bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Movement Impairments and Function, Treatment Recommendations, and Treatment Plans for People With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
Authors: Brown-Taylor Lindsey , Pendley Chase , Glaws Kathryn , Vasileff W Kelton , Ryan John , Harris-Hayes Marcie , Di Stasi Stephanie L
Published: July 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe movement impairments for persons with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and their association with function, treatment recommendations, and treatment plans.

Methods

This report is a secondary, observational analysis of a clinical trial dataset in which participants received an interdisciplinary evaluation from a surgeon and physical therapist. The therapist documented frontal and sagittal plane movement impairments across 6 functional tasks. Associations between number of impairments in each plane and function (33-item International Hip Outcome Tool [iHOT33]) were evaluated using Pearson or Spearman correlations. Joint provider recommendations (physical therapist and surgeon) and participant-reported treatment plans were dichotomized based on the inclusion of physical therapy or not. Logistic regressions were used to examine the effects of (1) iHOT33, total movement impairments, and previous physical therapist treatment on joint provider recommendation and (2) these same variables along with joint provider recommendation on participant treatment plan; prevalence ratios and 95% CIs were reported for significant contributors.

Results

Thirty-nine participants demonstrated an average iHOT33 of 35.0 (SD = 19.5) and presented with a median 5 frontal and 3 sagittal plane impairments. More frontal plane impairments were associated with worse iHOT33 scores. Twenty-seven participants received a joint provider recommendation that included physical therapy; no significant contributors to these recommendations were identified. Twenty-four of the 27 participants with a physical therapist recommendation included physical therapy in their treatment plan. Two additional participants did not receive a physical therapist recommendation but included physical therapy in their plan. Joint provider recommendation was the only significant contributor to the participant-reported plan (prevalence ratio = 7.06; 95% CI = 3.25–7.97).

Conclusion

Persons with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome displayed clinically observable movement impairments that were associated with worse function. Joint provider recommendations strongly influenced participants’ treatment plans to pursue physical therapy.

Impact

Physical therapists contribute new information to surgical examinations regarding movement. Joint recommendations from the physical therapist and the surgeon can influence patients’ decisions to pursue physical therapy.
Prevalence of hypertension and hypertension phenotypes after three visits in Chinese urban children
Authors: Dong Jie , Dong Hongbo , Yan Yinkun , Cheng Hong , Zhao Xiaoyuan , Mi Jie
Published: July 2021

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and hypertension subtypes among Chinese children aged 6–17 years in a multicenter school-based sample by three separate screenings.

Methods:

Students from six major cities in China (Changchun, Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Chengdu) were recruited in this cross-sectional survey during 2012 and 2015. Each participant was seated and had three consecutive blood pressure measurements on the right arm in the morning by an automated oscillometric device and the hypertensive ones were followed to the next visit. Hypertension was diagnosed by BP references for Chinese children and adolescents in 2010.

Results:

Data from 44 396 children aged 6–17 years were included in analysis, 50.9% of whom were boys. The prevalence of confirmed hypertension after three separate screenings was 4% in the total population, 5% in boys, and 3% in girls, respectively. The prevalence of confirmed isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), and systolic and diastolic hypertension (SDH) in the total population was 2.7, 0.3 and 1%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Around 4% urban Chinese children and adolescents aged 6 –17 years were hypertensive after three separate BP screenings in 2012 –2015. ISH was the most frequent form of hypertension in children.
Opioid-related risk perceptions in chronic pain: influence of patient gender and previous misuse behaviors
Authors: Grant Alexis D. , Miller Megan M. , Anastas Tracy M. , Quinn Patrick , Lok Benjamin , Hirsh Adam T.
Published: July 2021

Little is known about the factors that influence providers' perceptions of patient risk for aberrant opioid use. Patient gender may interact with previous opioid misuse to influence these perceptions. We asked 131 physicians to view videos and vignettes for 8 virtual patients with chronic pain. Gender (male/female) and previous prescription opioid misuse (present/absent) varied across patients; the vignettes were otherwise balanced on demographic and clinical characteristics. For each patient, providers assessed 4 risk domains: opioid-related adverse events, opioid misuse or abuse, opioid addiction, and opioid diversion. Results indicated a significant gender-by-misuse interaction for risk of opioid misuse or
abuse. When previous misuse behaviors were absent, providers rated men at higher risk; there was no gender difference when previous misuse behaviors were present. A significant gender-by-misuse interaction was found for risk of opioid-related adverse events. Providers perceived men to be at higher risk when previous misuse behaviors were absent; there was no gender difference when previous misuse behaviors were present. A significant gender-by-misuse interaction was found for risk of opioid addiction. Providers rated women at higher risk when previous misuse behaviors were present and men at higher risk when previous misuse behaviors were absent. There were significant main effects of gender and misuse for risk of opioid diversion. Providers rated men and those with previous misuse behaviors at higher risk. These results demonstrate that patient gender and previous opioid misuse have unique and interactive effects on provider perceptions of prescription opioid–related risks. Studies are needed to identify the mechanisms underlying these effects, such as gender-based stereotypes about risk-taking and drug abuse.
Correlation of PET/CT and Brain MRI Findings in Human African Trypanosomiasis Encephalitis
Authors: Luna Licia Pacheco , Meleki Zahra , Shanechi Amirali Modir , Yedavalli Vivek , Civelek Ali Cahid
Published: July 2021

A 49-year-old woman from Cameroon presented with history of several months of worsening headache, lethargy, left arm weakness, and generalized lymphadenopathy. Brain MRI demonstrated multifocal signal abnormality and enhancement involving the bilateral basal ganglia and cerebral white matter. FDG PET/CT performed as part of lymphadenopathy evaluation demonstrated patchy areas of increased metabolic activity of the brain parenchyma. Human African trypanosomiasis or African sleeping sickness is a protozoan infection caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense transmitted by the tsetse fly in sub-Saharan Africa. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms in nonendemic countries to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.
Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis Demonstrated by Whole-Body 67Ga Scintigraphy
Authors: Ishii Shiro , Sugawara Shigeyasu , Yamakuni Ryo , Sekino Hirofumi , Ito Hiroshi
Published: July 2021

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis is a rare inflammatory process characterized by thickening of the dura mater that can be idiopathic or secondary to a variety of conditions such as ANCA-related vasculitis, IgG4-related disease, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and infections. It can cause various neurological alterations such as headache, cranial nerve disorder, cerebellar disorder, sensory impairment, and weakness. Brain MRI is useful for imaging diagnosis of hypertrophic pachymeningitis, showing focal thickening and enhancement of the dura mater. Here we report 4 cases of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis where 67Ga clearly accumulated in the dura mater.
Maternal corticosteroids and depression during gestation and decreased fetal heart rate variability
Authors: Hunter Sharon K. , Freedman Robert , Law Amanda J. , Christians Uwe , Holzman Jacob B.W. , Johnson Zachary , Hoffman M. Camille
Published: July 2021

Objective

Maternal depression during gestation is an adverse factor in fetal brain development that manifests in later childhood behavioral problems. Fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) mediated by parasympathetic input is a marker of gestational nervous system development. Biological mediators of adverse effects of maternal depression may involve the mother’s corticosteroids; however, links between depression, corticosteroids, and early nervous system development remain inconclusive.

Methods

Heart rate was recorded in 23 fetuses by transabdominal Doppler at 28–33 weeks gestation. The SD of interbeat intervals over 20 min assessed FHRV. Maternal depression ratings and hair concentrations of cortisol and cortisone were assayed. An auditory sensory gating paradigm assessed newborn development of cerebral inhibition. Parents rated their infant’s temperament characteristics on the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (IBQ-R).

Results

Maternal depression was associated with lower FHRV, especially for male fetuses, β = −0.633, P = 0.045. Maternal depression was associated with lower cortisol to total corticosteroids ratios, β = −0.519, P = 0.033. Lower cortisol ratios were associated with decreased FHRV, β = 0.485, P = 0.019. Decreased FHRV was associated with increased newborn sensory gating deficits, β = −0.992, P = 0.035, indicating poorer development of cerebral inhibition. Higher FHRV was related to increased infant IBQ-R self-regulatory behaviors, r = 0.454, P = 0.029.

Conclusion

Maternal depression is associated via corticosteroids with decreased development of nervous system control of fetal heart rate. Decreased FHRV indicates developmental alterations in gestation that correlate with altered brain function and subsequent regulatory challenges in early infancy.
Efficient quantum gate teleportation in higher dimensions
Authors: de Silva Nadish
Published: July 2021

The Clifford hierarchy is a nested sequence of sets of quantum gates critical to achieving fault-tolerant quantum computation. Diagonal gates of the Clifford hierarchy and ‘nearly diagonal’ semi-Clifford gates are particularly important: they admit efficient gate teleportation protocols that implement these gates with fewer ancillary quantum resources such as magic states. Despite the practical importance of these sets of gates, many questions about their structure remain open; this is especially true in the higher-dimensional qudit setting. Our contribution is to leverage the discrete Stone–von Neumann theorem and the symplectic formalism of qudit stabilizer theory towards extending the results of Zeng
et al
. (2008) and Beigi & Shor (2010) to higher dimensions in a uniform manner. We further give a simple algorithm for recursively enumerating all gates of the Clifford hierarchy, a simple algorithm for recognizing and diagonalizing semi-Clifford gates, and a concise proof of the classification of the diagonal Clifford hierarchy gates due to Cui
et al
. (2016) for the single-qudit case. We generalize the efficient gate teleportation protocols of semi-Clifford gates to the qudit setting and prove that every third-level gate of one qudit (of any prime dimension) and of two qutrits can be implemented efficiently. Numerical evidence gathered via the aforementioned algorithms supports the conjecture that higher-level gates can be implemented efficiently.
Deviations from classical droplet evaporation theory
Authors: Finneran Joshua , Garner Colin P. , Nadal François
Published: July 2021

In this article, we show that significant deviations from the classical quasi-steady models of droplet evaporation can arise solely due to transient effects in the gas phase. The problem of fully transient evaporation of a single droplet in an infinite atmosphere is solved in a generalized, dimensionless framework with explicitly stated assumptions. The differences between the classical quasi-steady and fully transient models are quantified for a wide range of the 10-dimensional input domain and a robust predictive tool to rapidly quantify this difference is reported. In extreme cases, the classical quasi-steady model can overpredict the droplet lifetime by 80%. This overprediction increases when the energy required to bring the droplet into equilibrium with its environment becomes small compared with the energy required to cool the space around the droplet and therefore establish the quasi-steady temperature field. In the general case, it is shown that two transient regimes emerge when a droplet is suddenly immersed into an atmosphere. Initially, the droplet vaporizes faster than classical models predict since the surrounding gas takes time to cool and to saturate with vapour. Towards the end of its life, the droplet vaporizes slower than expected since the region of cold vapour established in the early stages of evaporation remains and insulates the droplet.
Characterizing the modern light environment and its influence on circadian rhythms
Authors: Khodasevich Dennis , Tsui Susan , Keung Darwin , Skene Debra J. , Revell Victoria , Martinez Micaela E.
Published: July 2021

Humans have largely supplanted natural light cycles with a variety of electric light sources and schedules misaligned with day-night cycles. Circadian disruption has been linked to a number of disease processes, but the extent of circadian disruption among the population is unknown. In this study, we measured light exposure and wrist temperature among residents of an urban area during each of the four seasons, as well as light illuminance in nearby outdoor locations. Daily light exposure was significantly lower for individuals, compared to outdoor light sensors, across all four seasons. There was also little seasonal variation in the realized photoperiod experienced by individuals, with the only significant difference occurring between winter and summer. We tested the hypothesis that differential light exposure impacts circadian phase timing, detected via the wrist temperature rhythm. To determine the influence of light exposure on circadian rhythms, we modelled the impact of morning and night-time light exposure on the timing of the maximum wrist temperature. We found that morning and night-time light exposure had significant but opposing impacts on maximum wrist temperature timing. Our results demonstrate that, within the range of exposure seen in everyday life, night-time light can delay the onset of the maximum wrist temperature, while morning light can lead to earlier onset. Our results demonstrate that humans are minimizing natural seasonal differences in light exposure, and that circadian shifts and disruptions may be a more regular occurrence in the general population than is currently recognized.
Improving pandemic mitigation policies across communities through coupled dynamics of risk perception and infection
Authors: Silk M. J. , Carrignon S. , Bentley R. A. , Fefferman N. H.
Published: July 2021

Capturing the coupled dynamics between individual behavioural decisions that affect disease transmission and the epidemiology of outbreaks is critical to pandemic mitigation strategy. We develop a multiplex network approach to model how adherence to health-protective behaviours that impact COVID-19 spread are shaped by perceived risks and resulting community norms. We focus on three synergistic dynamics governing individual behavioural choices: (i) social construction of concern, (ii) awareness of disease incidence, and (iii) reassurance by lack of disease. We show why policies enacted early or broadly can cause communities to become reassured and therefore unwilling to maintain or adopt actions. Public health policies for which success relies on collective action should therefore exploit thebehaviourally receptive phase; the period between the generation of sufficient concern to foster adoption of novel actions and the relaxation of adherence driven by reassurance fostered by avoidance of negative outcomes over time.
Three-dimensional modelling, disparity and ecology of the first Cambrian apex predators
Authors: De Vivo Giacinto , Lautenschlager Stephan , Vinther Jakob
Published: July 2021

Radiodonts evolved to become the largest nektonic predators in the Cambrian period, persisting into the Ordovician and perhaps up until the Devonian period. They used a pair of large frontal appendages together with a radial mouth apparatus to capture and manipulate their prey, and had evolved a range of species with distinct appendage morphologies by the Early Cambrian (approx. 521 Ma). However, since their discovery, there has been a lack of understanding about their basic functional anatomy, and thus their ecology. To explore radiodont modes of feeding, we have digitally modelled different appendage morphologies represented byAnomalocaris canadensis,Hurdia victoria,Peytoia nathorsti, Amplectobelua stephenensisandCambroraster falcatusfrom the Burgess Shale. Our results corroborate ideas that there was probably a significant (functional and hence behavioural) diversity among different radiodont species with adaptations for feeding on differently sized prey (0.07 cm up to 10 cm). We argue here thatCambroraster falcatusappendages were suited for feeding on suspended particles rather than filtering sediment. Given the limited dexterity and lack of accessory feeding appendages as seen in modern arthropods, feeding must have been inefficient and ‘messy’, which may explain their subsequent replacement by crown-group arthropods, cephalopods and jawed vertebrates.
Late Holocene spread of pastoralism coincides with endemic megafaunal extinction on Madagascar
Authors: Hixon Sean W. , Douglass Kristina G. , Crowley Brooke E. , Rakotozafy Lucien Marie Aimé , Clark Geoffrey , Anderson Atholl , Haberle Simon , Ranaivoarisoa Jean Freddy , Buckley Michael , Fidiarisoa Salomon , Mbola Balzac , Kennett Douglas J.
Published: July 2021

Recently expanded estimates for when humans arrived on Madagascar (up to approximately 10 000 years ago) highlight questions about the causes of the island's relatively late megafaunal extinctions (approximately 2000–500 years ago). Introduced domesticated animals could have contributed to extinctions, but the arrival times and past diets of exotic animals are poorly known. To conduct the first explicit test of the potential for competition between introduced livestock and extinct endemic megafauna in southern and western Madagascar, we generated new radiocarbon and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data from the bone collagen of introduced ungulates (zebu cattle, ovicaprids and bushpigs,n= 66) and endemic megafauna (pygmy hippopotamuses, giant tortoises and elephant birds,n= 68), and combined these data with existing data from endemic megafauna (n= 282, including giant lemurs). Radiocarbon dates confirm that introduced and endemic herbivores briefly overlapped chronologically in this region between 1000 and 800 calibrated years before present (cal BP). Moreover, stable isotope data suggest that goats, tortoises and hippos had broadly similar diets or exploited similar habitats. These data support the potential for both direct and indirect forms of competition between introduced and endemic herbivores. We argue that competition with introduced herbivores, mediated by opportunistic hunting by humans and exacerbated by environmental change, contributed to the late extinction of endemic megafauna on Madagascar.
Shark spiral intestines may operate as Tesla valves
Authors: Leigh Samantha C. , Summers Adam P. , Hoffmann Sarah L. , German Donovan P.
Published: July 2021

Looking to nature for inspiration has led to many diverse technological advances. The spiral valve intestine of sharks has provided the opportunity to observe the efficiency of different valve systems. It is supposed that the spiral intestine present in sharks, skates and rays slows the transit rate of digesta through the gut and provides increased surface area for the absorption of nutrients. In this investigation, we use a novel technique—creating three-dimensional reconstructions from CT scans of spiral intestines—to describe the morphology of the spiral intestine of at least one species from 22 different shark families. We discuss the morphological data in an evolutionary, dietary and functional context. The evolutionary analyses suggest that the columnar morphology is the ancestral form of the spiral intestine. Dietary analyses reveal no correlation between diet type and spiral intestine morphology. Flow rate was slowed significantly more when the two funnel-shaped spiral intestines were subjected to flow in the posterior to anterior direction, indicating their success at producing unidirectional flow, similar to a Tesla valve. These data are available to generate additional three-dimensional morphometrics, create computational models of the intestine, as well as to further explore the function of the gastrointestinal tract of sharks in structural and physiological contexts.
Using genome comparisons of wild-type and resistant mutants of Methanococcus maripaludis to help understand mechanisms of resistance to methane inhibitors
Authors: Long Feng , Cheung Chen-Yi , Whitman William B. , Cook Gregory M. , Ronimus Ron S.
Published: July 2021

Methane emissions from enteric fermentation in the ruminant digestive system generated by methanogenic archaea are a significant contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, methane produced as an end-product of enteric fermentation is an energy loss from digested feed. To control the methane emissions from ruminants, extensive research in the last decades has been focused on developing viable enteric methane mitigation practices, particularly, using methanogen-specific inhibitors. We report here the utilization of two known inhibitors of methanogenic archaea, neomycin and chloroform, together with a recently identified inhibitor, echinomycin, to produce resistant mutants of

Methanococcus maripaludis

S2 and S0001. Whole-genome sequencing at high coverage (> 100-fold) was performed subsequently to investigate the potential targets of these inhibitors at the genomic level. Upon analysis of the whole-genome sequencing data, we identified mutations in a number of genetic loci pointing to potential mechanisms of inhibitor action and their underlying mechanisms of resistance.
Quality characteristics of string cheese added with red ginseng powder
Authors: Yoo Jayeon , Choi Jeongshin , Seol Kuk-Hwan , Yun Jeong-hee , Ham Jun-Sang
Published: July 2021

According to health functional food law in Korea, red ginseng is classified as a health functional ingredient. In order to establish the optimal manufacturing condition of red ginseng string cheese, red ginseng powder was added to string cheese in different manufacturing processes which are raw milk before pasteurization (T1), curd before stretching (T2), and hot water for stretching curd (T3), respectively. After 2 weeks of storage period, the hardness of control cheese was lowest and decreased, as compared to 0 week, while the hardness of all string cheese with red ginseng powder was maintained (p<0.05). Total amount of ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3 was 34.41 mg/kg in T1, 55.99 mg/kg in T2, and 59.47 mg/kg in T3, respectively. All the red ginseng string cheese in this study might be labeled as functional foods which can provide legal requirement of more than 3 mg for boosting immunity and fatigue improvement. Because the sensory score of T2 was highest in texture, taste, and overall preference during storage period, it is recommended to add red ginseng powder before stretching curd for making red ginseng-added string cheese.
Synthesis and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides by
Gluconobacter oxydans with glycosyltransferase
activity
Authors: Jeong Ji Hye , Park Ji Yeong , Lee Hyun Ji , Choi Ji-Ho , Park Shin-Yeong , Park Chan Soon , Park Bo-Ram
Published: July 2021

Dextran, a homologous polysaccharide with the main chain of glucose units
composed by an α-1,6 glycosidic bond, is synthesized from dextrin by
dextran-dextrinase (DDase), a transglucosidase, derived from acetic acid
bacteria Gluconobacter oxydans and lactic acid bacteria (LAB).
The effective culture conditions were examined for producing dextran via
bio-conversion with acetic acid bacteria (AAB) demonstrating DDase activity in
various medium compositions during 0 to 7 days with or without glycerol addition
(2%, v/v) and different degrees of dextrin polymerization (D.E.) based on the
addition level (1,5%, w/v). On day 7, the G. oxydans growth was
almost tripled in presence of glycerol as observed via a cell growth curve (OD).
After culturing for 7 days, the pH decreased from 6 to 3.1-3.5, and the acidity
increased from 0.12% to 0.4-0.62%, depending on the dextrin D.E. and the
addition level. The reducing sugar decreased continuously. The medium containing
5% dextrin showed shear-thinning characteristics. The apparent viscosity of the
5% dextrin DE4-7 culture solution was 5.6 mPa·s, which was similar to
that of the 20% dextran aqueous solution. The analysis of constituent
saccharides contained in the culture medium (HPAEC-PAD) showed a substance with
a high degree of polymerization. 1H-NMR analysis showed that
α-1,6 glycosidic bond existed as the intermolecular bond of this
substance. Therefore, efficient production of dextran was possible by culturing
in a medium containing 5% dextrin and glycerol during culture of AAB.
Antiviral effect of persimmon (Diospyros kaki
Thunb. cv. Cheongdo-Bansi) extracts on murine norovirus
Authors: Choe Jaein , Jung Hyeju , Choi Changsun , Park Mi-Kyung
Published: July 2021

Norovirus infections are one of the most significant causes of foodborne
outbreaks worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral effects of
persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb. cv. Cheongdo-Bansi) extracts
on murine norovirus (MNV). Persimmon extracts obtained by solvent extraction and
squeezing, prior to freeze-drying were evaluated by determining the yield and
tannin contents. The cytotoxicity and antiviral effect of persimmon extracts
were determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
bromide (MTT) assay and a time- of-addition assay, respectively. The yield and
tannin content were in following order: methanol > water > ethanol
> acetone > juice extracts and juice > acetone >
water > ethanol > methanol extracts, respectively. The
concentrations of methanol, ethanol, acetone, water, and juice extracts were
determined to be 800, 800, 600, 200, and 400 μg/mL, respectively. The MNV
titer was significantly reduced by 1.65 log plaque forming unit (PFU)/mL with
18% reduction in plaque formation in group pre-treated with water extract.
Furthermore, the significant reductions in MNV titer by 2.14, 1.69, and 2.96 log
PFU/mL were observed in groups co-treated with acetone, water, and juice
extracts, respectively with plaque formation inhibition of 22-40%. However,
there were no significant antiviral effects in the post-treated groups. This
study suggests the potential use of persimmon extracts as anti-noroviral
agents.
Examination of Medication Use Patterns by Age Group, Comorbidity, and Month in COVID-19 Positive Patients in a Large State-wide Health System During the Pandemic in 2020
Authors: Watanabe Jonathan H. , Kwon Jimmy , Nan Bin , Abeles Shira R. , Mehta Sanjay R.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Main objective was to systematically determine most frequently used medications among COVID-19 patients overall and by hospitalization status. Secondary objective was to measure use patterns of medications considered potential therapeutic options

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The five academic medical centers of University of California Health.

Participants

University of California COVID Research Data Set (UC CORDS) patients between March 10, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Exposure(s)

Confirmed COVID-19 positive by SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification.

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

Main outcomes were percentages of patients prescribed medications, overall, by age group, and by comorbidity based on hospitalization status. Use percentage by month of COVID-19 diagnosis was measured. Cumulative count of potential therapeutic options was measured over time.

Results

Dataset included 22897 unique patients with COVID-19 (mean [SD] age, 42.4 [20.4] years; 12154 [53%] female). Among the sample, 6326 28%) were non-Hispanic White, 8475 (37%) were Hispanic, 1562 (7%) Asian, and 1313 (6%) Black. A COVID-related hospitalization occurred in 3546 patients. Of the hospitalized patients, more than 30% had baseline comorbidities of hypertension (48%), hyperlipidemia (37%), and type 2 diabetes (35%). Most frequently used medications in patients overall were acetaminophen (21.2%), albuterol (14.9%), ondansetron (13.9%), and enoxaparin (10.8%). Medications used were generally similar across ages and comorbidities. Prior to May, dexamethasone was rarely used, with well under 50 COVID-19 patients that had been hospitalized to that point receiving the medication. By mid-August, more than 500 patients to that point had received dexamethasone. Hydroxychloroquine use effectively halted in COVID-19 hospitalized patients after May. Throughout the period of March to December 2020, enoxaparin was used in the most patients to that point at any instance. By mid-December, more than 2000 in the analysis cohort of hospitalized patients had received enoxaparin.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this retrospective cohort study, across age and comorbidity groups, predominant utilization was for supportive care therapy. Dexamethasone and remdesivir experienced large increases in use. Conversely, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin use markedly dropped. Medication utilization rapidly shifted towards more evidence-concordant treatment of patients with COVID-19 as rigorous study findings emerged.
Educational level as a cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Caution from triangulation of observational and genetic evidence
Authors: Na-Ek Nat , Srithong Juthamanee , Aonkhum Authakorn , Boonsom Suthida , Chareon Pimphen , Demakakos Panayotes
Published: July 2021

Background

Education might be causal to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We triangulated cohort and genetic evidence to consolidate the causality between education and T2DM.

Methods

We obtained observational evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Self-reporting educational attainment was categorised as high (post-secondary and higher), middle (secondary), and low (below secondary or no academic qualifications) in 6,787 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥50 years without diabetes at ELSA wave 2, who were followed until wave 8 for the first diabetes diagnosis. Additionally, we performed two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) using an inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median (WM), and weighted mode-based estimate (WMBE) method. Steiger filtering was further applied to exclude single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were correlated with an outcome (T2DM) stronger than exposure (education attainment).

Results

We observed 598 new diabetes cases after 10.4 years of follow-up. The adjusted hazard ratios (95%CI) of T2DM were 1.20 (0.97-1.49) and 1.58 (1.28-1.96) in the middle- and low-education groups, respectively, compared to the high-education group. Low education was also associated with increased glycated haemoglobin levels. Psychosocial resources, occupation, and health behaviours fully explained these inverse associations. In the MR analysis of 210 SNPs (R2=0.0161), the odds ratio of having T2DM per standard deviation-decreasing years (4.2 years) of schooling was 1.33 (1.01-1.75; IVW), 1.23 (0.37-4.17; MR-Egger), 1.56 (1.09-2.27; WM), and 2.94 (0.98-9.09; WMBE). However, applying Steiger filtering attenuated most MR results toward the null.

Conclusions

Our inconsistent findings between cohort and genetic evidence did not support the causality between education and T2DM.

Key messages

What is already known on this subject?

-

Several pieces of evidence suggested that education attainment might play a causal role in the occurrence of T2DM.

What does this study add?

-

Our observational evidence suggested no direct impact of education on the risk of T2DM. The observed inverse associations were mediated through insufficient psychosocial resources, low occupation class, and unhealthy behaviours due to low education.

-

In contrast, the genetic evidence suggested no causal association between education and the risk of T2DM. Notably, the significant associations from our genetic evidence resulted from the invalid genetic instrument used in the analysis.

-

The observational and genetic evidence was inconsistent; therefore, our triangulated evidence did not support a causal role of education in the occurrence of T2DM.
Solid state NMR reveals a parallel in register architecture for an infectious recombinant prion
Authors: Martín-Pastor Manuel , Codeseira Yaiza B. , Spagnolli Giovanni , Eraña Hasier , Fernández Leticia C. , Martin Davy , Bravo Susana , López-Lorenzo Nuria , Iglesias Alba , López-Moreno Rafael , Sabaté Raimon , Veiga Sonia , Rezaei Human , Biasini Emiliano , Sánchez-Pedregal Víctor M. , Castilla Joaquín , Requena Jesús R.
Published: July 2021

Two alternative architectures have been proposed for PrPSc, the most notorious prion: a parallel in register β stack (PIRIBS) and a 4-rung β-solenoid (4RβS). We challenged these two models by measuring intermolecular 13C-13C dipole-dipole couplings of 13CO-labelled Phe residues in a fully infectious sample of recombinant bank vole PrPSc (recBVPrPSc) using a PITHIRDS-CT solid state NMR (ssNMR) experiment. To our surprise, data strongly support a PIRIBS architecture. However, the mean distance measured (∼6.5 Å) suggests that a minimum of two of the three Phe residues are not perfectly stacked at the canonical ∼5 Å cross-β distance. Additional ssNMR experiments show some local conformational variability of the Phe residues within limits of a relatively high rigidity. The most parsimonious interpretation of our data is that recBVPrPSc is arranged as a PIRIBS, although additional conformers with alternative architectures cannot be excluded, including a mixture of PIRIBS and 4RβS.

Author summary

PrPSc is the most notorious prion. It is an infectious protein that cuases fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals. PrPSc is the aberrant version of a brain protein, PrPC. PrPSc and PrPC have the same prinary structure, but different secondary, tertiaty and quaternary structures. PrPSc is capable of templating PrPC to convert to the PrPSc conformation, which is the basis of its capacity to propagate. Two plausible structural models of PrPSc have been proposed, the four-rung β-solenoid (4RβS) and the parallel in-register β stack (PIRIBS) model. In both cases the driving force of the templating mechanism consists of “sticky” surface β-strands; however, in the PIRIBS model all the β-strands that conform a PrPSc monomer lie flat on a surface whereas in the 4RβS model they wind in a corkscrew fashion. Here, we analyzed fully infectious recombinant PrPSc using a solid state NMR technique, PITHIRDS, that allows probing distances between specific labelled amino acid residues. To our surprise (as we have defended the 4RβS model in the past), results clearly show the presence of a PIRIBS structure in our sample.
Enhancers with tissue-specific activity are enriched in intronic regions
Authors: Borsari Beatrice , Villegas-Mirón Pablo , Pérez-Lluch Sílvia , Turpin Isabel , Laayouni Hafid , Segarra-Casas Alba , Bertranpetit Jaume , Guigó Roderic , Acosta Sandra
Published: July 2021

Tissue function and homeostasis reflect the gene expression signature by which the combination of ubiquitous and tissue-specific genes contribute to the tissue maintenance and stimuli-responsive function. Enhancers are central to control this tissue-specific gene expression pattern. Here, we explore the correlation between the genomic location of enhancers and their role in tissue-specific gene expression. We find that enhancers showing tissue-specific activity are highly enriched in intronic regions and regulate the expression of genes involved in tissue-specific functions, whereas housekeeping genes are more often controlled by intergenic enhancers, common to many tissues. Notably, an intergenic-to-intronic active enhancers continuum is observed in the transition from developmental to adult stages: the most differentiated tissues present higher rates of intronic enhancers, whereas the lowest rates are observed in embryonic stem cells. Altogether, our results suggest that the genomic location of active enhancers is key for the tissue-specific control of gene expression.
Large palindromes on the primate X Chromosome are preserved by natural selection
Authors: Jackson Emily K. , Bellott Daniel W. , Cho Ting-Jan , Skaletsky Helen , Hughes Jennifer F. , Pyntikova Tatyana , Page David C.
Published: July 2021

Mammalian sex chromosomes carry large palindromes that harbor protein-coding gene families with testis-biased expression. However, there are few known examples of sex-chromosome palindromes conserved between species. We identified 26 palindromes on the human X Chromosome, constituting more than 2% of its sequence, and characterized orthologous palindromes in the chimpanzee and the rhesus macaque using a clone-based sequencing approach that incorporates full-length nanopore reads. Many of these palindromes are missing or misassembled in the current reference assemblies of these species’ genomes. We find that 12 human X palindromes have been conserved for at least 25 million years, with orthologs in both chimpanzee and rhesus macaque. Insertions and deletions between species are significantly depleted within the X palindromes’ protein-coding genes compared to their noncoding sequence, demonstrating that natural selection has preserved these gene families. The spacers that separate the left and right arms of palindromes are a site of localized structural instability, with seven of 12 conserved palindromes showing no spacer orthology between human and rhesus macaque. Analysis of the 1000 Genomes Project data set revealed that human X-palindrome spacers are enriched for deletions relative to arms and flanking sequence, including a common spacer deletion that affects 13% of human X Chromosomes. This work reveals an abundance of conserved palindromes on primate X Chromosomes and suggests that protein-coding gene families in palindromes (most of which remain poorly characterized) promote X-palindrome survival in the face of ongoing structural instability.
The relationship of health-related expectancies, fruit and vegetable intake, and positive mood: expectancies are important, but not in the way you expect
Authors: Smith Elliot , Stevenson Richard , Dudley Leah , Francis Heather
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Greater fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake has been linked to more positive mood. Here, the purpose of this paper is to examine if this relationship is mediated by expectancies about their benefit to health/mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants completed a new questionnaire to assess expectancies related to F&V intake. This was administered alongside a validated food-frequency measure of F&V intake, an assessment of positive and negative mood state and other measures.

Findings

Participants held strongly positive expectations about the physical and mental health benefits of consuming F&V. The authors observed a significant relationship between self-reported F&V intake and positive mood (d = 0.52). Importantly, this effect was largely (but not completely) independent of expectancies. The authors also observed that expectancies about F&V intake were independently predictive of positive mood (d = 0.47).

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore expectancy effects in the mental health benefits of F&V intake. These data suggest that positive expectancies about F&V intake, and F&V intake itself, are both predictive of positive mood. The former finding is probably a placebo effect, whereby people believe they are consuming sufficient F&V (even if they are not) and so experience mood-related benefits due to their positive expectations. The latter finding is consistent with F&V exerting a biologically beneficial effect on the brain.
A BIM-driven framework for integrating rules and regulations in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants
Authors: Oti Akponanabofa Henry , Farrell Peter , Abanda Fonbeyin Henry , McMahon Paul , Mahamadu Abdul-Majeed , Mzyece Dingayo , Akintola Adeyemi Ayodele , Prinja Nawal
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The relatively low capital cost and contributions to mitigating global warming have favoured the continuous construction and operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) across the world. One critical phase in the operation of nuclear plants for ensuring the safety and security of radioactive products and by-products is decommissioning. With the advent of digital twinning in the building information modelling (BIM) methodology, efficiency and safety can be improved from context-focus access to regulations pertaining to demolition of structures and the cleaning-up of radioactivity inherent in nuclear stations. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to propose a BIM-driven framework to achieve a more regulation-aware and safer decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework considers task requirements, and landscape and environmental factors in modelling demolition scenarios that characterise decommissioning processes. The framework integrates decommissioning rules/regulations in a BIM linked non-structured query system to model items and decommissioning tasks, which are implemented based on context-focussed retrieval of decommissioning rules and regulations. The concept’s efficacy is demonstrated using example cases of digitalised NPPs.

Findings

This approach contributes to enhancing improvements in nuclear plant decommissioning with potential for appropriate activity sequencing, risk reduction and ensuring safety.

Originality/value

A BIM-driven framework hinged on querying non-structured databases to provide context-focussed access to nuclear rules and regulations and to aiding decommissioning is new.
Vietnam’s currency management: theory, practice and reality
Authors: Dapice David
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain why Vietnam has been charged as a currency manipulator by the USA, and why those charges are less than conclusive, as of May 2021, no immediate tariffs were imposed.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative approach is applied using economic data on trade balances, inflation, exchange rates, and foreign exchange reserves from Vietnam, other Asian nations, and the USA. Currency regime theories are briefly reviewed, and USA. Treasury statements about Vietnam’s currency are referred to, which then are analyzed. Further explanations are based on the context of the economic situation and bilateral relations.

Findings

Since 2010, Vietnam’s currency has appreciated, and since 2015, the government has kept the Vietnamese dong (VND) stable in real terms against the dollar. The sharp improvement in Vietnam’s bilateral and overall trade balance is due largely to rising labor costs in China and trade frictions between the USA and China. The resulting US tariffs on China’s exports redirected Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) exports to Vietnam. Even with these recent trade surpluses, Vietnam’s ratio of foreign exchange reserves to imports is lower than that of many other Asian nations. The USA’s recent decision not to impose punitive tariffs on Vietnam’s exports but continue to monitor and hold discussions reflects the reduced priority the new US administration puts on bilateral trade balances and the recognition that Vietnam is negotiating seriously and has significant value in a regional context.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comprehensive understanding from both theoretical and practical perspectives of the recent event. The implications are meaningful for the adjustment of national monetary strategy to avoid a similar situation in the future.
Analysis of thermo-hydraulic and entropy generation characteristics for flow through ribbed-wavy channel
Authors: Mehta Sumit Kumar , Pati Sukumar , Ahmed Shahid , Bhattacharyya Prangan , Bordoloi Jishnu Jyoti
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the thermal, hydraulic and entropy generation characteristics for laminar flow of water through a ribbed-wavy channel with the top wall as wavy and bottom wall as flat with ribs of three different geometries, namely, triangular, rectangular and semi-circular.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element method-based numerical solver has been adopted to solve the governing transport equations.

Findings

A critical value of Reynolds number (Recri) is found beyond which, the average Nusselt number for the wavy or ribbed-wavy channel is more than that for a parallel plate channel and the value of Recri decreases with the increase in a number of ribs and for any given number of ribs, it is minimum for rectangular ribs. The performance factor (PF) sharply decreases with Reynolds number (Re) up to Re = 50 for all types of ribbed-wavy channels. For Re > 50, the change in PF with Re is gradual and decreases for all the ribbed cases and for the sinusoidal channel, it increases beyond Re = 100. The magnitude of PF strongly depends on the shape and number of ribs and Re. The relative magnitude of total entropy generation for different ribbed channels varies with Re and the number of ribs.

Practical implications

The findings of the present study are useful to design the economic heat exchanging devices.

Originality/value

The effects of shape and the number of ribs on the heat transfer performance and entropy generation have been investigated for the first time for the laminar flow regime. Also, the effects of shape and number of ribs on the flow and temperature fields and entropy generation have been investigated in detail.