bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving lifestyles sustainability through community gardening: results and lessons learnt from the JArDinS quasi-experimental study
Authors: Tharrey Marion , Sachs Ashby , Perignon Marlène , Simon Chantal , Mejean Caroline , Litt Jill , Darmon Nicole
Published: November 2020

Background

Despite an increasing number of studies highlighting the health benefits of community gardening, the literature is limited by cross-sectional designs. The “JArDinS” quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the impact of community garden participation on the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles among French adults.

Methods

Individuals entering a community garden in Montpellier (France) in 2018 (n = 66) were compared with pairwise matched individuals with no experience in community gardening (n = 66). Nutritional quality, environmental impact and cost of monthly household food supplies, level of physical activity measured by accelerometers, as well as mental and social well-being, sensitivity to food waste, and connection with nature were evaluated at baseline (t0) and 12 months later (t1) to explore sustainability of lifestyles in social/health, environmental and economic dimensions. Linear mixed models were used to determine the independent effect of community gardening on investigated lifestyles components. In-depth interviews were conducted at t1 with 15 gardeners to better understand changes that may have occurred in gardeners’ lives during the first year of gardening.

Results

At t0, gardeners had lower education level, lower BMI and their household reported lower percentage of meals consumed outside of the home compared to non-gardeners (p <  0.05). Participating in the community garden had no significant impact, in spite of sufficient statistical power, on fruit and vegetables supplies (main outcome), nor on physical activity parameters, nor on others of the social/health, environmental and economic lifestyles components investigated. Qualitative interviews suggested the existence of pre-established health and environmental consciousness in some gardeners and revealed several barriers to the participation such as lack of time, lack of gardening knowledge, physical difficulty of gardening, health problems and conflicts with other gardeners.

Conclusions

The health benefits of community gardening previously reported by cross-sectional studies might be confounded by selection bias. The JArDinS study highlights the need to identify solutions to overcome barriers related to community garden participation when designing relevant public health interventions for the promotion of sustainable lifestyles.

Trial registration

The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov asNCT03694782. Date of registration: 3rd October 2018, retrospectively registered.
Preparedness and response activities of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home-based primary care program around the fall 2017 hurricane season
Authors: Wyte-Lake Tamar , Der-Martirosian Claudia , Chu Karen , Johnson-Koenke Rachel , Dobalian Aram
Published: November 2020

Background

Large-scale natural disasters disproportionally affect both the medically complex and the older old, groups that are responsible for most medical surge after a disaster. To understand how to ameliorate this surge, we examined the activities of the nine US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs impacted during the 2017 Fall Hurricane Season.

Methods

Convergent mixed methods design, incorporating independently conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses. Phase One: 34 clinical staff were interviewed from the nine VA HBPC programs impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to examine the experiences of their HBPC programs in response to the Hurricanes. Phase Two: Secondary quantitative data analysis used the VA’s Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) to examine the electronic health records of patients for these same nine sites.

Results

The emergency management activities of the HBPC programs emerged as two distinct phases: preparedness, and response and recovery. The early implementation of preparedness procedures, and coordinated post-Hurricane patient tracking, limited disruption in care and prevented significant hospitalizations among this population.

Conclusions

Individuals aged 75 or older, who often present with multiple comorbidities and decreased functional status, typically prefer to age in their homes. Additionally, as in-home medical equipment evolves, more medically vulnerable individuals are able to receive care at home. HBPC programs, and similar programs under Medicare, connect the homebound, medically complex, older old to the greater healthcare community. Engaging with these programs both pre- and post-disasters is central to bolstering community resilience for these at-risk populations.
Analysis of anxiety-related factors amongst frontline dental staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Yichang, China
Authors: Zhao Suli , Cao Jing , Sun Rongcan , Zhang Lin , Liu Beibei
Published: November 2020

Background

Dental staff were characterized with the tolerance of enduring stress and they are at a high risk to respiratory infectious disease. This study compared the anxiety level of the frontline dental staff (FDS) to the general public in Yichang during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and examined potential explanatory factors to the differences.

Methods

Two online questionnaires were used separately to collect data from FDS and the general public. The Chinese version of Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was included for the assessment of anxiety. Firstly, a Chi-square test was conducted to compare the anxiety state between these two groups. Then, a bivariate analysis using Cramer’s V and Eta squared was conducted to find the potential factors. Lastly, a binary logistic regression was performed to examine the association between potential factors and the anxiety state of FDS.

Results

In general, FDS were 4.342 (95% CI: 2.427–7.768) times more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders than the general public. The bivariate analysis showed that age, Level Three Protective Measures (PM-3), conflicts with patients and/or colleagues were moderately associated with the anxiety state of FDS. But the knowledge of COVID-19, the treatment to suspected or confirmed cases both had a weak association with the anxiety among FDS. Conversely, workload, the exposure to potential infectious substance and conducting aerosol generated performance were not significantly related to the anxiety of FDS. As the model indicated, an elder age and PM-3 protective measures could lower the anxiety state of FDS, whereas the conflict with patients or/and colleagues would worsen it.

Conclusions

During the COVID-19 pandemic, FDS were more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders than the general public. An elder age, sufficient personal protective measures and good relationships with colleagues and patients would help them to maintain good mental health.
Physiotherapy students can be educated to portray realistic patient roles in simulation: a pragmatic observational study
Authors: Pritchard Shane A. , Keating Jennifer L. , Nestel Debra , Blackstock Felicity C.
Published: November 2020

Background

Simulation-based education (SBE) has many benefits for learners, but costs can limit embedding SBE in health professional curricula. Peer simulation involves students portraying patient roles, and may reduce costs while still providing the benefits of other SBE experiences. However, the quality of the SBE may be impacted if students cannot portray authentic and realistic patient roles. The aim of this study was to investigate whether targeted education was associated with observable changes to physiotherapy students’ abilities to portray patient roles in SBE.

Methods

Second year pre-registration physiotherapy students (n = 40) participated. Students completed online and face-to-face education about SBE, patient portrayal skills, and how to portray a specific patient role. Students were video-recorded portraying patient roles in practical exams before and after the program. Three blinded independent assessors rated the overall quality of portrayals using a purpose-developed assessment instrument.

Results

Twenty-three sets of pre- and post-program videos were analysed. Correlations between assessor scores spanned 0.62 to 0.82 for analyses of interest, which justified using average assessor ratings in analysis. Statistically significant higher scores were seen for post-program assessments for overall portrayal scores (mean difference 6.5, 95%CI [1.51–11.45], p = 0.013), accuracy (mean difference 3.4, 95%CI [0.69–6.13], p = 0.016) and quality (mean difference 3.1, 95%CI [0.64–5.49], p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Physiotherapy students appear capable of playing realistic patient roles. Peer simulation can be embedded into health professional programs, and education in patient role portrayal appears to be associated with improvements in portrayal quality and realism. Given these findings, further investigation, including testing program effects in a randomised study, is warranted.
Duration of palliative care before death in international routine practice: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jordan Roberta I. , Allsop Matthew J. , ElMokhallalati Yousuf , Jackson Catriona E. , Edwards Helen L. , Chapman Emma J. , Deliens Luc , Bennett Michael I.
Published: November 2020

Background

Early provision of palliative care, at least 3–4 months before death, can improve patient quality of life and reduce burdensome treatments and financial costs. However, there is wide variation in the duration of palliative care received before death reported across the research literature. This study aims to determine the duration of time from initiation of palliative care to death for adults receiving palliative care across the international literature.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis that was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018094718). Six databases were searched for articles published between Jan 1, 2013, and Dec 31, 2018: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library, as well undertaking citation list searches. Following PRISMA guidelines, articles were screened using inclusion (any study design reporting duration from initiation to death in adults palliative care services) and exclusion (paediatric/non-English language studies, trials influencing the timing of palliative care) criteria. Quality appraisal was completed using Hawker’s criteria and the main outcome was the duration of palliative care (median/mean days from initiation to death).

Results

One hundred sixty-nine studies from 23 countries were included, involving 11,996,479 patients. Prior to death, the median duration from initiation of palliative care to death was 18.9 days (IQR 0.1), weighted by the number of participants. Significant differences between duration were found by disease type (15 days for cancer vs 6 days for non-cancer conditions), service type (19 days for specialist palliative care unit, 20 days for community/home care, and 6 days for general hospital ward) and development index of countries (18.91 days for very high development vs 34 days for all other levels of development). Forty-three per cent of studies were rated as ‘good’ quality. Limitations include a preponderance of data from high-income countries, with unclear implications for low- and middle-income countries.

Conclusions

Duration of palliative care is much shorter than the 3–4 months of input by a multidisciplinary team necessary in order for the full benefits of palliative care to be realised. Furthermore, the findings highlight inequity in access across patient, service and country characteristics. We welcome more consistent terminology and methodology in the assessment of duration of palliative care from all countries, alongside increased reporting from less-developed settings, to inform benchmarking, service evaluation and quality improvement.
Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for high-level production of gastrodin from glucose
Authors: Yin Hua , Hu Tiandong , Zhuang Yibin , Liu Tao
Published: November 2020

Background

The natural phenolic glycoside gastrodin is the major bioactive ingredient in the well-known Chinese herb Tianma and is widely used as a neuroprotective medicine in the clinic. Microbial production from sustainable resources is a promising method to replace plant extraction and chemical synthesis which were currently used in industrial gastrodin production. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered as an attractive host to produce natural plant products used in the food and pharmaceutical fields. In this work, we intended to explore the potential of S. cerevisiae as the host for high-level production of gastrodin from glucose.

Results

Here, we first identified the plant-derived glucosyltransferase AsUGT to convert 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to gastrodin with high catalytic efficiency in yeast. Then, we engineered de novo production of gastrodin by overexpressing codon-optimized AsUGTsyn, the carboxylic acid reductase gene CARsyn from Nocardia species, the phosphopantetheinyl transferase gene PPTcg-1syn from Corynebacterium glutamicum, the chorismate pyruvate-lyase gene UbiCsyn from Escherichia coli, and the mutant ARO4K229L. Finally, we achieved an improved product titer by a chromosomal multiple-copy integration strategy and enhancement of metabolic flux toward the aglycon 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. The best optimized strain produced 2.1 g/L gastrodin in mineral medium with glucose as the sole carbon source by flask fermentation, which was 175 times higher than that of the original gastrodin-producing strain.

Conclusions

The de novo high-level production of gastrodin was first achieved. Instead of chemical synthesis or plants extraction, our work provides an alternative strategy for the industrial production of gastrodin by microbial fermentation from a sustainable resource.
Spatiotemporal access to emergency medical services in Wuhan, China: accounting for scene and transport time intervals
Authors: Luo Weicong , Yao Jing , Mitchell Richard , Zhang Xiaoxiang
Published: November 2020

Background

Access as a primary indicator of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) efficiency has been widely studied over the last few decades. Most previous studies considered one-way trips, either getting ambulances to patients or transporting patients to hospitals. This research assesses spatiotemporal access to EMS at the shequ (the smallest administrative unit) level in Wuhan, China, attempting to fill a gap in literature by considering and comparing both trips in the evaluation of EMS access.

Methods

Two spatiotemporal access measures are adopted here: the proximity-based travel time obtained from online map services and the enhanced two-step floating catchment area (E-2SFCA) which is a gravity-based model. First, the travel time is calculated for the two trips involved in one EMS journey: one is from the nearest EMS station to the scene (i.e. scene time interval (STI)) and the other is from the scene to the nearest hospital (i.e. transport time interval (TTI)). Then, the predicted travel time is incorporated into the E-2SFCA model to calculate the access measure considering the availability of the service provider as well as the population in need. For both access measures, the calculation is implemented for peak hours and off-peak hours.

Results

Both methods showed a marked decrease in EMS access during peak traffic hours, and differences in spatial patterns of ambulance and hospital access. About 73.9% of shequs can receive an ambulance or get to the nearest hospital within 10 min during off-peak periods, and this proportion decreases to about 45.5% for peak periods. Most shequs with good ambulance access but poor hospital access are in the south of the study area. In general, the central areas have better ambulance, hospital and overall access than peripheral areas, particularly during off-peak periods.

Conclusions

In addition to the impact of peak traffic periods on EMS access, we found that good ambulance access does not necessarily guarantee good hospital access nor the overall access, and vice versa.
Seeking safety: a focus group study of young adults’ cannabis-related attitudes, and behavior in a state with legalized recreational cannabis
Authors: Amroussia Nada , Watanabe Mika , Pearson Jennifer L.
Published: November 2020

Background

Only July 1, 2017, Nevada became the fifth US state to allow the legal sale of recreational cannabis products for adults ages of 21 and over. This study investigates young adults’ cannabis-related attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors in a state where recreational and medical cannabis use was recently legalized.

Methods

We conducted 8 focus groups stratified by cannabis use (regular users, occasional users, and nonusers) with 32 college students ages 18 to 24. Data were analyzed using the inductive qualitative thematic analysis method.

Results

Four themes emerged during analyses: “sort of legal,” “mitigating harm through legalization,” “Increasing acceptance,” and “seeking safety when purchasing cannabis.” Despite their limited knowledge of cannabis regulation, the majority of the participants supported recreational cannabis legalization from a harm reduction perspective. Most participants did not believe that cannabis legalization had affected their use behavior. However, participants, especially cannabis users, perceived that recreational cannabis legalization created a context where cannabis use was legally, socially, and behaviorally “safer” than in an illegal context, even for those below the legal age of sale.

Conclusions

Most studies focus on the role of perceived health risk on cannabis use. If there are population-level long-term effects of recreational cannabis legalization on use behavior, findings suggest that they will be mediated by the perceived legal, social, and behavioral risk of using cannabis.
Lower mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity is a biomarker in FGFR3-mutant bladder cancer for better prognosis
Authors: Han Yuying , Liu Xu , Ye Haihong , Tian Ye , Ji Zhengguo
Published: November 2020

Background

Bladder cancer displays a broad mutational spectrum and intratumor heterogeneity (ITH), which results in difference in molecular phenotypes and resistance to therapies. However, there are currently no clinically available measures to predict patient prognosis using ITH. We aimed to establish a clinically relevant biomarker by using ITH for informing predictive of outcomes.

Methods

We used the Bioconductor R package Maftools to efficiently and comprehensively analyze somatic variants of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We then used a mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) algorithm to measure ITH and explored its correlation with clinical parameters as well as mutational subtypes.

Results

We observed a broad range of somatic mutations in MIBC from TCGA. MATH value was higher for the high-grade group than for the low-grade group (p < 0.05). There was a strong correlation between higher MATH value and presence of TP53 mutations (p = 0.008), as well as between lower MATH value and presence of FGFR3 mutations (p = 0.006). Patients with FGFR3 mutation and low MATH value exhibit longer overall survival time than that of all BLCA patients (p = 0.044), which was replicated in another bladder cancer database composed of 109 BLCA patients.

Conclusion

Measures of tumor heterogeneity may be useful biomarkers for identifying patients with bladder cancer. Low MATH value was an independent risk factor that predicted better prognosis for patients with FGFR3 mutation compared to all BLCA patients.
Inequality in physical activity, global trends by income inequality and gender in adults
Authors: SFM Chastin , Van Cauwenberg J. , Maenhout L. , Cardon G. , Lambert E. V. , Van Dyck D.
Published: November 2020

Background

Physical inactivity is a global pandemic associated with a high burden of disease and premature mortality. There is also a trend in growing economic inequalities which impacts population health. There is no global analysis of the relationship between income inequality and population levels of physical inactivity.

Methods

Two thousand sixteen World Health Organisation’s country level data about compliance with the 2010 global physical activity guidelines were analysed against country level income interquantile ratio data obtained from the World Bank, OECD and World Income Inequality Database. The analysis was stratified by country income (Low, Middle and High) according to the World Bank classification and gender. Multiple regression was used to quantify the association between physical activity and income inequality. Models were adjusted for GDP and percentage of GDP spent on health care for each country and out of pocket health care spent.

Results

Significantly higher levels of inactivity and a wider gap between the percentage of women and men meeting global physical activity guidelines were found in countries with higher income inequality in high and middle income countries irrespective of a country wealth and spend on health care. For example, in higher income countries, for each point increase in the interquantile ratio data, levels of inactivity in women were 3.73% (CI 0.89 6.57) higher, levels of inactivity in men were 2.04% (CI 0.08 4.15) higher and the gap in inactivity levels between women and men was 1.50% larger (CI 0.16 2.83). Similar relationships were found in middle income countries with lower effect sizes. These relationships were, however, not demonstrated in the low-income countries.

Conclusions

Economic inequalities, particularly in high- and middle- income countries might contribute to physical inactivity and might be an important factor to consider and address in order to combat the global inactivity pandemic and to achieve the World Health Organisation target for inactivity reduction.
Multi-omics examination of Q fever fatigue syndrome identifies similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Raijmakers Ruud P. H. , Roerink Megan E. , Jansen Anne F. M. , Keijmel Stephan P. , Gacesa Ranko , Li Yang , Joosten Leo A. B. , van der Meer Jos W. M. , Netea Mihai G. , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal P. , Xu Cheng-Jian
Published: November 2020

Background

Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS) is characterised by a state of prolonged fatigue that is seen in 20% of acute Q fever infections and has major health-related consequences. The molecular mechanisms underlying QFS are largely unclear. In order to better understand its pathogenesis, we applied a multi-omics approach to study the patterns of the gut microbiome, blood metabolome, and inflammatory proteome of QFS patients, and compared these with those of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients and healthy controls (HC).

Methods

The study population consisted of 31 QFS patients, 50 CFS patients, and 72 HC. All subjects were matched for age, gender, and general geographical region (South-East part of the Netherlands). The gut microbiome composition was assessed by Metagenomic sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform. A total of 92 circulating inflammatory markers were measured using Proximity Extension Essay and 1607 metabolic features were assessed with a high-throughput non-targeted metabolomics approach.

Results

Inflammatory markers, including 4E-BP1 (P = 9.60–16and 1.41–7) and MMP-1 (P = 7.09–9and 3.51–9), are significantly more expressed in both QFS and CFS patients compared to HC. Blood metabolite profiles show significant differences when comparing QFS (319 metabolites) and CFS (441 metabolites) patients to HC, and are significantly enriched in pathways like sphingolipid (P = 0.0256 and 0.0033) metabolism. When comparing QFS to CFS patients, almost no significant differences in metabolome were found. Comparison of microbiome taxonomy of QFS and CFS patients with that of HC, shows both in- and decreases in abundancies inBacteroidetes(with emphasis onBacteroidesandAlistiplesspp.), andFirmicutesandActinobacteria(with emphasis onRuminococcusandBifidobacteriumspp.). When we compare QFS patients to CFS patients, there is a striking resemblance and hardly any significant differences in microbiome taxonomy are found.

Conclusions

We show that QFS and CFS patients are similar across three different omics layers and 4E-BP1 and MMP-1 have the potential to distinguish QFS and CFS patients from HC.
Insulin inhibits inflammation-induced cone death in retinal detachment
Authors: Conart Jean-Baptiste , Blot Guillaume , Augustin Sébastien , Millet-Puel Géraldine , Roubeix Christophe , Beguier Fanny , Charles-Messance Hugo , Touhami Sara , Sahel José-Alain , Berrod Jean-Paul , Léveillard Thierry , Guillonneau Xavier , Delarasse Cécile , Sennlaub Florian
Published: November 2020

Background

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) involving the macula is a major cause of visual impairment despite high surgical success rate, mainly because of cone death. RD causes the infiltration of activated immune cells, but it is not clear whether and how infiltrating inflammatory cells contribute to cone cell loss.

Methods

Vitreous samples from patients with RD and from control patients with macular hole were analyzed to characterize the inflammatory response to RD. A mouse model of RD and retinal explants culture were then used to explore the mechanisms leading to cone death.

Results

Analysis of vitreous samples confirms that RD induces a marked inflammatory response with increased cytokine and chemokine expression in humans, which is closely mimicked by experimental murine RD. In this model, we corroborate that myeloid cells and T-lymphocytes contribute to cone loss, as the inhibition of their accumulation by Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) increased cone survival. Using monocyte/retinal co-cultures and TSP1 treatment in RD, we demonstrate that immune cell infiltration downregulates rod-derived cone viability factor (RdCVF), which physiologically regulates glucose uptake in cones. Insulin and the insulin sensitizers rosiglitazone and metformin prevent in part the RD-induced cone loss in vivo, despite the persistence of inflammation

Conclusion

Our results describe a new mechanism by which inflammation induces cone death in RD, likely through cone starvation due to the downregulation of RdCVF that could be reversed by insulin. Therapeutic inhibition of inflammation and stimulation of glucose availability in cones by insulin signaling might prevent RD-associated cone death until the RD can be surgically repaired and improve visual outcome after RD.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03318588
Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (northern Italy, southern Alps): biodiversity and use
Authors: Petelka Joshua , Plagg Barbara , Säumel Ina , Zerbe Stefan
Published: November 2020

Background

Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity.

Methods

Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species.

Results

A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming.

Conclusions

Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Furthermore, we point out particularly sensitive species that should be reconsidered for stronger protections in legal regulations.
Malaria during pregnancy and transplacental transfer of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) antibodies: a cohort study of Kenyan mother and child pairs
Authors: Sabourin Katherine R. , Ogolla Sidney , Daud Ibrahim I. , Jackson Conner L. , Miley Wendell , Labo Nazzarena , Whitby Denise , Rochford Rosemary
Published: November 2020

Background

Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) seroprevalence in sub-Saharan African children can range up to 50% by age 2 years but factors affecting early age of KSHV infection are not well understood. Malaria during pregnancy has been associated with hindered transplacental transfer of antibodies to several pathogens but whether it affects transplacental transfer of KSHV antibodies is unknown. We aimed to determine if in utero malaria exposure reduced the transfer of KSHV antibodies across the placenta.

Methods

A cohort study in Kisumu, Kenya enrolled pregnant women at their first antenatal clinic (ANC) visit and followed them through delivery. We included 70 KSHV-positive, HIV-negative mothers and their children. KSHV antibody levels were measured by ELISA (K8.1, ORF73) and multiplex assay (K8.1, ORF73, K10.5, ORF38, ORF50). Transplacental transfer of antibodies was measured by the cord to maternal blood ratio (CMR) of KSHV antibodies. Malaria during pregnancy was defined as detection of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) DNA at any ANC visit or delivery. Among women with malaria during pregnancy, we examined time of last malaria infection prior to delivery (< 27 vs. 27+ weeks gestation) and malaria incidence rate (MIR) (episodes/100 person-weeks).

Results

KSHV seroprevalence (positive for K8.1 or ORF73 by ELISA) among pregnant women was 88%. Neither malaria during pregnancy, malaria infection timing, nor MIR were associated with maternal delivery KSHV antibody blood levels. Maternal delivery and cord blood KSHV antibody levels were highly correlated but these correlations did not differ by malaria during pregnancy. KSHV transplacental antibody transfer was not associated with malaria during pregnancy, malaria infection timing, nor MIR.

Conclusions

Malaria during pregnancy does not appear to affect transfer of KSHV antibodies across the placenta.
The impact of pregnancy induced hypertension on low birth weight in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Getaneh Temesgen , Negesse Ayenew , Dessie Getenet , Desta Melaku
Published: November 2020

Background

Even though neonatal mortality reduction is the major goal needed to be achieved by 2030, it is still unacceptably high especially in Ethiopia. In the other hand, low birth weight is the major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. More than 10 millions of low birth weight infants occurred as a result of pregnancy induced hypertension. However, in Ethiopia the association between low birth weight and pregnancy induced hypertension was represented with un-updated, inconclusive and different studies. Therefore, this review aimed to estimate the overall pooled impact of pregnancy induced hypertension on low birth weight and its association in Ethiopia.

Methods

articles searched on PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane library, Google, Google Scholar and local shelves. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was applied for critical appraisal. TheI2statistic was computed to check the presence of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plot asymmetry and Egger’s test. A random effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of low birth weight.

Result

From the total 131 identified original articles, 25 were eligible and included for the final analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of low birth weight among women who had pregnancy induced hypertension in Ethiopia was 39.7% (95% CI: 33.3, 46.2). But,I2statistic estimation evidenced significant heterogeneity across included studies (I2 = 89.4,p < 0.001). In addition, the odds of having low birth weight newborns among women who had pregnancy induced hypertension was 3.89 times higher compared to their counterparts (OR = 3.89, 95% CI: 2.66, 5.69).

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of low birth weight among women who had pregnancy induced hypertension was more than two times higher than the pooled estimate of low birth weight among all reproductive aged women. The odds of low birth weight also increased nearly four times among women with pregnancy induced hypertension than normotensive women. Therefore, health policies which provide better and quality antenatal care with more oriented on importance of early detection and management of pregnancy induced hypertension should be implemented.
On n-polynomial p-convex functions and some related inequalities
Authors: Park Choonkil , Chu Yu-Ming , Shoaib Saleem Muhammad , Jahangir Nazia , Rehman Nasir
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new class of convex functions, so-calledn-polynomialp-convex functions. We discuss some algebraic properties and present Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities for this generalization. Moreover, we establish some refinements of Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities for this new class.
Analysis of factors affecting IoT-based smart hospital design
Authors: Uslu Banu Çalış , Okay Ertuğ , Dursun Erkan
Published: November 2020

Currently, rapidly developing digital technological innovations affect and change the integrated information management processes of all sectors. The high efficiency of these innovations has inevitably pushed the health sector into a digital transformation process to optimize the technologies and methodologies used to optimize healthcare management systems. In this transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology plays an important role, which enables many devices to connect and work together. IoT allows systems to work together using sensors, connection methods, internet protocols, databases, cloud computing, and analytic as infrastructure. In this respect, it is necessary to establish the necessary technical infrastructure and a suitable environment for the development of smart hospitals. This study points out the optimization factors, challenges, available technologies, and opportunities, as well as the system architecture that come about by employing IoT technology in smart hospital environments. In order to do that, the required technical infrastructure is divided into five layers and the system infrastructure, constraints, and methods needed in each layer are specified, which also includes the smart hospital’s dimensions and extent of intelligent computing and real-time big data analytic. As a result of the study, the deficiencies that may arise in each layer for the smart hospital design model and the factors that should be taken into account to eliminate them are explained. It is expected to provide a road map to managers, system developers, and researchers interested in optimization of the design of the smart hospital system.
Adoption of water harvesting technologies among agro-pastoralists in semi-arid rangelands of South Eastern Kenya
Authors: Lutta Alphayo I. , Wasonga Oliver Vivian , Nyangito Moses M. , Sudan Falendra Kumar , Robinson Lance W.
Published: November 2020

Background

The arid and semi-arid lands experience inherently unpredictable rainfall and frequent droughts, which are exacerbated by climate change. This consequently leads to deterioration of land resources, and eventually forage and water shortages that negatively impact livestock productivity. In Kenya, development and government agencies have been supporting on-farm adaptation strategies such as water harvesting conservation structures to cope with climate hazards that affect agricultural production and food security in agro-pastoral and pastoral systems. The various water harvesting structures that have been promoted include Zai pits for growing crops and trees, water pans and shallow wells for livestock and domestic use, as well as for irrigation. However, the impact of such interventions with regard to improvement of range productivity and therefore welfare of agro-pastoral and pastoral communities has not been felt owing to low adoption rate by households.

Results

This study determined social, economic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of water harvesting technologies by households in pastoral areas of Tana river County of Kenya. The data was collected through household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The results show that access to extension services and training, level of monthly income, main source of livelihood, land tenure, membership in social groups and availability of active farm labor significantly influenced the adoption of water harvesting structures.

Conclusion

Pastoralists therefore need to be mobilized and trained on how to construct and use water harvesting structures and sensitized on the potential socioeconomic benefits of adopting them.
Parametric Study of Different Unbonded Tendon Layouts in Pre-stressed Concrete Flat Plates
Authors: Samarakoon S. M. Samindi M. K. , Hodne Bjarte
Published: November 2020

Post-tensioned unbonded tendons are widely used in flat slabs/plates when there is a demand for large span lengths, durable tendons and a reduction in the weight of structure. For post-tensioned flat slab/plates, different tendon layouts have been discussed in the literature. It is vital to compare the structural response (i.e., deflection and stresses) and the clashing of tendons of the proposed tendon layouts in the literature to select an appropriate layout. Hence, this study focuses on the analysis of three different six-panel flat plates (i.e., panel sizes: 6 m × 6 m, 9 m × 6 m and 11 m × 6 m) with five different tendon layouts, using computer programs ADAPT-Floor Pro and FEM-Design 17, based on linear finite element (FE) analysis. Short-term/long-term deflection and stress due to service load obtained from the computer programs has also been compared, to highlight the differences. Ultimate bending moment of resistance was calculated theoretically for different layouts and compared. Results from the analysis show that, when a higher portion of tendons is concentrated instead of distributed, stresses caused by other structural loads are counteracted best. The layout with all tendons concentrated also has the best results in terms of deflections.
Deficiency of malate-aspartate shuttle component SLC25A12 induces pulmonary metastasis
Authors: Alkan H. Furkan , Vesely Paul W. , Hackl Hubert , Foßelteder Johannes , Schmidt Daniel R. , Vander Heiden Matthew G. , Pichler Martin , Hoefler Gerald , Bogner-Strauss Juliane G.
Published: November 2020

Background

Aspartate biosynthesis and its delivery to the cytosol can be crucial for tumor growth in vivo. However, the impact of intracellular aspartate levels on metastasis has not been studied. We previously described that loss-of-aspartate glutamate carrier 1 (SLC25A12 or AGC1), an important component of the malate-aspartate shuttle, impairs cytosolic aspartate levels, NAD+/NADH ratio, mitochondrial respiration, and tumor growth. Here, we report the impact of AGC1-knockdown on metastasis.

Results

Low AGC1 expression correlates with worse patient prognosis in many cancers. AGC1-knockdown in mouse lung carcinoma and melanoma cell lines leads to increased pulmonary metastasis following subcutaneous or intravenous injections, respectively. On the other hand, conventional in vitro metastasis assays show no indication of increased metastasis capacity of AGC1-knockdown cells.

Conclusion

This study highlights that certain branches of metabolism impact tumor growth and tumor metastasis differently. In addition, it also argues that commonly known metastasis indicators, including EMT genes, cell migration, or colony formation, do not always reflect metastatic capacity in vivo.
BRAINSTORMING: A study protocol for a randomised double-blind clinical trial to assess the impact of concurrent brain stimulation (tDCS) and working memory training on cognitive performance in Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Authors: Assecondi Sara , Hu Rong , Eskes Gail , Read Michelle , Griffiths Chris , Shapiro Kim
Published: November 2020

Background

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) admissions have an incidence of 385 per 100,000 of the population in the UK, and as brain injury often involves the frontal networks, cognitive domains affected are likely to be executive control, working memory, and problem-solving deficits, resulting in difficulty with everyday activities. The above observations make working memory, and related constructs such as attention and executive functioning attractive targets for neurorehabilitation. We propose a combined home-based rehabilitation protocol involving the concurrent administration of a working memory training program (adaptive N-back task) with non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to promote long-lasting modification of brain areas underlying working memory function.

Method

Patients with a working memory deficit will be recruited and assigned to two age-matched groups receiving working memory training for 2 weeks: an active group, receiving tDCS (2 mA for 20 min), and a control group, receiving sham stimulation. After the end of the first 2 weeks, both groups will continue the working memory training for three more weeks. Outcome measures will be recorded at timepoints throughout the intervention, including baseline, after the 2 weeks of stimulation, at the end of the working memory training regimen and 1 month after the completion of the training.

Discussion

The aim of the study is to assess if non-invasive tDCS stimulation has an impact on performance and benefits of a working memory training regimen. Specifically, we will examine the impact of brain stimulation on training gains, if changes in gains would last, and whether changes in training performance transfer to other cognitive domains. Furthermore, we will explore whether training improvements impact on everyday life activities and how the home-based training regimen is received by participants, with the view to develop an effective home healthcare tool that could enhance working memory and daily functioning.

Trial registration

This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04010149 on July 8, 2019.
Spatio-temporal analysis of flood data from South Carolina
Authors: Liu Haigang , Hitchcock David B. , Samadi S. Zahra
Published: November 2020

To investigate the relationship between flood gage height and precipitation in South Carolina from 2012 to 2016, we built a conditional autoregressive (CAR) model using a Bayesian hierarchical framework. This approach allows the modelling of the main spatio-temporal properties of water height dynamics over multiple locations, accounting for the effect of river network, geomorphology, and forcing rainfall. In this respect, a proximity matrix based on watershed information was used to capture the spatial structure of gage height measurements in and around South Carolina. The temporal structure was handled by a first-order autoregressive term in the model. Several covariates, including the elevation of the sites and effects of seasonality, were examined, along with daily rainfall amount. A non-normal error structure was used to account for the heavy-tailed distribution of maximum gage heights. The proposed model captured some key features of the flood process such as seasonality and a stronger association between precipitation and flooding during summer season. The model is able to forecast short term flood gage height which is crucial for informed emergency decision. As a byproduct, we also developed a Python library to retrieve and handle environmental data provided by some main agencies in the United States. This library can be of general usefulness for studies requiring rainfall, flow, and geomorphological information over specific areas of the conterminous US.
A HAWAII-2RG infrared camera operated under fast readout mode for solar polarimetry
Authors: Hanaoka Yoichiro , Katsukawa Yukio , Morita Satoshi , Kamata Yukiko , Ishizuka Noriyoshi
Published: November 2020

Polarimetry is a crucial method to investigate solar magnetic fields. From the viewpoint of space weather, the magnetic field in solar filaments, which occasionally erupt and develop into interplanetary flux ropes, is of particular interest. To measure the magnetic field in filaments, high-performance polarimetry in the near-infrared wavelengths employing a high-speed, large-format detector is required; however, so far, this has been difficult to be realized. Thus, the development of a new infrared camera for advanced solar polarimetry has been started, employing a HAWAII-2RG (H2RG) array by Teledyne, which has $$2048~\times 2048$$

2048

×
2048

pixels, focusing on the wavelengths in the range of $$1.0\;{-}\;1.6\;~\mu {\text{m}} $$

1.0

-

1.6

μ
m

. We solved the problem of the difficult operation of the H2RGs under “fast readout mode” synchronizing with high-speed polarization modulation by introducing a “MACIE” (Markury ASIC Control and Interface Electronics) interface card and new assembly codes provided by Markury Scientific. This enables polarization measurements with high frame-rates, such as 29–117 frames per seconds, using a H2RG. We conducted experimental observations of the Sun and confirmed the high polarimetric performance of the camera.