bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desalination of seawater using carbon-coated solar absorber in solar still
Authors: Karen W M J , Wong C Y , Melvin G J H
Published: January 2022

Desalination is a process of eliminating salt and other minerals from seawater which turns it to a safe usable water. This study showed the generation of clean water from seawater using carbon-coated solar absorber in two different solar still body colours which are transparent and black solar still, under direct solar exposure at approximately 1.2 kW/m2. The efficiency of carbon-coated solar absorber in the transparent and black solar still was computed, while the clean water collected was examined for its pH and salinity. Carbon-coated solar absorber in black solar still exhibit the highest efficiency at around 35.71%, where the pH and salinity of the collected clean water was substantially reduced to usable water at 6.55 and 62 ppm, respectively.
Mechanical properties of eggshells powder reinforced recycled high-density polyethylene
Authors: Farm Y Y , Mohammad Sappa A A A , Mustafa Z , Muzammil W K , Ismail M A , Amaludin N A , Kiring A
Published: January 2022

This study investigated the effect of thermal treated eggshells powder on the mechanical properties of recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE) composite. Thermal treated eggshellspowder, which was labelled as carbonised eggshells powder (CESP), was prepared at a low pyrolysis temperature of 400°C for one hour. The mechanical performance of the polymer composite reinforced with CESP was compared with the untreated dried raw eggshells powder (ESP) reinforced polymer composite. Each composite sample was prepared with a weight ratio of r-HDPE/filler varied at 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30. The polymer composite was prepared through a melt blending method in an internal mixture at 175° at 32 RPM mixing rate. The composite samples were tested flexural analysis, while structure and morphology were characterised using Fourier Infrared Transformer (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Based on the finding, the interfacial adhesion of the composite between filler and matrix has improved with ESP and CESP, respectively. The composite with CESP filler at 70/30 shows the optimum flexural strength and modulus of 32.21 MPa and 2.06 GPa, respectively. Overall, the introduction of CESP offers a better performance in improving the mechanical properties of the composite as compared to ESP.
A review of the function of using carbon nanomaterials in membrane filtration for contaminant removal from wastewater
Authors: Chadha Utkarsh , Selvaraj Senthil Kumaran , Vishak Thanu S. , Cholapadath Vishnu , Abraham Ashesh Mathew , Zaiyan Mohammed , Manikandan M , Paramasivam Velmurugan
Published: January 2022

Water is a necessity for all living and non-living organisms on this planet. It is understood that clean water sources are decreasing by the day, and the rapid rise of Industries and technology has led to an increase in the release of toxic effluents that are discharged into the environment. Wastewater released from Industries, agricultural waste, and municipalities must be treated before releasing into the environment as they contain harmful pollutants such as organic dyes, pharmaceuticals wastes, inorganic materials, and heavy metal ions. If not controlled, they can cause serious risks to human beings' health and contaminate our environment. Membrane filtration is a proven method for the filtration of various harmful chemicals and microbes from water. Carbon nanomaterials are applied in wastewater treatment due to their high surface area, making them efficient adsorbents. Carbon nanomaterials are being developed and utilized in membrane filtration for the treated wastewater before getting discharged with the rise of nanotechnology. This review studies carbon nanomaterials like fullerenes, graphenes, and CNTs incorporated in the membrane filtration to treat wastewater contaminants. We focus on these CNM based membranes and membrane technology, their properties and applications, and how they can enhance the commonly used membrane filtration performance by considering adsorption rate, selectivity, permeability, antimicrobial disinfectant properties, and compatibility with the environment.
Microstructure and mechanical behavior of Al-xMg/5Al2O3nanostructured composites
Authors: Chermahini M Delshad , Chermahini GH Rafiei , Safari J
Published: January 2022

The effect of Mg content and milling time were investigated on the microstructure and microhardness values of Al-xMg/5Al2O3(x = 0, 4, 8 and 12 wt %) nanostructured composite prepared via high energy milling technique. XRD results showed an acceleration of alloying process and formation of Al (Mg)ssby enhancing percentage of Mg element. Also, by increase in Mg percentage the grain size reduction was more considerable during milling treatment. Additionally, increment of the Mg content up to 12 wt%, causes the increase in micro-strain of the samples (from 0.31 to 0.82%). Increase in Mg concentration accelerates the mechanical milling process. According to SEM results a coaxial and circular morphology with a uniform distribution of powder particles has been formed. Up to 12 wt% (for each milling time), significant increase in microhardness (215 HV) was carried out due to solid solution hardening and crystallite refinement. From 10 to 15 h, a slight increase in microhardness up to 218 HV can be observed.
Nickel oxide-based flexible thin-film NTC thermistors by using reverse offset printing
Authors: Kikkawa Taichi , Kumaki Daisuke , Tokito Shizuo , Fukuda Nobuko , Kusaka Yasuyuki
Published: January 2022

In recent years, the use of printing methods to fabricate electronic devices (printed electronics) has attracted attention because of their low cost and low environmental impact. Printing technology enables the high-throughput fabrication of electrical circuits on film substrates, thereby providing inexpensive personal healthcare devices to monitor health status in real-time, for example. Temperature detection is one of the central concerns as a fundamental physical quantity in various fields. In 2013, a highly sensitive flexible thermistor was reported by formulating aqueous inks of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles for inkjet printing. However, it required a high-temperature calcination process of more than 200 °C, which led to the use of expensive polyimide films with high heat resistance. It is necessary to promote further the development of low-temperature processes for printed thermistors to realize flexible negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors at low cost using printed electronics technology. Moreover, in screen printing and inkjet printing, the definition of the ink pattern applied on the substrate changes due to spreading and coffee distortion phenomena, and the thickness between sensors becomes non-uniform, which is a structural consistency problem that can lead to variations in sensing performance. Therefore, in this study we developed low-temperature processable printed NTC thermistors with a temperature-sensitive layer of NiO by using reverse offset printing. The NTC thermistors were fabricated by printing a comb-like pattern of silver nanoparticles and a thin NiO film. In addition, the low-temperature formation of a NiO layer by oxygen plasma treatment was investigated, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to carry out compositional analysis of the surface. Together with the plasma-assisted calcination, a flexible NTC thermistor formed on polyethylene terephthalate film is demonstrated.
Existing Prediction Models of Disease Course in Paediatric Crohn’s Disease Are Poorly Replicated in a Prospective Inception Cohort
Authors: Atia Ohad , Kang Ben , Orlansky-Meyer Esther , Ledder Oren , Lev Tzion Raffi , Choi Sujin , Choe Byung-Ho , Kang Youra , Yogev Dotan , Najara Hisham , Carmon Natalie , Focht Gili , Shteyer Eyal , Turner Dan
Published: January 2022

Background

Several groups have proposed models to predict disease outcomes in paediatric Crohn’s disease [CD], notably the RISK, GROWTH, and the Porto group, but none were externally validated. We aimed to explore these predictive models and individual predictors summarised by the PIBD-ahead project in a prospective inception cohort of paediatric CD.

Methods

We included children who were diagnosed with CD at two medical centres and followed them at 3 and 12 months thereafter as well as at the last follow-up. Outcomes included steroid-free remission [SFR], surgery, and stricturing/fistulising disease.

Results

In all 155 children were included (median follow-up of 31 [16–48] months, 107 [71%] had moderate-to-severe disease). Stricturing and penetrating disease at diagnosis were noted in 34 [22%] and two [1.3%] children, respectively, and these were excluded from the relevant analyses. At 1 year, 10 [8.3%] developed new stricturing disease, two [1.7%] developed penetrating disease, seven [5%] required intestinal surgery, and 15 [10%] required perianal surgery. The sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive value [PPV]/negative predictive value [NPV] of the GROWTH criteria for predicting SFR at 12 months [occurring in 70% of children] were 20%/85%/76%/31% and for surgery at 2 years were 96%/20%/16%/96%, respectively. Strictures were predicted by the RISK model with sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV of 33%/73%/18%/86%, respectively. The sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV of the Porto criteria to predict surgery were 86%/10%/4%/94%, respectively. None of the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease-ahead [PIBD-ahead] predictors were associated with surgery or stricturing disease.

Conclusions

None of the three main predictive models in paediatric CD achieved sufficient accuracy, far from that reported in the original cohorts. This highlights the necessity of external validation in any prediction model prior to its implementation in clinical practice
Evidence from Drosophila Supports Higher Duplicability of Faster Evolving Genes
Authors: Vance Zoe , Niezabitowski Lukasz , Hurst Laurence D , McLysaght Aoife
Published: January 2022

The faster rate of evolution of duplicated genes relative to singletons has been well documented in multiple lineages. This observation has generally been attributed to a presumed release from constraint following creation of a redundant, duplicate copy. However, it is not obvious that the relationship operates in this direction. An alternative possibility—that the faster rate of evolution predates the duplication event and the observed differences result from a higher propensity to duplicate in fast-evolving genes—has been tested in primates and in insects. However, these studies arrived at different conclusions and clarity is needed on whether these contrasting results relate to differences in methodology or legitimate biological differences between the lineages selected. Here, we test whether duplicable genes are faster evolving independent of duplication in the Drosophila lineage and find that our results support the conclusion that faster evolving genes are more likely to duplicate, in agreement with previous work in primates. Our findings indicate that this characteristic of gene duplication is not restricted to a single lineage and has broad implications for the interpretation of the impact of gene duplication. We identify a subset of “singletons” which defy the general trends and appear to be faster evolving. Further investigation implicates homology detection failure and suggests that these may be duplicable genes with unidentifiable paralogs.
The Changing Tides of Caregiving During the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Decreasing and Increasing Care Provision Relates to Caregiver Well-Being
Authors: Leggett Amanda , Koo Hyun Jung , Park Bona , Choi HwaJung
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Pandemic-specific changes to the caregiving context (e.g., attempts to reduce exposure, physical distancing requirements) may lead to changes in care provision. This study uses the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study Family Members and Friends coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) questionnaire to explore changes in the amount of care provision during COVID-19 and associations with stress process outcomes of caregiving.

Methods

The sample includes 1,020 caregivers who provided care for an older adult during COVID-19. Caregivers indicated whether their hours of care decreased, stayed stable, or increased during the pandemic. We describe reasons for change in care and compare changes in care by demographic and care-related characteristics using chi-squares and analyses of variance, and relate changes in care with stress process outcomes (e.g., overload, COVID-related anxiety) using multivariable linear regression.

Results

Caregivers were 60.7 years old on average, 69.3% were female, and 18.6% were non-White. While most caregivers reported no change, 30.5% reported an increase and 11.5% reported a decrease in the amount of pandemic care provided. Relative to maintaining stable care provision, an increase was associated broadly with worse mental health and care-related stress, whereas a decrease was associated with greater emotional difficulty related to care and lower levels of positive affectivity.

Discussion

Those who changed their care provision during the pandemic predominantly did so to protect their care recipient from COVID-19 exposure. Increasing one’s care provision was strongly associated with worse mental health and well-being. Supports for caregivers who take on additional care tasks during the pandemic could have great public health benefit.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Advance Care Planning: Assessing the Role of Subjective Life Expectancy
Authors: Lou Yifan , Carr Deborah
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Persistent race disparities in advance care planning (ACP) are troubling, given Black and Hispanic older adults’ elevated risk of disease, some dementias, and receipt of care that may not align with their preferences. A potentially important yet underexplored explanation for these disparities is subjective life expectancy (SLE) or beliefs about one’s future survival that may impel or impede ACP.

Methods

Data are from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 8,912). We examined the extent to which perceived chances of living another 10 years are associated with 3 components of ACP (living will, durable power of attorney for health care [DPAHC], and informal discussions). We used multilevel logistic regression models to evaluate the extent to which SLE mediates the association between race and ACP, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and health characteristics.

Results

Black and Hispanic older adults have significantly lower rates of ACP relative to Whites. These disparities persist even when SLE is controlled. Blacks report especially optimistic whereas Hispanics report pessimistic survival expectations, although these differences do not explain racial disparities in ACP. SLE has direct effects on ACP, such that persons who report an “uncertain” SLE are less likely to have a living will or a DPAHC, whereas those who perceive a 50% chance of survival have significantly greater odds of discussions, relative to those who perceive a 0% chance of survival.

Discussion

Doctor–patient conversations about the likely course of one’s illness may inform patients’ knowledge of their SLE, which may motivate timely ACP.
Educational attainment as a modifier for the effect of polygenic scores for cardiovascular risk factors: cross-sectional and prospective analysis of UK Biobank
Authors: Carter Alice R , Harrison Sean , Gill Dipender , Davey Smith George , Taylor Amy E , Howe Laura D , Davies Neil M
Published: January 2022

Background

Understanding the interplay between educational attainment and genetic predictors of cardiovascular risk may improve our understanding of the aetiology of educational inequalities in cardiovascular disease.

Methods

In up to 320 120 UK Biobank participants of White British ancestry (mean age = 57 years, female 54%), we created polygenic scores for nine cardiovascular risk factors or diseases: alcohol consumption, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lifetime smoking behaviour, systolic blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. We estimated whether educational attainment modified genetic susceptibility to these risk factors and diseases.

Results

On the additive scale, higher educational attainment reduced genetic susceptibility to higher body mass index, smoking, atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes, but increased genetic susceptibility to higher LDL-C and higher systolic blood pressure. On the multiplicative scale, there was evidence that higher educational attainment increased genetic susceptibility to atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease, but little evidence of effect modification was found for all other traits considered.

Conclusions

Educational attainment modifies the genetic susceptibility to some cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. The direction of this effect was mixed across traits considered and differences in associations between the effect of the polygenic score across strata of educational attainment was uniformly small. Therefore, any effect modification by education of genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular risk factors or diseases is unlikely to substantially explain the development of inequalities in cardiovascular risk.
Non-Uniform Hyperbolicity in Polynomial Skew Products
Authors: Ji Zhuchao
Published: January 2022

Let $f:\mathbb {C}^2\to \mathbb {C}^2$ be a polynomial skew product that leaves invariant an attracting vertical line $ L $. Assume moreover $f$ restricted to $L$ is non-uniformly hyperbolic, in the sense that $f$ restricted to $L$ satisfies one of the following conditions: (1) $f|_L$ satisfies topological Collet–Eckmann and weak regularity conditions. (2) The Lyapunov exponent at every critical value point lying in the Julia set of $f|_{L}$ exists and is positive, and there is no parabolic cycle. Under one of the above conditions we show that the Fatou set in the basin of $L$ coincides with the union of the basins of attracting cycles, and the Julia set in the basin of $L$ has Lebesgue measure zero. As an easy consequence there are no wandering Fatou components in the basin of $L$.
Deep sequencing analysis of acute conjunctivitis in Burkina Faso, Africa
Authors: Bountogo Mamadou , Sié Ali , Coulibaly Boubacar , Ruder Kevin , Chen Cindi , Zhong Lina , Colby Emily , Lebas Elodie , Deiner Michael , Hinterwirth Armin , Lietman Thomas M , Seitzman Gerami D , Doan Thuy
Published: January 2022

Background

Seasonal and epidemic conjunctivitis (pink eye) infections are highly contagious and impose a significant economic burden worldwide. Long-term visual impairment can occur.

Methods

This study used metagenomic deep sequencing to evaluate pathogens causing acute infectious conjunctivitis in Burkina Faso.

Results

We found that pathogens causing conjunctivitis in Burkina Faso are diverse, with human adenoviruses responsible for a small fraction of the samples tested.

Conclusions

These results are unexpected and suggest the importance of regional surveillance.
Case report—successful management of acute buried bumper syndrome
Authors: Gorji Leva , Augusta James , Elrod Michael
Published: January 2022

Percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement is often the preferred approach to addressing nutritional deficits in patients requiring long-term feeding access. Numerous major and minor complications may occur with PEG tube insertion; buried bumper syndrome is a rare, long-term outcome of PEG tube placement, comprising <2.4% of complications. We present the case of a 60-year-old female with laryngeal cancer whom developed acute buried bumper syndrome after PEG tube insertion which was managed successfully with surgical intervention.
A continuous leak from within: a case report on flood syndrome
Authors: Srivastava Kumaraman S
Published: January 2022

Flood syndrome is a very rare complication that can be found in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis with concurrent ventral hernias. If the hernia ruptures, ascites can begin to leak uncontrollably from the opening which can become a nidus for infection if left untreated. This scenario is known as Flood syndrome, which was first described by Frank Flood in 1961. Flood syndrome is very difficult to manage for physicians as these patients are poor candidates for surgery but the ascitic leak will continue without surgical intervention. Currently, there is no standard of care for Flood syndrome. As such, physicians must rely on case reports to help guide their treatment plan. Our case report highlights the case of a 66-year-old cirrhotic patient with an ascitic leak from a ruptured umbilical hernia with discussion of both medical and surgical approaches to managing this very rare syndrome.
Twelve-Month Follow-up of Early COVID-19 Cases in the United States: Cellular and Humoral Immune Longevity
Authors: Shah Melisa M , Rasheed Mohammad Ata Ur , Harcourt Jennifer L , Abedi Glen R , Stumpf Megan M , Kirking Hannah L , Tamin Azaibi , Mills Lisa , Armstrong Madeleine , Salvatore Phillip P , Surasi Krishna , Scott Sarah E , Killerby Marie E , Briggs-Hagen Melissa , Saydah Sharon , Tate Jacqueline E , Fry Alicia M , Hall Aron J , Thornburg Natalie J , Midgley Claire M ,   COVID-19 Follow-Up Investigation Team, Ahmed Sana S , Bonin Brandon J , Dallmeyer Lisa , Duffus Wayne , Frias Mabel , Han George , Haupt Thomas , Khoshabian Rensen , Komatsu Kenneth , Mello Lynn , Rolfes Melissa A , Rubin Rachel , Watson John T
Published: January 2022

We quantify antibody and memory B-cell responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 at 6 and 12 months postinfection among 7 unvaccinated US coronavirus disease 2019 cases. All had detectable S-specific memory B cells and immunoglobulin G at both time points, with geometric mean titers of 117.2 BAU/mL and 84.0 BAU/mL at 6 and 12 months, respectively.
Assessment of the Difficulties Experienced by Individuals with Intestinal Stomas: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kalayci Ferzan , Duruk Nazike
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the difficulties faced by individuals with intestinal stomas.

METHODS

The authors used a qualitative descriptive phenomenologic design. The study population comprised individuals with intestinal stoma living in Eskişehir who were 18 years or older and did not have any mental, physical, and communication disorders. Criterion sampling and snowball sampling methods were used. Data were collected from June to September 2019 through a questionnaire of personal characteristics as well as a semistructured interview. Data on personal characteristics were analyzed in numbers and percentages, and qualitative data were analyzed using the MAXQDA 2020 program (VERBI Software, Berlin, Germany).

RESULTS

The study data were evaluated under two headings: (1) themes created using the Roy’s Adaptation Model and (2) other themes. In the themes created using the Roy’s Adaptation Model, difficulties related to the physiologic adaptation mode and interdependence adaptation mode were observed, whereas among other themes, difficulties due to lack of information and economic worries were commonly reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Most individuals experienced sleep pattern disturbances; faced issues in their relationships with family and friends due to physiologic and psychological distress; received no training for stoma care, diet, or sexual life; could not cope with issues related to the stoma; and faced financial difficulties in procuring stoma bags and care products.
Using Longitudinally Linked Data to Measure Severe Maternal Morbidity
Authors: Declercq Eugene R. , Cabral Howard J. , Cui Xiaohui , Liu Chia-Ling , Amutah-Onukagha Ndidiamaka , Larson Elysia , Meadows Audra , Diop Hafsatou
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether application of a standard algorithm to hospitalizations in the prenatal and postpartum (42 days) periods increases identification of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) beyond analysis of only the delivery event.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the PELL (Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal) database, a Massachusetts population-based data system that links records from birth certificates to delivery hospital discharge records and nonbirth hospital records for all birthing individuals. We included deliveries from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018, distinguishing between International Classification of Diseases Ninth (ICD-9) and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) coding. We applied the modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention algorithm for SMM used by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health to hospitalizations across the antenatal period through 42 days postpartum. Morbidity was examined both with and without blood transfusion.

RESULTS:

Overall, 594,056 deliveries were included in the analysis, and 3,947 deliveries met criteria for SMM at delivery without transfusion and 9,593 with transfusion for aggregate rates of 150.1 (95% CI 146.7–153.5) using ICD-9 codes and 196.6 (95% CI 189.5–203.7) using ICD-10 codes per 10,000 deliveries. Severe maternal morbidity at birth increased steadily across both ICD-9 and ICD-10 from 129.4 in 2009 (95% CI 126.2–132.6) using ICD-9 to 214.3 per 10,000 (95% CI 206.9–221.8) in 2018 using ICD-10. Adding prenatal and postpartum hospitalizations increased cases by 21.9% under both ICD-9 and ICD-10, resulting in a 2018 rate of 258.7 per 10,000 (95% CI 250.5–266.9). The largest increase in detected morbidity in the prenatal or postpartum time period was attributed to sepsis cases.

CONCLUSION:

Inclusion of prenatal and postpartum hospitalizations in the identification of SMM resulted in increased ascertainment of morbid events. These results suggest a need to ensure surveillance of care quality activities beyond the birth event.
Pregnancy-Associated Deaths Due to Drugs, Suicide, and Homicide in the United States, 2010–2019
Authors: Margerison Claire E. , Roberts Meaghan H. , Gemmill Alison , Goldman-Mellor Sidra
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the prevalence of pregnancy-associated deaths due to drugs, suicide, and homicide nationwide from 2010 to 2019.

METHODS:

Using U.S. death certificate records from 2010 to 2019 for 33 states plus the District of Columbia, we identified pregnancy-associated deaths using the pregnancy checkbox and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes, calculated pregnancy-associated death ratios, and categorized deaths by cause, timing relative to pregnancy, race or ethnicity, and age.

RESULTS:

Of 11,782 pregnancy-associated deaths identified between 2010 and 2019, 11.4% were due to drugs, 5.4% were due to suicide, and 5.4% were due to homicide, whereas 59.3% were due to obstetric causes and the remaining 18.5% were due to other causes. Drug-related deaths, suicide, and homicide accounted for 22.2% of pregnancy-associated deaths. All three causes of death increased over the study period, with drug-related pregnancy-associated deaths increasing 190%. Homicide during pregnancy and drug-related deaths, suicides, and homicide in the late postpartum period (43–365 days) accounted for a larger proportion of all deaths in these time periods than the contribution of these causes to all deaths among females of reproductive age. Pregnant and postpartum people identified as non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native were at highest risk of drug-related and suicide death, and people identified as non-Hispanic Black were at highest risk of homicide.

CONCLUSION:

Deaths due to drug use, suicide, and homicide constitute more than one fifth of all deaths during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Drug-related deaths and homicides have increased over the past decade. Substantial racial and ethnic inequities in these deaths exist.
Antenatal Three-Dimensional Printing for Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment Procedures
Authors: Garcia de Paredes Jessica , Gosnell Jordan , Strug Michael , Giuliani Emma , Thakur Mili , Romero Vivian C. , Cordoba Marcos
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND:

Prenatal ultrasonography allows for timely identification of fetal abnormalities that can have an effect on securing the neonatal airway at delivery. We illustrate the role of antenatal three-dimensional printing in cases with fetal airway obstruction.

CASE:

We present two cases that highlight the utility of a three-dimensional printing technique to aid in ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures during cesarean delivery.

CONCLUSION:

Three-dimensional printing plays a complementary role to standard imaging options in optimizing presurgical planning, prenatal parental counseling, personalized patient care, and education of the multidisciplinary team in cases of fetal congenital airway obstruction.
Medical Cannabis for Gynecologic Pain Conditions
Authors: Liang Angela L. , Gingher Erin L. , Coleman Jenell S.
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVE:

The endocannabinoid system is involved in pain perception and inflammation. Cannabis contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are cannabinoids that bind to endocannabinoid system receptors. A fatty acid amide called palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) enhances endogenous cannabinoids. Given that use of medical cannabis is increasing, we sought to characterize patterns of cannabis use for gynecologic pain and its effectiveness as an analgesic.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov using terms for “woman,” “cannabis,” and “pain” or “pelvic pain” or “endometriosis” or “bladder pain” or “cancer.” The search was restricted to English-language articles published between January 1990 and April 2021 and excluded animal studies.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:

The initial search yielded 5,189 articles with 3,822 unique citations. Studies were included if they evaluated nonpregnant adult women who used cannabinoids for gynecologic pain conditions (eg, chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, malignancy). Study types included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies. Covidence systematic review software was used.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS:

Fifty-nine studies were considered for full review, and 16 met inclusion criteria. Prevalence of cannabis use ranged from 13% to 27%. Most women ingested or inhaled cannabis and used cannabis multiple times per week, with dosages of THC and CBD up to 70 mg and 2,000 mg, respectively. Sixty-one to 95.5% reported pain relief. All six prospective cohort studies and one RCT of PEA-combination medications reported significant pain relief, and the average decrease in pain after 3 months of treatment was 3.35±1.39 on the 10-point visual analog scale. However, one fatty acid amide enzyme inhibitor RCT did not show pain reduction.

CONCLUSION:

Survey data showed that most women reported that cannabis improved pain from numerous gynecologic conditions. Cohort studies and an RCT using PEA-combination medications reported pain reduction. However, interpretation of the studies is limited due to varying cannabis formulations, delivery methods, and dosages that preclude a definitive statement about cannabis for gynecologic pain relief.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:

PROSPERO, CRD42021248057.
The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom-Related Distress
Authors: Johnson Kimberley T. , Williams Paula G. , Hill Audra J.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Birth-related pelvic floor trauma and its sequelae (PFTS) are associated with higher rates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in the fourth trimester. The fourth trimester is a critical window for long-term health outcomes, and identifying factors that buffer the impact of PFTS is an important research priority.

Objectives:

We hypothesized that lack of prenatal pelvic floor-focused education may be associated with greater distress following PFTS.

Study Design:

Hypotheses were investigated using a repeated-measures (study 1; n = 36) and cross-sectional (study 2; n = 226) design among participants reporting PFTS. Questionnaires were completed online, and included qualitative and quantitative responses.

Methods:

Study 1 participants completed a questionnaire within the first 8 weeks and approximately 3 months postpartum. Study 2 participants (≤5 years postpartum) completed a 1-time questionnaire. We examined associations among pelvic floor education, pelvic floor symptoms, and indices of mental health. Moderation analyses were conducted (study 2) to test whether the association between pelvic floor and mental health symptoms varied depending on level of discrepancy between postpartum expectation and experience.

Results:

In both studies, a high percentage of participants reported a lack of pelvic floor education, and significant associations were seen between pelvic floor and psychological symptoms. In study 2, individuals who reported high discrepancy between expectations and experience had the strongest associations between pelvic floor and psychological symptoms; for those reporting low discrepancy, the association was nonsignificant.

Conclusion:

Prenatal pelvic floor education is a key aspect not just in reducing risk of PFTS, but mitigating distress if it does occur.
Evidences for newer insecticides and growth regulators resistance in field populations of Helicoverpaarmigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Karnataka,India
Authors: Ballari Honnakerappa S. , Udikeri Shashikant. S. , Kalia Vinay
Published: January 2022

The prominence of Helicoverpaarmigera(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)averse insecticide resistance was traversed in the course of 2017 in Karnataka,India. The results divulged typical resistance level prostrating in selected newer insecticides, even though exiguous higher resistance airing in insect growth regulator Novaluranwith LC 50of and 13.02 to 18.07 ppm and 1.17 to 1.95 folds resistance) compared to newer group insecticides Spinasad, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide and Rynaxypyr(3.57 to 10.19 ppm, 1.01 to 1.27 fold). Raichur and Kalaburgi strains comprehend higher resistance to Novaluran and newer insecticides with exception of Flubendiamide (Raichur and Vijayapura strains), respectively and Spinosad (Kalaburgi and Raichur strains), respectively. The morphometric parameters of larval length, pupal length, and weight were most in RCH stain (2.75±0.48 cm, 1.76±0.18 cm, and 0.511±0.04 g, 0.309±0.05 g) respectively, which was pursued by Kalaburgi strain. The morphometric correlation revealed that larval length was a significant positive relation with insecticide resistance which might be an influence of resistance but not merely responsible. Among newer insecticides, a significant positive correlation between Rynaxypyr and Indoxacarb was evident, similarly, Nuvaluran with Indoxacarb and Rynaxypyr as well. Usage pattern revealed that 81.67 % of farmers found to use insecticides more than the recommended dose and 70.83% have habit consecutive applications of products from the same chemical group which bear witness to developing resistance.
Meta-analysis of COVID-19 patients to understand the key predictors of mortality in the non-vaccinated groups in remote settings
Authors: Jain Neha L. , Parekh Karishma , Saigal Rishi , Alyusuf Amal , Kelly Gabrielle , Jha Alokkumar
Published: January 2022

Various studies have looked into the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on large populations. However, very few studies have looked into the remote setting of hospitals where vaccination is challenging due to social structure, myths, and misconceptions. There is a consensus that elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP, ferritin, D-dimer correlate with increased severity of COVID-19 and are associated with worse outcomes. In the present study, through retrospective meta-analysis, we have looked into ∼20 months of SARS-COV2 infected patients with known mortality status and identified predictors of mortality concerning their comorbidities, various clinical parameters, inflammatory markers, superimposed infections, length of hospitalization, length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. Studies with larger sample sizes have covered the outcomes through epidemiological, social, and survey-based analysis—however, most studies cover larger cohorts from tertiary medical centers. In the present study, we assessed the outcome of non-vaccinated COVID 19 patients in a remote setting for 20 months from January 1, 2020, to August 30, 2021, at CHI Mercy Health in Roseburg, Oregon. We also included two vaccinated patients from September 2021 to add to the power of our cohort. The study will provide a comprehensive methodology and deep insight into multi-dimensional data in the unvaccinated group, translational biomarkers of mortality, and state-of-art to conduct such studies in various remote hospitals.
The impact of Mendelian sleep and circadian genetic variants in a population setting
Authors: Weedon Michael N. , Jones Samuel E. , Lane Jacqueline. M. , Lee Jiwon , Ollila Hanna M. , Dawes Amy , Tyrrell Jess , Beaumont Robin N. , Partonen Timo , Merikanto Ilona , Rich Stephen S. , Rotter Jerome I. , Frayling Timothy M. , Rutter Martin K , Redline Susan , Sofer Tamar , Saxena Richa , Wood Andrew R.
Published: January 2022

Rare variants in ten genes have been reported to cause Mendelian sleep conditions characterised by extreme sleep duration or timing. These include familial natural short sleep (ADRB1, DEC2/BHLHE41, GRM1 and NPSR1), advanced sleep phase (PER2, PER3, CRY2, CSNK1D and TIMELESS) and delayed sleep phase (CRY1). The association of variants of these genes with extreme sleep conditions were usually based on clinically ascertained families, and their effects when identified in the population are unknown. We aimed to determine the effects of these variants on sleep traits in large population-based cohorts.

We performed genetic association analysis of variants previously reported to be causal for Mendelian sleep and circadian conditions. Analyses were performed using 191,929 individuals with data on sleep and whole-exome or genome-sequence data from 4 population-based studies: UK Biobank, FINRISK, Health-2000-2001, and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). We identified sleep disorders from self-report, hospital and primary care data. We estimated sleep duration and timing measures from self-report and accelerometery data.

We identified carriers for 10 out of 12 previously reported pathogenic variants for 8 of the 10 genes. They ranged in frequency from 1 individual with the variant in CSNK1D to 1,574 individuals with a reported variant in the PER3 gene in the UK Biobank. We found no association of any of these variants with extreme sleep or circadian phenotypes. Using sleep timing as a proxy measure for sleep phase, only PER3 and CRY1 variants demonstrated association with earlier and later sleep timing, respectively; however, the magnitude of effect was smaller than previously reported (sleep midpoint ~7 mins earlier and ~5 mins later, respectively). We also performed burden tests of protein truncating (PTVs) or rare missense variants for the 10 genes. Only PTVs in PER2 and PER3 were associated with a relevant trait (for example, 64 individuals with a PTV in PER2 had an odds ratio of 4.4 for being “definitely a morning person”, P=4×10−8; and had a 57-minute earlier midpoint sleep, P=5×10−7).

Our results indicate that previously reported variants for Mendelian sleep and circadian conditions are often not highly penetrant when ascertained incidentally from the general population.
Evaluation of Commercial Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Assays in seropositive subjects
Authors: Saker Kahina , Pozzetto Bruno , Escuret Vanessa , Pitiot Virginie , Massardier-Pilonchéry Amélie , Mokdad Bouchra , Langlois-Jacques Carole , Rabilloud Muriel , Alfaiate Dulce , Guibert Nicolas , Fassier Jean-Baptiste , Bal Antonin , Trouillet-Assant Sophie , Trabaud Mary-Anne
Published: January 2022

The virus neutralization test (VNT) is the reference for the assessment of the functional ability of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) to block SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. New competitive immunoassays measuring antibodies preventing interaction between the spike protein and its cellular receptor are proposed as surrogate VNT (sVNT). We tested three commercial sVNT (a qualitative immunochromatographic test and two quantitative immunoassays named YHLO and TECO) together with a conventional anti-spike IgG assay (bioMérieux) in comparison with an in-house plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50) using the original 19A strain and different variants of concern (VOC), on a panel of 306 sera from naturally-infected or vaccinated patients. The qualitative test was rapidly discarded because of poor sensitivity and specificity. Areas under the curve of YHLO and TECO assays were, respectively, 85.83 and 84.07 (p-value >0.05) using a positivity threshold of 20 for PRNT50, and 95.63 and 90.35 (p-value =0.02) using a threshold of 80. However, the performances of YHLO and bioMérieux were very close for both thresholds, demonstrating the absence of added value of sVNT compared to a conventional assay for the evaluation of the presence of NAb in seropositive subjects. In addition, the PRNT50 assay showed a reduction of NAb titers towards different VOC in comparison to the 19A strain that could not be appreciated by the commercial tests. Despite the good correlation between the anti-spike antibody titer and the titer of NAb by PRNT50, our results highlight the difficulty to distinguish true NAb among the anti-RBD antibodies with commercial user-friendly immunoassays.
COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations Among Children Less Than 12 Years of Age in the United States
Authors: Di Fusco Manuela , Vaghela Shailja , Moran Mary M , Lin Jay , Atwell Jessica E , Malhotra Deepa , Sforzolini Thomas Scassellati , Cane Alejandro , Nguyen Jennifer L , McGrath Leah J
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To describe the characteristics, healthcare resource use and costs associated with initial hospitalization and readmissions among pediatric patients with COVID-19 in the US.

Methods

Hospitalized pediatric patients, 0-11 years of age, with a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis code for COVID-19 (ICD-10 code U07.1) were selected from 1 April 2020 through 30 September 2021 in the US Premier Healthcare Database Special Release (PHD SR). Patient characteristics, hospital length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, hospital costs, hospital charges, and COVID-19-associated readmission outcomes were evaluated and stratified by age groups (0-4, 5-11), four COVID-19 disease progression states based on intensive care unit (ICU) and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) usage, and three sequential calendar periods. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the US HealthVerity claims database and restricting the analyses to primary discharge code.

Results

Among 4,573 hospitalized pediatric patients aged 0-11 years, 68.0% were 0-4 years and 32.0% were 5-11 years, with a mean (median) age of 3.2 (1) years; 56.0% were male, and 67.2% were covered by Medicaid. Among the overall study population, 25.7% had immunocompromised condition(s), 23.1% were admitted to the ICU and 7.3% received IMV. The mean (median) hospital LOS was 4.3 (2) days, hospital costs and charges were $14,760 ($6,164) and $58,418 ($21,622), respectively; in-hospital mortality was 0.5%. LOS, costs, charges, and in-hospital mortality increased with ICU admission and/or IMV usage. In total, 2.1% had a COVID-19-associated readmission. Study outcomes appeared relatively more frequent and/or higher among those 5-11 than those 0-4. Results using the HealthVerity data source were generally consistent with main analyses.

Limitations

This retrospective administrative database analysis relied on coding accuracy and inpatient admissions with validated hospital costs.

Conclusions

These findings underscore that children aged 0-11 years can experience severe COVID-19 illness requiring hospitalization and substantial hospital resource use, further supporting recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination.
Effects of Varying Approaches to Lifting COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions in the United States
Authors: Galarraga Jessica E. , Popovsky Daniel , Delijani Kevin , Hanson Hannah , Hanlon Mark
Published: January 2022

Background

Policy approaches to lifting COVID-19 restrictions have varied significantly across the United States. An evaluation of the effects of state reopening policies on population health outcomes can inform ongoing and future pandemic responses. This study evaluates the approaches to lifting social distancing restrictions based on adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance established during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study using difference-in-differences analyses to examine the effects of reopening policies on COVID-19 outcomes with risk-adjustment for population density, temporal changes, and concurrent mask policy implementation. We examined the effects of reopening policies on per capita case rates and rates of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths.

Results

Adherence to the CDC’s reopening gating metrics and phased social distancing guidelines resulted in fewer COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Phase one adherent states exhibited a 50-fold reduction in daily new cases and a 3-fold reduction in daily new deaths after reopening. Phase two adherent states experienced improvements in COVID-19 outcomes after reopening, while non-adherent states had a resurgence of worsening outcomes after lifting restrictions.

Conclusions

Our study findings indicate that adherence to the CDC’s reopening guidance after implementing social distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic substantially prevents new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Following a stepwise reopening strategy and ensuring a sustained decline in case rates and test positivity rates before lifting restrictions can mitigate on a large scale the negative effects of a pandemic on population health outcomes.
Mandatory coupling of zygotic transcription to DNA replication in early Drosophila embryos
Authors: Cho Chun-Yi , Kemp James P. , Duronio Robert J. , O’Farrell Patrick H.
Published: January 2022

Collisions between transcribing RNA polymerases and DNA replication forks are disruptive. The threat of collisions is particularly acute during the rapid early embryonic cell cycles of Drosophila when S phase occupies the entirety of interphase. We hypothesized that collision-avoidance mechanisms safeguard the onset of zygotic transcription in these cycles. To explore this hypothesis, we used real-time imaging of transcriptional events at the onset of each interphase. Endogenously tagged RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) abruptly formed clusters before nascent transcripts accumulated, indicating recruitment prior to transcriptional engagement. Injection of inhibitors of DNA replication prevented RNAPII clustering, blocked formation of foci of the pioneer factor Zelda, and largely prevented expression of transcription reporters. Knockdown of Zelda or the histone acetyltransferase CBP prevented RNAPII cluster formation except at the replication-dependent (RD) histone gene locus. We suggest a model in which the passage of replication forks allows Zelda and a distinct pathway at the RD histone locus to reconfigure chromatin to nucleate RNAPII clustering and promote transcriptional initiation. The replication dependency of these events defers initiation of transcription and ensures that RNA polymerases transcribe behind advancing replication forks. The resulting coordination of transcription and replication explains how early embryos circumvent collisions and promote genome stability.