bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic assessment of reinforced concrete columns with short lap splices
Authors: Opabola Eyitayo A , Elwood Kenneth J
Published: March 2021

Existing reinforced concrete (RC) columns with short splices in older-type frame structures are prone to either a shear or bond mechanism. Experimental results have shown that the force–displacement response of columns exhibiting these failure modes are different from flexure-critical columns and typically have lower deformation capacity. This article presents a failure mode-based approach for seismic assessment of RC columns with short splices. In this approach, first, the probable failure mode of the component is evaluated. Subsequently, based on the failure mode, the force–displacement response of the component can be predicted. In this article, recommendations are proposed for evaluating the probable failure mode, elastic rotation, drift at lateral failure, and drift at axial failure for columns with short splices experiencing shear, flexure, or bond failures.
Correction to: JOINT for large-scale single-cell RNAsequencing analysis via soft-clustering and parallel computing
Authors: Cui Tao , Wang Tingting
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Changes in the gut microbiome community of nonhuman primates following radiation injury
Authors: Kalkeri Raj , Walters Kevin , Van Der Pol William , McFarland Braden C. , Fisher Nathan , Koide Fusataka , Morrow Casey D. , Singh Vijay K.
Published: March 2021

Background

Composition and maintenance of the microbiome is vital to gut homeostasis. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of high doses of radiation, which can occur as a result of cancer radiation therapy, nuclear accidents or intentional release of a nuclear or radioactive weapon, on the composition of the gut microbiome. Therefore, we sought to analyze alterations to the gut microbiome of nonhuman primates (NHPs) exposed to high doses of radiation. Fecal samples were collected from 19 NHPs (Chinese rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta) 1 day prior and 1 and 4 days after exposure to 7.4 Gy cobalt-60 gamma-radiation (LD70–80/60). The 16S V4 rRNA sequences were extracted from each sample, followed by bioinformatics analysis using the QIIME platform.

Results

Alpha Diversity (Shannon Diversity Index), revealed no major difference between pre- and post-irradiation, whereas Beta diversity analysis showed significant differences in the microbiome after irradiation (day + 4) compared to baseline (pre-irradiation). The Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes ratio, a factor known to be associated with disruption of metabolic homeostasis, decreased from 1.2 to less than 1 post-radiation exposure. Actinobacillus, Bacteroides, Prevotella (Paraprevotellaceae family) and Veillonella genera were significantly increased by more than 2-fold and Acinetobacter and Aerococcus genus were decreased by more than 10-fold post-irradiation. Fifty-two percent (10/19) of animals exposed to radiation demonstrated diarrhea at day 4 post-irradiation. Comparison of microbiome composition of feces from animals with and without diarrhea at day 4 post-irradiation revealed an increase in Lactobacillus reuteri associated with diarrhea and a decrease of Lentisphaerae and Verrucomicrobioa phyla and Bacteroides in animals exhibiting diarrhea. Animals with diarrhea at day 4 post-irradiation, had significantly lower levels of Lentisphaere and Verrucomicrobia phyla and Bacteroides genus at baseline before irradiation, suggesting a potential association between the prevalence of microbiomes and differential susceptibility to radiation-induced diarrhea.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that substantial alterations in the microbiome composition of NHPs occur following radiation injury and provide insight into early changes with high-dose, whole-body radiation exposure. Future studies will help identify microbiome biomarkers of radiation exposure and develop effective therapeutic intervention to mitigate the radiation injury.
The mechanism of sesame resistance against Macrophomina phaseolina was revealed via a comparison of transcriptomes of resistant and susceptible sesame genotypes
Authors: Yan Wenqing , Ni Yunxia , Liu Xintao , Zhao Hui , Chen Yanhua , Jia Min , Liu Mingming , Liu Hongyan , Tian Baoming
Published: March 2021

Background

Sesame(Sesamum indicum)charcoal rot, a destructive fungal disease caused byMacrophomina phaseolina(Tassi) Goid (MP), is a great threat to the yield and quality of sesame. However, there is a lack of information about the gene-for-gene relationship between sesame and MP, and the molecular mechanism behind the interaction is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to interpret the molecular mechanism of sesame resistance against MP in disease-resistant (DR) and disease-susceptible (DS) genotypes based on transcriptomics. This is the first report of the interaction between sesame and MP using this method.

Results

A set of core genes that response to MP were revealed by comparative transcriptomics and they were preferentially associated with GO terms such as ribosome-related processes, fruit ripening and regulation of jasmonic acid mediated signalling pathway. It is also exhibited that translational mechanism and transcriptional mechanism could co-activate in DR so that it can initiate the immunity to MP more rapidly. According to weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of differentially expressed gene sets between two genotypes, we found that leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase (LRR-RLK) proteins may assume an important job in sesame resistance against MP. Notably, compared with DS, most key genes were induced in DR such as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and resistance genes, indicating that DR initiated stronger pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). Finally, the study showed that JA/ET and SA signalling pathways all play an important role in sesame resistance to MP.

Conclusions

The defence response to MP of sesame, a complex bioprocess involving many phytohormones and disease resistance-related genes, was illustrated at the transcriptional level in our investigation. The findings shed more light on further understanding of different responses to MP in resistant and susceptible sesame.
Comparison of neuromuscular blockade recovery co-administered with neostigmine and different doses of calcium gluconate: a randomized control trial
Authors: Choi So Ron , Kim Jeong Ho , Lee Kyung Hyun , Park Sang Yoong
Published: March 2021

Background

Calcium increases the probability of transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. It is not known whether there is a dose-dependent relationship between the dosage of calcium gluconate and the probability of transmitter release for non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade (NMB) recovery by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs). This study compared the neuromuscular recovery time and the incidence of postoperative residual curarization (PORC) according to the dosage of calcium gluconate co-administered with neostigmine in three patient groups.

Methods

Patients were randomly allocated to a control group, a 5 mg/kg calcium gluconate group (calcium 5 group), or a 10 mg/kg calcium gluconate group (calcium 10 group). In patients with a TOF ratio (TOFr) between 0.2–0.7, 0.04 mg/kg of neostigmine was administered and both 0.2 mg of glycopyrrolate and 0.4 mg of atropine per 1 mg of neostigmine were administered. And additional 5 or 10 mg/kg of calcium gluconate were administrated to the calcium 5 and 10 groups. The primary endpoint was neuromuscular recovery time (the time between reversal and TOFr≥0.9). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of PORC at 5, 10, and 20 min after reversal administration and the train-of-four ratio (TOFr) at each time point.

Results

The neuromuscular recovery time was 5.3 min in the control group, 3.9 min in the calcium 5 group, and 4.1 min in the calcium 10 group, respectively (P = 0.004). The incidence of PORC at 5 min after neostigmine administration was 12 in the control group, 4 in the calcium 5 group, and 4 in the calcium 10 group, respectively, with statistical significance (P = 0.014).

Conclusions

The co-administration of calcium gluconate with neostigmine safely promoted early NMB recovery, and the neuromuscular recovery time of the calcium 10 group tended to be more evenly distributed than that of the calcium 5 group.

Trial registration

https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp(KCT0004182). Date of registration: August 122,019.
The effect of COVID-19 on emergency medical service call volumes and patient acuity: a cross-sectional study in Niagara, Ontario
Authors: Ferron Richard , Agarwal Gina , Cooper Rhiannon , Munkley Douglas
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major public health problem. Subsequently, emergency medical services (EMS) have anecdotally experienced fluctuations in demand, with reports across Canada of both increased and decreased demand. Our primary objective was to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on call volumes for several determinants in Niagara Region EMS. Our secondary objective was to assess changes in paramedic-assigned patient acuity scores as determined using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS).

Methods

We analyzed data from a regional EMS database related to call type, volume, and patient acuity for January to May 2016–2020. We used statistical methods to assess differences in EMS calls between 2016 and 2019 and 2020.

Results

A total of 114,507 EMS calls were made for the period of January 1 to May 26 between 2016 and 2020, inclusive. Overall, the incidence rate of EMS calls significantly decreased in 2020 compared to the total EMS calls in 2016–2019. Motor vehicle collisions decreased in 2020 relative to 2016–2019 (17%), while overdoses relatively increased (70%) in 2020 compared to 2016–2019. Calls for patients assigned a higher acuity score increased (CTAS 1) (4.1% vs. 2.9%).

Conclusion

We confirmed that overall, EMS calls have decreased since the emergence of COVID-19. However, this effect on call volume was not consistent across all call determinants, as some call types rose while others decreased. These findings indicate that COVID-19 may have led to actual changes in emergency medical service demand and will be of interest to other services planning for future pandemics or further waves of COVID-19.
Understanding transitional care programs for older adults who experience delayed discharge: a scoping review
Authors: McGilton Katherine S. , Vellani Shirin , Krassikova Alexandra , Robertson Sheryl , Irwin Constance , Cumal Alexia , Bethell Jennifer , Burr Elaine , Keatings Margaret , McKay Sandra , Nichol Kathryn , Puts Martine , Singh Anita , Sidani Souraya
Published: March 2021

Background

Many hospitalized older adults cannot be discharged because they lack the health and social support to meet their post-acute care needs. Transitional care programs (TCPs) are designed to provide short-term and low-intensity restorative care to these older adults experiencing or at risk for delayed discharge. However, little is known about the contextual factors (i.e., patient, staff and environmental characteristics) that may influence the implementation and outcomes of TCPs. This scoping review aims to answer: 1) What are socio-demographic and/or clinical characteristics of older patients served by TCPs?; 2) What are the core components provided by TCPs?; and 3) What patient, caregiver, and health system outcomes have been investigated and what changes in these outcomes have been reported for TCPs?

Methods

The six-step scoping review framework and PRISMA-ScR checklist were followed. Studies were included if they presented models of TCPs and evaluated them in community-dwelling older adults (65+) experiencing or at-risk for delayed discharge. The data synthesis was informed by a framework, consistent with Donabedian’s structure-process-outcome model.

Results

TCP patients were typically older women with multiple chronic conditions and some cognitive impairment, functionally dependent and living alone. The review identified five core components of TCPs: assessment; care planning and monitoring; treatment; discharge planning; and patient, family and staff education. The main outcomes examined were functional status and discharge destination. The results were discussed with a view to inform policy makers, clinicians and administrators designing and evaluating TCPs as a strategy for addressing delayed hospital discharges.

Conclusion

TCPs can influence outcomes for older adults, including returning home. TCPs should be designed to incorporate interdisciplinary care teams, proactively admit those at risk of delayed discharge, accommodate persons with cognitive impairment and involve care partners. Additional studies are required to investigate the contributions of TCPs within integrated health care systems.
Evaluation of malnutrition status and clinical indications in children with celiac disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Setavand Zahra , Ekramzadeh Maryam , Honar Naser
Published: March 2021

Background

Celiac Disease (CD) is an autoimmune systemic disorder triggered by gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, which can lead to chronic malabsorption. Considering the changes in the manifestations of CD, this study aimed to determine anthropometric indices and clinical indications in children with CD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the children with CD who had referred to Imam Reza Celiac Clinic between 2016 and 2019. Totally, 361 children were eligible and their anti-tissue transglutaminase (TGA-IgA) level, weight, height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were extracted from their records. The anthropometric indices were presented based on the criteria of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). The prevalent symptoms were assessed, as well.

Results

Based on the CDC’s criteria, 18.3, 28.8, and 25.8% of the children had short stature, low body weight, and low BMI, respectively. These measures were obtained as 10, 22.4, and 13.9% according to the WHO’s categorization respectively. Furthermore, the most common symptoms among the children were abdominal pain (56.5%), skeletal pain (28%), constipation (27.4%), and anemia (23.8%).

Conclusion

To sum up, the results clearly indicated that growth failure and low height, weight, and BMI were prevalent among the children with CD. Moreover, in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, a considerable number of patients had skeletal pain and anemia.
Progression of pediatric celiac disease from potential celiac disease to celiac disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sakhuja Shruti , Holtz Lori R.
Published: March 2021

Background

A subset of patients with serology suggesting celiac disease have an initially negative biopsy but subsequently develop histopathologic celiac disease. Here we characterize patients with potential celiac disease who progress to celiac disease.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of children (0–18 years of age) with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease seen at St. Louis Children’s Hospital between 2013 and 2018.

Results

Three hundred sixteen of 327 (96%) children with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease were diagnosed on initial biopsy. The 11 children with potential celiac disease who progressed to celiac disease had lower anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-TTG IgA) concentrations (2.4 (1.6–5) X upper limit of normal (ULN) vs. 6.41 (3.4–10.5) X ULN) at time of first biopsy. Their median anti-TTG IgA concentrations rose from 2.4 (1.6–5) X ULN to 3.6 (3.1–9.2) X ULN between biopsies.

Conclusions

Four percent of biopsy confirmed celiac patients initially had a negative biopsy, but later developed histopathologic celiac disease. This is likely an underestimate as no surveillance algorithm was in place. We recommend repeat assessment in children whose serology suggests celiac disease despite normal small bowel biopsy.
Social gradient in health-related quality of life among urban middle-age residents in Limassol, Cyprus: research article
Authors: Ellina P. , Middleton N. , Lambrinou E. , Kouta C.
Published: March 2021

Background

Social inequalities in health threaten social cohesion and their investigation is an important research field. Monitoring the health of the population is necessary to identify health needs, design programs focused in people’s needs and to evaluate the effectiveness of health policies.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey using primary data was applied. The study investigated the size and the extent of social inequalities in quality of life and health behaviours in Limassol, Cyprus. Data collection was done door-to-door in the form of survey interviews. The sample consisted of 450 residents aged 45–64 across 45 randomly selected neighbourhoods, that met the selection criteria. The tools used were: Demographic questionnaire, SF 36 Questionnaire, IPAQ- International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form.

Results

The social gradient appears in all social indicators. Physical dimension of health has a strong relationship between health-related quality of life with the education index. Specifically, the range is 12 points for males and 14 points for females (p for interaction = 0.16). Profession systematically appears to have a stronger relationship with men than with women, and is present in both physical and mental dimensions. The range is 13 points for men and 10 points for women (p for interaction = 0.31).

Conclusions

It seems that young highly educated males, employed full time, earning high income and engaging in mild physical activity, have significantly higher level of health-related life quality, compared to other middle age adult groups, living in Limassol. This finding is in agreement with other studies that show correlations between gender and the patterns of risk factors.
Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the Prime Time Sister Circles (PTSC) program's impact on hypertension among midlife African American women
Authors: Ibe Chidinma A. , Haywood Danielle R. , Creighton Ciana , Cao Yidan , Gabriel Angel , Zare Hossein , Jones Wehmah , Yang Manshu , Balamani Michele , Gaston Marilyn , Porter Gayle , Woods Denise L. , Gaskin Darrell J.
Published: March 2021

Background

The Prime-Time Sister Circles® (PTSC) program is a multifaceted, community-based peer support intervention targeting African American women who are 40 to 75 years of age. It aims to reduce hypertension disparities observed among African American women by promoting adherence to antihypertensive therapies, including lifestyle modification and therapeutic regimens.

Methods

The PTSC randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of the PTSC Program on improved blood pressure control, healthcare utilization attributed to cardiovascular events, and healthcare costs. The study began in 2016 and will end in 2022. African American women who are 40–75 years old, have been diagnosed with hypertension, reside in Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, Maryland, and receive their care from Unity Health Care, a federally qualified health center in Washington, D.C., or Baltimore Medical System, a federally qualified health center in Baltimore, Maryland, are eligible to participate. Those randomized to the intervention group participate in the PTSC Program, which spans 13 weeks and comprises facilitator-led discussions, didactic training about hypertension management, and peer-based problem-solving concerning CVD risk factors and their amelioration. Blood pressure, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, self-reported adherence, physical activity, dietary practices, stress, and healthcare utilization data are collected at baseline, 13 weeks (end of the intervention), 9 months (months post-intervention), and 15 months (one year after the intervention). Healthcare costs will be computed at the end of the study. The study’s design is reported in the present manuscript, wherein we employed the SPIRIT checklist to guide its construction.

Discussion

Disparities in hypertension prevalence and management observed among mid-life African American women exist as a result of a confluence of structural determinants of health. Consequently, there is a need to develop, implement, and evaluate culturally appropriate and relevant interventions that are tailored to their lived experiences. The PTSC Trial aims to assess the impact of the program on participants’ cardiovascular, psychosocial, and cost outcomes. Its results have implications for advancing the science of designing and implementing culturally relevant interventions for African American women.

Trial registration

Unique identifier: NCT04371614. Retrospectively registered on April 30, 2020.
Psychosocial health of school-aged children during the initial COVID-19 safer-at-home school mandates in Florida: a cross-sectional study
Authors: McKune Sarah L. , Acosta Daniel , Diaz Nick , Brittain Kaitlin , Beaulieu Diana Joyce- , Maurelli Anthony T. , Nelson Eric J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Given the emerging literature regarding the impacts of lockdown measures on mental health, this study aims to describe the psychosocial health of school-aged children and adolescents during the COVID-19 Safer-at-Home School mandates.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2020 (n = 280) among K-12 students at a research school in North Central Florida. Bivariate analysis and logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine socio-demographic and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) predictors of indicators of anxiety-related, depressive, and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)-related symptoms. Outcomes (anxiety, OCD, and depressive related symptoms) were measured by indices generated based on reported symptoms associated with each psychosocial outcome.

Results

Loss of household income was associated with increased risk for all three index-based outcomes: depressive symptoms [aOR = 3.130, 95% CI = (1.41–6.97)], anxiety-related symptoms [aOR = 2.531, 95%CI = (1.154–5.551)], and OCD-related symptoms [aOR = 2.90, 95%CI = (1.32–6.36)]. Being female was associated with being at higher risk for depressive symptoms [aOR = 1.72, 95% CI = (1.02–2.93)], anxiety-related symptoms [aOR = 1.75, 95% CI = (1.04–2.97)], and OCD-related symptoms [aOR = 1.764, 95%CI = (1.027–3.028)]. Parental practices protective against COVID-19 were associated with children being at higher risk of depressive symptoms [aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = (1.04–2.31)]. Lower school level was associated with children being at higher risk of anxiety-related and OCD-related symptoms.

Conclusions

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, schools should prioritize mental health interventions that target younger, female students, and children of families with income loss. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 through school closure may exacerbate negative psychosocial health outcomes in children, thus school administrators should move quickly to target those at greatest risk.
Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference
Authors: Viertiö Satu , Kiviruusu Olli , Piirtola Maarit , Kaprio Jaakko , Korhonen Tellervo , Marttunen Mauri , Suvisaari Jaana
Published: March 2021

Background

Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences.

Methods

We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +,n = 96,668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n = 34,468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women.

Results

Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively,p < 0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41).

Conclusions

Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.
Community participation of community dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gough Claire , Lewis Lucy K. , Barr Christopher , Maeder Anthony , George Stacey
Published: March 2021

Background

With the advancing age of the population, and increasing demands on healthcare services, community participation has become an important consideration for healthy ageing. Low levels of community participation have been linked to increased mortality and social isolation. The extent to which community participation has been measured objectively in older adults remains scarce. This study aims to describe where and how older adults participate in the community and determine the feasibility of measurement methods for community participation.

Methods

This observational cross-sectional study obtained data from 46 community dwelling older adults. A combination of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), accelerometry, and self-reported diaries were used over a 7-day monitoring period. Feasibility of methods were determined by calculating the loss of GPS data, questionnaires, and comparison of self-reported locations with GPS co-ordinates. Relationships between community participation, physical activity, social interactions, health related quality of life, sleep quality and loneliness were explored.

Results

Older adults took a median (IQR) of 15 (9.25–18.75) trips out of home over the 7-day monitoring period, most frequently visiting commercial and recreational locations. In-home activities were mainly sedentary in nature, with out of home activities dependent on location type. Self-reported and GPS measures of trips out of home and the locations visited were significantly correlated (self-report 15.7 (5.6) GPS 14.4 (5.8) (r = 0.94)). Significant correlations between both the number of trips taken from home, with social interactions (r = 0.62) and the minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (r = 0.43) were observed. Daily MVPA was higher in participants who visited local walk/greenspaces (r = 0.48).

Conclusion

Participants performed more activities with social interactions out of home and visited commercial locations most frequently. The combination of GPS, accelerometry and self-report methods provided a detailed picture of community participation for older adults. Further research is required with older adults of varying health status to generalise the relationships between community participation, location and physical activity.

Trial registration

Ethical approval was gained from the Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (protocol no. 8176).
Effect of different resumption strategies to flatten the potential COVID-19 outbreaks amid society reopens: a modeling study in China
Authors: Ge Yong , Zhang Wen-Bin , Wang Jianghao , Liu Mengxiao , Ren Zhoupeng , Zhang Xining , Zhou Chenghu , Tian Zhaoxing
Published: March 2021

Background

The effect of the COVID-19 outbreak has led policymakers around the world to attempt transmission control. However, lockdown and shutdown interventions have caused new social problems and designating policy resumption for infection control when reopening society remains a crucial issue. We investigated the effects of different resumption strategies on COVID-19 transmission using a modeling study setting.

Methods

We employed a susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed model to simulate COVID-19 outbreaks under five reopening strategies based on China’s business resumption progress. The effect of each strategy was evaluated using the peak values of the epidemic curves vis-à-vis confirmed active cases and cumulative cases. Two-sample t-test was performed in order to affirm that the pick values in different scenarios are different.

Results

We found that a hierarchy-based reopen strategy performed best when current epidemic prevention measures were maintained save for lockdown, reducing the peak number of active cases and cumulative cases by 50 and 44%, respectively. However, the modeled effect of each strategy decreased when the current intervention was lifted somewhat. Additional attention should be given to regions with significant numbers of migrants, as the potential risk of COVID-19 outbreaks amid society reopening is intrinsically high.

Conclusions

Business resumption strategies have the potential to eliminate COVID-19 outbreaks amid society reopening without special control measures. The proposed resumption strategies focused mainly on decreasing the number of imported exposure cases, guaranteeing medical support for epidemic control, or decreasing active cases.
Effects of medical resource capacities and intensities of public mitigation measures on outcomes of COVID-19 outbreaks
Authors: Wang Xia , Li Qian , Sun Xiaodan , He Sha , Xia Fan , Song Pengfei , Shao Yiming , Wu Jianhong , Cheke Robert A. , Tang Sanyi , Xiao Yanni
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is complex and is developing in different ways according to the country involved.

Methods

To identify the key parameters or processes that have the greatest effects on the pandemic and reveal the different progressions of epidemics in different countries, we quantified enhanced control measures and the dynamics of the production and provision of medical resources. We then nested these within a COVID-19 epidemic transmission model, which is parameterized by multi-source data. We obtained rate functions related to the intensity of mitigation measures, the effective reproduction numbers and the timings and durations of runs on medical resources, given differing control measures implemented in various countries.

Results

Increased detection rates may induce runs on medical resources and prolong their durations, depending on resource availability. Nevertheless, improving the detection rate can effectively and rapidly reduce the mortality rate, even after runs on medical resources. Combinations of multiple prevention and control strategies and timely improvement of abilities to supplement medical resources are key to effective control of the COVID-19 epidemic. A 50% reduction in comprehensive control measures would have led to the cumulative numbers of confirmed cases and deaths exceeding 590,000 and 60,000, respectively, by 27 March 2020 in mainland China.

Conclusions

Multiple data sources and cross validation of a COVID-19 epidemic model, coupled with a medical resource logistic model, revealed the key factors that affect epidemic progressions and their outbreak patterns in different countries. These key factors are the type of emergency medical response to avoid runs on medical resources, especially improved detection rates, the ability to promote public health measures, and the synergistic effects of combinations of multiple prevention and control strategies. The proposed model can assist health authorities to predict when they will be most in need of hospital beds and equipment such as ventilators, personal protection equipment, drugs, and staff.
Comparative study on lesions of reproductive disorders of cows and female dromedary camels slaughtered at Addis Ababa, Adama and Akaki abattoirs with bacterial isolation and characterization
Authors: Getahun Aynalem Mandefro , Hunderra Gemechu Chala , Gebrezihar Tadesse Gidey , Boru Bulto Giro , Desta Natnael Teshager , Ayana Tilaye Demissie
Published: March 2021

Background

Reproduction is a basic prerequisite to efficient livestock production. Reproductive performance depends on the normal structure and function of genital organs. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to May 2017 to identify and compare the frequency of reproductive tract pathological lesions and to isolate bacteria associated to uterine lesions in female dromedary camels and cows slaughtered at Akaki camel slaughterhouse and Addis Ababa and Adama municipal abattoirs. Purposive sampling technique was employed to include and examine the reproductive tracts of all slaughtered animals (280; 140 cows and 140 camels) during the study period.

Result

The study examined a total of 280 (140 cows and 140 camels) reproductive tracts. Various pathological lesions with different degrees of severity were observed in 48 (34.2%) and 51 (36.4%) of dromedary camels and cows, respectively. In dromedary camels, the most prevalent lesion was uterine lesions (21.4%) followed by ovarian lesions (7.14%); while in cows, ovarian lesions were the most prevalent (16.4%) followed by uterine lesions (14.2%). In general, 56 bacteria were isolated from cows’ uterine lesion, the Staphylococcus species (28.5%), Streptococci species (19.6%), Coynebacterium species (8.9%), Escherichia coli (26.78%), Salmonella species (10.7%) and Klebsiella species (5.35%) being the most representative isolates. In camels, however, 45 bacteria were isolated from uterine lesions with higher prevalence of Escherichia coli (35.5%), Staphylococcus species (26.6%), Streptococcus species (13.3%), Pseudomonas species (6.6%), Proteus species (4.4%), Salmonella species (8.8%) and Klebsiella species (4.4%). Bacteriological data showed that the major isolates were similar, although slightly more frequent in occurrence in cows. Microscopically, uterine inflammatory lesions evidenced endometrial glands degeneration, epithelium sloughing, peri-glandular cuffing, and inflammatory cells infiltration.

Conclusions

In female dromedary camels and cows, pathological lesions of the reproductive tract showed great prevalence, with similarity in bacterial isolates in both species. The role of each reproductive lesion and bacterial isolates as causal agents of reproductive failures in these livestock species, however, needs further investigation.
Genetic investigation of 211 Chinese families expands the mutational and phenotypical spectra of hereditary retinopathy genes through targeted sequencing technology
Authors: Bai Zhouxian , Xie Yanchuan , Liu Lina , Shao Jingzhi , Liu Yuying , Kong Xiangdong
Published: March 2021

Background

Hereditary retinopathy is a significant cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the discovery of many mutations in various retinopathies, a large number of patients remain genetically undiagnosed. Targeted next-generation sequencing of the human genome is a suitable approach for the molecular diagnosis of retinopathy.

Methods

We describe a cohort of 211 families from central China with various forms of retinopathy; 95 patients were investigated using multigene panel sequencing, and the other 116 with suspected Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) were tested by Sanger sequencing. The detected variation of targeted sequencing was verified by PCR-based Sanger sequencing. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the cases using sequencing data and ophthalmologic examination information.

Results

Potential causal mutations were identified in the majority of families with retinopathy (57.9% of 95 families) and suspected LHON (21.6% of 116 families). There were 68 variants of a certain significance distributed in 31 known disease-causing genes in the 95 families; 37 of the variants are novel and have not been reported to be related to hereditary retinopathy. The NGS panel solution provided a 45.3% potential diagnostic rate for retinopathy families, with candidate gene mutations of undefined pathogenicity revealed in another 12.6%of the families.

Conclusion

Our study uncovered novel mutations and phenotypic aspects of retinopathy and demonstrated the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of related conditions. The findings show the detection rate of pathogenic variants in patients with hereditary retinopathy in central China as well as the diversity and gene distribution of these variants. The significance of molecular genetic testing for patients with hereditary retinopathy is also highlighted.
Systematic identification of plausible pathways to potential harm via problem formulation for investigational releases of a population suppression gene drive to control the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae in West Africa
Authors: Connolly John B. , Mumford John D. , Fuchs Silke , Turner Geoff , Beech Camilla , North Ace R. , Burt Austin
Published: March 2021

Background

Population suppression gene drive has been proposed as a strategy for malaria vector control. A CRISPR-Cas9-based transgene homing at the doublesex locus (dsxFCRISPRh) has recently been shown to increase rapidly in frequency in, and suppress, caged laboratory populations of the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae. Here, problem formulation, an initial step in environmental risk assessment (ERA), was performed for simulated field releases of the dsxFCRISPRh transgene in West Africa.

Methods

Building on consultative workshops in Africa that previously identified relevant environmental and health protection goals for ERA of gene drive in malaria vector control, 8 potentially harmful effects from these simulated releases were identified. These were stratified into 46 plausible pathways describing the causal chain of events that would be required for potential harms to occur. Risk hypotheses to interrogate critical steps in each pathway, and an analysis plan involving experiments, modelling and literature review to test each of those risk hypotheses, were developed.

Results

Most potential harms involved increased human (n = 13) or animal (n = 13) disease transmission, emphasizing the importance to subsequent stages of ERA of data on vectorial capacity comparing transgenics to non-transgenics. Although some of the pathways (n = 14) were based on known anatomical alterations in dsxFCRISPRh homozygotes, many could also be applicable to field releases of a range of other transgenic strains of mosquito (n = 18). In addition to population suppression of target organisms being an accepted outcome for existing vector control programmes, these investigations also revealed that the efficacy of population suppression caused by the dsxFCRISPRh transgene should itself directly affect most pathways (n = 35).

Conclusions

Modelling will play an essential role in subsequent stages of ERA by clarifying the dynamics of this relationship between population suppression and reduction in exposure to specific potential harms. This analysis represents a comprehensive identification of plausible pathways to potential harm using problem formulation for a specific gene drive transgene and organism, and a transparent communication tool that could inform future regulatory studies, guide subsequent stages of ERA, and stimulate further, broader engagement on the use of population suppression gene drive to control malaria vectors in West Africa.
Plasma-derived exosomal miR-15a-5p as a promising diagnostic biomarker for early detection of endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Lanyun , Wang Wei , Wang Fenfen , Yang Siqi , Hu Jiaqi , Lu Bingjian , Pan Zimin , Ma Yu , Zheng Mengyue , Zhou Liyuan , Lei Shufeng , Song Penghong , Liu Pengyuan , Lu Weiguo , Lu Yan
Published: March 2021

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a major cause of death among gynecologic malignancies. To improve early detection of EC in patients, we carried out a large plasma-derived exosomal microRNA (miRNA) studies for diagnostic biomarker discovery in EC. Small RNA sequencing was performed to identify candidate exosomal miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in 56 plasma samples from healthy subjects and EC patients. These miRNA candidates were further validated in 202 independent plasma samples by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), 32 pairs of endometrial tumors and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and matched plasma samples of 12 patients before and after surgery by ddPCR. miR-15a-5p, miR-106b-5p, and miR107 were significantly upregulated in exomes isolated from plasma samples of EC patients compared with healthy subjects. Particularly, miR-15a-5p alone yielded an AUC value of 0.813 to distinguish EC patients with stage I from healthy subjects. The integration of miR-15a-5p and serum tumor markers (CEA and CA125) achieved a higher AUC value of 0.899. There was also a close connection between miR-15a-5p and clinical manifestations in EC patients. Its exosomal expression was not only associated with the depth of muscular infiltration and aggressiveness of EC, but also correlated with levels of reproductive hormones such as TTE and DHEAS. Collectively, plasma-derived exosomal miR-15a-5p is a promising and effective diagnostic biomarker for the early detection of endometrial cancer.
Determining risk factors of continuous renal replacement treatment after emergency surgery for type A acute aortic dissection: statistical issues
Authors: Xue Zhao-Jing , Dong Peng , Xue Fu-Shan
Published: March 2021

This letter to the editor has made several comments regarding possible statistical issues in recent article by Wang et al. determining the risk factors of continuous renal replacement treatment after emergency surgery for type A acute aortic dissection, which is published in Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. 2020; 15(1):100. Our comments were involved in the issues of using the propensity score matched cohorts to adjust the covariates that can potentially confound the primary outcomes, process of establishing multivariate model and application of Kaplan-Meier curve analysis in this retrospective study. We would like to remind readers to pay special attention to these issues and invite the authors to comment on these.
Prostate cancer and PARP inhibitors: progress and challenges
Authors: Teyssonneau Diego , Margot Henri , Cabart Mathilde , Anonnay Mylène , Sargos Paul , Vuong Nam-Son , Soubeyran Isabelle , Sevenet Nicolas , Roubaud Guilhem
Published: March 2021

Despite survival improvements achieved over the last two decades, prostate cancer remains lethal at the metastatic castration-resistant stage (mCRPC) and new therapeutic approaches are needed. Germinal and/or somatic alterations of DNA-damage response pathway genes are found in a substantial number of patients with advanced prostate cancers, mainly of poor prognosis. Such alterations induce a dependency for single strand break reparation through the poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) system, providing the rationale to develop PARP inhibitors. In solid tumors, the first demonstration of an improvement in overall survival was provided by olaparib in patients with mCRPC harboring homologous recombination repair deficiencies. Although this represents a major milestone, a number of issues relating to PARP inhibitors remain. This timely review synthesizes and discusses the rationale and development of PARP inhibitors, biomarker-based approaches associated and the future challenges related to their prescription as well as patient pathways.
Current and future advances in fluorescence-based visualization of plant cell wall components and cell wall biosynthetic machineries
Authors: DeVree Brian T , Steiner Lisa M , Głazowska Sylwia , Ruhnow Felix , Herburger Klaus , Persson Staffan , Mravec Jozef
Published: March 2021

Plant cell wall-derived biomass serves as a renewable source of energy and materials with increasing importance. The cell walls are biomacromolecular assemblies defined by a fine arrangement of different classes of polysaccharides, proteoglycans, and aromatic polymers and are one of the most complex structures in Nature. One of the most challenging tasks of cell biology and biomass biotechnology research is to image the structure and organization of this complex matrix, as well as to visualize the compartmentalized, multiplayer biosynthetic machineries that build the elaborate cell wall architecture. Better knowledge of the plant cells, cell walls, and whole tissue is essential for bioengineering efforts and for designing efficient strategies of industrial deconstruction of the cell wall-derived biomass and its saccharification. Cell wall-directed molecular probes and analysis by light microscopy, which is capable of imaging with a high level of specificity, little sample processing, and often in real time, are important tools to understand cell wall assemblies. This review provides a comprehensive overview about the possibilities for fluorescence label-based imaging techniques and a variety of probing methods, discussing both well-established and emerging tools. Examples of applications of these tools are provided. We also list and discuss the advantages and limitations of the methods. Specifically, we elaborate on what are the most important considerations when applying a particular technique for plants, the potential for future development, and how the plant cell wall field might be inspired by advances in the biomedical and general cell biology fields.