bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limited progress in nutrient pollution in the U.S. caused by spatially persistent nutrient sources
Authors: Frei Rebecca J. , Lawson Gabriella M. , Norris Adam J. , Cano Gabriel , Vargas Maria Camila , Kujanpää Elizabeth , Hopkins Austin , Brown Brian , Sabo Robert , Brahney Janice , Abbott Benjamin W.
Published: November 2021

Human agriculture, wastewater, and use of fossil fuels have saturated ecosystems with nitrogen and phosphorus, threatening biodiversity and human water security at a global scale. Despite efforts to reduce nutrient pollution, carbon and nutrient concentrations have increased or remained high in many regions. Here, we applied a new ecohydrological framework to ~12,000 water samples collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from streams and lakes across the contiguous U.S. to identify spatial and temporal patterns in nutrient concentrations and leverage (an indicator of flux). For the contiguous U.S. and within ecoregions, we quantified trends for sites sampled repeatedly from 2000 to 2019, the persistence of spatial patterns over that period, and the patch size of nutrient sources and sinks. While we observed various temporal trends across ecoregions, the spatial patterns of nutrient and carbon concentrations in streams were persistent across and within ecoregions, potentially because of historical nutrient legacies, consistent nutrient sources, and inherent differences in nutrient removal capacity for various ecosystems. Watersheds showed strong critical source area dynamics in that 2–8% of the land area accounted for 75% of the estimated flux. Variability in nutrient contribution was greatest in catchments smaller than 250 km2for most parameters. An ensemble of four machine learning models confirmed previously observed relationships between nutrient concentrations and a combination of land use and land cover, demonstrating how human activity and inherent nutrient removal capacity interactively determine nutrient balance. These findings suggest that targeted nutrient interventions in a small portion of the landscape could substantially improve water quality at continental scales. We recommend a dual approach of first prioritizing the reduction of nutrient inputs in catchments that exert disproportionate influence on downstream water chemistry, and second, enhancing nutrient removal capacity by restoring hydrological connectivity both laterally and vertically in stream networks.
Impacts of COVID-19 on rural livelihoods in Bangladesh: Evidence using panel data
Authors: Gatto Marcel , Islam Abu Hayat Md Saiful
Published: November 2021

Rapid assessments have been emerging on the effects of COVID-19, yet rigorous analyses remain scant. Here, rigorous evidence of the impacts of COVID-19 on several livelihood outcomes are presented, with a particular focus on heterogenous effects of COVID-19. We use a household-level panel dataset consisting of 880 data points collected in rural Bangladesh in 2018 and 2020, and employ difference-in-differences with fixed effects regression techniques. Results suggest that COVID-19 had significant and heterogenous effects on livelihood outcomes. Agricultural production and share of production sold were reduced, especially for rice crops. Further, diet diversity and education expenditure were reduced for the total sample. Households primarily affected by (fear of) sickness had a significantly lower agricultural production, share of crop market sales, and lower health and education expenditure, compared to households affected by other COVID-19 effects, such as travel restrictions. In turn, (fear of) sickness and the correlated reduced incidence of leaving the house, resulted in higher off-farm incomes suggesting that households engage in less physically demanding and localized work. Policy-makers need to be cognizant of these heterogenous COVID-19 effects and formulate policies that are targeted at those households that are most vulnerable (e.g., unable/willing to leave the house due to (fear of) sickness).
Forecasting intermittent and sparse time series: A unified probabilistic framework via deep renewal processes
Authors: Türkmen Ali Caner , Januschowski Tim , Wang Yuyang , Cemgil Ali Taylan
Published: November 2021

Intermittency are a common and challenging problem in demand forecasting. We introduce a new, unified framework for building probabilistic forecasting models for intermittent demand time series, which incorporates and allows to generalize existing methods in several directions. Our framework is based on extensions of well-established model-based methods to discrete-time renewal processes, which can parsimoniously account for patterns such as aging, clustering and quasi-periodicity in demand arrivals. The connection to discrete-time renewal processes allows not only for a principled extension of Croston-type models, but additionally for a natural inclusion of neural network based models—by replacing exponential smoothing with a recurrent neural network. We also demonstrate that modeling continuous-time demand arrivals, i.e., with a temporal point process, is possible via a trivial extension of our framework. This leads to more flexible modeling in scenarios where data of individual purchase orders are directly available with granular timestamps. Complementing this theoretical advancement, we demonstrate the efficacy of our framework for forecasting practice via an extensive empirical study on standard intermittent demand data sets, in which we report predictive accuracy in a variety of scenarios.
Predicting the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among adults living with HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A hospital-based study
Authors: Woldu Minyahil , Minzi Omary , Shibeshi Workineh , Shewaamare Aster , Engidawork Ephrem
Published: November 2021

Background

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) is an emerging problem among People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The current study aimed at determining the risk of ASCVD among PLWHA using the Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) and the Framingham Risk score (FRS).

Methods

A hospital-based study was carried out from January 2019 to February 2020 in PLWHA. The prevalence of ASCVD risk was determined in individuals aged between 20 to 79 and 40 to 79 years using the FRS and PCE as appropriate. Chi-square, univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were employed for analysis.

Results

The prevalence of high-risk ASCVD for subjects aged 20 and above using both tools was 11.5 %. For those aged 40 to 79 years, PCE yielded an increased risk (28%) than FRS (17.7%). Using both tools; advanced age, male gender, smoking, and increased systolic blood pressure were associated with an increased risk of ASCVD. Younger age (adjusted odds ratio, AOR) 0.20, 95%CI: 0.004, 0.091; P< 0.001), lower systolic blood pressure (AOR 0.221, 95%CI: 0.074, 0.605 P< 0.004), and lower total cholesterol (AOR 0.270, 95%CI: 0.073, 0.997; p<0.049) were found to be independent predictors of reduced risk of ASCVD. Likewise, younger age (40 to 64 years), female gender, and lower systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with lower risk of ASCVD among patients aged 40 to 79 years using both PCE and FRS.

Conclusions

A considerable number of PLWHA have been identified to be at risk for ASCVD. ASCVD risk was significantly associated with advanced age, male gender, higher blood pressure, and smoking using both FRS and PCE. These factors should therefore be taken into account for designing management strategies.
Intensifier of urban economic resilience: Specialized or diversified agglomeration?
Authors: Zhang Mingdou , Wu Qingbang , Li Weilu , Sun Dongqi , Huang Fei
Published: November 2021

With increased uncertainty and instability worldwide, how to enhance the urban economy resilience effectively has become one main issue for urban economic development. Based on the measurement of the economic resilience of 241 cities at the prefecture level and above in China using the sensitive index method, we scrutinize the impact of industrial specialization agglomeration and diversification agglomeration on urban economic resilience. Results indicate that, during the impact resistance period, industrial diversification agglomeration, especially related industrial diversification agglomeration, can enhance urban economic resilience, whereas industrial specialization agglomeration has no positive effect. In contrast, during the period of recovery and adjustment, industrial specialization agglomeration can improve urban economic resilience, and industrial diversification agglomeration, especially related industrial diversification agglomeration, has no positive effect. Further analysis indicates that, under the interaction of specialization and diversification agglomerations, the effect of industrial agglomeration on urban economic resilience depends on the type of dual industrial agglomeration, showing remarkable heterogeneity. This study may provide useful references for policy makers concerned with urban resilience.
Geometric morphometric wing analysis as a tool to discriminate female mosquitoes from different suburban areas of Chiang Mai province, Thailand
Authors: Champakaew Danita , Junkum Anuluck , Sontigun Narin , Sanit Sangob , Limsopatham Kwankamol , Saeung Atiporn , Somboon Pradya , Pitasawat Benjawan
Published: November 2021

Mosquitoes are hematophagous insects that transmit parasites and pathogens with devastating effects on humans, particularly in subtropical regions. Different mosquito species display various behaviors, breeding sites, and geographic distribution; however, they can be difficult to distinguish in the field due to morphological similarities between species and damage caused during trapping and transportation. Vector control methods for controlling mosquito-borne disease epidemics require an understanding of which vector species are present in the area as well as the epidemiological patterns of disease transmission. Although molecular techniques can accurately distinguish between mosquito species, they are costly and laborious, making them unsuitable for extensive use in the field. Thus, alternative techniques are required. Geometric morphometrics (GM) is a rapid and inexpensive technique that can be used to analyze the size, shape, and shape variation of individuals based on a range of traits. Here, we used GM to analyze the wings of 1,040 female mosquitoes from 12 different species in Thailand. The right wing of each specimen was removed, imaged microscopically, and digitized using 17 landmarks. Wing shape variation among genera and species was analyzed using canonical variate analysis (CVA), while discriminant function analysis was used to cross-validate classification reliability based on Mahalanobis distances. Phenetic relationships were constructed to illustrate the discrimination patterns for genera and species. CVA of the morphological variation among Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Culex, and Mansonia mosquito genera revealed five clusters. In particular, we demonstrated a high percentage of correctly-distinguished samples among Aedes (97.48%), Armigeres (96.15%), Culex (90.07%), and Mansonia (91.67%), but not Anopheles (64.54%). Together, these findings suggest that wing landmark-based GM analysis is an efficient method for identifying mosquito species, particularly among the Aedes, Armigeres, Culex, and Mansonia genera.
Rapid molecular diagnosis of Parechovirus infection using the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique
Authors: Yokoyama Tadafumi , Tasaki Yuko , Inoue Natsumi , Sugimoto Naotoshi , Nariai Eri , Kuramoto Sanae , Wada Taizo
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Human parechovirus (HPeV), especially HPeV A3 (HPeV3), causes sepsis-like diseases and sudden infant death syndrome in neonates and young infants. Development of rapid and easier diagnostic laboratory tests for HPeVs is desired.

Methods

Original inner primers, outer primers, and loop-primers were designed on the 5′ untranslated region of HPeV3. HPeV3 ribonucleic acids (RNAs), other viral RNAs, and clinical stool samples were used to confirm whether the designed primers would allow the detection of HPeV3 with the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) technique.

Results

Three combinations of primers were created and it was confirmed that all primer sets allowed the detection of HPeV3 RNAs. The primer sets had cross-reactivity with HPeV type 1 (HPeV1), but all sets showed negative results when applied to coxsackievirus, echovirus, enterovirus, norovirus, and adenovirus genomes. Four of six stool samples, obtained from newborn and infant patients with sepsis-like symptoms, showed positive results with our RT-LAMP technique.

Conclusions

This manuscript is the first description of an RT-LAMP for the diagnosis of HPeVs, allowing a faster, easier, and cheaper diagnosis. This technique is clinically useful for newborns and infants who have sepsis-like symptoms.
Anthropometric failures and its associated factors among preschool-aged children in a rural community in southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Bidira Kebebe , Tamiru Dessalegn , Belachew Tefera
Published: November 2021

Background

In 2019, 144 million under-five-year-old children were stunted, and 47 million were wasted globally. In Ethiopia, approximately 350,000 children are estimated to die each year. Preschool aged children need focused attention because this age group not only has special needs, but also forms the platform for growth and development of all children. Under nutrition among preschool children is the result of a complex interplay of diverse elements, such as birth weight, household access to food, availability and use of drinking water. This study aimed at determining the anthropometricfailuresand associated factors using composite indictors.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study design was used among randomly selected 588 caregivers with pre-school aged children. Under-nutrition of pre-school aged children was computed by using the composite index of anthropometric failure. A multi-stage sampling technique followed by a systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. WHO Anthro software was used to calculate height for age, weight for age and weight for height. The overall prevalence of anthropometric failure (CIAF). Both bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with under-nutrition.

Results

The overall prevalence of under-nutrition among pre-school children was 50.8%, which was significantly associated with being a female (AOR = 1.51, CI: 1.076, 2.12), being from a large family (AOR = 1.78, CI: 1.19, 2.663), having acute respiratory infection (AOR = 1.767, CI: 1.216, 2.566), lack of improved source of drinking water (AOR = 1.484 CI: 1.056, 2.085) and poor dietary diversity score (AOR = 1.5, CI: 1.066, 2.112).

Conclusions

The study area has a high prevalence of CIAF in pre-school aged children. The CIAF was found to be significantly associated with the sex of the child, family size, ARI within the last two weeks, and dietary diversity score. To promote the use of family planning and the prevention of infectious diseases, health education is required. The government should adapt CIAF as a metric for assessing children’s nutritional status.
Geogenic and anthropogenic sources identification and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the urban soil of Yazd, central Iran
Authors: Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi Somayeh , Ghasemi Mohsen , Ghanbarian Behzad
Published: November 2021

Urban soil pollution with heavy metals is one of the environmental problems in recent years, especially in industrial cities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of geogenic and anthropogenic sources in the urban soil pollution in Yazd, Iran. For this purpose, 30 top-soil (0–10 cm) samples from Yazd within an area of 136.37 Km2 and population of nearly 656 thousand are collected, and the concentration of heavy elements is measured. To evaluate factors affecting the concentration of heavy elements in urban soils and determine their possible sources, Multivariate statistical analysis, including correlation coefficient, principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) are performed. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and Modified potential ecological Risk Index (MRI) are used to assess the level and extension of contamination. Results of this study suggest that As, Cd, Pb and Zn are affected by anthropogenic source, while the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu and Cs have come from mostly natural geologic sources. As, Cd and Pb are considerably enriched in the area, provided moderately enriched for the elements Mn, Zn and Cu. However, the other heavy elements show minimal enrichment. Igeo reveal that Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Ni with negative values are unpolluted, Pb posed unpolluted to moderately polluted, and As and Cd represent high polluted. Based on the results of the ecological risk factor, the heavy metals of Mn, Ni, Cr, Zn and Cu have a low ecological risk level. More specifically, we find that Pb shows a moderated ecological risk in 39% of the urban soil in the studied area. As and Cd with respectively 100 and 72% contribution have considerable and very high ecological risk. According to the results of MRI, the area is in a very high ecological risk level, and appropriate management practice is essential to reduce the pollution of heavy elements in this area.
Prognostic value of right ventricular native T1 mapping in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Asano Ryotaro , Ogo Takeshi , Morita Yoshiaki , Kotoku Akiyuki , Aoki Tatsuo , Hirakawa Kyoko , Nakayama Sayuri , Ueda Jin , Tsuji Akihiro , Waddingham Mark T. , Ohta Yasutoshi , Fukuda Tetsuya , Ohta-Ogo Keiko , Ishibashi-Ueda Hatsue , Noguchi Teruo , Yasuda Satoshi
Published: November 2021

Background

Right ventricular function is an important prognostic marker for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Native T1 mapping using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging can characterize the myocardium, but accumulating evidence indicates that T1 values of the septum or ventricular insertion points do not have predictive potential in pulmonary arterial hypertension. We aimed to elucidate whether native T1 values of the right ventricular free wall (RVT1) can predict poor outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods

This retrospective study included 30 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (median age, 45 years; mean pulmonary artery pressure, 41±13 mmHg) and 16 healthy controls (median age, 43 years) who underwent native T1 mapping. RVT1 was obtained from the inferior right ventricular free wall during end systole.

Results

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension had significantly higher native RVT1 than did controls (1384±74 vs. 1217±57 ms, p<0.001). Compared with T1 values of the septum or ventricular insertion points, RVT1 correlated better with the effective right ventricular elastance index (R = −0.53, p = 0.003), ventricular-arterial uncoupling (R = 0.46, p = 0.013), and serum brain natriuretic peptide levels (R = 0.65, p<0.001). Moreover, the baseline RVT1 was an accurate predictor of the reduced right ventricular ejection fraction at the 12-month follow-up (delta -3%). RVT1 was independently associated with composite events of death or hospitalization from any cause (hazard ratio = 1.02, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

RVT1 was predictive of right ventricular performance and outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Thus, native T1 mapping in the right ventricular free wall may be an effective prognostic method for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Transcriptome sequencing revealed the influence of blue light on the expression levels of light-stress response genes in Centella asiatica
Authors: Nawae Wanapinun , Yoocha Thippawan , Narong Nattapol , Paemanee Atchara , Ketngamkum Yanisa , Romyanon Kanokwan , Toojinda Theerayut , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke , Pootakham Wirulda
Published: November 2021

Centella asiatica is rich in medical and cosmetic properties. While physiological responses of C. asiatica to light have been widely reported, the knowledge of the effects of light on its gene expression is sparse. In this study, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate the expression of the C. asiatica genes in response to monochromatic red and blue light. Most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under blue light were up-regulated but those under red light were down-regulated. The DEGs encoded for CRY-DASH and UVR3 were among up-regulated genes that play significant roles in responses under blue light. The DEGs involved in the response to photosystem II photodamages and in the biosynthesis of photoprotective xanthophylls were also up-regulated. The expression of flavonoid biosynthetic DEGs under blue light was up-regulated but that under red light was down-regulated. Correspondingly, total flavonoid content under blue light was higher than that under red light. The ABI5, MYB4, and HYH transcription factors appeared as hub nodes in the protein-protein interaction network of the DEGs under blue light while ERF38 was a hub node among the DEGs under red light. In summary, stress-responsive genes were predominantly up-regulated under blue light to respond to stresses that could be induced under high energy light. The information obtained from this study can be useful to better understand the responses of C. asiatica to different light qualities.
Combining dense and sparse labeling in optical DNA mapping
Authors: Torstensson Erik , Goyal Gaurav , Johnning Anna , Westerlund Fredrik , Ambjörnsson Tobias
Published: November 2021

Optical DNA mapping (ODM) is based on fluorescent labeling, stretching and imaging of single DNA molecules to obtain sequence-specific fluorescence profiles, DNA barcodes. These barcodes can be mapped to theoretical counterparts obtained from DNA reference sequences, which in turn allow for DNA identification in complex samples and for detecting structural changes in individual DNA molecules. There are several types of DNA labeling schemes for ODM and for each labeling type one or several types of match scoring methods are used. By combining the information from multiple labeling schemes one can potentially improve mapping confidence; however, combining match scores from different labeling assays has not been implemented yet. In this study, we introduce two theoretical methods for dealing with analysis of DNA molecules with multiple label types. In our first method, we convert the alignment scores, given as output from the different assays, into p-values using carefully crafted null models. We then combine the p-values for different label types using standard methods to obtain a combined match score and an associated combined p-value. In the second method, we use a block bootstrap approach to check for the uniqueness of a match to a database for all barcodes matching with a combined p-value below a predefined threshold. For obtaining experimental dual-labeled DNA barcodes, we introduce a novel assay where we cut plasmid DNA molecules from bacteria with restriction enzymes and the cut sites serve as sequence-specific markers, which together with barcodes obtained using the established competitive binding labeling method, form a dual-labeled barcode. All experimental data in this study originates from this assay, but we point out that our theoretical framework can be used to combine data from all kinds of available optical DNA mapping assays. We test our multiple labeling frameworks on barcodes from two different plasmids and synthetically generated barcodes (combined competitive-binding- and nick-labeling). It is demonstrated that by simultaneously using the information from all label types, we can substantially increase the significance when we match experimental barcodes to a database consisting of theoretical barcodes for all sequenced plasmids.
Aldo-ketoreductase 1c19 ablation does not affect insulin secretion in murine islets
Authors: Miyachi Yasutaka , Kuo Taiyi , Son Jinsook , Accili Domenico
Published: November 2021

Beta cell failure is a critical feature of diabetes. It includes defects of insulin production, secretion, and altered numbers of hormone-producing cells. In previous work, we have shown that beta cell failure is mechanistically linked to loss of Foxo1 function. This loss of function likely results from increased Foxo1 protein degradation, due to hyperacetylation of Foxo1 from increased nutrient turnover. To understand the mechanisms of Foxo1-related beta cell failure, we performed genome-wide analyses of its target genes, and identified putative mediators of sub-phenotypes of cellular dysfunction. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated a striking pattern of Foxo1 binding to the promoters of a cluster of aldo-ketoreductases on chromosome 13: Akr1c12, Akr1c13, Akr1c19. Of these, Akr1c19 has been reported as a marker of Pdx1-positive endodermal progenitor cells. Here we show that Akr1c19 expression is dramatically decreased in db/db islets. Thus, we investigated whether Akr1c19 is involved in beta cell function. We performed gain- and loss-of-function experiments in cultured beta cells and generated Akr1c19 knockout mice. We show that Foxo1 and HNF1a cooperatively regulate Akr1c19 expression. Nonetheless, functional characterization of Akr1c19 both using islets and knockout mice did not reveal abnormalities on glucose homeostasis. We conclude that reduced expression of Akr1c19 is not sufficient to affect islet function.
Central nervous system infection in the intensive care unit: Development and validation of a multi-parameter diagnostic prediction tool to identify suspected patients
Authors: Andrade Hugo Boechat , Ferreira da Silva Ivan Rocha , Sim Justin Lee , Mello-Neto José Henrique , Theodoro Pedro Henrique Nascimento , Torres da Silva Mayara Secco , Varela Margareth Catoia , Ramos Grazielle Viana , Ramos da Silva Aline , Bozza Fernando Augusto , Soares Jesus , Belay Ermias D. , Sejvar James J. , Cerbino-Neto José , Japiassú André Miguel
Published: November 2021

Background

Central nervous system infections (CNSI) are diseases with high morbidity and mortality, and their diagnosis in the intensive care environment can be challenging. Objective: To develop and validate a diagnostic model to quickly screen intensive care patients with suspected CNSI using readily available clinical data.

Methods

Derivation cohort: 783 patients admitted to an infectious diseases intensive care unit (ICU) in Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil, for any reason, between 01/01/2012 and 06/30/2019, with a prevalence of 97 (12.4%) CNSI cases. Validation cohort 1: 163 patients prospectively collected, between 07/01/2019 and 07/01/2020, from the same ICU, with 15 (9.2%) CNSI cases. Validation cohort 2: 7,270 patients with 88 CNSI (1.21%) admitted to a neuro ICU in Chicago, IL, USA between 01/01/2014 and 06/30/2019. Prediction model: Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to construct the model, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used for model validation. Eight predictors—age <56 years old, cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count >2 cells/mm3, fever (≥38°C/100.4°F), focal neurologic deficit, Glasgow Coma Scale <14 points, AIDS/HIV, and seizure—were included in the development diagnostic model (P<0.05).

Results

The pool data’s model had an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUC) curve of 0.892 (95% confidence interval 0.864–0.921, P<0.0001).

Conclusions

A promising and straightforward screening tool for central nervous system infections, with few and readily available clinical variables, was developed and had good accuracy, with internal and external validity.
Factors associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among University health sciences students in Northwest Nigeria
Authors: Mustapha Mohammed , Lawal Basira Kankia , Sha’aban Abubakar , Jatau Abubakar Ibrahim , Wada Abubakar Sadiq , Bala Auwal Adam , Mustapha Sagir , Haruna Anas , Musa Abbas , Ahmad Mubarak Hussaini , Iliyasu Salim , Muhammad Surajuddeen , Mohammed Fatima Zaji , Ahmed Ahmed Danbala , Zainal Hadzliana
Published: November 2021

Students of the health sciences are the future frontliners to fight pandemics. The students’ participation in COVID-19 response varies across countries and are mostly for educational purposes. Understanding the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability is necessary for a successful vaccination program. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health sciences students in Northwest Nigeria. The study was an online self-administered cross-sectional study involving a survey among students of health sciences in some selected universities in Northwest Nigeria. The survey collected pertinent data from the students, including socio-demographic characteristics, risk perception for COVID-19, and willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. A total of 440 responses with a median (interquartile range) age of 23 (4.0) years were included in the study. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 40.0%. Factors that independently predict acceptance of the vaccine were age of 25 years and above (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.44–5.16; p = 0.002), instructions from heads of institutions (aOR, 11.71; 95% CI, 5.91–23.20; p<0.001), trust in the government (aOR, 20.52; 95% CI, 8.18–51.51; p<0.001) and willingness to pay for the vaccine (aOR, 7.92; 95% CI, 2.63–23.85; p<0.001). The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among students of health sciences was low. Older age, mandate by heads of the institution, trust in the government and readiness to pay for the vaccine were associated with acceptance of the vaccine. Therefore, stakeholders should prioritize strategies that would maximize the vaccination uptake.
Sequence and vector shapes vaccine induced antibody effector functions in HIV vaccine trials
Authors: Fischinger Stephanie , Cizmeci Deniz , Deng Davy , Grant Shannon P. , Frahm Nicole , McElrath Julie , Fuchs Jonathan , Bart Pierre-Alexandre , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Keefer Michael , O. Hahn William , Rouphael Nadine , Churchyard Gavin , Moodie Zoe , Donastorg Yeycy , Streeck Hendrik , Alter Galit
Published: November 2021

Despite the advent of long-acting anti-retroviral therapy able to control and prevent infection, a preventative vaccine remains a global priority for the elimination of HIV. The moderately protective RV144 vaccine trial suggested functional IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies were a potential correlate of protection, but the RV144-inspired HVTN702 validation trial failed to demonstrate efficacy despite inducing targeted levels of IgG1/IgG3. Alterations in inserts, and antigens, adjuvant, and regimen also resulted in vaccine induced target quantitative levels of the immune correlates, but drove qualitative changes to the humoral immune response, pointing to the urgent need to define the influence of vaccine strategies on shaping antibody quality, not just quantity. Thus, defining how distinct prime/boost approaches tune long-lived functional antibodies represents an important goal in vaccine development. Here, we compared vaccine responses in Phase I and II studies in humans utilizing various combinations of DNA/vector, vector/vector and DNA/protein HIV vaccines. We found that adenoviral vector immunization, compared to pox-viral vectors, resulted in the most potent IgG1 and IgG3 responses, linked to highly functional antibody activity, including assisting NK cell related functions. Minimal differences were observed in the durability of the functional humoral immune response across vaccine regimens, except for antibody dependent phagocytic function, which persisted for longer periods in the DNA/rAd5 and rAd35/rAd5 regimen, likely driven by higher IgG1 levels. Collectively, these findings suggest adenoviral vectors drive superior antibody quality and durability that could inform future clinical vaccine studies.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00801697, NCT00961883, NCT02207920, NCT00125970, NCT02852005).
Inferring Mycobacterium bovis transmission between cattle and badgers using isolates from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial
Authors: van Tonder Andries J. , Thornton Mark J. , Conlan Andrew J. K. , Jolley Keith A. , Goolding Lee , Mitchell Andrew P. , Dale James , Palkopoulou Eleftheria , Hogarth Philip J. , Hewinson R. Glyn , Wood James L. N. , Parkhill Julian
Published: November 2021

Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) is a causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the global cattle industry. The Randomised Badger Culling Trial was a field experiment carried out between 1998 and 2005 in the South West of England. As part of this trial, M. bovis isolates were collected from contemporaneous and overlapping populations of badgers and cattle within ten defined trial areas. We combined whole genome sequences from 1,442 isolates with location and cattle movement data, identifying transmission clusters and inferred rates and routes of transmission of M. bovis. Most trial areas contained a single transmission cluster that had been established shortly before sampling, often contemporaneous with the expansion of bovine tuberculosis in the 1980s. The estimated rate of transmission from badger to cattle was approximately two times higher than from cattle to badger, and the rate of within-species transmission considerably exceeded these for both species. We identified long distance transmission events linked to cattle movement, recurrence of herd breakdown by infection within the same transmission clusters and superspreader events driven by cattle but not badgers. Overall, our data suggests that the transmission clusters in different parts of South West England that are still evident today were established by long-distance seeding events involving cattle movement, not by recrudescence from a long-established wildlife reservoir. Clusters are maintained primarily by within-species transmission, with less frequent spill-over both from badger to cattle and cattle to badger.
Lysine provisioning by horizontally acquired genes promotes mutual dependence between whitefly and two intracellular symbionts
Authors: Bao Xi-Yu , Yan Jin-Yang , Yao Ya-Lin , Wang Yan-Bin , Visendi Paul , Seal Susan , Luan Jun-Bo
Published: November 2021

Horizontal gene transfer is widespread in insects bearing intracellular symbionts. Horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) are presumably involved in amino acid synthesis in sternorrhynchan insects. However, their role in insect-symbiont interactions remains largely unknown. We found symbionts Portiera, Hamiltonella and Rickettsia possess most genes involved in lysine synthesis in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 although their genomes are reduced. Hamiltonella maintains a nearly complete lysine synthesis pathway. In contrast, Portiera and Rickettsia require the complementation of whitefly HTGs for lysine synthesis and have lysE, encoding a lysine exporter. Furthermore, each horizontally transferred lysine gene of ten B. tabaci cryptic species shares an evolutionary origin. We demonstrated that Hamiltonella did not alter the titers of Portiera and Rickettsia or lysine gene expression of Portiera, Rickettsia and whiteflies. Hamiltonella also did not impact on lysine levels or protein localization in bacteriocytes harboring Portiera and ovaries infected with Rickettsia. Complementation with whitefly lysine synthesis HTGs rescued E. coli lysine gene knockout mutants. Silencing whitefly lysA in whiteflies harboring Hamiltonella reduced lysine levels, adult fecundity and titers of Portiera and Rickettsia without influencing the expression of Hamiltonella lysA. Furthermore, silencing whitefly lysA in whiteflies lacking Hamiltonella reduced lysine levels, adult fecundity and titers of Portiera and Rickettsia in ovarioles. Therefore, we, for the first time, demonstrated an essential amino acid lysine synthesized through HTGs is important for whitefly reproduction and fitness of both obligate and facultative symbionts, and it illustrates the mutual dependence between whitefly and its two symbionts. Collectively, this study reveals that acquisition of horizontally transferred lysine genes contributes to coadaptation and coevolution between B. tabaci and its symbionts.
Microbiological, sensory, and physicochemical quality of curd cheeses originating from direct sales
Authors: Januś Ewa , Sablik Piotr , Jakubowska Małgorzata , Wróbel Klaudia
Published: November 2021

Background and Aim: Curd cheeses are characteristic elements of the dairy assortment, mainly in Central and Eastern European countries, and constitute a numerous and diverse group of dairy products. The aim of the study was to assess the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory quality of curd cheeses available in marketplaces in Lublin, where they were purchased through direct sales from producers.

Materials and Methods: The research material was household-produced curd cheese purchased 4 times (at 2-week intervals) from three producers. The physicochemical parameters (i.e., the total protein and fat content, active acidity, and titratable acidity) were determined in the cheeses. Microbiological assays were performed to evaluate the total number of bacteria (on milk agar), the number of yeasts and molds (on Sabouraud medium), and the number of coliform bacteria (on MacConkey medium). A general sensory evaluation was performed by a five-person panel, who assessed the appearance and color, texture, flavor, and aroma of the samples.

Results: The cheeses exhibited significant differences in their protein and fat contents, but these values were within the allowable limits. Most of the evaluated cheeses had normal levels of active and titratable acidity; substantially lower titratable acidity and higher pH values were detected only in the samples from supplier A. The total number of bacteria in the curd cheese samples was high (3.2×108 colony-forming units [cfu]×g-1 cheese) and varied substantially (from 3.6×107 to 8.6×108 cfu×g-1). The growth of Gram-negative bacterial colonies on MacConkey medium was observed in the samples from suppliers B and C (5.5×103 and 1.7×104 cfu×g-1, respectively), which is an undesirable phenomenon. The number of colonies cultured on Sabouraud medium and identified as yeast-like microorganisms ranged from 1.8×104 (product from supplier A) to 4.9×105 cfu×g-1 (cheese from supplier C). The scores in the sensory evaluation of the tested curd cheeses were low. The highest mean scores were achieved for appearance and color (4.25-4.45 points). Conversely, flavor and aroma received the lowest score (3.17 points). The highest scores for both the overall assessment and each parameter separately were awarded to the curd cheese produced by supplier A.

Conclusion: Our results suggest poor hygienic conditions during milk collection and processing, as well as during the distribution of these dairy products. Altogether, the purchase of products from direct sales may be associated with risks related to poor consumer health and food quality.
Role of cytogenetic profiles as prognostic factors for complete remission after induction phase in acute myeloblastic leukemia
Authors: Sjakti Hikari Ambara , Djajadiman Gatot , Wahidiyat Pustika Amalia , Kosasih Agus , Setianingsih Iswari
Published: November 2021

Background Risk stratification for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children is a must in treatment strategy. This stratification is based on cytogenetic profiles, which are needed to determine proper management to gain better outcomes and reduce side effects of treatment. There is no such risk stratification available in Indonesia until now.

Objective To evaluate the association between cytogenetic profiles of t(8,21) and inv(16) mutations with the complete response to induction phase of chemotherapy in pediatric AML.

Methods A prospective study was conducted between year 2018 and 2020, involving children with AML from 4 pediatric oncology centers in Jakarta. Subjects were evaluated for cytogenetic profiles, especially t(8,21) and inv(16), as the favorable predictors for AML. Bone marrow remission was evaluated after 2 cycles of induction phase. The results were evaluated for remission rate and survival analysis.

Results  Karyotype data of 18 subjects were obtained. Translocation t(8;21) detected in 1 subject, and inv(16) mutation in 4 subjects. These two variables had no significant correlation with complete remission after induction phase. Nevertheless, favorable group had more tendencies to achieved remission than unfavorable group. Complete remission achieved in 61% subjects, 90% of theme had a relapse period with an average time 43 weeks. The relapse period in favorable group was shoter than in unfavorable group (34 weeks and 44 weeks, respectively).

Conclusions This study shows that cytogenetic profiles of t(8;21) and inv(16) mutation can not be used as prognostic factors for complete remission after induction phase of chemotherapy in pediatric AML.
ASSESSMENT OF THE COSTS OF FINANCING INNOVATIONS: REGIONAL ASPECT
Authors: Pinkovetskaia I. S.
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the actual problem of financial support for the development of innovations. The purpose of the study is to estimate the share of innovation financing costs in the income received by organizations from the sale of manufactured goods, works and services for innovative organizations located in each of the regions of Russia. As the initial information, the study used official statistics for 2017-2019, which characterize the costs of financing innovations by organizations located in 82 regions of Russia. In the course of the study, economic and mathematical models were developed that represent the functions of the normal distribution. It is proved that there were no significant changes in the value of the share of innovation financing costs in the amount of income received from the sale of manufactured products by organizations located in the regions in 2017-2019. It is shown that the costs of financing innovations for organizations account for a small share in the amount of income received from the sale of manufactured products. It is shown that the values of the specific weights of innovation financing costs were significantly differentiated by region. The results obtained are new and original. The methodological approach presented in the article to estimate the share of innovation financing costs in the amount of revenue received from sales of manufactured products by organizations located in the regions can be used in further research. The proposed tools can be used to monitor the costs of financing innovation activities in organizations. The results of the work can be applied in the current activities of state structures and public organizations, when justifying measures for the development of innovative activities.
SALARIES OF ATHLETES: FEATURES OF FORMATION AND REGULATION
Authors: Shavandina O. A. , Kovalenko E. Y.
Published: November 2021

The article discusses the features of the formation of wages of professional athletes in the Russian Federation. Foreign and Russian researchers, analyzing the formation of contractual remuneration, come to the conclusion that the income of athletes depends on the sport, the performance of the player in the past and present, the popularity of the fans of this athlete, the country of his birth, the interest of the team in this player, his individual characteristics, the financial capabilities of the team/club, etc. To analyze the factors that affect the amount of income of athletes, an integral model is proposed, which is based on individual indicators of the athlete and financial standards that transform the corresponding personalized indicator into a monetary equivalent. In addition, the authors propose to supplement the methodology for analyzing the wage fund with indicators of the concentration of wages by the average value, entropy, and the coefficient of dispersion.

The proposed analytical procedures, according to the authors, will allow the management of a sports organization to ensure the comparability of individual indicators (achievements) of an athlete with his salary, increase its transparency, smooth out the disproportions in the distribution of income within the team/club and effectively use the financial and material resources of the organization.
Dentes gretados: o que clínicos e especialistas precisam saber
Authors: Toubes Kênia Maria Pereira de , Tonelli Stéphanie Quadros , Nunes Eduardo , Silveira Frank Ferreira
Published: November 2021

A proposta da presente revisão de literatura foi estabelecer as evidências existentes sobre etiologia, sinais e sintomas, métodos de diagnóstico e tratamento de dentes gretados. Segundo a American Association of Endodontists (AAE), o termo dente gretado (DG) foi definido como uma fratura em um plano que quebra a continuidade do esmalte e da dentina, sem separação das partes, geralmente no sentido mesiodistal, passando pela superfície oclusal, podendo envolver uma ou ambas as cristas marginais. Essa fratura, por apresentar profundidade e direção desconhecidas, pode se estender até a polpa e/ou ligamento periodontal, levando a um quadro de pulpite reversível, pulpite irreversível, necrose pulpar ou, até mesmo, evoluir para uma fratura completa. Atualmente, os DGs estão relacionados à terceira maior causa de dentes perdidos, após cárie e doença periodontal. Estudos indicam uma falta de consenso entre profissionais sobre como tratar dentes gretados, uma questão clínica relevante, que precisa ser priorizada e esclarecida. Nesse contexto, essa revisão abordou a etiologia, sinais e sintomas, métodos de diagnóstico e tratamento de dentes gretados.
Abordagens de saúde nos livros didáticos de ciências: investigando as infecções sexualmente transmissíveis
Authors: Rudek Karine , Hermel Erica do Espírito Santo
Published: November 2021

Os Livros didáticos têm sido o principal material didático utilizado nas salas de aula. Considerando a relevância deste no Ensino de Ciências, faz-se necessária a análise destes materiais. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou analisar como o conteúdo referente às Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis são discutidas nos livros de Ciências dos Anos finais do Ensino Fundamental, aprovados pelo Programa Nacional do Livro Didático 2017. Esta foi uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo documental e bibliográfica, utilizando a análise de conteúdo para a investigação e obtenção dos dados. Foram analisados 32 livros de Ciências, contemplando 8 coleções didáticas aprovadas pelo Programa Nacional do Livro Didático 2017, sendo 61,5% dos livros aprovados. Através da investigação podemos obter 86 unidades de análise, textos e imagens de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis. Para organização dos resultados obtidos separamos as unidades de registros por coleções. Na sequência, buscamos categorizar cada unidade de registro apresentada pelas coleções, dessa forma ponderar quais abordagens de Educação em Saúde marcam os livros de Ciências do Programa Nacional do Livro Didático 2017. Os resultados da investigação apresentam a abordagem biomédica, comportamental e socioecológica. Evidenciou-se que existe uma predominância da abordagem parcial de saúde, ancorada em práticas pouco reflexivas com apelo individual e não coletivo. As coleções investigadas apresentam as infecções ainda de forma muito simplificada e informativa, dando pouca ênfase às abordagens mais críticas de Educação em Saúde como a socioecológica.