bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partnerships supporting policies: A social marketing case study of mask supply solutions in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Paek Hye-Jin , Hove Thomas
Published: January 2023

Background

South Korea was one of the first countries to experience a large outbreak of COVID-19. Early on, public health authorities recommended mask wearing as one of the main preventive measures against the virus. Compared to people in other countries, most South Koreans were willing to follow this recommendation. However, during the early stages of the pandemic, panic buying and vendor hoarding led to a nationwide mask shortage. The problem that needed to be solved was not to change the public's behavior but rather to make masks more available to them.

Case description

To stabilize mask supply and demand, the South Korean government implemented a distribution system that limited mask purchases to two per person per week, in a 5-day rotation determined by birth year. The places designated for selling masks included pharmacies, post offices, and marts that had access to data about registered South Korea residents who had and had not bought their allotted masks. Despite this system, supply problems persisted. In different regions of the country, population density and demand varied, and some pharmacies sold out their stocks of masks earlier than others. Recognizing that people needed a more effective system for finding masks, the government made mask inventory data available to companies and the general public. Three weeks later, about 200 mask apps and web services had been launched. Supplies of masks quickly stabilized, and people could more easily find and buy them. In addition, pharmacies were able to sell out their stocks of masks more efficiently.

Conclusion

The South Korean case of mask demand and distribution during COVID-19 illustrates how all six of the social marketing components (policy, supplemented by products, price, place, promotion, and partnerships) need to be coordinated for effective mitigation of infectious disease. In particular, this case highlights the importance of public-private partnerships among the government, production companies, retailers, and members of the general public.
Public health risk associated with the co-occurrence of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in spices, herbs, and nuts in Lebanon
Authors: Daou Rouaa , Hoteit Maha , Bookari Khlood , Joubrane Karine , Khabbaz Lydia Rabbaa , Ismail Ali , Maroun Richard G. , Khoury André el
Published: January 2023

Background

Aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A are mycotoxins produced by filamentous fungi that attack crops on field and storage. Both mycotoxins present a risk on public health since aflatoxin B1 is a hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic agent while ochratoxin A can be nephrotoxic. Those mycotoxins can be found in several food items including spices, herbs, and nuts.

Objectives

In Lebanon, few studies address aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A contamination in spices, herbs, and nuts. So, the aim of this study is to investigate the concentrations of those two mycotoxins particularly in spices and herbs and the concentration of aflatoxin B1 in nuts, and to determine the dietary exposure of the Lebanese population and their possible attribution to liver cancer and renal damage.

Methods

In this work, a total of 198 samples of spices, herbs, and nuts were collected from different sites. Aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A were quantified using immune-affinity columns. A food frequency questionnaire was used to quantify the consumption of spices, herbs, and nuts in Lebanon. Exposure to aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A was calculated accordingly and liver and kidney cancer risks were evaluated.

Results

Aflatoxin B1 was respectively found in 100, 20.4, and 98.6% of the spices, herbs, and nuts samples, while ochratoxin A was found in 100 and 44.4% of spices and herbs, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 was found at mean concentration of 0.97, 0.27, and 0.40 μg/kg in spices, herbs, and nuts, respectively while ochratoxin A was found at mean concentrations of 38.8 and 1.81 μg/kg in spices and herbs, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 occurrence was shown to be associated in this study with 0.017 additional cancer cases per 100,000 persons per year, and ochratoxin A weekly exposure was shown to be 5.04 ng/kg bw less than the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake of 100 ng/kg bw which indicates low risk of renal damage from spices and herbs consumption.

Conclusion

The consumption of spices, herbs, and nuts in Lebanon could lead to an increase in health risks associated with aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A, specifically spices. The reported occurrence may be directly related to poor storage conditions.
Association between sarcopenia and cognitive function in older Chinese adults: Evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study
Authors: Du Hongzhen , Yu Miao , Xue Hongmei , Lu Xuning , Chang Yaping , Li Zengning
Published: January 2023

Background

Sarcopenia and cognitive impairment are the most common causes of disability in the aging population. The potential role of sarcopenia in the development of cognitive impairment remains poorly understood. A cross-sectional analysis was performed using nationally representative data to evaluate associations between sarcopenia and cognition in China.

Methods

We included 2,391 participants (35.63% female) who were at least 60 years of age in 2015 from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Muscle strength, appendicular skeletal mass (ASM), and physical performance measurements, were measured to diagnose sarcopenia according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS2019). Cognitive function was assessed by 10 items in the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-10), delayed word recall, and graph drawing. Based on cognitive score tertiles, data were divided into three groups. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between sarcopenia and cognition.

Results

The prevalence of possible sarcopenia was 27.16% for men and 27.46% for women. Cognitive decline was significantly associated with sarcopenia status (β = −0.88, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with components of sarcopenia in male group. The results remained consistent in male after further adjusting for creatinine, uric acid, blood sugar, etc. Low cognitive function in female was only associated with low muscle strength (β = −0.85, p = 0.02). In addition, participants with possible sarcopenia had greater risk of cognitive decline than those without sarcopenia (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.06–1.87). However, the same association was not significant in female group.

Conclusion

We suggest that sarcopenia might be associated with cognition function, with possible sarcopenia being significantly associated with higher cognition risk in China population, which providing a further rationale for timely recognition and management of sarcopenia.
Country score tool to assess readiness and guide evidence generation of immunization programs in aging adults in Europe
Authors: Pham Thi Hao , Beck Ekkehard , Postma Maarten J. , Németh Bertalan , Ágh Tamás , de Waure Chiara , Salisbury David M. , Nutma Nynke , van der Schans Jurjen
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Delaying of policies for immunization of aging adults, low vaccine uptake, and the lack of supportive evidence at the national level could diminish the value in health and economics of such programs. This study aims to develop a “country score tool” to assess readiness and to facilitate evidence generation for aging adult immunization programs in Europe, and examine the comprehensiveness, relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of the tool.

Methods

The tool was developed in two phases. First, a modified Delphi process was used to construct the tool. The process included a literature review, stakeholder consultations, and a three-round Delphi study. The Delphi panel included researchers, supra-national and national decision-makers of immunization programs recruited from five countries, using snowball sampling method. The consensus was predefined at the agreement rate of 70%. Pilot testing of the tool was conducted in the Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, and Hungary involving researchers in the field of health technology assessment. After assessing the countries' readiness, researchers evaluated four features, namely comprehensiveness, relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of the tool via an online survey that included 5-scale Likert questions. The percentages of affirmative answers including “agree” and “totally agree” choices were presented.

Results

The review identified 16 tools and frameworks that formed the first version of our tool with 14 items. Eight experts were involved in the Delphi panel. Through three Delphi rounds, four items were added, one was dropped, and all others were amended. The consensus was achieved on the tool with 17 items divided into decision-making and implementation parts. Each item has a guiding question, corresponding to explanations and rationales to inform assessment with readiness scores. Eight researchers completed the pilot testing. The tool was rated as comprehensive (75%), relevant (100%), acceptable (75%), and feasible (88%) by participants.

Conclusion

Through a thorough and transparent process, a country score tool was developed helping to identify strengths, weaknesses, and evidential requirements for decision-making and implementation of immunization programs of aging adults. The tool is relevant for different European contexts and shows good comprehensiveness, acceptability, and feasibility.
Rochester Healthy Community Partnership: Then and now
Authors: Wieland Mark L. , Njeru Jane W. , Weis Jennifer A. , Lohr Abby , Nigon Julie A. , Goodson Miriam , Osman Ahmed , Molina Luz , Ahmed Yahye , Capetillo Graciela Porraz , Nur Omar , Sia Irene G.
Published: January 2023

Community-engaged research partnerships promote health equity through incorporation of regional contexts to inform partnership dynamics that shape research and interventions that reflect community voice and priorities. Long-term partnerships build trusted relationships and promote capacity building among community and academic partners, but there are many structural barriers to sustaining long-term partnerships. Here we describe lessons learned from sustaining Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP), an 18-year community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership in Southeast Minnesota. RHCP collaborates with immigrant and refugee populations to co-create interventions that promote health equity for community health priorities. Challenges to sustainability include a tension between project-based funding and the needs of long-term community-based research infrastructure. These challenges can be met with a focus on shared CBPR principles, operating norms, partnership dynamics, and governance. RHCP began in 2004 through identification of a community health priority, defining the community, and establishment of CBPR principles. It grew through identification of broader community health priorities, capacity building for community and academic partners, and integration of diverse learners. We describe the capacity for RHCP to respond to new societal contexts, the importance of partnership dynamics as a barometer for partnership health, and lessons learned about sustainability of the CBPR partnership.
Incorporating neglected non-communicable diseases into the national health program—A review
Authors: Bhattacharya Sudip , Heidler Petra , Varshney Saurabh
Published: January 2023

Poor nations are already facing the heat of double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), often known as chronic illnesses, which are characterized by a protracted course and are multifactorial in causation. In addition to this, neglected non-communicable diseases (NNCD) in the form of gout, sickle cell disease, accidents and many more are likely to be one of the biggest public health challenges soon. Nearly three-quarters (31.4 million) of all NCD-related fatalities occur in developing nations. In terms of morbidity and mortality, the “BIG FOUR” NCDs—diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases—are widely acknowledged as the main contributors to global health loss. However, other NCDs account for 55% of the global burden of NCDs and are frequently neglected in terms of premature death, increased Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY), and decreased Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY). We have briefly discussed the disease burden of a few significant, yet neglected NCDs in this paper.
Estimation of radiation doses and lifetime attributable risk of radiation-induced cancer in the uterus and prostate from abdomen pelvis CT examinations
Authors: Shubayr Nasser , Alashban Yazeed
Published: January 2023

Computed tomography (CT) scans are one of the most common radiation imaging modalities, and CT scans are rising steadily worldwide. CT has the potential to enhance radiography practice, but it also has the risk of drastically increasing patient doses. One CT procedure for the abdomen pelvis (AP) area can expose a patient's prostate or uterus to a substantial radiation dose, leading to concerns about radiation-induced cancer. This study aimed to estimate organ doses of the uterus and prostate and evaluate the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer incidence and mortality resulting from AP CT examinations. This retrospective study included 665 patients, of which 380 (57%) were female, and 285 (43%) were male. Data were collected from the picture archiving and communication system for AP CT procedures and exposure parameter data. Organ doses for the uterus and prostate were calculated using National Cancer Institute CT (NCICT) software. Based on the risk models proposed by the BEIR VII report, the calculated organ doses were used to estimate the LAR of prostate and uterus cancer incidence and mortality due to radiation exposure from AP CT procedures. The mean effective dose resulting from AP CT for females and males was 5.76 ± 3.22 (range: 1.13–12.71 mSv) and 4.37 ± 1.66 mSv (range: 1.36–8.07 mSv), respectively. The mean organ dose to the uterus was 10.86 ± 6.09 mGy (range: 2.13–24.06 mGy). The mean organ dose to the prostate was 7.00 ± 2.66 mGy (range: 2.18–12.94 mGy). The LAR of uterus and prostate cancer incidence was 1.75 ± 1.19 cases and 2.24 ± 1.06 cases per 100,000 persons, respectively. The LAR of cancer mortality rates from uterus and prostate cancers were 0.36 ± 0.22 and 0.48 ± 0.18 cases per 100,000 persons, respectively. The LAR of prostate and uterus cancer occurrence and mortality from radiation doses with AP CT procedures was low but not trivial. Therefore, efforts should be made to lower patient doses while retaining image quality. Although the minimization of the patient's radiation dose must guide clinical practice, the estimated slight increase in risk could aid in easing fears regarding well-justified AP CT procedures.
Counter charge cluster formation in molecular doping of molybdenum disulfide
Authors: Lee Jonghoon , Kedziora Gary , Glavin Nicholas , Roy Ajit K.
Published: January 2023

Studies of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) gas sensor prototypes report orders of magnitude higher sensitivity toward nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over ammonia (NH3). Based on the cluster formation model and density functional theory calculations of charge transfer, NO2 was found to form a tightly bound cluster of counter charges upon carrier donation. In contrast, NH3 forms only a semi-localized cluster of counter charges over a wide area of MoS2, creating a larger collision cross section of coulomb interaction between the charge carrier and the counter charges. We discuss the potential effect of counter charge cluster localization on the efficiency of molecular doping.
Crosstalk between cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment drives progression of premalignant oral epithelium
Authors: Polverini Peter J. , Nör Felipe , Nör Jacques E.
Published: January 2023

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that exhibit properties of self-renewal and differentiation and have been implicated in metastasis and treatment failures. There is mounting evidence that carcinogen-initiated mucosal epithelial stem cells acquire the CSC phenotype following exposure to environmental or infectious mutagens and are responsible for promoting the malignant transformation of premalignant (dysplastic) epithelium. CSC further contribute to the progression of dysplasia by activating signaling pathways through crosstalk with various cell populations in the tumor microenvironment. Two cell types, tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and vascular endothelial cells (EC) nurture CSC development, support CSC stemness, and contribute to tumor progression. Despite mounting evidence implicating CSC in the initiation and progression of dysplastic oral epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the molecular mechanisms underlying these synergistic biological processes remain unclear. This review will examine the mechanisms that underlie the transformation of normal epithelial stem cells into CSC and the mechanistic link between CSC, TAM, and EC in the growth and the malignant conversation of dysplastic oral epithelium.
Modeling and usage of a sustainametric technique for measuring the life-cycle performance of a waste management system: A case study of South Africa
Authors: Aboginije Ademilade , Aigbavboa Clinton , Thwala Wellington
Published: January 2023

The use of eco-friendly materials, waste prevention protocols, the support and participation of building construction stakeholders, polluter pays concepts, producer responsibility, life-cycle system thinking, and the application of cost-efficiency and cost minimization strategies are some of the guiding philosophies that are of extreme value when designing a waste management system via circular economy initiatives. However, it is crucial to measure the waste management strategy used in each building project. In order to measure the life-cycle performance of waste management systems and to assess how sustainable they are, this study offers a statistical methodology using a sustainametric technique to indicate how sustainable waste management system performance in emerging construction industries, particularly in South Africa. This study employs a sustainametric approach to evaluate the life-cycle performance of the waste management system of South Africa, with evidence of its sustainability performance measurement that can help advance the its waste minimization policy and implementation. The result indicates the viability of the measuring model and the findings of each metric utilized. The conclusion confirms that South Africa has not fully adopted and/or implemented a more sustainable waste management system for efficient waste minimization during its construction activities. Moreover, it is the reality that most emerging economies urgently need to expand and improve the waste reduction method employed in its construction building projects.
An empirical evaluation of enhanced teleportation for navigating large urban immersive virtual environments
Authors: Shahbaz Badr Arash , De Amicis Raffaele
Published: January 2023

Navigation is the most prevalent interaction in large urban virtual environments (VEs). Any Metaverse application that foresees navigating or exploring virtual cities requires an effective and efficient navigation technique. These environments, however, have distinct characteristics that make the navigation more challenging and the design of the interactions more critical. We have conducted an empirical study to assess how enhancing the teleportation technique with additional capabilities affects the performance of navigating large urban VEs. For this purpose, three interactions have been developed that extend the conventional point-and-click teleportation. The first one is named Mini-Map and provides a top-down view of the user’s surroundings. Portal Preview provides a preview of the selected target location and allows users to choose their desired orientation at that location. The last technique, called X-Ray Vision, makes the buildings around the user translucent and allows teleporting to locations that would otherwise be obscured. A within-subject controlled lab study with twenty five participants has been conducted, where each extension is evaluated individually as well as in combination with others. Our results show that extending the teleportation can significantly improve its performance when navigating large urban VEs. Overall, the X-Ray Vision was the most successful extension with respect to both task metrics and usability measures. Mini-Map was able to improve some of the task metrics, but did not have a significant effect on most self-reported measures. Portal Preview was the least effective extension, however, multiple participants liked the fact that they could define their desired orientation with the controller. Combining all interactions together performed well with respect to the task metrics, but this option was not favored by the participants. Extending the teleportation with X-Ray Vision and Mini-Map was by far the most favored option.
Outdoor walking better? environmental elements of cardiorespiratory fitness training trails
Authors: Li Ching , Lee Chia-Wen , Tsang King Tai
Published: January 2023

In metropolitan areas where land resources are scarce, trails are a more suitable environment for cardiorespiratory fitness training for modern people. Previous studies have demonstrated that cardiorespiratory fitness is an important factor in assessing individual health and have focused on individual training performance, but the relationship between environment and cardiorespiratory fitness training participants has rarely been investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the demands for outdoor cardiorespiratory fitness training and a favorable trail environment by comparing the differences in exercise intensity and perceptions between outdoor and indoor environments. In this study, information on physical data, psychological feedback, and visual atmosphere was collected from nine participants during each phase of moderate intensity cardiorespiratory fitness training in indoor and outdoor environments. The results revealed that outdoor cardiorespiratory fitness training provided participants with lower training intensity during the active exercise phase and higher heart rate during the stretching phase compared to indoor training. The participants paid more attention to the slope, length, pavement, Spaciousness, and width of the trails and the circuitous route. The change of the visual atmosphere and the scenery for the environmental factors were the important factors to motivate the participants to train. The results of the study could assist participants to understand a favorable cardiorespiratory training environment and design a suitable training program, as well as provide a model for trail planning and design for government.
Prognostic accuracy of the one-legged balance test in predicting falls: 15-years of midlife follow-up in a British birth cohort study
Authors: Blodgett Joanna M. , Hardy Rebecca , Davis Daniel H. J. , Peeters Geeske , Hamer Mark , Kuh Diana , Cooper Rachel
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The one-legged balance test is a common screening tool for fall risk. Yet, there is little empirical evidence assessing its prognostic ability. The study aims were to assess the prognostic accuracy of one-legged balance performance in predicting falls and identify optimal cut-points to classify those at greater risk.

Methods

Data from up to 2,000 participants from a British birth cohort born in 1,946 were used. The times an individual could stand on one leg with their eyes open and closed were recorded (max: 30 s) at ages 53 and 60–64. Number of falls in the past year was self-reported at ages 53, 60–64 and 68; recurrent falls (0–1 vs. 2+) and any fall (0 vs. 1+) were considered binary outcomes. Four longitudinal associations between balance times and subsequent falls were investigated (age 53 → 60–64; age 53 → 68; age 60–64 → 68; age 53 & 60–64 → 68). For each temporal association, areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated and compared for a base sex-only model, a sex and balance model, a sex and fall history model and a combined model of sex, balance and fall history. The Liu method was used to identify optimal cut-points and sensitivity, specificity, and AUC at corresponding cut-points.

Results

Median eyes open balance time was 30 s at ages 53 and 60–64; median eyes closed balance times were 5 s and 3 s, respectively. The predictive ability of balance tests in predicting either fall outcome was poor (AUC range for sex and balance models: 0.577–0.600). Prognostic accuracy consistently improved by adding fall history to the model (range: 0.604–0.634). Optimal cut-points ranged from 27 s to 29 s for eyes open and 3 s to 5 s for eyes closed; AUC consistently indicated that using “optimal” cut-points to dichotomise balance time provided no discriminatory ability (AUC range:0.42–0.47), poor sensitivity (0.38–0.61) and poor specificity (0.23–0.56).

Discussion

Despite previous observational evidence showing associations between better one-legged balance performance and reduced fall risk, the one-legged balance test had limited prognostic accuracy in predicting recurrent falls. This contradicts ongoing translation of this test into clinical screening tools for falls and highlights the need to consider new and existing screening tools that can reliably predict fall risk.
Estimating the cost of training disruptions on marathon performance
Authors: Feely Ciara , Smyth Barry , Caulfield Brian , Lawlor Aonghus
Published: January 2023

Completing a marathon usually requires at least 12–16 weeks of consistent training, but busy lifestyles, illness or injury, and motivational issues can all conspire to disrupt training. This study aims to investigate the frequency and performance cost of training disruptions, especially among recreational runners. Using more than 15 million activities, from 300,000 recreational runners who completed marathons during 2014–2017, we identified periods of varying durations up to 16 weeks before the marathon where runners experienced a complete cessation of training (so-called training disruptions). We identified runners who had completed multiple marathons including: (i) at least one disrupted marathon with a long training disruption of ≥7 days; and (ii) at least one undisrupted marathon with no training disruptions. Next, we calculated the performance cost of long training disruptions as the percentage difference between these disrupted and undisrupted marathon times, comparing the frequency and cost of training disruptions according to the sex, age, and ability of runner, and whether the disruptions occurred early or late in training. Over 50% of runners experienced short training disruptions up to and including 6 days, but longer disruptions were found to be increasingly less frequent among those who made it to race-day. Runners who experience longer training disruptions (≥7 days) suffer a finish-time cost of 5–8% compared to when the same runners experienced only short training disruptions (<7 days). While we found little difference (<5%) in the likelihood of disruptions—when comparing runners based on sex, age, ability, and the timing of a disruption—we did find significant differences in the the cost of disruptions (10–15%) among these groups. Two sample t-tests indicate that long training disruptions lead to a greater finish-time cost for males (5%) than females (3.5%). Faster runners also experience a greater finish-time cost (5.4%) than slower runners (2.6%). And, when disruptions occur late in training (close to race-day), they are associated with a greater finish-time cost (5.2%) than similar disruptions occurring earlier in training (4.4%). By parameterising and quantifying the cost of training disruptions, this work can help runners and coaches to better understand the relationship between training consistency and marathon performance. This has the potential to help them to better evaluate disruption risk during training and to plan for race-day more appropriately when disruptions do occur.
Climate change, water and agriculture linkages in the upper Indus basin: A field study from Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Ladakh
Authors: Tuladhar S. , Hussain A. , Baig S. , Ali A. , Soheb M. , Angchuk T. , Dimri A. P. , Shrestha A. B.
Published: January 2023

The Indus is one of three largest river systems emerging from the Hindu-Kush Himalaya (HKH). In the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), water resources, agriculture and livelihoods are highly vulnerable to climate change induced hazards and risks. Present study investigates impacts of climate change on water availability, agriculture and livelihoods based on perception data collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews from selected study sites in Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Ladakh subregions of the UIB. Findings revealed that climate change is inducing both direct and indirect impacts on water availability, agriculture, and livelihoods. Local people reported that changes in precipitations patterns, temperature and timing of seasons, and increased incidence of crop pest attacks are resulting in the decline of crop and livestock productivity (direct impacts). Climate change is also impacting productivity indirectly through degradation of rangelands/pastures and water variability in traditional irrigation systems. Local people are taking diverse adaptation measures to cope with climate change impacts. These measures include revival of less water intensive traditional crops, start of enterprises and value chain developments in Gilgit-Baltistan, and improvement in water management practices and integration of traditional agricultural products with tourism in Leh-Ladakh. Some adaptation measures are likely to have negative impacts on sustainability of local agriculture. For instance, inorganic agricultural practices in Gilgit-Baltistan, and unplanned shift to water intensive crops and improved breeds of livestock in both Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Ladakh. Based on findings, this study suggests establishing a learning mechanism for local communities through collaboration of local institutions from both sides of border and people to people connections.
Cassava yield gap—A model-based assessment in Nigeria
Authors: Srivastava Amit Kumar , Ewert Frank , Akinwumiju Akinola Shola , Zeng Wenzhi , Ceglar Andrej , Ezui Kodjovi Senam , Adelodun Adedeji , Adebayo Abass , Sobamowo Jumoke , Singh Manmeet , Rahimi Jaber , Gaiser Thomas
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Cassava production is essential for food security in sub-Saharan Africa and serves as a major calorie-intake source in Nigeria. Estimating the yield gap in Nigeria is essential to indicate the most important limiting factors for production, and identify the yield gap hotspot areas. Secondly, these assessments may help set agendas in policy development and research prioritization where current information is scarce.

Materials and methods

Here, Wwe used a crop model, LINTUL5, calibrated for five different cassava varieties based on field experiments embedded into a modeling framework SIMPLACE to estimate potential, water- and nutrient (current) limited cassava yield gaps (YG) as affected by climate factors and contributing a better understanding of yield gaps and its potentials in 30 states of Nigeria.

Results

Our study shows that cumulative radiation and precipitation were the most significant factors associated with cassava yield variability (p < 0.01). The YG averaged across states was estimated as 18.2 Ton7ha-1, with a maximum of 31.2 Ton7ha-1 35 in Kano state. Across the states, nutrient limitation accounts for 55.3% of the total cassava yield gap, while the remaining 44.7% is attributed to water limitation. The highest untapped water-limited yields were estimated in the northern states, such as Bauchi, Gombe, and Sokoto, characterized by the short rainy season.

Conclusion

Our results showed that most northern states are better equipped to become leading cassava producers in Nigeria under adequate crop management practices involving irrigation and soil fertility enhancement. We reached this conclusion because the northern states usually receive the highest radiation from their characteristic reduced cloud cover, even Therefore, policy and management interventions can be prioritized in these areas. Conclusively, the current cassava yield levels can be increased by a factor of five by emphasizing nutrient and soil health management and irrigation, particularly in areas characterized by a shorter rainy season (Sudan Savanna) in Nigeria.
Evaluation of soybean selection and sowing date in a continuous cover relay-cropping system with pennycress
Authors: Gesch Russ W. , Mohammed Yesuf Assen , Matthees Heather L.
Published: January 2023

Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) is a new winter annual oilseed crop that can be integrated as a “cash cover crop” in Midwestern USA cropping systems. Relay-cropping pennycress with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has been shown as an effective way to produce three crops over 2 years while providing living cover on the agricultural landscape nearly year-round. However, management improvements are needed to optimize pennycress and soybean production in this new system. A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate three soybean interseeding dates (based on pennycress growth stage) and three soybean cultivars (varied in maturity date) on the overall productivity of this relay system. Interseeding dates were SD1 (rosette stage), SD2 (bolting stage), and SD3 (initial flowering), and soybean cultivars were MG0.2 (early), MG1.1 (standard), and MG1.7 (late). In the second season, relaying soybean reduced pennycress seed yield compared with its monocrop counterpart, but the reduction was lowest (23%) at SD2. Cultivar maturity group impacted soybean seed yields in the relay system, which for MG0.2, MG1.1, and MG1.7 averaged 2,589, 3,196, and 3,445 kg ha−1, respectively. Although there was soybean yield drag associated with relay cropping, the seed yield of the MG1.7 cultivar relay interseeded at SD2 was not significantly different from a monocropped MG1.1 soybean using conventional practice (CP; winter fallow, no pennycress). The results indicate that relay interseeding of longer maturity (MG1.7) soybean for the region at the bolting stage (SD2) of pennycress optimized overall system productivity while keeping the continuous living cover on the agricultural landscape. More research will likely be needed to improve soybean selection and management regionally for this unique relay system.
Application of a new sternoclavicular hook plate in bipolar clavicle injuries
Authors: Zhang Han , Zhu Zhong , Lin Lie , Cai Guoping
Published: January 2023

Objective

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using a new sternoclavicular hook plate combined with a shoulder locking hook plate for the treatment of bipolar clavicle injuries.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 7 patients with bipolar clavicle injury, all-male, with a mean age of 51.1 years, who underwent a new sternoclavicular hook plate combined with a shoulder clavicular hook plate implantation.

Results

All 7 patients were fixed with a sternoclavicular hook plate combined with a repositioned shoulder locking hook plate and received 13–24 months of follow-up. There were no postoperative complications, no wound infections, and no plate or screw fractures. The mean ASES score was 94.3 ± 2.8.

Conclusion

The safety and effectiveness of a new sternoclavicular hook plate combined with a shoulder locking hook plate in the treatment of bipolar clavicle injuries.
Biomechanical outcomes of superior capsular reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears by different graft materials-a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Xiaoxiong , Wen Liang , Zhang Bo , Jia Jialin
Published: January 2023

Background

Irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCT) are defined as defects that cannot be repaired due to tendon retraction, fat infiltration, or muscle atrophy. One surgical remedy for IRCT is superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), which fixes graft materials between the larger tuberosity and the superior glenoid.

Patients and methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria were followed for conducting the systematic review and meta-analysis. From their inception until February 25, 2022, Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library's electronic databases were searched. Studies using cadavers on SCR for IRCT were also included. The humeral head's superior translation and subacromial peak contact pressure were the primary outcomes. The humeral head's anteroposterior translation, the kind of graft material used, its size, and the deltoid load were the secondary outcomes.

Results

After eliminating duplicates from the search results, 1,443 unique articles remained, and 20 papers were finally included in the quantitative research. In 14 investigations, the enhanced superior translation of the humeral head was documented in IRCTs. In 13 studies, a considerable improvement following SCR was found, especially when using fascia lata (FL), which could achieve more translation restraints than human dermal allograft (HDA) and long head of bicep tendon (LHBT). Six investigations reported a subacromial peak contact pressure increase in IRCTs, which could be rectified by SCR, and these studies found a substantial increase in this pressure. The results of the reduction in subacromial peak contact pressure remained consistent regardless of the graft material utilized for SCR. While there was a statistically significant difference in the change of graft material length between FL and HDA, the change in graft material thickness between FL and HDA was not significant. The humeral head's anterior-posterior translation was rising in IRCTs and could be returned to its original state with SCR. In five investigations, IRCTs caused a significant increase in deltoid force. Furthermore, only one study showed that SCR significantly decreased deltoid force.

Conclusion

With IRCT, SCR might significantly decrease the glenohumeral joint's superior and anterior-posterior stability. Despite the risks for donor-site morbidity and the longer recovery time, FL is still the best current option for SCR.
Clinical outcomes of bone transport using rail fixator in the treatment of femoral nonunion or bone defect caused by infection
Authors: Yalikun Ainizier , Ren Peng , Yushan Maimaiaili , Yusufu Aihemaitijiang
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The rail fixator can improve the treatment outcome and provide good stability in patients with femoral bone transport. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical outcomes of bone transport using the Ilizarov technique by rail fixator in the treatment of femoral nonunion or bone defects caused by infection.

Methods

Clinical feature and treatment outcomes of 32 consecutive adult patients with femoral nonunion or bone defect caused by infection from January 2012 to January 2019 at a minimum of 2 years of follow-ups were retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected on participants' demographic details. All difficulties related to bone transport were documented according to Paley's classification. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using ASAMI criteria at the last clinical visit.

Results

All 32 patients with an average follow-up of 33.5 months. There were 17 problems, 21 obstacles, and 8 complications, and the complication rate per patient was 1.4. The main complications were pin-site infection (53.1%), axial deviation (21.9%), joint stiffness (18.8%), the delayed union of the docking site (18.8%), soft tissue incarceration(15.6%), delayed consolidation(6.3%), malunion(6.3%), and refracture (3.1%). All the patients achieved bone union, and no recurrence of infection was observed. The excellent and good rates of ASAMI bone and functional results were 87.5% and 81.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

Bone transport using the Ilizarov technique is an effective method for the treatment of femoral nonunion or bone defect caused by infection, and rail fixators have obtained satisfactory results in terms of bone and functional results.
Chest x-ray feature of venous air embolism in orthopedic surgery in prone position: A case report
Authors: Liu Yuwu , Gao Qun , Chen Andi , Xiao Jian , Shi Ping
Published: January 2023

Background

Venous air embolism (VAE) is a life-threatening event characterized as a series of clinical features of the disease caused by gas entering the venous circulation in the body.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old male patient with an ankle fracture after trauma was admitted, and complained of chest pain and dyspnea after the ankle fracture resection and internal fixation. His heart rate and blood pressure dropped, and the patient was diagnosed with VAE according to a chest x-ray and clinical features. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was carried out and the patient's heartbeat recovered; his blood pressure rose to a normal level. The patient was still unconscious and sent to the intensive care unit for continued monitoring and treatment. Unfortunately, the patient discharged himself from the hospital and died 24 h later.

Conclusion

This case suggests that x-ray may be a potential method for the rapid diagnosis of VAE in a resource-limited setting.
Systems biology of asphalt pollutants and their human molecular targets
Authors: Rozewski Eran , Taqi Omran , Fini Elham H. , Lewinski Nastassja A. , Klein-Seetharaman Judith
Published: January 2023

More than 90% of all the roads in the United States are covered with asphalt, despite hundreds of scientific studies demonstrating the detrimental effect of asphalt on human health. Asphalt is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds. Here, we not only review studies of the effects of asphalt on human health, but go a step further by taking a novel view of these health effects from a systems biology perspective. In particular, we propose an analogy to protein-protein interaction networks, which can be within species and across species when looking at host-pathogen interactions. While in the former, all nodes are of the same type (e.g., human proteins), in the latter nodes can be of different types, such as human proteins and pathogen proteins. To build a corresponding network of interactions between different nodes for asphalt, we retrieved the literature studying the molecular targets of identified components in asphalt and their corresponding cellular biomarkers. Using this approach, we show that a complex trans pollutant-human target network appears in which multiple health effects can be triggered through interactions of multiple pollutant molecules with multiple human targets. We envision that the insights gained from this analysis may assist future efforts at regulating the use of asphalt.
Study of genetic parameters for pre-weaning growth traits in inner Mongolia white Arbas cashmere goats
Authors: Wang Ruijun , Liu Yan , Shi Yue , Qi Yunpeng , Li Yanbo , Wang Zhiying , Zhang Yanjun , Zhao Yanhong , Su Rui , Li Jinquan
Published: January 2023

Inner Mongolia Arbas white cashmere goats is a dual-purpose breed for producing cashmere and meat. In recent years, its meat has become more and more popular among consumers because of rich nutrients and delicious flavor. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the genetic and non-genetic factors affecting the early growth traits and estimate variance components of pre-weaning growth traits of Inner Mongolia Albas white cashmere goats. A total of 37487 kidding records such as birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG) and Kleiber ratio (KR) from 343 sires and 7296 dams were used in this study. The most appropriate model was chosen on the basis of likelihood ratio test by fitting six models which excluding or including maternal genetic, maternal permanent environmental effects. The parameters were estimated under the most appropriate model using AIREML method by WOMBAT software. With the best model (Model 6), heritability estimates were 0.0435, 0.0911, 0.0932 and 0.2339 for BWT, WWT, ADG and KR traits, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates were 0.0143, 0.0246, 0.0220 and 0.0186 for BWT, WWT, ADG, and KR traits respectively. The correlation between different traits was estimated with the most suitable model by using bivariate analysis method. The direct additive genetic correlation among the traits ranged from −0.026 (BWT~KR) to 0.772 (ADG~KR). The maternal permanent environment correlation is between −0.289 (BWT-KR) ~0.900 (WWT-ADG). Results indicated that maternal effects and direct-maternal genetic covariance should be considered in any program aimed at improving pre-weaning growth traits to have an accurate genetic evaluation. In addition, positive and medium to high genetic correlations generally exist among WWT, ADG and KR due to the existence of genetic variation for early growth traits. The results showed that the genetic progress of these traits could be slowly through selection except for KR.
Mapping of foot-and-mouth disease virus antigenic sites recognized by single-domain antibodies reveals different 146S particle specific sites and particle flexibility
Authors: Harmsen Michiel M. , Li Haozhou , Sun Shiqi , van der Poel Wim H. M. , Dekker Aldo
Published: January 2023

Vaccination with intact (146S) foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) particles is used to control FMD. However, 146S particles easily dissociate into stable pentameric 12S particles which are less immunogenic. We earlier isolated several single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs) that specifically bind either 146S or 12S particles. These particle-specific VHHs are excellent tools for vaccine quality control. In this study we mapped the antigenic sites recognized by these VHHs by competition ELISAs, virus neutralization, and trypsin sensitivity of epitopes. We included two previously described monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are either 12S specific (mAb 13A6) or 146S specific (mAb 9). Although both are 12S specific, the VHH M3F and mAb 13A6 were found to bind independent antigenic sites. M3F recognized a non-neutralizing and trypsin insensitive site whereas mAb 13A6 recognized the trypsin sensitive VP2 N-terminus. The Asia1 146S-specific site was trypsin sensitive, neutralizing and also recognized by the VHH M8F, suggesting it involves the VP1 GH-loop. The type A 146S-specific VHHs recognized two independent antigenic sites that are both also neutralizing but trypsin insensitive. The major site was further mapped by cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) of two broadly strain reactive 146S-specific VHHs complexed to FMDV. The epitopes were located close to the 2-fold and 3-fold symmetry axes of the icosahedral virus 3D structure, mainly on VP2 and VP3, overlapping the earlier identified mAb 9 site. Since the epitopes were located on a single 12S pentamer, the 146S specificity cannot be explained by the epitope being split due to 12S pentamer dissociation. In an earlier study the cryo-EM structure of the 146S-specific VHH M170 complexed to type O FMDV was resolved. The 146S specificity was reported to be caused by an altered conformation of this epitope in 12S and 146S particles. This mechanism probably also explains the 146S-specific binding by the two type A VHHs mapped by XL-MS since their epitopes overlapped with the epitope recognized by M170. Surprisingly, residues internal in the 146S quaternary structure were also cross-linked to VHH. This probably reflects particle flexibility in solution. Molecular studies of virus-antibody interactions help to further optimize vaccines and improve their quality control.