bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Australia’s humanitarian response to disasters in the South Pacific
Authors: McDougall Derek
Published: May 2021

Australian involvement in humanitarian affairs in the South Pacific is indicative of tensions that can arise between ‘humanitarianism as diplomacy’ and ‘humanitarian diplomacy’. Australia aims to play a leading role in relation to the Pacific island countries (PICs), and its humanitarian involvement can assist in that respect. However, despite Australia’s attempts to prevent or mitigate climate-related disasters, tensions have arisen because of Australia’s cautious climate change policies. The main influences on Australia’s involvement in humanitarian affairs in the South Pacific are political and bureaucratic factors within those parts of the Australian government concerned with relations with the PICs, and humanitarian affairs in particular; Australian interactions with the PICs themselves and other relevant international actors also play a role. The ‘lessons learnt’ from Australia’s humanitarian involvement in the South Pacific region focus on organizational effectiveness rather than the tensions between ‘humanitarian diplomacy’ and ‘humanitarianism as diplomacy’.
The p70S6K/PI3K/MAPK feedback loop releases the inhibition effect of high-dose rapamycin on rat mesangial cell proliferation
Authors: Tian Jihua , Chang Sijia , Ji He , Huang Taiping , Guo Haixiu , Kang Jing , Wang Yanhong , Zhou Yun
Published: May 2021

Glomerular mesangial cell (MC) proliferation is one of the causative factors of glomerular diseases and one of their prominent pathological features. Rapamycin can inhibit MC proliferation and slow the progression to chronic renal fibrosis. The present study was designed to observe the role of rapamycin in MC proliferation and to explore the mechanism by which rapamycin acts on Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathways in mesangial cells. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the proliferation and the cell cycle phase of glomerular mesangial cells respectively. The mRNA expression level of p70S6K was detected by RT-qPCR. Western blotting was performed to determine p70S6K, PI3K/Akt, and PI3K/MAPK protein expression. We found that rapamycin could reduce mesangial cell proliferation and arrest the cell cycle in the G1 phase, however the inhibition effect of 1000 nmol/L rapamycin was not higher than that in the 100 nmol/L group. The results of western blotting showed that 1000 nmol/L rapamycin more significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of p70S6K than 100 nmol/L, suggesting there should be another signaling pathway that activates the proliferation of MCs. Moreover, our results revealed that 1000 nmol/L rapamycin led to Raf1-MEK1/2-ERK pathway activation through a p70S6K-PI3K-mediated feedback loop in MCs. This study demonstrated that high-dose rapamycin leads to ERK1/2 activation through a p70S6K/PI3K/MAPK feedback loop in rat MCs, thus reducing the inhibitory effect of rapamycin on MC proliferation.
Relationships Between Music and Empathic Decision Making in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Colverson Aaron , Lamb Damon , Garvan Cyndi , Toh Kok-Ben , Porges Eric , Tremura Welson , Williamson John
Published: May 2021

Music and empathy are components of social experience. Similar and adjacent functional brain systems are required in the production and understanding of music, the processing of emotion, and engagement in social behavior. Activity in these brain systems is often reflected in autonomic features, including dynamic behavior of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Music may influence prosocial behavior and this effect may be reflected by the behavior of the autonomic nervous system. This experiment was designed to evaluate these relationships. Healthy undergraduate students ( N = 60) participated in Cyberball, a task sensitive to differences in prosocial behavior, while listening to or not listening to different types of music. Results indicated that music positively affects prosocial behavior, but autonomic activity does not reflect the degree of music’s effect on prosocial behavior.
Association of Participation in Disease Management Programs and Health-Related Quality of Life in Korean Population: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV and V (2007-2012)
Authors: Lee Wonkyung , Han Euna , Choi Junjeong
Published: May 2021

Background:

The high prevalence of chronic diseases has been an ongoing public concern. The psychological factors, including lack of social support and perceived lack of control, were found to be highly associated with an increased risk of the diseases. In fact, the effect of disease management programs (DMP) in patients diagnosed with chronic diseases were assessed in multiple studies to measure health-related quality of life (HR = QoL), which measured in the EuroQol 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D) index score, also known as self-perceived health.

Methods:

The study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2007 to 2012 and through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to investigate the association of participation in DMP and the EQ-5D index score.

Results:

The results revealed that the subjects diagnosed with hypertension were shown to have a lower quality of life to those without the diagnosis ( P < .05). Moreover, in the hypertensive Korean population, DMP did not show any statistically significant impact on the EQ-5D index score ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

Our study has assessed the association of DMP and EQ-5D index score in hypertensive patients only although it is still uncertain the effect of DMP on other chronic diseases therefore, further studies should be conducted to investigate the importance of DMP in Korea for the patients with such diseases in improving their quality of life.
Project ECHO COVID-19: Vulnerable Populations and Telehealth Early in the Pandemic
Authors: Thies Kathleen M. , Gonzalez Melanie , Porto Ariel , Ashley Karen L. , Korman Stephanie , Lamb Mandy
Published: May 2021

Introduction/Objectives

Project ECHO COVID-19 was launched nationwide on March 4, 2020 to disseminate guidance about COVID-19 in a timely and scalable manner to meet the urgent needs of primary care settings, the first line of defense in a pandemic.

Methods

Data from post-session surveys were analyzed to assess participant satisfaction, knowledge gaps, change in knowledge, and anticipated changes in practice as a result of Project ECHO COVID-19. A content analysis was conducted of the 243 questions and concerns posted by over 2000 participants in the Question and Answer function of Zoom during the first 8 sessions (March 4-April 29, 2020).

Results

Of 5243 registrants, 49% attended at least one session. Respondents agreed or strongly agreed that didactic sessions (97%) and case presentations (96%) met their learning needs; 93% reported gaining new knowledge, and 88% would implement that knowledge. Only 32% and 53% of respondents anticipated changing workflows and adapting to telehealth, respectively, despite the need for both as the pandemic continued. The content analysis identified 3 categories: clinical operations (eg, testing, triage, telehealth, billing); patient care (diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, management of high-risk vulnerable populations); and epidemiology (viral spread, implications for public health).

Conclusions

Care of vulnerable populations and clinical operations should be addressed when planning education and clinical interventions for public health crises. Adapting the Project ECHO model to be more scalable was an effective means of creating a community of practice among health professionals when evidence-based guidance was not available to manage the implications of a pandemic.
Formal and Informal Care: Complementary or Substitutes in Care for Elderly People? Empirical Evidence From China
Authors: Liu Huan
Published: May 2021

To integrate the care resources of the elderly, while promoting the development of formal social care resources, some countries have gradually turned to the development of family informal care resources. In China, informal family care has a more important role, whereas social formal care resources are far from meeting the needs of older people. Thus, this strategy can only be effective if there is a clear complementary relationship between informal care and formal care. Empirical analysis is selected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) database, which conducted 10 follow-up surveys in 12 provinces and municipalities in China. A two-tier stochastic frontier (TSFA) model was used to analyze the relationship between three different kinds of formal care and informal family care. The formal complementary and substitute effects on informal care eventually led to higher actual informal care level. The net effect of formal care on informal care is positive, and the complementary effects of formal care are still dominant even in different regions. Increasing informal care does not crowd out or reduce formal care; thereby, facilitating the return of care to families can effectively reduce public service expenditures.
Using Predictive Modeling and Supervised Machine Learning to Identify Patients at Risk for Venous Thromboembolism Following Posterior Lumbar Fusion
Authors: Wang Kevin Y. , Ikwuezunma Ijezie , Puvanesarajah Varun , Babu Jacob , Margalit Adam , Raad Micheal , Jain Amit
Published: May 2021

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Objective:

To use predictive modeling and machine learning to identify patients at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) following posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) for degenerative spinal pathology.

Methods:

Patients undergoing single-level PLF in the inpatient setting were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Our outcome measure of VTE included all patients who experienced a pulmonary embolism and/or deep venous thrombosis within 30-days of surgery. Two different methodologies were used to identify VTE risk: 1) a novel predictive model derived from multivariable logistic regression of significant risk factors, and 2) a tree-based extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm using preoperative variables. The methods were compared against legacy risk-stratification measures: ASA and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) using area-under-the-curve (AUC) statistic.

Results:

13, 500 patients who underwent single-level PLF met the study criteria. Of these, 0.95% had a VTE within 30-days of surgery. The 5 clinical variables found to be significant in the multivariable predictive model were: age > 65, obesity grade II or above, coronary artery disease, functional status, and prolonged operative time. The predictive model exhibited an AUC of 0.716, which was significantly higher than the AUCs of ASA and CCI (all, P < 0.001), and comparable to that of the XGBoost algorithm ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Predictive analytics and machine learning can be leveraged to aid in identification of patients at risk of VTE following PLF. Surgeons and perioperative teams may find these tools useful to augment clinical decision making risk stratification tool.
The employment of cynomolgus monkey as proprioceptive deficit model of the anterior cruciate ligament
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Ruihan , Zhang Ping , Liu Huan , Wang Guoyou , Fu Shijie
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Clinically, a consensus of the treatment strategies of ACL grade 2 injury is not reached. Therefore, the present study established a proprioceptive deficit model of the ACL via an arthroscope to aid with further studying ACL grade 2 injury and treatment strategies.

Materials and Methods:

12 cynomolgus monkeys were randomly divided into the model group and the blank control group. In the model group, 1/4 of the ACL was cut under an arthroscope, whereas no intervention was performed in the blank control group. Physiological data including the maximum degree of knee flexion, the thigh circumstance and the calf circumference were measured, and the Pivot-shift, Anterior and Lachman tests were also performed. Moreover, electrophysiological data including somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were measured. SEPs and MNCV were assessed for the latent period and amplitude.

Results:

Comparing the data before and after the surgery, in the blank control group, no significant difference was observed. In the model group, significant difference was observed in the Pivot-shift, Anterior drawer and Lachman test ( p < 0.05), indicating the instability of the ACL. Moreover, the latent period of SEPs and MNCV were significantly increased ( p < 0.009), whereas the amplitude of SEPs and MNCV was significantly decreased ( p < 0.009), indicating a degenerated proprioception of the knee joint.

Conclusions:

Following cutting 1/4 of the ACL, the knee joint became unstable and proprioception was declined. The results indicated that the proprioceptive deficit model of the ACL was successfully established, which could promote further studying ACL injury.
The Burden of Adverse Neonatal Outcome among Antenatal Substance Users in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bayih Wubet Alebachew , Ayalew Metadel Yibeltal , Tadege Melaku , Mekie Maru , Kiros Teklehaimanot , Alemu Eshetie Molla , Alemnew Efrem Fenta , Getacher Lemma , Belay Demeke Mesfin , Birhane Binyam Minuye , Alemu Dr Kassaw Demilie , Yitbarek Getachew Yideg , Kefale Belayneh
Published: May 2021

Background. Substances mainly khat, alcohol and cigarette are used during pregnancy in Ethiopia. However, to this date, there is no pooled evidence about the burden of adverse neonatal outcomes among the substance users during pregnancy in the country. Methods. Eligible primary studies were accessed from 4 international data bases (Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed). The required data were extracted from these studies and then exported to stata version 14 for analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted for evidence of heterogeneity. Results. A total of 2298 neonates were included from 7 studies. Among these neonates, 530(23.06%) were those whose mothers used substance during pregnancy (exposed group) whereas 1768 neonates were those whose mothers didn’t use substance during pregnancy (controls group). The pooled prevalence of adverse neonatal outcome among the exposed mothers was 38.32% (95% CI: 29.48%, 47.16%; I2 = 76.3%) whereas it was 16.29% (95% CI: 9.45%, 23.13%) among the controls. Adverse neonatal outcome was most burdensome among cigarette smokers 45.20% (95% CI: 37.68%, 52.73%; I2 = .00%) when compared with khat chewers 34.00% (95% CI: 20.87%, 47.13%) and alcohol drinkers 38.47% (95% CI: 17.96%, 58.98%). Low birth weight 42.00% (95% CI: 18.01%, 65.99%; I2 = 91.8%) was the most common adverse birth outcome. Conclusion. It was found that adverse neonatal outcomes were much more burdensome among antenatal substance users than the controls. Therefore, mothers should be enabled to quit using substance before pregnancy. Besides, strict comprehensive screening of every pregnant mother should be made at antenatal care clinics for early identification and management of antenatal substance use.
Evidence for deficits in behavioural and physiological responses in aged mice relevant to the psychiatric symptom of apathy
Authors: Jackson Megan G. , Lightman Stafford L. , Gilmour Gary , Marston Hugh , Robinson Emma S. J.
Published: May 2021

Apathy is widely reported in patients with neurological disorders or post viral infection but is also seen in otherwise-healthy aged individuals. This study investigated whether aged male mice express behavioural and physiological changes relevant to an apathy phenotype. Using measures of motivation to work for reward, we found deficits in the progressive ratio task related to rate of responding. In an effort-related decision-making task, aged mice were less willing to exert effort for high value reward. Aged mice exhibited reduced reward sensitivity but also lower measures of anxiety in the novelty supressed feeding test and an attenuated response to restraint stress with lower corticosterone and reduced paraventricular nucleus c-fos activation. This profile of affective changes did not align with those observed in models of depression but suggested emotional blunting. In a test of cognition (novel object recognition), aged mice showed no impairments, but activity was lower in a measure of exploration in a novel environment. Together, these data suggest aged mice show changes across the domains of motivated behaviour, reward sensitivity and emotional reactivity and may be a suitable model for the pre-clinical study of the psychiatric symptom of apathy.
Is it time to administer acellular pertussis vaccine to childbearing age/pregnant women in all areas using whole-cell pertussis vaccination schedule?
Authors: Esteghamati Abdoulreza , Sayyahfar Shirin , Alimohamadi Yousef , Salahi Sarvenaz , Faramarzi Mahmood
Published: May 2021

Background:

Whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccine administration is still advocated for children under 7 years of age in Iran. However, there is no recommendation for the administration of a dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to childbearing age/pregnant women in the Iranian vaccination program and it has increased the risk of infection through waning immunity during women’s childbearing age life. The study aimed to assess the levels of anti- Bordetella pertussis antibodies in childbearing age women of different ages in Iran.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total number of 360 childbearing age women divided into six age groups, with 5-year intervals from 15 to 45 years old, in 2018–2019. Then, the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against B. pertussis were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 16.0) (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis.

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 30.01 ± 8.35 years (range 14–45 years). All the cases were IgM negative, but two IgA-positive individuals (in the age groups of 14–19 and 30–34 years) were reported. Overall, 239 (66.4%) cases were IgG positive. The mean age of IgG-positive cases was 30.37 ± 8.37 years. The IgG-positive cases were mostly in the age groups of 30–34 and 35–39 years [43 (71.1%)]. The odds of IgG positivity were 1.97. The highest odds of IgG positivity were seen in 30–34 and 35–39 years groups (2.52) and the lowest odds were seen in the 20–24 and 25–29 years groups (1.60). Using the Jonckheere–Terpstra test, the increasing trend of IgG changes in different age groups was not statistically significant (Tπ=5.78, p = 0.09).

Conclusion:

The infants of women of childbearing age might be prone to pertussis in countries using the wP vaccination schedule. It is suggested to administer a dose of Tdap to women before or during pregnancy to increase the immunity of their infants against this disease during early infancy.
In-plane compression behavior of FDM-manufactured hierarchical and hybrid hierarchical hexagonal honeycombs for infrastructural safety applications
Authors: Mishra Ashish Kumar , Kumar Arvind
Published: May 2021

The infrastructure safety and response to the natural or man-caused calamities has always been a top consideration for any modern project. Impact energy absorption is one such area where advanced measures are being adopted to prevent any damage to the infrastructure from any impact caused by vehicles or other elements. Honeycomb structures have been primarily used in such high impact energy absorption applications. With the advent of modern additive manufacturing practices, drastic modifications to the simple honeycombs generally used are possible, thus expanding the reach and capability of these structures. In this article, in-plane uniaxial compression performance of hybrid and hierarchical hexagonal honeycombs has been studied in the context of strain energy absorption for in-plane impact such as the case of vehicle collision to the pillars of flyover or bridges. The polylactic acid (PLA) filament has been used to manufacture the honeycombs through fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing technique. Simple hexagonal honeycombs have been studied first at low deformation speed to understand the deformation mechanics under uniaxial compression and its dependence on the unit cell dimensions and cell wall thickness. The effect of transition to the hybrid and hierarchical hexagonal honeycombs on the compression deformation has been highlighted next. While the hierarchical structures show better energy absorption capabilities and plateau stress, the hybrid hexagonal honeycombs show their high loadresistance. Dependence of the mechanical performance of such structures on the unit cell dimensions, orientation and wall thickness has also been examined through detailed experimental analysis.
Fluctuations in Self-Reported Symptoms Predict Objective Physical Activity in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Zhu Bingqian , Chen Pei , Kim Min Jung , Chen Xiangfang , Quinn Laurie , Fritschi Cynthia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between self-reported symptoms including fatigue and sleep disturbance with moderate-intensity physical activity among adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This report was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. Data from 53 participants with at least 6 days of repeated measures were used. Daytime physical activity and energy expenditure were assessed using a wrist-worn accelerometer at the free-living setting. Fatigue upon awakening was measured using a 0 to 10 scale. Sleep (eg, restorative sleep, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency) was measured using the Consensus Sleep Diary for Morning. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models by including within- and between-person effects.

Results

Participants were predominantly females (54.7%) with a mean age of 60.3 years. Controlling for the covariates, at the individual level (within-person), fluctuations in restorative sleep and fatigue upon awakening predicted moderate-intensity PA. Similarly, at the individual level, fluctuations in restorative sleep and fatigue upon awakening predicted average hourly energy expenditure. However, at the group level (between-person), no significant associations were found between fatigue and restorative sleep with moderate-intensity physical activity.

Conclusions

The study findings suggest that within-person fluctuations in fatigue and restorative sleep upon awakening predict daytime moderate-intensity physical activity. At the individual level, reducing fluctuations in fatigue and restorative sleep might encourage participation in physical activity. More research is warranted to uncover the underlying causes of fluctuations in fatigue and restorative sleep. Meanwhile, diabetes care and education specialists should pay attention to the within-person fluctuations of fatigue and sleep.
New Extraocular Muscle Entrapment after Facial Fracture Repair
Authors: Dvoracek Lucas A. , Lee Jonathan Y. , Stefko S. Tonya , Goldstein Jesse A.
Published: May 2021

Extraocular muscle entrapment is a well-recognized complication of orbital fracture, wherein the inferior rectus muscle becomes lodged within the fracture fragments at the time of the initial trauma. New onset entrapment cannot occur without new force applied to the orbit, displacing the fragments and the inferior rectus. Theoretically, in complex orbital fractures, manipulation of disjunct fragments may apply pressure to the orbital contents and induce new entrapment in an otherwise non-operative orbital floor fracture. Here we present the only described case of new extraocular muscle entrapment after open reduction and fixation of a supraorbital rim and frontal sinus fractures and emphasize the need for careful assessment after repair of such a fracture to ensure that new entrapment has not occurred.
Validation of the international working group proposal for SF3B1 mutant myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Komrokji Rami , Volpe Virginia , Chan Onyee , Al Ali Najla , Swoboda David , Kuykendall Andrew , Padron Eric , Sallman David A.
Published: May 2021

Komrokji et al examined the proposed international working group proposal to designate SF3B1-mutant myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as a unique disease entity, using a single-institution validation cohort of 1779 MDS patients, of whom 320 harbored SF3B1 mutations. They confirmed the demographics of older age, low-risk disease, ring sideroblasts, and low blast percentage. They further confirmed better overall survival that is negatively impacted in those patients with concomitant mutations, high variant allele fraction, and increased blast percentage.
Perspectives for systems biology in the management of tuberculosis
Authors: Kontsevaya Irina , Lange Christoph , Comella-del-Barrio Patricia , Coarfa Cristian , DiNardo Andrew R. , Gillespie Stephen H. , Hauptmann Matthias , Leschczyk Christoph , Mandalakas Anna M. , Martinecz Antal , Merker Matthias , Niemann Stefan , Reimann Maja , Rzhepishevska Olena , Schaible Ulrich E. , Scheu Katrin M. , Schurr Erwin , Abel zur Wiesch Pia , Heyckendorf Jan
Published: May 2021

Standardised management of tuberculosis may soon be replaced by individualised, precision medicine-guided therapies informed with knowledge provided by the field of systems biology. Systems biology is a rapidly expanding field of computational and mathematical analysis and modelling of complex biological systems that can provide insights into mechanisms underlying tuberculosis, identify novel biomarkers, and help to optimise prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. These advances are critically important in the context of the evolving epidemic of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Here, we review the available evidence on the role of systems biology approaches – human and mycobacterial genomics and transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics/metabolomics, immunophenotyping, systems pharmacology and gut microbiomes – in the management of tuberculosis including prediction of risk for disease progression, severity of mycobacterial virulence and drug resistance, adverse events, comorbidities, response to therapy and treatment outcomes. Application of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach demonstrated that at present most of the studies provide “very low” certainty of evidence for answering clinically relevant questions. Further studies in large prospective cohorts of patients, including randomised clinical trials, are necessary to assess the applicability of the findings in tuberculosis prevention and more efficient clinical management of patients.
Role of long noncoding RNA taurine‐upregulated gene 1 in cancers
Authors: Da Miao , Zhuang Jing , Zhou Yani , Qi Quan , Han Shuwen
Published: May 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non-protein coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 bp. The lncRNA taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) is abnormally expressed in many human malignant cancers, where it acts as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), regulating gene expression by specifically sponging its corresponding microRNAs. In the present review, we summarised the current understanding of the role of lncRNATUG1in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, chemotherapeutic drug resistance, radiosensitivity, cell regulation, and cell glycolysis, as well as highlighting its potential application as a clinical biomarker or therapeutic target for malignant cancer. This review provides the basis for new research directions for lncRNATUG1in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Positive selection on two mitochondrial coding genes and adaptation signals in hares (genus Lepus) from China
Authors: Awadi Asma , Ben Slimen Hichem , Schaschl Helmut , Knauer Felix , Suchentrunk Franz
Published: May 2021

Background

Animal mitochondria play a central role in energy production in the cells through the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. Recent studies of selection on different mitochondrial OXPHOS genes have revealed the adaptive implications of amino acid changes in these subunits. In hares, climatic variation and/or introgression were suggested to be at the origin of such adaptation. Here we looked for evidence of positive selection in three mitochondrial OXPHOS genes, using tests of selection, protein structure modelling and effects of amino acid substitutions on the protein function and stability. We also used statistical models to test for climate and introgression effects on sites under positive selection.

Results

Our results revealed seven sites under positive selection in ND4 and three sites in Cytb. However, no sites under positive selection were observed in the COX1 gene. All three subunits presented a high number of codons under negative selection. Sites under positive selection were mapped on the tridimensional structure of the predicted models for the respective mitochondrial subunit. Of the ten amino acid replacements inferred to have evolved under positive selection for both subunits, six were located in the transmembrane domain. On the other hand, three codons were identified as sites lining proton translocation channels. Furthermore, four codons were identified as destabilizing with a significant variation of Δ vibrational entropy energy between wild and mutant type. Moreover, our PROVEAN analysis suggested that among all positively selected sites two fixed amino acid replacements altered the protein functioning. Our statistical models indicated significant effects of climate on the presence of ND4 and Cytb protein variants, but no effect by trans-specific mitochondrial DNA introgression, which is not uncommon in a number of hare species.

Conclusions

Positive selection was observed in several codons in two OXPHOS genes. We found that substitutions in the positively selected codons have structural and functional impacts on the encoded proteins. Our results are concordantly suggesting that adaptations have strongly affected the evolution of mtDNA of hare species with potential effects on the protein function. Environmental/climatic changes appear to be a major trigger of this adaptation, whereas trans-specific introgressive hybridization seems to play no major role for the occurrence of protein variants.
Retraction Note: Contribution of anthocyanin pathways to fruit flesh coloration in pitayas
Authors: Fan Ruiyi , Sun Qingming , Zeng Jiwu , Zhang Xinxin
Published: May 2021

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-020–02566-2
Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of U-box E3 ubiquitin ligases gene family related to drought stress response in Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri)
Authors: Wang Chunmeng , Song Bobo , Dai Yuqin , Zhang Shaoling , Huang Xiaosan
Published: May 2021

Background

The plant U-box (PUB) proteins are a family of ubiquitin ligases (E3) enzymes that involved in diverse biological processes, as well as in responses to plant stress response. However, the characteristics and functional divergence of the PUB gene family have not yet been previously studied in the Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri).

Results

In the present study, we identified 62 PbrPUBs in Chinese white pear genome. Based on the phylogenetic relationship, 62 PUB genes were clustered into five groups. The results of conserved motif and gene structure analysis supported the classification phylogenetic tree. The PbrPUB genes were unevenly distribution on 17 pear chromosomes, chromosome 15 housed most member of PUB family, with eight PUB genes. Cis-acting element analysis indicated that PUB genes might participate in diverse biological processes, especially in the response to abiotic stresses. Based on RNA-data from ‘Dangshansuli’ at seven tissues, we found that PUB genes exhibited diverse of expression level in seven tissues, and qRT-PCR experiment further supported the reliable of RNA-Seq data. To identify candidate genes associated with resistance, we conducted qRT-PCR experiment the expression level of pear seed plant under four abiotic stresses, including: ABA, dehydration, salt and cold treatment. One candidate PUB gene associated with dehydration stress was selected to conduct further functional experiment. Subcellular localization revealed PbrPUB18 protein was located on cell nucleus. Furthermore, heterologous over-expression of PbrPUB18 in Arabidopsis indicated that the over-expression of PbrPUB18 could enhance resistance in drought treatment. In conclusions, we systematically identified the PUB genes in pear, and provided useful knowledge for functional identification of PUB genes in pear.
Plasma uric acid is related to large arterial stiffness but not to other hemodynamic variables: a study in 606 normotensive and never-medicated hypertensive subjects
Authors: Hamid Humam , Kurra Venla , Choudhary Manoj Kumar , Bouquin Heidi , Niemelä Onni , Kähönen Mika A. P. , Mustonen Jukka T. , Pörsti Ilkka H. , Koskela Jenni K.
Published: May 2021

Background

Elevated level of plasma uric acid (PUA) has been associated with cardiovascular disease, but whether uric acid is an independent risk factor or merely a marker remains controversial.

Methods

We investigated in a cross-sectional setting the association of PUA with hemodynamics in 606 normotensive and never-medicated hypertensive subjects (295 men, 311 women, age range 19–73 years) without cardiovascular disease or gout. In all except 15 individuals, PUA was within the normal range. Supine hemodynamics were recorded using whole-body impedance cardiography and radial tonometric pulse wave analysis.

Results

The mean concentrations of PUA in age, sex and body mass index adjusted quartiles were 234, 278, 314, and 373 µmol/l, respectively. The highest PUA quartile presented with higher aortic to popliteal pulse wave velocity (PWV) than the lowest quartile (8.7 vs. 8.2 m/s, p = 0.026) in analyses additionally adjusted for plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and mean aortic blood pressure. No differences in radial and aortic blood pressure, wave reflections, heart rate, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance were observed between the quartiles. In linear regression analysis, PUA was an independent explanatory factor for PWV (β = 0.168, p < 0.001, R2 of the model 0.591), but not for systolic or diastolic blood pressure. When the regression analysis was performed separately for men and women, PUA was an independent predictor of PWV in both sexes.

Conclusions

PUA concentration was independently and directly associated with large arterial stiffness in individuals without cardiovascular disease and PUA levels predominantly within the normal range. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01742702.
Temporal trends in heart failure mortality in an integrated healthcare delivery system, California, and the US, 2001–2017
Authors: Mefford Matthew T. , Zhuang Zimin , Liang Zhi , Chen Wansu , Koyama Sandra Y. , Taitano Maria T. , Watson Heather L. , Lee Ming-Sum , Sidney Stephen , Reynolds Kristi
Published: May 2021

Background

In recent years, decreases in mortality rates attributable to cardiovascular diseases have slowed but mortality attributable to heart failure (HF) has increased.

Methods

Between 2001–2017, trends in age-adjusted mortality with HF as an underlying cause for Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) members were derived through linkage with state death files and compared with trends among California residents and the US. Average annual percent change (AAPC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Joinpoint regression. Analyses were repeated examining HF as a contributing cause of death.

Results

In KPSC, the age-adjusted HF mortality rates were comparable to California but lower than the US, increasing from 23.9 per 100,000 person-years (PY) in 2001 to 44.7 per 100,000 PY in 2017, representing an AAPC of 1.3% (95% CI 0.0%, 2.6%). HF mortality also increased in California from 33.9 to 46.5 per 100,000 PY (AAPC 1.5%, 95% CI 0.3%, 2.7%), while remaining unchanged in the US at 57.9 per 100,000 PY in 2001 and 2017 (AAPC 0.0%, 95% CI − 0.5%, 0.5%). Trends among KPSC members ≥ 65 years old were similar to the overall population, while trends among members 45–64 years old were flat between 2001–2017. Small changes in mortality with HF as a contributing cause were observed in KPSC members between 2001 and 2017, which differed from California and the US.

Conclusion

Lower rates of HF mortality were observed in KPSC compared to the US. Given the aging of the US population and increasing prevalence of HF, it will be important to examine individual and care-related factors driving susceptibility to HF mortality.
Rat bite fever with osteomyelitis and discitis: case report and literature review
Authors: Adams Steven H. , Mahapatra Rahul
Published: May 2021

Background

Rat bite fever (RBF) is a rare systemic febrile illness transmitted by rats. Streptobacillus moniliformis is a pleomorphic Gram-negative bacillus which is the usual etiologic organism for rat bite fever in the United States.

Case presentation

Here we present a case of rat bite fever complicated by vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis. The patient revealed an exposure history of being bitten by pet rats. The patient’s symptoms dramatically improved with a six-week course of cephalexin therapy.

Conclusions

It is important to obtain a thorough zoonotic exposure history and maintain rat bite fever in the differential when considering potential causes of discitis and osteomyelitis.
The contribution of Lynch syndrome to early onset malignancy in Ireland
Authors: Talbot Alice , O’Donovan Emily , Berkley Eileen , Nolan Carmel , Clarke Roisin , Gallagher David
Published: May 2021

Background

Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome responsible for 2–4% of hereditary colorectal cancers (CRC). Mismatch repair protein deficiency (dMMR) is a characteristic feature of LS. It has been associated with a poor response to standard chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). There is currently no LS database to monitor trends of disease in Ireland. We aim to centralise LS data in Ireland to assess the burden of LS in Ireland and guide improvements in prevention and treatment of LS-associated cancer.

Methods

A retrospective review was carried out including all medical records for LS patients from two of the three cancer genetics clinics in Ireland between 2000 and 2018 was carried out. Clinicopathological data of probands (n = 57) and affected family members including demographics, mutation status, cancer diagnosis and outcome was recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software.

Results

Fifty-seven families including three-hundred and forty-five individuals affected by cancer were identified. The most common cancers recorded were colorectal (53%), breast (12%) and endometrial (10%). One-hundred and thirty-eight confirmed carriers were identified: 65 path_MLH1 (47%), 43 path_MSH2 (31%), 11 path_MSH6 (8%), 17 path_PMS2 (12%) and two path_EPCAM (1%). Cancer type varied significantly by gene. Median age of first diagnosis was 44.5 years (range 23–81). Half of all deceased patients (n = 11) in this group died within 2.5 years of first diagnosis. These deaths were directly related to cancer in 59% of cases.

Conclusions

Under diagnosis of LS misses a powerful preventive and therapeutic opportunity. LS causes early onset dMMR cancer diagnoses with substantial societal impact. Implementation of ICBs into treatment policy for this small cohort of dMMR mCRC is an achievable therapeutic goal that may significantly improve survival. A prospective database for LS in Ireland is necessary to maximise prevention in this population.
Synchronous bone metastasis in lung cancer: retrospective study of a single center of 15,716 patients from Tianjin, China
Authors: Guo Xu , Ma Wenjuan , Wu Haixiao , Xu Yao , Wang Dezheng , Zhang Shuang , Liu Zheng , Chekhonin Vladimir P. , Peltzer Karl , Zhang Jin , Wang Xin , Zhang Chao
Published: May 2021

Background

This study aimed to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of lung cancer patients with synchronous bone metastasis (SBM) and to analyze the prognostic factors of the lung cancer patients with SBM.

Methods

A total of 15,716 lung cancer patients who were diagnosed between 2009 to 2018 in the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, patients with SBM were checked. Both the demographic and clinical characteristics were included as follows: age, gender, marital status, history of smoking, alcohol consumption, family history of tumor, Karnofsky score, lymph node metastasis, histological type. Besides, laboratory data such as alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, carcinoembryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, cytokeratin-19 fragment, and neuron specific enolase were also included. The log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analysis were employed to reveal the potential prognostic predictors. A further analysis using the Kaplan–Meier was employed to demonstrate the difference on the prognosis of LC patients between adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma.

Results

Among the included patients, 2738 patients (17.42%) were diagnosed with SBM. A total of 938 patients (34.3%) with SBM were successfully followed and the median survival was 11.53 months (95%CI: 10.57–12.49 months), and the 1-, 2-, and 5-year overall survival rate was 51, 17, and 8%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression results showed history of smoking and high level of NSE were associated with the poor prognosis, while adenocarcinoma histological type was associated with better survival.

Conclusion

The prevalence of SBM in lung cancer is relatively high with poor survival. The lung cancer patients with SBM showed diverse prognosis. Among all the pathological types, the division of adenocarcinoma suggested different prognosis of the lung cancer patients with SBM. The present study emphasized the importance of pathological diagnosis on prognostic determinants in lung cancer patients with SBM.
The effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in different socioeconomic populations in Kuwait: a modeling study
Authors: Khadadah Fatima , Al-Shammari Abdullah A. , Alhashemi Ahmad , Alhuwail Dari , Al-Saif Bader , Alzaid Saud N. , Alahmad Barrak , Bogoch Isaac I.
Published: May 2021

Background

Aggressive non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) may reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The extent to which these interventions are successful in stopping the spread have not been characterized in countries with distinct socioeconomic groups. We compared the effects of a partial lockdown on disease transmission among Kuwaitis (P1) and non-Kuwaitis (P2) living in Kuwait.

Methods

We fit a modified metapopulation SEIR transmission model to reported cases stratified by two groups to estimate the impact of a partial lockdown on the effective reproduction number ($$ {\mathcal{R}}_e $$

R
e

). We estimated the basic reproduction number ($$ {\mathcal{R}}_0 $$

R
0

) for the transmission in each group and simulated the potential trajectories of an outbreak from the first recorded case of community transmission until 12 days after the partial lockdown. We estimated $$ {\mathcal{R}}_e $$

R
e

values of both groups before and after the partial curfew, simulated the effect of these values on the epidemic curves and explored a range of cross-transmission scenarios.

Results

We estimate $$ {\mathcal{R}}_e $$

R
e

at 1·08 (95% CI: 1·00–1·26) for P1 and 2·36 (2·03–2·71) for P2. On March 22nd, $$ {\mathcal{R}}_e $$

R
e

for P1 and P2 are estimated at 1·19 (1·04–1·34) and 1·75 (1·26–2·11) respectively. After the partial curfew had taken effect, $$ {\mathcal{R}}_e $$

R
e

for P1 dropped modestly to 1·05 (0·82–1·26) but almost doubled for P2 to 2·89 (2·30–3·70). Our simulated epidemic trajectories show that the partial curfew measure greatly reduced and delayed the height of the peak in P1, yet significantly elevated and hastened the peak in P2. Modest cross-transmission between P1 and P2 greatly elevated the height of the peak in P1 and brought it forward in time closer to the peak of P2.

Conclusion

Our results indicate and quantify how the same lockdown intervention can accentuate disease transmission in some subpopulations while potentially controlling it in others. Any such control may further become compromised in the presence of cross-transmission between subpopulations. Future interventions and policies need to be sensitive to socioeconomic and health disparities.
Prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and well-being among Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study
Authors: Boateng Godfred O. , Doku David Teye , Enyan Nancy Innocentia Ebu , Owusu Samuel Asiedu , Aboh Irene Korkoi , Kodom Ruby Victoria , Ekumah Benard , Quansah Reginald , Boamah Sheila A. , Obiri-Yeboah Dorcas , Nsabimana Epaphrodite , Jansen Stefan , Armah Frederick Ato
Published: May 2021

Background

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with several adverse health outcomes. However, few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have examined its deleterious consequences on mental health. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.

Methods

Data for this study were drawn from an online survey of 811 participants that collected retrospective information on mental health measures including symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, boredom, and well-being. Additional data were collected on COVID-19 related measures, biosocial (e.g. age and sex) and sociocultural factors (e.g., education, occupation, marital status). Following descriptive and psychometric evaluation of measures used, multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationships between predictor variables and boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being scores during the pandemic. Second, we assessed the effect of anxiety on psychological well-being. Next, we assessed predictors of the changes in boredom, anxiety, and well-being.

Results

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 63.5% reported better well-being, 11.6% symptoms of anxiety, and 29.6% symptoms of boredom. Comparing experiences before and during the pandemic, there was an increase in boredom and anxiety symptomatology, and a decrease in well-being mean scores. The adjusted model shows participants with existing medical conditions had higher scores on boredom (ß = 1.76, p < .001) and anxiety (ß = 1.83, p < .01). In a separate model, anxiety scores before the pandemic (ß = -0.25, p < .01) and having prior medical conditions (ß = -1.53, p < .001) were associated with decreased psychological well-being scores during the pandemic. In the change model, having a prior medical condition was associated with an increasing change in boredom, anxiety, and well-being. Older age was associated with decreasing changes in boredom and well-being scores.

Conclusions

This study is the first in Ghana to provide evidence of the changes in boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the need for the inclusion of mental health interventions as part of the current pandemic control protocol and public health preparedness towards infectious disease outbreaks.