bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital-acquired COVID-19: a New Dilemma for the Infection Control Practitioner
Authors: Perez-Alba Eduardo , Nuzzolo-Shihadeh Laura , Padilla-Orozco Magaly , Mendoza-Garza marisela , Camacho-Ortiz Adrián
Published: December 2020

BackgroundPreliminary reports show that nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection is not associated with increased mortality compared with community acquired infection.MethodsRetrospective comparison of COVID-19 adult patients who were classified according to probable time of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 and symptom onset. Data from hospitalized patients that were hospitalized in non-COVID-19 areas were reviewed.All patients were classified as community-acquired/Community-onset (CA-CO), Community- acquired/hospital-onset (CA-HO) and Hospital-acquired/Hospital-onset (HA-HO) cases. All patients without respiratory symptoms were tested on day one and if negative, hospitalized in non-COVID-19 areas.Results We identified 59 patients that fulfilled the definition of CA-HO or HA-HO COVID-19. Patients in the CA-CO group were less likely to have multiple comorbidities than the patients in the CA-HO and HA-HO groups. Mortality was lower in the CA-CO group (21.8%) compared to the other groups, although it did not reach statistical significance. DiscussionWe identified 9 clusters of HA-HO cases arising from multiple-bed rooms from the non-COVID-19 areas. There was no significant difference for HA-HO COVID-19 between patients placed in a common-room bed compared to patients placed on single bed rooms (p=.19). Nevertheless, the RR for HA-HO COVID-19 was 105 (95% CI 62.9 to 177.6) for patients treated in a common-room allocating another COVID-19-detected patient within the immediate 24 h time frame (P=<0.01).ConclusionHospital-acquired COVID-19 is newly described and poses a challenge for infection control. We identified small clusters related to multiple-bed rooms from non-COVID-19 hospitalization wards and propose a simple time-based classification for hospital surveillance and isolation precautions.
Alveolar Epithelial Cells Involved in Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling and Constriction of Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Wang Yanxia , Li Xiaoming , Niu Wen , Chen Jian , Zhang Bo , Zhang Xiumin , Wang Yingmei , Dang Shaokang , Li Zhichao
Published: December 2020

Background: Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is a common type of pulmonary hypertension. Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are the first to perceive hypoxia of alveolar, however, the role of AECs in HPH remain unclear. HPH is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling and constriction. The present study was to whether AECs was involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling and constriction.Methods: Rat HPH models were built and pulmonary artery smooth cells (PASMCs) and AECs were treatment with hypoxia. Hemodynamic and morphological indicators were measured in samples from rat HPH models. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), catalase (CAT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected in AECs or AECs culture medium. To find out the effect of AECs on pulmonary vascular remodeling and constriction, AECs and PASMCs were co-cultured under hypoxia, PASMCs and isolated pulmonary artery (PA) were treatment with AECs hypoxic culture medium. To explore the mechanism of AECs on pulmonary vascular remodeling and constriction, ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was used.Results: In vivo, hypoxia resulted in elevation in pulmonary vascular remodeling and pressure, but had no effect on non-pulmonary vascular. In vitro, hypoxia caused an imbalance of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and catalase (CAT) and an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in AECs, as well as an increase of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in AECs culture medium. Also, AECs led to pulmonary artery smooth cells (PASMCs) proliferation under hypoxia by co-culture or substituting culture medium. AECs hypoxic culture medium enhanced the constriction of isolated pulmonary artery (PA). Further, these responses were abrogated by ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Conclusion: The findings of present study demonstrated that AECs involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling and constriction under hypoxia by secreting H2O2 to the pulmonary microenvironment.
Harmonizing Healthcare and Other Resource Measures for Evaluating Economic Costs in Substance Use Disorder Research
Authors: Papp Michelle Alexandra , Leff Jared A. , Murphy Sean M. , Yang April , Crane Heidi M , Metsch Lisa R. , Rio Carlos Del , Feaster Daniel J. , Rich Josiah D. , Schackman Bruce R. , McCollister Kathryn E.
Published: December 2020

Background: Standardization and harmonization of healthcare resource utilization data can improve evaluations of the economic impact of treating people with substance use disorder (SUD), including reductions in use of expensive hospital and emergency department (ED) services, and can ensure consistency with current cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis guidelines. Methods: We examined self-reported healthcare and other resource utilization data collected at baseline from three National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded Seek, Test, Treat, Retain intervention studies of individuals living with/at risk for HIV with SUD. Costs were calculated by multiplying mean healthcare resource utilization measures by monetary conversion factors reflecting cost per unit of care. We normalized baseline recall timeframes to past 30 days and evaluated for missing data. Results: We identified measures that are feasible and appropriate for estimating healthcare sector costs including ED visits, inpatient hospital and residential facility stays, and outpatient encounters. We also identified two self-reported measures to inform societal costs (days experiencing SUD problems, participant spending on substances). Missingness was 8% or less for all study measures and was lower for single questions measuring utilization in a recall period.Conclusions: We recommend including measures representing units of service with specific recall periods (e.g., 6 months vs. lifetime), and collecting healthcare resource utilization data using single-question measures to reduce missingness.
Insights from macroevolutionary modelling and ancestral state reconstruction into the radiation and historical dietary ecology of Lemuriformes (Primates, Mammalia)
Authors: Fulwood Ethan , Shan Shan , Winchester Julia , Kirveslahti Henry , Ravier Robert , Kovalsky Shahar , Daubechies Ingrid , Boyer Doug
Published: December 2020

The lemurs are a highly species-rich clade of primates, which, confined almost entirely to the island of Madagascar, have evolved to rival the diversity of rest of the primate order. We test the adaptive radiation model of Malagasy lemur diversity using a novel combination of phylogenetic comparative methods and geometric methods for quantifying tooth shape. We apply macroevolutionary model fitting approaches and disparity through time analysis to dental topography metrics associated with dietary adaptation, an aspect of mammalian ecology which appears to closely related to diversification in many clades. Metrics were also reconstructed at internal nodes of the lemur tree and these reconstructions were combined to generate dietary classification probabilities at internal nodes using discriminant function analysis. We used these reconstructions to calculate rates of transition toward folivory per million-year intervals. Finally, lower second molar shape was reconstructed at internal nodes by modelling the change in shape of 3D meshes using squared change parsimony along the branches of the lemur tree. Our analyses of dental topography metrics do not recover an early burst in rates of change or a pattern of early partitioning of subclade disparity. However, rates of change in adaptations for folivory were highest during the Oligocene, an interval of possible forest expansion on the island. Reconstruction of the molar morphologies corresponding to the ancestral nodes of the lemur tree suggest that this may have been driven by a shift toward defended plant resources.
Effectiveness of Attachment-Based Family Therapy compared to Treatment as Usual for Depressed Adolescents in Community Mental Health Clinics 
Authors: Waraan Luxsiya , Rognli Erling W. , Czajkowski Nikolai Olavi , Aalberg Marianne , Mehlum Lars
Published: December 2020

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a disabling mood disorder, profoundly affecting a large number of adolescent’s quality of life. To date, no obvious treatment of choice for MDD in adolescents is available and progress in the treatment of depressed adolescents will have important public health implications. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), as the only empirically supported family therapy model designed to treat adolescent depression, aims to repair interpersonal ruptures and rebuild an emotionally protective parent-child relationship.Objective: To study the effectiveness of ABFT compared with treatment as usual (TAU) delivered within child- and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adolescents with MDD.Method: Sixty adolescents (86.7% girls), aged 13-18 years (M = 14.9, SD = 1.35), with MDD referred to two CAMHS were randomized to 16 weeks of ABFT or TAU. ABFT consisted of weekly therapy sessions (family/individual or both) according to the treatment manual. TAU was not monitored. Primary outcomes were assessed by blinded evaluators at baseline and post-treatment with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Self-reported (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II) depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, and after 4, 6, 8, 10,12, 14, and 16 weeks. Analyses were performed according to intent-to-treat principles.Results: At post-treatment, clinician-rated remission rates on the HAMD (5 % in ABFT and 3.33% in TAU, p =1, OR=1.54, Fisher’s exact test) and self-reported symptoms of depression on the BDI-II did not differ significantly between groups (X2[2, N = 60] =0.06 , p = 0.97). In both treatment groups participants reported significantly reduced depressive symptoms, but the majority (63.3 %) of adolescents were still in the clinical range after 16 weeks of treatment.Conclusion: ABFT was not superior to TAU. Remission and response rates were low in both groups, suggesting none of the treatments were effective in treating MDD in adolescents. Findings must be viewed in the context of the study’s small sample size, missing data, and implementation challenges. Continued efforts to improve treatment for MDD in outpatient clinics are warranted . Future research should examine moderators of and mechanisms for individual differences to treatment response, as well as the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of implementing treatment models which may require extensive training and expertise to yield clinically meaningful improvements in non-research settings.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01830088https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01830088?term=Villab%C3%B8&draw=2&rank=1 Date of registration: April 12, 2013
Analysis of multiple cytokines in aqueous humor of patients with idiopathic macular hole
Authors: Wang Heping , Li Yuqi , Han Song , Niu Tongtong
Published: December 2020

Background: Idiopathic macular holes are common ophthalmic manifestations with unknown pathogenesis. Thus far, there has been minimal research regarding the causes of idiopathic macular holes, especially with respect to the underlying immune mechanism. To provide clarity regarding the treatment and prognosis of idiopathic macular holes, specifically regarding the levels of cytokines in affected patients, this study examined and analyzed multiple cytokine levels in aqueous humor from patients with idiopathic macular holes.Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 38 patients in two groups: a cataract control group (n=17) and an idiopathic macular hole group (n=21). The levels of 48 cytokines in aqueous humor were detected by multiplex analysis with antibody-coupled magnetic beads. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to check whether the data were normally distributed; Student’s t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to assess differences in cytokine levels between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess relationships among cytokine levels in the experimental group. Signaling pathways containing cytokines with significantly different expression in the experimental group were identified.Results: There were significant differences in aqueous humor cytokine levels between patients with idiopathic macular holes and patients in the cataract control group. Notably, hepatocyte growth factor (p=0.0001), GM-CSF (p=0.0111), and IFN-γ (p=0.0120) were significantly upregulated in the experimental group, while TNF-α (p=0.0032), GRO-α (p<0.0001), and MIF (p<0.0001) were significantly downregulated in the experimental group. Furthermore, the GM-CSF level showed significant positive correlations with levels of IL-1 (r=0.67904, p<0.001), IL-4 (r=0.76017, p<0.001), and IFN-γ (r=0.59922, p=0.004097) in the experimental group. Moreover, the levels of nerve growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.64951, p=0.001441) in the experimental group.Conclusions: Patients with idiopathic macular holes showed significant variation in aqueous humor immune response after the onset of hole formation, including the recruitment of immune cells and regulation of cytokine expression. Our findings also suggest that it is not appropriate to use patients with macular holes as the control group in studies of aqueous humor cytokine levels in ophthalmic diseases.
Challenges to effective governance in a low income healthcare system: a qualitative study of stakeholder perceptions in Malawi
Authors: Masefield Sarah C , Msosa Alan , Grugel Jean
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAll countries face challenging decisions about healthcare coverage. Malawi has committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, the timeframe set out by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As in other low income countries, scarce resources stand in the way of more equitable health access and quality in Malawi. Its health sector is highly dependent on donor contributions, and recent poor governance of government-funded healthcare saw donors withdraw funding, limiting services and resources. The 2017 National Health Plan II and accompanying Health Strategic Plan II identify the importance of improved governance and strategies to achieve more effective cooperation with stakeholders. This study explores health sector stakeholders’ perceptions of the challenges to improving governance in Malawi’s national health system within the post-2017 context of government attempts to articulate a way forward.MethodsA qualitative study design was used. Interviews were conducted with 22 representatives of major international and faith-based non-government organisations, civil society organisations, local government and government-funded organisations, and governance bodies operating in Malawi. Open questions were asked about experiences and perceptions of the functioning of the health system and healthcare decision-making. Content relating to healthcare governance was identified in the transcripts and field notes and analysed using inductive content analysis.ResultsStakeholders view governance challenges as a significant barrier to achieving a more effective and equitable health system. Three categories were identified: accountability (enforceability; answerability; stakeholder-led initiatives); health resource management (healthcare financing; drug supply); influence in decision-making (unequal power; stakeholder engagement).ConclusionsHealth sector stakeholders see serious political, structural, and financial challenges to improving governance in the national health system in Malawi which will impact the government’s goal of achieving UHC by 2030. Stakeholders identify the need for improved oversight, implementation, service delivery and social accountability of government-funded service providers to communities. Eighteen months after the introduction of the policy documents, they see little evidence of improved governance and have little or no confidence in the government’s ability to deliver UHC. The difficulties stakeholders perceive in relation to building equitable and effective healthcare governance in Malawi have relevance for other resource-limited countries which have also committed to the goal of UHC.
Why do pregnant women prefer cesarean birth? A qualitative study in a tertiary care center in Southern Thailand
Authors: Suwanrath Chitkasaem , Chunuan Sopen , Matemanosak Phawat , Pinjaroen Sutham
Published: December 2020

Background: Increasing worldwide rates of cesarean section are of global concern. In recent years, cesarean births upon maternal request have become a hotly debated issue. Hence, this study aimed to explore maternal reasons for cesarean preference without medical indications.Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted, using in-depth interviews with 27 pregnant women who preferred cesarean birth, attending antenatal care in Songklanagarind Hospital from September 2018 to June 2019. Data were analyzed using content analysis.Results: Maternal reasons for cesarean preference were classified into six main categories: fear of childbirth, safety concerns related to health risk perceptions, negative previous birth experiences, positive attitudes toward cesarean birth, access to biased information and superstitious beliefs in auspicious birth dates. Most women had more than one reason for opting cesarean birth. Conclusion: Several reasons for cesarean birth preference have been elucidated. One striking reason was superstitious beliefs in auspicious birth dates, which are challengable for obstetricians to deal with. Obstetricians should explore the exact reasons why women request cesarean birth in order to prevent or diminish unnecessary cesarean births.
Correlation-and-regression Analysis of the Influence of Macroeconomic Factors on Capital Structure of Russian Corporations Under Crisis Conditions
Authors: Metelskaya Valeria Valeryevna
Published: December 2020

The study reveals the influence of macroeconomic factors on decisions about the optimal capital structure formation under financial globalization, in view of ever-changing factors of the external economic and geopolitical environment. The study is aimed at empirical testing of hypotheses on how the level of financial leverage of corporations depends on traditional determinants during and after the financial crisis under the emerging market conditions in Russia. The study deals with a large data set of 49 public joint stock companies from 7 leading Russian economic sectors for the period from 2011 to 2017. According to the correlation-and-regression analysis results, (1) the use of traditional theories of capital structure under the conditions of current financial globalization in a country with a developing economy proves to be ineffective for the optimal capital structure formation (2) the corporate capital structure formation is strongly influenced by macroeconomic factors, which is most evidently manifested during and after the crisis, (3) the financial crisis exerts a strong influence on the corporate capital structure, (4) the determinant of stock market development has a significant influence on leverage and plays a prominent role in making financial decisions after the financial crisis.JEL classification: E22, E44, F6, F15
Development and validation of genome-wide InDel markers with high levels of polymorphism in bitter gourd ( Momordica charantia )
Authors: Cui Junjie , Peng Jiazhu , Cheng Jiaowen , Hu Kailin
Published: December 2020

Background: The preferred choice for molecular marker development is identifying existing variation in populations through DNA sequencing. With the genome resources currently available for bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), it is now possible to detect genome-wide insertion-deletion (InDel) polymorphisms among bitter gourd populations, which guides the efficient development of InDel markers. Results: Here, using bioinformatics technology, we detected 389,487 InDels from 61 Chinese bitter gourd accessions with an average density of approximately 1,298 InDels/Mb. Then we developed a total of 2,502 unique InDel primer pairs with a polymorphism information content (PIC) ≥0.6 distributed across the whole genome. Amplification of InDels in two bitter gourd lines ‘47-2-1-1-3’ and ‘04-17,’ indicated that the InDel markers were reliable and accurate. To highlight their utilization, the InDel markers were employed to construct a genetic map using 113 ‘47-2-1-1-3’×‘04-17’ F2 individuals. This InDel genetic map of bitter gourd consisted of 164 new InDel markers distributed on 15 linkage groups with a coverage of approximately half of the genome.Conclusions: This is the first report on the development of genome-wide InDel markers for bitter gourd. The validation of the amplification and genetic map construction suggests that these unique InDel markers may enhance the efficiency of genetic studies and marker-assisted selection for bitter gourd.
Epidemiological characteristics of four common respiratory viral infections in children
Authors: Zhu Guohong , Xu Dan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Tianlin , Zhang Lingyan , Gu Weizhong , Shen Meiping
Published: December 2020

Background: Viruses are the main infectious agents of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children. We aim to describe the epidemiological characteristics of viral pathogens of acute respiratory tract infections in outpatient children. Methods: From April 2018 to March 2019, the results of viral detection using oral pharyngeal swabs from 103,210 children with acute respiratory tract infection in the outpatient department of the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, were retrospectively analyzed. Viral antigens, including adenovirus (ADV), influenza A (FLUA), influenza B (FLUB) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), were detected by the colloidal gold method.Results: At least one virus was detected in 38,355 cases; the positivity rate was 37.2%. A total of 1910 cases of mixed infection with two or more viruses were detected, and the positivity rate of multiple infection was 1.9%. The ADV positivity rate was highest in the 3-6-year-old group (18.7%), the FLUA positivity rate was highest in the >6-year-old group (21.6%), the FLUB positivity rate was highest in the >6-year-old group (6.6%), and the RSV positivity rate was highest in the <1-year-old group (10.6%). There was a significant difference in the positivity rate of viral infection among different age groups (χ2 = 1280.7, P < 0.001). The rate of positive viral infection was highest in winter (47.1%). The ADV infection rate was highest in spring (18.2%). The rates of FLUA and FLUB positivity were highest in winter (28.8% and 3.6%, respectively). The rate of RSV positivity was highest in autumn (17.4%). The rate of positive viral infection in different seasons was significantly different (χ2 = 6459.1, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Viral infection rates in children differ for different ages and seasons. The positivity rate of ADV is highest in the preschool period and that of RSV is highest in infants; that of FLU increases with age. The total positive rate of viral infection in different seasons is highest in winter, as is the rate of FLU positivity.
Transcriptomes analysis reveals novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis in Hevea brasiliensis
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Hui-Liang , Zhou Yong-Kai , Guo Dong , Zhu Jia-Hong , Peng Shiqing
Published: December 2020

Background: Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a promising technology for plant vegetative propagation, which has an important role in tree breeding. Though rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) SE has been founded, few late SE-related genes have been identified and the molecular regulation mechanisms of late SE were still not well understood. Results: In this study, the transcriptomes of embryogenic callus (EC), primary embryo (PE), cotyledonary embryo (CE), abnormal embryo (AE), mature cotyledonary embryo (MCE) and withered abnormal embryo (WAE) were analyzed. A total of 887,852,416 clean reads were generated, 85.92% of them were mapped to the rubber tree genome. The de novo assembly generated 36937 unigenes. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the pairwise comparisons of CE vs. AE and MCE vs. WAE, respectively. The specific common DEGs were mainly involved in the phytohormones signaling pathway, biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid and starch and sucrose metabolism. Among them, hormone signal transduction related genes were significantly enriched, especially the auxin signaling factors (AUX-like1, GH3.1, SAUR32-like, IAA9-like, IAA14-like, IAA27-like, IAA28-like and ARF5-like). The transcription factors including WRKY40, WRKY70, MYBS3-like, MYB1R1-like, AIL6 and bHLH93-like were characterized as molecular markers for rubber tree late SE. CML13, CML36, CAM-7, SERK1 and LEAD-29-like were also related to rubber tree late SE. In addition, histone modification had crucial roles during rubber tree late SE. Conclusions: This study provides important information to elucidate the molecular regulation during rubber tree late SE.
Allergic rhinitis and house dust mite sensitization determine persistence of asthma in children.
Authors: Brzozowska Agnieszka , Woicka-Kolejwa Katarzyna , Jerzyńska Joanna , Majak Paweł , Stelmach Iwona
Published: December 2020

Background: MAS study revealed that chronic course of asthma characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness and impairment of lung function at school age is determined by continuing allergic airway inflammation which begin in the first 3 years of life. Respiratory tract infections early in life, childhood allergic comorbidities, exposure to environmental determinants of asthma and active smoking may all contribute to increased risk of allergic disorders. While these correlations have been established, there is little understanding of the immunological mechanisms by which asthma develops into a persistent disease, or by which symptoms regress.Methods. Eighty patients were included into the analysis. Clinical and immunoregulatory predictors of asthma were analyzed.Results: Presence of mAPI criteria as well as house dust mite-allergy and allergic rhinitis at 7-10 yeas, were associated with a reduced prevalence of asthma remission. The increased eosinophil blood count in API (Asthma Predictive Index) criteria was associated with a lower expression of CD25 positive cells. Current HDM-allergy was associated with a higher FeNO level and higher expression of CD25CD71 positive cells. Allergic rhinitis was associated with a higher expression of PPAR and CD25CD71 positive cells; in the same group of patients a lower expression of GARP positive cells were observed.Conclusions: Probability of persistence of childhood asthma was largely determined by the presence of allergic rhinitis and sensitization to HDM. Our results suggest natural remission of clinical symptoms of asthma in children are not fully related to immunoregulation processes. Additionally, API criteria are related to asthma persistence.
Online art therapy in elementary schools during COVID-19: results from a randomized cluster pilot and feasibility study and impact on mental health.
Authors: Malboeuf-Hurtubise Catherine , Léger-Goodes Terra , Mageau Geneviève A. , Taylor Geneviève , Herba Catherine , Chadi Nicholas , Lefrançois David
Published: December 2020

Background: Emerging literature on the current COVID-19 crisis suggests that children may experience increased anxiety and depression as a result of the pandemic. To prevent such school and mental health-related problems, there is a timely need to develop preventive strategies and interventions to address potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on children’s mental health, especially in school settings. Results from previous child clinical research indicate that art-based therapies, including mindfulness-based art therapy, have shown promise to increase children’s well-being and reduce psychological distress.Objective: The goal of the present pilot and feasibility study was to compare the impact of an emotion-based directed drawing intervention and a mandala drawing intervention, on mental health in elementary school children (N=22), in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both interventions were group-based and delivered online and remotely. A pilot study using a randomized cluster design was implemented to evaluate and compare both interventions in relation to child anxiety, depression, inattention and hyperactivity symptoms. Results: Analyses of covariance revealed a significant effect of the type of drawing intervention on levels of inattention, after controlling for baseline levels. Participants in the emotion-based directed drawing group showed lower inattention scores at post-test, when compared to participants in the mandala group. Post-hoc sensitivity analyses showed significant decreases in pre-to-post scores for levels of hyperactivity for the complete sample.Conclusion: Overall, results from this pilot and feasibility study showed that both an emotion-based directed drawing intervention and a mandala drawing intervention may be beneficial to improve mental health in elementary school children, in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. From a feasibility standpoint, results indicate that the implementation of both interventions online and remotely, through a videoconference platform, is feasible and adequate in school-based settings. Further work incorporating larger sample sizes, longitudinal data and ensuring sufficient statistical power is warranted to evaluate the long-term impact of both interventions on children’s mental health.
Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems.
Authors: Hansen Anna Sofie , Telléus Gry Kjaersdam , Mohr-Jensen Christina , Lauritsen Marlene Briciet
Published: December 2020

Background: Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method: In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results: The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion: Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.
Lnc-GULP1-2:1 affects granulosa cell proliferation by regulating COL3A1 expression and localization​
Authors: Yao Guidong , Kong Yue , Yang Guang , Kong Deqi , Xu Yijiang , He Jiahuan , Xu Ziwen , Bai Yucheng , Fan Huiying , He Qina , Sun Yingpu
Published: December 2020

Backgrounds: Long non-coding RNA is a kind of RNA molecule with a transcript length of more than 200 nt and lacking protein coding ability. Recent studies have found that it is widely involved in many pathological and physiological processes. In our previous study, we found that lnc-GULP1-2:1 was significantly down-regulated in the ovarian cortical tissue of patients with primary ovarian insufficiency and predicted that lnc-GULP1-2:1 has a regulatory effect on COL3A1. Results: In this study, we found that lnc-GULP1-2:1 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of luteinized granulosa cells and was lower expressed in patients with diminished ovarian reserve but highly expressed in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Overexpression of lnc-GULP1-2:1 in KGN cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, which may be related to the regulation of cell cycle related genes CCND2 and p16. To further investigate the regulation of lnc-GULP1-2:1 on COL3A1, RNA analysis revealed a positive correlation between the expression of lnc-GULP1-2:1 and COL3A1 in multiple cell lines, and this was consistent in luteinized granulosa cells from patients with different ovarian functions. We also found that overexpression of lnc-GULP1-2:1 in KGN cells promoted the expression and migration of COL3A1 into the nucleus, and silencing COL3A1 gene in KGN cells also significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Conclusions: Lnc-GULP1-2:1 affects the proliferation of granulosa cells by regulating the expression and localization of COL3A1 protein, and may participate in the regulation of ovarian follicle development. This study will provide a new idea for understanding the regulatory mechanism of follicular development and a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to ovarian follicular development disorders in the future.
Impact of treating iron deficiency, diagnosed according to hepcidin quantification, on outcomes after a prolonged ICU stay compared to standard care: a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded trial.
Authors: lasocki sigismond , ASFAR Pierre , JABER Samir , FERRANDIERE Martine , KERFORNE Thomas , ASEHNOUNE Karim , MONTRAVERS Philippe , SEGUIN Philippe , PEOC’H Katell , GERGAUD Soizic , NAGOT Nicolas , LEFEBVRE Thibaud , Lehmann Sylvain , group HEPCIDAN Study
Published: December 2020

Background: Anemia is a significant problem in patients on ICU. Its commonest cause, iron deficiency (ID), is difficult to diagnosed in the context of inflammation. Hepcidin is a new marker of ID. We aimed to assess whether hepcidin levels would accurately guide treatment of ID in critically ill anemic patients after a prolonged ICU stay and affect the post-ICU outcomes. Methods: In a controlled, single-blinded, multicenter study, anemic (WHO definition) critically ill patients with an ICU stay ≥5 days were randomized when discharge was expected to either intervention by hepcidin treatment protocol or control. In the intervention arm patients were treated with intravenous iron (1g of ferric carboxymaltose) when hepcidin was <20 μg/l and with intravenous iron and erythropoietin for 20≤ hepcidin <41 μg/l. Control patients were treated according to standard care (hepcidin quantification remained blinded). Primary endpoint was the number of days spent in hospital 90 days after ICU discharge (post-ICU LOS). Secondary endpoints were day 15 anemia, day 30 fatigue, day-90 mortality and one-year survival. Results: Of 405 randomized patients, 399 were analyzed (201 in intervention and 198 in control arm). 220(55%) had ID at discharge (i.e. an hepcidin <41 μg/l). Primary endpoint was not different (medians(IQR) post-ICU LOS 33(13;90) vs33(11;90) days for intervention and control respectively, median difference -1(-3;1) days, p=0.78). D90 mortality was significantly lower in intervention arm (16(8%) vs 33(16.6%) deaths, absolute risk difference -8.7 (-15.1 to -2.3)%, p=0.008, OR 95%IC, 0.46, 0.22 to 0.94, p=0.035) and one-year survival was improved (p =0.04). Conclusion: Treatment of ID diagnosed according to hepcidin levels did not reduce the post-ICU LOS, but was associated with a significant reduction in D90 mortality and with improved 1-year survival in critically ill patients about to be discharged after a prolonged stay.
Abrasive Weeding as a Vehicle for Precision Fertilizer Management in Organic Vegetable Production
Authors: Luong Tran Kim Ngan , Forcella Frank , Clay Sharon A. , Douglass Michael S. , Wortman Sam E.
Published: December 2020

Abrasive weeding is a nonchemical weed control tactic that uses small, gritty materials propelled with compressed air to destroy weed seedlings. Organic fertilizers have been used successfully as abrasive grits to control weeds, but the goal for this study was to explore the effects of fertilizer grit, application rates, and background soil fertility on weeds, plant available nitrogen (N) uptake, and crop yield. Field trials were conducted in organic ‘Carmen’ sweet red pepper (Capsicum annuum) and organic ‘Gypsy’ broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and treatments included organic fertilizer grit (8N–0.9P–3.3K vs. 3N–3.1P–3.3K), grit application rates (low vs. high), compost amendments (with and without), and weedy and weed-free controls. Weed biomass was harvested at 84 days and 65 days after transplanting for pepper and broccoli, respectively. Simulated total plant available N (nitrate + ammonium) uptake was measured with ion exchange resin stakes between 7 and 49 days after the first of two grit applications. Produce was harvested at maturity, graded for marketability, and weighed. The higher grit application rate, regardless of fertilizer type, reduced the weed biomass by 75% to 89% for pepper and by 86% to 99% for broccoli. By 5 weeks after the first grit application, simulated plant N uptake was greatest following grit application with the 8% N fertilizer, followed by the 3% N fertilizer, and lowest in the weedy control. The high grit application rate of 8% N fertilizer increased pepper yield by 112% compared with the weedy control, but it was similar to that of the weed-free control. Broccoli was less responsive to abrasive grits, with yield changes ranging from no difference to up to a 36% increase (relative to the weedy control) depending on the application rate and compost amendment. This is the first evidence indicating that the nutrient composition of organic fertilizer abrasive grits can influence in-season soil N dynamics, weed competition, and crop yield. The results suggest that abrasive weeding technology could be leveraged to improve the precision of in-season fertilizer management of organic crops.
Corporate hedging theories and usage of foreign currency loans: a logit model approach
Authors: Sriram Mahadevan , Gali Srilakshminarayana
Published: December 2020

The present study has attempted to discuss the association between corporate hedging theories and the usage of foreign currency loans by companies listed in India. A total of 349 non-financial companies were selected, and the data for the financial year ending 31st March, 2018 were considered for the analysis. The descriptive statistics indicate that 55% of the sample companies had borrowed funds in foreign currency. The companies were highly levered and maintained adequate short-term assets to honor short-term obligations. A logit model was employed for analyzing the cross-sectional data. The dependent variable being binary (‘0’ for non-user of foreign currency loans and ‘1’ for foreign currency loan user), the study found the variable ‘industry type’ to have a significant association with usage of foreign currency loans. Companies from the manufacturing sector were likely to use foreign currency loans than companies from the services sector. Debt to net worth, export to sales, revenue (log of revenue) were the variables that significantly influenced the likelihood of companies raising foreign currency loans. Interest coverage ratio had a negative influence on the likelihood of companies opting for foreign currency loans. Hosmer and Lemeshow test showed that the model is a good fit indicating 73% accuracy in predicting the users of foreign currency loans as ‘foreign currency loan users’. Theories such as financial distress, size, and extent of international operations explain why companies raise foreign currency loans.
Unobservable characteristics of board directors and the performance of financial services firms in Nigeria
Authors: Osahon Osazevbaru Henry , Mitaire Tarurhor Emmanuel
Published: December 2020

This paper examines the intricate link between unobservable characteristics of directors on the corporate board and firm performance. It aims to extend the literature on corporate governance and firm strategic performance from the perspective of emerging African economies. A mix of performance measures were used (Tobin Q, return on assets, and share price) and unobservable characteristics were captured as a stochastic element or heterogeneity of observable board characteristics (board activity, gender diversity, size, and independence). The study applied non-linear generalized auto-regressive conditional heteroscedasticity model to examine the data set consisting of 299 firm-year observations from 23 financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 2006 to 2018. Positive skewness and leptokurtic distribution were found for all the variables. Correlation matrix revealed no multicollinearity, as the highest value was 0.2386. Empirical results suggest that unobservable characteristics significantly and positively influence firm performance as measured by return on assets and share price. This is because the coefficient of the lagged-value of the variance scaling parameter is positive and significant at the 1% level. However, with respect to Tobin Q measure, the result was positive but not significant at the 5% level. Implicitly, the result is sensitive to performance proxies. Accordingly, this study concludes that unobservable characteristics drive firm performance. It is recommended that boards and regulators should pay attention to unobservable characteristics.
Association between exposure to drinking water disinfection byproducts and adverse pregnancy outcomes in South Africa
Authors: Mashau Funanani , Ncube Esper Jacobeth , Voyi Kuku
Published: December 2020

Currently, there is contradictory evidence for the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with maternal exposure to disinfection byproducts (DBPs). We examine the association between maternal exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including premature birth, low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). In total, 1,167 women older than 18 years were enrolled at public antenatal venues in two geographical districts. For each district, we measured the levels of residential drinking water DBPs (measured in THMs) through regulatory data and routine water sampling. We estimated the individual uptake of water of each woman by combining individual water use and uptake factors. Increased daily internal dose of total THMs during the third trimester of pregnancy significantly increased the risk of delivering premature infants (AOR 3.13, 95% CI 1.36–7.17). The risk of premature birth was also positiviely associated with exposure to total THMs during the whole pregnancy (AOR 2.89, 95% CI 1.25–6.68). The risk of delivering an SGA and LBW infant was not associated with maternal exposure to THMs. Our findings suggest that exposure to THMs is associated with certain negative pregnancy outcomes. The levels of THMs in water should be routinely monitored.
Evaluating the policy of listening to customer claims in a drinking water utility using fuzzy-AHP approach and WASPAS method
Authors: Bouchraki Faiza , Berreksi Ali , Hamchaoui Samir
Published: December 2020

The objective of this work is to develop a decision support methodology intended for drinking water utility managers in order to support them in the challenge of achieving better performance in the management of the customer area. This methodology requires the prior collection of data for the identification of registered claims. Subsequently, an evaluation of the performance of the customer area defined by the objective ‘Better listening to customer claims’ will be carried out; this requires the structuring of the objective in a hierarchy based on indicators and the adoption of two adequate decision support tools, a fuzzy-AHP for weighting the elements and WASPAS for calculating the performance of the objective. An application is carried out on the water utility of the Wilaya of Bejaia (Algeria). The data collection enabled the identification of 19 types of claims divided into three aspects. The combination of fuzzy-AHP and WASPAS allowed assessment of the performance of the objective during the period 2014–2018 and to make a judgment on the national policy established. The results are satisfactory. Progress has been made in claims management, but the major difficulty lies in the claims processing relating to the quantitative aspect.
Que Aritmética para ensinar Sistema Métrico Decimal? Saberes profissionais para o seu ensino
Authors: Guimarães Marcos Denilson , Silva Martha Raíssa Iane Santana da , França Denise Medina
Published: December 2020

O marco legal de implantação do Sistema Métrico Decimal (SMD) nas escolas brasileiras pela Lei Imperial de 1862, Lei nº 1157, completaria hoje seus 158 anos. No presente estudo buscou-se investigar os processos de escolarização desse saber, levando também em consideração as questões referentes à formação didático-metodológica de professores que ensinam matemática. Com o objetivo de caracterizar a abordagem de um Sistema Métrico Decimal a ensinar e para ensinar, foram analisados trabalhos publicados por pesquisadores entre os anos de 2007 a 2019 que abordavam o SMD a partir de manuais escolares. O estudo possui uma perspectiva sócio-histórica. Conclui-se que a matemática a e para ensinar o SMD sofreu transformações em termos de ordenação do saber, bem como modificações no programa com progressiva inserção do conteúdo SMD em substituição ao antigo Sistema de Pesos e Medidas, ao longo do período caracterizado por um SMD intuitivo prático.
BIOSATELLITES BION 6-11: INVESTIGATIONS WITH PRIMATES
Authors:   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, Grigoriev A.I. , Lapin B.A. ,   Research Institute of Medical Primatology, Sochi, Russia, Kozlovskaya I.B. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, Ilyin Е.А. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Published: December 2020

In 1951, the USSR started launching rockets with dogs in preparation of the first human space flight. The US, starting in 1948, launched primates. These launches of rockets with animals pursued primarily the objectives of engineering testing, whereas the actual researches with primates in orbital flights in US and USSR began in 1969 and 1983, respectively. USSR/Russia launched 12 rhesus-macaques onboard 6 biosatellites of the BION series. The main goal of the investigations was to attack the so-called space adaptation syndrome. Implanted and applied electrodes provided unique information about progression of the space motion sickness, motor dysfunction and growth of intracranial pressure in the condition of microgravity. The BION program was conducted in a broad cooperation with international partners.