bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital‐diagnosed morbidities and recent surgery as risk factors for developing Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Levison Lotte S. , Thomsen Reimar W. , Andersen Henning
Published: June 2023

Background and purpose

This study was undertaken to determine the association of hospital‐diagnosed morbidity and recent surgery with risk of subsequent Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) development.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide population‐based case–control study of all patients with first‐time hospital‐diagnosed GBS in Denmark between 2004 and 2016 and 10 age‐, sex‐, and index date‐matched population controls per case. Hospital‐diagnosed morbidities included in the Charlson Comorbidity Index were assessed as GBS risk factors up to 10 years prior to the GBS index date. Incident major surgery was assessed within 5 months prior.

Results

In the 13‐year study period, there were 1086 incident GBS cases, whom we compared with 10,747 matched controls. Any pre‐existing hospital‐diagnosed morbidity was observed in 27.5% of GBS cases and 20.0% of matched controls, yielding an overall matched odds ratio (OR) of 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4–1.9). The strongest associations were found for leukemia, lymphoma, diabetes, liver disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease, with 1.6‐ to 4.6‐fold increased risks of subsequent GBS. GBS risk was strongest for morbidities newly diagnosed during the past 5 months (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 3.0–5.6). Surgical procedures within 5 months prior were observed in 10.6% of cases and 5.1% of controls, resulting in a GBS OR of 2.2 (95% CI = 1.8–2.7). Risk of developing GBS was highest during the first month following surgery (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 2.6–5.2).

Conclusions

In this large nationwide study, individuals with hospital‐diagnosed morbidity and recent surgery had a considerably increased risk of GBS.
Inventing the managed realignment of the coast: Trying ‘to live with nature not defeat her’
Authors: Oliver Stuart
Published: June 2023

Climate change and rising sea levels have led to managed realignment at the coast, but the practice of realignment has an ambiguous socioecological identity that has hindered its widespread use. Realignment represents the realization of the nature‐based coastal management strategies first proposed in the United States during the Shoreline Debate of the early 1980s. It was put into practice in 1990 on Northey Island, Essex, as an experimental response to coastal erosion, and has subsequently become relatively widespread on the British coast. Realignment has been represented either as a form of ecological modernisation or as a rewilding, though it can challenge both these understandings through the radical ambiguity of the ‘wild experiments’ it produces. This ambiguity, however, means that while realignment has the potential to enable a structural transformation of socioecological relations at the coast, it has commonly only been used for the purposes of pragmatic environmental reform.
Behavioral health literacy: A new construct to improve outcomes among incarcerated individuals
Authors: Pettus Carrie , Kennedy Stephanie C. , Renn Tanya , Tripodi Stephen , Herod Lauren , Rudes Danielle , Taxman Faye S.
Published: June 2023

In the United States, nearly 13 million adults are incarcerated in prisons and jails annually with significant negative public health consequences. Incarcerated individuals have disproportionate rates of behavioral health disorders (BHDs); untreated BHD symptoms bring people into incarceration settings and are associated with re‐arrest after release. Although lack of treatment motivation is often used to explain these outcomes, individuals may have limited knowledge about BHDs and their symptoms, when and why treatment is warranted, and how to access treatment during custody and in the community. We propose a new construct called behavioral health literacy to facilitate linkage between individuals with BHDs and appropriate treatment options. In this paper, we define behavioral health literacy, review extant literature, describe why behavioral health literacy is needed, and explore how behavioral health literacy interventions may be developed to expand knowledge and guide policy and practice, ultimately improving both behavioral health outcomes and reduce criminal legal system involvement.
Worker Congresses in China: Do they matter?
Authors: Gunderson Morley K. , Lee Byron Y. , Wang Hui
Published: June 2023

We use a survey of privately‐owned enterprises spanning the years 2006–2014 and estimate effects of Worker Congresses on worker welfare outcomes. We find that Congresses by themselves had positive effects on all outcomes except for wages. Firms with both a Congress and a union had large and positive effects on all outcomes reflecting the sum of their separate individual effects, suggesting that they were not substitute institutions but rather were complementary in an additive fashion.
The moderating role of different forms of empathy on the association between performing animal euthanasia and career sustainability
Authors: Crane Monique F. , Kho Madison , Thomas Emma F. , Decety Jean , Molenberghs Pascal , Amiot Catherine E. , Lizzio‐Wilson Morgana , Wibisono Susilo , Allan Felicity , Louis Winnifred
Published: June 2023

Veterinarian work may take an emotional toll on practitioners and their mental health, potentially driving premature exit from the profession. Performing animal euthanasia is frequently identified as a potential risk factor for sustainable mental health. Yet, research has demonstrated mixed results between euthanasia performance and detrimental mental health outcomes, suggesting the potential for factors that moderate this association. In this three‐wave longitudinal survey study, including 110 currently practicing veterinarians (88% female), we examined whether the type of empathy experienced by these practitioners plays a role in the association between performing animal euthanasia and career sustainability. Two types of empathy, cognitive empathy (i.e., understanding the affective experience of another) and emotional empathy (i.e., experiencing another's emotional state) were assessed. Job disengagement at 12 months was predicted by the interaction between animal euthanasia frequency in the past 12 months and emotional empathy in the past 6 or 12 months. Perceived resilience at 12 months was predicted by the interaction between animal euthanasia frequency in the past 12 months and emotional empathy a year prior. For these outcomes, the effects of performing animal euthanasia on career sustainability were moderated by emotional empathy. Higher levels of emotional empathy were associated with worse outcomes. Veterinarians may seek to understand the affective experience of the client or patient and provide compassionate care in a sustainable way. However, they should do so while avoiding the costs of emotional empathy. This work has implications for veterinarian training to support career sustainability.
Spatial correlation of left atrial low voltage substrate in sinus rhythm versus atrial fibrillation: The rhythm specificity of atrial low voltage substrate
Authors: Nairn Deborah , Eichenlaub Martin , Lehrmann Heiko , Müller‐Edenborn Björn , Chen Juan , Huang Taiyuan , Nagel Claudia , Sánchez Jorge , Luongo Giorgio , Westermann Dirk , Arentz Thomas , Dössel Olaf , Jadidi Amir , Loewe Axel
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Improved sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance rates have been achieved in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing pulmonary vein isolation plus additional ablation of low voltage substrate (LVS) during SR. However, voltage mapping during SR may be hindered in persistent and long‐persistent AF patients by immediate AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion. We assess correlations between LVS extent and location during SR and AF, aiming to identify regional voltage thresholds for rhythm‐independent delineation/detection of LVS areas. (1) Identification of voltage dissimilarities between mapping in SR and AF. (2) Identification of regional voltage thresholds that improve cross‐rhythm substrate detection. (3) Comparison of LVS between SR and native versus induced AF.

Methods

Forty‐one ablation‐naive persistent AF patients underwent high‐definition (1 mm electrodes; >1200 left atrial (LA) mapping sites per rhythm) voltage mapping in SR and AF. Global and regional voltage thresholds in AF were identified which best match LVS < 0.5 mV and <1.0 mV in SR. Additionally, the correlation between SR‐LVS with induced versus native AF‐LVS was assessed.

Results

Substantial voltage differences (median: 0.52, interquartile range: 0.33–0.69, maximum: 1.19 mV) with a predominance of the posterior/inferior LA wall exist between the rhythms. An AF threshold of 0.34 mV for the entire left atrium provides an accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 69%, 67%, and 69% to identify SR‐LVS < 0.5 mV, respectively. Lower thresholds for the posterior wall (0.27 mV) and inferior wall (0.3 mV) result in higher spatial concordance to SR‐LVS (4% and 7% increase). Concordance with SR‐LVS was higher for induced AF compared to native AF (area under the curve[AUC]: 0.80 vs. 0.73). AF‐LVS < 0.5 mV corresponds to SR‐LVS < 0.97 mV (AUC: 0.73).

Conclusion

Although the proposed region‐specific voltage thresholds during AF improve the consistency of LVS identification as determined during SR, the concordance in LVS between SR and AF remains moderate, with larger LVS detection during AF. Voltage‐based substrate ablation should preferentially be performed during SR to limit the amount of ablated atrial myocardium.
The influence of working memory and processing speed on other aspects of cognitive functioning in de novo Parkinson's disease: Initial findings from network modelling and graph theory
Authors: Ferguson Cameron E. , Foley Jennifer A.
Published: June 2023

Deficits in working memory (WM) and processing speed (PS) are thought to undermine other cognitive functions in de novo Parkinson's disease (dnPD). However, these interrelationships are only partially understood. This study investigated whether there are stronger relationships between verbal WM and verbal episodic memory encoding and retrieval, whether verbal WM and PS have a greater influence on other aspects of cognitive functioning, and whether the overall strength of interrelationships among several cognitive functions differs in dnPD compared to health. Data for 198 healthy controls (HCs) and 293 dnPD patients were analysed. Participants completed a neuropsychological battery probing verbal WM, PS, verbal episodic memory, semantic memory, language and visuospatial functioning. Deficit analysis, network modelling and graph theory were combined to compare the groups. Results suggested that verbal WM performance, while slightly impaired, was more strongly associated with measures of verbal episodic memory encoding and retrieval, as well as other measured cognitive functions in the dnPD network model compared to the HC network model. PS task performance was impaired and more strongly associated with other neuropsychological task scores in the dnPD model. Associations among task scores were stronger overall in the dnPD model. Together, these results provide further evidence that WM and PS are important influences on the other aspects of cognitive functioning measured in this study in dnPD. Moreover, they provide novel evidence that verbal WM and PS might bear greater influence on the other measured cognitive functions and that these functions are more strongly intertwined in dnPD compared to health.
The impacts of intra‐individual daily sleep variability on daytime functioning and sleep architecture in healthy young adults: An experimental study
Authors: Sun Wanqi , Cheung Forrest Tin Wai , Chan Ngan Yin , Zhang Jihui , Chan Joey Wing Yan , Chan Kate Ching Ching , Wing Yun Kwok , Li Shirley Xin
Published: June 2023

Sleep variability is commonly seen in the young populations. This study aimed to examine the impacts of experimentally induced sleep variability on sleepiness, mood, cognitive performance and sleep architectures among young adults. Thirty‐six healthy individuals (aged 18–22 years) were randomly assigned to either variable sleep schedule (n = 20) or control (n = 16) groups. The protocol involved 1 week of regular sleep (time in bed = 7.5 hr) in the home setting, followed by one adaptation night (time in bed = 7.5 hr), one baseline night (time in bed = 7.5 hr), and 6 nights of sleep manipulation in the laboratory monitored by polysomnography (three cycles of variable sleep schedule by changing daily time in bed alternating between 6 hr and 9 hr for variable sleep schedule group versus fixed sleep schedule with daily time in bed for 7.5 hr for control group). Sleepiness, mood, sustained attention, processing speed, response inhibition and working memory were measured every morning and evening. The variable sleep schedule group reported a higher level of sleepiness, especially in the mornings, and increased negative mood in the evenings. There were no significant differences in positive mood, cognitive performance and sleep macro‐ and micro‐structures. Our results showed the negative effects of sleep variability on daytime functioning especially sleepiness and negative mood, suggesting the need to address variable sleep schedules through sleep intervention.
Mechanisms of immunity in acutely decompensated cirrhosis and acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Engelmann Cornelius , Zhang Ingrid W. , Clària Joan
Published: June 2023

The identification of systemic inflammation (SI) as a central player in the orchestration of acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) has opened new avenues for the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease condition. ACLF, which develops in patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis, is characterized by single or multiple organ failure and high risk of short‐term (28‐day) mortality. Its poor outcome is closely associated with the severity of the systemic inflammatory response. In this review, we describe the key features of SI in patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF, including the presence of a high blood white cell count and increased levels of inflammatory mediators in systemic circulation. We also discuss the main triggers (i.e. pathogen‐ and damage‐associated molecular patterns), the cell effectors (i.e. neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes), the humoral mediators (acute phase proteins, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and bioactive lipid mediators) and the factors that influence the systemic inflammatory response that drive organ failure and mortality in ACLF. The role of immunological exhaustion and/or immunoparalysis in the context of exacerbated inflammatory responses that predispose ACLF patients to secondary infections and re‐escalation of end‐organ dysfunction and mortality are also reviewed. Finally, several new potential immunogenic therapeutic targets are debated.
Management of the acute on chronic liver failure in the intensive care unit
Authors: Karvellas Constantine J. , Gustot Thierry , Fernandez Javier
Published: June 2023

Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) reflects the development of organ failure(s) in a patient with cirrhosis and is associated with high short‐term mortality. Given that ACLF has many different ‘phenotypes’, medical management needs to take into account the relationship between precipitating insult, organ systems involved and underlying physiology of chronic liver disease/cirrhosis. The goals of intensive care management of patients suffering ACLF are to rapidly recognize and treat inciting events (e.g. infection, severe alcoholic hepatitis and bleeding) and to aggressively support failing organ systems to ensure that patients may successfully undergo liver transplantation or recovery. Management of these patients is complex since they are prone to develop new organ failures and infectious or bleeding complications. ICU therapy parallels that applied in the general ICU population in some complications but differs in others. Given that liver transplantation in ACLF is an emerging and evolving field, multidisciplinary teams with expertise in critical care and transplant medicine best accomplish management of the critically ill ACLF patient. The focus of this review is to identify the common complications of ACLF and to describe the proper management in critically ill patients awaiting liver transplantation in our centres, including organ support, prognostic assessment and how to assess when recovery is unlikely.
A global assessment of the Raunkiæran shortfall in plants: geographic biases in our knowledge of plant traits
Authors: Maitner Brian , Gallagher Rachael , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Tietje Melanie , Wenk Elizabeth H. , Eiserhardt Wolf L.
Published: June 2023

This article is part of the Special Collection ‘Global plant diversity and distribution’. Seehttps://www.newphytologist.org/global-plant-diversityfor more details.
Can l‐ascorbic acid and trans‐resveratrol protect HaCaT cells from fine particulate matter toxicity?
Authors: Mokrzyński Krystian , Krzysztyńska‐Kuleta Olga , Wojtala Mateusz , Wnuk Dawid , Sarna Michał , Sarna Tadeusz
Published: June 2023

Continuous exposure of human skin to air pollution can result in a range of undesirable skin conditions. In our recent study, UV and visible light were found to increase cytotoxicity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) against human keratinocytes. Since it is impossible to avoid exposure of human skin to PM2.5, effective strategies are needed to reduce their damaging effects. l‐ascorbic acid and resveratrol were tested as potential topical agents against pollution‐related skin impairment. Although these agents were previously found to ameliorate PM‐dependent damage, the effect of light and seasonal variation of particles were not previously studied. EPR spin‐trapping, DPPH assay, and singlet oxygen phosphorescence were used to determine the scavenging activities of the antioxidants. MTT, JC‐10 and iodometric assays were used to analyze the effect on PM2.5‐induced cytotoxicity, mitochondrial damage and oxidation of lipids. Live‐cell imaging was employed to examine wound‐healing properties of cells. Light‐induced, PM2.5‐mediated oxidative damage was examined by immunofluorescent staining. Both antioxidants effectively scavenged free radicals and singlet oxygen produced by PM2.5, reduced cell death and prevented oxidative damage to HaCaT cells. l‐ascorbic acid and resveratrol, especially when applied in combination, can protect HaCaT cells against the dark and light induced toxicity of PM2.5.
Title 42 and the power to exclude: Asylum seekers and the denial of entry into the United States
Authors: Obinna Denise N.
Published: June 2023

Debates to “secure the border” have often dominated immigration legislation. Since the COVID‐19 pandemic began, this rhetoric has intensified with the use of the Title 42 program to “expel” asylum seekers without hearing the merits of their case. This article outlines how the Title 42 policy has exacerbated dangerous border crossings while advancing discriminatory policies which disproportionately affect non‐White asylum seekers. Using the framework of Critical Race Theory, this article examines the impact(s) of race, ethnicity, and nationality within the immigration bureaucracy. It suggests that “race neutral” polices in immigration perpetuate racial subordination and exclusion for immigrants racialized as non‐White. Intertwined with xenophobia and anti‐immigrant bias, this work also suggests that public health rationales have long been used to exclude “unfit” or “unclean” migrants due to the “fear of contamination” and infection. The Title 42 program is a violation of human rights, immigration laws, and stipulations in the United Nations Charter which prohibits refugees from being expelled to countries where their lives or freedoms are threatened.

Related Articles

Garrett, Terence M. 2020. “The Security Apparatus, Federal Magistrate Courts, and Detention Centers as Simulacra: The Effects of Trump's Zero Tolerance Policy on Migrants and Refugees in the Rio Grande Valley.” Politics & Policy 48(2): 372–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12348.

Garrett, Terence M., and Arthur J. Sementelli. 2022. “COVID‐19, Asylum Seekers, and Migrants on the Mexico–U.S. Border: Creating States of Exception.” Politics & Policy 50(4): 872–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12484.

Silverman, Stephanie J. 2012. “‘Regrettable but Necessary?’ A Historical and Theoretical Study of the Rise of the U.K. Immigration Detention Estate and Its Opposition.” Politics & Policy 40(6): 1131–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00393.x.
Avoiding errors and complications related to immediate implant placement in the esthetic area with a mucogingival approach
Authors: Stefanini Martina , Rendón Alexandra , Zucchelli Alessandro , Sangiorgi Matteo , Zucchelli Giovanni
Published: June 2023

Immediate implant placement is considered the treatment of choice for single tooth replacement in the esthetic area. However, this treatment is associated with several critical drawbacks related to the inadequate assessment/management of the soft and hard peri‐implant tissues and their subsequent remodeling, resulting in peri‐implant soft‐tissue defects that can lead to impaired esthetic outcomes in time. We describe in detail how the mucogingival approach to immediate implant placement ensures a standard result regardless of the baseline soft‐hard tissue situation. Fully guided implant placement guarantees an adequate three‐dimensional implant placement, the flap design makes it possible to perform bone augmentation with complete visibility of the area being treated, allows soft tissue augmentation with proper fixation of the connective tissue graft, and the placement of an immediate provisional ensures stabilization of the peri‐implant tissues throughout the healing period.
Metacognitive beliefs predict interpersonal problems in patients with social anxiety disorder
Authors: Strand Eivind R. , Nordahl Henrik , Hjemdal Odin , Nordahl Hans M.
Published: June 2023

Patients with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) typically report interpersonal problems, and these are important targets in treatment beyond social anxiety symptoms as they impair quality of life, maintain emotion symptoms and effect on social functioning. What factors contribute to interpersonal problems? In the current study we set out to explore the role of metacognitive beliefs as correlates of interpersonal problems in patients treated for SAD when controlling for the effect of social phobic cognitions and symptoms. The sample consisted of 52 patients with a primary diagnosis of SAD participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive therapy, paroxetine, pill placebo, or the combination of cognitive therapy and paroxetine in treating SAD. Two hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore change in metacognitions as predictors of change in interpersonal problems when controlling for change in social phobic cognitions and social anxiety. Change in metacognitions accounted for unique variance in interpersonal problems improvement beyond change in cognitions. Furthermore, change in cognitions overlapped with change in social anxiety symptoms, and when controlling the overlap between these three predictors, only change in metacognitions was uniquely associated with improvement in interpersonal problems. This finding indicates that metacognitions are linked to interpersonal problems in patients with SAD with the implication that treatment should aim to modify metacognitive beliefs to alleviate interpersonal dysfunction.
Lumbosacral endplate contour defect is frequently observed concurrent with other lumbosacral abnormalities on spinal CT of French Bulldogs
Authors: Lecourtois Camille , Baudin‐Tréhiou Clément , Blond Laurent
Published: June 2023

Lumbosacral osteochondrosis has been previously described in large breed dogs with variable clinical signs. Its CT features are a contour defect at the dorsal aspect of either vertebral endplate, commonly with an adjacent fragment. Descriptions of this condition have not been previously published in an increasingly popular breed, French Bulldogs. Aims of this retrospective, descriptive, single center study were to evaluate CT lumbosacral abnormalities and the frequency of lumbosacral endplate contour defect in a large sample of French Bulldogs. The presence and location of lumbosacral endplate contour defect and the presence of a concurrent osseous fragment were recorded. Other abnormal CT findings such as L7‐S1 disc herniation, cauda equina nerve roots compression or thickening, disc mineralization, endplate sclerosis, spondylosis deformans, S1 articular processes hypertrophy, transitional vertebrae, hemivertebrae, spina bifida, and block vertebrae were recorded. Lumbosacral CT abnormalities were present in 91.8% of dogs (168/183). The most common abnormality was an L7‐S1 dorsal disc herniation (77.4%, 130/168). Among dogs with lumbosacral abnormalities, the frequency of a lumbosacral endplate contour defect was 47% (79/168). It mostly involved L7 (78.5%, 62/79) at its dorsolateral aspect (61.3%, 38/62). A mineralized fragment was identified in 62% of the defects (49/79). Endplate contour defects were most frequently seen with a concurrent disc herniation (93.7%, 74/79) causing nerve root compression in 63.3% (50/79) and with sclerosis (65.8%, 52/79). There was no definitive evidence of a relationship with clinical presentation in this sample of French Bulldogs; therefore, this finding should be interpreted with caution. The etiology remains unclear.
Application of a Distributed Element Roughness Model to Additively Manufactured Internal Cooling Channels
Authors: Altland Samuel , Yang Xiang I. A. , Thole Karen A. , Kunz Robert , McClain Stephen
Published: June 2023

Design for cooling effectiveness in turbine blades relies on accurate models for dynamic losses and heat transfer of internal cooling passages. Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has expanded the design space for these configurations, but can give rise to large-scale roughness features. The range of roughness length scales in these systems makes morphology resolved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) impractical. However, volumetric roughness models can be leveraged, as they have computational costs orders of magnitude lower. In this work, a discrete element roughness model (DERM), based on the double-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, is presented and applied to additively manufactured rough channels, representative of gas turbine blade cooling passages. Unique to this formulation of DERM is a generalized sheltering-based treatment of drag, a two-layer model for spatially averaged Reynolds stresses, and explicit treatment of dispersion. Six different AM rough surface channel configurations are studied, with roughness trough to peak sizes ranging from 15% to 60% nominal channel passage half-width, and the roughness Reynolds number ranges from Rek = 60 to 300. DERM predictions for spatially and temporally averaged mean flow quantities are compared to previously reported direct numerical simulation results. Good agreement in the mean velocity profiles, stress balances, and drag partitions are observed. While DERM models are typically calibrated to specific deterministic roughness morphologies at comparatively small roughness Reynolds numbers, the present more generalized DERM formulation has wider applicability. Here, it is demonstrated that the model can accommodate random roughness of large scale, typical of AM.
Surface and functional characterization of nanostructured thin films for environmental remediation
Authors: Malannata Enrica Maria , Auditore Alessandro , Licciardello Antonino
Published: June 2023

Nowadays, the presence of pollutants in water is an urgent problem to solve. The efficient removal of these contaminants from aqueous solutions requires advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). This can be accomplished by various approaches using materials that allow the rapid removal of pollutants with high degradation rates. In this work, we focused on the surface modification of TiO2 films for photocatalytic application in water remediation. In particular, with an appropriate surface functionalization with zirconium phosphate, we have improved the sensitivity to sunlight and the thermal stability of TiO2. The surface functionalization of the samples was verified by using TOF-SIMS, which allows us to obtain spatially resolved chemical information. This information is very helpful for an effective engineering of the material, in order to obtain the best performances for environmental remediation. To our knowledge, this is the first time that TOF-SIMS is used to monitor the evolution of photocatalytic reactions at the photoactive surface, getting information on degradation pathways taking place at the surface of the photoactive material under solar light irradiation. In this work, as a target molecule, we chose rhodamine B, a dye widely used in textile industry, among others. The investigation of the degradation pathways occurring directly at the samples’ surface can provide relevant information about the rate determining step of the reaction and give hints for tailored functionalization of materials for improving their photocatalytic performances.
Optical and electronic spin properties of fluorescent micro- and nanodiamonds upon prolonged ultrahigh-temperature annealing
Authors: Nunn Nicholas , Milikisiyants Sergey , Torelli Marco D. , Monge Richard , Delord Tom , Shames Alexander I. , Meriles Carlos A. , Ajoy Ashok , Smirnov Alex I. , Shenderova Olga A.
Published: June 2023

High-temperature annealing is a promising but still mainly unexplored method for enhancing spin properties of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond particles. After high-energy irradiation, the formation of NV centers in diamond particles is typically accomplished via annealing at temperatures in the range of 800–900 °C for 1–2 h to promote vacancy diffusion. Here, we investigate the effects of conventional annealing (900 °C for 2 h) against annealing at a much higher temperature of 1600 °C for the same annealing duration for particles ranging in size from 100 nm to 15 μm using electron paramagnetic resonance and optical characterization. At this high temperature, the vacancy-assisted diffusion of nitrogen can occur. Previously, the annealing of diamond particles at this temperature was performed over short time scales because of concerns of particle graphitization. Our results demonstrate that particles that survive this prolonged 1600 °C annealing show increased NV T1 and T2 electron spin relaxation times in 1 and 15 μm particles, due to the removal of fast relaxing spins. Additionally, this high-temperature annealing also boosts magnetically induced fluorescence contrast of NV centers for particle sizes ranging from 100 nm to 15 μm. At the same time, the content of NV centers is decreased fewfold and reaches a level of <0.5 ppm. The results provide guidance for future studies and the optimization of high-temperature annealing of fluorescent diamond particles for applications relying on the spin properties of NV centers in the host crystals.
Efficacy of Peracetic Acid and Sodium Hypochlorite against SARS-CoV-2 on Contaminated Surfaces
Authors: Morris J. N. , Esseili M. A.
Published: June 2023

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of chlorine-based products such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at 1,000 ppm for a minimum of 1 min to disinfect environmental surfaces. However, this recommendation was not based on validated studies on the actual SARS-CoV-2 itself.
Direct 16S/18S rRNA Gene PCR Followed by Sanger Sequencing as a Clinical Diagnostic Tool for Detection of Bacterial and Fungal Infections: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Drevinek Pavel , Hollweck Regina , Lorenz Michael G. , Lustig Michael , Bjarnsholt Thomas
Published: June 2023

rRNA gene Sanger sequencing is being used for the identification of cultured pathogens. A new diagnostic approach is sequencing of uncultured samples by using the commercial DNA extraction and sequencing platform SepsiTest (ST).
Zebrafish MAP2K7 Simultaneously Enhances Host IRF7 Stability and Degrades Spring Viremia of Carp Virus P Protein via Ubiquitination Pathway
Authors: Zhang Can , Lu Long-Feng , Li Zhuo-Cong , Han Ke-Jia , Wang Xue-Li , Chen Dan-Dan , Xiong Feng , Li Xi-Yin , Zhou Li , Ge Feng , Li Shun
Published: June 2023

Normally, during viral infection, host antiviral factors individually modulate the host immune response or antagonize viral components to defense infection. In the present study, we report that zebrafish MAP2K7 plays a crucial positive role in the host antiviral process.
Exploring the genotypic and phenotypic differences distinguishing
Lactobacillus jensenii
and
Lactobacillus mulieris
Authors: Ene Adriana , Banerjee Swarnali , Wolfe Alan J. , Putonti Catherine
Published: June 2023

Lactobacillus crispatus
,
Lactobacillus gasseri
,
Lactobacillus iners
, and
Lactobacillus jensenii
are dominant species of the urogenital microbiota. Prior studies suggest that these
Lactobacillus
species play a significant role in the urobiome of healthy females. In our prior genomic analysis of all publicly available
L. jensenii
and
Lactobacillus mulieris
genomes at the time (
n
= 43), we identified genes unique to these two closely related species. This motivated our further exploration here into their genotypic differences as well as into their phenotypic differences. First, we expanded genome sequence representatives of both species to 61 strains, including publicly available strains and nine new strains sequenced here. Genomic analyses conducted include phylogenetics of the core genome as well as biosynthetic gene cluster analysis and metabolic pathway analyses. Urinary strains of both species were assayed for their ability to utilize four simple carbohydrates. We found that
L. jensenii
strains can efficiently catabolize maltose, trehalose, and glucose, but not ribose, and
L. mulieris
strains can utilize maltose and glucose, but not trehalose and ribose. Metabolic pathway analysis clearly shows the lack of
treB
within
L. mulieris
strains, indicative of its inability to catabolize external sources of trehalose. While genotypic and phenotypic observations provide insight into the differences between these two species, we did not find any association with urinary symptom status. Through this genomic and phenotypic investigation, we identify markers that can be leveraged to clearly distinguish these two species in investigations of the female urogenital microbiota.

IMPORTANCE

We have expanded upon our prior genomic analysis of
L. jensenii
and
L. mulieris
strains, including nine new genome sequences. Our bioinformatic analysis finds that
L. jensenii
and
L. mulieris
cannot be distinguished by short-read 16S rRNA gene sequencing alone. Thus, to discriminate between these two species, future studies of the female urogenital microbiome should employ metagenomic sequencing and/or sequence species-specific genes, such as those identified here. Our bioinformatic examination also confirmed our prior observations of differences between the two species related to genes associated with carbohydrate utilization, which we tested here. We found that the transport and utilization of trehalose are key distinguishing traits of
L. jensenii
, which is further supported by our metabolic pathway analysis. In contrast with other urinary
Lactobacillus
species, we did not find strong evidence for either species, nor particular genotypes, to be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (or the lack thereof).
HTLV-1 Proliferation after CD8
+
Cell Depletion by Monoclonal Anti-CD8 Antibody Administration in Latently HTLV-1-Infected Cynomolgus Macaques
Authors: Nakamura-Hoshi Midori , Nomura Takushi , Nishizawa Masako , Hau Trang Thi Thu , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Okazaki Midori , Ishii Hiroshi , Yonemitsu Kenzo , Suzaki Yuriko , Ami Yasushi , Matano Tetsuro
Published: June 2023

HTLV-1 can cause serious diseases such as adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) in humans after chronic asymptomatic latent infection with substantial proviral load. Proviruses are detectable in peripheral lymphocytes in HTLV-1 carriers, and the association of a higher proviral load with a higher risk of disease progression has been observed.
Supply-side and demand-side factors influencing uptake of malaria testing services in the community: lessons for scale-up from a post-hoc analysis of a cluster randomised, community-based trial in western Kenya
Authors: Kirui Joseph , Malinga Josephine , Sang Edna , Ambani George , Abel Lucy , Nalianya Erick , Namae Jane , Boyce Matthew , Laktabai Jeremiah , Menya Diana , O'Meara Wendy
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Maximising the impact of community-based programmes requires understanding how supply of, and demand for, the intervention interact at the point of delivery.

Design

Post-hoc analysis from a large-scale community health worker (CHW) study designed to increase the uptake of malaria diagnostic testing.

Setting

Respondents were identified during a household survey in western Kenya between July 2016 and April 2017.

Participants

Household members with fever in the last 4 weeks were interviewed at 12 and 18 months post-implementation. We collected monthly testing data from 244 participating CHWs and conducted semistructured interviews with a random sample of 70 CHWs.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was diagnostic testing before treatment for a recent fever. The secondary outcomes were receiving a test from a CHW and tests done per month by each CHW.

Results

55% (n=948 of 1738) reported having a malaria diagnostic test for their recent illness, of which 38.4% were tested by a CHW. Being aware of a local CHW (adjusted OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.04) and belonging to the wealthiest households (vs least wealthy) were associated with higher testing (adjusted OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.06). Wealthier households werelesslikely to receive their test from a CHW compared with poorer households (adjusted OR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.62). Confidence in artemether–lumefantrine to cure malaria (adjusted OR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.54 to 4.92) and perceived accuracy of a malaria rapid diagnostic test (adjusted OR=2.43, 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.27) were positively associated with testing by a CHW. Specific CHW attributes were associated with performing a higher monthly number of tests including formal employment, serving more than 50 households (vs <50) and serving areas with a higher test positivity. On demand side, confidence of the respondent in a test performed by a CHW was strongly associated with seeking a test from a CHW.

Conclusion

Scale-up of community-based malaria testing is feasible and effective in increasing uptake among the poorest households. To maximise impact, it is important to recognise factors that may restrict delivery and demand for such services.

Trial registration number

NCT02461628; Post-results.
Developing a magnetic POCUS-guided bronchoscope for patients with suspected difficult endotracheal intubation in a general tertiary hospital: protocol for a randomised controlled study
Authors: Tian Yuan , Fei Yuda , Bai Bing , Cui Xulei , Zhang Yuelun , Wang Chunrong , Yu Chunhua , Huang Yuguang
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a crucial but risky procedure, especially among patients suspected of difficult endotracheal intubation (DTI). Bronchoscope, as an improved technique commonly used in DTI, might encounter visualisation difficulties. The magnetic point-of-care ultrasound (MGPOCUS) provides a novel visualisation from the outside and enables estimation of the relative position and trajectory of the bronchoscope. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of MGPOCUS-guided bronchoscopy, including the time required for successful ETI, the first attempt and overall success rate, the number of attempts, complications, and satisfaction with the visualization of the procedures.

Methods and analysis

The study is a randomised, parallel-group, single-blinded, single-centre study. Participants (n=108) will be recruited by the primary anaesthesiologist and randomised to groups of ETI with bronchoscope or MGPOCUS-guided bronchoscope. The primary outcome is the time taken to the first-attempt success ETI. Secondary outcomes include procedure time, the first-attempt and overall success, complications, and satisfaction of visualisation. Cox regression with Bonferroni correction and linear mixed regression will be used to analyse the outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial protocol was approved by the ethics committees at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Institutional Review Board #ZS-3428). Findings will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05647174
Barriers and facilitators to accessing and using sexual and reproductive health services during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Africa: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bolarinwa Obasanjo Afolabi , Odimegwu Clifford , Okeke Sylvester R , Ajayi Kobi V , Sah Rajeeb Kumar
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services remain an important component in averting adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. However, the unprecedented emergence of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) left most of these services disrupted in Africa. Thus, this protocol study seeks to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of barriers and facilitators to accessing and using sexual and reproductive health services during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Africa.

Method and analysis

An open electronic database search will be conducted in African journals online, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO to identify potentially eligible studies published between January 2020 and December 2022. Two authors from the research team will screen the title and abstract of the potential studies, and another two authors will independently assess the full articles based on the inclusion or exclusion criteria. Studies will be selected if they examine barriers and facilitators to accessing and using sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning counselling and services, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV testing, consultation, and treatment, and provision of abortion services during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Africa. The data extracted from the included studies will be analysed using Review Manager (RevMan V.5) and Meta-Analysis software V.3. Each outcome measure will be analysed separately against barriers and facilitators; the dichotomous data will be presented in odd ratios with a 95% CI, while mean and standardised mean differences will be employed to present the continuous data. We envisage that the potential results of this study will identify the barriers and facilitators to family planning counselling and services, STIs/HIV testing, consultation, and treatment, and provision of abortion services during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Africa, which can be used to develop required interventions and policies to curb identified barriers.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Findings from this study will be disseminated through conferences and peer-reviewed publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022373335.
Effectiveness of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare personnel in Pakistan: a test-negative case–control study
Authors: Khan Unab Inayat , Niaz Mahnoor , Azam Iqbal , Hasan Zahra , Hassan Imran , Mahmood Syed Faisal , Ali Asad
Published: June 2023

Objective

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines that were efficacious in randomised controlled trials were authorised for mass vaccination. In developing countries, inactivated vaccines were widely administered. While inactivated vaccines have been deemed effective in reducing disease severity, for healthcare personnel (HCP), effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infections is essential to reduce the risk to vulnerable patients and ensure a stable healthcare workforce. There are limited studies examining inactivated vaccines’ effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) in real-world settings. We estimated the effectiveness of inactivated vaccines (BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac) against reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR)-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCP in the setting of emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in Pakistan.

Design

A retrospective matched, test-negative case–control analysis using existing data from an Employee Health database on HCP at a large, private healthcare system in Pakistan.

Participants

4599 HCP were tested between 1 April and 30 September 2021. Each case (PCR positive) was matched to two to six controls (PCR negative) by the date of the RT-PCR test (±7 days) to reduce bias.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The secondary outcome was VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Per cent VE was calculated using (1-OR)*100, with the OR of getting a PCR-confirmed SARS-COV-2 infection estimated using conditional logistic regression, after adjusting for age, gender, work area and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results

Inactivated vaccines were ineffective against SARS-CoV-2 infections after receiving the first dose (VE 17%, 95% CI −10, 39; p=0.261). They showed modest effectiveness ≥14 days after the second dose against SARS-CoV-2 infections (VE 30%, 95% CI 7, 48; p=0.015) and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections (VE 33%, 95% CI 6, 52; p=0.002).

Conclusions

Inactivated vaccines show modest effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infections in the setting of emerging VOCs. This builds a strong case for boosters and/or additional vaccination.
Unmet vaccination need among children under the age of five attending the paediatric emergency department: a cross-sectional study in a large UK district general hospital
Authors: Isba Rachel , Brennan Louise , Egboko Fiona , Edge Rhiannon , Davies Nigel , Knight Joanne
Published: June 2023

Objective

To estimate vaccination coverage among children under the age of five attending the paediatric emergency department (PED) using tetanus and MMR vaccination as a proxy.

Design

A cross-sectional observational study with a single data collection point for each participant.

Setting

A single large PED in Greater Manchester, England.

Participants

Children (under 5 years old) attending the PED during October 2021. Participation was ‘opt-out’ and parents/carers were given until the end of the following month to request that their child’s data be excluded.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome of interest was the percentage of children who were up-to-date with their routine childhood vaccinations at their time of attendance to the PED. Secondary outcome measures were the percentage of children who had received age-appropriate tetanus and MMR vaccination, and how these compared with local population data at the ages of 1, 2 and 5 years of age.

Results

One-third of under-5s in this study had unmet vaccination need and were missing at least one dose of either MMR or tetanus-containing vaccine. In older age groups, many were missing their tetanus boosters and only 1 in 5 of those eligible had received two doses of MMR. Those in younger age groups had vaccination coverage levels comparable to the local data, but still below the target of 95%.

Conclusions

Those children eligible for preschool boosters (tetanus and MMR2) appear to have considerable unmet vaccination need. While the pandemic has had an impact, the observation that MMR2 uptake is considerably lower than tetanus booster (when they are scheduled together) warrants further investigation. Catch-up campaigns for MMR2 should focus on this cohort of children and the PED may offer an opportunity for an intervention.

Trial registration number

NCT04485624.