bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between tocilizumab, sarilumab and all-cause mortality at 28 days in hospitalised patients with COVID-19: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Godolphin Peter J. , Fisher David J. , Berry Lindsay R. , Derde Lennie P. G. , Diaz Janet V. , Gordon Anthony C. , Lorenzi Elizabeth , Marshall John C. , Murthy Srinivas , Shankar-Hari Manu , Sterne Jonathan A. C. , Tierney Jayne F. , Vale Claire L.
Published: July 2022

Background

A recent prospective meta-analysis demonstrated that interleukin-6 antagonists are associated with lower all-cause mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, compared with usual care or placebo. However, emerging evidence suggests that clinicians are favouring the use of tocilizumab over sarilumab. A new randomised comparison of these agents from the REMAP-CAP trial shows similar effects on in-hospital mortality. Therefore, we initiated a network meta-analysis, to estimate pairwise associations between tocilizumab, sarilumab and usual care or placebo with 28-day mortality, in COVID-19 patients receiving concomitant corticosteroids and ventilation, based on all available direct and indirect evidence.

Methods

Eligible trials randomised hospitalised patients with COVID-19 that compared tocilizumab or sarilumab with usual care or placebo in the prospective meta-analysis or that directly compared tocilizumab with sarilumab. Data were restricted to patients receiving corticosteroids and either non-invasive or invasive ventilation at randomisation.

Pairwise associations between tocilizumab, sarilumab and usual care or placebo for all-cause mortality 28 days after randomisation were estimated using a frequentist contrast-based network meta-analysis of odds ratios (ORs), implementing multivariate fixed-effects models that assume consistency between the direct and indirect evidence.

Findings

One trial (REMAP-CAP) was identified that directly compared tocilizumab with sarilumab and supplied results on all-cause mortality at 28-days. This network meta-analysis was based on 898 eligible patients (278 deaths) from REMAP-CAP and 3710 eligible patients from 18 trials (1278 deaths) from the prospective meta-analysis. Summary ORs were similar for tocilizumab [0·82 [0·71–0·95, p = 0·008]] and sarilumab [0·80 [0·61–1·04, p = 0·09]] compared with usual care or placebo. The summary OR for 28-day mortality comparing tocilizumab with sarilumab was 1·03 [95%CI 0·81–1·32, p = 0·80]. The p-value for the global test of inconsistency was 0·28.

Conclusions

Administration of either tocilizumab or sarilumab was associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality compared with usual care or placebo. The association is not dependent on the choice of interleukin-6 receptor antagonist.
A comprehensive study of arthropod and onychophoran Fox gene expression patterns
Authors: Janssen Ralf , Schomburg Christoph , Prpic Nikola-Michael , Budd Graham E.
Published: July 2022

Fox genes represent an evolutionary old class of transcription factor encoding genes that evolved in the last common ancestor of fungi and animals. They represent key-components of multiple gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that are essential for embryonic development. Most of our knowledge about the function of Fox genes comes from vertebrate research, and for arthropods the only comprehensive gene expression analysis is that of the flyDrosophila melanogaster. For other arthropods, only selected Fox genes have been investigated. In this study, we provide the first comprehensive gene expression analysis of arthropod Fox genes including representative species of all main groups of arthropods, Pancrustacea, Myriapoda and Chelicerata. We also provide the first comprehensive analysis of Fox gene expression in an onychophoran species. Our data show that many of the Fox genes likely retained their function during panarthropod evolution highlighting their importance in development. Comparison with published data from other groups of animals shows that this high degree of evolutionary conservation often dates back beyond the last common ancestor of Panarthropoda.
How many people is the COVID-19 pandemic pushing into poverty? A long-term forecast to 2050 with alternative scenarios
Authors: Moyer Jonathan D. , Verhagen Willem , Mapes Brendan , Bohl David K. , Xiong Yutang , Yang Vivian , McNeil Kaylin , Solórzano José , Irfan Mohammod , Carter Cade , Hughes Barry B.
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the course of human development. In this manuscript we analyze the long-term effect of COVID-19 on poverty at the country-level across various income thresholds to 2050. We do this by introducing eight quantitative scenarios that model the future of Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG1) achievement using alternative assumptions about COVID-19 effects on both economic growth and inequality in the International Futures model. Relative to a scenario without the pandemic (the No COVID scenario), the COVID Base scenario increases global extreme poverty by 73.9 million in 2020 (the range across all scenarios: 43.5 to 155.0 million), 63.6 million in 2030 (range: 9.8 to 167.2 million) and 57.1 million in 2050 (range: 3.1 to 163.0 million). The COVID Base results in seven more countries not meeting the SDG1 target by 2030 that would have achieved the target in a No COVID scenario. The most pessimistic scenario results in 17 more countries not achieving SDG1 compared with a No COVID scenario. The greatest pandemic driven increases in poverty occur in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Experiences and impact of living with incontinence associated stigma: A protocol for a systematic review and narrative synthesis of qualitative studies
Authors: Murphy Cathy , Avery Miriam , Macaulay Margaret , Fader Mandy
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Incontinence is global health and social issue, with urinary incontinence alone affecting over 400 million people. Incontinence can lead to physical harms such as skin damage, but it also commonly causes social and psychological harms, including those associated with stigma. For many people, treatment to cure incontinence does not work or is not suitable and they live with the long-term consequences of incontinence. At the moment, no stigma reduction interventions (increasingly used with other conditions such as mental health problems and HIV) have been developed for people living with incontinence. As a starting point for developing such an intervention, this review will address the questions 1) What are the incontinence (urinary or faecal) associated experiences of stigma of people living with incontinence? 2) What is the impact of incontinence associated stigma on their lives?

Methods

The reviewers will search Embase, Medline, PsychINFO and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature using controlled vocabulary and relevant search terms. Articles assessed to meet inclusion criteria will be included. Once duplicates have been removed, titles and abstracts will be screened and full texts of selected research articles will be reviewed. An adapted Joanna Briggs Institute Data Extraction Form will be used to collect the data and quality will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for qualitative research appraisal tool. A framework approach (using the Revised Framework for Understanding Non-communicable Disease Related Stigma) will be used to organise, integrate, interpret and summarise findings from included articles. The review will be reported in accordance with the Enhancing Transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research statement. Prospero registration number CRD42021259065.

Discussion

The systematic review described in this protocol will provide the first in-depth, comprehensive understanding of people’s experiences of the stigma associated with incontinence and the impact that it has on their lives. It will identify broader influences of contextual variables such as age, sex, cause and type of incontinence, socio-economic culture and geographical location. The review aims to provide insights to support the development of incontinence associated stigma reduction interventions.
Diabetes self-management and its associated factors among patients with diabetes in central Vietnam: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Nguyen Van Bang , Thi Kim Huong Pham , Nguyen Thi Xuan , Pham Nguyen Tuyen Linh , Nguyen Van Vy Hau , Van Le Chi
Published: July 2022

Objective

Diabetes self-management (DSM) enables maintenance of optimal individualized glycemic control for patients with diabetes through comprehensive lifestyle, medication adherence, and self-monitoring glucose level. This study aimed to evaluate DSM and to find associated factors among Vietnamese diabetes patients by using the Vietnamese version of Diabetes Self-Management Instrument (DSMI).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a single hospital in the central Vietnam. DSM was assessed using the DSMI. The participant’s socio-demographic and clinical features were obtained through face-to-face interviews and medical records. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine independent factors associated with total DSMI.

Results

The mean total DSM score based on DSMI self-administered questionnaire scores was 88.4 ± 22.1, with a range of 47 to 140. The mean self-integration, self-regulation, interaction with health professionals, self-monitoring blood glucose, and adherence to the prescribed regime were 24.8, 22.3, 21.6, 10.2, and 9.5, respectively. 48.1% of DM patients had good HbA1c control. Sex, educational status, BMI, waist circumference, medical nutrition therapy, and sufficient physical activities were factors independently predictive of DSMI total score.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes that the DSM situation is seen to be average among DM patients with mean DSMI score 88.4 ± 22.1 and sex, educational status, BMI, waist circumference, medical nutrition therapy, and sufficient physical activities were independently predictive factors of DSMI total score. This evidence suggests that there is a need to enhance the effectiveness of DSM education programs among diabetic patients.
Surviving uncertainty: A dual-path model of personal initiative affecting graduate employability
Authors: Wu Ting , Lai Qin , Ma Nan , Shao Yixuan
Published: July 2022

The increasing uncertainty of our world raises important questions for university students on how they should respond to the employment challenges caused by changing environments. One of the central topics is the development of graduate employability. However, most previous research on graduate employability was undertaken in a stable environment, limiting our understanding of how graduate employability develops in a dynamic context. We have advanced the literature by introducing action theory to investigate the process of personal initiative affecting graduate employability in a period of environmental uncertainty. Using a time-lagged research design, we collected data from a sample of 229 Chinese university students and tested the hypothesized relationships. We find that personal initiative positively affects graduate employability through human and psychological capital. We further show that environmental uncertainty plays a contingent role in the above processes. Specifically, when a high level of environmental uncertainty is perceived, the positive indirect effect of personal initiative on graduate employability through either human capital or psychological capital is more likely to be strengthened. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are also discussed.
Structural stability of the evolving developer collaboration network in the OSS community
Authors: Peng Liu , Jianan Ma , Wenjun Li
Published: July 2022

The structural stability of the developer collaboration network is critical to the success of the OSS (Open Source Software) community. However, research on the structural stability of the evolving developer collaboration network in OSS communities is relatively insufficient. In this paper, according to the software version sequence, we construct the corresponding developer collaboration network of the Angular OSS community and then analyse this network’s structural stability during network evolution. The results show that the network always presents an economical modular small-world structure during its evolution. The maintenance of the structure is related to a cohesive core, which is composed of two types of nodes (i.e., hubs and connectors). The hubs organize noncore nodes to form modules, while connectors facilitate the formation of inter-module connections. The overall results highlight the important role of core developers in the sustainable development of OSS communities and may provide a reference for community initiators to implement protection strategies for core developers.
Prevalence of perceived stress and coping strategies among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak at Bangkok metropolitan, Thailand
Authors: Yubonpunt Pataraporn , Kunno Jadsada , Supawattanabodee Busaba , Sumanasrethakul Chavanant , Wiriyasirivaj Budsaba
Published: July 2022

Background

Healthcare workers (HCW), who are crucial workforce, have experienced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been learning to fight against and support patients as much as possible. Thus, this study aims to account for the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreaks on the healthcare workers of medical school hospitals in terms of their perceived stress and coping styles.

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August, 2021. 517 HCWs self-administered the online survey. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) in Thai-version was used to examine the perceived stress symptoms. Brief-COPE score was used to determine the coping strategies. Independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariable regression analysis were utilized. The level of significance was set at p-value < 0.05.

Result

The prevalence of perceived stress among the HCWs was 41.97%. Coping strategies were used to deal with stress during the outbreak for problem-solving (Mean ± SD = 0.25 ± 0.60) and positive attitude (Mean ± SD = 2.85 ± 0.62). Significant difference was observed in the use of coping strategies among those who differ in marital status (F2, 514 = 7.234, p-value = 0.001), having children (t515 = -4.175, p-value < 0.001), and days off (t515 = -1.992, p-value = 0.047). Multivariable regression analysis reported who those perceived stress symptoms using social support more than those normal stress (AOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.070–2.236, p-value = 0.02). The perceived stress symptoms group used the avoidance strategy 2.03 times more than the other group (AOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.406–2.934, p-value < 0.001). Interestingly, the participants who perceived stress symptoms applied a positive attitude strategy lesser than those who experienced normal stress (57.5%) (AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.307–0.590, p-value < 0.001).

Conclusion

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental distress remains. The findings of this study suggest further study to assess the HCWs’ stress after the pandemic. HCWs should consider merging each of the coping strategies to balance work and lifestyle in pandemic situations.
Multilocus Sequence Typing helps understand the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum isolated from Colombian patients
Authors: Uran-Velasquez Johanna , Alzate Juan F. , Farfan-Garcia Ana E. , Gomez-Duarte Oscar G. , Martinez-Rosado Larry L. , Dominguez-Hernandez Diego D. , Rojas Winston , Galvan-Diaz Ana Luz , Garcia-Montoya Gisela M.
Published: July 2022

Multilocus Sequence Typing has become a useful tool for the study of the genetic diversity and population structure of different organisms. In this study, a MLST approach with seven loci (CP47,MS5,MS9,MSC6-7,TP14, andgp60) was used to analyze the genetic diversity ofCryptosporidium hominisandCryptosporidium parvumisolated from 28 Colombian patients. FiveCryptosporidiumspecies were identified:C. hominis,C. parvum,Cryptosporidium felis,Cryptosporidium meleagridis, andCryptosporidium suis. Unilocusgp60analysis identified four allelic families forC. hominis(Ia, Ib, Id, and Ie) and two forC. parvum(IIa and IIc). There was polymorphic behavior of all markers evaluated for bothC. hominisandC. parvum, particularly with theCP47,MS5, andgp60markers. Phylogenetic analysis with consensus sequences (CS) of the markers showed a taxonomic agreement with the results obtained with the18S rRNAandgp60gene. Additionally, two monophyletic clades that clustered the speciesC. hominisandC. parvumwere detected, with a higher number of subclades within the monophyletic groups compared to those with thegp60gene. Thirteen MLG were identified forC. hominisand eight forC. parvum. Haplotypic and nucleotide diversity were detected, but only the latter was affected by thegp60exclusion from the CS analysis. The gene fixation index showed an evolutionary closeness between theC. hominissamples and a less evolutionary closeness and greater sequence divergence in theC. parvumsamples. Data obtained in this work support the implementation of MLST analysis in the study of the genetic diversity ofCryptosporidium, considering the more detailed information that it provides, which may explain some genetic events that with an unilocus approach could not be established. This is the first multilocus analysis of the intra-specific variability ofCryptosporidiumfrom humans in South America.
COVID-19 and gender inequity in science: Consistent harm over time
Authors: Caldarulo Mattia , Olsen Jared , Frandell Ashlee , Islam Shaika , Johnson Timothy P. , Feeney Mary K. , Michalegko Lesley , Welch Eric W.
Published: July 2022

Stay-at-home-orders, online learning, and work from home policies are some of the responses governments, universities, and other institutions adopted to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, research shows these measures have increased pre-existing gender disparities in the workplace. The working conditions for women during the pandemic worsened due to increased family care responsibilities and unequal distribution of domestic labor. In the academy, working from home has resulted in reduced research time and increased teaching and family care responsibilities, with a larger proportion of that burden falling to women. We investigate the persistence of gender inequity among academic scientists resulting from university COVID-19 responses over time. We draw on two surveys administered in May 2020 and May 2021 to university-based biologists, biochemists, and civil and environmental engineers, to analyze how the pandemic response has disproportionately impacted women in academia and the endurance of those inequities. Results show significantly greater negative impacts from the pandemic on women’s research activities and work-life balance, compared to men. We conclude by discussing the implications of our results, and the need for the academy to better predict and adjust to the gender disparities its policies create.
Capsicum annuum with causal allele of hybrid weakness is prevalent in Asia
Authors: Shiragaki Kumpei , Seko Shonosuke , Yokoi Shuji , Tezuka Takahiro
Published: July 2022

Reproductive isolation, including hybrid weakness, plays an important role in the formation of species. Hybrid weakness in Capsicum, the cessation of plant growth, is caused by two complementary dominant genes, A from C. chinense or C. frutescens and B from C. annuum. In the present study, we surveyed whether 94 C. annuum accessions had B or b alleles by crossing with C. chinense having the A allele. Of the 94 C. annuum accessions, five had the B allele, three of which were native to Latin America and two were native to Asia. When combined with previous studies, the percentage of B carriers was 41% in Japan, 13% in Asia excluding Japan, 6% in Latin America, and 0% in Europe and Africa. In addition, 48 accessions of C. annuum from various countries were subjected to SSR analysis. Clades with high percentages of B-carriers were formed in the phylogenetic trees. In the principal coordinate analysis, most B-carriers were localized in a single group, although the group also included b-carriers. Based on these results, we presumed that the B allele was acquired in some C. annuum lines in Latin America, and B-carriers were introduced to the world during the Age of Discovery, as along with the b-carriers.
Lower alpha, higher beta, and similar gamma diversity of saproxylic beetles in unmanaged compared to managed Norway spruce stands
Authors: Gran Oskar
Published: July 2022

Strong anthropogenic pressures on global forests necessitate that managed forests be evaluated as habitat for biodiversity. The complex pattern of habitat types created in forestry systems is ideal for analyses through the theoretical framework of alpha (local), gamma (total) and beta (compositional) diversity. Here I use saproxylic beetles, a species-rich threatened group, to compare four Norway spruce-dominated habitats representative of the boreal forest landscape of northern Europe: unmanaged semi-natural stands, nature reserves, unthinned middle-aged production stands and commercially thinned production stands. The beetles (in total 38 085 individuals of 312 species), including red-listed ones and three feeding guilds (wood consumers, fungivores and predators) were studied in 53 stands in central-southern Sweden, in two regions with differing amounts of conservation forest. Alpha diversity of saproxylic, but not red-listed, beetles was higher in the thinned stands than in the semi-natural stands, and did not differ for the other forest types. Beta diversity of saproxylic beetles was higher in unmanaged semi-natural stands than in the other forest types, but species composition did not differ noticeably. Furthermore, red-listed saproxylic beetles had higher gamma diversity in unmanaged semi-natural stands in the region with more conservation forest, but not in the one with less such forest. The local factors dead wood volume and dead wood diversity did not influence alpha diversity of beetles, but increasing canopy openness had a minor negative influence on saproxylic and red-listed beetles. While the local scale (alpha diversity) indicates the potential for managed forests to house many saproxylic beetle species associated with spruce forests in this boreal landscape, the larger scales (beta and gamma diversity) indicate the value of unmanaged forests for the conservation of the entire saproxylic beetle fauna. These results show the importance of analyses at multiple levels of diversity (alpha, beta, gamma) for identifying patterns relevant to conservation.
Associations of bacterial enteropathogens with systemic inflammation, iron deficiency, and anemia in preschool-age children in southern Ghana
Authors: Lambrecht Nathalie J. , Bridges Dave , Wilson Mark L. , Adu Bright , Eisenberg Joseph N. S. , Folson Gloria , Baylin Ana , Jones Andrew D.
Published: July 2022

Anemia remains a pervasive public health problem among preschool-age children in Ghana. Recent analyses have found that anemia in Ghanaian children, particularly in Southern regions, is largely attributable to infectious causes, rather than nutritional factors. Infections with enteropathogens can reduce iron absorption and increase systemic inflammation, but few studies have examined direct links between enteropathogens and anemia. This study investigated associations between detection of individual bacterial enteropathogens and systemic inflammation, iron deficiency, and anemia among 6- to 59-month-old children in Greater Accra, Ghana. Serum samples were analyzed from a cross-sectional sample of 262 children for concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb), biomarkers of systemic inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP) and α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP)], and biomarkers of iron status [serum ferritin (SF) and serum transferrin receptor (sTfR)]. Stool samples were analyzed for ten bacterial enteropathogens using qPCR. We estimated associations between presence of each enteropathogen and elevated systemic inflammation (CRP > 5 mg/L and AGP > 1 g/L), iron deficiency (SF < 12 μg/L and sTfR > 8.3 mg/L) and anemia (Hb < 110 g/L). Enteropathogens were detected in 87% of children’s stool despite a low prevalence of diarrhea (6.5%). Almost half (46%) of children had anemia while one-quarter (24%) had iron deficiency (low SF). Despite finding no associations with illness symptoms,Campylobacter jejuni/colidetection was strongly associated with elevated CRP [Odds Ratio (95% CI): 3.49 (1.45, 8.41)] and elevated AGP [4.27 (1.85, 9.84)]. Of the pathogens examined, only enteroinvasiveEscherichia coli/Shigellaspp. (EIEC/Shigella) was associated with iron deficiency, and enteroaggregativeEscherichia coli(EAEC) [1.69 (1.01, 2.84)] and EIEC/Shigella[2.34 (1.15, 4.76)] were associated with anemia. These results suggest that certain enteroinvasive pathogenic bacteria may contribute to child anemia. Reducing exposure to enteropathogens through improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices may help reduce the burden of anemia in young Ghanaian children.
Identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for dogs with sepsis using metabolomics and lipidomics analyses
Authors: Montague Brett , Summers April , Bhawal Ruchika , Anderson Elizabeth T. , Kraus-Malett Sydney , Zhang Sheng , Goggs Robert
Published: July 2022

Sepsis is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge and is associated with morbidity and a high risk of death. Metabolomic and lipidomic profiling in sepsis can identify alterations in metabolism and might provide useful insights into the dysregulated host response to infection, but investigations in dogs are limited. We aimed to use untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics to characterize metabolic pathways in dogs with sepsis to identify therapeutic targets and potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In this prospective observational cohort study, we examined the plasma metabolomes and lipidomes of 20 healthy control dogs and compared them with those of 21 client-owned dogs with sepsis. Patient data including signalment, physical exam findings, clinicopathologic data and clinical outcome were recorded. Metabolites were identified using an untargeted mass spectrometry approach and pathway analysis identified multiple enriched metabolic pathways including pyruvaldehyde degradation; ketone body metabolism; the glucose-alanine cycle; vitamin-K metabolism; arginine and betaine metabolism; the biosynthesis of various amino acid classes including the aromatic amino acids; branched chain amino acids; and metabolism of glutamine/glutamate and the glycerophospholipid phosphatidylethanolamine. Metabolites were identified with high discriminant abilities between groups which could serve as potential biomarkers of sepsis including 13,14-Dihydro-15-keto Prostaglandin A2; 12(13)-DiHOME (12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid); and 9-HpODE (9-Hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid). Metabolites with higher abundance in samples from nonsurvivors than survivors included 3-(2-hydroxyethyl) indole, indoxyl sulfate and xanthurenic acid. Untargeted lipidomic profiling revealed multiple sphingomyelin species (SM(d34:0)+H; SM(d36:0)+H; SM(d34:0)+HCOO; and SM(d34:1D3)+HCOO); lysophosphatidylcholine molecules (LPC(18:2)+H) and lipophosphoserine molecules (LPS(20:4)+H) that were discriminating for dogs with sepsis. These biomarkers could aid in the diagnosis of dogs with sepsis, provide prognostic information, or act as potential therapeutic targets.
moreThanANOVA: A user-friendly Shiny/R application for exploring and comparing data with interactive visualization
Authors: Jiang Wanyanhan , Chen Han , Yang Lian , Pan Xiaoqi
Published: July 2022

In the case of comparing means of various groups, data exploration and comparison for affecting factors or relative indices would be involved. This process is not only complex requiring extensive statistical knowledge and methods, but also challenging for the complex installation of existing tools for users who lack of statistical knowledge and coding experience. Like, the normal distribution and equal variance are crucial premises of parametric statistical analysis. But some studies reported that associated data from various industries violated the normal distribution and equal variance, parametric analysis still involved leading to invalid results. This is owing to that the normal distribution tests and homogeneity of variance test for different variables are time-cost and error-prone, posing an urgent need for an automatic and user-friendly analysis application, not only integrating normal distribution tests and homogeneity of variance test, but also associated the following statistical analysis. To address this, we developed a Shiny/R application, moreThanANOVA, which is an interactive, user-friendly, open-source and cloud-based visualization application to achieve automatic distribution tests, and correlative significance tests, then customize post-hoc analysis based on the considerations to the trade-off of Type I and Type II errors (deployed athttps://hanchen.shinyapps.io/moreThanANOVA/). moreThanANOVA enables novice users to perform their complex statistical analyses quickly and credibly with interactive visualization and download publication-ready graphs for further analysis.
Association of hepatitis C virus infection status and genotype with kidney disease risk: A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Yi-Chia , Wang Hung-Wei , Huang Yun-Ting , Jiang Ming-Yan
Published: July 2022

Background

Whether there is difference in kidney disease risk between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and resolved HCV infection remains inconclusive. Additionally, the impact of different HCV genotypes on kidney disease risk is relatively unknown. Accordingly, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study to investigate the association of HCV infection status and genotype on kidney disease risk.

Methods

The study population were adult participants of 1999–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States. Chronic and resolved infection were defined as HCV seropositivity with and without detectable HCV RNA, respectively. HCV genotypes were classified into genotype 1, genotype 2, and other genotypes. Prevalent estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or urinary albumin creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g was defined as kidney disease.

Results

The average age of study population (n = 44,998) was 46.7±17.0 years with 49.8% being males. Compared with individuals without HCV infection (n = 44,157), those with resolved (n = 255) or chronic HCV infection (n = 586) had higher prevalence of kidney disease: 14.8%, 23.5%, and 20.1%, respectively (p<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that both resolved (adjusted OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02–1.93) and chronic HCV infection (adjusted OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01–1.57) correlated to increased kidney disease risk compared with no HCV infection. Additionally, individuals with HCV genotype 1 (adjusted OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.09–1.82) but not genotype 2 or other genotypes had greater kidney disease risk compared with no HCV infection. Furthermore, we observed that genotype 1 had 2-fold higher kidney disease risk (adjusted OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.07–4.53) compared with non-genotype 1 HCV infection.

Conclusion

Both resolved and chronic HCV infection, particularly genotype 1, were associated with higher kidney disease risk.
Effectiveness of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) plantation at reducing runoff and erosion rates in Anjiagou Watershed in Semi-arid Region of Gansu, China
Authors: Hu Yanting , Tian Qing , Zhang Jinxia , Benoy Glenn , Badreldin Nasem , Xing Zisheng , Luo Zhuzhu , Zhang Fu
Published: July 2022

China’s Loess Plateau regions have experienced severe soil erosion for many decades due to fragmented landscapes, steep slopes, and concentrated rainfall storm-events. Restoring sub-optimal or marginal farming fields, mostly on steep, hilly terrain, to plantation forests has been a long-standing strategic policy in China aimed at rehabilitating degraded environments and reducing soil and water erosion. While there are numerous studies that have focused on the effects of forests at controlling soil erosion at relatively short time scales, few have addressed longer-term effects of plantation forests on reducing runoff and the mechanisms that inhibit erosion. Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) has been widely planted in abandoned or reclaimed lands that were formerly farmed in Northwest China; however, there is limited knowledge about the effectiveness of the tree species at reducing soil and water erosion. In this study, we examined reduction rates of runoff and erosion by Chinese pine plantation in comparison with agricultural land as a control (i.e., wheat, a dominant agricultural commodity in the region), based on long-term monitoring of modified standard erosion plots with slopes of 10°, 15°, and 20°. Results showed that as the slope of the land increased, rates of erosion increased for both plantation and agricultural land use. However, the runoff and soil erosion rates under Chinese pine plantation forest were about 11% and 60% lower, respectively, than those under agricultural land use of the same slope. Scaling with the slope, the highest reduced runoff and erosion rates by Chinese pine forest were 17% and 72%, respectively, on 20° slope. Also, it was found that runoff rates from the forested land were positively related to erosive rainfall (i.e., rainfall when runoff generated), and varied with forest canopy coverage. The rates of runoff and erosion can be well model led with multiple regression models. Taken together, this study provides insight into the importance and potential of Chinese pine plantations in the conservation of soil and water in China’s Loess Plateau.
Awareness and knowledge associated to Human papillomavirus infection among university students in Morocco: A cross-sectional study
Authors: El Mansouri Nezha , Ferrera Laila , Kharbach Ahmed , Achbani Abderrahmane , Kassidi Farid , Rogua Hanane , Ait Wahmane Sofiane , Belmouden Ahmed , Chouham Said , Nejmeddine Mohamed
Published: July 2022

Worldwide, cervical cancer is a real health issue, however, gaps exist in the public’s awareness of the causal role of Human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of this disease. This study aims to determine the level of awareness, knowledge and the associated factors on HPV among university students in Morocco. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a descriptive and analytical aim, among students attending Ibn Zohr University, in Agadir, Morocco. An interview questionnaire was used to collect information about the participants: demographic data, awareness and level of knowledge on HPV infection, and awareness of cervical cancer. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the associated factors with awareness and level of knowledge on HPV. A total of 479 students participated in this study (mean age 21.82 ± 2.091). Most participants n = 391 (81.6%) were aware of cervical cancer, while only n = 7 (1.5%) identified HPV as a sexually transmitted infection. Among students, 10.0% (n = 48) were aware of HPV but only half of them n = 23 (47.9%) confirmed that HPV is associated with cervical cancer, and n = 29 (60.4%) showed low knowledge on HPV. Multivariate analysis revealed that HPV awareness has a strong association with a higher level of education (OR 4.04; 95% CI: 1.92–8.52), and with being a biology student (OR 5.20; 95% CI: 2.12–12.73), while high HPV knowledge was only associated with the female gender (OR 3.76; 95% CI: 1.01–13.92). The data suggest that university students in Morocco did not show sufficient knowledge of HPV infection and its consequences. This supports that earlier incorporation of sexual health education programs, especially related to HPV and cervical cancer, must be implemented in the university to reduce the burden of HPV-associated diseases among the population at risk.
Accuracy of age estimation and assessment of the 18-year threshold based on second and third molar maturity in Koreans and Japanese
Authors: Oh Sehyun , Kumagai Akiko , Kim Sin-Young , Lee Sang-Seob
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to validate Lee’s age estimation method and assess the 18-year threshold in Korean and Japanese populations. We evaluated the maxillary and mandibular second (M2) and third molars (M3) in 2657 orthopantomograms of the Korean and Japanese populations aged 15–23 years (19.47±2.62 years for Koreans, 19.31±2.60 years for Japanese), using Demirjian’s criteria. Dental age was estimated, and correlations between chronological and dental ages were analyzed. Classification performance was calculated based on the 18-year threshold. The relationship between developmental stage and chronologic age was analyzed using multiple linear regression. Our results revealed that Lee’s method was appropriate for estimation in the Korean population. When the Lee’s method was applied to the Japanese population, a lower value of correlation coefficients between estimated and chronological age, and lower specificity were observed. Population differences were observed predominantly in the stages of root development (stages F and G) of M2s and M3s in both jaws and more frequently in females than in males. In the multiple linear regression between developmental stage and chronological age, lower values of adjustedr2were observed in the Japanese population than in the Koreans. In conclusion, the Lee’s method derived from the Korean population data might be unsuitable for Japanese juveniles and adolescents. To support the findings of this study, future studies with samples from multiple institutions should be conducted. Future studies with larger sample sizes are also warranted to improve the accuracy of dental age estimation and confirm the developmental pattern of teeth in the Japanese population.
The associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness in young, middle-aged, and older adults: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bizzozero-Peroni Bruno , Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente , Núñez de Arenas-Arroyo Sergio , Lucerón-Lucas-Torres Maribel , Díaz-Goñi Valentina , Martínez-Ortega Isabel Antonia , Mesas Arthur Eumann
Published: July 2022

Introduction

A healthy diet and high health-related physical fitness levels may be part of an overall healthy lifestyle. The relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness levels has been analyzed in several studies. However, no studies have synthesized evidence on this relationship throughout adulthood. Moreover, in addition to the overall Mediterranean dietary pattern, the associations of individual components of the Mediterranean diet with physical fitness indicators are also unclear.

Methods

This protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Protocols statement and the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. Systematic literature searches will be performed in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane CENTRAL databases to identify studies published up to 31 January 2022. The inclusion criteria will comprise observational studies and randomized controlled trials reporting the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness levels on general healthy or unhealthy adults (≥18 years). When at least five studies addressing the same outcome are available, meta-analysis will be carried out to estimate the standardized mean difference of physical fitness according to the adherence to Mediterranean diet. Subgroup analyses will be performed according to the characteristics of the population, the individual dietary components of the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness parameters as long as there are sufficient studies.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is designed for updating evidence on the associations between adherence to overall Mediterranean diet (and specific Mediterranean foods) and physical fitness levels in young, middle-aged, and older adults. Findings from this review may have implications for public health. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation, and infographics. No ethical approval will be required since only published data will be used.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022308259.
Assessing trade-offs in avian behaviour using remotely collected data from a webcam
Authors: Wood Kevin A. , Lacey Rebecca , Rose Paul E.
Published: July 2022

Individual animals engage in many behaviours which are mutually exclusive, and so where individuals increase the duration of time spent on one type of behavioural activity, this must be offset by a corresponding decrease in at least one other type of behaviour. To understand the variation observed in animal behaviour, researchers need to know how individuals trade-off these mutually-exclusive behaviours within their time-activity budget. In this study, we used remotely collected behavioural observations made from a live-streaming webcam to investigate trade-offs in the behaviour of two bird species, the mute swan (Cygnus olor) and whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus). For both species, we tested for correlations in the duration of time spent on key mutually exclusive behaviours: aggression, foraging, maintenance, and resting. We detected a negative association between aggression and resting behaviours in both species, indicating that increased aggression is achieved at the expense of resting behaviour. In contrast, there was no apparent trade-off between aggression and foraging, aggression and maintenance, or maintenance and resting. Foraging and resting behaviours were negatively correlated in both species, highlighting a trade-off between these distinct modes of behaviour. A trade-off between foraging and maintenance behaviours was detected for the sedentary mute swans, but not the migratory whooper swans. Our findings show how birds can trade-off their time investments in mutually exclusive behaviours within their time-activity budgets. Moreover, our study demonstrates how remotely-collected data can be used to investigate fundamental questions in behavioural research.
Scale up and strengthening of comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care in Tanzania
Authors: Nyamtema Angelo S. , LeBlanc John C. , Mtey Godfrey , Tomblin Murphy Gail , Kweyamba Elias , Bulemela Janet , Shayo Allan , Abel Zabron , Kilume Omary , Scott Heather , Rigby Janet
Published: July 2022

Introduction

In Tanzania, inadequate access to comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC) services is the major bottleneck for perinatal care and results in high maternal and perinatal mortality. From 2015 to 2019, the Accessing Safe Deliveries in Tanzania project was implemented to study how to improve access to CEmONC services in underserved rural areas.

Methods

A five-year longitudinal cohort study was implemented in seven health centres (HCs) and 21 satellite dispensaries in Morogoro region. Five of the health centres received CEmONC interventions and two served as controls. Forty-two associate clinicians from the intervention HCs were trained in teams for three months in CEmONC and anaesthesia. Managers of 20 intervention facilities, members of the district and regional health management teams were trained in leadership and management. Regular supportive supervision was conducted.

Results

Interventions resulted in improved responsibility and accountability among managers. In intervention HCs, the mean monthly deliveries increased from 183 (95% CI 174–191) at baseline (July 2014 –June 2016) to 358 (95% CI 328–390) during the intervention period (July 2016 –June 2019). The referral rate to district hospitals in intervention HCs decreased from 6.0% (262/4,392) with 95% CI 5.3–6.7 at baseline to 4.0% (516/12,918) with 95% CI 3.7–4.3 during the intervention period while it increased in the control group from 0.8% (48/5,709) to 1.5% (168/11,233). The obstetric case fatality rate decreased slightly from 1.5% (95% CI 0.6–3.1) at baseline to 1.1% (95% CI 0.7–1.6) during the intervention period (not statistically significant). Active engagement strategies and training in leadership and management resulted in uptake and improvement of CEmONC and anaesthesia curricula, and contributed to scale up of CEmONC at health centre level in the country.

Conclusions

Integration of leadership and managerial capacity building, with CEmONC-specific interventions was associated with health systems strengthening and improved quality of services.
Caracterización de la (des)colonialidad en los cinco ámbitos de existencia social: aportes desde Aníbal Quijano
Authors: Adams Telmo , Abba Maria Julieta
Published: July 2022

Este artículo busca caracterizar la (des)colonialidad en los cinco ámbitos de existencia social (trabajo, naturaleza, sexo, subjetividad y autoridad), a partir de las contribuciones de Aníbal Quijano. Utilizamos como material analítico las reflexiones colectivas que se produjeron en dos seminarios de posgrado de una universidad de Brasil. Concluimos que la teoría de Quijano es fundamental para comprender la complejidad de las contradicciones en nuestras sociedades y contribuye a enfrentar los desafíos educativos actuales.
John Dewey – Écrits sur les religions et le naturalisme
Authors: Mahieddin Emir
Published: July 2022

Recensé : John Dewey, Écrits sur les religions et le naturalisme. Recueil de textes traduits et introduits par Joan Stavo-Debauge, Genève, IES éditions, 2019, 344 p. (« Le geste social »).
Detection of Sperm DNA Integrity and Some Immunological Aspects in Infertile Males
Authors: Mageed Sarmad N. , Hamashareef Shukur R. , Shallal Ahmed F.
Published: July 2022

Immunoinfertility caused by anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs) represents about 10–20% of infertility among couples, which interfere with sperm motility and ability to penetrate cervical mucus, sperm-oocyte binding, fertilization, and embryo development. In addition, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damages are increasingly found with infertile cases affecting male reproduction potency and progeny. This study aims to assess the semen, presence of ASAs, and DNA fragmentation index in normozoospermic patients. A total number of 116 cases with an average age of 20–51 years old, and duration of infertility at 4.70 ± 2.77 are classified into 77 and 39 primary and secondary types of infertility, respectively. Mixed agglutination reaction test was used to estimate the ASAs in semen (direct method) and in seminal plasma and blood serum (indirect method), for both immunoglobulins IgG and IgA. Acridine orange test was used to detect DNA fragmentation index. The results showed a significant difference (P > 0.05) for those with a secondary type of infertility at means 24.37 and 31.48 for IgG, and 14.46 ± 1.76 and 6.86 ± 0.39 for IgA by both direct and indirect methods, respectively. The direct method showed a significant difference only for the sperm tail, while that for indirect method was in sperm mid-piece. The mean of DFI for all cases was 38.25 ± 2.08, at 41.61 ± 2.19 and 31.63 ± 4.29, for both primary and secondary cases, respectively. The percentage of ASAs revealed no significant difference with DFI, except in some parts of sperm.
Continuing professional development: key themes in supporting the development of professional practice
Authors: Mann Steve , Webb Katie
Published: July 2022

We would like to start with a statement about the importance of CPD. Julian Edge, in a lecture, once said that true teacher development is always a case of ‘becoming’. In other words, a good teacher is always engaged, interested, and collaborative. The process of trying to be a better teacher, to understand learners just a little bit better, to develop materials that work just a little bit more effectively never really stops. If it did, then you might become stale, you might become self-satisfied, you might become disinterested. When you are new to the profession, there is by definition a lot to know, a lot to learn, and a lot to understand. However, the ‘ing’ in becoming and continuing is as important for 60-year olds as it is for 21-year olds. In fact, we believe, from our experiences of ageing, that the older you get, the more important this becomes. This chapter is admittedly personal and reflective, but we hope it can offer a few important touchstones for discussion, engagement, and comment.