bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of Antenatal Care in Public Health Facilities of Dessie Town, Northeastern Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Amare Wudu Muluken , Bekalu Yemane Eshetu
Published: November 2023

Antenatal care (ANC) is a critical intervention, and providing high-quality care results in positive maternal and neonatal outcomes. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was used among 4 public health facilities in Dessie Town, and 421 pregnant mothers were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using observation and interview through a pretested questionnaire, then entered and analyzed using EpiData 4.7 and SPSS 26. Finally, predictors of the quality of the ANC service were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Overall, 270 women (64%) were satisfied with ANC services in this study. Only 49 (70%) attributes of structural quality and 32 items (69.56%) of process quality attributes were met, which is inadequate and needs improvement. Mothers aged 20 to 24 (AOR = 3.067; 95% CI = 1.416, 6.641); mothers who took 30 min and more to get to the health facility (AOR = 2.745; 95% CI = 1.475, 5.111); mothers who had a choice of care providers (AOR = 2.829; 95% CI = 1.676, 4.777); merchants (AOR = 2.310; 95% CI = 1.077, 4.955); and farmers (AOR = 2.111; 95% CI = 1.138, 3.8) were positive predictors of women's satisfaction with ANC services. Although ANC client satisfaction was good, structure-quality attributes and process-related quality were inadequate and needed significant improvement. This implies that urgent interventions are needed to improve process and input quality attributes.
‘Never mind extraction, ownership still belongs to ‘us’’: A spatial critique to subsoil public property in Colombia
Authors: Olarte-Olarte Maria Carolina
Published: November 2023

The subsoil is a strange (legal) object. This article is interested in the legal forms and imaginaries that shape the subsoil as a container of commodities-to-be, and the different regimes of exclusion of use necessary for it to be turned into an exploitable property under a public property scheme. In particular, it examines the spatial assumptions underlying the legal and judicial constructions of the soil-subsoil divide, focusing on a relatively recent debate in Colombia on the reach of peoples’ opposition to mining extraction through a constitutional participation mechanism, popular consultations ( consultas populares). It shows a property regime of use that removes the public content from subsoil public property under an illusion of people’s ownership over a, nevertheless, emptied container. I first focus on the threefold subsoil proprietor and the latent assumption in the Colombian legal system of the subsoil as a set of fragmentable resources contained underground, instead of an intermingled net of relations. In the context of an increasing use of local public consultations to stop subsoil mining throughout the country between 2014 and 2018, I show how mobilization brought to light the limits of a legal fragmentarian lens and how use makes the title of public owners an illusion. I follow with a critical examination of the spatial assumptions underpinning a controversial Constitutional Court decision to ban local popular consultations as a mechanism to decide on the exploitation of the subsoil and ultimately oppose it. From a legal geography perspective, and bringing in elements from other disciplines, this article seeks to unsettle this type of legal spatial production of the subsoil from a more relational understanding of it.
OCT-Based Description of Spontaneous Reattachment of Macula-Off Tractional Retinal Detachment With Significant Vision Improvement
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Raziyeh , Williamson John E. , Salabati Mirataollah , Soares Rebecca R. , Gupta Omesh P. , Regillo Carl D. , Ho Allen C. , Hsu Jason
Published: November 2023

Purpose: To describe the clinical course and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of patients with spontaneous reattachment of macula-off tractional retinal detachments (TRDs). Methods: Findings on clinical examination and OCT were evaluated. Results: Four eyes of 4 patients with a history of macula-off TRD secondary to diabetic retinopathy (n = 3) or sickle cell retinopathy (n = 1) were included. OCT confirmed spontaneous resolution of the macular RD without complete posterior vitreous separation in all eyes. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) time from TRD diagnosis to OCT-confirmed foveal reattachment was 6 months (10.25; range, 1-12 months). The median logMAR visual acuity (VA) at the time of macula-off TRD was 0.544 (IQR, 0.452; Snellen 20/70), which improved to 0.350 (IQR, 0.156; Snellen 20/45), with reattachment characterized by OCT ( P = .068). Conclusions: Nonsurgical spontaneous retinal reattachment and significant VA improvement can occur in eyes with a TRD, albeit rarely. In these cases, no OCT evidence of posterior vitreous separation was found, suggesting that some relaxation of the contractile fibrovascular membranes occurred.
Expertise, trading zones and the planning system: A case study of an energy-from-biomass plant
Authors: Hacking Nick , Evans Robert , Lewis Jamie
Published: November 2023

Planning disputes are sites of contestation in which science-based regulations come into conflict with the place-based knowledge of local communities. The procedural and often technical nature of these regulations means that these controversies are marked by an asymmetry of resources that is often experienced by community groups as an asymmetry in credibility. In short, the expertise of developers is generally accepted as such, whilst the knowledge claimed by citizens is dismissed as ‘anecdotal’ or ‘NIMBYism’. In this article, we make the argument that the asymmetries of expertise are less stark than the current system typically allows and that recognising and accommodating this would improve the planning system by enhancing the representation and inclusion of community voices. We explore this position by using a case study of the construction of a Energy-from-Biomass plant in South Wales. Drawing from 30 qualitative interviews, we maintain that the planning process has the potential to function as one of a network of ‘trading zones’ in which different communities enact their rights and have their claims to knowledge and expertise recognised. Crucial to this argument is understanding that the levels and kinds of expertise that different parties bring to the interactions are more than just matters of attribution: community groups can have genuine expertise.
Peribronchiolar Metaplasia: A Marker of Cigarette Smoke-Induced Small Airway Injury in a Rural Cohort
Authors: Sangani Rahul G , Deepak Vishal , Ghio Andrew J , Patel Zalak , Alshaikhnassir Esra , Vos Jeffrey
Published: November 2023

Background:

Peribronchiolar metaplasia (PBM) is considered a reaction to injury characterized by the proliferation of bronchiolar epithelium into immediately adjacent alveolar walls. While an association of PBM with diffuse interstitial lung diseases has been recognized, the clinical significance of PBM remains uncertain.

Methods:

A cohort (n = 352) undergoing surgical resection of a lung nodule/mass in a rural area was retrospectively reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of PBM with clinical, physiological, radiographic, and histologic endpoints.

Results:

In the total study cohort, 9.1% were observed to have PBM as a histologic finding in resected lung tissue (n = 32). All but one of these patients with PBM were ever-smokers with a median of 42 pack years. Clinical COPD was diagnosed in two-thirds of patients with PBM. Comorbid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was significantly associated with PBM. All patients with PBM demonstrated radiologic and histologic evidence of emphysema. Measures of pulmonary function were not impacted by PBM. Mortality was not associated with the histologic observation of PBM. In a logistic regression model, centrilobular-ground glass opacity interstitial lung abnormality and traction bronchiectasis on the CT scan of the chest and histologic evidence of fibrosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonia and anthracosis all strongly predicted PBM in the cohort.

Conclusion:

A constellation of radiologic and histologic smoking-related abnormalities predicted PBM in study cohort. This confirms a co-existence of lung tissue responses to smoking including PBM, emphysema, and fibrosis. Acknowledging the physiologically “silent” nature of small airway dysfunction on pulmonary function testing, our findings support PBM as a histologic marker of small-airway injury associated with cigarette smoking.
Correlations between comorbidities in trials and the community: An individual-level participant data meta-analysis
Authors: Crowther Jamie , Butterly Elaine W , Hannigan Laurie J , Guthrie Bruce , Wild Sarah H , Mair Frances S , Hanlon Peter , Chadwick Fergus J , McAllister David A
Published: November 2023

Background

People with comorbidities are under-represented in randomised controlled trials, and it is unknown whether patterns of comorbidity are similar in trials and the community.

Methods

Individual-level participant data were obtained for 83 clinical trials (54,688 participants) for 16 index conditions from two trial repositories: Yale University Open Data Access (YODA) and the Centre for Global Clinical Research Data (Vivli). Community data (860,177 individuals) were extracted from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank for the same index conditions. Comorbidities were defined using concomitant medications. For each index condition, we estimated correlations between comorbidities separately in trials and community data. For the six commonest comorbidities we estimated all pairwise correlations using Bayesian multivariate probit models, conditioning on age and sex. Correlation estimates from trials with the same index condition were combined into a single estimate. We then compared the trial and community estimates for each index condition.

Results

Despite a higher prevalence of comorbidities in the community than in trials, the correlations between comorbidities were mostly similar in both settings. On comparing correlations between the community and trials, 21% of correlations were stronger in the community, 10% were stronger in the trials and 68% were similar in both. In the community, 5% of correlations were negative, 21% were null, 56% were weakly positive and 18% were strongly positive. Equivalent results for the trials were 11%, 33%, 45% and 10% respectively.

Conclusions

Comorbidity correlations are generally similar in both the trials and community, providing some evidence for the reporting of comorbidity-specific findings from clinical trials.
‘Voices’ of early school leavers in Greek educational system: A Bourdieusian approach
Authors: Panagiotis Giavrimis
Published: November 2023

In the present paper, we research the phenomenon of early school leaving through the biography of school leavers. The participants were 14 individuals (five females and nine males) who had left school early before completing secondary education. The interviewees’ discourse highlighted the mediating factors and the reasons for leaving school. Also, early school leavers are a heterogeneous group of individuals, where the diversity of their family’s cultural capital has shaped different inclusion conditions in the Greek educational system. According to the typology of Nairz-Wirth and Gitschthaler, we identified four types of early school leavers.
Low-Temperature Cavity-Enhanced Spectroscopy with a Diode Laser: Vibration–Rotation Absorption of CO (3ν) at 80 K and CH3C≡C–H (2ν1) at 165 K
Authors: Nyaupane Parashu R. , Diaz Marlon , Sunuwar Suresh , Manzanares Carlos E.
Published: November 2023

A rotational resolution cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) technique is presented for infrared (IR) absorption studies at temperatures between 77 and 300 K. The cavity consists of an aluminum tube with two highly reflecting near-IR mirrors at each end. The cavity is attached to the cold head of a liquid nitrogen cryostat inside a vacuum chamber. In this way, all the cavity components are the temperature of the cold head. The spectra are obtained with a tunable diode laser and lock-in detection. The laser is modulated with an electro-optic modulator and coupled to the optical cavity. To illustrate the use of the technique, the vibrational–rotational overtone transitions (υ = 0→3) of carbon monoxide at 295 and 80 K and the acetylenic C–H (υ = 0→2) bond of CH3C≡C–H at 293 and 165 K are obtained. Temperatures are obtained with a Boltzmann distribution calculation that involves rotational intensities and energies from the spectra. Spectroscopic constants agree with previous determinations using other methods. An average of signals over the entire range of the absorption produces a rotational intensity distribution with some deviations. The calculated temperature based on the Boltzmann distribution is in very good agreement with the temperature measured with a silicon temperature sensor attached to the cell. Comparison with other experimental approaches to CEAS and the importance of the technique for applications in astrochemistry are discussed.
Enhanced sensitivity of Au@Bi2WO6 flower-like materials to formaldehyde
Authors: Zhang Ruifeng , Liu Lei , Yang Weiye , Liu Yao , Liu Yingkai
Published: November 2023

Bi2WO6 flower-like materials (FMs) were prepared by a hydrothermal method, followed by an in-situ reduction method to prepare Au@Bi2WO6 FMs. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the samples. It was discovered that the calculated OV content of Au@Bi2WO6 FMs is 25.16% whereas that of Bi2WO6 FMs is 20.81%, offering appropriate active sites for the absorption of gases and thus enhancing outstanding sensing property. Moreover, the detection of volatile and hazardous substances such as formaldehyde, methanol, acetone, benzene, toluene, and xylene was carried out to assess the efficacy of the Au@Bi2WO6 FMs sensors. The optimal operating temperatures for the Bi2WO6 FMs and Au@Bi2WO6 FMs sensors were 290 and 260 °C, respectively. Compared with Au@Bi2WO6 FMs sensor and Bi2WO6 FMs one, the best response of the front was 250 (900)–100 (800) ppm formaldehyde whereas that of the latter was 90 (230). Therefore, Au@ Bi2WO6 FMs have good response and selectivity, which are promising candidates for formaldehyde detection.
Assessment of suicidal ideation via telemedicine: a case report and management suggestions
Authors: Accorsi Tarso Augusto Duenhas , De Amicis Lima Karine , Köhler Karen Francine , Cordioli Eduardo , Pedrotti Carlos Henrique Sartorato
Published: November 2023

Background

Nowadays, we find ourselves in very unexpected and challenging circumstances facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the new coronavirus pandemic probably affected everyone’s mental health, and people with pre-existing mental disorders may have an aggravated disease condition, leading to a suicide attempt. Pandemic also increased the use of direct-to-consumer telemedicine (TM) exponentially, and consequently, it was expected that cases of attempted suicide could be evaluated remotely. Some TM centers have adapted safety protocols from psychiatric guidelines for managing these patients. However, there is a lack of evidence of the effectiveness of follow-up by TM for patients at high risk for suicide, and there is no consensus on what action should be taken vis-à-vis the patient who requests immediate help remotely.

Case presentation

Here, we reported a case of a TM evaluation of a patient’s suicidal ideation in a direct-to-consumer telemedicine emergency center, describing the conduct taken in the face of this situation. We also discuss the importance of planning the emergency telemedicine center for situations of risk of suicide.

Conclusions

Telemedicine centers should be prepared for direct consumer assessment of suicidal ideation. Current management suggestions include recognizing the risk profile through institutional training and software skills and immediate referral for face-to-face assessment, encouraging continuous monitoring until the admission and active recruitment of family members or closest friends.
Mdwgan-gp: data augmentation for gene expression data based on multiple discriminator WGAN-GP
Authors: Li Rongyuan , Wu Jingli , Li Gaoshi , Liu Jiafei , Xuan Junbo , Zhu Qi
Published: November 2023

Background

Although gene expression data play significant roles in biological and medical studies, their applications are hampered due to the difficulty and high expenses of gathering them through biological experiments. It is an urgent problem to generate high quality gene expression data with computational methods. WGAN-GP, a generative adversarial network-based method, has been successfully applied in augmenting gene expression data. However, mode collapse or over-fitting may take place for small training samples due to just one discriminator is adopted in the method.

Results

In this study, an improved data augmentation approach MDWGAN-GP, a generative adversarial network model with multiple discriminators, is proposed. In addition, a novel method is devised for enriching training samples based on linear graph convolutional network. Extensive experiments were implemented on real biological data.

Conclusions

The experimental results have demonstrated that compared with other state-of-the-art methods, the MDWGAN-GP method can produce higher quality generated gene expression data in most cases.
DG-Affinity: predicting antigen–antibody affinity with language models from sequences
Authors: Yuan Ye , Chen Qushuo , Mao Jun , Li Guipeng , Pan Xiaoyong
Published: November 2023

Background

Antibody-mediated immune responses play a crucial role in the immune defense of human body. The evolution of bioengineering has led the progress of antibody-derived drugs, showing promising efficacy in cancer and autoimmune disease therapy. A critical step of this development process is obtaining the affinity between antibodies and their binding antigens.

Results

In this study, we introduce a novel sequence-based antigen–antibody affinity prediction method, named DG-Affinity. DG-Affinity uses deep neural networks to efficiently and accurately predict the affinity between antibodies and antigens from sequences, without the need for structural information. The sequences of both the antigen and the antibody are first transformed into embedding vectors by two pre-trained language models, then these embeddings are concatenated into an ConvNeXt framework with a regression task. The results demonstrate the superiority of DG-Affinity over the existing structure-based prediction methods and the sequence-based tools, achieving a Pearson’s correlation of over 0.65 on an independent test dataset.

Conclusions

Compared to the baseline methods, DG-Affinity achieves the best performance and can advance the development of antibody design. It is freely available as an easy-to-use web server at https://www.digitalgeneai.tech/solution/affinity.
Delving into the lifestyle of Sundarban Wetland resident, biofilm producing, halotolerant Salinicoccus roseus: a comparative genomics-based intervention
Authors: Dutta Bhramar , Halder Urmi , Chitikineni Annapurna , Varshney Rajeev K. , Bandopadhyay Rajib
Published: November 2023

Background

Microbial community played an essential role in ecosystem processes, be it mangrove wetland or other intertidal ecologies. Several enzymatic activities like hydrolases are effective ecological indicators of soil microbial function. So far, little is known on halophilic bacterial contribution and function on a genomic viewpoint of Indian Sundarban Wetland. Considering the above mentioned issues, the aims of this study was to understand the life style, metabolic functionalities and genomic features of the isolated bacterium, Salinicoccus roseus strain RF1H. A comparative genome-based study of S. roseus has not been reported yet. Henceforth, we have considered the inclusion of the intra-species genome comparison of S. roseus to gain insight into the high degree of variation in the genome of strain RF1H among others.

Results

Salinicoccus roseus strain RF1H is a pink-red pigmented, Gram-positive and non-motile cocci. The bacterium exhibited high salt tolerance (up to 15% NaCl), antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation and secretion of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. The circular genome was approximately 2.62978 Mb in size, encoding 574 predicted genes with GC content 49.5%. Presence of genomic elements (prophages, transposable elements, CRISPR-Cas system) represented bacterial virulence and multidrug-resistance. Furthermore, genes associated with salt tolerance, temperature adaptation and DNA repair system were distributed in 17 genomic islands. Genes related to hydrocarbon degradation manifested metabolic capability of the bacterium for potential biotechnological applications. A comparative pangenome analysis revealed two-component response regulator, modified C4-dicarboxylate transport system and osmotic stress regulated ATP-binding proteins. Presence of genes encoding arginine decarboxylase (ADC) enzyme being involved in biofilm formation was reported from the genome. In silico study revealed the protein is thermostable and made up with ~ 415 amino acids, and hydrophilic in nature. Three motifs appeared to be evolutionary conserved in all Salinicoccus sequences.

Conclusion

The first report of whole genome analysis of Salinicoccus roseus strain RF1H provided information of metabolic functionalities, biofilm formation, resistance mechanism and adaptation strategies to thrive in climate-change induced vulnerable spot like Sundarban. Comparative genome analysis highlighted the unique genome content that contributed the strain’s adaptability. The biomolecules produced during metabolism are important sources of compounds with potential beneficial applications in pharmaceuticals.
Association between intraoperative mean arterial pressure variability and postoperative delirium after hip fracture surgery: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Chuangxin , Song Yuxiang , Wu Xiaodong , Miao Ran , Lou Jingsheng , Ma Yulong , Li Mengmeng , Mi Weidong , Cao Jiangbei
Published: November 2023

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery. Our study was to investigate whether intraoperative mean arterial pressure variability (MAPV) was associated with POD in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, patients aged 65 years and older undergoing hip fracture surgery were included. The correlation between MAPV and POD was investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Covariate-related confounding effects were eliminated with propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Then, a subgroup analysis was conducted to further examine the associations between MAPV and POD.

Results

Nine hundred sixty-three patients with a median age of 80 years (IQR: 73–84) were enrolled. POD occurred in 115/963 (11.9%) patients within 7 days after surgery. According to multivariate regression analysis, MAPV > 2.17 was associated with an increased risk of POD (OR: 2.379, 95% CI: 1.496–3.771, P < 0.001). All covariates between the two groups were well balanced after PSM adjustment. A significant correlation between MAPV and POD was found in the PSM analysis (OR: 2.851, 95% CI: 1.710–4.746, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

An increased intraoperative MAPV may be a predictor for POD.
Staff’s insights into fall prevention solutions in long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Albasha Neah , Curtin Catriona , McCullagh Ruth , Cornally Nicola , Timmons Suzanne
Published: November 2023

Background

Falls are one of the most common and serious health issues in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), impacting not just residents, but staff and the healthcare system. This study aimed to explore LTCF staff’s current practices around falls prevention, and their suggested solutions for better falls prevention.

Methods

In the southwest of Ireland, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 LTCF sites, across a range of provider types and facility sizes. A survey, measuring staff knowledge, skills and attitudes, was distributed in physical and online formats. Staff suggestions for prioritising fall and fall-related injury prevention activities, and current staff practices regarding fall incidents were also sought. Content analysis was used to analyse responses, mapping categories and subcategories to the refined theoretical domains framework (TDF) and to an existing fall prevention guideline.

Results

There were 155 respondents (15% response rate), from staff of the LTCFs. Environmental reviews and modifications (aligned to the TDF environmental context and resource domain) were the most common suggestions for preventing both falls and fall-related injuries. Other common suggestions for preventing falls were staff education, monitoring of residents, and using alarm/calling systems, while few staff members, across all roles, reported assessing residents, exercises, reviewing medications, and vitamin D supplements. For preventing fall-related injuries, suggestions included protective equipment, hip protectors and alarm/calling systems. Staff used a standardised approach when responding to a fall incident, with intensive and holistic post-fall control measures. HCAs focussed on transferring residents safely, while nurses of all grades focused more on post-fall assessment. Respondents believed that staff education, communication, increasing staffing levels and enhancing specialist care could support their practice.

Conclusion

Noting the low response rate, the results suggest an awareness gap regarding some evidence-based, resident-focussed falls prevention solutions, such as pro-active fall-risk assessment, exercise, medication review, and Vitamin D supplements. These aspects should be included in future fall prevention education programmes in LTCFs.
Erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum in a patient with myasthenia gravis: first case report and literature review
Authors: Si Henan , Li Yang , Huang Zhiyang , Cui Yan , Li Shanshan
Published: November 2023

Background

Dermatophytes are the most common causative pathogens of mycoses worldwide and usually cause superficial infections. However, they can enter deep into the dermis lead to invasive dermatophytosis such as deeper dermal dermatophytosis on rare occasions. Erythroderma is a severe dermatological manifestation of various diseases resulting in generalized skin redness, but erythroderma due to fungi infections is barely reported. In this article, we reported the first case of erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) in a patient with myasthenia gravis.

Case presentation

A 48-year-old man was hospitalized because of erythema with scaling and nodules covering his body for a month. The patient had a history of myasthenia gravis controlled by regularly taking prednisolone for > 10 years and accompanied by onychomycosis and tinea pedis lasting > 8 years. Based on histopathological examinations, fungal cultures, and DNA sequencing results, the patient was finally diagnosed with dermatophyte-induced erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis caused by T. rubrum. After 2 weeks of antifungal treatment, the patient had recovered well.

Conclusions

This case report shows that immunosuppressed patients with long histories of superficial mycoses tend to have a higher risk of developing invasive dermatophytic infections or disseminated fungal infections. Dermatologists should be alert to this condition and promptly treat the superficial dermatophytosis.
Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar Isangi from South Africa, 2020–2021
Authors: Myataza Asive , Thomas Juno , Smith Anthony M.
Published: November 2023

Background

We describe the genotypic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants of Salmonella enterica serovar Isangi (Salmonella Isangi) clinical isolates in South Africa from 2020 through 2021.

Methods

During the years 2020 to 2021, the Centre for Enteric Diseases of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a national reference centre in South Africa for human infections resulting from enteric bacterial pathogens, investigated a total of 3549 clinical isolates of Salmonella species. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using Illumina NextSeq Technology. WGS data was analyzed using Centre for Genomic Epidemiology-based tools and EnteroBase web-based platform. Genotypic relatedness and cluster analysis was investigated based on core-genome multilocus sequence typing.

Results

Forty-nine isolates were confirmed to be Salmonella Isangi, with most submitted from Gauteng Province (24/49, 49%). The most prevalent sequence type was ST335 (48/49, 98%), and the remaining 1 isolate was ST216. All ST335 isolates were genotypically multidrug-resistant (MDR), with resistance to fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline; the ST216 isolate was resistant only to aminoglycosides. All ST335 isolates carried ESBL genes, the most common being blaCTX-M-15. Five clusters (consisting of isolates related within five allele differences) were detected, all being ST335.

Conclusions

Most Salmonella Isangi isolates in South Africa are MDR and ESBL-positive. Ongoing monitoring of the epidemiology and AMR profile of this serovar is important for public health and treatment guidelines.
High throughput method for detecting murine brain atrophy using a clinical 3T MRI
Authors: Linzey Michael , DiSano Krista , Welsh Nora , Ford James C. , Gilli Francesca , Wishart Heather , Pachner Andrew
Published: November 2023

Background

There is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which the CNS is injured in multiple sclerosis (MS). Since Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection in SJL/J mice is an established model of progressive disability in MS, and CNS atrophy correlates with progressive disability in MS, we used in vivo MRI to quantify total ventricular volume in TMEV infection. We then sought to identify immunological and virological biomarkers that correlated with increased ventricular size.

Methods

Mice, both infected and control, were followed for 6 months. Cerebral ventricular volumes were determined by MRI, and disability was assessed by Rotarod. A range of immunological and virological measures was obtained using standard techniques.

Results

Disability was present in infected mice with enlarged ventricles, while infected mice without enlarged ventricles had Rotarod performance similar to sham mice. Ventricular enlargement was detected as soon as 1 month after infection. None of the immunological and virological measures correlated with the development of ventricular enlargement.

Conclusions

These results support TMEV infection with brain MRI monitoring as a useful model for exploring the biology of disability progression in MS, but they did not identify an immunological or virological correlate with ventricular enlargement.
Association between physical activity and health literacy in patients with Parkinson’s disease: an online web survey
Authors: Nagaki Koichi , Mishima Takayasu , Ohura Tomoko , Kurihara Kanako , Fujioka Shinsuke , Tsuboi Yoshio
Published: November 2023

Background

For patients with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), promotion of habitual physical activity (PA) assists in the prevention of disease progression. Patients' health literacy (HL) is integral for meeting PA standards and turning it into a habit. This study evaluated the association between PA level and each HL domain in PwPD.

Methods

Online web-based assessment instruments and self-administered questionnaires, including the PA Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form and the Functional, Communicative, and Critical Health Literacy (FCCHL) scale, were used to assess PA levels and health literacy domains of PwPD.

Results

The mean age of PwPD (n = 114) was 65.9 (SD = 11.6) years; 59.6% female, and the mean duration of disease was 6.4 (SD = 5.1) years. Of participants, 47.4% met the recommended criteria for PA. When comparing each HL domain by PA level, participants with lower PA had significantly lower critical HL (p = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis revealed that PA level correlated with critical HL (OR = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.16–5.19; p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Adherence to recommended PA standards was associated with critical HL, but not other HL domains. Proactive attitudes to critically evaluate and utilize as well as understand health information may positively influence the promotion of PA.
Maternal multimorbidity - experiences of women seeking asylum during pregnancy and after childbirth: a qualitative study
Authors: Rowe Anna , Bhardwaj Minakshi , McCauley Mary
Published: November 2023

Background

Many women seeking asylum during pregnancy and after childbirth have ill-health but detection and assessment of all physical, psychological, and social health needs (maternal multimorbidity) are often difficult as part of routine maternity care. Healthcare providers are key for the early identification and management of vulnerable pregnant women who have additional physical, psychological, and social health needs. We sought to explore the impact of the asylum-seeking process, understanding of wellbeing, expressed health needs (in terms of maternal multimorbidity), and the experiences of maternity care of women seeking asylum during pregnancy and after childbirth in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Enabling factors and barriers to access woman-centred care were also explored.

Methods

Key informant interviews (n = 10) and one focus group discussion (n = 4) were conducted with women attending a non-profit charitable pregnancy support group. Transcribed interviews were coded by topic and then grouped into categories. Thematic framework analysis was undertaken to identify emerging themes.

Results

The asylum-seeking process negatively impacted women making them feel anxious and depressed with little control or choice over their future. Women reported feeling stressed regarding poor standard of accommodation, low income, dispersal and the uncertainty of their asylum application outcome. Wellbeing during pregnancy and after childbirth was understood to be multifactorial and women understood that their physical health needs were interlinked and negatively impacted by complex psychological and social factors. Women reported that their expectations of maternity services were often exceeded, but information giving, and the use of language interpreters needed to be improved. Women expressed the need for more psychological and social support throughout pregnancy and after childbirth.

Conclusions

A multidisciplinary team, with links and effective referral pathways to maternal mental health and social services, are necessary for women seeking asylum, to ensure a more integrated, comprehensive assessment of maternal multimorbidity and to provide maternity care in a way that meets all health needs.
Exploring the association between circRNA expression and pediatric obesity based on a case–control study and related bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Li Guobo , Xu Xingyan , Yang Le , Cai Yingying , Sun Yi , Guo Jianhui , Lin Yawen , Hu Yuduan , Chen Mingjun , Li Huangyuan , Wu Siying
Published: November 2023

Objective

Our present study utilized case–control research to explore the relationship between specific circRNAs and pediatric obesity through a literature review and bioinformatics and to predict their possible biological functions, providing ideas for epigenetic mechanism studies of pediatric obesity.

Methods

CircRNAs related to pediatric obesity were preliminarily screened by a literature review and qRT–PCR. CircRNA expression in children with obesity (n = 75) and control individuals (n = 75) was confirmed with qRT–PCR in a case–control study. This was followed by bioinformatics analyses, such as GO analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and ceRNA network construction. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to analyze the effects of circRNAs on obesity. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was also drawn to explore the clinical application value of circRNAs in pediatric obesity.

Results

Has_circ_0046367 and hsa_circ_0000284 were separately validated to be statistically downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with obesity and revealed as independent indicators of increased CHD risk [hsa_circ_0046367 (OR = 0.681, 95% CI: 0.480 ~ 0.967) and hsa_circ_0000284 (OR = 1.218, 95% CI: 1.041 ~ 1.424)]. The area under the ROC curve in the combined analysis of hsa_circ_0046367 and hsa_circ_0000284 was 0.706 (95% CI: 0.623 ~ 0.789). Enrichment analyses revealed that these circRNAs were actively involved in neural plasticity mechanisms, cell secretion and signal regulation.

Conclusion

The present research revealed that low expression of hsa_circ_0046367 and high expression of hsa_circ_0000284 are risk factors for pediatric obesity and that neural plasticity mechanisms are closely related to obesity.
The latent profile analysis of Chinese adolescents’ gaming disorder: examination and validation
Authors: Zhang Lina , Liu Mengqi , Yuan Ming , Hou Mutian , Yang Cheng , Wang Yingying , Hao Wei , Liao Yanhui
Published: November 2023

Background

Gaming disorder is a new disease, which is included in the disease unit of disorder caused by addiction in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. This study examined the symptom characteristics of gaming disorders in Chinese adolescents using the latent profile analysis.

Methods

Totally, 5988 students (including 3285 boys and 2703 girls; aged 12–18 years) from junior high schools and senior high schools were enrolled. The Gaming Disorder Symptom Questionnaire-21 (GDSQ-21) was used to screen gaming disorder. A latent profile analysis was used for classifying the subgroups based on the extent of gaming usage. The relationship between adolescent gamers and demographic variables was analyzed by logistic regression.

Results

The results of latent profile analysis supported the models of four latent profiles, which were defined as healthy gamers (Profile 1, 56.83%), impaired control gamers (Profile 2, 26.09%), impaired control-game priority gamers (Profile 3, 9.72%) and gamers with disorder (Profile 4, 7.36%), respectively. Logistic regression analysis found that, compared with girls, boys were more likely to be classified into the group dominated by the impaired gamers, the impaired control-game priority gamers, and the gamers with disorder.

Conclusions

This study highlighted that the latent profile analysis identified four different groups of adolescent gamers, showing a clearer conceptualization of heterogeneous gamers. Gender and average weekly gaming time can predict the latent profile of adolescents. Our findings may facilitate the design of individualized assessment and early intervention programs for adolescent gamer users based on different gaming usage symptoms.
Patterns of mental health services and mood disorder disability pensions: a standard comparison of Finland’s three largest hospital districts
Authors: Karolaakso Tino , Autio Reija , Suontausta Petra , Leppänen Helena , Suokas Kimmo , Rissanen Päivi , Tuomisto Martti T. , Pirkola Sami
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Mental disorders are one of the most common and disabling health conditions worldwide. There is however no consensus on the best practice of system level mental health services (MHS) provision, in order to prevent e.g. mood disorder disability pensions (DPs). We analyzed the MHS provision between Finland’s three largest hospital districts Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), Southwest Finland and Pirkanmaa, with known differences in mood disorder DP risk but presumably equal rates of mood disorder prevalence.

Methods

We used public MHS data analyzed with the standardized DEscription and Evaluation of Services and DirectoriEs for Long Term Care (DESDE-LTC) mapping tool, focusing on all MHS, outpatient care provision, local services without and with gatekeeping, and centralized services. We also collected demographic data based on the European Socio-Demographic Schedule (ESDS). As a novel approach, the Gini-Simpson Diversity Index (GSDI) was calculated for the districts.

Results

Evident differences were observed regarding the districts’ MHS factors. As the hospital district with lower DP risk, HUS was characterized by the highest level of regional socioeconomic prosperity as well as high service richness and diversity. With a nationally average DP risk, Southwest Finland had the highest number of MHS personnel in full-time equivalents (FTE) per 100 000 inhabitants. Pirkanmaa, with a higher DP risk, had overall the lowest service richness and the lowest FTE of the three districts in all MHS, outpatient care and local services with gatekeeping.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that greater richness and diversity of MHS, especially in outpatient and community-based settings, may serve as indicators of a balanced, high-quality service system that is more effective in preventing mood disorder DP and meeting the different needs of the population. In addition, the need for sufficient resourcing in all MHS and outpatient services is indicated. We suggest using diversity indices to complement the measuring and reporting of regional service variation.
Investigation of critical factors influencing the underestimation of hearing loss predicted by the ISO 1999 predicting model
Authors: Li Fei , Xie Hong-wei , Su Shi-biao , Zou Hua , ZHou Li-Fang , Xu Qiu-Liang , Wei Fang , Zhang Mei-bian
Published: November 2023

Objective

To analyze factors influencing the underestimation of noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) among manufacturing workers, providing baseline data for revising noise exposure standard.

Design

A cross-sectional study was designed with 2702 noise-exposed workers from 35 enterprises from 10 industries. Personal noise exposure level(LAeq,8h) and noise kurtosis level were determined by a noise dosimeter. Questionnaires and hearing loss tests were performed for each subject. The predicted NIPTS was calculated using the ISO 1999:2013 model for each participant, and the actual measured NIPTS was corrected for age and sex. The factors influencing the underestimation of NIPTS were investigated.

Results

The predicted NIPTS at each test frequency (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6kHz) and mean NIPTS at 2, 3, 4, and 6kHz (NIPTS2346) using the ISO 1999:2013 model were significantly lower than their corresponding measured NIPTS, respectively (P < 0.001). The ISO model significantly underestimated the NIPTS2346 by 12.36 dB HL. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that noise exposure level, exposure duration, age, and kurtosis could affect the degree of underestimation of NIPTS2346. The generalized additive model (GAM) with (penalized) spline components showed nonlinear relationships between critical factors (age, exposure duration, noise level, and kurtosis) and the underestimated NIPTS2346.The underestimated NIPTS2346 decreased with an increase in exposure duration (especially over ten years). There was no apparent trend in the underestimated NIPTS2346 with age. The underestimated NIPTS2346 decreased with the increased noise level [especially > 90 dB(A)]. The underestimated NIPTS2346 increased with an increase in noise kurtosis after adjusting for the noise exposure level and exposure duration and ultimately exhibiting a linear regression relationship.

Conclusions

The ISO 1999 predicting model significantly underestimated the noise-induced hearing loss among manufacturing workers. The degree of underestimation became more significant at the noise exposure condition of fewer than ten years, less than 90 dB(A), and higher kurtosis levels. It is necessary to apply kurtosis to adjust the underestimation of hearing loss and consider the applying condition of noise energy metrics when using the ISO predicting model.
A selective CB2R agonist (JWH133) protects against pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting FAK/ERK/S100A4 signaling pathways
Authors: Wu Xiao , Chen Lina , Cheng Yiju , Zhang Yuquan , Yang Wenting , Pan Lin , Fu Chenkun , Zhu Honglan , Zhang Menglin
Published: November 2023

Background

The combination of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) can activate various signal pathways, leading to distinct pathophysiological roles. This interaction has gained significant attention in recent research on fibrosis diseases. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a crucial role in regulating signals from growth factor receptors and Integrins. It is also involved in the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. This study aims to investigate the impact of the CB2R agonist JWH133 on lung fibrosis and its potential to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in mice through the FAK pathway.

Methods

The C57 mice were categorized into five groups: control, BLM, BLM + JWH133, BLM + JWH133 + NC, and BLM + JWH133 + FAK groups.JWH133 was administered to mice individually or in conjunction with the FAK vector. After 21 days, pathological changes in mouse lung tissues, inflammatory factor levels, hydroxyproline levels, and collagen contents were evaluated. Moreover, the levels of the FAK/ERK/S100A4 pathway-related proteins were measured.

Results

JWH133 treatment decreased inflammatory factor levels, attenuated pathological changes, and reduced extracellular matrix accumulation in the mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis; however, these effects were reversed by FAK. JWH133 attenuated fibrosis by regulating the FAK/ERK/S100A4 pathway.

Conclusions

The results presented in this study show that JWH133 exerts a protective effect against pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the FAK/ERK/S100A4 pathway.Therefore, JWH133 holds promise as a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
ADIPOQ gene (T45G and G276T) single nucleotide polymorphisms and their association with gestational diabetes mellitus in a Filipino population
Authors: Fernandez Larah Francesca A. , Pineda-Cortel Maria Ruth B.
Published: November 2023

Several studies have associated the presence of ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms with insulin resistance, adiponectin levels, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes, although with varying degrees of correlation depending on ethnicity. Here we aim to identify individual’s susceptibility to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the presence of T45G and G276T single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the ADIPOQ gene among Filipino pregnant women. A total of 285 pregnant women (95 GDM cases and 190 controls) were included in this study. Two ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan assay. Results of SNP genotyping showed no significant differences in the frequencies of TT, TG and GG genotypes of T45G SNP between the GDM and control group [p = 1.0000, 0.6179, 0.5797; OR (95%CI) = 1.030 (0.582–1.874), 1.135 (0.683–1.828), 0.833 (0.481–1.420)]. Similarly, the frequencies of GG, GT, and TT genotypes of G276T SNP were comparable in both groups [p = 0.8002, 1.0000, 0.3466; OR (95%CI) = 1.090 (0.654–1.785), 1.022 (0.616–1.665), 0.433 (0.092–1.698)]. Moreover, although adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in GDM group (p = 0.0196) and have shown substantial negative correlations with FBS, 1-hour OGTT, 2-hour OGTT, and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05), they were not significantly different according to genotypes of T45G and G276T polymorphisms both in GDM and control group. Our results suggest that neither of the two ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms influence adiponectin levels and development of GDM in a Filipino population.