bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Gendered Entitlement in Understanding Inequality in the Bedroom
Authors: Klein Verena , Conley Terri D.
Published: November 2021

Five studies (using U.S. samples) examined whether men’s higher entitlement contributes to a sexual pleasure gap that disadvantages women. Participants indicated that men receive more sexual pleasure from their partners, whereas women provide more pleasure (Study 1a). Participants believed that men have more of a right to experience orgasm in both hook-up and relationship encounters and attributed higher negative affect to the male target than to the female target when the target did not experience an orgasm in a sexual scenario (Study 1b). In concert with the idea that pleasure is a privilege that men are perceived as being more entitled to, participants preferred men’s orgasm when forced to choose between the male and the female partner in an orgasm allocation task (Study 1c) and in an experiment (Study 2). Study 3 examined why people believe that men are more entitled to pleasure than women. Men’s higher sense of entitlement as an obstacle to gender equality in sexuality is discussed.
Advanced bioengineering of male germ stem cells to preserve fertility
Authors: Eyni Hossein , Ghorbani Sadegh , Nazari Hojjatollah , Hajialyani Marziyeh , Razavi Bazaz Sajad , Mohaqiq Mahdi , Ebrahimi Warkiani Majid , Sutherland Duncan S
Published: November 2021

In modern life, several factors such as genetics, exposure to toxins, and aging have resulted in significant levels of male infertility, estimated to be approximately 18% worldwide. In response, substantial progress has been made to improve in vitro fertilization treatments (e.g. microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (m-TESE), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and round spermatid injection (ROSI)). Mimicking the structure of testicular natural extracellular matrices (ECM) outside of the body is one clear route toward complete in vitro spermatogenesis and male fertility preservation. Here, a new wave of technological innovations is underway applying regenerative medicine strategies to cell-tissue culture on natural or synthetic scaffolds supplemented with bioactive factors. The emergence of advanced bioengineered systems suggests new hope for male fertility preservation through development of functional male germ cells. To date, few studies aimed at in vitro spermatogenesis have resulted in relevant numbers of mature gametes. However, a substantial body of knowledge on conditions that are required to maintain and mature male germ cells in vitro is now in place. This review focuses on advanced bioengineering methods such as microfluidic systems, bio-fabricated scaffolds, and 3D organ culture applied to the germline for fertility preservation through in vitro spermatogenesis.
Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria from 2015-2021: A review
Authors: Grace John-Ugwuanya A. , Egoh Ifunanya J. , Udensi Nnenna
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever with non-specific symptoms that has shown an upward trend in Nigeria and other West African countries, which is depicted by high incidence and case fatality in recent years. There are different reports on the yearly case burden of Lassa fever from the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria, through the regulatory body – Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Being the epicentre of the disease, Lassa fever has been exported from Nigeria to both neighbouring and distant countries.Methods: The aim of this review was to carry out a retrospective analysis from January 2015 to 26 September 2021 of the weekly and yearly outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria based on selected publications. The focus was on timely diagnosis, treatment option, public health interventions and progress of clinical trials for vaccine candidates, and to identify proactive measures that can be sustained to curb periodic outbreaks. The review was done using percentages, cross-tabulation and graphical charts.

Results:

The predominant age group infected was 21 to 40 years with a male to female ratio of 1:0.8. A total of 3311 laboratory-confirmed Lassa fever cases out of 20,588 suspected cases were identified from 29 states. Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau and Nasarawa had yearly Lassa fever incidence over the time frame considered. Contact tracing was done on over 33,804 individuals with about 90% completing follow-up. Case fatality rate within the period ranged from 9.3% to 29.2%. There is a sharp decline in the epidemiological trend of Lassa fever in the yearly seasonal peaks from weeks 1 to 13 with about 75% reduction in incidence between 2020 and 2021.

Conclusion:

The effective management of Lassa fever needs the implementation of preventive methods, prompt laboratory diagnosis, timely treatment, provision of personal protective equipment, cross-border surveillance, contact tracing, community awareness and vector control in order to minimise spread.
Return of Lymantria dispar dispar (gypsy moth): A case report
Authors: Haq Mawiyah , O’Toole Ashley , Beecker Jennifer , Gooderham Melinda J
Published: November 2021

An invasive moth, Lymantria dispar dispar, also known as the gypsy moth, originates from Europe and first came to Ontario, Canada, in 1969. The moth is a defoliator which feeds on oak and other deciduous trees, and less commonly, conifers. Outbreaks of Lymantria dispar dispar moth infestation occur every 7–10 years with rapid expansion of the population until there is a natural collapse due to pathogens and predators. In addition to the extensive environmental impact of defoliation of the tree canopy, the Lymantria dispar dispar moth larva (caterpillar) is responsible for causing a significant cutaneous eruption in exposed individuals. In our report, we describe six cases of Lymantria dispar dispar dermatitis which occurred in Ontario, Canada, in May of 2021. It is important for dermatologists to be aware of this potential diagnosis and to be aware of local infestation in affected areas.
Gaze Analysis of Pianists’ Sight-reading: Comparison Between Expert Pianists and Students Training to Be Pianists
Authors: Imai-Matsumura Kyoko , Mutou Megumi
Published: November 2021

One of the most important skills for a pianist is sight-reading, which is the ability to read an unknown music score and play it. In recent years, research has analysed eye movement during sight-reading. However, the definition of sight-reading has varied. In addition, the participants enlisted as experts in most studies have been music college students. The present study aimed to compare eye movements during sight-reading between experts, teachers at a music college and pianists, and non-experts, music college students studying to become pianists, using an eye tracker. Using easy and difficult music scores for two-handed playing, we investigated whether there were differences in the number of eye fixations, fixation duration, and eye-hand span. The definition of sight-reading in this study is to read a novel music score once without playing the piano, and then to play it while looking at the music score. The results showed that the higher the piano performance rating, the longer the eye-hand span. Areas of interest (AOIs) were defined every two rows, including a treble and bass staff in each music score. We conducted a two-factor repeated measures ANOVA (group × AOI) for each dependent variable to analyse fixation count and fixation duration per eye fixation. There was a significant interaction for the fixation count between groups and AOIs both without and with performance in the difficult score. In experts, the number of eye fixations on the difficult part of difficult score increased compared with other part both without and with performances. By contrast, there was a significant interaction for the duration per eye fixation between groups and AOIs in easy score with performance. The duration per eye fixation in experts was shorter than that in non-experts in the easy score with performance. These results suggest that experts get information through short gaze fixations.
Information Source Use and Social Media Engagement: Examining their Effects on Origin of COVID-19 Beliefs
Authors: Gibson Kristin E. , Sanders Catherine E. , Lamm Alexa J.
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a highly infectious virus transmitted through droplets from sneezes and coughs, was declared a global pandemic in 2020. Measures implemented by organizations as a result of COVID-19 were controversial among United States (U.S.) citizens. Perceptions of governmental and scientific information further divided U.S. citizens and distrust in science fostered conspiratorial thinking toward the origin of the virus. The purpose of this study was to determine if critical thinking style (CTS), the use of COVID-19 information sources, and social media connections were predictors of origin of COVID-19 beliefs. A survey was disseminated to 1,048 U.S. adults in May 2020 when most states were under shelter-in-place orders. Results indicated select COVID-19 information sources used and social media connections predicted origin of COVID-19 beliefs. CTS was not a significant predictor. Findings revealed a partisan divide between COVID-19 information sources. Implications for science communicators engaging the public during crisis were discussed.
Effects of Financial Market Information on Firms’ Productivity Under Operating Pressure and Financial Constraints: Evidence From the Chinese Stock Market
Authors: Lai Fujun , Zhu Sha , Feng Qingxiang , Yao Yi
Published: November 2021

Many studies have examined the impact of economic fundamentals on the financial market, but few have explored how financial market information affects the real economy. In this paper, we examine the effects of stock price informativeness on firms’ total factor productivity (TFP) using panel data of Chinese listed manufacturing firms over the period 2007 to 2017. Specifically, we use stock price nonsynchronicity to measure stock price informativeness, and real economic activity efficiency is proxied by the listed firms’ total factor productivity estimated by the LP and ACF methods. We find that stock price informativeness is positively associated with firms’ productivity in China. More importantly, we propose two possible mechanisms to intensify the consequences of stock price informativeness and find that operating pressure and financial constraints can positively intensify the relationship between stock price informativeness and firms’ TFP. As financial information is crucial for sustainable and steady economic growth, our research not only helps to reveal how the financial market promotes economic growth but also helps to provide new ideas for managers and policy-makers to alleviate operating pressure and financing constraints.
Changing Area, Shrinking Spaces and Struggling Species: History of Camels
Authors: Choudhary Manisha
Published: November 2021

The camel is a strange animal for various reasons. Historically, it was mainly used for transportation activities. The presence of this animal in the Indian subcontinent is not very ancient as suggested by few researchers. Throughout the medieval centuries, it was mainly used for transportation, travelling and military purposes. Camel troopers were an essential unit of the postal departments. Many kings and emperors had special affection and association with camels. The engagements of camels in the military units were very popular as evident through the Shutur-khanas of various medieval states. Participating in various military campaigns under the banner of united jack, the Bikaner Camel Corps—Ganga Risala—earned international fame. In the desert of Thar, camels are revered for their social and economic value that was maintainable with minimum efforts. A vibrant culture evolved around the animal due to its economic significance and utility. It is evident that with the introduction of the new modes of transport and warfare, this animal has lost the significant position attained in the history. The engagement of camels in alternate professions for earning livelihood has taken a heavy toll on the species. So much so that now it appears in the list of endangered species.
HIV Epidemic in Libya: Identifying Gaps
Authors: Hamidi A. , Regmi P.R. , van Teijlingen E.
Published: November 2021

Background:

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) became a public issue in Libya after the infection of 400 children in El-Fatih Hospital in 1988. Due to the civil war, social and religious barriers, HIV prevalence is hard to establish, but it is generally believed to be increasing.

Objective:

This review (a) assesses the size and scope of the available literature on the HIV epidemic in Libya; and, (b) identifies the nature and extent of research conducted to date.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was performed using PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Academic Search Ultimate, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Primary research studies and official reports that are exclusively on Libya published during 1988−2021 were considered.

Results:

In total 25 studies were included: Ten primary research studies, four online news articles, six Government reports, one letter to the editor, one manuscript, three online databases

Conclusion:

Despite the low-quality data, the literature suggests there is an increase in HIV infection rates in Libya. Culturally sensitive research on sexual activities, women, HIV preventative methods and attitudes of the Libyan public will assist in developing an effective National AIDS Programme, reducing HIV stigma, supporting People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and decreasing infection rates.
Treatment of Combined Injuries to the ACL and the MCL Complex: A Consensus Statement of the Ligament Injury Committee of the German Knee Society (DKG)
Authors: Guenther Daniel , Pfeiffer Thomas , Petersen Wolf , Imhoff Andreas , Herbort Mirco , Achtnich Andrea , Stein Thomas , Kittl Christoph , Schoepp Christian , Akoto Ralph , Höher Jürgen , Scheffler Sven , Stöhr Amelie , Stoffels Thomas , Mehl Julian , Jung Tobias , Ellermann Andree , Eberle Christian , Vernacchia Cara , Lutz Patricia , Krause Matthias , Mengis Natalie , Müller Peter E. , Patt Thomas , Best Raymond
Published: November 2021

Background:

Different indications and treatment options for combined injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament complex (MCL) are not clearly defined.

Purpose:

To perform a modified Delphi process with the Committee for Ligament Injuries of the German Knee Society (DKG) in order to structure and optimize the process of treating a combined injury to the ACL and MCL.

Study Design:

Consensus statement.

Methods:

Scientific questions and answers were created based on a comprehensive literature review using the central registers for controlled studies of Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane including the terms medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, MCL, ACL, and outcome used in various combinations. The obtained statements passed 3 cycles of a modified Delphi process during which each was readjusted and rated according to the available evidence (grades A-E) by the members of the DKG Ligament Injuries Committee and its registered guests.

Results:

The majority of answers, including several questions with >1 graded answer, were evaluated as grade E (n = 16) or C (n = 10), indicating that a low level of scientific evidence was available for most of the answers. Only 5 answers were graded better than C: 3 answers with a grade of A and 2 answers with a grade of B. Only 1 answer was evaluated as grade D. An agreement of >80% (range, 83%-100%) among committee members was achieved for all statements.

Conclusion:

The results of this modified Delphi process offer a guideline for standardized patient care in cases of combined injuries to the ACL and MCL.
The Experiences of Intensive Care Nurses in Advocacy of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Aghaie Bahman , Norouzadeh Reza , Sharifipour Ehsan , Koohpaei Alireza , Negarandeh Reza , Abbasinia Mohammad
Published: November 2021

The lack of face-to-face interactions with families, the increase in the number of patients admitted to the ICU, nursing staff shortages, and inadequate personal protective equipment has created many challenges for nurses in advocacy of the COVID-19 patient with life-threatening conditions. This study aimed to explore the experiences of intensive care nurses in the advocacy of COVID-19 patients. This study was performed using a qualitative content analysis method with Graneheim and Lundman approach, Iran, 2020. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eighteen clinical nurses from the intensive care units of three hospitals. Themes extracted from the nurses’ statements were promoting patient safety (informing physicians about the complications and consequences of treatment, preventing medical errors, protecting patients from threats), respecting the patients’ values (providing comfort at the end of life, providing a comfortable environment, commitment to confidentiality, cultural observance, respect for individualism, fair care), and informing (clarifying clinical conditions, describing available services, and being the patients’ voice). ICU nurses in health crises such as COVID-19 as patient advocates should promote patient safety, respect patients’ values, and inform them. The results of this study could help enhance the active role of intensive care nurses in the advocacy of COVID-19 patients.
Norwegian Nurses’ Reflections Upon Experiences of Ethical Challenges in Older People Care: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis
Authors: Rykkje Linda , Holm Anne Lise , Hem Marit Helene
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Internationally, aging populations have increased needs for health care services, and often specialized care is required. However, services for older people tend to be underfunded, resulting in lack of qualified staff and poor quality care. Resource shortages lead to ethical challenges and insufficient nursing care. Therefore, quality in daily care for older people also depends upon the nurses’ ability to make complex, ethical decisions in their practice.

Objectives

To explore ethical challenges experienced by nurses caring for older people in clinical practice, and to provide examples of management for the challenges.

Methods

The data collected were written reflection notes by Norwegian continuous education students in advanced gerontology. Forty two of 83 notes were included and a thematic analysis in six steps was utilized.

Findings

There are three main themes: (1) meeting vulnerability, discomfort, and suffering, (2) collaboration with relatives, and (3) struggling to perform professional care.

Conclusion

Nurses strive to “do what is in the patients’ best interest”, and this is fostered through collaboration, professionalism, care, and presence. Nurses’ ethical competencies may develop when reflecting upon their own care performance. Building ethical competencies should be a priority in both nursing education and clinical practice. However, to improve care quality, nurses also need professional knowledge about older people care and ethical awareness should be supported by the workplace.
The cartographic dispossession of Bears Ears: Confronting settler colonialism in contemporary struggles over “public land”
Authors: Koester Tai Kondo , Bryan Joseph
Published: November 2021

This paper relates the cartographic construction of public lands by topographic surveys of the Colorado Plateau in the 19thCentury to contemporary debates over the management of public lands. We focus our attention on the Bears Ears National Monument that was established by President Barack Obama via Executive Order in 2016, only to be significantly reduced in size by President Donald Trump one year later. Debates over the Monument hinged on competing notions of the public interest, where the public was conceived as a singular entity in ways that marginalized the leading role played by the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, Ute, and Ute Mountain Ute tribes in securing designation of the Monument. These debates featured competing claims of “federal overreach” and theft that glossed over the Tribes’ role in creating the Monument, let alone how the land became public in the first place. This paper considers the role that surveys by the US Army Corps of Topographic Engineers, John Wesley Powell, Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden, and others played in papering over the theft of Indigenous lands. Their cartographic depictions of the region underpin current debates over management of public lands. They also shape the terrain on which the five tribes in the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition have worked to protect the area through designation of the Bears Ears National Monument. Framing struggles over Bears Ears as a public lands issue embraces a history of erasure and dispossession and shifts focus from returning land to tribal control.
Inelastic seismic shear amplification due to higher mode effects in reinforced concrete coupled walls
Authors: Rivard Gabriel , Ambroise Steeve , Paultre Patrick
Published: November 2021

Recent numerical and experimental studies on reinforced concrete shear walls and coupled walls have shown shear forces greater than expected when the walls are subjected to earthquakes at an intensity level that does not exceed the design values. This amplification of shear forces is attributable to the effects of higher modes after the walls develop a plastic hinge at the base. These effects have been recently recognized in North American design codes for cantilever walls and is currently neglected in the design of ductile coupled walls. As part of the research program described in this article, a parametric study was carried out on coupled wall systems to identify the geometric and physical parameters having the greatest influence on the seismic shear amplification. Using the results of this parametric study, an extensive numerical study was conducted on classes of ductile coupled walls subjected to seismic excitation representative of Western and Eastern Canada. This extensive study led to the establishment of shear amplification prediction equations for use in building codes.
Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for spatially distributed infrastructure considering the correlation of spectral acceleration across spectral periods
Authors: Kavvada Ioanna , Moura Scott , Horvath Arpad , Abrahamson Norman
Published: November 2021

Regional seismic hazard analyses are necessary to assess the infrastructure performance within a region and ensure that mitigation funds are utilized effectively by probabilistically considering the suite of potential earthquake events. This research aims to efficiently represent the regional seismic hazard through a compact set of seismic inputs in the form of spectral acceleration (SA) maps by considering the spatial cross-correlation of SA at a wide period range. The SA maps can then be used to probabilistically estimate the performance of a portfolio of spatially distributed structures with different fundamental periods. Efficient representation reduces the number of required SA maps to decrease the computational demands of the infrastructure performance analysis in the subsequent steps. The added dimension of the between-period spatial SA correlation exacerbates the challenge of effectively simulating and selecting a set of SA maps to reproduce the hazard curves particularly at long return periods. Two approaches are proposed to generate an optimal set of SA maps: (a) a simulation-based methodology that uses state-of-the-art variance reduction methods and (b) a simplified methodology that aims to increase the ease of use and reduce the computational demands of the simulation. The two approaches are implemented and compared using the city of San Francisco as a case study to illustrate their feasibility. The simplified approach increases the scalability of the methodology to larger study areas at the expense of reduced accuracy in terms of seismic hazard curve and SA correlation errors.
suPAR cut-offs for stratification of low, medium, and high-risk acute medical patients in the emergency department
Authors: Santeri Seppälä , Peter Andersen Andreas , Kristiina Nyyssönen , Jesper Eugen-Olsen , Harri Hyppölä
Published: November 2021

Background

Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels have previously been associated with readmission and mortality in acute medical patients in the ED. However, no specific cut-offs for suPAR have been tested in this population.

Methods

Prospective observational study of consecutively included acute medical patients. Follow-up of mortality and readmission was carried out for 30- and 90 days stratified into baseline suPAR < 4, 4–6 and > 6 ng/ml. suPAR levels were measured using suPARnostic® Turbilatex assay on a Cobas c501 (Roche Diagnostics Ltd) analyser.

Results

A total of 1747 acute medical patients in the ED were included. Median age was 70 (IQR: 57–79) and 51.4% were men. Adjusted linear regression analysis showed that suPAR, independently of age, sex and C-reactive protein levels, predicted 30- and 90-day mortality (Odds ratio for doubling in suPAR 1.96 (95% confidence intervals: 1.42–2.70) Among patients with suPAR below 4 ng/ml (N = 804, 46.0%), 8 (1.0%) died within 90-day follow-up, resulting in a negative predictive value of 99.0% and a sensitivity of 94.6%. Altogether 514 (29.4%) patients had suPAR of 4–6 ng/ml, of whom 43 (8.4%) died during 90-day follow-up. Among patients with suPAR above 6 ng/ml (N = 429, 24.6%), 87 patients (20.3%) died within 90-day follow-up, resulting in a positive predictive value of 20.1% and a specificity of 78.7%.

Conclusions

suPAR cut-offs of below 4, between 4 and 6 and above 6 ng/ml can identify acute medical patients who have low, medium or high risk of 30- and 90-day mortality. The turbidimetric assay provides suPAR results within 30 min that may aid in the decision of discharge or admission of acute medical patients.
Natalizumab administration in multiple sclerosis patients during active SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case series
Authors: Chisari Clara G. , Toscano Simona , Arena Sebastiano , Finocchiaro Chiara , Montineri Arturo , Patti Francesco
Published: November 2021

Background

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a pandemic, affecting the therapeutic management for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Any decision regarding the discontinuation of high-potency agents for moderate and highly active MS should be carefully evaluated, taking into account the potential risk of rebound of the disease. In particular, no data about clinical outcome of patients with MS receiving Natalizumab (NTZ) during active COVID-19 infection have been reported yet.

Cases presentation

We reported on 6 patients treated with NTZ for relapsing MS during active COVID-19 infection, who recovered without reporting any worsening or new symptoms. Most of the patients were asymptomatic, with the exception of one patient who had a slight worst COVID-19 clinical course. No patients received O2-therapy or required intensive care. No neurological complications were observed.

Conclusions

This paper reported the clinical outcome of patients with MS receiving NTZ during active COVID-19 infection. This case series suggests that treatment with NTZ during pandemic is relatively safe and might be continued in selected patients who are infected by COVID-19, thereby reducing the risk of MS disease rebound.
Physical inactivity, and its association with hypertension among employees in the district of Colombo
Authors: Gamage A. U. , Seneviratne R. de A.
Published: November 2021

Background

Physical inactivity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and is a major public health problem. Insufficient activity is responsible for a large proportion of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess socioeconomic variations in physical activity and to measure the association between physical inactivity and hypertension among government officials in Sri Lanka.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 275 senior-officers(SOs) and 760 managerial-assistants(MAs) aged 30–60 years and attached to Public Administration institutions in Colombo District in Sri Lanka. Physical-activity(PA) was gathered using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ) adopted and validated to the Sri Lankan context. Blood pressure(measured and classified using JNC-7 guidelines) and anthropometric indices were recorded. Energy utilization of all vigorous and moderated PA and walking was expressed as metabolic-equivalent-of-task(MET) min per week. A total-MET-score was calculated and categorized based on IPAQ guidelines.

Results

Socioeconomic variations in PA levels were observed as 58.1%(n = 158) SOs and 30.6%(n = 226) MAs were involved in inadequate PA. Among the SOs diagnosed with hypertension, more half(59.1%;n = 52) were physically inactive, while among MAs, 65.9%(n = 143) with hypertension were physically inactive. After adjusting for potential confounding factors being physically inactive was associated with a higher risk of hypertension among SOs[OR 2.08 [95% CI 1.07, 4.6] and MAs[OR 2.8 [95% CI 1.8, 4.6]. The main modality of commuting to work for SOs(59%) was private transport, and MAs(64%) public transport Commuting distance was positively correlated(p < 0.05) with total transport MET among SOs and MAs. After adjusting for confounders, commuting distance of > 20 km was found to lower the odds of hypertension among SOs and MAs(OR = 0.713; 95% CI 0.4 to1.3; and OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.87).

Conclusion

Despite the current knowledge that being physically active promotes health, the practice was different. Physical inactivity was associated with hypertension and prevalent among both SOs and MAs. Higher commuting distance is positively correlated with total transport MET and associated with lower odds of hypertension among SOs and MAs. Longitudinal studies are required to provide a causative association between physical inactivity and hypertension among these employees.
Vaccination in pregnancy against pertussis and seasonal influenza: key learnings and components from high-performing vaccine programmes in three countries: the United Kingdom, the United States and Spain
Authors: Baïssas Théophile , Boisnard Florence , Cuesta Esteve Inmaculada , Garcia Sánchez Marta , Jones Christine E. , Rigoine de Fougerolles Thierry , Tan Litjen , Vitoux Olivier , Klein Christina
Published: November 2021

Background

Pertussis and seasonal influenza are responsible for significant maternal, neonatal, and infant morbidity and mortality, but vaccine coverage rates (VCR) for both pertussis (administered as a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis [Tdap] vaccination) and seasonal influenza in pregnancy remain generally low. Only a small number of countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US), have high Tdap and seasonal influenza VCRs in pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to identify the key factors that contributed to the high VCRs observed in these countries.

Methods

The experience from both Tdap and seasonal influenza vaccination programmes during pregnancy were documented in Spain, the UK, and the US using a three-step approach. A literature review yielded 157 publications, and a further 117 documents were selected through desk research. A published five-pillar VCR framework for influenza was amended to evaluate the specific contributing factors leading to high Tdap and seasonal influenza VCRs among pregnant women.

Results

The analysis identified components that contributed to higher VCR in pregnant women across three different healthcare systems in Spain, UK, and US. The combination of several key interventions in each country led to a rapid increase in VCR that reached near-optimal levels (i.e. 75% for seasonal influenza) within a few years. As well as inclusion in national immunisation programme and vaccine reimbursement, key components that were identified included the mobilisation of health authorities, prenatal care Healthcare Professionals (HCP) and scientific societies, the inclusion of vaccination in antenatal medical guidance, the provision of educational material to HCPs, and a strong disease awareness driven by recent pertussis outbreaks in each country.

Conclusions

Although there is no simple, universal solution to improving sub-optimal VCRs, the list of components identified in this study from three countries with high-performing Tdap and seasonal influenza vaccination programmes provides a basis for public health and medical stakeholders in other countries to define strategies to successfully implement national vaccination programmes for pregnant women.
Waiting time and mortality rate on lung transplant candidates in Japan: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hirama Takashi , Akiba Miki , Watanabe Tatsuaki , Watanabe Yui , Notsuda Hirotsugu , Oishi Hisashi , Niikawa Hiromichi , Okada Yoshinori
Published: November 2021

Background

As lung transplantation (LTX) is a valuable treatment procedure for end-stage pulmonary disease, delayed referral to a transplant center should be avoided. We aimed to conduct a single-center analysis of the survival time after listing for LTX and waitlist mortality in each disease category in a Japanese population.

Methods

We included patients listed for LTX at Tohoku University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2020 who were followed up until March 2021. Pulmonary disease was categorized into the Obstructive, Vascular, Suppurative, Fibrosis, and Allogeneic groups. Risk factors for waitlist mortality were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to model time to death.

Results

We included 269 LTX candidates. Of those, 100, 72, and 97 patients were transplanted, waiting, and dead, respectively. The median time to LTX and time to death were 796 days (interquartile range [IQR] 579–1056) and 323 days (IQR 129–528), respectively. The Fibrosis group showed the highest mortality (50.9%; p < .001), followed by the Allogeneic (35.0%), Suppurative (33.3%), Vascular (32.1%), and Obstructive (13.1%) groups. The Fibrosis group showed a remarkable risk for waitlist mortality (hazard ratio 3.32, 95% CI 2.11–4.85).

Conclusions

In Japan, the waiting time is extremely long and candidates with Fibrosis have high mortality. There is a need to document outcomes based on the underlying disease for listed LTX candidates to help determine the optimal timing for listing patients based on the estimated local waiting time.
Psychosocial wellbeing among children and adults with arthrogryposis: a scoping review
Authors: Cachecho Sarah , Boruff Jill , Wong Trudy , Lacombe Francis , Dahan-Oliel Noemi
Published: November 2021

Background

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a group of congenital conditions characterized by joint contractures in two or more body areas. Management of AMC starts early in life and focuses on improving mobility and function through intensive rehabilitation and surgical interventions. Psychosocial wellbeing is an important determinant of health and the psychosocial experience of individuals with AMC should be considered in the management of this condition. The aim of this scoping review was to explore what is known about the psychosocial wellbeing of children and adults with AMC, to identify the outcome measures used and to explore the factors associated with psychosocial outcomes in this population.

Methods

A comprehensive search in four databases was conducted. Articles discussing psychosocial outcomes and outcome measures used with children or adults with AMC were included. Data on the measures used, psychosocial outcomes, and factors associated with psychosocial outcomes, were extracted and analyzed descriptively and synthesized narratively.

Results

Seventeen articles were included in this scoping review, ten including the pediatric population, six including adults and one article including both children and adults with AMC. The most commonly used outcome measures were the PODCI in the pediatric studies, and the SF-36 in studies on adults. In the pediatric studies, psychosocial outcomes were often secondary, compared to the studies on adults. Results showed that in both children and adults, psychosocial outcomes are comparable with the levels of the general population. Qualitative studies reflected the affective needs of this population and issues with emotional wellbeing. Factors such as fatigue and pain were associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes in adults with an impact on social relationships, intimacy and family planning.

Conclusion

Validated outcome measures, qualitative approaches and longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the psychosocial outcomes in AMC over time. Psychosocial support should be part of the multidisciplinary management of AMC throughout the lifespan.
Analysis of changes in microbiome compositions related to the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients based on tissue-derived 16S rRNA sequences
Authors: Choi Sukjung , Chung Jongsuk , Cho Mi-La , Park Donghyun , Choi Sun Shim
Published: November 2021

Background

Comparing the microbiome compositions obtained under different physiological conditions has frequently been attempted in recent years to understand the functional influence of microbiomes in the occurrence of various human diseases.

Methods

In the present work, we analyzed 102 microbiome datasets containing tumor- and normal tissue-derived microbiomes obtained from a total of 51 Korean colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Two types of comparisons were used: ‘normal versus (vs.) tumor’ comparison and ‘recurrent vs. nonrecurrent’ comparison, for which the prognosis of patients was retrospectively determined.

Results

As a result, we observed that in the ‘normal vs. tumor’ comparison, three phyla, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, were more abundant in normal tissues, whereas some pathogenic bacteria, including Fusobacterium nucleatum and Bacteroides fragilis, were more abundant in tumor tissues. We also found that bacteria with metabolic pathways related to the production of bacterial motility proteins or bile acid secretion were more enriched in tumor tissues. In addition, the amount of these two pathogenic bacteria was positively correlated with the expression levels of host genes involved in the cell cycle and cell proliferation, confirming the association of microbiomes with tumorigenic pathway genes in the host. Surprisingly, in the ‘recurrent vs. nonrecurrent’ comparison, we observed that these two pathogenic bacteria were more abundant in the patients without recurrence than in the patients with recurrence. The same conclusion was drawn in the analysis of both normal and tumor-derived microbiomes.

Conclusions

Taken together, it seems that understanding the composition of tissue microbiomes is useful for predicting the prognosis of CRC patients.
Clinical features and epidemiological analysis of respiratory human adenovirus infection in hospitalized children: a cross-sectional study in Zhejiang
Authors: Wang Caiyun , Liu Juanjuan , Mi Yumei , Chen Jing , Bi Jing , Chen Yinghu
Published: November 2021

Background

HAdV is one of the common pathogens in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). We aim to describe the clinical and laboratory features, epidemiological characteristics, and HAdV species and/or types of inpatients with HAdV respiratory infections.

Methods

Respiratory samples were gathered from inpatients diagnosed ARIs in Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and were detected by using Direct Immunofluorescence Assay from 2018 to 2019. PCR amplification and sequencing of the hypervariable zone of hexon gene were used for genotyping. The clinical and laboratory features, and HAdV genotyping, and epidemiological characteristic analysis were retrospectively performed.

Results

Of 7072 samples collected, 488 were identified as HAdV-positive. The overall detection rate was 6.9%. The peaked detection rate was 14.1% in January 2019. HAdV-positive cases with ARIs mainly appeared in winter. The detection rate was highest among children between 6 months and 2 years (8.7%, 123/1408). Clinical diagnosis included pneumonia (70.3%, 343/488), bronchitis (7.0%, 34/488) and acute upper respiratory tract infection (22.7%, 111/488). The common clinical manifestations were fever (93.4%, 456/488), cough (94.7%, 462/488), wheezing (26.2%, 128/488), and shortness of breath (14.8%, 72/488). 213 (43.6%) cases had co-infection and 138 (28.3%) cases had extrapulmonary symptoms. 96(19.7%) cases had intrapulmonary and intrathoracic complications.78 (16.0%) had an underlying condition, most of which were congenital heart diseases (20.5%, 16/78). The proportions of hyperpyrexia, duration of fever > 10 days, severe pneumonia, and wheezing in the co-infection group were remarkably higher than those in HAdV single-infection group (all p < 0.05). The proportions of duration of hospitalization, duration of fever > 10 days, wheezing, shortness of breath, change in level of consciousness, serosal fluids, extrapulmonary symptoms, co-infections and underlying diseases were significantly higher in severe pneumonia group than those in the mild pneumonia group (all p < 0.05). Four HAdV species were successfully identified in 155 cases and presented by 8 genotypes. HAdV-B3 (56.1%, 87/155) and HAdV -B7 (31.0%, 48/155) were the most predominant detected types and occurred commonly in different severity groups (p = 0.000), while, HAdV-B55 was detected only in the severe group. HAdV-B7’s detection rate in the severe pneumonia group was significantly higher than the non-severe pneumonia group.

Conclusion

HAdV detection rate is related to age and season. Bronchopneumonia accounts for about 70% HAdV-positive inpatients. The common clinical manifestations include hyperpyrexia, cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. HAdV-B3 and HAdV-B7 are the most common types in children diagnosed with respiration infections.
Honokiol alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis via Nrf2 activation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liu Yuhan , Zhou Jiabin , Luo Yingying , Li Jinxiao , Shang Luorui , Zhou Fangyuan , Yang Shenglan
Published: November 2021

Background

Honokiol (HKL) has been reported to ameliorate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). However, its potential mechanism of its protective effects remains unclear. In this study, the protective mechanism of HKL on LPS-induced ALI was explored in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

In vivo, the SD rats were intratracheally instilled with LPS (5 mg/kg) to establish an acute lung injury model and then treated with HKL (1.25/2.5/5 mg/kg) or ML385 (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. In vitro, the human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) was stimulated with LPS and ATP to induce pyroptosis and treated with HKL (12.5/25/50 μM). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique was used to knockdown Nrf2 in BEAS-2B cells. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NLRP3, ASC, CASP1, and GSDMD in cells and lung tissues were detected by western blot and real time-PCR. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, MPO, MDA, and SOD in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and supernatant were determined by ELISA. The degree of pathological injury of lung tissue was evaluated by H&E staining.

Results

The results showed that HKL could alleviate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by regulating the levels of MPO, MDA, SOD, IL-1β, IL-18 in supernatant. And it could also inhibit the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, CASP1, GSDMD via activation of Nrf2 in BEAS-2B cells. Further studies revealed that HKL could attenuate the pathological injury in LPS-induced ALI rats, and the molecular mechanism was consistent with the results in vitro.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that HKL could alleviate LPS-induced ALI by reducing the oxidative stress and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, which was partly dependent on the Nrf2 activation.

Graphical Abstract
Differential inequalities for spirallike and strongly starlike functions
Authors: Cho Nak Eun , Kwon Oh Sang , Sim Young Jae
Published: November 2021

In this paper, by using a technique of the first-order differential subordination, we find several sufficient conditions for an analytic function p such that $p(0)=1$
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or $| \arg \{p(z)-\gamma \} |<\delta $
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for all $z\in \mathbb{D}$
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, where $\beta \in (-\pi /2,\pi /2)$
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, $\gamma \in [0,\cos \beta )$
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, $\delta \in (0,1]$
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and $\mathbb{D}:=\{z\in \mathbb{C}:|z|<1 \}$
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. The results obtained here will be applied to find some conditions for spirallike functions and strongly starlike functions in $\mathbb{D}$
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.
Importance of medication reconciliation in cancer patients
Authors: Elbeddini Ali , To Anthony , Tayefehchamani Yasamin , Wen Cindy Xin
Published: November 2021

Cancer patients are a complex and vulnerable population whose medication history is often extensive. Medication reconciliations in this population are especially essential, since medication discrepancies can lead to dire outcomes. This commentary aims to describe the significance of conducting medication reconciliations in this often-forgotten patient population. We discuss additional clinical interventions that can arise during this process as well. Medication reconciliations provide the opportunity to identify and prevent drug–drug and herb–drug interactions. They also provide an opportunity to appropriately adjust chemotherapy dosing according to renal and hepatic function. Finally, reconciling medications can also provide an opportunity to identify and deprescribe inappropriate medications. While clinical impact appears evident in this landscape, evidence of economic impact is lacking. As more cancer patients are prescribed a combination of oral chemotherapies, intravenous chemotherapies and non-anticancer medications, future studies should evaluate the advantages of conducting medication reconciliations in these patient populations across multiple care settings.