bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new name for Peperomia parvicaulis Callejas (Piperaceae)

Authors: DESHMUKH UMAKANT  BHOOPATI
Published: May 2021

The genus Peperomia Ruiz and Pavón (1794: 8) (Piperaceae) has a pantropical distribution, with the highest diversity in the Neotropics (Wanke et al. 2006, Mathieu et al. 2015). It consists of epiphytic, epipetric or herbaceous plants with 1628 currently accepted taxa, with 1453 species plus 175 forms and varieties (Mathieu 2001-2021). Recently, Callejas (2020) described a new species from Panama, Peperomia parvicaulis Callejas (2020: 466), which is illegitimate, as it is a later homonym of the Sumatran species Peperomia parvicaulis C. de Candolle (1920: 294). Therefore, the replacement name Peperomia callejasii U.B. Deshmukh is proposed here in accordance with the article 53.1 of the Shenzhen Code (Turland et al. 2018).
Study on the Activity of a New Amidase Signature (AS) Family
Authors: Ma Yan-Ling , Chen Jin-Ling , Xu Ling-Ying , Cheng Ming-Kuan , Huang Sheng , Liu Yang , Liu Fu-Lai
Published: May 2021

This study cloned a new amidase signature (AS) family gene from Escherichia coli (E. coii), and mainly investigated the activity of this enzyme. The protein, according to the bioinformatics analysis, belonged to the AS family. It was expressed, purified and characterized in E.
coli BL21 (DE3). As a result, 40 °C and pH 8.0 were the optimum temperature and pH. It showed a wide substrate spectrum and high activity for aromatic and aliphatic amides, while with a narrow range of anilide substrate, and only propanol could be adopted as an effective substrate.
Because of its wide range of substrate specificities, this will boost the applicability of amidase and make it have the potential for a wide range of applications in biosynthesis and biodegradation.
Mixed versus Networked Bio-Based PA56/Polyethylene Terephthalate Composite Yarns: A Study of Two Modification Methods
Authors: Xiaorong Gong , Shouyun Zhang , Jishan Wang
Published: May 2021

Two bio-based PA56/PET composite yarns were manufactured in this study, namely, the mixed and networked composite yarns, by using different modification methods. The results showed that the effect of mixing modification by adding the bio-based PA56 into PET was unsatisfactory. When
the ratio of the added bio-based PA56 was smaller than 30%, the modification effect was insignificant; while the ratio was above 30%, the dispersion uniformity was very poor. There were also the problems of the fast rise of pressure in the component and pre-filter, short life cycle, a large
number of broken ends, and low production efficiency. Then the bio-based PA56 and PET drawn false- twist textured yarns (DTY) were respectively prepared and manufactured into networked composite yarns. The manufacturing of the networked composite yarns went smoothly. The fabrics woven with
the networked composite yarns achieved shade variation with one dye.
The U.K.–China Climate Science to Service Partnership
Authors: Scaife Adam A. , Good Elizabeth , Sun Ying , Yan Zhongwei , Dunstone Nick , Ren Hong-Li , Li Chaofan , Lu Riyu , Wu Peili , Ke Zongjian , Ma Zhuguo , Furtado Kalli , Wu Tongwen , Zhou Tianjun , Dunbar Tyrone , Hewitt Chris , Golding Nicola , Zhang Peiqun , Allan Rob , Dale Kirstine , Lott Fraser C. , Stott Peter A. , Milton Sean , Song Lianchun , Belcher Stephen
Published: May 2021

We present results from the first 6 years of this major U.K. government funded project to accelerate and enhance collaborative research and development in climate science, forge a strong strategic partnership between U.K. and Chinese climate scientists, and demonstrate new climate services developed in partnership. The development of novel climate services is described in the context of new modeling and prediction capability, enhanced understanding of climate variability and change, and improved observational datasets. Selected highlights are presented from over 300 peer reviewed studies generated jointly by U.K. and Chinese scientists within this project. We illustrate new observational datasets for Asia and enhanced capability through training workshops on the attribution of climate extremes to anthropogenic forcing. Joint studies on the dynamics and predictability of climate have identified new opportunities for skillful predictions of important aspects of Chinese climate such as East Asian summer monsoon rainfall. In addition, the development of improved modeling capability has led to profound changes in model computer codes and climate model configurations, with demonstrable increases in performance. We also describe the successes and difficulties in bridging the gap between fundamental climate research and the development of novel real-time climate services. Participation of dozens of institutes through subprojects in this program, which is governed by the Met Office Hadley Centre, the China Meteorological Administration, and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, is creating an important legacy for future collaboration in climate science and services.
Extratropical Southern Hemisphere Synchronous Pressure Variability in the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: Fogt Ryan L. , Connolly Charlotte J.
Published: May 2021

Because continuous meteorological observations across Antarctica did not start until the middle of the twentieth century, little is known about the full spatial pattern of pressure variability across the extratropical Southern Hemisphere (SH) in the early twentieth century, defined here as the period from 1905 to 1956. To fill this gap, this study analyzes pressure observations across the SH in conjunction with seasonal pressure reconstructions across Antarctica, which are based on observed station-to-station statistical relationships between pressure over Antarctica and the southern midlatitudes. Using this newly generated dataset, it is found that the early twentieth century is characterized by synchronous but opposite-signed pressure relationships between Antarctica and the SH midlatitudes, especially in austral summer and autumn. The synchronous pressure relationships are consistent with the southern annular mode, extending its well-known influence on SH extratropical pressure since 1957 into the early twentieth century. Apart from connections with the southern annular mode, regional and shorter-duration pressure trends are found to be associated with influences from tropical variability and potentially the zonal wavenumber 3 pattern. Although the reduced network of SH observations and Antarctic reconstruction captures the southern annular mode in the early twentieth century, reanalysis products show varying skill in reproducing trends and variability, especially over the oceans and high southern latitudes prior to 1957, which stresses the importance of continual efforts of historical data rescue in data-sparse regions to improve their quality.
Influence of Background Divergent Moisture Flux on the Frequency of North Pacific Atmospheric Rivers
Authors: HagosP Samson , LeungP L. Ruby , Garuba Oluwayemi , Patricola Christina M.
Published: May 2021

The frequency of North Pacific atmospheric rivers (ARs) affects water supply and flood risk over western North America. Thus, understanding factors that affect the variability of landfalling AR frequency is of scientific and societal importance. This study aims at identifying the sources of the moisture for North Pacific ARs and assessing how different modes of variability modulate these sources. To this end, the sources and variability of the background divergent component of the integrated moisture flux (DIVT) in ARs are identified using MERRA reanalysis. It is shown that in the boreal winter, this background DIVT in ARs is related to the outflow from the subsidence over the subtropics which transports moisture northward, while in summer it is related to the Asian monsoon and it transports moisture northwestward. This leads to a seasonal northwest/southeast movement of the AR frequency climatology. At the intra-seasonal scale, propagation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation introduces an anti-clockwise rotation of the background DIVT, with northward transport in phases 1 and 2, westward in 3 and 4, southward in 5 and 6 and eastward in 7 and 8, making landfall over the west coast of North America most likely during the last two phases. Similarly, El Niño Southern Oscillation variability also affects the frequency of ARs through modulation of the westerly background DIVT, favoring landfall over the US west coast during strong El Niño phases. It is shown that in general the likelihood of AR landfall over the western US is correlated with the zonal background DIVT over northeastern Pacific.
Disease severity impacts plerixafor-mobilized stem cell collection in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Leonard Alexis , Sharma Akshay , Uchida Naoya , Stroncek David , Panch Sandhya R. , West Kamille , Molloy Eoghan , Hughes Thomas E. , Hauffe Sara , Taylor Tiffani , Fitzhugh Courtney , Hankins Jane S. , Wilson Megan , Tsai Shengdar Q. , Weiss Mitchell J. , Hsieh Matthew , Tisdale John F.
Published: May 2021

Recent studies suggest that plerixafor mobilization and apheresis in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) is safe and can allow collection of sufficient CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) collection for clinical gene therapy applications. However, the quantities of plerixafor-mobilized CD34+ cells vary between different SCD patients for unknown reasons. Twenty-three participants with SCD underwent plerixafor mobilization followed by apheresis, processing, and HSC enrichment under a phase 1 safety and efficacy study conducted at 2 institutions. Linear regression or Spearman's correlation test was used to assess the relationships between various hematologic and clinical parameters with total CD34+ cells/kg collected. Median CD34+ cells/kg after 2 or fewer mobilization and apheresis cycles was 4.0 × 106 (range, 1.5-12.0). Similar to what is observed generally, CD34+ yield correlated negatively with age (P < .001) and positively with baseline (P = .003) and preapheresis blood CD34+ cells/µL (P < .001), and baseline white blood cell (P = .01) and platelet counts (P = .03). Uniquely for SCD, CD34+ cell yields correlated positively with the number of days hydroxyurea was held (for up to 5 weeks, P = .01) and negatively with markers of disease severity, including hospitalization frequency within the preceding year (P = .01) and the number of medications taken for chronic pain (P = .002). Unique SCD-specific technical challenges in apheresis were also associated with reduced CD34+ cell collection efficiency and purification. Here, we describe factors that impact plerixafor mobilization success in patients with SCD, confirming known factors as described in other populations in addition to reporting previously unknown disease specific factors in patients with SCD. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03226691.
Short‐term outcomes in infants with mild neonatal encephalopathy: a retrospective, observational study
Authors: Aoki Yoshinori , Kono Tatsuo , Enokizono Mikako , Okazaki Kaoru
Published: May 2021

Background

Neonatal encephalopathy due to acute perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of perinatal brain damage. Moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. However, the neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with mild neonatal encephalopathy are unclear. The primary aim of this single-center observational study was to assess the short-term outcomes in term neonates with mild neonatal encephalopathy due to perinatal asphyxia. A secondary aim was to identify predictors of poor prognosis by identifying the characteristics of these infants according to their short-term outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated all infants with perinatal asphyxia at Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center from January 2014 to December 2019. An abnormal short-term outcome was defined as any one of the following: seizures or abnormal electroencephalography, abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging obtained within the first 4 weeks of life, and abnormal neurological examination findings at discharge.

Results

In total, 110 term infants with perinatal asphyxia during the study period were screened and 61 were diagnosed with mild neonatal encephalopathy. Eleven (18 %) of these infants had an abnormal short-term outcome. The median Thompson score at admission was significantly higher in infants with abnormal short-term outcomes than in those with normal short-term outcomes (5 [interquartile range, 4-5.5] vs. 2 [interquartile range, 1–3], p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a cutoff value of 4 had high sensitivity and specificity (90.9 and 83.0 %, respectively) for prediction of an abnormal short-term outcome.

Conclusions

18 % of infants with mild encephalopathy had an abnormal short-term outcome, such as abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging findings. The Thompson score at admission may be a useful predictor of an abnormal short-term outcome in infants with mild neonatal encephalopathy.
Quality of pediatric clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Liu Yali , Zhang Yuan , Wang Shu , Liu Ling , Che Gang , Niu Jiahui , Ma Yuan
Published: May 2021

Background

There is a lack of a comprehensive evaluation for pediatric clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) published in recent years. Here, we assessed the quality of pediatric CPGs, considering factors that might affect their quality. The aim of the study is to promote a more coherent development and application of CPGs.

Methods

Pediatric CPGs published in PubMed, MedLive, Guidelines International Network, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and World Health Organization between 2017 and 2019 were searched and collected. Paired researchers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II). Linear regression analysis determined the factors affecting CPGs’ quality.

Results

The study included a total of 216 CPGs, which achieved a mean score of 4.26 out of 7 points (60.86%) in the AGREE II assessment. Only 6.48% of the CPGs reached the “recommend” level. The remaining 69.91% should have been modified before recommendation, while the other 23.61% did not reach the recommended level at all. The overall quality of recent pediatric CPGs was higher than previously, and the proportion of CPGs with low-quality decreased over time. However, there were still too few CPGs that reached a high-quality level. The “applicability” and “rigor of development” domains had generally low scores. CPGs formulated by developing countries or regions, those that are not under an organizations or groups responsibility, and those that used non-evidence-based methods were found to be associated with poorer quality in different domains as independent or combinational factors.

Conclusions

The quality of pediatric CPGs still needs to be improved. Specifically, a quality control before applying new CPGs should be essential to ensure their quality and applicability.
Disentangling substance use and related problems: urgency predicts substance-related problems beyond the degree of use
Authors: Hildebrandt Malin K. , Dieterich Raoul , Endrass Tanja
Published: May 2021

Background

Substance use disorders are reliably associated with high impulsivity and sensation seeking. Importantly, both precede problematic substance use, implicating them as risk factors. Individuals with substance use disorders show variable degrees of substance use (combined quantity and frequency) and substance-related problems and differ in both aspects from healthy controls. Dimensional research has indicated differential associations of impulsivity-related traits as well as sensation seeking with the degree of substance use and substance-related problems. The current study aimed to clarify whether impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking predict substance-related problems above and beyond the degree of substance use and are thus specifically linked to problems, the dimension that characterizes substance use disorders.

Method

We assessed impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking using self-report, as well as delay discounting, a behavioral indicator of impulsivity, in a sample of 258 substance-using adults.

Results

Sensation seeking and impulsivity-related traits significantly predicted the degree of substance use, with sensation seeking explaining the largest portion of variance. In contrast, self-reported impulsivity, in particular when experiencing negative emotions (urgency), but not sensation seeking or delay discounting, predicted substance-related problems when controlling for the degree of substance use.

Conclusions

This suggests that urgency, but not sensation seeking, may be specifically linked to substance-related problems and thus especially relevant for substance use disorders. Taken together, this study underlines the necessity to assess and control for the degree of substance use in risk factor research concerning substance-related problems. Thus, it may inform future research improving targeted prevention and therapy.
Assessing the household economic burden of non-communicable diseases in India: evidence from repeated cross-sectional surveys
Authors: Verma Veenapani Rajeev , Kumar Piyush , Dash Umakant
Published: May 2021

Background

Financing for NCDs is encumbered by out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) assuming catastrophic proportions. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the extent of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) on NCDs, which are burgeoning in India. Thus, our paper aims to examine the extent of CHE and impoverishment in India, in conjunction with socio-economic determinants impacting the CHE.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from nationwide healthcare surveys conducted in 2014 and 2017–18. OOPE on both outpatient and inpatient treatment was coalesced to estimate CHE on NCDs. Incidence of CHE was defined as proportion of households with OOPE exceeding 10% of household expenditure. Intensity of catastrophe was ascertained by the measure of Overshoot and Mean Positive Overshoot Indices. Further, impoverishing effects of OOPE were assessed by computing Poverty Headcount Ratio and Poverty Gap Index using India’s official poverty line. Concomitantly, we estimated the inequality in incidence and intensity of catastrophic payments using Concentration Indices. Additionally, we delineated the factors associated with catastrophic expenditure using Multinomial Logistic Regression.

Results

Results indicated enormous incidence of CHE with around two-third households with NCDs facing CHE. Incidence of CHE was concentrated amongst poor that further extended from 2014(CI = − 0.027) to 2017–18(CI = − 0.065). Intensity of CHE was colossal as households spent 42.8 and 34.9% beyond threshold in 2014 and 2017-18 respectively with poor enduring greater overshoot vis-à-vis rich (CI = − 0.18 in 2014 and CI = − 0.23 in 2017–18). Significant immiserating impact of NCDs was unraveled as one-twelfth in 2014 and one-eighth households in 2017–18 with NCD burden were pushed to poverty with poverty deepening effect to the magnitude of 27.7 and 30.1% among those already below poverty on account of NCDs in 2014 and 2017–18 respectively. Further, large inter-state heterogeneities in extent of CHE and impoverishment were found and multivariate analysis indicated absence of insurance cover, visiting private providers, residing in rural areas and belonging to poorest expenditure quintile were associated with increased likelihood of incurring CHE.

Conclusion

Substantial proportion of households face CHE and subsequent impoverishment due to NCD related expenses. Concerted efforts are required to augment the financial risk protection to the households, especially in regions with higher burden of NCDs.
Necessity for subsequent surgery in women of child-bearing age with positive margins after conization
Authors: Wang Xinmei , Xu Juan , Gao Yang , Qu Pengpeng
Published: May 2021

Background

20–25% of women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (HSIL) have residual lesions after conization. The state of the margin is generally considered to be a risk factor for recurrence or persistent lesions. Predictors of positive margins and residual lesions need to be identified. A design for postoperative management and avoidance of overtreatment needs to be provided, especially for women of child-bearing age.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of 1309 women of child-bearing age with HSIL, who underwent cold knife conization (CKC). Age, gravidity, parity, human papillomavirus (HPV) species, cytology, transformation zone type, results of endocervical curettage (ECC), quadrant involvement, glandular involvement, and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) grade were analyzed. Among those with positive margins, 245 patients underwent secondary surgery within three months, including CKC, a loop electrosurgical excision procedure, and total hysterectomy. Risk factors for positive margins and residual lesions were assessed.

Results

There was no significant difference in age, gravidity, parity, glandular involvement, and CIN grade between the two groups (P > 0.3). There was a significant difference in HPV species, cytology, ECC results, and quadrant involvement (P < 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed a major cytology abnormality, high-risk HPV infection, type III transformation zone, positive ECC result, and multiple quadrant involvement were independent risk factors for positive margins and residual lesions (P < 0.02). Age > 35 years was also a risk factor for residual lesions (P < 0.03).

Conclusion

High-risk women should be treated appropriately considering fertility. Patients with positive margins should be managed uniquely. Surgery for women without fertility may be appropriate. Close follow-up is necessary for women who have fertility requirements or are unwilling to undergo subsequent surgery if they have no risk factors, especially women < 35 years.
Are different medical school admission tests associated with the outcomes of a simulation-based OSCE?
Authors: Bußenius Lisa , Harendza Sigrid
Published: May 2021

Background

Medical school admission procedures have the common goal to select applicants with the greatest potential of becoming successful physicians. Hamburg Medical Faculty selects medical students by grade point average (GPA) and employs a two-step selection process of a natural sciences test (HAM-Nat), in some cases followed by multiple mini-interviews (HAM-Int). Multiple mini-interviews can predict non-cognitive outcomes, while GPA has predictive validity for cognitive outcomes. The aim of our study was to explore communication skills and clinical knowledge of advanced medical students according to their respective admission procedure.

Methods

In July 2019, 146 students grouped according to their admission procedure into GPA-only (19.2 %), HAM-Nat (33.6 %), HAM-Int (30.8 %), and Waiting List (16.4 %) participated in four OSCE stations which equally assessed students’ communication skills (OSCE part 1) and clinical knowledge (OSCE part 2) in simulated patient encounters, rated by physicians with checklists. Additionally, psychosocial assessors ranked communication skills with a global rating scale (GR). The students also participated in a multiple choice (MC) exam testing clinical knowledge. Kruskal-Wallis analyses of variance of test performance and Spearman correlation of instruments were calculated.

Results

Students from the Waiting List group performed significantly worse on the MC exam compared to GPA-only and HAM-Int (adjustedp = .029 and 0.018, respectively). No significant differences were found between the admission groups with respect to communication skills. Global Rating and OSCE part 1 (communication) correlated significantly (ρ = 0.228,p = .006) as did OSCE part 2 (clinical knowledge) and MC exam (ρ = 0.242,p = .003), indicating criterion validity. Constructs did not overlap, indicating divergent validity.

Conclusions

Advanced medical students selected for undergraduate studies by multiple mini-interviews assessing psychosocial skills showed similar communication skills compared to students admitted to medical school by other entryways. It is unclear whether these similarities are due to an effective undergraduate longitudinal communication curriculum. Assessing baseline communication skills of all medical students at entry-level may aid with this question.
Comparison of infection control strategies to reduce COVID-19 outbreaks in homeless shelters in the United States: a simulation study
Authors: Chapman Lloyd A. C. , Kushel Margot , Cox Sarah N. , Scarborough Ashley , Cawley Caroline , Nguyen Trang Q. , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Greenhouse Bryan , Imbert Elizabeth , Lo Nathan C.
Published: May 2021

Background

COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred in homeless shelters across the US, highlighting an urgent need to identify the most effective infection control strategy to prevent future outbreaks.

Methods

We developed a microsimulation model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a homeless shelter and calibrated it to data from cross-sectional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) surveys conducted during COVID-19 outbreaks in five homeless shelters in three US cities from March 28 to April 10, 2020. We estimated the probability of averting a COVID-19 outbreak when an exposed individual is introduced into a representative homeless shelter of 250 residents and 50 staff over 30 days under different infection control strategies, including daily symptom-based screening, twice-weekly PCR testing, and universal mask wearing.

Results

The proportion of PCR-positive residents and staff at the shelters with observed outbreaks ranged from 2.6 to 51.6%, which translated to the basic reproduction number (R0) estimates of 2.9–6.2. With moderate community incidence (~ 30 confirmed cases/1,000,000 people/day), the estimated probabilities of averting an outbreak in a low-risk (R0= 1.5), moderate-risk (R0= 2.9), and high-risk (R0= 6.2) shelter were respectively 0.35, 0.13, and 0.04 for daily symptom-based screening; 0.53, 0.20, and 0.09 for twice-weekly PCR testing; 0.62, 0.27, and 0.08 for universal masking; and 0.74, 0.42, and 0.19 for these strategies in combination. The probability of averting an outbreak diminished with higher transmissibility (R0) within the simulated shelter and increasing incidence in the local community.

Conclusions

In high-risk homeless shelter environments and locations with high community incidence of COVID-19, even intensive infection control strategies (incorporating daily symptom screening, frequent PCR testing, and universal mask wearing) are unlikely to prevent outbreaks, suggesting a need for non-congregate housing arrangements for people experiencing homelessness. In lower-risk environments, combined interventions should be employed to reduce outbreak risk.
Prognostic Value of D-dimer in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated by percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Runzhen , Liu Chen , Zhou Peng , Tan Yu , Sheng Zhaoxue , Li Jiannan , Zhou Jinying , Chen Yi , Song Li , Zhao Hanjun , Yan Hongbing
Published: May 2021

Background

Associations between D-dimer and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of D-dimer in ACS patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

In this observational study, 3972 consecutive patients with ACS treated by PCI were retrospectively recruited. The X-tile program was used to determine the optimal D-dimer thresholds for risk stratifications. Cox regression with multiple adjustments was used for outcome analysis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was performed to assess the dose-response association between D-dimer and outcomes. The C-index was calculated to evaluate the additional prognostic value of D-dimer when added to clinical risk factors and commonly used clinical risk scores, with internal validations using bootstrapping methods. The primary outcome was all-cause death.

Results

During a median follow-up of 720 days, 225 deaths occurred. Based on the thresholds generated by X-tile, ACS-PCI patients with median (420–1150 ng/mL, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.58, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–2.20, P = 0.007) and high (≥ 1150 ng/mL, HR: 1.98, 95 % CI: 1.36–2.89, P < 0.001) levels of D-dimer showed substantially higher risk of death compared to those with low D-dimer (< 420 ng/mL). RCS analysis depicted a constant relation between D-dimer and various outcomes. The addition of D-dimer levels significantly improved risk predictions for all-cause death when combined with the fully adjusted models (C-index: 0.853 vs. 0.845, P difference = 0.021), the GRACE score (C-index: 0.826 vs. 0.814, P difference = 0.027), and the TIMI score (C-index: 0.804 vs. 0.776, P difference < 0.001). The predicted mortality at the median follow-up (two years) was 1.7 %, 5.2 %, and 10.9 % for patients with low, median, and high D-dimer, respectively, which was well matched with the observed mortality (low D-dimer group: 1.2 %, median D-dimer group: 5.2 %, and high D-dimer group: 12.6 %).

Conclusions

For ACS patients treated by PCI, D-dimer level was an independent predictor for adverse outcomes, and provided additional prognostic value when combined with clinical risk factors and risk scores. Risk stratifications based on D-dimer was plausible to differentiate ACS-PCI patients with higher risk of death.
Malignant pertussis in infants: factors associated with mortality in a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Coquaz-Garoudet Mathilde , Ploin Dominique , Pouyau Robin , Hoffmann Yoav , Baleine Julien-Frederic , Boeuf Benoît , Patural Hugues , Millet Anne , Labenne Marc , Vialet Renaud , Pinquier Didier , Cotillon Marie , Rambaud Jérôme , Javouhey Etienne
Published: May 2021

Background

Malignant pertussis (MP) affects young infants and is characterized by respiratory distress, perpetual tachycardia and hyperleukocytosis up to 50 G/l, leading to multiple organ failure and death in 75% of cases. Leukodepletion may improve prognosis. A therapeutic strategy based on leukodepletion and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) according to different thresholds of leucocytes has been proposed by Rowlands and colleagues. We aimed at identifying factors associated with death and assess whether the respect of the Rowlands’ strategy is associated with survival.

Methods

We reviewed all MP infants hospitalized in eight French pediatric intensive care units from January 2008 to November 2013. All infants younger than 3 months of age, admitted for respiratory distress with a diagnosis of pertussis and WBC count ≥ 50 G/l were recorded. Evolution of WBC was analyzed and an optimal threshold for WBC growth was obtained using the ROC-curve method. Clinical and biological characteristics of survivors and non-survivors were compared. Therapeutic management (leukodepletion and/or ECLS) was retrospectively assessed for compliance with Rowlands’ algorithm (indication and timing of specific treatments).

Results

Twenty-three infants were included. Nine of 23 (40%) died: they presented more frequently cardiovascular failure (100% vs 36%, p = 0.003) and pulmonary hypertension (PHT; 100% vs 29%, p = 0.002) than survivors and the median [IQR] WBC growth was significantly faster among them (21.3 [9.7–28] G/l/day vs 5.9 [3.0–6.8] G/l/day, p = 0.007).

WBC growth rate > 12 G/l/day and lymphocyte/neutrophil ratio < 1 were significantly associated with death (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively).

Ten infants (43%) underwent leukodepletion, and seven (30%) underwent ECLS. Management following Rowlands’ strategy was associated with survival (100% vs 0%; p < 0.001, relative risk of death = 0.18, 95%-CI [0.05–0.64]).

Conclusions

A fast leukocyte growth and leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance during acute pertussis infection were associated with death. These findings should prompt clinicians to closely monitor white blood cells in order to early identify infants at risk of fatal outcome during the course of malignant pertussis. Such an early signal in infants at high risk of death would increase feasibility of compliant care to Rowlands’ strategy, with the expectation of a better survival.
Deciphering the role of physical activity in stress management during a global pandemic in older adult populations: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Churchill Ryan , Riadi Indira , Kervin Lucy , Teo Kelly , Cosco Theodore
Published: May 2021

Background

The world has changed dramatically since the beginning of 2020 due to COVID-19. As a result of the pandemic, many older adults are now experiencing an increased and unprecedented amount of psychological stress. Physical activity has been found to be an evidence-based means of combating stress among older adults to promote their quality of life. Studies have demonstrated that those who are physically active experience fewer issues in regard to their mental health, specifically depression and anxiety disorders. Engagement in physical activity may exert a protective influence over stress inducing events and future mental health outcomes. Due to exercise being inexpensive, non-invasive, and effective even via incremental increases in activity level, physical activity interventions should be investigated as a therapy for reducing stress for older adults during the current pandemic.

Methods

Four electronic databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and SportDiscus) will be searched to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity or exercise programs as a psychological stress management tool in adults 50 years of age or older. Only peer-reviewed and published journal articles will be reviewed. Post-intervention psychological stress measures in comparison to baseline stress will be the primary outcome of interest. All studies will be assessed for bias using Cochrane’s risk of bias tool. A random effects meta-analysis will be investigated if sufficient evidence of homogenous research exists and the heterogeneity of effect sizes will be tabulated.

Discussion

This review will determine the effectiveness of various physical activity interventions for the treatment of psychological stress among the older adult population. This knowledge will help inform care aides, clinicians, family members, and older adults themselves of the most effective physical activity interventions in dealing with stress which is relevant to the ongoing pandemic.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42020192546
Impact of child development at primary school entry on adolescent health—protocol for a participatory systematic review
Authors: Black Michelle , Barnes Amy , Strong Mark , Taylor-Robinson David
Published: May 2021

Background

Reducing child health inequalities is a global health priority and evidence suggests that optimal development of knowledge, skills and attributes in early childhood could reduce health risks across the life course. Despite a strong policy rhetoric on giving children the ‘best start in life’, socioeconomic inequalities in children’s development when they start school persist. So too do inequalities in child and adolescent health. These in turn influence health inequalities in adulthood. Understanding how developmental processes affect health in the context of socioeconomic factors as children age could inform a holistic policy approach to health and development from childhood through to adolescence. However, the relationship between child development and early adolescent health consequences is poorly understood. Therefore the aim of this review is to summarise evidence on the associations between child development at primary school starting age (3–7 years) and subsequent health in adolescence (8–15 years) and the factors that mediate or moderate this relationship.

Method

A participatory systematic review method will be used. The search strategy will include; searches of electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ASSIA and ERIC) from November 1990 onwards, grey literature, reference searches and discussions with stakeholders. Articles will be screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria at title and abstract level, and at full article level. Observational, intervention and review studies reporting a measure of child development at the age of starting school and health outcomes in early adolescence, from a member country of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, will be included. The primary outcome will be health and wellbeing outcomes (such as weight, mental health, socio-emotional behaviour, dietary habits). Secondary outcomes will include educational outcomes. Studies will be assessed for quality using appropriate tools. A conceptual model, produced with stakeholders at the outset of the study, will act as a framework for extracting and analysing evidence. The model will be refined through analysis of the included literature. Narrative synthesis will be used to generate findings and produce a diagram of the relationship between child development and adolescent health.

Discussion

The review will elucidate how children’s development at the age of starting school is related to subsequent health outcomes in contexts of socioeconomic inequality. This will inform ways to intervene to improve health and reduce health inequality in adolescents. The findings will generate knowledge of cross-sector relevance for health and education and promote inter-sectoral coherence in addressing health inequalities throughout childhood.

Protocol Registration

This systematic review protocol has been registered with PROSPERO CRD42020210011.
Effect of forest fire on soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activity in oak and pine forests of Uttarakhand Himalaya, India
Authors: Singh Devanshi , Sharma Priyanka , Kumar Ujjwal , Daverey Achlesh , Arunachalam Kusum
Published: May 2021

Background

Forest fire incidences in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India are very common in summers. Pine and oak are the principal and dominant species of Himalayan subtropical forest and Himalayan temperate forest, respectively. Forest vegetation influences the physicochemical and biological properties of soil and forest fire in pine and oak forests may have a different effect on the physicochemical and biological properties of soil. Therefore, the present study was carried out to assess the impact of forest fire on soil microbial properties, enzymatic activity, and their relationship with soil physicochemical properties in the advent of forest fire in the pine and oak forests of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand Himalaya, India.

Results

The soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, soil basal respiration, and acid phosphatase activity decreased, whereas dehydrogenase activity increased at burnt sites of both forest types. The overall change in soil microbial biomass carbon was 63 and 40% at the burnt oak forest and burnt pine forest, respectively. Dehydrogenase activity and acid phosphatase activity showed a strong positive correlation with soil organic matter (r = 0.8) and microbial indices, respectively. The ratio of soil microbial biomass carbon/nitrogen was reduced at burnt sites of both forest types. Factor analysis results showed that fire had a significant impact on soil characteristics. The soil basal respiration was linked with macro- and micronutrients at burnt sites, whereas at control sites, it was linked with physicochemical properties of soil along with nutrients.

Conclusion

Forest fire had a significant impact on soil properties of both forest types. The impact of forest fire on soil microbial biomass carbon was stronger in the oak forest than in the pine forest. Forest type influenced soil enzymatic activity at burnt sites. The bacterial community was dominated over fungi in burnt sites of both forests. Soil microbial indices can be used as a selective measure to assess the impact of fire. Furthermore, forest type plays an important role in regulating the impact of forest fire on soil properties.
An application of slow feature analysis to the genetic sequences of coronaviruses and influenza viruses
Authors: Tsonis Anastasios A. , Wang Geli , Zhang Lvyi , Lu Wenxu , Kayafas Aristotle , Del Rio-Tsonis Katia
Published: May 2021

Background

Mathematical approaches have been for decades used to probe the structure of nucleotide sequences. This has led to the development of Bioinformatics. In this exploratory work, a novel mathematical method is applied to probe the genetic structure of two related viral families: those of coronaviruses and those of influenza viruses. The coronaviruses are SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS. The influenza viruses include H1N1-1918, H1N1-2009, H2N2-1957, and H3N2-1968.

Methods

The mathematical method used is the slow feature analysis (SFA), a rather new but promising method to delineate complex structure in nucleotide sequences.

Results

The analysis indicates that the nucleotide sequences exhibit an elaborate and convoluted structure akin to complex networks. We define a measure of complexity and show that each nucleotide sequence exhibits a certain degree of complexity within itself, while at the same time there exists complex inter-relationships between the sequences within a family and between the two families. From these relationships, we find evidence, especially for the coronavirus family, that increasing complexity in a sequence is associated with higher transmission rate but with lower mortality.

Conclusions

The complexity measure defined here may hold a promise and could become a useful tool in the prediction of transmission and mortality rates in future new viral strains.
Strongyloidiasis: the most neglected tropical disease in Ethiopia
Authors: Tiruneh Abebaw , Zemene Endalew , Mekonnen Zeleke
Published: May 2021

Background

Strongyloidiasis is the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The aim of this commentary is to describe the possible reasons why strongyloidiasis is so overlooked in Ethiopia, and shed light on better ways of control and elimination of the disease.

Main body

This commentary highlights three points why strongyloidiasis is the most neglected of the NTDs in Ethiopia. Firstly, lack of clear category within the NTDs resulted in omission of the disease from reports, intervention programs, and preventive chemotherapy guidelines. Secondly, magnitude of the disease is underestimated due to paucity of studies and low sensitivity of diagnostic methods coupled with asymptomatic nature of most of the infections. Finally, ivermectin (the drug of choice for treatment of strongyloidiasis) is not in use for control of the other soil-transmitted helminthiasis, nor is there ivermectin mass drug administration for control of strongyloidiasis. This might have created gap in control and elimination of the disease in Ethiopia and possibly elsewhere.

Conclusion

Strongyloidiasis appears to be the most neglected of the NTDs mainly due to nature of the infection, low sensitivity of the routine diagnostic tools and it’s exclusion from strategic plans and intervention programs. Moreover, studies on strongyloidiasis should use sensitive diagnostic tools. Strongyloidiasis control and elimination programs should be based on reliable evidence of epidemiology of the disease in Ethiopia.

Graphic Abstract
Premedication with pioglitazone prevents doxorubicin-induced left ventricular dysfunction in mice
Authors: Furihata Takaaki , Maekawa Satoshi , Takada Shingo , Kakutani Naoya , Nambu Hideo , Shirakawa Ryosuke , Yokota Takashi , Kinugawa Shintaro
Published: May 2021

Background

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used as an effective chemotherapeutic agent for cancers; however, DOX induces cardiac toxicity, called DOX-induced cardiomyopathy. Although DOX-induced cardiomyopathy is known to be associated with a high cumulative dose of DOX, the mechanisms of its long-term effects have not been completely elucidated. Pioglitazone (Pio) is presently contraindicated in patients with symptomatic heart failure owing to the side effects. The concept of drug repositioning led us to hypothesize the potential effects of Pio as a premedication before DOX treatment, and to analyze this hypothesis in mice.

Methods

First, for the hyperacute (day 1) and acute (day 7) DOX-induced dysfunction models, mice were fed a standard diet with or without 0.02% (wt/wt) Pio for 5 days before DOX treatment (15 mg/kg body weight [BW] via intraperitoneal [i.p.] administration). The following 3 treatment groups were analyzed: standard diet + vehicle (Vehicle), standard diet + DOX (DOX), and Pio + DOX. Next, for the chronic model (day 35), the mice were administrated DOX once a week for 5 weeks (5 mg/kg BW/week, i.p.).

Results

In the acute phase after DOX treatment, the percent fractional shortening of the left ventricle (LV) was significantly decreased in DOX mice. This cardiac malfunction was improved in Pio + DOX mice. In the chronic phase, we observed that LV function was preserved in Pio + DOX mice.

Conclusions

Our findings may provide a new pathophysiological explanation by which Pio plays a role in the treatment of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy, but the molecular links between Pio and DOX-induced LV dysfunction remain largely elusive.
Out of fright, out of mind: impaired memory for information negated during looming threat
Authors: Newman Vera E. , Yee Hannah F. , Walker Adrian R. , Toumbelekis Metaxia , Most Steven B.
Published: May 2021

People often need to update representations of information upon discovering them to be incorrect, a process that can be interrupted by competing cognitive demands. Because anxiety and stress can impair cognitive performance, we tested whether looming threat can similarly interfere with the process of updating representations of a statement’s truthfulness. On each trial, participants saw a face paired with a personality descriptor. Each pairing was followed by a signal indicating whether the pairing was “true”, or “false” (a negation of the truth of the statement), and this signal could be followed by a warning of imminent electric shock (i.e., the looming threat). As predicted, threat of shock left memory for “true” pairings intact, while impairing people’s ability to label negated pairings as untrue. Contrary to our predictions, the pattern of errors for pairings that were negated under threat suggested that these mistakes were at least partly attributable to participants forgetting that they saw the negated information at all (rather than being driven by miscategorization of the pairings as true). Consistent with this, linear ballistic accumulator modelling suggested that this impaired recognition stemmed from weaker memory traces rather than decisional processes. We suggest that arousal due to looming threat may interfere with executive processes important for resolving competition between mutually suppressive tags of whether representations in memory are “true” or “false”.
Kinetic comparative study on aerodynamic characteristics of hypersonic reentry vehicle from near-continuous flow to free molecular flow
Authors: Li Jin , Jiang Dingwu , Geng Xiangren , Chen Jianqiang
Published: May 2021

A scaled model of the X38-like configuration was simulated under hypersonic conditions for the direct simulation Monte Carlo method and the unified gas kinetic scheme. The inflow conditions considered several flow regimes, from the near-continuum through the slip-transitional to the free molecular regime. Flow fields and surface properties were compared in detail between these two methods. Not only the density and temperature contours distribution but also the surface pressure, heat flux, friction distribution, both kinetic methods give fairly consistent results. Aerodynamics of the model were also achieved and compared. The results provided by both methods agreed with each other very well. The effects of the Knudsen number and angle of attack were assessed. It is meaningful to carry out comparative studies and accelerate both methods to further progress.