. , Dreslik Michael J. , Baker Sarah J. , Davis Mark A. , Douglas Marlis R. , Douglas Michael E. , Phillips Christopher A.
Published: March 2022

As anthropogenic changes continue to ecologically stress wildlife, obtaining measures of gene flow and genetic diversity are crucial for evaluating population trends and considering management and conservation strategies for small, imperiled populations. In our study, we conducted a molecular assessment to expand on previous work to elucidate patterns of diversity and connectivity in the remaining disjunct Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) hibernacula in Illinois. We assayed genetic data for 327 samples collected during 1999–2015 from the Carlyle Lake study area across 21 microsatellite loci. We found hibernacula formed distinct genetic clusters corresponding to the three main study areas (Dam Recreation Areas, Eldon Hazlet State Park, and South Shore State Park). Genetic structuring and low estimates of dispersal indicated that connectivity among these study areas is limited and each is demographically independent. Hibernacula exhibited moderate levels of heterozygosity (0.60–0.73), but estimates of effective population size (5.2–41.0) were low and track census sizes generated via long-term mark-recapture data. Hibernacula at Carlyle Lake, which represent the only Eastern Massasauga remaining in Illinois, are vulnerable to future loss of genetic diversity through lack of gene flow as well as demographic and environmental stochastic processes. Our work highlights the need to include population-level genetic data in recovery planning and suggests that recovery efforts should focus on managing the three major study areas as separate conservation units in order to preserve and maintain long-term adaptive potential of these populations. Specific management goals should include improving connectivity among hibernacula, maintaining existing wet grassland habitat, and minimizing anthropogenic sources of mortality caused by habitat management (e.g., mowing, prescribed fire) and recreational activities. Our molecular study provides additional details about demographic parameters and connectivity at Carlyle Lake that can be used to guide recovery of Eastern Massasauga in Illinois and throughout its range.
Evaluation of a whole system approach to diet and healthy weight in the east of Scotland: Study protocol
Authors: Breslin Gavin , Wills Wendy , Bartington Suzanne , Bontoft Charis , Fakoya Olujoke , Freethy Imogen , Garcia-Iglesias Jaime , Howlett Neil , Jones Julia , Lebcir Reda , Lloyd Nigel , Newby Katie , Smeeton Nigel , Wagner Adam P. , Wellings Amander , Wellsted David , Brown Katherine
Published: March 2022

Obesity is a global epidemic affecting all age groups, populations and income levels across continents. The causes of obesity are complex and are routed in health behaviours, environmental factors, government policy and the cultural and built environment. Consequently, a Whole System Approach (WSA) which considers the many causes of obesity and shifts the focus away from individuals as points of intervention and puts an emphasis on understanding and improving the system in which people live in is required. This protocol describes a programme of research that will: critically evaluate the evidence for WSAs; assess longitudinally the implementation of a WSA to diet and healthy weight to explore the range of levers (drivers) and opportunities to influence relevant partnerships and interventions to target obesity in East Scotland. The programme consists of four workstreams within a mixed methods framework: 1) Systematic review of reviews of WSAs to diet and healthy weight; 2) Longitudinal qualitative process evaluation of implementing two WSAs in Scotland; 3) Quantitative and Qualitative momentary analysis evaluation of a WSA; and 4) the application of System Dynamics Modelling (SDM) methodology to two council areas in Scotland. A Public Involvement in Research group (PIRg) have informed each stage of the research process. The research programme’s breadth and its novel nature, mean that it will provide valuable findings for the increasing numbers who commission, deliver, support and evaluate WSAs to diet and healthy weight nationally and internationally.
Better survival of patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma in South Korea: Changes in 16-years cohorts
Authors: Choi Sang Il , Cho Yuri , Ki Moran , Kim Bo Hyun , Lee In Joon , Kim Tae Hyun , Kim Seong Hoon , Koh Young Hwan , Kim Hyun Beom , Hong Eun Kyung , Kim Chang-Min , Park Joong-Won
Published: March 2022

Aims

The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have decreased over time in South Korea, where hepatitis B virus (HBV) in endemic. This study investigated the changes in the characteristics and clinical outcomes of HCC patients in Korea.

Methods

Patients initially diagnosed with HCC and treated at the National Cancer Center, Korea between 2000 and 2015 (n = 4,291) were followed up until February 2017. Differences in patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between chronological cohorts: cohort A (2000–2004, n = 1,157) vs. B (2005–2009, n = 1,678) vs. C (2010–2015, n = 1,456).

Results

The median age of the patient cohort was 57 years (range, 13–98 years), and male predominance was noted (81.6%). HBV infection was the most common etiology (74.8%). The proportion of patients diagnosed with good liver function and small tumors (<2 cm) increased significantly over time: 74.6%, 79.9%, and 87.4% for Child–Pugh class A (p<0.001) and 8.0%, 8.5%, and 12.0% for modified UICC stage I (p<0.001) in cohorts A, B, and C, respectively. Median overall survival improved significantly over time: 14.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.0–16.8 months), 22.9 months (95% CI, 20.3–25.5 months), and 53.6 months (95% CI, 45.7–61.5 months) in cohorts A, B, and C, respectively. HBV-related patients showed significantly improved survival (12.7 vs. 20.4 vs. 64.5 months, p<0.001) associated with the use of antiviral treatments (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64–0.80).

Conclusions

The survival of patients with HCC, especially HBV-related HCC, has improved significantly over time in Korea.
Production of coffee-dyed bacterial cellulose as a bio-leather and using it as a dye adsorbent
Authors: Kim Hyunjin , Kim Hye Rim
Published: March 2022

Owing to its sustainability and environmentally friendliness, bacterial cellulose (BC) has received attention as a zero-waste textile material. Since the color of original BC was mostly yellowish white, a dyeing process is necessary to suggest BC as a textile. Thus, this study aimed to suggest a natural dyeing method using coffee to produce an eco-friendly coffee-dyed bacterial cellulose (BC-COF) bio-leather and to propose a reusing method as a dye adsorbent. To determine the dyeing and mordanting conditions with the highest color strength value, parameters such as dyeing temperature, time, mordanting methods were evaluated. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that BC-COF was successfully colorized with coffee without changing its chemical and crystalline structures. In addition, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis confirmed that coffee molecules were successfully incorporated into fiber structures of BC. The effects of pH, concentration, temperature, and time on the adsorption of methylene blue dye using BC-COF bio-leather were also evaluated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and zeta potential measurement. The results showed that BC-COF was found to be most effective when pH 6 of methylene blue solution with a concentration of 50 mg/L was adsorbed for 30 minutes at 25°C. Moreover, BC-COF could be reused for multiple times and had better dye adsorption rate compared to the original BC. From the results, it was confirmed that BC-COF could be employed as a dye adsorbent.
Development and validation of a deep learning model for detection of breast cancers in mammography from multi-institutional datasets
Authors: Ueda Daiju , Yamamoto Akira , Onoda Naoyoshi , Takashima Tsutomu , Noda Satoru , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Morisaki Tamami , Fukumoto Shinya , Shiba Masatsugu , Morimura Mina , Shimono Taro , Kageyama Ken , Tatekawa Hiroyuki , Murai Kazuki , Honjo Takashi , Shimazaki Akitoshi , Kabata Daijiro , Miki Yukio
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a state-of-the-art, deep learning (DL)-based model for detecting breast cancers on mammography.

Methods

Mammograms in a hospital development dataset, a hospital test dataset, and a clinic test dataset were retrospectively collected from January 2006 through December 2017 in Osaka City University Hospital and Medcity21 Clinic. The hospital development dataset and a publicly available digital database for screening mammography (DDSM) dataset were used to train and to validate the RetinaNet, one type of DL-based model, with five-fold cross-validation. The model’s sensitivity and mean false positive indications per image (mFPI) and partial area under the curve (AUC) with 1.0 mFPI for both test datasets were externally assessed with the test datasets.

Results

The hospital development dataset, hospital test dataset, clinic test dataset, and DDSM development dataset included a total of 3179 images (1448 malignant images), 491 images (225 malignant images), 2821 images (37 malignant images), and 1457 malignant images, respectively. The proposed model detected all cancers with a 0.45–0.47 mFPI and had partial AUCs of 0.93 in both test datasets.

Conclusions

The DL-based model developed for this study was able to detect all breast cancers with a very low mFPI. Our DL-based model achieved the highest performance to date, which might lead to improved diagnosis for breast cancer.
An atlas of robust microbiome associations with phenotypic traits based on large-scale cohorts from two continents
Authors: Rothschild Daphna , Leviatan Sigal , Hanemann Ariel , Cohen Yossi , Weissbrod Omer , Segal Eran
Published: March 2022

Numerous human conditions are associated with the microbiome, yet studies are inconsistent as to the magnitude of the associations and the bacteria involved, likely reflecting insufficiently employed sample sizes. Here, we collected diverse phenotypes and gut microbiota from 34,057 individuals from Israel and the U.S.. Analyzing these data using a much-expanded microbial genomes set, we derive an atlas of robust and numerous unreported associations between bacteria and physiological human traits, which we show to replicate in cohorts from both continents. Using machine learning models trained on microbiome data, we show prediction accuracy of human traits across two continents. Subsampling our cohort to smaller cohort sizes yielded highly variable models and thus sensitivity to the selected cohort, underscoring the utility of large cohorts and possibly explaining the source of discrepancies across studies. Finally, many of our prediction models saturate at these numbers of individuals, suggesting that similar analyses on larger cohorts may not further improve these predictions.