bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization and associated factors: A community-based cross-sectional study in Motta district, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Abie Alemwork , Belay Getahun , Asmare Eden , Ayalew Nigusu , Feyisa Wondu , Kassie Nigus
Published: January 2023

Background

Male partner involvement during the postpartum period is an effective strategy to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. However, since reproductive health has been viewed as only a woman’s issue, it remains a major challenge in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The current study aimed to assess male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization and associated factors in the Motta district of North West Ethiopia in 2020.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 16 to 30, 2020, among male partners whose wives gave birth in the last twelve months in Motta district. A systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain 612 study participants. Data entry was carried out by using Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package of Social Science version 23 for analysis. A binary and multiple logistic regression method were employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios with a confidence interval of 95% and a P value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The findings from this study highlight that the overall male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization was 20.8% at 95%CI (17.6%, 24.1%). The regression results indicated that male partners residing in urban areas, attending primary and secondary education, having good knowledge of postnatal care services, having good knowledge of danger signs and complications during the postnatal period, having a favorable attitude toward male partner involvement in postnatal care, and a short distance to health care facilities were shown to be significantly and positively associated with male partner involvement in postnatal care services.

Conclusion

The magnitude of male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization was low as compared to other studies. Community-based awareness creation through health education and expanding educational and health care service institutions are essential to increase the involvement of male partners in postnatal care services.
Effectiveness of clinical integrated short course training of evidence based medicine for postgraduate medical specialty students in Ethiopia in 2022: A randomized control trial
Authors: Awedew Atalel Fentahun , Abera Eyob Girma
Published: January 2023

Background

Evidence based medicine (EBM) is a newly emerged philosophy of medical education and health care service which brings quality of health service, efficient use of materials, and patient satisfaction.

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of clinical integrated short course training of EBM for post-graduation medical specialty students in Ethiopia, 2022.

Method

Randomized, single blind, superiority trial, and multi-centric experimental study design employed. The eligible candidates randomly assigned to the interventional group and the control group (waitlisted). The allocation of the participant concealed from the principal investigator and participant. Sample size was determined with a two-sided test and α level of 5% and 80% power with the total of 52 calculated sample size and 44 (21 for intervention and 23 for control group) students were used for final analysis. Mann Whitney U test and Independent Sample T test used to test mean difference between intervention and control group after checking normality distributions to estimates the amount by which the training changes the outcome on average compared with the control. The result of the final model expressed in terms of adjusted mean difference and 95% CI; statistical significance declared if the P-value is less than 0.05.

Results

Among 44 postgraduate students, only 29.5% practices EBM during delivering of clinical services. Overall EBM knowledge was changed with adjusted mean difference (Mean±SD 17.55 (13.9, 21.3), p<000). This training provided significant change in all main domain of EBM, more in validity evaluation of the study (Mean±SD, 3.8(1.3, 6.2), p<0.0018) and impact of study design (Mean±SD, 3.8(2.6, 5.1), p<0.000). There was also significant change of overall attitude with adjusted mean difference (Mean±SD, -8.2(-9.6,-6.7), p = 000).

Conclusion

Clinical integrated EBM training brought significant change of knowledge and skills of principles and foundations of EBM. Adopting principles of EBM into curricula of postgraduate specialty students would assure the quality of medical care and educations.
Positive relations between sexual quality of life and satisfaction with healthcare in women living with HIV and/or HCV: Results from a multicountry study
Authors: Rodriguez Sara , Yaya Issifou , Huntingdon Ben , Juraskova Ilona , Preau Marie , Etemadi Fatima , Dimi Svetlane , Carrieri Maria Patrizia , Bessonneau Pascal , Chassany Olivier , Duracinsky Martin
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The sexual quality of life is a neglected concern in women living with HIV (WHIV) or with HCV (WHCV), which can further be affected by their experience with stigma, social instability, fear of transmission and reduced access to treatment. The objective of this study was to identify sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioural factors associated with sexual quality of life (SQoL) in this study group.

Methods

Between December 2017 and December 2018, PROQoL-Sex Life questionnaire was administered to 404 WHIV and WHCV in five countries. PROQoL-SQoL consists of four dimensions: positive sexual perception (Psp), stigma and social distress (Sti), soft sexual practices (Sof), sexual practices with a partner (Sp), all of which were scored from 0 to 100 and considered as main outcomes, lower scores mean better sexual quality of life. Linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate the association with sociodemographic and psychosocial factors.

Results

Of the participants analyzed, 191 were living with HCV, 180 with HIV and 33 with HIV and HCV, median age was 48. Among WHIV, a higher satisfaction with health care, and talking about sexuality with healthcare workers were associated with lower scores in all the dimensions of the SQoL, while psychoactive substance use was associated with lower scores ofStiandSof. Moreover, higher satisfaction with health care, talking about sexuality with healthcare workers, and psychoactive substance use (except cocaine use) in WHCV were associated with lower scores inPsp,Sti, andSof. Besides, cocaine use was associated with higher scores ofSof.

Conclusion

This study highlighted strong relationship between the quality of health care, and psychoactive substance use (except cocaine) and the sexual quality of life in WHIV and WHCV in these five countries. These findings draw attention to the different interventions that can be proposed for improving the sexual quality of life.
Introducing spatial availability, a singly-constrained measure of competitive accessibility
Authors: Soukhov Anastasia , Páez Antonio , Higgins Christopher D. , Mohamed Moataz
Published: January 2023

Accessibility indicators are widely used in transportation, urban and healthcare planning, among many other applications. These measures are weighted sums of reachable opportunities from a given origin, conditional on the cost of movement, and are estimates of the potential for spatial interaction. Over time, various proposals have been forwarded to improve their interpretability: one of those methodological additions have been the introduction of competition. In this paper we focus on competition, but first demonstrate how a widely used measure of accessibility with congestion fails to properly match the opportunity-seeking population. We then propose an alternative formulation of accessibility with competition, a measure we call spatial availability. This measure relies on proportional allocation balancing factors (friction of distance and population competition) that are equivalent to imposing a single constraint on conventional gravity-based accessibility. In other words, the proportional allocation of opportunities results in a spatially available opportunities value which is assigned to each origin that, when all origin values are summed, equals the total number of opportunities in the region. We also demonstrate how Two-Stage Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) methods are equivalent to spatial availability and can be reconceptualized as singly-constrained accessibility. To illustrate the application of spatial availability and compare it to other relevant measures, we use data from the 2016 Transportation Tomorrow Survey of the Greater Golden Horseshoe area in southern Ontario, Canada. Spatial availability is an important contribution since it clarifies the interpretation of accessibility with competition and paves the way for future applications in equity analysis (e.g., spatial mismatch, opportunity benchmarking, policy intervention scenario analysis).
Karyotypic variation of two populations of the small freshwater stingray Potamotrygon wallacei Carvalho, Rosa & Araújo 2016: A classical and molecular approach
Authors: Ferreira Alex M. V. , Viana Patrik F. , Marajó Leandro , Feldberg Eliana
Published: January 2023

Potamotrygoninae comprises a group of Neotropical fishes with an ancient relationship with marine environments. In the last few years, 11 new Potamotrygon species were described, including Potamotrygon wallacei Carvalho, Araújo e Rosa 2016. Cytogenetic data about this species are limited to classical markers (Giemsa, C-Banding and Ag-NOR techniques), these studies highlighted a rare sexual chromosome system XX/X0 with males presenting 67 chromosomes and females 68 chromosomes. The classical analyses performed here reveled populational variation in the karyotype formula, as well as, in the heterochromatin regions. Besides the classical markers, our molecular experiments showed multiple sites for 18S rDNA sequence (including in the X chromosomes) and single sites for 5S rDNA sequence, we did not find interstitial telomeric sequences. In addition, (AC)15, (AG)15, and (CAC)15 microsatellites showed association with the several autosome pair, and the (GT)15 clutters were found in only one population. On the other hand, (GATA)4 sequence showed association with the sexual chromosomes X in all males and females analyzed. Our results showed that pericentric inversions, in addition to fusions, shaped the karyotype of P. wallacei once we found two populations with distinct karyotype formula and this could be a result of the past events recovered by our modeling experiments. Besides, here we described the association of 18S and (GATA)4 motifs with sexual chromosomes, which indicated that these sequences had a novel in the differentiation of sexual chromosomes in P. wallacei.
Real-life comparison of efficacy and safety profiles of two prolonged-release tacrolimus formulations in de novo kidney transplant recipients: 24 months of follow-up
Authors: Czarnecka Paulina , Czarnecka Kinga , Baczkowska Teresa , Lagiewska Beata , Durlik Magdalena
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Calcineurin inhibitors constitute a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients. There are two main formulations of tacrolimus (Tac) which exhibit a prolonged-release mode of action: Advagraf® (MR-4) and Envarsus® (LCPT). However, they are not bioequivalent. Data comparing both once-daily prolonged-release formulations of Tac are insufficient.

Objective

The aim of the study was to compare safety and efficacy profiles of once-daily LCPT and MR-4 formulations of tacrolimus in adult kidney transplant recipients.

Patients and methods

An observational, cohort single-center study was performed. One hundred fifteen kidney transplant recipients transplanted between 2016 and 2019 were enrolled to the study (59 vs 56, Envarsus® vs Advagraf®, respectively). Safety and efficacy profiles were assessed.

Results

Patient and graft survival at 12 and 24 months did not differ between the groups. There were no significant differences in serum creatinine at any timepoint. C/D ratio in the LCPT group was significantly higher at 12 and 24 months. Sepsis occurrence was more frequent in MR-4 group at 12 months.

Conclusion

Both prolonged-release formulations of tacrolimus are safe and effective in immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients.
Assessing the role of collectivism and individualism on COVID-19 beliefs and behaviors in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Mehta Jayur Madhusudan , Chakrabarti Choeeta , De Leon Jessica , Homan Patricia , Skipton Tara , Sparkman Rachel
Published: January 2023

America’s unique response to the global COVID-19 pandemic has been both criticized and applauded across political and social spectrums. Compared to other developed nations, U.S. incidence and mortality rates were exceptionally high, due in part to inconsistent policies across local, state, and federal agencies regarding preventive behaviors like mask wearing and social distancing. Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy theories around COVID-19 and vaccine safety have proliferated widely, making herd immunity that much more challenging. What factors of the U.S. culture have contributed to the significant impact of the pandemic? Why have we not responded better to the challenges of COVID-19? Or would many people in the U.S. claim that we have responded perfectly well? To explore these questions, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative study of Florida State University faculty, staff, and students. This study measured their perceptions of the pandemic, their behaviors tied to safety and community, and how these practices were tied to beliefs of individualism and collectivism. We found that collectivist orientations were associated with a greater likelihood of wearing masks consistently, severe interruptions of one’s social life caused by the pandemic, greater concern for infecting others, and higher levels of trust in medical professionals for behavioral guidelines surrounding the pandemic. These associations largely persist even after adjusting for political affiliation, which we find is also a strong predictor of COVID-19 beliefs and behaviors.
Relationship of ulna styloid fracture to the distal radio-ulnar joint stability. A clinical, functional, and radiographic outcome study
Authors: Ajit Singh Vivek , Jia Tan Yong , Devi Santharalinggam Rupini , Gunasagaran Jayaletchumi
Published: January 2023

Background

Ulna styloid fracture occurs approximately about 55% of all distal end of radius fractures. However, the clinical and functional outcome of these fractures remains indefinite.

Results

Only 56 patients with distal radius fractures had concomitant ulna styloid fractures. The mean age was 32 years (range: 18–69; SD: ± 12.7). The majority were men. The mean time from injury was 18.7 months (range: 6–84; SD: ± 13.3). The most common was Frykman 2, followed by 6, type 8, and type 4. All were closed fractures; 60.7% were base, and 39.3% were tip fractures. 50% were treated with casting, 48.3% plating, and 1.8% external fixation. The mean period of casting was 7.67 weeks (range: 4–16; SD ± 3.1). The ulna styloid was united in 35.7%. There is no significant difference in the range of movement between those with ulna styloid union and non-union. The Ballottement test and Piano key sign was statistically insignificant between both groups. All the displacements were dorsal except in 1 case. The mean displacement of ulna styloid is 1.88mm (SD±1.08, Range: 0.20–4.60mm). The mean VAS score at rest and work is not statistically significant. The mean grip strength and functional score (DASH) are similar in both groups.

Conclusion

Ulna styloid fractures do not contribute to the DRUJ instability and the status of the union of the ulna styloid and the site of the ulna styloid fracture (tip or base) did not have a bearing on the range of movement and functional status of the affected wrist. Temporary DRUJ immobilization might allow TFCC recovery.
A scoping review key elements and effects of cardiovascular disease management programs based on community-based participatory research
Authors: Yang Juhyeon , Park Bohyun
Published: January 2023

Background

This scoping review analyses the literature on community-based participatory research (CBPR)–based cardiovascular disease (CVD) management programmes, examining the key elements of their development and implementation and exploring their effectiveness.

Methods

This scoping review’s methodology had six stages: 1) identifying the research question; 2) identifying relevant studies—search strategy; 3) study selection; 4) charting the data; 5) collating, summarising, and reporting the results; and 6) consultation exercise. The databases used were PubMed, Cochrane, and CINAHL, for the period from 4 March to 3 April 2022. We selected studies 1) published after 2000; 2) targeting community residents over 18 years old; and 3) proposed a CBPR-based CVD management programme, described its development, and evaluated its effects based on its application. Data were extracted independently by each of the two researchers, using a standardised form.

Results

Among the key aspects of such programmes were the many cases where community organisations led establishment of partnerships and cases where a decision-making committee was formed. Regarding application of the CBPR principles, community partners participated only in executing the research, not in analysing and interpreting research results. In addition, among the 21 studies selected were 6 randomised controlled trials, all of which showed a significant positive effect in experimental groups compared to control groups.

Conclusion

Improvement strategies are needed to allow implementation of CBPR principles in a CBPR-based CVD management programme. Moreover, further verification of programme evaluation research methods is needed.

Scoping review registration

This protocol has been registered to the OSF registries. 0000000204460911. Key Elements and Effects of Cardiovascular Disease Management Programs Based on Community-based Participatory Research: Protocol for a Scoping Review’. OSF, 4 Sept. 2020. Web.
Ecological-niche modeling reveals current opportunities for Agave dryland farming in Sonora, Mexico and Arizona, USA
Authors: Ortiz Cano Hector G. , Hadfield Robert , Gomez Teresa , Hultine Kevin , Mata Gonzalez Ricardo , Petersen Steven L. , Hansen Neil C. , Searcy Michael T. , Stetler Jason , Cervantes Mendívil Teodoro , Burchfield David , Park Pilman , Stewart J. Ryan
Published: January 2023

For centuries, humans occupying arid regions of North America have maintained an intricate relationship withAgave(Agavoideae, Asparagaceae). TodayAgavecultivation, primarily for beverage production, provides an economic engine for rural communities throughout Mexico. Among known dryland-farming methods, the use of rock piles and cattle-grazed areas stand out as promising approaches forAgavecultivation. Identifying new cultivation areas to apply these approaches in Arizona, USA and Sonora, Mexico warrants a geographic assessment of areas outside the known ranges of rock piles and grasslands. The objective of this study was to predict areas for dryland-farming ofAgaveand develop models to identify potential areas forAgavecultivation. We used maximum entropy (MaxEnt) ecological-niche-modeling algorithms to predict suitable areas forAgavedryland farming. The model was parameterized using occurrence records of Hohokam rock piles in Arizona and grassland fields cultivated withAgavein Sonora. Ten environmental-predictor variables were used in the model, downloaded from the WorldClim 2 climate database. The model identified potential locations for using rock piles as dryland-farming methods from south-central Arizona to northwestern Sonora. TheAgave-grassland model indicated that regions from central to southern Sonora have the highest potential for cultivation ofAgave, particularly for the speciesAgave angustifolia. Results suggest that there are many suitable areas where rock piles can be used to cultivateAgavein the Sonoran Desert, particularly in the border of southeastern Arizona and northwest Sonora. Likewise, cattle-grazing grasslands provide a viable environment for cultivatingAgavein southern Sonora, where the expanding bacanora-beverage industry continues to grow and where differentAgaveproducts (e.g., syrups, fructans, saponins, and medicinal compounds) can potentially strengthen local economies.
A moving-window bayesian network model for assessing systemic risk in financial markets
Authors: Chan Lupe S. H. , Chu Amanda M. Y. , So Mike K. P.
Published: January 2023

Systemic risk refers to the uncertainty that arises due to the breakdown of a financial system. The concept of “too connected to fail” suggests that network connectedness plays an important role in measuring systemic risk. In this paper, we first recover a time series of Bayesian networks for stock returns, which allow the direction of links among stock returns to be formed with Markov properties in directed graphs. We rank the stocks in the time series of Bayesian networks based on the topological orders of the stocks in the learned Bayesian networks and develop an order distance, a new measure with which to assess the changes in the topological orders of the stocks. In an empirical study using stock data from the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, we use the order distance to predict the extreme absolute return, which is a proxy of extreme market risks, or a signal of systemic risks, using the LASSO regression model. Our results indicate that the network statistics of the time series of Bayesian networks and the order distance substantially improve the predictability of extreme absolute returns and provide insights into the assessment of systemic risk.
Deworming utilization among pregnant mothers with at least one antenatal care follow-up in Ethiopia, 2022:- A multilevel analysis
Authors: Bantie Berihun , Kassaw Yirga Gebrie , Ayenew Yeshiambaw Eshetie , Nuru Muhamed Ahmed , Tassew Sheganew Fetene , Kassie Yohannes Tesfahun , Tiruneh Chalie Marew , Moges Natnael , Birhane Binyam Minuye , Anley Denekew Tenaw , Anteneh Rahel Mulatie , Dessie Anteneh Mengist
Published: January 2023

Background

Soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs) are the major public health problems that affect the health of pregnant women and their incoming newborns. In Ethiopia, about 33.35% of pregnant women were affected by these infections. Utilization of deworming medication during pregnancy is the main strategy endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the burden of STH-induced anemia and its related complications. However, information related to the coverage and its individual as well as community-level factors on the utilization of deworming medication among pregnant mothers with at least one antenatal care (ANC) visit is limited in Ethiopia.

Methods

A nationwide population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 18 to June 27, 2016. The information was obtained from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS 2016), which can be accessed at: https://www.dhsprogram.com. A weighted sample of 4690 pregnant women selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique was included in the final analysis. A Multi-variable multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the determinants of the utilization of deworming medication during pregnancy. Log-likelihood ration (LLR), deviance and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) were used to select the best fitted model in the multilevel analysis. Statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05.

Result

From a total of 4690 mothers included in the final analysis, only 365 (7.8%) of them utilized deworming medication in pregnancy. After controlling for confounding effects, having four or more Antenatal care (ANC) visits, having functional working status, intake of iron folic acid (IFA) tablets and coming from a community with a low poverty level increases the odds of utilization of deworming medication during pregnancy.

Conclusion and recommendation

In this study, less than one in ten pregnant mothers takes deworming medication. Mothers with less than four ANC visits, who did not receive IFA tablets, who came from a community with a high poverty level, and mothers with no good functional status were at the greatest risk of not receiving deworming medication during pregnancy. Sustained efforts need to be undertaken to increase the socioeconomic status of the community and to scale up the health care utilization behaviors of pregnant mothers.
Induced abortion among female students in higher education institutions in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kefale Bereket , Damtie Yitayish , Arefaynie Mastewal , Yalew Melaku , Adane Bezawit , Dilnesa Tenagnework , Zewdie Segenet , Wasihun Yitbarek , Adane Metadel
Published: January 2023

Background

Female students in institutions of higher education are at higher risk of abortion and its consequences. There is no nationally representative data on induced abortion among students in higher education institutions in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of induced abortion among female students in institutions of higher education in Ethiopia.

Methods

This study used a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies conducted from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2022, in Ethiopia. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Hinari, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and Global Health electronic databases were searched. The analysis was performed using STATA 14 software. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using I2 statistics and Egger’s test, respectively. Duval and Tweedie’s ‘trim and fill’ method was also performed to adjust the pooled estimate. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of meta-analysis using the random effect model.

Results

This systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of 10 studies and 4656 study participants. The pooled prevalence of induced abortion among female students in institutions of higher education in Ethiopia was 5.06% (95%CI: 2.16, 7.96). The rate of induced abortion was 51 per 1000 women.

Conclusions

The pooled prevalence of induced abortion among female students in institutions of higher education in Ethiopia was high. Thus, concerned bodies should design and implement an effective strategy to realize friendly and non-judgmental family planning and comprehensive abortion care service to curb the problem.
Flow and access: Driving forces of COVID-19 spreading in the first stage around Hubei, China
Authors: Zhang Tianhai , Cao Jinqiu
Published: January 2023

Background

This research takes the six provinces around Hubei Province where the Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as the research area, collected the number of cumulative confirmed cases (NCCC) in the first four weeks after the lockdown to explore the spatiotemporal characteristics, and to identify its influencing factors by correlation and regression analysis, finally providing reference for epidemic prevention and control policy.

Methods

The analysis of variance was used to test the spatiotemporal variability of the NCCC in the six provinces, the Pearson coefficient was taken to find the correlation relationship between the NCCC and multiple factor data in socio-economic, geography and transportation, and the following regression equation was obtained based on regression analysis.

Results

This study found that there is significant spatial variability in the NCCC among the six provinces and the significant influencing factors are changing along the four weeks. The NCCC in Shaanxi and Chongqing in the West was less than that in the other four provinces, especially in Shaanxi in the northwest, which was significantly different from the four provinces in the East, and has the largest difference with adjacent Henan province (792 cases). Correlation analysis shows that the correlation coefficient of the number of main pass is the largest in the first week, the correlation coefficient of the length of road networks is the largest in the second week, and the NCCC in the third and fourth week is significantly correlated with the average elevation. For all four weeks, the highest correlation coefficient belongs to the average elevation in the third week (r = 0.943, P = 0.005). Regression analysis shows that there is a multiple linear regression relationship between the average elevation, the number of main pass and the NCCC in the first week, there is no multiple linear regression relationship in the second week. The following univariate regression analysis shows that the regression equations of various factors are different. And, there is a multiple linear regression relationship between the average elevation, the length of road networks and the NCCC in the third and fourth week, as well as a multiple linear regression relationship between the average elevation, population and the confirmed cases in the fourth week.

Conclusion

There are significant spatial differences in the NCCC among the six provinces and the influencing factors varied in different weeks. The average elevation, population, the number of main pass and the length of road networks are significantly correlated with the NCCC. The average elevation, as a geographical variable, affects the two traffic factors: the number of main pass and the length of road networks. Therefore, the NCCC is mainly related to the factor categories of flow and access.
Increased extracellular release of microRNAs from dorsal root ganglion cells in a rat model of neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Ikuma Yuko , Sakai Atsushi , Sakamoto Atsuhiro , Suzuki Hidenori
Published: January 2023

microRNAs (miRNAs) are extracellularly released by cells for intercellular communication, while intracellularly, they inhibit the expression of specific genes. An increasing number of studies suggest that extracellular miRNAs have great potential as both therapeutic targets and disease-specific biomarkers in a variety of diseases, including pain disorders. However, little is known about miRNA release from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injury. In this study, we investigated the changes in the extracellular release of miRNAs from DRG neurons in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. We found increased release of six miRNAs (let-7d, miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-146b, miR-203-3p and miR-221) from primary cultured DRG neurons prepared from rats 7 days after nerve injury. Among these, miR-221 was also increased in serum from days 7 to 28 after nerve injury. In contrast, serum miR-221 levels and its release from DRG neurons were unchanged in an inflammatory pain model produced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant. These results suggest that the increased release of specific miRNAs by DRG neurons may be involved in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain through extracellular as well as intracellular mechanisms. Furthermore, serum miR-221 may be useful as a biomarker of neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injury.
Orienteering experts report more proficient spatial processing and memory across adulthood
Authors: Waddington Emma E. , Heisz Jennifer J.
Published: January 2023

The closest surrogate to hunter-gather activity is the sport of orienteering, which naturally and simultaneously combines high-intensity interval exercise with navigation. Although human cognition can be improved across the lifespan through exercise and cognitive training, interventions like orienteering may be especially effective because they resemble activities engaged in by prehistoric humans during evolution. The present study tested whether orienteering experts have better hippocampal-dependent cognitive function than active, non-orienteering controls. One-hundred and fifty-eight healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 87 years old with varying experience in orienteering (none, intermediate, advanced, elite) reported on their spatial processing, spatial memory and episodic memory using the Navigational Strategy Questionnaire and the Survey of Autobiographical Memory. Orienteering experts reported greater use of allocentric and egocentric spatial processing and better spatial memory than controls. In contrast, episodic memory was not associated with orienteering expertise. Notably, the significant effects of orienteering on spatial cognition remained even after controlling for age, sex, and physical activity, suggesting that orienteering may be an effective intervention to prevent age-related cognitive decline in spatial navigation and memory.
Nocturnal respiratory abnormalities among ward-level postoperative patients as detected by the Capnostream 20p monitor: A blinded observational study
Authors: Champreeda Vichaya , Hu Raymond , Chan Brandon , Tomasek Owen , Lin Yuan-Hong , Weinberg Laurence , Howard Will , Tan Chong O.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This prospective observational study aimed to establish the frequency of postoperative nocturnal respiratory abnormalities among patients undergoing major surgery who received ward-level care. These abnormalities may have implications for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

Methods

Eligible patients underwent blinded noninvasive continuous capnography with pulse oximetry using the Capnostream™ 20p monitor over the first postoperative night. All patients received oxygen supplementation and patient-controlled opioid analgesia. The primary outcome was the number of prolonged apnea events (PAEs), defined as end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) ≤5 mmHg for 30–120 seconds or EtCO2 ≤5 mmHg for >120 seconds with oxygen saturation (SpO2) <85%. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of recorded time that physiological indices were aberrant, including the apnea index (AI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), integrated pulmonary index (IPI), and SpO2. Exploratory analysis was conducted to assess the associations between PAEs, PPCs, and pre-defined factors.

Results

Among 125 patients who had sufficient data for analysis, a total of 1800 PAEs occurred in 67 (53.4%) patients. The highest quartile accounted for 89.1% of all events. Amongst patients who experienced any PAEs, the median (IQR) number of PAE/patient was four (2–12). As proportions of recorded time (median (IQR)), AI, ODI, and IPI were aberrant for 12.4% (0–43.2%), 19.1% (2.0–57.1%), and 11.5% (3.1–33.3%) respectively. Only age, ARISCAT, and opioid consumption/kg were associated with PPCs.

Conclusions

PAE and aberrant indices were frequently detected on the first postoperative night. However, they did not correlate with PPCs. Future research should investigate the significance of detected aberrations.
A memetic algorithm for finding multiple subgraphs that optimally cover an input network
Authors: He Xiaochen , Wang Yang , Du Haifeng , Feldman Marcus W.
Published: January 2023

Finding dense subgraphs is a central problem in graph mining, with a variety of real-world application domains including biological analysis, financial market evaluation, and sociological surveys. While a series of studies have been devoted to finding subgraphs with maximum density, the problem of finding multiple subgraphs that best cover an input network has not been systematically explored. The present study discusses a variant of the densest subgraph problem and presents a mathematical model for optimizing the total coverage of an input network by extracting multiple subgraphs. A memetic algorithm that maximizes coverage is proposed and shown to be both effective and efficient. The method is applied to real-world networks. The empirical meaning of the optimal sampling method is discussed.
Achieving clinically optimal balance between accuracy and simplicity of a formula for manual use: Development of a simple formula for estimating liver graft weight with donor anthropometrics
Authors: Ichihara Nao , Sato Naoya , Marubashi Shigeru , Miyata Hiroaki , Eguchi Susumu , Ohdan Hideki , Umeshita Koji , Gotoh Mitsukazu
Published: January 2023

In developing a formula for manual use in clinical settings, simplicity is as important as accuracy. Whole-liver (WL) mass is often estimated using demographic and anthropometric information to calculate the standard liver volume or recommended graft volume in liver transplantation. Multiple formulas for estimating WL mass have been reported, including those with multiple independent variables. However, it is unknown whether multivariable models lead to clinically meaningful improvements in accuracy over univariable models. Our goal was to quantitatively define clinically meaningful improvements in accuracy, which justifies an additional independent variable, and to identify an estimation formula for WL graft weight that best balances accuracy and simplicity given the criterion. From the Japanese Liver Transplantation Society registry, which contains data on all liver transplant cases in Japan, 129 WL donor-graft pairs were extracted. Among the candidate models, those with the smallest cross-validation (CV) root-mean-square error (RMSE) were selected, penalizing model complexity by requiring more complex models to yield a ≥5% decrease in CV RMSE. The winning model by voting with random subsets was fitted to the entire dataset to obtain the final formula. External validity was assessed using CV. A simple univariable linear regression formula using body weight (BW) was obtained as follows: WL graft weight [g] = 14.8 × BW [kg] + 439.2. The CV RMSE (g) and coefficient of determination (R2) were 195.2 and 0.548, respectively. In summary, in the development of a simple formula for manually estimating WL weight using demographic and anthropometric variables, a clinically acceptable trade-off between accuracy and simplicity was quantitatively defined, and the best model was selected using this criterion. A univariable linear model using BW achieved a clinically optimal balance between simplicity and accuracy, while one using body surface area performed similarly.
Coping with in-locus factors and systemic contradictions affecting antibiotic prescription and dispensing practices in primary care–A qualitative One Health study in Brazil
Authors: da Silva-Brandao Roberto Rubem , de Oliveira Sandi Michele , Correa Juliana Silva , Zago Luiz Felipe , Fracolli Lislaine Aparecida , Padoveze Maria Clara , Currea Gloria Cristina Cordoba
Published: January 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing threat to global health. The risks and sanitary consequences of AMR are disproportionately experienced by those living in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). While addressing antibiotic use has largely been documented in hospital settings, the understanding of social drivers affecting antibiotic prescribing and dispensing practices in the context of human and animal health in primary care (PC) in LMICs remains extremely limited. We seek to explore how in-locus and multi-level social factors influence antibiotic prescriptions and dispensing practices in the context of human and animal health in primary care in Brazil. This is a baseline qualitative One Health study; semi-structured interviews and field observations were undertaken in primary care sites located in a socioeconomically vulnerable area in the city of São Paulo, the most populated city of Brazil. Twenty-five human and animal healthcare professionals (HP) were purposely sampled. Interview data were subject to thematic analysis. Three overlapping social drivers were identified across HPs’ discourses: individual and behavioral challenges; relational and contextual factors influencing the overprescription of antibiotics (AB); and structural barriers and systemic contradictions in the health system. As a result of the interaction between multilevel in-locus and structural and contextual factors, HPs experience contextual and territorial challenges that directly influence their risk perception, diagnosis, use of laboratorial and image exams, time and decision to undergo treatment, choice of AB and strategies in coping with AB prescriptions. Additionally, in-locus factors influencing antibiotic prescriptions and dispensing practices are intertwined with individual accounts of risk management, systemic contradictions and ambivalences in the national health system. Our findings suggest interventions tackling AB use and AMR in Brazil should consider the social context, the complex health system structure and current integrated programs and services in PC.
Characterization of two linear epitopes SARS CoV-2 spike protein formulated in tandem repeat
Authors: Tarigan Simson , Dharmayanti N. L. P. Indi , Sugiartanti Dianita , Putri Ryandini , Andriani  , Nuradji Harimurti , Robinson Marthino , Wiendayanthi Niniek , Djufri Fadjry
Published: January 2023

The vital roles of diagnostic tools and vaccines are prominent in controlling COVID-19. Spike protein of the SARS CoV-2, specifically the epitopes in that protein, are the critical components of the vaccines and immunological diagnostic tools. Two epitopes in the spike protein, the S14P5 and S21P2, identified previously are of great interest because they are linear and elicit neutralizing antibodies. The present study formulated each epitope in the tandem-repeat structure to increase their immunogenicity and facilitate their production. The tandem repeats (TR) were expressed efficiently in E. coli, yielding 58 mg and 46 mg per liter culture for TR-S14P5 and TR-S212, respectively. ELISA using either one of the repeating epitopes can be used as a serological test to identify individuals infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The area under curves (AUC), based on testing 157 serum samples from COVID-19 patients and 26 from COVID-19-free individuals, were 0.806 and 0.889 for TR-S14P5 and TR-S21P2-based ELISAs, respectively. For 100% diagnostic specificity, the sensitivity was only 70%. The low sensitivity supposedly resulted from some samples being from early infection prior to antibody conversion. Both recombinant epitopes were highly immunogenic in rabbits, and the immune sera recognized inactivated SARS CoV-2 virus in dot-blot assays. These antibodies should be useful as a reagent for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Furthermore, the TR-S14P5 and TR-S21P2, being conserved and denaturation-resistant, are envisaged to be ideal for intra-nasal vaccines, which are required to complement current COVID-19 to overcome rapidly mutated SARS CoV-2.
Field evaluation of newly developed 3D-printed ultraviolet and green light-emitting diode traps for the collection of Culicoides species in Thailand
Authors: Fujisawa Yuki , Kornmatitsuk Kandit , Kornmatitsuk Sudsaijai , Kornmatitsuk Bunlue
Published: January 2023

Culcioides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of various veterinary pathogens. Suction light traps are one of the most widely used tools for vector surveillance. The present aim was to compare the efficiency for the collection of Culicoides species between newly developed 3D-printed ultraviolet (Mahidol University (MU) UV LED) and green light-emitting diode (Mahidol University (MU) Green LED) traps baited with CO2 and UV LED Center for Disease Control (CDC) light trap (BioQuip 2770) baited with CO2. The experiment consisted of two replicates of a 3 × 3 Latin square design in each three sampling locations (Location 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6), for 12 nights between 26th July and 7th August 2020 in Thailand. Results showed that efficiency of the MU UV LED light trap was equivalent to that of the BioQuip 2770 trap for the collection of Culicoides. Meanwhile, the efficiency of the MU Green LED light trap was lower than that of both UV LED light traps. In the analysis of Culicoides species composition and sex–age grading, a similar pattern was observed among three light traps except for Culicoides actoni Smith. The newly developed 3D-printed UV LED light trap demonstrated the following advantages over the commercial light trap: cost saving to obtain multiple units, ease of customization and standardization, and increased availability by end-users. Although further assessments in different environmental conditions are needed, this 3D-printed light trap design could minimize the constrains in vector surveillance programs worldwide.
Gender differences in tuberculosis patients with comorbidity: A cross-sectional study using national surveillance data and national health insurance claims data in South Korea
Authors: Moon Daseul , Jeong Dawoon , Kang Young Ae , Choi Hongjo
Published: January 2023

The coexistence of tuberculosis and other chronic diseases complicates disease management. Particularly, the lack of information on the difference in the prevalence of chronic diseases in tuberculosis based on age and gender can hinder the establishment of appropriate public health strategies. This study aimed to identify age- and gender-based differences in the prevalence of chronic diseases as comorbidities in patients with tuberculosis. An anonymized data source was established by linking the national health insurance claims data to the Korean national tuberculosis surveillance data from 2014 to 2018. The prevalence of chronic diseases was stratified by gender and age (age groups: ≤64, 65–74, and ≥75 years), and the differences in the prevalence of chronic diseases were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression and classified using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. A total of 148,055 patients with tuberculosis (61,199 women and 86,856 men) were included in this study. Among the patients aged ≥65 years, 48.2% were female and 38.1% were male. In this age group, the probability of chronic disease comorbidity was higher in female patients than in male patients. The prevalence of congestive heart failure and dementia as comorbidities in patients with tuberculosis increased more drastically with age in women than in men. Thus, the present study confirmed gender and age differences in the distribution of comorbidities among patients with tuberculosis. A more comprehensive gender-responsive approach for patients with tuberculosis and chronic diseases is required to alleviate the double burden of infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases in an aging society.
A single-molecule method for measuring fluorophore labeling yields for the study of membrane protein oligomerization in membranes
Authors: Ernst Melanie , Ozturk Tugba N. , Robertson Janice L.
Published: January 2023

Membrane proteins are often observed as higher-order oligomers, and in some cases in multiple stoichiometric forms, raising the question of whether dynamic oligomerization can be linked to modulation of function. To better understand this potential regulatory mechanism, there is an ongoing effort to quantify equilibrium reactions of membrane protein oligomerization directly in membranes. Single-molecule photobleaching analysis is particularly useful for this as it provides a binary readout of fluorophores attached to protein subunits at dilute conditions. However, any quantification of stoichiometry also critically requires knowing the probability that a subunit is fluorescently labeled. Since labeling uncertainty is often unavoidable, we developed an approach to estimate labeling yields using the photobleaching probability distribution of an intrinsic dimeric control. By iterative fitting of an experimental dimeric photobleaching probability distribution to an expected dimer model, we estimate the fluorophore labeling yields and find agreement with direct measurements of labeling of the purified protein by UV-VIS absorbance before reconstitution. Using this labeling prediction, similar estimation methods are applied to determine the dissociation constant of reactive CLC-ec1 dimerization constructs without prior knowledge of the fluorophore labeling yield. Finally, we estimate the operational range of subunit labeling yields that allows for discrimination of monomer and dimer populations across the reactive range of mole fraction densities. Thus, our study maps out a practical method for quantifying fluorophore labeling directly from single-molecule photobleaching data, improving the ability to quantify reactive membrane protein stoichiometry in membranes.