bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedentary Behaviour Among Male Adolescents in Sagamu, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Odusoga Oluwatosin B. , Sholeye Oluwafolahan O.
Published: May 2021

Background

Sedentary behaviour (SB) is a leading risk factor for development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and associated morbidity worldwide. Several studies have reported a high prevalence of sedentary behaviour among adolescents in developing countries with a male preponderance. The Nigerian male adolescent is similarly faced with lifestyle challenges as his counterparts in other countries.

Aim

This study determined the pattern, knowledge and factors associated with sedentary behaviour among male adolescents in Sagamu, Nigeria.

Method

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 330 in-school male adolescents in Sagamu, selected via multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, with p < .05. Participation was fully voluntary and strict confidentiality was ensured.

Result

The mean age of respondents was 15.9 ± 1.4 years; 86.9% of respondents were aged 15-19years. About 94.8% of sedentary respondents had poor knowledge. Over 90% of respondents were sedentary. Screen-based behaviour (79%) contributed more to respondents’ pattern of SB while using a tablet or a smart phone (23.6%) singularly contributed the largest to sedentariness. SB was associated with motorized transport ( p = .038), smoking ( p ≤ .001) and central obesity status ( p = .040) but not with socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol intake.

Conclusion

Knowledge of SB was poor among respondents. The prevalence of sedentary behaviour was high and associated with central obesity, smoking and motorized transport. School-based interventions including health education, should be initiated to reduce the risk of developing NCDs.
“A Program, Not the Projects”: Reentry in the Post-Public Housing Era
Authors: Hamlin Madeleine , Purser Gretchen
Published: May 2021

Prisoner reentry is widely recognized as a hybrid project of poverty governance situated at the intersection of the welfare state and penal state. Numerous scholars have examined the devolved terrain and organizational dynamics of reentry services. Still others have emphasized the particular challenges and importance of housing to the reentry process. However, few have examined how reentry organizations secure or manage housing for their clients, particularly in an era marked by a widespread housing affordability crisis and the retrenchment of public housing in favor of privatized subsidized housing provision. In this article, we present an ethnographic case study of one particularly illustrative site: “New Beginnings,” a new and novel housing development in Syracuse, NY, codeveloped and comanaged by a prisoner reentry organization and a local housing authority. We show that, despite its ostensible mission to integrate the formerly incarcerated and provide much-needed housing to the poor, the development reproduces the stigma of criminal history, producing a sense of ambivalence among residents, who are both grateful for the quality of their new housing and resentful of ongoing forms of carceral supervision and control. In turn, formerly incarcerated residents uphold their participation in the program as a way to distinguish themselves from traditional public housing tenants, further entrenching dominant narratives about the failures of public housing. These findings reveal the complex interplay between the project of reentry and the provision of subsidized housing in the post-public housing era.
Fundamental Motives Illuminate a Broad Range of Individual and Cultural Variations in Thought and Behavior
Authors: Cook Corey L. , Krems Jaimie Arona , Kenrick Douglas T.
Published: May 2021

An article published in Current Directions a decade ago introduced the fundamental-motives framework and reviewed initial promising findings using this general approach. According to this framework, a recurring set of challenges and opportunities during human evolution gave rise to overarching motivational systems in the domains of self-protection, disease avoidance, social affiliation, status seeking, mate acquisition, mate retention, and kin care. When activated, fundamental motives influence psychological processes by directing cognition and behavior in distinct and functionally relevant ways. In the intervening years, the approach has been expanded to a broader range of motives, individual and cultural variations in those motives, and the physiological correlates of activating different motives. In this article, we review a decade of research applying the fundamental-motives framework and point to promising new research directions.
Comparative study of the indoor apparent temperature of dwellings with different roofing in the Lower Papaloapan River Basin region
Authors: García-Arellano César , Ramírez-Ibáñez Marcelino , Luna Beatriz
Published: May 2021

This research presents a comparative study and an indoor thermal comfort analysis of self-constructed dwellings with different roofing in the Lower Papaloapan River Basin in Mexico. These include concrete roofs, zinc-coated sheet metal, asbestos sheets and palm fronds, all with and without false ceilings. The comparative study takes into account the identification and analysis of different architectural typologies, materials, structural pathologies, as well as the construction processes and the number of hours in which a dwelling is inside the comfort zone proposed. Until now, there is no relevant information about the comfort zone for the inhabitants of the studied region. Thermal comfort analysis shows that the comfort zone for the region is difficult to achieve due to the temperature and humidity of the region. Among the roofing without a false ceiling, the dwelling with palm roofing had the best performance whilst housing with zinc roofing produced the worst. Moreover, palm roofing is an ecological and vernacular option that uses local materials. In the case of a false ceiling, a standardizing effect was observed for all types of roofing. New approaches to show and analyse data and some suggestions for improving comfort conditions within homes in the region were proposed.
Pregnancy Effects on Seizure Frequency: To Seize or Not to Seize
Authors: Becker Danielle A.
Published: May 2021

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Improved whale optimization algorithm and its application in heterogeneous wireless sensor networks
Authors: Yue Yinggao , You Hairong , Wang Shuxin , Cao Li
Published: May 2021

Aiming at the problems of node redundancy and network cost increase in heterogeneous wireless sensor networks, this article proposes an improved whale optimization algorithm coverage optimization method. First, establish a mathematical model that balances node utilization, coverage, and energy consumption. Second, use the sine–cosine algorithm to improve the whale optimization algorithm and change the convergence factor of the original algorithm. The linear decrease is changed to the nonlinear decrease of the cosine form, which balances the global search and local search capabilities, and adds the inertial weight of the synchronous cosine form to improve the optimization accuracy and speed up the search speed. The improved whale optimization algorithm solves the heterogeneous wireless sensor network coverage optimization model and obtains the optimal coverage scheme. Simulation experiments show that the proposed method can effectively improve the network coverage effect, as well as the utilization rate of nodes, and reduce network cost consumption.
At the Threshold of Justiciable Violence: Configuring and Contesting Torture’s Production
Authors: Cakal Ergun
Published: May 2021

“Torture” is one of law’s most charged categories—burdened with distinguishing the legitimate from the illegitimate, the permitted from the prohibited forms of state violence. Embedding it in its broader discursive production, I ask: how are forms of state violence configured, controlled, and contested in, through, and by legal articulations? How are anti-torture practitioners to understand the relation between law and violence and how law legitimates some forms of violence whilst not others? How does human suffering at the hands of the state even enter the “hearing” of its law? Taking psychological torture as paradigmatic, I diagrammatically discuss how such violence is “invisibilized” and falls below definitional thresholds, due to discursive processes of active occlusion as well as epistemic limitations.
Ovarian thecoma: A very unusual cause of postmenopausal bleeding
Authors: Arteaga E , Valenzuela F , Martinez A , Huete A , Aspee M
Published: May 2021

We describe a 67-year-old woman with postmenopausal bleeding having ceased estrogen plus progestogen therapy nine months before. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed endometrial thickening with normal ovarian appearance. Hormonal studies revealed high estradiol and inhibin B levels but normal androgens and adrenal hormones. Magnetic resonance image demonstrated a 13-mm left ovarian tumour. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, and the pathological study revealed an 8 mm ovarian thecoma. This case illustrates a very unusual cause of postmenopausal bleeding. We suggest a study protocol and discuss the differential diagnosis of this case.
Cardiovascular Health in Individuals with Exceptional Longevity Residing in Arkansas
Authors: Mize Brandi M. , Duke Brandon , Pangle Amanda K. , Wei Jeanne Y. , Azhar Gohar
Published: May 2021

Cardiovascular disease is a common comorbidity associated with an aging population. However, there is a unique group of individuals whose age-defying qualities are still being investigated.

This retrospective chart review analyzed various cardiac and metabolic health parameters to characterize the prevalence of heart failure and metabolic derangements in individuals aged 90 years old or older in central Arkansas. Only 236 of the 291 patients in our study cohort had blood pressures recorded. Of these, 50% had systolic blood pressures ≥140 mmHg. Additionally, 77% had pulse pressures ≥50 mmHg. Of the 96 patients with BNP data, 44% had values ≥300 pg/mL. There was a slight positive correlation between aging and HDL cholesterol, while there was a negative correlation between aging and both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. A majority of our patients had both elevated systolic blood pressures and elevated pulse pressures. A majority also had high BNP values, indicative of some degree of heart failure. Additionally, atrial fibrillation was a common arrhythmia identified on EKG. However, these oldest of the old patients had fewer documented metabolic derangements. These findings lay important groundwork for further investigation into lifestyle and genetic components that allow them to live exceptionally long with such comorbidities.
Biomechanical Evaluation of a New Fixation Method for Stabilization of Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy After Mandibular Advancement
Authors: Kuik Karel , Ho Jean Pierre T. F. , Klop Cornelis , de Ruiter Maurits H. T. , Kleverlaan Cornelis J. , de Lange Jan , Hoekema Aarnoud
Published: May 2021

Study Design:

Biomechanical in vitro study. Mandibular advancement after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) is a common procedure in orthognathic surgery. Several fixation methods are used for stabilization of SSRO.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare a new fixation method (gridplate) with more contemporary applied methods of fixation.

Material and Methods:

In this study, 50 polyurethane hemimandibles with a prefabricated SSRO were used as specimens. All hemimandibles were advanced by 8 mm and divided into 5 groups with different fixation methods: (A) one 4-hole miniplate with 4 monocortical screws; (B) two 4-hole miniplates with 8 monocortical screws; (C) one 4-hole miniplate with 4 monocortical screws and 1 bicortical screw in the retromolar area (hybrid method); (D) 3 bicortical screws in an inverted-L pattern; and (E) one 8-hole gridplate with 8 monocortical screws. Loads in newtons were recorded at displacements of the mandibular incisive edge at 1 mm, 3 mm and 5 mm.

Results:

Fixation with 3 bicortical screws and the gridplate presented the most stability, followed by two 4-hole miniplates. Fixation with the hybrid method or the single miniplate showed the least stability.

Conclusion:

According to the results of this study, the 8-hole gridplate design appears a sufficient fixation method regarding stabilization of SSRO with larger mandibular advancement.
Partnership in Recruitment Process Outsourcing Projects: The Outsourcing Firm Perspective
Authors: Liu Gloria Hui Wen , Huang Chua Cecil Eng , Hu Yixuan
Published: May 2021

This research provides insights into how to enhance recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) project outcomes by improving partnerships with the RPO provider. We posit that knowledge sharing and top management support enhance partnership quality by increasing both parties’ mutual dependence and commitment to the relationship. We conducted a survey of 150 RPO projects. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of knowledge sharing and top management support for enhancing partnership, leading to enhanced RPO project outcomes (i.e., recommended candidates’ person-job fit). Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.
Cataloguing experimentally confirmed 80.7 kb-long ACKR1 haplotypes from the 1000 Genomes Project database
Authors: Srivastava Kshitij , Fratzscher Anne-Sophie , Lan Bo , Flegel Willy Albert
Published: May 2021

Background

Clinically effective and safe genotyping relies on correct reference sequences, often represented by haplotypes. The 1000 Genomes Project recorded individual genotypes across 26 different populations and, using computerized genotype phasing, reported haplotype data. In contrast, we identified long reference sequences by analyzing the homozygous genomic regions in this online database, a concept that has rarely been reported since next generation sequencing data became available.

Study design and methods

Phased genotype data for a 80.6 kb region of chromosome 1 was downloaded for all 2,504 unrelated individuals of the 1000 Genome Project Phase 3 cohort. The data was centered on the ACKR1 gene and bordered by the CADM3 and FCER1A genes. Individuals with heterozygosity at a single site or with complete homozygosity allowed unambiguous assignment of an ACKR1 haplotype. A computer algorithm was developed for extracting these haplotypes from the 1000 Genome Project in an automated fashion. A manual analysis validated the data extracted by the algorithm.

Results

We confirmed 902 ACKR1 haplotypes of varying lengths, the longest at 80,584 nucleotides and shortest at 1,901 nucleotides. The combined length of haplotype sequences comprised 19,895,388 nucleotides with a median of 16,014 nucleotides. Based on our approach, all haplotypes can be considered experimentally confirmed and not affected by the known errors of computerized genotype phasing.

Conclusions

Tracts of homozygosity can provide definitive reference sequences for any gene. They are particularly useful when observed in unrelated individuals of large scale sequence databases. As a proof of principle, we explored the 1000 Genomes Project database for ACKR1 gene data and mined long haplotypes. These haplotypes are useful for high throughput analysis with next generation sequencing. Our approach is scalable, using automated bioinformatics tools, and can be applied to any gene.
Inferring and analyzing gene regulatory networks from multi-factorial expression data: a complete and interactive suite
Authors: Cassan Océane , Lèbre Sophie , Martin Antoine
Published: May 2021

Background

High-throughput transcriptomic datasets are often examined to discover new actors and regulators of a biological response. To this end, graphical interfaces have been developed and allow a broad range of users to conduct standard analyses from RNA-seq data, even with little programming experience. Although existing solutions usually provide adequate procedures for normalization, exploration or differential expression, more advanced features, such as gene clustering or regulatory network inference, often miss or do not reflect current state of the art methodologies.

Results

We developed here a user interface called DIANE (Dashboard for the Inference and Analysis of Networks from Expression data) designed to harness the potential of multi-factorial expression datasets from any organisms through a precise set of methods. DIANE interactive workflow provides normalization, dimensionality reduction, differential expression and ontology enrichment. Gene clustering can be performed and explored via configurable Mixture Models, and Random Forests are used to infer gene regulatory networks. DIANE also includes a novel procedure to assess the statistical significance of regulator-target influence measures based on permutations for Random Forest importance metrics. All along the pipeline, session reports and results can be downloaded to ensure clear and reproducible analyses.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the value and the benefits of DIANE using a recently published data set describing the transcriptional response of Arabidopsis thaliana under the combination of temperature, drought and salinity perturbations. We show that DIANE can intuitively carry out informative exploration and statistical procedures with RNA-Seq data, perform model based gene expression profiles clustering and go further into gene network reconstruction, providing relevant candidate genes or signalling pathways to explore. DIANE is available as a web service (https://diane.bpmp.inrae.fr), or can be installed and locally launched as a complete R package.
Evaluating the accuracy of Listeria monocytogenes assemblies from quasimetagenomic samples using long and short reads
Authors: Commichaux Seth , Javkar Kiran , Ramachandran Padmini , Nagarajan Niranjan , Bertrand Denis , Chen Yi , Reed Elizabeth , Gonzalez-Escalona Narjol , Strain Errol , Rand Hugh , Pop Mihai , Ottesen Andrea
Published: May 2021

Background

Whole genome sequencing of cultured pathogens is the state of the art public health response for the bioinformatic source tracking of illness outbreaks. Quasimetagenomics can substantially reduce the amount of culturing needed before a high quality genome can be recovered. Highly accurate short read data is analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms and multi-locus sequence types to differentiate strains but cannot span many genomic repeats, resulting in highly fragmented assemblies. Long reads can span repeats, resulting in much more contiguous assemblies, but have lower accuracy than short reads.

Results

We evaluated the accuracy of Listeria monocytogenes assemblies from enrichments (quasimetagenomes) of naturally-contaminated ice cream using long read (Oxford Nanopore) and short read (Illumina) sequencing data. Accuracy of ten assembly approaches, over a range of sequencing depths, was evaluated by comparing sequence similarity of genes in assemblies to a complete reference genome. Long read assemblies reconstructed a circularized genome as well as a 71 kbp plasmid after 24 h of enrichment; however, high error rates prevented high fidelity gene assembly, even at 150X depth of coverage. Short read assemblies accurately reconstructed the core genes after 28 h of enrichment but produced highly fragmented genomes. Hybrid approaches demonstrated promising results but had biases based upon the initial assembly strategy. Short read assemblies scaffolded with long reads accurately assembled the core genes after just 24 h of enrichment, but were highly fragmented. Long read assemblies polished with short reads reconstructed a circularized genome and plasmid and assembled all the genes after 24 h enrichment but with less fidelity for the core genes than the short read assemblies.

Conclusion

The integration of long and short read sequencing of quasimetagenomes expedited the reconstruction of a high quality pathogen genome compared to either platform alone. A new and more complete level of information about genome structure, gene order and mobile elements can be added to the public health response by incorporating long read analyses with the standard short read WGS outbreak response.
In silico characterization of putative gene homologues involved in somatic embryogenesis suggests that some conifer species may lack LEC2, one of the key regulators of initiation of the process
Authors: Ranade Sonali Sachin , Egertsdotter Ulrika
Published: May 2021

Background

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is the process in which somatic embryos develop from somatic tissue in vitro on medium in most cases supplemented with growth regulators. Knowledge of genes involved in regulation of initiation and of development of somatic embryos is crucial for application of SE as an efficient tool to enable genetic improvement across genotypes by clonal propagation.

Results

Current work presents in silico identification of putative homologues of central regulators of SE initiation and development in conifers focusing mainly on key transcription factors (TFs) e.g.BBM,LEC1,LEC1-LIKE, LEC2andFUSCA3, based on sequence similarity using BLASTP. Protein sequences of well-characterised candidates genes fromArabidopsis thalianawere used to query the databases (Gymno PLAZA, Congenie, GenBank) including whole-genome sequence data from two representative species from the genusPicea(Picea abies) andPinus(Pinus taeda), for finding putative conifer homologues, using BLASTP. Identification of corresponding conifer proteins was further confirmed by domain search (Conserved Domain Database), alignment (MUSCLE) with respective sequences ofArabidopsis thalianaproteins and phylogenetic analysis (Phylogeny.fr).

Conclusions

This in silico analysis suggests absence ofLEC2inPicea abiesandPinus taeda, the conifer species whose genomes have been sequenced. Based on available sequence data to date,LEC2was also not detected in the other conifer species included in the study.LEC2is one of the key TFs associated with initiation and regulation of the process of SE in angiosperms. Potential alternative mechanisms that might be functional in conifers to compensate the lack ofLEC2are discussed.
Pulmonary embolism originating from germ cell tumor causes severe left ventricular dysfunction in a healthy young adult with full recovery: a case report
Authors: Elenizi Khaled , Alharthi Rasha , Galinier Michel
Published: May 2021

Background

Cancer associated thrombosis is recognized. However, pulmonary embolism (PE) from testicular cancer is rarely reported. Right ventricular (RV) function and PE are closely related. The RV cannot cope with a sudden increase in afterload because of PE and this causes dysfunction, but isolated left ventricular dysfunction in this context is not reported in the literature.

Case presentation

We report an unusual association of pulmonary embolism and testicular germ cell tumor complicating severe left heart failure and full recovery at three months follow up in a 33-year-old patient with no prior medical history. The diagnosis was made after comprehensive history taking and physical examination with the help of different imaging modalities. Full recovery was achieved after optimal medical therapy.

Conclusion

This case raises our awareness of unusual clinical presentation as we report associated left-sided severe heart failure in cancer-related pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism in healthy young adults warrant in-depth causative exploration.
Prevalence and risk factors of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in patients attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Reunion Island: a cross-sectional study (2017–2018)
Authors: Begnis Roxane , Bouscaren Nicolas , Raffray Loic , Terrier Cécile Saint Pastou , Andry Fanny , Boukerrou Malik , Koumar Yatrika , Moiton Marie-Pierre , Gerardin Patrick , Bertolotti Antoine
Published: May 2021

Background

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is an emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) for whose management remains controversial. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of MG infection in patients attending an STI clinic in Reunion Island.

Methods

Between January 2017 and December 2018, all patients attending the Saint-Pierre STI clinic in Reunion Island were screened for MG, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Urogenital, pharyngeal and/or anal samples were collected based on sexual behaviour and analysed by triplex PCR. Risk factors were identified using a Poisson regression for binary outcome.

Results

Among 2069 screened subjects, the overall prevalence of MG was 4.88% [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 3.98–5.93]. The prevalence of urogenital MG was 4.38%, with women being more affected than men (5.33% vs 3.22%, prevalence ratio (PR) 1.66, p = 0.02). The prevalence of anal MG was 3.06% and that of pharyngeal MG was 0.61%, with men being more affected in both cases. Infection with MG was independently associated with multiple partners (6–10 partners: adjusted prevalence ratio-aPR 2.55, p < 0.048; > 10 partners: aPR 4.33, p < 0.004), previous history of STI (aPR 1.89, p = 0.026), non-use of condoms (aPR 2.56, p < 0.003) and co-infection with CT (aPR 2.56, p < 0.017).

Conclusion

Compared to other countries, the prevalence of MG is high in Reunion Island, especially in women aged under 25 years, and co-infection with CT is common. Routine MG screening and treatment should be performed in at-risk women and co-infection with MG should be considered when deciding on treatment for CT, particularly in regions where azithromycin is still in use.
Transmission dynamics and control of two epidemic waves of SARS-CoV-2 in South Korea
Authors: Ryu Sukhyun , Ali Sheikh Taslim , Noh Eunbi , Kim Dasom , Lau Eric H. Y. , Cowling Benjamin J.
Published: May 2021

Background

After relaxing social distancing measures, South Korea experienced a resurgent second epidemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to identify the transmission dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and assess the impact of COVID-19 case finding and contact tracing in each epidemic wave.

Methods

We collected data on COVID-19 cases published by local public health authorities in South Korea and divided the study into two epidemic periods (19 January–19 April 2020 for the first epidemic wave and 20 April–11 August 2020 for the second epidemic wave). To identify changes in the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, the daily effective reproductive number (Rt) was estimated using the illness onset of the cases. Furthermore, to identify the characteristics of each epidemic wave, frequencies of cluster types were measured, and age-specific transmission probability matrices and serial intervals were estimated. The proportion of asymptomatic cases and cases with unknown sources of infection were also estimated to assess the changes of infections identified as cases in each wave.

Results

In early May 2020, within 2-weeks of a relaxation in strict social distancing measures, Rt increased rapidly from 0.2 to 1.8 within a week and was around 1 until early July 2020. In both epidemic waves, the most frequent cluster types were religious-related activities and transmissions among the same age were more common. Furthermore, children were rarely infectors or infectees, and the mean serial intervals were similar (~ 3 days) in both waves. The proportion of asymptomatic cases at presentation increased from 22% (in the first wave) to 27% (in the second wave), while the cases with unknown sources of infection were similar in both waves (22 and 24%, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study shows that relaxing social distancing measures was associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission despite rigorous case findings in South Korea. Along with social distancing measures, the enhanced contact tracing including asymptomatic cases could be an efficient approach to control further epidemic waves.
Longitudinal assessment of SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroconversionamong front-line healthcare workers during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic at a tertiary-care hospital in Chile
Authors: Iruretagoyena Mirentxu , Vial Macarena R. , Spencer-Sandino Maria , Gaete Pablo , Peters Anne , Delgado Iris , Perez Inia , Calderon Claudia , Porte Lorena , Legarraga Paulette , Anderson Alicia , Aguilera Ximena , Vial Pablo , Weitzel Thomas , Munita Jose M.
Published: May 2021

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Cross-sectional studies have provided variable rates of seroprevalence in HCWs. Longitudinal assessments of the serological response to Covid-19 among HCWs are crucial to understanding the risk of infection and changes in antibody titers over time. We aimed to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seroconversion in a prospective cohort of HCWs during the peak of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal study among 446 front-line HCWsin a tertiary-care hospital in Chile from April to July 2020. IgG was determined monthly using two different ELISAs in serum samples of HCWs, during the three-month period. In each visit, demographic data, symptoms, risk factors, and exposure risks were also assessed.

Results

The overall seroprevalence at the end of the study period was 24% (95% CI20.2–28.3), with 43% of seropositive HCWs reporting no prior symptoms. Seroconversion rates significantly differed over the study period, from 2.1% to as high as 8.8% at the peak of the epidemic. There were no statistically significant differences observed between HCWs in direct clinical care of patients with Covid-19 and those working in low risk areas. Antibody titers appeared to wane over time.

Conclusions

HCWs were severely affected with a high rate of seroconversion that appeared to mirror the local epidemiological situation. A significant amount of participants underwent an asymptomatic infection, highlighting the need for improved surveillance policies. Antibody titers appear to wane over time; further studies to understand this finding’s impact on the risk of reinfection are warranted.
The effect of loteprednol suspension eye drops after corneal transplantation
Authors: Chen Yingxin , Wang Xifei , Gao Minghong , Gao Ruiyao , Song Lixin
Published: May 2021

Background

To compare the effect of loteprednol suspension eye drops after corneal transplantation with the effect of prednisolone acetate eye drops.

Methods

A total of 234 patients (234 eyes) who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and lamellar keratoplasty (LKP) were retrospectively included. Patients who received 1 % prednisolone acetate eye drops were defined as 1 % prednisolone acetate eye drop group (n = 96), and patients who received 0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drops were defined as 0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drop group (n = 138).

Results

35 cases in 1 % prednisolone acetate eye drops group and 27 cases in 0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drops group developed corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension, and were defined as prednisolone acetate group and loteprednol group. No significant differences were observed in the average intraocular pressure (IOP) at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months or 12 months postoperatively. There were significant differences in the average IOP between the two groups at 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the average best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively between two groups. The average 6-month postoperative BCVA was significantly higher in the prednisolone acetate group than the loteprednol group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the postoperative graft rejection rates between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drops may be considered for long-term use after corneal transplantation.
Assessment of central retinal thickness, choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer in psoriasis: a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography study
Authors: Sahin Asena Keles , Etgü Fatma , Uzun Aslihan
Published: May 2021

Background

This study aims to evaluate choroidal thickness (CT), retinal thickness, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) structures in psoriasis patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

This study included 33 psoriasis patients and 33 healthy individuals. Moreover, psoriasis patients who did not use any systemic anti-inflammatory treatment were evaluated. Retinal and choroidal images of the participants were obtained with spectral-domain OCT. Furthermore, CT was measured in the subfoveal, temporal, and nasal positions at 500-µm intervals to a distance of 1,500 μm from the foveal center.

Results

The mean psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was 5.70 (range, 2.40–9.00). No significant differences were found in subfoveal (p = 0.659), temporal, and nasal CT values in psoriasis patients compared with the control group (p > 0.05). Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of central retinal thickness, macular GCIPL, and RNFL (p > 0.05). Moreover, no significant correlation exists between the duration of psoriasis disease and PASI scores and OCT parameters (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

No significant changes in CT, ganglion cell layer, RNFL, and retinal thickness values were noted in psoriasis patients with mild to moderate mean PASI score.
Elevated levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin among OCD patients: an exploratory study
Authors: Raposo-Lima Catarina , Pereira Inês Miguel , Marques Fernanda , Morgado Pedro
Published: May 2021

Background

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric disease that is characterized by its clinical heterogeneity and complex pathophysiology. This complexity comes from the diversity of pathophysiological factors that have been proposed to be involved in the natural history of the disorder. Many theories on OCD pathology support inflammation as a pathophysiological factor, although studies are not consistent on the presence of a pro-inflammatory state among OCD patients. However, some pre-clinical animal studies suggest lipocalin-2 (LCN2), an analogous form of the acute-phase pro-inflammatory protein neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), may be involved in in the regulation of the stress response, which is thought to be disrupted in OCD.

Methods

Twenty-one OCD patients and 19 healthy subjects participated in this exploratory study. Levels of NGAL were assessed in the peripherous blood of all participants. Severity of disease was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).

Results

OCD patients exhibited significantly higher levels of NGAL when compared to healthy control subjects. No correlation was found between elevated levels of NGAL and severity of symptoms.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report elevated levels of NGAL among OCD patients, adding evidence for a possible role of immune dysregulation in the pathophysiology of OCD.
Physical activity and mental well-being under COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional multination study
Authors: Karageorghis Costas I. , Bird Jonathan M. , Hutchinson Jasmin C. , Hamer Mark , Delevoye-Turrell Yvonne N. , Guérin Ségolène M. R. , Mullin Elizabeth M. , Mellano Kathleen T. , Parsons-Smith Renée L. , Terry Victoria R. , Terry Peter C.
Published: May 2021

Background

COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced opportunities for physical activity (PA) and encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. A concomitant of sedentariness is compromised mental health. We investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations (USA, UK, France, and Australia).

Methods

An online survey was administered in the second quarter of 2020 (N = 2541). We measured planned and unplanned dimensions of PA using the Brunel Lifestyle Physical Activity Questionnaire and mental health using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Steps per day were recorded only from participants who used an electronic device for this purpose, and sedentary behavior was reported in hours per day (sitting and screen time).

Results

In the USA and Australia samples, there was a significant decline in planned PA from pre- to during lockdown. Among young adults, Australians exhibited the lowest planned PA scores, while in middle-aged groups, the UK recorded the highest. Young adults exhibited the largest reduction in unplanned PA. Across nations, there was a reduction of ~ 2000 steps per day. Large increases in sedentary behavior emerged during lockdown, which were most acute in young adults. Lockdown was associated with a decline in mental health that was more pronounced in women.

Conclusions

The findings illustrate the deleterious effects of lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations. Australian young and lower middle-aged adults appeared to fare particularly badly in terms of planned PA. The reduction in steps per day is equivalent to the non-expenditure of ~ 100 kcal. Declines in mental health show how harmful lockdowns can be for women in particular.
A GIS based approach to neighbourhood physical environment and walking among adults in Colombo municipal council area, Sri Lanka
Authors: Weliange Shreenika De Silva , Fernando Dulitha , Withanage Shanthi , Gunatilake Jagath
Published: May 2021

Background

Physical Activity (PA) promotes health and wellbeing and walking is one of the easiest and commonest way to incorporate activity into everyday life. This study examined the association between the objectively measured neighbourhood physical environment and walking among the adults in Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area in Sri Lanka.

Methods

A cross sectional study was carried out and primary data collection carried out to assess walking, socio-demographic characteristics and geo location of residence. Secondary data was obtained to assess neighbourhood environment from existing spatially referenced data from the survey department of Sri Lanka. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to calculate density measures (residential density, land use, connectivity and access) and distance measures, which were then correlated with walking.

Results

A sample consisted of 284 adults aged 29–59 years with a mean age of 40.6 (SD,10.9) years. The total mean minutes walked a week was 175.8 min with a standard deviation of 214.0. The mean and the standard deviations of walking per week for transportation and leisure were 158.4 (SD,196.6) and 17.5 (SD,70.1) respectively. Residential density measures, building foot print area, length of major roads, number of intersections, number of bus stops, and distance to nearest major roads showed significant moderate degree of correlations with total minutes of walked per week, (p < 0.001). These results were similar with walking for transportation.

Conclusion

There is indication that neighbourhood features are associated with walking among the adults in the CMC area using secondary data on physical environment. This paves way for further exploration to understand the relationship between neighbourhood physical environment and walking which could be used for effective interventions to promote walking.
Use of conservative therapy before and after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Multanen Juhani , Uimonen Mikko M. , Repo Jussi P. , Häkkinen Arja , Ylinen Jari
Published: May 2021

Background

Conservative therapies are typically offered to individuals who experience mild or intermittent symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or postoperatively to subjects who have undergone carpal tunnel release. Although long-term studies report mostly positive results for carpal tunnel release, knowledge on the need for conservative treatments following surgery is scarce. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the use of conservative therapies before and after carpal tunnel releasing surgery.

Methods

Of 528 patients who underwent carpal tunnel release surgery in the study hospital during the study period, 259 provided sufficiently completed questionnaires (response rate 49 %). The patients completed a questionnaire battery including a sociodemographic, medical history and symptom questionnaire, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, 6-item CTS symptoms scale and EuroQoL 5D. Frequencies of conservative therapies pre- and postoperatively were calculated. Association between Pain VAS and satisfaction with treatment were examined in patient groups according to the use of conservative therapies.

Results

Of all patients, 41 (16 %) reported receiving only preoperative, 18 (7 %) reported receiving only postoperative, 157 (60 %) reported receiving both pre- and postoperative conservative therapies and 43 (17 %) did not receive any therapies. Preoperative use of conservative therapies was more common in females than males (82 % vs. 64 %; p = 0.002), but postoperatively no significant gender difference was observed. The patients who received conservative therapies were younger than non-users in both the preoperative (median age 59 vs. 66; p < 0.001) and postoperative (59 vs. 66; p = 0.04) phases. The patients reported high satisfaction with their treatment and simultaneous improvement in Pain VAS scores. Those receiving conservative therapies only preoperatively reported the highest satisfaction.

Conclusions

While the use of conservative therapies decreased after surgery, a large proportion of the patients received these adjunct interventions. Patients reported high satisfaction with their treatment one year post surgery. Pain outcome seems to be closely related to satisfaction with treatment.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Correction to: An ecological study on the association between universal health service coverage index, health expenditures, and early childhood caries
Authors:   for the Early Childhood Caries Advocacy Group, Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Tantawi Maha El , Virtanen Jorma I. , Feldens Carlos Alberto , Rashwan Maher , Kemoli Arthur M. , Villena Rita , Al-Batayneh Ola B. , Amalia Rosa , Gafar Balgis , Mohebbi Simin Z. , Arheiam Arheiam , Daryanavard Hamideh , Vukovic Ana , Schroth Robert J.
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Dissolution and solubility of calcite-rhodochrosite solid solutions [(Ca1-xMnx)CO3] at 25 °C
Authors: Zhu Yinian , Nong Peijie , Mo Nan , Zhu Zongqiang , Deng Huan , Tang Shen , Yang Hongqu , Zhang Lihao , Wang Xingxing
Published: May 2021

A complete series of calcite-rhodochrosite solid solutions [(Ca1-xMnx)CO3] are prepared, and their dissolution processes in various water samples are experimentally investigated. The crystal morphologies of the solid solutions vary from blocky spherical crystal aggregates to smaller spheres with an increasing incorporation of Mn in the solids. Regarding dissolution in N2-degassed water, air-saturated water and CO2-saturated water at 25 °C, the aqueous Ca and Mn concentrations reach their highest values after 1240–2400 h, 6–12 h and < 1 h, respectively, and then decrease gradually to a steady state; additionally, the ion activity products (log_IAP) at the final steady state (≈ solubility products in log_Ksp) are estimated to be − 8.46 ± 0.06, − 8.44 ± 0.10 and − 8.59 ± 0.10 for calcite [CaCO3], respectively, and − 10.25 ± 0.08, − 10.26 ± 0.10 and − 10.28 ± 0.03, for rhodochrosite [MnCO3], respectively. As XMn increases, the log_IAP values decrease from − 8.44 ~ − 8.59 for calcite to − 10.25 ~ − 10.28 for rhodochrosite. The aqueous Mn concentrations increase with an increasing Mn/(Ca + Mn) molar ratio (XMn) of the (Ca1-xMnx)CO3 solid solutions, while the aqueous Ca concentrations show the highest values at XMn = 0.53–0.63. In the constructed Lippmann diagram of subregular (Ca1-xMnx)CO3 solid solutions, the solids dissolve incongruently, and the data points of the aqueous solutions move progressively up to the Lippmann solutus curve and then along the solutus curve or saturation curve of pure MnCO3 to the Mn-poor side. The microcrystalline cores of the spherical crystal aggregates are preferentially dissolved to form core hollows while simultaneously precipitating Mn-rich hexagonal prisms.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in Nigeria: insights from microsatellite loci analysis
Authors: Ajogbasile Fehintola V. , Kayode Adeyemi T. , Oluniyi Paul E. , Akano Kazeem O. , Uwanibe Jessica N. , Adegboyega Benjamin B. , Philip Courage , John Oluwagboadurami G. , Eromon Philomena J. , Emechebe George , Finimo Finimo , Ogbulafor Nnenna , Jiya Nma , Okafor Uche , Ambe Jose , Wammanda Robinson D. , Oguche Stephen , Mokuolu Olugbenga A. , Sowunmi Akintunde , Folarin Onikepe A. , Happi Christian T.
Published: May 2021

Background

Malaria remains a public health burden especially in Nigeria. To develop new malaria control and elimination strategies or refine existing ones, understanding parasite population diversity and transmission patterns is crucial.

Methods

In this study, characterization of the parasite diversity and structure of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from 633 dried blood spot samples in Nigeria was carried out using 12 microsatellite loci of P. falciparum. These microsatellite loci were amplified via semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fragments were analysed using population genetic tools.

Results

Estimates of parasite genetic diversity, such as mean number of different alleles (13.52), effective alleles (7.13), allelic richness (11.15) and expected heterozygosity (0.804), were high. Overall linkage disequilibrium was weak (0.006, P < 0.001). Parasite population structure was low (Fst: 0.008–0.105, AMOVA: 0.039).

Conclusion

The high level of parasite genetic diversity and low population structuring in this study suggests that parasite populations circulating in Nigeria are homogenous. However, higher resolution methods, such as the 24 SNP barcode and whole genome sequencing, may capture more specific parasite genetic signatures circulating in the country. The results obtained can be used as a baseline for parasite genetic diversity and structure, aiding in the formulation of appropriate therapeutic and control strategies in Nigeria.