bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulatory T cells in erythema nodosum leprosum maintain anti-inflammatory function
Authors: Negera Edessa , Bobosha Kidist , Aseffa Abraham , Dockrell Hazel M. , Lockwood Diana N. J. , Walker Stephen L.
Published: July 2022

Background

The numbers of circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs) are increased in lepromatous leprosy (LL) but reduced in erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), the inflammatory complication of LL. It is unclear whether the suppressive function of Tregs is intact in both these conditions.

Methods

A longitudinal study recruited participants at ALERT Hospital, Ethiopia. Peripheral blood samples were obtained before and after 24 weeks of prednisolone treatment for ENL and multidrug therapy (MDT) for participants with LL. We evaluated the suppressive function of Tregs in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of participants with LL and ENL by analysis of TNFα, IFNγ and IL-10 responses toMycobacterium leprae (M.leprae)stimulation before and after depletion of CD25+cells.

Results

30 LL participants with ENL and 30 LL participants without ENL were recruited. The depletion of CD25+cells from PBMCs was associated with enhanced TNFα and IFNγ responses toM.lepraestimulation before and after 24 weeks treatment of LL with MDT and of ENL with prednisolone. The addition of autologous CD25+cells to CD25+depleted PBMCs abolished these responses. In both non-reactional LL and ENL groups mitogen (PHA)-induced TNFα and IFNγ responses were not affected by depletion of CD25+cells either before or after treatment. Depleting CD25+cells did not affect the IL-10 response toM.lepraebefore and after 24 weeks of MDT in participants with LL. However, depletion of CD25+cells was associated with an enhanced IL-10 response on stimulation withM.lepraein untreated participants with ENL and reduced IL-10 responses in treated individuals with ENL. The enhanced IL-10 in untreated ENL and the reduced IL-10 response in prednisolone treated individuals with ENL was abolished by addition of autologous CD25+cells.

Conclusion

The findings support the hypothesis that the impaired cell-mediated immune response in individuals with LL isM.lepraeantigen specific and the unresponsiveness can be reversed by depleting CD25+cells. Our results suggest that the suppressive function of Tregs in ENL is intact despite ENL being associated with reduced numbers of Tregs. The lack of difference in IL-10 response in control PBMCs and CD25+depleted PBMCs in individuals with LL and the increased IL-10 response following the depletion of CD25+cells in individuals with untreated ENL suggest that the mechanism of immune regulation by Tregs in leprosy appears independent of IL-10 or that other cells may be responsible for IL-10 production in leprosy. The present findings highlight mechanisms of T cell regulation in LL and ENL and provide insights into the control of peripheral immune tolerance, identifying Tregs as a potential therapeutic target.
Hypnozoite depletion in successive Plasmodium vivax relapses
Authors: Noviyanti Rintis , Carey-Ewend Kelly , Trianty Leily , Parobek Christian , Puspitasari Agatha Mia , Balasubramanian Sujata , Park Zackary , Hathaway Nicholas , Utami Retno A. S. , Soebianto Saraswati , Jeny Jeny , Yudhaputri Frilasita , Perkasa Aditya , Coutrier Farah N. , Tirta Yusrifar K. , Ekawati Lenny , Tjahyono Bagus , Sutanto Inge , Nelwan Erni J. , Sudoyo Herawati , Baird J. Kevin , Lin Jessica T.
Published: July 2022

Genotyping Plasmodium vivax relapses can provide insights into hypnozoite biology. We performed targeted amplicon sequencing of 127 relapses occurring in Indonesian soldiers returning to malaria-free Java after yearlong deployment in malarious Eastern Indonesia. Hepatic carriage of multiple hypnozoite clones was evident in three-quarters of soldiers with two successive relapses, yet the majority of relapse episodes only displayed one clonal population. The number of clones detected in relapse episodes decreased over time and through successive relapses, especially in individuals who received hypnozoiticidal therapy. Interrogating the multiplicity of infection in this P. vivax relapse cohort reveals evidence of independent activation and slow depletion of hypnozoites over many months by multiple possible mechanisms, including parasite senescence and host immunity.
Trends in underlying causes of death in solid organ transplant recipients between 2010 and 2020: Using the CLASS method for determining specific causes of death
Authors: Søborg Andreas , Reekie Joanne , Rasmussen Allan , Cunha-Bang Caspar Da , Gustafsson Finn , Rossing Kasper , Perch Michael , Krohn Paul Suno , Sørensen Søren Schwartz , Lund Thomas Kromann , Sørensen Vibeke Rømming , Ekenberg Christina , Lundgren Louise , Lodding Isabelle Paula , Moestrup Kasper Sommerlund , Lundgren Jens , Wareham Neval Ete
Published: July 2022

Monitoring specific underlying causes of death in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is important in order to identify emerging trends and health challenges. This retrospective cohort study includes all SOT recipients transplanted at Rigshospitalet between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2019. The underlying cause of death was determined using the newly developed Classification of Death Causes after Transplantation (CLASS) method. Cox regression analyses assessed risk factors for all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Of the 1774 SOT recipients included, 299 patients died during a total of 7511 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) with cancer (N = 57, 19%), graft rejection (N = 55, 18%) and infections (N = 52, 17%) being the most frequent causes of death. We observed a lower risk of all-cause death with increasing transplant calendar year (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.86–0.96 per 1-year increase), alongside death from graft rejection (HR 0.84 per year, 95% CI 0.74–0.95) and death from infections (HR 0.86 per year, 95% CI 0.77–0.97). Further, there was a trend towards lower cumulative incidence of death from cardiovascular disease, graft failure and cancer in more recent years, while death from other organ specific and non-organ specific causes did not decrease. All-cause mortality among SOT recipients has decreased over the past decade, mainly due to a decrease in graft rejection- and infection-related deaths. Conversely, deaths from a broad range of other causes have remained unchanged, suggesting that cause of death among SOT recipients is increasingly diverse and warrants a multidisciplinary effort and attention in the future.
Progress in affinity ligand-functionalized bacterial magnetosome nanoparticles for bio-immunomagnetic separation of HBsAg protein
Authors: Hatami Giklou Jajan Leila , Hosseini Seyed Nezamedin , Abolhassani Mohsen , Ghorbani Masoud
Published: July 2022

Efficient Bio-immunomagnetic separation (BIMS) of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg) with high binding capacity was studied using affinity ligand immobilized bacterial magnetosome nanoparticles (Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense strain MSR-1 bacteria) as an immunomagnetic sorbent. Our results showed immunomagnetic adsorption, acted by affinity interactions with the immobilized monoclonal antibody, offered higher antigen adsorption and desorption capacities as compared with the commercially available immunoaffinity sorbents. Four different ligand densities of the Hep-1 monoclonal antibody were examined during covalent immobilization on Pyridyl Disulfide-functionalized magnetosome nanoparticles for HBsAg immunomagnetic separation. The average of adsorption capacity was measured as 3 mg/ml in optimized immunomagnetic sorbent (1.056 mg rHBsAg/ml immunomagneticsorbent/5.5 mg of total purified protein) and 5mg/ml in immunoaffinity sorbent (0.876 mg rHBsAg/ml immunosorbent/5.5 mg total purified protein during 8 runs. Immunomagnetic sorbent demonstrated ligand leakage levels below 3 ng Mab/Ag rHBsAg during 12 consecutive cycles of immunomagnetic separation (IMS). The results suggest that an immunomagnetic sorbent with a lower ligand density (LD = 3 mg Mab/ml matrix) could be the best substitute for the immunosorbent used in affinity purification of r-HBsAg there are significant differences in the ligand density (98.59% (p-value = 0.0182)), adsorption capacity (97.051% (p-value = 0.01834)), desorption capacity (96.06% (p-value = 0.036)) and recovery (98.97% (p-value = 0.0231)). This study indicates that the immunosorbent approach reduces the cost of purification of Hep-1 protein up to 50% as compared with 5 mg Mab/ml immunoaffinity sorbent, which is currently used in large-scale production. As well, these results demonstrate that bacterial magnetosome nanoparticles (BMs) represent a promising alternative product for the economical and efficient immobilization of proteins and the immunomagnetic separation of Biomolecules, promoting innovation in downstream processing.
Improving extractive document summarization with sentence centrality
Authors: Gong Shuai , Zhu Zhenfang , Qi Jiangtao , Tong Chunling , Lu Qiang , Wu Wenqing
Published: July 2022

Extractive document summarization (EDS) is usually seen as a sequence labeling task, which extracts sentences from a document one by one to form a summary. However, extracting sentences separately ignores the relationship between the sentences and documents. One solution is to use sentence position information to enhance sentence representation, but this will cause the sentence-leading bias problem, especially in news datasets. In this paper, we propose a novel sentence centrality for the EDS task to address these two problems. The sentence centrality is based on directed graphs, while reflecting the sentence-document relationship, it also reflects the sentence position information in the document. We implicitly strengthen the relevance of sentences and documents by using sentence centrality to enhance sentence representation. Notably, we replaced the sentence position information with sentence centrality to reduce sentence-leading bias without causing model performance degradation. Experiments on the CNN/Daily Mail dataset showed that EDS models with sentence centrality significantly improved compared with baseline models.
Social accountability in primary health care facilities in Tanzania: Results from Star Rating Assessment
Authors: Kinyenje Erick S. , Yahya Talhiya A. , Hokororo Joseph C. , Eliakimu Eliudi S. , Mohamed Mohamed A. , Degeh Mbwana M. , Nassoro Omary A. , German Chrisogone C. , Bahegwa Radenta P. , Msigwa Yohanes S. , Ngowi Ruth R. , Marandu Laura E. , Mwaisengela Syabo M.
Published: July 2022

Background

Star Rating Assessment (SRA) was initiated in 2015 in Tanzania aiming at improving the quality of services provided in Primary Healthcare (PHC) facilities. Social accountability (SA) is among the 12 assessment areas of SRA tools. We aimed to assess the SA performance and its predictors among PHC facilities in Tanzania based on findings of a nationwide reassessment conducted in 2017/18.

Methods

We used the SRA database with results of 2017/2018 to perform a cross-sectional secondary data analysis on SA dataset. We used proportions to determine the performance of the following five SA indicators: functional committees/boards, display of information on available resources, addressing local concerns, health workers’ engagement with local community, and involvement of community in facility planning process. A facility needed four indicators to be qualified as socially accountable. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine facilities characteristics associated with SA, namely location (urban or rural), ownership (private or public) and level of service (hospital, health centre or dispensary).

Results

We included a total of 3,032 PHC facilities of which majority were dispensaries (86.4%), public-owned (76.3%), and located in rural areas (76.0%). On average, 30.4% of the facilities were socially accountable; 72.0% engaged with local communities; and 65.5% involved communities in facility planning process. Nevertheless, as few as 22.5% had functional Health Committees/Boards. A facility was likely to be socially-accountable if public-owned [AOR 5.92; CI: 4.48–7.82, p = 0.001], based in urban areas [AOR 1.25; 95% CI: 1.01–1.53, p = 0.038] or operates at a level higher than Dispensaries (Health centre or Hospital levels)

Conclusion

Most of the Tanzanian PHC facilities are not socially accountable and therefore much effort in improving the situation should be done. The efforts should target the lower-level facilities, private-owned and rural-based PHC facilities. Regional authorities must capacitate facility committees/boards and ensure guidelines on SA are followed.
The peripheral blood mononuclear cells preparation and the hematology of Varanus salvator
Authors: Thanasak Jitkamol , Tansatit Tawewan , Taowan Jarupha , Hirunwiroj Napawan , Chitthichanonte Sujit , Wongmack Teetat
Published: July 2022

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the proper anticoagulants coated in blood-collecting tube for the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolation and to evaluate the proper culture temperature for the Varanus salvator’s PBMCs, in addition, the hematological characteristics also reported. The heparin treated blood (n = 10) and EDTA treated blood (n = 10) from Varanus salvator were obtained for PBMCs evaluation. The PBMCs obtained from the heparin treated blood was significantly higher than that of EDTA treated blood during the culture period (P < 0.05) indicated heparin would be more appropriated anticoagulant for blood collection. The PBMCs cultured under 37°C and 27°C were not significantly difference on first three days but 37°C showed significantly higher effect in the following days (P < 0.05) indicated both temperatures can be used which 37°C should be an optimal for PBMCs preparation. The peripheral blood cells of Varanus salvator (n = 49) were analyzed for hematological profiles and characteristics which the number of erythrocytes 1.19 ± 0.04 x 1012/L (1.17–1.35 x 1012/L) and WBC 2.41 ± 0.13 x 109/L (2.29–2.81 x 109/L) with absolute differential count of heterophils 0.92 ± 0.02 x 109/L (0.87–0.95 x 109/L), lymphocytes 1.17 ± 0.01 x 109/L (1.15–1.23 x 109/L), azurophils 0.40 ± 0.01 x 109/L (0.37–0.42 x 109/L), basophils 0.000 ± 0.001 x 109/L (0.004–0.011 x 109/L) and monocytes 0.027 ± 0.002 x 109/L (0.028–0.039 x 109/L). These results would play an important role on the cell immunological studies of the Varanus salvator in the future.
Fit theory: A cancer experience grounded theory emerging from semi-structured interviews with cancer patients and informal caregivers in Manitoba Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Thiessen Maclean , Soriano Andrea , Park Jason , Decker Kathleen
Published: July 2022

Background

It is not clear how changes to healthcare delivery related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual care and social distancing restrictions, have impacted the experience of living with cancer. This study aimed to discover a theory capable of describing the cancer experience, how the pandemic impacted it, and for guiding predictions about how to improve it.

Methods

Between October 2020 and July 2021 digitally recorded semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted virtually with adult cancer patients and informal caregivers in Manitoba, Canada. Transcriptions and field notes from the interviews were analyzed using classic grounded theory.

Results

Interviews with 33 patients and 6 informal caregivers were conducted. Fit emerged as the core concept of the theory and describes the relationship between the healthcare system and the unique combination of characteristics each patient has. Good fit results in a positive experience and poor fit in a negative experience. Virtual care improves fit in clinical situations where non-verbal communication and physical examination are not important. Support from informal caregivers improves fit. Social distancing restrictions reduce the ability of informal caregivers to provide support.

Conclusions

The impact of fit on the cancer experience suggests that care delivery should be tailored to both the individual needs of the patient and the intention of the clinical interaction. Developing evidence-based strategies to inform the integration of virtual care into oncology practice, with aim of promoting good fit between patients and healthcare services, is an important future direction.
Real-time extended psychophysiological analysis of financial risk processing
Authors: Singh Manish , Xu Qingyang , Wang Sarah J. , Hong Tinah , Ghassemi Mohammad M. , Lo Andrew W.
Published: July 2022

We study the relationships between the real-time psychophysiological activity of professional traders, their financial transactions, and market fluctuations. We collected multiple physiological signals such as heart rate, blood volume pulse, and electrodermal activity of 55 traders at a leading global financial institution during their normal working hours over a five-day period. Using their physiological measurements, we implemented a novel metric of trader’s “psychophysiological activation” to capture affect such as excitement, stress and irritation. We find statistically significant relations between traders’ psychophysiological activation levels and such as their financial transactions, market fluctuations, the type of financial products they traded, and their trading experience. We conducted post-measurement interviews with traders who participated in this study to obtain additional insights in the key factors driving their psychophysiological activation during financial risk processing. Our work illustrates that psychophysiological activation plays a prominent role in financial risk processing for professional traders.
Utilizing virtual experiments to increase understanding of discrepancies involving in vitro-to-in vivo predictions of hepatic clearance
Authors: Krishnan Preethi , Smith Andrew K. , Ropella Glen E. P. , Dutta Lopamudra , Kennedy Ryan C. , Hunt C. Anthony
Published: July 2022

Predictions of xenobiotic hepatic clearance in humans using in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation methods are frequently inaccurate and problematic. Multiple strategies are being pursued to disentangle responsible mechanisms. The objective of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of using insights gained from independent virtual experiments on two model systems to begin unraveling responsible mechanisms. The virtual culture is a software analog of hepatocytes in vitro, and the virtual human maps to hepatocytes within a liver within an idealized model human. Mobile objects (virtual compounds) map to amounts of xenobiotics. Earlier versions of the two systems achieved quantitative validation targets for intrinsic clearance (virtual culture) and hepatic clearance (virtual human). The major difference between the two systems is the spatial organization of the virtual hepatocytes. For each pair of experiments (virtual culture, virtual human), hepatocytes are configured the same. Probabilistic rules govern virtual compound movements and interactions with other objects. We focus on highly permeable virtual compounds and fix their extracellular unbound fraction at one of seven values (0.05–1.0). Hepatocytes contain objects that can bind and remove compounds, analogous to metabolism. We require that, for a subset of compound properties, per-hepatocyte compound exposure and removal rates during culture experiments directly predict corresponding measures made during virtual human experiments. That requirement serves as a cross-system validation target; we identify compound properties that enable achieving it. We then change compound properties, ceteris paribus, and provide model mechanism-based explanations for when and why measures made during culture experiments under- (or over-) predict corresponding measures made during virtual human experiments. The results show that, from the perspective of compound removal, the organization of hepatocytes within virtual livers is more efficient than within cultures, and the greater the efficiency difference, the larger the underprediction. That relationship is noteworthy because most in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation methods abstract away the structural organization of hepatocytes within a liver. More work is needed on multiple fronts, including the study of an expanded variety of virtual compound properties. Nevertheless, the results support the feasibility of the approach and plan.
Association of free thyroxine with obstructive lung pattern in euthyroid middle-aged subjects: A population-based study
Authors: Kim Hye Jeong , Park Sang Joon , Park Hyeong Kyu , Byun Dong Won , Suh Kyoil , Yoo Myung Hi
Published: July 2022

Background

The association between thyroid hormone levels and pulmonary function in euthyroid population is still unclear. We aimed to examine the relationship between thyroid function and lung function in a large cohort study of euthyroid subjects.

Methods

We analyzed biochemical and spirometry data from a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey (KNHANES VI). A total of 1,261 middle-aged participants aged 45–65 years with spirometry tests and normal thyroid function were included in this study. The subjects were grouped according to free thyroxine (fT4) (ng/dL) quartiles (Q1, 0.89–1.09; Q2, 1.10–1.19; Q3, 1.20–1.30; Q4, 1.31–1.76). Obstructive lung pattern was defined as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.7. The probability of obstructive lung patterns according to fT4 quartiles was assessed using logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Overall, 10.9% of the subjects had an obstructive lung pattern. The mean fT4 levels were significantly higher in those with obstructive lung pattern than in those with normal lung function (1.26 vs. 1.20 ng/dL, p<0.001). The proportion of participants with obstructive lung pattern increased across the fT4 quartile categories (p<0.001). With the Q1 group as reference, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for obstructive lung pattern in the Q3 and Q4 groups were 2.875 (1.265–6.535) and 2.970 (1.287–6.854), respectively, even after adjusting for confounding variables.

Conclusion

High fT4 levels are an independent predictor of obstructive lung pattern in euthyroid middle-aged subjects. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Dose dependence of Phasmarhabditis isolates (P. hermaphrodita, P. californica, P. papillosa) on the mortality of adult invasive white garden snails (Theba pisana)
Authors: Schurkman Jacob , De Ley Irma Tandingan , Dillman Adler R.
Published: July 2022

Theba pisana is an invasive snail pest which has established itself in San Diego County and some areas of Los Angeles County, California. The snail has grown to large populations in some areas and mitigation is becoming necessary to stop the spread of the species. In a previous study, three US strains of Phasmarhabditis species (P. californica, P. papillosa, and P. hermaphrodita) effectively killed juvenile (0.25 gram each, 4–6 mm wide) T. pisana in laboratory conditions at 5 times (150 IJs/cm2) the recommended dose. Based on laboratory assays, we demonstrated that the same three US strains of Phasmarhabditis can effectively kill larger adult T. pisana (0.4–1.2 gram, 11.5-15mm wide) in two weeks at the same dose. The strains were more efficient at killing T. pisana than the compared molluscicide Sluggo Plus®. Results further showed that the most virulent P. californica did not effectively kill T. pisana at lower doses of 30 IJs/cm2 and 90 IJs/cm2. Additional research is needed to develop the most efficient means of application of Phasmarhabditis to mitigate T. pisana in the field.
Anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb): Comparison of two third generation automated immunoassays broadly used in clinical laboratories and results interpretation
Authors: López Ortega José María , Martínez Pilar Salvador , Acevedo-León Delia , Capell Núria Estañ
Published: July 2022

Graves’ disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in iodine-replete populations. It is an autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies to the TSHR (TRAb). Although the diagnostic is mainly clinical, measuring TRAb improves accuracy and provides valuable prognostic information. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two of the most widely used immunoassays i.e., EliA™ anti-TSH-R and Elecsys® anti-TSH-R. We have carried out a comparative study measuring TRAb by the two immunoassays in consecutive sera samples referred to the laboratory for TRAb measurement. Autoantibodies were measured in all samples in parallel by the two techniques. The two techniques were highly concordant as demonstrated by a Cohen’s kappa of 0.82. At the manufacturer recommended cut-off, sensitivity of Elecsys® TRAb test was higher (100% vs. 96.6%), while specificity of the EliA™ TRAb test was higher (99.4% vs. 95.3%). In most patients TRAb are detected by any of two tests which are both well suited for Clinical Laboratories use. However, a higher specificity may constitute an advantage for measurement used not for screening but for diagnostic purposes, as anti-TSH-R is.
Prevalence and risk factors of malaria and anaemia and the impact of preventive methods among pregnant women: A case study at the Akatsi South District in Ghana
Authors: Ahadzie-Soglie Asiwome , Addai-Mensah Otchere , Abaka-Yawson Albert , Setroame Anita Mawuse , Kwadzokpui Precious Kwablah
Published: July 2022

Aim

This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and risk factors of malaria and anaemia as well as the impact of preventive methods among pregnant women at the Akatsi South District Hospital of Ghana.

Subjects and methods

A hospital based cross-sectional study using simple random sampling technique was conducted among 200 pregnant women receiving antenatal care and laboratory services at the Akatsi District Hospital from May 2016 to July 2016. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to obtain participants’ malaria preventive methods in addition to demographic and gestational details. Participants’ hemoglobin and malaria status were assessed using one milliliter (1 ml) whole blood collected from each participant following standard procedures. Factors that produced a p-value of ≤0.2 from the univariate model were included in the final model. Association between potential covariates and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. The Clopper-Pearson test statistic was used to determine the 95% confidence intervals of the outcome variables of interest. We also estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) of anaemia due to malaria by substituting the adjusted relative risk estimates (RRi) (using theadjrrcommand in STATA) of anaemia due to malaria into the category-specific attributable formula. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy (AiP), malaria in pregnancy (MiP) and AiP/MiP comorbidity was 63.5% (95% CI:56.4–70.2), 11.0% (96% CI:7.0–16.2) and 10.5% (95% CI:6.6–15.6) respectively. Prevalence rates of AiP (66.7%) and MiP (18.5%) predominated among pregnant women aged < 20 years. PAF of AiP due to MiP was 34.5% (95% CI:23.8–43.6). High use of IPTp-SP, 64.0% (95% CI:56.9–70.6) and LLIN, 90.0% (95% CI:85.0–93.8) was observed in this study. Only 42.0% (95% CI:35.1–49.2) used repellent. Not being on the IPTp-SP program posed a 11.70 times risk of MiP (95% CI:2.32–58.96; p = 0.003) compared to pregnant women on the IPTp-SP program. Similarly, not sleeping under LLIN posed an 8.07 times risk of MiP (95% CI:1.98–32.2; p = 0.004) compared to pregnant women who slept under LLIN. Meanwhile, being positive for MiP posed a 12.10 times risk (95% CI:1.35–85.06; p = 0.025) of AiP compared to those negative for malaria whereas failure to attend ANC as scheduled posed 6.34 times risk (95% CI:1.81–22.19; p = 0.004) of AiP among the pregnant women studied.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MiP and AiP among pregnant women in the Akatsi South District remains a great concern. High utilization of IPTp-SP and LLIN was observed with a resultant positive effect on malaria prevalence among pregnant women. Improved access to IPTp-SP and LLIN is hence encouraged to help further diminish the risk of malaria infection amongst pregnant women in the District.
Human T-Lymphotropic virus type 1 and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection in rural Gabon
Authors: Mouinga-Ondémé Augustin , Boundenga Larson , Koumba Koumba Ingrid Précilya , Idam Mamimandjiami Antony , Diané Abdoulaye , Engone-Ondo Jéordy Dimitri , Djuicy Delia Doreen , Sica Jeanne , Mombo Landry Erik , Gessain Antoine , Aghokeng Fobang Avelin
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) co-infection occur in many populations. People living with HIV-1 and infected with HTLV-1 seem more likely to progress rapidly towards AIDS. Both HTLV-1 and HIV-1 are endemic in Gabon (Central Africa). We investigated HTLV-1 and HIV-1 co-infection in the Haut-Ogooué province, and assessed factors that may favor the rapid evolution and progression to AIDS in co-infected patients.

Methods

Plasma samples from HTLV-1 patients were tested using ELISA, and positive samples were then tested by western blot assay (WB). We used the polymerase chain reaction to detect HTLV-1 Tax/Rex genes using DNA extracted from the buffy coat of ELISA-positives samples.

Results

We recruited 299 individuals (mean age 46 years) including 90 (30%) men and 209 (70%) women, all of whom are under treatment at the Ambulatory Treatment Centre of the province. Of these, 45 were ELISA HTLV-1/2 seropositive. According to WB criteria, 21 of 45 were confirmed positive: 20 were HTLV-1 (44%), 1 was HTLV-1/2 (2%), 2 were indeterminate (4%) and 22 were seronegative (49%). PCR results showed that 23 individuals were positive for the Tax/Rex region. Considering both serological and molecular assays, the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection was estimated at 7.7%. Being a woman and increasing age were found to be independent risk factors for co-infection. Mean CD4+ cell counts were higher in HTLV-1/HIV-1 co-infected (578.1 (± 340.8) cells/mm3) than in HIV-1 mono-infected (481.0 (± 299.0) cells/mm3) Individuals. Similarly, the mean HIV-1 viral load was Log 3.0 (± 1.6) copies/ml in mono-infected and Log 2.3 (± 0.7) copies/ml in coinfected individuals.

Conclusion

We described an overall high prevalence of HTLV-1/HIV-1 co-infection in Gabon. Our findings stress the need of strategies to prevent and manage these co-infections.
Community assessment of crustose calcifying red algae as coral recruitment substrates
Authors: Deinhart Mari , Mills Matthew S. , Schils Tom
Published: July 2022

Successful recruitment of invertebrate larvae to reef substrates is essential to the health of tropical coral reef ecosystems and to their capacity to recover from disturbances. Crustose calcifying red algae (CCRA) are a species rich group of seaweeds that have been identified as important recruitment substrates for scleractinian corals. Most studies on the settlement preference of coral larvae on CCRA use morphological species identifications that can lead to unreliable species identification and do not allow for examining species-specific interactions between coral larvae and CCRA. Accurate identifications of CCRA species is important for coral reef restoration and management to assess CCRA community composition and to detect CCRA species that are favored as coral recruitment substrates. In this study, DNA sequence analysis, was used to identify CCRA species to (1) investigate the species richness and community composition of CCRA on experimental coral recruitment tiles and (2) assess if the coral Acropora surculosa preferred any of these CCRA species as recruitment substrates. The CCRA community assemblages on the coral recruitment tiles was species-rich, comprising 27 distinct CCRA species of the orders Corallinales and Peyssonneliales which constitute new species records for Guam. Lithophylloideae sp. 1 (Corallinales) was the CCRA species that was significantly favored by coral larvae as a recruitment substrate. Lithophylloideae sp. 1 showed to hold a valuable ecological role for coral larval recruitment preference. Lithophylloideae sp. 1 had the highest benthic cover on the recruitment tiles and contained most A. surculosa recruits. DNA barcoding revealed a high taxonomic diversity of CCRA species on a microhabitat scale and provided detailed insight into the species-specific ecological interactions between CCRA and corals. With a steady decline in coral cover, detailed information on species interactions that drive reef recovery is valuable for the planning of marine management actions and restoration efforts.
Emergency department personnel patient care-related COVID-19 risk
Authors: Mohr Nicholas M. , Krishnadasan Anusha , Harland Karisa K. , Ten Eyck Patrick , Mower William R. , Schrading Walter A. , Montoy Juan Carlos C. , McDonald L. Clifford , Kutty Preeta K. , Hesse Elisabeth , Santibanez Scott , Weissman David N. , Slev Patricia , Talan David A. ,   for the Project COVERED Emergency Department Network
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) health care personnel (HCP) are at risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this study was to determine the attributable risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection from providing ED care, describe personal protective equipment use, and identify modifiable ED risk factors. We hypothesized that providing ED patient care increases the probability of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of 1,673 ED physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), nurses, and nonclinical staff at 20 U.S. centers over 20 weeks (May to December 2020; before vaccine availability) to detect a four-percentage point increased SARS-CoV-2 incidence among HCP related to direct patient care. Participants provided monthly nasal and serology specimens and weekly exposure and procedure information. We used multivariable regression and recursive partitioning to identify risk factors.

Results

Over 29,825 person-weeks, 75 participants (4.5%) acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection (31 were asymptomatic). Physicians/APPs (aOR 1.07; 95% CI 0.56–2.03) did not have higher risk of becoming infected compared to nonclinical staff, but nurses had a marginally increased risk (aOR 1.91; 95% CI 0.99–3.68). Over 99% of participants used CDC-recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), but PPE lapses occurred in 22.1% of person-weeks and 32.1% of SARS-CoV-2-infected patient intubations. The following factors were associated with infection: household SARS-CoV-2 exposure; hospital and community SARS-CoV-2 burden; community exposure; and mask non-use in public. SARS-CoV-2 intubation was not associated with infection (attributable risk fraction 13.8%; 95% CI -2.0–38.2%), and nor were PPE lapses.

Conclusions

Among unvaccinated U.S. ED HCP during the height of the pandemic, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was similar in nonclinical staff and HCP engaged in direct patient care. Many identified risk factors were related to community exposures.
Food security management in developing countries: Influence of economic factors on their food availability and access
Authors: Bozsik Norbert , Cubillos T. Julieth P. , Stalbek Bopushev , Vasa László , Magda Róbert
Published: July 2022

The research presents an analysis of the food security policy effectiveness on the component of food availability and access in two developing countries, Colombia and Kyrgyzstan, during the period from 2000 to 2018. Determining the state of their food balance trade and the regression analysis for the Food Production Index of the countries, considering four economic indicators. Thus the study attempts to show that policies and strategies have not reached the expected results in terms of reduction of food imports dependency and strengthening of national production and export industry. Furthermore was found that among the economic indicators considered, food inflation, food imports, food exports, and extreme monetary poverty; the last one was the indicator that presented influence on the Food Production Index of both countries, during the period analyzed, showing that access was the main component that defines the food production. The results highlighted the need of integrating food security with the monetary and trade policies of these countries.
Research status and development of microbial induced calcium carbonate mineralization technology
Authors: Chen Jun , Liu Baolei , Zhong Ming , Jing Chuan , Guo Baoyou
Published: July 2022

In nature, biomineralization is a common phenomenon, which can be further divided into authigenic and artificially induced mineralization. In recent years, artificially induced mineralization technology has been gradually extended to major engineering fields. Therefore, by elaborating the reaction mechanism and bacteria of mineralization process, and summarized various molecular dynamics equations involved in the mineralization process, including microbial and nutrient transport equations, microbial adsorption equations, growth equations, urea hydrolysis equations, and precipitation equations. Because of the environmental adaptation stage of microorganisms in sandy soil, their reaction rate in sandy soil environment is slower than that in solution environment, the influencing factors are more different, in general, including substrate concentration, temperature, pH, particle size and grouting method. Based on the characteristics of microbial mineralization such as strong cementation ability, fast, efficient, and easy to control, there are good prospects for application in sandy soil curing, building improvement, heavy metal fixation, oil reservoir dissection, and CO2 capture. Finally, it is discussed and summarized the problems and future development directions on the road of commercialization of microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation technology from laboratory to field application.
L-lactate as an indicator for cellular metabolic status: An easy and cost-effective colorimetric L-lactate assay
Authors: Schmiedeknecht Kira , Kaufmann Andreas , Bauer Stefan , Venegas Solis Francisco
Published: July 2022

Background

In recent times, the study of metabolic pathways has become inevitable and predominant for a variety of research fields as cancer biology and immunology. L-lactate as a product of anaerobic glycolysis has shown to be an important indicator of the cellular metabolic status and can be associated with diverse cellular effects. For this reason, L-lactate assay kits are of high demand when metabolic effects need to be considered. Nevertheless, commercially available kits are not affordable if multiple samples must be evaluated.

Principal finding

In this work, we develop an easy and cost-effective colorimetric assay for quantification of L-lactate suitable for cells with low or high L-lactate production based on LDH activity and suitable for 96 well-plate format. Using different metabolic regulators, we demonstrate the capacity of the assay to detect and quantify L-lactate from the supernatant of HeLa cancer cell line. Furthermore, we validate the assay against a commercially available kit by demonstrating no significant difference between both assays. Finally, we show that the assay is capable of quantifying L-lactate in primary cells such as hPBMCs that were stimulated with toll-like receptor ligands and treated with different metabolic regulators.

Conclusion

We herein present an easy custom assay that is suitable for cells with low and high L-lactate production at very low cost compared to commercially available kits. These advantages of the custom assay can simplify the research in the field of metabolism and related fields.
Observing the distribution of mosquito bites on humans to inform personal protection measures against malaria and dengue vectors
Authors: Mponzi Winifrida P. , Swai Johnson K. , Kaindoa Emmanuel W. , Kifungo Khamis , Eiras Alvaro E. , Batista Elis P. A. , Matowo Nancy S. , Sangoro Peter O. , Finda Marceline F. , Mmbando Arnold S. , Gavana Tegemeo , Ngowo Halfan S. , Okumu Fredros O.
Published: July 2022

Background

Understanding mosquito biting behaviours is important for designing and evaluating protection methods against nuisance biting and mosquito-borne diseases (e.g. dengue, malaria and zika). We investigated the preferred biting sites by Aedes aegypti and Anopheles arabiensis on adult volunteers in standing or sleeping positions; and estimated the theoretical protection limits affordable from protective clothing or repellent-treated footwear.

Methods

Adult volunteers dressed in shorts and t-shirts were exposed to infection-free laboratory-reared mosquitoes inside screened chambers from 6am to noon (for day-biting Ae. aegypti) or 6pm to midnight (night-biting An. arabiensis). Attempted bites on different body parts were recorded. Comparative observations were made on same volunteers while wearing sandals treated with transfluthrin, a vapour-phase pyrethroid that kills and repels mosquitoes.

Results

An. arabiensis bites were mainly on the lower limbs of standing volunteers (95.9% of bites below the knees) but evenly-distributed over all exposed body surfaces when the volunteers were on sleeping positions (only 28.8% bites below knees). Ae. aegypti bites were slightly concentrated on lower limbs of standing volunteers (47.7% below knees), but evenly-distributed on sleeping volunteers (23.3% below knees). Wearing protective clothing that leave only hands and head uncovered (e.g. socks + trousers + long-sleeved shirts) could theoretically prevent 78–83% of bites during sleeping, and at least 90% of bites during non-sleeping hours. If the feet are also exposed, protection declines to as low as 36.3% against Anopheles. The experiments showed that transfluthrin-treated sandals reduced An. arabiensis by 54–86% and Ae. aegypti by 32–39%, but did not change overall distributions of bites.

Conclusion

Biting by An. arabiensis and Ae. aegypti occur mainly on the lower limbs, though this proclivity is less pronounced in the Aedes species. However, when hosts are on sleeping positions, biting by both species is more evenly-distributed over the exposed body surfaces. High personal protection might be achieved by simply wearing long-sleeved clothing, though protection against Anopheles particularly requires covering of feet and lower legs. The transfluthrin-treated footwear can reduce biting risk, especially by An. arabiensis. These findings could inform the design and use of personal protection tools (both insecticidal and non-insecticidal) against mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
OX2R-selective orexin agonism is sufficient to ameliorate cataplexy and sleep/wake fragmentation without inducing drug-seeking behavior in mouse model of narcolepsy
Authors: Yamamoto Hikari , Nagumo Yasuyuki , Ishikawa Yukiko , Irukayama-Tomobe Yoko , Namekawa Yukiko , Nemoto Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Hiromu , Takahashi Genki , Tokuda Akihisa , Saitoh Tsuyoshi , Nagase Hiroshi , Funato Hiromasa , Yanagisawa Masashi
Published: July 2022

Acquired loss of hypothalamic orexin (hypocretin)-producing neurons causes the chronic sleep disorder narcolepsy-cataplexy. Orexin replacement therapy using orexin receptor agonists is expected as a mechanistic treatment for narcolepsy. Orexins act on two receptor subtypes, OX1R and OX2R, the latter being more strongly implicated in sleep/wake regulation. However, it has been unclear whether the activation of only OX2R, or both OX1R and OX2R, is required to replace the endogenous orexin functions in the brain. In the present study, we examined whether the selective activation of OX2R is sufficient to rescue the phenotype of cataplexy and sleep/wake fragmentation in orexin knockout mice. Intracerebroventricular [Ala11, D-Leu15]-orexin-B, a peptidic OX2R-selective agonist, selectively activated OX2R-expressing histaminergic neurons in vivo, whereas intracerebroventricular orexin-A, an OX1R/OX2R non-selective agonist, additionally activated OX1R-positive noradrenergic neurons in vivo. Administration of [Ala11, D-Leu15]-orexin-B extended wake time, reduced state transition frequency between wake and NREM sleep, and reduced the number of cataplexy-like episodes, to the same degree as compared with orexin-A. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular orexin-A but not [Ala11, D-Leu15]-orexin-B induced drug-seeking behaviors in a dose-dependent manner in wild-type mice, suggesting that OX2R-selective agonism has a lower propensity for reinforcing/drug-seeking effects. Collectively, these findings provide a proof-of-concept for safer mechanistic treatment of narcolepsy-cataplexy through OX2R-selective agonism.
Dietary and nutritional interventions in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic literature review
Authors: Rebelo Fernanda , Mansur Isabela Rodrigues , Miglioli Teresa Cristina , Meio Maria Dalva Baker , Junior Saint Clair Gomes
Published: July 2022

Background

Cerebral palsy is an extremely severe brain injury associated with multiple nutritional and clinical issues, such as underweight, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, and nutrient deficiency. Evidence-based dietary and nutritional interventions may improve the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.

Aim

Systematically review randomized clinical trials evaluating nutritional and dietary interventions in the clinical, nutritional, and neurodevelopmental aspects of children with cerebral palsy.

Methods

A search was performed in electronic databases (LILACS, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Database, OpenGrey) using keywords. The search was firstly performed in May 2020 and updated on June 18th, 2021. Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials, that included children between 2 and 12 years old, and evaluated the effect of nutritional or dietetic interventions on clinical, nutritional or neurodevelopmental outcomes. Risk of bias was investigated using the RoB-2 tool. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020181284).

Results

Fifteen studies were selected. Positive results included the use of whey-based or pectin-enriched enteral formulas for gastroesophageal reflux (n = 6); 25-hydroxy-vitamin D supplementation for hypovitaminosis D (n = 2); supplementation with lipid mixture or diet with high-density energy for improvements in anthropometric measures (n = 2); supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics or magnesium for constipation (n = 2); nutritional support system for gross motor function (n = 1); lactoferrin and iron hydroxide polymaltose for iron deficiency anemia (n = 1); and educational intervention to improve feeding skills (n = 1). The overall risk of bias was high for 60% of the studies, and some concerns were raised for the remaining 40%.

Conclusion

Some promising dietary and nutritional interventions may promote important clinical improvements for patients with cerebral palsy. However, evidence is weak, as few clinical trials have been published with many methodological errors, leading to a high risk of bias.
Accurate interval estimation for the risk difference in an incomplete correlated 2 × 2 table: Calf immunity analysis
Authors: Lu Hezhi , Cai Fengjing , Li Yuan , Ou Xionghui
Published: July 2022

Interval estimation with accurate coverage for risk difference (RD) in a correlated 2 × 2 table with structural zero is a fundamental and important problem in biostatistics. The score test-based and Bayesian tail-based confidence intervals (CIs) have good coverage performance among the existing methods. However, as approximation approaches, they have coverage probabilities lower than the nominal confidence level for finite and moderate sample sizes. In this paper, we propose three new CIs for RD based on the fiducial, inferential model (IM) and modified IM (MIM) methods. The IM interval is proven to be valid. Moreover, simulation studies show that the CIs of fiducial and MIM methods can guarantee the preset coverage rate even for small sample sizes. More importantly, in terms of coverage probability and expected length, the MIM interval outperforms other intervals. Finally, a real example illustrates the application of the proposed methods.