bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the strengthening effect of curdlan on the quality of frozen cooked noodles: studies on water characteristics and migration during cooking
Authors: Liu Hao , Liang Ying , Guo Shibo , Liu Mei , Chen Zilu , He Baoshan , Zhang Xia , Wang Jinshui
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to further clarify the influence of curdlan on the quality of frozen cooked noodles (FCN) by exploring the changes in the microstructure, rheological properties and water status of FCN during cooking. The addition of curdlan delayed the disappearance of the white core in FCN during cooking. Compared with FCN without curdlan, the microstructure of FCN with curdlan was more homogeneous, and 0.5% curdlan showed the best improvement. Furthermore, higher G′ and G′′ values and lower strain values were measured in the presence of 0.5% curdlan. Throughout the cooking process, the freezable water content significantly increased. Combined with the result of water distribution, it can be inferred that the reduction of freezable water content induced by curdlan was occurred by changing the status of water. Moreover, the result of magnetic resonance imaging indicated that the water migration rate decreased after the addition of curdlan. The results demonstrate that curdlan mitigates the degradation of FCN structure during cooking by limiting the mobility of water, which also provides new insights for improving the quality of FCN and the application of curdlan.
Penttinen syndrome‐associated PDGFRB Val665Ala variant causes aberrant constitutive STAT1 signalling
Authors: Nédélec Audrey , Guérit Emilie M. , Dachy Guillaume , Lenglez Sandrine , Wong Lok San , Arts Florence A. , Demoulin Jean‐Baptiste
Published: June 2022

Penttinen syndrome is a rare progeroid disorder caused by mutations in platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor beta (encoded by the PDGFRB proto‐oncogene) and characterized by a prematurely aged appearance with lipoatrophy, skin lesions, thin hair and acro‐osteolysis. Activating mutations in PDGFRB have been associated with other human diseases, including Kosaki overgrowth syndrome, infantile myofibromatosis, fusiform aneurysms, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms associated with eosinophilia. The goal of the present study was to characterize the PDGFRB p.Val665Ala variant associated with Penttinen syndrome at the molecular level. This substitution is located in a conserved loop of the receptor tyrosine kinase domain. We observed that the mutant receptor was expressed at a lower level but showed constitutive activity. In the absence of ligand, the mutant activated STAT1 and elicited an interferon‐like transcriptional response. Phosphorylation of STAT3, STAT5, AKT and phospholipase Cγ was weak or undetectable. It was devoid of oncogenic activity in two cell proliferation assays, contrasting with classical PDGF receptor oncogenic mutants. STAT1 activation was not sensitive to ruxolitinib and did not rely on interferon‐JAK2 signalling. Another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib, blocked signalling by the p.Val665Ala variant at a higher concentration compared with the wild‐type receptor. Importantly, this concentration remained in the therapeutic range. Dasatinib, nilotinib and ponatinib also inhibited the mutant receptor. In conclusion, the p.Val665Ala variant confers unique features to PDGF receptor β compared with other characterized gain‐of‐function mutants, which may in part explain the particular set of symptoms associated with Penttinen syndrome.
Dissemination of a successful dementia care program: Lessons to facilitate spread of innovations
Authors: Reuben David B. , Evertson Leslie Chang , Jackson‐Stoeckle Rebecca , Epstein‐Lubow Gary , Spragens Lynn Hill , Haggerty Kristin Lees , Serrano Katherine Sy , Jennings Lee A.
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite the effectiveness of innovations to improve the care of persons with dementia, there has been limited diffusion of these into widespread clinical practice. We aimed to identify common barriers and address them directly in the initial phase of dissemination of a successful dementia care program.

Methods

Description of and early experience with a dissemination strategy of the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program to health care systems nationwide. We measured site‐identified goals for the program and indicators of success, number of adopting sites, and participants in their programs.

Results

From January 2019 to December 2021, 80 sites expressed interest in adopting the program, 14 (18%) sites adopted it, and 10 of these sites have begun caring for patients. Another 4 sites have implemented the program as part of a randomized clinical trial. To date, over 1690 persons living with dementia and their caregivers have received Alzheimer's and Dementia Care (ADC) care at 14 adopting sites. Key lessons from the early dissemination efforts include the importance of identifying a strong product champion at the adopting site, creating a business case for adoption, training of clinical staff and adapting the model to fit local cultures and workflow, as well as recognizing the likely long length of time needed for the decision to adopt and implementation process.

Conclusions

Despite many obstacles to dissemination, with local champions and technical assistance, successful innovations in dementia care can be implemented in diverse health systems. The ability to adopt sites to bring the program to full scale and achieve comparable outcomes to the original program remains to be determined.
Effects of prenatal group program in rural Tanzania: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Oka Miyuki , Madeni Frida , Horiuchi Shigeko
Published: June 2022

Aim

This study conducted in rural Tanzania examined the effects of a midwife‐led prenatal group program on: (1) improvement of knowledge of the physiological symptoms of pregnancy; (2) promotion of pregnancy‐related empowerment; (3) enhancement of intention to self‐care behaviors for safer childbirth; and (4) gaining satisfaction with antenatal care visits.

Methods

This work was a quasi‐experimental study with a control group using a pre‐post study design conducted in two district hospitals in Tanzania. Data were collected from 108 analyzed pregnant women from the prenatal group program (n = 54) and control program (n = 54) using questionnaires before (baseline) and after (endline) the program. The program consisted of lecture, sharing, and review sessions. The control program consisted of the same lectures. The contents of both programs included physiological symptoms of pregnancy and self‐care behaviors. The primary outcome was knowledge of common symptoms of pregnancy. The secondary outcomes were Pregnancy‐Related Empowerment Scale score, intention to self‐care behaviors, and satisfaction.

Results

The primary outcome of knowledge of common symptoms of pregnancy was significantly increased in the intervention group compared with the control group (t = 2.677, p = .009). The secondary outcome of one of the Pregnancy‐Related Empowerment Scale statements about midwife's respectful attitude toward women's decision was significantly increased in the intervention group compared with the control group (U = 2.076, p = .038).

Conclusions

The interventional prenatal group program during pregnancy was effective in increasing knowledge of common symptoms of pregnancy and in identifying favorable midwife connectedness.
Thermodynamic constraints on the composition of orogenically thickened lower crust
Authors: Li Yi‐Bing , Wu Yu‐Wen , Su Bin , Chen Si , Zhang Qing‐Hua , Chen Yi
Published: June 2022

Orogenically thickened lower crust is the key site of crustal differentiation, crustal deformation, and Moho modification. However, the composition of thickened lower crust is still highly debated. Here, we calculate a set of pseudosections with mafic lower crust compositions in the Na2O–CaO–K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–TiO2–O2 (NCKFMASHTO) system. Our modelling results show that the maximum thickness of the mafic lower crust increases with the Moho temperature (TMoho). In addition, the lithologies of stable mafic crust are characterized by medium‐pressure (MP) to high‐pressure (HP) granulites at 40–50 km, HP granulites and garnet‐omphacite granulites at 50–60 km, and garnet‐omphacite granulites at 60–70 km. Under the Pamir geothermal conditions, mafic rocks with high SiO2 (>50.2 wt%), XMg (>0.70), XCa (>0.49), or low XAl (<0.11) could be stable at 70 km; however, only ~10% of global mafic granulite xenoliths lie within this compositional range. Further modelling indicates that if TMoho reaches 900–1000°C, neither the lower crust nor the upper mantle has significant strength relative to the upper crust and that only ~5–37% of mafic materials are gravitationally stable at 70 km. This implies that the base of doubly thickened (70 km) crust is dominated by intermediate‐felsic rocks, consistent with the low Vp and Vp/Vs values seismically observed in young orogenic crustal roots. Thus, most mafic materials at >70 km could delaminate into the deep mantle. Our results provide insights on the formation of extremely thick crust with a predominantly intermediate‐felsic base and the crustal thickness variation in continental collision zones.
How Children's participation ought to be practiced: A preliminary ethical framework to optimise the participation of children with osteogenesis imperfecta in health care
Authors: Wang Yi Wen , Carnevale Franco A. , Chougui Khadidja , Tsimicalis Argerie
Published: June 2022

Background

A three‐phase ethnography was conducted at a paediatric orthopaedic hospital exploring the actual and desired participation of children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta in discussions, decisions and actions in the hospital and community. Phase I and Phase II revealed how childhood ethics are understood and practiced in the hospital using artmaking to engage children in discussions about their health‐related experiences. Children expressed frustration, anger and disappointment when their desired level of participation in care was not actualized due to forgone opportunities for engagement by clinicians or lack of child‐oriented health resources.

Objectives

The objective of this study (Phase III) was to specify how childhood ethics ought to be understood and practiced in the hospital by (1) convening hospital stakeholders in a collaborative setting to disseminate findings, identify ethical concerns and generate action steps; and (2) develop a preliminary ethical framework to optimise the participation of children with OI in health care.

Design

Focused ethnography reported using the SRQR checklist.

Methods

A focus group was conducted with 14 interdisciplinary hospital stakeholders. Data were analysed using qualitative, thematic analysis to understand primary ethical concerns and accompanying action steps. The findings were consolidated into a preliminary ethical framework and worksheet for clinicians.

Results

Four main factors impeding children's voices and desired participation were identified: legal and contextual factors; variations in clinicians' skills, practice and knowledge; difficulties incorporating alternative engagement methods into practice; and need for interprofessional collaboration. Five action steps were identified: Recognise, Elicit, Interpret, Act and Optimise.

Relevance to clinical practice

The focus group and creation of clinician resources were important steps towards addressing the ethical concerns of children with OI, such as marginalisation or exclusion in their OI care. This study better prepares us to disseminate our findings on a larger scale and create ethical frameworks and resources to improve how vulnerable children's voices are heard, understood and acted upon in healthcare settings.
Associational resistance through intercropping reduces yield losses to soil‐borne pests and diseases
Authors: Chadfield Victoria G. A. , Hartley Sue E. , Redeker Kelly R.
Published: June 2022

Associational resistance to herbivore and pathogen attack is a well documented ecological phenomenon and, if applied to agriculture, may reduce impact of pests and diseases on crop yields without recourse to pesticides.

The value of associational resistance through intercropping, planting multiple crops alongside each other, as a sustainable control method remains unclear, due to variable outcomes reported in the published literature. We performed a meta‐analysis to provide a quantitative assessment of benefits of intercropping for target plant resistance to plant‐parasitic nematodes and soil‐borne diseases.

We found that intercropping reduced damage to focal crops from nematodes by 40% and disease incidence by 55%. Intercropping efficacy varied with biological variables, such as field fertilisation status and intercrop family, and methodology, including whether study samples were potted or in fields.

Nematode control using intercropping was sufficient to offset reductions in focal crop yield from intercrop presence, making intercropping a viable agricultural tool. We identify key drivers for underpinning the success of intercropping and indicate areas for future research to improve efficacy. This study also highlights the potential benefits of harnessing ecological knowledge on plant–enemy interactions for improving agricultural and landscape sustainability.
Onsite detection of plant viruses using isothermal amplification assays
Authors: Bhat Alangar I. , Aman Rashid , Mahfouz Magdy
Published: June 2022

Plant diseases caused by viruses limit crop production and quality, resulting in significant losses. However, options for managing viruses are limited; for example, as systemic obligate parasites, they cannot be killed by chemicals. Sensitive, robust, affordable diagnostic assays are needed to detect the presence of viruses in plant materials such as seeds, vegetative parts, insect vectors, or alternative hosts and then prevent or limit their introduction into the field by destroying infected plant materials or controlling insect hosts. Diagnostics based on biological and physical properties are not very sensitive and are time‐consuming, but assays based on viral proteins and nucleic acids are more specific, sensitive, and rapid. However, most such assays require laboratories with sophisticated equipment and technical skills. By contrast, isothermal‐based assays such as loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) are simple, easy to perform, reliable, specific, and rapid and do not require specialized equipment or skills. Isothermal amplification assays can be performed using lateral flow devices, making them suitable for onsite detection or testing in the field. To overcome non‐specific amplification and cross‐contamination issues, isothermal amplification assays can be coupled with CRISPR/Cas technology. Indeed, the collateral activity associated with some CRISPR/Cas systems has been successfully harnessed for visual detection of plant viruses. Here, we briefly describe traditional methods for detecting viruses and then examine the various isothermal assays that are being harnessed to detect viruses.
The influence of temporal unpredictability on the electrophysiological mechanisms of neural entrainment
Authors: Vilà‐Balló Adrià , Marti‐Marca Angela , Torralba Cuello Mireia , Soto‐Faraco Salvador , Pozo‐Rosich Patricia
Published: June 2022

Neural entrainment, or the synchronization of endogenous oscillations to exogenous rhythmic events, has been postulated as a powerful mechanism underlying stimulus prediction. Nevertheless, studies that have explored the benefits of neural entrainment on attention, perception, and other cognitive functions have received criticism, which could compromise their theoretical and clinical value. Therefore, the aim of the present study was [1] to confirm the presence of entrainment using a set of pre‐established criteria and [2] to establish whether the reported behavioral benefits of entrainment remain when temporal predictability related to target appearance is reduced. To address these points, we adapted a previous neural entrainment paradigm to include: a variable entrainer length and increased target‐absent trials, and instructing participants to respond only if they had detected a target, to avoid guessing. Thirty‐six right‐handed women took part in this study. Our results indicated a significant alignment of neural activity to the external periodicity as well as a persistence of phase alignment beyond the offset of the driving signal. This would appear to indicate that neural entrainment triggers preexisting endogenous oscillations, which cannot simply be explained as a succession of event‐related potentials associated with the stimuli, expectation and/or motor response. However, we found no behavioral benefit for targets in‐phase with entrainers, which would suggest that the effect of neural entrainment on overt behavior may be more limited than expected. These results help to clarify the mechanistic processes underlying neural entrainment and provide new insights on its applications.
Delimiting continuity: Comparison of target enrichment and double digest restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing for delineating admixing parapatric Melitaea butterflies
Authors: Joshi Mukta , Espeland Marianne , Dincă Vlad , Vila Roger , Tahami Mohadeseh S. , Dietz Lars , Mayer Christoph , Martin Sebastian , Dapporto Leonardo , Mutanen Marko
Published: June 2022

Parapatrically distributed taxa pose a challenge for species delimitation due to the presence of gene flow and inherent arbitrariness of exactly defining the species boundaries in such systems. We tackled the problem of species delimitation in a parapatric species pair of Melitaea butterflies using two popular genomic methods—double digest restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD) and target enrichment. We compared newly generated target enrichment dataset with 1733 loci to the already available ddRAD data from a previous study on the same set of specimens using a suite of phylogenetic, population genetic, and species delimitation methods. We recovered consistent phylogenetic relationships across the datasets, both demonstrating the presence of a genetically distinct Balkan lineage and paraphyly of Melitaea athalia with respect to Melitaea celadussa. Population genetic STRUCTURE analyses supported the presence of two species when using ddRAD data, but three species when using target enrichment, while a Bayes factor delimitation analysis found both two and three species scenarios equally decisive in both datasets. As the results obtained from both methods were largely congruent, we discuss some practical considerations and benefits of target enrichment over RAD sequencing. We conclude that the choice of method of genomic data collection does not influence the results of phylogenetic analyses at alpha taxonomic level, given a sufficient number of loci. Finally, we recommend a solution for delineating species in parapatric scenarios by proposing that parapatric taxa be consistently classified as subspecies or complete species, but not both, to promote taxonomic stability.
How to increase first‐time donors' returns? The postdonation letter's content can make a difference
Authors: Moussaoui Lisa S. , Blondé Jerôme , Chaduc‐Lemoine Coralie , Baldelli Serena , Desrichard Olivier , Waldvogel Sophie
Published: June 2022

Background

Retention of first‐time donors is pivotal for blood collection centers. The present study built on research showing the importance of donor identity among regular donors and sought to compare the effectiveness of various communication strategies on return rate.

Study Design and Methods

Postal letters were sent to a large sample of first‐time whole blood donors (N = 1219) a few weeks following their first donation. Four versions of this letter were differently constructed in a way to boost the acquisition of donor identity (i.e., by including information about their ABO and Rh(D) blood group, emphasizing the salience of donor identity, offering a keyring with personalized information, or specifying the percentage of those sharing the same ABO and Rh(D) blood group). One version with no identity‐related information served as a control condition. Participants' subsequent blood donations were tracked for 5–22 months after receiving the letter.

Results

Survival analysis showed that the return rate was significantly higher among those who had received information about the percentage of the country's population with the same ABO and Rh(D) blood group (in comparison with the four other versions). There was no significant effect on the blood type rarity.

Conclusion

Blood collection centers could orient the strategy employed to communicate with first‐time donors to improve donors' retention. Arousing a sense of social identification with others with the same blood type may reveal a promising avenue.
The stories that documents tell
Authors: Beauregard Robert
Published: June 2022

In this essay, I extend Lieven Ameel’s narrative approach to planning by adding a material perspective that treats planning documents as actors in planning practice. As actors, documents have consequences for planning beyond the stories that they convey. Among others, these consequences include providing the transparency essential for democratic planning, allowing planners to act at a distance, and strengthening institutional memory. I also reflect on the private stories that the public does not hear or read about and which are as important as the stories that Ameel deftly analyzes.
Narratives of and in urban change and planning: whose narratives and how authentic?
Authors: Tewdwr-Jones Mark
Published: June 2022

Lieven Ameel's book The Narrative Turn in Urban Planning offers a critical examination of the role of narratives and story-telling in questions concerning urban planning in future deliberations of urban change. The discussion provides an excellent way to identify, define and construct our understanding about narratives in and of planning, including the construction of a typology for the first time. But narratives of and for planning tend to mask wider meta-narrative issues that will affect how places are shaped and are changed in the future. These drivers of change not only encompass a range of socio-economic and environmental challenges. They will also have profound implications for our use of technology, and for the way our democratic processes operate. Such dramatic changes will impact on the context and form of planning, wherever you are in the world. And we are likely to see greater polarisation in attitudes toward urban and regional change, some of which may not only be proactive, but deeply reactive, subjective and selective. If the narrative turn will become more prominent in planning, we need to be ready for the likely proliferation of disruptive and insurgent narratives that will emerge and reflect the deep-seated vested interests that possess stakes in how and whether places change on their terms.
Telemedicine and Ophthalmology Amidst covid-19: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Serrano Serrano Alejandro , Caycedo Andrea , Ucrós Alfonso
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Doctors have had to adapt to an unknown and unexpected situation and within these changes it was necessary to use tools to which they have been a little reluctant to use, such as telemedicine to continue with the assessment of patients from different medical specialties such as ophthalmology. Aim: To show the results of the description of the experience of the practice of telemedicine in ophthalmology as a useful tool for access to a specialized consultation that would be decisive, during the time of the covid-19 pandemic in an ophthalmological center in Bogota Colombia. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out including pediatric and adult patients who attended a telemedicine consultation with some of the 16 ophthalmologists of Oftalmosanitas, in the services of general ophthalmology, retina, glaucoma, cornea, pediatrics and uveitis, between 15 April and August 31, 2020. Variables such as age, sex, type of consultation, treating specialty, diagnosis and management plan were included. Results: Information was collected from 23,629 consultations, the average age was 53.6 years, 62.29% were women and 92.52% were of legal age. Regarding the perception of physicians, 100% considered that this consultation modality has been useful for the current contingency and that the majority of patients are satisfied with the care. Conclusions: The exercise of ophthalmology telemedicine in our institution managed to attend and solve a large number of consultations. In addition, this experience was widely accepted by doctors and patients as they gained access to specialized care that was able to solve most of the reasons for consultation by requesting diagnostic tests.
Concentraciones elevadas de vitamina B12: ¿cómo interpretarlas?
Authors: Molina Pimienta Luisana , Rondón Carvajal Julián ,  Salgado Sánchez Juan Camilo
Published: June 2022

Los niveles elevados de cobalamina (vitamina B12) son un hallazgo frecuente y subestimado en la práctica clínica, muchas veces incidental. Se requiere de un enfoque metódico, que permita no solo descartar una deficiencia funcional de la misma según el contexto, sino también orientar su etiología, teniendo en cuenta que podría ser un hallazgo temprano en el curso entidades de pronóstico ominoso, como algunos tumores sólidos, enfermedades hepáticas de curso agudo o crónico y trastornos mieloproliferativos, dentro de los que destaca la leucemia mieloide crónica. De igual forma, permite diferenciar causas primarias de recuentos celulares elevados tanto de linaje eritroide (policitemias) como mieloide (neutrofilia, eosinofilia). Se propone un algoritmo diagnóstico, basado en la literatura médica disponible a la fecha sobre el tema.
Multi-Objective Optimization of the Perforated Micro Pin-Fin Heat Sink Using Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II Coupled With Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Gupta Deepa , Saha Probir , Roy Somnath
Published: June 2022

This paper numerically investigates the optimization of the geometric parameters and the coolant's inflow states of the perforated micropin-fins (MPFs) heat sink using an elitist nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) coupled with a finite volume-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver. Square-shaped MPFs with two circular perforations were considered for the investigations on the fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer using numerical simulations. Five design variables (two perforation diameters, their respective locations, and the inflow velocity) with the essential constrained equations were optimized to search for the optimal solutions. Two objective functions, viz., Nusselt number (Nu) and friction factor (f), were selected to evaluate the hydrothermal performances of the perforated MPFs heat sink. The optimization was performed for 52 generations with a population size of 30. We obtained the Pareto optimal solutions, which gave the design boundary of the important parameters. Some of the cases of the Pareto solutions were also investigated in detail to understand the underlying thermal physics and structural rigidity under thermal and hydraulic stresses. It is observed that the MPF's stiffness was not compromised upon introducing two perforations. This study identified different thermohydraulic features responsible for optimal performance at different inflow velocity regimes. The present paper demonstrates that this optimization technique has led to a better understanding of the underlying thermal physics of complex electronic cooling equipment while systematically exploring the design space.
Robust variation in infant gut microbiome assembly across a spectrum of lifestyles
Authors: Olm Matthew R. , Dahan Dylan , Carter Matthew M. , Merrill Bryan D. , Yu Feiqiao B. , Jain Sunit , Meng Xiandong , Tripathi Surya , Wastyk Hannah , Neff Norma , Holmes Susan , Sonnenburg Erica D. , Jha Aashish R. , Sonnenburg Justin L.
Published: June 2022

Infant microbiome assembly has been intensely studied in infants from industrialized nations, but little is known about this process in nonindustrialized populations. We deeply sequenced infant stool samples from the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania and analyzed them in a global meta-analysis. Infant microbiomes develop along lifestyle-associated trajectories, with more than 20% of genomes detected in the Hadza infant gut representing novel species. Industrialized infants—even those who are breastfed—have microbiomes characterized by a paucity ofBifidobacterium infantisand gene cassettes involved in human milk utilization. Strains within lifestyle-associated taxonomic groups are shared between mother-infant dyads, consistent with early life inheritance of lifestyle-shaped microbiomes. The population-specific differences in infant microbiome composition and function underscore the importance of studying microbiomes from people outside of wealthy, industrialized nations.
Quantum learning unravels quantum system
Authors: Dunjko Vedran
Published: June 2022

A quantum computer has a decisive advantage in analyzing quantum experiment results
Aligning mealtimes to live longer
Authors: Deota Shaunak , Panda Satchidananda
Published: June 2022

Calorie restriction, fasting, and circadian rhythms sync together for a long, healthy life in mice
Climate risk is financial risk
Authors: Wagner Gernot
Published: June 2022

Should businesses worry about climate risk because doing so is good for their bottom line, or because their responsibilities ought to go beyond mere financial returns to shareholders? What if expanding one’s lens to include environmental, social, and corporate governance turns out to be good for business? What if not? These fundamental questions lie at the core of numerous ambitious efforts to align tools and resources of finance with global action to address climate change. And they have been raised again with alarm in recent weeks after the head of responsible investment for HSBC Asset Management, appearing at a
Financial Times
“Moral Money” event, gave a talk that was neither responsible nor moral.
Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Induces NAIP/NLRC4- and NLRP3/ASC-Independent, Caspase-4-Dependent Inflammasome Activation in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Naseer Nawar , Zhang Jenna , Bauer Renate , Constant David A. , Nice Timothy J. , Brodsky Igor E. , Rauch Isabella , Shin Sunny
Published: June 2022

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is a Gram-negative pathogen that causes diseases ranging from gastroenteritis to systemic infection and sepsis.
Salmonella
uses type III secretion systems (T3SS) to inject effectors into host cells. While these effectors are necessary for bacterial invasion and intracellular survival, intracellular delivery of T3SS products also enables detection of translocated
Salmonella
ligands by cytosolic immune sensors.
Draft Genome Sequences of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from River Water in Malaysia
Authors: Yusaimi Yus Amira , Ahmad Sabri Nurul Syazwani , Utsumi Motoo , Hara Hirofumi
Published: June 2022

Antimicrobial resistance has become a primary concern in clinical and public health.
Escherichia coli
is one of the bacteria that carries and disseminates antimicrobial resistance genes to the community. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of three multidrug-resistant
E. coli
strains that were isolated from river water in Malaysia.
Nurturing care during COVID-19: a rapid review of early evidence
Authors: Proulx Kerrie , Lenzi-Weisbecker Rachel , Hatch Rachel , Hackett Kristy , Omoeva Carina , Cavallera Vanessa , Daelmans Bernadette , Dua Tarun
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to family life, society and essential health and other services. A rapid review of evidence was conducted to examine emerging evidence on the effects of the pandemic on three components of nurturing care, including responsive caregiving, early learning, and safety and security.

Design

Two academic databases, organisational websites and reference lists were searched for original studies published between 1 January and 25 October 2020. A single reviewer completed the study selection and data extraction with verification by a second reviewer.

Interventions

We included studies with a complete methodology and reporting on quantitative or qualitative evidence related to nurturing care during the pandemic.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Studies reporting on outcomes related to responsive caregiving, early learning, and safety and security were included.

Results

The search yielded 4410 citations in total, and 112 studies from over 30 countries met our eligibility criteria. The early evidence base is weighted towards studies in high-income countries, studies related to caregiver mental health and those using quantitative survey designs. Studies reveal issues of concern related to increases in parent and caregiver stress and mental health difficulties during the pandemic, which was linked to harsher and less warm or responsive parenting in some studies. A relatively large number of studies examined child safety and security and indicate a reduction in maltreatment referrals. Lastly, studies suggest that fathers’ engagement in caregiving increased during the early phase of the pandemic, children’s outdoor play and physical activity decreased (while screen time increased), and emergency room visits for child injuries decreased.

Conclusion

The results highlight key evidence gaps (ie, breastfeeding support and opportunities for early learning) and suggest the need for increased support and evidence-based interventions to ensure young children and other caregivers are supported and protected during the pandemic.
Association of food security with cardiometabolic health during young adulthood: cross-sectional comparison of American Indian adults with other racial/ethnic groups
Authors: Nikolaus Cassandra J , Zamora-Kapoor Anna , Hebert Luciana E , Sinclair Ka'imi
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Our aim was to assess the cross-sectional associations between food insecurity and cardiometabolic health indicators in American Indian young adults compared with non-Hispanic white, black, Asian or Pacific Islander and Hispanic young adults.

Design

Data from the fourth wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) were used. Variables included a self-assessed measure of risk of food insecurity, indicators of cardiometabolic health (body mass index, haemoglobin A1c, blood pressure) and sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the association of risk of food insecurity with cardiometabolic health, while controlling for sociodemographic variables. All analyses were weighted and accounted for the complex survey design.

Participants

The analytical sample of n=12 799 included mostly non-Hispanic white respondents (n=7900), followed by n=2666 black, n=442 American Indian, n=848 Asian or Pacific Islander and n=943 Hispanic.

Results

Risk of food insecurity was more common among respondents who were female, Black, American Indian, had lower educational attainment, and were classified as having obesity or diabetes. In unadjusted models, risk of food insecurity was significantly associated with greater odds of obesity (OR=1.39; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.60) and diabetes (OR=1.61; 95% CI 1.23 to 2.11). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors (age, sex, education, income, household size, tobacco smoking, alcohol intake and race/ethnicity), only the association between risk of food insecurity and obesity remained (OR=1.19; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.38). Relationships among risk of food insecurity, sociodemographic characteristics and diabetes varied across models stratified by race and ethnicity.

Conclusions

Results suggest that elevated risk of food insecurity is present in young American Indian adults, but its relationship with cardiometabolic health is unclear. Future work should capitalise on longitudinal data and the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Security Survey Modules.
Parental preference for influenza vaccine for children in China: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Li Shunping , Gong Tiantian , Chen Gang , Liu Ping , Lai Xiaozhen , Rong Hongguo , Ma Xiaochen , Hou Zhiyuan , Fang Hai
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To investigate what factors affect parents’ influenza vaccination preference for their children and whether there exists preference heterogeneity among respondents in China.

Design

Cross-sectional study. A discrete choice experiment was conducted. Five attributes were identified based on literature review and qualitative interviews, including protection rate, duration of vaccine-induced protection, risk of serious side effects, location of manufacturer and out-of-pocket cost.

Setting

Multistage sampling design was used. According to geographical location and the level of economic development, 10 provinces in China were selected, and the survey was conducted at community healthcare centres or stations.

Participants

Parents with at least one child aged between 6 months and 5 years old were recruited and the survey was conducted via a face-to-face interview in 2019. In total, 600 parents completed the survey, and 449 who passed the internal consistency test were included in the main analysis.

Main outcomes and measures

A mixed logit model was used to estimate factors affecting parents’ preference to vaccinate their children. In addition, sociodemographic characteristics were included to explore the preference heterogeneity.

Results

In general, respondents preferred to vaccinate their children. All attributes were statistically significant and among them, the risk of severe side effects was the most important attribute, followed by the protection rate and duration of vaccine-induced protection. Contrary to our initial expectation, respondents have a stronger preference for the domestic than the imported vaccine. Some preference heterogeneity among parents was also found and in particular, parents who were older, or highly educated placed a higher weight on a higher protection rate.

Conclusion

Vaccination safety and vaccine effectiveness are the two most important characteristics that influenced parents’ decision to vaccinate against influenza for their children in China. Results from this study will facilitate future policy implementations to improve vaccination uptake rates.
Comparing the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of interventions for depressive symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Lyons Julia , Campese Stephanie , Learmonth Yvonne C , Metse Alexandra , Kermode Allan G , Karahalios Amalia , Marck Claudia H
Published: June 2022

Background

Comorbid depression is prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Depression is commonly untreated or undertreated, thus, there is a need for effective and safe interventions and current guidelines recommend psychological and pharmaceutical interventions for people with MS. However, research suggests that other interventions, such as exercise, could also be effective. The comparative efficacy and safety of intervention modalities have not been quantified.

We plan to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare efficacy and safety of psychological, pharmaceutical, physical and magnetic stimulation interventions for depression in people with MS.

Methods and analysis

We will search EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL and PEDro from inception to 31 December 2021. Search terms will stem from three concepts: MS, depression and randomised controlled trials. Included studies will be randomised controlled trials, where participants are people with MS randomised to receive one of the aforementioned intervention types, and depression or depressive symptoms is the primary outcome, only outcome or secondary outcome with an a priori power calculation. Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment (using the Risk of Bias 2 tool) will be conducted independently by two reviewers. If possible, we will synthesise the evidence by fitting a frequentist network meta-analysis model with multivariate random effects, or a pairwise random-effects meta-analysis model. For each model, efficacy will be measured using a standardised mean difference, and safety using an OR. We plan to provide summary measures including forest plots, a geometry of the network, surface under the cumulative ranking curve, and a league table, and perform subgroup analyses. Otherwise, a narrative review will be provided.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics is not required for a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Results will be published in a peer reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020209803.
Effects of proprioceptive training in the recovery of patients submitted to meniscus surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Jiang , Liu Xiaoxiao , Lu Huaimin , Zhang Di , Zhao Tianyu , Wang Ju , Jin Song
Published: June 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effects of proprioceptive training on rehabilitation of knee after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM).

Design

PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Technology Periodical Database, WanFang Data and China Biology Medicine were searched until December 2021 for randomised controlled trials.

Participants

Patients who have undergone APM for meniscus injury caused by traumatic tear.

Results

A total of 9 studies with 453 patients were included in this study for meta-analysis, and 2/9 with high quality, 6/9 with moderate quality. Based on very low quality evidence, the pooled effect showed significant improvement for proprioceptive training group in proprioception test (p<0.05, I2=18%), knee extensor muscle strength (p<0.05, I2=29%), knee flexor muscle strength (p<0.05, I2=0%) and knee function score (p<0.05, I2=0%) compared with conventional training group in patients after APM.

Conclusion

Based on very low quality, adding proprioceptive training to conventional rehabilitation programmes might be beneficial to promote functional recovery for patients after APM. It is necessary to carry out more samples and higher quality large-scale studies to provide high evidence in the future.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020213201.
Improving community-based first response to out of hospital cardiac arrest (FirstCPR): protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Munot Sonali , Redfern Julie , Bray Janet E , Angell Blake , Bauman Adrian , Coggins Andrew , Denniss Alan Robert , Ferry Cate , Jennings Garry , Kovoor Pramesh , Kumar Saurabh , Lai Kevin , Khanlari Sarah , Marschner Simone , Middleton Paul M , Nelson Michael , Opperman Ian , Semsarian Christopher , Taylor Lee , Vukasovic Matthew , Ware Sandra , Chow Clara
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with poor survival outcomes, but prompt bystander action can more than double survival rates. Being trained, confident and willing-to-perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are known predictors of bystander action. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a community organisation targeted multicomponent education and training initiative on being willing to respond to OHCAs. The study employs a novel approach to reaching community members via social and cultural groups, and the intervention aims to address commonly cited barriers to training including lack of availability, time and costs.

Methods and analysis

FirstCPR is a cluster randomised trial that will be conducted across 200 community groups in urban and regional Australia. It will target community groups where CPR training is not usual. Community groups (clusters) will be stratified by region, size and organisation type, and then randomly assigned to either immediately receive the intervention programme, comprising digital and in-person education and training opportunities about CPR and OHCA over 12 months, or a delayed programme implementation. The primary outcome is self-reported ‘training and willingness-to-perform CPR’ at 12 months. It will be assessed through surveys of group members that consent in intervention versus control groups and administered prior to control groups receiving the intervention. The primary analysis will follow intention-to-treat principles, use log binomial regression accounting for baseline covariates and be conducted at the individual level, while accounting for clustering within communities. Focus groups and interviews will be conducted to examine barriers and enablers to implementation and costs will also be examined.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from The University of Sydney. Findings from this study will be disseminated via presentations at scientific conferences, publications in peer-reviewed journals, scientific and lay reports.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12621000367842.
Unpacking complex interventions that manage care for high-need, high-cost patients: a realist review
Authors: Chang Eva , Ali Rania , Berkman Nancy D
Published: June 2022

Objective

Payers, providers and policymakers in the USA are interested in developing interventions that reduce preventable or modifiable healthcare use among high-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients. This study seeks to describe how and why complex interventions for HNHC patients lead to more appropriate use of healthcare services.

Design

A realist review which develops programme theories from causal explanations generated and articulated through the creation of context–mechanism–outcome configurations.

Methods

Electronic databases (including PubMed and Embase) and gray literature from January 2000 to March 2021 were searched. All study designs were included if the article provided data to develop our programme theories. Included studies were conducted in the USA and focused on interventions for adult, HNHC patients.

Results

Data were synthesised from 48 studies. Identifying HNHC patients for inclusion in interventions requires capturing a combination of characteristics including their prior use of healthcare services, complexity of chronic disease(s) profile, clinician judgment and willingness to participate. Once enrolled, engaging HNHC patients in interventions requires intervention care providers and patients to build a trusting relationship. Tailored, individualised assistance for medical and non-medical needs, emotional support and self-management education empowers patients to increase their participation in managing their own care. Engagement of care providers in interventions to expand support of HNHC patients is facilitated by targeted outreach, adequate staffing support with shared values and regular and open communication.

Conclusions

Building relationships with HNHC patients and gaining their trust is a key component for interventions to successfully change HNHC patients’ behaviors. Identifying HNHC patients for an intervention can be best achieved through a multipronged strategy that accounts for their clinical and psychosocial complexity and prior experiences with the healthcare system. Successful interventions recognise that relationships with HNHC patients require the sustained engagement of care providers. To succeed, providers need ongoing emotional, financial, logistical and practical resources.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020161179.