bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity awareness-insight is inversely associated with body composition and physical activity behaviour in women with obesity at the admission to a lifestyle modification program
Authors: Gunes S , Aytutuldu G , Akinci B
Published: June 2024

Backgroud

Increased obesity awareness may improve the compliance and adherence to secondary prevention initiations and has the potential to reduce obesity-related morbidity and mortality. In the literature, obesity awareness and its impact on body composition was investigated in various populations. However, the association between obesity awareness-insight with physical activity behaviour has not been investigated.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine obesity awareness-insight in relation to body composition and physical activity behavior in women with obesity who admitted to a lifestyle modification program.

Methods

Eighty-two women with obesity (age= 38.22±12.49/years; 46 moderate, 26 severe, 10 morbid) were included. Body composition was assessed. Obesity Awareness and Insight scale(OASIS), Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (SBQ) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were questioned.

Results

OASIS total score was positively correlated with SBQ total weekday time (p=0.009), SBQ total weekend time (p=0.024), SBQ total weekly time (p=0.008), BMI (p<0.0001), waist circumference (p=0.003), visceral fat (p<0.0001) and body fat percentage (p=0.003). A negative correlation was found between OASIS negative outcome awareness sub score and IPAQ-SF moderate physical activity (p=0.04). OASIS mean total score (p<0.001, Z= -4.06), illness awareness from OASIS subgroups (p=0.00, Z= -2.89), symptom attribution (p=0.00, Z= -3.06), awareness of need for treatment (p=0.00, Z= -3.20), and awareness of negative outcomes (p=0.01, Z= -2.57) were found to be significantly higher in Class-2 obesity than in Class-1 obesity. Illness awareness of OASIS subgroups (p=0.04, Z= -1.99) and awareness of need for treatment (p=0.01, Z= -2.54) were higher in Class-3 obesity than in Class-1 obesity.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that increased obesity awareness-insight correlated with deteriorating body composition and increased sedentary behavior among women with obesity who were admitted to the lifestyle modification program. Furthermore, awareness of obesity-related adverse outcomes revealed an inverse association between with moderate physical activity. Behavioral strategies are needed to motivate women with obesity to compliance in lifestyle change to improve body composition and participation to physical activity.
Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior profiles over a week in patients with heart failure: comparison with healthy subjects and its determinants
Authors: Dias K L , Machado F , Pitta F , Hernandes N A
Published: June 2024

Background

Patients with heart failure (HF) are physically inactive and often exhibit excessive sedentary behavior. Understanding the magnitude of inactivity and time in sedentarism and its determinants could be useful in establish rehabilitation interventions to those patients.

Purpose

i) To evaluate how much patients with HF are more inactive and sedentary in daily life than their matched controls; ii) to compare the physical activity in daily life (PADL) levels of those patients during weekdays and weekend; and to study its determinants.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, patients with HF and age-, gender- and BMI-matched controls were included. The participants had their PADL objectively evaluated by an activity monitor worn during awake time, for seven consecutive days. Step count, time spent in sedentary behavior (SB), light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (MVPA) were recorded; the mean or sum of the days was used for the analyses. Anthropometric data, functional exercise capacity (six-minute walk test, 6MWT), exertional dyspnea (Borg scale), anxiety and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and health-related quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire, MLHFQ) of the patients with HF were assessed as potential determinants of PADL.

Results

Forty-three patients with HF (23 males; 65±11 yrs; LVEF: 47±15 %; BMI: 30±5 Kg.m-2) and 30 matched controls (11 males; 62±10 yrs; BMI: 29±5 Kg.m-2) were studied. The comparison of PADL profile between patients with HF and controls is presented in the Table 1. Considering the mean and the sum of the days, patients with HF presented time in MVPA, approximately, 60% lower than their controls. Time in SB and in light PA were similar between groups. On average, patients with HF presented 2190 steps/day (or 33%) less than the controls. In comparison to weekdays, patients with HF are even more inactive during weekends, considering both MVPA (9 [4-21] vs. 6 [3-12] min/day; P=0.005) and step count (4550±2366 vs. 4055±2228; P=0.02). Results of multiple stepwise regression models revealed that, in patients with HF, the step count was determined by the 6MWT and dyspnea sensation during the test (r2=0.37); MVPA was determined only by age (r2=0.19); light PA only by depression symptoms (r2=0.10); and SB was determined by the 6MWT, dyspnea sensation during the test and depression symptoms (r2=0.32).

Conclusions

Patients with HF are more physically inactive when compared to healthy individuals; conversely, they are as sedentary as their matched controls. During weekends, patients with HF are even more inactive than during weekdays. Functional capacity and exertional dyspnea determined the number of steps covered during a day and, in addition to depression symptoms, predicted also sedentary behavior in HF.
Prevalence and determinants of fear of movement in adult patients with congenital deart disease
Authors: Ter Hoeve N , Snaterse M , Jorstad H T , Sunamura M , Van Groen J C , Kauling R M , Robbers-Visser D , Van Den Bosch A E
Published: June 2024

Background

Low levels of physical activity is a common concern among adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Fear of movement, also known as kinesiophobia, has been suggested as an important contributor to these low levels of physical activity in the general cardiovascular disease population. However, levels of kinesiophobia have not been investigated in ACHD patients.

Objective

To investigate kinesiophobia prevalence in ACHD patients, and to identify potential predictors of fear of movement. Second, we investigated the impact of kinesiophobia on physical activity levels.

Methods

ACHD patients from two Dutch university hospitals participated in this study by completing a series of questionnaires, including the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-NL Heart). The TSK-NL Heart, with a scoring range from 13 to 52, identifies scores ≥29 as indicative of high levels of kinesiophobia. Baseline characteristics, including age, sex, NYHA class, number of cardiac surgeries, prior participation in cardiac rehabilitation, educational level, and participation in physical activity were self-reported. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence of high levels of kinesiophobia. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with high levels of kinesiophobia and to assess its impact on physical activity (corrected for age and sex).

Results

A total of 794 ACHD patients (50% female, aged 45 (+/- 14) years) completed all questionnaires, whereof 232 patients (29%) reported high levels of kinesiophobia. A total of 494 patients (62%) reported to be in NYHA class 1, 249 patients (31%) in NYHA class 2, 46 patients (6%) in NYHA class 3 and 5 patients (1%) in NYHA class 4. Men were more likely to experience kinesiophobia (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.09-2.15). Higher self-reported NYHA class was associated with increased likelihood of kinesiophobia (NYHA class 2 vs 1: OR 2.92, 95% CI 2.03-4.20; and NYHA class 3 or 4 vs 1: OR 12.61, 95% CI 6.24-25.47, see Figure). A high level of kinesiophobia decreased the probability of being physically active for at least 30 min/day during 5 days/week (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.97).

Conclusion

This study reveals a considerable prevalence of kinesiophobia among ACHD patients. High levels of kinesiophobia were associated with lower levels of physical activity. The identified predictors, including sex and NYHA class, provide valuable insights for designing targeted interventions aimed at mitigating kinesiophobia and promoting increased physical activity in ACHD patients. Determinants of Fear of Movement.
Examining the impact of a 10-week HIIT exercise program on recent cardiac rehabilitation graduates: a case for cardiac maintenance
Authors: O'neill C D , Moller O , Fowles J
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve aerobic capacity and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depression) and reduce the risk of a secondary cardiac event. Following hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, patients are left largely on their own to return to their normal routines with no continuation of support for continued exercise training; many lack sufficient exercise experience and confidence to continue a regimen independently. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is effective when integrated into cardiac rehabilitation, but its effectiveness in a community setting is not established.

Purpose

To evaluate implementation of a HIIT exercise protocol into a community cardiac maintenance program, developed to provide supervised exercise training for graduates of hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods

Recent (<1 year) graduates of hospital based cardiac rehabilitation patients were recruited to complete the 10-week program. Exercise sessions occurred 3 days per week for 50 minutes per session and consisted of the following: 1 day of strength training, 1 day of individual HIIT, and 1 day of group-based HIIT. Intensity prescription was based on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Aerobic intervals consisted of 4 minutes of high intensity (i.e. RPE of 15-17) and 3 minutes of low intensity (i.e. RPE of 9-11) on a modality of the participants choosing. RPE was recorded at the beginning, mid-point, and end of each interval to ensure intensity targets were being met. Assessments were completed at pre- and post-program for (1) physical fitness using the Seniors Fitness test; (2) mental health using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and subscales HADS, for anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D); and, (3) self-efficacy using the self-efficacy for exercise (SEE) questionnaire.

Results

To date, 17 participants (age: 66.9 ± 7.6 years (range: 48-75) [100% male]) have completed the 10-week HIIT program, and data collection is ongoing. Significant improvements have been observed in physical fitness, specifically in the 6MWT (pre: 526 post: 570m; p-value = <0.01) and in SEE (pre: 30.7 ± 9.0 post: 73.9 ± 12.8, p-value = <0.01). While no significant changes have occurred in the HADS-A (pre: 3.8 ± 3.4 post: p-value = 0.22) or HADS-D (pre: 3.9 ± 2.1, post: 2.2 ± 1.9; p-value = 0.17) clinically meaningful changes were noted in the HADS-D.

Conclusion

These results suggest that continued supervised exercise training in a community setting is effective for improving physical and mental health and increases self-efficacy for exercise in recent hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation settings. Future research should evaluate ways to increase female participation.
Cardiovascular risk factor control in acute coronary syndrome survivors in a cardiac rehabilitation program - are we achieving sustained results?
Authors: Mangas Palma P P , Rocha M R , Moreira H M , Oliveira C O , Ana Pinho A P , Luis Santos L S , Cabrita A C , Marques C M , Rodrigues J R , Rocha A R , Dias P D , Rodrigues R R
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are well established. CR programs effectively promote a healthy lifestyle and manage risk factors (RF), thereby reducing all-cause and cardiovascular morbidity and improving health related quality of life. Despite its effectiveness, many patients relapse to pre-morbid habits upon returning to their daily routines (1).

Purpose

To characterize RF control after an exercise-based CR program and relapse 1 year after discharge from the program.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single-centre cohort study which included patients who were referred to CR program from 2020 to 2022 and completed a phase II exercise-based CR program. Achievement of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, HbA1c, weight loss and smoking cessation was assessed. Lipid profile parameters were assessed and compared at three time points - hospitalization, end of the program and 1 year after primary care follow-up.

Results

A total of 75 patients were included (85% male, with a mean age of 51.6 + 9.60 years). 61.3% had an ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The most prevalent risk factors were smoking (57.3%), dyslipidemia (54.7%), hypertension (42.7%), obesity (20%) and diabetes mellitus (16.0%).

Mean LDL cholesterol at admission was 118 + 55.7mg/dL and 60.1 + 17.9mg/dL at the end of the CRP (p<0.001), with 64.4% under the <55mg/dL target. Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at admission was 6.35 + 1.65% and 6.16 + 0.76 at the end of the CRP (p=0.114), with 83% under the <7% target. Weight loss was achieved in 40.0% of obese patients and complete smoking cessation in 58.5% of smokers during the CRP.

At 1 year follow-up, mean LDL cholesterol was 66.8 + 30.5mg/dL and mean HbA1c 6.69 + 0.96%. Only 40% were under the LDL target and a median weight gain of 2.02kg (7.75 IQR) was also observed.

Conclusions

This study highlights the efficacy CR program in achieving the treatment targets outlined in the European Society of Cardiology prevention guidelines. There is, however, a pressing need for the implementation of novel strategies aimed at enhancing long- term adherence and maintenance of RF control, particularly within the primary care setting. Addressing this challenge will contribute significantly to the sustained success of cardiovascular health interventions.
Post COVID symptoms of fatigue or dyspnea in young patients are not related to impaired aerobic capacity measured be cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Authors: Dritsas A , Papatheodorou E , Koltsida O , Tsiakos K , Sventzouri S , Laoutaris I D , Sterpis S I , Xenou M I , Thomopoulou S , Georgiadou P , Rapti A , Anastasakis A
Published: June 2024

Background

Up to 5-10% of patients (pts) report long-term cardiac symptoms associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Aim

To evaluate by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) pts with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who reported fatigue or dyspnea symptoms 3 months after infection.

Methods

Pts hospitalization data, demographics, severity of COVID-19 disease and comorbidities were collected. Evidence of cardiac involvement during hospitalization was documented. All pts underwent an extensive clinical protocol with biomarkers, electrocardiography, 2D echocardiography, 24 hour Holter monitoring and a treadmill CPET.

Results

The cohort consisted of 85 pts (mean age 44 ± 8 yrs): 55 hospitalized pts (mean hospitalization 11.8 ± 4.3 days) and 30 non-hospitalized pts. Five percent of the cohort had evidence of troponin rise upon infection. A relevant cardiac diagnosis was identified in 48% of the cohort. The dominant diagnoses were cardiomyopathy (18%) and healed myocarditis (13%) followed by diastolic heart failure (5%), pulmonary hypertension (4%) and cardiac arrhythmias (3%). Fifty eight (68%) pts of the cohort (mean age 43±8) underwent a treadmill CPET, 25 (43%) of them complaining of fatigue and (28) 57% of effort dyspnea at presentation. However, they showed an overall satisfactory exercise capacity on CPET by achieving (mean 88±15 %) of the max predicted pVO2 with achieved VE/VCO2 also within normal range (mean 31±4).

Conclusions

Cardiac involvement is identified in almost half of young patients with long-Covid symptoms of fatigue or dyspnea who were referred to a tertiary cardiac center. However, despite symptoms their aerobic capacity objectively measured by CPET was not impaired.
Gender differences in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking
Authors: Tomoaia R , Anderton T , Botis I , Lwin M , Soo C , Javed W , Kamani C , Plein S
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The recognition of gender differences in cardiovascular disease is increasing. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) offers high spatial and temporal resolution images irrespective of body shape and size. This enables precise evaluation of deformational mechanics of cardiac contraction which can be impaired even when the ejection fraction is normal. While previous studies have suggested gender differences using echocardiography speckle-tracking in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), there is no similar data on the use of CMR.

The aim of the study was to compare cardiac deformation parameters obtained using CMR 3D feature tracking imaging (FTI) for male and female individuals with HCM.

Methods

Consecutive patients with HCM, LVEF>55% and HCM-related fibrosis were included in the study. CMR FTI parameters included left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial (GRS) strain derived from multi-slice 2D cine image stacks in the short LV short axis plane. FTI was calculated using Circle Cvi42 software.

Results

A total of 28 patients with HCM were included in the analysis, with an equal number of 14 men and 14 women. All patients demonstrated impaired longitudinal, but preserved circumferential and radial deformation parameters as compared to FTI reference values (mean GLS -was of 9.5% ± 3.9, mean GCS of -15.7% ± 8, mean GRS of 36.1% ± 13.5). There were no significant differences in terms of age (69.7 ± 12.2 vs. 63.9 ± 6 years, p=0.14), body mass index, number of hypertrophic segments (4.7 ± 2.7 vs. 4.3 ± 1.4, p=0.6), or number of segments with fibrosis (3.3 ± 2.2 vs. 3.3 ± 1.8) between women and men. When considering standard CMR parameters, women had lower left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (71.1 ± 17.5 ml vs. 87.7 ± 18.3 ml/m2, p=0.02), left ventricular mass (65.4 ± 19.6 vs. 86.1 ±2 9 g/m2, p=0.04), and right ventricular end-diastolic volumes (52.8 ±1 5.4 vs. 75.2 ± 13.3 ml/m2, p=0.0004). The LV and right ventricular (RV) ejection fractions were similar between males and females. Regarding FTI parameters, both GCS (-14.3% ± 9.5 vs. -16% ± 9, p=0.63) and GRS (36.4% ± 10.7 vs. 37.4% ± 8.3, p=0.77) values were similar in both groups. However, women exhibited superior left ventricular systolic function compared to males in terms of GLS (-11.5% ± 2.5 vs. -8.1% ± 5.2, p=0.03).

Conclusions

HCM patients exhibited gender differences in 3D GLS on feature tracking CMR. This may have clinical relevance as impairment of left ventricular deformation is a powerful indicator of cardiovascular prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), even in the presence of preserved global systolic LV function. GLS 3D differences according to gender.
Exposure to workplace sexual harassment and risk of cardiometabolic disease: a prospective cohort study of 88 904 Swedish men and women
Authors: KC Prakash , Madsen Ida E H , Rugulies Reiner , Xu Tianwei , Westerlund Hugo , Nyberg Anna , Kivimäki Mika , Hanson Linda L Magnusson
Published: June 2024

Aims

Exposure to work-related sexual harassment may increase the risk for certain adverse behavioural and emotional outcomes but less is known about its association with somatic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. This study investigated the prospective association of work-related sexual harassment and risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods and results

This cohort study included 88 904 Swedish men and women in paid work who responded to questions on workplace sexual harassment in the Swedish Work Environment Survey (1995–2015) and were free from cardiometabolic diseases at baseline. Cardiometabolic diseases (CVD and type 2 diabetes) were identified from the National Patient Register and Causes of Death Register through linkage. Cox proportional hazard regression was used, adjusting for socio-demographic, work-related psychosocial, and physical exposure at baseline. Overall, 4.8% of the participants (n = 4300) reported exposure to workplace sexual harassment during the previous 12 months. After adjustment for sex, birth country, family situation, education, income, and work-related factors, workplace sexual harassment was associated with increased incidence of CVD [hazard ratio (HR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.51] and type 2 diabetes (1.45, 1.21–1.73). The HR for CVD (1.57, 1.15–2.15) and type 2 diabetes (1.85, 1.39–2.46) was increased for sexual harassment from superior or fellow workers, and sexual harassment from others was associated with type 2 diabetes (1.39, 1.13–1.70). The HR for both CVD (1.31, 0.95–1.81) and type 2 diabetes (1.72, 1.30–2.28) was increased for frequent exposure.

Conclusion

The results of this study support the hypothesis that workplace sexual harassment is prospectively associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Future research is warranted to understand causality and mechanisms behind these associations.
Calcium influx rapidly establishes distinct spatial recruitments of Annexins to cell wounds
Authors: Nakamura Mitsutoshi , Parkhurst Susan M
Published: June 2024

To survive daily damage, the formation of actomyosin ring at the wound edge is required to rapidly close cell wounds. Calcium influx is one of the start signals for these cell wound repair events. Here, we find that the rapid recruitment of all 3 Drosophila calcium-responding and phospholipid-binding Annexin proteins (AnxB9, AnxB10, and AnxB11) to distinct regions around the wound is regulated by the quantity of calcium influx rather than their binding to specific phospholipids. The distinct recruitment patterns of these Annexins regulate the subsequent recruitment of RhoGEF2 and RhoGEF3 through actin stabilization to form a robust actomyosin ring. Surprisingly, while the wound does not close in the absence of calcium influx, we find that reduced calcium influx can still initiate repair processes, albeit leading to severe repair phenotypes. Thus, our results suggest that, in addition to initiating repair events, the quantity of calcium influx is important for precise Annexin spatiotemporal protein recruitment to cell wounds and efficient wound repair.
The Bispectral Electroencephalography Method Quantifies Postoperative Delirium-Like States in Young and Aged Male Mice After Head-Mount Implantation Surgery
Authors: Nishiguchi Tsuyoshi , Shibata Kazuki , Yamanishi Kyosuke , Dittrich Mia Nicole , Islam Noah Yuki , Patel Shivani , Phuong Nathan James , Marra Pedro S , Malicoat Johnny R , Seki Tomoteru , Nishizawa Yoshitaka , Yamanashi Takehiko , Iwata Masaaki , Shinozaki Gen
Published: June 2024

Delirium, a syndrome characterized by an acute change in attention, awareness, and cognition, is commonly observed in older adults, although there are few quantitative monitoring methods in the clinical setting. We developed a bispectral electroencephalography (BSEEG) method capable of detecting delirium and can quantify the severity of delirium using a novel algorithm. Preclinical application of this novel BSEEG method can capture a delirium-like state in mice following lipopolysaccharide administration. However, its application to postoperative delirium (POD) has not yet been validated in animal experiments. This study aimed to create a POD model in mice with the BSEEG method by monitoring BSEEG scores following EEG head-mount implantation surgery and throughout the recovery. We compared the BSEEG scores of C57BL/6J young (2–3 months old) with aged (18–19 months old) male mice for quantitative evaluation of POD-like states. Postoperatively, both groups displayed increased BSEEG scores and a loss of regular diurnal changes in BSEEG scores. In young mice, BSEEG scores and regular diurnal changes recovered relatively quickly to baseline by postoperative day (PO-Day) 3. Conversely, aged mice exhibited prolonged increases in postoperative BSEEG scores and it reached steady states only after PO-Day 8. This study suggests that the BSEEG method can be utilized as a quantitative measure of POD and assess the effect of aging on recovery from POD in the preclinical model.
Disclosure of diagnosis by parents and caregivers to children infected with HIV in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia: a multicentre, cross-sectional study
Authors: Tari Kejela , Dheresa Merga , Abdisa Lemesa , Abebe Dawit , Admassu Desalegn , Mesfin Sinetibeb
Published: June 2024

Background

In recent years, the life expectancy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children has increased with the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART). Regardless of the clinical recommendations encouraging HIV status disclosure, the practice of caregiver disclosure is frequently challenging due to many constraints associated with caregivers and healthcare personnel. As studies suggest, disclosure of the HIV-positive status of children is low, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of infected children reside. Thus the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HIV-positive status disclosure to infected children and the pertinent factors associated with caregivers of these children. Moreover, unlike previous studies conducted in Ethiopia, this study included children residing in orphanages.

Methods

We assessed HIV-positive status disclosure and associated factors among infected children in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia, from 25 May to 20 July 2021. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in six public health facilities that provide HIV treatment and care. Data were collected from 355 randomly selected caregivers using interviewer-administered questionnaires and record reviews. Binary and multiple logistic regression was used to explore the association between independent variables and the outcome. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to determine the strength of the association and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Of the 355 children, 132 (37.2%) were informed about their HIV-positive status. Being of young age (≤12 y) (aOR 0.52 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.98]), having caregivers who were not familiar with anyone who disclosed children's HIV status (aOR 0.28 [95% CI 0.16 to 0.49]), children with a family that had a primary education (aOR 0.46 [95% CI 0.23 to 0.89]) and being a child who has taken ART for <5 y (aOR 0.47 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.80]) had a significant association with non-disclosure of HIV-positive status to infected children.

Conclusions

The findings show that disclosure of HIV-positive status to infected children is low. This suggests the need to provide support and education to caregivers, facilitate experience-sharing sessions between caregivers who disclosed the HIV status to infected children and implement age-specific disclosure interventions for young children. In addition, it is important to provide support and counselling to the children when their HIV status is disclosed.
Genome-wide screen of genetic determinants that govern Escherichia coli growth and persistence in lake water
Authors: Teteneva Nataliya , Sanches-Medeiros Ananda , Sourjik Victor
Published: June 2024

Although enteric bacteria normally reside within the animal intestine, the ability to persist extraintestinally is an essential part of their overall lifestyle, and it might contribute to transmission between hosts. Despite this potential importance, few genetic determinants of extraintestinal growth and survival have been identified, even for the best-studied model, Escherichia coli. In this work, we thus used a genome-wide library of barcoded transposon insertions to systematically identify functional clusters of genes that are crucial for E. coli fitness in lake water. Our results revealed that inactivation of pathways involved in maintaining outer membrane integrity, nucleotide biosynthesis, and chemotaxis negatively affected E. coli growth or survival in this extraintestinal environment. In contrast, inactivation of another group of genes apparently benefited E. coli growth or persistence in filtered lake water, resulting in higher abundance of these mutants. This group included rpoS, which encodes the general stress response sigma factor, as well as genes encoding several other global transcriptional regulators and RNA chaperones, along with several poorly annotated genes. Based on this co-enrichment, we identified these gene products as novel positive regulators of RpoS activity. We further observed that, despite their enhanced growth, E. coli mutants with inactive RpoS had reduced viability in lake water, and they were not enriched in the presence of the autochthonous microbiota. This highlights the duality of the general stress response pathway for E. coli growth outside the host.
Dynamic changes in key factors of the blood-brain barrier in early diabetic mice
Authors: Xu Zhi-yong , Fu Shu-xian , Zhao Hui-chao , Wang Yin-min , Liu Yan , Ma Jin-you , Yu Yan , Zhang Jia-Le , Han Zhan-peng , Zheng Ming-xue
Published: June 2024

Chronic hyperglycemia can result in damage to the hippocampus and dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), potentially leading to neurological disorders. This study examined the histological structure of the hippocampus and the expression of critical genes associated with the BBB at 2 early stage time points in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) mouse model. Routine histology revealed vascular congestion and dilation of Virchow-Robin spaces in the hippocampal CA1 region of the DM group. Neuronal alterations included rounding and swelling and reduction in Nissl bodies and increased apoptosis. Compared to the control group, TJP1 mRNA expression in the DM group was significantly lower (P < .05 or P < .01), while mRNA levels of JAM3, TJP3, CLDN5, CLDN3, and OCLN initially increased and then decreased. At 7, 14, and 21 days, mRNA levels of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGER) were greater in the DM group than in the control group (P < .05 or P < .01). These findings indicate that early-stage diabetes may cause structural and functional impairments in hippocampal CA1 in mice. These abnormalities may parallel alterations in the expression of key BBB tight junction molecules and elevated AGER expression in early DM patients.
Doing legality as doing drag: the Yogyakarta Principles and the productive power of performing international law-making
Authors: Santos de Carvalho Juliana
Published: June 2024

Despite being elaborated by experts, the Yogyakarta Principles on sexual orientation and gender identity (YP) strongly resemble an international human rights treaty in their language and format. Building on drag performances, I argue that, instead of merely imitating law, the YP creatively disturb the borders of international law-making.
Gender, fertility, and employment among African women in Spain, 2000–2020
Authors: Gastón-Guiu Silvia , Bueno Xiana
Published: June 2024

The African population is among those with the largest migratory tradition in Spain. During the period of economic growth, migratory flows from Africa were mostly men and of an economic nature, while the majority of women embarked on their migratory projects for family reunification. However, the ensuing socioeconomic circumstances led to variations in these trends. The aim of this study is to explore how changes in the economic cycle during the last two decades have affected the reproductive behavior of African migrant women, with particular attention to their relationship with the Spanish labor market from a couple-level perspective. We analyze longitudinal data from the Spanish Labor Force Survey from 2000 to 2020. The results show how the Great Recession had the effect of lowering fertility throughout the sample. Notably, unlike other origins, for African-born women, the negative effect on fertility endures during the recovery period, even when controlling for other factors. Results also suggest that when African women transition from inactivity to unemployment, the probability of having a child is lower compared with the traditional gender-role model. However, the fertility of African couples with a favorable education and employment position for both partners is not significantly different from that of couples representing the traditional model. Our results might be pointing toward changes in gender roles among couples of African origin in Spain, at least in the domain of the labor market. Future research should explore whether these changes extend to the private sphere within families.
Application of the Modified Grunow-Finke Risk Assessment Tool to the Sverdlovsk Anthrax Outbreak of 1979
Authors: Zhang Pan , MacIntyre C. Raina , Chen Xin , Chughtai Abrar A
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The modified Grunow-Finke tool (mGFT) is an improved scoring system for distinguishing unnatural outbreaks from natural ones. The 1979 Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak was due to the inhalation of anthrax spores from a military laboratory, confirmed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin in 1992. At the time the Soviet Union insisted that the outbreak was caused by meat contaminated by diseased animals. At the time there was no available risk assessment tool capable of thoroughly examine the origin of the outbreak.

Methods

This study aimed to retrospectively apply the mGFT to test its ability to correctly identify the origin of the Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak of 1979 as unnatural, using data available up to 1992, before the disclosure of a laboratory leak. Data spanning from 1979 to 1992 were collected through literature reviews. Evidence related to each mGFT criterion was scored on a scale of 0 to 3 and independently reviewed by 3 assessors. These scores were then multiplied with a weighting factor and summed to obtain a maximum score. A final score exceeding 30 was indicative of an unnatural origin.

Results

The mGFT results assigned a total of 47 points to the Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak, suggesting an unnatural origin with a 78% likelihood.

Conclusions

These findings align with the confirmed unnatural origin of the outbreak, highlighting the value of tools such as the mGFT in identifying unnatural outbreaks. Such tools integrate both intelligence evidence and biological evidence in the identification of unnatural outbreaks. The use of such tools for identifying unnatural outbreaks is limited. Outbreak investigation can be improved if risk assessment tools become integral to routine public health practice and outbreak investigations.
Factors That Influence Health Care–Seeking Behavior and Health Information Disclosure Among U.S. Air Force Pilots
Authors: Goodman Tanya M , Martinez Rachael N , Giarrusso Nicole L , Thompson Christopher , Hoffman William R
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The reality of pilot health care avoidance behavior is often common knowledge to both pilots and aeromedical physicians, but the underlying factors leading to this behavior are less understood. In the current study, we conducted a qualitative assessment of a sample of U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilots to gather firsthand perceptions of the factors that encourage and discourage disclosure during aeromedical screening and use of mental and physical health care services, as well as recommendations to improve the USAF aeromedical health care system.

Materials and Methods

We conducted interviews with 21 USAF pilots on their perceptions of seeking medical care to identify factors that uniquely discourage or encourage disclosure and health care utilization to understand factors that aid the aeromedical provider/aviator relationship and to elicit interventions that could be prospectively researched. This work was reviewed by the Air Force Research Laboratory Institutional Review Board at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and designated as exempt research, FWR20220103E.

Results

The most reported factors that discourage military pilot health care disclosure and health care utilization overall were medical revocation, stigma, and lack of trust in providers. Unit-embedded services, ease of access, and severity of condition were the most reported factors encouraging disclosure and utilization. Factor descriptions and exemplary quotes from pilots and pilot recommendations to encourage health care utilization and disclosure are provided.

Conclusions

Results from firsthand interviews with pilots provide valuable information for flight surgeons to focus on building trust with their pilots to reduce health care avoidance.
Biases in ARG-Based Inference of Historical Population Size in Populations Experiencing Selection
Authors: Marsh Jacob I , Johri Parul
Published: June 2024

Inferring the demographic history of populations provides fundamental insights into species dynamics and is essential for developing a null model to accurately study selective processes. However, background selection and selective sweeps can produce genomic signatures at linked sites that mimic or mask signals associated with historical population size change. While the theoretical biases introduced by the linked effects of selection have been well established, it is unclear whether ancestral recombination graph (ARG)-based approaches to demographic inference in typical empirical analyses are susceptible to misinference due to these effects. To address this, we developed highly realistic forward simulations of human and Drosophila melanogaster populations, including empirically estimated variability of gene density, mutation rates, recombination rates, purifying, and positive selection, across different historical demographic scenarios, to broadly assess the impact of selection on demographic inference using a genealogy-based approach. Our results indicate that the linked effects of selection minimally impact demographic inference for human populations, although it could cause misinference in populations with similar genome architecture and population parameters experiencing more frequent recurrent sweeps. We found that accurate demographic inference of D. melanogaster populations by ARG-based methods is compromised by the presence of pervasive background selection alone, leading to spurious inferences of recent population expansion, which may be further worsened by recurrent sweeps, depending on the proportion and strength of beneficial mutations. Caution and additional testing with species-specific simulations are needed when inferring population history with non-human populations using ARG-based approaches to avoid misinference due to the linked effects of selection.
Revision of the British Lower Jurassic Astartinae (Bivalvia)
Authors: Knight Robin I , Collins Katie S , Morris Noel J
Published: June 2024

The Astartidae (Bivalvia) are a common benthic fossil in the British Lower Jurassic and as such it is important to understand their taxonomy so as to use them as a study system with which to consider environmental change through, and extinction events in, this epoch. The majority of the species of the Astartidae from the British Lower Jurassic are taxa within the subfamily Astartinae, encompassing the genera Neocrassina, Coelastarte and Oxyeurax. There has been some question as to whether those shells attributed to Neocrassina could be further split, with two species assigned to this genus having some characters that are atypical. We prefer to retain the atypical species within ?Neocrassina, the genus with which they have the greatest affinity, rather than erect another genus. This study assigns the suite of British Lower Jurassic fossil bivalves attributed to Nicaniella to Oxyeurax, based on the presence of a poorly defined 3a tooth and form of commarginal ridge ornament. Differentiation at the species level in Astartinae is complicated; the subfamily exhibits generally low disparity compared with other bivalves, compounded by ecomorphological effects and, in some cases, sexual dimorphism. We show that the Neocrassina lineage exhibits gradual changes in shape, as well as hinge plate development and complexity, through the Lower Jurassic, and identify potential sexual dimorphism in species of Oxyeurax. The temporally overlapping species of Oxyeurax display varying degrees of ornamental development which may well be environmentally controlled and are used in this study to define distinct new species. This study recognizes 12 distinct species of Astartinae from the British Lower Jurassic. Nine are established taxa (Neocrassina elegans, N. expansa, N. gueuxii, N. lurida, N. phaedra, ?N. camertonensis, ?N. dentilabrum, Oxyeurax duplicata, O. striatosulcata), whilstthree are new species (Coelastarte wardenensis, O. mickletonensis and Oxyeurax thompsoni). Only two of the British Lower Jurassic Astartinae species appear to have survived the global Early Toarcian extinction event as represented in British successions; one Neocrassina and one Oxyeurax. However, the lack of fossiliferous, high energy near shore environments in the early Toarcian may bias this observation, especially for Oxyeurax.
omicsMIC: a comprehensive benchmarking platform for robust comparison of imputation methods in mass spectrometry-based omics data
Authors: Lin Weiqiang , Ji Jiadong , Su Kuan-Jui , Qiu Chuan , Tian Qing , Zhao Lan-Juan , Luo Zhe , Wu Chong , Shen Hui , Deng Hongwen
Published: June 2024

Mass spectrometry is a powerful and widely used tool for generating proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics profiles, which is pivotal for elucidating biological processes and identifying biomarkers. However, missing values in mass spectrometry-based omics data may pose a critical challenge for the comprehensive identification of biomarkers and elucidation of the biological processes underlying human complex disorders. To alleviate this issue, various imputation methods for mass spectrometry-based omics data have been developed. However, a comprehensive comparison of these imputation methods is still lacking, and researchers are frequently confronted with a multitude of options without a clear rationale for method selection. To address this pressing need, we developed omicsMIC (mass spectrometry-based omics with Missing values Imputation methods Comparison platform), an interactive platform that provides researchers with a versatile framework to evaluate the performance of 28 diverse imputation methods. omicsMIC offers a nuanced perspective, acknowledging the inherent heterogeneity in biological data and the unique attributes of each dataset. Our platform empowers researchers to make data-driven decisions in imputation method selection based on real-time visualizations of the outcomes associated with different imputation strategies. The comprehensive benchmarking and versatility of omicsMIC make it a valuable tool for the scientific community engaged in mass spectrometry-based omics research. omicsMIC is freely available at https://github.com/WQLin8/omicsMIC.
Identifying a Level of Neutralizing Antibody That Correlates With Protection From Clinical Mumps Disease During a 2017 Mumps Outbreak Among Military Service Members
Authors: Sowers Sun B , Clemmons Nakia S , Mercader Sara , Nielsen Lindsey , Colley Heather , Jordan Nikki N , Bettger Caitlin C , Masters Nina B , Markelz Ana E , Hickman Carole J
Published: June 2024

Background

In 2017, a mumps outbreak occurred in a US military barracks. Serum collected at service entry was used to compare pre-exposure with presumptive vaccine-induced antibody levels from persons who developed mumps (cases) and potentially exposed persons who did not develop mumps (non-cases). Sufficient information to determine levels of exposure during the outbreak was not available.

Methods

Pre-outbreak serum samples from the Department of Defense Serum Repository were available from 254 potentially exposed service members. Twelve developed clinical symptoms and had post-outbreak serum collected. All sera were tested with a mumps-specific enzyme immunoassay for immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and IgG avidity. The neutralizing antibodies to vaccine strain (Jeryl Lynn [JL], genotype A) and wildtype virus (genotype G) was assessed by a plaque reduction neutralization test. A Fisher exact test and receiver operator characteristic curve were used to analyze the antibody response for non-cases and mumps cases.

Results

Eight mumps cases were laboratory confirmed. Pre-outbreak neutralizing antibody titers to JL and genotype G mumps virus and pre-outbreak IgG index values were proportionately lower for most cases as compared with exposed non-cases. When compared with potentially exposed non-cases, cases with clinical symptoms had greater odds of having a pre-outbreak JL titer <41 and a genotype G titer <16.

Conclusions

We identified potential correlates of protection for mumps neutralizing antibody titers against JL and genotype G mumps viruses.
An overview of the drivers of performance in nonbreeding Nearctic–Neotropical migratory songbirds
Authors: Rodríguez Vásquez Fabiola , Taylor Caz
Published: June 2024

Developing conservation and recovery strategies for Nearctic–Neotropical migratory songbirds requires key research because population-limiting factors remain unknown for many species. In particular, the stationary nonbreeding period (sometimes referred to as overwintering) encompasses 6–8 months of the full annual cycle. We conducted a systematic review to assess what is known about the factors that influence individual-level performance (i.e., fitness proxies or indicators of self-maintenance) of Nearctic–Neotropical migratory songbirds during the stationary nonbreeding period. We focused on the metrics of apparent survival, persistence, and body condition (mass-related) indices. We found that 51 of 125 migratory Passeriformes species’ performance has been studied in 57 studies during the nonbreeding period. However, most species appear in only one study; thus, knowledge is skewed toward 3 species appearing in ≥ 10 studies. Body condition indices were the most studied group of metrics and apparent survival was the least studied. Habitat type, food availability, and precipitation were studied much more than other drivers, such as disease and predation. The most studied driver of nonbreeding performance was habitat type. Evidence was found among these studies that suggest that natural habitat types, wetter habitats or precipitation, and high availability of food may positively influence body condition, apparent survival, and persistence. Significant knowledge gaps remain that, if filled, could inform conservation strategies, especially for 59.2% of Passeriformes that are Nearctic–Neotropical migratory species and for areas of the nonbreeding range.