bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A dual legume‐rhizobium transcriptome of symbiotic nodule senescence reveals coordinated plant and bacterial responses
Authors: Sauviac Laurent , Rémy Antoine , Huault Emeline , Dalmasso Mélanie , Kazmierczak Théophile , Jardinaud Marie‐Françoise , Legrand Ludovic , Moreau Corentin , Ruiz Bryan , Cazalé Anne‐Claire , Valière Sophie , Gourion Benjamin , Dupont Laurence , Gruber Véronique , Boncompagni Eric , Meilhoc Eliane , Frendo Pierre , Frugier Florian , Bruand Claude
Published: July 2022

Senescence determines plant organ lifespan depending on aging and environmental cues. During the endosymbiotic interaction with rhizobia, legume plants develop a specific organ, the root nodule, which houses nitrogen (N)‐fixing bacteria. Unlike earlier processes of the legume–rhizobium interaction (nodule formation, N fixation), mechanisms controlling nodule senescence remain poorly understood. To identify nodule senescence‐associated genes, we performed a dual plant‐bacteria RNA sequencing approach on Medicago truncatula–Sinorhizobium meliloti nodules having initiated senescence either naturally (aging) or following an environmental trigger (nitrate treatment or salt stress). The resulting data allowed the identification of hundreds of plant and bacterial genes differentially regulated during nodule senescence, thus providing an unprecedented comprehensive resource of new candidate genes associated with this process. Remarkably, several plant and bacterial genes related to the cell cycle and stress responses were regulated in senescent nodules, including the rhizobial RpoE2‐dependent general stress response. Analysis of selected core nodule senescence plant genes allowed showing that MtNAC969 and MtS40, both homologous to leaf senescence‐associated genes, negatively regulate the transition between N fixation and senescence. In contrast, overexpression of a gene involved in the biosynthesis of cytokinins, well‐known negative regulators of leaf senescence, may promote the transition from N fixation to senescence in nodules.
Acquaintanceships (weak ties): Their role in people's web of relationships and their formation
Authors: Sprecher Susan
Published: July 2022

The multidisciplinary field of personal relationships has focused primarily on strong ties (romantic relationships, friendships, family relationships). However, acquaintances (weak ties) are pervasive in people's lives, contribute to well‐being, influence strong ties, and can become strong ties over time. This review article synthesizes several areas of literature about the role of acquaintances (weak ties) in the web of relationships and about the formation of acquaintanceships. The terms acquaintances and weak ties are used interchangeably in this article to refer to the type of relationship that exists in the peripheral layers of social networks. In the first section, I discuss the literature on factors associated with the size of people's acquaintance network, needs met by acquaintances (compared to those of closer ties), health and happiness benefits of interaction with acquaintances, and the dark side of acquaintances including having unwanted acquaintances. In the second section, I discuss how acquaintanceships are formed, and particularly the type that can develop into a closer tie. This section summarizes research from the literatures on friendship formation, relationship initiation, attraction, and first interactions of dyads at zero‐acquaintance. I end the article by identifying several research topics on acquaintances that could be studied by the next generation of scholars.
Dynamic scheduling of home care patients to medical providers
Authors: Cire Andre A. , Diamant Adam
Published: July 2022

Home care provides personalized medical care and social support to patients within their own homes. Our work proposes a dynamic scheduling framework to assist in the assignment of health practitioners (HPs) to patients who arrive stochastically over time and are heterogeneous with respect to their health requirements, service duration, and region of residence. We model the decision of which patients to assign to HPs as a discrete‐time, rolling‐horizon, infinite‐stage Markov decision process. Due to the curse of dimensionality and the combinatorial structure associated with an HP's travel, we propose an approximate dynamic programming (ADP) approach based on a one‐step policy improvement heuristic. Four policies are investigated: The first two prioritize HP fairness by balancing service and travel times, respectively, while the other two are based on fluid approximations of the system. We show that the first fluid model is optimal if the number of patient arrivals is sufficiently large while the second performs better experimentally; both approaches leverage pricing and decomposition strategies. We compare our framework to more commonly implemented policies—constrained versions of the classical vehicle routing problem—in a simulation study using data collected from a Canadian home care provider. We show that, in contrast to these approaches, by accounting for future uncertainty, substantial cost savings can be obtained while a fewer number of referrals are rejected. We also find that well‐performing policies assign patients to HPs operating within a small set of adjacent regions while considering the number of periods that a patient requires care for. Otherwise, HP workload may not be appropriately balanced over the long‐term even if travel time is minimized.
Credit market imperfection and goods market deregulation in OLG model
Authors: Miyake Atsushi , Muro Kazunobu
Published: July 2022

We study the effects of financial development and product market competition on the macroeconomic dynamics in an overlapping generations model with credit market imperfections and monopolistic competition. In general, financial development is regarded as one of the key engines for economic growth. Financial market deregulation facilitates financing for entrepreneurs and has a positive effect on business growth. In fact, the effects of financial liberalization are different between developing and developed countries. We develop a model in which financial development brings about the regime shift endogenously. We show that financial liberalization at an early stage of economic development is harmful for economic growth. Instead, financial liberalization should be conducted after the take‐off of the economy. The sequence of carrying out several market deregulation policies is important. We insist that the government should deregulate the goods market before financial market liberalization.
Perioperative antibiotic stewardship in the organ transplant setting
Authors: Graziano Elena , Peghin Maddalena , Grossi Paolo Antonio
Published: July 2022

Background

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients can benefit from traditional antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities directed to improve judicious perioperative prescribing and management, but evidence is lacking. The aim of this expert opinion review is to provide an update on the current landscape of application of AMS practices for optimization of perioperative prophylaxis (PP).

Methods

We reviewed the available literature on early postoperative infectious complications in SOT and PP management, on modified perioperative approaches in case of infection or colonization in recipients and donors and on AMS in transplantation PP.

Results

SOT recipients are at high risk for early postoperative infectious complications due to the complexity of surgical procedures, severity of end stage organ disease, net state of immunosuppression in the posttransplant period and to the high risk for multidrug resistant organism. Moreover, SOT may be exposed to preservation fluid infections and expected or unexpected donor‐derived infections. We summarize main factors to take into account when prescribing transplant PP.

Conclusion

Creating personalized PP to avoid unwanted consequences of antimicrobials while improving outcomes is an emerging and critical aspect in SOT setting. Further studies are needed to offer best PP tailored to SOT type and to evaluate interventions efficacy and safety.

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Lateral transfers lead to the birth of momilactone biosynthetic gene clusters in grass
Authors: Wu Dongya , Hu Yiyu , Akashi Shota , Nojiri Hideaki , Guo Longbiao , Ye Chu‐Yu , Zhu Qian‐Hao , Okada Kazunori , Fan Longjiang
Published: July 2022

Momilactone A, an important plant labdane‐related diterpenoid, functions as a phytoalexin against pathogens and an allelochemical against neighboring plants. The genes involved in the biosynthesis of momilactone A are found in clusters, i.e., momilactone A biosynthetic gene clusters (MABGCs), in the rice and barnyardgrass genomes. In addition, we know little about the origin and evolution of MABGCs. Here, we integrated results from comprehensive phylogeny and comparative genomic analyses of the core genes of MABGC‐like clusters and MABGCs in 40 monocot plant genomes, providing convincing evidence for the birth and evolution of MABGCs in grass species. The MABGCs found in the PACMAD clade of the core grass lineage (including Panicoideae and Chloridoideae) originated from a MABGC‐like cluster in Triticeae (BOP clade) via lateral gene transfer (LGT) and followed by recruitment of MAS1/2 and CYP76L1 genes. The MABGCs in Oryzoideae originated from PACMAD through another LGT event and lost CYP76L1 afterwards. The Oryza MABGC and another Oryza diterpenoid cluster c2BGC are two distinct clusters, with the latter originating from gene duplication and relocation within Oryzoideae. Further comparison of the expression patterns of the MABGC genes between rice and barnyardgrass in response to pathogen infection and allelopathy provides novel insights into the functional innovation of MABGCs in plants. Our results demonstrate LGT‐mediated origination of MABGCs in grass and shed lights into the evolutionary innovation and optimization of plant biosynthetic pathways.
Wheat photosystem II heat tolerance: evidence for genotype‐by‐environment interactions
Authors: Coast Onoriode , Posch Bradley C. , Rognoni Bethany G. , Bramley Helen , Gaju Oorbessy , Mackenzie John , Pickles Claire , Kelly Alison M. , Lu Meiqin , Ruan Yong‐Ling , Trethowan Richard , Atkin Owen K.
Published: July 2022

High temperature stress inhibits photosynthesis and threatens wheat production. One measure of photosynthetic heat tolerance is Tcrit – the critical temperature at which incipient damage to photosystem II (PSII) occurs. This trait could be improved in wheat by exploiting genetic variation and genotype‐by‐environment interactions (GEI). Flag leaf Tcrit of 54 wheat genotypes was evaluated in 12 thermal environments over 3 years in Australia, and analysed using linear mixed models to assess GEI effects. Nine of the 12 environments had significant genetic effects and highly variable broad‐sense heritability (H2 ranged from 0.15 to 0.75). Tcrit GEI was variable, with 55.6% of the genetic variance across environments accounted for by the factor analytic model. Mean daily growth temperature in the month preceding anthesis was the most influential environmental driver of Tcrit GEI, suggesting biochemical, physiological and structural adjustments to temperature requiring different durations to manifest. These changes help protect or repair PSII upon exposure to heat stress, and may improve carbon assimilation under high temperature. To support breeding efforts to improve wheat performance under high temperature, we identified genotypes superior to commercial cultivars commonly grown by farmers, and demonstrated potential for developing genotypes with greater photosynthetic heat tolerance.
Step by step transfusion timeline and its challenges in trauma: A retrospective study in a level one trauma center
Authors: Boye Matthieu , Py Nicolas , Libert Nicolas , Chrisment Anne , Pissot Mathieu , Dedome Emmanuel , Martinaud Christophe , Ausset Sylvain , Boutonnet Mathieu , De Rudnicki Stéphane , Pasquier Pierre , Martinez Thibault
Published: July 2022

Background

Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of preventable early death in trauma patients. Transfusion management is guided by international guidelines promoting early and aggressive transfusion strategies. This study aimed to describe transfusion timelines in a trauma center and to identify key points to performing early and efficient transfusions.

Methods

This is a monocentric retrospective study of 108 severe trauma patients, transfused within the first 48 h and hospitalized in an intensive care unit between January 2017 and May 2019.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight patients were transfused with 1250 labile blood products. Half of these labile blood products were transfused within 3 h of admission and consumed by 26 patients requiring massive transfusion (≥4 red blood cells [RBC] within 1 h). Among these, the median delay from patient's admission to labile blood products prescription was −11 min (−34 to −1); from admission to delivery of labile blood products was 1 min (−20 to 16); and from admission to first transfusion was 20 min (7–37) for RBC, 26 min (13–38) for plasma, and 72 min (51–103) for platelet concentrates. The anticipated prescription of labile blood products and the use of massive transfusion packs and lyophilized plasma units were associated with earlier achievement of high transfusion ratios.

Conclusion

This study provides detailed data on the transfusion timelines and composition, from prescription to initial transfusion. Transfusion anticipation, use of preconditioned transfusion packs including platelets, and lyophilized plasma allow rapid and high‐ratio transfusion practices in severe trauma patients.
The Situation-Specific Theory of Heart Failure Self-Care Updated: Analysis and Evaluation for Use in Coronary Disease
Authors: Aranda-Sánchez Daysi A. , Gutiérrez-Valverde Juana Mercedes
Published: July 2022

The Situation-Specific Theory of Self-Care in Heart Failure Updated proposes and explains how situational (person, problem, and environment) and process factors influence self-care actions. The updating of the Theory provides us with a framework to propose process factors as mediators in the influence of self-care. At present, an analysis and evaluation of the Theory for its use in coronary diseases has not been carried out. Objective: to analyze and evaluate the Theory of the Specific Situation of Self-Care in Heart Failure Updated, for its use in research on other coronary disease. Method: The theoretical analysis was carried out according to the analysis strategy proposed by Walker and Avant, which consist of: identifying the origins of the theory, examining the meaning of the theory, logical consistency, utility, transferability, and parsimony. Original indexed studies using the Updated Theory were analyzed. Conclusion: The Theory presents concepts that are simple in their definitions and easy to be explored and measured. The theoretical structure allows hypothesizing that process factors can be tested as mediators or moderators between situational factors and self-care actions. The focus of the theory facilitates its use in creating mid-range and situation-specific theories in other chronic diseases. The theory provides a framework to explore new phenomena related to the decision-making process in self-care and the perception of symptoms in patients with coronary heart disease (such as, acute myocardial infarction, coronary syndrome and others), through the use of qualitative, quantitative correlational and mixed research.
In-Plane Viscoelasticity of Graphene Oxide Thin Film Due to the Reversible Interfacial Adhesion
Authors: Yao Meicheng , Li Gaofeng , Xu Yan , Chen Bin
Published: July 2022

With the utilization of a representative volume element, we investigate the effect of interfacial adhesion on the in-plane viscoelasticity of graphene oxide thin films. A multiple-bond contact model is employed for the interfacial adhesion due to the dynamic association and dissociation of molecular bonds. With an explicit finite element method, we simulate stress–strain curves upon uniaxial loading. Our results reveal that the reversible interfacial adhesion leads to the viscoelasticity of thin films. We further find that the thickness of layers within thin films and also other parameters can have a strong effect on the viscoelasticity of thin films. Local buckling/wrinkling of layers similar to that within engineered graphene oxide thin films is also observed in some simulations. This work might provide important insights into the fabrication of graphene oxide thin films with desirable mechanical performance.
Efficient Design Guidelines for Innovative Aerial Robot Design
Authors: Tan Chee How , Hölttä-Otto Katja , Foong Shaohui
Published: July 2022

The field of aerial robotics has advanced rapidly, but the design knowledge has not yet been codified into reusable design guidelines. Design guidelines have been developed for many mechanical design areas to advance the field itself and help novice designers benefit from past expert knowledge more easily. We used an inductive approach and collected 90 aerial robot examples by reviewing recent work in aerial robotics and studying the key motivations, features, functionalities, and potential design contradictions. Then, design guidelines are derived by identifying patterns and grouping them by the problem they solve and the innovation made to solve it iteratively. From this, we find 35 unique design examples that can be grouped into either 14 design guidelines for more sensing, battery, mission, or actuation efficiency; or to improve the desired functionality in an aerial robot such as reducing complexity or improving how the robot can interact with objects or its environment. The derived guidelines are validated for thematic saturation using convergence analysis and its utility through a qualitative design study involving novices and experienced designers working on two design problems. The design guidelines presented in this research can support the design of future innovative aerial robots.
Feasibility of and experience using a portable MRI scanner in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Sien Maura E , Robinson Amie L , Hu Houchun H , Nitkin Chris R , Hall Ara S , Files Marcie G , Artz Nathan S , Pitts John T , Chan Sherwin S
Published: July 2022

Objective

A portable, low-field MRI system is now Food and Drug Administration cleared and has been shown to be safe and useful in adult intensive care unit settings. No neonatal studies have been performed. The objective is to assess our preliminary experience and assess feasibility of using the portable MRI system at the bedside in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a quaternary children’s hospital.

Study design

This was a single-site prospective cohort study in neonates ≥2 kg conducted between October and December 2020. All parents provided informed consent. Neonates underwent portable MRI examination in the NICU with support equipment powered on and attached to the neonate during the examination. A paediatric radiologist interpreted each portable MRI examination. The study outcome variable was percentage of portable MRI examinations completed without artefacts that would hinder diagnosis. Findings were compared between portable MRI examinations and standard of care examinations.

Results

Eighteen portable, low-field MRI examinations were performed on 14 neonates with an average age of 29.7 days (range 1–122 days). 94% (17 of 18) of portable MRI examinations were acquired without significant artefact. Significant intracranial pathology was visible on portable MRI, but subtle abnormalities were missed. The examination reads were concordant in 59% (10 of 17) of cases and significant pathology was missed in 12% (2 of 17) of cases.

Conclusion

This single-centre series demonstrated portable MRI examinations can be performed safely with standard patient support equipment present in the NICU. These findings demonstrate that portable MRI could be used in the future to guide care in the NICU setting.

Trial registration number

NCT04629469.
Wilson’s disease: neuropsychiatric presentation and delayed diagnosis
Authors: Deme Palvasha , Sheffield Adam , Alick-Lindstrom Sasha
Published: July 2022

A woman in her 30s with unclear history of cirrhosis presented to the emergency department with 8 months of worsening bilateral hand tremors, falls, depressed mood, altered mental status, difficulty swallowing and faecal/urinary incontinence. The patient was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis 6 years prior based on outside hospital ultrasound and liver biopsy. The hospital inpatient neurology team was promptly consulted for evaluation of worsening mental status. Kayser-Fleischer rings were visible without slit-lamp examination on clinical exam, as were prominent hand tremors and ataxia on finger–nose–finger task. Brain MRI showed increased T2/FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) signal within the thalami, midbrain and pons demonstrating a ‘double panda sign’. Laboratory findings confirmed a diagnosis of Wilson’s disease. Penicillamine and subsequent zinc therapy were initiated. Patient was eventually discharged home with plans for outpatient physical therapy and hepatology management. Two months from presentation, the patient reported significant improvement in ataxia, motor function, swallow function and incontinence.
Coverage of social assistance in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a time-to-event analysis
Authors: Deshpande Ashwini Sunil , Mulat Addis Kassahun , Mao Wenhui , Diab Mohamed M , Ogbuoji Osondu
Published: July 2022

Objective

In a pandemic, government assistance is essential to support the most vulnerable households as they face health and economic challenges. However, government assistance is effective only when it reaches vulnerable households in time. In this paper, we estimated the timeliness of government assistance for the most vulnerable households (ie, the poor households) in Ethiopia during its COVID-19 response of 2020. In particular, we conducted a time-to-event analysis to compare the time to receive government assistance between poor and non-poor households in Ethiopia.

Methods

We used a semiparametric Cox proportional model to evaluate whether the time to first receipt of government assistance during the COVID-19 response in 2020 differed between poor and non-poor Ethiopian households. We used the Schoenfeld test to check the proportionality assumption and conducted the stratified Cox regression analysis to adjust for non-proportional variables. The data from World Bank’s High-Frequency Phone Surveys on COVID-19 and the 2019 Ethiopian Socioeconomic Survey were used for this analysis.

Results

We found that the poor households in rural areas were 88% (HR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.98) more likely to receive government assistance than non-poor households at any point within 10 months after the start of the pandemic. However, there was no significant difference between urban poor and non-poor households’ likelihood of receiving government assistance during this timeframe.

Conclusion

The Ethiopian government has leveraged its existing social protection network to quickly reach poor households in rural areas during the COVID-19 response of 2020. The country will need to continue strengthening and scaling the existing social protection systems to accurately target the wider vulnerable population in urban areas.
Treatment satisfaction in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis initiated on teriflunomide in routine clinical practice: Australian observational data
Authors: Hardy Todd A , Parratt John , Beadnall Heidi , Blum Stefan , Macdonell Richard , Beran Roy G , Shuey Neil , Lee Andrew , Carroll William , Shaw Cameron , Worrell Richard , Moody Jana , Sedhom Mamdouh , Barnett Michael , Vucic Steve
Published: July 2022

Background

Adherence and persistence are critical to optimising therapeutic benefit from disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This prospective, open-label, multicentre, observational study (AubPRO), conducted in 13 hospital-based neurology clinics around Australia, describes treatment satisfaction in patients newly initiated on teriflunomide (Aubagio) and evaluates the use of an electronic patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool.

Methods

Patients (≥18 years) newly initiated on teriflunomide (14 mg/day) were followed up at 24 and 48 weeks. Patients completed questionnaires and pill counts electronically using MObile Data in Multiple Sclerosis. The primary endpoint was treatment satisfaction, measured by the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM, V.1.4), at week 48. Secondary endpoints included treatment satisfaction at week 24, other PRO scales, clinical outcomes, medication adherence and safety.

Results

Patients (n=103; 54 (52.4%) treatment naive) were mostly female (n=82 (79.6%)), aged 49.5 (11.8) years, with MS duration since symptom onset of 9.1 (11.8) years and a median Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 1.0. Mean treatment satisfaction scores were high (≥60%) across all domains of the TSQM V.1.4 at week 24 and at week 48. Compared with week 24, week 48 treatment satisfaction increased for patients who were treatment naïve and for those previously on another oral or injectable DMT. Over 48 weeks, PROs remained stable across a range of measures including disability, physical health, emotional health and mobility, and there were improvements in work capacity and daily life activity. Adherence was high throughout the study with mean compliance (pill counts) of 93.2%±6.26%, and 98 of 103 (95.1%) patients remained relapse-free.

Conclusion

This cohort of Australian patients with RRMS, newly initiated on teriflunomide, and treated in a real-world clinical practice setting, reported high treatment satisfaction and adherence at 24 and 48 weeks. Patient-reported measures of disability remained stably low, work capacity and daily life activity improved, and most patients remained relapse-free.
Association of serum high-sensitivity C reactive protein with risk of mortality in an Asian population: the Health Examinees cohort
Authors: Lee Sang-Ah , Kwon Sung Ok , Park Hyerim , Shu Xiao-Ou , Lee Jong-Koo , Kang Daehee
Published: July 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the association of high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) with mortality risk and the attenuated effect of non-communicable disease history (NCDhistory) on the association.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Health Examinees cohort.

Participants

A total of 41 070 men and 81 011 women aged ≥40 years were involved (follow-up: 6.8 years).

Outcome measures

Data and cause of death occurring until 31 December 2015 were confirmed by death statistics from the National Statistical Office. We conducted advanced analysis after stratification by NCDhistory and sensitivity analysis after excluding death before 1 or 2 years from recruitment. Cox proportional hazard and restricted cubic spline models were used to assess the association.

Results

The association between serum hsCRP and risk of all-cause mortality was observed with strong linearity in both genders and was not influenced by NCDhistory. The association of serum hsCRP with risk of cancer mortality was not observed in women with NCDhistory, but the association with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was predominantly observed in men with NCDhistory.

Conclusions

This study suggests a dose–response association of hsCRP with mortality risk, including cancer and CVD mortality, in Koreans with low serum hsCRP, although the association with cancer and CVD mortality risk could be influenced by gender and NCDhistory.
Review of drug recalls and quality of pharmaceutical products in Nepal
Authors: Neupane Astha , Bastakoti Maheshwor , Tamang Sabita , Giri Basant
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the pattern of substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products recall in Nepal.

Setting

We analysed drug recall notices issued by the Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Nepal, and systematically reviewed peer-reviewed research articles during January 2010 to December 2020.

Participants

This study did not include human participants. However, data were collected from 72 drug recall notices issued by DDA and four research papers.

Results

A total of 346 pharmaceutical products were recalled during the reported period. The number of recalled pharmaceutical products has increased significantly over the past decade in Nepal. The most frequently recalled drugs were antimicrobials followed by gastrointestinal medicines, vitamins and supplements and pain and palliative medicines among others. Number of imported recalled drugs were slightly higher (42.2%) than domestic recalled drugs (40.7%). Sixty-two percentage of recalled drugs were substandard, 11% were falsified and remaining 27% were not registered at the DDA. Similarly, higher number of modern drugs (62%) were recalled than traditional ones (35%). Hand sanitisers used to minimise COVID-19 transmission contributed significantly to the list of recalled pharmaceutical products in 2020. Most of these sanitisers contained significant amounts of methanol (as high as 75% v/v) instead of appropriate amount of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. The peer-reviewed research papers reported issues with labelling, unregistered drugs and drugs failed in several laboratory testing.

Conclusion

Our analysis showed that number of recalls of substandard and falsified drugs are increasing in Nepal. Since the recall data in this paper did not include number of samples tested and location of samples collected, more studies to understand the prevalence of substandard and falsified drugs in Nepal is recommended.
Impact of COVID-19 on paediatric admissions to a Chinese hospital: a single-centre retrospective chart review
Authors: Zheng Jie , Chen Yan-hui
Published: July 2022

Objective

To explore the impact of the COVID-19 on the distribution, type and patterns of diseases in hospitalised children under local antiepidemic measures.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Electronic medical records of patients hospitalised in the paediatric department of a tertiary hospital in South China from 21 January 2019 to 20 January 2021.

Participants

Records of 2139 patients.

Outcome measures

Data were analysed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disease characteristics were analysed based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Features of the length of hospital stay were investigated. Categorical variables involving more than three groups were analysed using an overall χ2 test, followed by pairwise comparisons.

Results

During the COVID-19 outbreak period, paediatric hospitalisation was reduced by 29.6%, from 1255 to 884. The proportions of infection-related diseases (36.3% (455 cases) vs 20.8% (184 cases)), respiratory system-related diseases (22.5% (283 cases) vs 9.4% (83 cases)); and endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (17.1% (214 cases) vs 9.2% (81 cases)) decreased significantly, whereas that of musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases increased from 11.0% (138 cases) to 20.1% (178 cases), thereby becoming the most common reason for hospitalisation. The proportions of diseases of the nervous system (12.4% (156 cases) to 18.8% (166 cases)) and mental and behavioural disorders (0.2% (3 cases) to 2.1% (19 cases)) increased significantly. The average length of hospital stay increased after the outbreak (7.57±6.53 vs 8.36±6.87).

Conclusion

The number of hospitalisation cases decreased during the COVID-19 period. The prominent decreases in hospitalisation associated with infections and respiratory system diseases were likely attributed to the improved epidemic prevention work, enhancement of people’s health awareness and fear of possible exposure to COVID-19. Describing the impact of COVID-19 on disease patterns may provide a reference for resource planning during the pandemic.
Tailoring lipid management interventions to reduce inequalities in cardiovascular disease risk management in primary care for deprived communities in Northern England: a mixed-methods intervention development protocol
Authors: Fu Yu , Tang Eugene YH , Sowden Sarah , Newton Julia L , Whitty Paula
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Hyperlipidaemia contributes a significant proportion of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, which is a condition that disproportionally affects disadvantaged socioeconomic communities, with death rates in the most deprived areas being four times higher than those in the least deprived. With the national CVD Prevention programme being delivered to minimise risk factors, no evidence is available on what has been implemented in primary care for deprived populations. This study describes the protocol for the development of a tailored intervention aiming to optimise lipid management in primary care settings to help reduce inequalities in CVD risks and improve outcomes in deprived communities.

Methods and analysis

A mixed-methods approach will be employed consisting of four work packages: (1) rapid review and logic model; (2) assessment and comparison of CVD risk management for deprived with non-deprived populations in Northern England to England overall; (3) interviews with health professionals; and (4) intervention development. A systematic search and narrative synthesis will be undertaken to identify evidence-based interventions and targeted outcomes in deprived areas. General practice-level data will be assessed to establish the profile of lipid management, compared with the regional and national levels. Health professionals involved in the organisation and delivery of routine lipid management to deprived populations will be interviewed to understand the implementation and delivery of current lipid management and associated challenges. The prototype intervention will be informed by the evidence generated from workpackages 1–3, which will be reviewed and assessed using the nominal group technique to reach consensus. Training and skills development materials will also be developed as needed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Faculty of Medical Sciences Research Ethics Committee at Newcastle University, UK. Findings will be disseminated to the participating sites, participants, commissioners, and in peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.
Why do acute healthcare staff engage in unprofessional behaviours towards each other and how can these behaviours be reduced? A realist review protocol
Authors: Maben Jill , Aunger Justin Avery , Abrams Ruth , Pearson Mark , Wright Judy M , Westbrook Johanna , Mannion Russell , Jones Aled
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Unprofessional behaviours encompass many behaviours including bullying, harassment and microaggressions. These behaviours between healthcare staff are problematic; they affect people’s ability to work, to feel psychologically safe at work and speak up and to deliver safe care to patients. Almost a fifth of UK National Health Service staff experience unprofessional behaviours in the workplace, with higher incidence in acute care settings and for staff from minority backgrounds. Existing analyses have investigated the effectiveness of strategies to reduce these behaviours. We seek to go beyond these, to understand the range and causes of such behaviours, their negative effects and how mitigation strategies may work, in which contexts and for whom.

Methods and analysis

This study uses a realist review methodology with stakeholder input comprising a number of iterative steps: (1) formulating initial programme theories drawing on informal literature searches and literature already known to the study team, (2) performing systematic and purposive searches for grey and peer-reviewed literature on Embase, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases as well as Google and Google Scholar, (3) selecting appropriate documents while considering rigour and relevance, (4) extracting data, (5) and synthesising and (6) refining the programme theories by testing the theories against the newly identified literature.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical review is not required as this study is a secondary research. An impact strategy has been developed which includes working closely with key stakeholders throughout the project. Step 7 of our project will develop pragmatic resources for managers and professionals, tailoring contextually-sensitive strategies to reduce unprofessional behaviours, identifying what works for which groups. We will be guided by the ‘Evidence Integration Triangle’ to implement the best strategies to reduce unprofessional behaviours in given contexts. Dissemination will occur through presentation at conferences, innovative methods (cartoons, videos, animations and/or interactive performances) and peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021255490.
Decursin ameliorates carbon-tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis by facilitating ferroptosis of hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Que Renye , Cao Mengxing , Dai Yancheng , Zhou Yi , Chen Yirong , Lin Liubing
Published: July 2022

Decursin possesses the potential to alleviate transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. However, the mechanisms by which decursin alleviates hepatic fibrosis remain not fully understood. Our aim is to explore the function of decursin on regulating HSCs’ activation and hepatic fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic effect of decursin was evaluated by Masson and Sirius red staining, and immunohistochemical (IHC) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I (Col1α1) expression. Ferroptosis was assessed by measuring iron concentration, glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2) expression, glutathione (GSH) level, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. We found that decursin treatment decreased carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. The primary HSCs isolated from decursin-treated group showed an increased Fe2+, lipid ROS level, and decreased Gpx4 and GSH levels compared with HSCs from the model group. Moreover, decursin promoted ferroptosis in activated HSCs in vitro, as evidenced by declined Gpx4 and GSH levels, increased Fe2+, ROS, and Ptgs2 levels compared with control. More important, ferroptosis inhibitor destroyed the anti-fibrosis effect of decursin on HSCs. In summary, these data suggest that decursin has potential to treat hepatic fibrosis.
Comprehensive theoretical investigation of electronic, structural, optical, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of orthorhombic SrTa2O6 compound
Authors: Erzen Mehmet , Aycibin Murat , Akkus Harun
Published: July 2022

The structural, optical, dynamic, elastic, and thermodynamical properties of orthorhombic SrTa2O6 were computed using density functional theory via two computation codes, namely Wien2k and ABINIT. The findings reveal that SrTa2O6 is a wide bandgap semiconductor with 4.6 eV using the TB-mBJ approximation. The results of bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, anisotropy factors, and Debye's temperature were obtained and discussed in detail. Moreover, The ductile behavior and structural stability mechanism were also explained.
Assessing population genetic structure of three New Zealand stream insects using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers
Authors: de Araujo Barbosa Vanessa , Graham S. Elizabeth , Smith Brian J. , Hogg Ian D. , McGaughran Angela
Published: July 2022

Assessing genetic differentiation among natural populations can aid understanding of dispersal patterns and connectivity among habitats. Several molecular markers have become increasingly popular in determining population genetic structure for this purpose. Here, we compared the resolution of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for detecting population structure among stream insects at small spatial scales. Individuals of three endemic taxa— Coloburiscus humeralis (Ephemeroptera), Zelandobius confusus (Plecoptera), and Hydropsyche fimbriata (Trichoptera)—were collected from forested streams that flow across open pasture in the North Island of New Zealand. Both COI and SNP data indicated limited population structure across the study area, and small differences observed among these species were likely related to their putative dispersal abilities. For example, fine-scale genetic differentiation between and among neighbouring stream populations for H. fimbriata suggests that gene flow, and hence dispersal, may be more limited for this species relative to the others. Based on the generally similar results provided by both types of markers, we suggest that either COI or SNP markers can provide suitable initial estimates of fine-scale population genetic differentiation in stream insects.
Non-Abelian T-duality of $$AdS_{d\le 3}$$ families by Poisson-Lie T-duality
Authors: Eghbali Ali , Naderi Reza , Rezaei-Aghdam Adel
Published: July 2022

We proceed to investigate the non-Abelian T-duality of $$AdS_{2}$$

A
d

S
2

, $$AdS_{2}\times S^1$$

A
d

S
2

×

S
1

and $$AdS_{3}$$

A
d

S
3

physical backgrounds, as well as the metric of the analytic continuation of $$AdS_{2}$$

A
d

S
2

from the point of view of Poisson-Lie (PL) T-duality. To this end, we reconstruct these metrics of the AdS families as backgrounds of non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-models on two- and three-dimensional Lie groups. By considering the Killing vectors of these metrics and by taking into account the fact that the subgroups of isometry Lie group of the metrics can be taken as one of the subgroups of the Drinfeld double (with Abelian duals) we look up the PL T-duality. To construct the dualizable metrics by the PL T-duality we find all subalgebras of Killing vectors that generate subgroup of isometries which acts freely and transitively on the manifolds defined by aforementioned AdS families. We then obtain the dual backgrounds for these families of AdS in such a way that we apply the usual rules of PL T-duality without further corrections. We have also investigated the conformal invariance conditions of the original backgrounds (AdS families) and their dual counterparts. Finally, by using the T-duality rules proposed by Kaloper and Meissner (KM) we calculate the Abelian T-duals of BTZ black hole up to two-loop by dualizing on the coordinates $$ \varphi $$
φ
and t. When the dualizing is implemented by the shift of direction $$\varphi $$
φ
, we show that the horizons and singularity of the dual spacetime are the same as in charged black string derived by Horne and Horowitz without $$\alpha '$$

α
′

-corrections, whereas in dualizing on the coordinate t we find a new three-dimensional black string whose structure and asymptotic nature are clearly determined. For this case, we show that the T-duality transformation changes the asymptotic behavior from $$AdS_3$$

A
d

S
3

to flat.
Modification of the mean free path of very high-energy photons due to a relativistic deformed kinematics
Authors: Carmona J. M. , Cortés J. L. , Relancio J. J. , Reyes M. A. , Vincueria A.
Published: July 2022

Ultra-high-energy physics is about to enter a new era thanks to the impressive results of experiments such as the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory, detecting photons of up to $$1.4\times 10^{15}$$

1.4
×

10
15

 eV (PeV scale). These new results could be used to test deviations with respect to special relativity. While this has been already explored within the approach of Lorentz Invariance Violation theories, in this work we consider, for the first time, modifications due to a relativistic deformed kinematics (which appear in Doubly Special Relativity, or DSR, theories). In particular, we study the mean free path of very high-energy photons due to electron-positron pair creation when interacting with low-energy photons of the cosmic microwave background. Depending on the energy scale of the relativistic deformed kinematics, present (or near future) experiments can be sensitive enough to be able to identify deviations from special relativity.
Cornel Iridoid Glycoside and Its Effective Component Regulate ATPase Vps4A/JNK to Alleviate Autophagy Deficit with Autophagosome Accumulation
Authors: Yang Cui-Cui , Zheng Ceng-Ceng , Luo Yi , Guo Kai-Wen , Gao Dan , Zhang Li , Li Lin , Zhang Lan
Published: July 2022

Improving autophagy-lysosome fusion has been considered a key method in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cornel iridoid glycoside (CIG) is extracted from Cornus officinalis and has been shown to promote the clearance of tau oligomers via the autophagy pathway. However, the mechanisms of CIG on autophagy deficits are not understood. Here, we found autophagy deficit and tau aggregation in the brains of P301S tau transgenic mice and MAPT cells edited using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. CIG decreased tau aggregation and alleviated autophagic markers involving the JNK/Beclin-1 signaling pathway which demonstrated CIG that might enhance lysosome formation by upregulating ATPase Vps4A expression. Knocking down VPS4A increased autophagosome accumulation and attenuated the effect of CIG on p62. In addition, CIG had no effect on tau oligomers but still inhibited the level of tau monomer in VPS4A knockout cells. The effective component (Sweroside, SWE) of CIG attenuated tau oligomers accumulation and increased Vps4A level but not CHMP2B. SWE could not change the level of tau oligomers in VPS4A knockout cells. In conclusion, CIG suppressed autophagosome accumulation by regulating the ATPase Vps4A/JNK. SWE is a core of active factors of CIG in Vps4A regulation. These findings suggest CIG may be a potential drug in AD treatment.
Electron velocity distribution on the abrupt change in source–drain current of GaN devices
Authors: Mao Ling-Feng
Published: July 2022

An analytical model of the channel electron energy distribution in an on-state GaN transistor has been proposed based on the assumption that drift velocities of channel electrons obey the two-dimensional Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. The validity of such an assumption was confirmed by Monte Carlo simulation. It was found that there could be a larger number of high-energy channel electrons whose energy is higher than the intervalley energy between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] valleys in a GaN transistor with a high electron temperature. The fraction of hot electrons with its energy higher than the intervalley energy between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] valleys to the total channel electrons can easily reach 50% when the electron temperature is higher than 3000 K. Such an electron temperature in a GaN transistor had been determined in experiments. Thus, hot electrons in the [Formula: see text] valley can transit into [Formula: see text] valleys. It suggests that intervalley transitions could be one possible physical origin of the abrupt change in the source−drain current in GaN devices. The proposed model can well explain how an abrupt change in the source–drain current in GaN transistor experiments depends on the voltage-dependent gate, the trap, etc.
Some new types of optical solitons to the time-fractional new hamiltonian amplitude equation via extended Sinh-Gorden equation expansion method
Authors: Ali Khalid K. , Raheel M. , Inc Mustafa
Published: July 2022

This research is about some new exact solitons to the new Hamiltonian amplitude equation with novel truncated M-fractional derivatives. Extended Sinh-Gordon equation expansion method (ShGEEM) is applied to obtain solitons to the new Hamiltonian amplitude equation with novel truncated M-fractional derivatives. The obtained results may be used in the description of the model in a fruitful way. The novel derivative operator is applied to study the aforementioned model. The achieved results are in the form of dark, bright, and combo optical solitons. The achieved solutions are also verified by using the Mathematica software. Some of the solutions are drawn in two and three dimensions so that the results can be easily discussed through them.