bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Splanchnic‐cerebral oxygenation ratio associated with packed red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants
Authors: Balegar V Kiran Kumar , Jayawardhana Madhuka , de Chazal Philip , Nanan Ralph Kay Heinrich
Published: October 2022

Background

Splanchnic‐cerebral oxygenation ratio (SCOR), the ratio of splanchnic tissue oxygen (StO2s) to simultaneously measured cerebral tissue oxygen (StO2c), has been described as a surrogate to detect impaired splanchnic oxygenation associated with hypoperfusion status such as necrotizing enterocolitis. This concept is based on the presumption that any change in SCOR indicates a corresponding change in splanchnic tissue oxygenation as the numerator, whereas cerebral tissue oxygenation as the denominator remains stable. However, it is questionable to utilise this concept to detect splanchnic oxygenation changes in the context of packed red blood cell transfusion (PRBCT).

Aim

The current study examines the contribution of both cerebral and splanchnic oxygenation components to PRBCT‐associated SCOR changes in preterm infants.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Neonatal intensive care.

Patients

Hemodynamically stable infants: Gestation <32 weeks; birth weight <1500 g; postmenstrual age <37 weeks: tolerating ≥120 ml/kg/day feed volume.

Interventions

PRBCT at 15 ml/kg, over 4 h.

Main Outcome Measures

Transfusion‐associated changes were determined by performing mixed models for repeated measures analysis between the 4‐h mean pre‐transfusion values (SCOR 0, StO2s 0, and StO2c 0) and the post‐transfusion hourly mean values for the next 28 h (SCOR 1–28, StO2s 1–28, and StO2c 1–28). Dunnett's method was used to adjust for the multiplicity of the p value.

Results

Of 30 enrolled infants 14 [46.7%] male; median [IQR] birth weight, 923 [655–1064] g; gestation, 26.4 [25.5–28.1] weeks; enrolment weight, 1549 [1113–1882] g; and postmenstrual age, 33.6 [32.4–35.0] weeks, one infant was excluded because of corrupted NIRS data. With the commencement of PRBCT, SCOR demonstrated a downward trend throughout the study period. This drift was associated with an increasing StO2c trend, while StO2s remained unchanged throughout the study period.

Conclusions and Relevance

PRBCT‐associated SCOR decrease suggests improvement in cerebral oxygenation rather than worsening splanchnic oxygenation. Our study underlines that it is necessary to determine individual components of SCOR, namely cerebral and splanchnic StO2 to understand SCOR changes in the context of PRBCT.
Characteristics of Self-Excited Vibration of Vertical Rotating Shaft System Considering Amplitude Dependent Nonlinearity of Sliding Bearing
Authors: Watanabe Yusuke , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2022

Journal sliding bearings are often used to support rotating machinery to add damping and increase load capacity. These bearings have strong nonlinearities that can cause vibration problems. Various studies have been conducted on vibration phenomena caused by nonlinearities in journal sliding bearings. However, most of these studies have been on horizontally supported rotating machines. Some of these techniques are difficult to apply to vertically supported rotating machines. The most significant difference between horizontal and vertical support is that the weight of the rotor does not act on the journal sliding bearing in the case of vertical support. Therefore, it is not appropriate to use the horizontal journal sliding bearing theory based on the equilibrium point for the vertical shaft rather it should be considered based on the whirling orbit. In this paper, the nonlinear rotor dynamics of vertical rotating machines with journal sliding bearings are investigated and evaluated by theoretical and numerical analyses and experiments of a simple vertical rotating shaft. As a result, some new destabilization and stabilization phenomena are found in the vertical shaft system, and it is clarified that they cannot be predicted by the conventional linear analysis around the equilibrium point but can be predicted by the nonlinear dynamical analysis of the whirling orbit. Particularly, these destabilization and stabilization phenomena of the vertical shaft system are strongly affected by the magnitude of the vibration in the journal sliding bearing due to its nonlinearity, and the unbalance of the rotating body can be a parameter to control them.
Locating my pou
Authors: Oatley Vanessa
Published: October 2022

The following is a critically reflective narrative describing the events that led me to begin my PhD research on how Pākehā statutory care and protection social workers can improve their practice with whānau Māori. Storying and metaphor are used to capture the framework of ideas that underpin and drive my research process.
Social work student hardship
Authors: Cox Kendra , Beddoe Liz , Ide Yayoi
Published: October 2022

INTRODUCTION: Student hardship in social work has become the subject of research in recent years. Social work students face particular challenges because of the financial, social and emotional demands of long, unpaid, clinical placements.
APPROACH: This article reports on a literature review conducted prior to a mixed-methods study commenced in 2019. This review informed the development of a survey of social work students and recent graduates and a set of qualitative interviews that will be reported elsewhere. A further review was conducted in July 2021 to inform the analysis.
FINDINGS: A recurring theme throughout much of the reviewed social work literature examined for this project has been the intensity of struggle that students face in their study. Across the reviewed literature, students, educators, and researchers suggest interventions to reduce hardship. Gaps remain in our understanding of the intersectional factors of ethnicity, gender and disability and, in particular, the impact on Aotearoa New Zealand students.
Registered social workers' supervision across areas of practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: O'Donoghue Kieran
Published: October 2022

INTRODUCTION: This article examines the supervisory experiences and views of registered social workers across the practice areas of statutory services, health and non-government organisations (NGOs.) The article aims to establish a baseline for supervision across areas of practice in Aotearoa New Zealand and discuss the implications any differences have for the supervision of registered social workers.METHODS: Demographic data from 266 postal survey respondents was descriptively analysed. A one-way ANOVA and Tamhane T2 post hoc tests were applied using IBM SPSS 24 to explore variances in means for the independent variable of Area of Practice across 10 scales about the respondents’ supervision experiences.FINDINGS: Differences were identified in the workforce profile of each area, and there were significant differences in supervisees’ experiences of supervision across areas of practice which reflected each area’s different supervision culture, policy, and practices. The findings show that supervision in health and NGO areas was more professional, clinical, cultural, reflective and involved more positive content within a more constructive supervision climate than supervision in the statutory area.CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference was found between the quality of supervision experienced by social workers in health and NGOs and their statutory social work colleagues. This needs to be addressed through changing the supervision climate, developing supervisor capability and the uncluttering of supervision through separating professional/clinical supervision from line management. This study provides a foundation for further research that compares supervision across practice areas.
1000 spider silkomes: Linking sequences to silk physical properties
Authors: Arakawa Kazuharu , Kono Nobuaki , Malay Ali D. , Tateishi Ayaka , Ifuku Nao , Masunaga Hiroyasu , Sato Ryota , Tsuchiya Kousuke , Ohtoshi Rintaro , Pedrazzoli Daniel , Shinohara Asaka , Ito Yusuke , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Tanikawa Akio , Suzuki Yuya , Ichikawa Takeaki , Fujita Shohei , Fujiwara Masayuki , Tomita Masaru , Blamires Sean J. , Chuah Jo-Ann , Craig Hamish , Foong Choon P. , Greco Gabriele , Guan Juan , Holland Chris , Kaplan David L. , Sudesh Kumar , Mandal Biman B. , Norma-Rashid Y. , Oktaviani Nur A. , Preda Rucsanda C. , Pugno Nicola M. , Rajkhowa Rangam , Wang Xiaoqin , Yazawa Kenjiro , Zheng Zhaozhu , Numata Keiji
Published: October 2022

Spider silks are among the toughest known materials and thus provide models for renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable biopolymers. However, the entirety of their diversity still remains elusive, and silks that exceed the performance limits of industrial fibers are constantly being found. We obtained transcriptome assemblies from 1098 species of spiders to comprehensively catalog silk gene sequences and measured the mechanical, thermal, structural, and hydration properties of the dragline silks of 446 species. The combination of these silk protein genotype-phenotype data revealed essential contributions of multicomponent structures with major ampullate spidroin 1 to 3 paralogs in high-performance dragline silks and numerous amino acid motifs contributing to each of the measured properties. We hope that our global sampling, comprehensive testing, integrated analysis, and open data will provide a solid starting point for future biomaterial designs.
In-line miniature 3D-printed pressure-cycled ventilator maintains respiratory homeostasis in swine with induced acute pulmonary injury
Authors: Pritchard William F. , Karanian John W. , Jung Chris , Bakhutashvili Ivane , Reed Sheridan L. , Starost Matthew F. , Froelke Brian R. , Barnes Teresa R. , Stevenson Duncan , Mendoza Artemio , Eckstein David J. , Wood Bradford J. , Walsh Brian K. , Mannes Andrew J.
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for inexpensive, easy-to-use, rapidly mass-produced resuscitation devices that could be quickly distributed in areas of critical need. In-line miniature ventilators based on principles of fluidics ventilate patients by automatically oscillating between forced inspiration and assisted expiration as airway pressure changes, requiring only a continuous supply of pressurized oxygen. Here, we designed three miniature ventilator models to operate in specific pressure ranges along a continuum of clinical lung injury (mild, moderate, and severe injury). Three-dimensional (3D)–printed prototype devices evaluated in a lung simulator generated airway pressures, tidal volumes, and minute ventilation within the targeted range for the state of lung disease each was designed to support. In testing in domestic swine before and after induction of pulmonary injury, the ventilators for mild and moderate injury met the design criteria when matched with the appropriate degree of lung injury. Although the ventilator for severe injury provided the specified design pressures, respiratory rate was elevated with reduced minute ventilation, a result of lung compliance below design parameters. Respiratory rate reflected how well each ventilator matched the injury state of the lungs and could guide selection of ventilator models in clinical use. This simple device could help mitigate shortages of conventional ventilators during pandemics and other disasters requiring rapid access to advanced airway management, or in transport applications for hands-free ventilation.
Translating musculoskeletal bioengineering into tissue regeneration therapies
Authors: Khodabukus Alastair , Guyer Tyler , Moore Axel C. , Stevens Molly M. , Guldberg Robert E. , Bursac Nenad
Published: October 2022

Musculoskeletal injuries and disorders are the leading cause of physical disability worldwide and a considerable socioeconomic burden. The lack of effective therapies has driven the development of novel bioengineering approaches that have recently started to gain clinical approvals. In this review, we first discuss the self-repair capacity of the musculoskeletal tissues and describe causes of musculoskeletal dysfunction. We then review the development of novel biomaterial, immunomodulatory, cellular, and gene therapies to treat musculoskeletal disorders. Last, we consider the recent regulatory changes and future areas of technological progress that can accelerate translation of these therapies to clinical practice.
3D-bioprinted human tissue and the path toward clinical translation
Authors: Bliley Jacqueline M. , Shiwarski Daniel J. , Feinberg Adam W.
Published: October 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a transformative technology for engineering tissues for disease modeling and drug screening and building tissues and organs for repair, regeneration, and replacement. In this Viewpoint, we discuss technological advances in 3D bioprinting, key remaining challenges, and essential milestones toward clinical translation.
Development and Evaluation of Antigen-Specific Dual Matrix
Pestivirus K
ELISAs Using Longitudinal Known Infectious Status Samples
Authors: Arruda Bailey L. , Falkenberg Shollie , Mora-Díaz Juan-Carlos , Matias Ferreyra Franco S. , Magtoto Ronaldo , Giménez-Lirola Luis
Published: October 2022

Pestivirus K
, commonly known as atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV), is the most common cause of congenital tremor (CT) in pigs. Currently, there is limited information on the infection dynamics of and immune response against APPV and no robust serologic assay to assess the effectiveness of preventative measures.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. Strains MWU12-2319 and MWU12-2311, Isolated from a Wild Cranberry Bog in the Cape Cod National Seashore
Authors: Pittman Arin , Soby Scott
Published: October 2022

Pseudomonas
sp. strains MWU12-2319 and MWU12-2311 were isolated from the soil of a wild cranberry bog in the Cape Cod National Seashore as part of a culture-dependent bacterial population survey. The genomes exceed 7 Mbp and contain putative gene clusters for the biosurfactant orfamides A and C.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Yeast Blastobotrys aristata Strain UCD613, Isolated from Soil in Ireland
Authors: Don Aida , Byrne Kevin P. , Alqaderi Fouz , Mazhova Alexandra , O’Leary Chaney Ben , Redmond Sarah , Allen Stephen , Gao Jiaran , Ó Cinnéide Eoin , Bergin Sean A. , Hession Conor , Wolfe Kenneth H. , Butler Geraldine
Published: October 2022

Blastobotrys aristata
is a member of the Trichomonascaceae family in the order Saccharomycetales. Here, we present the genome sequence of
B. aristata
UCD613, which was isolated from soil in Dublin, Ireland. This genome is 13.3 Mb and was assembled into 4 chromosome-size scaffolds of >2.2 Mb in size plus a mitochondrial genome scaffold.
Social communication skill attainment in babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic: a birth cohort study
Authors: Byrne Susan , Sledge Hailey , Franklin Ruth , Boland Fiona , Murray Deirdre M , Hourihane Jonathan
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic was managed with sustained mass lockdowns to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection. Babies born during the early stages of the pandemic missed the opportunity of meeting a normal social circle of people outside the family home.

Methods

We compared 10 parentally reported developmental milestones at 12-month assessment in a cohort of 309 babies born at the onset of the pandemic (CORAL cohort) and 1629 babies from a historical birth cohort (BASELINE cohort recruited between 2008 and 2011).

Results

Compared with a historical cohort, babies born into lockdown appeared to have some deficits in social communication. Fewer infants in the pandemic cohort had one definite and meaningful word (76.6% vs 89.3%), could point (83.8% vs 92.8%) or wave bye-bye (87.7% vs 94.4%) at 12-month assessment. Adjusted log-binomial regression analyses demonstrated significant differences in social communication in the CORAL cohort compared with the BASELINE cohort: one definite and meaningful word (relative risk (RR): 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.92)), pointing (RR: 0.91 (95% CI: 0.86 to 0.96)) and waving bye-bye (RR: 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90 to 0.99)).

Discussion

Parentally reported developmental outcomes in a birth cohort of babies born into lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic may indicate some potential deficits in early life social communication. It must be noted that milestones are parentally reported and comparison is with a historical cohort with associated limitations. Further studies with standardised testing is required to validate these findings.

Conclusion

Pandemic-associated social isolation may have impacted on the social communication skills in babies born during the pandemic compared with a historical cohort. Babies are resilient and inquisitive by nature, and it is hoped that with societal re-emergence and increase in social circles, their social communication skills will improve.
Effect of mindfulness-based programmes on elite athlete mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Myall Kearnan , Montero-Marin Jesus , Gorczynski Paul , Kajee Nabeela , Syed Sheriff Rebecca , Bernard Robert , Harriss Eli , Kuyken Willem
Published: October 2022

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) on the mental health of elite athletes.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Eight online databases (Embase, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Google Scholar), plus forward and backward searching from included studies and previous systematic reviews.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared an MBP against a control, in current or former elite athletes.

Results

Of 2386 articles identified, 12 RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, comprising a total of 614 elite athletes (314 MBPs and 300 controls). Overall, MBPs improved mental health, with large significant pooled effect sizes for reducing symptoms of anxiety (hedgesg=−0.87, number of studies (n)=6, p=0.017,I2=90) and stress (g=−0.91, n=5, p=0.012,I2=74) and increasing psychological well-being (g=0.96, n=5, p=0.039.,I2=89). Overall, the risk of bias and certainty of evidence was moderate, and all findings were subject to high estimated levels of heterogeneity.

Conclusion

MBPs improved several mental health outcomes. Given the moderate degree of evidence, high-quality, adequately powered trials are required in the future. These studies should emphasise intervention fidelity, teacher competence and scalability within elite sport.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020176654.
COVID-19 susceptibility and severity risks in a cross-sectional survey of over 500 000 US adults
Authors: Knight Spencer C , McCurdy Shannon R , Rhead Brooke , Coignet Marie V , Park Danny S , Roberts Genevieve H L , Berkowitz Nathan D , Zhang Miao , Turissini David , Delgado Karen , Pavlovic Milos ,   AncestryDNA Science Team, Haug Baltzell Asher K , Guturu Harendra , Rand Kristin A , Girshick Ahna R , Hong Eurie L , Ball Catherine A
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The enormous toll of the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the urgency of collecting and analysing population-scale datasets in real time to monitor and better understand the evolving pandemic. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship of risk factors to COVID-19 susceptibility and severity and to develop risk models to accurately predict COVID-19 outcomes using rapidly obtained self-reported data.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

AncestryDNA customers in the USA who consented to research.

Participants

The AncestryDNA COVID-19 Study collected self-reported survey data on symptoms, outcomes, risk factors and exposures for over 563 000 adult individuals in the USA in just under 4 months, including over 4700 COVID-19 cases as measured by a self-reported positive test.

Results

We replicated previously reported associations between several risk factors and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity outcomes, and additionally found that differences in known exposures accounted for many of the susceptibility associations. A notable exception was elevated susceptibility for men even after adjusting for known exposures and age (adjusted OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.19 to 1.55). We also demonstrated that self-reported data can be used to build accurate risk models to predict individualised COVID-19 susceptibility (area under the curve (AUC)=0.84) and severity outcomes including hospitalisation and critical illness (AUC=0.87 and 0.90, respectively). The risk models achieved robust discriminative performance across different age, sex and genetic ancestry groups within the study.

Conclusions

The results highlight the value of self-reported epidemiological data to rapidly provide public health insights into the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluating the association between urine drug screening frequency and retention in opioid agonist treatment in Ontario, Canada: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Morin Kristen A , Dabous John R , Vojtesek Frank , Marsh David
Published: October 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate how urine drug screening (UDS) frequency is associated with retention in opioid agonist treatment (OAT).

Methods

Data for this retrospective cohort study of 55 921 adults in OAT in Ontario, Canada, were derived from administrative sources between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2015. All patient information was linked anonymously across databases using encrypted health card numbers. Descriptive statistics were calculated for comparing UDS frequency groups using standardised differences (d) where d less than 10% indicated a statistically significant difference. A logistic regression model was then used to calculate ORs adjusting for baseline covariates, including sex, age, location of residence, income quintile, mental disorders, HIV status and deep tissue infections.

Results

Over 70% of the cohort had four or more UDS tests per month (weekly or more UDS). Significant associations were observed between UDS frequency and 1-year treatment retention in OAT biweekly (adjusted OR (aOR)=3.20, 95% CI 2.75 to 3.75); weekly UDS (aOR=6.86, 95% CI 5.88 to 8.00) and more than weekly (aOR=8.03, 95% CI 6.87 to 9.38) using the monthly or less groups as the reference.

Conclusion

This study identified an association between weekly UDS and 1-year treatment retention in OAT. There is an active discussion within Canada about the utility of UDS. The lack of evidence for the impact of UDS on retention has left it open to some to argue they simply provide a barrier to patient engagement. Therefore, it is timely of this study to demonstrate that more frequent urine testing is not associated with a reduction in treatment retention.
Protocol for a multicentre, parallel, randomised, controlled trial on the effect of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on health, obesity and safety in overweight adults and children: the SWEET project
Authors: Kjølbæk Louise , Manios Yannis , Blaak Ellen E , Martínez J. Alfredo , Feskens Edith J M , Finlayson Graham , Andersen Sabina S H , Reppas Kyriakos , Navas-Carretero Santiago , Adam Tanja C , Hodgkins Charo E , del Álamo Marta , Lam Tony , Moshoyiannis Hariklia , Halford Jason C G , Harrold Joanne A , Raben Anne
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate whether prolonged consumption of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SEs) within a healthy diet will improve weight loss maintenance and obesity-related risk factors and affect safety markers compared with sugar.

Methods and analysis

SWEET (S&SEs: prolonged effects on health, obesity and safety) is a 1-year multicentre RCT including at least 330 adults with overweight (18–65 years, body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2) and 40 children (6–12 years, BMI-for-age >85th percentile). In an initial 2-month period, adults will consume a low-energy diet with the aim to achieve ≥5% weight loss. Children are advised to consume a generally healthy diet to maintain body weight, thus reducing their BMI-for-age z-score. In the following 10 months, participants will be randomised to follow a healthy ad libitum diet with or without S&SE products. Clinical investigations are scheduled at baseline, after 2, 6 and 12 months. The primary outcomes are body weight for efficacy and gut microbiota composition (in relation to metabolic health) for safety, both in adults. Secondary outcomes include anthropometry, risk markers for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, questionnaires including, for example, food preferences, craving and appetite and tests for allergenicity.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial protocol has been approved by the following national ethical committees; The research ethics committees of the capital region (Denmark), approval code: H-19040679, The medical ethics committee of the University Hospital Maastricht and Maastricht University (the Netherlands), approval code: NL70977.068.19/METC19-056s, Research Ethics Committee of the University of Navarra (Spain), approval code: 2019.146 mod1, Research Ethics Committee of Harokopio University (Greece), approval code: 1810/18-06-2019. The trial will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results will be published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals regardless of whether the findings are positive, negative or inconclusive.

Trial registration number

NCT04226911(Clinicaltrials.gov)
Association between the interval of worksite dental check-ups and dental and medical expenditures: a single-site, 12-year follow-up study in Japan
Authors: Ichihashi Toru , Goto Ayae , Myagmar-Ochir Enkhtuguldur , Haruyama Yasuo , Muto Takashi , Kobashi Gen
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify the effective intervals of worksite dental check-ups to reduce cumulative dental expenditures (CDEs) and cumulative medical expenditures (CMEs), based on 12 years of follow-up dental check-ups.

Setting, design and participants

A longitudinal study was conducted between 2002 and 2014 fiscal years. A total of 2691 full-time employees (2099 males and 592 females) aged 20–59 years in a manufacturing company in Japan were recruited.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Based on the follow-up of 12-year dental check-ups, the interval of dental check-ups visits was classified into the following categories: ‘Once per year’ as the regular group, ‘At least once per 2 years’ as the subregular group and others as the irregular group. CDEs and CMEs per capita were examined by the three groups of dental check-ups interval after adjustment for sex, age, occupation and total CMEs at baseline. For sensitivity analysis, decayed teeth, missing teeth and Community Periodontal Index were added as adjustment factors.

Results

Compared with the irregular group, the pooled CDEs (including dental check-ups fee) per capita in the subregular group (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.98) and regular group (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.93) were significantly lower overall. The younger adults in the subregular group and younger-aged and middle-aged adults in the regular group had significantly lower CDEs. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that regular and subregular worksite dental check-ups were related to reduction of CDEs. It is important to promote a yearly interval between dental check-ups.
Use of mHealth tools to register birth outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Cansdale Lottie Grace , Kelly Gabriella , Khashan Ali , Malata Address , Kachale Fannie , Lissauer David , Yosefe Simeon , Roberts James , Woodworth Simon , Mmbaga Blandina , Redman Christopher , Hirst Jane Elizabeth
Published: October 2022

Objective

Accurate reporting of birth outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) is essential. Mobile health (mHealth) tools have been proposed as a replacement for conventional paper-based registers. mHealth could provide timely data for individual facilities and health departments, as well as capture deliveries outside facilities. This scoping review evaluates which mHealth tools have been reported to birth outcomes in the delivering room in LMICs and documents their reported advantages and drawbacks.

Design

A scoping review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews and the mHealth evidence reporting and assessment checklist for evaluating mHealth interventions.

Data sources

PubMed, CINAHL and Global Health were searched for records until 3 February 2022 with no earliest date limit.

Eligibility criteria

Studies were included where healthcare workers used mHealth tools in LMICs to record birth outcomes. Exclusion criteria included mHealth not being used at the point of delivery, non-peer reviewed literature and studies not written in English.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted data. Common themes among studies were identified.

Results

640 records were screened, 21 of which met the inclusion criteria, describing 15 different mHealth tools. We identified six themes: (1) digital tools for labour monitoring (8 studies); (2) digital data collection of specific birth outcomes (3 studies); (3) digital technologies used in community settings (6 studies); (4) attitudes of healthcare workers (10 studies); (5) paper versus electronic data collection (3 studies) and (6) infrastructure, interoperability and sustainability (8 studies).

Conclusion

Several mHealth technologies are reported to have the capability to record birth outcomes at delivery, but none were identified that were designed solely for that purpose. Use of digital delivery registers appears feasible and acceptable to healthcare workers, but definitive evaluations are lacking. Further assessment of the sustainability of technologies and their ability to integrate with existing health information systems is needed.
Identifying gaps in global evidence for nurse staffing and patient care outcomes research in low/middle-income countries: an umbrella review
Authors: Imam Abdulazeez , Obiesie Sopuruchukwu , Aluvaala Jalemba , Maina Jackson Michuki , Gathara David , English Mike
Published: October 2022

Objective

To identify nurse staffing and patient care outcome literature in published systematic reviews and map out the evidence gaps for low/middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

We included quantitative systematic reviews on nurse staffing levels and patient care outcomes in regular ward settings published in English. We excluded qualitative reviews or reviews on nursing skill mix. We searched the Cochrane Register of Systematic Reviews, the Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, Medline, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature from inception until July 2021. We used the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews -2 (AMSTAR-2) criteria for risk of bias assessment and conducted a narrative synthesis.

Results

From 843 papers, we included 14 in our final synthesis. There were overlaps in primary studies summarised across reviews, but overall, the reviews summarised 136 unique primary articles. Only 4 out of 14 reviews had data on LMIC publications and only 9 (6.6%) of 136 unique primary articles were conducted in LMICs. Only 8 of 23 patient care outcomes were reported from LMICs. Less research was conducted in contexts with staffing levels that are typical of many LMIC contexts.

Discussion

Our umbrella review identified very limited data for nurse staffing and patient care outcomes in LMICs. We also identified data from high-income countries might not be good proxies for LMICs as staffing levels where this research was conducted had comparatively better staffing levels than the few LMIC studies. This highlights a critical need for the conduct of nurse staffing research in LMIC contexts.

Limitations

We included data on systematic reviews that scored low on our risk of bias assessment because we sought to provide a broad description of the research area. We only considered systematic reviews published in English and did not include any qualitative reviews in our synthesis.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021286908.
Protocol for an open-label, single-arm, multicentre clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in the first episode of paediatric idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Liu Jialu , Shen Qian , Xie Li , Wang Jiyang , Li Yaxuan , Chen Jing , Fang Xiaoyan , Tang Xiaoshan , Qian Biyun , Xu Hong
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Rituximab (RTX) effectively prevents relapses in patients with complicated steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). The 1-year relapse-free survival rate is approximately 30% in children after the first episode of SSNS treated with standardised corticosteroids. Whether the benefits of RTX extend to the first relapse are unknown. The efficacy and safety of RTX in the first episode of paediatric idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (RTXFIRPedINS) trial (NCT04783675) will assess its effect on the risk of subsequent relapse.

Methods and analysis

RTXFIRPedINS is an open-label, single-arm, multicentre trial targeting patients aged 1–18 years with a first episode of SSNS. All patients will receive standardised corticosteroid treatment for 12 weeks. A sample size of 44 patients provides 80% power to detect a 20% increase in the 1-year relapse-free rate, assuming a dropout rate of 10%. After obtaining informed consent and screening, eligible patients will be treated with a single intravenous infusion of 375 mg/m2RTX within 1 week after achieving remission. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole will be administered for 3 months after RTX administration to preventPneumocystis cariniiinfection. The follow-up period will be 1 year. The primary outcome is the 1-year relapse-free survival rate after RTX infusion. The secondary study outcomes are the number of days from the infusion of RTX to the occurrence of the first relapse, 6-month relapse-free survival rate, the B cell recovery time and treatment-related adverse events. Immunological factors will be studied as predictors of response.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and seven local ethics committees. We will publish our study results in peer-reviewed journals and present them at international scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT04783675
Time-out in prolonged labour: development of a care model to prevent secondary fear of childbirth
Authors: Ringqvist Anna-Karin , Bergqvist Liselotte , Brezicka Thomas , Lundgren Ingela
Published: October 2022

Background

During qualitative improvement work, the statistics at the hospital reveal prolonged labour as one of the major causes of secondary fear of childbirth (FOC). The aim of this improvement work was to develop and implement a care process for prolonged labour to prevent secondary FOC.

Materials and methods

To explore the factors behind secondary FOC among multiparous women, a follow-up of referral reasons for 600 women with severe FOC was made between 2015 and 2017 at a Swedish University Hospital. In the group with the most common factor, namely prolonged labour, 41 women were interviewed. From their answers, further research and existing professional knowledge, a care process to prevent secondary FOC was designed, ‘Time-out in prolonged labour’ (the Time-out). To improve the quality of the care process, the functional resonance analysis method was used. The findings from the interviews were categorised into three themes: lack of involvement; lack of communication and information; and lack of care plan. The women explained that if these areas had been fulfilled, it may have reduced their FOC.

Result

To prevent the above-mentioned themes, ‘Time-out in prolonged labour’ was developed with supporting factors such as gathering the interprofessional team, collecting information, dialogue within the team and the involvement of the women when deciding the care plan. Result after implementation shows a reduction of referral reason due to prolonged labour for women with severe FOC from 28% in 2016 to 8.5% in 2020.

Conclusions

The Time-out is a good model to prevent secondary FOC. Central aspects of the model are to ensure women’s involvement, good communication and a documented care plan for women in prolonged labour. The supporting factor of interprofessional teamwork is of importance when using the Time-out in practice.
Mechanical thrombectomy in minor stroke due to isolated M2 occlusion: a multicenter retrospective matched analysis
Authors: Alexandre Andrea M , Colò Francesca , Brunetti Valerio , Valente Iacopo , Frisullo Giovanni , Pedicelli Alessandro , Scarcia Luca , Rollo Claudia , Falcou Anne , Milonia Luca , Andrighetti Marco , Piano Mariangela , Macera Antonio , Commodaro Christian , Ruggiero Maria , Da Ros Valerio , Bellini Luigi , Lazzarotti Guido A , Cosottini Mirco , Caragliano Armando A , Vinci Sergio L , Gabrieli Joseph D , Causin Francesco , Panni Pietro , Roveri Luisa , Limbucci Nicola , Arba Francesco , Pileggi Marco , Bianco Giovanni , Romano Daniele G , Diana Francesco , Semeraro Vittorio , Burdi Nicola , Ganimede Maria P , Lozupone Emilio , Fasano Antonio , Lafe Elvis , Cavallini Anna , Russo Riccardo , Bergui Mauro , Calabresi Paolo , Della Marca Giacomo , Broccolini Aldobrando
Published: October 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with isolated M2 occlusion and minor symptoms and identify possible baseline predictors of clinical outcome.

Methods

The databases of 16 high-volume stroke centers were retrospectively screened for consecutive patients with isolated M2 occlusion and a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤5 who received either early MT (eMT) or best medical management (BMM) with the possibility of rescue MT (rMT) on early neurological worsening. Because our patients were not randomized, we used propensity score matching (PSM) to estimate the treatment effect of eMT compared with the BMM/rMT. The primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0–1.

Results

388 patients were initially selected and, after PSM, 100 pairs of patients receiving eMT or BMM/rMT were available for analysis. We found no significant differences in clinical outcome and in safety measures between patients receiving eMT or BMM/rMT. Similar results were also observed after comparison between eMT and rMT. Concerning baseline predicting factors of outcome, the involvement of the M2 inferior branch was associated with a favorable outcome.

Conclusion

Our multicenter retrospective analysis has shown no benefit of eMT in minor stroke patients with isolated M2 occlusion over a more conservative therapeutic approach. Although our results must be viewed with caution, in these patients it appears reasonable to consider BMM as the first option and rMT in the presence of early neurological deterioration.
Sensitivity analysis of a lake sturgeon population with early life stage density-dependent effects
Authors: Burchfield James D. , McLaren Brian E. , McLeod Darryl T.
Published: October 2022

Lake sturgeon ( Acipenser fulvescens) exhibit a complex life-history strategy where behaviour, including habitat selection, depends on ontogenetic stage. Protection or recovery efforts for one stage may not impact other stages. Stage-structured models have been used to explore the sensitivity of the population to changes in vital rates of individual stages. Recent research demonstrates that juvenile mortality may be lower than estimated in prior modelling efforts and density-dependent. We constructed a Lefkovitch matrix model to reflect an updated understanding of the prerecruitment stages of the lake sturgeon. We then compared the model to a population of lake sturgeon on the Ontario−Minnesota border. Our model predicts that population growth rate, time to equilibrium, and final population size were most sensitive to changes to the survival of early adults, followed by subadults and juveniles. Sensitivity to changes in age-0 survival was very low in contrast to earlier modelling efforts, while sensitivities to juvenile (ages 1–7 years) and subadult (ages 8–23 years) were higher than previously reported values.
Calcitriol attenuates vascular remodeling in association with alteration of ppET-1/ETBR/eNOS and ETAR expression in acute and chronic phases of kidney ischemia–reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Desita Eryna Ayu Nugra , Arfian Nur , Setyaningsih Wiwit Ananda Wahyu , Sari Dwi Cahyani Ratna
Published: October 2022

Kidney ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) causes acute kidney injury with increasing risk of maladaptive repair through endothelin-1 (ET-1)/endothelin type A receptor (ETAR) signaling. Calcitriol shows renoprotection in kidney fibrosis, however, its effects on vasoactive substances expression and vascular remodeling following kidney IRI remain unclear. This research aimed to investigate Calcitriol’s effects on preproendothelin-1 ( ppET-1), ETAR, endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS) mRNA expression and vascular remodeling in acute and chronic phases of kidney IRI in mice. Twenty-five male Swiss mice were randomly divided into five groups ( n = 5): SO (sham-operated), IR3 (3 day kidney IRI), IR12 (12 day kidney IRI), IRD3 (3 day kidney IRI + Calcitriol 0.5 µg/kg body weight (BW)/day), and IRD12 (12 day kidney IRI + Calcitriol 0.5 µg/kg BW/day). Ischemia–reperfusion injury groups underwent bilateral renal pedicles clamping for 30 min, then reperfusion. Kidneys were harvested for Sirius Red staining to observe interstitial fibrosis and vascular remodeling, polymerase chain reaction to quantify ppET-1, endothelin type B receptor ( ETBR), eNOS mRNA expression, and Western blotting to quantify ETAR protein expression. Calcitriol treatment in both phases of kidney IRI showed lower serum creatinine and ETAR protein expression, while higher eNOS and ETBR mRNA expression than IRI-only groups. Furthermore, ppET-1 mRNA expression was higher in IRD3 than IR3, but lower in IRD12 than IR12. Calcitriol also prevented vascular remodeling as indicated by lower wall thickness and higher lumen/wall area ratio than IRI-only groups.
Investigation of the atomic structure of curium and determination of its first ionization potential
Authors: Kneip Nina , Weber Felix , Kaja Magdalena A. , Düllmann Christoph E. , Mokry Christoph , Raeder Sebastian , Runke Jörg , Studer Dominik , Trautmann Norbert , Wendt Klaus
Published: October 2022

We report on the investigation of the atomic structure of curium ($$Z=96$$

Z
=
96

) by resonance ionization spectroscopy. Three different excited energy levels were populated from the $$5f^{7}6d7s^{2}\,^{9}D^{o}_{2}$$

5

f
7

6
d
7

s
2

9

D
2
o

ground state as first excitation steps. Wide-range scans were performed for the search of second excitation steps around the literature value of the ionization potential. These spectra were analyzed to identify Rydberg levels and auto-ionizing resonances. The ionization potential was consistently determined as 48330.68(16)$$\hbox {cm} ^{-1}$$

cm

-
1

through the evaluation of Rydberg convergences and the complementary approach of DC electric field ionization by evaluating the ionization threshold according to the saddle point model. The new result deviates by 6.7$$\hbox {cm} ^{-1}$$

cm

-
1

from the literature value of 48324(2)$$\hbox {cm} ^{-1}$$

cm

-
1

by Köhler et al. [15] and is about one order of magnitude more precise.

Graphic abstract
Implementation of a New Versatile Bio-Potential Measurement System
Authors: Bendib Hafed-Eddine , Bahri Mebarek , Boumehraz Mohamed , Mallem Ali , Hamzi Marwa
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a novel system for measuring bio-potentials, including electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG) and electromyography (EMG) signals, was implemented. This system is based on the high-precision (24-bit) analog front-end ADS1299 with eight input channels. The aim of this work is to provide a low-cost platform for researchers in neuroscience, brain–computer interfaces, ECG pattern recognition and myoelectric control for Robotic Hand-Assisted Training, etc. Compared to the existing systems, this design uses a module called ESP-WROOM-32 based on a 32-bit dual-core Xtensa LX6 microprocessor in which all control and communication functions have been integrated into a single package, giving the possibility to interface the system with the Raspberry Pi via the USB interface or via the wireless interface (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). The paper presents a detailed study of the system in terms of hardware and software implementation. In addition, an experimental process has been conducted with the aim of evaluating the proposed prototype. With a common mode rejection ratio higher than 110[Formula: see text]dB and an input referred noise less than 2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V (peak-to-peak) as well as the good quality of the measured biopotentials during all the proposed scenarios, the model can be qualified to be functioning properly following the recommendations of the ADS1299 manufacturer. Finally, a conclusion is made to summarize the results achieved while highlighting the future study and the suggestions for improving the presented design.
Vertex distortion detects the unknot
Authors: Campisi Marion , Cazet Nicholas , Crncevic David , Fellman Tasha , Kessler Phillip , Rieke Nikolas , Srivastava Vatsal , Torres Luis
Published: October 2022

The first two authors introduced vertex distortion of lattice knots and showed that the vertex distortion of the unknot is 1. It was conjectured that the vertex distortion of a knot class is 1 if and only if it is trivial. We use Denne and Sullivan’s lower bound on Gromov distortion to bound the vertex distortion of non-trivial lattice knots. This bounding allows us to conclude that a knot class has vertex distortion 1 if and only if it is trivial. We also show that vertex distortion does not have a universal upper bound and provide a vertex distortion calculator.
EXPERIENCE
Authors: Jindal Abhilash , Hu Y. Charlie
Published: October 2022

In the past decade, numerous efforts, from both academia and industry, have been made to make batteries in mobile devices last longer on a single charge. Our own research identified a new class of software bugs called energy bugs [1-4] that cause mobile software to quickly drain battery. We built and released numerous tools to detect and mitigate these bugs [2,4,5]. We also suggested energy optimizations in the OS; for instance, OS can suppress activities of background apps that are not being opened by the user [6].
LIMU-BERT
Authors: Xu Huatao , Zhou Pengfei , Tan Rui , Li Mo , Shen Guobin
Published: October 2022

Deep learning greatly empowers Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors for a wide range of sensing applications. Most existing works require substantial amounts of wellcurated labeled data to train IMU-based sensing models, which incurs high annotation and training costs. Compared with labeled data, unlabeled IMU data are abundant and easily accessible. This article presents a novel representation learning model that can make use of unlabeled IMU data and extract generalized rather than task-specific features. With the representations learned via our model, task-specific models trained with limited labeled samples can achieve superior performances in typical IMU sensing applications, such as Human Activity Recognition (HAR).