bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community-based organizations’ perspectives on improving health and social service integration
Authors: Agonafer Etsemaye P. , Carson Savanna L. , Nunez Vanessa , Poole Kelli , Hong Clemens S. , Morales Maria , Jara Jessica , Hakopian Sarmen , Kenison Tiffany , Bhalla Ish , Cameron Francesca , Vassar Stefanie D. , Brown Arleen F.
Published: March 2021

Background

Collaborations between health systems and community-based organizations (CBOs) are increasingly common mechanisms to address the unmet health-related social needs of high-risk populations. However, there is limited evidence on how to develop, manage, and sustain these partnerships, and implementation rarely incorporates perspectives of community social service organizations. To address these gaps, we elicited CBOs’ perspectives on service delivery for clients, the impact of the Whole Person Care-Los Angeles (WPC-LA) initiative to integrate health and social care, and their suggestions for improving health system partnerships.

Methods

Using stakeholder engaged principles and a qualitative Rapid Assessment Process, we conducted brief surveys and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 65 key informants from 36 CBOs working with WPC-LA.

Results

Major themes identified by CBOs included: 1) the importance of a holistic, client-centered, continuously engaged approach that is reliant on regional partnerships; 2) benefits of WPC-LA expanding capacity and networks; 3) concerns about communication and redundancy hindering WPC-LA; and 4) a need for more equitable partnerships incorporating their approaches.

Conclusions

CBOs value opportunities for integration with health systems, bring critical expertise to these partnerships, and seek to strengthen cross-sector collaborations. Early, equitable, and inclusive participation in the development and implementation of these partnerships may enhance their effectiveness, but requires policy that prioritizes and incentivizes sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Optimal cutoff values for anthropometric indices of obesity as discriminators of metabolic abnormalities in Korea: results from a Health Examinees study
Authors: Cho Sooyoung , Shin Aesun , Choi Ji-Yeob , Park Sang Min , Kang Daehee , Lee Jong-Koo
Published: March 2021

Background

Obesity is well known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the performance of and the optimal cutoff values for obesity indices to discriminate the presence of metabolic abnormalities as a primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in a Health Examinees study (HEXA).

Methods

The current study analyzed 134,195 participants with complete anthropometric and laboratory information in a Health Examinees study, consisting of the Korean population aged 40 to 69 years. The presence of metabolic abnormality was defined as having at least one of the following: hypertension, hyperglycemia, or dyslipidemia. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for body mass index, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, waist circumference, and conicity index.

Results

The AUC of metabolic abnormalities was the highest for waist-to-height ratio (AUC [95% CIs], 0.677 [0.672–0.683] among men; 0.691 [0.687–0.694] among women), and the lowest for the C index (0.616 [0.611–0.622] among men; 0.645 [0.641–0.649] among women) among both men and women. The optimal cutoff values were 24.3 kg/m2for the body mass index, 0.887 for the waist-to-hip ratio, 0.499 for the waist-to-height ratio, 84.4 cm for waist circumference and 1.20 m3/2/kg1/2for the conicity index among men, and 23.4 kg/m2for the body mass index, 0.832 for the waist-to-hip ratio, 0.496 for the waist-to-height ratio, 77.0 cm for the waist circumference and 1.18 m3/2/kg1/2for the conicity index among women.

Conclusion

The waist-to-height ratio is the best index to discriminate metabolic abnormalities among middle-aged Koreans. The optimal cutoff of obesity indices is lower than the international guidelines for obesity. It would be appropriate to use the indices for abdominal obesity rather than general obesity and to consider a lower level of body mass index and waist circumference than the current guidelines to determine obesity-related health problems in Koreans.
Major ceRNA regulation and key metabolic signature analysis of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Cao Shuai , Li Jie , Yang Kai , Li Haopeng
Published: March 2021

Background and objective

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a complex multifactorial and irreversible pathological process. In IDD, multiple competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA, including mRNA, lncRNA, and pseudogenes) can compete to bind with miRNAs. However, the potential metabolic signatures in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells remain poorly understood. This study investigated key metabolic genes and the ceRNA regulatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of IDD based on microarray datasets.

Methods

We retrieved and downloaded four independent IDD microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Combining the predicted interactions from online databases (miRcode, miRDB, miRTarBase, and TargetScan), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified. A ceRNA network was constructed and annotated using GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Moreover, we searched the online metabolic gene set and used support vector machine (SVM) to find the critical metabolic DEmRNA(s) and other DERNAs. Differential gene expression was validated with a merged dataset.

Results

A total of 45 DEmRNAs, 36 DElncRNAs, and only one DEmiRNA (miR-338-3p) were identified in the IDD microarray datasets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the DEmRNAs were predominantly enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, apoptosis, and cellular response to oxidative stress. Based on SVM screening, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK/FBPase) 2 is the critical metabolic gene with lower expression in IDD, and AC063977.6 is the key lncRNA with lower expression in IDD. The ceRNA hypothesis suggests that AC063977.6, miR-338-3p (high expression), and PFKFB2 are dysregulated as an axis in IDD.

Conclusions

The results suggest that lncRNA AC063977.6 correlate with PFKFB2, the vital metabolic signature gene, via targeting miR-338-3p during IDD pathogenesis. The current study may shed light on unraveling the pathogenesis of IDD.
Preoperative risk grade predicts the long-term prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Zhao Jianping , Chen Yao , Wang Jingjing , Wang Jian , Wang Ying , Chai Songshan , Zhang Yuxin , Chen Xiaoping , Zhang Wanguang
Published: March 2021

Background

Cumulating evidence indicates that the systemic inflammatory response (SIR) plays a crucial role in the prognosis of various cancers. We aimed to generate a preoperative risk grade (PRG) by integrating SIR markers to preoperatively predict the long-term prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Methods

468 consecutive ICC patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2010 and 2017 were enrolled. The PRG and a nomogram were generated and their predictive accuracy was evaluated.

Results

The PRG consisted of two non-tumor-specific SIR markers platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and albumin (ALB), which were both the independent predictors of overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed that the PRG was significantly associated with OS (PRG = 1: hazard ratio (HR) = 3.800, p < 0.001; PRG = 2: HR = 7.585, p < 0.001). The C-index of the PRG for predicting survival was 0.685 (95% CI 0.655 to 0.716), which was statistically higher than that of the following systems: American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition (C-index 0.645), Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan (LCSGJ) (C-index 0.644) and Okabayashi (C-index 0.633) (p < 0.05). Besides, the C-index of the nomogram only consisting of the tumor-specific factors (serum carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, tumor number) could be improved to 0.737 (95% CI 0.062–0.768) from 0.625 (95% CI 0.585–0.665) when the PRG was incorporated (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The PRG integrating two non-tumor-specific SIR markers PLR and ALB was a novel method to preoperative predicting the prognosis of ICC.
Tannins extract from Galla Chinensis can protect mice from infection by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O101
Authors: Song Xu , Yang Yi , Li Junzhi , He Mengxue , Zou Yuanfeng , Jia Renyong , Li Lixia , Hang Juan , Cui Min , Bai Lu , Yin Zhongqiong
Published: March 2021

Background

EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) is classically associated with acute secretory diarrhea, which induces 2 million people death in developing countries over a year, predominantly children in the first years of life. Previously, tannins (47.75%) were extracted fromGalla Chinensisand prepared asGalla Chinensisoral solution (GOS) which showed significant antidiarrheal activity in a castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. Whether the tannins extract were also effective in treatment of ETEC-induced diarrhea was determined in this study.

Methods

Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 22). The mice in the normal and untreated groups were given normal saline. Three GOS-treated groups were received different concentrations of GOS (5, 10 and 15%, respectively) at a dose of 10 mL/kg. Mice in the positive control group were fed with loperamide (10 mg/kg). The treatment with GOS started 3 days before infection with ETEC and continued for 4 consecutive days after infection. On day 3, mice were all infected with one dose of LD50of ETEC, except those in the normal group. Survival of mice was observed daily and recorded throughout the study. On days 4 and 7, samples were collected from 6 mice in each group.

Results

GOS could increase the survival rate up to 75%, while in the untreated group it is 43.75%. The body weights of mice treated with 15% GOS were significantly increased on day 7 in comparison with the untreated group and the normal group. GOS-treatment recovered the small intestine coefficient enhanced by ETEC-infection. The diarrhea index of mice treated with GOS was significantly decreased. GOS increased the levels of IgG and sIgA in the terminal ileum and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) in serum. GOS could increase the amount of intestinal probiotics,LactobacilliandBifidobacteria. GOS could alleviate colon lesions induced by ETEC-infection. GOS showed higher potency than loperamide.

Conclusions

GOS could be a promising drug candidate for treating ETEC infections.
The importance of soft skills development in a hard data world: learning from interviews with healthcare leaders
Authors: Abraham Traci H. , Stewart Greg L. , Solimeo Samantha L.
Published: March 2021

Background

Learning healthcare systems have invested heavily in training primary care staff to provide care using patient-centered medical home models, but less is known about how to effectively lead such teams to deliver high quality care. Research is needed to better understand which healthcare leadership skills are most utilized or in need of development through additional training.

Method

Semi-structured telephone interviews with healthcare leaders familiar with Patient-Aligned Care Teams (PACT) implementation in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We interviewed sixteen (N = 16) physician, nursing, and administrative leaders at VA facilities located in the upper Midwestern United States. Content analysis of interviews transcripts using template techniques.

Results

Participants described instrumental challenges that they perceived hindered leadership effectiveness, including the supervisory structure; pace of change; complexity of the clinical data infrastructure; an over-reliance on technology for communication; and gaps in available leadership training. Factors perceived as facilitating effective leadership included training in soft skills, face-to-face communication, and opportunities for formal training and mentorship. A cross-cutting theme was the importance of developing “soft skills” for effective PACT leadership.

Conclusions

Although formal leadership training and development were perceived as beneficial, healthcare leaders familiar with PACT implementation in the VA described a mismatch between the skills and knowledge PACT leaders need to succeed and the training available to them. Closing this gap could improve retention of skilled and knowledgeable healthcare leaders, thereby reducing the costs associated with training and leading to improvements in healthcare delivery.
Vector incrimination and transmission of avian malaria at an aquarium in Japan: mismatch in parasite composition between mosquitoes and penguins
Authors: Inumaru Mizue , Yamada Atsushi , Shimizu Misa , Ono Ayana , Horinouchi Makiko , Shimamoto Tatsuki , Tsuda Yoshio , Murata Koichi , Sato Yukita
Published: March 2021

Background

Captive populations of penguins outside of their natural distributions are often maintained in outdoor facilities, such as zoos and aquariums. Consequently, such penguins in captivity are constantly exposed to mosquito vectors and risk of avian malarial infection during their active period from spring to autumn, which can be lethal to these naïve birds. Previous studies have investigated parasite prevalence in mosquitoes or penguins, but simultaneous investigations, which would be crucial to monitor the transmission dynamics and cycle within a facility, have not been done. To identify dominant lineages and trends, multiple-year surveys are recommended.

Methods

Avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) and related haemosporidia were tested in penguins and mosquitoes at an aquarium in Japan through multiple years from 2011 to 2018. Prevalence and dynamics were confirmed, and molecular analyses targeting the protozoal cytb gene were used to reveal the transmission cycle. Blood meals of mosquitoes were also identified using molecular methods.

Results

Parasite detection in penguins tended to fluctuate within an individual. Two Plasmodium lineages were consistently detected in mosquitoes that had fed on penguins and wild birds observed around the aquarium. Plasmodium lineage CXPIP09 was detected from both mosquitoes and penguins, suggesting active transmission at this facility. However, Plasmodium cathemerium PADOM02 was only detected in mosquitoes, which may be due to host, vector or parasite-related factors, or detection methods and their limits. Additionally, Haemoproteus larae SPMAG12 was detected from penguins, suggesting active transmission via biting midges.

Conclusions

The mismatch in parasite composition between penguins and mosquitoes shows that multiple aspects such as captive birds, wild birds and vector insects should be monitored in order to better understand and control avian malarial infection within ex-situ conservation facilities. Furthermore, morphological analyses would be needed to confirm competency and infection dynamics of avian malaria parasites.
27-Hydroxycholesterol, cognition, and brain imaging markers in the FINGER randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sandebring-Matton Anna , Goikolea Julen , Björkhem Ingemar , Paternain Laura , Kemppainen Nina , Laatikainen Tiina , Ngandu Tiia , Rinne Juha , Soininen Hilkka , Cedazo-Minguez Angel , Solomon Alina , Kivipelto Miia
Published: March 2021

Background

27-Hydroxycholesterol (27-OH), the main circulating oxysterol in humans and the potential missing link between peripheral hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), has not been investigated previously in relation to cognition and neuroimaging markers in the context of preventive interventions.

Methods

The 2-year Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) included older individuals (60–77 years) at increased risk for dementia but without dementia or substantial cognitive impairment from the general population. Participants were randomized to a multidomain intervention (diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk management) or control group (general health advice) in a 1:1 ratio. Outcome assessors were masked to group allocation. This FINGER exploratory sub-study included 47 participants with measures of 27-OH, cognition, brain MRI, brain FDG-PET, and PiB-PET. Linear regression models were used to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between 27-OH, cognition, and neuroimaging markers, considering several potential confounders/intervention effect modifiers.

Results

27-OH reduction during the intervention was associated with improvement in cognition (especially memory). This was not observed in the control group. The intervention reduced 27-OH particularly in individuals with the highest 27-OH levels and younger age. No associations were found between changes in 27-OH levels and neuroimaging markers. However, at baseline, a higher 27-OH was associated with lower total gray matter and hippocampal volume, and lower cognitive scores. These associations were unaffected by total cholesterol levels. While sex seemed to influence associations at baseline, it did not affect longitudinal associations.

Conclusion

27-OH appears to be a marker not only for dementia/AD risk, but also for monitoring the effects of preventive interventions on cholesterol metabolism.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01041989. Registered on 4 January 2010
Hippocampal neurons isolated from rats subjected to the valproic acid model mimic in vivo synaptic pattern: evidence of neuronal priming during early development in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Traetta Marianela Evelyn , Codagnone Martín Gabriel , Uccelli Nonthué Alejandra , Ramos Alberto Javier , Zárate Sandra , Reinés Analía
Published: March 2021

Background

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are synaptopathies characterized by area-specific synaptic alterations and neuroinflammation. Structural and adhesive features of hippocampal synapses have been described in the valproic acid (VPA) model. However, neuronal and microglial contribution to hippocampal synaptic pattern and its time-course of appearance is still unknown.

Methods

Male pups born from pregnant rats injected at embryonic day 10.5 with VPA (450 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (control) were used. Maturation, exploratory activity and social interaction were assessed as autistic-like traits. Synaptic, cell adhesion and microglial markers were evaluated in the CA3 hippocampal region at postnatal day (PND) 3 and 35. Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons from control and VPA animals were used to study synaptic features and glutamate-induced structural remodeling. Basal and stimuli-mediated reactivity was assessed on microglia primary cultures isolated from control and VPA animals.

Results

At PND3, before VPA behavioral deficits were evident, synaptophysin immunoreactivity and the balance between the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and its polysialylated form (PSA-NCAM) were preserved in the hippocampus of VPA animals along with the absence of microgliosis. At PND35, concomitantly with the establishment of behavioral deficits, the hippocampus of VPA rats showed fewer excitatory synapses and increased NCAM/PSA-NCAM balance without microgliosis. Hippocampal neurons from VPA animals in culture exhibited a preserved synaptic puncta number at the beginning of the synaptogenic period in vitro but showed fewer excitatory synapses as well as increased NCAM/PSA-NCAM balance and resistance to glutamate-induced structural synaptic remodeling after active synaptogenesis. Microglial cells isolated from VPA animals and cultured in the absence of neurons showed similar basal and stimuli-induced reactivity to the control group. Results indicate that in the absence of glia, hippocampal neurons from VPA animals mirrored the in vivo synaptic pattern and suggest that while neurons are primed during the prenatal period, hippocampal microglia are not intrinsically altered.

Conclusions

Our study suggests microglial role is not determinant for developing neuronal alterations or counteracting neuronal outcome in the hippocampus and highlights the crucial role of hippocampal neurons and structural plasticity in the establishment of the synaptic alterations in the VPA rat model.
Effect of fibronectin, FGF-2, and BMP4 in the stemness maintenance of BMSCs and the metabolic and proteomic cues involved
Authors: Chen Lingling , Carlton Morgan , Chen Xiaodan , Kaur Navdeep , Ryan Hollie , Parker Tony J , Lin Zhengmei , Xiao Yin , Zhou Yinghong
Published: March 2021

Background

Growing evidence suggests that the pluripotent state of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) relies on specific local microenvironmental cues such as adhesion molecules and growth factors. Fibronectin (FN), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) are the key players in the regulation of stemness and lineage commitment of MSCs. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the pluripotency and multilineage differentiation of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) with the introduction of FN, FGF-2, and BMP4 and to identify the metabolic and proteomic cues involved in stemness maintenance.

Methods

To elucidate the stemness of BMSCs when treated with FN, FGF-2, and BMP4, the pluripotency markers of OCT4, SOX2, and c-MYC in BMSCs were monitored by real-time PCR and/or western blot. The nuclear translocation of OCT4, SOX2, and c-MYC was investigated by immunofluorescence staining. Multilineage differentiation of the treated BMSCs was determined by relevant differentiation markers. To identify the molecular signatures of BMSC stemness, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and bioinformatics analysis were utilized to determine the metabolite and protein profiles associated with stem cell maintenance.

Results

Our results demonstrated that the expression of stemness markers decreased with BMSC passaging, and the manipulation of the microenvironment with fibronectin and growth factors (FGF2 and BMP4) can significantly improve BMSC stemness. Of note, we revealed 7 differentially expressed metabolites, the target genes of these metabolites may have important implications in the maintenance of BMSCs through their effects on metabolic activity, energy production, and potentially protein production. We also identified 21 differentially abundant proteins, which involved in multiple pathways, including metabolic, autophagy-related, and signaling pathways regulating the pluripotency of stem cells. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis comfirned the correlation between metabolic and proteomic profiling, suggesting that the importance of metabolism and proteome networks and their reciprocal communication in the preservation of stemness.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the culture environment supplemented with the culture cocktail (FN, FGF2, and BMP4) plays an essential role in shaping the pluripotent state of BMSCs. Both the metabolism and proteome networks are involved in this process and the modulation of cell-fate decision making. All these findings may contribute to the application of MSCs for regenerative medicine.
Ability of procalcitonin to distinguish between bacterial and nonbacterial infection in severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary syndrome in the ICU
Authors:   from the PROCALCIVIR and BPCTrea study group, Daubin Cédric , Fournel François , Thiollière Fabrice , Daviaud Fabrice , Ramakers Michel , Polito Andréa , Flocard Bernard , Valette Xavier , Du Cheyron Damien , Terzi Nicolas , Fartoukh Muriel , Allouche Stephane , Parienti Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2021

Background

To assess the ability of procalcitonin (PCT) to distinguish between bacterial and nonbacterial causes of patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) admitted to the ICU, we conducted a retrospective analysis of two prospective studies including 375 patients with severe AECOPD with suspected lower respiratory tract infections. PCT levels were sequentially assessed at the time of inclusion, 6 h after and at day 1, using a sensitive immunoassay. The patients were classified according to the presence of a documented bacterial infection (including bacterial and viral coinfection) (BAC + group), or the absence of a documented bacterial infection (i.e., a documented viral infection alone or absence of a documented pathogen) (BAC- group). The accuracy of PCT levels in predicting bacterial infection (BAC + group) vs no bacterial infection (BAC- group) at different time points was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Regarding the entire cohort (n = 375), at any time, the PCT levels significantly differed between groups (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.001). A pairwise comparison showed that PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with bacterial infection (n = 94) than in patients without documented pathogens (n = 218) (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between patients with bacterial and viral infection (n = 63). For example, the median PCT-H0 levels were 0.64 ng/ml [0.22–0.87] in the bacterial group vs 0.24 ng/ml [0.15–0.37] in the viral group and 0.16 ng/mL [0.11–0.22] in the group without documented pathogens. With a c-index of 0.64 (95% CI; 0.58–0.71) at H0, 0.64 [95% CI 0.57–0.70] at H6 and 0.63 (95% CI; 0.56–0.69) at H24, PCT had a low accuracy for predicting bacterial infection (BAC + group).

Conclusion

Despite higher PCT levels in severe AECOPD caused by bacterial infection, PCT had a poor accuracy to distinguish between bacterial and nonbacterial infection. Procalcitonin might not be sufficient as a standalone marker for initiating antibiotic treatment in this setting.
Collaborating in a penta-helix structure within a community based participatory research programme: ‘Wrestling with hierarchies and getting caught in isolated downpipes’
Authors: Sjögren Forss Katarina , Kottorp Anders , Rämgård Margareta
Published: March 2021

Background

In the light of the existence of social inequalities in health, a CBPR (Community Based Participatory Research) programme for health promotion started in Malmö, Sweden, in 2017. The programme was based on a penta-helix structure and involved a strategic steering group with representatives from academia, voluntary organisations, the business sector, the public sector, and citizens from the community where the programme took place. The aim of this study was to explore how the penta-helix collaboration worked from the perspectives of all partners, including the citizens.

Methods

Individual interviews, that were based on a guide for self-reflection and evaluation of CBPR partnerships, were conducted with the representatives (N = 13) on three occasions, during the period 2017–2019. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the interviews.

Results

Six themes emerged from the analysis, including Challenges for the partners in the penta-helix collaboration; Challenges for the professionals at the local level; Citizen-driven processes are important for the penta-helix collaboration; Health promoters are essential to build trust between different sectors of society; Shift of power; and System changes take time. The analysis shows that the penta-helix collaboration worked well at the local level in a governance-related model for penta-helix cooperation. In the overall cooperation it was the citizen-driven processes that made the programme work. However, the findings also indicated an inflexibility in organisations with hierarchical structures that created barriers for citizen involvement in the penta-helix collaboration.

Conclusion

The main issue uncovered in this study is the problem of vertically organised institutions where discovery and innovation processes flow down from the top, thereby eliminating the essential input of the people and community that they are supposed to serve. The success of the programme was based on an interprofessional cooperation at a local level, where local professions worked together with voluntary organisations, social workers, CBPR researchers from the university, citizens and local health promoters.
Species Distribution Modelling performance and its implication for Sentinel-2-based prediction of invasive Prosopis juliflora in lower Awash River basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Ahmed Nurhussen , Atzberger Clement , Zewdie Worku
Published: March 2021

Background

Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) coupled with freely available multispectral imagery from Sentinel-2 (S2) satellite provides an immense contribution in monitoring invasive species. However, attempts to evaluate the performances of SDMs using S2 spectral bands and S2 Radiometric Indices (S2-RIs) and biophysical variables, in particular, were limited. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating the performance of six commonly used SDMs and one ensemble model for S2-based variables in modelling the current distribution of Prosopis juliflora in the lower Awash River basin, Ethiopia. Thirty-five variables were computed from Sentinel-2B level-2A, and out of the variables, twelve significant variables were selected using Variable Inflation Factor (VIF). A total of 680 presence and absence data were collected to train and validate variables using the tenfold bootstrap replication approach in the R software “sdm” package. The performance of the models was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, True Skill Statistics (TSS), kappa coefficient, area under the curve (AUC), and correlation.

Results

Our findings demonstrated that except bioclim all machine learning and regression models provided successful prediction. Among the tested models, Random Forest (RF) performed better with 93% TSS and 99% AUC followed by Boosted Regression Trees (BRT), ensemble, Generalized Additive Model (GAM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Generalized Linear Model (GLM) in decreasing order. The relative influence of vegetation indices was the highest followed by soil indices, biophysical variables, and water indices in decreasing order. According to RF prediction, 16.14% (1553.5 km2) of the study area was invaded by the alien species.

Conclusions

Our results highlighted that S2-RIs and biophysical variables combined with machine learning and regression models have a higher capacity to model invasive species distribution. Besides, the use of machine learning algorithms such as RF algorithm is highly essential for remote sensing-based invasive SDM.
Prior National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) opioid use disorder trials as background and rationale for NIDA CTN-0100 “optimizing retention, duration and discontinuation strategies for opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy (RDD)”
Authors: Shulman Matisyahu , Weiss Roger , Rotrosen John , Novo Patricia , Costello Elizabeth , Nunes Edward V.
Published: March 2021

Opioid use disorder continues to be a significant problem in the United States and worldwide. Three medications—methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release injectable naltrexone,— are efficacious for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). However, the utility of these medications is limited, in part due to poor rates of retention in treatment. In addition, minimum recovery milestones and other factors that influence when and whether individuals can safely discontinue medications are unknown. The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) study “Optimizing Retention, Duration, and Discontinuation Strategies for Opioid Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy” (RDD; CTN-0100) will be among the largest clinical trials on treatment of OUD yet conducted, consisting of two phases, the Retention phase, and the Duration-Discontinuation phase. The Retention phase, open to patients initiating treatment, will test different doses and formulations of buprenorphine (standard dose sublingual, high dose sublingual, or extended-release injection), and a digital therapeutic app delivering contingency management and cognitive behavioral counseling on the primary outcome of retention in treatment. The Discontinuation phase, open to patients in stable remission from OUD and choosing to discontinue medication (including participants from the Retention phase or from the population of patients treated at the clinical site, referred by an outside prescriber or self-referred) will study different tapering strategies for buprenorphine (sublingual taper vs taper with injection buprenorphine), and a digital therapeutic app which provides resources to promote recovery, on the primary outcome of relapse-free discontinuation of medication. This paper describes how the RDD trial derives from two decades of research in the CTN. Initial trials (CTN-0001; CTN-0002; CTN-0003) focused on opioid detoxification, showing buprenorphine-naloxone was effective for detoxification, but that acute detoxification did not appear to be an effective treatment strategy. Trials on comparative effectiveness of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (CTN-0027; CTN-0030; and CTN-0051) highlighted the problem of dropout from treatment and few trials defined retention on MOUD as the primary outcome. Long-term follow-up studies on those patient samples demonstrated the importance of long-term continuation of medication for many patients to sustain remission. Overall, these trials highlight the potential of a stable research infrastructure such as CTN to advance treatment effectiveness through a programmatic succession of large clinical trials.
Development of key quality indicators for appropriate antibiotic use in the Republic of Korea: results of a modified Delphi survey
Authors:   Korea Study Group for Antimicrobial Stewardship (KOSGAP), Kim Bongyoung , Lee Myung Jin , Park Se Yoon , Moon Song Mi , Song Kyoung-Ho , Kim Tae Hyong , Kim Eu Suk , Kim Hong Bin
Published: March 2021

Background

An effective antibiotic stewardship program relies on the measurement of appropriate antibiotic use, on which there is a lack of consensus. We aimed to develop a set of key quality indicators (QIs) for nationwide point surveillance in the Republic of Korea.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (publications until 20th November 2019) was conducted. Potential key QIs were retrieved from the search and then evaluated by a multidisciplinary expert panel using a RAND-modified Delphi procedure comprising two online surveys and a face-to-face meeting.

Results

The 23 potential key QIs identified from 21 studies were submitted to 25 multidisciplinary expert panels, and 17 key QIs were retained, with a high level of agreement (13 QIs for inpatients, 7 for outpatients, and 3 for surgical prophylaxis). After adding up the importance score and applicability, six key QIs [6 QIs (Q 1–6) for inpatients and 3 (Q 1, 2, and 5) for outpatients] were selected. (1) Prescribe empirical antibiotic therapy according to guideline, (2) change empirical antibiotics to pathogen-directed therapy, (3) obtain culture samples from suspected infection sites, (4) obtain two blood cultures, (5) adapt antibiotic dosage to renal function, and (6) document antibiotic plan. In surgical prophylaxis, the QIs to prescribe antibiotics according to the guideline and initiate antibiotic therapy 1 h before incision were selected.

Conclusions

We identified key QIs to measure the appropriateness of antibiotic therapy to identify targets for improvement and to evaluate the effects of antibiotic stewardship intervention.
Restoration method of sootiness mural images based on dark channel prior and Retinex by bilateral filter
Authors: Cao Ning , Lyu Shuqiang , Hou Miaole , Wang Wanfu , Gao Zhenhua , Shaker Ahmed , Dong Youqiang
Published: March 2021

Environmental changes and human activities can cause serious degradation of murals, where sootiness is one of the most common problems of ancient Chinese indoor murals. In order to improve the visual quality of the murals, a restoration method is proposed for sootiness murals based on dark channel prior and Retinex by bilateral filter using hyperspectral imaging technology. First, radiometric correction and denoising through band clipping and minimum noise fraction rotation forward and inverse transform were applied to the hyperspectral data of the sootiness mural to produce its denoised reflectance image. Second, a near-infrared band was selected from the reflectance image and combined with the green and blue visible bands to produce a pseudo color image for the subsequent sootiness removal processing. The near-infrared band is selected because it is better penetrating the sootiness layer to a certain extent comparing to other bands. Third, the sootiness covered on the pseudo color image was preliminarily removed by using the method of dark channel prior and by adjusting the brightness of the image. Finally, the Retinex by bilateral filter was performed on the image to get the final restored image, where the sootiness was removed. The results show that the images restored by the proposed method are superior in variance, average gradient, information entropy and gray scale contrast comparing to the results from the traditional methods of homomorphic filtering and Gaussian stretching. The results also show the highest score in comprehensive evaluation of edges, hue and structure; thus, the method proposed can support more potential studies or sootiness removal in real mural paintings with more detailed information. The method proposed shows strong evidence that it can effectively reduce the influence of sootiness on the moral images with more details that can reveal the original appearance of the mural and improve its visual quality.
Developing a mathematical model of the co-author recommender system using graph mining techniques and big data applications
Authors: Ebrahimi Fezzeh , Asemi Asefeh , Nezarat Amin , Ko Andrea
Published: March 2021

Finding the most suitable co-author is one of the most important ways to conduct effective research in scientific fields. Data science has contributed to achieving this possibility significantly. The present study aims at designing a mathematical model of co-author recommender system in bioinformatics using graph mining techniques and big data applications. The present study employed an applied-developmental research method and a mixed-methods research design. The research population consisted of all scientific products in bioinformatics in the PubMed database. To achieve the research objectives, the most appropriate effective features in choosing a co-author were selected, prioritized, and weighted by experts. Then, they were weighted using graph mining techniques and big data applications. Finally, the mathematical co-author recommender system model in bioinformatics was presented. Data analysis instruments included Expert Choice, Excel, Spark, Scala and Python programming languages in a big data server. The research was conducted in four steps: (1) identifying and prioritizing the criteria effective in choosing a co-author using AHP; (2) determining the correlation degree of articles based on the criteria obtained from step 1 using algorithms and big data applications; (3) developing a mathematical co-author recommender system model; and (4) evaluating the developed mathematical model. Findings showed that the journal titles and citations criteria have the highest weight while the abstract has the lowest weight in the mathematical co-author recommender system model. The accuracy of the proposed model was 72.26. It was concluded that using content-based features and expert opinions have high potentials in recommending the most appropriate co-authors. It is expected that the proposed co-author recommender system model can provide appropriate recommendations for choosing co-authors on various fields in different contexts of scientific information. The most important innovation of this model is the use of a combination of expert opinions and systemic weights, which can accelerate the finding of co-authors and consequently saving time and achieving a greater quality of scientific products.
Geochemical approaches in tsunami research: current knowledge and challenges
Authors: Shinozaki Tetsuya
Published: March 2021

Over the past decade or so, geochemical techniques have been applied to the study of modern and past tsunamis. Seawater incursions and the introduction of marine organic matter can be detected through geochemical analysis, providing strong evidence that an event deposit was formed by saltwater inundation. Furthermore, the marine geochemical signature of an event may reveal the full extent of tsunami inundation far more precisely than can be obtained from sediment alone. Based mainly on literature published during the last 4 years, this paper summarizes the latest advances in and some problems with tsunami geochemical research, and specifically addresses organic and inorganic proxies with high preservation potential, geochemical characteristics of invisible tsunami deposits, handling of data from core scanners, and offshore environmental impacts. Recent studies have proposed that some organic and inorganic geochemical proxies have high preservation potential, and sometimes such evidence can be recognized from invisible tsunami deposits. Quantitative assessments of biomarkers are also effective for detecting allochthonous materials. Organic and inorganic proxies can be applied both to identify tsunami deposits and to accurately reconstruct tsunami inundation areas; however, there are as yet no universal criteria for accurate reconstruction of tsunami inundation areas by detecting invisible tsunami deposits using geochemical approaches. For deeper understanding of the behavior of geochemical characteristics derived from tsunami events, additional knowledge of the geochemical substances associated with modern and paleo-tsunami events is required. Specifically, further work is required on assessment of the environmental selectivity of geochemical proxies and refinement of core-scanner analysis for both organic and inorganic substances.
EKF-based self-attitude estimation with DNN learning landscape information
Authors: Ozaki Ryota , Kuroda Yoji
Published: March 2021

This paper presents an EKF-based self-attitude estimation with a DNN (deep neural network) learning landscape information. The method integrates gyroscopic angular velocity and DNN inference in the EKF. The DNN predicts a gravity vector in a camera frame. The input of the network is a camera image, the outputs are a mean vector and a covariance matrix of the gravity. It is trained and validated with a dataset of images and corresponded gravity vectors. The dataset is collected in a flight simulator because we can easily obtain various gravity vectors, although the method is not only for UAVs. Using a simulator breaks the limitation of amount of collecting data with ground truth. The validation shows the network can predict the gravity vector from only a single shot image. It also shows that the covariance matrix expresses the uncertainty of the inference. The covariance matrix is used for integrating the inference in the EKF. Flight data of a drone is also recorded in the simulator, and the EKF-based method is tested with it. It shows the method suppresses accumulative error by integrating the network outputs.
A fully automated pipeline for the dynamic at‐line morphology analysis of microscale Aspergillus cultivation
Authors: Jansen Roman , Küsters Kira , Morschett Holger , Wiechert Wolfgang , Oldiges Marco
Published: March 2021

Background

Morphology, being one of the key factors influencing productivity of filamentous fungi, is of great interest during bioprocess development. With increasing demand of high-throughput phenotyping technologies for fungi due to the emergence of novel time-efficient genetic engineering technologies, workflows for automated liquid handling combined with high-throughput morphology analysis have to be developed.

Results

In this study, a protocol allowing for 48 parallel microbioreactor cultivations of Aspergillus carbonarius with non-invasive online signals of backscatter and dissolved oxygen was established. To handle the increased cultivation throughput, the utilized microbioreactor is integrated into a liquid handling platform. During cultivation of filamentous fungi, cell suspensions result in either viscous broths or form pellets with varying size throughout the process. Therefore, tailor-made liquid handling parameters such as aspiration/dispense height, velocity and mixing steps were optimized and validated. Development and utilization of a novel injection station enabled a workflow, where biomass samples are automatically transferred into a flow through chamber fixed under a light microscope. In combination with an automated image analysis concept, this enabled an automated morphology analysis pipeline. The workflow was tested in a first application study, where the projected biomass area was determined at two different cultivation temperatures and compared to the microbioreactor online signals.

Conclusions

A novel and robust workflow starting from microbioreactor cultivation, automated sample harvest and processing via liquid handling robots up to automated morphology analysis was developed. This protocol enables the determination of projected biomass areas for filamentous fungi in an automated and high-throughput manner. This measurement of morphology can be applied to describe overall pellet size distribution and heterogeneity.
A 16-week aerobic exercise and mindfulness-based intervention on chronic psychosocial stress: a pilot and feasibility study
Authors: Prochilo Guy A. , Costa Ricardo J.S. , Hassed Craig , Chambers Richard , Molenberghs Pascal
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Researchers have begun delivering mindfulness and aerobic exercise training concurrently on the premise that a combination intervention will yield salutary outcomes over and above each intervention alone. An estimate of the effect of combination training on chronic psychosocial stress in a nonclinical population has not been established. The objective of this study was to establish protocol feasibility in preparation of a definitive RCT targeting healthy individuals, and to explore the preliminary effect of combination training on reducing chronic psychosocial stress in this population.

Methods

Twenty-four participants were allocated to a single-arm pre-post study and subjected to 16 weeks of concurrent mindfulness psychoeducation and aerobic exercise training. Feasibility criteria were collected and evaluated. Within-group changes in chronic psychosocial stress, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and cardiorespiratory fitness were also assessed. Primary analyses were based on 17 participants.

Results

Retention rate, response rate, recruitment rate, and sample size analyses indicate a definitive trial is feasible for detecting most effects with precision. There was also a decline in our primary dependent measure of chronic psychosocial stress (dpretest = −0.56, 95% CI [ −1.14,−0.06]). With regard to secondary measures, there was an increase in the use of cognitive reappraisal, and a reduction in use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. We are insufficiently confident to comment on changes in mindfulness and aerobic capacity $\left (\dot {V}O_{2max}\right)$

V

̇

O

2
max

. However, there were subgroup improvements in aerobic economy at submaximal exercise intensities.

Conclusions

We recommend a definitive trial is feasible and should proceed.

Trial registration

ANZCTR (ID: ACTRN12619001726145). Retrospectively registered December 9, 2019.