bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced nitrate reductase activity offers Arabidopsis ecotype Landsberg erecta better salt stress resistance than Col‐0
Authors: Lee S. , Choi J. H. , Truong H. A. , Lee Y. J. , Lee H.
Published: March 2022

The nitrogen utilization efficiency of plants varies depending on the plant species. In modern agriculture, nitrogen fertilizer is used to increase crop production, with the amount of fertilizer addition increasing steadily worldwide.

This study included the two most used ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana, Landsberg erecta (Ler) and Col‐0, which were used to identify differences at the molecular level. We found that the efficiency of nitrogen utilization and salt stress resistance differed between these two ecotypes of the same species.

We demonstrated distinct salt stress resistance between Ler and Col‐0 depending on the differences in nitrate level, which was explained by different regulation of the NIA2 gene expression in these two ecotypes.

Our results demonstrate that the genes and promoters regulate expression of these genes and contribute to trait differences. Further studies are required on genes and promoter elements for an improved understanding of the salinity stress resistance mechanism in plants.
For whom the bell tolls: Party mediation effects on economic voting in a large democratic federation
Authors: Fernandes Ivan Filipe , Fernandes Gustavo Andrey De Almeida Lopes , Zimerman Artur
Published: March 2022

This article analyzes the effect of economic growth on executive elections in the context of a multilevel governance structure and how party ties across federal, state, and local levels affect the relationship, using data from Brazilian municipalities. We test the hypothesis that the president is the main politician accountable for economic performance, measured by local growth, and that party politics moderates the evaluation of the economic performance of state governors and the president. Our research shows that there is a high degree of interdependence between levels of government in the evaluation of economic performance. We highlight how party alliances strongly moderate the economic performance effects at the different levels. Using aggregate local level‐municipality panel data and fixed effects estimations, we show that the previous year's economic growth positively impacts the percentage of votes obtained by the incumbent in the presidential elections and that those effects are higher in states whose governors are allied to the president.

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Ondetti, Gabriel. 2008. “Up and Down with the Agrarian Question: Issue Attention and Land Reform in Contemporary Brazil.”Politics & Policy36(4): 510–41.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2008.00120.x

Segatto, Catarina Ianni, and Daniel Béland. 2018. “The Limits of Partisanship: Federalism, the Role of Bureaucrats, and the Path to Universal Health Care Coverage in Brazil.”Politics & Policy46(3): 416–41.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12252

Zimerman, Artur, and Flávio Pinheiro. 2020. “Appearances can be Deceptive: Political Polarization, Agrarian Policy, and Coalitional Presidentialism in Brazil.”Politics & Policy48(2): 339–71.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12345
Adolescents and young adults differ in their neural response to and recognition of adolescent and adult emotional faces
Authors: Sandre Aislinn , Morningstar Michele , Farrell‐Reeves Alison , Dirks Melanie , Weinberg Anna
Published: March 2022

Peer relationships become increasingly important during adolescence. The success of these relationships may rely on the ability to attend to and decode subtle or ambiguous emotional expressions that are common in social interactions. However, most studies examining youths’ processing and labeling of facial emotion have employed adult faces and faces that depict emotional extremes as stimuli. In this study, 40 adolescents and 40 young adults viewed blends of angry‐neutral, fearful‐neutral, and happy‐neutral faces (e.g., 100% angry, 66% angry, 33% angry, neutral) portrayed by adolescent and adult actors as electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Participants also labeled these faces according to the emotion expressed (i.e., angry, fearful, happy, or neutral). The Late Positive Potential (LPP), an event‐related potential (ERP) component that reflects sustained attention to motivationally salient information, was scored from the EEG following face presentation. Among adolescents, as peer‐age faces moved from ambiguous (33%) to unambiguous (100%) emotional expression, the LPP similarly increased. These effects were not found when adolescents viewed emotional face blends portrayed by adult actors. Additionally, while both adolescents and young adults showed greater emotion labeling accuracy as faces increased in emotional intensity from ambiguous to unambiguous emotional expression, adolescent participants did not show greater accuracy when labeling peer‐compared to adult‐age faces. Together, these data suggest that adolescents attend more to subtle differences in peer‐age emotional faces, but they do not label these emotional expressions more accurately than adults.
Edge effects influence the composition and density of reef residents on subtidal restored oyster reefs
Authors: Davenport Theresa M. , Grabowski Jonathan H. , Hughes A. Randall
Published: March 2022

Within estuarine and coastal ecosystems globally, extensive habitat degradation and loss threaten critical ecosystem functions and necessitate widescale restoration efforts. There is abundant evidence that ecological processes and species interactions can vary with habitat characteristics, which has important implications for the design and implementation of restoration efforts aimed at enhancing specific ecosystem functions and services. We conducted an experiment examining how habitat characteristics (presence; edge vs. interior) influence the communities of resident fish and mobile invertebrates on restored oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs. Similar to previous studies, we found that restored reefs altered community composition and augmented total abundance and biomass relative to unstructured sand habitat. Community composition and biomass also differed between the edge and interior of individual reefs as a result of species‐specific patterns over small spatial scales. These patterns were only weakly linked to oyster density, suggesting that other factors that vary between edge and interior (e.g. predator access or species interactions) are likely more important for community structure on oyster reefs. Fine‐scale information on resident species' use of oyster reefs will help facilitate restoration by allowing decision makers to optimize the amount of edge versus interior habitat. To improve the prediction of faunal use and benefits from habitat restoration, we recommend investigations into the mechanisms shaping edge and interior preferences on oyster reefs.
Riesgos y seguros de caución para grandes proyectos
Authors: Artigas Celis Francisco Javier
Published: March 2022

En este trabajo se analiza el contrato de seguro de caución en el marco de grandes proyectos (grandes riesgos), con especial, pero no exclusiva, mirada a Chile. A fin de distinguir el riesgo propio de su objeto, se le compara con el seguro de crédito bajo dos propuestas: riesgo de insolvencia versus riesgo de incumplimiento de obligaciones –caso de España –, o bien riesgos de incumplimiento de obligaciones en ambos contratos de seguro, y entonces diferenciando las obligaciones que son objeto de cobertura de cada uno de ellos, el caso chileno: las obligaciones de dinero (dar dinero) son cubiertas por el seguro de crédito, y las demás ­(dar algo que no es dinero, hacer y no hacer) pertenecen al ámbito del seguro de caución. Luego se tipifica el seguro de caución mediante características principales: contrato tripartito y especiales obligaciones de pago de la prima (del tomador) y de reembolso (tanto del tomador como del asegurado). Finalmente, se analiza su principal clasificación –condicional e incondicional– con especial atención al seguro de caución a primer requerimiento, dejando planteado el desafío de considerarlo, o no, una excepción al principio indemnizatorio.
A Compound Droplet Undergoing Thermocapillary Migration Passing Through a Constricted Tube
Authors: Nguyen Vinh T. , Vu Truong V. , Nguyen Phan H. , Nguyen Hoe D. , Pham Binh D. , Vu Hung V.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we numerically investigate the dynamics of a compound droplet driven by surface tension variation induced by a thermal gradient in a sinusoidal constriction tube. Initially, the compound droplet with a concentric inner core is spherical and placed in the constriction's upstream region at a low temperature. As time progresses, it migrates downstream with a high temperature. Due to the constriction, the droplet is slowed down in the upstream region and accelerated again right after passing the constriction. This acceleration maximizes the eccentricity. However, the constriction results in an increase in the maximum eccentricity when increasing its depth to a value corresponding to the size of the tube neck, which is greater than or equal to the droplet size. Effects of various parameters, e.g., the Marangoni number Ma, the capillary number Ca, and the radius ratio Rio, are studied. It is found that increasing the Ma number or decreasing the Ca number reduces the maximum eccentricity and prolongs the travel time, i.e., the arrival time, from the upstream to the downstream. A similar reduction in the maximum eccentricity also occurs with the increased Rio ratio. Effects of these parameters on the migration velocity are also revealed.
A student-led, interprofessional care, community-based healthcare service: Student, clinical educator and client perceptions of interprofessional care and education
Authors: Beckman Emma M , Mandrusiak Allison , Forbes Roma , Mitchell Leander , Tower Marion , Cunningham Brent , Lewis Peter
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Interprofessional clinical placements present an opportunity for students to enhance their competence in interprofessional practice. Student-led clinics have been shown to be effective for a variety of outcomes, but the experience of students in relation to their development of skills and the perspectives of clinical educators and clients are unknown. This study aimed to investigate student, clinical educator and client experiences, along with perspectives of interprofessional care and interprofessional education in an interprofessional, community-based health service.Methods: This study implemented a mixed methods design through the administration of self-report surveys, focus groups and semi-structured interviews of key stakeholders, including students undertaking full-time placements, clinical educators and clients, in 2019. Survey data were analysed quantitatively, and qualitative data were subject to thematic analysis.Results: Students reported increased confidence to deliver interprofessional care and attributed this in part to their clinical educators. Clinical educators felt equipped and prepared to deliver interprofessional education activities and displayed high levels of confidence in their ability to provide feedback. Clients were confident in the students’ abilities to be involved in their care and understood the role of the educators. Clients also acknowledged an appreciation of teamwork between students.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate an interprofessional student-led clinical placement increased student confidence in their ability to deliver interprofessional care and emphasised the role of the clinical educator. The perspectives of clients in this paper provide a unique and important viewpoint when considering models of clinical placements that are interprofessional in nature.
Differences in Performance Assessments Conducted Indoors and Outdoors in Professional Cyclists
Authors: Lipski Elliot S. , Spindler David J. , Hesselink Matthijs K.C. , Myers Tony D. , Sanders Dajo
Published: March 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between typical performance tests among elite and professional cyclists when conducted indoors and outdoors. Methods: Fourteen male cyclists of either UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Continental or UCI World Tour level (mean [SD] age 20.9 [2.8] y, mass 68.13 [7.25] kg) were recruited to participate in 4 test sessions (2 indoors and 2 outdoors) within a 14-day period, consisting of maximum mean power testing for durations of 60, 180, 300, and 840 seconds. Results: Across all maximum mean power test durations, the trimmed mean power was higher outdoors compared with indoor testing (P < .05). Critical power was higher outdoors compared with indoors (+19 W, P = .005), while no difference was observed for the work capacity above critical power. Self-selected cadence was 6 rpm higher indoors versus outdoors for test durations of 60 (P = .038) and 300 seconds (P = .002). Conclusions: These findings suggest that maximal power testing in indoor and outdoor settings cannot be used interchangeably. Furthermore, there was substantial individual variation in the difference between indoor and outdoor maximum mean powers across all time durations, further highlighting the difficulty of translating results from indoor testing to outdoor on an individual level in elite populations.
Strength and Athletic Adaptations Produced by 4 Programming Models: A Velocity-Based Intervention Using a Real-Context Routine
Authors: Martínez-Cava Alejandro , Hernández-Belmonte Alejandro , Pallarés Jesús G.
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To compare the strength and athletic adaptations induced by 4 programming models. Methods: Fifty-two men were allocated into 1 of the following models: linear programming (intensity increased while intraset volume decreased), undulating programming (intensity and intraset volume were varied in each session or set of sessions), reverse programming (intensity decreased while intraset volume increased), or constant programming (intensity and intraset volume kept constant throughout the training plan). All groups completed a 10-week resistance-training program made up of the free-weight bench press, squat, deadlift, prone bench pull, and shoulder press exercises. The 4 models used the same frequency (2 sessions per week), number of sets (3 per exercise), interset recoveries (4 min), and average intensity throughout the intervention (77.5%). The velocity-based method was used to accurately adjust the planned intensity for each model. Results: The 4 programming models exhibited significant pre–post changes in most strength variables analyzed. When considering the effect sizes for the 5 exercises trained, we observed that the undulating programming (mean effect size = 0.88–2.92) and constant programming (mean effect size = 0.61–1.65) models induced the highest and lowest strength enhancements, respectively. Moreover, the 4 programming models were found to be effective to improve performance during shorter (jump and sprint tests) and longer (upper- and lower-limb Wingate test) anaerobic tasks, with no significant differences between them. Conclusion: The linear, undulating, reverse, and constant programming models are similarly effective to improve strength and athletic performance when they are implemented in a real-context routine.
A keystone gene underlies the persistence of an experimental food web
Authors: Barbour Matthew A. , Kliebenstein Daniel J. , Bascompte Jordi
Published: March 2022

Genes encode information that determines an organism’s fitness. Yet we know little about whether genes of one species influence the persistence of interacting species in an ecological community. Here, we experimentally tested the effect of three plant defense genes on the persistence of an insect food web and found that a single allele at a single gene promoted coexistence by increasing plant growth rate, which in turn increased the intrinsic growth rates of species across multiple trophic levels. Our discovery of a “keystone gene” illustrates the need to bridge between biological scales, from genes to ecosystems, to understand community persistence.
A spinal microglia population involved in remitting and relapsing neuropathic pain
Authors: Kohno Keita , Shirasaka Ryoji , Yoshihara Kohei , Mikuriya Satsuki , Tanaka Kaori , Takanami Keiko , Inoue Kazuhide , Sakamoto Hirotaka , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Masuda Takahiro , Tsuda Makoto
Published: March 2022

Neuropathic pain is often caused by injury and diseases that affect the somatosensory system. Although pain development has been well studied, pain recovery mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we found that CD11c-expressing spinal microglia appear after the development of behavioral pain hypersensitivity following nerve injury. Nerve-injured mice with spinal CD11c
+
microglial depletion failed to recover spontaneously from this hypersensitivity. CD11c
+
microglia expressed insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1), and interference with IGF1 signaling recapitulated the impairment in pain recovery. In pain-recovered mice, the depletion of CD11c
+
microglia or the interruption of IGF1 signaling resulted in a relapse in pain hypersensitivity. Our findings reveal a mechanism for the remission and recurrence of neuropathic pain, providing potential targets for therapeutic strategies.
The road to a larger brain
Authors: Smith Felisa A.
Published: March 2022

Ecological opportunities in the early Cenozoic favored larger, not smarter, mammals
A next-generation human genome sequence
Authors: Church Deanna M.
Published: March 2022

A near-complete sequence outlines a path for a more inclusive reference
The planet inside
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: March 2022

Scientists are probing the secrets of the inner core—and learning how it might have saved life on Earth
To solve climate, first achieve peace
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: March 2022

The horrific invasion of Ukraine by Russia has many devastating effects. The most immediate are on the people of Ukraine, but the long-term implications for the entire planet are enormous. For science, the disruption to international collaboration must be addressed and we must give our strongest support to Ukrainian scientists, as outlined by Marcia McNutt and John Hildebrand in a recent
Science
editorial. But for climate change, the effects may be the greatest. If we want a positive energy future for a healthier climate, the West must start by recasting foreign policy with climate and energy issues at the forefront. That can only succeed if nations strengthen the commitment to settle differences with diplomacy, not war. The only truly life-sustaining climate will be one accompanied by international peace.
Vaginal Inoculation of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli during Estrus Leads to Genital and Renal Colonization
Authors: Robinson Christen K. , Saenkham-Huntsinger Panatda , Hanson Braden S. , Adams L. Garry , Subashchandrabose Sargurunathan
Published: March 2022

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections, particularly in women, children, and the elderly. Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC) is the predominant etiological agent of UTI.
A Role for the RNA Polymerase Gene Specificity Factor σ
54
in the Uniform Colony Growth of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Switzer Amy , Burchell Lynn , Mitsidis Panagiotis , Thurston Teresa , Wigneshweraraj Sivaramesh
Published: March 2022

RNA synthesis is the first step of gene expression. The multisubunit RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the central enzyme responsible for RNA synthesis in bacteria.
Exchange of Vitamin B
1
and Its Biosynthesis Intermediates Shapes the Composition of Synthetic Microbial Cocultures and Reveals Complexities of Nutrient Sharing
Authors: Sathe Rupali R. M. , Paerl Ryan W. , Hazra Amrita B.
Published: March 2022

Vitamin B
1
(thiamin) is an essential nutrient for cellular metabolism. Microorganisms that are unable to synthesize thiamin either fully or in part exogenously obtain it from their environment or via exchanges with other microbial members in their community.
Contrasting Strategies for Sucrose Utilization in a Floral Yeast Clade
Authors: Gonçalves Carla , Marques Margarida , Gonçalves Paula
Published: March 2022

Microbes usually have flexible metabolic capabilities and are able to use different compounds to meet their needs. The yeasts belonging to the
Wickerhamiella
and
Starmerella
genera (forming the so-called W/S clade) are usually found in flowers or insects that visit flowers and are known for having acquired many genes from bacteria by a process called horizontal gene transfer.
Detection of Velogenic Avian Paramyxoviruses in Rock Doves in New York City, New York
Authors: Francisco Isabel , Bailey Shatoni , Bautista Teresa , Diallo Djenabou , Gonzalez Jesus , Gonzalez Joel , Kirkpatrick Roubidoux Ericka , Kehinde Ajayi Paul , Albrecht Randy A. , McMahon Rita , Krammer Florian , Marizzi Christine
Published: March 2022

Here we describe the first large-scale effort to screen for APMV-1 in New York City’s wild bird population as part of the New York City Virus Hunters program, a community science initiative. We characterized two isolates of APMV-1, with phylogenetic analyses suggesting diversity in established and circulating strains of pigeon paramyxoviruses.
Supplemental Material: Oceanic isostasy as a trigger for the rift-to-drift transition
Authors: Conder James A.
Published: March 2022

Considerations and quantification of asthenosphere flow driven by oceanic isostasy.
Supplemental Material: Late Cretaceous upper-crustal thermal structure of the Sevier hinterland: Implications for the geodynamics of the Nevadaplano
Authors: Blackford N.R. , et al.
Published: March 2022

Item S2. Includes Matlab peak fitting program file. See text footnote 1 for detailed instructions.
Supplemental Material: The low-angle breakaway system for the Northern Snake Range décollement in the Schell Creek and Duck Creek Ranges, eastern Nevada, USA: Implications for displacement magnitude
Authors: Long S.P. , et al.
Published: March 2022

Figure available in paper.
Supplemental Material: Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic tectonic transition in northeastern Eurasia: Constraints from two island arc magmatic belts in eastern NE China
Authors: Li Gong-Yu , Zhou Jian-Bo , al. et
Published: March 2022

Detailed analytical methods. Table S1: Major, REE and trace element analyses for the selected samples from the study area. Table S2: U–Pb isotopic data for zircons from selected samples in the study area.
Timing of mass redeposition of sponge spicules from the peri-Tethyan shelf into the deep Carpathian Basin and their relation to mid-Cretaceous global sea level changes
Authors: Bąk Marta , Bąk Krzysztof , al. et
Published: March 2022

Table S1: Sponge spicules content in samples studied related to lithostratigraphic units; Table S2: Occurrence of radiolarians and deep-water agglutinated foraminifers (DWAF) in the samples studied, related to lithostratigraphic units; Table S3: Carbon isotope data from organic matter from the samples studied.
Table S1: Sponge spicules content in samples studied related to lithostratigraphic units; Table S2: Occurrence of radiolarians and deep-water agglutinated foraminifers (DWAF) in the samples studied, related to lithostratigraphic units; Table S3: Carbon isotope data from organic matter from the samples studied.
Authors: Bąk Marta , Bąk Krzysztof , et al.
Published: March 2022

Table S1: Sponge spicules content in samples studied related to lithostratigraphic units; Table S2: Occurrence of radiolarians and deep-water agglutinated foraminifers (DWAF) in the samples studied, related to lithostratigraphic units; Table S3: Carbon isotope data from organic matter from the samples studied.
Supplemental Material: Provenance and metamorphic records of forearc sediments from the Heilongjiang Complex, NE China: Implications for subduction erosion associated with the Mudanjiang Ocean
Authors: Jing Jiahao , Yang Hao , al. et
Published: March 2022

Supplemental Text: Analytical methods. Supplemental Figure S1: Representative cathodoluminescence images of detrital zircons from the meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Figure S2 (a), (c), (e), (g): Th/U versus U-Pb age diagram for detrital zircons from meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. (b), (d), (f), (h): Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the detrital zircons from meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Figure S3: eHf(t) versus U-Pb age diagram for the meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Shadow data are cited from Wang et al. (2016) and Long et al. (2019, 2020). Supplemental Figure S4: Color figure of Figure 1. Supplemental Figure S5: Color figure of Figure 3. Supplemental Table S1: Fabric and mineral contents of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S2: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S3: Zircon Hf isotopic compositions of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S4: Representative electron microprobe analyses of minerals in sample 18LB24. Supplemental Table S5: Calculations of P-T conditions for the muscovite-quartz schist from the Luobei area. Supplemental Table S6: The summarized LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the whole Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S7.1: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Eastern Songnen Block; S7.2: The reported ages of the igneous rocks in the Eastern Songnen Block; S7.3: The reported ages of the igneous rocks in the Jiamusi Block. Supplemental Table S8: The data drawn in Figure 9. Supplemental Table S9: Zircon U-Pb and phengite 40Ar/39Ar metamorphic ages of the felsic schists from the Heilongjiang Complex.
Supplemental Material: High-resolution record of multiple organic carbon-isotope excursions in lacustrine deposits of Upper Sinemurian through Pliensbachian (Early Jurassic) from the Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Franceschi Marco , al. et
Published: March 2022

Figure S1: Stratigraphic log with the positions of the samples collected for isotope and palynological analyses at the Dacao “A,” Dacao “B,” and Liangshuijing sections. Table S1: Results of δ13Corg analyses of Dacao “A,” Dacao “B,” and Liangshuijing sections. Data are expressed in per mil (‰). The stratigraphic height reported (in meters) refers to Figure S1 and therefore to the composite section constructed correlating the two localities.
Supplemental Material: The 180-km-long Meers-Willow Fault System in the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen: A potential U.S. mid-continent seismic hazard
Authors: Chase Brandon F. , et al.
Published: March 2022

Additional data processing, notes on the aeromagnetic dataset, notes on the additional datasets, Figures S1–S4, and Tables S1 and S2.
Supplemental Material: The Indian Ocean, its supra-subduction history, and implications for ophiolites
Authors: Moores E.M. , et al.
Published: March 2022

Figures S1-S7: Additional rare earth element plots of individual ophiolites.
557-16-SuppMat-TabS1-TabS8.xlsx
Authors: Coccioni Rodolfo , et al.
Published: March 2022

Tables S1–S8.
Impact-crater ages and micrometeorite paleofluxes compared: Evidence for the importance of ordinary chondrites in the flux of meteorites and asteroids to Earth over the past 500 million years
Authors: Admin Editing , Schmitz Birger , et al.
Published: March 2022

Supplemental text and Tables S1 and S2.
Supplemental Material: Evolving views of West Avalonia: Perspectives from southeastern New England, USA
Authors: Thompson M.D. , al. et
Published: March 2022

Table S1: Granitoid and volcanic samples from southeastern New England, USA
National rates and disparities in childhood vaccination and vaccine-preventable disease during the COVID-19 pandemic: English sentinel network retrospective database study
Authors: Hoang Uy , de Lusignan Simon , Joy Mark , Sherlock Julian , Williams John , Bankhead Clare , Howsam Gary , Thomas Mark , Snape Matthew D , Hobbs F D Richard , Pollard Andrew J
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To describe rates and variation in uptake of pneumococcal and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines in children and associated change in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) across the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Retrospective database study of all children aged <19 registered with a general practice in the Oxford Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre English national sentinel surveillance network between 2 November 2015 and 18 July 2021.

Results

Coverage of booster dose of pneumococcal vaccine decreased from 94.5% (95% CI 94.3% to 94.7%) at its height on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) week 47 (2020) to 93.6% (95% CI 93.4% to 93.8%) by the end of the study. Coverage of second dose of MMR decreased from 85.0% (95% CI 84.7% to 85.3%) at its height on ISO week 37 (2020) to 84.1% (95% CI 83.8% to 84.4%) by the end of the study. The break point in trends for MMR was at ISO week 34 (2020) (95% CI weeks 32–37 (2020)), while for pneumococcal vaccine the break point was later at ISO week 3 (2021) (95% CI week 53 (2020) to week 8 (2021)). Vaccination coverage for children of white ethnicity was less likely to decrease than other ethnicities. Rates of consultation for VPDs fell and remained low since August 2020.

Conclusion

Childhood vaccination rates started to fall ahead of the onset of the second wave; this fall is accentuating ethnic, socioeconomic and geographical disparities in vaccine uptake and risks widening health disparities. Social distancing and school closures may have contributed to lower rates of associated VPDs, but there may be increased risk as these measures are removed.
Transcutaneous retrobulbar amphotericin-B (TRAMB) injection in orbital mucormycosis
Authors: Singh Prabhakar , Gupta Abhishek , Sanepalli Sravani Reddy , Raj Amit
Published: March 2022

We aim to highlight the role of transcutaneous retrobulbar amphotericin-B (TRAMB) in cases of rhino-orbital mucormycosis. With the COVID-19 pandemic a rapid surge in the number of cases of rhino-orbital mucormycosis has been noted. The gold standard treatment for the progressive orbital disease is exenteration; however, organ salvage should be attempted, when possible. Here comes the role of TRAMB injection. We present a case of a man in his 70s, a known diabetic, who recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia but developed left-sided axial proptosis with orbital apex syndrome and ophthalmic artery occlusion secondary to rhino-orbital mucormycosis. The patient underwent debridement of paranasal sinuses and received intravenous liposomal amphotericin-B and three TRAMB injections. After three TRAMB injections significant improvement in extraocular movements, proptosis and ptosis was noted. An early intervention in orbital disease can avert a more radical procedure.
Association of kyphotic posture with loss of independence and mortality in a community-based prospective cohort study: the Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcomes in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS)
Authors: Hijikata Yasukazu , Kamitani Tsukasa , Sekiguchi Miho , Otani Koji , Konno Shin-ichi , Takegami Misa , Fukuhara Shunichi , Yamamoto Yosuke
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the association between kyphotic posture and future loss of independence (LOI) and mortality in community-dwelling older adults.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Two Japanese municipalities.

Participants

We enrolled 2193 independent community-dwelling older adults aged≥65 years at the time of their baseline health check-up in 2008. Kyphotic posture was evaluated using the wall-occiput test (WOT) and classified into three categories: non-kyphotic, mild (>0 and ≤4 cm) and severe (>4 cm).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was mortality and the secondary outcomes were LOI (new long-term care insurance certification levels 1–5) and a composite of LOI and mortality. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the adjusted HRs (aHRs).

Results

Of the 2193 subjects enrolled, 1621 were included in the primary analysis. Among these, 272 (17%) and 202 (12%) were diagnosed with mild and severe kyphotic postures, respectively. The median follow-up time was 5.8 years. Compared with the non-kyphotic group, the aHRs for mortality were 1.17 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.96) and 1.99 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.30) in the mild and severe kyphotic posture groups, respectively. In the secondary analysis, a consistent association was observed for LOI (mild: aHR 1.70, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.55; severe: aHR 2.08, 95% CI 1.39 to 3.10) and the LOI-mortality composite (mild: aHR 1.27, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.79; severe: aHR 1.83, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.56).

Conclusion

Kyphotic posture was associated with LOI and mortality in community-dwelling older adults. Identifying the population with kyphotic posture using the WOT might help improve community health.
Efficacy ofN-acetylcysteine on idiopathic or postinfective non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Luo Ai , Liu Xuemei , Hu Qiongqiong , Yang Mei , Jiang Hongli , Liu Wei
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis is a chronic pulmonary disorder that causes destruction and permanent dilatation of the airways, resulting in excessive sputum production, repeated infection and inflammation. A need for high-quality and specialised care has been highlighted in recent years.N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a widely used mucolytic agent in respiratory diseases that not only possesses a property to enhance secretion clearance, but also exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the efficacy and safety of NAC are not well described in idiopathic or postinfective non-CF bronchiectasis.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NAC in patients with idiopathic or postinfective non-CF bronchiectasis.

Methods and analysis

PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be searched from inception to 1 March 2022 for eligible randomised controlled trials that investigating the effects of NAC on exacerbations, health-related quality of life, lung functions, sputum volume and colour, inflammation markers, exercise capacity and adverse events in patients with idiopathic or postinfective non-CF bronchiectasis, with ongoing trials being identified by searches on the websites of Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov. Two independent reviewers will identify eligible studies, two will fulfil the data extraction and three will perform the quality appraisal. To generate more accurate analyses, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation will be used to grade the evidence. χ2test and I2statistic will be used to assess heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be used to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. The potential publication bias will be examined using funnel plots.

Ethics and dissemination

No research ethics approval is required in this study because it is a systematic review. The results of this study are expected to be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Trial registration number

CRD42021239438.
Predicting the impact of climate change on the re-emergence of malaria cases in China using LSTMSeq2Seq deep learning model: a modelling and prediction analysis study
Authors: Kamana Eric , Zhao Jijun , Bai Di
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Malaria is a vector-borne disease that remains a serious public health problem due to its climatic sensitivity. Accurate prediction of malaria re-emergence is very important in taking corresponding effective measures. This study aims to investigate the impact of climatic factors on the re-emergence of malaria in mainland China.

Design

A modelling study.

Setting and participants

Monthly malaria cases for four Plasmodium species (P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. vivax and other Plasmodium) and monthly climate data were collected for 31 provinces; malaria cases from 2004 to 2016 were obtained from the Chinese centre for disease control and prevention and climate parameters from China meteorological data service centre. We conducted analyses at the aggregate level, and there was no involvement of confidential information.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The long short-term memory sequence-to-sequence (LSTMSeq2Seq) deep neural network model was used to predict the re-emergence of malaria cases from 2004 to 2016, based on the influence of climatic factors. We trained and tested the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), gated recurrent unit, LSTM, LSTMSeq2Seq models using monthly malaria cases and corresponding meteorological data in 31 provinces of China. Then we compared the predictive performance of models using root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute error evaluation measures.

Results

The proposed LSTMSeq2Seq model reduced the mean RMSE of the predictions by 19.05% to 33.93%, 18.4% to 33.59%, 17.6% to 26.67% and 13.28% to 21.34%, for P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and other plasmodia, respectively, as compared with other candidate models. The LSTMSeq2Seq model achieved an average prediction accuracy of 87.3%.

Conclusions

The LSTMSeq2Seq model significantly improved the prediction of malaria re-emergence based on the influence of climatic factors. Therefore, the LSTMSeq2Seq model can be effectively applied in the malaria re-emergence prediction.
Psychological barriers to the use of opioid analgesics for treating pain in patients with advanced recurrent cancer (BAROC): protocol for a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Tsuno Takehiko , Fujimiya Tatsuhiro , Kawaguchi Takashi , Yanaizumi Ryota , Kojima Keiko , Miyasato Akime , Azuma Kanako , Saeki Tomoya , Mawatari Hironori , Igarashi Takashi , Miura Tomofumi , Ogura Hiroyuki , Kondo Junichi , Tanoue Tadashi , Hamada Hiroshi , Oyama Yu , Kotani Akira , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Hakamata Hideki
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Opioid analgesics are essential for treating cancer pain. However, patients are sometimes reluctant to use them because of concerns about addiction and dependence. Rapid pain relief following opioid administration may help overcome the psychological barriers to opioid analgesic use. This study aims to determine the relationship between psychological resistance to strong opioid analgesic use and pain amelioration speed in patients with advanced recurrent cancer.

Methods and analysis

This ongoing, multicentre, observational study enrols patients aged 20 years or older with distant metastasis or advanced recurrent cancer receiving strong opioid analgesics for cancer pain for the first time. All participants, both inpatient and outpatient, were recruited from five Japanese hospitals. We are investigating the relationship between psychological barriers at the start of treatment and pain relief during the first week of treatment in these patients. The primary outcome is the Japanese version of the Barriers Questionnaire-II score at baseline. The secondary outcomes are the relationships between psychological barriers to strong opioid analgesic use and changes in pain over time. The participants are asked to fill out an electronic patient-reported outcome daily during the first week of treatment. The sample size was determined based on the number of patients in the year prior to study commencement who used strong opioid analgesics, met the eligibility criteria and could be expected to consent to participate in the study.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee (approval ID B200600091) of Yokohama City University on 24 August 2020. The protocol has been reviewed by the institutional review boards at the four participating study sites. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at a relevant meeting.

Trial registration number

UMIN000042443.
How are adults with capacity-affecting conditions and associated communication difficulties included in ethically sound research? A documentary-based survey of ethical review and recruitment processes under the research provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) for England and Wales
Authors: Bunning Karen , Jimoh Oluseyi Florence , Heywood Rob , Killett Anne , Ryan Hayley , Shiggins Ciara , Langdon Peter E
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the characteristics of ethical review and recruitment processes, concerning the inclusion of adults with capacity-affecting conditions and associated communication difficulties in ethically sound research, under the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA, 2005) for England and Wales.

Design

A documentary-based survey was conducted focusing on adults with capacity-affecting conditions and associated communication difficulties. The survey investigated: (1) retrospective studies during the implementation period of the MCA (2007–2017); (2) prospective applications to MCA-approved Research Ethics Committees (RECs) during a 12-month period (2018–19); (3) presentational and linguistic content of participant information sheets used with this population.

Setting

Studies conducted and approved in England and Wales.

Sample

Studies focused on adults with the following capacity-affecting conditions: acquired brain injury; aphasia after stroke; autism; dementia; intellectual disabilities; mental health conditions. The sample comprised: (1) 1605 studies; (2) 83 studies; (3) 25 participant information sheets.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was the inclusion/exclusion of adults with capacity-affecting conditions from studies. The secondary outcome was the provisions deployed to support their inclusion.

Results

The retrospective survey showed an incremental rise in research applications post-MCA implementation from 2 (2012) to 402 (2017). The prospective survey revealed exclusions of people on the bases of: ‘lack of capacity’ (n=21; 25%); ‘communication difficulties’ (n=5; 6%); ‘lack of consultee’ (n=11; 13%); and ‘limited English’ (n=17; 20%). REC recommendations focused mainly on participant-facing documentation. The participant information sheets were characterised by inconsistent use of images, typography and layout, volume of words and sentences; some simplified language content, but variable readability scores.

Conclusions

People with capacity-affecting conditions and associated communication difficulties continue to be excluded from research, with recruitment efforts largely concentrated around participant-facing documentation. There is a need for a more nuanced approach if such individuals are to be included in ethically sound research.
Management of patients presenting to the emergency department with sudden onset severe headache: systematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies
Authors: Walton Matthew , Hodgson Robert , Eastwood Alison , Harden Melissa , Storey James , Hassan Taj , Randall Marc Stuart , Hassan Abu , Williams John , Wade Ros
Published: March 2022

Objective

Advances in imaging technologies have precipitated uncertainty and inconsistency in the management of neurologically intact patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with non-traumatic sudden onset severe headache with a clinical suspicion of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate diagnostic strategies in these patients.

Methods

Studies assessing any decision rule or diagnostic test for evaluating neurologically intact adults with a severe headache, reaching maximum intensity within 1 hour, were eligible. Eighteen databases (including MEDLINE and Embase) were searched. Quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. Where appropriate, hierarchical bivariate meta-analysis was used to synthesise diagnostic accuracy results.

Results

Thirty-seven studies were included. Eight studies assessing the Ottawa SAH clinical decision rule were pooled; sensitivity 99.5% (95% CI 90.8 to 100), specificity 24% (95% CI 15.5 to 34.4). Four studies assessing CT within 6 hours of headache onset were pooled; sensitivity 98.7% (95% CI 96.5 to 100), specificity 100% (95% CI 99.7 to 100). The sensitivity of CT beyond 6 hours was considerably lower (≤90%; 2 studies). Three studies assessing lumbar puncture (LP; spectrophotometric analysis) following negative CT were pooled; sensitivity 100% (95% CI 100 to 100), specificity 95% (95% CI 86.0 to 98.5).

Conclusion

The Ottawa SAH Rule rules out further investigation in only a small proportion of patients. CT undertaken within 6 hours (with expertise of a neuroradiologist or radiologist who routinely interprets brain images) is highly accurate and likely to be sufficient to rule out SAH; CT beyond 6 hours is much less sensitive. The CT–LP pathway is highly sensitive for detecting SAH and some alternative diagnoses, although LP results in some false positive results.
Mental health research in the Arab region in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review
Authors: Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mahmoud Osman , Abdelhafez Ibrahim Hamdy Ezzat , Ouanes Sami , Al-Janahi Eiman , Zoghbi Yuri , Wadoo Ovais
Published: March 2022

Background

The ongoing pandemic has led to a global surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related mental health research. However, most related publications come from Western countries or China, and their findings cannot always be extrapolated to Arab countries.

Aims

This study provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis of mental health research pertaining to Arab countries' response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A scoping review of the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 database for publications on mental health was conducted by authors affiliated with Arab institutions, including articles from inception to 24 October 2020. The included publications were evaluated for their national distribution, international collaboration, publication type, and main research themes. Methodological quality analysis of the included research studies was performed using the original and modified versions of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

Results

In total, 102 articles were included in this study, averaging 4.6 articles per Arab country. Most of the articles emerged from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt. A majority of publications demonstrated international collaboration. Most of the publications were original research studies and cross-sectional in design. The predominant research theme was examining the pandemic’s mental health effects on the general population and healthcare workers. Only 28.0% of the studies were of high methodological quality, whereas 41.5% were moderate and 30.5% were low in quality.

Conclusions

Mental health research in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arab region has quantitative and qualitative shortfalls. Arab institutions need to respond to the pandemic promptly in order to address the delineated research gap and to generate higher-quality research output.