bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient nano-photonic antennas based on dark states in quantum emitter rings
Authors: Moreno-Cardoner Maria , Holzinger Raphael , Ritsch Helmut
Published: January 2022

Nanoscopic arrays of quantum emitters can feature highly sub-radiant collective excitations with a lifetime exponentially growing with emitter number. Adding an absorptive impurity as an energy dump in the center of a ring shaped polygon allows to exploit this feature to create highly efficient single photon antennas. Here among regular polygons with an identical center absorbing emitter, a nonagon exhibits a distinct optimum of the absorption efficiency. This special enhancement originates from the unique emergence of a subradiant eigenstate with dominant center occupation. Only for nine emitters the sum of coupling strengths of each emitter to all others matches the center to the ring coupling. Analogous to a parabolic mirror the antenna ring then concentrates incoming radiation at its center without being significantly excited itself. Similar large efficiency enhancements, which even prevail for broadband excitation, can also be engineered for other antenna sizes by tailoring the frequency and magnitude of the central absorber. Interestingly, for very small structures a quantum treatment predicts an even stronger enhancement for the single photon absorption enhancement than a classical dipole model. As natural light harvesting structures are often based on ring shaped structures, the underlying principle might be exploited there as well.
High performance distributed feedback quantum cascade laser emitting at λ∼6.12um
Authors: Cheng Fengmin , Zhang Jinchuan , Sun Yongqiang , Zhuo Ning , Zhai Shenqiang , Liu Junqi , Wang Lijun , Liu Shuman , Liu Fengqi
Published: January 2022

Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers emitting at a wavelength of 6.12 µm are reported. Benefitted from the optimized materials epitaxy and the modified bound to continuum transition active region design along with three pairs of phonon scattering, high device performance is achieved. For a 2-mm-long, 8.4-µm-wide device, the threshold current is as low as 130 mA, the corresponding threshold current density is only 0.77 kA/cm2, and the optical output power is 69 mW at 20 °C in continuous wave mode. The temperature of continuous wave operation can reach 100 °C, where the optical output power is still more than 8 mW. In addition, it maintains a stable single mode operation from 20 to 100 °C without mode hopping, corresponding to a total wavelength shift of 41 nm. Such low-threshold quantum cascade lasers are highly beneficial to portable and highly integrated system sensor applications.
Fabrication of yttrium aluminosilicate fibers with high Yb3+ doping from Yb:YAG ceramic nanopowders and its application in single-frequency fiber lasers
Authors: Qi Fuxin , Zheng Baoluo , Yang Jing , Liu Jinming , Li Biao , Zhang Xin , Zhang Qian , Hou Yubin , Wang Pu
Published: January 2022

A yttrium aluminosilicate fiber with a Yb doping concentration of 4.53 wt.% was fabricated by powder-in-tube method, in which the preform core was Yb:YAG ceramic nanopowders synthesized by co-precipitation method. Compared with the method of using YAG crystal rod as fiber core, the fiber composition design can be more flexible and a series of crystal rod processing technology can be circumvented. The absorption coefficient of the Yb-doped YAS fibers was measured 28.4 dB/cm at 976 nm. A single-frequency fiber laser was constructed with the YAS fiber length of 1cm. To our knowledge, this is the first time that rare earth (RE) doped YAS fiber prepared by powder-in-tube method was used in fiber laser.
Colon stroma mediates an inflammation-driven fibroblastic response controlling matrix remodeling and healing
Authors: Jasso Guadalupe J. , Jaiswal Alok , Varma Mukund , Laszewski Tyler , Grauel Angelo , Omar Abdifatah , Silva Nilsa , Dranoff Glenn , Porter Jeffrey A. , Mansfield Keith , Cremasco Viviana , Regev Aviv , Xavier Ramnik J. , Graham Daniel B.
Published: January 2022

Chronic inflammation is often associated with the development of tissue fibrosis, but how mesenchymal cell responses dictate pathological fibrosis versus resolution and healing remains unclear. Defining stromal heterogeneity and identifying molecular circuits driving extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling stands to illuminate the relationship between inflammation, fibrosis, and healing. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of colon-derived stromal cells and identified distinct classes of fibroblasts with gene signatures that are differentially regulated by chronic inflammation, including IL-11–producing inflammatory fibroblasts. We further identify a transcriptional program associated with trans-differentiation of mucosa-associated fibroblasts and define a functional gene signature associated with matrix deposition and remodeling in the inflamed colon. Our analysis supports a critical role for the metalloprotease Adamdec1 at the interface between tissue remodeling and healing during colitis, demonstrating its requirement for colon epithelial integrity. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how inflammation perturbs stromal cell behaviors to drive fibroblastic responses controlling mucosal matrix remodeling and healing.
Community trust of government and non-governmental organizations during the 2014-16 Ebola epidemic in Liberia
Authors: Arthur Ronan F. , Horng Lily M. , Bolay Fatorma K. , Tandanpolie Amos , Gilstad John R. , Tantum Lucy K. , Luby Stephen P.
Published: January 2022

The West African Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2014-16 cost more than 11,000 lives. Interventions targeting key behaviors to curb transmission, such as safe funeral practices and reporting and isolating the ill, were initially unsuccessful in a climate of fear, mistrust, and denial. Building trust was eventually recognized as essential to epidemic response and prioritized, and trust was seen to improve toward the end of the epidemic as incidence fell. However, little is understood about how and why trust changed during Ebola, what factors were most influential to community trust, and how different institutions might have been perceived under different levels of exposure to the outbreak. In this large-N household survey conducted in Liberia in 2018, we measured self-reported trust over time retrospectively in three different communities with different exposures to Ebola. We found trust was consistently higher for non-governmental organizations than for the government of Liberia across all time periods. Trust reportedly decreased significantly from the start to the peak of the epidemic in the study site of highest Ebola incidence. This finding, in combination with a negative association found between knowing someone infected and trust of both iNGOs and the government, indicates the experience of Ebola may have itself caused a decline of trust in the community. These results suggest that national governments should aim to establish trust when engaging communities to change behavior during epidemics. Further research on the relationship between trust and epidemics may serve to improve epidemic response efficacy and behavior uptake.
Interbirth interval practices among reproductive age women in rural and Urban kebeles in Farta Woreda: Case-control study
Authors: Mihretie Gedefaye Nibret , Getie Simegnew Asmer , Shiferaw Shumye , Ayele Alemu Degu , Liyeh Tewachew Muche , Kassa Bekalu Getnet , Asferie Worku Necho
Published: January 2022

Background

Closely spaced births have been reported all over the world especially in developing countries, and they have been correlated with poor maternal and infant health. Enhancing optimal birth interval is one of the key strategies to promote the health status of mothers and their children. However, factors affecting short birth intervals have not been identified in the study area and region. This study was aimed to assess determinants of short birth interval practice among reproductive women in Farta woreda, Ethiopia, 2019.

Methods

Community based unmatched case-control study design was conducted from February to March 2019. The sample size of 303 (101 case and 202 controls) was included by using multistage sampling and then study participants were selected by simple random sampling technique. The data was collected by structured and pre-tested face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaires from the selected respondents. The collected data were entered with Epi-Data version 4.2 and analyzed by using SPSS version 23 software. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the association. Odds ratios, 95% CI, and P-value <0.05 were used to determine the statistical association.

Results

Women who had no formal education (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI (1.19, 3.88), had not a history of antenatal care follow up (AOR = 2.66, 95% CI (1.55, 4.56)), did not use modern contraceptives before getting the latest pregnancy (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI (1.74, 6.95)) and duration of breastfeeding less than 24 months (AOR = 3.59, 95% CI (2.06, 6.24)) were significantly associated with short birth interval.

Conclusions and recommendation

Maternal education, duration of breastfeeding, contraceptive utilization, and antenatal follow-up were identified as the predictor variables of short birth interval practice. Therefore, providing health information for reproductive-age women about the benefit of contraceptive utilization, breastfeeding practice and antenatal care follow up to minimize problems resulting from the short birth intervals.
Cyclophosphamide addition to pomalidomide/dexamethasone is not necessarily associated with universal benefits in RRMM
Authors: Park Hyunkyung , Byun Ja Min , Yoon Sung-Soo , Koh Youngil , Yoon Sock-Won , Shin Dong-Yeop , Hong Junshik , Kim Inho
Published: January 2022

In the backdrop of rapidly changing relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma (MM) treatment schema that mainly evolves around immunotherapies, it is easy to disregard more traditional drugs. Finding the best partner for pomalidomide, a potent third-generation immunomodulatory drug, is an important agenda we face as a community and cyclophosphamide addition has been used for outcomes augmentation. We carried out this real-world study to identify patients who will show durable response to pomalidomide and those who will benefit from cyclophosphamide addition. A total of 103 patients (57 in pomalidomide-dexamethasone [Pd] group versus 46 in pomalidomide-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone [PCd]) were studied. They were previously treated with bortezomib (98.1%) or lenalidomide (100%) and previous lines of therapy were median 3 lines. Significantly better overall response rate (ORR) was seen in the PCd (75.6%) than Pd (41.7%) group (p = 0.001), but no differences in survival outcomes. Subgroup analysis revealed that high-risk myeloma features, poor response to lenalidomide or bortezomib had superior ORRs when cyclophosphamide was added. Also, long-term responders for pomalidomide were associated with excellent response to previous IMiD treatments. Pomalidomide-based therapy was discontinued in five patients due to intolerance or adverse events, but there was no mortality during treatment. In conclusion, we showed that pomalidomide-based treatment is still relevant and can ensure durable response in RRMM setting, especially for patients who responded well to previous lenalidomide. Addition of cyclophosphamide to Pd is associated with better ORR, and can be positively considered in fit patients with high-risk MM, extramedullary disease, and less-than-satisfactory response to previous lenalidomide treatment.
Novel track field test to determine Vpeak, relationship with treadmill test and 10-km running performance in trained endurance runners
Authors: Manoel Francisco de A. , Peserico Cecilia S. , Machado Fabiana A.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the peak running velocity on the track field (Vpeak_TF) based on the laboratory treadmill test (Vpeak_T), and relate the Vpeak values as well as their correlation with the 10-km running performance in trained endurance runners.

Method

Twenty male trained endurance runners (age: 29.5 ± 5.3 years; V̇O2max: 67.5±17.6 ml · kg-1·min-1) performed three maximum incremental tests to determine the Vpeak: one for Vpeak_T determination and two to obtain Vpeak_TF on the official track field (400 m), and a 10-km running performance. During the incremental tests, maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximal rating of perceived exertion (RPEmax), and peak lactate concentration (LApeak) were determined.

Results

The results showed significant difference between the Vpeak_TF and Vpeak_T (18.1 ± 1.2 vs. 19.2 ± 1.5 km·h-1, respectively), as well as the total time of the tests, the distance traveled and the RPEmax determined during the tests. A high correlation was observed between the Vpeak values (r = 0.94), and between Vpeak_TF and Vpeak_T with 10-km running performance (r = -0.95 vs. r = -0.89, respectively).

Conclusions

The good agreement and association with Vpeak_T and high correlation with 10-km running performance demonstrate that the novel track field test is efficient for Vpeak_TF determination.
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men accessing STI clinics: Optimizing HIV PrEP implementation
Authors: Samji Hasina , Hu Jia , Otterstatter Michael , Hull Mark , Grennan Troy , Moore David , Gilbert Mark , Higgins Rob , Wong Jason
Published: January 2022

Background

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) who attend STI clinics represent an easily accessible population for promoting HIV prevention interventions. We examined characteristics of gbMSM STI clinic attendees to identify those who could most benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Setting

GbMSM STI clinic attendees in British Columbia (BC), Canada

Methods

A clinical electronic charting system of STI clinics in BC was used to identify gbMSM from 2004 to 2017. Incident HIV cases were defined as testers who had at least one HIV-negative test and a subsequent HIV-positive test. Seroconversion rates were calculated by risk factor variables and by year. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify independent predictors of HIV seroconversion.

Results

There were 9,038 gbMSM included, of whom 257 HIV seroconverted over the study period and 8,781 remained negative HIV testers, contributing 650.8 and 29,591.0 person-years to the analysis, respectively. The overall rate of seroconversion was 0.85 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.75–0.96). Incidence rates were higher among patients reporting >5 partners in the previous six months, inconsistent condom use, or having a partner living with HIV and who had a previous or concurrent diagnosis of rectal gonorrhea or rectal chlamydia. gbMSM presenting with two STIs such as rectal gonorrhea and syphilis (3.59/100 person-years [95%CI: 2.33–5.22]) or rectal chlamydia and syphilis (3.01/100 person-years [95%CI: 2.00–4.29]) had the highest incidence rates.

Conclusion

gbMSM with preceding or concurrent rectal STI diagnoses or syphilis had higher rates of HIV seroconversion. The data support the inclusion of specific STI diagnoses as an indication for PrEP.
Validation of a quantitative web-based food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intake in the adult Emirati population
Authors: El Mesmoudi Najoua , Al Dhaheri Ayesha S. , Feehan Jack , Stojanovska Lily , Ali Habiba I.
Published: January 2022

Background and objective

A culture-specific web-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary intake in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) adult population was developed using data from the 2009–2010 national nutrition survey. The objective of this study was to assess the relative validity of the newly developed FFQ for use in the adult Emirati population (AE-FFQ), which contained a list of 139 food lines.

Methods

A convenient sample of 60 (36 females and 24 males) adult Emiratis completed 3 non-consecutive 24HRs over a period of one month, followed by the AE-FFQ, which assessed the intake over the previous month. Relative validity was evaluated by comparing nutrient and food group intakes from the AE-FFQ with the average three 24HRs using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Spearman’s correlation coefficients (CC), Bland-Altman analysis, and cross-classification.

Results

The AE-FFQ overestimated energy and most nutrients and food groups. Bland–Altman analysis showed significant proportional bias between the 2 methods. Deattenuated energy-adjusted Spearman correlation coefficients were poor to good ranging from 0.06 (iron) to 0.62 (fiber) for nutrients, 0.39 median value, and from –0.01 (cruciferous vegetables) to 0.64 (eggs) for food groups, 0.41 median value. A fairly acceptable agreement was obtained, with correct classification into the same or adjacent quartile ranging from 34% (vitamin B12) to 78% (pyridoxine), median 69% for nutrients and from 55% (diet soft drinks) to 87% (soft drinks), median 67% for food groups.

Conclusions

The AE-FFQ is an acceptable tool for ranking UAE adults (aged 18 to 50) according to their dietary intake to investigate the role of Emirati dietary patterns on health and disease. Caution is needed for assessing absolute intake, however, given the bias observed in assessing group-level agreement.
Exploring association between place of delivery and newborn care with early-neonatal mortality in Bangladesh
Authors: Ijdi Rashida-E , Tumlinson Katherine , Curtis Siân L.
Published: January 2022

Objective

Bangladesh achieved the fourth Millennium Development Goal well ahead of schedule, with a significant reduction in under-5 mortality between 1990 and 2015. However, the reduction in neonatal mortality has been stagnant in recent years. The purpose of this study is to explore the association between place of delivery and newborn care with early neonatal mortality (ENNM), which represents more than 80% of total neonatal mortality in Bangladesh.

Methods

In this study, 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data were used to assess early neonatal survival in children born in the three years preceding the survey. The roles of place of the delivery and newborn care in ENNM were examined using multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for clustering and relevant socio-economic, pregnancy, and newborn characteristics.

Results

Between 2012 and 2014, there were 4,624 deliveries in 17,863 sampled households, 39% of which were delivered at health facilities. The estimated early neonatal mortality rate during this period was 15 deaths per 1,000 live births. We found that newborns who had received at least 3 components of essential newborn care (ENC) were 56% less likely to die during the first seven days of their lives compared to their counterparts who received 0–2 components of ENC (aOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.24–0.81). In addition, newborns who had received any postnatal care (PNC) were 68% less likely to die in the early neonatal period than those who had not received any PNC (aOR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.16–0.64). Facility delivery was not significantly associated with the risk of early newborn death in any of the models.

Conclusion

Our study findings highlight the importance of newborn and postnatal care in preventing early neonatal deaths. Further, findings suggest that increasing the proportion of women who give birth in a healthcare facility is not sufficient to reduce ENNM by itself; to realize the theoretical potential of facility delivery to avert neonatal deaths, we must also ensure quality of care during delivery, guarantee all components of ENC, and provide high-quality early PNC. Therefore, sustained efforts to expand access to high-quality ENC and PNC are needed in health facilities, particularly in facilities serving low-income populations.
Characteristics of pediatric emergency department frequent visitors and their risk of a return visit: A large observational study using electronic health record data
Authors: Vrijlandt Sanne E. W. , Nieboer Daan , Zachariasse Joany M. , Oostenbrink Rianne
Published: January 2022

Background

Among pediatric emergency department (ED) visits, a subgroup of children repeatedly visits the ED, making them frequent visitors (FVs). The aim of this study is to get insight into the group of pediatric ED FVs and to determine risk factors associated with a revisit.

Methods and findings

Data of all children aged 0–18 years visiting the ED of a university hospital in the Netherlands between 2017 and 2020 were included in this observational study based on routine data extraction. Children with 4 or more ED visits within 365 days were classified as FVs. Descriptive analysis of the study cohort at patient- and visit-level were performed. Risk factors for a recurrent ED visit were determined using a Prentice Williams and Peterson gap time cox-based model. Our study population of 10,209 children with 16,397 ED visits contained 500 FVs (4.9%) accounting for 3,481 visits (21.2%). At patient-level, FVs were younger and more often suffered from chronic diseases (CDs). At visit-level, frequent visits were more often initiated by self-referral and were more often related to medical problems (compared to trauma’s). Overall, FVs presented at the ED more often because of an infection (41.3%) compared to non-FVs (27.4%), either associated or not with the body system affected by the CD. We identified the presence of a comorbidity (non-complex CD HR 1.66; 1.52–1.81 and complex CD HR 2.00; 1.84–2.16) as determinants with the highest hazard for a return visit.

Conclusion

Pediatric ED FVs are a small group of children but account for a large amount of the total ED visits. FVs are younger patients, suffering from (complex) comorbidities and present more often with infectious conditions compared to non-FVs. Healthcare pathways, including safety-netting strategies for acute manifestations from their comorbidity, or for infectious conditions in general may contribute to support parents and redirect some patients from the ED.
Amino acid substitutions at the HIV-1 transframe region significantly impair virus infectivity
Authors: Yu Fu-Hsien , Huang Kuo-Jung , Wang Chin-Tien
Published: January 2022

A transframe region within HIV-1 Gag-Pol (referred to as p6* or p6pol), directly linked to the protease (PR) N-terminus, plays a pivotal role in modulating PR activation. To identify specific p6* residues involved in PR activation, we created a series of p6* mutants by making substitutions for conserved p6* residues. Our results indicate that some p6* mutants were defective in terms of virus infectivity, despite displaying a wild-type virus particle processing pattern. Mutations at p6* F8 reduced virus infectivity associated with insufficient virus processing, due in part to impaired PR maturation and RT packaging. Our data strongly suggest that conserved Phe (F) residues at position 8 of p6* are involved in the PR maturation process.
Regional responsibility and coordination of appropriate inpatient care capacities for patients with COVID-19 – the German DISPENSE model
Authors: Lünsmann Benedict J. , Polotzek Katja , Kleber Christian , Gebler Richard , Bierbaum Veronika , Walther Felix , Baum Fabian , Juncken Kathleen , Forkert Christoph , Lange Toni , Held Hanns-Christoph , Mogwitz Andreas , Weidemann Robin R. , Sedlmayr Martin , Lakowa Nicole , Stehr Sebastian N. , Albrecht Michael , Karschau Jens , Schmitt Jochen
Published: January 2022

As of late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge to health care systems worldwide. Rapidly rising local COVID-19 incidence rates, result in demand for high hospital and intensive care bed capacities on short notice. A detailed up-to-date regional surveillance of the dynamics of the pandemic, precise prediction of required inpatient capacities of care as well as a centralized coordination of the distribution of regional patient fluxes is needed to ensure optimal patient care. In March 2020, the German federal state of Saxony established three COVID-19 coordination centers located at each of its maximum care hospitals, namely the University Hospitals Dresden and Leipzig and the hospital Chemnitz. Each center has coordinated inpatient care facilities for the three regions East, Northwest and Southwest Saxony with 36, 18 and 29 hospital sites, respectively. Fed by daily data flows from local public health authorities capturing the dynamics of the pandemic as well as daily reports on regional inpatient care capacities, we established the information and prognosis tool DISPENSE. It provides a regional overview of the current pandemic situation combined with daily prognoses for up to seven days as well as outlooks for up to 14 days of bed requirements. The prognosis precision varies from 21% and 38% to 12% and 15% relative errors in normal ward and ICU bed demand, respectively, depending on the considered time period. The deployment of DISPENSE has had a major positive impact to stay alert for the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and to allocate resources as needed. The application of a mathematical model to forecast required bed capacities enabled concerted actions for patient allocation and strategic planning. The ad-hoc implementation of these tools substantiates the need of a detailed data basis that enables appropriate responses, both on regional scales in terms of clinic resource planning and on larger scales concerning political reactions to pandemic situations.
A random subspace ensemble classification model for discrimination of power quality events in solar PV microgrid power network
Authors: Vinayagam Arangarajan , Othman Mohammad Lutfi , Veerasamy Veerapandiyan , Saravan Balaji Suganthi , Ramaiyan Kalaivani , Radhakrishnan Padmavathi , Raman Mohan Das , Abdul Wahab Noor Izzri
Published: January 2022

This study proposes SVM based Random Subspace (RS) ensemble classifier to discriminate different Power Quality Events (PQEs) in a photovoltaic (PV) connected Microgrid (MG) model. The MG model is developed and simulated with the presence of different PQEs (voltage and harmonic related signals and distinctive transients) in both on-grid and off-grid modes of MG network, respectively. In the pre-stage of classification, the features are extracted from numerous PQE signals by Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) analysis, and the extracted features are used to learn the classifiers at the final stage. In this study, first three Kernel types of SVM classifiers (Linear, Quadratic, and Cubic) are used to predict the different PQEs. Among the results that Cubic kernel SVM classifier offers higher accuracy and better performance than other kernel types (Linear and Quadradic). Further, to enhance the accuracy of SVM classifiers, a SVM based RS ensemble model is proposed and its effectiveness is verified with the results of kernel based SVM classifiers under the standard test condition (STC) and varying solar irradiance of PV in real time. From the final results, it can be concluded that the proposed method is more robust and offers superior performance with higher accuracy of classification than kernel based SVM classifiers.
Identification of potentially anti-COVID-19 active drugs using the connectivity MAP
Authors: Bonnet Raphaël , Mariault Lee , Peyron Jean-François
Published: January 2022

Drug repurposing can be an interesting strategy for an emergency response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2, (SARS-COV-2), the causing agent of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. For this, we applied the Connectivity Map (CMap) bioinformatic resource to identify drugs that generate, in the CMap database, gene expression profiles (GEP) that negatively correlate with a SARS-COV-2 GEP, anticipating that these drugs could antagonize the deleterious effects of the virus at cell, tissue or organism levels. We identified several anti-cancer compounds that target MDM2 in the p53 pathway or signaling proteins: Ras, PKBβ, Nitric Oxide synthase, Rho kinase, all involved in the transmission of proliferative and growth signals. We hypothesized that these drugs could interfere with the high rate of biomass synthesis in infected cells, a feature shared with cancer cells. Other compounds including etomoxir, triacsin-c, PTB1-IN-3, are known to modulate lipid metabolism or to favor catabolic reactions by activating AMPK. Four different anti-inflammatory molecules, including dexamethasone, fluorometholone and cytosporone-b, targeting the glucocorticoid receptor, cyclooxygenase, or NUR77 also came out of the analysis. These results represent a first step in the characterization of potential repositioning strategies to treat SARS-COV-2.
Evaluating the quality of life among melasma patients using the MELASQoL scale: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Yuan , Zeng Xiaofang , Ying Jieya , Cai Yujia , Qiu Yu , Xiang Wenzhong
Published: January 2022

Background

According to the literature, pigmentary disorders have a significantly negative impact on a person’s health-related quality of life. Moreover, among pigmentary disorders, incidence of melasma ranks high. The Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) is the scale that is generally used to evaluate a melasma-affected area and its severity. However, the relationship between the MASI and Melasma Quality of Life (MELASQoL) scores, as well as the impact of melasma on patients’ quality of life, remain unclear.

Objectives

To explore the influence of melasma on patients’ lives, analyze the relationship between the MASI and MELASQoL scores, and identify the factors that may be influencing the quality of life of patients with melasma.

Methods

Two reviewers independently searched four databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) for literature on quality of life of patients with melasma. In addition to an epidemiological study, a cross-sectional study, and validation studies, gray literature was also included. StataSE version 16 software was used for the meta-analysis. The score of each item on the MELASQoL scale was determined using a random-effects model.

Results

Fourteen studies with a total of 1398 melasma patients were included in the systematic review, four of which were eligible for meta-analysis. The relationship between the MELASQoL and MASI scores was found to be mixed. Five studies concluded that the MASI and MELASQoL scores were statistically correlated, while seven studies found no statistical correlation between the two. It is obvious that melasma causes emotional distress and has a negative impact on patients’ social lives. Patients were most bothered by the appearance of their skin condition. However, the MELASQoL score had no definite correlation with patient characteristics such as age, education levels, and history.

Conclusion

Melasma has a significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Thus, evaluating the quality of life of patients with melasma should not be ignored. Additionally, utilization of the MELASQoL scale should be considered in the care plan. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the relationship between melasma and quality of life.
Factors influencing quality nutrition service provision at antenatal care contacts: Findings from a public health facility-based observational study in 21 districts of Bangladesh
Authors: Billah Sk Masum , Ali Nazia Binte , Khan Abdullah Nurus Salam , Raynes-Greenow Camille , Kelly Patrick John , Siraj Md. Shahjahan , Askari Sufia , Menon Purnima , Arifeen Shams El , Dibley Michael John , Nguyen Phuong Hong
Published: January 2022

Malnutrition during pregnancy is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality and has a long-term negative impact on child growth and development. Antenatal care (ANC) is the formal point of contact for pregnant women to receive preventive health and nutrition services. We assessed the quality of nutrition service delivery during ANC and examined its influencing factors related to the health facility, health care provider (HCP) and client characteristics. We conducted a cross-sectional assessment in 179 facilities, including 1,242 ANC observations and exit interviews of pregnant women from 21 districts in Bangladesh. We considered four essential nutrition services at each ANC contact including maternal weight measurement, anaemia assessment, nutrition counselling and iron-folic acid (IFA) supplement provision. We defined a composite ‘quality nutrition service’ outcome by counting the number of services (out of four) provided at each ANC from observation data. We explored both the supply-side and the client-level factors of quality nutrition service using multilevel Poisson regression. Overall, only 15% of clients received all four nutrition services. Performance of weight measurement (79%) was higher than IFA provision (56%), anaemia assessment (52%) and nutrition counselling (52%). The multivariable analysis showed that quality nutrition service delivery is positively associated with good logistical readiness of the facilities (aIRR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08–1.39), consultation by paramedics (aIRR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06–1.42) and community health care providers (aIRR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.12–1.57), HCPs’ knowledge on maternal nutrition (aIRR 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01–1.08), better HCP-client communication (aIRR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.04–1.26) and use visual aids or ANC card (aIRR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.11–1.27). We found limited associations between HCP training and external supervision with the quality of nutrition services. In conclusion, the quality of nutrition service provision during ANC is suboptimal. Public health nutrition programmers should ensure the facilities’ logistical readiness, and revisit and reinforce the content and modality of training and supportive supervision of the HCPs. They should also emphasize positive HCP-client communication and the use of job aids to improve the quality of nutrition service provision during ANC.
Resilience profiles across context: A latent profile analysis in a German, Greek, and Swiss sample of adolescents
Authors: Janousch Clarissa , Anyan Frederick , Kassis Wassilis , Morote Roxanna , Hjemdal Odin , Sidler Petra , Graf Ulrike , Rietz Christian , Chouvati Raia , Govaris Christos
Published: January 2022

The present study investigated resilience profiles (based on levels of symptoms of anxiety and depression and five dimensions of protective factors) of 1,160 students from Germany (n= 346, 46.0% females,Mage= 12.77,SDage= 0.78), Greece (n= 439, 54.5% females,Mage= 12.68,SDage= 0.69), and Switzerland (n= 375, 44.5% females,Mage= 12.29,SDage= 0.88) using latent profile analyses. We also checked for measurement invariance and investigated the influence of gender and migration on class membership. A three-profile-solution was found for Switzerland (nonresilient 22.1%, moderately resilient 42.9%, untroubled 34.9%), and a four-profile-solution was the best fitting model for Germany (nonresilient 15.7%, moderately resilient 44.2%, untroubled 27.3%, resilient 12.7%) and Greece (nonresilient 21.0%, moderately resilient 30.8%, untroubled 24.9%, resilient 23.3%). Measurement invariance did not hold across the three countries. Profile differences regarding class membership predictions were detected for Germany and Greece, but none for Switzerland. Results implicate that resilience profiles are highly contextually sensitive, and resilience research findings should not be generalized considering the particularity of contexts, people, and outcomes.
Social cognitive outcomes are associated with improvements in mobility performance following lifestyle intervention in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Chaplow Zachary L. , Lucas Alexander R. , Grainger Elizabeth , Simpson Christina , Fairman Ciaran M. , DeScenza Victoria R. , Bowman Jessica , Clinton Steven K. , Focht Brian C.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To compare the effects of an exercise and dietary intervention with those of standard-of-care management upon change in lift and carry performance and mobility-related self-efficacy beliefs and explore associations in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.

Methods

32 prostate cancer patients (Mage = 66.2 years;SD= 7.8) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy were randomly assigned to a 3-month exercise and dietary lifestyle intervention (n= 16) or standard-of-care management (n= 16). Outcome assessments were obtained at baseline, 2- and 3-month follow-up.

Results

The lifestyle intervention resulted in significantly greater improvements in lift and carry performance (p= 0.01) at 2 Months (d= 1.01; p < 0.01) and 3 Months (d= 0.95; p < 0.01) and superior improvements in mobility-related self-efficacy at 2 Months (d= 0.38) and 3 Months (d= 0.58) relative to standard-of-care. Mobility-related self-efficacy (r= -.66;p= 0.006) and satisfaction with function (r= -.63;p= 0.01) were significantly correlated with lift and carry performance at 3 Months.

Conclusions

The exercise and dietary lifestyle intervention yielded superior improvements in lift and carry performance and mobility-related self-efficacy relative to standard-of-care and key social cognitive outcomes were associated with more favorable mobility performance.
Association between the caregivers’ oral health literacy and the oral health of children and youth with special health care needs
Authors: Baskaradoss Jagan Kumar , AlSumait Aishah , Behbehani Eman , Qudeimat Muawia A.
Published: January 2022

Aim

Previous studies have shown that children of caregivers with low oral health literacy (OHL) had more untreated caries than children of caregivers with adequate OHL. However, there is a paucity of information on this relationship among children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Accordingly, this study aims to assess the association between the caregivers’ OHL and the oral health status of CYSHCN.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in four schools dedicated for CYSHCN. A 48-item questionnaire gathered information about the demographic and socioeconomic factors, the child/adolescent’s medical condition, dental characteristics, caregiver self-efficacy and the child’s dental attitude. The Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (CMOHK) questionnaire was used to assess the caregivers’ OHL. The Löe & Silness gingival index (GI) and the Silness & Löe plaque index (PI) were used to assess gingival health and plaque levels, respectively. Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) were utilized for the selection of the appropriate set of confounding variables for regression analysis. The mean score differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to quantify the associations of the various covariates with oral health outcome variables.

Results

This study included 214 child/caregiver dyads. Most participants were physically disabled (56.1%) followed by children with hearing difficulty (9.8%) and congenital anomalies/syndromes (7.9%). The mean PI and GI of the children was 1.26±0.52 and 1.30±0.47, respectively. The median CMOHK score was 12 and the respondents were dichotomized based on the median value. Low caregiver oral health conceptual knowledge was significantly associated with higher PI scores (β [95% CI] = -0.26 [-0.41, -0.13]; p<0.001. Older participants (12-21-year-olds) had significantly higher plaque scores compared with younger participants (6-12-year-olds) (β [95% CI] = 0.33 [0.18, 0.51]; p<0.001). Participants who brushed their teeth twice or more daily had significantly lower (β [95% CI] = -0.15 [-0.43, -0.01]; p = 0.046). Conceptual knowledge score was not significantly associated with GI.

Conclusion

This study found lower caregiver OHL levels to be associated with higher plaque scores for their child.
Factors associated with baseline smoking self-efficacy among male Qatari residents enrolled in a quit smoking study
Authors: Al Thani Mohammed , Leventakou Vasiliki , Sofroniou Angeliki , Butt Hamza I. , Hakim Iman A. , Thomson Cynthia , Nair Uma S.
Published: January 2022

Smoking self-efficacy, described as confidence in one’s ability to abstain from smoking in high-risk situations is a key predictor in cessation outcomes; however, there is a dearth of research on factors that influence self-efficacy surrounding smoking behavior. This study examines factors associated with baseline self-efficacy among treatment seeking participants enrolled in a pilot feasibility smoking cessation study. Participants (n = 247) were daily male smokers, residents of Doha in Qatar (18–60 years) who were enrolled in a telephone-based smoking cessation study. Baseline assessments included self-efficacy, home smoking rules, socio-demographic variables, smoking history, and psychosocial characteristics. Factors associated with self-efficacy were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis. Results showed that after controlling for relevant variables, number of cigarettes smoked (β^ = -0.22; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.06), having at least one quit attempt in the past year (β^ = 2.30; 95% CI: 0.27, 4.35), and reporting a complete home smoking ban (β^ = 3.13; 95% CI: 0.56, 5.70) were significantly associated with higher self-efficacy to quit smoking. These results provide data-driven indication of several key variables that can be targeted to increase smoking self-efficacy in this understudied population.
Guanosine inhibits hepatitis C virus replication and increases indel frequencies, associated with altered intracellular nucleotide pools
Authors: Sabariegos Rosario , Ortega-Prieto Ana María , Díaz-Martínez Luis , Grande-Pérez Ana , García Crespo Carlos , Gallego Isabel , de Ávila Ana I. , Albentosa-González Laura , Soria María Eugenia , Gastaminza Pablo , Domingo Esteban , Perales Celia , Mas Antonio
Published: January 2022

In the course of experiments aimed at deciphering the inhibition mechanism of mycophenolic acid and ribavirin in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we observed an inhibitory effect of the nucleoside guanosine (Gua). Here, we report that Gua, and not the other standard nucleosides, inhibits HCV replication in human hepatoma cells. Gua did not directly inhibit the in vitro polymerase activity of NS5B, but it modified the intracellular levels of nucleoside di- and tri-phosphates (NDPs and NTPs), leading to deficient HCV RNA replication and reduction of infectious progeny virus production. Changes in the concentrations of NTPs or NDPs modified NS5B RNA polymerase activity in vitro, in particular de novo RNA synthesis and template switching. Furthermore, the Gua-mediated changes were associated with a significant increase in the number of indels in viral RNA, which may account for the reduction of the specific infectivity of the viral progeny, suggesting the presence of defective genomes. Thus, a proper NTP:NDP balance appears to be critical to ensure HCV polymerase fidelity and minimal production of defective genomes.
Uncanny, abject, mutant monster: From Frankenstein to Genderpunk
Authors: Eklund Tof
Published: January 2022

This article starts with the key figure of Frankenstein’s monster and traces it from its tragic Gothic origins to its use in transphobic scholarship and on to its reclamation both by queer scholars and a growing trend in queer culture towards claiming monsters and monstrosity as their own. Gothic and psychoanalytic understandings of monstrosity, the uncanny and the abject are explored in relationship to queer theory about performativity, failure and ‘anarchitectural’ identity formation. The social media phenomenon ‘the Babadook is Gay’ and the figure of the mutant in popular culture bridge to the new Gothic and the formulation of the ‘genderpunk gayme’ as an aesthetic and political form with a commitment to queer acceptance and intersectional solidarity.
Locating Australian Literary Memory, Brigid Magner (2020)
Authors: Lee Brien Donna
Published: January 2022

Review of: Locating Australian Literary Memory, Brigid Magner (2020)

London: Anthem Press, 280 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-78527-107-6, h/bk, AUD 144
El pueblo trabajador vasco. Breve historia de la formación de un concepto y sus consecuencias estratégicas en ETA
Authors: Almeida Díez Adrián
Published: January 2022

Las siguientes páginas estudian a partir de un enfoque interpretativo la formación histórica del concepto del Pueblo Trabajador Vasco en la organización ETA. Para ello desarrollamos un análisis que va desde el estudio de los imaginarios de las primeras juventudes nacionalistas vascas durante los años 40 a la ideología oficial de este colectivo armado en la década de los 60. Las fuentes utilizadas han sido fundamentalmente las publicaciones periódicas de estas agrupaciones (boletines como Beti Gazte!, Zabaldu, Kemen o Zutik) así como distintas obras ajenas a ellas, pero relevantes para la formación de su corpus doctrinal (por ejemplo, el libro de Federico Krutwig, Vasconia). A partir del análisis de la historia formativa del concepto de Pueblo Trabajador Vasco como sujeto al que apelaba ETA, hemos conseguido realizar una relectura de la estrategia desarrollada por este grupo desde su nacimiento y hasta el desarrollo de su Quinta Asamblea entre los años 1966-1967. De modo tentativo, hemos descrito el uso de la violencia por parte de ETA como una estrategia constatativa. Es decir, su uso se orientaba a hacer visible el concepto subjetivo concebido por el colectivo armado como el reverso de todo lo afirmado en el régimen franquista. De forma paralela, las secciones no armadas de la organización se determinaron por realizar el proyecto político de ETA, la independencia y el socialismo del País Vasco, tratando de extender esa alternativa política entre la población.
La demarcación de los espacios de tránsito en Los Millares (Santa Fe de Mondújar, Almería) y su relación con el simbolismo megalítico
Authors: Cámara Serrano Juan Antonio , Dorado Alejos Alberto , Spanedda Liliana , Fernández Ruiz Marcos , Martínez García Julián , Haro Navarro Martín , Martínez Fernández Gabriel , Carrión Méndez Francisco , Molina González Fernando
Published: January 2022

Recientes investigaciones en el yacimiento calcolítico de Los Millares, Santa Fe de Mondújar, Almería, han permitido reconocer diferentes representaciones figurativas asociadas a la muralla más exterior o Muralla I, construida en torno a 2900 cal AC. La erección de esta muralla supuso una importante ampliación del poblado al ocupar zonas anteriormente destinadas a necrópolis. Se propone que algunos elementos pertenecientes al área de necrópolis fueron respetados y reutilizados para justificar, a través de los ancestros, la capacidad de acceder al asentamiento a través de la puerta principal –con la estatua-menhir situada junto a esta–, la exclusión de aquellos no vinculados –con todas las representaciones en ambos extremos de la muralla–, la integración de nuevas poblaciones –con la Tumba 63 incluida en el trazado de la muralla–, el rol de determinados personajes  –con la estatua-menhir y la estela de la Tumba 63– y, en definitiva, los derechos a ocupar y explotar un territorio. Se señala además la relación de estos procesos con los identificados tradicionalmente en las tumbas de la necrópolis.