bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex-specific time trends in incident atrial fibrillation and the contribution of risk factors: the Tromsø Study 1994–2016
Authors: Sharashova Ekaterina , Gerdts Eva , Ball Jocasta , Espnes Hilde , Jacobsen Bjarne K , Kildal Simon , Mathiesen Ellisiv B , Njølstad Inger , Rosengren Annika , Schirmer Henrik , Wilsgaard Tom , Løchen Maja-Lisa
Published: October 2022

Aims

To explore sex-specific time trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence and to estimate the impact of changes in risk factor levels using individual participant-level data from the population-based Tromsø Study 1994–2016.

Methods and results

A total of 14 818 women and 13 225 men aged 25 years or older without AF were enrolled in the Tromsø Study between 1994 and 2008 and followed up for incident AF throughout 2016. Poisson regression was used for statistical analyses. During follow-up, age-adjusted AF incidence rates in women decreased from 1.19 to 0.71 per 1000 person-years. In men, AF incidence increased from 1.18 to 2.82 per 1000 person-years in 2004, and then declined to 1.94 per 1000 person-years in 2016. Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption together accounted for 10.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): −2.4 to 28.6] of the AF incidence decline in women and for 44.7% (95% CI: 19.2; 100.0) of the AF incidence increase in men. Reduction in SBP and DBP had the largest contribution to the decrease in AF incidence in women. Increase in BMI had the largest contribution to the increase in AF incidence in men.

Conclusion

In the population-based Tromsø Study 1994–2016, AF incidence decreased in women and increased following a reverse U-shape in men. Individual changes in SBP and DBP in women and individual changes in BMI in men were the most important risk factors contributing to the AF incidence trends.
Navigating nature’s benefits to people: an examination of asymmetrical stakeholder preferences for local forest ecosystem services in South Korea
Authors: Jo Jang-Hwan , Choi Moongi , Shin Seunguk , Lee Chang-Bae
Published: October 2022

Recent social and environmental changes complicate the management of the ecosystem services (ES) provided by local forests. Local ES management requires an understanding of the supply–demand dynamics of ES preferences among stakeholders. To examine the supply and demand characteristics of local forest ES in South Korea, we compared the preferences for ES between the ES suppliers and ES users of two local forests (Gariwangsan and Yeoninsan) that differ in jurisdiction, size, ecological properties and management challenges. We surveyed the forest administrators (n = 20) as ES suppliers and local community residents (n = 47) as well as the general public (n = 1000) as ES users. We applied a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to examine the priority rankings of 10 types of forest ES in order of importance in management perceived by forest administrators and local residents. The general public’s preferences were measured using the weighted sums of each type of ES ranked based on its perceived importance. We also interviewed the forest administrators and local residents to further explore how the local context of the examined forests might have affected their ES evaluation. The results show that forest administrators and the general public prioritize regulating services while the local community opts for cultural services. Moreover, local residents in close proximity to the forests prefer provisioning services while those farther away prefer regulating services. Considering these differences in stakeholder preferences for local forest ES, local forest management policies can benefit from inclusive decision-making processes to navigate the supply–demand asymmetry.
The Need for Consistency with Physical Laws and Logic in Choosing Between Competing Molecular Mechanisms in Biological Processes: A Case Study in Modeling ATP Synthesis
Authors: Nath Sunil
Published: October 2022

Traditionally, proposed molecular mechanisms of fundamental biological processes have been tested against experiment. However, owing to a plethora of reasons—difficulty in designing, carrying out, and interpreting key experiments, use of different experimental models and systems, conduct of studies under widely varying experimental conditions, fineness in distinctions between competing mechanisms, complexity of the scientific issues, and the resistance of some scientists to discoveries that are contrary to popularly held beliefs—this has not solved the problem despite decades of work in the field/s. The author would like to prescribe an alternative way: that of testing competing models/mechanisms for their adherence to scientific laws and principles, and checking for errors in logic. Such tests are fairly commonly carried out in the mathematics, physics, and engineering literature. Further, reported experimental measurements should not be smaller than minimum detectable values for the measurement technique employed and should truly reflect function of the actual system without inapplicable extrapolation. Progress in the biological fields would be greatly accelerated, and considerable scientific acrimony avoided by adopting this approach. Some examples from the fundamental field of ATP synthesis in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) have been reviewed that also serve to illustrate the approach. The approach has never let the author down in his 35-yr-long experience on biological mechanisms. This change in thinking should lead to a considerable saving of both time and resources, help channel research efforts toward solution of the right problems, and hopefully provide new vistas to a younger generation of open-minded biological scientists.
Unveiling the complete genome sequence of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSM 3922T, a taint-producing strain
Authors: Leonardo Inês Carvalho , Barreto Crespo Maria Teresa , Gaspar Frédéric Bustos
Published: October 2022

Several species from the Alicyclobacillus genus have received much attention from the food and beverages industries. Their presence has been co-related with spoilage events of acidic food matrices, namely fruit juices and other fruit-based products, the majority attributed to Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. In this work, a combination of short and long reads enabled the assembly of the complete genome of A. acidoterrestris DSM 3922T, perfecting the draft genome already available (AURB00000000), and revealing the presence of one chromosome (4,222,202 bp; GC content 52.3%) as well as one plasmid (124,737 bp; GC content 46.6%). From the 4,288 genes identified, 4,004 sequences were attributed to coding sequences with proteins, with more than 80% being functionally annotated. This allowed the identification of metabolic pathways and networks and the interpretation of high-level functions with significant reliability. Furthermore, the additional genes of interest related to spore germination, off-flavor production, namely the vdc cluster, and CRISPR arrays, were identified. More importantly, this is the first complete and closed genome sequence for a taint-producing Alicyclobacillus species and thus represents a valuable reference for further comparative and functional genomic studies.
The Long Shadow: Early-Life Adversity and Later-Life Loneliness in the United States
Authors: Furuya Shiro , Wang Jia
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study assesses how early-life adversity (ELA) is associated with later-life loneliness among those aged 55 and older in the United States. We consider multiple domains of ELA to understand domain-specific associations between ELA and later-life loneliness.

Methods

Using data from the 2008 to 2016 rounds of Health and Retirement Study (n = 29,661 person-waves [weighted]), we evaluate whether and how different domains of ELA are associated with loneliness, and how their relationships are explained through adulthood conditions and are dependent on educational attainment.

Results

Our analyses demonstrate significant and distinctive relationships between various domains of ELA and later-life loneliness. Whereas adulthood conditions largely explain positive associations between loneliness with some domains of ELA (socioeconomic disadvantages and chronic diseases), disruptive home environment, risky adolescent behaviors, and impairment during childhood are still related to a higher level of loneliness after controlling for adulthood conditions. We also find empirical evidence supporting educational differences in relationships between some ELA domains and later-life loneliness. Our results also show that the associations between ELA and later-life loneliness differ between subdimensions of loneliness (emotional vs. social loneliness).

Discussion

This study underscores ELA as an important early-life risk factor contributing to later-life loneliness. Our findings suggest that policy interventions to reduce adverse childhood experiences may alleviate individuals’ exposure to loneliness in later life.
Managing size selectivity: the relevance of compulsory and alternative selection devices in the Northeast Atlantic bottom trawl fishery
Authors: Brinkhof Jesse , Sistiaga Manu , Herrmann Bent , Grimaldo Eduardo , Larsen Roger B
Published: October 2022

Two decades of use of the compulsory selectivity gear configuration in the Northeast Atlantic bottom trawl fishery, which consists of a rigid sorting grid followed by a diamond mesh codend, have revealed problems with performance and efficiency. Size selectivity gear alternatives to this configuration are being pursued, and recent studies of codends with shortened lastridges have reported promising results. In this study, we compared the size selectivity and catch efficiency for cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) caught using a sorting grid with 55 mm bar spacing followed by a 130 mm knotted diamond mesh codend (i.e. the compulsory gear) that same configuration but considering only the catch in the 130 mm diamond mesh codend (regular codend), and an alternative knotless codend with shortened lastridge ropes and a thinner twine. We also addressed the question of whether size-selective gear is even needed to avoid exceeding the bycatch limits of the fishery. Our results demonstrated that the alternative codend improved size selectivity by reducing the loss of fish above minimum legal size (MLS), with a minor increase in the retention of fish below MLS, compared to the compulsory combined grid and codend configuration. The regular codend also reduced the loss of fish above MLS, but the retention of haddock below MLS approached the legal limit of 15% by number. Our results also showed that the abundance of cod below MLS in the fishing area during the trials was low. They also suggested that spatial and seasonal closures in combination with a flexible choice of selection device and modern monitoring tools could be an alternative to rigid enforcement of the use of selective fishing gear.
The Myth of the Eclectic IR Scholar?
Authors: Milner Helen V , Powers Ryan , Voeten Erik
Published: October 2022

What does the decline in paradigmatic self-identification mean for how international relations (IR) scholars think about the world? We answer this question with a 2020 survey among nearly two thousand IR scholars. We uncover a two-dimensional latent theoretical belief space based on scholarly agreement with conjectures about the state, ideas, international institutions, domestic politics, globalization, and racism. The first dimension separates status quo–oriented scholars from more critical scholars. The second dimension captures the realist–institutionalist divide. We have three key findings. First, non-paradigmatic scholars vary greatly in their theoretical beliefs. Second, measurement invariance tests show that there is a similar structure underlying the beliefs of paradigmatic and non-paradigmatic scholars. Third, we find no evidence that non-paradigmatic scholars rely less on their theoretical beliefs in making predictions about conflict, institutions, political economy, democracy, and human rights. Instead, the positions of scholars in the two-dimensional theoretical belief space rather than self-assigned paradigmatic labels correlate with predictions about the world. Our findings suggest that non-paradigmatic scholars are not so different from self-identified Liberals, Constructivists, and Realists, although the decline of paradigmatic self-identification may still matter for how scholars organize debates and disciplinary divides.
Participatory Data Design: Managing Data Sovereignty in IoT Solutions
Authors: Bowen Judy , Hinze Annika
Published: October 2022

Within the software engineering community, deciding how to collect, store and use personal data has become about more than just understanding our users. This paper considers ethical data use that includes cultural considerations and data ownership rights. We discuss indigenous data sovereignty as a concept and how it potentially impacts technological solutions that gather personal data from users. We propose an extension to typical user-centred design processes, which we call participatory data design. This incorporates the use of frameworks and tools that specifically focus on managing data within the cultural context it is gathered from. We also present a specific example of how we have used this approach in the context of a data collection project from Māori workers in New Zealand forestry. We conclude with a discussion of the wider implications of this approach.
Are the (New) Synthetic Opioids U-47700, Tramadol and Their Main Metabolites Prone to Time-Dependent Postmortem Redistribution?—A Systematic Study Using an In Vivo Pig Model
Authors: Nordmeier Frederike , Doerr Adrian A , Potente Stefan , Walle Nadja , Laschke Matthias W , Menger Michael D , Schmidt Peter H , Meyer Markus R , Schaefer Nadine
Published: October 2022

The interpretation of analytical results in forensic postmortem (PM) cases often poses a great challenge, in particular, due to possible PM redistribution (PMR) phenomena. In terms of new synthetic opioids, such data are usually not available and, if so, they are from case reports without the exact knowledge of dose, user habits, time of consumption or PM interval (PMI). Hence, a controlled toxicokinetic pig study was performed allowing the examination of PM tissue distribution and possible PMR of U-47700, tramadol and the main metabolites N-desmethyl-U-47700 and O-desmethyltramadol (ODT). For this purpose, 12 domestic pigs received an intravenous dose of 100 µg/kg body weight (BW) U-47700 or 1,000 µg/kg BW tramadol, respectively. The animals were put to death with T61 8 h after administration, and relevant organs, tissues and body fluids were sampled. Subsequently, the animals were stored at room temperature (RT), and the samples were taken again after 24, 48, and 72 h PM. Following homogenization and solid-phase extraction, quantification was performed applying a standard addition approach and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Only low-to-moderate concentration changes of U-47700, tramadol and their main metabolites were found in the analyzed tissue specimens and body fluids during storage at RT depending on the chosen PMI. On the contrary, a remarkable concentration increase of tramadol was observed in the liver tissue. These findings indicate that both synthetic opioids and their main metabolites are only slightly prone to PMR and central blood might be the matrix of choice for quantification of these substances.
Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of PTP-PEST at Serine 39 is crucial for cell migration
Authors: Honda Reika , Tempaku Yasuko , Sulidan Kaidiliayi , Palmer Helen E F , Mashima Keisuke
Published: October 2022

We investigated the molecular details of the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-PEST in cell migration. PTP-PEST knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (KO MEFs) and MEF cells expressing a dominant-negative mutant of PTP-PEST showed significant suppression of cell migration compared to MEF cells expressing wild-type PTP-PEST (WT MEFs). Moreover, MEF cells harbouring a constitutively active mutant of PTP-PEST (S39A MEFs) showed a marked decrease in cell migration. In addition, MEF cells with no PTP-PEST or little PTP activity rapidly adhered to fibronectin and made many focal adhesions compared to WT MEF cells. In contrast, S39A MEF cells showed weak adhesion to fibronectin and formed a few focal adhesions. Furthermore, investigating the subcellular localization showed that Ser39-phosphorylated PTP-PEST was favourably situated in the adherent area of the pseudopodia. Therefore, we propose that suppression of PTP-PEST enzyme activity due to Ser39-phosphorylation in pseudopodia and at the leading edge of migrating cells induces rapid and good adherence to the extracellular matrix. Thus, suppression of PTP activity by Ser39-phosphorylation is critical for cell migration. Three amino acid substitutions in human PTP-PEST have been previously reported to alter PTP activity. These amino acid substitutions in mouse PTP-PEST altered the migration of MEF cells in a positive correlation.
An enhancing many-objective evolutionary algorithm using chaotic mapping and solution ranking mechanism for large-scale optimization
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhang Qian , Wang Gai-Ge , Hu Zhongyi
Published: October 2022

There are many complex optimization problems in the real world, and various evolutionary algorithms are proposed to solve them. Recently, the many-objective evolutionary algorithm using a one-by-one selection strategy (1by1EA) adopts a convergence indicator and a distribution indicator to balance convergence and diversity. However, the algorithm is too random in initialization and the fitness evaluation of solutions in the mating selection is single, which leads to poor performance in solving large-scale problems. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved method called 1by1EA-CHV by using circle chaotic mapping and a solution ranking mechanism based on the hypervolume (HV) indicator. We first map each component of solutions into a certain value space to initialize the population. Then, we calculate the contribution of each partition divided based on HV and apply the aggregation method to guide the reallocation of fitness, which achieves the ranking of solutions by using it before the old calculation method. To validate the performance, experiments compared 1by1EA-CHV with 1by1EA and other seven many-objective algorithms on large-scale functions, and the differences between these algorithms were analyzed statistically by a non-parametric test. The results showed the superiority of 1by1EA-CHV in solving large-scale many-objective optimization problems with up to 2000 decision variables.
Effects of Nutritional Composition of Different Prey Eggs on Development and Reproduction of the Predatory Bug, Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)
Authors: Zhang Liu , Zhao Hongyan , Yang Yuxi , Ge Yang , Shi Wangpeng
Published: October 2022

Orius sauteri (Poppius) is an important predator of many economically important insect pests. The mass rearing of O. sauteri is difficult, limiting its application in pest control. Here we assessed the nutritional quality of eggs of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), Agrotis ypsilon (Rottemberg), or Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), and their potential for rearing O. sauteri in the laboratory for two generations. Of species tested, S. cerealella eggs resulted in the highest survival and reproduction of O. sauteri compared to the other two lepidopteran species. Eggs of A. ypsilon were a suitable diet for the nymphal stage, which developed faster on A. ysilon eggs than those of S. cerealella eggs. Conversely, eggs of S. litura were not a suitable diet for O. sauteri, and they disrupted the development and reproduction of O. sauteri. Sitotroga cerealella eggs showed advantages in all the nutritional components evaluated. Orius sauteri fed S. litura eggs contained significantly lower protein levels than those fed on the other eggs tested. Spodoptera litura eggs significantly enhanced the CAT activity in O. sauteri, which suggests that some components from S. litura eggs harmed the development and reproduction of O. sauteri. Based on these results, we suggest using a combined diet for mass rearing of the pirate bug, feeding the nymphs and adults with A. ypsilon eggs and S. cerealella eggs, respectively. This study contributes to the discovery of artificial diets for mass rearing O. sauteri and other Orius species in the future.
Liability or opportunity? Reconceptualizing the periphery and its role in innovation
Authors: Glückler Johannes , Shearmur Richard , Martinus Kirsten
Published: October 2022

The continued emphasis on innovation in urban and clustered settings has led many geographers to conceive peripheries as laggard and non-innovative. After reconstructing discussions of the periphery in the context of the geography of firm-level innovation, we argue that normative connotations should be stripped away, and that ‘periphery’ and ‘center’ are better understood as positions in a field. We draw upon concepts current in network theory and propose a relational definition of periphery as a distant, dispersed and disconnected position relative to a core within a field. A key distinction is made between the position of an actor in geographical space (location) and the position of an actor in a social network of relations. Combining geographic and network dimensions of an actor’s position, our aim in this article is to propose a dual core-periphery framework which provides the vocabulary and concepts to empirically scrutinize the role of periphery in innovation processes. Although we focus on the geography of innovation, this framework can be applied more broadly to discussions of peripherality.
Spatial-Temporal Trends in Ovarian Cancer Outcomes in California
Authors: Villanueva Carolina , Chang Jenny , Ziogas Argyrios , Bristow Robert E , Vieira Verónica M
Published: October 2022

Background

Research suggests that geographic location may affect ovarian cancer (OC) outcomes. Insurance status often remains an important predictor of outcomes. The Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010 to expand access to affordable health insurance. Our objective was to examine spatiotemporal trends in OC treatment nonadherence and disease-specific mortality in California (USA) among women diagnosed with OC.

Methods

Newly diagnosed epithelial OC cases between 1996 and 2017 were identified from the California Cancer Registry. Spatiotemporal trends in adherence to treatment guidelines were examined using generalized additive models and OC-specific mortality using Cox proportional hazards additive models. Prediction grids covering California were used to display the odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios of location using the median value for the study area as the referent value. Seven overlapping 5-year periods and 2 larger ones (pre- and post-2013) were assessed. Analyses were stratified according to stage (early vs advanced) and used P = .05 to determine statistical significance.

Results

Statistically significant spatial patterns in treatment nonadherence were observed for every time period examined (P < .001). Odds of treatment nonadherence associated with geographic location were highest among women with early-stage OC in southern Los Angeles County during 2014-2017 (OR max = 3.89, confidence interval = 1.04 to 7.61). For women with advanced-stage OC, residing in northern California was generally associated with lower odds ratios, whereas southern California was associated with higher odds ratios, with higher odds in the latter time period (OR range = 0.53-1.84 in 1996-2012 vs 0.49-2.37 in 2013-2017). Geographic location was not a statistically significant predictor of mortality.

Conclusions

Residential location was statistically significantly associated with treatment received in California, with spatial patterns varying over time but not OC-specific mortality. Changes in insurance status over time were accompanied by shifts in population demographics and increased travel distances to receive care.
INRI-seq enables global cell-free analysis of translation initiation and off-target effects of antisense inhibitors
Authors: Hör Jens , Jung Jakob , Ðurica-Mitić Svetlana , Barquist Lars , Vogel Jörg
Published: October 2022

Ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) is a powerful method for the transcriptome-wide assessment of protein synthesis rates and the study of translational control mechanisms. Yet, Ribo-seq also has limitations. These include difficulties with the analysis of translation-modulating molecules such as antibiotics, which are often toxic or challenging to deliver into living cells. Here, we have developed in vitro Ribo-seq (INRI-seq), a cell-free method to analyze the translational landscape of a fully customizable synthetic transcriptome. Using Escherichia coli as an example, we show how INRI-seq can be used to analyze the translation initiation sites of a transcriptome of interest. We also study the global impact of direct translation inhibition by antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA) to analyze PNA off-target effects. Overall, INRI-seq presents a scalable, sensitive method to study translation initiation in a transcriptome-wide manner without the potentially confounding effects of extracting ribosomes from living cells.
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant gliomas: A Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) consensus review on diagnosis, management, and future directions
Authors: Miller Julie J , Gonzalez Castro L Nicolas , McBrayer Samuel , Weller Michael , Cloughesy Timothy , Portnow Jana , Andronesi Ovidiu , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S , Baumert Brigitta G , Berger Mitchell S , Bi Wenya Linda , Bindra Ranjit , Cahill Daniel P , Chang Susan M , Costello Joseph F , Horbinski Craig , Huang Raymond Y , Jenkins Robert B , Ligon Keith L , Mellinghoff Ingo K , Nabors L Burt , Platten Michael , Reardon David A , Shi Diana D , Schiff David , Wick Wolfgang , Yan Hai , von Deimling Andreas , van den Bent Martin , Kaelin William G , Wen Patrick Y
Published: October 2022

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant gliomas are the most common adult, malignant primary brain tumors diagnosed in patients younger than 50, constituting an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there has been significant progress in understanding the molecular pathogenesis and biology of these tumors, sparking multiple efforts to improve their diagnosis and treatment. In this consensus review from the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), the current diagnosis and management of IDH-mutant gliomas will be discussed. In addition, novel therapies, such as targeted molecular therapies and immunotherapies, will be reviewed. Current challenges and future directions for research will be discussed.
Keeping Company
Authors: Kearney Amanda
Published: October 2022

This chapter considers the principle of “keeping company” as a praxis of companionship, rights and responsibility that defines many Indigenous people’s relationships to their Country, language, Law and other cultural expressions. Keeping company involves a relational complementarity, and invokes principles of the communal and interconnected, over the individual or atomized visions of social and cultural life. This discussion is directly inspired by ethnographic insights gained in working with Yanyuwa, the Indigenous owners of lands and waters in the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory, Australia. Keeping company is one of the ways that Yanyuwa create relational links to one another, to their ancestors, to places, to their heritage, and to nonhuman species. By broadening the ontology of relating, keeping company is taken as the inspiration for reflection on a more expansive field of possibilities in how people interact with and care for their Country as replete with the legacy and influence of their ancestors and old people (a term given to both present day elders and deceased kin). This has bearing on the way that cultural expressions are understood and safeguarded as part of an everyday relational praxis that ensures Indigenous people’s connections to one another, as well as their Law and Country.
Humoral and cellular immunity in patients with rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Authors: Gumber Leher , Gomez Nancy , Hopkins Georgina , Tucis Davis , Bartlett Laura , Ayling Kieran , Vedhara Kavita , Steers Graham , Chakravorty Mithun , Rutter Megan , Jackson Hannah , Tighe Patrick , Ferraro Alastair , Power Sheila , Pradère Marie-Josèphe , Onion David , Lanyon Peter C , Pearce Fiona A , Fairclough Lucy
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Coronavirus 2019 vaccine responses in rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases (RAIRDs) remain poorly understood; in particular there is little known about whether people develop effective T cell responses. We conducted an observational study to evaluate the short-term humoral and cell-mediated T cell response after the second severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination in RAIRD patients compared with healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

Blood samples were collected after the second dose and anti-spike, anti-nucleocapsid antibody levels and SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses were measured and compared with those of HCs. Activation-induced marker and deep phenotyping assays were used to identify differences in T cells between high and no/low antibody groups, followed by multidimensional clustering.

Results

A total of 50 patients with RAIRDs were included (31 with AAV, 4 with other systemic vasculitis, 9 with SLE and 6 with myositis). The median anti-spike levels were significantly lower in RAIRD patients compared with HCs (P < 0.0001). Fifteen (33%) patients had undetectable levels and 26 (57%) had levels lower than the lowest HC. Rituximab in the last 12 months (P = 0.003) was associated with reduced immunogenicity compared with a longer pre-vaccination period. There was a significant difference in B cell percentages (P = 0.03) and spike-specific CD4+ T cells (P = 0.02) between no/low antibody vs high antibody groups. Patients in the no/low antibody group had a higher percentage of terminally differentiated (exhausted) T cells.

Conclusions

Following two doses, most RAIRD patients have lower antibody levels than the lowest HC and lower anti-spike T cells. RAIRD patients with no/low antibodies have diminished numbers and poor quality of memory T cells that lack proliferative and functional capacities.
Development of a Primary Palliative Nursing Care Competence Model and Assessment Tool: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Lippe Megan P. , Davis Andra
Published: October 2022

AIM

The purpose of this study was to develop a new primary palliative nursing care (PPNC) competence model and assessment tool.

BACKGROUND

Consensus guidelines, a national position statement, and new nursing program accreditation standards require nurses to be educated in providing PPNC. A means to assess PPNC competence for prelicensure nursing students and entry-level nurses is needed.

METHOD

The mixed-methods study utilized a three-phase design encompassing in-depth document analysis and expert workgroups; focus groups with palliative care educators, practitioners, and administrators; and stakeholder focus groups.

RESULTS

Findings across all phases resulted in development of a PPNC competence model and assessment tool, each composed of nine domains and associated competency statements.

CONCLUSION

There is a global imperative for nurses to provide high-quality PPNC. Both the model and assessment tool are vital to develop a nursing workforce with the skills to care for persons with serious illness and their families.
Alternative Clinical Learning Experiences for Nursing Education Using Virtual Individual Patients
Authors: Kubin Laura , Fogg Niki , Trinka Michele
Published: October 2022

Acute care pediatric clinical experiences for undergraduate nursing students can present a challenge given the limited availability of clinical sites, increased restrictions, and variations in direct patient care experiences. Unfolding virtual individual patient pediatric simulations were developed using complex pediatric disorders with multiple physiological, psychosocial, and developmental components. Ten unfolding simulations were implemented to standardize clinical experiences and replace clinical hours. Students were evaluated using the Quint Leveled Clinical Competency Tool, demonstrating overall progressing ability to use clinical reasoning skills. Unfolding virtual individual patients allow for deliberate, coordinated, and consistent exposure to clinical experiences and are a valuable substitution for traditional clinicals.
Alarming trends and disparities in high-risk endometrial cancer
Authors: Eakin Cortney M. , Lai Tiffany , Cohen Joshua G.
Published: October 2022

Purpose of review

To summarize the most recent publications highlighting the trends and disparities among patients diagnosed with high-risk endometrial cancer.

Recent findings

Endometrial cancer mortality continues to rise, driven by the increasing incidence of high-risk histologic subtypes that accounts for a disproportionate number of endometrial cancer deaths. The lack of progress made in endometrial cancer treatment, particularly of high-risk histologic subtypes, disproportionately affects black women who are more likely to be diagnosed with these aggressive tumor types. Even when accounting for high-risk histology, various factors across the spectrum of care may influence the survival disparities between black and white women, including timely access to guideline-concordant care, clinical trial enrollment, and systemic racism that impacts cancer outcomes.

In this review, we highlight the disproportionate impact of worsening endometrial cancer mortality and healthcare inequalities contributing to the endometrial cancer survival disparity between black and white women.
Progression of Myopic Maculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Itoi Motohiro , Hieda Osamu , Kusada Natsuki , Miyatani Takafumi , Kojima Kentaro , Sotozono Chie
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for the progression of myopic maculopathy (MM) based on severity.

Methods:

In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature published before December 2020 on the risk factors for the progression of MM in patients with pathologic myopia (PM) and high myopia (HM). Odds ratios (ORs) for different stages of myopic maculopathy categorized based on the International Meta-Analysis for PM (META-PM) classification were calculated using fixed and random effects models.

Results:

A total of 12,070 affected eyes derived from 5 cohort studies were included in the systematic review. The presence of PM at baseline was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of MM progression (pooled ORs: 7.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.29–15.6), and the greater category of MM at baseline was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of MM progression, that is, eyes with MM category 3 or more compared with eyes with MM category 2 (pooled OR: 10.95, 95% CI: 6.07–19.76) and eyes with MM category 4 compared with eyes with MM category 3 (pooled ORs: 2.45, 95% CI: 0.28–21.37).

Conclusions:

The findings in this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the progression of MM is associated with more severe MM at baseline.
Accuracy of neuropathic pain measurements in patients with symptoms of polyneuropathy: validation of painDETECT, Self-Completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, and Douleur Neuropathique 4
Authors: Dunker Øystein , Grotle Margreth , Bu Kvaløy Marie , Uglem Martin , Løseth Sissel , Hjelland Ina Elen , Kleggetveit Inge Petter , Allen Sara Maria , Dehli Vigeland Maria , Munk Killingmo Rikke , Sand Trond , Nilsen Kristian Bernhard
Published: October 2022

Pain is a common symptom in patients referred to polyneuropathy assessment. Diagnostic evaluation and choice of treatment may depend on whether the pain is likely to be neuropathic or not. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of 3 tools commonly used to differentiate between neuropathic and nonneuropathic pain. To accomplish this, we included patients with bilateral distal lower extremity pain, referred to neurological outpatient clinics at 5 Norwegian University hospitals for polyneuropathy assessment. The patients filled in Norwegian versions of painDETECT, the Self-Completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS), and the clinician-rated Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4). All patients underwent a clinical examination and nerve conduction measurements and were classified according to the NeuPSIG neuropathic pain criteria (reference standard). In total, 729 patients were included, of which 63% had neuropathic pain by the reference standard. Only DN4 demonstrated high sensitivity (0.87), whereas all 3 tools had low specificity (≤0.65). Importantly, the tools' predictive ability was unsatisfactory; The probability of getting a correct test result was 3 quarters at best, and at worst, no better than two fifths. Consequently, we show that neither DN4, painDETECT, nor S-LANSS can be confidently used to assess neuropathic pain in a neurological outpatient population with symptoms of polyneuropathy.
Decrease in Health-Related Quality of Life and Post–COVID-19 Syndrome in Health Care Workers After SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: D'Ávila Karen Gomes , Monaiar Luciana Rott , Dantas Lia Dias Pinheiro , Freitas Alana Ambos , Loureiro Marcelle Martinez , Bonamigo Renan Rangel , Dantas Filho Fábio Fernandes , Silva Denise Rossato
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study is to assess the persistence of symptoms, the prevalence of post–COVID-19 syndrome, and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among health care workers (HCWs) 6 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted. All HCWs with confirmed COVID-19 from January to June 2021 were invited to participate. Health-related quality of life was evaluated in three moments: before COVID-19, after COVID-19 (on return to work), and after 6 months. Persistence of symptoms post–COVID-19 was also assessed.

Results

There was a worsening in all dimensions of HRQOL. After 6 months, self-rated health on EuroQol visual analog scale did not return to pre–COVID-19 values. At total, 36.2% of HCWs were diagnosed with post–COVID-19 syndrome.

Conclusions

There was a significant deterioration in HRQOL among HCWs who had COVID-19 and a high frequency of post–COVID-19 syndrome.
What Personal and Work-Related Characteristics of Dutch Construction Workers With Knee Osteoarthritis Are Associated With Future Work Ability?
Authors: De Kock Britte L. , Van der Gragt Jack , Van der Molen Henk F. , Kuijer P. Paul F.M. , Zipfel Nina
Published: October 2022

Objective

To assess personal and work-related characteristics of construction workers with knee osteoarthritis (KO) associated with their ability to perform their current profession in the following 2 years.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed among Dutch construction workers diagnosed with KO using data from the Worker Health Surveillance. Logistic regression was used to assess the characteristics associated with future work ability.

Results

On the basis of 344 construction workers with KO, being able to perform their current profession in 2 years' time was associated with working weekly 36 to 45 hours (odds ratio [OR], 3.0 to 6.3), performing high-intensity exercises 1 to 2 times weekly (OR, 2.0 to 2.6), being younger than 56 years (OR, 0.2 to 0.3), and not performing strenuous work activities such as lifting and kneeling (OR, 0.4 to 0.5).

Conclusions

To keep construction workers with KO at work, intervention studies should evaluate the effects of reducing strenuous work activities and promote leisure-time exercise.
Safety and Effectiveness of Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Combined With Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Ferrari Fiorenza , Manera Miriam , Villa Gianluca , De Silvestri Annalisa , Bianchi Bosisio Nicholas Simone Manuel , Guglielmi Angelo , Mazza Giovanni , Colombo Costanza , D’Auria Luigi , Rampino Teresa , Belliato Mirko
Published: October 2022

Patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) often suffer from acute kidney injury (AKI), requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In our clinical practice, we connected the inlet line of a CRRT machine to the postoxygenator Luer port and the outlet line to the inlet Luer port of the oxygenator. In this case series, we analyzed the interaction between the two machines. Between December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 patients from the ICU of the San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy. All of them suffered from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and AKI stage 3. We analyzed 570 hours of CRRT combined with venovenous ECMO and collected 261,751 CRRT data. No discontinuation of CRRT occurred before 48 hours. Most of the alarms occurred within 24 hours of the connection: 22/10,831 (0.2%) showed an outranged inlet pressure, 11/10831 (0.11%) showed an outranged transmembrane pressure, 14/10,831 (0.13%) showed an outranged inlet pressure, and 138/10,831 (1.27%) an outranged effluent pressure.

The rate per minute set for the ECMO circuit was correlated with the inlet (β = 5.38; CI, 95% 1.42–9.35; p = 0.008), transmembrane (β = 4.6; CI, 95% 1.97–7.24; p = 0.001), effluent (β = 3.02; CI, 95% 1.15–4.90; p = 0.002), and outlet pressures (β = 597; CI, 95% 2.31–9.63; p = 0.001) of the CRRT circuit. We reported that our configuration could be safe and effective, however well-designed studies would be beneficial for determining the potential risks and benefits.
Who should be referred for a CT coronary calcium score? Introducing a simple patient risk questionnaire combining traditional and novel risk factors
Authors: Fenton Stephen M. , Arora Millie , Gransar Heidi , Berman Daniel S. , Wong Nathan D.
Published: October 2022

Background

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of death. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) strongly predicts the risk of ASCVD. There is a need to know who would benefit most from CAC scanning.

Objectives

We examined the utility of a new, simple, easy-to-use, and interactive patient risk questionnaire (PRQ), incorporating both traditional and non-traditional risk factors to identify those most likely to benefit from CAC scanning.

Methods

Data from the EISNER Study was used to study the PRQ in relation to the extent of CAC and whether it added incremental value over the Pooled Cohort Risk Score (PCRS) for identifying CAC.

Results

Among 1332 participants a mean PRQ score of 5.6 ± 1.7 was obtained. Negative scans ranged from 95.5% for PRQ scores of 0–1 to only 32.5% for those with a PRQ score of 8. A PRQ score of 3 or more was shown to be associated with a 54% prevalence of CAC. The frequency of a CAC score >=100 was 0 with PRQ = 0–1 and 36% in patients with PRQ = 8. The cNRI of the PRQ score over the PCRS in predicting the presence of CAC was 0.20 (95% CI, 0.09– 0.30; P = 0.0004), mainly due to down-stratifying risk

Conclusions

A unique and simple PRQ identifies those most likely to have a positive CAC scan and may be useful to predict who will benefit most from CAC scanning, allowing for its use in those patients who are most appropriate.
HIV screening and linkage to care in a health department in Valencia, Spain: Lessons learned from a healthcare quality improvement project
Authors: Ortega-Gonzalez Enrique , Martínez-Roma María , Dolores Ocete María , Jimeno Concepción , Fornos Antonio , Esteban Amparo , Martinez Magdalena , Valero Carmen , Gómez-Muñoz Neus , Carrodeguas Alba , Medina Diogo , Garcia-Deltoro Miguel
Published: October 2022

Spain’s rate of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses exceeds that of the European Economic Area average (8.6 vs 5.6:100,000 in 2018). The country has failed to meet the first of United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets for HIV control by 2020, with 87.0% of people living with HIV knowing their status, and late presentation rates of 47.6% and 51.5% country-wide and in the Valencian autonomous community, respectively. Advancing screening and linkage to care (SLTC) practices is necessary to effectively control the epidemic. The Valencia Viral Screening (CRIVALVIR) project adopted the TEST model for opportunistic and systematic HIV SLTC in individuals aged 18 to 80 who required blood work for any purpose, as of February 2019. SLTC was integrated into routine clinical workflow across primary care centers serving a population of 360,000 people in Valencia, Spain. Our project successfully upscaled total HIV testing by 194% to over 32,000 patients tested in 14 months. We found an overall prevalence of 0.13% (0.08–0.21) among those screened per protocol (n = 13,061), with foreign-born citizens presenting a 12.5 times significantly higher likelihood of acquiring HIV (95% confidence interval 4.63–33.96, P < .0001). We improved late presentation by 18.2 percentage points and prevented an estimated 58 to 70 new secondary infections. HIV screening of the general population in primary care is an effective strategy for achieving timely diagnosis and preventing new infections. Opportunistic, systematic, opt-out approaches are essential to control the HIV epidemic.
Effect of unifaceted and multifaceted interventions on antibiotic prescription control for respiratory diseases: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chang Yue , Cui Zhezhe , He Xun , Zhou Xunrong , Zhou Hanni , Fan Xingying , Wang Wenju , Yang Guanghong
Published: October 2022

Background:

The global health system is improperly using antibiotics, particularly in the treatment of respiratory diseases. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of implementing a unifaceted and multifaceted intervention for unreasonable antibiotic prescriptions.

Methods:

Relevant literature published in the databases of Pubmed, Embase, Science Direct, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang was searched. Data were independently filtered and extracted by 2 reviewers based on a pre-designed inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Cochrane collaborative bias risk tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included randomized controlled trials studies.

Results:

A total of 1390 studies were obtained of which 23 studies the outcome variables were antibiotic prescription rates with the number of prescriptions and intervention details were included in the systematic review. Twenty-two of the studies involved educational interventions for doctors, including: online training using email, web pages and webinar, antibiotic guidelines for information dissemination measures by email, postal or telephone reminder, training doctors in communication skills, short-term interactive educational seminars, and short-term field training sessions. Seventeen studies of interventions for health care workers also included: regular or irregular assessment/audit of antibiotic prescriptions, prescription recommendations from experts and peers delivered at a meeting or online, publicly reporting on doctors’ antibiotic usage to patients, hospital administrators, and health authorities, monitoring/feedback prescribing behavior to general practices by email or poster, and studies involving patients and their families (n = 8). Twenty-one randomized controlled trials were rated as having a low risk of bias while 2 randomized controlled trials were rated as having a high risk of bias. Six studies contained negative results.

Conclusion:

The combination of education, prescription audit, prescription recommendations from experts, public reporting, prescription feedback and patient or family member multifaceted interventions can effectively reduce antibiotic prescription rates in health care institutions. Moreover, adding multifaceted interventions to educational interventions can control antibiotic prescription rates and may be a more reasonable method.

Registrations:

This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42020192560.