bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nishtam Niwiipitan (My First Teeth): Oral Health Digital Stories from Urban Indigenous Parents
Authors: Lee J. , Schroth R.J. , Lawrence H.P.
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

To develop oral health–related digital story videos through interviews with Indigenous parents who shared their experiences in dealing with early childhood caries (ECC) in their children.

Methods:

Indigenous parents in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, were recruited from community programs from October to December 2019 as part of the Nishtam Niwiipitan (My First Teeth), a community-based participatory research study that builds on an ECC intervention. A twofold qualitative narrative approach to data collection was used: 1) interviewing participants and creating digital stories and 2) taking part in the postfilming feedback interviews. Participants were interviewed via video in a semistructured format sharing their experiences and attitudes about caring for children with ECC and the challenges faced seeking dental care for the disease. The stories were drawn from parents in 3 predetermined groups: those with 1) children who had undergone dental surgery under general anesthesia, 2) children who had received silver diamine fluoride as an alternative to surgery to manage ECC, and 3) caries-free children. Prior to editing, the narrated stories were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. The postfilming interview transcripts were also analyzed and coded for key themes.

Results:

Six parents and 1 grandparent, all of whom self-identified as Indigenous (First Nations or Métis) and cared for children aged <6 y, created the digital stories. Three key themes emerged from the postfilming interviews: ability to share, ability to help, and ability to change. Participants felt important, optimistic, and motivated throughout the process of making their digital stories.

Conclusion:

Digital storytelling offered First Nations and Métis parents a unique opportunity to share their experiences caring for children with ECC with the wider public. These videos can be incorporated into oral health promotion and ECC intervention programs as a culturally appropriate method for reaching Indigenous families.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The use and development of digital storytelling for oral health promotion have great potential for spreading awareness and sharing knowledge with Indigenous parents/caregivers about their children’s oral health and care practices. This health promotion tool is congruent with Indigenous ways of knowing, as Indigenous communities have a long tradition of oral history. The videos produced for this study will assist with oral health promotion efforts to address the high rates of early childhood caries in Indigenous communities in Canada.
Digital traces: Mapping Bogotá’s unmapped transit network using smartphones and networked databases
Authors: Vergel-Tovar C Erik , Goldwyn Eric , Leape Jonathan
Published: August 2022

New tools have enabled “civic hackers” and transportation researchers to map previously uncharted transit networks previously confined to the purview of locals and insiders. These new datasets reveal the extent of these systems and their role in providing access to the city. In this paper, we describe the methodology regarding the mapping process of Bogotá’s semi-formal SITP Provisional bus system, accomplished using smartphones, cloud-based data management systems, and GIS software. By visualizing the semi-formal SITP Provisional system alongside the centrally planned bus system, we provide the first complete picture of Bogotá’s transit system. We also develop two types of data analysis based on General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data generated from this mapping process. Using spatial algorithms, we identify parallelism between the semi-formal transit routes and the formal transit network. We then visualize the degree of access to job opportunities that each system provides. We find that integrating semi-formal and formal transit services, that is, the entire network, increases accessibility levels for workers, especially at urban peripheries. Results suggest the importance of considering semi-formal transit services in transportation planning, the services often neglected in the planning process, and the advantages of integrating them into the network to increase accessibility to opportunity areas. We recommend that other cities harness GPS-enabled apps to map transit systems, generate GTFS data, and empower local actors to make use of the data. Based on this bottom-up approach, semi-formal transit networks can provide additional inputs for urban transportation planning processes regarding the transportation user´s accessibility needs.
Racial Stress and Trauma and the Development of Adolescent Depression: A Review of the Role of Vigilance Evoked by Racism-Related Threat
Authors: Woody Mary L. , Bell Elizabeth C. , Cruz Nicolas A. , Wears Anna , Anderson Riana E. , Price Rebecca B.
Published: August 2022

There are known disparities in the burden of illness and access/quality of care for African, Latino/a, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) patients diagnosed with depressive disorders, which may occur because of health inequities. Racial stress and trauma (RST), or the significant fear and distress that can be imparted from exposure to racism, is one such inequity linked to the development of depression. The current review summarizes past research examining the association between racism, RST, and depression, as well as avenues in which RST becomes biologically embedded in ALANA individuals. We describe multimodal research that supports vigilance as a potential mediator of the association between RST and depression and consider the nuanced role that vigilance plays during experiences with racism. Finally, we describe methodological advances in the assessment of vigilance evoked by RST and the clinical implications that may be generated by future improvements. In each of these areas, we present examples of how ongoing and future research can be leveraged to provide support for psychosocial programs that facilitate autonomous community healing and resilience, increase calls for public policy changes, and support clinical interventions that lessen the burden of racism on ALANA communities.
Bolotinaite, ideally (Na7□)(Al6Si6O24)F⋅4H2O, a new sodalite-group mineral from the Eifel palaeovolcanic region, Germany
Authors: Chukanov Nikita V. , Zubkova Natalia V. , Schäfer Christof , Pekov I.V. , Shendrik Roman Yu. , Vigasina Marina F. , Belakovskiy Dmitry I. , Britvin Sergey N. , Yapaskurt Vasiliy O. , Pushcharovsky Dmitry Yu.
Published: August 2022

The new sodalite-group mineral bolotinaite, ideally (Na7□)(Al6Si6O24)F⋅4H2O, was discovered in a volcanic ejectum of trachitoid sanidinite collected from the In den Dellen (Zieglowski) pumice quarry, Laach Lake (Laacher See) palaeovolcano, Eifel region, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The associated minerals are sanidine, nepheline, annite and zircon. Bolotinaite occurs as isolated interpenetration prismatic twins on (111) up to 1.3 mm long, complex twins, and rare non-twinned rhombic dodecahedra up to 0.2 mm across. The colour of bolotinaite is pale yellow to pinkish coloured, the streak is white and the lustre is vitreous. Weak orange–yellow fluorescence under longwave ultraviolet radiation (λ = 330 nm) is due to the presence of trace amounts of the S2•– radical anion. Bolotinaite is brittle, with a Mohs’ hardness of 5. No cleavage is observed. The fracture is uneven. D(meas) = 2.27(2) g⋅cm–3, D(calc) = 2.291 g⋅cm–3. Bolotinaite is optically isotropic, with n = 1.488(2) (λ = 589 nm). The chemical composition is (wt.%, electron microprobe, CO2 determined by quantitative IR spectroscopy analysis, H2O calculated from the empirical formula with four H2O molecules per formula unit): Na2O 18.30, K2O 3.87, CaO 0.57, Al2O3 28.85, SiO2 37.97, CO2 1.66, SO3 1.37, F 1.60, Cl 0.57, 2.22, H2O 7.21, –O≡(F,Cl) –0.80, total 101.17. The empirical formula is (Na5.92K0.82Ca0.10H0.08)(Si6.33Al5.67O24)(SO4)0.17F0.84Cl0.16(H2O)3.96(CO2)0.38. A high content of H2O and the presence of CO2 molecules and H+ cations as well as trace amounts of S2•– are confirmed by means of infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The crystal structure was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R = 0.0335. Bolotinaite is cubic, space group I$\bar{4}$3m, with a = 9.027(1) Å, V = 735.7(2) Å3 and Z = 1. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 6.36 (47) (110), 4.502 (10) (200), 3.679 (100) (211), 2.851 (28) (310), 2.603 (29) (222) and 2.126 (18) (330). The mineral is named in honour of the Russian crystallographer and crystal chemist Dr. Nadezhda Borisovna Bolotina (b. 1949).
Longitudinal expression profiling identifies a poor risk subset of patients with ABC-type diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Bewicke-Copley Findlay , Korfi Koorosh , Araf Shamzah , Hodkinson Brendan , Kumar Emil , Cummin Thomas , Ashton-Key Margaret , Barrans Sharon , van Hoppe Suzan , Burton Cathy , Elshiekh Mohamed , Rule Simon , Crosbie Nicola , Clear Andrew , Calaminici Maria , Runge Hendrik , Hills Robert K. , Scott David W. , Rimsza Lisa M. , Menon Geetha , Sha Chulin , Davies John R. , Nagano Ai , Davies Andrew , Painter Daniel , Smith Alexandra , Gribben John , Naresh Kikkeri N. , Westhead David R. , Okosun Jessica , Steele Andrew , Hodson Daniel J. , Balasubramanian Sriram , Johnson Peter , Wang Jun , Fitzgibbon Jude
Published: August 2022

Despite the effectiveness of immuno-chemotherapy, 40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) experience relapse or refractory disease. Longitudinal studies have previously focused on the mutational landscape of relapse but fell short of providing a consistent relapse-specific genetic signature. In our study, we have focused attention on the changes in GEP accompanying DLBCL relapse using archival paired diagnostic/relapse specimens from 38 de novo patients with DLBCL. COO remained stable from diagnosis to relapse in 80% of patients, with only a single patient showing COO switching from activated B-cell–like (ABC) to germinal center B-cell–like (GCB). Analysis of the transcriptomic changes that occur following relapse suggest ABC and GCB relapses are mediated via different mechanisms. We developed a 30-gene discriminator for ABC–DLBCLs derived from relapse-associated genes that defined clinically distinct high- and low-risk subgroups in ABC–DLBCLs at diagnosis in datasets comprising both population-based and clinical trial cohorts. This signature also identified a population of <60-year–old patients with superior PFS and OS treated with ibrutinib–R-CHOP as part of the PHOENIX trial. Altogether this new signature adds to the existing toolkit of putative genetic predictors now available in DLBCL that can be readily assessed as part of prospective clinical trials.
Altered macronutrient composition and genetics influence the complex transcriptional network associated with adiposity in the Collaborative Cross
Authors: Yam Phoebe , VerHague Melissa , Albright Jody , Gertz Erik , Pardo-Manuel de Villena Fernando , Bennett Brian J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Obesity is a serious disease with a complex etiology characterized by overaccumulation of adiposity resulting in detrimental health outcomes. Given the liver’s critical role in the biological processes that attenuate adiposity accumulation, elucidating the influence of genetics and dietary patterns on hepatic gene expression is fundamental for improving methods of obesity prevention and treatment. To determine how genetics and diet impact obesity development, mice from 22 strains of the genetically diverse recombinant inbred Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse panel were challenged to either a high-protein or high-fat high-sucrose diet, followed by extensive phenotyping and analysis of hepatic gene expression.

Results

Over 1000 genes differentially expressed by perturbed dietary macronutrient composition were enriched for biological processes related to metabolic pathways. Additionally, over 9000 genes were differentially expressed by strain and enriched for biological process involved in cell adhesion and signaling. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified multiple gene clusters (modules) associated with body fat % whose average expression levels were influenced by both dietary macronutrient composition and genetics. Each module was enriched for distinct types of biological functions.

Conclusions

Genetic background affected hepatic gene expression in the CC overall, but diet macronutrient differences also altered expression of a specific subset of genes. Changes in macronutrient composition altered gene expression related to metabolic processes, while genetic background heavily influenced a broad range of cellular functions and processes irrespective of adiposity. Understanding the individual role of macronutrient composition, genetics, and their interaction is critical to developing therapeutic strategies and policy recommendations for precision nutrition.
regCOVID: Tracking publications of registered COVID-19 studies
Authors: Mayer Craig S. , Huser Vojtech
Published: August 2022

Background

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic many clinical studies have been initiated leading to the need for efficient ways to track and analyze study results. We expanded our previous project that tracked registered COVID-19 clinical studies to also track result articles generated from these studies. Our objective was to develop a data science approach to identify and analyze all publications linked to COVID-19 clinical studies and generate a prioritized list of publications for efficient understanding of the state of COVID-19 clinical research.

Methods

We conducted searches of ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed to identify articles linked to COVID-19 studies, and developed criteria based on the trial phase, intervention, location, and record recency to develop a prioritized list of result publications.

Results

The performed searchers resulted in 1 022 articles linked to 565 interventional trials (17.8% of all 3 167 COVID-19 interventional trials as of 31 January 2022). 609 publications were identified via abstract-link in PubMed and 413 via registry-link in ClinicalTrials.gov, with 27 articles linked from both sources. Of the 565 trials publishing at least one article, 197 (34.9%) had multiple linked publications. An attention score was assigned to each publication to develop a prioritized list of all publications linked to COVID-19 trials and 83 publications were identified that are result articles from late phase (Phase 3) trials with at least one US site and multiple study record updates. For COVID-19 vaccine trials, 108 linked result articles for 64 trials (14.7% of 436 total COVID-19 vaccine trials) were found.

Conclusions

Our method allows for the efficient identification of important COVID-19 articles that report results of registered clinical trials and are connected via a structured article-trial link. Our data science methodology also allows for consistent and as needed data updates and is generalizable to other conditions of interest.
Expression characteristic, immune signature, and prognosis value of EFNA family identified by multi-omics integrative analysis in pan-cancer
Authors: Jiao Zonglin , Feng Xiao , Cui Yuqing , Wang Lei , Gan Junqing , Zhao Yanbin , Meng Qingwei
Published: August 2022

Background

EphrinA (EFNA) are Eph receptor ligands that regulate various disease processes. Nonetheless, the expression characteristics of EFNAs in pan-cancer, their relationship with tumor immune microenvironment, and prognostic value landscape remain unknown.

Methods

A comprehensive landscape of EFNAs was created using various statistical data extracted from 33 cancers. Subsequently, we identified differential expression, genetic variations, potential function enrichment, tumor immune-related analysis, and drug sensitivity. Further, we investigated the clinical features and diagnostic prognostic value of EFNAs. RT-qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to validate the expression level and significant clinical value of EFNA5 in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and tissues.

Results

EFNAs were highly mutated in various cancers. Genomic and epigenetic alterations of EFNAs were observed in various tumors, where an oncogenic mutation in specific cancer types potentially affected EFNA expression. Moreover, tumor-derived EFNAs were significantly related to the tumor immune microenvironment, suggesting that they are promising therapeutic targets. The majority of EFNA family genes were significantly linked to patient prognosis. Eventually, EFNA5 was an independent prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

In summary, EFNAs are crucial in tumor immune regulation, and EFNA5 is a prognostic marker in lung adenocarcinoma. Our findings provide new insights into EFNAs from a bioinformatics standpoint and highlight the significance of EFNAs in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Evaluation of the role of KPNA2 mutations in breast cancer prognosis using bioinformatics datasets
Authors: Alnoumas Layla , van den Driest Lisa , Apczynski Zoe , Lannigan Alison , Johnson Caroline H. , Rattray Nicholas J. W. , Rattray Zahra
Published: August 2022

Breast cancer, comprising of several sub-phenotypes, is a leading cause of female cancer-related mortality in the UK and accounts for 15% of all cancer cases. Chemoresistant sub phenotypes of breast cancer remain a particular challenge. However, the rapidly-growing availability of clinical datasets, presents the scope to underpin a data-driven precision medicine-based approach exploring new targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

We report the application of a bioinformatics-based approach probing the expression and prognostic role of Karyopherin-2 alpha (KPNA2) in breast cancer prognosis. Aberrant KPNA2 overexpression is directly correlated with aggressive tumour phenotypes and poor patient survival outcomes. We examined the existing clinical data available on a range of commonly occurring mutations of KPNA2 and their correlation with patient survival.

Our analysis of clinical gene expression datasets show that KPNA2 is frequently amplified in breast cancer, with differences in expression levels observed as a function of patient age and clinicopathologic parameters. We also found that aberrant KPNA2 overexpression is directly correlated with poor patient prognosis, warranting further investigation of KPNA2 as an actionable target for patient stratification or the design of novel chemotherapy agents.

In the era of big data, the wealth of datasets available in the public domain can be used to underpin proof of concept studies evaluating the biomolecular pathways implicated in chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer.
MiR-26a-5p regulates proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion via inhibiting hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase like-2 in cervical cancer cell
Authors: Li Ming , Xiao Yubo , Liu Minqi , Ning Qian , Xiang Ziye , Zheng Xiang , Tang Shengsong , Mo Zhongcheng
Published: August 2022

Background

Evidences have indicated that miR-26a-5p regulates the malignant properties of various tumor cells. However, the influences of miR-26a-5p on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion are still vague in the cervical cancer (CC) cells.

Methods

The miRNA microarray and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis were utilized to detect the expression of miR-26a-5p in the patients with CC. Kaplan–Meier plotter was performed to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of the patients with CC. The CCK-8, flow cytometry, transwell and wound healing analyses were respectively used to analyze proliferation, migration and invasion in the CC cells. RT-qPCR, western blot and IHC analysis were executed to measure the expression of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase like-2 (HSDL2) in the patients with CC. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay were carried out to verify the relationship of miR-26a-5p and HSDL2.

Results

The expression of miR-26a-5p was downregulated and low expression of miR-26a-5p indicated a poor OS in patients with CC. Overexpression of miR-26a-5p significantly inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion, accelerated apoptosis in the Hela and C33A cells. The expression of HSDL2 was upregulated, and negatively correlated with miR-26a-5p in the patients with CC. HSDL2 was directly targeted by miR-26a-5p and rescue experiments displayed that HSDL2 partially abolished proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion induced by miR-26a-5p in CC cells.

Conclusions

MiR-26a-5p alleviated progression of CC by suppressing proliferation, migration and invasion, promoting apoptosis through downregulating HSDL2.
The prognostic impact of lung adenocarcinoma predominance classification relating to pathological factors in lobectomy, the Japanese Joint Committee of Lung Cancer Registry Database in 2010
Authors: Ito Hiroyuki , Date Hiroshi , Shintani Yasushi , Miyaoka Etsuo , Nakanishi Ryoichi , Kadokura Mitsutaka , Endo Shunsuke , Chida Masayuki , Yoshino Ichiro , Suzuki Hidemi ,   the Japanese Joint Committee of Lung Cancer Registry
Published: August 2022

Objective

We studied the prognosis and clinicopathological background of lung adenocarcinoma predominance among patients who underwent lobectomy using data from the Japanese Joint Committee of Lung Cancer Registry.

Methods

Two thousand eight hundred sixty-three cases were extracted. Recurrence free survival (RFS) rates, overall survival (OS) rates and clinicopathological factors and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status were examined.

Results

Median follow-up period was 65.5 months. Adenocarcinoma predominance was sub-grouped according to OS and RFS rate. In pathological stage I, 5-year RFS and OS rates were respectively 92.2% and 95.8% in group A (adenocarcinoma-in-situ + minimally invasive adenocarcinoma), 89.3% and 92.1% in group B (lepidic), 79.2% and 89.7% in group C (papillary + acinar + variants) and 69.0% and 79.0% in group D (solid + micropapillary). In pathological stage II + IIIA, they were, 43.6% and 72.4% in B, 39.5% and 66.9% in C and 31.0% and 53.7% in D. Group D showed significant worst outcome both in stage I and II + IIIA. Up stage rate from clinical stage I to pathological stage II + IIIA was 0.0%, 3.7%, 15.9% and 33.3%. The frequency of lymph-vessel, vascular, pleura invasion and positive EGFR mutation were 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0% and 57.1% in group A, 15.6%, 10.0%, 12.1% and 55.1% in B, 36.6%, 31.8%, 29.7% and 44.9% in C, 50.2%, 57.8%, 38.9% and 21.3% in D. In group D, lymph-vessel, vascular and pleura invasion were most, EGFR mutation was least frequent not only in pathological stage I but also stage II + IIIA. In multivariate analysis, age, pathological stage, vascular invasion, and group D were independent factors affected RFS and OS.

Conclusion

Limited to lobectomy cases, solid + micropapillary was independent prognostic factor both in early and locally advanced stage. Its malignant degree was related to the frequency of pathological invasive factors and EGFR mutation status.
Cross-sectional study of the association between asthma and cataract among 40 years and older in the USA
Authors: Li Wenwei , Wang Bin
Published: August 2022

Background

This study is aimed to assess the association between asthma and cataract in a representative sample in the United States.

Methods

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is the principal source of information on the health of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. Ten years (2010-2019) of NHIS were analyzed in this study. Asthma and cataract status were collected from relevant questionnaires among participants aged 40 years and older. Multivariate regression analyses were applied to explore the association between asthma and cataract.

Results

From 40,457 participants included, those with asthma had higher prevalence of cataract than those without asthma (29.41% vs 25.87%, p < 0.001). Participants who had asthma had 40% higher odds of cataract compared to those without, after adjusting for potential confounding covariates (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.40, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.29-1.52, p < 0.001). When viewing asthma as the outcome, participants who had cataract had 36% higher odds of asthma compared to those without, after adjusting for potential confounding covariates (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.25-1.47, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

With our study, we demonstrated that individuals with asthma were more likely to develop cataract compared with those without asthma. Further RCTs are needed to confirm this potential impact of asthma on cataract and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
A review of smartphone applications designed to improve occupational health, safety, and well-being at workplaces
Authors: Karlsen Iben Louise , Svendsen Peter Aske , Abildgaard Johan Simonsen
Published: August 2022

Background

As smartphones become more widespread, software applications for occupational health, safety and well-being (OHS&W) at work are increasing. There is sparse knowledge about the available apps and the research evidence of their effects. This study aims to identify available smartphone applications designed to improve OHS&W at workplaces, and examine to what extent the apps are scientifically validated.

Methods

We searched the Danish App Store and Google Play for free OHS&W apps. Apps were included if they targeted OHS&W and were designed for workplace use. After categorizing the apps, we searched bibliographic databases to identify scientific studies on the ‘intervention apps’.

Results

Altogether, 57 apps were included in the study; 19 apps were categorized as digital sources of information, 37 apps contained an intervention designed for workplace changes, and one app had too sparse information to be classified. Based on the publicly available information about the 37 intervention apps, only 13 had references to research. The bibliographic database search returned 531 publications, resulting in four relevant studies referring to four apps aimed at ergonomic measures, noise exposure, and well-being, which showed either limited effect or methodological limitations.

Conclusion

There is no conceptual clarity about what can be categorized as an OHS&W app. Although some of the apps were developed based on scientific research, there is a need to evaluate the apps’ effects in promoting OHS&W. The sparse documentation of evidence should be kept in mind when applying apps to improve OHS&W.
Spatial distribution and associated factors of community based health insurance coverage in Ethiopia: further analysis of Ethiopian demography and health survey, 2019
Authors: Terefe Bewuketu , Alemu Tewodros Getaneh , Techane Masresha Asmare , Wubneh Chalachew Adugna , Assimamaw Nega Tezera , Belay Getaneh Mulualem , Tamir Tadesse Tarik , Muhye Addis Bilal , Kassie Destaye Guadie , Wondim Amare , Tarekegn Bethelihem Tigabu , Ali Mohammed Seid , Fentie Beletech , Gonete Almaz Tefera , Tekeba Berhan , Kassa Selam Fisiha , Desta Bogale Kassahun , Ayele Amare Demsie , Dessie Melkamu Tilahun , Atalell Kendalem Asmare
Published: August 2022

Background

Community-Based Health Insurance is an emerging concept for providing financial protection against the cost of illness and improving access to quality health services for low-income households excluded from formal insurance and taken as a soft option by many countries. Therefore, exploring the spatial distribution of health insurance is crucial to prioritizing and designing targeted intervention policies in the country.

Methods

A total of 8,663 households aged 15–95 years old were included in this study. The Bernoulli model was used by applying Kulldorff methods using the SaTScan software to analyze the purely spatial clusters of community based health insurance. ArcGIS version 10.3 was used to visualize the distribution of community-based health insurance coverage across the country. Mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was also used to identify predictors of community-based health insurance coverage.

Results

Community based health insurance coverage among households had spatial variations across the country by regions (Moran’s I: 0.252, p < 0.0001). Community based health insurance in Amhara (p < 0.0001) and Tigray (p < 0.0001) regions clustered spatially. Age from 15–29 and 30–39 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio 0.46(AOR = 0.46, CI: 0.36,0.60) and 0.77(AOR = 0.77, CI: 0.63,0.96), primary education level 1.57(AOR = 1.57, CI: 1.15,2.15), wealth index of middle and richer (1.71(AOR = 1.71, CI: 1.30,2.24) and 1.79(AOR = 1.79, CI: 1.34,2.41), family size > 5, 0.82(AOR = 0.82, CI: 0.69,0.96),respectively and regions Afar, Oromia, Somali, Benishangul Gumuz, SNNPR, Gambella, Harari, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa was 0.002(AOR = 0.002, CI: 0.006,0.04), 0.11(AOR = 0.11, CI: 0.06,0.21) 0.02(AOR = 0.02, CI: 0.007,0.04), 0.04(AOR = 0.04, CI: 0.02,0.08), 0.09(AOR = 0.09, CI: 0.05,0.18),0.004(AOR = 0.004,CI:0.02,0.08),0.06(AOR = 0.06,CI:0.03,0.14), 0.07(AOR = 0.07, CI: 0.03,0.16) and 0.03(AOR = 0.03, CI: 0.02,0.07) times less likely utilize community based health insurance than the Amhara region respectively in Ethiopia.

Conclusion

Community based health insurance coverage among households in Ethiopia was found very low still. The government needs to develop consistent financial and technical support and create awareness for regions with lower health insurance coverage.
Association between years with incidence of communicable diseases focused on COVID-19 and hand hygiene among adults in South Korea: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jung Yun Hwa , Park Yu Shin , Park Eun-Cheol , Jang Sung-In
Published: August 2022

Background

Handwashing is important considering the impact of communicable diseases on the public. We aimed to identify the association between years with incidence of communicable diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and hand hygiene in South Korea.

Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluated 5 years (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020) of data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 1,034,422 adults. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to assess handwashing frequency by year. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the cut-off point for handwashing frequency.

Results

The always/frequently handwashing rate was 44.7%. This tendency was stronger in adults with each ascending year, with reference to 2013 (2015, odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.13; 2017, OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.13; 2019, OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.14, 1.20; 2020, OR = 3.21, 95% CI = 3.14, 3.29). Among women, the OR of frequently/always handwashing was 3.55 times higher (95% CI = 3.45, 3.66) in 2020 than in 2013. This OR was 2.95 among men (95% CI = 2.86, 3.04). In influenza-vaccinated participants, the OR of frequent/always handwashing was 3.25 times higher in 2020 than in 2013 (95% CI = 3.15, 3.36), while in non-vaccinated participants it was 3.17 (95% CI = 3.08, 3.27). Among adults who practiced physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the OR was 1.36 times higher (95% CI = 1.29, 1.42) with frequent handwashing, 1.64 times higher (95% CI = 1.57, 1.70) than those who did not practice it.

Conclusions

There was a strong tendency toward frequent handwashing over the years; the trend was even greater in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that communicable diseases and handwashing are closely related, it is necessary to promote hand hygiene for prevention.
Evaluation of serum and pleural levels tumor M2-pyruvate kinase in lung cancer patients with pleural effusion
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Liu Wei , Li Li , Jue Zou , Xu Chunhua
Published: August 2022

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic value of tumor M2-pyruvate kinase (TuM2-PK) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in both pleural effusion and serum in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted among 80 patients with benign pleural effusion (BPE group) and 125 patients with malignant pleural effusion associated with lung cancer (MPE group). The levels of TuM2-PK and CEA were measured by using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence. The receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to confirm the cutoff value to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of TuM2-PK and CEA.

Results

The TuM2-PK and CEA levels in pleural effusion and serum, and their ratio (P/S) were higher in MPE group than that in BPE group (P < 0.05). In pleural effusion and serum, the diagnostic efficiency of combined TuM2-PK and CEA for MPE was superior to either single detection.

Conclusions

The combined detection of TuM2-PK and CEA has a high sensitivity for diagnosis of MPE and might provide method for rapid and accurate diagnosis of patients.
The introduction of a regional Norwegian HEMS coordinator: an assessment of the effects on response times, geographical service areas and severity scores
Authors: Ulvin Ole Erik , Skjærseth Eivinn Årdal , Haugland Helge , Thorsen Kjetil , Nordseth Trond , Orre Marie Falch , Vesterhus Lars , Krüger Andreas Jørstad
Published: August 2022

Background

Due to unwanted delays and suboptimal resource control of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), regional HEMS coordinators have recently been introduced in Norway. This may represent an unnecessary link in the alarm chain, which could cause delays in HEMS dispatch. Systematic evaluations of this intervention are lacking. We wanted to conduct this study to assess possible changes in HEMS response times, mission distribution patterns and patient characteristics within our region following this intervention.

Methods

We retrospectively collected timeline parameters, patient characteristics and GPS positions from HEMS missions executed by three regional HEMS bases in Mid-Norway during 2017–2018 (preintervention) and 2019 (postintervention). The mean regional response time in HEMS missions was assessed by an interrupted time series analysis (ITS). The geographical mission distribution between regional HEMS resources was assessed by a before-after study with a convex hull-based method.

Results

There was no significant change in the level (-0.13 min/month, p = 0.88) or slope (-0.13 min/month, p = 0.30) of the mean regional response time trend line pre- and postintervention. For one HEMS base, the service area was increased, and the median mission distance was significantly longer. For the two other bases, the service areas were reduced. Both the mean NACA score (4.13 ± SD 0.027 vs 3.98 ± SD 0.04, p < 0.01) and the proportion of patients with severe illness or injury (NACA 4–7, 68.2% vs 61.5%, p < 0.001) were higher in the postintervention group.

Conclusion

The introduction of a regional HEMS coordinator in Mid-Norway did not cause prolonged response times in acute HEMS missions during the first year after implementation. Higher NACA scores in the patients treated postintervention suggest better selection of HEMS use.
Use of hospitals in the New York City Metropolitan Region, by race: how separate? How equal in resources and quality?
Authors: Liu Bian , Ornstein Katherine A. , Frydman Julia L. , Kelley Amy S. , Benn Emma K. T. , Siu Albert L.
Published: August 2022

Background

Although racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately use some hospitals, hospital-based racial and ethnic composition relative to geographic region and its association with quality indicators has not been systematically analyzed.

Methods

We used four race and ethnicity categories: non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander/Alaskan Native/American Indian (API/AIAN), as well as a combined non-NHW category, from the 2010 (latest year publicly available) Medicare Institutional Provider & Beneficiary Summary public use file for 84 hospitals in the New York City region. We assessed the relative distribution of race and ethnicity across hospitals grouped at different geographic levels (region, county, hospital referral region [HRR], or hospital service areas [HSA]) using the dissimilarity index. Hospital characteristics included quality star ratings, essential professional services and diagnostic/treatment equipment, bed size, total expenses, and patients with dual Medicare and Medicaid enrollment. We assessed Spearman’s rank correlation between hospital-based racial and ethnic composition and quality/structural measures.

Results

Dissimilarity Index decreases from region (range 30.3–40.1%) to county (range 13.7–23.5%), HRR (range 10.5–27.5%), and HSA (range 12.0–16.9%) levels. Hospitals with larger non-NHW patients tended to have lower hospital ratings and higher proportions of dually-enrolled patients. They were also more likely to be safety net hospitals and non-federal governmental hospitals.

Conclusions

In the NYC metropolitan region, there is considerable hospital-based racial and ethnic segregation of Medicare patients among non-NHW populations, extending previous research limited to NHB. Availability of data on racial and ethnic composition of hospitals should be made publicly available for researchers and consumers.
Assessing the time use and payments of multipurpose community health workers for the various roles they play—a quantitative study of the Mitanin programme in India
Authors: Garg Samir , Dewangan Mukesh , Nanda Prabodh , C Krishnendhu , Sahu Ashu , Xalxo Lalita
Published: August 2022

Background

Community health workers (CHWs) are crucial human resources for health. While specialist CHWs focus on a single disease vertically, the generalist or multipurpose CHWs perform wider functions. The current study was aimed at examining the time multipurpose CHWs spend on performing their different roles. This can help in understanding the importance they attach to each role. Since CHWs in many developing countries are classified as part-time volunteers, this study also aimed to assess the adequacy of CHW payments in relation to their time use.

Methods

The study covered a well-established CHW programme in India's Chhattisgarh state. It had 71,000 multipurpose part-time CHWs known as Mitanins. Data collection involved interviews with a representative sample of 660 rural and 406 urban Mitanins. A semi-structured tool was designed and field tested. It included 26 pre-coded activities of CHWs placed under their six purposes or roles. Prompting and triangulation were used during interviews to mitigate the possibility of over-reporting of work by CHWs. The recall period was of one week. Descriptive analysis included comparison of key indicators for rural and urban Mitanins. A multi-variate linear model was used to find the determinants of CHW time-use.

Results

The rural and urban Mitanins respectively spent 25.3 and 34.8 h per week on their CHW work. Apart from location (urban), the total time spent was associated with size of population covered. The time-use was well balanced between roles of service-linkage, providing health education and curative care directly, COVID-19 related work and action on social determinants of health. More than half of their time-use was for unpaid tasks. Most of the cash-incentives were concentrated on service linkage role. The average payment earned by Mitanins was less than 60% of legal minimum wage.

Conclusion

The time-use pattern of Mitanins was not dictated by cash-incentives and their solidarity with community seemed be a key motivator. To allow wide ranging CHW action like Mitanins, the population per CHW should be decided appropriately. The considerable time multipurpose CHWs spend on their work necessitates that developing countries develop policies to comply with World Health Organisation's recommendation to pay them fairly.
Age-specific difference in the association between prediabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis: an analysis of a chinese prospective cohort study
Authors: Cao Qiuyu , Xin Zhuojun , He Ruixin , Wang Tiange , Xu Min , Lu Jieli , Dai Meng , Zhang Di , Chen Yuhong , Zhao Zhiyun , Wang Shuangyuan , Lin Hong , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Bi Yufang , Xu Yu , Li Mian
Published: August 2022

Background

Prediabetes is an important risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the evidence of prediabetes as a cardiovascular risk factor is mainly derived from middle-aged adults. Recently, multiple studies supported that prediabetes in older adults would not lead to higher risk of CVD or mortality. We aimed to investigate the age-specific difference in the association between prediabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis in a Chinese prospective cohort study.

Methods

We included 4739 individuals aged ≥ 40 years and without diagnosed diabetes or CVD history, and divided them into middle-aged adults (age < 60) and older adults (age ≥ 60). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-load plasma glucose (2 h-PPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured at baseline to identify prediabetes status. At follow-up visits, subclinical atherosclerosis status was assessed by branchial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic splines and cross-lagged path analysis were used in statistical analysis.

Results

1634 participants aged over 60 years, and 64.3% of them had prediabetes. 3105 participants aged 40–59 years, and 49.3% of them had prediabetes. We found that prediabetes was associated with increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged adults, but the association attenuated substantially in older adults. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), compared to normal glucose tolerance, was associated with 39% lower risk of increased baPWV only in older adults. In accordance, the association between 2 h-PPG and risk of increased baPWV was “U-shaped” in older adults, while risk of elevated baPWV increased linearly with 2 h-PPG in middle-aged adults. In the cross-lagged analysis, increase in FPG and 2 h-PPG tended not to precede increase in baPWV in older adults, but appeared to increase simultaneously with baPWV in middle-aged ones.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that prediabetes might be less related to subclinical atherosclerosis in older adults than in middle-aged adults and suggested that age was important to consider in the care of adults with prediabetes.
Clinical usefulness and acceleratory effect of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 on biliary tract cancer: an experimental biomarker analysis
Authors: Sugimoto Mitsuru , Suzuki Rei , Nozawa Yoshihiro , Takagi Tadayuki , Konno Naoki , Asama Hiroyuki , Sato Yuki , Irie Hiroki , Nakamura Jun , Takasumi Mika , Hashimoto Minami , Kato Tsunetaka , Kobashi Ryoichiro , Suzuki Osamu , Hashimoto Yuko , Hikichi Takuto , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: August 2022

Background

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) has a poor prognosis; therefore, useful biomarkers and treatments are needed. Serum levels of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, are elevated in patients with pancreaticobiliary cancers. However, the effect of MIC-1 on BTC is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of MIC-1 on BTC and assessed whether MIC-1 is a biomarker of or therapeutic target for BTC.

Methods

MIC-1 expression in BTC cells was determined by performing histological immunostaining, tissue microarray (TMA), western blotting, and reverse transcription PCR (RT–PCR). Cell culture experiments were performed to investigate the effect of MIC-1 on BTC cell lines (HuCCT-1 and TFK-1). The relationships between serum MIC-1 levels and either the disease state or the serum level of the apoptosis marker M30 were retrospectively verified in 118 patients with pancreaticobiliary disease (individuals with benign disease served as a control group, n = 62; BTC, n = 56). The most efficient diagnostic marker for BTC was also investigated.

Results

MIC-1 expression was confirmed in BTC tissue specimens and was higher in BTC cells than in normal bile duct epithelial cells, as determined using TMA, western blotting and RT–PCR. In cell culture experiments, MIC-1 increased BTC cell proliferation and invasion by preventing apoptosis and inhibited the effect of gemcitabine. In serum analyses, serum MIC-1 levels showed a positive correlation with BTC progression and serum M30 levels. The ability to diagnose BTC at an early stage or at all stages was improved using the combination of MIC-1 and M30. The overall survival was significantly longer in BTC patients with serum MIC-1 < the median than in BTC patients with serum MIC-1 ≥ the median.

Conclusions

MIC-1 is a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and might be a potential therapeutic target for BTC.
Molecular characterization and genotype distribution of thioester-containing protein 1 gene in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in western Kenya
Authors: Onyango Shirley A. , Ochwedo Kevin O. , Machani Maxwell G. , Olumeh Julius O. , Debrah Isaiah , Omondi Collince J. , Ogolla Sidney O. , Lee Ming-Chieh , Zhou Guofa , Kokwaro Elizabeth , Kazura James W. , Afrane Yaw A. , Githeko Andrew K. , Zhong Daibin , Yan Guiyun
Published: August 2022

Background

Evolutionary pressures lead to the selection of efficient malaria vectors either resistant or susceptible to Plasmodium parasites. These forces may favour the introduction of species genotypes that adapt to new breeding habitats, potentially having an impact on malaria transmission. Thioester-containing protein 1 (TEP1) of Anopheles gambiae complex plays an important role in innate immune defenses against parasites. This study aims to characterize the distribution pattern of TEP1 polymorphisms among populations of An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) in western Kenya.

Methods

Anopheles gambiae adult and larvae were collected using pyrethrum spray catches (PSC) and plastic dippers respectively from Homa Bay, Kakamega, Bungoma, and Kisumu counties between 2017 and 2020. Collected adults and larvae reared to the adult stage were morphologically identified and then identified to sibling species by PCR. TEP1 alleles were determined in 627 anopheles mosquitoes using restriction fragment length polymorphisms-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) and to validate the TEP1 genotyping results, a representative sample of the alleles was sequenced.

Results

Two TEP1 alleles (TEP1*S1 and TEP1*R2) and three corresponding genotypes (*S1/S1, *R2/S1, and *R2/R2) were identified. TEP1*S1 and TEP1*R2 with their corresponding genotypes, homozygous *S1/S1 and heterozygous *R2/S1 were widely distributed across all sites with allele frequencies of approximately 80% and 20%, respectively both in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis. There was no significant difference detected among the populations and between the two mosquito species in TEP1 allele frequency and genotype frequency. The overall low levels in population structure (FST = 0.019) across all sites corresponded to an effective migration index (Nm = 12.571) and low Nei’s genetic distance values (< 0.500) among the subpopulation. The comparative fixation index values revealed minimal genetic differentiation between species and high levels of gene flow among populations.

Conclusion

Genotyping TEP1 has identified two common TEP1 alleles (TEP1*S1 and TEP1*R2) and three corresponding genotypes (*S1/S1, *R2/S1, and *R2/R2) in An. gambiae s.l. The TEP1 allele genetic diversity and population structure are low in western Kenya.