bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family Planning Performance in India: 1992–2016
Authors: Chaurasia Aalok Ranjan
Published: July 2021

This article analyses family planning performance in India based on a composite performance index which is newly developed for this purpose. The analysis suggests that there has been an improvement in family planning performance in the country over time. However, the performance remains poor, and there is substantial scope for further improvement. The analysis also reveals significant variation in family planning performance across India’s states/union territories and districts. The classification modelling exercise undertaken in this article reveals that districts can be grouped into eight clusters in terms of family planning performance. The districts are essentially different in different clusters on both the demand met for family planning and the composition of the demand met. This article emphasises that family planning in the country must be promoted as a development strategy rather than an intervention to limit births.
The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lifestyle Behaviors of Individuals
Authors: Uysal Hilal , Argın, MScN Esra
Published: July 2021

The study was planned and administered as a descriptive study to determine how COVID-19 pandemic affected the lifestyle behaviors of individuals. The study was administered from 30 June to 30 September by including 615 adult individuals who had been exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the healthy lifestyle behaviors scale II, the total mean score was found to be 126.37 ± 18.58. The health responsibility ( p = .032) and nutrition ( p = .004) subscale mean scores of women were found to be significantly higher than men, while the spiritual development subscale mean scores of men ( p = .047) were found to be significantly higher than that of women. It was found in this study that individuals did not regularly maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors in general during the pandemic period according to the subscales of health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual development, interpersonal relationships, and stress management.
The design of self-organizing human–swarm intelligence
Authors: Hasbach Jonas D , Bennewitz Maren
Published: July 2021

Human–swarm interaction is a frontier in the realms of swarm robotics and human-factors engineering. However, no holistic theory has been explicitly formulated that can inform how humans and robot swarms should interact through an interface while considering real-world demands, the relative capabilities of the components, as well as the desired joint-system behaviours. In this article, we apply a holistic perspective that we refer to as joint human–swarm loops, that is, a cybernetic system made of human, swarm and interface. We argue that a solution for human–swarm interaction should make the joint human–swarm loop an intelligent system that balances between centralized and decentralized control. The swarm-amplified human is suggested as a possible design that combines perspectives from swarm robotics, human-factors engineering and theoretical neuroscience to produce such a joint human–swarm loop. Essentially, it states that the robot swarm should be integrated into the human’s low-level nervous system function. This requires modelling both the robot swarm and the biological nervous system as self-organizing systems. We discuss multiple design implications that follow from the swarm-amplified human, including a computational experiment that shows how the robot swarm itself can be a self-organizing interface based on minimal computational logic.
An Adaptation of Multitiered Systems of Professional Development to Support Teacher Implementation of Tier 2 Behavioral Supports
Authors: Samudre Mark D. , Burt Jonathan L. , LeJeune Lauren M.
Published: July 2021

General education teachers encounter challenges with behavior management that are compounded by limited experience and training on implementing targeted behavioral supports. One research-based method to support teacher implementation of behavioral interventions is on-site coaching. Unfortunately, coaching can be a time- and resource-intensive approach to professional development. The purpose of this article is to provide intervention team leaders with a step-by-step process for providing feasible coaching support to teacher implementers of Tier 2 behavioral supports.
Navigated single-capture 3D and cross-sectional wide-field OCT of the mid and peripheral retina and vitreoretinal interface
Authors: Stanga Paulo Eduardo , Pastor-Idoate Salvador , Reinstein Ursula , Vatas Pooja , Patel Umangi , Dubovy Sander , Reinstein Dan Z , Zahavi Ori
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

Assess the mid and peripheral neuroretina and vitreoretinal interface using a novel Navigated Single-Capture 3D and Cross-Sectional Wide-Field Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography (WF SS-OCT) technology with correlation to Multi-Wavelength Ultra-Widefield Imaging (MW UWFI) and Histopathology reference.

Methods:

Retrospective observational study. A total of 74 patients (148 eyes) were imaged using WF SS-OCT and Navigated Single-Capture twelve 23 mm cross-sectional radial scan pattern at 15° intervals. Image diagnosis included: congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, choroidal nevus, ora serrata pearls, retinal tuft, lattice, snail track, cobblestone degeneration, retinal hole, retinal tear, degenerative retinoschisis, peripheral laser retinopexy, white without pressure, vitreous floaters, subclinical peripheral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD), and tractional RD in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. WF SS-OCT images were correlated with MW UWFI and histopathological references where available.

Results:

WF SS-OCT successfully imaged structural features in all diagnoses with significant improvement in diagnostic capability and increased the diagnosis of specific features such as vitreoretinal attachment, full thickness hole or tear and subretinal fluid. Histopathological correlation was available for five (5) different peripheral retinal pathologies imaged by both WF SS-OCT and MW UWFI and good anatomical correlation was observed in all diagnosis.

Conclusions:

Navigated Single-Capture 3D and Cross-Sectional WF SS-OCT provides detailed anatomic information of the mid and peripheral neuroretina and vitreoretinal interface, allowing early recognition of vision-threatening features that may influence clinical management, particularly in an era of telemedicine or when there is limited or no access to Indirect Ophthalmoscopy with 360° Scleral Indentation.
Evaluation of choroidal thickness in light-coloured eyes
Authors: Vural Esra , Hazar Leyla , Çağlayan Mehtap , Çelebi Ali Rıza Cenk
Published: July 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine whether iris colour is related to the choroidal thickness of healthy individuals.

Methods:

Healthy participants were divided into two groups. Group 1 had light-coloured eyes (blue and green), and group 2 had dark-coloured eyes (brown). The main outcome measures were iris thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness and nasal and temporal choroidal thicknesses 500 µm away from the fovea.

Results:

Group 1 comprised 31 subjects with light-coloured eyes, and group 2 had 31 subjects with dark eyes. The mean ages of groups 1 and 2 were 26.7 ± 7.5 years and 24.1 ± 5.8 years, respectively ( p = 0.14). The choroidal thicknesses of the subfoveal, nasal and temporal regions were 336.3 ± 52.1 µm, 321.9 ± 43.6 µm and 318.4 ± 49.2 µm, respectively, in group 1 and 396.5 ± 76.9 µm, 372 ± 79.3 µm and 379.6 ± 82.4 µm, respectively, in group 2. All the values in group 1 were statistically lower than those in group 2 ( p = 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). The iris thickness in group 1 (493.73 ± 95.44 µm) was thinner than in group 2 (524.61 ± 69.74 µm) but not statistically significant ( p = 0.141).

Conclusion:

The results showed that a thinner choroid can be seen in disease-free light-coloured eyes. The iris colour should be considered among the factors affecting the choroidal thickness, such as age, sex, race and refractive error.
PICC line management among patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Oza-Gajera Bharvi P , Davis James A , Farrington Crystal , Lerma Edgar V , Moossavi Shahriar , Sheta Mohamed A , Dwyer Amy , Almehmi Ammar
Published: July 2021

More than 1 million peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are placed annually in the US and are used to provide convenient vascular access for a variety of reasons including long term antibiotic treatment, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, and blood draws. Although they are relatively easy to place and inexpensive, PICC line use is associated with many complications such as phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, catheter-related infection, wound infection, and central vein stenosis. These complications are far more deleterious for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) whose lives depend on a functioning hemodialysis access once they reach end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Despite recent guidelines to avoid PICC lines in CKD and ESKD patients, clinical use remains high. There is an ongoing urgency to educate and inform health care providers and the CKD patients themselves in preserving their venous real estate. In this article, we review AV access and PICC line background, complications associated with PICC lines in the CKD population, and recommendations for alternatives to placing a PICC line in this vulnerable patient population.
Understanding extended narrative sensemaking: How police officers accomplish story work
Authors: van Hulst Merlijn , Tsoukas Haridimos
Published: July 2021

Extended narrative sensemaking consists of (a) agents generating actionable stories when faced with unexpected situations to which they need to respond in real time, and (b) emplotting actions that were undertaken and events that occurred during their response, in order to make deeper sense of them afterwards. When sensemakers revisit critical incidents in which there were involved, they join (a) and (b) through story work. In this article, through the study of stories told by police officers in relation to unexpected, impactful incidents, we show how story work is accomplished. We argue that sensemakers simultaneously enact situations, emplot events, and renew identity. Specifically, we demonstrate that police officers strive to accomplish three different things: first, show how, as engaged responders, they were involved in the ongoing enactment of an actionable story (situated agency); secondly, seek to deeper understand, after the event, what happened to them through emplotting their experiences (complexified sense); and thirdly, update their narrative identity by weaving their experience of the handling of the unexpected situation with the rest of their life story (identity renewal). Our account extends current understanding of ongoing narrative sensemaking by showing how agents construct agency, meaning, and identity at once, and how all three are part of an extended, ongoing sensemaking process.
Public sex, private intimacy and sexual exclusivity in men’s formalized same-sex relationships
Authors: Heaphy Brian , Hodgson James
Published: July 2021

This article revisits the personal stories that younger male civil partners told about their sexual practices, in what most termed their ‘marriage’, to generate insights into the extent to which they succumbed to the dangers that critics of same-sex marriage foretold. It provides a baseline analysis against which the findings of future studies of both heterosexual and same-sex marriages and civil partnerships can be compared. The data we discuss are comprised of joint ( n = 25) and individual ( n = 50) interviews with couples. Participants’ stories about ‘public’, ‘private’ and ‘exclusive’ sex can appear to support the predictions of some key critics. Participants tended to make commitments to sexual monogamy and link their sexual practices to deepening couple intimacy. However, viewed as stories of socioculturally shaped and biographically embedded sexual practices, they offer insights into the more complex relationships between civil partnership, marriage, sexual exclusivity and intimacy. On closer examination, they suggest it is not simply the case that civil partnership or same-sex marriage (and marriage more generally) ‘imposes’ heteronormative sexual conventions but that relational biographies are significant in shaping simultaneously conventional and deconstructive approaches to married sexuality. Partners in formalized same-sex relationships do not simply follow heterosexual norms. Rather, they juggle the often contradictory norms of mainstream and queer sexual cultures. Understanding the implications for marriage as an institution requires approaches to analysis that do not pose heterosexual marriage as the ‘straw man’ of queer analysis.
Social and ecological dominance orientations: Two sides of the same coin? Social and ecological dominance orientations predict decreased support for climate change mitigation policies
Authors: Uenal Fatih , Sidanius Jim , van der Linden Sander
Published: July 2021

In this article, we examine the roles of social dominance orientation (SDO) and ecological dominance orientation (EDO) as predictors of climate change risk and threat perceptions and associated pro-environmental policy support. EDO is a novel measure that we devised based on social dominance theory to assess general preferences for an anthropocentric, hierarchical arrangement between humans, non-human animals, and the natural environment. Across two pre-registered studies ( N = 715; USA and Germany) our results indicate that SDO and EDO are uniquely associated with decreased support for climate change mitigation policies benefitting humans, non-human animals, and the natural environment. These relationships in turn are partially mediated by decreased climate change risk and threat perceptions. We successfully replicate our findings using a more behavioral measure as dependent variable. Notably, using a more behavioral measure (Study 2), EDO was significantly associated with pro-environmental behavior but not SDO, when threats are accounted for as mediators.
Transnational online research: recognising multiple contexts in Skype-to-phone interviews
Authors: Melis Cin F. , Madge Clare , Long Dianne , Breines Markus , Tapiwa Beatrice Dalu Mwazvita
Published: July 2021

This paper lies at the intersection of discussions surrounding digitally mediated research methods and transnational research projects. It contributes to the current methodological debate surrounding online interviewing by focusing on tensions and affordances involved in Skype-to-phone interviewing in a transnational research context. While the Skype-to-phone facility does indeed increase further access to global participants, complex power hierarchies and ethical concerns continue to exist in relation to technological access/infrastructure, research governance regimes in different places and interpersonal research relations. We, therefore, propose that online researchers involved in transnational research projects using Skype methods move towards consideration of multiple competing constituencies and diverse social and spatial connectivities and power hierarchies in which they are researching. These social differences and spatial registers are not swept away through research conducted in a uniform virtual digital environment; rather transnational researchers must make explicit the multiple place-based contexts of their digitally mediated research, as they shape the research process in distinct ways. Thus, specific consideration must be given to ethical concerns that emanate from transnational online research.
Reflexivity in research teams through narrative practice and textile-making
Authors: Arias López Beatriz E. , Andrä Christine , Bliesemann de Guevara Berit
Published: July 2021

This article discusses narrative practice and textile-making as two techniques of researcher reflexivity in diverse teams conducting qualitative-interpretive research. Specifically, it suggests definitional ceremonies—a collective structured method of storytelling and group resonances—as a useful tool to interweave diverse researchers as a team, while maintaining the plurivocity that enables deeper reflexivity. Additionally, textile-making is introduced as a material and embodied way of expression, which complements narrative practice where words fail or need a non-linguistic form of elicitation. We illustrate the two techniques with examples from our international, collaborative qualitative-interpretive research project with demobilized guerrilla fighters in Colombia.
Does Electoral Reform Change MPs’ Behavior? Evidence from Romania
Authors: Chiru Mihail
Published: July 2021

The article illustrates that legislators’ constituency orientation can be enhanced through electoral system personalization, even in political systems that have used the party-centered closed list proportional representation for several elections. Leveraging a quasi-natural experiment, created by the 2008 electoral reform in Romania, the study investigates the frequency and determinants of parliamentary questions dealing with constituency issues and whether the reform has stimulated different forms of responsiveness toward constituents. The analyses run on a matched sample of legislators show that while the reform has not modified the proportion of all constituency questions, it has increased substantially the share of questions inspired by allocation responsiveness. Moreover, the effects of some determinants of constituency orientation changed after the reform: previous socialization in local politics loses its significance while we also observe an increased negative effect of non-local candidatures.
Exercise Behaviors and Beliefs Among Pregnant Women in Rural Communities
Authors: Stickford Abigail S. L. , Taylor Emma K. , Rodriguez Danna V. , Stroup Sarah , Nunnery Danielle L.
Published: July 2021

Exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial; however, most pregnant women do not meet evidence-based exercise recommendations. Further, data on pregnant women’s physical activity are largely limited to women living in urban environments. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to examine beliefs and behaviors regarding exercise during pregnancy in pregnant and postpartum women living in rural communities. Methods. Surveys were distributed in healthcare settings and via social media to pregnant and postpartum (< 3 months) women living in rural communities. Results. Seventy-five women (28.1 ± 5.4 year) participated. Nearly all believed light (96%) and moderate (89%) intensity exercise are safe to perform during pregnancy, while fewer agreed vigorous intensity (52%) or resistance (40%) exercise is safe. Most (88%) believed women can continue their exercise regimen, and 73% believed that previously inactive women can begin training while pregnant. Only one-third of women met recommendations for cardiorespiratory exercise. The majority (66%) never engaged in vigorous exercise, and most (73%) did not participate in resistance exercise. Conclusion. Pregnant women in rural communities participate in light intensity exercise, but are largely not meeting guidelines for aerobic or resistance training. Knowledge related to safe exercises, particularly resistance training, during pregnancy is limited. Targeted education and programmatic planning are needed in this population regarding exercise guidelines.
“I’m Gonna Hang on to These As Long As I Can”: Examining the Perspectives and Knowledge of Oral Health Issues of Older Adults Living Independently
Authors: Hardgraves Virginia M. , Henry Leah J. , Patton Susan K.
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Advantages of fluoridated water, dental insurance, and greater awareness of preventive oral healthcare allow many adults in today’s aging cohort to maintain their teeth into their advanced years. The purpose of this study was to describe attitudes, expectations, knowledge, and intentions related to oral health issues from the experiences of older adults living independently in a largely rural south central state. Methods: A qualitative analysis guided by behavioral constructs of the Reasoned Action Approach was utilized to conduct semi-structured interviews of a purposeful sample of adults age 65 years and older living independently. Results: Participant data (N = 26) revealed 5 themes: difficulties accessing dental care; active coping; taking care of your mouth as part of overall health; interactions affecting oral health–related quality of life; and supporting roles. Overall, the intention to attain dental care was affected by the perceived need to prioritize many health issues over oral care. An overarching expectation to have affordable basic services available pervaded. Conclusion: The perceptions of participants reflect socioeconomic determinants that could be influenced through improved health literacy education focused on establishing a greater understanding of the oral systemic link especially as it relates to diabetes.
Childhood years as generational capital: Narratives of the 1970–1978 cohort
Authors: Nugin Raili
Published: July 2021

People born in the 1970s in Estonia spent their childhood during Soviet times and experienced their coming of age during the transition years of the 1990s. Experiencing the Soviet regime as children gave them experiences of that era, but kept them at a distance from involvement in regime’s culpable actions. It also enabled them to start their adult lives during the transition times, adjusting to new transition routes. Remembering the Soviet era and the social change is a powerful resource for this group. This symbolic capital and socialisation perspective accentuates itself in different situations, but among others when evaluating young people’s performance or social conditions. Based on in-depth and focus group interviews with 47 representatives of this cohort and articles written in mainstream media, the article will scrutinise how the memories from the Soviet time as well as social transformation in the 1990s has shaped the generational consciousness of this age group. It will be argued that studying retrospective accounts of children about the times of change can be fruitful as it shows how these experiences are transformed into symbolic weapons in power games and shape the generational landscape and hierarchies. These experiences can be transformed into what will be conceptualised as generational capital.
Platelet distribution width in young patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Aldemir Mustafa , Yuksel Ahmet , Inanir Mehmet , Metin Salih , Velioglu Yusuf , Deser Serkan Burc , Emren Sadık Volkan
Published: July 2021

Objective

Platelet distribution width (PDW) has been reported in a wide range of pathological settings. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between PDW and lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) by comparing the levels of PDW and other parameters derived from complete blood count (CBC) tests in young individuals with or without lower extremity CVI.

Methods

This prospective clinical study was conducted between January 2020 and December 2020. A total of 108 patients, 72 patients with lower extremity CVI (study group) and 36 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled from the Bursa Yuksek Ihtısas Educatıon Research Hospıtal and the Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Training and Research Hospital. The age range of the participants was between 18 and 50 years old. Participants’ baseline clinical features and CBC parameters including PDW, white blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet count, mean platelet volume, plateletcrit, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were compared between the two groups.

Results

The groups were statistically similar in terms of baseline clinical features. The median PDW value was significantly higher for the CVI patients relative to the control group (17.6 vs 16.8; p < 0.001). In terms of other CBC parameters, there were no significant differences between the groups. According to ROC analysis, area under the curve of PDW was 0.749 (95% confidence interval: 0.653–0.846 and p < 0.001). If the value of PDW was accepted as 17, it could predict CVI with 76% sensitivity and 59% specificity, whereas a PDW value of 17.5 could predict CVI with 51% sensitivity and 81% specificity.

Conclusion

Platelet distribution width might be a useful marker to determine an increased inflammatory response and thrombotic status in young patients with CVI.
A Negative Actor Engagement Scale for Online Knowledge-Sharing Platforms
Authors: Li Loic Pengtao , Frethey-Bentham Catherine , Juric Biljana , Brodie Roderick J.
Published: July 2021

Prior research shows that negative engagement is conceptually different from positive engagement, and necessitates further understanding and measurement instruments. This study reports a series of four studies leading to conceptualization, development, and validation of a negative actor engagement scale for online knowledge-sharing platforms. An online learning service platform Piazza is chosen as the research context, where learners engage intensively in knowledge-sharing with one another as well as instructors. We conceptualize negative engagement as actors’ negative engagement dispositions (i.e., negative emotions and cognitions) during interactions on the platform. Negative engagement disposition is shown to be a second-order formative construct comprising four first-order reflective constructs—annoyance, social anxiety, failed expectations, and futility. The relationship between negative engagement disposition and its behavioral consequence of negative word-of-mouth is established. This is the first study to conceptualize and operationalize negative actor engagement.
Correlates of aggregate support for the radical right in Portugal
Authors: Afonso Alexandre
Published: July 2021

This article explains variation in local aggregate support for the populist radical right in Portugal, a country long considered immune to the rise of this political force. Using local electoral results of the 2021 presidential election, I find positive statistical associations between the radical right vote share and the share of social assistance benefit recipients, as well as with the size of the local Roma minority. I also show that the effect of the percentage of social assistance recipients is conditioned on a higher size of the local Roma minority. In contrast, factors such as unemployment, average income levels or the share of immigrants and their change over time do not explain variation in radical right vote shares. The research points to the presence of outgroups that can be construed as ‘outsiders’ as a relevant factor explaining aggregate support for the radical right in contexts where the salience of immigration is low.
Comparison of transradial versus transfemoral diagnostic coronary angiography in terms of oxidative stress: Which option is more physiological?
Authors: Oktay Veysel , Keskin Bengisu , Serin Ebru , Oksen Dogac , Kaya Aysem , Ozkan Alev Arat
Published: July 2021

In this randomized, single-center, clinical study we aimed to compare the oxidative stress response in patients undergoing diagnostic transradial or transfemoral elective coronary angiography. Sixty patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective coronary angiography to either transradial ( n = 30) or transfemoral ( n = 30) approach were included. The levels of plasma total oxidative status (TOS) were measured and compared just before and immediately after the procedure in both groups. The clinical and laboratory findings were compatible between the two groups. Although the levels of plasma total oxidative status after coronary angiography were increased in both groups (TF pTOS 20. ± :3; 34 ± 3 vs TR pTOS 18 ± 2; 23 ± 4), this was more pronounced in the transfemoral group as compared with the transradial group (ΔpTOS: 11 ± 4 vs 4 ± 3, p < 0.001) In correlation analysis, TOS levels and white blood cell counts ( r = 0.25, p = 0.042), total cholesterol levels ( r = 0.267, p = 0.041), triglyceride levels ( r = 0.253, p = 0.049), serum creatinine levels ( r = 0.260, p = 0.043) were found to be moderately positively correlated. This study showed that oxidative stress response associated with heart catheterization is more evident in patients undergoing transfemoral coronary angiography versus transradial coronary angiography.
Mentoring: Can you get too much of a ‘good thing’? Proposing enhancements to the ‘effectiveness framework’ the England and Wales Prison and Probation Service
Authors: Wong Kevin , Horan Rachel
Published: July 2021

Opt-in, open-ended mentoring for people with convictions, allowing them to dip in and out of services without sanction arguably offers a service configuration to match the paradigm of the zig-zag, nomadic desistance journey. Balancing supporting individual’s agency while avoiding fostering dependency is tricky. What are the conditions which support the former and avoid the latter? We aim to answer this question by drawing on the lived experience of mentees and mentors collected during the evaluation of a mentoring scheme in England. We consider whether mentoring is unequivocally a ‘good thing’. Despite its ubiquity, the evidence for its effectiveness is mixed. We suggest that it is possible to get too much mentoring, and advance the evidence base in the United Kingdom and internationally in other jurisdictions by proposing enhancements to the ‘effectiveness framework’ set out by the prison and probation service in England and Wales.
Acute Myocardial Injury Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report and Review of Current Evidence from Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System Database
Authors: Deb Anasua , Abdelmalek John , Iwuji Kenneth , Nugent Kenneth
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 vaccination related adverse events is an evolving field. Here we present a case of acute myocardial injury that developed as a result of an acute immune response following the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination (Moderna) in a 67-year-old man who presented in acute congestive heart failure. His clinical course improved over 3 days. Review of the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites identified 37 vaccine recipients who developed myocarditis as an adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. With the mass expansion of COVID-19 vaccine administration, physicians need to be vigilant about the possibility of new adverse events.
Morphology and epidemiological study of idiopathic scoliosis among primary school students in Chaozhou, China
Authors: Cai Zemin , Wu Ruibin , Zheng Shukai , Qiu Zhaolong , Wu Kusheng
Published: July 2021

Background

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) affects patients’ quality of life, yet there have been few reports of its morphology and epidemiological study in the southeast region of China. The aim of this study is to access the curve characteristics, prevalence, and factors associated with IS in Chaozhou city.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 2018, in which scoliosis screening was conducted among 5497 primary school students in Chaozhou city. Then, a case-control study based on the screening involving 2547 children was followed for the exploration of the associated factors. The questionnaires covering demographic characteristics, postural habits, cognition and self-sensation of scoliosis, and physical conditions were addressed for the investigation. ORs with 95%CIs were calculated based on logistic regression analysis to evaluate the factors associated with scoliosis.

Results

The prevalence of IS among primary school students was 6.15% in Chaozhou city, with 4.04% for males and 8.71% for females. The average Cobb angle was 15° (range 8 to 37°). Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that female (OR=2.45), BMI (OR=0.67), having myopia (OR=1.49), self-sensation of scoliosis with symptoms (OR=5.52), insufficient sleep time (OR=2.65, 3.33), and less exercise time (OR=7.09, 7.29) were significantly associated with IS.

Conclusions

The prevalence of IS among primary school students in Chaozhou was at an average level, and it was significantly higher in females than in males. Lower body mass, having myopia, insufficient sleep time, and lower physical activity were associated with IS.
Associations of education and income with hazardous drinking among postpartum women in Japan: results from the TMM BirThree Cohort Study
Authors: Murakami Keiko , Ishikuro Mami , Ueno Fumihiko , Noda Aoi , Onuma Tomomi , Matsuzaki Fumiko , Metoki Hirohito , Obara Taku , Kuriyama Shinichi
Published: July 2021

Background

Although the postpartum period is suggested to provide an ideal opportunity for interventions to prevent hazardous drinking, evidence on the associations of education and income with hazardous drinking during this period is limited, including in Japan.

Methods

We analyzed data from 11,031 women who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study in Japan. Hazardous drinking was defined as ethanol intake of ≥20 g/day 1 year after delivery. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to examine whether educational attainment or equivalent household income was associated with hazardous drinking, adjusting for age, parity, drinking status during pregnancy, work status, postpartum depression, breastfeeding, and income/education. We also conducted stratified analyses by income and education groups.

Results

The prevalence of hazardous drinking 1 year after delivery was 3.6%. Lower education was associated with hazardous drinking; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of high school education or lower compared with university education or higher was 2.17 (1.59–2.98). Lower income was also associated with hazardous drinking, but this association disappeared after further adjustments for education; the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the lowest compared with highest level of income were 1.42 (1.04–1.94) and 1.12 (0.81–1.54), respectively. A significant interaction was detected; lower education and lower income were associated with increased risks of hazardous drinking only in a lower income group and lower education group, respectively.

Conclusions

Postpartum women with lower education and lower income had higher risks of hazardous drinking in Japan.
A major QTL at the LHCGR/FSHR locus for multiple birth in Holstein cattle
Authors: Widmer Sarah , Seefried Franz R. , von Rohr Peter , Häfliger Irene M. , Spengeler Mirjam , Drögemüller Cord
Published: July 2021

Background

Twin and multiple births are rare in cattle and have a negative impact on the performance and health of cows and calves. Therefore, selection against multiple birth would be desirable in dairy cattle breeds such as Holstein. We applied different methods to decipher the genetic architecture of this trait using de-regressed breeding values for maternal multiple birth of ~ 2500 Holstein individuals to perform genome-wide association analyses using ~ 600 K imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Results

In the population studied, we found no significant genetic trend over time of the estimated breeding values for multiple birth, which indicates that this trait has not been selected for in the past. In addition to several suggestive non-significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) on different chromosomes, we identified a major QTL on chromosome 11 for maternal multiple birth that explains ~ 16% of the total genetic variance. Using a haplotype-based approach, this QTL was fine-mapped to a 70-kb window on chromosome 11 between 31.00 and 31.07 Mb that harbors two functional candidate genes (LHCGR and FSHR). Analysis of whole-genome sequence data by linkage-disequilibrium estimation revealed a regulatory variant in the 5ʹ-region of LHCGR as a possible candidate causal variant for the identified major QTL. Furthermore, the identified haplotype showed significant effects on stillbirth and days to first service.

Conclusions

QTL detection and subsequent identification of causal variants in livestock species remain challenging in spite of the availability of large-scale genotype and phenotype data. Here, we report for the first time a major QTL for multiple birth in Holstein cattle and provide evidence for a linked variant in the non-coding region of a functional candidate gene. This discovery, which is a first step towards the understanding of the genetic architecture of this polygenic trait, opens the path for future selection against this undesirable trait, and thus contributes to increased animal health and welfare.
PhyliCS: a Python library to explore scCNA data and quantify spatial tumor heterogeneity
Authors: Montemurro Marilisa , Grassi Elena , Pizzino Carmelo Gabriele , Bertotti Andrea , Ficarra Elisa , Urgese Gianvito
Published: July 2021

Background

Tumors are composed by a number of cancer cell subpopulations (subclones), characterized by a distinguishable set of mutations. This phenomenon, known as intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH), may be studied using Copy Number Aberrations (CNAs). Nowadays ITH can be assessed at the highest possible resolution using single-cell DNA (scDNA) sequencing technology. Additionally, single-cell CNA (scCNA) profiles from multiple samples of the same tumor can in principle be exploited to study the spatial distribution of subclones within a tumor mass. However, since the technology required to generate large scDNA sequencing datasets is relatively recent, dedicated analytical approaches are still lacking.

Results

We present PhyliCS, the first tool which exploits scCNA data from multiple samples from the same tumor to estimate whether the different clones of a tumor are well mixed or spatially separated. Starting from the CNA data produced with third party instruments, it computes a score, the Spatial Heterogeneity score, aimed at distinguishing spatially intermixed cell populations from spatially segregated ones. Additionally, it provides functionalities to facilitate scDNA analysis, such as feature selection and dimensionality reduction methods, visualization tools and a flexible clustering module.

Conclusions

PhyliCS represents a valuable instrument to explore the extent of spatial heterogeneity in multi-regional tumour sampling, exploiting the potential of scCNA data.
Analysis of merged whole blood transcriptomic datasets to identify circulating molecular biomarkers of feed efficiency in growing pigs
Authors: Messad Farouk , Louveau Isabelle , Renaudeau David , Gilbert Hélène , Gondret Florence
Published: July 2021

Background

Improving feed efficiency (FE) is an important goal due to its economic and environmental significance for farm animal production. The FE phenotype is complex and based on the measurements of the individual feed consumption and average daily gain during a test period, which is costly and time-consuming. The identification of reliable predictors of FE is a strategy to reduce phenotyping efforts.

Results

Gene expression data of the whole blood from three independent experiments were combined and analyzed by machine learning algorithms to propose molecular biomarkers of FE traits in growing pigs. These datasets included Large White pigs from two lines divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI), a measure of net FE, and in which individual feed conversion ratio (FCR) and blood microarray data were available. Merging the three datasets allowed considering FCR values (Mean = 2.85; Min = 1.92; Max = 5.00) for a total of n = 148 pigs, with a large range of body weight (15 to 115 kg) and different test period duration (2 to 9 weeks). Random forest (RF) and gradient tree boosting (GTB) were applied on the whole blood transcripts (26,687 annotated molecular probes) to identify the most important variables for binary classification on RFI groups and a quantitative prediction of FCR, respectively. The dataset was split into learning (n = 74) and validation sets (n = 74). With iterative steps for variable selection, about three hundred’s (328 to 391) molecular probes participating in various biological pathways, were identified as important predictors of RFI or FCR. With the GTB algorithm, simpler models were proposed combining 34 expressed unique genes to classify pigs into RFI groups (100% of success), and 25 expressed unique genes to predict FCR values (R2 = 0.80, RMSE = 8%). The accuracy performance of RF models was slightly lower in classification and markedly lower in regression.

Conclusion

From small subsets of genes expressed in the whole blood, it is possible to predict the binary class and the individual value of feed efficiency. These predictive models offer good perspectives to identify animals with higher feed efficiency in precision farming applications.
Combined evaluation of
coronary artery disease and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T for
prediction of adverse events in
patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Liao Hang , Tan Huay Cheem , Wang Ziqiong , Chen Xiaoping , He Yong , He Sen
Published: July 2021

Background

This study was performed to investigate the clinical significance of combined evaluation of both coronary artery disease (CAD) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) for prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods

We performed clinical evaluations, including coronary artery imaging and hs-cTnT measurement, in 162 patients with HCM.

Results

The patients were followed up for a median period of 3.7 years (interquartile range 2.4–5.6 years; total of 632.3 person-years [PYs]), during which time MACEs occurred in 24 (14.8%) patients. The incidence of MACEs was 6.4 and 2.7 per 100 PYs for patients with CAD and normal coronary arteries, respectively; similarly, the incidence was 5.8 and 2.1 per 100 PYs in patients with an elevated hs-cTnT concentration (> 14.0 ng/L) and a normal hs-cTnT concentration, respectively. The multivariate analysis suggested that CAD and an elevated hs-cTnT concentration tended to be positively associated with MACEs. When the groups were allocated according to these two markers, the patients were divided into four groups, which further improved the predictive values. The incidence of MACEs was 10.4 per 100 PYs in the CAD and elevated hs-cTnT group, which was much higher than the incidence in all other groups (range, 2.0–3.5 per 100 PYs). With the normal coronary arteries and normal hs-cTnT group serving as a reference, the adjusted hazard ratio was 5.0 (95% confidence interval 1.0–23.8; P = 0.046) for the CAD and elevated hs-cTnT group. In addition, the subgroup analysis showed similar findings among the patients without severe CAD.

Conclusions

In patients with HCM, combined evaluation of both CAD and hs-cTnT might facilitate more reliable prediction of MACEs than evaluation of a single marker. These may serve as clinically useful markers to guide risk management.
Effects of continuity of care on health outcomes among patients with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension: a systematic review
Authors: Chan Kam-Suen , Wan Eric Yuk-Fai , Chin Weng-Yee , Cheng Will Ho-Gi , Ho Margaret Kay , Yu Esther Yee-Tak , Lam Cindy Lo-Kuen
Published: July 2021

Background

The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) has placed a tremendous burden on healthcare systems around the world, resulting in a call for more effective service delivery models. Better continuity of care (CoC) has been associated with improved health outcomes. This review examines the association between CoC and health outcomes in patients with DM and/or HT.

Methods

This was a systematic review with searches carried out on 13 March 2021 through PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and CINAHL plus, clinical trials registry and bibliography reviews. Eligibility criteria were: published in English; from 2000 onwards; included adult DM and/or HT patients; examined CoC as their main intervention/exposure; and utilised quantifiable outcome measures (categorised into health indicators and service utilisation). The study quality was evaluated with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) appraisal checklists.

Results

Initial searching yielded 21,090 results with 42 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. High CoC was associated with reduced hospitalisation (16 out of 18 studies), emergency room attendances (eight out of eight), mortality rate (six out of seven), disease-related complications (seven out of seven), and healthcare expenses (four out of four) but not with blood pressure (two out of 13), lipid profile (one out of six), body mass index (zero out of three). Six out of 12 studies on diabetic outcomes reported significant improvement in haemoglobin A1c by higher CoC. Variations in the classification of continuity of care and outcome definition were identified, making meta-analyses inappropriate. CASP evaluation rated most studies fair in quality, but found insufficient adjustment on confounders, selection bias and short follow-up period were common limitations of current literatures.

Conclusion

There is evidence of a strong association between higher continuity of care and reduced mortality rate, complication risks and health service utilisation among DM and/or HT patients but little to no improvement in various health indicators. Significant methodological heterogeneity in how CoC and patient outcomes are assessed limits the ability for meta-analysis of findings. Further studies comprising sufficient confounding adjustment and standardised definitions are needed to provide stronger evidence of the benefits of CoC on patients with DM and/or HT.
Estimating regional prevalence of chronic hepatitis C with a capture-recapture analysis
Authors: Kracht Patricia A. M. , Arends Joop E. , Hoepelman Andy I. M. , Kretzschmar Mirjam E. E.
Published: July 2021

Background

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a candidate disease for micro-elimination. Accurate baseline HCV prevalence estimation is essential to monitor progress to micro-elimination but can be methodologically challenging in low-endemic regions like the Netherlands due to lack of disaggregated data by age or risk-groups on the number of chronic HCV patients (i.e. HCV RNA positive). This study estimates the number of patients that has had a chronic HCV infection (ever-chronic) in the Utrecht region of the Netherlands.

Methods

In the Utrecht province in the Netherlands, positive HCV tests from the period 2001–2015 from one diagnostic center and four hospital laboratories were collected. A two-source capture-recapture method was used to analyze the overlap between the two registries (with 92% HCV RNA and 8% HCV immunoblot confirmed infections) to obtain the number of ever-chronic HCV infections in the Utrecht region. The Utrecht region was defined as an area with a 25 km radius from the Utrecht city center. The current viremic HCV prevalence was calculated by taking into account the proportion of cured and deceased HCV patients from a local HCV retrieval (REACH) project.

Results

The estimated number of ever-chronic HCV patients was 1245 (95% CI 1164–1326) and would indicate a prevalence of 0.10 (95% CI 0.09–0.10) in the Utrecht region. This is 30% (95% CI 21–38%) more than the number of known HCV patients in the records. The ever-chronic HCV prevalence was highest in the 1960–1969 age cohort (0.16; 95% CI 0.14–0.18). Since 50% of the HCV patients were cured or deceased in the REACH-project, the number of current viremic HCV patients was estimated at 623 individuals in the Utrecht region (prevalence 0.05%).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest a low ever-chronic and current HCV prevalence in the Utrecht area in the Netherlands, but other studies need to confirm this.