bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Size-selective characterization of porous media via tortuous network analysis
Authors: Ryu Brian K. , Zia Roseanna N.
Published: January 2022

Particle migration through gels, glasses, and other porous media provides selectivity, storage, and delivery of macromolecules and other particles that are critical to biological cell function, drug delivery, and water filtration. Modeling migration rates of solvent-borne colloids through such materials is thus essential in understanding and engineering the structure-transport relationship. However, most of these materials comprise an amorphously structured porous network not amenable to analytical modeling. Approaches to overcoming this challenge typically bypass interrogating the porous network by abstracting it away via mean-field models or by interrogating the solid features for a coarse estimate of porosity. While such approaches reduce analytical complexity significantly, resulting models cannot reveal interconnectedness of the void network, size-specific permeability, or insight into migration mechanisms. Other approaches aim to extract a network of void paths by approximating a medium as packing of monodisperse spheres and using traditional Voronoi decomposition, giving results that are accurate only when the constituent particles are monodisperse but strongly overpredict the passable size when the medium is made up of size-polydisperse particles, as is the case for colloidal gels, additive manufacturing, soil sediment, to name some examples. We use radical Voronoi decomposition to establish a network backbone of the porous microstructure, which accurately represents morphology for any degree of constituent polydispersity. We present an algorithm for endowing this network with the accurate size and shape and, from it, systematically deducing size-specific accessible branches. The result is a detailed permeability model for porous media of arbitrary microstructure that reveals material morphology, material phase, and size-specific permeability.
Sport Knowledge: The Effects of Division I Coach Communication on Student-Athlete Learning Indicators
Authors: Rey Rikishi T. , Cranmer Gregory A. , Browning Blair , Sanderson Jimmy
Published: January 2022

Sporting environments are informal contexts of learning that are dependent upon coaches’ use of effective instructional communication strategies. Coaches’ use of power while communicating instruction to athletes is especially germane, as coaches must appropriately use relational influence to inspire optimal athletic performance. Using French and Raven’s power bases (i.e., expert, referent, reward, legitimate, and coercive power), this study considers Division I student-athletes’ reports of affective learning for their sport and coaches, cognitive learning, state motivation, and team winning percentages as a function of their coaches’ use of power. Data collected from 170 student-athletes participating in team sports at Power 5 institutions revealed two significant canonical correlation roots. The first demonstrated that the increased use of prosocial power and avoidance of antisocial power were associated with greater amounts of affective learning for coaches, cognitive learning, and state motivation. The second revealed that expert power was associated with increases in cognitive learning and winning. This research has heuristic implications for expanding the assessment of athlete experience, as well as practical implications regarding the identification of effective modes of relational influence in coaching.
Measurement Properties of Clinically Accessible Movement Assessment Tools for Analyzing Jump Landings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lally Erin M. , Ericksen Hayley , Earl-Boehm Jennifer
Published: January 2022

Context: Lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury is commonly associated with poor movement patterns at the trunk, hip, and knee. Efforts have been focused on identifying poor lower-extremity movement using clinically friendly movement assessments, such as rubrics and 2D measures. Assessments used clinically or for research should have acceptable measurement properties, such as reliability and validity. However, the literature on reliability and validity of movement assessments to analyze jump landings has not been summarized. Objective: To systematically review measurement properties of rubrics and 2D measurements that aim to classify movement quality during jump landings. Evidence Acquisition: The search strategy was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. The search was performed in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments multiphase procedure was used to extract relevant data, evaluate methodological quality of each study, score the results of each movement assessment, and synthesize the evidence. Evidence Synthesis: Twenty-two studies were included after applying eligibility criteria. Reliability and construct validity of the landing error scoring system were acceptable. Criterion validity of 2D knee flexion angle and medial knee displacement is acceptable. Reliability of 2D knee ankle separation ratio and knee frontal plane projection angle are acceptable. Conclusion: The landing error scoring system is a valid way to determine poor movement quality and injury risk. Measures of 2D knee flexion angle and medial knee displacement are valid alternatives for 3D knee flexion angle and knee abduction moment, respectively. Knee ankle separation ratio and knee frontal plane projection angle are reliable but lack validity justifying their clinical use.
3D-printed flexible organic light-emitting diode displays
Authors: Su Ruitao , Park Sung Hyun , Ouyang Xia , Ahn Song Ih , McAlpine Michael C.
Published: January 2022

OLED arrays were fully 3D-printed under ambient conditions to produce a flexible information display technology.
A diverse fibroblastic stromal cell landscape in the spleen directs tissue homeostasis and immunity
Authors: Alexandre Yannick O. , Schienstock Dominik , Lee Hyun Jae , Gandolfo Luke C. , Williams Cameron G. , Devi Sapna , Pal Bhupinder , Groom Joanna R. , Cao Wang , Christo Susan N. , Gordon Claire L. , Starkey Graham , D’Costa Rohit , Mackay Laura K. , Haque Ashraful , Ludewig Burkhard , Belz Gabrielle T. , Mueller Scott N.
Published: January 2022

A diverse fibroblastic stromal cell landscape in the spleen directs tissue homeostasis and immunity.
Community-based HIV self-testing: a cluster-randomised trial of supply-side financial incentives and time-trend analysis of linkage to antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe
Authors: Sibanda Euphemia Lindelwe , Neuman Melissa , Tumushime Mary , Mangenah Collin , Hatzold Karin , Watadzaushe Constancia , Mutseta Miriam N , Dirawo Jeffrey , Napierala Sue , Ncube Getrude , Terris-Prestholt Fern , Taegtmeyer Miriam , Johnson Cheryl , Fielding Katherine L , Weiss Helen A , Corbett Elizabeth , Cowan Frances M
Published: January 2022

Background

HIV self-testing (HIVST) requires linkage to post-test services to maximise its benefits. We evaluated effect of supply-side incentivisation on linkage following community-based HIVST and evaluated time-trends in facility-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiations.

Methods

From August 2016 to August 2017 community-based distributors (CBDs) in 38 rural Zimbabwean communities distributed HIVST door-to-door in 19–25 day campaigns. Communities were allocated (1:1) using constrained randomisation to either one-off US$50 remuneration per CBD (non-incentive arm), or US$50 plus US$0.20 incentive per client visiting mobile-outreach services (conditional-incentive arm). The primary outcome, assessed by population survey 6 weeks later, was self-reported uptake of any clinic service, analysed with random-effects logistic regression. Separately, non-randomised difference-in-differences in monthly ART initiations were analysed for three time periods (6 months baseline; HIVST campaign; 3 months after) at public clinics with (40 clinics) and without (124 clinics) HIVST distribution in catchment area.

Findings

A total of 445 conditional-incentive CBDs distributed 39 205 HIVST kits (mean/CBD: 88; 95% CI: 85 to 92) and 447 non-incentive CBDs distributed 41 173 kits (mean/CBD: 93; 95% CI: 89 to 96). Survey participation was 7146/8566 (83.4%), with 3593 (50.3%) reporting self-testing including 1305 (18.3%) previously untested individuals. Use of clinic services post-HIVST was similar in conditional-incentive (1062/3698, 28.7%) and non-incentive (1075/3448, 31.2%) arms (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 0.94, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.03). Confirmatory testing by newly diagnosed/untreated HIVST+clients was, however, higher (conditional-incentive: 25/33, 75.8% vs non-incentive: 20/40, 50.0%: aRR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.39). In total, 12 808 ART initiations occurred, with no baseline or postcampaign differences between initiation rates in HIVST versus non-HIVST clinics, but initiation rates increased from 7.31 to 9.59 initiations per month in HIVST clinics during distribution, aRR: 1.27, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.39.

Conclusions

Community-based HIVST campaigns achieved high testing uptake, temporally associated with increased demand for ART. Small supply-side incentives did not affect general clinic usage but may have increased confirmatory testing for newly diagnosed HIVST positive participants.

Trial registration number

PACTR201607001701788.
Relative efficiency of demand creation strategies to increase voluntary medical male circumcision uptake: a study conducted as part of a randomised controlled trial in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mangenah Collin , Mavhu Webster , Garcia Diego Cerecero , Gavi Chiedza , Mleya Polite , Chiwawa Progress , Chidawanyika Sandra , Ncube Getrude , Xaba Sinokuthemba , Mugurungi Owen , Taruberekera Noah , Madidi Ngonidzashe , Fielding Katherine L , Johnson Cheryl , Hatzold Karin , Terris-Prestholt Fern , Cowan Frances M , Bautista-Arredondo Sergio
Published: January 2022

Background

Supply and demand-side factors continue to undermine voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) uptake. We assessed relative economic costs of four VMMC demand creation/service-delivery modalities as part of a randomised controlled trial in Zimbabwe.

Methods

Interpersonal communication agents were trained and incentivised to generate VMMC demand across five districts using four demand creation modalities (standard demand creation (SDC), demand creation plus offer of HIV self-testing (HIVST), human-centred design (HCD)-informed approach, HCD-informed demand creation approach plus offer of HIVST). Annual provider financial expenditure analysis and activity-based-costing including time-and-motion analysis across 15 purposively selected sites accounted for financial expenditures and donated inputs from other programmes and funders. Sites represented three models of VMMC service-delivery: static (fixed) model offering VMMC continuously to walk-in clients at district hospitals and serving as a district hub for integrated mobile and outreach services, (2) integrated (mobile) modelwhere staff move from the district static (fixed) site with their commodities to supplement existing services or to recently capacitated health facilities, intermittently and (3) mobile/outreach model offering VMMC through mobile clinic services in more remote sites.

Results

Total programme cost was $752 585 including VMMC service-delivery costs and average cost per client reached and cost per circumcision were $58 and $174, respectively. Highest costs per client reached were in the HCD arm—$68 and lowest costs in standard demand creation ($52) and HIVST ($55) arms, respectively. Highest cost per client circumcised was observed in the arm where HIVST and HCD were combined ($226) and the lowest in the HCD alone arm ($160). Across the three VMMC service-delivery models, unit cost was lowest in static (fixed) model ($54) and highest in integrated mobile model ($63). Overall, economies of scale were evident with unit costs lower in sites with higher numbers of clients reached and circumcised.

Conclusions

There was high variability in unit costs across arms and sites suggesting opportunities for cost reductions. Highest costs were observed in the HCD+HIVST arm when combined with an integrated service-delivery setting. Mobilisation programmes that intensively target higher conversion rates as exhibited in the SDC and HCD arms provide greater scope for efficiency by spreading costs.

Trial registration number

PACTR201804003064160.
ART initiations following community-based distribution of HIV self-tests: meta-analysis and meta-regression of STAR Initiative data
Authors: Neuman Melissa , Fielding Katherine L , Ayles Helen , Cowan Frances M , Hensen Bernadette , Indravudh Pitchaya P , Johnson Cheryl , Sibanda Euphemia Lindelwe , Hatzold Karin , Corbett Elizabeth Lucy
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Measuring linkage after community-based testing, particularly HIV self-testing (HIVST), is challenging. Here, we use data from studies of community-based HIVST distribution, conducted within the STAR Initiative, to assess initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and factors driving differences in linkage rates.

Methods

Five STAR studies evaluated HIVST implementation in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. New ART initiations during the months of intervention at clinics in HIVST and comparison areas were presented graphically, and study effects combined using meta-analysis. Meta-regression was used to estimate associations between the impact of community-based HIVST distribution and indicators of implementation context, intensity and reach. Effect size estimates used (1) prespecified trial definitions of ART timing and comparator facilities and (2) exploratory definitions accounting for unexpected diffusion of HIVST into comparison areas and periods with less distribution of HIVST than was expected.

Results

Compared with arms with standard testing only, ART initiations were higher in clinics in HIVST distribution areas in 4/5 studies. The prespecified meta-analysis found positive but variable effects of HIVST on facility ART initiations (RR: 1.14, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.40; p=0.21). The exploratory meta-analysis found a stronger impact of HIVST distribution on ART initiations (RR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.55, p=0.02).

ART initiations were higher in studies with greater self-reported population-level intensity of HIVST use (RR: 1.12; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.21; p=0.02.), but did not differ by national-level indicators of ART use among people living with HIV, number of HIVST kits distributed per 1000 population, or self-reported knowledge of how to link to care after a reactive HIVST.

Conclusion

Community-based HIVST distribution has variable effect on ART initiations compared with standard testing service alone. Optimising both support for and approach to measurement of effective and timely linkage or relinkage to HIV care and prevention following HIVST is needed to maximise impact and guide implementation strategies.
Comparison of community-led distribution of HIV self-tests kits with distribution by paid distributors: a cluster randomised trial in rural Zimbabwean communities
Authors: Sibanda Euphemia Lindelwe , Mangenah Collin , Neuman Melissa , Tumushime Mary , Watadzaushe Constancia , Mutseta Miriam N , Maringwa Galven , Dirawo Jeffrey , Fielding Katherine L , Johnson Cheryl , Ncube Getrude , Taegtmeyer Miriam , Hatzold Karin , Corbett Elizabeth Lucy , Terris-Prestholt Fern , Cowan Frances M
Published: January 2022

Background

We compared community-led versus an established community-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) model in rural Zimbabwe using a cluster-randomised trial.

Methods

Forty village groups were randomised 1:1 using restricted randomisation to community-led HIVST, where communities planned and implemented HIVST distribution for 4 weeks, or paid distribution (PD), where distributors were paid US$50 to distribute kits door-to-door over 4 weeks. Individual level primary outcomes compared household survey responses by arm 4 months post-intervention for: (1) newly diagnosed HIV during/within 4 months following HIVST distribution, (2) linkage to confirmatory testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis or voluntary medical male circumcision during/within 4 months following HIVST distribution. Participants were not masked to allocation; analysis used masked data. Trial analysis used random-effects logistic regression.

Distribution costs compared: (1) community-led HIVST, (2) PD HIVST and (3) PD costs when first implemented in 2016/2017.

Results

From October 2018 to August 2019, 27 812 and 36 699 HIVST kits were distributed in community-led and PD communities, respectively. We surveyed 11 150 participants and 5683 were in community-led arm. New HIV diagnosis was reported by 211 (3.7%) community-led versus 197 (3.6%) PD arm participants, adjusted OR (aOR) 1.1 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.56); 318 (25.9%) community-led arm participants linked to post-test services versus 361 (23.9%) in PD arm, aOR 1.1 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.49.

Cost per HIVST kit distributed was US$6.29 and US$10.25 for PD and community-led HIVST, both lower than 2016/2017 costs for newly implemented PD (US$14.52). No social harms were reported.

Conclusions

Community-led HIVST can perform as well as paid distribution, with lower costs in the first year. These costs may reduce with programme maturity/learning.

Trial registration number

PACTR201811849455568.
The cost effectiveness and optimal configuration of HIV self-test distribution in South Africa: a model analysis
Authors: Jamieson Lise , Johnson Leigh F , Matsimela Katleho , Sande Linda Alinafe , d'Elbée Marc , Majam Mohammed , Johnson Cheryl , Chidarikire Thato , Hatzold Karin , Terris-Prestholt Fern , Nichols Brooke , Meyer-Rath Gesine
Published: January 2022

Background

HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been shown to be acceptable, feasible and effective in increasing HIV testing uptake. Novel testing strategies are critical to achieving the UNAIDS target of 95% HIV-positive diagnosis by 2025 in South Africa and globally.

Methods

We modelled the impact of six HIVST kit distribution modalities (community fixed-point, taxi ranks, workplace, partners of primary healthcare (PHC) antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients), partners of pregnant women, primary PHC distribution) in South Africa over 20 years (2020–2039), using data collected alongside the Self-Testing AfRica Initiative. We modelled two annual distribution scenarios: (A) 1 million HIVST kits (current) or (B) up to 6.7 million kits. Incremental economic costs (2019 US$) were estimated from the provider perspective; assumptions on uptake and screening positivity were based on surveys of a subset of kit recipients and modelled using the Thembisa model. Cost-effectiveness of each distribution modality compared with the status-quo distribution configuration was estimated as cost per life year saved (estimated from life years lost due to AIDS) and optimised using a fractional factorial design.

Results

The largest impact resulted from secondary HIVST distribution to partners of ART patients at PHC (life years saved (LYS): 119 000 (scenario A); 393 000 (scenario B)). However, it was one of the least cost-effective modalities (A: $1394/LYS; B: $4162/LYS). Workplace distribution was cost-saving ($52–$76 million) and predicted to have a moderate epidemic impact (A: 40 000 LYS; B: 156 000 LYS). An optimised scale-up to 6.7 million tests would result in an almost threefold increase in LYS compared with a scale-up of status-quo distribution (216 000 vs 75 000 LYS).

Conclusion

Optimisation-informed distribution has the potential to vastly improve the impact of HIVST. Using this approach, HIVST can play a key role in improving the long-term health impact of investment in HIVST.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and mortality of zoonotic diseases in China
Authors: Ma Chenjin , Guo Xiangyu , Wang Lan , Li Wang , Liu Shelan , Lin Feng , Xu Wangli
Published: January 2022

Background

It has been reported that strict non-pharmaceutical measures can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality of respiratory and intestinal infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are limited reports on the impact in terms of the rates of zoonotic diseases.

Methods

We extracted the incidence and mortality data of eight notifiable infectious zoonotic diseases from the website of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China for the period of January 2015 to April 2021.

Results

First, the overall incidence of zoonotic diseases decreased from 0.3714 per 100 000 in 2015–2019 to 0.2756 in 2020 (25.79% reduction, p<0.001); however, a dramatic increase in activity was seen in 2021 compared with 2020 (0.4478 per 100 000 in 2021, 62.47% increase, p<0.001). Anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis and hydatid disease exhibited significant upward trends in 2021. Second, analysed further by stages, the monthly incidence in the routine stage (from May to December 2020) was much higher than that in the emergency stage of the COVID-19 (from January to April 2020) (55.33% increase, p<0.001). We also found that the monthly observed incidence was significantly lower than the predicted incidence of a 10.29% reduction in the emergency stage. Third, no differences were seen in mortality between 2021 and 2020, while a significant decline was found in 2020 compared with the previous 5 years (72.70%, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Strict containment and feasible suppression strategies during the 2020 period of the COVID-19 pandemic had positive impacts on the overall incidence of zoonotic diseases in China. However, anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis and hydatid diseases might increase with the relaxation of non-pharmacological interventions in 2021.
Tai Chi and other mind–body interventions for cancer-related fatigue: an updated systematic review and network meta-analyses protocol
Authors: Fu Hong-Juan , Zhou Hao , Tang Yong , Li Jie , Zhang Da , Ding Song-Yi , Huang Qin-Wan , Wang Chao
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in patients with cancer and is responsible for a reduced quality of life. There is a strong evidence base for mind–body interventions (MBIs) to manage cancer-related fatigue (CRF). However, the efficacy of Tai Chi and other MBIs in the treatment of CRF remains controversial.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a systematic review and network meta-analyses (NMAs) that aim to assess the effects of Tai Chi and other MBIs in patients with CRF. The following databases will be searched from their inception to 1 August 2021: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, OVID, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Database and Wan Fang Digital Journals. We will include randomised controlled trials that compare MBIs with no treatment, placebo and usual care in the treatment of CRF. The primary outcome will be changes in the fatigue state as evaluated by validated scales. We will perform a Bayesian NMA to analyse all the evidence for each outcome. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve and the mean ranks will be used to rank the various treatments. We will assess the quality of evidence contributing to network estimates of outcomes using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system framework.

Ethics and dissemination

This NMAs will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Since no individual patient data will be involved in the review, ethics approval and concerns about privacy are not needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021244999.
Family carer needs in advanced disease: systematic review of reviews
Authors: Marco David John-Tom , Thomas Kristina , Ivynian Serra , Wilding Helen , Parker Deborah , Tieman Jennifer , Hudson Peter
Published: January 2022

Background

Family carers are vital in the management and delivery of home-based palliative care. Decision-makers need to know what the most commonly expressed unmet needs of family carers are to target available support services.

Aim

To identify the most commonly expressed needs of family carers of people with an advanced disease, assess the quality of current evidence, and set an agenda for future research and clinical practice.

Design

A systematic review of reviews, prospectively registered on PROSPERO. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for systematic reviews and research syntheses.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Informit and Cochrane Library were searched for reviews about the needs of carers looking after patients with advanced disease from 2010 to 2020.

Results

Findings from 21 reviews identified emotional support, disease-specific knowledge, carer role responsibilities, self-care and general practical support as the most commonly expressed needs expressed by family carers. Additionally, access to professional services, formal education opportunities and communication with health professionals were identified as caregivers’ preferred ways of having these needs met. Extraction of carer-specific needs was challenging at times as results were often combined with patient results in reviews.

Conclusion

Practical difficulties exist in effectively resourcing services to meet the needs of family carers. Information regarding the most commonly expressed needs shared by caregivers and their preferred delivery source can provide an opportunity to focus available support services to achieve the highest possible impact for carers of patients with advanced disease.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018088678.
Mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), C-reactive protein (CRP) and other biomarkers in the early identification of disease progression in patients with COVID-19 in the acute NHS setting
Authors: Moore Nathan , Williams Rebecca , Mori Matilde , Bertolusso Beatrice , Vernet Gabrielle , Lynch Jessica , Philipson Pete , Ledgerwood Thomas , Kidd Stephen P , Thomas Claire , Garcia-Arias Veronica , Young Michelle , Saeed Kordo , Gordon Kirsty , Cortes Nicholas
Published: January 2022

Aims

There is a lack of biomarkers validated for assessing clinical deterioration in patients with COVID-19 on presentation to secondary or tertiary care. This evaluation looked at the potential clinical application of C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and white cell count to support prediction of clinical outcomes.

Methods

135 patients presenting to Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust between April and June 2020 confirmed to have COVID-19 via reverse-transcription-qPCR were included. Biomarkers from within 24 hours of presentation were used to predict disease progression by Cox regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves. The endpoints assessed were 30-day all-cause mortality, intubation and ventilation, critical care admission and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) use.

Results

Elevated MR-proADM was shown to have the greatest ability to predict 30-day mortality adjusting for age, cardiovascular disease, renal disease and neurological disease. A significant association was also noted between raised MR-proADM and CRP concentrations and the requirement for critical care admission and NIV.

Conclusions

The measurement of MR-proADM and CRP in patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection on admission shows significant potential to support clinicians in identifying those at increased risk of disease progression and need for higher level care, subsequently enabling prompt escalation in clinical interventions.
Gene of the month: NKX3.1
Authors: Griffin Jon , Chen Yuqing , Catto James W F , El-Khamisy Sherif
Published: January 2022

NKX3.1 is a multifaceted protein with roles in prostate development and protection from oxidative stress. Acting as a pioneer factor, NKX3.1 interacts with chromatin at enhancers to help integrate androgen regulated signalling. In prostate cancer, NKX3.1 activity is frequently reduced through a combination of mutational and post-translational events. Owing to its specificity for prostate tissue, NKX3.1 has found use as an immunohistochemical marker in routine histopathology practice.
Occupation and COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and ICU admission among foreign-born and Swedish-born employees: a register-based study
Authors: Nwaru Chioma Adanma , Santosa Ailiana , Franzén Stefan , Nyberg Fredrik
Published: January 2022

Background

Research on occupation and risk of COVID-19 among foreign-born workers is lacking. We investigated whether working in essential occupations was associated with COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and intensive care unit (ICU) admission and whether foreign-born workers in similar occupations as Swedish-born individuals had a higher risk of the studied outcomes.

Methods

Occupational data (2018–2019) of 326 052 employees (20–65 years) who were resident in Sweden as of 1 January 2020 were linked to COVID-19 data registered from 1 January 2020 to 28 February 2021. We analysed the risk of COVID-19 outcomes in different occupational groups and in four immigrant/occupation intersectional groups using Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustments for sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics and pre-existing comorbidities.

Results

We identified 29797, 1069 and 152 cases of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisations and ICU admissions, respectively, in our cohort. Workers in essential occupations had an elevated risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation, and ICU admissions. Healthcare workers had a higher risk of all the outcomes compared with other essential workers. Relative to Swedish-born workers in non-essential occupations, foreign-born workers in essential occupations had 1.85 (95% CI 1.78 to 1.93), 3.80 (95% CI 3.17 to 4.55) and 3.79 (95% CI 2.33 to 6.14) times higher risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and ICU admission, respectively. The corresponding risks among Swedish-born workers in essential occupations were 1.44 (95% CI 1.40 to 1.49), 1.30 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.56) and 1.46 (95% CI 0.90 to 2.38).

Conclusion

Occupation was associated with COVID-19 outcomes and contributed to the burden of COVID-19 among foreign-born individuals in this study.
Hepatic stellate cell activation and senescence induced by intrahepatic microbiota disturbances drive progression of liver cirrhosis toward hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Boyuan , Zhou Zewei , Jin Yu , Lu Jinying , Feng Dongju , Peng Rui , Sun Hua , Mu Xiaoxin , Li Changxian , Chen Yun
Published: January 2022

Background

The significance of the relationship between the microbiota and diseases is increasingly being recognized. However, the characterization of tumor microbiome and their precise molecular mechanisms through which microbiota promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development are still unclear.

Methods

The intrahepatic microbiota was investigated from tumor, normal adjacent tissues in 46 patients with HCC and normal hepatic tissues in 33 patients with hemangioma by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Taxonomic composition differences in patients were evaluated using Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LefSe) and Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) to predict microbial functional pathways. Associations between the most relevant taxa and clinical characteristics of HCC patients were analyzed by Spearman rank correlations. The effects of microbe on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and HCC progression were examined.

Results

We observed intrahepatic microbiota disturbances by reduced microbial diversity in HCC. The tumor microbiota of the HCC patients with cirrhosis showed higher abundance ofStenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia).S. maltophiliaprovoked senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in HSCs by activating TLR-4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway, which in turn induced NLRP3 inﬂammasome complex formation and secreted various inflammatory factors in the liver, thus facilitating HCC progression in mice. Moreover, signs of SASP were also observed in the HSCs in the area of HCC with higherS. maltophiliaenrichment arising in patients with cirrhosis.

Conclusions

Our analysis of the hepatic microbiota revealed for the first time that patients with HCC exhibited a dysbiotic microbial community with higherS. maltophiliaabundance, which induced the expression SASP factors of HSCs and cirrhosis in the liver, concurring in the process of hepatocarcinogenesis.
Membrane attack complex (MAC) deposition in renal tubules is associated with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy: a pilot study
Authors: Wang Shudan , Wu Ming , Chiriboga Luis , Zeck Briana , Goilav Beatrice , Wang Shuwei , Jimenez Alejandra Londono , Putterman Chaim , Schwartz Daniel , Pullman James , Broder Anna , Belmont H Michael
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Treatment failures for lupus nephritis (LN) are high with 10%–30% of patients progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within 10 years. Interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA) is a predictor of progression to ESRD. Prior studies suggest that tubulointerstitial injury secondary to proteinuria in LN is mediated by complement activation in the tubules, specifically through the membrane attack complex (MAC). This study aimed to investigate the associations between tubular MAC deposition with IFTA and proteinuria.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, LN kidney biopsies were assessed for MAC deposition by staining for Complement C9, a component of the MAC. Chromogenic immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin-embedded human renal biopsy sections using unconjugated, murine anti-human Complement C9 (Hycult Biotech, clone X197). Tubular C9 staining intensity was analysed as present versus absent. IFTA was defined as minimal (<10%), mild (10%–24%), moderate (25%–50%) and severe (>50%).

Results

Renal biopsies from 30 patients with LN were studied. There were 24 (80%) female sex, mean age (SD) was 33 (12) years old and 23 (77%) had pure/mixed proliferative LN. Tubular C9 staining was present in 7 (23%) biopsies. 27 patients had minimal-to-mild IFTA and 3 patients had moderate IFTA. Among the C9 + patients, 3 (43%) had moderate IFTA as compared with none in the C9- group, p=0.009. C9 + patients had higher median (IQR) proteinuria as compared with C9- patients: 6.2 g (3.3–13.1) vs 2.4 g (1.3–4.6), p=0.001 at the time of biopsy. There was no difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between the C9 + and C9- groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that tubular MAC deposition is associated with higher degree of IFTA and proteinuria, which are predictors of progression to ESRD. These results suggest that tubular MAC deposition may be useful in classification of LN. Understanding the role of complement in tubulointerstitial injury will also identify new avenues for LN treatment.
Hydroxychloroquine PK and exposure-response in pregnancies with lupus: the importance of adherence for neonatal outcomes
Authors: Balevic Stephen J , Weiner Daniel , Clowse Megan E B , Eudy Amanda M , Maharaj Anil R , Hornik Christoph P , Cohen-Wolkowiez Michael , Gonzalez Daniel
Published: January 2022

Objective

Evaluate the impact of pregnancy physiology and medication non-adherence on serum hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) pharmacokinetics (PK) and exposure-response in SLE.

Methods

We conducted a PK analysis using data from two observational pregnancy registries. We enrolled pregnant women with SLE taking HCQ at least 3 months prior to, and throughout pregnancy, and excluded those with multiple gestations. Using the PK model, we conducted dosing simulations and imputed 0%/20%/40%/60% non-adherence to evaluate the impact of adherence versus physiological changes on HCQ concentrations. We compared the effect of pregnancy-average non-adherent concentrations (≤100 ng/mL vs >100 ng/mL) on preterm birth using adjusted logistic regression.

Results

We enrolled 56 women who had 61 pregnancies. By the third trimester, mean apparent HCQ clearance increased by 59.6%. At a dosage of 400 mg/day, fully adherent patients are expected to have HCQ concentrations ≤100 ng/mL only 0.3% of the time, compared with 24.2% when 60% of doses are missed. Persistently low HCQ concentrations throughout pregnancy were associated with a significantly higher odds of preterm birth, controlling for lupus nephritis and race (OR 11.2; 95% CI 2.3 to 54.2; p=0.003).

Conclusions

We observed significant changes in HCQ PK during pregnancy, resulting in a shortening in the drug’s half-life by 10 days; however, medication non-adherence had a more pronounced effect on HCQ exposure compared with physiological changes alone. Moreover, pregnant women with non-adherent HCQ concentrations had significantly higher rates of preterm birth. Accordingly, optimising adherence in pregnancy may be more clinically meaningful than adjusting HCQ dosage to account for physiological changes. PK modelling indicates that serum HCQ concentrations ≤100 ng/mL are suggestive of non-adherence regardless of trimester and may help identify pregnancies at risk for poor outcomes.
Arguments for ‘ocular donation’ as standardised terminology to reduce the ‘ick factor’ of ‘eye donation’
Authors: Bramstedt Katrina A
Published: January 2022

This brief report presents the global problem of the shortfall of donor corneal tissue for transplantation, a potential root cause (‘ick factor’ language), and a potential solution (modification of ‘ick factor’ language). Specifically, use of the term ‘eye donation’ is a potential hurdle to ocular tissue donation as it can stimulate the ‘ick factor.’ Verbiage such as ‘ocular (eye tissue)’ could be a method of providing terminology that is less emotive than ‘eye donor’ or ‘eye donation.’ The field of transplantation has experienced terminology shifts over time; for example, ‘cadaver’ has been replaced with ‘deceased donor,’ ‘harvest’ has been replaced with ‘recover,’ and ‘life support’ has been replaced with ‘ventilated.’ Notably, only a small number of regions worldwide are using ‘ocular’ terminology, yet it could be an important step to enhancing the informed consent process and improving donation rates, potentially increasing transplant and optimising patient quality of life for those with treatable blindness.
Classifying European cigarette consumption trajectories from 1970 to 2015
Authors: Poirier Mathieu JP , Lin Gigi , Watson Leah K , Hoffman Steven J
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To systematically code and classify longitudinal cigarette consumption trajectories in European countries since 1970.

Design

Blinded duplicate qualitative coding of periods of year-over-year relative increase, plateau, and decrease of national per capita cigarette consumption and categorisation of historical cigarette consumption trajectories based on longitudinal patterns emerging from the data.

Setting

41 countries or former countries in the European region for which data are available between 1970 and 2015.

Results

Regional trends in longitudinal consumption patterns identify stable or decreasing consumption throughout Northern, Western and Southern European countries, while Eastern and Southeastern European countries experienced much greater instability. The 11 emergent classes of historical cigarette consumption trajectories were also regionally clustered, including a distinctive inverted U or sine wave pattern repeatedly emerging from former Soviet and Southeastern European countries.

Conclusions

The open-access data produced by this study can be used to conduct comparative international evaluations of tobacco control policies by separating impacts likely attributable to gradual long-term trends from those more likely attributable to acute short-term events. The complex, regionally clustered historical trajectories of cigarette consumption in Europe suggest that the enduring normative frame of a gently sloping downward curve in cigarette consumption can offer a false sense of security among policymakers and can distract from plausible causal mechanisms among researchers. These multilevel and multisectoral causal mechanisms point to the need for a greater understanding of the political economy of regional and global determinants of cigarette consumption.
Unraveling aerobic cultivable cellulolytic microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract of sheep (Ovis aries) and their evaluation for cellulose biodegradation
Authors: Yang Jie , Zhao Jie , Wang Bobo , Yu Zhisheng
Published: January 2022

Anaerobic cellulolytic microbes in the gastrointestinal tract (GT) of ruminants have been well-documented; however, knowledge of aerobic microbes with cellulolytic activities in the ruminant GT is comparably limited. Here, we unraveled aerobic cultivable cellulolytic microbes in the GT of Ujimqin sheep (Ovis aries) and evaluated the cellulolytic potential of the promising isolates. Twenty-two strains were found to possess cellulose-degrading potential by Congo-red staining and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA/ITS sequence revealed that all strains belonged to nine genera, i.e., Bacillus, Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, Brachybacterium, Sanguibacter, Rhizobium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus. Strains with high cellulolytic activity were selected to further evaluate the activities of various enzymes in lignocellulosic alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa). Among them, isolate Bacillus subtilis RE2510 showed the highest potential for cellulose degradation, considering the high endoglucanase (0.1478 ± 0.0014 IU mL−1), exoglucanase (0.1735 ± 0.0012 IU mL−1), and β-glucosidase (0.3817 ± 0.0031 IU mL−1) after 10-day incubation with alfalfa hay. A significant destruction effect of the cellulose structure and the attachment of B. subtilis RE2510 to the hay were also revealed using a scanning electron microscope. This study expands our knowledge of aerobic cellulolytic isolates from the GT of sheep and highlights their potential application as a microbial additive in the aerobic process of cellulose bioconversion.
Helmoltz problem for the Riccati equation from an analogous Friedmann equation
Authors: Faraoni Valerio
Published: January 2022

We report a solution of the inverse Lagrangian problem for the first order Riccati differential equation by means of an analogy with the Friedmann equation of a suitable Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker universe in general relativity. This analogous universe has fine-tuned parameters and is unphysical, but it suggests a Lagrangian and a Hamiltonian for the Riccati equation and for the many physical systems described by it.
Fermat’s principle and the effect of jerk on light motion near the Sun
Authors: El-Nabulsi Rami Ahmad , Anukool Waranont
Published: January 2022

In classical mechanics, in the case of gravitational and electromagnetic interactions, the force on a particle is usually proportional to its acceleration: The force acts locally on the particle. However, there are situations possible-if the particle moves through a suitable medium, for example, in which the force depends also on the first-time derivative of its acceleration, the jerk, and on its second-time derivative, the snap, and possibly also on higher-time derivatives. Such forces are called nonlocal, and this work investigates such nonlocal forces, mainly those depending on the jerk. In particular, we implement jerk and acceleration in geodesics by means of the nonlocal-in-time kinetic energy approach to spacetime physics. We describe a framework that can be used to estimate the quantum nonlocal time parameter by studying the deflection of light around the Sun. Comparing our results with long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations, we concluded that the nonlocal time parameter [Formula: see text] s.
Intelligent Early Warning Method Based on Drone Inspection
Authors: Li Qijuan , Xu Yue
Published: January 2022

Commonly used UAV emergency inspection methods are executed by the instructions of the ground command center. The response rate depends on the stability of the communication network and the rapid response ability of the commander. The critical time window is fleeting, which is likely to cause unnecessary loss. Crisis rapid response capability has become the key to measuring system capabilities. In order to improve the system’s rapid response capability, a method of deploying decision-making agents on airborne computers and ground early warning systems is proposed. This early warning method uses key technologies such as multi-network integration, situation assessment, neural network architecture, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and intelligent cognitive reasoning to effectively ensure the effectiveness of crisis warning. The early warning method of the early warning system is as follows: the mission computer uniformly collects the flight control status parameters, the load status parameters and the load real-time data form a composite information flow. The task computer adopts the methods of protocol conversion, data classification, and danger recognition to the compound information flow to identify the crisis information and make a preliminary analysis and judgment of the crisis state. If it is determined that it is necessary to track the target in real time, the initial task assignment and parameter adjustment of the load are carried out, and the continuous tracking of the task target is carried out to realize the rapid response to the crisis on the edge side. At the same time, the composite data are downloaded to the command center. The command center performs the secondary crisis analysis and risk level determination and outputs the crisis plan deduced by the agent to realize the strategy assistance. The accuser refers to the plan strategy and issues instructions to the task computer, and the task computer receives it. Instruction and secondary adjustment and optimization of the load parameters. If there is a flight route adjustment instruction, the adjustment route will be sent to the flight controller, which greatly improves the flexibility and efficiency of handling the crisis in the UAV inspection process. By adopting this set of early warning methods, it can provide users with an updated, faster and more efficient way to realize the early warning requirements in drone inspections, which is a new breakthrough in the field of drone command methods.
A Stretchable Strain Sensor Based on CNTs/GR for Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Chen Delin , Zhao Hongmei , Yang Weidong , Wang Dawei , Huang Xiaowei , Miao Dagang
Published: January 2022

Flexible/stretchable strain sensors have attracted much attention due to their advantages for human-computer interaction, smart wearable and human monitoring. However, there are still great challenges on gaining super durability, quick response, and wide sensing range. This paper provides a simple process to obtain a sensor which is based on graphene (GR)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Ecoflex hybrid, which demonstrates superb endurance (over 1000 cycles at 100% strain), remarkable sensitivity (strain over 125% sensitivity up to 20) and wide sensing range (175%). All results indicate that it is capable for human movement monitoring, such as finger and knee bending and pulse beat. Most importantly, it can be used as a warning function for the night cyclist’s ride. This research provides the feasibility of using this sensor for practical applications.