bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of drought and nutrient deficit on the allocation of recently fixed carbon in plant-soil-microbe system
Authors: Xia Huijuan , Zhang Tiantian , Li Xinshuai , He Tiehu , Wang Xia , Zhang Jiehao , Zhang Kerong
Published: November 2022

Background and Aims

Carbon (C) allocation plays important role in plant adaptation to water and nutrient stress. However, the effects of drought and nutrient deficit on the allocation of recently fixed C in plant-soil-microbe system remain largely unknown.

Methods

We studied the response of C allocation of Sophora moorcroftiana (an indigenous pioneer plant in Tibet) in plant-soil-microbe system to drought, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficit using a microcosm experiment. The 13CO2 continuous labeling was used to trace C transport through the plant-soil-microbe system.

Results

Drought significantly reduced C allocation to stem and root but increased allocation to soil. Deficit of N and P significantly increased C allocation to root under well-watered conditions, while P deficit significantly increased allocation to stem but decreased allocation to leaf under drought conditions. Carbon allocation to microbes was mainly affected by nutrient deficit, and 13C amounts in microbial biomass was decreased by N deficit and increased by P deficit. Stem 13C amount was positively related to net photosynthetic rate and leaf 13C amount, suggesting that plants preferentially allocate C to stem. Soil 13C amount decreased and 13C amount in microbial biomass first decreased and then increased with increasing plant 13C amount, indicating that high plant C supply did not drive high amounts of C transferred to soil and microbes.

Conclusion

We proved that drought and nutrient deficit interactively affected C allocation in plant-soil-microbe system, and revealed a U-shaped relationship between plant C supply and the amounts of C transferred to microbes.
Verification of an Intravenous Fluid Warmer: A Prospective, Two-Center Observational Trial
Authors: Lax Mikko , Mustola Seppo T. , Repo Kimmo , Järvinen Jari , Bayoro Danielle K. , Cataldo Steven H. , Karhinen Viivi , Rose Edward A. , Groepenhoff Herman , Waldmann Andreas D.
Published: November 2022

Background
Avoiding inadvertent hypothermia during surgery is important. Intravenous fluid warmers used intraoperatively are critical for maintaining euthermia. We sought to prospectively evaluate the performance of the parylene-coated enFlow™ intravenous fluid warmer in patients undergoing surgery.
Methods
This was a prospective two-center observational clinical trial performed in inpatient surgical services of two large academic hospital systems. After informed consent, patients were enrolled in the study. All patients were adults scheduled for a surgery that was expected to last for at least 1 h with the administration of at least one liter of fluid warmed prior to infusion. Patient temperature was recorded in the preoperative unit, at the induction of anesthesia, and then every 15 or 30 minutes until the end of surgery. Temperature monitoring continued in the recovery unit. The parylene-coated enFlow™ intravenous fluid warmer was used in addition to the usual patient warming techniques. The primary outcome was the average core temperature, and secondary analyses assessed individual temperature measurements, temperature measurements during specific time periods, and rate of hypothermic events.
Results
Fifty patients (29 male) with a mean age of 64 years were included in the analysis. The mean surgical time was 195 minutes and patients received an average of 1142 ml of fluids. Core temperature dropped by only 0.3°C approximately 60 minutes after induction and recovered back to the baseline level approximately 60 minutes later. There was no correlation between flow rate and measured core body temperature.
Conclusions
The parylene-coated enFlow intravenous fluid warmer was able to warm fluids at all flow rates during prolonged surgery. The results showed that enFlow performed as expected.
Trial registration
The trial was registered prior to patient enrollment at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04709627, Principal investigator: Mikko Lax, MD, Date of registration: 14 January 2021.)
The effect of in vitro maturation (IVM) protocol changes on measures of oocyte/embryo competence
Authors: Rose Bruce Irwin , Nguyen Kevin
Published: November 2022

Purpose: In vitro maturation (IVM) continues its evolution as new ideas are introduced with the objective of making the IVM procedure easier and more effective. This study combines ideas believed likely to improve the IVM outcome or make the IVM oocyte identification process easier.
Methods: A cohort of 45 women underwent an IVM cycle in which letrozole was used with the theoretical objective of improving the competence of small antral follicles, the oocyte aspiration technique was modified to minimize the time between oocyte aspiration and oocyte identification, and blastocysts were transferred during a subsequent cycle with controlled endometrial development.
Results: Measures of oocyte competence used for these prospectively followed cycles were as follows: the maturation rate was 90.5%, the fertilization rate was 92.4%, the cleavage rate was 94.6%, the usable blastulation rate per zygote was 50.2%, and the implantation rate was 34.2%. In 7.9% of cycles initiated, there was a failure to produce blastocytes. Per transfer, the biochemical pregnancy rate was 63.2%, the clinical pregnancy rate was 55.3% and the ongoing/delivered pregnancy rate at the end of the first trimester was 47.4%. The miscarriage rate for clinical pregnancies in the first trimester was 14.3% and the ongoing twinning rate was 11.1%.
Conclusion: Except for blastocyst production, the above modifications of IVM technology were suggestive of oocyte competence similar to conventional IVF. In particular, the clinically best blastocysts derived from IVM cycles appear to function as well as the best blastocysts derived from oocytes produced during a traditional IVF cycle.
Ethics support: Baptist Health Institutional Review Board (IRB Number 18-49)
Feasibility of a Qualitative Sub-study of a Pilot Home-Delivered Meals Trial for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Authors: Gadbois Emily A , Bunker Jennifer N. , Hilgeman Michelle , Shield Renee , McAuliff Kathleen E. , Mills Whitney , Thomas Kali
Published: November 2022

Background

Among older adults, food insecurity is associated with poor health status and health outcomes; people living with dementia (PLWD) are at increased risk for insecurity. Approaches to addressing food insecurity among homebound older adults include two modes of home-delivered meals: 1) meals delivered daily to participants’ homes by a volunteer or paid driver who socializes with the client or 2) frozen meals that are mailed to participants’ homes. Research has not examined benefits of these meals for PLWD or their caregivers, nor compared the effectiveness of these two approaches in reducing food insecurity. The objective of this study was to test the processes for recruiting and engaging in qualitative research with PLWD and caregivers in an effort to understand the context, implementation, and mechanisms of impact by which relationships between meal delivery and outcomes may be achieved in preparation for a larger, follow-on study.

Methods

This is a qualitative sub-study of a pilot, multisite, two-arm pragmatic feasibility trial comparing the effect of two modes of meal delivery on nursing home placement among 243 PLWD. In this sub-study, we tested recruitment and enrollment procedures and piloted interview guides among a subset of participants and caregivers.

Results

We recruited and conducted interviews with nine PLWD and seven caregivers. In testing the informed consent process, all participants were able to consent to be interviewed, and PLWD all demonstrated capacity to consent. We successfully used a cognitive screener to obtain scores of cognitive impairment for PLWD, and observed scores indicating a broad range of function. Our interview guides successfully resulted in information about the context, implementation, and mechanisms of impact for meal delivery during the pilot.

Conclusions

In addition to establishing feasibility for the future trial, the substantive findings identified through the qualitative interviews provide an initial understanding of the contextual factors for meal delivery and the potential mechanisms of impact across meal delivery types that warrant further examination in a full-scale trial. Findings from our study provide crucial pilot data to support a follow-on trial to understand how to address food insecurity among PLWD.
Name of the registry: ClinicalTrials.gov
Trial registration: NCT04850781
Date of registration: April 20, 2021, retrospectively registered
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04850781
A novel state estimation approach for suspension system with time-varying and unknown noise covariance
Authors: Li Qiangqiang , Chen Zhiyong , Shi Wenku
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a novel state estimation approach based on variational Bayesian adaptive Kalman filter (VBAKF) and road classification is proposed for suspension system with the time-varying and unknown noise covariance. Using the VB approach, the time-varying noise covariance can be inferred from the inverse-Wishart distribution, then optimized state estimation by finite sampling posterior probability distribution function (PDF) of noise covariance and backward Kalman smoothing. In addition, a new road classification algorithm based on multi-objective optimization and linear classifier is proposed to identify the unknown noise covariance. Simulation results for a suspension model with time-varying and unknown noise covariance show that the proposed approach has a higher performance in state estimation accuracy than other filters.
On the mechanisms of lysis triggered by perturbations of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis
Authors: Kawai Yoshikazu , Kawai Maki , Mackenzie Eilidh , Kepplinger Bernhard , Waldron Kevin , Errington Jeff
Published: November 2022

Cell wall synthesis is an essential function for the growth of almost all bacteria, and a major target for our most effective antibiotics. Inhibition of cell wall synthesis by antibiotics such as β-lactams is thought to cause explosive lysis through loss of cell wall integrity. However, recent studies on a wide range of bacteria have suggested that these antibiotics also perturb central carbon metabolism, contributing to death via oxidative damage. We have genetically dissected this connection in Bacillus subtilis and identified key enzymatic steps in upstream and downstream pathways that stimulate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through cellular respiration. Our results also reveal the critical role of iron homeostasis for the ROS-mediated lethal effects, through iron-dependent enhancement of lipid peroxidation when cell wall synthesis is perturbed. Unexpectedly, we found that protection of cells from ROS via a recently discovered siderophore-like compound uncoupled changes in cell morphology normally associated with cell death, from lysis as usually judged by a phase pale microscopic appearance. Phase paling appears to be specifically associated with lipid peroxidation, presumably the result of membrane destabilization. Finally, we provide a new view of the differentiated roles of the widely conserved Rod and aPBP mechanisms of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
The role of online news sentiment in carbon price prediction of China’s carbon markets
Authors: Liu Muyan , Ying Qianwei
Published: November 2022

Carbon trading as a vital tool to reduce carbon dioxide emissions has developed rapidly in recent years. Reasonable prediction of the carbon price can improve the risk management in the carbon trading market and make healthy development of the carbon trading market. This paper aims to enhance the predictive performance of carbon price in the China‘s carbon markets, especially the China’s national carbon market, by adding the online news sentiment index which is a kind of unconstructed data, to a deep learning model using traditionally constructed predictors innovatively. Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network was applied as the primary model to predict carbon price and Random Forest as the additional experiment to validate the effectiveness of online news sentiment. The results in the China’s national carbon market and Hubei pilot carbon market both proved that the model including the sentiment index performed better than the model does not, and the improvement was significant.
A review of the application of the Macroinvertebrate-based Multimetric Index (MMI) for water quality monitoring in lakes
Authors: Ndatimana Gilbert , Nantege Diana , Arimoro Francis O.
Published: November 2022

The increasing stress on lake ecosystems is affecting their functioning such as providing goods and services to inhabiting organisms and riparian communities. Monitoring of water quality is important for sustainable management and restoration of lake ecosystems. However, the costs associated with traditional approaches have become prohibitive while not giving reliable early warning signals on resource conditions. Therefore, the current shift in the use of bioindicators and multimetric indices (MMIs) in the monitoring of water quality is currently gaining global recognition with more emphasis on its application in lotic ecosystems. Therefore, this paper provides an elaborated insight into the application of macroinvertebrate-based MMIs in lentic ecosystems and the successes achieved so far. The various metrics and indices, the development strategies, application challenges, the use of macroinvertebrates as bioindicators, and the future projection of enhancing MMI usage in lentic environment monitoring particularly in developing countries are extensively covered. The use of MMI as a rapid lake biomonitoring tool needs to be adopted for sustainable applications in lake ecosystem management and as an integrated approach to monitoring human-induced stress especially in developing countries where there is a paucity of information.
Climate change implications for the Arafura and Timor Seas region: Assessing vulnerability of marine systems to inform management and conservation
Authors: Johnson Johanna E , Welch David J , Hooidonk Ruben van , Tracey Dieter , Chandrasa Ganesha , Molinari Bianca , Triani Deti , Tania Casandra , Susanto Handoko
Published: November 2022

The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is shared by Indonesia, Timor Leste, Australia, and Papua New Guinea (PNG), and is at the intersection of the Pacific and Indian oceans. High coastal population densities, degraded habitats, overexploited fisheries, low profile coasts, shallow continental shelves and macro-tidal conditions mean that coastal and marine environments in the region are currently facing multiple pressures. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these pressures and have profound effects on the status and distribution of coastal and marine habitats, the fish and invertebrates they support and, as a consequence, dependent communities and industries. Downscaled climate change projections for 2041–2070 for air and sea temperature, ocean chemistry and rainfall were modelled to provide spatially relevant regional and local data for a structured semi-quantitative vulnerability assessment. Results of the assessment were spatially variable and identified shallow coral reefs as highly vulnerable, particularly in the Timor Leste and Indonesia-Arafura sub-regions. Seagrass meadows were most vulnerable in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Indonesia-Arafura, and Timor Leste sub-regions. Mangroves and estuarine habitats were most vulnerable in Timor Leste and Western PNG sub-regions. Drivers of vulnerability include poor habitat condition, non-climate pressures, low connectivity, and limited formal management. Marine species vulnerability was also spatially variable, with highly vulnerable and priority species identified for each sub-region, including finfish and marine invertebrates. A key driver of species vulnerability was their stock status, with many species in Timor Leste, Western PNG and Indonesia, and several in northern Australia, overfished or potentially overfished. Limited management in some sub-regions, as well as non-climate pressures such as habitat decline, poor water quality and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing were also key drivers. Species of conservation interest (dugong and marine turtles) were also highly vulnerable to climate change, driven by their threatened status and the fact that they are low productivity species that take years to recover from impacts. Priority species and habitats for local action were identified, and current pressures that undermine condition and/or resilience, with strategic recommendations aimed at minimising climate change vulnerability.
Glucose oxidase exerts protective effects against Salmonella typhimurium infection by regulating the intestinal structure, immune response and cecal microbiota in murine
Authors: WANG Yuanyuan , WANG Yibing , WANG Baikui , ZHOU Yuanhao , Zhan Xiuan , YAO Bin , Li Weifen
Published: November 2022

Glucose oxidase (GOD), an aerobic dehydrogenase, specifically catalyzes the oxidation of β-D-glucose to gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which are harmful to pathogenic bacteria but promoting the survival of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. Meanwhile, the increased antibiotic resistance induced by Salmonella typhimurium (ST) infections has amplified the need for development of novel therapeutic agents. As such, GOD may play an important role in controlling ST infections. To investigate the effects of GOD against ST infection, mice were pretreated with gentamicin (GM; positive control), GOD, or sterile water (negative control) and, four weeks later, challenged with ST or phosphate-buffered saline. Three days after infection, mice were sacrificed and samples were collected. In the present study, pretreatment with GOD or GM attenuated ST-induced body weight loss and mortality. Moreover, ST infection increased the intestinal damage, apoptosis in liver, inflammatory response in the colon and serum, which were reversed by GOD pretreatment. Sequence analysis further revealed that the gut bacterial community composition in mice pretreated with GOD was similar to that of the control group. Collectively, these findings indicate that GOD attenuates ST-induced negative effects by modulating intestinal barrier function, cytokine secretion, and intestinal microbiota composition in mice.
Presenting the Model of Ecological Resilience in Hyrcanian Forests by Combining Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Methods and System Dynamics
Authors: Hajbabaie Mahdyeh , Jozi Seyed Ali , Farsad Forough , Kiadaliri Hadi , Gharagozlou Alireza
Published: November 2022

The present study aims to assess the resilience in Hyrcanian forests. To this aim, Navroud-Assalem watershed was selected due to its special environmental characteristics and access to relatively acceptable information on a wide scale. In order to model the resilience, appropriate indices influencing the resilience in Hyrcanian forests were identified and selected. Then, two main criteria including biological diversity, as well as forest health and vitality, four indices including species diversity, forest type diversity, mixed stands, and the area and percentage of affected forests, and thirteen sub-indices were determined. Then, the relationship between selected indices and criteria was identified by developing a questionnaire and the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method in addition to collecting regional information. In the next procedure, the weight of each index was estimated to enter the Vensim software using the fuzzy AHP method. All of the collected information about the variables was formulated quantitatively and mathematically and utilized in Vensim software for resilience modeling. The DEMATEL method indicated that species diversity indices and the percentage of affected forests exhibit the most influence and interaction with other factors in the system. The studied parcels with different slopes affected by the input variables are considered as resilient by maintaining the current conditions. Non-exploitation, non-infestation of pests, non-occurrence of severe fires in the region, and non-increasing livestock grazing compared to the existing situation are among the prerequisites for the resilience in the region. The results represented the resilience of the forests in the Navroud-Assalem watershed.
Variations in clinical course and surgical outcomes of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 Pandemic: A multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Chaves Carlos Eduardo Rey , Girón Felipe , Núñez-Rocha Ricardo E. , Benítez Elkin , Ruiz Saralia , Rodríguez Lina , Ayala Daniela , Villamil Carlos José , Galvis Valentina , Vanegas Marco , Gómez Mónica , Nassar Ricardo , Hernández Juan David , Conde Danny , Gómez María
Published: November 2022

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the presentation and treatment of surgical pathologies. Therefore, we aim to describe the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical presentation and management of acute appendicitis and its surgical outcomes.

Study design

A multicenter cohort study with prospectively collected databases. Three high-volume centers were included and all patients over 18 years of age who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis were included. Multiple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression were performed, and odds ratio, relative risk, and B-coefficient were reported when appropriate, statistical significance was reached with p-values < 0.05.

Results

1.468 patients were included (709 in the pre-pandemic group and 759 in the COVID-19 group). Female patients constituted 51.84%. Mean age was 38.13 ± 16.96 years. Mean Alvarado's score was 7.01 ± 1.59 points. Open surgical approach was preferred in 90.12%. Conversion rate of 1.29%. Mortality rate was 0.75%. There was an increase of perforated and localized peritonitis (p 0.01) in the COVID-19 group. Presence of any postoperative complication (p 0.00), requirement of right colectomy and ileostomy (p 0.00), and mortality (p 0.04) were higher in the COVID-19 group. Patients in the pre-pandemic group have a lesser risk of mortality (OR 0.14, P 0.02, 95% CI 0.02–0.81) and a lesser relative risk of having complicated appendicitis (RR 0.68, P 0.00, 95% CI 0.54–0.86).

Conclusion

Complicated appendicitis was an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to surgical consultation delay, increased rates of morbidity, associated procedures, and mortality, influencing the clinical course and surgical outcomes of patients with acute appendicitis.
Feeding hempseed cake alters the bovine gut, respiratory and reproductive microbiota
Authors: Winders Thomas , Holman Devin , Schmidt Kaycie , Luecke Sarah , Smith David , Neville Bryan , Dahlen Carl , Swanson Kendall , Amat Samat
Published: November 2022

A growing number of studies have investigated the feasibility of utilizing hemp by-products as livestock feedstuffs; however, their impact on livestock microbiomes remains unexplored. Here, we evaluated the effects of feeding hempseed cake on the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive microbiota in beef heifers. Angus-crossbred heifers (19-months old) were fed a corn-based finishing diet containing 20% hempseed cake as a substitute for 20% corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DM basis; Control; n = 16/group) for 111 days until slaughter. Ruminal fluid and deep nasopharyngeal swabs (days 0, 7, 42, 70 and 98), and vaginal and uterine swabs (at slaughter) were collected, and the microbiota assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Diet affected the community structure of the ruminal (d7– 98; 0.06 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.12; P < 0.05), nasopharyngeal (d 98; R2 = 0.18; P < 0.001), and vaginal (R2 = 0.06; P < 0.01) microbiota. Heifers fed hempseed cake had increased microbial diversity in the rumen, reduced microbial richness in the vagina, and greater microbial diversity and richness in the uterus. In addition to the distinct microbial communities in the rumen, nasopharynx, vagina and uterus, we identified 28 core taxa that were shared (≥ 60% of all samples) across these sampling locations. Feeding hempseed cake appeared to alter the bovine gut, respiratory and reproductive microbiota. Our findings also highlight the need for research evaluating the impact of hemp-associated food and personal care products on the human microbiome.
Tailoring Renal Clearable Zwitterionic Cyclodextrin for Colorectal Cancer-Selective Drug Delivery
Authors: Baek Min-Jun , Nguyen Duy-Thuc , Kim Dahan , Yoo So-Yeol , Lee Sang Min , Lee Jae-Young , Kim Dae-Duk
Published: November 2022

Although cyclodextrin (CD)-based renal-clearable nanocarriers have a high potential for clinical translation in targeted cancer therapy, their optimal designs for enhanced tumor retention and reduced off-target accumulation have rarely been proposed. Herein, we present a delicately tailored structure of a renal-clearable zwitterionic CD, hepatkis-(6-deoxy-6-((phenylboronic acid-tetraethyleneglycol-l-glutamic acid Nα-sulfobetaine)-octaethyleneglycol-caproamide))-β-cyclodextrin (PBA-(ZW)-CD), for colorectal cancer (CRC)-selective drug delivery. Twenty CD derivatives with different charged moieties and spacers are synthesized and screened for colloidal stability. The resulting five candidates are complexed with adamantyl sulfocyanine 7 and evaluated for biodistribution. PBA-(ZW)-CD, the optimized structure, displays a high tumor-to-background ratio of 3.7–4.1. PBA-(ZW)-CD inclusion complexes of doxorubicin and ulixertinib are fabricated, and their enhanced tumor accumulation (vs. free doxorubicin, 2.0-folds; vs. free ulixertinib, 2.1-folds), facilitated elimination (vs. free doxorubicin, 15.2 and 0.0% remaining in the heart and muscles, respectively; vs. free ulixertinib, 17.7 and 7.4% in the liver and kidneys, respectively), and tumor penetration comparable to those of free drugs are verifiedviamass-spectrometric quantitation and imaging. The improved antitumor efficacy of PBA-(ZW)-CD/drug combination therapy is demonstrated in heterotopic and orthotopic CRC models (vs. free drug combination, tumor size reduction by 52.0 and 76.2%, respectively), suggesting that PBA-(ZW)-CD can be used as a promising CRC-targeted nanoplatform.
Inequity of antenatal influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in Australia: The Links2HealthierBubs record linkage cohort study, 2012-2017
Authors: McHugh Lisa , Regan Annette K , Sarna Mohinder , Moore Hannah C , Buynder Paul , Pereira Gavin , Blyth Christopher C , Lust Karin , Andrews Ross M , Crooks Kristy , Massey Peter , Binks Michael J
Published: November 2022

Background
Pregnancy and early infancy are increased risk periods for severe adverse effects of respiratory infections. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (respectfully referred to as First Nations) women and children in Australia bear a disproportionately higher burden of respiratory diseases compared to non-Indigenous women and infants. Influenza vaccines and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines are recommended and free in every Australian pregnancy to combat these infections. We aimed to assess the equity of influenza and/or pertussis vaccination in pregnancy for three priority groups in Australia: First Nations women; women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds; and women living in remote areas or socio-economic disadvantage.
Methods
We conducted individual record linkage of Perinatal Data Collections with immunisation registers/databases between 2012–2017. Analysis included generalised linear mixed model, log-binomial regression with a random intercept for the unique maternal identifier to account for clustering, presented as prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% compatibility intervals (95%CI).
Results
There were 445,590 individual women in the final cohort. Compared with other Australian women (n = 322,848), First Nations women (n = 29,181) were less likely to have received both recommended antenatal vaccines (PR 0.69, 95% CI 0.67–0.71) whereas women from CALD backgrounds (n = 93,561) were more likely to have (PR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10–1.13). Women living in remote areas were less likely to have received both vaccines (PR 0.75, 95% CI 0.72–0.78), and women living in the highest areas of advantage were more likely to have received both vaccines (PR 1.44, 95% CI 1.40–1.48).
Conclusions
Compared to other groups, First Nations Australian families, those living in remote areas and/or families from lower socio-economic backgrounds did not receive recommended vaccinations during pregnancy that are the benchmark of equitable healthcare. Addressing these barriers must remain a core priority for Australian health care systems and vaccine providers. An extension of this cohort is necessary to reassess these study findings.
Effects of age-related changes in trunk and lower limb coordination on gait
Authors: Zhai Meiling , Huang Yongchao , Zhou Shi , Jin Yahong , Feng Jiayun , Pei Chaolei , Wen Li
Published: November 2022

Background:The ability to walk is crucial for maintaining independence and a high quality of life among older adults. Although gait characteristics have been extensively studied in older adults, most studies have investigated muscle activity in the joints of the trunk or the lower limbs without assessing their coordinated interactions. Thus, the causes of altered trunk and lower limb coordination patterns and gait changes among older adults remain unknown. Therefore, this study compared the joint kinematic parameters of both the trunk and lower limbs of young versus older adults to identified key factors leading to changes in gait among older adults.Methods:In total, 64 older (32 males, aged 68.34 ± 7.38 years; 32 females, aged 67.16 ± 6.66 years) and 64 young (32 males, aged 19.44 ± 0.84 years; 32 females, aged 19.69 ± 0.86 years) healthy adults participated in this study. The range of motion (ROM) of the thorax, pelvis, and trunk in the horizontal plane and of the hip, knee, and ankle joints of the lower limbs in the sagittal plane were measured using a motion capture system with wearable sensors. Two-way analysis of variance assessed differences in ROM by age, sex, and basic gait parameters; Pearson correlation analysis assessed the coordinated patterns of the trunk and lower limbs, identifying key factors leading to gait changes in older adults.Results:Gait length, speed, and stride in young adults were greater (p < 0.001) than those in older adults, but older women displayed the fastest stride speed (p < 0.05). ROM values for the pelvis, thorax, trunk, knee joint, and ankle joint of young adults were greater (p < 0.05) than those in older adults. However, hip ROM in older adults was significantly greater than that in young adults (p < 0.05).Conclusion:With increasing age, ROM of the lower limbs, especially the ankle joint, decreased significantly, resulting in a significant decrease in gait speed. As ROM of the pelvis decreased, stride decreased significantly in older adults, who compensate through thoracic rotation. Thus, older adults should enhance muscle strength and increase ROM to improve gait patterns and quality of life.
Inactivation efficiency evaluation of four disinfectants for feline parvovirus derived from sick giant panda
Authors: Wu Lin , Yu Pei-Lun , Yang Zhisong , Li Qiang , Lan Jingchao , Luo Li , Yan Qi-Gui
Published: November 2022

Background
Feline panleukopenia (FP) is a highly contagious acute infectious disease caused by feline parvovirus (FPV). Parvovirus has a wide range of hosts, can infect many carnivores, and can remain infectious in the natural environment for a long time. Giant pandas are also susceptible to parvovirus. The viral enteritis of giant pandas caused by the virus infection poses a great threat to the survival of giant pandas. Therefore, screening out effective disinfectants is of great help for giant panda feeding management.
Results
The efficacy of four disinfectants against giant panda-derived FPV by determining viral titers, viral copies and viral hemagglutination after interacting virus with different disinfectants in the same amounts was evaluated. The virus titers decreased to 0 after treatment with peracetic acid (PAA), DuPont Virkon S (Virkon S) and glutaral and deciquam solution (JM). The inhibition by PAA was finally found to be most pronounced by determining viral copies. The virus hemagglutination titers decreased by 2 titers after 2 h of PAA treatment, and the virus hemagglutination titers decreased by 1 titer after Virkon S treatment. The immunofluorescence analysis showed that the PAA could effectively kill the virus within 1 h, while the JM and Virkon S took 2 h to achieve the killing effect. PAA, Virkon S, and glutaral and JM inhibited the production of viral structural protein within 1 h.
Conclusions
In this study, through multi-faceted comparison, the most effective disinfectant could be screened out, which could be used as a prevention and control disinfectant on panda origin feline panleukopenia virus, and provide reference opinions for giant panda disease control and prevention.
Acceptable but not always accessible. Insights into barriers and facilitators in PrEP uptake and use among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men in Belgium
Authors: Landeghem Ella , Dielen Stef , Semaan Aline , Rotsaert Anke , Vanhamel Jef , Masquillier Caroline , Wouters Edwin , Wouters Kristien , Vuylsteke Bea , Reyniers Thijs , Nöstlinger Christiana
Published: November 2022

Background
PrEP uptake is low among non-Belgian men and transwomen who have sex with men, although the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in Belgium is diversifying in terms of nationalities and ethnicity. We lack an in-depth understanding of this gap.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach. The data consists of key informants interviews and in-depth interviews with migrant men or transwomen who have sex with men.
Results
We identified four underlying determinants which shape our participants’ experiences and contextualize the barriers to PrEP use. These include (1) the intersectional identities of being migrant and men and transwomen who have sex with men, (2) migration related stressors, (3) mental health and (4) socio-economic vulnerability. Identified barriers include: the accessibility of services; availability of information, social resources and providers’ attitudes. These barriers influence PrEP acceptance and mediated by indivudal agency this influences their PrEP uptake.
Conclusion
An interplay of several underlying determinants and barriers impacts on PrEP uptake among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men, illustrating a social gradient in access to PrEP. We need equitable access to the full spectrum of HIV prevention and care for all priority populations, including undocumented migrants. We recommend social and structural conditions that foster exercising these rights, including adapting PrEP service delivery, mental health and social support.
Interconnectivity of fear of progression and generalized anxiety – Network analysis among a sample of hematological cancer survivors
Authors: Göbel Philipp , Kuba Katharina , Götze Heide , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja , Spitzer Carsten , Hartung Tim , Esser Peter
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Cancer is associated with fears related to cancer progression (FoP), but may also result in extensive worries related to all areas of daily life implying symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Specific treatment approaches require proper differential-diagnostic, but relevant research is sparse. We applied network analysis to investigate how symptoms of both concepts are interconnected.
Methods: We used register-data of a sample of hematological cancer survivors. A regularized Gaussian graphical model including symptoms of FoP (FoP-Q) and GAD (GAD-7) was estimated. We investigated (i) the network structure via partial correlations within and between both constructs and (ii) tested hypotheses on symptoms that may be distinct for each construct by testing if these symtpoms have a low bridge expected influence (BEI).
Results: Out of 2001 eligible hematological cancer survivors, 922 (46 %) participated. Mean age was 64 years, 53 % were female. The mean partial correlation within each construct (GAD: r = .13; FoP: r = .07) were greater than between both (r = .01). BEI values among items supposed to discriminate between the constructs (e.g. worry about many things within GAD and fear not to endure treatment within FoP) were among the smallest and thus a-priori hypotheses were largely verified.
Conclusions: Our findings based on network analysis support the hypothesis that FoP and GAD are different concepts within oncology. Our exploratory data need to be validated in future longitudinal studies.
MST1 is a candidate biomarker of mortality of emergency surgical repair for acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: He Xiaohui , Wang Jing , Xue Yuan , Wang Shipan , Dong Yanjun , Zhang Hongjia , Wang Meili
Published: November 2022

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a life-threatening pathological change of the aorta. Patients who have undergone aortic surgery are usually at high risk of mortality.
Aim: We investigated the predictive value of serum Mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) as a biomarker for the risk of mortality of ATAAD patients.
Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 160 consecutive ATAAD patients who had undergone emergency surgery from July 2016 to April 2017. Medical records and blood samples were collected and analyzed. ELISA assays were performed to detect the concentrations of several proteins including MST1. The relationship between these potential biomarkers and the primary endpoint of death was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.
Results: Compared with a low level (<1330.8 ng/L), high serum MST1 level (≥1330.8 ng/L) was positively associated with the 30-day mortality (OR=5.233, 95%CI, 1.843-14.862, P<0.01) and retained predictive after adjustment for sex, age, and BMI (OR=4.993, 95% CI, 1.727-14.435, P<0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between MST1 and the 30-day mortality (P<0.01). A pre-existing basic clinical prediction model was improved with the inclusion of preoperative serum MST1. Specifically, the area under the ROC curve for base model (history of cerebrovascular disease, creatinine, time of operation) was 0.708 (95%CI, 0.546-0.836) and markedly increased to 0.823 when taking MST1 into consideration (95%CI, 0.700-0.912, P=0.02).
Conclusion: High preoperative circulating MST1, with a concentration greater than 1330.8 ng/L, was correlated with the 30-day mortality of ATAAD patients who underwent emergency surgery.
Moral conflicts from the justice and care perspectives of Japanese nurses: A qualitative content analysis
Authors: Tsunematsu Kayoko , Asai Atsushi , Kadooka Yasuhiro
Published: November 2022

Background: Healthcare professionals use the ethics of justice and care to construct moral reasoning. These ethics are conflicting in nature; different value systems and orders of justice and care are applied to the cause of actual moral conflict. We aim to clarify the structure and factors of healthcare professionals’ moral conflicts from the lens of justice and care to obtain suggestions for conflict resolutions.
Method: Semi-structured interviews about experiences of moral conflict were conducted with Japanese nurses recruited using the snowball sampling method. Interviews were conducted based on the real-life moral conflict and choice interview. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analyzed based on the interpretive method of data analysis. Verbatim transcripts were read four times, first to get an overall sense of the conflict, then to understand the person's thoughts and actions that explain the conflict, and third and fourth to identify perspectives of justice and care, respectively. Each moral perspective was classified into categories according to Chally's taxonomy.
Results: Among 31 responses, two that did not mention moral conflict were excluded, and 29 responses were analyzed. These responses were classified into six cases with conflict between both justice and care perspectives or within one perspective, and into two cases without conflict between perspectives. The “rules” category of justice and the “welfare of others” category of care were included in many cases of conflict between two perspectives, and they frequently occurred in each perspective.
Conclusions: Moral conflicts are intertwined with justice and care perspectives in a complex manner because of the conflict between both perspectives, the conflict within the same perspective, and their overlap. Organizational, professional, and patient-related factors influenced conflicts between justice and care. Additionally, multiple overlapping loyalties created conflicts within justice perspectives, and multifaceted aspects of care-provider’s responsibility and patient need created conflicts within care. Decision-making biased towards one perspective can be distorted. It is important to consider ethical issues from both perspectives to resolve conflicts, especially the effective use of the ethics of care, is recommended.
Kinetically Facilitating Two-electron Oxygen Reduction by the Synergy of Multiple Pyrrolic Nitrogen Sites for Ultra-high-yield Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Authors: Peng Wei , Liu Jiaxin , Liu Xiaoqing , Wang Liqun , Yin Lichang , Tan Haotian , Hou Feng , Liang Ji
Published: November 2022

Electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production via the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e−-ORR) is a promising alternative to the energy-intensive and high-pollution anthraquinone oxidation process. However, developing advanced electrocatalysts with high H2O2 yield, selectivity, and durability is still challenging, because of the limited quantity and easy passivation of active sites on typical metal-containing catalysts, especially for the state-of-the-art single-atom ones. Addressing this, we herein report a synergy of multiple pyrrolic N sites located on a graphene/mesoporous carbon composite for high-rate and high-efficiency 2e−-ORR catalysis. The coordination of pyrrolic N sites effectively modulates the adsorption configuration of the *OOH species and reduces the reaction barrier for 2e−-ORR, thus providing a kinetically favorable pathway for H2O2 production, as demonstrated by a combined explicit solution model and slow-growth approach investigation. Consequently, a record-high H2O2 yield of up to 30 mol g−1 h−1 has been achieved on this material, together with a satisfactory Faradaic efficiency of 80% and excellent durability, yielding a high H2O2 concentration of 7.2 g L−1. This strategy of manipulating the adsorption configuration of reactants by the synergy of multiple non-metal active sites thus provides a highly efficient and durable metal-free electrocatalyst for 2e−-ORR with high practical feasibility.
Fog-Laden Density Staircases in the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer
Authors: Fernando Harindra J.S. , Wang Sen , Huang Kelly Y. , Creegan Ed
Published: November 2022

The formation of a layered structure in the form of vertically separated density steps (staircases) in stably stratified fluids has been reported in many laboratory and oceanic studies as well as in the terrestrial atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) to a lesser extent, with attribution to different dynamical mechanisms. This paper presents observations of layered structures in fog-laden marine ABL, where both fog and density steps appear almost simultaneously following a turbulent mixing event under nocturnal conditions. The observations were made during the C-FOG (2018) field campaign aboard a research vessel using rawinsonde launches, aided by a suite of supporting onboard instruments. This is a case of great practical interest because of the impediment by fog-laden staircases to optical and near-infrared wave propagation in the ABL due to enhanced beam jitter by density steps and beam attenuation by fog. A new mechanism is proposed to explain the genesis of density layering, wherein steps appear when fluid parcels with significant buoyancy differences (Δ𝑏) osculate in regions of weak turbulence (local length and velocity scales, 𝐿𝐻 and 𝑢𝐻, respectively) devoid of adequate inertial forces (~ 𝑢𝐻2 /𝐿𝐻) to cause fluid parcels to stir past each other. This is expressed in terms of a local bulk Richardson number criterion 𝑅𝑖= Δ𝑏𝐿𝐻/𝑢𝐻2>𝑅𝑖𝑐, where 𝑅𝑖𝑐 is a critical value. A simple laboratory experiment with an idealized (three layer) density stratification and a known turbulence source (oscillating grid) was performed to demonstrate the proposed mechanism, and through a combination of measurements and modeling it was found 𝑅𝑖𝑐 ≈ 1.5. The proposed criterion was consistent with C-FOG field observations as well as representative previous layering observations in the atmosphere and ocean due to localized turbulence mixing events caused by Kelvin-Helmholtz billowing.
Temperament and Longitudinal Changes in Physical Activity – Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study
Authors: Karppanen Anna-Kaisa , Miettunen Jouko , Hurtig Tuula , Nordström Tanja , Tammelin Tuija , Korpelainen Raija
Published: November 2022

Background Insufficient physical activity is risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality. This population-based birth cohort study investigated the associations between self-reported temperament at age 31 and self-reported leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels and changes thereof from the age of 31 to the age of 46 years. Methods The study population comprised 3,084 subjects from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. MVPA was self-reported at ages 31 and 46 years. Novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence and their subscales were measured using Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory at age 31. Four temperament clusters were used in the analyses:persistent,overactive,dependent, andpassive. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between temperament and LTPA. Results Thepersistentandoveractivetemperament profiles at age 31 were positively associated with higher MVPA levels both in young adulthood and in midlife, while thepassiveanddependenttemperaments were associated with lower MVPA levels. Theoveractivetemperament profile was associated with a decrease in MVPA levels from young adulthood to midlife among males. Conclusion Apassivetemperament profile characterized by high harm avoidance is associated with a higher risk of low MVPA level than other temperament profiles over the life cycle in females. The results suggest that temperament may play a role in determining the level and sustainability of MVPA. Individual targeting and intervention tailoring for promoting physical activity should consider temperament traits.