bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A trait of mind: stability and robustness of sleep across sleep opportunity manipulations during simulated military operational stress
Authors: LaGoy Alice D , Cashmere J David , Beckner Meaghan E , Eagle Shawn R , Sinnott Aaron M , Conkright William R , Miller Eric , Derrow Carson , Dretsch Michael N , Flanagan Shawn D , Nindl Bradley C , Connaboy Christopher , Germain Anne , Ferrarelli Fabio
Published: August 2021

Study Objectives

Within-subject stability of certain sleep features across multiple nights is thought to reflect the trait-like behavior of sleep. However, to be considered a trait, a parameter must be both stable and robust. Here, we examined the stability (i.e. across the same sleep opportunity periods) and robustness (i.e. across sleep opportunity periods that varied in duration and timing) of different sleep parameters.

Methods

Sixty-eight military personnel (14 W) spent 5 nights in the sleep laboratory during a simulated military operational stress protocol. After an adaptation night, participants had an 8-hour sleep opportunity (23:00–07:00) followed by 2 consecutive nights of sleep restriction and disruption which included two 2-hour sleep opportunities (01:00–03:00; 05:00–07:00) and, lastly, another 8-hour sleep opportunity (23:00–07:00). Intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated to examine differences in stability and robustness across different sleep parameters.

Results

Sleep architecture parameters were less stable and robust than absolute and relative spectral activity parameters. Further, relative spectral activity parameters were less robust than absolute spectral activity. Absolute alpha and sigma activity demonstrated the highest levels of stability that were also robust across sleep opportunities of varying duration and timing.

Conclusions

Stability and robustness varied across different sleep parameters, but absolute NREM alpha and sigma activity demonstrated robust trait-like behavior across variable sleep opportunities. Reduced stability of other sleep architecture and spectral parameters during shorter sleep episodes as well as across different sleep opportunities has important implications for study design and interpretation.
Costs and Economic Impacts of Physician Continuous Professional Development: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Cook David A. , Stephenson Christopher R. , Wilkinson John M. , Maloney Stephen , Baasch Thomas Barbara L. , Prokop Larry J. , Foo Jonathan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Nearly all health care professionals engage in continuous professional development (CPD), yet little is known about the cost and cost-effectiveness of physician CPD. Clarification of key concepts, comprehensive identification of published work, and determination of research gaps would facilitate application of existing evidence and planning for future investigations. The authors sought to systematically map study themes, methods, and outcomes in peer-reviewed literature on the cost and value of physician CPD.

Method

The authors conducted a scoping review, systematically searching MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Library databases for comparative economic evaluations of CPD for practicing physicians through April 2020. Two reviewers, working independently, screened all articles for inclusion. Three reviewers iteratively reviewed all included articles to inductively identify key features including participants, educational interventions, study designs, cost ingredients, and cost analyses. Two reviewers then independently reexamined all included articles to code these features.

Results

Of 3,338 potentially eligible studies, 111 were included. Physician specialties included internal, family, or general medicine (80 studies [72%]), surgery (14 studies [13%]), and medicine subspecialties (7 studies [6%]). Topics most often addressed general medicine (45 studies [41%]) or appropriate drug use (37 studies [33%]). Eighty-seven studies (78%) compared CPD with no intervention. Sixty-three studies (57%) reported the cost of training, and 79 (71%) evaluated the economic impact (money saved/lost following CPD). Training cost ingredients (median 3 itemized per study) and economic impact ingredients (median 1 per study) were infrequently and incompletely identified, quantified, or priced. Twenty-seven studies (24%) reported cost–impact expressions such as cost-effectiveness ratio or net value. Nineteen studies (17%) reported sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Studies evaluating the costs and economic impact of physician CPD are few. Gaps exist in identification, quantification, pricing, and analysis of cost outcomes. The authors propose a comprehensive framework for appraising ingredients and a preliminary reference case for economic evaluations.
COVID-19 Significantly Impacted Hospital Length of Stay and Discharge Patterns for Adult Spinal Deformity Patients
Authors: Wang Kevin Y. , McNeely Emmanuel L. , Dhanjani Suraj A. , Raad Micheal , Puvanesarajah Varun , Neuman Brian J. , Cohen David , Khanna Akhil J. , Kebaish Floreana , Hassanzadeh Hamid , Kebaish Khaled M.
Published: August 2021

Study Design.

Retrospective review.

Objective.

The primary aim was to compare length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition of adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients undergoing surgery before and during the pandemic. Secondary aims were to compare the rates of 30-day complications, reoperations, readmissions, and unplanned emergency department (ED) visits.

Summary of Background Data.

ASD patients often require extended LOS and non-routine discharge. Given resource limitations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and caution regarding hospital stays, surgeons modified standard postoperative protocols to minimize patient exposure.

Methods.

We identified all patients who underwent elective thoracolumbar ASD surgery with more than or equal to five levels fusion at a tertiary care center during two distinct time intervals: July to December 2019 (Pre-COVID, N = 60) and July to December 2020 (During-COVID, N = 57). Outcome measures included LOS and discharge disposition (home vs. non-home), as well as 30-day major complications, reoperations, readmissions, and ED visits. Regression analyses controlled for demographic and surgical factors.

Results.

Patients who underwent ASD surgery during the pandemic were younger (61 vs. 67 yrs) and had longer fusion constructs (nine vs. eight levels) compared with before the pandemic (P < 0.05 for both). On bivariate analysis, patients undergoing surgery during the pandemic had shorter LOS (6 vs. 9 days) and were more likely to be discharged home (70% vs. 28%) (P < 0.05 for both). After controlling for age and levels fused on multivariable regression, patients who had surgery during the pandemic had shorter LOS (IRR = 0.83, P = 0.015) and greater odds of home discharge (odds ratios [OR] = 7.2, P < 0.001). Notably, there were no differences in major complications, reoperations, readmissions, or ED visits between the two groups.

Conclusion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, LOS for patients undergoing thoracolumbar ASD surgery decreased, and more patients were discharged home without adversely affecting complication or readmission rates. Lessons learned during the pandemic may help improve resource utilization without negatively influencing short-term outcomes.

Level of Evidence: 3
A MULTITASK DEEP-LEARNING SYSTEM FOR ASSESSMENT OF DIABETIC MACULAR ISCHEMIA ON OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IMAGES
Authors: Yang Dawei , Sun Zihan , Shi Jian , Ran Anran , Tang Fangyao , Tang Ziqi , Lok Jerry , Szeto Simon , Chan Jason , Yip Fanny , Zhang Liang , Meng Qianli , Rasmussen Martin , Grauslund Jakob , Cheung Carol Y.
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

We aimed to develop and test a deep-learning system to perform image quality and diabetic macular ischemia (DMI) assessment on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.

Methods:

This study included 7,194 OCTA images with diabetes mellitus for training and primary validation and 960 images from three independent data sets for external testing. A trinary classification for image quality assessment and the presence or absence of DMI for DMI assessment were labeled on all OCTA images. Two DenseNet-161 models were built for both tasks for OCTA images of superficial and deep capillary plexuses, respectively. External testing was performed on three unseen data sets in which one data set using the same model of OCTA device as of the primary data set and two data sets using another brand of OCTA device. We assessed the performance by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves with sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies and the area under the precision-recall curves with precision.

Results:

For the image quality assessment, analyses for gradability and measurability assessment were performed. Our deep-learning system achieved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves >0.948 and area under the precision-recall curves >0.866 for the gradability assessment, area under the receiver operating characteristic curves >0.960 and area under the precision-recall curves >0.822 for the measurability assessment, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves >0.939 and area under the precision-recall curves >0.899 for the DMI assessment across three external validation data sets. Grad-CAM demonstrated the capability of our deep-learning system paying attention to regions related to DMI identification.

Conclusion:

Our proposed multitask deep-learning system might facilitate the development of a simplified assessment of DMI on OCTA images among individuals with diabetes mellitus at high risk for visual loss.
Rapid eye movement predominant obstructive sleep apnoea: prognostic relevance and clinical approach
Authors: Pirzada Abdul Rouf , BaHammam Ahmed S.
Published: August 2021

Purpose of review

Rapid eye movement (REM) obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a stage-specific OSA, in which obstructive events occur primarily during REM sleep. This review discusses REM-OSA definitions, its cardiometabolic correlates, associated comorbidities and treatment, and addresses diagnostic ambiguities and therapeutic pitfalls.

Recent findings

Current evidence indicates that REM-OSA is prevalent among younger age groups and women and is independently associated with cardiometabolic complications, particularly hypertension, metabolic complications such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. However, currently, there is no consensus on the accepted diagnostic criteria for REM-OSA. Available data suggest that adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in patients with REM-OSA is suboptimal. Moreover, the currently accepted criteria for good adherence to PAP therapy of 4 h/night, 70% of the days may not be suitable for REM-OSA, as it will not cover most of the REM sleep periods. In addition, further research is needed to assess the impact of REM-OSA treatment on cardiometabolic outcomes.

Patients with REM-OSA are at an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose this disorder, and close follow-up is required to enhance adherence to therapy.
Copy number variation of a fatty acid desaturase geneFads2associated with ecological divergence in freshwater stickleback populations
Authors: Ishikawa Asano , Stuart Yoel E. , Bolnick Daniel I. , Kitano Jun
Published: August 2021

Fitness of aquatic animals can be limited by the scarcity of nutrients such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA availability from diet varies among aquatic habitats, imposing different selective pressures on resident animals to optimize DHA acquisition and synthesis. For example, DHA is generally poor in freshwater ecosystems compared to marine ecosystems. Our previous work revealed that, relative to marine fishes, several freshwater fishes evolved higher copy numbers of thefatty acid desaturase2(Fads2) gene, which encodes essential enzymes for DHA biosynthesis, likely compensating for the limited availability of DHA in freshwater. Here, we demonstrate thatFads2copy number also varies between freshwater sticklebacks inhabiting lakes and streams with stream fish having higherFads2copy number. Additionally, populations with benthic-like morphology possessed higherFads2copy number than those with planktivore-like morphology. This may be because benthic-like fish mainly feed on DHA-deficient prey such as macroinvertebrates whereas planktivore-like fish forage more regularly on DHA-rich prey, like copepods. Our results suggest thatFads2copy number variation arises from ecological divergence not only between organisms exploiting marine and freshwater habitats but also between freshwater organisms exploiting divergent resources.
Keith Vickerman. 21 March 1933—28 June 2016
Authors: Cox Francis , Gull Keith
Published: August 2021

Keith Vickerman was a parasitologist and protozoologist who made major contributions to our understanding of the biology of African trypanosomes, the causative agents of human sleeping sickness and nagana in cattle. His first academic post was at University College London, where he quickly mastered the techniques of electron microscopy (EM) and produced some of the best electron micrographs of parasitic protozoa at that time. He was a great believer in observation and deduction, and what began as an exercise in EM led him to investigate two of the then outstanding problems of trypanosome biology: how the parasites manage the transition from the tsetse fly vector to its mammalian host, and how they evade the host's immune response. Morphological changes, he found, were correlated with changes in the single mitochondrion and ensuing biochemical changes during the transition from a glucose-rich environment in mammalian blood to the glucose-poor tsetse gut. It was while comparing bloodstream and tsetse forms that he observed that the trypanosomes possessed a thick surface coat in the blood, which he subsequently identified as the variable antigen that was repeatedly formed and reformed and that this was the basis of antigenic variation—findings that stimulated a vast amount of interest among immunologists, biochemists and geneticists. In his later career a new problem emerged, and he found that a disease devastating stocks of the commercially important Norway lobster,
Nephrops norvegicus
, thought to be caused by a virus was actually caused by a protozoan,
Hematodinium
. Keith will always be remembered as one of the founders of modern parasitology.
Implementation and acceleration of optimal control for systems biology
Authors: Sharp Jesse A. , Burrage Kevin , Simpson Matthew J.
Published: August 2021

Optimal control theory provides insight into complex resource allocation decisions. The forward–backward sweep method (FBSM) is an iterative technique commonly implemented to solve two-point boundary value problems arising from the application of Pontryagin’s maximum principle (PMP) in optimal control. The FBSM is popular in systems biology as it scales well with system size and is straightforward to implement. In this review, we discuss the PMP approach to optimal control and the implementation of the FBSM. By conceptualizing the FBSM as a fixed point iteration process, we leverage and adapt existing acceleration techniques to improve its rate of convergence. We show that convergence improvement is attainable without prohibitively costly tuning of the acceleration techniques. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these methods can induce convergence where the underlying FBSM fails to converge. All code used in this work to implement the FBSM and acceleration techniques is available on GitHub at
https://github.com/Jesse-Sharp/Sharp2021
.
The generalized Wiener–Hopf equations for wave motion in angular regions: electromagnetic application
Authors: Daniele V. G. , Lombardi G.
Published: August 2021

In this work, we introduce a general method to deduce spectral functional equations and, thus, the generalized Wiener–Hopf equations (GWHEs) for wave motion in angular regions filled by arbitrary linear homogeneous media and illuminated by sources localized at infinity with application to electromagnetics. The functional equations are obtained by solving vector differential equations of first order that model the problem. The application of the boundary conditions to the functional equations yields GWHEs for practical problems. This paper shows the general theory and the validity of GWHEs in the context of electromagnetic applications with respect to the current literature. Extension to scattering problems by wedges in arbitrarily linear media in different physics will be presented in future works.
Stochastic variational principles for the collisional Vlasov–Maxwell and Vlasov–Poisson equations
Authors: Tyranowski Tomasz M.
Published: August 2021

In this work, we recast the collisional Vlasov–Maxwell and Vlasov–Poisson equations as systems of coupled stochastic and partial differential equations, and we derive stochastic variational principles which underlie such reformulations. We also propose a stochastic particle method for the collisional Vlasov–Maxwell equations and provide a variational characterization of it, which can be used as a basis for a further development of stochastic structure-preserving particle-in-cell integrators.
The impact of long-term non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 epidemic dynamics and control: the value and limitations of early models
Authors: Childs Marissa L. , Kain Morgan P. , Harris Mallory J. , Kirk Devin , Couper Lisa , Nova Nicole , Delwel Isabel , Ritchie Jacob , Becker Alexander D. , Mordecai Erin A.
Published: August 2021

Mathematical models of epidemics are important tools for predicting epidemic dynamics and evaluating interventions. Yet, because early models are built on limited information, it is unclear how long they will accurately capture epidemic dynamics. Using a stochastic SEIR model of COVID-19 fitted to reported deaths, we estimated transmission parameters at different time points during the first wave of the epidemic (March–June, 2020) in Santa Clara County, California. Although our estimated basic reproduction number (

R

0

) remained stable from early April to late June (with an overall median of 3.76), our estimated effective reproduction number (

R

E

) varied from 0.18 to 1.02 in April before stabilizing at 0.64 on 27 May. Between 22 April and 27 May, our model accurately predicted dynamics through June; however, the model did not predict rising summer cases after shelter-in-place orders were relaxed in June, which, in early July, was reflected in cases but not yet in deaths. While models are critical for informing intervention policy early in an epidemic, their performance will be limited as epidemic dynamics evolve. This paper is one of the first to evaluate the accuracy of an early epidemiological compartment model over time to understand the value and limitations of models during unfolding epidemics.
Integrating multi-taxon palaeogenomes and sedimentary ancient DNA to study past ecosystem dynamics
Authors: Dussex Nicolas , Bergfeldt Nora , de Anca Prado Violeta , Dehasque Marianne , Díez-del-Molino David , Ersmark Erik , Kanellidou Foteini , Larsson Petter , Lemež Špela , Lord Edana , Mármol-Sánchez Emilio , Meleg Ioana N. , Måsviken Johannes , Naidoo Thijessen , Studerus Jovanka , Vicente Mário , von Seth Johanna , Götherström Anders , Dalén Love , Heintzman Peter D.
Published: August 2021

Ancient DNA (aDNA) has played a major role in our understanding of the past. Important advances in the sequencing and analysis of aDNA from a range of organisms have enabled a detailed understanding of processes such as past demography, introgression, domestication, adaptation and speciation. However, to date and with the notable exception of microbiomes and sediments, most aDNA studies have focused on single taxa or taxonomic groups, making the study of changes at the community level challenging. This is rather surprising because current sequencing and analytical approaches allow us to obtain and analyse aDNA from multiple source materials. When combined, these data can enable the simultaneous study of multiple taxa through space and time, and could thus provide a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem-wide changes. It is therefore timely to develop an integrative approach to aDNA studies by combining data from multiple taxa and substrates. In this review, we discuss the various applications, associated challenges and future prospects of such an approach.
Aurantimicrobium photophilum sp. nov., a non-photosynthetic bacterium adjusting its metabolism to the diurnal light cycle and reclassification of Cryobacterium mesophilum as Terrimesophilobacter mesophilus gen. nov., comb. nov.
Authors: Hahn Martin W. , Pitt Alexandra , Koll Ulrike , Schmidt Johanna , Maresca Julia A. , Neumann-Schaal Meina
Published: August 2021

The aerobic primarily chemoorganotrophic actinobacterial strain MWH-Mo1T was isolated from a freshwater lake and is characterized by small cell lengths of less than 1 µm, small cell volumes of 0.05–0.06 µm3 (ultramicrobacterium), a small genome size of 1.75 Mbp and, at least for an actinobacterium, a low DNA G+C content of 54.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated amino acid sequences of 116 housekeeping genes suggested the type strain of

Aurantimicrobium minutum

affiliated with the family

Microbacteriaceae

as its closest described relative. Strain MWH-Mo1T shares with the type strain of that species a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.6 % but the genomes of the two strains share an average nucleotide identity of only 79.3 %. Strain MWH-Mo1T is in many genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics quite similar to the type strain of

A. minutum

. Previous intensive investigations revealed two unusual traits of strain MWH-Mo1T. Although the strain is not known to be phototrophic, the metabolism is adjusted to the diurnal light cycle by up- and down-regulation of genes in light and darkness. This results in faster growth in the presence of light. Additionally, a cell size-independent protection against predation by bacterivorous flagellates, most likely mediated by a proteinaceous cell surface structure, was demonstrated. For the previously intensively investigated aerobic chemoorganotrophic actinobacterial strain MWH-Mo1T (=CCUG 56426T=DSM 107758T), the establishment of the new species Aurantimicrobium photophilum sp. nov. is proposed.
Hydroxychloroquine for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in health care workers: a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial (HERO-HCQ)
Authors: Naggie Susanna , Milstone Aaron , Castro Mario , Collins Sean P. , Seetha Lakshmi , Anderson Deverick J. , Cahuayme-Zuniga Lizbeth , Turner Kisha Batey , Cohen Lauren W. , Fraulo Elizabeth , Friedland Anne , Garg Jyotsna , George Anoop , Mulder Hillary , Olson Rachel E. , O’Brien Emily C. , Rothman Russell L. , Shenkman Elizabeth , Shostak Jack , Woods Christopher W. , Anstrom Kevin J. , Hernandez Adrian F.
Published: August 2021

Objective

To determine whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 infections among health care workers (HCW).

Design

Multicenter, 1:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, superiority trial.

Setting

34 clinical centers in the United States.

Participants

1360 HCW at risk for COVID-19 infection enrolled between April and November 2020.

Interventions

A loading dose of HCQ 600 mg twice on Day 1 followed by 400 mg daily for 29 days or matching placebo taken orally.

Main Outcome Measure

Composite of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 clinical infection by Day 30 defined as new onset fever, cough, or dyspnea and either a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test (confirmed) or a lack of confirmatory testing due to local restrictions (suspected).

Results

Enrollment for the study was closed before full accrual due to difficulties recruiting additional participants. The primary composite endpoint occurred in 41 (6.0%) participants receiving HCQ and 53 (7.8%) participants receiving placebo. No statistically significant difference in the proportion of participants experiencing clinical infection (estimated difference of -1.8%, 95% confidence interval -4.6% to 0.9%, p=0.20). We identified no significant safety issues.

Conclusion

Oral HCQ taken as prescribed appeared to be safe in a group of HCW. No significant clinical benefits were observed. The study was underpowered to rule out a small but potentially important reduction in COVID-19 infections.

Trial Registration

NCT04334148
Factors associated with self-reported health among New Zealand military Veterans: a cross-sectional study
Authors: McBride David , Samaranayaka Ari , Richardson Amy , Gardner Dianne , Wyeth Emma , De Graaf Brandon , Derrett Sarah
Published: August 2021

Objective

To identify factors associated with better or poorer self-reported health status in New Zealand Military Veterans.

Design

An online cross-sectional survey.

Participants

The total number of eligible Veterans is unknown, but a total of 1,817 Veterans responded, including 1009 serving personnel providing a 26% response rate from that group.

Study variables

Health status was self-reported using the EQ-5D-5L, which asks about problems across five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), with five levels of severity (e.g. no, slight, moderate, severe or extreme problems). The EQ-5D-5L also contains a visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), scaled from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) imagined health. Hypothetical relationships with better health were positive social support, sleep and psychological flexibility; with poorer health, exposure to psychological trauma, distress and hazardous drinking.

Results

The proportion of Veterans reporting ‘any problems’ compared to ‘no problems’ with the five EQ-5D dimensions, was similar to those found in the general NZ population, although a higher proportion of Veterans reported problems with mobility, self-care, usual activities and pain/discomfort. Psychological flexibility and better sleep quality were associated with higher EQ-VAS scores; distress was associated with lower EQ-VAS scores.

Conclusion

In this sample of New Zealand Veterans, psychological flexibility and good sleep are associated with better self-rated health, and distress and poor sleep with diminished health. These factors might be used as sentinel health indicators in assessing Veteran health status. As distress, psychological flexibility and sleep are closely related, cognitive behavioural therapy encompassing these domains may be useful in improving the health of New Zealand Veterans.

Strengths and limitations of this study

Many studies of Veterans have focused on adverse outcomes, but we have been able to focus on a holistic measure of ‘health’.

The study was sufficiently powered to detect important relationships indicating opportunities for intervention.

The exact response rate is unknown, and possible bias may be a limitation.

The cross-sectional design means that we cannot explore cause and effect relationships.
An evaluation of community-based comprehensive vision care for the ageing population
Authors: Yang She Chiu , Law Tsz Kin , Lucas Leung Yan Lok , Tam Yim Ying , Sum Rita , Lian Jinxiao , Yap Maurice
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and potential cost-effectiveness of a community-based vision care programme for the ageing population aged 60 years or above.

Methods

Data from a total of 8899 subjects participating in a community based comprehensive vision care programme from 2015 to 2019 were extracted and analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme in terms of the prevalence of visual impairment (VI), the change in the prevalence of VI after refractive error correction, and the types of ocular disorders detected. VI was defined by a) visual acuity (VA) worse than 6/18 in any eye (worse eye) and b) VA worse than 6/18 in the better eye. The cost-effectiveness from the funder’s perspective was also estimated in terms of cost per VI avoided from such a programme.

Results

The study found that referenced to VA of the worse eye, the prevalence of VI was 39.1% (3482/8899, 95% CI: 38.1%-40.1%) based on presenting VA and reduced to 13.8% (1227/8899, 95% CI: 13.1%-14.5%) based on best-corrected VA. Referenced to the VA in the better eye, the prevalence of VI was 17.3% (1539/8899, 95% CI: 16.5%-18.1%) based on presenting VA and decreased to 4.2% (373/8899, 95% CI: 3.8%-4.6%) after best-corrected VA. Uncorrected refractive error was the major cause of presenting VI. From the funder’s perspective, the cost per VI case prevented was HK$1921 based on VA in the worse eye and HK$3715 based on the better eye.

Conclusion

A community-based programme was effective to detect the VI and reduced a relative 65% to 76% VI after refractive error correction for the community-dwelling ageing population. The ageing population can benefit from regular comprehensive vision care.
Prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination efforts and dose allocation within Madagascar
Authors: Rasambainarivo Fidisoa , Ramiadantsoa Tanjona , Raherinandrasana Antso , Randrianarisoa Santatra , Rice Benjamin L. , Evans Michelle V. , Roche Benjamin , Randriatsarafara Fidiniaina Mamy , Wesolowski Amy , Metcalf C. Jessica
Published: August 2021

Background

While mass COVID-19 vaccination programs are underway in high-income countries, limited availability of doses has resulted in few vaccines administered in low and middle income countries (LMICs). The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) is a WHO-led initiative to promote vaccine access equity to LMICs and is providing many of the doses available in these settings. However, initial doses are limited and countries, such as Madagascar, need to develop prioritization schemes to maximize the benefits of vaccination with very limited supplies. There is some consensus that dose deployment should initially target health care workers, and those who are more vulnerable including older individuals. However, questions of geographic deployment remain, in particular associated with limits around vaccine access and delivery capacity in underserved communities, for example in rural areas that may also include substantial proportions of the population.

Methods

To address these questions, we developed a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics and simulated various vaccination allocation strategies for Madagascar. Simulated strategies were based on a number of possible geographical prioritization schemes, testing sensitivity to initial susceptibility in the population, and evaluating the potential of tests for previous infection.

Results

Using cumulative deaths due to COVID-19 as the main outcome of interest, our results indicate that distributing the number of vaccine doses according to the number of elderly living in the region or according to the population size results in a greater reduction of mortality compared to distributing doses based on the reported number of cases and deaths. The benefits of vaccination strategies are diminished if the burden (and thus accumulated immunity) has been greatest in the most populous regions, but the overall strategy ranking remains comparable. If rapid tests for prior immunity may be swiftly and effectively delivered, there is potential for considerable gain in mortality averted, but considering delivery limitations modulates this.

Conclusion

At a subnational scale, our results support the strategy adopted by the COVAX initiative at a global scale.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adult mental health in the UK: A rapid systematic review
Authors: Batteux Eleonore , Taylor Jo , Carter Holly
Published: August 2021

Background

There is evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of the UK population, but this needs synthesising to guide effective policy recommendations and ensure support is targeted to populations most at risk. We conducted a rapid systematic review of the evidence of the impact of COVID-19 and associated restrictions on the mental health of UK adults, including risk and protective factors.

Method

A range of databases were searched to identify eligible studies. Studies were eligible if they reported primary quantitative or qualitative research on the mental health of UK adults between March 2020 and March 2021. Journal publications and pre-prints were included. Reviews, position papers, protocol papers and studies published in languages other than English were excluded. The study authors screened papers for eligibility and included 102 papers in the analysis.

Results

The evidence from this review indicates that the mental health of UK adults has declined since the start of the pandemic, with different populations being unequally affected. Populations particularly affected are women, young adults, ethnic minorities, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, people with pre-existing conditions and people who have had COVID-19. Other risk factors include having to isolate and time spent watching pandemic related news. Protective factors include social contact and maintaining healthy behaviours, such as physical activity.

Conclusions

Policy should aim to discourage risky behaviours while ensuring support is available for people to engage in protective behaviours. Interventions should be directed towards populations that have been most adversely affected. Addressing the decline in mental health across the UK population since the COVID-19 pandemic will require increasing mental health provision and ensuring equitable access to support.
Cryo-EM structure of the human TACAN channel in a closed state
Authors: Chen Xiaozhe , Wang Yaojie , Li Yang , Lu Xuhang , Chen Jianan , Li Ming , Wen Tianlei , Liu Ning , Chang Shenghai , Zhang Xing , Yang Xue , Shen Yuequan
Published: August 2021

TACAN is an ion channel involved in sensing mechanical pain. It has recently been shown to represent a novel and evolutionarily conserved class of mechanosensitive channels. Here, we present the cryoelectron microscopic structure of human TACAN (hTACAN). hTACAN forms a dimer in which each protomer consists of a transmembrane globular domain (TMD) that is formed of six helices and an intracellular domain (ICD) that is formed of two helices. Molecular dynamic simulations suggest that a putative ion conduction pathway is located inside each protomer. Single point mutation of the key residue Met207 significantly increased the surface tension activated currents. Moreover, cholesterols were identified at the flank of each subunit. Our data show the molecular assembly of hTACAN and suggest that the wild type hTACAN is in a closed state, providing a basis for further understanding the activation mechanism of the hTACAN channel.
CD72-semaphorin3A axis; a possible new player in immune regulation
Authors: Nasren Eiza , Adi Sabag-D , Ofra Kessler , Yunens Jones , Gera Neufeld , Zahava Vadasz
Published: August 2021

Semaphorin3A (sema3A) inhibits the activity of B and T cells in autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). We have now found that CD72 functions as a novel sema3A binding and signal-transducing receptor. These functions of CD72 are independent of the known sema3A receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). We find that sema3A induces the phosphorylation of CD72 on tyrosine residues and the association of CD72 with SHP-1 and SHP-2. In contrast, sema4D/CD100 inhibits these functions. sema3A signals mediated by CD72, inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT-4 and HDAC-1 and induce the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and PKC-theta in B-cells derived B-lymphoblastoid (BLCL) cells lacking NRP-1 expression, and in primary B-cells isolated from either healthy donors or SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) patients. We have also generated a modified truncated sema3A (T-sema3A) which cannot signal via NRP-1 yet still activates inhibitory CD72 signaling. We propose that T-sema3A may have potential as a possible therapeutic for autoimmune diseases such as SLE.

One Sentence Summary

CD72 found as a novel sema3A receptor transduces inhibitory signals in Bcells. A modified sema3A can be used to treat autoimmunity.
Principles of Dopamine Binding to Carbon Surfaces
Authors: Khot Gaurang , Shirtcliffe Neil , Celikel Tansu
Published: August 2021

Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV) combined with carbon electrodes is considered as the gold standard method for real-time detection of oxidizable neurotransmitters. The bioinert nature, rapid electron transfer kinetics and long-term stability make carbon an attractive material for probing brain electrochemistry. Herein, we first demonstrate a rapid fabrication process of carbonized nanopipettes and subsequently perform experimental measurements and theoretical simulations to study mechanisms of dopamine binding on carbonized surfaces. To explain the kinetics of dopamine oxidation on carbonized electrodes we adapted the electron-proton transfer model originally developed by Compton and found that the electron-proton transfer model best explains the experimental observations. We further investigated the electron-proton transfer theory by constructing a Density Function Theory (DFT) for visualization of dopamine binding to graphite-like surfaces consisting of heteroatoms. For graphite surfaces that are capped with hydrogen alone, we found that dopamine is oxidized, whereas, on graphite surfaces doped with heteroatoms such as nitrogen and oxygen, we found deprotonation of dopamine along with oxidation thus validating our experimental and theoretical data. These observations provide mechanistic insights into multistep electron transfer during dopamine oxidation on graphite surfaces.

Graphical abstract

A: Pictorial view of the experimental setup of carbonized electrodes. The application of waveform causes the oxidation of dopamine.B. Background subtracted voltammogram of dopamine, wherein the waveform applied is -0.4V to 1.3V and cycled back at -0.4V at 200 V s-1at 10 Hz.C: A hotspot showing the oxidation and reduction of dopamine, wherein two distinct redox spots can be seen. The first redox spot can be seen at 0.0V and the second one at 0.5V. Thus showing a multistep electron transfer for dopamine.D: A DFT model for dopamine’s interaction with graphite surfaces doped with nitrogen atoms. Oxidation of oxygen (red) can be seen with loss of protons.
Conflict in online consumption communities: a systematic literature review and directions for future research
Authors: Chandrasapth Koblarp , Yannopoulou Natalia , Schoefer Klaus , Licsandru Tana Cristina , Papadopoulos Thanos
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study sets out to examine (1) how have conflicts been conceptualized and operationalized within the context of online consumption communities? (2) what are the main conflict management, resolution strategies and frameworks that have been identified? and (3) what are the gaps in the relevant body of work in terms of theoretical and methodological dimensions, and what implications do they have for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a systematic and multidisciplinary literature review of online conflicts. Following a descriptive and thematic content analysis, it examines 79 peer-reviewed scholarly articles of the past 20 years within 6 scientific databases.

Findings

The authors propose a literature-based conceptualization of online conflicts and a multi-level conflict resolution matrix based on the different governance structures and social control mechanisms investigated in extant research.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the integrative and interdisciplinary view of online conflict in global consumption communities.
Determinants of corporate social responsibility disclosure of banking sector in Pakistan
Authors: Ali Rizwan , Rehman Ramiz Ur , Kanwal Madiha , Naseem Muhammad Akram , Ahmad Muhammad Ishfaq
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the key determinants of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of all listed banks that operate their function in an emerging market, Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied the principles of systems-oriented theories such as legitimacy, stakeholder and agency theory. The hypothesis is linking the bank’s social disclosure and its determinants are developed. The relevant data was gathered from the bank’s annual reports and Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2008 to 2018. Further, governance attributes and performance measures are used as the predictor variable and the CSR score as the predicted variable. This study applied panel data analysis on the sampled banks to examine the proposed hypothesis for empirical estimation.

Findings

This study’s inclusive results confirm that the hypothesized determinants of board size, foreign directors on board and female directors on board positively impact the CSR disclosure potential. Board size significantly explains the CSR disclosure in all bank samples. The determined performance measures, profitability and liquidity show a significant positive relationship with CSR disclosure except for few exceptions.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s results lack generalizability due to its unique setting; future researchers can extend the research scope in national–international settings and a regional context.

Practical implications

This study enriches the literature on CSR disclosure determinants and is relevant to practice in an emerging context. It can be helpful from a policy perspective; institutions (bodies) that regulate banks should recognize the governance and performance aspects essential to enhancing CSR disclosure and enhancing the bank’s performance hence value.

Originality/value

This research offers empirical evidence that sheds light on the key governance attributes and performance measures that partially affect CSR disclosure and its extent. In doing so, this study’s findings contribute to the literature significantly, along with regulators, shareholders, deposit holders, individual–institutional investors.
Brain, behavioral, affective, and sex correlates of recovery from alcohol use disorders
Authors: Thompson Benjamin L. , Maleki Nasim , Kelly John F. , Sy Karla Therese L. , Oscar‐Berman Marlene
Published: August 2021

Background

Recovery from alcohol use disorders (AUDs) consists of salutary changes in behavior and affect. While evidence suggests that recovery‐related behavioral changes, such as abstinence, emerge in tandem with both neural and affective changes, the precise relationships among these changes are unknown. To understand these relationships, we examined associations between the duration of abstinence (DOA), affective states, and neuroimaging‐based structural measures of the brain reward system (BRS) in AUD men (AUDM) and AUD women (AUDW).

Methods

Participants were community respondents from the Boston area comprising right‐handed abstinent individuals with AUD (n = 60; 30 men) and controls without AUD (NC; n = 60; 29 men). Multivariate linear regressions compared short‐/mid‐term abstainers (≤5 years), long‐term abstainers (>5 years), and the NC group on measures of BRS volume (3T magnetic resonance imaging scans) and measures of affect (Profile of Mood States [POMS]; Multiple Affect Adjective Check List [MAACL]; Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD]). Analyses contrasted sex differences and accounted for age, education, drinking severity, and verbal IQ.

Results

Compared to the NC group, short‐/mid‐term abstainers exhibited larger posterior insular volume (total (β = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.004, 0.034)), higher negative affect (POMS Mood Disturbance (β = 27.8, 95% CI: 11.56, 44.04), and lower positive affect (POMS Vigor (β = −4.89, 95% CI: −9.06, −0.72)). Compared to the NC group, Long‐term abstainers exhibited significantly smaller volumes of aggregate anterior cingulate cortex (β = −0.06, 95% CI: −0.113, −0.008) and higher HRSD scores (β = 1.56, 95% CI: 0.14, 2.98). Relative to AUDM, AUDW exhibited significantly larger right anterior insular volumes (β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06) and significantly greater MAACL Positive Affect scores (β = 7.56, 95% CI: 0.59, 11.55) in association with DOA.

Conclusions

We found that differences in abstinence from alcohol were correlated with differences in both neural recovery and affective dimensions of recovery from AUDs. The observed sex differences extend evidence of dimorphic effects of AUDs and recovery on brain structure and function. Future longitudinal research will test inferences concerning the directionality of these relationships.
Association between suicidal behaviors and auditory and visual hallucinations in Japanese adolescent psychiatric outpatients at first visit: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Toyohara Nao , Fujita Junichi , Okumura Yasuyuki , Suda Akira , Hattori Saki , Saigusa Yusuke , Aoyama Kumi , Asanuma Kazuya , Takahashi Yuichi , Arai Takashi , Hishimoto Akitoyo
Published: August 2021

Background

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among adolescents. Although recent studies have suggested a strong association between auditory hallucinations and suicidal behaviors, little is known regarding the association between suicidal behaviors and visual hallucinations, which are also common among adolescent psychiatric patients.

Method

A cross‐sectional study of all first‐time patients aged 10–15 years was conducted at three child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient facilities in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, from April 2015 to March 2018. Self‐reported questionnaires were administered to evaluate auditory and visual hallucinations, suicide planning, and suicide attempts within the two weeks prior to the first visit. Our logistic regression model included three covariates (sex, age, and presence of major depressive episode) for adjustments. Among the 1285 respondents, 37 who had moderate or severe intellectual disability were excluded, leaving 1248 for analysis.

Results

Among the 1069 patients who completed questionnaire items on hallucinations, 230 (21.5%) experienced auditory or visual hallucinations. After controlling for all confounders, visual hallucinations, but not auditory hallucinations, were significantly associated with increased odds of suicide planning (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–4.1). In contrast, auditory hallucinations, but not visual hallucinations, were significantly associated with increased odds of suicide attempts (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–6.1). No interaction effects were observed between suicidal behaviors and auditory or visual hallucinations.

Conclusions

Clinicians should consider the prevalence of both auditory and visual hallucinations among young adolescent patients, with emphasis on auditory hallucinations, given their association with suicide attempts.