bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PROmotion of COvid-19 VA(X)ccination in the Emergency Department—PROCOVAXED: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rodriguez Robert M. , O’Laughlin Kelli , Eucker Stephanie A. , Chang Anna Marie , Rising Kristin L. , Nichol Graham , Pauley Alena , Kanzaria Hemal , Gentsch Alexzandra T. , Li Cindy , Duber Herbie , Butler Jonathan , Eswaran Vidya , Glidden Dave
Published: April 2022

Background

We conducted in-depth interviews to characterize reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in emergency department (ED) patients and developed messaging platforms that may address their concerns. In this trial, we seek to determine whether provision of these COVID-19 vaccine messaging platforms in EDs will be associated with greater COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in unvaccinated ED patients.

Methods

This is a cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating our COVID-19 vaccine messaging platforms in seven hospital EDs (mix of academic, community, and safety-net EDs) in four US cities. Within each study site, we randomized 30 1-week periods to the intervention and 30 1-week periods to the control. Adult patients who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine are eligible with these exclusions: (1) major trauma, intoxication, altered mental status, or critical illness; (2) incarceration; (3) psychiatric chief complaint; and (4) suspicion of acute COVID-19 illness. Participants receive an orally administered Intake survey. During intervention weeks, participants then receive three COVID-19 vaccine messaging platforms (4-min video, one-page informational flyer and a brief, scripted face-to-face message delivered by an ED physician or nurse); patients enrolled during non-intervention weeks do not receive these platforms. Approximately, an hour after intake surveys, participants receive a Vaccine Acceptance survey during which the primary outcome of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in the ED is ascertained. The other primary outcome of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine within 32 days is ascertained by electronic health record review and phone follow-up. To determine whether provision of vaccine messaging platforms is associated with a 7% increase in vaccine acceptance and uptake, we will need to enroll 1290 patients.

Discussion

Highlighting the difficulties of trial implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic in acute care settings, our novel trial will lay the groundwork for delivery of public health interventions to vulnerable populations whose only health care access occurs in EDs.

Conclusions

Toward addressing vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable populations who seek care in EDs, our cluster-RCT will determine whether implementation of vaccine messaging platforms is associated with greater COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in unvaccinated ED patients.

Trial status

We began enrollment in December 2021 and expect to continue through 2022.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT05142332. Registered 02 December 2021.
Old zoonotic agents and novel variants of tick-borne microorganisms from Benguela (Angola), July 2017
Authors: Palomar Ana M. , Molina Israel , Bocanegra Cristina , Portillo Aránzazu , Salvador Fernando , Moreno Milagros , Oteo José A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Ticks and tick-borne diseases constitute a real threat for the livestock industry, which is increasing in Angola. In addition, ticks are vectors of zoonoses of public health concern, and scarce information is available from this country. In an effort to contribute to the prevention of zoonotic infectious diseases affecting humans and animals, the molecular screening of certain tick-related microorganisms collected on cattle in Angola was performed under a ‘One Health’ scope.

Methods

Ticks collected from cattle in Cubal (Benguela Province, Angola) in July 2017 were analysed in pools using specific PCR assays for bacteria (Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia, Coxiella and Spiroplasma) and protozoa (Theileria and Babesia) detection.

Results

A total of 124 tick specimens were grouped in 25 pools (two Amblyomma variegatum, three Hyalomma truncatum, 16 Rhipicephalus decoloratus, two Rhipicephalus duttoni, one Rhipicephalus evertsi mimeticus and one Rhipicephalus sp.). The amplified microorganisms were (pools): Rickettsia africae (two A. variegatum and one R. decoloratus), Rickettsia aeschlimannii (three H. truncatum), Ehrlichia spp. (six R. decoloratus), Coxiella spp. (all but H. truncatum), Francisella sp. (one H. truncatum), Spiroplasma sp. closely related to Spiroplasma ixodetis (three R. decoloratus), Babesia bigemina (two R. decoloratus) and Babesia spp. (two A. variegatum). The obtained nucleotide sequences from Ehrlichia spp., two Coxiella genotypes (from R. duttoni and Rhipicephalus sp.), Francisella sp. and Babesia spp. (from A. variegatum) reached low identities with known genetically characterized species.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the circulation in Angola of the pathogen R. aeschlimannii and potential novel tick-related microorganisms belonging to Ehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella, Spiroplasma and Babesia spp. and corroborates the presence of R. africae and B. bigemina. Our results should be considered in developing protocols for the management of fever of unknown origin and for veterinary practices. Further studies are required to evaluate the risk of tick-borne diseases in Angola.

Graphical Abstract
Prohemocytes are the main cells infected by dengue virus in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
Authors: Cheng Lie , Liu Wei-Liang , Su Matthew P. , Huang Shu-Chen , Wang Jen-Ren , Chen Chun-Hong
Published: April 2022

Background

The primary disease vectors for dengue virus (DENV) transmission between humans are the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, with Ae. aegypti population size strongly correlated with DENV outbreaks. When a mosquito is infected with DENV, the virus migrates from the midgut to the salivary glands to complete the transmission cycle. How the virus crosses the hemocoel, resulting in systemic infection, is still unclear however. During viral infection and migration, the innate immune system is activated in defense. As part of cellular-mediated immunity, hemocytes are known to defend against bacteria and Plasmodium infection and may also participate in defending against DENV infection. Hemocytes are categorized into three cell types: prohemocytes, granulocytes, and oenocytoids. Here, we investigated which hemocytes can be infected by DENV and compare hemocyte infection between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

Methods

Hemocytes were collected from Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes that were intrathoracically infected with DENV2-GFP. The collected hemocytes were then identified via Giemsa staining and examined microscopically for morphological differences and viral infection.

Results

All three types of hemocytes were infected by DENV, though the predominantly infected cell type was prohemocytes. In Ae. aegypti, the highest and lowest infection rates at 7 days post infection occurred in prohemocytes and granulocytes, respectively. Prohemocytes were also the primary infection target of DENV in Ae. albopictus, with similar infection rates across the other two hemocyte groups. The ratios of hemocyte composition did not differ significantly between non-infected and infected mosquitoes for either species.

Conclusions

In this study, we showed that prohemocytes were the major type of hemocyte infected by DENV in both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The infection rate of prohemocytes in Ae. albopictus was lower than that in Ae. aegypti, which may explain why systemic DENV infection in Ae. albopictus is less efficient than in Ae. aegypti and why Ae. albopictus is less correlated to dengue fever outbreaks. Future work in understanding the mechanisms behind these phenomena may help reduce arbovirus infection prevalence.

Graphical Abstract
Lifestyle in adulthood can modify the causal relationship between BMI and islet function: using Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Liu Xuekui , Xu Huihui , Liu Ying , Yang Manqing , Xu Wei , Geng Houfa , Liang Jun
Published: April 2022

Background

Body mass index was intimately associated with islet function, which was affected by various confounding factors. Among all methods of statistical analysis, Mendelian randomization best ruled out bias to find the causal relationship. In the present study, we explored the relationship between 13 East Asian body mass index-related genes reported previously and islet function using the Mendelian randomization method.

Methods

A total of 2892 participants residing in northern China were enrolled. Anthropological information, such as sex, age, drinking status, smoking status, weight, height and blood pressure, was recorded for all participants. Fasting glucose and insulin were detected, and the insulin sensitivity index was calculated. 13 single nucleotide polymorphismss in East Asian body mass index -related genes were analysed with the ABI7900HT system.

Results

Five genetic locus mutations, CDKAL1, MAP2K5, BDNF, FTO and SEC16B, were found to be associated with body mass index and were used to estimate the genetic risk score. We found that the genetic risk score was negatively associated with the insulin sensitivity index. Even after adjusted of confounding factors, the relationship showed statistical significance. A subsequent interaction effect analysis suggested that the negative relationship between the genetic risk score and insulin sensitivity index no longer existed in the nondrinking population, and smokers had a stronger negative relationship than nonsmokers.

Conclusion

We found a negative causal relationship between body mass index-related genetic locus mutations and insulin resistance, which might be increased by acquired lifestyle factors, such as drinking and smoking status.
Severe lactic acidosis and persistent diastolic hypotension following standard dose of intermittent nebulized salbutamol in a child: a case report
Authors: Colombo Marco , Plebani Anna , Bosco Annalisa , Agosti Massimo
Published: April 2022

Background

Salbutamol is a selective β2-receptor agonist widely used to treat asthma in both emergency and outpatient settings. However, it has been associated with a broad spectrum of side effects. Lactic acidosis and diastolic hypotension are rarely reported together following intermittent salbutamol nebulization in children, even less so at standard therapeutic doses.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 12-year-old Italian boy, 34 kg body weight, who experienced a serious drug reaction during a moderate asthma exacerbation with associated dehydration (blood urea nitrogen/creatinine 0.25), following intermittent inhaled (0.2 mg at 3-hour intervals—overall 1.4 mg in 24 hours before arrival) and nebulized treatment (3.25 mg at 20-minute intervals in 60 minutes, overall 11.25 mg in our emergency department). The patient developed hyperglycemia (peak concentration 222 mg/dL), hypokalemia (lowest concentration 2.6 mEq/L), electrocardiogram alterations (corrected QT interval 467 ms), long-lasting arterial hypotension despite fluid boluses (lowest value 87/33 mmHg), and elevated blood lactate levels (peak concentration 8.1 mmol/L), following the third nebulized dose. Infections, liver dysfunction, and toxicity following other medications were ruled out. The aforementioned alterations improved within 24 hours after discontinuation of salbutamol.

Conclusions

We reinforce the message that even the use of intermittent nebulized salbutamol for acute moderate asthma can lead to severe transient complications in children. Then, healthcare providers should pay attention not only in emergency settings, to achieve prompt recognition and proper management of this adverse reaction. Careful reassessment could prevent similar reactions.
A randomised controlled trial of non-invasive ventilation compared with extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal for acute hypercapnic exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Barrett Nicholas A. , Hart Nicholas , Daly Kathleen J. R. , Marotti Martina , Kostakou Eirini , Carlin Chris , Lua Stephanie , Singh Suveer , Bentley Andrew , Douiri Abdel , Camporota Luigi
Published: April 2022

Background

Patients presenting with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are typically managed with non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The impact of low-flow extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) on outcome in these patients has not been explored in randomised trials.

Methods

Open-label randomised trial comparing NIV (NIV arm) with ECCO2R (ECCO2R arm) in patients with AECOPD at high risk of NIV failure (pH < 7.30 after ≥ 1 h of NIV). The primary endpoint was time to cessation of NIV. Secondary outcomes included device tolerance and complications, changes in arterial blood gases, hospital survival.

Results

Eighteen patients (median age 67.5, IQR (61.5–71) years; median GOLD stage 3 were enrolled (nine in each arm). Time to NIV discontinuation was shorter with ECCO2R (7:00 (6:18–8:30) vs 24:30 (18:15–49:45) h, p = 0.004). Arterial pH was higher with ECCO2R at 4 h post-randomisation (7.35 (7.31–7.37) vs 7.25 (7.21–7.26), p < 0.001). Partial pressure of arterial CO2 (PaCO2) was significantly lower with ECCO2R at 4 h (6.8 (6.2–7.15) vs 8.3 (7.74–9.3) kPa; p = 0.024). Dyspnoea and comfort both rapidly improved with commencement of ECCO2R. There were no severe or life-threatening complications in the study population. There were no episodes of major bleeding or red blood cell transfusion in either group. ICU and hospital length of stay were longer with ECCO2R, and there was no difference in 90-day mortality or functional outcomes at follow-up.

Interpretation

There is evidence of benefit associated with ECCO2R with time to improvement in respiratory acidosis, in respiratory physiology and an immediate improvement in patient comfort and dyspnoea with commencement of ECCO2R. In addition, there was minimal clinically significant adverse events associated with ECCO2R use in patients with AECOPD at risk of failing or not tolerating NIV. However, the ICU and hospital lengths of stay were longer in the ECCO2R for similar outcomes.

Trial registration The trial is prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02086084. Registered on 13th March 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02086084?cond=ecco2r&draw=2&rank=8
Emerging professional practices focusing on reducing inequity in speech-language therapy and audiology: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Abrahams Kristen , Mallick Rizwana , Hohlfeld Ameer , Suliaman Tamzyn , Kathard Harsha
Published: April 2022

Background

Human communication is essential for socialising, learning and working. Disabilities and social disadvantage have serious negative consequences on communication which can impact development from early life into adulthood. While speech-language therapists and audiologists (SLT/As) have an important role to play in addressing communication disability and disadvantage, services continue to be inaccessible, unaffordable and unattainable for the majority population. In order to support this large population, it is necessary to reimagine SLT/A practices in line with equity and social inclusion. Recently in the literature, there have been increasing calls for professions to reduce inequities in practice as indicated by the sustainable development goals, human rights and social inclusion approaches increasing in prominence. For the scoping review, equity is understood using the colonial matrix of power to understand how intersections of race, gender, class, disability, geography, heteronormativity and language create the context for inequity. As such, the aim of the scoping review is to address the following question: what are the emerging professional practices in SLT/A focused on reducing inequities?

Methods

Following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, this scoping review will focus on systematically mapping the documented emerging clinical practices in SLT/A in the literature to identify how the professions are developing equitable practices. The search will include electronic databases and grey literature including PubMed, Scopus, EbscoHost, The Cochrane Library and Dissertation Abstracts International, Education Resource Information Centre from their inception onwards. Published and unpublished literature including all evidence sources will be considered. There should be a clear focus on clinical practice addressing equity in SLT/A. There will be no language limitations for the study. The authors will endeavour translate to have abstracts of articles translated. There will be no time restrictions on date of publication of the literature.

Discussion

We aim to review the current literature on emerging professional practices in relation to equity in SLT/A to identify emerging trends in clinical practice. It is our goal to provide a synthesis of emerging directions for practice, particularly to inform future practices in the Global South.

Systematic review registration

Open Science Framework (osf.io/3a29w).
Risk factors for child stunting in Bangladesh: an analysis using MICS 2019 data
Authors: Chowdhury Tuhinur Rahman , Chakrabarty Sayan , Rakib Muntaha , Winn Stephen , Bennie Jason
Published: April 2022

Background

Malnutrition is considered a major public health challenge and is associated with a range of health issues, including childhood stunting. Stunting is a reliable and well-recognized indicator of chronic childhood malnutrition. The objective of this study is to determine the risk factors associated with stunting among 17,490 children below five years of age in Bangladesh.

Methods

Correlates of child stunting were examined using data generated by a cross-sectional cluster survey conducted in Bangladesh in 2019. The data includes a total of 17,490 children (aged < 5 years) from 64,400 households. Multiple logistic regressions were used to determine the risk factors associated with child stunting and severe stunting.

Results

The prevalence of stunting and severe stunting for children was 25.96% and 7.97%, respectively. Children aged 24 to < 36 months [Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.65, 95% CI: 2.30, 3.05] and aged 36 to < 48 months [OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 2.02, 2.69] had more risk of stunting compared to the children aged < 6 months. Children from Sylhet division had the greatest risk of stunting of all the eight divisions [OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.46]. Children of secondary complete or higher educated mothers were less likely to develop stunting [OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.79] compared with children of mothers having no education at all. Similarly, children of secondary complete or higher educated father [OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.87] were found to have lower risk of stunting compared with children whose father hadn’t any education. Substantially lower risk of stunting was observed among children whose mother and father both completed secondary education or above [OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.69]. Children from the richest households [OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.58] had 51% lower odds of stunting compared to children from the poorest households.

Conclusions

After controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors, parental education and household position in the wealth index were found to be the most important determinants of child stunting in Bangladesh.
Advances in the development of new biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Klyucherev Timofey O. , Olszewski Pawel , Shalimova Alena A. , Chubarev Vladimir N. , Tarasov Vadim V. , Attwood Misty M. , Syvänen Stina , Schiöth Helgi B.
Published: April 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, heterogeneous, progressive disease and is the most common type of neurodegenerative dementia. The prevalence of AD is expected to increase as the population ages, placing an additional burden on national healthcare systems. There is a large need for new diagnostic tests that can detect AD at an early stage with high specificity at relatively low cost. The development of modern analytical diagnostic tools has made it possible to determine several biomarkers of AD with high specificity, including pathogenic proteins, markers of synaptic dysfunction, and markers of inflammation in the blood. There is a considerable potential in using microRNA (miRNA) as markers of AD, and diagnostic studies based on miRNA panels suggest that AD could potentially be determined with high accuracy for individual patients. Studies of the retina with improved methods of visualization of the fundus are also showing promising results for the potential diagnosis of the disease. This review focuses on the recent developments of blood, plasma, and ocular biomarkers for the diagnosis of AD.
The psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the attitude survey inclusive education-parents
Authors: Xu Su Qiong , Zhu Jinxin , Xie Zhuoxuan , Li Xuehui
Published: April 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Attitude Survey Inclusive Education-Parents (ASIE-P) in mainland China.

Methods

A sample of 1,656 parents (70.59% female) from 27 provinces in mainland China completed the online survey. The data set was randomly split into two equal parts for exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively.

Results

The result of EFA showed two factors (emotion and cognition) underlining the Chinese parents’ attitude towards inclusive education. Results of CFA confirmed the two-factor structure and good psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the ASIE-P.

Conclusions

The two-factor structure of the Chinese version of the ASIE-P is different from that in Western societies. Despite this, the Chinese version of the ASIE-P is reliable and valid for Chinese parents, and can be used as a measurement tool for studies of Chinese parents' attitude toward inclusive education.
HyGraph: a subgraph isomorphism algorithm for efficiently querying big graph databases
Authors: Asiler Merve , Yazıcı Adnan , George Roy
Published: April 2022

The big graph database provides strong modeling capabilities and efficient querying for complex applications. Subgraph isomorphism which finds exact matches of a query graph in the database efficiently, is a challenging problem. Current subgraph isomorphism approaches mostly are based on the pruning strategy proposed by Ullmann. These techniques have two significant drawbacks- first, they are unable to efficiently handle complex queries, and second, their implementations need the large indexes that require large memory resources. In this paper, we describe a new subgraph isomorphism approach, the HyGraph algorithm, that is efficient both in querying and with memory requirements for index creation. We compare the HyGraph algorithm with two popular existing approaches, GraphQL and Cypher using complexity measures and experimentally using three big graph data sets—(1) a country-level population database, (2) a simulated bank database, and (3) a publicly available World Cup big graph database. It is shown that the HyGraph solution performs significantly better (or equally) than competing algorithms for the query operations on these big databases, making it an excellent candidate for subgraph isomorphism queries in real scenarios.
Simple topographic parameter reveals the along-trench distribution of frictional properties on shallow plate boundary fault
Authors: Koge Hiroaki , Ashi Juichiro , Park Jin-Oh , Miyakawa Ayumu , Yabe Suguru
Published: April 2022

The critical taper model best describes the first-order mechanics of subduction zone wedges. The wedge geometry, which is conventionally defined by two parameters, slope angle and basal dip angle, accounts for the strength of megathrust. By applying this theoretical model, fault frictional properties and earthquake occurrences can be compared among subduction zones, and within a single subduction zone, and the spatial distribution or temporal change of fault strength can be investigated. Slope angle can be accurately estimated from bathymetry data, but basal dip angle must be inferred from subsurface structure, which requires highly accurate depth-migrated seismic reflection profiles. Thus, application of the critical taper model is often limited by an insufficient number of highly accurate profiles, and the spatial distribution of frictional coefficients must be inferred from relatively few data. To improve this situation, we revisited the theoretical formula of the critical taper model. We found that the effect of basal dip angle on the critical taper model is small, and slope angle can be a proxy for the effective friction when the pore fluid pressure ratio is high, internal friction is small, or both. These conditions are met in many subduction zones. The validity of the approximation can be checked with a parameter newly introduced in this study. Therefore, this finding allows use of variations in slope angle, which could be obtained accurately from only the bathymetry as an approximation for relative variations in the effective coefficient of basal friction, if the targeted subduction meets the validity. We applied this approximation to the Japan Trench and estimated the variations in the friction coefficient distribution on the shallow plate boundary fault from 71 data points. We found that the area where the friction coefficient was smaller than the mean corresponded to a segment, where a large coseismic shallow rupture occurred during the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake (Mw 9.0). Thus, by approximating tapered wedge geometry with a simple topographic parameter that can be obtained from existing global bathymetry, we can quickly estimate the distribution of frictional properties on a plate boundary fault along a trench and related seismic activity.

Graphical Abstract
Salt-tolerant and thermostable mechanisms of an endoglucanase from marine Aspergillus niger
Authors: Cai Li-Nian , Xu Sheng-Nan , Lu Tao , Lin Dong-Qiang , Yao Shan-Jing
Published: April 2022

The cellulase cocktail of marine Aspergillus niger exhibited salt-tolerant and thermostable properties, which is of great potential in industrial application. In order to excavate the single tolerant cellulase components from complex cellulase cocktail, constitutive homologous expression was employed for direct obtainment of the endoglucanase (AnEGL). Enzymatic property study revealed that AnEGL exhibited a property of salt tolerance and a strong thermostability in high salinity environment. Significantly, its activity increased to 129% and the half-life at 65 °C increased to 27.7-fold with the presence of 4.5 M NaCl. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that Na+ and Cl− could form salt bridges with charged residues, and then influenced the activity of loops and the stability of substrate binding pocket, which accounted for the salt tolerance and thermostability. Further, site-specific mutagenesis study proved that the residues Asp95 and Asp99 in the pocket were of great concern for the tolerant properties. The salt-tolerant and thermostable AnEGL was of great value in lignocellulosic utilization and the conjectural mechanisms were of referential significance for other tolerant enzymes.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of sheep wool residues as soil amendments on olive beneficial symbionts and bacterial diversity
Authors: Palla Michela , Turrini Alessandra , Cristani Caterina , Bonora Laura , Pellegrini David , Primicerio Jacopo , Grassi Arianna , Hilaj Filip , Giovannetti Manuela , Agnolucci Monica
Published: April 2022

In recent years the use of organic matter soil amendments, such as agricultural by-products, has been implemented with the aim of increasing soil fertility, while minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture. Sheep wool residues (SWR) have shown beneficial effects on plant nutrition and soil properties, while only few works assessed their impact on soil microbial communities. The main aim of this work was to investigate the possible valorization of two SWR types (scoured residues, white wool, WW, and carbonized scoured residues, black wool, BW) as organic soil amendments, in pot-grown olive trees, by evaluating their impact on soil bacterial communities and mycorrhizal symbionts. The two SWR types did not negatively impact on the diversity and composition of soil bacterial communities, as revealed by PCR-denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) of partial 16S rRNA gene, and on the activity of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), while positively affecting plant growth. Only the highest doses of one SWR type (2% BW) caused a decrease in bacterial diversity and native AMF ability to colonize olive roots. DGGE bands sequencing allowed the identification of the major bacterial taxa. Sequences corresponding toOhtaekwangiaspp., Beta proteobacterium,Blastocatellasp.,Ramlibacter monticolaandMassilia frigida/rubra,Dongiasp. and Chloroflexi were mainly represented in SWR-amended soils, while those represented byChryseolinea soliand Acidobacteria were abundant in control soil. Overall, this work showed that SWR may be valorized as organic soil amendments, as soil bacteria and AMF, representing key factors of biological soil fertility, were not negatively affected, while the activity of bacterial genera and species known for their ability to decompose complex compounds was boosted. Further studies will investigate the biodegradation efficiency of the diverse bacterial taxa developing in SWR-amended soils.

Graphic Abstract
Evaluation of the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized children by PYMS, STAMP, and STRONGkids tools and comparison with their anthropometric indices: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Malekiantaghi Armen , AsnaAshari Kosar , Shabani-Mirzaee Hosein , Vigeh Mohsen , Sadatinezhad Mohsen , Eftekhari Kambiz
Published: April 2022

Background

Malnutrition is a determining factor of pediatric mortality and morbidity, especially in low and middle-income countries. Hospitalized children are at a higher risk of malnutrition. Several malnutrition screening tools have been used, among which STAMP, PYMS, and STRONGkids are valid tools with high sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study was to compare these screening tools to find the best ones in identifying the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized children.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study performed on hospitalized children aged 1 to 16 years. The questionnaires of PYMS, STAMP, STRONGkids malnutrition risk assessment tools were filled. The weight for height and BMI for age Z-scores were calculated. The data were analyzed by SPSS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of the risk scores based on weight for height and BMI for age Z-scores were calculated.

Results

Ninety-three patients with a mean age of 5.53 ± 3.9 years were included. The frequency of malnutrition was reported as 26% and 39% according to weight for height and BMI for age Z-scores, respectively. A significant relationship was found between PYMS and Weight for height Z-score (P-value < 0.001), and BMI for age Z-score (P-value < 0.001). Moreover, STRONGkids was found to be associated with weight for height Z-score (P-value: 0.017).

Conclusion

The PYMS is a practical and beneficial tool in early identifying the risk of severe malnutrition in hospitalized patients. It is a suitable method for patients in our settings.
Lack of an association between dietary patterns and adiposity among primary school children in Kilimanjaro Tanzania
Authors: Mosha Mary Vincent , Paulo Heavenlight A. , Msuya Sia E. , Grosskurth Heiner , Filteau Suzanne
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Healthy dietary habits prevent childhood overweight and obesity and the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life. We examined dietary patterns and their association with adiposity among primary school children in northern Tanzania.

Methods

Dietary data was collected by 24-h recall and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for 1170 primary school children aged 9 – 11 years from 20 primary schools in the Kilimanjaro region. Factor analysis and FFQ data were used to identify dietary patterns. Children were categorized into terciles of their adherence to each dietary pattern. Multilevel logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of dietary pattern terciles with adiposity indicators: body mass index z–scores (BMI z scores), body fat percentage by bioelectrical impedance, triceps, subscapular skinfold thicknesses, and waist circumference.

Results

Fifteen percent of children had BMI Z > 1.0, indicating overweight or obesity. Two dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis: a healthy pattern characterized by frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables; and a mixed dietary pattern characterized by intake of fatty snacks, sweets and sugar snacks, sugary beverages, meat and alternatives, milk, and milk products. After adjusting for potential confounders, for both models: model 1 (age and sex), and model 2 (age, sex, school type, time spent walking to school, district [urban/ rural], availability of television and electronic gadgets at home and neighbourhood playground); we found no significant associations between dietary patterns and adiposity measures.

Conclusion

Dietary patterns were not associated with adiposity in Tanzanian primary school children, possibly because of limitations of the FFQ, which did not record information on portion sizes. Future research should focus on understanding the key foods / snacks consumed by school children, portion sizes and their long-term effects on adiposity in children.
Advancing genome editing to improve the sustainability and resiliency of animal agriculture
Authors: Wray-Cahen Diane , Bodnar Anastasia , Rexroad Caird , Siewerdt Frank , Kovich Dan
Published: April 2022

Animal agriculture faces unprecedented challenges, including the need to increase productivity to meet increasing demands for high quality protein while combating increasing pest and disease pressures, improving animal welfare, adapting to a changing climate, and reducing the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Genome editing, in concert with other existing technologies, has the potential to accelerate these efforts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports research focused on delivering scientific solutions to these national and global agricultural challenges and transferring these solutions to farmers. Genome editing, along with a broad range of other tools, provides an opportunity for scientists, breeders, farmers, and ranchers to meet these challenges and provides additional benefits for society, including healthier and more resilient livestock, while reducing agriculture’s impact on the environment. Farmers and ranchers need a full toolbox of existing and innovative options. However, they will not be able to access these tools unless flexible approaches are in place that encourage innovation and allow safe innovations to be used on farms. Genome editing can help us achieve these goals only if global regulatory and policy approaches allow their use in agricultural breeding programs and deployment to farms. The global regulatory landscape for products of genome editing is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of countries focusing more on characteristics of products and whether they could be achieved by conventional breeding, rather than the technologies used to create them. The livelihoods of people along the agricultural value chain depend upon countries’ regulatory and policy choices; regulatory approaches and how they are applied have a dramatic impact in determining what products are developed and who can afford to use these new biotechnologies. We need to step forward and continue the momentum towards regulatory approaches that encourage innovation to ensure continued access to a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply for future generations.
International Regulatory Collaboration on the Analysis of Nitrosamines in Metformin-Containing Medicines
Authors: Keire David A. , Bream Robert , Wollein Uwe , Schmaler-Ripcke Jeannette , Burchardt Annette , Conti Massimiliano , Zmysłowski Adam , Keizers Peter , Morin Justin , Poh Jalene , George Mark , Wierer Michael
Published: April 2022

Recalls of some batches of metformin have occurred due to the detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in amounts above the acceptable intake (AI) of 96 ng per day. Prior to the recalls, an international regulatory laboratory network had been monitoring drugs for nitrosamine impurities with each laboratory independently developing and validating multiple analytical procedures to detect and measure nitrosamines in metformin drugs used in their jurisdictions. Here, we provide an overview of the analysis of metformin active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug products with 1090 samples (875 finished dosage forms (FDFs) and 215 API samples) tested beginning in November of 2019 through July of 2020. Samples were obtained internationally by a variety of approaches, including purchased, received from firms via information requests or selected by regional regulatory authorities (either at wholesalers or during GMP inspections). Only one nitrosamine (NDMA) was detected and was only present in some batches of metformin products. For API samples, 213 out of 215 lots tested had no measurable level of NDMA. For FDF samples tested, the number of batches with NDMA above the AI amount for patient safety was 17.8% (156/875). Based on these data, although the presence of NDMA was of concern, 82.2% of the samples of metformin drug products tested met quality and safety standards for patients. Regulatory agencies continue to collaborate extensively and work with marketing authorization holders to understand root causes of nitrosamine formation and agree on corrective actions to mitigate the presence of NDMA in future metformin batches.

Graphical abstract
Dose Escalation Pharmacokinetic Study of Intranasal Atomized Dexmedetomidine in Pediatric Patients With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Grogan Kelly , Thibault Céline , Moorthy Ganesh , Prodell Janice , Nicolson Susan C. , Zuppa Athena
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:

Atomized intranasal dexmedetomidine is an attractive option when sedation is required for pediatric patients as either premedication or the sole agent for noninvasive, nonpainful procedures. While intranasal dexmedetomidine is used frequently in this population, it is still unclear what dose and time of administration relative to the procedure will result in the optimal effect. Knowledge regarding the maximum concentration (Cmax) and time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax) of intranasally administered dexmedetomidine is the first step toward this. The risk of hemodynamic instability caused by increasing doses of dexmedetomidine necessitates a greater understanding of the pharmacokinetics in children.

METHODS:

Sixteen pediatric patients 2 to 6 years of age undergoing elective cardiac catheterization received 2 or 4 μg/kg dexmedetomidine intranasally. Plasma concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a validated assay. Descriptive noncompartmental analysis provided estimates of peak concentrations and time to reach peak concentrations. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Simulations were performed using the final model to assess dose concentrations with an alternative dosing regimen of 3 µg/kg.

RESULTS:

A median peak plasma concentration of 413 pg/mL was achieved 91 minutes after 2 μg/kg dosing, and a median peak plasma concentration of 1000 pg/mL was achieved 54 minutes after 4 μg/kg dosing. A 1-compartment pharmacokinetic model adequately described the data. Three subjects in the 4 μg/kg dosing cohort achieved a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), defined as a plasma dexmedetomidine concentration >1000 pg/mL. None of these subjects had any significant hemodynamic consequences. Simulations showed that no subjects would experience a level >1000 pg/mL when using a dose of 3 µg/kg.

CONCLUSIONS:

Concentrations associated with adequate sedation can be achieved with intranasal dexmedetomidine doses of 2 to 4 µg/kg in children 2 to 6 years of age. However, 50% of our evaluable subjects in this cohort reached a plasma concentration >1000 pg/mL. Doses of 3 µg/kg may be optimal in this population, with simulated concentrations remaining below this previously established toxicity threshold. Further studies correlating concentrations with efficacy and adverse effects are needed.
Wild Experiment
Authors: Schaefer Donovan O.
Published: April 2022

In Wild Experiment, Donovan O. Schaefer challenges the conventional wisdom that feeling and thinking are separate. Drawing on science studies, philosophy, affect theory, secularism studies, psychology, and contemporary literary criticism, Schaefer reconceptualizes rationality as defined by affective processes at every level. He introduces the model of “cogency theory” to reconsider the relationship between evolutionary biology and secularism, examining mid-nineteenth-century Darwinian controversies, the 1925 Scopes Trial, and the New Atheist movement of the 2000s. Along the way, Schaefer reappraises a range of related issues, from secular architecture at Oxford to American eugenics to contemporary climate denialism. These case studies locate the intersection of thinking and feeling in the way scientific rationality balances excited discovery with anxious scrutiny, in the fascination of conspiracy theories, and in how racist feelings assume the mantle of rational objectivity. The fact that cognition is felt, Schaefer demonstrates, is both why science succeeds and why it fails. He concludes that science, secularism, atheism, and reason itself are not separate from feeling but comprehensively defined by it.
Discovering Fiction
Authors: Yan Lianke
Published: April 2022

Over the past twenty years, Chinese novelist Yan Lianke has emerged as one of the most important writers in the world. In Discovering Fiction, Yan offers insights into his views on literature and realism, the major works that inspired him, and his theories of writing. He juxtaposes discussions of the high realism of Leo Tolstoy and Lu Xun against Franz Kafka’s modernism and Gabriel García Márquez’s magical realism, charting the relationship between causality, truth, and modes of realism. He also discusses his approach to realism, which he terms “mythorealism”—a way of capturing the world’s underlying truth by relying on the allegories, myths, legends, and dreamscapes that emerge from daily life. Revealing and instructive, Discovering Fiction gives readers an unprecedented look into the mind and art of a literary giant.
Aesthetic development of children
Authors: HAMADA MASATOSHI
Published: April 2022

Background: The dynamics between conceptualizing art-making and responding to aesthetic phenomena in relation to aesthetic development of children (ADC) are unclear. This study aimed to investigate what facilitates the transition between conceptualizing art-making and responding to aesthetic phenomena in terms of metaphors of life and nature in ADC.

Methods: We adopted an ethical methodology prioritizing movement and respecting children’s autonomy toward positive emotions. The participants were eight Japanese children (age range: 7−15 years; 6 girls, 2 boys). They were in the same painting class to ensure nearly identical aesthetic conditions.

Results: Four states according to children’s ages were observed in their perceptions of metaphors of life and nature in conscious and unconscious ways in the iterative dynamics between conceptualizing art-making and responding to aesthetic phenomena.

Conclusion: Two important findings from systems-oriented perspectives are that emotional communication in art can be theorized, and that the four states of the aesthetic development of children seem to be related to children's age-specific tension-flow rhythms. By making the process of art therapy for ADC, we can expect art therapy and art-based research to be more developmentally appropriate for children.
Malaria prevalence in Commune 5 in Tumaco (Nariño, Colombia)
Authors: Chaparro Narváez Pablo Enrique , Jimenez-Serna Monica Marcela , Gunturiz Albarracin Maria Luz , Carrasquilla Gutierrez Gabriel
Published: April 2022

Background

Urban malaria is a public health problem in Colombia and there is still lack of knowledge about its epidemiological characteristics, which are key to the implementation of control measures. The presence of urban malaria cases and disease diagnosis are some of the challenges faced by malaria elimination programs. The objective of this research was to estimate malaria prevalence, explore associated factors and detectpfhrp2/3genes, in the urban area of Tumaco between July and December 2019.

Methods

A prevalence study was conducted by using a stratified random probability sample. Structured surveys were administered and blood samples were taken and examined through optical microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A logistic regression model was used to explore associated factors.

Results

1,504 people living in 526 households were surveyed. The overall prevalence was 2.97% (95% CI: 2.1 - 4.3%). It was higher in males, in the 10-19 age group and in asymptomatic cases. The prevalence ofpfhrp2amplification was 2.16% (95% CI: 1.6 - 2.9%). Households with three or more people had a higher risk of malaria infection (adjusted odds ratio (ORa) 4.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-10.43). All cases were due toP.falciparum.

Conclusions

The prevalence of urban malaria was low. Strategies to eliminate malaria in urban areas should be adjusted considering access to early diagnosis, asymptomatic infection, and the RDTs used to detect the presence of thepfhrp2gene.
Temporal development of research publications on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19
Authors: Kang Jonghoon , Kang Erin , Cowan Matthew L. , Orozco Manuel
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected daily life throughout the world. The scientific community has globally responded to the pandemic with research on an unprecedented scale to help prevent disease spread and terminate the pandemic, resulting in a proliferation of scientific publications. In this article, the temporal trend of research on COVID-19 is analyzed to describe its development and inform a prediction of its future. Four other viruses are included in the analysis as negative or positive controls to illustrate that the concerns of the general public and/or the interest of the scientific community are major driving forces in the development of research. Our analysis predicts that COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will be major topics of research until at least 2025. We discuss the implications of our analysis for three sectors of community: researchers, epidemiologists, and young students.
Overlap of vitamin A and vitamin D target genes with CAKUT-related processes
Authors: Ozisik Ozan , Ehrhart Friederike , Evelo Chris T. , Mantovani Alberto , Baudot Anaı̈s
Published: April 2022

Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) are a group of abnormalities affecting the kidneys and their outflow tracts. CAKUT patients display a large clinical variability as well as a complex aetiology. Only 5% to 20% of the cases have a monogenic origin. It is thereby suspected that interactions of both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disease. Vitamins are among the environmental factors that are considered for CAKUT aetiology. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether vitamin A or vitamin D could have a role in CAKUT aetiology. For this purpose we collected vitamin A and vitamin D target genes and computed their overlap with CAKUT-related gene sets. We observed limited overlap between vitamin D targets and CAKUT-related gene sets. We however observed that vitamin A target genes significantly overlap with multiple CAKUT-related gene sets, including CAKUT causal and differentially expressed genes, and genes involved in renal system development. Overall, these results indicate that an excess or deficiency of vitamin A might be relevant to a broad range of urogenital abnormalities.