bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a maternal early warning system during early postpartum. A prospective observational study
Authors: Ibáñez-Lorente Cristina , Casans-Francés Rubén , Bellas-Cotán Soledad , Muñoz-Alameda Luis E.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To evaluate the implementation of a maternal early warning system (MEWS) for monitoring patients during the first two hours after delivery in a tertiary level hospital.

Methods

Implementation of the criteria between 15 March and 15 September 2018 was evaluated in 1166 patients. The parameters collected were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, urine output, uterine involution, and bleeding. Out-of-range values of any of these parameters triggered a warning, and an obstetrician was called to examine the patient. The obstetrician then decided whether to call the anesthesiologist. We carried out a sensitivity-specificity study of triggers and a multivariate analysis of the factors involved in developing potentially fatal disorders (PFD), reintervention, critical care admission, and stay.

Results

The MEWS was triggered in 75 patients (6.43%). Leading trigger was altered systolic blood pressure in 32 patients (42.7%), and 11 patients had a PFD. Twenty-eight triggers were false-negatives. Sensitivity and specificity of the system was 0.28 (0.15, 0.45) and 0.94 (0.93, 0.96), respectively. The multivariate analysis showed a correlation between trigger activation and PFD.

Conclusion

Our MEWS presented low sensitivity and high specificity, with a significant number of false-negatives.
The association between water hardness and xerosis—Results from the Danish Blood Donor Study
Authors: Henning Mattias A. S. , Ibler Kristina S. , Ullum Henrik , Erikstrup Christian , Bruun Mie T. , Burgdorf Kristoffer S. , Dinh Khoa M. , Rigas Andreas , Thørner Lise W. , Pedersen Ole B. , Jemec Gregor B.
Published: June 2021

Background

The pathophysiology of xerosis depends on extrinsic and intrinsic exposures. Residential hard water may constitute such an exposure.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of xerosis and to compare water hardness exposure in blood donors with and without xerosis.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study in 2018–2019, blood donors with self-reported moderately or severely dry skin were compared to blood donors without dry skin. Blood donors with ichthyosis, lichen planus and psoriasis were excluded. Water hardness data was collected from the Geology Survey of Denmark and Greenland.

Results

Overall, 4,748 of 30,721 (15.5%; 95% confidence interval 15.1–15.9%) blood donors had xerosis. After excluding blood donors with ichthyosis, lichen planus and psoriasis, 4,416 blood donors (2,559 females; median age 38.4 years [interquartile range 28.0–49.8]; 700 smokers) remained in this study. Water softer than 12–24 degrees Deutsche härte was associated with decreased probability of xerosis (odds ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.74–0.94) and water harder than 12–24 degrees Deutsche härte was associated with increased probability of xerosis (odds ratio 1.22; 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.45). The association between water hardness and xerosis remained significant after excluding blood donors with dermatitis.

Conclusions

Water hardness is associated with xerosis independent of other dermatoses.
Rheological properties of calcite oozes: Implications for the fossilisation in the plattenkalks of the Solnhofen-Eichstätt lagoons in the Franconian Alb, Germany
Authors: Gerschermann Sydney , Ballhaus Chris , Gäb Fabian
Published: June 2021

We report on an experimental study to investigate the sedimentation behaviour and rheological properties of extremely fine-grained calcite oozes. The experiments are aimed at clarifying if thixotropic behaviour may have played a role in the preservation of marine biota in plattenkalks of the Solnhofen lagoons of the Franconian Alb. Calcite particles with grain sizes from 2.2 to 4.4 μm were sedimented from water, seawater proxies, and hypersaline brines with up to 14 wt.% NaCl, for 170 days. High salinities as envisioned for the bottom waters of some Solnhofen lagoons slow down settling rates of calcite and may produce plattenkalks more porous and more friable than plattenkalks elsewhere in the Solnhofen archipelago. Rheological properties of calcite suspensions were measured with an oscillation rheometer. Calcite oozes with 40 vol.% calcite in suspension behave thixotropically regardless of the salinity of the pore solutions. Thixotropic behaviour may have the potential to promote the fossilisation of marine biota. Even if the sediment cover is thin, i.e. a few millimeters, a carcass covered by a thixotropic sediment would be largely isolated from the overlying water column because pore solutions in thixotropic media hardly communicate with the overlying water column. A fish carcass covered by a thixotropic sediment could impose local-scale physicochemical conditions on its direct sedimentary envelope favourable for preservation and the replacement of organic material by inorganic materials.
Timing of oxytocin administration to prevent post-partum hemorrhage in women delivered by cesarean section: A systematic review and metanalysis
Authors: Torloni Maria Regina , Siaulys Monica , Riera Rachel , Cabrera Martimbianco Ana Luiza , Leite Pacheco Rafael , Latorraca Carolina de Oliveira Cruz , Widmer Mariana , Betrán Ana Pilar
Published: June 2021

Background

There is no consensus on the best timing for prophylactic oxytocin administration during cesarean section (CS) to prevent post-partum hemorrhage (PPH).

Objectives

Assess the effects of administrating prophylactic oxytocin at different times during CS.

Methods

We searched nine databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT). We pooled results and calculated average risk ratios (RR), mean differences (MD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We used GRADE to assess the overall evidence certainty.

Results

We screened 13,389 references and included four trials. We found no statistically significant differences between oxytocin given before versus after fetal delivery on PPH (RR 0.60, 95%CI 0.15–2.47; 1 RCT, N = 300) or nausea/vomiting (RR 1.21, 95%CI 0.69–2.13; 1 RCT, N = 300). There was a significant reduction in the need for additional uterotonics when oxytocin was given immediately before uterine incision versus after fetal delivery (RR 0.37, 95%CI 0.18–0.73; I2 = 0%; 2 RCTs; N = 301). Oxytocin given before fetal delivery significantly reduced intra-operative blood loss (MD -146.77mL, 95%CI -168.10 to -125.43; I2 = 0%; 3 RCTs, N = 601) but did not change the incidence of blood transfusion (RR 0.50, 95%CI 0.13–1.95; I2 = 0%; 2 RCTs, N = 301) or hysterectomy (RR 3.00; 95%CI 0.12–72.77; I2 = 0%; 2 RCTs, N = 301). One trial (N = 100) compared prophylactic oxytocin before versus after placental separation and found no significant differences on PPH, additional uterotonics, or nausea/vomiting.

Conclusions

In women having pre-labor CS, there is limited evidence indicating no significant differences between prophylactic oxytocin given before versus after fetal delivery on PPH, nausea/vomiting, blood transfusion, or hysterectomy. Earlier oxytocin administration may reduce the volume of blood loss and need for additional uterotonics. There is very limited evidence suggesting no significant differences between prophylactic oxytocin given before versus after placental separation on PPH, need for additional uterotonic, or nausea/vomiting. The overall certainty of the evidence was mostly low or very low due to imprecision. Protocol: CRD42020186797.
Successful contact tracing systems for COVID-19 rely on effective quarantine and isolation
Authors: James A. , Plank M. J. , Hendy S. , Binny R. , Lustig A. , Steyn N. , Nesdale A. , Verrall A.
Published: June 2021

Models of contact tracing often over-simplify the effects of quarantine and isolation on disease transmission. We develop a model that allows us to investigate the importance of these factors in reducing the effective reproduction number. We show that the reduction in onward transmission during quarantine and isolation has a bigger effect than tracing coverage on the reproduction number. We also show that intuitively reasonable contact tracing performance indicators, such as the proportion of contacts quarantined before symptom onset, are often not well correlated with the reproduction number. We conclude that provision of support systems to enable people to quarantine and isolate effectively is crucial to the success of contact tracing.
The association between paternal characteristics and exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana
Authors: Kyei-Arthur Frank , Agyekum Martin Wiredu , Afrifa-Anane Grace Frempong
Published: June 2021

Background

Studies have shown that partners play an influential role in exclusive breastfeeding practice and that they can act as either deterrents or supporters to breastfeeding. However, there are limited studies on the influence of partners’ characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana. This study examined the association between partners’ characteristics and exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Infants less than 6 months old (exclusively breastfed or not) with maternal and paternal characteristics were included in the study. A total of 180 participants were used for the study. A binary logistic regression was used to examine the influence of partners’ characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding.

Results

Partners’ characteristics such as education, desire for children, religion, and children ever born were associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers whose partners had primary education (AOR = 0.12; CI 95%: 0.02–0.93; p = 0.04) were less likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding compared to those whose partners had no formal education. Also, mothers whose partners desired more children (AOR = 0.20; CI 95%: 0.06–0.70; p = 0.01) were less likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding compared to those whose partners desire fewer children.

Conclusion

Improving EBF requires the involvement of partners in exclusive breastfeeding campaigns/programmes. A more couple-oriented approach is required by health practitioners to educate and counsel both mothers and partners on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana.
The epidemiology of attacks on statues: New Zealand as a case study
Authors: Wilson Nick , Jones Amanda C. , Teng Andrea , Thomson George
Published: June 2021

Objectives

We aimed to describe the epidemiology of statue attacks along with statue representativeness relative to modern day demographics in one case study country: New Zealand.

Methods

We performed Internet searches for the existence of outdoor statues of named individuals and historical attacks in New Zealand (NZ), combined a national survey with field visits to all identified statues to examine for injuries and repairs.

Results

Of the 123 statues identified, nearly a quarter (n = 28, 23%) had been attacked at least once (total of 45 separate attack events), with the number of attacks increasing from the 1990s. Attacks involved paint/graffiti (14% of all statues at least once), nose removal/damage (7%), decapitation (5%), and total destruction (2%). The risk of attack was relatively higher for statues of royalty (50%), military personnel (33%), explorers (29%), and politicians (25%), compared to other reasons for fame (eg, 0% for sports players). Statue subjects involved in colonialism or direct harm to Māori (Indigenous population), had 6.61 (95%CI: 2.30 to 19.9) greater odds (adjusted odds ratio) of being attacked than other subjects. Most of the statue subjects were of men (87%) and Europeans (93%). Other ethnicities were 6% Māori (comprising 15% of the population) and 1% each for Asian and Pacific peoples, who comprise 12% and 7% of the population respectively.

Conclusions

This national survey found an association between statue attacks and the role of statue subjects in colonialism or direct harm to the Indigenous population. Furthermore, the demography of the statue subjects may represent historical and current social power relationships—with under-representation of women and non-European ethnic groups.
Impact of oral diseases on oral health-related quality of life: A systematic review of studies conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Yactayo-Alburquerque María T. , Alen-Méndez María L. , Azañedo Diego , Comandé Daniel , Hernández-Vásquez Akram
Published: June 2021

Background

We performed a systematic review of studies conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to assess the impact of oral diseases on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Materials and methods

Searches were performed of the following PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and LILACS databases. Randomized clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, case and control studies, and cross-sectional studies which included at least 100 participants evaluating the impact of oral diseases on OHRQoL were included. PROSPERO registry number: CRD42020156098.

Results

After exclusion of duplicates, 3310 articles were identified, 40 of which were included in this review. 90% of the studies were conducted in Brazil. The most commonly used OHRQoL measuring instruments were CPQ 11–14 (n = 9), ECOHIS (n-8) and B-ECOHIS (n = 8). The study designs included 32 cross-sectional, 2 cohort and 6 case and control studies. Most of the studies were conducted in children (n = 25) and adolescents (n = 9). Most studies identified an impact on OHRQoL in children, adolescents and adults with oral diseases. Moreover, greater oral disease severity had a greater impact on OHRQoL.

Conclusions

Most studies in LAC report a negative impact of diseases on OHRQoL. More longitudinal studies are required to confirm the results of these studies.
Glibenclamide does not improve outcome following severe collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage in rats
Authors: Kung Tiffany F. C. , Wilkinson Cassandra M. , Dirks Christine A. , Jickling Glen C. , Colbourne Frederick
Published: June 2021

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating insult with few effective treatments. Edema and raised intracranial pressure contribute to poor outcome after ICH. Glibenclamide blocks the sulfonylurea 1 transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (Sur1-Trpm4) channel implicated in edema formation. While glibenclamide has been found to improve outcome and reduce mortality in animal models of severe ischemic stroke, in ICH the effects are less clear. In our previous study, we found no benefit after a moderate-sized bleed, while others have reported benefit. Here we tested the hypothesis that glibenclamide may only be effective in severe ICH, where edema is an important contributor to outcome. Glibenclamide (10 μg/kg loading dose, 200 ng/h continuous infusion) was administered 2 hours post-ICH induced by collagenase injection into the striatum of adult rats. A survival period of 24 hours was maintained for experiments 1–3, and 72 hours for experiment 4. Glibenclamide did not affect hematoma volume (~81 μL) or other safety endpoints (e.g., glucose levels), suggesting the drug is safe. However, glibenclamide did not lessen striatal edema (~83% brain water content), ionic dyshomeostasis (Na+, K+), or functional impairment (e.g., neurological deficits (median = 10 out of 14), etc.) at 24 hours. It also did not affect edema at 72 h (~86% brain water content), or overall mortality rates (25% and 29.4% overall in vehicle vs. glibenclamide-treated severe strokes). Furthermore, glibenclamide appears to worsen cytotoxic edema in the peri-hematoma region (cell bodies were 46% larger at 24 h, p = 0.0017), but no effect on cell volume or density was noted elsewhere. Overall, these findings refute our hypothesis, as glibenclamide produced no favorable effects following severe ICH.
Generation and validation of ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer cut-points for assessing physical activity intensity in older adults. The OUTDOOR ACTIVE validation study
Authors: Bammann Karin , Thomson Nicola K. , Albrecht Birte Marie , Buchan Duncan S. , Easton Chris
Published: June 2021

The study of physical activity in older adults is becoming more and more relevant. For evaluation of physical activity recommendations, intensity-specific accelerometer cut-points are utilized. However, research on accelerometer cut-points for older adults is still scarce. The aim of the study was to generate placement-specific cut-points of ActiGraph GT3X+ activity counts and raw measures of acceleration to determine physical activity intensity in older adults. A further aim was to compare the validity of the generated cut-points for a range of different physical activities. The study was a single experimental trial using a convenience sample. Study participants were 20 adults aged 59 to 73 years. Accelerometers were worn at six different placements (one on each wrist, one on each ankle, and two at the hip) and breath-by-breath indirect calorimetry was used as the reference for energy. The experiment comprised of two parts; a) The first required participants to walk on a treadmill at incremental speeds (3.0–5.0 km·h-1), and b) Five different everyday activities (reading, cleaning, shopping, cycling, aerobics) were staged in the laboratory setting. Accelerometer cut-points (activity counts, raw data) were derived for each of the investigated placements by linear regression using the treadmill part. Performance of the cut-points was assessed by applying the cut-points to the everyday activities. We provide cut-points for six placements and two accelerometer metrics in the specific age group. However, the derived cut-points did not outperform published ones. More research and innovative approaches are needed for improving internal and external validity of research results across populations and age groups.
Number of teeth and masticatory function are associated with sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus status among community-dwelling older adults: A Shimane CoHRE study
Authors: Abe Takafumi , Tominaga Kazumichi , Ando Yuichi , Toyama Yuta , Takeda Miwako , Yamasaki Masayuki , Okuyama Kenta , Hamano Tsuyoshi , Isomura Minoru , Nabika Toru , Yano Shozo
Published: June 2021

Objectives

We aimed to examine the number of teeth and masticatory function as oral health indices and clarify their roles in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus in community-dwelling older adults.

Subjects and methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 635 older adults in Ohnan, Shimane Prefecture, in rural Japan. The number of teeth and masticatory function (measured by the number of gummy jelly pieces collected after chewing) were evaluated by dental hygienists. Sarcopenia status was assessed using handgrip strength, skeletal muscle index, calf circumference, and a possible sarcopenia diagnosis based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. Diabetes mellitus status was defined as a hemoglobin A1c level ≥6.5% or self-reported diabetes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between oral health, sarcopenia, and diabetes mellitus after adjusting for confounders.

Results

After adjusting for all confounders, logistic regression analysis showed that the number of remaining teeth was negatively associated with a low level of handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR], 0.961; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.932–0.992) and possible sarcopenia (OR, 0.949; 95% CI, 0.907–0.992). Higher levels of masticatory function were also negatively associated with a low level of handgrip strength (OR, 0.965; 95% CI, 0.941–0.990) and possible sarcopenia (OR, 0.941; 95% CI, 0.904–0.979). Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of remaining teeth and a higher level of masticatory function were negatively associated with diabetes mellitus (OR, 0.978; 95% CI, 0.957–0.999; OR, 0.976; 95% CI, 0.960–0.992, respectively).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that improvement in oral health, including the maintenance of masticatory function and remaining teeth, may contribute to the prevention of sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus in older adults.
Organizational determinants of information transfer in palliative care teams: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Schweighoffer Reka , Blaese Richard , Liebig Brigitte
Published: June 2021

Several organizational factors facilitate or hinder information transfer in palliative care teams. According to past research, organizational factors that reduce information transfer include the inconsistent use of shared electronic patient files, frequent changes of healthcare staff, a lack of opportunities for personal exchange, and a lack of evaluation of collaborative processes. Insufficient information sharing between professionals can negatively impact patient safety, whereas studies have shown that some organizational factors improve collaboration between professionals and thus contribute to improved patient outcomes. The main purpose of this study is thus to investigate whether, and if so how, organizational factors contribute to successful information exchange in palliative care teams in Switzerland, while also accounting for the different care contexts of primary and specialized palliative care. A nationwide survey was aimed at medical professionals working in palliative care. In total, 379 participants (mean age = 49.8 years, SD = 10.3) were included in this study. Two main outcome variables were examined: healthcare providers’ satisfaction with information transfer in their team and their overall satisfaction with communication in their team. Hypotheses were tested by employing structural equation modeling. Findings revealed that the strongest predictors for effective information transfer in palliative care teams were sufficient opportunities for face-to-face meetings and supervision alongside feedback tools to improve collaborative practices and the application of guidelines and standards for collaboration. Face-to-face meetings were an even greater contributor to information transfer in specialized settings, whereas sharing the same work-based values with colleagues was considered more important in primary settings. Results from this study contribute to the existing literature elucidating how information transfer is facilitated in the field of palliative care. If proposed measures are implemented, this could possibly improve patient outcomes in palliative care. Furthermore, the findings can be useful for healthcare organizations and associations to make more efficient resource allocation decisions with the aim to optimize information transfer within the workforce.
Inflammation-induced alterations in maternal-fetal Heme Oxygenase (HO) are associated with sustained innate immune cell dysregulation in mouse offspring
Authors: Ozen Maide , Zhao Hui , Kalish Flora , Yang Yang , Jantzie Lauren L. , Wong Ronald J. , Stevenson David K.
Published: June 2021

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an evolutionarily conserved stress response enzyme and important in pregnancy maintenance, fetal and neonatal outcomes, and a variety of pathologic conditions. Here, we investigated the effects of an exposure to systemic inflammation late in gestation [embryonic day (E)15.5] on wild-type (Wt) and HO-1 heterozygous (Het, HO-1+/-) mothers, fetuses, and offspring. We show that alterations in fetal liver and spleen HO homeostasis during inflammation late in gestation can lead to a sustained dysregulation of innate immune cell populations and intracellular myeloid HO-1 expression in the spleen through young adolescence [postnatal day 25] in mice.
A deep transfer learning framework for the automated assessment of corneal inflammation on in vivo confocal microscopy images
Authors: Xu Fan , Qin Yikun , He Wenjing , Huang Guangyi , Lv Jian , Xie Xinxin , Diao Chunli , Tang Fen , Jiang Li , Lan Rushi , Cheng Xiaohui , Xiao Xiaolin , Zeng Siming , Chen Qi , Cui Ling , Li Min , Tang Ningning
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Infiltration of activated dendritic cells and inflammatory cells in cornea represents an important marker for defining corneal inflammation. Deep transfer learning has presented a promising potential and is gaining more importance in computer assisted diagnosis. This study aimed to develop deep transfer learning models for automatic detection of activated dendritic cells and inflammatory cells using in vivo confocal microscopy images.

Methods

A total of 3453 images was used to train the models. External validation was performed on an independent test set of 558 images. A ground-truth label was assigned to each image by a panel of cornea specialists. We constructed a deep transfer learning network that consisted of a pre-trained network and an adaptation layer. In this work, five pre-trained networks were considered, namely VGG-16, ResNet-101, Inception V3, Xception, and Inception-ResNet V2. The performance of each transfer network was evaluated by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and G mean.

Results

The best performance was achieved by Inception-ResNet V2 transfer model. In the validation set, the best transfer system achieved an AUC of 0.9646 (P<0.001) in identifying activated dendritic cells (accuracy, 0.9319; sensitivity, 0.8171; specificity, 0.9517; and G mean, 0.8872), and 0.9901 (P<0.001) in identifying inflammatory cells (accuracy, 0.9767; sensitivity, 0.9174; specificity, 0.9931; and G mean, 0.9545).

Conclusions

The deep transfer learning models provide a completely automated analysis of corneal inflammatory cellular components with high accuracy. The implementation of such models would greatly benefit the management of corneal diseases and reduce workloads for ophthalmologists.
Endogenous erythropoietin concentrations and association with retinopathy of prematurity and brain injury in preterm infants
Authors: Fahim Nancy M. , Georgieff Michael K. , Zhang Lei , Naisbitt Scott , Rao Raghavendra B. , Inder Terrie E.
Published: June 2021

Background

Endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations vary widely in preterm infants and may be associated with perinatal risk factors and neurological outcomes. Erythropoietin is elevated in fetal hypoxia but is also a potential neuroprotectant.

Methods

In a prospective study of 27 infants ≤ 30 weeks gestation, serum erythropoietin concentrations were measured during the first month of life, on day 1 and weeks 1, 2, and 4, and related to perinatal risk factors and outcomes including retinopathy of prematurity and cerebral injury evaluated near term-equivalent post menstrual age using magnetic resonance imaging with quantitative scoring.

Results

Lower birth weight was associated with higher EPO concentrations throughout the first 2 weeks of life (r = -0.6, p < 0.01). Higher day 1 and week 1 EPO concentrations were associated with lower Apgar score at 1 minute (r = - 0.5) and 5 minutes (r = -0.7), respectively (p < 0.01). Higher day 1 EPO concentrations and 2-week area under the curve were associated with increased risk (p = 0.01) and severity (r = 0.5, p < 0.02) of retinopathy of prematurity. Higher EPO concentrations at 2 weeks were associated with increased total brain injury score (r = 0.5, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Elevated endogenous erythropoietin concentrations in the first two weeks of life are associated with lower birth weight and increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Density dependence can obscure nonlethal effects of disturbance on life history of medium-sized cetaceans
Authors: Hin Vincent , Harwood John , de Roos André M.
Published: June 2021

Nonlethal disturbance of animals can cause behavioral and physiological changes that affect individual health status and vital rates, with potential consequences at the population level. Predicting these population effects remains a major challenge in ecology and conservation. Monitoring fitness-related traits may improve detection of upcoming population changes, but the extent to which individual traits are reliable indicators of disturbance exposure is not well understood, especially for populations regulated by density dependence. Here we study how density dependence affects a population’s response to disturbance and modifies the disturbance effects on individual health and vital rates. We extend an energy budget model for a medium-sized cetacean (the long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas) to an individual-based population model in which whales feed on a self-replenishing prey base and disturbance leads to cessation of feeding. In this coupled predator-prey system, the whale population is regulated through prey depletion and the onset of yearly repeating disturbances on the whale population at carrying capacity decreased population density and increased prey availability due to reduced top-down control. In populations faced with multiple days of continuous disturbance each year, female whales that were lactating their first calf experienced increased mortality due to depletion of energy stores. However, increased prey availability led to compensatory effects and resulted in a subsequent improvement of mean female body condition, mean age at first reproduction and higher age-specific reproductive output. These results indicate that prey-mediated density dependence can mask negative effects of disturbance on fitness-related traits and vital rates, a result with implications for the monitoring and management of marine mammal populations.
A finite volume-based model for the hydrothermal behavior of soil under freeze–thaw cycles
Authors: Hu Tianfei , Wang Tengfei
Published: June 2021

Freeze–thaw cycles in soil are driven by water migration, phase transitions, and heat transfer, which themselves are closely coupled variables in the natural environment. To simulate this complex periglacial process at different time and length scales, a multi-physics model was established by solving sets of equations describing fluid flow and heat transfer, and a dynamic equilibrium equation for phase changes in moisture. This model considers the effects of water–ice phase changes on the hydraulic and thermal properties of soil and the effect of latent heat during phase transition. These equations were then discretized by using the finite volume method and solved using iteration. The open-source software OpenFOAM was used to generate computational code for simulation of coupled heat and fluid transport during freezing and thawing of soil. A set of laboratory freezing tests considering two thermal boundary conditions were carried out, of which the results were obtained to verify the proposed model. In general, the numerical solutions agree well with the measured data. A railway embankment problem, incorporating soil hydrothermal behavior in response to seasonal variations in surface temperature, was finally solved with the finite volume-based approach, indicating the algorithm’s robustness and flexibility.
Predictive utility of fibrinogen in acute kidney injury in living donor liver transplantation: A propensity score-matching analysis
Authors: Park Jaesik , Joo Min A. , Choi Ho Joong , Hong Sang Hyun , Park Chul Soo , Choi Jong Ho , Chae Min Suk
Published: June 2021

Background

This study investigated the association between the fibrinogen level and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients who have undergone living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Patients and methods

A total of 676 patients who underwent LDLT were analyzed retrospectively. Exclusion criteria included a history of severe kidney dysfunction, emergency operation, deceased donor, ABO-incompatible transplantation, and missing data. The study population was divided into low and normal fibrinogen groups. A 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching analysis was used to evaluate the association between a low fibrinogen level (< 160 mg/dL) and postoperative development of AKI.

Results

In total, 142 patients (23.1%) developed AKI after LDLT. The PS matching analysis showed that the probability of AKI was two-fold higher in the low fibrinogen group than in the normal fibrinogen group. In addition, patients with AKI had poorer postoperative outcomes such as longer hospitalization, longer ICU stay, and higher mortality than patients without AKI.

Conclusions

The preoperative fibrinogen level may be useful for risk stratification of patients undergoing LDLT in terms postoperative development of AKI.
The benefits of coronavirus suppression: A cost-benefit analysis of the response to the first wave of COVID-19 in the United States
Authors: Broughel James , Kotrous Michael
Published: June 2021

This paper estimates the benefits and costs of state suppression policies to “bend the curve” during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States. We employ an approach that values benefits and costs in terms of additions or subtractions to total production. Relative to a baseline in which only the infected and at-risk populations mitigate the spread of coronavirus, we estimate that total benefits of suppression policies to economic output are between $632.5 billion and $765.0 billion from early March 2020 to August 1, 2020. Relative to private mitigation, output lost due to suppression policies is estimated to be between $214.2 billion and $331.5 billion. The cost estimate is based on the duration of nonessential business closures and stay-at-home orders, which were enforced between 42 and 65 days. Our results indicate that the net benefits of suppression policies to slow the spread of COVID-19 are positive and may be substantial. We discuss uncertainty surrounding several parameters and employ alternative methods for valuing mortality benefits, which also suggest that suppression measures had positive net benefits.
Health and wellness in the Australian coal mining industry: A cross sectional analysis of baseline findings from the RESHAPE workplace wellness program
Authors: Bezzina Aaron , Austin Emma K. , Watson Trent , Ashton Lee , James Carole L.
Published: June 2021

Overweight and obesity has reach pandemic levels, with two-thirds (67%) of adult Australians classified as overweight or obese. As two of the most significant behavioral risk factors for obesity are modifiable (diet and exercise), there exists an opportunity for treatment through workplace health promotion initiatives. As one of Australia’s largest industries with its own unique workplace factors, the mining industry has previously reported higher than population levels of overweight and obesity. This represented an opportune setting to test the RESHAPE workplace wellness program. RESHAPE is an eight-step framework (based on the WHO ‘Health Workplace Framework and Model’) which aims to provide a sustained approach to wellness in the workplace. This paper presents baseline findings from a pilot study that aimed to implement RESHAPE at three mine sites in NSW, Australia, and investigates the issue of overweight and obesity in the coal mining industry. Across three mine sites, 949 coal miners were examined cross-sectionally on a range of workplace, wellness, health, diet, and exercise factors using a paper-based survey. This was a predominantly male sample (90.4%) with the majority (59.2%) of participants aged 25–44 years. Self-reported height and weight measures indicated that less than 20 percent (18.9%) of participants were in a healthy BMI range, while there were effectively equal numbers of overweight (40.9%) and obese (39.1%) participants. Only 3.5% of participants met the daily recommendation for vegetables (5 serves) and shift-workers had greater association with elevated BMI compared to non-shift workers (B = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.23, 2.20, p = 0.016). Poor nutrition is likely to be a key component in elevated levels of overweight and obesity within this industry, with workplace factors compounding challenges workers face in implementing health behavior change. Future studies would benefit from assessing diet and physical activity knowledge in relation to recommendations and serving sizes.
Estimating the effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the number of new infections with COVID-19 during the first epidemic wave
Authors: Banholzer Nicolas , van Weenen Eva , Lison Adrian , Cenedese Alberto , Seeliger Arne , Kratzwald Bernhard , Tschernutter Daniel , Salles Joan Puig , Bottrighi Pierluigi , Lehtinen Sonja , Feuerriegel Stefan , Vach Werner
Published: June 2021

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly developed into a global epidemic. To control its spread, countries have implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as school closures, bans of small gatherings, or even stay-at-home orders. Here we study the effectiveness of seven NPIs in reducing the number of new infections, which was inferred from the reported cases of COVID-19 using a semi-mechanistic Bayesian hierarchical model. Based on data from the first epidemic wave ofn= 20 countries (i.e., the United States, Canada, Australia, the EU-15 countries, Norway, and Switzerland), we estimate the relative reduction in the number of new infections attributed to each NPI. Among the NPIs considered, bans of large gatherings were most effective, followed by venue and school closures, whereas stay-at-home orders and work-from-home orders were least effective. With this retrospective cross-country analysis, we provide estimates regarding the effectiveness of different NPIs during the first epidemic wave.
Leveraging natural history biorepositories as a global, decentralized, pathogen surveillance network
Authors: Colella Jocelyn P. , Bates John , Burneo Santiago F. , Camacho M. Alejandra , Carrion Bonilla Carlos , Constable Isabel , D’Elía Guillermo , Dunnum Jonathan L. , Greiman Stephen , Hoberg Eric P. , Lessa Enrique , Liphardt Schuyler W. , Londoño-Gaviria Manuela , Losos Elizabeth , Lutz Holly L. , Ordóñez Garza Nicté , Peterson A. Townsend , Martin María Laura , Ribas Camila C. , Struminger Bruce , Torres-Pérez Fernando , Thompson Cody W. , Weksler Marcelo , Cook Joseph A.
Published: June 2021

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic reveals a major gap in global biosecurity infrastructure: a lack of publicly available biological samples representative across space, time, and taxonomic diversity. The shortfall, in this case for vertebrates, prevents accurate and rapid identification and monitoring of emerging pathogens and their reservoir host(s) and precludes extended investigation of ecological, evolutionary, and environmental associations that lead to human infection or spillover. Natural history museum biorepositories form the backbone of a critically needed, decentralized, global network for zoonotic pathogen surveillance, yet this infrastructure remains marginally developed, underutilized, underfunded, and disconnected from public health initiatives. Proactive detection and mitigation for emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) requires expanded biodiversity infrastructure and training (particularly in biodiverse and lower income countries) and new communication pipelines that connect biorepositories and biomedical communities. To this end, we highlight a novel adaptation of Project ECHO’s virtual community of practice model: Museums and Emerging Pathogens in the Americas (MEPA). MEPA is a virtual network aimed at fostering communication, coordination, and collaborative problem-solving among pathogen researchers, public health officials, and biorepositories in the Americas. MEPA now acts as a model of effective international, interdisciplinary collaboration that can and should be replicated in other biodiversity hotspots. We encourage deposition of wildlife specimens and associated data with public biorepositories, regardless of original collection purpose, and urge biorepositories to embrace new specimen sources, types, and uses to maximize strategic growth and utility for EID research. Taxonomically, geographically, and temporally deep biorepository archives serve as the foundation of a proactive and increasingly predictive approach to zoonotic spillover, risk assessment, and threat mitigation.
NDRG1 facilitates lytic replication of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus by maintaining the stability of the KSHV helicase
Authors: Dong Lianghui , Dong Jiazhen , Xiang Min , Lei Ping , Li Zixian , Zhang Fang , Sun Xiaoyi , Niu Danping , Bai Lei , Lan Ke
Published: June 2021

The presumed DNA helicase encoded by ORF44 of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) plays a crucial role in unwinding viral double-stranded DNA and initiating DNA replication during lytic reactivation. However, the regulatory mechanism of KSHV ORF44 has not been fully elucidated. In a previous study, we identified that N-Myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), a host scaffold protein, facilitates viral genome replication by interacting with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the latent viral protein latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) during viral latency. In the present study, we further demonstrated that NDRG1 can interact with KSHV ORF44 during viral lytic replication. We also found that the mRNA and protein levels of NDRG1 were significantly increased by KSHV ORF50-encoded replication and transcription activator (RTA). Remarkably, knockdown of NDRG1 greatly decreased the protein level of ORF44 and impaired viral lytic replication. Interestingly, NDRG1 enhanced the stability of ORF44 and inhibited its ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation by reducing the polyubiquitination of the lysine residues at positions 79 and 368 in ORF44. In summary, NDRG1 is a novel binding partner of ORF44 and facilitates viral lytic replication by maintaining the stability of ORF44. This study provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying KSHV lytic replication.
El papel de España al inicio de la guerra de Argelia (1954-1956)
Authors: Vidal Muñoz Manuel
Published: June 2021

España se interesó por la Guerra de Argelia desde su comienzo, el 1 de noviembre de 1954, dada la importante relación histórica, geográfica y cultural entre Argelia y España. Por otra parte el Gobierno franquista, en plenas disputas con Francia por el protectorado marroquí, vio en el conflicto argelino una nueva forma de presionar a la República francesa. El objetivo de este artículo es demostrar que el franquismo tuvo una política argelina además de una política marroquí, si bien es cierto que ambas estaban conectadas y enmarcadas en la política árabe. En las siguientes páginas se analiza el papel que tuvo el franquismo al principio de la Guerra de Argelia con las relaciones franco-españolas y el rol de Estados Unidos como telón de fondo.
Defendiendo la esclavitud en Las Antillas, en la Barcelona del Trienio esparterista
Authors: Rodrigo y Alharilla Martín
Published: June 2021

El nombramiento del abolicionista David Turnbull como Cónsul Británico en La Habana y el ataque de la Royal Navy a las factorías negreras españolas en África significaron una vuelta de tuerca más en las presiones británicas abolicionistas frente a España, en un contexto en el que el pro-británico Espartero se había convertido en el hombre fuerte en la política española. El artículo se centra en analizar la campaña antiabolicionista y antibritánica llevada a cabo entonces por el Tribunal de Comercio de Barcelona y por la Junta de Comercio de Cataluña (también por la de Madrid) prestando especial atención a los individuos que lideraron dicha campaña. Se analizan también otros momentos posteriores en los que hubo similares campañas en defensa de la esclavitud en Cuba y en Puerto Rico, en Barcelona, incluso cuando dicha institución había desaparecido de todas las colonias europeas en América, excepto en las Antillas españolas.
Primaveras trágicas, rebeliones militares y terrores rojos en España. La violencia política de 1936 en la provincia de Guadalajara
Authors: Martín Nieto Isaac
Published: June 2021

Este artículo examina la violencia política desplegada en España durante 1936 usando la provincia de Guadalajara como ejemplo. El objetivo consiste en averiguar si hubo conexiones o no entre las acciones colectivas anteriores y posteriores a la rebelión militar del 18 de julio. Primero, relata y analiza la movilización social y política desarrollada durante la primera mitad del año. Después, describe y estudia la violencia política del resto del año. Las tesis principales del artículo sostienen que a violencia política no fue un factor determinante del proceso político durante los primeros seis meses y medio de 1936, que no hubo continuidad alguna entre la violencia política anterior y posterior al inicio de la guerra y que la conflictividad social y política previa a la guerra fue solo uno de los varios factores que explican la violencia política que siguió a la insurrección militar.
El text ocult del palimpsest del segon plom ibèric de Yátova (València)
Authors: Ferrer i Jané Joan
Published: June 2021

La restauració el 2011 del plom F.20.1 de Iàtova va eliminar la pàtina que impedia llegir correctament el text més antic de la cara A. En aquest plom conviuen a la cara A dos textos en forma de palimpsest, però afortunadament, ni la preparació del plom abans de realitzar el segon text, ni el segon text, van eliminar els traços del text més antic. Aquest text ja s’havia identificat, però tant Fletcher com Untermann identificaven fragments aïllats amb molts dubtes de lectura. La nova autòpsia confirma que el text més antic del palimpsest consta de vuit línies, es pot llegir en quasi la seva totalitat i passa a ser un dels textos unitaris més llargs conservats amb 181 signes. El text té un evident contingut administratiu o comptable, ja que l’element śalir apareix múltiples vegades, així com diverses expressions metrològiques i elements que acaben pel morf ka que apareixen a intervals regulars. Tot i així, el text no es completament regular i aquests elements s’interrelacionen seguint diversos esquemes. La restauración en 2011 del plomo F.20.1 de Yátova eliminó la pátina que impedía leer correctamente el texto más antiguo de la cara A. En este plomo conviven en la cara A dos textos en forma de palimpsesto, pero afortunadamente, ni la preparación del plomo antes de realizar el segundo texto, ni el segundo texto, eliminaron los trazos del texto más antiguo. Este texto ya se había identificado, pero tanto Fletcher como Untermann identificaban fragmentos aislados con muchas dudas de lectura. La nueva autopsia confirma que el texto más antiguo del palimpsesto consta de ocho líneas, se puede leer en casi su totalidad y pasa a ser uno de los textos unitarios más largos conservados con 181 signos. El texto tiene un evidente contenido administrativo o contable, ya que el elemento śalir aparece múltiples veces, así como diversas expresiones metrológicas y elementos que acaban por morfo ka que aparecen en intervalos regulares. Sin embargo, el texto no es completamente regular y estos elementos se interrelacionan siguiendo diversos esquemas.
Riesgos atmosféricos y cambio climático: propuestas didácticas para la región mediterránea en la enseñanza secundaria
Authors: Morote Seguido Álvaro-Francisco , Olcina Cantos Jorge
Published: June 2021

La educación es una acción fundamental para reducir la acción de los riesgos naturales dentro del contexto del cambio climático actual. No obstante, en los países desarrollados no ha tenido un protagonismo destacado en cuanto al diseño de las políticas de prevención de estos riesgos. Y ello, a pesar del papel que cubre en la concienciación que puedan lograr las cohortes más jóvenes de la sociedad ya que serán protagonistas de estos procesos en las próximas décadas. Este trabajo tiene por objeto proponer actividades didácticas para el tratamiento de cinco procesos principales de manifestación extrema del clima que ya afectan a la región mediterránea y que deben incorporarse en la asignatura de Geografía (Educación Secundaria y Bachillerato). Estas propuestas pretenden ser una guía de trabajo en el aula para ser implementadas en otros territorios, teniendo en cuenta sus rasgos geográficos y disponibilidad de datos. Su implementación en el aula y las ediciones futuras de los libros de texto suponen una apuesta por el factor educación como recurso básico para conseguir una sociedad más resiliente a los extremos atmosféricos vinculados al proceso de cambio climático.