bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Climbing Speed on Pulmonary Oxygen Uptake and Muscle Oxygen Saturation Dynamics in the Finger Flexors
Authors: Gajdošík Jan , Baláš Jirˇí , Krupková Dominika , Psohlavec Lukáš , Draper Nick
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Although sport climbing is a self-paced whole-body activity, speed varies with climbing style, and the effect of this on systemic and localized oxygen responses is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine muscle and pulmonary oxygen responses during submaximal climbing at differing speeds of ascent. Methods: Thirty-two intermediate and advanced sport climbers completed three 4-minute-long ascents of the same route at 4, 6, and 9 m·min−1 on a motorized climbing ergometer (treadwall) on separate laboratory visits. Gas analysis and near-infrared spectroscopy were used to determine systemic oxygen uptake () and muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) of the flexor digitorum profundus. Results: Increases in ascent speed of 1 m·min−1 led to increases of by 2.4 mL·kg−1·min−1 (95% CI, 2.1 to 2.8 mL·kg−1·min−1) and decreases in StO2 by −1.3% (95% CI, 1.9% to −0.7%). There was a significant interaction of climbing ability and speed for StO2 (P < .001, ). The results revealed that the decrease of StO2 was present for intermediate but not advanced climbers. Conclusions: In this study, the results suggest that demand during climbing was largely determined by climbing speed; however, the ability level of the climber appeared to mitigate StO2 at a cellular level. Coaches and instructors may prescribe climbing ascents with elevated speed to improve generalized cardiorespiratory fitness. To stimulate localized aerobic capacity, however, climbers should perhaps increase the intensity of training ascents through the manipulation of wall angle or reduction of hold size.
Isometric Hip Strength and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Individuals With and Without Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Bain Katherine A. , Clawson Paige A. , Slone Stacey A. , Gribble Phillip A. , Hoch Johanna M. , Hoch Matthew C. , Kosik Kyle B.
Published: September 2021

Context: Strength deficits and decreased scores on generic, dimension-specific, and region-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) PRO measures are commonly documented among individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). However, it is unknown if there is a relationship between hip strength and self-reported patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores. Objective: To compare isometric peak torque for hip-extension (H-EXT) and hip-abduction (H-ABD), as well as PRO scores between CAI, lateral ankle sprain copers (LAS copers), and uninjured controls (UC). The secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between isometric hip peak torque and PROs in participants with CAI. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Sixty-three individuals, 45 women (23.02 [3.83] y, 165.91 [7.55] cm, 67.28 [11.95] kg) and 18 men (26.28 [5.43] y, 179.28 [9.01] cm, 83.87 [13.26] kg), grouped as uninjured control (n = 26), LAS coper (n = 15), or CAI (n = 22). Main Outcome Measures: The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure was used to assess region-specific HRQL. The Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire was used to assess injury-related fear. The Disablement in Physically Active was used to assess global HRQL. Isometric peak torque was measured with a handheld dynamometer for H-EXT and H-ABD. Results: No group differences were observed for H-ABD (P = .34) or H-EXT (P = .35). The CAI group had significantly worse scores on all PROs compared with LAS coper (P < .001) and HC (P < .001). Moderate–weak correlations were found between H-ABD and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure—activities of daily living (P = .047; ρ = .392) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Sport (P = .013; ρ = .482) and H- EXT and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Work (P = .007; ρ = −.517). Conclusions: Individuals with CAI displayed lower HRQL based on worse scores on generic, dimension-specific, and region-specific PROs compared with LAS copers and uninjured controls. There were no significant between-group differences for H-EXT and H-ABD isometric peak torque production, but there was a moderate positive relationship between isometric H-ABD and self-reported ankle disability in individuals with CAI.
Ancient genomes reveal long-range influence of the pre-Columbian culture and site of Tiwanaku
Authors: Popović Danijela , Molak Martyna , Ziółkowski Mariusz , Vranich Alexei , Sobczyk Maciej , Vidaurre Delfor Ulloa , Agresti Guido , Skrzypczak Magdalena , Ginalski Krzysztof , Lamnidis Thiseas Christos , Nakatsuka Nathan , Mallick Swapan , Baca Mateusz
Published: September 2021

Pre-Columbian urban center of Tiwanaku in the heights of the Andes hosted people from as far as the jungles of the Amazon.
Sex-specific phenotypic effects and evolutionary history of an ancient polymorphic deletion of the human growth hormone receptor
Authors: Saitou Marie , Resendez Skyler , Pradhan Apoorva J. , Wu Fuguo , Lie Natasha C. , Hall Nancy J. , Zhu Qihui , Reinholdt Laura , Satta Yoko , Speidel Leo , Nakagome Shigeki , Hanchard Neil A. , Churchill Gary , Lee Charles , Atilla-Gokcumen G. Ekin , Mu Xiuqian , Gokcumen Omer
Published: September 2021

The evolutionary history of a common genetic variant is linked to its sex-specific effect on response to nutritional stress.
A common genetic variant of a mitochondrial RNA processing enzyme predisposes to insulin resistance
Authors: Rossetti Giulia , Ermer Judith A. , Stentenbach Maike , Siira Stefan J. , Richman Tara R. , Milenkovic Dusanka , Perks Kara L. , Hughes Laetitia A. , Jamieson Emma , Xiafukaiti Gulibaikelamu , Ward Natalie C. , Takahashi Satoru , Gray Nicola , Viola Helena M. , Hool Livia C. , Rackham Oliver , Filipovska Aleksandra
Published: September 2021

A variant in an RNA processing enzyme predisposes to insulin resistance by reducing calcium release and insulin secretion.
Global chromatin relabeling accompanies spatial inversion of chromatin in rod photoreceptors
Authors: Smith Cheryl L. , Lan Yemin , Jain Rajan , Epstein Jonathan A. , Poleshko Andrey
Published: September 2021

Genome-wide changes in posttranslational modifications of histone H3 Lys9 guide spatial positioning of chromatin.
Variscan intracrustal recycling by melting of Carboniferous arc-like igneous protoliths (Évora Massif, Iberian Variscan belt)
Authors: Rodríguez Carmen , Pereira Manuel Francisco , Castro Antonio , Gutiérrez-Alonso Gabriel , Fernández Carlos
Published: September 2021

Bulk rock geochemistry and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe zircon geochronology of igneous and metaigneous rocks of the Évora gneiss dome, located to the north of the reworked Rheic Ocean suture zone in the southwest Iberian Variscan belt, reveal a succession of magmatic and melting events lasting ~30 m.y. between ca. 341–314 Ma. The study of detailed field relationships of orthomigmatites (i.e., migmatites from igneous protoliths) and host granitic rocks proved to be crucial to reconstruct the complex sequence of tectono-thermal events of the Évora gneiss dome. The older igneous protoliths, with marked geochemical arc-like signatures, are represented by 338 ± 3 Ma tonalites and 336 ± 3 Ma diorites. These tonalites and diorites appear as mesosomes of igneous orthomigmatites containing new melts (leucosomes) of monzogranite composition and silica-poor trondhjemites formed in a melting episode at 329 ± 4/6 to 327 ± 3 Ma. The absence of peritectic phases (e.g., pyroxene), together with shearing associated with migmatization, imply the existence of water-rich fluids during melting of the older igneous rocks of the Évora gneiss dome. This melting event is coeval with the second magmatic event of the Évora gneiss dome represented by the neighboring Pavia pluton. A porphyritic monzogranite dated at 314 ± 4 Ma defines a later magmatic event. The porphyritic monzogranite encloses large blocks of the orthomigmatites and contains magmatic mafic enclaves (autoliths) dated at 337 ± 4 Ma that are ~23 m.y. older than the host rock. All studied rocks of the Évora gneiss dome show arc-like, calc-alkaline geochemical signatures. Our results support recycling of intermediate-mafic plutonic rocks, representing the root of an early magmatic arc that formed at the time of Gondwana-Laurussia convergence (after the closure of the Rheic Ocean) and coeval subduction of the Paleotethys. A geodynamic model involving ridge subduction is proposed to explain the Early Carboniferous intra-orogenic crustal extension, dome formation, exhumation of high-grade rocks, compositional variations of magmatism and formation of new granitic magmatism in which, arc-like signatures were inherited from the crustal source.
Supplemental Material: Apatite fingerprints on the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of the Daheishan giant porphyry Mo deposit, NE China
Authors: Qu Pan , Yang Wubin
Published: September 2021

Figure S1: Harker diagrams illustrating major elemental variations of the porphyry and wall rock. QGP—Qiancuoluo granodioritic porphyry; QBG—Qiancuoluo biotite granodiorite; Figure S2: (a) Chondrite-normalized REE patterns and (b) primitive mantle (PM)-normalized spider diagrams of the porphyry and wall rock. Normalizing values are taken from S. Sun and McDonough (1989); Table S1: Whole-rock major and trace element compositions of the Qiancuoluo granodioritic porphyry (QGP) and Qiancuoluo biotite granodiorite (QBG) granites; Table S2: Whole-rock Sr-Nd compositions of the Qiancuoluo granodioritic porphyry (QGP) and Qiancuoluo biotite granodiorite (QBG); Table S3: Apatite major and trace elements (ppm) of the Qiancuoluo granodioritic porphyry (QGP) and Qiancuoluo biotite granodiorite (QBG); Table S4: Apatite Sr and Nd isotope data of the Qiancuoluo granodioritic porphyry (QGP) and Qiancuoluo biotite granodiorite (QBG); Table S5: Apatite U-Pb isotope data of the Qiancuoluo granodioritic porphyry (QGP) and Qiancuoluo biotite granodiorite (QBG).
Later is not necessarily better: limitations of survival analysis in studies of long-term drug treatment of psychiatric conditions
Authors: Moncrieff Joanna , Jakobsen Janus Christian , Bachmann Max
Published: September 2021

Survival analysis is routinely used to assess differences between groups in relapse prevention and treatment discontinuation studies involving people with long-term psychiatric conditions. The actual outcome in survival analysis is ‘time to event’, yet, in the mental health field, there has been little consideration of whether a temporary delay to relapse is clinically relevant in a condition that can last for decades. Moreover, in psychiatric drug trials, a pattern of elevated early relapses following randomisation to placebo or no treatment is common. This may be the result of the withdrawal of previous treatment leading to physiological withdrawal effects, which may be mistaken for relapse, or genuine relapse precipitated by the process of withdrawal. Such withdrawal effects typically produce converging survival curves eventually. They inevitably lead to differences in time to relapse, even when there is little or no difference in the cumulative risk of relapse at final follow-up. Therefore, statistical tests based on survival analyses can be misleading because they obscure these withdrawal effects. We illustrate these difficulties in a trial of antipsychotic reduction versus maintenance, and a trial of prophylactic esketamine in people with treatment-resistant depression. Both illustrate withdrawal-related effects that underline the importance of long-term follow-up and question the use of tests based on time to event. Further discussion of the most relevant outcome and appropriate approach to analysis, and research on patient and carer preferences is important to inform the design of future trials and interpretation of existing ones.
Does pre-existing morbidity influences risks and benefits of total hip replacement for osteoarthritis: a prospective study of 6682 patients from linked national datasets in England
Authors: Ferguson Rory , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Peat George , Delmestri Antonella , Jordan Kelvin P , Strauss Vicky Y , Valderas Jose Maria , Walker Christine , Yu Dahai , Glyn-Jones Sion , Silman Alan
Published: September 2021

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery for elderly people with multimorbidity increases the risk of serious health hazards including mortality. Whether such background morbidity reduces the clinical benefit is less clear.

Objective

To evaluate how pre-existing health status, using multiple approaches, influences risks of, and quality of life benefits from, THA.

Setting

Longitudinal record linkage study of a UK sample linking their primary care to their secondary care records.

Participants

A total of 6682 patients were included, based on the recording of the diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis in a national primary care register and the recording of the receipt of THA in a national secondary care register.

Data were extracted from the primary care register on background health and morbidity status using five different constructs: Charlson Comorbidity Index, Electronic Frailty Index (eFI) and counts of comorbidity disorders (from list of 17), prescribed medications and number of primary care visits prior to recording of THA.

Outcome measures

(1) Postoperative complications and mortality; (2) postoperative hip pain and function using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and health-related quality of life using the EuroQoL (EQ)-5D score.

Results

Perioperative complication rate was 3.2% and mortality was 0.9%, both increased with worse preoperative health status although this relationship varied depending on the morbidity construct: the eFI showing the strongest relationship but number of visits having no predictive value. By contrast, the benefits were not reduced in those with worse preoperative health, and improvement in both OHS and EQ-5D was observed in all the morbidity categories.

Conclusions

Independent of preoperative morbidity, THA leads to similar substantial improvements in quality of life. These are offset by an increase in medical complications in some subgroups of patients with high morbidity, depending on the definition used. For most elderly people, their other health disorders should not be a barrier for THA.
Contribution of lung ultrasound in diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia in the emergency department: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Javaudin François , Marjanovic Nicolas , de Carvalho Hugo , Gaborit Benjamin , Le Bastard Quentin , Boucher Estelle , Haroche Denis , Montassier Emmanuel , Le Conte Philippe
Published: September 2021

Lung ultrasound (LUS) can help clinicians make a timely diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Objectives

To assess if LUS can improve diagnosis and antibiotic initiation in emergency department (ED) patients with suspected CAP.

Design

A prospective observational study.

Settings

Four EDs.

Participants

The study included 150 patients older than 18 years with a clinical suspicion of CAP, of which 2 were subsequently excluded (incorrect identification), leaving 148 patients (70 women and 78 men, average age 72±18 years). Exclusion criteria included a life-threatening condition with do-not-resuscitate-order or patient requiring immediate intensive care.

Interventions

After routine diagnostic procedure (clinical, radiological and laboratory tests), the attending emergency physician established a clinical CAP probability according to a four-level Likert scale (definite, probable, possible and excluded). An LUS was then performed, and another CAP probability was established based on the ultrasound result. An adjudication committee composed of three independent experts established the final CAP probability at hospital discharge.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary objective was to assess concordance rate of CAP diagnostic probabilities between routine diagnosis procedure or LUS and the final probability of the adjudication committee. Secondary objectives were to assess changes in CAP probability induced by LUS, and changes in antibiotic treatment initiation.

Results

Overall, 27% (95% CI 20 to 35) of the routine procedure CAP classifications and 77% (95% CI 71 to 84) of the LUS CAP classifications were concordant with the adjudication committee classifications. Cohen’s kappa coefficients between routine diagnosis procedure and LUS, according to adjudication committee, were 0.07 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.11) and 0.61 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.66), respectively. The modified probabilities for the diagnosis of CAP after LUS resulted in changes in antibiotic prescriptions in 32% (95% CI 25 to 40) of the cases.

Conclusion

In our study, LUS was a powerful tool to improve CAP diagnosis in the ED, reducing diagnostic uncertainty from 73% to 14%.

Trial registration number

NCT03411824.
BESPOKE study protocol: a multicentre, prospective observational study to evaluate the impact of circulating tumour DNA guided therapy on patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza , Sawyer Sarah , Guilford Jessica , Munro Michelle , Ellers Sascha , Wulff Jacob , Hook Nicole , Krinshpun Shifra , Koyen Malashevich Allyson , Malhotra Meenakshi , Rodriguez Angel , Moshkevich Solomon , Grothey Axel , Kopetz Scott , Billings Paul , Aleshin Alexey
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prevalent disease, wherein, ~30%–40% of patients with CRC relapse postresection. In some patients with CRC, adjuvant chemotherapy can help delay recurrence or be curative. However, current biomarkers show limited clinical utility in determining if/when chemotherapy should be administered, to provide benefit. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can measure molecular residual disease (MRD) and relapse with high specificity and sensitivity. This study protocol investigates the clinical utility of ctDNA for optimal use of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with surgically resected CRC and to detect early disease progression in the surveillance setting.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre prospective, observational cohort study. A total of 2000 stage I–IV patients will be enrolled in up to 200 US sites, and patients will be followed for up to 2 years with serial ctDNA analysis, timed with the standard-of-care visits. The primary endpoints are to observe the impact of bespoke ctDNA testing on adjuvant treatment decisions and to measure CRC recurrence rates while asymptomatic and without imaging correlate. The secondary endpoints are MRD clearance rate (MRD+ to MRD−) during or after adjuvant chemotherapy, percentage of patients that undergo surgery for oligometastatic recurrence, survival of MRD-negative patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy versus no adjuvant chemotherapy (active surveillance), overall survival, examine the number of stage I CRC that have recurrent disease detected postsurgery, and patient-reported outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has received ethical approval from the Advarra Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol: Natera—20-041-NCP/3766.01, BESPOKE Study of ctDNA Guided Therapy in Colorectal Cancer (BESPOKE CRC) (Pro00041473) on 10 June 2021. Data protection and privacy regulations will be strictly observed in the capturing, forwarding, processing and storing of patients’ data. Publication of any study results will be approved by Natera in accordance with the site-specific contract.

Trial registration number

NCT04264702.
Impact of restricted visitation policies in hospitals on patients, family members and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Moss Stephana J , Stelfox Henry T , Krewulak Karla D , Ahmed Sofia , Anglin Melanie C , Bagshaw Sean M , Barnes Tavish , Burns Karen E A , Cook Deborah J , Crowe Sarah , Doig Christopher J , Foster Nadine , Fox-Robichaud Alison , Fowler Robert , Kredenster Maia , Murthy Srinivas , Niven Daniel , Olafson Kendiss , Parhar Ken Kuljit S , Patten Scott B , Rewa Oleksa , Rochwerg Bram , Sept Bonnie G , Soo Andrea , Spence Krista , Spence Sean , Straus Sharon E , West Andrew , Parsons Leigh Jeanna , Fiest Kirsten M
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Flexible visitation policies in hospitals are an important component of care that contributes to reduced stress and increased satisfaction among patients and their family members. Early evidence suggests restricted visitation policies enacted in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic are having unintended consequences on patients, family members and healthcare providers. There is a need for a comprehensive summary of the impacts of restricted visitation policies on key stakeholders and approaches to mitigate that impact.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a scoping review as per the Arksey-O’Malley 5-stage scoping review method and the Scoping Review Methods Manual by the Joanna Briggs Institute. We will search relevant electronic databases (eg, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO), grey literature and preprint repositories. We will include all study designs including qualitative and quantitative methodologies (excluding protocols) as well as reports, opinions and editorials, to identify the broad impact of restricted hospital visitation policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic on patients, family members or healthcare providers of hospitalised patients, and approaches taken or proposed to mitigate this impact. Two reviewers will calibrate the screening criteria and data abstraction form and will independently screen studies and abstract the data. Narrative synthesis with thematic analysis will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not applicable as this review will be conducted on published literature only. This scoping review will identify, describe and categorise impacts of restricted hospital visitation policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic on patients, family members and healthcare providers of hospitalised patients, and approaches that have been taken to mitigate impact. We will provide a comprehensive synthesis by developing a framework of restricted visitation policies and associated impacts. Our results will inform the development of consensus statements on restricted visitation policies to be implemented in future pandemics.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020221662.
Is patient participation in multidisciplinary tumour conferences associated with their information needs? A multicentre prospective observational study
Authors: Reck Sebastian , Diekmann Annika , Heuser Christian , Schellenberger Barbara , Ansmann Lena , Wirtz Markus Antonius , Ernstmann Nicole
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To determine the association between participation of patients with breast cancer and patients with gynaecological cancer in their own multidisciplinary tumour conference (MTC) and their information needs with regard to their disease and treatment options.

Methods

This is a prospective observational study that took place at six breast cancer and gynaecological cancer centres in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Patient inclusion criteria included a minimum age of 18 years and at least one diagnosis of breast cancer or gynaecological cancer. Three surveys were administered. T0 (shortly before MTC), T1 (directly after MTC) and T2 (4 weeks after MTC). Patient information needs were measured using two three-item subscales of the Cancer Patients Information Needs scale. Analysis of change was done by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). To control for sampling bias, a further one-way repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) included a propensity score as a covariate.

Results

Data from 81 patients in the participation group and 120 patients in the non-participation group were analysed. The patient groups did not differ in their levels of information needs at T0 or T2. From T0 to T2, information needs increased statistically significantly in both groups with regard to both disease-related information (η²=0.354) and treatment-related information (η²=0.250). The increase in both types of information needs lost its statistical significance when the propensity score was included as a covariate. Neither ANOVA nor ANCOVA revealed a statistically significant association between patients’ participation in the MTC and their self-reported information needs.

Conclusion and clinical implications

As concerns patients’ information needs, findings do not support a general recommendation for or against the participation of patients in their MTCs. Future research should focus on the different ways of patients’ participation in their MTCs facilitated at different cancer centres. Further research should also aim to establish which patient and disease characteristics predispose patients to benefit from participating in their MTCs.
Nature versus urban hiking for Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: a pilot randomised trial conducted in the Pacific Northwest USA
Authors: Littman Alyson J , Bratman Gregory N , Lehavot Keren , Engel Charles C , Fortney John C , Peterson Alexander , Jones Alex , Klassen Carolyn , Brandon Joshua , Frumkin Howard
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To evaluate feasibility and acceptability of a group-based nature recreation intervention (nature hiking) and control condition (urban hiking) for military Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Design and setting

A pilot randomised controlled trial conducted in the US Pacific Northwest.

Participants

Veterans with PTSD due to any cause.

Interventions

Twenty-six participants were randomised to a 12-week intervention involving either six nature hikes (n=13) or six urban hikes (n=13).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Feasibility was assessed based on recruitment, retention and attendance. Questionnaires and postintervention qualitative interviews were conducted to explore intervention acceptability. Questionnaires assessing acceptability and outcomes planned for the future trial (eg, PTSD symptoms) were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks (immediately after the final hike) and 24 weeks follow-up.

Results

Of 415 people assessed for eligibility/interest, 97 were interested and passed preliminary eligibility screening, and 26 were randomised. Mean completion of all questionnaires was 91% among those in the nature hiking group and 68% in those in the urban hiking group. Over the course of the intervention, participants in the nature and urban groups attended an average of 56% and 58%, respectively, of scheduled hikes. Acceptability of both urban and nature hikes was high; over 70% reported a positive rating (ie, good/excellent) for the study communication, as well as hike locations, distance and pace. Median PTSD symptom scores (PTSD Checklist-5) improved more at 12 weeks and 24 weeks among those in the nature versus urban hiking group.

Conclusions

This pilot study largely confirmed the feasibility and acceptability of nature hiking as a potential treatment for Veterans with PTSD. Adaptations will be needed to improve recruitment and increase hike attendance for a future randomised controlled trial to effectively test and isolate the ways in which nature contact, physical activity and social support conferred by the group impact outcomes.

Trial registration number

NCT03997344.
Exploring digital health interventions to support community health workers in low-and-middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Feroz Anam Shahil , Valliani Komal , Khwaja Hajra , Karim Sehrish
Published: September 2021

Introduction

COVID-19 has significantly affected community health workers’ (CHWs) performance as they are expected to perform pandemic-related tasks along with routine essential healthcare services. A plausible way to optimise CHWs’ functioning during this pandemic is to couple the efforts of CHWs with digital tools. So far, no systematic evidence is available on the use of digital health interventions to support CHWs in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The article describes a protocol for a scoping review of primary research studies that aim to map evidence on the use of unique digital health interventions to support CHWs during COVID-19 in LMICs.

Methods and analysis

Our methodology has been adapted from scoping review guidelines provided by Arksey and O’Malley, Levacet al.and the Joanna Briggs Institute. Our search strategy has been developed for the following four main electronic databases: Excerpta Medica Database, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Google Scholar and reference tracking will be used for supplementary searches. Each article will be screened against eligibility criteria by two independent researchers at the title and abstract and full-text level. The review will include studies that targeted digital health interventions at CHWs’ level to provide support in delivering COVID-19-related and other essential healthcare services. A date limit of 31 December 2019 to the present date will be placed on the search and English language articles will be included.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethical approval is not required, as primary data will not be collected in this study. The results from our scoping review will provide valuable insight into the use of digital health interventions to optimise CHWs’ functioning and will reveal current knowledge gaps in research. The results will be disseminated through journal publications and conference presentations.
Effectiveness of E-SBIRT intervention in community healthcare institution in China: study proposal for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fu Rao , Yuan Chenxin , Sun Wei , Wang Wenzheng , Zhang Lei , Zhai Jing , Guan Qun , Wu Xiaojun , Long Jiang , Zhao Min , Du Jiang
Published: September 2021

Background

Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in addressing substance use problem. However, owing to the shortage of counsellors, it has not been widely used in China. With the development of smart medicine, we developed a web-based electronic SBIRT (E-SBIRT) program and explored the effectiveness of E-SBIRT in reducing substance use in China.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in primary healthcare institutions. Four primary healthcare institutions will be selected and randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group (each institution will recruit 60 participants, and in total, 240 participants will be recruited). The control group will get a pamphlet of drug abuse prevention, and the intervention group will get the E-SBIRT intervention and the pamphlet. Both groups will receive baseline and follow-up assessment at 1 and 3 months after the intervention. The primary outcome is the change in scores on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Use Involvement Screening Test, and the secondary outcomes include changes in motivation, depression, anxiety, positive/negative emotion, self-esteem, addiction knowledge and addiction severity index.

Conclusions

If the ‘E-SBIRT’ program is found to be effective, it will be an accessible, affordable and widely implementable intervention to help participants at moderate risk of substance use to reduce their consumption. The potential benefit is to provide early intervention to high-risk patients in time and reduce the harmful consequences to individuals and society.

Trial registration number

NCT03452241.
Subjective social position and cognitive function in a longitudinal cohort of older, rural South African adults, 2014–2019
Authors: Kobayashi Lindsay C , Morris Emily P , Harling Guy , Farrell Meagan T , Kabeto Mohammed U , Wagner Ryan G , Berkman Lisa F
Published: September 2021

Background

The relationship between subjective social position (SSP) and cognitive ageing unclear, especially in low-income settings. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SSP and cognitive function over time among older adults in rural South Africa.

Methods

Data were from 3771 adults aged ≥40 in the population-representative ‘Health and Ageing in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa’ from 2014/2015 (baseline) to 2018/2019 (follow-up). SSP was assessed at baseline with the 10-rung MacArthur Network social position ladder. Outcomes were composite orientation and episodic memory scores at baseline and follow-up (range: 0–24). Mortality- and attrition-weighted linear regression estimated the associations between baseline SSP with cognitive scores at each of the baseline and follow-up. Models were adjusted for age, age2, sex, country of birth, father’s occupation, education, employment, household assets, literacy, marital status and health-related covariates.

Results

SSP responses ranged from 0 (bottom ladder rung/lowest social position) to 10 (top ladder rung/highest social position), with a mean of 6.6 (SD: 2.3). SSP was positively associated with baseline cognitive score (adjusted β=0.198 points per ladder rung increase; 95% CI 0.145 to 0.253) and follow-up cognitive score (adjusted β=0.078 points per ladder rung increase; 95% CI 0.021 to 0.136).

Conclusion

Independent of objective socioeconomic position measures, SSP is associated with orientation and episodic memory scores over two time points approximately 3 years apart among older rural South Africans. Future research is needed to establish the causality of the observed relationships, whether they persist over longer follow-up periods and their consistency in other populations.
Technology-induced job loss risk, disability and all-cause mortality in Norway
Authors: Bratsberg Bernt , Rogeberg Ole , Skirbekk Vegard
Published: September 2021

Background

Ongoing shifts in economic structure from automation and globalisation can affect employment and mortality, yet these relations are not well described.

Objective

We assess whether long-term employment and health outcomes relate systematically to structural change in the labour market, using the occupational Routine Task Intensity (RTI) score as indicator of exposure is to risks of outsourcing and technology-induced job loss.

Methods

Using a cohort design and administrative data with national population coverage, we categorise all Norwegian employees in 2003 by the RTI score of their occupation and examine how this score correlates with employment and health outcomes measured in 2018 and 2019. The study sample counts 416 003 men and 376 413 women aged 33–52 in 2003.

Results

The occupational RTI score at baseline is robustly associated with long-term employment, disability and mortality outcomes. Raw correlations are reduced after adjustment for potential confounders, but associations remain substantial in models controlling for individual covariates and in sibling comparisons. Working in an occupation with RTI score 1 SD above the mean in 2003 is associated with a raised probability of being deceased in 2019 of 0.24 percentage points (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.30) for men and 0.13 percentage points (95% CI: 0.02 to 0.24) for women, corresponding to raised mortality rates of 6.7% and 5.5%.

Conclusions

Individuals in occupations characterised by high routine intensity are less likely to remain employed in the long term, and have higher rates of disability and mortality.
Predictors of clinical outcome following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Dautzenberg Lauren , Pals Judith E M , Lefeber Geert J , Stella Pieter R , Abawi Masieh , Emmelot-Vonk Marielle , Koek Huiberdina L
Published: September 2021

Objective

In recent years, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis considered to be at increased or high surgical risk. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of postoperative adverse events in older adults undergoing TAVI.

Methods

A prospective observational cohort study of patients who were referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic for a geriatric assessment prior to TAVI was conducted. The outcomes were mortality and hospital readmission within 3 months of TAVI and the occurrence of major postoperative complications during hospitalisation according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. These three outcomes were also combined to a composite outcome. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of the outcomes and composite outcome of adverse events.

Results

This cohort included 490 patients who underwent TAVI (mean age 80.7±6.2 years, 47.3% male). Within 3 months of TAVI, 19 (3.9%) patients died and 46 (9.4%) patients experienced a hospital readmission. A total of 177 (36.1%) patients experienced one or more major complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification during hospitalisation and 193 patients (39.4%) experienced the composite outcome of adverse events. In multivariate analyses, cognitive impairment was identified as an independent predictor of major postoperative complications (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.14 to 4.19) and the composite outcome of adverse events (OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.21 to 4.79). No association was found between the other variables and the separate outcomes and composite outcome.

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment is associated with postoperative adverse events in older patients undergoing TAVI. Therefore, it is important to screen for cognitive impairment prior to TAVI and it is recommended to include this in current TAVI guidelines.
Single nucleotide polymorphism scanning and expression analysis of ACSL1 from different duck breeds
Authors: Song Qianqian , Wang Zhixiu , Zhang Hongliang , Li Xiangxiang , Zhang Yang , Xu Qi , Chang Guobin , Zhang Hao , Chen Guohong
Published: September 2021

Accumulating studies have indicated that the long-chain fatty acyl-CoA1 (ACSL1) gene is related to fat deposition and meat quality in mammals. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between ACSL1 and lipid deposition in ducks. To examine this, we assessed the physicochemical property, homologous alignment, and phylogenetic analyses of the ACSL1 amino acid sequence using bioinformatics tools. The analysis indicated that the ACSL1 amino acid sequence varies in animals, and the duck ACSL1 protein is most closely related to that of chicken. Two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites were identified at 1749 and 1905 bp of the coding region of ACSL1 by sequencing. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting were used to measure mRNA and protein levels in abdominal fat, breast muscle, and liver tissue of Pekin duck (BD) and Cherry Valley duck (CD). mRNA and protein expression were significantly higher in BD than in CD in abdominal fat and liver tissue (P < 0.05). In breast muscle, the mRNA level of ACSL1 was also significantly higher in BD than in CD (P < 0.05), and protein expression in BD tended to be higher than that of CD. These results suggest that ACSL1 may contribute to lipid deposition and meat quality in ducks.
Early detection of onion neck rot disease in Manitoba
Authors: Singh Poonam , Ahmad Faiz , Bisht Vikram , Thakkar Nevya , Sajjad Sumreen
Published: September 2021

Neck rot caused by the fungus Botrytis allii Munn. is one of the most devastating diseases of onions (Allium cepa L.), resulting in significant yield losses. This disease is latent in nature developing symptomless onion plants in the field with bulbs typically showing symptoms 1–2 months after harvest in the storage. Molecular studies were conducted to detect latent infections of Botrytis neck rot in the onion fields of Manitoba, Canada. Plant samples of onion cultivars ‘Redwing’ and ‘Pocono’ were collected every 10 days throughout the growing season, starting from planting until bulb harvesting during 2018, 2019, and 2020 from a research farm in Brandon, Manitoba, and plant samples of ‘Redwing’ were collected during 2019 and 2020 from a commercial vegetable farm in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. The amplified DNA fragment of onion leaves and the neck region of collected samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction using the Botrytis-specific primer pair BA2f/BA1r. Botrytis allii was detected on onion samples collected from the commercial farm as early as the end of June 2019 and 2020 when plants were at the 5–7 leaf stage. The majority of onion samples collected from the research farm also started testing positive for the pathogen from June (2019, 2020) and July (2018) onwards. This knowledge about the timing of infection in the field will be useful in helping farmers to develop and evaluate management strategies in the field, and also predict the storability and availability of quality bulbs for sale.
Factors affecting the use of weather station data in predicting surface soil moisture for agricultural applications
Authors: Acharya Umesh , Daigh Aaron Lee M. , Oduor Peter G.
Published: September 2021

Weather stations often provide key information related to soil moisture; temperature and evaporation are used by farmers to decide farm operations of nearby agricultural fields. However, the site conditions at the weather stations where data are recorded may not be similar with these nearby fields. The objective of this study was to determine the level of discrepancies in surface soil moisture between weather stations and nearby agricultural fields based on (i) the soil texture, crop residue cover, crop type, growth stages and (ii) temporal dependency of soil moisture to recent rainfall and evaporation rates. Soil moisture from 25 weather stations in the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) and 75 nearby fields were measured biweekly during the 2019 growing season in Red River Valley. Field characteristics including soil texture, crop residue cover, crop type, and growth stages along with rainfall and PET were collected during the study period. The regression analysis between surface soil moisture at weather station and nearby field showed higher values for corn at V10 stage (r2 = 0.92) and for wheat at flowering stage (r2 = 0.68) and opposite was observed with soybean. We found the regression coefficient of soil moisture with 4-d cumulative rainfall slightly increased to 0.51 with an increase in percent residue cover resulting in a decreased root mean square error (RMSE) to 0.063 m3·m−3. In general, we observed that surface soil moisture at weather stations could reasonably predict moisture in nearby agricultural fields considering crop type, soil type, weather, and distance from weather station.
Complementary teaching approaches facilitating interdisciplinary soil science education
Authors: Brown Sandra , Fu Guopeng , White Lisa W.
Published: September 2021

The complementary nature of different teaching approaches in facilitating student learning is rarely discussed in the literature. This study compared diverse teaching approaches in soil science education to explore how a combination of instructional approaches can support student learning. Student perspectives on lectures, problem-based learning, and experiential learning in three upper-level university soil science courses were assessed through student enrolment data and survey responses. Results emphasize the benefits of integrating theory and practice and support the integration of concepts from soil physics, chemistry, and biology within individual courses. All respondents who took two or more courses indicated that the distinct teaching approaches and the integration of soil physics, chemistry, and biology within individual courses were beneficial to their learning. Lectures and problem-based learning were seen as pedagogically reciprocal, with theory supporting the application of knowledge for 75% students, while others noted that having the management course first provided context for learning additional theory. A subset of students (n = 9) indicated the relevance of the interdisciplinary nature of the courses for their current employment. Our findings suggest that combining knowledge-based and competency-based approaches may support both student learning and workforce demands and that diverse teaching approaches can work together to support student learning. The research outcomes call for fellow instructors to diverge from the dichotomy of passive and active learning and to consider the complementary nature of distinct teaching strategies.
An Efficient Non-Parametric Statistical Test for Assessing Some Treatment Methods of Clinical Data
Authors: Mansour Mahmoud , Aboshady Mohamed
Published: September 2021

The recent rapid spread of deadly epidemics have precipitated an urgent need to speed up the development of different treatments, as well as methods of evaluating their efficacy. The first step towards this is the collection of data relating to the cure rate in groups of patients who have had different treatments applied to them. As most of the available data in these cases is random, it is now the role of statisticians to provide efficient statistical tests to assess the treatment methods through the data. This research aims to provide a new statistical test with high efficiency to reach the right decision with accurate results as quickly as possible using parallel computing algorithms through Wolfram Mathematica software.
Schisandra sphenanthera: A Comprehensive Review of its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Clinical Applications
Authors: Huang Shiqi , Zhang Dongdong , Li Yuze , Fan Hao , Liu Yuanyuan , Huang Wenli , Deng Chong , Wang Wei , Song Xiaomei
Published: September 2021

Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils (S. sphenanthera) is a single species of Schisandra genus, Magnoliaceae family, and it is a famous medicinal herb mostly growing in southern China, China Taiwan and Vietnam. S. sphenanthera is usually used for the treatments of hepatitis, Alzheimer’s disease, renal transplantation, osteoporosis, and insomnia. In present studies, approximately 310 natural constituents have been isolated from S. sphenanthera, including lignans, triterpenes, volatile oils, and polysaccharides, which were mainly obtained from the fruits and stems of S. sphenanthera. Pharmocological studies have shown that the extracts and monomeric compounds of S. sphenanthera possessed wide-range bioactivities, such as antitumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, osteoblastic, immune regulation, neuroprotective, kidney protection, hepatoprotective, and antiviral activities. However, resource availability, quality control measures, in-depth in vivo pharmacological study, and clinical application are still insufficient and deserve further studies. This review systematically summarized literatures on the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, development utilization, and clinical application of S. sphenanthera, in hopes of provide a useful reference for researchers for further studies of this plant.
CFD Modeling and Performance Analysis of a Thermoacoustically Driven Thermoacoustic Refrigerator
Authors: Bouramdane Zahra , Bah Abdellah , Alaoui Mohammed , Martaj Nadia
Published: September 2021

Although thermoacoustic devices comprise simple components, the design of these machines is very challenging. In order to predict the behavior and optimize the performance of a thermoacoustic refrigerator driven by a standing-wave thermoacoustic engine, considering the changes in geometrical parameters, two analogies have been presented in this paper. The first analogy is based on CFD analysis where a 2D model is implemented to investigate the influence of stack parameters on the refrigerator performance, to analyze the time variation of the temperature gradient across the stack, and to examine the refrigerator performance in terms of refrigeration temperature. The second analogy is based on the use of an optimization algorithm based on the simplified linear thermoacoustic theory applied for designing thermoacoustic refrigerators with different stack parameters and operating conditions. Simulation results show that the engine produced a high-powered acoustic wave with a pressure amplitude of 23[Formula: see text]kPa and a frequency of 584[Formula: see text]Hz and this wave applies a temperature difference across the refrigeration stack with a cooling temperature of 292.8[Formula: see text]K when the stacks are positioned next to the pressure antinode. The results from the algorithm give the ability to design any thermoacoustic refrigerator with high performance by picking the appropriate parameters.