bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the laser-induced release probability of a nanoparticle from a soft substrate
Authors: Gao Xuesong , Byram Chandu , Adams Jordan , Zhao Chenglong
Published: October 2022

This Letter presents a study of laser-induced nanoparticle release from
a soft substrate in air under different conditions. A continuous wave
(CW) laser heats a nanoparticle and causes a rapid thermal expansion
of the substrate, which gives an upward momentum that releases the
nanoparticle from the substrate. The release probability of different
nanoparticles from different substrates under different laser
intensities is studied. The effects of surface properties of
substrates and surface charges of the nanoparticles on the release are
also investigated. The mechanism of nanoparticle release demonstrated
in this work is different from that of laser-induced forward transfer
(LIFT). Owing to the simplicity of this technology and the wide
availability of commercial nanoparticles, this nanoparticle release
technology may find applications in nanoparticle characterization and
nanomanufacturing.
Harvesting Planck radiation for free-space optical communications in the long-wave infrared band
Authors: Weinstein Haley A. , Cai Zhi , Cronin Stephen B. , Habif Jonathan L.
Published: October 2022

We demonstrate a free-space optical communication link with an optical transmitter that harvests naturally occurring Planck radiation from a warm body and modulates the emitted intensity. The transmitter exploits an electro-thermo-optic effect in a multilayer graphene device that electrically controls the surface emissivity of the device resulting in control of the intensity of the emitted Planck radiation. We design an amplitude-modulated optical communication scheme and provide a link budget for communications data rate and range based on our experimental electro-optic characterization of the transmitter. Finally, we present an experimental demonstration achieving error-free communications at 100 bits per second over laboratory scales.
Expertise in die Fläche bringen: Analyse der Covid-19-Telekonsile und szenariobasierte Handlungsempfehlungen
Authors: Neft Florian , Kappler Karolin Eva , Dohmen Sandra Maria , Juhra Christian , Sperling Kathrin , Bause Daniela , Smolnik Stefan
Published: October 2022

Das Auftreten der unbekannten Krankheit Covid-19 und die steigenden Covid-19-Fallzahlen stellten das Gesundheitswesen vor Herausforderungen. Die Häuser der Allgemeinversorgung waren bis dato größtenteils nicht mit der Behandlung eines schweren Lungenversagens vertraut und so musste dieses Wissen aus den Expertenzentren in die Häuser der Allgemeinversorgung transferiert werden. Dazu wurden im Rahmen der Vorstufe des Virtuellen Krankenhauses Nordrhein-Westfalen (VKh.NRW) Telekonsile genutzt. Sie finden zwischen zwei Ärzten der Intensivmedizin statt, stellen ortsunabhängig Expertenwissen bereit und erhöhen so die Behandlungsqualität sowie -effizienz. In der Evaluation dieser Telekonsile zeigen sich unterschiedliche Nutzungsszenarien. Während zu Beginn größtenteils allgemeine Diagnose- und Therapiewege von Interesse waren, kamen später detailliertere Fragen auf, für die unter anderem ein Pharmakologe notwendig war. Dieser Anwendungsfall bedarf mehr explizites Wissen, Patienteninformationen und damit erhöhte Technologieanforderungen. Im Rahmen der technischen Infrastruktur zeigen sich allerdings Barrieren. Daher wird evaluiert, welches Wissen in den unterschiedlichen Anwendungsfällen der Telekonsile ausgetauscht wird und welche technologischen Voraussetzungen erfüllt sein müssen, damit Telekonsile stärker zur Verwendung kommen und das Gesundheitswesen gleichermaßen entlasten und verbessern.
Navigation task and action space drive the emergence of egocentric and allocentric spatial representations
Authors: Vijayabaskaran Sandhiya , Cheng Sen
Published: October 2022

In general, strategies for spatial navigation could employ one of two spatial reference frames: egocentric or allocentric. Notwithstanding intuitive explanations, it remains unclear however under what circumstances one strategy is chosen over another, and how neural representations should be related to the chosen strategy. Here, we first use a deep reinforcement learning model to investigate whether a particular type of navigation strategy arises spontaneously during spatial learning without imposing a bias onto the model. We then examine the spatial representations that emerge in the network to support navigation. To this end, we study two tasks that are ethologically valid for mammals—guidance, where the agent has to navigate to a goal location fixed in allocentric space, and aiming, where the agent navigates to a visible cue. We find that when both navigation strategies are available to the agent, the solutions it develops for guidance and aiming are heavily biased towards the allocentric or the egocentric strategy, respectively, as one might expect. Nevertheless, the agent can learn both tasks using either type of strategy. Furthermore, we find that place-cell-like allocentric representations emerge preferentially in guidance when using an allocentric strategy, whereas egocentric vector representations emerge when using an egocentric strategy in aiming. We thus find that alongside the type of navigational strategy, the nature of the task plays a pivotal role in the type of spatial representations that emerge.
Getting higher on rugged landscapes: Inversion mutations open access to fitter adaptive peaks in NK fitness landscapes
Authors: Trujillo Leonardo , Banse Paul , Beslon Guillaume
Published: October 2022

Molecular evolution is often conceptualised as adaptive walks on rugged fitness landscapes, driven by mutations and constrained by incremental fitness selection. It is well known that epistasis shapes the ruggedness of the landscape’s surface, outlining their topography (with high-fitness peaks separated by valleys of lower fitness genotypes). However, within the strong selection weak mutation (SSWM) limit, once an adaptive walk reaches a local peak, natural selection restricts passage through downstream paths and hampers any possibility of reaching higher fitness values. Here, in addition to the widely used point mutations, we introduce a minimal model of sequence inversions to simulate adaptive walks. We use the well known NK model to instantiate rugged landscapes. We show that adaptive walks can reach higher fitness values through inversion mutations, which, compared to point mutations, allows the evolutionary process to escape local fitness peaks. To elucidate the effects of this chromosomal rearrangement, we use a graph-theoretical representation of accessible mutants and show how new evolutionary paths are uncovered. The present model suggests a simple mechanistic rationale to analyse escapes from local fitness peaks in molecular evolution driven by (intragenic) structural inversions and reveals some consequences of the limits of point mutations for simulations of molecular evolution.
Mutual influence between language and perception in multi-agent communication games
Authors: Ohmer Xenia , Marino Michael , Franke Michael , König Peter
Published: October 2022

Language interfaces with many other cognitive domains. This paper explores how interactions at these interfaces can be studied with deep learning methods, focusing on the relation between language emergence and visual perception. To model the emergence of language, a sender and a receiver agent are trained on a reference game. The agents are implemented as deep neural networks, with dedicated vision and language modules. Motivated by the mutual influence between language and perception in cognition, we apply systematic manipulations to the agents’ (i) visual representations, to analyze the effects on emergent communication, and (ii) communication protocols, to analyze the effects on visual representations. Our analyses show that perceptual biases shape semantic categorization and communicative content. Conversely, if the communication protocol partitions object space along certain attributes, agents learn to represent visual information about these attributes more accurately, and the representations of communication partners align. Finally, an evolutionary analysis suggests that visual representations may be shaped in part to facilitate the communication of environmentally relevant distinctions. Aside from accounting for co-adaptation effects between language and perception, our results point out ways to modulate and improve visual representation learning and emergent communication in artificial agents.
Controlling microbial co-culture based on substrate pulsing can lead to stability through differential fitness advantages
Authors: Martinez J. Andres , Delvenne Matheo , Henrion Lucas , Moreno Fabian , Telek Samuel , Dusny Christian , Delvigne Frank
Published: October 2022

Microbial consortia are an exciting alternative for increasing the performances of bioprocesses for the production of complex metabolic products. However, the functional properties of microbial communities remain challenging to control, considering the complex interaction mechanisms occurring between co-cultured microbial species. Indeed, microbial communities are highly dynamic and can adapt to changing environmental conditions through complex mechanisms, such as phenotypic diversification. We focused on stabilizing a co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli in continuous cultures. Our preliminary data pointed out that transient diauxic shifts could lead to stable co-culture by providing periodic fitness advantages to the yeast. Based on a computational toolbox called MONCKS (for MONod-type Co-culture Kinetic Simulation), we were able to predict the dynamics of diauxic shift for both species based on a cybernetic approach. This toolbox was further used to predict the frequency of diauxic shift to be applied to reach co-culture stability. These simulations were successfully reproduced experimentally in continuous bioreactors with glucose pulsing. Finally, based on a bet-hedging reporter, we observed that the yeast population exhibited an increased phenotypic diversification process in co-culture compared with mono-culture, suggesting that this mechanism could be the basis of the metabolic fitness of the yeast.
Exon-dependent transcriptional adaptation by exon-junction complex proteins Y14/RNP-4 and MAGOH/MAG-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Fernandez-Abascal Jesus , Wang Lei , Graziano Bianca , Johnson Christina K. , Bianchi Laura
Published: October 2022

Transcriptional adaptation is a powerful gene regulation mechanism that can increase genetic robustness. Transcriptional adaptation occurs when a gene is mutated and is mediated by the mutant RNA, rather than by protein feedback loops. We show here that transcriptional adaptation occurs in the C. elegans clh family of Cl- channels and that it requires exon-junction complex (EJC) proteins RNP-4, MAG-1, and eiF4AIII. Depending on which exons are deleted in distinct clh-1 alleles, different clh genes are regulated in an EJC-dependent manner. Our results support the idea that different transcriptional adaptation outcomes may be directed by the differential interaction of the EJC with its target mutant RNAs.
Climatic and edaphic controls over soil δ15N in temperate grassland of northern China: A PLS-PATH analysis
Authors: Liu Xianzhao , Luo Zhengying , Wang Tianhao , Su Qing
Published: October 2022

Identifying the impact path of climate and soil factors on soil δ15N is very crucial for better understanding the N turnover in soils and the integrated information about ecosystem N cycling. Many studies have showed that climate and soil variables influence the change of soil δ15N. However, most of the existing studies focused on the overall impact of factor on soil δ15N, without distinguishing between the direct and indirect effect. Although scholars have studied the relationships among temperature, precipitation, soil N, soil pH, and soil δ15N rather than estimating all the causal relationships simultaneously. To answer the above-mentioned questions, a regional-scale soil collection was conducted across a temperate grassland in northern China. Meanwhile, a PLS-PATH analysis was utilized to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of various factors on soil δ15N and to explore the causal relationships among variables. The results showed that along the transect, mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature (MAT) directly and significantly reduced soil δ15N, and indirectly affected soil δ15N through their effects on soil pH, soil clay, soil N and soil C/N. Soil C/N ratio has a significant direct impact on soil δ15N with a negative correlation. Soil clay, soil N content, and soil pH have a total positive effect on soil δ15N, but the total positive impact of soil pH is very weak because it has a negative indirect impact on soil δ15N by affecting soil clay, soil N and soil C/N ratio. The total influence is, in order, MAP > MAT > soil C/N > soil clay > soil N > soil pH (in absolute value). The above results will provide valuable information about ecosystem N cycle in temperate grassland of northern China.
5-ethyl-2’-deoxyuridine fragilizes Klebsiella pneumoniae outer wall and facilitates intracellular killing by phagocytic cells
Authors: Ifrid Estelle , Ouertatani-Sakouhi Hajer , Jauslin Tania , Kicka Sebastien , Chiriano Gianpaolo , Harrison Christopher F. , Hilbi Hubert , Scapozza Leonardo , Soldati Thierry , Cosson Pierre
Published: October 2022

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the causative agent of a variety of severe infections. Many K. pneumoniae strains are resistant to multiple antibiotics, and this situation creates a need for new antibacterial molecules. K. pneumoniae pathogenicity relies largely on its ability to escape phagocytosis and intracellular killing by phagocytic cells. Interfering with these escape mechanisms may allow to decrease bacterial virulence and to combat infections. In this study, we used Dictyostelium discoideum as a model phagocyte to screen a collection of 1,099 chemical compounds. Phg1A KO D. discoideum cells cannot feed upon K. pneumoniae bacteria, unless bacteria bear mutations decreasing their virulence. We identified 3 non-antibiotic compounds that restored growth of phg1A KO cells on K. pneumoniae, and we characterized the mode of action of one of them, 5-ethyl-2’-deoxyuridine (K2). K2-treated bacteria were more rapidly killed in D. discoideum phagosomes than non-treated bacteria. They were more sensitive to polymyxin and their outer membrane was more accessible to a hydrophobic fluorescent probe. These results suggest that K2 acts by rendering the membrane of K. pneumoniae accessible to antibacterial effectors. K2 was effective on three different K. pneumoniae strains, and acted at concentrations as low as 3 μM. K2 has previously been used to treat viral infections but its precise molecular mechanism of action in K. pneumoniae remains to be determined.
One health genomic surveillance and response to a university-based outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta AY.25 lineage, Arizona, 2021
Authors: Yaglom Hayley D. , Maurer Matthew , Collins Brooke , Hojnacki Jacob , Monroy-Nieto Juan , Bowers Jolene R. , Packard Samuel , Erickson Daryn E. , Barrand Zachary A. , Simmons Kyle M. , Brock Breezy N. , Lim Efrem S. , Smith Sandra , Hepp Crystal M. , Engelthaler David M.
Published: October 2022

Genomic surveillance and wastewater tracking strategies were used to strengthen the public health response to an outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta AY.25 lineage associated with a university campus in Arizona. Epidemiologic and clinical data routinely gathered through contact tracing were matched to SARS-CoV-2 genomes belonging to an outbreak of AY.25 identified through ongoing phylogenomic analyses. Continued phylogenetic analyses were conducted to further describe the AY.25 outbreak. Wastewater collected twice weekly from sites across campus was tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR, and subsequently sequenced to identify variants. The AY.25 outbreak was defined by a single mutation (C18804T) and comprised 379 genomes from SARS-CoV-2 positive cases associated with the university and community. Several undergraduate student gatherings and congregate living settings on campus likely contributed to the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the university with secondary transmission into the community. The clade defining mutation was also found in wastewater samples collected from around student dormitories a week before the semester began, and 9 days before cases were identified. Genomic, epidemiologic, and wastewater surveillance provided evidence that an AY.25 clone was likely imported into the university setting just prior to the onset of the Fall 2021 semester, rapidly spread through a subset of the student population, and then subsequent spillover occurred in the surrounding community. The university and local public health department worked closely together to facilitate timely reporting of cases, identification of close contacts, and other necessary response and mitigation strategies. The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and potential threat of other infectious disease outbreaks on university campuses presents an opportunity for future comprehensive One Health genomic data driven, targeted interventions.
Hereditary variants of unknown significance in African American women with breast cancer
Authors: McDonald J. Tyson , Ricks-Santi Luisel J.
Published: October 2022

Expanded implementation of genetic sequencing has precipitously increased the discovery of germline and somatic variants. The direct benefit of identifying variants in actionable genes may lead to risk reduction strategies such as increased surveillance, prophylactic surgery, as well as lifestyle modifications to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, patients with African ancestry are more likely to receive inconclusive genetic testing results due to an increased number of variants of unknown significance decreasing the utility and impact on disease management and prevention. This study examines whole exome sequencing results from germline DNA samples in African American women with a family history of cancer including 37 cases that were diagnosed with breast cancer and 51 family members. Self-identified ancestry was validated and compared to the 1000 genomes population. The analysis of sequencing results was limited to 85 genes from three clinically available common genetic screening platforms. This target region had a total of 993 variants of which 6 (<1%) were pathogenic or likely pathogenic, 736 (74.1%) were benign, and 170 (17.1%) were classified as a variant of unknown significance. There was an average of 3.4±1.8 variants with an unknown significance per individual and 85 of 88 individuals (96.6%) harbored at least one of these in the targeted genes. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were only found in 6 individuals for theBRCA1(p.R1726fs, rs80357867),BRCA2(p.K589fs, rs397507606 & p.L2805fs, rs397507402),RAD50(p.E995fs, rs587780154),ATM(p.V2424G, rs28904921), orMUTYH(p.G396D, rs36053993) genes. Strategies to functionally validate the remaining variants of unknown significance, especially in understudied and hereditary cancer populations, are greatly needed to increase the clinical utility and utilization of clinical genetic screening platforms to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.
Patients’ knowledge about medicines improves when provided with written compared to verbal information in their native language
Authors: T. Rameshkumar , I. U. Haputhanthrige , M. Y. Misbahunnisa , P. Galappatthy
Published: October 2022

Background

Patient’s knowledge on the medicines prescribed is vital in reducing medication errors and improving adherence and patient satisfaction. This study assessed the patients’ knowledge on medicines prescribed and compared improvement following verbal or written information given in patients own language.

Methods

Seventy-five trainee pharmacists randomised to verbal or written groups, provided information to consecutive consenting patients attending medical and surgical clinics in the outpatient department of National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Baseline knowledge and immediate recall knowledge was scored on 5 categories (name, indication, dose, frequency of administration, and additional relevant details) for each drug prescribed. Scores <5/10, 5-7/10 and > 7/10 were considered as poor, moderate, and good knowledge. Sample of 384 in each group had 80% power to detect a 10% difference in knowledge level. Data was analysed using SPSS v26.

Results

Of the 747 patients, 429(57%) were females, mean age was 54.3 years(SD±12), 450(60%) were on 5 or more drugs and 149(20%) were elderly (>65 years). At baseline, knowledge scores were comparable in both groups with 47% (352/747) patients having poor knowledge, 34% (254/747) moderate knowledge and only 19% (141/747) good knowledge. Patients knew the name only on 1653(42%) drugs prescribed, indication on 1603(41%), dose on 860(22%), administration details on 2255(58%) and additional details (adverse effects/storage) only on 267(7%) medicines prescribed. After the intervention, 276(74%) patients had good knowledge (score>7), in written group vs 217(58%) in verbal group (p<0.05). In all 5 aspects knowledge improved significantly more in written group compared to the verbal group. Binomial logistic regression analysis indicated that ordinary level (OR:2.32), advanced level(OR:2.13) and university education(OR:3.72), and lower number of medicines prescribed(OR:0.83) significantly increased the odds of having a “Good Knowledge on Medicines”.

Conclusion

Patient’s knowledge on medicines prescribed was poor and providing the medication plan in writing in patients’ own language would improve the knowledge significantly compared to providing verbal information.
Current distribution of distributed all-polar cochlear implant stimulation mode measured in-situ
Authors: Stahl Pierre , Dang Kai , Vandersteen Clair , Guevara Nicolas , Clerc Maureen , Gnansia Dan
Published: October 2022

Oticon Medical cochlear implants use a stimulation mode called Distributed All-Polar (DAP) that connects all non-stimulating available intracochlear electrodes and an extracochlear reference electrode. It results in a complex distribution of current that is yet undescribed. The present study aims at providing a first characterization of this current distribution. A Neuro Zti was modified to allow the measurement of current returning to each electrode during a DAP stimulation and was implanted in an ex-vivo human head. Maps of distributed current were then created for different stimulation conditions with different charge levels. Results show that, on average, about 20% of current returns to the extracochlear reference electrode, while the remaining 80% is distributed between intracochlear electrodes. The position of the stimulating electrode changed this ratio, and about 10% more current to the extracochlear return in case of the first 3 basal electrodes than for apical and mid position electrodes was observed. Increasing the charge level led to small but significant change in the ratio, and about 4% more current to the extracochlear return was measured when increasing the charge level from 11.7 to 70 nC. Further research is needed to show if DAP yields better speech understanding than other stimulation modes.
Prevalence of corneal findings and their interrelation with hematological findings in monoclonal gammopathy
Authors: Al Hariri Mohammad , Munder Markus , Lisch Walter , Schuster Alexander K. , Fehr Eva-Marie , Jacobi Björn , Desuki Alexander , Kreft Andreas , Gericke Adrian , Pfeiffer Norbert , Wasielica-Poslednik Joanna
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To determine prevalence of paraproteinemic keratopathy (PPK) among patients with monoclonal gammopathy (MG). To evaluate interrelation between corneal and hematological parameters in patients with PPK.

Methods

Fifty-one patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (n = 19), smoldering multiple myeloma (n = 5) or multiple myeloma (n = 27) were prospectively included in this study. Best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, Scheimpflug tomography, in-vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy, optical coherence tomography and complete hematological workup were assessed.

Results

We identified n = 19 patients with bilateral corneal opacities compatible with PPK. PPK was newly diagnosed in 13 (29%) of 45 patients with a primary hematological diagnosis and in n = 6 patients without previous hematological diagnosis. The most common form was a discreet stromal flake-like PPK (n = 14 of 19). The median level of M-protein (p = 0.59), IgA (p = 0.53), IgG (p = 0.79) and IgM (p = 0.59) did not differ significantly between the patients with and without PPK. The median level of the FLC κ in serum of patients with kappa-restricted plasma cell dyscrasia was 209 mg/l in patients with PPK compared to 38.1 mg/l in patients without PPK (p = 0.18). Median level of FLC lambda in serum of patients with lambda-restricted plasma cell dyscrasia was lower in patients with PPK compared to patients without PPK (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

The PPK was mostly discreet, but its prevalence (29%) was higher than expected. Median level of the monoclonal paraprotein was not significantly higher in patients with PPK compared to patients without PPK. Our results suggest a lack of correlation between morphology and severity of the ocular findings and severity of the monoclonal gammopathy.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trial Register: DRKS00023893.
Developing an AI-assisted clinical decision support system to enhance in-patient holistic health care
Authors: Juang Wang-Chuan , Hsu Ming-Hsia , Cai Zheng-Xun , Chen Chia-Mei
Published: October 2022

Holistic health care (HHC) is a synonym for complete patient care, and as such an efficient clinical decision support system (CDSS) for HHC is critical to support the judgement of physician’s decision in response of patient’s physical, emotional, social, economic, and spiritual needs. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved considerably in the past decades and many AI applications have been deployed in various contexts. Therefore, this study aims to propose an AI-assisted CDSS model that predicts patients in need of HHC and applies an improved recurrent neural network (RNN) model, long short-term memory (LSTM) for the prediction. The data sources include in-patient’s comorbidity status and daily vital sign attributes such as blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen prescription, etc. A two-year dataset consisting of 121 thousand anonymized patient cases with 890 thousand physiological medical records was obtained from a medical center in Taiwan for system evaluation. Comparing with the rule-based expert system, the proposed AI-assisted CDSS improves sensitivity from 26.44% to 80.84% and specificity from 99.23% to 99.95%. The experimental results demonstrate that an AI-assisted CDSS could efficiently predict HHC patients.
Rural-urban differences in the initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with incident atrial fibrillation: A Finnish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Teppo Konsta , Jaakkola Jussi , Langén Ville L. , Biancari Fausto , Halminen Olli , Linna Miika , Haukka Jari , Putaala Jukka , Mustonen Pirjo , Kinnunen Janne , Luojus Alex , Hartikainen Juha , Airaksinen K. E. Juhani , Lehto Mika
Published: October 2022

Aims

Little is known about rural-urban differences in the treatment and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess whether the initiation of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy in patients with AF differs between those with rural and urban residence.

Methods

The registry-based FinACAF cohort covers all patients with AF from all levels of care in Finland. Patients were divided into rural and urban categories and into urbanization degree tertiles based on their municipality of residence at the time of AF diagnosis. The outcome was the first redeemed OAC prescription.

Results

We identified 222 419 patients (50.1% female; mean age 72.8 (SD 13.2) years) with incident AF during 2007–2018. Urban residence was associated with a lower rate of OAC therapy initiation (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) (95% CI) 0.96 (0.95–0.97)). Correspondingly, an inverse graded dose-response relationship was observed between higher urbanization degree tertile and OAC initiation rate (highest tertile compared to lowest: adjusted SHR (95% CI) 0.94 (0.93–0.95)). The adoption of direct oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention was faster among patients with urban residence.

Conclusion

This nationwide cohort study documented that urban residence is associated with a slightly lower rate of OAC therapy initiation in patients with incident AF, but faster adoption of direct oral anticoagulant use.
A cross-sectional analysis of podiatrist-initiated review processes after issuing prescribed foot orthoses
Authors: Donnan Luke , Horn Anna , Baker Emma
Published: October 2022

Background

Foot orthoses are widely used in clinical practice to treat foot, lower limb and back pathology. As published information guiding the clinical use of foot orthoses is scarce, the aim of this study is to profile the review processes used by practicing podiatrists after issuing an orthotic device.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study design formed the basis for a self-administered online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed through podiatry networks based in Australia.

Results

Two-hundred and thirty-eight practicing podiatrists participated in this study. Ninety-seven percent of respondents indicated that they would recommend a review appointment after the initial fitting of an orthotic device. Forty percent (n = 84) of respondents scheduled the first review appointment four weeks after the initial fitting, while 33% (n = 69) preferred a two-week review period. A second review consultation was standard practice for 32% (n = 68) or respondents, and were typically scheduled either two (23%, n = 12) or four (38%, n = 20) weeks after the initial review consultation. Annual review of orthotic devices was recommended by 64% (n = 123) of participants in the study, while 19% (n = 37) would suggest that yearly reviews were scheduled only if required.

Conclusions

Variation was identified in the orthotic review processes used by practicing podiatrists, although most respondents recommend a routine short-term review appointment for foot orthoses. It is not clear why practitioners adopt such varied approaches. In the absence of any clear evidence on this topic, it may be that the differing approaches to patient review reflect different philosophical perspectives regarding patient management.
The effects of a 5-year physical activity on prescription (PAP) intervention in patients with metabolic risk factors
Authors: Lundqvist Stefan , Cider Åsa , Larsson Maria E. H. , Hagberg Lars , Björk Marcus Praetorius , Börjesson Mats
Published: October 2022

Background

Increased physical activity (PA) has positive effects on health and longevity. In Swedish healthcare, the physical activity on prescription (PAP) method reportedly increases patients’ PA levels for up to 12 months, but long-term follow ups are lacking. As it remains difficult to maintain lifestyle changes, our aim was to evaluate adherence and clinical effects at a 5-year follow-up of PAP treatment in primary healthcare.

Methods

This longitudinal, prospective cohort study included 444 patients, (56% female), aged 27–85 years, with at least one metabolic risk factor. Participants were offered PAP by nurses or physiotherapists. The PAP intervention included an individualised dialogue, a PA recommendation by written prescription, and individually adjusted follow-up over 5 years, according to the Swedish PAP model. Patient PA level, metabolic risk factors, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) were measured at baseline and at the 6-month, 1.5-year, 2.5-year, 3.5-year, and 5-year follow-ups. Estimated latent growth curves were used to examine levels and rates of change in the outcomes.

Results

The study dropout rate was 52%, with 215 of 444 patients completing the 5-year follow-up. At follow-up, the mean PA level had increased by 730 MET-minutes per week or 3 hours of moderate-intensity PA/week when compared to baseline. During the 5-year intervention, we observed significant positive changes (p ≤ 0.05) in 9 of 11 metabolic risk factors and HRQoL parameters: body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and mental component summary.

Conclusion

This first evaluation of a 5-year PAP intervention in primary care demonstrated positive long-term (5 years) effects regarding PA level, metabolic health, and HRQoL. The recorded long-term adherence was ~50%, which is in line with medical treatment. Despite limitations, PAP can have long-term effects in an ordinary primary care setting.
The effect of state and trait power on financial risk-taking: The mediating and moderating roles of optimism
Authors: Sekścińska Katarzyna , Rudzinska-Wojciechowska Joanna , Jaworska Diana
Published: October 2022

The research aimed to further develop knowledge on the mechanisms that enhance risk-taking propensities among powerful people. Three studies (N1 = 328,N2 = 388,N3 = 267) investigated the role of optimism in the relationship between sense of power and financial risk-taking, controlling for the state of power. Study 1, correlational, analyzed whether the relationship between sense of power and risky financial choices is serially mediated by general optimism and financial risk perception. The results confirmed the initial hypotheses. The second, experimental, study investigated the role of states of power and lack of power in explaining people’s financial decisions as well as their influence on people’s situational optimism and perception of risk. The results indicated that people in a state of power differed from people lacking power in terms of their situational optimism and the riskiness of their financial choices; however, they did not differ in terms of risk perception. People having power were more optimistic, invested more, and made riskier gambling choices than those in control conditions and those who lacked power. The third, experimental, study investigated the single and joint moderating effects of the states of optimism and power in explaining the positive relationship between sense of power and risky investing and gambling choices. In line with our expectations, the results of the study showed that the states of power and optimism jointly moderated the positive relationship between the sense of power and risky financial choices. This effect was the strongest under the state of power and optimism conditions and the weakest when lack of power and pessimism were induced; thus boundary conditions for previously observed mechanisms were identified. The results of the research shed light on the way optimism mediates and moderates the effect of power on financial risk-taking and thus contributes to theoretical knowledge of the consequences of power.
Differential immediate and long-term effects of nitrogen input on denitrification N2O/(N2O+N2) ratio along a 0‒5.2 m soil profile
Authors: Yuan Haijing , He Xinhua , Luo Jiafa , Hu Chunsheng , Li Xiaoxin , Lindsey Stuart
Published: October 2022

High nitrogen (N) input to soil can cause higher nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, that is, a higher N2O/(N2O+N2) ratio, through an inhibition of N2O reductase activity and/or a decrease in soil pH. We assumed that there were two mechanisms for the effects of N input on N2O emissions, immediate and long-term effect. The immediate effect (field applied fertilizer N) can be eliminated by decreasing the N input, but not the long-term effect (soil accumulated N caused by long–term fertilization). Therefore, it is important to separate these effects to mitigate N2O emissions. To this end, soil samples along a 0‒5.2 m profile were collected from a long-term N fertilization experiment field with two N application rates, that is, 600 kg N ha-1 year-1 (N600) and no fertilizer N input (N0). External N addition was conducted for each subsample in the laboratory incubation study to produce two additional treatments, which were denoted as N600+N and N0+N treatments. The results showed that the combined immediate and long-term effects led to an increase in the N2O/(N2O+N2) ratio by 6.8%. Approximately 32.6% and 67.4% of increase could be explained by the immediate and long-term effects of N input, respectively. Meanwhile, the long-term effects were significantly positively correlated to soil organic carbon (SOC). These results indicate that excessive N fertilizer input to the soil can lead to increased N2O emissions if the soil has a high SOC content. The long-term effect of N input on the N2O/(N2O+N2) ratio should be considered when predicting soil N2O emissions under global environmental change scenarios.
Physical activity, fear avoidance beliefs and level of disability in a multi-ethnic female population with chronic low back pain in Suriname: A population-based study
Authors: Ho-A-Tham Nancy , Struyf Niels , Ting-A-Kee Beverly , de Almeida Mello Johanna , Vanlandewijck Yves , Dankaerts Wim
Published: October 2022

Background

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is an important cause for reduced daily physical activity (PA) and loss of quality of life, especially in women. In Suriname, a middle-income country in South America, the relationship between PA and CLBP is still unknown.

Aims

To assess the level of PA in women with CLBP of different ethnicity, and to identify whether fear avoidance beliefs (FAB), disability, co-occurring musculoskeletal pain sites and various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were associated with self-reported PA.

Methods

A cross-sectional community-based house-to-house survey was conducted between April 2016 and July 2017. The survey followed the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases methodology. Selection criteria were being female of Asian-Surinamese, African-Surinamese or of Mixed ethnicity and aged 18 or older, living in an urban area, and reporting CLBP. Data was collected on PA, FAB, disability, co-occurring musculoskeletal pain sites, CLBP intensity and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Results

Urban adult women with current CLBP (N = 210) were selected. Nearly 57% of the population met the WHO recommendation on PA, with work-related PA as the largest contributor to total self-reported PA. Most women showed low FAB scores (FABQ-Work ≤34 (96.2%) and FABQ-PA ≤14 (57.6%)) and low disability levels (Oswestry Disability Index ≤20 (62.4%)). An inverse association between total PA and FABQ-Work (OR = 0.132, CI: 0.023; 0.750) was found. In contrast, total PA had a significant, positive association with disability (OR = 2.154, CI: 1.044; 4.447) and workload (OR = 2.224, CI: 1.561; 3.167). All other variables showed no association with total PA.

Conclusion

This was the first study in Suriname reporting that 43.3% of urban adult women with CLBP were physically inactive. Total self-reported PA is influenced by FABQ-Work, average to heavy workload and moderate to severe disability. In this study, PA-Work was the major contributor to total PA. Therefore, future longitudinal studies should evaluate different types and aspects of PA in relation to CLBP management.
Implementation of a navigation system: Economic verification in a local hospital
Authors: Majerova Ingrid , Michna Pavel , Lebiedzik Marian , Nevima Jan , Turečkova Kamila
Published: October 2022

Healthcare, like other industries, is increasingly using smart technologies, which also include intelligent/smart wayfinding navigation. The focus of this article, as part of the research project (its second step), was to analyze the economic effectiveness of the introduction of the wayfinding system in a local hospital in the Czech Republic. In the first phase/step of the project, possible variants of the solution were identified, verification of possible functioning, and a questionnaire survey was conducted among employees and patients regarding the waste of time in search of destination and preferences of various forms of navigation. Based on the above, it was decided to develop our own mobile application. To determine the effectiveness of this method of implementation of the new system, economic verification was used by the cost-benefit analysis method. Although the use of this method has not been required in the implementation of funded projects within the European Union since 2021, it was chosen for clarifying the pros and cons in many both investment and non-investment projects. In addition to the net present value calculation, the benefit cost ratio, profitability index, and payback period were used for evaluation. The time saving of medical staff, calculated on the basis of a questionnaire survey in the hospital (the first step of the project), was used as a benefit. The costs used were the salaries paid out in the research project, the investment, and the operating costs over the lifetime of the navigation system, which is estimated at eleven years. Using the above indicators, the implementation of the navigation system was found to be effective, despite the initial high costs. Based on these results, as part of the third step of the project, the navigation system will be implemented in the given hospital—the testing phase was taking place in the last quarter of 2021, and the full implementation is expected during the 2022.
Effect of active tuberculosis on the survival of HIV-infected adult patients who initiated antiretroviral therapy at public hospitals of Eastern Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sime Tadesse , Oljira Lemessa , Diriba Aboma , Firdisa Gamachis , Gezimu Wubishet
Published: October 2022

Background

In resource-limited countries such as Ethiopia, tuberculosis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus. In the era of antiretroviral therapy, the effect of tuberculosis on the survival of patients who are living with human immunodeficiency virus has been poorly understood in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of active tuberculosis on the survival of HIV-infected adult patients who initiated antiretroviral therapy in public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 566 participants from January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2018. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 before being exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the effect of active tuberculosis on the survival of HIV-infected adult patients who initiated antiretroviral therapy, and a p-value less than 0.05 and a 95% confidence level were used to declare statistical significance.

Result

Of the 566 patients included in the study, 76 died. The mortality rate was 11.04 per 100 person-years in tuberculosis co-infected patients, while it was 2.52 per 100 person-years in non-tuberculosis co-infected patients. The patients with tuberculosis co-infection had a 2.19 times higher hazard of death (AHR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.17, 4.12) compared to those without tuberculosis. Advanced clinical stage, low CD4+ cell count, and previous episodes of an opportunistic infection other than tuberculosis were found to be independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

Co-infection with tuberculosis at antiretroviral therapy initiation increases the hazard of death approximately two-fold. Hence, we recommend key organizations to enhance the region’s collaborative interventional and preventative strategies for TB and HIV.
Free ISG15 inhibits Pseudorabies virus infection by positively regulating type I IFN signaling
Authors: Liu Huimin , Li Chen , He Wenfeng , Chen Jing , Yang Guoqing , Chen Lu , Chang Hongtao
Published: October 2022

Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is strongly upregulated during viral infections and exerts pro-viral or antiviral actions. While many viruses combat host antiviral defenses by limiting ISG expression, PRV infection notably increases expression of ISG15. However, studies on the viral strategies to regulate ISG15-mediated antiviral responses are limited. Here, we demonstrate that PRV-induced free ISG15 and conjugated proteins accumulation require viral gene expression. Conjugation inhibition assays showed that ISG15 imposes its antiviral effects via unconjugated (free) ISG15 and restricts the viral release. Knockout of ISG15 in PK15 cells interferes with IFN-β production by blocking IRF3 activation and promotes PRV replication. Mechanistically, ISG15 facilitates IFNα-mediated antiviral activity against PRV by accelerating the activation and nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT2. Furthermore, ISG15 facilitated STAT1/STAT2/IRF9 (ISGF3) formation and ISGF3-induced IFN-stimulated response elements (ISRE) activity for efficient gene transcription by directly interacting with STAT2. Significantly, ISG15 knockout mice displayed enhanced susceptibility to PRV, as evidenced by increased mortality and viral loads, as well as more severe pathology caused by excessive production of the inflammatory cytokines. Our studies establish the importance of free ISG15 in IFNα-induced antiviral immunity and in the control of viral infections.
Fungal Pathogens Triggering Distress In Tomato Plants (Nursery & Field)
Authors: Etaware Peter
Published: October 2022

Exploratory scientific research carried out on a disease ravaged tomato farmland in Ibadan, showed that several strains of fungal species caused a series of infections in different varieties of cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.); resulting in massive destruction of both plants and fruits due to the sporadic spread of the disease. Sadly, most of the tomato crops were lost for that season. Disease symptoms observed on the field during survey include; leaf spots, blight of lower leaves, severe necrosis of foliages; wilting and formation of whitish mycelia mass around affected root region, resulting in the death of some affected plants; Also, fruit rots and lesions were observed on both green and ripe fruits (Etaware and Oyetunji, 2019).A total of 17 Fungi were isolated from infected tomato plants collected from the field, out of which 12 fungi were declared pathogenic at the end of the pathogenicity test conducted using Koch’s postulate. Most of the Aspergillus sp. isolated caused severe damage on the tested plants with symptoms produced similar to those observed in the field. Fusarium verticilliodes and F. scirpi were the most virulent of all the Fusarium sp. isolated. As such, the status of each pathogen was duly confirmed by the tests performed.