bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating an action plan to advance knowledge translation in a domestic violence research network: a deliberative dialogue
Authors: Cameron Jacqui , Humphreys Cathy , Kothari Anita , Hegarty Kelsey
Published: February 2021

Background:

There is limited research on how knowledge translation of a domestic violence (DV) research network is shared. This lack of research is problematic because of the complexity of establishing a research network, encompassing diverse disciplines, methods, and focus of study potentially impacting how knowledge translation functions.

Aims and objectives:

To address the limited research, we completed a deliberative dialogue with the following questions: Is there a consensus regarding a coherent knowledge translation framework for a domestic violence research network? What are the key actions that a domestic violence research network could take to enhance knowledge translation?

Methods:

Deliberative dialogue is a group process that blends research and practice to identify potential actions. In total, 16 participants attended three deliberative dialogue meetings. We applied a qualitative analysis to the data to identify the key actions.

Findings:

The deliberative dialogue facilitated mutual agreement regarding four key actions: (1) agreement on a knowledge translation approach; (2) active promotion of dedicated leadership within an authorising environment; (3) development of sustainable partnerships through capacity building and collaboration, particularly with DV survivors; and (4) employment of multiple strategies applying different kinds of evidence for diverse purposes and emerging populations.

Discussion and conclusions:

The use of the deliberative dialogue has uncovered specific factors required for the successful knowledge translation of domestic violence research. These factors have been added to the Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) capacity framework to enhance its application for domestic violence research. Future research could explore these organisational, professional and individual factors further by evaluating them in practice.
Place leadership revisited: partnerships in environmental regeneration in North West England, 1980–2010: a practitioner perspective
Authors: Barton Phil , Handley John , Wilmers Peter , Sharland Richard , Menzies Walter
Published: February 2021

Place leadership has recently emerged as a key theme in regional development and with it a call for practical guidance for implementation in practice. Drawing on the experience of a number of novel environmental partnership initiatives in North West England in the 1980s that introduced new ideas, new ways of working and an energised popular movement relevant to all, this article outlines the history of two of these partnerships: Groundwork and the Mersey Basin Campaign from 1980 to 2010. The authors, who were involved at the time, consider a number of key factors for place leadership: vertical and horizontal partnerships; scale in landscape; the sustainability of outcomes; institutional context; and leadership itself. Some challenges of the approach are also briefly considered. We suggest that this experience has a wider relevance to current challenges in place leadership – decarbonisation, climate change adaptation and the conservation of biodiversity – offering lessons for mobilising practical and lasting change.
Lockdown: a case study in how to lose trust and undermine compliance
Authors: Faulkner Paul
Published: February 2021

To protect against COVID-19, the UK Government imposed a national lockdown that shut schools and business, and required people to stay at home. This lockdown instituted a social coordination problem: it demanded the individual bear a cost – a significant restriction to their movement – in order to achieve a collective good. Initially there were remarkably high levels of social compliance with the lockdown restrictions, but the Government defense of Mr. Cummings corresponded with a notable drop in both levels of compliance and levels of trust in government. By considering the logic of social coordination problems, this paper offers an explanation as to why these drops in compliance and trust were to be expected.
Unpaid informal carers: The ‘shadow’ workforce in health care
Authors: Williams A. Paul , Lum Janet M.
Published: February 2021

Much of the international literature on health human resources focuses on highly trained, regulated and visible professionals with exclusionary social closure in neo-Weberian terms, such as doctors and nurses. However, researchers and policy makers are now paying more attention to the increasingly important role played by less well-trained, often unregulated, and less visible occupations such as personal support workers. Beyond these categories of paid workers exists another mostly uncharted health human resource: unpaid, little trained, largely unregulated and invisible informal carers. They include the family, friends and neighbours who provide the bulk of everyday care required to support the well being and independence of growing numbers of people facing multiple chronic health and social needs in community settings. Focusing on Canada, this chapter documents the characteristics and contributions of informal carers, and highlights the challenging realities of informal caregiving – both from the perspective of carers and policy makers considering how best to support and encourage unpaid, informal carers without driving up formal health system costs.
Complementary and alternative medicine as an invisible health support workforce
Authors: Almeida Joana , Barros Nelson
Published: February 2021

In ageing Western societies where chronic conditions have become more prevalent, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices and practitioners have performed an important role in areas such as health promotion, rehabilitation, and compassionate, preventive and palliative care. Yet collaborative partnership between CAM practitioners, other professionally qualified health care workers, and the state, has rarely materialised. By using a neo-Weberian social closure theory of the professions, this chapter examines the extent to which CAM practitioners have come to form part of an invisible and undervalued health support workforce, focusing on the interlinked societies of Brazil and Portugal. It will be suggested that CAM practitioners have resembled health support workers, especially in their statutorily unregulated status and/or subordinated role to the medical profession. In Brazil, CAM practices, but not CAM practitioners, are statutorily regulated; in Portugal, CAM practitioners, despite being statutorily regulated, remain marginalised. In this respect, CAM practitioners have been a largely invisible health support workforce, despite increasing public sympathy for their services and legitimation from the World Health Organization.
Personal support workers and the labour market
Authors: Laporte Audrey , Dass Adrian Rohit , Berta Whitney , Deber Raisa , Zagrodney Katherine
Published: February 2021

This chapter analyses the labour market for Personal Support Workers (PSWs). It focuses on Canada as an illustrative case. The literature suggests that, while it is helpful to consider the PSW labour market as a whole from a neo-Weberian perspective, it is better thought of as a series of sub-markets – comprising the hospital, long-term care, and home and community care sectors. These may differ in terms of such factors as wages, benefits, hours worked and working conditions, as well as in the socio-demographic characteristics of PSWs working in each care sector. To the extent that sectoral differences in PSW characteristics affect labour supply behaviours and outcomes – as, for example, in creating differences in the proportion of PSWs nearing retirement age – the heterogeneous nature of the PSW labour market is an important consideration in resource planning. The chapter also explores how PSWs compare to other health professions such as nursing, and makes select references to the international PSW literature in charting a forward course.
Investigating tunneling nanotubes in ovarian cancer based on two-photon excitation FLIM-FRET
Authors: Wang Shiqi , Li Yanping , Zhao Yihua , Lin Fangrui , Qu Junle , Liu Liwei
Published: February 2021

Precise and efficient cell-to-cell communication is critical to the growth and differentiation of organisms, the formation of various organism, the maintenance of tissue function and the coordination of their various physiological activities, especially to the growth and invasion of cancer cells. Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) were discovered as a new method of cell-to-cell communication in many cell lines. In this paper, we investigated TNTs-like structures in ovarian cancer cells and proved their elements by fluorescent staining, which showed that TNTs are comprised of natural lipid bilayers with microtubules as the skeleton that can transmit ions and organelles between adjacent cells. We then used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based on two-photon excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) (TP-FLIM-FRET) to detect material transport in TNTs. The experimental results showed that the number of TNTs have an impact on the drug treatment of cancer cells, which provided a new perspective for TNTs involvement in cancer treatment. Our results also showed that TP-FLIM-FRET would potentially become a new optical method for TNTs study.
Foundry-processed optomechanical photonic integrated circuits
Authors: Pruessner Marcel W. , Kozak Dmitry A. , Tyndall Nathan A. , Rabinovich William S. , Deenadayalan Venkatesh , Fanto Michael , Preble Stefan , Stievater Todd H.
Published: February 2021

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are a maturing technology with foundries enabling wafer-scale PIC fabrication. At the same time, optomechanics, in which micro-/nano-optical and -mechanical structures are coupled, is well-established with many basic research and practical applications. However, optomechanical devices have so far required highly-customized fabrication that limits their inclusion in foundry-processed PICs. To address this need, we design optomechanical PICs using standard low-loss process design kit (PDK) components. Our approach ensures access to the foundry’s low-loss PDK components and enables process compatibility. As a demonstration, we design a foundry-processed optomechanical Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). Measurements demonstrate that a π-phase shift can be accumulated over an optomechanical interaction length of only 60 µm and tunable phase shifting can be achieved using gradient electric force actuation. We further demonstrate all-optical excitation and readout of mechanical resonances for sensing applications. Our PDK-focused optomechanics design approach enables the co-integration of optomechanics, photonics, and electronics in a single PIC.
A plasmid DNA-launched SARS-CoV-2 reverse genetics system and coronavirus toolkit for COVID-19 research
Authors: Rihn Suzannah J. , Merits Andres , Bakshi Siddharth , Turnbull Matthew L. , Wickenhagen Arthur , Alexander Akira J. T. , Baillie Carla , Brennan Benjamin , Brown Fiona , Brunker Kirstyn , Bryden Steven R. , Burness Kerry A. , Carmichael Stephen , Cole Sarah J. , Cowton Vanessa M. , Davies Paul , Davis Chris , De Lorenzo Giuditta , Donald Claire L. , Dorward Mark , Dunlop James I. , Elliott Matthew , Fares Mazigh , da Silva Filipe Ana , Freitas Joseph R. , Furnon Wilhelm , Gestuveo Rommel J. , Geyer Anna , Giesel Daniel , Goldfarb Daniel M. , Goodman Nicola , Gunson Rory , Hastie C. James , Herder Vanessa , Hughes Joseph , Johnson Clare , Johnson Natasha , Kohl Alain , Kerr Karen , Leech Hannah , Lello Laura Sandra , Li Kathy , Lieber Gauthier , Liu Xiang , Lingala Rajendra , Loney Colin , Mair Daniel , McElwee Marion J. , McFarlane Steven , Nichols Jenna , Nomikou Kyriaki , Orr Anne , Orton Richard J. , Palmarini Massimo , Parr Yasmin A. , Pinto Rute Maria , Raggett Samantha , Reid Elaine , Robertson David L. , Royle Jamie , Cameron-Ruiz Natalia , Shepherd James G. , Smollett Katherine , Stewart Douglas G. , Stewart Meredith , Sugrue Elena , Szemiel Agnieszka M. , Taggart Aislynn , Thomson Emma C. , Tong Lily , Torrie Leah S. , Toth Rachel , Varjak Margus , Wang Sainan , Wilkinson Stuart G. , Wyatt Paul G. , Zusinaite Eva , Alessi Dario R. , Patel Arvind H. , Zaid Ali , Wilson Sam J. , Mahalingam Suresh
Published: February 2021

The recent emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the underlying cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has led to a worldwide pandemic causing substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic devastation. In response, many laboratories have redirected attention to SARS-CoV-2, meaning there is an urgent need for tools that can be used in laboratories unaccustomed to working with coronaviruses. Here we report a range of tools for SARS-CoV-2 research. First, we describe a facile single plasmid SARS-CoV-2 reverse genetics system that is simple to genetically manipulate and can be used to rescue infectious virus through transient transfection (without in vitro transcription or additional expression plasmids). The rescue system is accompanied by our panel of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (against nearly every viral protein), SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolates, and SARS-CoV-2 permissive cell lines, which are all openly available to the scientific community. Using these tools, we demonstrate here that the controversial ORF10 protein is expressed in infected cells. Furthermore, we show that the promising repurposed antiviral activity of apilimod is dependent on TMPRSS2 expression. Altogether, our SARS-CoV-2 toolkit, which can be directly accessed via our website at https://mrcppu-covid.bio/, constitutes a resource with considerable potential to advance COVID-19 vaccine design, drug testing, and discovery science.
Using prototyping to choose a bioinformatics workflow management system
Authors: Jackson Michael , Kavoussanakis Kostas , Wallace Edward W. J.
Published: February 2021

Workflow management systems represent, manage, and execute multistep computational analyses and offer many benefits to bioinformaticians. They provide a common language for describing analysis workflows, contributing to reproducibility and to building libraries of reusable components. They can support both incremental build and re-entrancy—the ability to selectively re-execute parts of a workflow in the presence of additional inputs or changes in configuration and to resume execution from where a workflow previously stopped. Many workflow management systems enhance portability by supporting the use of containers, high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and clouds. Most importantly, workflow management systems allow bioinformaticians to delegate how their workflows are run to the workflow management system and its developers. This frees the bioinformaticians to focus on what these workflows should do, on their data analyses, and on their science.

RiboViz is a package to extract biological insight from ribosome profiling data to help advance understanding of protein synthesis. At the heart of RiboViz is an analysis workflow, implemented in a Python script. To conform to best practices for scientific computing which recommend the use of build tools to automate workflows and to reuse code instead of rewriting it, the authors reimplemented this workflow within a workflow management system. To select a workflow management system, a rapid survey of available systems was undertaken, and candidates were shortlisted: Snakemake, cwltool, Toil, and Nextflow. Each candidate was evaluated by quickly prototyping a subset of the RiboViz workflow, and Nextflow was chosen. The selection process took 10 person-days, a small cost for the assurance that Nextflow satisfied the authors’ requirements. The use of prototyping can offer a low-cost way of making a more informed selection of software to use within projects, rather than relying solely upon reviews and recommendations by others.
The cell surface protein MUL_3720 confers binding of the skin pathogen Mycobacterium ulcerans to sulfated glycans and keratin
Authors: Day Christopher J. , Röltgen Katharina , Pluschke Gerd , Jennings Michael P.
Published: February 2021

Mycobacterium ulceransis the causative agent of the chronic, necrotizing skin disease Buruli ulcer. Modes of transmission and molecular mechanisms involved in the establishment ofM.ulceransinfections are poorly understood. Interactions with host glycans are often crucial in bacterial pathogenesis and the 22 kDaM.ulceransprotein MUL_3720 has a putative role in host cell attachment. It has a predictedN-terminal lectin domain and aC-terminal peptidoglycan-binding domain and is highly expressed on the surface of the bacilli. Here we report the glycan-binding repertoire of whole, fixedM.ulceransbacteria and of purified, recombinant MUL_3720. On an array comprising 368 diverse biologically relevant glycan structures,M.ulceranscells showed binding to 64 glycan structures, representing several distinct classes of glycans, including sulfated structures. MUL_3720 bound only to glycans containing sulfated galactose and GalNAc, such as glycans known to be associated with keratins isolated from human skin. Surface plasmon resonance studies demonstrated that both whole, fixedM.ulceranscells and MUL_3720 show high affinity interactions with both glycans and human skin keratin extracts. This MUL_3720-mediated interaction with glycans associated with human skin keratin may contribute to the pathobiology of Buruli ulcer.
Whole genome genetic variation and linkage disequilibrium in a diverse collection of Listeria monocytogenes isolates
Authors: Louha Swarnali , Meinersmann Richard J. , Glenn Travis C.
Published: February 2021

We performed whole-genome multi-locus sequence typing for 2554 genes in a large and heterogenous panel of 180Listeria monocytogenesstrains having diverse geographical and temporal origins. The subtyping data was used for characterizing genetic variation and evaluating patterns of linkage disequilibrium in the pan-genome ofL.monocytogenes. Our analysis revealed the presence of strong linkage disequilibrium inL.monocytogenes, with ~99% of genes showing significant non-random associations with a large majority of other genes in the genome. Twenty-seven loci having lower levels of association with other genes were considered to be potential “hot spots” for horizontal gene transfer (i.e., recombination via conjugation, transduction, and/or transformation). The patterns of linkage disequilibrium inL.monocytogenessuggest limited exchange of foreign genetic material in the genome and can be used as a tool for identifying new recombinant strains. This can help understand processes contributing to the diversification and evolution of this pathogenic bacteria, thereby facilitating development of effective control measures.
Reduction in live births in Japan nine months after the Fukushima nuclear accident: An observational study
Authors: Körblein Alfred
Published: February 2021

Background

After the Chernobyl accident on 26 April 1986, a drop in birth-rate was found in several European countries in the first quarter of 1987. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether a similar drop in live births occurred in Japan after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Data and methods

A study region was defined consisting of Fukushima prefecture plus 10 nearby prefectures. The observed monthly numbers of live births (LB) in October 2011 through December 2012 were compared with the predicted numbers determined from the trend of live births in the remaining months from January 2006 through December 2018. The study region was divided into Fukushima plus three adjacent prefectures (Area A, assumed effective mean dose in the first year 1 mSv) and seven surrounding prefectures (Area B, 0.5 mSv). The rest of Japan (Area C) served as the comparison (control) region (0.1 mSv). A combined regression of live births (LB) in areas A, B, C was conducted with individual trend parameters but common parameters for monthly variations.

Results

In the study region as a whole (areas A and B combined) a highly significant 9.1% (95% CI: -12.2%, -6.0%) drop in LB was found in December 2011. Reduced numbers of live births were also observed in October-November 2011 (-3.3%, p = 0.006), i.e. in births exposed early in pregnancy. In the second quarter of 2012, i.e. in live births conceived more than 3 months after the Fukushima accident, the decrease was greater (-4.3%, p < 0.001) than in the first quarter (-1.6%, p = 0.11). i.e. in those conceived within the first three months after the accident while no significant decrease was detected in the third (-0.7%, p = 0.44) and fourth (-0.5%, p = 0.62) quarters. The effect in Dec 2011 was greater in Area A with -14.0 (-17.6, -10.3) % than in Area B with -7.8 (-11.1, -4.5) % and non-significant in Area C with -1.3 (-4.2, +1.6) %, p = 0.38. The combined regression of the data in areas A, B, and C found a highly significant association of the effect in December 2011 with radiation dose. Conclusion: It is suggested that the observed drop in LB in December 2011 may reflect early deaths of the conceptus from high radiation exposure following the triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 12–15, 2011.
Human major infections: Tuberculosis, treponematoses, leprosy—A paleopathological perspective of their evolution
Authors: Henneberg Maciej , Holloway-Kew Kara , Lucas Teghan
Published: February 2021

The key to evolution is reproduction. Pathogens can either kill the human host or can invade the host without causing death, thus ensuring their own survival, reproduction and spread. Tuberculosis, treponematoses and leprosy are widespread chronic infectious diseases whereby the host is not immediately killed. These diseases are examples of the co-evolution of host and pathogen. They can be well studied as the paleopathological record is extensive, spanning over 200 human generations. The paleopathology of each disease has been well documented in the form of published synthetic analyses recording each known case and case frequencies in the samples they were derived from. Here the data from these synthetic analyses were re-analysed to show changes in the prevalence of each disease over time. A total of 69,379 skeletons are included in this study. There was ultimately a decline in the prevalence of each disease over time, this decline was statistically significant (Chi-squared, p<0.001). A trend may start with the increase in the disease’s prevalence before the prevalence declines, in tuberculosis the decline is monotonic. Increase in skeletal changes resulting from the respective diseases appears in the initial period of host-disease contact, followed by a decline resulting from co-adaptation that is mutually beneficial for the disease (spread and maintenance of pathogen) and host (less pathological reactions to the infection). Eventually either the host may become immune or tolerant, or the pathogen tends to be commensalic rather than parasitic.
Systematic review of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) implementation in the African region
Authors: Wolfe Caitlin M. , Hamblion Esther L. , Dzotsi Emmanuel K. , Mboussou Franck , Eckerle Isabelle , Flahault Antoine , Codeço Claudia T. , Corvin Jaime , Zgibor Janice C. , Keiser Olivia , Impouma Benido
Published: February 2021

Background

The WHO African region frequently experiences outbreaks and epidemics of infectious diseases often exacerbated by weak health systems and infrastructure, late detection, and ineffective outbreak response. To address this, the WHO Regional Office for Africa developed and began implementing the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy in 1998.

Objectives

This systematic review aims to document the identified successes and challenges surrounding the implementation of IDSR in the region available in published literature to highlight areas for prioritization, further research, and to inform further strengthening of IDSR implementation.

Methods

A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published in English and French from 1 July 2012 to 13 November 2019 was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science. Included articles focused on the WHO African region and discussed the use of IDSR strategies and implementation, assessment of IDSR strategies, or surveillance of diseases covered in the IDSR framework. Data were analyzed descriptively using Microsoft Excel and Tableau Desktop 2019.

Results

The number of peer-reviewed articles discussing IDSR remained low, with 47 included articles focused on 17 countries and regional level systems. Most commonly discussed topics were data reporting (n = 39) and challenges with IDSR implementation (n = 38). Barriers to effective implementation were identified across all IDSR core and support functions assessed in this review: priority disease detection; data reporting, management, and analysis; information dissemination; laboratory functionality; and staff training. Successful implementation was noted where existing surveillance systems and infrastructure were utilized and streamlined with efforts to increase access to healthcare.

Conclusions and implications of findings

These findings highlighted areas where IDSR is performing well and where implementation remains weak. While challenges related to IDSR implementation since the first edition of the technical guidelines were released are not novel, adequately addressing them requires sustained investments in stronger national public health capabilities, infrastructure, and surveillance processes.
Hedgehog proteins create a dynamic cholesterol interface
Authors: Mafi Amirhossein , Purohit Rahul , Vielmas Erika , Lauinger Alexa R. , Lam Brandon , Cheng Yu-Shiuan , Zhang Tianyi , Huang Yiran , Kim Soo-Kyung , Goddard William A. , Ondrus Alison E.
Published: February 2021

During formation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling proteins, cooperative activities of the Hedgehog INTein (Hint) fold and Sterol Recognition Region (SRR) couple autoproteolysis to cholesterol ligation. The cholesteroylated Hh morphogens play essential roles in embryogenesis, tissue regeneration, and tumorigenesis. Despite the centrality of cholesterol in Hh function, the full structure of the Hint-SRR (“Hog”) domain that attaches cholesterol to the last residue of the active Hh morphogen remains enigmatic. In this work, we combine molecular dynamics simulations, photoaffinity crosslinking, and mutagenesis assays to model cholesterolysis intermediates in the human Sonic Hedgehog (hSHH) protein. Our results provide evidence for a hydrophobic Hint-SRR interface that forms a dynamic, non-covalent cholesterol-Hog complex. Using these models, we suggest a unified mechanism by which Hh proteins can recruit, sequester, and orient cholesterol, and offer a molecular basis for the effects of disease-causing hSHH mutations.
Feasibility of using WeChat to improve infant and young child feeding in rural areas in China: A mixed quantitative and qualitative study
Authors: Wu Qiong , Huang Yiwen , Helena van Velthoven Michelle , Wang Wei , Chang Suying , Zhang Yanfeng
Published: February 2021

Background

Appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are the basis for child nutrition. In China, WeChat is gradually changing the channels through which people receive information. The paper aims to explore the feasibility of using WeChat to improve infant and young child feeding in rural China.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was carried out in Huzhu County, Qinghai province, China. We conducted two cross-sectional surveys with children aged 6–23 months and their caregivers in 2012 (N = 1804) and 2018 (N = 754), respectively. Quantitative data were collected on feeding knowledge and practices, caregiver’s use of smartphones and WeChat. Qualitative data were from 33 semi-structured interviews with pregnant women and mothers. In addition, we developed a WeChat feeding health education platform and asked women about their experiences with using it.

Results

In both cross-sectional surveys, less than 10% of caregivers knew that breastfeeding can be continued up to two years, less than 50% knew the accurate duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and only around 20% knew meat can be given to children from the age of 6–8 months. Similarly, the feeding practices were suboptimal and most key infant feeding practices did not change over the years. Only around 30% of caregivers ever received feeding information during pregnancy or after delivery in both surveys. Around 50% of caregivers received information from their relatives and friends, followed by 30% from health facilities and communities. More than 80% of mothers were currently using both a smartphone and the WeChat app, and 75.4% of them were willing to receive feeding information from WeChat official accounts. The WeChat feeding health education platform developed by our study team was generally well accepted by women.

Conclusions

There was an absence of accurate information sources on infant feeding and child nutrition. WeChat could be a potential way to deliver infant feeding recommendations to pregnant women and mothers in rural China.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-PRC-11001446 (The controlled intervention trial for complementary food supplements “Yingyangbao”); ChiCTR1800017364 (the randomized controlled trial for WeChat)
Translation, validation and psychometric evaluation of the Persian (Farsi) version of the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Score (LARS-P)
Authors: Keramati Mohammad Reza , Abbaszadeh-Kasbi Ali , Keshvari Amir , Ahmadi-Tafti Seyed Mohsen , Behboudi Behnam , Kazemeini Alireza , Fazeli Mohammad Sadegh
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer affects bowel function after the operation, causing a group of symptoms known as LAR Syndrome (LARS). LARS score is a patient-reported questionnaire to assess bowel dysfunction after the LAR operation. This study performed to validate the Persian (Farsi) translation of the LARS score and to investigate the psychometric properties of the score. The impact of LARS on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients was also assessed.

Materials and methods

The LARS score was translated into Persian. Participants with a history of rectal cancer and low anterior resection were asked to complete the LARS score questionnaire. They were also asked a single question evaluating the impact of bowel function on QoL. Discriminative validity, convergent validity, sensitivity, and specificity of the questionnaire were calculated. A group of patients completed the score twice to assess the reliability of the questionnaire.

Results

From 358 patients with rectal cancer, 101 participants completed the Persian questionnaire. Answers of a high fraction of participants showed a moderate/perfect fit between their LARS score and their QoL. The Persian score demonstrated good convergent validity. It was able to differentiate between participants in terms of gender and T staging of the primary tumor. The score had high reliability.

Conclusion

The Persian translation of the LARS score has excellent psychometric properties compared to previous translations in other languages. Therefore, it is a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess LARS.
HIV incidence in a multinational cohort of men and transgender women who have sex with men in sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from HPTN 075
Authors: Sandfort Theodorus G. M. , Mbilizi Yamikani , Sanders Eduard J. , Guo Xu , Cummings Vanessa , Hamilton Erica L. , Akelo Victor , Panchia Ravindre , Dominguez Karen , Stirratt Michael J. , Chege Wairimu , Lucas Jonathan , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Chen Ying Q. , Eshleman Susan H.
Published: February 2021

Few studies have assessed HIV incidence in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We assessed HIV incidence and its correlates among MSM and TGW in SSA enrolled in the prospective, multi-country HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 075 study, conducted from 2015 to 2017. Participants were enrolled at four sites in SSA (Kisumu, Kenya; Blantyre, Malawi; Cape Town and Soweto, South Africa). Eligible participants reported male sex assignment at birth, were 18 to 44 years of age, and had engaged in anal intercourse with a man in the preceding three months. Participation involved five study visits over 12 months. Visits included behavioral assessments and testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Twenty-one of 329 persons acquired HIV during the study [incidence rate: 6.96/100 person-years (PY) (95% CI: 4.3, 10.6)]. Among TGW, HIV incidence was estimated to be 8.4/100 PY (95% CI: 2.3, 21.5). Four participants were found to have acute HIV infection at their first HIV-positive visit. HIV incidence varied among the four study sites, ranging from 1.3/100 PY to 14.4/100 PY. In multivariate longitudinal analysis, factors significantly associated with HIV acquisition were engagement in unprotected receptive anal intercourse [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4, 14.4] and incident rectal gonorrhea and/or chlamydia (AHR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.8). The higher HIV incidence in Cape Town compared to Blantyre could be explained by the higher prevalence of several risk factors for HIV infection among participants in Cape Town. Annual HIV incidence observed in this study is substantially higher than reported HIV incidence in the general populations in the respective countries and among MSM in the United States. Intensification of HIV prevention efforts for MSM and TGW in SSA is urgently needed.
Microbial communities developing within bulk sediments under fish carcasses on a tidal flat
Authors: Kawamoto Yasutake , Kato Hiromi , Nagata Yuji , Urabe Jotaro
Published: February 2021

Animal carcasses are often brought into tidal flats where they are at the boundary between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Since these carcasses act as microhabitats with large amounts of energy and nutrients, they likely develop unique bacterial assemblages in the ambient sediment, which in turn may stimulate colonization of other organisms such as protozoans. However, little is known about the microbial assemblages colonized in sediment around animal carcasses in the tidal zone. Herein we examined the bacterial and ciliophoran assemblages developed in association with fish carcasses by incubating the carcasses in the Higashiyachi tidal flat (Sendai, Japan). We collected sediment samples at 2, 9, and 42 days of incubation and analyzed the bacterial and ciliophoran assemblages by 16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We observed significant differences in the composition and relative abundance of bacterial and ciliophoran operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between the sediments with and without the carcasses. Our analyses suggest that these unique assemblages were created through the direct effects of the carcass and indirect effects through interactions between bacteria and ciliophorans. These results also suggest that animal carcasses developed a temporally unique microbial food web in the sediments close to the carcasses, although it disappeared for several weeks.
Declining trend of smoking and smokeless tobacco in India: A decomposition analysis
Authors: Lahoti Supriya , Dixit Priyanka
Published: February 2021

There has been a relative reduction of tobacco consumption between Global Adult Tobacco Survey-India (GATS-India) 2009–10 and GATS-India 2016–17. However, in terms of absolute numbers, India still has the highest number of tobacco consumers. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the socioeconomic correlates and delineate the factors contributing to a change in smoking and smokeless tobacco use from GATS (2009–10) to GATS (2016–17) in India. We used multivariable binary logistic regressions to examine the demographic and socioeconomic correlates of smoking and smokeless tobacco use for both the rounds of the survey. Further decomposition analysis has been applied to examine the specific contribution of factors in the decline of tobacco consumption over a period from 2009 to 2016. Results indicated that the propensity component was primarily responsible for major tobacco consumption decline (smoking- 41%, smokeless tobacco use- 81%). Most of the decrease in propensity to smoke has been explained by residential type and occupation of the respondent. Age of the respondent contribute significantly in reducing the prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption during the seven-year period, regardless of change in the composition of population. To achieve the National Health Policy, 2017 aim of reducing tobacco use up to 15% by 2020 and up to 30% by 2025, targeted policies and interventions addressing the inequalities identified in this study, must be developed and implemented.
Parameter adaptive terminal sliding mode control for Full-Bridge DC-DC converter
Authors: Zhou Kai , Yuan Chengxiang , Sun Dongyang , Jin Ningzhi , Wu Xiaogang
Published: February 2021

The poor dynamic performance problem of a Full-Bridge converter under a traditional control strategy is investigated in this study. A new parameter adaptive terminal sliding mode control policy is developed for a Full-Bridge DC-DC converter, by combining the integral part with the power function and differential function in the design of the sliding surface. In theory, the steady-state error of the system can approach zero within a short time. To manage the un-ideal situation after using a fixed value of power γ, an improved γ adaptive algorithm is proposed. The system output is tracked and γ is adjusted in real time. The effect of the system can be guaranteed always in an optimal state. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed design method under different conditions.
A 1-week diet break improves muscle endurance during an intermittent dieting regime in adult athletes: A pre-specified secondary analysis of the ICECAP trial
Authors: Peos Jackson J. , Helms Eric R. , Fournier Paul A. , Krieger James , Sainsbury Amanda
Published: February 2021

Athletes undergoing energy restriction for weight/fat reduction sometimes apply ‘diet breaks’ involving increased energy intake, but there is little empirical evidence of effects on outcomes. Twenty-six resistance-trained athletes (11/26 or 42% female) who had completed 12 weeks of intermittent energy restriction participated in this study. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 29.3 (6.4) years, a weight of 72.7 (15.9) kg, and a body fat percentage of 21.3 (7.5) %. During the 1-week diet break, energy intake was increased (by means of increased carbohydrate intake) to predicted weight maintenance requirements. While the 1-week diet break had no significant effect on fat mass, it led to small but significant increases in mean body weight (0.6 kg, P<0.001), fat-free mass (0.7 kg, P<0.001) and in resting energy expenditure, from a mean (and 95% confidence interval) of 7000 (6420 to 7580) kJ/day to 7200 (6620 to 7780) kJ/day (P = 0.026). Overall, muscle endurance in the legs (but not arms) improved after the diet break, including significant increases in the work completed by the quadriceps and hamstrings in a maximum-effort 25-repetition set, with values increasing from 2530 (2170 to 2890) J to 2660 (2310 to 3010) J (P = 0.018) and from 1280 (1130 to 1430) J to 1380 (1220 to 1540) J (P = 0.018) following the diet break, respectively. However, muscle strength did not change. Participants reported significantly lower sensations of hunger (P = 0.017), prospective consumption (P = 0.020) and irritability (P = 0.041) after the diet break, and significantly higher sensations of fullness (P = 0.002), satisfaction (P = 0.002), and alertness (P = 0.003). In summary, a 1-week diet break improved muscle endurance in the legs and increased mental alertness, and reduced appetite and irritability. With this considered, it may be wise for athletes to coordinate diet breaks with training sessions that require muscle endurance of the legs and/or mental focus, as well as in the latter parts of a weight loss phase when increases in appetite might threaten dietary adherence. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Reference Number: ACTRN12618000638235 anzctr.org.au.
Response of the microbial community to phosphate-solubilizing bacterial inoculants on Ulmus chenmoui Cheng in Eastern China
Authors: Song Juan , Min LiJing , Wu JunRong , He Qingfang , Chen FengMao , Wang Yang
Published: February 2021

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have beneficial effects on plant health and soil composition. To date, studies of PSB in soil have largely been performed under field or greenhouse conditions. However, less is known about the impact of introducing indigenous PSB in the field, including their effects on the local microbial community. In this study, we conducted greenhouse and field experiments to explore the effects of the addition of indigenous PSB on the growth of Chenmou elm (Ulmus chenmoui) and on the diversity and composition of the bacterial community in the soil. We obtained four bacterial isolates with the highest phosphate-solubilizing activity: UC_1 (Pseudomonas sp.), UC_M (Klebsiella sp.), UC_J (Burkholderia sp.), and UC_3 (Chryseobacterium sp.). Sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform showed that the inoculated PSB did not become the dominant strains in the U. chenmoui rhizosphere. However, the soil bacterial community structure was altered by the addition of these PSB. The relative abundance of Chloroflexi decreased significantly in response to PSB application in all treatment groups, whereas the populations of several bacteria, including Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, increased. Network analysis indicated that Chloroflexi was the most strongly negatively correlated with Proteobacteria, whereas Proteobacteria was strongly positively correlated with Bacteroidetes. Our findings indicate that inoculation with PSB (UC_1, UC_M, UC_J, and UC_3) can improve the growth of U. chenmoui and regulate its rhizosphere microbial community. Therefore, inoculation with these bacterial strains could promote the efficient cultivation and production of high-quality plant materials.
Resilience, vulnerability and adaptability: A qualitative study of COVID-19 lockdown experiences in two Henan villages, China
Authors: Tan Xiao , Song Yao , Liu Tianyang
Published: February 2021

Background

The Chinese government’s early handling of COVID-19 has been perceived as aggressive and oppressive. Many of the most radical measures were adopted in Henan province, immediately north of Hubei, the pandemic’s epicentre in China. However, little is known about how rural residents—a group systematically disadvantaged in Chinese society—responded to authorities’ draconian restrictions.

Methods

To understand the lockdown measures and rural community responses at the grassroots level, face-to-face interviewers were conducted with both village cadres and villagers from two Henan villages in May and June 2020. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis methods, with the coding process guided by the concepts of resilience, vulnerability and adaptability from the literature on disaster risk reduction.

Results

We found that the lockdown measures were indeed radical and disproportionate relative to the level of risk presented; however, they were largely accepted by villagers. This contradiction can be explained by two key contributing factors: (i) shared interests of individual villagers and the converged goal of government and civil society, and (ii) tacit flexibility in COVID-19 adaption strategies to tackle conflict resulting from goal diversion between citizens and local governments.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the nuances of ground-level politics. Despite their ‘radical’ nature, the lockdown measures were not implemented as simple top-down coercion. Instead, they involved, importantly, the bottom-up, localised response of villagers, and they were negotiated and adapted according to local circumstances.
Kinetic and static perimetry after 16 years and additional OCT-A analysis in eyes with long-lasting optic disc drusen
Authors: Koman-Wierdak Edyta , Nowomiejska Katarzyna , Brzozowska Agnieszka , Nowakowska Dominika , Toro Mario Damiano , Bonfiglio Vincenza , Reibaldi Michele , Avitabile Teresio , Rejdak Robert
Published: February 2021

The aim of the study is to evaluate the progression of visual field (VF) defects over 16 years of observation and to assess abnormalities in vessels and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with optic disc drusen (ODD). Both static automated perimetry (SAP) and semi-automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) were performed in 16 eyes of 8 patients (mean age 54 years) with ODD among 26 eyes of 13 patients examined 16 years before. The area of I2e, I4e, III4e, and V4e isopters was measured in deg2. The MD and PSD parameters were estimated using SAP. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) was additionally performed in 16 ODD eyes and 16 eyes of 8 healthy subjects to estimate the RNFL thickness and vessel density of the optic nerve disc and the macula. The differences in all isopter areas of SKP and SAP parameters after 16 years were not significant. The analysis of OCT-A showed a significant reduction of the vessel density and RNFL of the peripapillary area in each segment in patients with ODD, compared with the control group. The highest reduction of RNFL was observed in the superior segment of the optic disc area (92.56μm vs 126.63μm) also the macular thickness was decreased in ODD patients, compared with the control group. In the macula, there was a significant vascular defect in the whole superficial layer and in the parafoveal deep layer. A strong significant correlation of the parafoveal deep plexus with MD and PSD parameters was detected. In conclusion, VF loss due to ODD after 16 years of the follow-up was not significant both in SKP and SAP. ODD caused a reduced vessel density and RNFL, as well as macular thickness in OCT-A. SAP parameters were influenced by parafoveal deep plexus.
Universal WASH coverage; what it takes for fragile states. Case of Jariban district in Somalia
Authors: Mafuta Wonder , Zuwarimwe Jethro , Mwale Marizvikuru
Published: February 2021

The paper assessed access to WASH service in the Jariban district of Somalia. One hundred and sixty-seven households were sampled to administer a questionnaire. Central tendency and logistical regression were used to analyse the data in SPSS 26. The findings show that access to safe drinking water sources is 57.5%. Of the 42.5% of respondents who did not access safe drinking water source, only 10.8% confirmed that they treat drinking water at the point of use. The main reason for household water treatment was the positive mindset (.272) of the household head towards water treatment. The majority (80.2%) of the respondents access approximately 13 litres per person per day. Woman-headed households were more likely to treat water before drinking than male-headed households. Only 26.9% of the respondents accessed basic sanitation. Of the respondents, 55.7% did not share latrines, while 44.3% share resulting in open defecation. WASH access in the study area remains low, resulting in health-related risks, including diarrhoeal disease. The limitation is that the paper only focused on access to WASH facilities in fragile contexts. A cross-sectional analysis of biological, physical and chemical properties of water at the source and point of use is recommended for further research.