bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic Status and Cognitive Function in Children With HIV: Evidence From the HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders in Zambia (HANDZ) Study
Authors: Mbewe Esau G. , Kabundula Pelekelo P. , Mwanza-Kabaghe Sylvia , Buda Alexandra , Adams Heather R. , Schneider Colleen , Potchen Michael J. , Mweemba Milimo , Mathews Manoj , Menon J. Anitha , Wang Bo , Baseler Travis , Paciorkowski Alex , Birbeck Gretchen L. , Bearden David R.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Multiple previous studies have identified a detrimental effect of pediatric HIV on cognitive function. Socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the strongest predictors of cognitive performance and may affect the relationship between HIV and cognition.

Methods:

As part of the ongoing HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders in Zambia (HANDZ) study, a prospective cohort study, we recruited 208 participants with HIV and 208 HIV-exposed uninfected controls, all aged 8–17 years. A standardized questionnaire was administered to assess SES, and all participants had comprehensive neuropsychological testing. An NPZ8 score was derived as a summary measure of cognitive function. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to model the relationship between SES and cognitive function, and mediation analysis was used to identify specific pathways by which SES may affect cognition.

Results:

Children with HIV performed significantly worse on a composite measure of cognitive function (NPZ8 score −0.19 vs. 0.22, P < 0.001) and were more likely to have cognitive impairment (33% vs. 19%, P = 0.001). Higher SES was associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment (odds ratio 0.8, 95% confidence interval: 0.75–0.92, P < 0.001) in both groups, with similar effects in children with HIV and HIV-exposed uninfected groups. SES was more strongly correlated with NPZ8 score in children with HIV than in uninfected controls (Pearson's R 0.39 vs. 0.28), but predicted NPZ8 in both groups. Mediation analysis suggested that the effect of SES on cognition was most strongly mediated through malnutrition.

Conclusions:

Cognitive function is strongly correlated with SES in children with HIV, suggesting a synergistic effect of HIV and poverty on cognitive function.
Three-Dimensional Geometric Morphometry of Facial Soft Tissue Changes After Bilateral Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy
Authors: Al Bougha Safieh , Nakano Hiroyuki , Yasuda Kousuke , Suzuki Kei , Yamada Tomohiro , Takahashi Ichiro , Ueno Takaaki , Mori Yoshihide
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of geometric morphometry (GM) to assess the changes in facial soft tissue after orthognathic surgery. Subjects were 27 patients (skeletal class III) who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and 27 volunteers as a control group. Computed tomography images of each patient were obtained before surgery (T0) and 6 months after surgery (T1). Computed tomography images of 27 volunteers (skeletal class I) were also obtained as a control group. Using a three-dimensional (3D) modeling software, 3D models were created and exported to a 3D surface analyzing software for geometric morphometry and principal component (PC) analysis. Significant differences in facial soft tissue were found in the first and second of 15 PC. The first PC represented variation in the lower facial height, and the second PC represented variation in the anterior-posterior position of the chin. Comparing the pre- and post-operative images, they illustrated that lower facial height was decreased, and the chin and lower lip moved posteriorly. Geometric morphometry showed to be a successful tool to isolate surgery-related changes from interindividual morphological variations.
Polymeric piezoresistive airflow sensor to monitor respiratory patterns
Authors: Moshizi Sajad Abolpour , Abedi Abolfazl , Sanaeepur Majid , Pastras Christopher J. , Han Zhao Jun , Wu Shuying , Asadnia Mohsen
Published: December 2021

Monitoring human respiratory patterns is of great importance as it gives essential information for various medical conditions, e.g. sleep apnoea syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, etc. Herein, we have developed a polymeric airflow sensor based on nanocomposites of vertically grown graphene nanosheets (VGNs) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and explored their applications in monitoring human respiration. The sensing performance of the VGNs/PDMS nanocomposite was characterized by exposing to a range of airflow rates (20–130 l min−1), and a linear performance with high sensitivity and low response time (mostly below 1 s) was observed. To evaluate the experimental results, finite-element simulation models were developed in the COMSOL Multiphysics package. The piezoresistive properties of VGNs/PDMS thin film and fluid–solid interaction were thoroughly studied. Laser Doppler vibrometry measures of sensor tip displacement closely approximated simulated deflection results and validated the dynamic response of the sensor. By comparing the proposed sensor and some other airflow sensors in the literature, it is concluded that the VGNs/PDMS airflow sensor has excellent features in terms of sensor height, detection range and sensitivity. The potential application of the VGNs/PDMS airflow sensor in detecting the respiration pattern of human exercises like walking, jogging and running has been demonstrated.
Fibro-adipogenic progenitors in skeletal muscle homeostasis, regeneration and diseases
Authors: Molina Thomas , Fabre Paul , Dumont Nicolas A.
Published: December 2021

Skeletal muscle possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity that relies on the activity of muscle stem cells, also known as satellite cells. The presence of non-myogenic cells also plays a key role in the coordination of skeletal muscle regeneration. Particularly, fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) emerged as master regulators of muscle stem cell function and skeletal muscle regeneration. This population of muscle resident mesenchymal stromal cells has been initially characterized based on its bi-potent ability to differentiate into fibroblasts or adipocytes. New technologies such as single-cell RNAseq revealed the cellular heterogeneity of FAPs and their complex regulatory network during muscle regeneration. In acute injury, FAPs rapidly enter the cell cycle and secrete trophic factors that support the myogenic activity of muscle stem cells. Conversely, deregulation of FAP cell activity is associated with the accumulation of fibrofatty tissue in pathological conditions such as muscular dystrophies and ageing. Considering their central role in skeletal muscle pathophysiology, the regulatory mechanisms of FAPs and their cellular and molecular crosstalk with muscle stem cells are highly investigated in the field. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on FAP cell characteristics, heterogeneity and the cellular crosstalk during skeletal muscle homeostasis and regeneration. We further describe their role in muscular disorders, as well as different therapeutic strategies targeting these cells to restore muscle regeneration.
Evaluating urban greening scenarios for urban heat mitigation: a spatially explicit approach
Authors: Bosch Martí , Locatelli Maxence , Hamel Perrine , Remme Roy P. , Jaligot Rémi , Chenal Jérôme , Joost Stéphane
Published: December 2021

Urban green infrastructure, especially trees, are widely regarded as one of the most effective ways to reduce urban temperatures in heatwaves and alleviate the adverse impacts of extreme heat events on human health and well-being. Nevertheless, urban planners and decision-makers are still lacking methods and tools to spatially evaluate the cooling effects of urban green spaces and exploit them to assess greening strategies at the urban agglomeration scale. This article introduces a novel spatially explicit approach to simulate urban greening scenarios by increasing the tree canopy cover in the existing urban fabric and evaluating their heat mitigation potential. The latter is achieved by applying the InVEST urban cooling model to the synthetic land use/land cover maps generated for the greening scenarios. A case study in the urban agglomeration of Lausanne, Switzerland, illustrates the development of tree canopy scenarios following distinct spatial distribution strategies. The spatial pattern of the tree canopy strongly influences the human exposure to the highest temperatures, and small increases in the abundance of tree canopy cover with the appropriate spatial configuration can have major impacts on human health and well-being. The proposed approach supports urban planning and the design of nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience.
Self-preserving mechanisms in motile oil droplets: a computational model of abiological self-preservation
Authors: Egbert Matthew
Published: December 2021

Recent empirical work has characterized
motile oil droplets
—small, self-propelled oil droplets whose active surface chemistry moves them through their aqueous environment. Previous work has evaluated in detail the fluid dynamics underlying the motility of these droplets. This paper introduces a new computational model that is used to evaluate the behaviour of these droplets
as a form of viability-based adaptive self-preservation
, whereby (i) the mechanism of motility causes motion towards the conditions beneficial to that mechanism’s persistence; and (ii) the behaviour automatically adapts to compensate when the motility mechanism’s ideal operating conditions change. The model simulates a motile oil droplet as a disc that moves through a two-dimensional spatial environment containing diffusing chemicals. The concentration of reactants on its surface change by way of chemical reactions, diffusion, Marangoni flow (the equilibriation of surface tension) and exchange with the droplet’s local environment. Droplet motility is a by-product of Marangoni flow, similar to the motion-producing mechanism observed in the lab. We use the model to examine how the droplet’s behaviour changes when its ideal operating conditions vary.
Update article: applicability of artificial neural networks to integrate socio-technical drivers of buildings recovery following extreme wind events
Authors: Pilkington Stephanie F. , Mahmoud Hussam
Published: December 2021

In a companion article, previously published in
Royal Society Open Science
, the authors used graph theory to evaluate artificial neural network models for potential social and building variables interactions contributing to building wind damage. The results promisingly highlighted the importance of social variables in modelling damage as opposed to the traditional approach of solely considering the physical characteristics of a building. Within this update article, the same methods are used to evaluate two different artificial neural networks for modelling building repair and/or rebuild (recovery) time. By contrast to the damage models, the recovery models (RMs) consider (A) primarily social variables and then (B) introduce structural variables. These two models are then evaluated using centrality and shortest path concepts of graph theory as well as validated against data from the 2011 Joplin tornado. The results of this analysis do not show the same distinctions as were found in the analysis of the damage models from the companion article. The overarching lack of discernible and consistent differences in the RMs suggests that social variables that drive damage are not necessarily contributors to recovery. The differences also serve to reinforce that machine learning methods are best used when the contributing variables are already well understood.
Vineibacter terrae gen. nov., sp. nov., an ammonium-assimilating and nitrate-reducing bacterium isolated from vineyard soil
Authors: Lin Shih-Yao , Hameed Asif , Tsai Chia-Fang , Young Chiu-Chung
Published: December 2021

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain CC-CFT640T, isolated from vineyard soil sampled in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-CFT640T were aerobic, non-motile, nitrate-reducing rods. Test results were positive for catalase, oxidase and proteinase activities. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °С and pH 7. Strain CC-CFT640T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to members of the genus

Enhydrobacter

(90.0 %, n=1) followed by

Hypericibacter

(89.4–90.0 %, n=2),

Reyranella

(88.8–89.8 %, n=5) and

Nitrospirillum

(89.2–89.4 %, n=2), and formed a distinct phyletic lineage distantly associated with the clade that predominately accommodated Reynerella species. The DNA G+C composition of the genome (2.1 Mb) was 67.9 mol%. Genes involved in the reduction of nitrate to nitrite, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide were found. In addition, genes encoding dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia, ammonium transport and ammonium assimilation were also detected. Average nucleotide identity values were 73.3 % (n=1), 74.0–74.6 % (n=2), 67.5–68.3 % (n=2) when compared within the type strains of the genera

Enhydrobacter

,

Reyranella

and

Niveispirillum

, respectively. The dominant cellular fatty acids (>5 %) included C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 1
 ω10c, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1 2-OH and C18 : 1
 ω7c/C18 : 1
 ω6c. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified aminolipids, three unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 and the major polyamine was spermidine. Based on its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing, digital DNA–DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and phylogenomic placement, strain CC-CFT640T is considered to represent a novel genus and species of the family

Rhodospirillaceae

, for which the name Vineibacter terrae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CFT640T (=BCRC 81219T=JCM 33507T).
Effects of Different Types of Mechanical Loading on Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture in Rats
Authors: Ju Yong-In , Sone Teruki
Published: December 2021

Mechanical loading is generally considered to have a positive impact on the skeleton; however, not all types of mechanical loading have the same beneficial effect. Many researchers have investigated which types of mechanical loading are more effective for improving bone mass and strength. Among the various mechanical loads, high-impact loading, such as jumping, appears to be more beneficial for bones than low-impact loadings such as walking, running, or swimming. Therefore, the different forms of mechanical loading exerted by running, swimming, and jumping exercises may have different effects on bone adaptations. However, little is known about the relationships between the types of mechanical loading and their effects on trabecular bone structure. The purpose of this article is to review the recent reports on the effects of treadmill running, jumping, and swimming on the trabecular bone microarchitecture in small animals. The effects of loading on trabecular bone architecture appear to differ among these different exercises, as several reports have shown that jumping increases the trabecular bone mass by thickening the trabeculae, whereas treadmill running and swimming add to the trabecular bone mass by increasing the trabecular number, rather than the thickness. This suggests that different types of exercise promote gains in trabecular bone mass through different architectural patterns in small animals.
Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Glucose Homeostasis and Bone Remodeling in Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Rat Model
Authors: Alrowaili Majed G. , Hussein Abdelaziz M. , Eid Elsayed A. , Serria Mohamed S. , Abdellatif Hussein , Sakr Hussein F
Published: December 2021

Background: The present study examined the effect of intermittent fasting (IF) on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) and the markers of bone remodeling in a glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) rat model.Methods: Forty male rats were allocated to 4 groups (N=10 per group): control group of normal rats; control+IF group (normal rats subjected to IF for 16-18 hr daily for 90 days); dexamethasone (DEX) group: (DEX [0.5 mg i.p.] for 90 days); and DEX+IF group (DEX and IF for 90 days). By the end of the experiment, BMD and BMC in the right tibia were measured. Serum levels of the following were measured: glucose; insulin; triglycerides (TGs); total cholesterol; parathyroid hormone (PTH); osteoprotegerin (OPG); receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK); bone-resorbing cytokines, including bone deoxypyridinoline (DPD), N-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (NTX-1), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP-5b); and bone-forming cytokines, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC).Results: DEX administration for 90 days resulted in significantly increased serum levels of glucose, insulin, TGs, cholesterol, PTH, OPG, DPD, NTX-1, and TRAP-5b and significantly decreased BMD, BMC, and serum levels of RANK, OC, and ALP (all P<0.05). IF for 90 days significantly improved all these parameters (all P<0.05).Conclusions: IF corrected GIO in rats by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and PTH secretion and stimulating osteoblast activity.
An Open One-Step RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 detection
Authors: Cerda Ariel , Rivera Maira , Armijo Grace , Ibarra-Henriquez Catalina , Reyes Javiera , Blázquez-Sánchez Paula , Avilés Javiera , Arce Aníbal , Seguel Aldo , Brown Alexander J. , Vásquez Yesseny , Martín Marcelo Cortez-San , Cubillos Francisco A. , García Patricia , Ferres Marcela , Ramírez-Sarmiento César A. , Federici Fernán , Gutiérrez Rodrigo A.
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths globally, and while several diagnostic systems were proposed, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard. However, diagnostic reagents, including enzymes used in RT-PCR, are subject to centralized production models and intellectual property restrictions, which present a challenge for less developed countries. With the aim of generating a standardized One-Step open RT-qPCR protocol to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in clinical samples, we purified and tested recombinant enzymes and a non-proprietary buffer. The protocol utilized M-MLV RT and Taq DNA pol enzymes to perform a Taqman probe-based assay. Synthetic RNA samples were used to validate the One-Step RT-qPCR components, and the kit showed comparable sensitivity to approved commercial kits. The One-Step RT-qPCR was then tested on clinical samples and demonstrated similar performance to commercial kits in terms of positive and negative calls. This study represents a proof of concept for an open approach to developing diagnostic kits for viral infections and diseases, which could provide a cost-effective and accessible solution for less developed countries.
Public attitudes towards the use of novel technologies in their future healthcare: A UK survey
Authors: Sauchelli Sarah , Pickles Tim , Voinescu Alexandra , Choi Heungjae , Sherlock Ben , Zhang Jingjing , Colyer Steffi , Grant Sabrina , Sundari Sethu , Lasseter Gemma
Published: December 2021

Background

Innovation in healthcare technologies can result in more convenient and effective treatment that is less costly, but a persistent challenge to widespread adoption in health and social care is end user acceptability. The purpose of this study was to capture UK public opinions and attitudes to novel healthcare technologies (NHTs), and to better understand the factors that contribute to acceptance and future use.

Methods

An online survey was distributed to the UK public between April and May 2020. Respondents received brief information about four novel healthcare technologies (NHTs) in development: a laser-based tool for early diagnosis of osteoarthritis, a virtual reality tool to support diabetes self-management, a non-invasive continuous glucose monitor using microwave signals, a mobile app for patient reported monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis. They were queried on their general familiarity and attitudes to technology, and their willingness to accept each NHT in their future care. Responses were analysed using summary statistics and content analysis.

Results

Knowledge about NHTs was diverse, with respondents being more aware about the health applications of mobile apps (66%), followed by laser-based technology (63.8%), microwave signalling (28%), and virtual reality (18.3%). Increasing age and the presence of a self-reported medical condition favoured acceptability for some NHTs, whereas self-reported understanding of how the NHT works resulted in elevated acceptance scores across all NHTs presented. Common contributors to hesitancy were safety and risks from use. Respondents wanted more information and evidence to help inform their decisions, ideally provided verbally by a general practitioner or health professional. Other concerns, such as privacy, were NHT-specific but equally important in decision-making.

Conclusions

Early insight into the knowledge and preconceptions of the public about NHTs in development can assist their design and prospectively mitigate obstacles to acceptance and adoption.
The DIAMONDS intervention to support self-management of type 2 diabetes in people with severe mental illness: study protocol for a single-group feasibility study
Authors: Brown Jennifer V E , Ajjan Ramzi , Alderson Sarah , Böhnke Jan R , Carswell Claire , Doherty Patrick , Double Keith , Gilbody Simon , Hadjiconstantinou Michelle , Hewitt Catherine , Holt Richard I G , Jacobs Rowena , Johnson Vicki , Kellar Ian , Osborn David , Parrott Steve , Shiers David , Taylor Johanna , Troughton Jacqui , Watson Judith , Siddiqi Najma , Coventry Peter A
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The DIAMONDS programme aims to evaluate a novel supported diabetes self-management intervention for people with severe mental illness (the “DIAMONDS intervention”). The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of intervention delivery and data collection procedures to inform a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

Adults aged 18 years or over with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and severe mental illness (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder) will be eligible for inclusion. Individuals with other types of diabetes or non-psychotic mental illness and those lacking capacity to consent will not be eligible. Participants will be recruited from NHS mental health trusts and general practices across the North of England. All participants will receive the DIAMONDS intervention: weekly one-to-one sessions with a trained facilitator (“DIAMONDS Coach”) to support goal setting, action planning, and diabetes education; ongoing self-management supported by a paper-based workbook and optional digital application (app); and monthly peer-support group sessions with other participants. The primary outcomes are: 1. Recruitment rate, measured as proportion of the recruitment target (N=30) achieved at 5 months from start of recruitment, 2. Attrition measured as the proportion of missing outcomes data at the end of the recruitment period (5 months from start of recruitment) for physiological and self-reported data items, 3. Intervention delivery rate recorded as the proportion of planned sessions delivered (measured by the number of completed intervention session logs per participant within 15 weeks of the first intervention session). Secondary outcomes include completeness of data collection at baseline and of process evaluation data at follow-up as well as the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and of wearing a blinded continuous glucose monitoring device. An intervention fidelity framework will also be developed. Recruitment started in July 2021. The study was prospectively registered:ISRCTN15328700(12thMarch 2021).

Discussion

The results of this feasibility study will inform the refinement of the content and delivery of the DIAMONDS intervention, as well as research procedures, including recruitment and data collection, in preparation for the main DIAMONDS RCT.
Personalised Cardiac Rehabilitation Outreach Service Reduces Mortality and Hospitalisations in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Al-Falahi Zaidon , Femia Giuseppe , Gardiner Linda , Ekholm Jodie , Kadappu Kishore , Rajaratnam Rohan
Published: December 2021

Background

Heart failure (HF) has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite significant improvements in the management of HF, the overall outcomes remain poor. In addition to pharmacotherapy and device therapy, non-pharmacological interventions are needed to mitigate the effects of this illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the heart failure outreach program on the rate of mortality, HF hospitalisations and guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD).

Methods

In this observational, registry based study, adult patients diagnosed with Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) within the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) and invited to participate in the heart failure outreach service between March 2011 and January 2016 were included in the study. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. In addition, we examined the rate of optimal medical therapy, HF hospitalisations and the total lengths of stay.

Results

A total of 818 patients were included in the study; 470 (57.5%) patients were enrolled and 348 (42.5 %) not enrolled into the program. At the end of the follow up period (median 978 days, interquartile range (IQR) 720-1237), the primary outcome of mortality was observed significantly less in the enrolled group (122 (26%) vs. 133 (38.2%), p<0.001) independently of other variables. In addition, significantly fewer enrolled patients had >3 hospital admissions for HF (16.2% vs. 35.6%, p<0.001) and reduced median admission days (14.5 days [IQR 8-25] vs 22 [IQR 12-37], p <0.001). Patients enrolled into the program were much more likely to be on GDMT (76.6% vs 56.6%, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Enrolment in the heart failure outreach program was associated with a significant reduction in mortality as well as a reduction in the frequency and length of hospital admissions. In addition, the rate of GDMT was significantly higher in the enrolled group. With the high prevalence of heart failure, these programs should be considered in the routine management of patients with HFrEF.
Maternal Fc-mediated non-neutralizing antibody responses correlate with protection against congenital human cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Semmes Eleanor C. , Miller Itzayana G. , Jenks Jennifer A. , Wimberly Courtney E. , Berendam Stella J. , Harnois Melissa J. , Webster Helen , Hurst Jillian H. , Kurtzberg Joanne , Fouda Genevieve G , Walsh Kyle M. , Permar Sallie R.
Published: December 2021

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common congenital infection and a leading cause of stillbirth, neurodevelopmental impairment, and pediatric hearing loss worldwide. Development of a maternal vaccine or therapeutic to prevent congenital infection has been hindered by limited knowledge of the immune responses that protect against placental HCMV transmission in maternal primary and nonprimary infection. To identify protective antibody responses, we measured anti-HCMV IgG binding and anti-viral functions in maternal and cord blood sera from HCMV transmitting (n=41) and non- transmitting (n=40) mother-infant dyads identified via a large U.S.-based public cord blood bank. In a predefined immune correlate analysis, maternal monocyte-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and high avidity IgG binding to HCMV envelope glycoproteins were associated with decreased risk of congenital HCMV infection. Moreover, HCMV-specific IgG engagement of FcγRI and FcγRIIA, which mediate non-neutralizing antibody responses, was enhanced in non-transmitting mother-infant dyads and strongly correlated with ADCP. These findings suggest that Fc effector functions including ADCP protect against placental HCMV transmission. Taken together, our data indicate that future active and passive immunization strategies to prevent congenital HCMV infection should target Fc-mediated non-neutralizing antibody responses.
Beyond well-mixed: a simple probabilistic model of airborne disease transmission in indoor spaces
Authors: Tan Sijian , Zhang Zhihang , Maki Kevin , Fidkowski Krzysztof J. , Capecelatro Jesse
Published: December 2021

We develop a simple model for assessing risk of airborne disease transmission that accounts for non-uniform mixing in indoor spaces and is compatible with existing epidemiological models. A database containing 174 high-resolution simulations of airflow in classrooms, lecture halls, and buses is generated and used to quantify the spatial distribution of expiratory droplet nuclei for a wide range of ventilation rates, exposure times, and room configurations. Imperfect mixing due to obstructions, buoyancy, and turbulent dispersion results in concentration fields with significant variance. The spatial non-uniformity is found to be accurately described by a shifted lognormal distribution. A well-mixed mass balance model is used to predict the mean, and the standard deviation is parameterized based on ventilation rate and room geometry. When employed in a dose-response function risk model, infection probability can be estimated considering spatial heterogeneity that contributes to both short- and long-range transmission.
Does the presence of health insurance and health facilities improve healthcare utilisation for major morbidities among Indigenous communities and older widows: Evidence from the India Human Development Surveys I and II
Authors: George Mathew Sunil , Niyosenga Theo , Mohanty Itismita
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we examine whether access to treatment for major morbidity conditions is determined by the social class of the person who needs treatment. Secondly, we assess whether health insurance coverage and the presence of a PHC have any significant impact on the utilisation of health services, either public or private, for treatment and, more importantly, whether the presence of health insurance and PHC modify the treatment use behaviour for the two excluded communities of interest namely Indigenous communities and older widows using data from two rounds (2005 and 2012) of the nationally representative India Human Development Survey (IHDS). We estimated a multilevel mixed effects model with treatment for major morbidity as the outcome variable and social groups, older widows, the presence of a PHC and the survey wave as the main explanatory variables. The results confirmed access to treatment for major morbidity was affected by social class with Indigenous communities and older widows less likely to access treatment. Health insurance coverage did not have an effect that was large enough to induce a positive change in the likelihood of accessing treatment. The presence of a functional PHC increased the likelihood of treatment for all social groups except Indigenous communities. This is not surprising as Indigenous communities generally live in locations where the terrain is more challenging and decentralised healthcare up to the PHC might not work as effectively as it does for others. The social class to which one belongs has a significant impact on the ability of a person to access healthcare. Efforts to address inequity needs to take this into account and design interventions that are decentralised and planned with the involvement of local communities to be effective. Merely addressing one or two barriers to access in an isolated fashion will not lead to equitable access.
External validation and updating of a prediction model for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cooray Shamil D. , De Silva Kushan , Enticott Joanne , Dawadi Shrinkhala , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Soldatos Georgia , Paul Eldho , Versace Vincent , Teede Helena J.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The Monash early pregnancy prediction model calculates risks of developing GDM and is internationally externally validated and implemented in practice, however some gaps remain.

Objective

To validate and update Monash GDM model, revising ethnicity categorisation, updating to recent diagnostic criteria, to improve performance and generalisability.

Methods

Routine health data for singleton pregnancies from 2016 to 2018 in Australia included updated GDM diagnostic criteria. The Original Model predictors were included (age, body mass index, ethnicity, diabetes family history, past-history of GDM, past-history of poor obstetric outcomes, ethnicity), with ethnicity revised. Updating model methods were: recalibration-in-the-large (Model A); re-estimation of intercept and slope (Model B), and; coefficients revision using logistic regression (Mode1 C1 with original eight ethnicity categories, and Mode1 C2 with updated 6 ethnicity categories). Analysis included ten-fold cross-validation, performance measures (c-statistic, calibration-in-the-large value, calibration slope and expected-observed (E:O) ratio) and closed testing examining log-likelihood scores and AIC compared models.

Results

In 26,474 singleton pregnancies (4,756, 18% with GDM), we showed that temporal validation of the original model was reasonable (c-statistic 0.698) but with suboptimal calibration (E:O of 0.485). Model C2 was preferred, because of the high c-statistic (0.732), and it performed significantly better in closed testing compared to other models.

Conclusions

Updating of the original model sustains predictive performance in a contemporary population, including ethnicity data, recent diagnostic criteria, and universal screening context. This supports the value of risk prediction models to guide risk-stratified care to women at risk of GDM.

Trial registration details

This study was registered as part of the PeRSonal GDM study on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000915954); Pre-results.
Testing the Validity of the Modified Vaccine Attitude Question Battery across 22 Languages with a Large-scale International Survey Dataset: Within the Context of COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Han Hyemin
Published: December 2021

In this study, we tested the validity of the modified version of the Vaccine Attitude Question Battery (VAQB) across 22 different languages. Validity test was conducted with a large-scale international survey dataset, COVIDiSTRESSII Global Survey, collected from 20,601 participants from 62 countries. We employed exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance test, and measurement alignment for internal validity test. Moreover, we examined correlation between the VAQB score, vaccination intent, compliance with preventive measures, and trust in public health-related agents. The results reported that the modified VAQB, which included five items, showed good validity across 22 languages with measurement alignment. Furthermore, the VAQB score showed negative association with vaccination intent, compliance, and trust as expected. The findings from this study provide additional evidence supporting the validity of the modified VAQB in 22 languages for future large-scale international research on COVID-19 and vaccination.
Left Hemisphere Bias of NIH Stroke Scale is Most Severe for Middle Cerebral Artery Strokes
Authors: Vitti Emilia , Kim Ganghyun , Stockbridge Melissa D. , Hillis Argye E. , Faria Andreia V.
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

NIHSS score is higher for left versus right hemisphere strokes of equal volumes. However, differences in each vascular territory have not been evaluated yet. We hypothesized that left versus right differences are driven by the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, and there is no difference between hemispheres for other vascular territories.

Methods

This study is based on data from 802 patients with evidence of acute or early subacute ischemic stroke. These patients had infarct restricted to one major arterial territory (MCA, n=437; PCA, n=209; ACA, n=21; vertebrobasilar, n=46) and received NIHSS and MRI at hospital admission. We examined differences in patients with left or right strokes regarding to lesion volume, NIHSS, and other covariates (age, sex, race). We used linear models to test the effects of these covariates on NIHSS. We looked at the whole sample as well as in the sample stratified by NIHSS (<=5 or >5) and by lesion location (MCA or PCA).

Results

Patients with left MCA strokes had significantly higher NIHSS than those with right strokes. Only patients with MCA strokes showed NIHSS score affected by the hemisphere when controlling for stroke volume and patient’s age. This difference was driven by the more severe strokes (NIHSS>5). In addition, stroke volume and patient’s age significantly correlated with NIHSS.

Conclusion

Right MCA infarcts are larger than left MCA infarcts associated with a given NIHSS score, after accounting for other significant associations, such as patient’s age. It is important to consider this systematic bias in the NIHSS when using the score for inclusion criteria for treatment or trials. Patients with right MCA stroke may be under-treated and left with disabling deficits that are not captured by the NIHSS.
The Impact of Mass Exodus on the Resurgence of COVID19 Cases: Study Case of Regions in Indonesia
Authors: Nuraini Nuning , Sukandar Kamal Khairudin , Aini Wirdatul
Published: December 2021

The inclusion of the human mobility aspect is essential for understanding the behavior of COVID-19 spread, especially when millions of people travel across borders near Eid Al-Fitr. This study aims at grasping the effect of mass exodus among regions on the active cases of COVID-19 in a mathematical perspective. We construct a multi-region SIQRD (Susceptible-Infected-Quarantined-Recovered-Death) model that accommodates the direct transfer of people from one region to others. The mobility rate is estimated using the proposed Dawson-like function, which requires the Origin-Destination Matrix data. Assuming only susceptible, unapparent infected, and recovered individuals travel near Eid Al-Fitr, the rendered model is well-depicting the actual data at that time, giving either a significant spike or decline in the number of active cases due to the mass exodus. Most agglomerated regions like Jakarta and Depok City experienced the fall of active cases number, both in actual data and the simulated model. However, most rural areas experienced the opposite, like Bandung District and Cimahi City. This study should confirm that most travelers originated from big cities to the rural regions and scientifically justifies that massive mobility affects the COVID-19 transmission among areas.
Assessment of exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites and Bisphenol A (BPA) and its importance for the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases
Authors: Carli Fabrizia , Ciociaro Demetrio , Gastaldelli Amalia
Published: December 2021

Exposomics analyses have highlighted the importance of biomonitoring of human exposure to pollutants, even non-persistent, for the prevention of non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) widely used in industry and in a large range of daily life products that increase the risk of endocrine and cardiometabolic diseases especially if the exposure starts during childhood. Thus, it is important the biomonitoring of exposure to these compounds not only in adulthood but also in childhood. This was the goal of the LIFE-PERSUADED project that measured the exposure to phthalates (DEHP metabolites, MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP) and BPA in Italian mother-children couples of different ages. In this paper we describe the method that was set up for the LIFE PERSUADED project and validated during in the proficiency test (ICI/EQUAS) showing that accurate determination of urinary phthalates and BPA can be achieved starting from small sample size (0.5ml) using two MS techniques applied in cascade on the same deconjugated matrix.
CLIPreg: Constructing translational regulatory networks from CLIP-, Ribo- and RNA-seq
Authors: Kerouanton Baptiste , Schäfer Sebastian , Ho Lena , Chothani Sonia , Rackham Owen J. L.
Published: December 2021

Motivation

The creation and analysis of gene regulatory networks have been the focus of bioinformatic research and underpins much of what is known about gene regulation. However, as a result of a bias in the availability of data-types that are collected, the vast majority of gene regulatory network resources and tools have focused on either transcriptional regulation or protein-protein interactions. This has left other areas of regulation, for instance translational regulation, vastly underrepresented despite them having been shown to play a critical role in both health and disease.

Results

In order to address this we have developed CLIPreg, a package that integrates RNA, Ribo and CLIP-sequencing data in order to construct translational regulatory networks coordinated by RNA-binding proteins. This is the first tool of its type to be created, allowing for detailed investigation into a previously unseen layer of regulation.

Availability and implementation

CLIPreg is available at https://github.com/SGDDNB/CLIPreg.

Contact

owen.rackham@duke-nus.edu.sg or sonia.chothani@u.duke.nus.edu
Active populations and growth of soil microorganisms are framed by mean annual precipitation in three California annual grasslands
Authors: Foley Megan M. , Blazewicz Steven J. , McFarlane Karis J. , Greenlon Alex , Hayer Michaela , Kimbrel Jeffrey A. , Koch Benjamin J. , Monsaint-Queeney Victoria , Morrison Keith , Morrissey Ember , Hungate Bruce A. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer
Published: December 2021

Earth system models project altered precipitation regimes across much of the globe; in California, the winter wet season is predicted to extend into spring, and the summer dry period to lengthen. How these precipitation trends will affect microbial traits and soil carbon (C) cycling is a key knowledge gap. Specifically, we do not have a mechanistic understanding of the linkages between soil moisture legacy effects, microbial population dynamics and soil C persistence. Using quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP), we compared total and growing soil microbial communities across three California annual grasslands that span a rainfall gradient yet developed on similar parent material. We also assessed multiple edaphic variables, including the radiocarbon (14C) age of soil C, and found soil C turnover time increased with annual precipitation, but that soil microbes respired recently-fixed C regardless of site rainfall history. Samples were assayed in the wet season, when we expected environmental conditions would be most similar across sites. We hypothesized that growing communities would be more compositionally similar across the gradient than the total background microbiome. We also predicted that the long-term legacy effect of soil water limitation would be reflected in a lower community growth capacity at the driest site. We found that the proportion of the total community that was detected as growing was 28%, 48% and 58% at the wet, intermediate and dry sites, respectively. The composition of growing communities strongly resembled that of total communities, and growing communities were no more similar across the gradient than total communities, indicating a strong effect of climate of the structure of growing microbial communities. Members of three phyla, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria, were responsible for ∼79% of the cumulative 18O assimilation and 80% of all taxa that we defined as ‘growers’. Bacterial growth rates were low at the driest site relative to the intermediate and wettest sites. Reduced growth at the driest site was observed across major phyla, including the Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes and Proteobacteria. Microbial communities at the driest site displayed phylogenetic clustering, suggesting that climate history impacts microbial growth through environmental filtering for slow growing taxa. Taxonomic identity was a strong predictor of growth, such that the growth rates of a taxon at one site predicted its growth rates at the others. This cross-site coherence in growth is likely a consequence of genetically determined physiological traits, and is consistent with the idea that evolutionary history influences growth rate.
Adventive larval parasitoids reconstruct their close association with spotted-wing drosophila in the invaded North American range
Authors: Abram Paul K. , Franklin Michelle T. , Hueppelsheuser Tracy , Carrillo Juli , Grove Emily , Eraso Paula , Acheampong Susanna , Keery Laura , Girod Pierre , Tsuruda Matt , Clausen Martina , Buffington Matthew L. , Moffat Chandra E.
Published: December 2021

Two species of larval parasitoids of the globally invasive fruit pest, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Leptopilina japonica and Ganaspis brasiliensis (both Hymenoptera: Figitidae), were detected in British Columbia, Canada in 2019. Both are presumed to have been unintentionally introduced from Asia, however; the extent of their establishment across different habitats with diverse host plants used by D. suzukii was unclear. In addition, there was no knowledge of the temporal dynamics of parasitism of D. suzukii by these two parasitoids. We repeatedly sampled the fruits of known host plants of D. suzukii over the entire 2020 growing season in British Columbia. We documented the presence of L. japonica and G. brasiliensis and estimated the apparent percentage of D. suzukii parasitized. Across a large region of southwestern British Columbia, both L. japonica and G. brasiliensis were found to be very common across a variety of mostly unmanaged habitats over the entire course of the season (May-October) in the fruits of most host plants known to host D. suzukii larvae. The two parasitoids were responsible for more than 98% of D. suzukii larval parasitism and usually co-existed. Parasitism of D. suzukii was variable among hosts plants and sites (0-66% percent parasitism) and appeared to be time-structured. Our study demonstrates that the close association between the two larval parasitoids and D. suzukii that exists in Asia has evidently been reconstructed in North America, resulting in the highest parasitism levels of D. suzukii yet recorded outside of its area of origin.