bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Which antithrombotic strategy provides the best outcomes after mitral valve repair in patients who remain in sinus rhythm?
Authors: Trevis Jason , Akowuah Enoch
Published: April 2022

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was ‘in the first 3-months after mitral valve repair (MVRep) which antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant strategy should be instigated in patients who remain in normal sinus rhythm’. Altogether 77 papers were found using the reported search, of which 8 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that there remains a lack of high-quality randomized studies, controlling for postoperative cardiac rhythm, comparing vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and antiplatelet therapy in the early postoperative period following isolated MVRep. Current guidelines are based on limited evidence or expert consensus alone. Based on the currently available evidence, the authors conclude that antiplatelet therapy (e.g. aspirin) is safe and appropriate to use in the 3-month postoperative period following isolated MVRep, in those without preoperative, or postoperative atrial fibrillation. Rates of thromboembolic events are comparable between these patient groups (i.e. VKA versus aspirin), whilst VKA therapy is associated with increased rates of major bleeding events and mortality.
Changes in mortality rate of the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time series study in Korea
Authors: Han Changwoo
Published: April 2022

Background

Unlike other countries, South Korea did not implement a large-scale lockdown or closure of businesses to manage the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but relied on changes in population behaviours and early isolation and treatment of patients. It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of such alternative strategies on the mortality of the general population.

Methods

Mortality and monthly population data from 2013 to 2020 were obtained. A quasi-Poisson regression model adjusting for age structure, seasonality and time was used to evaluate whether underlying trends for monthly mortality rate have changed with the pandemic. Stratification analyses based on sex and location of deaths (inside vs outside of medical facilities) were conducted.

Results

The risk estimates showed no changes in non-accidental mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic [relative risk (RR) (95% confidence interval, 95% CI), slope change: 1.00 (1.00, 1.01), step change: 0.99 (0.97, 1.01)] compared with those before the pandemic. In cause-specific analysis, there was an abrupt and sustained decrease in the mortality rate of respiratory diseases [RR (95% CI), step change: 0.81 (0.77, 0.84)]. In the analysis of deaths by location, an increase in non-accidental mortality [RR (95% CI), slope change: 1.01 (1.01, 1.02), step change: 1.16 (1.11, 1.22)] and several cause-specific mortalities was observed outside of medical facilities.

Conclusions

The non-accidental mortality rate in South Korea for the first year of the pandemic followed the historical trends. However, there was a decrease in mortality associated with respiratory diseases, and an increase in mortality occurring outside of medical facilities. The findings may be attributed to changes in public behaviours, and availability of medical resources during the pandemic.
Elevated Serum Purine Levels in Schizophrenia: A Reverse Translational Study to Identify Novel Inflammatory Biomarkers
Authors: Kristóf Zsüliet , Baranyi Mária , Tod Pál , Mut-Arbona Paula , Demeter Kornél , Bitter István , Sperlágh Beáta
Published: April 2022

Background

Immunological markers and related signaling molecules in the blood are altered in schizophrenia mouse models, in acutely relapsed patients with schizophrenia, and in persons at a clinically high risk for subsequently developing psychosis, highlighting their potential as prognostic and theranostic biomarkers. Therefore, we herein aimed to identify novel potential biomarkers in the serum that are associated with purinergic signaling.

Methods

To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the correlations among the levels of human serum adenine nucleotides (ATP, ADP), adenosine, P2X7 receptor, and disease activity in patients hospitalized due to an acute relapse of schizophrenia (n = 53) and healthy controls (n = 47). In addition, to validate these findings using a reverse translational approach, we examined the same parameters in an acute phencyclidine-induced schizophrenia mouse model.

Results

We found consistently elevated levels of ATP, ADP, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 in both schizophrenia groups compared with the controls. The levels of adenosine, IL-1β, IL-12, and C-reactive protein were also increased in the human patient samples. Moreover, ATP and ADP were significantly positively correlated with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale item “lack of judgment and insight”; IL-1β, IL-12, and tumour necrosis factor alpha were significantly positively correlated with “tension” and “depression”; and “disorientation” and “poor attention” were correlated significantly with IL-6 and IL-8.

Conclusions

Our study suggests the promising potential of blood purines and inflammatory markers as future prognostic tools.
Finite-time H∞ control of linear singular fractional differential equations with time-varying delay
Authors: Niamsup Piyapong , Thanh Nguyen T , Phat Vu N
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose an efficient analytical approach based on fractional calculus and singularity value theory to designing the finite-time $H_\infty $ controller for linear singular fractional differential equations with time-varying delay. By introducing new fractional-order $H_\infty $ norm, the state feedback controller is designed to guarantee that the closed-loop system is singular, impulse-free and finite-time stable with prescribed $H_\infty $ performance. New sufficient conditions for designing the $H_\infty $ finite-time controller are presented. The results of this paper improve the corresponding ones of integer-order singular systems with time-varying delay. Finally, a numerical example demonstrates the validity and effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Semi-Polarized Meromorphic Hitchin and Calabi–Yau Integrable Systems
Authors: Lee Jia Choon , Lee Sukjoo
Published: April 2022

It was shown by Diaconescu, Donagi, and Pantev that Hitchin systems of type ADE are isomorphic to certain Calabi–Yau integrable systems. In this paper, we prove an analogous result in the setting of meromorphic Hitchin systems of type A, which are known to be Poisson integrable systems. We consider a symplectization of the meromorphic Hitchin integrable system, which is a semi-polarized integrable system in the sense of Kontsevich and Soibelman. On the Hitchin side, we show that the moduli space of unordered diagonally framed Higgs bundles forms an integrable system in this sense and recovers the meromorphic Hitchin system as the fiberwise compact quotient. Then we construct a family of quasi-projective Calabi–Yau three-folds and show that its relative intermediate Jacobian fibration, as a semi-polarized integrable system, is isomorphic to the moduli space of unordered diagonally framed Higgs bundles.
Period Collapse in Characteristic Quasi-Polynomials of Hyperplane Arrangements
Authors: Higashitani Akihiro , Tran Tan Nhat , Yoshinaga Masahiko
Published: April 2022

Given an integral hyperplane arrangement, Kamiya–Takemura–Terao [11, 12] introduced the notion of characteristic quasi-polynomial, which enumerates the cardinality of the complement of the arrangement modulo a positive integer. The most popular candidate for periods of the characteristic quasi-polynomials is the lcm period. In this paper, we initiate a study of period collapse in characteristic quasi-polynomials stemming from the concept of period collapse in the theory of Ehrhart quasi-polynomials. We say that period collapse occurs in a characteristic quasi-polynomial when the minimum period is strictly less than the lcm period. Our first main result is that in the non-central case, with regard to period collapse anything is possible: period collapse occurs in any dimension $\ge 1$, occurs for any value $\ge 2$ of the lcm period, and the minimum period when it is not the lcm period can be any proper divisor of the lcm period. Our second main result states that in the central case, however, no period collapse is possible in any dimension, that is, the lcm period is always the minimum period.
L-Orthogonal Elements and L-Orthogonal Sequences
Authors: Avilés Antonio , Martínez-Cervantes Gonzalo , Rueda Zoca Abraham
Published: April 2022

Given a Banach space $X$, we say that a sequence $\{x_n\}$ in the unit ball of $X$ is $L$-orthogonal if $\Vert x+x_n\Vert \rightarrow 1+\Vert x\Vert $ for every $x\in X$. On the other hand, an element $x^{**}$ in the bidual sphere is said to be $L$-orthogonal (to $X$) if $\|x+x^{**}\|= 1+\Vert x\Vert $ for every $x\in X$. The aim of this paper is to clarify the relation between $L$-orthogonal sequences and $L$-orthogonal elements. Namely, we study whether every $L$-orthogonal sequence contains $L$-orthogonal elements in its weak*-closure. We provide an affirmative answer whenever the ambient space has small density character. Nevertheless, we show that, surprisingly, the general answer is independent of the usual axioms of set theory.
Beyond the Sottile–Sturmfels Degeneration of a Semi-Infinite Grassmannian
Authors: Feigin Evgeny , Makhlin Igor , Popkovich Alexander
Published: April 2022

We study toric degenerations of semi-infinite Grassmannians (a.k.a. quantum Grassmannians). While the toric degenerations of the classical Grassmannians are well studied, the only known example in the semi-infinite case is due to Sottile and Sturmfels. We start by providing a new interpretation of the Sottile–Sturmfels construction by finding a poset such that their degeneration is the toric variety of the order polytope of the poset. We then use our poset to construct and study a new toric degeneration in the semi-infinite case. Our construction is based on the notion of poset polytopes introduced by Fang–Fourier–Litza–Pegel. As an application, we introduce semi-infinite PBW-semistandard tableaux, giving a basis in the homogeneous coordinate ring of a semi-infinite Grassmannian.
Generalized Whittaker Quotients of Schwartz Functions onG-Spaces
Authors: Gourevitch Dmitry , Sayag Eitan
Published: April 2022

Let $G$ be a reductive group over a local field $F$ of characteristic zero. Let $X$ be a $G$-space. In this paper we study the existence of generalized Whittaker quotients for the space of Schwartz functions on $X$, considered as a representation of $G$. We show that the set of nilpotent elements of the dual space to the Lie algebra such that the corresponding generalized Whittaker quotient does not vanish contains the nilpotent part of the image of the moment map and lies in the closure of this image. This generalizes recent results of Prasad and Sakellaridis. Applying our theorems to symmetric pairs $(G,H)$ we show that there exists an infinite-dimensional $H$-distinguished representation of $G$ if and only if the real reductive group corresponding to the pair $(G,H)$ is non-compact. For quasi-split $G$ we also extend to the Archimedean case the theorem of Prasad stating that there exists a generic $H$-distinguished representation of $G$ if and only if the real reductive group corresponding to the pair $(G,H)$ is quasi-split. In the non-Archimedean case our result also gives rather sharp bounds on the wave-front sets of distinguished representations. Finally, we deduce a corollary on vanishing of period integrals of automorphic forms with certain Whittaker supports. This corollary, when combined with the restrictions on the Whittaker support of cuspidal automorphic representations proven by Gomez–Gourevitch–Sahi, implies many of the vanishing results on periods of automorphic forms proved by Ash–Ginzburg–Rallis.
International Bureaucrats and Organizational Performance. Country-Specific Knowledge and Sectoral Knowledge in World Bank Projects
Authors: Heinzel Mirko
Published: April 2022

International organizations (IOs) try to incorporate policy-specific best practices and country-specific knowledge to increase well-informed decision-making. However, the relative contribution of the two kinds of knowledge to organizational performance is insufficiently understood. The article addresses this gap by focusing on the role of staff in World Bank performance. It posits that country-specific knowledge, sectoral knowledge, and their combination positively contribute to World Bank projects. The argument is tested drawing on a novel database on the tenure, nationality, and educational background of World Bank Task Team Leaders. Three findings stand out. First, country-specific knowledge seems to matter on average, while sectoral knowledge does not. Second, there is some evidence that staff that combine both kinds of knowledge are empowered to make more positive contributions to performance. Third, the diversity and relevance of experience, not length of tenure, are associated with more success. The findings contribute to discussions on international bureaucracies by highlighting how differences between the knowledge of individual staff shape their decision-making and performance. IOs could better tap into the existing resources in their bureaucracies to enhance their performance by rotating staff less frequently between duty stations.
Removal of doravirine by haemodialysis in people living with HIV with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Moltó José , Graterol Fredzzia , Curran Adrian , Ramos Natalia , Imaz Arkaitz , Sandoval Diego , Pérez Francisco , Bailón Lucía , Khoo Saye , Else Laura , Paredes Roger
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of haemodialysis on doravirine concentrations in people living with HIV (PLWH) undergoing routine haemodialysis.

Methods

An exploratory clinical trial that included PLWH undergoing intermittent haemodialysis was undertaken. After enrolment (day 1), doravirine 100 mg once daily was added to stable combined ART for 5 days. On day 6, blood samples were collected from each participant at the beginning and at the end of a dialysis session. Additionally, paired samples of blood entering (‘in’) and leaving (‘out’) the dialyser and the resulting dialysate were collected during the dialysis session to evaluate drug removal during dialysis. Doravirine concentrations in plasma and in the dialysate were determined by LC-MS/MS. The ratio of doravirine concentrations in plasma after/before the haemodialysis session and the haemodialysis extraction coefficient were calculated for each participant. The study was registered at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04689737).

Results

Eight participants (six male) were included. The median (range) age and BMI were 49.5 (28–67) years and 23.6 (17.9–34.2) kg/m2, respectively. The doravirine dialysis extraction ratio was 34.3% (25.8%–41.4%). The ratio of doravirine concentrations in plasma after/before the haemodialysis session was 0.8 (0.6–1.0). At the end of the haemodialysis session (time post-dose 20.8–27.3 h), doravirine concentrations in plasma were 785 (101–1851) ng/mL.

Conclusions

Despite moderate removal of doravirine by haemodialysis, trough doravirine concentrations in plasma after the haemodialysis sessions remained in excess of the protein-binding-adjusted EC50 (5 ng/mL). Doravirine dosage adjustments are unnecessary in PLWH undergoing intermittent haemodialysis.
In vivo exposure–response relationship of meropenem against metallo-β-lactamase-harbouring Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an assessment using MICs from conventional and zinc-limited broth
Authors: Kois Abigail K , Nicolau David P , Asempa Tomefa E
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Previous investigations into metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-harbouring Enterobacterales suggest that susceptibility testing in zinc-limited media may be more appropriate in predicting β-lactam in vivo activity. There are limited data with MBL-harbouring Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods

Forty-three MBL-harbouring P. aeruginosa isolates (IMP, n = 11; VIM, n = 12; NDM, n = 10; SPM, n = 10) and two P. aeruginosa control isolates (KPC, n = 1; WT, n = 1) were evaluated. Meropenem activity was evaluated in the murine neutropenic thigh model using humanized exposures. Susceptibility testing was conducted in conventional CAMHB, EDTA-supplemented CAMHB (3–300 mg/L EDTA) and Chelex-treated CAMHB (0–1.0 mg/L re-supplemented zinc), resulting in a range of meropenem MIC values for each isolate. A sigmoidal Emax model was fitted to fT>MIC versus change in log10 cfu/thigh to estimate the goodness of fit (R2).

Results

Increasing EDTA concentrations or limiting the amount of zinc in broth resulted in several-fold reductions in MIC among the majority of the MBL-harbouring P. aeruginosa while the MICs for the KPC and WT isolates were unchanged. Bacterial killing in vivo was variable, with the range of killing spanning −3.29 to +4.81 log10 change in cfu/thigh. Addition of 30 mg/L EDTA and Chelex-treated CAMHB (with no zinc supplementation) provided broth conditions for susceptibility testing that best predicted in vivo efficacy (R2 > 0.7).

Conclusions

Among MBL-harbouring P. aeruginosa, meropenem in vivo efficacy is best represented by the pharmacodynamic profile generated using MICs determined in EDTA-supplemented or zinc-limited broth. In addition to previous data with Enterobacterales, antibiotic susceptibility testing in media that approximates physiological conditions makes it possible to uncover potential and existing therapeutic agents.
Nitrofurantoin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a safety review
Authors: Recht Judith , Chansamouth Vilada , White Nicholas J. , Ashley Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2022

Nitrofurantoin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic available since 1953, is used widely for the treatment of urinary tract infections as it often retains activity against drug-resistant uropathogens. It is contraindicated in pregnant women at term, and in neonates. Like trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin carries a warning for patients with known sensitivity to oxidant drugs, notably glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, in whom it may cause haemolytic anaemia. This is a barrier to uptake in tropical regions where there is a high burden of antimicrobial resistance and where G6PD deficiency is common. Early studies of erythrocyte survival following nitrofurantoin suggest it is less likely to cause oxidant haemolysis in individuals with G6PD deficiency than primaquine. Here we review reports of haemolysis associated with nitrofurantoin from the published literature and from USA (FDA Adverse Event Reporting System; FAERS) and European (VigiBase) pharmacovigilance databases. In total, 318 episodes of haemolytic anaemia were reported and 10 deaths, with 42 (13%) in individuals with confirmed or highly probable G6PD deficiency, out of at least 245 million exposures. A causal link between death and exposure was not reported and a precise risk estimation in G6PD-deficient individuals was not possible as there are few reports from regions where this enzymopathy is most prevalent. The evidence suggests a total daily dose of 200 mg nitrofurantoin may be used for short (3–5 day) course urinary tract infection treatment without G6PD screening when accompanied by appropriate advice. Pharmacovigilance in countries with high prevalence of G6PD-deficiency is recommended to monitor for serious adverse events.
Structural Change, Productivity Growth and Labour Market Turbulence in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mensah Emmanuel , Owusu Solomon , Foster-McGregor Neil , Szirmai Adam
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a shift-share decomposition of the role of structural change in driving labour productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The paper further examines the effect that the observed structural change has had upon the dynamics of labour markets in SSA. The analysis is based on a newly constructed dataset, the Extended Africa Sector Database. This database updates and extends the Africa Sector Database of the Groningen Growth and Development Centre. It includes eighteen countries covering the period 1960–2015. Overall, the database shows that productivity growth has been slow, with large and persistent sectoral productivity gaps present. The extent of structural change has been higher than that observed in previous studies, however. But while the share of employment and value added in agriculture has declined, resources have been pulled into certain service sectors that have relatively low productivity, thus limiting aggregate productivity improvements. The general direction of structural change has not been towards the most productive sectors. Results of the labour market analysis complement this analysis, providing suggestive evidence of a role for labour market institutional arrangements in many SSA countries in affecting these outcomes.
Added Diagnostic Value of Biomarkers in Patients with Suspected Sepsis: A Prospective Cohort Study in Out-Of-Hours Primary Care
Authors: Loots Feike J , Smits Marleen , Jenniskens Kevin , van Zanten Arthur R H , Kusters Ron , Verheij Theo J M , Hopstaken Rogier M
Published: April 2022

Background

Point-of-care testing (POCT) has shown promising results in the primary care setting to improve antibiotic therapy in respiratory tract infections and it might also aid general practitioners (GPs) to decide if patients should be referred to a hospital in cases of suspected sepsis. We aimed to assess whether biomarkers with possible POCT use can improve the recognition of sepsis in adults in the primary care setting.

Methods

We prospectively included adult patients with suspected severe infections during out-of-hours home visits. Relevant clinical signs and symptoms were recorded, as well as the biomarkers C-reactive protein, lactate, procalcitonin, high-sensitive troponin I, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, creatinine, urea, and pancreatic stone protein. We used a POCT device for lactate only, and the remaining biomarkers were measured in a laboratory from stored blood samples. The primary outcome was sepsis within 72 h of inclusion. The potential of biomarkers to either rule in or rule out sepsis was tested for individual biomarkers combined with a model consisting of signs and symptoms. Net reclassification indices were also calculated.

Results

In total, 336 patients, with a median age of 80 years, were included. One hundred forty-one patients (42%) were diagnosed with sepsis. The C statistic for the model with clinical symptoms and signs was 0.84 (95% CI 0.79–0.88). Both lactate and procalcitonin increased the C statistic to 0.85, but none of the biomarkers significantly changed the net reclassification index.

Conclusions

We do not advocate the routine use of POCT in general practice for any of the tested biomarkers of suspected sepsis.
Challenges and opportunities for advancing patient-centered clinical decision support: findings from a horizon scan
Authors: Dullabh Prashila , Sandberg Shana F , Heaney-Huls Krysta , Hovey Lauren S , Lobach David F , Boxwala Aziz , Desai Priyanka J , Berliner Elise , Dymek Chris , Harrison Michael I , Swiger James , Sittig Dean F
Published: April 2022

Objective

We conducted a horizon scan to (1) identify challenges in patient-centered clinical decision support (PC CDS) and (2) identify future directions for PC CDS.

Materials and Methods

We engaged a technical expert panel, conducted a scoping literature review, and interviewed key informants. We qualitatively analyzed literature and interview transcripts, mapping findings to the 4 phases for translating evidence into PC CDS interventions (Prioritizing, Authoring, Implementing, and Measuring) and to external factors.

Results

We identified 12 challenges for PC CDS development. Lack of patient input was identified as a critical challenge. The key informants noted that patient input is critical to prioritizing topics for PC CDS and to ensuring that CDS aligns with patients’ routine behaviors. Lack of patient-centered terminology standards was viewed as a challenge in authoring PC CDS. We found a dearth of CDS studies that measured clinical outcomes, creating significant gaps in our understanding of PC CDS’ impact. Across all phases of CDS development, there is a lack of patient and provider trust and limited attention to patients’ and providers’ concerns.

Discussion

These challenges suggest opportunities for advancing PC CDS. There are opportunities to develop industry-wide practices and standards to increase transparency, standardize terminologies, and incorporate patient input. There is also opportunity to engage patients throughout the PC CDS research process to ensure that outcome measures are relevant to their needs.

Conclusion

Addressing these challenges and embracing these opportunities will help realize the promise of PC CDS—placing patients at the center of the healthcare system.
Curcumin-Polyethylene Glycol Loaded on Chitosan-Gelatin Nanoparticles Enhances Burn Wound Healing in Rat
Authors: Ravanfar Kimia , Amniattalab Amir , Mohammadi Rahim
Published: April 2022

The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of curcumin-polyethylene glycol loaded on chitosan-gelatin nanoparticles (C-PEG-CGNPs) on burn wound healing in rat as a model study. Sixty healthy male White Wistar rats were randomized into four experimental groups of 15 animals each: Control group (Control) was treated with normal saline. Carrier group was treated with CGNPs-based ointment (0.05 mg/ml). Silver sulfadiazine group was treated with silver sulfadiazine 1% ointment. Treatment group was treated with C-PEG-CGNPs (0.05 mg/ml). Wound size was measured on 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery. The expression of p53, Bcl-2, caspase-3 were evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. Reduction in wound area indicated that there was significant difference between Treatment group and other groups (P < .05). Quantitative histological and morphometric studies, and mean rank of the qualitative studies demonstrated that there was a significant difference between Treatment group and other groups (P < .05). Observations demonstrated C-PEG-CGNPs significantly shortened the inflammatory phase and accelerated the cellular proliferation. Accordingly, the animals in Treatment group revealed significantly (P < .05) higher fibroblast distribution/one mm2 of wound area and rapid reepithelialization. The mRNA levels of Bcl-2, p53, and caspase-3 were remarkably (P < .05) higher in Treatment group compared to control animals. The immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction findings. C-PEG-CGNPs offered potential advantages in burn wound healing acceleration and improvement.
Inequities in Rural and Urban Health Care Utilization Among Individuals Diagnosed With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Population-Based Cohort Study From Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Peña-Sánchez Juan Nicolás , Osei Jessica Amankwah , Rohatinsky Noelle , Lu Xinya , Risling Tracie , Boyd Ian , Wicks Kendall , Wicks, Mike , Quintin Carol-Lynne , Dickson Alyssa , Fowler Sharyle A
Published: April 2022

Background

Rural dwellers with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face barriers to accessing specialized health services. We aimed to contrast health care utilization between rural and urban residents diagnosed with IBD in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Methods

We completed a population-based retrospective study from 1998/1999 to 2017/2018 using administrative health databases. A validated algorithm was used to identify incident IBD cases aged 18+. Rural/urban residence was assigned at IBD diagnosis. Outpatient (gastroenterology visits, lower endoscopies, and IBD medications claims) and inpatient (IBD-specific and IBD-related hospitalizations, and surgeries for IBD) outcomes were measured after IBD diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard, negative binomial, and logistic models were used to evaluate associations adjusting by sex, age, neighbourhood income quintile, and disease type. Hazard ratios (HR), incidence rate ratios (IRR), odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported.

Results

From 5,173 incident IBD cases, 1,544 (29.8%) were living in rural Saskatchewan at IBD diagnosis. Compared to urban dwellers, rural residents had fewer gastroenterology visits (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.77–0.88), were less likely to have a gastroenterologist as primary IBD care provider (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.51–0.70), and had lower endoscopies rates (IRR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87–0.98) and more 5-aminosalicylic acid claims (HR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02–1.18). Rural residents had a higher risk and rates of IBD-specific (HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.13–1.34; IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09–1.37) and IBD-related (HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.11–1.31; IRR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10–1.37) hospitalizations than their urban counterparts.

Conclusion

We identified rural-urban disparities in IBD health care utilization that reflect rural-urban inequities in the access to IBD care. These inequities require attention to promote health care innovation and equitable management of patients with IBD living in rural areas.
Urban bias, migration control and rural land policy: the case of Hukou in China
Authors: Shifa Abdulaziz B , Xiao Wei
Published: April 2022

Urban-biased politics often drives distortionary policies in many countries. We develop a political economy model in which the government faces a trade-off between retaining urban support and expanding its industrial rent base. The model shows that while an increase in urbanization strengthens the government’s incentives to adopt rural land reform and to encourage rural–urban migration, an increase in urban productivity has the opposite effect. These effects are mediated by the income share of labor in the rural sector, the political power of urban residents and the labor elasticity of urban output. Using China’s context, we illustrate that the model’s predictions are consistent with the observed policies on land ownership and rural–urban migration.
‘Manufacturers without factories’ and economic development in the Global South: India’s pharmaceutical firms
Authors: Rault-Chodankar Yves-Marie , Kale Dinar
Published: April 2022

Global value chain/global production network studies have extensively documented the role of lead firms from the Global North in economic development in the Global South, including as ‘manufacturers without factories’ (MWFs). However, the role of local firms in sourcing from suppliers has been overlooked. In this article, we report the findings of a qualitative study and demonstrate that the local MWFs helped establish India as the leading supplier of pharmaceuticals worldwide and in the Global South. We show how the different types of local MWFs (‘propagandists’, ‘pioneers’, ‘connectors’ and ‘adaptors’) impact the strategic coupling, industrial upgrading and governance in South–South value chains and contribute to regional economic development.
Fecundity of First-Generation Captively Reared Heterelmis comalensis (Coleoptera: Elmidae)
Authors: Kosnicki Ely
Published: April 2022

The Comal Springs riffle beetle Heterelmis comalensis Bosse, Tuff, and Brown is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Rearing this species in captivity is important to maintaining a refuge which is a goal of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan. Although captive larval production has been observed for years, the production of larvae per female has been relatively unknown. Production chambers were constructed from PVC to house one female and male and the production of larvae was monitored ca. monthly until the female died. Females were found to be iteroparous and produced 29.3 ± 37.1 larvae. The number of larvae produced was found to be a function of female longevity rather than size. Other aspects of captive production and observations from the study are discussed.
Prognostic significance of visceral pleural invasion in patients with surgically resected small-cell lung cancer: a population-based study
Authors: Yang Hao , Mei Tonghua
Published: April 2022

Objective

Visceral pleural invasion is an adverse prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung cancer, but its value in small-cell lung cancer remains unclear. Thus, we investigated the prognostic impact of visceral pleural invasion in patients with surgically resected small-cell lung cancer.

Methods

We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program database for patients diagnosed with stages I–III (excluding N3 and nodal metastasis cannot be evaluated (NX)) small-cell lung cancer from 2004 to 2016, who underwent surgery. To minimize unbalanced baseline characteristics between the visceral pleural invasion and non-visceral pleural invasion groups, one-to-one propensity score matching was employed. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare the overall survival of the two cohorts. A Cox proportional hazards model was adopted to determine the impact of visceral pleural invasion on survival.

Results

Of the 1416 patients included, 372 (26.27%) presented with visceral pleural invasion. Patients with visceral pleural invasion showed significantly worse overall survival (P < 0.001) both before and after propensity score matching. Multivariable analysis indicated that visceral pleural invasion was an independent adverse factor affecting survival. Patients with visceral pleural invasion showed poorer overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.44; 95% confidence interval: 1.17–1.76; P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed that the non-visceral pleural invasion group was associated with favourable overall survival in N0 patients (P = 0.003) but not in N1 or N2 patients (P = 0.774 and 0.248, respectively). Patients diagnosed at younger ages, females, lower N stage, resection with a lobectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with improved overall survival in the visceral pleural invasion group.

Conclusions

Visceral pleural invasion was an indicator of a poor prognosis for small-cell lung cancer, especially in those with N0 disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improves patient outcomes for patients with visceral pleural invasion.
Trees, owls, worms, and crevices: which habitat factors predict local woodrat demographics?
Authors: Gooley Aaron C , Schauber Eric M
Published: April 2022

Hypothesized reasons for the decline of many woodrat populations in the eastern United States include parasitism by raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis; Ascaridida: Ascarididae), hard mast shortages, owl predation, and reductions in suitable structures (e.g., rock crevices) for nest construction. We investigated whether abundance and apparent survival of eastern woodrats (Neotoma floridana) within a successfully reintroduced metapopulation in southern Illinois could be predicted by factors underlying these hypothesized reasons for woodrat declines. We analyzed capture histories of 205 eastern woodrats from eight rock outcrop sites in summers of 2013 and 2014 to estimate local population size and apparent survival. We then used repeated-measures models to test how woodrat abundance and apparent survival were associated with availability of mast trees, owl abundance, risk of raccoon roundworm infection, and crevice availability. Mean monthly estimated woodrat abundance at sites ranged from 0.78 to 21.58 in 2013 and 0.48 to 18.08 in 2014, while monthly apparent survival ranged from 0.00 to 0.76 during the summers and 0.05 to 0.90 during the trapping intersession. Crevice availability was positively associated both with abundance and apparent survival of woodrats. Our results did not support the hypothesis that owls reduce woodrat populations because woodrat abundance was positively associated with owl abundance across sites. No raccoon roundworm eggs were found at any site. We conclude that crevice availability was the best predictor of woodrat population success in our study area, while owl abundance may be a proxy for other habitat variables or a response to woodrat abundance. Our findings suggest measures that could be taken to benefit woodrat survival and abundance.
Availability of medical schemes’ formulary medicines in community pharmacies in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Haripersad Bernita , Padayachee Neelaveni , Bangalee Varsha
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to calculate the percentage availability of medicine brands for 24 active ingredients across community pharmacies, to establish which brands are listed on medical scheme (MS) formularies and to determine availability trends and patterns among the findings.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional survey was carried out at 30 community pharmacies located in the eThekwini area of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The basket of medicines included 24 active ingredients randomly selected from the Abbreviated Primary Health Care Essential Medicines List of South Africa. Medicine formularies from South Africa’s top five MSs, according to the number of dependants, were investigated. Data were collected using an electronic survey and distributed via e-mail to participating pharmacies. All statistical analyses, observations and data collation were performed using tools on Google Forms and Microsoft Excel 2015.

Key findings

A total of 188 medicine brands were found to be available for sale at 30 community pharmacies. Only 71 medicine brands were on the formulary across all the investigated MSs, indicating that only 37.8% of the available brands were reimbursable. Of the 71 formulary-listed medicine brands, only 17 presented with high percentage availabilities (80% and over). This indicates that only 9.04% of the available medicine brands showed the most desirable results, which is the high availability of formulary medicines that would likely not result in any extra out-of-pocket payments to patients.

Conclusions

The majority of medicine brands that were identified as available were in fact not reimbursable by the five investigated MSs. Patient confidence in the use of generic medicines should be addressed with the intention of lowering their health expenses and improving treatment adherence. Further studies on formulary medicine availability are encouraged to include a larger basket of medicines, a wider geographical area and more MS plans.
Targeted delivery and apoptosis induction activity of peptide-transferrin targeted mesoporous silica encapsulated resveratrol in MCF-7 cells
Authors: Li Dongning , Song Chengzhu , Zhang Jie , Zhao Xiaoyan
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Resveratrol (Res) was a naturally occurring polyphenol compound. It has various beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects. However, the anti-cancer activity was hindered by its low targeting and drug release performance. Thus, we synthesized transferrin-cathepsin B cleavable peptide modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle encapsulated Res (Tf-Res-MSN).

Methods

Res was encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), which was a kind of drug carrier complex. Tf was modified to recognize the cancer cells. Cathepsin B cleavable peptide (Pep) was used to combine Res-MSN complex and Tf to construct the final product. Pep was used as linker and trigger for Res release.

Key findings

The smart nanocarriers were increased the drug release performance of Res in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. The physicochemical properties of Tf-Res-MSN were assessed by zeta potential, UV-Prove, diffraction scanning calorimetry (DSC), nitrogen physisorption analysis and transmission electron microscope (TEM). MTT assay, AO and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were performed to explore the anti-tumour activity of Tf-Res-MSN. The results showed that Tf-Res-MSN significantly decreased cell viability and increased cell apoptosis. The inhibition rate and apoptotic rate of Tf-Res-MSN in MCF-7 cells were 95.75% and 80.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that Tf-Res-MSN was a valuable technique with potential value in breast cancer applications.
Making ‘The Process’: Sexual Vulnerability and Burundian Refugee Boys and Young Men’s Strategies for Onward Migration from Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda
Authors: Ruzibiza Yvette , Berckmoes Lidewyde H
Published: April 2022

Based on ethnographic research among Burundian refugee boys and young men in Nakivale refugee settlement in Uganda, we explore how boys and young men in the camp, guided by the longing for a better life, aspire for onward migration and develop strategies based on their knowledge of relevant legal frameworks. Given that onward migration under the UNHCR framework is possible for only the most ‘vulnerable’, we highlight the negotiation strategies adopted by some boys and young men to support their ‘process’, based on sexual vulnerability related to being in same-sex relationships. Notwithstanding the deprivation and bleak prospects, we thus propose to look at the refugee settlement also as a space opening chance for vital transformation. At the same time, we point out that the restricting frameworks seeking to foster protection of refugees, may, in an environment hostile to same-sex relations, unintentionally render refugee boys and young men more vulnerable to gendered exploitation.
Genome-wide H3K9 acetylation level increases with age-dependent senescence of flag leaf in rice
Authors: Zhang Yu , Li Yanyun , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Zeyu , Zhang Deyu , Wang Xiaonan , Lai Binfan , Huang Dandan , Gu Lianfeng , Xie Yakun , Miao Ying
Published: April 2022

Flag leaf senescence is an important biological process that drives the remobilization of nutrients to the growing organs of rice. Leaf senescence is controlled by genetic information via gene expression and histone modification, but the precise mechanism is as yet unclear. Here, we analysed genome-wide acetylated lysine residue 9 of histone H3 (H3K9ac) enrichment by chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), and examined its association with transcriptomes by RNA-seq during flag leaf aging in rice (Oryza sativa). We found that genome-wide H3K9 acetylation levels increased with age-dependent senescence in rice flag leaf, and there was a positive correlation between the density and breadth of H3K9ac with gene expression and transcript elongation. During flag leaf aging, we observed 1249 up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 996 down-regulated DEGs, showing a strong relationship between temporal changes in gene expression and gain/loss of H3K9ac. We produced a landscape of H3K9 acetylation-modified gene expression targets that include known senescence-associated genes, metabolism-related genes, as well as miRNA biosynthesis-related genes. Our findings reveal a complex regulatory network of metabolism- and senescence-related pathways mediated by H3K9ac, and elucidate patterns of H3K9ac-mediated regulation of gene expression during flag leaf aging in rice.
Welcome in my back yard? Explaining cross-municipal opposition to refugees through outgroup size, outgroup proximity, and economic conditions
Authors: De Coninck David , Meuleman Bart
Published: April 2022

This study explores contextual sources of attitudes towards refugees by investigating the impact of outgroup size, outgroup proximity (or the presence of an asylum seekers centre), economic conditions, and their interaction on individuals’ attitudes. We analyse data from a cross-sectional survey of the Belgian adult population in October 2017, enriched with municipality-level indicators of intergroup context and economic conditions. Drawing on multilevel regression analyses, our findings show that proximity to an asylum seekers centre and a higher average taxable income of residents are associated with positive individual attitudes towards refugees, while (changes in) outgroup size are not linked with attitudes among this sample. Additionally, our findings indicate that the positive impact of educational attainment on attitudes is amplified (weakened) in municipalities with a larger (smaller) refugee and asylum seeker group size. In summary, these results highlight the relevance of including outgroup proximity at the local level and interactive relations in contextual studies of outgroup attitudes.
“The ice-organic-silicate contents of small solar system bodies: indicators for a comet to asteroid evolutionary pathway”
Authors: Tripathi Havishk , Potiszil Christian , Tanaka Ryoji , Nakamura Eizo
Published: April 2022

Comets and asteroids have traditionally been separated categories, but main belt comets skew this view, portraying a possible intermediate stage between these two endmembers. Investigating the relationship between these bodies can improve our understanding of the formation and evolution of the Solar System and help to identify potentially interesting parent bodies from within our solar system, for future sample return missions. Furthermore, elucidating the ice-organic-silicate ratios of potential meteorite parent bodies can help to explain the observed isotopic ratios and petrography of meteorite samples. While the ice-organic-silicate ratios of particular bodies have been estimated, there has been no study undertaken which compares different types of bodies in terms of their ice-organic-silicate ratios. Therefore, this study presents a geophysical-chemical mass balance model, to estimate the ice-organic-silicate ratios of comets, main belt comets and asteroids. The results drawn from the model form a diagonal trend upon an ice-organic-silicate ternary diagram, in which comets and main belt comets plot together at generally higher ice contents, with asteroids typically plotting at lower ice contents. However, an overlap between all three body types is observed and supports the scenario in which comets, main belt comets and asteroids are genetically linked.
Cool circumgalactic gas in galaxy clusters: connecting the DESI legacy imaging survey and SDSS DR16 Mg ii absorbers
Authors: Anand Abhijeet , Kauffmann Guinevere , Nelson Dylan
Published: April 2022

We investigate the cool gas absorption in galaxy clusters by cross-correlating Mg ii absorbers detected in quasar spectra from data release 16 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) with galaxy clusters identified in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey. We find significant covering fractions ($1\!-\!5\, \mathrm{per\,cent}$ within r500, depending on the chosen redshift interval), ∼4–5 times higher than around random sightlines. While the covering fraction of cool gas in clusters decreases with increasing mass of the central galaxy, the total Mg ii mass within r500 is none the less ∼10 times higher than for SDSS luminous red galaxies. The Mg ii covering fraction versus impact parameter is well described by a power law in the inner regions and an exponential function at larger distances. The characteristic scale of the transition between these two regimes is smaller for large equivalent width absorbers. Cross-correlating Mg ii absorption with photo−$z$ selected cluster member galaxies from DESI reveals a statistically significant connection. The median projected distance between Mg ii absorbers and the nearest cluster member is ∼200 kpc, compared to ∼500 kpc in random mocks with the same galaxy density profiles. We do not find a correlation between Mg ii strength and the star formation rate of the closest cluster neighbour. This suggests that cool gas in clusters, as traced by Mg ii absorption, is: (i) associated with satellite galaxies, (ii) dominated by cold gas clouds in the intracluster medium, rather than by the interstellar medium of galaxies, and (iii) may originate in part from gas stripped from these cluster satellites in the past.