bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dissent with modification: how postcreationism’s claim of hyperrapid speciation opposes yet embraces evolutionary theory
Authors: Duff R. Joel , Beatman Thomas R. , MacMillan David S.
Published: May 2020

The development of creationism to its multiple modern forms has been made possible in part by its appropriation and misuse of mainstream scientific terms. Here we illustrate how anti-evolutionary advocates have redefined the terms macroevolution and microevolution to advance their view of the origins of biological diversity. We identify and describe an ideological movement within modern young-earth creationism we call postcreationism, those that have embraced a hyperrapid speciation model of the origin of biological diversity. Postcreationism is demonstrated with specific examples from young-earth creationist publications and Ark Encounter creationist theme park, with takeaways for addressing these ideas in evolutionary biology education.
Enhancing SVM for survival data using local invariances and weighting
Authors: Sanz Hector , Reverter Ferran , Valim Clarissa
Published: May 2020

Background

The necessity to analyze medium-throughput data in epidemiological studies with small sample size, particularly when studying biomedical data may hinder the use of classical statistical methods. Support vector machines (SVM) models can be successfully applied in this setting because they are a powerful tool to analyze data with large number of predictors and limited sample size, especially when handling binary outcomes. However, biomedical research often involves analysis of time-to-event outcomes and has to account for censoring. Methods to handle censored data in the SVM framework can be divided into two classes: those based on support vector regression (SVR) and those based on binary classification. Methods based on SVR seem to be suboptimal to handle sparse data and yield results comparable to Cox proportional hazards model and kernel Cox regression. The limited work dedicated to assess methods based on of SVM for binary classification has been based on SVM learning using privileged information and SVM with uncertain classes.

Results

This paper proposes alternative methods and extensions within the binary classification framework, specifically, a conditional survival approach for weighting censored observations and a semi-supervised SVM with local invariances. Using simulation studies and some real datasets, we evaluate those two methods and compare them with a weighted SVM model, SVM extensions found in the literature, kernel Cox regression and Cox model.

Conclusions

Our proposed methods perform generally better under a wide variety of realistic scenarios about the structure of biomedical data. Specifically, the local invariances method using the conditional survival approach is the most robust method under different scenarios and is a good approach to consider as an alternative to other time-to-event methods. When analysing real data is a method to be considered and recommended since outperforms other methods in proportional and non-proportional scenarios and sparse data, which is something usual in biomedical data and biomarkers analysis.
fcScan: a versatile tool to cluster combinations of sites using genomic coordinates
Authors: El-Kurdi Abdullah , Khalil Ghiwa Ali , Khazen Georges , Khoueiry Pierre
Published: May 2020

Background

Finding combinations of homotypic or heterotypic genomic sites obeying a specific grammar in DNA sequences is a frequent task in bioinformatics. A typical case corresponds to the identification of cis-regulatory modules characterized by a combination of transcription factor binding sites in a defined window size. Although previous studies identified clusters of genomic sites in species with varying genome sizes, the availability of a dedicated and versatile tool to search for such clusters is lacking.

Results

We present fcScan, an R/Bioconductor package to search for clusters of genomic sites based on user defined criteria including cluster size, inter-cluster distances and sites order and orientation allowing users to adapt their search criteria to specific biological questions. It supports GRanges, data frame and VCF/BED files as input and returns data in GRanges format. By performing clustering on vectorized data, fcScan is adapted to search for genomic clusters in millions of sites as input in short time and is thus ideal to scan data generated by high throughput methods including next generation sequencing.

Conclusions

fcScan is ideal for detecting cis-regulatory modules of transcription factor binding sites with a specific grammar as well as genomic loci enriched for mutations. The flexibility in input parameters allows users to perform searches targeting specific research questions. It is released under Artistic-2.0 License. The source code is freely available through Bioconductor (https://bioconductor.org/packages/fcScan) and GitHub (https://github.com/pkhoueiry/fcScan).
Knock-out of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 genes altered flowering time and plant architecture in Brassica napus
Authors: Sriboon Sukarkarn , Li Haitao , Guo Chaocheng , Senkhamwong Thaveep , Dai Cheng , Liu Kede
Published: May 2020

Background

TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) is a member of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family, which plays an important role in the determination of floral meristem identity and regulates flowering time in higher plants.

Results

Five BnaTFL1 gene copies were identified in the genome of Brassica napus. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that all five BnaTFL1 gene copies were clustered with their corresponding homologous copies in the ancestral species, B. rapa and B. oleracea. The expression of the BnaTFL1s were confined to flower buds, flowers, seeds, siliques and stem tissues and displayed distinct expression profiles. Knockout mutants of BnaC03.TFL1 generated by CRISPR/Cas9 exhibited early flowering phenotype, while the knockout mutants of the other gene copies had similar flowering time as the wild type. Furthermore, knock-out mutants of individual BnaTFL1 gene copy displayed altered plant architecture. The plant height, branch initiation height, branch number, silique number, number of seeds per silique and number of siliques on the main inflorescence were significantly reduced in the BnaTFL1 mutants.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that BnaC03.TFL1 negatively regulates flowering time in B. napus. BnaC03.TFL1 together with the other BnaTFL1 paralogues are essential for controlling the plant architecture.
Anti-inflammatory activity of berberine in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via the Angptl2 pathway
Authors: Lu Zengsheng , He Beihui , Chen Zhiyun , Yan Maoxiang , Wu Liyan
Published: May 2020

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disease worldwide. Recent studies have shown that the Angptl2 pathway mediated hepatic inflammatory response plays an important role in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Our study investigated the possible molecular mechanisms of berberine (BBR) in the treatment of the liver inflammatory response in the livers of rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD via the Angptl2 pathway.

Results

At the end of 12 weeks, compared with the control group rats, the high-fat- diet group rats showed obvious pathological and biochemical changes. The levels of pro-infalmmatory cytokines (CCL2, TNF-α) were increased, the infiltration of inflammatory cells (CCR2) was elevated, and the hepatic mRNA and protein levels of Angptl2, NF-κB and Foxo1 were increased to different degrees. Nevertheless, following treatment with BBR, liver tissue pathology, biochemical data, and Angptl2 pathway-related genes expression were significantly ameliorated.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that BBR might attenuate the liver inflammatory response in the livers of rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD through the regulation of the Angptl2 pathway.
Allele mining unlocks the identification of RYMV resistance genes and alleles in African cultivated rice
Authors: Pidon Hélène , Chéron Sophie , Ghesquière Alain , Albar Laurence
Published: May 2020

Background

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is a major rice pathogen in Africa. Three resistance genes, i.e. RYMV1, RYMV2 and RYMV3, have been previously described. RYMV1 encodes the translation initiation factor eIF(iso)4G1 and the best candidate genes for RYMV2 and RYMV3 encode a homolog of an Arabidopsis nucleoporin (CPR5) and a nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing domain (NLR) protein, respectively. High resistance is very uncommon in Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa), with only two highly resistant accessions identified so far, but it is more frequent in African cultivated rice (Oryza glaberrima).

Results

Here we report the findings of a resistance survey in a reference collection of 268 O. glaberrima accessions. A total of 40 resistant accessions were found, thus confirming the high frequency of resistance to RYMV in this species. We analysed the variability of resistance genes or candidate genes in this collection based on high-depth Illumina data or Sanger sequencing. Alleles previously shown to be associated with resistance were observed in 31 resistant accessions but not in any susceptible ones. Five original alleles with a frameshift or untimely stop codon in the candidate gene for RYMV2 were also identified in resistant accessions. A genetic analysis revealed that these alleles, as well as T-DNA insertions in the candidate gene, were responsible of RYMV resistance. All 40 resistant accessions were ultimately linked to a validated or candidate resistance allele at one of the three resistance genes to RYMV.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the RYMV2 resistance gene is homologous to the Arabidopsis CPR5 gene and revealed five new resistance alleles at this locus. It also confirmed the close association between resistance and an amino-acid substitution in the leucine-rich repeat of the NLR candidate for RYMV3. We also provide an extensive overview of the genetic diversity of resistance to RYMV in the O. glaberrima species, while underlining the contrasted pattern of diversity between O. glaberrima and O. sativa for this trait. The different resistance genes and alleles will be instrumental in breeding varieties with sustainable field resistance to RYMV.
The association between Matrix Metallo-proteinases-9 (MMP-9) gene family polymorphisms and risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hassanzadeh-Makoui Reza , Razi Bahman , Aslani Saeed , Imani Danyal , Tabaee Seyedeh Samaneh
Published: May 2020

Background

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9 (C1562T), MMP-9 (R279Q), MMP-9 (P574R) and MMP-9 (R668Q) polymorphisms and risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Methods

After a systematic literature search, pooled odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the strength of the association.

Results

We identified 40 studies with 11,792 cases and 8280 controls for C1562T, 7 case-control studies with 5525 cases and 2497 controls for R279Q, 2 studies with 1272 cases and 785 controls for P574R, and 2 studies with 1272 cases and 785 controls for R668Q. MMP-9 (C1562T) polymorphism was associated with increased risk of CAD under dominant model (OR = 1.41, P < 0.001), recessive model (OR = 1.59, P < 0.001), allelic model (OR = 1.38, P < 0.001), TT vs. CC model (OR = 1.70, P < 0.001), and CT vs. CC model (OR = 1.35, P < 0.001). Moreover, the subgroup analysis based on the continent of the study populations in this SNP indicated strong significant association in Asians but not in Europeans. Subgroup analysis was not performed in Africa, America and Oceania, due to lack of sufficient data.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis revealed that MMP-9 (C1562T) SNP conferred a susceptibility risk for CAD in the overall analysis and Asian population. The overall analysis and subgroup analysis of the other three SNPs reject the association between MMP-9 polymorphisms and the risk of CAD. Although the results should interpret with caution because of small sample size of included studies in these three SNPs.
Is frequency of potato and white rice consumption associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-V study
Authors: Baygi Fereshteh , Qorbani Mostafa , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil , Shafiee Gita , Nouri Kourosh , Ahadi Zeinab , Mahdavi-Gorab Armita , Heshmat Ramin , Kelishadi Roya
Published: May 2020

Background

This study evaluated the association of frequency of potato and rice consumption with cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents.

Methods

This nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted on 14,400 children and adolescents. Fasting blood was obtained from a sub-sample of 4200 randomly selected students. Physical examination and laboratory tests were conducted under standard protocols. Metabolic Syndrome (Mets) was defined based on the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria modified for the pediatric age group. The self-reported frequency consumption of white rice and potato was reported on a daily or non-daily basis.

Results

The participation rate for the whole study and for blood sampling were 99 and 91.5%, respectively. Overall, 49.4% of the participants were girls while 50.6% were boys. The frequency of daily consumption of white rice and potato was 84.4 and 21.3%, respectively. In the multivariable linear regression model, daily consumption of potato increased body mass index (β: 0.05, SE: 0.20, p = 0.010), waist (β: 0.63, SE: 0.24, p = 0.008), and hip circumferences (β: 0.62, SE: 0.26, p = 0.019). Moreover, in the multivariable logistic regression, daily consumption of potato was significantly associated with an increased risk of overweight (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04–1.39, P = 0.012). The potato and rice consumption had no statistically significant association with other cardiometabolic risk factors.

Conclusions

Daily consumption of potato was significantly associated with higher anthropometric measures, whereas rice consumption had no statistically significant association with cardiometabolic risk factors. Future research to examine the possible obesogenic effects of intake of potato on children and adolescents is recommended.
Comorbid argyrophilic grain disease in an 87-year-old male with spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 with dementia: a case report
Authors: Toru Shuta , Ishida Shoko , Uchihara Toshiki , Hirokawa Katsuiku , Kitagawa Masanobu , Ishikawa Kinya
Published: May 2020

Background

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 (SCA31) is not usually associated with dementia, and autopsy in a patient with both conditions is very rare.

Case presentation

An 87-year-old male patient presented with ataxia and progressive dementia. Genetic testing led to a diagnosis of SCA31. Fifteen years after his initial symptoms of hearing loss and difficulty walking, he died of aspiration pneumonia. A pathological analysis showed cerebellar degeneration consistent with SCA31 and abundant argyrophilic grains in the hippocampal formation and amygdala that could explain his dementia.

Conclusions

This is the first autopsy report on comorbid argyrophilic grain disease with SCA31.
Evaluation of injection-site-related adverse events with galcanezumab: a post hoc analysis of phase 3 studies in participants with migraine
Authors: Stauffer Virginia L. , Wang Shufang , Bonner Jo , Kim ByungKun , Bhandari Rohit , Day Kathleen A. , Camporeale Angelo
Published: May 2020

Background

Injection-site reactions have been reported with biologicals. In this post hoc analysis of Phase 3 studies in participants with migraine, we provide a comprehensive overview and detailed summary of injection-site reaction with galcanezumab.

Methods

Data were obtained from two randomised clinical studies in participants with episodic migraine (EVOLVE-1 and EVOLVE-2), one randomised study in participants with chronic migraine (REGAIN) and one open-label study (Study CGAJ) in participants with episodic or chronic migraine. The injection-site reactions were measured for two different cohorts: 1) six-month double-blind treatment phase in the EVOLVE-1 and EVOLVE-2 studies and three-month double-blind treatment phase in the REGAIN study, where participants received placebo and galcanezumab (placebo-controlled analysis set); 2) three month double-blind (Month 0 to Month 3; 1:1:placebo:galcanezumab) + 9 months open-label extension phase (Month 3 to Month 12) of REGAIN and twelve month open-label phase of Study CGAJ, where participants received only galcanezumab (galcanezumab exposure analysis set).

Results

A total of 477 participants in the placebo-controlled analysis set (galcanezumab 240 mg, 166/730 [22.7%]; galcanezumab 120 mg, 128/705 [18.2%]; placebo, 183/1451 [12.6%]) reported at least one injection-site reaction. Most of the injection-site reactions were reported as injection-site pain, unspecified injection-site reaction, injection-site erythema, and injection-site pruritus. The incidence of injection-site pain was highest among all reported injection-site reactions and were reported with similar frequency by participants receiving galcanezumab (galcanezumab 120 mg, 10.1%; galcanezumab 240 mg, 11.6%) and placebo (9.5%) and was the most common injection-site reaction reported within 60 min of injection (~ 86% of participants). The frequency of unspecified injection-site reaction, injection-site erythema and injection-site pruritus was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in participant receiving galcanezumab versus placebo. In the galcanezumab exposure analysis set participants received up to 12 doses and the frequency of injection-site reactions reported for both doses combined was 21.8%. The reporting of injection-site reactions did not increase with the number of doses received. No ISR-related serious adverse events were reported in both the placebo-controlled and galcanezumab exposure analysis sets.

Conclusions

The most common adverse event of galcanezumab is injection-site reactions. However, these events were generally mild-to-moderate in severity, non-serious, resolved spontaneously, and discontinuations due to injection-site reactions were low (1%).
Association between risk of preeclampsia and maternal plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide in second trimester and at the time of delivery
Authors: Huang Xin , Li Zuodong , Gao Zhou , Wang Dapeng , Li Xiaohui , Li Ying , Mi Chunmei , Lei Jun
Published: May 2020

Background

The data on the association between the microbiota-dependent metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) during pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia (PE) is limited.

Methods

We, therefore, conducted a prospective nested case control study during Sep 2017 to Dec 2018 to examine the association between plasma TMAO measured during pregnancy and the risk of PE. Total of 17 patients diagnosed with early onset PE (EOPE), 49 with late onset PE (LOPE) and 198 healthy controls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at 15–23 weeks gestation and time at delivery. The Logistic regression model was used to assess the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for TMAO and risk of PE, EOPE, LOPE, mild PE, and severe PE.

Results

We found that the mean TMAO levels of overall subjects in the second trimester (T2) and at the time of delivery (TD) were 90.39 μg/m3 (standard deviation (SD) =45.91) and 175.01 μg/m3 (SD = 160.97), respectively. No significant spearman correlation was found between the TMAO in those two periods (p > 0.05). T2 TMAO was not significantly associated with risk of PE or risk of any PE subtypes (p > 0.05). However, TD TMAO was significant associated with risk of PE, EOPE and severe PE (adjusted OR and 95%CI were 1.24(1.09, 1.40), 1.62(1.29, 2.03), and 1.41(1.17, 1.70)) per 50 μg/m3 increment, respectively).

Conclusion

Our study found that plasma TMAO level would alter over the course of pregnancy. The major role of TMAO in PE development might be in the accelerating process not in the initiation.
The characteristics of compassionate care during childbirth according to midwives: a qualitative descriptive inquiry
Authors: Krausé Samantha Salome , Minnie Catharina Susanna , Coetzee Siedine Knobloch
Published: May 2020

Background

Although compassion is considered to be of prime importance in nursing and midwifery, there is no clear understanding of what compassionate care in childbirth entails, and how midwives perceive compassionate care is largely unknown. This study accordingly seeks to describe the characteristics, of compassionate care during childbirth as perceived by midwives.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive inquiry was undertaken with a voluntary online survey, where participants were recruited via snowball sampling on the social networking site, Facebook. The participants were midwives, and the unit of analysis was the received responses. Participants reported on instances of compassionate care during childbirth. The data was thematically analysed using Tesch’s eight steps to identify common themes.

Results

Ninety-eight responses were analysed and three themes with eight sub-themes emerged as dominant characteristics. Themes and sub-themes were as follows: making meaningful connections with women (displaying good interpersonal skills, conduct based on dignity and respect, establishing trust); initiating individualised understanding of each woman (showing empathy, permitting maternal choice) and action through care and support (providing emotional support, assistance through instrumental care, continuous informational support).

Conclusions

In seeking to determine what characterises compassionate care in childbirth, the findings reveal a process of making meaningful connections with women through recognising their needs, initiating individualised understanding of each woman’s needs and desiring to ease it, which is subsequently manifested in action through emotional, instrumental and informational care and support. A better understanding of how midwives perceive compassionate care could potentially improve the quality of care midwives offer during childbirth.
Comparison of hybrid clones derived from human breast epithelial cells and three different cancer cell lines regarding in vitro cancer stem/ initiating cell properties
Authors: Fahlbusch Sera Selina , Keil Silvia , Epplen Jörg T. , Zänker Kurt S. , Dittmar Thomas
Published: May 2020

Background

Several physiological (fertilization, placentation, wound healing) and pathophysiological processes (infection with enveloped viruses, cancer) depend on cell fusion. In cancer it was postulated that the fusion of cancer cells with normal cells such as macrophages or stem cells may not only give rise to hybrid cells exhibiting novel properties, such as an increased metastatic capacity and drug resistance, but possibly also cancer stem/ initiating cell properties. Hence, hybrid clone cells (M13HS, M13MDA435 and M13MDA231) that were derived from spontaneous fusion events of human M13SV1-EGFP-Neo breast epithelial cells and HS578T-Hyg, MDA-MB-435-Hyg and MDA-MB-231-Hyg cancer cells were investigated regarding potential in vitro cancer stem/ initiating cell properties.

Methods

CD44/CD24 expression pattern and ALDH1 activity of parental cells and hybrid clones was determined by flow cytometry. A colony formation and mammosphere formation assay was applied to determine the cells’ capability to form colonies and mammospheres. Sox9, Slug and Snail expression levels were determined by Western blot analysis.

Results

Flow cytometry revealed that all hybrid clone cells were CD44+/CD24−/low, but differed markedly among each other regarding ALDH1 activity. Likewise, each hybrid clone possessed a unique colony formation and mammosphere capacity as well as unique Snail, Slug and Sox9 expression patterns. Nonetheless, comparison of hybrid clones revealed that M13HS hybrids exhibited more in vitro cancer stem/ initiating cell properties than M13MDA231 and M13MDA435 hybrids, such as more ALDH1 positive cells or an increased capacity to form colonies and mammospheres.

Conclusion

The fate whether cancer stem/ initiating cells may originate from cell fusion events likely depends on the specific characteristics of the parental cells.
Donor human milk programs in German, Austrian and Swiss neonatal units - findings from an international survey
Authors: Klotz Daniel , Jansen Stefanie , Glanzmann René , Haiden Nadja , Fuchs Hans , Gebauer Corinna
Published: May 2020

Background

Donor human milk (DHM) has been recommended for premature infants if mothers’ own milk is not available. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the utilization rate and handling of DHM among neonatal units in Germany, Austria und Switzerland.

Methods

Online survey of utilization rates and handling practices of DHM of all neonatal units within Germany, Austria and Switzerland providing care for premature infants less than 32 weeks of gestation.

Results

DHM utilization rate of 35% is low (50/142) within those 54% of units that responded to our survey (142/261). Only 26/50 units have DHM routinely integrated into their nutritional management protocols. Lacking access and difficult procurement were cited as the main obstacles for not using DHM. However, eight out of ten respondents currently not using DHM would like to introduce DHM in their unit if available. There were differences in most aspects of DHM handling including donor recruitment and screening, testing and treatment of milk microbiota and commencement of DHM utilization. Breastmilk feeding rates were increased in units utilizing DHM compared to those not utilizing DHM.

Conclusions

DHM is underutilized in most neonatal units caring for premature infants within participating countries. Lacking access to DHM represents the main barrier for utilizing DHM for premature infants.
Survival status and mortality predictors among severely malnourished under 5 years of age children admitted to Minia University maternity and children hospital
Authors: Ghazawy Eman Ramadan , Bebars Gihan Mohammed , Eshak Ehab Salah
Published: May 2020

Background

Though effective treatment programs for severely malnourished children are available, mortality rate among children with acute malnutrition continue to rise and little is known about its long-term outcomes and potential predictors of its in-hospital and post-discharge mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the survival status and predictors for mortality in severely malnourished children admitted to Minia University Maternity and Children Hospital.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study which included 135 children under 5 years of age who were admitted to the nutrition rehabilitation ward with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) during the period from January to December 2018. Data were collected from the inpatient’s hospital records and the children’s parents/guardians were interviewed using a detailed structured questionnaire that inquired about demographic and socioeconomic variables. The logistic and Cox regressions were used to assess the factors associated with the SAM’s mortality.

Results

A total of 135 children were enrolled into the study. Death rate during hospitalization was 9.6%. The survival rate at the end of the fourth week of admission was 82.4%. There were 6.7% post-discharge deaths among 104 alive discharged children which occurred within 8 weeks after discharge. The adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for total SAM deaths were 1.57 (1.10–2.99) in children < 12 vs ≥ 12 months old; 4.79 (2.23–6.10) in those with WAZ < −3SD, 2.99 (1.16–4.66) in those with edema at admission and 3.44 (1.07–9.86) in children with complications. The respective ORs (95%CIs) for in-hospital SAM deaths in the same groups of children were 2.64 (1.22–6.43), 8.10 (2.16–11.67), 3.04 (1.70–6.06) and 3.71 (1.59–6.78). The main predictor for the SAM’s post-discharge mortality was illiteracy of mothers; the adjusted HR (95%CI) was 7.10 (1.58–31.93; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Age, WAZ, edema and complications at admission were predictors for both in-hospital and total SAM mortality, while mother’s education contributed to the early post-discharge mortality. The identification of predictors for mortality is an important preliminary step for interventions aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Depression, anxiety, and associated factors in patients with diabetes: evidence from the anxiety, depression, and personality traits in diabetes mellitus (ADAPT-DM) study
Authors: Woon Luke Sy-Cherng , Sidi Hatta Bin , Ravindran Arun , Gosse Paula Junggar , Mainland Roslyn Laurie , Kaunismaa Emily Samantha , Hatta Nurul Hazwani , Arnawati Puteri , Zulkifli Amelia Yasmin , Mustafa Norlaila , Leong Bin Abdullah Mohammad Farris Iman
Published: May 2020

Background

Depression and anxiety are common psychiatric complications affecting patients with diabetes mellitus. However, data on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and associated factors among Malaysian diabetic patients is scarce. The Anxiety, Depression, and Personality Traits in Diabetes Mellitus (ADAPT-DM) study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety, and their associated factors in the Malaysian diabetic population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 300 diabetic patients via convenience sampling from the Endocrine outpatient clinic of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, a tertiary referral healthcare facility in Kuala Lumpur. Socio-demographic characteristics and clinical history were obtained from each participant. The Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was administered to assess anxiety symptoms, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess depressive symptoms, the Big Five Inventory (BFI) to evaluate personality traits, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) to measure quality of life (QOL). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between various factors, and depression and anxiety.

Results

The prevalence of depression was 20% (n = 60) while anxiety was 9% (n = 27). Co-morbid depression (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 9.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.63–37.14, p = 0.001) and neuroticism (adjusted OR = 11.66, 95% CI = 2.69–50.47, p = 0.001) increased the odds of developing anxiety, while conscientiousness (adjusted OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23–0.80, p = 0.004) and greater psychological-related QOL (adjusted OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.29–0.75, p = 0.002) were protective. Co-morbid anxiety (adjusted OR = 19.83, 95% CI = 5.63–69.92, p <  0.001) increased the odds of depression, while older age (adjusted OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93–0.98, p = 0.002), social relationship-related QOL (adjusted OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.71–.0.99, p = 0.047), and physical health-related QOL (adjusted OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.58–0.83, p <  0.001) were protective.

Conclusions

The study findings signify the need to screen for co-morbid depression and anxiety, as well as personality traits and QOL, and to include psychosocial interventions when planning a multidisciplinary approach to managing diabetes.
Predictors of remission from body dysmorphic disorder after internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy: a machine learning approach
Authors: Flygare Oskar , Enander Jesper , Andersson Erik , Ljótsson Brjánn , Ivanov Volen Z. , Mataix-Cols David , Rück Christian
Published: May 2020

Background

Previous attempts to identify predictors of treatment outcomes in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have yielded inconsistent findings. One way to increase precision and clinical utility could be to use machine learning methods, which can incorporate multiple non-linear associations in prediction models.

Methods

This study used a random forests machine learning approach to test if it is possible to reliably predict remission from BDD in a sample of 88 individuals that had received internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for BDD. The random forest models were compared to traditional logistic regression analyses.

Results

Random forests correctly identified 78% of participants as remitters or non-remitters at post-treatment. The accuracy of prediction was lower in subsequent follow-ups (68, 66 and 61% correctly classified at 3-, 12- and 24-month follow-ups, respectively). Depressive symptoms, treatment credibility, working alliance, and initial severity of BDD were among the most important predictors at the beginning of treatment. By contrast, the logistic regression models did not identify consistent and strong predictors of remission from BDD.

Conclusions

The results provide initial support for the clinical utility of machine learning approaches in the prediction of outcomes of patients with BDD.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02010619.
The role of patient-provider communication: a qualitative study of patient attitudes regarding co-occurring depression and chronic diseases in Malawi
Authors: Akiba Christopher F. , Zimba Chifundo C. , Thom Annie , Matewere Maureen , Go Vivian , Pence Brian , Gaynes Bradley N. , Masiye Jones
Published: May 2020

Background

Globally, depression is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality particularly in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are also increasing in LMICs, the conditions frequently co-occur and exacerbate NCD outcomes. Depression interventions alone are not effective at improving NCD outcomes, resulting in wide-reaching calls for integrated services. Integrated services are in a nascent phase in LMICs in general and in Malawi in particular. This manuscript serves to clarify Malawian patients’ attitudes and perceptions towards depression integration into routine NCD services.

Methods

Ten District Hospitals were selected for data collection and 2 participants were interviewed from each site (N = 20). An iterative approach to concept-driven coding was applied to facilitate the formation of similarities, differences, and connections between codes.

Results

While patients infrequently described moderate depression as a medical condition, and held various attitudes regarding treatments, they agreed on the appropriateness of integrated services. Patients’ respect for their providers led them to support integration. Patients discussed how medical knowledge is highly regarded, revealing a power dynamic with their providers. Patients further acknowledged the importance of a provider’s communication in shaping a patient’s feelings about depression.

Conclusions

Training and interventions that facilitate providers’ abilities to transfer their medical knowledge, use strategies to channel their power, and engage patients in a meaningful and collaborative relationship will be key to successfully integrating depression treatment into Malawian NCD clinics.

Trial registration

This work served as part of formative data collection for National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) TrailNCT03711786registered on 10th October, 2018.
The association between physical activity with incident obesity, coronary heart disease, diabetes and hypertension in adults: a systematic review of longitudinal studies published after 2012
Authors: Cleven Laura , Krell-Roesch Janina , Nigg Claudio R. , Woll Alexander
Published: May 2020

Background

A growing body of studies that investigated the longitudinal association between physical activity (PA) and the outcome of incident obesity, coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes and hypertension has become available in recent years. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to provide an update on the association between PA and onset of obesity, CHD, diabetes and hypertension in individuals aged ≥18 years who were free of the respective conditions at baseline.

Methods

We systematically searched OVID, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases for pertinent literature published between January of 2012 and February of 2019. To ensure that conclusions are based on high quality evidence, we only included longitudinal studies conducted in samples of ≥500 participants and with ≥5 years of follow-up.

Result

The search yielded 8929 records of which 26 were included in this review. Three studies were conducted on the outcome of incident obesity, eight on incident CHD, nine on incident diabetes, four on incident hypertension, one on the outcome of both diabetes and hypertension, and one on the outcome of CHD, diabetes and hypertension. Overall, there was an association between PA and lower risk of incident obesity, CHD and diabetes, but not hypertension. Higher levels or amount of PA were associated with a reduced risk of new onset of the respective diseases in 20 studies (77%). Whereas four studies reported an elevated risk of incidence of diseases with lower PA levels (15%). PA was not associated with incidence of diseases in two studies (8%).

Conclusion

Higher levels of PA are likely associated with a lower risk of becoming obese, develop CHD or diabetes. These findings replicate and strengthen conclusions from earlier reviews underlining the importance of promoting PA in adults. The associations between PA and incident hypertension were less consistent. More research, particularly using prospective cohort designs in large population-based samples, is needed to further untangle the association between PA and incident hypertension.

Trail registration

CRD42019124474 (PROSPERO Protocol registration). Date of registration in PROSPERO 27 February 2019.
Uptake and acceptability of assisted and unassisted HIV self-testing among men who purchase sex in brothels in Indonesia: a pilot intervention study
Authors: Wulandari Luh Putu Lila , Kaldor John , Guy Rebecca
Published: May 2020

Background

Along with sexual partners of other high-risk groups, men who purchase sex (MWPS) represented 18% of new HIV diagnoses worldwide in 2018. They are therefore an important population for HIV prevention globally. Despite very low HIV testing coverage among MWPS in many countries, the role of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage has not been explored. We, therefore, conducted a pilot intervention study to evaluate the uptake and acceptability of assisted and unassisted HIV self-testing among MWPS in Indonesia.

Methods

MWPS attending seven brothels in Bali between December 2017 and January 2018 were recruited by lay health providers to participate in a brief health survey, and then invited to have a HIV self-test (assisted or unassisted) with an OraQuick® ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test and complete a post-test acceptability survey.

Results

A total of 292 men completed the health survey (response rate: 70%) and 188 (64.6%) accepted HIV self-testing. Of these men, 13.3% had ever tested for HIV and 58.9% reported condom use at their last sexual encounter with a brothel-based female sex worker. Nearly all men (98.9%) who accepted a HIV self-test preferred assisted HIV self-testing – of whom 83.9% preferred to be fully assisted and 16.1% opted to be partially assisted and read their results privately. Of the men who accepted the test and showed the result to the lay health providers, 4 (2.1%) received reactive results. Linkage following HIV self-test is a concern, as none of the four men with a reactive result attended HIV testing at the recommended referral HIV testing clinic over a two-month follow-up period.

Conclusions

This study is the first to investigate the acceptance of HIV self-testing when offered to MWPS in brothels by lay health providers. The high uptake of HIV self-testing suggests that this testing model is acceptable and could increase the very low HIV testing coverage among MWPS. The strong preference for fully assisted HIV self-testing highlights the importance of involving lay health providers in future testing programs. When scaling up HIV self-testing programmatically, strategies to improve linkage-to-care should be considered and evaluated.
Influences of club connectedness among young adults in Western Australian community-based sports clubs
Authors: Burns Sharyn , Evans Melissa , Jancey Jonine , Portsmouth Linda , Maycock Bruce
Published: May 2020

Background

Along with physical benefits, community-based sport provides opportunities to enhance connectedness, an important protective factor of social and emotional health. However, young Australians participating in sport have been found to drink alcohol at higher levels than their non-sporting peers, and many clubs serve unhealthy food and beverages. This study explored the association between the dependent variable, level of alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C) and connectedness to club and other health behaviours among young people aged 18–30 years who play club sport in Western Australia.

Methods

An online cross sectional survey measured levels of alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), alcohol-related harm, connectedness (including volunteering and team cohesion), mental wellbeing, healthy food options and club sponsorship among young adults aged 18–30 years involved in sports clubs in Western Australia (n = 242). Relationships and association between the dependent variable (AUDIT-C) and independent variables were assessed.

Results

Male sportspeople were more likely to drink alcohol at high-risk levels than females (p < .001), and respondents belonging to a club that received alcohol-related sponsorship were more likely to drink at high-risk levels (p = .019). Females were significantly more likely to want healthy food and beverage options provided at their clubs (p = 0.011). When all factors were considered team cohesion (p = 0.02), alcohol expectations (p = < .001), occurrences of experienced alcohol-related harm (p = <.001) and length of club membership (p = 0.18) were significant predictors of high-risk AUDIT-C (R2 = .34, adjusted R2 = .33, F (4, 156) = 20.43, p = <.001). High-risk AUDIT-C and club connectedness predicted strong team cohesion (R2 = .39, adjusted R2 = .39, F (2, 166) = 53.74, p = <.001).

Conclusions

Findings from this study may inform policy and practice to enhance healthy behaviours among young adults participating in community sports clubs in Australia and other countries.
When is work a cause of early retirement and are there any effective organizational measures to combat this? A population-based study of perceived work environment and work-related disorders among employees in Sweden
Authors: Nilsson Kerstin
Published: May 2020

Background

The ageing workforce has an impact on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate work-related disorders, work tasks and measures associated with the possibility of working beyond 65 years of age or not.

Method

The data comprised two sample surveys based on the Swedish population: the Survey of National Work-Related Health Disorders, and the National Work Environment Survey.

Results

A logistic regression analysis showed that an active systematic work environmental management in the workplace was a statistically significant association with whether individuals could work in their current occupation until 65 years of age (OR 1.7). The final multivariate model stated that whether individuals could work until 65 years was associated with bodily exhaustion after work, frequent feeling of the own work effort being insufficient at the end of the day, experience of the work as restricted and with a lack of freedom, working alone and at risk of unsafe or threatening situations, and generally feeling dissatisfied with the work tasks. Women-dominated workplaces were more highly associated with both male and female employees not being able to work until age 65 (OR 1.6).

Conclusion

Deficiencies in the working environment seems to be a threat to the public health. An active systematic work environmental management in the workplace increases the possibility to extend the working life. Tools for managers, like the swAge-model, to easily perform active systematic work environmental controls could therefore be a possible way to decrease the risk of work injury as well as increase the possibility for a sustainable extended working life.
Prevalence and associated risk factors for Hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia
Authors: Ayele Abiyu , Abera Dessie , Hailu Melese , Birhanu Muluken , Desta Kassu
Published: May 2020

Background

Currently, there is an increased flow of refugees into Ethiopia from neighboring countries. However, there are no post-arrival screening mechanisms for hepatitis B and C viruses which could be an additional burden for the local population. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia. It also aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning hepatitis B and C viruses among participants.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 453 refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia from January until May 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect data on refugees’ socio-demographic, risk factors, and KAP of hepatitis B and C infections. Five milliliters of blood sample were collected from each participant and the serum was used for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody screening rapid tests. Positive samples were further tested by ELISA method. Data were performed using SPSS version 20, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The overall prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among refugees was 7.3% (33/453) and 2.0% (9/453) respectively. Of these, 6.8% (25/370) and 1.4% (5/370) of females were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV, whereas 9.6% (8/83) and 4.8% (4/83) of males were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. The age group of 18–29 and 30–41 years old were related to HCV infection (P = 0.003 and P = 0.020). However, proposed risk factors were not related to HBV and HCV infections. Knowledge assessment showed that 86.5% (392/453) did not know how HBV and HCV infections are transmitted, and 86.8% (393/453) had no information about the availability of HBV vaccine.

Conclusion

This study showed intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus in a large refugee camp in Ethiopia. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus was found to increase with age, but no other risk factor for either virus identified as significant. Refugees’ understanding of hepatitis B and C was very limited. This indicates the need for screening policy to be implemented and integrated with other health services and awareness creation about the infection in all refugee camps of Gambella.